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Thursday, September 30, 2010

resolute.




Help me God, to be resolute.
Choosing not the easy route.
Fearing not that I might suffer,
To say with David, “I will not offer
burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
So that YOU might be my everything.



...linking up with Emily for Imperfect Prose
...photo courtesy of camuna

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

the River Trip diaries...



We're posting entries from Micah's journal over on the tuttle tribe site (our ministry blog) this week.
Please continue in prayer for the new and existing works along the river... that they would bear much fruit unto God.


Tuesday, September 28, 2010

...costly



How many times do I offer God that which costs me nothing?

the scanty leftovers of my time...
the skimpiest sum I can manage to fumble inconspicuously out of my pocket...
a begrudging, grumbling obedience...
service IF it is convenient, promisingly fruitful, or is particularly of a nature that others might well see...

O God, You don't force us to serve you, much less love You...
But now that we have come to know You, or rather to be known by You, through Your Son... We are no longer under law. How much more then ought our offerings be worth since we are now conscious of grace; grace that's free and yet so very very costly.


HELP US O GOD of our salvation,
for the glory of Your name;
deliver us, atone for our sins,
for your name's sake.
Psalm 79:9


God, it hurts to be exposed.
To realize how seldom I realize how great You are.


How many good things I try to keep to myself...
Forgive me.


You are worthy, for You have given extravagantly...


Give me a heart ready to be poured out before you.
To spend myself lavishly to bring You all the glory.



(post based on 2 Samuel 24:24)
photo courtesy of clix



Sunday, September 26, 2010

remebering... perfect




He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
1 Peter 2:22-23



.| Wings |. image courtesy of clix

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

out of the depths



Joy.  It's that welling up feeling.

Underneath, somewhere unseen flows a bottomless reservoir.  Cool depths unfathomable filled with the assurance of salvation, hope of resurrection, a faithful God, unmerited favor, imputed righteousness, love unconditional, light unapproachable, knowledge of the Holy, forgiveness undeserved available to the repentant.

Every now and then, something moves me, things start to swell, erupting forth and I call that JOY. 

It's when the goodness just can't be contained.  It's that smile I can't keep from rising to the surface... or a heart gush... or a sudden outburst of song.  It's the knowing that the Father sees.  It's fellowship, even in suffering.
 
It's a swirl in the sunshine.  It's light shining through green.  It's that pinpoint of light at the end of a long dark tunnel... far away but no less visible.  It's the memory of brighter days.  It's the sweetness of His presence... despite the circumstances.


Sometimes joy courses on a wet trail down my cheek.  Sometimes it curls upward in the grin that won't wipe off.  Sometimes it makes my heart leap.

Joy. It's the overflow.

It can't be captured. Just let it gush.







tuesdays unwrapped at cats

Monday, September 20, 2010

staying home...



729. Thankful tonight for date night... even if the babysitter doesn't show and we're stuck at home.



:)