S = Savior who stills my storms

1/10/10 One year ago today I read in Jesus Calling: " Every time you affirm your trust in Me.....you build up equity in preparation for days of trouble. Practice trusting Me during quiet days....then when storms come, your trust balance will be sufficient to see you through."

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. (Psalm 107:29)

Then I prayed, "Lord if this doesn't "matter" for eternity, I'd rather it not be cancer."

2009 was a year of lots of storms for the Liles family---many of which would qualify for a "10" on the stress scale---but God.....was there through each storm as our very present help.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass; it's about learning how to dance in the rain." This quote, of unknown origin, succinctly states the beginning of my "dance" in my 2009 storm.

"S" words covered by my "Safety Net"

1/9/10 One year ago today I heard the word biopsy* come out of Dr. Schneider's mouth.
When you hear biopsy and it pertains to you, it's like "hearing" it for the very first time.

Though he'd never seen anything like it before and it didn't look like cancer, a biopsy was the starting point in order to rule it out.

"S" words ensued---

• surprise---2 other doctors had seen it ('91 & '94) and had dismissed it saying I wouldn't want to "mess" with it because of scarring
• socked in the stomach jolt---CANCER----that's a word I pray for others not to have
• sick---a little, but "it doesn't look like cancer" was ringing louder than the biopsy word
• scared---does a biopsy hurt????
• suffering???---I'm not big on pain

As the world, as I had known it, began to shake, my "Safety Net" began to unfold.

The fear of man lays a snare but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

Sanctuary--- “S” = safe haven because we are secure in Him.

1/6/10 Even the on-line dictionary defines sanctuary not just as a safe haven but also a holy place. It actually lists the “sacred” element of the word first. I certainly equate it with refuge provided by a holy God.

In Genesis 12:8 I see an example of both the outer (physical) and inner (spiritual) sanctuary:

Then he (Abram/Abraham) proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD

Today’s My Utmost For His Highest entry described Bethel as the symbol of communing with God and Ai as the symbol of the world. Just as he pitched his tent between the two, we are reminded of the importance of always pitching our tents (finding sanctuary) in order to have quiet times with the Lord----regardless of the noise of the world around us and often even in the midst of it.

Many of us today seek physical sanctuaries as a refuge from all that the world throws at us. They are different for each of us---a beach, the mountains, a monastic retreat center, a closet, a prayer chair or just a simple prayer cloth worn over the head, as JoLynn taught the Talapneco ladies in Mexico. But it is there that we find real sanctuary when we take it to the next level as we commune with Him in worship.

In Moses’ time the inner sanctuary of the tabernacle was the most holy place, "Holy of Holies"---where the priests met with God. It was an actual physical place to meet with the Almighty.

Find your sanctuary today. Meet with the One who is your sanctuary forever.

He is the REASON

1/4/10

The

"R"s

of a

New Year's Spiritual Resolution

Remember

Refresh

Remain

Restore

Revive

Rejoice

Renew

Return

Rely

Source: e-mail from CMF

Quiet is the “Q”

1/3/10 Often as I praise alphabetically in the middle of the night, I praise the Lord for His quiet and gentle spirit. It’s the side of Him (or attribute) that brings me comfort.

When my “anxious thoughts multiply within me,” like going back to work and tackling 2 grants and some unknowns, it’s the “Quiet God” (Upper Room 1/1) whom I seek. It is so easy for me to slip into fear mode when I have doubts about my self---some of them pretty well founded since this last surgery. I just can’t seem to remember things. Even now, I’m having trouble remembering any of those 9 days I was at work after medical leave and before semester break. (Except I do remember the butter cookies!)

So what’s a girl to do when she’s lost confidence in an area where she was once so self-assured? Hm-m-m, just typing it strikes a chord. SELF---needs to move over and sit and draw near and allow the Lord to quietly take over, “lead me beside still waters” and remind me that “In quietness and trust is your strength." (Isaiah 30:15)

Prince of Peace = P

1/2/10 Psalms for Women, a gift from Rick and Bonnie, reminded me of what Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, the author of “Streams in the Desert” wrote, “Two wings are necessary to lift our souls toward God: prayer and praise. Prayer asks. Praise accepts the answer.” I assert that it is in His Presence that prayer and praise are inexorably produced, thus leading to peace, regardless of the answer.

Peace and Presence are so-o-o connected---a profound peace comes as we experience His Presence in a powerful way.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father,The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

O is………..Omnipresence

1/1/10 Omnipresence is one of God’s divine attributes. God is present everywhere. It’s one of three characteristics that I dub as the ”all” attributes---omnipotence, “all powerful,” omniscience “all knowing” and omnipresent, “all the time.” It’s His unbounded universal Presence. He’s available always--in all situations and in all places. We just need to call upon Him in all places at all times.

If I have garnered anything from the past year, especially from “Jesus Calling,” it’s the importance of spending time in His Presence. Andrew Murray also emphasizes the importance of spending time alone with the Lord in quiet, uninterrupted communion. (The Secret of the Abiding Presence)

Today’s entry in “God Calling” reminded me that God stands between the years. He's there between the "auld lang syne"---those good ole days or not so good ole days and today and on into my future. “The light of My Presence is flung across the year to come.” What comfort that is!

Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of joy: In Thy right hand are pleasures evermore. (Psalm 16: 11)

N---again!

12/31/09 Though “N” sections in the dictionary and the phone book are relatively short compared to the other alphabetical offerings, I have to include another “N” here because it is NECESSARY. That’s it. As 2009 closes out tonight, I would be remiss if I did not remind myself (and you, dear reader) that Jesus is necessary. I have never seen that in my life the way I have this year. He has been absolutely essential and indispensable for the Liles this year as we have faced my (MAC) cancer and ensuing surgeries, Grandaddy’s numerous ICU stays followed by his funeral, Mommar’s increasing “dementia,” a miscarriage, and engagement.

A few years ago I taught Luke 10:38-42 passage both at First Evan and at Germantown Methodist and I came face to face with myself. You probably know the story of the two sisters who welcome Jesus to their home. Mary sits at His feet and listens and Martha. “distracted with all her preparations,” asks the Lord to tell Mary to help her. But God….the Lord tells her that she (Martha) is worried and bothered about too many things, when only one thing is necessary. Can you guess which sister had chosen the one good thing? It wasn’t Martha.

38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. 40But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." 41But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.(Luke 10:38-42)

I have lived many years as a “Martha”---a “driven” doer, a caretaker and a goal setter. This past year I have had time, thanks to the cancer diagnosis, to be a Mary---a Mary in a Martha world. The world kept going as normal but it was necessary for me to take time out and spend time at the Lord’s feet. He was NECESSARY in my life.

He is still necessary. He is my life!

N is for Nigh

12/30/09 The Lord is as close as our “breath prayers.” He has said He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) So why sometimes does it “feel” as if He’s distant??

A couple of days ago I wrote that I had trouble wrapping my brain around God’s love. After meditating on His love for me, I’ve decided that I can wrap my brain around it; it’s just my heart that has trouble. Sometimes it’s easier for me to figure scripture out theologically and to “spout” it than it is to move those truths a few inches southward to my heart and “feel” it as I live it out. Ever had that problem?

God is near---all the time. Billy Graham once said, one doesn’t feel the heat of the fire when one moves away from it even though the fire is still there." It’s the same in our relationship with the Lord. If we don’t feel the warmth from that relationship---guess who’s moved?

Want the warmth? Want to “feel” His presence? Get back into the Word! “But the Word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that you mayest do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:14)
Start with Psalm 73---especially verses 25-28a.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;

Extinguish your lights tonight with “Taps” knowing He is indeed nigh.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

M = MERCY ME---

12/29/09 ---or NOT.
 Mercy is definitely not one of my strong suits or spiritual gifts. But mercy is a STRONG enduring attribute of God---

---even Shakespeare recognized this when he wrote The Merchant of Venice. Portia’s begging of mercy from Shylock shows that when we extend mercy we are following God’s example.

• But mercy is above this sceptered sway;
• It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
• It is an attribute of God himself;
• And earthly power doth then show like God's
• When mercy seasons justice.

The bard gives the idea of an edict softened by compassion or circumstances tempered by the spirit of God. They represent justice seasoned with mercy. It’s like the five year-old who said, “I deserved a “whoopin’” but I got a hug.”

God is full of mercy. I’m so grateful that His mercy is unending…………my favorite hymn lyrics affirm this.

“Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.”

Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17)

MERCY ME---maybe I need to work on that in 2010!