Well folks, I'm gonna take the opportunity to testify of the Greatness of our Mighty God! Thank you for your prayers this afternoon and tonight. As we fought spiritual battles, standing on the Word of God, you prayed and interceded for us. We know the attacks brought against any of us are 'toothless' in their ability to carry through on the threats. Satan is a defeated foe and although he goes around like a roaring lion, he is only LIKE a lion. Jesus is the true Lion, and has defeated Satan, sin, death and hell.
As you offered scripture to remind us of our place in God's heart, His protection over us and the peace He offers, those Words settled into our hearts and began to become true in our lives. We are enjoying peace tonight! Assurance has been given! God has revealed Himself to our boys like only He can. They are now stronger for the battle they had to join. Nine and eleven year olds fighting spiritual battles. They are learning that God goes before us into battle. He drives out our enemies. He strikes fear in their hearts so that their knees shake beneath them. They are seeing proof of how intimately He is interested in their welfare. The truth of God has set them free. The Word of God leapt to life out of the pages of scritpure! He is AMAZING!
So thanks, you are truly a blessing to our family. And keep us covered by your prayers.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
God Answers Questions
I did something today that will have a profound effect on who I believe I am. My 'perception of self' as it were. I asked God a question and waited intently for Him to answer.
I've asked God specific questions many times in the past. I've waited on His answer many times in the past. But I've never asked THIS question in such a manner. My question to Him was, "What is there in me that is pleasing to You?".
Again the question in itself is not that unique. I've said it in other forms throughout my life. Oh God, what good is there in me? Dear Lord, how do you find anything in me worth loving? But those are really very different questions. Those are said out of exasperation. Out of a sense of failure. Today's question was for the express purpose of hearing an answer.
For us to know who we really are before God we have to become transparent. We have to be willing to see ourselves as He sees us. Many will follow the model of David and ask God to "search my heart..." when seeking to be transparent before Him, but do we ever ask the flip side of that? Search me and show me what pleases you.
So I asked. I verbally questioned God regarding my virtue. The good He has placed in me. I wasnt asking for an exhaustive list, just one thing. An affirmation. And He answered, "You are brave". The floodgates of joy opened from within me! Tears flowed. I laughed out loud. And an odd sensation came over me. It was the acceptance that God is right in His estimation of me. It almost sounds arrogant, but I am brave. I have stood in front of the enemy and defiantly proclaimed that he cant have the life of my child, because God has already promised it to her. I have confronted the parents of my students and told them of the good in their kids. I have dared to raise my children to be sent wherever God chooses to send them. Those things take bravery.
Lest you think I am thumping my chest over what I have become, let me remind all of us it is God who placed that (and any other) quality in me. He is the source of every smidgen of good in me.
If you have never taken the time to ask God to tell you what He has placed in you, try it. Knowing what He sees as good in you will change how you see yourself. And cause you to behave as He sees you.
I've asked God specific questions many times in the past. I've waited on His answer many times in the past. But I've never asked THIS question in such a manner. My question to Him was, "What is there in me that is pleasing to You?".
Again the question in itself is not that unique. I've said it in other forms throughout my life. Oh God, what good is there in me? Dear Lord, how do you find anything in me worth loving? But those are really very different questions. Those are said out of exasperation. Out of a sense of failure. Today's question was for the express purpose of hearing an answer.
For us to know who we really are before God we have to become transparent. We have to be willing to see ourselves as He sees us. Many will follow the model of David and ask God to "search my heart..." when seeking to be transparent before Him, but do we ever ask the flip side of that? Search me and show me what pleases you.
So I asked. I verbally questioned God regarding my virtue. The good He has placed in me. I wasnt asking for an exhaustive list, just one thing. An affirmation. And He answered, "You are brave". The floodgates of joy opened from within me! Tears flowed. I laughed out loud. And an odd sensation came over me. It was the acceptance that God is right in His estimation of me. It almost sounds arrogant, but I am brave. I have stood in front of the enemy and defiantly proclaimed that he cant have the life of my child, because God has already promised it to her. I have confronted the parents of my students and told them of the good in their kids. I have dared to raise my children to be sent wherever God chooses to send them. Those things take bravery.
Lest you think I am thumping my chest over what I have become, let me remind all of us it is God who placed that (and any other) quality in me. He is the source of every smidgen of good in me.
If you have never taken the time to ask God to tell you what He has placed in you, try it. Knowing what He sees as good in you will change how you see yourself. And cause you to behave as He sees you.
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Best Laid Plans...
Reading a familiar story often means skipping over the familiar parts or rushing to the favorite parts. But when the story is the birth of Christ and the reader is me, searching for that sometimes elusive intimacy with God, what should be familiar looks brand new.
The first chapter of Matthew is the lineage of Christ, followed with a Cliff notes version of Joseph and Mary's story. Not something that one would necessarily pour over for long periods of time. But friends I'm dry. I'm looking for refreshment in the deep pools of the Word. And because God is faithful and loving toward His children, He pours out through even the most familiar of stories.
There is a phrase in the story of Joseph and Mary that has captured me. In verse 20, it says "but after he had considered this". He had considered (and decided it to be the best possible move) to divorce Mary quietly, saving her from public embarassment. Fortunately God had different plans. He sent His angel to speak directly to Joseph and give very specific instructions for he and Mary.
How many times I have considered plans and decided them to be the best possible action for the time. Plans that made sense. Plans that were logical and prudent. But that were exactly opposite of His will.
Joseph had the advantage of an angel of the Lord. I have the advantage of the Holy Spirit. And the advantage of even the most familiar of stories.
The first chapter of Matthew is the lineage of Christ, followed with a Cliff notes version of Joseph and Mary's story. Not something that one would necessarily pour over for long periods of time. But friends I'm dry. I'm looking for refreshment in the deep pools of the Word. And because God is faithful and loving toward His children, He pours out through even the most familiar of stories.
There is a phrase in the story of Joseph and Mary that has captured me. In verse 20, it says "but after he had considered this". He had considered (and decided it to be the best possible move) to divorce Mary quietly, saving her from public embarassment. Fortunately God had different plans. He sent His angel to speak directly to Joseph and give very specific instructions for he and Mary.
How many times I have considered plans and decided them to be the best possible action for the time. Plans that made sense. Plans that were logical and prudent. But that were exactly opposite of His will.
Joseph had the advantage of an angel of the Lord. I have the advantage of the Holy Spirit. And the advantage of even the most familiar of stories.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Get up and go.
Those words have troubled me for the better part of a week now. But I feel as though God has given them to me as affirmation of His will. Matthew 26:46 is where they come from. Jesus had led the disciples into the garden to pray, knowing that Judas was about to come betray Him. The disciples, instead of praying, went to sleep out of exhaustion. He encouraged them to stay awake, but they couldnt. So when He was finished praying, He goes to them and says 'get up; let's go'.
My concern has been that I slept through something important. Something that I cant go back and revisit. They couldnt go back and pray for Jesus, it was too late. But when I read Oswald Chambers application of this scripture, my perspective changes from concern to encouragement.
My Utmost for His Highest contains this simple paragraph:
'There will be experiences like this in each of our lives. We will have times of despair caused by real events in our lives, and we will be unable to lift ourselves out of them. The disciples, in this instance, had done a downright unthinkable thing— they had gone to sleep instead of watching with Jesus. But our Lord came to them taking the spiritual initiative against their despair and said, in effect, "Get up, and do the next thing." If we are inspired by God, what is the next thing? It is to trust Him absolutely and to pray on the basis of His redemption.'
Jesus was leading to the next thing. He spoke against discouragement and despair, offering instead refocus and direction. He has shown me where the next thing is (its here, btw), so I will trust Him absolutely to direct my actions and walk with Him into what the next thing is.
My concern has been that I slept through something important. Something that I cant go back and revisit. They couldnt go back and pray for Jesus, it was too late. But when I read Oswald Chambers application of this scripture, my perspective changes from concern to encouragement.
My Utmost for His Highest contains this simple paragraph:
'There will be experiences like this in each of our lives. We will have times of despair caused by real events in our lives, and we will be unable to lift ourselves out of them. The disciples, in this instance, had done a downright unthinkable thing— they had gone to sleep instead of watching with Jesus. But our Lord came to them taking the spiritual initiative against their despair and said, in effect, "Get up, and do the next thing." If we are inspired by God, what is the next thing? It is to trust Him absolutely and to pray on the basis of His redemption.'
Jesus was leading to the next thing. He spoke against discouragement and despair, offering instead refocus and direction. He has shown me where the next thing is (its here, btw), so I will trust Him absolutely to direct my actions and walk with Him into what the next thing is.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Light of Perspective
I've been watching Ella in church these past few weeks. I see her react to what goes on around her. Asking questions. Singing. Showing her muscles. Listening to CI sing and saying 'that was cool'. Seeing how 'normal' she is takes me back to the days I wondered if we would take her home at all, let alone take her to church. So I'd like to remind us all of how great God has been in her particular case.
When she was born so prematurely (24 weeks 5 days, 1lb 12oz) there were some dark days. Her doctors talked about living hour by hour. If we made it through one, we'd talk about the next. Her brain bled the day after she was born. Outside a level 4. She had heart surgery in Dallas at 2+ lbs. Back to Shreveport and schedule eye surgery. Her lungs were so fragile and every breath was breathed for her by various machines, switching to the one she would respond to best. We are fully aware that we almost lost her too many times to count.
But in those dark days, there were promises made. We searched scripture and prayed for strength. I remember hearing myself on the phone, the day after she was born, telling a friend that if we had her for the next 24 hours or if were allowed to raise her, we'd glorify God either way. Psalm 139 and John 17 were sources of strength. One night in particular, I was in the NICU with her, studying and praying when her O2 levels began to drop. The nurse came in to stimulate her, but she didnt respond. She called the respiratory therapist and they began to 'bag' her. I watched her go from pink in color, to blue, purple and black. All the while there was the oddest peace over me, as tho God was letting me know that His hands were working through the hands of those working on her. He was proving to be faithful in keeping His promises.
When we started talking about coming home, the dr's began to let us know the kind of problems we should expect. They talked about her being blind, because of the amounts of oxygen she had been on. The talked about her being deaf because of the brain bleed. She had failed every hearing test up to that point. They talked about her physical disabilities relating to cerebral palsy. And they talked about mental retardation. It was a lot to take in, but, even though it was a shock to our system, we still walked in a quiet confidence because we knew God was ultimately in control. And He had made promises.
Ella has since had intestinal and brain surgeries, both to deal with complications. She has had numerous hearing and eye tests. She has had speech, physical and occupational therapies. Once again, God has led us to allow people to be His hands.
Her hearing is fine, she wears glasses for astigmatism and sees fine, she walks, runs and climbs, and is a very smart, witty little girl. She adores her big brothers (when they are out of sight she asks 'where are the brothers?'). Our church family sees her as their little girl.
So even though the days surrounding her birth and the first coupla months of her life were filled with dark days, looking back there was light by which to walk. It just took getting some perspective to see it.
When she was born so prematurely (24 weeks 5 days, 1lb 12oz) there were some dark days. Her doctors talked about living hour by hour. If we made it through one, we'd talk about the next. Her brain bled the day after she was born. Outside a level 4. She had heart surgery in Dallas at 2+ lbs. Back to Shreveport and schedule eye surgery. Her lungs were so fragile and every breath was breathed for her by various machines, switching to the one she would respond to best. We are fully aware that we almost lost her too many times to count.
But in those dark days, there were promises made. We searched scripture and prayed for strength. I remember hearing myself on the phone, the day after she was born, telling a friend that if we had her for the next 24 hours or if were allowed to raise her, we'd glorify God either way. Psalm 139 and John 17 were sources of strength. One night in particular, I was in the NICU with her, studying and praying when her O2 levels began to drop. The nurse came in to stimulate her, but she didnt respond. She called the respiratory therapist and they began to 'bag' her. I watched her go from pink in color, to blue, purple and black. All the while there was the oddest peace over me, as tho God was letting me know that His hands were working through the hands of those working on her. He was proving to be faithful in keeping His promises.
When we started talking about coming home, the dr's began to let us know the kind of problems we should expect. They talked about her being blind, because of the amounts of oxygen she had been on. The talked about her being deaf because of the brain bleed. She had failed every hearing test up to that point. They talked about her physical disabilities relating to cerebral palsy. And they talked about mental retardation. It was a lot to take in, but, even though it was a shock to our system, we still walked in a quiet confidence because we knew God was ultimately in control. And He had made promises.
Ella has since had intestinal and brain surgeries, both to deal with complications. She has had numerous hearing and eye tests. She has had speech, physical and occupational therapies. Once again, God has led us to allow people to be His hands.
Her hearing is fine, she wears glasses for astigmatism and sees fine, she walks, runs and climbs, and is a very smart, witty little girl. She adores her big brothers (when they are out of sight she asks 'where are the brothers?'). Our church family sees her as their little girl.
So even though the days surrounding her birth and the first coupla months of her life were filled with dark days, looking back there was light by which to walk. It just took getting some perspective to see it.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove...
From John Wesley in regard to relationships that allow God to be glorified, even if the other party would like to harm us:
Let us neither absolutely refuse all favours, nor resent all neglects, from those whose friendship is at best very doubtful, and their intimacy by no means safe.
We, like Christ in the house of the Pharisees, can still be gentle and point all to the truth. Are you in a hostile environment? Let the gentleness of Luke 7 encourage you.
Let us neither absolutely refuse all favours, nor resent all neglects, from those whose friendship is at best very doubtful, and their intimacy by no means safe.
We, like Christ in the house of the Pharisees, can still be gentle and point all to the truth. Are you in a hostile environment? Let the gentleness of Luke 7 encourage you.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Of guilt and grace
Listening to Jack Graham this morning after dropping Ella off with my mom. He was preaching through the model prayer (the Lord's prayer), then as an encouragement at the end of his message, he spoke of the discipline of prayer. Basically his take is we cant be guilted into a prayer life. We have to catch a glimpse of how God's grace is poured on us when we line our lives up with Him.
Whether its the removal of sin, prayer, obedience, faithfulness, or self-control, when we align any and all parts of our lives up with him, His grace is poured on us. He gives grace to the humble, but opposes the proud. Guilt is that limited motivator that eventually drives us away from the source. Grace (particularly, God's grace) is the LIMITLESS motivator that draws us ever closer to the God that loves us. Man that's refreshing!
Whether its the removal of sin, prayer, obedience, faithfulness, or self-control, when we align any and all parts of our lives up with him, His grace is poured on us. He gives grace to the humble, but opposes the proud. Guilt is that limited motivator that eventually drives us away from the source. Grace (particularly, God's grace) is the LIMITLESS motivator that draws us ever closer to the God that loves us. Man that's refreshing!
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