My apologies for not getting a new blog up last week. The week simply got away and somehow that didn't get included in it. For those of you who are regular readers, thanks for your patience.
I've discovered a new devotional book, "God Calling" by A. J. Russell. I've not completed reading it yet, so I'm not sure I can recommend it, but what I've read so far has been exceptional. I pass on to you what I read yesterday....
As if Jesus is speaking:
To the listering ear I speak, to the waiting heart I come. Sometimes, I may not speak. I may ask you merely to wait in My Presence, to know that I am with you.
Think of the multitudes who thronged Me when I was on earth, all eager for something. Eager to be healed, or taught, or fed.
Think as I supplied their many wants, and granted their manifold requests, what it meant to Me to find amid the crowd some one or two, who followed Me just to be near me, just to dwell in My Presence. How some longing of the Eternal Heart was satisfied thereby.
Comfort Me, a while, by letting Me know that you would seek Me just to dwell in My Presence, to be near Me, not even for teaching, not for material gain, not even for a message - but for Me. The longing of the human heart to be loved for itself is a something caught from the Great Divine Heart....
I'm amazed how much of my relationship with Him is about getting something rather than bringing something to Him. I'm still learning more how to walk with Him so that "in my manner of life...I'll be worthy of the Lord and entirely pleasing to Him." [Colossians 1:10)
So amazed and...
Indebted,
Mitch
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
God Only Wise
Much happens in the life of the believer that doesn't make sense. I'm sure we've all had conversations with God that included the question: Lord, would you help me understand? I firmly believe that we won't know nearly all of what God is "up to" with us, until this life is over and the hindrances that dim our vision are removed.
The scripture tells us that "wilderness wanderings" are necessary. Jesus spent some time in the wilderness. I'm sure it was important or it wouldn't have happened. Everything God does is important.
The best thing I know to carry us through times like this, is knowing that God is good and wise, He loves perfectly, and all He does is good [whether I can see it now or not].
J. I. Packer in his book "Knowing God" says: "God's almighty wisdom is always active, and never fails. ...We must recognize the end that He is working to. ...Many go wrong...understanding the Bible when it says, God is love, that He intends a trouble-free life for all...and conclude that anything painful or upsetting (illness, accident, injury, loss of job, the suffering of a loved one) indicates that His love, wisdom, power [or some combination of these] has broken down for some reason or doesn't exist.... But this is a mistake. God's wisdom is not...intended so much to make us happy, comfortable or trouble-free...but His aim is that we should love and honor Him. ...Though we have fallen, God has not abandoned His first purpose...that we should bring Him glory and please Him entirely." (Colossians 1)
Our loving Heavenly Father is busy! He is working for our best end and destiny...to teach us, train us in right living. And our response to this work of His? This prayer says it for me...enjoy:
Help me, O God,
To realize the role the wilderness plays in my continuing education.
Thank you that even in the wilderness there are windows,
Revealing what you want from me,
Showing that you care,
And clarifying, when I look back,
What you were doing in my life.
Thank you, God, for the wild and untamed theology
You have taught me in the wilderness,
And for the assurance that,
Though you are not "safe",
You are good. (Ken Gire)
Headed North,
Mitch
The scripture tells us that "wilderness wanderings" are necessary. Jesus spent some time in the wilderness. I'm sure it was important or it wouldn't have happened. Everything God does is important.
The best thing I know to carry us through times like this, is knowing that God is good and wise, He loves perfectly, and all He does is good [whether I can see it now or not].
J. I. Packer in his book "Knowing God" says: "God's almighty wisdom is always active, and never fails. ...We must recognize the end that He is working to. ...Many go wrong...understanding the Bible when it says, God is love, that He intends a trouble-free life for all...and conclude that anything painful or upsetting (illness, accident, injury, loss of job, the suffering of a loved one) indicates that His love, wisdom, power [or some combination of these] has broken down for some reason or doesn't exist.... But this is a mistake. God's wisdom is not...intended so much to make us happy, comfortable or trouble-free...but His aim is that we should love and honor Him. ...Though we have fallen, God has not abandoned His first purpose...that we should bring Him glory and please Him entirely." (Colossians 1)
Our loving Heavenly Father is busy! He is working for our best end and destiny...to teach us, train us in right living. And our response to this work of His? This prayer says it for me...enjoy:
Help me, O God,
To realize the role the wilderness plays in my continuing education.
Thank you that even in the wilderness there are windows,
Revealing what you want from me,
Showing that you care,
And clarifying, when I look back,
What you were doing in my life.
Thank you, God, for the wild and untamed theology
You have taught me in the wilderness,
And for the assurance that,
Though you are not "safe",
You are good. (Ken Gire)
Headed North,
Mitch
Monday, July 07, 2008
He's Everywhere!
Everything in life is speaking something to us. Practicing the presence of God, in part, is becoming aware that God is not only everywhere but He has something to say in everything that is going on around us. I read the following prayer recently. It reminded me that in all I do, [even at the movies] God is revealing Himself.... "Open the eyes of my heart, Lord...I want to see you..."everywhere.
Help me, O God,
Whenever I go to a movie, not to go just for entertainment,
But also for enlightenment.
Meet me there, I pray, and speak to me.
Tell me something I need to know so I may live my life
More graciously, more compassionately.
Give me moments of transcendence
So I can leave the theater in some way changed,
Even if it is a very small way.
Speak to me through a character, a scene, a line of dialogue, a musical score,
Tell me something that will help me become
A more understanding person,
Kinder and more compassionate.
Thank you for those moments at the movies
That have touched my heart.
And for the fact that there is no place on earth
That some echo of Your voice cannot be heard
For the one who is listening....
Indebted,
Mitch
Help me, O God,
Whenever I go to a movie, not to go just for entertainment,
But also for enlightenment.
Meet me there, I pray, and speak to me.
Tell me something I need to know so I may live my life
More graciously, more compassionately.
Give me moments of transcendence
So I can leave the theater in some way changed,
Even if it is a very small way.
Speak to me through a character, a scene, a line of dialogue, a musical score,
Tell me something that will help me become
A more understanding person,
Kinder and more compassionate.
Thank you for those moments at the movies
That have touched my heart.
And for the fact that there is no place on earth
That some echo of Your voice cannot be heard
For the one who is listening....
Indebted,
Mitch
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