Friday, July 29, 2011

life... growth, happens

Moment by moment and day by day. 'Defining moments' for the good and bad are mixed in amongst a myriad of smaller events.

Unintentionally, we may find ourselves yearning and setting a fixed sight on these planned events; a child's due date, a graduation, a birthday, until we find ourselves being unintentional in our conversations and lackadaisical in our prayers. There is a sense of shock that then comes with 'big event days'. We briefly reflect back and ask the familiar question ' where has the time gone?'.

Unexpected news could subsequently evoke a sense of regret over 'unlived days'.

Timing between and during each seasonal circumstance is intentional. God has numbered our days (Psalm 139:16) and we would be wise to learn this practice ourselves (Psalm 90:12).

Thinking back to the most recent big events in my life (gran's homecoming, graduation/ move and a job offer) only one of these events were written on my planner. -brief reference to my thoughts on God's rolodex, His planner was never lacking such entries.

Ecclesiastes' reference the familiar 'a time for every season under the sun' (3:1) but what strikes me most is that we do not know the season, more specifically their appointed time of change.

We can each attest to how such 'defining moments' have had an instant and overall strengthening affect to our prayer life. No doubt, God is using these moments as a method of spurring us to growth.

The right reserved for God to change times and seasons (Daniel 2:21) isn't merely confined to nature. God who holds time; perfectly, beautifully, orchestrates a harmony of events, growth seasons.

While we may see our life, growth, from this side of eternity as a scattered mixture of small and big events, Almighty God has them placed perfectly- for the purpose of our growth, more importantly, Hs glory!

"so do not be afraid, little flock, your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom."
Luke 12:32

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Familiar Phrases


Deuteronomy 8:4 “Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years”
Clothes of “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” Colossians 3:12and “feet that are fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” Ephesians 6:15. I know that Deuteronomy 8 refers directly to the clothes and shoes worn in exile but I am confident that the Breath of God can blow fresh on the pages of Ephesians. Consider what it would mean for clothes worn exhibiting qualities of ‘compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’ to not wear out during forty years in the desert. Or for ‘feet fitted with readiness’ from the ‘gospel of peace’ to not swell. To think back of the Israelites' time of exile and to then relate that with my own experiences in times of an emotional desert. My Lord is able, and is willing, to sustain qualities of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience even when He is the one who is leading me into the desert! He is able to keep my anxious feet fitted with His peace. The God of Israel showed His faithfulness to His people as reassurance to me. What a blessing! I’m thankful for ‘feet that don’t swell’ and ‘clothes that don’t wear out’ Especially when those feet and clothes parallel to internal qualities.

Psalm 91:4 “His faithfulness will be your shield”
Ephesians 5:16 “take up the shield of faith”


“because God” Hebrews 13:5 “Has said never will I leave you never will I forsake you”

“because, God” 1Peter 5:5 “opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”

“but as for me” Psalm 71:14 “I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more”

“but as for me” ​​Joshua 24:15 “and my household we will serve the Lord.”

“but as for me” ​​Psalm 73:28 “it is good for me to be near my God, I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge, I will tell of all Your deeds”

Colossians 2:23 “Such regulations have the appearance of wisdom.. but lack any value”

Isaiah 47:10 “your wisdom and knowledge mislead you”


"confident of this" Psalm 27:13 "I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

"confident of this" Philippians 1:6 "that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

"for this reason" Genesis 2:24 "a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."

"for this reason" Ephesians 3:14 "I kneel before the Father."


Within the story of Jonah; "the Lord provided". In Jonah's rebellion (1:17) "the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the fish for three days and three nights." Again the phrase "God provided" is repeated in 4:6 as a vine that "grew up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine."


Indeed the Word of God is very near- not too difficult or beyond reach. It is in in your mouth and in your heart that you may obey it! (Deuteronomy 30:11 and 14). Amen!


Sent from my iPhone