I heard the voice of God today
By a stream which flowed so free
Saw the artwork of His fingers
In the etchings of a tree
I thought I saw His footprints
Upon the moss rich covered ground
As I breathed His very essence
In the wind which stirred around
I knew somehow that God had wrought
In the wonders which I saw
His own divine expression
Of the love He has for all.
Written By: Laura.L.Hensley
Copyrighted 2002
Monday, February 16, 2009
Orgin of Language
What is the origin of language? Have you ever thought about it? The correct answer is God. But have you ever considered for what purpose He created language? Is it solely so we can express ourselves to others?
15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Genesis 2:15-17
Here we find God using language to communicate to man….before God created any other human being for Adam to communicate with….God was using language to communicate to Adam. In these verses we find the very beginning of language. Herein lays the purpose for the spoken word. God wanted Adam to know what His will was for his life…GOD WANTED TO COMMUNICATE TO MAN!!!!!
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Genesis 2:23
Who was Adam talking to? HE WAS TALKING TO GOD…even before he talked to Eve.
But did we need language to express ourselves to God? Doesn’t He know our thoughts…our hearts…even before we speak? ‘Tis true God knows our thoughts and our heart’s intent….but without language we would not know His thoughts or His intents. He created language to open up a dialog between He and us.
Many times we believe our language just can’t express what we think or feel. For example if we tried to explain what a rose is to a man, blind from birth, what words would we use…even if we knew every language spoken? How could we explain the color red…the different colors and shades of red….the tender velvet petals perfectly formed? When you think about it… would it really be the language that wasn’t adequate enough to describe the rose? Or would it be our own limitations of imagination which would prohibit a worthy description.
When God sent His Word to man, He used language, to let man know of His commandments, Christ’s Redeeming blood, the plan of salvation, and the rewards that await the faithful follower. He described gates of pearl, and streets of purest gold, a river flowing from the throne of God, and a tree bearing 12 manner of different fruits. I know what pearl looks like…most people do…but can you imagine what gates of pearl look like? Even though through language God described the gates perfectly….the limits of my imagination prohibit me from truly knowing what those gates of pearl, or streets of gold, or river of life, or what a tree with twelve different fruits hanging on it will look like.
May we never fail to believe God’s Word because our imagination limits our ability to fully comprehend the full scope of it…whether His words are of commandment or promise. Let us always take God‘s Word for exactly what it says…and celebrate whatever language His Word is spoken in for that which it truly is…God’s way of communicating to us. Open up the Bible, read what it says…and believe every syllable….for it will come to pass; just as it is written.
The emphasis, in our church culture today, is on using language to praise and worship God. We know God longs for a perfect praise from His children but may we never be guilty of forgetting the first and most important part of the reason God created language. It was not created solely for us to express ourselves to God….but so God could express Himself to man. Through the Bible, He has accomplished what He set out to do. He has let us know what a perfect praise is born of ….a heart completely devoted to listening, and following Him in complete surrender.
I am humbled by the thought that the ALL MIGHTY GOD wants me to know what is in His heart, who He is, and how to please Him. This very thought should move us all to silence…and open up our hearts for listening to what HE has to say.
Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. 1Samuel 3:9
15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Genesis 2:15-17
Here we find God using language to communicate to man….before God created any other human being for Adam to communicate with….God was using language to communicate to Adam. In these verses we find the very beginning of language. Herein lays the purpose for the spoken word. God wanted Adam to know what His will was for his life…GOD WANTED TO COMMUNICATE TO MAN!!!!!
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Genesis 2:23
Who was Adam talking to? HE WAS TALKING TO GOD…even before he talked to Eve.
But did we need language to express ourselves to God? Doesn’t He know our thoughts…our hearts…even before we speak? ‘Tis true God knows our thoughts and our heart’s intent….but without language we would not know His thoughts or His intents. He created language to open up a dialog between He and us.
Many times we believe our language just can’t express what we think or feel. For example if we tried to explain what a rose is to a man, blind from birth, what words would we use…even if we knew every language spoken? How could we explain the color red…the different colors and shades of red….the tender velvet petals perfectly formed? When you think about it… would it really be the language that wasn’t adequate enough to describe the rose? Or would it be our own limitations of imagination which would prohibit a worthy description.
When God sent His Word to man, He used language, to let man know of His commandments, Christ’s Redeeming blood, the plan of salvation, and the rewards that await the faithful follower. He described gates of pearl, and streets of purest gold, a river flowing from the throne of God, and a tree bearing 12 manner of different fruits. I know what pearl looks like…most people do…but can you imagine what gates of pearl look like? Even though through language God described the gates perfectly….the limits of my imagination prohibit me from truly knowing what those gates of pearl, or streets of gold, or river of life, or what a tree with twelve different fruits hanging on it will look like.
May we never fail to believe God’s Word because our imagination limits our ability to fully comprehend the full scope of it…whether His words are of commandment or promise. Let us always take God‘s Word for exactly what it says…and celebrate whatever language His Word is spoken in for that which it truly is…God’s way of communicating to us. Open up the Bible, read what it says…and believe every syllable….for it will come to pass; just as it is written.
The emphasis, in our church culture today, is on using language to praise and worship God. We know God longs for a perfect praise from His children but may we never be guilty of forgetting the first and most important part of the reason God created language. It was not created solely for us to express ourselves to God….but so God could express Himself to man. Through the Bible, He has accomplished what He set out to do. He has let us know what a perfect praise is born of ….a heart completely devoted to listening, and following Him in complete surrender.
I am humbled by the thought that the ALL MIGHTY GOD wants me to know what is in His heart, who He is, and how to please Him. This very thought should move us all to silence…and open up our hearts for listening to what HE has to say.
Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. 1Samuel 3:9
Exceeded Expectations
Exceeded Expectations
God would move stars in their courses
If it would do me good
I know He’d move a mountain
Because He said He would
The universe and galaxies
Beyond the scope of man
He has an intimate knowledge of
They’re under His command
His loving care is infinite
For if I dare to think
My life within the spectrum of time
Is merely but a blink
God is from everlasting
The beginning and the end
Why He chooses to bother with me
I just can’t comprehend
But everyday He is faithful
Always mindful of my needs
And just when it seems like I know God
My expectations He exceeds.
Written By:
Laura L.Hensley
Copyright 2001
Who is like unto the Lord our God
Who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth
Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in earth!
Psalm 113:5-6
Blessings
Not too many Blessings
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:18-27
Let this passage serve as a warning to not let our blessings become the very reasons we would give for not serving God in complete surrender without any reservation. Riches in this passage blinded the ruler from realizing just how much he needed God in his life.
I wrote the poem Blessings when I was dwelling on the thought that the very things we should be most indebted to God for, which should evoke feelings of thankfulness, sometimes can become the very things we hold too tightly; and, hinder us on our journey toward closer fellowship with God. As I dwelt on this thought; I began to pray this prayer.
Blessings
Not too many blessings, Lord
Lest I become content
To depend on what You’ve given
To love the things You’ve lent
Though I thank You for relationships
May I never lean on them too much
That they’d become so dear to me
I’d fail to seek Your touch
May I not become so happy
With my life and things of earth
That I’d become complacent
And forget the things of worth
May I never be so satisfied
I would not hunger after You
Though I may have to suffer need
I want to be close to You
Grant me only enough blessings
To give to me a song
And never, Lord, so many
For You I would not long
Written By:
Laura L.Hensley
Copyright 2003
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
Psalm 37:26
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:18-27
Let this passage serve as a warning to not let our blessings become the very reasons we would give for not serving God in complete surrender without any reservation. Riches in this passage blinded the ruler from realizing just how much he needed God in his life.
I wrote the poem Blessings when I was dwelling on the thought that the very things we should be most indebted to God for, which should evoke feelings of thankfulness, sometimes can become the very things we hold too tightly; and, hinder us on our journey toward closer fellowship with God. As I dwelt on this thought; I began to pray this prayer.
Blessings
Not too many blessings, Lord
Lest I become content
To depend on what You’ve given
To love the things You’ve lent
Though I thank You for relationships
May I never lean on them too much
That they’d become so dear to me
I’d fail to seek Your touch
May I not become so happy
With my life and things of earth
That I’d become complacent
And forget the things of worth
May I never be so satisfied
I would not hunger after You
Though I may have to suffer need
I want to be close to You
Grant me only enough blessings
To give to me a song
And never, Lord, so many
For You I would not long
Written By:
Laura L.Hensley
Copyright 2003
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
Psalm 37:26
Passing By
Passing By
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. Mark 6:48-51
In this passage, we see something very surprising! In verse 48 we find Jesus viewing his disciples toiling with a completely out of control sea….and then we find out; He would have passed them by, and just continued on His way; except for the fact that they saw Him and cried out. Jesus, at this point, immediately comforts them and brings a complete calm to their situation. This calm which He brought made them stand in amazement, beyond any measure.
When I read this I was immediately struck by how much this is like our lives today. How many times when struggling with a problem do we fail to call out to God? How many times, because of our failing to call out, do we fail to receive Christ’s peace, assistance, and the complete calm He can bring into our lives?
Many Christians have the attitude… “God can see me struggling and if it is His will He will help me.” In this passage, we see that, YES, God can see our struggles but He sometimes doesn’t help us until we cry out. Just knowing God can help us is not sufficient….we MUST CRY OUT!!!
I’ve Missed You
Lord, I’ve missed You
I realized just today
I’ve missed Your gentle presence
At the start of each new day
For my feet had grown to busy
From running here and there
And my heart had grown so heavy
From the burden of despair
For it’s in the quiet moments
When the day is fresh and new
That I find is the best time
To talk and hear from You
But this time of sweet refreshing
I’ve learned can only come
When I do not feel hurried
By things that’s left undone
In singleness of mind, my heart
Must be in earnest and be true
Or when You’re passing by my way
I’ll find that I’ve missed You.
Written By:
Laura L Hensley
Copyright 2001
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. Mark 6:48-51
In this passage, we see something very surprising! In verse 48 we find Jesus viewing his disciples toiling with a completely out of control sea….and then we find out; He would have passed them by, and just continued on His way; except for the fact that they saw Him and cried out. Jesus, at this point, immediately comforts them and brings a complete calm to their situation. This calm which He brought made them stand in amazement, beyond any measure.
When I read this I was immediately struck by how much this is like our lives today. How many times when struggling with a problem do we fail to call out to God? How many times, because of our failing to call out, do we fail to receive Christ’s peace, assistance, and the complete calm He can bring into our lives?
Many Christians have the attitude… “God can see me struggling and if it is His will He will help me.” In this passage, we see that, YES, God can see our struggles but He sometimes doesn’t help us until we cry out. Just knowing God can help us is not sufficient….we MUST CRY OUT!!!
I’ve Missed You
Lord, I’ve missed You
I realized just today
I’ve missed Your gentle presence
At the start of each new day
For my feet had grown to busy
From running here and there
And my heart had grown so heavy
From the burden of despair
For it’s in the quiet moments
When the day is fresh and new
That I find is the best time
To talk and hear from You
But this time of sweet refreshing
I’ve learned can only come
When I do not feel hurried
By things that’s left undone
In singleness of mind, my heart
Must be in earnest and be true
Or when You’re passing by my way
I’ll find that I’ve missed You.
Written By:
Laura L Hensley
Copyright 2001
Blessed in the Storm
Blessed even in the storm
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. 28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:25-31
What a beautiful passage of Scripture! 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Romans 11:33 Sometimes the storms we face in life are for our molding. Sometimes, God brings us to a place of distress so we will acknowledge how much we need Him. There, in the midst of the storm, in that place of desperation, if we cry out, in our need, to Him, we will begin to learn how wonderful it is to be cared for by such a GOOD GOD. If we turn to God during the storms of life we will see that even the heartaches, the ones we thought would surely bring our destruction, can instead bring us to a much fuller relationship with God and to a better understanding of what an awesome God we serve. Truly, He knows how best to woo our hearts.
Blessed Be the Storm
I forget, sometimes, who I am
I question why I’m here
Life seems to get more hectic
Each and every year
I seem to lose my focus
When life is going grand
When I should be thankful to God
That sorrow’s stayed its hand
When things are running smoothly
I find no time to pray
I have much to accomplish
On this beautiful carefree day
Then as these halcyon days
Roll slowly and lazily along
I find I grow more dissatisfied with life
When nothing’s going wrong
I begin to feel so empty
So hollow down inside
But I mustn’t admit it to anyone
Because I have my pride
For why should I feel sorrowful
When things are going fine
I’ve watched others in comfort and ease
And now this time is mine
I rack my brain and try to think
Of something I am missing
And finally I am still enough
Just to stop and listen
I hear a still small whisper
In the hollow of my heart
‘Tis the friend who walked beside me
When my life was torn apart
We used to talk most frequent
Whenever I was in need
When the pain of life was so intense
I thought, “My heart must bleed!”
It was the Lord, my long lost friend
Who had answered all my prayers
For one by one He had taken
All my troubles, weights, and cares
Gone was the storm that had shaken me
Down to the marrow of my bone
And looking back; I realize now
He never once left me alone
I bowed my head in sorrowful shame
I asked Him to forgive
For I had learned; to seek His face
Is how to truly live
I prayed to be a true friend to Him
In sunshine as well as rain
To treasure each moment I spent with Him
In pleasure or in pain
Then I thanked the Lord for heartaches
For feeling helpless and forlorn
And I said the words; I never thought I’d say
“Bless’ed be the storm.”
Written By:
Laura L. Hensley
Copyright 2000
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. 28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:25-31
What a beautiful passage of Scripture! 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Romans 11:33 Sometimes the storms we face in life are for our molding. Sometimes, God brings us to a place of distress so we will acknowledge how much we need Him. There, in the midst of the storm, in that place of desperation, if we cry out, in our need, to Him, we will begin to learn how wonderful it is to be cared for by such a GOOD GOD. If we turn to God during the storms of life we will see that even the heartaches, the ones we thought would surely bring our destruction, can instead bring us to a much fuller relationship with God and to a better understanding of what an awesome God we serve. Truly, He knows how best to woo our hearts.
Blessed Be the Storm
I forget, sometimes, who I am
I question why I’m here
Life seems to get more hectic
Each and every year
I seem to lose my focus
When life is going grand
When I should be thankful to God
That sorrow’s stayed its hand
When things are running smoothly
I find no time to pray
I have much to accomplish
On this beautiful carefree day
Then as these halcyon days
Roll slowly and lazily along
I find I grow more dissatisfied with life
When nothing’s going wrong
I begin to feel so empty
So hollow down inside
But I mustn’t admit it to anyone
Because I have my pride
For why should I feel sorrowful
When things are going fine
I’ve watched others in comfort and ease
And now this time is mine
I rack my brain and try to think
Of something I am missing
And finally I am still enough
Just to stop and listen
I hear a still small whisper
In the hollow of my heart
‘Tis the friend who walked beside me
When my life was torn apart
We used to talk most frequent
Whenever I was in need
When the pain of life was so intense
I thought, “My heart must bleed!”
It was the Lord, my long lost friend
Who had answered all my prayers
For one by one He had taken
All my troubles, weights, and cares
Gone was the storm that had shaken me
Down to the marrow of my bone
And looking back; I realize now
He never once left me alone
I bowed my head in sorrowful shame
I asked Him to forgive
For I had learned; to seek His face
Is how to truly live
I prayed to be a true friend to Him
In sunshine as well as rain
To treasure each moment I spent with Him
In pleasure or in pain
Then I thanked the Lord for heartaches
For feeling helpless and forlorn
And I said the words; I never thought I’d say
“Bless’ed be the storm.”
Written By:
Laura L. Hensley
Copyright 2000
Defeated Living
Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Defeated Living
To see the toil in the task
Forgetting its reward
Brings a dread and hesitation
At the thought of moving forward
To view one's task as insurmountable
Impossible to do
Is to live a life defeated
Making this prophecy true
That those who never attempt great feats
Will certainly die unmentioned
And those who fail to step out on faith
Will not see God's intervention.
Written By:
Lara L. H.
copyright 2002
Defeated Living
To see the toil in the task
Forgetting its reward
Brings a dread and hesitation
At the thought of moving forward
To view one's task as insurmountable
Impossible to do
Is to live a life defeated
Making this prophecy true
That those who never attempt great feats
Will certainly die unmentioned
And those who fail to step out on faith
Will not see God's intervention.
Written By:
Lara L. H.
copyright 2002
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