Posts
A vigorous temper is not altogether an evil. Men who are easy as an old shoe are generally of little worth.
By perseverance the snail reached the ark.
Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Dearest Savior
You hem me in behind, before,
When I unravel at the seams;
You know my inmost secret thoughts,
My hidden fears and dreams.
You pray for me with words and groans
I cannot comprehend.
And when I fall flat on my face,
You pick me up… again.
Your kindness leads me to repent
From sin and be restored.
You promise to renew my strength
As I wait upon You, Lord.
You show Your mercy day by day,
Give grace for every hour.
Your judgments, they are true and sure.
Your name is my strong tower.
Your greatness is immeasurable,
O Glory beyond compare!
Yet You call me Your “beloved,
Daughter, sister, heir.”
You are my Shepherd, Savior, Shield,
My Righteousness and Truth.
My Joy, my Hope, my Great Reward,
My Prince of Peace, my Groom.
O Sovereign Lord, in whom I find
My deepest longings filled,
Grant to me a tender heart,
A steadfast mind, a broken will.
Turn my gaze toward the cross
And fix my eyes on Christ,
The Author and Perfecter of
Everlasting life.
When I unravel at the seams;
You know my inmost secret thoughts,
My hidden fears and dreams.
You pray for me with words and groans
I cannot comprehend.
And when I fall flat on my face,
You pick me up… again.
Your kindness leads me to repent
From sin and be restored.
You promise to renew my strength
As I wait upon You, Lord.
You show Your mercy day by day,
Give grace for every hour.
Your judgments, they are true and sure.
Your name is my strong tower.
Your greatness is immeasurable,
O Glory beyond compare!
Yet You call me Your “beloved,
Daughter, sister, heir.”
You are my Shepherd, Savior, Shield,
My Righteousness and Truth.
My Joy, my Hope, my Great Reward,
My Prince of Peace, my Groom.
O Sovereign Lord, in whom I find
My deepest longings filled,
Grant to me a tender heart,
A steadfast mind, a broken will.
Turn my gaze toward the cross
And fix my eyes on Christ,
The Author and Perfecter of
Everlasting life.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Photo(s) of the Week
My best friend's darling little Claire Elaine... Living it up in her new home overseas!
Certain burning questions
"To ascertain where you really are with the Lord, recall what saddened you the past month. Was it the realization that you do not love Jesus enough? That you did not seek his face in prayer often enough? That you did not care for his people enough? Or did you get depressed over a lack of respect, criticism from an authority figure, your finances, a lack of friends, fears about the future, or your bulging waistline?
"Conversely, what gladdened you the past month? Reflection on your election to the Christian community? The joy of saying slowly, “Abba, Father”? The afternoon you stole away for two hours with only the gospel as your companion? A small victory over selfishness? Or were the sources of your joy a new car, a great date, great sex, a raise, or a loss of four inches from your hips?"
-Brennan Manning in The Importance of Being Foolish (which, by the way, is a phenomenal read!)
"Conversely, what gladdened you the past month? Reflection on your election to the Christian community? The joy of saying slowly, “Abba, Father”? The afternoon you stole away for two hours with only the gospel as your companion? A small victory over selfishness? Or were the sources of your joy a new car, a great date, great sex, a raise, or a loss of four inches from your hips?"
-Brennan Manning in The Importance of Being Foolish (which, by the way, is a phenomenal read!)
Monday, February 18, 2008
Beauty's Beckoning
Have I played the harlot, the whore?
Lavishing myself on passersby?
Flirting, beckoning, for fleeting affirmations,
Bowing down to images that lie?
How I long to be a beauty
First and foremost (only) for Your eyes.
And then to use that beauty, pure and sincere,
To point to You—the Way, the Truth, the Life.
Help me to become less as You become greater still…
Lord, change my heart.
Lavishing myself on passersby?
Flirting, beckoning, for fleeting affirmations,
Bowing down to images that lie?
How I long to be a beauty
First and foremost (only) for Your eyes.
And then to use that beauty, pure and sincere,
To point to You—the Way, the Truth, the Life.
Help me to become less as You become greater still…
Lord, change my heart.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
To my single friends...
“The thing has come from the Lord.” Genesis 24:50
“The thing” was a match made in heaven. Rebekah was chosen to be Isaac’s wife—by God Himself (“who has not forsaken His steadfast love and His faithfulness,” 24:27) and the help of a father and family servant.
Single friends, no matter how long it takes and how hard it may seem at times, let us not force a match that is not “from the Lord.” Let’s learn to faithfully serve the people around us, even watering their camels if need be, and wait for the man God brings our way if He so desires.
And if He withholds, it is only out of His great goodness and eternal purposes. “He does not willingly afflict the children of man,” so if He allows us to suffer long, we can be sure there are fabulous purposes at stake—that we will someday understand and love!
Waiting with you…
Colleen
“The thing” was a match made in heaven. Rebekah was chosen to be Isaac’s wife—by God Himself (“who has not forsaken His steadfast love and His faithfulness,” 24:27) and the help of a father and family servant.
Single friends, no matter how long it takes and how hard it may seem at times, let us not force a match that is not “from the Lord.” Let’s learn to faithfully serve the people around us, even watering their camels if need be, and wait for the man God brings our way if He so desires.
And if He withholds, it is only out of His great goodness and eternal purposes. “He does not willingly afflict the children of man,” so if He allows us to suffer long, we can be sure there are fabulous purposes at stake—that we will someday understand and love!
Waiting with you…
Colleen
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Convicting.
A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another's. --Jean Paul Richter
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Martin Luther King Jr. said...
"A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan."
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
God uses famines...
When God sends us a famine, He is preparing for us a feast. He is setting the table. He is moving us to hunger. He is fulfilling His perfect purposes in our lives.
If you are “doing without” right now, if you are in the midst of a famine of any kind, it is only because you have been invited to eat your heart out—to feast your soul on God.
Throughout the Old Testament, we read that God sent famine after famine to move His people: to a better land, to repentance, to receive His blessings, to hate and turn from their sin, to humbly and desperately cry out for Him, and to participate in His glorious purposes. (See, for examples: Genesis 12:10, 26:1, 47:4; Ruth 1:1; 2 Kings 8:1.)
He may not starve us physically, but perhaps He is starving us in other ways so that we turn to Him with all of our hunger and longing—to be satisfied in Him alone.
Dear friend, if you are…
desperately wanting a child but cannot conceive…
in a difficult job situation…
single and longing to be married…
in an unhappy marriage…
sick, in physical pain, suffering from disease or cancer…
forgotten and overlooked…
struggling financially…
in a season of uncertainty and confusion about the future…
aching over the loss of a loved one…
dried up spiritually and emotionally…
tired and weary…
lonely, alone…
reaping the consequences of your sin…
always out of reach of that lifelong dream…
doubting the promise God seemed to speak to your heart years ago…
waiting and waiting, with no end in sight…
grieving over a loved one’s sin, rejection, rebellion…
helplessly watching a loved one suffer…
feeling inadequate or like a failure…
…then you are ready to feast at God’s banqueting table. I don't say this lightly, but our Lord may be withholding from us the only thing we’ve ever wanted, so that we learn and live that He alone is more than enough. We cannot know all of His purposes, but we do know that He wants us to worship and serve Him alone. With no other gods before Him.
Tonight may our hunger pangs drive us to feast on these promises:
He has engraved me on the palm of His hand. Isaiah 49:16
He carries me close to His heart. Isaiah 40:11
He holds my hand. Psalm 73:23
He will do abundantly more than all I can ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20
He daily bears my burdens. Psalm 68:19
He thinks of me constantly: His thoughts of me outnumber the grains of sand on the sea. Psalm 139:17–18
He is intimately interested in my life. He even knows how many hairs are on my head. Matthew 10:30
He has planned out my days. Psalm 139:16; 118:24
He prays for me. Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:26
He freely forgives me. 1 John 1:9; Psalm 103:12
He protects and rescues me. Psalm 91
He understands my disappointments, sorrows and weaknesses. Hebrews 2:17–18
He gives me the power to live like Him. Romans 8:9–11; Philippians 4:13
He delights in me and rejoices over me with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
He teaches me what is best for me. Isaiah 48:17
He helps me. Isaiah 41:10, 14; Psalm 118:13
He created me for a special purpose and designed me to be His wonderful creation. Ps 139:13–14; Jer 1:5; Ep 2:10
He will fulfill His purpose for me. Psalm 138:8; Philippians 1:6
His love for me is as high as the heavens are above the earth. Psalm 103:11
He makes my path level and smooth. Isaiah 26:7
He is always with me. Psalm 73:23
He guides me with His counsel. Psalm 73:24
He gives me wisdom. James 1:5
He keeps record of all my tears. Psalm 56:8
He satisfies my hunger and quenches my thirst. John 6:35
He holds me in His hand. John 10:27
He gives me life to the fullest. John 10:10
He laid down His life for me. John 10:11
He rejoices over me just like a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. Isaiah 62:5
He gives me good and perfect gifts. James 1:17
He listens to me; He hears my cry. Psalm 145:19
He fulfills my desires. Psalm 145:19; 37:4
He has compassion on me. Psalm 145:9
He cures me of backsliding. Jeremiah 4:22
He makes me pure. Ezekiel 36:25–26
He makes me happy. Psalm 16:11; 36:8
He has made me His child. Romans 8:14; Galatians 4:5; 3:26
He has given me fullness in Christ, and I am complete. Colossians 2:9-10
He has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints. Colossians 1:12
He has given me a home in heaven. Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 2:6
He has lavished on me all the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:8
He longs to give me His very best. Isaiah 1:19
He is distressed in my distress. Isaiah 63:9
He lifts me up and carries me. Isaiah 63:14
He leads me through the depths and the darkness. Isaiah 50:10
He directs my steps. Proverbs 20:24
He chooses to forget my sins; He buries them in the deep sea. Isaiah 43:25, Micah 7:19
He has given me an inheritance far beyond my imagination. Psalm 47:4; Ephesians 1:18, Colossians 1:12
He provides me with the strength to serve Him. 1 Peter 4:11
If you are “doing without” right now, if you are in the midst of a famine of any kind, it is only because you have been invited to eat your heart out—to feast your soul on God.
Throughout the Old Testament, we read that God sent famine after famine to move His people: to a better land, to repentance, to receive His blessings, to hate and turn from their sin, to humbly and desperately cry out for Him, and to participate in His glorious purposes. (See, for examples: Genesis 12:10, 26:1, 47:4; Ruth 1:1; 2 Kings 8:1.)
He may not starve us physically, but perhaps He is starving us in other ways so that we turn to Him with all of our hunger and longing—to be satisfied in Him alone.
Dear friend, if you are…
desperately wanting a child but cannot conceive…
in a difficult job situation…
single and longing to be married…
in an unhappy marriage…
sick, in physical pain, suffering from disease or cancer…
forgotten and overlooked…
struggling financially…
in a season of uncertainty and confusion about the future…
aching over the loss of a loved one…
dried up spiritually and emotionally…
tired and weary…
lonely, alone…
reaping the consequences of your sin…
always out of reach of that lifelong dream…
doubting the promise God seemed to speak to your heart years ago…
waiting and waiting, with no end in sight…
grieving over a loved one’s sin, rejection, rebellion…
helplessly watching a loved one suffer…
feeling inadequate or like a failure…
…then you are ready to feast at God’s banqueting table. I don't say this lightly, but our Lord may be withholding from us the only thing we’ve ever wanted, so that we learn and live that He alone is more than enough. We cannot know all of His purposes, but we do know that He wants us to worship and serve Him alone. With no other gods before Him.
Tonight may our hunger pangs drive us to feast on these promises:
He has engraved me on the palm of His hand. Isaiah 49:16
He carries me close to His heart. Isaiah 40:11
He holds my hand. Psalm 73:23
He will do abundantly more than all I can ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20
He daily bears my burdens. Psalm 68:19
He thinks of me constantly: His thoughts of me outnumber the grains of sand on the sea. Psalm 139:17–18
He is intimately interested in my life. He even knows how many hairs are on my head. Matthew 10:30
He has planned out my days. Psalm 139:16; 118:24
He prays for me. Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:26
He freely forgives me. 1 John 1:9; Psalm 103:12
He protects and rescues me. Psalm 91
He understands my disappointments, sorrows and weaknesses. Hebrews 2:17–18
He gives me the power to live like Him. Romans 8:9–11; Philippians 4:13
He delights in me and rejoices over me with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
He teaches me what is best for me. Isaiah 48:17
He helps me. Isaiah 41:10, 14; Psalm 118:13
He created me for a special purpose and designed me to be His wonderful creation. Ps 139:13–14; Jer 1:5; Ep 2:10
He will fulfill His purpose for me. Psalm 138:8; Philippians 1:6
His love for me is as high as the heavens are above the earth. Psalm 103:11
He makes my path level and smooth. Isaiah 26:7
He is always with me. Psalm 73:23
He guides me with His counsel. Psalm 73:24
He gives me wisdom. James 1:5
He keeps record of all my tears. Psalm 56:8
He satisfies my hunger and quenches my thirst. John 6:35
He holds me in His hand. John 10:27
He gives me life to the fullest. John 10:10
He laid down His life for me. John 10:11
He rejoices over me just like a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. Isaiah 62:5
He gives me good and perfect gifts. James 1:17
He listens to me; He hears my cry. Psalm 145:19
He fulfills my desires. Psalm 145:19; 37:4
He has compassion on me. Psalm 145:9
He cures me of backsliding. Jeremiah 4:22
He makes me pure. Ezekiel 36:25–26
He makes me happy. Psalm 16:11; 36:8
He has made me His child. Romans 8:14; Galatians 4:5; 3:26
He has given me fullness in Christ, and I am complete. Colossians 2:9-10
He has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints. Colossians 1:12
He has given me a home in heaven. Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 2:6
He has lavished on me all the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:8
He longs to give me His very best. Isaiah 1:19
He is distressed in my distress. Isaiah 63:9
He lifts me up and carries me. Isaiah 63:14
He leads me through the depths and the darkness. Isaiah 50:10
He directs my steps. Proverbs 20:24
He chooses to forget my sins; He buries them in the deep sea. Isaiah 43:25, Micah 7:19
He has given me an inheritance far beyond my imagination. Psalm 47:4; Ephesians 1:18, Colossians 1:12
He provides me with the strength to serve Him. 1 Peter 4:11
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Keeping a tender heart (in a tough-as-nails world)
There is nothing uglier or more repulsive than a bitter woman. Nothing.
For months now, I have been praying for a tender heart—one that is not cynical, bitter, or hardened by life’s difficulties and sorrows and disappointments, but rather, hopes all things, loves all people, and believes the God of the impossible.
I began desperately praying for this tender heart when I realized, about a year ago, that I had grown increasingly cold and angry and bitter. We each have our unique set of circumstances and sufferings that can make for a tragically hard heart if we let it. And, sadly… I had. I’d subconsciously made a mental and emotional list of all my disappointments and sorrows—which fed a consuming bitterness. But when I finally realized what my bitterness was costing me (and those I loved), I couldn’t have been more desperate to get out of that nasty pit! The Lord has been so faithful to answer my prayer for a changed heart. I wish I had time and space here to list all His kindnesses and power on my behalf!
A tender heart is one that is well-tended—by both my Heavenly Father and me. By coming into His presence and listening to Him speak His words of truth and love to me, my heart is softened… and the abrasives and dirt and wounds of the day are gently washed away.
A tender heart is one that hopes. And keeps hoping “against all hope” (see Romans 4:16-21!).
Disappointments become opportunities to find greater riches in Christ. Sufferings point us to the hope that will “far outweigh them all.” And man’s inability to meet our needs or fulfill our expectations teaches us to build our house on the Rock, and not on shifting sand.
We live in a culture that obsesses about beauty and yet neglects the greatest needs of the heart. Sweet women, would you join me in asking the Lord for a tender, beautiful heart—and quietly trust God to take care of the rest?
So many of you model this tender heart for me. I love you dearly.
Colleen
2 Chronicles 34:27
Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD.
Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
For months now, I have been praying for a tender heart—one that is not cynical, bitter, or hardened by life’s difficulties and sorrows and disappointments, but rather, hopes all things, loves all people, and believes the God of the impossible.
I began desperately praying for this tender heart when I realized, about a year ago, that I had grown increasingly cold and angry and bitter. We each have our unique set of circumstances and sufferings that can make for a tragically hard heart if we let it. And, sadly… I had. I’d subconsciously made a mental and emotional list of all my disappointments and sorrows—which fed a consuming bitterness. But when I finally realized what my bitterness was costing me (and those I loved), I couldn’t have been more desperate to get out of that nasty pit! The Lord has been so faithful to answer my prayer for a changed heart. I wish I had time and space here to list all His kindnesses and power on my behalf!
A tender heart is one that is well-tended—by both my Heavenly Father and me. By coming into His presence and listening to Him speak His words of truth and love to me, my heart is softened… and the abrasives and dirt and wounds of the day are gently washed away.
A tender heart is one that hopes. And keeps hoping “against all hope” (see Romans 4:16-21!).
Disappointments become opportunities to find greater riches in Christ. Sufferings point us to the hope that will “far outweigh them all.” And man’s inability to meet our needs or fulfill our expectations teaches us to build our house on the Rock, and not on shifting sand.
We live in a culture that obsesses about beauty and yet neglects the greatest needs of the heart. Sweet women, would you join me in asking the Lord for a tender, beautiful heart—and quietly trust God to take care of the rest?
So many of you model this tender heart for me. I love you dearly.
Colleen
2 Chronicles 34:27
Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD.
Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
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