"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

9.20.2010

Abiding Monday



Yesterday I began to go through again (since I did not finish it) a book I have had for years.  Even if I had finished it, it is one of those books that is good to read again and again.  What's the title you ask?? :)  Well I am going to tell you even if you do not ask.  But first I want say that our church is doing a series titles "Yoked".  Yesterday's guest pastor spoke on Silence. He read Matthew 11:27-30 in The Message.


Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of the Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."


"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."  


Here is what jumps out at me:

intimacies
ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen
get away with me and you will recover your life
learn the unforced rhythms of grace
I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you
you'll learn to live freely and lightly

Oh do these precious grace filled words call to me, Jesus calls to me.

Before the sermon I had the opportunity to share with my church family how I use visual journaling in my journey with God.  How it has helped me listen.  What a joy to share something that has made such a big impact on my life.

Okay, so back to the book I mentioned.  Spiritual Classics - selected readings on twelve spiritual disciplines edited by Richard Foster and Emile Griffin.

The introduction says,


"The transformation in us is God's work.  It is a work of grace.  That deeply transformative grace comes to us not through our own doing but as pure gift. 


And yet something is demanded from us:  the free gift of ourselves, our submission, our willingness to change, our assent to God's grace.  In the end our yes is what's required.  In our words and in our own way, we need to say, "Speak Lord, your servant is listening."  We need to say, "Be it done to me according to your will."


One more thing to remember:  spiritual formation is ongoing.  We need not be impatient; we need take no measurements. As we build a history with God, others may notice from time to time the good ways that God is working with us.  The effects of such spiritual formation will be observed, not in terms of abrupt changes, but as a continuous flow." 

Yes, speak Lord, your servant is listening.

Blessings!

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you, Mary for abiding in Him and being obedient to share this....like a good mAssage to my soul a wonderful reminder of His grace and unconditional love. How wonderful the fruit when we are able to let go. I pray that all people could come to understand this, to experience His spirit.

What stands out to me?
Religion vs Relationship. I am grateful for my Father-Daughter relationship.

Anonymous said...

In the end our "yes" what is required...
I am asking God to help me say "yes" to Him and not worry about what others think. :)

Looks like a good book. I have a book by Richard Foster that is really good.

Blessings,
Tammy

Francois said...

The yes may come easily but in my case often it comes with strings attached.
God knows me well and gives me time to cut the strings one at a time.

Marsha said...

I love the words come to me. They speak directly to my soul.

Denise said...

Sounds like a wonderful book.

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Love Richard Foster, read pretty much all his books. Thanks for sharing Mar

Buffy said...

We just need to listen with an open heart. I think sometimes we make life harder on yourselves. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

My dear sister please hold on to that book for me when I come. I've been building more Me and my Father time as the weeks go by. Sitting out on the deck drinking in all God's creations surrounding me very early in the morning. Asking HIM to speak to me while I'm reading HIS word...Again you spoke right to my heart little sister...(((Hugs)))

Tina said...

Blessings to you and thanks for stopping by my blog and encouraging me.
T

Jennifer Richardson said...

Oh Mary....ThAnKyOu!!!!!
Always with the perfect timing:)
Those unforced rhythms of grace
just take my breath away
for just a bit
cause I'm so undone
and grateful
and then more breath
than I've known before
rushes back in
and I'm changed
again
effortlessly.
Yes...yes....yes....yes....yes...yes....yes....
-Jen

Hindsfeet said...

unforced rhythms of grace.........I must remember that......

Mollye said...

Mary isn't it just amazing of how different it is to say we "believe in God" to be able to say we "know God". The feelings you are speaking of are just almost beyond description, but you did it so well. Love you, Mollye