Grace Interceded

Goodmorning,

Now that the weather has warmed up, I have started a daily regimend of walking every morning before I go to work. It was a glorious morning. After living here for four years I have finally discovered the way to distinguish whether it will be a day to layer my clothing or step out for spring, even before I leave the nest of my bed. Would you like to know? It's for the birds. Now that I get up at a reasonable hour, with the sun and not before, I listen for song of the birds. If it is going to be a cold day, they do not chirp. If it is going to be a glorious day, such as today, they do chirp. I used to cringe at the sound, but I have learned to appreciate it because of the hope it brings, knowing how beautiful it will be.
Yesterday as I walked down the sidewalk, I observed the trees bending overhead. They were dull with old berries dropping to the ground, smearing as I trampled over them. Today as I walked beneath these same trees, I notice sprigs of fine green leaves peeking out to watch as the sun rose. For me, today was the first day of spring.
I love the fact that I can admire the changing seasons. In Florida, there is only one kind of tree, the palm, and one kind of weather, hold and humid. Mind you enjoy an occassional sunny day but I really do enjoy a variety. That really goes for everything in my life. Variety... especially lately. Recently I have graduated with my Master's degree, I have acquired a wonderfully fulfilling ministry position, I love working with the youth at my church, but there is still a feeling of ...something missing. I know for one I'd like to be sining more often then I do. That is a passion that needs reviving and secondly my social life...stinks. With graduation comes separation of friendships. Not the friendship it self, but the companionship one has with friends. Many of them have married, their jobs have taken them to far off places... it get a little lonely sometimes. Variety...that is something I really need. Variety of afterwork activities. But what should I do? I not one to go clubbing or dancing. I love watcing and listening to live music. Reading I haven't done some good reading in a long time, well nothing that wasn't required. I know this sounds like whinning, but at the same time it is helping me to see myself. If anything is going to come from this chat with myself, then it is up to me.

Here is a little something I'd like to share. Maybe I'll put it to music someday.

Gazing up from the depths of a well

The moons dim light replacing the sun

Time lost since last I turned to You

Trembling, hopeless, grasping at cobwebs

Freedom seemed fleeting

Breathe stolen from my desperate cry

But You heard my souls plea

Above the howling tempest

My unspoken request pride would not allow

With one word (Jesus) pride turned humble

My escape came swift, Grace did intercede.

Enjoy the day!

How Blessed are Those Whose Way is Blameless

"How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of the Lord." Psalm 119:1

When I read God's word, I like to look at it as a whole, break it down verse by verse and then see how I am or am not applying it to my life.

It's interesting how the writer of this Psalm chooses his words. I find so much meaning in just this one verse. Just take the words, "How blessed are those..." When we think of blessed, I guess what would first come to mind would be the thought of receiving something: a desired object, money, riches... But blessing in it's truest form means "happy" and not just any type of "happy". It's not the momentary happiness that we experience when we received our first bike. Eventually, we got tired of it, saw another one we liked better, left it out in the rain on purpose so mom and dad would get a new one, kind of momentary happiness. It is a happiness which exceeds our expectations, one that exceeds far into our future. It is not a momentary happiness but...constant with a value of inexchangablitiy...it is forever. That kind of happiness does not come from material objects which when this life is over, we can't take with us and in the end will return to the dust from whence it came.

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless..." The word "way", implies all aspects of my lifestyle. Not just, to many peoples surprise, your visible lifestyle. It includes the way in which you live your life behind closed doors. If I am known as a woman of integrity at my job and in my social circles but am living a life of ungodliness in my home, (watching pornography, movies, magazines), which by the way, has become extremely accessable. I was casually flipping through the mail and came across a Victoria Secrets mail order magazine. I was shocked at the poses these women were in. This was a womens magazine, but I felt lik I was reading a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Addition, not that I read those things. I mean come on ladies, don't leave your "Victoria Secrets" magazine lying around for your man to view. Those ladies are not posing for you. Anyway, eventually that lifestyle habit will leak into all aspects of my life. It will really mess me up! I look for example to the life of David. In II Samuel 11:1-2, it says, "Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servant with him and all Israel,..." In verse two is says, "Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance." At once you think, "He shouldn't be starring at that woman, that's sinful." But what sin brought him to that place. Going back to the first verse, where is it the king is supposed to be? " at the time when kings go into battle..." He's is supposed to be with his army, leading them to victory, suffering with them, setting the example for his people. But where was he while his armies were fighting, sleeping on the ground, wallowing in the mud and blood of the wounded and the dead. At home--in his lush spread. His first sin was laziness. Now, curiousity is not a sin, but lingering in a place where you know you shouldn't be, even if you are King, can lead to sin and the majority of the time, it will. Davids second sin was lust, which lead to adultery, lying, and murder. These sins did not just hurt Davids reputation as a King who followed God, but Bathsheba and the child that came from their sinful act. This innocent child became sick and died. That must have been very painful for the mother. But most importantly...the sinfullness of David's thoughts and actions caused a rift in his relationship with God. The one that chose him to be King, protected him from Saul and helped defeat his enemy's. That is how living two lifestyles will make you miserable, for eternity. I think that is why the writer used "way", singlular. There is to be only one way of living which will lead to eternal happiness. Thank God for his mercy and grace. He is a forgiving God, but that does not give us reason to continue in sin, nor does God desire such behavior.

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless...", with out spot or blemish. Blameless means not one person can come up to you and speak illy of your character. They might like to and if they did everyone would know it to be a lie. That means always being in the right place, so as not to have anyone question your motives or actions. It means always speaking the truth, not compromising yourself.

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walks in the law of the Lord." The second half of this verse is used to emphasis whos' way you are to be blamesless in. Gods' way, his laws. The 10 Commandments and the laws of God's very character. I guess that's what I'll talk about next time. God's character and how we as Christians , with his spirits help, can be more like him and experience that eternaly happiness even in the present.

Disclaimer: This blog is not an avenue to preach to or condemn those who disagree with my faith. I am by no means perfect in anyway. But I am confident that I have already received this happiness that the Psalmist speaks about. Have you? I write because it is a way in which I can express my thoughts. Writing for me is an outlet, it helps me keep things organized and in perspective, more for myself than anyone. But I'd love to hear any imput you might have. Peace be to you!

No Time Like Now

Something about me that may get on other peoples nerves: I like to delight in the little things. I mean little, rarely observed things. What, I suppose, could be the annoying factor, is that I tend to express my delight at odd, out of the blue, unexpected moments. It could be in the middle of a conversation, which could come across as rudeness for not paying more attention to my companions. But I say, those little delights need recognition. Who knows, it might turn out to be bigger delight than expected. Enjoy your day and take delight in all that you come in contact with. Even if it is a big hairy trucker. You never know.