Ready Rejoinder

Response is everything!

To be honest I have a hard time chewing that one too. I mean really? Every time?
Yes! Sir! eee!

I have been a mom for a good chunk of years now. I have yet to have plenty of wisdom under my belt. And it never ceases to amaze me. I think I am ready. I feel like I can handle it. I got a good night sleep, and my diet has been pretty good. I even had a walk today...everything is in order, and still...

Bam! Horrible response. Fellow servant down with broken heart.

God knows my heart. How desperate I am to be renewed and to shed those old companions that rise up and visit when I least expect them. It just doesn't seem right, and the reality is it is not. It is my responsibility. I am hurting people. It is my blame and my tongue that let my Jesus Christ to death.

I am always surprised at myself when it isn't the kids that bring those cobweb covered nasties out of me. It is adults.

I see why God said do not hinder the little ones and let them come unto me. My little cherubs, so full of grace and so much fun. When I love them they become all cookies and cream, and when the world starts taking me away from them for all the "good" things that need to be done, a lot like how the disciples were holding back the little ones because they thought the adults were better. I am sad to say when I separate from my little ones, they do quickly become like sour grapes. It is true. Even church can undo the fellowship and discipleship within the family by using time and separating us out.

Guard your heart, guard your mind, and guard your family.

The father is so loving in giving us these lessons. He does not leave us behind, but like a perfect loving parent he nudges us on to following Him. All things are possible with Christ. We won't be done until He calls us home, and for the better of the ones following in my footsteps, I will...

Trust and obey
For there is no other way
To be happy in Jesus
Than to trust and obey

Reticent Companion

When times are so hard and we we run to others, we are running away from God.

"Be still and know that I am God" The scripture states clearly. There is a time for everything, and I think in this day in history, more than ever, silence has to be so very intentional.  When I get quiet, even the things that were quiet before become loud.

Ever notice that? The background radio that you could hardly hear becomes annoyingly loud when lying on the couch in the afternoon.  The Dishwasher during prayer becomes an annoying drumming. The cars going by seem obtrusive during a snuggled reading with the children. Quiet doesn't come easy.

Even Elisha, chosen priest, stole away from all of civilization. God sent many magnificent sights for him to behold from the mouth of the cave, but remember when God showed himself?
In the stillness.

Then when He speaks I sit in awe. When the time comes I rise and I go out bearing more of His name than I did the time before. Amen for the simplicity of how God chooses to meet us.

God is more concerned in doing a work in you than He is about doing a work through you.

Family Consanguinity

Some weeks are just like this. 
They can be referred to as doormat weeks. Not in the sense doormat mans that people aren't appreciating you, I am using the term in more of a welcoming mat. Maybe this is a bad analogy, but until I can come up with a better one it will have to do. All people under the roof needing to shake off the daily grim from living in this decomposing world.


I have been pondering the role of the family. What it was established for, what it's purpose is, and what the relationships inside of it should look like. Of course with every family it is different. It is a shame when we see only the good and others and put unneeded stress and expectation on our own loved ones. When I see that in m I am disgusted.


Also, the one thing that keeps creeping into my thinking, is how much is my perception of all that God has showed me and all that I read in His word is tainted by my knowledge, education, and experience. My family, culture, and friendships have all blended together to create what it is I think I know now. 


That my friend is why I believe that we must be still and know that He is God. In those moments where all is quiet and I am with our Father, I sense a clearing of my mind. In those moments His holiness is revealed and I can see the true reality of His establishment. 


Let us face it. Everyone wants to give their account of what the Bible has to say. Books on parenting, e-books on fasting, Literature on prayer, and the list goes on.


I have repented to a friend recently that my mentors are books. That must be sad to the Father. Can you imagine Jesus with the disciples? "Study the first chapter and I will meet you on Thursday to discuss." Weird! He could not have the full impact on them meeting once a week and him talking with no room for the disciples to respond. He kept them so close. They learned in moments when they didn't know they were being taught.


And this is where my thoughts on the family come together. Daily-ness. Walking out life everyday after day. Talking and seeing. Challenging and responding. Taking in and processing. Mother and Father, the two godly perspectives coming together to provide a whole picture. Children tendered and nurtured following behind in the grassy, narrow trail, being warned of dangers, encouraged to look up, and not miss the beautiful.


The family is where the relationship begins.
Consanguinity

Mustering Complaints

I have pondered the preaching today.
Habakkak
As a witty elder of our church would say, "in the crispy pages."

Habakkak, who name meaning seems insignificant, gets to the end of his rope. In a very adult like temper tantrum sort of way he pours his complaint at God and urges The Father to DO SOMETHING!!! In response the Lord says something to to effect of hang on there buddy. Check out what is going around you. Do you think for a moment that I don't have it all under control?

Habakkak is in his preistly position. Apointed by God to lead people, he seems to dicide that perhaps it is his turn to lead God. His respone includes (vs 13),  "Why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?" He continues on, and ends with the statement that says God can say what he wants, but Habakkak? His answer will again be referenced to Habbakak's complaint. Feel free to read the short book for the rest of the story.

Hmmm....

I see that how Habkkak, who i will not call H, is like....me. How often am I formulating answers to my own situations instead of listening intently for the voice of God?

I think some would believe it to be wrong to think that H's honesty and persistance to God is a bad thing. I don't agree.

 Jesus himself said that knock and the door shall be opened. He reminded us of the man who needed the bread in the night. The man persisted until the neighbor came to the door and shared the provisions that were needed. God does not mind redundantcy at all. Our dependence on Him alone to meet our deepest needs, results in His glory and that is what is best for everyone. After all He is our Daily Bread. Many of lifes hardest situtaions are lived out over many, many days. And it is everyday we must eat the bread of our dependence on Him and drink the cup that washes away the stress and strain of what we face in this world.

I actually went and got my hair cut a few days ago. A classy place with a down to earth lady that did a great job on my untamed locks. While we talked she shared the struggles of her Father's health. The next chair over the two women shared stories of one's favorite aunt and the other's young sisiter-in-law with three children struggling with aggressive cancers. Two chairs over a friend was there for a wekly appointment mainly to encourage the stylist, as she is going through a very messy divorce. All this pain.

I sat there with scriptures twirling in my head and with nothing to say that would make any sense. I was praying for wisdom, when the woman next to me said something to the effect of, "I just don't get it. With all the drug dealers and mean people out there why don't they get these life threatening problems."

I just kept thinking about the ruler of this world. Glad to to have the power in the life of the wounded and the life of the bitter. Then the Holy Spirit gave me words and boldness.

"I think that is why when Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit to us He called him the Great Comforter. He knew that this life would try to knock us down to death and we would need a comforter to give us hope. We are never alone in any situaution."

And He persisted just as we do. He was filled with comfort and Hope just like the Lord Jesus Christ promises for us.

Friend, don't give up. The joy comes in the morning. Sometimes the nights last so long, but we don't stand on the sinking sand of what we can muster. We stand on the Solid Rock of who He is and the promises that He so generously recorded for us in His word. He's with you right now.