Words

I love words...

- like a painter loves colors
- like a musician loves notes
- like a sculptor loves clay...

I love words because they instruct, encourage, challenge, and inspire.

I love rearranging words, combining words, and studying words.

I love it when God gives me His words - whether for an email, a journal, a poem, a chapter or a story.

I love the ancient words God gave His people centuries ago that are still blessing my life today.

And in those rare moments when there are no words, I love The Word - who knows all words, sees my heart, and loves me still.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." -John 1:1,14
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waiting...

I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
-Psalm 27:13-14

Lead Me

I realized this week that many times I feel "driven" to do something, like there's this pressure to do it now, no excuses - to take action, to accomplish a task, to complete a project.... But with my limited energy, there are a lot of things that I have to leave undone.

As I was praying about this, I believe God showed me that when I'm feeling "driven" to do something - that's probably coming from my flesh (sinful nature) or from the world's pressure. But when I'm feeling "led" to do something - that comes from God's Spirit and from my Shepherd.

I think this explains why I can do the very same task and sometimes feel stressed out about it, while other times I feel at peace and empowered to do it.

I don't want to be someone who is "driven" by my own voice or the noise of the world. Instead I want to listen to the Shepherd's voice and follow where He leads, knowing He will always enable me to do what He leads me to do.

I guess these days of limited energy are my "practice" time, learning how to listen and follow His leading in so many little ways. I pray I'll be ready for the day He leads me out of this little pasture into the broad fields beyond.


Lord, teach me to listen and follow. Lead me, faithful Shepherd.


"The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of His sheep...the sheep listen to His voice. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice." -John 10:2-4

Good books

I've been enjoying reading a lot of different books lately.

A.W. Tozer is probably my favorite author, and I recently finished his book, "Pursuit of God," which is excellent. It's the kind of book I need to re-read at least once a year.

But I've also been reading "Seeking The Face Of God" by Gary Thomas and it's amazing! I read it several years ago and thought it was good, but I think I'm more ready now to appreciate its full impact.

He quotes many of the Christian classic writers, such as Fenelon, John of the Cross, Thomas A Kempis, etc. These Christians wrote centuries ago, yet they have so much insight that is lacking in our modern Christian culture.

So far the chapter topics have been things that are somewhat rare today - joyful surrender, cultivating the quiet, the value of humility, the sweet side of suffering....

I've been so moved, encouraged, convicted, and instructed by this book! If you can, I encourage you to get a copy and read it prayerfully. It's a feast for the soul.


I thank the Lord for godly men and women who put in the hard work, prayer, sacrifice, and perseverance necessary to write encouraging books!


What are you reading right now that is promoting change on the inside of you?