Husbands

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I read a good article recently from a woman named Kitti Murray, a self described voracious reader, slow runner, decent writer, and killer cappucino maker. In it she talks about how spouses grow, change and mature over time.  The article resonates with many, and the author encourages us to celebrate what is good, what God is doing, in the lives of our spouses.
“The growth journey is more arduous and the destination more glorious than we can imagine at the outset. It is long enough to include some pretty discouraging lulls and even a pit or two. But if God is a God who sits on his throne and says, ‘Behold I am making all things new,’ (Revelation 21:3, ESV), then growth is more like a continual birth than the result of a seminar. That it happens at all is that kind of miracle.”
 
Thankful to be married to a wonderful man all these years.  Encouraged to stand back and see what God is doing in and through him.  

The growth journey is more arduous and the destination more glorious than we can imagine at the outset. It is long enough to include some pretty discouraging lulls and even a pit or two. But if God is a God who sits on his throne and says, “Behold I am making all things new,” (Revelation 21:3, ESV), then growth is more like a continual birth than the result of a seminar. That it happens at all is that kind of miracle. – See more at: http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/10/you-probably-didnt-marry-a-grown-up-husband/#sthash.1rZfcYlT.dpuf
The growth journey is more arduous and the destination more glorious than we can imagine at the outset. It is long enough to include some pretty discouraging lulls and even a pit or two. But if God is a God who sits on his throne and says, “Behold I am making all things new,” (Revelation 21:3, ESV), then growth is more like a continual birth than the result of a seminar. That it happens at all is that kind of miracle. – See more at: http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/10/you-probably-didnt-marry-a-grown-up-husband/#sthash.1rZfcYlT.dpuf
The growth journey is more arduous and the destination more glorious than we can imagine at the outset. It is long enough to include some pretty discouraging lulls and even a pit or two. But if God is a God who sits on his throne and says, “Behold I am making all things new,” (Revelation 21:3, ESV), then growth is more like a continual birth than the result of a seminar. That it happens at all is that kind of miracle. – See more at: http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/10/you-probably-didnt-marry-a-grown-up-husband/#sthash.1rZfcYlT.dpuf

The growth journey is more arduous and the destination more glorious than we can imagine at the outset. It is long enough to include some pretty discouraging lulls and even a pit or two. But if God is a God who sits on his throne and says, “Behold I am making all things new,” (Revelation 21:3, ESV), then growth is more like a continual birth than the result of a seminar. That it happens at all is that kind of miracle. – See more at: http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/10/you-probably-didnt-marry-a-grown-up-husband/#sthash.1rZfcYlT.dpuf

The growth journey is more arduous and the destination more glorious than we can imagine at the outset. It is long enough to include some pretty discouraging lulls and even a pit or two. But if God is a God who sits on his throne and says, “Behold I am making all things new,” (Revelation 21:3, ESV), then growth is more like a continual birth than the result of a seminar. That it happens at all is that kind of miracle. – See more at: http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/10/you-probably-didnt-marry-a-grown-up-husband/#sthash.1rZfcYlT.dpuf

Pain

who knew pain could be so draining?  it’s seriously exhausting.  I hurt my back this week and it has been excruciating.  It takes all my energy and focus … trying to hold still when i find a position that is not uncomfortable (notice i did not say comfortable).  I cannot concentrate, cannot move, cannot rest.  It’s hard to focus on anything – the sermon on Sunday, the task I need to do at work, what items I should be accomplishing on my “to-do” list.

I don’t even know how this happened.  But it has given me a new perspective and a new empathy.  And I have realized again how often I fail to be thankful.  I take life and health for granted.  So I am asking God to continue to open my mind to things that He would teach me.

Bread of Life

I’ve been reading a book called, He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer as part of my devotions. This morning I opened to chapter ten. And how did it begin? With Psalm 46:10, of course. Here are some excerpts.
Talking about childbirth and about an epidural – “the anesthesiologist said, ‘you were a great patient because you were really still…sometimes…I have to wait until they are quiet enough for me to give them medication, because I can’t give it to them while they are moving. As I listened, it dawned on me. Maybe the Great Physician is waiting to give us something. The one with the answer is right here, but the problem is that we won’t sit still long enough for him to give us what we need.
Speaking of feeding the 5000 in John: “Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.” [Her response was,] “Why Lord? I’m so busy. I have a to-do list a mile long. Why do you want me to sit down?”… I read the next verse “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated.” Don’t miss that line…only those who were seated got food…Do you want to be filled with the spiritual food that God has for you?”
Priscilla went on to talk about 1 Samuel 3:3 where Samuel was lying down and was able to hear from the Lord and John 6:10 and Matthew where there are grassy places to sit. She was reminded of Psalm 23:2 “you make me like down in green pastures.”
May we take the time to be still, wait upon the Lord in green pastures, and hear His voice and receive the Bread of Life.

Be Still

An excerpt from my journal on 5/7: 

Psalm 46:10
BE still and know that I am God
Be STILL and know that I am God
Be still AND know that I am God
Be still and KNOW that I am God
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I AM God
Be still and know that I am GOD!!

Lord, help me to take some time each day to just BE. Still my mind and heart, Lord to focus on you. Lord, help me to really know that you are in control. You are the Lord; help me to remember that it’s not about me. Help me to contemplate who you are each day.

Be Still AND Know that I am God

The other night at a friend’s house, we had an extended time of prayer, much of it silent. The Lord had me share Psalm 46:10. The night had started off with talking about all the references to “new” in the Bible. I had shared a few things [new life, new heaven and a new earth] and the verse “see, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” So when God nudged me to share Psalm 46:10, I was reluctant. Mentally I argued with God, ‘I have already shared, I am an introvert, this is not new, I am not the group leader’. Finally I just said the verse one time. I told the Lord he needed to be specific and confirm it if he wanted me to do the whole thing. After a few minutes, our leader shared his frustration, confessed his difficulty with being still. Then I knew I had to be obedient and so I prayed it slowly, reflectively. The leader told me afterward that it was perfect for him, that it had been filled with authority, and that he had wanted me to go on. I had actually felt a slight nudge to continue, but had been so relieved to be done with it and stop. Afterward I felt a great sense of relief about some things I had been holding on to and needed to let go of.

Life

Life is a mystery.  We cannot see the bigger pattern.  According to author and speaker, Richard Rohr, life is a river.  He asks an interesting question, “Are you trying to change the course of the river? Or are you in the river?”   So often our focus is on how we can change things instead of simply living in the moment.  One of my favorite expressions I learned in college during a LaVida trip with Rich Obenschain …. “BE HERE NOW!”  It means that we should soak up every moment and enjoy life.  Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:34   God wants us to be able to experience all that He has for us in each moment.  Life is so often about “letting go.”   Let the river carry you.  Trust that God is in control.

Quote From Richard Rohr on Contemplative Prayer

Embracing the True Meaning of the Gospel

I heard a Reverend Nathan Coleman today talking about how we honor Martin Luther King, Jr.  He asked an excellent question, ‘do we celebrate him as a hero or do we work to make his dream a reality?’  In order for global Christians to embrace the truth of the gospel, we must work for education and justice.  He suggested that the issues most important to MLK Jr were racism, economic justice and war [or peace]. 

According to a quote by King, “America is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world.”  If he could say that then, what would he think now?  We are too comfortable and neglect to stand up for what is right.  We allow our children to see and participate in virtual violence.  Martin Luther King Jr had the courage to speak and live truth and justice.  Can we do any less?

Worldview

Del Tackett says, “Our personal worldview is the total set of truth claims that we have bought, consciously or subconsciously, which drive our emotions and what we think and so in unguarded moments – reflecting what we believe to be really real.”  We all have a set of ideas about life and the world in general, but many of us hardly give it any thought.  We take for granted so many things: consumerism, the sunrise, life itself. 

Our worldview affects the decisions we make and how we choose to live.  Our worldview can be passed on to our children, and I feel we should be intentional about this, thinking through our beliefs and helping our children to understand our point of view.