The Heart

Hearts. They are dangerous, messy, wild, unpredictable things. What are we to do with them? How can they ever be tamed, I know I can't curb mine on my own. I've been going through Colossians with my girls Life Group recently. Colossians 3:1-4 says "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." In the previous verses Paul talks about the rules and traditions we use that "lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." We need more than rules to tame our hearts, it's going to take something much bigger.

The key is death. That old ugly heart has got to die. We think sometimes, in the issue of salvation and faith, there is no price to pay, Christ paid it all. And certainly he did, but his invitation to us is death. We must share in his death on the cross. Until we die we can't live. It's something that happens once on the one hand, but then again, it has to happen daily too. I don't like dieing to myself, it hurts, my heart rebels, it doesn't want to be put to death. I lay it down on the altar, I bare it to his masterful touch, his surgeon hands, but I flinch, I want to jump up off of the altar.

It sounds so simple, but I've found the only way my heart is transformed, is "set on things above", is through significant time spent in the word, meditation and worship. I'm using Beth Moore's bible study 'A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place', it has been so timely. God's plan has always been to reach our hearts (thank you Jesus!) and this study points back to that. I've also been purposely not turning on the TV and setting aside quiet time at night to just be with Jesus, in his word, quieting my heart before him, worshiping him. I am so thankful for people and groups like Chris Tomlin, Third Day, Hillsong, Travis Cottrell, Selah and so many more for using the gifts God's given them to teach us and lead us in worship. Lately I almost always have worship music on, it changes me. It lifts my heart and mind to places 'above'.

To spend significant, life changing time with God though takes sacrifice, discipline, commitment. One of the problems we as Christians have with taming our hearts is that we live in a culture that pampers and indulges the heart. We, as a culture, deny ourselves nothing. Righteousness, holiness doesn't come without a price. But what do we gain in return? Everything! Col. 3:4 "When Christ, who is your life (your heart) appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Glory! He's so generous. He asks us to die, but to what? Immorality, greed, selfishness, fear, bitterness. It's hard, certainly, but what does he offer us in return for our broken, black hearts? His own! His glory, his life, power, love, freedom, peace! Have you ever known anyone so generous?! So I dare you, let's do it, what do we have to lose, let's die! And in dieing we'll live!

Praise

I've been listening to Selah tonight, I love their music. They sing a lot of hymns and older songs. Songs with rich words and theology. Songs too of deep experiences. When you hear them your heart swells with understanding, you know what that person was trying to express. You can hear the yearnings of their hearts echoed in your own. I think this song, Wonderful, Merciful Saviour, spoke to my heart the most tonight. Although I Need Thee Every Hour, There is a Fount and All My Praise also touched me.

Wonderful, merciful Saviour
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would've thought that a Lamb could
Rescue the souls of men
Oh, You rescue the souls of men

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost our way
Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way

Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne

You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for
Wonderful, Merciful Savior

I'm so thankful for music to lift my thoughts to God's throne, to give means to express my praise. Praise is powerful, not to mention a command. I know when I praise Jesus it honor's him and it changes my heart.

Bike Ride

Max rode his bike to and from the library yesterday. He did a great job, he's never ridden that far before. He was tickled to park his bike in the bike rack, I thought it was really cute!

Today

Some friends of mine had this post on their blogs this morning so I thought I'd get in on the action...

For Today...

Outside my window... The sun is breaking out of the clouds, it looks like we'll have blue skies and sunshine!

I am thankful for... The way God has met me with his love this week. I've seen him all around me and his word has been my comfort.

From the kitchen... I think I'll make chicken alfredo tonight, a little comfort food.

I am wearing... I'm still in my pajamas until Maggie goes down for her morning nap and I can take my shower.

I am reading... I've recently started Beth Moore's Bible study A Woman's Heart God's Dwelling Place. It's not regular reading but pretty much what I'm spending my time in. It's been wonderful so far and I'm anticipating it getting even better.

I am hoping... for a fabulous visit back east to visit our families! We're leaving in a few weeks and I'm excited to see family and friends. I'm also hoping Maggie will start walking soon!

I am creating... I need to work on a project for some photography I said I would display at a MOPS meeting.

I am hearing... Sid the Science Kid on PBS that Max is watching. He loves that show and it makes him ask lots of questions about things. I'm also hearing the little chatters of Max and Maggie as they begin playing this morning. Sweet.

Around the house... Today is my cleaning day, so I really should get up from the computer and clean the bathroom, dust, vacuum, sweep, do some laundry....

One of my favorite things... Tea,mmmm. I think it's time for my second cup. My first cup was a raspberry black tea. Now maybe some chai.

A few plans for the rest of the week... I'm planning to enjoy the beautiful, warm, sunny weather forecast for this week with trips to the playground, bike riding, taking pictures, maybe a picnic and anything else we can do outside. I also have my regular bible studies and things. I'm hoping to have some friends over for dinner later this week.

Bath time

Maggie says 'I want in too'!

New bath toys

Maggie got her turn

So, I got a new camera recently, my other one died. I'm so excited about my new camera, it's awesome. I haven't had time to sit down and read all about it yet, but I've certainly enjoyed using it. These are some of the first pictures I took with it. I love Max and Maggie enjoying bath time together. She usually wants to get in when she sees he's in the tub and he loves having someone to play with for a few minutes. I love seeing Max be such a great brother, she thinks he's wonderful!

Beau

My cousin Beau is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. To lift his spirits and let him know we're praying for him his sister is having people take pictures of his name in various ways and locations. It was inspired by the project started by Stellan's mom, many of you are familiar with his story. Anyhow the pictures are really cool and some of them are creative and touching. I thought some of you might like to check them out here http://beauslocumb.blogspot.com/2009/04/beaus-name.html

Good Friday project

Whew! What a marathon last week was. Our church put on Chris' version of a stations of the cross for Good Friday. We began working on Tuesday afternoon and finished at four o'clock Friday, an hour before people showed up. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were 9 to 11 hour days! In the end I believe it was all worth it. We had over 185 people show up, almost double what we expected. Our desire was for the experience to draw people closer to Jesus by understanding what his last hours on earth were like. I think it was a success. Instead of telling you about what we did, I'll show you. Click on this link to see a video of the stations. It was designed to take about an hour to go through, but because of congestion in reality took longer. People were given a booklet and it was a self guided experience. The video is about 8 minutes, but I think worth the time.
ref=mf http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1140395225596&ref=mf

The Passion

As Easter approaches I have been reflecting on this season of Passion. Chris is organizing a Good Friday experience for our church, his version of stations of the cross. As usual I will be heavily involved in the execution of his project. As I was thinking about the different stations representing things such as the last supper, Jesus betrayal, crucifixion, the torn curtain in the temple, etc. I wanted to draw as close to his experience as possible.

I've never watched The Passion of the Christ before, for a number of reasons. I've always wanted to at just the right time but never have. Anyway this weekend I felt the time was right and that it would even be helpful as I participated in Good Friday preparations. I started it on Saturday night. I wasn't able to finish it because it got too late and I needed to be ready to sing early Sunday morning. I actually stopped the movie right at the point he made it to Golgotha. However, what I did see has stayed with me.

How could I be anything but moved as I watched such a realistic portrayal of our Saviors suffering. Three things in particular struck me. First as I watched, I was moved by his perfect innocence, he didn't deserve a single wound. Second was his deliberate choice. Many people throughout history have died brutal deaths; some because of choices they've made, some because of the hate of others. But Jesus agony was chosen. As I saw Jesus pain depicted I was so humbled that God, who doesn't need me, who is all powerful, who deserves nothing but honor, who is above dirt and sin and pain, chose my punishment. It's too much for words. Third I was struck by my wretchedness in light of his perfection, his example of servanthood and sacrificial love. He loves me so perfectly and I in return love him so falteringly. I was struck by my hearts tendency to betray him. I was moved by my constant need for him.

If you have never seen the Passion I would encourage you to consider seeing it this Easter season, or to see it again. It's not easy to be confronted with the reality of our need for rescue and God's solution, it's brutal. But this Sunday as we took communion, I was again reminded of the command to remember. As challenging and emotional as it is to watch such a raw portrayal of our sins and his suffering I think it's a valuable opportunity as well. So, this wretched worm, desperately needing his precious blood, is taking the opportunity to remember and say thank you!

Reflections of Spring

It's snowing again today, I really don't need to elaborate. Anyhow, I was organizing some of my pictures last night and came across these. I took them around Easter three years ago. We were living at the time with dear friends in Bellbrook Ohio. Their yard was an amazing canvas God used to display his glory in brilliant ways every season. I loved living in their cottage nestled in the woods, it was a magical place! Truly some of my most intimate and powerful times with Jesus happened in that tranquil yard.

So, even though today it's a long way from the triumphant rebirth of spring here in Cody, I'm holding on to the promise. Maybe one reason I love spring so much is how it echos the joy of my own heart's rebirth.