Thursday, May 24, 2012    

The Source

Saturday, December 13th, 2008

I was doing a little journal reflection this week as part of my Spiritual Formations and discovered, rather quickly, that God had brought me to two very different passages this week with a very similar message:

There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy.
Psalm 43:4, NLT

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely
with joy and peace because you trust in him.
Romans 15:13

Do you think maybe God is trying to tell me something?

This morning I looked up the definition of “source”: “Any thing or place from which something comes, arises, or is obtained.” I kind of already had that in my head, but it never hurts to get some confirmation.

So I have to ask myself, where is my source for joy and hope? Where is my source for life in general? It is suppose to be God…and I think most times that is the case. But not always. Sometimes the source may even be something “noble”…but if it’s not God it just isn’t good enough. It falls short.

So this week I am focusing on this: Making sure God is my source.

13.12.2008 Devotional, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Expectant Worship

Sunday, November 23rd, 2008

There is something about this morning that has me looking forward to worshiping God in community more than usual.

I am expectant. I am excited. And I can’t really explain why.

Being ready for and excited about Sunday morning is nothing new or unusual for me…I love our church and the people and the music and the pastors…you get the picture. But this morning holds even more expectation and inner-stirring than normal.

God will be there (of course He’s here too…but it’s different among a group of people who love Him and are praising Him together). So I will get up, spend some personally time with God and then go be part of His church. I think this is how God wants us to feel heading into worship (corporate and personal).

It is going to be a great day!

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.
Psalm 84:1-2, NLT

23.11.2008 Church, Spiritual Musings No Comments

God’s Delight

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

This has been kind of a crazy day (a crazy few days to be more precise). In the midst of all the hastle of traveling and attending a conference God got ahold of me today about something I have struggled with for a looooong time…and frankly still do. But God is working and speaking.

Here’s the verse He used:

For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With His love, he will calm your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Zephaniah 3:17, NLT

God…the God of the universe…delights and rejoices in His relationship with us. And there it is. Really? I get that God loves us. Even puts up with us. But delights and rejoices? I confess. I struggle with that. Partly because I don’t feel it very often…and I just want to feel God’s love and delight. It’s the desire of my heart.

I read these words and I know God treasures a rich, intimate relationship with me. I read that He desires fellowship with me. But I don’t often feel it and that is wreaking havoc in my spiritual life! I pray for it…I teach about it…I talk about it…

Is it too much to ask? Is it because of my childhood relationships? Is God testing my resolve? I’m not sure, but it is reassuring to read about His delight and His love. And I’m not giving up on it.

Please pray for me on this point…and share your experiences and thoughts on the topic. And always remember that God delights in YOU!

29.04.2008 God's Love, Spiritual Musings No Comments

God Wants Our Hearts

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

I was going to take a break today as I have managed to catch the crud that’s going around. But once again God caught my attention this morning in His Word. I am reading through the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament (Hosea through Malachi) and I just started the short little book of Joel.

God has sent a plague of locusts to Israel as punishment…to wake them up. They are a metaphor of the encroaching sin of the people and God is calling them back to Himself. God calls for their repentance…and in His cry to Israel is where He spoke to me this morning:

“Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts…
Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Joel 2:12-13 (NLT)

God doesn’t pull any punches here and He certainly doesn’t beat around the bush. God wants our hearts. He wants us to offer them up to Him willingly knowing an trusting that He will take care of them. He calls us to turn from our sin, from our grief, our agony, our pain and turn to Him…to tear our hearts and offer them to the God who loves.

Of course, that’s often easier said than done…sometimes we like our misery and pain just fine. Sometimes we don’t rust what God will do with our hearts. But He calls us just the same…

22.04.2008 Devotional, Spiritual Musings No Comments

The Search for God

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

Search for the Lord and for his strength;
continually seek him.
Psalm 105:4 (NLT)

One word in the passage above caught my attention this morning. It caught my attention because it’s kind of the whole point behind my blog…the journey of faith. The one word? Continually.

God asks us not just to search and seek Him out…He asks us to pursue and to explore Him. This is a lifetime pursuit, not a one time (or even annual) event. It’s a lifestyle. A way of life. I am to be searching and seeking God every day…continually.

I don’t know about you, but I yearn to know God. Not to know about God, but to really know God. I want the relationship He desires. And that takes effort, time, and intentionality. That’s the journey I’m on. That’s the journey God is on with me! :smile:

15.04.2008 Devotional, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

God Knows Our Secret

Friday, April 11th, 2008

I was not planning on blogging today, but God had other plans. Sometimes when He speaks I just need to write about it. Sharing it and blogging about it is a form of prayer and communion as I work out the things God is speaking in my life. I hope it helps others, but I know it helps me.

And this morning God revealed that He knows our secret…yours and mine. I thought we had kept it well under wraps but He figured it out anyway. I even allowed myself to think that nobody else noticed…it was a truth I (we) keep to myself and do everything I can to disguise it.

What’s the secret God knows?

The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

For He knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
Psalm 103:13-14 (NLT)

 See…He knows! And He loves us still. :razz:

11.04.2008 Devotional, Father, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Practicing God’s Presence

Monday, March 31st, 2008

I am starting a new four week learning series this Sunday at church called Holy Habits. Our first session is on Practicing God’s Presence. As often happens, as I have been putting the final touches on the “lesson” God has been challenging me…and sometimes it’s a painful process!

The main principle in the lesson is that we are supposed to life our everyday lives with God. It’s so easy to compartmentalize our lives and have our “God Time” and our “Every Day Life” be separate. But that’s not what God wants…He wants to have a “rich relationship” with us and He wants to be part of everything we have going on. But that is SO much easier said than done!!

It’s so much easier to do my 30 minute devotional in the morning and “get God out of the way”. Taking Him with me throughout the day is another matter entirely. How about that meeting I have…does God care about that? Yep! How about my stray thoughts during the day…does He care about those too? Yep.

You get the picture.

So how do you practice God’s presence in your life? How do you keep Him front and center in everything you’re doing? I’m open to any and all suggestions, ideas, and practices (and I’m looking forward to the class this week to unpack this even more).

And if you’re not doing so well at it, join the club! The good news is God is willing to help you and me along. If you’re struggling with this one let me know and we can work on it together and pray for one another.

31.03.2008 Church, Discipleship, Ministry, Spiritual Musings 3 Comments