Between The Years

I stand between the years. The light of My Presence is flung across the year to come--the radiance of the Sun of Righteousness. Backward, over the past year, is My Shadow thrown, hiding trouble and sorrow and disappointment. 

Dwell not on the past--only on the present. Only use the past as the trees use My Sunlight to absorb it, to make from it in after days the warming fire-rays. So store only the blessings from Me, the Light of the World. Encourage yourselves by the thought of these. 

Bury every fear of the future, of poverty for those dear to you, of suffering, of loss. Bury all thought of unkindness and bitterness, all your dislikes, your resentments, your sense of failure, your disappointment in others and in yourselves, your gloom, your despondency, and let us leave them all, buried, and go forward to a new and risen life. 

Remember that you must not see as the world sees. I hold the year in My hands--in trust for you. But I shall guide you one day at a time. 

Leave the rest with Me. You must not anticipate the gift by fears or thoughts of the days ahead. 

And for each day I shall supply the wisdom and strength. 

--God Calling by Two Listeners

images from ijunagila flickr

Turning

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust you. How i've proved you o'er and o'er. 

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus. O! for grace to trust you more...

And as I live life on the daily, the command this year is 

2 Tim 2:15 

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, 

a workman who does not need to be ashamed 

and who correctly handles the word of truth."

Another year to live for Christ. 

A year in which I desire to hear audibly from God regarding his plan for my future. 

After all, Iju ngu agula (It is God who determines)

Another year in which I desire to make my Father's heart smile. 

Ps 37:4 -  A promise by the One who does not fail...

To the glory of your name Baba

It is your name at stake

Is God in this situation?

Remember the dark and distressing situation of Jesus on the night of his betrayal... 
Even Christ pleaded for the cup to be taken from him (Matt 26:39).
However, he knew that the hand which would for our redemption hold the cup to his lips 
was not the hand of Judas or Caiaphas or Pilate. 
It was the hand of His loving Father intent on redeeming us.


We learn the lesson of trust in the school of trial.

(adapted from Our Daily Bread 2009, March 20th)

Reminder...

"There are times you are so broken that all you can do is sing over yourself with words like, ‘God is for me.’ But I believe it is one song that people can use to remember that God is for us, so who can be against us.” Kari Jobe. 

Fee - Everything Falls Apart

Choosing to live an under-resourced life

The Christian life is impossible!

If you disagree, try to be perfect. Do not lie, ever! Do not steal, ever! Do not lust. Do not be greedy, selfish, hateful, spiteful, jealous, lazy, two-faced, ever!

There is the story told of a man who was given an inheritance by his father. All he could ever need was his. All he had to do was accept it, invest in it and live his life depending on his inheritance. At first he was delighted! He was thrilled to have all his needs met. But soon he began to want to live like those around him; he wanted to spend money like they did and use his time like they did. He didn't want to invest in and live his life based on his inheritance. He wanted to live to fulfill all his pleasures, just like the others did. So he took a portion of his inheritance and lived like other people, filling himself with the things they filled themselves with. Soon he became bankrupt. That portion he had relied on was gone.

We are like that young man. We receive an inheritance of the holy spirit from God. All we have to do is accept the holy spirit, invest our time and live our lives dependent on the holy spirit. Instead we live off the glory of once having had the spirit in our lives; we try to succeed without living within our inheritance. Like the young man we become bankrupt spiritually and the bankruptcy seeps into other aspects of our lives.

When we choose not to live by the spirit, we are choosing to live an under-resourced life! Our Father, who made and owns the universe, has given us everything we need; especially the gift of the spirit. Why then do we live as if we are like everyone else?

The Christian life is impossible! With God all things are possible. Choose life! Choose to live through the Spirit. Where the Spirit is, there is life and life abundantly!

A lesson for me...

I'm in my 4th year of medical school (and actually I'm in my last 9 weeks woohoo!!!). I know some of you may think "omg she has to be ridiculously busy" but that's not really the case. Yes I am busy but it's not that my schedule is so crazy off the charts. Infact the problem is I am so done with working hard and pushing myself that I have officially diagnosed myself with senioritis. Look it up, it's a real disease (not really). 

The one thing I have tried to do these last few months is catch up on my reading list. Most of these books and articles have been on my "to read" list for the last 4 yrs no lie. One book that recently joined this list is called 'Jesus MD' by David Stevens MD. In 'Jesus MD' Dr Stevens draws a parallel between the life of Jesus and our lives, not just doctors. In chapter one (that's as far as I've gotten) he makes an excellent observation, one which has convicted me to move beyond senioritis to effective Christian living and preparation for the next phase in life. He says, "Mark 1 and Luke 4, for example, tell of the time when Jesus ministered all day in the synagogue...and he was up half the night healing patients until he was exhausted. What did Jesus do next? He got up early in the morning and went out to talk to his Father. It was that important. He missed sleep. He missed rest. He sacrificed something he truly needed... In other words, if our time with God isn't costing us something, perhaps we are not doing it frequently enough or long enough. Maybe it's not important enough in our lives." 

See along with senioritis you experience symptoms of a general lack of desire to do anything that could contribute positively to your life. That has been my major symptom anyway but I'm not sure if that's pathognomonic for the disease (i.e. associated with or characteristic for the disease). I have been struggling with regularly spending time with Jesus. And at this point in my life it really is just a lack of discipline issue. After reading those words from Dr Stevens I realize that if I am unable to be faithful even now when things are relatively easy going, how will I be faithful during my intern year when all hell breaks loose and I am barely sleeping, showering or eating?  

Needless to say I am convicted. Now to begin like the apostle Paul tells us, by God's grace, and reliance on the Holy spirit, to beat my body into submission. I just felt I should share this just in case anyone else is feeling the same way in whatever walk you are called to. Feel free to keep me accountable. 

Feel down moment

Many things cause self deprecation and defeat.

 Among them: 

reaching within for help and solace; 

comparing self to another, 

one who is equally flawed and also on a journey to achieve wholeness; 

and believing the lies of the devil. 

Only one gives freedom, life, and light. 

Look to Jesus. 

Victory is sure! 

-Malikah Johnson

Prayer of Help, Protection and Deliverance

Prayer of Help, Protection, and Deliverance

Lord, I thank you that You are a Warrior, and You never know defeat; You are a Conqueror and every enemy is under Your feet; You are a Deliverer and every foe will sound retreat.

I thank You, O God, that you preserve me. I take refuge in You and I am safe from every cloud of darkness, from every voice of condemnation, from every thought of defeat and despair. I put my trust and confidence in You alone. I lean on You, for You will not falter or faint. You are my support and keep me from falling. You are my high tower and keep me from fleeing. You are my confidence and keep me from fearing.

Thank You, God, for being with me, beside me, behind me, and before me. You are always at my right hand and keep me secure. What joy it brings to know that when I call to You, You answer me. You are my perfect refuge from every storm and battle.

Thank You for being my sure place, and for providing me with the safe place under the shadow of Your wings. Lord, arise and rescue me from all evil, from every lie, and from every bondage. I stand upon You as my rock, I abide in You as my fortress. You are my covering. You are my shield. Thank You for saving me and for rescuing me from my enemies. You always hear my cry for help.

 Scriptures: Psalm 16, 17, 18

Meet Me In The Meadow

Jesus is a liberal democrat

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Jesus Is a Liberal Democrat
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Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog March to Keep Fear Alive

"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor 

either we've got to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are. 

Or we've got to acknowledge that he commanded us to love the poor 

and serve the needy without condition 

and then admit that we just don't want to do it"

--Steve Colbert

Encouraging

In His Hands Posted: 13 Dec 2010 08:59 AM PST My steps, my times, my plans, Lord, are daily in your hands— as a yielded servant, I wait on Your command. I want to seek your kingdom and have You reign in me— so I can live before You as one who’s been set free. I cast my cares upon You and trust You for each day— I want the way You planned for me to be what I obey. I have no expectations, there only is Your will— no need to strive or worry, my heart needs to be still. As I learn about You, I’ve come to realize— You do so many little things that take me by surprise. Each day is an adventure as I set my heart on You— my heart’s in constant wonder as I see the things You do. I’ll let You do Your work, Lord, please have Your perfect way— Thank You for Your mercies that are new for me each day! My times are in Your hands. Psalm 31:15 AMP Roy Lessin  image from: http://sunburntchaos.deviantart.com/

Faithful

God is faithful

I asked him to make me so

And then I waited

Friendships abounded

The good times rolled

God provided

And then silence

No movement

No reassurance

No presence

Just silence

When I can't feel you, I am learning to reach out just the same 

When I can't hear you, I know you still hear every word I pray

Help me want you more than I want to live another day 

And as I wait for you 

maybe I'm made more faithful... 

(modified Faithful by Brooke Fraser)


image from: Timeout! Devotions 

Between the dimples and the sun

4 chambers
Lost somewhere between the dimples

Afraid to move

Tired of standing still

Ready for new growth

Distrusting of possibilities

Excited for tomorrow

Insecure that the sun won't shine

Between the dimples and the sun

You are there

Please

Remain...

--Malika Johnson

On forgiveness, the whole story

Dad picked up a hammer and pounded a nail into the garage wall. 

Then he gave his son the hammer and told him to pull out the nail. 

The boy shrugged, grabbed the hammer, and yanked out the nail.  

“That’s like forgiveness, Son. When you do something wrong, it’s like pounding in a nail. 

Forgiveness is when you pull the nail out.” 

“Okay, I get it,” said the boy. 

“Now take the hammer and pull out the nail hole,” his dad replied. 

“That’s impossible!” the boy said. “I can’t pull it out.” 

--Dave Branon, ODB

Jesus died to take away our sin; the worst is over. 

We still have to bear the consequences of our sin. 

That's the whole story... 


photo from: ablogabouthistory.com

Background

The way I hope to live... 

Israel Concert today!!!

Hear us from heaven

Lord hear our cry

Come heal our land

Breathe life into these 

Dry and thirsty souls

Lord hear our prayer

Forgive our sins

And as we call on Your name

Would make this a place of 

Your glory to dwell

Open the blind eyes

Unlock the deaf ears

Come to Your people

As we draw near

Hear us from heaven

And touch our generation

We are Your people

Crying out in desperation

Oh hear us from heaven

Hear us from heaven

--Ross Parsley 

Hear my cry Father. Do not leave me in this place...

image from: Breastcancer.org

Regarding Jos

"if my people, who are called by my name, 

will humble themselves and pray and seek my face 

and turn from their wicked ways, 

then will I hear from heaven 

and will forgive their sin 

and will heal their land. 

Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive 

to the prayers offered in this place." 

1 Chronicles 7:14-15

When I'm between a rock and a hard place

 ^1-4 But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
   the One who got you started, Israel:
"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.
   I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
   When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place,
   it won't be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
   The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
   all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That's how much you mean to me!
   That's how much I love you!
I'd sell off the whole world to get you back,
   trade the creation just for you.  
(Isaiah 43:1-4, The Message)

 "Yes, I am God. 

   I've always been God 

   and I always will be God.

No one can take anything from me. 

   I make; who can unmake it?"  

(Isaiah 43:13, The Message)

Wolf Moon, from Jan 30th

Brightest moon of the year.

 ^3-4 I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
      your handmade sky-jewelry,
   Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
      Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
   Why do you bother with us?
      Why take a second look our way?

(Psalm 8:3-4, The Message)