My Dear Wife,
I thank you for listening to me. You have always been a great listener. I know that sometimes I might act as if I'm self-sufficient, as if I don't need anyone or anything. But beneath my 'I-have-everything-under-control' exterior dwells a needy little boy with concerns, fears, insecurities, and a need to be heard. Even when I appear tired, pre-occupied or crazy, sometimes I just want someone to talk to; someone like you, whom I can completely trust with all my inadequacies and shortcomings. Someone I know I can count on. That someone has always been you. Thank you, darling.
If you can, gently nudge me out, I'd love to talk to you and tell you everything that resides in these secret chambers of my heart. I know, communication seems to flow more easily for you women than it does for us men. We're not always comfortable saying how we feel, or even knowing how we feel. But you, my dear wife, you can draw me out. I know you're a good listener, and you usually have something wise and encouraging to say. I long so much for those intimate moments where I can pour out my heart to you and yours to mine; moments where your heartbeats sound clearer that the sound of the night. I really do need and like to talk to you.
Because I Love You,
Your Husband.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
My Devotion - A Shoeless Stance
Joshua 5:1-15, Old Testament, The Bible
verse 13-15:
Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes & looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, & Joshua went to him and said, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?"
And he said, "No, rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the LORD."
And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, "What has my Lord to say to his servant?"
And the Captain of the Lord's host said to Joshua, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
This short chapter has 2 parts. I will skip the first part, but just to mention that sometime, when things are going our way, be it in career or family or personal achievement, God ask us to do the unthinkable: "Circumcised!"
To a young Israelite, marching towards Canaan, aka the war zone, with kings and armies surrounded them , the last thing for him to do is to ...cut. You know what I mean, don't you, guys. I will be most most vulnerable, not to mention utterly uncomfortable and inconvenience to the fullest. How to fight? It really centres on trusting God for protection and provision (since the manna also stop at about the same time).
But I want to dwell on the second part, that which described Joshua's personal encounter with God. You see, the question remains throughout the ages, as it will always remain, one of ultimate authority. Who are you going to follow in your life? Who will command your allegiance? Christ or Culture? You really really can't have it both ways. (Unless you are Frank Sinatra!)
The interesting thing about taking off the sandals has always puzzled me. But I choose not to let the leg-dress confuse me with the lesson. The man with the sword, possibly the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is telling Joshua that his observation is correct, but his conclusion is wrong.
You see, Joshua recognise combat and authority. A man with drawn sword is no small matters. Joshua knew that he can either count this man as an ally or as his enemy. He is effectively asking, Whose sides are you in? Liverpool or Man-U? Of course Liverpool lah, moron!
Just kidding. The lesson is so clear and sharp. God's representative, the Supreme Commander of the hosts of Heaven, did not come to take side. HE CAME TO TAKE OVER!
"I did not come to take sides, Joshua, I came to take over. You looked surprise, Joshua". Yes, but he obeyed and then Joshua did what I think taking off sandals means. He submits. He surrenders. He chooses. It is a crossroad again. He choose the Word of God (the drawn sword) as his final order, his ultimate authority from HQ. He has decided as to who will call the shots.
God is tucking my heart again.
The truth is, until I have settled the authority question, I cannot settle any question.
Is He just "one more guiding voice" or "One and Only Voice"?
Lordship issue is always lesson no. 1. If I want to move back down the trail He intended for me as man, some priorities have got to change.
The fate and future of my family, my relationship, my son, my career all rest on this shoeless ground.
Lord, help me, I pray. To have a shoeless stance before You in all matters that count for You and Your Kindgom.
verse 13-15:
Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes & looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, & Joshua went to him and said, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?"
And he said, "No, rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the LORD."
And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, "What has my Lord to say to his servant?"
And the Captain of the Lord's host said to Joshua, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
This short chapter has 2 parts. I will skip the first part, but just to mention that sometime, when things are going our way, be it in career or family or personal achievement, God ask us to do the unthinkable: "Circumcised!"
To a young Israelite, marching towards Canaan, aka the war zone, with kings and armies surrounded them , the last thing for him to do is to ...cut. You know what I mean, don't you, guys. I will be most most vulnerable, not to mention utterly uncomfortable and inconvenience to the fullest. How to fight? It really centres on trusting God for protection and provision (since the manna also stop at about the same time).
But I want to dwell on the second part, that which described Joshua's personal encounter with God. You see, the question remains throughout the ages, as it will always remain, one of ultimate authority. Who are you going to follow in your life? Who will command your allegiance? Christ or Culture? You really really can't have it both ways. (Unless you are Frank Sinatra!)
The interesting thing about taking off the sandals has always puzzled me. But I choose not to let the leg-dress confuse me with the lesson. The man with the sword, possibly the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is telling Joshua that his observation is correct, but his conclusion is wrong.
You see, Joshua recognise combat and authority. A man with drawn sword is no small matters. Joshua knew that he can either count this man as an ally or as his enemy. He is effectively asking, Whose sides are you in? Liverpool or Man-U? Of course Liverpool lah, moron!
Just kidding. The lesson is so clear and sharp. God's representative, the Supreme Commander of the hosts of Heaven, did not come to take side. HE CAME TO TAKE OVER!
"I did not come to take sides, Joshua, I came to take over. You looked surprise, Joshua". Yes, but he obeyed and then Joshua did what I think taking off sandals means. He submits. He surrenders. He chooses. It is a crossroad again. He choose the Word of God (the drawn sword) as his final order, his ultimate authority from HQ. He has decided as to who will call the shots.
God is tucking my heart again.
The truth is, until I have settled the authority question, I cannot settle any question.
Is He just "one more guiding voice" or "One and Only Voice"?
Lordship issue is always lesson no. 1. If I want to move back down the trail He intended for me as man, some priorities have got to change.
The fate and future of my family, my relationship, my son, my career all rest on this shoeless ground.
Lord, help me, I pray. To have a shoeless stance before You in all matters that count for You and Your Kindgom.
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