James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
I love to play with my grandchildren. Last night, Eli sat on the floor in front of his Momma and I sat across from them and we rolled a ball that fit his tiny hand-grasp back and forth. Eli loved “catching” the ball. He waved his hands in excitement and aimed at the ball and grabbed it with his little dimpled hand. Then he laughed. From his belly he giggled and it spilled out into the room. He poured out his pure, untarnished joy on me. I’ve heard all of my grandchildren laugh without inhibition, and with a clear purity that God loves.
That is the joy that I desire for myself, that pure joy that only comes from God. Even when I experience trials, anxiety, depression, self-doubt, hurt from others, I can be filled with God’s pure joy. I want it to gurgle up and spill out, so that others may see God in my life. Praise God for his joy!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Entwined
Romans 5:5
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
In Ohio in August the weather has cooled a bit (that will change again soon). At night the temperature has dipped as low as 41 degrees, and for a few days we were teased by a fall like coolness. With the changes in the weather, I’ve noticed that early in the morning a light fog hovers over the ponds and wet areas. Occasionally, I even see tufts of grass wearing tiny fog hats.
The fog swirling across the surface of the water, reminds me of the nearness of God. I’ve heard people say that God is in heaven, or he is watching down on us. But I know that God dwells right here with me. He is not some faraway being who directs my life like a conductor. Instead he walks with me. He knows me. As a believer in the grace and glory of Jesus Christ, I know that God lives inside me through the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t dwells on the surface like the fog; he is entwined in my life, woven into every fiber. Praise God for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
In Ohio in August the weather has cooled a bit (that will change again soon). At night the temperature has dipped as low as 41 degrees, and for a few days we were teased by a fall like coolness. With the changes in the weather, I’ve noticed that early in the morning a light fog hovers over the ponds and wet areas. Occasionally, I even see tufts of grass wearing tiny fog hats.
The fog swirling across the surface of the water, reminds me of the nearness of God. I’ve heard people say that God is in heaven, or he is watching down on us. But I know that God dwells right here with me. He is not some faraway being who directs my life like a conductor. Instead he walks with me. He knows me. As a believer in the grace and glory of Jesus Christ, I know that God lives inside me through the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t dwells on the surface like the fog; he is entwined in my life, woven into every fiber. Praise God for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Renew Me
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (New International Version)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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.
Tomorrow morning as the sun rises, several of the women from our church will travel to the Women of Faith Conference. Last year, the first year I attended, we listened to speakers like Patsy Clairmont, a wisp of a woman, who made us laugh, cry and rejoice in the love of our Father. Sheila Walsh shared a heart wrenching story of faith and endurance, and Steven Curtis Chapman and his family spoke of the grief they shared over the loss of their daughter and the strength they found in Christ.
As each person shared their story of renewal, the Holy Spirit worked to renew me. I look forward to another weekend of renewal and I love that the Bible tells me that I can be renewed daily. The things of this world waste away, but what I gain from God, the grace and love he gives, last forever. Praise God for his renewal through the Spirit and the Word.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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.
Tomorrow morning as the sun rises, several of the women from our church will travel to the Women of Faith Conference. Last year, the first year I attended, we listened to speakers like Patsy Clairmont, a wisp of a woman, who made us laugh, cry and rejoice in the love of our Father. Sheila Walsh shared a heart wrenching story of faith and endurance, and Steven Curtis Chapman and his family spoke of the grief they shared over the loss of their daughter and the strength they found in Christ.
As each person shared their story of renewal, the Holy Spirit worked to renew me. I look forward to another weekend of renewal and I love that the Bible tells me that I can be renewed daily. The things of this world waste away, but what I gain from God, the grace and love he gives, last forever. Praise God for his renewal through the Spirit and the Word.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
A few days ago, I heard thunder rumble through the library where I work. The sound echoed as the rain splattered on the skylights. I was working on a document and as I went along, I saved it every few minutes. As I expected, the lights flashed and the electric went off. The library was so quiet. With no computers or fluorescent lights humming, no printer swooshing out papers and no air filters roaring, only the sound of the rain and distant voices penetrated the air. Too soon everything revved back up and the “white” noise blocked the pure sound of God’s rain tangoing on the roof. For a brief moment, my mind had relaxed.
Sometimes my spiritual life is full of white noise, too. I pray and get interrupted by random thoughts. I read my Bible and my mind wanders. I study a passage and I am besieged by someone else’s opinion. Why can’t I just turn off the confusion and focus on what the Holy Spirit is trying to show me? Through him God directs my path, so I need to listen to his murmurings and follow his guidance. Today I pray for discernment as I ask the Spirit to lead me, so that I may know the plans God has for me.
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
A few days ago, I heard thunder rumble through the library where I work. The sound echoed as the rain splattered on the skylights. I was working on a document and as I went along, I saved it every few minutes. As I expected, the lights flashed and the electric went off. The library was so quiet. With no computers or fluorescent lights humming, no printer swooshing out papers and no air filters roaring, only the sound of the rain and distant voices penetrated the air. Too soon everything revved back up and the “white” noise blocked the pure sound of God’s rain tangoing on the roof. For a brief moment, my mind had relaxed.
Sometimes my spiritual life is full of white noise, too. I pray and get interrupted by random thoughts. I read my Bible and my mind wanders. I study a passage and I am besieged by someone else’s opinion. Why can’t I just turn off the confusion and focus on what the Holy Spirit is trying to show me? Through him God directs my path, so I need to listen to his murmurings and follow his guidance. Today I pray for discernment as I ask the Spirit to lead me, so that I may know the plans God has for me.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Light the Lamp
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
Several years ago, Tim and I visited the caves in Carter County, Kentucky. I remember going in the caves and feeling the coolness compared to the summer temperatures outside. Moving in and out of the shallow caves was fun, but when we climbed down into one that laced through the rock and led to darkness, my enthusiasm waivered. My feet lost their sense of place because my eyes could not lead them. We crawled through a space that made me want to run screaming, except I couldn’t stand up let alone run. I needed light for my safety and security.
Sometimes in life, I feel like I’m in that dark cave again with no light to lead my path. When that darkness comes I struggle because I cannot focus my eyes on God. Opening the Bible and reading what the people of God lived through and searching for words of encouragement and guidance illuminates my life path. They are the lamp that lights my way. Praise God for his words.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
Several years ago, Tim and I visited the caves in Carter County, Kentucky. I remember going in the caves and feeling the coolness compared to the summer temperatures outside. Moving in and out of the shallow caves was fun, but when we climbed down into one that laced through the rock and led to darkness, my enthusiasm waivered. My feet lost their sense of place because my eyes could not lead them. We crawled through a space that made me want to run screaming, except I couldn’t stand up let alone run. I needed light for my safety and security.
Sometimes in life, I feel like I’m in that dark cave again with no light to lead my path. When that darkness comes I struggle because I cannot focus my eyes on God. Opening the Bible and reading what the people of God lived through and searching for words of encouragement and guidance illuminates my life path. They are the lamp that lights my way. Praise God for his words.
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