Access

     I sat down in the crowded auditorium where the local Christian high school graduation was taking place. Doing my best to stay awake through it all, my attention like many in the room, was now being focused on the special speaker.What stood out to me that day was just how tall this man was from a small town called Hope. He had just won re-election as Governor after being beaten once before. Though I had not voted for him in the election, I was still impressed by his ability to communicate to the people in the room. He had a way to make you feel as though he were talking to you and to you alone. Looking around the room I saw a few state troopers who were there to watch over him. After the ceremony many would have the honor of visiting and shaking his hand. Like many, little did I realize, that Bill Clinton would one day be the President of the Untied States.

     Flash forward several years later. Julie and I were now living in Grand Junction Colorado. We had been invited to a special event down at the local courthouse. It was such a beautiful day in that part of the country. The sun was shining so brightly and there was such a clean smell in the air. President George Bush Sr. was now in town after we had just won the first Gulf War. What stood out to us that day, was the huge amount of security that had now come into our part of the world. We had to go through a screening process. On top of some of the local buildings by the courthouse, men stood with weapons and walkie- talkies. State troopers were all around the courthouse and among us. When President Bush came out upon the steps, the crowd went wild with applause. After he had spoken, he reached out to many, to visit and shake their hands. What an honor to have been in the presence of our President.

     I feel blessed as an American to have had the opportunity to  be in the presence of two Presidents. It is an honor no matter what our political persuasion is to be able to meet with our leaders. With all of that being said though, I am also reminded of the limited access that we have. These leaders do not know me personally and the possibility of them coming to have a cup of tea with me, is somewhere in the realm of ZILCH, NADA no NEVER. This is not said with disrespect, (although it would be cool if they came on by and said Hi) these men do not have any type of relationship with me. I might be able to shake their hand or visit with them for a moment, but the conversation will never be deep or long.

     When I reflect upon my lack of access to these men I am reminded of the following incredible truth. We can enter into the presence of the King of Kings. Think about this for a moment. The one who created the stars, the moon and even these men, gives me access into His presence. When Moses looked upon his backside, his face shone with the glory of God so much he had to wear a veil. When Isaiah saw Him he cried out, "Woe is me for I am undone." The apostle John had walked with Him for over three years, yet when he saw Him in heaven he fell at his feet as though he were dead. I am even more vile then they were and yet He tells me to draw nigh into His presence.

     In the Old Testament the temple represented to the people the very presence of God here on earth. They were to treat it with the greatest of all respect. A veil was placed between the Holy place and what was called the Holy of Hollies. No man could come into this room other then the High Priest. The access was limited because of His holiness. Through Christ death though, that veil has been torn, so that we may enter in. We who do not deserve to even be near Him, have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. I am now allowed to enter in and fellowship with the God of the universe.

     This is why prayer is so special to all of us. When you and I pray, we are entering past the veil. We are not talking to a mere human being but the God who loves us. Here is the best part of all, He knows me in a personal way. Warts and all He loves me and wants me to talk to Him. There are no guards around Him. I do not have to be, "In the loop." He wants me as lowly as I am, to come into His presence and reveal all of my secrets, my failures, my hopes, my request and my dreams and lay them at His feet.

     We have been invited not to see a President but to bow before the King of all Kings. I have a relationship with Him as a Son. I have access to His throne room and as a believer so do you.

Because of death upon a tree

     I woke up this morning overwhelmed by the love and mercy of God towards me. I thought of how often I fail when trials come and yet how He has never forsaken me once. I will never comprehend or fully understand His unfailing love. I wrote these words knowing that although I may not always be faithful to Him, He will always be faithful to me.

Will I walk with you through the darkest night?
 Will I speak you name when others take flight?
  What will I do when all the flames grow high?
    What shall I do if I were given a chance to hide?

How could I forget you and the scars on your back?
 Agony, you suffered as my sins are no longer tracked,
  Love, that was spilt while you bled and died for me,
   Grace, freely given because of death upon a tree.

Will I stand even when my family tells me no?
 Will I walk through the valley, fight against the foe?
   What will I do when they mock and spit in your face?
    What shall I do when I run towards you in this race?

How could I forget you and the scars on your back?
 Agony, you suffered as my sins are no longer tracked,
  Love, that was spilt while you bled and died for me,
   Grace, freely given because of death upon a tree.

You promised that you would always stand beside me,
 You promised me a Heaven that one day my eyes will see,
  You said that you would never deny me, as you plead for me,
    Your grace is freely given because of death upon a tree.

How could I forget you and the scars on your back?
 Agony, you suffered as my sins were no longer tracked,
  Love, that was spilt while you bled and died for me,
   Grace, freely given because of death upon a tree,
     Oh, your sweet grace, was freely given because of death upon a tree.

How I long for these days. :)

Two Girls

     Walking into the front room tonight I gazed at our Christmas tree for the last time. I noticed also my two girls, keeping up with one of their traditions that they have kept for years. You see, on the night before Christmas, as well as the night before we put up our Christmas stuff. they sleep on the sofas in the front room before the tree.

     They have done this for a long time. I remember a day when they were so little that they would both only take up one sofa. Tonight is not such a night, as each one pretty well takes up one sofa. They are growing up so quickly.

     I know that I don't have many more days like this. I watched over them for a few minutes. I was reminded of how time has flown by as we start this new year. I have seen their births, first steps, grade school, junior high, high school and even the oldest finishing her first semester of college. (OK don't worry I am not going to sing Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof. My sweet girls would kill me on the spot.)

     The point is, I have watched them. I have seen them fall. The girls have done wrong. The girls have even fought with each other for no reason at all. Hurtful words have gone forth and a thousand other things. Then, there are those moments you live for as a parent. I have seen them share and care for others. As a Dad, I have never been prouder of them then when they have taken stands for the Lord. I have also tried to be there for them when those stands have even cost them their friends. I want to hold them and care for them even more.

     Looking at them on the sofas, like a lot of Fathers, I dread seeing them get older. The Lord knows that I don't want to let them go away. Like you, I have seen the world and sometimes how cruel it can be. The other side of the story as strange as it sounds, I want them to go. They are no longer girls but young women of God. I get excited when I hear about their dreams. I want them to make an impact on the world for Jesus. I want them to mature, fall in love and be all that the Lord wants them to be.

     As a father, I have purposed in my heart to root for them. I will always love them no matter where they go, or even what they will do. They are Julie's and my life. They are our greatest joy. I am willing to talk to anyone about them at any time. No matter how old they get they will always be my two girls.

     By now, you have probably figured out where I am going with all of this. You see, we have a Father who has always been looking over us. We were not His children at first. We were born into an entirely different family. Our first father hated us, abused us, mocked us and made us into slaves. The incredible part though is we loved him and gave ourselves totally to him, We hated this other Father who looked upon us with love.

     Amazingly as it sounds the Father still cried out for us. He called us and when we received Him, we were adopted into His family. We are now no longer children of Hell but children of God. He is with us and has seen us grow up before Him. He has seen our first steps, seen our infancy, seen us through our rebellions and even when we fall. Yet, through all of this He still loves us.

     He is crazy about us as His children. What joy it brings to Him when He sees us take our stands. What a blast to hear Him say, "Well done." He rejoices over us with singing. He prepares our meals before us. He guides us and is rooting for us in Heaven to finish the race well.

     I know that I am not a perfect father. OK, there are times I am not even a good father. I mess up, become selfish, sin and blow it with my girls. Yet, the beauty of it all is that these two young women of God do have a perfect Father. He will always do what is right for them. He will always cherish them. They can always put their hands into His hand and know that He will take care of them.

Hadassah and Hannah