Sometimes It Takes Darkness to Appreciate the Light

Darkest night helps us see billions of sparkling stars. But we can appreciate that treasure only if there are no obstructing clouds.

The dark night of the soul is like that. A heavy heart, a burdened mind, and a crushed spirit become opportunities to encounter powerful light when we bring each situation, each emotion to the cross of Jesus Christ.

When we come to the end of ourselves, exhausted from lugging burdens God did not design us to carry, we  lift our tear stained faces toward the Creator of both night and light. Even a limp reach for Jesus Christ with a genuine desire for reconciliation brings the wind of God's Spirit that blows those clouds out of the way.

God's prevailing grace wipes away our tears, forgives confessed sin, and reveals the marvelous power of the cross.


For Your Consideration

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16, NIV).

Can you celebrate a time when your darkness was changed to light as you called out for the LORD?

If you are currently under a dark sky, please call to your Lord Jesus Christ. He will send the Holy Spirit to help you.

Reactions to "A Taste of Love"

To every person who prayed for our spiritual refresher last Saturday a big THANK YOU!
A 'sweet, sweet Spirit was in the place' from the beginning of the day. At every turn I recognized answered prayers and remembered the large number of people who were praying with me.

It seemed Jesus was walking through the room as we worshiped, looked at Scripture, examined ourselves, and prayed for one another.

If you prayed for us, enjoy these comments as part of the fruit of your prayers also. We are incredibly blessed to be a part of drawing people to a fresh experience of God's transforming love.

You have no idea how much God blessed me by using you to minister to my heart on Saturday. From asking me to read Scripture aloud, to teaching me Lectio Divina, to encouraging me with your sweet words later.... you blessed my soul. Thank you! --Rachel


You took me away from the every day into His loving arms. Thank you, thank you. Loved your visuals, both the cross and crown and imagining being washed clean.... Thanks so much for all you do to help others grow in Christ. -- Jan


What a peaceful, but explosive, quieting, but invigorating day! Thank you Lord!!! -- Cynthia

I experienced God’s love through His people, through you, Paula, and in the way you presented a loving Heavenly Father. -- Carol

I would love have an opportunity to talk with you about planning and facilitating a spiritual refresher. If you contact me*, I'd be happy to brainstorm with you and discern how we might synchronize with the work God is already doing in your area! 

*Contact via comments on blog,  e-mailing me at transformingword@sbcglobal.net, or calling 765-284-2125.

New Lenses

Praying desperately for a full term baby...
Counting the days before you can escape danger whistling past your ear...
Offering to help an ailing parent who resents your help...
Agonizing over how to resolve conflicts in your church...
Begging God for relief at your spouse’s bedside...
Reminding your discouraged heart to look to the unseen...
Searching the scriptures in search of an encouraging word …

We all have crises where our expectations topple. Still, we reach for hope. We call out to God in desperation. And we pray for a good resolution.

A conflicted board meeting, tense operating room, slow grocery line, difficult conversation – all may be uncomfortable places where God offers us new lenses.

While we can’t always understand God’s ways in those times, experience discovers that God is trustworthy. Careful study and meditation in the scriptures give us new glasses -- and confidence in God’s goodness. Experience secures the glasses while we hold on to hope that only God can give. In our desert, we learn our Deliverer is trustworthy.

Just as God walked the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land, so our Deliverer walks us through pain and dashed expectations to a new geography replete with good provisions. Our precious Savior loves us and can work things together for good when we ask.

Journeying through the extremes of my desert, I rehearse God’s previous interventions. I'd encountered Christ's presence and was given new lenses to see my Deliverer making a way to accomplish His good promises.

My Lord will do it again. I just need to keep my glasses on, and hold tightly to His hand.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16, NIV).

See also Isaiah 55:9 and Romans 8:28.

Where do you get new lenses to more clearly see God's faithfulness and provisions? What scripture passages have shaped your view?

Recall a dark time when you encountered God's light. Spend 30 seconds in praise and thanksgiving for God's guidance, transformation, and presence.

It Was I

"They did not realize it was I..."

This phrase (Hosea 11:3b) pulled me back for a closer look.
In the midst of reprimanding His people, God breaks into tender reminiscing, and Hosea describes the LORD's heart broken by the children He loved.

God had taught them to walk. Allowed their young fingers to curl around His pinky for support. Threw them up in the air and played hide and seek with them, all the while never leaving. God stood up to their bullies, provided bread when they thought they'd die, and healed them from diseases.

A father throws his giggling child up in the air. He knows his strength and grins at his child's willingness to trust. A mother gently leads her toddler, picking her up when she falls and kissing her bruises.

As the child grows, independence and self-sufficiency surge. She copies her neighbors' ways and ignores her parent's calls. 

Preoccupied with herself, Israel also forgot God's tenderness. She overlooked the ties of love that connected her to her Lord. God had stooped down to feed them and remove their yoke of slavery. But those were now faint memories. They were striking out on their own. 

"They did not realize it was I who healed them."

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Oh God, please remind me that you didn't make me to live without Your love. I want to always realize Your loving interventions in my life.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Read Hosea 11.

Listen for God's voice calling you. What is He saying?

Are there life situations in which you've forgotten the Lord's loving presence?

Where has God been patient, healed you, fed and guided you?

Thankfully recount God's interventions. Don't give your heavenly Father an opportunity to say "They did not realize it was I..."

Gentle Giant

Excitement buzzed through the hall as Rupert Boneham was being introduced. Known as a "gentle giant" and voted the million dollar winner on Survivor, he'd come to help raise funds for a mission to Tanzania. He looked the same: shaggy beard, tie dyed shirt, and cargo pants.

Winning (he tapped his temple) was more a matter of mental stamina than physical. He referenced a competitor and noted the difference between a survivor and a conniver, observing that kindness doesn't always win.

But he was a winner in my books. He had paid off family debts, then used part of his award to establish "Rupert's Kids" to help at risk teens in Indianapolis to believe in themselves and unlearn the layers of destructive thinking.

His gruff persona and kindness reminded me of Peter who had been hand-selected to follow Jesus.

Peter, I'm sure, recalled the time he had let fear of others' angry opinions derail his vow to never betray Jesus. His impetuous self preservation had been replaced by a firm but gentle spirit. Transformed by Christ's forgiveness, Peter was now encouraging others.

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15b, NIV, italics mine).

Instead of retaliation or denial, they were to be prepared with a gentle answer. Blessing was to answer insult, a good conscience treasured, slander disregarded.

As Rupert did, Peter won his struggle to overcome his anger, fears and failures. More than a survivor, he was a winner because he had learned to "set apart Christ as Lord" (verse 15a).

That's what it takes. Christ as Lord. Whether I fail, break a toe, deal with slander, or endure whipping and prison, hardships can contour gentleness when they are given to the Lord Christ.

Peter followed another "Gentle Giant." Do you?


FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Read 1 Peter 3:8-22.

How have you experienced the gentleness of Christ's forgiveness?
How might God be directing you to bless another who has slandered or disappointed you?

A Taste of Love - March 12, 2011 - Brochure

You may click on each page and it will reveal the whole page. Do let me know if you'd like me to send you a brochure. It would be my pleasure.

Thanks,

Paula.

A Taste of Love: Practicing God's Presence

A Taste of Love is the title of the upcoming Women's Spiritual Refresher on March 12th, 2011. I plan to reference the Great Commandment along with a touch of spiritual disciplines (worship, prayer, scripture meditation and service) to set the table for a taste of God's love.

We women are busy -- with good things -- but often we don't take the time just to enjoy God's presence.

My goal is to give women an opportunity to focus on God through the disciplines and so open doors to experience more of God's presence.

To love our precious Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength produces joy in God's presence. Oh how I pray -- and invite you to pray with me-- that we will experience Love's presence.

I am praying that the Holy Spirit who presents Christ's living PRESENCE to us, will sharpen my thoughts and heart. I desire that God use me to bless the dear women who will be coming.Would you join me in praying that?

A Taste of Love is open to women in the north Indiana area and will be held at the Mount Etna United Methodist Church at the corner of Highways 9 and 124. For more information, or to get a brochure, please leave a comment below, or email me at transformingword@sbcglobal.net.