One of the ladies at work sent this little quote out via email to a number of her friends, me included. (I think this is the first time she's sent me anything other than work-related stuff...)
Kinda gave me goosebumps; it fits with the 'change is coming' feeling, although I don't think the changes are to my circumstances so much as they are to me, myself:
SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns -- 6/21/11:
Many of you, My people, are approaching a turning point in which there will be a decided departure from what has been your accepted normal. When you are faced with change, I will give you the grace and guidance to move forward in strength and the power of My Spirit if you will trust Me. At this time you must be willing to let go of what was in order to grasp what is to be, says the Lord. Press on to obtain the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
I'm gonna claim it as a promise; I certainly don't have strength in myself to give up comfortable, but I'll gladly take grace and guidance to move out of it.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Faithful Friday Faves: Habakkuk
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
I love the book of Habakkuk. Can't spell it without looking to save my life, but, for anyone who feels discouraged or forgotten or doubtful, Habakkuk is THE BOOK TO READ.
So. Go read it. It's only three chapters. It'll encourage your spirit.
Today's pick...and there were several I wanted to choose...is the climax of the song that is chapter 3:
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
Though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
Though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign God is my strength;
He makes my feel like the feet of a deer,
He enables me to go on the heights.
-Hab. 3:17-19a
I love the book of Habakkuk. Can't spell it without looking to save my life, but, for anyone who feels discouraged or forgotten or doubtful, Habakkuk is THE BOOK TO READ.
So. Go read it. It's only three chapters. It'll encourage your spirit.
Today's pick...and there were several I wanted to choose...is the climax of the song that is chapter 3:
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
Though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
Though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign God is my strength;
He makes my feel like the feet of a deer,
He enables me to go on the heights.
-Hab. 3:17-19a
Friday, June 10, 2011
Faithful Friday Faves: Nahum
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi.
The repentance of Nineveh that happened as a result of Jonah's reluctant evangelism eventually was forgotten, and about a hundred years later the judgment that Jonah proclaimed was echoed by Nahum. However, this time there was no repentance that stayed God's hand. I have a hand-written note in the margin of my Bible that states that the archaeologists did not find the remains of the city until 1842. Nineveh, as was prophesied, was utterly destroyed.
But the verse I have chosen to look at today is Nahum 1:2:
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him
Over and over and over, Scripture tells us there will be trouble. BUT...and that's a big word right there...God will take care of those who trust Him.
The repentance of Nineveh that happened as a result of Jonah's reluctant evangelism eventually was forgotten, and about a hundred years later the judgment that Jonah proclaimed was echoed by Nahum. However, this time there was no repentance that stayed God's hand. I have a hand-written note in the margin of my Bible that states that the archaeologists did not find the remains of the city until 1842. Nineveh, as was prophesied, was utterly destroyed.
But the verse I have chosen to look at today is Nahum 1:2:
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him
Over and over and over, Scripture tells us there will be trouble. BUT...and that's a big word right there...God will take care of those who trust Him.
Monday, June 6, 2011
I'm not comfortable with that...
2011 is almost half way through. Can you believe it?
It has been an astonishing year...and that's just the weather.
The changes I felt coming back when the year started still have not fully manifested; I still am not sure what, exactly is going to change. But I told a friend at church last night that I refuse to hit December 31 and still be the same as I was on Jan. 1.
I don't yet know where I'm going, but I'll tell you what God's been doing.
He's been pointing out individuals to me who have had great doors opened to them, and he has shown me that those folks sacrificed much in order to devote themselves to the pursuit of God and the call of their heart's passion.
I'm beginning to wonder just how willing I really am to make similar sacrifices.
I'm finding out that I am quite the creature of comfort. I like the familiar, well-worn patterns...even if they're not terribly productive or influential. They are comfortable.
But it's becoming more and more apparent that, where ever I'm going, I'm going to have to give up comfortable.
And do you know what? My 'self' is Not Liking This One Bit.
Which is beginning to make me wonder if the one of the greatest enemies we have to overcome is Comfort. Physical comfort, emotional comfort, spiritual comfort...none of it is truly compatible w/taking up the cross and dying daily.
If I'm honest, the more I'm looking at this, the more I'm convinced that Comfort has very nearly been an idol in my life. And it's time to tear down that altar and make uncomfortable choices. How could I choose to stay where I'm comfortable and not draw closer to Him? Never *see* if I could walk in His presence as those who He has pointed out to me do?
Oh, no, I'm not comfortable with that at all.
It has been an astonishing year...and that's just the weather.
The changes I felt coming back when the year started still have not fully manifested; I still am not sure what, exactly is going to change. But I told a friend at church last night that I refuse to hit December 31 and still be the same as I was on Jan. 1.
I don't yet know where I'm going, but I'll tell you what God's been doing.
He's been pointing out individuals to me who have had great doors opened to them, and he has shown me that those folks sacrificed much in order to devote themselves to the pursuit of God and the call of their heart's passion.
I'm beginning to wonder just how willing I really am to make similar sacrifices.
I'm finding out that I am quite the creature of comfort. I like the familiar, well-worn patterns...even if they're not terribly productive or influential. They are comfortable.
But it's becoming more and more apparent that, where ever I'm going, I'm going to have to give up comfortable.
And do you know what? My 'self' is Not Liking This One Bit.
Which is beginning to make me wonder if the one of the greatest enemies we have to overcome is Comfort. Physical comfort, emotional comfort, spiritual comfort...none of it is truly compatible w/taking up the cross and dying daily.
If I'm honest, the more I'm looking at this, the more I'm convinced that Comfort has very nearly been an idol in my life. And it's time to tear down that altar and make uncomfortable choices. How could I choose to stay where I'm comfortable and not draw closer to Him? Never *see* if I could walk in His presence as those who He has pointed out to me do?
Oh, no, I'm not comfortable with that at all.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Faithful Friday Faves: Micah
Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
I was gonna go with one of the well-known selections from Micah today, but, as I read it through, what caught my eye really speaks to the 'I know I've screwed it up' feeling I've been living with of late:
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD's wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness - Mic. 7:8 - 9
No, I'm not talking about gross, horrible sin. I'm talking about a daily selfishness...a lack of discipline...an unfocused spirit...that is keeping me from my Bible and my journal and my quiet seeking time. I am frustrated with it even while I seem to not be disturbed enough to do something about it.
Which frustrates me more.
And yet...I know this is a season. I'm not sure what it is a season of, but it is a season. If I can't discipline myself, God is faithful and He will discipline me.
True discipline may be painful, but it is a growth process and I am determined not to flinch from it.
I *will* see his righteousness!
I was gonna go with one of the well-known selections from Micah today, but, as I read it through, what caught my eye really speaks to the 'I know I've screwed it up' feeling I've been living with of late:
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD's wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness - Mic. 7:8 - 9
No, I'm not talking about gross, horrible sin. I'm talking about a daily selfishness...a lack of discipline...an unfocused spirit...that is keeping me from my Bible and my journal and my quiet seeking time. I am frustrated with it even while I seem to not be disturbed enough to do something about it.
Which frustrates me more.
And yet...I know this is a season. I'm not sure what it is a season of, but it is a season. If I can't discipline myself, God is faithful and He will discipline me.
True discipline may be painful, but it is a growth process and I am determined not to flinch from it.
I *will* see his righteousness!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Faithful Friday Faves: Jonah
Posted by Lisa Laree at Beer Lahai Roi
I smiled when I realized that this week's book is Jonah.
Who among us doesn't love a story in which the pouty, self-righteous, holier-than-thou gets a just comeuppance?
But how unusual is it that that person is actually God's man of the hour? The 'good guy', so to speak, of the story?
What a treasure the book of Jonah is! Jonah's shortcomings and rebellion did not keep God's purpose from being fulfilled:
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion upon them and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. - Jon. 3:10
The people of Nineveh were saved for another generation...and Jonah himself got a personal revelation about how much God values even those who don't know Him.
If God can use Jonah in all of his mess, surely He can use me in the midst of mine.
I smiled when I realized that this week's book is Jonah.
Who among us doesn't love a story in which the pouty, self-righteous, holier-than-thou gets a just comeuppance?
But how unusual is it that that person is actually God's man of the hour? The 'good guy', so to speak, of the story?
What a treasure the book of Jonah is! Jonah's shortcomings and rebellion did not keep God's purpose from being fulfilled:
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion upon them and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. - Jon. 3:10
The people of Nineveh were saved for another generation...and Jonah himself got a personal revelation about how much God values even those who don't know Him.
If God can use Jonah in all of his mess, surely He can use me in the midst of mine.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Faithful Friday Faves: Obadiah
I remember reading Obadiah just after the Iranian hostage crisis and finding myself shocked at the similarities between the description of Edom and the traditions/conditions of the United States...and therefore deeply concerned about the future of our country.
Now, it seems ironic that I am re-reading Obadiah again this week.
Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever. On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like them. - Obadiah v. 10 - 11
Not making any political statements here...just praying.
Now, it seems ironic that I am re-reading Obadiah again this week.
Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever. On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like them. - Obadiah v. 10 - 11
Not making any political statements here...just praying.
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