Heather Holleman's Blog, page 83

October in the Psalms: Always Before Me

In Psalm 16:8, we read, “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” What could it mean to set the Lord before us and to keep Him at our right hand? I think of the daily habits of prayer (talking to God and listening), Bible reading (to know Him and myself better), and depending on God throughout the day (the Spirit-filled life).

At a women’s retreat this weekend, several people asked, “Where do I begin? How do I start my journey with God now that I have prayed to receive Jesus into my life?” I talked about these practices above, but I also talked about the importance of finding a mentor. I always like to find women a few steps ahead of me in life. And then, whatever I learn, I pass on to others.

For todays’ action–setting the Lord always before us–consider how we might keep the Lord as the focus of our heart. Some of my friends play worship music, listen to podcasts, write in their journals, and cultivate spiritual friendships.

And then? We “will not be shaken” when things come to shake us. The translation of that verb “to shake” means we will not slip, deviate from a right course, or be overcome. We will stand firm, unmoved by temptation or trial.

October in the Psalms: Mindful

Consider this about God:

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
 what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?

In Psalm 8:4, we read that little word mindful. In translation as a verb, the word means God is thinking about you, remembering you, and keeping track of you. The same God who orders the universe is keeping track of you.

October Invitation: Read the Psalms with Me! Note Great Verbs!

Let’s read the book of Psalms this month. If we read 5 Psalms a day, we will finish the book. It’s such a joyful practice! You can invite your whole family to read, and at the dinner table, ask which parts stood out. You’ll find that God’s word is living and active and applies uniquely to each person. The Holy Spirit will speak differently to grow each person’s heart.

Today I noticed the verb wither in Psalm 1. David explains that a person who meditates on God’s word is “like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

Some years of my life, I’ve noticed the idea that we are firmly planted by life-giving water; other years I’ve looked at the idea that we will prosper. I’ve even spent time asking about that verb “delight.” What about you? What word would you focus on?

I note the word wither.

To wither in the Hebrew means to droop down, to fade, to languish, to fall, and to even become foolish. It’s a perfect verb for anyone who feels too old, too tired, too sick, or too overwhelmed. That was me yesterday. But remember! God says we will not wither as we focus on Him. We will bear fruit. We will prosper.

As I think about withering even further, I remember two pieces of life-changing wisdom about Psalm 1:

First, Judy Douglass says, “If I’m still alive, God still has fruit for me to bear.” If you’re still here, there’s an assignment. You aren’t withering. You’re here still for a reason.

Second, I joined a call with Christian professors yesterday, and one of them talked about our enormous to-do lists. Teaching, writing books, managing your home, grading, meetings. . . there’s too much to do. He said, “You can finish your to-do list, get to heaven, and not have accomplished anything of eternal value. What if we asked God what His to-do list was for us each day?” 

I literally looked down at my notepad with 25 things to do yesterday. The stress withered me completely. But then I prayed, asked God to lead and direct me, and turned to my Life-giving Water. What a difference that made!

We’re not withering. Psalm 1 promises our fruit-bearing and prospering as we delight in God’s word and meditate upon it.

A Life Far Exceeding Your Ability

Ash and I had a great conversation this morning about life, and he mentioned a recent talk with God where he wondered how he would ever continuing in ministry without me. While it was a morbid thought of losing a wife, what happened next was profound.

Ash reasoned with God how he would just have to live a life that far exceeded his ability.

But the thought thundered:

Why aren’t you living this way now? 

Why not live a life right now that far exceeds your ability? It’s a life of the supernatural, of the kind of faith stories you read in Acts. It’s the life of not depending on your own strength, resources, abilities, insight, personality, or partnerships. It’s a life of wonder. Of miracles.

What if today you lived far beyond your ability?

The Kindness

This morning while reading Psalm 145, I took note of how the word “kind” repeats. We’re told how God is “kind in all his works” two times.

I like thinking of the kindness of God. It’s such a warm word. When I think of God as kind, I think of His generous, patient, attentive, interested, and loving nature. It feels grandfatherly and wonderful. A kind God looks down upon you with love and affection and even delight. He’s probably hiding a gift in his pocket for you. A kind God scatters goodness and joy. You go to Him, and He’s ready to make everything right for you.

God is kind.

As I move about my day, I want to reflect the kindness of God to others. May we have kind faces, loving words, generous actions, and choices that help make things right for others. 

It’s Never the Work Itself

Today I remember what my wise student told me about stress. She said, “The work is not stressful. Thinking about starting the work is stressful. Just get started.”

It’s true. The work is rarely stressful. It’s the thinking about the work that causes stress. I’ve been worried about a project for nearly a month. I dreaded starting it. I fretted and prayed. Then, I sat down to do the work.

The work itself wasn’t stressful at all. Thinking about it was. Doing it? Not stressful.

God is Not Confused

I love to remember that God is not confused. When I feel confused, unsure, or unable to know how to think properly about something, I think about how God is “greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:20). I also remember David’s prayer in Psalm 139 for God to search him and know his heart and then lead him “in the way everlasting.” David recalled that God can “discern [his] thoughts from afar” (2) and searches out the paths he should take (3).

These words make me wonder if David felt confused, unsure, and unable to think properly about something. He appealed to God’s clarity, understanding, and clear paths. God is never confused. He is greater than our hearts and minds. When we cannot trust our ourselves, we trust God who is greater and knows everything.

Best Case Scenario

I meet with a new friend who decided to change her mindset in life. Instead of always imagining the worst case scenario and letting her mind go down the dark trails of what if this or that, she now thinks things like this:

What if something amazing happens?
What if all my dreams come true?
What if there’s a blessing here?
What if I see God in a great and powerful way?

I love her vision of the best case scenario to keep her heart and mind joyful, at ease, and hopeful.

A Turtle in the Woods

I just found an Eastern Box Turtle in the Pennsylvania woods. What a wonderful creature!

Taking the High Ground

I’m standing on Cemetery Ridge in Gettysburg. I’m here for a conference with Cru. On the ridge, you have the advantage of visibility. You even have gravity on your side. I look down across the battlefield as the sun begins to set.

Our instructor tells us that the Battle of Gettysburg was won by taking the high ground. Whoever has the high ground in warfare wins. One only has to stand on Cemetery Ridge or Little Round Top to see what the generals saw. I learn that when arriving on new terrain, the first question must always be this: How can I take the high ground?

Our instructor mentions Ephesians 2:6 as well and how we have been raised with Christ and are now seated in the heavenly realms. We have taken the high ground. We are able to see things from the perspective of God’s power, purpose, and provision. If I could add anything to my book, Seated with Christ, I would focus on another little word: up. God raised us up with Christ. We are far above the fray. We have the high ground.