Doing some scriptual research for Bridges and this hit me. Had to share.
Worrying about death, doesn't do any good. It only brings it faster. Why not live like we were given a second chance at life? Why not live like we have been given another life to live? Glorify the God that gives second life rather than mourn the loss of the physical. Work with all your heart and soul to show the world the love and goodness and forgiveness that can be found in Him. In these actions relief will be found. We have been saved, death holds no power. NOW GO! Save those that have not been saved from the iron fist of death and sin. Save those that have not been ministered to. They are the dying whereas we are just waiting to go home to our Father.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Bridges
I was looking for a new desktop background the other day and I stubmbled upon this picture (see full size picture). I was sucked in and all of a sudden I was there. I popped open my word tablet and closed my eyes. My train of thought led me to a place my creative mind wouldn't have normally gone.
I was blessed with a new story and this was not just another one of my hobby stories about life and love gone wrong - this is the one that God has been telling me to write. The one I've been putting off because of hesitations in my own religious life. This is story is my battle.
Here's my train of thought as the beginning page.
Soaking.
The rush of the warm water covers her feet. The flecks of rain paint her face. The fresh salt of the wind chaps her lips.
Sinking.
Sand engulfs the entirety of her feet. Whispers of ocean secrets whip in her ears. Invigorating crisp air fills her tired lungs.
Silence.
Imagination rolls in synchronicity with the ocean. Rocks engraved with salty tear stains stand proudly beaten and worn in the lapping ocean. Whispering wings glide through the damp air in search of a meal.
Gray clouds of dark fill the bright sky.
This was her haven. This was where she longed to be when all her life was too much and everything seemed beyond her control. A quiet, peaceful place that brought calm to even the most distraught of all the tormented souls. Comfort rolled over her soul as the water rolled into the beach from the endless ocean.
Peace.
Nothing was big enough to interrupt her.
Norah.
Nothing but God.
Norah, my daughter.
Her eyes closed and she took in another salted breath. “Daddy, I’m here.”
I have always loved you.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Servitude vs. Attitude
Just a little bit of scripture that just hit home for me. The story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42.
At the Home of Martha and Mary
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.
40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Serving isn't about me. It isn't about my chance to play with little kids, it isn't about my chance to open up my living room for a lifegroup - it's about Him. It's so easy to drift into the self-centered view of serving. I hope that I can always remember that the second that God drifts from the center of my attention in serving self begins to take it's place. God has put me in places to serve and yet I do it week after week with the wrong attitude. Nearly every week I find myself secretly grumbling about getting up earlier, having to wipe snotty noses, carry clinging babies around for two hours and deal with rude parents in the nursery. Where do I get off complaining? For goodness sakes, Becki! He DIED for me and all I do is drag my feet to serve in the nursery. Ugh! Sometimes I just want to slap myself.
Here's to this month's resolution/goal - Maintaining a faithful heart of servitude for the right reasons without complaint. Realize that even a smile to a rude parent, a blot of a snotty nose or a few hours cradling a worried kid can and will convey the love of Christ when done with the Heart of Christ.
Dear Lord - Help me to be a Mary.
At the Home of Martha and Mary
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.
40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Serving isn't about me. It isn't about my chance to play with little kids, it isn't about my chance to open up my living room for a lifegroup - it's about Him. It's so easy to drift into the self-centered view of serving. I hope that I can always remember that the second that God drifts from the center of my attention in serving self begins to take it's place. God has put me in places to serve and yet I do it week after week with the wrong attitude. Nearly every week I find myself secretly grumbling about getting up earlier, having to wipe snotty noses, carry clinging babies around for two hours and deal with rude parents in the nursery. Where do I get off complaining? For goodness sakes, Becki! He DIED for me and all I do is drag my feet to serve in the nursery. Ugh! Sometimes I just want to slap myself.
Here's to this month's resolution/goal - Maintaining a faithful heart of servitude for the right reasons without complaint. Realize that even a smile to a rude parent, a blot of a snotty nose or a few hours cradling a worried kid can and will convey the love of Christ when done with the Heart of Christ.
Dear Lord - Help me to be a Mary.
Psalm 144 Study (1-4)
Psalm 144 speaks volumes to me. Every time I read it I am reminded that I have a Father that is equipping me for every battle, every war, every stumble and every rock and a hard place I will face. The results may not always be what I want but they will always exactly be what My Father needs me to learn. Be it strength, patience, the value of pain, the comfort of His arms, faith in His silence and resilience of heart - He is teaching me something every day. He has equipped me with the armor and strength necessary and it's up to me to fight the battles.
I'm going to take a few days and go through Psalm 144 verse by verse and explain what it means to me. (I'm doing this in King James because it's BEAUTIFUL in King James).
Psalm 144
undefined
1 A Psalm of David. Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle— My Father knows that there are wars and battles beyond our physical beings. He not only has given us His strength to preserve in tough times but he has given us the spiritual brawn to fight the unseen. We have His resolve running through our veins. He has equipped us all the way down to the tips of our fingers, the tiniest appendage of our bodies, to fight and win. His faith in my ability to fight the unseen battles amazes me.
2 My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer,
My shield and the One in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues my people under me. Not only has He supplied me with everything I need to fight - He has provided me with a soft place to fall, arms to rest in, broad strong shoulders to cry on and a heart that listens and cares. It is in His name that I fight the battles presented to me in the flesh and the unseen; therefore it is also in His arms that I rest, take heart and refresh. In the most layman's of terms my God is my BandAid after a fight. He's my coach in the corner of the ring. He's my trainer telling me to get back on the horse and try again.
3 Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?
Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him? Who am I to fight in YOUR namesake? Who am I but a flawed human girl that judges, swears, envies, lusts, lies and so forth? Who am I that He would even take the time to know my name and the number of hairs on my head? Who am I that I deserve His saving grace? Who am I but a flawed human? Who am I that He would take the time to give me the weapons necessary to fight the battles? WHO AM I THAT HE SHOULD LOVE ME? He tells me that I am His daughter. His bride. His warrior-princess. Not only does He love me unconditionally - He has saved me. What amazing grace He shows me.
4 Man is like a breath; His days are like a passing shadow. I was born fatally human. There are people all across the universe that are as I. I struggle to understand the reason that God has chosen ME to be a warrior for him. Why the weak immortal? Why not send down the angels? I believe it's because I am here to serve as a beacon for His love, grace and power. Through me, a mere mortal, His grace can be evident to others. Through me I hope that people can see that even though they are flawed they are loved. Even though they feel insignificant, He treasures them. Even though I am one of millions of His children, He counts my every breath. He knows my heart. How amazing is my Father? How amazing is it that He LOVES us so genuinely and so wholeheartedly that He calls us - fatally sinful mortals - His Daughters, Sons and Brides? How amazing is His Grace!
I'm going to take a few days and go through Psalm 144 verse by verse and explain what it means to me. (I'm doing this in King James because it's BEAUTIFUL in King James).
Psalm 144
undefined
1 A Psalm of David. Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle— My Father knows that there are wars and battles beyond our physical beings. He not only has given us His strength to preserve in tough times but he has given us the spiritual brawn to fight the unseen. We have His resolve running through our veins. He has equipped us all the way down to the tips of our fingers, the tiniest appendage of our bodies, to fight and win. His faith in my ability to fight the unseen battles amazes me.
2 My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer,
My shield and the One in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues my people under me. Not only has He supplied me with everything I need to fight - He has provided me with a soft place to fall, arms to rest in, broad strong shoulders to cry on and a heart that listens and cares. It is in His name that I fight the battles presented to me in the flesh and the unseen; therefore it is also in His arms that I rest, take heart and refresh. In the most layman's of terms my God is my BandAid after a fight. He's my coach in the corner of the ring. He's my trainer telling me to get back on the horse and try again.
3 Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?
Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him? Who am I to fight in YOUR namesake? Who am I but a flawed human girl that judges, swears, envies, lusts, lies and so forth? Who am I that He would even take the time to know my name and the number of hairs on my head? Who am I that I deserve His saving grace? Who am I but a flawed human? Who am I that He would take the time to give me the weapons necessary to fight the battles? WHO AM I THAT HE SHOULD LOVE ME? He tells me that I am His daughter. His bride. His warrior-princess. Not only does He love me unconditionally - He has saved me. What amazing grace He shows me.
4 Man is like a breath; His days are like a passing shadow. I was born fatally human. There are people all across the universe that are as I. I struggle to understand the reason that God has chosen ME to be a warrior for him. Why the weak immortal? Why not send down the angels? I believe it's because I am here to serve as a beacon for His love, grace and power. Through me, a mere mortal, His grace can be evident to others. Through me I hope that people can see that even though they are flawed they are loved. Even though they feel insignificant, He treasures them. Even though I am one of millions of His children, He counts my every breath. He knows my heart. How amazing is my Father? How amazing is it that He LOVES us so genuinely and so wholeheartedly that He calls us - fatally sinful mortals - His Daughters, Sons and Brides? How amazing is His Grace!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)