David to Goliath: "... This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” 1 Samuel 17:47b
I keep calling out to God to please come and help me with my battles. Meanwhile he is calling me to join his.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Yet love
Pity is not love.
The well-intentioned think it so.
Pity never fills a heart
or cultivates its soil.
Regret is not repentance.
The unforgiven wish it were.
Regret never soothes a wound
or brings a lasting cure.
"Bless you" is not mercy.
The judgmental rule it thus.
Condescension never raised a head
or brought life up from the dust.
Yet love can set the soul ablaze.
Repentance breaks one free.
Mercy resurrects the dead
And gives hope eternally.
-- Carol Dowsett, June 2010 --
-- Carol Dowsett, June 2010 --
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sorrow and Gladness
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God! Psalm 43:5
I'm glad God is a "full service" God. I can intermingle groanings with gladness, fear with faith, petition with praise. I can confess despair and declare worship with the same words. One tear can contain both grief and gratefulness. And God understands each, receives each, and responds to each.
I'm glad God is a "full service" God. I can intermingle groanings with gladness, fear with faith, petition with praise. I can confess despair and declare worship with the same words. One tear can contain both grief and gratefulness. And God understands each, receives each, and responds to each.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Right to Become a Child
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—" John 1:12
When I received Christ, God gave me the right [power, authority, liberty, jurisdiction, strength] to become...
He didn't give me the right [power, authority, liberty, jurisdiction, strength] to be a mighty ruler or a great celebrity.
He gave me the right [power, authority, liberty, jurisdiction, strength] to become a child.
The right [power, authority, liberty, jurisdiction, strength] to trust, to not-worry, to be dependent, curious, energetic, playful, innocent, and gleeful. The right [power, authority, liberty, jurisdiction, strength] to delight my Father, to bring Him pleasure and glory.
When I received Christ, God gave me the right [power, authority, liberty, jurisdiction, strength] to become...
a child.
He didn't give me the right [power, authority, liberty, jurisdiction, strength] to be a mighty ruler or a great celebrity.
He gave me the right [power, authority, liberty, jurisdiction, strength] to become a child.
The right [power, authority, liberty, jurisdiction, strength] to trust, to not-worry, to be dependent, curious, energetic, playful, innocent, and gleeful. The right [power, authority, liberty, jurisdiction, strength] to delight my Father, to bring Him pleasure and glory.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Bless the children
Mark 10:13-16
One day some parents [not all parents, only those wise enough to know God when they saw him]
brought their children to Jesus [who had seen each when they were being knit together in their mothers' wombs and had prepared good works for them to walk in before the foundation of the world]
so he could touch them [not in an aloof way like a pat on the head, but in an intimate way like cradling on his lap]
and bless them [not scold or lecture, but to accept and affirm].
He received the children in his arms [as he welcomes all those who come as children]
and placed his hands [the same hands that would bear nails for their salvation; the same palms on which their names are inscribed]
on their heads [the place of revelation, of understanding]
and blessed them [Lord, as your child, receive me, hold me, bless me].
One day some parents [not all parents, only those wise enough to know God when they saw him]
brought their children to Jesus [who had seen each when they were being knit together in their mothers' wombs and had prepared good works for them to walk in before the foundation of the world]
so he could touch them [not in an aloof way like a pat on the head, but in an intimate way like cradling on his lap]
and bless them [not scold or lecture, but to accept and affirm].
He received the children in his arms [as he welcomes all those who come as children]
and placed his hands [the same hands that would bear nails for their salvation; the same palms on which their names are inscribed]
on their heads [the place of revelation, of understanding]
and blessed them [Lord, as your child, receive me, hold me, bless me].
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Our Father
Jesus said, "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father ...'" Matthew 6:9 (NIV)
In addressing God as Father, I take the posture of a child. Not as an adult with rights and responsibilities; with abilities and apprehensions; as one who independent and self sufficient. I come as a child -- with the total dependency of an infant, the trust of a toddler, the expectation of a pre-schooler. I come without worry. With joy. With full expectation to be listened to and to receive a loving response.
In addressing God as Father, I take the posture of a child. Not as an adult with rights and responsibilities; with abilities and apprehensions; as one who independent and self sufficient. I come as a child -- with the total dependency of an infant, the trust of a toddler, the expectation of a pre-schooler. I come without worry. With joy. With full expectation to be listened to and to receive a loving response.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Wavering faith
Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. Romans 4:20-21
Lord, so often my faith in your promises wavers. In fact, the longer I wait, the more my faith weakens. And I miss the opportunity to bring you glory. I find that I begin to doubt that you are able to do what you have promised. Strengthen my faith today to believe that you, the Promiser, are faithful to accomplish all your holy will.
Lord, so often my faith in your promises wavers. In fact, the longer I wait, the more my faith weakens. And I miss the opportunity to bring you glory. I find that I begin to doubt that you are able to do what you have promised. Strengthen my faith today to believe that you, the Promiser, are faithful to accomplish all your holy will.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Blessed Believing
"You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said." Luke 1:45
It was Mary's faith in God's promise that brought her God's blessing -- long before He had fulfilled the promise He had made to her. Oh, the long list of things I believe God for that I have yet to see happen! But I don't have to wait for God to act to experience his blessings. By faith I can know his goodness, even while I wait for his answers.
It was Mary's faith in God's promise that brought her God's blessing -- long before He had fulfilled the promise He had made to her. Oh, the long list of things I believe God for that I have yet to see happen! But I don't have to wait for God to act to experience his blessings. By faith I can know his goodness, even while I wait for his answers.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Prompted to Praise
When they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped. Exodus 4:31b
It is my faith that God is concerned and sees my condition that prompts me to praise -- long before I see God act. Just believing that he cares brings comfort and peace and hope. My relief in knowing that I am not alone, that God is aware, prompts me to thank Him and to wait confidently for him to take action.
It is my faith that God is concerned and sees my condition that prompts me to praise -- long before I see God act. Just believing that he cares brings comfort and peace and hope. My relief in knowing that I am not alone, that God is aware, prompts me to thank Him and to wait confidently for him to take action.
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