Friday, April 1, 2011

Weary

Weary describes me right now. Sleep has been hard to come by. I have been waking in the middle of the night unable to fall back to sleep because of thoughts racing through my head about what I have to do the next day, or with just the right words to write that note, e-mail, letter or motion that I need to write the next day. Lack of sleep coupled with the daily busyness of life can leave you weary and tired. The daily grind of life or storms swirling around you can leave you weary, tired and completely spent.

You know those days when you are exhausted-physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually? Have you ever felt this way and then you heard your child cry? Instantly you forget how you are feeling and rush to scoop up your little one. Exhaustion fades- your focus is to help your child feel better. And your child just lets you scoop them up in your arms, hold them tight and help them feel better.

We have someone we can turn to when the storms of life leave us weeping. Abba, Father God, is there ready to scoop us up in His arms and comfort us, heal our hurts and dry our tears. Abba is always there within reach when we need Him and He never grows weary. He is standing there arms wide open beckoning us to lay our burdens on Him. Abba can renew our strength and refresh us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We need Him to complete us and renew us. We simply were not made to travel this journey of life without relying on Him. Abba is our Creator and the giver and sustainer of life.

"Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:27-31.

Prayer: Abba, sometimes I just need to sit in your lap, be held, let the world disappear and your peace fill my heart. Please help me to sit in your presence daily to find the strength, peace, comfort, healing, renewal, and love that I need to accomplish your purposes for me and to journey down life's path.

Ann Voscamp is graciously offering a scholarship to the She Speaks Conference. It is a conference for women who feel called to lead others closer to the heart of God through writing, speaking,or leading through ministry. Click How Christians May Create {And a SheSpeaks Scholarship} » A Holy Experience to check out her blog.

Blessings,

Heather S. Deaton

Sunday, March 13, 2011

What is the story of the Church?

"Then he asked them, "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." Matthew 16:15-18.(NLV)

Our church had a guest preacher last Sunday, March 6, 2011. Dr. Timothy C. Tennent, President, Asbury Theological Seminary. He preached on the story of the church. Is it a story of advancing the gospel or one of suffering and persecution? Clearly, it is both. God's work has been carried out since He first breathed life into man depsite the obstacles which stood in the way of His people.

Dr. Tennet shared some very insightful thoughts which I wanted to share. He reminded me that God's way and God's timing is not our (humans) way or timing. Also, what looks like defeat to human eyes is not always the case. Can you imagine the sorrow, lost faith, hopelessness that must have faced the disciples after the crucifixcion? Everything they had given up the past three years to follow this man, Jesus, who was to be the Messiah and save the Jews. Had it died with Him on the cross?

Dr. Tennet said, "God triumphs when things are at the worst. He overturns His foes. The cross of Jesus Christ which seemed to be the darkest moment, because it was the world's greatest rejection of God; became God's greatest act of reconcilliation. Man's worst hour became God's greatest hour by nailing our sins to the cross of Jesus. God always has the last word in our lives; in our world."

Praise God, that the crucifixion was not the end of the story. On Easter the women go to the tomb, but find He is not here. He is risen. "God is unvieling His greatest work under cloak of failure. Our greatest suffering and failures become His greatest work. He takes our Plan G and makes it His Plan A." Dr. Tennent.

"The Church will advance as it is willing to sacrifice." Dr. Tennet.

"But those who endure to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:13.(NLV) God keeps His promises. We just need to keep the faith.