Hey, Y'all,
Ran across this thought the other day (not sure where)--kind of dovetails with the previous post...
The Truth--Reality--is not dependent on my ability to understand what is going on. Let God interpret the facts for you; let Him explain the situation. Meanwhile, focus on your walk with God and not on your limited ability to understand events or circumstances.
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
Kind of hard, but has the ring of truth to it, doesn't it?
Reality is not dependent on my ability to understand what is going on. I can not be the ultimate authority on what goes on around me (and to me)--why? Because I never have all the facts. Hence my need of God, of His wisdom and influence and guidance and peace and clarity...
'Course, it could just be me :-)
You've been prayed for today...
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
"I didn't know what I was talking about..."
Hey, Y'all,
Today's RST is kind of funny. On the surface it seems to merely consist of some cool Old Testament meanderings--but then it winds up exactly where I needed to be tonight--funny 'coincidence' huh? Yeah, right...
First I ran across this passage in Jeremiah 32:
Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you...O great and powerful God, whose name is the LORD Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds.
That one reminded me of this one in Isaiah 55: "...my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Got me thinking about how my prayers, even the earnest and well-intentioned ones, must sound to God; how my limited vision and understanding must on the one hand sort of amuse Him and on the other frustrate Him--as stated in this unattributed comment on a passage in Job 42...
"'You [Lord] asked, "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance? Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?" It is I—surely I spoke of things I did not understand; I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too profound for me.' This prayer experience of Job's revealed to him a whole new dimension of problems he was not aware of: ignorance- and arrogance-based attitudes that he never knew existed. In short: he had a problem with pride; 'God is God, and you are not.'"
Which brought me back to (and gave me an entirely new understanding of) these stunningly generous, loving, patient words from our heavenly Father found in Isaiah chapters 1 and 55:
"Come, let us reason together...Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live."
What a concept: "Come, let us reason together...Why spend money on what is not bread, and labor on what does not satisfy? Listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." Funny...like Job, I often don't really know what I'm talking about, but He wants nothing more than to sit and to talk it over with me and help me see more clearly. How cool is that?!?
So if your soul is thirsty--and whose isn't, seriously--He invites you to come and drink deeply. And I love this line as well: Why spend money on what is not bread, and labor on what does not satisfy? Why indeed?
You've been prayed for today...
Today's RST is kind of funny. On the surface it seems to merely consist of some cool Old Testament meanderings--but then it winds up exactly where I needed to be tonight--funny 'coincidence' huh? Yeah, right...
First I ran across this passage in Jeremiah 32:
Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you...O great and powerful God, whose name is the LORD Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds.
That one reminded me of this one in Isaiah 55: "...my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Got me thinking about how my prayers, even the earnest and well-intentioned ones, must sound to God; how my limited vision and understanding must on the one hand sort of amuse Him and on the other frustrate Him--as stated in this unattributed comment on a passage in Job 42...
"'You [Lord] asked, "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance? Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?" It is I—surely I spoke of things I did not understand; I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too profound for me.' This prayer experience of Job's revealed to him a whole new dimension of problems he was not aware of: ignorance- and arrogance-based attitudes that he never knew existed. In short: he had a problem with pride; 'God is God, and you are not.'"
Which brought me back to (and gave me an entirely new understanding of) these stunningly generous, loving, patient words from our heavenly Father found in Isaiah chapters 1 and 55:
"Come, let us reason together...Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live."
What a concept: "Come, let us reason together...Why spend money on what is not bread, and labor on what does not satisfy? Listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." Funny...like Job, I often don't really know what I'm talking about, but He wants nothing more than to sit and to talk it over with me and help me see more clearly. How cool is that?!?
So if your soul is thirsty--and whose isn't, seriously--He invites you to come and drink deeply. And I love this line as well: Why spend money on what is not bread, and labor on what does not satisfy? Why indeed?
You've been prayed for today...
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
True Godly Life
Hey, Y'all,
Ran across this quote of Ellen White's the other day and it rang true--
"The influence of a true Godly life cannot be measured. It reaches beyond the immediate circle of home and friends shedding a light that wins souls to Christ."
Testimonies Vol. 4 p. 143.
Have you found this to be true of your life? Why (or why not)? What is the point of "winning souls to Christ?" Why does it matter? And what does a "true Godly life" look like anyway? Think about that for a minute; seriously, what does a "true Godly life" look like?
You've been prayed for today...
Ran across this quote of Ellen White's the other day and it rang true--
"The influence of a true Godly life cannot be measured. It reaches beyond the immediate circle of home and friends shedding a light that wins souls to Christ."
Testimonies Vol. 4 p. 143.
Have you found this to be true of your life? Why (or why not)? What is the point of "winning souls to Christ?" Why does it matter? And what does a "true Godly life" look like anyway? Think about that for a minute; seriously, what does a "true Godly life" look like?
You've been prayed for today...
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Eternity In Your Heart
Hey, Y'all,
Don't recall where I ran across this but I enjoyed it thoroughly...
"'He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.' Ecclesiastes 3:11. What a grand and gracious act---that even in fallen man, you and I, God has placed 'eternity' in our hearts! Something of vastness that we don't understand, yet yearn for; something of greatness that we long to attain."
Ever get that feeling, that there's more? That things ought to be better? That's no coincidence, you know; you were designed for eternity, you were built for unending peace and joy and on some level rebel against the idea of anything short of that. Do I fully get this idea? Nope...but I do know that God is good for having placed it there.
You've been prayed for today...
Don't recall where I ran across this but I enjoyed it thoroughly...
"'He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.' Ecclesiastes 3:11. What a grand and gracious act---that even in fallen man, you and I, God has placed 'eternity' in our hearts! Something of vastness that we don't understand, yet yearn for; something of greatness that we long to attain."
Ever get that feeling, that there's more? That things ought to be better? That's no coincidence, you know; you were designed for eternity, you were built for unending peace and joy and on some level rebel against the idea of anything short of that. Do I fully get this idea? Nope...but I do know that God is good for having placed it there.
You've been prayed for today...
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Find Rest In God Alone
Hey, Y'all,
Ran across this verse the other day and it rang true, resonated deep inside:
My soul finds rest in God alone;
My salvation comes from Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:1,2
In another version it's the imperative, "Find rest, O my soul, in God," and that also struck a chord in my heart--would that I could simply decide and command my easily distractable mind to be still and find peace and rest in His presence, especially in light of how this text is translated in another version:
"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him."
Indeed. And hopefully, in deed as well. Funny how different versions shed light on the different facets and subtleties of meaning, huh?
You've been prayed for today...why don't you try it yourself; be still, see if you don't experience His peace, His rest, His victory.
Ran across this verse the other day and it rang true, resonated deep inside:
My soul finds rest in God alone;
My salvation comes from Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:1,2
In another version it's the imperative, "Find rest, O my soul, in God," and that also struck a chord in my heart--would that I could simply decide and command my easily distractable mind to be still and find peace and rest in His presence, especially in light of how this text is translated in another version:
"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him."
Indeed. And hopefully, in deed as well. Funny how different versions shed light on the different facets and subtleties of meaning, huh?
You've been prayed for today...why don't you try it yourself; be still, see if you don't experience His peace, His rest, His victory.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Deep Peace
Hey, Y'all,
Ran across this the other day and really enjoyed it--it's called "Deep Peace" and is an old Gaelic Blessing:
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you;
moon and stars pour their beaming light on you.
Deep peace of Christ, the light of the world, to you.
So that is my prayer for you tonight:
May the deep peace of Christ renew you as you prepare for the new week's challenges.
Ran across this the other day and really enjoyed it--it's called "Deep Peace" and is an old Gaelic Blessing:
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you;
moon and stars pour their beaming light on you.
Deep peace of Christ, the light of the world, to you.
So that is my prayer for you tonight:
May the deep peace of Christ renew you as you prepare for the new week's challenges.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
When You (Don't) Pray
Hey, Y'all,
I ran across this the other day--it was written by Gavin Anthony and was published in a recent Adventist Review. Though it was excerpted from an article called "When Leaders Don't Pray," it definitely applies to us all, whether you consider yourself a leader or not; people are always observing you and being influenced by you--for better or worse. Check it out...
We don't become intimate with God because we read the Bible or pray, though we cannot be intimate with God without these things. The foundation of intimacy is built on an attitude of the heart that propels us toward the person of God. I believe leaders can easily fail because our relationship with God becomes something we squeeze into our diaries, rather than a deep and ever-present craving for the living God in the very depths of our souls...
Here's a quote to consider: "This experience--above all else the assurance that God would hear his prayer and that the divine presence would attend him--was of more value to Moses as a leader than the learning of Egypt or all his attainments in military [or shepherding] science. No earthly power or skill or learning can supply the place of God's abiding presence. In the story of Moses we may see what intimate communion with God it is man's privilege to enjoy..."†
And this is meant for us too; yet another new beginning. Today, I can very clearly see how my intimacy with Christ is directly and powerfully related to everything I do, and everything I am. I do not pray because it is important. I pray because I am desperate. How can I do anything without the power and direction of the living God? The moment I break my intimacy with my Father, what do I have to offer?
I think I am beginning to understand what Jesus meant when He said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). The good news is that no matter how far we may have drifted in our leadership for God, or how tired we are, intimacy with God can be regained. And as long as we remain in Him, we really will bear much fruit.
Interesting, huh?
We don't become intimate with God because we read the Bible or pray, though we cannot be intimate with God without these things. The foundation of intimacy is built on an attitude of the heart... I believe [we] can easily fail because our relationship with God becomes something we squeeze into our diaries, rather than a deep and ever-present craving for the living God in the very depths of our souls...
No earthly power or skill or learning can supply the place of God's immediate presence...I can very clearly see how my intimacy with Christ is directly and powerfully related to everything I do, and everything I am. I do not pray because it is important. I pray because I am desperate. How can I do anything without the power and direction of the living God? The moment I break my intimacy with my Father, what do I have to offer?
You've been prayed for today...
† Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 533, and also Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 328.
I ran across this the other day--it was written by Gavin Anthony and was published in a recent Adventist Review. Though it was excerpted from an article called "When Leaders Don't Pray," it definitely applies to us all, whether you consider yourself a leader or not; people are always observing you and being influenced by you--for better or worse. Check it out...
We don't become intimate with God because we read the Bible or pray, though we cannot be intimate with God without these things. The foundation of intimacy is built on an attitude of the heart that propels us toward the person of God. I believe leaders can easily fail because our relationship with God becomes something we squeeze into our diaries, rather than a deep and ever-present craving for the living God in the very depths of our souls...
Here's a quote to consider: "This experience--above all else the assurance that God would hear his prayer and that the divine presence would attend him--was of more value to Moses as a leader than the learning of Egypt or all his attainments in military [or shepherding] science. No earthly power or skill or learning can supply the place of God's abiding presence. In the story of Moses we may see what intimate communion with God it is man's privilege to enjoy..."†
And this is meant for us too; yet another new beginning. Today, I can very clearly see how my intimacy with Christ is directly and powerfully related to everything I do, and everything I am. I do not pray because it is important. I pray because I am desperate. How can I do anything without the power and direction of the living God? The moment I break my intimacy with my Father, what do I have to offer?
I think I am beginning to understand what Jesus meant when He said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). The good news is that no matter how far we may have drifted in our leadership for God, or how tired we are, intimacy with God can be regained. And as long as we remain in Him, we really will bear much fruit.
Interesting, huh?
We don't become intimate with God because we read the Bible or pray, though we cannot be intimate with God without these things. The foundation of intimacy is built on an attitude of the heart... I believe [we] can easily fail because our relationship with God becomes something we squeeze into our diaries, rather than a deep and ever-present craving for the living God in the very depths of our souls...
No earthly power or skill or learning can supply the place of God's immediate presence...I can very clearly see how my intimacy with Christ is directly and powerfully related to everything I do, and everything I am. I do not pray because it is important. I pray because I am desperate. How can I do anything without the power and direction of the living God? The moment I break my intimacy with my Father, what do I have to offer?
You've been prayed for today...
† Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 533, and also Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 328.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Hey, Y'all,
We've talked about this before--my susceptibility to music and lyrics late in the evening and early in the AM--and once again I was struck by a piece I've heard a thousand times. It hit me the other night on the way back from Pasadena and my Goddaughter's birthday (hi Justine!) and then again the following couple of mornings (at 0-dark-thirty as usual) on my way to work: it was the old hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." Now I know a lot of y'all have chucked these out the window in favor of more contemporary praise songs; I will only say that not infrequently I am moved by the elegant, poetic message of the song.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Yeah, damn-near speechless at how many of those lines spoke forcefully and reassuringly to my soul:
In a world of mercurial people and circumstances, I can count on His steadfastness, patience, and compassion...
He has met my needs--I can trust Him to continue to do so...
Enduring peace, strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow--blessings all mine...
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Indeed.
You've been prayed for today...
We've talked about this before--my susceptibility to music and lyrics late in the evening and early in the AM--and once again I was struck by a piece I've heard a thousand times. It hit me the other night on the way back from Pasadena and my Goddaughter's birthday (hi Justine!) and then again the following couple of mornings (at 0-dark-thirty as usual) on my way to work: it was the old hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." Now I know a lot of y'all have chucked these out the window in favor of more contemporary praise songs; I will only say that not infrequently I am moved by the elegant, poetic message of the song.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Yeah, damn-near speechless at how many of those lines spoke forcefully and reassuringly to my soul:
In a world of mercurial people and circumstances, I can count on His steadfastness, patience, and compassion...
He has met my needs--I can trust Him to continue to do so...
Enduring peace, strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow--blessings all mine...
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Indeed.
You've been prayed for today...
Monday, October 1, 2007
Follow-Up: Difficult, Untried
Hey, Y'all,
A quick thank-you goes out to our brother Paul M. who pointed out that this is actually a quote of G.K. Chesterton's:
"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult, and left untried."
It's interesting, I've only had a chance to read a little bit about Chesterton generally and about the context of this quote specifically (it's from his book entitled "What's Wrong With The World" originally published in 1910)--he apparently was a pretty fascinating guy, and it turns out that here he is referring to "The Christian Ideal" not just in terms of us as individuals; he states that, through the last couple of millennia, The Church has often (corporately) failed to live out the Christian Ideal--interesting...and of course, unfortunately true.
Now mind you, the church corporate is still made up of individuals, so it's a question you still must answer for yourself: what is The Christian Ideal fundamentally? Am I living in a manner consistent with it? If I am not, then what's the problem? I mean, I say that it's a better way to live, right?
Got to talking about this with some friends over the weekend--our semi-conclusion: unselfishness, altruism, humility, kindness, service--all traits that are totally valued and nurtured by our culture, right? How about your church: manifesting these characteristics or not? And you--how 'bout it? Hmmm...
You've been prayed for today...
A quick thank-you goes out to our brother Paul M. who pointed out that this is actually a quote of G.K. Chesterton's:
"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult, and left untried."
It's interesting, I've only had a chance to read a little bit about Chesterton generally and about the context of this quote specifically (it's from his book entitled "What's Wrong With The World" originally published in 1910)--he apparently was a pretty fascinating guy, and it turns out that here he is referring to "The Christian Ideal" not just in terms of us as individuals; he states that, through the last couple of millennia, The Church has often (corporately) failed to live out the Christian Ideal--interesting...and of course, unfortunately true.
Now mind you, the church corporate is still made up of individuals, so it's a question you still must answer for yourself: what is The Christian Ideal fundamentally? Am I living in a manner consistent with it? If I am not, then what's the problem? I mean, I say that it's a better way to live, right?
Got to talking about this with some friends over the weekend--our semi-conclusion: unselfishness, altruism, humility, kindness, service--all traits that are totally valued and nurtured by our culture, right? How about your church: manifesting these characteristics or not? And you--how 'bout it? Hmmm...
You've been prayed for today...
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