Hey everyone!
I know its been a while since I blogged (over two months, to be exact). Work has been kicking my butt! But, I love my job so its all good! Now, back to the business of writing :)
For the last two years, Abba has kept my attention focused on three books of the Bible: Ruth, Psalms, and Song of Solomon. Just when I thought I had read these three books to death (seriously, TWO YEARS), He drops fresh revelation in my lap! One of the many beautiful attributes of God's Word is that it is very much alive and can reveal a new facet of meaning each and every time you read it. But, that's another blog for another day. Back to my fresh revelation!
One night last week, I was reading in the book of Psalms before I went to bed, and I was lead to chapter 36. Verse 9 really captured my attention and I found myself returning to it several time before I could finish the chapter and I have continually returned to it ever since I first crossed it. It reads, "For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light." Let that sink in for a moment. I actually got two different things from this short passage, so I will break it down into those two parts.
The first part of this verse states a truth that I'm sure many Christians have heard. God is life. He is the giver of life. He is the one that life flows from! Have you ever thought about that? Life literally pours from Abba like the water from a fountain.
I thought of the main fountain at UNA while picturing the fountain of life. If you've ever been near the fountain when its on during the spring and summer, you have probably seen it crawling with interested children. Or even adults who think they are children (like my brother)! That's the way God's life fountain is! It attracts His children. He wants us to get closer. He wants us to put our feet in. He wants us to get brave and run through it until we are soaked head to toe in His abundance!
That's just part of the verse! The second half hit me like a ton of bricks. "In Your light we see light." Wow! When we are in Abba's light, we are able to see light! Pastor Phillip often asks us to find somebody after worship and "speak to the gold in them." I must confess, I've stood there and wondered what the heck I'm supposed to be doing. Thankfully, God know my every thought and is faithful to answer my wonderings. This short verse from Psalms gave me so much clarity! When God is in us, and we are in Him, we are able to see others like He sees them. All we have to do is ask. Simple as that.
I have a short example of this in action from my own life. One night when Pastor asked us to "speak to the gold", a friend came up to me and gave me some amazing confirmation and encouragement that I desperately needed! I know that she was truly seeing me in God's light because He was the only one I had talked to about my insecurities in those particular areas of my life. God illuminated what was deep inside of me that I had either forgotten or just failed to see as valuable. So, ask Abba to let you see others in His light. You never know what somebody's going through or what they need from Him.
I hope that I've made some sense here. Thanks for reading my types :)
-Tasha
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Coverings
Hey everyone!
Welcome to my blog! I'm new to this, so bear with me while I figure it out. Hopefully, I can get some of my jumbled thoughts out of my mind and make room for new ones. Here we go...
A few nights ago, I was reading a book that a friend suggested to me. The author was making a reference to fashion and was trying to make the point that God cares about what we wear (in regards to dressing modestly and what-not). She referenced Genesis 3:21, which says, "The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." In short, she wanted to prove the point that if God cared then about what His children covered their bodies with, He cares now. While I totally got where the author was going with this, I started thinking past the surface of her proposal of God wanting to "cover" us with physical clothing.
God, being the perfect father that He is, has always wanted to cover and protect His children out of His unfailing love for us.The first instance takes place in the garden (referenced above), and they never end! Psalms 91:4 say, "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Over and over again, it is repeated that God's perfect love is our refuge from sin and the hardships of the world. I think Psalms 36:7 says it best, "How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."
In the New Testament, we are reminded that this perfect love that Jesus displayed for us on the cross covers our sins and makes us pure. We are also told in 1 Peter 4:8 to show this love that has made us clean to others, so that they may find refuge in the purifying love of our Father! God not only wants to cover us, He wants us to share our covering with others, so that they can find refuge, as well!
As a mom, I get to see the "parent perspective" on this. I'm not going to send my son out in the snow with shorts and flip-flops on! I'm going to have so many layers of clothes on that kid you can't see his eyes! I'm not going to deny him the covering of my umbrella during the rain! I would have his head covered first. That's how God feels towards us! He just wants to bundle us up in His love and He wanted us to extend this love to others so that they can find a dry place to stand, too.
I really hope that makes sense. Suggestion and input are welcomed and appreciated!
Thanks for reading :)
-Tasha
Welcome to my blog! I'm new to this, so bear with me while I figure it out. Hopefully, I can get some of my jumbled thoughts out of my mind and make room for new ones. Here we go...
A few nights ago, I was reading a book that a friend suggested to me. The author was making a reference to fashion and was trying to make the point that God cares about what we wear (in regards to dressing modestly and what-not). She referenced Genesis 3:21, which says, "The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." In short, she wanted to prove the point that if God cared then about what His children covered their bodies with, He cares now. While I totally got where the author was going with this, I started thinking past the surface of her proposal of God wanting to "cover" us with physical clothing.
God, being the perfect father that He is, has always wanted to cover and protect His children out of His unfailing love for us.The first instance takes place in the garden (referenced above), and they never end! Psalms 91:4 say, "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Over and over again, it is repeated that God's perfect love is our refuge from sin and the hardships of the world. I think Psalms 36:7 says it best, "How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."
In the New Testament, we are reminded that this perfect love that Jesus displayed for us on the cross covers our sins and makes us pure. We are also told in 1 Peter 4:8 to show this love that has made us clean to others, so that they may find refuge in the purifying love of our Father! God not only wants to cover us, He wants us to share our covering with others, so that they can find refuge, as well!
As a mom, I get to see the "parent perspective" on this. I'm not going to send my son out in the snow with shorts and flip-flops on! I'm going to have so many layers of clothes on that kid you can't see his eyes! I'm not going to deny him the covering of my umbrella during the rain! I would have his head covered first. That's how God feels towards us! He just wants to bundle us up in His love and He wanted us to extend this love to others so that they can find a dry place to stand, too.
I really hope that makes sense. Suggestion and input are welcomed and appreciated!
Thanks for reading :)
-Tasha
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)