The warnings came
in the night
my phone buzzing incessantly
Heavy rainfall
Flash flood imminent
Get to higher ground
the disturbing reality
you are not safe where you are
where you most feel safe
you are not
where it seems these alerts
are just an annoyance
a disturbance
where all seems okay
where i feel that i can and should rest
i need to move from
from the structure
i have taken refuge in for so long
it cannot hold
it is not strong enough
it will not hold
even the ground itself is not going to remain
it will crumble
and be swept away
get to higher ground
get to higher ground
get to higher ground
where is higher ground?
how do I know what is higher?
what is the way there?
how do I move there?
"When my heart is overwhelmed within me,
lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
Psalm 61:2 KJV
You alone
are that rock
that is higher
You alone are that
firm
unmovable
unchanging
unconquerable
rock
When the storms of life
hit my burn scars
and all gives way at once
into a rushing
moving
torrent
of destuction
that nothing human can withstand
move me
to higher ground
to refuge in you alone
When the raw truth
of human inadequacy
and need is revealed
in a moment
When all I know and depend on
is swept away
in a moment
lead me O Lord
to higher ground in you
You are the very highest
You are the most firm
You are our only rock
that can withstand
and endure
it is so uncomfortable
to stand in my need
in the reality of just how great my need is
to have all illusionary
structures and defences
swept away
to be left standing here
so powerless
so vulnerable
to the ravages of human existence
and to the reality
of my deep need of you
Help me to not run from this place
of deep and abiding reality
I am not higher ground
I cannot make higher ground
others can love and care and support
in such beautiful
and loving and amazing ways
but they cannot be that higher ground
either
for myself
or anyone I love
and so desperately
want to be safe
"When my heart is overwhelmed within me,
lead me to the rock that is higher than I."
Psalm 61:2 KJV
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.”...
3
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
Under his wings you will take refuge.
His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.
Psalm 91:1-2, 4
This does not mean I will necessarily be shielded from the ravages and sufferings of human existence
Jesus himself did not refuse the suffering of being human and all that this entails
a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief
I believe it does mean
that God himself
Who He Is
That will not change
That He will be with me in whatever it is I will experience
that even when it comes time for me to die
and let go of everything
a time when truly
no one else can help me at all
that you will be there
that you will take me to Yourself
that you will carry me in your bosom
You will bring me home
to Yourself
"When my heart is overwhelmed within me,
Lead me to the rock, that is higher than I."
Psalm 61;2
Showing posts with label loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label loss. Show all posts
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Jesus is there
"Jesus wept"
People would not even look at him.
He was hated, and we didn’t even notice him.
6 We all have wandered away like sheep.
Each of us has gone his own way.
But the Lord has put on him the punishment
for all the evil we have done.
John 11The Message (MSG)
The Death of Lazarus
11 1-3 A man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. This was the same Mary who massaged the Lord’s feet with aromatic oils and then wiped them with her hair. It was her brother Lazarus who was sick. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Master, the one you love so very much is sick....”
5-7 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, but oddly, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed on where he was for two more days. After the two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”
8 They said, “Rabbi, you can’t do that. The Jews are out to kill you, and you’re going back?”
9-10 Jesus replied, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in daylight doesn’t stumble because there’s plenty of light from the sun. Walking at night, he might very well stumble because he can’t see where he’s going.”
11 He said these things, and then announced, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. I’m going to wake him up.”
12-13 The disciples said, “Master, if he’s gone to sleep, he’ll get a good rest and wake up feeling fine.” Jesus was talking about death, while his disciples thought he was talking about taking a nap.
14-15 Then Jesus became explicit: “Lazarus died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him.”
16 That’s when Thomas, the one called the Twin, said to his companions, “Come along. We might as well die with him.”
17-20 When Jesus finally got there, he found Lazarus already four days dead. Bethany was near Jerusalem, only a couple of miles away, and many of the Jews were visiting Martha and Mary, sympathizing with them over their brother. Martha heard Jesus was coming and went out to meet him. Mary remained in the house.
21-22 Martha said, “Master, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you.”
23 Jesus said, “Your brother will be raised up.”
24 Martha replied, “I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.”
25-26 “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Master. All along I have believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world.”
28 After saying this, she went to her sister Mary and whispered in her ear, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”
29-32 The moment she heard that, she jumped up and ran out to him. Jesus had not yet entered the town but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When her sympathizing Jewish friends saw Mary run off, they followed her, thinking she was on her way to the tomb to weep there. Mary came to where Jesus was waiting and fell at his feet, saying, “Master, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
33-34 When Jesus saw her sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him. He said, “Where did you put him?”
34-35 “Master, come and see,” they said. Now Jesus wept.
36 The Jews said, “Look how deeply he loved him.”
37 Others among them said, “Well, if he loved him so much, why didn’t he do something to keep him from dying? After all, he opened the eyes of a blind man.”
38-39 Then Jesus, the anger again welling up within him, arrived at the tomb. It was a simple cave in the hillside with a slab of stone laid against it. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.”
The sister of the dead man, Martha, said, “Master, by this time there’s a stench. He’s been dead four days!”
40 Jesus looked her in the eye. “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
41-42 Then, to the others, “Go ahead, take away the stone.”
They removed the stone. Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Father, I’m grateful that you have listened to me. I know you always do listen, but on account of this crowd standing here I’ve spoken so that they might believe that you sent me.”
43-44 Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face.
Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.”
45 That was a turnaround for many of the Jews who were with Mary. They saw what Jesus did, and believed in him.
This passage of scripture resonates deeply
Jesus is all powerful and all knowing and all love
He cares deeply for us and feels all our pain
our suffering
our devastation
our grief and loss
but he does not do what we desperately cry out to him to do
He who could have saved
could have prevented this
did not
how to reconcile believing in him
with horrible, senseless, seemingly random suffering and tragedy
that he has the power and control to change
or to prevent
or to prevent
O Lord, I know you are good
you love all
you want to heal, restore, change, transform
thank you, we can come to you with our burning and painful questions
with our anger and devastation
our shattering grief and loss
We are so vulnerable and powerless
But you are near to the broken hearted
to those who are crushed
and devastaed
What you want to give us is belief in you
this seems like nothing when we are in such pain
But you are the one we need the deepest and the most
No one else can come into the deepest soul like you
There is no real comfort or hope apart from you
Help us to not shut you our in our anger and pain
Help us to not blindly run away from you our only true help
Seek us
pour out your spirit on us
help us to come to you and open all of our hearts to you
to let the sealing stone be rolled away
to let the sealing stone be rolled away
Whatever is happening around us
You are inviting us to come to you
to know you in the midst
of even this
"When my heart is overwhelmed within me,
lead me to the rock that is higher than i."
Psalm 61:2
You, Lord are higher than I
You, Lord are that rock
that is higher, stronger, than anything I can know and understand
Bring me to you
even in this
Thank you, you came into the midst of our suffering and humanity
You are the man of sorrows and acquainted with grief
Isaiah 53International Children’s Bible (ICB)
53 Who would have believed what we heard?
Who saw the Lord’s power in this?
2 He grew up like a small plant before the Lord.
He was like a root growing in a dry land.
He had no special beauty or form to make us notice him.
There was nothing in his appearance to make us desire him.
3 He was hated and rejected by people.
He had much pain and suffering.
Who saw the Lord’s power in this?
2 He grew up like a small plant before the Lord.
He was like a root growing in a dry land.
He had no special beauty or form to make us notice him.
There was nothing in his appearance to make us desire him.
3 He was hated and rejected by people.
He had much pain and suffering.
People would not even look at him.
He was hated, and we didn’t even notice him.
4 But he took our suffering on him
and felt our pain for us.
We saw his suffering.
We thought God was punishing him.
5 But he was wounded for the wrong things we did.
He was crushed for the evil things we did.
The punishment, which made us well, was given to him.
And we are healed because of his wounds.
and felt our pain for us.
We saw his suffering.
We thought God was punishing him.
5 But he was wounded for the wrong things we did.
He was crushed for the evil things we did.
The punishment, which made us well, was given to him.
And we are healed because of his wounds.
6 We all have wandered away like sheep.
Each of us has gone his own way.
But the Lord has put on him the punishment
for all the evil we have done.
7 He was beaten down and punished.
But he didn’t say a word.
He was like a lamb being led to be killed.
He was quiet, as a sheep is quiet while its wool is being cut.
He never opened his mouth.
8 Men took him away roughly and unfairly.
He died without children to continue his family.
He was put to death.
He was punished for the sins of my people.
9 He was buried with wicked men.
He died with the rich.
He had done nothing wrong.
He had never lied.
But he didn’t say a word.
He was like a lamb being led to be killed.
He was quiet, as a sheep is quiet while its wool is being cut.
He never opened his mouth.
8 Men took him away roughly and unfairly.
He died without children to continue his family.
He was put to death.
He was punished for the sins of my people.
9 He was buried with wicked men.
He died with the rich.
He had done nothing wrong.
He had never lied.
10 But it was the Lord who decided
to crush him and make him suffer.
So the Lord made his life a penalty offering.
But he will see his descendants and live a long life.
He will complete the things the Lord wants him to do.
11 He will suffer many things in his soul.
But then he will see life and be satisfied.
My good servant will make many people right with God.
He carried away their sins.
12 For this reason I will make him a great man among people.
He will share in all things with those who are strong.
He willingly gave his life.
He was treated like a criminal.
But he carried away the sins of many people.
And he asked forgiveness for those who sinned.
to crush him and make him suffer.
So the Lord made his life a penalty offering.
But he will see his descendants and live a long life.
He will complete the things the Lord wants him to do.
11 He will suffer many things in his soul.
But then he will see life and be satisfied.
My good servant will make many people right with God.
He carried away their sins.
12 For this reason I will make him a great man among people.
He will share in all things with those who are strong.
He willingly gave his life.
He was treated like a criminal.
But he carried away the sins of many people.
And he asked forgiveness for those who sinned.
The High Priest Who Cried Out in Pain
14-16 Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
Hebrews 4:14-16 The Message
Saturday, December 16, 2017
There is a home
In this time of uncertainty
There is a home that can never be burned down
Can never be destroyed by shaking of the earth beneath
No waters wash away
No tornado tear apart
No hurricane crush
There is a home that cannot be broken
Even as relationships strain and tear
There is a home no hate can consume
No neglect or abandonment kill
There is a home
That is secure
There is a home
That I can never lose
none can take from me
Even failure, loss or grief
Jesus is my home
I am secure in his love
I am loved because He is Love
He died to make this relationship possible
Possible for any and all
He is a refuge from any storm
From any devastation
Only Jesus has overcome
Sin and death and any power of evil
I can take refuge in this home
At any time
In any place
In any situation
No matter how dire or desperate
He remains unchanged
Immovable
A refuge for the weary
A shelter for the broken
A welcome for the unloved and rejected
The failing and the selfish
Only He is the hope of the hopeless
The father of the fatherless
The upholder of the widow
He invites all to come to know Him
To be nourished and calmed
To be at peace in Him alone
Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
" A man shall be a hiding place from the wind, as a shelter from the storm, as streams if water in a dry place, and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land."
Isaiah 32:2
Behold I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him and shall dine with him." Revelation 3:20
I will never leave you or forsake you
That we may boldly say, 'the Lord is my helper. I will not fear...."
Hebrews 13
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1
Psalm 91International Children’s Bible (ICB)
Safe in the Lord
91 Those who go to God Most High for safety
will be protected by God All-Powerful.
2 I will say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection.
You are my God, and I trust you.”
3 God will save you from hidden traps
and from deadly diseases.
4 He will protect you like a bird
spreading its wings over its young.
His truth will be like your armor and shield.
5 You will not fear any danger by night
or an arrow during the day.
6 You will not be afraid of diseases that come in the dark
or sickness that strikes at noon.
7 At your side 1,000 people may die,
or even 10,000 right beside you.
But you will not be hurt.
8 You will only watch what happens.
You will see the wicked punished.
9 The Lord is your protection.
You have made God Most High your place of safety.
10 Nothing bad will happen to you.
No disaster will come to your home.
11 He has put his angels in charge of you.
They will watch over you wherever you go.
12 They will catch you with their hands.
And you will not hit your foot on a rock.
13 You will walk on lions and cobras.
You will step on strong lions and snakes.
14 The Lord says, “If someone loves me, I will save him.
I will protect those who know me.
15 They will call to me, and I will answer them.
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue them and honor them.
16 I will give them a long, full life.
They will see how I can save.”
Dear Lord,
Thank you, you alone are that safe place
that refuge
that home of love
I have difficulty reading the Psalm, because at first reading it seems to communicate that you will keep me from all kinds of horrible things that I don't want to happen to me if I trust you.
But I know this to not be the case
Even Christ, your most beloved son, was not spared suffering most cruelly when he came to live in our parameters
There is no suffering that I can say, well God will never bring me through that...
I think what you are teaching me here is that if I trust you,
none of that suffering can break the relationship you want to bring me into
through what Christ willingly suffered
This is the only security YOU
Please help me to cling to you in love and be in you
no matter what is happening around me
that I can be free of fear and dread
I can be released from paralyzing anxiety
I can choose
to focus on who you are
when nothing else makes sense at all
and there is nothing to hope in but
Who You Are
I am yours
Amen
Share / Write / Pray
What am I most afraid of right now?
How is this affecting me?
and my relationship with Jesus Christ?
tell him all about it
What can i do to help myself see you more?
What verse helps me to see you right now?
91 Those who go to God Most High for safety
will be protected by God All-Powerful.
2 I will say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection.
You are my God, and I trust you.”
will be protected by God All-Powerful.
2 I will say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection.
You are my God, and I trust you.”
3 God will save you from hidden traps
and from deadly diseases.
4 He will protect you like a bird
spreading its wings over its young.
His truth will be like your armor and shield.
5 You will not fear any danger by night
or an arrow during the day.
6 You will not be afraid of diseases that come in the dark
or sickness that strikes at noon.
7 At your side 1,000 people may die,
or even 10,000 right beside you.
But you will not be hurt.
8 You will only watch what happens.
You will see the wicked punished.
and from deadly diseases.
4 He will protect you like a bird
spreading its wings over its young.
His truth will be like your armor and shield.
5 You will not fear any danger by night
or an arrow during the day.
6 You will not be afraid of diseases that come in the dark
or sickness that strikes at noon.
7 At your side 1,000 people may die,
or even 10,000 right beside you.
But you will not be hurt.
8 You will only watch what happens.
You will see the wicked punished.
9 The Lord is your protection.
You have made God Most High your place of safety.
10 Nothing bad will happen to you.
No disaster will come to your home.
11 He has put his angels in charge of you.
They will watch over you wherever you go.
12 They will catch you with their hands.
And you will not hit your foot on a rock.
13 You will walk on lions and cobras.
You will step on strong lions and snakes.
You have made God Most High your place of safety.
10 Nothing bad will happen to you.
No disaster will come to your home.
11 He has put his angels in charge of you.
They will watch over you wherever you go.
12 They will catch you with their hands.
And you will not hit your foot on a rock.
13 You will walk on lions and cobras.
You will step on strong lions and snakes.
14 The Lord says, “If someone loves me, I will save him.
I will protect those who know me.
15 They will call to me, and I will answer them.
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue them and honor them.
16 I will give them a long, full life.
They will see how I can save.”
I will protect those who know me.
15 They will call to me, and I will answer them.
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue them and honor them.
16 I will give them a long, full life.
They will see how I can save.”
Dear Lord,
Thank you, you alone are that safe place
that refuge
that home of love
I have difficulty reading the Psalm, because at first reading it seems to communicate that you will keep me from all kinds of horrible things that I don't want to happen to me if I trust you.
But I know this to not be the case
Even Christ, your most beloved son, was not spared suffering most cruelly when he came to live in our parameters
There is no suffering that I can say, well God will never bring me through that...
I think what you are teaching me here is that if I trust you,
none of that suffering can break the relationship you want to bring me into
through what Christ willingly suffered
This is the only security YOU
Please help me to cling to you in love and be in you
no matter what is happening around me
that I can be free of fear and dread
I can be released from paralyzing anxiety
I can choose
to focus on who you are
when nothing else makes sense at all
and there is nothing to hope in but
Who You Are
I am yours
Amen
Share / Write / Pray
What am I most afraid of right now?
How is this affecting me?
and my relationship with Jesus Christ?
tell him all about it
What can i do to help myself see you more?
What verse helps me to see you right now?
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