A Conversation with God...

Moses said to the LORD, "See, you say to me, 'Bring up this people,' but You have not let me know whom You will send with me.  Yet You have said, 'I know you by name and you have also found favor in My sight.'  Now therefore, if I have found favor in Your sight, please show me now Your ways, that I may know You...

Consider too that this nation is Your people."

And He [the LORD] said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

And he [Moses] said to Him, "If Your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.  For how shall it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people?  Is it not in Your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and Your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?"

And the LORD said to Moses, "This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name."

Moses said, "Please show me Your glory."

And He [the LORD] said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you My name 'The LORD'.  And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will show mercy to whom I show mercy.  But," He said, "you cannot see My face, for man shall not see Me and live."

~Exodus 33:12-20

ESV

(photo courtesy of Fotolia)

I will praise You in the storm

by Heather E.

"I was sure by now God You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day."

How often have we thought this. Why isn't God rescuing me from this sorrow? Why is He silent?

"Once again, I say Amen and it's still raining"

I love this line! Even when we don't understand and nothing makes sense. With tears in our eyes and sorrow in our heart, we can say Thy will be done.

"As the thunder rolls, I barely hear You whisper through the rain, I'm with you. And as Yuor mercy falls. I'll raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away."

And in that surrender, God blesses us beyond all imagination--That is when He showers us with mercy and grace. And that is how Job could say after losing everything, " "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21b)

"I will praise You in this storm. I will lift my hands. For You are Who You are, no matter where I am."

God is good, faithful and He never changes. No matter what our circumstances are, His truth is always the same.

"Every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand, You never left my side and though my heart is torn. I will praise You in this storm."

The world wonders how we are able to keep our faith. It's because He never leaves our side. How could any of us continue if we didn't know that God was going to see us through it?

"I remember when I stumbled in the wind, You heard my cry, You raised me up again. My strength is almost gone, how can I carry on? If I can't find You. "

How awesome is it that God picks us up again and again. I know I stumble so many times. God is always there to raise me up.

"As the thunder rolls. I barely hear You whisper through the rain. I'm with you."

Sometimes it's hard to hear God when it's raining. You have to listen closer but He's there. Never believe Satan's lie that Christ doesn't care. The Bible says He cares for the sparrows, so how infinitely more He cares for you, His own precious child.

pictures from google.

Lyrics from Casting Crowns

Jump

I went for a walk this afternoon in the brilliant cold. I was feeling rather pointless. Very pointless. (because I had nothing I so wanted, even though I have so much to be thankful for already)
Jesus came with me.
“You walk with me through fire…” –Healer
As I was walking, praying about this pointlessness.
A picture of me: standing on a precipice, a deep dark ravine is below me.
Jesus stands, arms open wide, waiting a mere frightening jump across the ravine to the opposing cliff side where He waits.
I can’t jump holding what I want. What (I think) I need. To have purpose, to be so, so happy.
A husband.
A mission.
A baby.
A home.
A country.
An ideal.
Myself even.
All of it must fall into the endless cold darkness below. To die.
But Jesus waits and can I resist?

"Trust Me." That wonderful word again, Lord?
A man, baby, missions, home of my own, adventures, change, and all such purposefulness are lovely, and would/will be very nice. But they will not satisfy. Only Jesus will. Is satisfying.
So I jump.
Tears wet my cheeks, having surrendered for the millionth time. Trusting again.
But now I’m free.
And Jesus holds me.
Oh, He loves me.
Oh I love Him.
I love Him.
This love makes it all worth it.

Content in the Valley

by Heather E.

When you're on top of a hill, it's very easy to see. The blue sky, the fresh air and sunlight are all visable. In a valley it's much harder. You know the sun must be there but sometimes you can't see the light. It's gets frustrating as you stumble along. It's very easy to get discontent. You want to see the sun and sky and breathe in the fresh air.
God wants us to be content in the valley. There are life lessons to be learned in the hard times. Things that you have to experience.
You can't be refined without fire.
God has promised to be there. Psalm 23:4 says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death: for thou art with me; thy rod and they staff they comfort me."
So if you're in a valley embrace it. Let God work and refine you.
When you get to the top of the mountain, it will be all the more amazing for having gone through the valley.

How He loves us

Here I am again. I have fallen. He has picked me up.
I have sinned.
Repented and
been forgiven
again-again-again
By Someone greater than I.
So much more than I deserve

He is jealous for me

He’s standing there. Arms open wide. Waiting for me to come running.
Jesus wants me all for Himself.
None but Christ.

“For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.” Exodus 20:5b

Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree

I stand, drenched, soaked in His love. My arms thrown out, head back, tears streaming, my heart screaming in pain-joy-sorrow-awe in my Savior’s love for me. I cannot understand it, but I need it. Oh I need it. I need You.

“By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through Him, in this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us.” 1 John 4:9-10a

Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.

I cannot stand here for long. I fall to my knees. broken-bleeding-needing Jesus. Only Jesus.

"I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great..." 1 Chronicles 21:13a

When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory

Here in this place of rain drenched pain and joy. He is. He is enough. More. Than I can ever express. My heart is empty yet full. Hungry yet satisfied. Tasting His presence, His love and mercy. My sorrows, my trials, my pains seem small, beside the greatness of His love. Small in the hollow of Your capable, beautiful anguish scarred hands. Pierced for me.

"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" Exodus 15:11

And I realize just how beautiful You are,

So beautiful my Jesus. So beautiful. I cannot ever hope to express how beautiful You are. The salvation in your hands, the grace in Your touch, and love in Your eyes. You love me as a Father loves his child. As the Bridegroom adores His bride. As the Potter cares enough to smooth and refine the Clay. You love.

“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." Psalm 27:4

And how great Your affections are for me.

You are love. And You choose to give Yourself. Give love. Lavishly. You want me to call you Abba, and dance with You through the storms and peace. Cling to You as You carry me over mountains and through valleys. Dwell with You in Your presence forever. Abba, I want to stay here. Help me, in my human frailty and unfaithfulness. Teach me to love You. To stay. To Abide in You. In Your love and great affection for me. Help me understand. How great this love is.

“Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and He chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today.” Deuteronomy 10:15

Oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

“For with the Lord there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption.” Psalm 130:7

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,

If it is forever to be just You and I. If I am to be always known as I am. If a loving husband and children are not in Your plan. (and even if they are, as I pray and hope it will be so.) Jesus, I want to be known as Yours. Yours completely. Wholly without restraint. I want You to be my prize. Not any earthly gift or treasure. You, Jesus, to be my prize, the goal I am running for, seeking in light and deep darkness. I want to find You and know You more.

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,

My hands are full of earthly things, empty, hollow and unforgiving…my heart full of dross, but hungry for truth. My hands open, slowly, painfully, releasing the stones of my achievements, my worries, my pleasures, my sins, my wrongs, my dreams…I lay myself on the alter again, bind me there Shepherd…so these idols die, burn to ash…as I cry and beg to be released, my heart sees you there. Salvation and joy in your eyes. It is worth it. This purification, this sanctification….this crucifixion of my flesh. So that You may shine brighter in me. Shine, Jesus, Shine…

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:7-8

If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.

I want to drown here Jesus, drown in Your grace, Your love and Your truth. Your Word is life to my flesh and healing to my heart…I cannot survive, I cannot thrive without You. You alone are life and sustenance and breath. Drown me Jesus, in You. Till all I see, feel, know and am is surrounded by You.

"The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:14-15

So Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,

Come Lord Jesus. Come. I cannot wait to stand before You, trembling in holy fear, my heart ripped to shreds with joy in being with You at last. To fall at Your feet and thank you over and over and over. For all You have done. For all You are. I love You Jesus. Come quickly. Come.

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God." Revelation 19:11-13

I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

He loves us, Oh how He loves us

Jesus, I want to love like You
Teach me
Shine through me
That I would be Your hands and feet to the world
That those I touch would feel Your hands
Those I speak to would hear Your voice
And those I love know it is You that loves them
So very much
That I would know Your love intimately
And that I would be Your love to the world

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

Oh How He Loves us.

Lyrics from the David Crowder Band “Oh How He loves”

Teach Me to Worship

As I was praying, I was very conscious of my inablility to pray with words fitting my Maker. I prayed, "Lord, teach me to worship You acceptably." Much to my joy, He answered:

When you accept whatever situation you are in without murmuring,

you are worshipping Me.

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When you can rejoice in Me in the midst of your infirmities,

you are worshipping Me.

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When I have brought pressures to bear upon you to bring out

the gold of My nature and you bear them patiently--

blaming not Me, nor another person, nor yourself--

then you are truly worshipping Me.

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When you can "forgive yourself" for your weaknesses and

failures and cease expecting your human nature to bring

forth perfection, you are worshipping Me.

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When you have come to the place of recognizing and

acknowledging that "of myself I can do nothing",

then do I have praise of thee.

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When you can look upon a wasted life and agree that

I can and will make this one every whit whole--

that this is My desire--then you have offered Me

true worship, for you have seen My true nature.

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When you look upon My natural creation and the beauty of it

and magnify Me, than I am worshipped.

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When you hear My word within you saying

"This is the way--walk ye in it",

and ye obey My word with rejoicing, I feel worship from thee.

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When you look with compassion upon one who is afflicted,

tossed, and broken, then I am worshipped.

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When you recognize My Body and honor them as My brethren,

this is true worship unto Me.

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When thy lips are silent because of your pain,

and you lift your heart to Me, I feel your worship.

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When you say, "I cannot--please help me!"

then I am worshipped.

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Worship is a heart attitude in every place and situation in which you find yourselves. It acknowledges My Lordship, the righteousness of My nature, the truth of My Word, and the reality of my indwelling presence. You may offer true worship at all times and in every situation by keeping your heart right toward Me and toward your fellow-man.

Given to Elaine Cook,

May 1994

Bill & Elaine Cook publish "Gospel of the Kingdom", available at www.kingdomgospel.org

A Shrub or a TREE

"Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a SHRUB in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes, he will dwell in the parched places of the desert, where no one lives." Jeremiah 17:5-6
I remember reading those verses for seemingly the first time during a miserable "dry" era of my life--during my mid-teens. I was shocked at how accurately this verse described my existence.
"Whoa! That’s me!" I wanted to shout. "I'm that shrub!" and it was clear why. My vitality was reduced to a shriveled, lonely, thirsty, stunted shrub because my heart was departing from the Lord. I was looking only to people, friends, excitement (I have always had serious "thrill issues" anyway), pleasure, and even myself. Grasping anywhere but Him for every longing of my heart. Praying to him? Yes. Reading His word? Yes. Oh, but the heart of my desire wasn't for Him. It was the classic shrub/wasteland experience.
Most of us have wasted days in that loathsome state and discover only thirst and loneliness as we claw for fulfillment and security in those barren things. It is an ironic loneliness though, for so many of us wasteland campers are in the same desert "where no one lives" together. Ah, but there is no fellowship (camertismo) in this desert because as we lean solely on each other and not on the Lord, we are barely alive and most assuredly have nothing to offer. We end up judging and blaming when our needs are not met, not to mention we become unwanted company--which drives us further into isolation!
As you would conclude, I did not wish to stay in this wilderness. With my cursed condition diagnosed and tears gathering, I eagerly read on; in search of the cure for my "shrubbiness". Just listen--this is beautiful!
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord. For he shall be like a TREE, planted by the waters, which spreads out his roots by the River, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green and it will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will it cease bearing fruit." As Anna would say, "Hallelujah!"
This lovely, strong tree has nothing to fear, nothing to lose from distressing surroundings, outside influence, or turmoil. Nothing will stop it from bearing fruit. I had previously taken little responsibility for feeling depressed, restless, having little enthusiasm for Jesus, and not bearing fruit. It was problems such as: "My church and family aren't on fire for God", "I have so little encouragement from people around me", "No one cares =-)”, "I am always around people who drain strength from me “, "There is so little excitement in my life", "So much is demanded of me," etc, etc.
When I realized my life could be vibrant regardless of my climate, my neighbors, etc.; my excuses--like a spark on a measly match--were extinguished. My trust and hope was hinged on futility and my heart had obviously departed from the Lord. Tears began to wash down as I confessed my idolatry and dropped my pointed fingers, acknowledging the guilt of my faithlessness. I felt the familiar current of that River of mercy wash over my crusty heart once again!
I would be delighted to inform you that ever since that revelation, my heart has never departed from the Lord or trusted in man for my strength. That day after blissful day, I have unwaveringly plowed my healthy roots deeper, resting in hope, trusting in the living God!
However, it is not so. It has been a journey of readjusting my trust everyday and in every instance. Quite naturally and without effort or fail, my heart will depart from looking to the Lord. Blessings or trials can send me into this wandering state, looking outside of the Life Giver for joy and strength. I have had to revisit these passages and ask painful questions over and over since then. However, His Spirit, without fail, brings me back to my place by "The Riv". Here the peace and vitality are indescribable, however, the outcome of this trust is so much more than personal satisfaction!
Isaiah 61 begins by telling us the Messiah is coming and the amazing restoration He will bring. Verse 3 continues to share that He will "...grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting; so they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." That is the goal. All that He may be glorified! Jesus' teaching in John 15:8 confirms the relevance of this Old Testament truth. He says, "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." There is more than our well being and reputation at stake here, saints: we have the privilege of exalting the Highest King!
At this time in my life, there are new and exciting ways to abide in and trust Him for the needs of my entire being. Lately it has meant trusting Him for infusions of strength and kindness toward my family after a long (or hard) day of painting, laundry, and teaching, or just work in general. It has meant laying my concern for finances and the future completely in His hand, and refusing to be anxious. It means leaving the scripting of my human love story to God's pen. It means refusing to believe the devil's lies about me, my family members, and my circumstances. It has meant using my time wisely so that I can spend more time with my True Lover, drawing closer to His heart. Rather than trying to produce fruit in others and myself, it has meant relying on Him in prayer and bringing my failings and others' needs to Him. Trusting; not striving. As my Mom pointed out to me the other day that a branch-tree doesn't "do" anything--on its own. Jesus said again in John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." We are to receive from the Lord and abide in Him. Obviously obeying His commands, etc., is part of abiding; but again, not on our own. It is He that does that work in us. If we would but trust, cooperate and endure!
So, my dear sisters, if you ever find yourself in the midst of a shrub/wasteland experience, take heart. Your King has prepared a better place for you. Take the time to identify the false things you have been hoping in, and chasing after. Examine where your hope and desires have been placed in. Confess these to God and run your heart back to "the River", "the Source", the "Author and Finisher of Your Faith". I find it helpful to explicitly list those things to God that you have decided to trust Him for. Enjoy! Oh, and keep an eye out for the inevitable fruit! (Repeat as necessary--all throughout the day)
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:3)
God blessings and sister love to you all,
Brooke