"We know that we have today to move with resolute energy toward maturity and Christlikeness."
-Josh Harris
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
<3
"I have loved you with an everlasting love,
Therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."
-Jeremiah 31:3
"Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored,
And I love you."
-Isaiah 43:4a
"A new commandment I give to you,
That you love one another:
Just as I have loved you,
You also are to love one another.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples
If you have love for one another."
-John 12:34-35
Therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."
-Jeremiah 31:3
"Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored,
And I love you."
-Isaiah 43:4a
"A new commandment I give to you,
That you love one another:
Just as I have loved you,
You also are to love one another.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples
If you have love for one another."
-John 12:34-35
Friday, February 8, 2008
Peace, My Child
I truly believe there are times when His words to the sea "Peace, be still!" echoe again in our hearts, but we fail to recognize it. Agonizing and worrying over burdens hide the "stillness" that is His gentle promise to us.
I know, personally, I become so caught up in daily life that I forget how all of life should be centered around Him, and I lose the peace and tranquility I could have been blessed with. That is when He gets my attention in a way that I can't miss. Usually a painful way. Usually a way that brings me to my knees in an earnest helpless seeking that I have neglected for far too long. Usually tears are involved, usually pleas. Yet through it all He gently reminds me; "Daughter, you needed this. You were forgetting about Me." And even if His answer is not the one I wanted, His peace that passes all understanding does eventually come to guard my heart and mind.
I do tend to worry far too much, and especially for a daughter who has everything in the hands of a great and loving Father. Often I need to read over the words; "In returning and rest shall you be saved, in quietness and confidence will be your strength." (Isaiah 30:15)
Rest, and quiet. Returning, and confidence. Rest of a burdened, fretting, over-analyzing mind. Quietness softly creeping back into a troubled heart. A return; to the One who in fact blessed us with this trial that we might return in the first place. Confidence. A peaceful and quiet confidence, yet still certain and boldly non-hesitant. All gifts from the Father - Who holds the answer in His hands.
Don't misunderstand; I am not saying His gift to a troubled heart is always necessarily passive. Peace is often present in activity, yet it is a serene presence. And he gives ability to remain serene through heart-wrenching pain.
But first, we need to be still...
At His feet.
I know, personally, I become so caught up in daily life that I forget how all of life should be centered around Him, and I lose the peace and tranquility I could have been blessed with. That is when He gets my attention in a way that I can't miss. Usually a painful way. Usually a way that brings me to my knees in an earnest helpless seeking that I have neglected for far too long. Usually tears are involved, usually pleas. Yet through it all He gently reminds me; "Daughter, you needed this. You were forgetting about Me." And even if His answer is not the one I wanted, His peace that passes all understanding does eventually come to guard my heart and mind.
I do tend to worry far too much, and especially for a daughter who has everything in the hands of a great and loving Father. Often I need to read over the words; "In returning and rest shall you be saved, in quietness and confidence will be your strength." (Isaiah 30:15)
Rest, and quiet. Returning, and confidence. Rest of a burdened, fretting, over-analyzing mind. Quietness softly creeping back into a troubled heart. A return; to the One who in fact blessed us with this trial that we might return in the first place. Confidence. A peaceful and quiet confidence, yet still certain and boldly non-hesitant. All gifts from the Father - Who holds the answer in His hands.
Don't misunderstand; I am not saying His gift to a troubled heart is always necessarily passive. Peace is often present in activity, yet it is a serene presence. And he gives ability to remain serene through heart-wrenching pain.
But first, we need to be still...
At His feet.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The Darkness - His Covering
"11He made darkness His covering,
His canopy around him,
thick clouds dark with water.
12Out of the brightness before Him hailstones
and coals of fire broke through His clouds.
13The LORD also thundered in the heavens,
and the Most High uttered His voice,
hailstones and coals of fire.
14And He sent out his arrows and scattered them;
He flashed forth lightnings and routed them.
15Then the channels of the sea were seen,
and the foundations of the world were laid bare
at Your rebuke, O LORD,
at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.
16He sent from on high, he took me;
he drew me out of many waters.
17He rescued me from my strong enemy
and from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.
18They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
but the LORD was my support.
19He brought me out into a broad place;
He rescued me, because He delighted in me."
-Psalm 18: 11 - 19
"28For it is You who light my lamp;
the LORD my God lightens my darkness.
29For by You I can run against a troop,
and by my God I can leap over a wall.
30This God—His way is perfect;
the word of the LORD proves true;
He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him."
-Psalm 18:28-30
There are times when all seems so very dark. The black clouds are so thick light cannot penetrate, until the hailstones come pelting down and the furious lightning cracks. All feels, so alone, and fearful, and the voice of God isn't audible.
Yet He makes the darkness His covering; concealed in this darkness is God Himself...
Those dark times, those lost, alone times are often those we look back on as times of our greatest spiritual growth. The dark not only makes us aware of how much we need the light, but also, perhaps, allows Him to creep in, subtley - at times when we need Him the most.
Then He draws us out of the many waters, and lightens our darkness. We are rescued, invigorated, and strengthened - and by our God we can leap over a wall.
The darkness causes fear and helplessness, yet it allows our God to creep in and rescue us - right at the perfect time when we need Him the most.
And then finally, His light breaks through the clouds.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Embrace the Joy, Embrace the Pain
"If we do not embrace the path of joy-laden, painful love, we will waste our lives."
-John Piper
-John Piper
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
The Garden of My Soul
"Fill the garden of my soul
with the winds of love,
that the scents of the Christian life may be
wafted to others;
then come and gather fruits to Thy glory.
So shall I fulfill the great end of my being -
To glorify Thee and be a blessing to men."
-compiled by Arthur Bennet in The Valley of Vision
with the winds of love,
that the scents of the Christian life may be
wafted to others;
then come and gather fruits to Thy glory.
So shall I fulfill the great end of my being -
To glorify Thee and be a blessing to men."
-compiled by Arthur Bennet in The Valley of Vision
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