love – Imaginations & Revelations of Jeff Riddle

August 23, 2017

Alpha & Omega

Grace and peace to you my friend. A season seems to be upon us in which many believers are struggling. Sadder yet, some are falling away.

I have written a few questions which may be helpful if you are a believer who feels like they are struggling, as we all tend to do sometimes. Perhaps now is the time to take a long realistic look into the mirror of your soul. I honestly pray for the Lord Jesus Christ to convict and to comfort you in the questions as well as the answers. I bless you in Jesus name!

1. This would be the alpha question…Do I need to return to my first love?

Rev. 2:4 “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

2. Is busyness and the things of this world choking out my relationship with Jesus?

Mark 4:19 “but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”

3. Am I placing anything or anyone in my life ahead of Jesus?

Col. 1:18 “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first born from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”

4. Do I genuinely know Jesus or do I just know about Him?

John 14:17 “that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”

5. Does the written word continuously lead me to encounter the Living Word?

Luke 24:32 “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the scriptures to us?”

6. Do I take time to listen throughout my day and do I hear His voice consistently?

John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me”

7. Am I totally, completely enamored with Jesus?

Mark 12:30″You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

8. Am I having face to face encounters with Jesus?

Rev. 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”

9. Can I find myself anywhere in the Song of Solomon? Am I longing for Jesus?

Song of Solomon 8:5 “Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?”

10. Do I have peace?

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

11. Is Jesus sitting on the throne of my heart?

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

12. And this would be the Omega question…Do I need to return to my first love?

Rev. 21:6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirst from the spring of the water of life without cost.”

Friend, if you made it this far…then God bless you! Jesus loves you! If you happen to be dazed and confused by all this, it’s ok. The Bible says there is a veil that remains over our heart that is only removed in Christ. Jesus once told a very religious man, “You must be born of the Spirit” and the man didn’t understand. All of us at some point in our lives are forced to look into the mirror of our soul and say, “There has got to be something better than this!” Our own conscience even bears witness to this. Please hear me friends when I say there is some really good news for you today. Jesus is the better way! Scripture says, God rescues us out of the darkness and transfers us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son. Being a living testimony, I promise and I swear it is absolutely true! It is written, O taste and see that the Lord is good.

His goodness far exceeds are expectations! Jesus is madly, passionately, head over heels in love with you. He forgives you. He renews you. He gives you peace. He gives you eternal life. He moves into your heart and every thing about you changes for the better. No cost. Just for the asking. So please…invite Him in and experience that what I say is true. Prepare to enter into the biggest adventure and the most excellent love affair you could ever imagine. A few simple heart felt words will change your life forever.

Jesus, I need You and I receive You. Thank You…my Lord!

April 20, 2017

Now We Wait

Preparations have been made, hearts are ready, let us celebrate the day of the Lord! Over the past month, we have fasted, feasted and set our hearts on a pilgrimage to seek the Lord. We have been looking forward to celebrating a glorious day. It is the greatest day in the history of mankind. On the third day, the breath of life returned back into the body of the Son of Man, raising Him from death to life, signifying the work of the cross and the work of the grave was finished. Mankind, now through Jesus has the right, the privilege, and the opportunity, once again to walk and abide in the presence of our Holy God. Praise His name! Every year tradition has us celebrating the day the world calls Easter, but we who believe know it as the day of the resurrection of our Lord. So today here we are, that festive day has come and past, the merriment, and activities have died down and I’m left asking this one question…What now?

If ever there was a whisper of the voice of a prophet in me, it most surely is now. Like the beating of a drum, these words echo with resolve out of the recesses of my spirit. The heavenly answer to my question “What now?” is:

“Now we wait!”

Now we wait? What does it mean to wait?

Waiting can be a demonstration of faith because even though you don’t know what will happen next, the very act of waiting expresses a desire that something, in fact, will come. Though expressed differently, waiting and hoping are -at the very least- first cousins. The Biblical definition of hope is joyful anticipation of good. So we wait because we expect something good. As well, the words trust and rest and expectation should also be holding hands in this circle of faith. This faith allows us to turn our head toward an ancient east wind blowing out of Jerusalem to listen to the voice of the disciples as they whisper these same words: “Now we wait!” The words of their Messiah rang true in spirit as they remembered what Jesus had told them,

‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.’

For forty days Jesus had appeared to His followers giving them many convincing proofs that He indeed was alive. Jesus had disappeared into the clouds and now the disciples were trudging inquisitively back to gather together in Jerusalem. Jesus had commanded them, “Wait for the promise.” They really didn’t know or understand what exactly they waited for. How could they? This new and glorious gift had never been seen or done before in this manner. Still, by faith, they waited. Faith created an expectancy and anticipation in their hearts. If the past three years had taught them anything, it was simply to trust in what Jesus says and don’t try to bring their own understanding into the equation. Experience had taught them no matter what they expected or whatever happened, it was going to be far greater than they could ever imagine. Love now commanded their heart. Experience had taught them to trust. Faith was the fuel for hope that burned fervently inside them. That hope produced a heartfelt expectation that good things were coming! With a resolve as certain as words etched into stone, each were waiting and proclaiming, “Yes…God is good!” And God was good. And God is good. And God will always be good!
As sure as the sunrise, the promise came like wind and fire with unexplainable power and glory, touching the hearts and souls of all who found faith in waiting.

The miracle of this moment turned a group of one hundred twenty who waited into a love struck army of three thousand. These Spirit-filled believers would begin a movement that even to this day would turn the world upside down. Two thousand years later, here we are, actively and expectantly waiting. Just like those extraordinary men and women of old, we really don’t know what is next. We are not sure what we are waiting for, but still, we wait. Our hearts are excited and full of joy. We wait with the excitement of young children on Christmas morning. Our eyes are open and dodging sleep. Our lamps are burning brightly and full to the brim with oil. If the Bridegroom knocks, we are awake and ready to fling open the door, fall on our face and kiss His beautiful feet.

So to answer the burning question in our hearts that is asking “what now?” is this:

“Now we wait!”
I pray you find much joy in the waiting!
“And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.” (Ps. 39:7)

“Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes wait for the Lord.” (Ps. 27:14)

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength.” (Isa. 40:31)

“But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” (Ro. 8:25)

November 30, 2015

Smaller & Smaller

Presently, I am upstairs in my Father in law’s study on this overcast, November day in Dallas, Texas. I am listening to joyous sounds and the laughter of family and friends that create such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Cousins telling big tales, aunties cooing over the little ones, sisters excitedly planning weddings, dishes clanging in the kitchen, enticing smells deliciously rising upward and, as always, that age old question, “When does the football game start?” On this Thanksgiving day I am truly blessed and extremely thankful to be surrounded with so much love. I am sure my Father in law, George is looking on as well, from heaven with a nod of approval. We miss you and love you George. And as for you my friend, thank you for taking time from your busy life to share in the thoughts of a simple but blessed man. I hope you may find encouragement in a word or two and I pray Our Heavenly Father’s very best for you and your family.

Recently, I have been interested in the conversion the Apostle Paul experienced. It was such a radical change that many were skeptical, but those closest to him could not deny the difference. Sounds familiar! Uncomfortably, I believe I might have experienced some of that skepticism. Saul, the devout man he was, actually encountered the Lord Jesus Christ face to face and because of this encounter he never returned to his previous way of life. Paul wrote, “God rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son…” As evidenced in his letters, Paul seemed completely confident in who he was and in the purpose which God had called him. In the majority of his letters Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Christ by the Lord’s doing. Sadly, my western mindset tells me an apostle carries a semblance of importance and authority but Paul’s definition was much different. He continually defined himself as the least of these and a bond servant to Christ. Quite the dichotomy, wouldn’t you agree? Throughout the Bible we see many of our heroes underwent a name change expressing their true character as God sees them. Our potential in Christ is so much greater than the mirror our imperfect soul reflects. However, Jesus says, to those who overcome, I will give you a new name.

To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. (Rev. 2:17)

My own quest and desire for a name change set me on a journey to find and understand Paul’s new name and how he fully embraced it. I found the name “Saul” means “desired”or “ask for.” However the new name “Paul”, appropriately means “small”or “humble.” I always wondered if his name change came at his conversion or somewhere in the journey. Upon investigation, just as I suspected, it was in the journey. The final use of the name “Saul” was all the way over in chapter thirteen of Acts.

But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze upon him. (Acts 13:9)

Surprisingly, I was caught off guard at what I discovered by digging a little deeper into the scripture. According to the definitive notes in my Bible, the phrase “filled with the Holy Spirit” literally means “having just been filled.” Paul’s name change, the context of this chapter, and then being sent on mission shortly after seems to support something very different and wonderful had indeed happened. Was that truly the moment the Apostle Paul was actually filled, completely consumed, inhabited, overtaken, possessed by the Holy Spirt? A sign post for us is found towards the beginning of the chapter.

While we were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit…(Acts 13:2-4)

Being curious, I searched out the timeline on this. Saul’s encounter with Jesus took place in the year 34 AD, found in Acts 9. However, Paul’s first missionary journey, Acts 13, took place in the year 48 AD. Wow! That’s fourteen years later! Through trials and experience, I have learned it takes time to solidify a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I personally, have found no substitute for dedicating a tremendous amount of time to actually know and establish an honest and genuine relationship with those close to us, whether in our natural lives or in the realm of Christ. In short, there are no short cuts and that is the reason it is so important to set aside time each day to cultivate a deeper relationship with the Lord. Praying, studying, listening, learning, meditating, worshipping are all acquired disciplines as a Christ follower. These require effort on our part and grace on His. That is how we grow and mature in Christ. The mystery I’ve discovered through pursuing these disciplines is, I end up with more questions than answers! God just keeps getting bigger and bigger, while like Paul, I become smaller and smaller. The true treasure can be found in the questions. Questions like: Has sin lost it’s hold on me? Am I growing daily in Christ? Am I an overcomer? Am I a light shining in the darkness? Do I love well? What is my new name? I must have a thousand questions. I am sure you have many of your own questions too, so I’ll leave you to them. Wrestle well my friend. Embrace each day as a gift. Enjoy the journey. You are a unique expression of God’s love. No one is like you. You are an original and we need you. Without you there are stones missing on the wall! Wherever you are in the world, please know…you are loved and cherished!

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! Happy Thanksgiving Y’all!

…Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

March 29, 2015September 15, 2015

When Heaven Came to the Rez

March 27, 2015

Recently Julie and I loaded up our modern day Conestoga wagon and headed out to parts unknown. We paraded through the tourist lined streets of Fredricksburg. We precariously survived the oil patch around Pecos. We searched anxiously for encounters of the alien kind in Roswell. Then, on to Durango where we hiked the mountain trails and felt the warmth of hot spring water flowing right from the ground. Our next destination was Moab, Utah. We arrived just in time to make camp and explore the downtown area. Bright and early the next morning, we saddled up our white jeep “Betsy,” and following the advice of one of the locals, we excitedly entered into the Schafer Trial We were totally unprepared to experience the magnitude of God’s immense and breath-taking creation. Even now with the utmost honor I say, “Oh my God.”

The sheer rock faces stretching towards the sky to our right and the beautiful Colorado River canyon to our left reduced our language to one single word… “Wow.” We climbed pristine sand stone formations. We gawked at the high mountains stretching farther than our eyes could see. Very cautiously, we peeked over the “Thelma and Louise” cliff as we were reminded, cars really can’t fly. Behind us, any semblance of a road had disappeared hours ago and honestly it felt as though we were on another planet. The surroundings seemed lonely and desolate yet hauntingly beautiful. Just as we thought that our journey couldn’t have been any more thrilling, we entered the land of the switchback trials. Looking back I am sure even our donkey would balk at the challenge of the narrow and winding trail that lay before us. Deceptively, the barely jeep-wide trail lured us in until it was much too late to turn back. At one point Julie was pressed against the mountainside door and I am pretty sure I heard her praying and singing, “You make me brave, You make me brave, You make me brave!” I love my wife so much. She is brave and adventuresome and fun and she makes me laugh. She’s my best friend. Before we put Moab in our rear view mirror, I need to tell you at one point during our journey I was so overcome by the beauty and the immensity of what we saw that I choked back tears as I asked this age old question, “God…how big are you?”

With permanent smiles sculpted on our faces, we sadly said goodbye to Moab and pressed deeper into northern Utah. The main reason we embarked on this journey is that we were invited to be part of a prophetic team. Seven of us from Texas were asked to come and minister at a Native American Reservation in northern Utah. The commonality of our team wasn’t found in a church or an organization but rather in obedience to our Lord’s command to love. Our assignment was to teach and to equip, to encourage and give direction as well as to untangle a couple of balls of twine along the way. But as always, our main assignment was to love. All the people we met were so easy to love. They are kind and generous and loving and humble and fun to be with. They are honoring, quick to listen and quick to respond and they love to laugh. Looking into their eyes was like opening a aged storybook that spoke of so many heartaches but as well, so much joy. I am amazed at the depth of life and hope that lives in the heart of these people.

Our gathering drew Pastors and leaders not only from Utah, but from California, Colorado, Oklahoma and Arizona. I was surprised at so many different tribes represented among us, Ute, Navajo, Hopi, Kiowa, Comanche to name a few. I was reminded of the words from the “New Song” sung in Revelation that says, “…every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”

Mealtime was the best time for listening and sharing stories and really becoming immersed in the families and culture of our new found friends. The stories they tell are amazing and it is so much fun to laugh with these people. During the meetings we experienced traditional songs of worship in their native tongue, encouraging words, inspiring Spirit filled, Bible based teaching. However, our team did encounter a few mountain size challenges but all my wife could say on the trip home, about a million times I might add, was “Thank you God, thank you God, thank you God.” Our Papa God is so much bigger than any mountain we ever face! So…just one quick testimony and I will let you go. During the Friday night meeting, one of our team members, in obedience to Holy Spirit went forward and knelt before the leaders. Standing in the place of our forefathers, he repented for not honoring the Native American people, he repented for the lies, the broken contracts and for stealing their land, he repented for forcing their children into boarding schools, he repented for stealing their culture and destroying their way of life.

“Will you forgive us?” he asked the leaders. Then turning and addressing each and everyone, he said, “Will you forgive us.” Overwhelmingly, through tear filled eyes, the response of each and every one, young and old was, “Yes, we forgive you.” Even as I write this I can’t hold back the tears. In that one moment it was as if time stood still and the Lord Himself washed away the stains of many generations of devastating heartache and pain. Jesus truly is the Way, the Truth, the Life. There was not a dry eye in the entire building as pastors and leaders fell to their knees and mournfully wept with tears of healing, tears of freedom, tears of joy. Just like Jericho, the walls came down that night. Praise God!

Now, if you can imagine this…picture the floodgates of heaven opening up over that place…”Oh wow!” I will leave the rest to your own imagination but imagine what freedom looks like. Imagine what a bright light looks like as it invades the darkness. Imagine what love looks like! Listen…can you hear the sounds of freedom? I will tell you, it’s really loud and exuberant and thankful and joyful! This was a day when heaven came to the Rez! Please join me in shouting…

Thank you God! Thank you God! Thank You God!

Peace be with you. Jeff

January 22, 2015January 22, 2015

Mr. Walker

I first met Mr. Walker in 1975. My College roommate and best friend, Primo invited me to go home with him to their ranch in South Texas. His Dad, Mr Walker was of that unique breed of men that humbly command respect. Standing tall and confident, with a firm handshake and a bright smile, Mr. Walker warmly welcomed me into his family. To describe him would be to describe the icon of a South Texas rancher, business man, family man who quietly but powerfully moved mountains. Under his sweat stained hat his piercing steel blue eyes seemed to look straight into the souls of men as he launched into a barrage of questions. Mr.Walker always wanted to know everything about everyone he talked to. Where you came from. What you are doing. Everything about your family. What do you think about this or that? He was always truly interested in you personally. I remember watching him work with the men on the ranch repairing fence, digging postholes and welding gates and thinking how at home he looks here. I remember seeing him dressed in a suit, elbow to elbow with the Governor and many men of great power, and again I thought he is so at home here. The cultural contrast coupled with how comfortable he was in any situation or with any crowd has had a tremendous impact on my life.

A few years later I found myself living with the Walkers at the ranch house. My friend convinced me that I could build the perfect abode to house him and his brand new beautiful bride. Early every morning, which actually seemed like the middle of the night to me, Mr. Walker would turn the light on and say, “Jeff, time to get up!” Every morning I was greeted with the same question, “Jeff what do you want for breakfast, eggs and onions or onions and eggs?” Someone had given him a big burlap sack full of onions. Totally thrilled by this, he was determined to make sure not one went to waste. Luckily, I didn’t have a girlfriend and I liked onions. I remember while working on the house, Mr. Walker would blow in unannounced just like the wind. I would look up to find him walking, cat like, up and down the rafters carefully inspecting every board and every nail. Then with a nod of approval and the slightest wave of his hand, just like he came, he would disappear in a cloud of dust.

During this time, I got really sick. I was imprisoned by an old army cot and a five gallon bucket. I lost around twenty pounds in just three days but stubbornly would not allow anyone to take me to the Doctor. Then came Mr. Walker, a man with so much wisdom and grace that my only possible response was, “Yes Sir.” I seemed to say that a lot when he was around. After five days in the hospital and a near death experience, by God’s mercy I revived and returned to the land of the living. Mr. Walker’s firm and persuasive words probably saved my life.

When it’s time to work cattle at the ranch everything else gets put on hold and all hands are on deck. Picture this, we are deep in the heart of South Texas brush country where everything sticks you, pokes you and bites you. It’s really hot, it’s dry and it’s dusty. A couple of dozen seasoned cowboys and cowgirls ranging in age from eight to eighty mill around like some pre-game ritual. The helicopter tips it’s wing saying good bye as the last of the herd is driven into the outer trap. The pens full of cows of every color and size push and shove to and fro in blind anxiousness. In the center of all this stands Mr. Walker. Atop the cutting chute like a Captain at the helm or better said, like a maestro conducting his orchestra, he turns, he looks and he nods as if to say, “Let this dance begin!” At once everything comes to life. Methodical like the tango, he watches, he points, he shouts, he opens, he closes, he directs, he moves, and he laughs. To see this is to see a true master at work, an art form, and a thing of beauty to behold.

One particular day there was this white eyed, high horned cow that put everyone, big and small, on the fence. Clothed in sweat, blood and mud, I clung fast to the fence when Mr. Walker leaned down and said in his best Texas drawl, “You better watch out for that one Jeff, that’s ole Myra Breckenridge.” After all these years he still makes me laugh.

Sundays were a day for church and rest for the Walkers. Recovery might have been a better word for me as Saturday night and Sunday morning had absolutely nothing in common. Whatever the cost, we were there, propped up by those hard, cold pew benches, mumbling songs from the hymnal and saying our amens at the First Baptist Church. This was pre-Jesus for me but praise God a few rogue seeds were scattered in my direction. Afterwards our safe haven was the front porch of that clap board house on that dusty street in the sleepy town of Laredo. Mr. Walker would bring arm loads of fried chicken with all the fixens and we would feast together, enjoy each other’s company and laugh a lot. That smell still brings back lots of good memories.

It has been forty years since we first met, an entire generation. A few months ago, by happenstance, (Ha), I ran into Mr. Walker, with his wife and daughters at a restaurant in San Antonio. Just like old times we enjoyed a meal together and laughed as we told old stories from years gone by. Mr. Walker, in true form, asked me tons of questions and somewhere in the mix he managed to remind us all of this story.

As it was, I had worked all day framing up Primo and Carlynn’s love nest. When it was time to go home, my truck wouldn’t start. This was way before cell phones and in fact, I think that the Pony Express might still have been in service. So I just girded up my well worn cowboy boots and jogged all the way back to the ranch…nine miles! Is that funny? He thought so and just laughed and laughed.

After a really wonderful time, we prepared to say our good byes. He reached up and pulled me close. I knew well the look in those steely blue eyes. Then he spoke firmly yet lovingly. He said, “Jeff, I have always thought of you as my son.” Mouth open, eyes leaking, I leaned in to embrace him as he said, “I love you son!” By now my voice was cracking but I managed to say, “I love you too!” Little did I know this would be my last visit with Mr. Walker on this earth. However God knew. He set it up. My Heavenly Father loves me that much.

I write this to honor Mr. Walker and his family. I will rejoice with those who rejoice and I will mourn with those who mourn. And as I reflect back over these many years, I can see now how Mr. Walker really believed in me. He always wanted the best for me. He helped to reveal the treasure in my life. My relationship with him and his love for me influenced me and inspired me to reach higher and to run farther. I am just a very small chip in the wall the Lord built through Mr. Walker’s life. I can just imagine the thousands of lives that he touched and the legacy he continues to leave behind. I am forever grateful.

We love you too Mr. Walker!

Post Script: Two nights ago I was at the barn feeding the horses. Like most nights, I looked up at the starry host in total amazement and awe of God’s creation. Suddenly I could see Mr. Walker walking side by side with Jesus. As always, Mr. Walker was flooding Jesus with a bevy of questions. As they walked, they smiled. All I could do was laugh! Laughter is good medicine.

	Joni Starr on Now We Wait
	Joni Starr on A Bridge of Hope
	mrjriddle on Mr. Walker
	Scott Cornelius on Mr. Walker
	mrjriddle on Mr. Walker