“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9.
Many of you know I love Bejeweled Blitz offered through Facebook. For those of you who do not know this game, consider yourself lucky for it sucks your attention and time away from things that are productive. It hooks you by an occasional awesome score but most times you score more mediocre. My son has always enjoyed on-line games and explained to me that the few times we score in an amazing way it is because we have “gotten in the zone.” We have practiced our skill at the game and fully focused all mind and attention to the most successful strategy known in the game.
The word “zone” means an area regarded as separate or kept separate, especially one with a particular use or function. I am intrigued with the word regarded as it refers to the state of our mind and heart. I regard my children and husband as precious and my relationship with my family paramount. When I am in the zone I am focusing on the things in my life for which I regard most valuable.
Our mediocre spiritual lives are much like these games. We approach God with a distracted and unfocused attitude of complacency and laziness. It is only when we develop that intense focus on Him, and practice all that He has taught and shown us that we are able to “get into the zone” and receive the total benefit from Him and the highest level of living.
Each of us can name at least one thing that trap both our minds and time distracting us from the important spiritual priorities of life. Each time we plant ourselves in front of the television hours upon end or slip into that computer glow daze, (ouch!) let us be reminded that time spent in futile play is time stolen from getting in the zone with Christ.
GET INTO THE ZONE!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
In His Presence...
“’But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!’ And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.’ So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.” Job 1:11-12
There are many times in life when we feel like our access to God is blocked. We make excuses for the way our lives unfold and blame God much like the manner in which Satan blamed God. He explained to God that those like Job only live upright and righteous lives for their own selfishness. He exhorted that Job was faithful not because of his love for God but because of his blessings from God.
Obviously, God didn’t agree but did agree in allowing Satan to challenge Job’s faith. God had complete confidence in Job’s faith to Him knowing that a deeper relationship would emerge through his suffering. God has seen this emergence through suffering across the span of time since creation. As I have stated many times, “Suffering in the valley is when God does His best work!”
It brings me great peace to know from this story that even Satan has access to God in all of his evil and taunting ways. God, in His ultimate confidence and sovereign wisdom is not intimidated one bit by evil, chaos and the responsiveness of His children. If evil may approach God then how much more will He welcome me?
I remember last year when I was getting blasted from storms all around me I asked the sharp edged question, “Why…so much?” What I heard over and over again from God was in line with one of C.S. Lewis's answers when questioned about suffering. I leave this powerful statement with you to encourage righteous living.
"Why should the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied; "they're the only ones that can handle it."
I could only hope that God could speak to Satan on my behalf with the same confidence.
There are many times in life when we feel like our access to God is blocked. We make excuses for the way our lives unfold and blame God much like the manner in which Satan blamed God. He explained to God that those like Job only live upright and righteous lives for their own selfishness. He exhorted that Job was faithful not because of his love for God but because of his blessings from God.
Obviously, God didn’t agree but did agree in allowing Satan to challenge Job’s faith. God had complete confidence in Job’s faith to Him knowing that a deeper relationship would emerge through his suffering. God has seen this emergence through suffering across the span of time since creation. As I have stated many times, “Suffering in the valley is when God does His best work!”
It brings me great peace to know from this story that even Satan has access to God in all of his evil and taunting ways. God, in His ultimate confidence and sovereign wisdom is not intimidated one bit by evil, chaos and the responsiveness of His children. If evil may approach God then how much more will He welcome me?
I remember last year when I was getting blasted from storms all around me I asked the sharp edged question, “Why…so much?” What I heard over and over again from God was in line with one of C.S. Lewis's answers when questioned about suffering. I leave this powerful statement with you to encourage righteous living.
"Why should the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied; "they're the only ones that can handle it."
I could only hope that God could speak to Satan on my behalf with the same confidence.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
In All This....
“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.’ In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” Job 1:20-22
At the end of the day, Job finds himself in total devastation after his messenger comes to relay the news that all of his livestock (livelihood) has been killed and all of his children have been crushed under a collapsed house due to a wind storm. Very few of us will ever experience total devastation in so many areas of our lives but what is interesting is the response of Job. He immediately took the steps which was the practiced steps of grief in that culture and period of time. (Incidentally, his period of time is believed to be during the time of Abraham.)
His actions demonstrated the immediate grief he felt in his heart and were representative of the way people grieved in that culture. Not only did he grieve, but he simultaneously worshipped God and “praised Him during the storm.” We talk about praising God during the storm but do we really? When I think about the storms that God allows in our lives I think about His anticipation of how we will respond. Will we gripe and complain as we lift our requests to Him? Will we blame God in an indirect way unlike Job who “did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing”?
What will our response be and will He be praised apart from our circumstances? Sometimes, the only thing quicker than praising Him for our blessings is blaming Him for our plight. I love the commentary for which my Bible states:
“It often seems that people are caught in events beyond their control, manipulated by God or Satan. They may feel forced into situations they would not choose if they were given a chance. While this seems unfair, there is another way – a higher way – to interpret the circumstances of life. We can see them as God-given opportunities to cooperate with his purpose and plans and, by serving him, to fulfill something far more significant than our own schemes ever could. One thing we can affirm, however: What seems unfair in this life will be made right in eternity.”
How will you respond in the storm?
At the end of the day, Job finds himself in total devastation after his messenger comes to relay the news that all of his livestock (livelihood) has been killed and all of his children have been crushed under a collapsed house due to a wind storm. Very few of us will ever experience total devastation in so many areas of our lives but what is interesting is the response of Job. He immediately took the steps which was the practiced steps of grief in that culture and period of time. (Incidentally, his period of time is believed to be during the time of Abraham.)
His actions demonstrated the immediate grief he felt in his heart and were representative of the way people grieved in that culture. Not only did he grieve, but he simultaneously worshipped God and “praised Him during the storm.” We talk about praising God during the storm but do we really? When I think about the storms that God allows in our lives I think about His anticipation of how we will respond. Will we gripe and complain as we lift our requests to Him? Will we blame God in an indirect way unlike Job who “did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing”?
What will our response be and will He be praised apart from our circumstances? Sometimes, the only thing quicker than praising Him for our blessings is blaming Him for our plight. I love the commentary for which my Bible states:
“It often seems that people are caught in events beyond their control, manipulated by God or Satan. They may feel forced into situations they would not choose if they were given a chance. While this seems unfair, there is another way – a higher way – to interpret the circumstances of life. We can see them as God-given opportunities to cooperate with his purpose and plans and, by serving him, to fulfill something far more significant than our own schemes ever could. One thing we can affirm, however: What seems unfair in this life will be made right in eternity.”
How will you respond in the storm?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory...
“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” Job 42:4
Truthfully, I have always been somewhat disturbed by the Book of Job although I have never read it. It was like a door I really didn’t want to open for fear that I may experience a similar journey. There are so many other books in the Bible to read, right? My reason was simple – the Book of Job scared me as God allowed Satan enormous access to Job’s life to do with what Satan wished. The only exclusion was Satan could not physically harm him. Here was this man who was making conscious decisions to follow the commands of God and live life as he was instructed, yet it wasn’t enough.
In beginning my study of this book I realize that Satan did not attack Job first. God brought Job to the attention of Satan bragging about how righteous this man of God lived his life. Satan was in essence given permission to attack which is disturbing if this fact stood alone. What I have just learned is that, although Job was a good man who lived a blameless and righteous life, he did not know God. He knew of God which motivated him to live upright and moral but didn’t possess a living and intimate fellowship with God.
With this knowledge I can now study the Book of Job and see God for the loving Father I know Him to be in my own life. In His ultimate knowledge, God in part tricked Satan to begin in Job a spiritual journey that would ultimately bring Father and son together in such an irreversible and permanent way. As cunning as Satan is he still falls short when it comes to the knowledge of God.
God desires a living and intimate relationship with each of us as we journey throughout this life. He will be relentless in His pursuit of us calling upon any means for which He can obtain His prize - intimate fellowship with His children. He was going to pursue Job for deeper fellowship and chose to use Satan’s pride to accomplish this feat.
When I look upon the past three years of my life, I can see that God desired a closer relationship with me so He put in place circumstances that would require total dependency on Him. Not that all tragedies are sent from Him but they are permitted by Him to allow us to experience Him in such a way that He becomes the breath for which we take and the pulse for which our hearts beat.
Like Job, at the end of our adversity we simply look in awe to our Lord and say “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”
Truthfully, I have always been somewhat disturbed by the Book of Job although I have never read it. It was like a door I really didn’t want to open for fear that I may experience a similar journey. There are so many other books in the Bible to read, right? My reason was simple – the Book of Job scared me as God allowed Satan enormous access to Job’s life to do with what Satan wished. The only exclusion was Satan could not physically harm him. Here was this man who was making conscious decisions to follow the commands of God and live life as he was instructed, yet it wasn’t enough.
In beginning my study of this book I realize that Satan did not attack Job first. God brought Job to the attention of Satan bragging about how righteous this man of God lived his life. Satan was in essence given permission to attack which is disturbing if this fact stood alone. What I have just learned is that, although Job was a good man who lived a blameless and righteous life, he did not know God. He knew of God which motivated him to live upright and moral but didn’t possess a living and intimate fellowship with God.
With this knowledge I can now study the Book of Job and see God for the loving Father I know Him to be in my own life. In His ultimate knowledge, God in part tricked Satan to begin in Job a spiritual journey that would ultimately bring Father and son together in such an irreversible and permanent way. As cunning as Satan is he still falls short when it comes to the knowledge of God.
God desires a living and intimate relationship with each of us as we journey throughout this life. He will be relentless in His pursuit of us calling upon any means for which He can obtain His prize - intimate fellowship with His children. He was going to pursue Job for deeper fellowship and chose to use Satan’s pride to accomplish this feat.
When I look upon the past three years of my life, I can see that God desired a closer relationship with me so He put in place circumstances that would require total dependency on Him. Not that all tragedies are sent from Him but they are permitted by Him to allow us to experience Him in such a way that He becomes the breath for which we take and the pulse for which our hearts beat.
Like Job, at the end of our adversity we simply look in awe to our Lord and say “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sick in Heart
“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.” James 5:15.
Boy, did I storm Heaven’s gates with this verse over the past year. I carried this “promise banner” each time I approached God as if He wouldn’t remember the promise He made through this verse. I remember reading this verse after Beth’s death and feeling very uncomfortable. It made me feel that maybe our prayers weren’t enough and they lacked faith according to this verse.
This verse was part of exhortations given to the early Christians by James, the half-brother of Jesus. Those baby Christians had turned to Christ in words but not in actions. James intentions were directed more towards the sick condition of the heart of a Christian. James was not speaking here of the physical sickness but the sickness of the heart and spirit which God will always heal. This is the absolute promise of God in 100% of the cases. Spiritually speaking, He will always heal our hearts and spirit if we approach Him in sincere faith and ask Him for this healing.
Prayers offered in faith can certainly heal and restore a person’s physical health but God’s purpose and priority will always be the restoration and healing of the spiritual health of a person or group of people. If a physical healing happens to support God’s will for the primary purpose then the infirmed person will be healed.
The words “raise up” are defined “to cause somebody or something to move to a higher level of position.” In relation to our circumstances the sick person God was trying to heal may have been those who looked upon our situation with a sick heart, a heart bent away from God. Through their prayers and renewed faith they were healed spiritually and “caused by God to move to a higher level of position” in Christ.
As far as Beth goes, my prayer was answered. She was healed in the ultimate way and moved to the highest level of position through her healing, the position that walks with Christ hand in hand and experiences Him face to face.
The challenge is not only to claim Christ but through our actions show that Christ claims us!
Boy, did I storm Heaven’s gates with this verse over the past year. I carried this “promise banner” each time I approached God as if He wouldn’t remember the promise He made through this verse. I remember reading this verse after Beth’s death and feeling very uncomfortable. It made me feel that maybe our prayers weren’t enough and they lacked faith according to this verse.
This verse was part of exhortations given to the early Christians by James, the half-brother of Jesus. Those baby Christians had turned to Christ in words but not in actions. James intentions were directed more towards the sick condition of the heart of a Christian. James was not speaking here of the physical sickness but the sickness of the heart and spirit which God will always heal. This is the absolute promise of God in 100% of the cases. Spiritually speaking, He will always heal our hearts and spirit if we approach Him in sincere faith and ask Him for this healing.
Prayers offered in faith can certainly heal and restore a person’s physical health but God’s purpose and priority will always be the restoration and healing of the spiritual health of a person or group of people. If a physical healing happens to support God’s will for the primary purpose then the infirmed person will be healed.
The words “raise up” are defined “to cause somebody or something to move to a higher level of position.” In relation to our circumstances the sick person God was trying to heal may have been those who looked upon our situation with a sick heart, a heart bent away from God. Through their prayers and renewed faith they were healed spiritually and “caused by God to move to a higher level of position” in Christ.
As far as Beth goes, my prayer was answered. She was healed in the ultimate way and moved to the highest level of position through her healing, the position that walks with Christ hand in hand and experiences Him face to face.
The challenge is not only to claim Christ but through our actions show that Christ claims us!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Bread Baskets
“’How many loaves do you have?’ Jesus asked. ‘Seven,’ they replied, ‘and a few small fish’…Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” Matthew 15:34-37.
The feeding of the masses is one of the most well-known miracles for which Jesus performed but let’s not over look several essential truths because of our familiarity with this story. Throughout the Bible the number seven always symbolized completion as it began with Creation, so it is no coincidence that the loaves required to feed everyone would be seven with seven basketfuls remaining. When we come to Him with our needs, our requests and petitions for His deliverance we come to Him hungry needing the essential nourishment to carry us through our trials. In the dark valleys the hunger could last for years and extend way beyond our abilities. The bread for which He feeds us is never-ending and all sufficient until completion of that dark valley. We pull a chair up to His table in hopes of filling our spiritual cravings and appetite to help us endure, to nourish our souls and to feast on His provisions.
The other basic element in this story is His distribution of the provision to His representatives, the disciples. His expectation was that the nourishment began with His touch and blessing before the people were fed. He could have distributed the bread and fish Himself but He used His disciples as the vessels for distribution. We, too, are to be distributors of the warm aroma of Christ, His touch and His encouragement. It began with the breaking of His body on the cross for our deliverance from sin obtaining complete forgiveness and eternal life. Once we pick up the Bread it should be both our privilege and requirement to pass it on for others to be fed in their hunger.
There will always be basketfuls of broken pieces, broken hearts and broken lives as we journey through this life. It is up to the disciple’s of Christ, His children, to carry the baskets and distribute the nourishment.
The feeding of the masses is one of the most well-known miracles for which Jesus performed but let’s not over look several essential truths because of our familiarity with this story. Throughout the Bible the number seven always symbolized completion as it began with Creation, so it is no coincidence that the loaves required to feed everyone would be seven with seven basketfuls remaining. When we come to Him with our needs, our requests and petitions for His deliverance we come to Him hungry needing the essential nourishment to carry us through our trials. In the dark valleys the hunger could last for years and extend way beyond our abilities. The bread for which He feeds us is never-ending and all sufficient until completion of that dark valley. We pull a chair up to His table in hopes of filling our spiritual cravings and appetite to help us endure, to nourish our souls and to feast on His provisions.
The other basic element in this story is His distribution of the provision to His representatives, the disciples. His expectation was that the nourishment began with His touch and blessing before the people were fed. He could have distributed the bread and fish Himself but He used His disciples as the vessels for distribution. We, too, are to be distributors of the warm aroma of Christ, His touch and His encouragement. It began with the breaking of His body on the cross for our deliverance from sin obtaining complete forgiveness and eternal life. Once we pick up the Bread it should be both our privilege and requirement to pass it on for others to be fed in their hunger.
There will always be basketfuls of broken pieces, broken hearts and broken lives as we journey through this life. It is up to the disciple’s of Christ, His children, to carry the baskets and distribute the nourishment.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Without Warning
“Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘LORD, save us! We’re going to drown.’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Matthew 8:23-26.
We used to have a pontoon when our children were little. One afternoon when Bruce and I had taken our children out on the lake black clouds quickly rolled in while we were still a good distance from home. The storm that day came out of nowhere with such furious strength and power Bruce could not even see to navigate. He had to stand up in the chair to shield his face from the storm while trying to return home. I took the kids into the little 3x3 bathroom on the pontoon, knelt down and held them close on my lap. I could hear the clasps of thunder and knew lightning was following. All I could do was kneel and pray. Remarkably, Bruce was able to navigate the boat back to our slip and we got ourselves and the children safely back home.
That experience showed me first hand how quickly and violently things can arise that reminds me of both our smallness and meekness. That day was eerily characteristic of the storms I have had to weather in my life. There have been times when, kneeled in my own fear and despair, I felt like Jesus was sleeping. Times when I went running to Him explaining my desperate situation, pleading with Him to wake up and save me! How could He sleep during this raging storm in my life? Couldn’t He see the great probability of me drowning? Each time I ran to Him, he arose and, with a word, rebuked those winds of sadness and calmed those waves of despair.
None of us are exempt from these storms and we will be blown around by the furious squalls of life and experience discomfort as the storm stings our faces. God doesn’t promise to calm our storms when we cry out to Him but He does promise to calm our hearts and fears.
There is an enduring fire close to Him that will warm, comfort and guide us as the storm rages around us, and one day we realize it is once again quiet and calm. He has saved us and He has kept us from drowning.
We used to have a pontoon when our children were little. One afternoon when Bruce and I had taken our children out on the lake black clouds quickly rolled in while we were still a good distance from home. The storm that day came out of nowhere with such furious strength and power Bruce could not even see to navigate. He had to stand up in the chair to shield his face from the storm while trying to return home. I took the kids into the little 3x3 bathroom on the pontoon, knelt down and held them close on my lap. I could hear the clasps of thunder and knew lightning was following. All I could do was kneel and pray. Remarkably, Bruce was able to navigate the boat back to our slip and we got ourselves and the children safely back home.
That experience showed me first hand how quickly and violently things can arise that reminds me of both our smallness and meekness. That day was eerily characteristic of the storms I have had to weather in my life. There have been times when, kneeled in my own fear and despair, I felt like Jesus was sleeping. Times when I went running to Him explaining my desperate situation, pleading with Him to wake up and save me! How could He sleep during this raging storm in my life? Couldn’t He see the great probability of me drowning? Each time I ran to Him, he arose and, with a word, rebuked those winds of sadness and calmed those waves of despair.
None of us are exempt from these storms and we will be blown around by the furious squalls of life and experience discomfort as the storm stings our faces. God doesn’t promise to calm our storms when we cry out to Him but He does promise to calm our hearts and fears.
There is an enduring fire close to Him that will warm, comfort and guide us as the storm rages around us, and one day we realize it is once again quiet and calm. He has saved us and He has kept us from drowning.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
This Little Light Of Mine...
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…” 2 Tim.1:6
God places within each of us His pilot light, a promise that He will always be there but how much “there” do we allow? What are we doing to ensure that light will increase in brightness, in power and in glory? Our fan is determined by the level of passion and pursuit by which we live our lives.
If we were stranded and lost in the bitter cold we would see a flicker as a means of survival. We would make attempts to ignite that flicker ino flame with everything in our being. We would not sit by in a relaxed state expecting the flicker to ignite, yet that is exactly what we do with our faith and our relationship with God. We sit around the cold camp, wrapping ourselves in nothing but complacency and habit. We must wander out of the camp and find a means to our warmth, a means to our comfort and a means to our survival. We must be in active pursuit of God and fan into flame the enduring light that lies within.
Through our passionate pursuit of Him our flame catches fire and spreads throughout the landscape, providing light and warmth for others as they seek their way. Not only do we have a responsibility to God to grow in our faith but we also have a responsibility to those around us.
So we should ask ourselves, “How bright does my flame burn? Will it light the way for others or does it simply add to the disorientation of the darkness?"
God places within each of us His pilot light, a promise that He will always be there but how much “there” do we allow? What are we doing to ensure that light will increase in brightness, in power and in glory? Our fan is determined by the level of passion and pursuit by which we live our lives.
If we were stranded and lost in the bitter cold we would see a flicker as a means of survival. We would make attempts to ignite that flicker ino flame with everything in our being. We would not sit by in a relaxed state expecting the flicker to ignite, yet that is exactly what we do with our faith and our relationship with God. We sit around the cold camp, wrapping ourselves in nothing but complacency and habit. We must wander out of the camp and find a means to our warmth, a means to our comfort and a means to our survival. We must be in active pursuit of God and fan into flame the enduring light that lies within.
Through our passionate pursuit of Him our flame catches fire and spreads throughout the landscape, providing light and warmth for others as they seek their way. Not only do we have a responsibility to God to grow in our faith but we also have a responsibility to those around us.
So we should ask ourselves, “How bright does my flame burn? Will it light the way for others or does it simply add to the disorientation of the darkness?"
Friday, October 23, 2009
Action!
“When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered…Yet, I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” Psalm 73:21, 23-28
This psalm was credited to Asaph, one of the Levite men assigned by King David to use his musical gift as worship. He wrote this after looking around noting that so many of those around him were adversaries, looking away from the LORD and not following His ways. He speaks in this chapter of being among them and how tempting their ways may be instead of God’s ways. He goes on to speak about his own relationship with God as if he is convincing Himself as a weapon against falling into earthly ways.
In our world today, this is paramount for our faith as we blend into our surroundings. This earth demonstrates over and over again that it possess nothing that we should desire except the stage for how God writes, produces and directs the play of our life. We have an audience who is more than happy to sit by and watch to determine the authenticity of our performance.
The most successful way to guard against the world’s thinking is to rehearse how God has written our manuscript, produced the fruit of our lives and directed each step along the way. Asaph simplifies his life into four basic principles:
1 – Our heart and spirit will be saddened in this life;
2 – We will always be held and guided by our Father;
3 – The more we desire our Father in heaven, the less we desire things of the earth;
4 – By remaining close to God on earth we will have everything we need until we have
God in heaven.
As we deepen our intimate engagement with God, our spirit will long for Him and look towards the day when the curtain falls, the play is done and we all go home.
This psalm was credited to Asaph, one of the Levite men assigned by King David to use his musical gift as worship. He wrote this after looking around noting that so many of those around him were adversaries, looking away from the LORD and not following His ways. He speaks in this chapter of being among them and how tempting their ways may be instead of God’s ways. He goes on to speak about his own relationship with God as if he is convincing Himself as a weapon against falling into earthly ways.
In our world today, this is paramount for our faith as we blend into our surroundings. This earth demonstrates over and over again that it possess nothing that we should desire except the stage for how God writes, produces and directs the play of our life. We have an audience who is more than happy to sit by and watch to determine the authenticity of our performance.
The most successful way to guard against the world’s thinking is to rehearse how God has written our manuscript, produced the fruit of our lives and directed each step along the way. Asaph simplifies his life into four basic principles:
1 – Our heart and spirit will be saddened in this life;
2 – We will always be held and guided by our Father;
3 – The more we desire our Father in heaven, the less we desire things of the earth;
4 – By remaining close to God on earth we will have everything we need until we have
God in heaven.
As we deepen our intimate engagement with God, our spirit will long for Him and look towards the day when the curtain falls, the play is done and we all go home.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
There's No Place Like Home
“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." 1 Co. 15:42-44
I visited a dear family last night at the funeral home as they are bidding farewell on earth to their loved one who has had a long and wonderful life. It doesn’t matter how long we have with our loved ones – it will never be enough.
We were placed in this world to yearn for, to long for and to pursue something greater, higher and more meaningful. God never created us to feel like we are at home here on earth. He placed within us all a longing for a better place with complete satisfaction, perfection and completion.
This verse was a promise from God to me as I sat there and watched my loved one suffer, perishing and become weaker on an hourly basis. It made me long for her to be in another place and anticipate with peace her being raised in the eternal, raised in His glory and raised in His power. His power being the same power He exerted in the resurrection of Christ. Same hands, same power, same God.
As we all face the possibility of losing our loved ones we must remember that Heaven is our home and as we are waving goodbye to our loved ones, all of eternity and its saints are waving hello.
“…but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.” 1 Co. 13:10.
I visited a dear family last night at the funeral home as they are bidding farewell on earth to their loved one who has had a long and wonderful life. It doesn’t matter how long we have with our loved ones – it will never be enough.
We were placed in this world to yearn for, to long for and to pursue something greater, higher and more meaningful. God never created us to feel like we are at home here on earth. He placed within us all a longing for a better place with complete satisfaction, perfection and completion.
This verse was a promise from God to me as I sat there and watched my loved one suffer, perishing and become weaker on an hourly basis. It made me long for her to be in another place and anticipate with peace her being raised in the eternal, raised in His glory and raised in His power. His power being the same power He exerted in the resurrection of Christ. Same hands, same power, same God.
As we all face the possibility of losing our loved ones we must remember that Heaven is our home and as we are waving goodbye to our loved ones, all of eternity and its saints are waving hello.
“…but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.” 1 Co. 13:10.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Knitting Process
“You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14
In meditating on this verse I began thinking about the art of knitting, an art I have never tried to accomplish. I remember when I would pick up Beth for the day and bring her back over to my house she would always drag along her bag, yarn and needles in hopes of connecting a few loops. It seems that our “chin music,” as my dad refers to our chatting, would always prevail over the knitting.
To knit is to form, to create and to interconnect using yarn, knitting needles, loops and knots. God takes our lives into His masterful hands, much like yarn, and is continually working on a project of beauty. He loops together circumstances that will interconnect to create purpose while maintaining strength and beauty.
He forms knots in our lives through tugs and pulls to ensure the strength and endurance of our walk. He carries with Him our project throughout the day and never gets too busy to place those gentle hands upon our lives in ways only He can determine. With each season in our life creating a new loop, He firmly and securely ties up that season with a knot that will ensure another lasting faith moment.
With each season of adversity our faith is tugged, stretched and pulled as we learn to respond in our adversity. We can be assured that no matter how uncomfortable the knitting process is God is creating a beautiful garment for which He intends us to wear.
In meditating on this verse I began thinking about the art of knitting, an art I have never tried to accomplish. I remember when I would pick up Beth for the day and bring her back over to my house she would always drag along her bag, yarn and needles in hopes of connecting a few loops. It seems that our “chin music,” as my dad refers to our chatting, would always prevail over the knitting.
To knit is to form, to create and to interconnect using yarn, knitting needles, loops and knots. God takes our lives into His masterful hands, much like yarn, and is continually working on a project of beauty. He loops together circumstances that will interconnect to create purpose while maintaining strength and beauty.
He forms knots in our lives through tugs and pulls to ensure the strength and endurance of our walk. He carries with Him our project throughout the day and never gets too busy to place those gentle hands upon our lives in ways only He can determine. With each season in our life creating a new loop, He firmly and securely ties up that season with a knot that will ensure another lasting faith moment.
With each season of adversity our faith is tugged, stretched and pulled as we learn to respond in our adversity. We can be assured that no matter how uncomfortable the knitting process is God is creating a beautiful garment for which He intends us to wear.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Being Held
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deut. 31:8
As I awake this morning I have a fresh sense of just how much control we actually have over our lives – very little. I have a renewed sense of the power of God and how He is over all and all is under His authority. I don’t want to get on with life right yet for it is an offering of my time and reverence to the Father who kept my son safe Sunday night and prevented us from facing a tragedy.
On my way home from a family reunion on Sunday, I spoke with my son who was traveling back up to App. State after a five day Fall break. He was in a great mood and was anxious to get back up to his apartment after a relaxing break at home. He stated that he was about an hour from Boone and should be there around 5:30. He had spoken to his roommate around 4:20 and also stated to him he would be home around 5:30. He spoke to Caroline around 4:30 at which point the phone had so much static the call was dropped. That would be the last time anyone spoke with Michael for the next two hours. All of us continuously phoned him and tried texting him to no avail. After about an hour of waiting, I went into Bruce and told him I thought we needed to begin praying. I tried not letting my mind “go there” but my mind “went there.” Cara was texting me and I could feel her fear gauge rising as I tried to reassure her of his safety. His roommate also was beginning to feel fear. I asked Eric if he would go down the mountain and search for him which he did.
After calls to the Boone police and the highway patrol around 7:30 I finally received the call and heard my precious son’s voice on the other end. He had been stranded without phone service on the side of the road and his roommate Eric had found him. Praise God for his safety.
The experience reminded me of earlier days when Kristen would go for days and weeks without contact as I waited for that dreaded phone call. The despair and dread I would feel was a result of a status quo and stifled relationship with God at best. This time was much different as I am in constant contact with my Father. As His spirit touched mine, I was aware of His constant presence for both me and Michael. He didn’t promise me a certain resolution, just promised His presence. I realize not only the blessing I received from that phone call last night but the fresh awareness of His presence in a fearful situation. I am keenly aware of the number of people who didn't receive the same kind of phone call and my heart breaks for them. But, I know that no matter what phone call comes in He will be right there beside us holding us, carrying us and comforting us. I once heard a song that I was reminded of through this time. It states that we are all just one phone call from our knees.
As I always claim, it is the times when we are the most powerless that He is the most powerful whatever the outcome may be. When fear is replaced with faith it allows us to hold our face to the storm confidently and boldly and claim that through our faith in God we will be held in all situations.
I will both praise and worship Him through the day as my thanks offering.
As I awake this morning I have a fresh sense of just how much control we actually have over our lives – very little. I have a renewed sense of the power of God and how He is over all and all is under His authority. I don’t want to get on with life right yet for it is an offering of my time and reverence to the Father who kept my son safe Sunday night and prevented us from facing a tragedy.
On my way home from a family reunion on Sunday, I spoke with my son who was traveling back up to App. State after a five day Fall break. He was in a great mood and was anxious to get back up to his apartment after a relaxing break at home. He stated that he was about an hour from Boone and should be there around 5:30. He had spoken to his roommate around 4:20 and also stated to him he would be home around 5:30. He spoke to Caroline around 4:30 at which point the phone had so much static the call was dropped. That would be the last time anyone spoke with Michael for the next two hours. All of us continuously phoned him and tried texting him to no avail. After about an hour of waiting, I went into Bruce and told him I thought we needed to begin praying. I tried not letting my mind “go there” but my mind “went there.” Cara was texting me and I could feel her fear gauge rising as I tried to reassure her of his safety. His roommate also was beginning to feel fear. I asked Eric if he would go down the mountain and search for him which he did.
After calls to the Boone police and the highway patrol around 7:30 I finally received the call and heard my precious son’s voice on the other end. He had been stranded without phone service on the side of the road and his roommate Eric had found him. Praise God for his safety.
The experience reminded me of earlier days when Kristen would go for days and weeks without contact as I waited for that dreaded phone call. The despair and dread I would feel was a result of a status quo and stifled relationship with God at best. This time was much different as I am in constant contact with my Father. As His spirit touched mine, I was aware of His constant presence for both me and Michael. He didn’t promise me a certain resolution, just promised His presence. I realize not only the blessing I received from that phone call last night but the fresh awareness of His presence in a fearful situation. I am keenly aware of the number of people who didn't receive the same kind of phone call and my heart breaks for them. But, I know that no matter what phone call comes in He will be right there beside us holding us, carrying us and comforting us. I once heard a song that I was reminded of through this time. It states that we are all just one phone call from our knees.
As I always claim, it is the times when we are the most powerless that He is the most powerful whatever the outcome may be. When fear is replaced with faith it allows us to hold our face to the storm confidently and boldly and claim that through our faith in God we will be held in all situations.
I will both praise and worship Him through the day as my thanks offering.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Mount Up
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28, 31
Eagles are one of the most powerful birds in both speed and stature. Although they only weigh 10 -14 pounds, their wingspan can reach up to eight feet and their speed can be 30 miles per hour. Their feather design allows them to experience a lesser amount of turbulence than most birds. With wings fully extended, they can catch the thermal wind and actually glide for great distances with minimal use of their wings. Obviously, this gliding saves precious energy and allows them to further their flight.
When we are experiencing difficulty in the flight of our lives we quickly become depleted of our own strength. Minimal tasks look monumental and obligations seem too many for accomplishment. When we replace exhaustion and despair with hope, it is at that moment we “mount up on the wings of eagles”, catch the thermal Wind, and glide through our difficulties. We will be able to further our flight, renew our strength and recommit to the remaining distance of our flight with our eyes on Him.
We were created with a wingspan to soar but it is up to us to extend our wings and exercise our faith. God gave us the ability to soar, the design to expand and the passion to emerge if we look to Him in hope, total belief and a pursuit of a higher view of living.
Where are your wings taking you and how is the view?
Eagles are one of the most powerful birds in both speed and stature. Although they only weigh 10 -14 pounds, their wingspan can reach up to eight feet and their speed can be 30 miles per hour. Their feather design allows them to experience a lesser amount of turbulence than most birds. With wings fully extended, they can catch the thermal wind and actually glide for great distances with minimal use of their wings. Obviously, this gliding saves precious energy and allows them to further their flight.
When we are experiencing difficulty in the flight of our lives we quickly become depleted of our own strength. Minimal tasks look monumental and obligations seem too many for accomplishment. When we replace exhaustion and despair with hope, it is at that moment we “mount up on the wings of eagles”, catch the thermal Wind, and glide through our difficulties. We will be able to further our flight, renew our strength and recommit to the remaining distance of our flight with our eyes on Him.
We were created with a wingspan to soar but it is up to us to extend our wings and exercise our faith. God gave us the ability to soar, the design to expand and the passion to emerge if we look to Him in hope, total belief and a pursuit of a higher view of living.
Where are your wings taking you and how is the view?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Whom Shall I Fear?
“Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.” Acts 4:27-28
I love when the promises of the Old Testament link up with the fulfillment of the New Testament. It is like finding a gift under the Christmas tree for which you had not asked to receive. Herod and Pontius Pilate find themselves making an important decision regarding the fate of Jesus. Can you imagine all of the discussions surrounding this decision, the pros and cons, the heated debate, and the passion of hate that fueled it?
I raise up to you the word of God from the Old Testament, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:19-20 You see, they were fretting and fighting for the right to a certain resolution that had previously been ordained by God to save mankind from sin. The control they possessed in this situation was only because God had decided beforehand what should and would happen. They were playing into the hand of God as He anointed Jesus to be the Savior.
This should give us peace in our situations as we lift up prayer requests to God asking for certain resolutions. Our prayers become a faith statement instead of a resolution request. It is human nature to request certain things throughout our walk with Him as He teaches and encourages us to do; however, if we really walk a “Genesis 50:20” walk we will have peace in our decisions knowing that even if we make a wrong decision God will turn it to good for us as promised.
He will not allow us to fail if we keep our eyes on Him. He has decided beforehand every decision in our lives that best aligns with His purpose. So we can fret and fuss in our efforts to determine a certain decision much like Herod and Pilate or we can faithfully believe that whatever the outcome has been determined, ordained and orchestrated by God.
With God Almighty himself placing His fingerprints on my problems, concerns and fears then as the Bible states, "And I will fear no evil For my God is with me. Whom then shall I fear?"
I love when the promises of the Old Testament link up with the fulfillment of the New Testament. It is like finding a gift under the Christmas tree for which you had not asked to receive. Herod and Pontius Pilate find themselves making an important decision regarding the fate of Jesus. Can you imagine all of the discussions surrounding this decision, the pros and cons, the heated debate, and the passion of hate that fueled it?
I raise up to you the word of God from the Old Testament, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:19-20 You see, they were fretting and fighting for the right to a certain resolution that had previously been ordained by God to save mankind from sin. The control they possessed in this situation was only because God had decided beforehand what should and would happen. They were playing into the hand of God as He anointed Jesus to be the Savior.
This should give us peace in our situations as we lift up prayer requests to God asking for certain resolutions. Our prayers become a faith statement instead of a resolution request. It is human nature to request certain things throughout our walk with Him as He teaches and encourages us to do; however, if we really walk a “Genesis 50:20” walk we will have peace in our decisions knowing that even if we make a wrong decision God will turn it to good for us as promised.
He will not allow us to fail if we keep our eyes on Him. He has decided beforehand every decision in our lives that best aligns with His purpose. So we can fret and fuss in our efforts to determine a certain decision much like Herod and Pilate or we can faithfully believe that whatever the outcome has been determined, ordained and orchestrated by God.
With God Almighty himself placing His fingerprints on my problems, concerns and fears then as the Bible states, "And I will fear no evil For my God is with me. Whom then shall I fear?"
Saturday, October 17, 2009
“You heavens above, rain down righteousness; lets the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it.” Isaiah 45:8
The dictionary states that a storm is any disturbed state of a body's atmosphere, especially affecting its surface. I cannot present a better description of adversity as it relates to this verse from the Bible.
We are all called to righteousness through our faith but our faith can only grow through our walk. Many of us have a faith stand, a faith that determines how we respond to situations in regards to God. But how many of us have an active faith walk? Our faith walk is our faith in forward motion, progressing towards something higher, deeper and emergent. I love the image of this Bible verse as it poses the visual of righteousness passing through the clouds prior to its growth. The words speak of the earth opening wide to receive the rain as it has been created by God.
As hard as it is, we are to embrace our adversities and suffering as a means to develop a faith walk. To possess a faith stand is to be complacent with where your faith resides and to not move. A faith walk is to never be satisfied with our level of faith, to always be in forward motion progressing in our faith and allowing it breathing room to grow. Passing through adversity and suffering is the means to grow our faith walk and obtain true righteousness.
One thing is certain – when our faith becomes a stand instead of a walk we will be left behind in our faith stifling our righteousness.
The dictionary states that a storm is any disturbed state of a body's atmosphere, especially affecting its surface. I cannot present a better description of adversity as it relates to this verse from the Bible.
We are all called to righteousness through our faith but our faith can only grow through our walk. Many of us have a faith stand, a faith that determines how we respond to situations in regards to God. But how many of us have an active faith walk? Our faith walk is our faith in forward motion, progressing towards something higher, deeper and emergent. I love the image of this Bible verse as it poses the visual of righteousness passing through the clouds prior to its growth. The words speak of the earth opening wide to receive the rain as it has been created by God.
As hard as it is, we are to embrace our adversities and suffering as a means to develop a faith walk. To possess a faith stand is to be complacent with where your faith resides and to not move. A faith walk is to never be satisfied with our level of faith, to always be in forward motion progressing in our faith and allowing it breathing room to grow. Passing through adversity and suffering is the means to grow our faith walk and obtain true righteousness.
One thing is certain – when our faith becomes a stand instead of a walk we will be left behind in our faith stifling our righteousness.
Friday, October 16, 2009
By the Light of the Moon
“O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment;” Psalm 104:1-2
The Harvest Moon was named because it rises within a half-hour of when the sun sets. In early days, when farmers had no tractors, it was essential that they work by the light of the moon to bring in the harvest. This moon is the fullest moon of the year. When you gaze at it, it looks very large and gives a lot of light throughout the entire night. No other lunar spectacle is as awesome as the Harvest Moon.
On October 5th I experienced this Harvest Moon which I viewed from Folly Beach over the ocean. I could not believe how much light was cast in the sea of darkness as it reigned from above commanding my wonderment and attention. I believe that it would have been enough light to guide any ship into shore.
God created everything and everything is created in God. The Harvest Moon made me think of the manner in which God shines – providing light for one season in our life only to be continued into the next season with a different light. He knows exactly which light needs to be shone and the length of time that light is required.
We will not experience any season without His light to guide, lead and encourage us as we navigate through life’s seas. Whether through the calm of the day or the anguish of the night, we can present our shoulders to God for which His garments of light may be placed.
Through the darkness of adversity we will be able to work by the light of the Moon and bring in the harvest of peace, tranquility and comfort as we wear our garments of Light.
The Harvest Moon was named because it rises within a half-hour of when the sun sets. In early days, when farmers had no tractors, it was essential that they work by the light of the moon to bring in the harvest. This moon is the fullest moon of the year. When you gaze at it, it looks very large and gives a lot of light throughout the entire night. No other lunar spectacle is as awesome as the Harvest Moon.
On October 5th I experienced this Harvest Moon which I viewed from Folly Beach over the ocean. I could not believe how much light was cast in the sea of darkness as it reigned from above commanding my wonderment and attention. I believe that it would have been enough light to guide any ship into shore.
God created everything and everything is created in God. The Harvest Moon made me think of the manner in which God shines – providing light for one season in our life only to be continued into the next season with a different light. He knows exactly which light needs to be shone and the length of time that light is required.
We will not experience any season without His light to guide, lead and encourage us as we navigate through life’s seas. Whether through the calm of the day or the anguish of the night, we can present our shoulders to God for which His garments of light may be placed.
Through the darkness of adversity we will be able to work by the light of the Moon and bring in the harvest of peace, tranquility and comfort as we wear our garments of Light.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Unwavering Faith
“Yet, he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’” Romans 4:20-22
The use of the word “righteousness” in the Bible implies justice and conformance to established standards. Justice means doing the right thing; and conformance to established standards (in the Bible) refers to following the ways of God.
This passage refers to Abraham, who was promised by God to be the father of all nations with descendents too great to count. That doesn’t sound too far fetched on the surface but the kicker was that he was 99 years old and his wife Sarai was barren. The Bible claims that Abraham was “unwavering and fully persuaded.” His actions demonstrated the highest level of faith you can adopt – the faith of an answered promise without seeing any signs of fulfillment.
My grandmother walked with this level of faith in her spiritual pilgrimage on earth. God promised her that she would write a book that told the story of her life through her daily journaling. She documented her daily walk in journals for over 60 years knowing it was the framework required for God to fulfill His promise. Without laying the framework she would not have made room in her life for God to fulfill the promise. So she began living her life towards that end just as Abraham did. This promise was given to her in 1942 and the book was published in 2008. Our grandmother received her long awaited promise, both earthly and spiritually, at 100 years old. The earthly promise was the publication of her book and the spiritual promise was Romans 4:17. "...the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were." Grandmother could have believed at 100 that the promise was not going to be fulfilled and the dream was dead but that was not in her belief system. Now that is “unwavering and being fully persuaded!”
Every child of God is a “promise recipient” and should live our lives creating the framework in which He can fulfill that promise. Through getting in His word daily and praying to Him for revelation and spiritual guidance He will reveal personal truths and goals for our lives.
Being “credited as righteousness” involves doing the right thing and following the ways of God. It involves hearing a promise from God, seeing the uncertainty of its possibilities but never wavering from its fulfillment.
If the Bible were to be rewritten I wonder how many of our names would appear as being “credited as righteousness?”
The use of the word “righteousness” in the Bible implies justice and conformance to established standards. Justice means doing the right thing; and conformance to established standards (in the Bible) refers to following the ways of God.
This passage refers to Abraham, who was promised by God to be the father of all nations with descendents too great to count. That doesn’t sound too far fetched on the surface but the kicker was that he was 99 years old and his wife Sarai was barren. The Bible claims that Abraham was “unwavering and fully persuaded.” His actions demonstrated the highest level of faith you can adopt – the faith of an answered promise without seeing any signs of fulfillment.
My grandmother walked with this level of faith in her spiritual pilgrimage on earth. God promised her that she would write a book that told the story of her life through her daily journaling. She documented her daily walk in journals for over 60 years knowing it was the framework required for God to fulfill His promise. Without laying the framework she would not have made room in her life for God to fulfill the promise. So she began living her life towards that end just as Abraham did. This promise was given to her in 1942 and the book was published in 2008. Our grandmother received her long awaited promise, both earthly and spiritually, at 100 years old. The earthly promise was the publication of her book and the spiritual promise was Romans 4:17. "...the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were." Grandmother could have believed at 100 that the promise was not going to be fulfilled and the dream was dead but that was not in her belief system. Now that is “unwavering and being fully persuaded!”
Every child of God is a “promise recipient” and should live our lives creating the framework in which He can fulfill that promise. Through getting in His word daily and praying to Him for revelation and spiritual guidance He will reveal personal truths and goals for our lives.
Being “credited as righteousness” involves doing the right thing and following the ways of God. It involves hearing a promise from God, seeing the uncertainty of its possibilities but never wavering from its fulfillment.
If the Bible were to be rewritten I wonder how many of our names would appear as being “credited as righteousness?”
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Eyes of Our Hearts
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Eph. 1:17-19a
People love to give advice even if they have no experience on the subject, me included. I remember when my father-in-law explained the ins and outs of Lamaze Breathing, a technique taught to expectant mothers prior to delivery. He went on with such knowledge on the subject I laughed imagining him lying there doing the shallow breathing making those noises. The problem with his advice was that it carried no validity because it lacked experience.
True enlightenment is obtained through experience which is why God places wisdom and revelation through our circumstances. Many times these circumstances involve pain, suffering and trials in our lives. He calls each of us to be conduits of hope and encouragement for others who are to experience the same trials. We cannot provide hope for others until we approach them with the validity of experience and enlightenment.
In order for me to provide hope and comfort to others, I had to experience grief, sadness, loss and even death. My enlightenment was anchored by pain but was followed by hope which floats on top and covers the pain. Through the great power of His grace which compares with nothing else, my experience can now provide the authenticity required to show hope to others. Every child of God has been called upon to seek hope from those whom have gone before us and to provide hope for those who will go after us.
We can only know our glorious Father better by receiving the wisdom and revelations through our experiences for which He has called us. No matter what your pain presently involves it will pass, you will receive all that you need to conquer and hope will rise to the top.
Apparently, hope does float!
People love to give advice even if they have no experience on the subject, me included. I remember when my father-in-law explained the ins and outs of Lamaze Breathing, a technique taught to expectant mothers prior to delivery. He went on with such knowledge on the subject I laughed imagining him lying there doing the shallow breathing making those noises. The problem with his advice was that it carried no validity because it lacked experience.
True enlightenment is obtained through experience which is why God places wisdom and revelation through our circumstances. Many times these circumstances involve pain, suffering and trials in our lives. He calls each of us to be conduits of hope and encouragement for others who are to experience the same trials. We cannot provide hope for others until we approach them with the validity of experience and enlightenment.
In order for me to provide hope and comfort to others, I had to experience grief, sadness, loss and even death. My enlightenment was anchored by pain but was followed by hope which floats on top and covers the pain. Through the great power of His grace which compares with nothing else, my experience can now provide the authenticity required to show hope to others. Every child of God has been called upon to seek hope from those whom have gone before us and to provide hope for those who will go after us.
We can only know our glorious Father better by receiving the wisdom and revelations through our experiences for which He has called us. No matter what your pain presently involves it will pass, you will receive all that you need to conquer and hope will rise to the top.
Apparently, hope does float!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
How Does Your Garden Grow?
“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Co. 3:7-9
Growers who manage farmland for an absentee landowner, sharing the harvest (or its profits) are known as sharecroppers or share farmers. They have been assigned a parcel of land by the landowner in exchange for their care and development of that land. In exchange they will receive some of the benefits from their labor. It is abundantly clear to the sharecropper that they have a partial ownership in the land and still fall under the authority of the landowner. It is to the sharecropper’s best interest to oversee the landowner’s property with care, concern and a passionate loyalty to that land. By putting his assignment first and foremost, he knows and believes that the rewards of his labor will follow.
We must have the same faith in Christ as we seek Him passionately and manage the fields for which He assigns. We plant and water in hopes to see life burst through the soil as we do our part in God’s field. He assigns areas of labor based on our talents, our gifts and our ability to tend to, manage and prepare. God sees the field completed as we are breaking ground preparing the soil, watering the area and looking for new life. We care for and manage our fields with the hope and faith of growth in the seasons to come.
We each have a partial ownership in the Kingdom as promised by the Landowner. He marks off plots of responsibilities for which He entrusts us in an effort to reward us at the same time we do His work.
What are you planting and how does your garden grow?
Growers who manage farmland for an absentee landowner, sharing the harvest (or its profits) are known as sharecroppers or share farmers. They have been assigned a parcel of land by the landowner in exchange for their care and development of that land. In exchange they will receive some of the benefits from their labor. It is abundantly clear to the sharecropper that they have a partial ownership in the land and still fall under the authority of the landowner. It is to the sharecropper’s best interest to oversee the landowner’s property with care, concern and a passionate loyalty to that land. By putting his assignment first and foremost, he knows and believes that the rewards of his labor will follow.
We must have the same faith in Christ as we seek Him passionately and manage the fields for which He assigns. We plant and water in hopes to see life burst through the soil as we do our part in God’s field. He assigns areas of labor based on our talents, our gifts and our ability to tend to, manage and prepare. God sees the field completed as we are breaking ground preparing the soil, watering the area and looking for new life. We care for and manage our fields with the hope and faith of growth in the seasons to come.
We each have a partial ownership in the Kingdom as promised by the Landowner. He marks off plots of responsibilities for which He entrusts us in an effort to reward us at the same time we do His work.
What are you planting and how does your garden grow?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Evergreens
“But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of the Creator.” Col 3:8-10
Unless a tree is an evergreen it is going to experience a beautiful and colorful change in the Fall. During the rest of the year chlorophyll is continually being produced and broken down and leaves appear green. As night length increases in the autumn, chlorophyll production slows down and then stops and eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed. The carotenoids and anthocyanins that are present in the leaf are then unmasked and show their colors.
As we allow the worlds “chlorophyll” to fill our minds and hearts we become evergreens not allowing our true and beautiful characteristics to be displayed. Instead we become a landscape of the same in attitude without standing apart and beautifully reflecting ourselves for whom God created us to be. Through the darkness we experience in adversity we tap into the deeply masked ability of God who pumps hope, encouragement and revelations through our hearts and minds. The more we empty ourselves of the world and all of its beliefs the more our true God-given beauty can be unmasked and display our “reds” of compassion, our “golds” of love and our “oranges” of forgiveness.
We will become a landscape of beauty, individuality and uniqueness on God’s mountain.
Unless a tree is an evergreen it is going to experience a beautiful and colorful change in the Fall. During the rest of the year chlorophyll is continually being produced and broken down and leaves appear green. As night length increases in the autumn, chlorophyll production slows down and then stops and eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed. The carotenoids and anthocyanins that are present in the leaf are then unmasked and show their colors.
As we allow the worlds “chlorophyll” to fill our minds and hearts we become evergreens not allowing our true and beautiful characteristics to be displayed. Instead we become a landscape of the same in attitude without standing apart and beautifully reflecting ourselves for whom God created us to be. Through the darkness we experience in adversity we tap into the deeply masked ability of God who pumps hope, encouragement and revelations through our hearts and minds. The more we empty ourselves of the world and all of its beliefs the more our true God-given beauty can be unmasked and display our “reds” of compassion, our “golds” of love and our “oranges” of forgiveness.
We will become a landscape of beauty, individuality and uniqueness on God’s mountain.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Gratitude for Unanswered Prayers
“’What is it you want?’ he asked. She said, Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.’ ‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?’” Matthew 20:21-22
Meet Salome, mother of the disciples, James and John. As Jesus’ popularity grew so did the commitment of Salome’s family. She went around with Jesus and attended to the needs of Him and the disciples. Like any other mother wanting good for her children, she approached Jesus with the request above. She had no idea of what she was asking, not understanding that the Kingdom was in Heaven and not on earth. To be granted her desire would mean to lose her sons to death.
Years ago, when I had gotten us into a messy financial situation, the company for which Bruce worked was being considered for a job in Australia. The employees of the chosen company would receive a large sum of money upon their acceptance of the assignment. At the time, I was responsible for our bills (I know, right?) and knew that with that sum of money I would be able to pay off a lot of the bills for which I had secretly mounted. I remember praying for him to get the job obviously for all of the wrong reasons. A company other than his won the bid for the job and my hope failed for a secret resolution. One year after that unanswered prayer the company that won the job was laid off and everyone was out of work. God knew the suffering that would have been ours had He granted my prayers.
A few years later, God awakened me with such a burden on my heart to reveal to Bruce our financial situation that I could hardly breathe. I remember asking Him to come up with another solution, one where I didn’t have to reveal this truth. God would not budge and it was clear to me I had to do His will and lay down my own. God was faithful in restoring trust on my husband’s part and getting us out of the financial mess for which I had created. (He does the bills now!)
Many times we pray for things that would ultimately land us worse off than where we are in our circumstances. Only God can see the future and know the direction of our lives. As soon as Salome realized for what she was praying her vision became focused on the reality of what they were going to experience. Her prayers changed from her will to His will.
When God does not answer our prayers instead of asking Him why or why not we should simply say “Thank you, Father for not answering that prayer. I trust that it was not your will and would not have been best for me.”
Meet Salome, mother of the disciples, James and John. As Jesus’ popularity grew so did the commitment of Salome’s family. She went around with Jesus and attended to the needs of Him and the disciples. Like any other mother wanting good for her children, she approached Jesus with the request above. She had no idea of what she was asking, not understanding that the Kingdom was in Heaven and not on earth. To be granted her desire would mean to lose her sons to death.
Years ago, when I had gotten us into a messy financial situation, the company for which Bruce worked was being considered for a job in Australia. The employees of the chosen company would receive a large sum of money upon their acceptance of the assignment. At the time, I was responsible for our bills (I know, right?) and knew that with that sum of money I would be able to pay off a lot of the bills for which I had secretly mounted. I remember praying for him to get the job obviously for all of the wrong reasons. A company other than his won the bid for the job and my hope failed for a secret resolution. One year after that unanswered prayer the company that won the job was laid off and everyone was out of work. God knew the suffering that would have been ours had He granted my prayers.
A few years later, God awakened me with such a burden on my heart to reveal to Bruce our financial situation that I could hardly breathe. I remember asking Him to come up with another solution, one where I didn’t have to reveal this truth. God would not budge and it was clear to me I had to do His will and lay down my own. God was faithful in restoring trust on my husband’s part and getting us out of the financial mess for which I had created. (He does the bills now!)
Many times we pray for things that would ultimately land us worse off than where we are in our circumstances. Only God can see the future and know the direction of our lives. As soon as Salome realized for what she was praying her vision became focused on the reality of what they were going to experience. Her prayers changed from her will to His will.
When God does not answer our prayers instead of asking Him why or why not we should simply say “Thank you, Father for not answering that prayer. I trust that it was not your will and would not have been best for me.”
Friday, October 9, 2009
Court is in Session
“We will all stand before the judgment seat of God…each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Rom.14:10, 12)
Going through a divorce is not fun for sure, especially when it is time to face the judge. I had hired an attorney who had worked through the process over the previous months to ensure that I had good representation. I remember how nervous I was to go before a person who didn’t know me, had never talked to me before and knew nothing about our circumstances. This man would have the final decision in what my financial life would be for me and my daughter by the representation of two attorneys, two more people who really knew nothing about us.
I am so ecstatic that we have a Judge who we will approach one day and be judged under the full extent of His knowledge of every aspect of our lives. We have Christ as our mediator who pleads our case to God every day with perfect knowledge of our heart, mind and actions. He never has too many clients and has already paid the bill for our continual use of His services, His representation and His perfect abilities.
By the same token, we must never play judge or jury when dealing with others for it places us in an attitude of pride. There is not one person on this earth who will not approach His throne one day and stand before the Ancient of Days to be judged for every deed – good or bad. “God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Eccl. 12:14
Sheepishly I admit that in the past I was more concerned with seeing people get their consequences for I have always lived my life with a sense of fairness. If I am required to live up to a certain standard of integrity it used to torque me when I would see others getting away with bad moral decisions. Most of us play judge as we look upon others and their circumstances placing them under our judgment when we really do not know them, their hearts or their circumstances like the judge in my divorce.
We don’t have to worry ourselves with the deeds of others – God’s courtroom is always in session and the Righteous Judge takes His seat, looks at the evidence, hears testimony through our prayers and passes righteous judgment on the behavior of every human being.
The best part is in His courtroom we all get Life!
Going through a divorce is not fun for sure, especially when it is time to face the judge. I had hired an attorney who had worked through the process over the previous months to ensure that I had good representation. I remember how nervous I was to go before a person who didn’t know me, had never talked to me before and knew nothing about our circumstances. This man would have the final decision in what my financial life would be for me and my daughter by the representation of two attorneys, two more people who really knew nothing about us.
I am so ecstatic that we have a Judge who we will approach one day and be judged under the full extent of His knowledge of every aspect of our lives. We have Christ as our mediator who pleads our case to God every day with perfect knowledge of our heart, mind and actions. He never has too many clients and has already paid the bill for our continual use of His services, His representation and His perfect abilities.
By the same token, we must never play judge or jury when dealing with others for it places us in an attitude of pride. There is not one person on this earth who will not approach His throne one day and stand before the Ancient of Days to be judged for every deed – good or bad. “God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Eccl. 12:14
Sheepishly I admit that in the past I was more concerned with seeing people get their consequences for I have always lived my life with a sense of fairness. If I am required to live up to a certain standard of integrity it used to torque me when I would see others getting away with bad moral decisions. Most of us play judge as we look upon others and their circumstances placing them under our judgment when we really do not know them, their hearts or their circumstances like the judge in my divorce.
We don’t have to worry ourselves with the deeds of others – God’s courtroom is always in session and the Righteous Judge takes His seat, looks at the evidence, hears testimony through our prayers and passes righteous judgment on the behavior of every human being.
The best part is in His courtroom we all get Life!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Long Lives the King!
“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.
My sister Becki and I have daughters who are 11 months apart. When they were four and five years old we constantly heard their battle cry of “You’re not the boss over me, I’m the boss!” This occurred off and on for the most part of that year. We were ever so glad when that stage passed and we no longer had to hear their “chin music” as my dad calls it.
Funny thing about authority, everyone wants it and nobody really has it. There is but one authority that rules and He is King Eternal. The Bible states that His throne is established in Heaven and Earth is His footstool. I love this image as it visualizes Him as vast and overseeing. He has a panoramic view of our lives and not just snapshots as we have. He rules with love instead of fear and exerts His authority in all areas of our lives for our good.
Many authoritative figures in our lives do not really have our best interest at heart but have been placed over us through the appointment of someone else. Their authority may come accompanied with their past hurts, present bitterness or future biases. Their authority rules with their own agendas, one that may actually be harmful to others.
King Eternal rules in every aspect of our lives with a scepter of love, commitment and fairness to all. We must give Him the authority deserved by honoring His commands for our lives and submitting to His authority with His perfect wisdom and loving character.
Just because we don't give Him authority over some aspect of our lives doesn't mean He doesn't have it. He will rule in all areas of our lives with or without our cooperation – we might as well roll out the red carpet for our King.
My sister Becki and I have daughters who are 11 months apart. When they were four and five years old we constantly heard their battle cry of “You’re not the boss over me, I’m the boss!” This occurred off and on for the most part of that year. We were ever so glad when that stage passed and we no longer had to hear their “chin music” as my dad calls it.
Funny thing about authority, everyone wants it and nobody really has it. There is but one authority that rules and He is King Eternal. The Bible states that His throne is established in Heaven and Earth is His footstool. I love this image as it visualizes Him as vast and overseeing. He has a panoramic view of our lives and not just snapshots as we have. He rules with love instead of fear and exerts His authority in all areas of our lives for our good.
Many authoritative figures in our lives do not really have our best interest at heart but have been placed over us through the appointment of someone else. Their authority may come accompanied with their past hurts, present bitterness or future biases. Their authority rules with their own agendas, one that may actually be harmful to others.
King Eternal rules in every aspect of our lives with a scepter of love, commitment and fairness to all. We must give Him the authority deserved by honoring His commands for our lives and submitting to His authority with His perfect wisdom and loving character.
Just because we don't give Him authority over some aspect of our lives doesn't mean He doesn't have it. He will rule in all areas of our lives with or without our cooperation – we might as well roll out the red carpet for our King.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
El Shaddai
“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. I will confirm my covenant between me and you…”Genesis 17:1
God identified Himself to Abram in the Hebrew term as El Shaddai, translated to us as Almighty. This was the first time God identified Himself as El Shaddai in the Bible as He knew Abram would require some convincing of God’s power to accomplish what God had promised. God’s covenant with Abram was that his wife Sarai would conceive and numberless descendents would come after them. All of this beginning at the ripe old age of 99!
The word El Shaddai has many meanings from its root word but it refers to being all sufficient, not requiring another thing. God stands alone in complete provision and divine guidance. He guides us with His light without any other means required for our journey.
This past weekend Bruce and I went to see the Morris Island Lighthouse. It stands all alone about 300 yards off shore from the island of Folly Beach. It is completely surrounded by water thanks to decades of shifting sand and erosion however it is still grand in structure and mighty in strength.
God is the Lighthouse for all of us as the sands of our lives shift, erode and rebuild. He alone stands in His strength and grandeur, all sufficient for our lives and committed to the covenant He makes with each of us.
El Shaddai has a specific plan for all of us as He stands tall in our lives to provide the proper guidance and light to assure our safe passage. Walking before Him allows His light to be cast upon our path providing the guidance required to accomplish His will for our lives, the covenant He cuts with us individually.
God is Almighty and will do what He sets out to accomplish. There is nothing in your life that is too big for God. In the words of my precious Grandmother,
“God is Lord of everything or God is Lord of nothing!”
God identified Himself to Abram in the Hebrew term as El Shaddai, translated to us as Almighty. This was the first time God identified Himself as El Shaddai in the Bible as He knew Abram would require some convincing of God’s power to accomplish what God had promised. God’s covenant with Abram was that his wife Sarai would conceive and numberless descendents would come after them. All of this beginning at the ripe old age of 99!
The word El Shaddai has many meanings from its root word but it refers to being all sufficient, not requiring another thing. God stands alone in complete provision and divine guidance. He guides us with His light without any other means required for our journey.
This past weekend Bruce and I went to see the Morris Island Lighthouse. It stands all alone about 300 yards off shore from the island of Folly Beach. It is completely surrounded by water thanks to decades of shifting sand and erosion however it is still grand in structure and mighty in strength.
God is the Lighthouse for all of us as the sands of our lives shift, erode and rebuild. He alone stands in His strength and grandeur, all sufficient for our lives and committed to the covenant He makes with each of us.
El Shaddai has a specific plan for all of us as He stands tall in our lives to provide the proper guidance and light to assure our safe passage. Walking before Him allows His light to be cast upon our path providing the guidance required to accomplish His will for our lives, the covenant He cuts with us individually.
God is Almighty and will do what He sets out to accomplish. There is nothing in your life that is too big for God. In the words of my precious Grandmother,
“God is Lord of everything or God is Lord of nothing!”
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Rod of Asclepius
“The LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.’ So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.” Numbers 21:8-9.
I am amazed at the how everything seems to connect back to the Bible. When my sister died, my son wanted to get a tattoo for which to remember her. He asked me for different ideas based on what was important to her. I suggested the nursing emblem since her passion laid with her gentle care of the infirmed and the dying. Little did I know that this representation was sent by God, used by Moses to heal and foreshadowed the life of Christ.
We find our grumbling Israelites once again complaining about God and Moses, looking for other ways to satisfy their needs. God sent venomous serpents as a means of punishment for their lack of faith and impatient rebellion. Many Israelites were bitten and died from these bites. They finally were humbled and approached Moses to speak on their behalf asking God to help them. God’s solution was the verse listed above which would be a lesson to illustrate the tremendous healing power of God, and forshadowed Christ, the Rod help up and centered one day on the cross requiring every eye to look up and acknowledge Him.
Christ’s body covered the full extent of the cross, which extended in all four directions requiring everyone to acknowledge that He triumphs over everything. Like the Israelites, we are bitten by sin, disease, loneliness and despair but there is a remedy that will heal our broken hearts, heal our grief and deliver us back to joy.
The snake on the pole represented an act of looking upward in faith to God for healing. Christ was lifted high on a hill for all of us to “look at and live” if we will not keep our eyes at the level of the ground but raise them to the level of heaven.
I am amazed at the how everything seems to connect back to the Bible. When my sister died, my son wanted to get a tattoo for which to remember her. He asked me for different ideas based on what was important to her. I suggested the nursing emblem since her passion laid with her gentle care of the infirmed and the dying. Little did I know that this representation was sent by God, used by Moses to heal and foreshadowed the life of Christ.
We find our grumbling Israelites once again complaining about God and Moses, looking for other ways to satisfy their needs. God sent venomous serpents as a means of punishment for their lack of faith and impatient rebellion. Many Israelites were bitten and died from these bites. They finally were humbled and approached Moses to speak on their behalf asking God to help them. God’s solution was the verse listed above which would be a lesson to illustrate the tremendous healing power of God, and forshadowed Christ, the Rod help up and centered one day on the cross requiring every eye to look up and acknowledge Him.
Christ’s body covered the full extent of the cross, which extended in all four directions requiring everyone to acknowledge that He triumphs over everything. Like the Israelites, we are bitten by sin, disease, loneliness and despair but there is a remedy that will heal our broken hearts, heal our grief and deliver us back to joy.
The snake on the pole represented an act of looking upward in faith to God for healing. Christ was lifted high on a hill for all of us to “look at and live” if we will not keep our eyes at the level of the ground but raise them to the level of heaven.
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Real Thing
“This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.’ They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic…Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.” Acts 8:10-13.
There was a man in the New Testament simply known as Simon the Sorcerer who was described and proclaimed to be someone great in Samaria because of his sorcery. Everyone followed his practice and even deemed him the Great Power of those days. In their mind he was the real thing. It wasn’t until something came along that challenged and contradicted that thinking that exposed him for the fraud he was. The Bible states that even Simon was astonished and believed. Simon knew what to look for among the smoke and mirrors but had to admit the authenticity and truth of these miracles. Simon knew that he was a fraud because he knew all of the tricks. Trickery is more or less taking command of someone’s mind leading them to certain deductions about a situation.
I have always been both amused and amazed at how Coca Cola has reinvented itself without making changes to its formula. The only change that has been made has been the marketing of the product that the world had come to know and love through its many can designs. They recently introduced the new Coke as the “New Old Coke” identifying it still as “The Real Thing”. They are smarter than most as they have chosen to not mess with the formula but to build on the reputation of the past.
In a world that is built on smoke and mirrors as things command our minds it is tough to stay focused and committed to the “Real Thing”, Jesus Christ as our authentic Worker of Wonders. He is the only one on which to base our hope, our trust and our focus.
People are continuously trying to “market” Christ as different things, but at the end of the day He is what He was and will always be – the Real Thing.
There was a man in the New Testament simply known as Simon the Sorcerer who was described and proclaimed to be someone great in Samaria because of his sorcery. Everyone followed his practice and even deemed him the Great Power of those days. In their mind he was the real thing. It wasn’t until something came along that challenged and contradicted that thinking that exposed him for the fraud he was. The Bible states that even Simon was astonished and believed. Simon knew what to look for among the smoke and mirrors but had to admit the authenticity and truth of these miracles. Simon knew that he was a fraud because he knew all of the tricks. Trickery is more or less taking command of someone’s mind leading them to certain deductions about a situation.
I have always been both amused and amazed at how Coca Cola has reinvented itself without making changes to its formula. The only change that has been made has been the marketing of the product that the world had come to know and love through its many can designs. They recently introduced the new Coke as the “New Old Coke” identifying it still as “The Real Thing”. They are smarter than most as they have chosen to not mess with the formula but to build on the reputation of the past.
In a world that is built on smoke and mirrors as things command our minds it is tough to stay focused and committed to the “Real Thing”, Jesus Christ as our authentic Worker of Wonders. He is the only one on which to base our hope, our trust and our focus.
People are continuously trying to “market” Christ as different things, but at the end of the day He is what He was and will always be – the Real Thing.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Hearing God Through Sight
“Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind…He sets the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.” Psalm 104:1-3, 5
King David spent many years as a shepherd which required him to be outside practically all of the time. His heart was bent towards God with an amazing love and passion to be so young. He had plenty of time to reflect on nature and the nature of God as he did his work and tended his flock. There were no audible voices spoken to him as he roamed around in pastures and looked towards the skies. But, through the enormity of David’s surroundings he was able to hear God through sight.
I can best hear God at the shore for it is where my heart lies. God uses the vast ocean and the span of the heavenly skies to speak to me. God speaks in every way and daily through His creation in ways we take for granted. I have grown up coming to the shore but never do I feel so small as when I am anticipating a sunrise. I never get use to that breathtaking view as I sit and watch with anticipation as if I am awaiting the curtain to be raised or an orchestra to play that first note.
Wherever we are and whatever we are doing God will speak through the things we see, the little girl picking a flower for her mother, the waves crashing upon the shore, or the woman who is assisting someone with a cane. He speaks as family members sit together awaiting their loved one to go to their eternal home and speaks as a baby enters this world.
Psalm 104 is one of the most beautiful images of God as seen through the eyes of David. Please take the time to read the chapter in its entirety. It paints such a powerful image of our God as Creator of this amazing universe.
We, too, can write our own Psalm as we open our eyes and “hear” all that the Creator wants to say to us.
King David spent many years as a shepherd which required him to be outside practically all of the time. His heart was bent towards God with an amazing love and passion to be so young. He had plenty of time to reflect on nature and the nature of God as he did his work and tended his flock. There were no audible voices spoken to him as he roamed around in pastures and looked towards the skies. But, through the enormity of David’s surroundings he was able to hear God through sight.
I can best hear God at the shore for it is where my heart lies. God uses the vast ocean and the span of the heavenly skies to speak to me. God speaks in every way and daily through His creation in ways we take for granted. I have grown up coming to the shore but never do I feel so small as when I am anticipating a sunrise. I never get use to that breathtaking view as I sit and watch with anticipation as if I am awaiting the curtain to be raised or an orchestra to play that first note.
Wherever we are and whatever we are doing God will speak through the things we see, the little girl picking a flower for her mother, the waves crashing upon the shore, or the woman who is assisting someone with a cane. He speaks as family members sit together awaiting their loved one to go to their eternal home and speaks as a baby enters this world.
Psalm 104 is one of the most beautiful images of God as seen through the eyes of David. Please take the time to read the chapter in its entirety. It paints such a powerful image of our God as Creator of this amazing universe.
We, too, can write our own Psalm as we open our eyes and “hear” all that the Creator wants to say to us.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Super Heros
“With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and its animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please.” Jeremiah 27:5
As I opened the door to my daughter’s home the other day I was greeted by none other than Spiderman. Kristen had bought Carson his Halloween costume which he had not taken off in two days. I immediately got out my camera phone wanting to get a picture of him at which point he asked me to wait. He proceeded to stretch out both arms and suddenly confidence and pride overtook his face. You see, Carson had decided that he was only complete when he exerted his power – his arms which housed his web power.
Each of us has determined what we deem in ourselves as powerful, confident and our persona of strength. It is only when our power is put to the test and dreadfully fails that we get out of ourselves realizing that only God has the power to deliver us from our circumstances.
The rest of Carson’s story is similar to what God desires for us. As I was leaving Carson to go on vacation with Bruce, he began pleading with me to take him with us. After three attempts he realized that his circumstances needed drastic measures and tentatively and sacrificially stated that if I would allow him to come with us he would take off his Spiderman costume. In essence, he would surrender what he deemed as all powerful, all purposeful and all valuable in order to fellowship with us.
Bingo! That is what God desires most from His children. Surrendering whatever we determine in our lives is powerful making us feel confident and whole in exchange for intimate relationship and fellowship. Holding on to what we deem powerful will never stand up against the blasts of our storms. Whatever costume of power in which we dress ourselves will never be enough to accomplish our own desires. It will only be when we remove our persona of strength that God will dress us in His. Our Father is all powerful, all sovereign and all transcending who will stretch out His arms, draw us near to Him so we can access His power when dealing with our circumstances.
We will always find God’s power at the end of our surrender.
As I opened the door to my daughter’s home the other day I was greeted by none other than Spiderman. Kristen had bought Carson his Halloween costume which he had not taken off in two days. I immediately got out my camera phone wanting to get a picture of him at which point he asked me to wait. He proceeded to stretch out both arms and suddenly confidence and pride overtook his face. You see, Carson had decided that he was only complete when he exerted his power – his arms which housed his web power.
Each of us has determined what we deem in ourselves as powerful, confident and our persona of strength. It is only when our power is put to the test and dreadfully fails that we get out of ourselves realizing that only God has the power to deliver us from our circumstances.
The rest of Carson’s story is similar to what God desires for us. As I was leaving Carson to go on vacation with Bruce, he began pleading with me to take him with us. After three attempts he realized that his circumstances needed drastic measures and tentatively and sacrificially stated that if I would allow him to come with us he would take off his Spiderman costume. In essence, he would surrender what he deemed as all powerful, all purposeful and all valuable in order to fellowship with us.
Bingo! That is what God desires most from His children. Surrendering whatever we determine in our lives is powerful making us feel confident and whole in exchange for intimate relationship and fellowship. Holding on to what we deem powerful will never stand up against the blasts of our storms. Whatever costume of power in which we dress ourselves will never be enough to accomplish our own desires. It will only be when we remove our persona of strength that God will dress us in His. Our Father is all powerful, all sovereign and all transcending who will stretch out His arms, draw us near to Him so we can access His power when dealing with our circumstances.
We will always find God’s power at the end of our surrender.
Friday, October 2, 2009
His Words - Alive and Well
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7 -10
Who says God’s word doesn’t speak to us? As I am reading over this passage this morning I am so aware of the truth and life in these words. I am sitting on the front porch overlooking the ocean but it is still dark and I can only see the glow of this computer screen. As I type I can hear God through the crashing of the waves, I can sense God through the breeze coming across me. Where is His Spirit? It is everywhere.
Our minds had to go to heaven last year as we focused on the home-going of Beth and God was there with His presence constantly comforting, encouraging, and promising certain things. When I created a situation years ago through secret spending God was there to help my husband forgive me, encourage me and heal our marriage. I had made my bed in the depths through lies, fear and deceit but God was there to deliver me. As I rise on the beautiful wings of dawn each morning God reveals things to me through our precious time together. If I settle on the far side of the sea in my loneliness and sadness in thinking of the situation with my dad God sends His comfort and assurances that the same grace for which He has been carrying me this past year is afforded in all situations.
There is nowhere that we can go or nothing that we can experience that will place us in an attitude or place apart from God once we are in His family. He is everywhere and everything.
As the horizon begins to take shape and color I will soon see what I have been hearing and sensing this morning. His presence is about to have the beautiful face of a sunrise.
Let the show begin!
Who says God’s word doesn’t speak to us? As I am reading over this passage this morning I am so aware of the truth and life in these words. I am sitting on the front porch overlooking the ocean but it is still dark and I can only see the glow of this computer screen. As I type I can hear God through the crashing of the waves, I can sense God through the breeze coming across me. Where is His Spirit? It is everywhere.
Our minds had to go to heaven last year as we focused on the home-going of Beth and God was there with His presence constantly comforting, encouraging, and promising certain things. When I created a situation years ago through secret spending God was there to help my husband forgive me, encourage me and heal our marriage. I had made my bed in the depths through lies, fear and deceit but God was there to deliver me. As I rise on the beautiful wings of dawn each morning God reveals things to me through our precious time together. If I settle on the far side of the sea in my loneliness and sadness in thinking of the situation with my dad God sends His comfort and assurances that the same grace for which He has been carrying me this past year is afforded in all situations.
There is nowhere that we can go or nothing that we can experience that will place us in an attitude or place apart from God once we are in His family. He is everywhere and everything.
As the horizon begins to take shape and color I will soon see what I have been hearing and sensing this morning. His presence is about to have the beautiful face of a sunrise.
Let the show begin!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Standing Pillars
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.” Rev. 19:11
The Hebrew word for pillar has the same root word for the word faithful in the Old Testament. The word refers to “that which strengthens, supports, or holds up.” Throughout history many impressive monuments have been constructed such as the Parthenon in Greece and Solomon’s Temple. As invasions occurred and natural disasters ensued the structures were left with only the strongest remnants of its survival such as the pillars. When Hurricane Hugo devastated the Isle of Palms and most of the Charleston coast chimneys peppered the horizon where rooflines were once seen. Only the strongest structures survived the elements of the storm.
We experience the same thing with our faith as we are invaded by adversity and crushed by the pressures of earthly disasters. God speaks in depth throughout the Bible about His faithfulness to us and the promises of deliverance on which we can count. He tells us to expect adversity and affliction in our lives but beneath our trials and suffering will be a faithful foundation that He has built which will provide the structure required for future reconstruction.
Everyone loves a hero on a white horse who will ride in and save the day. Our level of faith in the “Rider” will determine what our spiritual skyline reveals when the disaster is over and the dust settles.
The Hebrew word for pillar has the same root word for the word faithful in the Old Testament. The word refers to “that which strengthens, supports, or holds up.” Throughout history many impressive monuments have been constructed such as the Parthenon in Greece and Solomon’s Temple. As invasions occurred and natural disasters ensued the structures were left with only the strongest remnants of its survival such as the pillars. When Hurricane Hugo devastated the Isle of Palms and most of the Charleston coast chimneys peppered the horizon where rooflines were once seen. Only the strongest structures survived the elements of the storm.
We experience the same thing with our faith as we are invaded by adversity and crushed by the pressures of earthly disasters. God speaks in depth throughout the Bible about His faithfulness to us and the promises of deliverance on which we can count. He tells us to expect adversity and affliction in our lives but beneath our trials and suffering will be a faithful foundation that He has built which will provide the structure required for future reconstruction.
Everyone loves a hero on a white horse who will ride in and save the day. Our level of faith in the “Rider” will determine what our spiritual skyline reveals when the disaster is over and the dust settles.
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