Chosen

"We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit."
 A.W. Tozer

There is something hidden deep within us, or perhaps it is an emptiness nothing can fill, that causes us to pursue God. It may be that we have chased hard after other things and found them wanting. In desperation we cry out to a God we dimly see.

The miracle, the blessed paradox, is He has been there all along. Without His tender wooing, we would never have begun the search at all. Had He not called us by name, we would be wandering aimlessly looking for some nebulous answer to the emptiness inside.

"Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes."
 Ephesians 1:4

I love the way Tozer puts it:

"The impulse to pursue God originates with God, but the outworking of that impulse is our following hard after Him: and all the time we are pursuing Him we are already in His hand."

By faith we find Him and invite Him in, and then we begin the journey of getting to know Him. We will never fully plumb the depths of all He is this side of heaven. But He invites us to seek and find. You - His chosen child who chose Him.

^" For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will  raise them up."
John 6:44

Blessings,
Linda

31 Days Seeking God - Day 1

The Nester has challenged us to pick a topic and write about it for 31 days. I may be, as is often the case, biting off more than I can chew. I may, as is also often the case, fizzle long before I reach the finish line.

Nevertheless, I am going to try to write, for 31 straight days, about Seeking God. It is something that has resided in my heart for as long as I can remember - this desire to know Him more. I've read the books and chased after things others told me would bring Him close.

In the end I have found it is all so simple and so complex. The more I know Him, the more there is to know. When I think I have attained, I find I have only begun.

This then is a "scratching of the surface" from a seeker who has so very far to go. I will never plumb the depths of the One who holds creation in His hands and sees every heart, but He invites me in - more than willing to reveal Himself.

Perhaps you would like to take the journey with me. It is only a beginning, for this particular journey takes a life-time.

My heart beats quickly as I write these words. I am so small and He is so big. I can only share with you what He has shown me. I welcome your thoughts. I have so much to learn

"I have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love."
 A.W. Tozer

Blessings,
Linda

I will draw heavily from Tozer's life- changing book, " The Pursuit of God" and from the Word.

Be sure to check out some of the other 31 Dayers. There is a wonderful variety of topics.

This is day one. 
 Day two - Chosen 
Day three - Seekers 
Day four - Predestination vs. Free Will
Day five - Simple Obedience
Day six - His Presence 
Day seven - Near to the Heart of God 
Day eight - Totally His
Day nine - Stepping Through the Veil 
Day ten - God Is Near
Day eleven - God Speaking 
Day twelve - The Eyes of Faith 
Days thirteen and fourteen- The Heavens Declare 
Day fifteen - A Right Relationship
Day sixteen - Intentions of the Heart
Day seventeen - Spirit of God....
Day eighteen - Rest 
Day nineteen - Pretense or Peace 
Day twenty - In Your Presence 
Day twenty-one - Prayer of Humility 
Day twenty-two - Looking Back
Day twenty-three - We Will Remember
Day twenty-four - In the Valley
Day twenty-five - With Us 
Day twenty-six - Immanuel 
Day twenty-seven  and twenty- eight - Seek Him 
Day twenty-nine - Through the Valley 
Day thirty - Pursuing Happiness
Day Thirty-One 

Built For the Valley

“We are not built for the mountains and the dawns and the aesthetic affinities, those are for moments of inspiration, that is all. We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we have to prove our mettle.” Oswald Chambers

Several years ago, in the wake of Revival meetings, our church was on a spiritual “high” of sorts.  At choir practice our music minister gave us this gentle warning: “It is at these times we are vulnerable to the enemy’s desire to discourage us. When we come down from the place where everything has a special glow about it and where our spirits soared in the palpable presence of the Lord, we are apt to feel a bit low as we enter once again into the ‘ordinary’ of daily life.”........

Please join me at Laced With Grace today. We'll talk about living in the valley.
Thank you so much.

Blessings,
Linda

"Chasing Silhouettes" Emily's Book

This beautiful young woman is Emily. She is a wife, mother of four boys (two of whom are hers), artist and author of "Chasing Silhouettes: How to Help a Loved One Battling an Eating Disorder," available here. She is also one of the dearest people I know, with a passionate love for her Savior and others.

That love runs through the pages of her book - a book birthed out of the pain of her own suffering - as she reaches out to those with eating disorders.  

The book tells the story of her struggle with an eating disorder that nearly took her life. She has included stories from other people, each coming from different circumstances,  but all with the same terrible struggle.

 Family members and friends tell how living with someone with an eating disorder affects them and offer advice on how to react and what to say. No one escapes the pain. When a loved one suffers, we all suffer.

 Then there is the perspective from medical professionals. It is a comprehensive look at a problem faced by so many families. In a time where outward appearance seems to be everything, and the standard so skewed, it offers hope and sound, practical advice.

Emily has included a prayer at the end of every chapter - moving, heartbreaking words to a God who loves us just the way we are.

While reading it, even though I don't suffer from an eating disorder, I found wisdom for my own life. We all have battles we must fight. It is so encouraging to know there is hope.

For more information please visit www.emilywierenga.com

Blessings,
Linda

Stairs

 The old house cradled three staircases within its century old walls. Two twisted their way from basement to first floor and then on to the second floor. One hid behind the kitchen door - a secret passage to the bedroom with slanted ceiling and lace-covered canopy. The one where rock and roll blared from the radio, teenage feet danced across wooden floors and Ambush perfume scented the air.

The main staircase had its beginning in the foyer. It disappeared from sight around a curve eight stairs up - stairs that received a glorious makeover when my parents restored the old house. The light colored wood gleamed when sunlight peeked through the little window panes on either side of the front door. Colorful stenciled flowers graced the white face of every single step. Steps that echo with the sounds of prom shoes awkwardly clicking on  wood, of white satin wedding shoes softly leaving home, of a little boy who arrived late and brought joy. 

They were also the scene of one of the funniest moments of our childhood. Mom was giving the grand tour to one of her friends. My little sister and I were playing downstairs. Before climbing to the second floor, the thoughtful visitor slipped off her shoes - walking quietly behind Mom in stockinged feet. After leading the way through the bedrooms, Mom graciously stepped aside to let her friend go first. 

She put one stockinged foot on the first stair and slowly descended. All went well until she reached the curve and her feet went out from under her. She landed on her bottom and began bouncing down the steps.

My little sister and I sensed something exciting was afoot when we heard the "OOHH!!  OOHH!!" echoing through the foyer. Mom stood frozen on the top step, hand pressed to her heart. Every time the poor woman's bottom hit a step, Mom would hoot - "OOHH!" - keeping perfect time.

We crouched  in the hallway, laughing so hard we couldn't move or speak.

Fortunately Mom's friend was well padded, and all was well.

I'm linking to Amber's blog. She is an amazing writer and has given us a prompt. This is my humble offering.

Blessings,
Linda

Drummer Boy

I have a friend who has a gift for giving gifts. She has an uncanny ability to find the perfect gift for every person on every occasion. There is no disappointment when her beautifully wrapped packages are opened.  There is simply joy in being known.

We have a grandson who has been given a gift. It would seem it was knit into the fabric of his being long before he drew his first breath. He didn't discover the gift right away. It was hidden somewhere, waiting for the right moment. A wonderful surprise.

He opened it the day someone placed a set of drumsticks in his hands. He was just a little boy, but the gift was evident to those who know about such things. It was the perfect gift - not one to be stuck in the back of a closet or given away to the local thrift store. Everything about it fit.

The years, as years are wont to do, flew by, and the drummer is no longer a little boy. He is teetering on the edge of adulthood - facing decisions that will affect the rest of his life.

We got to spend time with him this past week. His schedule is packed full - school, college entrance exams, worship band, basketball - and those decisions.Of one thing he is certain. He holds the gift close to his heart and then offers it back to the Giver, with gratitude. "I have been given a gift. I want to use it for Him."

We experience great joy when the gift we've given is appreciated. I like to imagine the Giver of gifts laughing with joy as the gift, long treasured, is given with open heart by His children, to be used for His purposes. 

Blessings,
Linda

A Few Days Off

I'm going to take a few days off. I'll see you soon.

Blessings,
Linda