"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave, its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised." Song of Solomon 8:6-7
Waters. Deep. Predictably unpredictable. Constant. Coming, breaking, going back out.
The ocean is always able to capture my attention for hours if I just stare. I can be sitting or standing with only my feet in it as it runs over my toes and tries to take me with it as it goes back and forth. I wonder how many good hours of meditation and pondering I would have if I lived at the beach and could go every day....sorry, distracted desire....You know the question of what comes to mind when you think of God? My mind is strange and I often feel unrelatable - mostly I picture the actual word, God, with a capital G. But closely related is the ocean. Whenever I see the ocean, I think of God. I'm not sure all the reasons, but maybe its connected with being in awe.
I sat on the beach this past Saturday morning and just stared. Lots of thoughts came to my mind - several things on it. But it came back to God. I drew a heart in the sand beside me and I pulled out my Bible and turned the pages to Song of Solomon, probably many reasons for that as well. I read the last chapter and v.6-7 spoke. It was like God was saying to me "the ocean cannot quench My love for you Katie. be satisfied. set your heart on Me. I AM jealous for you and I will win your affections." When I went back to standing in the ocean, water rushed up over me like a lover runs to embrace his beloved. God loves me. Why do I need anything else?
I don't.
"for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love"
Monday, May 31, 2010
1)Carpe? 2)Service...
Blogging. Its been on my mental list to do but not so much my carpe diem.
Several things I could blog about - choices.... I'll try to catch up on the several things I suppose, one at a time. Spiritual Disciplines by Donald Whitney is on my summer reading list.
I've only progressed one more chapter - a week ago haha. Service was the topic, one I actually like to think about. I seem to be reading and think "thats a good quote" and then read a bit more and find another one. A big scatter brained I suppose.... His main point was two-folded I would say. First, that service is costly. It is not meant to be casual interest but intentional sacrifice. One of the good quotes is by Richard Foster about how service is often done for self glory and adventure and not for others or God's glory. TWISTED! "Two of the deadliest of our sins - sloth and pride - loathe serving." We either are seeking self glory, pride, or not doing anything at all, sloth. A warning that goes along with that stuck out to me the most: we'll only serve occasionally
or for self without disciplined service. It must be a regular part of our life, as a pedestrain washing someone's feet. God calls no one to idleness. Roasted! as my friend Andi would say.
The second part of this chapter which takes up most of it, is six motives for serving.
1)Obedience - "for the joy of the angels [even] lies only in obedience to God's will."
2)Gratitude - consider what great things God has done for you
3)Gladness - "something is wrong if you can't serve the Lord with gladness."
4)Forgiveness - because we are saved, forgivine and have life - we serve.
5)Humility - others first >Phil. 2:3
6)Love - "Love constrains us." African missionary
We are all gifted to serve with a spiritual gift - ALL the gifts are for service.
Serving is hard but we do it not in our own strength but with His energy >Col. 1:29.
It comes out of worship.
Be filled...
Worship....
Serve...
Several things I could blog about - choices.... I'll try to catch up on the several things I suppose, one at a time. Spiritual Disciplines by Donald Whitney is on my summer reading list.
I've only progressed one more chapter - a week ago haha. Service was the topic, one I actually like to think about. I seem to be reading and think "thats a good quote" and then read a bit more and find another one. A big scatter brained I suppose.... His main point was two-folded I would say. First, that service is costly. It is not meant to be casual interest but intentional sacrifice. One of the good quotes is by Richard Foster about how service is often done for self glory and adventure and not for others or God's glory. TWISTED! "Two of the deadliest of our sins - sloth and pride - loathe serving." We either are seeking self glory, pride, or not doing anything at all, sloth. A warning that goes along with that stuck out to me the most: we'll only serve occasionally
or for self without disciplined service. It must be a regular part of our life, as a pedestrain washing someone's feet. God calls no one to idleness. Roasted! as my friend Andi would say.
The second part of this chapter which takes up most of it, is six motives for serving.
1)Obedience - "for the joy of the angels [even] lies only in obedience to God's will."
2)Gratitude - consider what great things God has done for you
3)Gladness - "something is wrong if you can't serve the Lord with gladness."
4)Forgiveness - because we are saved, forgivine and have life - we serve.
5)Humility - others first >Phil. 2:3
6)Love - "Love constrains us." African missionary
We are all gifted to serve with a spiritual gift - ALL the gifts are for service.
Serving is hard but we do it not in our own strength but with His energy >Col. 1:29.
It comes out of worship.
Be filled...
Worship....
Serve...
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Choose Life With Your Mind
Has your brain ever wanted to not think?
Your mind wanted to stop churning for a split second?
Life would not be life without its choices - but what would
life be like without anxious thoughts - or any form of pride?
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4
Perhaps life is all about one choice - setting your mind on the eternal, weighty and valuable things. Only after we have been brought back into life can we live this out but oh how often we forget the very life that lives within us..."but Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD." Ezekiel 22:12b
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith" 1 Peter 5:6-9a
Do not forget Me....
Humble yourself....
By casting all your anxieties on Me....
Set your minds on Christ, who is your life....
Your mind wanted to stop churning for a split second?
Life would not be life without its choices - but what would
life be like without anxious thoughts - or any form of pride?
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4
Perhaps life is all about one choice - setting your mind on the eternal, weighty and valuable things. Only after we have been brought back into life can we live this out but oh how often we forget the very life that lives within us..."but Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD." Ezekiel 22:12b
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith" 1 Peter 5:6-9a
Do not forget Me....
Humble yourself....
By casting all your anxieties on Me....
Set your minds on Christ, who is your life....
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About Me
- A Thinking Holder of Glory
- United States
- 23 years of inward spunk sometimes comes out with bright colors or smartalic comments. ive been redeemed by the grace of God since I was seven and kept alive by His greater grace. i am called to be faithful in my work and joyful in my Lord till He lets me fall at His feet and see His beautiful face. may i be diligent and humble all the days of my life.