Be Astonished!

While attending a writer’s workshop last week, I read Psalm 143:5, “...I muse on the work of Your hands." I found the word muse interesting since my focus would be on writing all week. So I did a little digging, found a few more verses* and the Middle English origin of the word: BE ASTONISHED

I wondered. I whispered, Please, Lord, help me to be astonished this week. I tucked that prayer away and got caught up in the whirlwind of workshops, free writing, critique and teaching my workshops.

The last day, my drive to campus was clouded with tears, brought on by three simple words from the innkeeper. He chatted with me that morning after breakfast as I settled my bill...

“You had a good week?” He asked.

“I had a great week.”

“You did good!” He continued.

“You remind me of my dad.” I replied with a lump in my throat.

“You do know what’s going on here don’t you?” He prompted.

I must have looked puzzled and so he continued,“You need to hear that today. YOU DID GOOD.”

Suddenly, my dad's words became clear—out of the misty past. Tears welled up and my throat tightened. It’s as if my dad was giving me the encouragement I needed—and I felt a blessing from my Heavenly Father too.

I shared my story with the group as my tears flowed. Unexpected emotion rolled over me and I grappled with control. Words have a powerful affect—to build up or tear down, encourage or discourage, to give hope or cause to lose heart. Words can wound or heal. And, that morning, the Lord gave words I needed to hear—straight from the mouth of an innkeeper, yet echoed from my daddy’s heart. And, I stood astonished in the presence of God who knows my every breath and heart-need.

How has God astonished you lately? 

Jeanne 

*In cross referencing the verse in Psalm 143:5 I also found: Psalm 105:2, Psalm 77:12 and Psalm 119:27

All Authority

     In my last blog I shared how the word “immediately” caught my attention while reading the Gospel of Mark. As I continue to read something else has caught my eye…

Jesus' Authority

     Mark 1:22 sets the stage for the areas that come under His command:

Demons – Mark 1:23-27, Mark 5:39-43

Sickness – Mark 1:30-32, 40-42, Mark 3:5

Evil – Mark 1:34, Mark 5:2-16

 Sin – Mark 2:1-13

The Sabbath – Mark 2:28

Nature – Mark 4:35-41

And, Death – Mark 5:39-43

     All authority has been given to Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18) and throughout the gospel account He demonstrates His Lordship, even down to shushing the demons so they wouldn’t spill the beans about His identity. Yes, they recognized Him before others did.

     His identity hasn’t changed. He has authority over all things—even in my life. I see Him keeping the demonic and forces of evil at bay. I see His ability to heal and restore. I see Him forgiving sin and giving us the desire to live differently by His Spirit. I see the importance of His rest—practicing the Sabbath principle of ceasing from our works. I am amazed at His command of the storms, wind, rain and the ability to say, “be still” both in nature and in our hearts. And I rejoice - He has taken command of death, so that we can live eternally with Him because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

     How does this concept of Jesus’ authority challenge your thinking about things going on around you? What area do you need Him to take control?

     According to Mark 6:7 and Luke 9:1, what authority have we been given?

     Challenge us, Lord to see You as all powerful and having all authority,

Blessings,

Jeanne