"I want neither a terrorist spirituality that keeps me in a perpetual state of fright about being in right relationship with my heavenly Father nor a sappy spirituality that portrays God as such a benign teddy bear that there is no aberrant behavior or desire of mine that he will not condone. I want a relationship with the Abba of Jesus, who is infinitely compassionate with my brokenness and at the same time an awesome, incomprehensible, and unwieldy Mystery. " – Brennan Manning
It is always a good sign when the kind of anything we want is the kind of anything that it is – or anyone.
Manning expresses a desire for the kind of Jesus that I see in the gospels, the kind that I know from experience, and the kind I see reflected in the lives of people who know Him.
He is, at the same time, soft and rugged, kind and tough, non-judgmental and brutally honest. He is the incarnate one who can be known and wholly Other who is beyond our reach.
When Word becomes flesh, it is an entirely new ballgame with which there is no comparison to aid our understanding.
And that's the way I like it!
So, in His Name and Spirit, I pray to His Abba and mine:
Daddy, I come.
I am overwhelmed by You.
Your arms, Your hands, You shoulders are so broad and strong.
Your embrace is so warm.
Your Son, Jesus said I should not be afraid to come to You.
He said that He was my brother and You are my Dad.
So, here I am because I see You in Him and I trust Him and I trust You.
Teach me to trust You and love You more.
This Is Prayer: We move in the direction of God.
The movement itself is far more important that the words we use or the sentiments we experience. It is the movement that expresses the true intentions of our hearts.
The movement is the most honest and reliable indicator of our spiritual progress … whether we know it or feel it or not.
Let us move toward God today.
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." – Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
What kind of Jesus is He?
He is the kind who lives us to His name, God-Saves.
He is generous and not jealous of all that is rightfully His and His alone.
He is the kind who invites us to come to His Father and share His Father's love.
He is tough and kind.
He is beyond me and approachable.
He is infinitely wise, but delightfully relatable.
He is dead serious and devastatingly funny.
He is strong yet vulnerable.
He is consistent in His expectations and compassionate in our failures.
He is sternly demanding and gently patient.
He loves us.
He gives everything for us.
He desires our company.
He really likes us.
He is the human face of God.
He is family!
So, what will I be?
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