SPIRITUAL POTPOURRI

In English, the word “potpourri” often used to refer to any collection of miscellaneous or diverse items.

* COLASSIANS 3:10-11
“Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know you Creator & become like Him … CHRIST is all that matters …”

* God has a way of bringing special people into our lives at just the right time. Last night, I was sitting in my car in the parking lot of the church before Celebrate Recovery. I was writing in my journal:

“Fearful of CR tonight … a million reasons not to go …”

And my friend Deb walked up to my car with a little bud vase of the most beautiful pink tea roses and handed them to me. She said that God told her to give them to someone who needed them and that she thought “Suzanne needs these.” I find it hard to find the words to describe how this seemingly little gesture of friendship and kindness made me feel. I am in awe of the ways that God shows us His love and how He blesses us with such wonderful friends!

Lesson learned: never underestimate the power of encouragement. When God prompts you to say or do something that seems small or insignificant – remember that it might be exactly what the other person NEEDS at just the right time!

* PSALM 25

1 O Lord, I give my life to you.
2 I trust in you, my God!
4 Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.
5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.
7 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.
16 Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress.
17 My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all!
18 Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins.
19 See how many enemies I have and how viciously they hate me!
20 Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.
21 May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.

Reflections on a Familiar Psalm

It amazes me how easy it is for me to slip back into old “unhealthy” patterns … how easily it is to forget that I MUST renew my mind every day … some days I need to renew my mind minute by minute!

On the train this morning, I was reading my Bible. Since today is the 23^rd I read the 23^rd Psalm. Most all of us are very familiar with this Psalm. Two weeks ago, it was read at a dear friend’s father’s funeral. I guess it’s easy for us to become complacent when reading something familiar such as this. But God granted me the privilege of seeing these verses in a new light.

The past few months have been very difficult for me. I will write more about that later … but for now let’s just say that the busy-ness of life has kept me ragged and stressed out. (Or should I say that I have kept myself that way!?!)

There is a song that has become very dear to me … God has brought this song back into my life on several occasions when I have “strayed” from his shepherding … wandering off on my own. That song is “Draw Me Close To You.” (Words below) I have been singing that song to myself on a regular basis now for about two weeks. I am experiencing a horrible sense of loneliness especially in the evenings after work. This song helps me renew my mind and spirit – helps me to focus on allowing God to fill the emptiness and loneliness with my heart, mind and soul. It’s not an “instant” fix … the pain and hurt are still there … but I know that in time, it will begin to ease as I allow His Spirit to comfort and lead me.

So when I read verse 1 this morning I immediately thought of that song. “I have all that I need.”

Do I really believe that? Does my life show that I believe that? In honesty, I am ashamed to say that “No, my life lately does not reflect that belief.” As I renew my mind with His Word and with the words of this song … I will actually begin to BELIEVE that He is truly all I need.

Somehow – even after all I have been through – all I have learned – I still feel like I need to a man in my life – a significant other –to fill that need.

Another recurring thing that has been on my mind and heart is the need for “rest” in our lives. Not just sleep … but resting in him. For me it helps to define the opposite of rest: anxious thoughts, a knot in my stomach, worry, fretting, trying to “fix” things or people …

So when I read “He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams,” I realize that when I take the lead … just the opposite of REST happens.

DRAW ME CLOSE TO YOU

By Michael W. Smith

Draw me close to You
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear You say that I'm Your friend

You are my desire
No one else will do
'Cause nothing else could take Your place
To feel the warmth of Your embrace
Help me find the way
Bring me back to You

You're all I want
You're all I've ever needed
You're all I want
Help me know You are near

www.youtube.com/watch?v=stCLeAt0qnA

PSALM 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.