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Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Lamentations 5:20b Have you ever had those moments when you just really felt like everything was going wrong, times when life just seems to be spinning out of control? Perhaps it is a health issue with you or a family member. Maybe it’s the loss of a job or just the stress of too many responsibilities. Whether it’s from our own poor choices, decisions made by those around us, or just circumstances beyond our control, we’ve all had times when we just felt like the bottom was falling out from underneath us. That is exactly where we find the children of Israel in Lamentations chapter five. In this case, they were being disciplined by God, their loving Heavenly Father, for their sins. They had chosen to “buy into the pagan system” of their day (boy, does that sound familiar) and God was grieved and angry. The bottom had fallen out of their lives. They were dealing with famine, war, violence, and complete despair. The writer of Lamentations is drawing the desperate picture for us, and right in the middle of all the discouraging details, he penned these words in verse twenty. “…and yet God, You’re still sovereign, Your throne intact and eternal.” No matter how bad things were, he recognized Who was still in control. This isn’t always easy, but this is an amazing truth that is often times our only hope. No matter how difficult life may get, God is still sovereign and His throne is still intact and eternal. We can trust Him with our health concerns. We can rest in His sufficiency, knowing that no matter how hard the storm rages, His Anchor holds. Corrie ten Boone said it so eloquently, when she said, “There is no pit too deep, that He is not deeper still”. We are never so far that His arm cannot save us. Our life is never so dark, that He cannot see exactly where we are. When life seems to be spinning out of control, hang on, my friend, because God, the Creator and Sustainer of this universe, is still in complete control. He is still on His throne, where He will remain for all eternity, and He is working all things (the good, the bad, and the ugly) together for our good and for His glory! Lord, thank you that you are God and you are in total control. Thank you that your reign is eternal and there is nothing, or no one, that can overthrow you. Thank you that you are, right now, working everything together for our good and we can trust you. Help us to remember when life is hard, whether it’s due to our own sin or circumstances out of our control, that nothing surprises You and nothing is too big for You. In Him ~ Tammy… You can read more from Tammy by visiting her personal blog at Steps In Our Journey Labels: coping, courage, Endurance, Faith, fear, grief, heart matters, Hope, peace, Suffering, Tammy, trust Leave a comment... 7 Comments Links to this post Heart, take heart! I know I am not the only one who needs to speak such words to that traitorous organ, for it makes promises it does not keep, yes? Young heart staunchly declares independence: I don’t need anyone! Then one dark evening, as the deadbolt is locked, a new and frightening rhythm of loneliness taps throughout our being. Despairing heart vows to build a breach-less wall and never love again, then pounds out a rhythm of betrayal when a dear friend hurdles the makeshift barrier and changes everything. Forever. When loss penetrates and then passes, heart soothingly whispers, I am whole again...never fear... And days later, nay moments, a reminder of that loss sweeps over and heart cracks and crumbles, emitting scarcely a quiet thump to indicate that life ever existed at all. It is treacherous, this heart of mine. It holds patterns akin to the weather - cold and brittle one moment, warm and comforting the next. Heart, take heart! I know there are ups and downs, I prepare for them! But heart, you are so easily swayed, and you take me with you. Let us not make empty promises to each other, shall we? Do not be quick with your mouth,Let us number our words and speak truth together! Let us behold the mighty hand of God working in us and in those around us, and cling to His promises, His goodness. I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)Let the winds buffet. Heart, take heart! Let the waters threaten. Heart, take heart! And take refuge. In the Hands that will sustain a steady rhythm and shelter us when life bullies. Take heart!  You are always welcome at my little place - A Path Made Straight Labels: Elise's Articles, heart matters Leave a comment... 6 Comments Links to this post "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11 A couple of nights ago I went into my daughter's room to tuck her into bed. She looked over the open Bible she was holding and asked, "Mom, what's does 'aptly' mean?" We discussed the meaning of "aptly" (suitable, appropriate, timely, rightly) and how it applies in the above verse. We talked about why "apt" words are such a gift, and how to speak them to others. I had no idea that later in the week I would receive some "apt" words in my email inbox. I've had a variety of ideas brewing about what to write on this, the eve of my fortieth birthday. I thought maybe I would be reflective, perhaps offering some wise perspective or some timely witticism about growing older. Maybe share a touching memory from my childhood. But as the week wore on nothing really came to me. Today I received an email from a godly gentleman in my church, and I knew I wanted to share it with you. We attend a multi-age "Bible fellowship" (our church's name for our Sunday School classes) where we attend as a family. What I love about that class is that there are children and parents, as well as those old enough to be my parents. It's called a "family bible fellowship" or "FBF". We have a Yahoo group which sends out birthday reminders each year, and he had received the reminder of my upcoming birthday. I received this today, and it blessed me so much that I wanted to share it with you. I pray these "apt" words would wash over you and bless you as well: "An FBF email birthday reminder caused me to think what I would say to you on your day. You have a wonderful, God-fearing husband, two remarkable children, and a very fruitful life. What could I possibly add? If I said, 'You are an extraordinary young woman,' you would probably look away and shyly reply, 'Thank you for the compliment, but....' If I blessed you with all manner of blessing, you would probably look on your children, think of your husband and say, 'I have all that and more.' Then I thought, if I look upon her through the eyes of a father, reassuring her, 'this is my daughter, in whom I am well pleased,' this would add to her peace. Happy Birthday." Those words touched a part of my heart that I had forgotten. The part of me that needs a fatherly "someone" to reassure me that he is pleased with me, to speak that on behalf of my Heavenly Father. And that's okay! Jesus needed that, too. Those words were spoken to Him as a blessing straight from His Heavenly Father. We all need to hear them at some time, perhaps multiple times during our lives, both from God Himself and by someone speaking words of blessing on His behalf. In fact, when Jesus heard them from the Father, His earthly father was no longer around to say them to Him. Perhaps that's partly why God Himself said it. No doubt, those were apt words for Jesus that day. So, I say them to you today. If you are in Christ, Your Heavenly Father is looking at you today through the blood of His Son. He is well pleased with you. He sees you as righteous and beautiful. He loves you. In fact, He abounds in lovingkindness toward His children! Sure, you blow it daily, and must come to Him in repentance for forgiveness. But you able to boldy come before the throne of grace for mercy, forgiveness, cleansing and strength because He has invited you through His Son and His great love for you. Know that today. Let it bless you! I hope these are apt words for you today. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, the most apt words I could say to you are that it all starts with acknowledging that you need a Savior. Forgiveness of sins and a right standing with God can come only through a relationship with Jesus. (I recommend reading this.) I invite you to contact Christian Women Online if you would like to know more. You are not here on this earth- in this generation- by chance or accident. You have a purpose in God's plan! I hope these are apt words for you today. Oh, how I hope this post and the words of my friend "add to your peace." Have a blessed Lord's Day!  Cyndi blogs at One Day More and Mater Magistra. Labels: Cyndi's Articles, Encouragement, heart matters, salvation Leave a comment... 9 Comments Links to this post Yesterday I was mopping my kitchen, wondering what I would write for today. The topics were swirling around in my head, like the bubbles in the mop bucket. Some ideas would come to the top, shine for a moment, then become replaced by new ones. Swishing and slopping. Thinking and mopping. Then it came to me. And it started with the reason I was mopping in the first place. You see, I had needed to mop all week. No, make that for a couple of weeks. We've been busy, in and out with summer activities and a weekend trip to the lake, so the last thing on my mind was mopping the floor. Since our schedule has been packed away with our school books, the chore list on the back of the laundry room door has been all but forgotten, so whichever child had "mop the kitchen" on their list for the week had gotten a break. As I was lingering over my coffee enjoying a rainy Saturday morning chatting with my husband, I noticed the floor. But, I wasn't motivated to mop. Morning turned into afternoon and I was buzzing around the house doing other Saturday chores, but still not mopping. Not yet. Not motivated yet. Amid flitting from task to task, I was in the kitchen putting away some groceries, and it happened. A jar of pizza sauce went crashing to the floor. It was officially The Great Pizza Sauce-splosion of 2007. (We name the events at our house. There was The Milk-splosion of '04, The Cheeto-splosion of '05, The Egg-splosion of '06, and now, well, we have '07 covered. In pizza sauce, apparently.) Suddenly I was motivated to mop. As I was mopping, I was thinking about the blind man whom Jesus healed in John 9. There are so many things to learn from this story, but one thing that has always stuck with me is- Jesus gave a command and a big motivation to obey it. John 9:6-7 tells us that "... He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 'Go,' He told him, 'wash in the Pool of Siloam'... So the man went and washed, and came home seeing." Have you ever had a grain of sand in your eye? For that moment, whatever you are doing is put on hold, you close your eye and run to the nearest sink or mirror because your new goal in life is- Get. This. Out. Of. My. Eye. And that's just one grain! Can you imagine not just one eye, but both eyes, being covered in dirt and someone else's spit? I can imagine that the man was quite motivated to do as Christ commanded Him! Oh, go wash? Okay! Of course, Jesus could've healed his blindness with a simple touch, as He did for the man in Mark 8:25, or as in Bartimaeus' case, with a word (Mark 10:52.) Who knows why He did it as He did in this instance, perhaps to show that the power lay with Him, not with spit or sand (common items) but one thing I glean from it is... He used an irritant. Are there some irritants in your life that perhaps God could be using to motivate obedience or facilitate spiritual healing in a certain area? Perhaps He may be using someone you're around everyday to help you learn patience. Physical symptoms related to anxiety could point to a need to trust Him more in certain areas (as I've been learning personally). Sometimes He uses an untenable job situation to force a much-needed job change. Financial difficulties can point to a need to change spending habits or simplify. If He's allowing (or applying) certain irritants, we can be assured that it's accompanied by His loving, healing touch. And like the believing blind man, upon yielding to His plan we can come out of the situation seeing things with new eyes. I'd love for you to visit my personal blog, One Day More. Labels: Cyndi's Articles, Healing, heart matters, Obedience Leave a comment... 5 Comments Links to this post  Someone once said, “It’s a safe bet that if a pastor is ‘stuck’ on one topic in the pulpit that he himself is struggling with that issue.” I’m not sure about that, but I eventually came to apply this theory to my life, recognizing that repetitions of certain themes are probably God’s attempt to gently shape, direct, or correct my inner man. If I still don’t pay attention, He is then usually less subtle. I prefer the subtle method! And now, with a deep sigh, I reveal to you that lately, due to recurring pop-up instances, I apparently need to re-visit the problem of envy. Honestly, my first self-preserving inclination is to point out to you that I am NOT super envious—not as bad as, say, that insecure, disobedient, spear-hurling King Saul, who was delirious in his jealousy of David--nay, not I! My envy is way less “sinful” than Saul’s! I’m being facetious, of course. Sin is sin, and to qualify sin is useless. Like cancer, sin manifests itself in stages, and whether it’s stage 1 or stage 4, it’s all bad. A little bit of leaven, you know. Envy is admiration gone south, and it’s particularly destructive. It begins when we see gifts and strengths in others, or some blessing befalls them, and we are caught up in their charisma or accomplishments, and we admire them. So far, so good. If we’re not careful, though, we start to wonder why we are lacking in those qualities or blessings. Slowly at first, an emotional downward spiral begins twisting, and we go from rejoicing with to wishing we had what they have, then to focusing on our deficiencies, then to becoming discontent, self-absorbed and bitter. In fact, at the spiral’s vortex is selfishness. We lose sight of who we truly are in Christ and inexplicably forget the goodness He has poured into our lives. I’m reminded of Saul in 1 Samuel 23:21 when the men of Ziph betrayed David by telling Saul where David was hiding: “Well, Praise the Lord” Saul said. “At last someone has had pity on me!” [Living Bible]. When I read that, I laid my Bible down, cracked a sarcastic smile and thought, “Boo-hoo. You were an idiot. You had the most loyal servant in David, but you were blind. Sheesh! Glad I never have those pity parties!" I must confess, however, that I do throw myself the occasional "pity blow-out." By chapter 23, Saul was not only peeved with David, but he had convinced himself that no one around him understood him or was loyal. And we all know what became of this envious King who once stood head and shoulders above the rest. He became the object of scorn and pity—ugly attributes became his legacy. I suppose you want the lowdown on my envy. I’ll give you my latest example. Recently I opened our newspaper and read about a local author who said, “I never wanted to write at all. The book contract just sort of fell into my lap.” Well, I’ve always wanted to write, and publishing opportunities are not miraculously floating in my cereal bowl each morning or cropping up like dandelions in my lawn. Therefore, I felt a twinge of resentment when I read about her good fortune. I’m sure she deserved to be published. I’m sure she’s more talented than the average person. I’m happy for her, really I am. There’s room enough in this world for gazillions of authors. But my internal brat cried out, “How long, O Lord, how long? (Before a contract falls into my lap?)” In other words, I believe I grumbled. I also believe grumbling and resenting are tiny arrows hurled from an imperfect heart, or sin, if you must make me say it. The antidote to the poison arrow is two-fold: Part 1--Prayer for forgiveness, cleansing, creating within me a clean heart and right thinking, expressing gratitude for innumerable blessings, blessing the person for whom I had resentment, laying my feelings at the foot of the cross, etc. Part 2—Surrendering my insecurities and my desires. This act is more difficult than asking forgiveness. In fact, Dr. Daniel Harrell, Pastor of Park Street Church in Boston has said, “A prayer of surrender, a prayer of genuine trust is the hardest prayer to pray. To be someone after God’s own heart is to be someone not after your own.” At this point, I must ask myself: If, for any reason, God does not wish me to pursue being published, am I willing to lay that desire down and pursue His plans? Or, suppose he wants me stop my negative self-talk and pity parties and work more diligently at being published. Am I willing to sacrifice—to say “no” to some things in order to say “yes” to this plan? Am I totally surrendered, no matter what? Our great Enemy launches enough spears at us without our mimicking him with each other. I do not want to cast arrows at my brothers and sisters. So once again, I’m laying down my arrows and surrendering my will to my Father's plan. Because more than anything, I want to be a woman after God’s own heart, no matter what path he directs me to. I only know that on that path, there is no room for envy.  Please visit my blog at 2nd cup of Coffee Labels: David, envy, heart matters, Insecurities, Jealousy, Linda's Articles, Saul Leave a comment... 8 Comments Links to this post
In the passage above, Ezekiel is not talking about the idols where people bowed down and worshiped. Here he is telling the Israelites that there are idols in their heart. There are “things” they have given power to. What is idolatry of the heart? How does it begin? First there is a desire. I currently have my house up for sale, so I desire a bigger house for my family. A person could desire a higher position, or the best education for their children, or desire to have their child become a great athlete. These are all desires of our heart, and these desires are not evil. God wants us to have and pursue the desires of our heart. Overtime our open hand of presenting to Christ our desires can become a closed fist of idolatry. Then as a Christian you become someone who says, “Lord send me where you want, lead me wherever…but please don’t touch this.” Many times we can find ourselves doing anything to make our desires come to fruition. If one desires a higher position, then they become a workaholic. If the best schools is your desire as a parent, then you do whatever possible to make that desire come true. Or like me, if you desire a bigger house, you may find yourself placing parameters on how God should bless you. We don’t do this consciously, but I bet we can think of a time we each have fallen into this trap. Suddenly when we have an idol in our life, we are not turning our hearts to an all knowing, all loving God of the universe who blesses us as he sees fit. Instead we are praying to a deity we want to fetch our desires for us. I desire for my sons to grow up in a safe environment, I want them to be successful in whatever they do, I want them to marry a pure, strong Christian woman who has saved herself just for them, and I desire many grandchildren. But if I am not holding these desires of my heart with an open hand up towards the Lord, then they become an idol in my closed fist. Who am I to say how their life should go, the Lord may use suffering in one of my kids lives to bring Glory to Him. I hope not, but I have to keep an open hand to his will. I believe many Christians today don’t move forward in their walk because of idols in their life. They attend church, volunteer during functions, and sing all the hymns out loud, but somewhere deep within they are saying, “Lord I praise your name and I am yours, but please don’t touch this area.” Just don’t. Want to know a biggie in this area? Finances! But that is just one of millions. In the end the Lord turns you over to your idols and says “have at it.” To me there is nothing worse then God turning me over to my sin; I would be begging for punishment, just don’t walk away. So do you have any idols in your life? No one on the outside can see them; he is ready and willing to meet you right where you are if you ask God to reveal any idols. I am not free from this sin; it is a daily battle of putting Christ first. But my prayer is that I may never get confused and think that anything is mine (not even my children). Father I stand with my hand open to your will, if there is any area I keep off limits help me to turn them over to you.
*This message was based on notes I took from a sermon from The Village. Labels: heart matters, Laurel's Articles Leave a comment... 10 Comments Links to this post
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