Deuteronomy 32:1-4
Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
I just know in heaven I will be tremendously musical. It can be so frustrating to be so talented in my dreams, in my shower, or in my car and yet when others are around me- I am sure I hurt their ears.
How wonderful that God hears my praise- purely.
Undivided Heart:
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11
In my search to try to live with an undivided heart- I have found this idea to be true as well. You must live life with a HOLY abandon. It is a realization of what true freedom in Christ actually is without taking advantage of His grace.
Living life with Holy Abandon in response to God- for who He IS- the great I AM and not for what He has done in my life. Not living life in avoidance of sin (see John McGowans blog: http://thegatheringonline.blogspot.com/)- but embracing Christ and Christ crucified.
Worship- Holding onto the hand of God in the midst of great trial, suffering and even joy. Finding comfort in the greatness of God. It is like walking outside in rain and having one little ray of sunshine just for you- that is what worshipping God with Holy Abandon can be like.
These are just short snippets of thoughts- I haven't quite finished thinking on this.
Any of YOUR thoughts are always welcomed.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Follow Me
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
Mark 14:32-42 (other references Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46)
This is a passage or story that I have heard many times. Most of the time I listen from the point of the disciples. However, recently, I looked at it from Jesus’ point of view and found comfort.
"Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
How many times have I thought this? And even as I pray it- do I really mean “not my will but yours?”
We see Jesus praying this THREE times. Even though he knew the end of the story, even though he knew God’s plan, even though he knew Heaven more than any one of us could- He still prayed for a ‘plan b’. If there were any other way to accomplish eternal life for us beside what was to come- then that is what Jesus wanted. But there wasn’t, so He went willingly to death, choosing us, suffering for us so that we might live forever with Him, when we receive Him into our hearts.
I find comfort in the truth that Jesus was the only guiltless man, sinless soul and yet He still prayed about following God’s will.
Todd and I were having a discussion recently about life in general and he was challenging me by repeating words to me that I had said (I just hate that!). He said, “Julie, I thought you love being ‘in God’s pocket’”.
And I really, really do. I have learned over the years that not being where God wants me is not fun- to say the least. However, sometimes I struggle to accept and pursue God’s will for me because I see the road ahead fraught with pain, unknowns, and struggle. So, I pray. And I have to admit that many times it takes me a while to say, “not my will, but yours Lord” because I spend the first few days, months, years trying to convince God that my will is probably best. Isn’t that a lark? And yet I know deep down within my soul that God’s will is best for me, even with all the struggles that come. He has promised to be with me.
In the Luke passage it says that an angel came down and strengthened Jesus and ministered to him in the midst of his sorrow. Wow!
Jesus said, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death".
Sorrow, prayer, the need to be strengthened and even frustration is acceptable. But at the end of the day, we need to put all of that ‘stuff’ away and follow God. Down the road knowing that even as hard as God’s will is in our lives- He goes before us, He is within us, and He will be there at the end. And we cry out, Abba Father- Daddy be with me, please hold my hand!
It may be a little blasphemous to use John Denver lyrics to show God’s love- but I kept hearing this chorus in my head and thought it appropriate to express what God desires:
Follow me where I go what I do and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down all the way and all around
Take my hand and say you'll follow me
You see I'd like to share my life with you
And show you things I've seen
Places that I'm going to places where I've been
To have you there beside me and never be alone
And all the time that you're with me
We will be at home
Follow me where I go what I do and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down all the way
Take my hand and I will (be with) you
Mark 14:32-42 (other references Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46)
This is a passage or story that I have heard many times. Most of the time I listen from the point of the disciples. However, recently, I looked at it from Jesus’ point of view and found comfort.
"Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
How many times have I thought this? And even as I pray it- do I really mean “not my will but yours?”
We see Jesus praying this THREE times. Even though he knew the end of the story, even though he knew God’s plan, even though he knew Heaven more than any one of us could- He still prayed for a ‘plan b’. If there were any other way to accomplish eternal life for us beside what was to come- then that is what Jesus wanted. But there wasn’t, so He went willingly to death, choosing us, suffering for us so that we might live forever with Him, when we receive Him into our hearts.
I find comfort in the truth that Jesus was the only guiltless man, sinless soul and yet He still prayed about following God’s will.
Todd and I were having a discussion recently about life in general and he was challenging me by repeating words to me that I had said (I just hate that!). He said, “Julie, I thought you love being ‘in God’s pocket’”.
And I really, really do. I have learned over the years that not being where God wants me is not fun- to say the least. However, sometimes I struggle to accept and pursue God’s will for me because I see the road ahead fraught with pain, unknowns, and struggle. So, I pray. And I have to admit that many times it takes me a while to say, “not my will, but yours Lord” because I spend the first few days, months, years trying to convince God that my will is probably best. Isn’t that a lark? And yet I know deep down within my soul that God’s will is best for me, even with all the struggles that come. He has promised to be with me.
In the Luke passage it says that an angel came down and strengthened Jesus and ministered to him in the midst of his sorrow. Wow!
Jesus said, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death".
Sorrow, prayer, the need to be strengthened and even frustration is acceptable. But at the end of the day, we need to put all of that ‘stuff’ away and follow God. Down the road knowing that even as hard as God’s will is in our lives- He goes before us, He is within us, and He will be there at the end. And we cry out, Abba Father- Daddy be with me, please hold my hand!
It may be a little blasphemous to use John Denver lyrics to show God’s love- but I kept hearing this chorus in my head and thought it appropriate to express what God desires:
Follow me where I go what I do and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down all the way and all around
Take my hand and say you'll follow me
You see I'd like to share my life with you
And show you things I've seen
Places that I'm going to places where I've been
To have you there beside me and never be alone
And all the time that you're with me
We will be at home
Follow me where I go what I do and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down all the way
Take my hand and I will (be with) you
Monday, May 5, 2008
Phunny Phillips' Kids Thoughts
I told Raney it was time to get out of the shower- she tells me she can’t get out yet because her knees are not clean- so I go to check on her. I look at her knees, which she displays very prettily- and then I say to her, “That isn’t dirt Raney- those are bruises! You can’t wash them off.” She giggles, turns off the water and steps out.
My kids were talking about the shots they might have to have before school next year. They seem to worry and talk about this often. At least, Raney does. Katherine was earnestly trying to explain to Raney about one of the shots. She kept saying, “Raney- you have done it before, it’s that computer test”.
I was listening and trying to help Katherine along, “Computer test? What kind of shot are you talking about?”
She crinkled up her face like she was trying to find the right words, “Hmmm not computer test, the TV test?” “You know, the blow a bubble on your arm…”
At this point the light bulb went off in my brain, “Oohhh a TB test!”
“Yes!” Katherine agreed loudly.
Very interesting- she knew that TB sounded like TV and TV was a type of electronic thing like a computer…funny thing about our brains…
Parker, Katherine and Raney were having a discussion about milkweed. Raney has loved walking around our neighborhood, and anywhere else she is, blowing the puffballs. Raney was pointing out the ‘dandelions’ on the side of the road. Katherine firmly informed her that they were NOT dandelions they were called something else. Parker quickly jumped in and argued that they WERE dandelions and that Katherine was WRONG. They went back and forth for a while. I thought about intervening- but the idea of trying to get into the mix was rather daunting.
Parker then went on to share the strangest little theory- especially for my information savvy 8 year old.
He said that those were called ‘dead dandelions’ and that when you blew the seeds, they flew off and planted themselves. The next day- you would find more ‘dead dandelions’ wherever the seeds had been landed. He said, “I know this is true because we do it everyday at school”.
WHATEVER! The lengths they will go to be heard….
My kids were talking about the shots they might have to have before school next year. They seem to worry and talk about this often. At least, Raney does. Katherine was earnestly trying to explain to Raney about one of the shots. She kept saying, “Raney- you have done it before, it’s that computer test”.
I was listening and trying to help Katherine along, “Computer test? What kind of shot are you talking about?”
She crinkled up her face like she was trying to find the right words, “Hmmm not computer test, the TV test?” “You know, the blow a bubble on your arm…”
At this point the light bulb went off in my brain, “Oohhh a TB test!”
“Yes!” Katherine agreed loudly.
Very interesting- she knew that TB sounded like TV and TV was a type of electronic thing like a computer…funny thing about our brains…
Parker, Katherine and Raney were having a discussion about milkweed. Raney has loved walking around our neighborhood, and anywhere else she is, blowing the puffballs. Raney was pointing out the ‘dandelions’ on the side of the road. Katherine firmly informed her that they were NOT dandelions they were called something else. Parker quickly jumped in and argued that they WERE dandelions and that Katherine was WRONG. They went back and forth for a while. I thought about intervening- but the idea of trying to get into the mix was rather daunting.
Parker then went on to share the strangest little theory- especially for my information savvy 8 year old.
He said that those were called ‘dead dandelions’ and that when you blew the seeds, they flew off and planted themselves. The next day- you would find more ‘dead dandelions’ wherever the seeds had been landed. He said, “I know this is true because we do it everyday at school”.
WHATEVER! The lengths they will go to be heard….
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