Only God

Revealing Himself in Everyday Moments

Archives for June 2014

Plumb Line of Grace

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Often as we grow older we forget the simple truths that we have learned over the years.  One such truth comes back to me time and time again.

My children are grown now but I remember one summer in particular.  They were both in their elementary age years just beginning in their faith journey.  Wanting to stress the importance of God’s Word, I cut out scripture cards.  Being somewhat of a perfectionist, I never seem to make any project simple.  So after decorating the cards, highlighting the various verbs, cutting them out and laminating them, they were finally ready to be hung with purpose on my refrigerator.  Agreed, a bit overkill.

It began as a simple lesson for my two young ones but turned into a life changing routine for myself.

Philippians 4:8 & 9  “Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worth of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.  The things you have leaned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.”    

My cards were taped with pride to the front of my fridge.   The simple choices did not apply, but the decisions that fell into the “gray” areas of our life brought this process front and center.  “Can we watch this movie?”  “Is this word okay to say?” … you get the idea.  Choices about how we treated others, motives and actions, movies or books as well as how we interacted within our family were all at the scrutiny of this verse that God so thought provokingly placed in our home.

God’s Word became came the “plumb line” {a tool used for determining whether or not something is perfectly vertical i.e. “upright}  that we measured our actions and thoughts against.  This may seem an obvious truth, however the action involved with it is less endearing.

Choosing to give up something you enjoy, desire or consider borderline because it is not God’s best is difficult.  But the choice to do so has brought great peace in my own life while the choice not to has often brought turmoil.  Even today as I watch a movie or ponder a conversation, I keep this verse in mind.

Recently I have picked up on watching a television show that I truly enjoy.  It is not blatantly bad, but the undertone  would press hard against this verse.  It has been a difficult decision that I have struggled with as I place God’s Word as a “plumb line” among my own desires.  In my heart I know the right answer, but my actions to abandon this “earthly” pleasure have been slow to follow.  You may find yourself in a similar situation.

All I know is this … God’s Word is truth.   Together we can take His wisdom and choose to apply it or disregard it.  Isn’t our God amazing that He offers His wisdom and allows us to freely choose its acceptance?  Some days I think not, as it have been to my own demise when I have chosen badly.

But I press on, knowing that as I do, God’s grace and mercy stand firmly beside me walking through the choices in my life bringing me that much closer to becoming more like Him.

Having a “Pollyanna” Day?

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Recently I sat down and watched the classic movie, “Pollyanna.” I love her concept of being glad, always looking for the good and “choosing” joy!  Throughout the movie, Pollyanna speaks of her father’s quest to find the “glad” chapters dropped within the pages of the Bible.  Over the years it has become one of my favorite movies.

I’ve often wondered if the director of this film was a fan of the Psalms.  For long before Pollyanna, the Bible records the words of David. He too wrote of looking for the good, being glad and choosing joy.

So often we are content with immediately finding the negative and becoming disgruntled within the situations of our day.

So today I will make a conscience “choice” to be glad.

I will “choose” to be joyful.

I will sing praises from every part of my being, knowing that our God is worthy of them all!

If together we choose joy and express gladness it won’t be long before the world will notice and ask “Why?”.   It is then we can answer with a smile on our face and declare our reason with clarity, “Jesus!”   I pray that today you too will “choose” joy and be “glad!”

Psalm 104:33,34

“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to God while I have my being. Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the Lord.”

“Poker Face Faith”

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There are moments in our life that define who we are, what we believe and how we view ourselves in situations demanding faith.  My mother was diagnosed with cancer several years back.  Walking through this process revealed my own character to me in ways I can not explain.  But moreover, God revealed His beyond my wildest expectations.

This is only one example of the countless times God has proven faithful in my journey.   Taking my mother home to be with Himself  was to be the ultimate triumph,  …. but that’s another story.

“Poker Face Faith”         By Lori Clounie

Driving into the early morning darkness my headlights pierce the vast span before me.  The sky feels black as coal. Tears begin to fall and sorrow wells up within me.  These weekly trips to the hospital continue to take their toil on my heart. Hope builds as each dose of chemo is received; yet fear settles in with every day that catapults’ us further into my mother’s illness.  Music plays mindlessly in the background as my attention is focused elsewhere today, for I am intent on speaking with God.  Feelings come rushing up from my core that words cannot express.   As I deliberate I find my thoughts transparent, fashioning my words into the perfect plea.  Just as a lawyer prepares to deliver his case, I must state mine.

Months of apprehension overflow as I begin crying out to God!  “You are the great healer.   You are able.   You are God!”

In a desperate attempt I proclaim God’s promises back to Him.  “You say if we have faith we can move mountains?”  Boldly I declare,  “I believe! I have faith!”

Imploring for any response, I begin petitioning for His compassion, His favor while negotiating my mother’s healing.  My words seem basic but cut to the center of my intent, “God Please! Please, I beg you, heal my mother from this cancer!”  My heart echoes this dialogue with a resounding “Amen.”

Depleted of all energy I am silent.  The words on the radio begin to resonate with me.  A familiar song drives home the point where my futile attempts have seemingly failed.  The lyrics break through and over and over again I hear the words, “Light, Light, Light up the Sky to tell me you are with me!” Smiling I sustain, “That’s it exactly!”  As if a dare, I proclaim the depth of my faith, “GOD. I BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN LIGHT UP THE SKY RIGHT NOW IF YOU CHOOSE TO! I KNOW YOU CAN!”

I am astonished!  What I see before me is absolutely breathtaking.

Mustard Seed Faith - Lost in the Darkness

My heart leaps out of my chest as shock covers me for a split second.  Illuminating His canvas, God boldly declares, “I AM ABLE!”   A bold lavish display of bright pink is plastered across the sky with its stark contrast spanning the heavens for as far as my eyes can see.   Praises spring forth without hesitation and in this moment all glory belongs to God.   Proclamations continue pouring out from my mouth even as rationalization pushes out faith and doubt slowly creeps in.   Such a miracle almost seems beyond my comprehension.   Just as quickly as I received it, I dismiss what I have just witnessed as the early morning sunrise.

Disbelief settles upon me and Satan attempts to steal the glory I once graciously lifted up to my Lord.   Abruptly the sky turns black. God has called my bluff!

Now encompassed by darkness, shame covers me.   For in all my ranting’s of faith I have failed pathetically even with such a gift of grandeur presented on my behalf. Aware I am a fraud, I turn off the radio and drive in silence.   Morning breaks much later and I reflect in awe.   My worship is lifted to a higher elevation than I have ever experienced, as I am keenly aware of God’s presence.

God has handed me a miracle and I have clung to disbelief.   Yet still His grace abounds for me and draws me closer to Himself bringing my faith that much closer to that of a mustard seed, confident that my God is faithful to do all that He is able, leaving the possibilities limitless.

Matthew 17:20 And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”  {NASB}

Looking for God!

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This morning I was reading the very familiar passage in Jeremiah 29:11 … “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans of welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope”

But what I find is that most people stop there.

We all want good in our lives, hope, and a future …. but the next verse continues with the thought of “seeking” “searching” and “finding” God …. the process and action part of actually looking for God.

But do we truly look for God? I began pondering this, and asking God, how exactly He desires me to look for Him, to search for Him, to seek.

I imagine sitting in a room full of believers as they discuss the standard answers that come instantly to mind …  prayer, reading, studying and searching God’s Word for truth.    All true and good answers.

But deeper thoughts become apparent. In addition to reading His word, I need to apply and live His word. As I do, I become aware of who God truly is. He becomes a live tangible part of what I do every day.

Seeking, Searching, Finding …. my ultimate hearts desire.

I press on hoping that as I do, God will reveal all of Himself to me. But it takes action on my part to “look” for God … in his Word, in opportunities and within my own heart, knowing that only He can satisfy and be the “good,” the “hope” and “future” I desire.

Jeremiah 29:12-14 “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with ALL of your heart. And I will be found by you, declares the Lord!”

The process continues in my own life. The questions still push forward in my thoughts. But today, I will seek, I will search and I will look for God …. knowing that in Him I will find the answers!