Saturday, January 30, 2010
Humility
Many (most?) of us, if we are honest, realize we harbor a judgmental, critical spirit. I am personally prone to being opinionated, prideful, arrogant and self-righteous. I must pray unceasingly for God to grant me the humility of His Son.
Friday, January 29, 2010
The Spirit of Truth – The Master’s Tapestries
Christ promised that He would not leave us alone. So, He asked the Father to send the Spirit. The Holy Spirit (third person of the Great Oneness who is the Holy Trinity, the Relationship at the center of the Universe,) continues to reveal God’s Truth to us even in these days.
I have been impressed by the Truth (packaged in humility) contained and revealed in The Imitation of Christ. And, I have also witnessed how God will reveal His Truth to men and women throughout time. I am reminded of a pastor of mine who, enabled by God, is gifted to “see” how our Heavenly Father weaves is His beautiful tapestries of Grace, Love and Providence into our lives. This pastor (and others as well) are given (sometimes frequently, sometimes only occasionally) the gift of “seeing” the back side of the tapestry, and envisioning the finished product (the front side). And, we are given gifts as they reveal it to us.
For most of us, we only see the beautiful product, not the “work” that went into it. If we are observant, we may see that work in hindsight after God has finished His product. The work of weaving, like that of the potter and the clay, doesn’t look like much in the beginning, but the Master creates wonderful goods out of the “mess” he has to work with. We may look at our own lives, remembering where, and what, we once were, and give thanks with grateful hearts for His Grace.
Each day now I have a new tapestry to give thanks for. It is that woven by God into the life of my brother, Chuck. My brother’s life has been one filled with brokenness and misery, wrong choices, heartbreak for him and those of us who have loved him through it all. However, Christ Jesus revealed Himself to my brother, and he has surrendered his life to His Savior! The difference is obvious to those of us who have known Chuck for most of his life; a calmness in his voice, a serenity in his heart, a look of Christ’s love in his eyes where before there was uncertainty and fear. My brother is truly a “new creation” and my heart is overflowing with gratitude to our God! Chuck’s tapestry looked terribly ragged and ugly for many years, but God has revealed a beautiful work out of the mess, and answered the prayers across many years.
only by Grace, pat
I have been impressed by the Truth (packaged in humility) contained and revealed in The Imitation of Christ. And, I have also witnessed how God will reveal His Truth to men and women throughout time. I am reminded of a pastor of mine who, enabled by God, is gifted to “see” how our Heavenly Father weaves is His beautiful tapestries of Grace, Love and Providence into our lives. This pastor (and others as well) are given (sometimes frequently, sometimes only occasionally) the gift of “seeing” the back side of the tapestry, and envisioning the finished product (the front side). And, we are given gifts as they reveal it to us.
For most of us, we only see the beautiful product, not the “work” that went into it. If we are observant, we may see that work in hindsight after God has finished His product. The work of weaving, like that of the potter and the clay, doesn’t look like much in the beginning, but the Master creates wonderful goods out of the “mess” he has to work with. We may look at our own lives, remembering where, and what, we once were, and give thanks with grateful hearts for His Grace.
Each day now I have a new tapestry to give thanks for. It is that woven by God into the life of my brother, Chuck. My brother’s life has been one filled with brokenness and misery, wrong choices, heartbreak for him and those of us who have loved him through it all. However, Christ Jesus revealed Himself to my brother, and he has surrendered his life to His Savior! The difference is obvious to those of us who have known Chuck for most of his life; a calmness in his voice, a serenity in his heart, a look of Christ’s love in his eyes where before there was uncertainty and fear. My brother is truly a “new creation” and my heart is overflowing with gratitude to our God! Chuck’s tapestry looked terribly ragged and ugly for many years, but God has revealed a beautiful work out of the mess, and answered the prayers across many years.
only by Grace, pat
Monday, January 25, 2010
in the world, but not of it . . .
"Where there is no labor, there is no rest. Where there is no fighting, there is no victory." Bk. 3, ch. 19 of The Imitation of Christ. "In this world you will have trouble, but fear not for I have overcome the world." JC - John 16:33
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sometimes God's Will and our hearts desires match up
Tommy and Leanna's wishes to be adopted by Dan & Nikki were honored by the court this past week! The adoption process is moving along smoothly (again thanks to God), and they should be officially part of the Axtell family in six months to no more than a year! All Glory, Honor and Praise to our Heavenly Father with truly grateful hearts!
How to pray . . .
The Fifteenth Chapter, book III of The Imitation of Christ
The Voice of Christ
"MY CHILD, this is the way you must speak on every occasion: “Lord, if it be pleasing to You, so be it. If it be to Your honor, Lord, be it done in Your name. Lord, if You see that it is expedient and profitable for me, then grant that I may use it to Your honor. But if You know that it will be harmful to me, and of no good benefit to the welfare of my soul, then take this desire away from me.”
Not every desire is from the Holy Spirit, even though it may seem right and good. It is difficult to be certain whether it is a good spirit or a bad one that prompts one to this or that, and even to know whether you are being moved by your own spirit. Many who seemed at first to be led by a good spirit have been deceived in the end.
Whatever the mind sees as good, ask and desire in fear of God and humility of heart. Above all, commit the whole matter to Me with true resignation, and say: “Lord, You know what is better for me; let this be done or that be done as You please. Grant what You will, as much as You will, when You will. Do with me as You know best, as will most please You, and will be for Your greater honor. Place me where You will and deal with me freely in all things. I am in Your hand; turn me about whichever way You will. Behold, I am Your servant, ready to obey in all things. Not for myself do I desire to live, but for You—would that I could do this worthily and perfectly!”
A Prayer that the Will of God Be Done
Grant me Your grace, O most merciful Jesus, that it may be with me, and work with me, and remain with me to the very end. Grant that I may always desire and will that which is most acceptable and pleasing to You. Let Your will be mine. Let my will always follow Yours and agree perfectly with it. Let my will be one with Yours in willing and in not willing, and let me be unable to will or not will anything but what You will or do not will. Grant that I may die to all things in this world, and for Your sake love to be despised and unknown in this life. Give me above all desires the desire to rest in You, and in You let my heart have peace. You are true peace of heart. You alone are its rest. Without You all things are difficult and troubled. In this peace, the selfsame that is in You, the Most High, the everlasting Good, I will sleep and take my rest. Amen."
The Voice of Christ
"MY CHILD, this is the way you must speak on every occasion: “Lord, if it be pleasing to You, so be it. If it be to Your honor, Lord, be it done in Your name. Lord, if You see that it is expedient and profitable for me, then grant that I may use it to Your honor. But if You know that it will be harmful to me, and of no good benefit to the welfare of my soul, then take this desire away from me.”
Not every desire is from the Holy Spirit, even though it may seem right and good. It is difficult to be certain whether it is a good spirit or a bad one that prompts one to this or that, and even to know whether you are being moved by your own spirit. Many who seemed at first to be led by a good spirit have been deceived in the end.
Whatever the mind sees as good, ask and desire in fear of God and humility of heart. Above all, commit the whole matter to Me with true resignation, and say: “Lord, You know what is better for me; let this be done or that be done as You please. Grant what You will, as much as You will, when You will. Do with me as You know best, as will most please You, and will be for Your greater honor. Place me where You will and deal with me freely in all things. I am in Your hand; turn me about whichever way You will. Behold, I am Your servant, ready to obey in all things. Not for myself do I desire to live, but for You—would that I could do this worthily and perfectly!”
A Prayer that the Will of God Be Done
Grant me Your grace, O most merciful Jesus, that it may be with me, and work with me, and remain with me to the very end. Grant that I may always desire and will that which is most acceptable and pleasing to You. Let Your will be mine. Let my will always follow Yours and agree perfectly with it. Let my will be one with Yours in willing and in not willing, and let me be unable to will or not will anything but what You will or do not will. Grant that I may die to all things in this world, and for Your sake love to be despised and unknown in this life. Give me above all desires the desire to rest in You, and in You let my heart have peace. You are true peace of heart. You alone are its rest. Without You all things are difficult and troubled. In this peace, the selfsame that is in You, the Most High, the everlasting Good, I will sleep and take my rest. Amen."
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