The other day I said to my friend, "I am never getting married!!!!!!!!!" and she said back to me, "Don't speak that over yourself or it will become true!"
Tonight I was pondering her statement...wondering if I agree or not. At first, I would say, "No, God will determine whether or not something happens in my life no matter what my attitude is about it." So I can say, "I am never getting married" but maybe God says, "Oh yes you are."
But then again, if I live my life everyday with the mindset, "I am never going to eat fruit," I can probably get away without ever eating fruit. No one can force a banana down my throat. Yes, God technically could force me to eat fruit, but would He?
And if I make a decision and decide to live my life based on it, will He change my mind?
I know He has done so in the past. People tell stories and testimonies all the time of how God changed them.
But what about free will? What limits has been placed on our ability to make our own decisions? Are we limited to absolute free will only to a certain extent? Then when it comes to bigger things that actually matter, God holds the reigns? Or will He have His way no matter what our attitude? Or does He let us live in our own will, living and learning from our decisions?
OR, do we need to choose to live according to His will to actually live according to His will?
It's just that I see so many people who never come to know the Lord, no matter how much we pray, love on them, and show them what it can mean to truly walk with God. Is it God's will that they never accept Him, or is it theirs? If it is their will not to accept Him, is He allowing them to live in their will as opposed to His own? Unless it is His will that they don't accept Him.....??? Too scared to ponder that thought.
Is this even about wills at all?
What was my original question???
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
don't rain on my parade!
"Maybe I push when I'm meant to be still, maybe I take it all too personal..." (newsboys)...the lyrics just played, and they resonated with my soul. Which reminds me to share this song (below) with you! It's my new favorite!
This week I have been through an interesting situation that taught me a lot of things. It taught me:
a) do not jump to conclusions, especially when you have just one person's word
b) the Bible is totally applicable to life. when you have a conflict, go to the source of the conflict
c) sometimes you walk out of situations feeling stupid and immature (and you know that other people see you that way) but you just need to admit to yourself that you messed up and move on
life goes on...
just be.
another weekend...that week passed SO FAST. so much to do--ah!!
I went grocery shopping yesterday and got GRAPES!! and yogurt! and milk! and juice. real juice. it has been worth every penny.
My friend dared me to give up coffee for 3 days. On...day two I drank a large mocha. BUT! I deactivated my facebook account. a worse addiction methinks.
This week I have been through an interesting situation that taught me a lot of things. It taught me:
a) do not jump to conclusions, especially when you have just one person's word
b) the Bible is totally applicable to life. when you have a conflict, go to the source of the conflict
c) sometimes you walk out of situations feeling stupid and immature (and you know that other people see you that way) but you just need to admit to yourself that you messed up and move on
life goes on...
just be.
another weekend...that week passed SO FAST. so much to do--ah!!
I went grocery shopping yesterday and got GRAPES!! and yogurt! and milk! and juice. real juice. it has been worth every penny.
My friend dared me to give up coffee for 3 days. On...day two I drank a large mocha. BUT! I deactivated my facebook account. a worse addiction methinks.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
My roommate almost just kicked me in the face!
since we bunked our beds, Ellary has said she wants to jump up onto the top bunk instead of climbing up. She just tried...twice, both times epic failures. It was very amusing, however.
So for dinner tonight we did take-out Chinese. For one, the cafeteria was JAM-PACKED. For second, they close super early! And thirdly...I'd take Chinese over cafeteria food anyday. Plenty of leftovers. :)
Today was our second day of classes...I am one of the fortunate ones who only had two classes in all over these last few days. My roommate, on the other hand, had all of hers, so she is stressing out over homework whereas I will probably be at that point next week. It's sorta funny, though, to see all the freshmen freaking out about homework, all the upperclassmen telling them that it will become more natural as time goes on, and they still freak out. Haha, I love having experience this already...
Tonight Ellary asked me how I am doing with my parents being gone and stuff. It's really hard, but in a different way than other freshmen might be feeling. Since I've already been away from my family for the length of a semester I think I've gone through that initial separation stuff. But it's still hard...I am ready to move on, but that doesn't make it easier.
Spiritual stuff. We had our first chapel service on Wednesday. The speaker (one of my professors) gave an absolutely amazing message. She talked about how Abraham did not just hold to God His promises, expecting Him to keep to them and that is all he got out of his relationship from God. He loved the presence of God more than the promises of God. And I was like: oh my word. I have been repeating to myself, "He is faithful. He promised this will be a good year. I am going to trust Him." Yet never once have I thought, "Enjoy God in this place." So I needed to hear that, and God served it up.
if you would like to pray for me, please pray that I would remain faithful in engaging in community with Him. I have promised my life to Him, so I need to follow through with that.
also please pray that God would bring the people into my life that I can bless in some way, but that I would also be open to being loved by others.
and also please pray that I would not despair but find joy in the morning.
:)
from my heart.
So for dinner tonight we did take-out Chinese. For one, the cafeteria was JAM-PACKED. For second, they close super early! And thirdly...I'd take Chinese over cafeteria food anyday. Plenty of leftovers. :)
Today was our second day of classes...I am one of the fortunate ones who only had two classes in all over these last few days. My roommate, on the other hand, had all of hers, so she is stressing out over homework whereas I will probably be at that point next week. It's sorta funny, though, to see all the freshmen freaking out about homework, all the upperclassmen telling them that it will become more natural as time goes on, and they still freak out. Haha, I love having experience this already...
Tonight Ellary asked me how I am doing with my parents being gone and stuff. It's really hard, but in a different way than other freshmen might be feeling. Since I've already been away from my family for the length of a semester I think I've gone through that initial separation stuff. But it's still hard...I am ready to move on, but that doesn't make it easier.
Spiritual stuff. We had our first chapel service on Wednesday. The speaker (one of my professors) gave an absolutely amazing message. She talked about how Abraham did not just hold to God His promises, expecting Him to keep to them and that is all he got out of his relationship from God. He loved the presence of God more than the promises of God. And I was like: oh my word. I have been repeating to myself, "He is faithful. He promised this will be a good year. I am going to trust Him." Yet never once have I thought, "Enjoy God in this place." So I needed to hear that, and God served it up.
if you would like to pray for me, please pray that I would remain faithful in engaging in community with Him. I have promised my life to Him, so I need to follow through with that.
also please pray that God would bring the people into my life that I can bless in some way, but that I would also be open to being loved by others.
and also please pray that I would not despair but find joy in the morning.
:)
from my heart.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
my Bible is a coloring book
So I'm not an artist, but I would classify myself as a wanna-be doodler. And today I took my doodling to a new level--adding colors to the Word of God. Now you have to understand, when I am sitting at the table (waiting for the super slow internet to load one e-mail) and there is a pack of colored pencils right beside me, naturally I want to color. But all there is in paper form within reaching distance is my most beloved Bible. (And of course it is just too hot to exert the energy to get up and find some paper). So I found some of my favorite books and passages and colorified the pages! The rest of the world has color, so why shouldn't there be rainbows inside my most precious book?
I feel like my life is full of color right now. (Yes, I did just start thinking about "Double rainbow!" but that wasn't my original inspiration for this comparison). Colors are so varietous, so amazing, so...spazzy! They are what make life exciting! And life is exciting. Sure it isn't perfect (given duh) but I am just so utterly blessed.
After reading back over my last post, I thought that I should share some wonderful news with my millions of avid readers and fans. My news is: my Father is very rich. He holds the wealth of the world in His hands. And this year He has given me so much of that wealth. Literally, I have received financial blessing after financial blessing in less than six months! First was the settle money from the insurance company from my car accident a previous year. That check happened to pay for my entire trip here to Gabon. And then, just a week ago, I got an e-mail.
The e-mail was from my grandma, short and sweet (my grandma and the e-mail!) telling me that she told one of her old, dear friends about me and my desire to work in ministry. Grandma printed off some of my Africa blog posts for this woman to read so she could see a little bit about what I am doing here. And this woman...well, she is giving me a very large financial gift to help pay for college. She doesn't want me to have to worry about paying off student loans when I am done with school so I can go to the field if the door is opened. Needless to say, I sobbed when I got this news. Because of this amazing woman's generosity, the financial burden of paying for school has been eased greatly.
And then yesterday my counselor sent me a Facebook message with even more amazing news--the school (which is Nyack College, btw) is going to give me more than half of a yearly cost in grants and scholarships. This added with the gift from that amazing woman covers my entire first year of college (which is a private Christian college, so not cheap in the least).
Wow, and I was able to write all of that with no exclamation marks! !!!!! Why is God blessing me so much? Why does He love me so much? PORQUOI God???
I don't know. Je ne sais pas. But I do know...He is amazing.
I feel like my life is full of color right now. (Yes, I did just start thinking about "Double rainbow!" but that wasn't my original inspiration for this comparison). Colors are so varietous, so amazing, so...spazzy! They are what make life exciting! And life is exciting. Sure it isn't perfect (given duh) but I am just so utterly blessed.
After reading back over my last post, I thought that I should share some wonderful news with my millions of avid readers and fans. My news is: my Father is very rich. He holds the wealth of the world in His hands. And this year He has given me so much of that wealth. Literally, I have received financial blessing after financial blessing in less than six months! First was the settle money from the insurance company from my car accident a previous year. That check happened to pay for my entire trip here to Gabon. And then, just a week ago, I got an e-mail.
The e-mail was from my grandma, short and sweet (my grandma and the e-mail!) telling me that she told one of her old, dear friends about me and my desire to work in ministry. Grandma printed off some of my Africa blog posts for this woman to read so she could see a little bit about what I am doing here. And this woman...well, she is giving me a very large financial gift to help pay for college. She doesn't want me to have to worry about paying off student loans when I am done with school so I can go to the field if the door is opened. Needless to say, I sobbed when I got this news. Because of this amazing woman's generosity, the financial burden of paying for school has been eased greatly.
And then yesterday my counselor sent me a Facebook message with even more amazing news--the school (which is Nyack College, btw) is going to give me more than half of a yearly cost in grants and scholarships. This added with the gift from that amazing woman covers my entire first year of college (which is a private Christian college, so not cheap in the least).
Wow, and I was able to write all of that with no exclamation marks! !!!!! Why is God blessing me so much? Why does He love me so much? PORQUOI God???
I don't know. Je ne sais pas. But I do know...He is amazing.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Chocolate chip cookies
So last night Dan made chocolate-chip cookies and they are temptingly sitting in the other room. I could go get one right now if I wanted to...I might...
And tonight I have been commissioned to make Greek for dinner. This...should be interesting. I am planning to keep it simple and make plenty of Ranch dressing. Because everything is good with Ranch dressing.
I never would have imagined that I would come to Africa and find lots of modern conveniences here that I don't have in America. Like, for example, a large flat-screened television (although we haven't watched anything yet), an ipod dock to make charging and listening to music very easy, and...yeah, at the moment that is all I can think of. But still, those are pretty crazy! I think something I would struggle with if I was going to be here long-term is that there is really nothing different about our lives here compared to America in terms of comforts in the home. We eat American foods, have music playing, games stacked in a cupboard, and loads of peanut butter! Aren't you supposed to go to a third-world country as a missionary and be stretched in terms of how you live?? I will tell you, we are being stretched, though. Yes, we may have a running car and a driver but we also have waited many times for our ride to pick us up or take us where we need to go. Every night the water shuts off so after 6 we can't do dishes, shower...plus, living in the middle of a different culture, you must draw support from the few people around you who understand your lifestyle and needs.
But most of all, here where things are not constant and unpredictable, there is One unchanging element to our lives--God's goodness. He is our Solid Rock and from Him we can find comfort, peace, companionship, protection, and love.
And tonight I have been commissioned to make Greek for dinner. This...should be interesting. I am planning to keep it simple and make plenty of Ranch dressing. Because everything is good with Ranch dressing.
I never would have imagined that I would come to Africa and find lots of modern conveniences here that I don't have in America. Like, for example, a large flat-screened television (although we haven't watched anything yet), an ipod dock to make charging and listening to music very easy, and...yeah, at the moment that is all I can think of. But still, those are pretty crazy! I think something I would struggle with if I was going to be here long-term is that there is really nothing different about our lives here compared to America in terms of comforts in the home. We eat American foods, have music playing, games stacked in a cupboard, and loads of peanut butter! Aren't you supposed to go to a third-world country as a missionary and be stretched in terms of how you live?? I will tell you, we are being stretched, though. Yes, we may have a running car and a driver but we also have waited many times for our ride to pick us up or take us where we need to go. Every night the water shuts off so after 6 we can't do dishes, shower...plus, living in the middle of a different culture, you must draw support from the few people around you who understand your lifestyle and needs.
But most of all, here where things are not constant and unpredictable, there is One unchanging element to our lives--God's goodness. He is our Solid Rock and from Him we can find comfort, peace, companionship, protection, and love.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
December 2
I was always bad at thinking of titles. I usually come up with something random like song lyrics or a quote...I don't know how to sum up all the muddled-ness in my head into one Title!
So my last day of classes is December 13. Unfortunately I have a big chemistry final that day. Otherwise I finish everything else scary the week before. Once I am done on that Monday I am thoroughly determined to celebrate! I am just imaginging how I am going to use my days once I am done with school. Oh bliss...
Last night I couldn't sleep. And it wasn't one of those nights where you just can't fall asleep. I couldn't fall asleep because I had a million thoughts whirling around in my head and they all seemed to be pressing against my skull. Tons of worries and issues and I knew I'd never get to sleep. So I grabbed my blankie and went into my parents room. My dad is a pretty light sleeper so I thought that if I whispered "Daaaaad" a few times he would wake up. It was my mom who muttered a groggy, "What?". Then I asked for them to pray for me. They did (of course I cried) and then they let me lay down right in between them. Which was awesome because I haven't done that for over a decade, but after a while it got really hot so I went back to my bed. It was just so amazing to have them understand and love me enough to pray for me at midnight!
One of my big worries was about a French test today. Originally I had a C overall grade in the class. I was so freaked out because I need a C or higher to graduate, and I knew that if I bombed the test and got lower than a C and then got a really low overall grade...well I didn't know what would happen! I wouldn't be able to graduate in December. So it really was one of those tests that would make or break...my whole future. O_O Anyways, I got an 86!! WHOOT! Who says God doesn't answer prayer?? I say "Ha!" in their faces!
Needless to say, there are so many other things that are weighing on my mind. Uuuuuugh...I don't even want to deal with it all. I wish I had a machine that had a sign on it "QUESTIONS" and everyday you could ask any question and get God's answer back.
Oh and thanks to all (2 of you! lame!) who told me which actor your dream spouse would resemble! Yours is cute, Ame! And Madds, he is quite handsome. :) Mine is (dun dun dun dun):
Josh Harnett. :) Yes...anywho.
I watched the movie The Company the other day. It pretty much follows the life of a ballet dancer in a Chicago ballet company. I love dance but not enough to live the kind of life she did...insane. And I really want to see 127 Hours! Not only does it look good but I looooove James Franco. We'll see. Right now Voyage of the Dawn Treader is top on my list. And also Tangled looks so good! Maybe that is how I will go celebrate.
So my last day of classes is December 13. Unfortunately I have a big chemistry final that day. Otherwise I finish everything else scary the week before. Once I am done on that Monday I am thoroughly determined to celebrate! I am just imaginging how I am going to use my days once I am done with school. Oh bliss...
Last night I couldn't sleep. And it wasn't one of those nights where you just can't fall asleep. I couldn't fall asleep because I had a million thoughts whirling around in my head and they all seemed to be pressing against my skull. Tons of worries and issues and I knew I'd never get to sleep. So I grabbed my blankie and went into my parents room. My dad is a pretty light sleeper so I thought that if I whispered "Daaaaad" a few times he would wake up. It was my mom who muttered a groggy, "What?". Then I asked for them to pray for me. They did (of course I cried) and then they let me lay down right in between them. Which was awesome because I haven't done that for over a decade, but after a while it got really hot so I went back to my bed. It was just so amazing to have them understand and love me enough to pray for me at midnight!
One of my big worries was about a French test today. Originally I had a C overall grade in the class. I was so freaked out because I need a C or higher to graduate, and I knew that if I bombed the test and got lower than a C and then got a really low overall grade...well I didn't know what would happen! I wouldn't be able to graduate in December. So it really was one of those tests that would make or break...my whole future. O_O Anyways, I got an 86!! WHOOT! Who says God doesn't answer prayer?? I say "Ha!" in their faces!
Needless to say, there are so many other things that are weighing on my mind. Uuuuuugh...I don't even want to deal with it all. I wish I had a machine that had a sign on it "QUESTIONS" and everyday you could ask any question and get God's answer back.
Oh and thanks to all (2 of you! lame!) who told me which actor your dream spouse would resemble! Yours is cute, Ame! And Madds, he is quite handsome. :) Mine is (dun dun dun dun):
Josh Harnett. :) Yes...anywho.
I watched the movie The Company the other day. It pretty much follows the life of a ballet dancer in a Chicago ballet company. I love dance but not enough to live the kind of life she did...insane. And I really want to see 127 Hours! Not only does it look good but I looooove James Franco. We'll see. Right now Voyage of the Dawn Treader is top on my list. And also Tangled looks so good! Maybe that is how I will go celebrate.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
November 2
What a day. Oh.
I am too tired to even write out everything that happened. I voted for the first time. Had my first flat tire ever. Couldn't get a hold of my dad for two hours, which was a little scary and frustrating. Forgot my books for school and had to go back home to get them. Had amazingly yummy pizza in a really awesome NYC themed restaurant. Watched an amazing video from an amazing friend.
May I just take a moment to note that I am disgusted with Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream". Absolutely horrified. Not necessarily at the degrading content of the song (which I am) as the fact that our society--people, parents, and local radio stations--condone it and even...accept the message. Oh so gross. I might just throw something.
I must be a really dysfunctional friend or something.
Got my senior pics...most of you saw them. I am really happy with the way a few of them turned out. Our good friend did them for me--she's amazing. God's amazing to have made me the way He wanted me to look. I just love that I look how God wants me to. Wow...
Tonight at Bible study we were reading Luke something or other, the story about the prostitute or cleaned Jesus's feet with her tears. And it struck me for the first time ever how amazing that story is. Have you ever experienced the amazingness of God so fully that you just cry? Or when a really awesome worship song plays and you are in a mass of thousands of people all singing together and you start bawling? I can imagine that is sort of how that woman felt x 100. I mean, to think that she was sobbing so hard that she could literally clean all of the crap of Jesus's feet. Sometimes I think that's how it might be when I get to Heaven. Not just tears from shame and humility but tears that are evoked by the sheer majesty, love, and compassion from our Lord.
I am too tired to even write out everything that happened. I voted for the first time. Had my first flat tire ever. Couldn't get a hold of my dad for two hours, which was a little scary and frustrating. Forgot my books for school and had to go back home to get them. Had amazingly yummy pizza in a really awesome NYC themed restaurant. Watched an amazing video from an amazing friend.
May I just take a moment to note that I am disgusted with Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream". Absolutely horrified. Not necessarily at the degrading content of the song (which I am) as the fact that our society--people, parents, and local radio stations--condone it and even...accept the message. Oh so gross. I might just throw something.
I must be a really dysfunctional friend or something.
Got my senior pics...most of you saw them. I am really happy with the way a few of them turned out. Our good friend did them for me--she's amazing. God's amazing to have made me the way He wanted me to look. I just love that I look how God wants me to. Wow...
Tonight at Bible study we were reading Luke something or other, the story about the prostitute or cleaned Jesus's feet with her tears. And it struck me for the first time ever how amazing that story is. Have you ever experienced the amazingness of God so fully that you just cry? Or when a really awesome worship song plays and you are in a mass of thousands of people all singing together and you start bawling? I can imagine that is sort of how that woman felt x 100. I mean, to think that she was sobbing so hard that she could literally clean all of the crap of Jesus's feet. Sometimes I think that's how it might be when I get to Heaven. Not just tears from shame and humility but tears that are evoked by the sheer majesty, love, and compassion from our Lord.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
"I finally died, which started the whole Earth living"
What an absolutely awesome Labor Day weekend. Except for the fact I was not nearly as productive as I wanted to be. In fact, I have done hardly any homework. Typical college procrastination going on here. Oh if there were only a medicine for procrastination sickness. What's that you say? There is? It's....work. Yeah.
So I love pictures, and I think I will do updates with some pics.
Sunday
So one of my childhood memories is of waking up early on Labor Day Sunday and going down to our city's downtown park to watch hundreds of hot hair balloons take off. This year I was all gung-ho about going until I found out no one else in my family wanted to go. But as I laid in bed contemplating the hard decision of if I should go alone or not, I realized that it was possibly my last year to attend for a long time. Turns out Dad was up for going with me, so at 6:30 in the morning we walked with crowds of other tired people towards the park. It was an awesome morning, just getting to walk around and look at the cool booths. We saw tons of friends we hadn't seen in a long time. And some awesome balloons, too!
Sunday night-Monday morning
Dad had a sort of spontaneous desire to get away to the mountains for a night. And I didn't hesitate (much) to go with him. Originally Tracey was supposed to go with us but she got sick so I invited a great friend of mine, Katie (my God-friend). We packed up some granola bars, sleeping bags, NO tent, and took off. The hike itself was only about an hour and a half. Dad knew of a secluded flat spot across the creek and we plopped ourselves down there for the night. After hiking the rest of the trail to St. Mary's Falls we came back and hung around the fire. Then we put our sleeping bags around it (JUST LIKE COWBOYS!!) and laid under the stars. Let me tell you something. God is amazing. So we see one shooting star. It was gorgeous, as can be expected. Then as we laid there, I prayed "God, please send one more". And guess what? Right before I closed my eyes, a long, shimmering star shot across the sky. You ARE amazing, God. It was such a surreal night. I would wake up, look at the sky for a moment, notice how the stars had moved slightly as we rotated, then go back to sleep. How blessed I am, how amazing my life is, and how wonderful the Lord of all creation is.
So I love pictures, and I think I will do updates with some pics.
Sunday
So one of my childhood memories is of waking up early on Labor Day Sunday and going down to our city's downtown park to watch hundreds of hot hair balloons take off. This year I was all gung-ho about going until I found out no one else in my family wanted to go. But as I laid in bed contemplating the hard decision of if I should go alone or not, I realized that it was possibly my last year to attend for a long time. Turns out Dad was up for going with me, so at 6:30 in the morning we walked with crowds of other tired people towards the park. It was an awesome morning, just getting to walk around and look at the cool booths. We saw tons of friends we hadn't seen in a long time. And some awesome balloons, too!
Sunday night-Monday morning
Dad had a sort of spontaneous desire to get away to the mountains for a night. And I didn't hesitate (much) to go with him. Originally Tracey was supposed to go with us but she got sick so I invited a great friend of mine, Katie (my God-friend). We packed up some granola bars, sleeping bags, NO tent, and took off. The hike itself was only about an hour and a half. Dad knew of a secluded flat spot across the creek and we plopped ourselves down there for the night. After hiking the rest of the trail to St. Mary's Falls we came back and hung around the fire. Then we put our sleeping bags around it (JUST LIKE COWBOYS!!) and laid under the stars. Let me tell you something. God is amazing. So we see one shooting star. It was gorgeous, as can be expected. Then as we laid there, I prayed "God, please send one more". And guess what? Right before I closed my eyes, a long, shimmering star shot across the sky. You ARE amazing, God. It was such a surreal night. I would wake up, look at the sky for a moment, notice how the stars had moved slightly as we rotated, then go back to sleep. How blessed I am, how amazing my life is, and how wonderful the Lord of all creation is.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
So God does speak to me...
"And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God." ~ Ephesians 3:18-19
Two days ago I was reading a chapter from my current devotional "Completely Irresistible" (by Shannon Ethridge). It was Chapter 16 titled "Live Loved" and dealt with believing (and living out that belief) that God loves every person individually. The author referenced to John, who was referred to very regularly as 'the one Jesus loved'. In this chapter, the author challenged readers to think about how our belief in Jesus' unconditional love affects our lives. She writes, "The God of the universe loves you--passionately, deeply, tenderly, unconditionally. Once you've got that fact firmly rooted and established in your life, it's going to bear fruit."
I don't know how to put it eloquently, but my life does not reflect this amazing love very well at all. And that's because it isn't a truth that I have an easy time believing. You know the feeling when you KNOW something, say...that gravity is holding you down but it's hard to really understand it. It's just a fact to you. That's sort of how the truth of Jesus's love for me is.
As you might imagine, reading that devotional was pretty hard. I kept thinking, "I believe this, I know this, but how do I really KNOW it and reflect it??" Obviously this is a topic God really wanted to pound into my head, because today I opened up my new favorite book "Come Away My Beloved" (Frances J. Roberts. go buy it.) and read this devotional. I am going to post the entire thing, even if it is only for my benefit.
The Blessings of the Pure in Heart
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." - Matthew 5:8
Is not My heart drawn out toward you to bless you? Have I not said that I would shelter and protect you and be your strong support? Yield your whole being to Me. I am your loving Father. I know your need even before it arises. My provisions are not only sure, but also full and overflowing, so that you may confess with the psalmist, "I shall never want." You will see with a vision denied to many, for your heart is pure, and to the pure of heart is given the promise that they shall see God. How much more glorious than to behold the beauty of a thousand sunsets! How much more thrilling than the sight of the fairest faces ever to grace the earth!
Yes, I shall reveal Myself to you and you shall know Me face-to-face, as Moses did. You shall walk with Me and talk with Me, and I will hold your right hand and be a brother and a friend to you. Yes, in joy I will be an added comfort, and in sorry I will be to you the peace that surpasses understanding.
Do not look to people to tell you more about Me. Look to Me directly, for I will reveal Myself to you in a personal way, in ways no other could tell you. I will be as personal and as dear to you as I was to John, the Beloved. I would take you aside as I did Peter and talk to you of things that concern yourself alone. I am not only the God of congregations, but the God of the individual, and I am as concerned for you as I was for Abraham or Joseph or David.
You are never one of many to Me. You are precious and dear to My heart, yes, even as a very special treasure. For I love you more than you can ever comprehend, and I long to gather you in My embrace and hold you close to My heart. Do not hold Me at arm's length because you have a sense of unworthiness. Have you not read that the redeemed are brought near by the blood of Christ? Your sins are not covered; they are washed away! They are not only forgiven: They are forgotten! Don't hold back My love.
Be as the prodigal when embraced by his father. Though he would have resisted for a moment, he swiftly accepted his father's forgiveness and reciprocated his love and affection.
I, too, would bring you into My house and spread for you a feast of blessings and place upon you the garment of praise, the ring of relationship, and the sandals of peace. Come, for all things are prepared for you and nothing shall be denied.
Two days ago I was reading a chapter from my current devotional "Completely Irresistible" (by Shannon Ethridge). It was Chapter 16 titled "Live Loved" and dealt with believing (and living out that belief) that God loves every person individually. The author referenced to John, who was referred to very regularly as 'the one Jesus loved'. In this chapter, the author challenged readers to think about how our belief in Jesus' unconditional love affects our lives. She writes, "The God of the universe loves you--passionately, deeply, tenderly, unconditionally. Once you've got that fact firmly rooted and established in your life, it's going to bear fruit."
I don't know how to put it eloquently, but my life does not reflect this amazing love very well at all. And that's because it isn't a truth that I have an easy time believing. You know the feeling when you KNOW something, say...that gravity is holding you down but it's hard to really understand it. It's just a fact to you. That's sort of how the truth of Jesus's love for me is.
As you might imagine, reading that devotional was pretty hard. I kept thinking, "I believe this, I know this, but how do I really KNOW it and reflect it??" Obviously this is a topic God really wanted to pound into my head, because today I opened up my new favorite book "Come Away My Beloved" (Frances J. Roberts. go buy it.) and read this devotional. I am going to post the entire thing, even if it is only for my benefit.
The Blessings of the Pure in Heart
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." - Matthew 5:8
Is not My heart drawn out toward you to bless you? Have I not said that I would shelter and protect you and be your strong support? Yield your whole being to Me. I am your loving Father. I know your need even before it arises. My provisions are not only sure, but also full and overflowing, so that you may confess with the psalmist, "I shall never want." You will see with a vision denied to many, for your heart is pure, and to the pure of heart is given the promise that they shall see God. How much more glorious than to behold the beauty of a thousand sunsets! How much more thrilling than the sight of the fairest faces ever to grace the earth!
Yes, I shall reveal Myself to you and you shall know Me face-to-face, as Moses did. You shall walk with Me and talk with Me, and I will hold your right hand and be a brother and a friend to you. Yes, in joy I will be an added comfort, and in sorry I will be to you the peace that surpasses understanding.
Do not look to people to tell you more about Me. Look to Me directly, for I will reveal Myself to you in a personal way, in ways no other could tell you. I will be as personal and as dear to you as I was to John, the Beloved. I would take you aside as I did Peter and talk to you of things that concern yourself alone. I am not only the God of congregations, but the God of the individual, and I am as concerned for you as I was for Abraham or Joseph or David.
You are never one of many to Me. You are precious and dear to My heart, yes, even as a very special treasure. For I love you more than you can ever comprehend, and I long to gather you in My embrace and hold you close to My heart. Do not hold Me at arm's length because you have a sense of unworthiness. Have you not read that the redeemed are brought near by the blood of Christ? Your sins are not covered; they are washed away! They are not only forgiven: They are forgotten! Don't hold back My love.
Be as the prodigal when embraced by his father. Though he would have resisted for a moment, he swiftly accepted his father's forgiveness and reciprocated his love and affection.
I, too, would bring you into My house and spread for you a feast of blessings and place upon you the garment of praise, the ring of relationship, and the sandals of peace. Come, for all things are prepared for you and nothing shall be denied.
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