Green Pastures
You might have seen this video if you attend Idlewild on Wednesday nights or if you follow me on Facebook, but I still feel like it is worth revisiting. Sometimes just a hint of historical context can shine a huge light on something of immense spiritual significance. I find deep comfort in the truth of this lesson.
Green Pastures.
God does not plunk us down in belly deep alfalfa.
He does lead us mouthful by mouthful.
We don’t get a pasture of life long provision, but we join Him on a journey through the wilderness.
Staying close to the Shepherd moment by moment is the only way to live.
40 Days
40 days to wander, 40 days to die to self
40 days to grow stronger as faith breaks open the gates of hell.
The Jubilee is over, but grace is far from gone
In the hearts of the faithful, broken on the wheels of love.Chorus:
In the desert of temptation, lies the storm of true conversion,
where springs of living water drown and refresh you
And as the Jordan pours out change,
your true self is all that remains,
where springs of living water bind and break you.40 days to remember the Paschal sacrifice
40 days to discover as passion calls us to new life
The Jubilee is over but mercy is far from gone
In the arms of the Father as the wayward child comes home.- Matt Maher -
Several images in this video caught my attention and surprised me. I was captured by the illustrations of Jesus at play, chasing birds, finding joy. Odd as it may be, I never once thought of Jesus experiencing joy during his 40 days in the wilderness. And yet, something about these simple images stirred my soul. Why would I think joy was absent when God was present? And I thought of all of the times, when in the midst of hardship and struggle, I have found such joy in surrendered intimacy with my Lord.
In the middle of 40 days of dying to self, in the middle of this season of Lent, there is great joy to be found as death brings forth resurrection. Not just Easter morning resurrection, but present resurrection, living wide awake to God in the middle of the wilderness.
Joy.
Now.
“Where springs of living water bind and break you.”
Ten Thousand Reasons for My Heart to Find
I found myself feeling overwhelmed by feelings this morning. My life is overrun with a million small details and important decisions. I was gone 12 days, back 13 and I’m leaving tomorrow for another 12. There is so much to be done and the pressure of it has been weighing heavy.
And I knew I needed to:
Stop – For this hurried spirit accomplishes nothing
Reflect – For God’s presence is with me
Pray – For He longs for me to abide in Him in the middle of the pressures of the day
Give Thanks – For He has provided for all that I need and so much more
And I find that just minutes focusing on His presence and resting in His love is like a bottomless well of purest water to my thirsty soul.
And somehow it all looks different now…for there truly are blessings for my soul, even today, ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
CD Review: A Place to Belong by Lisa Troyer
CD Description:
Every woman needs acceptance, love and a place to belong. That’s the underlying theme of the new music CD, A Place to Belong (Lifeway Worship), from singer/songwriter Lisa Troyer, president of Circle of Friends Ministries. Refreshingly authentic and dynamic, the companion worship CD to Troyer’s recently released book, A Place to Belong: Out of Our Comfort Zone and into God’s Adventure (Barbour Publishing), tenderly draws women into a place of true freedom and belonging in the very heart of God.
In her book,Troyer shares her own journey to acceptance as well as the story of a group of dynamic “women helping women” who call themselves the Circle of Friends. Troyer encourages readers to form their own circle of friends, a safe place of truth and love where women can develop lasting relationships and discover together the purposes of God for their lives.
Obviously noticeable in both the book and CD is Troyer’s passion to lead others into the bottomless love of God. This fierce desire compelled her to plunge deeply into the heart of the issues all women face, but most keep to themselves. With tendencies toward depression, anxiety attacks and an eating disorder, Troyer knows firsthand the bondage of secrecy and shame. “Living with a secret,” Troyer admits, “doesn’t make it go away. It doesn’t change your heart. As well hidden as your secret is, that is how deeply lonely you will be. I’ve been there. I know it’s true.”
The newly released companion CD reinforces her book’s admonition that there is complete freedom and acceptance to be found in the Father. “This CD was birthed out of the knowledge that music is so often used by God to solidify a written and/or spoken message,” says Troyer. “Dawn Yoder and I have been blessed by the friendship and songwriting partnership God’s given us, and songs like ‘Let Us Bow Down,’ ‘Lifting My Praise Up’ and ‘I Found Grace’ (Circle of Friends theme song) are reflective of how, by finding a place to belong, we are inspired to share encouragement, while keeping our focusing on worshipping in ‘Spirit and in truth.’”
The new Circle of Friends CD is available online at http://lifewayworship.com and iTunes. It can also be purchased through your local Christian retailer.
Bio & Author Website:
Radio personality, recording artist, speaker and author Lisa Troyer finds herself heart-deep in ministries that are changing lives forever. Her incredibly successful Circle of Friends women’s ministry, formed over a decade ago, is growing in all directions. With ministry and songwriting partner Dawn Yoder, Lisa and her Circle of Friends offer women’s conferences, leadership training, counseling services, worship music, life skills classes and marriage/family resources. No matter the outlet or the venue, Lisa uses her gift of encouragement, her influence and her resources to open doors for women everywhere to discover their significance and belonging through Christ.
My Thoughts: (I received a free download of this CD in exchange for my honest opinion)
I love the idea behind this CD – finding a place to belong in community in the body of Christ, relating with each other in the model of Trinitarian love, this is a message worth singing about. The music itself is mellow and quiet. Some might find it soothing. There is nothing particularly standout or artistic about the music itself – it is standard, mainstream, christian praise music, yet, the words are worshipful. I was particularly drawn to the lyrics of the song I Found Grace with it’s focus on journeying in community. It’s honestly not my style of music, but I can think of a number of people who would love it. (Music is harder to review than books as it is much more subjective to personal style). You can check out more about the CD (and the book) and see for yourself if it’s your style of music on these websites:
~ www.findaplacetobelong.com<http://www.findaplacetobelong.com> ~
~ (Follow page links to download songs for free) ~
~ www.lisatroyer.com<http://www.lisatroyer.com> ~
~ www.ourcircleoffriends.org<http://www.ourcircleoffriends.org> ~
Home for our Hearts
I was praying with someone this evening and these words from their prayer are still echoing in my soul. “You are our home…a home for our hearts.”
Home
That word evokes so many thoughts, so many emotions.
Home
Where is that elusive place?
I’ve always loved the way the Hungarian language refers to home. Itthon – the word that I use when I am currently, geographically at home. Otthon – the word that I use when I refer to home, but I am not currently, geographically there. These phrases have meant a lot to me as a missionary for when I’m in the States I’m “home – Itthon” with my family but Hungary is the “Otthon – home” that I am away from. And when I am in my apartment in Hungary it is reversed.
But what do I do when all my geographical definitions of home fall short? How do I think of home when no place on earth can hang on to that title?
I’m still looking for the city. I’m still on a journey toward the Promised Land and I’m not home yet, not by a long shot.
But my soul has already taken this journey. My soul has found its home.
How glorious is your dwelling place
O Loving Creator of the Universe!
My soul longs, yes, aches for the abode of the Beloved;
All that is within me sings for joy
to the living Heart of Love!
Even as the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nesting place,
where its young are raised within Your majestic creation,
You invite us to dwell within Your heart.(Psalms from Praying, Nan C. Merrill)
A home for my heart is a home found in the circle of the Trinity.
Home…that resting place for my soul is found in the very heart of God.
Home is found in the midst of the Triune embrace.
And that is a truer home than any geographical location can ever be.
So I ponder home and recall this line of a favorite song…
”I’m home anywhere if you are where I am.”
Be Still and Know
I saw this video today and it moved me.
Be. Here. Now.
BE HERE NOW from blaine hogan on Vimeo.
The incarnational and invitational God revealed
Last week Larry Crabb spoke on the theme of gender at Colorado Christian University and I want to share the videos with you. It’s a brief look into an overall teaching of how we as men and women are designed to display the incarnational and invitational character of God.
If you want to skip straight to the teaching, in this video it starts around minute 21.
The teaching in this video starts around minute 18.
He rescued from the grave…I come alive
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say this -
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.
♦
Some wandered in desert wastelands…
Then they cried out to the LORD…
and he delivered them…
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men
♦
Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom,
prisoners suffering in iron chains…
Then they cried to the LORD…
and he saved them…
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men
♦
Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction…
Then they cried to the LORD…
he sent forth his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
♦
Excerpts from Psalm 107
Playlist from 2011
Every year I have songs that become embedded in the fabric of my life. They are lessons learned, prayers prayed, truths discovered, praises offered.
Here are the top ten eleven songs from my life’s playlist for 2011. I wonder what 2012′s playlist will look like?
Rock of Ages/When the Day Seems Long – Sandra McCraken “Rock of Ages, When the day seems long, from this labor and this heartache I have come, the skies will wear out, but you remain the same, Rock of Ages I praise Your name….Rock of Ages You have brought me near…Rock of Ages I need Your grace”
Remind Me Who I Am – Jason Gray “When I lose my way and I forget my name, remind me who I am. In the mirror all I see, is who I don’t want to be, remind me who I am. In the loneliest places, when I can’t remember what grace is. Tell me once again who I am to You…Tell me lest I forget who I am to You, That I belong to You…I’m the one You love.”
Peace – Rich Mullins “Though we’re strangers still I love you. I love you more than your mask. And you know you have to trust this to be true. And I know that’s much to ask. O lay down your fears. Come and join this feast. He has called us here. You and me. …And His outstretched arms are still strong enough to reach, behind these prison bars to set us free.”
O For A Thousand Tongues – Mike Rayson “O for a Thousand tongues to sing…the triumphs of His grace…He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free…With the saints and the sages the song of the ages I bring.”
O for a Thousand Tongues
Christ is Risen – Matt Maher “Christ is Risen from the dead…Come Awake, Come Awake, Come and Rise Up from the Grave”
Something Beautiful – Nathan Tasker “I’m counting the stars, but the sky is overrun. You made a sea of endless lights. I would have been impressed by one. You’re more than enough. Your love shows no reserve, just like the brilliant sky above, You give me more than I deserve…Every day is a brand new miracle, when you keeping giving grace upon grace”
Something Beautiful
Highly Favoured – CompassionArt/Amy Grant “Who I have become in you, is grace beyond all measure.”
Highly Favoured
Just Grace – Mike Rayson “Not by the works of my hands or my best laid plans, just grace….from my first to my last all my life will pass through grace”
Just Grace
What Joy Is Found – Jeremy Riddle “What joy is found in communion with you, beholding your beauty and knowing your truth…singing O how lovely is the King in all His glory…and how amazing is His love so unfailing, is His grace that draws us near”
What Joy Is Found
Jesus Come – Evan Wickham “You said that you will, O but our prayer is still, Jesus Come, Please Come…The whole earth is reaching out, Yearning for your renown, Jesus Come…Waiting we long for the glory of Your presence…Let your glory be revealed in my life”
Jesus Come
Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer (May This Journey) “Let the treasures of the trial form within me as I go…May this Journey bring a blessing, May I rise on wings of faith, And at the end of my heart’s testing, With Your likeness let me wake”
Did your year have a playlist? What songs were on it?
Just Grace
I had a wonderful week at Euro InTent and I’m thankful to have a moment to share with you just a few things that I am thankful for in the midst of a busy travel schedule.
- I’m so thankful that we can come before the throne of grace
- I’m thankful that He hears our prayers and delights to speak into our lives
- I’m thankful that the Spirit is poured out in our hearts and our lives with the same power that raised Christ from the dead!
- I’m thankful that when engage in intercession for others, God speaks to us as well and that we never leave the presence of the Lord unchanged
- I’m thankful for our identity in Christ, that we are chosen and dearly loved
- I’m O So Thankful for grace
Come to Jesus and Come Lord Jesus
Today (and for days now) I’ve been meditating on this truth of how to see ourselves and how to see others in our spiritual community.
“We are not our problems. We are not our wounds. We are not our sins. We are persons of radical worth and unrevealed beauty. If we face ourselves fully, we will be broken by what we see, by the selfishness and fear and rage and lust that cover our spiritual beauty like tarnish on silver. But the silver is there. Something brilliant and intact gleams through the stain of our brokenness.”
“…what is deepest within is not brokenness but beauty, the literal beauty of Christ.”
And as I meditate on these things, this song is playing in the back of my mind. Listen to Matt describe the birth and the lyrics of this song. It is such a perfect complement to the thoughts above.
Despite all our ‘tarnish” we are still invited to say, Come Lord Jesus.
Grace…so much grace…
For all the thirsty in need of the river
For all the sleeping hearts waking from their slumber
For everyone still standing at the shoreline, come
For all the hurting souls running from their healer
For all the skeptics running from an answer
Let everyone who hears these words say come
For the Spirit and the Bride say come
Yeah, the Spirit and the Bride say come
For all the Pharisees, empty on the inside
For all the lovers who spent their love on a lie
For the forgotten, the Father’s heart says come
For all the fatherless looking for approval
For all the daughters who’ve never heard they’re beautiful
Let everyone who hears these words say come
Amen, Amen
Come Lord Jesus, Come Again
Until then, Until then
Grace and Peace be ours, Amen
Till you come again
Peace be ours, Amen
Till you come again
Till you come again
How Majestic is Your Name
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!Psalm 8:3-4, 9
Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail.
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.Psalm 73:23-26
Remember the beautiful video images as you listen to these words…
Jesus Your Name
I just discovered this song from New Irish Hymns #3
… so beautiful
The above pop-up link was requiring some people to log-in so here is an embedded file.
Melodic Mid-Week
Here are some melodies to brighten your week…check out these great new artists/songs:
Sarah Kroger
Album: Your Time (5 songs)
Preview songs: @ itunes or @ amazon
In the silence of the heart You speak
And Your mercy is the air I breathe
…To the quiet of this room You come
I am captivated by this love
…Silence fall, Oh I am listening
I am listening, sing to meSpirit fall, Oh please stay with me
I am listening now
…In the stillness of my soul You know
You are hope that will not let me go
…Excerpts of lyrics from “In the Silence”
Penny and Sparrow
Album: Creature (3 songs)
Preview songs: @ itunes or @ amazon
All I know is in sleep….
I can taste and feel need….
Life alone makes me shake….
If I die before I wake….Every drop that I bleed…
It’s a gift You give me….
Let me spend my skin on You….
Kiss me, whisper, make me new….I’m a creature for Your love….
On the day I come home,
And look at You and Your throne,
Every joy I’ve seen is waste,
When I touch Your gorgeous face….I’m a creature for Your love….
Lyrics from the song “Creature”
UPDATE: Here’s a new widget with the Penny and Sparrow songs for your listening pleasure.
Jason Gray
Single: Remind Me Who I Am
When I lose my way,
And I forget my name
Remind me who I amIn the mirror all I see
Is who I don’t wanna be
Remind me who I amIn the loneliest places
When I can’t remember what grace isTell me, once again
Who I am to You, who I am to You
…If I’m Your beloved can You help me believe it
…I’m the one You love, I’m the one You love
Excerpts of lyrics from “Remind Me Who I Am”
Aware of Love
I’m a faithful fan of “So You Think You Can Dance”. No, I can’t dance, but I do love watching the pure passion and abandon that the dancers infuse into their art. But this post isn’t about the show. It’s about love.
Did you watch the episode a couple of weeks ago where Jess and Kathryn danced to the song “The Lonely?” OK – you don’t have to admit if you watched it. I’ll embed the video for you.
The premise of the choreography is that love is right in front of her, but she just doesn’t see it.
Did you notice it? The deliberate disconnect: no eye contact between them until the very end. He pursued, seeking to draw her eyes, but she looked away each time.
So often this is my dance with my Savior. He holds me. He carries me. He pursues me, passionately holding on, but I never lift my eyes.
I don’t believe that this blindness is mine alone. The curse of fallen humanity bleeds with blindness. We live and move and breathe and dance through life unaware of the great, great love of God. The personal, pursuing love that gave everything.
I believe that truly opening our eyes to the love of God would change everything.
If I was aware of every touch, every look, every step…if I was aware of the lover of my soul moment by moment wouldn’t the dance of my life change?
Can you imagine?
Can you stretch wide your eyes and see Him right now as He reaches for you with longing?
Lift your eyes.
May they grow round with the wonder of His love.
May your dance be face to face, deeply gazing into the eyes of perfect love.
Think deeply on this truth:
“you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you”Excerpt from Isaiah 43:4
May you walk this week practicing awareness and attentiveness to the pursuing, passionate and ever present love of God.
God’s Good Plans
I used to think that it would get easier. At one time I had come to believe that as you grow along the journey the struggle would diminish. Now I know that is not true.
The lessons I’ve learned along the way may make me better equipped to walk this path, but the path itself doesn’t get smoother.
The thought of saying goodbye to Hungary is no less difficult a thought than when I was selling my house and getting ready to leave Tampa for Europe.
But I never cease to be amazed at how specifically God will speak.
Yesterday I was singing in church while at the same time carrying on a conversation with the Savior. It went something like: “I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t really want to say goodbye. The future holds so much promise, but it also feels so ambivalent. This place has become home. Lord, I want to trust, but this is hard…”
The next song started up and for a moment all I could do is smile (while wiping tears from the corners of my eyes). I won’t translate the song, but it’s about how God has planned good for me, how He is a loving God, how his grace lasts forever and it brings to mind the promise that “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things.” (Rom 8:32)
I am thankful that God speaks to me personally;
that the Spirit knows just what I need to hear and when.
I am thankful that God has planned good for me.
He’s planned good for you too! Are you counting the ways?
This week I am also thankful for:
421 – Lightening and thunder, wind and rain, all wild
423 – The sun coming out again, lingering cool breezes
426 – For the One who created me, redeemed me, called me by name and calls me his own. For the One who says: Do not fear, I will be with you; you are precious and I love you.
427 – Birthday wishes: cards and calls, friends on the journey
430 – For sounds of beauty and sacred rhythms
Reflection for the Journey
Yesterday we took Jenn to the airport and said “Bon Voyage” as she heads off to pursue her Master’s degree. While there have been other changes since our ministry team dissolved, this is the first highly noticeable movement in our lives. I’m happy for Jenn and excited to see the plans that God has for her unfold. And I’m filled with expectation to see how God is unfolding my own path. But change is never, ever easy. So today I find myself humming this chorus and thanking God for the truth that while change is inevitable, God is yesterday, today and forever the same and present.
Everything Moves by Christa Wells
All the things I pursue
Well they stay for a season
Then everything moves
Everything moves, Oh
My towers fall
But You aren’t leaving me
Everything moves but YouAll the things I pursue
Well they stay for a season
Then everything moves
Everything moves, Oh
My towers fall
But You aren’t leaving
Quote for today and Links I’ve loved
However, a fleeting, incomplete glimpse of God’s back – the obscure yet real, penetrating, and transforming experience of his incomparable glory – awakens a dormant trust. Something is afoot in the universe, someone filled with transcendent brightness, wisdom, ingenuity and power and goodness is about. In the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, somewhere deep down a Voice whispers, “All is well, and all will be well.”
Brennan Manning – Ruthless Trust
These are some blog posts that have spoken to my heart recently that I’d like to share with you:
http://www.rabbitroom.com/2011/06/beauty-never-lies/
http://www.incourage.me/2011/06/god-sized-dreams-the-disclaimers.html
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/06/how-to-find-your-perfect-weight/ (Turn on your speakers to hear the beautiful music!)
Yesterday’s Lessons
Would it surprise you if I told you that the meditation of my heart came not just from yesterday’s church service, but from an afternoon viewing of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides?
I find it amazing how when God has something to say He will use all means at His disposal (which is everything in heaven and earth) to communicate his truth. (I’ll try not to include any spoilers in case you haven’t seen the movie).
But let me start with church. Yesterday we focused on communion and the cross. We looked at the need to examine ourselves, but how we should ONLY examine ourselves in light of the cross. If we just start to look deeply into our lives we can end up depressed and hopeless. We have nothing good in ourselves. Our flesh is dead in our sins. We’re not just in a bad way when we are apart from Christ, we’re dead! But when we look at our sin, uncover our idols, confront the decaying state of our flesh while looking to the cross, we find hope and grace, forgiveness and joy and life! The cross is about making the dead come alive, that’s redemption!
So what in the world does that have to do with a pirate movie? Well, a lot actually. In fact, the film had multiple scenes with intriguing spiritual themes, but the scene that I’m thinking of is wrapped up in a single sentence. It’s just one line toward the end of the story. Captain Jack Sparrow comments on someone’s death and the fact that in death that person gave another life. And the captain, in an offhand remark, suggests that the act may have accomplished their redemption.
This is what the world believes. One great sacrificial act can bring redemption and wipe the slate clean. And that’s not entirely wrong.
One great sacrificial act did bring redemption and allow the slate of sin to be wiped clean.
The great problem is that the world thinks that man can do it for man. As in the film, the world suggests that one great, sacrificial act by a sinful man on behalf of another sinful man will bring about redemption. But that is simply not true. A dead man can not give another dead man life. Only a sinless one can redeem the sinful. Only God could be the sacrifice and bring redemption.
And the amazing thing is that He did. Not by coercion or obligation or trickery, but because of His great love. He chose to die in our place, to give us His life. And then He rose from death to take up His life once again.
This is the glory of the cross. The grace of God.
One great sacrificial act that gives us life.
And that is the beginning of today’s thankful list (excerpts from 331 to 354)
- That one great sacrificial act, the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, gives us life! We are fully redeemed, forgiven, set free. All our sins, all our idols, the death that we carry around in our flesh, all of is it swallowed up by His life.
- The snail with the perfect black stripe (God’s creative painting)
- Surprise phone calls
- Splatter’s of rain, drawing a line in the dirt – standing on the edge of a cloud
- The porch swing and pine boughs
- His glory poured into these jars of clay – what amazing grace that His glory is revealed in my weakness
- Provision – New Tires
- Blessings that catch you by surprise – a gift of orchid stems of beauty
- His invitation awaiting my response, never withdrawn
- His invitation to dwell in His presence – what magnificent grace
- Friends who accept me “just as I am”
- Sunday afternoon nap in a patch of sunlight (I sound just like a cat!)
- Seeds sprouting from the soil (so surprised that they are actually growing)
- A crescent moon on a clear summer’s night
On My Mind…
In ladies Bible Study we are walking through Isaiah. Over and over and over again in the text we see God warning the people about, judging, condemning and calling to repentance the spiritual voices and leaders of the day, because they were leading the people astray.
Oh my people, your guides lead you astray, they turn you from the path. Isaiah 3:12b
It’s been on my mind.
It’s been a topic of discussion among friends, among family, with strangers.
People have been in my prayers, on my heart. Eternity is at stake!
I’m pondering this truth.
Hell: We can’t afford to get it wrong.
Listen.
Ponder.
Seek Humility.
Study the entire breadth of God’s Word.
Pray!
Waiting
Today is the “in-between.”
Yesterday Jesus died.
Tomorrow He rises from the grave.
And today we wait.
Waiting. It’s a symbol of our lives here, in the “in-between”.
I read this quote a couple of weeks ago.*
The pastor is the person who specializes in accompanying persons of faith “in the middle,” facing the ugly details, the meaningless routines, the mocking wickedness, and all the time doggedly insisting that this unaccountably unlovely middle is connected to a splendid beginning and a glorious ending.
Eugene Peterson, Reversed Thunder
We live in the middle.
We move and breathe, here, in the in-between.
Between creation and re-creation.
Between the cross and the resurrection.
Today is symbolic of our lives. Today we wait.
- – -
I liked what Matt Maher had to say in his video on the subject…
- – -
*On an aside: This quote captured my attention, because it’s my heartbeat that he’s describing. He’s talking about the gift and calling of a shepherd. I’m discovering more and more every day that this is my passion and I’ve perhaps never seen my heart so clearly defined as in this quote. I’ll follow this theme more on another day…
In Remembrance
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Matthew 26:26-28
“Do this in remembrance of me” Luke 22:19
These songs are on my heart today. In Remembrance.
Remembrance – Matt Maher Buy on Amazon
Peace – A Communion Blessing – Rich Mullins Buy on Amazon
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Christ], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”
Colossians 1:19-21
This is the Week
Like a kite caught in spring winds I dive and soar in gusts of activity, depending on the rope that grounds me. As I rush from task to task getting ready to leave for our Europe Area Conference I feel the pull of the tether that holds me secure in the winds.
I feel it here in a status update. There in a video link. A reminder in a blog post. Jumping from the pages of the Scripture as I carve out time for that which is most important.
This is the week.
This is the week Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem and steps toward the cross.
This is the week that changed the world.
Death defied.
The grave forever conquered.
My sins paid for.
My life redeemed.
At such cost.
The Cross.
New life from death. The mystery of the ages.
I can’t stop thinking about it.
Life from death. Life from death!
I keep reading about it.
Jesus says “He who has ears let him hear.”
Let Him hear!
Hear the sounds of the universe turning inside out.
The rip of the veil.
The heave of the stone rolling away.
The voice of the angel, “Why do you seek the living among the dead. He is not here.”
Hear the sounds of new life breaking forth where death once reigned.
Hear!
In the midst of the activity that distracts me from the liturgy of the week,
in the hurry and whirl of work,
I keep hearing this refrain.
New life. New life. New life. HE IS RISEN! New life.
Thankful that my story is a part of His plan
As I sit here in front of my computer, I can hear piano music playing, birds just outside my window chirping, the sound of the wind in the pines, the whir of the washing machine, the neighbor hammering away on some project and it seems I can even hear the sighs of my heart as I long to curl up and sleep.
Body weary, my mind is ever engaged. I think about the song that I heard through the link on Ann’s blog this weekend. I think about God resonating in the empty places. I consider the lyrics from Downhere that have been replaying in my mind for days on end. “Somehow my story is a part of your plan.”
I have to believe that. I have to believe that when I struggle to lift my head I can still lift my heart in prayer. I have to trust that when I am all weakness and weariness that He still has a part for me to play. I have to lift up my countenance and give Him thanks, even for the frailness of flesh that slows me down to consider and ponder and reflect on His Word and His work.
Here are some things I have been thankful for this week:
267. Sleeping In
268. The color green
269. Vonage
271. Singing along to the radio (making time stuck in traffic a joy rather than a frustration)
272. The sky & clouds, unbelievable shades and colors in growing dusk
274. A good book
275. Being taught by the Word and Holy Spirit
276. Time to write
277. HESED: Grace and Mercy always flowing from the cross; that God never hides his love from anyone who longs to love and live for Him (see Wednesday’s upcoming post for more about this)
278. Homemade, gluten free enchiladas, tastes bursting on my tongue
279. Two cuddling kitties, purring, content
Missionary: 