Gifts

I have been thinking a lot about gifts this week but not the kind that you put under the tree.  No... I've had a different perspective... you see, eight days ago I underwent surgery.  I'm back at home and healing nicely but it wasn't how I planned on spending Christmas.  If I had chosen, this wouldn't have been the time.  There's so much that needs to be done.  Finish the shopping, then the wrapping.  Do some baking and some cleaning.  Take in some events.  Finish planning others.  Instead, my hectic, fast-paced Christmas season came to a screeching halt and my world became still.  At first glance, I wouldn't have called this a gift - at least, not a nice one.

It's amazing how our point of view changes when we become still.  In the quietness, we appreciate things that we have barely noticed from high gear.  Things that normally provoke stress can be consumed by prevailing peace and even enjoyed.  Case in point - decorating the Christmas tree with my children.  As I was resigned to sit and watch rather than control, it was amazing how beautiful the whole scenario could be.

I guess that's when I began to really recognize this surgery and period of recuperation - over Christmas - as a good gift and not an intrusion.  In the stillness I found peace from the frenzy, joy in the little things and savored Christ in Christmas.  I almost missed it.  The packaging wasn't what I expected. 

God gives good gifts - all the time.  We are either just moving to fast to see them or we dismiss them because they don't come wrapped in the packaging we expected.  That's what God did with Jesus.  The people were longing and waiting for the arrival of the Messiah - the King.  But, they weren't expecting Him to be born of a peasant girl - in a stable instead of a palace.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey some thirty years later, they expected Him to set-up His earthly kingdom, not lay down His earthly life.  God's ways are much higher than our ways.  When we expect Him to act like just a better form of us, we are going to miss Him entirely. 

I wonder where you're at this Christmas... Do you find yourself longing and waiting for something?  Someone?  Are you craving peace?  Stillness?  Hope?  Joy?  Perhaps you didn't recognize the packaging.  These things cannot be found in the bright, sparkling things of the world.  Oh, the wrapping might be enticing but inside the package is empty.  These things that we are really craving can only be satisfied in Jesus! 

Has an unexpected package arrived in your life?  Maybe it's the very thing that will cause you to stop and look and see...

Romans 6:22-23

The Message (MSG)

But now that you’ve found you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master.

God, thank You for the gift of really living today and the promise of endless tomorrows.  Thank You for sending Your Son - the King of kings - born of a virgin peasant girl to pay the pension for my sin.  Thank You for interrupting the busyness of my life and helping me to see all over again.  Thank You for loving me so much that You sent me the gift of stillness - wrapped up in stitches and gauze - so that once again I could see Your great love for me!

He's Got You Surrounded!

I've searched all over this morning for a picture that matches the one in my mind's eye.  Over the last few days, the LORD has been painting a picture for me through His Word and oh, how I wish, I could show it to you!  I pray that as I show you the scriptures that the LORD has shown me, His Spirit would delight and encourage your heart as He has done with mine...

Psalm 125:1-2 says, "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.  As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore."  This caught my attention.  Though I've never been to Jerusalem, I could picture being surrounded by mountains but what did it look like to be surrounded by the LORD?

An old commentary on the Psalms by E.C.Olsen sent me to Job, chapter 1.  I may often forget that the LORD has placed a hedge around about me, but satan never forgets!  "Does Job fear God for no good reason? Have You not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side?"  I like that!  From the rest of the story in the book of Job, I know that if something gets through that hedge of protection the LORD has placed around me, it's not because the enemy broke through - it's because God allowed it - and will ultimately use it for my good and His glory!

That's good to remember, yet the LORD knows me so well... He knows that I am a visual learner and when He gives me a picture of specific truth, I am way more apt to remember it.  This morning, I was reading Psalm 139.  It opens by affirming just how well He knows me.  He knows when I sit and when I rise.  He discerns my thoughts from afar.  He's acquainted with all of my ways.  He hems me in, behind and before me... Ding, ding, ding!  The truths from Psalm 125 and Job 1 come rushing back to my mind.

Once again, I pull out the commentary by E.C. Olsen.  This time, he contemplates John 10:28-29 side by side with these words from Psalm 139.  John 10:28 tells me that those who have trusted Jesus for eternal life can be found in His hand.  I literally pictured myself resting bodily in the palm of that nail-scarred hand.  That seems like a pretty safe place to me but just in case I was doubting, Jesus goes on to say that His Father is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.  I was still mulling that over when I turned back to Psalm 139.  Listen to these words from verse 5, "You hem me in, behind and before, and lay Your hand upon me."  (emphasis mine)

Picture this!  If you have placed your life in Christ's hands, you are held, cradled in the palm of His hand.  As if that weren't enough, the Father takes His own hand and lays it over you.  You are completely surrounded by the Hands of the Almighty!  Nothing can snatch you out!  The hands that formed the universe, put the stars in place, lovingly hold you and you can rest there.  What else could I possibly want?  But our God is a God of abundance.  There was one more brush stroke left for Him to paint me today.  It comes from Psalm 32:7.  While I am there, cradled in that hiding place for me, He preserves me from trouble; and if I am listening - truly listening - I'll hear His mighty voice as He surrounds me with shouts of deliverance.  "Selah" - pause and calmly think on that!

Action! It's More Than Wishful Thinking!

The LORD knows me so well.  This morning He brought me back to a lesson that He taught me earlier this year through a scripture that I have read many times before.  It is a wonderful prayer of David - steeped in hope - and full of truths!  And nestled within familiar words is a profound reminder and challenge to me...
I will call upon You, for You will answer me, O God; incline Your ear to me; hear my words.  Wondrously show Your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at Your right hand.  (Psalm 17:6-7 ESV, emphasis mine)

Seek refuge!  How often have I read this passage and others like it and missed the implication of the word "seek"?  Seek is much more than hope for - more than wishful thinking!  The Hebrew word translated here is Strong's # 2620 "chacah".  It means to actually "flee for protection, be confident in, put trust in"!  (see http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H2620&t=KJV)  Isn't that so much more than hope for protection to be found?  In fact, there are 37 occurrences of this word in the Old Testament and only one time is it translated to have hope in!  Every other time, action is implied!  Jesus is the Savior of those who believe and then act on that belief!  We are to flee for protection - get moving - to the refuge we have at our God's right hand!

Words fail me at how to really bring this phrase to life but the LORD is showing me this passage in light of what I shared yesterday in "My Dad" (http://spaciousplace-karrie.blogspot.ca/2012/10/i-love-view-of-god-as-my-father.html).  If I am acting on the hope that I have that my Heavenly Father is going to provide refuge from all of my adversaries, I am going to run to my Father!  I'm going to clamor up onto His knee and tell Him everything that I am thinking and feeling!  And then, when He tells me what to do, I'm going to take my stand on His words - because no one messes with my Dad!  That's seeking refuge! 

Abba Father, You have been helping me know by experience the difference between wishful thinking and acting on what You have said!  If is profound!  Thank You for the reminder today.  Please help me to choose to seek refuge in You and no other. In Jesus' Name... Amen.

My "Dad"

I love the view of God as my Father.  I was blessed with a wonderful earthly Dad who would gather me on his knee, hear what I had to say and help at any cost.  That has helped me appreciate my Heavenly Father over the years.  When I became a parent myself, that added a new dimension to how I viewed more difficult things like discipline.  This past few weeks, though, the Lord has been painting a new picture for me that is renewing in me a childlike faith. 

Picture your child, running in the door and you can tell by one look at their face that something is wrong.  Immediately, a parent's heart is stirred with compassion.  You ask what is wrong and you give your child your full attention as they explain - as best they can - what has transpired.  It doesn't really matter what the scenario is, there are really only three ways we respond.  We either help them see from a more accurate perspective, we tell them how to deal with the situation and give them everything they need to do that, or the "mama bear" wells up in us so fast and we assure our child that they can just step aside and we'll handle it!

Why do I not automatically rest in that same parental concern in my Heavenly Father?  When I start to look at each trying circumstance of my life from that perspective, a new childlike faith emerges.

When the situations I face get me down, God knows.  He can tell by one look at my face!  Actually, He can tell by one look at my heart and my mind.  Psalm 139:1-2 says, O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I’m far away (New Living Translation).  God knows!  He sees me and He sees the big picture.  When I come to Him with my every concern and allow Him to gather me up on His knee, sometimes I merely need Him to give me a new perspective.  How often do we see the situations we face with such a limited understanding?  Proverbs 3:5-6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (New International Version).  In ways which transcend all understanding, He gives me peace.  (see Philippians 4:6-7  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philippians%204:6-7&version=NIV1984)

Sometimes, I find God gives me clear advice as to what I should do and then He follows it up by giving me every resource that I need to follow through.  Psalm 32:7-8 tells us, For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble.  You surround me with songs of victory... The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you (New Living Translation).

The other option is that our Heavenly Father tells us to step aside and let Him handle it!  Isaiah 49:25 gives us full assurance of that!  For thus says the Lord:  “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you... (English Standard Version).  King Jehoshaphat received just such an answer from the LORD in 2 Chronicles 20:15 & 17!  He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s...You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” (New International Version 1984). (to read the complete story:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2 Chronicles+20&version=NIV1984)

So you see, if we as fallible parents, would be moved with compassion for our child... If we would give them a better understanding of the situation or advise them how to handle it under our mindful eye... Or if we would be so stirred up with indignation that we would say to ourselves "you just messed with the wrong child" and gently tell your offspring to "stand aside!  Momma's gonna handle this!" how much more our Heavenly Father who loves us more than we could ever fathom?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this new picture of how I can trust You to handle anything and everything that comes at me!  Help me to remember how quickly that mamma bear instinct wells up in me and remember that it originates in You.  Help me to recognize how desperately my arms ache to hold my own children and soothe away their hurts - even when they brought them on themselves.  Help me to be quick to scramble up on Your knee and talk things out with You and then listen to hear You tell me how we're going to handle things because NO ONE messes with my "Dad"!  Amen.

Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV'84)

As I sat with the LORD this morning on this Thanksgiving Day, it was very easy for me to give thanks to Him.  The house is cozy and quiet... my family is all snuggled into their beds... there's a gentle pitter-patter of much needed rain falling outside my window... all of the trimmings for a thanksgiving feast are ready to be put together and I look forward to a leisurely day with those I love.  Life is good.  I pulled a book by one of my favorite authors off of the shelf.  She always has a way of challenging my thinking and pointing me to God's Throne.  Today was no exception.

I resumed reading from where I had left off the last time I had picked it up.  As the LORD so often does, the theme of the chapter was right in line with what He and I had been talking about.  The book is "31 Days of Drawing Near to God" by Ruth Myers (previously released as "The Satisfied Heart").  Her challenge was giving thanks to the LORD for and during the trials - just as much as for and during the good times. 

The LORD and I have been talking about that these last 24 hours.  I found out yesterday that one of the families in our church lost their 18 year old nephew to a hit and run accident this weekend.  A young man, full of promise tragically killed while crossing the street - and on Thanksgiving weekend!  There is NO day of the year where an accident like this does not completely devastate all those touched by it but there seems an added injustice when it's on a holiday that is supposed to represent everything but.  It didn't take many minutes for my mind to race to another family whose world was turned upside down by a very similar accident 11 years ago. 

Carole Lewis and her family were celebrating Thanksgiving 2001, when their daughter Shari was getting ready to back out of their drive way and was hit by a car speeding out of control.  In a moment, she was gone.  My mind raced to Carole's story so quickly because it was as I listened to Carole share of the greatness of God and His care for her during the moments, days and weeks following Shari's death that I committed to getting to know the LORD like she knew the LORD.  As I listened to Carole on the simulcast that day, she said many other things but I am absolutely convinced that if she hadn't testified to God's greatness even in her grief, I would have walked away unchanged.  I was greiving.  (Carole Lewis, author of "a thankful heart - How Gratitude Brings Hope and Healing To Our Lives" http://www.firstplace4health.com/store/?cat=4&item=38)

Since then, the LORD has brought it about that I would meet Carole several times and now call her friend.  I never celebrate Thanksgiving without giving thanks for her and her willingness to share that day.  I am a life radically transformed by God, due in no small part, to her courageous testimony.

So, I think of the family of this 18 year old young man.  I have to wonder how the LORD will use even this situation.  Only time will tell - and even then, maybe not until heaven will we really know.  There's a challenge in all of this for me... Do I give thanks in all circumstances?  Notice how the LORD says "in" all circumstances.  He's not saying "for".  It's funny how I find it easy to be thankful in the good times - like today.  I can even express gratitude for some of the darkest times of my life - at least now in hindsight - because I learned so much about who God is during them.  But I very often fail to give thanks "in" unhappy, stressful or trying circumstances.  I have to face it - I often fail to give thanks just when I don't get my own way!  Forgive me, LORD. 

Ruth Myers put it this way this morning.  "Without trials as God's platform for revealing Himself, might we fail to experience the incredible greatness of His power in our personal lives?  Just by reading about it in the Bible?  That is essential.  It gets the concept into our mind.  But when we're caught in an impossible circumstance and cry out to Him and He answers with deliverance, then we know on a deeper level: Our God truly is powerful!  Apart from difficult circumstances, how earnestly would we seek Him?  How deeply would we know Him?  I'm sorry to say this, but isn't it true that you and I would soon be distracted and often forget Him if everything always went smoothly?"  (Day 10, "31 Days of Drawing Near to God", copyright 1999, Multnomah, a division of Random House Inc.)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 merits repeating...

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.


For a further look at this command, visit http://spaciousplace-karrie.blogspot.ca/2011/09/pure-joy.html

My Understanding...

The LORD woke me early this morning.  I needed to spend time with Him.  Life has been chaotic lately and quietness in body and soul have been sporadic.  I felt Him beckon me out to see the stars.  They were AMAZING!  The sky was a pitch black background for a million (or more) little pin pricks of light.  Some were so bright that they looked like I could reach up and touch them!  The moon was a sliver, hanging heavy in the eastern sky and I could see 180 degrees of sky!  The constellations were jumping out at me like I was sitting in a planetarium - only brighter!  I kept turning around and delighting in each new vantage point.  I can't remember ever having a moment quite like it - when something in me almost expected to hear His audible voice!  I even woke each member of my family to come out and see the vast display.  Each one said, "Wow!" "Awesome!" "Oooh!"  It was completely AWESOME!

I poured my coffee and sat in my "spot" with the Lord.  I enjoyed my morning readings in the Psalms but my mind kept picturing the (I can't seem to grasp an appropriate adjective) dazzling display!  I went outside again... Just the tiniest tinge of pink starting to mark the horizon of the eastern sky... The words of Job 38 began running through my mind...

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?  Tell me, if you have understanding. (I don't, LORD) Who determined its measurements - surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?  On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together... Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth...Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children?  Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?  (I could go on and on - each time the answer was "No")

Then the LORD brought to mind, "then why do you keep leaning on your own understanding?"  I have no idea.  It makes no sense to me now.  The God of the Universe - Whose fingers placed the stars and the moon into place (Psalm 8:3), Who manages the paths of billions of stars and they never collide, is mindful of me and what I will face this day.  Certainly HE IS ABLE!  I choose (anew) to trust Him!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart (even all of my emotion) and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. (just like He does the stars) Proverbs 3:5-6

Dialogue...

Awake My Love and come away,

  come away before the day.

Let Us watch the sky unfold

  and talk of wonders to behold.

Let Us hear creation sing

  and ready for what this day brings...

LORD, You have wooed me to here.

  Creation's song rings in my ear.

You've brought me to that big, old rock.

  It's peaceful here and We can talk.

The moon hangs full.  Two stars still shine.

  Your Presence's here.  Our hearts entwine.

Speak my LORD.  i'm listening now.

  My soul is still.  My head is bowed...

Come, My child.  Hear mercy cry.

  Do not listen to this world's lie.

I sing for you of My great love.

  I WILL give you eyes of a dove.

You do not have to earn Me here.

  You CAN just rest - there's naught to fear.

Just as I've hung that star that shines

  and lower the moon at the proper time,

I can handle all your cares.

  Listen now and I will share...

You hear the lie "you can't be free!"

  but that is not the Truth with Me.

Reject it now in Jesus' Name.

  No child of Mine need walk in shame!

Turn your head and lift it high.

  The new day dawns.  I've heard your cry.

Salvation belongs to Me alone.

  I bless you now out on those stones

To walk in Truth that man might see

  freedom comes from Me indeed!

Trust Me now.  I am your Shield,

  and just as I've led you in that field

I lead you now through this new day.

  Listen to Me.  I know The Way...

LORD, You are so good to me!

  You show me what i fail to see.

You bless me with the sun's first rays.

  You're familiar with all my ways.

You know when i have hung my head.

  You fill my heart with Truth instead.

You are my Strength for each new day.

  i trust You now to show The Way.

Let freedom ring!  Please help me now

  to bow the knee to Your Awesome power.

                                     Amen...