Meditation

July 6, I posted this thought on Facebook.

"Meditation has more to do with filling yourself with His thoughts [God’s] than it does emptying yourself of yours."

I know it’s not an original idea, but it sure touched a need out there. For what it's worth, here are some other thoughts on meditation. These thoughts didn’t necessarily originate with me either, but with the exception of the Biblical references I don’t know who to give credit to.

- be still and know that I am God, Ps. 4:4; 46:10
- God spoke in a still small voice, 1 Kings 19:12
- Renew our minds with the word of God, Rom 12:2
- meditate [to chew the cud like a cow] day and night on the Word, Joshua 1:8; Ps 1:2

I meditate, sitting quiet and just being, just being quiet before him. Like Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, I sit listening for Him to speak. My objective is not to empty myself, but to quiet myself. I think there is a difference. I quiet myself and fill myself with God's thoughts. Maybe I read one verse or two and just think on them. Maybe I'm listening to music and thinking about God. Maybe I'm not doing anything but sitting there and enjoying the presence of God that is with me. The neat thing is that as I quiet myself and fill myself with God's thoughts that come from His Word, He fills me with more of Himself. As I let Him fill me and as I obey Him, the undesirable in me is PUSHED out. The more full of God I am, the less full I am of myself.

There is a video teaching titled Be Still and Know that I Am God that deals with meditation and contemplative prayer. It's very good and includes comments and thoughts from Dr. Henry Cloud, Richard Foster, Max Lucado and Beth Moore.

Sheer Delight

"For you have made me a blessing for ever; you have given me joy in the light of your face. For I have faith in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High I will not be moved." Psalm 21:6-7

We are a blessing forever because the fountain of God springs forth from our inner self. This spring continues flowing because we spend extend times in His presence, enjoying the shining light of His face. The presence of God in us confirms His love to us and it gives us confidence in each moment, under all circumstances and during every experience.  

Therefore, even in the middle of crisis and chaos, we remember that God is always good and creative. Just as He provided manna in the desert, just as there were 12 baskets left over after the miracle of the fish and bread, just as He raised Lazarus from the dead, and just as he gave us eternal life making us new creatures, certainly He can fulfill each and every need we have today; and certainly He will continue walking with us in the midst of the moments of crises and chaos in our lives.  

Psalm 21:7 reminds us that our confidence must always be totally place in God; don't focus on situations and feelings, instead remember that Jesus came to give us life in abundance and not death, depression, sadness, sickness or poverty. How can we keep this strong and secure confidence? … basking in His presence, because "in His presence we experience abundant joy and He always give us sheer delight." Psalm 16:11

Walking, Waiting and Knowing

As we walk with God, in the direction he is going, doing what he is doing and feeling what he is feeling; we begin to see as he sees and know as he knows. Jesus said, “follow me and I will make you one who attracts others to my kingdom”. Following Jesus in the days of the disciples was to walk with, eat with and live with Jesus. It was to listen to him, trust him and work with him. The life-style of Jesus became the lifestyle of his disciples. We need to walk with Jesus.

As we spend time with friends, we wait on them. Sometimes wait means sitting while they prepare, work or rest. Sometimes wait means to serve them in their needs. Wait always means grow in patience and trust one with another. Wait should always include expectation, hope, and love. It is not dreary and sad; it is joyfully anticipation of what is to come and happen in our lives. Certainly as we walk with Jesus we will have to wait on him and for him and this process will create a closer relationship of love and service.

Walking with and waiting on friends will help us know them better. As you walk together you talk and share likes and dislikes, dreams and purposes, emotions and feelings. You begin to know the person better. As you wait on a friend through service and unity you develop a bond with them that cannot be broken. Knowing friends through walking together and through serving and waiting on them, braids a three strand cord of faith, hope and love that cannot easily be broken.

Let us become one with Christ in lifestyle, walking with him. Let us become one with Christ in service and patient anticipation as we serve him. Let us know him as he is in the brightness of his glory.

Travel Revelation

Travel as an eight member family in a twelve passenger van with all your "stuff" is a great revelation. Parents serve as counselors and referees, older children are helpers and playmates, younger children are a joy at moments and a challenge at others. Yes, living in such limited space will surely reveal your true character and weaknesses. That is sure! We have only been on the road a few days and have almost 2 months left. The tests and blessings have just begun.

The trip of life presents some of the same challenges as we face change and uncertainty, especially as we deal with our church family. As leaders we serve as counselors and peacemakers. As older “brothers” we help others through crises and walk through life with them. And the younger ones are a joy to watch and a challenge to train.

The key to these challenges is “the LORD is my refuge and my strength in Him will I trust.” Daily intimacy with our Father God and constant time in His presence will help us pass through the tests and difficulties of life.

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Ps 9:10