SATURDAY SHORT!

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

Key Prepositions all about Him---IN, ON, FOR.

Pair with verbs as needed.....even if it's not Saturday!

TRUST! RELY! WAIT! BELIEVE! REJOICE! RELAX!

"DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?" A REPRISE

For me, once I start looking for the Lord, I see His hand all over the place.

This week, I've focused on Listening for the Lord and I have "heard" his "song" everywhere!

My Sunday morning cuppa included time scanning the "funnies"which many households refer to as the comics.

Then, I "heard" an affirmation from the Lord---loud & clear. I just love "Family Circus". So real and it always makes me laugh. This morning's Sunday School lesson, quoted Ann Voskamp. 

"Oxygenated grace is laughter." Something most of us need more of. 

As I began typing this entry, the melody of "Do You Hear What I hear" drifted in from the den.

Hubby was watching Tennessee Crossroads on PBS featuring a visit to "Sunny Side Lights" in Brentwood, TN. 

He was watching......

I was listening to the melody but the lyrics spoke inside my head..........

Do you hear what I hear

A song, a song

High above the trees

With a voice as big as the sea.

.....and I heard my "spiritual" song as my week ended. (James 4:8) A song from the Lord.

CHOOSE: CONFESSION

Sensitivity has a way of showing one her sins. That's when Wednesday becomes a day of confession for me, aka "Weeping Wednesday." I desire to "confess, renounce and find mercy" (Proverbs 28:13) and forgiveness (1 John 1:9) as He purifies my heart. (James 4:8)

It's not like going into a confessional booth or opening up to a friend. It's just me before the Lord asking Him to "Search my heart." and show me my heart. (Psalm 139:23) Did He ever!
That's why it's a scary thing to do. It's hard to truly "see" the wickedness of one's own heart. A heart that He needs to "clean and restore."(Psalm 51:10) Confession and repentance are heart issues. Restoration is from God.

Forgive me, Lord, for my self-protective and self-promoting ways.

Glad I chose "Confession." It took away the guilt (Psalm 32:5) and as Mama Davenport always said, "confession is good for the soul."

propinqui-TEA

Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: (Ruth 4:14-15, KJV)

Prayer times yesterday with a prayer partner and today, on my own, had me continuing to pray thru Psalm 73:23-28. "Nearness of God is my good." So many who are dear to me need to embrace that truth. 

It is during those times of nearness to Him that He restores and nourishes. He becomes a refuge and a guide. He holds us (especially needed during dark times) with His right hand, providing peace in the midst of the trial.

How does one close the "spatial gap" between heaven and earth in order to be near the Lord? A close proximi-TEA is needed.....but how does one get closer?

That's why propinqui-TEA was my "tea" choice during my "Tea with Thee" time today, because propinquity is more than just close in distance----it is a close kinship. Such a kinship is established as one is in God's Word discovering who He is. Triune God. Father. King. Brother.

As hubby and I have been reading from the book of Ruth, we have seen the importance of that kinsman (Hebrew go el) who acts on behalf of a relative. For Ruth it was Boaz, who "closed the  gap" when she needed someone near to her to be designated to deliver and rescue her.

Jehovah is Israel’s Redeemer, the one who promises to defend and vindicate them as they draw near to Him in worship.

In the New Testament, Christ is often regarded as an example of a kinsman-redeemer because, as our brother, He is the true kinsman-redeemer of all who call on Him in faith. Today I have been calling on Him for others....that a close relationship might be established with Him as they pour out their heart, seek to know Him thru His word and trust His goodness.

Proximi-TEA. Propinqui-TEA. 

What ever cuppa I choose, I need to sip it with my Bible open that I might draw near and get better acquainted with my Kinsman Redeemer and continue to pray for others---that they too might realize that nearness to Him can also be their good.

"proximi-TEA"

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.....(James 4:8, ESV)

Proximity can indicate being close---whether in space or in relationship. These days there are even sensors to measure proximity----sensors able to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact----possibly being used, along with satellites, in the search for the missing Malaysia Flight 370 jet.

When I spend time in God's Word, I can sense the nearness of His Spirit, without physical contact as well.

My "Tea with Thee" times are showing me the importance of nearness to the Lord. Intimacy comes with closeness. Proximi-TEA is key. It tends to open my soul to His Presence.
Sometimes I "arrive" at this point through prayer or a verse from scripture. Today, recalling the words of an old hymn (sung with Mama Davenport standing by my side) and humming that tune of "Near to the Heart of God" drew me right into His holy Presence.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God. (verse 2, UMC, 472)

Proximi-TEA says it all---open Bible on my lap with my cuppa in one hand and my heart in His.

DRAWING NEAR

2/11/13 Drawing near to God. 

That’s what Meditation Mondays are all about! It’s the pre-requisite of gaining understanding from passages of scripture. Drawing near prompts praise. That praise is carried into our time of meditation with Him and our hearts seem to open to the truths that he has for us. That prompts prayer. That draws us even nearer. It’s a great cycle. In the midst of all of that, is access to God through our hope in Christ, who ever lives to intercede for us. A perfect cycle! Complete.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse (James 4:8)

Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen... (Ecclesiastes 5:1)

(for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. (Hebrews 7:19)

Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

Yesterdays’ Allen Bible Church message series title, “Let us Draw Near” was so-o-o “spot on” ---a great intro to direct one's meditation on Hebrews, chapter 7, a difficult passage. 

Drawing near---approaching God’s throne of grace in our time of need. A need for understanding His Word and applying it to our lives. 

MEETING GOD????

11/2/12 In his book, Meeting God in Quiet Places, F. LaGard Smith tells of meeting God on his daily meanderings through the footpaths of the Cotswolds. It’s in these quiet places that Smith found refreshment for his soul and insight into the very heart of God.

Where do you meet God?

Is there a place that draws you to Him?

Scripture reminds us that if we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. (James 4:8)

In the summer months, my red Adirondack chairs beckon me. Two chairs side-by- side. I call them the “Thy and my” chairs---because I seek to hear from Him there---through prayers, reading and meditating upon scripture, and by simply being still. Listening and waiting upon Him---hard to do at times because, for me, even the quiet can get LOUD! Yet, it’s during those times of being still that I most often receive clear impressions of a message the Lord might be trying to teach me.

Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46-10a)

In the colder months, my prayer chair beckons me. Again it’s a place that draws me to stop and get to know Him better. It hasn’t always been that way---even though said chair was in a very visible place. My heart was not as attuned to Him. 

I was “caught up short” on this week’s neighborhood walk when I saw two Adirondack chairs that could have once been used as "Thee and Me" chairs---but no longer. They looked as if all human contact had deserted them. It was a telling, gripping tableau for me. When we draw near to God, He is always there BUT when we don’t show up, signs of destruction are everywhere.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

Don’t let your space for meeting with God get shoved aside. Such a space for peaceful intimacy with God is crucial for facing the onslaught of one’s busy lifestyle.

Abandoned. Dusty. Falling apart. Overgrown with weeds that block the beauty.

Where do you meet for quiet connection with God?. Your answer to this question speaks volumes about your spiritual life.

NAW

9/30/10 N.A.W. Not A Wallflower. Though I might need a refresher course in Dance 101, I need to clarify a few things. First, I’m not a wallflower; I’m still in attenDANCE. Once a person has entered a relationship with Jesus, it’s permanent---a done deal. However, the more abundantly we choose to live with Him the more we “dance.”

As I said, I haven’t left the ballroom. I haven’t turned my back on Him. I’m not living outside His grace. (Some folks call that carnal living.)

I’m not NAW---hanging out on the edge of the wall as an onlooker but I do feel preoccupied with “stuff” rather than my partner.

Lately, I have even been trying to somewhat control the music (circumstances) of my “dance” with the Lord. (There’s an indicator of rationalization---“somewhat” control. Who am I kidding? One either controls or doesn’t. Sort of like a ½ truth is a whole lie.)

It seems that though I am still dancing and His hand holds mine, I am more at arms length, as if executing a turn. (Not sure if going into the turn or coming out of it.) Not a face-to-face position. Connected, but without intimacy. Guess who moved out of position?

Draw near to God and He will draw near (James 4:8 a)