Exaltation

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you”
- James 4:9–10

The quality of exaltation is the exact opposite, a strong antithesis, to the quality of humiliation. In exaltation, dignity is not only restored, but it is crowned with the glory that only God can bestow...the promise of participating in the exaltation of Christ is given to every believer — but there is a catch. There is a warning, and that warning is clear: unless we are willing to participate in the humiliation of Jesus, we would have no reason to expect ever to participate in His exaltation. But that is the crown that is set before us, that we, who have no right to everlasting glory and honor, will nevertheless receive it because of what has been achieved in our stead by our perfect Redeemer. - R. C. Sproul

“The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (vv. 11–12).
- Matthew 23:5–12

In common language, the terms exaltation and humiliation stand as polar opposites. One of the most magnificent glories of God’s revealed truth and most poignant ironies is that in the cross of Christ these two polar opposites merge and are reconciled. In His humiliation, we find our exaltation. Our shame is replaced by His glory. The songwriter had it right when he wrote, “My sinful self, my only shame, my glory, all the cross.   -R. C. Sproul

“Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Eph. 1:21).
- Ephesians 1:21

God promises to exalt us one day and make us to reign with Christ (2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:4). However, this exaltation does not come as the result of the exertion of our own power, but results from humility. Only those who submit to God humbly, admitting that He alone has authority over us, will enjoy this exaltation. We submit to this authority by repenting of our sin, all of which seeks to usurp God’s rightful rule over us. Therefore, humble yourself in repentance today.  -R. C. Sproul

Good Morning & Good Night

Maggie McClure: Good Morning & Good Night

 

James 1:17
Every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. 

Good morning & good night!  Praise God for all the perfect blessings he showers on us daily.  From the time we climb out of  bed, until we can rest our heads on our soft pillows again God's love is poured out on our lives. 

God has sent down thousands of opportunities and blessings daily.  I am praying that we become alert to the loveliness around us each morning and each night. 

Romans 8:28a
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. 

Storms

"It is not the severity of the storm you should be worried about, but rather how you weather it.  Pain, shattered dreams, disappointments, financial struggles, and losses are all a part of the cycle of life...you can either embrace your pain and squeeze the life out of it, or give in to it and allow it to consume you.  You have a choice."  -Michelle McKinney Hammond

I was having my time of Bible study and prayer today and found myself reading about Ruth. 

Ruth's bravery was incredible...she left her home, her friends, her family, and as a gentile, she traveled with Naomi to Israel where she knew she would face rejection. 

Ruth had nothing.  No husband, none of her friends or the comforts of home...no job. 

Ruth did not give up.  Ruth did not play the victim.  Ruth looked beyond herself and focused on the needs of her mother-in-law.  Ruth was able to gain the right perspective and attain a realistic view of her circumstances. 

In spite of the hardships Ruth faced, she displayed a grateful attitude and worked very hard.  Instead of complaining or being resentful, she walked in grace and patience.  In His time, God blessed Ruth's efforts. 

I am praying that God helps me, and the readers of my blog, to successfully weather the storms of life.  I am praying that we find our 'Rainbow Connection' and pursue God's will in our lives. 

Lamentations 3:21-23, NASB
"This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.
The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness"

Lancaster

Psalm 23

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

 

When I think of green pastures, I think of Lancaster.  I remember family vacations exploring the farmlands and learning about the peaceful way of life of the Amish. 

 

I remember driving up through Lancaster with Sarah Rausch, meeting our best friend Judith Allen. 

 

I can never forget the pungent small of the many dairy farms, and the lovely taste of Hershey chocolate from Lancaster. 

 

Today, when I'm doing my work, I will be snacking on my new favorite treat:  Lancaster Caramels

 

 

Earthquake

This is a story poem...not written about a specific person, but certainly inspired by recent events in the lives of my friends and by the recent earthquake. 

Self Centricity Shaken

 

Sorrows piercing through the holes your absences leave in my heart,

Hopes leaking through the seams of my shattered dreams, pouring through the cracks of my soul,

Washed away by my self-centric longings and blown about by my windswept, restless mind

While I’m clutching at the sands of truth as the ocean of doubts rips it from my numb finger tips.

 

In uneasy dreams I’m searching for the answers to my life’s puzzles,

Feeling, groping for the missing puzzle pieces,

Unsure where and when my healing is to begin,

I’m searching for the solutions, or rather, the right question to uncover the reason behind it all. 

 

Eyes half closed and drowsy, slowly lulled by the calm daily routines of changeless drudgery,

Half asleep with clouded mind, glazed with exhaustion, dazed by disappointment,

Suddenly awakened by a quaking, shaking ground,

Thrilled back to heart pounding life with a new awareness found.

 

The vibration had shaken me awake as my selfish stupor was forsaken,

While the aftershocks from a new realization left my mind alert and my thoughts tumultuously quaking.

My heart is on fire and my soul awakened

My doubts and fears crumbled down, tripping me underfoot

 

I am jumping away,

Shaken up,

Wakened up,

My mind swaying,

My soul rocking,

Questions vibrating through my heart.

 

Finding new freedom in the world’s limitlessness,

Finding liberty in my minute fragility,

The epic strength of the ground’s tremors beneath my feet

Putting my dilemmas into perspective and transforming my heart breaks into single points of pain…

 

Tiny points in the world’s landscape.

Pointillism’s beauty found in each tiny spot of color,

My heart’s red bleeding out to color the world

When I was shaken awake by the vibrating, quaking ground from my soul’s self-centric slumber. 

Pointillism:  Vincent Van Gogh

 

Valley of Vision

Heavenly Father,

 

My faith is in thee,

My expectation is from thee,

My love goes out toward thee,

I believe thee, accept thy Word, acquiesce in thy will, rely on thy promises, trust thy providence.

I bless thee that the court of conscience proves me to be thine. 

I do not need signs and wonders to believe, for thy Word is sure truth. 

I have cast my anchor in the port of peace, knowing that present and future are in the nail-pierced hands.  Thou are so good, wise, just, holy that no mistake is possible to thee. 

-The Valley of Vision, a collection of Puritan prayers, 1660

 

I Peter 1:6-9
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  Though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

When I was very young, my mother started preparing my "Hope Chest."  My mother gathered together a treasure trove of items I might need in my future household.  Silverware, quilting material, baby clothes, and all kinds of 'homey' comforts.  My mother was preparing me for my future.  I know my heavenly Father is also preparing me for my future.  He is instilling all kinds of spiritual gifts and strengths into me as I pursue his will through challenging times. 

Thank you Father for helping me prepare for the future.

Back in the Game!

Dear Ms. Owl's blog readers,

I'm sorry my updates have been infrequent as of late.  I intend to be more active in the future, since I have finished my online classes and most of my BTSA paperwork. 

My life in Hollywood has been busy. 

You know you are in Hollywood, Los Angeles when:

• Your commute to work is 15 minutes to arrival and 3 hours back due to afternoon traffic
• Your 'windows down' drive home music is from your friends' professionally recorded CDs
• You go to the theater at least two times a week
• Your neighbors all walk around looking Abercrombie & Fitch models
• Your friends are all actors who sing, dance, and write
• You always see celebrities when grocery shopping
• You are constantly offered tickets for free movie screenings
• You're surrounded by Ray-Ban sunglasses and suntans even in winter

"Hollyweird" is certainly an unusual place.  There is an incredible amount of beautiful, masterfully talented people who excel in all of the arts.  I am counting my blessings and soaking it all in.

Romans 8:28a, NIV
"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him."