Sunday, February 05, 2006

thoughts for a sunday evening...



It's been a challenging day.

I caught up with my friend Julie today. She and I normally chat at least once a week when I'm at home, and I'd missed her the last couple of weeks.

Considering we haven't seen eachother since I left Kentucky back in 98, and we went for a couple of years at being hopeless at keeping in touch, the last few years have been pretty solid.
When I said I don't have a cheerleader, I lied. I was in the midst of a serious pity party, and forgot about all the great people in my life - like miss julie, who is always there to kick my butt.

So, today was catch up day, and some butt kicking did take place. hehehe. But better than that, was the laughter. I laughed till my sides ached, as she told me stories about her nights out. Hillarious stuff! I can live vicariously through her, while she enjoys the social life that being a student hardly affords - especially with her killer schedule. Still... she's living.

Just before I talked to her, I had been reading a devotional and it had mentioned Isaiah 43 as being one of the most beautiful chapters in the bible. The guy went on to say that we needed to write it out on a card so that we could look at it during our days, that we would read it when we woke up each morning and again each night - working on believing what it was that God was saying.
So, of course I went to find it, and ended up liking this version best.

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. Your mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there for you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end - because I am God, your personal God, the Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in.

That's how much you mean to me!

That's how much I love you!

I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade creation just for you.
So don't be afraid: I'm with you!"

The Message

While I've read it several times, I hadn't read that version before. I think it's beautifully put, and something I needed to read today.

So... onto a piece of poster board that one goes... so that I have to stumble past it every day... onto a card so I can read it while I'm on the road.
Let it sink from my head to my heart, that I would have a full revelation of that absolute love.
Good thing I've got friends around to remind me, hold my head up when I'm beyond it, and that I'm always being held in the palm of an awesome Father's hand.


ps. sunflowers are my favourite! They were selling them on the side of the road as I left Nelson, and this one now sits next to my bed.... totally gorgeous!

8 comments:

mreddie said...

I'm so surprised that I can post a comment - have really been having trouble posting from here at the daughter's place in Tennessee, we will be here a while longer. That is a great scripture, so ancient and yet so up to date for our spirits today. Great sunflower, I like the seeds too. ec

Using up the words.... said...

Mr Ed ~
Hope you are having a wonderful time with your daughter in TN! I used to love driving through Nashville on my way to Alabama to see family. Such a lush state.

Blessings.

JunieRose2005 said...

CJ, I love the sunflower picture!
We planted some last year but beetles got to them!! :(

Your mention of Alabama also caught my eye! My husband has relatives there- in Athens,Al.-and I have a brother in Hartselle! We go up every July for a family reunion!

lol- and I see we both enjoy Mella's blog, too!

...I am having fun reading yours too!

June

Using up the words.... said...

Hi June!
I do love the way the blog world joins as all up together... the way the web weaves, huh.

Sorry to hear about the beetles. Blasted little things, sometimes. I didn't try and plant any this year, stuck with the vegies instead, and I was kind of at a loss as to where I could put them. My little garden hear leaves little room for such beauties. Still, this one is still smiling at me from it's vase.

Alabama - I used to spend alot of time in Florence with my grandmother's cousin and her husband, so know Athens. :) While the summers were quite stiffling, the memories are sweet!

Thanks so much for the note.

Susanna Rose said...

I'm so glad that you had fun with your friend and I could totally relate to the pity party you were talking about! I went through one last week, feeling very lonely and like I don't have any good friends but I was really just forgetting in all my self pity the good friends I do have, even if I don't get to see some of them as much as I'd like! I hope you're feeling better though after hanging out with your friend!

Also, I'm totally with you on loving Isaiah 43...such beautiful and powerful words! My favorite chapter of the bible is Isaiah 40...I love it how both chapters just show how great and powerful God is despite our/world cirmumstances!

Susanna Rose said...

P.S. Sorry I've been away from posting for a while...I'm back again and hoping to build up more consistancy in blogging! I think this time it will stick!:)

Using up the words.... said...

Susanna Rose ~
So good to see you again, and I must say, I'm so excited for you and everything that is happening in your life now. WOHOOO!!!
Hope you are well, and just enjoying this new season.

I am sorry to hear about your pity party... funny how, we sometimes loose sight of all the blessings that are around us in abundance. Hope you got to find some time to hang out with some good friends too. My friend Julie is over in SC now, studying - but we chat online when we can, having our coffees together that way. Not the same as hanging out - but I'll take it! It's still so great to be able to do that together. :)
Be blessed!!!

Jenny said...

Ahhhhh CJ! That is an amazing version of those verses! Thank you so much for sharing.

**big hugs**

Sorry I have been in my own pity party lately... but I am coming out of it and I'm glad to be here for you, sweet friend!