| Author | Message | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 92 Registered: 6-2005 |
I have two dogs. One is big and slightly overweight and has a heavy coat. One is medium sized, but solid muscle and energy. We hike regularly. Whenever we get near a stream, the large one will clamber over any obsticle to get to the water. She will just stand in the stream. Just stand there. Grinning. Really! Until I drag her out. The other one will run and frolick, bark at the water, and run constant circles around the other, muddying up the water, distrubing the peace. When the first one gets tired of the commotion and agitation, she will move up the stream to find another pool of still water to stand in. The small one will follow and begin to muck up the water again. And so the saga goes, day after day after day. It reminded me of my life right now. I just want to, and need to, stand still in the living water, soaking it up. Getting refreshed, healed. I have these people in my life who seemed determined to muck up the water. I really just want to stand still with God. I feel like screaming, "No i do NOT want to study Ellen with you." "Yes, that WAS a mug from a "Sunday" church that you spotted". "No, I do not want to debate doctrine", "Yes, i do plan on including non-adventist's in my ministry" "No, I do not want to pray with you, unless you are willing to pray that I know and experience fully the cucified and Risen Christ" and leave your own agenda out of it. (Wow, didnt know that was in me) I just finished the story of the "woman at the well" and the discorse of Jesus and living water. One of the study questions asked the many uses of water: purification, healing, cooling, refreshing, quenching thirst, growth, life support, reflecting etc. I just wanna stand in the stream. Quietly. "Rain down Your love upon me, pour out Your mercy on me, Please wont You take me to Your springs of life" (Ginny Owens song) Anyone else have an animal object lesson or story? Hugs JavaGirl | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 142 Registered: 4-2005 |
Unconditional love, I think is the most powerful lesson our Golden "Koda" gives us day after day, Java Girl. And I know that a dog does smile. :c) Yes indeed. Unquestioning loyalty and total, humble, but trusting dependence upon we, her masters. If I could only wait before the Lord and wait FOR the Lord as patiently and quietly as does our Koda. And even when I speak impatiently to her for tracking in mud (upset JUST because I have to mop it up! - such a big deal, right?), she is all waggy tailed (typical Golden Retriever) and ready to play. Sad day, "Let's play!" Down in the dumps? "Let's play." Oh dad-nab-it (spiritualized swearing) - it's raining! "Hey, I have an idea: Let's play!" It's cold and dreary, what a drag. "I know: Let's play." What was that Your Majesty? "I was just reminding you of My statement about the importance of being like little children - - loving, trusting, accepting, simple, playful,gentle, eager to please, totally dependent, not SELF conscious!" A two word message God gave to me: "Focus." "Focus on what, Lord?" "Focus on that which you cannot see." "Listen." Listen to what, Lord? "Listen to the Silence." It harmonizes with Ps. 46:10. A.W. Tozer, whose biography I am reading said to a friend once, "There are occasions when for hours I lay prostate before God without saying a word of prayer or a word of praise - - I just gaze on Him and worship." Is not THAT, "Focusing" and "Listening?" JavaGirl - - "Bring on the rain!" :c) But standing in streams in Wyoming and Montana freeze my feet! :c) Jess | ||
| Benevento Registered user Username: Benevento Post Number: 61 Registered: 4-2005 |
JWD The waters of North Puget Sound (or all over Puget sound are pretty bone chilling cold too. But I know what you mean,Java girl and the Lord admonished us to come apart and rest--(I think you get to choose the rest that is right for you) | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 145 Registered: 4-2005 |
Bene... I enjoyed fly fishing in WY and MT up in the mountains. My constitution is such that it would take me nearly 10 minutes of dipping my feet into the water and pulling them out due to a pain similar to when you eat ice cream too fast. Eventually I got used to it and then was comfortable. My kids, on the other hand, would wade right in as if it were swimming pool warm and of course make fun of their dad. I think resting in Jesus, His "abide in me" is restful; but while we "rest" in Him, we never cease running the race so to win the prize. It is usually a challenge to harmonize both. |
