Thanksgivings, Benedictions and Doxologies

On your feet now — applaud GOD!
Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.

Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD.
He made us; we didn't make him.
We're his people, his well-tended sheep.

Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.

For GOD is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.

Psalm 100 (The Message translation)

Have you ever forgotten how to enter the presence of God? Or felt like there was no way in, especially when you are feeling low or just plain filled with doubts or having a great fit of unbelief. Or maybe, you just are in a rut, and all the old ways of talking to God or praying to Him or praising His name, just don’t move your soul. I am in a place like that these days, and this morning I feel I have had a breakthrough. That the sun is shining through my overcast soul.

These encounters with the holy, living God are not something we can pencil in on our calendars, or make time for in our planners. Yet they do take time, so while I was sitting still and was crying out to God in my stuckness, I was ushered into His presence. I didn’t know how he would respond or where this crying out would lead me. In God’s sweet way, he drew me into his presence through my heartaches. Through my resentments about life, and how I think it ought to be going right now. As I was allowing myself to feel today-- the impact of missing my sister and her family, and the crush of all my supposed responsibilities, the Lord let me cry and blubber and get all messy in my chair situated in the corner of my family room. I grabbed the box of nearby tissues, and we had a good cry together.

In the midst of the crumpling up of myself, God invited me back to one of our favorite pastimes—looking up words in the dictionary. Over the past few weeks, I was developing a creative way to jumpstart my prayer life. I had taken a coupon organizer with twelve dividers and labeled three each for different aspects of prayer. I had three slots for praise, and three more for confession and for thanksgiving and finally intercession.

For the praise section I used affirmations, adorations and praises. For confession I labeled the section with confessions, laments and impossibilities. For the thanksgiving section it was a bit more difficult to make three subcategories. Thanksgiving to me just seemed like one aspect of prayer that was easily enough defined by calling it thanksgiving. But I pressed into it and added to thanksgivings, benedictions and doxologies. I thought it strange to add those to this section because both words seemed more like types of praise or blessings. Since I couldn’t come up with anything else, I kept those labels. Lastly, for intercession I included supplications, intercessions and offerings.

So as I was sitting here today wondering how God could possibly pull me out of this sadness and frustration of not really connecting with Him lately, I turned to the dictionary and looked up benediction and doxology. Big words that boil down to benediction meaning “to speak well of” and doxology meaning “a good opinion, honor, glory”. Both have rich uses in the liturgy of the church.

A familiar doxology is “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” and also Psalm 100 is considered a common doxology. There is so much more to explore regarding the use and practice of these two ideas, but what really jumped out at me was that thanksgiving does include these concepts of speaking well of God “from whom all blessings flow” and when I thank God it does open up my heart to enter his presence with praise and thanksgiving. Thanking God can be a means of expressing my good opinion of him or if you want to be more formal, thanksgiving gives honor and glory to God.

I leave you with this doxology, Gloria Patri:

"Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen."


P.S. Next time I’ll share some of the “prayers” I have been collecting in the coupon organizer and filing under their categories. I plan to add the doxologies of different church traditions to the doxology section.

Solace in Solitude

My sister noticed this lone flower growing out of the stone wall. She mentioned that I should take a picture of it. So just before my month long visit with her and her family in Scotland ended, I snapped this photo. Now that I am back home, this photo gives me strange comfort. The word solace comes from a Latin root meaning "to console". Images evoke emotion, and photos remind us of  a moment, but art speaks to our heart. So this is more than a photo to me, it is an icon of solitude. Some may think it shows fortitude because this scrawny poppy plant rooted itself in a stone wall, not the usual soil for prospering. I find much comfort in solitary moments. Quiet times of reflection on life and all its beauty and pain. This captured memory becomes a prayer that its beauty and loneliness will alleviate for a brief moment the grief and anxiety that crowd our days. When my sister looks at it she will know that I am praying for her to experience relief and a wistful moment of consolation knowing that we are together, even though we are miles parted.

Photo Op with William Wallace

At the Cross

"At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!"

Isaac Watts

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.  Romans 1:20 NIV

While on vacation last week, my husband and I were out walking around a campground in Kentucky. We came upon an outdoor chapel with this cross at the "altar" area. Later in the week, I woke up with the sunrise and walked back over to sit and enjoy some time with God before the day started. As I walked up and saw the cross, my heart started singing an old hymn that we used to sing at the little country church where I first met my Savior. “At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light…” Tears brimmed as I was overwhelmed with the simplicity of this faith that I have clung to over the years. “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so” or you could say for the Cross tells me so.

I had really looked forward to lots of time soaking in God’s word and reading on this vacation, since lately a lot of my mental time is consumed with school work. I was a bit disappointed, as it just didn’t work out to spend uninterrupted time reading and journaling. I would read a Psalm each morning, and then once we got out on the boat, the ride jostled me too much to do any reading.

After awhile I realized that God was inviting me to just enjoy His quiet presence through the surrounding joys of nature…rushing water, breezes blowing through my hair, sunshine on my face and the greening of the landscape that unfolded each day. By the end of the week the redbuds and dogwoods were blooming along with the Bradford pear trees. We saw all kinds of water fowl: two bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, geese, blue heron, and osprey to name a few…all carefree and proclaiming the majesty of God.

Confess: Agree With, Admit or Acknowledge

And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.

(2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT)

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of all?” This is not a question that any of us would admit that we ask each morning as we are getting ready in front of our mirrors, but we may think it, or we may be asking a different question. The one I often ask is “Am I really beautiful?” I am not necessarily pondering my outward appearance. I am looking for something deeper. I am longing for affirmation, acceptance, desirability or something along those lines. To be quite honest, I am afraid of mirrors, and hastily finish my work in front of one, then leave. Sounds a bit foolish, but it seems safer to me.

Confession as a concept rates with mirrors as something I tend to avoid out of fear of what I will discover or what might be revealed, since both are instrumental in personal examination. The mirror unveils physical defects; confession searches our spiritual shortcomings.

With that confession made, I want to unveil some wrong thinking that I have entertained over the years regarding the practice of confession. My thinking ran something like this, when I confess something, it usually reflects badly on my choices or character making confession uncomfortable and painful, therefore I'd rather avoid confession.

While confession does include the humbling experience of admitting that I have sinned, it is a beneficial process. In fact Scripture teaches that confession is for our good, and I am coming to see it as a gift, just as a mirror truly is a helpful tool. Mirrors point out things that need to be changed. If we have a hair out of place, we can comb it back, and secure it with hairspray. Putting make-up on without a mirror would give us inconsistent results, not to mention, that we could be fairly sure we would look like a disfigured clown if we refused to use a mirror.

Confession brings about freshness, a cleanness that restores joy, lifts our countenance, and removes guilt which keeps us from gladly and freely loving God.

A mirror represents examination through reflection. A couple times in Scripture someone asks God to examine them. One is the familiar cry of the psalmist in Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV):

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”

When we allow God to investigate our hearts and do His cleansing work, we can confidently look in the mirror. This idea of looking into a mirror surfaced in a devotion I was reading. The author invited the reader to literally “stand before the bathroom mirror, take a good long look at the person looking back at you.” I did this, thinking that a myriad of sins would come to mind, and I would ask the Lord to cleanse me. Instead an amazing sense of His grace overwhelmed me, and I saw His love reflected back to me.

Here is a poem I wrote in response to that holy encounter through a looking glass:

O God, I look into the mirror,
What do I see?
Beautiful eyes looking back at me
Not a ravishing, sculpted form.
But a smallish, curvy woman
With freckled face and brownish hair;
Nothing to proclaim me all that fair.

Yet as I look into those eyes,
I am humbled to see You
Looking back at me, urging me
To really look at that face-
Those penetrating green eyes that
Tears so easily fill.
So tender, so sweet, surrendering still.

Seeing the truth that it is by You
I have been made
and You love me!
One You wouldn’t ever trade
For a thousand fairer maids.

Through these reflections on mirrors and confession, I hope we will feel freer to use both on a daily basis.

One last thought. An answer to the original question, “Who is the fairest of all?” I offer you an anonymous German hymn: “Fairest Lord Jesus”.

Let’s confess our devotion to Him-

“Fairest Lord Jesus; Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son
Thee will I cherish; Thee will I honor,
Thou my soul’s glory, joy and crown.”

Trust: Firm Belief in the Reliability, Strength or Truth of Someone or Something

Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart;

don't try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;

He's the one who will keep you on track.

Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message

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

-Corrie ten Boom

The invitation to trust comes to me on a moment by moment basis. Sometimes those moments are in the midst of big, life forming decisions, like when I asked God is this the person you want me to spend the rest of my life with or recently when I sought direction on going to college in my forties? Other moments are just the small, life sustaining choices of moving forward or asking for God for help to love and think of others' needs as well as my own.

Another area where trust enters into the equation has to do with the future, the “what ifs” of this life. Usually my “what ifs” worry themselves into my mind as foreboding and sinister plots to ruin my life. Such as, what if I go blind and I can’t read anymore. Or what if my husband loses his job, and then what will we do. Some of these ponderings are actual things that could happen, and some are pretty fantastic, but either way they cause me distress. When this happens I start thinking of all the possible scenarios to prevent or solve my dilemma, and my anxiety level increases, and I get cranky.

Yesterday I was worrying over some plans for the summer, and had myself in a tizzy. This morning I realized that I wasn’t trusting God to provide the best solution, as he has done so faithfully throughout my life. So here I am at a place where I have to stop trying to figure it out, and cry out to God: “Please work this out in your way that is best for all involved. Amen.”

I can entrust the unknown future to God because I do know Him, and He is trustworthy.

Res Novae

“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the desert

and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

I have been back in classes for about two weeks now, and it always amazes me when a thread of an idea emerges from different classes. In Latin, we were learning about the word “res”, which can mean "things, matters or affairs"; or as we would say “stuff”. Our teacher likes to tell us about the origin of words and mentioned in passing that “res novae”, literally “things new” becomes the word “revolution”.

This caught my attention because in English Lit II, we were discussing the Romantics, and how their approach to poetry and art reflected a desire to move away from the structure of the Neo-Classicists, who were emulating the Greeks and the Romans, to self-expression and the emotional emphasis that we take for granted in poetry and art today. The artists were revolutionary, attempting “new things”. Another interesting relationship between revolution and the Romantics relates to the fact that the national revolutions of that time period, the French and American, were most likely a result of this new thinking—a move away from the rules and rulers of their day.

This knowledge whets my appetite for revolution in my own heart. Not rebellion, but the freedom to express myself creatively in honor of our Creator. To explore and understand in a fresh way how revolutionary and life changing it can be to follow the One who promises that He is “making all things new…” (Revelation 21:5)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Butterfly Circus

Lacking hope or inspiration? Check out this short film titled Butterfly Circus:

Suspicion or Fascination?

Taste and see that the LORD is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
(Psalm 34:8 NLT)

“Look at the world with childlike wonder, ready to be startled into surprised delight by the profuse abundance of truth and beauty and goodness that is spilling out of the skies at every moment…Plan on spending the rest of your lives exploring and enjoying the world both vast and intricate that is revealed by this text [The Holy Scriptures].” -Eugene Peterson, Eat This Book

Have you ever bumped into something subtle that you possibly knew was lurking in your heart, but you were unable to name it? As I have been reading through Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson, I experienced this “aha/ouch” moment. The book has been challenging my approach to God’s word. The main challenge has been to take a more holistic approach, rather than just going to the Bible for answers or comfort, Peterson exhorts the reader of Scripture to come with receptivity to the God of the Word, to engage our imagination as the narrative unfolds, and to participate in God’s great story of redemption.

My heart was soaring as I absorbed Peterson’s thoughts on reading Scripture in a more engaged way. But then he brought up suspicion. He warns that we must “abandon all condescending approaches to the Bible.” In light of this warning, he reveals that we have been indoctrinated to approach all texts with suspicion. Peterson reminds us that, “We are taught to bring a healthy suspicion to everything we read, especially when it claims authority over us.” He does not say this is wrong, but I think what hit me is that to always approach every text with this suspicion robs me of the fascination of discovery.

When I have made my Bible reading into a checklist, rather than an encounter with “the Living God who sees me” the joy seeps out of me. (Check out Genesis 16 to get a fresh taste of God’s mercy)

In light of Peterson’s exhortation, now I desire to come to the Word as a feast to be savored, rather than a specimen to be probed, investigated and “figured out.” This thinking led me to looking at the table of contents as more of a menu to peruse and ask the chef what he recommends for my meal. I am not against the goal of reading through the Bible in a year or any reading plan, I am just saying checking things off tends toward methodical hurrying through the text; instead of a slower meditative pace, enjoying each bite.

Here’s to your spiritual health. Taste and see that the Lord is good!

Can You Help Me?

O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.

(Psalm 30:2 NIV)

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 18:2-3 NIV)

Yesterday I went ice skating with my grown son and some of his friends. I love to get on the ice and glide around the rink. While skating I noticed the cutest young girl with curly hair, a pink hand-knit sweater and a swirly green skirt hanging on to the rail and making her way around the rink. Every once in a while she would let go of the security of the rail to venture out on the ice. During one of my rounds, she had fallen and was having a difficult time getting back up on her skates. As I approached her, she looked up at me and in the sweetest voice, asked “Can you help me?” I helped her up and she thanked me.

I will never forget her voice or face, as she with no embarrassment or shame asked a stranger to help her. She easily acknowledged that she couldn’t get up on her own effort. She needed help. And she was so cheerful about it.

Her childlike innocence pierced my heart. Why don’t I reach out to God with the same eagerness and joy as the little girl at the ice skating rink? God is not a stranger to me, but my proven and faithful, loving Heavenly Father, who gladly helps whenever I call. Yet sometimes the shame of getting myself in awkward predicaments leads me to timidly approach God, instead of gladly looking into his face and just asking, “Can you help me?” and then thanking Him when he does.

Cleaning Closets

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

(Psalm 51:10 NKJV)

"Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." 
–the “Collect for Purity” found in the Book of Common Prayer

On my current to-do list, I have the following things pending: review Latin, blog and clean closets. One out of three--I am blogging. But the review will probably happen when I get back to classes and cleaning closets may not happen now until the “Spring Cleaning” bug hits me some warm day in February.

Even though I haven’t tackled any closets over winter break, I have been considering the condition of my heart. Taking inventory, if you will, asking God to get rid of anything that keeps me from pure and simple devotion to Christ.

Today during a time of prayer with friends, we read the above prayer for purity to prompt our silent time of asking God to cleanse our hearts before we entered a time of thanksgiving and then intercession. The phrase “unto whom all hearts are open” gave way to the imagined scenario of cleaning out one of my closets.

I began to ask God to “clean the closet of my heart”. I realized that when I go through my clothes’ closet that I often discover outdated, old outfits that I never wear anymore. So I asked God to help me check for any outdated thinking I had about Him and His ways, to remove the old ways of relating to Him and others. To show me old habits, which keep me from totally embracing His tender mercies.

The prayer in my heart at the time wasn’t so eloquent, but the germ of the idea in prayer sprang into a full meditation of what it would be like to have God clean out the collection of old stuff that keeps me from offering full access for the Holy Spirit to work his wonders in my heart.

I want the Lord to look in my heart and see neat stacks of Spirit inspired love, wisdom, joy, peace and hope, instead of bitterness, doubt, criticism, worry and self-sufficiency. I want to be clothed with compassion, kindness and self-control. I desire to come to my heart’s closet to easily find, and then put on the characteristics of Christ for my own well-being. And with enough left over to share with others.

Knowing

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV)

The longing of my soul this year is to know Jesus more, and enjoy His presence in all the situations I encounter. So far this year, I have been allowing myself the luxury of a fairly unstructured approach to each day. I know in about a week, I will be watching my time closely, and have much occupying my mind as I delve into the semester at school.

But this semester, I hope to take better precautions in guarding my heart against the lure of boasting in my own wisdom or strength. Rather I will glory in knowing Jesus, and seeking the things that delight my Heavenly Father, as I experience his steadfast love.

May His steadfast love, justice and righteousness be poured out into our hearts this year.



Knowing You
by Graham Kendrick

All I once held dear, built my life upon,
all this world reveres and wars to own,
all I once thought gain I have counted loss,
spent and worthless now compared to this.

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You.
There is no greater thing.
You're my all, You're the best, You're my joy,
my righteousness; and I love You, Lord.

Now my heart's desire is to know You more,
to be found in You and known as Yours,
to possess by faith what I could not earn;
all surpassing gift of righteousness.

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You.
There is no greater thing.
You're my all, You're the best, You're my joy,
my righteousness; and I love You, Lord.

Oh, to know the pow'r of Your risen life,
and to know You in Your suffering,
to become like You in Your death,
My Lord, so with You to live and never die.

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You.
There is no greater thing.
You're my all, You're the best, You're my joy,
my righteousness; and I love You, Lord.

The Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Give to the LORD the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!
(1 Chronicles 16:29 NKJV)

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. (Luke 2:21 NIV)

Over the last few years of observing the Advent season, I have discovered that to celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas is not accomplished by singing the familiar song, but by continuing to reflect on Christ’s birth and early childhood over the twelve days following Christmas Eve culminating in a celebration of Epiphany on January 6th.

In my Advent devotion book, January 1st and the 8th day of Christmas coincide, which is no coincidence. The eighth day is also a significant time in a Jewish child’s life. This is the day his parents have him circumcised, as well as give their child his name. It is appropriate that on this first day of a new year that we acknowledge the Name of the one who gave life to us. Instead of focusing so much on my own goals, and how I will better my name this year, I want to “ascribe to Jesus, the glory due His name.”

In my reading today, Walter Wangerin shares a prayer that expresses my heart as I reflect on this season, and look toward the newness of this year:

There has grown in me this year again a genuine joy, O Jesus. A personal, deep down, inexpressible joy. Joy after loneliness. The joy of new relationship: for I am yours... My name is written in the Book of Life. As a baby myself—more needy than able, weaker than strong, foolish from failure, helpless and hungry—I’ve seen the sheer grace of your love: for I should be dead, but I live! I should despair, but during this Christmas too I’ve known moments of genuine peace. This cannot arise from me. It had to come as a gift from the Source of Life and Truth and Light and Bread and Love.

Surrender to the Sweetness

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ — the Message — have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives — words, actions, whatever — be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

(Colossians 3:15-17 The Message)

“This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee; more love to Thee, more love to Thee!”        -Elizabeth P. Prentiss (1818-1878)

Although we have not rung in the New Year, my mind is running ahead to make plans and goals for the next year. I have had a cold this week, and so I have had more time to sit and reflect. I often get frustrated when a cold breaks in upon my grand plans of thorough “house cleaning”. After Christmas, I want to get things in order in my home and my heart…get a fresh start.

But alas, this cold is holding me back, and all I do is meander around the house from my bed to the couch, and occasionally to the computer to check e-mail and Facebook. Today after some fruitless time trying to upload pictures, I finally made myself a cup of coffee, and I noticed on my Splenda packet these words: “Surrender to the Sweetness.” I smiled, as I knew instantly that it wasn’t just an ad on the packet, but a little reminder from my sweet Saviour to slow down…surrender and let His sweetness minister to me.

Maybe this crisis of a cold seems trivial, especially to some of my friends who are in the midst of some heartbreaking situations and trying times, but His invitation is the same, no matter how difficult of time we are having: “Cease striving, be still, my dear one, and surrender to the sweetness of my love. Remember, I am God!” (Psalm 46:10)

Yes, More love to Thee, O Christ, this is my new year’s plea!

Christmas is Over, Now What?

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3 NIV)

The days between the opening of the gifts to the beginning of a new year seem awkward to me. What am I supposed to do with myself now? No more waiting and preparing. Just piles of cookies tempting me to eat them. Presents to put away. Time to regroup. I have no plan right now. I miss sitting and contemplating the beauty of Immanuel.

The last couple days I have been fighting a cold, so instead of reading and reflecting, I have been sleeping or watching television. I need a jumpstart to return to the discipline of solitude and prayer. The subtle invasion of apathy and neglect are luring me away from “sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

Why is it so easy to wander away after such a wonderful month of faithfully seeking His face? What has crept into my mind to make me think I will be okay without acknowledging my total dependence on God? Plain old laziness.

Create in me a pure heart, O God. And renew within me a steadfast spirit. Amen.

Christmas Eve

“Christ arrives. God enters creation as every human ever has—but though the way is common, it is God who takes that way tonight, so the birth is uncommon indeed, a crack in the universe, and the baby blazes with divinity.” -Walter Wangerin, Jr.

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:6-7 NKJV

It has been tradition in our family to read the story of Christ’s birth on the eve of His arrival. With the lights of the Christmas tree setting the quiet scene, as we read through the account in Luke 2, pausing at certain places to sing a carol that echoes the narrative.

Our first Christmas Eve, we snuggled as a newlywed couple with wide-eyed wonder as we read and sang together. Maybe even imagining the day when we’d have a little one to swaddle and hold. Over time two little boys arrived into our home. The readings became less hushed, and more of a lesson in patience as parents who longed to pass along a tradition and our faith.

This year those little boys are young men, and we will read the story maybe together this morning as they come in for breakfast. Or maybe we will read it together tomorrow. Either way the joy of birth will invade our hearts once again. Amazing love, how can it be…?

Joy Comes in the Morning

You have made known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

(Psalm 16:11 NIV)

Why do I keep looking for lasting joy in experiences? While I do enjoy life, sometimes I think life owes me sunshine filled days and rosy relationships and everyone I love should live next door. I am missing my sisters who are scattered here and there. I miss my Dad whose birthday would be tomorrow, but he has passed on from this life about four years ago now.

Weeping may last for a night, and joy comes in the morning. I was reminded today that deep satisfying joy comes from God’s presence, and the presence He gives us through others. Yesterday I started out a little down, and by the end of the day I had been cheered by the simply delicious breakfast and some coffee brewed with a bit of cinnamon and topped off with eggnog (which I would never drink plain, but was good as a creamer in my coffee) and the company of two dear, sweet friends. We love just being together. Then I went and sat with a friend while she cleaned. Just being in the same house together encouraged both of us. She was motivated to tackle her house, and I got to read and relax, since I didn’t have to see the unfinished projects at my house.

Why not give some Presence this Christmas, along with the presents!

Patience

“Patience is inspired by mercy, devoid of condemnation, and evidence of the presence and power of our Holy God.” -Beth Moore

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. (James 5:11 NKJV)

Did you ever notice that patience is related to hope? And hope inspires endurance. I hadn’t really thought of hope in these relationships before, until I opened my Bible Study this evening.

At the beginning of the semester, I wanted to stay engaged with God through His Word, so I picked up Beth Moore’s study called Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit. I had left off on the chapter on patience. I had already filled up on love, joy and peace. Patience seems a timely fruit to munch on during this season of waiting.

 We have been on this journey towards the arrival of Jesus into our world, but since He has already come and returned to heaven, most of the journey has been a stroll down memory lane.

Once Christmas arrives, we begin our journey toward remembering the Cross. Jesus was our greatest example of endurance, hope and patience combined.

As we look with expectation to the unfolding of His return, we can be encouraged by the race he finished.

“… looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12: 2 NKJV)

This hope is certain: One day we will see God face to face, if we believe in Jesus, the Savior of the World!

Soon and Very Soon

"I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have…" -Jesus 

(Revelation 3:11 NIV)

As the time for celebrating Christ’s first arrival approaches in less than five days, some weariness has settled over me. I feel a bit panicked, even though I have very little left to do to get ready. Have I done enough to get ready? I guess time will tell.

I have approached this year with less fanfare than usual, and everyone seems pretty content. My oldest son noted that I haven’t been as frantic, and he likes the pace we’ve had this year. So why am I second guessing this slowed down pace? Is something missing? Peace. Quiet. Assurance.

I think I loosened my grip on the central focus, not because I’m too busy, but out of neglect. I have let my week fill up with good things, but need to keep a hold on those holy, hushed moments in the presence of God. Listening for my own sake, and because God Almighty enjoys my presence as much as I enjoy His.

So let’s encourage each other as the Day approaches…to keep our eyes on Jesus!

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13 NIV)

Hope

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

(Hebrews 10:23 NIV)

What promise are you clinging to today? Have you lost hope? Come to the spring of Living Water and be refreshed. Jesus is waiting for you and for me...