Tuesday, January 24, 2012
His Presence
The Practice of the Presence of God, the version edited and paraphrased by Donald E. Demaray, reveals the deeper meanings behind Brother Lawrence's work. After the Bible this is my second most treasured book. It has a very special place in my heart. As the Lord grows me, I find more meaning than I did when I was just a sprout. It's taken sixteen years of childhood, and one and a half years of trials, joys, and lonesomeness to finally understand. Brother Lawrence expresses my most current revelation, of my relationship with the Lord, beautifully. He says, "..I began to live as if He and I were the only ones alive in the world." (pg.42). With Him I am alive. He is my source, my life-line, my awakening, my hope etc. Some would say this is obvious (Rom.6:11), and it is. But how many live from Him every day, throughout every moment, minute, and second? Brother Lawrence says this, "..We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God." (pg.35). To do things for God we must be under His leadership, drawing the resources from His will and power. What I love though is the phrase and idea of "doing out of love". Acting in His name, for His name, for Him because we love Him (1 John 4:19). To live as if with only God, for God in all things, out of love. This is what I have recognized, what I see, and know now in the basics of everyday life. My dad always says, "Stay plugged into the Lord!" The more we reach out to God, the more I find He reveals Himself, in small ways and large ways. Knowing Him will take a lifetime and eternity, but the little I do learn of Him, makes me trust Him more. From the big things even down to the small things. I find that the more I let Him into my life, heart, and mind, the more I give Him of myself. The more I trust, the more I love. The more I live for Him, out of love. Mr. Demaray says that Brother Lawrence, "..Had resolved to make loving God the purpose of everything he did. This way of living gave him every reason to be satisfied. He said he was glad even to pick up a straw from the ground if he could do it to show his love to God. That kind of love seeks God only- that and nothing else not even His gifts." (pg.15). Yet again this theme has come across in my readings in Mrs.E.Prentiss' "Stepping Heavenward". She says, her character Mrs.Campbell is speaking of the mature Christian, "Love to Christ becomes the abiding, inmost principle of life; he loves Him rather for what He is than for what He has done or will do for him.." (pg.316). I think not only for what God is to us, but mainly for who He is. I pray the Lord grows my love for Him. He's been so dear, so faithful, and so very patient. I hope for all those who are learning of Christ, that they too will also be able to understand that beyond the life, rewards, purpose, and place in His flock and army, that His love is the most pure, beautiful, and selfless gift ever to be freely offered. Let us not wait but take up His offer, allowing Him into every area of our everyday lives. We let Him in, because he cares, for me, for you behind the the computer screen (1Pet.5:7b). He loves us so much, words could not express, so He gave His son. because actions speak louder than words. Let us not be believers who preach that which we do not live out. The great part is, if we draw life from Him, He does all the living through us. All we have to do is trust Him.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Better Than A Halleluah by Sarah Hart
This song was sung during morning worship, just wanted to share it<3
Thursday, January 19, 2012
William Byrd's Pavana Lachrymae
I have this secret love for the harpsichord. Listening to it takes me to an era I have always dreamed of belonging too<3
I guess it's not a secret anymore ;)
Trust in Thee
There are moments I feel as though the Lord is whispering my name. I can close my eyes to the world and get lost in the security of His presence. I can be sure of trusting Him with my worries, doubts, fears, woes, sorrows, joys, and loved ones. A time where I can leave everything to Him and simply rest in the quietness of His Holiness. These moments are precious, and as I grow older I find myself flying straight into His arms of tranquility, so that He may sanctify, purify, and renew my seemingly wilting spirit. When I go to Him, there is such inexpressible joy. Such a motivation to continue striving to be my best for Him, to be in accordance with His commandments. The more we are near Him, with Him, get to know Him the more I find myself caught up in His delights, His joys, His sorrows, His passions, His cares. With time I have discovered how much God is present in one's daily life, He is on a moment to moment basis with us. Always knowing our thoughts, intentions, interests, distractions, where and why we are led astray etc. I have found I must not only be aware of this but rather to consider how my actions, words, thoughts, and intentions affect Him. He is present forever present and all knowing of our real selves, human nature and all: everyday, and all and day for our entire lives. I know He must really love me if He's willing to stick around and hear my mind's ramblings day in and day out! But boy, He wants to not only be the Lord's of our lives, our Counselor, Almighty King, Prince of Peace, Majestic Creator, Redeemer, Father, Great Physician and Healer (and so much more), but our constant companion. He goes through everything with us, offering always to carry that which we cannot on our own. This has been very difficult to embrace, practice in regular life. But just as any other discipline opening oneself to the Lord in this way is very special, rewarding, comforting, encouraging, and truly helps grow one's unique and unfathomable relationship with the Lord. Besides this, it allows for us to be more accessible to God. In a sense more useful. Trusting Him in the simplest helps prepare to trust Him in the seemingly impossible. I long for this area of my relationship with Him to continue growing. For now I turn to Him to help me manage time my, not get frustrated with my slow school bus driver, pick out a modest outfit, say a kind word to my neighbor, help my dad out with a project, offer to clean for my Ma, or listen to a concern, spend time listening to Grammy's stories when I have anatomy homework to do, even finding creative ways to remind myself to return my library books. These are small things, but if we cannot handle the minute, how are we ever to take on whatever is to come. I have the same mindset for not only basics of life, and in rejoicing for joys, but also of enduring trials and suffering. I've found that sometimes when we do not understand "why" it is because God is saying we don't need to know, or because we must trust that He knows the plans He has for us. That He is readying us for what's to come. That's why I find it so crucial to devote myself to His will. To be, at every moment, aware and in complete acknowledgement of His eternal presence.
I am so thankful that He never gives us that which we cannot handle (1 Cor 10:13), even though some times it is impossible to persevere if He is not with us. Those lessons are important as well, my dad has a quote that He used to have hanging in his pastors study in CA, that says, "Attempt something so impossible that unless God intervenes in it, it is bound to fail.", (I think it's a paraphrase of John Haggai's original quote).
Like I've said before, one of my greatest hopes to be able to say that I truly love God with all my mind, body, and soul. But these cannot happen over night, no it will take a life time. For I am human, and I must die to my old nature everyday, and surrender to Christ, His example, and teachings. Only a pure mind, a pure body, and pure soul can genuinely love Christ. Purity takes not only forgiveness, redemption, salvation, surrender but sanctification which is yet another gift from God. Sanctification is an eternal process, but it's so worth it. The Lord humbles me always, reminding me of how Christ intercedes on our behalf. But oh how I long for the day when I will look into my Saviors loving face and know that I was and forever will be His.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3
I am so thankful that He never gives us that which we cannot handle (1 Cor 10:13), even though some times it is impossible to persevere if He is not with us. Those lessons are important as well, my dad has a quote that He used to have hanging in his pastors study in CA, that says, "Attempt something so impossible that unless God intervenes in it, it is bound to fail.", (I think it's a paraphrase of John Haggai's original quote).
Like I've said before, one of my greatest hopes to be able to say that I truly love God with all my mind, body, and soul. But these cannot happen over night, no it will take a life time. For I am human, and I must die to my old nature everyday, and surrender to Christ, His example, and teachings. Only a pure mind, a pure body, and pure soul can genuinely love Christ. Purity takes not only forgiveness, redemption, salvation, surrender but sanctification which is yet another gift from God. Sanctification is an eternal process, but it's so worth it. The Lord humbles me always, reminding me of how Christ intercedes on our behalf. But oh how I long for the day when I will look into my Saviors loving face and know that I was and forever will be His.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Remembering
To look back in times of quietness does not disrupt the present. It is when we lose ourselves to the memories that we find ourselves stumbling. Looking over his shoulder for too long never did a runner any good. We have a specific path set before us and pondering on the past can sometimes be overly distracting. But there are times when thoughts of the past lightly linger on the outskirts of the mind. My mind sometimes pulls out fond moments from the past. I like to shortly dwell on them. The beautiful things, the sad, joyful, and painful. I enjoy thinking on friends and remembering the outlines of their profiles, or the way their eyes would look into mine, always wondering. I remember each and every person's hug, the embraces never the same but distinct and unique as the people giving them to me. I reflect on the faces that would grow quiet, or smiles that would reach from one side of a persons face to the other. Times of roaring laughter and playful joking, of listening, of sleeping on my shoulder, of drawing on my hands, of tears drying on my sleeves, of arms reaching out for support, of vulnerability, of tenderness, of kindness, of forgiveness, of shame, of picking flowers and talking about life, of festivity, of righteous pride, of merriment, of grief, of hope....the list goes on and on. These are only some of all the things I cherish sharing with others. For I know the joys of living them, the strength from learning them, the renewing from appreciating them, the blessings from receiving them, the beauty of sharing them with others, the sadness of losing them, the bittersweet pain of moving on and having so many things slowly fade away. It is good to remember. For remembering is a sign of a past life, and a reminder of existing in the new one. Remembering gives me hope to have old joys yet again some day in the future. But for now I will praise the Lord for all those who have already come my way, those that I've newly met, and those that will be with me through the ever changing chapters of life on earth.
Thank You Lord for the ability to remember, and for giving me Your love to share with all those I've loved, do love, and will love<3
Thank You Lord for the ability to remember, and for giving me Your love to share with all those I've loved, do love, and will love<3
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Dust in the wind - Sarah Brightman
First song I ever played on guitar. This version is sung by Sarah Brightman, and the video (done by someone other than Brightman) is very unique, and really captures Sarah Brightman's style (which has always been creating fantasy worlds). Her performing combines classical and modern muisc with lots of drama in costumes and stunts. My Ma and I have always ooed and aahed over her :)
Friday, January 6, 2012
Daily Bread: The Abundant Love & Grace of God
God's abundant grace and love, looks like a plan the Lord meticulously laid out for us before the beginning of time. In Eph. 2:4 the Lord says that He loved us before we were saved, even before we were created.
"..God being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions..."
Ephesians 2:3a
The unique thing about God is not only do we hear of His grace, mercy, and love: but we see it. We see God's passionate love for in the act of giving His Son as the ultimate sacrifice. He gave His most precious treasure up, so that we could see ,the most revealing glimpse, of the depth of His love.
This reminds me of Trevor Fancis' hymn "Oh the Deep Deep Love of Jesus" written in 1875.
"O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!"
This reminds me of these verses..
"..whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also He also justifies; and these whom He justified, He also glorifies."
Romans 8:30
He thought of us, chose us, created us, and calls us to Himself and His love.
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor, powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39
This was always a tough lesson for me. The idea that nothing could separate me from the love of God. When I look back, shuffling through the files in my memory of my past, I remember wondering how God loved me amidst my sin. I sat on the bank of life and instead of chasing fireflies, I sat swinging my leg over dark waters, teasing the darkness by dipping my toes in every now and then. I enjoyed playing with it, was actually excited by the adrenaline of "taking risks". What I toyed with was destruction and death. I would never have been able to comprehend that then. Even now after being made new, I ask myself "Am I inviting the darkness by saying this, or doing that?" It's surprising to see how easily and most times unconsciously we are influenced. This is why we need Christ, and need to hold His word, commandments, and truths in our hearts...Now when I look back I am so in awe of God's patience with me. I was so stubborn, thinking "Why does God want control of my life?". I admit, sadly, that I was uncomfortable with obedience. But what rebel youth hasn't at once felt the surge of angst? This is about the time where the Lord "left" me on my own. He sometimes allows these feelings of solitude, sometimes it's difficult situations, or the disappointments of circumstances not being fulfilled that lead us to desperation. This is so that we we come to the point where all we can do is cry out "I can't do this!". He says, suddenly revealing His presence, "Good....let my Son do it through you."See He wants control in our lives so that we can see the true Life He offers. Eternal life is Life that penetrates every area of our lives. This is yet again the grace and love God offers. This Life is one that has purpose, that gives us a chance to know our Maker on a one on One basis. On top of that He offers a love, so unfathomable that it will take our entire lifetimes to comprehend just a small part of His love. Because His love is unceasing, merciful, forgiving, lavish, passionate, righteously jealous, understanding, fiery, intimate, gentle and Holy...but it doesn't end there, it goes on and on. It cannot be measured, it's boundless and free (for some reason when I here the words boundless and free I think of stallions stampeading/running in the wild or eagles soaring through the sky)...
When trials and temptation arises I think on what my dad once said, "God wants to stretch our capabilities so that God can, through us, use His abilities." This reminds me of what a dear Armenian brother said, "When God asks you to bend, bend. He's making you more flexible.". God through us loves others, comforts, encourages, advises, rejoices, praises, questions, and inspires etc. Because we're not the focus, He is. he literally lives through us. Our lives become all about His work, His life, His personality, His goals, His desires, His hopes, and aspirations. He wants to be Himself through you. Because you are not only a tool/vessel, but a work of art. He will work on you for the rest of your life. No one said this journey would be easy. But He wants to display His glory, His splendor, His power through you, so others can see Him too. He wants to fill us to overflowing, so others see His greatness. He wants to glow, emote, radiate, emanate and seep through every area of our lives...He wants you. He offers this relationship that is so dynamic. It's one between a Creator and His work, Father and child, Companion and friend, Lover and beloved and so many other kinds as well! He is multifaceted and wants you to know Him, to be interested in Him. He offers us Himself, His gave His Son to die, though sinless, so that us sinners would come to Him repent, die to self, give our lives to Him and fall in love with Him so that we could have Eternal Life and abundantly more than we could ever think or imagine.
His abundant grace makes known His unconditional love. It such a comfort to know that He will make our paths straight if we surrender and receive this free offer. Dying to the old, being made knew, being saved from death, given eternal life, and being proposed a life of faithfulness, love, joy, holy passion, service, devotion, vitality, peace, contentment, everlasting lovingkindness and much more. Why would we pass this up? And for those who have this, why have we not sought these things from God on a daily basis? If we ask, in His name, He will provide.
His unfathomable love always leaves me in awe. Praise be to God, the Maker or heaven and earth!
"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His."
2 Chronicles 16:9a
"There is none like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to your help, and through the skies in His majesty."
Deuteronomy 33:26
"..God being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions..."
Ephesians 2:3a
The unique thing about God is not only do we hear of His grace, mercy, and love: but we see it. We see God's passionate love for in the act of giving His Son as the ultimate sacrifice. He gave His most precious treasure up, so that we could see ,the most revealing glimpse, of the depth of His love.
This reminds me of Trevor Fancis' hymn "Oh the Deep Deep Love of Jesus" written in 1875.
"O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!"
This reminds me of these verses..
"..whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also He also justifies; and these whom He justified, He also glorifies."
Romans 8:30
He thought of us, chose us, created us, and calls us to Himself and His love.
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor, powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39
This was always a tough lesson for me. The idea that nothing could separate me from the love of God. When I look back, shuffling through the files in my memory of my past, I remember wondering how God loved me amidst my sin. I sat on the bank of life and instead of chasing fireflies, I sat swinging my leg over dark waters, teasing the darkness by dipping my toes in every now and then. I enjoyed playing with it, was actually excited by the adrenaline of "taking risks". What I toyed with was destruction and death. I would never have been able to comprehend that then. Even now after being made new, I ask myself "Am I inviting the darkness by saying this, or doing that?" It's surprising to see how easily and most times unconsciously we are influenced. This is why we need Christ, and need to hold His word, commandments, and truths in our hearts...Now when I look back I am so in awe of God's patience with me. I was so stubborn, thinking "Why does God want control of my life?". I admit, sadly, that I was uncomfortable with obedience. But what rebel youth hasn't at once felt the surge of angst? This is about the time where the Lord "left" me on my own. He sometimes allows these feelings of solitude, sometimes it's difficult situations, or the disappointments of circumstances not being fulfilled that lead us to desperation. This is so that we we come to the point where all we can do is cry out "I can't do this!". He says, suddenly revealing His presence, "Good....let my Son do it through you."See He wants control in our lives so that we can see the true Life He offers. Eternal life is Life that penetrates every area of our lives. This is yet again the grace and love God offers. This Life is one that has purpose, that gives us a chance to know our Maker on a one on One basis. On top of that He offers a love, so unfathomable that it will take our entire lifetimes to comprehend just a small part of His love. Because His love is unceasing, merciful, forgiving, lavish, passionate, righteously jealous, understanding, fiery, intimate, gentle and Holy...but it doesn't end there, it goes on and on. It cannot be measured, it's boundless and free (for some reason when I here the words boundless and free I think of stallions stampeading/running in the wild or eagles soaring through the sky)...
When trials and temptation arises I think on what my dad once said, "God wants to stretch our capabilities so that God can, through us, use His abilities." This reminds me of what a dear Armenian brother said, "When God asks you to bend, bend. He's making you more flexible.". God through us loves others, comforts, encourages, advises, rejoices, praises, questions, and inspires etc. Because we're not the focus, He is. he literally lives through us. Our lives become all about His work, His life, His personality, His goals, His desires, His hopes, and aspirations. He wants to be Himself through you. Because you are not only a tool/vessel, but a work of art. He will work on you for the rest of your life. No one said this journey would be easy. But He wants to display His glory, His splendor, His power through you, so others can see Him too. He wants to fill us to overflowing, so others see His greatness. He wants to glow, emote, radiate, emanate and seep through every area of our lives...He wants you. He offers this relationship that is so dynamic. It's one between a Creator and His work, Father and child, Companion and friend, Lover and beloved and so many other kinds as well! He is multifaceted and wants you to know Him, to be interested in Him. He offers us Himself, His gave His Son to die, though sinless, so that us sinners would come to Him repent, die to self, give our lives to Him and fall in love with Him so that we could have Eternal Life and abundantly more than we could ever think or imagine.
His abundant grace makes known His unconditional love. It such a comfort to know that He will make our paths straight if we surrender and receive this free offer. Dying to the old, being made knew, being saved from death, given eternal life, and being proposed a life of faithfulness, love, joy, holy passion, service, devotion, vitality, peace, contentment, everlasting lovingkindness and much more. Why would we pass this up? And for those who have this, why have we not sought these things from God on a daily basis? If we ask, in His name, He will provide.
His unfathomable love always leaves me in awe. Praise be to God, the Maker or heaven and earth!
"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His."
2 Chronicles 16:9a
"There is none like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to your help, and through the skies in His majesty."
Deuteronomy 33:26
Tchaikowsky - Swan Lake - Rudolf Nureyev - Margot Fonteyn
Nureyev and Fonteyn are so amazing. Ballet is one of my many inspirations. Their movement is so controlled and percise. Plus this is simply just an adorable little dance ^_^
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Poem..."Morning Glory"
Powder aqua, sprinkled with tufts of purple gray,
Creame and gold highlights,
Strips of multi-shaded blue.
Light drips over the horizon,
The sky illumed,
Looks like a seashell.
The Master painter has done it again!
Such a magnificant portrait,
displaying His splendor.
I have the privilege,
of viewing His morning glory.
Quiet lips utter praises in reverence,
For His sky-painting seemed as though a seashell.
d|p
Creame and gold highlights,
Strips of multi-shaded blue.
Light drips over the horizon,
The sky illumed,
Looks like a seashell.
The Master painter has done it again!
Such a magnificant portrait,
displaying His splendor.
I have the privilege,
of viewing His morning glory.
Quiet lips utter praises in reverence,
For His sky-painting seemed as though a seashell.
d|p
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Daily Bread
"The spirit of man is the Lamp of the Lord, searching all the innermost parts of his being." Proverbs 20:27
After allowing the Lord completely into my heart and life, I've found the process of cleaning out the junk extremely difficult. When looking at my world around me, through Christ's eyes, I see the large amount of work ahead. Yet He wants me to let go and trust Him with it. This is why I created a "Let go and Let God" box. A simple tin box with a slit in the top (similar to a piggy bank). There I slip in folded pieces of paper, about the same size as a fortune from a fortune cookie. On the slips of paper I write my worries and needs, and when I put it in the box I'm not allowed to worry anymore, it's officially out of my hands, and the Lord's. Elisabeth Elliot speaks of material sacrifice in her book "Passion and Purity". She says that even our very desires can be material offerings to the Lord. Slipping the paper in the box is the act of giving them up, and letting go of them and their influence over us. Leaving them there, is the act of letting them die, this is the sacrifice. We give it to God, so that He may do that which He wills with it. In the end it's about glorifying Him with our lives, and drawing near to Him. It's such a touching reality that God wants to take us whom are imperfect, cleanse us, use us for His glory, and make us like Christ. It's even more amazing when we allow Him to do this with every area of our life. Even our imperfections can be used by Him. I am reminded of this verse.
"..Oh Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter;and all of us are the work of Your hand."
Isaiah 64:8
Clay is a plastic powder mixed with water that is used for pottery and molding. It begins as dust, once mixed it then becomes a soft malleable solid. When worked with it can be shaped into many things, whether by hand or wheel. I took two levels of pottery class as a junior in high school. It took me a few months till I became comfortable working with the sticky untamed dough. It was the most stubborn medium I had ever used, besides oil paints and porcelain dough. After I had learned and somewhat mastered the new medium I began to realize how similar I was to it. Dust, add water, stir, pound out, begin to shape, let dry, paint, and fire in the kiln. The Lord formed me from dust. He placed the right elements in my life so that I might come to Him and He open my eyes to the truth. Then once His the kneading out imperfections began. I was in that stage for so long! But finally I surrendered and He's tamed my stubbornness. Even though I'm a work in progress, it wasn't until a few months ago after willingly giving the Lord all of myself, that I realized He's begun to shape me. The rest will come in time, till He takes me to home to Himself. He chose me, to die to self so that I might have the eternal life He offers. He wanted and continues to want me for Himself...Oh how the lost are so blind to His gifts! My heart aches for those without Him. None other has proved, or shown such might and power for the sake of their love. The wonderful thing is that not only did God prove His love, He does it now every single day. It's mind boggling to think the Maker of heaven and earth "proves" His love, just so that we might "consider" loving Him. He desperately, unceasingly longs for each and every one of you.
"While Christ was on the cross. You were on His mind."
Anon
"Never mind if you cannot feel His presence. His is there, never for one moment forgetting you."
Elisabeth Elliot
I love when David says,
"O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, oh Lord. You hem me in- behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, to lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the dark side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say 'Surely darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You. For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were i to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with You...Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139: 1-18, 23-24
After allowing the Lord completely into my heart and life, I've found the process of cleaning out the junk extremely difficult. When looking at my world around me, through Christ's eyes, I see the large amount of work ahead. Yet He wants me to let go and trust Him with it. This is why I created a "Let go and Let God" box. A simple tin box with a slit in the top (similar to a piggy bank). There I slip in folded pieces of paper, about the same size as a fortune from a fortune cookie. On the slips of paper I write my worries and needs, and when I put it in the box I'm not allowed to worry anymore, it's officially out of my hands, and the Lord's. Elisabeth Elliot speaks of material sacrifice in her book "Passion and Purity". She says that even our very desires can be material offerings to the Lord. Slipping the paper in the box is the act of giving them up, and letting go of them and their influence over us. Leaving them there, is the act of letting them die, this is the sacrifice. We give it to God, so that He may do that which He wills with it. In the end it's about glorifying Him with our lives, and drawing near to Him. It's such a touching reality that God wants to take us whom are imperfect, cleanse us, use us for His glory, and make us like Christ. It's even more amazing when we allow Him to do this with every area of our life. Even our imperfections can be used by Him. I am reminded of this verse.
"..Oh Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter;and all of us are the work of Your hand."
Isaiah 64:8
Clay is a plastic powder mixed with water that is used for pottery and molding. It begins as dust, once mixed it then becomes a soft malleable solid. When worked with it can be shaped into many things, whether by hand or wheel. I took two levels of pottery class as a junior in high school. It took me a few months till I became comfortable working with the sticky untamed dough. It was the most stubborn medium I had ever used, besides oil paints and porcelain dough. After I had learned and somewhat mastered the new medium I began to realize how similar I was to it. Dust, add water, stir, pound out, begin to shape, let dry, paint, and fire in the kiln. The Lord formed me from dust. He placed the right elements in my life so that I might come to Him and He open my eyes to the truth. Then once His the kneading out imperfections began. I was in that stage for so long! But finally I surrendered and He's tamed my stubbornness. Even though I'm a work in progress, it wasn't until a few months ago after willingly giving the Lord all of myself, that I realized He's begun to shape me. The rest will come in time, till He takes me to home to Himself. He chose me, to die to self so that I might have the eternal life He offers. He wanted and continues to want me for Himself...Oh how the lost are so blind to His gifts! My heart aches for those without Him. None other has proved, or shown such might and power for the sake of their love. The wonderful thing is that not only did God prove His love, He does it now every single day. It's mind boggling to think the Maker of heaven and earth "proves" His love, just so that we might "consider" loving Him. He desperately, unceasingly longs for each and every one of you.
"While Christ was on the cross. You were on His mind."
Anon
"Never mind if you cannot feel His presence. His is there, never for one moment forgetting you."
Elisabeth Elliot
I love when David says,
"O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, oh Lord. You hem me in- behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, to lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the dark side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say 'Surely darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You. For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were i to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with You...Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139: 1-18, 23-24
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)