God Loves You

I'm back.  What an amazing weekend.  The scripture that was used on this walk was Zeph. 3:17 and how true it is.  What an amazing God we serve.  He showed up and showed off.  We were all so blessed to be able to share His love and be in His presence.  It was such an outpouring of love that you couldn't help but be awed at how much God loves us.

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your god is with you.  

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

   

I noticed how this scripture is full of statements.  It is a promise of He is and He will.  

He is MIGHTY.  (not itty bitty, but great big).  

He will 

be with you, 

save you,

 delight in you, 

quiet you

and

 rejoice over you.  

 

He is your God and He is crazy about you.

We are loved by a big big God.

Hallelujah!

Praise ye Yahweh.

Thank you Lord Jesus.

iamsecond

This brought me to my knees, it broke me.  I don't know why, not that I ever listened to this man's music but I knew what it was.  Not that I was never blameless, I'm not.  There was plenty in my past to sit in this white chair and tell you "i am second."  

There was just something about what felt like total hopelessness and to listen to how Jesus saved. this. man. and how He keeps saving me.  How i am not but that I know I AM. 

Just as this man testifies God used his child to save him, so that he could save her later on, 

God used my children to save me so that later I could be there for them.  

from one of my favorite books, outside the bible, authored by Louie Gigleo,

     "The skies declare that I AMis huge; but Calvary affirms that I AM has the best interest of every I am not in mind at all times.  Our God is in the heavens and the whole world is under His command, but now because of Christ we can personally know how much He loves us and believe that He is using everything that comes our way for His glory and for our ultimate good.  It is time for you and me to live as those who can never be the same because we have encountered both the great power and the great love if I AM.  

     And in the days to come, when you're questioning, needing, searching, wondering, asking, and struggling, you will find His sufficiency at the end of every desperate prayer.  When you cry out all the things that you are not, you'll know His answer is, "I AM."

i am not but I know I AM.  get it, read it.  

Blessings.

The Weight of the Word

Off the shelf and in my hand, "Forgotten God" by Francis Chan

The author of Crazy Love has done it again.  I drank this one up and it stepped on my toes. 

What follows is not a review on this book but one should come, if only I could sum it up.  I think it's going to take some time for that.  Another reading for sure, more study perhaps.  

Some of you who have been with me awhile know that I am involved in ministry through the Walk to Emmaus.  This week I am working on a written talk and I want to share some scripture that is speaking to  me.

Isaiah 52: 13 - 15

 See, my servant will act wisely

 he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.  

Just as there were many who were appalled at him - 

his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man 

and his form marred beyond human likeness - 

so will he sprinkle many nations, 

and kings will shut their mouths because of him.  

For what they were not told, they will see, 

and what they have not heard, they will understand.

Isaiah 53: 5 - 6

But he was pierced for our transgressions, 

 he was crushed for our iniquities;

 the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

 and by his wounds we are healed.

We all like sheep have gone astray, 

each of us has turned to his own way; 

and the LORD has laid on him 

the iniquity of us all.

I marvel at this scripture because of what Christ went through to take the punishment of my sin upon himself.  

In this modern time we are so use to seeing  violence, that it has become almost easy to watch, painless to see.  I feel that we have become desensitized to the weightier matters of life.  And another thing, I have been putting a lot of thought into the words we use to describe things.  I feel that we over use words that should be saved for rare more meaningful times when the weight of their meaning is more appropriate.

"the punishment that was on him ..."  there is a word that describes this "punishment" that Christ went through.  I read in the interview between Lee Strobel and Dr. Alexander Metherall that describes what a Roman flogging was like, what lays behind the word "crucify."  See I didn't really know.  It said the pain associated with crucifixions was so bad that there was no word to describe it, so a new word was invented 

excruciating 

adjective - extremely painful; causing intense suffering; unbearably distressing; torturing exceedingly elaborate or intense   

Synonyms: unbearable, insufferable, unendurable, agonizing, racking.  

Origin: to torment, torture, crucify (derivative; of the cross)

I can say I have never experienced excruciating pain for someone else's guilt. 

Just a Post

I was wondering around blog land, going from one to the next looking for something to inspire me.  I found it and plenty more.  

I started with Just A Girl and then . . . when I landed on Beneath My Heart everything stopped. 

It was not about something to fill my time or work to do with my hands although those two things are good things, it became about something much more grand.  

It became about the one thing that will never change.  It became about Love.  Times may change and people may think they change, but there is one thing that remains the same and that is the heart and it's need for love.  

  

It loved us first.   It has no fear.  It covers a multitude of sins.  

It brought me to redemption. It surpasses understanding. 

 It never puffs up but always builds up.  It quiets.  

It's unfailing.  It is patient.  It is kind.  It does not envy.  

It is not proud.  It is not rude, it does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres.  

It is the greatest.  It is what all the songs are about.  It binds us together.  

It produces "liquid prayers."  

It is the only thing that goes with us to heaven.      

I was encouraged and blessed and crying . . . and was given a jewel that will always stay in my heart.  I hope you go there and read her post for today.  I think you will be encouraged to. 

Sweetness.   

As a part of this prayer team one of the things that we do is a weekly devotional.  Today was my day.  So, since I have depleted my brain with one story, I'm going to borrow it and bring it here as well.  

{note: click on the link to listen to the song that inspired me}

 What do I know of You

Who spoke me into motion

Where have I even stood, But the shore along you ocean

Are you fire, are you fury

Are you sacred, are you beautiful

So what do I know

What do I know of holy

In thinking about God, I usually just become speechless.  To think on Him just makes me quiet.  I try to take in who He is and I feel overwhelmed, really.  Living here in west Texas gives us a great picture of just how little we are, I think.  When the big thunder head clouds build up and you see your house on the horizon and see just how little it is compared to what is going on in the sky and then to think how small we are inside that house.  And then I think about the babies and little children and our hearts and the things that we love and matter to us.  

So what do I know of Holy?

And then to think how big God is.  That He created.  His Spirit hovered over the deep -- Genesis 1:2; and then He spoke, "Let there be light." and it was so.  And He named it, Day. And that was the first day." 

I love that, too, that His words are simple.  That they mean what they say, they are not all 'flowered' up, Matthew 5:37 says, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'yes' and your 'No' be 'no'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."  

And to know that He is Holy.  We know this deep within ... we know this.  We know from old, that we once walked with God in paradise and that we fell from grace and we are forever trying to fill that void again.  I think that is why even now, as believers, pride wells up and to really admit that we are not ... that this God, this Ancient of Days, stills wants us.  Is jealous for us.  Is an all consuming fire.  Sent His Son as an atonement for our sins, our weakness, for us . . .

What do I know of Holy

What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame

And a God who gave life its name

What do I know of Holy 

of the One who the angels praise

All creation knows your name

On earth and heaven above

What do I know of this love 

And really to think that I could even begin to approach the Throne of Grace seems unbelievable.   I am quoting a song and so far you have read the chorus, but the singer is saying that she thought she had God all figured out.  And that she had learned the language of Christians.  You know all the phrases that fit comfortably on our tongue.  And there is comfort in the Word of God.  But do we just touch the surface, maybe become just a little too comfortable with who we think God is?  Words like majesty, awesome, mighty to save,  holy.  Do these words have a true depth of meaning? Or do we throw those words out casually, when really, a deep reverence for God is where we should be. Psalm 111:10 - "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.  To him belongs eternal praise."

The Lord is an all consuming fire; Deuteronomy 4:24 - "For the LORD you God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."  I guess I should back up one verse and  talk about the context of God's jealousy; vs. 23 "Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden."  That's a heavy hitting verse there.  But that would take me off into another direction and this is becoming lengthy, so let just touch on all consuming fire and jealousy.  

I have said before, that we're not playing here.  We are going about the business of God's kingdom, and our personal place in it and how we either show others the way or put stumbling blocks in their way.  While his promises are out of this world so are his warnings.  In Duet. 4:24 he is telling us that He is an all consuming fire, a jealous God for our worship, to not put anything in front of Him.  Does that not just cause you to step back a bit.  Let me quote an author, far better suited than I here.  This is written by a man named John W. Ritenbaugh, I do not know anything about him, who he is or anything like that but I subscribe to a daily verse thing and this is the one that came in today.  Funny how it plays right into 'Holy.'

"Jealousy and zeal are opposite sides of the same coin; both of them are driven by passion. One is positive, the other negative.  One is for, one is against.  Zeal is passionately for something or somebody, while jealousy is passionately against something or somebody.  Similarly, fire is hot, and it is both positive and negative.  It symbolizes both refining and purifying, on the one hand, and death and destruction on the other.

The pattern is in the way God depicts His feelings toward us.  As a consuming fire, He will either purify or destroy with His passion.  He is either for something with a great deal of ardor, or He is against something with a great deal of fury.  He is for those who are with him, and He is loyal to the nth degree to them.  But He is against sin and disloyalty with just as much heat as He is for those who love him and diligently seek Him.  His attitude is not cool in any way, shape, or form, but HOT.  He wants us to responds in a like manner.

In what way are we seeking God?  Diligently?  Earnestly?  Sincerely?  With warmth, ardor, and affection?  Is our seeking the ardent pursuit of one who wants to be around this personality and really desires to know Him because we are, after all, going to marry Him and spend eternity with Him?  Or is it a kind of take-or-leave-it, distant, academic coolness because we do not want to make a fool of ourselves or offend others with our zeal?  Think about it."

Titus 2 Tuesday

Thank you Lord for my friend Diane Farmer, who is my featured Titus 2 woman. 

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.  Titus 2:3 - 4 

Thank you Shanda at A Teachable Heart, there you will find other testimonies of Titus 2 women, reaching out into the lives of others, so that no one will malign the Word of God.

My mind is flooded with all the things to tell you about Diane, I'm having a hard time getting them organized, I'll start with the beginning.  I first met her through the Walk to Emmaus community.  She is a musician and there was just something about her, I love to listen to her sing and more than that, I love watching her worship God in music.  She is one of those ladies that decided to pick up the guitar and teach herself how to play after the age of 40, maybe even closer to the age of 45.  She is married to Matt, and the mother of Ashley and Kristen.  We have always enjoyed talking about our Kristen's.  

She and Matt minister to the youth in their community, they are the youth directors in their church and they are always looking for ways to encourage and lift them up.  Ready to listen and always on their knees.  She and Matt also pull a trailer that houses a clean bathroom and washer/dryer to disaster areas.     

She was a big part of my sanity when I had the opportunity to be God 's clay vessel through the role of lay director for a walk in November of '08.  She had been in that position two years prior and lead by the Holy Spirit, she would pick up the phone at just the right time to check on me.  

She has shared her home, her food, her testimony, her wisdom, and her calm encouragement with me and she would share what ever you needed with you, as well.  

She had a dream about me one night, she said she couldn't remember the dream exactly, she thought it had something to do with me and my kids, but the next day she said, "every time I would think of that dream, I would wonder why did I dream about Jerri Ann and I would pray for you."  We hadn't talked since the walk in November.  Turns out it was the same day that I was giving my testimony at a women's ministry dinner at my home church in May.  How about that!  She is my sister in Christ and even though we don't talk often, we still have that tie.  The fact that the Holy Spirit would bring me to her heart during her sleep and she would be on her knees for me the next day brings me a sense of peace and love directly from the Father's heart through the heart of one of His daughters for me.  Amen.  

If you do not know this love that God has for you, I urge you to turn your face towards Him, and ask Jesus into your heart.  He came for sinners, not for judgement, to give us grace, peace, salvation, hope, mercy.  No matter what you have experienced in this life, Jesus loves you so much that he spread His arms wide open and laid on the cross for you.  

She is one of those women whose is an amazing wife, mother, daughter, and friend. And she is a beloved child of the King.  

I am afraid I have not done her justice with this writing, but I promise, if you met her you would love her too.

     

Titus 2 Tuesday

Welcome to Tuesday.  Shanda at A Teachable Heart, what a sweet gal, has a link to post your thoughts and memories on women who have been Titus 2 women in your lives.  Past or present

I pray before I begin writing, "God who is my post about this morning?  Who do you want me to write about?"  Not silly, it's a good thing.   God answers prayers and if I want all the glory to go to Him then I ask Him what or who do You want me to write about.

An easy name to write about is coming to my mind so here goes.

My friend's name is Daphne Delay, 

she is an ordained minister and minister's Family Harvest Church with her husband, Todd.  She also has a women's ministry called Mirror Ministries.  

I will never forget the first time I heard her.  It felt like the whole room fell away and only she and I were left.  

She told her testimony about looking in the mirror and feeling the voice of God tell her to look real close.  She kept getting closer and closer until she was about an inch from the mirror and looking directly into her own eyes, He said, "tell her you love her and that you forgive her."  

Those words still sting the backs of my eyes.  "Tell her you love her, " the hardest person to forgive is ourselves.  And she, through her own testimony, told me what she had learn from God.  And I too went to that mirror with her and faced my own eyes and told that girl that I loved her and I forgive her."  Me!  

I knew that talk was for me.  I rushed outside with one of the clergy that was there and I cried and cried and confessed and we prayed and prayed and I agreed with God that day.  And I have never been the same since.  

Daphne keeps me and all of us who know her and you too if you wanted, lifted up with weekly devotions.  She sends them out to your e-mail.  She is a gifted speaker and author and she will come to your group and what ever she talks about will come straight from the heart of God.

She's like a "rock star" to those of us who get to work with her on various projects.  The walk to Emmaus being one of them.  

She is a Titus 2 women, teaching women to be reverent in the way they live.  Her passion is to teach us the righteousness we have in Christ Jesus.  That we are in right standing with God and walk believing and speaking that belief.  Not always an easy thing to wrap our minds around.

Thank you Daphne.  I love you.

"I used to look in the mirror and wonder wonder

who is this girl looking back at me?

Windows to my soul, my eyes told on her.

She said, "Please forgive me

and set me free."

Many tears were shared that day between she and I.

Now, I look and know

who that girl is looking aback at me.

Her name is Forgiven."

-Daphne

I am so thankful for mentors like Daphne.  Thank you Lord Jesus, that you love us and that you have encounters with us everyday.  If we just open our eyes to You, you are there in the mirror, in our own eyes and in the eyes of our friends.