Redeemed

Return to me, for I have redeemed you...

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.'

Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath.  Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel."

Isaiah 44:22-23 (NIV)

We have been redeemed.  Our failures and shortcomings swept away.

Let's return to a God who waits with open arms.   Let's return with a joyful confidence knowing that in spite of our sin, we are redeemed and we are incredibly loved. 

May this truth ring in our hearts today and fill our hearts with unspeakable joy.  We have been redeemed, "Come let us return to the Lord." (Hosea 6:1)

In Returning

"In returning and rest you shall be saved; 

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."

Isaiah 30:15

        

      

In returning to Me,

and waiting for Me,

shall you be saved.

In quietness and confidence 

is your strength.

But we would trust ourselves

and stand in our own strength 

and we shall be ashamed

upon that day.

But the Lord still waits for you

to show you His love

as He has said.

And He, He will conquer you

so that He may bless you
with Himself.

Blessed are they 

who wait upon the Lord

for they shall weep no more,

neither be afraid.

O my people in Jerusalem,

weep no more,

for the Lord

shall be gracious unto you,

and show you His love,

as He has said.

And though He give to you the bread

and water of adversity,

with your own eyes

you shall see your King,

and you shall say,

you shall say:

Blessed is He!  Blessed is He!

Blessed is He who comes 

in the Name of the Lord!

Tear down your images

and the idols that you have made,

for the Lord has prepared a fire

to cover the earth.

And the glory of the Lord

shall descend upon His hill

upon that day.

And the law of the Lord

shall go our from Zion

in His name.

And all the nations of the earth

shall bow before the One

they have pierced.

And the poor of the earth

shall rejoice:

Messiah has come!

Jesus!  Emmanuel!

Blessed is He who comes

in the name of the Lord.  

Lion of Judah,

Blessed is He who comes

in the name of the Lord.

Tear down your images

and the idols that you have made,

for the Lord has prepared a fire

to cover the earth.

      Reflections on Isaiah 30                       

          Celtic Daily Prayer                          

                     

          

Desired

"These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men."

Isaiah 29:13 (NIV)

For the past week across several different sources, God continues to open my eyes to see just how much He desires the entirety of our hearts. 

No matter how much we work, serve, or speak on behalf of God, if our hearts aren't fully into Him, He sees through us.

I often rely on my words and actions to show God and others how devoted I am, but my heart simply does not line up. 

Then there are times where my actions seem to say, "Lord, you take this portion of my heart, but I'm going to keep the rest so it's free to roam where it wants.  I can't be expected to give it all to you."

It's easy to find yourself in a place where your heart has wandered; I find myself here nearly every day.  But though we wander, our God still wants us, and He doesn't give up on His pursuit of our hearts.  Sometimes, I have a hard time actually believing that.    

In Ruthless Trust, by Brennan Manning, he writes:

"What he is after is us--our laughter, our tears, our dreams, our fears, our heart of hearts.  Remember his lament in Isaiah, that though his people were performing all their duties, 'their hearts are far from me.'  How few of us truly believe this.  We've never been wanted for our heart, our truest self, not really, not for long.  The thought that God wants our heart seems too good to be true."

Ahhh....I love that!  It might seem to good to be true, but it's true!  God wants our hearts.  Even the parts we are terrified to show anyone else, God sees them, and He still desires us.

 Today, may we rest confidently in the truth that we are desired.  As that truth sets in, may we begin to discover the freedom found in surrendering our hearts to the One who longs for them more than we can begin fathom.

"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."

Psalm 119: 32

Restored

Before we leave Hosea, I want to take a quick look at the last chapter, where Israel is restored at last.  

I've been studying various translations, and today we're going to do a little mash-up (Glee anyone?) and combine the translations.  Get excited, this is going to be crazy!

"O Israel, return to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity; take words with you, and return to the LORD.  Say to Him:

'Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.  Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount war-horses. We will never again say 'Our gods' to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion."

(Hosea 14:1-3 NKJV, NIV)

Hosea is urging Israel to return.  To offer a sacrifice of repentance with their lips and acknowledge that nothing else can save them, not man, not horses, not the own work of their hands.  To boldly declare that all else pales in comparison to worshiping and loving their God.

God's response?   

“Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.  I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven....My people will again live under my shade.  They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines." 

Hosea 14:4-5, 7 NLT (emphasis added)

Upon returning and repenting God's love will know no bounds.  He longs to bring us restoration and be a constant shelter to us.  But beyond that, not only does God promise to restore us, but He allows us to prosper and bear much fruit.  He wants to see us flourish.

Following this, God makes one final plea to His people,

"O Israel, stay away from idols!  I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you.  I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me.”

(verse 8, NLT)

Now that you're here, remain with Me.  Don't run after the things your heart is telling you that you need.  I and I alone am the God who hears you, who cares for you, and who responds to you.  I am a flourishing tree of life ready to equip you to bear much fruit.  Stay with Me.  My love knows no limits and I can love you with a perfect, unfailing, redeeming love.  You are my beloved.

Not a day goes by where I'm not utterly moved by the idea that God is in love with me.  Not only does He love me, but my heart matters to Him.  Though I wander, He calls me back.  Though I've betrayed Him, He forgives.  Though I'm broken, He restores.

"I have seen (her) ways, but I will heal (her);  I will guide (her) and restore comfort to (her)." 

Isaiah 57:18

 

 

Below are the lyrics and video to a song called Restoration by David Brymer.  It has deeply ministered to my heart, and I hope it will to yours as well.
(E-mail subscribers, click here) 

You bring restoration
You bring restoration
You bring restoration
to my soul

You've taken my pain
called me by a new name
You've taken my shame
and in it's place, You give me joy

You take mourning and turn it into dancing
You take weeping and turn it into laughing
You take mourning and turn it into dancing
You take my sadness and turn it into joy

hallelujah, hallelujah
You make all things new, all things new

   

                                           

Returning

"Come and let us return to the Lord..."

Hosea 6:1

On Friday, we looked at a heavenly love that rescues, redeems, and makes the ugliest situations beautiful.  

Since Friday, the word that has been burning on my heart is Return.  As if God is calling me back from my wandering, longing for the heart that He created and sent His Son to die for, to fully return; and ready and willing to awaken my heart once again.  

A place in Hosea I often use as a source of strength and restoration is Hosea 6:1-3:

"Come and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.  After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight.  Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord, His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us lie the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth."

Here, we see God's heart for the restoration of His people and we are challenged to press on to know Him more.  I love the assurance this provides us: as we pursue to deepen our knowledge of the Lord, He will appear.

The problem here?  Within Israel's call to repentance, their words imply that they blame God for their suffering and He is obligated to restore them.  Ultimately, they are the ones who have forsaken their first love and betrayed their covenant God.  Why should God owe them anything?

Oh Israel...even your repentance is marked by a selfish pride.  I don't know about you, but unfortunately I am able to relate to this more often than I care to admit.  I so easily find myself sinning even in the midst of repentance, only to start over by confessing my sinful heart during my confession.  Wow, I'm sinful...it truly is only by grace that I have been saved.  

Following this, God goes on in chapter 6 to compare their faithfulness to a "morning cloud, and like the early dew it goes away." (verse 4)  They are fleeting in their love and dedication to God.

Once again, I can relate.

What is God longing for?  He continues,  "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." (verse 6) 

I'm no Bible guru, but I was SO excited when I stumbled upon the original Hebrew word for "mercy" in this instance.  The word is hesed, which refers to a loyal, covenant love; a mutual relationship between God and man.   

God wants us!

As I continued to reflect on Israel's wanderings, their lack of repentance, my own similarities, and God's ultimate desire, I felt as though God was saying:


"Return to me from your wandering and your fleeting affection that is here for a moment only to vanish.  Sweet daughter, all I want is you.  More than anything you could do, I want you to experience my faithful love and experience the full extent of what a love relationship with me looks like.  I want your heart.  I want you to pursue me and know more of who I am.  I want you to love me.  I have so much to show you!"  


And once again, my wandering heart begins to return, only to be met by open arms.

Hosea and the Ho

 (Praying right before Meg walked down the aisle)

by Meg Pittman Kelsey

(originally posted on June 9, 2008)

The book of  Hosea is a good snapshot of the Old Testament as well as our life as a sinner saved by grace. Hosea is called by God:


Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness (1:2)

Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. (3:1)


Hosea’s marriage to an adulterous betrayer portrays the painful relationship between God and his chosen people. Israel is basically a despicable whore but God displays both patience and wrath as he captivates and loves her in the midst of her prostitution. The persistent groom actively pursues her. He pays a price for her, and accepts her back again and again and again.


Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.  (2:14)

You will call me ‘my husband’ and no longer call me ‘my master’ (2:16)

I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. (14:4)


There is no logic in or reason for God’s love. But He loves us. What lunacy! That alone is proof of his miraculous power.  

We cannot start to understand the magnitude of His love without first considering the magnitude of our adultery. How many times in how many ways have we chosen something or someone else over God? The way I spend my time might suggest that I am having an affair with the internet, or work, or myself. If I ever feel frustrated or stagnant spiritually its usually because I’m not fully giving myself to the Lord, my Lover, my Pursuer. This minor prophet doesn’t paint a pretty picture of our role in the story, but thankfully the Protagonist heals and renews in a beautiful way.
 
God, I am sorry. I have given my heart away, I have sinned and I have loved another. But I want to be faithful and love you alone. I want to give my heart to you and you alone. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for not giving up on me. Reveal any unclean way in me; search my heart. You have not finished the good work in me, and I press on to accept and display your love.
 
Dearest, beautiful (your name),
I will answer you and care for you. I am like a green pine tree; (your name), your fruitfulness comes from me.
Love, Hubby
(Hosea 14:8 MPK translation)

Linking Up To Mary

 Eliza Joy and Mary

Today I get to introduce you to a friend who is exceedingly cooler than I could ever dream of being.  She even biked across the country last year.  Plus, she can pull off any look with incredible ease, be it savvy cyclist, prepster, country girl, hobo chic, world class fashionista, or a totally successful, put together, hard working woman in heels ready to take over the Commonwealth of Virginia.  I'm pretty sure she even has the perfect blogging outfit!

Cute clothes aside, Mary Pendleton Stafford deeply loves the Lord, and exudes a contagious faith and desire for more of God to those around her without even trying.  Yesterday she wrote a post on Lent that I immediately wanted to share.  She was kind of enough so say I could, so without further ado, hop on over to Mary Goes Round and enjoy.   

Here's a little preview.  She includes a passage written on Lent by some Irish Jesuits that describe Lent as, "an opportunity to return to God and, with him, to take a look at both the sunny and the dark sides of my life, my world, and my inner self. To take a look, acknowledge what is there, and accept the fact that it is there. Only when I can look at my whole life in the light of God’s love will I be in a position to tackle its darker side."

Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start...

"O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water...my soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.  

Psalm 63:1,8 (NKJV)

Like most holidays and seasons, the Lenten season is another one that quickly caught me off guard.  Did the rest of you know that today is Ash Wednesday,  marking the beginning of Lent?  For some who might not know, Lent is a forty day period in the Christian calendar leading up to Easter.  Often marked by prayer, fasting, and reflecting this time is a way to prepare our hearts for the Easter and the Resurrection of Christ. 

Many people choose to give something up, and use the time when they think about it, crave it, long for it, or even suffer from withdraw to turn their heart towards Christ.

I've also seen people elect to incorporate something into their days that draws their heart closer to the Lord.  For me, I've found this approach to prepare my heart more appropriately.  It intentionally draws my heart to the Lord, instead of searching for the spiritual meaning from withholding something like sweets (although I'm sure it's there, but I found myself using that as a way to work on my bathing suit body come spring...I know, I'm horrible).   

Today I'm reminded of two years ago when we started this blog.  It began as a forty day Lenten challenge to pray each day for a heart that deepens in my love and desire for the Lord day after day.  It's evolved through the two years, and even changed names and locations, but in some ways  I feel like we're right back where we started.

In keeping with my desire to keep things simple, I'm longing to get back to that place.

This morning I read an excerpt from Celtic Daily Prayer that truly resonated with my heart:

"Why is there so little anxiety to get time to pray?

It is not in society--even Christian society--that the soul grows most rapidly and vigorously.  In one single quiet hour of prayer it will often make more progress than in days of company with others.  It is in the desert that dew falls freshest and the air is purest.  So with the soul.  It is when none but God is nigh; when His presence alone, like the desert air in which there is mingled no noxious breath of man, surrounds and pervades the soul; it is then that they eye gets the clearest, simplest view of eternal certainties; it is then that the soul gathers in wondrous refreshment and power and energy.  

  And so it is also in this way that we become truly useful to others.  It is when coming out of fresh communication with God that we go forth to do His work successfully." 

                                                  Horatius Bonar, Words to Winners of Souls

After reading that, my soul was left craving for more of God's presence.  I so desire to allot a daily time where the two of us commune together and God can meet me in a quiet and tangible way.  To carve out time for private encounters, where He refreshes my soul, reveals more of Himself to me, and draws my hearts closer to Him.  Just like quality time with a spouse or significant other, it is in this intentional time that our love for Him continues to deepen.  

If you resonate with this as well, I'd love for you to join me.  Let's use these forty days to reflect on God's incredible love for us, Christ's humbling and unfathomable sacrifice, His mercies that are new each day, and the Glory that encompasses Christ's resurrection.

And throughout this time, may we resolve to meet God in the secret, quiet places (even if it's just ten minutes a day) and pray for our hearts to be awakened to a deeper love for our God.  

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."

Mark 1:35 (NIV)

PS:  I'm also giving up celebrity gossip websites, because I'm unhealthily addicted (so embarrassing to publicly admit).  But that doesn't include Bachelor blogs, because there's only ten days left until we know who Jake will choose to fly on the "wings of love" for all eternity and whose dreams of marrying an aviator will be shattered forever...that's some quality reality TV folks!

The post where I attempt to compare Faith and Julia Child

 (Image from Real Simple)

I don't know about you, but I'm the kind of girl who quickly embraces things I love with a fervent dedication.  I like to think it's because I'm loyal and passionate, but some might call me obsessed.

When I was little, it was Anne of Green Gables all the way...I watched the movie every day, had Anne of Green Gables birthday parties, tried to incorporate Anne and her friends into every make believe game, and my best friend Meg and I always called each other Anne and Diana...to this day we refer to one another as kindred spirits.  (Of course I get to be Anne though, because I have red hair)

Middle school was marked by many phases...a closeted love for the Spice Girls, a fervent dedication to Steve Madden shoes, and a consistent date with AOL IM each night from 8:00-10:00.  But the middle school phase that surpasses them all was my Evita phase.

I saw the movie three times in theaters, memorized every lyric in the soundtrack, danced around the kitchen with Meg and my sister Laura to "A New Argentina", cried if I thought about her dying because it was "too soon for her to go", and convinced myself (and anyone who would listen) that Madonna was robbed because she didn't get nominated for an Oscar.  (Looking back on that now, I think it was just God allowing me to plant seeds in Meg's heart that eventually led her to move to Argentina...I was just being His vessel.  Meg, you're welcome!)

I'd like to hope my phases have toned down a bit, but I would be lying if I told you I wasn't in a Julia Child phase right now.  Yes, after seeing the movie, I invested in a Le Creuset cast iron pot, and my family was nice enough to give me the movie, the cookbook, and some beautiful french ramekins for Christmas.  I also can't deny that I enjoy imitating Meryl Streep imitate Julia.  Bon Appetit!

The cookbook was back-ordered (apparently everyone else is in a Julia phase right now as well) so when it finally came last week, Bernie and I were ready to cook!

For our first meal, we opted for a simple roasted chicken.  The cast of characters: butter (of course), salt, and olive oil.  That's it!  No rosemary and garlic encrusted rub, no orange zest citrus marinade, just butter, salt, and olive oil.  Julia, I must confess, I doubted you.  Throughout the ninety minute roasting period, I was tempted to throw in a dash of this or that, but somehow we managed to resist.  The result?  Pure foodie heaven.

Each bite was full or flavor and cooked to perfection.  The simple ingredients enhanced the flavor of the chicken, so the finished product was a simple, but savory dish.     

As I sat there, I began thinking about how often in our faith we think that more is always better, when that's not always the case.  I find myself easily caught up in doing, and I miss out on just being in God's presence.  It's not always about the Bible studies, church committees, service projects, accountability coffees, and fellowship dinners (though these can all be great things).

I think there are times we need to be reminded to scale back to the basics and trust that even though it might appear simple, the results can be sweet and powerful.

Remember Martha and Mary in Luke 10?  Jesus comes to visit their home and Martha is so busy with the preparations, that she misses out on just being with Him.  Mary on the other hand, chooses to sit with Him and hang on His every word.  When Martha confesses her frustration about Mary to Jesus he gently replies:

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (verse 41)

It's so easy to caught up in life's daily demands that we miss out on being.  Today, let's scale back the ingredients of our to do list and get back to basics.  Let's allow ourselves the freedom to simply rest in the Lord's presence and be captivated by His words. 

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."

Psalm 27:4

The Perfect Valentine

(Image From Martha Stewart)

Today and every day may you know how truly and deeply loved you are by your God and Creator.  Below are some of my all time favorite verses that beautifully depict God's love for you.  They're no strangers to the blog, but I could read them over and over again and never grow tired of the truths found in each verse.

No matter what your romantic status is today, may you know and believe that you are incredibly loved by our God and He is utterly captivated by you.  His love is perfect.  May His love move your heart today in a supernatural way and leave you longing for more of Him.  

The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” 

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."

Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves in heard in our land…All beautiful you are my darling; there is no flaw in you…you have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How delightful is your love!

Song of Songs 2:10-12, 4:7,9-10 (NIV) 

“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her…in that day”, declares the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master’…I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness and you will acknowledge the Lord”

Hosea 2:14,16,19-20 (NIV)

Guest Post

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.  These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.  But those who trust in idols, who say to images, 'You are our gods,' will be turned back in utter shame."

Isaiah 42:16-17

by Jordan Forbes

I don’t know about you guys, but I have really struggled with an anxious heart lately. Ironically, I have nothing to be anxious about! I have a great job, great boyfriend, great friends, and a family that loves me unconditionally.

So what’s going on then? I think some of it stems from the fact that four of my best friends have either gotten married or will be getting married in the next few months. I have stood up with all of them – and while happy beyond words for the new chapter in their lives, I’m always a little sad knowing that things will never quite be the way they were.


Additionally, my cousin called me two days ago to tell me that she is PREGNANT and due on my birthday!  Kristin and I lived together before she got married last October. Not only was she my roommate (or cuzmate, as we liked to call each other), but my best friend and the closest thing to a sister I have ever had. And now that she’s married, with a baby on the way, I can’t help but feel like I’m getting a little left behind.

All of this has led me to dive headfirst into my career – analyzing my job more than ever before. I manage government affairs for the National Taxpayers Union. I love my job and it has been a tremendous blessing in my life, but I can’t help but ask myself: Is tax policy what I should be doing the rest of my life? What about my passion for campaign politics? I always kind of envisioned myself in Virginia politics, so when (if ever) should I make the move to Richmond?

Ever been here before? Where you’re just constantly looking for that next “high” to fulfill you and make you feel complete? It’s so easy to get caught up in the craziness of Washington, D.C. While I have always been ambitious, I sometimes feel lazy when I look around at others in D.C. WHO LITERALLY NEVER SLEEP. But, are those really the people I should strive to emulate? I think our Heavenly Father makes that answer clear.

Last night, I was led to a Beth Moore devotional book that has been a huge inspiration to me over the past year. Day 3 in Whispers of Hope talks about the failure of the Tower of Babel. Her analysis:

“Brick after brick, we humans sought to determine our own fate. Despite all the efforts, we never imposed our will on God, but God imposed His on us.”

How true is this? We constantly rebel against God because we think He is somehow trying to cheat us. We think OUR will is better than HIS will and it never, ever is.

“Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”  

Genesis 11:4

Ambition is not bad, but misguided ambition can still lead to emptiness.  The verse above makes clear how misguided ambition can appear.  We certainly have the right to make a name for ourselves, but that constant pursuit cheats us of the most glorious of all privileges: to bear the name of Jesus. 

In the midst of thinking about the future and what it might hold, I hope I never forget who I ultimately serve.

“Choose you this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 

Joshua 24:15

Snow Day

When posed with the profound and significant question of "Mountains or Beach?" I'm a mountain girl through and through.  However, just because you're a "mountain girl", does not require you to be a "snow girl".  The District is currently being blanketed with it's third major snow storm of the year, and I must confess, I'm a little over it.  The past two storms came one after the other, so it's hard to know where one snow storm finished and the other began...there's just lots and lots of snow. 

This morning as I sit on my couch looking at the sea of white outside the window, I am reminded of when David prays to the Lord in Psalm 51 and pleads, "wash me and I will be whiter than snow."

I'm not snow's biggest fan right now, but there is a purity and beauty of snowfall that is hard to deny.  One of the things I've noticed this winter is how snow has the unique ability to make even the ugliest places beautiful.  No matter what's underneath, when you look at a place blanketed in snow, it's hard to deny its loveliness.

In David's prayer, we see him pleading with God to make the ugly, shameful, sinful, broken places of his heart whiter than snow.  The amazing reality of God's love?  He can do that!

When reading and hearing about the extent of God's forgiveness, at times I find myself questioning if that applies to me as well.  Is God's love for me so vast that He can choose to forgive me and purify me?  He is really able to blanket my ugliest parts with His grace and make them whiter than snow?

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)”

Ephesians 2:4-5 (New Living Translation)

The answer is a resounding YES!  There are so many aspects of God's love that move my heart and leave me longing for more--His depth, His delight, His steadfastness...but the fact that we were made alive through Christ, in spite of our sin, as a result of God's extensive love, overwhelms me.  I can't begin to fathom a love like that. 

So today, as the snow continues to fall with a quiet, but fierce power, I pray that it will make us aware of God's love and mercy in new ways.  No matter what we're trying to hide, or cover up, I pray that we will have a glimpse of God's freedom and love and boldly approach Him with a willing heart.  May we trust and believe that He can make all things new and that He alone can cleanse and purify ALL things, even the ugliest, hidden places of our hearts. 

And may this undeserving love, compel us to long for more of Him.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor."

Isaiah 63:1,3

A Love That Leaves Us Longing For More

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

Did anyone else have no idea that Valentine's Day is this Sunday?  It hadn't dawned on me until Josie and Eliza Joy asked me last night what my plans were and I had no idea it was even coming up.  When did it become February?

I don't know about you, but in my life, I know those who wish every day was Valentine's Day and jump on any opportunity to publicly declare their undying love for their significant other, while others walk into Valentine's Day with dread or annoyance.  I tend to have mixed emotions when it comes to this red, heart filled, holiday. 

No matter what stance you take when it comes to the Dia del Amor, in one way or another, Valentine's Day typically has a way of reinforcing our deep desire to be loved (whether we want to admit it or not).  A time to reflect on the person who loves you, the one you wished would love you, or even the lover whose affection doesn't seem to be cutting it the way it once did.  One thing is certain, no matter how perfect "Mr. Wonderful" may be or not be at the moment, at some point all earthly loves finds a way to let us down, or disappoint. 

I promise I'm not trying to be the Valentine's Day scrooge.  I simply want to make the point that while our earthly love has the capacity to hurt, confuse, or break us, there is hope! 

In Christ, we have a constant lover, friend, and companion.  I know most of have heard that God love us, but do we really know how much God loves us? 

Over two years ago, when I started this blog, I knew the first place we needed to start was examining God's perfect love for us.  As we begin to see the multiple ways we move His heart; how He longs to be in a relationship with us; and how despite our shortcomings, He delights in us with a lavish love...how can we not long for more?

So this week as we're surrounded by pink, roses, and chick flicks, remember to dwell on the ultimate, perfect love we have in Christ.   I pray that His love will move your heart in such a way that it leaves you deeply longing for more of Him.