Words of Wisdom for the Weekend: Pursuing God

"You and I are in little (our sins excepted) what, God is in large. Being made in His image we have within us the capacity to know Him. In our sins we lack only the power. The moment the Spirit has quickened us to life in regeneration our whole being senses its kinship to God and leaps up in joyous recognition. That is the heavenly birth without which we cannot see the Kingdom of God. It is, however, not an end but an inception, for now begins the glorious pursuit, the heart's happy exploration of the infinite riches of the Godhead. That is where we begin, I say, but where we stop no man has yet discovered, for there is in the awful and mysterious deaths of the Triune God neither limit nor end.

"To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love, scorned indeed by the too-easily-satisfied religionist, but justified in happy experience by the children of the burning heart . . . I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God . . . Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain."

~A.W. Tozer, 'The Pursuit of God' 

*****

{Words for Wisdom for the Weekend: These are words that I have been challenged or encouraged by that I have read throughout my week that I kept pondering; words that I couldn't get off my mind and heart throughout my week. 

For other Words of Wisdom for the Weekend posts see here.}

Five Minute Friday: Comfort

The robin is singin' her song.  I pull back the dark blue cotton sheets and slip my feet on to the cold, bare maple. As I reach out and pull back the curtains, brushing them across the floor, I breathe in the beauty of spring. The world turned green this week.The colour of new life. New life brings hope, healing, restoration, comfort.

Comfort. The very word looks cold and hard to me. Anything but comforting. Why, when I see the word, do I not feel comforted? What is it that is buried deep that hinders the warmth and strength that this word of action is meant to bring about?


In my own woundedness I am stuck. My pen is halted and stutters on the page.

I'm hardened, cold. Theoretically, I know I am loved, comforted. But, in reality, at times my heart refuses to believe. I've tasted the sweetness of new life, but choke on the bitterness of the law of sin and death.

Three times, I have brought forth new life. Nursed, nourished, comforted. With all three, I have felt inadequate. As their mother, I flounder, I fail, I flail, I falter.

As much as I love and delight in these precious ones, they do not and never could fill the God-sized hole in my heart.

It is the Comforter who gathers me into His steadfast Love. As I wake up to His love and comfort, I can then open up my arms more lovingly and comfort more fully the ones that gather here near my heart and I can pluck love straight from the One that brings all comfort.

***

The prompt this week for Five Minute Friday at Lisa-Jo's place is: Comfort

I was surprised by the negative tone that flowed from the prompt and wonder if it came form the wet, grey, gloominess that contrasted against the vibrant green as I looked out the glass door decorated with little hand-prints. I hesitate even hitting publish, but trust that in my vulnerability others may reach out and up, along with me, to the only One who is our joy and comfort.

Officially, the rules are:

1. Write for 5 minutes (A number of weeks ago, I made this confession that I don't always exactly keep to the five minutes. )

2. Link up at Lisa-Jo's  and invite others to join in.

3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Mother's Day is just around the corner and for each one of us this day will bring a variety of emotions.  Let us offer love to one another this weekend, gather one another into each others arms and be the hands and feet of the One who is the God of all comfort. 

Intentional Motherhood: A Christian Home {Prayer}

A Parent's Prayer

"Lord God, I thank you for what I [can learn] from Your servant servant Joshua in his faithfulness to You as the father in his own home. I humbly ask you to give me grace to say as distinctly and as publicly as he did: 'As for me and my house we will serve the LORD.' Lord, I consecrate myself to you. My Father, let Your love for me, and my love for you, be my inspiration and my joy. May my children see that I serve You with my whole heart. Lord, I consecrate my family to you. Help me to train my children to serve You. Remove every inconsistency and all weakness that might hinder anyone in my family from being completely Yours. May mine be a truly consecrated home. 

"Lord, help us to serve you in practical ways. Let the knowing and the doing of God's will, the working for His Kingdom, the seeking His glory, be the one desire for our hearts. May our home be a blessing to others by encouraging them to take a stand for You. Lord God, let Your Spirit work mightily in the homes of your people, that everywhere this confession may be heard ringing out: 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.' Amen."

*****

{all quotations taken directly from 'Raising Your Child for Christ' by Andrew Murray, unless otherwise noted [emphasis mine]}


There's a little book, 'Raising Your Children for Christ' by Andrew Murray, on my shelf that I keep bringing down and leafing through and, Lord willing, on Wednesdays {or Thursdays}I hope to share snippets of my gleanings from it.

I don't claim to know all the answers. I need to dig deeper so that I can be even more equipped to be the mother that God intended. 

Join me on this journey? It is not a list of rules and how-to's but rather a chance to look into your own life and heart and be challenged to live a life wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord. 

For the first post in this series on Intentional Motherhood you can find it here.

For all posts in this series you can read them here.

The Unfortunate Lady called by His Unfathomable Love

Six months have gone by since my last visit. We've driven an hour and a half down into the city to the cardiology clinic for a check-up. After more than thirty minutes we find a suitable parking spot with a view of the top of the CN Tower in the not-too-distant horizon. We walk back to the hospital and take the elevator up to the eighth floor. 


The nurse calls my name incorrectly; she calls me 'Anne'. Without correcting her, I smile and follow her down the hall. She tells me to change and now I'm sitting in the exam room all dressed up in my blue striped hospital gown. Why is it that this particular article of clothing always makes you feel so . . . humbled?

I see this poster on the wall as soon as we enter the exam room. Yes, I have heart issues and, yes, perhaps exercise will help. Let's hope.

Then again, I know of greater heart issues. Ones unseen. My own heart burdened the whole way down to the city over sin and dysfunction.

The resident doctor, with his white smooth gown over his nicely creased black pants and wearing shiny black shoes, walks in with my file neatly tucked in the crook of his arm. He briefly introduces himself to my husband and me and sits down at the desk in the corner and pours over the details of my file.

I sit on the exam table with my knees tucked up toward my chest.  I adjust my gown. I watch him as he thoughtfully rests his finger on his chin, then his lip. He clicks his pen and underlines as he turns pages. My eyes lock with my husband's. I can hear the fan in the ceiling, footsteps in the hallway. I look down at my black, dusty birks.

I really have no idea how many minutes have passed when he looks up at me.

"Nice," he says.

He leans back in his chair.

"So you are the unfortunately lady. I remember being in discussions about you. I finally get to meet you."

Wow! I've been called all kinds in the medical world, but I've never heard it put quite this way before. He meant well. It is quite a story; a lot to take in all at once.

Briefly, I agree with him. I am unfortunate to have to live with life-long side effects from the treatments that killed the cancer but saved the child; to now be in this position, thirty-three years later, with a heart valve that is damaged but not easily fixed because of all the other complications.

But, that is not the case! I regret that I was so caught off guard I couldn't make a reply. How I wish I could have made sure he knew that I am not unfortunate.

Instead, I am undeservedly favoured!!

That a sinner, such as me, has received abundant grace and mercy and been pardoned and set free!

"He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed."

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." ~ (Eph 2:4-9)

I used to pray for complete healing and promised that if God did heal me, I would proclaim this amazing miracle in my life, tell others what He did for me. Just like the blind and lame men that shouted and leaped when they were healed.

How have I been so short-sighted all these years? He has healed me!! He has taken the heart of stone and given me a heart of flesh. 

We are working on Romans 8 now, committing these beautiful truths to head and heart, and I've been repeating the second verse this week.

"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."

The Spirit of life has set me free. I've been healed. I've been delivered from sin and death, never to fear it, for I am a part of the greatest love story ever! I know the words to come: "nothing will be able to separate [me] from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Why did I think I should have to wait for physical healing before I had something worth proclaiming?

As Spurgeon writes:

"He who on earth walked the hospitals, still dispenses His grace, and works wonders among the sons of men, let me go to Him at once in right earnest.""Let me praise Him this morning, as I remember how He wrought His spiritual cures, which bring Him most renown. It was by taking upon our sicknesses. "By His stripes we are healed." The Church on earth is full of souls healed by our beloved Physician; and the inhabitants of heaven itself confess that "He healed them all." Come, then, my soul, publish abroad the virtue of His grace . . . "

The doctors gather to briefly discuss me once again. My cardiologist and the resident return to our room. They tell me I am to carry on, watch my own symptoms, and call if I notice them getting worse. If not, I return in another six months. There's nothing else that really can be done. 

I'm fine with that. I will carry on. With my hope in the Great Physician. The One who calls me beloved, favoured, set apart, by His grace, to his own glory and excellence. Not at all unfortunate!

The Doctor may call me the unfortunately lady, but the Great Physician calls me by His Unfathomable love.

Words of Wisdom for the Weekend: Romans 1 {Romans Project memory challenge}

Here is my attempt to recite Romans 1 from memory. Yes, it is filled with hesitant pauses and a number of errors, but it's thrilling to have it in my heart.

{for email subscribers, you are welcome to click on over here}

***

"Oh, father, the more I read about Him the more I want to know, and I shall never rest until I've a Bible of my own. But to-day I've brought home a big bit of the farmer's Bible with me." 

"What do you mean, Mary? How could you do such a thing?" questioned Molly in amazement. 

"Only in my head, mother, dear, of course," replied the child; then in a lower voice she added, "and my heart." 

Mary sat down on a stool at her father's feet, and beginning at the first verse, repeated the whole chapter without a single mistake, without a moment's hesitation, and with a tone and emphasis which showed her comprehension of the truths so beautifully taught, and her sympathy with them. 

"'Mark my words, wife," said Jacob . . . "that child will do a work for the Lord before she dies. See you not how He Himself is leading and guiding His lamb into green pastures and beside still waters? Why, Molly, when she repeated that verse. 'Ask, and ye shall recieve.' I saw her eyes shine, and her cheeks glow again, and I knew she what thinking of the Bible she's set her heart on, and which I doubt not she's praying for often enough when we know nothing about it. And the Lord He will give it her some day. Of that I'm moral certain. Yes, Molly, our Mary will have her Bible!'"

~The Story of Mary Jones and Her Bible, retold by M.E.R.

{Mary Jones, a young girl from a poor weaving family living in Wales in the year 1792, had a great desire to learn to read in order that she would be able to read the Bible. At ten, she learned to read and on Saturday nights walked a fair distance to a neighbouring farm house, to study their family Bible and memorized whole books of the Bible. So earnest was her desire to have her own Bible, she worked hard and saved for six years. At sixteen, she walked barefoot to a village 25 miles from her home for the small chance of purchasing her Bible. When she arrived in the village, the minister told her there were no Bibles for sale in all of Wales. But, he had such compassion for her that he gave her his own Bible. Later he began the London Bible Society because of her testimony!!}

There is no shortage of Bibles in our land. We have more Bibles than people in our own home. Do we hide it in our hearts as we should?

How many of us so earnestly desire to commit God's Word to our head and heart as this young girl who for six years prayed that she must have a Bible of her own.

May God stir our hearts and give us clear minds that we may store up these treasures in our heads and hearts!

***

We are starting Romans 8 this week with the Romans Project. Please join us if you are not working on memorizing anything else at this time. Commit to mind and heart one of the greatest chapters of the Bible!

For more information on the Romans Project see here and here.

*****

{Words for Wisdom for the Weekend: These are words that I have been challenged or encouraged by that I have read throughout my week that I kept pondering; words that I couldn't get off my mind and heart throughout my week. 

For other Words of Wisdom for the Weekend posts see here.}

Five Minute Friday: Brave

Boldly

Relinquishing

All fear and being

Vulnerable

Earnestly

Some may say that brave is jumping from planes or high cliffs into the unknown. I say you don't have to jump from a plane to know this kind of brave. Sometimes brave is letting fences come down and setting up park benches in their place.

Brave is letting go of whatever fear holds you in its grip.

Brave is being vulnerable even when you want to run back where it seems safe.

Brave is throwing in your stone to tear down walls; to release you from your steel cage.


Brave is stepping out in faith even when you have to get out of the boat and step out onto dark waters.

Brave is loving with an unlocked heart.

Brave is letting others in.

Brave is sharing your story so others know they aren't alone.

Brave is showing up.

Brave is doing the next thing.

Brave is biting your tongue when it is about to lash out.

Brave is surrendering.

Brave is believing that we have been called to be strong and courageous and actually living it.


Open up your hand when you can't hold on any longer and let Someone come along side you and take you by the hand and walk you into the way of brave.

"Be strong and courageous.

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,

for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

***

Reflecting and writing on the word prompt given here for Five Minute Friday at Lisa-Jo's place. I had a funny feeling when I went to bed last night that I would be facing this word today. I didn't check until I woke up this morning, and sure enough, this week the prompt is: Brave

Officially, the rules are:

1. Write for 5 minutes (A number of weeks ago, I made this confession that I don't always exactly keep to the five minutes. )

2. Link up at Lisa-Jo's  and invite others to join in.

3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...

Intentional Motherhood: Instructing Our Children

“Now this is the commandment . . . that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you . . . that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life . . . "

There is no way I can tell you how to raise your children or how to instruct them. I am still too much in the midst of it all to have the answers. But, perhaps I can encourage you with some thoughts that have encouraged me to keep on with this job that some days wears us down. As I heard on the in(RL) webcast on the weekend: "These kids are going to wear you out, but they are not going to kill you."

This is not about the method you may choose to educate your children. Whether your children are at home or in school, we are called to instruct our children in the ways of the Lord. Just as the Israelites were to relate to their children how the |Lord God redeemed them from Egypt, we also have the responsibility to faithfully speak of how God has redeemed our lives back to Himself.

It always starts with the heart.

Instruct with All Your Heart

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart . . . 

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart."

"It  is only the heart that captures the heart of another. It is the loving warmth of interest and affection of the teacher that awakens corresponding emotions in the heart of the pupil . . . It is your duty and your joy to love the Lord your God with all your heart. If you love Him, then love His words, too. Let them live in your heart and let them have a place in your affections . . . Let holy love for God and His words mingle with your tender love for your little ones . . . When the work of instructing the children becomes a burden, you may be sure it is an indication of something wrong in your own heart . . . parental love [is] elevated and strengthened by the love of God and inspired by His own Holy Word."

Instruct with Diligence 

"You shall teach them diligently to your children . . . "

" . . . the godly parent must use diligence to consider how he can best penetrate the child's heart with the words that he speaks . . . must carefully consider how he can best gain both the child's understanding and affections. He does this by making the most of opportunities and activities in which the child is interested. The parent must also learn the art of speaking in the spirit of love. His whole life must be an attractive example of what he has taught. There is nothing that drives home the word of instruction like a consistent and holy life."

Instruct with Perseverance

" . . . and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, 

and when you walk by the way,

and when you lie down,

and when you rise."

"The entrance of divine truth into the mind and heart, the formation of habit and the training of character, are not attained by sudden and isolated efforts, but by regular and unceasing repetition. This is the law of all growth in nature, and God seeks to make use of this law in His Kingdom . . . From early morning to evening rest--the whole day provides occasion for uninterrupted fellowship with the Holy One. Every activity can be used to point the little ones to the unseen and ever-near Father in heaven."

  

A Mother's Prayer

"Blessed God, give me wisdom and grace to be the teacher of my children that You would have me to be. I see how You do not permit any other to assume the parent's position . . . Fill our hearts with Your love and Your Word. Help us to sharpen Your words deep into our children's hearts. Help us all day long to walk in Your presence, and influence our children for You. Amen"

*****

{all quotations taken directly from 'Raising Your Child for Christ' by Andrew Murray, unless otherwise noted [emphasis mine]}


There's a little book, 'Raising Your Children for Christ' by Andrew Murray, on my shelf that I keep bringing down and leafing through and, Lord willing, on Wednesdays {or Thursdays}I hope to share snippets of my gleanings from it.

I don't claim to know all the answers. I need to dig deeper so that I can be even more equipped to be the mother that God intended. 

Join me on this journey? It is not a list of rules and how-to's but rather a chance to look into your own life and heart and be challenged to live a life wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord. 

For the first post in this series on Intentional Motherhood you can find it here.

For all posts in this series you can read them here.