Psalm 42... It's okay to wonder where He is

I need you desperately.
Why can't I find you?
I am overwhelmed by sadness...
I feel like your light has gone out of me.
This didn't use to be so hard.
I remember how easy it was to praise you...
heck, I used to lead others to praise you too.

But now... I don't understand my grief
or the darkness that has settled over me.
I know I should praise you.
I know that you are my Savior,
I know that you are my God.

Now, more than ever, I recognize my need for you.
You have been with me on the mountaintops of my life...
be with me in the depths.
Be with me now.
Remind me of your love... let it wash over me.

In my head, I know that You are always with me.
You direct me by day and sing over me at night.

But sometimes Lord, I feel forgotten.
I am plodding along in despair.
I cover my ears with my hands,
trying to block out the taunting voices of the evil one.
They ask me, "Where is your God?"
My soul asks the same.

I am overwhelmed by sadness...
the light has gone out of me.
Help me to hope in you again.
I want to praise you
my Savior,
my God.

Phillipians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord!

I'm going to say it again so it can really marinate.

Rejoice in the Lord!

(Don't be snarky, don't be sarcastic, don't be sullen or sad!)

Henceforth, your overriding emotion shall be... JOY!

Got it?

The Lord has been gentle with you,

Be gentle to others.

He is always near.

So, whatever is making you nervous, anxious, worried or upset…

bring it all to Him and lay it down at His feet.

Pray.

Pray about the big, heart-wrenching, peace-destroying things
and the small, nagging, stealing-your-joy-daily things.

Pray with thankfulness in your heart and trust Him.

He is working all things out

for your good and His glory.

When you lay everything before Him,

He does this amazing thing…

He takes your pain

and exchanges it for His peace.

What a transaction!

Rejoice in the Lord.

I will say it again, rejoice.

“Oh what peace we often forfeit!
Oh what needless pain we bear!
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

– Joseph Scriven

Psalm 34 Good News for girls like me

I want to praise God at all times.

I want to talk about what He has done for me.

I want to brag about Him 

and show my hurting friends the evidence of His work in my life--

so that they may hope in Him also...

then we will praise Him together.
Won't that be FUN?

This is what happened...

I looked for God, but He found me.

I was stressed, anxious and afraid.

He delivered me from all of that… one thing at a time.

I am finally free from the accusing voices that have hounded me

and I am radiant with joy.

For I cried out (literally… I sobbed) and He heard me.

He saved me from all my troubles,

He even saved me from myself.

I know that His angels surround me.

Test Him and see for yourself... He is GOOD.
Put your trust in Him and you will be blessed.

Know that there is nothing in this world that you should fear…

but God himself.

Though He is a loving god,
He is who He says He is
and we should not take Him lightly.
So follow His commands!
(How should I put this???)
Stop talking crap about other people

and repent of your own sins!

Finally, start doing some good in the world.

and work hard for peace.

His really does watch over you

and He is always ready to listen.

He’ll deal with your enemies…
(any person, any feeling or any thing that separates you from God's peace)

don’t worry your pretty little head about them!

Stay right with God and pray to Him constantly.

and He will keep you in perfect peace.

When life is at it's bleakest;
when your heart is breaking in sorrow--

that is when He sticks the closest.

He will rescue you from your hopelessness.

It is true that you will still have lots of problems in this life, 

but God will deliver you from every one of them

and He will keep you safe in His arms.

Spoiler alert: Good will triumph over evil

because God has already won the victory.

He is your righteousness.

No one can judge you

because you

are His.

Isaiah 40 for Dummies (like me)

Isaiah 40

Dear Church,

Don't be sad.  I know that things have been really bad and the outlook is bleak, but I am here to tell you that the worst is over.

Get ready… I am coming!

But before I get there, I need you to take care of a few things.  First, every high place of pride and self-sufficiency needs to be made low, and every valley of shame and unworthiness needs to be raised to the glorious hope of sins forgiven and true redemption as my sons and daughters.  Also, there are some obstacles that need to be removed from the road… every stumbling stone of hurt, fear and doubt that I am able to do what I say I will do.

Everything you do and everything you are will pass away… but my perfect word remains.

It’s time to preach that word again… it's good news so speak it loudly and without fear.  Forget about being politically correct.  I really am the only way.... I am not just one of several acceptable options.  And though my name is Mighty God and I am full of terrible power, I love you dearly and I will care tenderly for you.  I am gathering you together again and I will gently lead you.

Listen up church-- can your wisdom compare to mine?   Do you have a better plan than I have?  

This is the reality...you are just little. There is nothing you can do to please me.  I know what you are and I know what I AM.

Oh, twenty-first century church people, to whom will you compare me?  Am I a thing to manipulate? Am I a benign god that you have created to meet your needs and purposes?  

Do you not know, have you not heard?  Yes, you have heard. You’ve learned the truth and now it’s time to remember it and live it.  I am the one true God.  I watch countries, kingdoms and governments come and go.  They are insignificant. Your wisdom will never compare to mine, your works will never compare to the work of my hands.  If you need to be reminded, look up at the stars tonight.  I keep the heavens in perfect order. Can you do that?

I really am the everlasting God.  I created the earth and sustain it.  If that doesn’t tire me out, then what will?  My understanding is perfect and I have ALL the answers. 

My precious people, you are all tired because you have been trusting in your own strength.  It is time to put all your hope in Me. I will surely renew your strength.  Now, do you want to limp along in your own abilities or would you prefer to soar on wings like eagles?

The time for running is now… run with the wind of the Spirit on your backs.  Run in MY will and you will not grow weary.  Walk in MY love and grace and you will not be faint.

And here's the thing dear church-- when you live and act with my spirit, when you work and serve with my strength; MY glory will be revealed to the world.

Isaiah 58 for Dummies (like me)

Isaiah 58

Shout it aloud; don’t hold back!  It’s going to be hard but someone has to remind my people that they are turning their backs on me.

For day after day they pray to me and seem eager to learn all about me.  They spend so much time studying the word and learning all about me, yet they do not do what I’ve asked them to do.  They forget my commands.

They complain about their small sacrifices of time and money.

They want me to notice all they have done for me. They think I don’t see their self-righteous fasting.

But when they “fast” they are not fasting with the right spirit. They continue to hurt each other with angry words and actions.  I am not pleased with this kind of fasting.  I see through you.  You are not fasting for me… you are trying to impress your church friends.

What do I really want from you?  I want you to put an end to injustice, to set the prisoners of injustice free and to break the patterns and strongholds of this dark world that oppress my people.

Feed the hungry, be a friend to the lonely, give your possessions to the poor… and start with those that are closest to you.

If you do these things, you will be surprised how I will bless you. I will heal your broken hearts and the gospel you preach will start making sense to the world. Then you will be righteous in my sight and the world will see my glory instead of your hypocrisy.  In your humility, you will cry for my help and I will be there.

Furthermore, do not keep people in bondage by judging them and speaking badly of them.  People are hungry… physically and spiritually.  Spend your time and your resources satisfying their hunger.  Then you will be my light in this world… you will truly make a difference in the darkness.  I will guide you in all your holy endeavors and I will not forget to satisfy your needs as well.  In fact, I will bless you and encourage you more than ever. 

You will rebuild the broken church and bring her back to her original purpose… to repair the brokenness in the world, to bring my light to the people.

Don’t forget my Sabbath rest, I gave it to you for a reason.  Enjoy this day and do not dishonor it by doing what you want.  Honor me with your words and your actions and you will find true joy. I will give you the ride of your life…  and you will see all my promises fulfilled.