"So now, go. I am sending you...." Exodus 3:10a (NIV)
I've never actually seen a burning bush...at least not one that "did not burn up." I have seen maple trees radiating the most brilliant orange and red hues with a such a fiery appearance that it got me thinking about burning bushes...and how I can't even begin to imagine the sight that Moses beheld.
I've surely never heard God's audible voice coming from a burning bush. In a much more subtle manner, I've known His call...in a whisper in my mind...or in a preacher's message...or straight from His Word.
I can't really imagine Moses' fear...a burning bush...talking...with God's voice! I have experienced fear on my own level...sometimes just in sweaty palms...a mouth struggling to produce saliva...heart palpitations.
It really makes me feel good that Moses asked, "Who am I that I should go?" Yes, I've asked that question too.
And God's response remains the same. "I AM." It really doesn't have anything to do with me. It's all about Him...His presence...His power...His purpose...His plan.
So what about you? Have you had a "vision" that could only be from God? Have you heard His unmistakable voice...in whatever form it took? Have you ever truly KNOWN that you were standing on holy ground? Did you, as Moses, want to hide your face in fear???
Just a reminder, my friend, that same God...the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God of Moses hasn't changed! He is still the great I AM!
What has He called you to do?
Where has He called you to go?
What's your answer to Him?
Oh God...our God...the One who endures from generation to generation, help us to hear Your voice. Remove the fear that threatens to undo us...and to thwart Your plan. Help us to be bold enough to remove our sandals and step onto that holy ground!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Dehydrated!
"'Come!' Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." Revelation 22:17 (NIV)
I thought she was going to die. On my birthday.
Yesterday morning as I got up, she didn't. She didn't move. Her eyes blinking sluggishly were the only sign of life. I put my hand on her heart to feel the beat...slow...maybe a little unsteady. Her breathing was shallow. I cried.
I rubbed her head, her neck. The skin hung. She was dehydrated.
I got water and brought it right to her lips. Thankfully she drank. The night before she had refused...no matter how close I got it to her mouth...no matter how I pleaded. You really can't force someone to drink.
We lifted her from her bed...and she walked. She ate breakfast. She drank more water. I rejoiced.
She wagged her tail. Yes, I'm talking about my 15 year old dachshund, Cocoa. She's my faithful companion. She has her own chaise right beside my bed. She goes to bed when I do. She gets up when I do. She sits beside me on my recliner...so much so that even if she's not there, I sit way over practically down in the crack of the left side, saving her space...and just out of habit.
She is old. I know that "her time will come." I will be sad, but I will move on. And probably buy a new sofa and chairs.
But I saw a spiritual lesson yesterday...as I wanted so desperately for her to drink.
It's a tragedy, really. People are suffering from dehydration...spiritually. The drink is offered, but they are refusing it. Oh, how sad it must make the Father to hold it out before us over and over...living water...and we turn up our noses. We turn away.
As Jesus said to the woman at the well, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13-14
In His sermon on the mountainside, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6
Are you dehydrated? Listless? Struggling to move?
The "water" is there! Drink! And make His heart...and yours...rejoice!
Father, thank You for being our very source of life! Thank You for providing all we need to live and to thrive. Help us to drink so that we may be blessed...and so that we may please You. Make our "wellsprings" bubble to overflowing!
I thought she was going to die. On my birthday.
Yesterday morning as I got up, she didn't. She didn't move. Her eyes blinking sluggishly were the only sign of life. I put my hand on her heart to feel the beat...slow...maybe a little unsteady. Her breathing was shallow. I cried.
I rubbed her head, her neck. The skin hung. She was dehydrated.
I got water and brought it right to her lips. Thankfully she drank. The night before she had refused...no matter how close I got it to her mouth...no matter how I pleaded. You really can't force someone to drink.
We lifted her from her bed...and she walked. She ate breakfast. She drank more water. I rejoiced.
She wagged her tail. Yes, I'm talking about my 15 year old dachshund, Cocoa. She's my faithful companion. She has her own chaise right beside my bed. She goes to bed when I do. She gets up when I do. She sits beside me on my recliner...so much so that even if she's not there, I sit way over practically down in the crack of the left side, saving her space...and just out of habit.
She is old. I know that "her time will come." I will be sad, but I will move on. And probably buy a new sofa and chairs.
But I saw a spiritual lesson yesterday...as I wanted so desperately for her to drink.
It's a tragedy, really. People are suffering from dehydration...spiritually. The drink is offered, but they are refusing it. Oh, how sad it must make the Father to hold it out before us over and over...living water...and we turn up our noses. We turn away.
As Jesus said to the woman at the well, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13-14
In His sermon on the mountainside, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6
Are you dehydrated? Listless? Struggling to move?
The "water" is there! Drink! And make His heart...and yours...rejoice!
Father, thank You for being our very source of life! Thank You for providing all we need to live and to thrive. Help us to drink so that we may be blessed...and so that we may please You. Make our "wellsprings" bubble to overflowing!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The Sound of Your Voice
"...Show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely." Song of Solomon 2:14 (NIV)
I felt such an emptiness inside. My heart seemed to skip a beat. The longing to hear their voices filled my being with an almost tangible ache. A tear found its way to my eye. Sadness washed over me.
I miss my girls. My three oldest daughters are grown, married, and gone from my home...and my hometown. I talk to them most everyday...and occasionally even get to see their lovely faces via Skype. I haven't spoken to them today...yet. And I just miss the sound of their voices. I'll pick up the phone and start the callling as soon as I wrap this up. I just needed to tell you something first.
At the moment that I felt that emptiness...that heartbeat skipping...that longing, I could almost hear God whispering, "I know how you feel. I ache to hear from my children too. Their voice is sweet...music to my ears. I love to hear about their days. I rejoice in the successes and happiness. I long to comfort them in their heartaches and struggles. I like to hear about their wants and needs...and ponder ways to meet them. I just love being a part of their lives. There is a void if even one day goes by and I don't hear their voice."
And it's so true. I love my children a really lot! But I can't even begin to comprehend the love of the Father for His children...no matter how many billions of us there are. He loves us each as if we were the only one. He knows the number of hairs on our heads. He formed our very beings. We are His treasure, and He calls us His own! Oh, how precious to feel His love pouring over us.
He longs for the sound of your voice. Have you talked to Him today?
Father, thank You for Your unfathomable love. Thank You for the amazing thought that YOU long for us! Thank You for being ever-present...ever-available...ever-listening. Draw us, Lord...into Your presence. We lift our voice to You. May it be a sweet sound to Your ears.
I felt such an emptiness inside. My heart seemed to skip a beat. The longing to hear their voices filled my being with an almost tangible ache. A tear found its way to my eye. Sadness washed over me.
I miss my girls. My three oldest daughters are grown, married, and gone from my home...and my hometown. I talk to them most everyday...and occasionally even get to see their lovely faces via Skype. I haven't spoken to them today...yet. And I just miss the sound of their voices. I'll pick up the phone and start the callling as soon as I wrap this up. I just needed to tell you something first.
At the moment that I felt that emptiness...that heartbeat skipping...that longing, I could almost hear God whispering, "I know how you feel. I ache to hear from my children too. Their voice is sweet...music to my ears. I love to hear about their days. I rejoice in the successes and happiness. I long to comfort them in their heartaches and struggles. I like to hear about their wants and needs...and ponder ways to meet them. I just love being a part of their lives. There is a void if even one day goes by and I don't hear their voice."
And it's so true. I love my children a really lot! But I can't even begin to comprehend the love of the Father for His children...no matter how many billions of us there are. He loves us each as if we were the only one. He knows the number of hairs on our heads. He formed our very beings. We are His treasure, and He calls us His own! Oh, how precious to feel His love pouring over us.
He longs for the sound of your voice. Have you talked to Him today?
Father, thank You for Your unfathomable love. Thank You for the amazing thought that YOU long for us! Thank You for being ever-present...ever-available...ever-listening. Draw us, Lord...into Your presence. We lift our voice to You. May it be a sweet sound to Your ears.
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