HIDDEN TREASURES

Chipmunks and squirrels.

I love these guys, they are so much fun to watch.

They're always up to something – nature's purveyors of antics, hijinks, and shenanigans!

Endless entertainment on the mountain.

I have spent many days watching them scurry around, chase each other, challenge each other to be king of the boulder, and dig holes.

Cute.

The other day, I happened to catch some movement in my peripheral vision. I looked up just in time to see a chipmunk run like crazy into a gap between two boulders.

How funny, I thought to myself.

Then "The Hub" said, "There's a bobcat on our porch."

What…really?!

Sure enough, a bobcat was prowling around our back door.  No wonder Mr. Munk scampered away so quickly!

Never a dull moment around these parts!

One of my favorite things to do is watch the squirrels and chipmunks in the Fall.

In the Fall, it's rather amazing to see them hard at work, finding and storing nuts for the winter.

They are industrious and tireless.

Sometimes our trees shed lots of acorns, and the food source is readily available.  Other times, there aren't so many, and yet, my friendly little *neighbors* manage to find some sort of food to hide away.

But it is during the Winter when I am most fascinated by their work.

I don't know how, despite freezing temperatures and multiple snowfalls, these little creatures still manage to find their hidey-holes.

They seem to know exactly where they've stashed their edible goodies.

And I love watching them dig up the dirt, scrounge around, and then hold their food in those cute little hands (paws!), and chew away.

How do they know where they've buried their food?

Do they detect it again by memory, or smell, or some other instinctual method that I'm not aware of?

It's incredible.


And it's a good lesson for all of us to apply in our own lives.

Sometimes life just takes us into a wilderness time, a winter season of dryness or discouragement or trial or suffering.

It's easy to lose sight of what we know to be true.

I don't know what's going on with me lately, but I've just been blah.

No particularly big "triggering" event, just the ongoing ebb and flow of life "stuff."

So today, when I went to church, I asked the Lord to meet me there with something that I really needed to hear.

Of course, He did.

Our pastor is doing a series on the promises of God – and this morning's message was entitled, "The Promise of Answered Prayer."

The message was powerful and timely.

But, it was one verse that caught my heart.

"Call to Me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)


I immediately thought of my little furry friends.

And their hidden things.

Several years ago, when I was going through a particularly rough time, I had a friend encourage me with these words:

"When you can't find your way in the dark, go back to what you knew and believed in the light."

I found it most helpful.

The chipmunks and squirrels spend warm sunshine days finding and hiding food, so that during the cold winter months, they'll have nourishment.

Do they hibernate like bears?

Nope!

Though they sleep a lot, they don't sleep all the way through the season.

They retreat to their burrows and dens but wake every few days or weeks, raise their body temperatures to normal, and feed on stored food rather than fat reserves!

(I'd personally like to be like a bear.  I've got some pesky *fat reserves* I'd like to feed on…just sayin').

When it's cold outside, they still know where to go to sustain themselves.


This is so true about faith, too.

What we store away will bring us through the wilderness times, through the winter seasons.

So, what are four things, four truths I can hide in my heart for those times when I am discouraged?


One, I can be assured of God's presence.

"'As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.'" (Joshua 1:5, AMP)

"…for He [God] Himself has said, 'I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support.  [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)!  [Assuredly not!]'" (Hebrews 13:5, AMP)


Two, I can be assured of God's power.

"Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it – the LORD is His name." (Jeremiah 33:2, ESV)

"'Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh.  Is anything too hard for Me?'" (Jeremiah 32:27, ESV)


Three, I can be assured of God's purpose.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…" (Genesis 50:20, NIV)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV)


Four, I can be assured of God's promises.

"God is not a man, so he does not lie.  He is not human, so he does not change his mind.  Has he ever spoken and failed to act?  Has he ever promised and not carried it through?" (Numbers 23:19, NLT)

"'Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.'" (Matthew 7:7-8, NLT)


Hiding the Word of God provides much-needed nourishment when we're full of doubts and fears, or struggling with trials and tribulations.

It is a hidden treasure of great worth.

But, there's one other thing I want to mention.

It's how God sometimes takes these wilderness, winter seasons and uses them to reveal to us something really special.

The photo accompanying this post is part of a fallen log that sits alongside the drive up to our house.

It's full of woodpecker holes.

But would you take a moment to notice something else?

Inside those holes are acorns!!

Evidently, chipmunks and squirrels are not the only ones to store away some goodies!

From a distance, those holes just look like holes.

But since this branch has broken off, we can see the treasures that are hidden there.

Again, a wonderful faith lesson.

Sometimes it takes some breaking for God to show us something really special – a revelation that we might never have known in good times.

"'I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD…who summons you by name.'" (Isaiah 45:3, NIV)


Yes.

Hidden treasures, secret riches.

God has a way of carving us deeper, enriching and growing our faith when we feel weakest.

When we feel broken, and hungry, and cold.

I go back to Jeremiah 33:3 – what were the great and hidden things that God revealed to His prophet?

Two pretty awesome things.

This message came around the time of the Babylonian Conquest – a terrible time when the Jews were defeated and led into captivity.

Here God reveals that they will be rescued, returned to their homeland, once they repent and return to Him.

But, He also issues a prophecy about the coming Messiah:

"The day will come, says the LORD, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them.  'In those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David's line.  He will do what is just and right throughout the land.  In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety.  And this will be its name: 'The LORD Is Our Righteousness.'"
(Jeremiah 33:14-16, NLT)


WOW!

Can you imagine receiving that revelation?!

(Me either!)


So, if we're willing, God can reveal new aspects about Himself, new revelations from His Word, new depths of faith, and new purposes when we least expect it…

...right in the middle of a dry or cold spell in our hearts.

Great and hidden things.

Treasure and secret riches.


Hide them in your heart.

Remember them.

Let God reveal them.


Never go hungry again…




What is a hidden treasure that you have discovered about God?

Heart of my own heart,
whatever befall,
still be my vision,
O Ruler of all.



("Be Thou My Vision" - ancient Irish hymn)

"'You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it?  From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known.'" (Isaiah 48:6, ESV)

"'Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.'" 
(Isaiah 43:19, ESV)

"It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him." (Daniel 2:22, NASB)

"He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom." (Job 12:22, NLT)

"'It is the same with my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.'" (Isaiah 55:11, NLT)

"Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11, NASB)

"The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip." 
(Psalm 37:31, NIV)

"…the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God – his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began." (1 Corinthians 2:7, NLT)

"This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed." (1 Corinthians 4:1, NIV)

"…making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ…" (Ephesians 1:9, ESV)

"'Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me.  And because they love me, my Father will love them.  And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.'" (John 14:21, NLT)



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAYS, MODEST MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, US, COFFEE & JESUS, MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, UNITE LINKUP, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, WISE WOMAN, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, WEDDED WEDNESDAY, THE LOFT LINKUP, WINSOME WEDNESDAY, GRACE MOMENTS, GROWING IN GRACE, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, THE COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, 100 HAPPY DAYS, FUNTASTIC FRIDAY, BLOGGERS SPOTLIGHT PARTY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, GRACE & TRUTH, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH, DANCE WITH JESUS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY, TGI SATURDAYS, LET US GROW, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

SPILL THE BEANS

Spill the beans.

Blab.

Blurt.

Blather.

Yes, I have been guilty of spilling the beans.

But let me be perfectly clear here.  I am not talking about sharing secrets or confidences.

No way.  

I am eminently trustworthy with private conversations, vulnerable feelings, honest thoughts.

I will not betray a person's faith in me.

And I will not be the one to burst the bubble of a surprise party, gift, or announcement.

So, I'm not talking about that.

It's more that I just don't think sometimes, and something slips out that probably wasn't the best thing to say.

You see, I suffer from "foot-in-mouth disease."

I can't tell you the number of times I've said something, and then realized what I've said, and wished that I could rewind my words.

For instance, I am a walking, human spoiler alert at times.

Like how I ruined the movie Armageddon for my older son (SPOILER ALERT!):

"It's so sad when Bruce Willis dies at the end of the movie."

Or how I ruined the movie Sixth Sense for my youngest son (SPOILER ALERT!):

"It's so weird how Bruce Willis is really dead at the end of the movie."

(Honestly, what is it about Bruce Willis and me??  In my defense, I thought both of my sons had already seen these movies).

I've also been known to tell my oldest son the score of a game, only to find out that he hadn't seen the game yet.

"Did you see that comeback in the third period?  WOW!"

"No, Mom, I taped it.  Thanks."

Sigh.


I also seem to tell everyone way too much about my personal life.

My sons tease me about how often I make *a close personal friend in less than five minutes.*

I think some of the teasing is good-natured, and comes from their admiration of my openness and vulnerability.  But sometimes, I think they believe that I should be a little more circumspect in what I share!

And I can't begin to recount the all-too-many times that I've said something in anger, in the heat of the moment, only to realize that I didn't really mean it.

So, if spilling the beans means upturning a pot of beans and making a big 'ol mess, yeah, I've done it…

No wonder we are admonished to *tame the tongue!*


I got to thinking about this…

As I read in the New Testament, it's interesting that there are several instances when Jesus performs a miracle, and then cautions people not to tell others about it.

It never worked.

People always told.

But why didn't Jesus want it told?

What were His reasons for wanting silence?


In my research, I've come upon two good reasons:

First, if news of Jesus' healings and miracles became widely known, His movements would become hindered.

Can you imagine the excitement generated by what Jesus did?  And how much attention this brought Jesus?

And how much this newfound *celebrity* would inhibit Him on His mission?

Indeed, this is exactly what happened:

"As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn't publicly enter a town anywhere.  He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him." (Mark 1:45, NLT)


Secondly, Jesus was undoubtedly concerned that news of His miracles would distract and detract from His mission.  Instead of coming to Jesus for His message, many would be attracted to Him solely for the miracles He performed.

They would be less interested in finding truth than in viewing a "show."

Dazzled by having their physical problems solved, they would concentrate on that instead of their spiritual need – the forgiveness of sins.

They would become like King Herod:

"Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle." (Luke 23:8, NLT)

Or like everyone else:

"Jesus asked, 'Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?'" (John 4:48, NLT)


So, there was a time when Jesus counseled against "spilling the beans."

And people disobeyed.

However, at the end of His time on earth, Jesus gave a completely different message.

He commissioned His disciples to go and tell the world about Him:

"And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.'" (Mark 16:15, NLT)


I think about this.

You know, He was talking to us, too.

The Great Commission was given to ALL His followers.

How are we doing?

Sometimes we've been known to disobey these words, too.

We've kept the message to ourselves, bypassed opportunities to speak truth, or melted into a corner when people start castigating "religious" people.

(At least I've done this – have you?)

But we can't afford to be silent.

Jesus wants to be known.

For who He truly is – the Living Son of God.

Jesus did not come to this world to be a performing puppet.  He wasn't a circus entertainer or a showman.  Not a magician or a conjurer.

Certainly not a vending machine to fulfill our endless requests.

He didn't come for our purposes.

He came to save us.

And now, as His hands and feet, He calls us to spread His Gospel – the very Good News of who He is, what happened when He was here on earth, and why He did what He did.


We're so human, aren't we?

We're told to keep quiet – and we open our mouths.

We're told to speak out – and we close our mouths.

Oh, how we need the Holy Spirit's discernment and His power.

We need to be told when it's wisest to keep silent, and then to obey.

And we need to be told when it's wisest to speak out, and then to obey.


I'm asking for the Lord to help me in this area.

I want to *tame my tongue* – and use it properly for His purposes.

But, as far as spreading the message of His salvation?

Well, I can hear Him saying to me…

"Go on!  Spill the beans!!"



Are you boldly taking opportunities to share the Gospel?

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills
and everywhere -
Go, tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ
is born.


(Written by John Wesley Work, Jr.) 

"'I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God.  That is the one thing we must not say.  A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher.  He would either be a lunatic – on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell.  You must make your choice.  Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.  You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher.  He has not left that open to us.  He did not intend to." 

(C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)



"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'
They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'
'But what about you?' he asked.  'Who do you say I am?'
Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'
Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you…'" 

(Matthew 16:13-17, NIV)


"'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.  And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…to the ends of the earth.'" (Acts 1:8, NLT)

"With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all…" 
(Acts 4:33, NIV)

"Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.  Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world." 
(Isaiah 12:4-5, NIV)

"…'Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.'  But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?  And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?  And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?  That is why the Scriptures say, 'How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!'" (Romans 10:13-15, NLT)

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith…" (Romans 1:16-17, NASB)

"I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God.  Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not." (2 Timothy 4:1-2, NLT)

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)

"'Now go!  I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.'" (Exodus 4:12, NLT)

"'God will give you the right words at the right time.  For it is not you who will be speaking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.'" (Matthew 10:19-20, NLT)

"'And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.'" (Matthew 24:14, NLT)




Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAY, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, REFLECT LINKUP, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, UNITE LINKUP, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TITUS 2SDAY, WISE WOMAN, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY 
(The last few days have been so busy, and I've not been feeling well.  So, if I joined your blog hop/link party and didn't reference you here this week, I apologize.  I'll be back on track next week.  Thanks!)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

CAN YOU SEE THE MOUNTAIN?

It never rains in California…

Isn't that how the old song goes?  

(FYI, the song was written and recorded by Albert Hammond in 1972.  I know, I had the same reaction…who???)

Anyway, rain…

So, let me answer the question – YES, it does rain in California!

And sometimes it sleets, and snows, and blows!

Last weekend we had some dramatic winter weather.

The winds were gusting, the rain was smashing into our windows, and an icy sleet covered everything with a chilly layer of white.

For a few days, it never got out of the 20's.

Now listen to me, you folks who live in the Midwest or Eastern part of the country.  Don't be getting high and mighty on me, bragging on how you deal with your winter weather.  I will gracefully concede that many of you face conditions much worse than this.

But, consider…

For a girl who's spent almost all of her life living near the beach, in sandals and shorts for most of the year, this mountain weather is a whole new story!!

Dealing with possible freezing pipes, and chipping out ice-encrusted cars, and shoveling driveways, and putting on and taking off chains, and any number of other winter challenges is brand new territory for me!

I digress.


So, last weekend we had a STORM!!

Sunday was the worst day of all.  

Yo, ho, blow the man (or woman) down!!

(Let me tell you, I am very glad for the protection of double-paned windows, a roof over my head, and good, solid carpentry!)

Monday morning arrived…

"The Hub" has a ritual that he goes through every morning.

He gets a big glass of iced tea (yeah, he grew up near the beach, too!), and stands by our huge floor-to-ceiling window.  You know, the one with the breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains, and one very impressive granite outcropping.

He's like a lizard – he loves to soak up the rays of the sun first thing in the morning.

I knew the sun was not shining this morning.

Because along with the storm, we'd had crazy fog!

Carl Sandburg wrote a famous poem called "FOG".  

Here's the first line:

"The fog comes
on little cat feet."

Yeah, well, this storm's fog hadn't come in like a little cat.  It had arrived full-force, roaring like a lion, and blanketing the entire mountain in a shroud.

So, I asked "The Hub"…

"Can you see the mountain?"

"It comes and goes," he answered.

As a little joke, I replied, "The mountain?  Or our perception of it?"

He chuckled.

"You know," I quipped, "it doesn't really matter if we can see it or not.  It's still there."


Throughout the rest of the day, I got to thinking about what I'd said.

And I got to thinking about how it applied to life lately.

I don't know what's going on with me.

Severe anxiety has plagued me for a couple of weeks now.

Personally, I think it has something to do with the fact that I am intentionally seeking to be grateful.  And when one makes an effort to mindfully incorporate gratitude into their everyday life, *someone* isn't happy about that.

You-know-who always seeks to steal, kill, and destroy.

Steal peace.

Kill joy.

Destroy hope.

I have felt his influence more than usual lately.  In some ways, it's sort of validation that this *journey of grateful* this year is indeed God's plan and purpose for me.

Sometimes God's work is confirmed by the counter-work of the enemy.

But, being grateful is made so much harder when you're fending off arrows of attack.


I sometimes often don't understand myself at all.

I get in these places, these moods, and I'm not always sure of how I got there – let alone how to get out of them.

And lately, that's just how I've felt.

Beleaguered, beset, bedeviled, bewildered.

Anxious and unsettled.  Afraid and rattled.  Discouraged and dismayed.

Off-kilter, overly sensitive, hyper-reactive – sad, mad, and glad in dizzying merry-go-round fashion.

Yeah, and also desperately out-of-control.

So, on this stormy morning, when I jokingly asked "The Hub" about the mountain, I saw a pretty appropriate lesson in it.


It is so easy to lose sight when surrounded by storms.

And sometimes, even though life might not be throwing a bunch of actual storms at us, the storm can still rage within us.

A fog of moodiness can blanket our hearts and spirits.

And we can lose sight of the mountain – The Rock.

It seems to me that there is a direct correlation between the state of my emotions, and my perception of God's closeness.

The more tossed and turned I feel, the less I feel Him there.

The more I am consumed with my inner tempest, the less I sense His presence.

If someone were to ask me, "Can you see the mountain?" – (Can you still see the Lord?) – my truthful answer would probably be, "It comes and goes."

But here's the thing.

The mountain – our Lord – never disappears.

He stands in the same place...

...strong and steady and sure, whether I see Him there or not!

Perception is never reality.

Feeling is never truth.

And moods never, ever change the position of our Mountain, our Rock.

God doesn't play cosmic hide-and-seek with us.

But we can certainly experience times when He seems distant, silent, hidden.

How come?

I'd have to say it's because we live in a world that is shadowed by sin. 

Where truth can be hidden by the vacillating challenges of circumstances.

Where emotions can fool us, and feelings can trap us.

Where it seems like God is here one day, and gone the next.

Where few things are in our control.


So yeah, I'm not entirely sure what's responsible for this recent roller-coaster of emotion.  This tumult in my spirit.

But, in the end, it matters not.

"Can I see the mountain?" I ask myself.

It's not the right question.

I do not need to see Him.

I do not need to sense Him.

I do not need to touch Him.

Fleeting senses, one and all.

I simply need to rely on what I know is true...

The mountain, My Rock, is there.

Unmovable, unchanging, undiminished by my lack of perception.

My emotions may ask the question.

But my heart will instead proclaim the Truth:

"It doesn't really matter if I see Him or not…

HE'S. STILL. THERE."


Yes, I will rest in that…

Gratefully.

Fixing
my eyes on
Jesus,
my vision
is focused
and my future
is clear. 

"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." (Romans 1:20, ESV)

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.  He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation…" (Colossians 1:15, NLT)

"No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known." 
(John 1:18, NIV)

"No one has ever seen God.  But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us." (1 John 4:12, NLT)

"It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt…He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible." (Hebrews 11:27, NLT)

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, Bearean Bible)

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV)

"Then Jesus [said], 'You believe because you have seen me.  Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.'" (John 20:29, NLT)

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy…" (1 Peter 1:8, AMP)

"Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.  All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely." (1 Corinthians 13:12, NLT)

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2, KJV)

"Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality – faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]." (Hebrews 11:1, AMP)

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.  And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!  I will see him for myself.  Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.  I am overwhelmed at the thought!" (Job 19:25-27, NLT)

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.  Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17, NIV)

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In spite of the fog and storms in life, can you still see The Mountain?




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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

SUSPICIOUS MINDS

I was talking to my cousin the other night.

I was recounting to her some of the difficult things that happened during the last couple of years with my dad.  The things that happened as he increasingly slid into a state of dementia.  And I told her how one of the hardest things for me to deal with was how suspicious he became.

He was always convinced that my siblings and I were "out to get him."

For instance, my sister and I went over on several occasions to help clean and organize their house.  One day, we happened to be working downstairs.  We could hear our parents talking upstairs.  So, instantly turning into *children* again, we snuck up the stairs to listen in.

I sorta wish we hadn't.

Because what we heard was my dad telling my mom that we were stealing things.  Taking away their silver and jewelry.  Absconding with art pieces. Sneaking precious treasures out of their home.

We heard how he didn't want us there.  How he didn't understand why we had to interfere.  How he didn't trust us.

I'm not gonna lie – it hurt really bad hearing this.

Yes, suspicion and paranoia are common manifestations of dementia.  And the accusations are more often than not aimed at family members.  

This from WebMD: "A person with dementia may become irrationally suspicious of the people around him. He might become convinced, again and again, that someone has stolen his [possessions].  It can be demoralizing – after all the work you do as a caregiver, being called a thief a couple of times a day isn't fun."

But to tell you the truth, knowing the reason for this behavior, and knowing that my dad wasn't in his right mind, may have explained these thoughts – but it didn't alleviate the hurt.

Of course, there were moments of comic relief.

Like the time my sister snuck a beat-up old knife from their very old everyday set of eating utensils and put it in her purse.  And then proceeded to slyly show it to me as she walked out the front door.

"Hurry, start the car!"

We laughed so very hard.

Sometimes, in the midst of the pain, you've just got to laugh.

(And yes, we returned the knife!!)


But now, the pain comes back.

You see, my mom is beginning to suffer signs of cognitive impairment.  And though she hasn't become totally suspicious, there are times when she gets huffy with me, times when she gets angry.

This is not my mom.

My mom is the most gentle, soft-spoken person I know.  She wouldn't hurt a fly, nor would she raise her voice to it.  So, when she looks at me like I'm trying to do something terrible to her, it hurts.

A lot.

I feel like I want to say to her:

"Mom, you've known me my whole life.  Don't you know how much I love you, and that I would only do something if it was for your own good?  How can you mistrust me?  Haven't I proved my character by now?  Don't you know me?"


So, I'm in the middle of the conversation with my cousin when those words came out of my mouth...

...I stopped.

Mid-sentence, mid-thought.

For you see, I had not only just said these words to her, I had also heard them said to me.

Someone had spoken to my own heart.

It's like God gave me a glimpse of how it grieves Him when I feel suspicious of Him.

I wonder, does He sometimes say the same thing to me?

"Sharon, you've known Me all of your life.  Don't you know how much I love you, and that I would only do something if it was for your own good?  How can you mistrust Me?  Haven't I proved My character by now?  Don't you know Me?"


After I hung up with my cousin, I kept thinking about this.  

It must hurt God so much when I doubt His goodness, when I question His motives, when I act like I don't trust Him.

I can hear Him saying – softly, plaintively – with a tear in His eye, a crack in His heart:

"Sharon, don't you know Me by now?"


Oh, how foolish I am!

Hasn't He proved Himself to be completely faithful, trustworthy, consistent, good, loving, kind?

Over and over again?

Yes, He has.

It's life that gets in the way.

It's the lies of the enemy that lie to our souls.

And it's our sin-flawed minds that believe those lies.

For you see, we are not really in our right minds at all.

God is not out to steal our joy, nor is He sneaking behind our backs to do terrible things.  He isn't the devious or misanthropic ogre in the sky.

He loves us.

More than we will ever, ever comprehend.


Do we ever stop to think about what a risk He took when He offered His love to humanity?

Think about it…

The Creator of the Universe opened up His heart, offered His love, knowing that He could be rejected and spurned.

Along with His love, He gave humanity the awful and wonderful gift of free will.

He gave us the freedom to turn our backs on Him.

To hurt Him.

To grieve Him.

And the awful, terrible truth I have come to believe is that I grieve Him when I mistrust Him, when I doubt His love.

Oh, this pains me…

All those things I felt with my dad, the things I am beginning to once again feel with my mom – the sadness, the anger, the pain, the dismay – the horror of hearing them distrust my good intentions – all those things I have caused God Himself to feel.


Lord, I'm so very sorry.

For yes, I know better.

I know You.

Through the centuries represented in Your Word, and through every single day of my own life.

Through the good things and the bad things.

Through thick and thin, one thing remains unchanged…

Your love.

Might I just say this to You:

"I have known You all of my life.  I know how much You love me, and that You would only do something if it was for my own good.  I trust You.  You have proved Your character over and over again.  And yes indeed, I do know You."


His love never changes, never wavers, never diminishes, never fades.

And my love for Him begins…

…when I trust Him.

Have I been so long with you,
and yet you have not come to know Me?
O you, of fainthearted faith.
Why do you doubt?
I am the resurrection and the life.
Do you believe this?
Then do not let your heart be troubled.
Trust in Me.

"Thou wilt keep him in peace; in perfect peace, inward peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace at all times, in all events.  Trust in the Lord for that peace, that portion, which will be for ever.  Whatever we trust to the world for, it will last only for a moment; but those who trust in God shall not only find in him, but shall receive from him, strength that will carry them to that blessedness which is for ever.  Let us then acknowledge him in all our ways, and rely on him in all trials." 

(From Matthew Henry commentary on Isaiah 26:3)

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him." (2 Samuel 22:31, KJV)

"The Rock!  His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness...righteous and upright is He." (Deuteronomy 32:4, NASB)

"The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes.  He is close to those who trust in him." (Nahum 1:7, NLT)

"And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you." (Psalm 9:10, ESV)

"O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me..." (Psalm 7:1, KJV)

"When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You." (Psalm 56:3, NASB)

"This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him." (Psalm 91:2, NLT)

"O Lord, you alone are my hope.

I've trusted you, O LORD, from childhood.

Yes, you have been with me from birth;

from my mother's womb you have cared for me.

My life is an example to many,

because you have been my strength and protection.

And now, in my old age, don't set me aside.

Don't abandon me when my strength is failing.

For my enemies are whispering against me.

My God, please hurry to help me.

I will keep on hoping for your help;

I will praise you more and more.

O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood,

and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.

Now that I am old and gray,

do not abandon me, O God.

Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,

your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.

Who can compare with you, O God?

You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,

but you will restore me to life again

and lift me up from the depths of the earth.

You will...comfort me once again.

Then I will praise you...

because you are faithful to your promises, O my God." 

(From Psalm 71, NLT)

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3, ESV)

Do you truly trust the Lord?

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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!

SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A FAKE

I do, you know.

Sometimes I feel like a Christian fraud.

Will you allow me to explain?

Let me start by saying that I believe what I believe.  I know that I know what I know.

I have wholehearted faith, full-hearted faith.

And yet…

Sometimes I don't live like I do.

Sometimes, I am living according to fear.


Yes, all too often I am overcome by feelings of anxiety, dread, worry, and panic.  All too often, I buy a ticket and jump on the "What-If Train" – what if this happens, what if that happens.  I don't just wait for the other shoe to drop – I am convinced that it's going to drop on me.

The things I worry about are too numerous to count.  Family, relationships, finances, health.  You know, all those little *worms* that niggle into your mind and refuse to leave.

And all too often my actions are motivated by the deep need to avoid feeling fear.

Sometimes it all gets out of control. 


When my fear rises and begins to spiral out of control, there are two areas that flare up.

I find myself "check-check-checking" over and over again.  Is the front door locked?  Did I lock my car?  Did I leave the lights on?  Did I forget something? (Honestly, you should see me trying to leave a hotel room!)

I also find myself overly concerned with germs.  I wash my hands a bunch, and get nervous about eating leftovers.  (Which could be a good thing if you're dieting.  But in this case, not so much.)

And then that leads to me becoming a first-year medical student.  I remember talking to my doctor about this once.  And he used that example. He said he didn't know any newbie medical student who didn't think he had every disease he was studying about!  And let me tell you, when this frame of mind takes over, the Internet is NOT my friend.


So, here's where the issue of "fake" comes in.

I write a lot about faith and hope and peace and trust.

I believe strongly in these things.

But when I get caught up in a web of fear, when anxiety cycles out of control, then I feel like I am preaching something I'm not doing.

I feel like I'm "talking the talk" but not "walking the walk."

And then, to top everything off, I end up feeling guilty that I'm a lousy Christian.

Door opens.

And the enemy comes in.

"Boy, Sharon, some Christian you are.  You talk a big story, but when it comes right down to it, you don't trust God at all.  What a hypocrite you are."

Worst part?

I listen.

And internalize the lie.


So, friends, this is my true confession.  I sometimes find myself so fear-full that I can barely breathe.  And I felt the strong need to tell you this.  To *come clean* with my struggles.  To admit that sometimes I don't live like I believe the Truth that I truly believe.

It's a spiritual dilemma, for sure.

Do any of you struggle with this?

Maybe not fear, but maybe some other character flaw that makes you feel like you're not living the way you believe?

I suppose I'm not alone.

I do hold on tightly to what Paul says in Romans 7.  Here's how I might paraphrase it:

"I want to trust God, but sometimes I can't.  I want to believe all His promises, but sometimes I act like I don't.  I don't want to be fearful, but I am anyway.  I have discovered this principle of life – that when I want to do what is right, when I want to follow Him closely, I am inevitably hit with an onslaught of fear.  I love God and His Word with all my heart.  But it's like there is another power within me that is at war with my mind and heart."


Yup.

That's it exactly.

But, even as I typed those words, I see that something snuck in there without me really thinking about it.  A phrase, a clue.

"…when I want to follow Him closely…"

Is this the crux of the problem?

Am I a threat when I seek to follow God closely?  Is this why the arrows come out?  Is this why the enemy steps up his attacks?  Does this explain the bazooka barrage of fear that batters me?

I wonder.

And I wonder how I feel about that.

Truthfully, I feel divided.

Sorta not wanting to be on the enemy's radar – not wanting to be his target. And yet, I sorta feel an "in-your-face" moment of small victory.  Like it's sorta nice to feel that my faith is strong enough that I might be considered someone to be reckoned with.

Yeah, me.  Fearful, anxiety-ridden, but somehow still faithful me.

I actually looked up the word "fake" in Sharon's Acrostic Dictionary.  Here's what I found:

F aithfully
A cknowledging the
K ing in
E verything

Not what I expected to find, but that is indeed me!


So, friends, this is my confession.

That sometimes I feel like a fake because my fears belie the faith that I have in the Lord.  That sometimes I don't live out what I truly believe.  That sometimes I have trouble "walking the walk" that I talk about so sincerely.

And yet, perhaps this does not make me fake.  Perhaps this makes me real?

And perhaps that is where the *real* walk of faith walks.

In the trenches of real life, with all its ups and downs.  On the stony path of troublesome circumstances and stumbling hardship.

In the innermost and truest feelings where flawed personalities meet God where it really counts.

But this is also the place where we are most apt to turn to Him, to throw ourselves upon His mercy, to cry out in our agony, to know to the depths of our souls how very much we need Him.

For this is, indeed, where my fears drive me.

To my knees, crying out to the One who I know exists.

To the One I love.

To the One I know loves me. 

To the One I know is good, no matter how much I doubt Him or fear the path ahead of me.

Somewhere underneath the quicksand of fear, there is the bedrock of faith. 

The Rock of faith – who even when I cannot drum up trust, is still unchangingly and permanently trust-worthy.

Sigh.


Yes, sometimes I am full of fear.  Overcome with emotion.  Tossed by stewing and fretting.  Paralyzed by anxiety.

Riding the "What-If Train" – choo, choo – and running away from falling shoes.

But even here I find the Lord.  

And here the Lord finds me.

There is peace in knowing Him.

This day and tomorrow...

Forever.

Take courage.
Do not be afraid.
It is I.
I am here. 

"Oh, what a miserable person I am!  Who will free me from this life...Thank God!  The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 7:24-25, NLT)

"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'" (Romans 8:15, NIV)


"Listen to my prayer, O God.  
Do not ignore my cry for help!  
Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.  
My enemies shout at me, making loud and wicked threats.  
They bring trouble on me and angrily hunt me down.  
My heart pounds in my chest.  
The terror of death assaults me.  
Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.  
Oh, that I had wings like a dove;
then I would fly away and rest!  
I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness...

But I will call on God,
and the LORD will rescue me.
Morning, noon, and night
I cry out in my distress,
and the LORD hears my voice.
He ransoms me and keeps me safe
from the battle waged against me,
though many still oppose me.
God, who has ruled forever,
will hear me and humble them...

Give your burdens to the LORD,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall."

(From Psalm 55, NLT)


"Say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.  He is coming to save you.'" 
(Isaiah 35:4, NLT)

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4, ESV)

"When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.  In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid." (Psalm 56:3-4, NASB)

"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.  And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, AMP)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27, ESV)

"For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'" (Isaiah 41:13, NIV)



Where do you struggle to "walk the walk" of faith?



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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"