Complete in His Presence

Finding my way to my quiet place

Reading.

Praying.

Listening.

Expecting.

And then

I feel Your presence

As the weight of Your glory brings me to my knees.

My words seem so inadequate

My lips remain silent,

But my spirit connects

With the One for whom I was created.

Praising.

Worshipping.

Loving.

Being.

Time stands still

And nothing else matters.

I am complete in His presence.

Watching the Wind

Ecclesiastes 11:4

Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
Whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

Footnote from my bible:
Waiting for the perfect conditions will mean inactivity. If we wait for the perfect time and place for personal bible reading, we will never begin. If we wait for a perfect church, we will never join. If we wait for the perfect ministry, we will never serve. Don't wait for conditions that may never exist.

Wow! I was reading through my journal and found this entry from December. Such a great scripture. I think most of the times I've heard this scripture preached, it was in reference to financial giving (sowing and reaping).

But I think, in general, it could be talking about watching or waiting for the perfect time and place - perfect conditions - before "planting" anything - money, time, talents, etc.

Are you waiting for perfect conditions before you do something that God has already told you to do? Am I?

These conditions will probably never exist.

Are you watching the wind? I looked up the definition of wind and here are some out-of-the-ordinary interesting meanings that I found:

• storm, hurricane (ok, this one was kind of expected LOL)
• any influential force or trend (hmmmm....)
• a hint or intimidation (reeeaaaallly?...)

So what things are influencing or intimidating you concerning that which God has spoken to you or instructed you to do?

I also looked up the word cloud and here is what I found:

• a dim or obscure area in something otherwise clear and transparent (interesting....)
• anything that obscures or darkens something, or causes gloom, trouble, suspicion, disgrace, etc.

Is there something darkening or causes gloom, suspicion or trouble to that which God has spoken to you? Something that was clear but has become dim or obscure (confusion?)..... Something that is keeping you from all that God has for you?

It might be a little windy, with a few clouds (and maybe even some rain), just pull your hair back in a pony tail, put on your baseball cap and grab your umbrella........and keep your eyes on HIM. And listen for His perfect timing (which may not have the perfect conditions we had hoped for!).

(Thanks for listening while I preached to myself!) :)

Keeping My Peace

Confession .....

These last few days I am having to remind myself constantly several truths in order to keep my peace . But I am determined.

Our daughter is graduating, financial pressures are looming, I have recently been bumped up to president of the project graduation/senior trip committee with a major fundraiser approaching, and many many other things that could drive me crazy if I let them. But I refuse! :)

I am also reminding myself that I am not perfect, nor am I a Super Hero (although I could think of a few super powers that would benefit me at the moment!!).

Yesterday, I updated my status on facebook with one of my favorite quotes (again) that is also listed at the side of my blog:

The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself (Anna Quindlen).

This quote encompasses many different things for me. One thing in particular is that I don't have to be perfect - which means that I don't have to do EVERTHING myself, because I CAN'T! I can only do what I can do and nothing more. Period. There! Said it! One boundary set. :)

Another thing this quote says to me is that its ok to be myself. No matter what people say or what they think I should be doing, as long as I'm doing what I know God wants me to do, IT'S ALL GOOD. :) I am not defined by other people's opinions of me. Once upon a time, I was totally and completely bound up by trying to please people. Talk about Torture! But my chains have been broken! (Although they do at times try to wrap themselves around my ankles for old times sake).

So instead of dwelling on all the things that HAVE to be done NOW and all the pressures that come with it, I choose today, to set my mind on things worthy of my attention, things that bring peace to my spirit and praise to my Father, things that really matter.

I will not worry. I will not be anxious. I will trust and put my faith in my Father who is more than capable of handling anything that comes my way.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. ~ Phil. 4:8

I pray for you today.......peace, love and happiness! It's all going to be ok!! :)

The Tragedy of Life in the Fast Lane

So.

It has been 33 days since my last post.

I WANT to be consistent.

Really, .....I do.

But, MAN, blogging regularly is HARD for me! I can write in my journal, but to actually have time to sit down at the computer and post what I've written....now, that's a different story!

But.... I press on! :)

So, here is something I wrote in JANUARY (smile).....that I was supposed to post in FEBRUARY (sigh) about speeding and life in the fast lane. :)

A parallel was drawn for me by the Holy Spirit between my busy life and that of a person speeding in a car. I guess sometimes I just don't get it, so God has to use something creative to get my attention. Like a speeding ticket. Ya.

Some of the things that happen or can happen when we are exceeding the speed limit in your car are:

1. We often miss important road signs or exits. (Most of our exits off of the freeway are on the right side. If we stay in the fast lane, we may not be able to get over in time to exit.)
2. We use more gas. (Disclaimer: My friend (R.H.) told me that if you go over 65 mph that you use more gas. Not sure if this is true, but it sounded like it made sense...and it worked well for this post so I thought I'd include it LOL!)
3. We sometimes cannot avoid road hazards that could have otherwise been avoided.
4. We are more likely to be in a collision.
5. It is easier to loose control (especially if the weather conditions are bad).

Sometimes we don't realize we are speeding until it's too late - we hear a siren behind us or perhaps we see a fellow citizen pulled over on the side of the highway searching frantically for their insurance card and driver's license. Ah....a gentle reminder that the speed limit is strictly enforced - so we slam on our breaks and set our cruise control, removing our foot from the gas pedal because we do not trust ourselves...and breath a sigh of relief that we didn't get caught this time (except I did).

As God began to show me this picture (after I got my speeding ticket!), He immediately related it to my own life. When we get so busy , living each day hurriedly and frantically, there seems to never be enough hours to complete our tasks. It is easy to become agitated, frustrated, forgetful, distracted......any of these sound familiar? And most often it's because we have neglected the most important thing, spending time in the presence of God.

Some of the things that can happen if we are too busy:

1. We often miss important signs and strategic exits! (God is speaking and showing us things every day! Are we taking time to see? And in troubled times, He often provides for us a way of escape.....a strategic exit! But if we are not positioned to receive from Him, we miss out.)
2. We use more gas! Seriously....sometimes I am worn out before I even leave the house! Where's my phone? My keys? My list? Hurry Hurry Hurry! :) And by the end of the day.....I am ready to DROP!
3. Road Hazards! Often there are obstacles in our path that can be avoided. But if we are too distracted we may run them over, causing some serious damage!
4. More likely to CRASH! We can get so worn down from stress and/or lack of rest that we get physically sick and literally CRASH!
5. Losing control: When our life is out of balance and too busy, it is easy for things to get turned upside down. We may soon find our self trying to steer our way back onto the course God has set for us.

So how do we know if we are "speeding?" Maybe our speedometer is broken and we don't even know that we're about to crash. We must take a look at the things that occupy our time. How much time is set aside for us to get filled up and refreshed? We must go to the Master Mechanic and allow Him to inspect and repair what needs to be fixed! And make sure our cruise control is set to a safe speed limit! :)

(And always make sure your insurance card is in your car..........just sayin)

Beep Beep.

The Elf on the Shelf Moved My Cell Phone

Just so you don't think I'm super organized or something with my magnetic to-do lists ....(see previous post), I felt I needed to confess. Usually, I have to make more than one list, because my first one gets stolen. Yep. Stolen. You know....like the dryer ate my socks, the cat got my keys and the elf on the shelf moved my cell phone. I don't know how these things happen or why they happen to me. But, they do. Crazy, huh?

And so usually, my SECOND list (you know, after the thief cometh), is written (scribbled) on the back of a receipt (found in the floor of my car) or a napkin (Sonic, Taco Bell, Mickey D's...).

But, hey, ....it works.

Don't judge me.

Mom, What's on Your List Today?

It's sad when your five year old asks you from the back seat, "Mom, what's on your list today?"  Seriously, I should buy stock in the magnetic notepads that stick on your refrigerator.


I think it's good to make lists and have a plan. But I also think that sometimes we can get so focused to cross everything off of our list, that we don't allow room in our day for God to move freely. We can feel inconvenienced or distracted if our plans get interrupted or our day doesn't line up with our bulleted list. But what if the interruption is a gentle nudge from the King of Kings, an invitation to put down our list and spend time with the One who created time?

Do we forsake Him in order to accomplish our goals for the day?

What if the distraction is a woman, put in our path by the Holy Spirit, in desperate need of a Savior?

Are we so driven by the temporal things of this life that we neglect the things that matter for eternity?


So often throughout our day God is trying to get our attention. How many opportunities have we missed? How many invitations have we declined?


I was reading yesterday and came to the Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-23). Although I have read this many times and know the meaning with my intellect, this day it became revelation. It's one thing to "know" God's word, but it is another to have Him "reveal" His word to us.


A summary of the parable is this:


A certain man was preparing a great banquet, a feast, and invited many guests. As he finished his extravagant preparations, he sent his servant out to tell those who had been invited that all was ready for their arrival. But one by one, those invited began to give an excuse as to why they could not attend. A place at the banquet table had been reserved in their name, a great feast and celebration prepared for them, and yet the things of this world prevented them from accepting the offer. As the servant returned and explained to his Master that all who had been invited declined his invitation, the Master instructed the servant to go into the streets and alleys of the town, and the roads and country lanes and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame to fill the empty places at the banquet table.


A table has been set.


A feast has been prepared.


An invitation with your name (and mine) has been sent.

The King of King has requested that you come and dine with Him.

Many have declined His invitation.


How will you respond today?

A Similar Theme

One of the things God spoke to me for this year, was to be more consistent in my writing and journaling. This morning, as I browsed through January's entries, I found a similar theme woven throughout my scribbled pages.

Here are a few of my titles (with subtitles!)....see if you can figure it out :)

• The Tragedy of Life in the Fast Lane (subtitles: Speeding, Missing Road Signs and Strategic Exits, Fast Forward, Blurred Vision, Avoiding Road Hazards, Cruise Control/Auto Pilot, Out of Gas)
• Catching My Breath (subtitles: A.D.D. - just saying....,Good Gone Wrong, Addicted to Multi-tasking)
• Running in Place (subtitles: Barren Pursuits, Unthinkingly)

....need I go on? :)

Unfortunately, sometimes we (I) have so many small things going on, we miss what God is trying to do. In a sense, we "can't see the forest for the trees".

But, alas! God has a way of getting our attention.

For example....the first title I listed, "The Tragedy of Life in the Fast Lane," was birthed out of a speeding ticket that I received on my way to class one day. Yeah. As I watched the officer walk away in my rear view mirror, God began to speak to me and it became one of those "AHA" moments. Unfortunately it cost me $150.00 and 6 loooooong hours on the internet defensive driving course.

The story developed further when - a few weeks later - I got to school and realized I had forgotten my makeup! Good thing I had fixed my hair and put all my jewelry on. That helped. SERIOUSLY??!

Funny today.

TRAGIC then.

You have no idea.

Ok, okaaaaaay....I'm listening! :)

So I think (just to make sure I get it!), that I will begin a series of posts from my journal on this message that God spoke to me (loud and clear) in January. Feel free to visit again! :)

I leave you with the last sentence from day 7 in my journal....

"In my constant search for something to accomplish, the One with whom all things are possible, often gets pushed to the side, neglected, left out of the equation that can only be complete with His presence."

Thank you, God, that You love me enough to get my attention when I get things a little mixed up. (even if it means I have to go to class with no make-up on). Amen.

Chop, Chop....

Last night I heard a familiar question....

What things in my life are producing good fruit and what things are producing bad fruit or no fruit at all?...And of those things (areas) that are producing good fruit, is it necessary, lasting fruit, characteristic of my Father?

This question once again challenges me to take a look at my life, my habits, my daily activities, ....and evaluate. Evaluate, and then....chop chop. (oh.... my....)

But I thought I had already done this?....

You mean, I have to do it more than once? (smile....)

This may seem a vexing task, but it is ...oh.....so....necessary.

The task itself is tedious, laborsome, and could possibly even hurt. But the results are mucho favorable! :) (if done properly, that is.). The dead or non producing areas are cut away so that a bountiful harvest has room to spring forth from those good fruit bearing areas. :) But even those things bearing good fruit have to be studied, evaluated and pruned, so that any unwanted growth or bitter fruit can be pruned away, allowing new, indelible, abiding fruit to blossom . It's much easier to allow God to do this for me. I'm not very experienced in gardening. :)

I would probably keep all the wrong things and throw away some things that I should've kept.

Not my will, but Yours be done......

You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as [a]presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you. ~John 15:16 Amplified

Seeking

Pulled in so many different directions, it is easy for women today to get lost in the busyness of life, neglecting themselves and their relationship with God. I am constantly having to re-evaluate and re-prioritize things in my life. The New Year proves to be a great opportunity to do this. As Christians, we know that His mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:22-23) and that we have the privilege of starting fresh each day (and boy do I ever need this!!). But the new year seems to be the universal motivation for the official "do-over" or "let's try this again" or "I'll never try that again!! :)

So as I reflect and ponder 2009, I am also giving careful and thoughtful consideration to what goals I will set for 2010. My heart's desire is to draw closer to my God, be more like my Savior, and show others the love and hope that I have received. So in my searching for the right goals for this year, I am first seeking......seeking Him that I might know His will, seeking that I might hear His voice, seeking.......Him.

Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

~Jeremiah 29:13

Get Rid of It!!

With the start of the new year, many people are making resolutions and recommitting to things. But often there are things that we already know God has spoken to us and told us to do. Sometimes we need to make sure we have done those things before we start something new. Whatever has held you back, whatever has caused you to stand still instead of moving forward in God's plans and purposes for your life, get rid of it! Let that be your goal for the new year! (and mine!)

The other day I re posted one of my writings from over a year ago on my Facebook blog page. Click on the link below to read about Moses and what held him back temporarily and see if you can relate!


http://isthatyoulord.blogspot.com/2008/08/please-send-someone-else.html

Be Still

Kitchen cleaned

Laundry folded

Bedroom vacuumed

Supper cooking

I have a million things more to do, but....

I'm learning again, to take time to listen

So now for some more quiet time

As I reflect on God's goodness

And his great plans and purposes for 2010!

Have a blessed day! :))

xoxo

Shelly

"Be still and know that I am God..... "Ps 46:10a

Take time to see.

Nature reflects God's beauty.

Nestled in the trees.

Arriving in the wind.

I feel His presence.

I know He's here.

Breathe in His goodness.

Jesus, lover of my soul.

A Heavy Heart

As I sit here this morning, the day after Christmas, I sit with mixed emotions. First, I am so thankful for and overwhelmed by the love of Christ.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" Isaiah 9:6.

He is truly wonderful, ......my counsellor, ......my God ... my heavenly Father, and from whom all my peace comes. And He is the reason for this season and the true meaning of Christmas. He is the reason I am here today. Without Him, I am nothing. Without Him, I am incomplete and life has no meaning. Because He was born, because He died, and because He lives today, I have hope and love and the promise that no matter what tomorrow may hold, my future is secure.

But there are so many who do not know Him.

For so many, this Christmas, the greatest gift of all is left unopened.

Deceived and fooled by the temporary pleasures of this world, people reject and push away their only hope for true happiness and eternal salvation. They reject the One who loves them more than anyone else, the One who will never leave them, the One who knew them before they were even born, the One who gave everything so that they might live.

My heart grieves for the lost today.

Family and friends.

Young and Old.

And those whose names I do not know.

My heart grieves for those who are deceived today.

Grieves for those who have accepted the lies as truth.

Grieves for those who have chosen the temporary in place of the eternal.

Grieves for those who are searching in all the wrong places and will never find what they are looking for.

Grieves for those who have left the greatest gift they will ever receive, unopened.

As one who loves to give gifts, I cannot imagine how Jesus must feel. It gives me so much joy in giving someone a present and watching them receive it, open it, and know that they truly love it! A gift that cost me a little time, money and effort. But to give your life, everything you have, and to be rejected. My heart breaks.

So today, I pray.

I pray for those who God has placed on my heart, those who I love and those who He loves even more. And I remain thankful for all that He has already done and all that He said He would do.

And though my heart is heavy, my soul sings.

Sings of His goodness and faithfulness.

Of His mercy and lovingkindness.

Of His Grace.

Thank you, Jesus, for all the gifts that You have given me.

Thank you for those you have called me to pray for and who will one day cry out to you and accept your gift of salvation.

Your love is amazing.

Praise the Lord, O my soul!

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:24-26

As I sit and stare at my neglected blog (sigh....), I am reminded of the reason I started it in the first place. Then, I see my title and subtitle, and realize how they reflect where I am today.

Is That You, Lord?

....Hearing His Voice Above All the Noise

I can't tell you how many times lately I have questioned whether what I was hearing was God or not God. Wondered if I heard Him speak, or if it was just me.

How many times will I travel this road?

How many times will I find myself parked in this same spot?

Same mountain, different hiking boots.

Stop.

Take a drink.

Listen.

Yes, Lord.

How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord! (Ps. 84:1)

Forgive me for replacing my time with You with things, personal goals, to do lists, appointments, etc etc....

Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart. (Ps. 86:11)

As I was reading one of my books tonight, a prayer by Lysa Terkeurst became my own....

Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so that each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the truth today and not my feelings.

Help me keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words, and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be.

Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity....rather than a personal inconvenience.

And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13, "Great is Your love toward me."

You already see all the many ways I will surely fall short and mess up. But right now, I consciously tuck Your whisper of absolute love for me into the deepest part of my heart. I recognize Your love for me is not based on performance. You love me, warts and all.

Have mercy, that's amazing.

But what's most amazing is that the God of the universe, the Savior of the world, would desire a few minutes with me today. Lord, help me to remember what a gift it is to sit with You like this.

FAITH - Part 1

It has been a while since I last posted! I have started back to school this semester, so not a lot of time to blog!

I have recently started going through a bible study course on Faith by Kenneth Hagin so I thought I would post a few scriptures and paragraphs from my first lesson.


But without faith, it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. ~ Hebrews 11:6

Notice particularly the first part of Hebrews 11:6: "But without faith it is impossible to please him..." If God demands that I have faith when it is impossible for me to have faith, then I have a right to challenge His justice. But if He places within my hands the means whereby faith can be produced, then the responsibility rests with me whether or not I have faith.

God has told us that without faith it is impossible to please Him, but He has also told us how to get faith. If we don't have faith, God is not to blame. To blame God for our lack of faith is nothing but ignorance. If we lack faith, we are to blame.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. ~ Romans 10:17


In every gospel of Jesus Christ, there is provision for every need - salvation, deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness. Whatever need you have, the faith to receive your answer comes from hearing the Word of God. As you determine to feed upon the Word continually, you will see your faith grow to be able to receive the wonderful promises God has provided for His children.

..

Your Word Have I Hidden in My Heart...

Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:11

I was reading a blog this morning that I follow from time to time, and the author is challenging her readers to memorize Ps. 139 by the first of the year. This just so happens to be one of my favorite Psalms so I thought I would take the challenge! It is so important to have the Word of God hidden in our hearts! Memorizing and meditating on scriptures are ways to make that happen! :-)

PSALM 139 (NKJV)

1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

2 You know my sitting down and my rising up. You understand my thought afar off.

3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

5 You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

9 If I take the wings of morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 Even there Your hand shall lead me.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me," Even the night shall be light about me;

12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.

19 Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.

20 For they speak against you wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain.

21 Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;

24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way of everlasting.

Hope is the Thing With Feathers

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

by Emily Dickinson

VOTE!!

GO VOTE!!!!

GO VOTE!!!!

GO VOTE!!!!

and remember....

"Righteousness exalts a nation." Proverbs 14:34

A little something

I was reading in one of my books last night that I've read over and over again, and thought I'd share a couple of short paragraphs with you that seem to go along with our current bible study lesson.....

(A Divine Confrontation by Graham Cooke)

It is easy to be joyful when things are going well for us. However, real joy does not depend on what is happening in a positive way. Real joy comes from the lord and is a source of great strength to us in time of trial and difficulty. The fruit of joy grows in poor circumstances in which we need to rejoice in the presence of God and His eternal promises.

The fruit of patience grows in troublesome situations in which we want to strive to take shortcuts or avoid difficult things instead of allowing the Lord to teach us to persevere in trust. God uses people and events to develop His character as well as His gifting in us.

We must learn how to enable the oil of the Holy Spirit to come between us and prevent the tension from becoming a friction. We get overheated through lack of oil. lack of grace, and lack of the fruit of God's nature in our hearts. Be challenged about this aspect of our walk with God. Learn to see other people through the eyes of God. When encountering difficult people, practice the grace of God. Develop the fruit of His nature. As you do, opportunities will open up for you in the nature of God.

There is always tangible success for us in these situations. Nothing may change in the circumstances, but something may change in us. Alternatively, our circumstances may change in many ways as the favor of God is poured through our chosen behavior. We must learn to respond to God and not react to circumstances.