The Heartbeat of Communion

Posted on February 3, 2019 by

comminion

Communion

She wrapped her right thumb and pointer finger around the tiny, clear communion cup and cradled her left hand around it all. She stared into the dark grape juice.
The music played softly in the background while the ushers served communion to the congregation.
She could see the light of the sanctuary reflecting in the liquid circle in her hand. Her breaths were shallow while she tried to quiet her heart and soul. She thought of the disciples and wondered what they must have thought when Jesus handed them a cup of wine to pass and when He spoke of things they couldn’t quite comprehend yet.

While she looked down into the cup, she noticed consistent vibrations in the juice. Had she moved and caused the liquid to be stirred? Could the music have caused resonance?

She placed the cup on her Bible on the seat next to her. Nothing. The liquid didn’t move. She picked it back up. With the cup securely in her hand, her thumb pressing around it and her other hand steadily holding on to hand and cup, the liquid rhythmically pulsated once more.

In an instant it became clear to her. It was her own pulse from her thumb pushing through the cup into the dark, red liquid. No doubt, she saw her own heartbeat pulsating in the communion cup.

Before she lifted the cup to drink it, she silently thanked God for making a way for her to see it. She thanked Him for allowing her a small glimpse into this mystery that allowed her own heart to hide in His, to see herself as a part of this covenant that God made with His people. In that moment, when she saw part of herself in the cup, she knew again how much she was loved.

“God, I am forever grateful to You that my heart can beat for You.
You made a way for me through the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ. 
Thank You!”

…And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying,
“This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
Luke 22:20

That I’m in you and you in me
This is a profound mystery.
You died my death – your blood you shed.
I made alive while you were dead.

How can a mind like mine conceive
Why thrones and kingdoms you would leave
To make a wayward heart like mine
A temple and a holy shrine?
~
(Poetry and Essay by Heidi Viars, 2019)

 

Posted in Christian Poetry | 24 Comments

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HOMELESS

Posted on January 30, 2019 by

Some time ago, I posted this. Today, I feel the same way as I did when I first posted it.

Wings of the Dawn

 I pushed against the heavy, ice-covered, glass front door
To take a peek into a frozen world.
I was reminded of the many
Who don’t look from a warm inside out,
But have to look from a cold outside in.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HOMELESS!

looking from the inside out 002

Here are some practical things you can do …

  • keep a gift card for a fast food restaurant in your wallet –
    it provides a warm place to get out of the cold
    (Five-dollar gift cards for McDonald’s are great!!!)
  • keep a public transportation ticket in your wallet –
    many homeless ride the trains in this cold weather
  • support the homeless shelters in your city.
    Donations of baked goods, long underwear, warm coats, sleeping bags, and blankets are very much appreciated.
  • PRAY FOR THE HOMELESS

“God, open the door of our cold hearts.
Show us how to provide warmth
For those who are freezing.”

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Posted in Christian Poetry | 6 Comments

Hesed

Posted on January 20, 2019 by

There are books that draw you in and change you.
This is one of those books.

Inexpressible Hesed, The Mystery of God’s Lovingkindness by Michael Card

The following poem/prayer made its way from my heart after I read the chapter on God’s lovingkindness shown to us in the book of Hosea.

What kind of Love is this, my God
That loves despite my wayward heart?
This love made of thousand loves,
It deeply knows, and seeks, and draws.

Don’t let me turn to my own ways,
But draw me in throughout my days.
Let not my stubborn, selfish pride
Attempt to run – from hesed hide.

But turn me with your gentle gaze,
Upon the path that blood has paved.
Let now Christ’s hesed be my guide,
That in your hesed I might die.

Maintain hesed and justice, 
and always put your hope in God. 
Hosea 12:6

 

Posted in Christian Poetry, church, Devotional, poetry, Ponderings, Song | 14 Comments

Perspective

Posted on January 16, 2019 by

I believe that great changes in life come as a result of small adjustments in our thinking. As Christians we must allow our tender and compassionate God to bend our view toward His treasures and our good. When we allow Him to work in this way, slightly moving us and bending us toward Himself, we not only change our perspective but we change ourselves. Those changes in us can become powerful change agents in the world.

I took these photos after dropping the kids off at school. The difference between the top and the bottom picture is only ONE INCH in my position.

“Lord, I am stubborn and many times unmovable. I often proclaim judgements over circumstances before you had a chance working them out. Please help me to bend toward the Light of your Son and living in the assurance that you are always good. Show me Jesus and give me the strength to move into your direction of loving kindness.” 

In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Posted in Christian Poetry | 12 Comments

Be Dilligent

Posted on November 25, 2018 by

After church today, our family took a ride through the countryside to head to a restaurant. I was still sensing the Lord close to my heart as I was looking out the window and recalling the sermon, songs, and conversations. It was here I sensed a deep impression as we were driving by something I won’t soon forget.

As we were driving along through this dreary day, I felt comfortable inside my car. The few remaining dry corn stalks were bending in the cold Wisconsin wind.  Clouds were hanging low as to remind us that snow was heading our way soon. I soaked in the beauty of big red barns set against the backdrop of a damp, grey sky.

I noticed a greenhouse. It was next to a barn, set beside a large tree. It appeared that it had not been in use for many years. Several windows were shattered. The reason for its dilapidated state however had obviously not been caused by outside forces, but rather by something from within.

Through the broken and shattered windows, I noticed branches reaching toward the outside. When I looked closer, I saw that a tree had been trying to grow on the inside. It was as if something very delicate was trying to contain a wild and trapped creature.

When I shared my experience at the restaurant with my family, we all agreed that a small seed must have gotten into the greenhouse. Eventually, and through many years of neglect, the tree had  grown out of control and was destroying the very thing that housed it.

Hebrews 12:15 came to mind.

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God;
that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble,
and by it many become defiled;”


“Lord, we need your help. Show us our sins that threaten to overtake our lives. Teach us to live in the grace we desire for ourselves. Help us to be generous with grace toward others and forgive quickly. Show us how to live in such a way that not even the smallest root of bitterness takes hold. Thank you, Father, for Jesus, your greatest gift of grace to us!”

Posted in Christian Poetry, church, Devotional, Ponderings, Prayer, Revival, Song | 12 Comments

Be Careful

Posted on November 17, 2018 by

This morning, on the first day of deer hunting season, I grabbed the leash and my blaze-orange coat and headed for a walk with my 157-pound Great Dane. I felt quite noticeable -not only in my attire but also with what resembled a small deer at the end of my leash. As a native German in the northern United States and not having grown up with deer hunting, I still get nervous, despite so many years living here.

While I was walking and listening to the distant sound of the war on deer, I was reminded of how much we stick out as Christians in a war for souls. At times, just wearing our Christianity makes us vulnerable. In a culture that’s increasingly adapting to secularism we no longer blend in to our surroundings, and neither should we. While proclaiming the Word of Truth and Jesus as the only way to Heaven, we make a target and ourselves often unpopular.

The early morning air felt great. I wanted to keep walking but the sound of guns going off was getting louder. I decided to turn around when one particular gunshot sound was accompanied by whizzing.

When I came in the door, I told my husband about my encounter. He just said,

“You know dear, orange is not bullet-proof.”

Ephesians 6:19 —
“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”

Posted in Christian Poetry, Ponderings, Revival, Song | 17 Comments

Worship

Posted on October 29, 2018 by

I went to the woods this morning to find some solace. I sat there for a few minutes and prayed. The Lord reminded me that it is not only in those great and marvelous buildings where we worship Him, but through our lives and obedience also. I was thinking about the simple but powerful message of a brother or sister who obey despite their trials and sufferings.

There stands a cross among the trees.
The sun behind it is its light.
Through winds and storms preserved its peace –
No, not at all a sign of might!

So it’s with those who quietly
Obey their Lord despite their pain.
They point to Christ entirely –
Give glory to the One Who Came.

Not many sermons by great men
Preach like the ones who are lived out.
But greatest power is with them
Who through endurance erase doubt.

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24

This poem was inspired by Mary and Bill Sweeney Perseverance.
Check them out if you get a chance

Posted in Christian Poetry, church, Devotional, poetry, Ponderings, Revival, Song | 13 Comments