Seasons

I like to think of life in terms of seasons. There is no question I travel through seasons of productivity and seasons of rest. Right now I’m in a season of reflection and also writing. I’ll probably write up here on my blog a bit less this week as I am wrapping up a project. I’ve been reading a lot of biographies and I’m so inspired by some of the women whose lives I’ve been studying. One in particular is Mary C. Crowley, a struggling single mother of two who was left with no income, no job, no formal training. She described Jesus as her best friend and trusted Him to lead and guide her. And so He did. She is a perfect example of how the Lord can take our impossible situations and make something of it. Mary certainly journeyed through many seasons of difficulty as she trusted God with her first job. She studied at Southern Methodist University for a business accounting degree, then became an accountant for a furniture company. One thing led to another and she acted on an idea for a small home accessories company called Home Interiors. Her idea became a multimillion dollar company. She went home to be with her Lord in 1986. But God used her in the lives of so many - she was on the board of directors for the Billy Graham Evangelical Association. I knew about Mary Crowley when I served with the Josh McDowell Ministry in Dallas, TX. But I did not really know her life story until recently. I wish I had known - I probably could have met her. I think we need to remember in our lives that “there is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We need to trust God through the seasons of life, knowing He will carry us every step of the way.
Lord, today I trust You in the seasons of my own life and thank You for your strength, wisdom, and guidance. In Jesus’ name Amen.

When I Feel Distant

I loved Psalm 25 today. I believe these words of David are for the times when I feel distant from God. We all experience seasons of loneliness, affliction, troubled heart, distress, or anguish. David describes these as times when his feet are caught in a snare (Psalm 25:15). But we can never allow feelings to reign supreme or dictate our actions. For we are people who walk by faith in what God says in His Word. How does a person respond by faith when he or she feels a certain distance from God because of the troubles of their heart? David shows us the way. He says, “My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare” (Psalm 25:15). There’s the answer for all of us - keep our eyes fixed on Jesus! And we need to do it “all day long” (Psalm 25:4). With our eyes fixed on the Lord, we look for his ways, his paths, and his truths (Psalm 25:4). And where are God’s ways, paths, and truths found? In the Bible. And so, we need to grab our Bibles, open them, and live there for awhile. The psalms are a great place to start. Another way is to join a Bible study - you might even think of joining A Heart That Dances led by Debbie Harris and just beginning here at Cath’s Community. It’s an On Your Own study so all you have to do is get the book and begin spending time with the Lord. Then, join in the conversation at her Dances Blog here at Cath’s Community.

What will the result be when we draw near to God, fix our eyes on Jesus, and learn His ways, paths, and truths? The result will be a hope that continues throughout the day. And hope is the ability to hold on with patient expectation. Pray the prayer of David, “Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior” (Psalm 25:4). Then you will discover that the LORD is good and upright, he instructs sinners in his ways, he guides the humble in what is right, and teaches them his way (Psalm 25:9). Ultimately you will see that “all the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful” (Psalm 25:10).

What a rich, rich psalm for me today - thank You Lord for your encouragement. Times of refreshing do, indeed, come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19).
Lord, today I pray that You will help me keep my eyes ever on You. Show me your ways, teach me your paths, and guide me in Your truth. You are good and upright, O LORD, and Your ways are loving and faithful. My hope is in You all day long. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Prayer For You

Today as we closed our time together, I prayed a prayer for all of us - I’ve included it below. What a blessing to study with everyone. If you have time, include in the comments what God is teaching you and maybe a favorite name. God bless you.

Elohim, I KNOW you can create something out of nothing, will you create something out of any nothing areas - impossible situations - in my life..
El Elyon, I KNOW you are in control, sovereign, and I give you my circumstances today.
Adonai, I KNOW you are my Lord and Master, I choose to follow you instead of the ways of the world.
El Shaddai, I KNOW you are God Almighty, and I trust that you are sufficient for my deepest needs today.
Yahweh Jireh, I KNOW you are my provider, and will supply everything I need today.
El Roi, I KNOW you are the God who sees, and that I am never alone, and nothing in my life goes unnoticed, for you know it all and see it all.
Yahweh, I KNOW you are the one and only, self-existent, eternal, covenant-keeping God and that you will always love me.
Yahweh Rophe, I KNOW you are my healer and I come to you now with ever area of me that needs healing today.
Yahweh Nissi, I KNOW you are my banner, and the victory in every situation that threatens me today.
Yahweh Mekaddesh, I KNOW you are my sanctifier, making me holy, doing for me what I can never do for myself.
Yahweh Shalom, I KNOW you are my peace, and bring calm in every storm I face in life.
Yahweh Sabaoth, I KNOW you are the LORD of hosts, and bring deliverance as you defeat my enemies.
Yahweh Ro’i, I KNOW you are my shepherd, and intimately care for me even if no one else does.
Abba, Father, I KNOW you are my Father and that I can run to you and rest in the security of your everlasting arms.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Prayer To God

Today, I thought I would encourage everyone with a prayer I wrote after studying the names of God using the book Trusting In The Names Of God - A 30 Day Journey. Every name meant so much to me and drew me deeper into my relationship with the Lord. What a blessing!! So be encouraged and pray today, trusting that He is more than enough for whatever you face in life.

Elohim, I KNOW you can create something out of nothing, will you create something out of any nothing areas - impossible situations - in my life.
El Elyon, I KNOW you are in control, sovereign, and I give you my circumstances today.
Adonai, I KNOW you are my Lord and Master, I choose to follow you instead of the ways of the world.
El Shaddai, I KNOW you are God Almighty, and I trust that you are sufficient for my deepest needs today.
Yahweh Jireh, I KNOW you are my provider, and will supply everything I need today.
El Roi, I KNOW you are the God who sees, and that I am never alone, and nothing in my life goes unnoticed, for you know it all and see it all.
Yahweh, I KNOW you are the one and only, self-existent, eternal, covenant-keeping God and that you will always love me.
Yahweh Rophe, I KNOW you are my healer and I come to you now with ever area of me that needs healing today.
Yahweh Nissi, I KNOW you are my banner, and the victory in every situation that threatens me today.
Yahweh Mekaddesh, I KNOW you are my sanctifier, making me holy, doing for me what I can never do for myself.
Yahweh Shalom, I KNOW you are my peace, and bring calm in every storm I face in life.
Yahweh Sabaoth, I KNOW you are the LORD of hosts, and bring deliverance as you defeat my enemies.
Yahweh Ro’i, I KNOW you are my shepherd, and intimately care for me even if no one else does.
Abba, Father, I KNOW you are my Father and that I can run to you and rest in the security of your everlasting arms.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Dancers take your “places!”

Tie back your hair and dig out those shoes and prepare to “dance” the dance of a lifetime – for there will never again be another time in history that you will be able to dance this dance!  God has orchestrated this specific dance with you – in this company, in this place, and at this time!   

My heart has already been truly blessed as you have shared on the blog – what an exciting way to communicate this summer!  A great big thank you to Catherine for creating Cath’s Community, so that we can meet there and share our hearts with each other!  Visit the blog anytime throughout the week by clicking  http://cathscommunity.com/category/aheartthatdances/ and feel free to make comments below my letter as God works in your heart!  To Him be the glory!

I am praying specifically that God helps us past our “good intentions” and teaches our committed willing hearts how to “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD” during these next 8 weeks!  It is very true that the enemy who has it out for us in this world is not at all pleased that there are 230 women who have signed on to get to know Jesus more intimately through the power of the Holy Spirit residing in them, by setting aside a “time” and a “place” to become more closely acquainted with God Himself!  I am praying against that enemy who would rather we find ourselves too busy and unable to devote time to this challenge each day.  May it be “God who is at work in us, who will help us to want to obey Him, and then help us to do what He wants!” (Phil 2:13)  He wants to “dance” with us EVERY SINGLE DAY of our life!!!

Be intentional to  find that “time” and “place” this week as we begin this journey!  Acts 3:19 says “Times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord.”  May you be refreshed by Him!

Be still and know,

 

Debbie Harris

Quiet Time in Summer 09

@ Shadow Mountain

www.shadowmountain.org

www.cathscommunity.com

Light For Dark Nights

Today I read David’s journal writing in Psalm 13. David knew what it was to experience the dark night of the soul. In the dark nights, you feel forgotten by God. His character is unseen, obscured by the clouds of a difficulty or dilemma. A wrestling occurs with a multitude of thoughts bombarding the mind. The dark night breaks the heart with sorrow. The enemy of your soul seems to be defeating you. This is, my friend, a summary of the dark night and David knew it well - see Psalm 13:1-2. But David also knew what to do in the dark night. First, he cried out to God: “Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death” (Psalm 13:3). And then, he drew near to the names of God, dwelling on God’s character and attributes. Soon God loomed larger on the landscape of his mind and he was able to trust - total reliance under stress and trial. That’s why David said, “But I trust in your unfailing love.” Finally, in the dark night, after you have prayed, and opened the pages of God’s Word to draw near to God in His names (character and attributes), then you can rejoice and sing. David said, “my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:6). Do you see the final result - David has been given light in his dark night. For now he sees God. But it’s a new view of God. He sees the goodness of God. And when you can see God’s goodness in your bitter trial, then you are experiencing God in a new and greater way. For me, even this week, as I read about Yahweh Shalom (the Lord is my peace), Yahweh Sabaoth (the Lord is my deliverer), Yahweh Ro’i (the Lord is my Shepherd), and Abba, Father (the Lord is my Father), my heart was comforted and warmed by God’s care and concern. God is personal and He loves us. So run into His presence dear friend, and you will find light in your dark night. And find comfort in the promise of Psalm 18:28 “For You light my lamp; the LORD my God illumines my darkness.”
Lord, sometimes I feel like David, completely overwhelmed by the dark night of the soul. Thank You that You bring light to my darkness. I rejoice in you with a song in my heart dedicated to You for Your greatness, glory, goodness and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Comfort Of His Names

What a journey we have had into the great and glorious names of God. This week thinking deeply about Yahweh Shalom (He is my peace), Yahweh Sabaoth (He is my deliverer), Yahweh Ro’i (He is my shepherd), and Abba, Father (He is my Father) brought great comfort to my heart. The more I read, the more I sensed a new nearness and love from my Lord. At times in our lives, we can feel as though we are “out in the cold” so to speak, suffering from the weight of a bitter suffering. But drawing near to His names, knowing our Lord as He really is, brings a blessed warmth to our hearts. That is what this week meant to me. As the psalmist has said, “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the LORD GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works” (Psalm 73:28). And then, my hearts desire is reflected in Psalm 84:10 “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

What has meant the most to you in this 30 day journey on the names of God? And did you have a favorite name? Share below in the comments.

When We Don’t Understand God

Today I looked at the life of Gideon in my quiet time. The Israelites were in an oppressive situation because of their own idolatry and disobedience. Finally, they cried out to the Lord (Judges 6:6). God answered by raising up Gideon to be His man for the hour. God met Gideon where he was at. And where was Gideon? In a place of misunderstanding and misinterpreting God. God knew that Gideon thought He had abandoned Gideon and His people. He interpreted the difficulty as abandonment by God. So the first thing God said to Gideon was, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12). I love those words. They show me that God has a view of who He is going to make us in His strength and power. That gives me hope. And then, God encouraged Gideon with the truth that absolutely refuted his thinking - the Lord is with you. Basically He was showing with one statement that Gideon had wrongly interpreted the character of God. Gideon resisted, “If the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” God counteracted Gideon’s suppositions about the circumstance by saying “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” And in that moment, Gideon learned a new name for God, Yahweh Shalom. In Gideon I learn today that when I don’t understand God, I need to look to Him for a new view. And maybe, just maybe, He is wanting to show me something new about Who He is, What He does, and What He says. Gideon learned that God is the God of Shalom, peace. And as I wrote in my book Trusting In The Names Of God: The peace of God is like a mighty river flowing deep in the heart, strengthening men and women of God to do great and mighty things in the name of their Lord.
Lord, today I trust in You as my peace. Forgive me when I wrongly interpret You by looking through the lenses of feelings and circumstances instead of the lens of Your Word. Give me strength today to love and serve You with all my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Never Give Up

Today I read Galatians 6:9 from Daily Light and oh how it encouraged me. Words straight from the Lord to my heart. “In due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” My dad always says, “Cath, don’t give up. Just keep doing what God calls you to do. And He will bring about a great result in His time.” It’s not that I’m going to give up. I am so excited about all that God is doing and I love to write, speak, and lead women. God has given me such exciting assignments and I love every single one. I just love those times when the Lord gives you a verse of encouragement as you’re running on the race track of life, something where it seems He is saying “Keep going! Keep running! Follow Me! I’ll keep you strong and there is a reward at the end!”

Thank You Lord for Your encouraging words today. Thank You for your promise of a time of reaping when we are in the midst of a season of planting and cultivating. I look forward to Your huge harvest and will love the day in heaven when we see all that You have done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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