Tide and Sunsets

There's something about the tide that brings comfort to my soul.

Watching how in perfect rhythm it moves inward.

Never hesitating, and going just the right amount every time.

It comes in when it is supposed to.
It goes out when it is supposed to.
Wow.

Such an incredible thing to watch.
Such a shout of praise to the Creator God.
Such a reminder for me that He is God, He has a plan, and His plan is always fantastic.
Such a direct point to my saviour Jesus.

When I lived in Liberia, the thing that brought me the most peace was to watch the sun set. This was because as the sun set over the ocean horizon I knew that it was still with the people whom I loved, and as I got to greet the sunshine each morning, it had just left the people whom I missed. And it brought me true peace.

It's called the peace that passes understanding because it's kinda confusing, yet oddly not stressful to think about. And I got it.

Switches

You might notice the background looks different today.

The changes I started mentioning months and months ago are finally happening. I'm more indecisive than I thought so it took me a while to get a point of feeling confident moving forward.

The lovely Jessi of Naptime Diaries has got to be the most gracious designer I've met. She's been patient as I've taken forever to make decisions and quick to offer beautiful design. I'm so excited for what's coming!

Pay attention because fun changes are arriving soon.

I've been writing up a storm. I'm excited to share what Jesus has been putting on my heart.

I'm also going to share my testimony - eeeeek this scares me.

And a few other things I've got tucked up my sleeve.


If you notice formatting issues, either offer grace or suggestions - the changes will come and there might be issues due to my own lack of education with html and blogger stuff.

Honestly though, It's all about Jesus and for Him, so the goal is His glory, not my blog looking good.

Heavy Laden

These days I've been walking up to Jesus carrying a lot of stuff.

Typically He gives me His oh Nadine smile (which I like to call grace and mercy intermingled perfectly) and slowly unloads the things I'm carrying, or should I say grasping desperately.

    Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
   
(Luke 10:38-42 ESV)

He grabs busy and asks me how she makes me feel.

He takes a hold of impatience and questions me why I brought her along again.

He notices that I seemed to be grasping control even more tightly than I normally do and asks if I would consider letting Him have her back.

He literally crushes moralism into a million pieces.

    Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,
        and apply your heart to my knowledge,
    for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
        if all of them are ready on your lips.
    That your trust may be in the LORD,
        I have made them known to you today, even to you.
(Proverbs 22:17-19 ESV)

He calls out to laziness and tells her that she isn't invited to stick around.

There's more He has taken and will take.
Every day He takes something new.

He doesn't add anything heavy.

Except more grace.
And more mercy.
More love.
Hope.
Joy.
Peace. 
Rest.

He's a gracious King.

    All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:27-30 ESV)

Oh sanctification - you're so fun.

To Movement

Chatting with God recently led me to these verses.

    And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
   
(1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 ESV)

I appreciate what Charles Spurgeon shares in his sermon on these verses:

"The more praying the more rejoicing. Prayer gives a channel to the pent-up sorrows of the soul, they flow away, and in their stead streams of sacred delight pour into the heart. At the same time the more rejoicing the more praying; when the heart is in a quiet condition, and full of joy in the Lord, then also will it be sure to draw nigh unto the Lord in worship. Holy joy and prayer act and react upon each other."

"You are always in danger of being tempted; there is no position in life in which you may not be assaulted by the enemy. "Pray without ceasing," therefore. A man who is going along a dark road where he knows that there are enemies, if he must be alone and has a sword with him, he carries it drawn in his hand, to let the robbers know that he is ready for them. So Christian, pray without ceasing; carry your sword in your hand, wave that mighty weapon of all-prayer of which Bunyan speaks. Never sheathe it; it will cut through coats of mail. You need fear no foe if you can but pray. As you are tempted without ceasing, so pray without ceasing."

‎"Never give up praying, not even though Satan should suggest to you that it is in vain for you to cry unto God. Pray in his teeth; "pray without ceasing." If for awhile the heavens are as brass and your prayer only echoes in thunder above your head, pray on; if month after month your prayer appears to have miscarried, and no reply has been vouchsafed to you, yet still continue to draw nigh unto the Lord. Do not abandon the mercy-seat for any reason whatever."

These three small sections of his sermon are incredible. They're beautiful. They're inspiring.

BUT they're so much more than inspiring. I often dislike when people say that something encouraged or inspired them, not because I don't want people to be both of those things but because I truly pray that they're encouraged and inspired to movement.

When I hear God speak to me, I want to move in His words. I don't want to just let them slide past my ears. I want them to sink into my soul and impact my every day.

      I have told the glad news of deliverance
        in the great congregation;
    behold, I have not restrained my lips,
        as you know, O LORD.
    I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
        I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
    I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
        from the great congregation.
(Psalm 40:9-10 ESV)

How do you faithfully walk forward in what you hear from God?

Here Now

I was doing something mindless when a thought plucked through loud enough for me to grab it and run with it.

if Jesus was here, would I be doing this?

I considered for a second,

no, I would be serving Him and asking Him so many questions, conversing, laughing, doing life together.

I could hear the Holy Spirit breathe His kindest sigh . . .

Daughter, I'm here now.