Monday, January 16, 2012

pause with the heavens

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19, KJV)

Right now, my house is in chaos. Right now, every room in which I currently live is scattered with fifteen years of belongings - all out of place... all waiting for relocation. Everywhere I look, half-filled moving boxes are precariously stacked, and life seems to be in disarray. You see, right now my family and I are in the process of packing up to move to Houston. It is a move that will bring us into a new chapter of life... a move that will offer us the opportunity to love and serve in a new place.

Yes, right now, as I write this, it is a little after 1:00 a.m. on Monday morning. My husband is grumpy from a long day of physical labor. My Momba is tired from a day of organizing and consolidating. Yet we are all retiring for the night completely satisfied... for we all know that the Lord's hand is directing our steps. We are united in trusting that our King will see us through every crazy, busy moment that awaits us ahead.

Right now, I'm sitting in my living room surveying the eclectic items that make up the majority of things we've accumulated from all over the world. And I wonder, do we really need all these things? This is when Psalm 19 runs through my mind. "The heaven's declare the glory of God." Yes indeed, let's forget about these earthly things for a moment and pause with the heavens to declare the glory of God, shall we? This is the Creator who has thoughtfully organized and placed every particle in it's proper space. This is the Lord - the One in complete control of all things. Right now, He is overseeing the moons surrounding Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, the volcanoes of Venus. He has given us a full and amazing universe to seek Him... to discover His greatness... to admire His unmatched authority. All we must do is faithfully go where He leads. All we must seek is His Word!

Yes, no matter what surrounds us, whether chaos or clarity, God has ordained and approved it for our good so that we might pursue knowing Him more intimately... so that we might love Him first. The rest of it all is just gravy, isn't it? For nothing... NOTHING... can outshine or out dazzle His blessed, perfect, beautiful presence. Thank you, Father, for it all... for all you provide... for all you display. But above it all, we first desire You. It is always You we wish to be near and know better!

I don't know about you, but the heaven's declaring God's glory is of great comfort to me. For no matter how nutty this world can become, I can always relax in the secure promise that my God's kingdom is always, always in order. In fact, right now He is in full control and ready to escort me into the next chapter of my eternal life and the honor of serving His majesty.

How wonderful is our Maker! How great is the God of the universe! I encourage you to consider Him... putting aside the things that distract and overwhelm you, and pausing in the place He has put you - - pausing with the heavens to declare His glory! Blessed be His Holy Name!

Blessings!
Blog Posting Written By Victoria Anderson

Monday, January 9, 2012

LOVE with all your heart

"Mortify the deeds of the flesh.
Get up and fight the good fight in Jesus' Name.
Substitute all earthly idols with God's holiness.
And always, always LOVE with all your heart.
To live is Christ!"

(Victoria Anderson)

Sunday, January 8, 2012

a heavenly home

Praise the Lord, Chuck and I found a home to rent for a few years as we make our transitional move to Texas. It is clearly suited for me too since "A Heavenly Home" is engraved under the address numbers!

"A Heavenly Home"... really, I love this statement. I love the idea that my whole household lives their day-to-day fixating their eyes on Jesus first - especially in the place we are most comfortable together: home. For ultimately this earth is not our final home. As children of the King, we long to be with God 24/7. He is our #1 priority. And, without His love, we are nothing.

God is good ALL the time.

May every home be "A Heavenly Home" focused on His Heavenly Throne!!!

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (Psalm 18:2)

Blessings!
Blog Posting Written By Victoria Anderson

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

very bumpy, very uneasy... but God is good all the time

Hallelujah. God is good all the time.
Admittedly, it is hard to always believe this from our human vantage point. But thankfully, irrespective of our wavering opinions, the solid truth of the Savior's goodness never changes.

God is good.
His Way is good.
His plan is good.
His love is sooo good.

I write this to you as I endure a very bumpy, very uneasy plane flight. (And I REALLY hate to fly!) A flight that takes me and my husband into a new, uncertain chapter of our lives. You see, over the Christmas holidays, my husband accepted a new position that will ultimately move us from Chicago to Houston as soon as February 2012. Needless to say, our whole world has just become bumpier and uneasier than ever as we venture forward to find a new home in a new city while juggling all that must be wrapped up professionally before leaving our current officer roles in Chicago.

Yet, through this bumpy flight... and through the uneasiness of a new, unpredictable future, I am reminded that my God is good all the time. His timing is perfect. His Word is sound and wise. Hallelujah! For my God has planned every step. My God has already ordained the outcome of these brief days and continues to beckon my spiritual advance... to worship His throne... to seek only His peace... to fear not... to lay down calmly in his righteousness rather than freeze in the panic of momentary turbulence.

So, as I sit here being tossed about thirty thousand feet in the air, I obediently choose to claim the truth of my Master's Word. I will bless the Lord with all my soul - with all that is within me. I will not forget His benefits nor what He has done for me. My God is so merciful. My God is so gracious. Hallelujah! My God is good all the time, and He is in complete control! Yes, I choose to set the Lord always before me and praise His Name. For He has not given me a spirit of timidity or cowardice, but rather has offered me His faithful friendship and a spirit of power and self-control. Thank you, Savior, for with You I can see past these bumpy, uneasy moments and breathe easy. I can appreciate that as far as the east is from the west, so have you removed my transgressions and come to my ultimate rescue. I will cast every burden on you and trust that you will sustain me. For you care for me. You love me. You are always, always good to me. Hallelujah. God is good all the time.

Friends, bless the Lord with all your soul... even in the bumpiest moments... even if life seems uncertain, uneasy, or threatened. Remember how faithful He is and bless His Holy Name! Set Him before yourself and choose to worship the throne of the Most High! For God is indeed good. A refuge in times of trouble. A King who cares for those who put their trust in Him!

Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

Hallelujah! God is good.
His Way is good.
His plan is good.
His love is sooo good!!!

This bumpy, uneasy day is THE DAY to rejoice and be glad in JESUS CHRIST OUR GOOD LORD!

Blessings!

~ Victoria