What stood out today:
From the book "Surrender to Love: Discovering the Heart of Christian Spirituality" by David G. Benner
Pg 76 The naked self “Love is transformational only when it is received in vulnerability."
Pg 78 “The crux of the problem is that I cannot feel the love of God because I do not dare to accept it unconditionally.”
From The TV show House #120 Love Hurts 41:40
"Its not about the pain. Its about being open and completely vulnerable to another person. If you can learn to be that deeply trusting… it changes you.”
My response: God, how strange to have this book and TV show converge on love that trusts. In “House” a dominatrix says these words that are so true when set in a context with you. Trust, vulnerability, openness, submission, are all components of authentic love. Holy Spirit, thank you for moving me to spend time with Jesus in a contemplative state, in a way “snuggling” with Him.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Proverbs Review
Reviewed all 31 chapters and these phrases stood out:
Proverbs 3 Discipline
Proverbs 7 Abba Father, how good it is to hear you say “My son.”
Proverbs 8 v35 For whoever finds Me finds LIFE. Jesus I love it when you reveal yourself in Scripture.
Proverbs 15 Joy is a byproduct of righteousness.
Proverbs 16 How often do our plans take you into consideration?
Proverbs 17 You, who are Holy see all this darkness and You do not turn and run.
Proverbs 18 to understand and know You, the One True Living God; the One who sticks closer than a brother is truly more precious than many companions.
Proverbs 19 Jesus, I want you more than anything else. I want your LIFE for Nancy too and us together.
Proverbs 20 Abba Father, it feels like You yourself are teaching me throught the writer of Proverbs.
Proverbs 21 I like that you are shepherding my heart.
Proverbs 23 Jesus, may your love awaken my heart to love you back, to listen and obey, to be wise in heart, and bring you much glory.
Proverbs 25 Jesus, words are powerful, especially yours. You are the Logos of God. You are the centerpiece of the written word.
Proverbs 27 Abba Father, what a strange balance between planning and letting you direct our steps.
Proverbs 28 God you are so for us, we have no idea… If we really knew we would run to you, we would run from sin.
Abba Father, thank you for the deeper knowing of you as Father. Thank you for driving deeper that I am a dearly loved son. Jesus, thank you for the bookends in chapter 8:32 “Now then My sons” and 8:35 “whoever finds me finds LIFE.” Holy Spirit, thank you for rewiring more of my neurons to see and believe more of the goodness and more of the love of God. Hmm…God, I am grateful and I want more. I want more of you. Jesus, I want the LIFE you came to give more than anything else.
Proverbs 3 Discipline
Proverbs 7 Abba Father, how good it is to hear you say “My son.”
Proverbs 8 v35 For whoever finds Me finds LIFE. Jesus I love it when you reveal yourself in Scripture.
Proverbs 15 Joy is a byproduct of righteousness.
Proverbs 16 How often do our plans take you into consideration?
Proverbs 17 You, who are Holy see all this darkness and You do not turn and run.
Proverbs 18 to understand and know You, the One True Living God; the One who sticks closer than a brother is truly more precious than many companions.
Proverbs 19 Jesus, I want you more than anything else. I want your LIFE for Nancy too and us together.
Proverbs 20 Abba Father, it feels like You yourself are teaching me throught the writer of Proverbs.
Proverbs 21 I like that you are shepherding my heart.
Proverbs 23 Jesus, may your love awaken my heart to love you back, to listen and obey, to be wise in heart, and bring you much glory.
Proverbs 25 Jesus, words are powerful, especially yours. You are the Logos of God. You are the centerpiece of the written word.
Proverbs 27 Abba Father, what a strange balance between planning and letting you direct our steps.
Proverbs 28 God you are so for us, we have no idea… If we really knew we would run to you, we would run from sin.
Abba Father, thank you for the deeper knowing of you as Father. Thank you for driving deeper that I am a dearly loved son. Jesus, thank you for the bookends in chapter 8:32 “Now then My sons” and 8:35 “whoever finds me finds LIFE.” Holy Spirit, thank you for rewiring more of my neurons to see and believe more of the goodness and more of the love of God. Hmm…God, I am grateful and I want more. I want more of you. Jesus, I want the LIFE you came to give more than anything else.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Proverbs 28
What stood out today:
13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
My response: God, you are so for us - we have no idea! If we really knew we would run to you, we would run away from sin. We would seek to take hold of all the blessings we have been given in the heavenly realms. We would run hard after Jesus who is all things to us and for us. LORD God, I fear missing or forfeiting any good thing you have given me. Jesus, I throw my arms wide open, that all of me is open to all of you. I hide nothing, I confess everything. I yearn for your mercy, your love, your Holiness. Jesus, thank you for the new covenant: a new purity, a new heart, a new identity, a new power. A covenant sealed in your blood…
13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
My response: God, you are so for us - we have no idea! If we really knew we would run to you, we would run away from sin. We would seek to take hold of all the blessings we have been given in the heavenly realms. We would run hard after Jesus who is all things to us and for us. LORD God, I fear missing or forfeiting any good thing you have given me. Jesus, I throw my arms wide open, that all of me is open to all of you. I hide nothing, I confess everything. I yearn for your mercy, your love, your Holiness. Jesus, thank you for the new covenant: a new purity, a new heart, a new identity, a new power. A covenant sealed in your blood…
Friday, November 21, 2008
Proverbs 27
What stood out today:
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.
23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
My response: Abba Father, what a strange balance, planning and paying attention, and holding the plans open handed to let You direct our steps. Yes Lord, wealth and praise is indeed a test of our character. Will it puff up our ego? Or will it puff up our praise for you, our gratefulness? Will it make us more humble?
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.
23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
My response: Abba Father, what a strange balance, planning and paying attention, and holding the plans open handed to let You direct our steps. Yes Lord, wealth and praise is indeed a test of our character. Will it puff up our ego? Or will it puff up our praise for you, our gratefulness? Will it make us more humble?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Proverbs 25
What stood out today:
11 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
My response: Jesus, words are powerful, especially yours. You are the LOGOS of God. You are the centerpiece of the written word. Your words spoken in the Gospels cause men to be silent and in awe. Jesus, as you become more pre-eminent in me may your words flow from my mouth, may they be heard as, “apples of gold in settings of silver.” May your gentleness, patience, and kindness be powerful and evident to all. Lord God, by Christ, may you be Glorified in me today?
11 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
My response: Jesus, words are powerful, especially yours. You are the LOGOS of God. You are the centerpiece of the written word. Your words spoken in the Gospels cause men to be silent and in awe. Jesus, as you become more pre-eminent in me may your words flow from my mouth, may they be heard as, “apples of gold in settings of silver.” May your gentleness, patience, and kindness be powerful and evident to all. Lord God, by Christ, may you be Glorified in me today?
Monday, November 17, 2008
Proverbs 23
What stood out today:
15 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad;
16 my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.
My response: Father, God, it is so good to hear you call me, “My son.” I also love the thought that I have the potential to make your heart glad. Jesus, there are so many ways you try to tell us how dearly we are loved. Holy Spirit, give me ears to hear and a heart that believes this wonderful Kingdom reality. Jesus may your love awaken my heart to love you back, to listen and obey, to be wise in heart; and bring you much joy and glory.
15 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad;
16 my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.
My response: Father, God, it is so good to hear you call me, “My son.” I also love the thought that I have the potential to make your heart glad. Jesus, there are so many ways you try to tell us how dearly we are loved. Holy Spirit, give me ears to hear and a heart that believes this wonderful Kingdom reality. Jesus may your love awaken my heart to love you back, to listen and obey, to be wise in heart; and bring you much joy and glory.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Proverbs 15
What stood out today:
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
My response: Coram Deo. Before the face of God. Truly you do see everything. What is that like for you? You who are Holy, is there anything good? We are so radically ruined by sin that even what we see as good is fouled in your sight. Still I am glad you are keeping watch, that I am under your watchful eye. Jesus, once before when I read this I noticed all the times you say, “correction.” This time I noticed you talk about “heart” seven times: hearts of fools, hearts of men, happy heart, discerning heart, cheerful heart, heart of the righteous, joy to the heart. Hmmm…these move from hearts of fools to hearts of righteousness and happy, discerning, cheerful, and joy are mixed in. Yes, LORD God, wisdom, discernment, righteousness, fear of the Lord, all bring a joy that is completely Holy, so not of this world, so You. Yes, Spirit, rewire some more neurons, redirect my thinking, and grant me repentance. Thank you, Abba. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit! Joy is a byproduct of righteousness. Keep on the trajectory of Matthew 6:33 – But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
My response: Coram Deo. Before the face of God. Truly you do see everything. What is that like for you? You who are Holy, is there anything good? We are so radically ruined by sin that even what we see as good is fouled in your sight. Still I am glad you are keeping watch, that I am under your watchful eye. Jesus, once before when I read this I noticed all the times you say, “correction.” This time I noticed you talk about “heart” seven times: hearts of fools, hearts of men, happy heart, discerning heart, cheerful heart, heart of the righteous, joy to the heart. Hmmm…these move from hearts of fools to hearts of righteousness and happy, discerning, cheerful, and joy are mixed in. Yes, LORD God, wisdom, discernment, righteousness, fear of the Lord, all bring a joy that is completely Holy, so not of this world, so You. Yes, Spirit, rewire some more neurons, redirect my thinking, and grant me repentance. Thank you, Abba. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit! Joy is a byproduct of righteousness. Keep on the trajectory of Matthew 6:33 – But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Proverbs 8
What stood out today:
6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.
30 Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
32 "Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
My response: Jesus, I love when you reveal yourself in your scripture. You are the craftsman at Abba’s side. You have been with the Father forever. You speak wisdom for us to know and understand. You know and can teach successful dependant obedience. Here you are again offering Yourself, and in You is Life. Its interesting that at the top of my journal is Proverbs 8:32-34. In verse 32, the beginning sets us up as sons and daughters and verse 35 is the outcome - when we find You, we find LIFE!
6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.
30 Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
32 "Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
My response: Jesus, I love when you reveal yourself in your scripture. You are the craftsman at Abba’s side. You have been with the Father forever. You speak wisdom for us to know and understand. You know and can teach successful dependant obedience. Here you are again offering Yourself, and in You is Life. Its interesting that at the top of my journal is Proverbs 8:32-34. In verse 32, the beginning sets us up as sons and daughters and verse 35 is the outcome - when we find You, we find LIFE!
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