SGF: Ordinary Time - Week 11, Day 5

Well, in typical fashion, I completely fell off the blogging boat and haven't written in months. I've also been very sporadic (read: only a few times) in keeping up with the devotional readings in Seeking God's Face. A friend of mine recently asked me if she could have the link to my blog, which prompted me to a) feel guilty about not blogging in so long and b) feel inspired to pick it up again. Hopefully the combination of guilt and inspiration will help me keep at this a little more consistently.

So this evening I picked up Seeking God's Face again and one thing in today's readings really resonated with me. But before I get to that, I have to preface it with a little story so you can see a nifty little connection (I love how God works sometimes... okay, really, I love how God works all of the time). To explain: I've been hearing a lot about Rob Bell's new book, Love Wins, about hell (or a possible lack of it) and also about Francis Chan's book (apparently a rebutal of sorts, but don't quote me on that), Erasing Hell, and finally tonight I decided to do a little exploring as I wanted to know more about them. I placed both books on hold at my local library (although I think I'll be waiting a while for both of them) and ended up watching Francis Chan's video on the subject (you can find it by following the link above, attached to the title of his book). In the video (which I loved), Chan talks about how he believes we have to be humble and recognize that there are things about God that we will never understand and that He has and will make decisions that we would never make (he says this much better than I do - watch the video!). He's talking about this in general but also in the specific context of hell and God allowing people to go there. Then I went to read today's Bible Song in Seeking God's Face, which is from Psalm 36, and it says, "Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep" (v. 5-6). And it seems to me that that last line is exactly what Francis Chan was talking about. God's justice IS like the great deep. Even in today's advanced technological society, we know very little about the ocean. One site I found says, "95 percent of this realm [the ocean] remains unexplored, unseen by human eyes" (http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/exploration.html). Our understanding of God's justice is much the same. It's beyond our knowledge base, perhaps even beyond our knowledge capability. And I, for one, am perfectly okay with that. In fact, in some ways, it makes it easier for me, especially when faced with things that I know about God's nature that I'm uncomfortable with. It almost feels like a cop out, although I don't think it is, to say, "Well, He's God and even if I don't like it or totally get it, I'm okay with that, because He's God and He knows infinitely better than I do", but I like believing in a God who is so much greater than I and who is a grand Mystery. It gives me hope and makes me feel secure, knowing that God is in control (because goodness knows, if I was to make all the decisions, I'd screw it all up, royally). And I'm thankful for the reminders I got today to be humble before God and accept His judgment as infinitely wiser and more sound than mine.

SGF: Lent - Day 9

[I missed a few days... will try to do better.]

A couple things that stood out to me in today's readings:

The Bible Song is from Psalm 28:1-2, 6-7 and in it the Psalmist says to God, "if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit" (v. 1b). I love that image of us feeling as if we're lost and trapped (in a pit) if God does not respond to our prayers. It is so important to us to hear from God. We are in a two-way relationship with Him, which means we must communicate by speaking AND listening. Yet how often do we stop and actually listen for God's response? How often do we put aside everything else in our lives and just wait on Him? I know I don't do it anywhere near often enough and I'm thankful that reading this book is helping me begin doing this. Later, in verse 7, the Psalmist says, "my heart trusts in him [the Lord], and he helps me". Again, this reminder that God does not leave us alone and that He will help us when we ask is so comforting especially in light of everything that's going on in the world. I look at the desolation in Japan and I listen to the heartaches of so many people in my life who are going through such dark and difficult times and I feel helpless. But I can still pray and have hope and knowledge that God will answer - He will not remain silent and He will help. We don't have to "go down to the pit" and let such tragedies destroy us. We only have to ask God to interceded; to somehow show us His truth and beauty in the midst of such destruction and heartbreak. And He will be faithful; He promises He is.

The Bible Reading then reminds us "that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone" (1 Timothy 2:1). When I don't know what else to do or how else to respond in the face of awful circumstances, I can and should pray. It does make a difference. "This is good, and pleases God our Savior" (1 Timothy 2:3).

SGF: Lent - Day 4

The Bible Song today is Psalm 130. In it the psalmist talks about waiting for the Lord. He says, "my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope" (v. 5). I love the idea that we can put our hope in God's word... and I love that this book is helping me get back into the word. I also love the reminders in this psalm of God's forgiveness and faithfulness. In verse 4, the psalmist says about God, "with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared". I like that - we fear (as in, are in awe of) God because of His great forgiving nature.

The Bible reading, from Matthew 6, reminds us yet again that fasting is about what's going on inside of us and it's between us and God. We're told to not make it obvious to others that we are fasting and then, God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward us (v. 16-21).

SGF: Lent - Day 3

The theme of the inner life and the state of our hearts is continued as we read more of Psalm 51. The psalmist asserts that God does "not delight in sacrifice" nor "take pleasure in burnt offerings" (v. 16). Rather, he says, "My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise" (v. 17). The Bible Song carries on this theme by imploring us to "[b]e reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20b) and to not "receive God's grace in vain" (2 Corinthians 6:1b).

The Prayer and the Blessing remind me again that I need God's help to make my heart right with him (as I was discussing about yesterday's reading): "Freeing God ... Not only can I do no good without you, I can't even drum up a desire for you unless you first give it to me" (BC 14). "Redeem us from all wickedness, purify us and make us your very own, eager to do what is good" (see Titus 2:14).

I am so thankful that this Lenten season, I am reminded that God cares more about the state of my heart (and what comes out of that, in terms of how I live my life) than he does about the appearance of the state of my heart and that He is able and willing to help me make my heart right before Him.

SGF: Lent - Day 2

I'm writing this on Day 3 of Lent since I missed responding to yesterday's reading. I couldn't just skip it, though, as I wanted to comment on a couple of things before I discuss today's reading.

The next several verses of Psalm 51 were yesterday's Bible Song and it's a very familiar passage to me, since one of my favourite worship songs is based on it: "Create in me a pure heart, Oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me" (v. 10-12). I love this because again the focus is on the inner life, where our hearts are at. And I love that we can ask God for things like a steadfast and willing spirit. Too often I try to rely on myself to be faithful and eager to live my life for God. I try to do it on my own, when all I have to do is ask God to help me live the life He's called me to. And the beauty is that when He helps me, I can't boast in what I've accomplished because I was unable to do it on my own strength. What a blessed way to live life.

Yesterday's Bible Reading is from Isaiah 58 and it discusses fasting and what God expects from our fasting. Through Isaiah, God makes it clear that He really doesn't care about the outward appearance of fasting. Rather, He says that the kind of fasting He has chosen is "to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke" and that it is "to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood" (v. 6-7). So fasting at Lent is not about what we give up, but about what we do with the time created by the vacancy of that thing in our lives. Or, if we aren't giving up something time-consuming (i.e. a particular food or beverage), then how we let the missing of that thing affect and/or change our attitude about how we think of and treat others.

Lent is about the condition of our hearts - not just our attitudes, but what we do with those attitudes.

SGF: Lent - Day 1 - Ash Wednesday

Some phrases from Phil Reinders' Introduction (pp. 233-234) to Lent in Seeking God's Face:

"from dust you have come and to dust you will return"

"Ashes are a good emblem of Lent, a picture of our own mortality and spiritual condition, a sign of Lent's penitent spirit, and yet a hint of the hope of renewal."

"[Lent] is a somber journey of spiritual preparation and renewal, marked especially by repentance and prayer. ... {Lent] stands apart by not shrinking away from suffering but cultivating in us the wisdom that growth often (and some might say only) comes through suffering. ... [and] invites us to willingly identify with Christ's suffering through fasting and other forms of self-denial."

"[Lent] helps to imprint the form of the cross in our lives, recognizing that the news of the risen Lord Jesus is not good without the way of the cross."

-----

The Bible Song today, Psalm 51:1-6, is a somber reminder that I am a sinner. I think it's easy, especially in today's world, to buy into the lie that I am a good person, and that I scarcely do anything wrong. But the reality is, I make mistakes - I sin - every single day, and often. It's easier to pretend that everything I say and do is good, but it isn't. I am a sinful person and I consistently "[do] what is evil in [God's] sight" (v. 4). I think we all shy away from the word "evil", reserving it for people who do truly heinous things, like rapists and murderers and swindlers and the like. But the Bible is very clear: "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). While this is a sobering thought, it is also so liberating. I can't do good on my own, therefore I must be dependent on God's grace and faithfulness to do any good in this world. I'm thankful that it's not up to me and what I do that will save me. If it was, I'd be doomed, because no matter how good my intentions, I'd failed more often than not.

Verses 5 & 6 gave me pause today. They remind me that "I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me". This makes me think of Abigail, my beautiful 7 month daughter. It's hard for me to be okay with the truth that she is a sinful human being. She seems so perfect and innocent. How could she be full of sin? But that's the nature of the fall and the nature of sin. We can't escape it. But the next verse is more hopeful, when the psalmist says to God, "Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place." Think about that! God teaches us wisdom in the womb! It amazes me that God can implant His wisdom and knowledge of Him even as He is creating us in our mothers' wombs. It also thrills me to know that in spite of her sinful nature, Abi already knows God; she's already been taught some of God's wisdom. As she was growing inside me, my primary prayer for my unborn child was that God would fill his or her heart with a desire for Him and a knowledge that His ways were best (and this is still my number one prayer for her). How comforting and amazing to know He answered my prayer.

The Bible reading is from Joel 2, and it's full of prophecies of doom, but I want to focus on a couple of things. God tell His people to "return to me with all you heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning" (v. 12). How often do we fast or weep or mourn, especially when it's with the express purpose of returning to the Lord? This is why I love the season of Lent; it's a daily reminder to do just that. I also love verse 13: "Rend your heart and not your garments". This says to me that God is more concerned with what's inside of us, then what's outside. He's not interested in outward signs of fasting and mourning; His main concern is what's going on in our hearts (see 1 Samuel 16:7).

I love the Blessing today: "Redeem us from all wickedness, purify us and make us your very own, eager to do what is good".

SGF: Epiphany - Day 62

Last day of Epiphany. Tomorrow Lent starts. This year, I've decided to give up two silly, time-consuming games I play on facebook - FarmVille and CityVille. There're stupid games with no real purpose and I spend too much time on them when I could be doing much more productive things like reading, writing, Abi's baby book and cross-stitch, working out, and so on. Plus I know that after about 3 days I won't even notice that I'm not playing them.

Today's Invitation is from Psalm 146 and part of it says, "the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down" (v. 8). I love this promise because so many people I know are going through really tough times in their lives right now. Failing marriages, children with life-threatening illnesses, financial difficulties, and so much more. It's comforting to be reminded that God doesn't abandon us during such times. In fact, He is closer than ever (or maybe it's just our perception - I'm sure He is always right beside us), lifting us up and helping us along during our weakest, most vulnerable times.

Parts of Psalm 64 compose the Bible Song today and once again (I'm sensing a theme here, or at the very least, an affirmation that this poem that's been bouncing around in my head needs to be written) the imagery of a sharp tongue is used: "They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows" (v. 3). There's another promise as well: "But God will shoot them with his arrows; they will suddenly be struck down" (v. 7). Another great reminder that God looks after His people and He will avenge those who are mistreated. Perhaps this also a reminder to let God fight our battles sometimes - we shouldn't be seeking revenge on those who hurt us. Rather, we should turn the other cheek, make our hearts right, and let Him take care of the others.

The Bible Reading today is from Matthew 20 and is one of my favourites of Jesus' parables. It's about the landowner who hires workers for his vineyard and ends up paying the same wages to those who worked all day as those who only worked for an hour. This story tells me that it isn't up to me to judge anyone else and that I don't get to decide how one gets "paid" for how he or she lives his or her life. Ultimately, no matter how I live my life, I will get the same reward as someone who served God "better" or "worse" (or my perceived interpretations of that) than I did. Which is freeing and a wonderful assertion of God's grace and generosity. As today's Prayer, taken from the Belgic Confession, says, "Lavish God, thank you that grace is a gift, that redemption in Jesus is free, not a loan or an advance. I'm so grateful that you are not a loan shark, extorting my life's servitude in repayment for your generosity, but a loving Father who shares with me the whole estate" (BC 23).

SGF: Epiphany - Day 55

The imagery in the Psalms really is incredible. Talk about some quality poetry. Today's Bible Song contains the image of a sharp tongue again: "I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among man-eating beasts, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords" (Psalm 57:4). I don't want to be this speaker, who obviously feels surrounded and outnumbered by his enemies. The implication is that his enemies, these "lions" are hurting him with their words, with what they are saying about him. A good reminder that our words have great power and potential to harm and heal.

A couple of things in the Bible Reading today stood out to me:

- Jesus says to the Pharisees, who are challenging Him on appearing as His own witness, "You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me" (v. 15-16). I wonder at this. Does Jesus really "pass judgment on no one"? Or does he mean that he doesn't judge by human standards? This makes more sense to me and I have to say it relieves me. Thank goodness Jesus doesn't judge my human standards! We are so judgmental of each other in so many ways every single day. It's comforting to know that God's judgment is "true".

- Jesus is really harsh to the Pharisees. He's talking about his Father, and the Pharisees ask Him where His father is. Jesus replies, "You do not know me or my Father...If you knew me, you would know my Father also" (v. 19). Ouch. But again, I find comfort in it, as well as some clarity. Jesus' job was to point to the Father (isn't that our job as Christians as well?!) and He knew that if someone believed in Him (knew Him) then they would know God as well. It makes me eager to study more of Jesus' life and teachings in order to know my Heavenly Father better.

SGF: Epiphany - Day 52

The Bible Reading today is from John 5. It's the story of a disabled man who sat by the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. The man had been an invalid for 38 years. 38! That's almost unfathomable to me (probably because I haven't even been on this earth for that long). I wonder what his life was like. I imagine it was pretty bleak. The passage tells us that "a great number of disabled people" would lie by the pool - "the blind, the lame, the paralyzed". I doubt the mood around that place was joyful in any way. These people probably spent their days commiserating with each other, comparing their lives to those of the healthy people that walked by them every day (and probably ignored them). They also seemed to be in competition with each other, as the story was that an angel stirred the waters of the pool every day and people could be healed if they entered the waters. The man told Jesus he had no one to help him into the pool and when the waters were stirred someone always went in ahead of him. It seems all of these disabled people hung out by the pool in the hopes of being healed. But I wonder how many of them actually believed they would be. Probably it was more likely that this was their last chance that they didn't really believe in anyhow, but there weren't any other options so what could they lose?

So I wonder what it was like for this man, truly, to get up and walk. I imagine it must have been unbelievable, even to himself, even as he (presumably) felt the strength return to his legs, even as he actually picked himself up and began to walk. It must have felt surreal, like a dream. He must have pinched himself. Because really, when you think about it, how amazing is it that this man's muscles were able to hold him? He didn't have a physiotherapist or doctor to help him keep his muscles in shape even though he wasn't using them. We're talking 38 years of atrophy here. Talk about a miracle! Yet I imagine it wasn't all wonderful. Perhaps it was overwhelmingly wonderful and joyful in that moment, when he realized he really could walk again. But later, the reality of his healing would have sunk in. He'd have to find a job, a "normal" life. He couldn't just mope around feeling sorry for himself anymore (which was probably a habit after 38 years). He couldn't live off the charity of others anymore. He was healed. He was whole. He was healthy. He'd have to find new friends. There may even have been some guilt - the Bible doesn't tell us that anyone else was healed that day (which doesn't mean it didn't happen but it seems unlikely that Jesus would have healed everyone at the pool that day simply because it's not mentioned) - so he was leaving behind friends, people he'd spent every day with for years. Perhaps he asked himself, "Why me?" I wonder if it was easy for him to leave his friends behind. Or perhaps he didn't much care for these "friends" and he was happy to leave them behind. Maybe he felt they deserved it or maybe he just didn't want to think about them anymore because they reminded him of a very dark time in his life. Whatever the case, it couldn't have been easy for him.

And therein, I think, lies a lesson and a reminder for us. Bible stories are often told very matter-of-factly, without a lot of detail or description, so we tend to read them quickly, respond to them on a surface level, and move on. But when we stop to think about what these stories must have been really like to the people who were living them, they take on a whole new level of meaning. Take this man. I know that for me, in the past, I've read or heard this story and thought, "Cool! How amazing is that?" and "How awesome for that man - he must have been so happy!". It's easy to think this is a "happily ever after" tale. But is it really? As I sit here and really think about this story, I realize that this man's life didn't get easier. In fact, I'm convinced it got harder, for all the reasons I've mentioned and for many more. The story tells us that Jesus saw the man again later (we're not told how much later) at the temple. And He tells the man, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you". The assumption is that the man hasn't been living the life Jesus intended him to when He healed him. Now the man has to try harder, live better, be a better man, or the consequences will be dire. (And for the record, I have a hard time knowing what is worse than being an invalid for 38 years...) So his life from now on will not be easier than it was as an invalid. Does it get better? Absolutely. But not easier. And isn't that what life as a Christian is? Once we submit to Christ our lives get better. But not easier. Thankfully, although it will be harder to live for God, we're not asked to do it alone. He will give us what we need to begin and live a new life.

SGF: Epiphany - Day 51

Invitation: "One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts" (Psalm 145:4). What a great reminder that it is my responsibility - no, my privilege - to tell Abi about what God has done, continues to do and will do.

I love the passages (specifically the Bible Song and the Bible Reading) that Phil Reinders chooses each day, because they complement each other, but not in an obvious way, so that I end up noticing things in each passage that I wouldn't have seen otherwise. The passages speak to each other by making connections.

Today's Bible Song is from Psalm 53 and the Reading is from John 4 (the story of a royal official's son healed and that official's faith that Jesus' word was enough).

Psalm 53 is a bit depressing. The psalmist says, "God looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one" (v. 2-3). There are two separate ideas here that stand out to me. One comes back to what I was discussing yesterday - the idea that we often don't seek God and as a result fail to understand Him (although I believe we will never fully understand God, I think it's important to try). The second is the more obvious one - what does the speaker mean by saying "no one...does good, no even one"? Really? But there are a lot of "good" people in the world - Christians and non-Christians - who do really good things. People take care of others, help out in times of need, give money, time, and resources, say nice things, take care of the planet, and so on. So how is it possible that "no one...does good"? Firstly, I think the psalmist is disillusioned. He looks around and sees corruption. He's discouraged by the people's lack of faith and their lack of desire to seek and understand God. Secondly, and I know some people will disagree with me, I believe that as human beings we are incapable of doing good apart from God's grace. (This is an idea called common grace in Reformed thinking.)

In John 4, Jesus says, "Unless you people see signs and wonders...you will never believe" (v. 48). It seems odd that this is in response to a royal official begging Jesus to come and heal his son, who was nearly dead. It is especially confusing when you read the whole story and see the faith of this royal official. After asking Jesus to come see his son, Jesus says, "go...your son will live" (v. 50). The man's response? He "took Jesus at his word and departed" (v. 51). Now that's faith! So why does Jesus seem to berate him by telling him that unless he sees signs and wonders, he will never believe? It seems to me that he already believed. At least enough to have faith that Jesus could and would heal his son even without seeing him. Yet the story ends with the man and his whole household believing because his son was healed at the exact time Jesus said, "your son will live". So Jesus was right - the royal official did need a miracle - a sign or wonder - to believe. The man's faith in Jesus' ability to heal was not the same thing as believing that Jesus is God's son and his saviour. An interesting and important distinction.

The Connection: So the connection I made between these two passages is this. The psalmist says that when God looks down on the human race he is looking for "any who understand, any who seek God". Jesus says people need to see signs and wonders to believe. When I consider these two ideas together, I am filled with hope. It's as if God is saying to me - if you try to understand me by seeking me, I will show you signs and wonders. I think it's easy to dismiss miracles today. We don't see people getting healed the way Jesus healed people when He walked on earth. When was the last time you went to a wedding where water was turned into wine? We tend to think those days are over, past. But are they? I think miracles just take a different shape these days. We hide them behind medical advancements (or medical mysteries), behind an act of human kindness (God's grace at work!), behind scientific laws and patterns, behind the lie that if it happens every day, it's nothing special. But the whole world is a miracle. Just look around you. Babies are born every day, but each and every one is a miracle - think about the complexity of a human body and how each one grows from a tiny mass of cells in just 9 months! Spring is just around the corner and when those first shoots poke their heads out of the ground, when the grass turns from brown to green, when the sun warms the air and the ground, creation is practically screaming, "I'm a miracle!". People are still being healed from diseases or injuries that should kill them. Just because modern medicine aids in their recovery doesn't make it any less of a miracle. God works in and through the things around us to make today's signs and wonders happen. All we have to do is look for them and when we find them, use them to help us believe and understand Him better.

SGF: Epiphany - Day 50

One of the things I really love about reading Seeking God's Face is that I'm reading excerpts and stories of the Bible that I've read many times before and that I supposedly "know" well. But I'm seeing them with new eyes because I'm taking TIME to read, re-read, reflect and listen. Today's reading was inspiring and thought-provoking for me in a number of ways.

Inspiring: Psalm 52 was the Bible Song today. In it, the writer says, "your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor" (v. 2). Ironically, or perhaps providentially, this idea of a tongue that cuts, draws blood, and causes pain has been bumping around in my head as the topic for a new poem. I love that this idea originates in the Bible; I know it's not a new idea (there's nothing new under the sun right?) but it's compelling and I believe it can be presented in a new way. I'm inspired to work on this poem with more discipline now and I'm convinced the idea has merit and will make a decent little poem (or maybe even better than decent).

Thought-provoking: The Inspiration today is from Psalm 145, in which I'm reminded, "his greatness no one can fathom" (v. 3). How often do we try to fathom His greatness? Often, I think the modern-day Christian (myself included) is guilty of not fully acknowledging the greatness, the power, the awesomeness, and the take-off-your-shoes-for-this-is-holy-ground and fall-on-your-face-before-Him holiness of God. We have no problem calling him "father" and "friend" - which is good, don't get me wrong - but we sometimes forget that He is GOD and we really cannot fathom how great He truly is, even if we spent the rest of our lives meditating on it. The other idea that stood out to me comes from Psalm 52 (v. 9) where the writer tells God, "For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people". This got me thinking: isn't that the easy part? To praise God when with people who believe in Him and follow Him? The hard part is praising God when you're interacting with people who don't believe in Him and/or aren't concerned with living their lives for Him. The even harder part is finding a way to acknowledge your love for God and your desire to praise Him and please Him without being preachy or judgmental or condescending to the people in your life who don't believe as you do. This is a constant struggle in my life. How do I communicate the importance of what I know to be true to those who don't understand without offending them or turning them off? I'm convinced the answer begins with loving them for who they are and where they're at no matter what.

Interesting Tidbit: The Bible Reading today is from Matthew 16. I didn't realize that the old adage "Red sky in the morning, sailor's take warning; Red sky at night, sailor's delight" had its roots in the Bible. See what Jesus says in verses 2-3.

Finally, I love today's Prayer from the Belgic Confession: "Revealing God, open my eyes to see you in the stunning book of the universe, finding in atoms and animals, plants and physics, the letters that journal your power and divinity. Open my ears to hear your voice calling in the story and song, commands and prophecy of the book of Scripture. Open my heart to embrace you and honour you as Lord" (BC 2). Why don't we ask God more often to reveal Himself to us in His creation and through His word? Why don't we go looking for Him more often? He wants so badly to be that "Revealing God" and show Himself to us. All we have to do is ask and seek.

Seeking God's Face

As a community, those of us who attend New Hope Church in Calgary are reading a daily devotional book entitled Seeking God's Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year, written and compiled by Phil Reinders. I haven't been the most diligent in reading it every day, but I'm making an effort, and it's getting easier to make it a priority. Funny how habits work that way, hey?

I thought a good way to respond to and process what I read each day would be to blog about it. So I'm going to try. It seems like a good way to combine two things I wish I did more of, devotions and blogging, and maximize my inspiration.

The book explains that "Each day of prayer contains a number of different elements - an invitation into God's presence, times of quiet, Scripture, free prayer, a set prayer, and a closing blessing" (17). Each day I'd like to respond to whatever stands out to me - this might be one, some, or all of that day's elements. Sometimes I may just reflect on the feeling that day's reading evokes in me. I don't want to structure it; I'm just going to RESPOND - as a reader, a pray-er, a writer.

If you decide to join me on this journey, I hope you'll be blessed by my musings. If you want to read the book, you can find it here.