Bittachon

lean  verb \ˈlēn\
 

1 a : to incline, deviate, or bend from a vertical position b : to cast one's weight to one side for support

2 : to rely for support or inspiration

3 : to incline in opinion, taste, or desire 

Basic English tells us that if "lean" is a verb that makes it an action. 

In light of that let's take a look at Proverbs 3:5-6 

 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and LEAN not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

 The beginning and the ending of v.5 seem to contradict each other trust:understanding. How do you trust when you don't understand? I have fallen into this trap lately. I feel the need to understand everything. The "why's" of life are driving me crazy. This is not how the Lord wants us to live. Looking at the definition above He doesn't want us to deviate, cast one's weight, rely for support or inspiration on our own understanding.

Verse 6 tells us what He does want us to do. In ALL your ways SUBMIT to Him... even when you don't understand... even when it doesn't make sense... even when it hurts. 

In Hebrew they call this Bittachon (bit-taw-khone') meaning to have full confidence and security in something you can't see. In short, to have faith. 

Lord, help me submit to you, help me lean on you, show me how to press on when I don't understand. Amen

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
   whose confidence is in him.

Jeremiah 17:7

 

Attitude Adjustment

It has come to my attention (thank you Papa) that I am in need of an attitude adjustment...

The path of my current attitude began nearly a year ago when God gave me a dream. In this dream he told me to move. He asked me to follow Him away from everything comfortable and simply follow Him... after a few months of arguing and pouting and putting out my figurative fleece (Judges 6:36-40) again and again, I finally listened. I packed up, uprooted my family and we moved.


But my attitude was a bit of "there God... I listened... now what?" After an eye opening service at church yesterday I have realized that when God calls we are supposed to listen and follow Him "full speed ahead". Something I heard once was "delayed obedience is disobedience" OUCH!


I think about my kids... When I ask them to do something I expect them to do it, the first time. I shouldn't have to ask two or three times and I certainly shouldn't have to explain myself to them. And once they do as I've asked they shouldn't keep being fussy about it. Why would God expect any less of His children? I believe we are all called to do something, in fact if we listen God calls us to do many things every day. Some big, some small. He wants us to listen to them all. Not because we fear Him, but because we love Him. I want my kids to listen because they love me and want to honor me. 

I have spent the past 24 hours praying about my attitude. God has shown me some amazing things. Things He has planned for ME! If I would just love Him enough to listen, the first time He tells me. I am so thankful and honored that God chose to speak to ME! He chose to call ME! He will choose to use ME in whatever capacity He sees fit, if I let Him. God isn't interested in taking hostages... He wants volunteers.

I am excited about everything He has in store for me and my family. I wait expectantly... 

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. 

As you have heard from the beginning,

His command is that you walk in love. 

2 John v.6

Seeking a sound mind...

 

It seems as though lately I have been overcome by a spirit of fear... 

I know this is a tool of the snake. It says it in God's Word...

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Isaiah 41:10

So what do I have to fear? ... lately... it seems like a lot. There isn't a decision I have made without a certain level of fear... most of the time that level of fear is HIGH! I know just as I don't want my kids to be afraid neither does God want his daughter to be afraid.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, 

but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 

2 Timothy 1:7

SO since I know fear doesn't come from God what does the Bible say about fear? I will hide it in my heart...

The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1

... do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. 

Isaiah 8:12b

Say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear..."

Isaiah 35:4a

There is no fear in love. 

But perfect love drives out fear, 

because fear has to do with punishment. 

The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18

Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have the law in your hearts. 

Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified of their insults. 

Isaiah 51:7

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 

"Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."

1 Peter 3:13-14

God, I know you don't want me to be fearful. You always have been and always will be my rock. I pray that I stand firm, be strong, bold, courageous for this is what you want for your daughter.

Un-slumping

And when you’re in a Slump, you’re not in for much fun. 

Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. 

Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked. 

A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! 

Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in? 

How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And if you go in, should you turn left or right…or right-and-three-quarters? 

Or, maybe, not quite? Or go around back and sneak in from behind? 

Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find,

for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race 

down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace 

and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, 

headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.

And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance 

you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants. 

There are some, down the road between hither and yon, 

that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.

But on you will go though the weather be foul. 

On you will go though your enemies prowl. 

On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. 

Onward up many a frightening creek, 

though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. 

On and on you will hike. And I know you’ll hike far 

and face up to your problems whatever they are.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray 

or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
 

Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

Wise words courtesy of the great theologian... Dr. Seuss 

Obedience

I thought it would be fitting to take a day and reflect on 2010... so I did. Just before Christmas I woke up bright and early and drove up to a canyon, hiked out to the edge and watched the sun rise. AWESOME!!! The rest of my day was much of the same... Some of my best times with God have been in the car, just me and Him. So, I spent a couple of hours that day just driving and talking with God. Most of the day I spent just sitting and reading His word. I bounced around the Bible, prayed... slept a little :) Read and prayed some more...

I have to say I was a tad disappointed... I kind of thought if I spent a day with God He would tell me all kinds of amazing things. But He didn't... He showed me a couple things that I needed to fix. But I think my day was about simply slowing down. (Those of you that know me know that I love my busy life. If it isn't busy I find something to make it busy.)

I guess if there is one word to summarize 2010 for me it is "Obedience". My first blog post of 2010 said my New Year's resolution was "...simply to follow God. Less arguing and more listening..." And although I can't say I didn't argue at all... I did listen... and oh the places God took me! It all started with a u-turn to a new church and ended the year by moving across the state. Leaving nearly everything that comforted me; job, friends, church, routine. 

I still don't know what God has in store for me in this desert... but I know He is faithful... and He doesn't call us to go someplace if He doesn't have something incredible planned for us there. 

Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 

Romans 1:5