One-Sentence Biography

Good morning lovely friends.

I'll be honest, my heart is full with something the Lord spoke to me this morning, and although my heart is full, my time is empty!  Meetings and needs are pushing in and today I can't push back.  The clock is dictating my day.

So, this morning I want to quickly share the last thing I saw as I headed to bed last night.  I was closing down all the programs running on my computer and as I went to sign out of Facebook, I noticed my son had written a status update.  This is what he wrote:

" 'So he did what the Lord had told him.' (1 Kings 17:5 NIV)  A one-sentence biography that outshines others of great length.  Hope it can be mine."

Oh friends.  When my misty eyes cleared I wrote a comment and asked him: Did you write that or are you quoting someone?  He immediately responded with, "Straight from my own noggin."  :-)

I am one blessed mom.  My son's "noggin" is not only brilliant (yes, I can say that, I'm his mom), but far more importantly His heart is desiring for His life testimony to be one of obedience.

That's what I desire my one-sentence biography to be.  So she did what the Lord had told her.  That's all that truly needs to be said.  Can it be said of you today?

Everlasting

"The everlasting Father."  Isaiah 9:6

I had a new idea presented to me last week.  An interpretation of a Scripture verse that I had never thought of in this way before.

One of the four Bible studies I am currently involved in is Beth Moore's "The Patriarch's".  I am thoroughly enjoying the classes each week.  It's so great to be a participant instead of the facilitator for a change.

In our homework this week we read the passage in Genesis where Abraham called the Lord, the "Eternal God".  Beth then directed us to Ecclesiastes 3:11.  "...He has also set eternity in the hearts of men..."  She went on to explain her understanding of this verse.

I have always reasoned this verse to mean that the Lord has placed in His children a longing for heaven.  We are aware that this is not our home, and we have a desire for eternity when we will see Jesus and be welcomed into His presence forever.  Beth explained it a little differently.

If I'm comprehending correctly what Beth described, this verse is teaching that we have a longing inside to see things continue.  It's a passion for more.  It's hating hearing "the end".  We resist endings because of an inner heart longing for an "always and forever".

This concept resonated in me.  It's why I dislike seeing the credits begin at the completion of a wonderful movie.  It's why reading the last page of a beautiful story brings a sad parting.  It's what fuels the excitement for a "BFF".  It's why an evening with great friends and family seems to end too quickly.  All of these are birthed from an eternity in our hearts.

Beth writes that even the fight to live at the end of life with astonishing tenacity "originates neither in worldliness, selfishness, nor lack of faith."  Beth suggests it is birthed in our makeup.  We are wired to want to live.

There will come a day when this longing is satisfied.  Currently we live "in time", but our hearts are living for eternity.  We resist the end because we were meant to be without one.

One day our endless longings will be satisfied in our everlasting Father.

Giggling

This morning I had to do it.  I had to draw a smile in the margin of my Bible beside the verse I had just read.  I trust no one will find that completely and totally irreverent, but that's the kind of intimate relationship God and I share.

I was reading in 1 Corinthians 7.  Paul is teaching the principles of marriage and then gives a discourse to unmarried and widows.  I came to his closing verses, and honestly, I laughed.

"A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.  But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment - and I think I also have the Spirit of God."

Does that last phrase strike anyone else as funny?  I love Paul's personal opinion tossed in at no extra cost.  He not only throws in his thought on the matter, but backs his decision by saying, and just so you know, I think the Spirit of God agrees with me on this one.  :-)

I think it seemed extra humourous to me because recently I experienced a similar thing.  I had received a gift.  The lady giving it to me was expressing hope that I'd really enjoy it.  She knew it was the perfect gift, yet feared it might not be as meaningful to me.  So, just in case I might not appreciate it with the same fervour, she said, "I felt the Lord tell me to purchase this for you so if you don't like it, you don't like what the Lord has chosen."   Nothing like having the gift sanctioned by God.  What choice would I have now?  It just made me giggle inside.  Later when I showed the gift to my husband I told him he couldn't say anything against it, God had chosen it!

I'm having a bit of fun with this passage today and I hope you all don't mind.  Sometimes Scripture makes me chuckle.  Is there a verse that makes you laugh?  As long as we're not laughing in doubt or ridicule, I think the Lord is OK.  I imagine, like us, He might have even laughed at Himself sometimes.

Removing "Yeast"

God's Word is not easy.

This morning I was reading in 1 Corinthians 5.  Paul, through the inspired Word of God, tells us to remove "yeast" and not keep company with someone who is eagerly greedy, uses abusive language, gets drunk, is sexually promiscuous, attains wealth through threats or misuse of authority, exploits others for personal gain or is an idolater.

That list at first glance seems easy to obey.  I mean, who's going to hang out with the likes of them?  But wait!  Paul says, I don't mean that you shouldn't have anything to do with people of the world who behave in such manners.  You'd need to leave the world entirely to do that!  We need to be a witness to those who have not yet received the Lord.  Paul is referring to brothers and sisters in the Lord who act in these ways.  He says do not keep company with them and then instructs further, "not even to eat with such a person." (1 Corinthians 5:11)

I don't know about you, but names come to mind.  Please understand, Paul is not talking about those whose lives were marked by these practices in the past but have been forgiven and redeemed from such activity, but he's referring to those who now claim to be children of God whose lifestyle hasn't changed.  The behavior above is still part of their habits.

I fear that too often in our desire to obey the command of loving everyone, times of correction and needed, wise confrontation never happen.

I have a sweet and precious friend who did not grow up in a Christian home.  I always enjoy spending time with her.  She did not know the Lord when I met her.  During the course of our friendship she accepted the Lord as her personal Lord and Savior.  One old way remained.  She would speak the Lord's Name in vain.

I'll never forget the day that very gently it was mentioned to her that speaking the Lord's Name in this way was sin.  She was completely broken.  She said she had no idea.  She had grown up with God's Name in everyday vocabulary.  She sobbed and sobbed.  She asked for forgiveness.  She said no-one had ever told her.  Through tears she asked, why hadn't anyone told her?  It truly was the most beautiful response of repentance, yet heart-aching as well.  She wished someone had just told her.

Not all correction goes that well.  Some resist.  Some deny.  Some find ways to justify.  Some refuse to accept or see.  Some excuse.  Some receive the warning, but continue in the sin.  God's Word then is hard, but clear.  Don't pretend you don't notice.  Don't ignore.  Don't hope it goes away on it's own.  Don't keep silent thereby condoning and accepting the continuing behavior.  If after the conduct is addressed and nothing changes, if there's no repentance or desire to walk in righteousness, the Lord says, do not keep company with them.  Do not even eat with such a person.

It's not a small thing.  Don't remain with the "yeast" or you too may become infected.

Nothings Wasted

Well, quite honestly, I thought it would be easier to stop!

For anyone reading my blog for the first time, yesterday I completed my goal of writing 31 days in a row.  Quite honestly, I was looking forward to a morning's rest.  It takes disciplined scheduling to get up early, spend time in God's Word, pray, then sit before this screen and write something that I pray is prompted and inspired by the Holy Spirit.  I truly was not expecting to be back this soon.  Yet, when God speaks, I feel such an urgency to share His Word.

Today I must choose which one of three possible directions to take.  I think what I'll do is share the short writing that has moved my heart deeply this morning from a book entitled, "Kept for the Master's Use", by Frances Ridley Havergal.  Since Sunday's are a day of rest, I may continue to choose to impart a Sabbath sharing on the Lord's Day of quotes or other readings that are so powerful my mere words couldn't do justice in the retelling.  I pray the following will speak as powerfully to you as it did to me.

Used by God

"But the Holy Spirit will come upon you 

and give you power.  Then you will tell everyone

about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria,

and everywhere in the world."

Acts 1:9 CEV

"We are not all called to be the King's ambassadors, but all who have heard the message of salvation for themselves are called to be 'the Lord's messengers,' and day by day, as He gives us opportunity, we are to deliver 'the Lord's message' unto the people.

He who made every power can use every power - memory, judgment, imagination, quickness of apprehension or insight; specialties of musical, poetical, oratorical, or artistic faculty; special tastes for reasoning, philosophy, history, natural science, or natural history - all these may be dedicated to Him, sanctified by Him, and used by Him.  Whatever H has given, He will use, if we will let Him.  Often, in the most unexpected ways, and at the most unexpected turns, something read or acquired long ago suddenly comes into use.

We cannot foresee what will thus 'come in useful'; but He knew, when He guided us to learn it, what would be wanted for in His service.  So may we not ask Him to bring His perfect foreknowledge to bear on all our mental training and storing?  To guide us to read or study exactly what He knows there will be use for in the work to which He has called or will call us?"

I was so blessed by that reading.  Is there something you have learned that you feel was quite a waste of time?  It is not.  If God led you to it, He will use it one day for His glory.  I loved that closing sentence.  So many days the exact verse someone is looking for later in the day, I have read that very morning and can share the reference with them.  God knew I was going to need that passage, maybe not directly for a truth requiring application to my life at that moment, but to be His channel for another that He knew He was placing in my path that day.  What if I hadn't had my time with the Lord?  I would have missed the thrill of being used to be His answer to a seeking heart.  Let's face it, it's not all about me...or you either.  

Blessed Sabbath

I Did It!!!

"What is not started today is never finished tomorrow." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Well...I made it!  Day 31 !!!  I committed to write a blog post for 31 days in a row, and today is the last day!  I have thoroughly enjoyed being more intentional again with my writing, and I absolutely love how the Lord gave me something daily to share with you all.  I always wrote first thing in the morning, right after my quiet time with the Lord.  It has brought back so many memories from 2009 when I shared here every day as a form of accountability.  WOW...how did I do that?  That was 365 posts!

So, what happens now?  Quite honestly I don't know.  I know I have two readers, and they have been so encouraging. Thank you for your faithful comments.  I also know there are days when my fingers can't type as fast as my thoughts flow.  There are times that I am overwhelmed with such a compulsion to write that my heart is racing until I'm able to release His words in me.

Is blogging discouraging?  Yes...often.  Some days I think the Lord has impressed such an urgent message on my heart to share, and He appears to be the only One who sees my obedience.  Then I question...Lord, why?  Those days have become special.  They are the days He is sharing sacred secrets with me.

Other times I see or hear of bloggers who receive such following, input and advancement and I wonder what are they doing differently?  Yes, some comparison creeps in, but for consideration and teaching.  What are they doing that is drawing readers to return?  What can I learn from them?  I don't want to ever write here in competition, but in compliment.  God has given many of us a similar message, but we reach a different audience.

I know I have a very small social media following, and quite honestly, it takes time to develop connection with others in "blog world".  My priority is face-to-face so no doubt that limits the time it takes to make consistent networking relationships.   I don't want to be responding to you just to get my presence out there and my name seen.  I respond when heart meets heart and Jesus speaks to me through His Spirit expressed in His Words.

I also realize it's not all about statistics and numbers.  I often think of the gift I'm giving to family for generations to come.  Great-great-great grandchildren will one day read a legacy of faith lived generations ago, and precious children,  Lord willing, be encouraged and blessed by an old lady who even prays for them now.

So friends, I don't know what the plan is tomorrow, but God does.  I will wait on Him for direction.  Thank You for giving me the gift of your time, a precious commodity.  You have blessed me.

Watching and Waiting

"Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors."  Proverbs 8:34

The anticipation of his arrival.  The excitement.  It was almost time.  Clock watching.  Window peering.  Any second now the car should be appearing.  Suddenly my eyes caught sight of the one for whom I'd been waiting.  With a squeal of delight accompanying the sound of running footsteps, I hurried to swing open the door.  In just a moment I would be giggling with delight, held in the arms of the one I was longing to see.  Daddy's home.

This memory flooded back this morning as I read the verse from Proverbs.  Watching daily at the gates.  Waiting at the doors.  Every afternoon it was the same.  The expectancy never waned.  It never became routine or tiresome.  Neither did the pleasure found in the moment of first sight.  Happiness swells in my heart even now as I close my eyes and relive the absolute elation of welcoming daddy home.

Am I as eager each day to see Jesus?  I'm not so much speaking of His return to earth, although certainly we are to be watching for Him, but what about His presence in our daily lives?  How would watching at the gates and waiting at the door posts look today?

I love the way "The Message" has reframed this verse.  "Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listen to me, awake and ready for me each morning, alert and responsive as I start my day's work."

Do you start your day with anticipation of 'seeing' the Lord?  We see Him primarily in His Word.  Are you daily spending time with Him?  Are you "awake and ready", "alert and responsive" to God's activity around you?  In the Bible Study, "Experiencing God" by Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claude King, the student of God's Word is reminded that God is always at work.  The tragedy lies in encountering Him daily, yet failing to recognize Him.  We don't recognize Him because we don't really know Him, nor are we actively looking for Him.  We've neglected the time it takes to watch at the gates and wait at the doors.

Today I want to be awake and ready, alert and responsive.  Lord, fill my heart with an even greater passion to watch and wait.  Renew my excitement as I pull back the curtains of complacency and anticipate the sound of Your footsteps in my life today.