Between the Blogs

Quick Quote: Hearing God’s voice requires clear, intentional listening. ~Randy R. Reed

Between the Blogs

Question to Ponder: Do you spending time intentionally listening to God?

Dimming the Din (Seeking the Silence)

Along the way I’ve spent many hours in deep contemplation of God, the mysteries of eternity, the deep, fathomless universe, and the whispers of an all-powerful Creator to the hearts of His children.

I used to hear people talking about their conversations with God, the certainty of His leading in their lives, and the deep impressions they received from the Holy Spirit; and I would wonder why not me?  Why is His voice silent? Why doesn’t God speak to me? Why can’t I hear Him?

In my despair, I cried out to God, begging, pleading, demanding that He speak to me. Yet, only silence greeted my ranting—a deep silence that seemed to mock me. Instead of living patiently in the silence, I turned back to the deafening sounds of this world: the radio, the phone, the television, the computer…and I wondered why God didn’t answer my desperate pleas.

I discovered that the tangled jungle of my mind did not allow silence; its constant murmurings drowned out God’s still, small voice.  I had to learn to turn from the deafening shouts of a desperate world and allow deep silence to enfold me. Only then was I finally able hear the Holy Spirit whispering to my silent soul.

So join me on this joyful and peaceful journey as God teaches me patience and a profound appreciation for the deep, satisfying silence—the silence where heaven touches earth.

Naked and Vulnerable (Thoughts from the Pot): God’s voice can best be heard when we are absolutely still; when we quiet our souls completely and listen intently to the deep silence.

Between the Blogs

Bible Blessings: Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. ~1 Corinthians 13:13 (Randy Reed Paraphrased Version)

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Bible Blessings: Today I know next to nothing of God’s amazing love for me, but in heaven I will know and love Him completely, just as He has known and loved me all along. ~1 Corinthians 13:12b (Randy Reed Paraphrased Version)

Between the Blogs

Quick Quote: Half of spiritual growth is learning what we don’t know; the other half is unlearning what we do know. It’s the failure to unlearn irrational fears and misconceptions that keeps us from becoming who God wants us to be. ~Marty Thurber

Painting a Masterpiece (Unlearning Love)

Along the way I’ve discovered that often the hardest thing about learning is the unlearning. I’ve desperately needed to unlearn many things in my life, but the most difficult thing I’ve unlearned is what love looks like.

During my childhood love often yelled at me, called me stupid, talked down to me, and convinced me that I was unlovable. Sure, sometimes love laughed with me and taught me about nature. But more often love painted with the broad strokes of impatience and frustration. It taught me, one painful stroke at a time, that I was unworthy of love and if I didn’t straighten up I would spend the rest of my life alone with only my books as company.

Without realizing it a masterpiece was painstakingly painted—a dangerous picture of love, its dark, distorted shadow painfully stretched across my consciousness, insidiously infecting my every action.

The Bible clearly states that God is Love (1 John 4:8). But, for me, these three words conjured only distorted images.

Thankfully, God is the Great Healer. He too wields a paintbrush, but His is filled with peace, hope, and unconditional love. And with those colors He turned all my pain, all my anger, all my tears, all my hidden frustration into joy—painting a masterpiece called my life.

So join me as I unlearn the hurt, unlearn the pain, unlearn the lies, and allow God to use His delicate touch to make the mess of my life a true and honest masterpiece—a truly joyful journey.

Naked and Vulnerable (Thoughts from the Pot): Broken people produce broken love. Like a shattered glass, love is distorted at every angle, twisted it into something that no longer resembles the original image.