Enjoying a Feast in the Midst of life's Difficulties

The journey to the higher places (the  place where we enjoy greater intimacy with the Father) often leads us face-to-face with our greatest fears.  As we experience His protection in these difficult places we learn, that our shepherd doesn't need to remove our enemies (or problems)  in order for us to be secure.  We can enjoy  perfect peace, security and abundance because the Good Shepherd is near.  We can enjoy the feast prepared for us by our Great God, while our enemies look on with utter contempt.  What sweet victory that is!

I've witnessed this with my own eyes.  I've had the blessed opportunity to meet a new friend this past weekend--Linda Giebelhaus.  She's experienced several devastating blows in her life:  losing her wealth, colon cancer (and overcoming it) and now terminal cancer.  According to the doctor, she has about 30 days to live, but you'd never know it if you're around her.  You'd think they've given her 30 years!  She is enjoying the magnificent feast that the Good Shepherd has prepared before her, relishing every choice morsel of her life.  She speaks of the love of the Shepherd and how He daily satisfies her and provides abundantly for her needs.  She is such a delight to be around!  I just love her!  She is one who dances before the Lord.  She truly LOVES the Shepherd.

Please join me in praying that our Heavenly Father would completely heal her and give her many more years to proclaim His goodness here on earth.  If you'd like to follow her journey, see:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/Lindagiebelhaus

 
May each of us proclaim along with the Psalmist and  Linda:

PS 46:1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.

  PS 46:2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

  PS 46:3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.
        Selah

Searching through the Ashes

Today as I prayed with a group ladies, God gave me a very powerful revelation that I'd like to share with you.  One of the ladies was praying for the victims of the recent fires of Central Texas and recounting the miracle of a couple finding their wedding ring in the midst of the ashes.  It was as though her words were spoken from the Heavenlies themselves.  This couple needed to search among the ashes, the ruins of their lives in order to find that which they treasured and through supernatural intervention, they found their prized possession--a wedding ring.

Fires are raging everywhere.  In our homes. On our jobs. In our churches. In our finances.  In our families.  In our bodies.  And for many there is little left, except ashes.  There seems to be no hope.  Everything.... is....gone. Maybe you're ready to give up.  All that's left is empty promises and unfulfilled dreams.  But our God, our Great Redeemer has this word for you:


Search among the ashes, and find your treasure.

What have you lost?  Intimacy in your martial relationship?  Have you lost everything financially because of a recent layoff?   Has your child walked away from God?  Have you lost your joy?  Seek, as one searching for a Great Hidden treasure.  Persist.  Get dirty--really dirty.  Deal with painful memories.  Dig past the rubble.  Do the hard work.  Search for the hidden treasure.  And if you persist, you WILL FIND it.  God promises that those who seek will find.  I also want to encourage you to solicit friends who will seek with you.  It is much easier to find a hidden treasure with help.  Friends will encourage you when you want to give up, and keep you from getting sidetracked.  Searching for treasure among the ashes isn't a work to be done alone.  And don't forget to dress properly for the occasion.  You don't search through ashes with flip flops and a tank top. Put on your armor--the FULL armor of God so you will be able to take your stand against the Enemy.

I believe that as you search you will discover that your treasure is God Himself, for He said that He is our inheritance.  In Him you have ALL.  God is a compassionate and generous God.  He delights in giving His children good gifts.  Expect that He will bless you in ways you cannot begin to imagine.

Don't give up.  Don't walk away.


Keep looking.  Keep searching.
                                                        Through the ashes

Psalms 119:57 You are my portion, O LORD;
    I have promised to obey your words.

  Luke 11:9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Leaving

I don't know where you find yourself at this time in your life, but for the past few months I've been in the process of leaving a position that I've loved for three years.  When I first knew that I'd no longer be directing for Classical Conversations, my heart was filled with sorrow and disappointment.  Then I was filled with excitement and anticipation:  "What does God have for me now!"  Now that the final reality is here, there is an emptiness that I feel.  It's almost like losing a loved one.  I'm struggling to find my identity and significance.  I'm feeling restless.  Don't get me wrong, there is MUCH to do in managing a  home with 6 people, and homeschooling.  But if I'm totally honest with myself, there not much excitement in sweeping floors, washing dishes, or giving handwriting lessons.  Ok, I said it!  Directing, encouraging, and being in a position of influence was exciting and I loved being used by God in that way.  So now to go back to a life of quietness, behind the scenes seems so empty.  I know it's not.  But it feels that way, right now.
     I pray that God will help me to be content with this place that He has put me.  I pray that He will help me to rest in the quietness of this place.  May I glorify and honor Him as I go about the mundane tasks of life, pouring out myself.  May I cherish every opportunity to experience Him through His creation.  May I take time to rest in His presence and listen.

Leaving is hard.

Yet it's necessary to leave a place in order to go some place new.  But whether you're leaving or arriving, I encourage you to enjoy the journey.  No matter where you are, God is with you, and that makes the journey a beautiful one.  Losing someone or something you love is hard.  But we can be sure that God will fill every empty place with Himself.  He will satisfy us with His unending love and grace.  It's good to be empty, for emptiness can be filled.

My year began with loss.   Loss of 2 family members.  Loss of our dog.  Loss of some opportunities.  I grieve those losses.

Father fill my cup.  My mouth is opened wide that you may fill me.  My cup is held out before your flowing fountain that it may be filled.  Teach me how to take that cup to the thirsty that they may be filled as well.  Oh, and teach me how to drink until I am first satisfied.  Amen.