YOU KNIT ME TOGETHER IN MY MOTHER’S WOMB
Two of my daughters are expecting babies this week. Anne, we think, is first. Here she is — 9 months and four days pregnant. She is praying labor happens naturally, but if it doesn’t, she will be induced this Thursday. Beth is due next Monday. I am going to start driving to be near them (Nebraska and Iowa) tomorrow. The psalm we “happen” to be on, certainly is timely for our family, but it is enormously timely for each of us.
This week will conclude A Woman of Worship, but we will be doing some interesting passages until we begin a new study in the fall.
Before we begin the study, I’ve a question for you to ponder:
What are the strengths of an internet study? How could we better use this gift to make this study better? What are the weaknesses? What could be done to overcome the weaknesses?
BIBLE STUDE — TAKE A QUESTION OR TWO A DAY, OR ALL AT ONCE IF YOU PREFER
READ PSALM 139 IN ITS ENTIRETY, ASKING GOD TO GIVE YOU THE BIG PICTURE
1. Contemplate THE WONDER of Psalm 139:1-6
A. List the ways God knows you — find as many as you can.
B. Compare verse 6 with Job 42:3. In what context did Job speak these words?
c. CHALLENGE QUESTION FOR THIS AMAZING GROUP: What link do you see between God’s intimate knowledge of your every move, thought, and word and the suffering He allows in your life?
2. Meditate on Psalm 139:7-12.
A. What mood shift do you see here — and why do you think it happened?
B. Why is God’s omniscience and omnipresence both wonderful and terrible?
C. 
Imagine (since I don’t have the tech savvy to do this) that on the top line you would write “God’s holiness” and on the bottom line “My sinfulness.” As you grow in Christ, God’s holiness will grow greater to you, and you will simultaneously see the depth of your sinfulness more clearly. This is part of what is happening in this psalm, what happened to Job, and what happens to each of us as we contemplate the greatness of God. What dark parts of your heart do you see today that you were not able to see a few years back?
4. 
This is my daughter Beth and her husband Seth. (We wouldn’t have done a picture like this in my generation, but I realize pregnancy is nothing to be ashamed of — it’s beautiful. I think that the change in maternity clothes to revealing instead of hiding is healthy, so, I’m posting this picture of my beautiful pregnant daughter.)
Meditate on Psalm 139:13-18.
A. What causes the Psalmist to be filled with wonder? Be as specific as you can be.
B. In A Woman of Worship, if you have the song, “I was made to praise You,” comment on it.
C. What thoughts does verse 16 bring to you — especially those of you who have lost loved ones?
D. Compare this passage with Ecclesiastes 11:5. What do you see?
E. If you have had the privilege of becoming a mother by biological birth or adoption, what wonder do you remember?
5. Meditate on Psalm 139:19-22. Why do you think the abrupt mood change? Is it logical? Explain.
6. Make Psalm 139:23-34 your own prayer. You may want to write it out here.
7. What do you think would happen in your life if you made the above prayer a regular part of your life when you faced problems, decisions, or the end of the day?
Love to each of you — on to a new exciting adventure next week! Please come!
CATCHING THE WIND OF HIS SPIRIT
Learning how to pray the psalms has changed my prayer life from rowing upstream to catching the wind of His Spirit. We’re going to look at just four verses from Psalm 119 that are filled with power. It was my husband Steve who first discovered this passage. When he found Integrity had set it to music he was thrilled and we knew it had to go into A Woman of Worship. I think it is the most beautiful song on the CD and you can hear the beginning of it by clicking here.
The phrase “Remember the Word to your servant” is the psalmist reminding God of His promises. Charles Spurgeon says that God loves it when His children remind Him of His Word, because it shows they know and trust it. It’s the way a parent feels when his child repeats back to him something that he’s wanted him to believe and understand, but wasn’t sure he did.
For example, when Steve thought he might be dying, he was so concerned about his three youngest children — all daughters. So He reminded God of one of His promises — to be a Father to the fatherless. He asked God to remember this promise. Then Steve also asked, knowing God might have a different way of fulfilling this promise, but still submitting this request: “Would you give each of my daughters a godly husband who has a godly father? And could that father love my daughter should You be calling me home?” In the three years after Steve’s death, each of his daughters married a godly man — and each man was the son of a godly pastor. Steve certainly caught the wind of God’s Spirit.
I am also seeing how often I pray for God’s gifts instead of my character and the character of those I love. But there are so many promises that have to do with our character or with experiencing the presence of God, which is key to everything else: our character, our contentment. There are many promises right within Psalm 119, that if we prayed them, would help us catch the wind of the Spirit. What if we regularly prayed Psalm 119:18 (Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law) or Psalm 119:37-38? (Turn my eyes away from worthless things…)
Wouldn’t you like to catch the wind of His Spirit?
Let’s go sailing together!
1. Write out Psalm 119:49-50 in a version that you particularly like. Why do you like it?
2. Meditate on “Remember your Word to your servant.”
A. Why is the psalmist reminding God of His promises? Has God forgotten? Then, why?
B. Why are God’s promises more powerful than ours?
One commentator from the 1800’s put it like this: “Sue God on His Word, for His Word is His bond.” (That’s a lawsuit
you’ll never win!)
3. Meditate on “Upon which You caused me to hope” List three promises of God that could give you hope — look especially
for promises that would help you with things you tend to be anxious about or with your character.
4. Meditate on “This is my comfort in my affliction, for your Word has given me life.” Take one of the above promises and
explain why it comforts you.
5. Now, take this promise and pray it, making it yours. (I want to caution you that we can’t use these promises to
arm-wrestle God, making Him do what we want, but we can ask Him to fulfil His promise to us. For example, in the story
above, God may have chosen to have our daughters be single, but still have been a Father to them in a different way.) Find a promise to pray back, perhaps one in Psalm 119, and do it here. You can do this throughout the week with various promises.
Write your prayer here:
6. In the song on the CD, they drop down to Psalm 119:147 and sing that. Contemplate that verse as well as Psalm 119:148 and share what you see.
7. Here’s a challenge question: Find examples in Psalm 119 where the psalmist almost seems to be worshiping the word, the law, the precepts. We know we shouldn’t “worship” anything or anyone other than the LORD - so what is going on here?
8. What will you remember from this week?
BLOW UPON MY GARDEN
In the Song of Songs, the Beloved says to her Lover: “Awake north wind, and come south wind! Blow upon my garden that its fragrance may spread abroad.” (Song of Songs 4:16)
Throughout Scripture, including the psalms, we learn how the Lord would have us respond when He brings the north wind (the hard things of life) and also, when He brings the south wind (the sweet things of life). The purpose of our lives is to glorify God, to let His fragrance be spread abroad. That can happen when our heart is right, whatever weather He ordains.
Let’s start with the hard things, finding some insight from Lesson 4 in A Woman of Worship and Psalm 42, and then move to the sweet things, finding insight from Lesson 5, and a few of the many psalms that model and exhort thankfulness.
We’ve gained some new sisters in our last post, for whom I’m so thankful. I’m praying for each of you, that our sharing may be honest and thoughtful, and that together we will help each other be ready for either the north wind or the south wind.
Take a question a day, two if you like, and listen to the songs, if you have them, to help your heart.
NORTH WIND
1. In Psalm 42, the north winds are blowing, and the psalmist keeps asking the same question of himself.
A. What is the repeated question?
B. The psalmist is taking his soul in hand and asking her, “Why are so you upset when you know that your hope should be in God, who can never be shaken?” The psalmist realizes he has displaced his hope in something that can be shaken. List some of the things or people you have placed your hope in that could be shaken.
2. If you have the song from A Woman of Worship on Psalm 42, listen to it. There are two voices — one if the male psalmist, asking his soul “Why are you downcast?” Then there is feminine voice who keeps singing back, “Put your hope in God.” What is your interpretation of these two voices? (If you have other songs based on Psalm 42 you’d like to recommend — please tell us about them and why you like them!)
3. If the North Wind is blowing in your life right now, would you be willing to take your soul in hand and ask her, “Where have you displaced your hope?” If so, what do you learn? (This is our chance to pray for you to put your hope in God.)
4. We’re starting to get to know one another in this blog. Is there someone whom you’ve seen put her hope in God when the North Wind is blowing? What have you seen?
How has His fragrance spread abroad?
SOUTH WIND
5. If you have A Woman of Worship, listen to the song “Give Thanks” and share your thoughts. What other songs of thankfulness can you recommend that stir your heart? How might you better sing them on a daily basis?
6. Read Psalm 78:1-16
A. Summarize verses 1-4 in one sentence.
B. You could call this passage “forget not.” Find some verses that re-iterate this theme. What are we to “not forget?” Why?
C. What verse stands out to you from this passage and why?
7. Let’s practice thankfulness right now for everyday life. List a few simple pleasures that you do not want to forget.
8. I’ve a video of my daughter Anne speaking at her Dad’s funeral about “giving thanks.” http://www.deebrestin.com/about/steve-brestin/
(Scroll down under the About Dee section.) What do you learn?
9. How does practicing thankfulness as a daily habit, when the South Wind is blowing, better prepare you to respond when the North Wind blows?
How might you better incorporate practicing the habit of thankfulness? Specific ideas are welcome!
WHITER THAN SNOW
This is going to be a great week. Paul Tripp’s devotional on Psalm 51 is packed with insightful questions on this famous psalm. I’m going to use just a few to help us begin to dig into this psalm of David’s repentance. I’m so thankful for the hungry souls on this blog. I don’t want superficial Christianity. I want to be surrounded by believers who want to go deeper, who long for transformed lives, and whose excitement is contagious. That’s you! We’ll spend a week here, and we can’t cover it all, but the last question allows you to dig, dig, dig. Set your pace. Pray for your sisters. This could be an extremely transforming week.
This is asking very personal questions — so it is only fair I jump in too, so I will be answering as well this week. This is a study that could be done over and over again in order for us to walk a life of repentance and faith.
Prepare your heart with music based on Psalm 51. I love Dennis Jernigan’s version of Mercy Me. I like the rendition on A Woman of Worship of Psalm 51. You probably have one to suggest and we’d love to hear it or watch it.
Bible Study
The background for this psalm is David’s sin with Bathsheba and Uriah and his repentance after Nathan came and painted a word picture for him. If you aren’t familiar with this, the story is in 2 Samuel 11-12. Read it. Then read all of Psalm 51 prayerfully.
1. We often think our problems are on the outside — a difficult boss, tight finances, or a lack of appreciation. Yet the whole of Scripture, including Psalm 51, shows us our problems are on the inside. If we are convinced we are righteous, that we don’t need cleansing and rescuing, that is our biggest problem. It seems amazing that David was so blind to his sin before Nathan came to him, yet we are the same way. Think about a time when you thought the problem was on the outside, but God opened your eyes to see that your attitude, your sin, and your blindness was the real problem.
2. Think about a problem you are facing right now that you might have thought was on the outside. How might it actually be on the inside?
3. What is our only hope, according to Psalm 51:1? Tim Keller says growth comes from continually walking in repentance and faith on a daily basis. Where, today, is God calling you to walk in repentance and faith? (Let’s pray for one another and share how God has helped us through the week.)
4. Paul Tripp shares about a time when he was on a panel with two Islamic colleagues and a Rabbi. When the subject of what you would say to a family whose loved one committed suicide came up, Tripp said the Gospel shone the brightest. He said, “Suicide doesn’t change the paradigm. …Both the person who has committed suicide and the person who has not, yet has sinned, is dependent on God’s mercy.” Contemplate this: Do you really believe your only hope is in God’s grace? Is your life characterized by thankfulness or complaint?
5. Tim Keller says the distinguishing mark of a Christian is that he is overcome with thankfulness that he is saved. When asked if he is a Christian, he says something like, “Oh — yes — isn’t it wonderful?” Whereas the person who doesn’t really get it becomes indignant, thinking somehow he has earned the right to be called a Christian. Comment.
6. What does Psalm 51:3 teach us about our hearts? Tripp says we are masters at disguise. Anger masquerades as a zeal for truth, gossip as concern, pride as a love for biblical wisdom. We are all too skilled at looking at our own wrong and seeing good. Be still before the Lord praying through Psalm 51:1-3, and Psalm 51:6. Does he give you light in your inner parts?
7. How do you explain verse 4?
8. Take a passage of Psalm 51 and pray through it for yourself. Write your prayer here.
9. There is so much in this psalm, it is hard to do it justice in a week. But contemplate it, chew it, and share your insights here, giving a verse reference, an insight, an application.
YOU HEAR, O LORD, THE DESIRE OF THE AFFLICTED
The Lord sets His face against the proud, but He is for the humble, the outcast, the afflicted. I’ve seen it again and again. This is my just born granddaughter, Sadie. She is a gift of God to my daughter Sally and her husband Phil. She was a much prayed for baby. (Many of you know Sally through her Aslan painting which you can see through this link: http://www.deebrestin.com/products/aslan-posters-prints/ Sally was led to paint Aslan because she wanted to try to get an answer to why a good God allowed so much suffering. He did give her a surprising answer.
Often we don’t know why He allows suffering, and we are called to accept the mystery of suffering, but we do know God is good.
We also know, according to the psalms we will be studying this week, that “He hears the desire of the afflicted; He encourages them, and listens to their cry.” That is the next lovely song on the CD that goes with A Woman of Worship. Sally and Phil cried out to the Lord during their three years of infertility. Sally had resolved that if God never gave her the desire of her heart, she would trust Him. But in this case He said, “Yes.” Sally and Phil are filled with gratitude. Sadie was rushed to intensive care because Sally had an infection and a fever — but all is fine now. She came home Saturday night and Phil celebrated his first Father’s Day with great joy. Sally is overwhelmed with emotion — saying things like, “This is the most amazing experience of my life. I can see how motherhood is going to keep me on my knees. Sadie is going to be my little buddy everywhere I go! I appreciate you so much more Mom — how you love me. I have soooo many emotions of joy, love, gratitude, and —oh!”
Many of you have read The God of All Comfort, or even worked through it on this blog — and you know that God often allows suffering, and we must accept that mystery. But it is important to know that when He allows suffering, it isn’t because He doesn’t care or doesn’t hear. We are going to be meditating on some passages this week that demonstrate that. Let your roots sink deeply into this truth, into the living water that will nourish your parched soul and reassure you of His love.
Take a question or two a day. Meditate. Memorize the song or, if you don’t have it, the verse the song is based on, which is Psalm 10:17. Sink your roots deep into His Word.
1. Use Psalm 9:1-2 as a way to begin your time of worship. List a few of His wonders here. Sing praise to His name, either using the song on the worship CD or another. Worship shapes you — remember — you become like what you give worth to.
2. Meditate on Psalm 9:9-10. Find three truths about the Lord to remember in times of trouble.
3. Psalm 10 is a classic psalm of lament. The following passages show the progression. Describe what you find:
A. What is David’s opening lament in verse 1? What is troubling him according to verses 2-9? Have you ever felt this way?
B. Describe David’s turn in Psalm 10:12-14. What does he remember about God?
C. Meditate on Psalm 10:17-18 and list what you learn about the Lord and your contemplations.
3. How have you seen the truths of Psalms 9 and 10 in your life? How will you apply them to your life right now?
4. Read all of Psalm 34. This psalm is filled with beautiful word pictures. Tap into your right brain as you look at them. If you were to paint them, what might you paint to depict each of the following?
A. Psalm 34:5
B. Psalm 34:6
C. Psalm 34:7
D. Psalm 34:8-10
5. Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-15 when he is addressing believers facing persecution. When others are unkind to us, persecute us, or speak evil against us, how should we respond? How might you apply this to your life?
6. The promise you are memorizing from the song (Psalm 10:17) is repeated in other words in Psalm 34:15 and Psalm 34:17-18. What new insight do these passages give you?
7. It is important to put Scripture in the context of the whole Scripture. Psalm 34 standing alone could lead us to believe the righteous won’t suffer, or at least, will have any suffering removed fairly quickly. Yet the whole of Scripture teaches that God’s rescue might look quite different than we imagine. The disciples surely didn’t expect Jesus to be crucified. My daughter Sally has suffered so much in the last fifteen years of her life — so her rescue wasn’t fast, and there may be more suffering ahead. But I am seeing a character in her that has emerged through the fire. I’d like each of you to reflect on this in your own life.
A. How has suffering in your life resulted in perhaps a “different kind of rescue?”
B. What have you learned? How will this help you when you face suffering the next time?
REVIEW of The God of All Comfort: THE LAMENT
Whether you have been going through The God of All Comfort with us from the beginning or joined us somewhere along the way, there is great value in review. If you have friends in fresh pain, invite them to join in — if not as participants, as readers. We’ll spend a few weeks in review.
Two questions prevail in the midst of suffering. “Why did this happen?” And, “How can I possibly get through this?” For the most part, The God of All Comfort addresses the second. You are in enormous pain. How will you make it?
We began with learning how to lament, as God gives us permission to do. This drawing by Andrew Dunn illustrates the grief we feel, the darkness and birds of prey around us, yet also the promise of rising hope. You can make it through the river of grief, and the lament is the tool God gives you to help you.
The most important thing to remember is that Satan wants you to back up from God, who is your only hope. The lament helps you not to back up.
1. Articulate what you have learned about the value of the lament, either from The God of All Comfort or the psalms themselves.
2. Do you remember the most common metaphor the psalmist uses for how he feels? (If not, you can find it in Psalm 18:4-5; Psalm 42:7 and in many of the hymns we have studied. Our closing hymn, What Wondrous Love, has it as well.) How does the fact that God understands this feeling help you?
3. A lament classically has three parts — the lament, the turn, and the remembrance of God’s character. Give an example from the psalms, or even from your own prayer journal.
4. There are also times when there is no turn, as in Heman’s Cry of Darkness in Psalm 88. How does he close his psalm? What does it mean to you that we can be free to be this honest with God?
5. How did Jesus lament on the cross?
6 Comment on a lamenting song like Blessed Be Thy Name or Come Lift Up Your Sorrows or one we’ve studied.
7. Are you incorporating the lament more into your prayer life? If so, how?
Teach Me Some Melodious Sonnet
The first phrase in “Come Thou Fount” shows us three reasons that there is such tremendous power in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. “Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.” There is the power of:
Music (Melodious)
Poetry (Sonnet)
The Holy Spirit (Flaming tongues)
Here is your assignment, outstanding class, for the next week, for it is long. Take a question or two a day.
1. Learn the first and second verse of “Come Thou Fount.” Listen to Amy or suggest other renditions. Savor the lyrics and share your meditations on them.
2. Look at the power of music: How was music present at creation (Job 38:4-7)? What happened to music at the fall? (Romans 8:19-22) How did music appear again at the birth of Christ? And who will sing when Christ comes back? (Isaiah 55:12-13)
3. I want you to consciously sing more psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs throughout the day. Tell us what you are singing — how it is impacting you.
4. What did you learn in The God of All Comfort about the power of music?
5. Poetry differs from prose in that it is meant to penetrate the heart, to tap into the right brain, and bring the love of God alive. You must read as a lover reads. Meditate on the word pictures in Jeremiah 2:13, which is the scriptural basis for the phrase “Come Thou Fount” Draw it, memorize it, linger over it. Tell us how it penetrates your heart and how to apply it.
6. Meditate on the word pictures in Psalm 91:1-10. How can they comfort you in your pain right now? Read as a lover reads.
7. What did you learn from The God of All Comfort about the power of poetry?
8. Write down some of the phrases from the first two verses of “Come Thou Fount” and meditate on them. Find their scriptural basis if you can. If one leaps out at you, slow down — because those flaming tongues are quickening you — He’s talking to you. What do you see?
CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM THIS WONDERFUL GROUP!
I’m off to Atlanta to speak and covet your prayers.
What thoughts did you have on the movie Blindside?
For those of you who haven’t seen it, it is based on a true story of a devout Christian couple who took in a homeless teen who was failing in school and loved him and were redemptive agents in his life. He went on to great success as a football player, but more importantly, as a caring individual. Sandra Bullock played Leigh Ann Touhy, the mother, and was hesitant to meet her because she said she had only had bad experiences with evangelical Christians. But after meeting Leigh Ann, Bullock is reported to have said in the Vancouver News:
I said to Leigh Anne when I met her, ‘One of my biggest concerns stepping into this is this whole banner thing.’ I told her it scared me because I have had a lot of experiences that haven’t been that great. But she was so honest and forthright. I feel I have finally met someone who practices but doesn’t preach. I now have faith in those who say they represent a faith, whereas before I would say, ‘Do not give me a lecture, because I think I am a pretty good human being. I may not go to church all the time, but I try to do the right thing. You are going to church and sleeping with someone else’s wife, so how are you better than me?’ I finally met someone who walks the walk, and that made me happy.”
Bullock says that the key to her decision to make the film was that the Touhys didn’t get involved in Oher’s life for any benefits that might come to them. She says she felt the film would promote a genuine selflessness. “They didn’t do it because someone was writing an article or a book or making a movie. They did it because their instinct was to give love and to reach out a hand. Everyone questioned their motives, of course, because we don’t trust anyone who does anything nice. That is the sad world we live in. But they kept going, so it makes you feel that you need to step up your game. I felt it was an inspirational story that says we are more capable than we think we are, even though we don’t really live in a world that supports the good that we can do.”
The movie did make me reflect on how living our faith can have such a huge impact on the world.
There were times when I found myself thinking, “This is a secular writer’s perspective of a Christian family, because I have to believe this family was a bit different than portrayed. The stereotype that Christians think you have to be a Republican — that at Thanksgiving dinner they would not be giving thanks — that she would have such callous close friends. But on the other hand — maybe that was all true. I’m sure there are believers of whom that is all true, but it seemed inconsistent with the main story line.
But overall, I thought the film worth seeing this Christmas season — as a family — and one to talk about. It is rare for a secular production team to take on a story about Christians and not completely distort it, so that was so refreshing.
I’d love your thoughts!
Why do so many Christians resist counseling?
We’re continuing Christy’s story from past posts where we’ve been getting your wonderful input. When Christy’s friends realized she had a pattern of unhealthy friendships, one particular friend gave her the name and number of a Christian counselor who had been enormously helpful to her. Then Christy’s friend said, “Call her and make an appointment. I’m going to call you this afternoon to make sure you have done that.”
Christy did — and as you will see, the counselor was used mightily of God in Christy’s deliverance.
Yet so many Christians reject the idea of Christian counseling — and even more so, will not consider medicine, even when told they have a chemical imbalance. Though I doubt they would tell a diabetic to forgo insulin and trust God, that is how they proceed when it comes to severe depression and anxiety, both of which can have a chemical basis. In Christy’s situation, she didn’t need medicine, but she did need counsel — and that counseling absolutely turned the light on for her.
If Christy had resisted going, she would still be stuck. Psalm 32 warns us: “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.”
Why, do you think, Christians resist counseling? Have you been helped so you could encourage others? I have — and I’ll share — but I want to hear from you!
Where can the One whom my soul loves be found?
Richard Wurmbrund, who is well known for his work with Voice of the Martyrs and who suffered torture and imprisonment for his faith in Christ in Romania, has written a devotional on The Song of Songs called The Midnight Bride. He opened my eyes to this next passage. Read it first from the CEV.
My darling, I love you!
Where do you feed your sheep
and let them rest at noon?(S. of S. 1:7)
Wurmbrand writes that Jesus cares for His sheep, especially the lost, broken, and hurting. In fact he leaves the ninety-nine who are safe to seek the lost. He writes: “Jesus has given us an exact address where we can find him. On the day of the last judgment men will hear these words from Him: “I was in prison and you came to Me…”
When we minister to the “least of these” — the lonely, the lost, the imprisoned, the hungry, the elderly, the children, the hurting…we are ministering to Jesus, and we have found the One whom our soul loves.
This is a picture of my beautiful friend Eunice (brunette in brown) who works in women’s jails in Omaha and now, also in after care, in a home helping women get back on their feet after jail. Look at the joy on her face. She has found the One whom her soul loves.
I think it is interesting that many who are participating in this Song of Songs journey have experienced real suffering — I think suffering shakes our world, making us let go of false idols. It also gives us a heart for the Lord, and then, for others who are suffering.
This was new insight for me from Wurmbrand. What do you think about it? Have you experienced “finding Jesus” when you have cared for the “least of these?” Or do you think he’s misapplying this passage?
Your sharing enriches us all.
Tell us how you’ve been kissed recently!
The Song of Songs opens with “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.” We understand what this means on an earthly level — but what does it mean in the eternal relationship we have with our Bridegroom, Jesus?
A kiss from the King, according to Rabbinic tradition, is a “living word of prophecy.” Has a Word from the Lord jumped from the Scriptures and into your heart recently? When that happens, you have been kissed by the King.
Think about the best romantic kisses. It happens when you are yearning for only him, when you are still, when you feel beautiful because you know you are loved, when you are responsive… When you are that open, pure, and passionate in your time with God, you may just get kissed!
Let us know how He is kissing you!
Are You Experiencing Pain in Friendship?
Are you experiencing pain in a friendship?
I would love to have this be a place where we can gently help each other. Recently Remi wrote with a friendship problem I think we have all experienced. Remi has a humble and teachable heart, so when I asked her if I could post her letter, she vulnerably agreed. When we try to help each other, let’s be as gentle as if we were removing a sliver!
Here’s Remi’s letter:
I have a friend who I have been friends with for over 25 years. It’s something when you meet someone, and the Lord “knits your hearts together.” This was the way with my friend. Within my heart, God has placed a love for this friend, which in hard times, and bad times, hasn’t diminished. I know it’s a “gift” from God because it doesn’t go away. The last 5 years or so with my friend has been difficult, and because of circumstances in her life she has withdrawn, which has been painful to me as a friend. I want to withdrawn myself at times, because of my own hurt. But God, has put a love in my heart for this woman, that doesn’t change or diminish. It’s painful, to be sure, because I feel rejected, but then I thought, ya know, I need to get myself out of the way. God, I believe places people in our lives for a reason, and the opposite is true also, we have been placed in others hearts for a reason, who knows but we may be the instruments that God uses to show that other person, unconditional love. (I am not perfect, by any means, and some of the letter you may not understand because of the relationship, but I would like your feedback!) (I also know I am opening myself up for criticism, but your honesty is appreciated.) On that note, I’d like to offer the letter I wrote to my friend:
Dear ,
I don’t understand what is going on with you, how come you never write? And please don’t insult me by saying your “too busy” or “you hate to write.”
It’s funny but I don’t know how to treat you actually.
If you were my sister, I would say - “What’s wrong with you?” “How come you don’t write - what’s going on?”
If you were my mother, I would be deeply wounded, knowing you don’t care enough to write - that I’ve meant so little to you.
As a friend, I’m not sure what type of friend I am. I’m hurt because I thought we were better friends than not. But apparently that is not the case either. That’s hurtful, but I’ll get over it.
But one thing I think I am to you is a sister in Christ. I don’t think things can change that, because it was born of God.
There are many good reasons why I think that God brought you into my life - but the opposite is true also - God knew also that I could be used to bring something into your life. God doesn’t make mistakes, we do.
I want to be found faithful , to carry out the things that God has given me to do, and certainly, God hasn’t made my way hard , painful sometimes, but not hard. It’s getting myself out of the way, that sometimes is difficult.
God has put a love in my heart for you. It doesn’t change or diminish. Alot of time, I wish it would go away because it is painful.
I’m not a stalker, or a stupid person, but I am a gift of God’s love toward you. You can accept it or reject it .
God had a purpose , I am sure of it. He doesn’t make mistakes .
A Sister in Christ Responds:
This is from FTL, who also gave me permission to post her reply. This originally was on the MId-day Forum from Moody Radio.
08-12-2009 06:56 AM ET (US)
Dear Remi,
May I speak to you from the other side? I am one who has withdrawn after nearly 30 years of friendship. Because of where I am, I am guessing there is a cause why your friend has withdrawn–a cause that she hasn’t felt free to tell you for some reason.
Parts of the letter you posted are good. But other parts made me cringe. I would not feel invited to relationship if I received it. I would feel controlled, and ready to run even farther.
I think Dee’s suggestion of reading the Boundaries book is great. As you do so, lay out your heart before God on what He wants to show you about you. If you pursue relationship later, it would be well to ask questions that would draw out your friend. I think what you really want is to hear her heart. Ask questions that will invite her to share it, but not compel her. If she speaks, then listen. It may be hard to hear. It may be distorted, which can wound deeply. But there may also be hard truths you need to hear.
Hugs and prayers!