HOW BLESSED I AM TO LIVE IN THIS IDYLLIC VILLAGE. EVERY DAY IT SPEAKS TO ME OF THE GLORY OF GOD AND FILLS ME WITH AWE FOR MY CREATOR.
Luci Shaw said, “God has given us two great books: creation and Scripture — and they speak about one another. I see it in the rising sun each morning, as it floods the bay with color, and I think of Psalm 19 and a Bridegroom coming out of his pavilion. I see it in the changing seasons, and think of the complete faithfulness of God. I see it in the forget-me-nots that blanket the woods in the spring and I think of how the prophets cry that we have forgotten Him.
This week is Thanksgiving week, and we will spend the week in giving thanks, often taking a picture from The Song of Songs, reflect on how it is a metaphor for a spiritual truth, and use it as a springboard for prayer. I’ve kept it short, for I know it is a busy week.
I also want to hear your testimonies. To prime the pump, here are a few:
I have always been taught The Song of Songs is only about love/marriage between husband and wife. A veil has been lifted and made me see God’s love in a whole new light…. He calls me to come away with Him, come away from idols, from the false safety blankets I have clung to for so long…
Staci from The Netherlands
…Until now I had always hoped that He loved me, but now I know…
Deanna from Ohio
Does Jesus love me? I have been contemplating this question as my “sorrows like sea billows roll,” I have come to see that this question is KEY. Do I believe that He loves me, desires me, even when suffering does not make sense and every alternative is dark? The Song of Songs keeps telling me He does.
Diane from Canada
In the past, I clung to His love to survive. Now, I’m letting Him hold me, rather than grasping in desperation. I’m seeing that He really does delight in me — that’s what is still soaking in. Something else that made a difference: getting to the end of myself. Even when I don’t have the energy to hold on, He is holding on to me.
Renee from South Dakota
It seems somewhat ironic, that in beginning this study, I was pretty unsure of SOS, i.e., unsure of its poetic nature (not really my thing), unsure of the differing opinions related to SOS, unsure of what the Lord might be up to in having us study this book. Now nearing the end, I see myself as a different follower of Christ as a result of this study.
Nancy J from Wisconsin
SUNDAY/MONDAY
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
2. Share a sentence of Thanksgiving for The Song of Songs with a specific way it is impacting you.
TUESDAY
Our own Elizabeth found this video of Mike Reeves, to whom we have listened so often. It is short, and I think it is a good review, and that you will enjoy it. Watch it today or sometime this week and comment: Link
COMMENT ON THE ABOVE VIDEO:
The Bridegroom comes to the maiden “like a gazelle or a young stag leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills.” (The Song of Songs 2:8-9)
John of the Cross likened the above to the swiftness with which our Lord shows and hides himself. He usually visits devout souls to gladden and liven them, and then leaves them in order to try, humble, and teach them.”
3. What do you see in this image? And how has the Lord come to you in The Song of Songs? How has He surprised you recently?
4. Use this image as a springboard for praise.
Wednesday
The prophets use the land as a parallel to the state of our hearts. Isaiah tells of a vineyard with bitter fruit. Ezekiel writes of hearts of stone. Yet there is coming a day when the fig tree will no longer be cursed, when the dry land will blossom, when we will have hearts of flesh, and when the winter will be past and the time of singing will come. (Song of Songs 2:7)
5. What do you see in this image? How is God making you more fruitful? And what do you look forward to most when all the effects of the fall are reversed?
6. Use this image as a springboard for praise.
Thanksgiving Day! (And let it go into Friday as well — keep thanking Him)
At our table we always ask, “What are you thankful for this year, that you could not have been thankful for last year?” Usually even children can answer this, if they are old enough to understand the difference between this year and last. I also want to break this down so that you go beyond being thankful for visible things, though those are important as well. Here we go — and I’ll answer each here personally to prime the pump:
7. What visible thing are you thankful for this year that you could not have been thankful for last year?
(I’m thankful for two new healthy happy grandchildren — precious babies Lily Grace and Kenneth Steven.)
Your turn:
8. Think about something this year you have been anxious about or tend to complain about — how has God used it for good?
(I am anxious about being a widow in the woods in Wisconsin — yet I am pressing into Him and seeing Him provide me with friends, comfort me that He is in control, even when there is a power outage, and give me sweet writing time.)
Your turn:
9. What spiritual truth from God have you learned or put into practice that has brought healing in your relationship with Him or healing in your relationship with someone else? (Perhaps from The Song of Songs)
(The sense of being loved found in The Song has helped me to better love the challenging people in my life with His love. But I’ll save my story for the first week in Advent!)
Your turn:
10. GOD HUNT: How has God surprised you with an answer to prayer, unexpected grace, or unusual timing or circumstances this year?
(He has surprised me with your enthusiastic reaction to The Song of Songs, with your iron sharpening iron as you share your insights. He also surprised me when my daughter Sally moved from Washington D. C. to Milwaukee — just three hours from me!) Your Turn:
160 comments
2. Share a sentence of Thanksgiving for The Song of Songs with a specific way it is impacting you.
I still have trouble with the poetic nature of this book. I am trying to read others comments and understand what it is telling me. To be quite honest, it takes me so long to “get it” that i usually give up. It’s too hard 🙁
So with that in mind, I am thankful for the sisters on this blog who DO “get” this book and share so I can read their comments and try to understand better. Thank you!
Hi Laura! How are you feeling since your surgery, and how is your dear mom? (I’m also glad you’ve stuck to this study and stayed with us!)
Hi Susan! I am ok after surgery. Kind of sore, but pathology report is good 🙂 Thanks for asking about us. Mom isn’t doing so well now. She got pneumonia and still has the inevitable UTI going on. Lots of confusion. Wound is still the same and she isn’t getting out of bed at all now. I am going there for Christmas to see her again. Messy lives.
Miss the conversation online; can’t say I will be sorry to leave the “Song.” I guess I shouldn’t admit that out loud! Oops…..that’s my BIG mouth. Sorry Dee. I think I need to be a more “mature” Christian to get this book, but I know God loves me and I do appreciate certain pieces of it, so that’s good. I am hopeful that the Reeves video will help clear up some questions I have; I listened to 10 minutes or so of it this morning and was so encouraged by what I heard. Thanks for all your very enlightening thoughts about the book.
Laura, I’m so sorry your mom is now dealing with pneumonia…she keeps getting hit, hard. It must be very hard on you, too, to see her suffer so much. Praying for her, and for you. I’m glad you get to go see her for Christmas.
Laura–thankful your report was good. And I too am so sorry to hear about your mom’s pneumonia. Any update on Sarah? So thankful you are here, whether you “get” theSongs or not! It is a journey for meas well, and I always appreciate your insight–and just your faithfulness & honesty!
So glad to hear the surgery went well and the report is good! 🙂 And yes, I so admire how you have stayed with Him in the Song of Songs. You have done well so far-just recalling what you said when you started about how hard poetry is for you, yet He came to you and you have gleaned some sweet truths.
Greetings, Laura-d…Good to hear that your post surgery reports are encouraging…and I guess the soreness is a reminder to take it easy, one step at a time…not so easy for someone who is used to being on the go (I am recalling foot surgeries a few years ago…). Sorry to hear of your Mom continuing health issues…I agree with Susan, she does seem to be getting hit hard. It will be nice for you both to be together for Christmas. I too am curious how Sarah is doing these days… Take care, dear Laura…you are in my (any I’m sure many others) thoughts and prayers.
Praying for you and your mom and Sarah, Laura….so thankful the surgery went well. I FELL LIKE A BEGINNER ALSO AND HAVE BEEN SOAKING IT ALL IN FROM SOS. I’ve learnt alot…mostly about how much I am loved by my bridegroom, Jesus and it’s been wonderful.
You’ve hung in there on one of the hardest books of the Bible, Laura — and you have gleaned some things. I can’t imagine studying this as sort of a beginner and staying with it. Kudos to you! And you are going through so much personally.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I LOVE everyone’s testimonies-and it stands out because He is on the move in our study and I so love to see my sisters here desiring and reflecting Him- His Love ravaging you and your response to Him-so beautiful.
I also can’t wait to take in the Reeves video Elizabeth provided-more of Reeves is a sweet thing..it is going to be another stirring week together! 🙂
Hi from airport. So thankful for this study. Oops…boarding now
Renee, 🙂
Appreciate what Dee wrote about changing seasons and God’s faithfulness… good to ponder because I go into winter kicking and screaming!
Love the picture of your idyllic village, Dee. I want to be the first on the blog to wish all my American friends a “Happy Thanksgiving”. I will do my best to be on the lookout for things to be thankful this week.
And yes, winter has always been a difficult season for me as well, Renee. We all need to pray for each other as the cold winds blow, literally and figuratively.
Laura – dancer, thanks for trying to understand Song of Songs. Praying for you as you go through your difficult times with your family as well.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I haven’t even read through the whole study yet, but when I saw this question, I was already filled.
Two things leaped out-one, Luci Shaw’s comment “God has given us two great books: creation and Scripture — and they speak about one another.” I LOVE that thought! I love how He is showing Himself to those in impoverished countries without the Word–He is the Word, breathed out in His creation!
The 2nd major thing that struck me is the comments of my sisters–Staci, Deanna, Diane, Renee, Nanci…the incredible TRANSFORMING POWER of this book, Song of Songs–but it is all Him-the way He melts hearts. That each of them expressed, what I think many of us experienced–this Book is so much more than the way we have been taught. And we almost missed it! It is His love song–to us!
I am reminded too of Sally Lloyd Jones and wanting to teach children the Bible is not centered around them–when we look at the Songs and see we are not the center–that Christ is the center, and we are the great recipients of His love–there is the rich wealth of His beauty to feast on. That love–it is all encompassing, overwhelming, more than we expect–and it heals our hearts.
And I love Thanksgiving–so thankful for you Dee, all the sacrifices you make to lead us here and women all over the world. Thank you for obediently responding to this great call He has given you. I thank Him for each of my sisters here–how He uses you to sharpen me, challenge me–and point my eyes back to Him. I will pray for each of you this week, that your Thanksgiving may be filled with a sense of His presence!
Thank you, Elizabeth. You are truly a blessing to each of your blog sisters; you sharpen, challenge, and point us back to Him. May you and yours enjoy a lovely Thanksgiving.
Nanci, how are your daughter & grand daughter doing?
Thanks for asking, Elizabeth. They are both doing well; they continue to live with my husband and I for the time being. My daughter has been attending a “Single and Parenting” group at one of the local churches since September. The group has provided her fellowship, guidance, and encouragement…sometimes a child needs to hear things from a mouth other than her parents’ to really hear some things. My granddaughter is at a fun stage…just started crawling about a week ago. My husband and I love both of them very much; we are doing our best to give them support, yet allow for independence. There have been some challenges, but many blessings abound.
Nancy I’m so glad to hear how your daughter and grandaughter are doing. Will she get full custody…I pray. Elizabeth you are such a blessing to all of us here….I wish you and all my sisters a blessed Thanksgiving!
Hi Joyce. Mediation resulted in my daughter having shared custody…a 60/40 split until my granddaughter is a bit older (school age) and then placement goes to 50/50. It is difficult for my daughter to be away from her baby girl, but it is a consequence of the situation like it or not. We sought legal advice and were told that shared custody (if desired by the father) is the norm these days since both mothers and fathers are typically working full-time hours.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Renee’s testimony. The picture of him holding us as opposed to us clinging to him. I see clinging as him not being actively involved in keeping us with him. If we let go, oh well. When he is holding us there is no danger of us leaving or falling away he has us no matter what. SOS 8:5 tells about how the bride is leaning on her beloved, that too shows he’s holding her and helping her. You can’t lean on someone and walk unless they have a hold on you.
Susan, Thank you so much for your encouraging words. They are what I needed today 🙂
You’re welcome, Dawn…and thank you for your encouraging reply to my take-away from last week!
Hello Everyone, so sorry I have not been on in so long a time. I have been coming on each week to see what the study is about, but have not done any of the work as I have felt it was to deep for me at this time. Good news to report for several items that you have prayed for me about: MY NEICE MEGAN IS IN REMISSION AS OF SEPT. OF HER OVARIAN CANCER. Her parents were overjoyed at the news from the Dr.’s and her Mom said her faith had been restored over this answer to prayer. And my husband and I felt lead to change churches so as of Aug 18th we have been attending another church in our affiliation and being blessed by the strong teaching/preaching and wonderful music that helps me sing with heartfelt worship again. I finally also connected with several women from different churches and we had a wonderful Bible Study on What Happens When Women Pray by Evelyn Christenson. Its been on my list of must do Bible Studies for years and I’m so grateful I finally had a chance to study this one.
I extend to each of you dear ladies and your families a most gracious & happy Thanksgiving this week. Being Canadian, we already enjoyed our turkey more than a month ago, but my husband has been saying maybe we should do another one now.
My biggest thankfulness is for this blog because in the fall of 2012 I was very discouraged and that’s when I saw Dee on 100 Huntly Street and I ordered her book Idol Lies and found this blog and started with the Bible Study on Hebrews. Thank You Dee, and all the other faithful ladies who participate here. This really is a community of friends and believers. I will continue to check in to see what’s happening, even if I don’t comment, sincerely Phylllis.
Phyllis — so glad for these answers to prayer and to have you pop in and encourage us!
Phyllis, you have such a tender heart-thanks so much for encouraging us!!
Oh Phyllis, I’m so happy to see you here…even just for a minute! I prayed so much for Megan and it’s wonderful to hear she’s doing so well! Many happy blessings for the holidays!
Phyllis, thanks for stopping by and giving us this great news about Megan!
Phyllis, I have meant to reply to your post for several days now…I’m so happy that your niece is in remission…yahoo! I’m also glad that you are feeling blessed by your new church…sounds like it was a good decision. What a God-incidence of a group doing the “What Happens When Women Pray” bible study with it being one on your “to do” list. Thank you for your thanksgiving greeting…blessings to you and yours!
2. Share a sentence of Thanksgiving for The Song of Songs with a specific way it is impacting you.
Thank you, Lord, that You are continuously affectionate toward me despite my unkindness…You are always more willing to give Your love than I am willing to receive…thank You for allowing me to “joy” and “feast” with You.
Nanci–this is profound! “You are always more willing to give Your love than I am willing to receive”–oh that is me! And how much He desires to lavish it on us.
I couldn’t reply to your reply above–but I am thankful to hear your daughter has found a support group at Church–and what an incredible blessing you and your husband are to them both!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? The testimonies of sisters in Christ. It is a small piece of heaven to rejoice with sisters here on earth, to praise Him for what grace He has given and His beauty. Secondly Luci Shaw’s quote. My soul always wells up with praise when I gaze at creation, whether it be the stars, the clouds, the prairies, the mountains or creatures. He is amazing and His handiwork is no less.
2. Share a sentence of Thanksgiving for The Song of Songs with a specific way it is impacting you. (Only one?! haha) I am so grateful that God provided a practical way for me to replace my idols: by pressing into his sweet intimate love and pouring over me as I clumsily stumble towards Him in my beginner efforts to study and commune. (I could go on and on here!)
Jill, on number 2-ME TOO! One sentence won’t suffice. :))
2. Share a sentence of Thanksgiving for The Song of Songs with a specific way it is impacting you.
Thank you for the Song of Songs..for letting me see YOU..for ravaging me with Your Love, Your majesty, Your humility, Your Power, Your sacrifice..You are beautiful Jesus, most beautiful of all- “I am unworthy–dark but lovely-how can I reply to you-who created the universe, yet humbled yourself and died on the cross because you desire me and love me with a wild fury? I put my hand over my mouth.”
So, I want to do #2 over-primarily this is how he has impacted me, but as of this past couple of weeks He has impacted me in regard to it not just being about me, but about others too and the restoration of Eden..
In this week of thanksgiving, I just want to share a prayer of thanks given by Scotty Smith, appropriate for this week.
Diane–this is beautiful, thank you
2. Share a sentence of Thanksgiving for The Song of Songs with a specific way it is impacting you.
In my take away last week, I wrote that the Songs has taught me more about God’s character than anything else—that it IS all about Him, and He is a God of restoration. Nothing is hopeless to Him—He is always renewing, repairing, restoring.
I have also been remembering the last several lessons—I am amazed at what the Lord is graciously showing me. Michael Card, who pointed out how God pursued Adam and Eve after the Fall—He wanted to draw them close in the midst of their “mess”-He wanted to be in it with them, to carry them.
I keep remembering Reeves saying that the way to bring others to Christ is to show them Jesus, let them fall in love with Jesus—and then obedience is a desire of the heart—as Keller says, for beauty rather than duty.
Maybe the greatest impact for me, came from the realization that I am His chosen Bride! And because of that, He is my Righteous Defender. I had found this quote before, similar to something Sibbes had said too—this from Thomas Wason:
“When the law brings in its indictments against you. The law says, “Here there are so many debts to be paid,” and it demands satisfaction. Acknowledge the debt, but turn it all over to your Husband, Christ. It is a maxim in law that the suit must not go against the wife, as long as the husband is living. Tell Satan when he accuses you, “It is true that the debt is mine, but go to my Husband, Christ; he will discharge it.” If we took this course, we might relieve ourselves of much trouble. By faith we turn over the debt to our Husband. Believers are not in a state of widowhood but of marriage. Satan will never go to Christ – he knows that justice is satisfied and the debt book cancelled – but he comes to us for the debt so that he may perplex us. We should send him to Christ and then all lawsuits would cease. This is a believer’s triumph. When he is guilty in himself, he is worthy in Christ. When he is spotted in himself, he is pure in his Head.”
I’m so sorry—this was WAY more than a sentence! But I can hardly word the gratitude I have for this series of the Songs. I admit, I was a not-so-big-on-poetry-skeptic at first. But He has, as He loves to do, messed with my heart 🙂
elizabeth…this jumped out to me “When the law brings in its indictments against you. The law says, “Here there are so many debts to be paid,” and it demands satisfaction. Acknowledge the debt, but turn it all over to your Husband, Christ. It is a maxim in law that the suit must not go against the wife, as long as the husband is living. Tell Satan when he accuses you, “It is true that the debt is mine, but go to my Husband, Christ; he will discharge it.”
I hadn’t thought about it this way and yet is so true. Thank you.
Wonderful quote from Thomas Watson — yes, similar to Sibbes.
Our own Elizabeth found this video of Mike Reeves, to whom we have listened so often. It is short, and I think it is a good review, and that you will enjoy it. Watch it today or sometime this week and comment:
Love, Love, love this video!!!! I get ALL he is saying! YAY!
From the Exodus to the myrrh I understand this….Thanks be to GOD 🙂
I suppose I haven’t been able to understand because I don’t know enough about the Bible. Obviously, the “common” knowledge is easy. It’s when you get to the lesser known scripture I feel like I don’t know enough and I get lost. (Cliff’s notes??) I also failed to listen to all the Reeve’s sermons because they were extremely difficult to hear and it made it too hard. BTW can we please have a Keller sermon Dee? I think I need it S-P-E-L-L-E-D out for me….sometimes I pray that way….”Jesus, please hit me over the head with what you want because I’m not that smart and need you to do that!”
Laura dancer, Praise the Lord! It is SO great that you have hung in here and are trying. I can’t wait to listen to the Reeves video.
🙂
Laura — you make me smile. I’m so glad you get this video! And yes, we will get more Keller — but he has not preached on The Song of Songs — few have!
What do you see in this image? And how has the Lord come to you in The Song of Songs? How has He surprised you recently?
So, Mike Reeves says that the Lord gives us his crown of glory and takes our crown of thorns (WOW). This really hit me. That’s what I think of with this image. He runs to us to take on our troubles and gives us freedom if we believe He will. How has He surprised me lately? Ohhhh in SO many ways! When I think Sarah is raped and dead in the streets of NYC (not kidding), I think of HIM. HE is with her, HE is near. I am SURE of it. She is fine. He is my comfort. I watch my husband struggle with our money troubles and He is there; with a new part-time job, a new idea to make money, a new check that was unexpected. We are fine. When I am diagnosed with breast cancer….a calm presence, a positive doctor and nurse, and so many friends that support me it’s UNREAL. People here on earth who come to the forfront; whom I never thought even knew I was alive. I will be fine. It is HIM. I love you Jesus. Thank you for running to me! Thank you for picking me up and not letting me fall! What flavorful, messy lives we have!
Laura, it thrills me to hear your faith so convicted!
Laura, I caught this in your post…maybe I missed it before when you said you were having surgery…your diagnosis of breast cancer? You’ve said you received a good pathology report…thankful for that, and that so many supported you. But oh…those are scary words to hear from a doctor…I’m glad you are okay.
Oh, my, Laura. I too had not realized your surgery was for breast cancer. My, but you have had a rough time lately with your mother being so poorly, with Sarah wandering, and now with your own serious illness. Praying for you with renewed urgency. Glad the prognosis is good and that you have good doctors and nurses. And so encouraged to hear you leaning into Jesus during this time.
oh Laura–it humbles me to hear all you have been through and yet see you hear, praising Him. So thankful your report was good—and that you are clinging to Him in the midst of such unknowns. “He runs to us to take on our troubles and gives us freedom if we believe…”–so good!
Well, Laura, you can add me to the list of those who didn’t realize it was breast cancer you were dealing with as well. When you announced the good patholgy report, I was puzzled. I just assumed whatever it was might be too personal for you to share. However, your total testimony above is awesome! It is so good that you see the Lord with you in all of those scary things that are going on in your life. I am sure that proclaiming it like you did had a great impact on all of us!
Laura-Dancer, wow..so heart broken to read this in regard to your diagnosis! This must be scary for you right now-grateful God is coming to you through others-so beautiful. Delightful to see how God is helping you to see Him. 🙂
Ugh… Now I know what happens when I don’t take time to get “my soul happy in the Lord.” And it really didn’t take much time later in the day. I was AWARE pretty quickly. Took me longer to become WILLING. It’s so easy for me to become semi-comfortable being unhappy and miserable. YUCK. Thank God for His mercy and continued pursuit of me.
Dee, that picture of Ephraim on the top looks even more gorgeous on my computer than on my cell phone.
This really jumped out at me “… often taking a picture from The Song of Songs, reflect on how it is a metaphor for a spiritual truth…” The metaphors of SoS still do not come naturally to me. But I can pick up on the “feel” to help me begin to “get” the metaphors. I get stuck on the visual images of the literal: e.g., I saw that gazelle pic and kept thinking “that is one funny looking deer” for quite a while before I READ the post and realized that it wasn’t an albino deer. I do the same with word pictures; I was very thankful for the reminder to look for spiritual truth! As much as I dislike the whole idea, reading the passages aloud a couple times helped me 🙂
I’m so glad you mentioned reading aloud — as that is how the genre of poetry is to be read!
What stands out?
How much I have missed over the last few weeks. Although I had been working off line, the past few weeks, I have managed to only copy the study into a word document and then…well I haven’t even been able to keep up with the comments or do much of anything. I have missed so much I can see that in the comments that Dee used for this week.
I really liked the picture of the village, so pretty. I see God so much in creation and everywhere I turn I see Him I can so relate to your first paragraph. Although I do live in a city, I also have the blessing of living on the Canadian Prairies. When I go to work and I can see the sun rise, it is God saying good morning-I am here. When I see the sun set, it is God saying good night-I am still here. I am blessed even in the winter when the snow falls I see Him creating a picture just for me. I know that not everyone does, but I see Him every where around me in nature.
To my American sisters, I will join my fellow Canadians in wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and that you would see and feel His blessings…even in the small things.
Mary-Canada, I so enjoyed this: “When I go to work and I can see the sun rise, it is God saying good morning-I am here. When I see the sun set, it is God saying good night-I am still here.”
Thank you Mary….you are such a blessing here!
Love my Canadian sisters here!!
Just a quick note, sorry I was behind again, not feeling well….off to the doctor possible bronchitis. ON a better note my MRI results on my back were read to me yesterday. I know some of you asked if possible scoliosis and thank you for your concerns and prayers. I have a herniated disc in my lower back. It’s small enough that the doctor says it shouldnt require surgery at this time and he is recommending physical therapy for strengthening my core. To which I know works, because all last Summer I did the Insanity work out and my back pains ceased…on another good note the Dr. said sometimes these hernias just go away on their own. So im praying and believing God to heal my back just for that. Thank you for all your prayers. I hope to be back catching up on this wonderful study this week. For now, I am just too tired.
Staci, praying for you to feel better…you definitely need to rest and take extra good care of yourself with the bronchitis. Sounds like a good plan, too, for treating the herniated disc. Hope you feel better soon!
So sorry you are sick, Staci. Take care of yourself. Hope your bronchitis gets better soon and that therapy does help your herniated disc.
Prayers for you dear Staci. I’m glad physical therapy can help and that it isn’t scoliosis.
Staci, I’m so sorry to hear you are so sick:( I’m thankful they found out what is causing your back pain tho. You can get a shot in your spine (can’t think of the name of it…help Susan and Anne!) It doesn’t hurt, as they deaden it first, but it really helps. I’ll be praying for you!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
The beautiful picture of Dee’s village, where she lives. Also, the Luci Shaw quote, and Dee’s thoughts on nature – what she “sees” when she sees the rising sun bringing color to the bay (a Bridegroom coming out of His pavilion); the changing of the seasons (His faithfulness); the forget-me-nots in the woods (a cry to not forget Him). It does seem true that Creation is one great “Book”.
Also loved the testimonies…
I was planning to reflect/work on my answer to #2 but I just watched the video of Mike Reeves. WOW – WOW – WOW… I’m with Laura-dancer…I get everything he said!
Okay…Reeves ranks right up there with Keller in my opinion. Thank you Elizabeth for finding this gem! I want to watch it several more times, but initial thoughts…
Tears came when he described how Jesus takes what is mine – the crown of thorns, my sin, my shame…and gives me what is His. I thought, “That’s a bad deal…that’s not fair at all.” There have been times in my life when I have accused God of not being “fair”. That accusation is silenced.
Just beautiful how he describes Song of Songs being the heart of the gospel…”My lover is mine and I am his…” (2:16 – I’m using the NIV) How becoming a Christian is like Jesus asking me, “Will you love, cherish, honor and obey Me?” How this bride is marrying a King, yet the kinds of things she mentions delighting in are things like getting to “sit in his shade”…she enjoys him, not his stuff.
How if we’re not enjoying Him, we’re using Him…Jesus is just a “get out of hell free card”…thank you, Jesus, but You can go now. We tell people, “You are a sinner…you deserve punishment…Jesus took your punishment…accept Him and you gain Heaven…” and Reeves said he sees so many joyless, ‘stuck’ Christians…it’s possible to believe that and receive Christ and go on loving yourself…
It’s true – we tragically (I have done it too) miss telling people the main point is to get Him – to love and enjoy Him. I guess our evangelism is a lot like an arranged marriage – the bride doesn’t love her groom but he will take care of her and provide for her; save her from poverty or whatever.
Loved, too, how much easier Reeves is to understand when I can watch him speak!
Susan, I LOVE this post of yours. :)))))) You really listened to Reeves..
SO GLAD YOU ARE LOVING REEVES — I’M WISHING I HAD THIS IN THE BEGINNING. BUT I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO SERMON AFTER SERMON (FREE) ON THE INTERNET AND I HONESLTY THINK HE MAY BE AS GOOD AS KELLER.
Yes. Just listened to Reeves link. Wonderful. Clear explanations and obvious passion for Christ and His love! Need to listen again and take notes. Dee, when you say
that is HIGH PRAISE INDEED coming from you! But I might agree. I need to listen to more of his sermons.
COMMENT ON THE ABOVE VIDEO:
“Thank you” to Elizabeth for finding this. I watched on my lunch time, and will view it again at home. It is funny that the video is speaking of realization that the gift is Jesus…our personal relationship with Jesus…we are His beloved and He is ours! I was talking with an old friend last evening that I haven’t chatted with in quite some time; a friend from my prior church, but no longer attending there. He spoke of not wanting to be a “pew sitter;” he spoke of all the church activities he was participating in and their importance in the scheme of things. It was clear to me what was being done from a “pure heart” and what was just being “done” to keep from being labeled by self or others as a “pew sitter.” The difference between working for one’s salvation and being still and allowing God to motivate and guide…I contemplated this as I drove to work this morning…really some rich pondering. God help us…there is SO much that we miss if we don’t start with the basic foundation of being with our Lord, being in relationship with Him, allowing Him to be our love. God help us when we put salvation forth as a formula and allow Jesus to be used as Reeves says, “as a get into heaven free card”. In talking with my friend, I realized once again the change that has occurred in me over the last year participating in this bible study blog…thank you, Lord, Dee and all you lovely ladies. By the way, I received Ellen Davis’ commentary in the mail yesterday; I began reading it last night…I’m very excited…:)
I am so excited to hear your impressions on her commentary, Nanci.
Nanci,
So excited to hear how Song of Songs impacted you via Reeves video-and yes, can’t wait to hear what you think about Ellen Davis’ commentary. 🙂
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Who could get beyond that photo of the village?! Did I understand correctly? Is this where you have moved, Dee? The photo made me want to just walk right in and live there. It seems to exude good, old-fashioned peace!
2. Share a sentence of Thanksgiving for The Song of Songs with a specific way it is impacting you.
Song of Songs has been making me happier, more joy-filled, and daily more aware of Christ’s love for me. Thanks, Dee, for having the gumption to select SOS for our study. I think very few of us would have made that selection. You led us through it!
Yes, Deanna. My grandmother lived here in Ephraim and so I am the 3rd generation — 10,000 in the summer and 220 in the winter. A little village founded by Moravian Christians long ago. Very strict rules about aesthetics — building must be white or natural, no billboards, and no chain restaurants or stores — to keep it quaint…. It is lovely and VERY QUIET AND COLD in the winter.
Ephraim sounds lovely as well as looking lovely. Its history is interesting I am sure. With Deanna, (and probably most of us here) we’d love to come visit. I would even take a visit in the blustery winter. I too live in a spot that the population grows by 10 times in the summer and is very quiet in the winter (by a lake).
Dee, everytime I see that picture of Ephraim pop up I think how beautiful and peaceful it looks with the awesome white steapled churches…what a wonderful place to live!! You can sit by the fire in the winter and just soak up the beauty of God’s creation! I love the idea of no billboards, chain resturants and stores! Is your church visable in the picture?
Not sure why it is but the linky thing doesn’t like me anymore, when I gave him such praise! NOT worth getting David for sure, I’ll just post the whole url. Maybe I over-linked 😉
Anyway, for those who liked the video–I wanted to give you all the link to the rest of the Reeves videos in case you don’t see where they are listed on that site. I really enjoyed being able to SEE him–helped me hear, for some reason!
Here’s the link: http://www.thesermon.co.uk/sermon/bio.aspx?author=Mike%20Reeves
Also, just thankful again for the blog family we have here. It amazes me how I can be in the midst of a sibling fight, with all my body signals of stress flaring…and then I come here and it really is like curling up to a warm fire of fellowship–always pointing me back to Him.
Thanks for the link, elizabeth. And I love your analogy of this blog family as a “warm fire of fellowship”. Too true!
I concur Elizabeth…it is a good place to warm up! Thank you all for bringing such richness to the table (I often walk away feeling as if I have tasted and seen the goodness of the Lord)! I’m sad that this beautiful study is coming to an end but I am looking forward to the next place that Dee takes us…I want to wish you all the best and most (as Margaret Feinberg says in her Wonderstruck study) WONDER full Thanksgiving…you all definitely make my “I am thankful for” list! Blessings to you all, my friends!
Elizabeth, thank you so much for finding these Reeve’s videos too….I really loved the one Dee shared in this weeks study from you and appreciate the others too!
Hi Elizabeth,
This is David on Dee’s account. I’m trying out the link. 🙂
This should be a link.
-David
With the “linky thing” – first highlight the text that you would like to make a link, second click the link icon, third paste in the address, and fourth click the “submit”
dee and rebecca…thanks for the welcome and your nice comments for me last week…SO appreciated!! on another note the link with mike reeves on Christ’s love for us was great…
thank-you elizabeth for sharing it…so good i want to view it again.
Welcome Jill, I must of missed it. So glad you are here with us!
Our own Elizabeth found this video of Mike Reeves, to whom we have listened so often. It is short, and I think it is a good review, and that you will enjoy it. Watch it today or sometime this week and comment: Link
COMMENT ON THE ABOVE VIDEO:
Elizabeth, you certainly made a wonderful find! It was such a comfort to be able to hear without straining my ears (standing up with my ears next to the speakers — I don’t have ear phones). Also as you say, it is good to see him. He has wonderful delivery. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to hear both Reeves and Keller — they are both blessings for us. I can’t rank them. I particularly enjoyed Reeve’s description of the “marriage swap” — all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you. He says “Christ took all that was ours” — the sin, the debt, the judgment. In return we get all His righteousness, salvation, and glory. Reeve’s enthusiasm is contagious. I hope all of this improves my evangelistic spirit and gives it better direction.
I’m at my daughter Sally’s and so thankful she lives near. I loved how Elizabeth described our blog family too, and concur with Rhonda for how Elizabeth (and each of you!) brings such richness to the table.
I too loved the marriage swap picture, Deanna.
David and Anne are traveling to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving and then up to Ephraim with me — so I’ll talk to him next week about the “linky” thing!
As far as leaving The Song of Songs, I am not completely, but Advent is a golden time, and then we’ll see how the Lord leads after that. I know we can trust Him — and I covet your prayers.
Dee, I’m happy to know you are spending Thanksgiving with Sally and her family! I hope you have a wonderful time…and then look forward to time with David and Anne. You are so blessed to be close to your family! Praying for God’s leading for you and for the direction of the blog!
COMMENT ON THE ABOVE VIDEO:
Martin Luther said when satan throws our sins at us saying we deserve death and hell we answer him, yes I do, but what of it? Does this mean I shall merit eternal damnation? By no means for I know one who has made satisfaction and suffered on my behalf his name is Jesus Christ and where He is there I shall be also.
I liked his point that the Shulamite girl became His Queen and as His queen she can get stuff-maids, servants, power..but she isn’t interested in His stuff..She is interested in Him-She wants Him.
The Gospel isn’t a ‘get out of hell card’. 😉
Then he went into this: What happens when you get that the benefit of being a Christian is Christ? What happens when you forget the benefit of being a Christian is Christ. Then what does the Gospel become? Rather than entering a relationship with Christ, we use Him like a get out of hell card. Salvation is to know and enjoy Him. If we don’t get this, then we use Him for what He can give us.
Being a Christian is about enjoying Christ and letting others in to enjoy Christ. The Gospel is not a deal to buy us stuff. How much we are given and rescued-but the Gospel is entering a love relationship with a living God. He gives us all that is His. He gives us Himself.
Wonderful notes on the video, Rebecca. It is so rich that I wish I had the transcript – can’t write it all done. Well, I could, but I don’t have time this week. Perhaps the transcript is somewhere on the internet.
John of the Cross likened the above to the swiftness with which our Lord shows and hides himself. He usually visits devout souls to gladden and liven them, and then leaves them in order to try, humble, and teach them.”
3. What do you see in this image? And how has the Lord come to you in The Song of Songs? How has He surprised you recently?
God has opened doors to help my boys see these beautiful truths in Song of Songs this past month, but yesterday here is how God surprised me: In Reeves video yesterday when he talked about the marriage swap- that Jesus wore my thorn of crowns so that I can wear His crown of Glory-he wrapped himself in my robes of shame and guilt so that I could be wrapped in His righteous robes. This struck a deep place inside-so deep..My youngest yesterday asked me the question as to why I think we are here-he answered himself at first-yes mom we are here to praise God..but doesn’t that seem prideful on His part? What an open door to tell him how God SO wants to BE WITH us-He wanted us so bad that He came and wore our thorny crown and wore our dirty shameful robe so that we could wear His crown of glory and honor and be wrapped in His righteous robes. So we could delight in Him and He in us-He loves you SO much that He willingly gave His life for you so he could have you and love on you and you in response would love Him back.
Great application, Rebecca. Beautiful example to us all! That is what we need to do — to let these truths go so deep in our soul that when an opportunity comes up, it will be easily accessible in our minds to use as a winsome witness.
Loved how you explained that to your son Rebecca!
4. Use this image as a springboard for praise.
Lord, you are never weary, never tired-thank you that you come so swiftly-you are swift and lovely and so full of surprises-your presence is the surprise! You are Wisdom and your timing on when to surprise and when to pull back is perfect. I love that you are Sovereign-that you are in control and that you are all knowing and ever present. I love that as you hung on the cross you knew my name and you wanted me, and you wanted me to want you. You willingly wore my robe of shame and my thorny crown so that I could have your crown of glory and honor-so that I could be wrapped in your robe of righteousness- so that I could HAVE YOU. My words are so empty compared to Your Glory-You make me speechless, but my heart glad for I am so happy I am yours.
Comment on the above video. I concur heartily with all the good points you Ladies have pointed out. I, like Susan, thought what a bum deal for The Lord to take on our junk and yet give us His beauty….how does that work?! But then I had this lovely thought that He can do that because His beauty is endless, He can give and give (and take junk again and again) and His beauty is undiluted, it is the same and will always be the same. Lovely video. Reeves looked different than I imagined! =)
3. What do you see in this image? I have been a Christian all my life (basically) but this picture still gets me. The Lord running swiftly to me, eagerly wanting to commune. I have always worked at trying to get closer to God, with me working and working to do the right things to find His presence. It is good to seek Him, but as Nanci was saying, there is a difference between enjoying Christ (communing with Him) and desperately trying to qualify for heaven’s deans’s list in an attempt to feel assurance. All along I just needed to stop and look. As Renee said- instead of clinging to His love I finally stopped and looked, or rather was shown, how to commune with Him/be held by Him and find the true joy of Christ.
And how has The Lord come to you in the Song of Songs? I feel like The Lord has guided me into (starting to) understanding His love. He has challenged me to dig deep, through this study and blog sisters, and truly seek Hm in the way we are supposed to, with joy as George Mueller charges us, not out of obligation for our get out of hell card. The more I study who He truly is the more I feel that my idols are shed and I am coming into true unity with Him. It is speaking the beauty of Christ to my soul. And it has changed me and I pray will continue to change me. It may sound odd but I don’t feel like He has come to me so much as I feel like I just finally figured out what He looks like, He was there all along, right beside me, waiting. The Song of Songs has changed God into a smile, when I imagine Him now, He is smiling…that is new and lovely.
How has He surprised you recently? See above response. The power of speaking the beauty of Christ to my soul has surprised me. The sense of freedom and peace in my soul still surprises me. Amazing.
4. Use this image as a springboard for praise. God, thank you for meeting me in my reluctancy, for coming quickly to me to guide me, to protect me, to love me. Thank you for your loving rebuke in showing me my wayward searching and your grace for caring for my self-inflected spiritual wounds. For holding me. I praise You because You are able, You are amazing, You are big, You are attentive, You are amazing God and I love you. Please empower me as I go, be ever on my mind as my one true living God. Amen.
This quote (and really your whole blog post here) is so beautiful, touching. Brings tears.
BTW, jillwithaj, lovely picture beside your name now. You and your husband, I presume. Having a picture helps me feel like I know you better. Perhaps I should change my picture to one of me again. I feel shy about doing that online (well anywhere really).
Thank you, Diane, Yes That is my amazing husband with me dressed in our best! We recently attended his military ball and the picture came out so well I wanted to share it. =)
pictures do help with fellowship on-line but I understand being shy about it.
oh, love your picture too Jill! (with a j!)–I’m realizing we have 2 Jills! Maybe if I get brave I’ll change mine back to a photo too…if you will I will Diane (just kidding!) 🙂
Love this, Jill, “It may sound odd but I don’t feel like He has come to me so much as I feel like I just finally figured out what He looks like, He was there all along, right beside me, waiting.”
Loved your comments and your picture of you and your husband Jill!
2. Share a sentence of Thanksgiving for The Song of Songs with a specific way it is impacting you.
I am so thankful that God gave us the Songs…an invitation to experience with all our senses His beauty, His “King-liness”, His love for me – a “dark, but lovely” maiden who has nothing to offer Him, and so much inspiration as to how to return His love and affection through the passages where the bride praises, loves, and adores her bridegroom. It’s like He brought is down to a level I can understand by using the metaphors of married love. I see it impacting me in that now I am turning very often to a book of the Bible that I really had no interest in before! I find many of the passages and phrases running through my mind…perhaps the poetry style makes memorization easier?
Chris, still missing you. Praying for you.
Missing you too Chris, and praying
3. What do you see in this image? And how has the Lord come to you in The Song of Songs? How has He surprised you recently?
When I think of young stags and gazelles leaping and running, I think of all the nature shows I’ve watched and that the male is trying to “show-off” for the female to attract her.
So when the maiden describes her lover in this way, like a gazelle or a young stag leaping over the mountains, I think she is admiring him for his strength, his handsomeness…in other words, he makes her heart “flip-flop”. Reeves said in one of his talks that when we find our affections growing cool, we shouldn’t look within ourselves to try and stir it up, but rather, look at Him…so this tells me to look, admire, praise, let my heart be stirred.
There have been many times during this study where the Lord has met me as I’ve used passages as springboards for prayer, to dialogue with Him. I know I still have many layers surrounding my heart (for different reasons, but for self-protection) as if I am afraid to feel, to love, to care, too deeply. I think underneath is a deep root of fear of rejection…so, too, I can keep others at a comfortable distance. I love to hear His words, calling me to come out of the clefts of the rocks. I’m beginning to get more confidence in the truth of His love for me…it’s like a steady undercurrent.
4. Use this image as a springboard for praise.
Lord Jesus, thank you for this image of You as a bounding, leaping gazelle, flying over the mountains, showing Your strength, Your power, Your invincibility. You are very God Himself with infinite power and strength, yet as You come near, You cloak Your power so it does not destroy me…You died for me so that I would not be burned up in Your presence. It amazes me that You come as Friend, as Lover of my soul, with mercy and forgiveness. I am so glad that You are strong because even though I fool myself into thinking that I’m strong, I am not…I am weak, and I want to lean on You.
I had another thoughts about the image of the leaping stag…he leaps over mountains and hills…there are no obstacles that can stand in His way…there are no roadblocks that Satan can put up to block Him…there is no sin too great,..no indifference on my part (when I act like the maiden who was too indifferent and lazy to get up and open the door)…there is no mountain, no hill, no obstacle, that He cannot clear to get to His Bride.
Susan, Love your thought!
Yes-as Reeves says, He pursues us and we just say, ‘I will’ and at that point the great swap happens-the marriage- and we are sealed in Him, and He does NOT lie for He is Holy-so we can rest in His faithfulness-it is 100% not reliant on what we do or don’t do right. I firmly believe if we are truly His this will melt our hearts to hate our laziness and will help us get off the bed and open the door! 🙂 but we so need to pound the gospel in deeper daily.
The video:
In a wedding the participants vow, ‘all that I am I give to you, all that I have I share with you’—but when the Bridegroom is the King—these words name her Queen. Oh wow. When he talks about the great “marriage swap”, I cry. What is it in me, what does it mean, that as Reeves described Christ wearing my crown of thorns and my rags for clothes—and I in His crown of glory, His robe of righteousness…I hear that and something wants to call out ‘no! that isn’t fair!’—I don’t want Him to have to die for me—it’s more than the realization I am that sinful that He must—every part of me pains at knowing what He suffered for me. It is like Nanci said above–He loves to give, and I so struggle to receive. I shared this aloud to my husband–this feeling that I cannot let Him do all this for me–and what is it in me that cannot? I don’t think it’s guilt. The tears can’t stop. I think I just hurt, to grasp even a fraction more of what He did for me–out of LOVE.
Christ buys us Heaven—but He does it because He chooses to, He loves me, He wants me with Him. Receive it. I must just receive it. Are joyless Christians living as if Christianity is about being rescued from Hell rather than enjoying Christ? He wants me to ENJOY Him. I must receive in order to enjoy. Receive with thanksgiving. Oh how timely this is for this week! He gives us all that is His, He gives us Himself.
3. What do you see in this image? And how has the Lord come to you in The Song of Songs? How has He surprised you recently?
Today, as I read that passage—and imagine it, I am struck by how the Lord leaps with grace and ease. He shows me that no mountain is insurmountable for Him. Nothing is too great for Him to carry, for Him to have victory over, and nothing too great to separate us from Him. When I read v.9-“He stands behind our wall,gazing through the windows, looking through the lattice.” I think that often He is there and I do not see Him, I do not sense Him, but He is there, He is the God who sees me.
Praise: Oh Father, I praise the way You leap into my situations and cause me to notice You, to see things differently, to be encouraged, inspired. When I think a discussion is headed to a dead end argument–You seem to come ‘out of nowhere’ leaping in, bringing softness, humility, change of perspective–and healing. When I feel alone in my own struggles, You understand my pain, and You comfort me, as the God of all comfort. When I feel lonely and the monotony of parenting and being a ‘stay at home mom’ feels isolating–You are here with me in the midst. And like a gazelle, You lift me higher–You bring my eyes, my thoughts, my emotions up–to see the eternal perspective…to see that You are here, You are in this “mess” with me, and You will never leave me or forsake me. Thank You, my Lord, my Bridegroom.
5. What do you see in this image? How is God making you more fruitful? And what do you look forward to most when all the effects of the fall are reversed?
Not sure if this ‘counts’, but I think my “fruit” is maybe a keener awareness of my sin, and hopefully, a heart that more readily and quickly confesses, repents. I know what I most look forward to when all is made new, is to not just be able to love as He loves, which I have shared before—but to love HIM as He loves me! Oh! Can you even imagine? To finally give Him the perfect love He is due…that I fail to do every hour here now…I long to give Him the love He deserves.
3. What do you see in this image?
The image of the gazelle leaping and bounding over hills and mountains makes me smile as I recall a time many years ago when I was young, single, and in college. I was going from one building to another between classes. Suddenly I heard my name called from a distance, and I turned to see a young man literally running and jumping over obstacles to get to me. When he caught up with me he asked me to go to a dance with him which I agreed to do. The thought that he would put out that much effort (and sort of make a scene of himself) impressed me greatly. He could have just waited until the next time he saw me, but he couldn’t wait. With the Lord, it is even more so — I am one He created, I am one He redeemed. He has invested much into me. He knows me completely and He still loves me totally!
And how has the Lord come to you in The Song of Songs?
He has brought joy into my life. Not that I was a morose person before, but sometimes I have become so engrossed with concerns that it has stolen my joy temporarily. Now when I notice myself sliding that way again, I can just think about His beauty and His love for me. It is as if He comes bounding over the mountains to renew me and refill my joy.
How has He surprised you recently?
Sometimes when I am thinking about Him (and this is happening right now) I am suddenly aware of a little burst of sunshine, as if the sun comes from behind a cloud. It is as if the Lord is punctuating my sentences as I meditate or as if He is just saying “Yes — you finally got it!”
4. Use this image as a springboard for praise.
Oh Dearest Lord, thank you for drawing me ever closer to you in so many ways. Thank you for this Bible Study blog where I have friends and support. I praise you that you have been willing to take “the short end of the stick” in the marriage swap. It leaves me both weak with humility and, at the same time, giddy with freedom and joy! Amen.
Deanna, I very much enjoyed reading your post…I love this: “Now when I notice myself sliding that way again, I can just think about His beauty and His love for me. It is as if He comes bounding over the mountains to renew me and refill my joy.” (Actually, I loved all of your answers:))
You are a neat lady!
5. What do you see in this image?
I see a very heavy-laden fig branch. So it is being very fruitful and productive. However, the figs are still green (with the exception of one that appears to be either ripening or deteriorating). In the center of the photo is one single bee. I would imagine it is a very disappointed bee, as the fruit is probably not very useful to the bee in this state.
How is God making you more fruitful?
By making me more sensitive and more responsive to others’ hurting. Just recently I went through a tough period with a friend who is bipolar, had her medications changed, and went very wide of what is normal for her. Mostly I reacted to her in the best way possible, with the exception of one incident where I didn’t realize I needed to do something and walked away. Later I found out others had to help her. Next time I will be wiser.
I presently have a [sorority sister] who is beginning to show the early signs of Alzheimers. I try to give her rides to events, as I am afraid she might get irrevocably lost if she tries to drive herself there.
In the past I have sometimes been too timid or uncertain about the best thing to do or say, and so I would miss my opportunity. Later I would be regretful. Now I am more and more telling myself “Just do it!” I have decided it is better to chance doing the wrong thing than to fail to respond at all. SOS has given me more confidence, as I am assured of Christ’s love and His promise to be with me always.
And what do you look forward to most when all the effects of the fall are reversed?
I look forward to all of the saints standing shoulder to shoulder, singing the praise of our God. There will be no illness or grief. Won’t that be wonderful.
6. Use this image as a springboard for praise.
Thank you, Dear Jesus, for keeping your promise and being with me at all times — no matter where and no matter how tough the circumstances. Thank you for the tiny steps I am able to take toward becoming the loving and joyful bride. Please help me to continue to replace my fears with images of your beauty and love. I extend my hand so you can lead me into the Garden. Amen.
PRAYING ALL OF YOU HERE ON THE BLOG AND THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE SILENT FOLLOWERS HAVE A MOST WONDERFUL, AWESOME THANKSGIVING! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND YOUR LOVED ONES.
You too sweet Joyce-Love to you!
Just realized again that it is the Eve of Thanksgiving there in the US. I just want to say how thankful I am for Dee, for this blog and all my wonderful Christian friends here. You guys have had a large part in keeping me going during this last year. There have been times that the pain of my struggle has been so intense that only turning daily and stubbornly toward God and drinking in his Word has kept me going. A large part of that has been listening to the encouraging words of you women turning your faces toward the Beloved.
Who would have thought that a group of women who have never met could be so vital in keeping each others’ eyes on the Lord, and feet walking in His way. It is a miracle that I for one am SO grateful for. Thank you so much! Hugs to you all!
oh Diane, you are such a blessing to ALL of us here. An example of steadfast faithful, prayerful following–even in the most trying time of your life, you continue to cling to Christ alone. Happy Thanksgiving to you too–even though you are in Canada, through the fellowship we share here, you feel as close as family, you are my sister 🙂
This, from Scotty Smith today “Thank you that the best Thanksgiving holiday is just a tiny hint, whisper and taste of the eternal feast that is coming; and thank you, that the most difficult one simply prepares us for that great and glorious Day.”
Hugs to you, Elizabeth, my sister.
SO WELL PUT DIANE — AND I SAY A HEARTY AMEN TO ALL OF YOU
Wow Diane, how could I have missed this?!? 🙂 Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement-you do love well! I have learned so much from you and count it a blessing. HUGS to you too! Have a beautiful thanksgiving, sister.
Thank you, Diane, for your post…we are all so thankful for you, our Canadian sister!
“Who would have thought that a group of women who have never met could be so vital in keeping each others’ eyes on the Lord, and feet walking in His way. It is a miracle that I for one am SO grateful for.”
Indeed…well said, Diane…I’m with you.
A wonderful quote from William Law given by Ann Voskamp that I just must share. Appropriate for Thanksgiving!
5. What do you see in this image?
Right now things on this earth are not so good, with the bitter fruit and the hearts of stone, however there is coming a day when that will turn into fruit. I struck me that generally in the spring that before there is fruit that there are flowers. After the flowers comes the fruit.
How is God making you more fruitful?
I don’t really know how to answer this, I am not sure that I see it. This could be because of all the things around me, which are wearing and tiring…it is hard to see past the barrier of stuff. What I can see is that I spend more time trying to focus and seek the Lord rather than the barrier. When I am successful at this (not all the time, unfortunately) if I am seeing the Lord, I can’t see the “stuff”. When I ask why I am in the circumstances I am, if I am here because I made a wrong decision, I feel that I am where I am supposed to be and that there is a reason for it. As much as I do not understand it, I do need to trust that His plan will be more fruitful than my own, that none of this is about me, it’s all about His plan.
And what do you look forward to most when all the effects of the fall are reversed?
I know that when they are reversed is in the next life and I know that all the barriers are gone, there is no more weeping or stress (Yeah!!!!). To think that we will have the ability to sit with the Lord and just chill and chat person to person would be amazing.
5. What do you see in this image? I see hardships gone, a culmination of the challenges he has allowed. I see the burden and worry of nurturing plants through repeated weather hardships shed and joy at the good outcome from hard work and diligence. Also, relief.
How is God making you more fruitful? This is difficult to articulate. He has opened my eyes to who I really am, which is painful and ugly, but then I am able to confess and repent and seek Him above idols(as Elizabeth said, I, too, am quicker to see and repent of sin). The first thing I thought of is that I don’t (often) yell at my kids, where as before I would yell a lot and just be angry constantly. I don’t know how I got that way, I was fairly joyful most my life but….the point is, as I understand (and try to receive) His love, the more He loves through me. So I am seeing my kids and those around me more as Christ sees them.
And what do you look forward to most when all the effects of the fall are reversed? The burden of this earthly life shed. Constant toil, always something to ‘deal’ with. To recline with Christ at the feast and physically, as well as spiritually commune with Him will be heaven (pun intended). I would say questions answered but I suspect once we are in His presence we won’t need to ask. Or even want to in favor of using time praise Him….then again eternity is a long time, you gotta talk about something, right?! 😉
6. Use this image as a springboard for praise. Father God, I praise Your mighty hand that made the earth and cause it to spin and experience seasons. God I praise you for the spring within my own heart. Though there is still muck and mud Your sunshine is drying things out and causing new lovely things to bloom. God, make me mindful to protect and nurture those blossoms so that they mature into fruit that would be shared. Let us go early into the garden daily to weed and water and enjoy the fruit coming forth. I bask in Your brightness and love to absorb Your love. Thank you for the deep roots of peace and joy that you have cultivated in my heart. Protect them from attacks and may they speak of Your beauty to others! You are amazingly lovely. Amen.
And now…off to dress a bird and make pie! Happy Truly Thankful Day! =)