Word-filled Wednesday ~ Psalm 94:19

Psalm 94:19  When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. 

For more Word-filled Wednesday, visit our hostess Penny's Blog.

Brokenness

  For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.  (Psalm 51:16-17)

I have been browsing through my journals and stumbled across several things I would like to share - things that touched my heart and I pray will touch yours as well.

The following was written by Revered John Collinson and our pastor in Maine shared it during a message on brokenness:

"Sometimes it is asked what we mean by Brokenness. Brokenness is not easy to define but can be clearly seen in the reactions of Jesus, especially as He approached the cross and in His crucifixion. I think it can be applied personally in this way:

When to do the will of God means that even my Christian brethren will not understand, and I remember that “Neither did His brethren believe in Him” (John 7:5), and I bow my head to obey and accept the misunderstanding, THIS IS BROKENNESS.

When I am misrepresented or deliberately misinterpreted, and I remember that Jesus was falsely accused but He “held His peace”, and I bow my head to accept the accusation without trying to justify myself, THIS IS BROKENNESS.

When another is preferred before me and I am deliberately passed over, and I remember that they cried, “Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas” (Luke 23:18), and I bow my head and accept rejection, THIS IS BROKENNESS.

When my plans are brushed aside and I see the work of years brought to ruins by the ambitions of others and I remember that Jesus allowed them to lead Him away to crucify Him (Matt. 27:31), and He accepted that place of failure, and I bow my head and accept the injustice without bitterness, THIS IS BROKENNESS.

When in order to be right with my God it is necessary to take the humbling path of confession and restitution, and I remember that Jesus, “made Himself of no reputation”, and “humbled Himself…unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8), and I bow my head and an ready to accept the shame of exposure, THIS IS BROKENNESS.

When others take unfair advantage of my being a Christian and treat my belongings as public property, and I remember “they stripped Him…and parted His garments, casting lots” (Matt. 27:28, 35), and I bow my head and accept “joyfully the spoiling of my goods” for His sake, THIS IS BROKENNESS.

When one acts towards me in an unforgivable way, and I remember that when He was crucified Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), and I bow my head and accept any behavior towards me as permitted by my loving Father, THIS IS BROKENNESS.

When people expect the impossible of me and more than time or human strength can give, and I remember that Jesus said, “This is My body which is given for you…” (Luke 22:19), and I repent of my self-indulgence, and lack of self-giving for others, THIS IS BROKENNESS."

May we live a life of brokenness and follow in our Savior's footsteps,

Thankful Thursday ~ Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful Thursday ~ a day we set aside every week to be thankful and give the Lord credit for the many blessings he has given to each one of us.  He is the giver of so many blessings.  He paints beautiful sunsets and sunrises, amazing colors of the seasons, and provides for his creation.  He is with us through all of our trials, failures and struggles.  He is also there as we celebrate new life, a new job or finding that perfect someone.  The Lord is our healer, savior, friend, father, sustainer - he is our everything!  

I would not be where I am today if he did not love me enough to pursue me - he never gave up on me even though I had given up on him.  I am grateful beyond words and I can't thank him enough for rescuing me from my sin, shame and guilt.  He healed and strengthened my marriage. He blessed us with 5 wonderful sons.  He has shown us grace over and over again.   The list is endless...

Thank you God for wooing me with your love.  Thank you Jesus for dying for me.  Thank you Holy Spirit for your guidance.

Thank you Iris for hosting Thankful Thursday on this Thanksgiving 2009!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!