​I said that because it has been true in my own life.
Years ago, I sensed the Lord speaking to me that I needed to study and meditate on the character and attributes of my God.

I was overcome with a hunger and thirst to know more of Him.
​My life was full of religious activity and I believed in Jesus
​as my Savior, but I longed for more.

I knew there had to be more.....
​       More.....the abundant life!
​
And so my search began.


​



​

My study began with one attribute of His character at a time.  The Lord and I started this part of our journey in the riches of His love. I stayed there in the Scriptures on that one attribute until I felt He moved me on to another. It was a very personal search through the Word. Sometimes we would dig in the Scriptures on one attribute for a year or more. There are vast treasures to be opened. My heart needed to be transformed and restored.  The Lord and I have moved into many other attributes through the years - His faithfulness, His sovereignty, His grace, His wisdom, His holiness, His peace, His righteousness, His rest..... on and on it goes.

I started a notebook in the beginning and simply wrote down the lessons the Father was teaching me each day about His character. That notebook was the birthplace of many Bible studies that I have written and taught through the years. Each week, each year as we have journeyed together I try to journal what I am learning. Sometimes there are lessons taught through sermons, sometimes through circumstances, sometimes through suffering or the way I observe another living out life. 
Most often they are found in the treasures of His Word as I dig down deep with a hunger and thirst to know my God.


I will give you hidden treasures,
    riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord,
    the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
                        Isaiah 45:3

There have been days, and seasons in my life when it seemed the hunger and thirst were gone. There have been times when I have cried out for the Lord to restore the passion in my heart to know Him more. 

I became numb or lazy, or just busy. But, always He has drawn me back to this amazing  discovery in search of the depths of His character. He has always been faithful to answer that cry of my heart. Of course, my journey of discovery will never be complete until I see Him face to face.  

It can be so easy to get distracted in life and begin to focus on the things or circumstances in our lives that keep us from knowing God more intimately and believing in His goodness. 

I recently read a quote that I had written down from retreat speaker and author Shelly Volkhardt. She captured the problem so well saying,

“Sometimes our dreams that we hold on to keep us from clearing the space of God’s best for us.“

She talked about the how heartache and broken dreams in her life had birthed this passion to know God more. She spoke of how she had read through the entire Bible with the lens of looking for all of His attributes and then written them down. She talked about waiting years and years for dreams to come true and said,

“God is developing us, birthing in us the character of Jesus Christ.”

 I have not been able to get the reminder of that concept out of my mind.
 God is birthing in me the character of His Son! 
​
That is His purpose for our lives. Every circumstance, every relationship is designed to conform us and shape us into His image so that we might be the reflection of His Son in our dark and needy world.

We know that truth. But, are we looking for the work?
​He is giving birth to the life and character of Jesus in us!

Not only are we to seek to know our God, but we are the work of His hands. As we discover more and more of the wonders of who He is and surrender to His plan for our lives, His character begins to emerge within us.
 
And so today as you face a disappointment or challenge or experience deep joy, it’s important to ask some questions.

“What aspect of your character are you trying to birth in me, Lord?”
​"What is it that I need to know and understand more deeply about your character, Jesus?” ​

I have been studying about David in the Scriiptures recently and was reminded of a story I read years ago about the master sculptor Michelangelo that helped me to better understand this process of our God, the Master Artist. When my pastor mentioned the story and I knew it was time to revisit the truths found within it in my own life.

The Father led Michelangelo to make David out of an eighteen foot block of flawed marble that sat for forty years gathering dust. He saw something in the marble no one else saw at age twenty-six and sculpted for months until the form of David began to appear.

There is a story told of a little boy who watched him carefully work the stone. “Finally the little boy tugged on Michelangelo’s cloak and asked, “Sir, how did you know he was in there?” 
Michelangelo replied, “I just took away everything that wasn’t David.”

That is often how the Lord works in our lives. He must hammer and chisel away everything that doesn't look like Him, like the masterpiece He has envisioned for our lives.
​

 Michelangelo labored for almost two years on the marble for his incredible masterpiece, the Pieta. ”He believed his figures were trapped inside the marble, and if he listened to the stone, he could chip away everything that wasn’t part of the figure, and the figure would be liberated.”

I remember standing before these great works of art in my travels in Europe. To behold the life, exquisite detail, and beauty that the master sculptor could create from a huge block of stone is breathtaking. What one sees as you gaze at these masterpieces is the work of a man of faith whose passion for God has spoken through the work of his hands for centuries. 

Notice Mary in the Pieta. There is great suffering in her face and yet a serenity as well. Her body is like an altar holding the crucified body of her Son, our Savior.

Observe the hands of Mary in the Pieta. One hand clings and holds her precious Son.
The other seems open in surrender.




Out of great suffering and surrender to Jesus, beauty often emerges in our lives.
How much more beautiful is the work of God’s hands on our lives, chipping away what doesn’t look like Him so that His character might be birthed in us! ​

Take a moment and consider your own life. You were conceived to be much greater than the work of the Pieta for you are God’s masterpiece. Deep within is the beauty of Christ and the Father sees it and is committed in love to transform you into His image.

• Sometimes it involves suffering or the painful removal of what doesn’t belong.
• Sometimes it means waiting until the right time, for creating a masterpiece takes perseverance and skill. 
• Sometimes it involves letting go and creating space as we learn to dream His dreams for our lives.

​Always, it involves surrender to the work of the Master Artist as He crafts our character.
As we seek to know Him more intimately, we begin to understand that the Father sees what we cannot - 
         the beauty within the stone, the beauty of our calling and purpose.
               And so, we cling to the Savior and surrender to the work of His hands.

                                  We are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8c NIV

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As we often partake of the "buffet of the world" (as my pastor, Steve Foster calls it) we come away ill!  What looks so inviting and smells of delight may be short seated as it causes our souls to become sick and sicker the longer we indulge.  We don't realize it until the soul is so sick that it screams for restoration and renewal.  Don't find yourself drifting along without purpose, being tossed about at every turn the wind blows.  Be intentional and turn your sees to the wind of the Spirit.  Today's Monday Musing Devotional Blog is one of encouragement and hope, brought to you by my Aunt Judy.  Be sure to watch the very short video below for a little further information on the blog and our upcoming Restore Retreat. ~Sherry

​I am sitting in the stillness of the morning.  The only movement is the flickering flame of my favorite candle.  I love the calming scent it gives while I settle into my quiet time to read or perhaps write a bit.   However, this morning I am only proofreading this soon-to-be blog I began writing back in 2009.  Crazy, uh?  I know.  I remember it was a beautiful day in autumn and these are the words I jotted down.

The cool, gentle breeze swept across my face and was so welcoming and invigorating.  I remember my Mother would always give God thanks for every blessed breeze that came her way and I to am thankful, as well, for the refreshing breeze God dispatched my way.  
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As I breathe in the cool air I begin to breathe deeper and deeper, allowing myself to unwind and savor my peaceful thoughts while hopeful that I can regain some clarity of purpose.   Actually, I am sitting in my car, windows down, enjoying the smells of autumn while waiting for my daughter.  During this brief period of time, in the peacefulness, my mind is uncluttered and my many thoughts uninterrupted.  I am laying claim to this time for thinking and reflection, unfettered by the restrictions or constraints of time. 

​As I stared at the pathway in front of me I watched closely as intermittent gusts of wind picked up leaves and whirled them, scattering them much like a farmer would scatter his seeds.  In the midst of the bustling leaves, a single gray, rather tattered leaf caught my attention dancing and frolicking across the path.  As I continued to gaze at this well-worn pathway I began to think about "people."  In the words of John Bunyan:  "My thoughts began to multiply like sparks that from the coals of fire do fly."   People, I questioned...Where would they be going?  Did their lives have purpose?  How many intimately knew their creator?  Where had they been and were they happy, content and loved?  This path has clearly been traveled often and possibly by the same people numerous times.  Albeit, a well-worn path, but most likely the happy leaf's first rendezvous with this particular one.  I'm welcoming my thoughts as they come and not rushing ahead in my thinking because I know that from the first breath of wind and the first flurry of leaves that I was compelled to write.  Grabbing a pen with only a bank envelope for paper, I scribbled expeditiously. 

​It appeared there was no present plan or design for the frazzled leaf's existence being whisked away in such a manner.  But again, as I connect my thoughts I become aware, at that moment, of my deeper concern for people-the souls of people- as I watched God's creation being moved by Him.  This seemed a small insignificant experience; yet, it renewed in my life the reality of how easy it is to "drift" without purpose.  Perchance, the one whose path the leaf had just blown was embarking on a new journey, or possibly a new beginning or even anxiously awaiting a second chance.  Perhaps someone was just drifting along, like the leaf, whichever way the wind would puff.

​A story is told about a Navy Chaplain speaking to sailors in the British Navy concerning their behavior.  Some of the sailors spoke up and told the Chaplain that he could not possibly understand how they were carried away with their temptations.  "You are not in the real world," they tried to reason. They continued to say they could not stand under the many temptations they faced.   The wise Chaplain simply asked the sailors to turn around and look at the boats, their sails going up.  It's interesting, he told them how all the boats are going in different directions but only by "one” wind.  One boat goes east and one boat goes west by the selfsame wind that blows.  "But...it is the 'set of the sails' and not the 'gales' that determines which way they go."  God's word "sets our sails” giving us guidance, security, and righteousness.

 "Verily, verily I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit  (John 12:24)." Of course, this applies to us, dying to self to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, meekness, temperance, and faith (Galatians 5:22,23). 

​Renewing my resolve to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind is something I have to do from time to time. This should be my primary purpose while making, "living my life,” secondary and of much less importance.   The Bible is given to us and is so clear in telling us that how we live our lives matters to God.  Our thoughts matter to God!  We matter to God!  Our light should shine so others will be able to see that we are different from the world and recognize that light.  I'm reminded of the "Old Lamplighter," who would light the lampposts for others to see their way clearly.  Once he illuminated an area he would disappear into the darkness yet his light remained shining.  Just how can we do this?   Zechariah 4:6 tells us how..."Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord of hosts."  We must step-up and become who God has intended for us to be, therefore, maintaining our purpose and purity.  Someone once said that as we become increasingly committed to the Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit our Heavenly Father begins the process of renewing us, restoring us and reinvigorating all aspects of our lives, all the while, giving us clarity of purpose. 

In a prayer Allistair Begg prayed these words: 
"Remember always the presence of God;
to find our rest always in the will of God
and to direct all our endeavors to the Glory of God."

We all became cheerleaders - wildly applauding my daughter's special moments on stage. She said the cast all knew when her family and friends were at the show and where they were. We were proud to play our part so enthusiastically! There were the photographers, those artists who took the time to capture the memories. I'm so grateful they shared these photos. There were the conversationalists,  those who have the special ability to draw out conversation from the ones who might not otherwise contribute as easily. There were the givers, those who take joy in picking up the tab to bless the group or who simply have that ability to creatively engage others. They share their hearts and resources to encourage. They are the ones  who sense a need and meet it, whether it’s a hug in a difficult moment or an encouraging word. There were the adventure lovers, those who spurred our sometimes tired bodies to press on through snow and sleet and temperatures in the teens so that we would not miss a single precious moment.


And there were the storytellers. Every group seems to have one or two. One surprise friend joined our group. He was the music director of our daughter's show and amazingly had been in theater with my husband and myself in our LSU days.

 How like the Lord to weave his life back into ours as our friend now poured out his love of music and expertise, investing in the musical career of our own daughter. He is a wonderful storyteller and I loved hearing him tell stories of our college days and shows, many of which I had forgotten. But storytellers take in all those details and store them for our pleasure in the future. I treasure the time we had reconnecting, reliving fun times, and making new memories with him over the weekend. 

 On the plane trip to Pittsburg I started a wonderful book entitled The Prodigal God by Tim Keller. I thought it was an unusual title - knowing well the parable from Scripture called the Prodigal Son on which the book is based. Keller says that the parable would be better named “Two Lost Sons.” Prodigal is defined two ways - recklessly extravagant and having spent everything. When you really think about it, that is a perfect adjective to describe our Lord. His sacrifice for our salvation was recklessly extravagant. He gave everything for us and that is the life to which he calls us. Loving extravagantly, giving and living out a life of lavish grace.

Radical grace and love at such a cost should reshape us and profoundly affect the way we live. 

I felt I experienced a taste of the Father’s extravagant love and grace this past weekend through the love and unique offerings I experienced from our band of family and friends. They were willing to extravagantly sacrifice to express their love for us and our daughter. There were those who couldn't join us, yet sacrificed to faithfully pray at home. The day of our return I received several calls from dear friends who had been praying for our trip and our daughter.

In the parable, the Father invites everyone to the great feast, especially his lost sons, but only one chooses to enter. The feast is a picture of the great heavenly feast the Father has prepared for us to celebrate at the end of history. Keller closes his book with some wonderful truths about the salvation feast that Jesus, the Lord of the Feast came to bring us.
I finished this jewel of a book the day before we returned and was impacted by a quote in the last chapter by C.S. Lewis. Keller introduces the quote with these words, "...there is no way you will be able to grow spiritually apart from involvement in a community of other believers. You can’t live the Christian life without a band of Christian friends, without a family of believers in which you find a place. C. S. Lewis was part of a famous circle of friends called the Inklings, which included J. R. R. Tolkien the author of The Lord of the Rings, and also the author Charles Williams, who died unexpectedly after World War II. In his book The Four Loves, Lewis wrote a striking meditation on his death in an essay entitled “Friendship.”

“In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets. Now that Charles {Williams} is dead, I shall never again see Ronald’s {Tolkien’s} reaction to a specifically Charles joke. Far from having more of Ronald, having him “to myself” now that Charles is away, I have less of Ronald…In this, friendship exhibits a glorious “nearness by resemblance” to heaven itself where the very multitude of the blessed (which no man can number) increases the fruition which each of us has of God. For every soul, seeing Him in her own way doubtless communicates that unique vision to all the rest. That, says an old author, is why the seraphim in Isaiah’s vision are crying “Holy, Holy, Holy to one another (Isaiah 6:3) The more we thus share the Heavenly Bread between us, the more we shall have.” C. S. Lewis

The Lord chose to display the truth of the power of Christian community before me in our Pittsburg weekend in a way that I could taste and see. We gathered for fun, feasts, beauty and theater with all our unique gifts and personalities in community. Each time we gather in community, the experience helps us to know and love one another better and more beautifully as we seek to serve and encourage friends and family to grow in the image of Christ. As we gathered last weekend we drew out of one another more of the vision the Father has for us.

Our band of family and friends are not famous, like those of C. S. Lewis, but they are a faithful and lovingly extravagant community of believers whom I am so grateful and blessed to journey with in this life.

• Do you have a community of believers with whom you share the celebrations and everyday moments of life?
• If not, I believe that the Father wants you to experience community in all the fullness and variety that God’s people can bring into your life. Sometimes it involves a sacrifice. Always it calls for extravagant love.
• Ask Him to show you how and where He would have you engage in community. 

For me, as we seek to love and serve one another extravagantly, each in his or her own unique way, the experience of Christian community has been like a foretaste of the great feast the Father has prepared for us. I’m so grateful for the stories the Lord is weaving together and for the ones who have so generously played their part.

Blessed and grateful,
Kathy

Resources:Timothy Keller,The Prodigal God, C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves

​There are many things that bring a delightful smile to my face, but having a friend share what God is doing in their life  surely hangs near the top of my list.  Margaret Kemp shares from time to time on our blog posts and today's writing delighted my soul as she shares insights given by watching her precious granddaughter. I know you will be delighted as well.  ~ Sherry

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Margaret has attended many Restore retreats and God has used those times to help grow spiritual intimacy within her relationship with Jesus Christ, our beloved Bridegroom. She has awakened to His pursuit for her and knows the value of bridal devotion of His love. I'm sure she would encourage you to join us on the next retreat March 10th! 

​Delightful!

That’s how I would describe her. 

Her eyes are wide with wonder as she observes a butterfly.

She squeals with excitement as she chases bubbles or snowflakes or puppies.

She gives spontaneous hugs and randomly breaks out in song.

When I watch her, I understand why Jesus said, to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must become like little children. 

Children know how to take delight.
Lately, the Lord has been whispering a verse to me. 

Sometimes when we become adults, we lose our sense of delight and wonder. Problems and obligations throw a wet blanket on the flame of our desires. We give up on dreams we once held dear, or we find satisfaction in the wrong things. But the Bible tells us we’re supposed to delight in the Lord. It says He will give us our heart’s desires.

My Life Application Study Bible says “to delight in someone means to experience great pleasure and joy in his or her presence.  This happens only when we know that person well.  So, to delight in the Lord, we must know him better. Knowledge of God’s great love for us will indeed give us delight.”  I delight in the Lord when I’m aware of His Presence as I go through my day. I delight in the Lord when I set aside time to talk to Him and listen to Him speak to my heart in that still, small voice. 

I delight in the Lord when I read and reread the love letters He’s given me in His Word.  If I linger long enough, I may be rewarded with one of those Ah-ha moments when the Scriptures seem to jump off the page and I gain a fresh insight. I find new reasons to praise. He puts a new song in my heart.

I delight in the Lord when I take time to appreciate Him. Little children take time to investigate the ordinary. But adults often take for granted the good gifts God bestows on us each day. We lose our sense of fascination with creation. As we delight in the Lord, we regain that sense of childlike wonder.  Every day can be a special occasion when we recognize the goodness of God in the messiness of life.

​When we delight in the Lord, He gives us the desires of our heart. 

​This phrase can be observed from two angles. When we spend time with Him, God places the appropriate desires in our hearts. He gives us a passion for the work He’s called us to do.  He sets our hearts on fire with a desire to live out our purpose. 
And, He fulfills our desires, the pure desires He places in our hearts. Sometimes He does that in unexpected ways, but if we come to Him with expectant hearts, waiting and watching, the Bible tells us that He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all we could ever hope or dream. (Ephesians 

What delights you?  Do you delight in God’s creation—the intricate details of a butterfly’s wing or the majesty of a mountain peak? Does the crashing of waves against a sandy beach fill you with praise for the One who created the shore and said to the ocean, “This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!”? (Job 38:11) Or maybe you best sense His presence under a canopy of trees where all you hear are the crisp leaves skipping across the forest floor.

Do you find delight in knowing that no matter what kind of curve balls the world may pitch to you, God is always at your side, strengthening you, encouraging you, upholding you with His righteous right hand? (Isaiah 41:10) Does it delight you to know that you are loved with an everlasting love, and that no matter what tribulations you have in the world, He has overcome them all?
​
 Are there prayers that need answers, problems that need solving, passions that need fulfilling? The Bible tells us roll all of those over to Jesus and trust Him to give us what we need. 

“Delighting” may look different for each of us. It may be an ongoing conversation that we have with Him as we go about our day. It may be a block of time in the morning, or at lunchtime, or in the evening that we set aside for just for Him. It may include a weekend away-- a Restore Retreat, for instance.
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Let’s learn a lesson from little children and restore our sense of delight. We can find beauty and rejoicing in any season, at any age, when we’re living in close fellowship with God. When we delight in Him, He gives us what our hearts truly desire.
Here’s a -link to one of my favorite Twila Paris songs, “Delight My Heart.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgejOL1GxSs

Delighting in Him,
Margaret Kemp