A new... but old favorite!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Babbet Can Cook and Jesus Can Redeem
Hello Loved Ones.
My heart is turned toward the topic of grace this week. Prompted by an outstanding sermon given by Matt Heard on Sunday, I seem to have finally found the wording to describe what I desire my attitude towards God to look like. I desire to be a woman who basks in the fullness of His extravagant grace, recognizing the beautiful nuances of this gift, and amazed by promises held in salvation. I want to grow in my understanding of His ways and see His signature on every part of my being.
I highly recommend taking a bit of time to listen to Matt's sermon by clicking here. It is titled "Extravagant Grace Pt 1:Welcome to the Table-Ephesians 1:6-8." Matt walks us through the story of Babbet and two elderly sisters who are a part of a strict religious sect. "Babbet can cook" is the mysterious phrase, one to which Matt relates "Jesus can redeem." This is a fascinating story that brings into light the importance of knowing God, recognizing His handwork, and of course what the implications of such understanding are.
The reality is this. I have two choices: to be complacent or to be content. Complacency is the far easier choice as it requires very little effort. Contentment is an entirely different animal. A.W. Tozer wrote, "Self-righteousness is terrible among God's people. If we feel that we currently am what we ought to be, then we will remain exactly where we are. We can not expect for there to be any sign of change or growth in our our lives. This will quite naturally lead us to judge everyone by what we are. This is the judgment of which we must be careful. To judge others by ourselves is to create havoc in the local assembly. Self-righteousness also leads to complacency. Complacency is a great sin and covers just about everything I have said about the rote and the rut. Some have the attitude, 'Lord, I'm satisfied with my spiritual condition. I hope one of these days You will come, I will be taken up to meet You in the air and I will rule over five cities.' These people cannot rule over their own houses and families, but they expect to rule over five cities. They pray spottily and sparsely, rarely attending prayer meeting, but they read their Bibles and expect to go zooming off into the blue yonder and join the Lord in the triumph of the victorious saints." I love this description of the seriousness of self-righteousness and complacency. This false sense of contentment is just that... a lie. It is a lie that keeps people from experiencing God's grace, and ultimately desiring to see His kingdom furthered. Wow!
Contentment, on the other hand, is found in the deeply rooted belief that God IS good, and that He desires good for me. This is a tricky statement, but really now, can I say God desires bad for me? No! His desire for me is good! He wants me to experience His extravagant grace, He wants me to know Him, He wants me to understand the importance of what He has done for me. He wants me to know these things, not only because He wishes good for me, but also because He wants His signature to be on my life. When His signature is on my being, He calls me to a place in His kingdom, one that comes from His great desire to have others know in every fabric of their being these truths.
The Colonel couldn't stop singing praises over Babbet's dinner, whereas the other guests absolutely refused to enjoy it. What a stark difference and gut-wrenching reality a the thought of such a beautiful gift! Being an avid food lover myself, I cannot imagine not gushing over such an extravagant and carefully planned meal. While I wish to exemplify the "Colonel" in my attitude at the table of God's grace, I also will confess that many times I have the attitude of the two sisters. The change in attitude must come from deep in my heart, and it must be through surrender to the things of the Lord- because ultimately, I desire what He desires, that others too may come to sing praises over the simple, but profound statement, "Babbet can cook... Jesus can redeem."
My heart is turned toward the topic of grace this week. Prompted by an outstanding sermon given by Matt Heard on Sunday, I seem to have finally found the wording to describe what I desire my attitude towards God to look like. I desire to be a woman who basks in the fullness of His extravagant grace, recognizing the beautiful nuances of this gift, and amazed by promises held in salvation. I want to grow in my understanding of His ways and see His signature on every part of my being.
I highly recommend taking a bit of time to listen to Matt's sermon by clicking here. It is titled "Extravagant Grace Pt 1:Welcome to the Table-Ephesians 1:6-8." Matt walks us through the story of Babbet and two elderly sisters who are a part of a strict religious sect. "Babbet can cook" is the mysterious phrase, one to which Matt relates "Jesus can redeem." This is a fascinating story that brings into light the importance of knowing God, recognizing His handwork, and of course what the implications of such understanding are.
The reality is this. I have two choices: to be complacent or to be content. Complacency is the far easier choice as it requires very little effort. Contentment is an entirely different animal. A.W. Tozer wrote, "Self-righteousness is terrible among God's people. If we feel that we currently am what we ought to be, then we will remain exactly where we are. We can not expect for there to be any sign of change or growth in our our lives. This will quite naturally lead us to judge everyone by what we are. This is the judgment of which we must be careful. To judge others by ourselves is to create havoc in the local assembly. Self-righteousness also leads to complacency. Complacency is a great sin and covers just about everything I have said about the rote and the rut. Some have the attitude, 'Lord, I'm satisfied with my spiritual condition. I hope one of these days You will come, I will be taken up to meet You in the air and I will rule over five cities.' These people cannot rule over their own houses and families, but they expect to rule over five cities. They pray spottily and sparsely, rarely attending prayer meeting, but they read their Bibles and expect to go zooming off into the blue yonder and join the Lord in the triumph of the victorious saints." I love this description of the seriousness of self-righteousness and complacency. This false sense of contentment is just that... a lie. It is a lie that keeps people from experiencing God's grace, and ultimately desiring to see His kingdom furthered. Wow!
Contentment, on the other hand, is found in the deeply rooted belief that God IS good, and that He desires good for me. This is a tricky statement, but really now, can I say God desires bad for me? No! His desire for me is good! He wants me to experience His extravagant grace, He wants me to know Him, He wants me to understand the importance of what He has done for me. He wants me to know these things, not only because He wishes good for me, but also because He wants His signature to be on my life. When His signature is on my being, He calls me to a place in His kingdom, one that comes from His great desire to have others know in every fabric of their being these truths.
The Colonel couldn't stop singing praises over Babbet's dinner, whereas the other guests absolutely refused to enjoy it. What a stark difference and gut-wrenching reality a the thought of such a beautiful gift! Being an avid food lover myself, I cannot imagine not gushing over such an extravagant and carefully planned meal. While I wish to exemplify the "Colonel" in my attitude at the table of God's grace, I also will confess that many times I have the attitude of the two sisters. The change in attitude must come from deep in my heart, and it must be through surrender to the things of the Lord- because ultimately, I desire what He desires, that others too may come to sing praises over the simple, but profound statement, "Babbet can cook... Jesus can redeem."
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Steve McCurry's Stunning Images
Hello Loved Ones.
I've discovered a new favorite artist! I am loving the vivid colors and how emotiv these photos are. Truly beautiful and evocative of a place unknown.
To see more of these stunning images visit http://www.stevemccurry.com/main.php.
I've discovered a new favorite artist! I am loving the vivid colors and how emotiv these photos are. Truly beautiful and evocative of a place unknown.
To see more of these stunning images visit http://www.stevemccurry.com/main.php.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Myshkin Performance at Jives
Hello Loved Ones.
Thank you for your support Saturday night. Your prayers were felt!
Here are a few pics from the performance.
http://www.richardseldomridge.com/p890622579/h242d79bd#h3b4c931a.
Enjoy!
Thank you for your support Saturday night. Your prayers were felt!
Here are a few pics from the performance.
http://www.richardseldomridge.com/p890622579/h242d79bd#h3b4c931a.
Enjoy!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Splendid Table Deliciousness
The Sunday morning drive to church used to be dedicated to applying the last bit of makeup I didn't have time for rushing out the door. Now it is so much more enjoyable, as it has become the one morning of the week that I pretend I am an artisan chef... working with an unlimited supply of decadent foods at my disposal. Listening to Lynn Rossetto Kasper use her talents to concoct and describe her imaginative dishes has been truly inspirational. Who would've thought of simmering vanilla beans in butter for lobster... or fresh sage and lemon rind on ripe peaches? My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Take a look at:
http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/.
It's one of my new favorites!
Take a look at:
http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/.
It's one of my new favorites!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Yahweh - Worship video with lyrics by New Life Worship, Ross Parsley
Hello Loved Ones.
I mentioned last week how God's character has been on my mind and heart.
I love this song that speaks to God's character as faithful, unchanging, and enduring. Let me share a bit of my heart as to why.
Over the last year I decided to dig into the heart of some bitterness and resentment that I have been holding onto from a broken relationship. I realized that I could go no further in healing without opening my heart to the things of the Lord.
I finally agreed to see a counselor who helped me sequentially work through the time I had invested into that relationship. I will never forget, as we dug into the heart of the most traumatic and painful memory, how my normally reserved and withdrawn self completely broke free and I screamed, "WHERE WERE YOU!?!"
In that moment, the peace of the Lord came over me, He overwhelmed my heart with His love, and I saw Jesus. I actually saw him in my memory.
My heart broke, unexpected tears flowed, and an indescribable joy filled my heart. It was raw and unhindered.
He was there.
He will always be here.
I am not alone.
This is the greatness of Yahweh. He is faithful, unchanging, and enduring. He is past, present, and future. He is more than what I see, and when He reveals Himself, it is indescribable.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Transformation and the Great I AM
Hello Loved Ones.
I've been resting on the thought of God's character.
I recently heard someone say, "When you speak to God about who He is, He responds by telling you who you are." The song below has been been reaching into the voice of my heart. It is my heart's cry to God about who He is.
Every now and then certain fears creep into my heart that can be just downright crippling. I can get so caught up in the "what ifs" that I become stagnant.... or just plain paralized. Yet, these times have been crucial in my understand of who God is. I say to God, "What if..." and His response is "I AM." I fully believe that there is something about the character of God that addresses any fear I may ever have.
I wish I could fully express in words the power of what the "Great I AM" is doing in my heart. He is transforming me to no longer be a child of fear and the darkness that comes with it, but instead filling it with an overwhelming sense of peace that can only come from following the "what ifs" through till there is nothing left but God. There is much work left to be done... but if you could see the transformation in my life over the past two years you would have no doubt that it was God!
As I listen to this song, I am humbled and quieted being reminded of God's Greatness and Holiness. He alone is worthy of all praise.
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