God is GOOD, he is a faithful guide, and he KNOWS us.

“Knowing” someone implies an understanding of another person’s personality—what makes them happy, sad, or angry,  their strengths and weaknesses. For example, I have a very good friend who has known me since High School. Over the years she has learned to understand the many pieces of the puzzle called Stephanie (and visa versa). She pretty much knows exactly how I will react to certain things and what will make me happy or move me to tears.

The fact that God “knows me” means that he also knows all of those things . . . and more. He’s observed me from the beginning—he  has “scrutinized” my path (Psalm 139). He not only knows me he also loves me; and his love works with his knowledge (my personality, life experiences, strengths, weaknesses, desires, and needs) to orchestrate certain seasons/circumstances in my life.

I realize this seems to oversimplify some things—after all, these words bring little comfort to someone who has just lost their daughter in a horrible accident (I received an email yesterday about a 13 year old in England who was recently hit by a train—nothing on earth can ease that ache). But reflecting on the nature of God (he is good), the faithfulness of God (he is our shepherd), and the understanding that he KNOWS us intimately can help us to endure and persevere in our pursuit of him. “He knows our frame. He is mindful that we are but dust.” (Psalm 103:14)

:)

This morning was my first morning out in a while. For those of you who are curious as to what the Target employees at Atlantic Station are up to at 9am . . .

The laughter that resulted from this simple child’s game reminded me to focus on the “little joys” that come in life. So often all we think about is what’s going WRONG instead of remembering how many things are RIGHT and good. No matter how difficult our situation may be, there are always reasons to “rejoice and be glad.”

I came home from Target to observe my cat rejoice in his newest toy, a large, chirping bird.. That was even funnier. After giving it to him I had to run out for a bit and when I came home he had “drowned” it in his water dish and left it on his food plate for later. I guess he wanted to make his own dinner today . . .

Edward's "Dinner"

Try to think of a few things you are thankful for today. “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 ESV

Remember: God KNOWS you, he is faithful, and he is good.

“. . . even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me . . . ” Psalm 23 reminds us that he goes before us as a shepherd (even into the valley). He leads, provides, and enables us to rest. His” goodness and mercy follows us all the days of our life.”

Peace & joy,

Stephanie

———-

Last Sunday’s message at Trinity Anglican Mission in Atlanta, Georgia was about the “good shepherd.” It inspired this blog. I recommend it to anyone who might be struggling with the “goodness” of God right now. (Click on links/play signs to listen on your computer.)

A Facebook friend shared a photographers blog link today and it led me to another blog page that explains the rest of the story. The latest blog on that page (written by the mother of a beautiful baby girl who is fighting for her life) was on a “Streams in the Desert” devotion. I recall reading it years ago but it is still so beautiful and I feel so timely for many (including myself). The last two paragraphs hit home.

“The hand of the Lord has done this.” (Job 12:9)

A number of years ago the most magnificent diamond in the history of the world was found in an African mine. It was then presented to the King of England to embellish his crown of state. The king sent it to Amsterdam to be cut by an expert stone cutter. Can you imagine what he did with it?

He took this gem of priceless value and cut a notch in it. Then he struck it hard one time with his hammer, and the  magestic jewel fell into his hand, broken in two. What recklessness! What wastefulness! What criminal carelessness!

Actually, that is not the case at all. For you see, that one blow with the hammer had been studied and planned for days, and even weeks. Drawings and models had been made of the gem. Its quality, defects, and possible lines along which it would split had all been studied to the smallest detail. And the man to whom it was entrusted was one of the most skilled stonecutters in the world.

Now do you believe that blow was a mistake? No, it was the capstone and the culmination of the stonecutter’s skill. When he struck that blow, he did the one thing that would bring that gem to its most perfect shape, radiance, and jeweled splendor. The blow that seemed to be the ruin of the magestic precious stone was actually its perfect redemption, for from the halves were fashioned two magnificent gems. Only the skilled eye of the expert stonecutter could have seen the beauty of two diamonds hidden in the rough, uncut stone as it came from the mine.

Sometimes, in the same way, God lets a stinging blow fall on your life. You bleed, feeling the pain, and your soul cries out in agony. At first you think the blow was an appalling mistake. But it is not, for you are the most precious jewel in the world to God. And He is the most skilled stonecutter in the universe.

Someday you are to be a jewel adorning the crown of the King. As you lie in His hands now, He knows just how to deal with you. Not one blow will be permitted to fall on your apprehensive soul except what the love of God allows. And you may be assured that from the depths of the experience, you will see untold blessings, and spiritual enrichment that you have never before imagined.”  J.H.M.

Wonderful message! What a mighty and faithful God we serve.

Peace & joy,

S

“If you’ve been burned, here’s what I’ve learned: the Lord’s not the one to blame.” Keith Green

These words have been on my mind quite a bit lately. Over the past 15 years of music ministry I have experienced everything from punk music festivals to the most conservative of churches, rehab centers and homeless shelters to prosperity preaching mega churches. I’ve learned so much. God has used every experience to teach me more about Himself. My prayer from the beginning was, “don’t send me if you won’t be with me” and “teach me your ways so that I may know you” (Exodus 33). He’s been faithful to answer that prayer. He’s never let me, even for a minute, forget that I need HIM. He alone can empower someone to make a difference in the world.

I’ve learned that Micah 6:8 really does sum up what life and ministry is all about: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” I’ve discovered that my purpose extends far beyond “music” or “ministry.” (Actually, those things in and of themselves bring no fulfillment because they have no power to change or to heal if God Himself is not animating every part of them.) God has called me to a life of justice, love, mercy, and humility—in other words, He has called me to walk according to HIS nature and not my own will. Above and beyond anything else He’s called me to be a Christian.

We, especially those in ministry, have turned so many away from the gospel by not living according to what we say we believe. Some of us have even created our own theologies to make us and others comfortable conforming to the world instead of conforming to Christ. What happened to the message of transformation and life and light that we used to share so passionately? Do we still believe it? If so, why aren’t we pursuing it? Maybe we’re embarrassed or a bit jaded from seeing so few actually live out the message of the cross so we have decided to ignore that part of Christianity. Maybe we’ve been a bit “burned” or hurt.

My heart aches to see even some of the strongest Christians I know and love faltering in the fight. Maybe the world is getting darker or I’m just getting older and am finally seeing things the way they’ve always been, but we as a church seem to be losing the power we need not only to impact the world but to survive as lights in it.

What can I do about it? Pray? Sing? Share? Maybe all three. But really, I simply must be a Christian. I must live what I believe. I must stay connected and dependent on the only One who can turn even the most difficult situations around and bring healing.

A few weeks ago I spent some time with someone who chose to completely walk away from Christianity because of horrible past experiences (and continues to stay away because he sees nothing but powerlessness in the Christian church).  He wants nothing to do with the “Christian God.” To be honest, it’s hard to blame him when he makes some of his arguments. I understand where he is coming from and even empathize with him in some ways—he was badly hurt (shame on us!). But when I take a step back I remember something: regardless of his experience in organized Christian churches, God is not to blame.

Regardless of any circumstances or difficulty or how people in the church have hurt or deceived us, GOD is still faithful. Our life experiences do not in any way testify that God is not who He says He is; people’s poor representations of Him does not prove anything either. Even when we (or others) are not, God is still faithful. Even if a pastor or leader proves himself unworthy of the title or if a husband or a wife is unfaithful or has chosen to ignore God’s pattern for righteous living, God is still faithful. Even if we can’t meet our mortgage payments or if we lose our jobs, God is still faithful. 

The apostles reminded the early Christians “through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God.” We may live in a place that is unfriendly to Him (or even attend a church that is unfriendly to Him) but that does not excuse US from being Christians. There are countless believers all over the world experiencing more hardship than most of us can even imagine but they are enduring because they know God is faithful.

Jesus knew what it was to suffer in every way. From physical and spiritual affliction to betrayal from even the most “godly” of his time.  It is said that “he did not entrust Himself to any man because He knew what was in man.” He wasn’t a pessimist. He just knew that humans mess up. But that same Christ is our guide, our counselor, our “help in times of trouble.”

If we’ve been “burned” by life or by people, by the church or by what we thought to be God, the Lord is truly not the one to blame. Whatever we may go through, we don’t have an excuse to turn away from doing what we know to be right and obeying the one who set the perfect example.

That said, we who call ourselves Christians need to get serious about being connected (and staying connected) to Him if we are to make any lasting impact on anyone in this world. We need to stop living for ourselves and our own pleasures and comforts and remember that we are here for ONE reason: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. To be living examples of the living God. The world needs to see this. The youth in our churches DESPERATELY need to see this. And yes, my friends that means making decisions that may make us and others uncomfortable.

Jesus wept over Jerusalem saying, “I long to gather you . . . but you would not let me.” I am pretty sure that’s what He is saying now. “I want to work in your life. I want to make you into who you were meant to be and enable you to serve me and others with justice, faithfulness, mercy, and love. But you are not letting me.”

It’s time for all of us, ESPECIALLY those in ministry to remember that the most important thing we can do in life is simply live what we believe.

Read this today and wanted to pass it along. Great stuff!

“Evangelical Resistance to the Gospels: How & Why”

Wonderful article/update from Naomi Zacharias of Wellspring International. Please consider supporting this amazing organization! They are passionate about rescuing children and women from sex slavery.

http://wellspringinternational.org/2012/04/what-is-beautiful/

Listened to two good messages today. Here’s a link to one:

“Open Thy Mouth And I Will Fill It”

*Note – he gets a little animated at the end but that is just his style. It’s a great message—something I believe every Christian needs to hear and take to heart.

I was up before the birds this morning so I decided to catch up on some of my reading. I’m a few days behind on my M’Cheyne reading plan. (I highly recommend it for anyone seeking a yearly through the bible reading plan, by the way!)

After a conversation with a friend last night I was reminded of the importance of complete honesty in relationships. The gospel of John constantly describes Christ as a LIGHT. He came into the world to reveal truth, to convict, to challenge, and to show the way to God. “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46 NASB)

God doesn’t want us to stay in darkness or delusion and those who want to follow him must accept the fact that he cannot and will not let us stay there.”For You light my lamp; the LORD my God illumines my darkness.” (Psalm 18:28 NASB)

Christ is our light—a guide, a way out of darkness, confusion, unrest, and sin. Hebrews 4:12 says that the word of God (Jesus) is alive and active and it (he) has the power to pierce our hearts and judge the attitudes of our heart. Because of this “word” lives and also lives IN us, we will constantly be challenged and provoked to deal with areas in our lives that we might just want to leave alone (let sleeping dogs lie, they say). God loves us too much to allow us to ignore our issues.

Far too often we are guilty of caring more for our own feelings (not wanting to be judged as judgmental or misunderstood)—under the guise of caring for others’ feelings, of course—when discussing important things. Perhaps it is because we are buying into the lie of our culture that speaking ones opinion of truth is unloving or judgmental. Or perhaps it is because we despise conflict and would rather avoid it at all costs… (I fit the latter, I’m afraid).

I used to be quite open and honest, especially in close friendships. My friends would say, “I always know you’ll tell me the truth—even if I don’t want to hear it.” I’ve changed so much in this. I think some of that change has been a good thing (part of maturing is learning to keep your mouth closed until you know it’s time to open it. ) But I also think I’m beginning to swing too far on the other side—beating around the bush and telling people what they want to hear to avoid conflict—and that is wrong and selfish.

If we are children of light, the fruit of that will be openness and honesty in our relationships, especially with our brothers and sisters in Christ.* There is a fine line between gently communicating something someone may need to hear and roughing them up, of course, but we really need to consider this. You know the saying, if someone’s house is on fire, wouldn’t you tell them or try to save them? Yet we ignore fires all of the time. Do we want to be conformed into the image of Christ? If we do, then our brothers and sisters must be allowed to be honest with us and visa versa. “Do unto others” is the rule to live by but maybe we are following this in the wrong way—maybe WE aren’t honest because we don’t want anyone being honest with us in return. Oh how we despise having our real selves exposed.

Jesus was always honest when people asked him a question or asked him to share his opinion. Sometimes his honesty was gentle, sometimes in the form of a parable or question, sometimes he was blunt. But he was ALWAYS truthful. Everything he said and did in relationships was said and done in love.  He walked in the truth and spoke the truth because he loved his father and he loved us. He didn’t tell half-truths or beat around the bush just to avoid conflict. There wasn’t time for that, he had a mission to accomplish: the will of his father.

Lord help us to follow your example.

“I must take my emotional opinions and intellectual beliefs and be willing to turn them into a moral verdict against the nature of sin; that is, against any claim I have to my right to myself.” Oswald Chambers

*Please note, this is not an encouragement to be critical. There is a huge difference between being critical (constantly looking for fault in others) and being honest when in discussion. Check out the link to read a great devotion on that.

Tonight I decided it’s time for me to pull out my journal and start writing down my prayers again. I’m glad I did because I found this entry from May 2010. I want to share it because I know there are many who may be in a similar “holding place.” Reading it reminded me of how faithful God has been to answer every prayer and turn my hearts desires toward him. Surrendering our lives, our hopes, dreams, ambitions is well worth it. God’s plan for us is so much better. If you’re in a “flood,” hang on, Jesus will bring you through!

(Please understand that this is a JOURNAL—I wasn’t concerned with anything other than getting my thoughts/prayers down. Grammar may not be the best. )

May 6, 2010

“Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him . . . “

“Let everyone who is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found . . . ”

“Again and again I have read in the scriptures that I am to first trust you and then pour out my heart before you. Looking back, examining my life and heart and the many prayers I have prayed, dreams, etc. . . . so much has been silly/amiss because of my short-sightedness. All I ask now is that you would take my life and use me in whatever way you have chosen. Make me worthy and strong and wise (and discreet) enough to do whatever it is that you want me to do. Should you choose to continue “hiding me” away from whatever, help me to endure the isolation. I just want to be held in you, to honor you, and to fulfill your purpose which you have said YOU will accomplish through me in your time. May I not be “wasted” or stubborn or blind or deaf to your voice and your will. Help me to love it {and} to love you. Forgive my grumbling . . . so so so silly of me. You are holding it all. Your care for me is evident. Please have your way and bring joy in the process. You are my strength and my song. There is TRULY none like you. . . . lift my head . . . . help me to be glad in you!”

Hope this lifted someone tonight! Write down those prayers. It’s encouraging when you read them years later and see that they have been or are being answered.

Peace & joy,

Stephanie