Genesis 15:1 Do not be afraid, I am your shield

Walking in fear

Leaves me trembling

In the bitter and the cold.

Stripped of even false bravado

I find myself frozen

Unable to retreat or advance.

In my own power

There is no safeguard;

Only exposure to my enemies.

I buckle, uncovered and empty.

Even if I win, I lose.

Despair my only companion.

I am empty,

Nothing left to give or keep.

Then I hear a whispered shout.

"Do not be afraid.

Be calm, Be fearless.

Have no regrets. Stop trembling.

"I am your shield."\

I will protect you.

I will cover and defend you.

"In this place, learn to kneel

And bow your head.

No sword can touch you.

"Accept whatever comes

I am your sure guardian

Your champion and holy hedge."

Herein is all the assurance,

The salvation, which allows me to

Accept whatever comes.

Baby Step Nine - Trusting God for Deliverance

Baby Steps - March 12, 2016

Psalms 107 and 108

James Cameron, the writer and director of the 1997 “epic romantic disaster film “(Wikepedia) felt that the juxtaposition of a “love story interspersed with the human loss would be essential to convey the emotional impact of the disaster.” The musical score including the love song,  My Heart Will Go On, was composed by James Horner. Although it is the only song on the soundtrack that has lyrics, my favorite rendition is a piano solo by Mike Strickland.

I find the intensity of the music, originally written without lyrics, to convey my experiences of my emotional connectivity with our daughters, and the love and power of God to act in the midst of many troubles and calling upon His promise to bring his authority and victory to every situation.

In Psalms 107 and 108, (Wesley Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version, 2009), we are called as a people of God regathered from exile to give our “Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles” and to offer our “Praise and Prayer for Victory.”

“O give thanks to the Lord for he is good;

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

    those he redeemed from trouble.” (107:1-2 NRSV)

“but he raises up the needy out of distress . . .

Let those who are wise give heed to these things,

     and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” (107:41, 43 NRSV)

All God’s redeeming acts encourage and teach the faithful.

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,

     and let your glory be over all the earth.

Give victory with your right hand, and answer me,

     so that those whom you love may be rescued.” (108:5-6 NRSV)

“O grant us help against the foe

     for human help is worthless.” (108:12 NRSV)

“Give us help for the hard task.” (108:12 MSG, (Petersen, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002))

DELIVERANCE

“In a world of often dueling oppression we may overlook the fact that everyone encounters times of discomfort, danger and distress. The severity and duration of our experiences differ, but no comparison is necessary.” These Psalms assure us, whoever we are: no matter our “race, gender, age ethnicity or belief.” Let the redeemed, “whoever we are, wherever we live, whatever we are going through, let us ‘say so’ to recognize God’s power to help us overcome.” (Wesley Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version, 2009, p. 734)

Somehow, someway, God has given me a special connection with my daughters. No matter how near or far, I somehow feel and own their emotional pain, distress, or danger. They don’t need to call, I just know. My heart responds intuitively. My body responds viscerally.  I would never ask for this pain, distress, and trouble be lifted from me, because somehow, someway God helps me carry their burdens and breathes life into my prayers.  I know we are the redeemed. I believe this connectivity between our girls, myself, and my God grants the opportunity to “say so” on behalf of those I love. We can, through God’s power, overcome the needs of the day, the season, even the extended exile because we know.

God Is My Strength and Salvation

Sat Dec 29

am: 18:1-20 pm: 18:21-50

Isa 12:1-6

Rev 1:1-8

John 7:37-52

Today, I feel physically and emotionally weak. I feel mentally and spiritually foggy. I didn't sleep much. The anxiety and panic has been draining, like a tornado trying to get out from the inside. I, the elephant matriarch, told my mother she shouldn't come visit.

Sinus infections, bronchitis, sore throats, and even pneumonia. Everyone is, was or will be sick before the first of the year. The Mayan Calendar did NOT predict that. Little sleep, lots of prayer.

I don't have to be strong because God is my ROCK - solid, steadfast protection against the vulnerability of pain, anxiety, fogginess and hard decisions.

Praise God, the storm on my insides is not nearly as strong as God's violent theophany. He, as a violent thunderstorm, leaves me in a place of stillness where I can be sure HE IS. Even when I am in turmoil, his grace is sufficient. He has loved me and freed me.

In my weakness and fear, my panic and anxiety Christ invites me to draw near. He invites me to drink Living Water. He invites me to cling to the Holy Spirit. He invites me to invite others to dip into the rush, the healing and the protection of River of blood. 

For Christ is the culmination of God's purposes and activities since before the beginning of time. Even our ability to HAVE faith is a result of God's grace - God's presence in our lives and hearts, enabling us to believe in the redemptive power of Christ's passion.

Dear God, thank you. I love you, O Lord, my strength. So, as David,  I pledge myself to you, for you have saved me from my enemies.  Thank you for reminders that you will treat me as I treat others. And so, like Isaiah I remain confident that that You are the  source of salvation that transcends you anger. So, like the prophet I can sing of trust in your salvation as a source of hope when my emotions, my body, my mind, and my spirit betray me. May my trust in you cause me to read or hear and obey your word. Thank you for your grace that allows me to believe. May your presence in my life and heart encourage me to believe in the redemptive power of the blood of Christ. Remind me of my commission to share your love and to reveal to others the convergence of texts revealing Jesus as the culmination of your purposes and activities. In the power of the Trinity:  Ancient of Days, King of Kings, and the Wind of the Word, may I encourage others to drink the Living Water. Amen.

And Then I Remembered ...Elohim

(10/15/2005) I have been reading Kay Aruthur’s The Peace & Power of Knowing God’s Name this week 

The first name of God mentioned in scripture is Elohim.   This is God the creator.  This is the God of power.  Ths is God who speaks, and “it is so”. El means “mighty” or strong;” him is plural, referring to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. 

Colossians 1:16 tells us that in Jesus Christ ALL things were created.  That, my friend, includes you.  AND he made you just he way you are.  God is your creator. You exist because of God, You are the unique and distinctive handiwork of Elohim.

He formed you.  Specifically.  Individually.  Thoughtfully.  Carefully.  Precisely the way you are.  Why?  For Him!  Read Psalm 139:13-15.  Christina Serrata shared with me today that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  I’ve struggled with that this week.  Thank you Christina.  I am exactly as Elohim designed me to be.  And that design has a purpose.  To bring glory to God.  (Ex 4:11, John 9:2,3)

Thank Elohim, he doesn’t expect me to understand, he simply asks that I trust in His name.  Is 50:10, Is43:1, 3-4, 7)

I have been created by His design. I am precious in his sight, I have been called by my name and I am made to give Him glory.

The word “glory” means to “give the correct opinion or estimate of.   All I have to do is live in such as way that gives all I meet a correct opinion or estimate of who God is.  How should I live if I am to live this way?

I have been weary and distressed this past week.  Bill says I have been emotionally fragile, anxious, and basically a basket case.   At times I have not even been able to answer the phone, knowing that a GOOD friend is on the other end of the line.  I have not been able to talk even with my mother for fear that I couldn’t hold it together.  Several times I have been reminded to take a deep breath. Some days it was all I could do to get up and get dressed. Somehow this has not struck me as a good way to give a correct opinion or estimate of God…. I did not understand how my situation could ever bring him glory.  And then I remembered…

. 

The Name of he Lord (Elohim) is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe (Prov 18:10)  His NAME is a fortress in times of weariness and distress.  

By RUNNING to Him, by trusting in His will for my life (knowing that he knows why and I don’t have to), by depending on His peace, love, and mercy (knowing that he made me just the way I am and he doesn’t make mistakes), by depending on his power (knowing that this too will pass, and I will know myself better and be stronger for the experience), and that this learning time will help me discover the things I need to change, the things I need to get rid of, the things that are keeping me from fulfilling the purpose of my creation, that keep me from being and doing what I was created for WILL bring Him glory, especially if I am willing to make the journey where others can see.

Thank you for your hugs, for sharing my tears, for holding me in His sheltering arms by holding me in yours, for being a phone call away, for being a part of my support system.  Thank you for your prayers.  Know that I am praying for you, for I know that this is a big part of the purpose for which I was created.   May Elohim, who made you just the way you are and for His glory, bless you and hold you in the palm of His Hand.