November 24, 2011
The Practice of the Presence of God
Last night at small group we were encouraged to read "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence, a 17th century monk. Comprised of both "conversations with" and "letters from" Bro. Lawrence, it is chock full of incredible thoughts on how, why, and when we ought to practice being in God's presence. Below are the thoughts that stuck out to me in my first read through the conversations, several of which are things I have been recently learning from the Lord.
Written from a 3rd person perspective as an account of another man's conversations with him:
Brother Lawrence told me...
That we ought to give ourselves up to GOD, with regard both to things temporal and spiritual, and seek our satisfaction only in the fulfilling His will, whether He lead us by suffering or by consolation, for all would be equal to a soul truly resigned.
That he expected after the pleasant days GOD had given him, he should have his turn of pain and suffering; but that he was not uneasy about it, knowing very well, that as he could do nothing of himself, GOD would not fail to give him the strength to bear them.
That useless thoughts spoil all: that the mischief began there; but that we ought to reject them, as soon as we perceived their impertinence to the matter in hand, or our salvation; and return to our communion with GOD.
That he had no scruples; for, said he, when I fail in my duty, I readily acknowledge it, saying, I am used to do so: I shall never do otherwise, if I am left to myself. If I fail not, then I give GOD thanks, acknowledging that it comes from Him.
That there needed neither art nor science for going to GOD, but only a heart resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but Him, or for His sake, and to love Him only.
That we need only to recognize GOD intimately present with us, to address ourselves to Him every moment, that we may beg His assistance for knowing His will in things doubtful, and for rightly performing those which we plainly see He requires of us, offering them to Him before we do them, and giving Him thanks when we have done.
That our sanctification did not depend upon changing our works, but in doing that for GOD's sake, which we commonly do for our own. That it was lamentable to see how many people mistook the means for the end, addicting themselves to certain works, which they performed very imperfectly, by reason of their human or selfish regards.
That the end we ought to propose to ourselves is to become, in this life, the most perfect worshipers of GOD we can possibly be, as we hope to be through all eternity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"O my GOD, since Thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to Thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, I beseech Thee to grant me the grace to continue in Thy Presence; and to this end do Thou prosper me with Thy assistance, receive all my works, and possess all my affections."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amen, O Lord. Amen.
November 2, 2011
The Lord Confirmed The Message
The main point of this post is to express my deep thanks to God for my husband, but I must first start with Paul and Barnabas.
I am currently studying Acts of the Apostles in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). This is my second year, having had BSF-Trial-By-Fire last year in the study of Isaiah. This study of Acts has been so interesting, having so much to do with the work of the Holy Spirit and His empowerment in our lives to be Christ's ambassadors.
This week's lesson was on Chapter 14, which records the conclusion of Paul's first missionary journey. This chapter tells us about Paul and Barnabas witnessing to the grace of Christ in the pagan cities of Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. In the first city, Iconium, they are speaking to a mixed crowd of Jews and (Greek) Gentiles. Many believed, but some of the unbelieving Jews stir up the crowd and "poison their minds".
Paul and Barnabas could have looked at this situation and just decided there were many other places that would be more receptive to the Gospel, and that they would be better used of God to just move on. Instead, they heeded the Spirit's urging to stay, and not just stay, but spend considerable time there. They stayed there,
I will get back to Paul and Barnabas in a moment, but I must interject here with some absolute praise to God for giving me a husband who so often and so ably speaks boldly for the Lord. He doesn't just do it to strangers in a foreign city (though I'm sure he would if given the opportunity). I have been watching him in the last few months be incredibly bold when speaking to his father, his brothers and sister, and several cousins who show a genuine desire for Truth. I believe the Lord will do as He did with Paul and Barnabas and confirm the message of His grace in the hearts of these people--perhaps not through signs and wonders as we think of them, but I can testify to the fact that listening to him weave the gospel and logic with such wisdom is a wonder. As with the apostles, the result is not up to Rob, but up to the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful and proud of him for speaking with greater concern for these people's eternal relationship with God than any possible rending of his relationship with them here and now.
As I write here, he is on the phone with his cousin who, after seeing her pictures on facebook two nights ago, stayed up two hours past when he wanted to be in bed to write her a very clear, detailed, and bold message on facebook, encouraging her to turn to God and away from the pit she's sliding into. She wrote back and asked to talk to him, and he's been on the phone for at least an hour. Praise you, Oh God, who have by Your Spirit empowered your son Rob to bear witness to the Truth of Your Word! Soften A's heart! May the light that You are shedding on her heart right now illuminate her desperate need for you!!!
Okay, so back to the apostles, the ones who did this best (next to Jesus) and gave us such awesome examples of personal surrender to God's will. They eventually moved on from Iconium, when they discovered (most likely by the discernment of the Spirit) that those in that town had hatched a plot to kill them. They escaped and moved on to witness in Lystra. It is here that Paul is nearly stoned to death. Then he does the unthinkable:
I'm not sure that I have a clear conclusion to this post. I just wanted to write about how thankful I am for the Spirit witnessing through my husband, for getting to see it and learn from Him/him every time, and to share about the amazing work that God did at the start of the church and continues to do in our day! May we all be that devoted, that committed to the cause of Christ!!
~Stephanie
I am currently studying Acts of the Apostles in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). This is my second year, having had BSF-Trial-By-Fire last year in the study of Isaiah. This study of Acts has been so interesting, having so much to do with the work of the Holy Spirit and His empowerment in our lives to be Christ's ambassadors.
This week's lesson was on Chapter 14, which records the conclusion of Paul's first missionary journey. This chapter tells us about Paul and Barnabas witnessing to the grace of Christ in the pagan cities of Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. In the first city, Iconium, they are speaking to a mixed crowd of Jews and (Greek) Gentiles. Many believed, but some of the unbelieving Jews stir up the crowd and "poison their minds".
Paul and Barnabas could have looked at this situation and just decided there were many other places that would be more receptive to the Gospel, and that they would be better used of God to just move on. Instead, they heeded the Spirit's urging to stay, and not just stay, but spend considerable time there. They stayed there,
"...speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders." (vs. 3)
I will get back to Paul and Barnabas in a moment, but I must interject here with some absolute praise to God for giving me a husband who so often and so ably speaks boldly for the Lord. He doesn't just do it to strangers in a foreign city (though I'm sure he would if given the opportunity). I have been watching him in the last few months be incredibly bold when speaking to his father, his brothers and sister, and several cousins who show a genuine desire for Truth. I believe the Lord will do as He did with Paul and Barnabas and confirm the message of His grace in the hearts of these people--perhaps not through signs and wonders as we think of them, but I can testify to the fact that listening to him weave the gospel and logic with such wisdom is a wonder. As with the apostles, the result is not up to Rob, but up to the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful and proud of him for speaking with greater concern for these people's eternal relationship with God than any possible rending of his relationship with them here and now.
As I write here, he is on the phone with his cousin who, after seeing her pictures on facebook two nights ago, stayed up two hours past when he wanted to be in bed to write her a very clear, detailed, and bold message on facebook, encouraging her to turn to God and away from the pit she's sliding into. She wrote back and asked to talk to him, and he's been on the phone for at least an hour. Praise you, Oh God, who have by Your Spirit empowered your son Rob to bear witness to the Truth of Your Word! Soften A's heart! May the light that You are shedding on her heart right now illuminate her desperate need for you!!!
Okay, so back to the apostles, the ones who did this best (next to Jesus) and gave us such awesome examples of personal surrender to God's will. They eventually moved on from Iconium, when they discovered (most likely by the discernment of the Spirit) that those in that town had hatched a plot to kill them. They escaped and moved on to witness in Lystra. It is here that Paul is nearly stoned to death. Then he does the unthinkable:
"...he got up and went back into the city..."Could I do this? Could I return immediately to those who had just stoned me practically to death, and then dragged my body out of the city to avoid being defiled by a dead body (a head-scratcher of an oxymoron in Jewish culture)?
(Acts 14:20)
I'm not sure that I have a clear conclusion to this post. I just wanted to write about how thankful I am for the Spirit witnessing through my husband, for getting to see it and learn from Him/him every time, and to share about the amazing work that God did at the start of the church and continues to do in our day! May we all be that devoted, that committed to the cause of Christ!!
~Stephanie
October 28, 2011
Life Update
God does not always give us what we ask for, and He doesn't always give us the reasons why, but He does give us Himself. ~Dr. Henry Schorr
Amen!! My spirit sang praises at the truth of this statement! Take a moment. Meditate on it. Let His goodness and faithfulness soak into your heart. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving us Yourself.
So much has happened in the **yikes** almost 6 months since I last posted. Here's the short version:
I believe I've mentioned in past posts about how much of a temper I have and how difficult it is for me to curb the words that fly out of my mouth when I'm angry. God really started hammering away on this sin in my life. I can't claim full victory (yet) but I am so excited to see the changes He's made so far!
It began with this verse:
The next thing the Lord impressed upon my heart (I'm sure in response to my incomprehensible ramblings about how impossible it seemed) was this: "Step by step. Walk with Me step by step." He was really reminding me that the road to holiness is straight, long, and steep. I will stumble. But He will be right there with me, helping me up for the next step in the right direction.
May the Lord bless you as you seek His face, for He promises to be found by you!
Love in the Lamb,
Stephanie
Amen!! My spirit sang praises at the truth of this statement! Take a moment. Meditate on it. Let His goodness and faithfulness soak into your heart. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving us Yourself.
Philippians 2:6-8Hallelujah!
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
So much has happened in the **yikes** almost 6 months since I last posted. Here's the short version:
- In May I started babysitting for a friend from Bible study who was expecting their 2nd child.
- My parents and grandparents came to visit and we enjoyed our first trip to the Calgary Stampede along with a second wedding reception for all of Rob's family and friends.
- In mid-July my friend randomly showed me and Rob the empty apartment suite in their basement.
- 3 days later, Rob's dad told us we needed to move out.
- July 31 we moved into said basement suite and SO ENJOY having our own place.
- Baby #2 upstairs was just born three weeks ago and the mom's God-parents from Vancouver are staying in our extra bedroom for 2 months (a condition of our moving into the apartment).
- I just returned from 2 weeks in Kansas with my parents, during which time we traveled to Nashville to see Wesley and Courtney. I also got to spend some time with my sweet sister Jasmine.
- Today we celebrate 9 amazing months of marriage!!
I believe I've mentioned in past posts about how much of a temper I have and how difficult it is for me to curb the words that fly out of my mouth when I'm angry. God really started hammering away on this sin in my life. I can't claim full victory (yet) but I am so excited to see the changes He's made so far!
It began with this verse:
1 Peter 3:4I told the Lord, "I don't feel like my spirit is gentle or quiet. In fact, I often feel a bit more like a hurricane that just blows in and out and leaves a lot of destruction or confusion in my wake." God began to show me that having a gentle and quiet spirit doesn't mean that I suddenly become a quiet person (volume-wise.) Because that's not who He made me! He made me to be a joyful, boisterous, excited-about-life woman! But I can be all of that with a spirit that is gentle (by discernment seeks the needs and hurts of others and prays for them) and quiet (listens for the direction, prompting and correction of the Holy Spirit).
Rather, it [your beauty] should be that of your inner self, the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
The next thing the Lord impressed upon my heart (I'm sure in response to my incomprehensible ramblings about how impossible it seemed) was this: "Step by step. Walk with Me step by step." He was really reminding me that the road to holiness is straight, long, and steep. I will stumble. But He will be right there with me, helping me up for the next step in the right direction.
So I have been walking with Him, step by step. And at the end of every week, I see greater victory in my life! I am less frustrated less often, and my tongue gets away from me with less and less frequency. Praise the name of our Holy Lord, who consistently refines us like silver!Psalm 37:23-24
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Psalm 17:3bThat's all the update I'll give for now. The bathroom desperately needs cleaning after my 2 week absence. :)
I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress
May the Lord bless you as you seek His face, for He promises to be found by you!
Love in the Lamb,
Stephanie
May 9, 2011
Growing Pains
I want to update my blog and explain all that God has been doing in my life. But I'm staring at the screen totally unsure of where to begin. Lord, may this post and my imperfect strivings for holiness bring You glory.
Last time I posted, we were just under the 1 month of marriage mark--now we are well past 3 months! Time is absolutely flying. I've been told much over these last few months about the joys and trials that are "normal" in the first year of marriage. I wonder--will we continue to grow at the exponential rate we have the last few months? I pray it is so. The growth has been wonderful, painful, awesome, terrifying, and amazing. God has proven Himself so faithful time and again both in our relationship and in my own walk with Him. I pray this "season of change" is not dulled or ended with the passing of time. I want to walk in constant change, constant refining, until I am carried into His perfect presence!
There have been lots of tears in my life of late, but amazingly, God has even been refining the reasons for my tears. Of course, there are the tears of homesickness. There are tears for my mistakes, the ways I hurt both my Lord and my husband. There are tears of longing for dreams that I am daily surrendering to my sweet Jesus. But I had an amazing experience at Easter that I would like to try to relate...
I married a man who has an amazingly tender heart toward Jesus. I love Jesus with all my heart, absolutely! But I have had few experiences in my life where I have cried simply out of sheer depth of gratitude. Tears always seem to have selfish motives around them. Anyway, there were times as we "dated" and were engaged when he would be in tears over what Jesus went through for us...and I wanted that. I wanted to be so broken with thankfulness that I couldn't hold back the tears. I wanted a better heart understanding of the nails in His hands and feet.
For Easter this year, we did something VERY different (for me). We attended the Easter Vigil at a large Catholic cathedral downtown. It began at 9:30 pm Easter Eve and went for three hours. I won't lie, I was NOT excited about going to this service. I'm not a night person, and I was dreading trying to stay awake on the hard pew that late at night. Also, I've never "gotten anything out of" a mass. But we went, and the Spirit of God moved in my heart in incredible ways! I won't go into detail about how the service was conducted, but in that three hour period, the Lord broke my heart for Him, and then He healed me with joy so uncontainable that I was sitting there with a huge grin on my face! It was an incredible experience with my precious Jesus--I hope perhaps we can celebrate Easter that way again next year!
The change from being single to being married is like the difference between looking at a flower on the window and then putting it under a powerful microscope. There is no escaping the real me anymore. I can't put on a show for the world and let them believe that I'm a strong, mature, healthy Christian. Living with Rob has forced me to allow another person in during those private moments when I don't think like Christ, act like Christ, speak like Christ, or look anything like Christ. I don't know how different this experience would have been if we'd had more time in person before we got married--and it doesn't really matter. This is the journey the Lord is leading us on, and already in my own life He has used Rob to hack through some pretty enormous briers and bushes in our path.
Pride
The deep cause of all sins lies in this: pride. And boy, have I been a greenhouse for various and sundry bits of pride to take root and grow. For a while, I was praying, asking the Lord to give me patience as I deal with Rob. I was tired of blowing up at him for little things or reacting in petty, immature ways to something I didn't like. I wanted patience!! Finally, God quietly pointed out to me (through Rob) that patience was not going to solve the problem--it was only going to break the weed off at the stem, leaving the roots intact. To be patient would only cover up the pride for a time. God told me to look for the cause of my illness, not just try to eradicate the symptoms. I realized in this that what I needed wasn't patience. What I needed was humility. From the heart of a humble person will stem no frustration, anger, strife, or whining. To grow in humility was to pull pride out by the roots and plant in its place something beautiful and nourishing. I am by no means yet a humble woman. But God is refining me. Praise His Holy Name!!!
Submission
Any other lesson the Lord has been teaching me as ultimately had to stem out of the lessons in humility. I cannot submit to Rob as my husband if I am pridefully thinking that I have a better way to do things. I must learn in humility to look at him as the incredible blessing that he is--my head, my leader, and my love. He truly is so worthy of the position God has placed him in. He seeks the Lord naturally. Honestly, when I can get rid of my pride, I have very little problem submitting to him in all things, because I know he is in turn seeking the leadership of Lord Jesus. And when I say in all things, I include things like letting him drive (though my pride would convince me I'm better and safer in the driver's seat) and, eventually, making the tough decision of where we will settle down and begin our family.
That last one has been a huge hurdle for me, not primarily in submitting to Rob but in submitting to the Lord. What if what He's planned as best for us does not line up with my deep-set heart desires? Can I still follow Rob in love and walk in faith with him? That's a daily burden that I am having to surrender. "Where you go, I'll go. Where you stay, I'll stay. When you move, I'll move. I will follow you."
Time
One of the main questions I get asked is what I do with myself since I can't work. This has been an awesome area in my life to watch God grow me and teach me. My time is not mine. Every moment belongs to Him, and though I may not be out in the world doing great things for His kingdom, He has purposed in His heart to use me here, now, in this place, in all of this free time I have. Some days he has me cleaning, cooking, and in other ways serving my husband and his dad/wife, with whom we live. But in the last few weeks, He's also begun presenting me with some awesome opportunities to serve others as well.
I began last weekend to interpret a Saturday night church service at a church across town (not the one we attend). The Deaf woman has had very little, if any, discipleship since she became a believer last August. I am so excited to work with her and be involved in her growth as a baby Christian. Also, as evidence that God blesses us when we serve him with a surrendered heart, He's made this opportunity one that will drastically grow and challenge my signing/interpreting skills. The woman, *T*, is a skilled signer, and I can't wait to spend more time chatting with her!
I've been involved in a Bible study since I arrived in Calgary, and one of the women in my group has only been able to come twice since I got here. She has an almost-three-year-old and, at almost-forty, just found out she's pregnant again (not planned, not expected)! She's been struggling a lot with this whole situation, and her husband is currently working two jobs that keep him out of town for days at a time. I've been blessed to have the time to offer her an extra pair of hands for whatever she may need. Today and Friday I will be entertaining her little one so she can get some other stuff done, or maybe just nap!! I'm so grateful to be able to be so free for offering my time, skills, and help to others the Lord is bringing into my life!
Well, I know there are many other things I could relay that the Lord is doing in me. I know, too, that I can't see or fathom all He really has going on here. I pray He continues to humble me, grow me, and change me more into the image of His Son. May He be with you today, bringing you peace in your storms, joy in your sorrows, and healing in your pain!
Love in the Lamb,
Stephanie
Last time I posted, we were just under the 1 month of marriage mark--now we are well past 3 months! Time is absolutely flying. I've been told much over these last few months about the joys and trials that are "normal" in the first year of marriage. I wonder--will we continue to grow at the exponential rate we have the last few months? I pray it is so. The growth has been wonderful, painful, awesome, terrifying, and amazing. God has proven Himself so faithful time and again both in our relationship and in my own walk with Him. I pray this "season of change" is not dulled or ended with the passing of time. I want to walk in constant change, constant refining, until I am carried into His perfect presence!
There have been lots of tears in my life of late, but amazingly, God has even been refining the reasons for my tears. Of course, there are the tears of homesickness. There are tears for my mistakes, the ways I hurt both my Lord and my husband. There are tears of longing for dreams that I am daily surrendering to my sweet Jesus. But I had an amazing experience at Easter that I would like to try to relate...
I married a man who has an amazingly tender heart toward Jesus. I love Jesus with all my heart, absolutely! But I have had few experiences in my life where I have cried simply out of sheer depth of gratitude. Tears always seem to have selfish motives around them. Anyway, there were times as we "dated" and were engaged when he would be in tears over what Jesus went through for us...and I wanted that. I wanted to be so broken with thankfulness that I couldn't hold back the tears. I wanted a better heart understanding of the nails in His hands and feet.
For Easter this year, we did something VERY different (for me). We attended the Easter Vigil at a large Catholic cathedral downtown. It began at 9:30 pm Easter Eve and went for three hours. I won't lie, I was NOT excited about going to this service. I'm not a night person, and I was dreading trying to stay awake on the hard pew that late at night. Also, I've never "gotten anything out of" a mass. But we went, and the Spirit of God moved in my heart in incredible ways! I won't go into detail about how the service was conducted, but in that three hour period, the Lord broke my heart for Him, and then He healed me with joy so uncontainable that I was sitting there with a huge grin on my face! It was an incredible experience with my precious Jesus--I hope perhaps we can celebrate Easter that way again next year!
The change from being single to being married is like the difference between looking at a flower on the window and then putting it under a powerful microscope. There is no escaping the real me anymore. I can't put on a show for the world and let them believe that I'm a strong, mature, healthy Christian. Living with Rob has forced me to allow another person in during those private moments when I don't think like Christ, act like Christ, speak like Christ, or look anything like Christ. I don't know how different this experience would have been if we'd had more time in person before we got married--and it doesn't really matter. This is the journey the Lord is leading us on, and already in my own life He has used Rob to hack through some pretty enormous briers and bushes in our path.
Pride
James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
The deep cause of all sins lies in this: pride. And boy, have I been a greenhouse for various and sundry bits of pride to take root and grow. For a while, I was praying, asking the Lord to give me patience as I deal with Rob. I was tired of blowing up at him for little things or reacting in petty, immature ways to something I didn't like. I wanted patience!! Finally, God quietly pointed out to me (through Rob) that patience was not going to solve the problem--it was only going to break the weed off at the stem, leaving the roots intact. To be patient would only cover up the pride for a time. God told me to look for the cause of my illness, not just try to eradicate the symptoms. I realized in this that what I needed wasn't patience. What I needed was humility. From the heart of a humble person will stem no frustration, anger, strife, or whining. To grow in humility was to pull pride out by the roots and plant in its place something beautiful and nourishing. I am by no means yet a humble woman. But God is refining me. Praise His Holy Name!!!
Submission
Ephesians 5:22-23a Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church...
Any other lesson the Lord has been teaching me as ultimately had to stem out of the lessons in humility. I cannot submit to Rob as my husband if I am pridefully thinking that I have a better way to do things. I must learn in humility to look at him as the incredible blessing that he is--my head, my leader, and my love. He truly is so worthy of the position God has placed him in. He seeks the Lord naturally. Honestly, when I can get rid of my pride, I have very little problem submitting to him in all things, because I know he is in turn seeking the leadership of Lord Jesus. And when I say in all things, I include things like letting him drive (though my pride would convince me I'm better and safer in the driver's seat) and, eventually, making the tough decision of where we will settle down and begin our family.
That last one has been a huge hurdle for me, not primarily in submitting to Rob but in submitting to the Lord. What if what He's planned as best for us does not line up with my deep-set heart desires? Can I still follow Rob in love and walk in faith with him? That's a daily burden that I am having to surrender. "Where you go, I'll go. Where you stay, I'll stay. When you move, I'll move. I will follow you."
Time
Psalm 31:15a My times are in your hands...
One of the main questions I get asked is what I do with myself since I can't work. This has been an awesome area in my life to watch God grow me and teach me. My time is not mine. Every moment belongs to Him, and though I may not be out in the world doing great things for His kingdom, He has purposed in His heart to use me here, now, in this place, in all of this free time I have. Some days he has me cleaning, cooking, and in other ways serving my husband and his dad/wife, with whom we live. But in the last few weeks, He's also begun presenting me with some awesome opportunities to serve others as well.
I began last weekend to interpret a Saturday night church service at a church across town (not the one we attend). The Deaf woman has had very little, if any, discipleship since she became a believer last August. I am so excited to work with her and be involved in her growth as a baby Christian. Also, as evidence that God blesses us when we serve him with a surrendered heart, He's made this opportunity one that will drastically grow and challenge my signing/interpreting skills. The woman, *T*, is a skilled signer, and I can't wait to spend more time chatting with her!
I've been involved in a Bible study since I arrived in Calgary, and one of the women in my group has only been able to come twice since I got here. She has an almost-three-year-old and, at almost-forty, just found out she's pregnant again (not planned, not expected)! She's been struggling a lot with this whole situation, and her husband is currently working two jobs that keep him out of town for days at a time. I've been blessed to have the time to offer her an extra pair of hands for whatever she may need. Today and Friday I will be entertaining her little one so she can get some other stuff done, or maybe just nap!! I'm so grateful to be able to be so free for offering my time, skills, and help to others the Lord is bringing into my life!
Well, I know there are many other things I could relay that the Lord is doing in me. I know, too, that I can't see or fathom all He really has going on here. I pray He continues to humble me, grow me, and change me more into the image of His Son. May He be with you today, bringing you peace in your storms, joy in your sorrows, and healing in your pain!
Love in the Lamb,
Stephanie
February 23, 2011
I am the Lord; No One is like Me
Our lecture at Bible study today was awesome. I'm not sure that I can accurately explain all that the Lord impressed upon my heart, but here it goes. Father, I pray you use these words to make clear to any reading hearts Your Truth. You see them where they are, you know their needs, and you can use these truths to teach, challenge, and encourage them. Have Your way.
Isaiah is constantly speaking out against false prophets and false idols of his day. Perhaps as in no time since then, we are now living in a society that has returned to Babylonian religion. More people than ever are visiting fortune tellers, palm readers, tarot card readers, horoscopes, angel readers....you name it, people will pay to hear "prophecy" of where their life is headed. However, God's point in much of chapters 42-45 of Isaiah is that the idols of the people have made no prophecies that have actually come true; in contrast, every word God has spoken has thus far come to pass. So:
Fortune tellers predict what will happen. God promises what will happen.
Now, in the particular passage we read this last week, God calls Cyrus, King of Persia, to be the contemporary savior of His people from their captivity in Babylon......only he calls this king by name 150 years before he was born!
The last real point of this section of scripture dealt with the concept of questioning God. We've all been there at one time or another...why did this happen? What are you doing, God? What's going on?! The people in Isaiah's time were not questioning God out of a spirit of need, desire for his will, or even simply a desire for understanding? They were "quarreling" with their Maker; the hebrew word for quarrel here indicates rage-filled, accusatory questioning. Ultimately, we are welcomed to be open with our Heavenly Father. We are welcome to bring our questions and our needs before him. However, we are not to question his character. We can, though, question his purpose; these questions actually indicate our faith when we ask, believing that we serve a God who is capable of answering!
Regardless of whom you depend on and spend your time on in this world, even with good purpose: serving your husband, teaching your children, getting to know a boyfriend or girlfriend....our lecturer said: "The greatest children, husbands, and boyfriends still make very poor gods." Serve and honor the One and Only, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He will take your hand and guide you until at last you arrive at his throne in the eternal Kingdom. Praise be to our God!
Isaiah is constantly speaking out against false prophets and false idols of his day. Perhaps as in no time since then, we are now living in a society that has returned to Babylonian religion. More people than ever are visiting fortune tellers, palm readers, tarot card readers, horoscopes, angel readers....you name it, people will pay to hear "prophecy" of where their life is headed. However, God's point in much of chapters 42-45 of Isaiah is that the idols of the people have made no prophecies that have actually come true; in contrast, every word God has spoken has thus far come to pass. So:
Fortune tellers predict what will happen. God promises what will happen.
"You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?” If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed." Deuteronomy 18:21-22This message is so applicable to our world. Wow.
Now, in the particular passage we read this last week, God calls Cyrus, King of Persia, to be the contemporary savior of His people from their captivity in Babylon......only he calls this king by name 150 years before he was born!
"This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus,As they say up here in Canada, "Cool, eh?" This calling of Cyrus was a hard pill for the Israelites to swallow. They were looking for a savior much like Moses, the prince-turned-shepherd. Yet here was God, telling them they would be saved by a Gentile, pagan king! The lecturer's point here was that we must let God work through unexpected people in our lives. Don't assume you know either his ways or his vessels as you walk through trials and struggles.
whose right hand I take hold of...
For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor,
though you do not acknowledge me." Isaiah 45:1,4
The last real point of this section of scripture dealt with the concept of questioning God. We've all been there at one time or another...why did this happen? What are you doing, God? What's going on?! The people in Isaiah's time were not questioning God out of a spirit of need, desire for his will, or even simply a desire for understanding? They were "quarreling" with their Maker; the hebrew word for quarrel here indicates rage-filled, accusatory questioning. Ultimately, we are welcomed to be open with our Heavenly Father. We are welcome to bring our questions and our needs before him. However, we are not to question his character. We can, though, question his purpose; these questions actually indicate our faith when we ask, believing that we serve a God who is capable of answering!
Regardless of whom you depend on and spend your time on in this world, even with good purpose: serving your husband, teaching your children, getting to know a boyfriend or girlfriend....our lecturer said: "The greatest children, husbands, and boyfriends still make very poor gods." Serve and honor the One and Only, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He will take your hand and guide you until at last you arrive at his throne in the eternal Kingdom. Praise be to our God!
February 22, 2011
Laundry
I am thoroughly enjoying being a stay-at-home wife. For two years, I have loved Rob from a distance, longing to serve and help him and being so completely unable to do so. Now, at last, I share his home, and I can use my time, energy, and skills to make his life easier.
One thing I've never been super great at is laundry. By not super great, I don't mean that I can't do laundry. Mostly, it's always been an issue of remembering that it's in the machine. You know, you remember six hours later that you started a load. Well, I now have a husband, meaning we now generate twice as much laundry as I used to alone. I have done quite a bit of laundry just in the week and a half I've been here. I have learned two things.
1) My forgetfulness can be wholly contributed to the machines I've always used. We now have front loaders that literally sing a victory song when your load is done, effectively helping me to remember that I need to go switch it out! I think this is about as great as pumpkin pie...it's the little things in life.
2) One slight incident with some white T-shirts (Rob's wardrobe staple) and a pair of yellow underwear (*sigh*) started me thinking about the verse in Isaiah that talks about our being as filthy rags:
Our lives can be like this. If we ignore the standards of Christ and choose to live on our own, we can often make a fairly good go of it. We get the "good person" syndrome. In the eyes of ourselves and the world, we're doin' alright.
But the moment we set ourselves up next to Christ, we "become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags". In the brilliant radiance of His holiness and purity, we realize how dirty and unholy we are. Yet there is hope! Isaiah 1:18 declares God's promise for those who allow Him to cleanse them of sin:
Amen! Thank you, Father, for your overwhelming mercy to us who sin against you! Jesus, your sacrifice allows us to stand in the presence of the Almighty, washed as white as snow. Thank you! Spirit, teach us more each day and open our eyes to areas of sin that we have not surrendered to Your cleansing flood. Thank you, God!!
Amen.
One thing I've never been super great at is laundry. By not super great, I don't mean that I can't do laundry. Mostly, it's always been an issue of remembering that it's in the machine. You know, you remember six hours later that you started a load. Well, I now have a husband, meaning we now generate twice as much laundry as I used to alone. I have done quite a bit of laundry just in the week and a half I've been here. I have learned two things.
1) My forgetfulness can be wholly contributed to the machines I've always used. We now have front loaders that literally sing a victory song when your load is done, effectively helping me to remember that I need to go switch it out! I think this is about as great as pumpkin pie...it's the little things in life.
2) One slight incident with some white T-shirts (Rob's wardrobe staple) and a pair of yellow underwear (*sigh*) started me thinking about the verse in Isaiah that talks about our being as filthy rags:
All of us have become like one who is unclean,Long story short, I "took out a whole fleet" of Rob's white shirts. Yes, those were his words :D. We bleached them, and some/most of the bright yellow stains came out. As I was folding the load, I laid one shirt to the side. I glanced back at it and realized that, laying there alone, it looked fine. Not brilliantly white by any means, but sufficiently clean. However, I laid one of his brand new shirts down next to it and I realized just how dingy, dirty, and ready for the rag pile this shirt was.
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags... (64:6a)
Our lives can be like this. If we ignore the standards of Christ and choose to live on our own, we can often make a fairly good go of it. We get the "good person" syndrome. In the eyes of ourselves and the world, we're doin' alright.
But the moment we set ourselves up next to Christ, we "become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags". In the brilliant radiance of His holiness and purity, we realize how dirty and unholy we are. Yet there is hope! Isaiah 1:18 declares God's promise for those who allow Him to cleanse them of sin:
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Amen! Thank you, Father, for your overwhelming mercy to us who sin against you! Jesus, your sacrifice allows us to stand in the presence of the Almighty, washed as white as snow. Thank you! Spirit, teach us more each day and open our eyes to areas of sin that we have not surrendered to Your cleansing flood. Thank you, God!!
Amen.
February 17, 2011
May the deaf ears hear
I love thickly sliced, buttered, cinnamon-raisin toast. That has nothing to do with what else I have to say here, but I wanted to let you know.
In other news, I had an interesting experience at the grocery store yesterday that the Lord used to open my eyes. I love it when He does that! May I take His lesson to heart, apply it to my life, and walk in ever closer communion with Him!
I was wandering my new grocery store, looking for all the things on my list. I wasn't there to buy, just to price--things are quite a bit more expensive here, it would seem. As I made my way along the back wall of the store, the theft alarm at the front door started going off. Now they must be serious about shoplifting in Canada....this was no piddly alarm. The thing sounded a bit reminiscent of a fog horn on steroids. As it droned on, I was at first a little put out that it was disrupting my nice, quiet, solitary trip down the aisles. Up one, down the next, jot on the list, repeat. Easy. Comfortable. Familiar.
It wasn't 2 minutes later that I looked up from my list, startled to realize that, yes, the fog horn still echoed through the tiled, high-ceilinged room.....but I had totally blocked it out as I went about my business. How quickly I adapted and began to ignore that which I did not want to hear!
All too often, I do this with the Lord. He sends me a wake up call, sometimes through a verse or chapter, sometimes through a friend or a gentle rebuke from my husband. I am perturbed at the disruption to my normalcy, so I listen for a short second, grumble a bit, then move on with life, effectively ignoring that still, small voice echoing repetitiously in my spirit.
As I recognized this situation standing there amongst the shredded, block, and sliced cheeses, God showed me a bit more...a few minutes later, as I made my way up toward the canned peas, I was struck by the silence emanating from the alarm. I had been totally unaware of the moment of its end. I thought, God, please don't ever allow my heart to become so callous that I am unaware of the moment I can no longer hear your voice.
In our study of Isaiah, we just finished chapters 42-44. In these chapters, God the Creator and King is speaking of both Israel, his servant nation, and Jesus, his Servant King. Israel is once again rebuked for their blindness and deafness, their unfaithfulness to their faithful God.
Thank You, Jesus.
Thank You, Spirit.
Thank You, Father.
Amen.
In other news, I had an interesting experience at the grocery store yesterday that the Lord used to open my eyes. I love it when He does that! May I take His lesson to heart, apply it to my life, and walk in ever closer communion with Him!
I was wandering my new grocery store, looking for all the things on my list. I wasn't there to buy, just to price--things are quite a bit more expensive here, it would seem. As I made my way along the back wall of the store, the theft alarm at the front door started going off. Now they must be serious about shoplifting in Canada....this was no piddly alarm. The thing sounded a bit reminiscent of a fog horn on steroids. As it droned on, I was at first a little put out that it was disrupting my nice, quiet, solitary trip down the aisles. Up one, down the next, jot on the list, repeat. Easy. Comfortable. Familiar.
It wasn't 2 minutes later that I looked up from my list, startled to realize that, yes, the fog horn still echoed through the tiled, high-ceilinged room.....but I had totally blocked it out as I went about my business. How quickly I adapted and began to ignore that which I did not want to hear!
All too often, I do this with the Lord. He sends me a wake up call, sometimes through a verse or chapter, sometimes through a friend or a gentle rebuke from my husband. I am perturbed at the disruption to my normalcy, so I listen for a short second, grumble a bit, then move on with life, effectively ignoring that still, small voice echoing repetitiously in my spirit.
As I recognized this situation standing there amongst the shredded, block, and sliced cheeses, God showed me a bit more...a few minutes later, as I made my way up toward the canned peas, I was struck by the silence emanating from the alarm. I had been totally unaware of the moment of its end. I thought, God, please don't ever allow my heart to become so callous that I am unaware of the moment I can no longer hear your voice.
In our study of Isaiah, we just finished chapters 42-44. In these chapters, God the Creator and King is speaking of both Israel, his servant nation, and Jesus, his Servant King. Israel is once again rebuked for their blindness and deafness, their unfaithfulness to their faithful God.
42:18 “Hear, you deaf;It is so easy to become this way, blinded by laziness, selfishness, callousness. We constantly forget the Lord in our day-to-day operations, "going through the motions" as Matthew West so aptly sings. Yet, there is hope!
look, you blind, and see!
19 Who is blind but my servant,
and deaf like the messenger I send?
Who is blind like the one in covenant with me,
blind like the servant of the LORD?
20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention;
your ears are open, but you do not listen.”
43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says—Amen! Father, thank You for Your redeeming love for a people so in need of redemption! We cannot survive a moment without You, who gives us breath. Open our blinded eyes to see our idols in order that we might tear them down and give You Your rightful place in our hearts. You are sovereign, holy, altogether righteous! To You be all glory, honor, majesty, and praise!
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
44:22 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you.”
23 Sing for joy, you heavens, for the LORD has done this;
shout aloud, you earth beneath.
Burst into song, you mountains,
you forests and all your trees,
for the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
he displays his glory in Israel.
Thank You, Jesus.
Thank You, Spirit.
Thank You, Father.
Amen.
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