Saturday 4 February 2006... it has been sooo long!
It is probably fair to say we all go through dark or dry seasons. Mine lasted from 30th November to 25th December. Without going into all the minute detail, just let me assure you that by God's grace I am fine. To be honest I haven't felt so clear minded about the things of God in my life for such a long time. I am grateful to my Lord, Saviour and friend - Jesus. I am grateful that in his discipline of me, his heart is to assure me of his love and continued purpose and direction for this redeemed life. Why, I still don't know other than the inner conviction of ... I am my beloveds and He is mine. What a treasure.
During the 'season' I read two books which I highly recommend - Simply Jesus by Joseph Stowell and A Shiver of Wonder by Derick Bingham - the latter about the life of CS Lewis. While the content of both books was different, they had commonality woven through them. Here is a little taste:
... Are you convinced that even in the darkest of times He is with you, that He has a purpose, and that He will not waste your sorrows?
If you answer yes to these questions, you're on your way to a closer walk with the Son of God. The psalmist tells us that... 'He inhabits the praises of His people' (Psalm 22:3 KJV). Strangely enough, it doesn't say He inhabits our complaints or our self-serving compliments. If your heart is full of complaining or self-pity - or of self-congratulating applause - you won't experience His nearness. Positioning our lives to experience Jesus requires seeing beyond the blessings and burdens of life...to fill our hearts with Him alone. In the process, we learn the sweet skill of boasting on Him, regardless.
He inhabits the praises of His people.
Meet Him there.
(Extract from 'Simply Jesus' written by Joseph Stowell, president of the Moody Bible Instute)
So from just after Christmas a particular piece of scripture has been coming back to me repeatedly - Ephesians 5 from about verse 15
...15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is my desire to be a consumer of God's Word... but in a way which Paul commands... For too long have I started each day with the usual alarm clock - bathroom - breakfast - drive to work - hit the office - routine etc etc etc and continue to hope that the position I have in Christ will see me through... but having read Ephesians I am convinced that God wants us to seek Him daily... to ask for cleansing and filling on a daily basis... not just a regular basis as this ultimately leads to self reliance and onward to omitting God grom His rightful place.
Enough already as its time for bed... will write more later... | 
- I took this one January day inear LA - it was a work related trip, but I remeber thinking how awesome is our God - He who makes the sun rise and go to bed in the evening! Whatever you are all doing when you read this... know you are loved by the same Creator who has this unfathomable ability. Blessings
