Welcome to my "Open Window"...a place of hope, encouragement, and adventure as we journey down the road from "Closed Doors" to the new opportunities God places in our pathway. I hope you will take the time to go back and follow the trail of mixed blessings and fears, failures and triumphs from the past and side-trips in the present. Perhaps it will conjure up some of your own special memories, and be an invitation for you to share with others. I look forward to spending this time with you!
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!
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
The Secret Garden Chronicles-Open Our Eyes, Lord - Revisited
I originally wrote this a couple of years ago, and as I re-read it this morning I knew that it was something I needed again. I'm not sure if I would say I've "hit a dry spot", but I haven't been quite as attentive to my writing and keeping up with my friends' writing this week. I think we all go through these spells when we just need to sit back and rest awhile and let God minister to us. I've had a bit of an allergy or cold this week (most likely allergy due to pollen, dust, etc.), so I'm kind of not with it...but today we have someone coming to see our house so I have to get a move on. We've about given up on trying to sell it...it's been almost six months with no good prospects, and we don't even have any good prospects on houses to consider moving to if ours should sell...so it's been a bit discouraging. However, if the Lord brings us a buyer, I feel confident He will also provide a home for us to move to. It's just the "not knowing" where, what, etc. that gives me a bit of anxiety. So your prayers are appreciated especially today as we show our house to prospective buyers. May God's will be done in all things. We know He's got us covered either way.
Okay, here's what I wrote on 4/5/2017. I know many of you already read this back then, but maybe it will still bless you again today like it did me!! Have a blessed and beautiful day my friends! We are thankful for some lovely spring rain that we sorely needed! Praise God!
Original Post 4/5/2017:
Dear Friends, I know I've been rather lax in writing here lately. It seems as though I've hit a dry spot, and haven't been able to "tune in" to what the Lord wants to tell me. As I sat in the garden the other afternoon, this song kept coming to my mind:
"Open Our (MY) Eyes, Lord,
We want to see Jesus.
To reach out and touch Him,
and say that we love Him.
Open our ears, Lord,
and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord,
We want to see Jesus."
And as I sang this song, from a personal place..(Open MY eyes, Lord...Open MY ears, Lord),
a sense of peace and calm came over my spirit, and as I confessed to the Lord that I felt rather "out of touch" lately, He comforted me, and helped me to know that He understood...and that He wasn't really that far away...and that He'd always be right there for me, no matter what I was feeling (or not feeling). See, the beauty of this relationship with Jesus is that we don't always have to be "feeling something", or "doing something" to please Him. We can just "REST" in Him, in the knowledge of His love and constant care and support no matter what we are going through.
Romans 8:1 gives the believer the assurance that when we are "in Christ Jesus", there is now "no condemnation" to those who "do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."
Romans 8:2
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free
from the law of sin and death."
Romans 8:11
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead
dwells in you,
He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."
Romans 8:14-17
14. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
these are sons of God.
15. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we
cry out, "Abba, Father."
16. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17. And if children, then heirs--heirs of God
and joint heirs with Christ,
if indeed we suffer with Him,
that we may also be glorified together."
So, my friends, the assurance here is that if we are walking according to the Spirit of God, we belong to Him...we are His children...joint heirs with Christ...and even though we may suffer here on earth, we will one day be glorified with Christ.
And if we read on in this chapter we come to this beautiful passage:
Romans 8:26
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.
For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought,
but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to THE WILL of GOD.
28. And we KNOW that all things work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are the called according to His purpose."
It is my prayer that these words will bring hope and comfort and reassurance to any today who may be feeling a
little out of touch with the Lord. Perhaps you don't know how to pray or what to pray for in the midst of your sorrow, confusion, or time of weariness.
God's Holy Spirit is already working on your behalf...
He's interceding for you to the Father.
As I've been writing this above, I've been listening to the music that followed the original video posted above, and now the song that is playing is Hillsong's "At The Cross", and I just had to stop and listen and worship the Lord...it fits so beautifully here in this place, especially as we prepare our hearts for Easter. I invite you to listen and be blessed....
Love the words to that song!! He love's us, even in our 'dry spots.' The important thing is to keep our heart open and our love for Him strong. Hope you have a great day. ((hugs))
Thank you Mary. Yes, He's always there for us...we are the ones who get out of sorts or distracted by other things...but He never leaves us nor forsakes us...and I am SO glad!!
Thank you Cindy. I hope it blessed your heart like it did mine. God works in so many ways to inspire and encourage us, even when we feel like we are running dry...
Thank you Terri. I need to apologize because I've been out of touch with everyone lately, and feel like I've been away somewhere...but it's only been in my brain...LOL. So thankful for the Lord, and for good friends.
I read Romans 8:26 earlier today at another friend's blog, and copied it to use in a future post, Pamela. I was so thrilled to see the same repeated here in your post, because I've come to understand that this is one of the ways God wants to press a lasting lesson into our hearts. Last week, I didn't have the words to pray, but knew the Holy Spirit was doing the work on my behalf. Hope you will follow my blog in the next few weeks, as they will be a testament to how God is so actively working in my husband's life and in mine. Blessings!
I am looking forward to seeing what the Lord has been sharing with you. It sounds really exciting and encouraging. Thank you for your support and words of confirmation here. God is working in our midst. We just need to "open our eyes" and behold!!!
Hi Pamela, I still have my old Maranatha cassette and cd. I actually went to the original Calvary Chapel back in the 70's. I also went at times through the years since it was next to my job. I plan to do a Bible page with the Romans Road and I have a webpage at my webhome. My webhome had many inspirational pages I did years ago. If you go to my blog and hit sit map, it will take you to a page that has them listed. I love Hillsong too! Music really touches or soul and draws us closer to our Lord!
Thank you Susan. Aren't the old songs still such a blessing, as well as the new? Romans is so full of strong teaching and guidance for our lives...words of encouragement as well as exhortation. I love it. Let me know when you do the Bible page on the Roman Road. That is such a wonderful tool for leading others to the Lord. Thank you for your words here today. Blessings to you today, my friend.
Good day, Pam, I understand about those dry times. I had not been able to do any writing beyond my blog and my column for quite sometime. That changed last week. I need to rely more on the Lord to bring me through those times. He is the one who brought me through this last one. I enjoy your grasp of the scriptures and the applications you use.
Pam, I understand all too well about those dry, desert times. In fact, I feel that I'm currently journeying through and extended dry, desert time. It appears that the Lord is wanting me to focus on obedience over all else. I've been directed to (by my mentor) to the book of Romans. My work is cut out for me. I love the music you shared!
Thank you for sharing both of these beautiful songs, both which are favorites of mine...Open Our Eyes is the same exact track that I used to listen to on my old Maranatha cassette tape and I actually have sung At the Cross several times both as a special and with our praise team. They both are beautiful testaments to the love of our Lord. Blessings!
Beautiful post Pam. I too understand about the dry and discouraging times. Sometimes the wait is so very long but somehow through God's grace we soldier on. I pray that your strength will be renewed as you wait on Him and that your prospective buyers will like what they see. Hugs. xx
Thank you so much Pamela. You blog was a blessing for me.
Thank you especially for this: "this relationship with Jesus is that we don't always have to be "feeling something", or "doing something" to please Him. We can just "REST" in Him, in the knowledge of His love and constant care and support no matter what we are going through."
How great and full of love is our Saviour and King?!
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.
Love the words to that song!! He love's us, even in our 'dry spots.' The important thing is to keep our heart open and our love for Him strong. Hope you have a great day. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary. Yes, He's always there for us...we are the ones who get out of sorts or distracted by other things...but He never leaves us nor forsakes us...and I am SO glad!!
DeleteYES, I love that song! Thank you for sharing. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteThank you Cindy. I hope it blessed your heart like it did mine. God works in so many ways to inspire and encourage us, even when we feel like we are running dry...
DeleteSo beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Terri. I need to apologize because I've been out of touch with everyone lately, and feel like I've been away somewhere...but it's only been in my brain...LOL. So thankful for the Lord, and for good friends.
DeleteI read Romans 8:26 earlier today at another friend's blog, and copied it to use in a future post, Pamela. I was so thrilled to see the same repeated here in your post, because I've come to understand that this is one of the ways God wants to press a lasting lesson into our hearts.
ReplyDeleteLast week, I didn't have the words to pray, but knew the Holy Spirit was doing the work on my behalf. Hope you will follow my blog in the next few weeks, as they will be a testament to how God is so actively working in my husband's life and in mine.
Blessings!
I am looking forward to seeing what the Lord has been sharing with you. It sounds really exciting and encouraging. Thank you for your support and words of confirmation here. God is working in our midst. We just need to "open our eyes" and behold!!!
DeleteHi Pamela, I still have my old Maranatha cassette and cd. I actually went to the original Calvary Chapel back in the 70's. I also went at times through the years since it was next to my job. I plan to do a Bible page with the Romans Road and I have a webpage at my webhome. My webhome had many inspirational pages I did years ago. If you go to my blog and hit sit map, it will take you to a page that has them listed. I love Hillsong too! Music really touches or soul and draws us closer to our Lord!
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan. Aren't the old songs still such a blessing, as well as the new? Romans is so full of strong teaching and guidance for our lives...words of encouragement as well as exhortation. I love it. Let me know when you do the Bible page on the Roman Road. That is such a wonderful tool for leading others to the Lord. Thank you for your words here today. Blessings to you today, my friend.
DeleteGood day, Pam, I understand about those dry times. I had not been able to do any writing beyond my blog and my column for quite sometime. That changed last week. I need to rely more on the Lord to bring me through those times. He is the one who brought me through this last one. I enjoy your grasp of the scriptures and the applications you use.
ReplyDeletePam, I understand all too well about those dry, desert times. In fact, I feel that I'm currently journeying through and extended dry, desert time. It appears that the Lord is wanting me to focus on obedience over all else. I've been directed to (by my mentor) to the book of Romans. My work is cut out for me. I love the music you shared!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thank you for sharing both of these beautiful songs, both which are favorites of mine...Open Our Eyes is the same exact track that I used to listen to on my old Maranatha cassette tape and I actually have sung At the Cross several times both as a special and with our praise team. They both are beautiful testaments to the love of our Lord. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Pam. I too understand about the dry and discouraging times. Sometimes the wait is so very long but somehow through God's grace we soldier on. I pray that your strength will be renewed as you wait on Him and that your prospective buyers will like what they see. Hugs. xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful thoughts. We all go through those 'dry' times. I know I have mine. Still praying for you and your house situation. Peace and blessings.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. I think I'm going through a dry time right now. This was a blessing to read this morning.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Pamela. You blog was a blessing for me.
ReplyDeleteThank you especially for this: "this relationship with Jesus is that we don't always have to be "feeling something", or "doing something" to please Him. We can just "REST" in Him, in the knowledge of His love and constant care and support no matter what we are going through."
How great and full of love is our Saviour and King?!
Can't believe I didn't leave a comment the first time!
ReplyDeleteAnyway...
"we don't always have to be "feeling something", or "doing something" to please Him. We can just "REST" in Him"
I am sitting here reading and doing nothing, still in my pajamas, and this hit home. Thanks. :)
Pam, I read my comment the first time and think it still holds true. I realize, though, I didn't follow through on reading/studying Romans. Sigh!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!