I Lift My Eyes to YOU

I mentioned before that I'm doing the Stepping Up Bible study by Beth Moore. This week we studied Psalm 123.... "I lift my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven..... " The crux of this lesson is that we must keep our eyes on God. I ask God to help me with this almost every day. It doesn't come naturally most of the time and Beth points out that it is actually the opposite of our instincts, saying: "every natural instinct begs us to stare wide-eyed in the face of our circumstances, demands, oppressors, and false saviors...." 

Beth also says that where we look has a tremendous impact on how we feel.  I've experienced the utter lack of peace and contentment that comes when I shift my focus to the wrong thing. I begin looking like a deer in headlights, frozen and staring blankly at the impending danger before me, rather than running towards and seeking refuge in my God! Nothing good comes from that frozen stare. But, the simple act of willing myself to look away and scrambling into the lap of my LORD has an amazing effect. I never really knew why the impact of proper focus was so great, but Beth makes an interesting point on this. She suggests that where we look has a huge effect on how we feel, because it becomes where we primarily listen. Wow. Could it be that when I have my eyes OFF of God, I become more vulnerable to worldly logic, or even worse, the whisperings of Satan? And, on the flip side, if I have my focus on God, then I'm more able to clearly hear His voice!  

Psalm 123, is also an important reminder that God is enthroned. By definition, this wording reflects His sovereignty. He is on the throne. He is ruling. He is King. And God's omniscience combined with His enthronement makes this even more incredible. He knows all as well as being in control and sovereign over all! Beth says, "everything else will downsize into its proper place when we look to God alone. Just as God is enthroned over the flood, (Ps. 29:10) He is enthroned over everything that troubles you." He is aware of all of my trials, all of my worries, all of my pain. He is still in control, even when the situation feels uncontrollable. 

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge...

Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; 

turn your ear to me and save me.

Be my rock of refuge,

to which I can always go....

for you are my rock and my fortress... 

You have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD.  

Ps. 71

See What God Has Done!

Through a grant from our city, combined with a new ministry in our church, we are getting new siding on our house. I cannot tell you what an emotional boost it is to have something like this done. We've had to let things go for over 2 years now, and only GOD could make this happen when we are so broke, broke, broke! You can only get a glimpse of the back of the house due to our trees. After this weekend, I might be able to post a photo of the front.

I thank God for these volunteers who are coming to work on our house and giving up several weekends to do so. God's people are amazing. gracious & generous!

Stepping Up

I started Beth Moore's Stepping Up Bible study last week. I almost didn't do it... my intention was to find a Bible study that was close enough to walk to. It would eliminate the transportation troubles we tend to have (trying to avoid driving our tank of a van that cost $106 to fill last week, and coordinating schedules w/ a very busy son, and a husband whose schedule is never the same two days in a row). Not only that, it would force me to take a nice long walk once a week. However, the nearby church that I thought I'd go to wasn't having a study during the day. A friend of mine knew of a group of women who was doing Beth Moore's Stepping Up of a morning, and invited me. She even offered to pick me up. All that to say, I almost passed it up just because I couldn't walk to it... it didn't fit my perfect plan. But, I realized that the Psalmist and I have a lot in common and maybe this course would be the perfect fit in another way (the important way!).

I don't have time to really share all that the study is pouring into me right now, but I did want to quickly share one thing that really jumped out at me today when reading Psalm 121. This is it... and it may seem really too simple, but for me it was profound. The LORD is my helper, no one else. My husband is not my protector and provider, the LORD is. The LORD is my shelter, not my house. HE is everything I need and He is never going away.

In a warring world and a country with a struggling economy, perhaps this will be an encouragement to others, as well.

"...From whence shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth."
Ps 121:1-2

6/6/06 -- I Will Learn to Fly

I decided the original post I had here was way too long -- so I cut it down to the last few (most important) paragraphs. My original idea was that new visitors would have a glimpse into the beginning of our journey, but I later had second thoughts. However, if you really WANT to read about the beginning of this blog, I have put the original first several paragraphs in the comments.

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In the last 24 months, have we learned to fly? I am not sure we are completely there yet.... or maybe I should say consistently there yet! But, we have made definite progress.:

We have learned that our weariness, our faint-heartedness, and our inabilities can be overcome with God’s strength.

We have learned that when we finally acknowledge that we have no strength of our own, God is there with all of the power we need to endure whatever we face.

We have learned that when we are weak, He is strong.

We have learned that when we try to rely on our own sufficiency, we WILL grow faint and weary.

We have learned the ridiculousness of trusting in ourselves, rather than God.

We have learned that God often puts His signature on His grace by using impeccable timing.

We have learned that FAITH, TRUST, and a commitment to seek GOD’S WILL for our lives brings the greatest strength, power, and peace into our lives.

We have learned that we CAN FLY when we rise above the challenges and difficulties of our earthly life by keeping our eyes on Jesus.

We have learned the secret to contentment in spite of our circumstances: We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

I'm sure I've heard many of these things throughout my Christian life. But, I'm not sure I ever truly learned them until I was in the classroom of trials and difficulties. My faith has grown exponentially, and my love for God has deepened. Each day, I wake up and say to the Lord, "Whatever happens today, I still trust You." And, often I find myself praying and repeating that phrase again and again throughout the day. It is not just a physical battle for survival, but a spiritual battle. That is why we need you to continue to stand with us in prayer.

Thank you to each of you who have prayed for us, sent us notes of encouragement, generously shared food, clothing, money, work (odd jobs), or other gifts with us, thank you for loving us and encouraging us. Thank you to those who have been an example of faith and perseverance to us. Each of you have been been God's hands and feet in our lives in so many ways. May God bless you, bountifully, for your loving and caring hearts!

Answer to Prayer

Can I just share an answer to prayer? Our kids are leaving for a youth mission trip on Saturday and my daughter needed money for meals. I had been praying for that, and she had been praying specifically for babysitting jobs. She hasn't had any babysitting for weeks, then suddenly she was asked to babysit on Sunday and Tuesday for most of the day. The jobs have given her just what she needed for spending money. And I mean that literally... JUST the amount she needed!
Praise God!