The Sound of Love

A writing by my friend Luke, a new Father and a fellow Youth Pastor here in the Dallas area with his precious daughter Claire.

My little girl was a week old yesterday. May I say that this experience of being a Father is quite amazing to the point where words fall very short in describing it accurately.

However, yesterday as I was holding Claire I was talking to her. Of course I know that she can’t understand anything I am saying and is much more interested in her next meal than in her fathers voice. But, I have noticed that her favorite position to be held is tight up against my chest with her head against my heart. I was so incredibly still that I could feel my pulse as my heart continued to beat. I said aloud, “Although you don’t know it yet baby girl, the sound of love is what you’re hearing.” Of course she didn’t understand that, but I pray one day she will.

I began to think of my Savior…and to think he was probably saying the same thing to me (and the rest of mankind) as a matter of fact. “The sound of love is what you’re hearing.” As he washed the disciples feet, as he turned over tables in the temple, as he was silent before his accusers, as he was scourged, as the nails were driven into his hands and feet, as his blood pooled at the foot of the cross, as he took his last breath, as the stone rolled away. “The sound of love is what you are hearing.” And although you might not understand that now, I pray that someday you will.

Overwhelmed,

luke

The Mystery of Mercy

Read this lyrics before you read my post

Caedmon’s Call
Mystery Of Mercy

I am the woman at the well, I am the harlot
I am the scattered seed that fell along the path
I am the son that ran away
And I am the bitter son that stayed

My God, my God why hast though accepted me
When all my love was vinegar to a thirsty King?
My God, my God why hast though accepted me
It's a mystery of mercy and the song, the song I sing

I am the angry man who came to stone the lover
I am the woman there ashamed before the crowd
I am the leper that gave thanks
But I am the nine that never came

You made the seed that made the tree
That made the cross that saved me
You gave me hope when there was none
You gave me your only Son

My God, My God, Lord you are my God

This has been a good week as God continues to teach me about His mercy, kindness and compassion towards me. The more I realize that I have nothing to give God except myself, frees me to be who I am. I don’t have to try and earn God’s love or favor. It does seem hypocritical that I am lavished by this mercy and yet have such a hard time extending it to others, especially those that are different from me. I want to pick and choose who gets this mercy, but it is just a failure, because mercy knows no bounds.

Brennan Manning in his book, The Ragamuffin Gospel writes, “There was a sinful woman in the village who had kissed Jesus’ feet. There was freedom in doing that. Despised as a prostitute, she had accepted the truth of her utter nothingness before the Lord. She had nothing to lose. She loved much because much had been forgiven her”

Christ didn’t pick and choose who received mercy, but only the humble could truly receive it. We forget our nothingness and how much we have been forgiven so we cannot experience mercy the way it was intended until it is given back. Who needs God’s mercy at this moment right now and do you realize you are the one called to receive it and give it? Mercy, you are a mystery!

This is the most recent picture of Sabrina's belly. She is exactly 8 months in this picture...not too much longer to go! I actually took this picture of her when we were in Ohio for Christmas visiting my family...she did the post processing on it...pretty good team hugh? Sabrina and "Baby G" are doing well and everything looks great with only 7 weeks to go, as long as Graydon doesn't come early! This week we're working on his nursery. Its amaizing how much time, prayer, and thought you put into someone who isn't even here yet! God bless and we'll continue to keep you all updated.