In my first reading of this book, the focus is on being near to God. Being near to God, and to claim to love God means more than just a deep respect or admiration. It's realizing that God is the Good Shepherd, and he is Our Shepherd. He is so personal and intimate, it's hard to describe our walk with Him in words. The part of this reading that sticks out to me currently is this:
"We can spend much of our lives without that closeness, sometimes desolate and forsaken. But if we know God's nearness, we know that in those moments of alienation nothing is so desirable as his return. What we seek, we find only in our return - he is near once again. Those moments, beyond description, are the great moments of our lives."
I believe what he is talking about is more than just a spiritual high. I think being Near Unto God is much more than the warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you sing your favorite worship song. Too often I fear students in my youth ministry are looking for the next spiritual high. In fact, I know they are. They tell me they are. They've been trained (hopefully not by me, but let's be real, I'm sure I've got some blame to take) to seek the next 'mountain top' experience. But we can't live on the mountain top. We live in the valleys, in the plains, wandering, on a journey. We need to recognize God's hand in our lives even when we may not 'feel' him.
It's my nephews birthday today. He is nine. I'm sure if I ask him later tonight when I see him, how does it feel to be nine, he will probably respond 'not much different'. The fact is that he is nine, despite if he feels nine or not. The fact is that God is ever-present, despite if we feel him or not. And yes, there may be times in our lives when we truly feel the nearness of God in our lives. Those are incredible moments of joy, and I treasure them with all of my heart. But let us learn to be Near Unto God in the valleys as well as the mountaintops; as we're wandering and while we're resting.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Quimby Update
We have an offer. AN OFFER! It's low. INCREDIBLY LOW. But, it's an offer.
We are counter offering.
Praying. Waiting. Hoping.
Please Lord, lift this burden from us!
We are counter offering.
Praying. Waiting. Hoping.
Please Lord, lift this burden from us!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
my title
The title of my blog is : Near Unto Thee
"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." Psalm 73:28
I've recently started reading a devotional with the same name as my blog. As we have been rearranging our house/rooms to make room for our new student, I came across the book. It's one of Marc's that I've never seen or paid attention to before. The book is a collection of meditations written by Abraham Kuyper and I have found it very encouraging so far. I think I'm going to use my blog to write a few thoughts on these meditations as I read them. I'm hoping it will be a way for me to further internalize what I'm reading, and perhaps be a source of encouragement to others as well. I want this blog to truly be a place where I tell of all the Lords deeds and reflect upon what life looks like as I draw near to Him.
"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." Psalm 73:28
I've recently started reading a devotional with the same name as my blog. As we have been rearranging our house/rooms to make room for our new student, I came across the book. It's one of Marc's that I've never seen or paid attention to before. The book is a collection of meditations written by Abraham Kuyper and I have found it very encouraging so far. I think I'm going to use my blog to write a few thoughts on these meditations as I read them. I'm hoping it will be a way for me to further internalize what I'm reading, and perhaps be a source of encouragement to others as well. I want this blog to truly be a place where I tell of all the Lords deeds and reflect upon what life looks like as I draw near to Him.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Blessings Unlimited
So, I'm pretty sure I'm going to begin home sales with Blessings Unlimited. It's fairly risk free, I enjoy their product line and think many others in my life will too. I can do as much or as little as I want, can work around my family's schedule, and it will hopefully cover some of our unexpected expenses this fall (medical bills not covered by my insurance). I'm really looking forward to it, and hope that some of you out in blog world might host a party to help me get started!
I thought that with a name like Blessings Unlimited, I should reflect on what all my blessings are. It's been too long since I've dedicated a post to how Good GOD is. So, this is that post.
* Perhaps the most obvious blessing recently is Marc's new job. We are thrilled with how God has brought together Marc's love for English with our experience of hosting international students.
* Hope is healthy! Despite the concerns we had a few months ago, she is continuing to grow and is healthy from what we can see. She had another follow up appointment, but I expect her to be just fine!
* We don't have to move. While Marc and I do feel restless at times in GR, it would have been a lot of work in a short amount of time if we would have had to move for his job.
* We have parents who are involved in our kids lives. I'm grateful for that.
* I have AMAZING friends. Hearts of Gold surround me in them. I am encouraged, convicted, challenged and humbled by them.
* I have a full house. We leave for the airport to pick up Young in about 30 minutes. Our total will be up to 7 and I couldn't be more excited! Chuck is quiet and does stick to himself a bit, but just wait, we'll draw him out!
* We get new insurance starting today! Whoo Hoo! My insurance at church has changed 3 times in 4 years, and because of our latest & greatest, we have a few thousand dollars worth of medical bills that we have zero money for in the HSA. I'm ready to have better coverage and not to have to worry encountering the same thing in the future.
* We are blessed with an incredible home to live in. I am often in awe of the space we have - indoors and out. And we are blessed with the items in our home (although sometimes the kids toys feel more like a curse).
* We have a playground across the street. And a few blocks away. And a few blocks the other way.
* We are getting to know our neighbors more. I love this. This summer, I have met Chad, Liz, Robert and Cyndi. I've talked to a few others that I don't remember names of . :(
* We have a new road outside the house and a new roof on the house!
* Isaac is going to preschool, and he's really enjoying it! He's got great teachers and we get to walk to school!
* My husband is such a blessing. He is hard working, supportive, loving and caring. It's been an interesting transition to be on similar schedules again, but we are communicating through it all and celebrating our new found time together! It was a blessing to celebrate our 6th anniversary while camping at the Conference Grounds. The focus that week was on marriage, and we had some good conversations based on what the speakers said.
Well, I have to go get Young! :)
I thought that with a name like Blessings Unlimited, I should reflect on what all my blessings are. It's been too long since I've dedicated a post to how Good GOD is. So, this is that post.
* Perhaps the most obvious blessing recently is Marc's new job. We are thrilled with how God has brought together Marc's love for English with our experience of hosting international students.
* Hope is healthy! Despite the concerns we had a few months ago, she is continuing to grow and is healthy from what we can see. She had another follow up appointment, but I expect her to be just fine!
* We don't have to move. While Marc and I do feel restless at times in GR, it would have been a lot of work in a short amount of time if we would have had to move for his job.
* We have parents who are involved in our kids lives. I'm grateful for that.
* I have AMAZING friends. Hearts of Gold surround me in them. I am encouraged, convicted, challenged and humbled by them.
* I have a full house. We leave for the airport to pick up Young in about 30 minutes. Our total will be up to 7 and I couldn't be more excited! Chuck is quiet and does stick to himself a bit, but just wait, we'll draw him out!
* We get new insurance starting today! Whoo Hoo! My insurance at church has changed 3 times in 4 years, and because of our latest & greatest, we have a few thousand dollars worth of medical bills that we have zero money for in the HSA. I'm ready to have better coverage and not to have to worry encountering the same thing in the future.
* We are blessed with an incredible home to live in. I am often in awe of the space we have - indoors and out. And we are blessed with the items in our home (although sometimes the kids toys feel more like a curse).
* We have a playground across the street. And a few blocks away. And a few blocks the other way.
* We are getting to know our neighbors more. I love this. This summer, I have met Chad, Liz, Robert and Cyndi. I've talked to a few others that I don't remember names of . :(
* We have a new road outside the house and a new roof on the house!
* Isaac is going to preschool, and he's really enjoying it! He's got great teachers and we get to walk to school!
* My husband is such a blessing. He is hard working, supportive, loving and caring. It's been an interesting transition to be on similar schedules again, but we are communicating through it all and celebrating our new found time together! It was a blessing to celebrate our 6th anniversary while camping at the Conference Grounds. The focus that week was on marriage, and we had some good conversations based on what the speakers said.
Well, I have to go get Young! :)
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