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saved and surprised to be loved!

April 20, 2016 by admin 36 Comments

Ivy Psalm 18_19

I cannot tell you how much I love my chronological read-thru-the-bible-in-a-year plan using The Message. I.love.it. Honestly, my passion and love for God’s written Word has quadrupled! Thank you, again, Eugene Peterson.

I just finished 1 Samuel and as you get to the last ten or so chapters, about David hiding from king Saul who is trying his best to kill David, the chronology jumps you over into the Psalms because it was during this time of hiding in caves and being on the run, David wrote some of his most profound prose. O! how I love his words. Y’all, he just said it – sometimes it wasn’t pretty or poetic, in fact, at times it was downright mean and vicious. David was R.E.A.L. (On the fly here, let’s write an acronym: Raw Emotional And Lusty) Yep, that’s David.

Today, my reading took me to Psalm 18 – I had already read about seven chapters and I knew my attention span was on the downward side so I decided to read it out loud. I was home alone with Sam at my feet. I started out slow.

I love You, God — You make me strong. God is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. My God — the high crag where I run for dear life, hiding behind the boulders, safe in the granite hideout. v.1-2

Bam! The devil immediately condemned me, “When you were running away, trying to hide back in the 80’s, you ran away from God as fast as you could.”

I kept reading.

The hangman’s noose was tight at my throat; devil waters rushed over me. Hell’s ropes cinched me tight; death traps barred every exit. v.4-5

“Yeah, devil, that was YOU.”

I kept reading.

…I call to God, I cry to God to help me. From His palace He hears my call; my cry brings me right into His presence — a private audience! v.6

Then sweet Holy Spirit came…reminded me of the day I cried out for help and sure enough, I had a private encounter with my God.

I kept reading.

I can’t explain what happened this morning, but it did and that’s all that matters. The words from Psalm 18, read from The Message, were a soothing balm for my soul…just listen to this:

But me He caught — reached all the way from sky to sea; He pulled me out of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning. They hit me when I was down, but God stuck by me. He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved — surprised to be loved!

God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before Him. When I got my act together, He gave me a fresh start. Now, I’m alert to God’s ways; I don’t take God for granted. Every day I review the ways He works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I’m watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes. v.16-24

Now, people, surely this is a reason to stand up and do the happy hallelujah dance.

God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.

How’s YOUR story going? Have you opened the book of your heart to The One who can rewrite it?

God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.

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O! Glory!

xo

By the way, I’m linked up with all those pretty badges on the right sidebar today: Jennifer, Holly, Holley, Beth, Kristin, Jenny, and Jaime.

 

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Filed Under: Heart, Hope, Susan's Musin's Tagged With: Encouragement, faith, God, Goodness, Happiness, hope, Jesus, journey, Joy, life, love, Psalms

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. helemarie says

    April 20, 2016 at 5:54 am

    As I’m laying in bed reading this, yes, let’s be honest, I’m laying in bed reading this. I’m reading and reading this over and over again! And my spirit is waking up dancing and singing his praises to our Lord… I Love it! Keep opening my heart to you Lord!!!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 6:05 am

      HM, I’ve been dancing since I read it!!! JOY! Why are you still in bed? Sciatica? OH LORD, touch my friend. xo

      Reply
  2. liz says

    April 20, 2016 at 6:40 am

    Susan, That’s a BIG truth! The Word of God is so incredibly, indescribably, supernaturally powerful! I just can’t get enough! Amen! Blessings, liz

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 9:51 am

      It really is, isn’t it, Liz?

      Reply
  3. Michele Morin says

    April 20, 2016 at 6:42 am

    Susan, I love this testimony to the power of the Word. I’ve loved the Message, but have never attacked it comprehensively as you are doing. Right now we’re reading through, the patient husband and I, and I’m always surprised at what an encouragement the Old Testament stories give to my faith!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 9:51 am

      POWER PACKED!

      Reply
  4. Kathy says

    April 20, 2016 at 8:29 am

    Amazingly wonderful! I have done better this year in reading the Word than “ever”, but, I’m thinking perhaps I’d like to get the Bible you speak of sometime. Yes, I do think I would like to do that. Love you!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 9:51 am

      Oh yes, it’s a must. 2017 THE MESSAGE!!!

      Reply
  5. Kristin Hill Taylor says

    April 20, 2016 at 8:55 am

    Ooooh, Psalm 18 from The Message is LOVELY. Thanks for sharing. xoxo

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 9:51 am

      So lovely, Kristin!

      Reply
  6. Gayl Wright says

    April 20, 2016 at 9:22 am

    Susan, what a joy to read this as I begin my day! What a great reminder of how He cares for us! Blessings to you!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 9:50 am

      It’s rich, isn’t it Gayl?

      Reply
  7. Deborah says

    April 20, 2016 at 10:28 am

    Love it and your personal perspective! The Lord is mighty to save and worthy of ALL our praise!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 11:03 am

      Debbie – LOVE that you came over for a visit!!! Hugs to you and Mama Ruth!

      Reply
  8. beth willis miller says

    April 20, 2016 at 10:59 am

    Love this, Susan! Precious moments in God’s word when He speaks to us so clearly…one of my favorites Scriptures from The Message is …
    Matthew 11:28-30 The Message “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Many blessings to you, sweet friend!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 11:04 am

      Thanks Beth!!

      Reply
  9. Martha Brady says

    April 20, 2016 at 11:02 am

    that is beautiful…and a stunning reminder of what GOD has done for us…reaching down from sky to sea and picking us up from an ocean of hate…WOW! miraculous isn’t it?

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 11:04 am

      I mean – it really is, isn’t it Martha? xo

      Reply
  10. Sandy Houck says

    April 20, 2016 at 11:11 am

    What a great way to start the day…His word is always the perfect place to begin …I remember when He came into my heart…over 40+ yrs ago and it just keeps getting sweeter all the time. I had no idea what Holy Spirit was or what to do next…called my grandpaw Lewis and he told me where to start reading and oh how happy he was…. HE was an example to me all of his life…To God be the glory for all HE has done and will continue to do. Shalom

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 12:13 pm

      Always! xo

      Reply
  11. Kitty Lawrence says

    April 20, 2016 at 1:35 pm

    Would like to use the Bible study guide next year that you are now using. I do like to read The Message. It’s so real and honest.

    Needed this today…to be reminded that I am among His beloved.

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 2:19 pm

      I sent you an email. xo

      Reply
  12. Lora Lovin Osburn says

    April 20, 2016 at 2:13 pm

    Hallelujah! I so appreciated that you shared the devil’s comments to you. He has the nerve to do that to me to…

    The Message just seems to be more relevant to the way we talk today. Just saying. I am currently reading the Psalms from The Passion translation and GOD is really using this version to currently speak to my heart.

    Bless you!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 2:20 pm

      Lora, I’m not familiar with that translation but I’m sure it is splendid. Thanks for coming over today.

      Reply
  13. Melissa says

    April 20, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    I bet that is a totally different experience to read it chronologically! I love flipping over to the message, especially when I am really reading to hear an answer.

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 3:23 pm

      I highly recommend it, Melissa!

      Reply
  14. Shelly says

    April 20, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    What an amazing post. Thank you for your testimony.

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 3:24 pm

      Thank you Shelly.

      Reply
  15. Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says

    April 20, 2016 at 4:28 pm

    Susan,
    My heart finds great comfort in the Psalms as well. I think if you’ve ever been “in the pit” you can relate to God reaching down and lifting you up out of the muck and mire. He was faithful to help David in the Old Testament, and He is still faithful today. My life is a living testimony to that.
    Blessings and thanks for sharing,
    Bev

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 20, 2016 at 4:51 pm

      Still…and always! Thanks, Bev.

      Reply
  16. Tara says

    April 20, 2016 at 6:49 pm

    Love! The Message is one of my fave translations too. At the funk dance show I was at on Sunday evening, the girls danced to an awesome “Hallelujah” song titled “Good to be alive!” So good!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 21, 2016 at 9:47 am

      Love that!!!

      Reply
  17. Mary Geisen says

    April 20, 2016 at 9:08 pm

    This right here … “God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.” Oh my word, those words speak to me! Thank you! Have a blessed rest of the week!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 21, 2016 at 9:47 am

      MINE TOO!!!

      Reply
  18. Betsy de Cruz says

    April 20, 2016 at 10:41 pm

    Saved and surprised to be loved. I enjoy the Message, but have never read it all the way through like you are doing. I’ve read the New Testament, and now you’re encouraging me to dig into it again. (Just got a new ESV, so I’ll read that version for a while. I like changing. :-))

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 21, 2016 at 9:48 am

      Betsy, I love the ESV too!!! I usually use it in my blogs!

      Reply

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Kate said FRESH Here we go again! Adjective Adv Kate said FRESH

Here we go again!

Adjective  Adverb  Noun

The Very First

thing that went through my mind this morning?

Don’t be so fresh.

That is what my mom would say to anyone who said something crass, off-color, or…well, FRESH!
My mom was a character – my friend calls people like my mom, “Catbirds!”
I’m not even sure where my mom’s version of fresh fits in. Any help is appreciated!

Fresh

I do like the idea of something smelling fresh.
A fresh coat of paint.
A fresh outlook.
A fresh perspective.
It is fresh on my palette (regarding taste).
Sheets hung on the clothesline smell so fresh!

Look what I found…

They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.” Psalm 92.14-15

So…

At this point, on this dreary Friday morning – I am going to go have a fresh cuppa coffee. And, I intend to remain fresh and green, bearing fruit in my old age!!!
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