Who listens to the listener?
She sits quietly and listens to the woes and heartaches of those around her. She has grown up surrounded by talkers, all fighting to be heard, so she learned to listen and observe.
But who listens to the listener?
She listens as others talk about their successes and their challenges, their days and their nights. At times she likes to join in but is often not heard.
So who listens to the listener?
She listens, smiles and nods, cries and consoles and shares what little knowledge she has gained, when asked.
Yet, who listens to the listener?
....when she gets overwhelmed and filled up with her own heartaches, fears, failures and loneliness.
....when she longs to share her successes, dreams, challenges and joys.
When the listener becomes overburdened, what does she do? She turns and crawls to her quiet place, her place of refuge where she knows He waits.
The Great Listener!
She crawls into His lap and He wraps her in the fleecy softness of His love. She snuggles in and pours out her heart. She weeps in relief and joy there is Someone who truly cares and loves her just as she is.
The Great Listener listens to her and gently whispers truth to her heart. He is the One who listens to the listener.
Friday, April 24, 2015
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Vulnerability
How vulnerable are we in our daily lives? In today's society of private homes, security systems,call display, texting, firewalls and passwords, how vulnerable do we really allow ourselves to be?
Today in my quiet time with God, He gave me a new perspective on how vulnerable Christ must have felt and been on the cross. I laid on my study floor with arms spread wide and the feeling made me shudder! Christ made himself totally vulnerable and exposed for me....my Creator, the Creator of the universe!! Inconceivable. What kind of love is that? Beyond my ability or comprehension, that's what.
However, I believe that is the type of vulnerablity God is calling me to. I like feeling secure and independent and free. God wants me to be secure, dependent and free in Him and then be vulnerable to others out of love for Him. That means letting others in behind the mask, into my home and into my free time. Exposing myself to the possibility of being hurt, taken advantage of and inconvenienced. That doesn't mean I let people walk all over me or tolerate toxic relationships or expose myself to unrestrained scutiny. God gave me a brain and expects me to utilize it! That being said, I believe God wants me to be vulnerable with wisdom and intelligence, loving as much as I can and whoever He brings into my path.
Lord give me eyes to see those you have called me to love and be vulnerable with and courage to do it because You did it for me.
Today in my quiet time with God, He gave me a new perspective on how vulnerable Christ must have felt and been on the cross. I laid on my study floor with arms spread wide and the feeling made me shudder! Christ made himself totally vulnerable and exposed for me....my Creator, the Creator of the universe!! Inconceivable. What kind of love is that? Beyond my ability or comprehension, that's what.
However, I believe that is the type of vulnerablity God is calling me to. I like feeling secure and independent and free. God wants me to be secure, dependent and free in Him and then be vulnerable to others out of love for Him. That means letting others in behind the mask, into my home and into my free time. Exposing myself to the possibility of being hurt, taken advantage of and inconvenienced. That doesn't mean I let people walk all over me or tolerate toxic relationships or expose myself to unrestrained scutiny. God gave me a brain and expects me to utilize it! That being said, I believe God wants me to be vulnerable with wisdom and intelligence, loving as much as I can and whoever He brings into my path.
Lord give me eyes to see those you have called me to love and be vulnerable with and courage to do it because You did it for me.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Prayer
A few days ago I started reading a small book by R.A. Torrey called 'How to Pray'. I am always surprised by these small books by "old dead guys", as our friend Neil would say, and the insights I gather from them. What a powerful little book!
I often take prayer much too lightly, breeze through it too quickly or struggle with spending the time on it. This book has given me a whole new way to look at prayer and the importance of it!
He starts in right at the beginning with eleven reasons to pray. I am only half way through the list at the moment but will speak to two in each blog as I go through the book. Ephesians 6:18 is the verse he states expresses the importance and need for prayer:
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
The author calls us to " constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer" and repeats those words frequently throughout the book in the hope " that these words.....might burn into our hearts."
The first reason he states for the need of "constant, persisitent, sleepless, overcoming prayer" is that there is a devil.
Secondly is that "prayer is God's appointed way for obtaining things" and the reason we flounder in all we do or have weak results is we don't spend enough time in prayer!
I know I tend to forget who and what I am fighting against in my life. My eyes can't see the spiritual realm around me and so I fail to recognize where the battle truly is. My need for prayer is there as soon as I open my eyes, from the moment my brain kicks into gear and my feet touch the floor because there is a devil lurking nearby looking to tear me apart and destroy my witness for Christ. I DO NOT want that to happen and so I need to pray first thing in the morning and all day long. Now that doesn't mean I sit in my study and do nothing but read God's Word and pray. It means I need to have a quiet time of prayer with God, to start my day and then to frequently be offering prayers to Him throughout my day as He brings things or people to my mind or as I encounter troubles, fear, challenges, LIFE!
I have a tendency to be a whiner and complainer. Lame, I know! I want to be a Princess and just have life go my way. My sinful self.
The part of me that loves my Saviour Jesus Christ longs to live a life that honours and glorifies Him and the only way I can truly and best do that is through "constant, persistent, sleepless and overcoming prayer".
Father, thank you for R. A. Torrey and his willingness to write this book and that it has come into my hands. Thank you that you did not leave us here alone on earth to flounder but have left us your holy Word that instructs and shows us your will. Draw me each morning to prayer and time spent in Your Presence. You make it all worthwhile!!
I often take prayer much too lightly, breeze through it too quickly or struggle with spending the time on it. This book has given me a whole new way to look at prayer and the importance of it!
He starts in right at the beginning with eleven reasons to pray. I am only half way through the list at the moment but will speak to two in each blog as I go through the book. Ephesians 6:18 is the verse he states expresses the importance and need for prayer:
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
The author calls us to " constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer" and repeats those words frequently throughout the book in the hope " that these words.....might burn into our hearts."
The first reason he states for the need of "constant, persisitent, sleepless, overcoming prayer" is that there is a devil.
Secondly is that "prayer is God's appointed way for obtaining things" and the reason we flounder in all we do or have weak results is we don't spend enough time in prayer!
I know I tend to forget who and what I am fighting against in my life. My eyes can't see the spiritual realm around me and so I fail to recognize where the battle truly is. My need for prayer is there as soon as I open my eyes, from the moment my brain kicks into gear and my feet touch the floor because there is a devil lurking nearby looking to tear me apart and destroy my witness for Christ. I DO NOT want that to happen and so I need to pray first thing in the morning and all day long. Now that doesn't mean I sit in my study and do nothing but read God's Word and pray. It means I need to have a quiet time of prayer with God, to start my day and then to frequently be offering prayers to Him throughout my day as He brings things or people to my mind or as I encounter troubles, fear, challenges, LIFE!
I have a tendency to be a whiner and complainer. Lame, I know! I want to be a Princess and just have life go my way. My sinful self.
The part of me that loves my Saviour Jesus Christ longs to live a life that honours and glorifies Him and the only way I can truly and best do that is through "constant, persistent, sleepless and overcoming prayer".
Father, thank you for R. A. Torrey and his willingness to write this book and that it has come into my hands. Thank you that you did not leave us here alone on earth to flounder but have left us your holy Word that instructs and shows us your will. Draw me each morning to prayer and time spent in Your Presence. You make it all worthwhile!!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Turn
This mornings text was Acts 9:1-22. The apostle Paul's conversion. Man, I would have liked to been there and seen that!! I had always imagined Paul and his associates riding horses to Damascus but it doesn't say that. Actually from the text it appears they were walking, which I suppose shouldn't surprise me, they all walked alot back then. I wonder what ever happened to the others who were with him? They heard the Lord's voice as well. Did they become followers of Christ also or did they choose not to believe and continue on in blindness? True blindness.
Paul had been spiritually blind then was physically blinded and from that Christ gave him true sight. In my devotions today it was talking about turning points in life. Often we look on some of these turning points as terrible disasters, crises and unwanted change. Yet God is at work through these times to turn us in a new and better direction. One in which we can better glorify Him and also have life more abundantly. He satisfies the true desires of our heart, even the ones we don't really even know until he shows us. Oh, what a God we serve and have the privilege to call Friend!!
"God does all these things to a man - twice, even three times - to turn back his soul from the pit,." that the light of life may shine on him." Job 33:29-30 NIV
Paul had been spiritually blind then was physically blinded and from that Christ gave him true sight. In my devotions today it was talking about turning points in life. Often we look on some of these turning points as terrible disasters, crises and unwanted change. Yet God is at work through these times to turn us in a new and better direction. One in which we can better glorify Him and also have life more abundantly. He satisfies the true desires of our heart, even the ones we don't really even know until he shows us. Oh, what a God we serve and have the privilege to call Friend!!
"God does all these things to a man - twice, even three times - to turn back his soul from the pit,." that the light of life may shine on him." Job 33:29-30 NIV
Monday, September 17, 2012
Crippled by Fear
Today I was reading John 5:1-15. It spoke about the crippled man who had lain by the healing pool for 38 years and not been able to get in to be healed. The cripple complained that he had no one to help him and how others always got in before him. I had thought to myself, "Well just go in anyway!". The whole premise of the healing pool was that the first one in would be healed but I thought, "well you could try it!", at the same time realizing this came from my belief that God can heal anytime and anyone whereas the cripple probably didn't have that same faith. Then God spoke to my own heart and I realized that I have been doing the same thing. I have spent many, many years complaining that others were already doing what I longed to (and felt God wanted me to) and doing it very successfully, so why should I bother? What if I failed or was just deluding myself?
The next few verses slapped me upside the head! Christ says to the cripple "Get up! Take up your mat and walk." In other words; stop making excuses and get moving! Quit looking at others and comparing yourself to them and their lives and do what you believe I AM is calling you to do! Stop living in fear and trust God to provide the results.
I was at a Beth Moore simulcast on the weekend and one of the points she made was "Fear is the crippler of a walking, talking miracle." When we don't trust God and allow fear to cripple us we are allowing Satan ground he doesn't deserve.
Psalm 44:5 says "Through you we will push back our adversaries; through your name we will trample down those who rise up against us." (NASB)
O, Lord, remind me that you are more powerful than anything I fear. Open my eyes to what holds me back from following you and through your name to push back and "GET UP! TAKE UP MY MAT AND WALK!!"
The next few verses slapped me upside the head! Christ says to the cripple "Get up! Take up your mat and walk." In other words; stop making excuses and get moving! Quit looking at others and comparing yourself to them and their lives and do what you believe I AM is calling you to do! Stop living in fear and trust God to provide the results.
I was at a Beth Moore simulcast on the weekend and one of the points she made was "Fear is the crippler of a walking, talking miracle." When we don't trust God and allow fear to cripple us we are allowing Satan ground he doesn't deserve.
Psalm 44:5 says "Through you we will push back our adversaries; through your name we will trample down those who rise up against us." (NASB)
O, Lord, remind me that you are more powerful than anything I fear. Open my eyes to what holds me back from following you and through your name to push back and "GET UP! TAKE UP MY MAT AND WALK!!"
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Well it has been 7 months since I last wrote on here. I have continued on my quest to be obedient to God in regard to my lifestyle change and have lost 36 pounds! I can't begin to tell you what a sense of FREEDOM this journey has brought me! I feel ike I have found the me I was created to be. It has been an endless thrill to rediscover parts of my body I forgot I had, muscles and bones I forgot were part of me. I have more energy and excitemnet in life but most of all I have found a deeper relationship with God. He has renewed my mind and the Holy Spirit has empowered me to exercise regularly and make good food choices. I have found my strength to continue even when it is hard, through Christ's example of obedience on the cross. He suffered SO much more than me, I can at least suffer a little for Him!
Oh, Lord, your way is true and right. Thank you for opening my eyes to my unhealthy lifestyle that was keeping me in bondage. Thank you for true freedom which is only found in You! Help me to continue to be odedient to you and your ways which bring true life! In the name of Jesus Christ, your Holy Son, Amen.
Oh, Lord, your way is true and right. Thank you for opening my eyes to my unhealthy lifestyle that was keeping me in bondage. Thank you for true freedom which is only found in You! Help me to continue to be odedient to you and your ways which bring true life! In the name of Jesus Christ, your Holy Son, Amen.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Craving God
So I have started a new journey of learning to crave God more than food, comfort, pleasure or anything else that tries to distract me and drag me off captive. Lysa Terkeurst has put together a book and bible study called Made to Crave that I am working through.
I had seen Lysa's book before Christmas but was not really interested. Then after Christmas and once again poisoning myself with all kinds of junk food, I saw it again and God spoke to my heart and I knew I had to do this study. So I ordered the book and study and began watching the Made to Crave live webcasts while I waited for them to arrive.
Four weeks ago I was feeling so tired and dragged out and sickly. I had missed church the day before and couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. Then a thought came that I should try exercising. "But I don't feel well!" I rationalized. "Well just try it and if you feel worse, stop and lay down." the thought responded. So I did. Far from feeling worse, I felt great after! I couldn't believe how much better I felt! How foolish am I that I don't do this thing which makes me feel so well physically and mentally, I thought. Why is it I crave what is bad for me instead of God who desires my best? So I have chosen to live a new lifestyle for God and choose Him over food that is permissible but not beneficial, choose exercise over lazyness, strength over weakness. God desires what is best for me which is also what glorifies Him most. When I am healthy and strong then I am better equipped to serve Him and follow the call he has on my life.
Father God, help me to follow the nudging of the Holy Spirit as I venture on this new lifestyle. May all I say and do be glorifying to you. Help me to turn to you when I am tempted in any area of my life and choose you. I was made to crave You first and foremost for you alone are what satisfies. Thank you for not leaving me in the mud and mire but lifting me up and setting my feet on the firm rock of your faithfulness and salvation!
Amen
I had seen Lysa's book before Christmas but was not really interested. Then after Christmas and once again poisoning myself with all kinds of junk food, I saw it again and God spoke to my heart and I knew I had to do this study. So I ordered the book and study and began watching the Made to Crave live webcasts while I waited for them to arrive.
Four weeks ago I was feeling so tired and dragged out and sickly. I had missed church the day before and couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. Then a thought came that I should try exercising. "But I don't feel well!" I rationalized. "Well just try it and if you feel worse, stop and lay down." the thought responded. So I did. Far from feeling worse, I felt great after! I couldn't believe how much better I felt! How foolish am I that I don't do this thing which makes me feel so well physically and mentally, I thought. Why is it I crave what is bad for me instead of God who desires my best? So I have chosen to live a new lifestyle for God and choose Him over food that is permissible but not beneficial, choose exercise over lazyness, strength over weakness. God desires what is best for me which is also what glorifies Him most. When I am healthy and strong then I am better equipped to serve Him and follow the call he has on my life.
Father God, help me to follow the nudging of the Holy Spirit as I venture on this new lifestyle. May all I say and do be glorifying to you. Help me to turn to you when I am tempted in any area of my life and choose you. I was made to crave You first and foremost for you alone are what satisfies. Thank you for not leaving me in the mud and mire but lifting me up and setting my feet on the firm rock of your faithfulness and salvation!
Amen
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