Lavish Love

As this year finds it’s end and a new one gets ready to begin I find myself astounded by the lavish love that I’ve seen. Last year at Christmas time I was praying about a theme or word for the coming year. Asking for a theme for a year isn’t something that I am in the habit doing but felt strongly impressed that He had a word for me. Perhaps I am simple but I believe that when you ask you shall receive. He had a word for me that proved to be a theme throughout this year.

Love; it’s simple and overused. But what is love? “Love in its highest form is… giving someone that which eternally satisfies; that is, God Himself.” -John Piper, The Blazing Center  This love has evidenced itself in the things that I’ve read, places I’ve been, the people I’ve met, family I share life with and friends who have become more dear with another year. Love in every aspect of my life has abounded and increased! It’s been a year of lavish love.

This past year’s journey has been full to overflowing with the greatness of His love. I’ve looked back at the moments that I felt I was floundering remembering that I chose to walk in obedience. Have I done this perfectly, by no means! A year later I see these parts of the journey that I questioned were not out of line. They were prescribed by His hand and resulted in some small way for His glory. My love for Him has increased in the last year, of that I am sure. My greatest hope is that my love has drawn others into new depths of His love.

Lavish love undoes me. His graciousness towards me is never ending! My own love is so selfish, though I beg it not to be. It’s often flawed. As my heart sees His love, there is a constant challenge to grow. In the past year, this year of love, my love has been molded. Experiencing His love in new ways has grown, encouraged and tempered my love. I know more now what my love should look like than I did at this time last year. My prayer is that my understanding and grasp of love shall increase every year from here on out. In His presence we are continually changed, His love nurtures that growth. I’ve grown, the marks are there evidencing the fact that love has grown. It’s still imperfect but it’s His. For His pleasure and for the glory of His name. I want to love Him well and in turn to love others well for His sake. Oh, that my love would abound for His glory and my delight! His is the Love that will not let me go!

Small Publicity

“Christmas for the pagans is small publicity for the Christian it is a gigantic secret.”

-G.K. Chesterton

The gigantic secret is that God in flesh was born by humble and miraculous means two thousand years ago in Bethlehem. This babe took on our dusty frame, dealt in love with our humanity, became like us so that we could know the Father. This secret love astounds me. Finding myself continually thinking about this perfect Love that embraces humanity undoes me. He is so gracious and His love perfectly complete! Love has shed light on our path. This light has shone in our hearts giving us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. Where light is darkness cannot dwell.

Our neighborhood lines the sidewalks and curbs with luminaries. They remind me that light fills the darkest void. The sun goes down swiftly and all becomes dark quickly here in the desert. But as soon as the sun begins to rise upon the desert light floods the sky with some of the most stunning colors known by man. Once we are stuck by the radiance of Christ’s glory we can never be the same. (Hebrews 1:3) His life, our Light! “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4 If this Light is the secret of this season, let us not keep Him as such. May we not treat this Christmas with small publicity denying the Light’s radiance. Let Light shine forth! “The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16  The Light has come! May this Christmas be one of power and might not one of small publicity.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Light

“Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers,

to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,

who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves,

but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”

has shone in our hearts to give the light

of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay,

to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”

2 Corinthians 4:3-7

This week has been one of light. Superficially it seems that Christmas has a lot to do with light. Candles, lighted trees, roofs with dazzling lights of all colors shapes and sizes. In our area perhaps even a cactus or two gussied up for the season with a festive string of lights gingerly wrapped around it if the owner is brave (or foolish?)! I love the light and warmth of Christmas. I would gladly leave twinkle lights up in my room the whole year round. There is something about light that draws me in. Light brings with it a sense of hope, peace and direction. Growing up at Christmas time I always had a “Jesus Star” in my bedroom as a girl. Lest I forget what the season was about; Christ who is the Light for men. For those who honor Christmas for Christ’s sake this is a season filled with Light. This light treasured in our jar of clay. Finding myself continually thinking about this verse and the Light that shows us the way, that embraces humanity with perfect love undoes me! This is a poem I wrote last week thinking after I had finished it that I would share it with y’all on Christmas day. I kept coming back to this verse and the poem finding that I could not share anything else with you today. ”But we have this treasure in jars of clay…”

the Jesus star in my room this year

“Dusty Frame”

Fragile, frail, shades of gray

Ours alone the guilty shame

The lost, lonely and the stray

Poor, sickly and lame

Glorious from heaven came

The Babe born on Christmas day

God within this dusty frame

Born for man, for them to pay

Father, Son, Spirit, One in the same

Christ, our Light, to make the way

Seeking those lost, for this He came

He is all our hope and stay

Alive within my dusty frame

Treasure in this jar of clay

Lit within this heart a flame

Hope of the world within Him lay

Salvation abundantly came

For every tribe, tongue and frame

All who are called by His name

What a bright and glorious day

Jaree’ Isa 12/09/09

The Great Season of Hope

It’s the title of a chapter I just read out of The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus by Brennan Manning. The title caught my eye. Only six pages long this chapter made me stop and ponder the greatness of hope in the midst of this season. As I’ve been reading my advent scriptures daily I marveled at how the chapter and those verses collided within the theme of hope and light.

“Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Psalm 43:3-6

Hope resides in us. Vibrantly living in our midst as we look to God and draw on him as our source.  In the chapter “The Great Season of Hope” Brennan Manning says that “Jesus Christmases in us whenever people come home to themselves in our presence, and when they fell a little less hopeful and joyful because we are absent.” Not less hopeful or joyful because of simply being around us, but because of the hope that lives in us. He causes this to be a season filled with hope.

Sitting over Pad Thai, and sipping chai today with my dear friend Crista I was reminded of the hope that lies within. Our hopes spilling out in conversation. “The Hope That Lies In You” is a song by the Glorious Unseen that has spoken to me since it first came out here are the lyrics.

We can hear the sound of all creation sing – a song to heal the earth,

a song to spark a dream.

Where are you optimists?

We need your strength in this.

There’s a stirring in your soul that cannot be controlled.

This is the hope that lies in you.

We can hear the sound of all the earth rejoice;

with angels all around – lifting up their voice.

Where are you hopeful ones?

Have we come undone?

There’s a stirring in your soul that cannot be controlled.

This is the hope that lies in you.

Through all the questioning, you’ve been the hope in me.

Despite uncertainty, you’ve been the only constant thing.

When I’m struggling, you keep on loving me the same.

This is the hope that lies in you.

Come Down – we need your hope to come down.

We need your grace to pour out.

We need your love to shine down.

We need the face of God now.

He is our exceedingly great and glorious hope! In this season my prayer is that you draw ever nearer to Christ and become all the more hopeful!

As This Wednesday Flies By…

As we entered the Christmas season, I find myself desirous to be more mindful of Christ. Wanting to be ever mindful, I find that in a season that is traditionally set apart for Christ we honestly overlook Him. I don’t want to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. January finding that I mindlessly wandered through the month of December. I have determined, I will be mindful of Him. This season is to radiate Jesus’ glory. As He draws the deepest affections of my heart through His care, love and joy my prayer is that my life draws the affections of those around me towards Him. Today has been a very busy day, at moments on the verge of overwhelming, but it’s His tenderness towards me that fills my heart to overflowing. This song has been on my heart and lips today…

You are worthy of affection

You’re the radiance of all of His glory

Let adoration fill this place

You hold everything together

by the Word of Your immovable power

We sing this song of praise

Worthy are you Lord

-Shane & Shane

(Worthy of Affection)

Season of Excessive Favor

Thanksgiving, so many things are associated with this day. Family gathering, the smells of turkey and pumpkin pie, football and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It’s a season of plenty. We turn our eyes to the bounty before us.

 

“The joyous days of the harvest are a special season of excessive favor. It is the glory of autumn that the ripe gifts of providence are then abundantly bestowed; it is the mellow season of realization, whereas all before was but hope and expectation. Great is the joy of the harvest. Happy are the reapers who fill their arms with the liberality of heaven.” – C.H. Spurgeon

 

This quote by Spurgeon caught my attention as I read it a few days ago. Basking in the truth that these eloquent words reveal I’ve been astounded. First it was sudden and almost painful. Then it was a quite gentle revelation. The sudden pain came in the cry of my heart “may You have the fullest joy of Your harvest in my life, Jesus.” The second realization was the slow understanding that I’m caught in between the season of hope and expectation.

 

In the past twenty-plus years I’ve lived out dreams that far surpassed my wildest imaginations and hopes. (Remind you of something? Eph. 3:20-21) Yet as I revel in this season, the harvest, my harvest has not yet come. Finding that I am still looking forward with hope and expectation towards the next harvest. I’ve seen small harvests in my life. But I am toiling, working, praying, like a farmer, that the Lord would provide another fruitful harvest. Not for my sake, but for the glory of His name. “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” -John Piper

 

My heart’s longing is that the harvest in my life is the result of a life that has been lived for the Lord of the Harvest. As I look around me, I find that everything I see causes my heart to delight in the joy of the harvest. His excessive favor overwhelms me. “Happy are the reapers who fill their arms with the liberality of heaven.” There is a bountiful harvest of thanksgiving in my heart. My arms are full of blessings!

 

Grateful for His excessive favor towards me I find my heart rejoicing all the more in this season. I must admit I eagerly await the next season of life, whatever that may be. I’m simply full of hope and God-sized expectations today.

For the Beauty of the Earth

Surrounded by beauty my heart sings. The variety of creation from the desert basin of New Mexico to the sandy beaches of Florida calls my heart to praise. Love shared among family and friends causes my heart to long for Christ more. Gratefulness without someone to offer it to or share it with is worthless. A heart that is grateful cannot know the truest sense of thanksgiving when it’s simply centered on oneself. If I alone could revel in the beauty because of my selfish satisfaction, then it is not beneficial. True gratefulness is recognizing the blessings whether we are in the midst of bountiful times or surrounded by hardships. It is being so moved by blessings that we live a life that is based on something wholly other than ourselves. The beauty of  the earth compels me to live a life of grateful praise to the Lord of all.

 

 

For the Beauty of the Earth

Music: Conrad Kocher; Arr. by W.H. Monk

Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1835–1917

For the beauty of the earth,

for the glory of the skies,

for the love which from our birth,

over and around us lies;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise

 

 

For the beauty of each hour

of the day and of the night ,

hill and vale, and tree and flower,

sun and moon, and stars of light;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise

 

 

For the joy of ear and eye,

for the heart and mind’s delight,

for the mystic harmony,

linking sense to sound and sight;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise

 

 

For the joy of human love,

brother, sister, parent, child

friends on earth and friends above,

for all gentle thoughts and mild;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise

 

 

For Thy church, that evermore

lifteth holy hands above,

offering up on every shore

her pure sacrifice of love;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise

 

 

For Thyself, best Gift Divine,

To the world so freely given,

for that great, great love of Thine,

peace on earth, and joy in heaven

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise.

Bok Tower Gardens

Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.

-Edward W. Bok   1929

(photo by Tiffany Renee’)

Lake Wales, Florida

My dear friend Tiffany and I spent a day wandering around Bok Tower Gardens drinking in the beauty of creation. Our hearts drawn to the Creator more and more as we walked, chatted and simply shared the wonder of what this world reflects. “The whole earth is full of His glory.” -Isaiah 6:3  Edward W. Bok, the founder of this beautiful preserve wanted to leave the world a little more beautiful because of his life. Oh, that my life would leave the world a bit better or more beautiful because it was lived well!

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go…

Harvest time is perhaps my favorite season of the year. Granddaughter of a wheat farmer, something about this time of year is in my blood. Love of the land, love of the harvest. There is a joy which comes with the harvest. As I ponder the reasons that I love this time of year, not simply the baked goods, spiced candles and extra family time. I’m taken back to the simple things. Of working the ground, sowing the seed, watering and watching it grow, then finally the harvest. I long for a good harvest in my life. That the Lord would have the first fruits of my life, my pursuits and my heart’s affections. That my days will not be wasted.

Love: a significant word this year. From family, friends and strangers alike I’ve received an abundance of love this year. Perhaps in the broad scope of things this year has been no different but I’ve stepped back and made a conscious effort to see His love this year around me. His love, within me will not let me go. Everywhere I turn, in the small insignificant things as well as the large and weighty things love has prevailed. I’m astounded at the grasp George Mattheson has on love.  “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go” the hymn he penned “…was the quick­est bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the im­press­ion of hav­ing it dic­tat­ed to me by some in­ward voice ra­ther than of work­ing it out my­self. I am quite sure that the whole work was com­plet­ed in five min­utes, and equal­ly sure that it ne­ver re­ceived at my hands any re­touch­ing or cor­rect­ion.” Love is the overflow of our affections. I’ve found throughout this year that my love is lacking and must increase. Lately I’ve found that perfect Love is my hiding place. It is the place that my weary soul finds a safe-have from the assults of this world. As I “abide in His (Jesus’) love” (John 15:9) I find that my love increases. My heart is richer and fuller as a result. I am “pursuing love.” (1 Corinthians 14:4) Because Love (Jesus) pursues me! Love pursued a blind and heartbroken George Mattheson and inspired this hymn certain of Love.

 

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

George Mattheson, pub.1882

O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

 

It reminds me of Him.

His bounty towards me.

Love that will not let me go…

 

Feburary… Voyage of Discovery!

The real voyage of discovery,

consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.

~Marcel Proust

New Eyes …

The recent voyages of life have included new landscapes as well as new eyes. I would have to agree that simply having new landscape is not enough. After living in this land for over a year I visited another portion that was similar and yet very different. Because I have been living, learning and growing in my ability to see and understand life through different eyes I felt like this trip to another island was extremely beneficial and more beautiful. I guess that we cannot full appreciate culture until there is understanding, respect and love for that culture in our hearts. The past year of my life in this place has made the things that I have come into contact with even more beautiful…Because I have new eyes.

Recent Voyages…

This last month has gone by with the blink of an eye. The way that time flies never ceases to amaze me. I am thankful for the past fourteen months and everything that they have held. February held many special moments. The girls and I were able to go and do some more cultural exploration in this month. This time of cultural exploration was even more meaningful because over the past fourteen months I have been trained, enabled and encouraged to see more of culture as I’ve learned more of the heart of these beautiful Asian people.

We saw more traditional dancing, music, a place as well as lush flora and fauna. The thing that made the trip worth while was the time spent with people. First off it was wonderful to be the four of us girls. These girls who share in life with me are such a blessing! Secondly we met with our supervisors who knew the area well and it was wonderful to understand more of their experience here and how they have come to such a great understanding of culture and people. Lastly meeting up with friends, friends of friend and family of friends was one of the most amazing opportunities! Never would I have imagined that I would have the opportunity to meet these special people. It makes me realize how much this place is home. There are a thousand moments treasured in my heart. One of my favorite moments was in the mountains. One rarely realizes what they miss until they have it once again. The moments that I had in the mountains were prized.

One thing that I have not gone without is tea. Hot tea, cold tea, sweet tea, tea with brown sugar, tea in so many forms! This was one thing that has accompanied my last month. Of course for those of you who know me well this is no surprise! Tea accompanies every month, I enjoy tea. Anytime, any place! Cold tea for about ten cents that come in a plastic bag was perhaps my favorite kind because of the price and packaging. But I’d have to admit stopping for a tea break in the mountains holds some of my favorite memories from our trip. It was so cold, the tea hot and the laughter brought us to tears. Another stop for tea was in rural areas. This cup that was offered was perhaps the most meaningful. This cup of tea on a rainy day offered out of love and hospitality was so meaningful. The significant company that this time was shared with the girls that I have shared the past year with, friends old and new made this cup of tea memorable.

Coming Adventures….

Once again I am looking forward with great expectations. On March 15^th I will be going on my 3 week survey trip in Central Asia with my teammate Amy. I am really excited to step in to another culture after living overseas for over a year. In this past year I know that my eyes have been opened to see more of life and I am greatly anticipating the time that I will have with Amy to see new things and discover new wonders in other cultures!