The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: the LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
My sister likes to use this passage when she closes letters and signs cards. This was a blessing given Moses by God to give to the Israelites by Aaron and his sons. Sometimes I wonder--why don’t we speak blessings to one another more often? Does “Have a good day” or “bye” sound the same as “the LORD make His face shine upon you…”?
So claim that blessing oh faithful ones--oh precious children of our most awesome and amazing God. For you see those mishaps with finances, those struggles with the car, dangerous situations, and the relational issues you may be dealing with… those are your fires and trials and slammings from one who would rather you fall flat on your face than rise up and serve with the gifts and talents you’ve been given by our bigger, in control Creator and Refuge. Claim your peace.
Be of good cheer, He has overcome this world!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Temporary
Mountains and valleys exist in each of our lives, I hazard to say that the handful of people that read this blog know more pain than I do myself. Borrowing again from a devotional, let me share a revelation:
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor. 4:18
'You may not realize it -- but problems often "speak" to you.
They say things like, "You can't get rid of me. I'll be withyou as long as you live."
"Your parents died from this and you will, too."
["This pain will never end."]'
I've considered leaving the church I'm at on multiple occasions from the time that I started going there almost 4 years ago--sometimes I hear it and I wonder, did I make the wrong decision? Should I be serving somewhere else?
Lately, I've just started asking God if I can leave yet--I know it's not my permanent place, I can feel that. Maybe it's the military brat in me--what some might call "wander-lust"--this desire to keep moving beyond what's right here. Not being fully sure what God has in store for me, wanting to see it, but half in fear, hiding. Knowing that I never quite fit-in anywhere I've been or where I'm at currently. Constantly feeling like a total outsider.
Knowing that really what I want to want... what I want to desire more than anything else is to be not just a "reflection of something" but a reflection of Christ.
In researching the word "desire" the thought came to mind "as the dear panteth for cool waters so my soul longeth after Thee".
Have you ever been so thirsty? Have you wanted, desired, craved, sought out or longed for any one thing with all that you had?
I like this next sentence: "Desire is a strong feeling [...] that impels the attainment or possession of something that is within reach" did you catch that last part, impels, meaning pushes forward....
Pain subsides, what we see on this earth, it truly is temporary. So what are you pushing forward for? What you see, or what you can't see?
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor. 4:18
'You may not realize it -- but problems often "speak" to you.
They say things like, "You can't get rid of me. I'll be withyou as long as you live."
"Your parents died from this and you will, too."
["This pain will never end."]'
I've considered leaving the church I'm at on multiple occasions from the time that I started going there almost 4 years ago--sometimes I hear it and I wonder, did I make the wrong decision? Should I be serving somewhere else?
Lately, I've just started asking God if I can leave yet--I know it's not my permanent place, I can feel that. Maybe it's the military brat in me--what some might call "wander-lust"--this desire to keep moving beyond what's right here. Not being fully sure what God has in store for me, wanting to see it, but half in fear, hiding. Knowing that I never quite fit-in anywhere I've been or where I'm at currently. Constantly feeling like a total outsider.
Knowing that really what I want to want... what I want to desire more than anything else is to be not just a "reflection of something" but a reflection of Christ.
In researching the word "desire" the thought came to mind "as the dear panteth for cool waters so my soul longeth after Thee".
Have you ever been so thirsty? Have you wanted, desired, craved, sought out or longed for any one thing with all that you had?
I like this next sentence: "Desire is a strong feeling [...] that impels the attainment or possession of something that is within reach" did you catch that last part, impels, meaning pushes forward....
Pain subsides, what we see on this earth, it truly is temporary. So what are you pushing forward for? What you see, or what you can't see?
Monday, June 11, 2007
Today I got a devotional on when to rejoice. Sometimes I get devotionals or snippets and I think “why now?” Today is a down day, so maybe that’s why it’s in there, that being said let me share a few things from the email devo dated this day.
“If you only rejoice when things are perfect, you may not rejoice much in this life.”
Wow, so what does that mean? In the middle of the sadness that is this life so often, to quote my sister “be Christ-like” despite the hurts that are sometimes inflicted thoughtlessly.
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:12
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Phil. 4:4
“God never changes. He's always good. Focus on Him [and there will be a reason to rejoice].”
Kids books * running water * Violet * a car that works * Hyder, Hyder * baby I-hop * ears * a job * beauty for ashes * boldness * sisters * brothers * genesis * daisies and roses * ferns * hallmark cards * sg videos * “angry eyes” * walking on the beach at night * breezes * a camera * poppies * mild days * handle-bar mustaches * puppets * creativity *
“If you only rejoice when things are perfect, you may not rejoice much in this life.”
Wow, so what does that mean? In the middle of the sadness that is this life so often, to quote my sister “be Christ-like” despite the hurts that are sometimes inflicted thoughtlessly.
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:12
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Phil. 4:4
“God never changes. He's always good. Focus on Him [and there will be a reason to rejoice].”
Kids books * running water * Violet * a car that works * Hyder, Hyder * baby I-hop * ears * a job * beauty for ashes * boldness * sisters * brothers * genesis * daisies and roses * ferns * hallmark cards * sg videos * “angry eyes” * walking on the beach at night * breezes * a camera * poppies * mild days * handle-bar mustaches * puppets * creativity *
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