Quiet Time ... Random Stuff That's On My Mind ....

I woke up at 4am; got out of bed at 4:45ish with the intent of having a Quiet Time.  Quiet time as in reading the Bible, meditating on God's Word, writing on my personal journal (which is basically my love letters to God) and listening .... listening to God's soft voice .... instructing and guiding me on what I should do next ....

Why is it so hard for us to settle down and be quite?  As soon as I got up I noticed about 50 things I need(ed) to do this morning (or that "I thought" I needed to do, but "needed"? nah, it could have waited). For example, I had to  put down all chairs that I had out last night because I ran our rumba so our floors will be clean. I really didn't have to - we have other places for me to do my "quiet time" without putting these chairs down ...  Then there's the cat who wanted my attention; then there's the load of laundry that needed to be transferred from washer to dryer; then there's those 3 baskets full of clean clothes that needs to be folded, then I realized I need to make chai tea for myself, then I "needed" to check Facebook, and email.... and before I know it, it is 5:15 and I still have not had my quite time.  And so I resorted to writing this blog post - sort of a reflection .... sort of a free flowing thing to get what's on my mind out of my mind into something I can read and reflect upon.

Life is good. I am grateful. My life is not perfect in any means but it's a comfortable life - I can't complain. If or when I start listing in my mind the people and things I am blessed with, gratitude fills my being.

It is almost 6AM; part of my is thinking I should really be folding those clean clothes before they become too wrinkly; part of me is saying .... slow down ... first things first ... weren't you (that's me) supposed to do your quite time this morning?

Quiet time? Oh yeah... thanks for reminding me.

Be Still ...

The post below is an excerpt from my prayer journal. It was written at Mt. Hermon Prayer Garden in March 1994. I have decided to post some of my journal entries here on my blog to 1) remind me of the Lord's goodness and faithfulness in my life 2) to hopefully encourage others in their walk with Christ. Here's the first if this series:

Be still before the Lord...
There comes a time in the life of a Christian soldier when he MUST retreat from the heat of the battle to a place of solice with the Lord...to find comfort, to re-collect himself, and to renew his strength.

Lord, there is so much peace spending time with you alone in this mountain. Here, you become so close, so real. This is the "closeness and reality" we often neglect or take for granted in the busyness of our lives in the city...

As I look upon your creation, as I reflect upon your goodness, as I meditate upon your faithfulness, as I consider how generous and merciful you are, and as I think of your greatness...I am amazed and dumbfounded. It is incomprehensible how a God like you could and would love a sinner like me... it is such a mystery to me...yet I am thankful. Life without your love..is in vain....

Lord, I pray that you will make my life a reflection of your goodness... Lord Jesus, I want to be like you...enable me Lord, for I cannot do it without you. Amen.

READ 2 Chronicles 20

* I am re-posting this to share at Dusty Frame's "Works Of God Weekend". Most of God's works in my life blossoms when I take the time to be still before him. Have a blessed weekend everyone....

Love Hopes All Things

It's 2:00 in the morning. I was lying in bed tossing and turning. My heart was anxious and my head was spinning. I was worried about our son. He’s just 5 and he’s already having problems at school.

It’s almost 3:00 AM. I still could not sleep. Whispering, I prayed “God, what future does my son hold? Show us how we can help him” I did not hear an audible answer. But in the stillness of the night I knew the Lord had spoken and said “For I know the plans I have for G…plans of good and not of evil…to give him a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). With these comforting words, I went to sleep.

This happened a year ago…and from that, I’ve learned to appreciate this aspect of love that I’ve not focused on before: hope!

More than anyone, God knows the depth of my love for G. And on that night, God reminded me that He loves G so much more than I possibly can! After that prayer, God has been showing us each day his wonderful plan. Hope unfolds every step that leads to G’s bright future. No longer am I anxious. Instead, love has taken away my fears. Yes, there are times when I still worry, but I have learned to turn my worries into prayers and the result is a tremendous hope!

This is the power of love. It is fueled and sustained not by an ever-changing emotional or physical state, but by deep beliefs and hopes that are given by God to those who trust Him. Real love has a capacity to view life – and live with it – with an optimism that is refreshing because of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col:27)

Real love can hope because of what God can do in a person’s life. Love…hopes all things.

(from my Journal, written 6/14/2004)

Update: Sometime after writing the above journal entry in 2004, we discovered that G has dyslexia. With proper remediation, he gained his confidence. He is now in 4th grade and doing well in school. He has to work harder than the rest of the class but knowing that "he's not dumb" but just "learn differently" made a huge difference in his school life :)

Joy In The Morning

Sacrifice brings death to what my heart desires
Yet love gives strength to overcome

A wound may leave a scar that brings remembrance
But pain is there no more

with sunset comes darkness and night
but in sunrise there is promise of light

Weeping may endure for a night
but rejoicing comes in the morning

Journal Entry Nov 1991

I Am The Way

The following is a word from the Lord spoken through a member of Hope Chapel, Kermit Coad, in March 26, 1995. These words were such a comfort to me during my difficult time of adjustment as a newly wed in a new country with my family and childhood friends so far away from me. These words brought me so much peace and encouragement then, may these be an encouragement to you now:

My children,

The most important thing is OUR relationship. Everything else is dependent on this. You cannot hope to look to others or situations to bring you peace, joy or happiness. When things are positive and go well, rejoice and be thankful, but do not look for your source of comfort or affirmation in the world, and do not seek it in the flesh.

There is no genuine love, joy, peace or fulfillment apart from Me. Remember that. Me first! Your world view will be skewed if you forget this truth. It is the enemy's plan to subtly allure you away from Me. Recognize it. Remember it, Don't let it happen. Be watchful and prayerful. Return to Me as your first love. Exalt Me above all else and I will lift you up. Rejoice in this fact.

Prove Me by wholly embracing it in spirit, in truth, in faith and in reality. Without putting me first, there is no clear or balanced vision; no clear direction. I AM ...The Way.

Be Still

The post below is an excerpt from my prayer journal. It was written at Mt. Hermon Prayer Garden in March 1994. I have decided to post some of my journal entries here on my blog to 1) remind me of the Lord's goodness and faithfulness in my life 2) to hopefully encourage others in their walk with Christ. Here's the first if this series:

Be still before the Lord...
There comes a time in the life of a Christian soldier when he MUST retreat from the heat of the battle to a place of solice with the Lord...to find comfort, to re-collect himself, and to renew his strength.

Lord, there is so much peace spending time with you alone in this mountain. Here, you become so close, so real. This is the "closeness and reality" we often neglect or taken for granted in the busyness of our lives in the city...

As I look upon your creation, as I reflect upon your goodness, as I meditate upon your faithfulness, as I consider how generous and merciful you are, and as I think of your greatness...I am amazed and dumbfounded. It is incomprehensible how a God like you could and would love a sinner like me... it is such a mystery to me...yet I am thankful. Life without your love..is in vain....

Lord, I pray that you will make my life a reflection of your goodness... Lord Jesus, I want to be like you...enable me Lord, for I cannot do it without you. Amen.

READ 2 Chronicles 20