Without Words

Silence is golden, so they say. Today I felt that wealth. In the silence, my entire b
eing was at rest. It seems like with the best of friends, words aren't always crucial. Do you agree?

Sometimes when God speaks, he does so, so loudly, without words.

 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

-Psalm 19:1

For what can be mknown about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

-Romans 1

God, you are so vast. I look to you, for you see me even amongst it all. Thank you for your intimate ways!!! Thank you for speaking, at times, without words. Today I enjoyed every bit of your creation pointing back at you. Thank you for reminding me how great you are.

Grace

The tongue can bring death or life;

    those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

-Proverbs 18:21

Dwelling on this today... maybe some more words tomorrow...

If we give up on him, he does not give up - for there's no way he can be false to himself. 

-2 Timothy 2:13 in the MSG version

Remember that song, "I'll be there?" Good song... 

Today I am reminded by the faithful God that He is always for me, he has never left me, and he doesn't stop believing and loving, even when I do. 

He is constant.

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Thank you, Jesus! 

Thank you God for your grace because your love doesn't come from my earnings. For my earnings were death and yet you stepped in and gave me salvation... a way out... And thank you that it's not just some "escape," but its a LIFE. 

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. -John 10:9

May I live this life you've given. May I truly live it.

Thank you for pasture. Thank you for life abundant. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Grace

Awaken Me

AWAKEN ME!!!

Romans 13:11-14

Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 

To "wake up" is to arise! To arise is to get up, rise up, awaken, move upward, or ascend. Arise can also mean to come into being and/or to proceed forth. Asleep, I am unaware to the war of good and evil. Asleep, I forget I am a part of the body of Christ. I have purpose to fulfill. I must love, I must war, I must worship, I must fall down before thee. Ouch, I've been far from this, so often. God, may my spirit follow your lead. May I live alive, for this Spirit of God is dwelling within me.


The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. -Romans 8:11

Papa, help my unbelief or lack of concern to read into and dwell on truth. For without you, I am dying to survive. But you, Holy Spirit, you propel me to thrive- to truly live this life, to live for you, and to love you and others.

Oh, God, how I need you! Help me to rise above. Help me not to compare myself to worldly standards and to set myself in alignment with your loving touch and affection. I want to get away from living off of feelings and live in truth. I want to remain in truth. 

Thank you Father God, thank you for being holy and set apart and stooping down to make me great. Thank you for shining light on my darkness and beckoning me to you with gentleness and concern. I am yours. Help me to behave as yours, in surrender, on the daily. 

Your love is what fuels me to love. May I lay in your love each day. May I draw from you well that never runs dry. May I remember, first, that you are what/who I need most/first. I need to hear from you. I need to call on you. I need to come when you whisper my name. Thank you for your INVOLVED love. Thank you for being so far from a stand-off-ish Father. You are my friend, who is closer than a brother. And you are still The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Beginning and The End. 

“Listen! Every one who is thirsty, come to the waters. And you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Why do you spend money for what is not bread? Why spend your pay for what you do not enjoy? Listen well to Me, and eat what is good. Find joy in the best food. Listen and come to Me. Hear, so you may live. -Isaiah 55

Awake & Listening,

Grace

Slow Down

 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. -Romans 13:7

Honor: showing of usually merited respect.

Respect comes from appreciation. 

Appreciation says, "You are of great worth to me."

Don't assume people know their worth in your life.

Christ went out of His way, being moved by compassion, stopping in his tracks, taking time to notice and listen, and respond to people. He served those closest to Him, washing their feet and setting an example of how to lead with a heart of humility. The Spirit of God takes time to lavish love on me, remind me of what Jesus said, and draw me near to Him. 

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are... -1 John 3:1

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. -John 14:26

 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day -John 6:44

So slow down, self. Take time to serve, to lead, to listen, to minister, and to walk in obedience, and to love. Take time to give honor where honor is due and show appreciation.

Lately, I've found myself in a few situations, small moments, where I've encountered a quick decision- will I do this for so and so or not... I find that I've more often defaulted to- "Nah, no big deal." And I've carried on without going "out of my way." But this is so opposite of Jesus, wouldn't you agree? 

Mark 5

When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

“You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

I want to learn to listen again and be patient to love. For love is patient. Love turns you around.

Grace

Stopping for directions?...

Are you thinking about it?

-->Stopping for directions, I mean.

They say if you're a man, you're probably just not gonna want to do that. They say if you're a woman, you are.

Oh but that's just what they say...

Who are those theys anyways?

Right?

And who stops for directions anymore?

Seriously.

GPS on your phone?

Oh America.

Oh technology!

For you, I am thankful.

So back to directions...

You're lost and you get your directions, whether it be from a gas station clerk (if your stuck in the past) or from you talking telephone (if your in touch with tech) ;)...either way, you get 'em. ...Now you know the way. You know which turns to take in order to arrive at your destination. You now know you can get where you need to be. So all you gotta do is do it--> drive there. Go!

Well, ok, track with me...

What if you got the directions to your destination and decided to just sit in the car. Like, to just sit, and not to drive to where you need to be. Weird, right? What if you were so glad to receive the directions but instead of turning the key and pulling that little handle into "D" and pressing on the gas peddle, and getting there, you just sat there and missed out, for no good reason.

There was nothing stopping you from what awaited, but, your lack of action.

What if you received directions and shared the directions with someone else who was looking for the same party, same event, or meeting...

You gave them the way, but didn't even take it for yourself...

What if you did something like that and then got upset that youv missed the party/event/meeting...

What if you blamed someone else for your lack of following directions? Odd.

That's what direction is given for, right?

It's given to be followed.


Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,

Psalm 1 shares some direction here. You can think 3 truths, right? It's almost like 3 steps... If you want to be blessed- don't walk here, stand here, or sit here. Easy, right? Nice little Psalm to mull over a few times.

I can do so much with this verse! I can read it and memorize it and write it out and tell it to someone. I can preach it, blog it, tweet it. I can tattoo this verse on my arm for all to see. I can write a song about this verse and sing it in some beautiful/melodious ways.

Just like stopping for directions for driving, if I stop to seek direction/word/truth from the Lord, and I sit on it... if I don't put it into action, if I don't receive, past the correction/conviction, if I preach & share it but don't live it...I am missing the greatest part!

Ya see the next part of the Psalm goes like this:


but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

This part speaks to me, "Grace, you don't have to just hear what NOT to do. I have ACTION for you to take! There is delight and indulgence in this instead of that. And there is great reward/blessing that follows." It's not all about not going this way...it's about going that way...a better way, the way that leads to life. (Not always easier or prettier or more popular, but, surely->the far greater way.)


For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.-Mat.7:14


It's not just about rules, it's about relationship. And in order to develop this beautiful, vast relationship with God, we've got to slow down, seek, listen, and obey Him. I've gotta dig deeper than regulations and don'ts and find the "dos." 

That's part of the beauty of relationship. It's enjoyable, challenging, adventurous and new.

I'm convinced that when we begin to stop, listen, and follow directions, we make it to some out-of-this-world-blessed places.

I wanna go.

Grace

High-Impact

Ok, first, check out this video-

 Interesting? Yes, I'd say so.

Today I'm thinking about "high-impact." Hence the vid. What is it? ....One definition for high-impact is "to have great effect." This kind of effect is grand-eee-ohs! Great effect is unusually large in dimension or considerable in intensity. We're talking BIG time effect! 

Isn't God high-impact?!? God's Word is so high-impact. 

...so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. -Isaiah 55:11

When God is speaking, it's time to tune in, shut out whatever else is begging for attention, and to listen carefully. His word comes with high-impact purpose from the King...

...alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. -Hebrews 4:12

I appreciate God's word! This word alive sheds some hight-impact lighting, opening eyes and hearts to truth... high-impact truth. This truth that changes us and sets us free!

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” -John 8:32

And then I think about the different types of promises we find throughout the bible, God's word... Here's just one example:  

I will cleanse you of your filthy behavior. I will give you good crops of grain, and I will send no more famines on the land. -Ezekial 36:29

I am thinking about this truth statement, above. When God spoke through the prophet to the people...these were not, in any way, empty words. These words were sure and choice...chosen with a definite purpose...a purpose that would unlock the curse of sin and death and bring light and love and life to all who believed.

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” -Mark 9:23

Father, Thank you for the WORD! I need you. I want your word. I love to remember the high -impact life changes that have followed the revealing of truth in my life. May I consume and search and hunger for your truth with growing desire and reliance each day. Moment by moment, help me to turn to you. In every season--when circumstances feel desperate and when they don't, remind me how your faithfulness is constant. I NEED YOU ALWAYS! Please forgive me for acting, speaking, believing anything contrary.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. -Hebrews 4:15-16

Jesus, thank you for making this high-impact encounter so very personal. Help me not to miss you in all the moments. I want to respond to your powerful Word with obedience, belief, and discipline. 

...I also want to converse with the one I love and walk hand-in-hand with you today. 

Grace

The Uncommon

"Thank God!"

I hear this phrase often. We all do, right? Some say it, and it feels personal. Others say it, and it feels like just a phrase. Sometimes it's said both ways from these lips. Meaningful and flippantly. Sometimes I'm truly giving God the praise and thanksgiving he SO deserves. Other times I default to the phrase in the midst of a moment of relief.

Today I heard it shouted out by a co-worker. Isn't it kind of funny how its discouraged to bring religion/political conversation into the workplace but shouting out a big "Thank you!" gratitude prayer to God, during the mid-day rush, doesn't get a second thought- never mind a strange look. I did take note of it today. Sometimes I wonder what it means to others when they "thank God"... Come to think of it, I did see a "Have you thanked God today?" bumper sticker on the road, in front of me, just this morning. I wonder if that person thanks God everyday...

With all this thought about gratitude towards The Almighty God, I want to practice giving thanks today. Here's the thing- I want to give thanks for the uncommon. I want to give thanks for that which I wouldn't regularly or normally think to give thanks for.

Here it goes- not just a phrase but a real thank you God-

Father, thank you that I've never been hospitalized for any illness, surgery, or medical mystery of sorts. My body is healthy, whole, and 98% of the time- truly without pain. This is not the case for a lot of people in the world and I do not count this for granted today. With this thanks, I do want to request that you completely renew that slight percentage that hurts today. But again, thank you for it because it helped me to recognize that my daily painless body is so appreciated. THANK YOU GOD!

Second, I want to thank you for education. Thank you for the ability to listen, process, understand, and gain knowledge. I am in a place where I am learning so much in school. It's often easy to focus on how tough the discipline aspects of studying is instead of focussing on how much you have enabled me to take in about something I knew nothing about just a year ago. Thank you. And forgive me for my attitude that isn't always aligned with this truth. Help me to see this season for what it is- a real gift and privilege.

Lord, thank you for a home. Not only does my family reside in shelter, but we reside in a house more thank fitting to keep us safe. We are in luxury with things and devices that are completely unnecessary for survival. Extras! Many times I look at what we don't have but today I want to bring you PRAISE for you have allotted me an abundance. A great abundance. Thank you. May I never forget this.

Thank you for the past. Today you brought to mind a couple of people I haven't seen in a while. These were significant relationships that I no longer have the time or ability to grow/move forward with. I want to thank you for the time and grace you gave me to form those relationships in the past. I want to recognize that your love was the only reason I was able to spend the time I did with the people that I miss so much. Thank you for memories. Thank you for lessons learned. And thank you for opportunity to invest and to receive great blessings.

In the great words of Frontline- "You have given to me more than I deserve. Even when I only took from you, you still gave."

Thank you, God.

Really.

Grace

OFF

Remember that there are times you don't need a song, or a group of people, or a book, or a preacher, or a profound quote, or a conversation. Sometimes you just have to shut everything OFF and be with God.

That's it tonight.

Grace

I Need You

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

Ok, so...I know God's ways are not my ways, right? Yes, pretty clear there. But I find myself, often, thinking God's ways are not only different from my ways, but they are less than my ways. I find myself believing that MY way is better than GOD'S way. Hmm...

I find myself steering away from convictions and light, towards my own preferences and pleasures... Warring with the Spirit within me, my flesh screams out selfishly, "I'm right!!!!!."

Wrong.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Let's take a look to the truth of the matter...


Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
“For 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.
As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.”


God's ways are higher than mine. His perspective leaves nothing out of view, while mine is often short and limited. His love is so vast and it covers a multitude of sins and freely pardons the evil-doer (me). His compassion is so deep, his attention is so unhindered, His admiration and generosity- so extended. He is grace-filled, mercy-filled, and everlasting. He never runs dry, runs out, runs tired or weary. My God is for me. He is for my victory and in my favor.

Father, forgive me for trying Grace's way so often. May I turn first to you. Help me to lean on truth and not my wavering opinions. I need you! Oh, how I need you!

Grace

Oklahoma

Today is a prayer dedicated to Oklahoma tragedy victims. I pray in the authority of the name of Jesus Chirst. God, thank you. Thank you for physical safety and for the vital things I forget to daily count as a blessing from you. I forget, so easily, that I am divinely cared for and protected.

"...they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." -Psalm 91:12

Thank you for the lives that you spared this week. Thank you for the people that you positioned in safety from the violence of these storms. I don't understand fully why there were such a number of deaths, and it is just such painful news, but I do want to acknowledge that I truly do believe you divinely protected so many lives. We acknowledge that-thank you!!! Bring peace that transcends understanding over the unanswered questions, like, "Why?"

Release peace to fall and cover like rain.

I pray for comfort for the teachers who lost their classrooms, for elderly who lost their homes, for moms that lost the house they cared for and dads who lost their place of work. I pray for kids who lost their parent and parents who lost their kids...and on and on and on...I ask that you, Comforter, would wrap your arms around these people. May they feel and know your embracing comfort. It is so real. Open eyes and soften hearts to truth so that the hurt will receive.

For Oklahoma, as a state, may their be a spirit of HOPE and unification. I pray for the leadership to follow wisdom and courage to make the important decisions necessary to move forward in restoration. May those in charge, look to you for help.

I thank you God for compassion. Thank you for organizations that have quickly rushed in to aid the scene of this tragic happening. Bless those who have given time, monetary donation, and gifts of love.

I pray for America. May we stop and look to you today, God...May the believer and the unbeliever stop and search for you. May we look to you for answers, for strength, for divine guidance, and for love. Clearly- WE NEED YOU. Thank you that nothing is too difficult for you.

In the Healing name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.

He Is Able

People can be changed.

...even the people you least expect.

Plans can be altered.

...so dramatically.

Mindsets can be renewed.

Things can turn out much differently than expected.

Nothing is impossible.

Nothing is too far gone for God to redeem and make new.

Believe this.

Hope.

In the bible- in Mark 10:27, when Jesus says, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." This possible in its word origin is described as a possible based on power. Don't underestimate the power of the God we serve.

Sometimes I forget the ability and the might of the ALMIGHTY GOD I serve. Sometimes I don't come to him with the belief that He is able. 

Today I want to dwell on this truth- He IS able.

Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, To him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. -Eph 3:20-21

Father, won't you lift the head of the discouraged woman and infuse her heart with light that it might shine out and transform the atmosphere where she is right now. Make your Spirit be made known in the place she stands. For you hold all authority, Jesus. In your name, may light triumph and WIN in her situations, in her conversations, and confrontations. This may not be easy but may your daughter not quit. May she find strength in your still small voice today. Draw those people in by your gentle love. As your kids, may we be imitators of you. Just like people tell us that we remind them of this or that family member- may we be found looking more like you. I want to become less like me and more you. I know that prayer may sound easy but I know the process can't be. Open my eyes, help me to listen and obey truth. In your Almighty powerful name Jesus- Amen. 

You Are

Getting to know someone is a vital piece in building a relationship with another person. Desire to spend time around someone else grows as you know them more and find out what they're truly like...This is more than a 1st impression. Rich relationship comes from much honesty and many experiences lived together. It will take time to develop. But as we all know, rich relationship- costly as it can be- is well worth the work.

Tonight I am thinking about my friend, God. Just like other friends in my life- he and I have experiences and memories and moments that I love. We have had times of strong connection and intimacy and we've had times where I've failed to call or pick up his call. One things for sure- any inconsistency is not on HIS end. It's always been my own.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. -Hebrews 13:8

When I think about the Lord, I think about his Love. It's so constant. As I've been attempting to tune in to the Holy Spirit and His still small voice, I am being reminded again and again how gracious and gentle and truthful He is and remains. God truly is slow to anger and abounding in love.

Grace

Be You

The closest people to me, in my life, are those who know me best. I keep them close. I trust and confide in them. (And when I say confide I do mean talk their ears off ;))  I love to be understood and accepted. I lean on friendships when I'm weak, to strengthen me and support my tired being. These are people who are invested in me and believe in my potential for greatness. These close companions uplift me! I'd say there is a bit of reliance on real friends. In the spiritual battle, I look for them, so that I am aware of where they are...I want them to know my location too because we're on the same side. We know we have to watch each other and remember we're in this together. We fight for and with each other. I trust and believe what they say because they speak to me with understanding of who I am and the ways I process their words. They are considerate. And with all that... they are still, all, very imperfect.

And that's where my greatest best friend, God, stands alone.

He is holy and good always, with no error, no confusion, he is pure, rich, immense, vast, Holy, and Love. 
He is love. ->God is love!!... And He is still my friend. 

God chooses me!

God chose me and you.

God created me. He made plans for my life, specifically. He cares for my inmost parts, thoughts, and happenings of my soul.

So this thought comes-> Why, in the world, do I come to God guarded & closed off?

I could spend 20 minutes in the morning or evening "in prayer," in communication with God- but all the while unwilling to be real...to open my heart completely, to tell him exactly what's going on. Yes, so there is this "time spent together." But its almost as awkward as going out to lunch with one of my best friends, as I described, and sitting there with them having meaningless "small talk" about the weather and the food on our plates when there are somethings or far greater importance to be shared. I just wouldn't do that! I wouldn't pick the shallow over the deep. I'd plunge right in and open up my heart to my friend. I'd confide! We'd converse. There'd be listening and laughing and sometimes tears of joy or sorrow or pain. And hopefully the two of us would walk away from our lunch date, better, edified, supported, and enlightened...

Now why is my relationship with God, on a daily basis, honestly, not surpassing the greatness of that encounter I just described having with a close friend at lunch???

Reality check: I am prone to sugar coat it with Jesus. Maan! Dang it. That truth sucks...

"I sugar coat my prayer life." -Grace Sullivan

Ouch. Who wants to confess that? Who wants to own that? But the reality here is that I do! I  so often live and pray like God can't take it... ya know, what I'm thinkin'. I act as if he doesn't already know my thoughts...


You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. -Psalm 139:4

^ And there ya go, that belief is so wrong. Because he does know my thoughts. He knows everything about me better than I know about myself. He is so engaged with Grace Sullivan. He is so thoughtful of my living and thinking and speaking. He is so within me. He is surrounding and interceding for me, and ahead of me-beckoning and calling, behind me- reminding me to keep looking ahead, and he's beside me always, offering his hand to hold and companionship to grasp onto. He is the greatest friend.

So why do I come to Him bringing a shallow/closed off version of me and call it intimate "connection?"


Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. -Psalm 62:8

God is not going to punish my honesty or put down my vulnerability. Honesty is so much for my benefit, if you think about it. He already knows the truth. When I own up to my emotions and thought life and fears and concerns-I render myself to God's grace and revealing of truth, and ultimately, His CHANGE AND HEALING POWER. Honesty invites that in.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. -1 Peter 5:6-7

Humility comes honestly. Humility will often hurt. But humility will heal us.

So God, let's talk...

Presence

Do you remember "roll call" in grade school?... 

Unlike this famous missing student- Ferris Bueller... God is not absent. He is present.

If you look up the synonyms for "presence," there you will find the word- "attendance." Do you picture your relationship with God- his presence in your life- like the scene above? Are you taking "attendance," and finding He's no where to be found? Or is he taking attendance and you are un-engaged, tuned out, and completely unaware of His voice and call? 

And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. (Ezekial 22:30)

(May I be attentive, and wide awake to your presence and desires, God.) 

Psalm 31

How great is the goodness

    you have stored up for those who fear you.

You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,

(May I come running to YOU for protection and safety before running to my own bag of tricks and resources. May I believe that you are the shield I belong behind, covered. You have far more strength than I can ever muster up.)  

1 Corinthians 1:25
This "foolish" plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength.

Psalm 31
  You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
 blessing them before the watching world.

    safe from those who conspire against them.

You shelter them in your presence,

    far from accusing tongues.

(Your presence is a haven...a safe guard...a home. May I live and dwell there.) 

Psalm 17

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;

    turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

(May I seek you even when I don't feel you. May I quiet down to tune in, even when you speak in ways you haven't before. May I not grow religious but grow more intimate and aware of your voice/response. May I not fear or dismiss the desire to call out to you.)

Psalm 17

Show me the wonders of your great love,

    you who save by your right hand

    those who take refuge in you from their foes.

 Keep me as the apple of your eye;

    hide me in the shadow of your wings

 from the wicked who are out to destroy me,

    from my mortal enemies who surround me.

(In a time of great delight and enjoyment and excitement of new adventures... God, keep me. Safeguard me. May I encamp in your fortress- where I can live and worship and move and breath and rest easy. Thank you that you release me to battle and watch me with great attention. Thank you that you pull me back and hide me when its beyond these capabilities. What I can't see-> opposition that I am unaware of right now, won't you keep me from it. Guide me strong. For I believe you know the way!)

Grace

Listening

Psalm 23 is one of my favorite passages in the bible. It is so personal to me. In fact, I love to write poetry and songs, and one of my most intimate songs to date is one that kind-of... holds hands with Psalm 23. I'd like to say- "they're friends!"...The song and the psalm. ;) ...And what I mean by that-kind -of-odd statement is that they just go together. (lol) I think David and I perhaps shared a similar notion in these writings. We do both serve the same Shepherd...

Ok, so taking a looksy at Psalm 23- something, in particular, is jumping out today! We find David referencing a number of different places at which his relationship with God is acknowledged:

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.

2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

I'm here. I'm aware. I'm engaged.- This is what I hear from the Lord upon my heart today. 

Note that in these six very different locations highlighted above, our Shepherd's involvement is ACTIVE. He IS engaged. He IS aware. He IS moving and acting and changing and allowing and guiding and blessing and providing, and comforting, and preparing, and pursuing! Wow, talk about active! He is full on/all the way, right? And it's not just in one type of  atmosphere!

What's impressed upon my heart today is this: Often I feel an obligation to move and act and frantically wave my arms for attention from The King. I work and strive and try to impress, just hoping for his praise and love and adornment... hoping He'll notice and acknowledge me so that I might feel worth where I'm at.. So that I might get a word from Him. So that I might feel that I've done enough for Him to want to truly engage with me today. -->ERRRRR--- > Yikes- red light! Gotta stop here. 

Seriously????? This is blatant false perspective. And it amazes me how long I spend in this frame of mind. The real truth says:

"I am your refuge and strength- an ever-present help in time of need." (see ps. 46:1)

I know when you sit and when you rise; I perceive your thoughts from afar.
I discern your going out and your lying down; I am familiar with all your ways.
Before a word is your my tongue I, Lord, know it completely.
I hem you in behind and before, and I lay my hand upon you. 

Where can you flee from my presence? 

Where can you go from my Spirit? 

If you go up to the heavens, I am there; 

if you make your bed in the depths, I am there.  (see ps.139)                        

Loud and clear resounds: I AM INTIMATE!!!! I am close!!! I am aware!!! I am in love with you! Will you come and listen to me speak truth over you? For the waving of your arms and striving for some form of attention is a loss if you don't realize I'm already with you. I'm already devoted. I'm already aware. I'm already invested. Listen. Quiet soul, just listen. For I am making streams in the desert and providing insight and wisdom of great depths. You are trying to prove yourself and that keeps you from me- it keeps you focused on you. 

Listen and hear: "Grace..." 

I call to you.

Anywhere you are- I can intervene. In the library, car, bookstore, classroom, workplace, bedroom, friend's house, church, grocery store, street, mall, kitchen. Believe. Let go. 

And just listen...

I love you. I want you. I hear your prayers. Invest your heart for, in me, you will always find reward. Let go!

Reader, my prayer for you is that you, too, find yourself listening to God speak.

Grace

(*Note: Above is parts from Psalm 139. I flipped all the I's and You's to read it as if God were speaking to me, instead of the psalmist speaking to God. Please note that the scripture IS written as the Psalmist to the Lord. And don't take this the wrong way, I'm in no way trying to  alter the Word of God- I do believe all scripture is God- breathed- and David scribed them. This is an exercise to help receive the truth and gain healthy perspective of relationship with God and the truth of how He sees you and me.)

Asking for Change

My last blog post was over 2 months ago... Here we are in May and I've been feeling a pull back into the "Wonderful World of Daily Postings." You know the place? Why's that? Well, I tend to be a bit black & white when it comes to some things in life. (BLOGGING is one of those things- for certain.) I either do it or don't. When I do it- it is always a sharpening tool for me. I find its a great way to spend free time. It pushes me to seek, and in result, find truth. It also keeps an intentional daily conversation going between me and God. Heaven knows I'm a processor... I must verbally process- or I get a little nutty. ;) And boy, do I need to hear from God!

So... 

With these valid reasons- I'm choosing to do it again. The last blog run was through January and February- a commitment of 49+ days. It was a successful run. This time let's go 60 solid! That will put me through July 13. By that time I will be one week post one of my biggest academic challenges thus far. An 8 week craaazy intense course- which I'll spare all the gory details about. 

 I'm choosing to make this blog commitment because I believe it will be a strengthening discipline in the midst of an extremely challenging task that I've just gotta complete.

Let's go...

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. -Jeremiah 33:3



Other versions describe these things as: mysterious, mighty, difficult, fenced, incomprehensible, remarkable secrets. 



Father- Here I am. Lifting my eyes up to you. Calling on your name, Jesus! I want to know your heart and I want to hear from you. I want to render myself to your changing truth. So I let go of distraction and I sink my feet in deeper- that your tides and washing will pull me even deeper. Oh, how I'd hate to find myself settling for a life outside your personal relationship, interaction, sanctifying truth and divine guidance. So here's 60 days- set aside- to go with you. Away. Holy Spirit, help me not to turn off the course- help me to keep looking for you everyday. Let's go!!!!!


Grace