A few things I’ve “gotten to” enjoy lately…
diapers on the line, colors arranged in a way that makes me smile, every morning.
happy flower faces
chopped and ready for dinner: the bounty of a nearby farm. (read what it became here.)
Post Category → faith
a. carmichael: useless
Another letter from the collection, Candles In The Dark
To one who felt useless
My first feeling was to write and tell you that you are mistaken, but though I think you are, in part, I won’t write so. Instead, I will say what our heavenly Father said to me a long time ago, and says to me still very often: “See in it a chance to die.”
Perhaps the brave love of God is touching is touching with death the I in you, that it may be in very truth “not I but Christ”. This is your heart’s desire, your deepest desire, and He counts nothing too much to do, that it may be fully fulfilled. “Ponder the voice of my humble desire.” He has pondered it; He is answering it. So be of good cheer. Don’t heed the devil’s whisper about uselessness. Is he not the father of lies? Why believe a liar? God is working out a most beautiful purpose.
Not good night, and let the Lord give His beloved sleep untroubled by the unkind remarks of the enemy. Believe me, he is not at all trustworthy, and you well know your Lord is. Does He ever break His word? No, never, and He knows that you know it. “For Thou, Lord, has never failed them that fear Thee.” No, nor ever will.
enough, and more
One of the things I really appreciate about my parents is how practical their Christianity is. By their example, I realized that Christianity applies to every waking minute, every task you put your hand to, every thought that graces (or attacks!) your consciousness.
The very cool thing about faith becoming an everyday, practical living sort of thing is that suddenly, amazing passages of scripture apply to me! I don’t have to be hosting revival meetings in sub-Saharan Africa for the writing of Paul to have meaning in my life. You know?
Like this one, for example:
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. (2 Cor 9:8)
That verse has been a rock of truth so many days in the last six months. When I’m exhausted. Weary. Unsure. Stretched thin. Empty. Probably popular counsel would tell me that I should call Ryan, tell him to get home and watch the kids, and go to the spa for a day. ‘Cause, you know, I clearly need me time. But this life-giving, empowering Word tells me this: God can make all grace abound to me. In Him, I have all sufficiency. And I have an abundance for every good deed.
Deeds like speaking patiently. Doing more laundry. Even folding and putting away that laundry. Being awake because I can’t sleep on the job. (You know, the big things.) Serving my husband faithfully.Smiling.
When a nagging whisper tells me I don’t have enough to give a single bit more to anyone, the Word tells me there is a Fount that never runs dry. There is grace, sufficiency, and abundance.
That is the kind of Christianity I need.
And that is the kind of God we serve.
“And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner…”
“Better to just continually come to Him, the One we instinctively know can wash and forgive and change us from the inside out. I don’t like who I am, but hiding it won’t help. The only chance for change lies in me, coming as I am, to a perfectly holy God… who also, in His amazingness, happens to be a perfectly loving God, too. (Isn’t that amazing?)” [more.]
sarah and peace
“Submission’s greatest enemy in our hearts is fear. Yes, we have to get over our stubbornness, our pride, our American feminist independence, our plain old preferences. But when it comes down to it, when the rubber meets the road, it’s fear that can completely do us in. I mean, let’s face it: we’re being asked to put our life on the line by a fallible man. That doesn’t sound very secure. And it’s not — except that God Himself is part of this equation, and He’s ready to defend those who walk in obedience to Him. [read more]
more on sarah
Submission is not a crazy idea someone had back in the Stone Age (as if there was such a thing…) God Himself has ordained this authority thing, and has chosen to execute His plan for our lives through it. Yes, God’s plan for your life will come to pass as you embrace His call to follow and place yourself under the authorities in your life. Honestly, submission is really about obedience to God. It might seem crazy at times. (Or insane; ask Sarah!) But the question God is asking us is, Will you obey me in this? Why would God promise to lead and guide us and then tell us to submit unless He planned on guiding us through the structure of authority? God will not contradict himself; there is no way true joy for you lies in disobedience, and there’s no way His plan includes rebellion. (more)