by Sharon O | Apr 27, 2010 | Uncategorized
I am reading the book ‘Waking the Dead’… by John Eldredge.
It is extremely thought provoking and I highly recommend it.
He says: “When you tell a story you speak to the heart”, which was a validation for me.
Since I began to write the intention of this blog was always to not just share or write but to challenge and provoke thought for those who are reading it. It has been the vision that the Lord has pressed upon my ‘heart’ to be authentic and real and in that process challenge others on the same path for spiritual maturity.
Speaking of heart… John says: “Without the burning in our hearts we lose the meaning of our days.”
In 2 Corinthians 4:18 it says: ‘So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but what is unseen.’
Our eyes are to be focused on spiritual things.
The problem we face is a war for our burning heart conditions.
We can’t see clearly if our heart is not right.
John said there is a war against our hearts.
It is powerful and ongoing for the enemy does not want us to see clearly the war surrounding us and he does not want us to know about the battle or the efforts against us every day.
John says: “Gods intention for us is life so you must fight for your life.”
He says we are to join in the spiritual battle and fight for the life that is before us.
John says : “We don’t see clearly because we don’t see with the eyes of our hearts.”
Without seeing with the eyes of our hearts, we miss what is important.
In Ephesians 1:18 it says: ‘I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.’
So it is an intentional process of focusing and keeping our eyes clear with clear vision.
The eyes of our hearts can become cloudy and blurry just as our eyes condition can become blurred. Like glaucoma of the soul we can lose sight of what is burning in our hearts.
The deep longing to be in relationship with a Holy God and to be in relationship with a Holy Spirit and a Holy Savior.
Have you ever had a professional eye exam? Can you remember the feeling when they do the check for glaucoma? How you have to steady your head on that chin rest then wait for them to blow that puff of air in your eyes? It is uncomfortable and you really take notice for it is strange and weird experience and a bit scary.
Perhaps it is a time for a puff of air into our hearts so we can see and feel the purpose that is before us.
God created us to be in relationship…
we were the ones who moved from that purpose.
In 2 Chronicles 16:9: ‘For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.’
Can you imagine with me how He searches… and seeks us out so that He can strengthen us.
Just as it is our desire to encourage and strengthen our loved ones or friends, it is God’s desire to strengthen us.
That is relationship and a powerful reminder for us of His love.
My challenge:
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.’ Deuteronomy 6:5
I challenge us all today to love with intention.
by Sharon O | Apr 26, 2010 | Uncategorized
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back into loneliness. Of all the needs a lonely child has, the one that must be satisfied, if there is going to be hope and a hope of wholeness, is the unshaken need for an unshakable God. The above quotes were from Maya Angelou ~ a wise old soul. These words are very similar to my experience growing up. I don’t remember feeling lonely but I always remembered feeling alone. By nature I have always thrived when I am alone in the quiet. I can think and process thoughts much better than in a room full of activity. So perhaps the child hood experiences were not all without purpose. If I was alone always I am afraid my own company would become boring. As a child music was indeed my refuge. In my room it became my escape. I could pretend I was Diana Ross standing next to the mirror lip syncing to the songs. Or I could sing and meditate on the words of Simon and Garfunkel, “I am a rock, I am an Island… a rock feels no pain and an island never cries.” I never did either. Music was my escape. I could go into my room turn the record player on with the black slick albums and escape as the record would turn and turn as the needle played the songs. Escaping into quiet was my way of creating normal. A quiet normal full of music that ministered to my ‘hurting heart’.
by Sharon O | Apr 23, 2010 | Uncategorized
One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential.
Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage. Maya Angelou
Courage
1. The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, difficulty, pain, etc., without fear; bravery
2. Obsolete, the heart as the source of emotion.
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3. Have the courage of one’s convictions, to act in accordance with one’s beliefs, esp. in spite of criticism.
a. fearlessness, courage permits one to face extreme dangers and difficulties without fear.
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I was given a quote one time by a very special person. It has been on my dresser for a long time.
It is on a little card, dusty with age. I have valued its wisdom.
Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,”I will try again tomorrow.”
What do you need to try again…
tomorrow
or today
or right now?
Is there a wrong you need to right…
A phone call you need to make…
A letter you need to write…
A prayer you need to pray…
In our busy times and our busy lives we often live as though we have tomorrow to say what needs to be said, to do what needs to be done. We put off what matters the most
and continually do what won’t matter next week.
Lord, help us to be people who have the courage to put down our pride, or excuses and move forward into relationships that need healing. Help us to help others. When we walk alongside someone when their courage is weak, Lord help us to be strong for them. Help us to move ourselves aside and allow you to lead us into another person’s hurting heart. And Lord may we be people who ask the tough questions of ourselves and of others in the process.
There is another quote on my bulletin board:
Courage is not the absence of fear but it is taking action in the midst of it.
Are you willing to take action and be courageous and do what is right?
Maya Angelou said:
The idea is to write it so that people hear it and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart.
Where is your heart today?
by Sharon O | Apr 20, 2010 | Uncategorized
Until something is in its rightful place it can’t be what it is.
Our relationship with God is life changing.
When we encountered the presence of the real living God almighty we were forever changed. Isn’t that worth writing about, sharing and remembering?
What was your story? I have shared mine.
How God met me in the moment where I needed Him to come through for me to believe.
I believe He does that for all of us.
Our pastor has been doing a series about encounters…when we encounter something in person we have a total different view of it. It becomes real to us.
Our pastor taught that we encounter God in the dark sacred spaces of our lives.
The places of discomfort.
It is where the sacred meet the spirit.
He talked about the story of Jonah. Remember how he ran from what the Lord wanted him to do? He ran literally for miles and miles thinking that God could not find him.
Jonah discovered that God knew his heart and was determined to make him listen.
Our true character emerges through the storms of our lives. Who we really are-not who we show for others to see. In the dark deep belly of the whale within the process of becoming obedient, Jonah prayed a prayer of thanksgiving. “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.” Jonah 2:1 “But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.” vs. 9
Can you imagine? Let us think about this for a minute.
Jonah is deep in to the belly of a whale. It couldn’t be quiet the breathing and thrashing of the massive fish overwhelming. I wonder as Jonah sat or lay down surrounded by the rotting fish and seaweed and the overpowering smells in the darkness of the deep. Was that when he encountered God?
Jonah was rescued by God because God knew Jonah would become obedient after the lesson he learned. God knows our heart conditions. Pastor calls it the basement of our souls where our hearts decisions lie. Jonah did not want to obey God so he ran fast and far. Yet God found him. Pastor said the dark spaces of our lives deepened our character. It is where God can whisper and touch each layer of our broken lives; layer upon layer till all become healed places.
From the moment we were being formed Psalm 139 tells us we were known. God knew us. Isn’t that awesome? He is faithful from the beginning. We are the ones who move.
So in the process of running or avoiding or disobeying or hiding like Jonah we lose the opportunity to serve. I hope we always remember it is in the dark creepy spaces where our heart can truly meet the savior. His love is deep and wide and intense and I believe He will pursue us till we believe.
Pastor said what we choose to do shape us and also shapes others who watch us.
God is calling us to proper motivation.
When Jonah encountered God and heard him say, “I am going to rescue you because your heart condition has been obedient.” He wanted to serve Him for he knew He had saved his life.
Pastor challenged us to read the book of Jonah and ask ourselves what is our Nineveh?
What are we running from or hiding?
The lesson learned… until our heart condition is in its rightful place, it can’t be what it is.
by Sharon O | Apr 14, 2010 | Uncategorized
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his names sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [a] or through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (NIV)
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God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through death valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. (MSG)
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The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley (a)or the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect me and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.(NLT)
How awesome it is to see how our loving God gives us provision, protection, peace, promise and praise. I hope you find encouragement in this combination of readings.
