8/27/10 -- a chance to practice

Isn't it a delightful thought...God is never tired or sleepy?  He's never impatient or irritated.  I can't do a darn thing to cause Him to want to reject or turn away from me.

Imagine what our lives would be like if we lived with that reality everyday...trusting His glory was our rear guard.  For me the realization that He's much bigger and stronger and far more capable than me is very reassuring.  To some this is a simple concept, but to those of us who were kids of alcoholics -- experiencing parental inversion (being given adult responsibilities when only a child) the idea is more novel.  There is nothing I can do to frustrate or irritate God...I don't have the power to do it.  He's never-changing, unlike the adults in my growing up years who communicated "you made me so mad" or "I wouldn't have done that if you..."  It puts too much false power into the hands of a child...seemingly simple words, but deeply profound emotional and psychological impact.

So, today, I stand free thinking about how big He is -- how confident He is being God -- mostly that He is in a very good mood.  So let's approach Him with grace to find help in our time of need.

8/24/10 -- He talks to me in the most random places

Sitting on the riding lawn mower last night, I realized something I'd learned years ago, but wasn't applying.  We walk in one of two seasons with the Lord:  1)  He draws me in intimacy with Him; and 2)  We run with Him in service on the mountain.  We don't do both at the same time; however, my ability to serve with Him on the mountain (in His strength rather than my own) is directly proportional to the amount of time and love I've been willing to receive from Him during the season when He's drawn me in intimacy.  

This year He spoke His theme over me:  RECEIVE.  I'm still learning what that means...but yesterday and again this morning on my porch swing, I realized I haven't received as much from Him as I'm needing now.  I am weary in well-doing -- an indication, I'm doing it in my own strength.  So today, I let Him saturate me in His presence...a presence always available to me, but not often discernible with my mind or emotions, but in my spirit.  

Have you taken time to let Him love you today?  Did your time of letting Him love you saturate you with His peace and the quietness of His love?  Did you struggle to fully receive -- to drink Him in?  What hindered you?