A Divine Beckoning

It is good for me that I was afflicted,

that I might learn your statutes.

The law of your mouth is better to me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Psalm 119:71-72

"The reason we are not able to see God is the faintness of our desire."
~ Meister Eckhart

Motivation

Crown Point overlooking the Columbia River, Oregon

At the outset of this year, 2011, a foreboding and depressing cloud of anxiety hung over me. Cancer and the last stages of the battle would overtake my mind surrounding loved ones (relatives & church family). The joy of my inheritance that is secured by Christ’s death and resurrection was gone and the curse of death reigned in my heart. Something must be done…emotional pain is a great motivator.

A Life Gently Lived Out Before Me

A precious member of our church lives her life in a quiet way but her example shouts to me. In the midst of learning some of the difficult things she has faced in her life, she revealed some practical spiritual disciplines that she lives out: fasting a meal once a week and Scripture memory, an entire book of the Bible.

My Watercolor Painting: "Resurrection at Dawn"

Jesus knew the Word well and he spent time fasting in the wilderness as He anticipated the journey to the cross. I was receiving the answer from the Holy Spirit as to how I was to battle this depressing cloud and find my joy in what has already been accomplished at the cross.

“I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding… than memorizing Scripture… No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends…” ~ Charles Swindoll

A Beautiful Blog

As I was processing my own mental hurdles of attempting either spiritual discipline, I came across a lovely blog that provided for me the tools I needed to get started: Ann Voskamp

Her heart felt, personal stories that motivated her to memorize entire books of Scripture drew me in. The photographs are aesthetically pleasing, the music in the background draws you in to a serene place, and the summary of practical helps with the links was all I needed to get started.

A Powerful Testimony From A Respected Preacher

John Piper’s preaching and writings influence me to draw near to God. When I watched this little clip of a sermon, I couldn’t wait to get started on my own Scripture memory.


Piper's Testimony of the Benefits of Memorizing Scripture :

1. makes meditation possible at times when I can’t be reading the Bible, and meditation is the pathway of deeper understanding.
2. strengthens my faith because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ, and that happens when I am hearing the word in my head.
3. shapes the way I view the world by conforming my mind to God’s viewpoint.
4. makes God’s word more readily accessible for overcoming temptation to sin, because God’s warnings and promises are the way we conquer the deceitful promises of sin.
5. guards my mind by making it easier to detect error—and the world is filled with error, since the god of this world is a liar.
6. enables me to hit the devil in the face with a force he cannot resist, and so protect myself and my family from his assaults.
7. provides the strongest and sweetest words for ministering to others in need.
8. provides the matrix for fellowship with Jesus because he talks to me through his word, and I talk to him in prayer.
   

I also enjoyed listening to this message in it’s entirety when I felt my resolve waver. If My Words Abide in You: Sermon by John Piper


My Choice: A Book That Stirs My Passions

At the advice of Dr. Davis in An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture, “Choose a book that God has used in the past to minister to you, that you think would be most useful in your walk with Christ and in your ministry to others.”

1 Peter was a book I began memorizing when I went on a short term missions trip to Kazakhstan in 1993. Chapter 1 reminded me of what I have in Christ, an inheritance that is unfading and guarded in heaven, while I was struggling to minister to a different culture, with a language barrier, and suffering from chiggers. The message to endure suffering while waiting for Christ’s return and the glory that will come is loud and clear in 1 Peter.

This larger perspective on suffering is needed now as I walk the road of physical pain and the emotional pain of future loss.

1 Peter 4:19 is a theme verse for the whole book:

“Therefore, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

A recording of my recitation of 1 Peter can be viewed in this post: Making My Roots Run Deep