Mountaintops and Valleys
"He sends forth springs in the valleys: They flow between the mountains" Psalm 103:10
We often speak of "mountaintop experiences" in our Spiritual walk. Those times when we are keenly aware of God's presence, when we are experiencing His Joy and Peace, when we are experiencing Him and His Blessings. Those times are precious but there are "valleys" in our Spiritual walk, aren't there?
There are times when we don't understand the chaos around us or the emotions within us. We are in a "spiritual valley". And what do we find in the valley? - springs of water - life giving water not found on the mountaintops. Springs of water to refresh and cleanse us!!!!!
When I am writing "Tuesdays with Tiz", I am on a mountaintop of all mountaintops!!!! But before the ink is dry on the paper my King just might gently lead His Princess into a valley. Even though I might not understand it, I am learning not to kick and scream and try to pull myself out of there!!! And I don't go looking for the devil behind every bush. What am I to do? I am to look for the "Spring" that flows between the mountains. JESUS is my "Spring" when I am in the valley!!! I now know that my "valleys" are not a result of my failure but opportunities for God to reveal His goodness to me in a tender and intimate way. When He has accomplished His purpose in my life He will once again lead me to the mountain top. Do I hear a Praise!!!!
"Father, I rejoice in you today. I thank you that I can rest in you when I am on the mountain top and when I am in the valley. I pray that each person reading this post today will embrace you and drink of you, whether in the valley or on the mountain top. In Jesus name, I pray." Amen
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
TUESDAYS WITH TIZ
Look up, not out
"After this I looked, and lo, a door standing open in heaven" "and lo, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne!" Rev. 4: 1-2
Friends, we are living in uncertain times but our God is not uncertain. If He was on the throne in Heaven when John looked through the open door then He will be on the throne in Heaven when I choose to look through that same open door into His wonderful face. I can choose to look at circumstances around me and be miserable and depressed or I can look at and focus on Him. As I focus on Him, I will experience His Joy and Peace regardless of what the news reports say. If I look out instead of up, I will wallow in my burdens instead of walking in His blessings. I choose to look beyond my physical world and the circumstances around me to Him who sits on the throne.
He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and I can praise and worship Him regardless. Do I hear a PRAISE!!!
Yes, friends, there is a Throne in Heaven and One is sitting on it!!!!! Look up, not out!!!!
"Father, I praise you for who you are and I thank you for the encouragement you give me through your Word. I rejoice in the fact that you are on your throne and you are in control of any and all circumstances that affect me. I ask you to encourage each person reading this post today. I thank you that our hope is in Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray". Amen
"After this I looked, and lo, a door standing open in heaven" "and lo, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne!" Rev. 4: 1-2
Friends, we are living in uncertain times but our God is not uncertain. If He was on the throne in Heaven when John looked through the open door then He will be on the throne in Heaven when I choose to look through that same open door into His wonderful face. I can choose to look at circumstances around me and be miserable and depressed or I can look at and focus on Him. As I focus on Him, I will experience His Joy and Peace regardless of what the news reports say. If I look out instead of up, I will wallow in my burdens instead of walking in His blessings. I choose to look beyond my physical world and the circumstances around me to Him who sits on the throne.
He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and I can praise and worship Him regardless. Do I hear a PRAISE!!!
Yes, friends, there is a Throne in Heaven and One is sitting on it!!!!! Look up, not out!!!!
"Father, I praise you for who you are and I thank you for the encouragement you give me through your Word. I rejoice in the fact that you are on your throne and you are in control of any and all circumstances that affect me. I ask you to encourage each person reading this post today. I thank you that our hope is in Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray". Amen
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
JEN HERE...
Everyday I choose... HOW will I respond to life today?
When my daughter breaks ANOTHER glass, do I scowl and fuss about my dwindling drink ware? Or do I tell her how very glad I am that she did not get cut, and offer to fix her a glass of tea after I clean up the mess?
She has broken A LOT of glasses lately - my record is not stellar.
Everyday, we are faced with new situations... new hurts... new temptations .... new angers... new stresses... new opportunities to respond the RIGHT way. Sometimes I am VERY good at taking the high road. Sometimes I woller. I really want to be a consistent high road taker because wollering is some dirty emotionally exhausting stuff.
And do you know what? I have no idea how I could make it day to day without the Lord. It would be one more sad existence if I didn't have Him to get me from response to response.
Father God, thank you for guiding me and showing me how to respond in love. Father forgive me when I react angrily and please don't let me crush the spirit of others. Thank you for your long suffering and let it be an example to me of how to respond.
In Jesus name, Amen.
When my daughter breaks ANOTHER glass, do I scowl and fuss about my dwindling drink ware? Or do I tell her how very glad I am that she did not get cut, and offer to fix her a glass of tea after I clean up the mess?
She has broken A LOT of glasses lately - my record is not stellar.
Everyday, we are faced with new situations... new hurts... new temptations .... new angers... new stresses... new opportunities to respond the RIGHT way. Sometimes I am VERY good at taking the high road. Sometimes I woller. I really want to be a consistent high road taker because wollering is some dirty emotionally exhausting stuff.
And do you know what? I have no idea how I could make it day to day without the Lord. It would be one more sad existence if I didn't have Him to get me from response to response.
Father God, thank you for guiding me and showing me how to respond in love. Father forgive me when I react angrily and please don't let me crush the spirit of others. Thank you for your long suffering and let it be an example to me of how to respond.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)