Breathe God

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
    let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
    let all the trees of the forest sing for joy."

                                    Psalm 96:11-12(NIV)

There are not many places that you can see, hear, touch, taste and breath God.  There are places we get glimpses and places where we experience God, but where have you been where you are surrounded by Him?  I can think of a few:

Zion, Utah - hiking in the early morning to see the sunrise, snow on the ground, animals rustling in the distance, ice cold and eager to reach our destination.  The sun rises, the mountains turning rosy pink, orange and reds in the early morning light. Pure silence, you could hear God breathe.

Mount of Beatitudes, Israel - sitting on the hillside, reading from the Sermon on the Mount; long strands of wheat-like grass blowing as the wind came up off the Sea of Galilee. It was as if you could feel Gods breath as He softly blew the blades of grass shining golden brown in the setting sun.

And today ..... have you ever driven through the magnificent Redwood National Forest?  Or better yet walked among these gentle Giants?  Only God could make some thing so incredibly majestic.  Walking in the grove, surrounded by royalty, a babbling brook in the distance, birds calling out and the faintest rustle of leaves.  Peace.  As I walked in silence, I just kept thinking "breathe in God, breathe out the world."  The Redwoods are the biggest living things on Earth. Heights of 370 feet and diameters of 30 feet are not uncommon. They can range in age from 700 to more than 2000 years—some of which were living when Jesus walked the shores of Galilee.  Today we walked among these ancient trees, some trees in the Prairie Creek grove were upwards of 2000 years old.  As you gazed up at those majestic 350 foot tall trees towering above you, you couldn't help but be in awe - shear awe. God is present, breathe in.

Today, the trees taught me.  The trees tower hundreds of feet up into the sky! How are such gigantic living creations able to exist.  It is easy to assume that they must have incredibly strong root systems that penetrate deep into the earth to enable these colossal trees to grow and to remain strong.  What is amazing about these majestic redwood trees is that although they may reach hundreds of feet into the sky, their root systems often are relatively shallow.  Yet, they withstand raging fires, violent storms, and fierce winds. So what’s to prevent them from toppling over and being destroyed when diaster strikes? How do they survive? They survive because 1) they live in groves, and 2) the roots of the redwood trees grow outwards – actually holding one another up by interlocking with the roots of other trees, hence the groves. There is no tap root and the other roots may reach no deeper than 6-12 feet. The major roots are about 1 inch in diameter and they typically spread 50 to 80 feet. One way in which the trees are able to remain upright for millennia is by growing close together with other redwood trees, intermingling their root systems. Through holding on to one other, supporting one another, they are able to thrive and hold themselves up to reach their amazing heights! In other words they support each other. They couldn't survive alone. That's a wow! The analogy is obvious.

We walked among trees scared by fire but still standing strong. The fibrous bark, which may be up to 1 foot thick, contains tannin which provides protection against fire, insects, fungus, and diseases which might damage the tree.  The burning/charring of the bark actually makes the tree stronger and although burnt on the exterior, they remain inwardly strong and still standing!  Can you relate to that? 

When a tree falls, it becomes part of the grove's ecosystem and creates fertile ground for new growth.  Even the fallen tree's roots can become new trees.  New growth continues, even though the tree appears to be destroyed. And the new tree originating from a root or burl are genetically identical to the original tree. 

Finally, although the Redwood can reach heights of over 370 feet, they have one of the tiniest cones known to man.  They are a reminder that some of the biggest and most majestic things can come from the smallest beginnings.  The experience of walking through the redwoods is truly breathtaking — it is among the most magnificent sights a person can see. It was truly walking in God's country ... created by Him, in all its majesty.  It was a living, breathing ecosystem that grows, regenerates, withstands time and creates awe in the little people who walk within it.  Little people, BIG God.

I picked up a bookmark in the gift shop... ( ) are my comments.

ADVISE FROM A REDWOOD

• Stand Tall and Proud
• Sink Your Roots into the Earth (but don't forget community)
• Be Content with Your Natural Beauty
• Drink Plenty of Water (a 200ft tree holds 34000lbs of water)
• Enjoy the View! (God made it for you)

Got a net?

I've been thinking a lot about stories.  Everyone has a story.  Sitting in the airport today watching the travelers rushing by, I can't help but wonder what their story is.  The gal in her forties, dressed like she is a teenager.  Wearing huge, no HUGE, platform flip flops that appear to be at least a full size too big.  Or maybe the platform just so overwhelms her feet that the size is an illusion.  Her traveling companion is much younger.  At first glance you'd think they were a couple - second glance probably mother/son.

The three young Asian travelers quickly talking about their mentors, their work and where their lives are going.  Quick, bright, brimming with potential ... either some type of Masters or Doctorate program in some field beyond my understanding.

Stories.  You are at the beginning of a story, or a new chapter ... hopeful, excited, stretching to see the future, yearning for the outcome.  You are in the middle of a story, sitting idle, restless waiting to rev back up or on the flip side, tossed in turmoil, exploding in emotion just waiting to regain balance.  Wanting to find the new norm and settle back into "life." Or you are at the end of a story, closing a chapter.  By choice or by circumstance, nevertheless an ending. 

We are all moving thru, in different phases with different stories, but traversing life like the circus acrobat on the tightrope. Trying to maintain balance, keeping our composure ... "just don't tip, don't look down, steady now, steady...." I wonder how many of the airport dwellers are tightroping without a net?  As I squeezed into my assigned middle seat on the plane, my window traveler, a small, elegant Filipino woman smiles shyly.  Clutching her rosary beads, lips moving in prayer throughout the flight ... maybe holding the plane in flight?  Maybe praying for the people she just left? Or the people she is about to see?  Or maybe all?   Oh at least in part, it's the plane in flight .... as we land in San Francisco, she crosses herself, smiles and looks up thanking her Father.   As she makes ready to leave, she rearranges her study tracks, the top being Prayers for those afflicted with Cancer.  I can't help but wonder what my prayerful travel companion's story is? Not sure, but it's evident she is not traversing it without a net. 

Don't look down, but should you lose your balance, should you fall, He is there.  Keep it steady, focus on what's across the tightrope and be ever so grateful for the net.

Stupid is, as stupid does...

I am beginning a program to focus on writing.  First assignment is to write.  Hmmm....funny how that works. It says to begin where you are. To free form spill it.  It's not easy to really capture where you are ... right this minute.  My days lately have been consumed with two things: 1) work and transition, and 2) pain and lifestyle changes.  

Work and transition.  As most people know I left a ten year career 7 months ago.  I don't think I realized how working at a church filled you up and how empty you can feel when it's gone. It was 24/7, no - not 40 hrs a week, but literally 24/7 ministry.  From the day to day work to the "outside/other" ministry opportunities, it was a fast paced "God use me where you want me" work life.  Being a Christian, I am poised and ready for God to use me.  At North Coast, it was daily for 10 years.  Now, I sit. And sit. And sit waiting to see how and where He wants me.  Much harder to tell in this new life how or if I'm being used.  Doesn't feel like it. For the better part of the last 10 years God has been loud - I could hear Him moving me, pushing me, growing me.  Now I'm listening for whispers and getting an awful lot of silence.

Transitionally, I am also still trying to get me feet firmly under me.  New job, new tasks, new staff, new environment, new everything.  It's been 7 months and logically in my mind, I'd say my feet should be firmly planted, but most days I feel like I am walking on marbles.  Why is it so hard to get planted, to feel stable?  For this, at least currently, I have no answers.  Me! Who usually has answers for everything.  No answers - shocking I know!

Secondly, life is consumed with pain.  Just over 18 months ago, I started having daily headaches ... sometimes moving to migraines, but mostly just ever present headaches.  After much to-do, they appear to be a natural progression of Fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed with Fibro something like 5 years ago.  The first two years, I stood by the claim that I'm not convinced it even existed - so certainly I can't have it.  It's a myth.  Made up by lazy people.  At the same time I was told I have Osteoarthritis.  Ok that one makes sense and I know does exist.  Now some 5 years later, I'm told I have progressed to sever Fibromyalgia which brings with it daily headaches leaning towards migraines.  Hmmm....I guess it does exist.  Well that sucks. I've always been a work horse, taking more than my share, longer, harder, pushing thru.  As I look back, the things I've done were like moving mountains.  It's like I personally built the Great Wall of China, carrying each and every stone up the mountain.  I've been on that mountain, twice, it's BIG.  So now it's daunting and discouraging to spend a considerable amount of energy each day pushing thru body pain, head pain and ridiculous fatigue.  Seriously, in my mind I can build the Great Wall and now it's an accomplishment to make it thru the day without a breakdown.  Stupid.  (and scary)

My "writing assignment" says to go with the "current" of my emotions - where I am now. I am reaching deep to find that inspirational touch.  That "but here's the silver lining."  But sometimes it's just not there.  Sometimes it's just stupid.  That's what I got - stupid. 

WEBSTER DICTIONARY

stu·pid

ˈst(y)o͞opəd/

adjective

1. Lacking intelligence or common sense

Synonyms: unintelligent, ignorant, dense, foolish, dull-witted, slow, simpleminded, vacuous, vapid, idiotic, obtuse, doltish.

URBAN DICTIONARY

Someone who has to look up "stupid" in the dictionary because they don't know what it means.

OKAY, now that's funny!  So I think the inspiration here is that life is not stupid, I am for not appreciating life, appreciating all I do have, appreciating the amazing gift of every day .... every sunrise, every sunset, every glorious breath.  Who knew that God speaks thru the Urban Dictionary?  Yeah that was a bit more than a whisper.

Writing assignment done.

1. • I am beginning a program to focus on writing.  First assignment is to write.  Hmmm....funny how that works. It says to begin where you are. To free form spI am beginning a program to focus on writing.  First assignment is to write.  Hmmm....funny how that works. It says to begin where you are. To free form spill it.  It's not easy to really capture where you are ... right this minute.  My days lately have been consumed with two things: 1) work and transition, and 2) pain and lifestyle changes.  

     
     

     Work and transition.  As most people know I left a ten year career 7 months ago.  I don't think I realized how working at a church filled you up and how empty you can feel when it's gone. It was 24/7, no - not 40 hrs a week, but literally 24/7 ministry.  From the day to day work to the "outside/other" ministry opportunities, it was a fast paced "God use me where you want me" work life.  Being a Christian, I am poised and ready for God to use me.  At North Coast, it was daily for 10 years.  Now, I sit. And sit. And sit waiting to see how and where He wants me.  Much harder to tell in this new life how or if I'm being used.  Doesn't feel like it. For the better part of the last 10 years God has been loud - I could hear Him moving me, pushing me, growing me.  Now I'm listening for whispers and getting an awful lot of silence.

     
     

     Transitionally, I am also still trying to get me feet firmly under me.  New job, new tasks, new staff, new environment, new everything.  It's been 7 months and logically in my mind, I'd say my feet should be firmly planted, but most days I feel like I am walking on marbles.  Why is it so hard to get planted, to feel stable?  For this, at least currently, I have no answers.  Me! Who usually has answers for everything.  No answers - shocking I know!

     
     

     Secondly, life is consumed with pain.  Just over 18 months ago, I started having daily headaches ... sometimes moving to migraines, but mostly just ever present headaches.  After much to-do, they appear to be a natural progression of Fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed with Fibro something like 5 years ago.  The first two years, I stood by the claim that I'm not convinced it even existed - so certainly I can't have it.  It's a myth.  Made up by lazy people.  At the same time I was told I have Osteoarthritis.  Ok that one makes sense and I know does exist.  Now some 5 years later, I'm told I have progressed to sever Fibromyalgia which brings with it daily headaches leaning towards migraines.  Hmmm....I guess it does exist.  Well that sucks. I've always been a work horse, taking more than my share, longer, harder, pushing thru.  As I look back, the things I've done were like moving mountains.  It's like I personally built the Great Wall of China, carrying each and every stone up the mountain.  I've been on that mountain, twice, it's BIG.  So now it's daunting and discouraging to spend a considerable amount of energy each day pushing thru body pain, head pain and ridiculous fatigue.  Seriously, in my mind I can build the Great Wall and now it's an accomplishment to make it thru the day without a breakdown.  Stupid.  (and scary)

     
     

     My "writing assignment" says to go with the "current" of my emotions - where I am now. I am reaching deep to find that inspirational touch.  That "but here's the silver lining."  But sometimes it's just not there.  Sometimes it's just stupid.  That's what I got - stupid. 

     
     

     WEBSTER DICTIONARY

     stu·pid

     ˈst(y)o͞opəd/

     adjective

     1. Lacking intelligence or common sense

     Synonyms: unintelligent, ignorant, dense, foolish, dull-witted, slow, simpleminded, vacuous, vapid, idiotic, obtuse, doltish.

     URBAN DICTIONARY

     Someone who has to look up "stupid" in the dictionary because they don't know what it means.

     OKAY, now that's funny!  So I think the inspiration here is that life is not stupid, I am for not appreciating life, appreciating all I do have, appreciating the amazing gift of every day .... every sunrise, every sunset, every glorious breath.  Who knew that God speaks thru the Urban Dictionary?  Yeah that was a bit more than a whisper.

     Writing assignment done.

     ill it.  It's not easy to really capture where you are ... right this minute.  My days lately have been consumed with two things: 1) work and transition, and 2) pain and lifestyle changes.  

     
     

     Work and transition.  As most people know I left a ten year career 7 months ago.  I don't think I realized how working at a church filled you up and how empty you can feel when it's gone. It was 24/7, no - not 40 hrs a week, but literally 24/7 ministry.  From the day to day work to the "outside/other" ministry opportunities, it was a fast paced "God use me where you want me" work life.  Being a Christian, I am poised and ready for God to use me.  At North Coast, it was daily for 10 years.  Now, I sit. And sit. And sit waiting to see how and where He wants me.  Much harder to tell in this new life how or if I'm being used.  Doesn't feel like it. For the better part of the last 10 years God has been loud - I could hear Him moving me, pushing me, growing me.  Now I'm listening for whispers and getting an awful lot of silence.

     
     

     Transitionally, I am also still trying to get me feet firmly under me.  New job, new tasks, new staff, new environment, new everything.  It's been 7 months and logically in my mind, I'd say my feet should be firmly planted, but most days I feel like I am walking on marbles.  Why is it so hard to get planted, to feel stable?  For this, at least currently, I have no answers.  Me! Who usually has answers for everything.  No answers - shocking I know!

     
     

     Secondly, life is consumed with pain.  Just over 18 months ago, I started having daily headaches ... sometimes moving to migraines, but mostly just ever present headaches.  After much to-do, they appear to be a natural progression of Fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed with Fibro something like 5 years ago.  The first two years, I stood by the claim that I'm not convinced it even existed - so certainly I can't have it.  It's a myth.  Made up by lazy people.  At the same time I was told I have Osteoarthritis.  Ok that one makes sense and I know does exist.  Now some 5 years later, I'm told I have progressed to sever Fibromyalgia which brings with it daily headaches leaning towards migraines.  Hmmm....I guess it does exist.  Well that sucks. I've always been a work horse, taking more than my share, longer, harder, pushing thru.  As I look back, the things I've done were like moving mountains.  It's like I personally built the Great Wall of China, carrying each and every stone up the mountain.  I've been on that mountain, twice, it's BIG.  So now it's daunting and discouraging to spend a considerable amount of energy each day pushing thru body pain, head pain and ridiculous fatigue.  Seriously, in my mind I can build the Great Wall and now it's an accomplishment to make it thru the day without a breakdown.  Stupid.  (and scary)

     
     

     My "writing assignment" says to go with the "current" of my emotions - where I am now. I am reaching deep to find that inspirational touch.  That "but here's the silver lining."  But sometimes it's just not there.  Sometimes it's just stupid.  That's what I got - stupid. 

     
     

     WEBSTER DICTIONARY

     stu·pid

     ˈst(y)o͞opəd/

     adjective

     1. Lacking intelligence or common sense

     Synonyms: unintelligent, ignorant, dense, foolish, dull-witted, slow, simpleminded, vacuous, vapid, idiotic, obtuse, doltish.

     URBAN DICTIONARY

     Someone who has to look up "stupid" in the dictionary because they don't know what it means.

     OKAY, now that's funny!  So I think the inspiration here is that life is not stupid, I am for not appreciating life, appreciating all I do have, appreciating the amazing gift of every day .... every sunrise, every sunset, every glorious breath.  Who knew that God speaks thru the Urban Dictionary?  Yeah that was a bit more than a whisper.

     Writing assignment done.

Magnificent & Significant

Amazing insight From Lysa TerKeurst - NY Times Bestselling author, a national speaker, and the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries. Website: www.lysaterkeurst.com

When Jesus puts His hand in the small of your back and whispers, "Come, follow me," no matter what... go.
But don't go in effort and angst.
Simply go with willingness to embrace whatever He places in your hands. Big or small it will be magnificent and so very significant to Him.
He might take you on unlikely paths through quiet seasons where you wonder if you heard Him wrong.
How can you be participating in world changing ministry when after preparing your Bible study lesson for weeks, only 3 women showed up? 
Those 3 are magnificent and so very significant to Him.
How can staying up all night with a crying toddler be part of a grand plan?
That little one is magnificent and significant to Him.
How come that other woman seems to be fast tracked in ministry and your calling feels so slow? So small. So unnoticed.
She is and you are magnificent and significant to Him.
The moment this reality finally washes over you, you'll fall to your knees thanking Him with every fiber of your soul.
You see it's not about the assignment at all. It's about staying in alignment with His heart.
Protect that alignment with the fiercest passion and every bit of fight you have in you.
Being with Jesus is the high calling. Everything else is just homework.
Because a woman pressed close to Jesus? No matter where she is serving, it changes the world.

Eagle in the Storm

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.  The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life come upon us — and all of us will experience them — we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God.   The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God’s power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.

The wise man wrote, “When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future” (Eccl. 7:14). Solomon fairly well summarized life. There are good and bad days that attend our lives. Make the best of both. When things go well, rejoice and praise God; when they go wrong, and adversity attacks the soul, rest on the assurance that God is there and he cares. His goodness is shown in the providential help he offers in time of need.

“Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help (us) in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them. The Bible says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” — Isaiah 40:31

The New Norm

I've been thinking a lot about grief, and loss.  It seems when we think of grief, it's reserved for the loss of a loved one, spouse, child, parent.  But anyone who has experienced a life-changing loss goes through grieving process ... loss of fertility, loss of mental function, loss of health, loss of youth, loss of friendships, a home, job or pet. When you read about grief, each loss is described as an occurrence that you had no control over.  I'm not sure that's true. I think we grieve even when we controlled the change.  Change of jobs (where I'm living right now), change of homes, relationships and friendships, cities, states - each brings a sense of loss, a sense of longing for what was. 

Each person's experience of loss is different.  It will be unlike anyone else's.  Regardless, the grief response brings intense emotions.  Feelings of being alone, anger, depression, loneliness, fear, frustration, futility and instability. 

When you experience grief, you strive to get things back to "normal."   The goal becomes to get things back to where they were before the loss, before the fog of grief set in.  The truth is you need to embrace the loss and know, know, that "normal" as you knew it is gone.  There is now a new normal and you must open your mind to finding it..... the new norm.  

My mother taught me, years and years ago, that the loss never goes away, you just learn to live with it.  Each loss leaves a hole and somehow we believe we can fill that hole with something else. Unfortunately no, the hole remains but gets smaller and smaller as it is surrounded by new life experiences. To move beyond the grief, we must accept the "new norm", we must assimilate the loss, face and work though the pain, understanding that the loss will get smaller and smaller until it is only a pinpoint of light.  Anne Morrow Lindbergh, who lost her baby son in a kidnapping and murder, said:

        It isn't for the moment you are struck
        that you need courage,
        but for the long up hill battle to faith, 
        sanity and security.

So when life is forever changed, we are forever changed.  Loss is a common experience that every person will encounter during his or her lifetime. It does not discriminate for age, race, sex, education, economic status or nationality.  Loss, whether it happens "to" you or "by" you, is a byproduct of being alive.

Each person walks their own path to overcome loss.  When the initial fog clears, it is time to reach inside for your own internal strength to adapt and adjust to the new life. Despite the loss, life goes on, it moves forward and begins again, but it is a life forever changed. Most people don't like change. And of course change from loss is forced upon us.  Years ago I was faced with the need to make a major life change.  I found a quote that basically said, "sometimes the energy it takes to keep resisting and living in the past becomes more painful than making the change."

        And then the day came
        when the risk it took to remain tight
        inside the bud was more painful
        than the risk it took to blossom.

                                                      Anaïs Nin

Simply, we must surrender the old and begin anew.  Hmmm....kind of sounds like what it was like when I first turned my life over to God.  Give up the old "norm" and begin a "new norm" in Him. Moving from the dark into the light.  As we grieve, we are in darkness.  Not sure there is a darker place than the depths of grief.  Admittedly there are levels of grief.  The loss of a spouse, child or beloved family/friend far out ways the loss of a job or house.  But grief is grief and unique to each. But it's dark.  If it's part of life, then is it a necessary evil?  Moving from darkness....

When I became a Christian, Col 1:10-14 spoke to me, leaped off the pages of the bible.  Daily I wear a dogtag with On Belay on one side (that's another story) and Col 1:10-14 on the other:

 'so you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption...'

Delivered from the domain of darkness. 

When my father died, my mother was 32.  I watched her process her grief for 30 years until she passed away.  Don't get me wrong, after his death, she went on to lead a very productive and successful life, yet as I look back now I suspect she was always processing grief in the background. In her life, she never really knew Him.  I don't believe she ever experience God as father.  As someone who loves us and wants to carry our burdens, sooth our souls and take our grief. Throughout the Bible, God tells us how He wants us to relate to him: Trust him.  Even in our darkness and pain. He wants us to rely on him, to rest concerns and ourselves in his hands. 

Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding."

The answer to loss is quite simple, admittedly not easy, but simple. Rest in Him. It is God that fills the space left, minimizes the hole to a pinpoint, renews us and leads us to the "New Normal."

I Love my Attorney

Recently sent to me by a friend ....

After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth
came to the end.

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting
room of what I thought to be a court house.

The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat
by the defense table.

As I looked around I saw the 'prosecutor'.

He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me.
He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a
kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar
to me, I felt I knew Him.

The corner door opened and there appeared the Judge in full
flowing robes.

He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room. I
couldn't take my eyes off of Him.

As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, 'Let us begin.'

The prosecutor rose and said, 'My name is Satan and I am here to
show you why this man belongs in hell.'

He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole,
and In the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other
horrible perversions that were once in my life, and the more he
spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own
Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely
forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me,
I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not
offering any form of defense at all.

I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some
good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the
harm I'd done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This man belongs in hell,
he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person
who can prove otherwise.'

When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might
approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong
objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.

As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His
full splendor and majesty.

I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing
me, my Lord and my Savior.

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, 'HI, DAD,'
and then He turned to address the court.

'Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't
deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is
death, and this man deserves to be punished.'

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with
outstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died on the cross
so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted
Me as his Savior, so he is Mine.'

My Lord continued with, 'His name is written in the Book of Life,
and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not
understand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather
mercy.'

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and
said, 'There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all..'

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The
following words bellowed from His lips.....

'This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in
full. Case dismissed.'

I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where
to go next, 'Have you ever lost a case?'

Christ lovingly smiled and said, 'Everyone that has come to Me
and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as
you, ~Paid In Full.'

'Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!'