September 2015 – Living in the Last Hour

It always seems as if the enemy is gaining in the war on sin. With every attack his only goal is to knock us down, to shake our foundation, to shatter our faith (steal, kill, destroy). When the unthinkable happens my first thought is..why, Lord?

I tell myself it’s not God that makes mistakes. It’s His children that make bad choices, that choose not to be obedient. I inevitably question my own walk, my own committment to the living God. Ultimately, I ask myself…”Did I not impress upon my loved ones the ways of God sufficiently to have avoided this horrible incident?”

(RM) “Sometimes my life makes no sense!” That’s what I say. When I read that

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Rom 8:26-28).”

Hearing the news…I cry out, Lord, I don’t know what to pray.

The world does not know what it wants! It’s quite evident in the lives of many individuals. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of the impenitent sin of the people, complete deviation. Our society is heading south very quickly and moral absolutes are no more.

Rich Mullins sang, “I am ready for the storm…” As I sit and listen to him sing this song, I am telling myself…”NO, I am not ready for this storm! Lord.

The storms of life can be devastating on so many levels. As believers we turn to our God knowing full well that the battle has already been won. The enemy has been destroyed. He may try to shake our foundation, but the Lord is our rock and He is not shaken. He is not moved.

We are in this world, but we are not of this world, and though we must confront the enemy we hold on to the promise of God that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. Still, we need to confess our doubts and fears, and our unbelief so that the Lord can minister to us, so the Lord can work in us and through us, so the Lord can meet us where we are and give us peace.

Oh Lord…guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

4 Things Christian Artists Can Learn From The Life Of Rich Mullins

September 25, 2015IrmMa

Thimblerig's Ark

This weekend marks eighteen years since the death of singer/songwriter Rich Mullins, who died tragically in a car accident just outside of Bloomington, Illinois on September 19, 1997.

It’s a bit of an understatement to say that Rich’s life had a profound impact on me. This is true for me as a Christian, as an artist, and as a man. I’m not alone, as evidenced by the continued interest in his life nearly twenty years after he “went out like Elijah,” as well as the continued popularity of his music.

As I realized we were getting close to this date, it got me to thinking about Rich. I knew I had to write something about him, but I’ve already told the story of the time we met (A Memory of Rich Mullins), and I’ve also already written about the profound impact Rich had on my first novel, Thimblerig’s Ark (Thimblerig the Ragamuffin).

So what could…

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Trending now…Trial after Trial – Crisis after Crisis

September 20, 2015September 20, 2015IrmMa

Unless you have been living under a rock, you’ve heard of all the horrific happenings around the globe. Fear, hate, frustration and anger are driving the heart of man to act in ways beyond comprehension. With so much going on in the world today, crisis after crisis draws us to the window to watch, to open the door and look upon the madness of this world. Sometimes we are struck with confusion and disbelief, other times with fear, many times a variety of mixed feelings.

What should be our response to events/crises around the world and here is America?

Psalm 2
Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.

Unbelievers are quick to dismiss the Bible and criticize believers, but God’s word is clear. Take heart says the Lord (John 16:33) “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.” Amen. 1 Peter 5: 6-11

Only in Christ Jesus.

“I will follow you all of my days….oh God you are my God and I will ever praise You…”Rich Mullins

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015IrmMa

I always wonder why I miss a man I never knew, or met…then the Lord tells me…it is the Spirit of God that lived in Rich Mullins and through Rich Mullins that I so miss and long for. Truly, he is more alive today then in the short time he lived on earth. Praise God that he left us his prayer songs…and that his music continues to move the heart of man towards God. My God bless all who listen to his music. Surely our God lives.