Whispers of His Presence

How attentive am I to a distinctive rustle through the trees, a whisper of His presence? Simeon and Anna recognized the Messiah as a baby. The religious rulers crucified Him. Do I see Him when He brushes away my tears? Is He there when words are not enough? My sheep hear my Voice and they know Me. "Turn to the left." "Step this way." "Stand still." Hushed and gently He beckons. Creator of the Universe, Master of the Winds, still, small voice, "speak, Lord, for your servant hears."

A New World with Just One Turn

A tiny key. When it is lost, we can't start the car or get in the house.

When it is found, it unlocks passage to duty or desire. So much has been written about the key to the heart, etc. There's myriads on the key to the kingdom. The search is endless for the key to power. There's no access to our world on the internet, our home, our friends, or eternity without a key.

The key? Look in the face of a child when we open that door. What does the child do? Walk in. In that face, we see a glimpse, a clue. We stand at the bottom of the stairs and with glee the little one jumps into our arms. The young swimmer jumps into the deep water, because Mom or Dad is nearby.

The simple childlike faith entitles us to the riches of the kingdom. We open the door and are never the same again.

Power comes only to those who hold the key in submission to the Master and vow to use it only for the sole glory and purpose of the Master. Power is lost the second self-interest emerges.

Only in this does the key turn.

Do we take God for granted?

Just reading in Deuteronomy 4.

32 -33 Ask questions. Find out what has been going on all these years before you were born. From the day God created man and woman on this Earth, and from the horizon in the east to the horizon in the west—as far back as you can imagine and as far away as you can imagine—has as great a thing as this ever happened? Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? Has a people ever heard, as you did, a god speaking out of the middle of the fire and lived to tell the story?

34 Or has a god ever tried to select for himself a nation from within a nation using trials, miracles, and war, putting his strong hand in, reaching his long arm out, a spectacle awesome and staggering, the way God, your God, did it for you in Egypt while you stood right there and watched?

This was in a day when the Holy Spirit didn't come to each person when they accepted Jesus, God's Son, as personal Lord and Savior. Moses was charging the people before they went into the Promised Land. We can call to remembrance so much also of how God has spoken and moved in our lives. He truly is mighty!!!

Acceptance

Acceptance. What does that mean? We crave the acceptance of others who will fully embrace us just as we are, without trying to be something better or fit in. Where do we find the filling for our soul? "Accepted in the beloved" the Bible says. Accepted and loved. Loved and accepted. I read 2 Chronicles 7:1 where Solomon's sacrifice was accepted when fire fell from heaven. The glory of the Lord so filled the temple that the priests couldn't enter. Back up a chapter and find the answer. 2 Chronicles 6:14 gives the key, "whole heart" toward God. That's difficult today... so many distractions and loyalties, but 100% toward God in my affections, focus, etc. 2 Chron 6:18 poses a question back in Old Testament history... Would God indeed dwell with men? Is that even possible? The rest of the chapter is full of heavy words about sin. The message is clear from Genesis to Revelation. If we repent, He will forgive, forget the past and shower us with love. Why did God demonstrate His acceptance of the sacrifice? There had to have been 100% repentance first. How awesome it is when God accepts the brokenhearted's sacrifice. The all-consuming fire of God is purifying, intense, and ALIVE!!! We don't serve a dead god. We serve a Living God Who grives over sin, but rejoices in the upturned face of childlike faith emanating an innocence rediscovered after repentance. So precious to be wrapped in those strong arms of refuge, support, love and ACCEPTANCE.

Ripples on the Water

Ripples bubble and gurgle in circular patterns at the disturbance where a stone pierced the calm. The patterns expand, diminish and disappear.

Today, my cup is full. The Lord has demonstrated that I am chosen and significant. By joining the accountability group at our church, the match is so profound. I needed to see a life reflecting the power of the resurrection. As a child weaned from her mother, I sit quietly and know He never took His eyes off of me from the moment I was conceived. Ephesians 1:6 says we are chosen before the foundation of the earth to be holy, blameless, etc. My eyes have seen that this is true. He is so constant, unchanging, consistent and true to His Word and Promises.

There are so many mysteries, but only pride would rob me of this special place of resting in my Daddy's arms. I don't have to have a theological debate on predestination, but I know He is consistent with passionately longing for everyone to "come to the water" "as the deer pants for water"... for now the thirsting is quenched. Somehow in His Sovereignty He knows in that place of Chosen who will be nestled in the Shepherd's arms. He knows those who are struggling and He knows when they will come to the end and find Him Sufficient.

Old and New

The old is dead and gone and useless unless new meshes with the old for something meaningful. All new is useless also. New places and faces without meshing with the old will soon become old. I've learned recently that the stronghold used to keep me from being all that God wants in my life is self-pity. It is so destructive. When a fresh, new insight infuses the old with how much I have been given... my family, my husband, friends, which pales in how much Abba Daddy loves me and showers me with His radiance. What I want to be dead and useless this year is negative, critical thinking. He came to give LIFE, overflowing LIFE. I can appreciate the old, the roots of Christianity and missions mindset from my parents. A care for other people, etc. also came from the past. The new can revive the past where judging is allowed to die. Building up and freeing personalities for reaching potential will replace the critical spirit. After all, it is God's job to judge.

My Heart

I recall Christina Rosetti's song that has been sung at Christmas, What can I give Him? Give Him my heart. I was so impacted by the intensity of prisoners in Sugar Land prison last night singing with all their heart to the Lord. They will spend Christmas in prison. They know they are sinners. There is no deception in their hearts. They are faced with their responsibility for their crimes. However, they have experienced the mercy and forgiveness of Christ and understand better than I how much it cost Christ on the cross. An overflow of joy for God's greatest gift is so appreciated by them. Every day I sin, but I don't take it as seriously as they. Pride is the deadliest sin. Have I confessed it, repented and experienced that incredible power of forgiveness? I just have a glimpse. I don't have to wear prison clothes and be in a cell with other offenders away from family this Christmas, but I do want to fully embrace His Gift, and give back the only valuable gift God wants, my heart.