“May I have this dance?”
June 11, 2009 by Debbie Harris
Filed under A Heart That Dances Blog ~ Debbie Harris
I camped on day 4 this week, and when I finally passed on to the rest of the week, I found myself returning there again. The review pages at the end are great!! Re-reading and meditating on the thing that catches my eye and my heart seems to be the method that helps the lesson to really begin to sink in. I learned that God is the GREAT PURSUER, that He is the GRAND INITIATOR, and that He is the GLORIOUS INVITER of my life! And quite the Romantic too! My conversion and testimony then do not begin with, “I was raised in a Christian home…” or “I became a Christian when…” or even “I repented and turned to God…” No, they begin with “God”! They begin with “God called me to Himself” because my conversion actually began with an invitation! God has invited each of us to Himself and our testimony is a “response” to that invitation! Isaiah 65:1 was absolutely incredible to me. God said, “I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I’, to a nation which did not call on My name.” Before we accepted the offer, He asked for the dance!
I hope you are devouring these pages and finding yourself swept off your feet by the Saviour! I am going to encourage you each week to “fight for your quiet time” because I know what we are up against. Being quiet in our day is possibly one of the most difficult things we accomplish in a day! So I am praying the power of God in each of you, by name this week, to find yourselves daily sitting at the feet of Jesus – remember it is very important to have your “time” and your “place” set aside on purpose – it is a proven fact that it will not just happen to you – you must be intentional! Some of you are getting a late start, but do not be discouraged – it is just a suggested schedule – and that’s one of the greatest things about God – He is not limited by time – He can meet you whenever you begin, anywhere in your 24 hours without prior appointment and anywhere you choose and just as you are! He’s not as concerned about your “schedule” as He is about your “heart”! I do believe once you get going, you won’t be able to let it sit – it is just that good!
You may want to “star” the parts in your book that are “wow!” so that you can share them with others – either in your travels, or with your family, or with all of us on the blog! Sharing is one way, as you repeat what you have learned, to help the truths to become solidified in your heart. It also may be a way of encouraging someone else since this is our only means of interaction in this study. I would love to hear what God is showing you this week – scroll down to comment, and share with us all!
I believe it is obvious how God has orchestrated this “dance” from the very beginning, and I thought you might like to know how large is the dance floor! You are sharing it with women in Washington, New York, Alabama, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, Colorado, Illinois, Virginia, Northern California, Peru, Canada, and Sweden! And how beautiful we must all appear to the Saviour who is eager for our response to know Him, and to love Him – for He knew us and loved us first.
I hope you will take His hand this week, and enjoy the dance! (& then tell us about it!)
Enthralled in the romance of His love,
Debbie Harris
Quiet Time in Summer 09
@ Shadow Mountain
www.shadowmountain.org
www.cathscommunity.com
“The nearness of God is my good…” (Ps 73:28)
In this time in US., this subject and study is sooo needed. Thank you Debbie for your very big heart and Praise God for giving you the very big vision!
I felt His presence all week..The Verse “A very present help in time of trouble…” I found that as I “do” and “pray” and “discover” in my daily activities, that God is one step ahead of me! He seems to be saying, “Yup, got that covered., Yup, got that one covered too.”
I loved the Phrase by tozer on Page 40 of our book. “in making Himself known to us He stays by the familiar pattern of personality.The continuous and unembarrassed interchange of love and thought between God and the soul of the redeemed man is the throbbing heart of New Testament religion.” WOW! So poignant!
Just thought I’d let you know that I’m getting sidetracked - but not the way you would think. I’m not sidetracked from my quiet time, I get sidetracked when lookiing up the verses and end up reading all around to get a good understanding of what God is saying so it looks like I will end up lagging even though I’m reading Hosea this week.
“Glorious sidetrackedness!” Go with it!! Enjoy every morsel along the way — God has something for each of us that isn’t necessarily exactly the same — what an incredible, personal, attentive, loving God who invites us to sit with just Him!!
I must say that this has been an incredible week of peace and comfort. God knows exactly what we need and when we need it. Debbie, thank you for putting this together. I’ve always known, “I am with always, even until the end of the world.” I have found rest in this thought this week. It has taken on a NEW meaning. It has become alive. Can’t wait to start Hosea!
Wow!!!Is God not the best thing that has happen in your life!!! He is alaways teaching me new steps, and sometimes going back over some old ones.His patience with me is incrediable. How greatful and comforting to me that our God never quits his persuit for his people, he never abandons, His love is greater than I can comprehend.
All of the scriptures were so encouraging to me, I rejoice in them all.If I had to sum it up Hosea2:19-20 He is our partner in Love compassion righteousness and justice.
Looking forward to learning new steps,
Tracy Smart
I was excited when my Sister In Law from Palm Desert said that Catherine is head of the Women’s Ministries at her church. When I started reading this book and saw the references to the church near my Sister In Law I had wondered if it was their church and sure enough. What a blessing!!! The first few pages I’ve started and the Bible scriptures are so delightful to hear that God is seeking us and once that one on one with each of us. A great idea from Catherine’s writting is that out of our daily time with the Lord alone is where we as a person stands up to all around and what shines thru from us is from what time we have allowed Him to shine into us…an important thought for me to remember…He truly is our life and strength
A wonderful day with this study- again. I have since invited two other ladies to do the study with me and they are excited. One lady said, “This is JUST what I needed!”
The study I did this morning talked about “be still” in Psalm 46. I am reminded of the verse where Jesus stilled the waves while the disciples were in the boat and the great tempest blew. But Jesus said “be still” (or Be muzzled is the more accurate term). I am going to study today and see if the Hebrew and the Greek have similarities.
Also… ***HElP!!! How do I put a picture in my blog???
Today I read the verses attached to week 1 day 5. I found myself reading further past the suggested verses.
Looking through the verses made me realize that I don’t need to be ashamed for putting my trust in a mighty God. I also realized more and more that He delights in me (Psalm 147:10); He doesn’t punish me what we deserve. (Ezra 9:13)
I also could see that time gets away from me when I am steeped in His Word and I couldn’t really finish the whole lesson! I had to wait and do the reading part tomorrow.
Doing the study int he morning set the tone of my entire day!
Carolyn
I agree with that Carolyn — “doing the study in the morning sets the tone for the entire day!” That is my goal everyday, though it is not achieved every day! But it is so true that it sets the tone!
I’m hearing lots or reports from lots of women! Would love to hear them here on the blog — ladies feel free to share here and click us all together!
Happy quiet timing!
The Descermong Heart: Wel, that explains why I have been having so much trouble(L0l) If you don’t spend enough time and really get His word into your soul, head and heart and spirit then living His word out will be difficult. How then will I beable to receive His discernment of all the obstucles that come at me daily.
This will be my goal for this study that I will look for His discernment, hear and act what He is saying and hopefully avoid alot of mishaps.
God delivers and I know that He will be by my side with this challenge
Praise our Lord for His great LOVE for His children!