The Holy Quest

From an Advent devotional by Joel Heck, a story regarding King Arthur, Lancelot and the quest for the Holy Grail: C. S. Lewis, A Grand Miracle

Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? Matthew 2:2

Lancelot's quest began in Advent, and our quest, our preparation for Christmas, likewise begins in Advent. And like the Wise Men preparing for their quest, we need to set out to find our King, the Christ Child. When we begin our Advent season with Scripture and seek the Holy Christ rather than the Holy Grail, we are choosing wisely.

God grant us wisdom to choose thoughtfully our preparation for your coming in Jesus. Amen.

Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? Matthew 2:2

The Sparkle of Christ's Love

It’s late fall; the air is crisp and cool. It’s 44 degrees on my front porch and the breeze is invigorating. Often we think of the goodness of God through the blossoming of spring. But God also shares His goodness to us in the sweet, crisp days of winter. Listen to what He says to Job in chapter 38 verses 28-30.

“Does the rain have a father? Who gives birth to the dew? Who is the mother of ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens? For the water turns to ice as hard as rock and the surface of the water freezes.”

Christ, the creator of all things, shares with us the beauty, the birth, of water freezing into delicate ice crystals that twinkle when lit by the sun. Jesus, the Son shines on even the most frozen day making it sparkle with the goodness of His love.

To God be the Glory! Amen.

Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

The days wane quickly, darkness covering the day in such a short time.  Even the darkness of depression waxes and wanes but the abiding light of Jesus, the Living Light, infuses the darkness with hope.  Regardless of one's state of mind the prayer of St. Francis can be manifested in the life of the Christian.  As this Advent season begins it is the prayer of peace that helps to sustain me in the darkness and gives life through the ever-present Light making me an instrument of God's love.

The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

Hearing God's Voice in the Wind

I like to listen for God's voice in the wind.  Sitting on my front porch when the breeze blows puts me in a certain mindset that helps me to listen more readily for His voice speaking to my heart.

Most of the time the things I hear are whispered words of loving assurance.  Today was no exception.  I am learning in these quiet times with Him that no service is too small.  Each person I serve brings Him joy.  Loving my husband and children in the best way I can is every bit as important as ministering to other people.

Loving my family with the love of Christ is the first love.  Listening to my husband, my son, my daughters speak their most heartfelt desires, sharing their doubts and fears, is the most precious gift I have to give.  In serving my family I serve my Lord.

To God be the Glory! Amen.

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.  You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.  O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.   Psalm 30:11-12 NIV

How strange that I can write on this blog that, hopefully, someone other than me is reading but it's extremely difficult to voice these thoughts and feelings to the people I love the most.  

Jesus woke me early this morning and I had a thought I just had to get up and share regarding depression.  That was a few minutes ago.  Now I've forgotten it.  I haven't forgotten this one thing, though.  That even if I make my bed in hell, sweet Lord God, You are there. (Psalm 139:8).  


Holding a thought is almost as difficult as holding sand in a spaghetti strainer.  It's gives me the tateds (agitated, irritated, and frustrated).  However, each moment brings me one breath closer to You, sweet Lord, regardless of the tateds.  Your love infinitely holds all that I am even thoughts that flee like the wind.


To God Be the Glory!  Amen.

 

Living in Darkness

"...The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." Matthew 4:16 NIV

Most of us from time to time have felt a little "blue," or, "down in the dumps."  We know this feeling is temporary and will go away in its own good time as we continue the routine of daily life.

For some people, however, this is not simply a feeling that goes away.  It's an overwhelming sense of darkness shadowing every aspect of life.  The darkness has a name---clinical depression.  

A shameful thing, clinical depression not only is darkness but its very existence has to be kept hidden in the shadows.  Depression is something folks whisper about behind their hand.  It's odd to me, but I have never heard one prayer request for someone with a debilitating mental illness or sickness of the soul.  But a severe physical illness will get you front page on the prayer request bulletin.

Clinical depression can kill as quickly as cancer and with far less compassion.  Yet, there IS good news.  Jesus came to shine the light of His love in every nook and cranny.  Even the shadows of depression cannot resist the the dawning light of the Savior.

And even though we will experience all manner of sickness, trouble, and heartache this side of heaven, sufferers of clinical depression "wait for the blessed hope---the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13 NIV).   His light dispels all darkness, including the shadows of clinical depression.

To God Be the Glory! Amen.

Lake Chatuge

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Sometimes when the pressure is just too much my sweet husband, Michael C., and I find ourselves longing for peace and quiet.  We've been several places over the years but have found ourselves getting closer and closer to home.

We used to enjoy the road trip and still do if the road trip is less than four hours.  Anything longer simply makes me irritable which doesn't add to our driving pleasure, if you know what I mean.

For the time being the perfect spot for us is a little cove in the mountains of northeast Georgia on Lake Chatuge. When we get there we tend to reflect on the goodness of God and all His blessings to us.  It is a time to simply be and enjoy being in the presence of God with each other.  (They also have boiled peanuts which I cannot stop eating once I start!).

We just got back from there as a matter of fact.  Refreshed and ready to go again we resume our daily lives. I know the peace of God which transcends all understanding guards my heart and mind in Jesus.  Sometimes, though, I just need a sweet place to settle in and listen for His whispered words of peace and love.

To God be the Glory! Amen.