Love the way...

"Ooh, I love the way you Love the way you love me" are lyrics to the song "The Way You Love Me" by Faith Hill. Which I just heard on my drive home from a breakfast date.

I was thinking about GOD and the way HE speaks to me, which basically shows the way HE Loves me. So the song was totally right on this morning. Strange how you can meet CHRIST even in a secular song, so to speak. But HE is around us all the time. HE continues to bless us in big and in the little small ways of each and every day. It is just whether or not we choose to see HIM and meet HIM in our moments.

It ALWAYS amazes me how GOD can lead us with a word or words. I know HE has led me over and over again to the words of Faith, Hope, and Love this year. After returning from breakfast, I decided to have a little more quiet time with HIM before continuing with my homework for class tonight.

As I was reading "Living the Message" I became aware that the titles for the past three days of devotions have been: 'Faith on the Line', 'Hope on the Line', and 'Love on the Line'. Ooh LORD, I love the way YOU love me. I love the way HE keeps taking me back to these three things: Faith, Hope, and Love. I'm anxious to find out where God continues to lead me this year with these words.

For now, let me share some of Eugene Peterson's words on the words: Faith, Hope, and Love.

Faith on the Line
...Every day I put faith on the line. I have never seen God. In a world where nearly everything can be weighed, explained, quantified, subjected to psychological analysis and scientific control I persist in making the center of my life a God whom no eye hath seen, nor ear heard, whose will no one can probe. That's a risk.

Hope on the Line
Every day I put hope on the line. ...I don't know what the future holds for me, for those whom I love, for my nation, for this world. Still, despite my ignorance and surrounded by tinny optimists and cowardly pessimists, I say that God will accomplish His will and cheerfully persist in living in the hope that nothing will separate me from Christ's love.

Love on the Line
Every day I put love on the line. There is nothing I am less good at than love. I am far better in competition than in love. I am far better at responding to my instincts and ambitions to get ahead and make my mark than I am at figuring out how to love another. I am schooled and trained in acquisitive skills, in getting my own way. And yet, I decide, every day, to set aside what I can do best and attempt what I do very clumsily - open myself to the frustrations and failures of loving, daring to believe that failing in love is better than succeeding in pride....

And these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Ooh LORD, I love the way You...

A Movie?

Who would have ever thought that some silly 'chic' movie could bring even more Hope and Life into my story, life. But that is exactly what the movie, 27 Dresses, I saw tonight did. It isn't that it was a great movie or anything really profound, it just touched something inside and gave me some thoughts to ponder upon.

So many of you have been concerned about my post on giving up and an email I shared with some. The start of this year has been a great return for me of what I know yet allowed the world, so to speak, to begin to take away.

In the book, "The Power of Their Ideas", by Deborah Meier which I am reading for my class had two sentences in it which stood out to me the other day as I read.

The kind of thing we learn best from pain is avoidance and bitterness.
And,
Self-doubt and a sense of hopelessness are things you can chip away at.

That is where I was and what I was letting the world teach me from my pain. BUT, PRAISE JESUS, I can chip away at the doubt and hopelessness I was feeling.

PRAISE JESUS that, "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:12-13).

My heart was warmed after the movie. I have to dream and believe there is Hope. I know when you risk it can be painful, but I don't want that pain to turn into fear. I want to BE who GOD has created ME to BE.

I RISK
I DREAM
I HOPE

I don't want to stop RISKING, DREAMING, and especially HOPING.

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the LORD more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption." Psalm 130: 5-7

The above verse also makes me think about Habakkuk 2:1-3.

Nashville

Wow, my trip to Nashville (January 11-15) came at GOD's perfect timing. It touched my heart to remember knowing fully and being fully known.

Again, with the disappointment and hurt gone with 2007 and GOD reminding that FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE remain this trip back to my "spiritual" home came at the perfect timing of this new year and another chapter of my life.

First of all, I went back for Cortney's wedding. Cortney was one of my youth kids. She was also the girl I mentored. What a beautiful bride she was. What an amazing gift she IS.

Secondly, I was reminded of what it means to KNOW fully and BE fully KNOWN. I thought about those in my life who I know and who REALLY know me. GOD blessed me with some wonderful moments where a couple of friends spoke into my life. They were just words that encouraged me, reminded me where I've come and the Hope of tomorrow.

One said that those who listen to GOD's voice and follow do tend to live adventurous lives. Another reminded me that just finding a Christian man wouldn't be enough for me. I'd be settling. They said he'd have to have my same faith, persistence, and patience or I'd be settling.

I knew exactly what they both were saying and meaning to me because I know them and they know me.

I was reminded of how much I love Tennessee, well Nashville, and how blessed my story is because I lived there. Some of the most incredible people I know live or lived there. Each one of my days there were from GOD. I worked with an incredible group of youth and staff at Christ Church in the youth department. I miss them more than I could ever express, but I am so thankful that I got to be a part of such an amazing community of believers.

My life is truly blessed in the way that each person on my path, in my story has and does hold such a unique and never to be duplicated part.

Yes, to KNOW FULLY and BE FULLY KNOWN. Thank you Daddy GOD for blessing me more than once in this way. TO KNOW FULLY and BE FULLY KNOWN.

Anxiety

I have been soooo anxious the past couple of days about starting classes myself. I graduated from college in December of 1993, so it has been almost 15 years ago. I don't think that I have a fear of failing, but maybe one of succeeding. Having my dreams REALLY come true. GOD has however, been speaking all week to my anxiety about starting classes myself and starting teaching in a new field the end of this month. I have been crying out to HIM and praying nonstop. Here are some of the things in "God Calling" that GOD has been using to give me the Peace I know I need. I KNOW, but I still can't shake the anxiety.

January 7, The Secret Pearl

Look upon us with Thy favor; O Lord, while we behold "the land that is very far off" and yet so near to the seeing eye and the listening ear.

Wait. Wonders are unfolding. Tremble with awe. No man can stand upon the threshold of Eternity unshaken.... Do not be too ready to do, just be. I said, "Be ye therefore, perfect" not "do" perfect things. Try and grasp this....

January 8, Love Bangs the Door

Life with Me is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties. My guidance is often by shut doors. Love bangs as well as opens. Joy is the result of faithful trusting acceptance of My Will, when it seems not joyous....

January 9, No Strain

Be calm, no matter what may befall you. Rest in Me. Be patient, and let patience have her perfect work. Never think things overwhelming. How can you be overwhelmed when I am with you? Do not feel the strain of life. There is no strain for My children. Do you not see I am Master Instrument maker? Have I not fashioned each part? Do I not know just what it can bear without a strain? Would I, the Maker of so delicate an instrument, ask of it anything that could destroy or strain? No! The strain is only when you are serving another master, the world, fame, the good opinion of men- or carrying two days' burden on the one day. Remember that it must not be.

Wow, did I really need to hear those words. Especially the ones from yesterday. GOD is the one that has open these doors and I know it is HIM who has called me for a long time now to do this very thing. I have continued to run out of fear. I don't need to be overwhelmed. HE will take care of it all, I just need to REST in HIM. PRAISE JESUS! for HIS perfect timing. I had just been praying to HIM about helping me with my anxiety about starting class and then I went and read that. I wish I could say after reading that that my anxiousness went away, but it did lessen for a bit. I just can't shake the feelings, but at least I KNOW that GOD won't ask anything of me that will destroy. It may seem hard, but it won't destroy.

THANKS, GOD for loving me enough to speak directly to my heart when I need so desperately to hear it. "Do not be anxious about anything, but by prayer and....."

Faith, Hope, and Love

"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

Well these were the words used in the first Sunday worship service of this year, 2008. And were they words I needed to hear.

I haven't been struggling with the word Love, but Hope and Faith have been another story. Don't get me wrong it isn't as if I have stopped having Faith or Hope in GOD, it actually probably has to do more with the word Trust than with Faith and Hope.

Ron's message this morning was just perfect timing. It is also the start of a series called "Deepen" and today's message was 'Deep Change'. It wasn't anything new or something I didn't already know. It was more of a reminder of the Faith and Hope I have had and lived out loud in the past. It reminded me of where I wanted and needed to get back too.

The disappointments in my life in 2007 were way more than I could bare. They have made me question so many things, but today that ALL is over. I want Kimie back and she has this child like Faith and a Hope that GOD has every tomorrow in HIS Hands. I am going to start living that Large again. Forgetting yesterday, looking forward to tomorrow, but living fully and presently in today. "Today, after all is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday."

Again, let me get back to Faith, Hope, and Love. As well as the choice we all must make. I had given up on Hope, especially in the thought and dream of a man finding me and loving me and choosing me for the rest of our lives. GOD has been speaking, but I chose to finally listen to what I know HE is saying.

And of course "Our Daily Bread" and "God Calling" just confirmed what I already knew and what I was reminded of at Church today.

"God Calling" for January 5 said:
Love Me and do My Will... Take no thought for tomorrow... Hope all the time.

Today's said:
You must pray. The way will open. God cares and His plans unfold. Just love and wait. Love is the key. No door is too difficult for it to open. What cause have you to fear? Has He not cared for and protected you? Hope on. Hope gladly. Hope with certainty...

"Our Daily Bread" today was titled 'Ripple Effect'. Have you ever skipped a rock across a lake and watched the ripples that formed from the impact?

ODB said: It's like that with choices. Every choice we make creates a ripple effect on our lives as well as on the lives of others. The choices we have made throughout life determines where we are and what we are becoming. Choices are also telling. What we really want, love, and think show up in the choices we make...
...our lives are not made by the dreams we dream but by the choices we make. -Joe Stowell.

So let's make GOD Choices and watch the blessings from the ripples. And HOPE on.

"And now these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love...."

A New Year

I know last year I wrote all of January 1 in "God Calling" but I find the words REALLY speaking to me at the start of this year, too. Here is some of it:

...The Light of My Presence is flung across the year to come...
Backward, over the past year, is My Shadow thrown, hiding trouble and sorrow and disappointment.
...Bury every fear of the future, of poverty for those dear to you, of suffering, of loss. Bury all thought of unkindness and bitterness, all your dislikes, your resentments, your sense of failure, your disappointments in others and in yourselves, your gloom, your despondency, and let us leave them all buried, and go forward to a new and risen life.
Remember that you must not see as the world sees. I hold the year in My Hands- in trust for you. But I shall guide you one day at a time...

I needed to be reminded that it is ALL in GOD's Hands. Today is a new day, bury yesterday.

I want to continue to put the GIFT of LOVE that GOD gave us at CHRISTMAS into Action. I was encouraged and reminded how I could and would do that this year in "God Calling" for January 2:

...Never let one day pass when you have not reached out an arm of Love to someone outside your home - a note, a letter, a visit, help in some way.

Be full of Joy. Joy saves. Joy cures. Joy in Me. In every ray of sunlight, every smile, every act of kindness, or love, every trifling service - joy.

Each day do something to lift another soul out of the sea of sin, or disease or doubt into which man has fallen...

The helping hand is needed that raises the helpless to courage, to struggle, to faith, to health...

...turn and help another with the burden that is pressing too heavily upon him or her.

How many burdens can you lighten this year? How many hearts can you cheer? How many souls can you help?...

And today's "God Calling" was titled 'The Way Will Open.' I found this interesting as I was offered a full-time teaching position in Special Education at Highline Elementary today. I wasn't looking to start teaching Special Ed. until the fall, next school year. I was planning on getting some experience by being a teacher's assistant the rest of this school year and getting a few classes completed before teaching again. However, GOD had other plans and truly opened the way.

Here is what "God Calling" read today:

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength." Isaiah 40:31
You must be renewed, remade. Christ, Christ, Christ. Everything must rest on Me. Force is born of rest. Only Love is a conquering force. Be not afraid, I will help you.
Be a channel. My Spirit shall flow through and My Spirit shall, in flowing through, sweep away all the bitter past.
Take heart. God loves, God helps, God fights, God wins. You shall see. You shall know. The way will open. All My Love has ever planned, all My Love has ever thought, you shall see each day unfold. Only be taught. Just be a child. A child never questions plans. It accepts gladly.

Yes, I need not ever question the plan, but only gladly walk in it.

The past year with all its disappointments has been swept away. This year is the start of the next chapter in my life. May GOD be revealed and Glorified as each day of my so called adventurous life unfolds.

I have to add that I just finished reading "Living the Message" for today where Eugene Peterson wrote:

God is drawing people around me into the plot of salvation; every word, gesture, and action has a significant place in the story.

I believe this to be true in all of our stories. GOD does call and draw people into our lives that make up a significant part of the story. However, I disagree with Peterson when he continued to say that instead of assisting in the development of a character, he hurriedly categorized by taking shortcuts. He said he didn't see each person in his life as unique, a splendid never-to-be duplicated story of grace.

And that is where I don't agree. I DO see EVERY person in my life as unique. As a splendid character in my story that enhances the plot. Each one could NEVER be duplicated, for they are truly unique just as they are.

PRAISE JESUS for drawing each unique character into the plot of my story. No wonder it is never boring.