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!

L ……is for LOVE!

12/28/09 LOVE.....................

One of the hardest of all the attributes of God for me to wrap my brain around is love---unconditional love. I know of His sacrifice and I know scripture tells of the breadth and depth of His love but it’s still hard to comprehend, on a personal level, because I know me. I know that the one who writes this---a blog that sometimes inspire others---spent the day asking forgiveness for impure thoughts arising from impatience, unfulfilled expectations and anger. I wore myself out but I kept at it. Believe me, it was work! I thanked the Lord that He loved me, through the grace of His Son, but…….I didn’t “feel” that “love belief” in my core---it felt more like a mantra. I did repeat it over and over but did I believe it? I had to confess my unbelief. “ …I believe, Lord; help thou my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)

The good news is that this unconditional love, which He offers, does not change whether I “feel” worthy of it or not. Even on days like today when my esteem is dragging, His love is constant.
No power on earth or heaven can separate us (even Me) from God's love. Not our (my) sin, not any authority, not any spiritual force. God's love is unshakable and can always be relied upon. That’s Romans 8:38-39 in a nutshell but………….the first 4 words say, “For I am convinced”-----

To convince myself of His love I plan to linger on this passage today----Romans 8:38-39

38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

His love is there whether I “feel” worthy of it or not.alpha

K is for…………….

12/25/09....a King is born!…………..KING OF KINGS!

For unto you (and me) a king is born…….

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, ……….. (Zechariah 9:9)

Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; (1 Timothy 6:15)

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)

May the King be crowned anew in our hearts and lives this Christmas Day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

J is for…………….Jehovah

12/24/09
J is for Jehovah-Rophe---The Lord our Healer ---He has been a healer for me in such a BIG way this year not only physically but emotionally and spiritually as well. First and foremost, in the eyes of others, the Lord has healed my infirmities in miraculous ways with a correct though rare diagnosis, involvement of Dr. Louis Carter visiting from mission field in Africa & teaming up with Dr. Burrus from Memphis to find a “team” for me, my “Dallas team” headed by the incomparable Dr. Richard Ha, and the rest of the story that has taken 240+ blog entries. Yet, before that healing would even begin the Lord began to deal with me spiritually and emotionally. Emotionally I had been “leveled many years before. Try as I might, I could not seem to let go of the hurt and embrace forgiveness---though I kept trying. I so needed to give up a bitterness and hurt that had held me bondage for 20+ years. Sometimes it would spew up like something about to boil over on the back burner. When it did, those nearest and dearest to me could get burned and the anger/resentment had absolutely nothing to do with them----But God……had me accept a church teaching assignment in October '08, because the date was convenient. Then I found out that the topic was, “ Forgiveness.” Because of the anguish of my heart and the fear and trembling that overtook me, I camped out in Psalm 55 and then Psalm 73 because “my heart was embittered and I was pierced within.” But it wasn’t until I came into the sanctuary of God….(v.17) with a broken and contrite heart that He restored completely the joy of my salvation and renewed a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51) Praise to my Jehovah-Rophe for healing me emotionally and spiritually so that 2 ½ months later I could face the physical trauma that lay ahead.

J is for Jehovah -Nissi---Yesterday, I realized that as He is my banner, and I become His banner as well when I name His name as part of my own, thus having Christian as my moniker.
J is for Jehovah-Jireh Christmas is as much about the cross as it is about the manger. According to Hebrew translations, Jehovah-jireh or Yahweh-yireh, can be rendered the LORD will provide", with "LORD" taking the place of…….He is my “substitutionary atonement” ( a Jim Fleming term) taking my sin upon Himself that I might be declared righteousness.

J is for Jehovah -M'Kaddesh---The “Lord who Sanctifies” and sanctifies and sanctifies---this is a continual process in my life and He is not “done” with me yet.
J is for Jehovah-–Shalom-- The Lord our Peace---Tonight is Christmas Eve and because of my Jehovah Shalom, I can “sleep in heavenly peace” knowing that my Jehovah-Shammah (the Lord who is there) is present.