The Lord's Prayer Part 1

The Lord's Prayer.  Chances are you know it.  Many of us were trained to say it at a young age like our little friend Victoria.  Yet somewhere along the line, it's easy to lose sight of it's depth and end up vainly repeating some words we memorized long ago.  Or maybe that's just me.

In Luke 11, when Jesus' disciples ask him how to pray, there is a reason he used the Lord's Prayer as a guide.  He's Jesus, He knows what He's doing.  Jesus wasn't an overly wordy guy (as I tend to be) but when you see those red letters in your Bible, pay attention.

What we can easily overlook as we rattle off this 11-line prayer is the outline contained within the prayer that can guide and shape our prayer life.  The commentary in my Bible says that the Lord's prayer, "Is not a formula for repetition as it is an outline for expansion." 

(Have I mentioned how much I LOVE the notes in my Bible?  They are smart, insightful, and incredibly rich.)

So, over the next few days, with a little help from my Bible, we're going to break this down a little.

"This, then, is how you should pray:
    'Our Father in heaven,
   hallowed be your name,
 your kingdom come,
   your will be done
      on earth as it is in heaven."

Matthew 6:9-10

1.  The Paternal Need: "Our Father"

When we pray, we recognize we are a child praying to our Father.  One who longs to listen and care for His child.   One who loves to satisfy and meet the needs of His beloved.

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"

Matthew 7:11

2.  God's Presence: "Hallowed be Your Name"

Come into prayer with an esteem and high regard for who God is.  Recognize His supreme holiness and enter into His presence with praise.  Praise brings presence.   

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving
       and his courts with praise;
       give thanks to him and praise his name."

  Psalm 100:4

3.  God's Priorities: "Your Kingdom Come"

Declare that God's kingdom priorities be established in your life—for you, your family/friends, your church, and your country.  Ask for God's kingdom and His will to move in lives and situations right here, right now.   

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

Luke 22:42

Our Father, thank you that you know our needs before we ask them.  Thank for your the way you love and provide for us, your children.  Your name is Holy and you, Lord, are enthroned in praises.  We ask that you move in our lives right now.  We ask that Your kingdom and Your perfect will be established here in our midst and that You will move in our lives and our situations in a way that only You can.  You, God, are our Father, and you are the One that our hearts long for.  Thank you for the precious, powerful gift of prayer.  In Your mighty and holy name, Amen.   

A Chatting Companion

First things first.  We must wish our better half, Margaret Pittman Kelsey a very happy, happy, belated birthday!  I, along with your throngs of fans, are incredibly grateful for your birth!  And as the president of your fan club, I hope you know that we love you very much!! 

With our brothers Chase and Willis at Meg's wedding

Now, onto prayer.

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Jeremiah 33:3

In my current job situation, I spend quite a lot of time in the car driving back and forth between DC and Virginia Beach several times a month.  With all of that quality car time, I'm always eager to find people to chat with to help pass the time.  On my morning drives to the beach, I pretty much have it down to a system.

Usually around 7:00 I call my teacher friends since I know they're up, and I'm sure they LOVE talking to me as they're trying to blow dry their hair and scurry out the door.

Then around 8:00 I call my mom, because she's always up and she always answers the phone when her kids call.

9:00 is for my sister Laura and her baby Lulu as they're finishing up breakfast.

And I round it out around 10:00 trying to call some of my friends who are in school or have more flexible work schedules and if I'm lucky to catch them, they talk me through the Hampton Roads Tunnel and the drive is nearly over.

Last week, as I was thinking about prayer, I realized how desperate I am during these drives to talk to anyone willing to listen.  The thing I often forget is that throughout each drive and each day, I have a God who is not only available, but who longs to hear from me.  

In my quest to find someone, anyone, I can talk to, I often forget about the unique privilege of being able to talk to God throughout the day.

I don't know about you, but when I find myself in a crisis, my first instinct is to pick up my phone and call anyone available to process with me.  Yet sometimes, after my fourth attempt to reach people, I have felt God whisper to my heart, "Why are you so quick to run to everyone else for help and guidance, but me?" 

I don't know about you, but when faced with pain, anxiety, or fear, prayer is not always the first place I run. 

How often I forget that when God says, "Call to me," He means it.

That when Paul urges us to "pray continually" in 1 Thessalonians 5 it's because that this is "God's will for us."

And when Psalm 62 and Lamentations 2 urges us to "pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord," it's because we have a God who loves us, who hears us, who bears our burdens, and who can and will respond.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." 

1 John 5:14-15

 

Pray.

Confession—last week when we started to eat, pray, and love, I thought this would be a quick, fun, little 3 day series.  One that would be timely and relate to the inundation of "Eat, Pray, Love" paraphernalia, articles, and ads I had seen everywhere (maybe that's just because I tend to get my "news" from People and Us Weekly).

Regardless, as I continue, I begin to see when it comes to God, how much bigger these three little words are.

So I guess this leads me into prayer and why I eased into it yesterday with a little YouTube video.  I have no idea where to begin, but I'm excited about how God will show up. 

As I pray, read, and think about prayer, my mind is all over the place and I keep learning and discovering new things.  I mean, we could have a whole blog on prayer and never begin to scratch the surface.

Prayer is our lifeline.  Our way of communicating and talking with the God of the Universe.  Through prayer we can praise Him, worship Him, pour out our hearts, confess, pray for others, bear our burdens...there are few things that are off limits when it comes to prayer.

Prayer brings answers.  I can't tell you how many times I try to fix or address things on my own only to fall flat on my face.  But, when I resolve to pray through them, even though it may take patience and restraint on my part, I watch as God picks up my burdens and begins to move.

There is a book that continues to be recommended to me called A Praying Life by Paul Miller.  I referenced it here a while back.  I haven't read it yet, but after reading several reviews, I'm moving it to the top of my list.  Miller writes about prayer not out of duty or obligation, but out of our deep need and desire to communicate with our God.

That's what I want.  I want to want to pray.  Does that make sense?  

I don't want to pray because I have to, or because I think it's the right thing to do, I want to pray because I can't live one day without talking to God.  I want to pray because I see my need for God and can't function or live without Him.  I want to pray because I am desperate and longing to come to Him with my burdens, weakness, and anxiety.


 I haven't read the book, but here are a few gems I have uncovered:

“Learning to pray doesn’t offer you a less busy life; it offers you a less busy heart.”

“Anxiety is unable to relax in the face of chaos; continuous prayer clings to the Father in the face of chaos.”

"The only way to come to God is by taking off any spiritual mask.  The real you had to meet the real God...the criteria for coming to Jesus is weariness.  Come overwhelmed with life.  Come with your wandering mind.  Come messy.  Instead of being frozen by your self-preoccupation, talk with God about your worries.  Often we are so busy and overwhelmed that when we slow down to pray, we don't know where our hearts are.  We don't know what troubles us.  So, oddly enough, we might have to worry before we pray.  Then our prayers will make sense.  They will be about our real lives."


The more I think about prayer, the more I'm overwhelmed by the incredible gift we have.  I mean, it's unlimited communication with the God of the Universe!  A God who loves us just as we are.  A God who longs to hear from us.  Thank you Lord for the gift of prayer! 

Getting Ready to Pray

So, is everybody full?

As we transition from eating to praying (many thanks to Cally for extending it), I've been doing extensive research. I thought the video below would help get us on the right track.

How cute is she?

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Come

 I love Cally's post last week about Jesus feeding thousands with a few loaves of bread and some fish and the reminder that when they surrendered what they had, God multiplied it to provide even more than what they needed.

We love and serve an extravagant God.  A God who cares about the big and small details of our lives, but also one who sent His son to die for us so that ultimately we will never hunger of thirst again.  We have been given the most extravagant gift of all—eternal life. 

"I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."

John 6:35 

All we have to do is come.

  

"Come, all you who are thirsty,
       come to the waters;
       and you who have no money,
       come, buy and eat!
       Come, buy wine and milk
       without money and without cost.

 Why spend money on what is not bread,
       and your labor on what does not satisfy?
       Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
       and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

 Give ear and come to me;
       hear me, that your soul may live."

Isaiah 55:1-3

PS: This morning I read Sara Hagerty's post on Uncomfortable Extravagance, and I promise it's worth a read. 

Ultimate Provision

Image from Matt Allen Creative

For the past week or so, we have been looking at eating and feeding off of God's provision and abundance.

I don't know about you, but I'm am much more likely to crave the Lord's spiritual food when I'm in a "skinnier season."  And I'm not talking about how I look in my jeans (said the girl who just ate rib eye steaks three nights in a row).  Rather a dry season, one that may involve wandering, searching, suffering, and trying to figure out what God could possibly be doing.  In these seasons I find myself desperate for the word of God—hanging on His every word.  Clinging to my Bible because I know it is the only lifeline I have that actually has answers.

The danger can come when we find ourselves in a "fatter season"—our relationships seem healthy, our job flourishes, our living situation couldn't be better, and we don't seem to be  plagued or bogged down by life's bigger problems.  It's here that I see my tendency to forget about the Lord's spiritual food and provision and mistakenly assume that I am the reason for this abundant and fertile season.

In Deuteronomy, we see Moses urge the Israelites not to forget what God has done for them.  Regardless of their situation, he encourages them to revere the Lord, walk in His ways, and know that ultimately the Lord is their provider.  He talks of the Lord leading them out of the desert into a land of abundance, but it's here, he says, that they need to be careful.  

"For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills...When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath."

 Deuteronomy 8: 7, 10-18 (NLT)

 Today, no matter what our situation we find ourselves in, whether we are well fed, or starving, may recognize that ultimately, God is the one who fulfills and satisfies.  He is the One who causes our cups to overflow.  Even when our circumstances seem to be lining up perfectly, may we never forget who our ultimate provider is and how much He loves us!   

My Honey Is Fine

Image from Northeastharvest.com

 By Meg Kelsey (when she was still Meg Pittman)

Originally Posted April 10, 2008

Psalm 119:103
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Jeremiah 15:16
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear you name, O Lord God Almighty.

   How sweet are God’s words for us! We are privileged to be able to enjoy such a fine delicacy because the gospel is foul and foolish to those who are perishing. We must read, pray and listen in order to receive his sweet honey, but we have the distinct delight to savor and drool over His precious truths.

Do I truly crave His words in that way? I have yet become pregnant, but apparently the food cravings during that time can be quite particular and strong. That inherent, inexplicable desire to achieve a certain taste at any cost is a good example, in a way, of how persistent and passionate our craving for God’s Word should be.

He has such dulce truths for us; such individual, personal, life-changing revelations await. If we only knew what sweet nothings He wanted to whisper into our soul, we would ravage the Bible cupboard for a taste. mmm!

  And as we see in the lives of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, the honey we receive is given ultimately in order to enlighten and bless others. God gives us wisdom, truth and knowledge in order to share, preach, prophesy and disciple. Jeremiah 15:19 says that, if we repent, we will be restored and become God’s spokesperson. Those who we share with may not gratefully accept convicting, confrontational, loving Truth, but we can delight in His words regardless. Period. We have been given some fine honey.

Oh Lord, thank you for your Word. From your lips to my soul, I cherish your encouraging promises and convicting truths. Search me and know me, open my eyes to any uncleanliness in my life. I praise you for your sweet sustenance. Thank you for feeding me daily. I pray that I may seek your nourishment with unbridled passion. I pray that you would fill my life to overflow on those around me. God, let me represent your sweet presence at home and work, in traffic and meetings, at the gym and at church. May others taste your sweetness through my life!

A Little Taste

(Image from Stylemepretty.com)

"Taste and see that the Lord is good!"

Psalm 34:7

Following my 2nd year in college, I spent the summer in China studying and teaching English.  As anyone in a foreign country will tell you, the food can be quite an adventure—especially in China when they enjoy snacking on the ever delectable "feet of the chicken" for a snack in between classes.  In my attempt to fully embrace the culture, when it came to food, my motto became "never ask questions and always have a taste."  Perhaps because I've yet to meet many foods I don't enjoy, typically after I had a taste, I always went back for more. 

There are many foods I was initially skeptical of, but upon tasting, have become some of my favorite staples--sushi, sweet potatoes, eggs benedict, baba ganoush, oysters, and brussels sprouts to name just a few.  Now, I can't imagine my life without them.  

In Psalm 34 referenced above, David is praising the Lord and telling of the incredible things God has done for him—he answered him, delivered him of fears, listened to his cries, and saved him.  He goes on to say in verse 7, "Taste and see that the Lord is good."

I love the way David offers a tangible challenge—try it for yourself.  See if it's real.  He doesn't offer an abstract solution, he just says, have a taste and see for yourself! 

The Psalm continues, "blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.  Fear the Lord, you his saints.  For those who fear him lack nothing.  The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing."

And the beautiful thing about having a taste, is that we begin to see our souls quenched and satisfied in incredible and inexplicable ways.  Even a little taste leaves us wanting more.   

"He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."

Psalm 107:8-9

"God - you're my God! I can't get enough of you!" 

Psalm 63:1 (The Message)

 

Eat Some More

 By Cally Robertson

After reading Elizabeth's post yesterday, I was reminded of the many instances of food and eating in the Bible, so I recommended to Elizabeth that she should continue with the "eat" theme for the week.  She interpreted my suggestion as an offer to write a post about eating, and I happened to have just been learning a little something about food from a study I am doing.

This summer, I have been amazed at the ways the Lord provides for us.  This has come in many forms, from delicious food while I'm living with my parents to opportunities and blessings as I begin a new chapter in my life. 

Many of us are familiar with the story about Jesus turning a few loaves and fish into more than enough food to feed thousands of people.  In our family, sometimes eating can be more of an olympic sport than a pleasant dining experience, and I cannot imagine that little amount of food going very far for the seven of us, much less for thousands!

[Jesus] told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Matthew 15:35-37

Even though I've heard this story before, I cannot help but be shocked that the Lord cares so much to make sure that all of the people were not only satisfied, but had extra!  When they surrendered everything to the Lord, He multiplied what they had to provide more than what they needed.

I know fasting is a good spiritual discipline, but I am also thankful that the Lord wants to spiritually and physically satisfy us. 

I also love that He gives the food to the disciples, who in turn distribute it to the rest of the people.  I can often get so wrapped up in helping others and trying to please everyone, that I forget where the supply truly comes from.  It is important to remember that the Lord provides for us so that we can in turn pour out his blessings on those around us. 

Kelly Minter puts it well writing, "God has called me to be a deliverer of His gifts, not the creator of them."  We have seen how the Lord provided food for his disciples but also for everyone there, and we have experienced the ways that the Lord can provide for us, but we are also called to share our blessings with others.  When the Lord does a miracle in your life, be looking out for who He wants you to share it with. 

Recently, I have seen the Lord's provision through the support and encouragement of the people around me.  He has brought certain "disciples" into my life who are sharing their loaves and fishes, both personally and professionally.  I am so thankful that there are people willing to share their blessings and provision with me, and I hope that I can be obedient enough to do the same.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

1 Peter 4:10

Eat.

Image from BonAppetit.com

Still on a tiny Eat, Pray Love kick, although not as extensive as my Julia Child phase, I thought we'd eat, pray, and love this week and look at ways each can relate to our faith.

First up?  Eating.  My favorite.

When Bernie and I had been dating six months, we knew we wanted to celebrate.  I'd never dated someone for six months before, so it was kind of a big deal.  Bernie thought about going to this fancy all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse, so he asked some of his coworkers about it.  Their response was, "it's good, but pricey, so don't take a 'salad girl'.  Only take a girl if she can keep up." 

Bernie's response?  "She's a great eater, definitely a carnivore.  That won't be a problem."

The dinner was incredible.  I mean all-you-can-eat meat?  Yes please!  Bernie discovered early on that the way to my heart was to keep me well fed.

There are few things in life I love and appreciate more than food.  I like to eat it, cook it, watch it, and even read about it.  Eating is a way that we nourish, satisfy, and sustain ourselves.

Eating can also be a familiar comfort.   I don't know about you, but I've been known to eat my feelings a time or two...why does a bloomin' onion, a pint of ice cream, or a jumbo size bag of Twizzlers, seem to make life feel a little bit better?

 Yet, as fabulous as eating is, and believe me, Eating. Is. Fabulous.  We can't forget what ultimately nourishes, satisfies, sustains, and comforts. 
      
 A verse I referenced last week says,

"Trust in the Lord, and do good;
         Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness."

Psalm 37:3

Don't you love the imagery feeding on the faithfulness of the Lord?  Throughout the past two months, I have held tightly to this verse and made a conscious effort to "feed on His faithfulness" throughout the day.  Whether it was meditating on a certain Bible verse, reminding myself of God's love and faithfulness, or even praying, "Lord, I know you're here.  Help me to rely on your faithfulness to get through this day," I've seen God strengthen me, equip me, and carry me along in surprising and unexpected ways.  

God's words and promises nourish and sustain us in unbelievable ways.  Nothing else comes close to comparing to how God so perfectly supports and satisfies.  

"When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight."

Jeremiah 15:16

"He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."

Psalm 107:8-9 

Lord, thank you for how rich your words and your promises are.  Thank you that only in you is our hunger and thirst quenched.  I pray that today, I will rely on your truths and feed on your faithfulness.  Your words are the joy and delight of my heart.  

The Adventure

This weekend, I Ate, Prayed, and Loved with Julia Roberts and one of my oldest and dearest friends, Price.  I loved Elizabeth Gilbert's book and the movie, while a little on the long side, did not disappoint.  First of all, I firmly believe you can never go wrong with Julia.  Second, it takes you to beautiful places in Italy, India, and Bali.  Third, it was a little escape into someone else's search for purpose, belonging, and love.  For me, it's much easier to watch someone else on that quest than figuring it out myself.  Here's a little preview:



Why is it so fun to watch someone else find or rediscover themselves?  Sometimes I read or see things like this and think, "That's what I need—a fresh start, a new routine, a fabulous new hobby, the perfect outfit, a brand new hair style..."

This may also account for my bizarre love for infomercials.  You see transformations.  It could be  a hair product, exercise tapes (of which I have may fair share of great ones), skin care products, or cooking tools you would have never thought of, but the minute you see it, how can you live without it?  I mean, don't we all think our lives would be a little more complete if we had the magic bullet so we could eat smoothies in the morning, mix up a little fresh salsa when we get home, and then finish the night with some fresh alfredo sauce all with one appliance and a few clicks? 

As I watched our heroine have the experience of a lifetime, I left with a longing for more of God.  On some level it made me realize that no matter how crazy, fun, or exotic something may be, without God, what's the point?  I found myself praying, "Lord, take me away with you.  Wherever you are is right where I want to be." 


Don't get me wrong, I know God uses journeys, searching, longings, and new relationships to draw us closer to Him.  I've seen Him take my life experiences—the good and the bad—to strengthen and shape my faith.  I just don't want to lose Him in the process.  Rather, I want the process to start with Him.

I want God at the center—sweeping me away, showing me my life matters, that I was created for a purpose, and that I am cherished and loved.

At the risk of sounding incredibly cheesy, the greatest adventure we will ever know begins with God.  Without Him, why are we here?

"Take me away with you—let us hurry!" 

Song of Songs 1: 4 (NIV)

"He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."

Psalm 107:8-9

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit." 

1 Corinthians 2:9-10

"Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."

Habbakuk 1:5

Bittersweet

Louisa's "cheese" face.  America's Next Top Model, get ready!

Those who know me, know I am a very proud aunt.  Living in DC, I'm fortunate to get to spend lots of quality time with my sister's baby, Lousia, affectionately known as "Lulu Bug".  This is not her first debut on Long To Love.  You can read more about her here and here.

Since then, she acquired many new tricks.  Among them, twirling, dancing, and singing on command as well as pointing to the top corner of someone's head and saying "bow"...I have trained her well!  She also eagerly refers to her favorite Aunt and Uncle as "Liddabet" and "Bubba".  (Did you ever think Bernie would be a Bubba?)

One of her more astounding tricks that she has embraced since she was a wee one is her fondness for lemons.  She can't get enough of them.  Over this past weekend, I tried to capture it on video.  This may be one of those instances where only the aunt thinks it's cute, but hopefully this gives you an idea.
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She can never decide if she fully likes it, but she always goes back for more.  I'm still not exactly sure why, but for some reason, her love for the lemon reminds me of the Proverbs that says, 

“The satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.” Proverbs 27:7 

This is also the title and theme of the Hagerty's blog.  (One of my favorites.) 

I was thinking about this yesterday, when I read another friends' blog who reviewed the memoir Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist.  

 

Nina's blog is another one of my all time favorites.  As far as "baby blogs" go, she's one of the best, so I wasn't at all surprised when I was instantly sold by her review.  Here's an excerpt:

"This book honors this life that is so unsure, and so sad in some moments, and breathtaking and joyful in others. But it describes these tensions without downplaying the pain or cheapening the beauty. It does not give a formula to quench the suffering. Suffering is and will be. Joy is and will continue on. There is change and transformation that emerge out of embracing this reality - not fighting it, not hiding from it:

"Bittersweet is the practice of believing that we really do need the bitter and the sweet. Sweet is nice enough, but bittersweet is beautiful, nuanced, full of depth and complexity. It's courageous, gutsy, audacious, earthy." - Shauna Niequist 

Today, Nina's having a giveaway on her blog, so if you want to try to win a copy of Bittersweet, hop on over and leave a comment.

Happy Friday!

Continuing to Dwell

I know 2010 is far from over, but as I reflect on the past 7 months, one word that continues to settle on my heart is DWELL.  I've written about it before, but it refuses to leave me. 

Years ago, I heard a woman named Holly Wagner speak on how often women to find themselves living from one stage of life or major change to the next instead of DWELLING in their current season and embracing their “now moment”.

It's easy to become trapped in a cycle where we put off living in the present and try to wait until we have everything lined up to feel settled, happy, or complete. Telling ourselves things like, “once I graduate college”…"after my career is settled”…”as soon as I meet Mr. Right”…”once we start having kids”…”the minute the children start in school”…"after they’re all in college”…and somehow we’re back at college?

The danger comes when we’re so focused living from one stage to the next, we forget to embrace the season of life we’ve been given until we pause long enough to look up and realize it has quickly passed us by.

It has been eight years since I heard Holly speak. While I often think back on how accurately I have watched her message unfold in my own life, I still find myself constantly wrestling with putting things off rather than DWELLING right where I am.

That is why for 2010 my desire continues to be to DWELL.

• DWELL where I live make it a home instead of wasting time as I dream about the day we can relocate to “greener pastures”.

• DWELL in my community and stop putting off investing in relationships for a later date.

• DWELL in the plans and places God has chosen for me and trust in His ability to provide rather than forgetting God while focusing on my plans.

• DWELL in God’s presence and pray to know Him more.

It sounds so nice and inviting all listed out and bulleted, but I assure you it is much easier said than done.  Yet as each day in 2010 quickly passes by, I'm continuing to see that God has so much more to offer us on a daily basis if we simply take Him up on His offer and DWELL in Him. 

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; DWELL in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.”
Psalm 37:3 (NKJV)


“Blessed are those who DWELL in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.”
Psalm 84:4-5 (NIV)

Commit as a Disciple

To be a disciple means to have a love for Christ that eclipses all other loves in my life. Do I love Christ to such an extent that, in comparison, it seems that I hate my father and mother, husband and brothers? My friends know I care about my husband by the way I talk about him and plan to spend time with him. I should love Scott very deeply. I do! But how does my love, and expression of my love, for Christ compare?

Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.

Luke 14:26-27 (The Message)

To follow completely, which is the only way to follow, means that first and foremost I surrender to the Lord. Commitment to the Lord means abandoning my natural self- what shapes and motivates me before, or outside of, the redemption of Christ.

“Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. I don’t want to drill the tooth, or crown it, or stop it, but to have it out. Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked—the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours.”

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Is every twig and scrap of my old self gone? I wish! Or, rather, I pray to continually surrender.

Loving Father, reveal what still survives of my natural self. Give me the strength to surrender MYSELF to YOU. Committing to you brings joy and peace, and fulfillment of your promises. What love you lavish on me as your child! May I let your love overtake me completely.

Trust, Delight, Commit, and Rest

"Trust in the Lord, and do good;
         Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
         And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
         

Commit your way to the Lord,
    Trust also in Him,
         And He shall bring it to pass.
 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
         And your justice as the noonday.
        
 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
         Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
         Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
         Do not fret—it only causes harm." 

Psalm 37:3-8 (NKJV)

God's Love

Last week, my mom forwarded me this great resource from Nicky Gumbel and Holy Trinity Brompton.  It's a daily e-mail that reads through the Bible in a year.  You can check it out here.  

The one she sent me talked about God's love.  Something I will never be able to get enough of.  One of the passages they referenced was Romans 8:18-39.

Below are some highlights from Gumbel's insight:

"Nothing Can Separate Us From The Love of God"

"I sometimes struggle to believe that God really loves me.  I can be tempted to feel a sense of failure and self-condemnation.  It is relatively easy to believe that God loves everybody else, but much harder to believe that God loves me. 

In each of the passages for today we read more about the greatness of God's love for each one of us, and why nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:39).

'God loves each one of us as if there was only one of us to love,' wrote St. Augustine.  This is not to say that salvation is something individualistic, but that you are so important that if you were the only person who ever lived, Jesus would have died for you.  And if it is true of you it is also true of me.  God loves me... 


...‘A pillow on which to rest our weary heads’ is the way in which the truth of this passage has been described (John Stott, The Message of Romans, p.246). The love of God, Paul explains in Romans 8, starts with ‘no condemnation’ (v.1) and ends with no separation (v.39).

In between, Paul continues to speak of all the blessings the Holy Spirit brings to our lives. We have the ‘first fruits of the Spirit’ (v.23). The Holy Spirit is a down payment guaranteeing what is to come – the future glory. One day the whole creation will be liberated (v.21). One day our bodies will be totally redeemed (v.23)."

Gumbel continues to offer great insights throughout.  Click here to read the entire passage. 

Supporting Love

Lately I've been struggling with an anxious and worried heart.  Worried about the future, worried about the unknown, and worried that I won't hear God correctly.

That's why I loved Farrell's post yesterday.  Today, I was so encouraged by the following passage in Psalm 94.  And in light of Farrell's metro stumble (which has happened to me many times), I thought it was particularly fabulous. 

"When I said, "My foot is slipping,"
       your love, O Lord, supported me.

 When anxiety was great within me,
       your consolation brought joy to my soul."

Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)

"I cried out, “I am slipping!”
      but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
 When doubts filled my mind,
      your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer."

(NLT)

Don't you love that?  The NKJV version says "your comfort delights my soul."  Just praying that out loud, I feel a greater sense of peace and assurance.  Trust and believe in this truth: we are supported by the unfailing love of our God and when doubts and anxiety fills our minds, His comfort brings joy, hope, and delight to our soul.  

Lord, thank you for the way you comfort us.  Thank you that your comfort brings joy and delight to our souls.  Thank you that you promise that "You will fulfill the purpose you have for us and you will not abandon the work of your hands." (Psalm 138).  Thank you that you are faithful to "lead the blind by unfamiliar paths and turn the darkness into light and make the rough places smooth." (Isaiah 42).  Thank you that no fear or anxiety is too big for you.  Thank you for the way that you calm our anxious hearts in a way that only you can.

Guest Post from Farrell

Today, I'm so excited to feature a guest post from one of Cally's best friends from college.  She's a red head, so I automatically love her!  She is full of energy (in a great way) and exudes joy and love to everyone around her.  She also has a deep love for God and a heart that loves ministering and encouraging other women.  So without further ado, here's Farrell!

(Cally and Farrell)

You might think that the following is simply a reflection of my clumsiness and inability to balance on my own two feet (this is surprisingly difficult for me!), but I prefer to see it as a lesson taught lovingly by the Lord. 

I was riding the metro today after work, and as the train came to a stop at the platform, I let go of the handrail and lined up to wait for the doors to open.   Suddenly, without warning, the train lurched forward several feet, flinging me to the ground.  Inches from face-planting on the metro floor, I was suddenly seized by strong arms that picked me up and steadied me.  I spun around to face a kindly older gentleman whose quick reflexes had saved the day.  More embarrassed than anything else (especially since I was one of the few passengers who had fallen), I stammered a quick thank you and rushed out of the now stationary car. 

So how does a story about my clumsiness relate to the Lord?   For the past two months, I’ve been struggling to trust the Lord.  I graduated from college, moved home, and now live in a completely new city.  My best friends are scattered around the country and I have no idea what my future holds.  And while all of this can be really exciting, it’s also caused me to come face-to-face with major uncertainty.  With nothing permanent in my life to grasp onto, I’ve learned just how important it is to lean on the Lord.

The problem is, I’m really really bad at this whole trust thing.  I often say that I’ll put all my worries in the Lord’s hands, yet the next day I’m back to feeling anxious about them.  I like to take matters into my own hands and figure things out for myself and if my way works out, I’ll quickly thank God afterward and then move on.  And if my way doesn’t work, I blame God.  I think I like to think of myself as “independent,” when in fact I’m probably more appropriately described as “prideful.” 

Thankfully, the Lord tends to teach me things in very un-subtle ways.  His teaching method definitely eliminates any chance for me to pretend that I didn’t understand His meaning.  My friend Rachel sums it up perfectly with her description of the Lord teaching lessons in the form of a “sucker punch to the face,” and I must admit that He’s delivered several of those to me over the past few months. 

When I was trying to figure out my life post- college, I didn’t trust the Lord to find a job for me after graduation; but he did.  I didn’t trust the Lord provide me with housing here in D.C.; and about a week ago, he did. 

Today when that nice older man caught me on the metro, I was reminded of the steadfastness of the Lord, how He is always there for us.  Thankfully, that man was there to catch me so I avoided a few bumps and bruises, but even better, the Lord is there to catch us when life flings us to the ground.  After all, Deuteronomy 31:8 reassures us,

“The Lord God goes before you and is with you.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.”

Likewise, Psalm 27:1 says,

“The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?”

How true is that!  Even when we try to find our own way and disregard the Lord, He remains there for us.  When we get to the edge and we’re about to fall, He is there to catch us.  He refuses to give up on us!  He loves us so much regardless of the many times that we try to break away from Him, regardless of the times we disregard His guidance, and regardless of the countless times we fail.  What joyous news!

The chorus of Hillsong’s This is my Desire  sums it up quite nicely:

Lord I give you my heart
I give you my soul
I live for you alone.

Lord, we thank You so much for standing by us and for loving us through everything.  We no longer trust in ourselves, but we place our trust in You alone.

Rainbow Bright

Warning: amateur photography ahead!

Last week, I was driving into DC amidst scattered thunderstorms, and saw the most vibrant rainbow directly under the Lincoln monument.  What's a responsible driver to do?  Get our her cell phone and start snapping pics while driving across the Memorial bridge so I can put them on my blog!  I know, not smart at all.  The pictures don't really do it justice.

A rainbow never ceases to amaze me.  It's no wonder that God used it as a sign in the first covenant He established with His people in the Old Testament.  Following the flood, God told Noah,

"I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." 

Genesis 9:15-16

God used a rainbow, in all its glory, to remember the covenant He made with His people.  It was a visible sign of His promise to them.

Maybe it was all of my Sunday school classes as a child that repeatedly taught me about Noah and the ark and how the rainbow was "God's promise," but I never see a rainbow in the sky without thinking about God, His presence, His creation, and His faithfulness.

I wrote a post a few months about the sun shining after the storm, but a rainbow can be a visible sign that in the storm, somewhere God is there.  He doesn't leave us to weather the storm alone. 

To me, the picture below beautifully illustrates that point.  God, in His compassion and faithfulness, is with us—no matter how dark and storm things may become.

"Never will I leave you;
      never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence,
   "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
      What can man do to me?"

Hebrews 13:5-6

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
       I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

 When you pass through the waters,
       I will be with you;
       and when you pass through the rivers,
       they will not sweep over you.
       When you walk through the fire,
       you will not be burned;
       the flames will not set you ablaze.

 For I am the LORD, your God,
       the Holy One of Israel, your Savior"

Isaiah 43:1-3

Grace Makes Beauty Out of Ugly Things

In our household, when it comes to our plants, Bernie is the head honcho.  He is much more attentive to their needs.  You know, little things, like actually remembering to water them.

Recently, we came back from out of town and our herbs were looking particularly parched.

Behold the evidence:

As you can see "Minty" is not doing so well.  If I were her sole owner, I would have chucked her right when we got home.  But lucky for Minty, she has two parents, and one of them believes in her.  (If this is a glimpse into actual parenting, I may be in serious trouble).

Each day, Bernie gives me specific instructions for our fledgling little herb.  When to put her outside, when to bring her inside, when she needs water, etc.  Rather than giving up, (as I would have done long ago) Bernie sees her future potential.  When he comes home, one of the first things he does is check to see her progress.  I love how Bernie refuses to give up on her.

On a MUCH larger scale, I love how God refuses to give up on us.  When we're weak, dry, and shriveled up, God doesn't think about chucking us.  Rather, He nourishes us, feeds us, refreshes us, and sees our potential.  He believes in us. 

U2 sings a song about grace and one of the lines is, "Grace makes beauty out of ugly things."  Now, when I see that little plant, that is the first thing that comes to mind.  For when we're like Minty, only through God's grace can we be transformed into something that is beautiful, flourishing, and thriving.  Minty's future is still unknown, and while she may not make it, praise God that through Him, our future is established.  We are loved, valued, restored, redeemed, new, re-purposed, and set apart.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor...and provide for those who grieve in Zion—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 61:1,3

"See, I am doing a new thing!
       Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
       I am making a way in the desert
       and streams in the wasteland."

Isaiah 43:19