The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid had a dream, too. Not as noble, perhaps. And he certainly didn’t have Joseph’s confidence in his teacher. But we can still benefit by observing his learning processes.
Daniel wants to learn karate.
But Mr. Miyagi has had him slaving around his house for the past 4 days. Sand the deck. Wash the car. Paint the house. Paint the fence.
And Daniel is angry. But he’s been in training nonetheless.
What is The Lord training you for?
Joseph the Dreamer
If you’ve read the Old Testament stories, you know no one’s journey followed an easy path. They all messed up. A lot. And God used their circumstances to prepare them. Continue reading “Joseph the Dreamer”
Impossible Hopes
Once upon a time there lived a girl who was greatly loved by her Father. He passed away suddenly, leaving her under the care and direction of her step-mother. Instead of being cherished, she was forced to work as a slave for her step-mother and her two step-sisters.
She quickly lost her identity as a Beloved Daughter.
Fortunately, she had inherited her Father’s optimistic disposition, which enabled her to accept her lot in life without question. She found comfort in Beautiful Dreams of Adventure and Romance. Her Imagination kept her going. She didn’t realize that it, too, was a Gift from her Father.
One Day she allows one of her dreams to become her wish. An Impossible Wish. The Prince is giving a Ball, and she wishes so very hard that she might be able to go. After reviewing just how impossible it is, she and her Fairy Godmother conclude:
“But the world is full of zanies and fools
Who don’t believe in sensible rules
And because these daft & dewy-eyed dopes
Keep building up Impossible Hopes
Impossible Things are happening every day.”
Meanwhile back at the Castle, The Prince is expected to choose a Bride from among his guests. So many girls — all eager to be his dance partner. Yet they are more like hungry wolves, seeking access to his virtue and his wealth. He’s bored with them all.
Except One. She catches his eye as soon as she arrives. She is so different. Delightful. There only to enjoy the experience – and him. And they soon fall in love.
They have One Unanswerable Question
Do I love you because you’re beautiful?
Or are you beautiful because I love you?
Am I making believe I see in you
A girl to lovely to be really true?
Do I want you because you’re wonderful?
Or are you wonderful
Because I want you?
Are you the sweet invention of a lover’s dream,
Or are you really as beautiful as you seem?
Suddenly she disappears.
Leaving behind only one small Shoe-Clue to her identity.
At home shortly after midnight, she assumes that’s all she gets of her dream. Determined to savor her memory of her encounter with The Prince, she goes back to taking orders as usual. But this time, with Stardust in her eyes.
Little does she know that The Prince’s desire for her as his Beloved consumes him. And he is also determined. To find her. Whoever she is. Wherever she is.
Unlike her, The Prince knows who he is. Royal blood flows in his veins. But he also knows that the Completeness of His Joy depends upon being with her.
Furthermore – He is confident that He is Her Joy & Bliss.
After an agonizing search, he finds her. And she takes her place as His Beloved.
Impossible Hopes? Nope.
So Very Romantic. Just like Jesus and His Bride.
Though we run away in shame, Jesus seeks us – wherever we are – whoever we are. He restores us to the Truth of who we are in Him. And we have the blessed opportunity to demonstrate that. Here and now. To one another. And to the World.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:25-27)
“You are My Beloved. My Dream come true.”
More Excellent
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. Continue reading “More Excellent”
Sitting on the Fence?
Sitting on the fence is a sure sign the Holy Spirit is trying to talk you into Something … and that the enemy is contesting it. Surrender happily to The Lord’s encouragement. Allow Him to wipe out fear and give you hope. Trust in His Love for you. Welcome His blessings with open arms & a whole heart. Continue reading “Sitting on the Fence?”
Where did you get your mindset?
Over the past few years, I’ve worked with quite a few people who’ve struggled with what to do about a relationship. The wisdom of psychology – to give up, to walk away – made “logical sense” to them. But something just didn’t set right in their spirit. Continue reading “Where did you get your mindset?”