It's early morning, but I can tell already that this day will be a strange one for January in Maine. The temperature has risen to almost 40 degrees. The air is so calm that the bough outside my window is absolutely still. There's a delicate beauty in the droplets gently suspended from the pine needles, reminders of last night's rain. A heavy mist allows only the slightest peek at the beach before enveloping the rest of the lake and opposite shore. I feel snuggled into a world of secure serenity.
My life looks a lot like the view outside. The activity level generates a lot of warmth, shall we say, as I shuffle from one responsibility to another. There's a certain sense of calm in the daily routine I've developed - from one thing to the next and the next. God does intervene with reminders of His loving grace that bring beauty and sustain me as I go. He grants me glimpses of what's ahead as He shrouds the rest with His glory. I am secure in the sovereignty of my loving Father.
Before you get the wrong impression, my life isn't all warm and fuzzy. There are real deadlines to meet and regular people to love. There's dust and dirt to clean along with pain and grief to bear. There's limited time and energy to spend as well as faulty impressions and understandings to sort. While daily life goes on, I am struggling with some of the deepest, most basic issues one could ever imagine. In the midst of the turmoil God is enfolding me in His arms of compassion and truth. The result is the peace described in John 14:27.
Words fall far too short of being able to articulate the current battle being waged around me. The annoyer clearly wants my blood. The war cries and clashing swords are severe enough to deafen. This week some old, unredeemed tapes began to play themselves in my head. I felt the onslaught and reeled under its impact. My breath was taken from me as I looked right into the eyes of my oppressor. I began to slump to the ground and called to my Savior for rescue. Within minutes, through the passage in my daily Scripture reading, God sent the shining light of His truth into the fray. Who would have thought that a few verses in Numbers, that "boring" Old Testament book, would speak volumes into a 2008 life? Who would believe that a hard-fought habit to seek God daily through His Word would render peace that passes understanding? Who would believe that the Creator of the universe would reach out and touch little old me? The Victor came in and set my feet back upon the rock near Him. Exodus 33:21 Hallelujah!
I wish there were a way to describe the procedure by which to obtain such great comfort from our loving God. I guess if I could explain it in 10 easy steps, I'd be a millionaire with more than a cottage garret work space. The truth is that Scripture, from beginning to end, outlines the way to peace with God. It's not merely a New Testament conversion experience, though being born again is an introductory step. Rather, it's a relationship-building process undergirded and empowered by the fullness of His written revelation. From first word to last, the Bible shows us who God is and opens the way to get to know Him as Father, Sovereign, and Lord.
This week I learned that the more time I spend reading, pondering, and responding the closer God and I become. The troubles of this life are swallowed up in His intimate presence. It is a glimpse I won't soon forget. I'm inspired to see what's ahead in His unfolding glory. The mist covering the lake brings 1 Corinthians 13:12 to mind. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." Oh how I yearn for that great day when I shall see my Father's face and be completely immersed in who He is. Amen
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Heaven, a Taste of
I didn't post last week because our family was away for our annual retreat. Three generations gather to spend five days skiing and enjoying each other's company. Our main purpose is to praise and thank God for making us a family. The Lord was particularly close and loving this year. I'm not sure I can explain the power that was around me, but let me try.
It was Wednesday when Curt and I went to the top. We had two days of skiing under our belts to warm us up and whet our appetites. We got off the lift and headed toward the southwest. We paused to take in the view. the morning sun was glowing behind a light cloud cover creating an ethereal feeling. The sunrise rose color was diffused across the whole horizon. Even the layers of mist rising from the rows of valleys had a pink sheen. It was spectacular.
We drank in all we could and headed down the frozen mountain face. I quickly fell into my skiing rhythm. It's something the Lord built into me many years ago and it never ceases to amaze me when it returns. Left, right, up, down, balance, turn, accelerate. The wind flew by and suddenly there was only me and God.
I began praising Him for giving me the run. I thanked Him for the excellent snow surface and the sun that made the contours visible. I thanked Him for the ability to point my skis downhill and stay upright. Oooh, it felt so good. Then I noticed that I didn't have any pain anywhere. My body was flowing over the snow more like I was 20 than 60. I thanked God for His amazing grace.
All of this and much more praise flowed from my heart as I cut my path down the trail. I realized that nothing I had done or ever could do would qualify me for this kind of gift from the God of all creation. The exhilaration was almost overwhelming. Then it dawned on me that the blessing was much more than physical. The usual cares and concerns of my life hadn't been plaguing me. It was as if they ceased to exist.
Tears started to flow behind my goggles - from the joy not the cold. The love that God was pouring down on me was more than I could process. I knew it was real and specifically for me. When God gives a gift, He gives it full-blown and complete. Hallelujah, I thought, I'm in heaven.
There is no pain in heaven, no troubles or trials, no suffering or difficulties of any kind. It must feel just like this, communing with God with no distractions. The last section of the run was just as smooth as the first, continuing the conviction that I was enjoying the inner courts of my Father's house. At the bottom, I paused to get into the lift line and my right knee began to grumble at me." Hm, maybe it was just a taste after all. :-)
*Read the earlier postings about the Parable of the Knee to grasp this observation.
It was Wednesday when Curt and I went to the top. We had two days of skiing under our belts to warm us up and whet our appetites. We got off the lift and headed toward the southwest. We paused to take in the view. the morning sun was glowing behind a light cloud cover creating an ethereal feeling. The sunrise rose color was diffused across the whole horizon. Even the layers of mist rising from the rows of valleys had a pink sheen. It was spectacular.
We drank in all we could and headed down the frozen mountain face. I quickly fell into my skiing rhythm. It's something the Lord built into me many years ago and it never ceases to amaze me when it returns. Left, right, up, down, balance, turn, accelerate. The wind flew by and suddenly there was only me and God.
I began praising Him for giving me the run. I thanked Him for the excellent snow surface and the sun that made the contours visible. I thanked Him for the ability to point my skis downhill and stay upright. Oooh, it felt so good. Then I noticed that I didn't have any pain anywhere. My body was flowing over the snow more like I was 20 than 60. I thanked God for His amazing grace.
All of this and much more praise flowed from my heart as I cut my path down the trail. I realized that nothing I had done or ever could do would qualify me for this kind of gift from the God of all creation. The exhilaration was almost overwhelming. Then it dawned on me that the blessing was much more than physical. The usual cares and concerns of my life hadn't been plaguing me. It was as if they ceased to exist.
Tears started to flow behind my goggles - from the joy not the cold. The love that God was pouring down on me was more than I could process. I knew it was real and specifically for me. When God gives a gift, He gives it full-blown and complete. Hallelujah, I thought, I'm in heaven.
There is no pain in heaven, no troubles or trials, no suffering or difficulties of any kind. It must feel just like this, communing with God with no distractions. The last section of the run was just as smooth as the first, continuing the conviction that I was enjoying the inner courts of my Father's house. At the bottom, I paused to get into the lift line and my right knee began to grumble at me." Hm, maybe it was just a taste after all. :-)
*Read the earlier postings about the Parable of the Knee to grasp this observation.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Follow the Leader
It was snowing outside and I was cozy by the wood stove doing a jigsaw puzzle. Curt decided it would be a good idea to try out our snowshoes on the lake. "After all," he said. "We haven't had the right conditions to use them for two years." Hmmmm.
Curt got the equipment out of the basement and made sure it was in order. He brought down his ski jacket and found hiking boots that would work for both of us. The man was serious! Then he seemed to get settled back into watching the football game on TV so I carried on with my puzzle.
A little bit later I finished and pushed the table back. I was ready to go now, but Curt felt it was too late in the afternoon. The sun was going down and the snow was falling fast. I felt bad that I had been so absorbed in what I was doing. I apologized and Curt was gracious. I didn't want his hopes for the afternoon to be spoiled so I suggested that it might be wise to only go out for a short trip anyway since it was our first snowshoe experience. Thankfully Curt agreed.
We threw on our gear and headed out the front door. The snow was indeed falling fast. It was close to white out conditions. We tromped down the edge of the road and through the open lot next door. It was a bit of an effort to get out on the lake, but it wasn't hard to adjust to walking in snowshoes. It was actually pretty easy and comfortable going. It wasn't long before I was thanking the Lord for planning the day for me. I had to admit that if it weren't for Curt I wouldn't be out enjoying God's creation.
When we got further onto the lake it was like entering Narnia. The shoreline melted away in the falling flakes and the silence surrounded us. It was as if time had stopped and all the pressures and problems of the world with it. The release and euphoria were palpable. Believe it or not, we turned into young children playing in the snow for the first time. We laughed and joked as we made our way out to the middle of the lake. It was so strange to be standing where we float in summer. The scene was absolutely amazing. It felt totally otherworldly and we kept our eyes open for Mr. Tumnus. :-)
I went along thinking about the feeling of the cushiony snow beneath my feet. I considered striking out for destinations unknown, maybe to another continent. I experimented with different strides and styles. Who knows, maybe I could perfect a revolutionary snowshoe technique. I reveled in the blanket of frozen precipitation that collected on my collar, wondering how deep it might get. I was enveloped in my own personal space, shielded from anything that might disturb my peace and thanking God for the sweet taste of life He was granting me.
After a bit Curt suggested we head for the home of a friend on the other side of the lake. I thought that was a great idea so we headed off. As I made my way along I noticed that he was veering off to my right. I checked my bearings and thought I was looking at the house he'd mentioned straight ahead. Our paths were diverging so I called out. Curt said he was just going along and, after checking the shoreline, redirected his steps toward the goal he'd set. It was good to feel useful. We trudged along side-by-side enjoying each other's company and resting in the solitude of the Lord.
Before we got too far into the cove, Curt suggested we head off to our left and circle back toward our side of the lake. He was concerned that we not overdo it on our first effort. I was comforted by his consideration as we made our way to the point at Turtle Cove. There were some snow mobile tracks along that stretch that disrupted the smooth surface. They caused our feet to track at funny angles, but they didn't slow our progress too much. Even the intervention of other people couldn't blot out the beauty the Lord was showing us.
We stopped for a brief rest and calm view of the far side of the lake. There was just enough light to create a mixture of shapes and shadows amidst the curtain of snow. For a minute I thought that if we'd stood still we might become statues like those given new life by Aslan. But Curt saved the day by starting off to blaze the trail that would take us back home.
We continued on in companionable quiet as I began to notice some tiredness creeping in on me. My knee didn't ache, but I remembered that I shouldn't over do it. The amazement at our surroundings was still a blessing, but making my way in it was becoming more of an effort. I was glad we were heading for the warmth of our hearth.
I thought about a variety of things I'd tried as we made our way around the lake. It was fun to cut my own swath full of the excitement of the trek and revel in the unobstructed view. It was invigorating to walk along beside Curt feeling that we were in this adventure together and sharing the various aspects of the journey. The togetherness made the whole experience deeper and richer for me. Now that my energy was flagging though I fell in behind Curt, relieved that he was there to lead the way.
I told myself that it made sense for Curt to be in the front anyway since he was the stronger one. God built his body taller and gave him longer legs that let him make better headway. Not only that, but Curt is more able to withstand the unpleasant parts of outdoor experiences. The wind and wet don't seem to affect him as much. He somehow managed to stay warm even though he was wearing a straw cowboy hat. I was really thankful that God had made Curt just the way he is.
I came to enjoy following along behind him more and more. When I was behind Curt the wind wasn't so forceful against my body. The snow didn't hit me directly in the face. Curt's footprints gave me a clear path to pursue. As a matter of fact, I noticed that it was easier to walk in the compacted snow than it was to step into and out of the freshly fallen stuff. I realized that I had a pretty good situation. I lifted my head and called out with abandon, "It sure is fun following you." Curt stopped short and turned around with one of those knowing looks on his face.
Gulp, what did I just say? :-0
The truth of my words flowed over me. I could have cried at the significance of my casual but penetrating remark. I chose to laugh instead. "Oh, Honey, I can't believe I said that, but it's really true. I wish I remembered it more often. Please repeat those exact words to me whenever I need to be reminded."
And I pray he does.
Curt got the equipment out of the basement and made sure it was in order. He brought down his ski jacket and found hiking boots that would work for both of us. The man was serious! Then he seemed to get settled back into watching the football game on TV so I carried on with my puzzle.
A little bit later I finished and pushed the table back. I was ready to go now, but Curt felt it was too late in the afternoon. The sun was going down and the snow was falling fast. I felt bad that I had been so absorbed in what I was doing. I apologized and Curt was gracious. I didn't want his hopes for the afternoon to be spoiled so I suggested that it might be wise to only go out for a short trip anyway since it was our first snowshoe experience. Thankfully Curt agreed.
We threw on our gear and headed out the front door. The snow was indeed falling fast. It was close to white out conditions. We tromped down the edge of the road and through the open lot next door. It was a bit of an effort to get out on the lake, but it wasn't hard to adjust to walking in snowshoes. It was actually pretty easy and comfortable going. It wasn't long before I was thanking the Lord for planning the day for me. I had to admit that if it weren't for Curt I wouldn't be out enjoying God's creation.
When we got further onto the lake it was like entering Narnia. The shoreline melted away in the falling flakes and the silence surrounded us. It was as if time had stopped and all the pressures and problems of the world with it. The release and euphoria were palpable. Believe it or not, we turned into young children playing in the snow for the first time. We laughed and joked as we made our way out to the middle of the lake. It was so strange to be standing where we float in summer. The scene was absolutely amazing. It felt totally otherworldly and we kept our eyes open for Mr. Tumnus. :-)
I went along thinking about the feeling of the cushiony snow beneath my feet. I considered striking out for destinations unknown, maybe to another continent. I experimented with different strides and styles. Who knows, maybe I could perfect a revolutionary snowshoe technique. I reveled in the blanket of frozen precipitation that collected on my collar, wondering how deep it might get. I was enveloped in my own personal space, shielded from anything that might disturb my peace and thanking God for the sweet taste of life He was granting me.
After a bit Curt suggested we head for the home of a friend on the other side of the lake. I thought that was a great idea so we headed off. As I made my way along I noticed that he was veering off to my right. I checked my bearings and thought I was looking at the house he'd mentioned straight ahead. Our paths were diverging so I called out. Curt said he was just going along and, after checking the shoreline, redirected his steps toward the goal he'd set. It was good to feel useful. We trudged along side-by-side enjoying each other's company and resting in the solitude of the Lord.
Before we got too far into the cove, Curt suggested we head off to our left and circle back toward our side of the lake. He was concerned that we not overdo it on our first effort. I was comforted by his consideration as we made our way to the point at Turtle Cove. There were some snow mobile tracks along that stretch that disrupted the smooth surface. They caused our feet to track at funny angles, but they didn't slow our progress too much. Even the intervention of other people couldn't blot out the beauty the Lord was showing us.
We stopped for a brief rest and calm view of the far side of the lake. There was just enough light to create a mixture of shapes and shadows amidst the curtain of snow. For a minute I thought that if we'd stood still we might become statues like those given new life by Aslan. But Curt saved the day by starting off to blaze the trail that would take us back home.
We continued on in companionable quiet as I began to notice some tiredness creeping in on me. My knee didn't ache, but I remembered that I shouldn't over do it. The amazement at our surroundings was still a blessing, but making my way in it was becoming more of an effort. I was glad we were heading for the warmth of our hearth.
I thought about a variety of things I'd tried as we made our way around the lake. It was fun to cut my own swath full of the excitement of the trek and revel in the unobstructed view. It was invigorating to walk along beside Curt feeling that we were in this adventure together and sharing the various aspects of the journey. The togetherness made the whole experience deeper and richer for me. Now that my energy was flagging though I fell in behind Curt, relieved that he was there to lead the way.
I told myself that it made sense for Curt to be in the front anyway since he was the stronger one. God built his body taller and gave him longer legs that let him make better headway. Not only that, but Curt is more able to withstand the unpleasant parts of outdoor experiences. The wind and wet don't seem to affect him as much. He somehow managed to stay warm even though he was wearing a straw cowboy hat. I was really thankful that God had made Curt just the way he is.
I came to enjoy following along behind him more and more. When I was behind Curt the wind wasn't so forceful against my body. The snow didn't hit me directly in the face. Curt's footprints gave me a clear path to pursue. As a matter of fact, I noticed that it was easier to walk in the compacted snow than it was to step into and out of the freshly fallen stuff. I realized that I had a pretty good situation. I lifted my head and called out with abandon, "It sure is fun following you." Curt stopped short and turned around with one of those knowing looks on his face.
Gulp, what did I just say? :-0
The truth of my words flowed over me. I could have cried at the significance of my casual but penetrating remark. I chose to laugh instead. "Oh, Honey, I can't believe I said that, but it's really true. I wish I remembered it more often. Please repeat those exact words to me whenever I need to be reminded."
And I pray he does.
Back in Harness
Okay, so it's been over a month. It was a busy time, but I won't blame Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. It wasn't that the Lord didn't make His presence known. It was just that I didn't carve out the time to put together a new post. Well, here I am now and the Lord has tied me to this chair until I share this amazing view, literally from our deck.
We've gotten a lot of snow recently up here in Maine. The lake is covered with it and the snow-laden trees provide a perfect frame for the picture. I've stepped into my boots more than once to take a photo in the hopes of preserving the sense of awe at the display of God's majesty. Since what we see in this fallen world is only a reflection of His being, can you imagine the glory of the Lord?
Pause and truly reflect.
I want to see God in my life. I yearn for evidence of His glorious presence and redeeming work. In Exodus 33 a fellow servant of our King expressed a similar desire. Moses asked God to show him His glory. God responds in verse 20 and says, "No one may see me and live."
It is then recorded that God set Moses in a cleft in the rock and covered him with His hand for the passing of His glory. God granted Moses' request and protected him from the full, fatal view. This worthy follower was able/allowed to see God's back, but not His face.
I am thankful, Father, that you show appropriate amounts of your glory to me too. As I get back in harness according to the precepts of Ephesians 2:10, I ask You to prompt me to open my eyes more fully to Your glorious presence. Amen
Emmanuel
We've gotten a lot of snow recently up here in Maine. The lake is covered with it and the snow-laden trees provide a perfect frame for the picture. I've stepped into my boots more than once to take a photo in the hopes of preserving the sense of awe at the display of God's majesty. Since what we see in this fallen world is only a reflection of His being, can you imagine the glory of the Lord?
Pause and truly reflect.
I want to see God in my life. I yearn for evidence of His glorious presence and redeeming work. In Exodus 33 a fellow servant of our King expressed a similar desire. Moses asked God to show him His glory. God responds in verse 20 and says, "No one may see me and live."
It is then recorded that God set Moses in a cleft in the rock and covered him with His hand for the passing of His glory. God granted Moses' request and protected him from the full, fatal view. This worthy follower was able/allowed to see God's back, but not His face.
I am thankful, Father, that you show appropriate amounts of your glory to me too. As I get back in harness according to the precepts of Ephesians 2:10, I ask You to prompt me to open my eyes more fully to Your glorious presence. Amen
Emmanuel
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