I did it gals; I set up a "blog" - acually, LELA did it! But, now, I'm "out there" - a Christian needs a voice. It seemed that all forms of "gracehouse" were already taken by other bloggers, so, I used ba-gracehouse (not as concise & cute, but it worked)

blessed are those who mourn...

Blessed are those who mourn....

Monday, June 21st's W&T meditation is on Jesus' promise:

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

Reflecting on this oxy-moronian idea last week, I asked God to speak to me about it, and give me more understanding because I don't particularly like to mourn - and I didn't think I would feel very blessed (happy) to be doing so -. HE was faithful to me in HIS revealing and reminding. On Wednesday, I attended a funeral with a friend, and then spent the remainder of the week "mourning" with a few other dear sisters in Christ, who are experiencing the heart wrenching pain from the effects of a broken and depraved world. Systems are broken; people are broken; and the domino effect of the pervading pain overwhelms us to the point of not even knowing how to pray, except with sobs and groans. At least, this is what happens to me.

I loved our worship leader, Deej's, description/explanation, on Sunday, of the new song lyrics:

"Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss - "
(The Kingdom of our God breaking in to this world)

"my heart turns violently inside my chest - ..."
(Have you ever felt this upheaval..?)

"I don't have time to maintain these regrets....when.."

But, I'm getting ahead of myself, as my mind races faster than my fingers.

In this life, we will have trouble. Jesus knew this; HE warned us. (John 16:33) Jesus knew the excruciating pain this world would cause, and that we WOULD BE MOURNING - But as we do, His promise is that we'll be blessed by His comfort.

The song lyrics above brought to mind a painful, yet poignant, memory of losing my second baby - through miscarriage. As I sat and wept, the life, already precious to me, dying and draining from my body, I prayed for the reversal of circumstance. God refused to intervene in the way I wanted, but HE spoke into my pain. He spoke quietly, but clearly enough to be heard above my tears:

2 Kings 20:5 "I have heard your prayers and seen your tears. I will heal you"

God filled me with comfort, at that moment, that I couldn't have known outside of heartache. The blessing comes not so much in WHAT He says, but in THAT he speaks & touches and HOW He says it. That the GOD of the universe actually speaks into our circumstances, in and of itself, bring life, hope, peace - ....Blessing.

So, it IS true!:

"Those who sow in tears....
(and there is a way of "sowing in tears," like violently and desperately reaching up to heaven, grabbing a hold of the banqueting tablecloth and wrenching it for all you're worth.)

WILL reap with songs of joy..." ps 126:5

God's ability to restore life is way beyond our understanding.

"I don't have time to maintain these regrets...(back to song lyrics)

When I think about ... How HE loves me, O how HE loves me.."

Walk&Talk Questions:

1. Recall a time when you have mourned over a heartache. How did you mourn? What process did you go through? How did you "get over" it or through it?? What brought peace and healing?

2. Have you recognized the LORD's voice or presence, speaking or coming into your circumstances? or Have you experienced "heaven meeting earth like a sloppy wet kiss"?

Blessed are the poor in spirit...

"poor in spirit"

Hello CCV Ladies,

I wanted to post the June 14 Walk&Talk devo in my blog, where I can refer to it; but it's not in chronological order, and neither are the next 4 - but then I'll be all caught up.

God put this small "reflection on the beatitudes" on my heart to share, along with questions to discuss, during the Monday evening W&T's in the summer. I hope they add to the depth of conversation and of our relationships.

This week's verse is:

"Blessed (or happy) are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven"

First of all, my NIV Bible notes tel me that "blessed" means more than happiness in the laughter, pleasure or earthly prosperity sense. To Jesus, means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. And I feel that Jesus' promise for the one who lives with this prerequisite, "poorness of spirit," - dwelling in the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven IS the very reward of this hope and joy. When God gives us the GIFT of SEEING with HIS perspective, the Kingdom of Heaven, which overlaps this world we live in, Blessedness is the result!

The opposite of "poor in spirit" is pride and personal independence. Just think about this - so, poor in spirit looks something like humility and recognition of total need for an dependence upon God. There are areas in each of our lives, which we hold control strings or carry the weight of responsibility for "making it happen": or "keeping it together." Maybe the most competent, talented or fiercely independent person finds it most difficult to get in touch with this "poverty of spirit" which is so near to the heart of God.

Isaiah 57:15 gives perspective to the kind of humility which characterizes one "poor in spirit."

For this is what the high and lofty ONE says -
HE who lives forever, whose name is holy;
"I live in a high and holy place,
But also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite."

I think God allows us to feel overwhelmed by circumstances and out of control - "poor in spirit," to put us in a place for Him to come and revive our heart and spirit.

Questions for the walk:

1. Do YOU feel "poor in spirit"? Describe the feeling?
2. I this a condition to which you can easily relate, or not?
3. In what areas of your life do your heart and spirit need "reviving"?
4. How do YOU go about reviving these areas or how has God revived you in the past?
5. Does "poverty of spirit" sound like a desirable position to YOU? Why or why not?