List of Thanks

109.  God's patience with me though my heart is often far from him.
110.  God's loving kindness.
111.  God as my refuge.
112.  His light that enables me to see.

Transgression speaks to the wicked

deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God
before his eyes.
For he flatters himself in his own eyes
that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
He plots trouble while on his bed;
he sets himself in a way that is not good;
he does not reject evil.

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you save, O Lord.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light.

Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
There the evildoers lie fallen;
they are thrust down, unable to rise."

Psalm 36

Some answers can't be found on Google.

With so much struggle and so many people discouraged around me, I really want a definite answer, a perfect word of hope,  a quick fix.   Transition at my church causes my heart to be greatly burdened.  I read, I pray, I rest and meditate on God's Word, and I still find myself searching and wishing I could make everything better.  I pick up the computer and think about searching. Maybe Piper has a word, or maybe another great saint. Just what do you put in the google blank when I problem is so big, so all encompasing.

Well. I come up blank. My faith is tested. I must rest in the providence of God.  The God who knows and understands whats going on in my church, in the hearts of my family.  I pray more and trust deeply abiding in the One who works all things out for the good of those who love Him.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." Romans 8:18-30

Empty Arms, Expectant Heart

I thought I'd know you by now, thought I'd touch your face.
I can almost smell your breath as you rest in my embrace.

Your grip around my finger, the softness of your love.
If there were any way I'd come hold  you up above.

The embrace though not my own, provides rest in One far greater.
Your absence enables His way to make itself in me sure.

While my empty arms cradle a greater hope unseen
My expectant heart awaits to join you in His glory.

Where credit is due

There is a long standing joke in my family, and maybe in yours as well. My husband and I love to eat with our friends and have often been parts of weekly groups that meet together and each couple brings a dish to share a meal.  Actually, tonight will be such a night! Often when gathered around the table, the question will arise, "Did you make this?"  Of course, you know the response, "Well, do you like it? If so, then yes!  If not, my spouse made it." This lighthearted joking hints to a deeper motive in our hearts.

We love to revel in the glory of our accomplishments, but seek to hide from the responsibility of our not so glorious moments. 

As I study God's Word, I am struck with the truth that my accomplishments aren't really mine at all.  Not only are all of my good deeds tarnished with sin, but anything good from me originated first in the Father, the Creator who works in me to accomplish His good purpose.

How awesome that He gifted me with things that I can accomplish.  How sad that often I forget and think that I accomplish these great things.  As I read and pray and attempt to live God's Word, my prayer becomes, "Lord, keep me humble. Lord, show me more of your greatness, show me how to live in your glory and not the illusion of my own."

Upon seeing a great work of art, we often ask who the artist is.  I love to read the artist's biography and attempt to understand the painting at deeper levels; the painting conversely tells me more about the artist.  I may even revel in the beauty of the painting, the way the colors, textures, and composition work well together to speak to my spirit and communicate the story of the artist.  The source of the story, of the beauty, comes from the artist who created the painting.

May our lives and the beauty they hold tell of the Artist and communicate His story.

The list goes on...

102.  Netflix...I'm not sure why it took me so long to try it out.
103.  A full week filled with activities with my church family.
104.  Small group on Friday, which is always a great time of fellowship and prayer.
105.  A fun day bonding with my son.
106.  A quiet and productive night at home.
107.  The beauty of storms building in the distance. 
108.  Red beans soaking on the stove.