Don't Remember

This morning I sat on my deck with my bible across my crossed legs.  Typical scene for me. I love sitting cross legged; my bible fits perfectly between my knees.  Like most mornings, I come expecting to be changed in some degree by what I read and what I hear.  I know by now that anytime spent in God's word is mind-altering. Here's a portion for you.

Isaiah 43:18-19
"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. 
'Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?"

Hmm....do not call to mind the former things.  Not something I can hear me saying to my children.  In fact, quite the opposite.  I insist they remember.  I can hear myself saying, "' I forgot" is not a good excuse."  However, here in this passage, the Lord is commanding us to not call to mind something.  I think calling something to mind is not passive.  It sounds proactive to me.  When I call something to mind I am deliberate.  I want to recall it. I call it back like I call my child in from play. 

The Lord goes a little further.  He says, "or ponder things of the past".  Pondering involves reflection.  Again, this is not a passing thought.  This is something you give yourself over to.  This is something you marinate your mind and emotions in.  Hum....sounds a little scary now.  Do you know where I'm going with this?  Calling to mind and pondering the former things can be obstacles in seeing what God has ahead for you; for me.

Verse 19...."Behold...."  Pause for a moment right here.  The Lord is trying to get our attention.  He wants us to stop, look, and listen.  This is not a drive -by or drive-thru exercise.  Slow down, take a seat and look up.  Listen to what He has to say, "Girl, I will do something new, NOW, it will spring forth; will you see it happen?" 

What are you remembering this morning? Does it fill your thoughts with regret? Is there anything you can do right now to correct the past?  No.  So here's a suggestion.  Don't travel down into that valley of regret and what if so-and-so garbage.  Instead look over the wasteland from the bridge.  Let evaluated experience inform course changes for the future but do not get on your slop boots and hike down into that mess!  The Lord is doing a NEW thing in your life NOW!  He even promises you He will pave a roadway in the wilderness.  Keep reading your bible.  It's all there.

Maybe you are recalling a significant relationship right now.  Maybe you are rehearsing hopes and dreams that never came true.  Little sister, can I tell you straight?  STOP IT.  Perhaps your heart is breaking because someone else's dream is coming true right now.  Do you know that one person's joy does not diminish yours?  In fact, I say their joy increases yours.  We are becoming genuine like Christ as we rejoice with those who are happy.  You might not feel it now, but so what.  It's true.  There is enough of God's love and joy to fill every crevice open to Him! 

So, are you going to be aware of the NEW and NOW in your life today?  The choice is yours.  I love you. I am praying for you.

No longer a slave

No longer a slave

Contend To The End

Tullian is becoming one of my favorite preachers/teachers to listen to. Here's his recent post.

Contend To The End

Having Fun with Animoto:)

test 2

Evangelism and Hospitality

The other night, our care group discussed the issue of heaven which led us into a discussion on hell which led us to a talk on evangelism. Historically, those talks can turn into occasions for feeling condemned. It was different this time. I think we are getting it. It's not "doing", it's being. I don't do marriage. I am married. We don't "do" evangelism. We are in the work of opening our lives and homes to strangers. We make room for others. We are friendly and inviting to outsiders. We are others centered.

Here's a good article and link to a message on it. Enjoy.

www.http://mrlauterbach.typepad.com/gospeldrivenlife/2011/02/the-depths-of-hospitality.html

Animoto Rocks!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Alone Make Much of You

With mercy make me free Posted: 30 Jan 2011 12:01 AM PST “O Jesus, take my bent away For thinking much of me, And kill my pride, and from this day With mercy make me free. O Jesus, grant the gift to see The treasure that you are, And as the night eclipses me, O be my Morning Star. And now if I should serve, or lead, Or give, or mercy show, O Jesus, let my love be freed, And like a river flow. O Jesus, be the treasure of My heart and all I do, And may the river of my love Alone make much of you.” — John Piper "Using Our Gifts in Proportion to Our Faith, Part 2" (Minneapolis, Minn.: Desiring God Ministries, Nov. 7, 2004)