Oswald and Daphné

Hey guys, I know I've posted several Oswald Chambers quotes on the blog before.  He wrote my favorite devotional of all time, "My Utmost For His Highest."  I'd like to tell you I read it everyday along with my Bible, but... enter stage right... toddler.  However, over 10+ years of reading it, I'm sure I've read each page at least once or twice.

So, today, I'm taking the opportunity to share a little nugget that impacted me from the 29th of April reading.  Enjoy Daphné and some good thoughts on being a follower of Jesus Christ by Monsieur Chambers.

"To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth.

This is generally said with a sigh of sadness, it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation.

We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God.

 Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He packs our lives with surprises all the time.

When we become advocates of a creed, something dies; we do not believe God, we only believe our belief about Him.

Jesus said, 'Unless you...become as little children.' (Matthew 18:3)

Spiritual life is the life of a child.

We are not uncertain of God, but uncertain of what He is going to do next.

...When we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy." -Oswald Chambers

I really needed to hear this.  Having Daphné has made so many of these things come to life.  Her faith and trust in us as parents is absolute and unwavering.  She never worries if she will have enough to eat, or a place to sleep, or clothes to wear... it's just a given... she banks on it.  

I want to be this way with God and His promises to me.  He said He will take care of me, that He loves me, that He will never leave me.  I so often forget and let this overwhelming life with all its worries crowd Him out.  I want to bank on Him.  Daphné doesn't doubt she'll be loved and taken care of by me and Tonio.  Why should I doubt the Creator of the universe, the ONE Who actually made me in the first place?

I write all this mostly to remind myself of these things, but if it struck a chord with you, I'm thankful for that too.

[Both outfits were more hand-sewn gifts from our friend Barb at church.  Aren't they so cute?!!!  See pattern reviews for Daphné's Dress and My Top.]

Love Linz

deep well

a chat with Oswald Chambers this morning...

{source unknown}

This is sometimes what I sound like :
" 'But, Lord, the well is deep; You cannot draw up quietness and comfort out of it.'

No, He will bring them down from above.

{source}

We will come to Jesus as Comforter or as Sympathizer, but we will not come to Him as Almighty. 

The reason some of us are such poor specimens of Christianity is because we have no Almighty Christ. 

{source}

We have Christian attributes and experiences, but there is no abandonment to Jesus Christ... 

You know it can be done if you look to Jesus. The well of your [our] incompleteness is deep, but make the effort and look away to Him."

--Oswald Chambers

I'm thankful God uses people like Mr. Chambers to give me a kick in the rear every once in a while.  I limit the Almighty God with my unbelief.  Just this morning I read the story in Mark 9 about the dad asking Jesus to heal his demon-possessed son... I like the dad's response, because it's often mine : "Lord I believe; help my unbelief."

Tomorrow I leave for Paris to lead worship for a women's retreat.  Sometimes I doubt that God could ever use such a cotton-headed ninny muggins sinner like myself.  Yet I believe He has already prepared good things in advance.  He truly is ALL-MIGHTY !

See you in a week - I'm going to miss my handsome.

Love Linz

daily life kind of stuff

It's fun to share photos like the ones we took in Cinque Terre,
but it's also nice to just share some everyday ones...

I like to read Oswald Chambers' devotional along with my Bible.
He often stresses the importance of our reactions in the mundane, the ordinary, the everyday...

Voilà, four poorly lit, somewhat blurry glimpses into our reality this week:

We've had a roommate for almost 6 weeks, unplanned, longer than expected, but it was his birthday on Tuesday, and we wanted to bless him.  He's far from home, moved to France for a year to serve at Calvary Chapel Nice, and birthdays are just not as fun away from friends and family.  So, I went balloon crazy.  He thanked us.  I hope it made his day a bit better.  He moved out later in the week to another home.  We miss him, but it is nice to just be the Monsieur and Madame at home again ;)

My amazing husband is a gifted teacher.  I love listening to him teach the Bible.  We are studying the book of Mark.  Wednesday night, he took us on a "journey" following the path of Jesus.  I must say, Jesus was probably in pretty great shape for how much walking He did !

 And this was last night, watching the France vs. Ukraine World Cup qualifying match.  France lost 0-2.  Now, they have to win against the Ukraine on Tuesday night by at least 3 points... let's just say we might not see France in the World Cup in 2014.  Who knows, they could surprise us on Tuesday ! [pictured: Rodhlann, Andrew, Nathaniel, Tonio, Livia, and me below]

Maybe this quote will encourage you, as it did me:

"We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautiful attractions in life— those are simply intended to be moments of inspiration. We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life, and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength." 
-Oswald Chambers (October 1st)

I hope you can find your stamina and strength is the One who never runs out of either !

Love Linz

pray

 prier

The key to the missionary’s difficult task is also not the key of common sense, 

La réponse, au problème missionnaire, n'est pas la solution du bon sens, 

 

nor is it the key of medicine, civilization, education, or even evangelization. 

ni le secours médical, ni la civilisation ou l'éducation, ni même l'évangélisation.

 

The key is in following the Master’s orders— the key is prayer. 

La réponse, c'est la prière.

 

“Pray the Lord of the harvest . . . .” -Matt. 9:38

"Priez donc le Maître de la Moisson."

In the natural realm, prayer is not practical but absurd. 

Pour l'homme naturel, la prière n'est pas rentable, c'est une absurdité.

 

We have to realize that prayer is foolish from the commonsense point of view.

Il faut bien reconnaître en effet que du point de vue du sens commun, prier est stupide.

Our Lord calls us to no special work— He calls us to Himself. 

Le Seigneur ne nous appelle pas à une "tâche spéciale", il nous appelle à Lui.

 

“Pray the Lord of the harvest,” and He will engineer your circumstances 

to send you out as His laborer.

 "Priez donc le Maître de la Moisson" ; il dirigera lui-même les circonstances de votre vie, 

et vous enverra dans sa Moisson. 

This really taught me something this morning,

so I wanted to share it with you guys.

I hope it changes your perspective, too.

I'm so thankful for such a gracious God.

--Love Linz

read for yourself if you are interested: 

in  ENGLISH

FRANCAIS - remplir la date 16 Octobre

gushing rivers

La vie qui se répand au loin.

The Far-Reaching Rivers of Life

Ne tenez pas vos yeux fixés sur la difficulté qui vous arrête. 

Never focus your eyes on the obstacle or the difficulty. 

Mais regardez à la source, et le fleuve continuera de couler, 

sans se préoccuper d'aucun obstacle,

The obstacle will be a matter of total indifference to the river 

that will flow steadily through you if you will simply remember

to stay focused on the Source.

Mais que rien ne vous sépare de Jésus-Christ, 

Never allow anything to come between you and Jesus Christ— 

la Source suprême. Que rien n'intervienne entre vous et lui.

not emotion nor experience— nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.

Français - Les Fleuves d'eau vive. Jean 7:38

(choisir le 6 Septembre)

English - Rivers of Living Water. John 7:38

I love rivers so this verse and chunk of wisdom hits home.
Thankful for my Jesus, the Source of my joy and salvation.

--Love Linz

too busy?

You know the days when you wake up and just start going going going?
Perhaps for you it's everyday.
I have heard kids can add this for sure.
[One day we will be able to relate, but until then...]

Today we prepare to leave for Austria for a week.
You know, the castle on a lake where I met my Prince Charming 3 years ago?
Ya, that one.


{August 2009}

We are looking forward to some good Bible study, friends and enjoying God's spectacular creation !
And being away from the Nice heat and humidity is an another added bonus.


{August 2011}

Anyways, today I hopped out of bed, drank some water, brushed the teeth and runner's take your mark...
BANG !

Finish envelope for Dad's 60th Bday present (hint: it's the 27th)
Walk to Post Office
Mail the envelope (one can never be too early with international mail)
Dishes
Laundry (including sheets)
Change guitar strings
Oil bread boards
Fold laundry (dries FAST these days)
Put sheets back on bed
Pack
Clean bathroom
Water plants
Texting back and forth with my man at work
Move fans around around to keep sweating to a minimum


{August 2009}

I did have a sweet little pause when Nancy came over to chat.  Thanks Nancy.

Then finally, at 5:30pm I sat down and read my Bible.
Ahhhh, refreshing.
Now I know why I try to read in the mornings BEFORE the craziness.


{August 2009}

I have a one-year Bible, and today I started the great story of Nehemiah asking permission to rebuild the wall to the city of Jeruselem (Neh.1); then read about Paul exhorting the Corinthians to be committed in their marriages (I Cor.7); then I finished with Psalm 31 going off about the unfailing love and protection of God and how those who are loyal to Him can have hope in Him.

Just spending time reading the love letter that God has written to me is better than any high I could find anywhere else.  I know that it is God speaking to me, because I have this oxymoronic insane peace and calming joy.


{August 2009, before Tonio, probably praying God would bring him soon - bam !}

I have tasted and seen that the LORD is good (Psalm 34:8).
I hope that you either have already and will continue or that you will taste His goodness for the first time.
He's written us a really cool letter - let's read it !

I know I usually don't write this much text, but I had to share this with you today.
I was also really encouraged by Oswald Chambers too - you can read it in ENGLISH or in FRENCH.

Love Lindsey

{August 2011 - I love this guy !}
see you in Austria or when we get back

ps - all pictures taken at Schloss Herroldeck in Millstatt, Austria

waiting...

God works where He sends us to wait.

"...tarry...until..."(Luke 24:49).

"Wait on the LORD" and He will work (Psalm 37:34).

But don't wait sulking spiritually and feeling sorry for yourself,

 

just because you can't see one inch in front of you !

Are we detached enough from our own spiritual fits of emotion 

to "wait patiently for Him"? (37:7).

Waiting is not sitting with folded hands doing nothing,

but it is learning to do what we are told.

These are some of the facets of His ways that we rarely recognize.

-Oswald Chambers

I needed to hear this today.

 I feel like I cannot see an inch in front of me,

but I need to keep obeying God's Word and moving forward.

Perhaps it's just centimeters at a time,

since I am on the metric system here in France - HA !

I hope you were encouraged and challenged too.

--Linz

worry by Mr. Chambers

"Have you been bolstering up that stupid soul of yours 

with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God?

Put all your 'supposing' on one side and dwell in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).

Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about that thing.

All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God."

--Oswald Chambers 

 

And we all know the above cartoon is NOT true.

 

I once heard someone, somewhere say that 

Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair;

It gives you something to do, but you don't get anywhere.

I'm so thankful that I can talk to God anytime.

He gives me so much peace,

even when life can seem a bit overwhelming.

Have you talked to God today about your worries?

I know I need to, sometimes several times a day.

--Linz

ps - This morning, Tonio and I talked a little about this, 

and we decided that the Holy Spirit uses Oswald Chambers 

sometimes as a baseball bat in our lives...

BAM !

{in a good way kind of BAM}

live. simply.

The people who influence us the most 

 are not those who detain us 

with their continual talk, 

but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky 

and “the lilies of the field”

— simply and unaffectedly. 

Those are the lives that mold and shape us.

If you want to be of use to God, 

maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ 

by staying focused on Him, 

and He will make use of you every minute you live— 

yet you will be unaware, on the conscious level of your life, 

that you are being used of Him. 

--Oswald Chambers

Sometimes I find myself "trying" too hard, 

when really, my life should speak for itself.

This was a good reminder this morning.

I want to be a star and a lily that reflect Jesus Christ's beauty.

You can read more HERE.

--Love Linz

 photo credits:

Impact Lab, Top 10 Photos

One Big Photo, Stars In The Sky, Sweeden

Lilies Field by Deinha1974

Not Found

Disney, Beauty and The Beast

take inititative...do it.

We cannot SAVE ourselves

nor SANCTIFY ourselves,

GOD does that;

but GOD will NOT give us good habits,

He will NOT give us character,

He will NOT make us walk aright.

We HAVE to do all that ourselves,

we have to work out the salvation God has worked in.

Take the initiative,

stop hesitating,

and take the first step.

Be resolute when GOD speaks,

act in faith immediately on what HE says,

and never revise your decisions.

--Oswald Chambers

I share this little snippet, 

because I was really challenged and encouraged

this morning when I read it.

You can read it online if you'd like.

--Love Linz