tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82158699922161766572024-03-05T13:50:46.825-08:00Falling with GraceWelcome to my story!
I write about my crazy and unpredictable yet grace-filled life, my faith, my poems and creative writings, and whatever inspires me that I just cannot keep to myself.
"For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2
Enjoy!
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-38107358059364118212014-05-27T14:28:00.000-07:002014-05-27T14:28:43.893-07:00On Barbie and Breaking Free<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b>So, it's been awhile.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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It's been a while since the fingers have gotten their
exercise dancing across the lettered keys here on this keyboard, but boy do
they dance with renewed fire, because they just couldn't handle their dormant
state any longer.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Not when they've been carrying the burden of this message since,
oh, you know, March. </div>
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It was after a talk with a counselor... </div>
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<br /></div>
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That wise counselor-friend asked me to put a face to the big
idol in my life, </div>
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the one that fuels my disorder in sneaky ways, using food
and exercise as a mask, </div>
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the one that makes me feel like I always have to be
perfect, </div>
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the one that promises nothing but condemnation, nothing but
death,</div>
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the one that I can boldly say, after talking to so many of
my sweet sisters in Christ, many, many of us bow down to daily, sometimes
without even knowing it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>And her name is Barbie.</b></div>
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" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo cred http://herlifeinspiredblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/barbie.jpg</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That's right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like that blond, plastic, flawlessly dressed
all-encompassing image of what a woman should be-- perfect body, flawless hair,
most fashionable wardrobe, picture perfect marriage, changing the world with
successful teaching, medicine, and astronaut careers, and even as President and
Ambassador of World Peace, oh and not to mention, she has defended her country
in every service (United States Air Force pilot Barbie, and Paratrooper Barbie
are just a few examples), she was an Olympic gymnast and has a heart for the
children of the world (UNICEF Summit Diplomat Barbie).
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And always with a pearly white smile. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Um. Yikes?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You may laugh, thinking, <i>no one really holds
themselves to these expectations</i>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, I'm here writing today because I am done shifting in my
seat wondering if anyone else feels the same way I do, has also bowed down to
this <b>idol of the perfect woman</b> (and boy does it get scary twisted when it
becomes the idol of the perfect <i>Christian</i> woman)--</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
that I must have the most stunning body, wear the most
fashionable clothes, run marathons and read interesting books, be charming and
funny, admirable goals and top of 10% of my class, serving selflessly in about a dozen
ministries, writing an earth-shattering blog daily, holding a great internship and having countless great job offers, one day having the most
Christ-centered marriage and one day raising the most adorable little family
that looks hand-tailored for all of social media to gawk and gape at...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How often do we exhaust ourselves to appease this Barbie
mentality?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet, the Lord reminds me <b>it is by my imperfections that He
receives glory</b>, the real glory that just makes this exhausted attempt at my own
perfect and prideful glory look silly,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is
perfected in weakness." -2 Corinthians 12:9 </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and that grace, it doesn't come to the already perfect, it
doesn't require, well, really anything at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>it's a gift</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and my Savior, the one who bestows that very grace, He
unearths the plastic little lie embodied in this Barbie perfection.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By it's very design it's <b>destined for failure</b>:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
according to a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/10/barbie-body-real-life-infographic_n_3057690.html">2013
Huffington Post article</a>, if Barbie were a real woman, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
that skinny little neck couldn't even support her head,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
that cute little waist only has room for half a liver and a
few inches of small intestine,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
her forever-long legs are 50% longer than her arms, with the
average woman's legs being 20% longer than her arms,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and those slender, delicate wrists could not lift anything.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let's not be deceived,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
let's not be condemned,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
when there is no condemnation, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and there is no power in those lies,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>only power behind the Truth who offers grace sufficient and
an existence of freedom from the oppression of perfection. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
The perfect design is knowing the Perfect Designer, because we're no Barbie dolls--<br />
<b>we're purposed, known, and radically loved!</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Psst.That's where that whole picture-perfect thing really
lies-- in the only Perfect One.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because really, who wants to try in vain to make perfect
from broken,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
when we could bask in Perfect Himself and know <a href="http://www.bible.com/" target="_blank">the Truth</a>. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-54786030022912821052014-04-16T18:43:00.001-07:002014-04-16T18:43:10.813-07:00Thailand Part III: The first follower of Jesus in the village and when you let Christ leadI felt like we were riding to meet a queen that day when the cloudless Thai sky scattered beads of sweat across our foreheads in that crowded van there.<br />
I felt privileged, honored, humbled, all of it.<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
Because we were on our way to the home of the first woman to attend the church in that fishing village the Lord had brought us to.<br />
We were on our way to a woman with a story that I would count in my mind's hall of faith.<br />
I think back to earlier days when I savored the wonderful book <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-a-fan-kyle-idleman/1100479376?ean=9780310331933" target="_blank"><i>Not a Fan</i> </a><br />
and I think to myself, <i>I could have just watched her life and known what it means to be a follower. She is<b> the real thing.</b></i> <br />
<br />
This woman, she once owned several bars, and several of the bar girls, and was doing well in her business,<br />
but oh how merciful it is when Jesus breaks our business for His blessings, for His grace.<br />
She accepted Christ, and she did just what Jesus told the rich young ruler to do--<br />
she sold her bars,<br />
she freed her bar girls,<br />
and she now sells rice and smoothies out of her humble home for $10 a day,<br />
provided she can work that day, because she has arthritis that makes it difficult to chop mangoes and stir rice.<br />
<br />
<b>Talk about really following Jesus.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Do Americans even do things like this for a Savior</i>? I thought to myself, and asked the chilling question, <b><i>Would I do something like this?</i></b><br />
<br />
After a time of following Jesus like this, this poor woman became discouraged.<br />
The pain didn't cease, the times did not grow easier, and she had contracted the kind of defeat that paralyzes a believer from coming to church for a time.<br />
Do I blame her?<br />
<br />
The pastor, he asked that we would sing to her, enthused at the idea.<br />
I wondered how our voices, this small token of love, would seem to a woman who knows a love so great she was willing to give up money, jobs, and comfort for it. How could our untrained voices bless such a woman?<br />
<br />
Still, we packed our sticky selves into her one bedroom home, pushing out the space taken up with humid air and sadness with voices proclaiming God's love in song. Strums of the guitar and words of truth drew tears from her eyes as she stood there, so small, donning an apron and the sweetest smile of appreciation I'd seen.<br />
<br />
<br />
Afterwards we prayed for our sister.<br />
We prayed the kind of prayer that changes you,<br />
transforms you,<br />
gives you a taste of how invested Christ is in her renewal and makes it the sweetest burden, the most fiery flame of compassion.<br />
Tears framed every eye in the room, furrowed brows crowned each forehead and fervent words were carried as whispers while the pastors wife prayed aloud in Thai.<br />
<br />
When eyes were opened, to my surprise, the Thai students who had been sitting and observing all the while were crying themselves, abandoning the Thai cultural norm to withhold emotion. Still in shock and awe at how God had moved, I asked my Thai sister why tears flowed, and she struggled to find the words. She managed to say that she had never seen anything like it, where people cry like that, pray like that for a stranger.<br />
<br />
That was the treasure right there-- the opportunity to tell her Who was the one behind such deep feelings, to tell her Who produced such love.<br />
In that moment of deep prayer, I did not think for a second of how it would look to those Thai we were ministering to; <br />
I didn't think how odd it might seem that I was praying aloud, or that I was crying for a woman I had just met--<br />
<b>it was simply Jesus.</b><br />
<br />
That is when the treasure is found,<br />
when our intentions, our dignity, our claims to pride-- <b>they're all lost before a Savior</b>.<br />
And that's when He shines brightest<br />
and we taste the endless treasure of eternity.<br />
What a treasure, to unknowingly be a part of the display of the love of Christ.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>So lost in Him that He is all that is seen.</b><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-6097594072333487342014-03-31T19:24:00.001-07:002014-03-31T19:24:03.371-07:00Thailand Part II: In the Thick of It I found myself in the thick of Thailand,<br />
in the thick heavy of the humid air that we swam through,<br />
in the thick of a language I did not understand,<br />
in the thick of intimidation as I gazed out the window of the bus at a lovely landscape scattered with Buddhist shrines shining like they were mocking my attempt to come here and speak the Gospel<br />
<br />
<i>This is </i>our<i> turf</i> these lifeless shrines began to mock me <i>what makes you think you can bring your Jesus here?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Oh, but Jesus was already there. </b><br />
And that Jesus, He is beyond merciful.<br />
Especially when the thickest thing I was in was my own impatience... a head spinning dizzy trying to strategically maneuver conversations with my new Thai friends that would somehow work Jesus in.<br />
And this was just day one. <br />
<br />
I can just see my King laughing at His frenzied daughter, saying, <i>Just wait. I need no help revealing myself. Just wait.</i><br />
<br />
So my sweet new Thai friend and I, we giggled over the chick flicks we both liked, she told me of her dreams of being a flight attendant, and all the while I'm fervently asking the Lord like some anxious toddler, <i>When, when, when?</i><br />
<br />
We drove past more trees with blossoms flaunting their bountiful beauty in the gracious breeze that kissed the heat that day, and I drank in the vision of serenity after being in the hectic Bangkok traffic just an hour earlier.<br />
<br />
As the city melted into countryside, the Lord melted my anxiety and though I was impatient, doubting, and questioning His sovereignty, and really did not deserve what came next--<br />
an open door for the Truth to flood in,<br />
a glimpse of the treasure I'd been begging for: <b>the privilege, the honor, the blessing of an opportunity to share the Greatest News with this new friend of mine.</b><br />
<br />
The Lord composed His moment like this:<br />
<br />
As we talked about this new marvelous thing of Thai culture with our new Thai friend, I felt the Lord push me to take a step in faith, to ask my friend about the Buddhist shrines and what they meant.<br />
<a href="http://biblehub.com/niv/luke/5.htm" target="_blank">Like Simon Peter</a>, I threw out the nets after already feeling defeated, wondering if I could ever witness on this trip, if I would ever see fruit.<br />
But I threw them out in faith.<br />
And my net broke under the weight of God's utter grace.<br />
<br />
<b>"What do Christians believe?" she asked.</b><br />
I did a mental double take and I felt the Spirit sweep in and clothe me in God's bravery and strength as I spoke the Gospel, oh so careful not to mess up this message that burst forth from my heart, vibrated in my vocal cords and burst into the air for all to hear.<br />
<br />
When<a href="http://biblehub.com/niv/luke/5.htm" target="_blank"> Simon Peter </a>saw the net come back full of fish, it was enough to make him fall to the ground before a Holy God,<br />
and all Christ could say was, "Do not be afraid."<br />
And that day, that first day in Thailand,<br />
though I did not deserve,<br />
though I doubted as passionately as I should have believed,<br />
though I questioned as deeply as I should have had faith,<br />
the Lord made me a "fisher of men."<br />
<br />
And all that maneuvering, tinkering with some grand strategy to share His Gospel--<br />
it's man-made garbage because Christ's way is the best way, the only way.<br />
And the only way is to be still, to love Him, and let that flow forth.<br />
<br />
Jesus through me and my missions team partner,<br />
He proclaimed His redemptive story,<br />
He used my insecurity for His glory as I voiced morsels of testimony,<br />
He used the spirits she feared to offer His overwhelming victory over them, <br />
He revealed His end to the Buddhist cycle of karma,<br />
and these things became a masterpiece before my eyes that I could not claim any part of-- and that's what made it such a beautiful miracle.<br />
<br />
My Thai friend took the weight of the words, and expressed how difficult it was to choose to leave the Buddhism she grew up with, especially when the church she had tried made her so happy, yet her family was proud of their Buddhist faith.<br />
<br />
And I felt like I was bathing in a melty pool of chocolate,<br />
overwhelmed in sweetness,<br />
indulging in warmth,<br />
knowing again that my inadequacy means nothing,<br />
and that Christ is everything.<br />
Though I was impatient and did not deserve any of it, stuck in my doubt, paralyzed by my planning,<br />
I got the utmost privilege of witnessing His seed planted, and speaking His glorious truth.<br />
<br />
No matter what the outcome, just the experience of the Lord's grace, reminding me that He will work and have unimaginable glory despite my impatience, despite my inadequacy, despite my plans that were bound to fail-- <b>that is satisfaction filling enough for eternity. </b><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-68698194679689970592014-03-25T05:33:00.003-07:002014-03-25T05:36:37.638-07:00Thailand Part I: Open Wounds<b><span style="font-size: large;">So how do I even begin to express in words</span></b> an experience that was rampant with miracles and saturated with God's presence answering prayer after prayer like some marvelous fireworks display before the eyes of me, my missions team, some new Thai friends, and a family of believers and believers to be?<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">How could I possibly convey the magnitude</span></b> of God's transforming power working on overdrive in the hearts of the unsaved, resurrecting a new hope and zeal int he hearts of believers, and revealing His glorious love in new ways moment after moment, wondering to myself if it could ever possibly get better, and being shocked and awed as the Lord was better and better all the time?<br />
<br />
Maybe I'll begin the story of my <b>missions trip to Thailand</b> with the hours before I stepped on a plane to arrive at a life forever changed. Maybe I'll begin with the whispers that became loud, harsh accusations as the hours of anticipation wore on. Here's what they sounded like:<br />
<br />
<i>You are in NO shape to go to Thailand and share the Gospel. Heck, you don't even get the Gospel yourself! You're so deep in this dry season no one will want what you claim to have.</i><br />
<br />
And then other moments they sounded like:<br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>You've let your eating disorder be your king so much this semester, how could you possibly be used by God anymore? He's so done with you.</i><br />
<br />
The little seedlings of truth, that I had been struggling with my disorder, that I did feel so very inadequate in my understanding of the Gospel, and of Jesus' love, that I was going through a dry season... they took root and I boarded the airplane defeated.<br />
<br />
But with courage from the Lord I uttered softly to myself, "<i>Lord, I literally have nothing to offer you. I just ask that you would use me for Your glory, if that's at all possible anymore. I love you so much, and that's really all I have right now."</i><br />
<br />
It was as if the flood gates were opened for the Lord to drown me in grace when I'd been trying so hard to tread the water myself.<br />
A sigh of relief in my heart as I realized my inadequacy, realized my weakness, only to realize the greatest lesson I learned on this trip:<br />
<i></i><br />
The way God will use me, the way God will make me an instrument of His grace and mercy and glory, is in NO WAY dependent on my spiritual, mental, or physical state.<br />
None.<br />
Oh, and once we surrender and realize that,<br />
the ways He works in a willing, humbled heart are amazing.<br />
And even when my heart was not as humble, not as willing, not as open as it should have been,<br />
the Lord allowed me to share the Gospel on the very first day I arrived in Thailand.<br />
the Lord allowed me to share my testimony in a church half a world away from home.<br />
the Lord graced me with an earth-shattering, and really, a <i>me</i>-shattering experience where I got to worship as the sun rose on a beach and witness two more sisters claim our Heavenly Daddy as their Savior and begin a relationship with Him.<br />
<br />
And so I begin this story as a joyous mess,<br />
because in the <b>admitted mess is where we find real joy. </b><br />
Not in our strategies for ministry,<br />
not in our spirituality that is really a gift anyways,<br />
but in our brokenness.<br />
<br />
My team leader told me on the trip, <b>"By His wounds we are healed, and sometimes, by our wounds, we can heal others too."</b><br />
<br />
I begin to show you that my <b>exposed wounds</b> were the avenues for the outpouring of His glory,<br />
and when He taught me to boast in my weakness there, across oceans deep, I learned what grace really is.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="239" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1.0-9/1959446_10203364850064584_742753021_n.jpg" style="height: 596px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 795px;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sunrise over Thailand, the morning two of my Thai sisters were saved</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-21758067773532249102014-02-10T19:10:00.001-08:002014-02-10T19:10:12.769-08:00Having my Cake <b><span style="font-size: large;">"The Word of God is daily bread, not cake for special occasions."</span></b><br />
<img class="irc_mut" height="217" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.bakingobsession.com/wordpress/wp-content/caramel-cake-slice.jpg" style="margin-top: 74px;" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Does anyone read ever these Christian cliches and just go<i> blah blah blah, yeah, I know, whatever.</i><br />
<br />
Well, I do. <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Or, I did before God humbled like He sweetly does.</b><br />
<br />
You see, it hit me one day-- I am in the Word daily but it's not always my nourishing bread to be digested and broken down and absorbed and spread throughout veins as fresh vitality.<br />
<br />
No, I often treat the Word, and those shining treasures known as His promises, as I treat real-life cake at my worst times:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>an indulgence that I just don't deserve and shouldn't treat myself to too much of.</b></div>
<br />
Writing that, I think, isn't that so warped?<br />
But I know that it's a real soul-sickness and I know I'm not alone in that. <br />
<br />
How I wish those lies would just know the victory!<br />
<br />
<i>Ah, but they have.</i><br />
He reminds me of this one great thing.<br />
<br />
He reminds me that ingesting His Word, breathing in God-breathed, refreshing fountains of truth and peace as they are-- it's <b>what He died to enable for me who has been graciously made His daughter.</b><br />
<br />
That I, the starving sinner, could eat and be filled and more filled and blessed satisfied by entering His presence without restraint,<br />
all thanks to that rugged cross and that beautiful Savior.<br />
<br />
<b>Why would I deprive myself of this,</b><br />
Why treat these promises as indulgent cake not to be touched by the likes of me?<br />
<br />
Did I forget that Jesus came mighty to save and touched me anyway, in my disgusting mess,<br />
made a way by His blood and His pain and His sweat and His wounds,<br />
that my wounds, my cancer called sin,<br />
<b>that it would be healed,</b><br />
<b>and that healing known in full by promises gifted graciously over and over.</b><br />
<br />
Will I let the pride, the lies, the self-induced pressure, the doubt, the fear,<br />
will I let these things be the barrier between me and my treatment,<br />
between a starving soul and its daily bread<br />
and a King from the glory He is more than due?<br />
<br />
<b>I will not, no, not any longer.</b><br />
<br />
It is not cake, and but it's just as sweet.<br />
It is freely given, free to be <i>believed</i> and nourishing,<br />
and with Christ, it is not too far above me, but for me as I am, and for His glory unending.<br />
<br />
What a Savior,<br />
<br />
what a gift,<br />
<br />
what a feast to be had in His presence inhaling His exhale strewn across ancient pages, <br />
<br />
and I will lap it up, like I'm meant to,<br />
<b>believing it fully, and partaking in it unrestrained. </b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-67561741813138729302014-02-08T21:20:00.002-08:002014-02-08T21:20:27.317-08:00Enough with Enough -- Part II<b><span style="font-size: large;">It's wild how God works when our eyes are closed,</span></b><br />
when there's no way we could possibly have a clue what He's doing,<br />
and He surprises us in splendid shockers that never cease to humble and save.<br />
<a href="http://mystory323.blogspot.com/2014/02/enough-with-enough-part-1.html" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://mystory323.blogspot.com/2014/02/enough-with-enough-part-1.html" target="_blank">Just after I had been beckoned by my Lord</a><br />
through that beloved Bible study,<br />
through heart to heart with a dear friend,<br />
through humbly breaking, bending the knees, and returning to <a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/1/eph.3.14-19.kjv" target="_blank">the one place that really matters</a>,<br />
the one place that is the wellspring that splashes and thunders with victorious life in all the driest desolate places: <b>His love.</b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>He surprised me when I least expected it.</u></b><br />
<br />
Exposed wounds from the weapons of legalism<br />
those lies telling me I did not do enough ministry,<br />
did not do enough good deeds,<br />
to meet some special checklist that qualifies me to be on some other silly level of super spiritual Christian.<br />
<i>Try harder</i> the lies urged <i>try harder because you're just failing. God's just not glorified in You.</i><br />
<b>What an awful accusation when that's all you really want.</b><br />
<i> </i><br />
Then surrendering all this to Him, God showed me it's by His power, and the grace of dwelling in His love, that great things get done for His glory and His kingdom.<br />
<b>And I need not, cannot, do a thing.</b><br />
Literally, He did it while eyes were closed and the mind was lost in dreams and the breathing was slow and soft.<br />
<b>Yes, He did it while I was sleeping.</b><br />
<br />
Sleeping there in my dorm room, buried in brightly colored comforter and pillows, I felt a gentle shake from that new sweet sister that had just moved onto my hall.<br />
"Rachel?" she whispered gently, "If it weren't important, I wouldn't wake you. Sorry."<br />
"What's up?" I garbled, surely groggy and less than glamorous for such an occasion to glorify God.<br />
"Do you know any Bible verses about God's will for you life?" she asked from her half broken heart, "Because I think God might have put us together in this hall for a reason, since you seem to be mature in your faith." <br />
<br />
What?<br />
Huh? <br />
Did she know that I had been struggling,<br />
that I had made myself a vulnerable mess just hours ago at my Bible study pouring out all the things I needed to figure out, to be healed from,<br />
that I was in that dry season all those Christians always talked about, that I was SO far from "getting it?"<br />
<br />
Together we talked for an hour,<br />
and in this blessing she shared with me the things troubling her heart, <br />
and we poured over scripture,<br />
and felt healed wounds by knowing where to go together-- right to our Daddy's embrace.<br />
<br />
That message I'd heard just hours before at a Bible study that seemed so perfectly catered to fit the time I travel through now?<br />
Well guess what-- it's a perfect fit for her too.<br />
<br />
Because we all need to dwell in the love of Christ,<br />
to be made small there<br />
and allow <i>Him</i> to accomplish,<br />
<i>Him</i> to work,<br />
<i>Him</i> to get great glory,<br />
<i>Him</i> to be enough,<br />
<b>and nothing else seems to matter when you realize that one glimmering eternal treasure is yours forever.</b><br />
<br />
After all of it, and I'd turned out the lights to slumber once more, I found myself wildly smiling, <br />
heart racing at the joy that the Lord had renewed in me,<br />
all I could do not to laugh crazy to myself,<br />
that the Lord had shown me<b> I do not have to do a thing but dwell in His love</b>,<br />
<b>and He does the rest.</b><br />
<br />
Literally opening up opportunities when I'm in the epitome of not trying: <i>sleeping</i>, for goodness' sake!<br />
<br />
For when you dwell right there in His love,<br />
and nothing else,<br />
no expectations,<br />
no condemnation,<br />
no accusations,<br />
no qualifications,<br />
and when "enough" is only used to describe His grace,<br />
and when legalism finds its place to die right there with all the other sins, right there on that cross, <br />
<b>well it's wide open for Him to work in wondrous ways. </b><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-57947996917988318662014-02-06T19:34:00.000-08:002014-02-06T19:34:05.627-08:00Enough with Enough- Part 1<b><span style="font-size: large;">Legalism.</span></b><br />
<br />
One word encompassing the chains around my heart, chains of lies linked by fortified <b>"not-enough's."</b><br />
<br />
I don't care enough.<br />
I don't love enough.<br />
I don't suffer enough for the Kingdom's cause.<br />
I don't live for Him radically enough.<br />
I don't do enough ministry.<br />
I don't donate enough money.<br />
<br />
<b>I don't know about you, but I've had enough of the word, "enough."</b><br />
<br />
That enough,<br />
it robs me of the very joy of my salvation,<br />
that salvation where the "not enough" is replaced by <b>"My grace is enough,"</b><br />
<br />
and I hate that darkness without joy in Him, because that joy, it's everything.<br />
<br />
And where do you find the strength when knees are weak and you're fighting, fighting to cling to this legalism that has tricked you into thinking you can earn that "grace enough" by beating the soul tired with the "not enoughs?"<br />
<br />
<b>Nothing.</b><br />
You let the knees bend and break.<br />
And you <i>get back to the enough that will produce grace upon grace that becomes more than enough.</i><br />
<br />
Like Paul said in these sweet words:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="EPH.3.14"><span class="label"></span><span class="content">"When I think of all this, I<i> fall to my knees</i> and pray to the Father,</span><span class="note f"></span><span class="content"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="EPH.3.14"><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EPH.3.15"><span class="label"></span><span class="content">the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.</span><span class="note f"></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="EPH.3.16"></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="EPH.3.16"><span class="label"></span><span class="content">I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he <b>will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. </b></span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="EPH.3.17"></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="EPH.3.17"><span class="label"></span><span class="content">Then
Christ will make his<i> home in your hearts</i> as you <u>trust in him</u>. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="EPH.3.17"><span class="content">Your<b>
<u>roots</u> will grow down into God’s love</b> and <b>keep you strong. </b></span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EPH.3.18"></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EPH.3.18"><span class="label"></span><span class="content">And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EPH.3.19"></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EPH.3.19"><span class="label"></span><span class="content">May
you <i>experience the love of Christ</i>, though it is too great to understand
fully. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EPH.3.19"><span class="content">Then you will be made complete with all <b>the fullness of life and
power that <u>comes from God.</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EPH.3.19"><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="label"></span><span class="content">Now
all glory to God, who is able, through <b>his mighty power at work within
us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content">Ephesians 3:14-20 (NLT, emphasis added)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><b> </b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;">It all just comes back to loving Him, by <i>His</i> power.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I</i> cannot make myself fall in love with Him.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I </i>cannot convict myself to figure out some new way to surrender to Him.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I </i>cannot produce a great big divine calling.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I </i>cannot produce my own joy in salvation. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;">But my strength will come from <i>His </i>power, <i>His </i>understanding of <i>His </i>miraculous crazy over-my-head unsearchable endless unconditional love.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;">Dwelling there, loving Him, it's really the enough that's worth it, the only one that counts or lasts.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;">Dwelling there, loving Him with all I've got, </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;">not letting the vital truth found in His love get lost in my aimless shuffle running from one qualification to another that proves that I love a Savior for all to see,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;">nor do I lose it in the frustrating focus on the big plans for the future that I just can't get a handle of, swelled up by pride, driven by fear of not being enough for God when I graduate college,</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;">no, I'll be small with Him right here,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;">let God be big,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;">let God do the convicting,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;">let God do the working,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;">let God do the loving,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;">and let God be glorious!</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.3.20"><span class="content"><span style="font-size: small;">What a great place to be. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-89602281570253647292014-02-03T19:28:00.000-08:002014-02-03T19:28:44.699-08:00When it Rains<b><span style="font-size: large;">From the start it's a losing game without God.</span></b><br />
<br />
Oh, if we don't have Him as protection from the very start, any efforts of ours, they're in vain.<br />
They're inevitably whopping failures, brittle to break, never strong enough to save.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I awakened to this truth</span></b> in a tidal wave of water droplets pouring from the sky in the early darkness of the 530 am alarm. Headed out to get a morning workout in, armed with my tiny pink umbrella, feeling awfully accomplished at my preparation for the precipitation predicted.<br />
<br />
One step on my own to battle the elements.<br />
Literally, the first step out the door,<br />
and<br />
<b><i>SNAP</i></b><br />
my very best defenses in the form of a $5 umbrella<br />
cracked right in half and turned to helpless and hopeless in the drenching downpour.<br />
<br />
<b>"Daughter, could you ever really do it in your own power?"</b><br />
<br />
That's what my Father God says to me in that humbling, soaked moment in the flood.<br />
Just like that <a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/1/gen.6.kjv" target="_blank">Great Flood </a>washed the earth of the wicked, the swollen droplets crashed across a heart polluted with efforts of my own, trashed with condemnation abundant for not doing enough.<br />
<br />
In that moment I spotted the safe haven: a bus-stop overhang.<br />
And I sprint with unusual focus, bursting with energy uncommon for such an early hour toward the one place that assures safety, shelter from the storm.<br />
<br />
Even if the umbrella did work for a time,<br />
the shelter is always there,<br />
always works,<br />
and works better than my silly umbrella could ever muster.<br />
<br />
<b>Isn't that what God promises when we run to Him?</b><br />
When the bondage we face forms heavy droplets and crashes cold across our warmth, rips us from His comfort and turns us to our own effort in an attempt to fake cure the disease cured on a cross?<br />
<br />
<b>These efforts, they only name the broken, they only reveal the hopeless beyond repair.</b><br />
<br />
But <b>the Lord and His grace and love</b>,<br />
it's louder,<br />
far better,<br />
and <b>immeasurably more impressive than the feeble things the world serenades the searching soul with.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Know where to run.</b><br />
<b>Choose the sturdy, </b><br />
<b>not the small, gaudy, and useless pink umbrella.</b><br />
<br />
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" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="320" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-45163938695147091802014-02-01T06:38:00.000-08:002014-02-01T06:38:00.908-08:00Just. Jealous. Love.<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">"You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about His relationship with you."</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">-Exodus 34:14 NLT</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sitting there in my bible study, my community of women, lovers of Jesus through and through, vulnerable, beautiful hearts,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and <b>feeling just like some kind of heathen</b>. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">As our teacher dug into that verse, the soul wondered, beat itself relentlessly,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Why don't you feel more moved by this?</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"The spark of this notion should ignite a fire, burning passion that squeezes tears out of tear ducts and a trembling of raw truth realized, falling to the ground, hitting knees."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"What's wrong with you?"</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rather than focusing on the jealousy of an endlessly gracious God,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I focus on,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">well,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>me.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">How that realization stung. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The realization that I was turning the greatest truth, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">that this jealous God, the one who could have nothing to do with me, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">who does not need me in any way, who knows I am smaller than a speck, more insignificant than a blade of grass, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">a sinner who continuously fails to reciprocate His great love,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">in my sin a spiritual adulteress who is easily distracted by lies and diets and shiny appearances and some husband-man's supposed ability to make me complete and some achievements to keep me going and all the expectations of the world to obsess over</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>yet this God, He loves me madly anyways, </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">And I was turning that greatest truth into something I must earn, hold myself back from, another tool to condemn with.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">How this love is something I shouldn't relish in,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">just like the voice of that powerless disorder when it was the boisterous condemner as I stood before an ice cream stand, deep in bondage with it.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just like that.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">What a lie to believe, that I would turn a remarkable love like this into another tool to relentlessly beat myself silly with, whipping the spirit with expectations and conditions.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">And there it hit me: <b>God knew I would react this way to His unconditional love.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He knew I would twist it to a focus on myself rather than accept His sweetness, His grace.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>On the cross, there, oh did He know</b>.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet He said after hurt upon hurt,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">as He modeled this story in Hosea after His love for the church, for the sinner, for me,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"So I am going to take her into the desert again;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">there I will win her back with <i>words of love.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I will give back to her vineyards she had and make Trouble Valley a door of hope...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and she will no longer call me her Baal."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">-Hosea 2:14-15,17</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">So maybe He just wants my overwhelming joy when so often I feel like I should be shot down with tears and unworthy.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maybe He is opening the doors of utter joy in Him, and He begs me, rescues me, runs across the threshold for me to enter into the love of Mighty to Save. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maybe He is longing for me to stop turning His love into another condemning liar, and to just take it, drink it in, swallow it up for what it truly is: unsearchable, inconceivable, delightful, satisfying love. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">And realizing this freedom to live in this extravagant, nonsensical, scandalous love,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">right then and there,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">the contentment I'd been hunting for,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">swinging from one single's ministry cliche to another to find some worth,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">my heavenly Husband reminded me of our betrothal,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and I was sold out to His love,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">right then and there.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">No shame in indulging in this love,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">no fear,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and for the hundredth time of preaching it to myself,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">NO CONDEMNATION!</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jealous.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The romance I'd been looking for in wedding shows and Nicholas Sparks movies,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">it's even better once you let go and just know it,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">know it where it's real,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">that it's in Jesus Christ, and there's nothing holding that love back,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">nothing to condemn us for utterly enjoying it,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">because it glorifies Him,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and there's nothing better than this love,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and it continues crazy like this, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">forevermore. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jealous.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><img class="irc_mut" height="393" id="irc_mi" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T7qhtlpVn90/UCSsciRKY8I/AAAAAAAAAzk/Dfu6gEidm04/s1600/he%2Bis%2Bjealous%2B%282%29.jpg" style="margin-top: 37px;" width="550" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-41167712644858944432014-01-30T05:21:00.000-08:002014-01-30T05:21:10.149-08:00Simple<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Taking it step by step to class that morning,</b></span><br />
simple snow flakes falling sweet and soft graces my cheeks with chill, <br />
and my heart worn right numb by the shocking news of a friend's diagnosis,<br />
and prayer becomes more passionate,<br />
and faith becomes more tested,<br />
and questions become more furious and loud.<br />
<br />
Yet in contrast to the storms of my soul,<br />
my eyes dance trying to follow the frozen water beauties poured from the sky.<br />
So simple.<br />
Simple like the fact that sustained me in moments of guilt.<br />
<br />
Yes,<br />
guilt thinking of my friend and cancer and all the real suffering in the world and how I let these stupid lies tell me that the impossible towers I scurry about with worry and doubt day in and day out are worth building: idolatrous towers of perfection and looking skinny and shiny and being invincible. <br />
How wasteful of my precious time here.<br />
How minimal compared to the glory of the Gospel, the real simple that God breathes as a gift when we breath Him in.<br />
<br />
Because He soothed me over all with the simple verse in Psalms when I cracked open my Bible with tears for my friend, tears for how screwed up my conception of life and what matters is,<br />
He soothed me with this:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"The voice of the Lord is heard over the seas;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the glorious God thunders and His voice echoes over the oceans."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">-Psalm 29:3</span></div>
<br />
In the face of the storms,<br />
the insurmountable things like death,<br />
like <span style="font-size: small;">cancer</span>,<br />
like eating disorders,<br />
like the heart break, <br />
like worry,<br />
like fear,<br />
like condemnation,<br />
even the decay of the body,<br />
or the hope-flame flickering after life blows like a hurricane.<br />
<br />
<b>His voice is heard.</b><br />
It has the final say.<br />
Not just a whisper, not some faint thing mixed in with storm-- He's over the storm.<br />
High above it.<br />
Dominating.<br />
Loud.<br />
Boisterous,<br />
Thundrous.<br />
Undeniable.<br />
Insurmountable.<br />
<br />
The lightning of His promise-- it cuts right through the dark like a dagger.<br />
And it always wins over the dark.<br />
<b>Always.</b><br />
<br />
It echoes constant, that following thunder.<br />
Echoes over trail, over turmoil.<br />
<br />
Yes, that's the hope I hope in.<br />
That's the God I praise.<br />
<br />
Because a dear sister told me that day, over lunch, how she feared and she fretted over the things of this world.<br />
And then the simple won again, and she asked herself:<b> "So what? So what if my fear comes true? I come closer to God in the trial. And that is the sweetest thing."</b><br />
<br />
God has healed for eternity,<br />
He has won for eternity.<br />
And His gifts of Himself are forever. <br />
<br />
<b>Simple as that.</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Praise the Lord from the earth,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">sea monsters and all the ocean depths,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">lightning and hail, snow and clouds,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">strong winds that obey His command."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">-Psalm 147:7-8</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img class="irc_mut" height="240" id="irc_mi" src="http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/002/cache/lightning-over-water_270_600x450.jpg" style="margin-top: 9px;" width="320" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-17061331031754022212014-01-26T18:49:00.000-08:002014-01-26T18:49:12.853-08:00Jesus Project Week 3<b><span style="font-size: large;">This week's verse made me hungrier than ever. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="A Holy Experience Scripture Memorization for the Rest of Us The Jesus Project MemoryProject2014 UPDATED Printable Bookmark with List of Verses" class="pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/c9/0e/45/c90e45d38c2b9c7d7f55138eb97ef815.jpg" style="height: 640px; margin: 0px auto; padding: 40px 0px; width: 640px;" /> </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It made me realize just how little I have dipped into this ocean of fullness and miraculous that is following Jesus Christ. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It made me realize that I have not even come close to realizing what this whole grace thing is. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He shows me in gifts daily, and <b>sometimes I don't even see it.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/1/jhn.1.14.kjv" target="_blank">This week's verse</a> said the Word became flesh. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Word.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">God Himself. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I picture Him as Isaiah encountered Him, just for a moment overwhelmed at this God whose very presence forced <a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/1/isa.6.1-5.kjv" target="_blank">Isaiah to the ground crying out in utter realization at his hopeless sin.</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/1/rev.1.14-16.kjv" target="_blank">I picture my Jesus who is the one John saw with eyes that blazed like fire, wielding a two-edged sword, with a voice roaring like a waterfall</a>-- a fierce warrior who I have the gift of intimacy with. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am even more overwhelmed that this is the same God whom I was chatting with walking back</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> from chemistry lab pouring out my exhaustion, praising Him for His complex creation. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Floored, to say the least. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">And He came in <b>fullness of grace and truth</b>, the verse goes on to say. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nothing had ever come like this before.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">In fact, those who saw this glorious Savior King in gracious flesh form--walked the same streets He did, breathed the same air He did, looked into His very eyes-- <b>they didn't even recognize Him.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">And I asked myself-- <b>do I?</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I thought back to that dinner with friends over Christmas break, and the girl who asked me, "What is grace? I don't know what it is?"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before I could utter a prideful line about the definitions I'd gotten in my fancy Christian college courses, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">before the mouth could raise up pompous plumes trumpeting my own intelligence, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>the Lord said-- but do you know the fullness of grace and truth?</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because that's God.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Grace and truth.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">That's Him.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Knowing grace and truth is knowing Him. </b> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I've missed it often</b>-- distracted, doubtful, believing lies, seduced by the world, played by sin and playing in sin.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">But the good news is, He gives one blessing after another out of the fullness of His grace-- </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">God, that Mighty God-- He made Himself known by becoming uncomfortable, gritty, weak, lowly flesh-- all so we could see Him, full of grace and truth.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>What a gift.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>His grace covers my lack of acknowledgment of what His grace really is</b>-- </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">that He is loving always though I did not love Him always, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">that He is always with me though I ran from Him for so long, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">that He has made me His friend though I try so hard to be bound by earthly expectations that whisper lies in my ear, lies that I'm still His enemy, that I don't have the victory,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and like a good shepherd He reigns me in and whispers the Truth and that is grace to the full. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I don't want to miss that grace,</b> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">because He gives it abundantly, everywhere, bursting like fireworks in moments of a mundane day and rushing toward me like a joyous fountain ever increasing in refreshment as I ever increase in thirst for it. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">And that fierce Savior warrior I read about in Revelation, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">the one who became flesh,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">do you know what He said when John fell at His feet?</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">"He placed His right hand upon me and said,</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">'<i>Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last, I am the living one! I was dead but now I am alive forever and ever. I have authority over death and the world of the dead.</i>'"</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>-Revelation 1:17b-18 </b></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Could you imagine the touch of the one who is so mighty and holy words fail to capture it?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Could you imagine His urging you not to fear?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>No need to-- </b>He does this for you and I who know Him in His fullness of grace and truth.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He helps us conquer the grave and the sin and the things that are stopping us from seeing the fullness of His grace all around.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's everywhere indeed.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Let us be hunters of grace by following the grace-giver, the one who fights furiously for us, the one who pleads on our behalf, </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>the one who became flesh for us.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Join me in writing more grace and truth on my heart, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>indulge in this verse for the week, </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>let it nourish:</b></span><br />
<br /><img alt="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/fe/89/4d/fe894d78f5b4c5ba7500bcf00d461799.jpg" class="shrinkToFit decoded" height="638" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/fe/89/4d/fe894d78f5b4c5ba7500bcf00d461799.jpg" width="510" /><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-85833408169185486892014-01-22T19:14:00.001-08:002014-01-22T19:14:20.842-08:00Does grace scare you?<b><span style="font-size: large;">It's a humbling priviledge to share God-whispers with you here.</span></b><br />
To share a message with no agenda, no secret motivatoin or rhetorical machinery to win over an audience by writing skillful and cunning.<br />
To just let the ink pour into a journal like water through a faucet,<br />
like God's message through this weak human heart with holes galore, more open to receive His whole promises, His strong messages.<br />
<br />
After a night of sharing with sisters at my favorite Bible study-- <br />
which is not anything like the Bible studies I've known; it's a God encounter, a time to close the eyes and breathe in a Savior and feel His grace vibrate over the walls of your lungs and your vitality--<br />
after praying in a community that I'm so thankful for,<br />
after praying that I would know His love, <b>oh, He answered me so suddenly.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Did you forget about my grace?</i></b></span><br />
He says<br />
To me,<br />
to you,<br />
to all of us humans who complicate the one truth that's bursting wild with joy and solid promise.<br />
<br />
<i>Did you forget about my grace?</i><br />
That ooey gooey goodness, the filling that you never knew existed before you knew Him?<i> </i><br />
<br />
Don't qualify it.<br />
Don't earn it.<br />
Listen to it.<br />
<i>Soak it up, indulge in the gift you don't deserve but have abundantly overflowing.</i><br />
He calls me.<br />
<i> </i><br />
And then that moment when God can plant a new seed in the heart that seems to rumble and erupt from the soil furiously, becoming a rainforest from a seedling in a split second;<br />
a morsel of truth that could change everything;<br />
to me it sounded like this: <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Does it scare you that you don't deserve it?</i></b></span><br />
<br />
How the Lord read my heart in that moment.<br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>Does it scare you that you can't earn My Love?</i><br />
<i>That's not my Love.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://biblehub.com/1_john/4-18.htm" target="_blank">Because His perfect love casts out all fear.<i> </i></a><br />
<br />
And He knows I feel like I'm falling every time I take those steps to let go.<br />
He knows that I am so afraid of losing grip, holding it all together.<br />
<b> But that's exactly what grace requires</b>.<br />
<br />
Unearned.<br />
Not gained by performance.<br />
Not a set of qualifications, a list I can meet.<br />
<i><b>Nothing I can do.</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>It takes me letting go to know that grace never lets go.</b><br />
<br /> My dear perfectionist, type-A, control-loving friends,<br />
the ones who feel this heart, who might know or might have known these words I write here tonight-<br />
<br />
<b>Don't forget the grace that's always there. Let go, because grace is letting go to know that He's never letting go of you. </b><br />
<i> </i> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-38099193515770689262014-01-18T05:58:00.003-08:002014-01-18T05:58:52.854-08:00Jesus Project Week 2<b><span style="font-size: large;">I love that the Lord is not like the world we see all around us.</span></b><br />
<br />
Where love is handed out only if you reciprocate or exceed its investment in you,<br />
Where most everything is done for personal gain,<br />
And there are no absolutes to plant your shaky feet on.<br />
<br />
<b>Before knowing Christ I longed for absolutes, searched for them hungrily, let them rule my life. </b><br />
<br />
I remember that 18-year-old girl who put her whole hope in the absolute certainty of a career in the United States Air Force, who thrust all energy and effort into gaining the ultimate joy understood at the time: an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, a dream realized.<br />
<br /><br />I remember that girl who only ever felt complete when they gave her nice certificates and awards and peer's parents said, "Wow, you're doing something amazing," and the words honorable and special and prestigious went before her name and her goal in life. And she built a high pedestal for these things, never dreaming they could collapse.<br />
<br />
I remember the utter devastation when going to the Air Force Academy was all she dreamed it would be and more, when she had a sure job, a sure purpose, a rock solid sense of worth and achievement, <br />
and then the words "Medical Discharge" <b>destroyed that pedestal she'd worked so hard to build,</b> uttered by a bedside doctor with cold eyes and a smile that was rotten with false sympathy.<br />
<br />
I remember the depressed months, the dances with anorexia, how it seduced me all the way to the edge of a cliff, the edge of my very life.<br />
<br />
I remember a broken young woman, 19, sobbing in a hospital bed, ashamed of the skeleton she'd become.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://biblehub.com/john/1-5.htm" target="_blank"><b>And then I met the Light.</b></a><br />
<a href="http://biblehub.com/john/1-5.htm" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://biblehub.com/john/1-5.htm" target="_blank"><b>Yes, the light, the light who shines in the darkness</b>.</a><br />
<br />
And best of all, the light was the one sure promise that does not fail, because <a href="http://biblehub.com/john/1-5.htm" target="_blank"><b>the darkness has not overcome it.</b></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/aa/9a/97/aa9a977d593c035e32f3e8c3f9699f9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Holy Experience Scripture Memorization for the Rest of Us The Jesus Project MemoryProject2014 UPDATED Printable Bookmark with List of Verses" border="0" class="pinImage" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/aa/9a/97/aa9a977d593c035e32f3e8c3f9699f9a.jpg" style="height: 640px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 40px 0px; width: 640px;" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Far removed from the pain after walking with a Savior,<br />
living a life where that tale I just told, that story I call "my past,"-- it just seems like a bad nightmare that cannot touch me now because every day is an experience of<a href="http://biblehub.com/john/1-16.htm" target="_blank"> abundant, sure, everlasting grace</a> and nothing less,<br />
<br />
<b>I can see now how the darkness did not overcome the light. </b><br />
<br />
I can see how the things that promised my death and despair, that were rooting for my ruin, the lies, the shame, the circumstances, the emptiness after being robbed of hope after placing it in false things,<br />
they didn't stand a chance because this Light who is the love of my light, <b>He always overcomes the darkness, and has since the beginning of time, and will forever and ever. </b><br />
<br />
So walking in the first week of a semester of grace, how could anything compete with that truth?<br />
<i>Easily</i>, a frazzled heart laughs after lab reports and quizzes and tests.<br />
But even that skepticism, even the imperfections that still dwell in me,<br />
they <b>still are no match for the Light</b> that wins over the darkness every time,<br />
the Light who in all things works on me and wins, even when for a foolish moment I think my judgment of the contrary is right and doubt begins to threaten.<br />
<br />
And <b>in this sure thing</b>, that the Light came and defeated darkness, life is nothing but fullness of grace.<br />
And <b>in this sure thing</b> the Lord gave grace by giving Himself, the Undefeated One, so that the things of this world might not touch me anymore as I approach His glorious throne.<br />
<br />
What about you, friend?<br />
Do you know the Light?<br />
And if you do, do you really know that the Light has overcome every darkness in your life, whether you acknowledge it or not?<br />
<br />
<br />
Join me in the next week of grace written on our hearts as we memorize with <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2014/01/scripture-memorization-for-the-rest-of-us-the-jesus-project-memoryproject2014/" target="_blank">Ann Voskamp's Jesus Project. </a><br />
Here is next week's morsel of God's glory sure to satisfy every soul that works with it, let's it transform them, breaths it in:<br />
<img alt="A Holy Experience Scripture Memorization for the Rest of Us The Jesus Project MemoryProject2014 UPDATED Printable Bookmark with List of Verses" class="pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/c9/0e/45/c90e45d38c2b9c7d7f55138eb97ef815.jpg" style="height: 640px; margin: 0px auto; padding: 40px 0px; width: 640px;" /><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-31726722774605832592014-01-16T18:51:00.002-08:002014-01-16T18:51:16.886-08:00The Real Key to Success this Semester<b><span style="font-size: large;">It was amazing how ancient words spoke through to an anxious college student's heart that first morning of the semester.</span></b><br />
Words spoken from the God of gods to a man who had unimaginably gargantuan shoes to fill-- the very shoes that brought two stone tablets down from the presence of the Holy God.<br />
<br />
Yes, this <b>Joshua</b> man, he had a lot ahead of him:<br />
to cross a river<br />
to conquer nations<br />
to seize the Promised Land<br />
<br />
And here I am shaking in my shoes to face a day of Biology and Organic Chemistry.<br />
<br />
<img class="irc_mut" height="213" id="irc_mi" src="http://chem-fuuast.weebly.com/uploads/1/2/8/9/12894433/5305170_orig.jpg" style="margin-top: 34px;" width="320" /><br />
<img class="irc_mut" height="212" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.bapujiedu.org/biology_lab.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<img class="irc_mut" height="211" id="irc_mi" src="http://knowmoney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/chalkboard1.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /><br />
<img class="irc_mut" height="229" id="irc_mi" src="http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly6admOOgd1qch7b8o1_1280.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /><br />
<br />
But all that was heard in the midst of daunting was this:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"Joshua, no one will be able to defeat you as long as you live. I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will always be with you; I will never abandon you...</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Be sure that the book of the Law is always read in your worship. Study it day and night, and make sure that you obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, <i>for I, the Lord, am with you wherever you go.</i>'" </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Joshua 1:5,8-9</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The success,<b> it begins and ends with the Lord's sure promise of a constant presence.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
His constant presence is not the tool for success, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
it <i>is </i>success.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Remember that place, that Mount Zion that the Psalmist longed for more than anything, like he was a desert yearning for fresh rain after a thousand years of drought?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"One day spent in you Temple is better than a thousand anywhere else;</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I would rather stand at the gate of the house of my God than live in the homes of the wicked.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Lord is our protector and glorious king, blessing us with kindness and honor.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>He does not refuse any good thing to those who do what is right. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Almighty God, how happy are those who trust in You!"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>-Psalm 84:10-11</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>How I camped in these verses over my Christmas break. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
How I delighted in moment by moment basking in the presence of God, knowing Him more, adoring Him more deeply, treasuring every Word for what it is: His presence breathed onto a page to be inhaled within my heart.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On a vacation where the days were laden with hot chocolate and gift giving and coffee dates with old dear friends, how could it not be easy to grow in His presence.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
No stress.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
No distractions.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
No commitments, no requirements no demands. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And here He has laid out the big shoes to fill-- the academics, the demands, the successes to be had--but here's the thing: <b>the successes aren't really getting the good grades, keeping up with the studies.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
No, the success is <b>continuing to dwell in the Temple every moment with even deeper devotion</b>, with even deeper trust and courage when the environment around me is a whirlwind of temporal worry and earthly expectations.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Making the eternal hour of Calculus a time of worship to the riveting God who invented all of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Making the wild days of running about on campus never too busy to be saturated with His Word, retreating to His presence, going out with His presence before me, returning with His presence as a blanket over the reflecting of my day. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The success was <b>already won on the cross</b>: full access to <i>His presence.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>We have succeeded in the semester already, fellow students. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Success is alive, and He lives in you.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Know it this semester.</b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-9904482197292480142014-01-13T18:23:00.002-08:002014-01-13T18:23:31.680-08:00The Jesus Project Week 1It's amazing how appropriate the <a href="http://mystory323.blogspot.com/2014/01/join-me-in-jesus-project-this-year.html" target="_blank">first week</a>'s verse was for my armor today.<br />
<br />
Armor I bear with a smile;<br />
excitement to return to my favorite college in the world reacts with the first day of school jitters and bubbles up with some stresses and wake-up calls, assignments and syllabi, the hour-long wait in line to get textbooks and the deadlines pile high.<br />
But still, as stress tempts to steal the hope I have in Christ, it is<a href="http://mystory323.blogspot.com/2014/01/join-me-in-jesus-project-this-year.html" target="_blank"> this armor I repeat on my breath </a>constantly like furiously gripping to a lifeline.<br />
<br />
<b>He is my lifeline.</b><br />
And He was there in the beginning.<br />
<br />
I memorized it and wrote it a little deeper on my heart by deeply engraving it with the rough edges of letting it live in my life's storms<br />
.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>"In the beginning was the Word,</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>and the Word was with God,</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>and the Word was God."</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>-John 1:1</b></i></span></div>
<br />
Because when eyelids flipped open to the yank of an alarm ringing in my dorm room,<b> I realized my only chance at anything this semester was to place the Word, my Savior Himself, at the beginning.</b><br />
<br />
This Word<a href="http://biblehub.com/colossians/1-16.htm" target="_blank"> through which everything was created and for which all things were created.</a><br />
This Word who is the Mighty God of gods.<br />
This Word who is <a href="http://biblehub.com/jude/1-24.htm" target="_blank">able to keep me from falling, brings me faultless and joyful before His glorious before His presence.</a><br />
The Word <a href="http://biblehub.com/colossians/1-17.htm" target="_blank">who holds all things together.</a><br />
<br />
His glory, knowing Him and grasping at more of who He is, it's really all that matters.<br />
<br />
Even when you didn't read the syllabus saying you had a chapter due tomorrow.<br />
Even when you're missing friends and family, and the chill of academia seems too cold after a warm three weeks at that place called home.<br />
No matter what, <a href="http://biblehub.com/niv/psalms/139.htm" target="_blank">the one who knit me together in my beginning</a>,<br />
He is my beginning,<br />
and if I don't make Him that every day,<br />
<b>I am missing out on the greatest gift of God.</b><br />
<br />
And I often tire at these cliche messages to make time for God.<br />
But it's more than that, He tells me:<br />
<br />
It's making His glory the highest priority in the midst of the mundane.<br />
<br />
It's staying joyously praising no matter what because you understand and simultaneously do not understand the greatness of the gift that dwells within your heart: the gift of God.<br />
<br />
It's having the very breath of God flowing through the lungs and filling the words that exit the lips and singing the lullabies in a head frantic for peace by holding His scripture high in new light and deep devotion.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">And so, I ask you friend, what did the beginning and the Word and the Word being God mean to you as you soaked in it this week?</span></b><br />
<br />
Also,<b> here's next week's verse</b>. I can already see it's power, but I know God will exceed any expectation I might have for these words.<br />
<img alt="image" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/11723575365_84dbbc834a_z.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-19683147632261136102014-01-10T06:00:00.002-08:002014-01-10T06:00:53.934-08:00Papercuts and PrayerIt was in the fifth mile of a treadmill workout, speaking silently to my Heavenly Father as hurried steps and quickened breath paced my conversation of grace.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">It was there that God said, "Tell me, what's really wrong?"</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Praying for more and more humility lately, and boy, does He deliver it in extravagant mercy</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Praying to Him I find myself doing something often: <b>trying to make downplay the painful emotions</b> I feel, avoiding them when I pray because they are too easy. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's what it may sound like for any of us: </span></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I can handle the sting of that insult on my own.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am feeling lonely, but I just need to suck it up. </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">God will laugh in the face of these silly little prayers when martyrs are bleeding and children have starving swollen bellies and bombs are exploding off in the Middle East.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">This emptiness isn't suffering, it's all my imagination.</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then I see an example that my very Saving Father uses when He walked the earth: children.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He says, </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">"Some people brought children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples scolded the people. When Jesus noticed this, He was angry and said to His disciples, 'Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these."</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>- Mark 10:13-14</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
Kids, they know a need, and they shamelessly ask for help, they don't even think twice.<br />
Kids, they have a tiny papercut and run to their daddies and mommies soaked in sobs and unleashing what they feel, and the more mature, stronger, wiser adult will soothe and heal, telling of how it is not that bad, giving that curing cuddle that saves the day and all of a sudden the affliction is forgotten.<br />
<br />
<b>Should it not be the same with us?</b><br />
<br />
Part of the extravagant gift of being able to go to my Father, experience Him, feel Hiim, commune with Him, abide in Him with no separation or fear of condemnation, is that I can go to Him with anything and receive the ultimate treasure of closeness, the extravagant joy of His glory, <br />
In fact, He promises this, unrestrained.<br />
Indeed, it brings Him glory.<br />
<i><b><br />"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."</b></i><br />
<i><b>John 14:13-14</b></i><br />
<br />
I do not want to entertain the thoughts that act as the disciples did on that day, to scold the desire that resides in me as a child of God to run to Him with my papercuts.<br />
I do not want to be a <b>glory thief</b> any longer, to foolishly abide in myself for these things that are "too little" to call the 9-1-1-G-O-D emergency hotline for help and peace and rest.<br />
I want to humble myself, realize not even my painful experiences belong to me to hoard and try in vain to heal and pride myself with my false sufficiency. <br />
<br />
<b>Because really, I am spiritually destitute, </b><br />
<b>yes, without Him, I am utterly helpless</b>.<br />
And the biggest lie I could believe in a moment of pain, is telling myself I don't need His help.<br />
And the poorest choice I could make is comparing my suffering to others and falling deep into the deceit that says, "He'll mock you for your imaginary 'pain'."<br />
No, I don't deserve His help, but that's the beauty of grace and He's given it lavishly.<br />
<br />
He never does mock my pain like the world does.<br />
He never will.<br />
He only wraps His great mighty arms around me, the sobbing child with a papercut, and heals and delivers every single thing I need, and then some.<br />
<br />
Nothing to fear.<br />
Nothing to hide.<br />
Only to receive and to know His glory more intimately, and praise Him with passion and exuberance afresh. <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-68144485798398922452014-01-07T07:05:00.005-08:002014-01-07T07:05:50.599-08:00Join me in "The Jesus Project" this year!So, this year, after being inspired by one of my favorite blogs (Ann Voskamp is wonderful, check out her writing at aholyexperience.com), <b>I am making a quasi-resolution to memorize 72 verses from the Book of John.</b><br />
<br />
Why?<br />
Why attempt the one thing (memorization) I've realized I'm pretty bad at?<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Because the Word is God breathed and I'm longing for that breath to dwell in my heart verse by verse this year.</b><br />
To inhale Life and be prepared to exhale it in all its fullness.<br />
To meditate on Truth, marinate in life-giving Word to make the most of moments this year. <br />
I'm longing for the heart to know, to soak up slow, to digest meticulously the Words of Jesus, because a sister in Christ once said, <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank">"what the heart knows, it knows by heart."</a><br />
<br />
<b>And so, each week, there will be a verse. </b><br />
<br />
A morsel of life that will more than satisfy, yet will inspire a thirst for more of Him that is never satisfied, only multiplied in joyous longing to know a Savior more.<br />
<br />
<b>And, at the culmination of each week, I hope to write about what I've been meditating on with this verse in my heart.</b><br />
<br />
And in an attempt to make this blog more of a community, (that is, if anyone actually reads this blog in the first place (; ) <b>I'm inviting you to join me in this thing that I'm horrible at, to join me in engaging with the Word, letting it change you, letting it dwell in you.</b><br />
<br />
Just because Advent is over doesn't mean we are done carrying Jesus, letting Him grow and develop, swelling our hearts and molding all that we are.<br />
<br />
Let His word do that for you.<br />
<br />
<b>If you blog, I invite you also to write you meditations on these verses down at the end of every week. I invite you to share what the Lord is showing you through a single verse of Scripture.</b><br />
Also, at the <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank">Holy Experience blog,</a> Ann Voskamp has included these lovely printables and even a list of dates and verses to get you started.<br />
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So, friend, will you join me?<br />
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<b>This week's verse (printable courtesy of aholyexperience.com):</b><br />
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<img alt="image" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/11722176493_f1e2eb794d_z.jpg" width="640" /> <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-64429742598702953732014-01-07T06:47:00.001-08:002014-01-07T06:47:10.054-08:00What's with all the hand raising in church?<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lifting my hands in worship is one of those weird things I started doing in church but never in a million years thought I would do.</span></b><br />
<img class="irc_mut" height="283" 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" 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" style="height: 180px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -16px; margin-top: 0px; width: 270px;" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Before I knew Jesus, I would see people lifting their hands in church and judgmentally thought it was all some big show, like the stories I'd heard in mass on Ash Wednesday year after year about the Pharisees who made a big deal out of fasting and tithing, making sure everybody saw.<br />
<br />
<b>Then, one day, I just felt it.</b><br />
<br />
Hard to explain, but I felt the need to lift my hands high, reaching out to worship this expansive, forever loving Savior whom I loved so much in that moment I thought my heart would burst and wanted more than I wanted anything in my life.<br />
<br />
I didn't really care, in that moment, what anyone thought.<br />
<br />
I didn't really feel my arm aching after a few minutes of worship passed by.<br />
<br />
I was amazed that I was doing it, amazed that I had specifically said to myself one day, "Psh, I'll never do that," but in knowing the Lord more deeply and intimately,<b> I found myself raising my hands purely out of worship in the fully joyous experience of being int he presence of a Savior. </b><br />
<br />
And as I try day after day to truly figure out what it means to make every step, every breath, every movement of my life and act of worship, I find funny metaphors in the hand raising phenomenon I'm still getting used to:<br />
<br />
Maybe worship is getting out of your comfort zone because you adore a Savior just that much, not giving a moment's thought to what anyone else thinks.<br />
<br />
Maybe worship is reaching for God, not even noticing the earthly pain because His presence is that wonderful. <br />
<br />
Maybe worship is doing exactly what you thought you'd never do, amazed at what following Jesus holds for you beyond your wildest plans or dreams.<br />
<br />
And it was crazy to me, once I actually consulted the One with all the answers about this phenomenon, how this hand-lifting worship-- it's quite Biblical (see Psalm 63:4, Psalm 134:2, Lamentations 3:41). <br />
<br />
Lamentations 3:41 is the one that really draws the line between what I thought this hand-lifting worship was and what it really is meant to be:<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">"Let us lift up our hearts <i>and</i> hands to God in heaven;"</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-Lamentations 3:41 (emphasis added by me)</span><br />
<br />
<b>Hearts and hands.</b><br />
<b>Hands and hearts.</b><br />
<br />
<b>The heart is meant to be tied up in, inseparable from, these acts of worship.</b><br />
Because Jesus didn't want people to honor with their lips but have hearts far from Him (check out Matthew 15).<br />
Because Jesus doesn't want this outward motion professing devotion,<br />
<b><i>He wants a heart smitten and devoted, a life that follows in loving abandonment. </i></b><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-35851631345276131432014-01-03T06:20:00.004-08:002014-01-03T06:20:59.487-08:00Christians as Sales-people<b><span style="font-size: large;">Today is my last day of work until the summer,</span></b><br />
the last day selling things and making the lackluster products appear more shiny, brighter, faster, better than everything else of it's kind,<br />
the last day manipulating words, using strategies and techniques, bending over backwards with near desperation, all to get someone to change their mind, to accept what I offer them.<br />
<br />
I love to sell things; it's kind of like a game to me. I love it despite the reactions from people who feel pestered and don't like being prodded with my offers of discounts and coupons and deals. Some cut me off mid-sentence with an annoyed, "No." Some roll their eyes, become more and more infuriated and annoyed with every word I speak.<br />
<br />
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't really mind these reactions. They're just an answer to my prayers to the Lord, asking me to love even when it's hard to. And boy does it get hard to sometimes working in retail. Plus the holiday season can be a stressful time of year, I understand when they are short-tempered.<br />
<br />
<b>No, what bothered me is this: </b><br />
One slow day at work, gazing off into the book shelves and breathing in the scents of Starbucks coffee, I realized this is how many people view evangelizing Christians: <b>as annoying, relentless salespeople.</b><br />
<br />
Feeling they must spruce up the product (the Gospel), feeling they must manipulate words and use strategies and techniques, bending over backwards all to make someone trust Jesus Christ as the Lord and treasure of their life. Using a certain formula to follow, looking for more sure-fire ways to make a sale, get a pat on the back, increase their conversion rates and disregard the feelings of the person they speak to in the process.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Yikes.</i></b><br />
<br />
If there's one lesson I've learned this semester, with heaping piles of grace and mercy in the messy process, it's our call to share the Gospel, to win crowns for Christ-- and may I emphasize, <i><b>for Christ.</b> </i>This my calling, my purpose as a believer and follower of the God of gods, the Mighty Savior King.<br />
<i> </i><br />
Yet, as I spend my school days in a rich Christian environment, I see more and more of this task becoming <b>all too similar to the work of competitive salespeople</b>.<br />
<br />
Where emphasis is placed on the methods, the new and innovative ways to sell the Gospel to people, where it is within the messenger's power to change the heart of the person so that they may receive and dedicate their life to the Gospel, where converts are prizes and the power of Christ the King is diminished. Where <i>you too can accept Jesus Christ as Lord, ensure eternity in Heaven, and as an added bonus He'll heal your illness, make your life purposeful, and make you a philanthropist and high self-esteem.</i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Yikes, again.</b></i><br />
<br />
I urge my believing brothers and sisters to boldly share the Gospel. It's part of the privilege and joy of knowing Jesus.<br />
<br />
But I ask you to consider what John the Baptist's job was as we take on our own calling to serve the King of Kings:<br />
<br />
<b>"[This is Zechariah speaking to his newborn son John] You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare the road for Him, to tell His people that they will be saved, to have their sins forgiven." -Luke 1:76-77</b><br />
<br />
To prepare the road for the Lord, not to make the way for ourselves.<br />
To prepare the road for the Lord to move, to work, to bestow His grace and power.<br />
To tell the people they will be saved,<br />
not to make them saved,<br />
not to convince them to be saved. <br />
<br />
Because the truth is, <b>we couldn't make others saved even if we tried. </b><br />
Because the truth is, only the Lord holds the power to soften hardened hearts and open blind eyes to the glorious salvation He offers.<br />
Because the truth is, we are not salespeople, we are servants, we are not winning converts, we are making disciples.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>And the prize is not the conversion rate, the prize is Jesus Christ and his glorification.</b><br />
<br />
It all reminds me of some words of Charles Spurgeon. Though he talks about apologetics here, I think the same principle applies. He said,<br />
<br />
"Defend the Bible? I would just as soon defend a lion! Unchain it and it will defend itself!"<br />
<br />
Sell the Gospel? I would just as soon try to stop a mighty lion charging to save the sinner's heart.<br />
I just unchain it and let it go, because it is far stronger than I, and far mightier than any words, strategies, or ambitions I could possess. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-90709510685133954132014-01-02T07:47:00.004-08:002014-01-02T07:47:56.339-08:00What's next?<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It seems like I'm always waiting on the "what's next,"</b></span><br />
with squirming with discontentment and restless living that really only becomes the thief that desires to steal, kill, and destroy me.<br />
<br />
I reflect on the last 24 hours, on the sweet hours of conversation with a best friend over warm caffeine and lot to catch up on, <b>trying to poke at our futures that we really could not know even if we tried. </b><br />
<i>And oh, do we try sometimes. </i><br />
<br />
It's the same poisonous thoughts that have been circling my mind, especially in the days like these when futures look so bright, and <b>let's set all these plans</b> because we've thrown out our old calendars and there's a new number to write in the corner our papers and journals.<br />
<br />
<i>Only when I know when I am able to graduate, then I will have peace.</i><br />
<i>Only when I know what job this degree with get me, then I will have security.</i><br />
<i>Only when I have that godly husband, then I will have deeper joy.</i><br />
<i>Only when I find this devotional, then I will be able to dig deeper into God's Word.</i><br />
<br />
I laugh today at these thoughts that have been regulars in my mind.<br />
I throw them out with the 2013 calendars.<br />
<br />
Waiting in the perpetually discontented state like this, it's a state always hungry.<br />
It's the hungry that promises starvation.<br />
I want a different hunger, the good hunger that ferociously seeks the Lord like a soul starved for years.<br />
<br />
<b><i>"I know I will live to see the Lord's goodness in this present life." -Psalm 27:13</i></b><br />
<br />
<u><b>It's here for us to know.</b></u><br />
That in all the questioning discontented, there's one thing that's for sure, and it will not disappoint like all the other for-sure's we long for will: it's God's goodness, and it's here, today, this second, this breath.<br />
<br />
Because <b>no circumstances or number of uncertainties robs us of the ability to praise</b> God and to feast upon His overwhelming mercy;<br />
it's in this discontentment of waiting for the "for-sure's"-- the job, the husband, the money, the plans-- that we are robbed of <b>the Mightiest for-sure</b> who promises to reign surely forever and ever.<br />
<br />
I read it in the way Mary responded to the greatest wrecking of all the for-sure's in her life-- her promised marriage, her future, her reputation, her standing in society, her role in life-- only to birth the greatest for-sure to promise His goodness in our lives.<br />
To her uncertainties she could only praise. To her uncertainties, she said:<br />
<br />
<i><b>"My heart praises the Lord;</b></i><br />
<i><b>My soul is glad because of God my Savior,</b></i><br />
<b><i>for He has remembered me, His lowly servant!"</i> (Luke 1:46-48a)</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>"He has stretched out His mighty arm and scattered the proud with all their plans.</b></i><br />
<i><b>He has brought down mighty kings from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly.</b></i><br />
<i><b>He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent away the rich with empty hands." (Luke 1:51-53)</b></i><br />
<br />
Could it be?<br />
Could it be that in the scattering of our plans, that's the real feast of God's goodness here and now?<br />
Could it be that the fullness of joy is to be experienced this very minute, that it flourishes in the uncertainties that muddle those who belong tot he world, but inspires wild praise in those who have the gift eternal?<br />
<br />
<b>Let us never be fooled,</b> no circumstance, no uncertainty, none of it robs us of anything because we can forever praise, and we can forever know the Lord's goodness everlasting, without fail.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i> </i></b> <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-91186540143829973772014-01-01T12:12:00.000-08:002014-01-01T12:12:02.183-08:00The Real Resolution<b><span style="font-size: large;">So the new year comes and I'm already procrastinating on picking the obligatory New Year's resolution.</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Procrastination muddies these purest dreams that God lays on my heart for the New Year, clean and glistening with promise like frost on a January morn. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">These ideas, convictions, they are all beaten down and burned up with the <i>"You can't do that, you're only a college student,"</i> and the <i>"That'll be terribly impractical, save yourself the trouble 'cause you'll surely fail,"</i> and the <i>"That'll run you into the ground left miserable and empty, don't listen to God's promise, you can't really be filled by this."</i> </span><br />
<br />
No doubt that the Enemy attacks and means destruction when fullness of life has come triumphant into a willing heart that is graced with the lesson of learning to surrender more and more these days.<br />
<br />
Goals and aspirations to serve and seek the glory of a Savior are vast and vibrant lately, <b>more clear to me now and more fervently moving than they have ever been before</b> as I prayed to the Lord if there was anything, anything at all that He would have me do for the New Year, or ever, for that matter.<br />
<br />
These <b>ideas for ministries</b>, for ways to <b>invest myself and my money and my time into eternity,</b> these <b>new priorities, new goals</b>, a new determination<b> to write regularly and purposefully</b> for the Lord-- they are not plain as day yet, outlined and scheduled, calculated and prepared for seemless execution,<br />
<b> but my faith tells me they will be in His perfect time.</b><br />
<br />
And the scariest thing is, that if I'm being honest, these convictions, they are not new at all.<br />
I've been barred by the lies when these secret convictions have arisen in the past, some of them have been done half way, some of them simply heard and neglected and not done at all.<br />
<br />
Here's all I have to say to the lies that have barred me from all these ideas that I've quietly entertained:<br />
I read it fresh this morning in Genesis 1 as I remember the day that the very Earth I walk upon, the very universe I dwell in, was spoken fresh by my Heavenly Father.<br />
<br />
<b>"In the beginning when God created the Universe, it was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the power of God was moving over the water. Then God commanded, 'Let there be light'-- and light appeared. God was pleased with what He saw." -Genesis 1:1-4a GNT</b><br />
<br />
Here I see it: <i>without God, these dreams, they are dry and desolate. </i><br />
<br />
It is not until God speaks that the raging waters are controlled and the darkness cannot help but disperse inevitably yielding to the powerful light of Gods mere spoken Word.<br />
<br />
God's message here in this beginning is the victor amidst the muddled mind of fear and "Lord how will I do this," and "Lord you know I am a marvelous beginner of things, but a terrible finisher of things." He says, <i>"I hold the power, abide in Me; let my Word move across the raging ocean, and I will be pleased."</i><br />
<br />
<b>And isn't that the only real worthy resolution? </b><br />
That the Lord I love would indeed be pleased?<br />
What else is there, really?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And so I say without fear, but rather, eager excitement:</span><br />
<br />
<b>Welcome 2014,</b><br />
Welcome seemingly impossible dreams, <br />
Please, meet my Maker.<br />
<br />
Darkness, doubt, and the lies that threaten to hinder:<u><b> you don't stand a chance!</b></u><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-80507320011770497882013-11-21T19:06:00.003-08:002013-11-21T19:06:48.417-08:00Sufferer, Meet Love<b>It's about time His Word be lifted higher in my life.</b><br />
<br />
He'd been whispering it to me all this time:<br />
in the inkling that maybe one morning quiet time just is not enough to nourish, <br />
in the cravings to crack open the sweetest filling Word when I'd just sat down to study,<br />
in the desire for a lullaby laying there a blink away from sleeping, the desire for that God-breathed melody,<br />
in the mealtimes where I settle for a Pinterest escape on the cell phone, while my antsy soul is being pinned when it longs to escape into Him.<br />
<br />
Finally, into His Word, and this is what a heart with a Savior-sized chasm drank in:<br />
<br />
"The thought of my pain, my<i> homelessness</i>, is bitter poison.<br />
I think of it <i>constantly</i>, and my spirit is depressed.<br />
<b>Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing:</b><br />
<b>The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue.</b>"<br />
-Lamentations 3:19-22<br />
<br />
<b>Thoughts take us captive and we wonder. </b><br />
We wonder why this loving God would allow us to fall into the traps and schemes of the Enemy, the thoughts taken captive by the oppressor rather than the one who frees and loves and reigns forever. Wouldn't it just be easier to be guarded, shielded, taken away from these thoughts that still come, even after we are His for eternity?<br />
<br />
The answer?<br />
<i>Did you not read?</i> He asks breathing peace through the pages.<br />
<i>My unfailing love and mercy still continue.</i><br />
<br />
Even in the struggle, the pain, the suffering that beats and bashes the heart into a disfigured question mark as to where our God has gone, <i> </i><br />
<br />
<i><b>His love does not fail.</b></i><br />
<br />
Oh, quite the contrary.<br />
<br />
"He is <i>patient</i> with you,<br />
because He does not want anyone to be destroyed,<br />
but wants all to turn away from their sins."<br />
-2 Peter 3:9<br />
<br />
<b>He is patient. </b><br />
<br />
Patient though He cried out on a cross under the furious anguish and unimaginable pain that should have been ours,<br />
<br />
Patient though He did all this and we still roll around like helpless swine in our own mess of sin, helpless and bathing in the vile as if there were not something better freely offered.<br />
<br />
With outstretched arms He made purity, clean, and perfect possible for us,<br />
and with those same outstretched arms the loving Father eagerly calls to us stumbling like toddlers, trying to walk in freedom, imagining that the full-fledged walking we strive for is an eternity away, even though Daddy calls to us: <b>"My child, eternity is here!"</b><br />
<br />
<i>What patience!</i><br />
<br />
What patience, and what love! Because, "He may bring us sorrow, but His love for us is sure and strong." -Lamentations 3:32<br />
<br />
That's right.<br />
His love is strong in the suffering.<br />
In the sorrow.<br />
It's the treasure that gleams so bright because in the failure of the struggle, <b>unfailing love always wins.</b><br />
<br />
Every time.<br />
<br />
Without fail.<br />
<br />
The love that was on the cross and overcame the sorrow in death and the pain in sin.<br />
<br />
Because He is love and He is glorious and He is worthy and He is the biggest and that's all His love is! <br />
<br />
"Because He was humble and devoted, God heard Him. But even though He was God's Son, He <b>learned through suffering to be obedient</b>." -Hebrews 5:7-8<br />
<br />
Let us learn from a Savior faced with the greatest suffering yet was <i>humble and devoted</i> and reaped obedience, to believe with suffering smiles that God's unfailing love does not fail to help us now, to teach us now, nor will it ever. <br />
<br />
No, not even close.<br />
<br />
Because in the suffering the love shows it's unfailing-- it is expanded, brought to life, set aflame, proven invincible, defined in a masterpiece from my mess, never faltering, never failing.<br />
Even in the struggle to walk in the freedom we're called to.<br />
Even when we question.<br />
Even when we think it's too much.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Love, He never fails. </b><br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-29988356293324230732013-11-16T06:30:00.003-08:002013-11-16T06:30:38.493-08:00Overwhelmed<b>'Tis the season to be overwhelmed.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Overwhelmed.</i><br />
<br />
What overwhelms you?<br />
What is it this moment that crashes over your existence like a tidal wave, that consumes your thoughts, drowns your focus, and rocks your once-sure footing in the sweeping violent undertow, like you don't even know what hit you?<br />
<br />
<img class="irc_mut" height="320" id="irc_mi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyAkAQ9oi755-yqtxGm7n2cy9ZkfhWp2EuMyZzqregjf1p8w3eUeVWfI7O9N0wj70wpfas-AVJywZF904dHDED7eHJLUqTz0aTCqniRcV2NtkILfKyBYhmX3TgRg3WndDwtniVvffEyRL/s320/Trey+Ratcliff+-+Hawaii+-+Pilot+-+The+Waves.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="299" /><br />
<br />
For this heart it is the pieces of paper stapled together into multiple choices and essay questions.<br />
It's the scan-trons bubbled in, and the letters of the alphabet that hold the potential to become perverted into the expression of my worth, and, oh how I hate to admit-- God's ability to answer prayer.<br />
<br />
<b>Final exams.</b><br />
<br />
It is the high-stakes fork in the road of this semester: <i>the choice to be overwhelmed.</i><br />
<br />
<b>The overwhelming in itself is not the poison-- its the thing that the heart is overtaken by in its overwhelmed state. </b><br />
<br />
I chose wrong that Friday morning where the heart beat too fast as the Professor described the Final Exam, as I looked over the chapters we'd gone over and begged the memory to just whip up the concepts like they were fresh once more.<br />
<br />
I chose to be overwhelmed by a powerless final exam, by a stack of papers stapled together.<br />
<br />
I chose stomach-knotting worry.<br />
<br />
I chose fear and doubt.<br />
<br />
But this God I love, He is a merciful God, He never closes the door to the path that leads to the <b>overwhelming life of fullness</b> He offers when you just trust Him.<br />
<br />
I realized it then: <b>Am I more overwhelmed by His love or by this final exam?</b><br />
<br />
I long to be so overwhelmed by His love and the way it was displayed on a cross and the way He offers it with such abundant grace it'll keep you fuller than a Thanksgiving feast forevermore. <br />
<br />
I long to let that glorious, gracious gift of His love overtake my thoughts, to be the reigning factor that every other thing has to compete with.<br />
<br />
Because <a href="http://biblehub.com/colossians/1-17.htm" target="_blank">in Him all things are held together </a>regardless of the outcomes of the odd mesh of joy and chaos that is the final exam/holiday season-- because in His love my final outcome, the real outcome, is set in stone and sweeter than anything. <br />
<br />
<b>I don't know about you, dear friend, but I would rather be overwhelmed by the vastness of the ocean of eternal, churning, invigorating love than the wanna-be tsunami that is just a ripple in the tide pool of this life by comparison.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
This love, it's the real thing to make one become lost in breath, to be wrapped up in, to smile till cheeks burn and know peace that rocks this crazed heart to sleep.<br />
<br />
Hunt for His love in the Word, in your life, in His presence-- you'll find it at the cross, and from there you'll find it everywhere in everything.<br />
<br />
Be overwhelmed by the only One offering something to truly be overwhelmed by.<br />
<br />
Be overwhelmed by <a href="http://biblehub.com/niv/jude/1-24.htm" target="_blank">the one who keeps you from stumbling,who has the ability to take you into His Holy, Mighty, Glorious presence faultless and filled with joy!!</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-25013443496777579832013-11-14T19:33:00.003-08:002013-11-14T19:33:57.172-08:00Praise like BreathingFew things delight me more,<br />
few things send more sparkling thrills through my spirit as if it were suddenly carbonated with bubbly joy,<br />
few things warmly whisper home in such a satisfying splendor, or are milky smooth like chocolate melting into the hungry heart,<br />
<br />
than <b>going on a walk with God.</b><br />
<br />
This grace, of walking to class, to the store--anywhere--and talking to the Mightiest, the Strongest, Love Himself, the Creator and Love of my Life, is the honeyed part of my day that I crave.<br />
<br />
And here's the treasure I found in it today:<b> the wind.</b><br />
<br />
Call me silly, or a naive, overly imaginative little girl living in a 20-year-old woman's body, but it seems like whenever I pour out my thanks and praise in this time of prayer, the wind picks up.<br />
<br />
The wind picks up and gently plays with my hair, reminds me of its power as it whips across my skin, upturns my lips into a smile as I am reminded once more of its presence in a world where it is not clearly seen, oh but it is felt.<br />
<br />
I'd like to think my Maker remembers how he crafted my heart, with its poetic longing to make analogies and metaphors and meaning out of every nuance, detail, and subtle moment. I'd like to think the wind is more than some silly coincidence.<br />
<br />
<b>After all, when we're in union with Him, are there really any coincidences?</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>How when I empty myself in praise</b> </i>I am filled with the reminder that He is there even when I do not see Him-- like the wind.<br />
<br />
<i><b>How when I empty myself in praises</b></i> I know Him more, sense Him more, feel Him more and there in His presence I see more of His glory and can't help but smile-- like when that good ole wind picks up my hair and turns up the lips into a secret grin.<br />
<br />
<i><b>How when I empty myself in praises</b></i> I know His power, His ability to make things happen, to move, to direct a symphony of events that seem unrelated but compose a masterpiece of His glory, and all I have to be do is be still and feel this fact on my heart-- like the powerful gust picking up the leaves, wiping its brisk impression across my face and the lessons from God are etched on my heart in the process.<br />
<br />
I wrote just twenty-four hours ago about this praise, this thanks.<br />
<br />
And today I say again: <u><b>He.</b></u><b> </b><u><b>is.</b></u><b> </b><u><b>gracious.</b></u><br />
<br />
Gracious in that we pour out praises, and that glorious God whom I love, He grants us the priveledge of knowing Him more, seeing Him work, communing with Him, letting Him mold our hearts and open our eyes and be filled.<br />
<br />
<b>Praise Him like breathing, after all, it's the gift in this gift of life: </b><br />
To praise and know the Savior, to be humbled to an instrument of His magnificent glory and praises. <br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8215869992216176657.post-80416228591611626662013-11-13T18:58:00.003-08:002013-11-13T18:58:38.013-08:00Coping with Being OkayWhoa.<br />
<br />
This "being okay" thing.<br />
<br />
What do I do with it?<br />
<br />
When I pray and pray for freedom from disordered thoughts being the reigning idols in my life,<br />
when I seek God's help on the knees, when every shuddering breath and surrendering tear drop are the proclamation that I need His help to conquer this parade of lies once and for all.<br />
<br />
And whoa.... it actually happens.<br />
<br />
And whoa... I'm surprised that the God of the universe actually did what He'd do.<br />
<br />
Now what?<br />
<br />
Can you relate, friend?<br />
Did you find your Savior in the deepest pit you've ever been in?<br />
Did you get to know Him in struggles and pain and radical healing of very visible wounds?<br />
Were you chained, hopelessly stained with addiction? An eating disorder? <br />
<br />
I was.<br />
<br />
<b>And I believed the lie that the struggles were the only place I could find God</b>.<br />
<b>That I could not know intimacy with a Savior when I was okay. </b><br />
<br />
In fact, there were times when I strangely feared the coming day when the anorexia was not my security blanket any longer.<br />
<br />
But I am not identified as the struggling one who turns to Christ.<br />
<br />
<b><i>No, in Christ my identity is Christ. </i></b><br />
<br />
And He was fiercely fighting to free me from the bondage to that wretched disorder, and He shows me every day how that freedom is absolutely possible by His victory.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Then why the anxiety?</b></i><br />
<br />
Why the anxiety when I stood in line for a meal and didn't agonize over my choice for the first time? <br />
<br />
Why the anxiety when I didn't care about the cookie I ate during prayer group?<br />
<br />
Why the anxiety when I took a deep breath and thought, <i>wow, is this what a normal person feels like at meals? </i><br />
<br />
<i>What if my "okay-ness" makes me complacent? What if I lose touch with God? </i>These are the thoughts that rival the taste of freedom.<br />
<br />
And those, my friends, are <b>filthy lies from the pit</b> that want to deceive and destroy, to keep me chained to a disorder that died on the cross with Jesus Christ.<br />
<i> </i><br />
I find myself tasting more freedom each day, and I find myself growing in Christ despite those lies. I find myself doing what James said to do in his writings in the New Testament: <a href="http://biblehub.com/james/5-13.htm" target="_blank">happy people, praise Him constantly. </a><br />
<br />
And so I will live here and know that my identity is in Christ.<br />
That it is more than okay to be okay, to dwell in the Lord's victory and praise Him.<br />
<br />
Will trials come again? Yes, but I have a Savior there too.<br />
<br />
<b>Freedom is not being identified by the struggle, by the past sins, by the successes, but by the name that is above every other name, who conquered sin and crushes the lies that tell me otherwise beneath His mighty victory!</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830629916476263775noreply@blogger.com0