In the hollow of Your hands You have measured
The depths of every sea
Wht the breadth of Your hands You have marked out
The width of the skies
You are Creator of the heavens
Maker of the earth
And You created me.
My soul, my soul cries out
You are
Magnificent, wonderful
Lord of all the earth.
You are
Marvelous, powerful
Lord of all the earth.
You are Holy, You are Holy, You are Holy
With the breath from Your spirit, You have breathed
Life to dry bones
With the words from Your mouth You have spoken
Life into existance
You are the Breath of Life
Maker of the earth
And You created me.
My soul, my soul cries out
You are
Magnificent, wonderful
Lord of all the earth.
You are
Marvelous, Powerful
Lord of all the earth.
You are Holy, You are Holy, You are Holy!
This is mostly inspired by Isaiah 40:12. I was reading it recently and just in awe at the majesty of God. The very God who can hold the waters of the whole earth, holds me. The very God who created the seas and the heavens, created me!
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Another Honest Scrap
Ha! I don't know how to do this! Early this week, I was honored An Honest Scrap Award, by my new blog friend, Catrina . I can't even continue without saying how blessed I feel to have met her here, on Blogspot, and on FaithWriters.com. God has really used her to encourage me through scripture, even if she didn't realize it! :)
So, now, in return I must list 10 honest things about me! Whew, here it goes!
1) I love chocolate
2) I hate spiders!
3) I can be a little OCD, at times.
4) I'm not very good at trusting other people (but God is forcing a change in that)
5) I love God, He is everything to me, and He fills me with all that I need in Him.
6) I love worship, but I'm afraid to let people see that (see # 4 for details)
7) My husband is my best friend. I'm not just saying that, he really is!
8) I want to get involved in short term missions.
9) I like to read the thesaurus and find new exciting words.
10) I like being happy!
Okay, so I was honest! Now, to pass this award on to other blogs that inspire me.
Venting - This is my husbands blog! He has really opened up in his writing, and started sharing parts of himself, and mostly it melts my heart when I read it!
Life As I Know It - I really haven't had a chance to meet Suzy in person, but I am blessed to have "met" her through my friend Traci. I see that God is working in her life, and I enjoy reading about the steps she is taking towards Him.
Hmmmmm.... - Traci is my best friend from high school. Even though we are far apart, I still feel close to her, and I can't wait to see the things that she writes about as she begins her new blog!
Gosh, there are so many others, but right now these are the ones that I feel deserve this award. Hopefully it will inspire them to continue to share their testimonies with others, and encourage them to continue in what God is doing in their lives.
Again, I have to say thank you to Catrina! You have no idea how you made my day! One thing I constantly look forward to, is finding that I am sharing God's word with people I wouldn't normally get the chance to share with! Thank you!
So, now, in return I must list 10 honest things about me! Whew, here it goes!
1) I love chocolate
2) I hate spiders!
3) I can be a little OCD, at times.
4) I'm not very good at trusting other people (but God is forcing a change in that)
5) I love God, He is everything to me, and He fills me with all that I need in Him.
6) I love worship, but I'm afraid to let people see that (see # 4 for details)
7) My husband is my best friend. I'm not just saying that, he really is!
8) I want to get involved in short term missions.
9) I like to read the thesaurus and find new exciting words.
10) I like being happy!
Okay, so I was honest! Now, to pass this award on to other blogs that inspire me.
Venting - This is my husbands blog! He has really opened up in his writing, and started sharing parts of himself, and mostly it melts my heart when I read it!
Life As I Know It - I really haven't had a chance to meet Suzy in person, but I am blessed to have "met" her through my friend Traci. I see that God is working in her life, and I enjoy reading about the steps she is taking towards Him.
Hmmmmm.... - Traci is my best friend from high school. Even though we are far apart, I still feel close to her, and I can't wait to see the things that she writes about as she begins her new blog!
Gosh, there are so many others, but right now these are the ones that I feel deserve this award. Hopefully it will inspire them to continue to share their testimonies with others, and encourage them to continue in what God is doing in their lives.
Again, I have to say thank you to Catrina! You have no idea how you made my day! One thing I constantly look forward to, is finding that I am sharing God's word with people I wouldn't normally get the chance to share with! Thank you!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Worship Me
"Lord, I want to worship you."
Worship Me.
"There are too many distractions."
Worship Me.
"This song is just too fast."
Worship Me.
"That lady on stage, is she really worshipping, or is it an act?"
Worship Me.
"I can't worship You, the mood is not right, my mind is not focused, and I have too many things keeping me from You."
Worship Me.
Gen 22:4-6
4On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance.
5Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you."
6Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.
"Again, Lord? Why do You keep bringing me back to this? What am I missing?"
This word "worship" means to bow down, it also means obeisance.
obeisance- Noun 1. obeisance - bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting; 2. obeisance - the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person.
I want to worship You. Forgive me for not being obediant in worship, for allowing the distractions, for making excuses. True worshippers, worshipping in spirit and in truth. I want to worship You in truth, and in spirit, even when my flesh is weak and would rather make excuses for disobediance.
Worship Me.
Romans 12:1-2 1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Worship Me.
"There are too many distractions."
Worship Me.
"This song is just too fast."
Worship Me.
"That lady on stage, is she really worshipping, or is it an act?"
Worship Me.
"I can't worship You, the mood is not right, my mind is not focused, and I have too many things keeping me from You."
Worship Me.
Gen 22:4-6
4On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance.
5Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you."
6Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.
"Again, Lord? Why do You keep bringing me back to this? What am I missing?"
This word "worship" means to bow down, it also means obeisance.
obeisance- Noun 1. obeisance - bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting; 2. obeisance - the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person.
I want to worship You. Forgive me for not being obediant in worship, for allowing the distractions, for making excuses. True worshippers, worshipping in spirit and in truth. I want to worship You in truth, and in spirit, even when my flesh is weak and would rather make excuses for disobediance.
Worship Me.
Romans 12:1-2 1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Discipleship: Getting ready for swimsuit season
Yes, I know the title is strange. But it was the best analogy I could think of last night, as I tried to make my flesh agree with my spririt, that discipleship is a good thing, and a needed thing. I guess it would be better to compare it to a runner preparing for a race, much like Paul does in 1 Corinthians 9.
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
But with it being summer time, I thought it best to use the swimsuit! Besides, it will help with explaining the need to expose ourselves to the Lord. Think about how exposed you feel when you put on a swimsuit!
So, every year I go into a frenzied diet mode, trying to get ready for the coming swimsuit season. I research diets, excercises, and all other ways to lose that winter weight. But, when it comes to my spritual health, I do not seek out the knowledge of those who are able to help me. God has been telling me about counting costs, dying to self, and sacrifice, and while the words were hard to swallow at times, I continued to say "Yes, Lord." This week, it was brought to me that I need to put myself under certain women in the church, for...discipleship. And instantly my flesh said, "Wait, no way am I going to sit and be told what to do." For those who truely know me, you know I'm stubborn to the core, and don't like being told what to do. Even if it is right and good, I still don't like being told. I want to figure it out for myself. I guess I'll need to count that cost!
God clearly told me that this was coming. And even yesterday He took me to Proverbs 15.
5A fool rejects his father's discipline,
But he who regards reproof is sensible.
12A scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.
And the clincher...
31He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will dwell among the wise.
32He who neglects discipline despises himself,
But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
33The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.
So, I'm getting ready for a spiritual swimsuit season! Lord help me to have a heart that is like fertile soil, and that I will listen to instruction and be obedient to Your word, life-giving reproof. To be humble, to be moldable, so that I can be usable.
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
But with it being summer time, I thought it best to use the swimsuit! Besides, it will help with explaining the need to expose ourselves to the Lord. Think about how exposed you feel when you put on a swimsuit!
So, every year I go into a frenzied diet mode, trying to get ready for the coming swimsuit season. I research diets, excercises, and all other ways to lose that winter weight. But, when it comes to my spritual health, I do not seek out the knowledge of those who are able to help me. God has been telling me about counting costs, dying to self, and sacrifice, and while the words were hard to swallow at times, I continued to say "Yes, Lord." This week, it was brought to me that I need to put myself under certain women in the church, for...discipleship. And instantly my flesh said, "Wait, no way am I going to sit and be told what to do." For those who truely know me, you know I'm stubborn to the core, and don't like being told what to do. Even if it is right and good, I still don't like being told. I want to figure it out for myself. I guess I'll need to count that cost!
God clearly told me that this was coming. And even yesterday He took me to Proverbs 15.
5A fool rejects his father's discipline,
But he who regards reproof is sensible.
12A scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.
And the clincher...
31He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof
Will dwell among the wise.
32He who neglects discipline despises himself,
But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
33The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.
So, I'm getting ready for a spiritual swimsuit season! Lord help me to have a heart that is like fertile soil, and that I will listen to instruction and be obedient to Your word, life-giving reproof. To be humble, to be moldable, so that I can be usable.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
The Stand - Hillsong United
You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand
You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand
So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand
So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
So I’ll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
So I’ll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours
What an amazing song. How often do we abandon our hearts for the Lord? I have been the type of person, who at all costs protects the heart. And yet, God clearly says that is the one thing He desires most. Our hearts abandoned to Him. Sitting in my cubicle at work, and all I wanted to do was bow before my God in complete surrender.
Lord, all I am is Yours. All that I am I surrender to You!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Sacrifice: The Ram In The Bush
Exodus 22:13
13Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.
There is a song that we sing at church, right now the title escapes me, as well as most of the words! But this Sunday, there were five words that have continued to stick with me. "The ram in the bush..." I'm not sure how everyone else in service felt about those words as they melodically floated through the air, but they seemed to settle on me in such a way, that I feel God is trying to show me something. Speak something to me. If you have been following my blogs lately, you know that sacrifice has been a main and repetitive theme, with emphasis on the portion of scripture that those lyrics come from.
We know that Jesus is represented in this passage, by Abraham willing to sacrifice his only son and by the ram that becomes the sacrifice provided by God. I began to think about the timing of it all, and how important it was that Abraham paid close attention to the details God was showing Him.
vs. 2
2He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."
There was a specific place that God was leading Abraham, much like there is a specific place that God is leading us. Anytime we become rebellious or stubborn and decide that we want to go our own route, it keeps us from getting to the spot where God has provided the "ram in the bush". I have been on my own journey, most of you have read about it here, to a place God has purposed for me, learning about sacrifice, patience, and faith. I have had to try my hardest to put my desires and passions, my life, on that alter. Most times I have struggled and failed, and I still see where I am lacking in faith. But God has given me hope. Once again, I'm brought to the realization (and it shouldn't really be such a grand realization cause it's something I should know already!) that my hope is in Jesus. If I follow the direction of God, and go to the mountain He will tell me of, He has already provided the "ram in the bush".
What would have happened had Abraham decided he couldn't go all the way, or that another mountain was closer and made better sense. Would the ram have been caught in the bushes? Would he have passed up what God really had in store? We know that God never intended for Abraham to sacrifice his son. But just like God tested Abraham's patience, by causing him to wait till he was over 100 years old for Isaac, the promised seed, God was testing Abraham's faith. If God could give a promise, He would see it through to the very end, even if He had to raise the boy from the dead.
Where am I in this? God, I know that you have been speaking to me about sacrifice. I want to follow Your direction to the very end. I don't want to give up on You, or to rebel and turn aside and follow my own path. You are directing, leading, and guiding me to that place, and I want to follow You!
13Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.
There is a song that we sing at church, right now the title escapes me, as well as most of the words! But this Sunday, there were five words that have continued to stick with me. "The ram in the bush..." I'm not sure how everyone else in service felt about those words as they melodically floated through the air, but they seemed to settle on me in such a way, that I feel God is trying to show me something. Speak something to me. If you have been following my blogs lately, you know that sacrifice has been a main and repetitive theme, with emphasis on the portion of scripture that those lyrics come from.
We know that Jesus is represented in this passage, by Abraham willing to sacrifice his only son and by the ram that becomes the sacrifice provided by God. I began to think about the timing of it all, and how important it was that Abraham paid close attention to the details God was showing Him.
vs. 2
2He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."
There was a specific place that God was leading Abraham, much like there is a specific place that God is leading us. Anytime we become rebellious or stubborn and decide that we want to go our own route, it keeps us from getting to the spot where God has provided the "ram in the bush". I have been on my own journey, most of you have read about it here, to a place God has purposed for me, learning about sacrifice, patience, and faith. I have had to try my hardest to put my desires and passions, my life, on that alter. Most times I have struggled and failed, and I still see where I am lacking in faith. But God has given me hope. Once again, I'm brought to the realization (and it shouldn't really be such a grand realization cause it's something I should know already!) that my hope is in Jesus. If I follow the direction of God, and go to the mountain He will tell me of, He has already provided the "ram in the bush".
What would have happened had Abraham decided he couldn't go all the way, or that another mountain was closer and made better sense. Would the ram have been caught in the bushes? Would he have passed up what God really had in store? We know that God never intended for Abraham to sacrifice his son. But just like God tested Abraham's patience, by causing him to wait till he was over 100 years old for Isaac, the promised seed, God was testing Abraham's faith. If God could give a promise, He would see it through to the very end, even if He had to raise the boy from the dead.
Where am I in this? God, I know that you have been speaking to me about sacrifice. I want to follow Your direction to the very end. I don't want to give up on You, or to rebel and turn aside and follow my own path. You are directing, leading, and guiding me to that place, and I want to follow You!
Friday, May 08, 2009
Counting the Cost
Luke 14:25-33 25
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' 31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
Phil 3:7-9. 7
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
Again, it was a Sunday morning when God spoke these words to me. "Count the cost." The pervasive "still small voice" of God, penetrating my heart. Really I don't know what to say to that. While I've meditated and chewed on it for days, I don't want to respond mindlessly. Isn't that what Luke is talking about, a mindless haphazard response to God's will, instead of counting the cost?
So, I'll continue to seek God about this, and what He is trying to show me. But I really wanted to share these scriptures with everyone. I think we are in a time, where we need to be counting the costs. Are we really willing to give all? Our lavish homes, our fancy cars, friendships, family, anything that we may put ahead of God or that we allow to stop us from fully following God. I don't want to sound pesimistic, since really it is because of hope in our God that we are able to shed the cares and worries and things of this world.
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' 31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
Phil 3:7-9. 7
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
Again, it was a Sunday morning when God spoke these words to me. "Count the cost." The pervasive "still small voice" of God, penetrating my heart. Really I don't know what to say to that. While I've meditated and chewed on it for days, I don't want to respond mindlessly. Isn't that what Luke is talking about, a mindless haphazard response to God's will, instead of counting the cost?
So, I'll continue to seek God about this, and what He is trying to show me. But I really wanted to share these scriptures with everyone. I think we are in a time, where we need to be counting the costs. Are we really willing to give all? Our lavish homes, our fancy cars, friendships, family, anything that we may put ahead of God or that we allow to stop us from fully following God. I don't want to sound pesimistic, since really it is because of hope in our God that we are able to shed the cares and worries and things of this world.
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