Have you ever been in a room full of people... but felt alone?
I have... too many times to recall and to be quite honest, a little too painful to want to.
Well... I was in said a few months ago. I knew every single face. I knew stories, birthdays, children's names; parent’s names, food weaknesses, food allergies... I guess you could say I really knew every person who was in that room. Friends and family... all were celebrating the birthday of a brother.
And sometimes in these circumstances, I have felt alone…
But when I got home... and sat quietly in my living room... I began to reflect on the whole evening. And I realized... I didn't feel alone at all the entire evening. I was there, running around... watching people, taking pictures, listening and joining in conversations and then witnessing God's love being poured out in celebration of my brother.
God was there... and that's why I didn't feel alone.
I look back over that whole night and I can recall feeling God's presence. His fingerprint was all over the place. In the way we greeted one another... the way we hugged each other. He was there when we helped each other clean or set up... He was there to lend an ear when anxieties kicked in. He was there... working through almost every person in that room... and I almost missed it.
His light was shinning so brightly, and I was so blessed by it.
Now - for those who are reading this... who attended the party... I encourage you to think back... to that night... did you see Him? Did you feel Him?
It is really hitting me... and is continuing to inspire me on... that God pursues us. He desires to meet with us. Isn't that amazing? He was with me that night… I may have been busy running around… but He was there… carrying me through. I praise Him for not giving up on me… He is with me, always.
Now a prayer for all of us…
I pray that we all continue to walk in His light and be a living example of his grace and mercy... and try and be aware of it. It was lovely to be among my brothers and sisters and to feel His presence... to see His glory and His fingerprint on this earth.
I have one more prayer… that we share His light and show His grace & mercy towards those who are in the dark.
Romans 15:5-6
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And…
2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
Thank you - to my family and friends for being such an encouragement to me!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
This entry is from my Facebook "Notes"... I read it this morning and really felt led to make this the next posting on my blog...
I am totally in awe right now with the Lord. I haven’t been all too focused lately when meeting with Him (for lack of a better description…) and it just amazes me how He draws me close and focuses my heart for me. Yesterday He focused my heart... and gave me a reality check.
On Sunday, God brought me to 1 Timothy chapter 4… and BOY was He speaking to my heart! It was such a blessed time in the word. But it didn’t end at the stroke of midnight… NOPE!
Quick back story… there were a lot of changes at work in December of 08. These changes included some of my co-workers losing their jobs. It was a huge blow… and it caused the atmosphere around here to become pretty depressing. And as I was reading this chapter (again) this morning… God stuck His finger right on my heart!
1 Timothy 4:10 says…
“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”
What truth! Jesus is the ONLY hope we need… any hope set in this world is useless. Cool, huh? Yes… that is an awesome truth. But God was pushing deeper into my heart. See… most of my co-workers don’t know of the hope found in Jesus. Most don’t even believe in God. It's a very sad reality, but again... God pushed even deeper… so I continued reading...
“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” ~ 1 Timothy 4:16
Hmmm....
You want another sad reality? Okay... more back story...
There was one co-worker whom I was very close to who lost his job. I worked with him for over 9 years. And if I were to tell you one thing that would describe him it would be that he loved the Red Sox!
Here's the reality party... If I had lost my job and you asked him to describe me… I can tell you this... his answer wouldn’t be “She loved Jesus!”
Actually – getting real honest here... I bet most of my co-workers would say they didn't know I was a Christian.
“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
I know that it is not up to me to save those who are lost… but I am called to be a living example of His grace and mercy…
Have I been? Have you?
Tough, tough questions…
I am totally in awe right now with the Lord. I haven’t been all too focused lately when meeting with Him (for lack of a better description…) and it just amazes me how He draws me close and focuses my heart for me. Yesterday He focused my heart... and gave me a reality check.
On Sunday, God brought me to 1 Timothy chapter 4… and BOY was He speaking to my heart! It was such a blessed time in the word. But it didn’t end at the stroke of midnight… NOPE!
Quick back story… there were a lot of changes at work in December of 08. These changes included some of my co-workers losing their jobs. It was a huge blow… and it caused the atmosphere around here to become pretty depressing. And as I was reading this chapter (again) this morning… God stuck His finger right on my heart!
1 Timothy 4:10 says…
“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”
What truth! Jesus is the ONLY hope we need… any hope set in this world is useless. Cool, huh? Yes… that is an awesome truth. But God was pushing deeper into my heart. See… most of my co-workers don’t know of the hope found in Jesus. Most don’t even believe in God. It's a very sad reality, but again... God pushed even deeper… so I continued reading...
“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” ~ 1 Timothy 4:16
Hmmm....
You want another sad reality? Okay... more back story...
There was one co-worker whom I was very close to who lost his job. I worked with him for over 9 years. And if I were to tell you one thing that would describe him it would be that he loved the Red Sox!
Here's the reality party... If I had lost my job and you asked him to describe me… I can tell you this... his answer wouldn’t be “She loved Jesus!”
Actually – getting real honest here... I bet most of my co-workers would say they didn't know I was a Christian.
“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
I know that it is not up to me to save those who are lost… but I am called to be a living example of His grace and mercy…
Have I been? Have you?
Tough, tough questions…
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
He Has A Message For You
I so didn't want to write this note today. But God has been speaking it so loudly to me that I have to share. I feel He wants me to share.
I received an email from a co-worker today. The subject of this email was "The Bible On One Page". I have received emails like this before, but haven't really looked at them. Busy, avoiding... whatever the reason. Today, I thought I'd take a look. And it was interesting... Click on the link and towards the bottom of the page there are a bunch of "issues" you can choose from.
Because of the economy... I clicked on "If your bank account is empty"... I thought it was poignant. Any way - it referenced Psalm 37. And as I read, God just spoke... "Danielle, listen..."
Yes, I was reading... but I was hearing God. So sweet... and comforting. I can't even describe it.
"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday." Psalm 37:5-6.
Oh how it made my heart leap! Commit my life... my choices... my ways to the Lord... TRUST Him!
"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" Psalm 37:7.
Be still in HIM… stop trying to do things on my own! Be PATIENT… wait for Him to lead me, as the Sheppard leads his flock – so the Lord will lead me. He will shut the world out... he will silence the enemy and I can seek refuge in His presence.
I am amazed that He brought me into that place this morning... at work... while sitting at my desk.
"The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him." Psalm 37:39-40
He is my salvation... my redeemer... my refuge!
He quiets my heart (and surroundings) so that I can hear. He shows me that He is invested in my life... I want to invest my life in Him.
Oh how I desire to become the woman He wants me to be!
I received an email from a co-worker today. The subject of this email was "The Bible On One Page". I have received emails like this before, but haven't really looked at them. Busy, avoiding... whatever the reason. Today, I thought I'd take a look. And it was interesting... Click on the link and towards the bottom of the page there are a bunch of "issues" you can choose from.
Because of the economy... I clicked on "If your bank account is empty"... I thought it was poignant. Any way - it referenced Psalm 37. And as I read, God just spoke... "Danielle, listen..."
Yes, I was reading... but I was hearing God. So sweet... and comforting. I can't even describe it.
"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday." Psalm 37:5-6.
Oh how it made my heart leap! Commit my life... my choices... my ways to the Lord... TRUST Him!
"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" Psalm 37:7.
Be still in HIM… stop trying to do things on my own! Be PATIENT… wait for Him to lead me, as the Sheppard leads his flock – so the Lord will lead me. He will shut the world out... he will silence the enemy and I can seek refuge in His presence.
I am amazed that He brought me into that place this morning... at work... while sitting at my desk.
"The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him." Psalm 37:39-40
He is my salvation... my redeemer... my refuge!
He quiets my heart (and surroundings) so that I can hear. He shows me that He is invested in my life... I want to invest my life in Him.
Oh how I desire to become the woman He wants me to be!
Monday, March 23, 2009
My Meeting With God On The Trail
I was up at Coleman State Park on Thursday and had the most God filled amazing time on the snowmobile trails. All I can tell you is that God spoke to me and I worshiped Him as I rode.I also couldn’t stop smiling… my cheeks hurt so much!
Praise Him for keeping me safe on my 1 and a half hour snowmobile ride. It was so amazing to meet with Him while I was away. The scene He set up was beyond perfect… beautiful and breath taking.
Here are some pictures… and lyrics to the song He put in my heart as I rode.
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea, Creation's revealing Your majesty.From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring, Every creature unique in the song that it sings.
All exclaiming...
Indescribable, Uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name. You are amazing God.
All powerful, Untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees and we humbly proclaim, You are amazing God.
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go,
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow?
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light,
Yet conceals it to give us the coolness of night?
None can fathom...
Incomparable, Unchangeable,
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same.
You are amazing God.
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