Fascinating God

I love to worship God. He is the most loving, kind, thoughtful, generous, merciful, forgiving, just, and strong Person there is, was, or ever will be! There are many who deny Him, and I was one of them, once. There are many who look at the suffering and evil in the world and question His existence or, if they acknowledge His existence, they think Him indifferent to their plight. I have wondered many times why God would allow what He could so easily change with a single word, but I am ill-equipped to answer that question in a way that would truly satisfy. Those who are suffering from a great, unfathomable pain do not necessarily want some theological explanation (even if they ask, "why?")...they just want the pain to stop. Those who are determined not to believe in God will not accept any explanation (until the eyes of their understanding are opened), because the ramifications of a personal and involved God would require a change in their belief system. I have considered these things and I have had doubts at times, but I have seen what God has done in my life over the years since He opened my eyes and it fills me with gratitude and awe. I have to worship Him...not because I am compelled to, but because I can't help it! I made a decision a number of years ago to worship God no matter what. It did not matter what I was experiencing at any given moment, it did not matter what I was feeling, or what was going on around me. God was worthy to receive my praise and worship and He was always going to get it, as long as I drew breath. By His grace I have been able to do that; it has sometimes been a sacrifice of praise and worship, but He is worth it.

I have a friend, named Jess, who understands the "worth-ship" of God. She is a passionate worshipper of God and she is a very gifted and accomplished young woman. Among her many accomplishments, she is a talented songwriter. One of the songs she has written is my absolute favorite, "I Am Created To Worship The King". It's about knowing I am meant for more...more than the struggles, pain, desires, and temptations of this life. My life is meant to be lived out as a public display of worship to God, my King. It takes faith to worship God this way. Several days ago I was reading about how our faith is fascinating to God. I had to write part of it down because it spoke so loudly to me. Read these encouraging words by Kim Clement: "You've got to make God feel welcome. You've got to make Him feel welcome, otherwise He's not coming. You must understand that your act, your one act of faith, so intrigues God. He has placed you in limitations. He has placed you where you are subject to trials. He has placed you in time and space where your body gets tired, it grows old, and it suffers illnesses...I'm talking about man, in time and space, on an earth where he is subject to weather, earthquakes, tornadoes, all kinds of spiritual attacks, insults, robberies, and if in the midst of that can still lift up his voice and say, 'God, I want to thank you for my existence on this earth. God, I want You to know that I have a joy that I cannot get rid of no matter what happens.' This intrigues God; God is fascinated with it." (You can Google The Elijah List and find the complete word; I think it was from 06/13/08.) I should not be surprised by this word, I have read verses in the Bible that tell me that God loves me with an everlasting love, that He will be found by those who diligently seek Him, that He will draw near to me as I draw near to Him, that He is captured by one glance from me, etc...but it does surprise me. God is fascinated by me! (I find that fascinating!) The great thing about this (if I had to limit myself to one great thing) is that the faith in me that so captivates God came from Him in the first place! I did not have it in myself. It came from Him and it is directed toward Him...it always begins and ends with God; He is so generous to provide what we need and His provision is so complete! What a fascinating God!

A Quote To Remember

I don't have anything of my own to offer at this moment, but I wanted to post this great quote that I read a couple years ago. It was a bumper sticker on someone's car and I have not been able to shake it. I have been looking for a way to use this quote, but have never found just the right place. I am not a bumper sticker fan and would never put one on my own car. Too many obnoxious and disgusting things are slapped on the bumpers of people's cars and anyone sitting behind such a car at a red light is the unwitting victim of someone else's unwelcome opinion. Having said that, this particular quote just tickles me! I thought my blog would be the perfect place, so I leave with you my blessings and this amusing admonition:

"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!"

Soaking

I love baths. A bath is my preferred method of cleansing, an integral part of my daily routine. I was going to say, "morning routine", but who am I kidding? This is my first full week off; it is sometimes the afternoon...the evening, if I have nowhere to be...before I run my bath! It is my preferred method of waking up, when I do have somewhere to go. I know showers are supposed to be invigorating, but it just seems to be a rude way to wake up, like the first assault of the day. I would much rather soak the sleep away...a kinder, gentler version of a snooze alarm. A shower is so harsh and utilitarian. Soaking in a hot bath, my sleep-stiff muscles and joints are gently caressed and soothed and eased into the day's service. If my day has been especially frantic or fraught with difficulty, if I am feeling used and abused, or if I am unwell, I will end my day as it began...with a long, relaxing soak in a hot bath. It's a wonderful thing.

Now and Not Yet

I am sitting here, wondering what to write. I have this blog, which hardly anyone seems to be interested in, so why do I bother? I realize I didn't start writing it so people could read all the brilliant things I have to say, I just wanted to post a comment on someone else's blog (which, by the way, I still have not been able to do, so go figure), but now that I have this blog I have to admit that it hurts a bit that almost no one seems to be reading it. I find that rather funny...in a "I'm not laughing" sort of way. So now I'm wondering why, after all the healing I have had from past rejection, do I care so much ? But I do care. If people are not very interested in what I have to write then they must not be too interested in me. That is what satan would have me believe. Have I not really out-grown this need for the recognition and approval of others? I guess not. I have been walking with the Lord for 30 years now. By His grace I have been healed from many things and I am stronger and more comfortable in my own skin than I have ever been, so why do I still struggle with this from time to time? The fact is, we all have something like this in our lives that we have to keep taking to the Lord. It's probably a good thing...it keeps me from thinking too highly of myself and it reminds me that I can't do it on my own, I need the Lord. Hopefully it helps me be more compassionate toward others who, like me, live in the now and the not yet. I am not what I was. I am stronger now, secure in the Lord's love for me and in who I am in Him, but I am not yet what I will be. One day I will be with Him and see Him face to face and all this will fall away. Until then I will continue to turn this over to Him and trust in His unfailing love for me. God, give me eyes to see myself as You do.

Get Out Of Your Comfy Chair

"...while I was in the citadel of Susa." (Nehemiah 1:1)

Can I just say how much I love my power recliner? It is a big, comfy chair in my family room and I am the only one who sits in it. From this chair I watch TV, use my laptop, eat, even fall asleep. It's my version of a power tool (along with my juicer). To say that it's a place of comfort is an understatement. I cannot sit in that chair 24-7, but there are days when I want to do just that. Some days I don't feel well, or I am just dog-tired. Some days I am facing a challenge that frightens me. I think Nehemiah had a day like that. He heard about the condition of Jerusalem's walls, and the people living there, and for days he sat and cried and didn't eat. Do you know the rest of the story?

The book of Nehemiah is one of my favorites for several reasons. It's about trusting God in the face of adversity, and persevering in spite of overwhelming odds. It's a story about mercy, restoration, forgiveness, joy, and the faithful and tender heart of our gracious God. And it's a story of an underdog coming out on top. When I read this book, I see Nehemiah prayed, planned, and persevered. The task before him was enormous and he faced tremendous opposition but, by God's grace, he was victorious. I never tire of reading it!

The last time I read this, I chose the NIrV, which translates "citadel" as "the safest place". This makes sense, a citadel was the safest place in a city. Before Nehemiah could meet the challenge God had assigned him, he had to choose to leave a known place of comfort and safety for the hardships and dangers of the unknown. I realize my chair cannot compare with a citadel, but it is a place of comfort. I feel most safe where I am most comfortable.

The point is, my comfort and safety cannot be found in a place, or a chair, but only in the living God. He gives me everything I need to accomplish every task He sets before me, but I still have to choose to take on the assignment...and sometimes that means I have to get out of my comfy chair.