Rindy's Devotional Tidbits
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The Spiritual Cafe is pleased to share her daily facebook thoughts. It is our hope that her reflections will be a service to you on your spiritual growth journey.
Week 41 Archives
Year 5; Day 282 Every Language
Yesterday I heard something in church that I don't remember hearing before and it moved me and filled me with gratitude. One of our pastors was leading worship and he began by reading a Psalm. I heard and understood every single word. I had no trouble comprehending the meaning or picking out the individual words. Then the same Psalm was read by the pastor's daughter in French. I recognized the cadence and sound as French and actually got one or two words but my comprehension was zero. Then the daughter's friend read the same Psalm in Russian. The words flowed out of him in one long string of interesting gibberish. I had absolutely no sense of individual words or sentences. My ear could not pick up any units that sounded like words. And yet, there they were, all reading the same Psalm, but only the English had meaning for me. The French I could recognize as French but I still didn't understand it. The Russian was incomprehensible...but not to God. He understands every word read in English and French and Russian...and Swahili and Mandarin and Spanish and Norwegian and every other language and dialect spoken on this Earth. When people all over this globe pray, does anyone ever fear that God doesn't speak their language? That He won't understand? What an amazing, awesome, mighty, personal God we serve. Today is Monday. "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb...and they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God,...and to the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9,10)
Yesterday I heard something in church that I don't remember hearing before and it moved me and filled me with gratitude. One of our pastors was leading worship and he began by reading a Psalm. I heard and understood every single word. I had no trouble comprehending the meaning or picking out the individual words. Then the same Psalm was read by the pastor's daughter in French. I recognized the cadence and sound as French and actually got one or two words but my comprehension was zero. Then the daughter's friend read the same Psalm in Russian. The words flowed out of him in one long string of interesting gibberish. I had absolutely no sense of individual words or sentences. My ear could not pick up any units that sounded like words. And yet, there they were, all reading the same Psalm, but only the English had meaning for me. The French I could recognize as French but I still didn't understand it. The Russian was incomprehensible...but not to God. He understands every word read in English and French and Russian...and Swahili and Mandarin and Spanish and Norwegian and every other language and dialect spoken on this Earth. When people all over this globe pray, does anyone ever fear that God doesn't speak their language? That He won't understand? What an amazing, awesome, mighty, personal God we serve. Today is Monday. "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb...and they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God,...and to the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9,10)
Year 5; Day 283 Hello...Hello...
Have you ever needed to get a hold of someone and couldn't? Either their line was busy or they weren't home or you just couldn't get an answer. Or maybe you are the one who gets a call and you are there saying, "Hello, hello," and no one answers. That happened to me last night. I had been asleep for about an hour when the ringing of the phone woke me up...heart pounding, fumbling for the light, putting glasses on to see the talk button. I have gotten a call...or three in the night before. They are rarely good news. I recognized the number but when I said a cautious, "Hello," there was nothing. I was connected but no answer, no response, just an open line. Each unanswered, "Hello," increased the pounding of my heart. I finally hung up. I am pretty sure it was one of those accidental dialings. Speed-dial got pressed in the pocket or purse. I couldn't bring myself to reverse the call. It took a few minutes to calm the heart. To relax. To get back to sleep. This morning my first waking thought was, "Peace of God, cover me, " from Mark Condon's song "Cover Me". I don't believe there was anyone on the other end waiting to speak or waiting to hear me speak. It was an accidental call. I am most grateful that when I call on the Lord, He is there...every time. No dead air. No accidental connections that isn't really a connection at all. Today is Tuesday. "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.". (Isaiah 59:1) Surely not! Thankfully not.
Have you ever needed to get a hold of someone and couldn't? Either their line was busy or they weren't home or you just couldn't get an answer. Or maybe you are the one who gets a call and you are there saying, "Hello, hello," and no one answers. That happened to me last night. I had been asleep for about an hour when the ringing of the phone woke me up...heart pounding, fumbling for the light, putting glasses on to see the talk button. I have gotten a call...or three in the night before. They are rarely good news. I recognized the number but when I said a cautious, "Hello," there was nothing. I was connected but no answer, no response, just an open line. Each unanswered, "Hello," increased the pounding of my heart. I finally hung up. I am pretty sure it was one of those accidental dialings. Speed-dial got pressed in the pocket or purse. I couldn't bring myself to reverse the call. It took a few minutes to calm the heart. To relax. To get back to sleep. This morning my first waking thought was, "Peace of God, cover me, " from Mark Condon's song "Cover Me". I don't believe there was anyone on the other end waiting to speak or waiting to hear me speak. It was an accidental call. I am most grateful that when I call on the Lord, He is there...every time. No dead air. No accidental connections that isn't really a connection at all. Today is Tuesday. "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.". (Isaiah 59:1) Surely not! Thankfully not.
Year 5; Day 284 A Journey of Expectation
I read an article on expectation. I know about Psalm 5:3, "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." I think I expect an answer...someday. And I know enough to not always expect it to be what I pray. But I can't say my waiting is always with an air of anticipation...of looking...of expecting things to unfold. Often for a prayer to be fully answered there are other things that need to take place. Lessons need to be learned. Attitudes need adjusting. Wisdom through experience needs to be acquired. All of these are a part of receiving the full answer. But mostly I just expect an answer...kind of like arriving at the destination without the journey. What if I expected each day to be full of situations, circumstances, and experiences that were stepping stones in the process of answering prayers? What if each disappointment, each trial, each delight were viewed as a process in preparing me for my answered prayers? Abraham waited 25 years for God to fulfill His promise. Were those years for nothing? Or was God molding and instructing and deepening Abraham's faith so when Isaac arrived, Abraham was not only ready for him, but for what was to follow? I am thinking when I pray about and for things, I shouldn't just be expecting an answer...I should also be expecting a process, a change, an unfolding...in me, perhaps in those around me, and perhaps in circumstances and situations. Today is Wednesday. I am thinking the journey to answered prayer is as important as the answer itself.
I read an article on expectation. I know about Psalm 5:3, "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." I think I expect an answer...someday. And I know enough to not always expect it to be what I pray. But I can't say my waiting is always with an air of anticipation...of looking...of expecting things to unfold. Often for a prayer to be fully answered there are other things that need to take place. Lessons need to be learned. Attitudes need adjusting. Wisdom through experience needs to be acquired. All of these are a part of receiving the full answer. But mostly I just expect an answer...kind of like arriving at the destination without the journey. What if I expected each day to be full of situations, circumstances, and experiences that were stepping stones in the process of answering prayers? What if each disappointment, each trial, each delight were viewed as a process in preparing me for my answered prayers? Abraham waited 25 years for God to fulfill His promise. Were those years for nothing? Or was God molding and instructing and deepening Abraham's faith so when Isaac arrived, Abraham was not only ready for him, but for what was to follow? I am thinking when I pray about and for things, I shouldn't just be expecting an answer...I should also be expecting a process, a change, an unfolding...in me, perhaps in those around me, and perhaps in circumstances and situations. Today is Wednesday. I am thinking the journey to answered prayer is as important as the answer itself.
Year 5; Day 285 Expectant Living
I have been thinking about yesterday's post and Psalm 5:3, "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." I have been mulling over that an answer to prayer may not be an isolated event but rather a journey with a series of stepping stones to the answer. And I don't expect that, or look for it, or even recognize the steps along the way. For many years I wanted to teach kindergarten. I wanted to be at the beginning of reading and writing. That area was of particular interest to me. The opportunity never came my way...until my last year of teaching before retiring. I no longer expected that prayer, that desire, to be answered. When I was offered kindergarten I declined. A new grade, new curriculum, new everything my last year...thanks but no thanks. Most of my colleagues agreed with me. The timing just wasn't right. When I went home, I felt the Lord dealing with me. Basically, I sensed Him saying, "Here is the answer to your prayer and you don't want it?!" So I went back and said I would take kindergarten. And I am so glad I did. I had the experience, the mind-set, and the skills. I ended my teaching career with a new adventure, a great class, and wonderful memories. But I almost missed it. Sometimes we get an answer right away. Sometimes we need preparation for the answer. Sometimes we may not recognize the answer when we do get it. Expectation...what a great word. Today is Thursday. I expect the Lord has so much more to teach me!
I have been thinking about yesterday's post and Psalm 5:3, "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." I have been mulling over that an answer to prayer may not be an isolated event but rather a journey with a series of stepping stones to the answer. And I don't expect that, or look for it, or even recognize the steps along the way. For many years I wanted to teach kindergarten. I wanted to be at the beginning of reading and writing. That area was of particular interest to me. The opportunity never came my way...until my last year of teaching before retiring. I no longer expected that prayer, that desire, to be answered. When I was offered kindergarten I declined. A new grade, new curriculum, new everything my last year...thanks but no thanks. Most of my colleagues agreed with me. The timing just wasn't right. When I went home, I felt the Lord dealing with me. Basically, I sensed Him saying, "Here is the answer to your prayer and you don't want it?!" So I went back and said I would take kindergarten. And I am so glad I did. I had the experience, the mind-set, and the skills. I ended my teaching career with a new adventure, a great class, and wonderful memories. But I almost missed it. Sometimes we get an answer right away. Sometimes we need preparation for the answer. Sometimes we may not recognize the answer when we do get it. Expectation...what a great word. Today is Thursday. I expect the Lord has so much more to teach me!
Year 5; Day 286 He Gave Thanks
In the last few years, there has been a general, as well as a personal, emphasis on gratitude and thankfulness. As I work my way through Luke, I read about the Last Supper. Nothing unfamiliar there...and yet the Holy Spirit emphasized, pointed out, reminded me of Jesus' actions at, what must have been, a most difficult time for Him. Christ knew this was the last time He would share a meal with His disciples. He knew His arrest, torture, and crucifixion were just hours away. And yet, there He was, still instructing, still teaching, still setting an example. He instituted the sacrament which, I am sure, they didn't fully grasp its symbolism. "After taking the cup, he gave thanks...And he took bread, gave thanks, and broke it,..." (Luke 22:17,19) He gave thanks for the cup of wine which represented His shed blood and He did the same for the bread which represented His broken body. Who gives thanks for torture and pain and betrayal and death? Who even has thanks on His mind at a time like that? Jesus. He was always looking beyond the now. He saw the resurrection. He saw God's plan fulfilled. He saw reconciliation between God and humanity. He saw what His obedience would accomplish. He saw you. He saw me. And so He did it...with thanksgiving. Today is Friday. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
In the last few years, there has been a general, as well as a personal, emphasis on gratitude and thankfulness. As I work my way through Luke, I read about the Last Supper. Nothing unfamiliar there...and yet the Holy Spirit emphasized, pointed out, reminded me of Jesus' actions at, what must have been, a most difficult time for Him. Christ knew this was the last time He would share a meal with His disciples. He knew His arrest, torture, and crucifixion were just hours away. And yet, there He was, still instructing, still teaching, still setting an example. He instituted the sacrament which, I am sure, they didn't fully grasp its symbolism. "After taking the cup, he gave thanks...And he took bread, gave thanks, and broke it,..." (Luke 22:17,19) He gave thanks for the cup of wine which represented His shed blood and He did the same for the bread which represented His broken body. Who gives thanks for torture and pain and betrayal and death? Who even has thanks on His mind at a time like that? Jesus. He was always looking beyond the now. He saw the resurrection. He saw God's plan fulfilled. He saw reconciliation between God and humanity. He saw what His obedience would accomplish. He saw you. He saw me. And so He did it...with thanksgiving. Today is Friday. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Year 5; Day 287 Do We Give Thanks?
Sometimes people can make you mad...or annoyed...or irritated. Maybe only once in a while or maybe constantly. And maybe you know someone who really isn't nice. Maybe they are cruel or heartless. Maybe they have no concern for others. Maybe they use words to wound and their actions are hurtful. So you try to avoid them, ignore them, and keep them at a distance. In your mind you might even be saying and doing other things to them...things like reducing them to tears, having them beg for mercy, making them grovel at your feet. What we aren't doing is giving thanks for this person. We don't look beyond the behavior to the lostness of their soul, to the emptiness of their life, to their incorrect searching for validation. How can we give thanks for them? They're too mean. Except Jesus did. He told His disciples to take the cup of wine as a symbol of His shed blood. And they were to do the same with the broken bread which symbolized His broken body. As He gave it to them, Jesus gave thanks. Sometimes we don't even give thanks for the good things. But He gave thanks for something that would turn out good but the journey was horrible. No instant rewards. No immediate gratification. No quick rush of pleasure. Yet He gave thanks. Even though there was betrayal and desertion and false accusations. Even though there was mockery and flogging and torture. Even though there was death. He gave thanks. And even though many people would reject what He did, reject the purpose of the cross, reject the gift of reconciliation, He still did it. He still gave thanks. Today is Saturday. "After taking the cup, he gave thanks...And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it..." (Luke 22:17,19) Are we thankful for what He did?
Sometimes people can make you mad...or annoyed...or irritated. Maybe only once in a while or maybe constantly. And maybe you know someone who really isn't nice. Maybe they are cruel or heartless. Maybe they have no concern for others. Maybe they use words to wound and their actions are hurtful. So you try to avoid them, ignore them, and keep them at a distance. In your mind you might even be saying and doing other things to them...things like reducing them to tears, having them beg for mercy, making them grovel at your feet. What we aren't doing is giving thanks for this person. We don't look beyond the behavior to the lostness of their soul, to the emptiness of their life, to their incorrect searching for validation. How can we give thanks for them? They're too mean. Except Jesus did. He told His disciples to take the cup of wine as a symbol of His shed blood. And they were to do the same with the broken bread which symbolized His broken body. As He gave it to them, Jesus gave thanks. Sometimes we don't even give thanks for the good things. But He gave thanks for something that would turn out good but the journey was horrible. No instant rewards. No immediate gratification. No quick rush of pleasure. Yet He gave thanks. Even though there was betrayal and desertion and false accusations. Even though there was mockery and flogging and torture. Even though there was death. He gave thanks. And even though many people would reject what He did, reject the purpose of the cross, reject the gift of reconciliation, He still did it. He still gave thanks. Today is Saturday. "After taking the cup, he gave thanks...And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it..." (Luke 22:17,19) Are we thankful for what He did?
Year 5; Day 288 According to Your Love
When the Lord deals with me, I think of it often as discipline...or correction...or instruction. Maybe I have done something wrong. Maybe I viewed something incorrectly. Or maybe I need an attitude adjustment. And so I feel something within...in my heart, in my mind, in my spirit. I know it isn't me. I can ignore it. I can acknowledge it and do nothing. Or I can take it and apply it. Sometimes I don't want to hear what the Lord has to say. It doesn't suit my mood. I don't want to obey. I like my thoughts better than His...temporarily, anyway. Last night I read Psalm 119:124. "Deal with your servant according to your love..." According to your love. Not according to what I deserve. Not according to a tally sheet. Not according to past performance. Not according to merit. According to His love. A love that remembers we are but dust. A love that gives even when we don't choose to receive. A love that does not keep score...not even secretly. A love that disciplines, corrects, and instructs for our benefit, for our well-being, for our growth. He deals with me...with us...with a love that doesn't rise and fall with circumstances, or the weather, or His mood. He is steadfast...steady...sure. Today is Sunday. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;" (Lamentations 3:22 ESV) How fortunate for us.
When the Lord deals with me, I think of it often as discipline...or correction...or instruction. Maybe I have done something wrong. Maybe I viewed something incorrectly. Or maybe I need an attitude adjustment. And so I feel something within...in my heart, in my mind, in my spirit. I know it isn't me. I can ignore it. I can acknowledge it and do nothing. Or I can take it and apply it. Sometimes I don't want to hear what the Lord has to say. It doesn't suit my mood. I don't want to obey. I like my thoughts better than His...temporarily, anyway. Last night I read Psalm 119:124. "Deal with your servant according to your love..." According to your love. Not according to what I deserve. Not according to a tally sheet. Not according to past performance. Not according to merit. According to His love. A love that remembers we are but dust. A love that gives even when we don't choose to receive. A love that does not keep score...not even secretly. A love that disciplines, corrects, and instructs for our benefit, for our well-being, for our growth. He deals with me...with us...with a love that doesn't rise and fall with circumstances, or the weather, or His mood. He is steadfast...steady...sure. Today is Sunday. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;" (Lamentations 3:22 ESV) How fortunate for us.