My devotional yesterday was titled "Become God's Friend." At some levels that sounds pretty easy...and yet at others very difficult. I read on. It said that I have to choose to be honest with Him. OK, I think I can do that easily enough. God's friends in the Bible were honest with Him about their feelings - sometimes even complaining & arguing with Him - yet He didn't seem to mind. In fact, He encouraged it. (WAIT, WHAT???)
God listened patiently to David's accusations of unfairness, betrayal and abandonment just as Job was allowed to vent his bitterness - God actually defended him for being honest, while rebuking his friends for faking it. (Job 42:7).
To be God's friend is to share my TRUE feelings with Him, not what I think I 'ought' to say in prayer. (a little convicting for me here)
While I think sometimes I complain too much to God for me, myself & I...and don't pray nearly enough for others...it's refreshing to know that God doesn't look on me like the 'whiny little child' that's in a first grade classroom (and NEVER absent).
I really liked what my devotional said: Revealing my feelings and releasing my resentments to Him are the first steps in becoming spiritually whole. (Wow)
After all, He already knows my thoughts, my heart, my mind & my intentions before I do. I can certainly humble myself before His throne and 'dump my bucket'...isn't He big enough to carry it?
I long for a deeper intimacy with my God ~ so I've started (in a prayer journal) to reveal my innermost feelings, hurts & resentments to my Abba. I'm sure He'll know what to do with them and can help me. I know He uses everything for good in my life.
AND WE KNOW THAT GOD CAUSES ALL THINGS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD, TO THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSES. (Romans 8:28)
keep the faith, sweet friend
~love, karen
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
A New Creation
Time flies when... You can spend a lifetime & a million verbs to finish that line. Well, I will try to finish my reasoning as to why I've been away almost a month. January has proven to be busy in some ways and S-L-O-W in others.
I met with my counselor today...and I must say it was truly a time spent in the midst of my Saviour. It was such an outpouring of love & tears & pain & forgiveness. (I was poured out & filled up by the time it was over 1 1/2 hours later.)
I remembered things from my childhood that were both tragic & sad; yet God removed the pain and grafted in His unconditional love. He was there...the WHOLE time...when I was little. I love my parents. They're human...and in their human-ness they were broken & battered. They made mistakes in parenting my sister and me...just like ALL THE REST OF US...INCLUDING ME...so you won't see me pointing a finger in judgement toward them. I have forgiven them & love them just as Christ has forgiven me & loves me ~ unconditionally.
God (and my counselor) have shown me that I've walked the valleys so that I can be prepared for 'such a time as this' and be able to help others. God knows my heart is willing to go and do whatever He needs me to. It's my belief that He wants me to be a beacon (a light) to women who are hurting...who may have gone through (or going through) some of the things I have. I will leave it to Him to show me how.
I've been asked to speak at a church conference soon (Feb. 19) in Rexford, Kansas on 'Concepts of Women's Ministry.' I have been praying for God's Hand to lead me in speaking what He wants. And I've been given a scripture that I will cling to while in preparation for 'such a time as this' (Esther). I will leave it here & ask if you'll pray for me, too....
...FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH YOU IN THAT VERY HOUR WHAT YOU OUGHT TO SAY.
(Luke 12:12)
keep the faith, sweet friend
~love, karen
I met with my counselor today...and I must say it was truly a time spent in the midst of my Saviour. It was such an outpouring of love & tears & pain & forgiveness. (I was poured out & filled up by the time it was over 1 1/2 hours later.)
I remembered things from my childhood that were both tragic & sad; yet God removed the pain and grafted in His unconditional love. He was there...the WHOLE time...when I was little. I love my parents. They're human...and in their human-ness they were broken & battered. They made mistakes in parenting my sister and me...just like ALL THE REST OF US...INCLUDING ME...so you won't see me pointing a finger in judgement toward them. I have forgiven them & love them just as Christ has forgiven me & loves me ~ unconditionally.
God (and my counselor) have shown me that I've walked the valleys so that I can be prepared for 'such a time as this' and be able to help others. God knows my heart is willing to go and do whatever He needs me to. It's my belief that He wants me to be a beacon (a light) to women who are hurting...who may have gone through (or going through) some of the things I have. I will leave it to Him to show me how.
I've been asked to speak at a church conference soon (Feb. 19) in Rexford, Kansas on 'Concepts of Women's Ministry.' I have been praying for God's Hand to lead me in speaking what He wants. And I've been given a scripture that I will cling to while in preparation for 'such a time as this' (Esther). I will leave it here & ask if you'll pray for me, too....
...FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH YOU IN THAT VERY HOUR WHAT YOU OUGHT TO SAY.
(Luke 12:12)
keep the faith, sweet friend
~love, karen
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