Love's The Only House: My Refuge / My Fortress

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Love's The Only House

The purpose of my web log is to be a connection to my children, extended family and friends. However, all are welcome! Verse of the year: Philippians 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Monday, January 22, 2007

My Refuge / My Fortress

I searched for almost a month for my "verse of the year" this year. It's an important part of my worship, my yearly verse is, so I don't take it lightly. Finally I felt that the Lord gave me one. For some reason this year it's not just a verse, like it's been in the past. This year it's a whole Psalm. Psalm 91. I guess God is really expecting me to work this year. (Good, cuz lots of work needs done!) I'll post the whole chapter at the end of my entry here, so you can scroll down to refer to the content if you like.

For anyone who checks this site, you will know that I have been eagerly awaiting the retrun of my son from Iraq. He was first due home on the 8th of January, then we were told he couldn't come till April, then we were told January 12th... it went on like that till he got his itinerary in his hand. We didn't even know this at the time, but he was almost delayed another week due to lost leave papers that were luckily found again. But the bottom line is, he IS HOME!!! We have 6 months worth of lovin' planned and hope to squeeze it into the 2 weeks he has here.

We have already taken a trip to Caribou Hills to go snowmachining. We had perfect snow conditions and Rob made the most delicious turkey dinner that he's ever made. Totally out-did himself!

It was a very festive time. We had all of our family: Rob, Me (Kim), Jacob, Jonathan, Thomas and Chris. Mom (Dianna) was there and Justine, Roxanne's youngest. Then we had Jonny's girlfriend Jessica, Thomas' girlfriend Catherine and Catherine's sister Carol.

As much as Jacob loves to be with people and go snowmacining in perfect powder, he insisted on coming out Saturday night so that he could go to our home church. He won't be in town next Sunday, so this was his only chance.

As people came in they greeted him. He gave big, warm bear hugs to everyone. At the end of service the pastor said, "I don't mean to embarrass anyone, and I didn't ask permission, but I'm pretty sure Jacob won't mind if I call him up front so that we can all pray for him." Jacob went forward and sat in a chair that the pastor had pulled over for him to sit in. Then he invited anyone who wanted to come up and pray for Jacob to come forward. "This young man spends his day behind a machine gun and gets shot at. You think he needs our prayers?" Already by this time more than half the congregation was up front touching someone who was touching someone who was touching Jacob. The pastor prayed and concluded with this...

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty... he will be protected." then the pastor broke out of praying to God to speak directly to Jacob, (a praying style that isn't real common with him, that I've noticed.) "Jacob, God will protect you but you have to dwell there. Abide in Him and he will cover you with his protective shaddow, with a hedge of protection." then he went back into prayer... "Lord I pray you put a hedge of protection around Jacob's whole unit, that when they go into danger that you will be there helping them fight the battle."

It was a very moving prayer - straight out of Psalm 91. I started thinking about the wisdom of that council. A person who runs around in the rain, playing in the puddles, climbing to the top of towers trying to tempt the lightning... that's not the person who will be granted protection. We need to dwell in His presence, seek His guidance, heed and let ourselves be guided by His wisdom. That is the person who will be protected under the fortress-wings of the Almighty God, from the enemy that seeks to destroy us - physically and spiritually.

But to put that into real terms... What is "dwelling in the secret place?" It's keeping myself clean from the wickedness of the world. It's purposefully determining not to jump into that fun puddle of thoughts I let myself wander into sometimes. It's purposefully determining not to go to places I shouldn't be going with people I shouldn't be going with. It's purposefully determining not to neglect the good things like Bible reading, church, accountability (yuck!) and sharing my faith. Always checking with the Spirit, our councelor... "Reveal to me my motive. Guide me. You have permission to look deep into my heart and find any wicked way in me." The motivation? Not rules, but verse in 14 when God himself says .... "14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; ... because he has known My name. " Its out of love for Him in relationship and intimacy.

There have been several things Jacob has mentioned that he sees as the Lord moving on his behalf. He said he was praying one day, "God, how can I get closer to you?" and the next day a package that I sent him arrived with several Christian books in it. He didn't know I was sending them and he didn't ask for them. Another time he thought to himself that it would be nice to have some cd's with the Bible on it, then the next day what they call a "Dear Soldier" package came with the Bible on CD's. He's had many near misses with shrapnel, bullets, bombs and other weapons. He's in it, believe me. But he's seeing God's hand in there with him.

Please put Jacob on your prayer list, and his buddies. He also has an injured buddy who's life will never be the same. Pray for him.

Psalm 91
Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust. "
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 " Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation. "

Labels: Chris, Jacob, Jonny, Kim, Military, Rob, Thomas

posted by Kim Coreson @ 9:01 AM

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