Many of you already know that Tim Keller died Friday morning. How he was like a father to so many, including many here. Michael, his son, shared this:
He was alone with Kathy, his wife of 48 years. His son Michael tweeted that he kissed Kathy on the forehead and then breathed his last breath.
His final words were: “There is no downside for me leaving, not in the slightest.”
When Dr. Keller announced his cancer diagnosis back in 2021, he said, “It is endlessly comforting to have a God who is both infinitely more wise and more loving than I am. He has plenty of good reasons for everything He does and allows that I cannot know, and therein is my hope and strength.”
How thankful we can be for the legacy he left. A Christ-like man who left us his free sermons and a model for us all.
This is our last week on this series, closing with one more week on Abba’s Child.
Last week we began looking at the “Imposter,” to whom we all have a propensity: concerned with our appearance more than our hearts, different in private than in public, craving the praise of man more than the praise of God.
(Image from Pixels)
This dishonesty keeps us from true intimacy with one another and with God.
Manning writes:
The imposter is antsy in prayer. He hungers for excitement, craves some mood-altering experience. He is depressed when deprived of the spotlight….The false self is frustrated because he never hears God’s voice. He cannot, since God sees no one there.
Frankly, those words frightened me. I want God to see me. And indeed, I know He does, even though I can be an “imposter,” that is not who I am at heart, and I do repent when I glimpse the imposter in my. Yet she will be back, and will keep me from intimacy with others and my Father.
This then, from Manning, gave me hope:
The imposter must be called out of hiding, accepted, and embraced. He is an integral part of my total self. Whatever is denied cannot be healed. To acknowledge humbly that I often inhabit an unreal world, that I have trivialized my relationship with God, and that I am driven by vain ambition is the first blow in dismantling my glittering images.
What is the answer to rid our lives of the imposter? It is to recognize how loved we are by the Father so that we won’t so crave the praise of man.
In this Andrew Peterson song, written for his children, imagine your heavenly Father singing it to you, His beloved child, instead.
Sunday: God Hunt
1. What stands out to you from the opening and why? Where could you identify?
2. How have you experienced the Father’s love in the last week?
Monday: Be Kind To Yourself
While Peterson’s lyrics are not Scripture, I believe they are soundly supported by Scripture, which I will attempt to show. What I’d like you to do today is meditate first on lyrics from the song, then on the story of Leah, whom Tim Keller called “The Girl Nobody Wanted,” and answer the questions.
You’ve got all that emotion that’sHeaving like an oceanAnd you’re drowning in a deep dark wellI can hear it in your voice thatIf you only had a choiceYou would rather be anyone else
3. Read Genesis 29:15-35
A. How might the actions of Leah’s earthly father and earthly bridegroom have impacted her view of herself?
B. How can you see that Leah was looking for love in all the wrong places?
C. How do you see God’s love for Leah?
D. How do you see Leah finally turning to the Lord?
E. What do you know about Judah’s place in history? (See Rev. 5:5) Thoughts?
I love you just the way that you areI love the way He made your precious heart
Be kind to yourself be kind to yourself
I know it’s hard to hear itWhen the anger in your spiritIs pointed like an arrow at your chestWhen the voices in your mindAre anything but kindAnd you can’t believe your father knows best
4. Imagine the voices in Leah’s mind before she turned to the Lord for love. What might she have been telling herself?
5. Though we don’t have any evidence that Rachel ever turned from her idols to the Lord, how can you see His love for her in Gen. 30:22-24?
I love you just the way that you areI love the way He’s shaping your heart
Be kind to yourself be kind to yourself
How does it end when the war that you’re inIs just you against you against you?You’ve gotta learn to love, learn to loveLearn to love your enemies too
You can’t expect to be perfectIt’s a fight you’ve gotta forfeitYou belong to me whatever you doSo lay down your weapon, darlingTake a deep breathAnd believe that I love you
6. Meditate on the above from Peterson and share your thoughts and how you might apply them.
Be kind to yourself be kind to yourselfBe kind to yourself
Gotta learn to love, learn to loveLearn to love your enemiesGotta learn to love, learn to loveLearn to love your enemies, too
Tuesday: You Are His Beloved
Our own Rebecca shared that when doubts that God could love her assail her, she remembers that “for the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2) What was that joy? US!
Manning tells of the journey of one man, John Eagan, from imposter to beloved. Eagan was always looking at his faults and felt unlovable, inconsistent, irritable, and potbellied. Yet he came to realize his sins could not keep him from God for they had all been redeemed by the blood. In repentance, Eagan began living as a forgiven man. His spiritual advisor told him: John…make the Lord and his immense love for you constitutive of your personal worth.
Eagan took this to heart writing: The basis of my personal worth is not my possessions, my talents, not the esteem of others ….I stand anchored now in God before I stand naked, this God who tells me, “You are my son, my beloved one.”
7. Meditate on the above. What thoughts do you have? How might you apply this?
8. What did God say to Jesus in Matthew 3:17?
9. How does God see you according to John 17:23?
10. How would you live today if you believed this was true — that the Father loves you even as He has loved Jesus?
Wednesday: Finding Him in Silence
Often it is contemplative believers like Nouwen, Manning, and Thomas Merton that write about the importance of silence in finding God, and who often go on silent retreats. They are on scriptural ground according to the above psalm.
Manning writes of Mike Yaconelli, the cofounder of Youth Specialties, going on a silent retreat at the L’Arche community in Canada. Yaconelli writes:
It took only a few hours of silence before I began to hear my soul speaking. It only took being alone for short period of time for me to discover I wasn’t alone…in the stillness and solitude, His whispers shouted from my soul, “Michael, I am here. I have been calling you, but you haven’t been listening. Can you hear me, Michael? I love you. I have always loved you. And I have been waiting for you to hear me say that to you. But you have been so busy trying to prove to yourself that you are loved…that you have not heard me.
11. Comments on the above? Have you ever experienced anything like this? If so, share.
12. What do you think God asks us to be still to know Him? How do you endeavor to do this?
I confess this is hard for me, but I want to learn from the contemplatives. I know we have one in our participating group (Susan) and very likely more. Would particularly love to hear from you.
Thursday: Close to the Brokenhearted
L’Arche is a community of mentally and physically handicapped individuals in Canada. It is where Michael went, and where Henri Nouwen spent a year to get in closer touch with God. Michael said he knew he was broken but was trying to never be broken again. (Is that you?( Here is what he learned:
At L’Arche, it became very clear to me that I had totally misunderstood the Christian faith. I came to see that it was in my brokenness, in my powerlessness, in my weakness that Jesus was made strong. It was in the acceptance of my lack of faith that God could give me faith. It was in the embracing of my brokenness that I could identify with others’ brokenness.
13. Comments on the above?
14. I remember a message we did together from Michael Reeves differentiating good fear and bad fear of the Lord. Bad fear makes you back up from Him, and good fear drives you into His arms. With this in mind, read Psalm 34:1-11.
A. What is the condition of the psalmist here and what does he do? (1-3)
B. How does God respond? (4-7)
C. What promises are for those who have a “good” fear of the Lord? (8-10)
15. Tell us about a time when you experienced the presence of God in your brokenness. How did it show you that you were His beloved?
Friday: I Will Never Leave You
16. We will eventually have to part from everyone dear to us on earth, but God will never leave us. Find the promises in the following:
A. Isaiah 43:1
B. Isaiah 43:4
C. Isaiah 54:10
Manning closes this chapter with this:
Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.
17. This, from Manning: “Do you honestly believe God likes you, not just loves you because theologically God has to love you? …Could you say, “My Abba is very fond of me?”
Saturday:
17. What is your take-a-way and why?
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Rebecca D.
1. What stands out to you from the opening and why? Where could you identify? Dee’s honesty, and fright but then Hope via Manning that acknowledging the imposter in us is the first blow in dismantling it. HUGE. Where to start? This helped me this morning: To acknowledge humbly that I often inhabit an unreal world, that I have trivialized my relationship with God, and that I am driven by vain ambition.
2. How have you experienced the Father’s love in the last week? Our youngest came back from Tucson, AZ (college) for the summer, with his dog in tow. It was such a treat to get to hug him! God reminded me that this is how He feels about me.
Also, when news spread that Tim Keller passed God brought pictures to mind of how He has spoken so many times through Keller’s sermons to help me see His love for me so much clearer. Dee Brestin, Tim Keller, and Bess McGillicuddy (Navigators) are the three most influential people in my life. These are the people God put in my life to help awaken me, via scripture, to His love for me. I’d have to say Dee’s study on The Song of Songs as well as her blog studies were largely instrumental in this. Yet, I still need to grow (the imposter is still inside) for she helps me clear the dross inside that can keep me from going deeper still with Christ.
Rebecca — you have always been a teacher’s dream. A serious student with, as Lizzy would say, a play-dough heart.
How we will miss Keller, yet we have his sermons and books. So thankful for that. So many have talked about the impact of his life.
Rebecca, I love your honesty. It is refreshing and inspiring to me personally. Thank you for using your pain and the lessons learned from your pain to help others.
Amen to Dee and Missy, Rebecca. You are so genuine and I always am inspired by your example. I love this: Yet, I still need to grow (the imposter is still inside) for she helps me clear the dross inside that can keep me from going deeper still with Christ.
Rebecca, this- “Yet, I still need to grow (the imposter is still inside) for she helps me clear the dross inside that can keep me from going deeper still with Christ. ” How we all love Dee!
1. What stands out to you from the opening and why? Where could you identify?
When I heard of Tim Keller’s death on Thursday, I was deeply saddened. Surprisingly so, since I knew he was fighting pancreatic cancer. But death still startles me. I remembered his sermon Dee wove into one of our blogs years ago called “Praying Our Tears.” I have listened to that message many times. Thank you, Dee, for introducing Tim Keller to many of us here on the blog.
The Andrew Peterson song has long been a favorite of mine. How it carries home the depth of love our Jesus has for us, especially when we can be our own worst enemy.
2. How have you experienced the Father’s love in the last week?
I have been listening to a new book by Aundi Kolber entitled “Strong Like Water”. She carefully guides the reader into gently being honest with ourselves and applying the love of God to ourselves. One quote: “Speak the truth even if your voice shakes.”
That’s one of my favorite Keller sermons.
I always appreciate how you give us resources, books, songs, etc, Nila! I’m going to look that book and sermon up as it sounds like a good one book and sermon. I know I’ve heard the sermon before but want to listen again at your suggestion.
Thank you for the wonderful suggestions, Nila. I pulled up Praying Our Tears to listen to today.
1. What stands out to you from the opening and why? Where could you identify? You are correct we are fortunate Tim Keller left behind a legacy of sermons. I feel sad for his family and the ones he was close to and how much they will miss him. Beautiful song and yes I could work on being kind to self. Interesting thought to embrace the imposter so it can be healed Embracing you ladies will have to explain to me as week goes on.
2. How have you experienced the Father’s love in the last week? Through prayers with friends as we prayed scripture for our families. An awareness of how good He is.
“An awareness of how good He is.” Yes, Judy. He is good.
1. What stands out to you from the opening and why? Where could you identify?
I love the Andrew Petersen song! How sweet that his kids are in the video too. I think many teens would benefit from hearing it. Maybe I will share will our guidance counselors.
2. How have you experienced the Father’s love in the last week?
Last Friday we were celebrating a colleague due to her retiring from our school. The party was at our house. As I left in the morning I realized I hadn’t thought to get some sort of flowers for the table. I was out of time and thought oh well I guess she won’t care. I’m not sure if I actually asked God for help, but I feel like I did. Wouldn’t you know that a good friend of hers in Utah knew about the party and sent her beautiful flowers that day?! I couldn’t believe it! He loves me. Often times my husband and I will be thinking the same thing. We believe it’s because we have been married so long and know each other so well. I’m starting to feel that way with God!!
I love this sweet God story, Laura! Oh, how He loves you!
Love the story of the flowers arriving! So sweet that God spoke to her good friend!
Laura, what a God thing! Even though the flowers were for your friend, they might as well be flowers for you! And I love the parallel of your relationship with your husband and God. “I’m starting to feel that way with God!”
I am so saddened by the death of Tim Keller. In a world gone mad, he was a voice of reason who continued to proclaim the Gospel, even stronger in his last year of life. I relished his Twitter tweets and he really took a beating for them many times, but we need so badly that strong reminder to moor hard to the unchanging truths of the Gospel in the Word of God when all else seems to be sinking sand now. I know that Tim Keller’s God still lives and will never leave us not forsake us. I always loved his sermon Dee referenced about Leah: the girl nobody loved. Leah’s life was horrible by human standards and she was so unloved by her husband, but it was her, the not pretty and not loved wife who bore Judah, the progenitor of the Savior of the whole world!! I’m getting chills just now as I type these words. We never know what God is up to in our broken lives. Keller made Leah’s story come alive to me and I had never seen that before. Thank you, Dee, for giving us constant links to Keller sermons. I listened to the one about Mary at the tomb the night before Keller died.
Miriam,
I wanted to show you this from Pastor Scotty Smith who knew Tim Keller well. He wrote these words on the day of Tim Keller’s death:
“Lord Jesus, we want to live the rest of our days with the GTZ as our most defining, permanent, transcendent frame of reference for everything. In the Gospel Time Zone, history finds its meaning and problems shrink to their proper size. Worries wilt and fears are tamed. Suffering finds dignity and evil is served notice. Our eternal life has begun and death is now gain for us. Jesus, we will never over-love, over-worship, over-trust you.
In your presence, we will dance, angels rejoice, demons always tremble, all knees will bow. Because of what you’ve done for us, Jesus, our Father’s favor rests on us in our restlessness; for we aren’t just clothed with joy but also with your perfect righteousness. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
Now sealed and indwelt with your Spirit, we aren’t less human but more so. We painfully grieve the past and soon death of friends; but we do so with profound hope. Jesus, turn these “inward groanings and eager waiting” (Rom. 8:22-25) into patient kindness, neighbor love, mutual encouragement, and living to your glory.
It really won’t be long before we are with you, Jesus. It really won’t be long before the Day of “all things new” gets here. In the GTZ, everything happens on time. So Very Amen.”
Nila — love the gospel time zone!
Thanks for sharing about the GTZ, Nila! That truly puts things in perspective. I needed that today as I grapple with a few things in my life.
Miriam — was moved by your tribute to Keller. Thank you.
I am reading all of these great posts for you precious women of God. Such a lovely tribute, Missy. And Nila, I love that you shared what Pastor Scotty Smith wrote. Love the gospel time zone… Thank you both.
Missy, love your post and especially these:
… a strong reminder to moor hard to the unchanging truths of the Gospel in the Word of God when all else seems to be sinking sand now
…I know that Tim Keller’s God still lives and will never leave us not forsake us.
Tim Keller’s death (and other faithful ones) reminded me that our influence for God does not die with our earthly death. When Christians remain faithful to God to death, He honors them with such a memory for those who are left behind. Above all, God is honored because their lives pointed others to Him.
“…progenitor of the Savior of the whole world!”
Love this! Reminds me of supernovas in space. They have a “progenitor star.” When a star explodes it releases all the heavy elements (greater than Iron) on the Periodic Table). That’s the only place from which these elements come.
3. Read Genesis 29:15-35
A. How might the actions of Leah’s earthly father and earthly bridegroom have impacted her view of herself?
Well, surely she felt unloved! Her dad used her and he husband really didn’t want her. By giving her husband Rachel too, she must have been sad. She was not special, she was just the firstborn who needed to be wed. She must have thought I’m just the first born, nothing special. My husband doesn’t really love me. Jacob was upset when he realized it was Leah in the morning. That must have made her feel awful!
B. How can you see that Leah was looking for love in all the wrong places?
When she had the children she named them based on Earthly conviction. Each name focused on her husband loving her.
C. How do you see God’s love for Leah?
He gave her several children! He didn’t give Rachel any.
D. How do you see Leah finally turning to the Lord?
By naming her son Judah, meaning “praise the Lord!”
Sunday: God Hunt
1. What stands out to you from the opening and why? Where could you identify?
—This statement stood out to me:“What is the answer to rid our lives of the imposter? It is to recognize how loved we are by the Father so that we won’t so crave the praise of man.”
—To recognize how loved I am by the Father is key to my finding balance and security in who I am and in how that unconditional love shapes my life. He satisfies the cravings of my heart with his love.
—“There is no downside for me leaving, not in the slightest.”
These final words of Keller resonate with me as I watch my Mom at the end of her life pretty much bed fast in a care home dependent on others to care for her most basic needs. It certainly isn’t a place she wanted to be nor that we wanted for her. To her credit she never complains but my sister and I were together after visiting her Mother’s Day weekend. We retreated to a room by ourselves and spent some time crying and praying together. In our lamenting we told the Lord we know it would be a far better thing for Mom to be with Him. As Keller said there would be no downside in her leaving. But my sister and I are called to continue in our trust of our Abba Father and his timetable for for Mom.
2. How have you experienced the Father’s love in the last week?
—He gave me this scripture this week and I have referred to it daily for encouragement as it reminds me of his unfailing love.
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” —Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
I am in tears reading this, Bev. My heart aches for you as you watch your mom being in a place that none of us wish to experience ourselves or have our loved ones experience. A wonderful verse from Psalm 143.
Bev, I ache for you as your watch your mom pretty much bedfast. I have seen many similar situations and as a nurse, I ache for them and their families. I along with Patti, agree on the encouragement of Psalm 143:8. Indeed, may the morning bring you word of God’s unfailing love for you, your family, and your Mom.
Oh Lord, how grateful we’d be if you took Bev’s mom gently home. In Jesus Name I pray
I pray in agreement with Dee. Please Lord. Amen.
1. What stands out to you from the opening and why? Where could you identify? Being real with ourselves and with God can be hard. I pray that I can be genuine in all I do and when my imposter tries to steps in, I pray that God will make me aware of it quickly. I long for intimacy with our Father and I want to be real and caring to others. I am so thankful for Dee and all of her studies and books, especially Idol Lies and He Calls You Beautiful. Dee’s ministry has changed my life and brought closer to Jesus.
Lord, I pray that you will keep me from wearing a mask.
2. How have you experienced the Father’s love in the last week? I have truly grieve the loss of Tim Keller. This quote of his is so comforting. “It is endlessly comforting to have a God who is both infinitely more wise and more loving than I am. He has plenty of good reasons for everything He does and allows that I cannot know, and therein is my hope and strength.” I think the humility that Tim and Kathy Keller have always demonstrated has glorified Christ so beautifully. They have both pointed me to Jesus. This week has caused me to reflect on so many in my life, who have been wonderful influences and are now in heaven. I am so grateful for those whose lives have shown Jesus and His unconditional love. One of those people, who I know Tim Keller now knows, is Steve Brestin. Every word and action in his life was filled with that kind of humility and love. In my life Lord be glorified.
Patti, I so loved your post here. I thought of Steve Green’s song, Find Us Faithful. Indeed, Dee and the blog have introduced many of us who have gone before us and whose legacy has been that of faithfulness. I have not met many of them but though they are gone now, they still speak.
“Oh, may all who come behind us Find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way May the footprints that we leave, help them to believe
And the lives we live, inspire them to obey
May all those who come behind us find us faithful. ”
In honor and memory of Steve Brestin and Tim Keller
Oh Patti — you make me cry. Praying so for you in this hard time as you care for your dear lifelong love.
Sunday: God Hunt
1. What stands out to you from the opening and why? Where could you identify?
“The imposter must be called out of hiding, accepted, and embraced. He is an integral part of my total self. Whatever is denied cannot be healed. To acknowledge humbly that I often inhabit an unreal world, that I have trivialized my relationship with God, and that I am driven by vain ambition is the first blow in dismantling my glittering images.”
Although it is hard to acknowledge that an imposter is a part of my total self, the knowledge is also a relief and comfort. To come out of hiding, and be accepted and embraced by our Father gives me hope just as you said, Dee. And to live with such hope, that even when the imposter comes back again, she will not have a hold on me when I remind myself of the truth.
I found a bag of my daughter’s fancy face products yesterday in our bathroom closet that she had left behind. She did not want them anymore. I looked them over and tried them on myself. LOL The picture of the woman with glitter on her face surprised me as I was just “glittering” myself the day before!
I would like to thank you, Dee, for many years of faithfully leading us to the truth. This blog has been helping me take off masks I have been wearing consciously and unconsciously through the years. It also illuminated God’s love for me in ways no other study has done. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!
2. How have you experienced the Father’s love in the last week?
It has been 2 years since I retired. Though I have been asked to work part-time since then, I have been reflecting and contemplating the forthcoming closure of a couple of significant responsibilities I have held for many years, I struggle with the pain of losing a role that I have taken pride in. Amidst the struggle, I have not sensed any reprimand from God; only a steady leading from His loving hand. I felt His kind understanding of my hesitations and the constancy of His reminders that who I am in Him is what matters.
Oh thank you, dear Bing. You are so kind.
Patti & Bing,
You both serve to encourage me and bless me with your comments. The group sharing on this blog right now is smaller in number but the comments have been so enriching as Dee has led us to consider our Abba, Father. I am strengthened and blessed by you all. 💕
Read Genesis 29:15-35e
A. How might the actions of Leah’s earthly father and earthly bridegroom have impacted her view of herself? Such a sad situation. Leah was probably already aware of the difference in her appearance from her sister and that people found her sister more appealing. Then her father uses her in a deceitful plan to trick Jacob and Jacob the next morning wants to know where Rachel is. What rejection is piled upon her. She d seen how Jacob loved Rachel and that she had not found a husband except for trickery. How she must have felt unloved and unwanted.
B. How can you see that Leah was looking for love in all the wrong places? Leah was looking for love from man which is where many look for love and approval. She just wanted someone to love her and appreciate her to look at her the way Jacob was taken with Rachel.
C. How do you see God’s love for Leah? He allowed Leah to conceive but Rachel did not.
D. How do you see Leah finally turning to the Lord? With the 4th son she seems to have reconciled herself to Jacob not giving her the love she wanted from him. She named Judah “this time I will praise the Lord.” Her thoughts moved from man to praising God.
E. What do you know about Judah’s place in history? (See Rev. 5:5) Thoughts? Jesus is referred to the Lion of the tribe of Judah. When Jacob blessed Judah he told Judah he was a lion’s cub and that the scepter would not depart from him. So in the beginning the line of Judah is a lion s cub but in Revelation Judah s descendant Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah the fruition of God’s promise to David coming full circle??
I love you just the way that you areI love the way He made your precious heart
Be kind to yourself be kind to yourself
I know it’s hard to hear itWhen the anger in your spiritIs pointed like an arrow at your chestWhen the voices in your mindAre anything but kindAnd you can’t believe your father knows best
4. Imagine the voices in Leah’s mind before she turned to the Lord for love. What might she have been telling herself? My whole life I ve not been lovable. Rachel has always been the special one.
5. Though we don’t have any evidence that Rachel ever turned from her idols to the Lord, how can you see His love for her in Gen. 30:22-24? God remembered Rachel and she gave birth to a son and she said God has taken away my disgrace.
I love you just the way that you areI love the way He’s shaping your heart
Be kind to yourself be kind to yourself
How does it end when the war that you’re inIs just you against you against you?You’ve gotta learn to love, learn to loveLearn to love your enemies too
You can’t expect to be perfectIt’s a fight you’ve gotta forfeitYou belong to me whatever you doSo lay down your weapon, darlingTake a deep breathAnd believe that I love you
6. Meditate on the above from Peterson and share your thoughts and how you might apply them. Love God and love others as myself. So I need to learn to love myself as I am not as I’d like to be and accept that God loves me in my less than perfect state. He couldn’t love me more even if I were perfect. In accepting I am unconditionally loved I should let love, respect and kindness spill out of me to others.
Be kind to yourself be kind to yourselfBe kind to yourself
Gotta learn to love, learn to loveLearn to love your enemiesGotta learn to love, learn to loveLearn to love your enemies, too
Monday: Be Kind To Yourself
While Peterson’s lyrics are not Scripture, I believe they are soundly supported by Scripture, which I will attempt to show. What I’d like you to do today is meditate first on lyrics from the song, then on the story of Leah, whom Tim Keller called “The Girl Nobody Wanted,” and answer the questions.
3. Read Genesis 29:15-35
A. How might the actions of Leah’s earthly father and earthly bridegroom have impacted her view of herself?
I am a nobody; I am a pawn in my father’s and in my husband’s eyes. I am only as good as I can do something for somebody. I am not loved.
B. How can you see that Leah was looking for love in all the wrong places?
Compliance with what her father told her to do.
She wants to please Jacob through her sons.
She looked for love through the men in her life, and a sense of approval from others.
C. How do you see God’s love for Leah?
He opened her womb and gave birth to her first 4 sons, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, and through her maidservant later.
D. How do you see Leah finally turning to the Lord?
She praised the Lord upon the birth of Judah.
E. What do you know about Judah’s place in history? (See Rev. 5:5) Thoughts?
Judah’s clan will be the ancestor of King David and later, of Jesus. Revelation (the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,)
4. Imagine the voices in Leah’s mind before she turned to the Lord for love. What might she have been telling herself?
I am a nobody; I am a pawn in my father’s and my husband’s plans. I am only as good as I can do something.
I am here only to meet the needs of others. Nobody loves me for who I am.
5. Though we don’t have any evidence that Rachel ever turned from her idols to the Lord, how can you see His love for her in Gen. 30:22-24?
God allowed Rachel to conceive and she gave birth to Joseph and later to Benjamin.
6. Meditate on the above from Peterson and share your thoughts and how you might apply them.
My favorite lines are: “You belong to me whatever you do. You can’t expect to be perfect.” I also thought of Hosea’s love for Gomer. It bleeds of God’s unconditional love.
From Bing:
My favorite lines are: “You belong to me whatever you do. You can’t expect to be perfect.” I also thought of Hosea’s love for Gomer. It bleeds of God’s unconditional love.
1. What stands out to you from the opening and why? Where could you identify? I definitely have an imposter problem. When I was listening to that chapter in the book, what Manning says was his conscience choice as a child, to keep his real self hidden from everyone, is exactly the decision that I made about a decade ago. I was done trying to make friends or revealing anything about myself to people because of how time and again I experienced either people being nice to my face and cutting me down or making fun of me behind my back (in my workplace) or only being “friends” because of circumstances and when the circumstances changed I was left, sometimes without warning or explanation, or finding that outside of church or homeschool events that I was involved in, I wasn’t included in anything that other women (that I thought were friends) were getting together to do. I had come to accept the fact that I am not friend material and that’s o.k. with me because I have a large family that I am very close with and I don’t need more than that.
Now I don’t know how to reconcile that with what I am learning here. I am obviously too absorbed with self protection (hiding) and not living in light of the truth that I am Abba’s Child and that’s all that matters.
How have you experienced the Father’s love in the last week? One of the things that I gleaned from the book is that it is o.k. to look at even the most mundane things as a sign from God. This past week I was experiencing some financial problems and was worried that I was going to have some unexpected automatic deduction from my bank account that would cause me to be overdrawn (here I’m being real, I was going to make it look like it was a bank mistake, but in reality it was me not keeping on top of things) when I was looking at my account at one point, the balance was all 3’s (a very important biblical number). I knew that God was handling the situation.
Dawn raises an interesting dilemma I’d love input on. Are we to be vulnerable and reveal ourselves to everyone? I think there is a difference between being an imposter and being cautious. But would love others’ thoughts.
Question for Dawn. You say you are close to your large family — how wonderful. Do you also have a sister in Christ or two outside of your family you feel safe with?
Not currently, except the ladies here on the blog.
I understand this dilemma. I am a very private person, and I don’t always feel it is appropriate to share some of my deepest thoughts or sorrows openly. I am selective, yet more vulnerable with those I have learned to trust over time and friendship. I do think there is a difference between being an imposter and being cautious about sharing certain things. Some certain confidences are not always wise to share, because they can hurt others(friends or family). It is fine line….I don’t know the answer, but I don’t think that it is a sign that you are too absorbed with self protection, Dawn. Negative experiences can make us cautious.
3. Read Genesis 29:15-35
A. How might the actions of Leah’s earthly father and earthly bridegroom have impacted her view of herself? She was given to a man, who had no idea that he was being tricked, by a father who obviously saw her as a burden that no one was going to want. I’m sure that she felt like no one really loved her and really no one, besides probably her sons, did. Even her sister turned in competition against her.
B. How can you see that Leah was looking for love in all the wrong places? She was looking for her validations from the people around her, her husband, sister, sons. Every child she had (except the last) was named based on her desire to be accepted by her husband.
C. How do you see God’s love for Leah? He gave her sons when the most treasured and loved sister was barren.
D. How do you see Leah finally turning to the Lord? She named her first 3 sons with names that reflected the continued seeking of her husband’s approval. Her 4th son was named to reflect her praise to the Lord for giving her these sons and seeing them as His blessing to her. Now I will praise the Lord.
E. What do you know about Judah’s place in history? (See Rev. 5:5) Thoughts? Jesus came from the line of Judah. He’s called the Lion of Judah. Judah was not conceived in love as the son of Jacob and Leah, and Judah’s son Perez was the result of a sinful union yet God used these supposed outcasts to be the ancestors of the Messiah.
3. Read Genesis 29:15-35
A. How might the actions of Leah’s earthly father and earthly bridegroom have impacted her view of herself? I think it was cruel for her father to do that to her knowing Jacob wanted Rachel. I’m sure he knew Jacob would be upset and that Leah would be hurt by it. She probably felt unattractive and unworthy. Sometimes that leads to an erosion of confidence to the point where you feel lacking compared to every woman around you.
B. How can you see that Leah was looking for love in all the wrong places? She was glad God gave her sons because now her husband will love her, instead of praising God for His kindness and His mindfulness of her.
C. How do you see God’s love for Leah? His love is immense! I see His compassion for Leah’s deep wounds overflowing along with his lovingkindness. God blessed her abundantly even though her heart was swirling with idolatry.
D. How do you see Leah finally turning to the Lord? It seems to me like God wooed her to the point where she couldn’t resist and realized His love was greater for her and way more delightful than Jacob’s could be.
E. What do you know about Judah’s place in history? (See Rev. 5:5) Thoughts? David is in the line of Judah as is Jesus, and in Rev 5:5 Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
Love this on Leah from Rebecca:
His love is immense! I see His compassion for Leah’s deep wounds overflowing along with his lovingkindness. God blessed her abundantly even though her heart was swirling with idolatry.
E. What do you know about Judah’s place in history? (See Rev. 5:5) Thoughts?
Jesus came from this tribe and is the only one who can open the scroll.
4. Imagine the voices in Leah’s mind before she turned to the Lord for love. What might she have been telling herself?
If I do this, maybe he will love me? Maybe if he loves the children, he will love me?
5. Though we don’t have any evidence that Rachel ever turned from her idols to the Lord, how can you see His love for her in Gen. 30:22-24?
She finally became pregnant.
6. Meditate on the above from Peterson and share your thoughts and how you might apply them.
I’ve been trying to spend a few minutes each day with a “blank” mind. A friend suggested I do this because right now I am overwhelmed with a chaotic life. I breathe in and out and say, “I am healthy and happy. I love myself.” Brainwashing myself! Not sure it’s doing anything but it has this sentiment. Trying to make my self talk more positive.
I don’t agree with your friend! I think it is far better to meditate on Scripture, as Psalm 1 exhorts. Though I admit when I have trouble sleeping I try to make my mind blank, or at least just think of beautiful things like fields of wildflowers.
I so agree with Dee that it is a better thing to fill our mind with scripture. A blank mind can open the door to thoughts from the enemy but God’s Word will never fail us. One simple verse memorized and repeated from scripture can bring peace to the heart and mind. Like “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV
I often pray Psalm 23 or Isaiah 43:1-2. I love the Scriptures that Bev and Dee suggested too. I agree, Bev, they can bring peace to the heart and mind.
Thanks everyone. I sometimes don’t understand scripture; it’s too flowery for me. I have to break it down and it takes a lot of time, of which I don’t have. Of the verses you all noted, I understand Isaiah 43:1-2 the best. I find it comforting and it tells me that God loves me and will be with me no matter what. I am trying to help myself get rid of the negative words that swirl around my head about myself.
7. Meditate on the above. What thoughts do you have? How might you apply this?
I get this in my head, but, as Keller says, it hasn’t hit my heart. I suppose in my meditation on nothing, I could also say to myself God loves me.
8. What did God say to Jesus in Matthew 3:17?
“This is my dearly loved Son who brings me great joy.”
9. How does God see you according to John 17:23?
He sees me as He sees Jesus.
Laura — see my comment to you above!
Monday: Be Kind To Yourself
While Peterson’s lyrics are not Scripture, I believe they are soundly supported by Scripture, which I will attempt to show. What I’d like you to do today is meditate first on lyrics from the song, then on the story of Leah, whom Tim Keller called “The Girl Nobody Wanted,” and answer the questions.
You’ve got all that emotion that’s
Heaving like an ocean
And you’re drowning in a deep dark well
I can hear it in your voice that
If you only had a choice
You would rather be anyone else
3. Read Genesis 29:15-35
A. How might the actions of Leah’s earthly father and earthly bridegroom have impacted her view of herself?
—It would seem the fact that her father Laban used deception to give her away in marriage would have made her feel less valuable and then Jacob’s response would have confirmed her as being unwanted in whatever her flaws were.
B. How can you see that Leah was looking for love in all the wrong places?
—She thought by doing what every young woman in that culture was defined by in giving birth to sons would make her more acceptable and loved by her husband. But that was not so since Jacob just simply loved Rachel above her anyway.
C. How do you see God’s love for Leah?
—It was God who gave her the ability to conceive and have sons to affirm her in her place as Jacob’s wife. She knew that it was God’s doing but with the first 3 births of sons she thought she would gain her husbands love and approval. And that is what she was consumed with.
D. How do you see Leah finally turning to the Lord?
—With the 4th son’s birth she said “this time I will praise the Lord” and she named him Judah which in Hebrew sounds like praise.
E. What do you know about Judah’s place in history? (See Rev. 5:5) Thoughts?
—It was through the lineage of Leah’s son Judah that King David was born and eventually from his lineage Joseph the earthly father of Jesus was born giving him place as a descendant of Judah.
From the first book of the Bible in Genesis is a tie to the last book of the Bible in the Revelation in that from Leah’s son Judah came Jesus the Lion of Judah who was the perfect Son of God that brought salvation to the world and is worthy and will be able to rule over all in eternity.
In Genesis 5:5 it was said to John “weep no more”. I’m sure there was much weeping on Leah’s part but all the weeping will end when Christ the Lion of Judah takes his place in absolute authority.
I love you just the way that you are
I love the way He made your precious heart
Be kind to yourself be kind to yourself
I know it’s hard to hear it
When the anger in your spirit
Is pointed like an arrow at your chest
When the voices in your mind
Are anything but kind
And you can’t believe your father knows best
4. Imagine the voices in Leah’s mind before she turned to the Lord for love. What might she have been telling herself?
—I would suspect that she said “You don’t measure up. You are not pretty enough and you are less than everyone else.”
5. Though we don’t have any evidence that Rachel ever turned from her idols to the Lord, how can you see His love for her in Gen. 30:22-24?
—Hmmm? I am wondering when it says in this passage that “God listened to her” it would seem to me she was turning to and calling upon the Lord in her need. And she credits God for letting her conceive and taking away her reproach. He certainly saw her and in love responded to her.
I love you just the way that you are
I love the way He’s shaping your heart
Be kind to yourself be kind to yourself
How does it end when the war that you’re in
Is just you against you against you?
You’ve gotta learn to love, learn to love
Learn to love your enemies too
You can’t expect to be perfect
It’s a fight you’ve gotta forfeit
You belong to me whatever you do
So lay down your weapon, darling
Take a deep breath
And believe that I love you
6. Meditate on the above from Peterson and share your thoughts and how you might apply them.
—It’s the last part that speaks to me.
You can’t expect to be perfect
It’s a fight you’ve gotta forfeit
You belong to me whatever you do
So lay down your weapon, darling
Take a deep breath
And believe that I love you
—It’s when I truly believed He loved me as my Abba Father the fight with doubt and self deprecation came to an end. I laid down my weapon and took a deep breath and believed Him. It’s a wonderful place to rest in.
You are right, Bev. She did turn to the Lord in her need. Only He knows her heart. We all struggle with idolatry and some more than others — but only He knows our hearts.
3. Read Genesis 29:15-35
A. How might the actions of Leah’s earthly father and earthly bridegroom have impacted her view of herself? Leah felt used by her earthly father and unloved by her earthly bridegroom.
B. How can you see that Leah was looking for love in all the wrong places? Each time Leah gave birth to a son, she thought Jacob would finally love and value her. But his heart was elsewhere.
C. How do you see God’s love for Leah? God saw more than Jacob could see. God looked at Leah’s heart and her soul and He gave her four sons. Judah would be instrumental in the future of God’s plan.
D. How do you see Leah finally turning to the Lord? When Leah gave birth to Judah, she praised the Lord.
E. What do you know about Judah’s place in history? (See Rev. 5:5) Thoughts? Judah’s line produced King David and Jesus, The Lion of the tribe of Judah.
4. Imagine the voices in Leah’s mind before she turned to the Lord for love. What might she have been telling herself? Leah, you are a discard from your earthly father; he does not see you as being attractive as a wife to someone; you have been used and you are not loveable. She tried to earn the love of Jacob, but his heart was always with Rachel.
5. Though we don’t have any evidence that Rachel ever turned from her idols to the Lord, how can you see His love for her in Gen. 30:22-24? She felt that God had taken away the shame she felt, through her barrenness.
6. Meditate on the above from Peterson and share your thoughts and how you might apply them. Think kindly of yourself and others; don’t dwell on your flaws or those of others; be careful not to depend on outward beauty, but grow the love and beauty of God in your soul. See the beauty and love in the world. Love others, don’t be envious of another. Love those who don’t care for you, those who are unlovable and love your enemies, and love those who love you. Leave hate and negative thoughts lie buried in the sand.
This quote just popped up on my facebook: “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God.” ~Tim Keller (1950-2023)
From Patti:
This quote just popped up on my facebook: “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God.” ~Tim Keller (1950-2023)
7. Meditate on the above. What thoughts do you have? How might you apply this? 7. Make the Lord and His immense love for you constitutive of your personal worth To focus on that and not on living up to others expectations From the book the case for Grace I’m His daughter I’m His daughter I’m His daughter With that perspective I should look to Him and see me through eyes of grace
8. What did God say to Jesus in Matthew 3:17?God didn’t send Jesus to condemn the world but to save it This is my Son whom I love and well pleased
9. How does God see you according to John 17:23? So the world knows That the Father loves us the same as He loves Jesus
10. How would you live today if you believed this was true — free from self condemnation
Who wrote The Case for Grace, Judy?
Lee Strobel One chapter in the book tells of a young maybe 3 years old Asian girl abandoned by her mother. She lives roaming the land then gets in with a gang. She’s horribly abused and is used to people using her. She s eventually adopted and thought she was taken in by parents to be a servant. When she tells a friend how well she s treated, the friend tells her it’s because she’s their daughter. Then comes her joy.
What a story of joy from this child abandoned by her birth mother. Thank you for sharing, Judy. I have read Lee Strobel’s books, but did not know about this one.
7. Meditate on the above. What thoughts do you have? How might you apply this? One of the things that I think of is that Adam and Eve walked naked in the garden in front of the Lord , but when they ate the forbidden fruit they hid and tried to cover their nakedness. It is impossible to hide from God. We are all naked in front of Him and we need to acknowledge that He sees it all.
8. What did God say to Jesus in Matthew 3:17? This is my beloved in whom I am well pleased.
9. How does God see you according to John 17:23? He sees me the same as He sees Jesus.
10. How would you live today if you believed this was true — that the Father loves you even as He has loved Jesus? With no fear and no doubts.
From Dawn:
How would you live today if you believed this was true — that the Father loves you even as He has loved Jesus? With no fear and no doubts.
Amen. Thank you, Dawn. No fear and no doubts. I need to post that on my computer screen.
Tuesday: You Are His Beloved
7. Meditate on the above. What thoughts do you have? How might you apply this?
—The first lie I had to get past was that I was unlovable and that not even God loved me for the individual person I am. But as I grew in my knowledge of him and learned this truth from his Word that Rebecca reiterated for us:
(“for the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2) What was that joy? US!)
I began not only to believe I was truly loved but I opened myself up to experiencing his love.
8. What did God say to Jesus in Matthew 3:17?
—“and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
9. How does God see you according to John 17:23?
—Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit lives in us and makes us one with himself as he is one with his Father so God my Father
loves us just like he loves Jesus.
“I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”
John 17:23 ESV
10. How would you live today if you believed this was true — that the Father loves you even as He has loved Jesus?
—I am humbled by that truth. The reality that God does love me completely and perfectly satisfies a need in the deepest places of my heart that no one else can fill. It brings a great security to my heart and life that I did not experience before I began to grasp that truth.
Wednesday: Finding Him in Silence
11. Comments on the above? Have you ever experienced anything like this? If so, share.
—“But you have been so busy trying to prove to yourself that you are loved…that you have not heard me.”
This comment by Michael Yaconelli resonated with me. That thing of looking for love in all the wrong places but it is only found in hearing and receiving it from God. Hearing him say He loves me brings a settled and quiet understanding deep in my heart. But it does take quiet time alone with Him to really get to know Him and this truth of his love for me. It’s no different than any relationship that is meaningful in our lives. They only happen by being together and getting to know one another. It takes interaction and listening.
12. What do you think God asks us to be still to know Him? How do you endeavor to do this?
—God knows our true need of Him. It would seem to me that over the years I have watched him many times stop his own children in their tracks to hear his voice. It may come in dramatic ways and unexpected ways or even very simple meaningful ways but He faithfully calls his own to himself.
—Sadly it was too many years into my walk with God before I established a regular “quiet” time in the mornings to read the Word and pray. My life was very full and busy and truthfully I lack self discipline. I sat under excellent Bible teaching preachers and participated in women’s Bible studies and attended great retreats and conferences over the years but I was slow to establish that daily time alone with Jesus where I experienced the love and presence of God my father and Jesus my Savior in the warmth and presence of the Holy Spirit.
In great measure when I finally embraced the truth we are studying and talking about here of just how deeply I am loved by God that I began to long to be in his presence and hear from his Word. Truly knowing He loved me then I wanted to be with Him often.
I confess this is hard for me, but I want to learn from the contemplatives. I know we have one in our participating group (Susan) and very likely more. Would particularly love to hear from you.
—As much as I love Jesus and my Abba Father I struggle to be quiet in my mind when I am alone in meditation and prayer. Stopping my own voice in my head does not come easily for me. Giving my attention solely to anyone is hard for me. I find I have a very distracted mind. There are endless rabbit trails in my thinking. The main thing that secures me is the Bible. When I focus on his Word I am helped to hear from Him and formulate my prayers. In very recent times I have found writing down my prayers is much more effective for me especially when based on a verse or passage of scripture.
Also I do love reading and using good contemplative devotional books for example, like “My Utmost For His Highest” by Oswald Chambers or the wealth of good books like Tim Keller has written that draw my heart and mind to hear what God would say to me and teach me about Himself.
I agree Bev. In this world of too much information coming at us so quickly, it is hard to quiet our minds. A book by Tracy Balzer: A Journey of Sea and Stone: How Holy Places Guide and Renew Us~ long title~ helped me in learning to quiet my mind. I have worked on creating my own Holy Place, where I can be still. It is still a challenge, but this book has helped me to find the “thin places” that can bring me closer to quiet. Here are a couple quotes from her book: “The bright moments of life remind me how deeply I am known by God and how deeply I am loved by God, even treasured.” “your life is not your own and when you’re willing to let go of your life, you will find it.”
Patti — I remember my sister quoting that verse — if you save your life for yourself you will lose it, but lose it for me and you will find it.
Dee~ I have found that verse so true.
Thank you Patti. I will look for that book. And Thank you for your prayer for my Mom.
Bev, I am continuing to pray for a peaceful homegoing for your precious mom.
7. Meditate on the above. What thoughts do you have? How might you apply this? I find that the older I get, the more I realize that this is not my life to own, but a life that God has loaned to me for a time, to do what He desires me to do for Him. He loves, even me. How wretchedly I have failed to fully accept that so much of my life. I have been focused on myself way too much of my life and I truly see this more and more each day.
8. What did God say to Jesus in Matthew 3:17? “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
9. How does God see you according to John 17:23? The Father indwells in and loves the Son and the Son indwells in and loves me. And I need to show His love of me in the way I love and treat others.
10. How would you live today if you believed this was true — that the Father loves you even as He has loved Jesus? These two verses speak to my heart: This verse is on my calendar today: John 4:34: Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” And Matthew 16:25: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” If He can love even me, my joy in His love alone is enough. He will take care of the things that constantly distract me from keeping Him in the center of my heart. My life needs to be centered on humility and service to Him.
Tuesday: You Are His Beloved
Our own Rebecca shared that when doubts that God could love her assail her, she remembers that “for the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2) What was that joy? US!
Manning tells of the journey of one man, John Eagan, from imposter to beloved. Eagan was always looking at his faults and felt unlovable, inconsistent, irritable, and potbellied. Yet he came to realize his sins could not keep him from God for they had all been redeemed by the blood. In repentance, Eagan began living as a forgiven man. His spiritual advisor told him: John…make the Lord and his immense love for you constitutive of your personal worth.
Eagan took this to heart writing: The basis of my personal worth is not my possessions, my talents, not the esteem of others ….I stand anchored now in God before I stand naked, this God who tells me, “You are my son, my beloved one.”
7. Meditate on the above. What thoughts do you have? How might you apply this?
“Yet he came to realize his sins could not keep him from God for they had all been redeemed by the blood. In repentance, Eagan began living as a forgiven man.”
All my sins have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. There is no penance or any form of sacrifice that I need to make. I can live as a forgiven woman. All that I am and hope to be is by the grace and mercy of God.
8. What did God say to Jesus in Matthew 3:17?
This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.
9. How does God see you according to John 17:23?
Loved as much as He loved His son, Jesus.
10. How would you live today if you believed this was true — that the Father loves you even as He has loved Jesus?
God loves me as He loves Jesus and I believe this is true, I would live life with joy and peace and worries are non-existent or laid at Jesus’ feet and not picked up back again!
Bing, Yes to this!!! God loves me as He loves Jesus and I believe this is true, I would live life with joy and peace and worries are non-existent or laid at Jesus’ feet and not picked up back again! I need to leave my fears and worries at the feet of Jesus and not pick them up again!
Manning writes of Mike Yaconelli, the cofounder of Youth Specialties, going on a silent retreat at the L’Arche community in Canada. Yaconelli writes:
It took only a few hours of silence before I began to hear my soul speaking. It only took being alone for short period of time for me to discover I wasn’t alone…in the stillness and solitude, His whispers shouted from my soul, “Michael, I am here. I have been calling you, but you haven’t been listening. Can you hear me, Michael? I love you. I have always loved you. And I have been waiting for you to hear me say that to you. But you have been so busy trying to prove to yourself that you are loved…that you have not heard me.
11. Comments on the above? Have you ever experienced anything like this? If so, share.
I wouldn’t call myself a contemplative. It seems like I go by spurts in this area. It is hard for me to be still as I still struggle much with works righteousness. I must do something. The times that I would be contemplating, I often end up in tears, primarily because I am just so grateful that God loved me and saved me.
12. What do you think God asks us to be still to know Him? How do you endeavor to do this?
I confess this is hard for me, but I want to learn from the contemplatives. I know we have one in our participating group (Susan) and very likely more. Would particularly love to hear from you.
For me, reading the Word, especially the Psalms, is helpful. I also journal as I read the passage. Donald Whitney’s, “Praying the Bible” has helped me. The method is simple. I just must be careful that I don’t rush. And that I come before God in the quiet of the morning or the cares of this world start bombarding me, and I lose that time with God. I do love Susan for her contemplative spirit.
10. How would you live today if you believed this was true — that the Father loves you even as He has loved Jesus?
I would never be worried about anything.
11. Comments on the above? Have you ever experienced anything like this? If so, share.
I have had God speak to me but not because I specifically quieted myself to hear Him. it is difficult to be totally quiet; I don’t think I would do so well on a retreat such as the one described. I’m a talker!
12. What do you think God asks us to be still to know Him? How do you endeavor to do this?
We need to be still to listen for Him. I try my best to have a quiet time early in the morning. If I can’t do that, then I make a concerted effort to have Bible study all day long at different points.
13. Comments on the above?
I’m curious why they went to a place for mentally and physically handicapped for the retreat? What was the purpose?
I see what he means by in his weakness Jesus was made strong. I have felt that (see my story below). I am broken right now. I am struggling to be whole again. I am not seeing God work in my brokenness right now. I know He loves me, that isn’t in question. I just don’t feel Him helping me out of my pit. Perhaps I need to buckle down and study and pray more myself.
14. I remember a message we did together from Michael Reeves differentiating good fear and bad fear of the Lord. Bad fear makes you back up from Him, and good fear drives you into His arms. With this in mind, read Psalm 34:1-11.
A. What is the condition of the psalmist here and what does he do? (1-3)
The version I use (NLT) has a heading note that says David is acting insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.
The Psalmist is thankful for the relationship he has with God. He is praising Him.
B. How does God respond? (4-7)
He answers him! He calms his fears. He listens and saves him.
C. What promises are for those who have a “good” fear of the Lord? (8-10)
Those who have a healthy fear will have all they need, they will lack no good thing.
15. Tell us about a time when you experienced the presence of God in your brokenness. How did it show you that you were His beloved?
One time, (you can’t make this stuff up) our son who was a teen, got mad and left our house at 10 pm on a BMX bike. Firstly, I didn’t know he had left until and hour or so after he did. Secondly, I had NO CLUE where he had gone. I got into my car and started driving north (?). I didn’t go to any of his close friends’ homes; I didn’t even think to do so. I went 20 miles north to a neighborhood I had only been to one other time when I dropped him off at a kids house one time. It had been at least a year since I had been there! I really didn’t know where I was going. I parked outside a home, not even sure I had the right house! I noticed a bike in the bushes! It was his! I couldn’t believe that I found him. I had absolutely no idea where he was. It definitely was the Holy Spirit that guided me that night. God knew I was at a loss with this kid. He knew I needed Him to take care of us. He loves me so much. I just wish I could hear Him more often like that. I need Him right now in a situation and am struggling to know what to do.
Good question, Laura. Perhaps it helped them get God’s perspective on life. I know Henry Nouwen spent the last decade or so of his life caring for an extremely handicapped man.
Laura, I am sorry for your struggle at this time and I pray for you and trust that as you look to God for his presence with you at this time you will become aware of Him and his deep love for you in whatever it is. I would also suggest that you don’t have to “buckle down” but rather the need is for us to “take refuge” in Him as verse 8 says from the Psalm we studied today. This Psalm is so full of hope and promise. Be assured God has not forgotten you in this time of personal brokenness and trouble. I am confident He will deliver you. 🙏
Praying for you, Laura. You have such a busy life, it can be very hard to find quiet time to reflect. It is difficult to find quiet time in this crazy busy world. I pray that you will find a spot and a time where you can quiet your heart, even for a few minutes, with our Father. Praying that you will hear His voice. I love our story about the Holy Spirit leading you to your son. Wow. He was really speaking to your heart.
Laura, I remember you sharing about your son in a past study here. Praying for the Spirit to guide you in your situation right now. I pray for verse 21 of Jeremiah 30 for you: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” ” May you hear from our Abba.
Thursday: Close to the Brokenhearted
L’Arche is a community of mentally and physically handicapped individuals in Canada. It is where Michael went, and where Henri Nouwen spent a year to get in closer touch with God. Michael said he knew he was broken but was trying to never be broken again. (Is that you?( Here is what he learned:
At L’Arche, it became very clear to me that I had totally misunderstood the Christian faith. I came to see that it was in my brokenness, in my powerlessness, in my weakness that Jesus was made strong. It was in the acceptance of my lack of faith that God could give me faith. It was in the embracing of my brokenness that I could identify with others’ brokenness.
13. Comments on the above?
—What he learned is so powerful and true.
Accepting our own brokenness goes directly against the flesh and the philosophy of this world. Our flesh wants to fix it and the world chimes in and says to be tougher and work harder. That mindset is especially strong in the culture where I live here in central US where pioneers came and settled working hard to make a successful life. There is yet a strong independence in the personality of many who live here. My son often refers to it in sermons here acknowledging he is a 5th generation of pioneers (my great grand parents). We want to manage our brokenness ourselves instead of falling on Jesus and admitting our total need is met in Him and Him alone.
14. I remember a message we did together from Michael Reeves differentiating good fear and bad fear of the Lord. Bad fear makes you back up from Him, and good fear drives you into His arms. With this in mind, read Psalm 34:1-11.
A. What is the condition of the psalmist here and what does he do? (1-3)
—He has fears and troubles but he chooses to give praise to God and calls others join him in magnifying God and exalting the name of the Lord.
B. How does God respond? (4-7)
—God answered his prayer and delivered him from his fears and saved him from his troubles. God put his protection around him and delivered him.
I can’t deliver or protect myself from fear or trouble but he promises to do that.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation (trouble). But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33 ESV
C. What promises are for those who have a “good” fear of the Lord? (8-10)
—The Lord is good and blesses those who take refuge in Him. He promises they will lack no good thing.
How refreshing this is while we live here in a fallen broken world that is bomb barding us with evil.
15. Tell us about a time when you experienced the presence of God in your brokenness. How did it show you that you were His beloved?
—At my age there are a number of times I have experienced Him in my brokenness but the freshest in my mind has been in the recent months of feeling the ache over my Mom’s total change of life to being in a very diminished capacity in a care home. Not being able to fix it but He has given me encouragement from his Word. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” —Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
I also experienced his love to me through some of you earlier this week. Your very kind and caring comments and Dee’s very simple prayer brought me to tears. In your caring I clearly sensed God’s love for me.
This is a wonderful Psalm for this week’s lesson. Thank you, Bev. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” —Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Bev, I agree with Patti on the encouragement of Psalm 143:8 …” for to you I entrust my life”. I think of Peter’s words, “Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” John 6:68 He is the only one we can go to at any time, any place.
Thursday: Close to the Brokenhearted
L’Arche is a community of mentally and physically handicapped individuals in Canada. It is where Michael went, and where Henri Nouwen spent a year to get in closer touch with God. Michael said he knew he was broken but was trying to never be broken again. (Is that you? ( Here is what he learned:
At L’Arche, it became very clear to me that I had totally misunderstood the Christian faith. I came to see that it was in my brokenness, in my powerlessness, in my weakness that Jesus was made strong. It was in the acceptance of my lack of faith that God could give me faith. It was in the embracing of my brokenness that I could identify with others’ brokenness.
13. Comments on the above?
He knew he was broken but was trying to never be broken. I think of the song, “I did it my way” by Frank Sinatra. It seems like the more I know God, the more I struggle with doing things my way. Perhaps it is because my awareness of right and wrong, spirit-filled vs. carnal living, is more pronounced, and more acutely felt. The enemy has doubled his efforts-he is not going down without a fight. I am deeply aware of my propensity to do things my way and I am thankful to God that I am kept safe in Jesus. He needs to be in the foreground.
14. I remember a message we did together from Michael Reeves differentiating good fear and bad fear of the Lord. Bad fear makes you back up from Him, and good fear drives you into His arms. With this in mind, read Psalm 34:1-11.
A. What is the condition of the psalmist here and what does he do? (1-3)
He was afflicted because of his situation and he called to God. David pretended to be insane before Abimelech.
B. How does God respond? (4-7)
God heard his prayers and delivered him from all his fears. “…saved him out of all his troubles; encamps around those who fear him; faces are never covered with shame.”
C. What promises are for those who have a “good” fear of the Lord? (8-10)
Experiencing the goodness of God; not lacking anything I need and that which is good.
15. Tell us about a time when you experienced the presence of God in your brokenness. How did it show you that you were His beloved?
It was during the time I was re-reading the book, “The Return of the Prodigal Son”. I was seeing the older brother in me, and several past experiences crossed my mind. How I grieved God and others by my imposter, judgmental part of myself. Because of that, some relationships have been strained and I repented and asked God to forgive me. In the quiet of that night, I sensed His assurance of His love for me. God is also helping me as I am working on these relationships. (As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18)
Since then, I am more keenly aware of the older brother in me. At times, I resist heeding God’s invitation to come in and join the “party”. But God is ever so gentle reminding me of the joy that I have had when I heeded Him and the joy that awaits me when I do.
14. I remember a message we did together from Michael Reeves differentiating good fear and bad fear of the Lord. Bad fear makes you back up from Him, and good fear drives you into His arms. With this in mind, read Psalm 34:1-11.
A. What is the condition of the psalmist here and what does he do? (1-3) He was in trouble. He changed his behavior and cried out to the Lord.
B. How does God respond? (4-7) Delivered him from his fears and saved him from his troubles.
C. What promises are for those who have a “good” fear of the Lord? (8-10) He will be our refuge, our provider, our deliverer.
15. Tell us about a time when you experienced the presence of God in your brokenness. How did it show you that you were His beloved? Usually when I am at my lowest there will be a series of “coincidences” such as the sermon topic on a radio program, my pastor’s sermon, things on this blog, etc. that deal directly with what I’m going through. Then I know that it is God showing me that He loves me and cares about what I’m going though.
16. We will eventually have to part from everyone dear to us on earth, but God will never leave us. Find the promises in the following:
A. Isaiah 43:1
I will ransom you. Do not be afraid. You are mine.
B. Isaiah 43:4
You are honored. I have traded others’ lives for yours.
C. Isaiah 54:10
My faithful love will be with you. My covenant blessing will never be broken.
17. This, from Manning: “Do you honestly believe God likes you, not just loves you because theologically God has to love you? …Could you say, “My Abba is very fond of me?”
I do believe He loves me. I do believe my Abba is very fond of me. Thank You Lord. I am so undeserving.
Bev: It is so hard to see our parents suffer. Our confidence in the wisdom and sovereignty of God is what gets us through, but still, so hard. (Not sure why this comment went to the bottom!)
Thank you Dee I have received such encouragement from you and this group at this time. 💕 The Lord has blessed me with this sweet place to share.
Friday: I Will Never Leave You
16. We will eventually have to part from everyone dear to us on earth, but God will never leave us. Find the promises in the following:
A. Isaiah 43:1
—“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
—Just like the nation of Israel who God created and formed and made to be his own people unique from the other nations of the world He has redeemed me personally by the blood of Jesus. And He knows my name and says I belong to Him. I can’t think of anything better than belonging to Him.
B. Isaiah 43:4
—“Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.”
—Again in his view of Israel in the same passage of scripture God expresses his view of them as being precious to him, honored by him and his love for them. As his child I am no different. I too am precious, honored and loved.
I have always been puzzled by the second half of the verse not totally sure of its application.
C. Isaiah 54:10
—“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
—Even the earth may crumble and fall apart but there is nothing more steadfast (rock solid) than the love of God. And when God makes a covenant (promise) it cannot be broken. And by his covenant to us we have peace that cannot be taken away. Everything between me and God is settled by his love and compassion.
Manning closes this chapter with this:
Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.
—Every other identity is illusion.
This is a powerful truth.
17. This, from Manning: “Do you honestly believe God likes you, not just loves you because theologically God has to love you? …Could you say, “My Abba is very fond of me?”
—Yes I do now. He challenged me with that truth a few years ago and settled it with me in my heart. But the beauty is that He has continued to build that truth as a reality into my life. My understanding of the tender love of God has brought a new warmth and security to my life as I have continued to grow in my knowledge of him.
2 Peter 1: 2-3
“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. “
13. Comments on the above? I know God loves me, yet I have to continually remind myself that I am filled with a brokeness that can make it hard for me to accept the love that He wants to give me. When I am able to come to Him in my brokeness, I can breathe, let go of my anxiety and fears, giving each day over to Him. I love these quotes from Manning: “God created us for union with Himself: This is the original purpose of our lives. And God is defined as love(1John 4:16)…being the beloved is our identity, the core of our existence….it is the name by which God knows us and the way He relates to us.”
14. I remember a message we did together from Michael Reeves differentiating good fear and bad fear of the Lord. Bad fear makes you back up from Him, and good fear drives you into His arms. With this in mind, read Psalm 34:1-11.
A. What is the condition of the psalmist here and what does he do? (1-3) David is in despair, yet he Praises the Lord and gives glory to God. It is a praise of humility and dependence of God the Father.
B. How does God respond? (4-7) David is in awe of His God, he trusts God and God delivers him from his fears and troubles. I especially love verse 7 :”The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.”
C. What promises are for those who have a “good” fear of the Lord? (8-10) The Lord blesses those who humbly come to Him in need, those who seek Him and revere Him.
15. Tell us about a time when you experienced the presence of God in your brokenness. How did it show you that you were His beloved? Recently, I was going to respond to a situation in my own way and I knew it was the way of one of my idols, being judgmental. I waited and prayed and our Father gave me a gentle and loving approach, that was His way. I am learning Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that He is God.” I like the NASB term: “cease striving”.
I like that “cease striving!” Did you know when Buddha died he said “Strive unceasingly.” Quite a difference with the gospel!
That is really interesting about Buddha, Dee!!!….I did not know that. Thankful for the Gospel of Jesus!! Thankful for the many former Buddha followers that have found that Jesus is the answer!
Dee, what exhaustion it must be if I followed Buddha! It is a good thing to ask myself whenever I get works oriented. “Am I a Buddha follower (or the like) or a Christ follower?” Thanks be to God, indeed, for Jesus, just as Patti has said!
16. We will eventually have to part from everyone dear to us on earth, but God will never leave us. Find the promises in the following:
A. Isaiah 43:1 The Lord is our Creator and He has redeemed even me; He has called me by name and I am His. I am so grateful to be His.
B. Isaiah 43:4 I am precious in His sight; I am honored and loved by Him. What great personal gifts from our Heavenly Father.
C. Isaiah 54:10 No matter what happens in the world, His lovingkindness will be with me; He has compassion on me. What unconditional love He gives to His children.
Manning closes this chapter with this:
Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.
17. This, from Manning: “Do you honestly believe God likes you, not just loves you because theologically God has to love you? …Could you say, “My Abba is very fond of me?” Because I am His child, I do think my Abba is fond of me. I have moments, when I am not fond of myself, so I need to always remember that I am His child and His is my Abba Father.
Friday: I Will Never Leave You
16. We will eventually have to part from everyone dear to us on earth, but God will never leave us. Find the promises in the following:
A. Isaiah 43:1
God is always with us through the waters and the fires of life because He has called us by name.
B. Isaiah 43:4
We are loved by Him and are precious and honored in His sight. We may not be loved nor honored nor precious in peoples’ eyes, but we are in His! Hallelujah!
C. Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken ad the hills be removed (hyperbole), God’s unfailing love will not be shaken, nor His covenant of peace be removed. Jesus has been “shaken” for us and by His stripes, we have peace with God.
Someday, when the Lord calls me home, He will usher me to the heavens and stay with my loved ones here on earth. I often worry about those I will leave behind. These promises assure me of God’s eternal presence with His beloved, either on their way to His presence or while on earth still.
Manning closes this chapter with this:
Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.
Beloved of God-my true self. What else can I ask for?
17. This, from Manning: “Do you honestly believe God likes you, not just loves you because theologically God has to love you? …Could you say, “My Abba is very fond of me?”
Yes, my Abba is very fond of me. And I base this on truth, not my feelings. For the latter can ebb and flow, but the love of God for me will stand firm. This is true freedom and the greatest gift of all!
I found this delightful book at our local library by Dr. David Snowdon, “Aging with Grace: what the nun study teaches us about leading longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives”. The title piqued my interest not knowing that Dr. Snowdon is a pioneer in the study of Alzheimer’s. Of course, after reading a few pages, I got very excited since I am interested in the subject.
In one of the chapters, I found this heartwarming quote from one of the nuns who shared what her worst fear was and what gave her peace: “Do you know what my worst fear was? That I was going to forget Jesus. I finally realized that I may not remember Him. But he will remember me.”
Isn’t this such a comfort? Even in the worst condition that we may be in, Jesus never forgets us. and not only that but also that He loves us unconditionally. As a nurse, this gave me a new perspective on giving care to my patients whether they have Alzheimer’s or any other diseases. God has not forgotten them.
Saturday:
17. What is your take-a-way and why?
I either have a few words or much to say as my takeaway but I would just want to share a doxology:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
So very Amen!
16. We will eventually have to part from everyone dear to us on earth, but God will never leave us. Find the promises in the following:
A. Isaiah 43:1 He redeemed us and calls us by name.
B. Isaiah 43:4 I am precious, honored and loved by Him.
C. Isaiah 54:10 His steadfast love will never cease. His peace shall not be removed. He has compassion on me.
Manning closes this chapter with this:
Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.
17. This, from Manning: “Do you honestly believe God likes you, not just loves you because theologically God has to love you? …Could you say, “My Abba is very fond of me?” Yes, I think I’m finally getting there.
17. What is your take-a-way and why? God repeatedly tells me in His word that I am loved completely regardless of anything. I have always felt like God loves me and everyone else pretty much as a group not individually. The times that I’ve heard “When God looks at you He sees Jesus.” was comforting, but it also made me feel that God doesn’t see or love ME. And I was still hiding. I wrestle with the selfishness of wanting to be known individually because there is nothing good in me apart from Christ. I’ve done nothing to earn His favor so there is no reason to think that He should even look at me, let alone love me.