WEARNINESS RX-- INTRO!

WEARINESS RX will be shared after my nap! (or 2 or 10)

Yesterday, Jack said, "I am most thankful for my dinosaurs and stuffies." 

Then he took a nap in his closet.

I am most thankful for Jack's example, without shame!

GENTLE AND LOWLY

Gentle and Lowly.Think kind and humble. Merciful coupled with humility. (Matthew 11:29)

Anyone known people described by those adjectives? Sadly, I would not qualify for those descriptors.

Gentle and Lowly. The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers as Dane Ortland's book title says. Sinner. Sufferer. That's me.

Maybe that's why it's so hard for me, a sinner,  to think I receive that kind of love, forgiveness and comfort in my sufferings, over and over from the Lord....from His heart. 

"Perhaps it isn't sin so much as sufferings that cause some of us to question the perseverance of the heart of Christ. As pain piles up, as numbness takes over, as the months go by, at some point the conclusion seems obvious: we have been cast out." (Ortland, p.64-65) What's God's answer to that. "Come unto Me." (Matthew 11:28) He will never cast me out. Jesus never rejects His own.....those who come to Him. (John 6:37)

Ortland goes on to share more comforting words: "For those united to him,  the heart of Jesus is Not a rental; it is your new permanent residence. You are not a tenant, you are a child. His heart is not a ticking time bomb; his heart is the green pastures and still waters of endless reassurances of his presence and comfort... " (Ortland, p.66, emphasis mine)

He is worthy of our worship. May we "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (Psalm 29:2) May I see the beauty and holiness of God today.

Gentle and Lowly, 2 words that succinctly sum up His holiness.

Son Buddy sums up the book in 2 words. "It's rich."

R.E.S.T.

8/26/13

REST---it’s the theme for our H2H (Heart to Heart) Women’s Ministry Bible Study this year. It’s so timely for so many. Tired people grow weary in trying, weary of forgiving, wearing of the pain and struggle. Weariness can be overwhelming.

People who need rest and refreshment often turn to pills, alcohol, even the spa to reenergize their sad lives as Max Lucado says in “Facing Your Giants.” But do they? There may be a reprieve from the weariness and the pain may be postponed, BUT is it removed?

Jesus Calling (8/3) reminds us that in such times, one should be quick to pray. Oswald Chambers “My Utmost….” entry (8/20) reminds us that our Lord is the One who establishes rest. 

Crickett, our WM director gave a helpful acronym to remember these truths

Re-order your priorities Lay all your burdens prayerfully before the Lord.

Exercise restraint. Learn to say, “No.”

Slow Down. God can redeem our time for His purposes.

Trust God. ‘Nuf said!!

“Are you tired? Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” (Lucado, 8/15)

R.E.S.T. might not have a tune but it has it’s own lyrics for the heart---and those words are meditation for today.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  (Matthew 11:28-29, NIV)