A Listening Ear

Apparently, blogging hasn't fit very well into my schedule thus far.  It's not that I don't have things to write about, I just seem to be moving forward in other ways.

Since my last post, I had to say goodbye to my beautiful cat of 16 years.  She was a wonderful companion.  I miss her conversations (yes, we talked!) I miss her audible purr; I had only to glance at her eye to eye and speak to her and it would turn on like a light switch.  I miss the warmth of her plump body on my lap.  I miss the feel of her silky coat when I patted her.  However, God's grace has been tangible, and I look for His companionship and comfort more now, because of the loss.

I've also had to mourn the loss of a few hopes and dreams.  Some are as old as 16 years, some as recent as a year.  Some even involve the future.  Things that have been, aren't anymore.  Things that I thought were to be, won't.  Honestly, nothing makes sense to me right now.

Nevertheless, as much as theses losses are real, the reality is, God knows and loves me.  I choose to trust that - despite the losses - I'm gaining.  Even though I feel like I'm dying, He wants to bring forth new life.  Even though I hurt, He is not harming me.  I'm reminded (once again) of God's word that says:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

So I wait.  And I pick up my guitar and I worship Him once again.  And I pray.
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"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you (Jeremiah 29:12)

 Pretty cool, huh?  God listens to me!  It even gets better ...

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.   (1 Samuel 3:10)

The King's Assignment

I love how, when we are seeking God in matters known only to Him, He uses other things to give us a touch of his Shepherd's staff and let us know we're on His path.

Listen in to a great message titled "The King's Assignment", given on 2/14/10 by Pastor Don Littlefield, of Shiloh Community Church in Manchester, NH.  It was a great follow up for me for my first posting yesterday!  FYI, the actual message begins at the 4 minute mark and is approximately 29 minutes.

"The King's Assignment"

Referenced from last week:
Compassion (Splagchnizomai): To ache so much on the inside that you are moved to action.

Scriptures referenced in this message are:

Phillipians 3:12-14 (NIV) [I'm not sure which translation uses "apprehended"]
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:10 (Darby Translation)
For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has before prepared that we should walk in them.

John 1:12-13 (Darby Translation)
but as many as received him, to them gave he [the] right to be children of God, to those that believe on his name; who have been born, not of blood, nor of flesh's will, nor of man's will, but of God

Romans 8:19 (Weymouth Translation)
For all creation, gazing eagerly as if with outstretched neck, is waiting and longing to see the manifestation of the sons of God.

Jumping in . . .

That's right, I'm jumping into the deep end.  Hence, the name of my blog "The Deep End"

Its time to navigate the world of blogging; the connectivity of the world we're in, but not of.  God has blessed me with an innate curiosity to experience all that is around me, and blogging is certainly the vehicle of choice these days, for writing, sharing, teaching, preaching, editorializing, publishing, promoting, etc.  In actuality, it really is simply a vehicle for getting what's in my head - out of my head, in preparation for the things God has placed in my heart to do that must be done while on this short side of eternity.

For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].  Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible)
  
What are those works?  Because of our relationship with Him: loving Him, loving others, walking in our commission and calling, operating in His gifts, etc.  In a nutshell, knowing Him and making Him known.

 
C'mon, jump in!