52 Blessings

So, as usual, I've gotten distracted and forgotten to post the way I should. It only gets worse around the holidays when my true funk kicks in (if the definition of "sickly" is low energy and given to depression, I'm entering my sickly phase. See you in March). Now I have a plan. Everything in my life runs on deadlines, so I'm going to make sure I have to post at least once a week. I got my Photojojo newsletter (for people who like photography) this week, and true to the Thanksgiving theme, it's about things you feel grateful for or there's another assignment called "52 Blessings." So basically, I need one blessing a week. Surely I can swing that, right? I'll start it the first week of December. The best part is that they don't have to be earth shattering...there's nothing better than just being happy and doing good. That comes from the verse below, found in Ecclesiastes, right after the "Time for Everything" list.

From Ecclesiastes 3
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.

When was the last time...

I was reading a Christian blog written by the pastor of NewSpring church, Perry Noble, and came across the question, "When was the last time you went to church expecting God to speak to you?"

I think expectation is part of my challenge. I go to church because I'm supposed to. Most of the time, that's why. I guess I expect to enjoy it, to check it off my list, and then get on with the demands of the week. I pray because I'm supposed to. Most of the time, that's why. I expect to check it off the list and then go back to the next problem. There are times when I desperately want to hear God speak, and because of the problems that I have with my expectations day to day, it's difficult to hear God speaking.

One of the things I want to take a look at is the difference in waiting and expecting. I think I wait instead of expect and I just know there's got to be a difference.

I just did a very quick search on waiting, and this verse from Micah seemed to fit...watching in hope...that's probably where I need to step it up a little.

Micah 7:7 (New International Version)

7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.

Inspired

It's been a few days since our last video post, so here's another. I really don't understand why people want to add cheesy graphics and weird "Jesus" pictures to perfectly nice videos, but this is the best I've found to go with this Steven Curtis Chapman song.

I'm posting it because yesterday, as I was driving in to work, this song played, and about the time "you whisper and my heart begins to soar", the tears started. It's such a question: Where is the hope of London? Where is the hope for Africa? Where is the hope for the beggar...or the rich man...or me? I think the timing has to do with my response because we were facing an election where the biggest word is "change" and people are desperate for something better. Politics isn't the answer, but hope is.

Whether it's the on streets of London, the children of Africa, every man and woman, boy and girl...every single person needs hope.

And the fact of the matter is that president-elect Obama is just one man. He has a powerful message, but he's just one man. And the truth is that God is in control. And if we want change, we're going to have to make it. And it has less to do with clean energy or fiscal policy or bipartisanship and more to do with living as we've been called to live. Democrat or Republican, the greatest commandment is the same: Love one another. And honestly, if we could just do that, we could change the world.

(Stepping down off the soap box now.)

Abide: Ask

In John 15, Jesus says:
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

4. When you abide, you ask and God moves.

James 4:3 (NASB) says:
3You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

I was looking up verse 2 which says, "You do not have because you do not ask." And this is a problem with me, for sure. I don't ask...until it's really, really big. And often, when I do ask, it's because I have the wrong motives. Either way, I don't have. And this right here, this issue, this promise is where I get hung up over and over. God is good. I want what God has for me. I ask for His direction.
But...I hold something back. I want the good things for sure. But do I really want to take the steps to get there? Especially when they are unclear?

Today I'm saying I do. Father, I want your will for my life. I want to abide in you, to be close to you, to fulfill my purpose in you. Help me abide in you daily, to see where you are working and understand my part and then give me the courage to pursue it. Help me to ask with the right motives for the blessings that I know that you have for me and to maintain the right heart so that I can be used by you.

Abide: His word

3. To abide, you have to know what Jesus says. His words also abide in you.

Psalm 119:11 (New International Version)
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

The more I study, the clearer it becomes the less I know. You know? As I read what Jesus says about abiding, it's clear to me that one of my problems is not knowing His words well enough. In John 15, Jesus says that I should abide in him and his words in me. I have the kind of memory that will sometimes allow me to get the broad idea, but not the word-for-word...and that's probably not so good either. And any test better be on the New Testament because the OT can get a little fuzzy. So, uh, here's a sticking point...I see something to change and it's pretty clear on where I need to go...more words, more OT words, more study period.

So, now what am I going to do about it?