“Imagine yourself a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps you understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing, so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of; throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage, but He is building a palace.”
— C. S. Lewis
Truly His ways are not our ways.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Romans 4:17
In a conversation yesterday I used a portion of Romans 4:17 - just a portion. The part that talks about calling things into existence. For years I have heard this use of God's Word then last night due to sleeplessness I got up to read for a while. A three letter word at the beginning of this phrase caught my attention. The letters G-O-D.
It is God Who calls things that are not into existence NOT man. It is a misuse of this scripture to apply it to the words spoken by a man.
Thank you Lord for clarity and truth! I repent for misusing Your Word. May I read Your Word with fresh eyes and a open heart. Teach me Your Ways.
Romans 4:17 (New American Standard Bible)
17(as it is written, "A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU" in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.
Romans 4:17 (New International Version)
17As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.
Cross references:
Romans 4:17 : Gen 17:5
Romans 4:17 : John 5:21
Romans 4:17 : Is 48:13; 51:2
Romans 4:17 : 1 Cor 1:28
Matthew Henry Commentary
Who calleth things which are not as though they were; that is, creates all things by the word of his power, as in the beginning, Gen. 1:3; 2 Co. 4:6. The justification and salvation of sinners, the espousing of the Gentiles that had not been a people, were a gracious calling of things which are not as though they were, giving being to things that were not. This expresses the sovereignty of God and his absolute power and dominion, a mighty stay to faith when all other props sink and totter. It is the holy wisdom and policy of faith to fasten particularly on that in God which is accommodated to the difficulties wherewith it is to wrestle, and will most effectually answer the objections. It is faith indeed to build upon the all-sufficiency of God for the accomplishment of that which is impossible to anything but that all-sufficiency. Thus Abraham became the father of many nations before him whom he believed, that is, in the eye and account of God;
It is God Who calls things that are not into existence NOT man. It is a misuse of this scripture to apply it to the words spoken by a man.
Thank you Lord for clarity and truth! I repent for misusing Your Word. May I read Your Word with fresh eyes and a open heart. Teach me Your Ways.
Romans 4:17 (New American Standard Bible)
17(as it is written, "A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU" in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.
Romans 4:17 (New International Version)
17As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.
Cross references:
Romans 4:17 : Gen 17:5
Romans 4:17 : John 5:21
Romans 4:17 : Is 48:13; 51:2
Romans 4:17 : 1 Cor 1:28
Matthew Henry Commentary
Who calleth things which are not as though they were; that is, creates all things by the word of his power, as in the beginning, Gen. 1:3; 2 Co. 4:6. The justification and salvation of sinners, the espousing of the Gentiles that had not been a people, were a gracious calling of things which are not as though they were, giving being to things that were not. This expresses the sovereignty of God and his absolute power and dominion, a mighty stay to faith when all other props sink and totter. It is the holy wisdom and policy of faith to fasten particularly on that in God which is accommodated to the difficulties wherewith it is to wrestle, and will most effectually answer the objections. It is faith indeed to build upon the all-sufficiency of God for the accomplishment of that which is impossible to anything but that all-sufficiency. Thus Abraham became the father of many nations before him whom he believed, that is, in the eye and account of God;
Thursday, May 22, 2008
This morning as I was reading the Word this scripture stood out:
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that YOU will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Philemon verse 6
In the process of us sharing our faith our understanding of Jesus increases! I haven't studied this out, but I will take it for what it says. Our sharing the gospel has a two fold purpose. Others come to Salvation and our own faith grows! The Lord desperately desires that we walk in fullness! There are so many applications to this little nugget. Seeing and experiencing others come to Christ brings understanding to us as Believers.
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that YOU will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Philemon verse 6
In the process of us sharing our faith our understanding of Jesus increases! I haven't studied this out, but I will take it for what it says. Our sharing the gospel has a two fold purpose. Others come to Salvation and our own faith grows! The Lord desperately desires that we walk in fullness! There are so many applications to this little nugget. Seeing and experiencing others come to Christ brings understanding to us as Believers.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Listening
"And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die." Exodus 20:19
We do not consciously disobey God, we simply do not heed Him. God has given us His commands; there they are, but we do not pay any attention to them, not because of wilful disobedience but because we do not love and respect Him. "If ye love Me, ye will keep My commandments." When once we realize that we have been "disrespecting" God all the time, we are covered with shame and humiliation because we have not heeded Him.
"Speak thou with us . . . but let not God speak with us." We show how little we love God by preferring to listen to His servants only. We like to listen to personal testimonies, but we do not desire that God Himself should speak to us. Why are we so terrified lest God should speak to us? Because we know that if God does speak, either the thing must be done or we must tell God we will not obey Him. If it is only the servant's voice we hear, we feel it is not imperative, we can say, "Well, that is simply your own idea, though I don't deny it is probably God's truth."
Am I putting God in the humiliating position of having treated me as a child of His whilst all the time I have been ignoring Him? When I do hear Him, the humiliation I have put on Him comes back on me - "Lord, why was I so dull and so obstinate?" This is always the result when once we do hear God. The real delight of hearing Him is tempered with shame in having been so long in hearing Him.
Oswald Chambers
We do not consciously disobey God, we simply do not heed Him. God has given us His commands; there they are, but we do not pay any attention to them, not because of wilful disobedience but because we do not love and respect Him. "If ye love Me, ye will keep My commandments." When once we realize that we have been "disrespecting" God all the time, we are covered with shame and humiliation because we have not heeded Him.
"Speak thou with us . . . but let not God speak with us." We show how little we love God by preferring to listen to His servants only. We like to listen to personal testimonies, but we do not desire that God Himself should speak to us. Why are we so terrified lest God should speak to us? Because we know that if God does speak, either the thing must be done or we must tell God we will not obey Him. If it is only the servant's voice we hear, we feel it is not imperative, we can say, "Well, that is simply your own idea, though I don't deny it is probably God's truth."
Am I putting God in the humiliating position of having treated me as a child of His whilst all the time I have been ignoring Him? When I do hear Him, the humiliation I have put on Him comes back on me - "Lord, why was I so dull and so obstinate?" This is always the result when once we do hear God. The real delight of hearing Him is tempered with shame in having been so long in hearing Him.
Oswald Chambers
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Surrender
"To be surrendered to God is of more value than our personal holiness. Concern over our personal holiness causes us to focus our eyes on ourselves, and we become overly concerned about the way we walk and talk and look, out of fear of offending God. ". . . but perfect love casts out fear . . ." once we are surrendered to God ( 1 John 4:18 )... Once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time."
From Oswald Chambers
http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/my-utmost-for-his-highest/02/21/devotion.aspx?year=2008
From Oswald Chambers
http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/my-utmost-for-his-highest/02/21/devotion.aspx?year=2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
My Heart's Cry
As I was thinking about living a life that prays without ceasing, Steven Curtis Chapman's song This Is My Heart's Cry came to my mind. (The audio is a little fuzzy.)
Listen: http://home.cogeco.ca/~jonesie2/05.htm
Listen: http://home.cogeco.ca/~jonesie2/05.htm
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Praying At All Times
When I read the Apostle Paul's instruction in I Thes. 5:17 to pray without ceasing, I have no doubt that he could do it. But me? Yes, me and you and every single child of God can pray without ceasing when we choose to place our Heavenly Father at the very center of all we do, say, think, see and experience.
He hears our every word, knows our deepest thoughts, sees when we give a kind smile, knows when our heart sings because of His glorious creation, knows our weaknesses and strengths, understands our hearts desires-after all He places them there. There is not one little part of His precious child that is hidden from His sight. The good, the bad and the ugly-He knows AND He loves and desires a RELATIONSHIP in spite of it all.
Spending time with the Lord in prayer builds that relationship. First off, we need set aside time to read the Word, pray, meditate and just "be" in His presence. There is no right amount of time or perfect place or method. Talk to your Abba, your Father. Just speak and He will hear. Need help getting started-read King David's Psalms to the Lord. Then let your own words flow. Simple, plain words. Nothing fancy needed. Think of the way you love it when your little ones come climb up in your lap and tell you about their day. How you comfort them when they scrape their knees. How you encourage them to try the failed task again. How you praise the way they cleaned up the toys. The same with our Father and us. He desires to spend time with us to meet our every need according to His plan and purpose.
Having a sweet, simple relationship with an Awesome Mighty God leads us into worship and prayer. It is the natural overflow from the love of God. I believe it is the cornerstone for a power filled, satisfying prayer life and ever growing relationship with the Lord.
Okay, now back to the praying without ceasing. As our relationship grows, the Lord becomes more and more a part of every part of our lives. We begin to recognize Him in everything! He has been there all along, but we know Him better now. And our prayer comes without even thinking about it. We ask for healing when we see a car accident. We say "thanks" for a sale on children's shoes. We stop to smell the roses along the sidewalk and remember their Creator. We are no longer keeping God in the Sunday morning box. He is ever present now. Our joy, our thoughts, our dreams, our everything is prayer!
" In him we live and move and have our being" Acts 17:28
What an incredible place to be! No striving. No rules. If we fall, we dust off and get back up. He is patient as we build up our strength in Him.
He hears our every word, knows our deepest thoughts, sees when we give a kind smile, knows when our heart sings because of His glorious creation, knows our weaknesses and strengths, understands our hearts desires-after all He places them there. There is not one little part of His precious child that is hidden from His sight. The good, the bad and the ugly-He knows AND He loves and desires a RELATIONSHIP in spite of it all.
Spending time with the Lord in prayer builds that relationship. First off, we need set aside time to read the Word, pray, meditate and just "be" in His presence. There is no right amount of time or perfect place or method. Talk to your Abba, your Father. Just speak and He will hear. Need help getting started-read King David's Psalms to the Lord. Then let your own words flow. Simple, plain words. Nothing fancy needed. Think of the way you love it when your little ones come climb up in your lap and tell you about their day. How you comfort them when they scrape their knees. How you encourage them to try the failed task again. How you praise the way they cleaned up the toys. The same with our Father and us. He desires to spend time with us to meet our every need according to His plan and purpose.
Having a sweet, simple relationship with an Awesome Mighty God leads us into worship and prayer. It is the natural overflow from the love of God. I believe it is the cornerstone for a power filled, satisfying prayer life and ever growing relationship with the Lord.
Okay, now back to the praying without ceasing. As our relationship grows, the Lord becomes more and more a part of every part of our lives. We begin to recognize Him in everything! He has been there all along, but we know Him better now. And our prayer comes without even thinking about it. We ask for healing when we see a car accident. We say "thanks" for a sale on children's shoes. We stop to smell the roses along the sidewalk and remember their Creator. We are no longer keeping God in the Sunday morning box. He is ever present now. Our joy, our thoughts, our dreams, our everything is prayer!
" In him we live and move and have our being" Acts 17:28
What an incredible place to be! No striving. No rules. If we fall, we dust off and get back up. He is patient as we build up our strength in Him.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
My Glory Will Sing His Praise
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
(You have done this so...)
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever~
Psalms 30:11,12
This morning as I read this familiar scripture, it suddenly jumped out to me that the Lord has given me dancing and gladness for a purpose: That my glory may sing His praise and not be silent. How have I managed to read the Psalms many times and miss that?
Lord, I will sing your praise and not be silent. I will be clothed with the gladness that comes from walking as a child of God. Amen. So Be It.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Great Love
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
I John 3:1
I John 3:1
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Holiness & Wonder
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord Almighty
...It is singing in my head when I wake up and throughout the day- even now at 2 am- for weeks the Holiness of God has been on my heart and at the front of my thoughts...the Lord and my "condition" in light of the Holy God who calls me His own.
I want to live in constant wonder of the Lord God Most High. How can one walk in the Life given through the Resurrection without a constant sense of awe?
When a child is caught up in the awesomeness of an enormous ancient oak tree with its leaves towering into the sky and its enormous trunk anchoring it to the earth- he walks around it- head back- face to the sky- unable to take his eyes off of the wonder of it all.
The child is caught in such amazement of what he beholds, that even when he trips on a limb fallen to the ground, he never loses his gaze even for an instant.
I want to be that child. Never taking my eyes of of you, Lord!
Is the Lord Almighty
...It is singing in my head when I wake up and throughout the day- even now at 2 am- for weeks the Holiness of God has been on my heart and at the front of my thoughts...the Lord and my "condition" in light of the Holy God who calls me His own.
I want to live in constant wonder of the Lord God Most High. How can one walk in the Life given through the Resurrection without a constant sense of awe?
When a child is caught up in the awesomeness of an enormous ancient oak tree with its leaves towering into the sky and its enormous trunk anchoring it to the earth- he walks around it- head back- face to the sky- unable to take his eyes off of the wonder of it all.
The child is caught in such amazement of what he beholds, that even when he trips on a limb fallen to the ground, he never loses his gaze even for an instant.
I want to be that child. Never taking my eyes of of you, Lord!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Eternal Life Is Now!
The first witnesses and participants in Jesus' resurrection obviously weren't in heaven. Their understanding of resurrection was something that happened once you were in heaven. Jesus was radically reconfigured and redefined by resurrection. And now they were being radically reconfigured and redefined by resurrection. Jesus was special, of course. But the disciples familiar concept of resurrection as life after death was now being totally recast as life "in the land of the living." Our eternal life begins the instant we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and surrender all to Him. Eternal life is now. Live like it!
Italic portions taken from Eugene Peterson's Living the Resurrection pgs 67, 68
Italic portions taken from Eugene Peterson's Living the Resurrection pgs 67, 68
Monday, March 17, 2008
As Unto the Lord
Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
Colossians 3:17 The Message
It took me awhile to get this. As a matter of fact, I still work on it everyday. But one particular day this verse became very real, near and necessary for my survival as a mom of 4 young children.
With a newborn, 2 year old, 4 year old, and a 6 year old I was outnumbered. Everything seemed more than I could accomplish in day or even in several lifetimes. I was exhausted and overwhelmed. Then the straw that broke the camel's back....
The baby had a poopy diaper that had to be washed out in the toilet. (We used cloth diapers.) I will never forget that particular diaper change. God didn't want me to obviously. In my sleep deprived state I began the process of washing out the diaper. Then came the tears. I couldn't think of what to do or say to help myself. Bent over tending to the task at hand and crying this verse came to mind: Do everything as unto the Lord.
I continued washing the diaper and crying. Through the crying I began to confess that I would do everything as unto the Lord. It took several times saying it out loud to convince myself. At last, peace came. I stopped crying and wrung out the diaper.
It is a little funny now, 14 years later. But just a little.
The Lord uses whatever it takes to get me closer to Him. To depend on Him. That day it took a dirty diaper.
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Jesus, Lover of My Soul http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hWENYf9G84
Colossians 3:17 The Message
It took me awhile to get this. As a matter of fact, I still work on it everyday. But one particular day this verse became very real, near and necessary for my survival as a mom of 4 young children.
With a newborn, 2 year old, 4 year old, and a 6 year old I was outnumbered. Everything seemed more than I could accomplish in day or even in several lifetimes. I was exhausted and overwhelmed. Then the straw that broke the camel's back....
The baby had a poopy diaper that had to be washed out in the toilet. (We used cloth diapers.) I will never forget that particular diaper change. God didn't want me to obviously. In my sleep deprived state I began the process of washing out the diaper. Then came the tears. I couldn't think of what to do or say to help myself. Bent over tending to the task at hand and crying this verse came to mind: Do everything as unto the Lord.
I continued washing the diaper and crying. Through the crying I began to confess that I would do everything as unto the Lord. It took several times saying it out loud to convince myself. At last, peace came. I stopped crying and wrung out the diaper.
It is a little funny now, 14 years later. But just a little.
The Lord uses whatever it takes to get me closer to Him. To depend on Him. That day it took a dirty diaper.
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Jesus, Lover of My Soul http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hWENYf9G84
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Seasons: Raising Children
Just thinking...do the hard seasons really last longer than the carefree, easy seasons or does it just feel that way when I am in the midst of one? If I had kept a calender or better a moment by moment count over the past 20 plus years and added the tally, I am positive that the sunshine total would far outweigh cloudy times.
Things I would put in the sunshine column:
*the seconds that a newborn baby smiled at me during a 4 am feeding when I was so exhausted I could barely see
*catching a toddler eat peanut with her hands out of the jar
*babies smiling in their sleep
*my boys heading down the driveway with their fishing gear
*going in at night to make sure all is well before going to bed myself and finding a big, dirty dog snuggled up on the pillow with my son
*watching from the window as my son kisses the horse and hugs her
*seeing my oldest coming off the plane from a six month mission program
*the sound of my son's voice over the phone announcing he shot his first deer
*all eight of us eating a meal together
*hearing my children pray
*listening to my son explaining a revelation he received while reading the Word
*the look on another son's face when he got his drivers licence--something we all thought might never happen. He has autism.
The list is endless! All of the little moments etched in my memory bring much joy, reassurance and peace during the struggles. I have often asked God to burn a memory in my mind, I don't want to forget or overlook the little things. The big moments are planned, photographed and video taped. The unplanned joys are God's blessings during times of exhaustion, heartache, etc. Like sprinkles on ice cream.
James 1:2 reminds me to count everything as joy! The trails, hard times, EVERYTHING!.
Make a decision. Before the trials come, or in the middle of one, whatever they may be, determine, in the Name of Jesus, to find a glimpse of joy and sunshine in the midst of the storm. A bird sitting on the fence, a snow flake, a child laughing. Look for the the hint of happy. It will be there.
He is faithful.
Things I would put in the sunshine column:
*the seconds that a newborn baby smiled at me during a 4 am feeding when I was so exhausted I could barely see
*catching a toddler eat peanut with her hands out of the jar
*babies smiling in their sleep
*my boys heading down the driveway with their fishing gear
*going in at night to make sure all is well before going to bed myself and finding a big, dirty dog snuggled up on the pillow with my son
*watching from the window as my son kisses the horse and hugs her
*seeing my oldest coming off the plane from a six month mission program
*the sound of my son's voice over the phone announcing he shot his first deer
*all eight of us eating a meal together
*hearing my children pray
*listening to my son explaining a revelation he received while reading the Word
*the look on another son's face when he got his drivers licence--something we all thought might never happen. He has autism.
The list is endless! All of the little moments etched in my memory bring much joy, reassurance and peace during the struggles. I have often asked God to burn a memory in my mind, I don't want to forget or overlook the little things. The big moments are planned, photographed and video taped. The unplanned joys are God's blessings during times of exhaustion, heartache, etc. Like sprinkles on ice cream.
James 1:2 reminds me to count everything as joy! The trails, hard times, EVERYTHING!.
Make a decision. Before the trials come, or in the middle of one, whatever they may be, determine, in the Name of Jesus, to find a glimpse of joy and sunshine in the midst of the storm. A bird sitting on the fence, a snow flake, a child laughing. Look for the the hint of happy. It will be there.
He is faithful.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Seasons of Life
This excerpt is from Sally Clarkson's Feb 9 Blog. I read her book Educating the Wholehearted Child when it was first published. I still value it even though the pages have been turned so many times they are falling out. She is such an encourager.
Every season of life is necessary and beneficial.
Spring–time for rejoicing and saying, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Learning to celebrate life and all the spring seasons takes a choice of the heart and a submission to the limitations of each season.
Summer is a time for cultivating and gardening of the souls and planting seeds and foundations. Summer is just for a season and once the season is over, there is no more time to cultivate or garden–The window of opportunity to train and instruct and inspire in eternal values and great thoughts suddenly closes–so how important it is to really take advantage of that season and know just what you want to sow and how you want to immulate the reality of God and His character during that planting season.
Fall, is when one season of life is closing (toddlerhood, elementary, preteens, teenage and college) Falls are a time of readjusting expectations, choosing to be flexible with the life God brings and choosing to accept the harvest for what it is, while planning to be faithful to plant well the next summer season. Learning to accept those ideals that were never grasped and planning for how to continue forging a godly heritage in new seasons.
Winter–the season when all appears to be dead and the times are dark and sometimes overwhelming. During this season, the soul is deepened like in no other season–as roots are pushing downward into God’s word and sap is restoring by learning to wait patiently for God’s answers–and straining towards Him. In winter, souls are made and godliness and faith is forged–no one becomes seasoned and mature in faith or compassionate or ministry oriented without winters–they reveal the true character of our souls and stretch our faith.
http://itakejoy.wordpress.com/
http://wholeheart.org/whmain.php
Every season of life is necessary and beneficial.
Spring–time for rejoicing and saying, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Learning to celebrate life and all the spring seasons takes a choice of the heart and a submission to the limitations of each season.
Summer is a time for cultivating and gardening of the souls and planting seeds and foundations. Summer is just for a season and once the season is over, there is no more time to cultivate or garden–The window of opportunity to train and instruct and inspire in eternal values and great thoughts suddenly closes–so how important it is to really take advantage of that season and know just what you want to sow and how you want to immulate the reality of God and His character during that planting season.
Fall, is when one season of life is closing (toddlerhood, elementary, preteens, teenage and college) Falls are a time of readjusting expectations, choosing to be flexible with the life God brings and choosing to accept the harvest for what it is, while planning to be faithful to plant well the next summer season. Learning to accept those ideals that were never grasped and planning for how to continue forging a godly heritage in new seasons.
Winter–the season when all appears to be dead and the times are dark and sometimes overwhelming. During this season, the soul is deepened like in no other season–as roots are pushing downward into God’s word and sap is restoring by learning to wait patiently for God’s answers–and straining towards Him. In winter, souls are made and godliness and faith is forged–no one becomes seasoned and mature in faith or compassionate or ministry oriented without winters–they reveal the true character of our souls and stretch our faith.
http://itakejoy.wordpress.com/
http://wholeheart.org/whmain.php
Friday, March 14, 2008
Caterpillar Thoughts
Reading the Wisdom of the Caterpillar brought these scriptures to mind:
Ecclesiastes 3
1.To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2. A time to be born , and a time to die ; a time to plant , and a time to pluck up that which is planted ;
3. A time to kill , and a time to heal ; a time to break down , and a time to build up ;
4. A time to weep , and a time to laugh ; a time to mourn , and a time to dance ;
5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together ; a time to embrace , and a time to refrain from embracing ;
6. A time to get , and a time to lose ; a time to keep , and a time to cast away ;
7. A time to rend , and a time to sew ; a time to keep silence , and a time to speak ;
8. A time to love , and a time to hate ; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Philipians 3
11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Proverbs 3
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
(Funny, all three references are chapter 3. Biblically the number three has do do with completion .)
Ecclesiastes 3
1.To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2. A time to be born , and a time to die ; a time to plant , and a time to pluck up that which is planted ;
3. A time to kill , and a time to heal ; a time to break down , and a time to build up ;
4. A time to weep , and a time to laugh ; a time to mourn , and a time to dance ;
5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together ; a time to embrace , and a time to refrain from embracing ;
6. A time to get , and a time to lose ; a time to keep , and a time to cast away ;
7. A time to rend , and a time to sew ; a time to keep silence , and a time to speak ;
8. A time to love , and a time to hate ; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Philipians 3
11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Proverbs 3
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
(Funny, all three references are chapter 3. Biblically the number three has do do with completion .)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Wisdom of the Caterpillar
We do not change by trying to be what we are not, but by being fully what we are. This is the secret. We do not change by looking at the future, but by living the present. When I am fully and generously all that I can and want to be in the present moment, I begin to feel inwardly ready to pass on the to the next moment; when I am all I can be now, I spontaneously and obviously begin to be what I am to be next. The fullness of the present leads up by itself in to the newness of the future. Today flowers into tomorrow when it is fully today, not when it pretends to already tomorrow in impatient anticipation and undue haste. Thus change takes place precisely by not worrying about it, by not trying to forcibly to bring it about, by not imposing it, by not seeking it. Let me be fully what I am today, and I shall wake up in a new world tomorrow.
An example: We know that a caterpillar turns into a chrysalis, and a chrysalis into a butterfly, which is a nature lesson of wonderful change. Now, the caterpillar does not turn into a butterfly by trying to be a butterfly, by planning, scheming, endeavoring, or in any way contriving to be changed into a butterfly with colored wings and flying antennae. If it were to do that (as man would surely do if he were in its place) it would only ruin its chances and spoil its future. A caterpillar becomes a butterfly by being a good, honest, healthy, reliable caterpillar; that is, by being fully and genuinely what it is now, not by trying to be what it is not. The better that caterpillar, the better the butterfly. The stronger the present, the brighter the future. The way for me to learn to fly one day is to walk firmly with my feet on the ground today. Nothing is achieved by dreaming and longing and craving and crying. Only by being fully what am I am today can I get ready to be fully tomorrow what I can be tomorrow. My present stage fully lived is the best preparation for the next one. That is the wisdom of the caterpillar, and why it moves around contentedly at its leisurely pace. It trusts nature and it befriends time. It enjoys life crawling among the leaves and branches as one day it will enjoy life flying from flower to flower in the open sky. It is natures’ kingdom.
— Carlos G Valles
Fr Carlos is a Jesuit priest who has worked in India for nearly forty years.]
An example: We know that a caterpillar turns into a chrysalis, and a chrysalis into a butterfly, which is a nature lesson of wonderful change. Now, the caterpillar does not turn into a butterfly by trying to be a butterfly, by planning, scheming, endeavoring, or in any way contriving to be changed into a butterfly with colored wings and flying antennae. If it were to do that (as man would surely do if he were in its place) it would only ruin its chances and spoil its future. A caterpillar becomes a butterfly by being a good, honest, healthy, reliable caterpillar; that is, by being fully and genuinely what it is now, not by trying to be what it is not. The better that caterpillar, the better the butterfly. The stronger the present, the brighter the future. The way for me to learn to fly one day is to walk firmly with my feet on the ground today. Nothing is achieved by dreaming and longing and craving and crying. Only by being fully what am I am today can I get ready to be fully tomorrow what I can be tomorrow. My present stage fully lived is the best preparation for the next one. That is the wisdom of the caterpillar, and why it moves around contentedly at its leisurely pace. It trusts nature and it befriends time. It enjoys life crawling among the leaves and branches as one day it will enjoy life flying from flower to flower in the open sky. It is natures’ kingdom.
— Carlos G Valles
Fr Carlos is a Jesuit priest who has worked in India for nearly forty years.]
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Perfect Love
”Verily God is of infinite greatness more than we can think; ... unknowable by created things; and can never be comprehended by us as He is in Himself. But even here and now, whenever the heart begins to burn with a desire for God, she is made able to receive the uncreated light and, inspired and fulfilled by the gifts of the Holy Ghost, she tastes the joys of heaven. She transcends all visible things and is raised to the sweetness of eternal life....
Herein truly is perfect love; when all the intent of the mind, all the secret working of the heart, is lifted up into the love of God.”’
Richard Rolle
From Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
http://www.geocities.com/johncw7000/tozerknowledgeoftheholy.html
Herein truly is perfect love; when all the intent of the mind, all the secret working of the heart, is lifted up into the love of God.”’
Richard Rolle
From Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
http://www.geocities.com/johncw7000/tozerknowledgeoftheholy.html
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
A Word from Oswald
From Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest
DESERTER OR DISCIPLE?
December 29
"From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him." John 6:66
When God gives a vision by His Spirit through His word of what He wants, and your mind and soul thrill to it, if you do not walk in the light of that vision, you will sink into servitude to a point of view which Our Lord never had. Disobedience in mind to the heavenly vision will make you a slave to points of view that are alien to Jesus Christ.
Do not look at someone else and say - Well, if he can have those views and prosper, why cannot I? You have to walk in the light of the vision that has been given to you and not compare yourself with others or judge them, that is between them and God. When you find that a point of view in which you have been delighting clashes with the heavenly vision and you debate, certain things will begin to develop in you - a sense of property and a sense of personal right, things of which Jesus Christ made nothing. He was always against these things as being the root of everything alien to Himself. "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things that he possesseth." If we do not recognize this, it is because we are ignoring the undercurrent of Our Lord's teaching.
We are apt to lie back and bask in the memory of the wonderful experience we have had. If there is one standard in the New Testament revealed by the light of God and you do not come up to it, and do not feel inclined to come up to it, that is the beginning of backsliding, because it means your conscience does not answer to the truth. You can never be the same after the unveiling of a truth. That moment marks you for going on as a more true disciple of Jesus Christ or for going back as a deserter.
DESERTER OR DISCIPLE?
December 29
"From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him." John 6:66
When God gives a vision by His Spirit through His word of what He wants, and your mind and soul thrill to it, if you do not walk in the light of that vision, you will sink into servitude to a point of view which Our Lord never had. Disobedience in mind to the heavenly vision will make you a slave to points of view that are alien to Jesus Christ.
Do not look at someone else and say - Well, if he can have those views and prosper, why cannot I? You have to walk in the light of the vision that has been given to you and not compare yourself with others or judge them, that is between them and God. When you find that a point of view in which you have been delighting clashes with the heavenly vision and you debate, certain things will begin to develop in you - a sense of property and a sense of personal right, things of which Jesus Christ made nothing. He was always against these things as being the root of everything alien to Himself. "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things that he possesseth." If we do not recognize this, it is because we are ignoring the undercurrent of Our Lord's teaching.
We are apt to lie back and bask in the memory of the wonderful experience we have had. If there is one standard in the New Testament revealed by the light of God and you do not come up to it, and do not feel inclined to come up to it, that is the beginning of backsliding, because it means your conscience does not answer to the truth. You can never be the same after the unveiling of a truth. That moment marks you for going on as a more true disciple of Jesus Christ or for going back as a deserter.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Spiritual Giftings
A couple of months ago the thought came to me through the Holy Spirit that possibly it is not good for me to try and pin down my spiritual giftings. Maybe my idea of what God has specifically put me on this earth to do could keep me from doing other things he wants me to do that are outside of the specified giftings. I have heard many within the church say, "I cannot do this or that. It is not part of my calling and giftings." There have been occasions that I have questioned a direction the Lord seemed to be leading me because it did not line up with my ideas.
If I do as Jesus instructed in Matthew 22:37, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,'' and also whatever my hands find to do, do it with all my might (Ec 9:10) then there is no fear of missing my calling or my purpose.
When the Holy Spirit speaks a direction to me, there defintiely are things that I am more excited about doing than others or places I had rather go than others.
In absolute obedience I discover my giftings and callings.
" But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense." from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, March 4
Links to Oswald Chambers Devotionals
http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php (updated version)
http://www.myutmost.org/ (original version)
If I do as Jesus instructed in Matthew 22:37, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,'' and also whatever my hands find to do, do it with all my might (Ec 9:10) then there is no fear of missing my calling or my purpose.
When the Holy Spirit speaks a direction to me, there defintiely are things that I am more excited about doing than others or places I had rather go than others.
In absolute obedience I discover my giftings and callings.
" But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense." from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, March 4
Links to Oswald Chambers Devotionals
http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php (updated version)
http://www.myutmost.org/ (original version)
Friday, February 29, 2008
Ponderings on Holiness
- My holiness is a "walking out"- a process
- The completeness and wholeness is available without limit for me to walk in by God's grace- how much holiness will I choose?
- Do I have a limit to the degree to which I will follow Jesus?
- Is there a limit to my commitment?
- Will I do this, but not that?
- Do I put limits on the work I will allow God to do in my life?
To my sadness, my answer to many of these questions in all honesty is "yes." I limit what God can do in my life. I limit the closeness in our relationship.
I will always be incomplete-a work in progress. That is a fact for all of us as Believers. My goal is to move closer to Him daily. Looking more and more like Him with each step.
So I will accept the setbacks. Accept my human limitations. Hear from God. Act quickly to follow Him. Listen closely to the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Holy
Are you holy, as I Am Holy?
Do you seek not just My Hands,
But My Face?
Are you holy as I Am Holy?
Do you linger in My Presence;
Know My Mercy and My Grace?
Lord, Make me holy, as you are holy.
Then, I will seek not just Your Hands,
But Your Face.
I'll be holy, as You are holy.
I will linger in Your Presence;
Know Your Mercy and Your Grace.
Lord, I want to be holy.
As You are Holy.
Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
Leviticus 19:2 & I Peter 1:16
Within the meaning of the word holy is the idea of wholeness and completeness. We are made complete in Jesus.
Do you seek not just My Hands,
But My Face?
Are you holy as I Am Holy?
Do you linger in My Presence;
Know My Mercy and My Grace?
Lord, Make me holy, as you are holy.
Then, I will seek not just Your Hands,
But Your Face.
I'll be holy, as You are holy.
I will linger in Your Presence;
Know Your Mercy and Your Grace.
Lord, I want to be holy.
As You are Holy.
Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
Leviticus 19:2 & I Peter 1:16
Within the meaning of the word holy is the idea of wholeness and completeness. We are made complete in Jesus.
Glorify God
Be Glorified In The Heavens
Be Glorified In The Earth
Be Glorified In This Temple
Jesus, Oh Jesus
Be Thou Glorified
"....For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." I Corinthians 6:19, 20
"When we were born again, we were inwardly created to be a dwelling place of God...We were inwardly fashioned with rich spiritual ornamentations...Now live like the magnificently decorated cathedral of God's spirit you are." Rick Renner
Be Glorified In The Earth
Be Glorified In This Temple
Jesus, Oh Jesus
Be Thou Glorified
"....For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." I Corinthians 6:19, 20
"When we were born again, we were inwardly created to be a dwelling place of God...We were inwardly fashioned with rich spiritual ornamentations...Now live like the magnificently decorated cathedral of God's spirit you are." Rick Renner
Monday, February 25, 2008
His Righteousness
"So the Lord has rewarded me according to His righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight." Psalms 18:24
- If my righteousness was judged by man I would be destined to death.
- Do I consider others through HIS sight? Oh, Lord that I may see with your eyes.
- Jesus, Your obedience to the Father-Your suffering, death and resurrection-Your blood cleanses my hands.
- May I daily consider not only the cost of my salvation, but surrender and repent so that my life "...shall be blameless and innocent of transgression." Psalms 19:13
"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:14
Sunday, February 24, 2008
The Journey
I guess we, Believers, are all like Abraham going to a land we do not know. I never knew at the start what was going to happen. But does anyone? I suppose we have thoughts as to what we would like to happen or what we think might happen with our lives.
The journey itself though is a land we do not know. Stepping out in faith day by day. To be honest, I suppose I did not even know I was stepping out in faith. I was just going along, doing my best to obey God and living daily life...being a wife, caring for children, laundry, church, etc.
If I had known as a wife and mother at 21 that I was living a life based on faith I might have been afraid. Been so much more afraid than I was of making mistakes , of not pleasing God, of not being a godly wife and mother. It is kind of like when you ride a roller coaster. You get off then look back at what you just did. Oh my! Did I really go down that hill? Did I really turn upside down? What was I thinking?
Reality: I did it and it is fine. It is not that no thought went into the process. I went to the theme park, bought a ticket, stood in line in the sweltering Texas heat for 45 minutes and got on the roller coaster that had warning signs about heart conditions. And now I am surprised at what I did! That still amazes me...that we don't know what we have actually done until it is done.
Faith: Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. (Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary)
Trust is the key. I choose to trust the Lord in ALL things. Every huge accomlishment, every baby step is only through trust and the grace of God.
Hebrews Chapter 1 verses 1-3 The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. 2 The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. 3 By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see. (The Message)
This life full of serving God is an awesome journey.
The journey itself though is a land we do not know. Stepping out in faith day by day. To be honest, I suppose I did not even know I was stepping out in faith. I was just going along, doing my best to obey God and living daily life...being a wife, caring for children, laundry, church, etc.
If I had known as a wife and mother at 21 that I was living a life based on faith I might have been afraid. Been so much more afraid than I was of making mistakes , of not pleasing God, of not being a godly wife and mother. It is kind of like when you ride a roller coaster. You get off then look back at what you just did. Oh my! Did I really go down that hill? Did I really turn upside down? What was I thinking?
Reality: I did it and it is fine. It is not that no thought went into the process. I went to the theme park, bought a ticket, stood in line in the sweltering Texas heat for 45 minutes and got on the roller coaster that had warning signs about heart conditions. And now I am surprised at what I did! That still amazes me...that we don't know what we have actually done until it is done.
Faith: Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. (Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary)
Trust is the key. I choose to trust the Lord in ALL things. Every huge accomlishment, every baby step is only through trust and the grace of God.
Hebrews Chapter 1 verses 1-3 The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. 2 The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. 3 By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see. (The Message)
This life full of serving God is an awesome journey.
Friday, February 22, 2008
More and More
The more answers I get from the Lord, the more I understand about Him, the more prayers He answers before I hardly ask, the more I seek Him.
Since arriving in Basel a month ago I have had no phone and very limited Internet access. I don't speak German, so my daily conversations with folks on this earth are minimal. The tv is in German, only CNN is in English. American news from a British perspective. No radio-you have to pay for it here. No meetings to attend. The children do not have lessons to be driven to and fro. A small apartment requires little up keep. Few possessions that require care. No garden to tend.
It took God moving me 5000 miles from what is familiar to slow me down, to regain focus I have not had in over 15 years. I can remember a time when I put my first two little ones down for a nap each day and spent time with the Lord. Intentional, purposeful time. I would read the Word and just listen.
After we had been here less than two weeks, Landon stated that when we return to Oklahoma we should get rid of all of the stuff we don't use. He realizes the simplicity.
Now, I am back to having intentional, focused, undistributed time with the Lord. In His goodness, because I did not make time for Him, He created an environment in which I do not have to make time. I don't have carve out a little place for Him. We, my Father and I, are in a wide open place. It is like sitting at a ten foot long banquet table. Him at the head and me at the other end. The feast before me beautifully prepared. I drink from His cup and eat of His bread. He gives generously. An unending meal. Silver trays, one after another, with every question, need and concern met.
I whisper my needs and He replies. The sweet voice of the Holy Spirit.
The book of Acts chapter 2 verse 33 : "Moreover, he has been exalted to the right hand of God; has received from the Father what he promised, namely, the Ruach HaKodesh; and has poured out this gift, which you are both seeing and hearing. "
This is a place I never want to leave. Not this physical place, this relationship.
Listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3GijrnfStk
Since arriving in Basel a month ago I have had no phone and very limited Internet access. I don't speak German, so my daily conversations with folks on this earth are minimal. The tv is in German, only CNN is in English. American news from a British perspective. No radio-you have to pay for it here. No meetings to attend. The children do not have lessons to be driven to and fro. A small apartment requires little up keep. Few possessions that require care. No garden to tend.
It took God moving me 5000 miles from what is familiar to slow me down, to regain focus I have not had in over 15 years. I can remember a time when I put my first two little ones down for a nap each day and spent time with the Lord. Intentional, purposeful time. I would read the Word and just listen.
After we had been here less than two weeks, Landon stated that when we return to Oklahoma we should get rid of all of the stuff we don't use. He realizes the simplicity.
Now, I am back to having intentional, focused, undistributed time with the Lord. In His goodness, because I did not make time for Him, He created an environment in which I do not have to make time. I don't have carve out a little place for Him. We, my Father and I, are in a wide open place. It is like sitting at a ten foot long banquet table. Him at the head and me at the other end. The feast before me beautifully prepared. I drink from His cup and eat of His bread. He gives generously. An unending meal. Silver trays, one after another, with every question, need and concern met.
I whisper my needs and He replies. The sweet voice of the Holy Spirit.
The book of Acts chapter 2 verse 33 : "Moreover, he has been exalted to the right hand of God; has received from the Father what he promised, namely, the Ruach HaKodesh; and has poured out this gift, which you are both seeing and hearing. "
This is a place I never want to leave. Not this physical place, this relationship.
Listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3GijrnfStk
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