I read a Psalm or two every day and this morning a verse in Psalm 95 slowed me down and asked me to stay awhile. Verse four sang, "In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also."
I began to think about the depths of God and looked up verses in my Strong's concordance under the words 'deep' and 'depths.' I like to read verses about the same theme all at one time. It refreshes me, like standing under a gentle waterfall on a hot summer's day.
Let these verses wash over your soul. I write them here in the order they appear in the Bible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gen. 49:25~"...And the Almighty will bless you with blessings of heaven above, and blessings of the deep that lies beneath,..."
Job 12:22~"He uncovers deep things out of darkness, And brings the shadow of death to light."
Ps. 36:6~"...Your judgments are a great deep;.."
Ps. 42:7~"Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and billows have gone over me."
Ps. 69:1~"Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink; Let me be delivered from those who hate me, And out of the deep waters."
Ps. 92:5~"...Your thoughts are very deep..."
Ps. 106:9~"..so He led them through the depths, as through the wilderness..."
Ps. 130:1,2~"Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; Lord, hear my voice! "
Ps. 39:8-12~"...if I make my bed in hell, behold you are there..if I dwell in the uttermost part of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me," even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You."
Dan. 2:22~"He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him."
Luke 5:4~"...Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."
Rom. 8:39~"...nor height nor depth...shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Rom. 11:33~"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!"
1 Cor. 2:10~"...For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God."
Eph. 3:18,19~"..that you may be able to comprehend...what is the width and length and depth and height...of the love of Christ..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God is in our deep places.
He reveals Himself to us there.
So don't be afraid of the deep places,
for His love is everywhere.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
"Ephphata"
Mark 7.
Some caring people brought to Jesus a deaf man with a speech impediment and begged Him to put His hand on him. Jesus pulled him away from the crowd, put His fingers in the man's ears, spat, and touched the man's tongue. Then He looked up to heaven, and sighed, and said to the man, "Ephphata," that is, "Be opened."
Immediately, his ears were opened and his tongue was set free and he could speak plainly. Everyone was astonished beyond measure and they said, "He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the time I was twelve and on up into my early twenties, I attended a deaf church with my family. The pastor was hearing and he signed and spoke at the same time. He was a wonderful man and I have fond memories of that community of deaf and hearing believers. Above the pulpit on the wall were written beautiful words, "In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book," from Isaiah's prophecy about the coming Savior.
My sister got her master's degree in deaf education and later married a man who was instrumental in rescuing deaf people from mental institutions and setting up homes for them to live in. He was their go-between; helping them acclimate themselves to a 'normal' world. Later, he and my sister adopted a 8 or 9 year old Korean deaf boy who has since grown up and married a deaf woman and they have two children-both deaf. My brother-in-law is finishing up his doctorate and it has something to do with deafness as well.
When I was in high school, I took sign language classes to better communicate with my deaf friends. Two of my close friends in high school were twin deaf boys who could speak and communicate without a great deal of sign language. I would help them when they didn't understand something that was going on. I also found that knowing how to read lips had its advantages.
I always thought that the deaf people I knew in church had good marriages because they could never turn their backs on one another if they wanted to communicate a message. Face to face, eyes reading eyes, lips reading lips, hands reading hands, in their own private world.
I say all this to say that the world of deafness is not foreign to me, but I only know it from the outside looking in. I can only imagine what it must have felt like to have Jesus' fingers in my ears, watch Him spit, feel His touch on my tongue and the warm breath of His heavenward sigh on my face, and watch His mouth say, "Ephphatha. Be opened."
I love that Jesus took that man away from the noise of the crowd so His voice would be the first voice he heard.
Perhaps we too, must be taken away from the crowd in order that we may first hear His voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I like these verses about our ears and our tongue.
Isaiah 50:4,5~"The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD has opened My ear and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away."
These words were prophetic about Jesus' relationship with His Father
and His kind way with weary people,
but I think God would delight in giving us a learned tongue
to speak a word to the weary as well.
He would like to open our ears to hear as the learned.
John 10:3,4~"The sheep hear His voice...and they follow Him, for they know His voice."
The reason a child responds to its parent's voice in a crowd
is because it knows that voice from being alone with its parent at home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God is not deaf. Not only does He hear us; He heeds us.
The word 'heed' or 'hearken' means to give careful attention to;
to listen carefully.
Psalm 34:4 says, "I sought the LORD and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears."
Isaiah 65:24-"It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear."
God is eager to answer our prayers.
Sometimes He answers our thoughts
before they turn into words of prayer.
And Romans 8:26 says, "...for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Too often we think that because God is Sovereign, God will do what God will do. But His Sovereignty gives Him the freedom to heed what we are saying and to change circumstances and hearts because of our words. Just look at what Moses did for the Children of Israel with his intervening words.
Sometimes, life strikes us dumb with its cruelty and pain. Our mouths are shut up and we have no idea what to say or how to pray. But God hears even our groanings which cannot be uttered. God does not have human ears. He hears the broken heart that cannot even make a sound,
and for this, I fall at His feet and love Him all the more.
Thank you
Dear Merciful Hearing God.
Some caring people brought to Jesus a deaf man with a speech impediment and begged Him to put His hand on him. Jesus pulled him away from the crowd, put His fingers in the man's ears, spat, and touched the man's tongue. Then He looked up to heaven, and sighed, and said to the man, "Ephphata," that is, "Be opened."
Immediately, his ears were opened and his tongue was set free and he could speak plainly. Everyone was astonished beyond measure and they said, "He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the time I was twelve and on up into my early twenties, I attended a deaf church with my family. The pastor was hearing and he signed and spoke at the same time. He was a wonderful man and I have fond memories of that community of deaf and hearing believers. Above the pulpit on the wall were written beautiful words, "In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book," from Isaiah's prophecy about the coming Savior.
My sister got her master's degree in deaf education and later married a man who was instrumental in rescuing deaf people from mental institutions and setting up homes for them to live in. He was their go-between; helping them acclimate themselves to a 'normal' world. Later, he and my sister adopted a 8 or 9 year old Korean deaf boy who has since grown up and married a deaf woman and they have two children-both deaf. My brother-in-law is finishing up his doctorate and it has something to do with deafness as well.
When I was in high school, I took sign language classes to better communicate with my deaf friends. Two of my close friends in high school were twin deaf boys who could speak and communicate without a great deal of sign language. I would help them when they didn't understand something that was going on. I also found that knowing how to read lips had its advantages.
I always thought that the deaf people I knew in church had good marriages because they could never turn their backs on one another if they wanted to communicate a message. Face to face, eyes reading eyes, lips reading lips, hands reading hands, in their own private world.
I say all this to say that the world of deafness is not foreign to me, but I only know it from the outside looking in. I can only imagine what it must have felt like to have Jesus' fingers in my ears, watch Him spit, feel His touch on my tongue and the warm breath of His heavenward sigh on my face, and watch His mouth say, "Ephphatha. Be opened."
I love that Jesus took that man away from the noise of the crowd so His voice would be the first voice he heard.
Perhaps we too, must be taken away from the crowd in order that we may first hear His voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I like these verses about our ears and our tongue.
Isaiah 50:4,5~"The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD has opened My ear and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away."
These words were prophetic about Jesus' relationship with His Father
and His kind way with weary people,
but I think God would delight in giving us a learned tongue
to speak a word to the weary as well.
He would like to open our ears to hear as the learned.
John 10:3,4~"The sheep hear His voice...and they follow Him, for they know His voice."
The reason a child responds to its parent's voice in a crowd
is because it knows that voice from being alone with its parent at home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God is not deaf. Not only does He hear us; He heeds us.
The word 'heed' or 'hearken' means to give careful attention to;
to listen carefully.
Psalm 34:4 says, "I sought the LORD and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears."
Isaiah 65:24-"It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear."
God is eager to answer our prayers.
Sometimes He answers our thoughts
before they turn into words of prayer.
And Romans 8:26 says, "...for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Too often we think that because God is Sovereign, God will do what God will do. But His Sovereignty gives Him the freedom to heed what we are saying and to change circumstances and hearts because of our words. Just look at what Moses did for the Children of Israel with his intervening words.
Sometimes, life strikes us dumb with its cruelty and pain. Our mouths are shut up and we have no idea what to say or how to pray. But God hears even our groanings which cannot be uttered. God does not have human ears. He hears the broken heart that cannot even make a sound,
and for this, I fall at His feet and love Him all the more.
Thank you
Dear Merciful Hearing God.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Intended End
Jeremiah 29:11 is a popular verse among believers these days. "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "Plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
It is popular because we need the hope it gives us.
These words of the LORD were originally spoken through the prophet Jeremiah to the Children of Israel who were exiled in Babylon. They had been torn from their homes in Jerusalem and taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar and were now strangers in a strange land. Their captivity was God's discipline for their rebellion against Him.
God exhorted the captives to "Build houses and dwell in them. Plant gardens and eat what grows. Let your children marry and have children. Multiply. Seek the peace and the welfare of the city in which you are held captive. Ask God to bless it. And after 70 years, I will visit you and keep My good promise to you and cause you to return back to your Jerusalem, your home."
And then He said, "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you. Thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon me and I will hear you and heed you. Then when you seek me with all your heart, you will find Me. And I will release you from captivity and bring you back to the place from which I caused you to be carried away captive."
I find it interesting that their captivity was basically for a life time as we know it now. Psalm 90:10 says, "The days of our years are threescore and ten."
Perhaps this is why I, for one, (and I suspect there are many),
am so homesick for 'Jerusalem', my heavenly home.
Perhaps this is why I always feel a bit odd;
a bit out of place; like I am on the outside looking in.
Perhaps this is why I rejoice that I am
closer to being 70 than I am 35.
I long with every fiber of my being to go back to the city
where the Lamb is the light and where all cry, "Holy, Holy!"
Meanwhile, back in 'Babylon', there is sorrow in this captivity.
Thank God it is only for a designated season.
What a comfort it is to know that He has promised
us freedom in the midst of this captivity.
He says,"Make your home here and enjoy your life, for your light affliction is just for a moment, and is working for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. This captivity is temporary, but what it works in you is eternal.
So count it all joy when you fall into these trials, for the trying of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, so you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Blessed are you who endure. You know the endurance of Job and have seen the end I intended for him; the abundance of compassion and mercy I poured out on him.
And I, who am rich in mercy and love, raise you up as well, and I seat you with My Son in the heavenly places, in order that in the ages to come, I might show the exceeding riches of My grace in My kindness towards you in Christ Jesus." (11 Cor. 4:16-18; James 1:2-4; 5:11; Eph. 2:4-7)
Even when we sin and our captivity is a result of the Lord's discipline in our lives, His intentions toward us are for good and not for evil; to give us a future and a hope. It fact, that may be the very reason He disciplines us. If He left us to ourselves, we wouldn't have much of a future or a hope.
Perhaps then,
it is time that we stop searching for our old normal.
It is, I believe, normal not to feel normal.
We must stop longing for what was.
We must put our roots down deep in Him
and 'build houses' and have natural and spiritual children
and know that our captivity is just for a season;
that every temporary heartache and trouble
is working within us an eternal good,
and that His intended end for us-whether it be
at the end of a trial or a time of chastening,
or the end of our lives-is rich
in kindness, goodness, mercy, and freedom.
For He will not keep our soul in the grave.
He who promised is Faithful.
It is popular because we need the hope it gives us.
These words of the LORD were originally spoken through the prophet Jeremiah to the Children of Israel who were exiled in Babylon. They had been torn from their homes in Jerusalem and taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar and were now strangers in a strange land. Their captivity was God's discipline for their rebellion against Him.
God exhorted the captives to "Build houses and dwell in them. Plant gardens and eat what grows. Let your children marry and have children. Multiply. Seek the peace and the welfare of the city in which you are held captive. Ask God to bless it. And after 70 years, I will visit you and keep My good promise to you and cause you to return back to your Jerusalem, your home."
And then He said, "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you. Thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon me and I will hear you and heed you. Then when you seek me with all your heart, you will find Me. And I will release you from captivity and bring you back to the place from which I caused you to be carried away captive."
I find it interesting that their captivity was basically for a life time as we know it now. Psalm 90:10 says, "The days of our years are threescore and ten."
Perhaps this is why I, for one, (and I suspect there are many),
am so homesick for 'Jerusalem', my heavenly home.
Perhaps this is why I always feel a bit odd;
a bit out of place; like I am on the outside looking in.
Perhaps this is why I rejoice that I am
closer to being 70 than I am 35.
I long with every fiber of my being to go back to the city
where the Lamb is the light and where all cry, "Holy, Holy!"
Meanwhile, back in 'Babylon', there is sorrow in this captivity.
Thank God it is only for a designated season.
What a comfort it is to know that He has promised
us freedom in the midst of this captivity.
He says,"Make your home here and enjoy your life, for your light affliction is just for a moment, and is working for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. This captivity is temporary, but what it works in you is eternal.
So count it all joy when you fall into these trials, for the trying of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, so you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Blessed are you who endure. You know the endurance of Job and have seen the end I intended for him; the abundance of compassion and mercy I poured out on him.
And I, who am rich in mercy and love, raise you up as well, and I seat you with My Son in the heavenly places, in order that in the ages to come, I might show the exceeding riches of My grace in My kindness towards you in Christ Jesus." (11 Cor. 4:16-18; James 1:2-4; 5:11; Eph. 2:4-7)
Even when we sin and our captivity is a result of the Lord's discipline in our lives, His intentions toward us are for good and not for evil; to give us a future and a hope. It fact, that may be the very reason He disciplines us. If He left us to ourselves, we wouldn't have much of a future or a hope.
Perhaps then,
it is time that we stop searching for our old normal.
It is, I believe, normal not to feel normal.
We must stop longing for what was.
We must put our roots down deep in Him
and 'build houses' and have natural and spiritual children
and know that our captivity is just for a season;
that every temporary heartache and trouble
is working within us an eternal good,
and that His intended end for us-whether it be
at the end of a trial or a time of chastening,
or the end of our lives-is rich
in kindness, goodness, mercy, and freedom.
For He will not keep our soul in the grave.
He who promised is Faithful.
Friday, January 20, 2012
No Longer Intimidated
This morning I read 1 Samuel 17.
It tells the story about David and Goliath.
I noticed several things.
David "killed" Goliath four times.
First, he killed him with his words.
Check out verse 46.
David says to Goliath, "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you! And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel!"I am quite sure he shouted this loud enough for both armies to hear.
Then he killed him with a stone from his sling.
He ran towards Goliath, put his hand in his leather bag and pulled out a smooth stone he had gathered from a nearby brook, slung that stone in his sling and struck Goliath in the most vulnerable exposed spot on his body-his forehead, and Goliath fell face down on the earth. Dead.
Then, having no sword of his own, and being sure that Goliath was not tricking him by playing dead, David ran over to Goliath, and took G's own sword and killed him with it. I'm not sure where he ran it through but there was no doubt in David's mind that his enemy would no longer taunt him.
And number four. He took that bloody sword and chopped off Goliath's head with it. He held it high for the enemies to see and then the enemy knew they were in trouble. They ran away as fast as they could.
The Israelites, taking courage from the events of the past five minutes, pursued their enemies for quite a ways. When they returned, they went to the enemies camp and plundered what was in their tents; perhaps taking back the things that had been stolen from them, but also, taking the goods that belonged to their enemies fair and square.
What gave David the courage to do these exploits?
He was certain of two things.
#1-That God, who not only protected him from the mouths of the lion and the bear but helped him destroy them, would also protect and help him destroy this enemy as well.
#2-That anyone who defies the armies of the living God defies God Himself, and is therefore, already doomed.
David had been faithful in what he would call the little things-protecting his flock from a lion and a bear. The situation he walked into felt familiar. Someone was trying to destroy the flock of God. How dare they destroy what was God's?! And in the fury and zeal that comes to the one who knows His God and the love God has for His people, he acted with courage and might and destroyed the enemy of his people. This gave courage to the trembling souls around him and they in turn pursued their enemies, destroying them, and upon returning, plundered what had once been in their enemies possession. Oh God, help me get this!
My dear people, we have been intimidated far too long. We've been created, not to just exist, but to win! And not just to win, but to be victorious! And not just to be victorious, but to overcome and plunder that which belongs to the enemy! Jesus did this very thing for us on the cross and on those days we thought He was in the tomb. He destroyed the enemy and plundered his goods and brought back that which had been held captive in the enemies camp. Then He dispersed goods to His people. These gifts equip us for the work of the ministry so we can edify one another in order that we will come into a unity of faith and know God and be full of Him, growing up in Him and being strengthened with love.
Rise up O Child of God!
David could have gone home.
He could have been safe.
And that I understand.
I am a lover, not a fighter.
But it's not so much about who we are;
It's about Whose we are.
How dare the enemy destroy those who belong to the Living God?
How dare the enemy intimidate and berate and tyrannize
those whom God holds in the palm of His hand?
God has won!
He has won in spite of the failures of His army, His people.
God has won!
And we are God's.
Therefore, we win too.
So lift up your heads and your hearts
and let the King of Glory come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
The LORD strong and mighty!
The LORD mighty in battle!
This is Our King of Glory!
It tells the story about David and Goliath.
I noticed several things.
David "killed" Goliath four times.
First, he killed him with his words.
Check out verse 46.
David says to Goliath, "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you! And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel!"I am quite sure he shouted this loud enough for both armies to hear.
Then he killed him with a stone from his sling.
He ran towards Goliath, put his hand in his leather bag and pulled out a smooth stone he had gathered from a nearby brook, slung that stone in his sling and struck Goliath in the most vulnerable exposed spot on his body-his forehead, and Goliath fell face down on the earth. Dead.
Then, having no sword of his own, and being sure that Goliath was not tricking him by playing dead, David ran over to Goliath, and took G's own sword and killed him with it. I'm not sure where he ran it through but there was no doubt in David's mind that his enemy would no longer taunt him.
And number four. He took that bloody sword and chopped off Goliath's head with it. He held it high for the enemies to see and then the enemy knew they were in trouble. They ran away as fast as they could.
The Israelites, taking courage from the events of the past five minutes, pursued their enemies for quite a ways. When they returned, they went to the enemies camp and plundered what was in their tents; perhaps taking back the things that had been stolen from them, but also, taking the goods that belonged to their enemies fair and square.
What gave David the courage to do these exploits?
He was certain of two things.
#1-That God, who not only protected him from the mouths of the lion and the bear but helped him destroy them, would also protect and help him destroy this enemy as well.
#2-That anyone who defies the armies of the living God defies God Himself, and is therefore, already doomed.
David had been faithful in what he would call the little things-protecting his flock from a lion and a bear. The situation he walked into felt familiar. Someone was trying to destroy the flock of God. How dare they destroy what was God's?! And in the fury and zeal that comes to the one who knows His God and the love God has for His people, he acted with courage and might and destroyed the enemy of his people. This gave courage to the trembling souls around him and they in turn pursued their enemies, destroying them, and upon returning, plundered what had once been in their enemies possession. Oh God, help me get this!
My dear people, we have been intimidated far too long. We've been created, not to just exist, but to win! And not just to win, but to be victorious! And not just to be victorious, but to overcome and plunder that which belongs to the enemy! Jesus did this very thing for us on the cross and on those days we thought He was in the tomb. He destroyed the enemy and plundered his goods and brought back that which had been held captive in the enemies camp. Then He dispersed goods to His people. These gifts equip us for the work of the ministry so we can edify one another in order that we will come into a unity of faith and know God and be full of Him, growing up in Him and being strengthened with love.
Rise up O Child of God!
David could have gone home.
He could have been safe.
And that I understand.
I am a lover, not a fighter.
But it's not so much about who we are;
It's about Whose we are.
How dare the enemy destroy those who belong to the Living God?
How dare the enemy intimidate and berate and tyrannize
those whom God holds in the palm of His hand?
God has won!
He has won in spite of the failures of His army, His people.
God has won!
And we are God's.
Therefore, we win too.
So lift up your heads and your hearts
and let the King of Glory come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
The LORD strong and mighty!
The LORD mighty in battle!
This is Our King of Glory!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Hertzler Doings~Jan.16-22,2012
Mon.~"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him." (Is. 64:4) Have been praying desperate and large prayers this past week. Aware that the answers may contain pain before they bring joy. And so I wait.
Cold, blustery day, inside and out. Heating system not working. Dressed in double and triple layers and wore the brown hat Mother knit me for most of the day. Unmotivated to do much. It's strange how no heat, or no water, or no electricity, seems to freeze up my ability to work. Read and wrote. Talked with Susan. Read 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' under the covers and ate tortilla chips. I wonder if I am the only one who might gain weight on this Daniel Fast. Took a nap. Played a rousing game of Dutch Blitz with Susan and warmed up. We wore matching pink camouflage sweat shirts. She won. Lindsay said that Gil misses 'The Hertzler Doings' and that she would love if I wrote them again. I'll incorporate thank you gifts at the end of each days writing.
~~~~~~~
Thanksgivings continued:
567. Kara's blog. She's writing thanksgivings too, inspired from Ann's book-'A Thousand Gifts', even as I was.
568. Last night's visit from Dianna, Laurel, and Ivan. Laurel made us baked red peppers filled with quinoa, black beans, spinach, onions, cumin, etc. Delicious. Delightful visit. Ivan entertained for us. He went through his repertoire of tricks; dancing, running his fingers over his lips and going 'brrh, brrh, brrh.." and laughing and clapping after each little show. I haven't laughed that hard for a long time. I hope they come back soon.
569. The beautiful sunrise. I was reading my Bible but felt it would be rude if I looked away for even a second. "Thank you God. I love you, too." And He said, "Thank you." I read today, (not in the Bible) that He says 'Thank you," every time we tell Him we love Him. I'd be surprised if that wasn't true.
570. For the movie afternoon last week with Ilsa and Janelle. We watched 'Higher Ground' and a Jane Austen movie whose name escapes me at the moment. (Jane Eyre) I keep thinking about 'Higher Ground' and I wonder how I portray Jesus and Christianity to others in the faith who are struggling and those outside the faith who might be interested in Jesus if church people weren't so self-righteous. Most people had no problem with Jesus. It was the religious people who thought He wasn't 'Christian' enough. He was far to free to fit into their little God boxes that they had sewn into their spirits. Just a note about 'Higher Ground.' There are a few places that may make you uncomfortable in its content but I was more uncomfortable with her experience in Christendom. Remember that it is a memoir. But for the most part, it is a thought provoking movie that has made me want to be 'real.' People just want 'real' and I think Jesus wants 'real' too.
571. (P.S. Just read this in Brennan Mannings book-"Souvenirs of Solitude"-"There are some real problems with projecting the perfect image. First of all, it's simply not true-we are not always happy, optimistic, in command. Second, projecting the flawless image keeps us from reaching people who feel we just wouldn't understand them. And third, even if we could live a life with no conflict, suffering, or mistake, it would be a shallow existence. The Christian with depth is the person who has failed and learned to live with his failure.")
572. (P.S.S.-Just heard Beth Moore say in her James study-And I cannot quote it exactly-"Every mistake, heartache, things that we hate, etc. leaves in our souls a hollow empty spot that God fills with His grace.)
Between the movie, these writers/teachers, and life, I am thinking alot about the difference between coercion with guilt and the invitation with grace and what brings people to His arms of mercy and keeps them there.
Tues.-Ps. 90:14-17~"Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days! Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, the years in which we have seen evil. Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands."
Took Susan to homeschool co-op. Biology and Drama readings. She read Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken." I ran errands and visited Ginger. Took Susan to Zumba and then we spent the eve. with Betty and Kelly. I made toasted cheese sandwiches with Ezekiel bread and veggie soy cheese and soy butter. Also homemade cream of tomato soup with almond milk which gave it a unique flavor. I was glad Betty was happy to keep the leftovers. Finished 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame.' Well-written classic but I have no desire to read it again.
573. Thank you for the friend who looks deep in my eyes to see the message written there and calls to check on me.
574. Thank you for the golden offerings from the hens, one so fresh it kept my hand warm as I walked back to the house.
575. Thank you for 60 degree weather after 20 degree weather.
576. Thank you for the sweetness I get from all the clerks at Kroger. "Honey this, Dear that," and one clerk serenades me. He serenades everyone but I take it personally.
Wed.-Ps. 91:14-16-"Because you have set your love upon Me, therefore I will deliver you; I will set you on high because you have known my name. You shall call upon Me, and I will answer you; I will be with you in trouble; I will deliver you and honor you. With long life I will satisfy you, and show you My salvation."
Met Judy at Dr. F's and exchanged Christmas gifts finally and hugs and kisses, too. Went over to pick up a large package at the Post Office and the gentleman behind the counter came around the back with the package and said, "Lead on, O woman of God" and followed me to the car. I wanted to ask him "What did you just say?," but I was afraid maybe I had heard wrong and I wanted to believe that I had heard correctly. And now I keep hearing those words like a song in my soul. My eyebrows are still curly from when I singed them on Monday after I carelessly opened the outdoor furnace but no one but Susan and I seem to notice.
Cold, blustery day, inside and out. Heating system not working. Dressed in double and triple layers and wore the brown hat Mother knit me for most of the day. Unmotivated to do much. It's strange how no heat, or no water, or no electricity, seems to freeze up my ability to work. Read and wrote. Talked with Susan. Read 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' under the covers and ate tortilla chips. I wonder if I am the only one who might gain weight on this Daniel Fast. Took a nap. Played a rousing game of Dutch Blitz with Susan and warmed up. We wore matching pink camouflage sweat shirts. She won. Lindsay said that Gil misses 'The Hertzler Doings' and that she would love if I wrote them again. I'll incorporate thank you gifts at the end of each days writing.
~~~~~~~
Thanksgivings continued:
567. Kara's blog. She's writing thanksgivings too, inspired from Ann's book-'A Thousand Gifts', even as I was.
568. Last night's visit from Dianna, Laurel, and Ivan. Laurel made us baked red peppers filled with quinoa, black beans, spinach, onions, cumin, etc. Delicious. Delightful visit. Ivan entertained for us. He went through his repertoire of tricks; dancing, running his fingers over his lips and going 'brrh, brrh, brrh.." and laughing and clapping after each little show. I haven't laughed that hard for a long time. I hope they come back soon.
569. The beautiful sunrise. I was reading my Bible but felt it would be rude if I looked away for even a second. "Thank you God. I love you, too." And He said, "Thank you." I read today, (not in the Bible) that He says 'Thank you," every time we tell Him we love Him. I'd be surprised if that wasn't true.
570. For the movie afternoon last week with Ilsa and Janelle. We watched 'Higher Ground' and a Jane Austen movie whose name escapes me at the moment. (Jane Eyre) I keep thinking about 'Higher Ground' and I wonder how I portray Jesus and Christianity to others in the faith who are struggling and those outside the faith who might be interested in Jesus if church people weren't so self-righteous. Most people had no problem with Jesus. It was the religious people who thought He wasn't 'Christian' enough. He was far to free to fit into their little God boxes that they had sewn into their spirits. Just a note about 'Higher Ground.' There are a few places that may make you uncomfortable in its content but I was more uncomfortable with her experience in Christendom. Remember that it is a memoir. But for the most part, it is a thought provoking movie that has made me want to be 'real.' People just want 'real' and I think Jesus wants 'real' too.
571. (P.S. Just read this in Brennan Mannings book-"Souvenirs of Solitude"-"There are some real problems with projecting the perfect image. First of all, it's simply not true-we are not always happy, optimistic, in command. Second, projecting the flawless image keeps us from reaching people who feel we just wouldn't understand them. And third, even if we could live a life with no conflict, suffering, or mistake, it would be a shallow existence. The Christian with depth is the person who has failed and learned to live with his failure.")
572. (P.S.S.-Just heard Beth Moore say in her James study-And I cannot quote it exactly-"Every mistake, heartache, things that we hate, etc. leaves in our souls a hollow empty spot that God fills with His grace.)
Between the movie, these writers/teachers, and life, I am thinking alot about the difference between coercion with guilt and the invitation with grace and what brings people to His arms of mercy and keeps them there.
Tues.-Ps. 90:14-17~"Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days! Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, the years in which we have seen evil. Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands."
Took Susan to homeschool co-op. Biology and Drama readings. She read Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken." I ran errands and visited Ginger. Took Susan to Zumba and then we spent the eve. with Betty and Kelly. I made toasted cheese sandwiches with Ezekiel bread and veggie soy cheese and soy butter. Also homemade cream of tomato soup with almond milk which gave it a unique flavor. I was glad Betty was happy to keep the leftovers. Finished 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame.' Well-written classic but I have no desire to read it again.
573. Thank you for the friend who looks deep in my eyes to see the message written there and calls to check on me.
574. Thank you for the golden offerings from the hens, one so fresh it kept my hand warm as I walked back to the house.
575. Thank you for 60 degree weather after 20 degree weather.
576. Thank you for the sweetness I get from all the clerks at Kroger. "Honey this, Dear that," and one clerk serenades me. He serenades everyone but I take it personally.
Wed.-Ps. 91:14-16-"Because you have set your love upon Me, therefore I will deliver you; I will set you on high because you have known my name. You shall call upon Me, and I will answer you; I will be with you in trouble; I will deliver you and honor you. With long life I will satisfy you, and show you My salvation."
Met Judy at Dr. F's and exchanged Christmas gifts finally and hugs and kisses, too. Went over to pick up a large package at the Post Office and the gentleman behind the counter came around the back with the package and said, "Lead on, O woman of God" and followed me to the car. I wanted to ask him "What did you just say?," but I was afraid maybe I had heard wrong and I wanted to believe that I had heard correctly. And now I keep hearing those words like a song in my soul. My eyebrows are still curly from when I singed them on Monday after I carelessly opened the outdoor furnace but no one but Susan and I seem to notice.
Thinking of the risks and sorrows that come with farm life and that's all I can say about that for now.
577. Thank you for children who love each other.
578. Thank you that I don't have to fix things and that I can just say, "I'm so sorry that happened" and sit in sorrowed silence with the griever, like Mary did with Jesus. She let Him be sad.
579. Thank you that Jessica Z. from our church back in Pa. got to experience some American Idol and a friend of Buddy's from Appomattox will be participating in the competition. Wish we had TV after all.
Thurs.-Ps. 57:1-3~"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth."
Didn't do much today. Wrote as guest blogger for Lindsay on enjoying our children. Watched a movie with Susan. Cleaned a bit and made some supper. Alli's bridesmaid dress was sent to our place and she was relieved when she found out. Stopped here on the way home and modeled it for us.
580. Thankful for my record of words for 2011-Themes in my life for last year grouped in their own little months of learning-obedience, humility, simplicity, community; and love, grace, truth, perseverance; and humility, gratitude, and wholeness.
581. 2012's themes so far? Strength and grace.
Friday-1 Sam. 17:45,46-"Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
Went to Lynchburg with Alli to get my car looked at and to drop off her sewing machine to get worked on. Shopped at Joanne Fabrics, Lifeway, Walmart, Kroger, and Five Guys. Stopped at Appomattox and got my tires rotated on the way home. Watched a movie with Susan and Alli after we made some homemade soap. The cherry-almond fragrance reminded Alli of her grandmother and I of my mother. Jergens hand lotion memories.
582. I am thankful for Freeman's words to Alli as we got in the car in the morning, "Buy whatever you want."
583. I am also thankful for her words she said back to him, "I don't want anything.
Generosity and contentment go hand in hand.
584. Freeman built me a beautiful shelf for the living room wall while we were gone.
585. I am thankful for a 14 year old daughter who almost daily says, "Let's sit down and talk."
Sat.-1 Sam. 18:12-"Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul."
It was nice to have Michael home today. We made some twice baked potatoes with Philip's help. Michael spent some time with Chase after admitting the freezing rain made splitting wood difficult. Susan worked on feeling better-some sort of respiratory thing going on, and cleaning her room. She accompanied Phil into town to pick up a tractor piece for Philip's project. Philip's busy with farm work today. I did some writing, cleaning, washing, de-cluttering, and catching up with Janelle and Rosalee on the phone.
586. For the classics just waiting to be read on my book shelf. Finished "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" by Victor Hugo and have started "Great Expectations" by Dickens. As sober as Dickens write, he has much dry humor scattered throughout his depiction of life at that time. It would be a good book to read aloud but it is rather thick.
Sun.-Mark 7:37-"And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." Light snow with individual six-sided flakes visible. Went to church and then out to Appomattox for lunch and visited with Jerry and Sheila. Phone rang alot today. Watched a movie with Susan and Phil and went to bed.
587. Stability, grace, truth, and depth. Prayers I trust He will answer.
588. The first snow fall.
589. Hugs and "I love you's."
590. For His defense of me.
Monday, January 9, 2012
January Thanksgivings-2012
(In Pa. with my mother)
425. For the amazing children my mother gave birth to and raised
426. Watching David Jeremiah on TV with mother and having the fleeting thought, "I wonder if he reads my blog?" (Because so much sounded familiar and I had not read his books or heard his teachings) and grinning at the audacity of such a thought. Actually, we both read the Bible and that's where we get our ideas.
427. For Michael and Susan holding down the home front; cooking, cleaning, washing clothes,..
428. That the majority of mother's cats like me!
429. For the invention of the machine that manufactures oxygen for those whose lungs do not.
430. For Rosalee's tender tenacity, Abie's objectivity and grace, Alan's compassion and way with words, David's wisdom and knowledge, and my peace and contentment.
431. For the loving generous neighbors surrounding my mother like guardian angels. Everyone loves my mother.
432. For mother's sun room with her plants, white wicker chairs, white statuette of little girl reading a book while lying on her stomach and legs in the air, and Naomi visiting me there in the afternoon sunlight.
433. cell phones
434. for Mother's desire for dignity and beauty
435. Phil's parents praying for my mother
436. For mother's words, when I went to go back and check on her in the eve., "I was just thanking God for you."
437. For one of mother's poems I've never read before, found in a little red notebook-taken from Mk. 9:36,37-"He held me, He held me, This wonderful, wonderful man. He held me, He held me, O can you understand? His arms were so gentle, His voice soft and low, His love I'll remember wherever I go. This Jesus, Precious Jesus, loved and held us little children In His arms."
I read it to her and said, "Just like He's holding you now."
438. Lunch with Phil's Mom at Yoder's-her treat
439. Finding 2 button down shirts for Mother at Re-uzit-one a Talbot and the other LLBean. Soft and pretty blues.
440. A husband who loves my mother almost as much as I do.
441. Mother's 'I never noticed the difference' when I was comparing my smartness with that of my much smarter siblings.
442. Talking with Mother about worrying about the future, etc. She said she had been thinking of this song, and then she gifted me by singing! "Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand...but I know who holds the future, and I know who holds my hand." I can't say enough how thankful I am that she sang this for me. I thank God for her bravery.
443. Visits from neighbors and Annie and her little David
444. Notes received in the mail to mother make me weep. One friend wrote, who did not know she was ill, and thanked her for saving her life many years ago. And that she did.
445. For WRC's interest in 'You Were the Joy.'
446. 70 mph speed limits
447. Heaven's air
448. A hard good-bye and a safe trip home
449. A Sabbath rest in bed
450. For the repeating of words, "I'm so glad you're home."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
451. For Mom's and More and 'Grace Based Parenting.'
452. Solomon's Songs
453. Susan's request at youth group that God would comfort her mother regarding her mother.
454. For Lee's reply, "Beulah Diffenbach-what a beautiful name."
455. That kindnesses such as the two thank you's above make me cry.
456. For answered prayer
457. For new friends, new beginnings, and new hopes
458. For a movie afternoon at my house with Ilsa and Janelle
459. A day off of work for Philip to catch up on sleep and farm work
560. That the 'heart attack' "report" was false
561. That my significance, purpose, and hope is all wrapped up in one thing only-Jesus Christ loves me. From the cradle to the grave. Like the writer, Tullian says, "Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Grace and grace alone, lest any man should boast. Lest we say, "If we fast and pray, then..." or "If we sing loud enough and long enough, then..." What can bring us closer to God than the cross? What can give us greater access to His presence than the torn veil? Alleluia, alleluia. It is done. If only we lived in the 'doneness.' Help us. We so desire to earn our way and live by rules. It is our human nature to want a formula with our efforts affecting the outcome. And in everything, but the cross, what we do may affect the outcome. But the cross is all about Him.
562. Sovereign Graces' worship CD-songs of the cross
563. Packages at the Post Office
564. Days at home
565. For siblings who brag on each other
566. The largeness and expansiveness of the Body of Christ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To be continued...under Hertzler Doings-back by popular Demand. Okay...maybe just one person said that they'd like it back...after I asked them...
425. For the amazing children my mother gave birth to and raised
426. Watching David Jeremiah on TV with mother and having the fleeting thought, "I wonder if he reads my blog?" (Because so much sounded familiar and I had not read his books or heard his teachings) and grinning at the audacity of such a thought. Actually, we both read the Bible and that's where we get our ideas.
427. For Michael and Susan holding down the home front; cooking, cleaning, washing clothes,..
428. That the majority of mother's cats like me!
429. For the invention of the machine that manufactures oxygen for those whose lungs do not.
430. For Rosalee's tender tenacity, Abie's objectivity and grace, Alan's compassion and way with words, David's wisdom and knowledge, and my peace and contentment.
431. For the loving generous neighbors surrounding my mother like guardian angels. Everyone loves my mother.
432. For mother's sun room with her plants, white wicker chairs, white statuette of little girl reading a book while lying on her stomach and legs in the air, and Naomi visiting me there in the afternoon sunlight.
433. cell phones
434. for Mother's desire for dignity and beauty
435. Phil's parents praying for my mother
436. For mother's words, when I went to go back and check on her in the eve., "I was just thanking God for you."
437. For one of mother's poems I've never read before, found in a little red notebook-taken from Mk. 9:36,37-"He held me, He held me, This wonderful, wonderful man. He held me, He held me, O can you understand? His arms were so gentle, His voice soft and low, His love I'll remember wherever I go. This Jesus, Precious Jesus, loved and held us little children In His arms."
I read it to her and said, "Just like He's holding you now."
438. Lunch with Phil's Mom at Yoder's-her treat
439. Finding 2 button down shirts for Mother at Re-uzit-one a Talbot and the other LLBean. Soft and pretty blues.
440. A husband who loves my mother almost as much as I do.
441. Mother's 'I never noticed the difference' when I was comparing my smartness with that of my much smarter siblings.
442. Talking with Mother about worrying about the future, etc. She said she had been thinking of this song, and then she gifted me by singing! "Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand...but I know who holds the future, and I know who holds my hand." I can't say enough how thankful I am that she sang this for me. I thank God for her bravery.
443. Visits from neighbors and Annie and her little David
444. Notes received in the mail to mother make me weep. One friend wrote, who did not know she was ill, and thanked her for saving her life many years ago. And that she did.
445. For WRC's interest in 'You Were the Joy.'
446. 70 mph speed limits
447. Heaven's air
448. A hard good-bye and a safe trip home
449. A Sabbath rest in bed
450. For the repeating of words, "I'm so glad you're home."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
451. For Mom's and More and 'Grace Based Parenting.'
452. Solomon's Songs
453. Susan's request at youth group that God would comfort her mother regarding her mother.
454. For Lee's reply, "Beulah Diffenbach-what a beautiful name."
455. That kindnesses such as the two thank you's above make me cry.
456. For answered prayer
457. For new friends, new beginnings, and new hopes
458. For a movie afternoon at my house with Ilsa and Janelle
459. A day off of work for Philip to catch up on sleep and farm work
560. That the 'heart attack' "report" was false
561. That my significance, purpose, and hope is all wrapped up in one thing only-Jesus Christ loves me. From the cradle to the grave. Like the writer, Tullian says, "Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Grace and grace alone, lest any man should boast. Lest we say, "If we fast and pray, then..." or "If we sing loud enough and long enough, then..." What can bring us closer to God than the cross? What can give us greater access to His presence than the torn veil? Alleluia, alleluia. It is done. If only we lived in the 'doneness.' Help us. We so desire to earn our way and live by rules. It is our human nature to want a formula with our efforts affecting the outcome. And in everything, but the cross, what we do may affect the outcome. But the cross is all about Him.
562. Sovereign Graces' worship CD-songs of the cross
563. Packages at the Post Office
564. Days at home
565. For siblings who brag on each other
566. The largeness and expansiveness of the Body of Christ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To be continued...under Hertzler Doings-back by popular Demand. Okay...maybe just one person said that they'd like it back...after I asked them...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)