Novel Teaser

            Colin stared at his ceiling, wide awake. How could he sleep after a day like today? He had gone to school for some of his late afternoon classes, though it wasn’t easy to focus. He would have to work on that.

            A sudden wind in Colin’s ear made him jerk upright. He could still feel the tickle. And the words that came with it—Get up! He caught his breath and looked to his right, surprised to see a pair of bright green eyes shining in the dark room. It took a moment for him to recognize the boy, but soon he saw that it was none other than—

            Adrian.

            Adrian pulled at Colin’s wrist so that he could feel his fast pulse beat against the boy’s warm fingers.

            “Colin, you have to get up. Now! I have to show you something.”

            “You scared me half to death! How did you get in here?”

            “Never mind that. Just get up!”

            Colin swung himself out of bed and watched the little boy back away and stare up at him. He shook his head and muttered to himself, “Is this ever gonna end?”

            “No, Colin, it won’t.”

            Colin was caught off guard—he had meant to say it to himself, but of course the boy was there, and of course he would hear and have a clever response like that.

            “Alright.” He grabbed his t-shirt off the floor and pulled it on. “Where are we going?”

            The boy smiled and took his hand. Adrian’s hand was swallowed in his—it was so delicate, so innocent. He swallowed.

            “Just follow me, Colin. I’m gonna show you something amazing.” The boy’s eyes danced with wonder, and Colin couldn’t help but smile. He didn’t hesitate this time.

            “Alright, I think I can handle that.” Adrian laughed out loud, and Colin wondered if his family could hear him.

            “Maybe you should be quiet, my family is asleep,” Colin whispered as they walked down the hallway. But this time he just giggled louder, and Colin found his own voice joining in.

            Adrian pulled him all the way out the door, until they stood in Colin’s front lawn. That’s where he stopped and looked up at the sky. Colin followed his gaze, looking for something—unusual. All he could see were the stars, but Adrian seemed overcome by them when he glanced down at his lifted face. The biggest grin quickly turned into a reverent awe, then back to the grin. Colin looked up again, aching to experience whatever had captured this little boy.

            “Look, Colin. Aren’t they amazing?”

            “Yes—yes they are.” But he wished he could see more. Adrian saw something he didn’t. He didn’t take their beauty for granted.

            Suddenly Adrian moved his head to look at Colin. The enchantment in his face faded, and they stared at each other, confident little boy and lost grown man. Why couldn’t he be like this child? Then the boy uttered something he didn’t anticipate.

            “Colin, feel my pulse.” He took Colin’s fingers and placed them on his own wrist. The steady sensation of a beating heart flowed through his fingers and seemed to reach the rest of his body. This was life.

            “Now, feel your own.” Without waiting for the boy to do it for him, he placed his own thumb over his left wrist and felt the pulse. His pulse.

            “Do you feel something?”

            “Of course I do.”

            The boy smiled.

            “That means you’re alive!” Colin was in disbelief at the simplicity of Adrian’s words.

            “Yeah?”

            “Yes, and that means you can do things.”

            Colin swallowed hard.

            “Yeah? And what kinds of things am I supposed to do?”

            Adrian’s eyes twinkled with mischief. He replied, “Great things.” The boy looked back up at the stars and breathed in loudly.

            “Can you hear them? Can you sense them?” he asked.

            “What?” Colin responded.

            “The angels. They like to dance with the stars at night. But they’re here, too.” He spread his arms out and spun around once. “All around us. I love it, ‘cus they carry Daddy’s presence.”

            “Daddy?”

            “Yes—God!” Colin felt like he shouldn’t breathe, like the air surrounding this child was too sacred to breathe. So he remained quiet for the moment and tried to think of what to say to this.

            “Yeah…that’s amazing” was what came out of Colin’s mouth. Adrian looked at him again and seemed to be contemplating something very important.

            “Colin, I need you to do something for me.”

Chasing Demons Away

Being pursued by a malevolent force that you know you can’t escape is the most terrifying thing to experience. There’ s no way out. The horror of that thought is like death. When you know the one after you is more powerful than any effort on your part, you are lost.

How do I know? Well, I don’t, not really. But I’ve gotten a taste of it in some dreams I have had, like last night. In short, in the dream there was a man who I knew did not have good intentions towards me, so I hid away from where he was in fear. But he knew where to find me, so he came and I couldn’t get away. He started asking me random questions and I had to answer, but I knew he was not just a nice person, so I tried to hurt him. It didn’t faze him; instead he responded with, “You underestimate my power.” Basically he then proceeded to tell me my death was imminent, and would be by his hands. There was nothing I could do.

But I woke up thinking, there is actually one hope left in that kind of situation—Jesus. I will always have him to look out for me, and He is more powerful than any human or force of evil that may try to assail me. I can always cling to that.

But what about the little girls and women who are hunted every day and forced into a life of sexual slavery that may as well be death? There is hope for them, but they can’t see it. They are like me in that dream except without the knowledge that there is one greater who is able to rescue them. What a nightmare.

One of the primary differences between those of us who know Christ and those who don’t is our hope. These girls and women are literally living a nightmare. They are trapped with no way to escape.

Unless the impossible happens.

Unless someone hears and is willing to break into their world. Unless the people of God rise up to chase away their demons and bring them back into the waking world, where terrors cannot stalk them anymore. Where they are home and safe.

When I think of what it must be like for them, the utter darkness and hopelessness that so many of these modern-day slaves live in, my heart breaks and is moved to do more. I’m not going to tell you what to do about it; neither am I going to try and come up with a solution or a strategy of my own. But what I do propose we do and not stop doing is lifting up this issue to God in earnest prayer, asking him for the strategies and acting on what we hear.

This is real and it is happening to so many more precious lives than we realize. Let’s not be silent, for our God is more powerful! We should not underestimate the power of our Enemy, but we should not allow him to immobilize us either with fear or hopelessness. There is always a life to be saved, and you can do something about it.

A Child

God sees us as mighty warriors, yet He expects us to come to him as little children. Perhaps having faith like a child equips us to become those mighty warriors. He sees strength in the heart of a child. Maybe it is because children generally cannot rely on themselves. They must trust.

My heart is bound up

How can I carry yours?
I am not a child but a pauper
Worn out by time and years
Yet you would bring me back
Set me upon your lap
Look into my eyes and say
You’re innocent again
Do you want to run on the paths of adventure
I have set before you?
I approve of you
You don’t have to be shy with me
I hear his words, stirring in me
And dare to look in his face
I find he’s smiling
So I take his hand without shame
And my withered fingers become smooth
With him I can be myself
A child again, with strength renewed
For faith and trust are my weapons in him
I am utterly changed when he becomes my strength
So I say
My heart is strong
Not bound with fear, or folly, or doubt
But light with your love
I see with your eyes
And I will tread the paths you have laid out
And pursue to grasp what you are about
When I see me through your eyes
I can carry your heart with no shame
And be a child
And a warrior to bring you fame

 

A couple weeks ago I was picking up the little girl I nanny from kindergarten. There was another little girl waiting with her mom, about 3 or 4 years old with blonde curly hair. I had never met them before, but this little girl suddenly came up to me, took my hand, and smiled. She then said, “sometimes I’m shy.” That struck me because for some reason she didn’t feel the need to be shy with me. Yet she wanted to tell me that. Then she proceeded to show me her pink boots and kept holding onto my hand and swinging it back and forth like I was her long time friend. I couldn’t help but imagine that this might have been what it was like for Jesus. The children were attracted to him though he may have been a stranger, and they were probably able to be free and open with him because of his love and gentle way. What a beautiful picture God brought to me through the boldness and spontaneity of this little one.

Keep Reading

What is it about the great stories that draw us so? Maybe something like the Lord of the Rings is obvious. We all long for adventure, love, and purpose. This epic tale can at times speak to some of our deepest longings though it is fantastical. Why do we love the characters? Because they are heroes. And why are they heroes? Because they beat impossible odds against an impending evil.

Just what we are called to do in this dark world.

Because the world is dark, right?

The story I now want to consider is the more recent Hunger Games trilogy. I know a lot can be and has been said about these stories. But I think it is extremely relevant right now. Think of how big a hit the books and the movie are at this time. Why is that? I would have to say it’s more than a fad—people like the story. We are drawn to it. We love the characters. This is a different tale than Lord of the Rings in many ways; however I would venture to propose there are more similarities than we might realize.

So what is it about The Hunger Games that pulls us in so relentlessly? At first look, it is a gruesome, hopeless tale. Our protagonists are caught in a terrifying reality that for all they know they will never escape. The games happen every year, they have a chance of being chosen to participate, and every year 23 out of the 24 kids will inevitably die. It’s the way things are.

But does it have to be?

That is the essential question.

That is how these two epics from different centuries collide to tell the tale of our lives. They are not the only ones of course, but I believe wonderful examples nonetheless. These are stories in which the hero or heroes must defy odds and become just that—the hero they are meant to be. They must choose whether the cost is worth it to them to rebel against what is. They must rise above the status quo. They must choose to do not what is expected of them, but what will seem impossible, unfruitful, and even crazy to others. It’s about their struggles, their choices, and their perseverance.

There is a line in The Hunger Games where Gale asks Katniss the question: “What if we didn’t watch?” He was talking about what would happen if people just stopped watching the games. Basically, if we took away the popularity or the demand for it, it wouldn’t be successful anymore. The control of the Capitol would be demolished. If they lose the people’s fear or trust (depending on which they have) they have lost their power. Similarly, in The Lord of the Rings the characters must decide that the Dark Lord and all his minions do not have to have power over them. The evil in Middle Earth has taken its control also by means of fear. I think the Ring of power at least partly represents fear. If the enemy doesn’t have their fear, they don’t have power.

These are poignant and powerful stories. Though fantasy, they speak to our lives. So, the question is, can we, like Frodo or Katniss, gather the courage to make choices against the status quo, step out and take a stand for what is right and good, and destroy fear not only for our own lives but for the sake of setting others free?

Even when there appears to be no hope?

Because there always is. That’s why we keep reading.

Darkness aside

Darkness aside!
We live in His light!

Freedom pursues you
For we won't give up
You may not see us
But we're here
Training in courage
Receiving endurance
Running this race set before us
You think no one cares
But our hearts break
You think no one hears
But you have our ears
We are the new breed
The people of light
And though we're not perfect
We live for this fight
In your darkness, in your night
He will break through
He will find you

Listen, all you children of the King
He's sending forth a new sound
Hear it ring!
He's opening up hidden places
And leading us to new faces
The ones who are waiting
The ones forgotten
His thoughts are towards them
So be His voice, His love
Reach out your arms
And burst forth out of your gloom
For your darkness is light to them
A hope beyond hope
Don't wait till you're all new
Go now, for only used can be used
We are qualified by the Cross
So put discouragement aside
Be who you were meant to be
And in His grace abide

Darkness aside!
Awake to life!

Find

Along the simple narrow path
I want to find my feet
In your sweet melodic dance
I want to find my beat
You are humble, you are meek
Your voice gently speaks to me
In the whispers of your heart
I want to find my ears
Among the love that drives your art
I want to find my years
You are true and you are clear
No confusion and no fear
With the courage in your eyes
I want to find my voice
Against the evil you despise
I want to take my place
You are generous in grace
Keep my gaze locked on your face
With what's good and only right
I want to stand for life
When it's lonely in the night
I want to find your life
You are strong and you are safe
And nothing spent on you will go to waste

You Saved Me

You saved me And I just can’t rid my heart Of this flame inside me That just wants to be a part Of your great mystery Your beauty inspires me To create like you Earth, space, and trees Movement, grace, and family All intricate designs produced From your melody of life I want to take what you’ve given And express unto Heaven The joy of my forgiveness To love with an open heart Always giving and creating Never taking or hiding Just like you are You are the beat of my heart And when I misstep I disconnect with the motion that you set Don’t let me stray I pray For every day when I live in your way I give away your love Life abundant is what you give I want it all; I want to live If my devotion is not to you Wake me up Because my days are few And I want them to glorify you