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So I have noticed an interested phenomena in a lot of Jesus followers, having a fear of God. Not the biblical fear which denotes an awe inspired and reverent position toward God, which most people still don't possess, but I am talking more about people being afraid of God. Now on one side it's fair to argue that because of His standing we should be afraid of Him, but that's not based in scripture so I won't even give that any weight.
In our dealings with God there is often a subconscious tendency toward having to cover our back sides in case God feels like spanking us or put another way, something bad happens. Now that's kind of a contrary opinion to what the scripture says. In the Testaments it talks of God as a father, a brother, a rear guard. And not to get it confused, but none of those positions are spoken of and testified to in a negative way.
The one that most intrigues me is the rear guard. That's kind of a foreign concept to modern folk and even more so when we have no military background. Well from what I have heard, the rear guard were the soldiers who trailed behind, pretty self explanatory but the wonderful element is that it means that God has our back. Now I may be unique but that makes me tingle. Putting it another way, for a small business to get started there needs to be a financial backer who believes in the company and those who are in charge of it. Now God is the one who is supposed to be in charge of our lives, but the principle still applies. I really like that the creator of all that we have has my back.
I also realized that because he has our back protected we are not provided with any protection for our backs amongst the armor of God. I have always heard that we weren't given back covering so that we couldn't run away, and still agree with that but we don't need to run away if God is protecting that part of us.
I may be way out in left field on this one, but going from the scriptures I don't think I am. Moses spent 80 days with God on the mountain and it is said that he saw Him face to face. Now that's a relationship that I would love to have!
I can't say that I don't have a fear of God, but He keeps proving Himself as the faithful, loving and just One. All attributes that He operates in perfectly and at the same time. I don't know how but I love it because God isn't in a box. So live in awe of Him, but don't be afraid that He is going to just snap on you and begin making your life a hell on earth.

Acts 2:37-47

The Ingathering

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

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Well let me just say that this has been kind of a crazy few days. It started on Friday afternoon. I got back from work and read a text from a buddy with some bad news. It was hard to hear but my reaction wasn't what it would have been say a year or two ago. I was sorrowful but didn't blame God or doubt Him. Well later that day I decided to go on outreach with a couple other people downtown through Street level. So yeah, downtown on a beautiful Friday night in the summer. It was a level of crazy like I didn't understand. I have a heart to intercede for that part of the city but I didn't know what it was actually like and I'm sure that I didn't see the worst of it. But again, while it made me sad to see lives wasted, I wasn't shaken as I would have been before.
Then on Saturday I decided to go to the christian bookstore to check out their music. On my way back I had some car trouble. I was able to get back to school, which considering how my car has been behaving since I am definitely crediting to God. Obviously that's not a major thing, but it just added to the other things but I still didn't respond negatively to God. Then I got a ride to the gym and while I was there I saw a news report about more flooding in ND. That's when it really became clear to me that the Enemy was making a real push to attack me on an emotional level. God designed me with emotions as a central operating mechanism in my life and yeah Satan was trying to twist that against God. Well he didn't succeed. Despite his efforts Satan wasn't able to shake me. More then anything that has happened I finally was able to see how deep my roots have gone in God.
I rejoice in it because until the roots are strong enough there can't be any fruit. In my prayer God told me that I am entering the time of reaping. That's a scary thought but I'm not scared about it. I know that as long as I abide in Christ and follow the example of the disciples I won't stray. As for the timing of the season, I don't feel ready but God's timing is perfect so that's nothing to worry about.

How Great Jesus is!

Warning: Don't start viewing them if you don't have time to watch them all in one sitting. 

Now praise Him!