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Quiet

Be Quiet!

by TerryLema

Recently God told me to be quiet. I was fussing about something out of my control. I was trying to figure out ways to “fix it.” That is when God told me to stop, take a step back, and be quiet. (FYI, I am not very good at being quiet—about anything!)

Of course, the verse that immediately came to mind was Psalm 46:10a: “Be still and know that I am God.”

 The second half of that verse continues: “I [God] will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” [vs 10b NKJV]

As I considered what God was saying through the Psalmist, I realized that God would not be “exalted” by my fussing and scheming trying to “fix” anything. He will be exalted when I stand still and patiently wait to see what He will do.

Moses said the same thing to the Nation of Israel when they were facing the Red Sea with Pharoah’s army closing in behind them. 

 “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today…. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” [Exodus 14:13:14 HCSB]

God is not exalted by our fussing. He is exalted when we allow Him to have His will in our lives. He is exalted when we quiet our soul and relinquish everything to Him.

I am still learning that! PTL

 

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Meditation

by TerryLema

The simple definition for meditation is to spend time in quiet thought.  As a culture, I think we have lost that ability.

Meditation, contemplation, reflection, quiet thought – whatever we call it, for the most part is a lost art.  We are energized, always on the move, searching for success, planning, organizing, and filling our days with social media, sports, music, videos, television, webinars, podcasts, and the like.  To spend time in quiet thought we first have to find two things, time and quiet, both rare commodities.

I know someone who likes to meditate.  People who meditate the way she does are always searching for their ‘true center, that place of calmness, clarity and compassion’ that they say is present within all of us.  I don’t disagree with her practice of meditation, I’m just not sure she’s looking in the correct place.

The Scripture does call us to meditate, however, it calls us to ‘find our true center in God’ not in ourselves.  It calls us to wait on the Lord.  It calls us to wait in silence.  In those times we not only learn about God but learn about our relationship with Him and how that relationship can be deepened for His glory and purposes.

Can you find time in your busy day today to just think about what it means to wait on the LORD, and what it means to wait silently for God alone?

Isa 40:31:  But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. NKJV

Ps 62:5:  My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. NKJV

 

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A Dog on a Roof!

by TerryLema

The Hazleton Fire Department in Hazleton, PA, was called out recently to rescue a dog from the roof of a three-story apartment building. Passersby saw the large dog on the roof and were worried it could not get down. The dog, however, did not seem to be worried at all.

Neighbors informed the fire department that the dog likes to “sunbathe” on the roof and does this all the time. While the fire department was watching, the dog came down from the roof and entered a third story apartment through a balcony door. The fire department left and posted a picture of the dog on their Facebook page.

Have you ever wanted to be like that dog on the roof, high above the commotion of life on the ground, away from everyone and everything?  I know I have.

Recently the Pastor of The Way Middleton touched on one of my favorite passages in Mark. The disciples were just coming back from intense ministry and were probably tired. The crowds of people were surrounding Jesus, and no one could eat or rest, so, Jesus invited them to “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” [NIV]

That never happened, of course, because the crowds of people continued to follow them.  Still, I think that invitation from Jesus to come with Him to a place of quiet and rest extends to us when we get so busy with life.

Maybe we need to be like that dog on the roof. We need to find a place to get away from all the uproar of life. We need to spend a little time in that quiet place, simply enjoying the “son-shine” and finding rest for our souls.

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