2 Timothy 1:6
'Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you..'
This morning as I looked out on my day and pondered an event that would stretch me I was reminded again that even our spiritual gifts are in 'the process of becoming'. They need to be developed through use. The early stages of exercising a gift or using it in a new way can be a little frightening and can push us beyond our comfort zone. However according to Paul that's no excuse not to go there. 2 Timothy 1:7 says:
'God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, of love and self discipline.'
When I'm timid that's means I'm operating out of the old me. According to this I don't need to settle for that for God has already given me a spirit of power, love and self discipline. All it took was an acknowledgement that I needed Him and a request for Him to move through me with power, love and self discipline. It was fun to see how others noticed the difference and saw something in me that they didn't realize was there before. Thank You, God, You make all the difference.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Waiting Rooms
I have waited in a few waiting rooms in my time. At first it can feel like quite a relief as so often I have hurried to the appointment and am glad to find that they are not waiting on me. I usually look around the room at my "competitors" to see if any look at all like they might want to engage in a little friendly conversation. However, usually they all have their "don't talk to me, I'm busy waiting" face on. At that point I pull out the book or project that I brought with me so I don't waste time. The thing about waiting rooms is that you never know when you will be called on to meet with the person you are there to see. It could be in 30 seconds, 30 minutes or what seems more like 30 hours. It's impossible to know when they will call your name but you would really rather it be now! Then what's really upsetting is that you see someone who came in after you being ushered into the next room. What's with that?!
I'd have to say though that the worst I have ever experienced has been in God's waiting room. It always seems like a long wait there. You'd think, wouldn't you, that at least God would arrange it so that you don't have to wait! At times He's left me waiting for what seems like years and in some cases actually was...many years. For whatever reason He has left me there I'm almost certain He's forgotten that He and I even have an appointment. Sometimes I'm in a great deal of pain and desperately need Him to take care of it...but often times it appears He is in no hurry at all. That's so frustrating because I know He could fix my aches and pains in a second if He chose to. What's He doing?!
The other day I waited 2 hours to be seen at the doctors office. Eventually I was the only one left in the waiting room - had they forgotten about me? But no after 1 1/2 hours they took me back to the doctors office...where I waited some more. If I could just see what was going on outside of the waiting room perhaps I would understand and be able to appreciate the necessity of the wait. It turns out that one patient had a blood clot in his leg and two others had major problems as well. But don't you wish that God would just give you a glimpse at what's going on out there sometimes?
It seems that God is not in the business of just fixing things. When I think about it He likes things to grow...like our faith, our love relationship with Him and others, not to mention who we are as His 'ever in process' creation. One of the benefits of being 'in process' for a while is that you can look back and for the most part see that He knew what He was doing. I have found that God has used His waiting room for many things in my life. Things like getting my attention, making me stop and face the realities in my life that need addressing, producing character and perseverance, sometimes it has even been for the benefit of others and often times providing protection I don't even know I need. There are times when I simply have no idea why all the waiting...but I don't need to know. When it comes down to it, all I really need to know is that my God is totally trustworthy, faithful and good.
Waiting
Waiting is a killer
It requires me to be stiller
Stiller than ever I’m contented to be
When the future is hazy
It makes me feel crazy
Crazy with frustration over what I can’t see
In Your arms I must rest
But it feels like a test
Test and know my heart, that’s my plea
As one in the dark
Bring Your peace to my heart
Heart of trust so that fear may will flee
I will know no disgrace
If I live by His grace
Grace and power that’s sufficient for me
7-3-06
Psalm 139:23, 24
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.
Isaiah 50:7,10
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame...Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
I'd have to say though that the worst I have ever experienced has been in God's waiting room. It always seems like a long wait there. You'd think, wouldn't you, that at least God would arrange it so that you don't have to wait! At times He's left me waiting for what seems like years and in some cases actually was...many years. For whatever reason He has left me there I'm almost certain He's forgotten that He and I even have an appointment. Sometimes I'm in a great deal of pain and desperately need Him to take care of it...but often times it appears He is in no hurry at all. That's so frustrating because I know He could fix my aches and pains in a second if He chose to. What's He doing?!
The other day I waited 2 hours to be seen at the doctors office. Eventually I was the only one left in the waiting room - had they forgotten about me? But no after 1 1/2 hours they took me back to the doctors office...where I waited some more. If I could just see what was going on outside of the waiting room perhaps I would understand and be able to appreciate the necessity of the wait. It turns out that one patient had a blood clot in his leg and two others had major problems as well. But don't you wish that God would just give you a glimpse at what's going on out there sometimes?
It seems that God is not in the business of just fixing things. When I think about it He likes things to grow...like our faith, our love relationship with Him and others, not to mention who we are as His 'ever in process' creation. One of the benefits of being 'in process' for a while is that you can look back and for the most part see that He knew what He was doing. I have found that God has used His waiting room for many things in my life. Things like getting my attention, making me stop and face the realities in my life that need addressing, producing character and perseverance, sometimes it has even been for the benefit of others and often times providing protection I don't even know I need. There are times when I simply have no idea why all the waiting...but I don't need to know. When it comes down to it, all I really need to know is that my God is totally trustworthy, faithful and good.
Waiting
Waiting is a killer
It requires me to be stiller
Stiller than ever I’m contented to be
When the future is hazy
It makes me feel crazy
Crazy with frustration over what I can’t see
In Your arms I must rest
But it feels like a test
Test and know my heart, that’s my plea
As one in the dark
Bring Your peace to my heart
Heart of trust so that fear may will flee
I will know no disgrace
If I live by His grace
Grace and power that’s sufficient for me
7-3-06
Psalm 139:23, 24
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.
Isaiah 50:7,10
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame...Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Your Love is Extravagant
Your Love is Extravagant
Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel like moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in the secret place
Cause Your love is extravagant
Spread wide in the arms of Christ there's a love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known: You consider me Your friend
Capture my heart again
I think Casting Crowns song "Your Love is Extravagant" is beautiful. I have been enjoying it lately as it puts words to how I feel about God and all He means to me. This morning as I came aside to listen to Him and worship Him my heart seemed full and yet I couldn't seem to get into words what I would have liked to say to Him. Honestly, that was frustrating and in the end I had to just say "For what it's worth, Lord, here I am - no amazing words that encapsulate even a whisper of Who You are and how I feel about You." Then as I scrawled down the following poem He gave me perspective. You've gotta love Him!
No Other Place
I feel there’s so much to say
But I can’t get it out
I’m blown away by Your ways
I’d like to sing and shout
But my less than vibrant soul
Seems unable to respond
I long to be whole
And relish in our special bond
You know I am but dust
And could by a breath be puffed away
So on You I am thrust…
…that’s perfect I would say
For there is no other place
I would rather be
Than gazing in Your lovely face
With Your arms around me
7-3-09
Psalm 27: 4-6
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel like moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in the secret place
Cause Your love is extravagant
Spread wide in the arms of Christ there's a love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known: You consider me Your friend
Capture my heart again
I think Casting Crowns song "Your Love is Extravagant" is beautiful. I have been enjoying it lately as it puts words to how I feel about God and all He means to me. This morning as I came aside to listen to Him and worship Him my heart seemed full and yet I couldn't seem to get into words what I would have liked to say to Him. Honestly, that was frustrating and in the end I had to just say "For what it's worth, Lord, here I am - no amazing words that encapsulate even a whisper of Who You are and how I feel about You." Then as I scrawled down the following poem He gave me perspective. You've gotta love Him!
No Other Place
I feel there’s so much to say
But I can’t get it out
I’m blown away by Your ways
I’d like to sing and shout
But my less than vibrant soul
Seems unable to respond
I long to be whole
And relish in our special bond
You know I am but dust
And could by a breath be puffed away
So on You I am thrust…
…that’s perfect I would say
For there is no other place
I would rather be
Than gazing in Your lovely face
With Your arms around me
7-3-09
Psalm 27: 4-6
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
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