Have mercy, O God!

4/13/13 The entry I had intended for today seemed too frivolous to post. Our neighborhood is grieving as "one of us" lost her son yesterday. The pain. The grief. The blow to the heart, the stomach, the psyche and every other part of her being is so evident. The tears of his sister. Her grief and deep love for her brother written in her eyes and seen all over her tear-stained face. The hugs, shared tears and other  attempts of comfort from neighbors and friends seems like so little. What can one do but cry out for God's mercy! But God, who is rich in mercy, (Ephesians 2:4) is plenteous in mercy to all them that call on Him. (Psalm 86:5b)

In Memory*

of

William Grove

1972-2013

loving son, devoted brother, caring father

He will be sorely missed, especially by sons Max (9) & Wyatt (4)

* A beautiful memorial service was held at his family's home in the outside "sanctuary"created by his mother, Lynda, a true master gardener. His life was celebrated on a glorious and sunny Saturday--even the neighborhood hawk came to pay a visit.

"POURED OUT"

4/12/13 I am no Paul, though I do have a Barnabas in my life---a friend of spiritual encouragement. Today she even came to my back door with just the book I needed in my consideration of "strategic service." 

I sat in my prayer chair with Bible and journal open, books scattered here and there and poured my self a "cuppa." And then I asked myself, "Am I willing to be "poured out" for others. 

The Lord is teaching me anew in an ongoing struggle. Life lessons that I need.

But God.....poured out His Spirit and spoke to me through His Word. Relevant scripture had me thinking of sharing these truths & life lessons

with others in an intentional way.

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2: 1-4)

But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. (Philippians 2:17)

Pour me out, Lord.

Simply seeking.....

4/10/12 Seeking.............

• simple faith 
• simple sustenance
• simple serenity

....for  sacrificial giving, strategic service and sowing seeds of hospitality.

 A simple quote from C. S. Lewis and a simple scripture passage kept me focused.

Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.  (Classic quotes collection, C. S. Lewis)

Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29: 9-18)

Simply said, it's all about seeking Him.

There's a Psalm for that....

4/8/13 Relating recently to friend Wynellen that I was once again "camped-out" in the Psalms, I actually felt guilty about that admission. It's been a year and a half now and I'm still there. I've even intentionally included praying and meditating in selected psalms on birthdays of friends and family.

So, why should I feel guilty? Possibly because I can "do guilt" very well. I think I was afraid that I was in a milk-toast study. I so loved the psalms that I didn't desire to move on, at least not during my quiet times of prayer and reflection. During study times, I am in Genesis and Ecclesiastes. (Listen to me---trying to defend my "guilty" choice of Psalms, as if any book of Scripture isn't a worthy choice, in and of itself!!!)

Summer 2010, son's Allen Bible Church did a series on "Engaging God and One Another thru the Psalms." 

So....I reread some of those blog notes to remind myself that Psalms are profitable for any season." "Psalms that can help me personally keep engaging God right where I am." (Buddy, 6/13/10)

RIGHT NOW I need a psalm of intercession---there's a psalm for that.....

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:11-12)

That Psalm is Psalm 5----for such a time as this.......in this person's season---a Psalm just for that.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: Fix-up, Clean-up in the neighborhood

4/8/13 When the rain finally subsided, many neighbors came out anxious to begin Spring cleaning.....in both the house and the yard. 

He changes times and seasons; (Daniel 2:21) and in Memphis on our street, we are ALL so grateful for that truth.

All the tools needed, even safety glasses,  for  Owen to help Pop-Pop.

Not sure what this neighbor has in mind but I think I'd like to follow suit...if it results in less stuff.

Snack in one hand and rake in the other,  Miss A is ready to help Daddy. Love the boots!

LANGUISHING

4/5/13 "Languishing in Leviticus"---pretty much sums up our recent struggles. As part of Allen Bible Church's spring reading plan hubby reads aloud the selected chapter each week night. Reading through Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy together as a church for their "Mobile with Moses" reading plan. Possibly prep for a study of the life of Moses. 

Languishing does seem an appropriate descriptor as the chapters often seem repetitive on blood and other bodily fluids, sacrifices, disease cleansing and rigorous food prep rituals. Those events seem to lack vitality for us in search "help" in our daily walk. But God.....has inspired all scripture so we keep trudging on. 

Languishing as one studies can occur, sometimes without warning---as can languishing in one's belief. But, as Pastor Cole reminded in Sunday's message, if such "belief" languishing starts, "Believe it until you believe it."

Understanding the procedure for the Israelites rituals is not as important to remember as is the truth that a Great Savior has died for all our sins!

As the father in Mark 9:24 called out, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

Don't languish in your belief, cry out to the Lord!

Hearing God with that Inner Voice

4/4/13 Reportedly, Albert Einstein said, “Any fool can know; the point is to understand.” (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/) In much the same way, reading the Bible is not a matter of accruing information, but of gaining understanding through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Paul prays and asks God for such guidance for believers at Ephesus…”give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17b)

We get to know Him better from the spirit within us. Henri J.M. Nouwen calls it “that inner voice that shows you the way.” (Inner Voice of Love, p. 6)

But…..how can we know it’s His voice one might ask? You take it all back to God’s Word. 

Buddy Jones, Bible teacher at First Evan’s men’s group, says it well and succinctly, "Our understanding of and our relationship to Jesus is inextricably linked to our understanding of and our relationship to Scripture. “Understanding of” is head knowledge and "relationship to " has to do with submission.” If you get the Scriptures right, you get Jesus right! (my “loose” translation)

Don’t study the Bible for information alone. Study the Bible to know Him better and to hear His voice. The more we understand His Word, the more clearly we hear that inner voice. The more you know of Him, the more you hear from Him. 

Don’t lose touch with that inner voice.

BINGO RETORT!

4/3/13 BINGO!! Pastor Cole's excerpts from Steve Brown's, Three Free Sins--God's Not Mad at You, have continued to resonate with me. After one of his lectures the author encountered a critic, and in response to said criticisms, Prof. Brown simply said, "BINGO!" You got it right. I am selfish. My mother knew it. My wife knows it too.

From then on, BINGO became his reply to harsh criticism. "You're NOT fit to be a Christian!"

Brown's retort, "BINGO!---That's why Christ died for me!"

Instead of trying to come up with a defense, Dr. Brown gave the best defense. Truth from God's Word seemed to have released him from the bondage of trying to please others or live up to their expectations. 

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

Perhaps others need to employ the "Bingo Retort" and cut themselves some slack as they rest in the knowledge of the full assurance of God's love and forgiveness.

BINGO!!!!!  

Creature of Habit

4/2/13 Usually I can be found in a public restroom, 2nd stall. The "usually" adverb is a result of aging, I think. The 2nd stall habit---I'm not so sure why that's my stall of choice. Is it a gravitational pull? Certainly fits the definition of a habit---a recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition (thefreedictionary.com) Certainly there are other patterns in my life that I wished had more of a pull on me. Good habits in my daily "walk." More meditation time. More prayer time. More "doing unto others" service time.

In the spiritual realm, such habits would be labeled "disciplines" and the metaphoric gravitational pull would emanate from "above." Habits more in line with the "b" definition of habit....an established disposition of the mind or character."(thefreedictionary.com)

Certainly character is a spiritual aspect of discipline. Establishing that discipline requires training---or is that redundant? Molding and perfecting one's moral character requires discipline, in order to keep recurring....to become a "spiritual" habit.

I am.....a creature of habit. So....you'll probably still find me in the 2nd stall----but maybe I'll have my "spiritual disciplines" book in there with me.

In pursuit of God's voice...one MUST meditate on His Word.

4/1/13 Pursuing God' voice is no April Fool's endeavor, it's serious business. Who better to turn to, other than the Bible, but the godly and scholarly Blackabys. Hearing God's Voice is not exactly a "quick read" but God has already shown me some "well written" (easy to Google translate) info. 

Two "how tos of hearing God's voice" already addressed in this blog are:

• God does speak so we need to learn how to listen...
• And God speaks through His Word. 

Conclusion is we need to be reading and meditating on God's Word. Blackaby refers to meditation as the "nourishing of the inner man." (p. 108)

Three of Blackaby's points for savoring scripture are:

• Take your time---can't meditate in a hurry.
•  Choose a reasonable amount of scripture so you can give full attention to every word. 
• Choose verses as God leads, maybe from passages you are regularly studying or He might draw you to verses that have a particular relevance to your current circumstances.

This meditation Monday, I am lead to Psalm 95, as I continue to "camp out" in the Psalms this year---especially in my intercessory prayer times. I focused on verses 6-8 because that's where God stopped me for further "consideration."

Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
Today, if you would hear His voice,Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, 

What is God saying to me in in this passage? Briefly, He reminds me that as my guiding, protecting Shepherd, He is worthy of my worship. "If" in verse 8 is a word I will look up because "IF" is often rendered "since"---either way, obedience seems to go with that hearing---so action needs to take place otherwise my heart will be hardened as it was for the Israelites at Meribah. Did they just not hear or did they hear and choose not to obey. Is hearing with the intention of obeying the complete package of "listening to His voice?" Hearing requires a response. A heeding that leads to a behavioral change.

Those are my meditation reflections, what are yours?