What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

A "Jesus Calling" Experience...

Today started out with an unusual experience.  My usual routine when I first get to work in the morning after my forty five minute ride through the forest and the city is to head straight to the ladies' room before I do anything else. (enough said!)  To reach the restroom in the church office where I work I must walk through the very well equipped library. This often leads to detours either going or coming, as I peruse whatever new or different books are facing me on the shelves, vying for my attention. Lately I've noticed a little book tucked neatly on the shelf just beside the restroom door and each time I pass it I think to myself, "I need to check out that little book...it seems to be calling me..."   The name of the book is, you guessed it, Jesus Calling,  by Sarah Young.
 I've heard a lot about this little devotional book, and have noticed that several of my Facebook friends often quote it in their posts for the day.  So I've been meaning to check it out for some time now, and always on my way in to the restroom I think of it as I see it there...but on the way out from the restroom I have always forgotten about it by the time I walk back through the library to my office to start my day.  Chalk it up to short term memory...or perhaps overloaded mind getting ready to face the work on my desk.

Today started out just that way. Except this time I made a point of telling myself (on the way into the restroom) to be sure and pick it up on the way out...and guess what I did?  I walked right past is again! I really did! I know, I can't believe that I did that myself!  Well, Jesus apparently wasn't going to take my ignoring Him that easily today.  As I started up my computer and opened up my work emails the very first email I looked at was from a dear lady who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and has just had surgery and is getting ready to undergo radiation treatments.  She is having to give up teaching her line dance classes that she holds at our church each week, and has been in a lot of personal turmoil throughout this whole process.  I have been communicating back and forth with her and assuring her of my thoughts and prayers as she endures this ordeal and basically trying to encourage her as best I can.  In her response to me this morning she asked me if I had a copy of the devotional book...you guessed it again...Jesus Calling by Sarah Young?  I was flabberghasted at her question and suddenly remembered that I had forgotten again to pick up that little book this morning as it "called out to me" from the bookshelf in the library!  I told her that I was just this morning planning to check that out from our church library and I thanked her for reminding me!  I said that I was going to march right back in there immediately and check it out before something else came along to distract me!  And so I did.

When I came back to my desk and looked at her next email response, she said, "You really need to have your own copy, and I am going to bring you one the next time I come back to the church."  I thanked her and was so blessed by her thoughtfulness for me when she is the one going through the trial right now...it truly amazed me.

Well, I had to wait until I came home tonight to start reading this little book that I checked out...and as I started to look it over more closely, I noticed the subtitle on the front cover under the title of "Jesus Calling"..."Enjoying Peace in His Presence."  Remember I was just talking about my  One Word for 2013: Presence (click on title for post)...and  again here: "Fill My Cup Lord", plus several in other places throughout the past year as I practiced “presence”
Seeking god’s
Presence
In the ordinary
And
Extraordinary
Places of my life
In 2013


As I started reading the introduction I further discovered that Sarah Young's "life changing verse has been "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).  (see page XIII, Introduction Jesus Calling).  Wasn't I just telling you all about that verse last week? (Click Here for THAT Post) .  The more I read into this little book, the more I knew that Jesus truly was calling me to come and seek His Presence within these pages.


And so here I am...sitting in my recliner, reading several different pages throughout the year, particularly some special dates, not wanting to read the whole book since I will soon have my own personal copy to treasure...and yet, I find that Jesus is calling to me from within these pages...I believe He is summoning me into His Presence yet again...and I am in awe.

Is Jesus calling YOU into His Presence today?  You don't have to read a special devotional book to enter into His Presence, but it helps.  I find that I am in His Presence in so many places every day...I only have to be aware of His calling me...and listening for His voice. Today was a pretty clear indication that He wanted my attention...what do YOU think?

The reading for today says:

"Leave outcomes up to Me. Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out. Think of your life as an adventure, with Me (God) as your Guide and Companion. Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with Me. When our path leads to a cliff, be willing to climb it with My help. When we come to a resting place, take time to be refreshed in My Presence. Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to Me. You already know the ultimate destination of your journey: your entrance into heaven. So keep your focus on the path just before you, leaving outcomes up to Me." 
 Scripture readings: Psalm 27:13-14; Exodus 15:13 ~  Sarah Young, Jesus Calling, page 338

Pretty good stuff, huh?  Yeah...I'm glad I finally listened to "Jesus Calling"...

UPDATE: For the sequel to this little story, go to : "Opening Another Advent Window".  Be blessed, my friends!

12 comments:

  1. Isn't it lovely? It's funny to see the pic of the book in your home when i can look just to my right and see it here beside my couch also. You will be so happy to have your own, to pick up randomly when you think of it or it "calls to you!" Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It already "called" to me this morning...and today's reading was so perfect for the joy I was feeling already coming from Jesus...and He made me feel extra loved. I am enjoying!

      Delete
  2. I can't believe you didn't already have this book! If I had known, I could have brought you one a long time ago! I know you will love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well...I didn't know YOU had one either. I guess I'll cross that off your Christmas list! :)Love ya Sister!

      Delete
    2. I've got it and two others to go with it!

      Delete
  3. What a beautiful story from your own life, Pam! It certainly does seem that He is calling you into a special time with Him! Now...want to know something else? You used a Scripture verse that He has been having pop up around me regardless of where I go...Psalm 46:10...Be still and know I am God. My mouth literally dropped open when I read that a few minutes ago in your blog post. Hugs to you, my friend. I'm headed over to Amazon right now! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. God must want us to be still and pay attention to Him for a change! I try so hard to do just that...but, well you know, there are so many distractions. I just realized that my post above had some mixed up lines, but I've fixed them now. I think I got distracted when I inserted the picture, and it messed up the paragraphs...So I'm glad I read it over when I was reading your comment...Jesus called it to my attention, I think! I hope you enjoy the book...it is a daily devotional, but I found myself reading ahead...I have to stop before I get my own personal copy. I don't want to spoil the adventure of each new day's discoveries! Thank you for coming by and visiting today! Always a blessing!

      Delete
  4. Hi Pamela! (Or do you like Pam better?) I was given this book as a gift last year. I just love it. Just enough to meditate on, with the Scripture references too. Several of my friends have it too, and we all just love it.
    Good for you for spreading the Good News! He sure was calling you, wasn't he??
    Blessings,
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ceil...I just found your message. Yes...it is a wonderful little book...and just today I received my very own copy from my dear friend spoken about above. I am in awe of her kindness...and this gift. God certainly does call us in special ways! We just have to pay attention!!

      Delete
  5. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Pam! I am so glad that you are diving into this book. It took me four years of perusing it before I actually bought a copy. I reviewed it as well as Jesus Today another great devo by the same author. It's nice to catch up on some of your posts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So wonderful to see you back at it! I've missed you. I haven't been as good at keeping up lately either...and I really miss my "friends" when I stay away too long. Thank you for being here today. I will now have to look for the "Jesus Today" book as well. Thanks for the tip.

      Delete

Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.