Weekend Meditation

This song, composed by David, is beautiful - meditated upon and embraced. As you read though these words, let the Holy Spirit minister to your heart and mind. Do not speed through this Psalm, rather take time to prayerfully contemplate each line and it's relevance to your life.


Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing."

As for the saints who are in the land,
they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those will increase
who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood
or take up their names on my lips.

LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.

I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

~Psalm 16

Wait and See?

Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.~Psalm 85:13

For things to occur, all must be in order. God works all things together...(Rom 8:28) It is so easy to forget that there is a bigger picture to consider when we are eagerly awaiting for God to fulfill His promises.

Looking from one perspective, we may think that everything is ready and in our minds wondering, "Why isn't God moving?"; however, God sees from all perspectives (thankfully) and He coordinates all things for good. This explains so much in certain circumstances...you know, those times when you look back on an event and realized that if a had not of occurred, then b wouldn't have coincided with c for d to happen (or something like that).

I think of 9/11 and all of those workers who were "late" that morning...and lived to tell about it. Also, and of course, the death of Jesus...which led to His resurrection! At the time...in the moment, we cannot possibly conceive how anything good can come of our situation and even when we think that now is the perfect time - nothing happens and we watch the moment go by all the while scratching our heads in disappointment or spouting off profanities in anger (...perhaps).

As I have mentioned previously, I do not believe in coincidence - I do believe that we have very limited perception. I also believe that God works in mysterious ways, that He allows us to make our own choices, and weaves all things together for good...even when we do not see the good...

Many people ask why bad things happen, and the quick, short answer is The Fall and Free Will...With our limited perception of things, we see tragedies and injustices abound. This earthquake that has brought Haiti to the forefront of the world's news is a prime example of this, though a certain individual figures he has all the answers to this tragedy, the rest of us mourn for these people and wonder what good can come of it. 

...I guess we will just have to wait and see...

Word for the Day...

[Jesus said:]

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

 ~Matthew 11:28-29

What is Shaping You?

As I gaze out my window this rainy afternoon, the large Manitoba Maple stares back at me, aged and defiant. The dampness has emphasized the moss growing all along the north side of the tree. There are two gaps in the bark of the main trunk about 6 feet up that are moss free that make for eyes, and where the nose would be, a branch stretches outward and upward like that of an elephant's trunk. Two feet above the "eyes", the single trunk of this huge tree splits into a crown of many smaller trunks that fan out to what would make the canopy of this 100 year old property marker.

~

10 My lover spoke and said to me,
"Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.
11 See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
12 Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me."
~Song of Songs 2

~

Nature, seasons, time...Pictures, words, action...1+1=3

~

Does any of this make sense to you? How we respond to the world around us and how we interpret what we sense shapes our existence. What we read in the Bible, the Living Word, shapes our existence.

What is shaping you these days? Be careful little eyes what you see...be careful little ears what you hear...be careful little mouth what you speak...be careful little heart what you treasure...

Let the goodness and gentleness of the Holy Spirit guide you, let the Truth of His Word nourish you, let the Love of God permeate you so that you will become all that He intended you to be.

Hebrews 4:12

Philippians 4:8

Isaiah 64:8

Luke 10:27

Let Jesus shape you.

I Am Grateful

As I watch the sun rise, I cannot help but think of you.
You occupy my thoughts night and day.
To you, O Holy One, I give thanks.
You are training me in the way I should go, leading my heart, leading my soul.
The deer, the rabbit, the coyote, the red-tailed hawk are a reminder to me of your creativity.
The sunrise, the trees, the snowflakes, the wind...the wind through the trees...
There is no where I can escape, you are there.
To you, O Holy One, I am grateful.

All of You (I Want Your Help continued...)

So, when I consider that God wants "all of me", I am humbled...confused...then terrified...Seriously though, I am humbled to think that God wants anything to do with me whatsoever. Who am I?

Actually, I can answer that one quite succinctly: I am a child of God. That is who I am. My name is MistiPearl. I do this and I do that, but who I am is in Christ Jesus and all that He has done for me.

So, when I engage in a conversation with my God, my Maker, my Saviour, and He says He wants "all of me", I am humbled. The reason I am a little "confused" is because I don't know what more I can give to Him, nothing is jumping out at me at the moment, which leads to the "terrified" emotion. You see, I know that God knows me better than I know myself and if He is calling me to give Him my all and I thought I was pretty much doing that, well...that would mean that He is going to take me further and deeper into knowing more of Him...and more of me. The more of Him part is not so bad. His character is consistent, I know He loves me, I know that the plans He has for me are plans to prosper me and not to harm me, I know God is Good - all the time. It is the going futher and deeper into me that terrifies me because at this point, I know that I fall very short of the Glory of God and facing that is always difficult. That being said, I am willing. Like many, I have come to the point in my walk with God that anything He asks of me I know is for the better and even though I do not always understand His ways, I can trust Him. What God has for us is far better than we could have asked for or imagined! We just have to be willing. Willing to let Him take us though the refining fire to remove the impurities and release us to be all that He intended us to be.

~

Dear God in heaven, WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!

All of you.

I am willing, take all of me, I am yours. Show me Your way.


But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.~Isaiah 43:1

I Want Your Help

Dear God in Heaven, WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!

All of you.

Seriously? What does that mean? Am I to become a "Mother Teresa" or a "Beth Moore" figure?! How practical is that?! I have responsibilities here...hellllloooo!

~

I am sitting here with my coffee having a lively discussion in my head with God, and if you can't tell by what I have written, I am struggling with His request. It is not because I don't want to give Him my all, it is just the fact that I really have no idea what it looks like. And everytime He requests this of me (and...Oh yes, we have been over this concept many times in the past year or so), I still struggle with it.

Now, since I seem to hitting a major hurdle in trying to truly understand what "All of you" really means, I thought I would throw it out there to you.

What do you think it means - What does "All of you" look like to you?

Can You Hear Me?

My precious one, my heart's desire, I have not left you.
I call out your name, do you hear me so far...away.
Gentle as the sun dawns upon the dew laden grass, the warmth of your presence refreshes my senses that have been numbed by the dark.
Looking to the west, standing facing south, the wind gathers strength and soars...Can you hear me?

Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him.

Can you hear me?

His Love Endures Forever

Take time to read and ponder these words written:

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say: "His love endures forever."
3 Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever."
4 Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."

5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.

14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!
16 The LORD's right hand is lifted high; the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"
17 I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

18 The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.

21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;
23 the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success.
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.
27 The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
~Psalm 118

Make no mistake: His Love Endures Forever!

A Note on Human Trafficking

Well, this has been an interesting day. It is Human Trafficking Awareness Day - A day to get informed about the darkness that few of us engage in personally and that many of us would rather not hear about. Not because we don't care so much as this subject is really disturbing on many levels. The idea of human slavery may evoke images of Africans engaging in forced labour or glamified prostitutes forced to work the streets, but how often do we consider the 7 year old forced to make bricks all day under a hot sun with no reprieve or the 8 year old girl sold for sex 20 times in one night?

Engaging locals to stand up against these injustices is one of the most effective ways to bring human traffiking to a stop. This means that everyone from the authorities and business people to the poor and disenfranchised need to stand and work together. Corruption cannot be allowed to dictate the worth of a human. Each one of us is priceless...In the eyes of God, we were worth the sacrifice of His Son...priceless.

Those of us seemingly detatched from this issue can offer support: finances, prayer, volunteering our time and/or skills where needed, and raising awareness so that others can contribute. (Another way to help is to not invest in pornography - seems like a no-brainer, but I am suggesting it anyway.) Consider that though you may have never been to...say...Cambodia, you don't know anyone from there personally,and you will never go there in the future, you still are affected by the trafficking of Cambodians. Consider the products that you purchase. Were they manufactured in a sweat shop overseas? Or using child labour? How can you find out? Start by Googling any and all phrases that have to do with human slavery or human trafficking. You may be surprised at what you find out. There are so many organizations out there that are doing great work for this cause. (You can go to http://www.mpexploringissues.blogspot.com/ and check the side bar for links to a number of these organizations.)
Otherwise, talk about it with others, get educated, ask questions, and choose to be involved. This is an issue that needs our attention as individuals and as a society...a global community. Your participation will make a difference.

Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.~Isaiah 1:17

Be Prepared...

Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. ~2Timothy 2:14-26


In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ~2Timothy 4:1-3


Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."~1Peter 1:13-16

Eyes On The Prize

Running the race is sometimes very discouraging. Very. Especially when you look around and see others sprinting along focused and with seemingly little resistance.

 Eyes on the prize...Eyes on the prize..(Trip)....#@!...(refocus)...Go-go-go...Eyes on the prize...
What is the prize again? Is it really worth putting myself through this painful, humbling, frustrating, lonely existence?!
Eyes on the prize...Eyes on the prize...Dear God, please do not leave me in this place! Don't let me fall...Don't let me fall...(CRASH)...Groan...@#*! I don't want to get up! Why should I get up now? 
>
A resolve deep within stirs. The foe is taken aback at the stirring that is steadily gaining strength. With a burst of determination, the foe is cast off and left staring in awe at what was presumed to be a sure defeat. The fragile human dug into their core with prompting from the One whose Word was inscribed on their heart...Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

Eyes on the prize...eyes on the prize...

Books I Am Reading or Re-reading Over the Next 2 Weeks

nothing

"I am miserable in this place. I have no purpose. Without purpose, I am nothing. I cannot see a way out. Every door I try is locked or opens only to be slammed in my face."

He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; he has shrouded my paths in darkness. Job19:8


He has barred my way with blocks of stone; he has made my paths crooked. Lamentations3:9

Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Matthew 16:23

Paint Your Story

The paint has been provided
Create a picture of life
Use what you have
Let your mind soar
Be wild and detailed
Be yourself and no more
Paint your heart's desires
Paint your deep within
You can choose
BIG or small
multicoloured or monotone
Pick up the brush
Don't be afraid
There are no mistakes
I will guide you with grace
Let go of your fears
Create without hate
Let my love flow
and together we'll paint......