Joy Again...Can't say enough about JOY! Learning to walk in Thankfulness and Joy will change us and those who are touched by our lives.
Psalm 100:4-5
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks unto him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Looks like Giving Thanks is pretty high on God's list since he had the psalmist say it twice. :0)
Getting mired in 'ask mode' with God or 'bless me' mode or 'bless my kids' etc. can be quite easy. I have to remind myself to take time to bless his name. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe."(1)
In darkness one night, afraid, words trickling through my consciousness, a conversation with my Dad regarding fear....when he was afraid, he would run into the name of the Lord. "How do you do that?" my little hand wrapped around his finger as we walked together. The simple reply, "Lord, I choose to run into your name right now." My little girl heart was satisfied.
Fifteen years later, terrified, between my sheets; thoughts run awry, my heavy comforter not giving me solace, in faith I said, "Jesus, I run into your name, whatever that means, I choose to run into your name." The sweet presence of God filled me and my room. Waking in the morning, rested and safe, I blessed his name.
1. Proverbs 18:10
Monday, May 5, 2014
Saturday, May 3, 2014
There Is A Season
There Is A Season...
Peering into the back yard, my eyes alight on tiny yellow flowers in full display after the lands long winter sleep that seems never ending. My heart is warmed by those little flowery rays of sunshine and hope; taking me back 20 years in time.
There Is A Season...
Peering into the back yard, my eyes alight on tiny yellow flowers in full display after the lands long winter sleep that seems never ending. My heart is warmed by those little flowery rays of sunshine and hope; taking me back 20 years in time.
Three little ones in tow, day in and day out, dark house, the anticipation that this winter too, must pass. The out of doors beconed as I bundled the children; just sweaters, no heavy winter coats. I surveyed the barron grasses, which had finally surcomb to the harshness of winter; slumped, lifeless.
The sun shown down on the scene, warming hearts; winds whispering the wake up call of spring. Thrilled by a fragrance so rich and pungent I had to find its source. My sleepy senses coming alive as I ran in search of this tantalizing aroma.
Lifeless remains of summer lay in despair of winters cruelty. But there, just under huge clumps of dried, dead grass, pushing dainty yellow heads towards the sun, the most lovely daffodiles I had ever seen.
Fighting the urge to pick these harolds of Spring, I dared not spoil the lone survivors. As I took in the landscape, my heart quickened; before me rose hundreds of this heavenly choir sending out their fragrant song. Children and I on a treasure hunt for spring. Delighted yells of, "Over here, there's tons more, come see!" rang out. I cherish the pictures of tiny hands gripping happy diffodiles with Fuzzy our dog enjoying the fun..
The sun's caress adding to the pleasure of the long awaited spring; hope blooming in the fallow soil of my soul. Joy mingled with awe as the reenactment of creation played out before my eyes. The warmth of God's love lifting heart and head, awakening me to the coming of the next season, a reminder of His immense kindness towards me.
Peering into the back yard, my eyes alight on tiny yellow flowers in full display after the lands long winter sleep that seems never ending. My heart is warmed by those little flowery rays of sunshine and hope; taking me back 20 years in time.
There Is A Season...
Peering into the back yard, my eyes alight on tiny yellow flowers in full display after the lands long winter sleep that seems never ending. My heart is warmed by those little flowery rays of sunshine and hope; taking me back 20 years in time.
Three little ones in tow, day in and day out, dark house, the anticipation that this winter too, must pass. The out of doors beconed as I bundled the children; just sweaters, no heavy winter coats. I surveyed the barron grasses, which had finally surcomb to the harshness of winter; slumped, lifeless.
The sun shown down on the scene, warming hearts; winds whispering the wake up call of spring. Thrilled by a fragrance so rich and pungent I had to find its source. My sleepy senses coming alive as I ran in search of this tantalizing aroma.
Lifeless remains of summer lay in despair of winters cruelty. But there, just under huge clumps of dried, dead grass, pushing dainty yellow heads towards the sun, the most lovely daffodiles I had ever seen.
Fighting the urge to pick these harolds of Spring, I dared not spoil the lone survivors. As I took in the landscape, my heart quickened; before me rose hundreds of this heavenly choir sending out their fragrant song. Children and I on a treasure hunt for spring. Delighted yells of, "Over here, there's tons more, come see!" rang out. I cherish the pictures of tiny hands gripping happy diffodiles with Fuzzy our dog enjoying the fun..
The sun's caress adding to the pleasure of the long awaited spring; hope blooming in the fallow soil of my soul. Joy mingled with awe as the reenactment of creation played out before my eyes. The warmth of God's love lifting heart and head, awakening me to the coming of the next season, a reminder of His immense kindness towards me.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Joy & Thankfulness Go Hand in Hand...
Joy & Thankfulness Go Hand in Hand...
We enter His gates with THANKSGIVING & His courts with PRAISE (1)...and in His presence is fullness of JOY! (2)
Here is some great listening music as you read and contemplate...."Here In His Presence" New Life Worship
Thanksgiving is the key that lets us into His gates. As we give thanks, it puts God on His throne and says we trust Him. I love the verse, "I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on me because he trusts me." (3) I believe God tells us to give thanks for us...not for Him. As we make the mental assent to give thanks, even when we don't understand, the posture of our hearts begins to soften and relax and rest in Him, this brings us into His gates. Thanksgiving stirs us to praise because our eyes are taken off ourselves and our circumstances and we begin to see Jesus. As we look at him, the author and finisher of our faith (4) we are changed. It is a beautiful thing. The expression of praise that rises from our hearts....and yes, at times it is at a great cost (4) to ourselves and our desires but this act of praise, this sacrifice ushers us right into His throne room (5). And there, in His presence is Fullness of JOY which births within us the strength and grace that we need to walk out this journey here on earth.
1. Psalm 100:4-5
2. Psalm 16:11
3. Isaiah 26:3-4
4. Hebrews 13:15
5. Hebrews 4:16
We enter His gates with THANKSGIVING & His courts with PRAISE (1)...and in His presence is fullness of JOY! (2)
Here is some great listening music as you read and contemplate...."Here In His Presence" New Life Worship
Thanksgiving is the key that lets us into His gates. As we give thanks, it puts God on His throne and says we trust Him. I love the verse, "I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on me because he trusts me." (3) I believe God tells us to give thanks for us...not for Him. As we make the mental assent to give thanks, even when we don't understand, the posture of our hearts begins to soften and relax and rest in Him, this brings us into His gates. Thanksgiving stirs us to praise because our eyes are taken off ourselves and our circumstances and we begin to see Jesus. As we look at him, the author and finisher of our faith (4) we are changed. It is a beautiful thing. The expression of praise that rises from our hearts....and yes, at times it is at a great cost (4) to ourselves and our desires but this act of praise, this sacrifice ushers us right into His throne room (5). And there, in His presence is Fullness of JOY which births within us the strength and grace that we need to walk out this journey here on earth.
1. Psalm 100:4-5
2. Psalm 16:11
3. Isaiah 26:3-4
4. Hebrews 13:15
5. Hebrews 4:16
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Thinking About Joy...
Thinking about JOY these days as I am about to give a little talk at out sweet Girl's Night.
Joy and Happiness must be different because it was for the Joy that was set before Jesus that he endured the cross (1). I don't think Jesus, being human, was very Happy at that moment but he saw the bigger picture, the Joy set before him....my Dad said the Joy he saw was me/us...those who he was dying for to repair the mess of sin so we could enjoy fellowship with God.
Joy is something deeper, stirring the depths of who we are, strengthening us (2) and at times causes us to let out a whoop. I was surprised, as I read the Joy entries in the Old Testament, how many of them were stories of how the people were so moved by the presence of God invading their world that the had to shout for joy. Sometimes I think I am a little to cynical or white or reserved or something because, though I can feel excited and thankful in God's presence, I don't always give expression to the "shout" that wants to burst forth. I love the way our black brothers and sisters are so able to give voice to what I feel inside but don't. I have always enjoyed worshiping with African American friends and the videos our kids send back of their times of worshiping with the brothers and sisters in Kenya provoke me to jealousy and hopefully to putting more expression into my worship and the Joy of being in the presence of the Most High God, my God.
More "Joy" to come....
1. Hebrews 12:2
2. Nehemiah 8:10
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Expectations vs. Living Expectantly....
My Daddy (John Kellogg) was in town recently. He shared something that became a revelation to me. My last profile update on facebook summed it up.
"Best Day in a very long time! Eyes back on Jesus and off of me! Like I said in my last post....
"Best Day in a very long time! Eyes back on Jesus and off of me! Like I said in my last post....
Working on giving up my expectations yet living expectantly w/ anticipation as to what God is doing & will do.
Ps. 34 says, "He witholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly." He is Good! I am in Expectant Rest seeing His Kingdom come & walking in Joy and Peace bringing Life to those around me! Ha! Wonderful Day!"
All of a sudden I love my husband and children more freely because my Happiness and Identity are not tied up in what they do or don't do. It was weird, I found myself being more loving and affectionate with my family and it is releasing them to be themselves and to love me in return.
I believe my expectations are reasonable but that is not even the point. If my happiness and well being are connected to other peoples actions, I will be in constant emotional flux. But if my hope is in the Prince of Peace, the Rock, I am steadfast. As my eyes are set on Jesus, even in a storm I can walk on water and rejoice.
Expectancy in Jesus is not "whatever will be will be" or fatalism. Rest and peace come from trust in a Good God who loves me and cares about every detail of my life.
And, I still share with my kids what wisdom I might have about a situation but I release them to make their own decision before the Lord. I can share with Fred my needs and desires but I can be settled in my spirit and mind whether he is able to meet my "needs" or not. Somehow it seems to be releasing Fred to love me and care for me in a different way. I have to say, I was in a deep pit and going down hill from there so this has been a breath of fresh air for me and for Fred and the rest of my family and those who are close to me.
Romans 8:6 sums it up well:
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
At any given moment (especially if I am not walking in life and peace) I can do a little check....is my mind set on the flesh, either mine or someone else's? Do I have unmet expectation or am I expectantly setting my mind on the Spirit. Try it for yourself and experience His Life and Peace in the "daily stuff" that makes up "real life".
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thanks for "Reaching out"........
K....I should be in bed right now, big day ahead tomorrow....last of The Vacation!!! But just a swirling thought.....and better to get it off my mind than having it keep me up banging around in there! :0)
In the past, when people have said, "Thanks for "reaching out" to so & so"....it wood tweek me and I would have a knee jerk reaction that has not always come out so gently.
I always wondered why I would react in that way. I think I finally understood it better while I was floating around the pool today with big raindrops hitting me. I think it is a matter of intimacy. I can do stuff for others, from me, to them out there. 'Serving'. (and sometimes that is important & necessary) But, to me, I am not "reaching out" to people, I'm "pulling in". The difference is intimacy, family, community.
Lately, we've been asking questions about what community is, how it plays out in "the church", the family, the Kingdom, just friend to friend. What is community anyway?? All I know is I want it and I'm pressing in till we begin to see it & have a better understanding of what constitutes community and how we get from here to there. To some extent, we are stepping into new areas of community and caring for one another with Family Night (FWB) on Mondays. I wrote an earlier blog about FWB if you would like to know more about what that is.
Definitely more on community & intimacy in the days ahead. Blessings & Peace be multiplied to you!!!
BTW I looked up "community" in my trusty Mac dictionary, I like this definition:
3 a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals (Kingdom)
• joint ownership or liability (I like the liability part.... :0)
In the past, when people have said, "Thanks for "reaching out" to so & so"....it wood tweek me and I would have a knee jerk reaction that has not always come out so gently.
I always wondered why I would react in that way. I think I finally understood it better while I was floating around the pool today with big raindrops hitting me. I think it is a matter of intimacy. I can do stuff for others, from me, to them out there. 'Serving'. (and sometimes that is important & necessary) But, to me, I am not "reaching out" to people, I'm "pulling in". The difference is intimacy, family, community.
Lately, we've been asking questions about what community is, how it plays out in "the church", the family, the Kingdom, just friend to friend. What is community anyway?? All I know is I want it and I'm pressing in till we begin to see it & have a better understanding of what constitutes community and how we get from here to there. To some extent, we are stepping into new areas of community and caring for one another with Family Night (FWB) on Mondays. I wrote an earlier blog about FWB if you would like to know more about what that is.
Definitely more on community & intimacy in the days ahead. Blessings & Peace be multiplied to you!!!
BTW I looked up "community" in my trusty Mac dictionary, I like this definition:
3 a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals (Kingdom)
• joint ownership or liability (I like the liability part.... :0)
Thursday, August 27, 2009
It's Been A While....
08-27-09
Here’s a Sneak Peek into my Quiet Time....well, almost quiet, I am listening to Rita Springer! You can join into the discussion if you would like. I can’t wait to read what insights you will bring. Blessing & peace be multiplied to you...I stole that from Peter....Thanks Pete!
1 Peter 1:1-14
Greeting
1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, I love how Peter reminds the “elect exiles” that God is in control. Arn’t these people who were exiled because they became Believers? in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: ....for sprinkling w/ His blood.....sweet, precious Blood of Jesus. Powerful!! May grace and peace be multiplied to you. I want to bless my friends with this blessing!! Not just grace & peace to you but....multiplied to you!!
Born Again to a Living Hope
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope A Living Hope....a hope that is ALIVE! through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith I am being guarded (by God's power) through faith....guarded! What for? for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, So I guess when I am grieved by trials, it's not necessarily because I'm bad or sinful.....maybe the genuineness of my faith is being tested. 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire oooow tested by FIRE ouch!!—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. So when we receive a revelation of Jesus himself, the result is praise, glory & honor? 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. I love YOU, Jesus! Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, Thank you for JOY! Looks like JOY is tied up with believing in Jesus even though we do not see him & rejoicing...9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. I thought it was my spirit that was saved.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them (Isn’t Peter talking about old testament prophets here? They had the Spirit of Christ IN them? I always thought the Spirit of Christ came upon them & they would prophesy. Here it sound like the HS indwelled them.) was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, Man!! “Thanks” to the prophets for being such willing servants, serving me & you!! in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. This verse always intrigued me....even the angels longed to look into how Jesus was going to reconcile us to Himself. I wonder if they could see “the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.” Rev 13:8.?? The ESV bible says it really differently. So does the footnote for the KJV. What IS the right translation?
How blessed we are to be able not only to have it announced to us....but to get to LIVE it. Incredible! FYI.....a wonderful book along these lines is, “The Divine Romance” by Gene Edwards. Well worth your time!!
Called to Be Holy
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, [1] The little [1] at the bottom of the page says, “girding up the loins of your mind”. I’ve been asking the Lord a lot about the process of preparing my mind for action....girding up the loins of my mind...It seems that the only way I have been able to get victory in the area of my mind is by GIVING THANKS. It totally takes the “fight” out of it and focuses me back on Jesus. One of the only affective ways I have found to go from “setting my mind on the flesh and reaping DEATH, to setting my mind on the spirit and reaping LIFE (Romans 8:6)...is GIVING THANKS as it ushers me into His presence....”I enter His gates w/thanksgiving & His courts w/ praise!” (Ps.100:4) and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Again, is this of a revelation of who Christ is? (Col. 1:26 & 27) ???? More questions than answers when I read the Word....it keeps me digging and discussing....helps to bring about community! 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, It can be easy to get caught in passions of the flesh in what ever way they plague each one of us....but it comes back to vs. 13....preparing my mind for action, giving thanks among other things. (Jon Payne gave an amazing message that sort of ties in here. Again well worth your time!)
http://www.providencecommunitychurch.org/sermons2009/20090823msg.mp3
That’s all for now folks....what do you think?
Here’s a Sneak Peek into my Quiet Time....well, almost quiet, I am listening to Rita Springer! You can join into the discussion if you would like. I can’t wait to read what insights you will bring. Blessing & peace be multiplied to you...I stole that from Peter....Thanks Pete!
1 Peter 1:1-14
Greeting
1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, I love how Peter reminds the “elect exiles” that God is in control. Arn’t these people who were exiled because they became Believers? in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: ....for sprinkling w/ His blood.....sweet, precious Blood of Jesus. Powerful!! May grace and peace be multiplied to you. I want to bless my friends with this blessing!! Not just grace & peace to you but....multiplied to you!!
Born Again to a Living Hope
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope A Living Hope....a hope that is ALIVE! through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith I am being guarded (by God's power) through faith....guarded! What for? for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, So I guess when I am grieved by trials, it's not necessarily because I'm bad or sinful.....maybe the genuineness of my faith is being tested. 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire oooow tested by FIRE ouch!!—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. So when we receive a revelation of Jesus himself, the result is praise, glory & honor? 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. I love YOU, Jesus! Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, Thank you for JOY! Looks like JOY is tied up with believing in Jesus even though we do not see him & rejoicing...9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. I thought it was my spirit that was saved.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them (Isn’t Peter talking about old testament prophets here? They had the Spirit of Christ IN them? I always thought the Spirit of Christ came upon them & they would prophesy. Here it sound like the HS indwelled them.) was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, Man!! “Thanks” to the prophets for being such willing servants, serving me & you!! in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. This verse always intrigued me....even the angels longed to look into how Jesus was going to reconcile us to Himself. I wonder if they could see “the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.” Rev 13:8.?? The ESV bible says it really differently. So does the footnote for the KJV. What IS the right translation?
How blessed we are to be able not only to have it announced to us....but to get to LIVE it. Incredible! FYI.....a wonderful book along these lines is, “The Divine Romance” by Gene Edwards. Well worth your time!!
Called to Be Holy
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, [1] The little [1] at the bottom of the page says, “girding up the loins of your mind”. I’ve been asking the Lord a lot about the process of preparing my mind for action....girding up the loins of my mind...It seems that the only way I have been able to get victory in the area of my mind is by GIVING THANKS. It totally takes the “fight” out of it and focuses me back on Jesus. One of the only affective ways I have found to go from “setting my mind on the flesh and reaping DEATH, to setting my mind on the spirit and reaping LIFE (Romans 8:6)...is GIVING THANKS as it ushers me into His presence....”I enter His gates w/thanksgiving & His courts w/ praise!” (Ps.100:4) and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Again, is this of a revelation of who Christ is? (Col. 1:26 & 27) ???? More questions than answers when I read the Word....it keeps me digging and discussing....helps to bring about community! 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, It can be easy to get caught in passions of the flesh in what ever way they plague each one of us....but it comes back to vs. 13....preparing my mind for action, giving thanks among other things. (Jon Payne gave an amazing message that sort of ties in here. Again well worth your time!)
http://www.providencecommunitychurch.org/sermons2009/20090823msg.mp3
That’s all for now folks....what do you think?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)