“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!”
Psalm 139:17

When I think of Psalm 139, verse 17 isn’t the first truth that comes to my mind. I think about how God knows me so very well (verses 1-6). Or I think about how God personally created me (verses 13-16).

Those are wonderful truths. And I need to trust them.

But I will only trust them, if indeed they are precious to me!

I am a no-longer!
or
Accessing my belonging-ness based on my opportunities.

When I checked my email that morning, I read of the ministry of others asking for my prayers. It was the perfect set-up. Satan whispered, sue, you are a no-longer. You are no longer needed in the kingdom except to support others in their very important kingdom work. Ouch! The lie was confirmed.

A few hours later the text arrived with a question. Sue, what topics do you feel are important for me to cover with the staff women I’m leading this summer? Affirmed! I’m still needed. Perhaps I’m not a no-longer.

Truth, however, is not based on circumstances. Truth is based on truth.

The email paragraph led me to a lie. My conclusion from the text paragraph did not lead to truth. It only confirmed where I was placing my value. The see-saw of reactions to the email and the text could easily be repeated. My value was in jeopardy!

Thankfully God reminded me of how precious I was to him. Isaiah 43:4 is true. I am precious to him and because of that he has plans to use me in kingdom work.

The question remains, how precious to me is God’s word?

The answer is in where I place my trust.

I needed to take that reminder from God, and pray … God, what does it look like for me today to trust, to really believe, that I am precious in your eyes and you have a plan for me? And that your word is providing precious food for me today?

God brought another familiar verse to mind …

“For we are his workmanship, (my identity)
created in Christ Jesus for good works, (my purpose)
which God prepared before hand, (my security)
that we should walk in them.” (my pace)
Ephesians 2:10

The truth! I am not a no-longer. Big exhale.

“These feelings, strong as they may be, are not telling me the truth about myself. The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God’s eyes, called the beloved from all eternity, and held safe in an everlasting embrace.” Henri J.M. Nouwen, Life of the Beloved. (Italics within the quote, mine.)

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, June 2024

 

 

Right living overflows from right believing!

“Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not … go astray after a lie.”
Psalm 40:4

“Your real new self will not come as long as you are looking for it. It will come when you are looking for him.”  C.S. Lewis

“The gospel frees me from my opinion of myself.”  Brennan Manning

“So we have come to know and to believe (trust) the love that God has for us.”
I John 4:16
If we don’t TRUST God’s love, we are susceptible to self-inflicted monikers.

“Truth is the ultimate healing elixir. Spend time seeking it to undo the damage of debilitating lies.”  Jan Johnson

“Most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself.”  Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“No one is more influential in your life than you are, because on one talks to you more than you do.”  Paul Tripp

Lies are self-limiting beliefs reinforced by the filter through which we see life.

All of us have come to believe certain lies about ourselves. My biggest lie is I’m not good enough. That is the first on my list followed by several others.

I’ve found it’s not hard to identify the lies I allow to define me; the hard thing is fighting them with truth. John 8:44 testifies that the devil is the father of lies, “You are of your father the devil … (he) has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him … he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Almost daily during my devotional time, I turn to the pages in my scripture journal that record truths that counteract my lies. I read the truth; I pray over the truth asking God to help me to trust it. The applications vary by the day. This practice is transforming me.

“Sanctify them in the truth; you word is truth.”
John 17:17

“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”
Psalm 51:6

I’m wondering, does one of these quotes particularly catch your attention?

I’m available if you would like to connect. sue@suetell.com.

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, April 2024

 

 

BGO — Blinding Glimpses of the Obvious!

I experienced a BGO last week while reading the words of my friend.

You may know I often pray …

God, please grow my knowing
…
Help me to live with expectancy;
the expectancy of resurrection power,
the expectancy of knowing you.

Expectancy — not deciding how God will reveal Himself.
Expectancy — a willingness to experience God in the midst.

Resurrection — implies something big; something hard; something suffered.

So when I pray for the expectancy of resurrection power, I would have known suffering. Or resurrection power wouldn’t be needed.

BGO – I’d been praying this long before I knew I would need it.

Jesus knew the power of resurrection after he knew the reality of the cross.

John 1:12 is one of my favorite identity scriptures. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right (or the power) to become children of God”. A child needs lots of help with understanding. As God’s child, he knew I needed that help. And as Peter testifies in his first letter, … the darkness turned to light. I Peter 2:9.

Resurrection is needed for physical healing. It is recorded in Mark 5:21-34, the physical healing of the women with the flow of blood for 12 years. She came to Jesus in desperation and is made well. Jesus declares, “your faith has made you well;”

We’ve prayed earnestly for friends living with cancer. And now they are cancer free. Resurrection power. You have stories, I’m sure.

Resurrection is needed for perspective. The path seemed long at the time. He was living with major depression and burnout. Isaiah 33:6 was a life-line, “and he (God) will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;”

God has blessed abundantly from the lessons of those times as we’ve had many opportunities to share.

Resurrection is needed for acceptance. Not all our friends lived to see their cancer cured this side of heaven. Some met Jesus face to face. As they traveled the rocky path, their countenance, their words, the freedom they were experiencing in those days was nothing short of resurrection power. Several ministered deeply to me.

Resurrection is needed for anticipation. we rejoice in hope of the glory of God … we rejoice in suffering that produces endurance … character … hope that does not disappoint or lead to shame. From Romans 5:2-5.

These glimpses into the truths of resurrection, truths of the obvious will keep me praying to experience resurrection power. I imagine there will be more BGO’s.

“Not that I have already obtained this
or am already perfect,
but I press on to make it my own,
because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
Philippians 3:12

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, May 2024

The morning was bitter cold — cold enough to freeze the water in the airplane. And without water a plane is not allowed to fly. Not even a short 18 minute jaunt from Colorado Springs to Denver.

We boarded, unaware of the frozen water line issue, and waited. Waited an abnormally long time. And then the pilot’s voice over the intercom. We knew then we’d miss our connecting flight. Our escape winter vacation was taking a detour.

Almost 200 of us were taking this detour. Almost 200 passengers missing connections, facing the reality of plan “B”.

Disappointed we exited the plane and joined the long line to be re-booked. Two airline personnel at two computers to serve the almost 200 customers, some mad. It was not a pretty scene.

We were behind “Mr. Type-A”. Finally it was his turn. He was invited to computer 1. We were next. Within a few moments we were called to computer 2 several feet away.

Our agent worked hard on our behalf to get us to San Juan, Puerto Rice, our desired destination. Typing away, checking possibilities, asking questions — could this work?

As she typed, agent #1 came over and whispered in a loud way, to our agent, he’s a type “A”. Her frustration obvious.

Just the week before I had finished a brief study of Paul’s letter to Titus.

Titus had been left in Crete to help restore order to a very ungodly group of people. Titus 1:5, 10-16. The Cretan culture was a mess — not unlike the airport that morning. I don’t want to judge, but Mr. Type “A” seemed like he would fit in with those from Crete.

What was the culture I was offering that morning?  Would frustration emanate from me — or patience, understanding, and kindness?

Just as Titus was called to be a culture carrier to Crete, I was entrusted with being a culture carrier at the airport that morning.

“… And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom
for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14 (Italics mine)

“For such a time as this”, might it be that God orchestrated these details, this detour, so that his culture, his character would be set on display for those around us? My friend Karen says, “The world will evaluate the truth of the gospel by the way we live.”

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession,
and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
For we are the aroma of Christ…” II Corinthians 2:14 and 15 (italics, mine)

The Hyacinths in this lovely bouquet fill the atmosphere around them with their wonderful aroma. I’m invited to stop and enjoy every time I walk by.

That’s my desire for my life. That the aroma emanating from my life will carry the character of God, the Christian culture to all I pass by. Even on those frustrating days. I don’t want to be labeled, type A.

“but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart
with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which in God’s sight is very precious.”
I Peter 3:4

We did eventually arrive in San Juan.
We slept on the plane.
We did not miss any planned meet-ups.
Our luggage stayed with us the entire detour.
We were very thankful for our agent who worked hard on our behalf.

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, May 2024

 

 

Mom and I were sitting at the kitchen table that spring morning. I asked her, what is your favorite scripture? She knew right away; it was Psalm 23. But then she apologized feeling like many would call the Twenty-third Psalm their favorite. Was it just because it was so well-known that she claimed it?

I understand her thinking. And I also understand her choice. This spring Psalm 23 has been my favorite scripture too.

I’ve been reading Leslie Leyland Fields recent book, Nearing a Far God. And her chapter on Psalm 23 has been the need of the hour.

Advertisement: BUY THIS BOOK! It might just be the need of the hour for you as you read, underline, and think what God is saying to you through the Psalms Leslie highlights. It is available through Navpress, Amazon, or in your favorite bookstore.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.”
Psalm 23:1-3

In these opening verses I’m meeting a shepherd, a protector who knows my greatest need. I’m meeting God through the metaphor of a shepherd. Leslie reminds in her book (page 94) that metaphors do not re-write scripture, nor do they re-name God. Metaphors provide language and pictures to connect us to God.

The first line communicates the thesis of the Psalm to me.
The last line reminds me that this picture is for God’s glory, “for his name’s sake”.
The personal pronouns, my and me, are used no less than 5 times in 3 verses. David’s words are also for me. I’m an image bearer.

The New Living Translation communicates verse 1 this way, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” It causes me to ask, Am I recognizing God as my provider … TODAY?

What do my green pastures, my still waters, and His restoring my soul look like for me at this juncture?  As I’ve pondered this question, three answers are surfacing:  taking our dog for a walk in the woods; having time to read in the evenings; and enjoying times in the morning being with God in the quietness of place, with coffee, meditating on His Word, reviewing my identity and my purpose.

 

 

“He leads me in paths of righteousness”. That can speak to the big picture. There is a right path for who God created me to be as a woman, as a writer, as a wife, mother, and grandmother, as a child of God. But what about TODAY? There is a right path for me today. So I ask, what is today’s right path?

 

 

 

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and yous staff,
they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4

There is so much in that one verse!

Even though – I’m living in this current circumstance; the storms can be pretty stormy.

I will fear no evil – I am not afraid because …
You, God, are with me. Your presence is real. God is aware. My firey furnace is no more firey than what Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego experienced. Daniel 3:16 and 17.

Your rod and your staff – God is a protector. He knows how to wield the shield and keep the arrows at bay. You have the necessary tools and weapons. From my study, I understand the rod is a symbol of God’s strength and used to fight off the wild animals. His staff is a symbol of guidance and his loving-kindness used to hook around a wandering sheep. Sometimes God uses my husband as a staff; sometimes my community; always his Word.

Oh what comfort is communicated in verse 4.

“You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;”
Psalm 23:5a

When I think of God’s table, a picture of our Thanksgiving table surfaces. It is ladled abundantly, with far more than I actually need. The serving bowls overflow; the aroma draws me in; the taste stays with me for days — even through the left-overs; family and friends enjoy the feast with me.

But today isn’t Thanksgiving. What does God’s table look like for me today? It’s a table of provision; it’s a table representing my needs and providing for them. That’s why I pray with thankfulness before eating.

That table is prepared not only in the safety of home, but in the presence of my enemies. Who are my enemies? I’ve discovered that comparison is an enemy. I’m still susceptible. People-pleasing is an enemy. That shows itself regularly as I ponder invitations. Sometimes even my own desires can be an enemy. “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” James 1:14. And the snare of the fowler (Psalm 91:3) refers to hidden traps. I need to be conscious of what I’m not aware of!

“you anoint my head with oil:
my cup overflows.”
Psalm 23:5b

This signifies for me the purpose and affirmation of God. I’m set apart. Colossians 1:25 is a scripture promise God has given me. I (like all God’s children) am a sent one. John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, even so I’m sending you.” My cup is full and overflowing with good things because God is showing me his path for me that he intends to pour out for others.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,”
Psalm 23:6a

Surely — there is no room for doubt; absolutely! Zechariah 9:17 speaks of God’s GREAT goodness! Mercy is a gift, not based on behavior. Titus 3:4 and 5 bring both attributes together in one reality. The Message rendition of this verse reads, Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. God, I want to be caught!

“and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.”
Psalm 23:6b

What wonderful assurance!

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, May 2024

 

 

Affirmation 1.0 – my word for 2024. Click here.

Affirmation 2.0 – affirming beyond complimenting. Click here.

Affirmation 3.0 – noticing the character of God through the life of a child.

Our son Jeff is an excellent communicator. (I know I’m his mom. Please indulge me.) Jeff has started writing liturgies to celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

Our youngest GRAND-child, Leah (Jeff’s daughter), turned 4 last month. With Jeff’s permission, I’m sharing the liturgy he wrote for Leah’s birthday. I loved how he shared the character of God through the life of a precious 4-year-old. It took affirmation to a whole new level for me. May it for you as well.

 

I imagine at Leah’s young age, she doesn’t understand all her dad and the rest of her family have noticed about God through her life. But as she grows, I’m trusting she will come to see, understand, and appreciate these words of affirmation.

I’m very thankful for Leah Jane (my middle name is Jane too) and the joy she brings to our whole extended family. And I’m very thankful for Jeff seeing God through Leah’s life and stretching my understanding of affirmation.

 

Copyright: April 2024

 

Chapter 3. For chapter 1, click here; for chapter 2, click here.

“The main work you have in front of you is working on your own feelings of anxiety. Bring that to Jesus …” Those were the words my wise counselor friend, Travis***, shared with me.

Yes, I was anxious about my new reality; yes, I was feeling very insecure; yes, I was wondering what questions are even okay to ask; how much should I initiate? I was in a bad place trying to navigate this new reality on my own.

Yes, I was praying. But no answers seemed to be forthcoming. Until, I opened up with Travis.

Both Bill and I have known Travis and his wife for several years. We have followed his journey and have always appreciated his wisdom and respected his friendship.

I knew I needed his wisdom. I connected with him via email. His encouraging response was a game-changer for me. He affirmed the plan already set in motion. He offered great hope.

Jesus knows this story and is actively at work.
And here is the best news of all – you simply get to be who you already are.
“You get to keep doing what you are already good at.”

Travis’s words and his wisdom diffused my anxiety. God reminded me …

“Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.”
Hosea 6:3

So, what did it look like for me to press on in knowing the Lord in the midst of this circumstance?

My Top Six (in no particular order):

1. Don’t hide. I didn’t share with everyone. But I approached a few trusted friends and asked them to pray along with me.

2. My trusted friend group grew. I shared with a few more. It was good for extrovert me to be able to talk with someone about this. These trusted friends had not had the same experience. That was irrelevant to their willingness to walk with me.

One day I mentioned it in a letter to K who lives in Michigan. She wrote back and shared she had had a similar experience. I had no idea. It is history for her now, but in her story, God met me. I learned new things that is helping me with expectancy. Allow my expectations to morph to expectancy.

3. Timing is important. Travis mentioned some questions I might pose. So far I have not felt the freedom to follow through. But truly it’s a matter of timing, not insecurity.

4. Related to timing is let them lead. Currently I’m not initiating, I’m following.

5. God reminded me of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her pregnancy could have been a blight on her family, to her fiancee but she didn’t let fear immobilize her. She asked Gabriel questions. She immediately ran to Elizabeth who was also experiencing a miraculous pregnancy. She needed her understanding. I’m thinking Mary was also an extrovert. And even before Jesus was born, Mary was able to praise God for her reality.

6. Counsel with God’s Word, not just my experience. I needed to be reminded of the good news of the gospel in Romans 8. I can KNOW with CERTAINTY …
* When I don’t know how to pray, the Spirit intercedes for me. Verse 26.
* The Spirit’s interceding is always according to God’s will. Verse 27.
* We know that God is at work. Verse 28.
* God is at work in all things. Verse 28.
* God works for good in all things. Verse 28.
* God is working at conforming us to the image of his Son. Verse 29.
* Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love. Verses 36, 38, 39.
* We can live as conquerors because of God’s love! Verse 37.

My prayers are growing in courage and hope. My anxiety is dissipating.

What helps you in your unwanted surprises? Could they be a gift?

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, April 2024

*** Travis Stewart, MA, LPC, NCC
travis@wtravisstewart.com
wtravisstewart.com
reflectiveprayer.com

 

 

 

This week’s post is a continuation of Hidden Love.  If you haven’t read it, I encourage you to click on the link and read it first.

Some realities are easy to turn into requests for prayer. My aunt has the flu; my GRAND broke her arm; my friend was recently diagnosed with cancer. These are okay requests. Please pray with me.

A few years ago, my husband was sharing with a Sunday school class about the clinical depression he lived with for a year. Everyone but one had left. The one approached and looked to the left and then to the right. Assured that they were now alone, he asked in a whisper … are you on medication? For that man, his struggle with depression was not a thing to be shared, not okay to ask for prayer. Finally he felt safe to say (whisper) it out loud. The key was hearing another share first.

More recently Bill and I participated on a panel on mental health. The large room was filled with teens and 20-somethings that knew about this reality first hand. They all knew each other. They didn’t know they had common struggles. Just showing up for the panel discussion brought a sense of okay-ness to their reality. They were not the only ones.

Depression, mental health issues … are these prayer requests that are okay to voice? My experience tells me, maybe, maybe not. My friend who counsels those with eating disorders told me, “I have found that people, even professionals, can feel even more intimidated with eating disorders.”

What about eating disorders for me? Or homosexual behavior; or transgender realities? My first reaction … keep this hidden. It is not okay to share this with other praying friends.

I realized I placed a hierarchy on prayer requests. Not all are to be shared. Believing that, leads to isolation and anxiety.

“So we have come to know and to believe
the love God has for us.
God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God,
and God abides in him:”
I John 4:16

God asks, Sue, will you trust my love for you … even in this circumstance … and abide in it?

“The secret is Christ in me,
not me in a different set of circumstances.”
Elisabeth Elliot

The key: abiding in and trusting God’s love for me!

Some realities scare me. They affect relationships. They can lead to shame. Anxiety is real. I prayed alone. It was not okay to share with others. I kept in hidden. Nothing changed in me.

My reality shouted fear, not trust.

“The Lord is at hand. (near)
Have no anxiety about anything,”
Philippians 4:5,6, RSV, parentheses mine

I knew that verse. I wasn’t abiding in and trusting the truth I knew. Have no anxiety wasn’t my reality. And so I was not experiencing the promise offered, “and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7.

Several years ago, my friend Kara who was struggling with severe breast cancer shared this wisdom with me … Ask, how am I living, not how am I doing?

Her wisdom is changing my okay-ness with what I ask prayer for. Her wisdom still calls me to abide and trust. Her wisdom is calming my anxiety.

To be continued: Next week on Echoes I will share how I’m living in the midst of this new reality. What I’m learning about the okay-ness of sharing, and how it is calming the anxiety. So do come back next Thursday for chapter 3 in my journey.

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, April 2024

 

“A Prayer to Begin the Journey

God may I live within limits, of my body, my mind and my spirit.
God may I live within limits, of my calling, my community, my capacity.
God may I live within limits, of who I am and who you want me to be.
May I learn to live in the place of trust, and wrap my heart around your presence.
May I learn to still my mind and listen, attentive to the quiet whispers of your voice.
May I attune my ears to your words, and savor the sacredness of each moment.
May your ways echo in the depths of my being, so that all I am and all I do, flows from an experience of your love.”
Return to Our Senses: Reimagining How We Pray, Christine Sine

 

“If you are going to enter this divine dance we call prayer, you have to surrender your desire to be in control, to figure out how prayer works. You’ve go to let God take the lead. You have to trust.”
A Praying LIfe, Paul E. Miller

 

“Holy Spirit, open the eyes of my heart to pay attention to the movements you are making in my own soul to clear our what must go for something beautiful to grow. Help me to hold curiosity and worship together. As I meditate on the touch of Jesus draw me into worship. Father, forgive my constant state of hurry. Help me embrace the limits of my time and return time back to you as a gift. Jesus, you are so beautiful. Help me to pay much closer attention to God, my soul, and the people you put into my path today. Amen.”
A Spacious Life, Ashley Hales

 

“Praise is the rehearsal of our eternal song. By grace we learn to sing, and in glory we continue to sing.”
C.H. Spurgeon

 

“God, what does it look like for me to trust You today?”
One of my daily prayers.

 

“… The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
James 5:16

“I do not cease to give thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers,”
Ephesians 1:16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will never experience Resurrection Joy until I die to the fact that I can grasp it intellectually.
I cannot.

With my head, I’ll not comprehend it. Only in trusting is Resurrection Joy reality.

Joy was the topic for the one day women’s event “Refresh” at our church. After Lisa kicked off the day with a message on joy, the women chose three different workshops to attend on the topic. I had been asked how I experience joy and to lead one of the workshops.

I struggled. I’m embarrassed. Really should it be that hard??? Where do I find joy? What should my joy topic be?

I do experience joy in my friendship with God, in spending time with Him. But would that be scratching where the ladies are itching? Possibly, yes … but I was feeling insecure.***

A few weeks later, I sent an affirmation text to a friend I had recently visited. Her spiritual growth had been delightfully obvious. I wanted her to know I noticed.

She responded, “Thank you Sue!! I am definitely a VERY different person from a decade ago. (And I sure like it! :-))”

Her response was an affirmation to me. I too am finding great joy in who God created me to be. Okay, I admit, I’m in my 70’s. Why did it take me so long to rest in this joy?

Finding joy in God’s creation of me, of you. That would have been my joy topic. And I bet it would have scratched where many itch.

My friend’s response, and my acknowledgement is not pride, it’s humility. Being who we were did not result from years of self-effort or ladder climbing. It was acknowledging and trusting God’s resurrection power in our live. There is great joy in recognizing and living out who God created us to be. Allow trust to lead to joy. My heart is to spread this gospel joy.

“I have been crucified with Christ.
It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20

“… you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
… my soul knows it very well.”
Psalm 139:13, 14

“Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.
To write the same things to you is not trouble to me
and is safe for you.”
Philippians 3:1 (italics mine)

* The Pasqueflower is usually the first perennial of the season to bloom, often around Easter. The word pasque derives from the French, paschal which means Easter. It’s purple signifying dignity, grace, nobility, rebirth, renewal. This photo was snapped by my friend Linda Blanch.

*** This ended up being a moot question. Bill and I were out of town and I was not able to attend.

Copyright: Sue Tell, March 2024