Making Sense
I hope all of the following things I say make sense. I am so full of things that God has been speaking to me, and when I get that way, sometimes my thoughts all run together... anyway, this is a my meager attempt to convey some of those thoughts....

Lavish Me
Have you ever heard a song that became the sound track of your day? I often will be listening to a CD and a song will come on that the Lord uses to SPEAK to me. I usually put my player on REPEAT and let the message soak in. This was true of Friday.

Friday was a dreary day. Not just outside but inside me, too. I'm not sure why, but it was just one of those 'down' days. God felt big and distant, and I felt alone. My free time at school, I spent reading from a book I've been going through called Ruthless Trust. God had a message in there for me for that SPECIFIC day! The chapter title was called Infinate and Intimate, and though I was feeling the weight of God's infinity, I was having a hard time with the 'intimate' part... that God was my 'daddy'... that I was his child. I knew he loved me, but it felt like a far-away love. Then I read the following:

Transcendence must be conjoined with immanence... God's distance must be complimented by his nearness.

An exclusive emphasis on the divine 'kabod' [glory] and the transcendent mystery of God banishes God from our world and our lives. He remains far away, aloof in his infinate majesty. He dwells in unapproachable light... Disregard of God's immanence deprives us of any sense of intimate belonging, while inattention to his transcendence robs God of his godliness. (pgs 81-82) (emphasis mine)

As I was reading, God was speaking words of love and care, like a daddy. The dreariness didn't change, b/c I don't know that I was convinced (I knew it was true, but I just wasn't feeling it. Was God really trying to speak to me?) I got in my car and the SCC Cd Speachless was in, and on the way home, Track 13 "Be Still and Know" started to play. Immediately as I was listening to the lyrics, It sunk in. Tears came to my eyes. I pushed repeat on my player and listened to the song over and over again. The message resounded in my heart. God loves me.... God loves ME! He is in control.

Be Still and Know
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still, O restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that he has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still

Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know he is our Father
Come rest your head upon his breast
Listen to the rhythm of his unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still

When I got home I went up stairs to check my email. Sat down at the computer and for some reason, looked down at the mouse. It was resting on a mouse pad that we have had for years. I had never really payed it much attention, but today i noticed it said, "Be still and know that I am God." Ok, by then I'm pretty much GETTING the message. LOL! Wow! Isn't God GOOD!

Later, on the way to The Basement to set up for Heidi's concert I was listening to the song Speachless, and the following lyrics stuck out,

Oh how great is the love
The Father has lavished upon us,
That we should be called the sons and daughters of God

That is from I John (which we have been studying in TL). Later Heidi sang a song called, "Lavish Me" based on this verse. By the end of the night, I felt very 'lavished' in the Love of God. I am Blessed!

So leads to the lyrics that I posted of Heidi's on Saturday...

Just trying to get this Ruthless Trust Under my belt
But, Lord, I need your help.
Please quiet all the noise!
-Heidi Nance

Unfortunately, I'm sure that there will be other times of discouragement and doubt. God is very gracious to give me these reminders and lavish me with his love. Will I ever get the "Ruthless Trust under my belt?" Thank you, Jesus, that we have heaven to look forward to where faith and hope are passed away and all that remains will be LOVE!

'til there's no more faith
and no more hope
and I see your face and, Lord, I'm home
and only Love remains.
-Andrew Peterson

I woke up Saturday morning to a beautiful warm sunshiney day! God is faithful in rain and in sun!