A quick thought...

My week has been busier than I anticipated.  I'll be back to Song of Solomon on Monday. 

I spent today doing yard work with my oldest daughter and her sweetheart.  My husband has a really bad back, so it has become my job to help keep things mowed and cared for.  I will be honest.... I have never, ever mowed my own yard.  Even growing up my brother or my dad always did the yard work.  Honestly, I've always been scared to mow.  Guess it's crazy, but I never thought I could really do it.  But things happen, situations change.... and you find yourself needing to broaden your scope of ability.  I didn't want to do it, I hate to sweat, I hate dirt, I'm south a prissy southern girl over all! :)

But today, I got out there, hair in a bandanna, old clothes, ready to tackle a new challenge in my life.  We have a very rough yard, not smooth at all!  So I started really slow... gosh I was so afraid of turning over. But then, after a little while, I was more comfortable, and cranked up the speed.  Before I knew it... I looked back and the yard was finished!  Wooo Hooo!!!  I did it.  And I was really proud.

So.. what is the point behind my long story?  Well... I think that sometimes God calls us to do something hard for Him.  Something that maybe we have not ever done before, have no idea how to do, etc.  But if we step out on faith, even small steps, however unstable they may be, before long, we find out that we were able to do it all along!  God always equips us when we step out of faith.  And before we know it..He is calling us to take another step, then another.... and all along God is there, equipping, preparing, giving us all we need in that moment.

I have to think of the scripture.  I can do all things through Christ which gives me strength!  Phil 4:13

That's it.  I hope everyone has a wonderful, blessed, amazing and glorious Sunday!  God is so amazing!  He is worthy of all of our praise!

God's Superior Love ...

GOD'S SUPERIOR LOVE

How God Feels About Us!  Jesus love for us is better than wine!  Praise the Lord!

Spiritual Immaturity Is Not Rebellion:

God feels different emotions related to how people respond to Him.  So many are confused about the Love of God.  Repentance is a changing of attitude of the heart that turns "from sin" and "to God" according to the "light of understanding".  Spiritual immaturity is not the same as rebellion.  God looks inwardly when we see outwardly. 

Our repentance, obedience and love for God are real and sincere even while they are weak and flawed.  Weak love is not false love!  The sincere intention to obey God is distinct from the attainment of mature obedience!  The believer who sins shows their sincerity by QUICKLY REPENTING and renewing their war against that sin. 

God delights in a sincere desire  or cry in our spirit to obey Him.  God does not confuse spiritual immaturity with rebellion.  If we become confused by this (especially we who are "seasoned" Christians, we will bring others under deep condemnation). 

A good way to illustrate.  David seemed to commit much more serious sins than Saul, but God's favor continued with David?  Why?  When David sinned his heart was wounded because he grieved God's heart!  He cared more about his RELATIONSHIP with God than the consequences of being caught.  When Saul sinned he planned to continue in it until caught and confronted.  He only gave an outward show of repentance as he continued in rebellion.

MY NOTE:  I must say that these simple thoughts have brought me so much freedom in my life and how I see my passion for the Lord.  And it has changed my eyes to see those new in the faith more as He does!

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THE SWEET PERFUME OF GOD'S PERSONALITY

The Father's affection and personality is a sweet perfume.  We rest in the God who sees, feels, runs and embraces and kisses our heart.  (Luke 15:20 - Prodigal Son)

The father SAW the prodigal son - God's view of His people.

The father FELT COMPASSION for the prodigal son - God's tenderness for His people.

The father RAN TOWARDS the prodigal son - God's action and initiative for His people.

The father EMBRACED (fell on) the prodigal son - God's affection for His people.

The father KISSED the prodigal son - God's desire for nearness with His people!!!

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Father God, thank You for Your amazing love and grace that covers me.  Thank You that when I seem to fail You in so many ways, that You see my heart and know that I still have set the course to follow You.  Thank You for seeing my heart.  For loving me... .for forgiving me and allowing me to carry on in my walk to serve You more.  May my heart always follow after you.  Amen

Some thoughts from the Song of Solomon...

Some revelations:

Jesus has a passionate affection for and enjoys His people.

In the Song of Solomon the beauty of Jesus as the Bridegroom King is revealed.

The fact that Jesus see's all believers as beautiful, even in our weakness.

There are many principles of growing love and a mature partnership with Jesus in the Song of Solomon.

The Brides journey began with longing for the kisses of His Word and ended up encountering Jesus in His holy jealous love.  

Many times in the Song of Solomon there is phrasing about kisses on the mouth.  This is a symbol of a loving, marriage relationship between God and His Bride (believers).  It is a love like none other!

God is raising up a people who long for the kisses of God's Word!

The ultimate purpose and meaning for our life is to experience intimacy with God.

Some paradox ideas:

The Bride begins her journey with Grace.  Song 1:5-6  I am dark (in heart), but lovely (to God)..... my own vineyard (heart) I have not kept.  We are a sinful people, our heart is dark because we have not "kept it" by choosing to serve Him and grow closer to him.

But she has a desperate cry to have more of Him.  Tell me, O You whom I love, where do You feed your flocks... she is looking for where to find Him.

In verse 16 the Bride begins to understand that she is beautiful and pleasant to Him.

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A few more principles to think on:

God loves unbelievers.

God enjoys and delights in young (immature) believers.  God loves unbelievers, but he rejoices over believers.  He delights in our repentance and our newness in Him.  He smiles over us as we begin the growth process... long before we become mature!

God's enjoyment is not the same as His approval.  We must remember that we make mistakes even as believers, we need His correcting.  And He will correct us!  He loves and enjoys us as we learn and grow and strive to be intimate and pure with Him... but we still do things He will not approve of.

God's discipline is not the same as His rejection!  This is wonderful!  He disciplines us... but He never rejects us if we continue to grow and mature and seek His face!  When we find we are being disciplined... be joyful... because that means he has NOT given up on us!

God is grieved over the persistent sin of His people.  Just as stated in Rev. 3:16-17 God hates luke-warmness!  When we continue to sin we can NOT remain in His garden.  We can not be His bride, His lover... God loves us so much, but His presence can not abide in the presence of sin!

Spiritual disciplines do not earn us favor with God.  Prayer, fasting, meditation on His Word are ordained by God, but they do not gain us favor.  God gives to us on the basis of our heart and how much we love and serve and seek His face!

Maturity allows us to receive more, Not to be LOVED more.  God grants a greater measure of power to those who are mature in our relationship with Him... but He loves us all the same, regardless of where we are.  His love is passionate, immeasurable, and amazing!!!

Ok, that is just a little of what has blessed me!  Hope you enjoy this.  I will share more soon.

My Beloved

The past few weeks I have been involved in a study on the Song of Solomon at my church.  The next few days I'm going to share some of my favorite parts.  But for tonight, I want to share the lyrics of a wonderful song called My Beloved.  It is such a wonderful and touching song...... enjoy it.

You're My Beloved
You're My Bride
To sing over you is My delight
Come away with Me My love

You're Beautiful to Me
So beautiful to Me

Under My mercy
Come and wait
Till we are standing face to face
I see no stain on you
My child

You're Beautiful to Me
So Beautiful to Me

I sing over you My song of peace
Cast all your care down at My feet
Come and find your rest in Me

I'll breathe My life inside of you
I'll bear you up on eagle's wings
And hide you in the shadow of My strength
I'll take you to My quiet waters
I'll restore your soul
Come rest in Me and be made whole

You're My beloved
You're My Bride
To sing over you is my delight
Come away with me my love

Scripture Share... More thoughts to come.

Psalm 119:57-60

You are my portion, O Lord;

I have promised to obey your words.

I have sought your face with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to your promise.

I have considered my ways

And have turned my steps to your statutes.

I will hasten and not delay

To obey your commands.

Hiding In Thee...

You have heard the phrase... I want to find a hole and crawl in it... Well that is how I have felt the last few days.  So many little annoyances that add up to stress and discontentment in my life.  I find myself easily annoyed with those I love and spend all my time with. 

Sometimes I just want to silence the world, my mind, my heart... just have no noise of any kind.  I can make my home totally quiet... but I am NO good at turning off my brain.  I envy those who can just lay their head on their pillow and be out! 

But just now, as I was telling my little ones and big ones good night.... the old hymn, "Hiding In Thee" came to mind.  What a wonderful and precious thought.  I do not need a hole in the ground.  I have a Savior, a Father, a Lover of my soul... that I can hind in at any moment.  Let me share the lyrics... it is worth a read!

O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.

Refrain

Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,”
I’m hiding in Thee.

In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o’er me its power;
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.

Refrain

How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.

Refrain

Oh thank You, my ROCK OF AGES... that I may hide in You.  That when I am in conflict, pressed by the enemy... I can run to you and "breathe out my woe".  I'm so thankful... that You love and adore my praise.  But I am blessed... that You love me so much... You are willing to listen to my moaning.  

Praise You, Thank You, I Adore You...

People Listening!

So tonight I am sitting at a local Starbucks waiting on one of my daughters to finish a Photography class!  (She is getting really good by the way!)

But I have been in this store for a little over an hour and heard at least four conversations regarding God.  Ok... I am trying not to be judgmental... truly I am... but folks are really confused and are being led astray!  I'm not talking simple little "issues" that are different from denomination to denomination... I'm talking basic BIBLICAL accountability and such.  Wow... you would have thought God was really this "mystic" being... a "fairy" that hangs out in our "earth"... well that was at least one explanation!  Wow!

Father God... please, help me to hold fast to YOUR WORD and none other.  Please let me know YOU so completely and intimately through your WORD and my time with you that I am not led astray or compromised by others "opinions".  I know that there is ONE GOD, and ONE WAY... only through Your Son JESUS CHRIST and His shedding of blood for me!  Help me when I read books, hear messages, etc.. that I not become a christian with a knowledge of catchy phrases and quotes... but of YOUR WORDS. 

Ok, that's my "soap box" for tonight!  Blessings to you all!

Cleaning Out The Temple..

I have been reading a book by Tim Hill called Beyond the Mist.  It's been a wonderful "read" about true revival.

The chapter I just finished made me take a look at my life.  It was centered around what unfolded as Jesus saw the money changers, all all that was unholy in the temple.  How they had the "dove" caged.  I have reflected on my "temple"  and what I had in it that wasn't supposed to be there.

I want, I long for a new stirring, a new revival, a new thing... beyond what I ever expected.  And I know to do that... there needs to be a cleaning.  Not that I have "deep, dark sins" anywhere... but even the small things... simple things like too much TV.  Thoughts that should be crucified, and such that I know is not perfectly pleasing to God.

Why is it so easy to put the Holy Spirit in a cage, and limit His work in my life, in my family, in my church.  Why is it so easy to let things of this "world" collect in my temple... so they are what I focus on instead of His voice, His face?  I don't want that.  I want more of HIM.  I want a so much more...

We sang a new song at church on Sunday, The More I Seek You.  I think it was made popular by Kari Jobe.  It is my hearts desire today and always.  I want to seek all that God has for me... all that He wants me to be and have... I want it all.  Not just a little, not just a portion... I want it all.  And if I have to clean house, daily, hourly, moment by moment.. I will.

Enjoy the song.

Do you have those times...

in your life when it seems that everything falls apart?  That regardless of what you do for the Lord, your family, your church... it is never enough or makes a real difference?  That's where I have been the past few days.

But anyone who knows me well also know that music is my "word"... music is what can change my situation quicker than anything else.  I love Christian music, especially worship music.  I've always loved music.

Anyway... a few nights ago, I was particularly down.  We had been informed of some upcoming changes with some of our dearest friends... changes that would carry into our church... and even our family because we love them so.  I was so defeated... I felt alone and broken and confused.  I was in tears when I clicked on KLOVE (my favorite online site for music) this song came on: 





My load was lifted.  Not gone, but such a reminder that God is right there with me.  That I am never alone in my burden.  That when my "everything" falls apart, it's just a season... but a season in which if I watch and allow Him to be... my God is strong and mighty!  I just have to keep holding on! 

Praise God for He is to always be praised!

Maundy Thursday

Tonight we our family attended the Maundy Thursday service of a local church.  Two years ago the pastor there introduced me to the Maundy Thursday services.  I had never been a part of them before, especially not in the pentecostal church.  I have to say that this Pastor is one of a kind... draws from so many aspects of church history and service types and melds them into his services.

Anyway.... once again this year, I was touched and moved so very deeply.  Thinking of our Risen King, being a servant just hours before the longest, darkest period of his life... humbles me so much. 

In this particular church, during the services, we still participate in a very lost, and misunderstood tradition of "foot washing".  It was just three years ago when I experience this for the first time.  I was not prepared for the waves of emotion that flooded me as women, whom I respect and love as mentor's... knelt beside me and washed MY feet.  The prayers they prayed touched my deepest needs and that place of longing to be truly a part of these amazing women.  Tonight was no different.  And to add to this wonderful, humbling, time.... my 3 year old, wanted her "feet washed" as well.  I couldn't tell where my tears ended and the bath of water began... and the prayers these wonderful women of God prayed over my daughter, this young tender little girl... well I have a great hope that our big and awesome God heard them all!

As we move into Friday.... and Saturday, with all the hustle and bustle of preparing for kids egg hunts, and family coming for lunch, and grocery shopping, etc....  I am determined to keep my focus on the Via Dolorosa... the way of suffering my Jesus walked.  I will remember pain and suffering He withstood as soldiers mocked Him, beat Him, humiliated Him.   I will remember the sorrow His mother felt.  I will remember the pain of what she had always known would come to pass, now unfolding in front of her. I will remember the unfathomable feeling of abandonment... my Jesus felt as His Father, turned His face away.  I will keep my focus on all that Jesus did for me.  All He endured... for just me... as if there was no one else who needed it but me. 

And Sunday... as all of my children are dressed in their new shoes and new clothes... I will focus... on the new body, the risen and transformed body, that Jesus now has.  I will remember the joy of the women who found the tomb empty.  I will remember the victory that is available to me and my life, because my Wonderful, Beautiful, Precious Jesus, ascended to hell and took hold of the keys.  I will remember as we sing of MY REDEEMER.... that Jesus sits at the right hand of His Father.  I will rejoice that the Sacrificial Lamb... is alive and waiting for me.  I will Sing The Wondrous Story.... of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. 

I will focus my life, my will, my desires, my entire being... to be more and more like my Lord, every day.  I will love people, to look past their sin and disease, and love them where they are.  I will do all I can do to "see" them as "Jesus" see's them... with compassion.  And I will work daily, to live a humble life, as a servant to all.  May I serve others in everyday, ordinary ways.... as I SERVE MY KING.

There is strength in the name of the Lord, there is power in the name of the Lord, there is hope in the name of the Lord..... blessed is he who comes, in the name of the LORD.