God is...

This morning, a friend sent a devotional written by Charles Spurgeon that spurred some thoughts about God.  In essence, he said we have no reason to doubt God's personal love and care for us because He has inscribed our names on His hands (Isaiah 49:16).  He can't forget what He sees all the time. How often I forget this fact!  How often I beg God to remember me and my circumstances forgetting, as the Israelites (see Isaiah 49:14-15) that God could not possibly forget me or forsake me.  He keeps his promises!  I'm the one that fails to believe He will!

Some years ago, I took an online Bible course by Beth Moore called, "Believing God".  The first thing she tackled was, "God is Who He says He is".  I'm going to review that study in the new year in part because I find myself doubting God too often of late.  The first step is knowing who God is!  He tells us in the Bible in many places who He is.  If we don't know who He says He is, we won't have a basis for faith and will struggle to believe anything He says to us about our life and His love.

One caution: too often today, our culture makes God fit a politically correct mold, a being without power and without opinions about how we should live. God is very clear about who He is and is not wishy-washy or politically correct.  He IS worth knowing and His love for me keeps me from falling apart in every way.

If you'd care to learn more about Who God is, start reading the Gospel of John with the question, "Who is God?"

Am I desperate for God?

This question has been rattling around in my brain for a few weeks.  Am I truly desperate for God or am I letting the things I can see keep me from feeling that desperation? Life lived moment by moment in relationship with God is my goal. Do I? So often the stuff of life gets in the way.  I pursue food or quilting or shopping to escape feeling what is in my heart and soul. If I am truly desperate for God, I would readily surrender all other distracted pursuits to the one most satisfying-running hard after God.

Is that possible? Have you been desperate for Him?

Becoming a Warrior

At a recent retreat I heard Carolyn Custis James present the concept of women being warriors in the battle for God's kingdom on earth. Taken from Genesis 1 where Eve is created as an "ezer" (Hebrew word translated as "suitable helper") to partner with Adam in ruling and subduing the earth, the original intent of God toward women was that we would be strong, capable, co-warriors with men. When Eve was created there was no laundry to do or house to clean, no child to care for and no meal to prepare. All of that was to come after sin entered the world.  I so appreciated her focus on what God originally intended women to be.  (To read Carolyn's books check out Lost Women of the Bible, When Life and Beliefs Collide, The Gospel of Ruth).

Through the centuries, women have often been considered weak, second-class citizens by many, both male and female.   The feminist agenda of the 70's, perhaps a reaction to this, didn't capture the "ezer" concept since its heart was to elevate women over men.  It led to bashing men and minimizing them.  A friend of mine said a person doesn't get ahead by standing on the shoulders of another. 

I've decided to sweep out the crumbs of feminism that have fallen in my heart and bring in a platter of partnership and respect for my brothers and fathers in order to become a warrior worthy of God's intent for me.  God didn't make women as a second thought.  According to Genesis 1, God intended from the start to make both men and women to fully represent his image on earth.  BOTH are required for a complete image.

When I courageously offer all of my gifts and talents to meet a challenge, God's kingdom purposes and the men in my circle of influence benefit.  When I withhold those, I contribute to our mutual defeat.  Together we are much stronger and better than we are apart.  (Eccl. 4:9-12)

Rise up, ezers!  Be strong and courageous partners!

First Thoughts

Thanks to my daughter, I'm blogging! Welcome to the journey!

I am a ponderer. Sometimes I ponder Bible verses, sometimes what nature reveals about God's character, sometimes dreams and wakeful thoughts. Most of my ponderings center on faith in God and what difference faith makes in daily life. Thanks for joining me on this fascinating excursion of life.