Sweet Surrender

You know, I've blogged a lot about surrender. What it means. How hard it is to do, while still holding on to hope. But I've never really thought of it, until now, as sweet.

surrender... yes, it's sweet.

Sweet Surrender
by John Denver

Lost and alone on some forgotten highway
Travelled by many remembered by few
Lookin for something that I can believe in
Lookin for something that Id like to do with my life

There's nothin behind me and nothin that ties me
To somethin that might have been true yesterday
Tomorrow is open and right now it seems to be more
Than enough to just be there today

And I don't know what the future is holdin in store
I don't know where I'm goin, I'm not sure where I've been
There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me
My life is worth the livin, I don't need to see the end

Sweet, sweet surrender
Live, live without care
Like a fish in the water
Like a bird in the air

Sweet, sweet surrender
Live, live without care
Like a fish in the water
Like a bird in the air

Lost and alone on some forgotten highway
Travelled by many remembered by few
Lookin for something that I can believe in
Lookin for something that Id like to do with my life

There's nothin behind me and nothin that ties me
To somethin that might have been true yesterday
Tomorrow is open and right now it seems to be more
Than enough to just be there today

And I don't know what the future is holdin in store
I don't know where I'm goin, I'm not sure where I've been
There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me
My life is worth the livin, I don't need to see the end

Sweet, sweet surrender
Live, live without care
Like a fish in the water
Like a bird in the air

Sweet, sweet surrender
Live, live without care
Like a fish in the water
Like a bird in the air

Sweet, sweet surrender
Live, live without care
Like a fish in the water
Like a bird in the air

Sweet, sweet surrender
Live, live without care
Like a fish in the water
Like a bird in the air

All for now,
Lisa

Post DGNC

I've just returned from beautiful Minneapolis, Minnesota where I attended my first Desiring God National Conference. A friend suggested I attend and I'm so glad I did. The conference was entitled, "The Power of Words and the Wonder of God". And since God has been speaking to me in "words", I thought it was appropriate that I attend.

On a personal note, it was so fun to hang out with folks: Jessica, Dovie, Erin, and Todd all went to the conference. We also met up with Justin and Brian - who were up in Minnesota. Justin's parents were there also, and family and friends. Dovie's cousin, who lives up there with her family, also invited us over for lunch on the last day. All in all, I had quite the family time while up there. Thanks to all!!

My photo link here

About the conference: let me say at the outset that while I would attest that I'm not a confirmed Calvanist (and John Piper and most folks on the panel are), and yes, probably had a bit of a hesitation because of it; I still learned so much about the love of God, the gratitude of my heart because of who He is and what He has done, and the overflow of it into my life. And the conviction of sin in my life and the reducing affect it has on the power of God in my life. Especially the subtle stuff.

I took quite a bit from each speaker, but I would say my favorites are:

Paul Tripp - “War of Words: Getting to the Heart for God’s Sake”

John Piper - “Is There Christian Eloquence? Clear Words and the Wonder of the Cross”

I encourage you to listen.

Oh, isn't it "coincidental" that my church's women's retreat is entitled, "The Power of a Word". And this is the byline: "Words have a tremendous affect on us—they can wound and they can heal. Whether the words are spoken, thought or written, they have the power to change our lives as we hold those words in our hearts. Join us as we explore the impact of words in our lives, and most importantly, the power of God’s word to change us forever."

God is so good!

All for now,
Lisa

Something Heavenly

Yesterday, I heard this song for the first time. It's a beautiful song and it came at a perfect time. Enjoy!

Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)
by Sanctus Real

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
But I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
But I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly
Something Heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time breathe in and let everything out

All for now,
Lisa

Redemption Means A New Beginning

I heard this song in the car this morning. It spoke to me. I hope it speaks to you as well.

Feels Like Redemption
by Michael English

I know how hopeless feels
When you're staring at the bottom of an empty hole
In my life I know how forgotten feels
Wondering if the world even knows who you are

But I've never known anything, felt anything
Like the love of Jesus
And it's hard to describe what's happening inside
But right now all I know is

It feels like redemption raining down on me
It feels like forgiveness is come to set me free
All my chains have been lifted
'Cause when the hands of love touch a broken life
It feels like redemption

Now I know how thankful feels
'Cause I am overwhelmed by this gift of grace
And I know how healing feels
'Cause all my pain and all my shame
And all my tears have been erased

It feels like redemption raining down on me
It feels like forgiveness is come to set me free
All my chains have been lifted
'Cause when the hands of love touch a broken life
It feels like

Say goodbye, the past is ending
Say hello to a new beginning
No more night
The sun is shining

Feels like redemption raining down on me
It feels like forgiveness is come to set me free
All my chains have been lifted
'Cause when the hands of love touch a broken life
And when the hands of love touch a broken life
It feels like redemption

I cried out to the Lord, He heard my cry
He healed my heart and He touched my life
It feels like redemption

So say goodbye, the past is ending
Say hello to a new beginning
Feels like
Feels like redemption

All for now,
Lisa

September 11, 2008: An Odd Spiritual Application

Strangely, I started this post almost two weeks ago. On September 11, The New York Times, as you would imagine, had quite a few articles on memorials, reflections, and the after-math of that fateful day seven years ago. One of the last sentences I read said something about just being attentive to look around and be in the present. The odd thing is that I had read a devotional a few moments earlier where Buechner said, "pay attention!"

The “coincidence” caught my attention.

And speaking of paying attention, I think in this life with God, I've learned His voice best not in the "big" times, but in the little times. In my car, in my study time, as I drift off to sleep at night. I’ve begun to know when it’s Him and not just my own thoughts. After all, Jesus says, "You'll know me by My voice".

I think if anything, I've learned that life with Christ (and life is ONLY in Christ) doesn't involve effort, it involves surrender. And you can try harder at it; you just have to throw off more... of what is not Him. Travel more lightly.

My friend Andy says, "just show up". Just show up and pay attention. You'll know Him by His voice. I think that says it all.

All for now,
Lisa

First Blog Post-Ike

This is the first chance I've really had to blog post Hurricane Ike. I have to say I feel quite blessed that I was spared from major damage and all my friends and family came out of it safely and relatively unscathed. Some are still awaiting electricity to be restored to their homes. Myself included. But all in all I've learned quite a bit about God, myself, and others during this whole process. I'm glad I'm walking through it.

More soon.

All for now,
Lisa

Verses on the Fruits

I found some great verses on the fruits of the Spirit. Some of them are simple truths, some commands, and some benefits of the fruits. Hope this encourages you!

Love
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:5
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:2
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
1 John 4:7-9
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.
1 John 4:18-19

Joy
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
John 16:24
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
James 1:2-8

Peace
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Patience
A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Proverbs 25:15
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
Ecclesiastes 7:8
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Hebrews 6:11-12
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains
James 5:7

Kindness
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Proverbs 14:21
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Luke 6:35
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1 Corinthians 13:4
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience
Colossians 3:12

Goodness
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you
Psalm 31:19
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10

Faithfulness
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ""The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness
Exodus 34:6
For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
Psalm 33:4

Gentleness
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:12-13

Self-control
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
2 Peter 1:5-9

All for now,
Lisa

Real or Plastic Fruit?

You know, manufacturers have gotten really good at producing plastic fruit. Sometimes it's really hard to distinguish the difference between real and plastic fruit. And I think the analogy holds for spiritual fruit in our lives.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

I wonder how good I am at producing fruit in my life? Because fruit produced by me is meaningless. It has to be out of Christ's love for me. Meaning, I have to ask myself a good question. Is it from an outpouring of Christ ruling in my life? Or is it just the action alone? I'm reminded of a passage that speaks about having great things, but without love it gains nothing.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Then, in another passage, Pauls talks about similar fruits and bearing and forgiving one another, as the Lord has forgiven me. Then it says,

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:14

So, love binds them all together. And this is the catchy thing about love. It's not our choice of whom to love. You really can't pick and choose whom to love. In three passages, Christ admonishes to love your enemies, to pray for those who persecute you or mistreat you, to bless those who curse you, to do good to those who hate you. And you know what I've found? In doing that, I received fruit I'd never imagine I'd receive... joy, peace, patience and faithfulness to name a few.

And then I see that love is the first fruit mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians. Well, makes sense. Love produces love. And I think love produces all of them. "out of love, I will surrender to God and He will clothe me in..."

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

Ever thought about why those three remain? And why love is the greatest? I think because faith and hope won't be needed in heaven. All we'll have is love!

All for now,
Lisa

Why Does He So Often Speak to Me in the Car?

I guess to answer my question, it's because in my car I'm probably a little more quiet and a little more still. I suppose a lesson is in there somewhere, but I can't stop long enough to think about that! ;-)

I heard this song at lunch. It spoke to me. I do feel like I've been in the crucible and a lot has been burned off. Yet I've felt Him more apparent that ever! Throwing off all that hinders me really does leave much more room for God! It doesn't mean it wasn't painful. But it was worth it! And it will continue to be. It's not over yet!! No, not yet.

I especially love the last lines! His love has set free because He is my total heart's desire. Let me shout that from mountaintops!

Hope Now
by Addison Road

If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm Yours

I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free
When my life is like a storm
Rising waters all I want is the shore
You say I'll be ok and
Make it through the rain
You are my shelter from the storm

I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

You've become my hearts desire
I will sing Your praises higher
Cause Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free

All for now,
Lisa

An Interesting Addendum

I found the verses on which the song, "Peace" is based. By the way, the full name of the song is: Peace (A Communion Blessing from St. Joseph's Square). There were three verses:

Matthew 26:26-30
John 6:32-58
Colossians 3:12-17

The last one really hit me:

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. Everything else will be an overflow. And be thankful.

All for now,
Lisa

Grace, then Peace

It's no coincidence that, while studying on Friday about "pouring out", I find grace and mercy sewn neatly in the story of the woman completely pouring out her most precious possession onto Christ. Then, my pastor, in speaking of the church in Thessalonica on Sunday, shows where Paul talks about grace and peace. And how peace always comes after grace.

I have experienced that. I will never be the same. Thanks and glory be to God! I leave you with a GREAT song by one of my favorites, Rich Mullins. Of course, the timing is perfect!

Peace
by Rich Mullins and Beaker

Though we're strangers, still I love you
I love you more than your mask
And you know you have to trust this to be true
And I know that's much to ask
But lay down your fears, come and join this feast
He has called us here, you and me

And may peace rain down from Heaven
Like little pieces of the sky
Little keepers of the promise
Falling on these souls
This drought has dried
In His Blood and in His Body
In the Bread and in this Wine
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you

And though I love you, still we're strangers
Prisoners in these lonely hearts
And though our blindness separates us
Still His light shines in the dark

And His outstretched arms are still strong enough to reach
Behind these prison bars to set us free

So may peace rain down from Heaven
Like little pieces of the sky
Little keepers of the promise
Falling on these souls the drought has dried
In His Blood and in His Body
In this Bread and in this Wine
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you

And may peace rain down from Heaven
Like little pieces of the sky
Like those little keepers of the promise
Falling on these souls the draught has dried
In His Blood and in His Body
In the Bread and in this Wine
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you
Peace to you
Peace of Christ to you

All for now,
Lisa

Dare to Let Him

Once again, prose from Sunday's class:

Full authority
Death was our greatest enemy
"The land of no return"
Remained since Adam and Eve
Yet still under God's authority
"I am the resurrection and life"
At the cross, He chose to lay down His authority
He did it for us
(the only time it is about us)
ALL-SURPASSING POWER
There's purpose
GLORY!
That which makes Him highly impressive
Agapeo
God knows what's best
He's sovereign
Fueling our faith
Faith = putting entire trust
Do you believe?
He is our PRESENT resurrection
Are you fellowshipping with death?
Are you unconsciously limiting Jesus' power to act in your present?
Give it over to Him today
Feed the spirit by walking in truth!
Walk in it, live obediently
Dare to let Him have it!
He is after what will most glorify God
Are you?
"God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him (Piper)"

All for now,
Lisa

Camping on "Pouring Out": Another Lesson in Grace and Mercy

Ok - So, I've been doing a little camping on "pouring out". There are accounts of Jesus being annointed with oil by a woman in each of the gospels. However, I'm confused with the different accounts, whether or not they were accounts of different events.... 1) Matthew, 26, Mark 14, John 12 and 2) Luke 7. Even though the John 12 passage has the woman pouring the perfume on Jesus' feet instead of head (like Matthew 26 and Mark 14 do).

Matthew 26
Jesus in Bethany, about two days away from Passover, staying with Simon the Leper. As Jesus was reclining at the table, a woman comes with an alabaster jar of perfume and pours it on Jesus head. The disciples were angry for the waste - money could have been given to the poor.

Mark 14
Jesus in Bethany at Passover time (two days away) staying with Simon the Leper. As Jesus was reclining at the table, a woman comes with an alabaster jar of perfume and pours it on Jesus head. Some were angry for the waste - money could have been given to the poor.

Luke 7
Jesus at the house of a Pharisee (no location referenced). As Jesus was reclining at the table, a "sinful" woman comes with an alabaster jar of perfume and pours it on Jesus feet. The Pharisees were upset because Jesus should have known a sinful woman was touching Him.

John 12
Jesus in Bethany (no house referenced) at Passover time (about six days away). As Jesus was reclining at the table, Mary took a jar of expensive perfurme and poured it on Jesus' feet. Judas was angry for the waste - money could have been given to the poor.

In researching a little and talking with friends, this is what I have so far:

• anointing on one's head was a religious ritual with significance to the Jews and anointing on one's feet had to do with cleaning... perhaps for His impending burial (as mentioned in Matthew, Mark, and John)
• anointing on the head was a sign by God singling out someone whom He had chosen for a specific purpose
• think about who authored the gospels and who they were written to... perhaps that is why the different emphasis - Matthew to the Jews, Mark for the Romans, Luke for other pagan Gentiles (Greeks, etc.), John for Christians

On the flipside, here are some similarities:

• Jesus was reclining at the table (at rest)
• the woman completely poured out an extravagant and expensive gift (of love) - not out of necessity or obedience, but out passion and desire
• she was criticized by someone for it
• she was defended by Jesus

The thing I was left with was how the passage in Luke was so dramatically different than the others. In the others, Jesus just defended her by saying it was intended for his burial. Luke was the only account which had a parable enveloped in the story. Jesus talked about the parable of the moneylender - and him cancelling the debt of both a borrower of a small amount and one of a larger amount (10 times more) - yet both could not pay the moneylender back. It was decided the one with the larger amount owed would love more as a result of the debt being cancelled. He ended the parable with this truth:

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Luke 7:47-50

I think she was motivated to her actions ("for she loved much") because she knew the heighth, width, depth, and breadth of Jesus' mercy. And out of that overflow (not just perfume, but tears and kisses), she experienced Jesus' grace ("your sins are forgiven"). Her act demonstrated her faith and Jesus responded in the only way He could - in a good way. Her faith had saved her.

It's ironic. Because she loved much (grace), her sins had been forgiven (mercy). Yet because her sins had been forgiven (mercy), she went in peace (grace).

All for now,
Lisa

And Now a Word on Love

I have had a few tough experiences recently with expressing unconditional love. Oh, I don't mean that it's been hard to have unconditional love. For love - any sort of love - can only come from God. Because God is love (scripture says that and I believe it). I just mean it's been hard to express it. Regardless, it's made me camp on the idea of unconditional love. And it's God's covenant with us that He loves us no matter what.

I was reminded of this in a wonderful article by Paige Benton Brown. I will quote her here because I couldn't really say it any better:

The only time folks talk about human covenants is in premarital counseling. How anemic. If our God is a covenantal God then all of our relationships are covenantal. he gospel is not about how much I love God (I typically love him very little); it is about how much God loves me. My relationships are not about how much friends should love me, they are about how much I get to love them. No single should ever expect relational impoverishment by virtue of being single. We should covenant to love people--to initiate, to serve, to commit.

It is out of this love that I can love. And only out of this love. And it is a "cosmic impossibility" that He can love any other way. It should be for me also.

I want to leave you with Sonnet 116 - by William Shakespeare. Obviously, he speaks of marriage, but I look at it as covenental love:

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

All for now,
Lisa

Coincidence? I Think NOT!

If you've read my blog for any amount of time, you know it has been uncanny how my regular devotionals (Our Daily Bread, My Utmost for His Highest, and Streams in the Desert) have lined up with my journey. Today is no exception. Check out what MUFHH had to say about "pour out" and "satisfaction". And given my word "cease striving" check out the poem from today's Streams:

Be all at rest, my soul, O blessed secret,
Of the true life that glorifies the Lord;
Not always does the busiest soul best serve Him,
But he that rests upon His faithful Word.
Be all at rest, let not your heart be rippled,
For tiny wavelets mar the image fair,
Which the still pool reflects of heaven's glory -
And thus the image He would have you bear.
Be all at rest, my soul, for rest is service,
To the still heart God does His secrets tell;
Thus will you learn to wait, and watch, and labor,
Strengthened to bear, since Christ in you does dwell.
For what is service but the life of Jesus,
Lived through a vessel of earth's fragile clay,
Loving and giving and poured forth for others,
A living sacrifice from day to day.
Be all at rest, so then you'll be an answer
To those who question, "Who is God and where?"
For God is rest, and where He dwells is stillness,
And they who dwell in Him, His rest will share.
And what will meet the deep unrest around you,
But the calm peace of God that filled His breast?
For still a living Voice calls to the weary,
From Him who said, "Come unto Me and rest"

All for now,
Lisa

The Sixth Set of Seven Words

cease striving
Cease striving and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 (NASB)
What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 2:22

cast
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

commit
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:5-6
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
1 Peter 4:19

release
My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
Psalm 25:15
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed
Luke 4:18

satisfied
And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
Psalm 17:15
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalm 63:5
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Luke 6:21

extravagant
I'll make a list of God's gracious dealings, all the things God has done that need praising, all the generous bounties of God, his great goodness to the family of Israel—Compassion lavished, love extravagant.
Isaiah 63:7-8 (the Message)
Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe.
Joel 2:13 (The Message)

poured out
So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD.
2 Samuel 23:16
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.
John 7:38

All for now,
Lisa

An Extravagant Act of Devotion

Yesterday's MUFHH talked about a “A Life of Pure and Holy Sacrifice”. I've been pondering it for a little bit.

It mentioned the story of Mary and her breaking her most precious flask of very costly oil and pouring it out on Jesus’ head. It was her extravagant act of devotion.

MUFHH continues with:

Our Lord is filled with overflowing joy whenever He sees any of us doing what Mary did— not being bound by a particular set of rules, but being totally surrendered to Him.

Being totally surrendered to Him means even giving up the searching in the journey. I know that sounds odd, but you can’t work harder at being holy. It just has to come. And be completely willing to go with it as He moves in you.

MUFHH ends with this:

Now is the time for us to break "the flask" of our lives, to stop seeking our own satisfaction, and to pour out our lives before Him. Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him?

I wonder what mine is? Perhaps it’s simply to stop searching in my journey for my own satisfaction. I think in all this journey of “healing to be content and still not satisfied” I’ve spent too much time on the not satisfied part and not enough on the content. So, this is where I’m ceasing striving. You just can't rush it.

As this segment of the journey comes to a close, I am thankful that He has shown who He is, how much He loves me, has disciplined and healed me. Now, I think that's enough about me.

Let’s focus on Him. It’s a much better subject!

Lisa

His Hands Are Holding Me

I really "heard" this song for the first time on Friday afternoon in the car. It was such a sweet reminder of who God is. I heard it again this morning, so I thought I'd share it with you.

By Your Side
by 10th Avenue North

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

All for now,
Lisa

Grace and Mercy... Enough For All

I have to confess, sometimes I can get pretty selfish. Especially when I have been hurt or wronged, I want justice! But where is my compassion? If I want grace and mercy enough for me and my horrible sins, why then would I not want others to participate in the same? It is small of me to not want that. It is petty that I should think justice for them and grace and mercy for me!

I think the only thing that combats bitterness is grace and mercy. I leave you with a GREAT quote from "Captured by Grace", by David Jeremiah. Thank you, Tammie!

Think of it this way: Mercy is God withholding the punishment we rightfully deserve. Grace is God not only withholding the punishment but offering the most precious gifts instead.

Mercy withholds the knife from the heart of Isaac.
Grace provides a ram in the thicket.

Mercy runs to forgive the Prodigal Son.
Grace throws a party with every extravagance.

Mercy bandages the wounds of the man beaten by the robbers.
Grace covers the cost of his full recovery.

Mercy hears the cry of the thief on the cross.
Grace promises paradise that very day.

Mercy pays the penalty for our sin at the cross.
Grace substitutes the righteousness of Christ for our wickedness.

Mercy converts Paul on the road to Damascus.
Grace calls him to be an apostle.

Mercy saves John Newton from a life of rebellion and sin.
Grace makes him a pastor and author of a timeless hymn (Amazing Grace).

Mercy closes the door to hell.
Grace opens the door to heaven.

Mercy withholds what we have earned.
Grace provides blessings we have not earned.

All for now,
Lisa

No Man Save Jesus Only

The title is taken from the KJV of Mark 9:8. But it's also the desire of my heart right now. Well, let me be completely honest. It's the cry of my heart.

Sometimes God will throw me for a complete loop just to use it to draw me closer to Him. Shaking my head and throwing my hands up can lead to either bitterness or peace. So, I just confess my disbelief, ask for forgiveness, and confirm in my mind who God is. And stay there for as long as I can. ;-)

I know God only exactly wants the best for me. And His ways (thankfully) are higher than mine. As a friend said to me, I don't need to be the problem solver!

Yet taking all of this back to him doesn't remove the sorrow (perhaps dissatisfaction), it just adds a measure of peace. And a tad more strength. Just enough strength to keep going for the moment. And that's good enough for me. Any more and I'd be likely to run off on my own (again). Been there. Done that. Don't want to do it again.

So I'm learning that complications often leads to simplifications. I think He will complicate things just enough to send me shaking my head and throwing up my hands. So, I throw up my hands, not in giving up, but in letting go. I've blogged about this before, Matter of fact, once again, it's coming back to what I'll call the first day of this recent journey! Funny thing is, I look back at that entry and yet I'm still at the point of surrender, yet I see things so differently now. I see God so much better. No man, save Jesus only!!

Reading Psalm 25 helped me too.

I thought of that Ginny Owens song first this morning. It's pretty fitting as I blog this too… "so if all of these trials bring me closer to you. Then I will go through the fire. If You want me to."

Here are some thoughts in prose form:

Hands
"palm of his hand"
that's where I am
I just hope He doesn't squash me like a little bug
He won't
I'm safe there
but not removed from being refined
and disciplined
and yes, that's painful
but the results is purity
and refinement
and a harvest!
I do have an inheritance
Christ in me
the hope of glory!

All for now,
Lisa