Practicing the Presence

Hey friends!
I've been a horrible blogger lately- :( Sorry about that! We have a birthday-a -month from Dec through March- (when we have 2 back to back!) And like everyone else, we were sick, passed it around and around, got secondary ear infections, and our latest was an allergic reaction to antibiotic. All that to say- life's been busy- sorry I haven't been blogging!

I'm leading a discipleship group at my house on Sunday mornings (are any of you reading?!?!) and we've been going through My Heart, Christ's Home- a tiny booklet I mentioned a few posts back. This week we were discussing the discipline of "Practicing the Presence of Christ"- in other words, reminding ourselves often that the reality is- HE, Jesus, is right here with me, whether I acknowledge Him or not. An author I have learned SO much from, Leanne Payne, refers to this as Incarnational Reality.

The Incarnation was when God became a man- "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." John 1:14 And though He ascended to heaven- He is with us through His Spirit- "Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. ... 13 when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. (John 16:8, 13) So, Incarnational Reality is acknowledging this "unseen real"- the spiritual dimension- the "Kingdom of God" that is all around us, yet, we are so frequently oblivious to it!

A few verses we talked about if you are interested in a little Bible study...
Psalm 139:7-12
Matthew 28:18-20
Deuteronomy 31:6-8
2 Corinthians 4:18
Ephesians 3:16-18

These are just the TIP of the iceberg- the Bible is basically the story of how God is with His people!

Hope that you are able to very practically discipline yourself to acknowledge the Presence of Christ with you- ALLLLLLLL the time! Right now! When you sleep! When you pray! When you go to the grocery story, talk on the phone, make dinner, etc. etc. etc!!! :) What a comfort- what a relief, what an amazing reality.

In wonder and gratitude,
Katherine

Multiplication Tables?

Just a quick note... if you have a school aged child learning multiplication- may I recommend Timez Attack @ Multiplication.com? They have a free version for download- and you can upgrade to the full version which just allows them to go into more "worlds" and have different backgrounds, etc. The game teaches the concepts of multiplication as well as tracking your child's mastery of the times tables and working them up through the 12s. Hope says it "is the MOST fun math game!" Hope it can help someone else, too!!!

Talking with God

Hi friends :)

A few days ago, as I was praying by writing in my prayer journal, I had a conversation with the Lord that I felt He wanted me to share with you. I have hesitated in doing that for a few days- I've never shared from it before, except with my husband- but I know He wants me to share it. So... here goes! I hope you are blessed- imagine it's a conversation between YOU and Him!

March 3rd, 2009
Me: What's on your heart this morning?
the Lord: YOU are.
Me: I am? Why am I on Your heart this morning with all the people who need you? (I name several people I am regularly praying for)
the Lord: There is enough of Me to have them all AND you on on my heart. Just a reminder from Psalm 139
"I made all the delicate, inner parts of your body and knit you together in your mother's womb."
Me: "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is MARVELOUS and how well I know it!"
the Lord: "I watched you as you were being formed in utter seclusion, as you were woven together in the dark of the womb. I saw you before you were born. Ever day of your life was recorded in my book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed!"
Me: "How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God!"

When I woke up this morning- you were still with me! (v. 18b)

v. 23 Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out what in me offends You; and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Then I read Romans 4:5 and down to 5:17 and 6:11-12 all in New Living Translation. (If you've never tried it- do! It's not a study Bible- but a wonderfully conversational Bible- it brings things to light in a brand new way if you've always read another translation!)

The reason I believe I was to share all of this--- just to say that YOU are on God's heart- EVERY DAY!!! Sometimes I get to thinking that God is most interested in the people I know with serious struggles. He wanted to remind me on March 3rd- and I believe wants to remind You- not to put Him in a box. He is plenty big for all those we pray for AND US! YOU are on His heart- don't forget it!

My discipleship group is going to read My Heart- Christ's Home by Robert Boyd Munger. It's a tiny little booklet. If you've never read it- I highly recommend it. A wonderful illustration of Ephesians 3:16-17

NIV- ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

NLT-17 I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.

I pray that with Paul for each of you reading and for myself- may He be more and more at home in our hearts! Have a great night,
~Katherine