Fearlessly Courageous

Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
8 19 2024

Audio Version

When was the last time you felt an overpowering longing for God?  

I saw this line and I started to cry.  I wept because, with all my studying, all my writing, all my teaching, I realized how easy it is to fall off point. 
To slip into a “DO Mode”.  For God of course… but still a “DO Mode”.

When was the last time you felt your own longing for God?  For his love? 
For that sense of Dad…  I’m Home!  I’m Home Dad, I’ve missed you so much.  It’s so good… so overwhelming to be Home Dad! 

When was the last time you did that?  Like when your coming home from college and as you get closer and closer to home, your heart starts to beat faster.  You get this smile on your face that runs directly from your soul?  When was the last time you were overwhelmed by how much You wanted to be closer to Him because you love him sooo much?   Because you know how much he has poured out his love on you.    When you actually hunger to be close to him because of Who He IS? 

When was the last time you cuddled with your Dad?  Or are you too big for that?   Real men don’t do that!  We’re tough.  We don’t cry or get emotional.  We make things happen.  We are warriors and providers.  We are so consumed with achieving…something…that we can’t be broken down to cry or get emotional because we’re Home! 

I am compelled to paint a different picture for you.

I’m Home Dad!… I have missed you so much since I have been away.  Thank you dad for those letters in Roman and James… Dad, they kept me grounded and close to you.  I could hear you talking to me every day.  Dad, that meant so much to me.  You are everything to me.  Thank you Dad for always being there for me.  But it’s oh so grand to just sit at your feet and hold you.  To just be still as you stroke my head and say how much you missed me too. 

I’ve been too busy Dad.  I have become so self-absorbed with responsibilities.  With things, others are depending on me for.  I ran out of time and I’m sorry, that I have been squeezing you out.  It was not my intent.  Not my heart.   I felt that I didn’t have anymore to give.  I even forgot how to be quiet and still and wait for you.  I was on too many timelines. 
I had too many short fuses burning, and I horribly forgot where my hope comes from.

And in a moment of reading, I hear:   “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Dad I can’t remember the last time I heard my soul cry out like that.  I remember David crying for Israel to put their hope in the Lord.  He knew they needed to rest in you… Trusting. Loving.  Confident.  Content.

And You?

And Me?

Lord, I knew I was past due to come home for awhile now…I needed my Father.  I need you Dad!  Dad, will you forgive me for getting so unhinged?  Forgetting your daily letters to me to keep me grounded.  Forgive me Father for putting my good “to DO Stuff” in front of time with you.  Dad, you own the cattle on a thousand hills and here I am trying to build this puny herd on my own.  How stupid can I get and still breathe?  Forgive me Dad… again Dad.  You are always waiting for me Dad.  Always with those inviting eyes and arms outstretched to put everything right. 

Ps 131 says,  My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.
² But I have calmed and quieted myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content.

What a picture that is.  Interesting metaphor.  He is at his mother’s breast, but he is weaned…He is just there reveling in her presence…listening to her heartbeat…He is content…He has no cares of the world.

It is also worrisome and unsettling… that is not us. And we must ask Why?   
We must change our direction…

Everything around us is about getting something for something or nothing.   We are the most blessed nation in the world.   God has given us so so many things.  We should be overwhelmed by his graciousness, but are we?  Really?

Or could it be, we are still at his breast, caring for Him, loving Him because of what He gives us?  Always on the take…yet he is;   Our Lord, King, Creator, Redeemer, Lover of my soul.  Everything!   When… When was the last time you felt overwhelmed in your longing for God?  Yes…Overwhelmed?

Here’s what we need to do: 

Create a block of 30 minutes per week for the next two weeks.

• As you sit down, pray;  Lord reveal yourself to me afresh and anew.  Let me feel my soul thirst for you again. Open me up Lord,  my ears, my eyes, my heart so I may see you and love you for who you are, not for what I can get or want from you.
• I suggest you do absolutely nothing during this time, no reading, no phone, turn it off.  No writing, or speaking, just wait and listen to your soul.  Listen for God!
• When you’re done, write your thoughts in a journal or notepad.
• During the following weeks, keep adding to your conversation and share what happened with a friend.

 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; 
like a weaned child I am content.

Our Courageous Men’s Group begin tonight at Grace Family Church at Land O Lakes at 7pm.
In fact women’s groups, couples, bible studies, are all starting this week. Get involved. Become a part of the community God has called you too. I promise you will be blessed.

This Thursday night we have a special Following Jesus Class that will last four more weeks. Come and join us from 7pm to 8:30 online via Google Meets . 
    Click here to join up:                   https://meet.google.com/pbr-jvhx-ykm

What a wonderful name it is  Hillsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQWFzMvCfLE&list=PLCd-wh1hNZpQRQZ73gnTCeUYflnkLMF_S&index=11