Did you have fun today?

I haven't put anything up here in a long time, so I figured I would add something.

Since last time I wrote, we have gone on vacation, so I should post something from our trip:

Hush, my beloved, and rest

I wrote a song this morning. This is a first - I don't write songs, but today I did. Oddly enough, it's in the key of Eb. Another thing that never happens. ;-)

~~~~~~~~

I'm weary of exhaustion from meaninglessness,
Of trying so hard and seeing the same mess

(refrain)
Just hush, my beloved, and rest;
Just hush, my beloved, and rest.

I can't go on seeking my way in these things,
it never gives joy like Your purpose brings.

(refrain)
Just look, my beloved, and trust;
Just look, my beloved, and trust.

(bridge)
How happy is the one who fears the Lord,
Who lines up with his very own word.
Your work will bear fruit and your home will be blessed.

(refrain)
Just hope, my beloved, and trust;
Just hope, my beloved, and trust.



(c) 2008 Cindy Chen

Back again

I'm back again!







Camp of Champions Texas was wonderful, and it was such a privilege to be involved there last week. I am grateful that I flew instead of being part of the road trip gang, though the road trip has its place.

Jacob & Sarah

We picked up 2 dogs last night, as sort of a foster situation. In other words, we will be happy to let someone adopt them later.... But for now, they live in our yard and seem to be quite happy with this situation.

Strength of Will

This morning I was lying in bed asking God to grant me the strength to get up on time. Then I was reminded of what my pastor said several weeks ago:

If God has given us everything we need for life and godliness, as the word says in 1 Peter 1:3, then God has given us the strength to do everything He has ever asked us to do. We just need the will to obey in the strength He has given.

Then I found the online version of "My Utmost for His Highest" online, and there was a similar statement there, as well:

If we will only start on the basis of His redemption to do what He commands, then we will find that we can do it. If we fail, it is because we have not yet put into practice what God has placed within us. But a crisis will reveal whether or not we have been putting it into practice.

This morning, my crisis was getting up on time. Later today I will have plenty of other opportunities to believe and obey on the basis of His redemption, and on no other basis.

If I lean on any other reason or basis to "obey Him" then it will fail, since the only one that is of any worth is what is done in faith, and what is done according to the Cross, and according to what He has done to redeem and cleanse and adopt me to Himself.

Glory to God!

Settling

I ran across this verse this morning: Psalm 107:7

He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.

It was sort of the verse that carried me when my family was moving from MI to GA when I was 16, that encouraged me to know that the Lord had a purpose in the move. I thank God that He brought us to Atlanta, every time I think of it.

But when I read it this morning, I began to wonder whether I am settling, rather than venturing. I feel "settled" right now, and it is a good feeling, to not be striving, to not be struggling to just have a basic sense of sanity.

Several years ago, I was going through probably my greatest and deepest spiritual growth spurt, and I remember making a statement that I did not want to settle spiritually, rather be a spiritual sort of pioneer, always looking ahead to the next adventure, always cutting away to the place where no one else has gone or seen or tamed.

I feel like I have two of those little cartoon shoulder voices, one a little angel and one a little devil. One says, "Oh, but it is really hard to move out from what you know, and you're not doing too badly. You don't need to do anything more than you are now. You can have an adventure later. When you're actually bored. You can just enjoy this peaceful, comfortable feeling for now."

But the other says, "You know that's not what you want. You really know that the only way you can be truly content is to keep pressing on and pressing in to what the Holy Spirit is prompting in you. You don't have to know how or where to start, just seek His face, and you'll venture beyond where you are by being transformed."

So my heart has to choose, will I relax and grow more and more discontented as the days go by? Or will I press 'onward and upward'?

I love a digital camera

... it makes me look like a good photographer!