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