I don't know about you but I'm a bit claustrophobic. I don't like tight, close places especially around my face. It can actually set me in a panic mode. Likewise, as many of you may identify, I don't like to be backed into a corner, "surrounded" as you will - without a way to escape. In my finite mind, that speaks of danger and of course, no one likes to feel that.
But, this morning I learned a new aspect of being "surrounded". Listening to a DVD segment of Gloria Copeland, she spoke of Psalm 103:4...
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
She spoke of this crown as not just a little thing that sits on your head, but of something that covers you from the head to your toes. From that I was reminded of Psalm 91 where in verse 1 it speaks of "abiding under the shadow of the Almighty". Again, I visualize this "shadow" as being all around me, not just covering my head.
There are other times that I love being surrounded, such as with arms. Who doesn't love a good, loving hug? I love to feel the warm embrace of a family member or friend. Being surrounded then, speaks of love and protection. I look forward to the day when Jesus himself will surround me with His arms and give me a loving embrace.
Being surrounded by God is a much different thing than what a "claustrophobic" fear can emote. Psalm 32:7 in the KJV states:
Thou art my hiding place; that shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance;
The NKJV translates "compass" as surround. I am compassed with His songs of deliverance. I am compassed with angels that my Father has sent to me for protection. I am compassed with His love for me. As His child, I am "surrounded" by my Heavenly Father, my Abba Father, my "Daddy" God. No evil shall befall me, no shall any plague come near my dwelling because I have made the Most High my dwelling place.
I can feel His loving arms around me right now. Can you?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
What is your label?
For some time, I have felt the prodding of the Holy Spirit to begin an online ministry. At least, I think so. I visit others that are so inspiring and such a blessing to my soul. And I think, "I should be doing that!" But as with any other endeavor, if God is not a part of it, it will be in vain. When considering a ministry venture, my initial thought has been - what direction to take?
My heart is toward the Jewish mindset of the Messiah. There is so much richness in our Jewish roots, so much that is explained when scriptures are looking at through a Jewish context. After all, our Savior was raised in a Jewish home, spoke to Jewish people, and lived a Jewish life. There were no Baptists, Assemblies of God, Catholics - only Jews- operating under the Old Covenant of animal sacrifice for atonement of their sins.
Yeshua (Jesus) was born into this environment, studied the Jewish law and lived His short, earthly life under the Jewish law. At His death on the cross, He established a New Covenant. No longer did God require the shedding of animal blood. His only begotten Son willingly shed His own blood as the sacrifice for our sins. And with that sacrifice, our sins were not just atoned for, but thrown into the sea of forgetfulness - never to be remembered by God any longer. We became a new creation - no longer Jew or Gentile but one new man.
I have never liked labels. They are misleading and at worse, divisive. They separate individuals and must grieve the Holy Spirit. They are often used to define a person, like a name tag worn through the day. In Christian circles, you might have a tag that reads "Catholic" or "Baptist" or "Spirit-filled". In other circles, you might be labeled "Jew" or "Gentile".
The fact is that when God sees you, He seems no label. He doesn't look at you and see a Baptist or Methodist. He doesn't prize your liturgical prayer more highly than one chanted in Hebrew. He doesn't weigh your devotion and love for Him based on where you worship.
God looks at the heart. He sees past the label you wear to see if you are covered by the blood of His Son. He sees if you are wearing the righteousness that was given you by Jesus. He looks to see if you are wearing His grace.
I endeavor every day to get to know my Savior more and more. I want to see others through His eyes and feel His heart. I want more of Him and less of me in my life. In whatever He calls me to do, this must shine through or it's all in vain.
How awesome that we can come to Him just as we are! How inconceivable it is to our finite mind that He could love us before we loved Him!
How freeing it is to be able to take the labels off and say simply that ... I am Melanie and I am deeply in love with my Lord!
My heart is toward the Jewish mindset of the Messiah. There is so much richness in our Jewish roots, so much that is explained when scriptures are looking at through a Jewish context. After all, our Savior was raised in a Jewish home, spoke to Jewish people, and lived a Jewish life. There were no Baptists, Assemblies of God, Catholics - only Jews- operating under the Old Covenant of animal sacrifice for atonement of their sins.
Yeshua (Jesus) was born into this environment, studied the Jewish law and lived His short, earthly life under the Jewish law. At His death on the cross, He established a New Covenant. No longer did God require the shedding of animal blood. His only begotten Son willingly shed His own blood as the sacrifice for our sins. And with that sacrifice, our sins were not just atoned for, but thrown into the sea of forgetfulness - never to be remembered by God any longer. We became a new creation - no longer Jew or Gentile but one new man.
I have never liked labels. They are misleading and at worse, divisive. They separate individuals and must grieve the Holy Spirit. They are often used to define a person, like a name tag worn through the day. In Christian circles, you might have a tag that reads "Catholic" or "Baptist" or "Spirit-filled". In other circles, you might be labeled "Jew" or "Gentile".
The fact is that when God sees you, He seems no label. He doesn't look at you and see a Baptist or Methodist. He doesn't prize your liturgical prayer more highly than one chanted in Hebrew. He doesn't weigh your devotion and love for Him based on where you worship.
God looks at the heart. He sees past the label you wear to see if you are covered by the blood of His Son. He sees if you are wearing the righteousness that was given you by Jesus. He looks to see if you are wearing His grace.
I endeavor every day to get to know my Savior more and more. I want to see others through His eyes and feel His heart. I want more of Him and less of me in my life. In whatever He calls me to do, this must shine through or it's all in vain.
How awesome that we can come to Him just as we are! How inconceivable it is to our finite mind that He could love us before we loved Him!
How freeing it is to be able to take the labels off and say simply that ... I am Melanie and I am deeply in love with my Lord!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Redeeming grace
A few years back a quote emerged that caught on very quickly. "Jesus is the reason for the season" was found on bumper stickers, lapel pins, tree ornaments, you name it. It was a reminder that amidst the shopping frenzy and parties, that there is a foundation that this season was built on.
This year, for some reason, I had a difficult time connecting with "the reason for the season". My thoughts were filled with memories of Christmases past and sadness that they would never be again. And, understandably, I missed my husband who went to be with the Lord in 2001. For days, I dwelt on what I didn't have, rather than what I did have. Thankfully, with the decorating of the my home, the wonder and sparkle of Christmas began to emerge.
I was reminded that Christmas is a time of wonderment for all - young and old. You see it in the eyes of the little ones as they await Christmas morn. You catch it's fragrances in the kitchen as cookies bake. You see it's brightness and color on houses lit up at night. You hear it in the Christmas carols sung in church or at a carol sing.
Connecting with it's deepest meaning though sometimes takes a conscious effort to quiet our spirit. For this is the time to stop and marvel at the wonder of it all....that the God of the universe chose to come down to earth and live amongst His creation in very humble circumstances. He didn't just come down for a brief visit and walk around checking up on how things were going. His wasn't a "sight-seeing" tour complete with stay in a 5-star palatial palace. Instead, He came as a baby, living with peasant parents, growing and learning and living as one of us. This baby would grown into a toddler, falling down as He learned to walk; he might skin his little boy knee as He played with His young friends. His teen years would be taken up with schooling and learning His earthly father's carpentry craft. He would grow into manhood, preaching His Father's message of love and salvation to all who would listen. And then , His whole purpose for this journey would culminate on a cruel cross as He shed His blood for our sins. His was a mission of redeeming grace and love.
"..for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.. Romans 3:23-24
Redeeming grace. This awesome revelation finally struck my heart one evening as I was coming home from work, listening to "Silent Night" on my car CD player.
"Silent night...Holy night.
Son of God loves pure light.
Radiant beams from His holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace.
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.
Jesus, Lord at thy birth."
Grace - nothing we could work for or earn; nothing we could buy or strive for.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast."..Ephesians 2:8-9
Grace - redeeming grace; not something that I could ever achieve or deserve, but given to me nevertheless by my precious Savior who understands me better than I understand myself. Because He chose to set aside His Deity for 30 odd years and live as one of us, I can live with Him forever!
That is the most precious Christmas gift of all!
This year, for some reason, I had a difficult time connecting with "the reason for the season". My thoughts were filled with memories of Christmases past and sadness that they would never be again. And, understandably, I missed my husband who went to be with the Lord in 2001. For days, I dwelt on what I didn't have, rather than what I did have. Thankfully, with the decorating of the my home, the wonder and sparkle of Christmas began to emerge.
I was reminded that Christmas is a time of wonderment for all - young and old. You see it in the eyes of the little ones as they await Christmas morn. You catch it's fragrances in the kitchen as cookies bake. You see it's brightness and color on houses lit up at night. You hear it in the Christmas carols sung in church or at a carol sing.
Connecting with it's deepest meaning though sometimes takes a conscious effort to quiet our spirit. For this is the time to stop and marvel at the wonder of it all....that the God of the universe chose to come down to earth and live amongst His creation in very humble circumstances. He didn't just come down for a brief visit and walk around checking up on how things were going. His wasn't a "sight-seeing" tour complete with stay in a 5-star palatial palace. Instead, He came as a baby, living with peasant parents, growing and learning and living as one of us. This baby would grown into a toddler, falling down as He learned to walk; he might skin his little boy knee as He played with His young friends. His teen years would be taken up with schooling and learning His earthly father's carpentry craft. He would grow into manhood, preaching His Father's message of love and salvation to all who would listen. And then , His whole purpose for this journey would culminate on a cruel cross as He shed His blood for our sins. His was a mission of redeeming grace and love.
"..for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.. Romans 3:23-24
Redeeming grace. This awesome revelation finally struck my heart one evening as I was coming home from work, listening to "Silent Night" on my car CD player.
"Silent night...Holy night.
Son of God loves pure light.
Radiant beams from His holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace.
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.
Jesus, Lord at thy birth."
Grace - nothing we could work for or earn; nothing we could buy or strive for.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast."..Ephesians 2:8-9
Grace - redeeming grace; not something that I could ever achieve or deserve, but given to me nevertheless by my precious Savior who understands me better than I understand myself. Because He chose to set aside His Deity for 30 odd years and live as one of us, I can live with Him forever!
That is the most precious Christmas gift of all!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
A year in retrospect.
As a new year approaches, it is a common occurrence for people to reflect on the past 12 months; it's joys and accomplishments, or it's sorrows and disappointments. For many, an inventory of the year can bring a feeling of accomplishment; for others a condemnation of what they didn't see happen.
"I was going to lose weight this year but here I am, still as heavy as last year."
"I wanted that promotion at work and some one else got it."
"I thought we could pay off some bills this year but I wasn't expecting all these medical bills!"
When it comes to retrospection or introspection, I'm the queen! I tend to over-think things to the point that what was trivial becomes a major life happening. With that said, I am taking a chance once again of making a "mountain of of a molehill" by saying that this past year has not been the best I've seen. Emotionally and physically, it has been a challenge to just do the day-to-day things that are a part of life. Depression was a constant companion on some days. On many other days, my body reminded me of the extra 100+ pounds that I was carrying. Some days I had to reach deep within for the strength to go to work, to clean the house, to do even the most trivial of things that life expects. And in all this, I felt farther away from God than I ever had.
And why is that, do you suppose? Did He decide that I was a hopeless case and just give up on me? Did He grow tired of listening to my constant whining and let me wallow in my own self-pity? Or was it because I chose to go on my own strength? Did I decide that it was up to Melanie to make things all better? Did I forget that I have a loving Savior who is ever present to comfort me, protect me, heal me?
If I had to summarize this past year in one sentence, I would have to say that this was the year I tried to live my life without my Lord.
It's a sad confession and one that brings tears to my eyes as I write it. But it's true. This past year, I focused on vacations, work problems, physical challenges, loneliness - only crying out to God when things were unbearable. I was busy, busy, busy doing things to make myself feel better. Instead, I should have become still and listened to my Savior's voice - calling me, wooing me, trying to comfort me.
As we are fast approaching the day we celebrate His birth, I have become very aware that my "out of control" life is just that because He is not the one in control.
Forgive me, Lord that I have turned to "things" for comfort instead of You. You have stood with open arms and I have passed them by. I have taken detours off the path You have chosen for me. But, I'm backtracking. I see You up ahead, on the path where I left You. And when I get there, I promise to stop and let You direct my paths.
And perhaps we can even sit for awhile and I can rest in Your loving arms. Because, I'm very, very tired.
"I was going to lose weight this year but here I am, still as heavy as last year."
"I wanted that promotion at work and some one else got it."
"I thought we could pay off some bills this year but I wasn't expecting all these medical bills!"
When it comes to retrospection or introspection, I'm the queen! I tend to over-think things to the point that what was trivial becomes a major life happening. With that said, I am taking a chance once again of making a "mountain of of a molehill" by saying that this past year has not been the best I've seen. Emotionally and physically, it has been a challenge to just do the day-to-day things that are a part of life. Depression was a constant companion on some days. On many other days, my body reminded me of the extra 100+ pounds that I was carrying. Some days I had to reach deep within for the strength to go to work, to clean the house, to do even the most trivial of things that life expects. And in all this, I felt farther away from God than I ever had.
And why is that, do you suppose? Did He decide that I was a hopeless case and just give up on me? Did He grow tired of listening to my constant whining and let me wallow in my own self-pity? Or was it because I chose to go on my own strength? Did I decide that it was up to Melanie to make things all better? Did I forget that I have a loving Savior who is ever present to comfort me, protect me, heal me?
If I had to summarize this past year in one sentence, I would have to say that this was the year I tried to live my life without my Lord.
It's a sad confession and one that brings tears to my eyes as I write it. But it's true. This past year, I focused on vacations, work problems, physical challenges, loneliness - only crying out to God when things were unbearable. I was busy, busy, busy doing things to make myself feel better. Instead, I should have become still and listened to my Savior's voice - calling me, wooing me, trying to comfort me.
As we are fast approaching the day we celebrate His birth, I have become very aware that my "out of control" life is just that because He is not the one in control.
Forgive me, Lord that I have turned to "things" for comfort instead of You. You have stood with open arms and I have passed them by. I have taken detours off the path You have chosen for me. But, I'm backtracking. I see You up ahead, on the path where I left You. And when I get there, I promise to stop and let You direct my paths.
And perhaps we can even sit for awhile and I can rest in Your loving arms. Because, I'm very, very tired.
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