Every time I think about sitting down to blog I get a little overwhelmed because I have so much I would LOVE to share and then I just decide to do it later. And the cycle begins and I never actually sit down to blog. This summer makes three years of blogging for me. I started right before Hayden was born to share pictures with my family who live out of state. Well, then I started writing more and made my own blog that I could just write whatever I wanted to and kept the other one for the pictures. But now with Facebook I find it much easier to put up tons of pictures so there is really no need for the picture blog…that is if YOU are on Facebook…ummm cough…Heather!!!
So anyways here’s some seriousness…
At the beginning of the year I wrote about how my “one word” to focus on this year is “Closer.” Pretty much I decided that I never wanted to say “i wish i was as close as I once was to the Lord and to the people that are most important in my life.” From now on I want to be closer every day and to be making the steps to make it happen. But I am learning it is a closeness that I cannot attain on my own but only with the grace that is given to me. Where sin abounds grace abounds even more. And as I find myself drawing closer to the Lord and to those I love, I am finding a grace that is more than I can understand and a love that moves me to go more. A few verses that go along with this…
Isaiah 58…well the whole chapter…you will just have to read it for yourself. But mainly, the people are drawing near to the Lord in their own self-righteousness. And they were delighting in it! My prayer is that I will draw closer to the Heart of God. That I will “pour myself out” (verse 10) as He has done for me.
Psalm 73…whole thing…Unbelieveable!!! last verse…”But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” It is good to be near God. It is good to be near God. It is good to be near God. Can I say that enough? Ever asked yourself “What is good?”…to be near God. Just take one taste of the goodness…it will make you want more.
and James 4:8…i love how the New Living Translation says it…”Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” It sounds kind of conditional at first. That we are making the first move. Let us not be so proud. He is the Inviter. He is the Host.
So I will end with this. I am not sure what I was thinking when I said that I wanted to be “closer” to the Lord. It seems to be a very holy place to be. A place that I am unworthy to be. And as for drawing closer to others… Do I really want all my weaknesses and sins to be known? Is it true that when we disclose the dirt in our hearts that we find more grace and that we become closer. Yes, it is true, with those who have invited us in. And it is so so good.
oh, i love your comments about isaiah 58. i read that with a friend last summer and still meditate on this some times: http://integralmissionasia.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/bethlehem-break-forth-like-the-dawn-by-john-piper/
unbelievable sermon Danielle! thanks for sharing that! i may have to print out to meditate on too!
I love this post and not just cause you called me out by name!
I love reading every post you put up and I too wish you would blog more! I love Psalm 73, It is Good to be near God – man, have I learned that this past year! I don’t ever want to be anywhere else in my relationship with God than close! Thanks for the reminder of How good it is to be close to Him!!
Well, at least I think you were talking about me??
Cause I think that I am the only soul left that is not on FB!