So much has been going on lately. College is nearing an end. Best friends are getting engaged. Life is getting busier, larger, scarier, and more exciting.
I realize that when seasons- such as college- start to come to an end I find myself trying to figure it all out on my own and not spending as much time just still and silent at the foot of the cross.
So tonight- I encourage you to read the words of this Puritans prayer and reflect. Be still.
I know I need it.
"Resting on God" A Puritans Prayer.
O God, most high, most glorious, the thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but Thou art for ever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of unfulfilment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories: The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
I come to Thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows, to leave every concern entirely to Thee, every sin calling for Christ's precious blood; revive deep spirituality in my heart; let me live near to the great Shepherd, hear His voice, know its tones, follow its calls. Keep me from deception by causing me to abide in the truth, from harm by helping me to walk in the power of the Spirit. Give me intenser faith in the eternal verities, burning into me by experience the things I know; Let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know in it the power of the Spirit.
Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget Thee. Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots; grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to Thee, that all else is trifling. Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong and happy. Abide in me, gracious God.
Amen and Amen.
I pray these words encourage you today.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
For a day in your courts is better...
God is good- all the time- God is good.
In August of 2009 I started something called "Tuesday Night Dinners" at my grandparents house with my grandfather, grandmother, Aunt, and cousin. It was a time where I sat with my grandmother and aunt for long periods of time and learned to cook delicious meals, laughed with my family, and made so many memories. It quickly became something that was a non-negotiable part of my week.
On June 26th of this year my sweet grandmama passed away. It was painful. Still is painful. It hurts to breathe when I think about her because I miss her so very much. We talked everyday- more than once. She taught me so much. I always brought her lilies because they were her favorite. We always talked about food- I mean all the time. She loved Jesus. I loved her.
Why in the world am I telling you this now?
Because this past Tuesday night was the first time we have cooked in her kitchen, in her house- Since she passed away.
As I walked into the front door I immediately felt warmth- It was so good to walk in with a hand full of groceries ready to cook for my family. I started to sort through what I had brought- trying to get organized- all the while trying to ignore that fact that she was not sitting in her chair. I found myself several times with questions about how to make my recipe and did not have her to ask.
It ached. Goodness gracious the knot in my stomach seemed immeasurable.
I called one of my best friends when I got into the car and just let loose the tears. It felt good to vent and I was reminded quickly of the fact that Grandmama was home. She was in the courts of the Lord.
The sweet part of this seemingly sad story-
I got home that evening and sat down with my bible feeling oh so weak- I opened up to the Psalms and found refuge, hope, JOY, and such excitement in God's word.
Psalm 84 was where I landed. How good is God to point out His promises to us through reading His word!
Can I just type out the whole Psalm here? Okay- Thank you!
Psalm 84 (ESV)
"My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord"
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion. [2]
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!
For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!"
Oh, to imagine the courts of the Lord!
It was such a sweet reminder of how our lives here on earth are a vapor- and of what is waiting for us as believers for an eternity!
I love the thought of my sweet grandmama waiting for me at the door of the house of my God!
We have victory in Jesus. Death, oh death, Where is your sting?
Thank you Lord for your word, for in it we find rest!
In August of 2009 I started something called "Tuesday Night Dinners" at my grandparents house with my grandfather, grandmother, Aunt, and cousin. It was a time where I sat with my grandmother and aunt for long periods of time and learned to cook delicious meals, laughed with my family, and made so many memories. It quickly became something that was a non-negotiable part of my week.
On June 26th of this year my sweet grandmama passed away. It was painful. Still is painful. It hurts to breathe when I think about her because I miss her so very much. We talked everyday- more than once. She taught me so much. I always brought her lilies because they were her favorite. We always talked about food- I mean all the time. She loved Jesus. I loved her.
Why in the world am I telling you this now?
Because this past Tuesday night was the first time we have cooked in her kitchen, in her house- Since she passed away.
As I walked into the front door I immediately felt warmth- It was so good to walk in with a hand full of groceries ready to cook for my family. I started to sort through what I had brought- trying to get organized- all the while trying to ignore that fact that she was not sitting in her chair. I found myself several times with questions about how to make my recipe and did not have her to ask.
It ached. Goodness gracious the knot in my stomach seemed immeasurable.
I called one of my best friends when I got into the car and just let loose the tears. It felt good to vent and I was reminded quickly of the fact that Grandmama was home. She was in the courts of the Lord.
The sweet part of this seemingly sad story-
I got home that evening and sat down with my bible feeling oh so weak- I opened up to the Psalms and found refuge, hope, JOY, and such excitement in God's word.
Psalm 84 was where I landed. How good is God to point out His promises to us through reading His word!
Can I just type out the whole Psalm here? Okay- Thank you!
Psalm 84 (ESV)
"My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord"
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion. [2]
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!
For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!"
Oh, to imagine the courts of the Lord!
It was such a sweet reminder of how our lives here on earth are a vapor- and of what is waiting for us as believers for an eternity!
I love the thought of my sweet grandmama waiting for me at the door of the house of my God!
We have victory in Jesus. Death, oh death, Where is your sting?
Thank you Lord for your word, for in it we find rest!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Topsy Turvy Trust
I worry.
I have wrestled more in my life with worry than I think I have anything else.
I worry about getting my school work done.
I worry that middle schoolers think I am cool.
I worry about friends in difficult situation.
I worry about those who do not yet know the Lord.
When you lay down at night...do you?
I have told my close friends of so many nights where I lay down in bed exhausted-
and the minute my head reaches the pillow the worry flows right out of my ears and fill my dark room.
The Lord has been so good to remind me of His promises of protection, provision, and guidance.
I believe in God. I believe that He is sovereign over ALL things.
I believe that He is in control.
Yet-so many times I let the "what ifs" and "if onlys" take over!
I find myself in a season of life that seems to be filled with questions.
The real world is on the horizon and the number of concrete answers about my future can be counted on one hand when It comes to the nuts and bolts of things.
Many close to my heart know that I have truly simplified my prayers to just this-
"Father- Let me want what you want for me. Let me do your will. Period."
This prayer is such a scary one sometimes.
To lay down my desires and wants, my plans- and Trust in God's timing and plans.
I am a part of a group of women that meet each Wednesday at lunch and do a Beth Moore bible study-
Currently we are in the middle of "The Inheritance".
This week in the middle of the study Beth Moore pointed out a scripture that has since rocked my world-
It is found in Isaiah- Chapter 33
verse 6 reads-
"and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; for the fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure"
The MacArthur commentary says that "Zion's treasure" means that the best gift a person can receive from God is pure faith that is formed in response to the revelation of God's grace.
He will be the stability of MY TIMES. Not just the good, bad, uncertain, or scary. All times. My stability.
What a gift!
I pray that I live each day taking advantage of the stability, wisdom, and knowledge I am promised through Christ Jesus!
I have wrestled more in my life with worry than I think I have anything else.
I worry about getting my school work done.
I worry that middle schoolers think I am cool.
I worry about friends in difficult situation.
I worry about those who do not yet know the Lord.
When you lay down at night...do you?
I have told my close friends of so many nights where I lay down in bed exhausted-
and the minute my head reaches the pillow the worry flows right out of my ears and fill my dark room.
The Lord has been so good to remind me of His promises of protection, provision, and guidance.
I believe in God. I believe that He is sovereign over ALL things.
I believe that He is in control.
Yet-so many times I let the "what ifs" and "if onlys" take over!
I find myself in a season of life that seems to be filled with questions.
The real world is on the horizon and the number of concrete answers about my future can be counted on one hand when It comes to the nuts and bolts of things.
Many close to my heart know that I have truly simplified my prayers to just this-
"Father- Let me want what you want for me. Let me do your will. Period."
This prayer is such a scary one sometimes.
To lay down my desires and wants, my plans- and Trust in God's timing and plans.
I am a part of a group of women that meet each Wednesday at lunch and do a Beth Moore bible study-
Currently we are in the middle of "The Inheritance".
This week in the middle of the study Beth Moore pointed out a scripture that has since rocked my world-
It is found in Isaiah- Chapter 33
verse 6 reads-
"and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; for the fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure"
The MacArthur commentary says that "Zion's treasure" means that the best gift a person can receive from God is pure faith that is formed in response to the revelation of God's grace.
He will be the stability of MY TIMES. Not just the good, bad, uncertain, or scary. All times. My stability.
What a gift!
I pray that I live each day taking advantage of the stability, wisdom, and knowledge I am promised through Christ Jesus!
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