Squiqqly Faith

When we receive "good news" about a situation that had been thought somewhat hopeless, our hope increases!  On the other hand we don't want to "get our hopes up" lest we are ultimately disappointed.  It's a very "squiggly" line to walk!

When it comes to accepting God's will, I'm more like Job than I like to admit--questioning God and wondering about His will. I beseech God to grant an outcome of my choosing--of my desire. It's hard to pray God's will when we fear His will may be counter to our hoped for outcome!  It's hard to keep hoping when we've waited so long for our will to be done.

Job beseeches God (as do we?), “What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze?" (Job 6:11-12 NIV)

God allows Job and his "friends" to go on and on for 37 verses before He finally has had enough! Thirty-seven versess! I pray God is as patient with me when I question, doubt, disagree, complain about His will because I walk that squiggly line every day!

God asks Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?  Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4-7 NIV)

Like, Job, I mentally kick myself for daring to question God.  “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know" (Job 42:2-3)

Still yet, God blessed Job--as he truly has blessed me! Even though I walk that squiggly line of "thank you, God, but . . ."

Fortunately, God is so gracious that He waits for me to find my way to Him at the end of that line!. And He waits for each of us to find Him.

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Deep Calls to Deep

"Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me. 

By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life" (Psalm 42:7-8 NIV) 

"Deep calls to deep." This small phrase has always stirred something within me. The imagery it calls to mind is so powerful!

"Tehom" is the Hebrew word for deep.  It refers to a deep place, an abyss, an immeasurable deep chasm, depth or void; and also a surging mass of water that rises from some deep, subterranean place. The Hebrew verb, "qara", means to call unto, to summon, to invite.

What an incredible God to create within us a deep void that calls out to a limitless God with immeasurable love and ardent desire to fill us with His spirit!

God summons us to fill that part of us that longs for something more than anything on the earth can satisfy with Him.  He created us in the womb to want and need Him above all.  When we bound into the world, our first response is to gulp in the ruah/ spirit breath of God.

"The Spirit of  God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” (Job 33:4 NIV)

It is all too easy to lose sight of who and whose we are! God is not only always with us, He is always within us. When we begin to feel restless and unsettled, stressed and anxious, it is because we wander from that God-center deep within us. That's how much God loves us! He not only created us to seek Him, He places within us a force more powerful that the magnetic pull of the sun on the earth--one that draws God to us and us to Him.

After a particularly exhausting couple of weeks, I awoke very early this morning, unable to sleep, and the first words on my mind were these: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God: (Psalm 42:1 NIV).

Are you troubled today?  If so, seek after God from deep within the God-sized void He placed in you the moment you were conceived. He longs for you.

 
Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Where Were You?

This morning the word "voice" came to mind as I was spending quiet time with God.  For some reason, I thought of God's voice when he finally answers Job - in Chapter 38 of the book of Job.

I say God finally responded to Job not to criticize God for being slow to respond when Job cried out. Job's friends did a good job of convincing him God had abandoned him--as punishment for some unacknowledged (unknown and inadvertent?) sin he surely committed.

The woeful tale of Job and his misfortune, his "friends" compelling him to "curse God" and even his wife becoming angry with him goes on for 37 chapters!  I focued this morning on Job's words, as what matters is our own walk, and we are responsible for ignoring or heeding those around us as appropriate. Yes, we all have those in our lives who deter us, who influence us and attempt to lead us astray. But in the end our walk is our own -- between us and God.

As I read Job's "complaints" I was amazed at how his words resonated with me -- and convicted me! I was also amazed that God allowed Job to rant and rage -- until Chapter 38!! -- before He finally lost patience! Fortunately God is patient with us as well. When we complain about out lot in life, when we begin to think we derserve more than we have, when we question God's grace in our lives, we are really sinning against the God who created us in His perfect image!

Job is properly humbled and ashamed of his tirade. God is gracious to Job -- and to us.  Even when we are less than grateful for our circumstances or situation -- God accepts our prayers of repentence and forgives us.

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding" (Job 38:4).

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Overcome evil with good

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:20 NIV).

"And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason" (Job 2:2-3 NIV).


Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Overcome fear and discouragement with the "three J's"

In the midst of all the snow and due to church services being canceled today, we did some "channel surfing" to find some spiritual programming that might take the place of our attending our own church.

I was not disappointed! Pastor Zachery Tims of New Destiny Christian Center talked today about how we can overcome fear and disappointment with the "Three J's."

The first "J" was Joseph. Pastor Tims reassured listeners not to be afraid of their current circumstance--no matter how hard it is. "But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them." (Genesis 50:19-21 NIV).

The second "J" to which Dr. Tims referred was Job. "At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing" (Job1:20-22 NIV).

The third "J" was Jesus. "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith( Philippians 3:7-9 NIV).



Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Lessons from the book of Job

I've been inclined to think about Job lately. I have had bouts of feeling very "put upon" by life in general and so I have tended to repeat over and over a paraphrase from early in the book of Job, "shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" [Job 2:10 NIV]

Here's the thing: I am so very busted! You see, I have been focusing only on "poor me." Two friends have spoken wisdom into my heart and mind in the last month. Yesterday morning when I woke up, I had understanding of what God wanted me know and understand through their words. And it isn't pretty!

"Job says, 'I am innocent, but God denies me justice. Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.' What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water? To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God" (Job 34:5-7; 37 NIV).

It is profoundly humbling when one realizes the depth and breadth of one's own sin. Throughout my day yesterday I lifted prayers seeking forgiveness for how I have allowed sin to be manifested in my life. Alternately I lifted prayers of gratitude. Gratitude for friends who have courage to lovingly correct and admonish me; gratitude most of all that God would even bother with one such as me--who has drunk "scorn like water; who is rebellious and multiplies words against God."

I have declared 2010 to be a year of JOY! God's abundant grace is truly reason to be joyful! I have my work cut out for me!

Blessings on your journey
Mary

THANKFUL THURSDAY

1) I am thankful that my son is beginning a work internships next week. He's doing so well in his job training program and realizing some successes! He is beginning to feel really good about himself.

2) I am thankful for my job. It is challenging at times, but I thoroughly enjoy it and know that I am making a positive difference for my employer and the children our agency serves.

3) I am thankful for my husband. He is the hardest working man I know--and the most faith-filled.

4) I am thankful for the gift of grace. I am often awe-struck that God sent His Son to die on a cross for such as me. Incredible. Amazing. Incomprehensible.

5) I am thankful for my friends-"old" and new. I am richly blessed to have loyal, loving and genuine Christian friends in my life.

What are you thankful for today? Stop by Sonya's blog, Truth 4 The Journey, to find out how to share your gratitude and see what others are thanking God for today.