knowing thy God July 19, 2008

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

This is one of my favorite quotes from Corrie ten Boom.  She was so fiercely brave; confident.  She was willing to take the next step even when she didn’t know what it was.  I believe it is because she wasn’t afraid since she know she would always be accompanied by God.  She knew God.  She knew his character, that he was faithful, sovereign, a refuge, and always right. 

God was and still is in control. 

Why is it so hard then to let go to the God who knows everything?

Constant Yearning April 26, 2008

I want to be like Daniel.
He was a man who knew God’s word – he was constantly listening to what God was saying to him – and he had incredible faith.  It seems as if he never winced.  Daniel’s constant yearning for God made him a man that was trusted by God; and much wisdom and knowledge was given.  From that, I believe that he was equipped with his faith that God is in control.  My favorite verses that echo this are Daniel 2:20-23.

Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him.  It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding.  It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him.  To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For you have given me wisdom and power; even now You have made known to me what we requested of you.  For You have made known to us the king’s matter.

Serenity and Surrender March 4, 2008

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.  Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it: Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen.

I ran  across this prayer today.  It was my Grandmother’s (Ruth) favorite prayer.  I can still hear her saying it in my head even though it’s been ten years since she’s graced this earth.  I think that most of us know those first few lines.  It’s the rest of the prayer that really challenges me – the part we never seem to get to.  It forces the questions:   

Do I trust God?  yes . . . but every moment?  no, but I want to
Why wouldn’t I?  perhaps I’m scared.  maybe I like the false sense of control.  there really isn’t any reason I shouldn’t trust Him.  He’s proven Himself over and over from the beginning of time throughout the ages.

Do I enjoy this life God gave me? i am a half-glass-full kind of person but I don’t think I “seize the day” everyday.  i want to live that life of liberty in ways that my mind hasn’t even wrapped itself around yet.

Have I surrendered my will to His? yes – undeniably i accept the call that God has placed on my life – but i know that He is calling me to surrender every little iota – i want to – but what does that look like?