A Prayer of Praise

Our Father, who knows what we need before we ask and to whom we have seen your power and glory in our lives, we seek you to comfort our waste places and make the wilderness of our lives like Eden; fresh, renewed, and healthy.  

Where there is desert in our heart, transform it into a thriving garden so that joy, gladness, thanksgiving, and song will be found in us. 

Thank you for your steadfast love that is better than life.  We bless you with every breath and lift our hands in praise to You! 
(Matthew 6:8; Psalm 63:2-4; Isaiah 51:3)

Worshiping our amazing Father with all of you today,

Lisa

Blessed Are....

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.  He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 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 5:2-12 NIV)

A while back I was reading through Matthew and had so much fun “re-discovering” truths and precious nuggets that I sometimes just skim through or take for granted.  One of those precious truths is the word “blessed”.  According to Warren Weirsbe, blessed was a powerful word for those in Jesus’ day.  To them it meant “divine joy and perfect happiness”.  The word was not used for humans; it described the kind of joy experienced only by the gods or the dead. “Blessed” implied an inner satisfaction and sufficiency that did not depend on outward circumstances for happiness.  So in a sense verse 2 of Matthew 5 could say, “Divine joy and perfect happiness for the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
Weirsbe goes on to explain that the beatitudes describe four attitudes:

1. our attitude toward ourselves (v.3)
2. our attitude toward our sin (vv.4-6)  When I read those verses, the word “meek”          jumped out at me.  I found out that the word was used by the Greeks to describe a horse that had been broken.  It refers to power under control.  Gives a whole new perspective on that word, doesn’t it?
3.  our attitude toward the Lord (vv.7-9)
4.  our attitude toward the world (vv.10-16)  The Pharisees thought they were conserving God’s word, when in reality they were preserving it; “embalming it so that it no longer had life!” (Weirsbe)  

Sometimes I can be like the Pharisees.  I get so concerned about obeying the letter of the law for the sake of the law instead of obeying out of love for my Lord.  The difference between being a Pharisee and a follower is the attitude and motivation behind our actions.  It all comes back to our hearts.

I encourage you to re-read the beatitudes closely.  Maybe stop and examine one or two of them closely.  You now have a better understanding of the word “meek”, but what does it mean that the “pure in heart” will see God?  What does a pure heart look like?  Act like?  How can one possibly achieve one?  (Hint:  power of the Holy Spirit) Or what does it mean to be a “peacemaker”?  Is that the same as a “peacekeeper”?  And why do you think they are called “children of God”?  Have some fun “treasure hunting” in the Scriptures today!  I can promise you, you will find something of value and worth!

Worshiping (and treasure hunting) with you today!

Lisa

Do I Trust You?

“Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called.‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘Here I am.’

‘Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.’

The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. ‘Stay here with the donkey,’ Abraham told the servants. ‘The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.’

So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together, Isaac turned to Abraham and said, ‘Father?’

‘Yes, my son?’ Abraham replied.

‘We have the fire and the wood,’ the boy said, ‘but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?’

‘God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,’ Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.

When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’

‘Yes,’ Abraham replied. ‘Here I am!’

‘Don’t lay a hand on the boy!’ the angel said. ‘Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.’

Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means ‘the Lord will provide’). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’

Then the angel of the Lord called again to Abraham from heaven. ‘This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.’ Genesis 22:1-18

I’ve always struggled with this passage.  God promises Abraham many descendants, takes what seems like forever to make good on that promise, and then asks Abraham to give up that promise by killing his one and only son.  My struggle is that if put in the same situation, would I obey without argument like Abraham or would I fight and argue and plead for the life of my son?  Would I love and know God so much that I would trust Him and know He was doing what was best for me? For my son?

God and I have these conversations quite often. I know God has my best interests at heart and He sees the whole picture, but my feeble, weak heart argues that there has to be a better way.  It doesn't make sense.  I don't want to do it that way.  I think I know better than God. Oh to be like Abraham and just trust without argument that God's plan is perfect.

So, maybe we have to ask the question, “When faced with life’s challenges, are we going to waste time arguing with God about His ways or trust Him knowing His ways are better than ours?  My prayer is that we get to know our God so well and follow Him so closely that no matter what He allows in our life or challenges us to do, we will trust Him with complete confidence.

Here’s some great wisdom and insight from my friend, Brenda:

“Picture Isaac on the sacrificial altar. Now contemplate this. Sometimes what we think is going to kill us is actually where we find our salvation.” Brenda Storms

I love it!  It may be hard to see in the midst of troubles, but I pray we would trust God enough to know He is bringing about good in what may seem like a complete mess.  Whatever God asks of you, He will supply what you need so go ahead, obey with confidence, because He is loving you through it and bringing about something wonderful!  "I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.'"(Psalm 31:14)

Worshiping with you today,

Lisa

He Did What?

Music has always been my first love.  There are pictures of me on the piano before I could walk, but in early high school, I started babysitting for our neighbor who was a large animal veterinarian and I decided that, maybe I might want to be a vet as well.  I loved animals and along with music, I was an avid reader and James Herriot was my hero in the vet world. So, my vet neighbor graciously let me go on call with him. 

I was so excited when the phone rang one day, and he said, “Lisa.  I have to go and take care of a pig with a protruding uterus.  Wanna come?” Yes!  My heart was a flutter!  Why so excited?  Because all the other calls and rounds that I had been on with him before were not so exciting.  For most of the summer, I was wading in ankle deep manure, pushing my way through cows or pigs the size of small horses.  I should have known from day one that this was not my calling.

My first day with the vet was spent doing herd checks.  This is basically a pregnancy test. Since I didn’t know what my role would be when I rode out on these calls, I was relieved to be handed the clip board when I saw what you had to do to see if the cow was pregnant.  I don’t know what I was expecting, but it surely wasn’t what happened as I saw the vet’s hand go into the cow (from the back if you get my meaning) all the way up to his elbow.  Seriously?  There has to be another way!  This career idea was looking less appealing by the cow!

it just went downhill after that…I found the daily routine of a country vet in Wright County, Minnesota, was not as exciting as James Herriot wrote it to be.  Apparently, veterinary medicine in Darrowby, Yorkshire England is more varied and eventful.  However, my vet neighbor?  He loved every minute of it. 

Needless to say, I did not pursue a career in veterinary medicine and went back to my first love, music.  That was God’s plan all along, though I feel like He got a certain enjoyment watching me discover what He already knew; I was not created to be a vet.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  His workmanship.  His pre-planned creation.

^“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:4-8)

We are all different with the same purpose; to glorify God in what He has called and created us to do. For me, it’s not through veterinary medicine, but through a beautiful melody or thought-provoking words.  For you it might be teaching, serving, or leading.  Whatever it is, we all work together as one like a beautiful harmonious symphony; each part unique but essential to the whole. 

Never underestimate your role in the Kingdom of God.  Our Father is intentional and purposeful in all He does.  His plans for you are perfect even if it involves the not so glamorous task of herd checks.

Thankful I’m holding the clipboard,

Lisa

"Holy" Jeans

I started making jean quits when my boys decided it was no longer necessary to walk on their feet like normal people.  No, obviously, walking on the knees was much better and efficient!  So, I had perfectly good jeans with perfectly placed holes in the knee area.  I could have patched them, but the store that I bought their jeans from had this guarantee that if your child wears out the jeans before they out grew them they would replace the jeans for free.  I’m very sure the reason this store doesn’t do this anymore is because of us.

So, I had piles of holey jeans that I just couldn’t throw out and I certainly wasn’t going to pass them on to someone else.  “Here!  I have piles of jeans for your kids.  Yes, they have holes in the knees, but you can patch them.  Patching is fun!  You’re welcome!”  No, that was not an option.  So, I started making jean quilts.  A lot of quilts.  

A few years ago, I started praying over the quilts and for the person who it was going to.  While I am cutting up the jeans and making them into 6-inch squares, I pray that those times when he or she may feel like a jumbled pile of discards with an uncertain future, they would know God is shaping them into His plan and purpose.  "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)

As I start to sew the blocks together, I pray he or she would take each day as it is, and trust God is putting all the pieces of their life together in His timing.  Each day, no matter what it looks like, is part of the whole and that they would embrace it. "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act." (Psalm 37:7)

When I get to tying all the layers together, I pray that he or she would remember it is God who holds them all together.  When they feel like maybe everything is coming apart, God is there holding and comforting them. "For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.'" (Isaiah 41:13)

Then the binding!  The part that makes the rough edges disappear and finishes the quilt.  When I get to this stage I pray that they would know that God takes all our rough edges, whatever that may look like, and binds them up.  He makes them beautiful. "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)

Those old jeans look nothing like they were originally.  They have a new purpose and just like 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, they are a new creation; the old things have passed away; and new things have come. Just like us when we let God take over our lives and make us into something new.

My quilts are nothing fancy, but they remind me and hopefully those that receive one that they are God’s beautiful creation; fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) He takes those times when we feel useless and discarded and gives us purpose and direction.  He takes everything we experience and “sews it together” into a beautiful masterpiece.  Just like those ties, He holds us all together with His love.  And all those rough edges? He binds them while holding us tight and secure.  His works are wonderful, and I know that full well!  I hope you do too!

Enjoying the comforts of His love with you today, 
Lisa

You're In Good Hands

“You’re in good hands with Allstate!”

Allstate's slogan "You're in good hands" was created in the 1950s by Allstate Insurance Company's sales executive, Davis W. Ellis based on a similar phrase he used to reassure his wife about a doctor caring for their child. It has been their slogan ever since.  When I read Isaiah 43:2-3 that slogan comes to mind. 

God never promised us an easy life on Earth.  Isaiah doesn’t say “if” you go through deep waters, rivers of difficulty, or fires of oppression.  It says “when”.  And when those times come, and they will, God promises to be with us.  Think of it as God’s assurance in His “insurance”; His protection and the fulfillment of His promises. We are in His good, capable, loving, all-powerful, (insert your own amazing God adjective here!) hands.  There is nothing.  Absolutely nothing, He can not handle. 

Take heart those of you treading water, crossing difficult raging rivers, or high-stepping over hot coals!  Your Lord, your God, the Holy One, your Savior is with you!  You’re in good hands!

Resting in my “insurance” benefits with you,
Lisa

Eye to Eye and Heart to Heart

“I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.” (Hosea 11:4b) 

What a beautiful picture of God’s love. Our Mighty, Magnificent God taking away our burden and then getting down to our level to meet our needs.

I don’t have many memories of my great grandfather, but I have seen pictures of him lying on the floor and playing with me.  I was about 6 months old and he had debilitating arthritis.  It was difficult and painful for him to just cross the room yet he somehow got down on the floor so we were eye to eye and played together. When I look at those pictures I see a man who loved me and wanted to spend time with me at my level.  

God’s “bending down” is similar to our interaction with children; like what my great grandpa did for me. We get down on our knees or bend down so that we can be eye-to-eye with them. This simple gesture shows them that we care; that we’re not trying to dominate or intimidate them.  I see God doing the same thing; lovingly putting aside his “hugeness” for a moment to show us that we are important; that he loves us and wants us to feel secure in him. I like to think of it as seeing the “softer side” of our warrior, powerful God.

My prayer for you today is that you would know that God is powerful, mighty, and awe-inspiring, but that he also loves you enough to get down to your level; eye-to-eye and heart-to-heart.  He is not beyond your reach.  He is accessible. He is there.  “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:2)

Enjoying His nearness with you,

Lisa