It was still dark when I opened my eyes. In the quiet cabin I could hear the rain tapping on the metal roof. For a few moments I just lay there listening.
So quiet and peaceful. It felt like I could stay there for hours. Listening to the rhythmic drum of the rain on the roof.
I've always loved the sound of rain. The feel standing and turning my face to the rain. It's always been refreshing and restoring.
Somehow the rain seems to wash things away. The stress of the day. The frustrations of life. They seem to disappear as I stand in the rain.
After standing in the rain for a while, I head back inside. I'm wet. Leaving a trail of water behind me. But I'm ready to face another day. Ready to move forward.
In the same way as a rainfall refreshes and washes away the dead, a rainfall of God's Spirit working in our lives will refresh us and wash away the dead. Just as after a rainfall new life appears, a rainfall of God's Spirit working in our lives will bring new life.
When was the last time you put yourself in a place to receive a fresh rainfall of God's Spirit in your life?
Is it time for that again?
What areas of your life need refreshing?
What areas of your life have dead things that need to be washed away?
Where do you need new life to spring up?
Ask God for a fresh rainfall of His Spirit in your life to do that. It's so worth it!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Sunday, November 4, 2012
be still
Grabbing a life jacket and a paddle, I headed towards the row of canoes on the beach. The sun was just beginning to peak over the mountains. Mist was rising of the lake.
I put a canoe in the water and climbed in. Cold water splashed as the canoe rocked while I pushed off. Then the canoe steadied and I began to paddle.
Gentle waves rocked the canoe as I paddled to my favourite spot on the lake. Reaching the middle of the lake, I stopped and just sat in the canoe taking in the view around me.
The sun was slowly climbing higher. It's rays beginning to feel warm on my face and arms. The silence is broken by the call of a loon somewhere on the lake. I see a few fish jumping just beyond the canoe.
Something is special about this moment. This time spent enjoying God's creation. What a beautiful world He created.
Then I hear it. It almost feels audible. God speaking to my heart.
"Be still and now that I am God."
I'm really not sure what exactly this means. I know the verse. But I wasn't expecting to hear from God right now.
"Be still. Stop doing. Listen. Look. Experience. Be still."
A few more minutes taking it all in and it's time to head back to shore. Breakfast is starting soon and I don't want to miss it.
As I turn the canoe around, something clicks. Getting out in the canoe and taking it back to shore are both things that are work. But once I'm out on the lake and I just stop and sit, I being still. I'[m enjoying God's creation around me.
I need to do this more often. Stop. Be still. Sometimes it feels like I'm always running to the next thing. Life offers little time to be still if I don't make it happen.
It might take work to get there. To get to where we can be still. Work to look after life responsibilities so we can get to that place. But it is work we must do. Those moments to be still and know that He is God are needed.
I feel the bottom of the canoe hit the sandy beach. Climbing out, I drag it back up on the beach. The sun is shining brightly now. The mist is no longer rising from the lake. Looking behind me, I see the water is as smooth as glass. Nothing breaking the perfection of the surface.
"Thank You, God. I needed the reminder today."
Being still is counter-cultural. Being still is more difficult than we think. Being still is vital. We cannot really live without learning this.
Being still refreshes us. Being still renews us. Being still can change us more than one more good church thing will.
In the midst of busy lives we must find time to be still. Times to enjoy all that God has created. Times to let God speak. Times to listen for His still, small voice.
"Be still and know that I am God."
I put a canoe in the water and climbed in. Cold water splashed as the canoe rocked while I pushed off. Then the canoe steadied and I began to paddle.
Gentle waves rocked the canoe as I paddled to my favourite spot on the lake. Reaching the middle of the lake, I stopped and just sat in the canoe taking in the view around me.
The sun was slowly climbing higher. It's rays beginning to feel warm on my face and arms. The silence is broken by the call of a loon somewhere on the lake. I see a few fish jumping just beyond the canoe.
Something is special about this moment. This time spent enjoying God's creation. What a beautiful world He created.
Then I hear it. It almost feels audible. God speaking to my heart.
"Be still and now that I am God."
I'm really not sure what exactly this means. I know the verse. But I wasn't expecting to hear from God right now.
"Be still. Stop doing. Listen. Look. Experience. Be still."
A few more minutes taking it all in and it's time to head back to shore. Breakfast is starting soon and I don't want to miss it.
As I turn the canoe around, something clicks. Getting out in the canoe and taking it back to shore are both things that are work. But once I'm out on the lake and I just stop and sit, I being still. I'[m enjoying God's creation around me.
I need to do this more often. Stop. Be still. Sometimes it feels like I'm always running to the next thing. Life offers little time to be still if I don't make it happen.
It might take work to get there. To get to where we can be still. Work to look after life responsibilities so we can get to that place. But it is work we must do. Those moments to be still and know that He is God are needed.
I feel the bottom of the canoe hit the sandy beach. Climbing out, I drag it back up on the beach. The sun is shining brightly now. The mist is no longer rising from the lake. Looking behind me, I see the water is as smooth as glass. Nothing breaking the perfection of the surface.
"Thank You, God. I needed the reminder today."
Being still is counter-cultural. Being still is more difficult than we think. Being still is vital. We cannot really live without learning this.
Being still refreshes us. Being still renews us. Being still can change us more than one more good church thing will.
In the midst of busy lives we must find time to be still. Times to enjoy all that God has created. Times to let God speak. Times to listen for His still, small voice.
"Be still and know that I am God."
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Lord, have mercy
I heard a song a while ago that caught my attention because one often repeated line of the song is not in English. I liked the song even more when I discovered that the line meant" Lord, have mercy." That's often the cry of my own heart.
I want to share the song with you today. I hope you'll take the time to listen to it and read through the lyrics I've included.
Kyrie Eleison (by Mr Mister)
The sentiment of those words is something I often find myself crying out.
I want to share the song with you today. I hope you'll take the time to listen to it and read through the lyrics I've included.
Kyrie Eleison (by Mr Mister)
The wind blows hard against this mountain side
Across the sea into my soul
It reaches into where I cannot hide
Setting my feet upon the road
My heart is old it holds my memories
My body burns a gem-like flame
Somewhere between the soul and soft machine
Is where I find myself again
Kyrie Eleison
Down the road that I must travel
Kyrie Eleison
Through the darkness of the night
Kyrie Eleison
Where I'm going will you follow
Kyrie Eleison
On a highway in the night
When I was young I thought of growing old
Of what my life would mean to me
Would I have followed down my chosen road
Or only wished what I could be
The sentiment of those words is something I often find myself crying out.
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