I have unanswered prayers May 8, 2010

This past year has been a whirlwind.  Unexpected events caught me by surprise and I find myself feeling like I have been living in the washing machine through its various cycles.  Just when I think it’s almost done, the barrel turns again and shakes things up.  I find myself asking, “why” and all I can feel is my breaking heart.  In the washing machine of life one thing remains – heaven stands – God Has Me In HIS hands.  I am thankful.  It is painful but I am thankful that God is washing me clean of my sin and my wayward ways.  He is making me into his image – transforming me from a dirty being into royal robe of white linen. 

These lyrics by Katie Herzig, JJ and David Heller have resonated with me during the time.

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn’t there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That you would take my pain away
You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crooked lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave your hands

When you walked upon the earth
You healed the broken, lost and hurt
I know you hate to see me cry
One day you will set all things right
Yeah, one day you will set all things right

When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave your hands

Your hands that shaped the world
Are holding me
They hold me still

Thanks for the prayers, Beth October 14, 2008

Beth Moore posted a prayer for her readers last night on her blog.  It is a lovely prayer and it touched my heart and spoke to just how I feel.  Beth, although I have never met her, is among many of my Bible teachers.  So to all the people, there are so many, who have taught me along the way – I pass this prayer on.

I want to stop and pray for you right now, too.

My faithful Father, Maker of Heaven and Earth, Ruler of Land and Sea, I lift Your elect to You. I pray this week for You to grant them clarity in a very specific area where they are confused and not sure what to do next. As You said through Your prophet Ezekiel, You have put Your Spirit in them and You will MOVE them to follow Your will. Remind them that they are not stuck. Not without choices. Not without leadership. Whisper in each ear, “this is the way, walk ye in it.” Cause them – and me – to cease beating on doors that are closed and walk through the one that You Yourself left open even if it’s not our personal favorite Door #1. Bring confessions to their lips – and mine – of Your gracious providence and Your worthiness to be trusted and praised. Tend to their hearts. Where they feel battered and bruised but too busy to stop long enough to be healed, hem them in Your faithful hands, hold them still, and rejoice over them with singing. Tell them again how You love them. How You’ve called them. How You don’t make mistakes. Grant them – and me – spirits of wisdom and revelation that we may know You better and recognize You when we bump smack into Your Presence. And more than anything else, circumcise our hearts to love You and to love that frustrating person in our lives as we love ourselves. Teach us what the Apostle Paul meant when he told the Galatians that all that matters is faith expressing itself in love. We want to be Godly women, Lord. We cry out to You for help. We cry out to You for You.

In the saving, delivering, empowering Name of Jesus,
Amen

You can read Beth’s orginal post here.

Thankful for . . . October 7, 2008

Going to Genesis Family Camp and for The Navigator’s Topical Memory System in which I have been hiding God’s Word in my heart.

Christ the Center
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things passed away, behold, new things have come.

Christ the Center
Galations 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, in the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who love me and gave Himself up for me.

Thankful . . . June 19, 2008

for the Breath of Life

promise from the Savior May 17, 2008

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  
Psalm 34 : 18

What a wonderful promise from God.  He knows our hearts and he gathers us near like birds in his nest.  He cares for us.  For when we don’t even know why we cry – He does – and He saves us.  Thank you,  Jesus.

Thankful for . . . May 2, 2008

Cleansing Rain

Thankful for . . . April 24, 2008

1 John 4:17-19

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us.

Oh Thank You Lord!

dissolving April 17, 2008

I am a chemist.  I dissolve substances – one into another.  I dissolve salt into water and the salt seems to “disappear” – but it really is there – it’s just hidden by the water that surrounds it.  The solid salt acts like its solvent, water; it flows.  If I evaporate the water the salt appears again but it no longer is able to flow like fluid water.

 

I am thankful that my relationship with God is like the dissolving process.  He surrounds me, hides me, keeps me safe.  When I am dissolved in Him, I flow like Him, because I am in Him and He is in me.  If God is removed from my life I am no longer fluid, no longer hidden in Him, vulnerable.

 

He Celebrates When We Repent April 13, 2008

From today’s message at church. . .

God calls us to repent, He encourages us to repent, He yearns for us to repent, and He celebrates with us when we repent.

Why is it so hard then – to repent?

Thank You God for giving your Son, Jesus, to pay the price for my sins.  Amen

Every Moment with Fresh Ears April 7, 2008

I posted this the other day. . .

I have a friend who is striving to recognize Jesus in every moment of his life.  He has been reading about others who have been participating in this spiritual practice as well.  It seems from his reading and his experience that in being aware of and interacting with Jesus every minute of the day is such a tremendous challenge – that all the other challenges of this world seem small in comparison.  The process is also rich and rewarding as he focuses on Jesus he sees the world with fresh eyes. 

How often do I think of Jesus?
When do I think of Jesus?
Do I see others’ as Jesus would see them?
Do I see the world around me with fresh eyes?
How often do I not meditate on Jesus?

So I have been trying to think of Jesus more often throughout my day.  I am convinced that the more I dwell upon Him – the more I will be able to see the world as he does – with compassion, love, and forgiveness among many other things.  I am not all that disciplined yet.  

Over the last couple of days I have been preparing for one of our upcoming worship services titled Come To Me when I came across this verse from John:6:44-45

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’  Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.

As I seek Jesus – the Father draws me near to Him.  God will teach me about Himself and when I listen and learn I will be closer to Jesus.  I love how God actively draws us into Him.   So, while I have been struggling to stay cognizant of God’s presence (especially while I am at work teaching), it came to no surprise to me that it was a beautiful day in which I could open the windows of my classroom and at noon – I heard the church bells rings.  It was a fresh moment with God – I remembered Him – He drew me in and the words “Christ the Lord has risen today” sang sweetly in my head while I watched my students take their test.  Thank You God for drawing me near.