Saturday, February 21, 2015

He makes me whole again...


Friday is my husband's weekly  day off and our "date day".  I've been cough, cough, coughing this week due to the bronchial bug that's been going around, so staying in my pajamas all day and watching old movies sounded like an ideal date day to me.  My husband, on the other hand, felt like taking a drive, so I kept my thoughts to myself, got cleaned up and dressed, grabbed my camera and settled into the passenger seat of the car.

The drive itself was actually relaxing.  We drove north into Washington state, through my husband's home town, south back over the bridge into Oregon, and west toward the coast. 


When we reached the northwest tip of Oregon where the Columbia River dumps into the sea, we headed south on highway 101 and stopped for a late lunch in Seaside.  After enjoying some delicious seafood, and cup after cup of hot tea on my part, my husband drove to a parking spot by the sea, thinking I could just relax and enjoy the view.  He should know me better than that.  A walk by the sea is irresistible to me.  I put on my jacket and knit hat and grabbed my camera and away I went.



It's been a tough week.  Via the news we have been bombarded with grief upon grief.  Across the world the blood of the martyrs was shed on a beach in Libya.  Here in our own Pacific Northwest, the headlines tell of influential pastors compromising on things which,  in my opinion, are Biblical non-negotiables.  My daughter sent her dad a text message mourning that she is has to raise her children in the midst of what she called, "the Christian chaos".  She is heartsick that her generation of ministry leaders are afraid to say that "Jesus' love is wide, but His ways are narrow". I mourn because I know that for that statement alone, she/we are marked as judgmental and unloving.  I mourn that because our current culture feels that God must have not meant what He said because it feels too harsh or too narrow to us, we think we can just move the plumbline of the Word and get away with it.  It makes as little sense to me as it would if you were to ask me the way to Seattle from my house in Portland and instead of saying, "Go north on I-205, then merge onto I-5 and continue north", I said, "Well, if you are just sincere you will find the way." When Jesus says that He is the Only Way, when God says that there are things we do that bring life, and there are things we do that bring brokenness and death, it's no more mean and cruel for me to lovingly tell you the truth than it is for me to tell you that there is one clear way to Seattle.  It IS the way whether you or I like it or not or whether it feels good to us or not.  For me to hem and haw and refuse to tell you the truth is what's cruel.  For me to be unclear and ambiguous while you wander  around in confusion is what's cruel.  (Side note: I looked up the definition of the word ambiguous to make sure I was using it in proper context.  Here is what the online dictionary said, "unclear or inexact because a choice between alternatives has not been made." "this whole society is morally ambiguous")  That is my point exactly.  This week twenty-one martyrs gave their lives with the name of Jesus on their lips because the choice was clear to them.   

All of this was in my mind as I walked. An hour later I got back to the car feeling like that walk was exactly what the doctor ordered.  I'm not so sure it was beneficial physically, but it definitely was spiritually and emotionally,  I felt the fragmented pieces of my troubled soul being knit back into wholeness.  I choose to place my trust in the Creator God who made the sea.  He is still in control, even in the midst of what seems so chaotic, just as He is in control of the tides and the waves.  

still following,




Scripture and Snapshot


SUNDAY STILLNESS


Also happily linking up with the lovely Lisha Epperson.







24 comments:

  1. Just got done reading the SRT verses for today. I think it fits with what you wrote. Do we want to walk in the "darkness" or the "light"? I choose the "light" and everything that is good, true and holy.

    Debbi

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    1. So glad it's working for you to comment again! Did you figure something out or did it just start working on it's own?

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  2. I love reading your insights and encouragement. Thank you for being transparent and unwilling to compromise truth.

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  3. Sometimes it's in the moments you most don't want to do something - and you do that the blessing is multiplied. I don't know why, but taking a camera with me makes a big difference - it seems to allow me to zoom into God's presence. I've noticed for quite a while, especially while teaching in the classroom, that students don't believe what the words are telling them (like directions) - that words mean something - and that words do set boundaries and limits. It's a shame when culture tries to devolve the God-designed boundary words. I am so glad you got out - found grace in the uncomfortable!

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    1. You're right! No one seems to want to believe it means what it says and says what it means. Thanks for your encouragement.

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  4. About a month ago, the message at our church was about the narrow gate. We all have a choice in this life whether or not to go through it. I feel that the world we live in now is increasingly testing our faith. Are we willing to compromise who we are in Christ to fit in with society or are we standing strong in our convictions to go through that gate? I believe, as you do, that we have to stand strong on God's word & not define the boundaries He has placed for us. Glad that you were able to get away & spend time with your hubs. Praying you are well soon!

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    1. Thanks, Krista. Praise God for pastors that aren't afraid to preach about the narrow way!

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    2. I mean to say defy not define. Oops! Yes, I am thankful for the word being spoken & preached that needs to be.

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  5. AMEN! There is power in the Word and that narrow way is the way I want to walk. Your day may not have taken the cough away, but it certainly put the glory of the LORD into your words here. Thank you and so grateful that you are a near-neighbor on Still Saturday.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda
    PS...I lived in Portland for 4 years and loved seeing the photo of the coast and just thinking about the NW.

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    1. That's awesome that you used to live in our beautiful city, Linda. As you know, the PNW is known for being very unchurched, and many churches are, unfortunately, not standing strong for truth. Pray for us!

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  6. I loved seeing this and recognized so much! I want to be out there again to see family and friends and the ocean and the mountains. BUT I don't know if the Lord is letting me out again, b/c the dementia is increasing. To see you being around and about with your husband is a real treat! Even though I've seen you and been with you out there I've never met him. Want to!! Bless you, Dear. You are a treat!

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  7. First of all, your images are so very lovely.....getting to see a part of our beautiful country that I may never get to visit is refreshing! I definitely agree with beingwoven....it certainly did put the glory of the Lord into your words and I thank you so much for sharing!

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    1. Thanks so much, Cheryl! I'm happy to be following your beautiful blog now.

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  8. Elizabeth, you have shared a hard but needed truth in this post. So glad you went for the drive as this was a post we all need to read. Grateful you shared your thoughts. May we all be faithful to pray for this generation that we would stand firm for the Lord. Blessings!

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    1. I've heard it said that we have got to pray, pray, pray and obey, obey, obey and I think that about sums it up!

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  9. As I type my comment, it's with a prayer for your complete physical healing. For energy to meet the "normal" and extra responsibilities. I share your concerns re. the church & applaud your daughter's insight. Frequently I ask God for mercy - personal & collective. Sometimes I feel like Elisha (or was it 'jah?) who thought he was the only one left. Then I'm inspired to see posts like yours that assure me that God still has His people! I'm determined to be true and faithful to Him & His Word in the power of the Holy Spirit!

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    1. Thank you, Rebecca. I'm feeling much better today. I'm agreeing with your last sentence and saying a hearty amen!

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  10. Hi Elizabeth,
    Standing firm and being faithful ... taking care of one self and one another ... So happy for your walk by the sea - and the capture of the fisherman - a great symbolic in seeing his work on stormy weather.

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    1. Nina, that is a good symbolic photo. Thanks for helping me to see that!

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  11. Hi Elizabeth,
    Standing firm and being faithful ... taking care of one self and one another ... So happy for your walk by the sea - and the capture of the fisherman - a great symbolic in seeing his work on stormy weather.

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  12. I love this part of our state. I'm so glad you were able to get out and walk and think and pray and take photos. We must stand true to the words of Scripture. It's not a popular stand to take today, but I'll stake my life on it!
    ~Adrienne~

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