Moments of Quiet Truth

     T he man sitting in front of me at the folk dancing program smelled as if he had just come in from wasting a cigarette - I could barely breathe at first! I didn't know how I would last the program in that seat, but there was no moving elsewhere. I prayed for grace to endure and to breathe.      The clothes thrown in bags in the back of the van for the church give away reeked of smoke. They were tightly sealed in big black trash bags when they reach the church so that the church doesn't pick up the odor. I was disgusted and full of self-righteous indignation. Didn't they know how badly they smelled and how quickly others could pick up the same odor by being in contact with them or standing next to them? Didn't they care that their habit was so inconvenient to the 'purity' of those around them?      I got to thinking. I was so disgusted by the smell of someone's sin and so full of pride and self-righteous indignation at ...

" E v'ry morning that breaks there mercies anew.    Ev'ry breath that I take is Your faithfulness proved;     And at the end of each day, when my labors are through,      I will sing of your mercies anew.  When I've fallen and strayed, there were mercies anew;    For You sought me in love and my heart You pursued.      In the face of my sin, Lord, You never withdrew,       So I sing of Your mercies anew.  When the storms swirl and rage, there are mercies anew.   In affliction and pain, You will carry me through;    And at the end of my days, when Your throne fills my view,     I will sing of Your mercies anew.  And Your mercies, they will never end;    For ten thousand years they remain.    And when this world's beauty has passed away,     Your mercies will be unchange d." - Mercies Anew ...

       G od knows where you are. He knows how exposed you feel, how vulnerable. He knows the storms you're living through, without end in sight. He know that you've opened yourself wide and have not quenched the flood of tears so long pent up. He knows and sees the emptiness and the barrenness that screams from cavernous depths of a lonely heart. He knows how long you've waited to have that need met and filled. He feels the ache of your heart - your hearts are one. He weeps with you.      He does not judge or condemn your need. He created it. He does not scream platitudes at you. He listens. He listens as you come to Him raw and without strength. He is there. When you feel unloved or unworthy of love He holds you. He heals.      Let Him heal your heart. Let Him hold your needs and lacks and emptiness. Let Him redeem them and give Him thanks. Let Him fill your cup to overflowing. Let Him dog your steps with goodness and...

     I am reminded that life is daily, that the Lord's mercies are fresh and new every morning, that God's forgiveness is patient and cleans you pure every time. I'm learning that God provides life's blessings, both small and big.      As I prepare to leave, I realize how much I have yet to do. I am reminded daily to enjoy life's little blessings in the face of it's many tasks needing completion. In the face of life's check list and big 'To-Do's,' I can't forget the sight of irises blooming in a big cluster by the road as I drive by, a little gift bag from a friend, the scent of honeysuckle (one of my favorites in the world) permeating the back yard a work, the smell of rain and an approaching storm, and the money needed for a car repair from my paycheck this week. " He has given me all things ." 2 Peter 1:3  " He gives more grace. " James 4:6  " My cup overflows . . .surely, goodness and mercy shall 'dog...

     H ow many times have I sung that song and been ignorant of its implications? How many times have I thought and lived as that I was still required to keep part of God's law for His acceptance of me? The Lord has begun to give me understanding concerning this truth - that I am free from obligation to keep the law - and I wanted to share it with you all. Now, before you wind up your springs and prepare to pounce, give me a chance to explain what I mean.      The path to understanding began last month when, asking the Lord to reveal what I should prepare for the ladies in Poland, He gave me the book of Galatians. The theme of the book: sanctification through law versus sanctification through faith was something I misunderstood. I always thought that it was referring to salvation through works verses salvation through faith. I could argue the point that salvation was through the vehicle of faith, not through the vehicle of works and obedienc...

"I am Thine , O Lord."       I'm His. The life I live is not mine to live as I choose. That's so easy to say and give mental assent to, but how often do I truly meditate on that truth and accept it for every decision I make? How often in my decisions do I consider or consult Him? Theology is practical or it's nothing. He has been reminding me of this these past two weeks.  He showed me how much of my life I was living as if I was calling the shots. He has been reminding me of the blood sacrifice He made in my place and His incredible love for me. He used the sacrifice of Muslim cattle on a holy day and the streets flowing with their blood to remind me of my Savior's bloody substitutionary death on my behalf.I. am. so (likewise, in this same manner, just as, like this) loved by my God. What other religion has a God who became a man and perished at the hands of evil men? What other religion has a God who loves them soo much? What other religion is motiva...

"W ho is sufficient for these things?"       I feel as though the tapestry of what my life looked like is coming apart - unraveling. I feel as though the clay pot that was my normal has shattered and I'm standing in the middle of the pieces, not quite sure which one to pick up first. . . . .Let me explain.       I'm standing on the verge of a life-revolutionizing journey, two months away from the unknown. The structure and comfort and 'normal' of what I've known these past 26 years will be gone. (chuckles) I can't wait! I will be on my own for the very first time in my life. Family and friends will be an ocean away. And have I mentioned that I'm terrible of taking care of myself on my own?      But the mind-blowing thing is - I'll get to meet my God face to face and see His love and care for me in ways I've never imagined. I'll get to know my God, who He is to me ! I'll be on my own - alone - but with Him! I'm ...