Thinking Rightly about Jesus

Over the years and months of being a Christian, my perception of Jesus changes more and more. It gets clearer, deeper, and more intimate. Intimate even to the fact of living and talking to Him like he's my husband.

A passage in the Bible that has become one of my favorites describes Jesus in a way that popular Christianity has failed to do. He is not feeble "girly man" as depicted in much of the classic art of Christianity. (Pardon the term). He's "the man," a noble king who desires the Church like a man desires his bride.

As you read this, imagine yourself saying this to Him:

King Jesus,

"You are the most handsome of them all. 

Gracious words stream from your lips. 

God himself has blessed you forever. 

Put on your sword, O mighty warrior!

You are so glorious, so majestic!

In your majesty, ride out to victory, 

defending truth, humility, and justice. 

Go forth and perform awe-inspiring deeds!

Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies' hearts. 

The nations fall beneath your feet. 

Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. 

You rule with a scepter of justice. 

You love justice and hate evil. 

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, 

pouring out the oil of joy on you more than

on anyone else. 

Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume your robes. 

In ivory palaces the music of strings

entertains you."

Psalm 45: 2-8

And then in verse 10, which can be interpreted as referring to the Church, it says:

"Listen to me, O royal daughter; take heart what I say

Forget your people and your family far away. 

For your royal husband delights in your beauty;

honor him, for he is your lord." 

Jesus is probably more than what you think about Him.
Keep finding out who He really is. 

A Child's Prayer

On a day like this,
Sun high and grass green
A big hill, a tall tree
Standing just past your knee
You smiling at me

I've never seen such a height
When you fly our kite
I feel ready for flight
And dread the coming of night

How can you make me feel this way?
The way I feel now?
I want to be like you, Friend
Teach me how

How sweet it is,
To make harmony
Whether we laugh or sing
Oh, to hear your voice ring
As our hands gently cling

I see myself in the jewels of your crown
As you lift me from the ground
After spinning me around
With a joyous sound

You gaze in my eyes and stroke my face
Assuring me that I won't fall down
I want to be like you, Father
Teach me how

On a day like this,
On a crowded street
A blind beggar we meet
With crooked fingers and swollen feet
An old blanket for his seat

You quickly stop and learn his name
Listen to a voice filled with pain
For a moment he was lame
But now he'll never be the same

How did you do it?
That miracle just now?
I want to be like you, Super Man!
Teach me how!

On that same street,
Was a pottery stand
The most expensive in all the land
As we walked by, I swung my hand
A hundred pieces scattered like sand

My heart sank and tears welled up
The vendor scolded me about his cup
Feeling like a troubled pup
You surrendered money and lifted me up

You held me close and whispered
"It's all better now."
I want to be like you, Savior
Teach me how

At the bus stop on the corner,
People stand and wait
Hoping not to be late
For whatever meeting or date
Then silence was broken like a plate

You began to shout about right living
And about a God who is forgiving
Some became angry and hate-driven
But one woman wept and confessed sinning

You speak with unashamed fire
Yet deep compassion--How?
I want to be like you, Brave Heart
Teach me right now

On a night like this,
When darkness surrounds me
Though I am afraid of what I can't see
I still know that you're right beside me
Then I stub my toe and scrape my knee

I'm hurting now, Lord
All I feel is pain
My tears fall like rain
Did you leave me in this open plain?

You say, "Be still, child. Here am I."
I still ache, but you're here now
I want to be like you, Prince of Peace
Teach me how

Together in darkness we walked,
Down a moon-lit path through the wood
I didn't wish to speak even if I could
Then we stopped and quietly stood
You calmly and slowly pulled back your hood

Silence grew louder in the stillness
Suddenly, I heard sobs of sadness
A heart broken for those lost in the mess
Of the battle between truth and darkness

I felt the same emotion
I was weeping too
Show me your heart, Broken One
I want to be like you

On a morning like this,
I wake up with hands tied
Dismayed you weren't by my side
A man walked in and said you had died
Desperation rose and I hoped he had lied

I was taken outside and dragged up a hill
Your body was there hanging still
The earth shook as my tears did spill
Why were you the man they had to kill?

You agreed to give up your life
To save a world destruction-bound
How could you do that, Holy One?
I wouldn't know how

On a day like this,
Laying under our favorite tree
Feeling that nothing could cheer me
My eyes closed, I felt someone near me
My eyes opened, "Is it really you I see?"

There you were with new scars but the same smile
You told me you're going away for a while
"Tell others about me and save them from denial.
I will be with you, child, walking mile by mile."

You're in my heart giving me life
Every day I am learning how
To be more like you, Jesus
You're teaching me now

The Sweet Hangout

I read John chapter 21 today. Usually, when I read the Bible, I try to read the words with some depth. It's exciting when you can dig deep and pull out something helpful or correcting. There have been a lot of times where I read something and then think, "Wow. I've been doing that. I'm sorry, Jesus. Help me to stop."Even though it's good to study the Bible looking for ways to improve your life, it's not the only thing that makes an intimate relationship with Jesus.

(So back to John 21). This is one of those "Shazam" moments after Jesus rose back to life. His friends Peter, John, Thomas, and Nathanael have been hopelessly fishing all night without a single jerk of the nets. Jesus appears on the beach (SHAZAM!) and shouts over the water, "Hey, fellas. Why don't you throw your net on the other side of the boat and see what happens!" So the disciples are like... "This guy's a little of his rocker, but, shoot, why not?" They do it and then (SHAZAM!) the net's completely filled up with fish. They realize who it is that gave them some amateur fishing advice. "IT'S THE LORD!" Peter hollered as he plunged into the water and swam like a mad man to the beach. When they all get to the shore, Jesus already had some fish ready to eat so they grub out.

What a sweet hangout. What a thoughtful man Jesus was to come back just to hang out on the beach with his friends. He likes to teach us, but it's nice to just chill every once in a while. Jesus wants a relationship like that with us--his children.

He wants to know what you did at school today. He wants to hear about how you ate your favorite food for lunch. He wants to listen to what's been pressing down on you. He wants you to be so excited about hanging out with him that you would jump off a boat and swim menacingly to the beach so you can see Him.

Yeah. Most of the time it's just that simple.

Take me away with you! Let's run off together! 
   An elopement with my King-Lover!
We'll celebrate, we'll sing, 
   we'll make great music.
Yes! For your love is better than vintage wine. 
   Everyone loves you—of course! And why not?
Songs of Solomon 1:4

The Mundane Mystery

This morning I opened my eyes and thought I could hear you singing
You were right where you were when I drifted into a deep dreaming
Thoughts about the day before zip into history
You tell me, “Child, you’re about to dive into a wonderful mystery.”

What could possibly happen? Is every day the same?
Do I not just experience a perpetual game?
Is it like an overused math equation?
A cookie-cutter, cook book, common occasion?

Go to prayer, then to class, at my job say “Mornin’, Mary,”
Grab some grub, exercise, hike to the library
Write a paper, memorize all the books I can carry
After that, Bible study, hang out and make merry

Yes, that’s my plan for this glorious day
Maybe you’re giggling at what I say.
You touch my hand, smirking pleasantly
All at once, my mind floods with creative possibility

What if my roommate shares one of her peculiar dreams
That makes us roar with laughter as loud as screams
While I brush my teeth and slide on my Keds
And make sure my hair doesn’t look like dreds

What if someone prays out loud a prayer that makes me smile
Or a faith-building statement I haven’t heard in a while?
I could pray for my youth pastor who moved to Uganda
And that you’d provide money for my friend to fix their Honda

What if the guy in my class sees I’m not a religious bigot
Just because I wear a Jesus shirt and people don’t dig it
If his realization strikes a conversation
I’d speak with love and truth, not condemnation

What if in the library while studying Spanish numerals
I listen to my iPod, maybe Lecrae or Josh Garrels
And I stop to think about the meaningful lyrics
To rid my mind of the chaotic thought mix

What if I decide to sit on the back steps of Pogue
To read those ancient words you wrote
Would I feel you close to me?
Holding me and whispering gently?

Would I melt right there in your holy presence?
Would I get the feeling of spontaneous effervescence?
Could I picture your heavenly face and feel the holes in your hands?
Would I realize through my tears that you are all my heart demands?

What if I got up and walked on to the next event of the day?
Would I still carry that same presence anyway?
Could I pray for people and see them healed?
Could you use these hands, these actions, these words to have your truth revealed?

What if people wondered about the mysterious splendor
That you put inside my heart when I chose to surrender?
Would they walk right past
Or would they approach me and ask?

I realize you have something more in mind
Than this attitude of the mundane that makes me blind
You already planned today
So now I want to go your way

This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Dear God...

I was reading though a small book called My Little Book of Dear God Letters. It's mostly for little kids, but if you know me, that doesn't phase me one bit. It is so precious. It was a Christmas present from my mom this past year. I want to share some of my favorites.


Dear God,
Do you have a minute?

Questions are good. And questions about God are some of the best questions of all because the more you can find out about God, the more you'll find out how much He loves you. You'll find out how to act in any situation. You'll find out what it means to have God as a friend. Grown-ups may not have all the answers, but ask anyway. They might learn something, too.

For the Lord giveth wisdom; out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6




Dear God,
If I'm not allowed to cross the road... how will I get anywhere?
Don't worry about what you can't do; think of all the things you can do! God will use your life in a special way. Think of your life as a giant quilt. Right now you can only see one square of the quilt. But God can see the whole picture. He sees the beautiful colors and lovely patterns. One day, you too will see the entire picture. Don't stress about how to "get across the road." In time, God will show you the way.
For my thoughts are higher than your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways...
Isaiah 55:8-9



Dear God,
I think I'll dress up today... just in case you've got something special in mind.

Every morning when you push the covers back, you're ripping the wrapper off a shiny new present, a day not quite like any other you've ever lived before or like any you'll live again. Somehow, God never gets tired of watching the sun come up, seeing the flowers drip with dew, or giving you a day like today full of new things for you to do, to learn, to enjoy.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24




Dear God,
If I was a star... I'd like to be a very BRIGHT one.

I thank God for making me unique. I praise God for giving me special abilities. When I use my talent to do something with my heart and soul, I feel good! I know God is pleased. I feel like I sparkle! When I say or do the right things, I know God smiles. I feel like a bright shining star reflecting God's love to the world. I want to be a sparkling star against the night sky!

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16




Dear God,
Thanks for thinking of love.

God has placed wonderful, special people in your life, because He loves you. God's love is perfect. He's thought of everything! Now all you have to do is love Him back, and love others, too. It's that easy! You will get all of the blessings and guidance you need from God just by loving and believing in Him. What a deal! Thank you God, for loving me enough to put all these special people in my life.

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

Loving Jesus in Korean

Last night, after a weekly campus ministry service, I was planning on going to the library with my friend Lu.

Our other friends, MiHyun and Jinwoo from Korea, were walking with us from the Curris Center. They said they were headed to Fine Arts to hear Jinwoo play the piano.

Lu and I thought it was a good idea to go with them before the homework commenced. We got to one of the practice rooms and Jinwoo pulled out his music book and began playing. I was pleasantly surprised at his skill. He plays extremely well.

He started playing a familiar tune: "Jesus, I believe in you... Jesus I belong to you. You're the reason that I live, the reason that I sing..."

I sang in English while MiHyun sang in Korean.
After our mixed duo, Jinwoo asked me, "Liz, do you know this one?"

I heard the tune to the hymn "As the Deer." I couldn't help but sing it. Then, I sang "Amazing Grace" with Jinwoo accompanying me.

After that, I insisted that MiHyun and Jinwoo sing a Korean song. Hearing them sing to Jesus in harmony was one of the most beautiful sounds I've heard in a long time. After each song, they explained to Lu and I what the Korean lyrics meant.

"The song says... even though I'm living here... on earth... my mind is in Heaven." And the other song meant, "Jesus, I will follow you with my whole heart."

Jesus just keeps on being more and more real to me. He was so obviously in that practice room.
I love Him.

Can't help but notice.

If you've ever been to the beach during the summer, you know that the first time you put your bare feet on the sand, you start scrambling to the edge of the shore. Why? Because the sand is so stinkin' hot.




You can't help but notice the heat and you say over and over again, "Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot! Oh! REALLY hot!"





Remember when you were seven and you fell off of your bike? Your knee started to sting and hurt. It was the most intense pain you've ever felt in all the seven years of your life. You screamed, you cried, you rocked back and forth. You couldn't help but notice how awful the pain was. It was the most real thing in life at that moment.


There are a lot of things, like hot sand and asphalt in a bleeding cut, that are so outrageously noticeable that it produces physical manifestations or responses that we can clearly see.

Question: How do you respond to God? Do you think He is absolutely, ridiculously, cold-water-to-the-face noticeable? Have you ever been practically paralyzed because of His presence? Have you ever just wanted to explode with joy leaving bits and pieces of happy all over the place because of His kindness? Have you ever felt so overwhelmed and appalled that you start weeping because of how much He loves you?

There are places in the Bible that describe the throne room in Heaven where God sits.

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."

Isaiah 6:3

The seraphs definitely didn't get out there Heaven Hymnal to turn to number 4,562. They sang "Holy, holy, holy" because they couldn't get over how mighty and powerful and awesome God is.

On his way to Damascus, Saul encountered Jesus. His presence was so real, Saul was knocked off his horse and the light radiating from Jesus made him physically blind. After that, everything about Saul changed--even his name.

When God becomes that real, for one we feel the touch, but ultimately, we can never be the same. We are transformed. So how can we feel that way? How can Jesus become that real to us? Should we wait for the day when we're walking along and a blinding, piercing light breaks through the clouds onto our face and ten thousand angels descend playing harps and singing and then Jesus speaks with a thundering voice that shakes the ground?

That would be cool, but why wait? Don't expect a "wow-God-you're-so-outrageously-real" moment to just jump on you. You seek it out. Get hungry for Him. Be desperate to know more about Him. When you spend time with Him, don't start by praying. Be quiet and imagine yourself in the throne room. Imagine how awesome He is. Seek Him.


"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

Lord Jesus, we can't help but notice you.

Today

Today, you bench-pressed the sun up into the sky
And just like a pro-basketball player
Spun the earth on your finger

You made sure planet earth was
Just close enough to the sun
So it wouldn't turn into an ice ball
And far enough away
So it wouldn't be hot play dough

Today, you let the birds remember
What song they should sing
While hunting for caterpillars
Which have thirty-two muscles in their heads
Which you made
And for that, it's cool

Today, you controlled six million
Chemical reactions
That happened in my brain
Every minute

You put oxygen in my mouth
And you told it to go down my throat,
Into my lungs to saturate my blood and then
Back out again

Some of the things you did
Was just to make me smile or drop my jaw

Like showing me that you made
Three thousand, yes,
Three thousand different species of trees
In one square mile
In the Amazon jungle

It's like you're putting on a show
For me

Because you love me so much
And I don't understand it
Just looking at what you made
And what you do doesn't cut it
Because my eyes can only see so much
And my little heart can only contain so much

But I'll try
I'll try harder to know
That your love is like the Pacific Ocean
In a big funnel
Over my head

I'll try to ignore the fact that
I have some bumps on my face
And that I owe lots of money to my college
For letting me walk on their campus

I'll ignore the fact that my wrist hurts sometimes
And that I'll have a scar on it for life
But scars are cool!

I can tell people that I got it from
Trying to rescue a persecuted Christian
From being in prison
In Indonesia

But that's lying and you don't like lying
So I won't
I won't do it
Just because you love me
Just because you put that big funnel of the Pacific Ocean
Over my head
And let me feel your love
Because your love, God,
Your love makes me free

Free from worry
Free from sickness
Free from debt
Free from low self-worth
Free from loneliness
Free from the fear of failing
Free from condemnation

You make us free!

I'll praise your name today
And tomorrow
And forever

Whoa, whoa, whoa

Some of the best things that can happen to a person is when they encounter God. I had amazing things happen in my life last week when I went to a conference called SALT. It's definitely one of the highlights of this year and possibly out of my whole life. I'm not even going to attempt to make you understand completely and if you're curious, we'd have to meet up somewhere and talk about everything for a good, long while. But I do want you to know this: God wants to encounter you, transform your heart, and make you desperate for Him. That's what happened to me.

Desperation. That's sounds negative.

I experienced great desperation for Jesus and what He is passionate about and it was the most positive experience of my entire life. One evening, the speaker was sharing about desperation for the lost. I can say that I've felt sorry for people who don't know Jesus. I've even cried a little over my classmates this past semester, but there's something so powerful about being desperate. I felt pain in the back of my throat and my heart sank just thinking about humans that were living a life of Hell and are headed there for eternity.

After spilling the deepest parts of my heart to Him, I felt his peace. Honestly, the best way to describe it is like I had spent hours upon hours in a spa. My body was totally relaxed and my soul was SO FREE. A few people came up to me and spoke prophetic words that made me feel strong and encouraged. I had been waiting for this freedom to come for the longest time where I can just embrace who I am and trust God to show me how to make an impact for Heaven.

Now that I've come home, I still feel that desperation. The other day, I was sitting in the living room reading a book and I ached because I needed Jesus. Isn't that crazy? I ended up spending a good two hours alone in my room just soaking up his presence. I've never been this hungry before.

If you let God encounter you like that, that's what happens.

God + human soul= something beautiful.