A Trip to the Outhouse?

I just finished Half-Broke Horses last night. What a captivating read! If you've already been through Jeannette Walls' autobiography, The Glass Castle, you'll find this true life novel all the more rich.

Walls straps on the first person POV and journeys through her grandmother Lily's life on a horse ranch. Her "normal" carried more tragedy, uncertainty, and hard work in one year than most will see in a lifetime. At one point, her and her husband lost their jobs (due to the Depression) and had to move to a house with no indoor plumbing. As Lily treks to the outhouse, lamenting the loss of her flush toilet, she reminds herself (and shocks the reader with conviction) that she didn't really need a toilet and \ she needed to get over the perspective that she did. She then proceeds to tear out a catalog page to wipe.

Wow.

Well... I don't know about you, but I see an indoor toilet as a need. In fact, I'd say we see having at least two toilets in the house as a need. But is it really?

What do I consider a need that is really just a want?

a dishwasher...

a dryer

a bed per child--a room per child

a yard

a vehicle per person

a cell

a stereo system

an updated wardrobe

...

What about you?

What could you do without?

What could you give away?

Think about it... you'll be surprised what you come up with

His

Since my family and I have moved our church membership elsewhere in town, we've experienced some beautiful transition time. Although it's not always been comfortable, we are beginning to see more and more that God's bride is not isolated to one congregation (let alone the whole denomination debate). Of course, we knew that already, but when you step outside your comfort zone and worship/learn with other believers, it makes me all the more excited about heaven and all the diverse cultures, styles, and methods people used to build community and faith. No, I don't believe every "type" of believer will be there; but I do believer people can follow Jesus in different ways (same Message, different method).

Thankfully, our previous congregation (I guess I could call them all "little c" churched and not the Church) graciously blessed us on our way and still "includes" us as part of the fellowship of believers. But sadly, many people don't experience this type of understanding. They are shunned and rejected as if they had abandoned the faith. And it saddens me, because of course, we're all spending eternity together. How sad to isolate and show partiality to those who "do what we do," "go where we go," and "look the way we look." And I think of Paul wandering around, never really having a "church home" but always calling the congregations within each city his beloved, his brothers and sisters.

I wish we could get back to a deeper understanding of the Church, setting aside the denominational boxes, setting aside the competition and envy, and rejoicing with one another in all things.

Deut 10:17	"The great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality …'
2 Chron. 19:7	"For with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality…"
Job 34:19	[God] "who shows no partiality …"
Acts 10:34	"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism"
Romans 2:11	"For God does not show favoritism."
Galatians 2:6	"As for those who seemed to be important--whatever they weremakes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance."
Ephesians 6:9	"and there is no favoritism with him."
Colossians 3:25	"… and there is no favoritism."
1 Peter 1:17	"Since you call on a Father who judges each man's workimpartially …"

But you would have none of it.

Isaiah 30:15 has been haunting me this week. "...But you would have none of it." Have none of what? Rest. Salvation. Strength. What? Me? I want rest, salvation, and strength. But how bad do I really want it? Do I seek the Lord in humility, repenting? Do I quiet my spirit before Him, trusting His ways and waiting for Him?

Or...

Do I hold onto my frustrations and anger, feeling entitled to be indignant? Do I gossip without recourse? Turn unkind words to my children? Puff myself up with how "great" I am, how much "better" my way is than another's? Do I repent of my arrogance?

When God "just isn't moving fast enough," do I wait for Him, trust Him, rest in His presence, or do I run ahead, demanding a fix, demanding an answer?

Do I know how to be quiet? Do I even know what quietness looks like? It's not weakness. For here, it's clear that our strength comes from quietness and trust. Our strength doesn't come from wrestling away the reins.

So, this week, I'm really trying. I'm trying to lay it down myself before it becomes overblown with self-importance. I'm resting in who He is, not who I think I am... or am not. I'm trying to quiet the mutters in my Spirit and listen--trust. I know that I can only be a conqueror of my enemies when I submit myself to the One that Defeats It All.

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.

True Love

As Valentine's Day approaches, some of you will enact plans established several weeks ago, some of you will be surprised, some of you will groan, some of you will pretend not to care. But whether you're married, single, or widowed, we all want one thing--to be desired. We want to know that someone wants to spend time with us, wants to make us happy, wants to give to us.

For some of you, scanning your list will draw a blank; for that, I'm so very sorry. But even if that is the case, rest in the knowledge that there is One--one who has always loved you, always delighted in you, always wanted to spend time with you, and He's never stopped caring. He's not indifferent to you, apathetic or remote. He won't make excuses, ignore you, or let you take the lead. He's always seeking you, always loving you. And He knows we can't give Him anything in return. Our devotion is ever-weak in light of His faithfulness. And yet, it doesn't alter His love... not even a little.

For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." Zeph. 3:17

Pure love is a willingness to give without a thought of receiving anything in return. Peach Pilgrim.

We have a winner!

Congrats, Krissy! You're the winner this time around!! Your book will be arriving soon.

Connecting the Dots

Psalm 147:5

Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

his understanding has no limit.

Today I'm thankful for God's omniscience, his infinite knowledge of everything. We as muddled finite beings can't begin to wrestle that one down, but it's comforting all the same, isn't it? He knows it all. Nothing surprises Him. Takes Him away from His purpose or focus. He doesn't forget what He is doing. He doesn't question His choices, His thoughts, our actions, our responses. He "gets it"--so much deeper than we will ever get ourselves.

I've heard our vision described as a limited scope on the backside of a tapestry, but sometimes, I don't think we can even see the whole backside. Sometimes I think we only see a thread... our thread.

As God works His truth through my heart and adjusts my vision, I'm jolted by what He allows me to see (how overwhelming it would be if we "got it" all now). I've seen Him bring lessons full circle. I've seen Him utilize several different sources (Scripture, friend, book, a FB comment--yes, even that) in one week to point a big arrow at the truth. Get it now?! I've seen Him develop a belief as He would nurture a rose bush, giving it time to process and grow. His patience stuns me.

Sometimes He'll hand me little pictures--pictures I drew without even knowing what I was drawing and I have to sit back in amazement. You knew, didn't you, God? The whole time, you knew what the journey would look like and what end I'd arrive at.

Have you seen a three-year-old connect the dots. I have! It's so amusing, because, as an adult, I can quickly pull out the image. Oh, that's a flower, or a cat with a bow on her head, or an apple tree. But of course, my daughter can't see that. She's just obeying the rules of connect the dots. Follow the directions. Apply what we know about the truth (2 comes after 1, 3 comes after 2, and so on), and then we'll see what shows up. And then, when she finishes, her baffled expression turns to enlightenment and joy. "Look, it's a sunflower, Mommy!"

Job 37:16

Do you know the balancings of the clouds,

the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge.

Isaiah 46:9

I am God, and there is none like me,

declaring the end from the beginning

and from ancient times things not yet done.

A moment

Swapping the guest writer blog :)

Check out my post on Abby Lewis's site.

Wednesday giveaway

I've decided to try something new. Periodically--I'm not sure if it will be once a month or what--I'm going to give away a book. I've encountered so many soul-nourishing books along the way; I want to share them with you.

In honor of my guest writer this week, I'm going to be giving away Abby Lewis's book, Blossoming out of the Valley.

Here's how we'll do the give-away this week. I'll pick a "follower" at random, depending on who leaves a comment this week. The pick will be on Friday. We'll see how it goes. :)

Guest Writer: Stop the Fight...

Abby Lewis, a down-to-earth woman of God and a new and dear friend of mine, is writing her words of wisdom for you today. She's a massage therapist in town who loves to help others find healing and restoration in their bodies, but more importantly, in their souls. She's written a book that captures her story of finding peace through stillness with God. I'd highly recommend it!

• My Journey To Healing » Blog Archive » Stop the Fight…Turn and Face Him

  myjourneytohealing.com

  “If you knew what I had in store for you, then you would stop fighting me so much.” These words came out of my mouth as I was getting my 1 year old son, Shia, ready to go play outside.

  
  

  Read more...

Between the Rays

Be patient, therefore, brothers,^[a] until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. ⁸ You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. ⁹ Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. ¹⁰ As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. ~James 5:7-11

In our James study this morning, Beth Moore took us through these verses and gave us a session title Between the Rains. If we seek Him, we will find Him. (Deut. 4:29). And I'll share her five points with you, because they so encouraged me.

1. Accept the beauty of the process.

2. Actively acknowledge God's faithfulness.

3. Avoid a caustic undercurrent.

4. Ignite fresh resolve through the stories of others. (Romans. 8:26/Ex. 2:24/Heb.12:1/Gal. 4:6)

5. Ask of God like much is at stake. (I Kings 18:41:46)

[James Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore]

I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like a swinging lunatic. Some days, I'm overwhelmed with hope, joy, and perspective. And then other times seem like I'm stuck in a pit, unable to see anything but mud. But we all go through seasons. "You need to understand the laws of the harvest--He hasn't moved to other ground, He's moved underground. Continue to walk out your faith without sight (rain). The rain is coming." Beth Moore

Right now, I feel the rain. I know He's teaching me and wow, do I feel His conviction (every minute almost). I don't question the rain; I feel like I'm in vicious downpour... with a little hail mixed in.

Yes, I'm overwhelmed with the presence of my sin,

my hypocrisy,

my selfishness,

and my lack of joy.

The world is dense with meaning and I'm getting so much rain, I'm walking in mud.

No, what I crave right now, is a little sunlight--some warmth to dry my clothes and remind me that I'm loved despite it all. I need some rays through the forest. And they come. I may not "feel" the warmth, but it's there. It's always there because His love never changes. So, today I'm going to do a little sun-bathing and let my failings rest in His more-than-capable hands.

We can do this, friend. This journey through the woods is short, no matter how long it may seem. Faithfully, hold on to Him.