Content But Not Satisfied

Hudson did it again

nuggets:

If I am honest I must confess that I am both ecstatic about the life I have been given, the blessings I have received, and that I still long for more. In light of God’s many blessings I am rich beyond measure and content but I would be a liar to say I have all that I want. I am both content and not satisfied.

Contentment demands faith and trust in a God who is faithful and trustworthy. Contentment is peace in the midst of hunger. It is an expectant certainty that He will indeed provide our daily bread despite the hunger we now know.

But satisfaction is another thing altogether. Satisfaction speaks of approval. It speaks of what is good, what is complete. If it is “not good for the man to be alone” then it is okay that we are dissatisfied.

It is our God that has placed us here in our circumstances and we love and trust our God because we know He loves us. We need only know that we are loved. Because He cares we can bring to Him all our wounds, longings, and hopes. It is contentment in our circumstances and the God who overseas all things that will keep us, the dissatisfied, from despair.

What I hope is that the honesty of realized and confessed dissatisfaction will free you and I to walk on in faith and allow those who walk with us to better comfort us.

All for now,
Lisa

What Could I Say, and What Could I Do?
But Offer This Heart O God Completely to You?

That's a line taken from a Hillsong United praise and worship song called The Stand. But that's also a line taken from my life lately. Or one to which I'm drawn.

And you know, these last two months have been intense. I have seen God's character and felt His presence incredibly. In fact, probably a way I've never experienced before! No doubt about that. But I also feel a bit like I've been through the ringer. But I'm not sure whose done more "ringing" - God or me!

I was reading in "Life with God", by Richard Foster, where it says, "we do not produce change by practicing the Disciplines - we receive it". He speaks about the "law of liberty" which is intended to be guidelines to keep us from going into the bondage of self-effort. This line was good: "spiritual formation does not occur by direct human effort, but through a relational process whereby we receive from God the power or ability to do what we cannot do by our own effort". That struck me also.

Now, let me offer that I do not doubt God's presence or work in my life. And I've been trying to be still - and working hard for it. But Foster also states, "There might be a kind of slavery that is very religious - an attempt to work hard to gain God's approval instead of living obediently in response to the joyful freedom of God's grace." Well, as Voddie Baucham says, "if you can't say amen, you better say ouch". Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!!

So I think for now I just need to dance with my Lord in my pretty cotton dress in a lovely open field on a cool, sunny day (which all might just be in my head) and just "be" for a little while.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

All for now,
Lisa

Interesting Post-Script

I was looking today through my journal of poetry - which I began in January 1997. To the back pages I added some good quotes. I just found where I long ago penned the very quote from MUFHH (from yesterday):

There is a connection between the strange providential circumstances allowed by
God and what we know of Him, and we have to learn to interpret the mysteries of
life in the light of our knowledge of God. Until we can come face to face with
the deepest, darkest fact of life without damaging our view of God’s character,
we do not yet know Him.

Very interesting. I wonder in the last 10 to 11 years if I have truly come face-to-face with the deepest, darkest fact of life yet? And if I have faced them without damaging my view of God? Chambers says until then, I do not yet fully know Him.

What is the deepest, darkest facts of my life?
that I'm mortal?
that I'm powerless?
that I'm sinful?
that I'm single?

Facing all of these have only served to bring me closer to God; to recognize my greater need for God; and to recognize that's He bigger and more present than I had imagined. No, I can say without equivocation that facing these deep dark facts of life have only served to increase my view of God. I'm a fully aware of knowing Him.

I love journaling. It makes it easier to see the road marked with Jesus.

All for now,
Lisa

Two Months Later

Five fingers, each hand,
Grip is off the controller
Joy stick is in the hand of the joy giver
I'm hanging on for the ride
In the palm of His hand
He's making all the moves
Now He's already mine and I'm already his
Trials have brought me closer to both my ones
He's spoken through it all
To get ahold of me to prove He is enough
I long for both, I'm consumed by both
And I now see both more beautifully, more radiantly
He has had wonderful compassion on me
A promise for His precious
Both are waiting for me, waiting with me
When it's the appointed time
Love will knock my socks off
Yet I'm complete in One
I am about my Father's business and that's love
My heart is His home
Keeping it pure, defeating sin
Asking God to give me the right heart for the right choice
Remembering the harvest
Hope, faith, trust, confidence, promise, wait, and free
Righteousness, blamelessness, obedience, remembrance, character, rest, and receive
Welcome, total completion, enjoy, new, love, desire, and provide
Palm of His hands, dwell, lay down, look up, sovereign, courage, and trustworthy
Rock, fullness of time, rely, true, fully persuaded, faithful, and peace

All for now,
Lisa

No Purity, No Power

My pastor is going through the book of Exodus right now. He continually mentions that "God's will is always accompanied by God's power and God's provision". And I believe that.

So I've been thinking about God's will. And how to completely trust Him with my life (through considering His character). That's recently been a strong theme for me. And with completely trusting Him comes completely committing ALL of me. ALL of me includes looking at the subtle sin in my life - and getting rid of it! No, it's not the biggies... I foolishly thought because I had the biggies down that I was doing "pretty good". But it was the "innocuous" thoughts - self-righteousness, pride, arrogance - that got slowly wrapped around the God things in my life tainting my own purity with my own poison. And if sin fills that space then there's no room for God's purity, or God's harvest.

Sunday morning capped it! Once again, I'm getting pretty transparent. But it was in the car on the way to church as a matter of fact. I realized some very subtle sinful thoughts which were wrapped around some God thoughts. I confessed it, repented, and asked for humility. Then, in Sunday school, my teacher was not there, so she had a substitute. Would you believe it was Beth Moore! And would you believe she taught on Hebrews 12:1-13 (God disciplines His sons)! Ouch!!

In a nutshell she said:

Your Disciplinarian is not about disabling you, but healing you
And He will change your harvest
Where are you crippled?
How have your tried to handle it?
That's what He need to break
That's what He wants to heal
And give a harvest of righteousness and peace

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet,"so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Hebrews 12:12-13

God, put in me the right heart to make the right choice. And take away the insidious part that is sin in my life. Have room to give Your harvest! I receive the discipline. Heal me and turn my harvest for good.

If it's ONLY Jesus, then it can be NOTHING else.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:9-11

All for now (I think),
Lisa

First Song I Heard This Morning

oh wow... such a sweet, wonderful, TRUE song! Listen with your heart.

You're Not Alone
by Meredith Andrews

I search for love,
When the night came and it closed in,
I was alone, but you found me, where I was hiding,
And now I'll never ever be same,
It was the sweetest voice, that called my name singing

You're not alone,
For I am here,
Let me wipe away your every fear,
My love I've never left your side,
I have seen you through the darkest night,
And I'm the one that who's loved you all your life,
All of your life

You cry your self to sleep,
Cause the hurt is real, and the pain cuts deep,
All hope seems lost,
With heart ache your closest friend,
And everyone else long gone,

You've had to face the music on your own,
But there is a sweeter song that calls you home, saying

You're not alone,
For I am here,
Let me wipe away your every tear,
My love I've never left your side,
I have seen you through the darkest nights,
And I'm the one who's love you all your life,
All your life

Faithful and true... Forever,
For my love will carry you...

You're not alone,
For I... I am here,
Let me wipe away your every fear... Oh yeah,
My love I've never left your side,
I have seen you through your darkest night,
Your darkest nights,
And I'm the one that's loved you all your life,
All of your life

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Be My One Thing

I think these are pretty perfect lyrics to go with Hannah and her sisters (he he).

Everything
By Tim Hughes

God in my living
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping

God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking

Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything

God in my hoping
There in my dreaming
God in my watching
God in my waiting

God in my laughing
There in my weeping
God in my hurting
God in my healing

Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
You are everything

Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
Be my everything

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Only Jesus

In examining Hannah yesterday, I was reminded that her ONLY problem was God-sized, her ONLY solace was God. Her ONLY hope was God. Her ONLY prayer was to God. And her ONLY praise was to God. Oh there were good things around her (her loving husband), not-so-good things around her (her bitter rival), but those things grew strangely dim (see song below).

Then, in today's MUFHH, it talked about God using anything and everything in us and around us to point out what we really think about Him... and how much we truly trust Him. And Him alone.

This really spoke to me:

Through every cloud He brings our way, He wants us to unlearn something. His purpose in using the cloud is to simplify our beliefs until our relationship with Him is exactly like that of a child— a relationship simply between God and our own souls, and where other people are but shadows. Until other people become shadows to us, clouds and darkness will be ours every once in a while. Is our relationship with God becoming more simple than it has ever been?

He's been working on that in me. Not that I've necessarily had a mis-trust issue. But I think I've had a mediocre trust in Him. I think I've lived more of a "trust in Him... but go ahead and do your own thing" kind of life than a "trust in Him... alone" life. And because of that, I've had a trickle-sized view of God. And He wasn't going to have any more of it. He's put me in the crucible for the last two months to purify me of it. And now, every time I think "Ok, God you're bigger than that", He blows my mind to even bigger proportions!!

And this last part of MUFHH was the ringer:

There is a connection between the strange providential circumstances allowed by God and what we know of Him, and we have to learn to interpret the mysteries of life in the light of our knowledge of God. Until we can come face to face with the deepest, darkest fact of life without damaging our view of God’s character, we do not yet know Him.

Now, even in the darks times of today, I want to see nothing, save Jesus! I can see God's character today in a way that I could not have seen yesterday. And the things around me have dimmed. Yes, I can hear these lyrics ringing in my ear:

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
by Helen H. Lemmel (1922)

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

And I'm reminded of this verse (I love the King James version best):

And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more,
save Jesus only with themselves.
Mark 9:8 (KJV)

All for now (I think),
Lisa

First Song I Heard This Morning

Let it speak to you...

What Life Would Be Like
by Big Daddy Weave

I wish I was more than a man.
Have you ever felt that way?
And if I had to tell you the truth,
I'm afraid I'd have to say
That after all I've done and failed to do
I feel like less than I was meant to be.

And what if I could fix myself?
Maybe then I could get free.
I could try to be somebody else
Who's much better off than me.
But I need to remember this
That its when I'm at my weakest I can clearly see

Chorus
He made the lame walk, and the dumb talk
And He opened blinded eyes to see
That the sun rises on His time,
yet He know our deepest desperate need.
And the world waits, while His heart aches,
To realize the dream.
I wonder what life would be like if we let Jesus live through you and me....yeah.

What if you could see yourself through another pair of eyes?
And what if you could hear the truth,
Instead of old familiar lies?
And what if you could feel inside
The power of the Hand that made the universe
You'd realize.....

CHORUS

All our hearts they burn within us.
All our lives we've longed for more.
So let us lay our lives before
The One who gave His life for us.

CHORUS

Let Him live through you and me...yeah.

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Examining Hannah

Well, when two Godly woman mention something to me, I guess I should listen. Within days of each other, both women suggested looking at Hannah, from 1 Samuel. So, I've done a little study on her and believe you me, she's a very interesting woman.

Take aways for me:

• Like other great women of faith (Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel), Hannah was barren not out of the consequences of sin but for the glory of God, in his due time.
• Human intervention proved no comfort for her. Elkanah could not comfort her. Her rival provoked her to more distress. Only God could comfort. And her praise reflects that (see below).
• Her prayer was effectual because she completely poured out her ALL soul to the Lord; out of her grief and anguish (even prayed with others were feasting). She knew God alone was her only help. She trusted in God and prayed in that faith, alone.
• She prayed that the Lord would remember her (1 Samuel 1:11). And the Lord rememered her (1 Samuel 1:19).
• She prayed with perseverence. "As she kept on praying to the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:12).
• She has peace before receiving her blessing -- "Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast" (1 Samuel 1:18). That can only come from supernatural intervention.
• Her praise and worship (Hannah's prayer) came from her own experiences but her focus of her praise was not her experiences; the focus of her praise was on the character of God.
• Her story is one to be remembered. And one to give glory to God. Even Mary, the mother of our Lord, was especially mindful of Hannah's prayer, as we see in her own psalm in Luke (see below)

Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high.
1 Samuel 2:1

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
Luke 1:46-47

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Safe in the Arms of Love

Hope you all have a great weekend! Ponder these lyrics and let them carry you so the safe arms of our sweet Lord.

Carry You
by Amy Grant

Lay down your burden
I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child
Lay down your burden
I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child

Cause I can walk on water
Calm a restless sea
I’ve done a thousand things you’ve never done
And I’m really watching
While you struggle on your own
Call my name, I’ll come

chorus

I give vision to the blind
I can raise the dead
I’ve seen the darker side of hell
And I’ve returned
I’ve seen those sleepless nights
And count every tear you cry
Some lessons hurt to learn

chorus

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Just How Big?

Oh how I'm continually being stretched by just how big I have perceived God. Each time I think big He tells me bigger! It's mind blowing. A dear friend just sent these lyrics. May they bless you also.

Big Enough
by Ayiesha Woods

You turned water into wine - how extraordinary
Gave sight to the blind - and still I carry
My own load when you told me
To take your yoke 'cause yours is easy
And even though my issues seem trivial
You alone are never too imperial
Its just the way that you love me
Its enough to convince me

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't wanna believe
That you're big enough - but you're big enough yeah!

I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't understand that you're big enough
But you're big enough Jesus!

You turned darkness into light - keep my lamp burning
And you are my everything
There's no denying, your love is so amazing
And even though my problems seem typical
Nothing for you is ever too difficult
You never have reservations - love without limitations

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't wanna believe
That you're big enough - but you're big enough yeah!

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't understand
That you're big enough - but you're big enough

Oh, no matter how I try to get around it - I'm reminded
Wherever I go I'm totally surrounded
It's all about you - I can never doubt you
Even if I wanted to…

And I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't wanna believe
That you're big enough - but you're big enough yeah!

So I don't wanna box you in
You've been doing big things since the world began
Sometimes I just don't understand
That you're big enough - but you're big enough

That you're big enough
That you're big enough

That you're big enough
That you're big enough yeah!

All for now (I think),
Lisa

God Moves
A friend sent me this song. I'd not heard it before but learned from her that the words are actually a poem called "Light Shining Out of Darkness" written by William Cowper, a hymnist who struggled in a lifelong battle with depression. Take a moment to let it sink in.

God Moves

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm
Deep in His dark and hidden mines
With never-failing skill
He fashions all His bright designs
And works His sovereign will

So God we trust in You
O God we trust in You

O fearful saints new courage take
The clouds that you now dread
Are big with mercy and will break
In blessings on your head
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
But trust Him for His grace
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face

So God we trust in You
O God we trust in You
When tears are great
And comforts few
We hope in mercies ever new
We trust in You

God’s purposes will ripen fast
Unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste
But sweet will be the flower
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain
God is His own interpreter
And He will make it plain

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Pondering Rest

Here's one that I've been pondering since "rest" became one of my words and then my pastor went over the first set of commandments a couple of weeks ago. It's about honoring the remembering the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. A few times in Hebrews (3:18, 4:1, 4:10), the author speaks of "entering His rest" or "God's rest" - and it seems it not necessarily a "day" but a "state of being".

So, I'm really going to the fact that God created EVERYTHING (the heavens and earth) in 6 days and rested. He ceased. He hasn't created anything new (ex nihilo) since then has He? I think it means that even the future has already been created (Jesus even said, I am going to there to prepare a place for you - in John). Even the new Jerusalem has been created. We just haven't seen it yet. Genesis 2:1-3 says (emphasis mine):

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

So, entering His rest means being obedient to His plan (and thus surrendering yours). See what I mean? If He's created everything (including the future) then it stands to reason where God says I know the plans I have for you (Jeremiah). And seeking Him with our whole heart and being obedient to that follows in His plan. And that's His rest. We don't need to do anything else... the plans have already been made (thus no more addition on His part - He ceased). That's how we enter into HIs rest. We cease working (on our own strength) too. Does that make any sense at all?

You know, the Bible verse in my weekly Bible study this week was Phil 4:13 (I can do everything through him who gives me strength)... but I think I'm learning the basis for that is the verse before it... Phil 4:12 (I 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.). So, I think the secret to being content is to do all things in Christ - and only do things in Christ - i.e. to be obedient to God's plan - and that's entering into His rest (the pressure is off us). Now that's peaceful.

Make sense? I'm not trying to convince you. I'm really just trying to hold it up to the light with other folks for a reality check.

All for now (I think),
Lisa

It All Depends on How You Look at It

So, yesterday morning I had reason to look through my old journals again. The funny thing is that I had not done this, until a few weeks ago, almost ever! My journals go back to 1989 so I have a few of them. The first time I did it, I had a horrible experience. What I saw was endless cycles and no seeming resolution. I felt forgotten. And all my efforts had just gone to waste.

But since then (woah, about a month), I've been on quite a journey with the Lord. One of learning about who He is. And entering into His rest. That is such a peaceful place. I've learned that entering His rest means ceasing my own efforts, my own thoughts, my own ideas, my own trying. It also means surrendering all my rights and demands. I had to leave myself completely in His mighty hands. I just come and sit at his feet.

So, yesterday morning, when I was looking through my old journals. It came to me about His appointed time. I looked up on my bureau to find a table card a good friend had given to me. It simply had my name with the verse:

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3

The appointed time has yet to come. But each moment, since my birth, has been planned and ordered by a wonderful God, a magnifient One. And this time as I thumbed through the pages of my journal, I actually smiled at the thought of Him being there and now I want to make sure I'm there for it. Know what I mean? Actually seeing and knowing that He is there - every second. And give Him the glory. Acknowledging His presence. I think that's what Proverbs 3:5-6 means to me.

I did a brief word study on God's timing. See for yourself:

You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come.
Psalm 102:13
Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.
Genesis 21:2
For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son
Romans 9:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:6

All for now (I think),
Lisa

I Am Captivated. Are you?

Read these lyrics slowly and let them sink in deeply.

Captivate Us
by Watermark

Your face is beautiful
And Your eyes are like the stars
Your gentle hands have healing
There inside the scars
Your loving arms they draw me near
And Your smile it brings me peace
Draw me closer oh my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee

(chorus)
Captivate us, Lord Jesus
Set our eyes on You
Devastate us with Your presence
Falling down
And rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus, with You

Your voice is powerful
And Your words are radiant bright
In Your breath and shadow
I will come close and abide
You whisper love and life divine
And Your fellowship is free
Draw me closer O my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee

(chorus)

Let everything be lost in the shadows
Of the light of Your face
Let every chain be broken from me
As I’m bound in Your grace
For Your yoke is easy, Your burden is light
You’re full of wisdom, power and might
And every eye will see You

(chorus)

All for now (I think),
Lisa

The Word on My Words

I decided to explore more in depth each of the words I have felt in the past 2-3 weeks. It was a delightful exercise and a fun way to get into the Word. May it fill you the way it filled me.

To God be the glory!!!

(You can click on the image to see it better)

All for now (I think),

Lisa

What a Difference a Day Makes!

So, you may know that nothing happened this weekend (that I thought would happen). But this weekend was not a failure!! Although the anxiousness and the tension in my spirit was trying to tell me otherwise. That energy sent me down some new paths. I had first gone down the path to ask God for further illumination about His promises to me. I tried that, but didn't hear anything new. But I realized that asking for more information about the promises was potentially an area of weakness for me. Asking for more illumination put my thoughts and energy on the promises and not on God. Now, let me make sure to say that there is nothing wrong with the promises of God and receiving them!!! He is about promises! His word confirms that. So, it's not that at all. My confession is that recently I was more about the promises than I was about God.

So, I took another Godly friend's advice concerning where I have put my trust. Have I put it in the promises or in the power of God? I think entering His rest is more about trusting not so much for a promise, but just trusting in His Word.

I asked Him to show me what He wanted to show me. He showed me that I don't need signs. He's showing me who He is. He's faithful, perfect, true, timely, never failing, trustworthy, competent, lovely, desirable, factual, fearful, mighty. His word repeatedly points to that. That's the rest I can enter into. That's His rest! And that's where I want to be.

THE BEST PART OF THIS!!!! And this is the part I can't wait to share with you is that I feel the same giddyness in anticipation of how God will work that I felt with the promises He gave me concerning my father (in 1994). It's a very long story and involves my sister's suicide, a woman in my dad's life, and my dad's health. Suffice to say, one night I was at the end of my rope and quite metaphorically "put my dad on the altar". I had an amazing experience of peace that night then fell asleep. That next morning I experienced a giddyness in anticipation of how God will work. And He did! It wasn't at all how I had expected it, but He was faithful.

This time, it happened a little differently. But Sunday night I told someone that I was at the very end of the limb... at the tip of the leaves. I was basically at the end of myself. And, with my friend's advice, I traded the hope of the promises for the hope of God! And I have experienced that same peace and that giddyness in how God will work. I trust Him.

So, my new words/phrases:

Rock
Fullness of time
Rely
True
Fully persuaded
Faithful
Peace

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Fully on the Rock

I heard this song when I woke up this morning, and in the car when I went to lunch.

I Will Not Be Moved
by Natalie Grant

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...

[Chorus:]
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on

[Chorus]

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

[Chorus]

All for now (I think),
Lisa

His Own Way, His Own Time

That's been a phrase on my lips since I saw it in a "Streams in the Desert" devotional on July 6, 2008.

It's His story. And regardless of what happens, it will be better than whatever I could have dreamed up! I'm just hanging on for the ride.

It's His time. And regardless of when it happens, it will be not a moment too soon, and not a moment too late. I'm just hanging on.

All for now (I think),
Lisa

What Has Come of Me

As many of you know, God has been speaking to me in amazing ways these last few weeks. And I have received it gladly. Well, truth be told, I've received it openly and perhaps closed it with my own assumptions. I'm sure many can relate.

This past weekend was filled with mixed emotions. Excitement, anticipation, hurt, pain, exhaustion, confidence, bewilderment, worry, rest, peace, eyes up, eyes down, eyes up again. Know what I mean?

Sunday night, I had a great conversation with a long-time friend. Well, I say long-time friend, yes, we met a long time ago, but until last week, we had not seen each other in over 10 years. In just how God works, our renewed friendship was perfectly timed. In a way only God can design, our journeys are so similar it's a bit freaky. And she was calling me to tell me how much what I had said one night spoke to her. Well, Sunday night, her words were learned! I'm just glad it was a teachable moment for me.

We shared our stories and what she told me is that when they Lord speaks to you something you don't have to guess about the rest of the meaning. So often we hear him and then we run off, most times on our own strength, to complete the story. She encouraged me to ask for further illumination... ask, "Lord, what else do you want to tell me about this; what else do you want me to know?" That was good wisdom! Thank you, long-time friend!!

I did that last night, but didn't necessarily hear anything new. And to me, all current events point to the opposite of what He's told me (and others) in the recent past! What I can rely on is that God can call things as not as though they are! (Romans 4:17).

And (of course), today's "Streams in the Desert" spoke to what I have been feeling. It talked about three levels of faith: 1) believing only when we see signs/strong emotions; 2) believing without relying on it; 3) believing when signs/emotions seem to urge the contrary.

Oh yeah, I'm there at 3).

"May God grant us faith to completely trust His Word, even when every other sign points the other way."

All for now (I think),
Lisa

P.S. Words/Phrases for today

Palm of His hands
Dwell
Lay down
Look up
Soverign
Courage
Trust

A Confession of Unrest

A friend just sent this. It could not have come at a better time.

Prayer When Words Won’t Come

O My Father, I have moments of deep unrest—moments when I know not what to ask by reason of the very excess of my wants. I have in these hours no words for Thee, no conscious prayers for Thee. My cry seems purely worldly; I want only the wings of a dove that I may flee away. Yet all the time Thou has accepted my unrest as a prayer. Thou has interpreted its cry for a dove’s wings as a cry for Thee. Thou has received the nameless longings of my heart as the intercessions of Thy Spirit. They are not yet the intercessions of my spirit; I know not what to ask. But thou knowest what I ask, O My God. Thou knowest the name of that need which lies beneath my speechless groan. Thou knowest that, because I am made in Thine image, I can find rest only in what gives rest to Thee; therefore Thou hast counted my unrest unto me for righteousness, and has called my groaning Thy spirit’s prayer. Amen.
-Rev. George Matheson (1842-1906)

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Words Words Words

Do words resonate with you like they do with me? Maybe I'm just a weirdo (you don't have to agree, he he), but a word can come to me, and I can check it in my spirit to see if it's a word that is God-given or not. Today, some more words came. Here are the words. I'll let you know Monday what comes of them.

1. Welcome
2. Completion/Total
3. Enjoy
4. New
5. Love
6. Desire/Want
7. Provide

All for now (I think),
Lisa

A Complete and Total Welcome

I welcome God
Author and finisher
Infinite and wonderful
Complete and total

I welcome God
To do the things He wishes
He made my heart His home
Complete and total

I welcome God
To see the promises
He is faithful
Complete and total

Faith is credited as righteouness
Blessings come now
Righteousness came before
Complete and total

Love and compassion
He is with me
I am with Him
Complete and total

This song just came to me. I welcome it.

God Will Make a Way
by Don Moen

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way

By a roadway in the wilderness
He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His word will still remain
He will do something new today.

All for now (I think),
Lisa

The ABC’s of Me

As you might know, another recent word that God has given me is “character”. Diving into it, I was reading about character the other day and the article asked, "When people think of you, what would be the first word they used to describe you?" It kind of got me to wondering. So, I asked that of a few friends… some I have known for a long time, some not as long. It was somewhat of a solemn request, but light-hearted answers were welcome too! To my pleasure, most people were very kind and sweet in their responses. Below is a smattering of them…

Artistic
Brave
Creative
Determined
Disciplined
Integrity
Faithful
Genuine
Kind
Mellow
Nurturer
Obedient
Persistent
Real
Sensitive
Talented
Unrelenting

In thinking lately about who God is, I have realized that His is the author of all of these things because He IS all of these things. What I humbly pray is that all these things are not in me, but they are only a reflection in me of who God is. And with that, they (and more) would continue to manifest themselves as God continues to refine me in the crucible of life, of His love.

May He be the only refiner.
May I become radiant!
May I become what I behold!

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Getting it Straight from the Stream

A wonderful poem in today's devotional in "Streams in the Desert" speaks to being still (perfect timing, of course!).

O troubled soul, beneath the rod,
Your Father speaks, be still, be still:
Learn to be silent unto God,
And let Him mold you to His will.

O praying soul, be still, be still
He cannot break His promised Word;
Sink down into His blessed will,
And wait in patience on the Lord.

O waiting soul, be still, be strong,
And though He tarry, trust and wait;
Doubt not, He will not wait too long,
Fear not, He will not come too late.

Exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks be to God!

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Still seeking still
On the art of being actively still

And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
Psalm 17:15

"Still" is one of the words I've been exploring lately. I decided to just write some prose on the subject:

Being still
Brings me to the face of God… might even say the heart of God
Fill my heart
Being still in completeness
Full of compassion and love
Learning to be complete in Him
In His presence
All while holding on
To His promises
The tension between
He is with me, will I be with Him?
Do I depend on Him on my own terms?
Would I have something to add?
Then it would be an independent dependence
But what could I possibly add?
Prayer calls on His presence
Is prayer my preparation for battle?
Or is it the battle itself?
Did His followers ask Jesus to teach them to win souls?
Preach the gospel?
Minister?
No, they only asked Him how to pray
All to know the Lord
In the face of that
What else would I want?
The Lord is pleased
May I live up to what I already have attained (Phil 3:16)
That He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion (Phil 1:6)
That is "the do"
May I love him enough to be obedient (John 14:15)
And then I AM already complete in Him (1 John 2:5a)
That is "the is"
I am becoming what I behold
Still

Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Philippians 3:16

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6

If you love me, you will obey what I command.
John 14:15

But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.
1 John 2:5a

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Each Tick is Precious!

Life is so amazing right now, I just don't want to miss a second of it! It just feels so alive with Christ! And the best part is that I'm living right here, right in the moment. At my Bible study last night, I closed our session in prayer. In it, I said something to the effect that God is everywhere (past, present, and future), but we are only in the present so that's the only place we can be with Him! Today, thinking back on that prayer, it reminded me of a song:

Miracle of the Moment
by Steven Curtis Chapman

It’s time for letting go
All of our if only’s
‘Cause we don’t have a time machine
And even if we did
Would we really want to use it?
Would we really want to go change everything?
‘Cause we are who and where and what we are for now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about

Chorus:
So breathe it in and breathe it out
Listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss
The miracle of the moment

There’s only one who knows
What’s really out there waiting
In all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is He’s out there waiting
To Him the future’s history
And He has given us a treasure called right now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about

And if it brings you tears
Then taste them as they fall
And let them soften your heart
And if it brings you laughter
Then throw your head back
And let it go, let it go
You gotta let it go
Listen to your heartbeat

All for now (I think),
Lisa

... Paul Harvey...

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Today's Streams in the Desert

After waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised
Hebrews 6:15

and so will I.

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Ready to Receive

God: Pursuit, Promise, Provision
Lisa: Preparing, Waiting, Resting
(all while trusting, praying, believing, desiring)

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Less Like Scars
by Sara Groves

It's been a hard year
But I'm climbing out of the rubble
These lessons are hard
Healing changes are subtle
But every day it's

Less like tearing, more like building
Less like captive, more like willing
Less like breakdown, more like surrender
Less like haunting, more like remember

And I feel you here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars and more like
Character

Less like a prison, more like my room
It's less like a casket, more like a womb
Less like dying, more like transcending
Less like fear, less like an ending

And I feel you here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars

Just a little while ago
I couldn't feel the power or the hope
I couldn't cope, I couldn't feel a thing
Just a little while back
I was desperate, broken, laid out, hoping
You would come

And I need you
And I want you here
And I feel you

And I know you're here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad, bad situation
But you are able

And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars
And more like
Character

All for now (I think),
Lisa

... Paul Harvey...

You know, I noticed something about the two passages below about resting. We have to make every effort to enter rest (Hebrews 4:11). We have to work at resting!! That verse has so much more meaning now to me...and you know the other weird thing, it comes home to me differently now. And so does the second passage.

In the days following my sister’s suicide, I made every effort to help my dad. And on a Saturday I was completely at the end of my rope. That night - I was sobbing in my bed and the verses Matt 11:28-30 came to me (I don’t think I recited them at the time correctly or knew exactly where they were, but I felt they were not my own – they were given to me). After I said them, I felt a lightening of spirit and I fell asleep, and woke up the next morning (Sunday), giddy in anticipation of how God was going to work.

The funny thing is that (I didn't realize it until now) I ceased trying to help my dad. He gave me rest. I found rest (both are in that passage). And my dad is a walking miracle today!!

Now it's coming home to me in a different scenario.

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Resting vs. Waiting

I learned that the Hebrew word for "wait" is "to twist by binding". And in recent experiences I have encountered Christ in my waiting - much like Mary and Martha did in waiting for Christ concerning their brother Lazarus. I have learned that waiting is not passive, but active. I have also learned that waiting has its own reward. And He is right there with me!!

That was then and this is now. As you might have read, I now feel called to "rest". I told a friend the other day that I was going to explore it... I use to think resting and waiting were similar, but they are very different!

Our pastor spoke on Sunday (of course, more perfect timing!) about the first 4 of the 10 Commandments. The 4th commandment is:

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Exodus 20:8-11

The Hebrew word for rest is the same root word for seven and sabbath. At that perfect time, it means to cease, stop, end. It doesn't necessarily mean to restore (as we think rest is... to rest because you're weary). It means an ending of activity, the cessation of effort. Sabbath does not mean keeping a special day, it means ending a specific effort. God created the the earth, then He rested. Have you noticed that He has yet to create anything new since then? He ceased.

There are a couple of passages that have spoken to me:

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.
Hebrews 4:9-11

I was working. And now I'm ceasing from my labors, my activity, my works, even my waiting.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

I was weary and burdened. God will give me rest. And there I will find rest (both are in that passage).

All for now (I think),
Lisa

The Stream Has Turned into a Raging River

Today's devotional from "Streams in the Desert" once again fed me wonderfully. Let me share with you the last part:

Trusting even when it apears you have been forsaken; praying when it seems your words are simply entering a vast expanse where no one hears and no voice answers; believing that God's love is complete and that He is aware of your circumstances, even when your world seems to grind on as if setting its own direction and not caring for life or moving one inch in response to our petitions; desiring only what God's hands have planned for you; waiting patiently while seemingly starving to death, with your only fear being that your faith might fail - "this is the victory that has overcome the world"; this is genuine faith indeed.
George McDonald

I hope it feeds you as well.

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Getting Somewhere

Here are new words for me:

1) Righteousness
2) Blamelessness
3) Obedience
4) Rememberance/Carry
5) Character
6) Rest/Still
7) Receive

I hope they speak to you in a way that you can only experience solely because only God could have communicated it.

All for now,
Lisa

Jehovah-Rohi

My Sunday school class is studying the names of God. This past Sunday was Jehovah-Rohi: The LORD my Shepherd. I took notes, and sometimes (ok, I know I'm weird) I take notes in prose fashion. Sunday was no exception.

I am a sheep
Frail, weak, unstable
My Lord Jesus Christ is my shepherd
He is the righteous branch
He will carry me

He will take care of me
I do not lack
Even on dark days, scattered with clouds
He sees

He desires to tend to me
Health, comfort, welfare
He is with me

I am His
The sheep of His pasture
My heart reclines
In His gentle tending care
He is my rest

Trusting His character
Confident in His promise
Obedient to Him
The LORD is there
The LORD is here
He is in me

All for now,
Lisa

The Domino Factor

Actually, wikipedia calls it the domino effect. But with God, His work in my life is much more than a linear sequence. And He is much more than simple.

But what I've seen lately is how each step along the way is useful to Him. And I want to enjoy each domino as it comes. Still seeing the "downed" dominoes behind me and looking forward to the "upped" dominoes in front of me. But focusing on the domino right in front of me!

The other good news here is that even if I mis-step and get out of alignment, He is good (given that I've repented) to get me right back along the road.

All for now (I think),
Lisa

A Promise: God Said it, I Believe It

If you're read my blog for any amount of time, you know that God has given me a promise. And most of you know that God has taken me through a time of development, and through a time of waiting. And now into a time of rest. And yet, even in the time of rest, there is still a wonder.

All of it requires a step OUT in faith. Truly stepping out in genuine faith. And Sunday's "Streams in the Desert" spoke volumes to me. And thank you Nancy for letting me know about it (I keep that devotional at work so I hadn't seen it yet). I just read it this morning.

"God... calls things that are not as though they were." - Romans 4:17

the last paragraph was like water to my thirsty soul...

If God has said so, surely you do not want to suggest He has lied! If He has spoken, will He not fulfill it? If He has give you His word - His sure word of promise - do not question it but trust it absolutely. You have His promise, and in fact you have even more - you have Him who confidently speaks the words. "Yes, I tell you" (Luke 12:5). Trust Him!

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Paul Harvey is a Good Friend

I have noticed a couple of times already that after I take the time to blog about a topic, God shows me just a little more... usually just after I hit "publish". Paul Harvey (with his saying, "and now, the rest of the story") has become my friend. And today is no exception. But is that any surprise? After all, scripture says:

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

I was just having a coffee break with a friend and was telling her about my blog post. As we were sharing, God revealed to me another theme I often use to encourage people. This is usually around the issue of perspective. Especially when our problems get bigger than how we see God

4) The moon and your thumb

So, you would probably agree with me that the moon is pretty big. And that your thumb is much smaller than the moon. However, if you go outside at night, hold up your thumb, just right, between your eye and the moon, you can obscure the moon with your thumb - making it seem just about as large as the moon. And you can do that with God also. Hold up your problem, just right, and you can almost make your problem as large as you think God is... or worse, even larger than you think!

My experiences recenty with the true presence of God has shown me that God is so much bigger than I could have imagined. Much bigger. And "ten-fold" would be an underestimation, for sure.

All for now (I think),
Lisa

Getting a Taste of My Own Medicine

You know, I've been a believer for a while. And at my age, I have had quite a few opportunities to come along-side other believers to encourage them in their walk (especially with the number of years I worked with youth).

And I have seen "themes" of questions and "themes" of my typical responses. This is not bad nor good, just fact. The interesting revelation as I sit here this morning is that these themes have come back to me ten-fold in the past week. While, in the past, my responses have been God-focused, sincere, and true, I have just recently seen a deeper context of them. I think that's what my Sunday School teacher meant by the deep things of God.

Let me explain...

1) Waiting on a bigger revelation

This is very often a source of confusion for many believers (myself included). When people question what God is doing (especially when they don't readily see Him) , I often use something that I learned from an "Experiencing God" class I took 15 years ago. It involves looking at the story of Mary and Martha with respect to Lazarus. And the analogy that if you are confessed and prayed up on sin, you have to believe that God is about to make a great revelation (like with Lazarus).

This came back to me ten-fold on Thursday. I received a Christianity Today Singles article on waiting. However, the analogy didn't really come to me at the time; it only occured to me later that I have used this same story as encouragement in waiting. What I learned new this week is that waiting has its own reward. And that waiting is not some sort of "boot camp" that you must endure to get to the next step. And that God is right there, in the midst of your waiting, and not just right here, but grieving right here along with you. "Jesus wept" with Mary and Martha. And Jesus weeps right here with me. I don't think I would have experienced the presence of God that I have recently had I not been in wait.

I see His presence.

2) Look for God's face, not just His hand

Now this one I've used often. And I confess now that I might have used it a little piously. While it is true and right to do this, I don't think I fully had the concept down. It wasn't until Thursday when I saw this quote somewhere on facebook - "When you don't understand what God is doing in your life, trust His character." (author unknown) - that I got to thinking about His character. And who He is!

And on Sunday, when I saw this scripture, I received it bountifully! For it talks about God's character.

"if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." 2 Timothy 2:13

I'm also reading a great book called "Life with God". The whole book is on reading the Bible not for knowledge but to be transformed! To know His presence. I remember Rich Mullins saying that "I don't think you read the Bible to know truth. I think you read the Bible to find God, that we encounter Him there."

This has also happened to me latey as I've been delving more and more into the scripture itself and not relying on others, my class, etc. to do it for me. Now, this has been a desire for me for over five years. And I'm only seeing the manifestation of it now. Unfortunately, my (somewhat limited) desire was for knowledge. I had no idea He would actually meet me there.

I know His presence.

3) God is seldom early but He is never late

This is a saying that a friend told me almost 15 years ago and I've hung on to it since! But it came home to me (again) ten-fold on Saturday. Let me first tell you that I like to long distance cycle. It gives me a lot of opportunity for uninterupted talk with the LORD. But it's not easy. I often "hit the wall" with endurance. And I also confess
that I will use an ipod (with just an earphone in one ear) while cycling. A few years ago, on the MS150 ride, I was struggling to get to La Grange. Just as I turned the curve to head in, the song "Everlasting God" came on. I felt like God arranged that especially for me.

And again this Saturday, while cycling, I hit the wall; and just as I said to myself, "I don't know if I can finish", that song came on again! I realized then that God's timing can wait until the exact moment that you can go on no longer! I'm using that revelation for other parts of my life.

I feel His presence.

And lunch on Friday with a friend help seal this for me. God is showing me practicing the presence of Him.

This is good medicine!

All for now,
Lisa

I See You

sung by Ashley Cleveland
word by Rich Mullins

Lord You're leading me with a cloud by day
And then in the night, the glow of a burning flame
And everywhere I go I see You, and everywhere I go I see You

And You take my hand and You wash it clean
I know the promised land is light years ahead of me
And everywhere I go I see You, and everywhere I go I see You
And everywhere I go I see You, and everywhere I go I see You

Well the eagle flies and the rivers run
I look thru the night and I can see the rising sun
And everywhere I go I see You, and everywhere I go I see You
And everywhere I go I see You, and I see You, oh I see You

Well the grass will die and the flowers fall
But Your Word's alive and it be will after all
And everywhere I go I see You, and everywhere I go I see You
And everywhere I go I see You, and everywhere I go I see You
And everywhere I go I see You, and everywhere I go I see You
And everywhere I go I see You, and everywhere I go I see You

And everywhere I go I see You
And everywhere I go I see You
And everywhere I go I see You
And everywhere I go I see You

All for now,
Lisa

God is Bigger

All for now,
Lisa

Feeling a Little (More) Like David

I was drawn to this Psalm today... Psalm 37

1 Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;

2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:

6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.

9 For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.

11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.

12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;

13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.

14 The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.

15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.

16 Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;

17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.

18 The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
and their inheritance will endure forever.

19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20 But the wicked will perish:
The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields,
they will vanish—vanish like smoke.

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;

22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses will be cut off.

23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;

24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.

26 They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be blessed.

27 Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.

28 For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
They will be protected forever,
but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;

29 the righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.

30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.

31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip.

32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
seeking their very lives;

33 but the LORD will not leave them in their power
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

34 Wait for the LORD
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,

36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.

37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
there is a future for the man of peace.

38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
the future of the wicked will be cut off.

39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

40 The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

All for now,
Lisa

Phrases and Verses for Today

Manageable visions are not worthy of an unmanageable God. - Larry Crabb

His own time. His own way. - Streams in the Desert

Be still and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10

What God declares the believing heart confesses without the need of further proof. - AW Tozer

No good thing does He withold from those whose walk is blameless. - Psalm 84:11

Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4

For nothing is impossible with God. - Luke 1:37

When you don't understand what God is doing in your life, trust His character. - author unknown

If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. - Exodus 33:15

Do not be anxious about anything. - Philippians 4:6

We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 10:5

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. - Galatians 5:6

I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. - Psalm 40:1

With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack? - AW Tozer

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. - Exodus 14:14

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. - Psalm 130:5

There is no fear in love. - 1 John 4:18

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot

I'll always wait for something. Or rather, Someone. And as I long for earthly things, I'll allow them to point me to the deepest longing in my soul. He's the One I await. - Crosswalk Singles

and the best for last:

Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." - Revelation 4:8

All for now,
Lisa

Today's Devotionals... so GOOD!

You know, sometimes the devotionals I read can just hit me square between the eyes. And today is no exception... all THREE of them. Here are some excerpts:

Streams in the Desert

Whatever occurs in the valley of tears, I know He has chosen me. Dear Christian, do not be afraid, for Jesus is with you. Through all your fiery trials. His presence is both your comfort and safety. He will never forsake those He has chosen for His own.

Our Daily Bread

Far too often, it seems, we limit the significance of church to what happens on Sunday. But the church is to be so much more. It is to be a safe haven, a rescue station, a training center for spiritual service.

My Utmost For His Highest

Do you have even the slightest reliance on anything or anyone other than God? Is
there a remnant of reliance left on any natural quality within you, or on any
particular set of circumstances? Are you relying on yourself in any manner
whatsoever regarding this new proposal or plan which God has placed before you?

We are to “love one another,” John the disciple reminded us, “for love is of God” (1 John 4:7).

So, what all three of these devotionals have told me today (which is nothing that I didn't already know) is that, yes, affliction and brokenness will happen. And tears will come. But He has chosen me (how cool is that?). And what can get ahold of me when God is there? ("His presence is both comfort and safety). And the church (the body, not necessarily one church) should be a training center towards a greater yielded life. Yet, the church should not be the source of the training - just a means. I guess what I'm tyring to say is even relying on the church (even if it's a remnant) is not truly relying on God. Yet, He will use the church (our friends, family, even circumstances) to get His message delivered.

God is love. Jesus is the access. The Spirit is the guide. We rely on those. Alone. Our friends, family, church, circumstances are used by God.

Let's not get that mixed up.

All for now,
Lisa

P.S. Oh, and last night, a friend forwarded me a passage I had not seen before: For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

Abraham and Noah

On the plane back from Jackson Hole on Saturday, I simply opened my Bible to read – for I had a few hours of wondrous, uninterrupted silence. I decided to read about Noah – and his account – of the promise given to him by God and just how he responded. I noticed that scripture said that Noah was “a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God” (Gen 6:9). It also said Noah “did all that the LORD commanded him” (Gen 7:5). Lastly, in the beginning of chapter 8, it says “But God remembered Noah”. Those 5 things really stuck out in my mind. I chewed on them a bit and decided to flip over a few chapters and read the account of Abraham – and the promise given to him. What I noticed was similar. I noticed that in Chapter 15, it says “Abraham believed the LORD and He credited it to him as righteousness”. Further, in the beginning on Chapter 17, God says to Abraham, “Walk before me and be blameless”. I also noticed that when God offered the covenant of circumcision, Abraham, on that very day, did as the LORD commanded him. Then, “at the very time God has promised him, Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham” (Gen 21:2).

So, 5 things boiled down:

1. Being Righteous
2. Being Blameless
3. Walking with God
4. Doing All that LORD Commanded
5. God Remembering His Promise

I marked those things in my mind and decided I would study them later. Well, “later” came that very afternoon.

Righteousness
I did a google search on “righteousness”. The first entry was Wikipedia and it said that righteousness is one of the chief attributes of God – and is imparted onto us as believers in Christ because God is the only one “right”. It said the Hebrew word for righteousness in tseh’-dek. (Incidentally, would you believe my Sunday School lesson the next day was “A Study of the Names of God: Jehovah-Tsidkenu: The LORD our RIGHTEOUSNESS” (of course!)).

Blamelessness
I also did a google search on “blamelessness”. I found a great sermon by David Wilkerson, of Times Square Church, from 1993 which was insightful. Then, on Sunday, I found in my Bible where I had marked Psalm 19:13 (“Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression”) – and put in the margin “definition of blameless”. I went back to the two accounts and noticed that both Noah and Abraham sinned – even after they received their promises. So, blameless doesn’t mean sinless – it just means that willful sins are not ruling over you.

Walking with God
This was an easier one for me. For as a believer in Christ, walking with God means living by the Spirit (“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature” Gal 5:16).

Doing All the LORD Commands
To me, this was simple obedience. But remember, scripture says obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). I think there is a fine line there. Being obedient is out of love and surrender. Being sacrificial is usually out of pride.

God Remembering His Promise
Sunday’s “Streams in the Desert” said it best for me: “His own way. His own time”. But I always hold on to 1 Cor 2:9 (‘However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’).


Every morning I want to ask myself this question:
Choose this day whom you will serve.

I pray my answer each day will be:
I will be faithful.

All for now,
Lisa

Where Are Your Eyes?

I can confess that the last month or two has sent me on a roller coaster of events, thoughts, emotions, feelings, observations, commands, and promises. All of which has sent me into a bit of confusion. And I know God is NOT a God of confusion. So, Sunday's "Streams in the Desert" devotion was comforting. This was the main verse the devotion was centered around:

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you
2 Chronicles 20:12

The verse was a verse that I had first heard almost 7 years ago. It was right after 9/11 and I went to a Passion event where Louie Giglio was set to speak. Obviously, his talk was centered around the recent terrorist attacks. However, the verse is one I've thought of many times since then. So, the timeliness (of course) was perfect to hear it yet again.

The Streams devotion also reiterated some important things to remember in our daily life:

Living a life of faith often requires us to leave things alone.

If we have completely entrusted something to God, we must keep our hands off it. He can guard it better than we can, and He does not need our help.

It is such a comfort to drop the entanglements and perplexities of life into God's hands and leave them there.

It all reminds me of the marquee at a church near my house. It says:

Sorrow looks back
Worry looks around
But faith looks up

Where are your eyes?

All for now,
Lisa