It’s 1:41am. Talbot (Salem), OR.

Last Friday I had the privelege to spend some time with the folks out at City Bible Church in Portland, OR - thanks to Marc Estes, Ranjy Thomas and Doug Lasit for your time, hospitality and wisdom. If you are ever in the Portland area and are looking for a church to attend or visit, this is one you’ve got to check out. My experience and interaction with them has been nothing but stellar. But the reason I write…

From time to time, I come across music that makes me smile…and I push it to everybody I know. On Friday, Doug gave me a CD that they recorded at their Generation Unleased: Divine conference back in February of this year. First of all, the inperson experience was incredible. Thousands of people SERIOUSLY going after God…unashamed … nothing to stop them from meeting their maker. And now I sit on a couch absorbing the same anointing that captured, embraced and changed the hearts of so many that night. You can’t deny that God created these melodies. They are as fresh today as they were when written by those who sought to capture their own expressions of worship through the boundaries of words. This is exactly what He wanted His people to create. He is very pleased. But…that’s not really why I write.
Today, I had a strange and significant moment. No doubt this will not come across as heavy as it’s impact on my life but that’s because it was something that happened for me, at that moment.

I was practically born a Christian. I’ve lived in church, almost literally, my whole life. If there’s been a ministry, I’ve probably done it at least once. I’ve seen people around me come and go. Some come, excited and free, only to leave disenchanted and discouraged because “it” didn’t go the way they intended. I’ve seen people bitter, confused, hurt, angry, judgemental, afraid and quite frankly separated not from the world, but from holiness. In the moment all seems justified and worthy of the justifications, but I doubt it’s spiritual validity, really. But some come excited and willing to do anything they can to meet their maker for the rest of their life. It’s natural that we’d all go through the ups and down of relationship but as I’ve said time and time again, it’s not what happens to you that counts, it’s what you do with the opportunity that matters. You will fall either the to left or the right at some point. You can’t sit on the fence with God. that’s lukewarm and you’re nothing but puke in his mouth. So what does this have to do with my moment today? A lot…

Today, I experienced a moment when everything around me didn’t matter, but one thing. That I, would always be found in Him. I was suddenly aware of what life could look like alone. Completely alone. Does that translate? If not, then stop for a second, turn off the music, mute the TV and just stop for a second. What would life look like for you if your faith didn’t exist? If the promises that you believed, either consciously or subconsciously were non-existant. If you were left completely isolated to just work it out? Can you imagine? What would your marriage look like? What would relationships look like? What if you weren’t told when you were being an idiot, selfish or simply wrong. People just don’t care that much about you. Only God cares that much. He’s there for and through everything. People can’t even begin to fulfil that kind of relationship. People who think this thing about God is rules and religious activity are seriously missing out on the peace and joy of a God who wants to be closer than a brother, a friend, a Father who knows no boundaries. He wants the best for me. Even when I don’t deserve it, he gives freely…without recourse…without strings. Seriously, who is like that, but Jesus! I’ll never leave that. I can’t. Can you?

You might be wondering why I lead with the City Bible guys and their new CD? It’s easy. Read these words and you’ll understand the timing and depth of my moment today. Seriously, man couldn’t orchestrate this if we tried. Who is like Him!

There is none like you
No one else compares, to all your majesty
The world will know your name, as you are lifted high
and all will bow down

who is like you
No one else compares
to everything you are
To all the things you do
Who is like you
I live because you are, my everlasting arms.
You are so beautiful.

Amen.