God is good. God is a Father. God is a good gift giver.
He gives the gifts that are good for our heart. He enjoys it too! Think of a someone wanting to throw a huge surprise party for special person they love. That is how God loves to give. He eagerly waits to answer our cry, our heart's cry. Our heart's desires.
"Therefore the Lord waits, that He may be gracious to you." Isaiah 30:18
Sometimes this seems so far off. Difficult things happen. Our dreams get crushed. Our hearts are tested. Are we in this just to get the gift or to know the Gift Giver? We give our weak yes in the hard season, fighting off the temptation to give up on hope.
But, the truth remains. He gives us the desires of our hearts. He knows it will renew us and refresh us and keep us encouraged for the long haul, as it says in Psalm 103: " [He] who satisfies your soul with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Many have said that this describes the process of the eagle who continually comes to the rock and hits his talons on the ROCK to break off the dead skin. Soon, after the breaking, new, youthful skin appears.
It feels this way in some seasons. Constantly coming again and again to the place of testing. Our endurance getting strengthened. Constantly coming to the ROCK. Our patience being formed. Constantly getting crushed. Our faith being refined. And then finally, change occurs and behold . . . the new thing appears.
As we choose in the mundane or difficult season to "Delight ourself in the Lord . . . " secretly, quietly, intricately, He is planning. He is waiting. "And He shall give you the desires of your heart". And it will be good. And it will be refreshing. And it will be fulfilling.
God is good. God is a Father. God is a good gift giver.
"A tender reed He will not break . . ." Matthew 12:20. The writings of a weak mom daily learning to lean on her One True King.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Making a WAY in the Wilderness
Years ago, I found myself smack dab in the middle of a wilderness. Maybe you couldn't tell by looking because much of my "wilderness" consisted of a battle in my mind. I was struggling through a lot of internal issues in college and God wanted to set me free. I knew that much. But, I felt very stuck. like I was in quick sand, constantly trying to analyze my thoughts and take them captive. I wasn't going anywhere very fast.
After crying out to God for several months He began to reveal to me one of the reasons I felt SO stuck.
In Isaiah 43:19 He says,
"Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert."
In my study Bible commentary on this verse, the writer describes the "road in the wilderness" in another way: "The Lord would give the exiles an unobstructed route back to the Promised Land." (NKJV Study Bible)
Wow, I love that. "An unobstructed path" was exactly what I needed. And only God can give it. But, what was MY Promised Land? Maybe more Joy? Maybe more clarity in my thoughts and less self-condemnation?
But God's plan was even better than that. He convicted me that in order to have those things I needed to return to HIM wholeheartedly. I needed to lay down this introspection and stop thinking on "things too wonderful for me" (Psalm 131). It had been good for a season to let God purge me of bitterness, fear of man and pride, amongst other things. But, now I was stuck in SELF focus, not GOD focus. After He showed me a specific issue, I needed to come back. I needed to ask forgiveness or forgive myself and move on. I didn't need to spend one more moment dwelling on my sin after I confessed it (unless it involved making amends with a person). Once I confessed something to God, I needed to "return to the Lord".
Love, joy and peace is found in One place. Its only found in a Person, as we SET our minds on Him. How do we do it? Worshipping Him. Concentrating, meditating on His Word. Learning to dwell in Him. Seeking Him corporately. Rejoicing in painful and difficult situations (Phil. 4:6-7). Sometimes this comes easy. But sometimes it is purely an act of will and a choice, without a lot of feeling. It can take a sacrifice of our time, too. And it can be uncomfortable to get alone with God. But, when we choose to SET our minds on Him, it is a mind stayed on peace (Is. 26:3). The dust settles. The negative emotions cool down. Clarity comes. And God makes for us, "an unobstructed route back to the Promised Land". HE is our Promised Land. He is our peace.
After crying out to God for several months He began to reveal to me one of the reasons I felt SO stuck.
In Isaiah 43:19 He says,
"Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert."
In my study Bible commentary on this verse, the writer describes the "road in the wilderness" in another way: "The Lord would give the exiles an unobstructed route back to the Promised Land." (NKJV Study Bible)
Wow, I love that. "An unobstructed path" was exactly what I needed. And only God can give it. But, what was MY Promised Land? Maybe more Joy? Maybe more clarity in my thoughts and less self-condemnation?
But God's plan was even better than that. He convicted me that in order to have those things I needed to return to HIM wholeheartedly. I needed to lay down this introspection and stop thinking on "things too wonderful for me" (Psalm 131). It had been good for a season to let God purge me of bitterness, fear of man and pride, amongst other things. But, now I was stuck in SELF focus, not GOD focus. After He showed me a specific issue, I needed to come back. I needed to ask forgiveness or forgive myself and move on. I didn't need to spend one more moment dwelling on my sin after I confessed it (unless it involved making amends with a person). Once I confessed something to God, I needed to "return to the Lord".
Love, joy and peace is found in One place. Its only found in a Person, as we SET our minds on Him. How do we do it? Worshipping Him. Concentrating, meditating on His Word. Learning to dwell in Him. Seeking Him corporately. Rejoicing in painful and difficult situations (Phil. 4:6-7). Sometimes this comes easy. But sometimes it is purely an act of will and a choice, without a lot of feeling. It can take a sacrifice of our time, too. And it can be uncomfortable to get alone with God. But, when we choose to SET our minds on Him, it is a mind stayed on peace (Is. 26:3). The dust settles. The negative emotions cool down. Clarity comes. And God makes for us, "an unobstructed route back to the Promised Land". HE is our Promised Land. He is our peace.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Weak Prayers Count
I was so encouraged this past week. At church, I was talking to a young couple about being tired and how I knew I wasn't getting enough water and drinking WAY too much coffee. I told them how I had been able to stop drinking it in other seasons but felt so stuck, and definitely addicted. Three cups a morning was beginning to be my normal and then maybe I would sometimes have another in the afternoon. The husband was telling me how he would give it up for a season if he felt he was having too much. I told them I couldn't do it. I was stuck. Seriously, there was nothing in me that felt even the glimpse of faith to put it on the shelf for a season, even though I was needing to. After I had Daniel it had been my mainstay and something I HAD to have to get me through the day, or so I thought.
The next day after the church gathering I finally felt the inclination to let it go. I went to the store and bought a tea that promised more energy. I know you could say I just went from one addiction to the other, but just for the record, the tea tastes terrible. I would gladly let it go if something better came along. But, it was nice to have something hot in my hand early in the morning.
A week later, I was able to share this tiny testimony with this couple. I told them I was shocked I even had even had the grace to do the next step because coffee had been such a normal part of my routine. I had an inkling maybe they prayed for me. Sure enough, the wife responded, " I did pray for you, but it was just a weak little prayer." She prayed something like a "one-liner" asking God to help me get off coffee.
Wow! Touched again by God's great desire to answer the prayers of His kids! He loves to encourage us in our walk of prayer. So often we think that it has to be fancy or we have to be in "deep intercession" for our prayers to count. No, He hears it all. He loves it all. He longs to answer it all.
Whether we are doing dishes, working a job, spending time with loved ones, we can pray. We can talk with God.
I was reminded through this of the simplicity of prayer. Prayer is just talking to God. Its a way to invite Him into our daily life and incline our ear to what He might be up to. It doesn't have to be fancy or eloquent. He just wants our fellowship. He wants to encourage our hearts that He hears us . . . all the time.
The next day after the church gathering I finally felt the inclination to let it go. I went to the store and bought a tea that promised more energy. I know you could say I just went from one addiction to the other, but just for the record, the tea tastes terrible. I would gladly let it go if something better came along. But, it was nice to have something hot in my hand early in the morning.
A week later, I was able to share this tiny testimony with this couple. I told them I was shocked I even had even had the grace to do the next step because coffee had been such a normal part of my routine. I had an inkling maybe they prayed for me. Sure enough, the wife responded, " I did pray for you, but it was just a weak little prayer." She prayed something like a "one-liner" asking God to help me get off coffee.
Wow! Touched again by God's great desire to answer the prayers of His kids! He loves to encourage us in our walk of prayer. So often we think that it has to be fancy or we have to be in "deep intercession" for our prayers to count. No, He hears it all. He loves it all. He longs to answer it all.
Whether we are doing dishes, working a job, spending time with loved ones, we can pray. We can talk with God.
I was reminded through this of the simplicity of prayer. Prayer is just talking to God. Its a way to invite Him into our daily life and incline our ear to what He might be up to. It doesn't have to be fancy or eloquent. He just wants our fellowship. He wants to encourage our hearts that He hears us . . . all the time.
Relish The Hidden Seasons
Imagine taking on a person twice your height and his army without an ounce of hesitation. That was David, a mere teenager, filled with great boldness, shouting at Goliath.
"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by the sword or the spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands." 1 Samuel 17:45-47
Whoa! Seriously? Where did this young man come up with this other-worldly confidence? You could easily answer: God.
Of course. But I also believe that this instance was more than just a random breeze of God blown David's way. No, God had been with him, for a while now. God had been preparing him for this moment. David had developed a deep friendship with the living God in the fields where he kept his father's sheep. He had spent many hours alone, in the fields, caring for the ones God gave him. Not only had David become a skilled shepherd, fighting off lions and bears, but he had also become a skilled worshipper of God. Apparently he was so skilled with a harp, that Saul used his gifting to ward off the darkness that came upon him. He hadn't wasted his time in the fields despising it, but rather saw it as a season to go deep in God.
David knew God's heart. David knew God's heart for Israel. So, David knew God's will. He had Godly confidence that God would answer and give him divine favor, not due to his own greatness, but because God had a purpose to fulfill for Israel.
So many times in our faith walk, we are unsure of God's will. And its good to admit that. But, I believe we can actually ask God, spend time with God and in many instances we can know His will because He is our friend. He wants us to filled with confidence like David was. He wants us to go forward, strengthened with " all boldness" that only comes from His Spirit and spending time with Him. God wants us to discern His will.
Paul even prayed in Philippians 1:9-10 "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;
And Romans 12:2 says:
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
But this can take time. It takes time cultivating a relationship with the Living God. It takes worshipping Him. It takes consulting Him in difficult situations. It takes reading and praying His Word. It takes relishing in, and not despising the hidden seasons.
"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by the sword or the spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands." 1 Samuel 17:45-47
Whoa! Seriously? Where did this young man come up with this other-worldly confidence? You could easily answer: God.
Of course. But I also believe that this instance was more than just a random breeze of God blown David's way. No, God had been with him, for a while now. God had been preparing him for this moment. David had developed a deep friendship with the living God in the fields where he kept his father's sheep. He had spent many hours alone, in the fields, caring for the ones God gave him. Not only had David become a skilled shepherd, fighting off lions and bears, but he had also become a skilled worshipper of God. Apparently he was so skilled with a harp, that Saul used his gifting to ward off the darkness that came upon him. He hadn't wasted his time in the fields despising it, but rather saw it as a season to go deep in God.
David knew God's heart. David knew God's heart for Israel. So, David knew God's will. He had Godly confidence that God would answer and give him divine favor, not due to his own greatness, but because God had a purpose to fulfill for Israel.
So many times in our faith walk, we are unsure of God's will. And its good to admit that. But, I believe we can actually ask God, spend time with God and in many instances we can know His will because He is our friend. He wants us to filled with confidence like David was. He wants us to go forward, strengthened with " all boldness" that only comes from His Spirit and spending time with Him. God wants us to discern His will.
Paul even prayed in Philippians 1:9-10 "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;
And Romans 12:2 says:
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
When we know God and know His will, we can pray from a place of confidence.
And we know that when we pray according to His will, He hears us and we get what we ask for. (paraphrase, 1 John 5:14-15)
But this can take time. It takes time cultivating a relationship with the Living God. It takes worshipping Him. It takes consulting Him in difficult situations. It takes reading and praying His Word. It takes relishing in, and not despising the hidden seasons.
So take delight in the season you are in with God, even if its in a lonely, seemingly desolate place. Maybe you are mom pouring into your kids, spending countless hours washing dishes and wiping bottoms (like me)? Or perhaps you want more out of life but feel stuck in the 9-5? Or maybe you just started a relationship with God and feel like you are just at the beginning? Relish in this hidden season. Embrace it. Don't wish it away. You might even start to enjoy it because you are enjoying HIM. There is a depth God wants to bring, even here. Learn to worship Him when its difficult as well as when its hard. Get to know Him. Develop trust in Him. Go deep in God. And when your day comes to meet the "giants" of this life, you will be ready and overcome, just as David did.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
From a Worker to a Friend
It was 1993 and it was my first ever experience at a Young Life Camp. After the bazillion hour bus ride with 60 other teens, I groggily woke from my Dramamine induced coma to realize that we had indeed arrived at Lake Champion, a camp located in upstate New York. For some reason, I was nominated to be the first of two red-eyed weary travelers to be sent down the camp's famous zip line which ended in the muddy bottom lake. They shuffled us off the bus and didn't tell us why. I realized what was happening when they started strapping the harness on my legs and saw the view of the water from high up in the trees. With fear and trembling, I jumped off the platform and screamed the entire length of my "ride" that ended in the squishy, mushy brown-bottomed lake. . .
I realize now the above picture was a lot like how my relationship with God was. He surprised me with amazing mind-blowing grace, chose me (which was shocking that He even cared or new my name, much like being chosen off a bus of 60 teens). And at camps and church events I would hit a high, but when I had to go back to "real life" it would feel like I went straight into the mire and muck in spiritual sense. Don't get me wrong. I LOVED Young Life. They discipled me and taught me how to even have a "quiet time". But something was wrong with me and the way I perceived God and His desire for me to pray.
Somehow I was skipping over a BIG reason Christians even do pray. For me, sometimes, it was another "notch in the belt" of my list of things I could say I did FOR God. I did my "quiet times" and developed discipline in doing so, but I can't say that I enjoyed it. I knew as a Christian I was to love others, share Jesus with people I knew and stay away from "bad things". Thankfully, God gave me a sweet group of friends in high school who encouraged this lifestyle so staying away from underage drinking and sex outside marriage was way easier.
But, in all that mix, I didn't realize the primary reason God wanted me to pray was because He enjoyed me! He wanted to continue with what started that night in 7th grade when I realized He existed and that He loved me (after He answered a prayer even I had forgotten I'd prayed). He wanted me to continue to receive His love and give it back to Him. He wanted me to continue to stand in awe of Him and His joyful heart and immense love for me, even in my deepest weakness.
God wasn't just looking for workers and laborers for His Kingdom. He didn't just "hook me in" and then ratchet up the list of duties once He got me in the door. Prayer time wasn't about me just seeing how much I failed in comparison to what He really wanted me to accomplish, which is honestly sometimes how it felt for me. He wanted prayer time to be primarily about knowing Him. He wanted me to know Him . . . well. He wanted me to first and foremost encounter Him in my quiet times and as I read His Word. And the same still stands . . .He isn't just looking for laborers to give His duties to, but He wants True Worshippers and Lovers.
How did things change? How did I change my focus? While in college the weight of condemnation continued to increase in my life until I just couldn't take it anymore. I sought prayer from others, went through deep inner healing prayer and listened to helpful Bible teachers. I realized it was possible to read the Word and ENJOY God at the same time. I learned that I could take small portions of scripture that displayed God's character and meditate (say them over and over again, write them a lot). Also, Worshiping God became a great way for me to enjoy Him and realize what He was speaking over my life. Many of the 90's worship songs coming out were centered around God's character and nature. Things began to shift in my mindset and slowly I saw myself as loved and cherished by God, rather than just a "worker bee" in His Kingdom. He didn't NEED me, but He WANTED me with Him as I joined Him in the work He was already doing. This King wanted more than a worker, He wanted me to be His friend.
I realize now the above picture was a lot like how my relationship with God was. He surprised me with amazing mind-blowing grace, chose me (which was shocking that He even cared or new my name, much like being chosen off a bus of 60 teens). And at camps and church events I would hit a high, but when I had to go back to "real life" it would feel like I went straight into the mire and muck in spiritual sense. Don't get me wrong. I LOVED Young Life. They discipled me and taught me how to even have a "quiet time". But something was wrong with me and the way I perceived God and His desire for me to pray.
Somehow I was skipping over a BIG reason Christians even do pray. For me, sometimes, it was another "notch in the belt" of my list of things I could say I did FOR God. I did my "quiet times" and developed discipline in doing so, but I can't say that I enjoyed it. I knew as a Christian I was to love others, share Jesus with people I knew and stay away from "bad things". Thankfully, God gave me a sweet group of friends in high school who encouraged this lifestyle so staying away from underage drinking and sex outside marriage was way easier.
But, in all that mix, I didn't realize the primary reason God wanted me to pray was because He enjoyed me! He wanted to continue with what started that night in 7th grade when I realized He existed and that He loved me (after He answered a prayer even I had forgotten I'd prayed). He wanted me to continue to receive His love and give it back to Him. He wanted me to continue to stand in awe of Him and His joyful heart and immense love for me, even in my deepest weakness.
God wasn't just looking for workers and laborers for His Kingdom. He didn't just "hook me in" and then ratchet up the list of duties once He got me in the door. Prayer time wasn't about me just seeing how much I failed in comparison to what He really wanted me to accomplish, which is honestly sometimes how it felt for me. He wanted prayer time to be primarily about knowing Him. He wanted me to know Him . . . well. He wanted me to first and foremost encounter Him in my quiet times and as I read His Word. And the same still stands . . .He isn't just looking for laborers to give His duties to, but He wants True Worshippers and Lovers.
How did things change? How did I change my focus? While in college the weight of condemnation continued to increase in my life until I just couldn't take it anymore. I sought prayer from others, went through deep inner healing prayer and listened to helpful Bible teachers. I realized it was possible to read the Word and ENJOY God at the same time. I learned that I could take small portions of scripture that displayed God's character and meditate (say them over and over again, write them a lot). Also, Worshiping God became a great way for me to enjoy Him and realize what He was speaking over my life. Many of the 90's worship songs coming out were centered around God's character and nature. Things began to shift in my mindset and slowly I saw myself as loved and cherished by God, rather than just a "worker bee" in His Kingdom. He didn't NEED me, but He WANTED me with Him as I joined Him in the work He was already doing. This King wanted more than a worker, He wanted me to be His friend.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Link to another blog: Tender Seeds
I just want to share that I will also be starting up another blog. I know, it seems like I am going blog bananas! Really, I wanted a separate space to write about parenting, family, and discipling our little Tender Seeds. Also, I wanted to be able to have a spot to share creative kid art projects, activities, and helpful tips. I see myself as just at the start of this parenting journey so I will not be writing from the place of "expert". Rather, I will be sharing in order to learn just as much to inspire. I would love for people to leave comments, ideas and photos that coincide with the content of this blog. I feel like so many people out there have so much wisdom to impart and maybe no place to voice it. This can be that place. And, hopefully you might get some tid-bits for your own journey with kids here whether you are a parent, grandparent, foster parent, a teacher or anyone who influences kids. So, with that, welcome to Tender Seeds.
One Small Stone
It was the time of the prophet Samuel and God had just "fired" Saul. He told Samuel not to grieve anymore because He was about to do a "new thing" (1 Samuel 16:1). Samuel, under God's direction anointed a small, but ruddy young man to take his place. Soon this young man came under Saul's service as his armor-bearer. With his stringed instrument, David would play and whatever was troubling Saul would leave him.
Fast forward to a meeting with the bothersome Philistines. As Saul and his forces faced the Philly's, Goliath of Gath, a 9 foot tall giant stepped forward with a challenge: "Choose one of your men . . . if he wins a fight against me and kills me, we will be your servants. But if I win against him and kill him, then you will be our servants and serve us." (1 Samuel 17:8-9)
Enter David. A youth. A young person. Some might say at first glance "heady and foolish". But he possessed a boldness that did not derive from his own strength, but rather his small and hidden victories God had given him in the fields during his youth. Never once did David display fear, but only confidence in the Living God.
We can learn a few important lessons from David in this instance:
1. Be fearless. Its okay to be confident as we stand against the struggles of this life as long as we know where our confidence comes from. Be fearless, because God is fearless and you can be confident in His strength.
As stated above, David looked to his past history with God to find the strength to confront Goliath. This leads to lesson number two.
2. Remember the past. But, not the defeats and depression. On the contrary, call to mind the victories, even the tiny ones. Especially the tiny ones. They have value in our lives. They can help us confront the giants in our path with confidence. David said clearly: "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." 1 Samuel 17: 37
3. Watch out for over-complicated plans dressed in mere human ingenuity. With God, the weaker and the simpler, the better.
Saul gave David his huge, ornate armor. It didn't fit. Its that simple. If it doesn't "fit" don't do it. The ornate and heavy armor was not David's protection. It wasn't part of God's plan. Usually God goes by this policy: "The weaker, the more vulnerable, the simpler, the better". Why? Because in that place, God's strength can shine through.
One Small Stone: In so many ways the stone(s) in this story can easily be compared to prayer. And, especially prayer where we fling or declare God's Word over a situation or problem. As we lean on God's strength through prayer, and stand on God's Word, we are filled with a Godly confidence which overcomes any "giant" we may face in this life. Its not crafty. Its not fancy. Its not complicated. But, it takes humility to fall on this faithful, but simple weapon. Sometimes we would rather do everything else BUT pray. We want to talk it over with our friends. We want to seek out creative solutions. These aren't bad, and in fact can be healthy. But these avenues, apart from a conversation with God, will not take us where we need to go which is deep into God's heart. We have to lean. We have to be weak. We have to realize that its not the size of plans or our vain ingenuity which leads to victory. Its in our weakness that we find our strength. Its in the place of prayer -talking to The Living God- that we overcome.
Fast forward to a meeting with the bothersome Philistines. As Saul and his forces faced the Philly's, Goliath of Gath, a 9 foot tall giant stepped forward with a challenge: "Choose one of your men . . . if he wins a fight against me and kills me, we will be your servants. But if I win against him and kill him, then you will be our servants and serve us." (1 Samuel 17:8-9)
Enter David. A youth. A young person. Some might say at first glance "heady and foolish". But he possessed a boldness that did not derive from his own strength, but rather his small and hidden victories God had given him in the fields during his youth. Never once did David display fear, but only confidence in the Living God.
We can learn a few important lessons from David in this instance:
1. Be fearless. Its okay to be confident as we stand against the struggles of this life as long as we know where our confidence comes from. Be fearless, because God is fearless and you can be confident in His strength.
As stated above, David looked to his past history with God to find the strength to confront Goliath. This leads to lesson number two.
2. Remember the past. But, not the defeats and depression. On the contrary, call to mind the victories, even the tiny ones. Especially the tiny ones. They have value in our lives. They can help us confront the giants in our path with confidence. David said clearly: "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." 1 Samuel 17: 37
3. Watch out for over-complicated plans dressed in mere human ingenuity. With God, the weaker and the simpler, the better.
Saul gave David his huge, ornate armor. It didn't fit. Its that simple. If it doesn't "fit" don't do it. The ornate and heavy armor was not David's protection. It wasn't part of God's plan. Usually God goes by this policy: "The weaker, the more vulnerable, the simpler, the better". Why? Because in that place, God's strength can shine through.
One Small Stone: In so many ways the stone(s) in this story can easily be compared to prayer. And, especially prayer where we fling or declare God's Word over a situation or problem. As we lean on God's strength through prayer, and stand on God's Word, we are filled with a Godly confidence which overcomes any "giant" we may face in this life. Its not crafty. Its not fancy. Its not complicated. But, it takes humility to fall on this faithful, but simple weapon. Sometimes we would rather do everything else BUT pray. We want to talk it over with our friends. We want to seek out creative solutions. These aren't bad, and in fact can be healthy. But these avenues, apart from a conversation with God, will not take us where we need to go which is deep into God's heart. We have to lean. We have to be weak. We have to realize that its not the size of plans or our vain ingenuity which leads to victory. Its in our weakness that we find our strength. Its in the place of prayer -talking to The Living God- that we overcome.
Friday, January 16, 2015
The Word Alive!!
This year, I am trying to successfully read through the Bible. You see, by design, I am more of a "free spirit" and studying (getting alone, pressing through page upon page of reading) has not been "my thing". Don't get me wrong. I did it. I went to college, got the grades, passed the courses and read the assignments. But, I can't say I relished the thought of studying and reading. And, well, getting through God's Word was just another task on the long list of reading assignments that I could never finish . . . until lately.
In the last couple years a hunger has grown in my heart to digest more of God's Word. Its not just a huge, ominous assignment anymore, but in the deepest parts of me, His Word, has finally become a love letter.
Through some practical teachings from 7Thunders, and other Bible teachers, I have learned to meditate on the words in the Bible. Its not a Zen thing, but a Jesus thing. As I do the simple things over and over again (***Read it, Write it, Say it, Sing it, Pray it . . . oh and Sketch it) His Word takes root in my heart, comes to life and then in turn, gives life to others (through prayer and encouragement). His Word is real and He intends that every minuscule portion of it be regarded. All of it is flawless, enduring and LIVING. That last one is important because it means that it has the power to CREATE something new, even though it is from the Ancient of Days. It goes on and on and on to do His work. It never comes back empty when uttered and does the task it was released to do. All of creation hangs on His spoken word.
So welcome to my blog, welcome to my life and welcome to my journey deeper into God's heart. I want to (hopefully) express some of the life-giving things God's Spirit has revealed to my heart from . . . you guessed it, The B-I-B-L-E~The Bible.
*** A principle in meditating on God's Word introduced from the ministry of 7Thunders is abbreviated RWSSP and that mean you first READ a portion of Scripture, then WRITE it, SING it, SAY it, and then PRAY it. You can find materials on this subject on the website link above.
In the last couple years a hunger has grown in my heart to digest more of God's Word. Its not just a huge, ominous assignment anymore, but in the deepest parts of me, His Word, has finally become a love letter.
Through some practical teachings from 7Thunders, and other Bible teachers, I have learned to meditate on the words in the Bible. Its not a Zen thing, but a Jesus thing. As I do the simple things over and over again (***Read it, Write it, Say it, Sing it, Pray it . . . oh and Sketch it) His Word takes root in my heart, comes to life and then in turn, gives life to others (through prayer and encouragement). His Word is real and He intends that every minuscule portion of it be regarded. All of it is flawless, enduring and LIVING. That last one is important because it means that it has the power to CREATE something new, even though it is from the Ancient of Days. It goes on and on and on to do His work. It never comes back empty when uttered and does the task it was released to do. All of creation hangs on His spoken word.
So welcome to my blog, welcome to my life and welcome to my journey deeper into God's heart. I want to (hopefully) express some of the life-giving things God's Spirit has revealed to my heart from . . . you guessed it, The B-I-B-L-E~The Bible.
*** A principle in meditating on God's Word introduced from the ministry of 7Thunders is abbreviated RWSSP and that mean you first READ a portion of Scripture, then WRITE it, SING it, SAY it, and then PRAY it. You can find materials on this subject on the website link above.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)