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Author Archives: Jill Richard

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About Jill Richard

My name is Jill Richard. I'm a life long Christian. Trying to live my life for my Lord everyday. I've been working in internet marketing since 2003. I want people to look at me and think - What an amazing God she believes in! I want all of my actions to point back to my Lord. They don't always, and for that I am grateful for the Grace of my Lord Jesus Christ.

My God is My Restorer Psalm 51:11-13

16 Aug

Psalm 51:11-13 

American Restoration - Rocket Slide

American Restoration – Rocket Slide – Copyright History.com

Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.

Restore: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state

House is sold as-is.

During my day job, I am an internet marketer for my Realtor Stacy Owens. During my work, I was listing a home that was being sold as-is. That’s code for needs some work. In the description it also says “lots of potential”. I think this home probably needs some restoration.

American Restoration

My husband and I love those restoration shows on History.com. One of our favorites is American Restoration. In this show people bring in old rusted out objects for Rick to restore. He tells them everything he has to do to make it right again. Inevitably the estimated price is stated. Last night, one of the gentleman who brought his item to be restored, upon hearing the price asked, “Why so much?”.

God’s Restoration

Like the items that are brought to Rick’s Restoration, we come to God worn out and sinful. It’s like our perfect exterior has been worn away by life. Our insides aren’t in much better shape. They’re decayed by sin. We’re falling apart. But when God looks at us He sees our potential. He knows what we are in our soul. He still remembers our original state of perfection.

Like New

When people bring their items to Rick, they usually ask for items to be like new and in working order. Isn’t that what we want from God too? Don’t we want all those hurts, pains and sins to be taken away and replaced with someone who is like new and ready to work for the Lord? Sometimes when we come to Him, we’re not only worn down and broken, but we’re in pieces too. We feel like it will be impossible to ever be right with God or ourselves again.

Cast me not away from your presence

In the verse above we hear the author crying out to God not to throw him away. We don’t want to be separated from God and His love. We want to remain close to Him. We want to be renewed with the Holy Spirit inside of us. We want to remain in his presence.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Who doesn’t love a makeover? But what God does for us through Jesus Christ is He restores us; Makes us new again. God restores us through the hope that comes in Jesus Christ. Knowing that we will go to heaven to live with Him one day, allows us to live our lives for Him. It isn’t because of anything we do, it’s because God restores us that we’re able to have joy and be useful.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

What are we supposed to do once we’re restored? We are to go and tell others of what Jesus has done for us, so that they too might be restored. We can be restored here on earth, but the true restoration comes when we enter His heavenly kingdom.

Why so much?

Remember that question the guy asked Rick when he was getting a quote for restoring his project? Why so much? Rick’s answer was, “It’s very important to me to get it exactly right.” He also tells that man it’s going to take a lot of time for it to get done. That’s how God is. He’s willing to put the work in you so that you are constantly being restored towards righteousness. It’s not something that happens over night, but takes time, a lifetime. So what’s the cost? The cost of being restored is Jesus’ life. Why so much? It had to be done exactly right.

 

Are you like new and in working order?

 

 
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Posted by on August 16, 2012 in My God is My Restorer, Psalm

 

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My God is Strong Psalm 105:4

14 Aug

Psalm 105:4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!

I’m feeling pretty weak

I want to be just like everyone else. I want to have the energy other people have. But I get worn down, and then I  get cranky, or worse yet, mean. This weekend, my family and I went to family camp at Camp Lutherwood in Cheshire Oregon. We did this last year as well, and it’s likely to become a tradition. I’m not much of a camper, but they cook for you and you don’t have to sleep on the ground, so it’s not so bad.

Worn out

We go pretty much nonstop at camp, moving from one activity to another. It’s a lot of fun playing games, having adult education time and worship around the camp fire. On Saturday my husband and I went on a hike up a steep hill and then later I did archery. I don’t know if I had over done it on Saturday or what, but Sunday was rough. During brunch, I went to pour my water, and my mind didn’t seem to work correctly. Instead of getting water only in my glass, I also poured it all over the table. I don’t know what went wrong, It’s like my brain shut off. Age or MS? I don’t know which, but either way, I’m not excited about it.

I was so tired. When we got home, I fell into bed and had to wake up a half hour later for a picnic with some of my husband’s cohorts. I wasn’t in a good mood. The people and the food revived me a bit. Yesterday I didn’t do too much that was taxing, but this morning I went on a 6 mile walk, and I’m exhausted again. I was exhausted when we started the walk, and I’m still exhausted after my walk.

Seek the Lord and His strength

My body doesn’t always cooperate with me. I want to be healthy and not have to think about being so tired, but sometimes the exhaustion will not be ignored. Today as I was doing my internet marketing work, I wondered how I would be able to keep my eyes open. I realized, today I wasn’t going to be able to without the help of the Lord. I needed the Lord’s strength, because I don’t have any left of my own. I need to trust that God can get me through whatever is coming my way and cling to His promises as I face each day.

Praise the Lord that I work from home. I have finished my work for the day and as soon as I’m finished here, I can take a nap. Thank you Lord for the rejuvenation that comes with sleep. When I am weak, Dear Lord, may your strength fill in the gaps.

 

 
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Posted by on August 14, 2012 in God is My Strength, Psalm

 

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My God is…My Refuge Psalm 62:5-8

09 Aug

Psalm 62:5-8 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; 
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.

Definition of REFUGE

1: shelter or protection from danger or distress
2: a place that provides shelter or protection
3: something to which one has recourse in difficulty
I don’t know if you’ve ever watched the old Lost in Space series. Our family gets on kicks of watching entire series of old shows. We’ve seen all nine seasons of Little House on the Prairie, Some of Battle Star Galactica and Buck Rodgers. One of the first series my husband shared with my boys was Lost in Space (the old one). The very first one is called No Where to Hide. In this episode, as the space family is crossing a large body of water in their rover of sorts, they face large storms that threaten their very existence. After they go through that harrowing experience, they get down on their knees. The don’t take their safety for granted.

Wild wonderful adventures just ahead

The Robinson family has just come through one ordeal, and their about to go into three seasons worth of ordeals. Every time Will, the son on the show gets into trouble, their trusty robot says “Danger Will Robinson” Wouldn’t it be great if we had a robot who shouted that when danger was lurking? Sometimes it seems like our lives are like the Robinsons. We get through one tragedy, one struggle to find that there are more on their way. Sometimes it feels like we’re being bombarded.

My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 

God is my refuge. When I am overwhelmed by the tumultuous seas of life; struggle with family, loss, or disappointments, I need Will Robinson’s Robot to should out “Danger”. Perhaps then I would be more likely to look quickly to my Lord. Our verse tells us that our salvation and our honor depend on God. Not only does our salvation and survival rely on God, but our honor as well. Sometimes when things are seemingly going wrong, it feels like we’re failures. But in our weakness we are made strong, because God is our refuge and our mighty rock.

God is our shelter or protection from danger or distress

God is our refuge. He shelters and protects us from the dangers of this world, and of the spiritual dangers that are all around us. We can cling to him in the storm, and we will be kept safe. He will protect us and our faith so that we might remain steadfast in Him.

Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.

I love this part of the verse. I especially like the “pour out your hearts to him” part. I love the idea that God wants us to vent to him. I am the sort of person who sorts through life verbally (no surprise to anyone who knows me). I talk things out. I think out loud. Sometimes that means I have to take things back, because by the end of the thought process, I no longer think what I said in the beginning is true. That can be incredibly frustrating to someone like my husband who only speaks when he has thought about what he is going to say. But here I feel like God is saying He’ll listen to my ramblings, and is going to let me vent to Him about everything that is irritating me. I always feel better after I vent. I just need to vent to God more often. He is our refuge. He is our shelter and protection. Praise God.

 

 
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Posted by on August 9, 2012 in My God is my Refuge, Psalm

 

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My God is…a Comforter Psalm 23

07 Aug

Psalm 23 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

My dear friend is going through a rough time today. Her Stepmother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last night. Then she finds out that same day that her husband lost his job. Sometimes life just sucks. Living here on earth is not always what it’s cracked up to be. Life happens. We’re faced with not great things, and sometimes it feels like everything is being piled up on us and is overwhelming. I met my friend a few years ago, and it seems as though her and her family have been going through some really big stuff ever since I met them. They’ve had many deaths, job loss, job change and illnesses to boot. I think if I were them I would feel like I’m walking through the valley.

He restores my soul.

It can be frustrating to watch your friends go through such hard times. You want to do so much for them, but you’re not sure what is helpful and what isn’t. In an attempt to be helpful, we set up a meal train for them. That’s when a bunch of people come together to provide meals for the family. We set one up in hopes that at least not having to think about meals would be a relief to them. But truly the healing they need is not something we can provide, but the restoring of the soul that only Jesus Christ can provide. I pray that comes quickly for them.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The Lord promises us that when we endure these troubling times, we will gain perseverance, character and hope.

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

 Rejoice in our sufferings

As I was talking to my friend today, she said to me, “It will be ok. I’m just really sad.” Now I know that doesn’t seem like rejoicing, but it kind of is. It is standing in the hope that the Lord will see us through. My friends faith is a blessing to me, and her strength is amazing. I pray that our church family and our friends will be able to lift her up in such a way that they will be able to look back at this hard time and remember the love that they were shown.

 

 
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Posted by on August 7, 2012 in My God is my Comforter, Psalm

 

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My God is…Delightful Psalm 35:27

02 Aug

Psalm 35:27 Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!”

I get it backwards sometimes

For most of my life I have started my day and ended my day with prayers that include, “Lord help me to be a blessing to others”. I know, how noble of me, right. Not so much. It’s not that I don’t want to be a blessing to others, but rather my prayer is that I wouldn’t be a pain in the … you know what. Praying that I may be a blessing was to safeguard against my own stupidity and allow for the miracle that I might be a blessing.

Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy

This part of the verse is what made me think of that part of my prayer. I also wanted others to know God, and I knew I was supposed to be a vehicle for that, but I couldn’t see how that would be done. Most of my life any compliments on my character were greeted with me saying something like, “We’ll see how long that will last.” or some such disqualification of my ability to be a blessing.

Shout for joy and be glad and say evermore

So when people would say I had been a blessing or pointed out how I might have helped them, I missed the opportunity to point it back to the Lord. I was sure it was obvious that I was not the amazing one in this scenario, but that any blessing I was came from the Lord. This portion of the verse, the idea that those who I have blessed would be able to shout for joy and be glad because of what the Lord has done through me almost brings me to tears.

“Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!”

Over the past few years, while I’ve been living in Oregon, I have matured a lot (I am almost 40 after all – it’s about time). I have started to accept the fact that the Lord (who is Great) delights in my welfare. He cares about me, and wants me to be a blessing to others, not only for the others, but for myself, that I might be able to give Him the praise and honor and enjoy the closeness that comes with complete Trust in Him.

I’m sure many of my friends know of many of the ways the Lord has provided for us and taken care of our welfare. In Tucson, the Lord provided me with a special friend who would make the early years of parenting survivable. In St. Louis, the Lord provided friends who understood me to the core, the food bank, church, re-sell it shop and a million ways our bills were miraculously covered. Here, we have been blessed beyond all measure, with a home that has no end date. Where relationships, church and home are not transient, but an opportunity to become a part of something bigger and stronger. A place where God’s beautiful creation is a marvel.

The Lord has provided wonderfully for me, but one of the most important ways the Lord took care of my welfare was providing me with amazing parents (and my sister) who loved the Lord above everything else. I don’t think my family was a “Crazy Christian” family, but I will say a lot of conversations included the Lord (and still do). I look back at my journals, and am amazed at how many times I speak about living for the Lord. It makes me want to cry. It warms my heart to be reminded that because of my baptism as an infant, I was able to have an amazing relationship with my Lord my entire life. It is clear to me that He has delighted in the welfare of His servant.

Dear Lord, Help me to be a blessing to others. Amen.

 
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Posted by on August 2, 2012 in My God is delightful, Psalm

 

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My God is…Enriching 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

31 Jul

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in  Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

To Enrich: to make rich or richer especially by the addition or increase of some desirable quality, attribute, or ingredient

That in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you

My boys are getting close to their confirmation day (in the beginning of September) and they’re currently working on a paper, practicing the Apostle’s Creed and preparing themselves to be questioned by the elders of the church about their faith. I think this verse is interesting, because it runs right along side the goal of our pastor for confirmation class. His goal is to have the confirmation students prepared to be able to speak clearly and comfortably about their faith. Not just for when people attack (and they will attack) their faith, but also that they might be confirmed – steadfast in their faith as well.

So that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ

Our pastor wants the youth of our church to be prepared to face the questions of the world, so that they may be able to cling to the word without embarrassment, insecurity or anger. That they may know the views of the world as well as their Christian faith, and be able to compare and contrast those thoughts without getting wound up and agitated. Critical thinking and understanding are essential in their confirmation class. Being able to talk through the faith and their beliefs.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Confirmation in our church is such a vital part of the strengthening of faith. Being able to stick to your convictions when out in the world is challenging, and confirmation in our church is one of the tools our Lord is using to help sustain our youth when they go out in the world. May our youth be strengthened, encouraged, sustained and lifted up by the knowledge they have gained through confirmation, study and faith.

I pray that not only the confirmands, but their parents (who also attend class) will be enriched by God in all speech and all knowledge.

Do you want to be enriched in all speech and all knowledge?

 
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Posted by on July 31, 2012 in My God is Enriching

 

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My God is…My Confidence Proverbs 3:21-26

25 Jul

Proverbs 3:21-26 

My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion,
and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. 

If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

I’m a confident person…I think

Yep, most people would consider me a confident person. I’m loud, bubble and generally cheerful (except when I’m not). I am relatively quick on my feet and handle my self well in most situations. What people don’t see (except my husband) is that when I get home, I can replay the entire evening in my head. I know exactly what I said and the ten ways I think the other person may have misunderstood me. I’m certain at the time that they’re going to never want to speak to me again. My husband has named this condition post social anxiety. I am getting better, but sometimes I lack confidence.

No Matter Who You Are…Trust God

This week I’m helping out at our church’s VBS. I’m leading the video section for the preschoolers with one of my sons (they switch off) and my husband and the other son are running the video for the elementary children. It’s fun to spend time with your family serving. This year we’re using Group’s Sky VBS. Each day they have a different theme”People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). So whether I look confident or am actually falling apart inside, I need to trust God.

No matter how you feel…trust God!

The second day’s theme was “No matter how you feel…trust God!” Do you get the feeling I may be getting more out of VBS than the pre-school children to whom I’m showing the videos? Lacking confidence, needing encouragement, being depressed, even in those times I need to trust God. The verse they used for that day was “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God.” (John 14:1) In our women’s Bible study last night, the woman on the video said that keeping our focus on God is a discipline. I think that trusting God is a similar thing. It’s something we have to work at, and even sometimes flies in the face of all we think is true in our human world.

No matter what people do…trust God!

Sometimes people are not nice. Sometimes they’re actually out to get you. They lie, cheat and steal. On day three of VBS (today) we learned that  those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. (Isaiah 40:31). What wonderful promises the Lord gives us in regards to trusting Him. Trusting God will give us new strength. This makes me think about all the kids in middle school and high school who face a sea of unkindness every time they enter school. These verse are such a blessing and encouragement, and I hope to keep them handy when my boys may face difficulties. I guess not just the boys, but when I face difficulties too.

No matter what happens…trust God!

Sometimes when things go wrong, we think God has abandoned us. We think He’s left us to flap in the breeze. But that’s not the case. He’s still there, and He will give us that new strength and get us through the toughest times. “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.” (Romans 8:38)

No matter where you are…trust God!

Whether I’m at church, a party full of people or in my home having an argument with my children, no matter where I am I need to trust God. He promises to be with me wherever I go. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) I love that this verse says that I shouldn’t be afraid or discouraged. I think discouraged is one of the places I hang out a lot. I let words, thoughts and untruths fill my head and I let them get in the way of trusting in God for the results.

If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

This part of the verse above is amazing, and so applicable to my life. So many nights I have laid in bed wide awake. I think about the day I’ve just had. I think about all the things I have to do tomorrow. I get overwhelmed. My head starts to spin, and soon I realize I’ve been awake for hours. But God promises that if I put my trust in Him, my sleep will be sweet. Woo Hoo! That’s so wonderful.

The Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught

The Lord will be my confidence. When I lack confidence in myself, I’m no longer out of luck. I have some reserves. I have confidence that comes from the Lord. He has an unending supply of confidence to give me. I know that I have never been disappointed when I have put my trust and confidence in Him. I maybe haven’t always understood, but I haven’t been disappointed. God is good. I need to trust Him more and get some of that sweet sleep!

Are you confident?

 
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Posted by on July 25, 2012 in My God is My Confidence, Proverbs

 

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My God is…Consistent – Hebrews 13:8

24 Jul

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Definition of CONSISTENT

1 archaic : possessing firmness or coherence
2 a : marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction <a consistent style in painting>
b : marked by agreement : compatible —usually used with with <statements not consistent with the truth>
c : showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom <a consistent patriot>
3: tending to be arbitrarily close to the true value of the parameter estimated as the sample becomes large <a consistent statistical estimator>
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever
One of the things that I find incredibly comforting about my God is that He is consistent. His promises are true no matter when He made them. He is reliable and trustworthy. You can count on Him to do what He says He’s going to do. I think that’s one of the reasons it’s so important that we spend time in His word. In the Bible we find and learn about His promises. Those promises and truths bring peace, because of His consistency. If He was not consistent, we would not be able to have true faith in Him. He would be arbitrary and unreliable. But God is reliable.
Marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity
God is free from contradiction. I will say that sometimes what we think should happen and what actually happens may seem contrary to the way we expect God to act, but when we look at our lives with the scriptures in hand, He reveals to us the ways that He works things for the good of them that love Him (Romans 8:28). This definition of consistent is used in reference to art, and I guess in that way it leads me to think about the harmony, regularity and continuity He has provided in His creation. The amazing patterns and creations He made that work so seamlessly together. The kind of consistency we see in creation doesn’t seem like it could have happened randomly to me.
Showing steady conformity to character
We know that our God is a loving God, and His consistency and patience throughout time has shown Him to have a steady conformity to character. I guess this one touches close to my heart, because as I’ve been writing these blog posts about who my God is, I have seen His character revealed in so many ways. But no matter how His character is revealed, those traits are never contrary to each other. He is consistent.
Are you looking for consistency?
 
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Posted by on July 24, 2012 in Hebrews, My God is Consistent

 

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My God is…the Light 1 John 1:4-6

19 Jul

1 John 1: 4-6 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.

In the dark

Have you ever been in complete darkness? I’m not speaking metaphorically, I mean real darkness with no light whatsoever? Just after we were married, my husband and I went to visit his parents in Arkansas. While we were there we went canoeing, shopping and other great adventures (ah – the life before kids). One of the days there, we went to tour some caves. We were the only two on the tour. I love touring caves, and this one was wonderful.  We went into the second cave with our guide, and what happened next is an experience I will likely never forget.

Total Darkness

The guide asked us if we had ever been in total darkness. I said, “I’ve been in the dark.” He said, “No, I mean total darkness.” My husband and I looked at each other and said, “I don’t know.” The tour guide then turned off the lights in the cave. I couldn’t see anything. I couldn’t see even a fragment of myself (not even my hands or nose), much less my husband, the guide or the cave. Within a moment (a very short moment) I felt afraid. I spoke, hoping that would calm my nerves. I reached out to grab my husband’s hand, but in this darkness, it was like he didn’t exist. I was at the mercy of the guide. The man with his hand on the light switch had all the power. I had never realized how having even a little light can change a situation. I never want to be in complete darkness again.

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

I guess experiencing God’s light would be almost the opposite of my experience that day. With God, the Light, you can see the one who leads you. You can get your footing. You can reach out to others and take their hands. In the cave I was afraid to move, afraid the cave and everything around had disappeared, but in God’s light we can see what is real, what is true.

Walking in the dark

In the cave it was so dark I wouldn’t have even moved. I was paralyzed by the darkness. That is the extreme. For most of us we live in a world where darkness happens a little more subtly. Each night I wake up and have to go to the bathroom in the dark. I know the way by heart, and it’s usually not a problem. But sometimes it is a problem. Sometimes I put my computer along the wall of our room after working in bed or watching a movie. If I don’t get the battery box out-of-the-way, it can make for a very painful walk to the bathroom. Sometimes, no matter how often I’ve walked to the bathroom before, I still manage to catch my toe on the end of our bed as I pass by it. OUCH!

Walking in the dark is dangerous

When we walk in the dark in our spiritual life by lying, cheating, stealing, slander, lust (need I go on?), we often think the things we’re doing aren’t that big a deal. They start small, like taking a dollar from our moms purse without asking or like my sister and I would do, taking quarters off my fathers dresser without asking. Even if we did ask, I know there were a few times I took more than I had been told to take. We say a lot of things to ourselves to make our walk in the dark not seem so bad. We say things like, “He can afford a couple more quarters”. Or, “The guy with the BMW doesn’t need me to pay for the ding I put in his door. He’s rich, right?” But small walks in the dark can lead us into deeper darkness. “I’m just getting coffee with her, totally innocent right? Oh wait, now she wants to find someplace quiet to talk.” It’s a slippery slope.

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.

These are hard words to hear this side of heaven. As sinful people, we’ll never fully be walking in the light until Jesus comes again or we go to heaven. But that earthly living doesn’t give us the freedom to sin and walk in darkness, but the freedom to draw closer to the light and further from the darkness. When I was growing up and started to date a bit, there came a time when my mom had to tell me that boys weren’t allowed in my room. I said (of course), “Don’t you trust me?”. To which she wisely responded, “I trust you, I trust him, but I don’t trust the situation.” And that is how it is for so many of our sins, and so much of our time in darkness. We don’t work hard enough at keeping ourselves out of darkness. We don’t work hard enough at keeping ourselves in the light either.

His light doesn’t depend on us.

While we can lead ourselves out of the light into the darkness, the light is always there. God has saved us from our sins that we might spend eternity with Him in heaven. It is this blessing that calls us to walk in the light, to turn from our past lives of sin, not just because they’re bad for us, but because those sins and the darkness is what separates us from the one who loves us more than anyone else. Just like me reaching out for my husband in the dark cave, the Lord reaches out to us in our dark places, takes our hand and leads us back to the light. Unfortunately, sometimes, those of us who are stubborn and don’t like to be told what to do pull our hands out of His and remain in darkness. We pull away, leaving ourselves stranded.

Walk in the light

Hold fast to the one who has brought you out of darkness, so that you may not be overwhelmed by the darkness. Jesus is the Light. He is the way to everlasting life, and can lead you out of that darkness. Even letting in a little light can change your whole world. Once you have a little light, you won’t want to live without it. So go towards the light!

 

 
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Posted by on July 19, 2012 in 1 John, My God is My Light

 

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My God is…Upright Deuteronomy 32:3-4

17 Jul

Deuteronomy 32:3-4

I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he.

Upright – Adhering strictly to moral principles; righteous.

Who is the most perfect person you know? 

A few years ago I was in a couples Bible study with some amazing people. They were strong in their faith and a blessing to be around. During one of our Bible studies, the question was asked who is the most perfect person you know? People said things like Mother Teresa, but I’m a cynic. I thought – I don’t know Mother Teresa, how could I possibly say she was close to perfect. I know her actions were amazing, but I didn’t know her heart. I didn’t know what she said when she stubbed her toe or was treated unjustly.

He’s a stand up guy

There was someone I knew who was practically perfect (no not Mary Poppins). My answer was clear – my father. Now, don’t get me wrong, I know my dad doesn’t always do everything perfectly, but I have a hard time thinking there is ever any negative motivation or unkind thoughts. My father is the most perfect person I know. I know his heart, because as his daughter I have seen first hand how he reacts in bad situations.

He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.

God is perfect not only in his motivation, but in all His actions. Though my dad may make mistakes and probably doesn’t always think nice things (though you wouldn’t hear them verbalized), God doesn’t make mistakes. All His works are perfect. All His ways are just. Sometimes that’s not easy to take, because for us His decisions don’t always make sense. But Scripture tells us He is the Rock. He never falters, and He is perfect.

A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he.

I know that my God is perfect. Much in the same way I know my dad is the most perfect person I know. I know His heart. It is shown to me in scripture, baptism, Holy Communion and our time together. I know how my Lord feels about me. He loves me and wants what is best for me. I know that His ways are good. He does no wrong. He’s the perfect man! He is upright!

Who is the most perfect person you know?

 

 

 

 
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Posted by on July 17, 2012 in My God is Upright

 

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