Like the poor pilgrim of John Bunyan's allegory, I have been carrying a burden. That burden is the knowledge of my denial of Christ. I am so like Peter. Zest for Christ. Denial in trials. Bitter tears in truth.
"You aren't one of this man's disciples too, are you?" she asked Peter.
He replied, "I am not."
John 18:17
Again, like Peter the denial was in my words and actions. Declaring loudly, "I am not." ....just as clear as if those had been my exact words. Meaning conveyed. My heart didn't. My mind didn't. YET in focusing on me and my circumstance....I left the Counselor and fretted to boil. Battling the weak flesh gate and not asking for the Holy Spirit to be strong in my weakness, my family witnessed what a Christ follower doesn't say or do. I praise my Jesus, THE MERCIFUL, for rescuing me from self justification and worldly standards. To the world it would be nothing, but to Christ disappointment and grief. I know Truth. It pains me. But TRUTH has the power of the CROSS. I am so unworthy of the call to follow in His Steps. Who am I, to disciple anyone? Can glory really be found in my flesh. Even in denial.
So they asked him, "You aren't one of his disciples too, are you?"
He denied it, saying, "I am not."
...."Didn't I see you with him in the garden?"
Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
John 18:25-26
I think it did take three melt downs drowning in outbursts for me to hear the rooster crow this week. The first was brushed off my shoulders as mild and justified. The second was mended and a bit justified. The third time, my heart was crushed with conviction. I'm sure more sin was in my life this week, but God had His focus of surgery. He got out the Big Knife!
"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD:
Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn:"
Isaiah 51:1
I believe denial takes many forms. Living Truth or not. Am I in agreement with the WORD? Is this what Jesus would do or say? Did I ask my Lord? Did I seek my Lord? Did I wait upon my Lord? Am I really following? Is any part of my life off limits to following? Do I reflect Jesus? Do I bring Him glory? Do I lift Him up drawing others to Him?
Ezra had committed himself to studying the Revelation of GOD, to living it, and to teaching Israel to live its truths and ways.
Ezra 7:10 The Message
"This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is."
John 3:19 The Message
It isn't just sin...It's to DENY the CHRIST. The Holy Spirit has made it easy for me to understand without all the static of feelings or rationalization interfering. Late as I am to seek Him. HE IS FAITHFUL to hear and bless me with understanding, offer peace, restoration and a little heart to heart with Himself, The Creator.
Psalm 85 The Message
God, you smiled on your good earth! You brought good times back to Jacob!
You lifted the cloud of guilt from your people,
you put their sins far out of sight.
You took back your sin-provoked threats,
you cooled your hot, righteous anger.
Help us again, God of our help;
don't hold a grudge against us forever.
You aren't going to keep this up, are you?
scowling and angry, year after year?
Why not help us make a fresh start-a resurrection life?
Then your people will laugh and sing!
Show us how much you love us, GOD!
Give us the salvation we need!
I can't wait to hear what he'll say.
GOD's about to pronounce his people well,
The holy people he loves so much,
so they'll never again live like fools.
See how close his salvation is to those who fear him?
Our country is home base for Glory!
Love and Truth meet in the street,
Right Living and Whole Living embrace and kiss!
Truth sprouts green from the ground,
Right Living pours down from the skies!
Oh yes! GOD gives Goodness and Beauty;
our land responds with Bounty and Blessing.
Right Living strides out before him,
and clears a path for his passage.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
What's Got Ta GO?
After two moves and now preparing for a garage sale I am constantly asking, "What's got ta go?" Such a simple question with emotional answers.
I would not have most of the stuff in my home unless I liked it or felt some kind of emotional need to keep or use it. There are many corners of my home with treasures brought to me by loved ones. There are many items I've collected myself. There are things that hold memories of my family. There are even some things that inspire dreams.
Now there is simply too much stuff in my home. I'm not a hoarder but there is clutter. Enough clutter to keep me from living the way I want to. We've settled in a blessed home that meets all our needs and is very comfortable. Our future has begun. And that is something to dance about!
A year and a half ago I sold everything I could part with at that time. We stuffed the remainder in a rental house and used the garage for storage. Who knew what our future home would be like? Now we know and it won't all fit. Ok....I have stuffed it in physically and packed in the garage. It's not quite the beauty I have envisioned this way. So. What's gottttaaaaa go???
Going from a large home with ABUNDANT storage to a home with a limited amount is an emotional brick wall. Just learning to think differently is a brain freeze. Storage has never been a real issue for me in the past, even with the school stuff!
I am pleased with my progress but it just ain't enough. Now the pain is setting in with questions like:
The BIG question the LORD is asking me in this season is, "Daughter, look in your heart...What's gotta go?" Ouch! He knows me so well, teaching me something externally to bring change internally. The sweeping away of stuff is not really material but emotional for me. So what is the emotional stuff hidden in the corners of my heart that I'm cherishing? That need to go? I discover His desire for me to be part of the process. Freewill offerings. All of my surroundings belong to Him. All of my heart belongs to Him. He could just command it, take it, even destroy it. He doesn't. He wants me to find it, ask the questions, flesh it out and offer it up. Freewill offering.
All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do. Exodus 35:29
My heart stuff could be really good stuff but in the way of what the LORD wants to do with me now. He is up to a new thing in me. I need to let go of.......what? It could be some trash I keep packing in my mind and drag with me everywhere. THAT sounds good to let go. Even a no brainer. Discerning between good stuff......aww that is hard and emotionally draining.
The LORD is my treasure. I can store all my memories in Him. All my dreams. All my projects!
Search me, God and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23
Search me and show me what's gotta go LORD. I know it's gonna hurt and I might even mourn a bit. I trust you to bless my efforts. Encourage me by not showing me more than I can bear at a time.
There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to make love and another to abstain,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,
A right time to love and another to hate,
A right time to wage war and another to make peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 The Message
It's the Right Time! It's God's appointed time for me. Just knowing the truth of that sets my heart to the tasks before me.
I would not have most of the stuff in my home unless I liked it or felt some kind of emotional need to keep or use it. There are many corners of my home with treasures brought to me by loved ones. There are many items I've collected myself. There are things that hold memories of my family. There are even some things that inspire dreams.
Now there is simply too much stuff in my home. I'm not a hoarder but there is clutter. Enough clutter to keep me from living the way I want to. We've settled in a blessed home that meets all our needs and is very comfortable. Our future has begun. And that is something to dance about!
A year and a half ago I sold everything I could part with at that time. We stuffed the remainder in a rental house and used the garage for storage. Who knew what our future home would be like? Now we know and it won't all fit. Ok....I have stuffed it in physically and packed in the garage. It's not quite the beauty I have envisioned this way. So. What's gottttaaaaa go???
Going from a large home with ABUNDANT storage to a home with a limited amount is an emotional brick wall. Just learning to think differently is a brain freeze. Storage has never been a real issue for me in the past, even with the school stuff!
I am pleased with my progress but it just ain't enough. Now the pain is setting in with questions like:
- Will I really know it's gone?
- Before leaving our previous home did I use it at least at holidays?
- Do I have something else to use?
- Do I need this many?
- How many guest will I really have in this house at a time?
- Does it need repaired?
- Do I have the same taste in this home as the last?
- Why am I keeping it? For me or someone else?
- Where am I gonna put it?
- How many projects do I have?
- Do I really need this to see or touch for keepsakes? How many?
- If I let it go will my dreams go with it?
- Is this blocking the future?
- Do I just love it?
- Does it make me smile? Do I need it to smile?
- Does it help me with accountability?
The BIG question the LORD is asking me in this season is, "Daughter, look in your heart...What's gotta go?" Ouch! He knows me so well, teaching me something externally to bring change internally. The sweeping away of stuff is not really material but emotional for me. So what is the emotional stuff hidden in the corners of my heart that I'm cherishing? That need to go? I discover His desire for me to be part of the process. Freewill offerings. All of my surroundings belong to Him. All of my heart belongs to Him. He could just command it, take it, even destroy it. He doesn't. He wants me to find it, ask the questions, flesh it out and offer it up. Freewill offering.
All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do. Exodus 35:29
My heart stuff could be really good stuff but in the way of what the LORD wants to do with me now. He is up to a new thing in me. I need to let go of.......what? It could be some trash I keep packing in my mind and drag with me everywhere. THAT sounds good to let go. Even a no brainer. Discerning between good stuff......aww that is hard and emotionally draining.
The LORD is my treasure. I can store all my memories in Him. All my dreams. All my projects!
Search me, God and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23
Search me and show me what's gotta go LORD. I know it's gonna hurt and I might even mourn a bit. I trust you to bless my efforts. Encourage me by not showing me more than I can bear at a time.
There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to make love and another to abstain,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,
A right time to love and another to hate,
A right time to wage war and another to make peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 The Message
It's the Right Time! It's God's appointed time for me. Just knowing the truth of that sets my heart to the tasks before me.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Jump Beloved
When Jesus heard him (her), he stopped and said, "Tell him (her) to come here."
So they called the blind man (woman). "Cheer up," they said. "Come on, he's calling you!" Bartimaeus threw aside his (her) coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked.
"My rabbi," the blind man (woman) said, "I want to see!"
Mark 10:49-51
I am so excited! The LORD is calling me. Calling me to jump! Bouncing images clutter all my thoughts creating bubbles of youth in the aged fog of stale life. Who am I to say it's too late, it won't matter, it serves no purpose. The plate is served before me. Will I eat? YES! And it feels like rain refreshing my soul. Just knowing there is still life ahead. Adventure.
Until the time came to fulfill his dreams,
the LORD tested Joseph's character.
Psalm 105:19
The time for dreaming is not past. I love my life and feel blessed everyday. But it is a life laid out before me day in and day out. What is next. Is this all I've been called to? Most days I believe it is.....some days I'm not allowed to wonder if there could have been more. Surrounded by limits. Many questions of HOW???? Even Why?
He whispers in my heart, "Because I want to." He wants to? Well that settles is.
He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purposed and grace. This grace was given in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
2 Timothy 1:9
Sure.... So will this be another round of sacrifice and discipline, a call to faith? That is just draining my energy. Wait, I know that voice..........
Get behind me Satan!
Could this be some of the joy set before me? Dare I hope?
He whispers again, "Let me fill your heart. Let me romance my beloved."
Wooooah. me? now? I need to clean up a bit first.
"Yeah, you do. Take off your past dreams and put on mine I've created for you."
"Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."
Exodus 3:5
I have been stuck. Limiting possibilities by what I can see. By what I understand. So grown up and mature with loss of child like faith. Perhaps the child like face He wants to see on me is that of hope and delight in the future. Adoringly, Worshipfully looking to HIM, My Hero, My Love. A future where He makes the rules, where He is in control. Where nothing is impossible for the LORD. And I can do all things in Christ.
This I say, therefore, and testify in the LORD, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
Ephesians 4:17-18
So what will I do with the gift of living the adventure? Will I make excuses? Will I stay focused on the past? Will I blame others for blocking or holding me back? Will I have faith? Will I say yes to what I don't completely understand, even if the prospect both scares and thrills me? Will I reject Him?
Will I trust JESUS enough to take His Hand and JUMP? I am looking at all the reasons it won't work or isn't practical or maybe even selfish. Is the enemy trying to put a stop to it? Am I gonna let him?
I am at peace. And that is HUGE! My God is ABLE. If this is His WILL, i am ready!!! I have no idea how it will all work out. The blessing of such a fit. ONLY Jesus knows me like that!
HE has had me in a strong season of servanthood and obedience and humility. He has looked me in the eye day after day calling truth in and out of my soul. I continue to wrestle with Him like Jacob....until He blesses me. Now with many limps.....perhaps I am ready. Now, aged and seasoned like Moses...perhaps I am ready. Now that I can't credit anything or anyone else...perhaps I am ready. How many time does He say, "and then you will know that I AM The LORD." Have I been brought through so much to know HE IS the LORD?
Maybe it isn't what I think it is. Maybe the gift is looking at tomorrow differently. Looking to Him with a child like faith. Maybe He is just teaching me to say yes without questioning with a ready, expectant life.
The children know there are three parts to obedience. No exceptions. You miss one part and you've disobeyed. First time. Completely. Attitude. Is this the lesson for me, again? It's just not whole with a part missing.
For merely listening to the law doesn't make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.
Romans 2:13
The child is not to question, argue or demand explanations prior to obeying. THIS is very hard. I am happy to explain at a different time. Or I may choose this as a teaching time. This takes faith on their part and trust in me or in the LORD. It's very hard for me too. I really can't obey any better than my children if I don't choose to trust and know HE IS the LORD.
Again the LORD humbles Himself to this lowly flawed woman and beckons my hand, "Trust ME. I AM. Fear Not. Lean not on your own understanding. JUMP my darling!"
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:20-21
So they called the blind man (woman). "Cheer up," they said. "Come on, he's calling you!" Bartimaeus threw aside his (her) coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked.
"My rabbi," the blind man (woman) said, "I want to see!"
Mark 10:49-51
I am so excited! The LORD is calling me. Calling me to jump! Bouncing images clutter all my thoughts creating bubbles of youth in the aged fog of stale life. Who am I to say it's too late, it won't matter, it serves no purpose. The plate is served before me. Will I eat? YES! And it feels like rain refreshing my soul. Just knowing there is still life ahead. Adventure.
Until the time came to fulfill his dreams,
the LORD tested Joseph's character.
Psalm 105:19
The time for dreaming is not past. I love my life and feel blessed everyday. But it is a life laid out before me day in and day out. What is next. Is this all I've been called to? Most days I believe it is.....some days I'm not allowed to wonder if there could have been more. Surrounded by limits. Many questions of HOW???? Even Why?
He whispers in my heart, "Because I want to." He wants to? Well that settles is.
He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purposed and grace. This grace was given in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
2 Timothy 1:9
Sure.... So will this be another round of sacrifice and discipline, a call to faith? That is just draining my energy. Wait, I know that voice..........
Get behind me Satan!
Could this be some of the joy set before me? Dare I hope?
He whispers again, "Let me fill your heart. Let me romance my beloved."
Wooooah. me? now? I need to clean up a bit first.
"Yeah, you do. Take off your past dreams and put on mine I've created for you."
"Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."
Exodus 3:5
I have been stuck. Limiting possibilities by what I can see. By what I understand. So grown up and mature with loss of child like faith. Perhaps the child like face He wants to see on me is that of hope and delight in the future. Adoringly, Worshipfully looking to HIM, My Hero, My Love. A future where He makes the rules, where He is in control. Where nothing is impossible for the LORD. And I can do all things in Christ.
This I say, therefore, and testify in the LORD, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
Ephesians 4:17-18
So what will I do with the gift of living the adventure? Will I make excuses? Will I stay focused on the past? Will I blame others for blocking or holding me back? Will I have faith? Will I say yes to what I don't completely understand, even if the prospect both scares and thrills me? Will I reject Him?
Will I trust JESUS enough to take His Hand and JUMP? I am looking at all the reasons it won't work or isn't practical or maybe even selfish. Is the enemy trying to put a stop to it? Am I gonna let him?
I am at peace. And that is HUGE! My God is ABLE. If this is His WILL, i am ready!!! I have no idea how it will all work out. The blessing of such a fit. ONLY Jesus knows me like that!
HE has had me in a strong season of servanthood and obedience and humility. He has looked me in the eye day after day calling truth in and out of my soul. I continue to wrestle with Him like Jacob....until He blesses me. Now with many limps.....perhaps I am ready. Now, aged and seasoned like Moses...perhaps I am ready. Now that I can't credit anything or anyone else...perhaps I am ready. How many time does He say, "and then you will know that I AM The LORD." Have I been brought through so much to know HE IS the LORD?
Maybe it isn't what I think it is. Maybe the gift is looking at tomorrow differently. Looking to Him with a child like faith. Maybe He is just teaching me to say yes without questioning with a ready, expectant life.
The children know there are three parts to obedience. No exceptions. You miss one part and you've disobeyed. First time. Completely. Attitude. Is this the lesson for me, again? It's just not whole with a part missing.
For merely listening to the law doesn't make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.
Romans 2:13
The child is not to question, argue or demand explanations prior to obeying. THIS is very hard. I am happy to explain at a different time. Or I may choose this as a teaching time. This takes faith on their part and trust in me or in the LORD. It's very hard for me too. I really can't obey any better than my children if I don't choose to trust and know HE IS the LORD.
Again the LORD humbles Himself to this lowly flawed woman and beckons my hand, "Trust ME. I AM. Fear Not. Lean not on your own understanding. JUMP my darling!"
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:20-21
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Carved To Beautify
Psalm 144:12b
...that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: KJV
May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace. NLT
Our daughters will be like pillars that have been made to decorate a palace. NIrV
...our daughters as sculptured corner pillars hewn like those of a palace; AMP
Our daughters as shapely and bright as fields of wildflowers. MSG
My oldest daughter is at camp this week and I am missing her. She is truly a love of my life. In fact I was in love with her for years before her birth. I often wonder if the journey that brought us together, was for me to understand more deeply, how God loved me before I was born. After all I am believing Jesus died for me over 2000 years ago. And all those promises in His Word are for me. Did He really have me in mind? I know the right answer but do I know it to be life changing. Does it define who I am?
My daughter's identity is defined by who I am and my love for her. She is her own person, with her own responses. Yet it is my love, care and provision for her....both now and before she was born that gives her life choices and ability to live purposefully, with joy, with freedom, without fear. Without me....she would use up all her self to meet her needs and still not be able to meet them.
Do I use up all of myself trying to meet my needs and still not be able to meet them. Sometimes. Do I forget who I am? Do I forget how much Jesus the KING loves me. Father God. His Spirit.
Then I remember how my heart and life prepared the way for my daughter... and so rest in knowing, not only the possibility but the reality of God's unconditional love for me. A love that is so strong it was completely formed and solidified before my birth. Before my sin.
Response is all He desires. It's all I desire from my own daughter. I crave a long standing deep relationship with her. Not perfection. I want to be in her life. I want her to know me. I want to know her. I want to share life with her joys, sorrows, pain, victories, tears, concerns, worries, fears, hurts,celebrations, hugs, hopes, dreams and faith. I want the best for her. I am willing to sacrifice for her. My desire is to bless her. My love for her is unconditional. I miss her when she isn't around or any loss of communication. I want her to trust me. Trust my love for her. Love me. It really isn't difficult. Why do we make it more than that with the LORD?
I rejoice that we are daughters of the KING. May HE continue polishing, carving, sculpting us into beauty. Carved to beautify. The graceful heart that needs to grow in me is to say thank you when I want to say OUCH! Carved to beautify ya know! That word carve scares me a bit. Blood and pain and loss begin to dance around in my head leaving only small amounts of space for contemplating what comes next. I can become so fixated on the now of being carved, I lose faith. Graceful Faith. The kind of faith that makes me beautiful. Carve away LORD. I'm ready though my eyes are squeezing shut! I am so glad you love me. May the LORD continue to raise me and help me join Him raising His Daughters that I am blesses with.
Graceful pillars of His Palace! Pillars are structurally important to the rest of the construction. We stand with The Corner Stone. In fact He is asking us to be as He is. (Be Holy because He IS Holy) He desires to see our beauty. He desires us with Him. And each other. He has loved us and shown us how to stand and be beautiful. He's been waiting for each of us for a very long time. Love secure. Faithful. Carved to Beautify.
...that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: KJV
May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace. NLT
Our daughters will be like pillars that have been made to decorate a palace. NIrV
...our daughters as sculptured corner pillars hewn like those of a palace; AMP
Our daughters as shapely and bright as fields of wildflowers. MSG
My oldest daughter is at camp this week and I am missing her. She is truly a love of my life. In fact I was in love with her for years before her birth. I often wonder if the journey that brought us together, was for me to understand more deeply, how God loved me before I was born. After all I am believing Jesus died for me over 2000 years ago. And all those promises in His Word are for me. Did He really have me in mind? I know the right answer but do I know it to be life changing. Does it define who I am?
My daughter's identity is defined by who I am and my love for her. She is her own person, with her own responses. Yet it is my love, care and provision for her....both now and before she was born that gives her life choices and ability to live purposefully, with joy, with freedom, without fear. Without me....she would use up all her self to meet her needs and still not be able to meet them.
Do I use up all of myself trying to meet my needs and still not be able to meet them. Sometimes. Do I forget who I am? Do I forget how much Jesus the KING loves me. Father God. His Spirit.
Then I remember how my heart and life prepared the way for my daughter... and so rest in knowing, not only the possibility but the reality of God's unconditional love for me. A love that is so strong it was completely formed and solidified before my birth. Before my sin.
Response is all He desires. It's all I desire from my own daughter. I crave a long standing deep relationship with her. Not perfection. I want to be in her life. I want her to know me. I want to know her. I want to share life with her joys, sorrows, pain, victories, tears, concerns, worries, fears, hurts,celebrations, hugs, hopes, dreams and faith. I want the best for her. I am willing to sacrifice for her. My desire is to bless her. My love for her is unconditional. I miss her when she isn't around or any loss of communication. I want her to trust me. Trust my love for her. Love me. It really isn't difficult. Why do we make it more than that with the LORD?
I rejoice that we are daughters of the KING. May HE continue polishing, carving, sculpting us into beauty. Carved to beautify. The graceful heart that needs to grow in me is to say thank you when I want to say OUCH! Carved to beautify ya know! That word carve scares me a bit. Blood and pain and loss begin to dance around in my head leaving only small amounts of space for contemplating what comes next. I can become so fixated on the now of being carved, I lose faith. Graceful Faith. The kind of faith that makes me beautiful. Carve away LORD. I'm ready though my eyes are squeezing shut! I am so glad you love me. May the LORD continue to raise me and help me join Him raising His Daughters that I am blesses with.
Graceful pillars of His Palace! Pillars are structurally important to the rest of the construction. We stand with The Corner Stone. In fact He is asking us to be as He is. (Be Holy because He IS Holy) He desires to see our beauty. He desires us with Him. And each other. He has loved us and shown us how to stand and be beautiful. He's been waiting for each of us for a very long time. Love secure. Faithful. Carved to Beautify.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Out Of The Water
She named him Moses, saying, "I drew him out of the water."
Exodus 2:10
What do others call you? What do you call yourself? Who are you really? Does the name fit? A little baby saved was called Out Of The Water. Are we called the same? Am I known as Out Of The Water?
I find the events of Moses' life with water sprinkled everywhere quite humorous. When the Israelites were complaining about a lack of water to Out Of The Water is especially ironic. That God would use Out Of The Water to lead His People through the water is another.
Did they grumble "Hey there Water (for short), where's the water? Water, we are thirsty? Water Boy!"
or
"OUT OF THE WATER, there is water blocking our escape! We are going to die! There is no hope OUT OF THE WATER, Out Of The Water!!!!"
How the Lord allows humor to penetrate my heart. How often my faith walk sounds just so to heavenly ears.
Jesus is the Living Water. Yet even he was baptised and scripture records the same Out Of The Water beginning HIS ministry. Out Of The Water is again with the Ethiopian's baptism leading him back to evangelise his homeland. Out Of The Water is a phrase we are familiar with. But have we lost it's meaning with just that familiarity?
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
Matthew 3:16
Do we consider it a moment or a beginning. Do we consider it an action alone and not a naming. Is Out Of The Water the name we wear. Is it the name we answer to? Is it the name we sign to our words. Is it who we are?
Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
Mark 1:10
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 8:39
The next time I'm dealing with grumbling, I'm remembering Out Of The Water. Moses. Jesus. The Ethiopian. Salvation, Ministry, Evangelism. Just like Moses we are to be Out Of The Water everyday. Moses' name wasn't changed. For each of the main seasons of his life the name remained the same. The forty in Egypt, the forty as a shepherd, the forty leading Israel through the wilderness to the promised land. There was no escaping the name and calling. There was no limiting God's abilities. There was no hiding God's glory.
Harriet Tubman was known as the Moses of the South. Are you known as a Moses, as Out Of The Water? Am I?
I'm thinking folks referenced Noah as Out Of The Water. As I continue growing in scripture I am sure many more will surface as Out Of The Water! And go on my way rejoicing!
Exodus 2:10
What do others call you? What do you call yourself? Who are you really? Does the name fit? A little baby saved was called Out Of The Water. Are we called the same? Am I known as Out Of The Water?
I find the events of Moses' life with water sprinkled everywhere quite humorous. When the Israelites were complaining about a lack of water to Out Of The Water is especially ironic. That God would use Out Of The Water to lead His People through the water is another.
Did they grumble "Hey there Water (for short), where's the water? Water, we are thirsty? Water Boy!"
or
"OUT OF THE WATER, there is water blocking our escape! We are going to die! There is no hope OUT OF THE WATER, Out Of The Water!!!!"
How the Lord allows humor to penetrate my heart. How often my faith walk sounds just so to heavenly ears.
Jesus is the Living Water. Yet even he was baptised and scripture records the same Out Of The Water beginning HIS ministry. Out Of The Water is again with the Ethiopian's baptism leading him back to evangelise his homeland. Out Of The Water is a phrase we are familiar with. But have we lost it's meaning with just that familiarity?
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
Matthew 3:16
Do we consider it a moment or a beginning. Do we consider it an action alone and not a naming. Is Out Of The Water the name we wear. Is it the name we answer to? Is it the name we sign to our words. Is it who we are?
Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
Mark 1:10
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 8:39
The next time I'm dealing with grumbling, I'm remembering Out Of The Water. Moses. Jesus. The Ethiopian. Salvation, Ministry, Evangelism. Just like Moses we are to be Out Of The Water everyday. Moses' name wasn't changed. For each of the main seasons of his life the name remained the same. The forty in Egypt, the forty as a shepherd, the forty leading Israel through the wilderness to the promised land. There was no escaping the name and calling. There was no limiting God's abilities. There was no hiding God's glory.
Harriet Tubman was known as the Moses of the South. Are you known as a Moses, as Out Of The Water? Am I?
I'm thinking folks referenced Noah as Out Of The Water. As I continue growing in scripture I am sure many more will surface as Out Of The Water! And go on my way rejoicing!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Totally?
He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Titus 2:14
Words that come to mind at the thought of totally are:
He took all the bad away and freed me from the prison of no choice. He gives me a choice everyday. Every hour. Every minute. Every moment.
I am planning to reflect upon this list of making the idea of totally a reality that grows from the inside out. The war in me is already over. These feet of clay just do not have total faith. He is taking notice of each breath that brings me closer to TOTALLY DEVOTED.
And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed.
Mark 5:42
They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage! I am here! Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn't understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.
Mark 6:50-52
How I want to be like the little girl.....standing and walking in faith despite any circumstance. That really would cause on lookers near and far to be totally amazed!
Yet, what it seems I repeatedly need to hear is, "don't be afraid, take courage". Constant reassurances that HE IS HERE. Does it really all come down to my heart being too hard to take it in?
I have found myself in a season of "good works". My heart is not totally committed. In fact many days it's down right hard. That means living in law and not grace with a heart of flesh. Not FREE.
Jesus paid for my freedom to do just the kind of good works he has given me.
Sorry LORD for disappointing you. Thank you for showing me truth to set me free.
Titus 2:14
Words that come to mind at the thought of totally are:
- completely
- all
- thoroughly
- unconditionally
- utterly
- wholeheartedly
- entirely
- fully
- exclusively
- exhaustively
- comprehensively
- competently
- effectively
- undividedly
- without omission
- alone
- plumb
- uniquely
- without reservation
- carefully
- faithfully
- truthfully
- positively
- rigorously
- radically
- uncommonly
- purely
- only
- right
- genuinely
- clear
- simply
- to the core
- heartily
- profoundly
- deeply
- inside out
He took all the bad away and freed me from the prison of no choice. He gives me a choice everyday. Every hour. Every minute. Every moment.
I am planning to reflect upon this list of making the idea of totally a reality that grows from the inside out. The war in me is already over. These feet of clay just do not have total faith. He is taking notice of each breath that brings me closer to TOTALLY DEVOTED.
And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed.
Mark 5:42
They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage! I am here! Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn't understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.
Mark 6:50-52
How I want to be like the little girl.....standing and walking in faith despite any circumstance. That really would cause on lookers near and far to be totally amazed!
Yet, what it seems I repeatedly need to hear is, "don't be afraid, take courage". Constant reassurances that HE IS HERE. Does it really all come down to my heart being too hard to take it in?
I have found myself in a season of "good works". My heart is not totally committed. In fact many days it's down right hard. That means living in law and not grace with a heart of flesh. Not FREE.
Jesus paid for my freedom to do just the kind of good works he has given me.
Sorry LORD for disappointing you. Thank you for showing me truth to set me free.
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