The Heart God Revives

by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Proud people focus on the failures of others.

Broken people are overwhelmed with a sense of their own spiritual need.

Proud people have a critical, fault-finding spirit; they look at everyone else’s faults with a microscope but their own with a telescope.
Broken people are compassionate; they can forgive much because they know how much they have been forgiven.

Proud people are self-righteous; they look down on others.
Broken people esteem all others better than themselves.

Proud people have an independent, self-sufficient spirit.
Broken people have a dependent spirit; they recognize their need for others.

Proud people have to prove that they are right.
Broken people are willing to yield the right to be right.

Proud people claim rights; they have a demanding spirit.
Broken people yield their rights; they have a meek spirit.

Proud people are self-protective of their time, their rights, and their reputation.
Broken people are self-denying.

Proud people desire to be served.
Broken people are motivated to serve others.

Proud people desire to be a success.
Broken people are motivated to be faithful and to make others a success.

Proud people desire self-advancement.
Broken people desire to promote others.

Proud people have a drive to be recognized and appreciated.
Broken people have a sense of their own unworthiness; they are thrilled that God would use them at all.

Proud people are wounded when others are promoted and they are overlooked.
Broken people are eager for others to get the credit; they rejoice when others are lifted up.

Proud people have a subconscious feeling, “This ministry/church is privileged to have me and my gifts”; they think of what they can do for God.
Broken people’s heart attitude is, “I don’t deserve to have a part in any ministry”; they know that they have nothing to offer God except the life of Jesus flowing through their broken lives.

Proud people feel confident in how much they know.
Broken people are humbled by how very much they have to learn.

Proud people are self-conscious.
Broken people are not concerned with self at all.

Proud people keep others at arms’ length.
Broken people are willing to risk getting close to others and to take risks of loving intimately.

Proud people are quick to blame others.
Broken people accept personal responsibility and can see where they are wrong in a situation.

Proud people are unapproachable or defensive when criticized.
Broken people receive criticism with a humble, open spirit.

Proud people are concerned with being respectable, with what others think; they work to protect their own image and reputation.
Broken people are concerned with being real; what matters to them is not what others think but what God knows; they are willing to die to their own reputation.

Proud people find it difficult to share their spiritual need with others.
Broken people are willing to be open and transparent with others as God directs.

Proud people want to be sure that no one finds out when they have sinned; their instinct is to cover up.
Broken people, once broken, don’t care who knows or who finds out; they are willing to be exposed because they have nothing to lose.

Proud people have a hard time saying, “I was wrong; will you please forgive me?”
Broken people are quick to admit failure and to seek forgiveness when necessary.

Proud people tend to deal in generalities when confessing sin.
Broken people are able to acknowledge specifics when confessing their sin.

Proud people are concerned about the consequences of their sin.
Broken people are grieved over the cause, the root of their sin.

Proud people are remorseful over their sin, sorry that they got found out or caught.
Broken people are truly, genuinely repentant over their sin, evidenced in the fact that they forsake that sin.

Proud people wait for the other to come and ask forgiveness when there is a misunderstanding or conflict in a relationship.
Broken people take the initiative to be reconciled when there is misunderstanding or conflict in relationships; they race to the cross; they see if they can get there first, no matter how wrong the other may have been.

Proud people compare themselves with others and feel worthy of honor.
Broken people compare themselves to the holiness of God and feel a desperate need for His mercy.

Proud people are blind to their true heart condition.
Broken people walk in the light.

Proud people don’t think they have anything to repent of.
Broken people realize they have need of a continual heart attitude of repentance.

Proud people don’t think they need revival, but they are sure that everyone else does.
Broken people continually sense their need for a fresh encounter with God and for a fresh filling of His Holy Spirit.

(The above article was found from Revive Our Hearts Ministries)

Waffles are the perfect Saturday breakfast, wouldn’t you agree?  We got a waffle maker for Christmas, we’ve been enjoying making waffles with blackberries, strawberries, bananas, and a touch of cinnamon… yum!

What? Is that OUR closet?  Yes, my friends, is IS.  We have been busy going through all of our “stuff” and getting rid of a lot because we are moving in two weeks!  I got rid of about 100 things that I haven’t worn in over a year- that feels so good!  I was inspired by Cultivating Collection’s post  “Closet Cleanout”.  Thanks, Jen, for the tips!  I was also motivated by these simple moving tips from Passionate Homemaking blog.  Lindsay recommends to get rid of as much as you can before you move…

I was able to get some extended practice time and was inspired to write two new songs.   One is called “You Deliver Me” and the other is called “The Long Confession.”  I’m excited to see how they develop.

Nick and I got to take a weekend up at my parent’s cabin.  We were so grateful for a short peaceful and restful two days together!  Our fire only looked like this for about 5 minutes… haha we are city people!

In preperation for our move, I am becoming quite industrious.  I cleaned out this cute shabby chic white hutch and posted an ad on craigslist.  I’m selling it for $40.00.  ANYONE  interested?  Call, comment, email or text me!

Well, March for the Stromwall’s has been a lot of preparation for our move on April 1st.  I’ll post about that soon!  I’m thankful for the bits of motivation I’ve been given considering my struggle with motivation in the last days of winter… accomplishing small goals is what I’m all about!

Happy Saturday to You,

Katie

Happy Spring!  Snow is melting, and its 40 degrees.  Glorious, huh?  I think its safe to say the winter has taken its toll on me.  Right about the end of February/beginning of March, I struggle to feel motivated to do ANYthing.  So I’ve been thankful for little small accomplishments… like taking a shower, doing the dishes, writing a thank you note… even if not much else gets accomplished, I’m thankful when I’m able to just “do the next thing.”  I think God understands that days of constant grey and cold DO affect the human heart and emotions… at least mine  Its been such a season not  feeling like doing things… can anyone relate to me in that?  I have such a need to pursue things that will help stir my affections for God and help me enjoy Him, which means I need to change it up a bit.  These are some fun resources and ideas I am excited about trying and spending some time soaking in this week.  Thought I’d pass them along to you if you want to join me!

1. Take a prayer walk- jot down anxieties/needs on a notecard and walk in the sunshine and pray! ”…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
2. Ask God to help you cultivate a grateful heart: “Gratitude: The Attitude that Transforms” by Nancy Leigh Demoss
3. Sermon from Sovereign Grace Church “The Savior’s Compassion” by Steve Whitacre Mark 6: 30-56
4. Watch the Jesus Film to be refreshed and awed by the life of Jesus
5. “Proud vs. Broken Relationships” devotional by Nancy Leigh Demoss (Its a 2 min audio and then a short conversation to read through)
6. True Woman Blog- Peruse the blog- there’s so many great topics!
7. Here’s the link to singleness posts
8. Radical Womanhood Blog Posts about singles and the church
9. “Things That Are True About You” a musical blog post: a series on our Identity.
10. “Talk To Your Tears” article by John Piper
11. Paint your toenails a bright color. Last weekend, a few girlfriends and I sat inside a cozy cabin while the snow fell and painted our toes neon pink and orange… anything bright and cheery!
12. Listen to music that fills you with God’s promises and clean/declutter- turn it up loud!

I hope this week you are overwhelmed by how loved you are by God and that your identity would rest in his judgement of you as a believer in Jesus: forgiven, adored, no longer forsaken, clothed in HIS righteousness, adopted, loved, blessed, secure, safe, daughter, friend, heir of the throne of grace…

Praying that in this grey, slushy season, your soul would be cheered in little moments by knowing what Jesus went through to make you his own, to win over your heart, to bring you back to him… its still true, even when we’re not feeling it.

Love,

Katie

About once a week, I come here alone.  Its my favorite spot in the city… Urban Bean Coffee.  I always order ginger-peach tea.  Why?  God tells me its good to withdraw and rest.  He is the creator of rest. “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.”  (Genesis 2:2)

I have a lot to learn from Jesus’ priorities.  In this season, he seems to be showing me that even HE incorporated moments of rest into the work in his life.  There are multiple moments where he withdraws and finds quiet places to rest. First, Jesus spends time with his father- even if it means waking up early and scouting out a desolate place to go to (Mark 1:35).  Jesus’ work was always an overflow of his walking closely with God.  He wasn’t “doing” every second.  There are even accounts of Jesus saying no to certain social gatherings when he was invited.  One account I find humorous is when Jesus is stone-cold asleep in the middle of a storm on a boat!  (Mark 4:37-38)

Allowing himself to rest has got to be linked somehow to humility- his death to task in order to stop and listen to his father OR just plain sleep!  Jesus had so many burdens to tell his father that he once sweat tears of blood while talking to him.  I’m learning that I have a real need in this season to carve out time to pour out my heart to God, tell him my fears (they are often many!), pray and ask him for specific things I need- weather its patience, grace to trust him in the unknowns, wisdom to know how to walk through a conflict with someone, strength to get through a specific situation, or a promise he’s made that I need a reminder of.  Sometimes I’ll tweak a few songs I’m writing or saturate my mind with truth-filled music.

Rest is tied to my joy in life.  I will be joyless if those fears, insecurities and needs for grace are left unbridled in my mind, un-confessed, unspoken, and unasked.  I was created with a need for refuge and escape, but the challenge I often face is desiring to zone out instead of tune in to what’s real and what God thinks of me.  His promises in his Word, his thoughts for me, and his comfort IS the rest I need.

Its so sweet that God is gently inviting us to come to him as we are so that he can heal and renew us and replace all those lies in our minds with thoughts of his incredible love for us.   I know that rest doesn’t come easy.  We can feel guilt for not accomplishing something tangible.   When that guilt creeps in, I’m reminded, God rested.

How do you find rest?

Nick came home to my attempt at making his favorite (rice crispy treats) into a heart shape.  I came home to a bouquet of roses. It was a date night in.  We watched a movie, and I fell asleep.  Even though Valentine’s Day is one of those either-you-love-or-you-hate holidays and can often make love seem like something you can package and purchase, I have to admit, its a fun reason to exchange the mundane routine for some quality time with my sweet husband. This blog is totally pointless, except to show off my hearty Rice Crispy creations.

Today, I stalked my husband on facebook.

This is the first day I met my husband. This memory stands out like lighting in my memory.  His inward character was radiant.

Here we were, our “regular” meeting place.  Thursdays @ Hurambe Club on Lake Street.

Two years later, we were seniors in college.   I remember Nick picked me up from class and drove me to Hurambee Club.  I wasn’t so sure about his driving.

Did you know Nick played a Sax solo his senior year in the U of M Jazz band?

The most attractive thing about Nick was the community in his life.  He loved Jesus above everything, and it showed in his lifestyle.  This is his discipleship group from college.  These men made an eternal investment in my husband, and I am reaping the benefits as his wife.  Older men nourished him with the word of God and the love of Jesus from his freshman year of college until now.  Their time and commitment to Nick has been invaluable!

Here’s some of Nick’s Best friends.  Andrew came into Nick’s dorm when he was a freshman and gave up his time to play ultimate frisbee with Nick. He also spent late nights at the dorms watching Nick’s favorite show, 24… the things he did to share Jesus with Nick in a relational way.  Ben was Nick’s college roommate and remains one of Nick’s best friends.

Here’s Nick serving on a team helping clean up from Hurricane Katrina.  He loves to help people.

My husband is not a self-conscious person.  I love it.

Waking up to this sweet face every day… I feel l like the most blessed girl in the world.   He was worth every year of waiting and singleness.  He could never replace the spot that Jesus has in my heart.  He could never be worthy of worship, as Jesus is.  He could never fulfill all my longings.   But his soul has deep roots, watered by the word of God.  Because he knows the forgiveness of God in his own life and leads our marriage with humility and in the context of community,  I trust him with all my heart.   I delight to submit to his servant-hearted leadership.  His love is healing.

Last night, we had some conflict and I was in a low mood.  After we’d been sleeping for about 20 min, I was startled by a hilarious rendition of “sleep talking/singing.”  Then, he threw off the covers and was like, “I wanted you to go to sleep happy.”  I sincerely thought he was just talking in his sleep!  I could not stop laughing. He was consumed with thoughts of how he could cheer me up, even at midnight.  I sent him this pic today as a tiny shadow of how grateful I am for his daily friendship and walking with me in the gospel.   Our life has been an adventure of sweet days, hard days, surprising days, anxious days, emotional days… lately it seems that we are sailing through a series of thankful days.  Through every trial, we’ve been met with God’s faithfulness and grace and the love of the body of Christ.  I never could have imagined the daily sufficient grace and inexpressible joy God provides.