I liked the slogan of the church as soon as I saw it the Sunday service notes. We settled into worship and it was obvious right away that the worship leader had spent some time with Jesus. He worshiped too.
When it came time for the message, the pastor shared the exact same verse I had just read that morning. I thought to myself...wow..that's cool! Paul's writings have long stirred me ..and still do. The more I understand the depth of Paul's circumstances in which he did most of his writing, the bigger fan I am of his style. If anyone needed mercy, Paul did.
The pastor shared about Paul's weakness with the thorn in his life. Paul never mentions exactly what it was that caused him pain or irritation. But in 2 Corinthians 12:7 - 10, Paul shares.....
"Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that..."
And how did God answer Paul's cries for thorn-removal? God left it right where it was planted deep in Paul's soul. God's answer came in the form of mercy...
"My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness. "
Did you get that? Please re-read ...
I have a thorn...we all do..
Whatever your "thorn" is right now...your answer is God's grace. Whatever you feel weak in...God's strength will come in and make it strong. Struggling with a failed attempt? God meets that with His strength and grace. Feeling like you can't go on another day? God won't leave you lacking when you ask Him for His grace. Grace is complete and fills in all the cracks.
Wait...you say you have something that is impossible to get past?
Your circumstances are ruined for all of time?
You have crossed the line this time and there is no going back?
You have a fear the size of a professional football field lodged in your throat and you can't see God's work for the giant crocodile tears that are constantly in your eyes and heart?
Yeah...I know...me too.
When I heard God's answer to my weakness, how it was simple and enough, I was a bawling mess of flesh in the pew on that Sunday.
Really God...how could it be that simple? How?
"My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
I am your portion and in YOUR weakness, I will use YOU..."
Talk about a waterfall of grace...gushing into my heart. Wow..
The pastor's message was God's cheerleader encouragement that I needed to kick my football field sized fear-filled dream to the goalpost and say "touchdown". Well...honestly...I have a hard head so..it will take a couple more reviews of the playbook to fully sink in.
But it was definitely a direct word from my God who knows my fear and has teamed it up with His grace and strength. I know that he wrote the playbook, so there is no contest to consider. He has all I need to make what He has asked me to do complete and enough.
To me it's a God-sized challenge, but all I need to do is suit-up.
When I am faint from practice, I will be met with enough promised grace.
When I am frustrated beyond words, His cheers will shout hope to continue.
When I bring my "I-can't-attitude" to the field, He will meet me with A-string of "I-cans!"
When I am faint from not getting it right, He will bring me strength in my weakness.
When I am met with the empty blinking white screen ...He will give me all I need.
Not just enough, but all that I need.
God knows my needs better than anyone. As I swallow hard and move forward I know, even my weakest and most broken places, those are even valuable to God. It's in those thorny-hard-to-figure-out-the-answer places that he will bring His mercy. I can trust Him to provide the grace and strength he has promised as He sees fit. He's not running out of grace-laced-plays yet as I submit to His plan. Wow....
So...you want to know the name of the church? Mercy Church,
When it came time for the message, the pastor shared the exact same verse I had just read that morning. I thought to myself...wow..that's cool! Paul's writings have long stirred me ..and still do. The more I understand the depth of Paul's circumstances in which he did most of his writing, the bigger fan I am of his style. If anyone needed mercy, Paul did.
The pastor shared about Paul's weakness with the thorn in his life. Paul never mentions exactly what it was that caused him pain or irritation. But in 2 Corinthians 12:7 - 10, Paul shares.....
"Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that..."
And how did God answer Paul's cries for thorn-removal? God left it right where it was planted deep in Paul's soul. God's answer came in the form of mercy...
"My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness. "
Did you get that? Please re-read ...
I have a thorn...we all do..
Whatever your "thorn" is right now...your answer is God's grace. Whatever you feel weak in...God's strength will come in and make it strong. Struggling with a failed attempt? God meets that with His strength and grace. Feeling like you can't go on another day? God won't leave you lacking when you ask Him for His grace. Grace is complete and fills in all the cracks.
Wait...you say you have something that is impossible to get past?
Your circumstances are ruined for all of time?
You have crossed the line this time and there is no going back?
You have a fear the size of a professional football field lodged in your throat and you can't see God's work for the giant crocodile tears that are constantly in your eyes and heart?
Yeah...I know...me too.
When I heard God's answer to my weakness, how it was simple and enough, I was a bawling mess of flesh in the pew on that Sunday.
Really God...how could it be that simple? How?
"My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
I am your portion and in YOUR weakness, I will use YOU..."
Talk about a waterfall of grace...gushing into my heart. Wow..
The pastor's message was God's cheerleader encouragement that I needed to kick my football field sized fear-filled dream to the goalpost and say "touchdown". Well...honestly...I have a hard head so..it will take a couple more reviews of the playbook to fully sink in.
But it was definitely a direct word from my God who knows my fear and has teamed it up with His grace and strength. I know that he wrote the playbook, so there is no contest to consider. He has all I need to make what He has asked me to do complete and enough.
To me it's a God-sized challenge, but all I need to do is suit-up.
When I am faint from practice, I will be met with enough promised grace.
When I am frustrated beyond words, His cheers will shout hope to continue.
When I bring my "I-can't-attitude" to the field, He will meet me with A-string of "I-cans!"
When I am faint from not getting it right, He will bring me strength in my weakness.
When I am met with the empty blinking white screen ...He will give me all I need.
Not just enough, but all that I need.
God knows my needs better than anyone. As I swallow hard and move forward I know, even my weakest and most broken places, those are even valuable to God. It's in those thorny-hard-to-figure-out-the-answer places that he will bring His mercy. I can trust Him to provide the grace and strength he has promised as He sees fit. He's not running out of grace-laced-plays yet as I submit to His plan. Wow....
So...you want to know the name of the church? Mercy Church,
You're Pretty Much My Favorite
I have been camping out in Psalm 139 lately
and today...
I am able to write the difference.
I can finally say with confidence that God's truth can change your forever.
You are loved. I am loved.
I am okay knowing that each one of these posts will not be perfect. I am not perfect, and can't think or write perfectly. That doesn't mean I am not striving for God's best here, but I am fine with not being perfect in front of you.
I understand that I can't be, and I am okay with that too.
I am great with uncovering and discovering who I am in Christ. He has grown that desire in me. As my faith grows, I can accept my imperfections, but also I am assured that I am "perfect" and beautiful in God's eyes.
Psalm 139 reminds me that I am loved completely. Not just loved because that I am made in God's image, but I was loved before I was even a tiny thought on God's mind. I like to think that God dreamed a little when He thought about making me. I like to imagine that God says...
"You're pretty much my favorite of all time in the history of ever."
Here's the life changing truth...He loves you like that too.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well." Ps. 139:13-14
I am great with the idea of God dreaming of how He wanted to create. When I was a younger "beauty"....I didn't know how God felt about me. I certainly didn't think I was beautiful. I didn't do own my truth research and took on the opinion of others as my own. I fell into the comparison trap with my nameless imaginary childhood arch nemesis who was always skinnier, smarter and faster at making her bed than I was. I set myself up for failure because I couldn't be the perceived perfection I just knew God had expected of me. I had always felt like I couldn't or wouldn't measure up.
So today I am now able to write the difference. I am okay with the way that God, in His infinite wisdom, made me who I am because I am loved beyond measure and because God doesn't compare His children.
My loving Heavenly Father has reminded me of who I am.
I wear His name, I wear His beauty.
I am great with being an imperfect, forgiven daughter of the King. That still gives God many chances to perfect His work in me, but also it gives more opportunities to be romanced by the work of His Holy Spirit.
I am really okay with all of this lovely plan.
I know that I am His. I know...He's told me..often in Psalm 139.
When it comes to believing truth and as I open the pages of God's heart, I believe what He says in His love letter to me in Psalm 139.
Have you read Psalm 139 lately??
Stop reading this and read that.
Are you speechless yet?
and today...
I am able to write the difference.
I can finally say with confidence that God's truth can change your forever.
You are loved. I am loved.
I am okay knowing that each one of these posts will not be perfect. I am not perfect, and can't think or write perfectly. That doesn't mean I am not striving for God's best here, but I am fine with not being perfect in front of you.
I understand that I can't be, and I am okay with that too.
I am great with uncovering and discovering who I am in Christ. He has grown that desire in me. As my faith grows, I can accept my imperfections, but also I am assured that I am "perfect" and beautiful in God's eyes.
Psalm 139 reminds me that I am loved completely. Not just loved because that I am made in God's image, but I was loved before I was even a tiny thought on God's mind. I like to think that God dreamed a little when He thought about making me. I like to imagine that God says...
"You're pretty much my favorite of all time in the history of ever."
Here's the life changing truth...He loves you like that too.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well." Ps. 139:13-14
I am great with the idea of God dreaming of how He wanted to create. When I was a younger "beauty"....I didn't know how God felt about me. I certainly didn't think I was beautiful. I didn't do own my truth research and took on the opinion of others as my own. I fell into the comparison trap with my nameless imaginary childhood arch nemesis who was always skinnier, smarter and faster at making her bed than I was. I set myself up for failure because I couldn't be the perceived perfection I just knew God had expected of me. I had always felt like I couldn't or wouldn't measure up.
So today I am now able to write the difference. I am okay with the way that God, in His infinite wisdom, made me who I am because I am loved beyond measure and because God doesn't compare His children.
My loving Heavenly Father has reminded me of who I am.
I wear His name, I wear His beauty.
I am great with being an imperfect, forgiven daughter of the King. That still gives God many chances to perfect His work in me, but also it gives more opportunities to be romanced by the work of His Holy Spirit.
I am really okay with all of this lovely plan.
I know that I am His. I know...He's told me..often in Psalm 139.
When it comes to believing truth and as I open the pages of God's heart, I believe what He says in His love letter to me in Psalm 139.
Have you read Psalm 139 lately??
Stop reading this and read that.
Are you speechless yet?
Desert Days
We all have specific seasons that we journey through. Mine seems to be one of dryness... like a desert. Have you ever felt that way?
From my prayer journal...
"I yearn for your answers God. You know my prayers, my hopes, dreams and desires. I long for Your promises to be complete. Sometimes the waiting period seems unbearable. God your will seems cloudy or unclear. The waiting seems excruciatingly endless."
Perhaps your desire is for your broken marriage to be restored, your rebellious teenager to return or a family member's health to be healed. Maybe you are waiting for the right person to be your soul mate. You wait. You pray. You wait some more.
The Bible is full of people who waited. Godly people like Abraham and Sarah waited. They had to wait till they were old to have their first child. Joseph was sold as a slave by his own brothers, only to end up in prison for years before his promise of authority became a reality in his life. Why did God make them wait? Why does God allow us to wait?
There can be long periods of waiting for us all in our different situations and circumstances. And in those waiting times our faith is put to the test. I know I get impatient and sometimes doubt. However, I am learning, that in the waiting, there is joy in this journey. Yes, it's possible to be happy in this waiting room we are in. While waiting I am learning more about who God is.
Ps. 119:123-124, "My eyes strain to see your deliverance, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled. I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your principles."
One day in frustration I actually cried out loud to God..."I am out of prayers!" What I really meant was I am out of words. I have prayed circles around some of my concerns. I know that God has heard me, and as I dried my tears, my course of action was clear.
I must have blind faith in His time. My need to wait overrides my need to understand.My need to control takes a back seat to His omnipotence. My need to understand is overshadowed by His peace.My next step is illuminated as I surrender to full trust.My need to feel complete is waived as He weaves a beautiful tapestry.
As my eyes strain to see His promise, I have hope and joy as I wait to see His plans unfold. My raw dependence on His strength carries me through.
Dear God... perfect your faith in me no matter...how long it takes.
Have you had to wait on God for a specific answer to prayer? What did you learn in your waiting?
From my prayer journal...
"I yearn for your answers God. You know my prayers, my hopes, dreams and desires. I long for Your promises to be complete. Sometimes the waiting period seems unbearable. God your will seems cloudy or unclear. The waiting seems excruciatingly endless."
Perhaps your desire is for your broken marriage to be restored, your rebellious teenager to return or a family member's health to be healed. Maybe you are waiting for the right person to be your soul mate. You wait. You pray. You wait some more.
The Bible is full of people who waited. Godly people like Abraham and Sarah waited. They had to wait till they were old to have their first child. Joseph was sold as a slave by his own brothers, only to end up in prison for years before his promise of authority became a reality in his life. Why did God make them wait? Why does God allow us to wait?
There can be long periods of waiting for us all in our different situations and circumstances. And in those waiting times our faith is put to the test. I know I get impatient and sometimes doubt. However, I am learning, that in the waiting, there is joy in this journey. Yes, it's possible to be happy in this waiting room we are in. While waiting I am learning more about who God is.
Ps. 119:123-124, "My eyes strain to see your deliverance, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled. I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your principles."
One day in frustration I actually cried out loud to God..."I am out of prayers!" What I really meant was I am out of words. I have prayed circles around some of my concerns. I know that God has heard me, and as I dried my tears, my course of action was clear.
I must have blind faith in His time. My need to wait overrides my need to understand.My need to control takes a back seat to His omnipotence. My need to understand is overshadowed by His peace.My next step is illuminated as I surrender to full trust.My need to feel complete is waived as He weaves a beautiful tapestry.
As my eyes strain to see His promise, I have hope and joy as I wait to see His plans unfold. My raw dependence on His strength carries me through.
Dear God... perfect your faith in me no matter...how long it takes.
Have you had to wait on God for a specific answer to prayer? What did you learn in your waiting?
