Friday, May 27, 2011

In Christ Alone


In the past week, I've attended both a wedding and a funeral.  And ironically enough, this song was performed at both ceremonies, even performed by the same people.  As I pondered this, however, I realized it really isn't such an ironic happenstance.  Rather, it simply displays the greatness of our God.  Our God is so big that we're able to praise not only in celebration of two lives joining to create a new life but also celebrate a new life beginning in Heaven.  Yes, we grieve the loss of a dear brother and mentor, but we do not mourn as those without hope (1 Thes 4:13).  Because our God has overcome the grave; our God is bigger than death, bigger than Sheol.  And so, in Christ, we find hope not only in new life here on earth but also in eternal life in Heaven.  In Christ we are filled with hope in both the good and bad times.  In Christ, we stand victorious.  In Christ alone, our hope is found. 
 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

This is my God


1 Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the LORD’s hand
double for all her sins.
3 A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
the way for the LORD;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
6 A voice says, “Cry out.”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All people are like grass,
and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.”
9 You who bring good news to Zion,
go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,[c]
lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
say to the towns of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,
and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?
13 Who can fathom the Spirit[d] of the LORD,
or instruct the LORD as his counselor?
14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
or showed him the path of understanding?
15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales;
he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
17 Before him all the nations are as nothing;
they are regarded by him as worthless
and less than nothing.
18 With whom, then, will you compare God?
To what image will you liken him?
19 As for an idol, a metalworker casts it,
and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
and fashions silver chains for it.
20 A person too poor to present such an offering
selects wood that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
to set up an idol that will not topple.
21 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
23 He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
25 “To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.
27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Pray

Praying for the Davis family and CU community.  Join me!


Monday, May 23, 2011

Blessing

Last week I had the privilege of sitting down with a good friend and simply catching up on life.  Our conversation quickly turned from the details of our recent activities to what God has been teaching and showing us.  My friend imparted a piece of wisdom that I'd like to pass along.

Often in our prayers, we pray for blessing.  We pray that God will bless our marriages, our families, our jobs.  We pray for blessings for protection and security, for provision over our plans, for the absence of pain and sorrow.

And though it's good to pray for these things and God loves to provide His children with good gifts (Luke 11:13), often it is not through these things that we are most greatly blessed.  Instead, it is through the hard times, the death of a loved one, uncertainty of a job, frustrations with friends or family, through which we are most greatly blessed.  For it is during these times that we draw closest to God.  It is in this times we are humbled and reminded of our fininiteness. My friends, anything that draws us closer to God is a blessing.



He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:3-12

A Stitch in Time

With graduation a few weeks ago, I've been hoping to take sometime to sit back and reflect on this past year and on the past four years that have made up my college experience.  I've quickly realized, however, that life doesn't always slow down just because classes have ended and I've walked across that stage: the past few weeks seem to have rushed by as life events of loved ones swarm me.  The excitement of new life through weddings and babies and new jobs, the sobering reality of life of deaths and funerals and hardships.  It's a crazy thing, this thing we call life.  And through all the running over the past few weeks, God continues to challenge me with this: how am I using my time to bring glory to Him?  In every moment that I have, every breath that I take, how am I glorifying my Creator and Savior?  How can I minister in the jobs that I apply for, even those that are not specifically ministry-oriented?  How can I shine God's love, truth, and justice through interactions with friends, family, and bypassers?  How can I maintain an eternal mindset that my mind does not become distracted with frivolous details?  How can I soak in this moment in a way that will honor my Father?

Where You lead me, LORD, in the big and small, in my life, I give you my all.  I will follow You.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Proud mom? AKA Genesis update

Sometimes when I write about Genesis, I feel like one of those moms who gives monthly updates about her children, bragging about their newest accomplishments and growth.  And frankly, I'm ok with that.  :-)

I still can't believe the miracle that is baby Genesis.  As I get occasional updates from the Murphy's and Jouberts about how well she's doing, I'm reminded of what a mighty God we serve.  Truly, nothing is impossible with our God!  Our God is greater!  Holding that little one a when she was just a few days old, I never imagined the beautiful child that she's becoming.  Praise God for the life of this little one!  Praise God for filling each and every one of us with the breath of life every day, every moment.  Our God is the God of life.  Yo!  That's pretty amazing, my friends!

And now some pictures that Christa graciously shared with me around Easter.  Beautiful 10 month old Genesis.  :-)  Truly a beautiful beginning...



Genesis in the middle laughing with other babies at Mission of Love orphanage



Rachel and Amber brought Genesis to the Murphy's for a visit



According to Christa, Genesis is standing and cruising around.  :-)