Siestas! Greetings from Atlanta!
First and foremost, I want to say a big thank-you to the many of you who took the time to submit your tried and true recipes to this greedy siesta! They were all wonderful, and I can honestly say that I have tried more than a few already. I believe it was āWarm in Alaskaā who submitted the recipe for the roasted sweet potatoes, please correct me if I am wrong. Wow! Who would ever believe that fresh rosemary and crushed red pepper could transform a sweet potato into something heavenly??!!! They were unrealā¦and to be true to myself, I also had to add a few garlic cloves in the mix. Wonderful, I really could go on and on, but I will stop, for all of your sakes.
I am not sure if I informed you siestas that since I moved to Atlanta, I now work from home. This has brought about quite a few challenges, not the least of which is that I really miss the camaraderie that I have in my co-workers at Living Proof. Well, I have embraced this season of change from the hand of the living God and so have my mind set on staying positive about the minor difficulties. This has been quite difficult since about a month ago, not one but two of my computers were stolen, and then after losing an entire month of work, my brand new printer completely broke down. Now you can see why I am attracted to the kitchen as of late, since apparently my home office has some kind of demon. ļ I am seriously not exaggerating and this morning I woke up with such intense ambition to tackle my work day with both hands. Well, my BRAND NEW AND PRICEY computer apparently was not ready to wake up, because it honestly took an hour and a half to start the stupid thing. Well, as you can see, I did finally get the computer working, but as for my good attitude, it was completely shot out the window. I realized, after calling my Mom and vomiting my discouragement all over her at 8:30 in the morning, that something was going to have to happen or I was going to be a foul person to be around today.
The good news is that I know what almost always obliterates my bad attitude. This may sound silly, but when I know that I am inconsolable, I listen to the song āBefore the Throne of God Aboveā about three or four times, or however many times it takes to change my bad attitude. I happen to listen to Selahās version from the album āHiding Placeā but I am sure that there are many good versions of it since it was written in the mid-late 1800ās (written by Charitie Less Bancroft).
To use South Beach Diet jargon, these lyrics are not just white bread; these lyrics contain whole, unprocessed oats. I am humiliated by the metaphor I carved, but I mean seriously these lyrics are heavily saturated with great theological truths. Take a minute to read through them if you will:
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Behold Him there! The risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless, Righteousness
The Great unchangeable I AM
The King of Glory and of Grace
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God
By the time I get to the third verse in this blessed song (āBehold Him there! The risen Lambā), I can barely fight the tears back. My mind is always drawn immediately back to the vision that John sees in the book of Revelation of the risen Christ! If I could, I would take all day to break down the many wonderful theological truths that are offered in this song, but since we donāt have all day, I just want to record three of my favorite ones. To begin, the first verse presents Jesus very similarly to the way the book of Hebrews does, as our great high priest who is ever interceding for us. What could be better than that, I ask you? Next, the second verse reminds us of the great doctrine of imputed righteousness- namely, that when sinful man truly acknowledges Christās lordship and places faith in Him, that immediately the righteousness of Christ is transferred to his or her account. Truly, one of the major scandals of the gospel message is that just as Adamās sin is imputed to every human being, Christās righteousness is imputed to every believer and subsequently they are being changed into his likeness (Rom. 5:12; 2 Cor. 3:18). What great news! Especially when I have been cursing the computer all morning long!
Lastly, the third verse lifts our eyes to focus once again on the unchangeable I AM, who is equated with the person of Jesus Christ, I might add. Okay, now that weāve gotten to end of this, there is just one more theological truth I have to mention- our union with Christ Himself! This is one of my favorite doctrines ever! Romans chapter 6 is one of the main biblical sources that we derive this doctrine. I encourage you to read it today, it is just awesome. Our lives are hidden with Christ on high, and we have the privilege of identifying with Him in His life, death, and His resurrection. In a very real way, ladies, we not only died with Christ but the text says we were raised with Him in His glorious resurrection. Our lives are hidden with Him until the future age when we will reign with Him forever in the new creation.
Oh Siestas, take a moment with me to forget about flawed computers and broken printers and behold Him there! The risen Lamb! Our perfect spotless Righteousness! The Great Unchangeable I AM! THE KING OF GLORY AND OF GRACE!
I just told a dear sister in Christ I was so tired my entire body ached and I needed refreshment before Bible Study tonight.
Reading the words to the beautful hymn and focusing on the King of Glory just took about 20 years off this old body!
The Risen Lamb, the Alpha & Omega, our Prince of Peace Whos is called Faithful & True…
I could keep going as we all could praising our dear Lord.
Melissa,
Thank you for sharing some of your gifts with us. Wow, there is a lot to chew on. How could I possibly take for granted these things and yet I do it every day
How could we not praise Him!
Bless you,
Jina
I have been stydying Romans 6,10 and 12 the past few weeks and have been falling in love all over again. Thank you for your keen insight, Beth’s Mothers Day post was amazing, it reminded me so much of my own Mom…wish i could have spent it with her like you did.
Keep on COOKING girl, it soothes the soul. (And I swear, it makes me feel closer to my family that is far away.)
April
Dear, dear Melissa, I know God used you as a willing vessel to carry this message to many who desperately needed it today, myself included. I just listened to the Selah version on Godtube, and I hope you won’t mind if I join you in listening to it over and over as my too-often-battered soul needs.
Praise Him for reaching us in so many delightful, wonderful, diverse, and amazing ways. I just never grow weary of wondering how He’s going to reach me next.
And thank you to siesta Hillary who pointed me to Romans 5. I’m going to take a good, long look at that verse tonight.
Praise Him! Instead of looking downward and inward, I’m looking UPWARD!
Amen! Thank you!!
O Melissa! I so needed that today! Continue to set your eyes on HIM!
Melissa, once again I feel our “Siesta Bond”–Selah ministers to me like no one else. Their music has brought me into the presence of God many times and I believe “Hiding Place” is my all-time fav. Thank you for sharing your life with us. I’m an Atlanta Siesta, too, and I don’t love to cook, so feel free to send your leftovers to my house. I am sure my hubby and children will be eternally grateful. š
Great word Melissa, and very timely. My husband and I both work at home and have a teething four-month-old son. Our water heater and air conditioning unit broke this week (it’s a lovely 95 degrees in FL) I have been weeping and wailing more than a few times…I will go now and download Selah. I’ve annointed my household appliances, maybe now I desperately need to annoint myself. Thanks for the word. Cook on Siesta!
Awesome. Just bought the song on Itunes and it IS a perspective-shifter…thanks for sharing it. And if you’re still in the sharing mood, I’d love your queso and quacomole recipes. :o)
Thank you!
Just went to youtube to hear the song for the first time. WOW! Powerful, humbling, liberating!!
Thanks for sharing Melissa.
Melissa,
This Georgia siesta is so sorry you have had such a crummy morning but thankful that you turned your eyes toward our Lord and found victory over the crummy.
Thanks for the song–I’ve never heard it but will definitely go find it. It certainly is powerful and will fit beautifully with the study of the book of Hebrews that the Spirit is leading me through this summer.
Captured by His Grace,
Leah
Dear Melissa –
Thank you so much for these wonderful encouraging words. I have been in despair over being unemployed. Thank you for reminding to look up and not at my circumstances. God is so good!!
Much love,
Sharon, NC
Dear Melissa…I too LOVELOVELOVE this song–my sister came back from Bible college and I learned it from when she would sing it in the shower…
Thank you for the blessing of it and the rest of God’s referenced Word today!!!
Praying for you…
~Deborah
I love, love, love this song!! thank you for sharing it with us today. all I need is a link to listen to it on my computer!!
Melissa, I can really identify with you. I, too, work at home on a computer. I am a medical transcriptionist for a large hospital in NC, where I live. I can relate to your computer frustrations. I love being at home, though. I have 3 school-aged kids and I am almost always the one who gets to take them and pick them up from school. I am completely available for them. I love that! I also have a song I listen to and sing with all my heart when I have a bad attitude. “Revelation Song” Recently I did your mom’s study “Stepping Up” and learned why praising God seems to lift my spirits and attitude so much. The words to this song are straight out of the book of Revelation and are sweet praise to Jesus. You’ve got to listen to it if you’ve never heard it.—Lacy in NC
Just one word needed…”GLO-RY!!!
I can relate. Here is the song on You Tube for those who want to hear this and worship together with Melissa.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0S5Z0H4SpI
Love in Christ from your Canadian siesta and city coordinator for the Vancouver, BC event. Dawn
Dear Melissa, Thank you for the refocus. I need a High Priest who can sympathize with my weaknesses and is interceding for me right now. Thank you for the reminder. In Jesus’ Love Kathy Knoblock
Melissa, thank you, thank you! I had one of those days at work and I was dragging a bit. I was thinking of wallowin’ in a bit of self-pity, but now – now my focus is back where it’s suppose to be! I’ve never heard that song, but now, I’ve got to find it! Music has been such a wonderful way to keep my thoughts where they need to be and not on my problems/failures/mistakes. Thanks again for bringing a word to us siestas ;o)
Melissa!
I enjoy thinking about you in Atlanta. I just moved from Georgia to New Mexico six months ago, and I miss Georgia so much! The Atlanta area is a great place with so much going on! Sorry about the traffic. It is the pits! There are lots of great churches out there, too. Good luck on your journey if you haven’t found one already!
Your post is great and very helpful today. I am getting ready for Bible Study tonight, and everything seems to be preventing me from getting prepared! We are doing Jesus the One and Only, and it is good, but the enemy is fiercly opposing what God is doing.
Anyhow, I do need to try and finish, now that my kids are asleep!
Enjoy The ATL! It is great!
Love,
Holly in NM
Great post Melissa! It was so good to hear from you. You are one smart girl. Praise Jesus that we are one in Him!
Dear Melissa,
What a powerful word you’ve given! Thank you so much. I have never been the same since hearing Travis sing “In Christ Alone” back at my first Living Proof event. The words are so powerful and so true.
“In Christ alone my hope is found.”
Need I say more. :o)
Wow! You go through despair too? š just kidding. I am so blessed to have stumbled upon this blog site several months ago…thank you for being candid with us.
I love how you pointed out Romans 6…this morning I woke up with the song “Give Me Jesus” playing in my spirit. To be in union with Him…Christ crucified. That as He died, we died that we may have life as He is life.
Love it! Much blessings….
What blessed encouragement! Thanks for sharing.
By the way, your Chicken recipe was delicious. It is on our “Fix this AGAIN, soon” list!!
I hope the Siesta who was going to compile all the recipes onto a pdf format really does it… what a fun idea.
Thanks, Melissa, for your post…connecting the verses of the song to Scripture passages–I love it! Lots of stuff for my brain to chew on for awhile.
As far as our computers & other things that malfunction, I feel your pain. Our current computer is over 5 years old and it feels old and sensitive and outdated; there are some things I just can’t do on it. (But at least I can read y’all’s blog!) Several years ago, I prayed that the Lord would help our washing machine work right so that it wouldn’t overflow anymore (husband was out of town when it started overflowing, and I’m *extremely* non-mechanically-inclined). I called in a repairman, too, but he couldn’t find anything wrong with it. It just started working right, and I was very thankful!
Praying that your computer would be blessing to you (and not the other)…
Karen K.
Houston
Hello Siestas! Melissa, thanks for the encouraging words. I LOVE AND AM CRAZY AND SMITTEN BY HYMNS!! So for you to apply your theologically trained brain (and heart) to help exegesis a hymn was quite a treat. In fact I’m such a fan of hymns, a few years back my mother-in-law and I wallpapered our home’s main hallway in hymns – taken straight from the hymnal. The line of hymns at eye level is the place where I put my most, most, most favorite songs; like Immortal Invisible, God Only Wise; O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus; I’d Rather Have Jesus; Tell Me the Old, Old Story; He Hideth My Soul, and on and on.
If I can ever get smart enough to figure out how to start a blog, I’ll post some pictures because this is the most commented on part of my house (and this is a house that showcases more dead animals on the walls than your average Sportsman’s Warehouse). Isn’t it Beth who prays the prayer, “Lord, make me smarter than I am?” Anyway, I really need to start praying this over myself so I can get smart enough to set up a blog – esp. before our Siesta Fiesta weekend this August!
Melissa – I’m glad you loved the sweet potatoes. Now I’ll have to make some more and throw in garlic. Gracious, the first summer a friend brought these over I spent the rest of the season cooking these like every third day til my family practically begged me to lay off.
Also, Amanda, thanks for the Sopapilla recipe yesterday. I so proudly announced to my Former West Texan Husband when he walked in the door last night that we were having sopaDILLAs for dessert. He gave me one of those looks that said, without words, he was terrified to eat it since I didn’t know how to SAY it.
One of these years I will morph into the Tex Mex Chef he dreams of, it will be the same day I overcome my aversion to cilantro, so, I’m not exactly holding my breath.
Best go,
Warm in Alaska.
Way back in my single and career days, I traveled very often with my job as a corporate trainer. I trained at the companies who purchased our products. Many times, I would have sleepless nights and feel disturbed in my soul. I was convinced, too, that my laptop had a demon. It was my job lifeline as I trained using that computer. So often it would just quit working or start doing crazy things. Data would disappear, etc.
When I shared about these problems with one of mentors who asked me if I always cleaned my hotel room. You can imagine the quizzical look I gave her. They have cleaning people for that, and if you aren’t happy, call the housekeeping department. She asked if I cleaned the room spiritually. She said that you didn’t know who had been in that hotel room before you and what had happened and they may have left some demons behind. I thought she was crazy. Demons can’t possess a Christian, but they can drive you crazy. After I started binding Satan, rebuking any demons, etc. and asking the Holy Spirit to fill the room or house with the resurrection power of our Lord Jesus Christ, you won’t believe how many of my problems stopped. I slept like a baby most every night. Even the computer quit acting up!
Maybe it is just me, but I still do it now when we travel be it a home we rent or a hotel room. So, if you have only cleaned your apartment in the physical realm, try cleaning it in the spiritual one, too. Praying over anything can’t hurt!
I understand if you don’t want to post this.
An Anglican Siesta
Melissa, thank you so much for blessing us today! You have reminded me where my focus needs to be and how to give myself a big attitude adjustment now and then! Thank you!
Michelle
Wow, Melissa, thank you. I needed this today. You have a flawed computer and a broker printer, I have flawed health and a broken marriage. But instead of focusing on those things… I will “behold HIM”. God has used you today!
Melissa!:) Good to hear from you:) I love that song too! When I was reading the words, I could hear the song playing in my head-I wonder if I have on cd somewhere, I want to listen to it again…Hmm…My favorite part of that song is:
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood My life is hid with Christ on high With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God
Don’t be lonely Melissa! My older sis in TX has felt that way too lately since she moved away from us back home. Moving around as a kid, I understand it takes a little time to get used to new surroundings:) It’s all good, girl, it’s all good. ((HUGS)) to you,
katiegfromtennesee
verse to comfort you with the computer issues:)
Psalm 119:50 (Amplified)
Melissa, your post was a reminder for me to fix my eyes on Jesus, my great high priest, my advocate, and my God. Too often I get distracted by the little things and they steal my joy.
Without a doubt you have the gift of teaching. Your insight and encouraging words refreshed my spirit.
Thank you for stopping by today!
Melissa, your post was a reminder for me to fix my eyes on Jesus, my great high priest, my advocate, and my God. Too often I get distracted by the little things and they steal my joy.
Without a doubt you have the gift of teaching. Your insight and encouraging words refreshed my spirit.
Thank you for stopping by today!
I just love to hear good solid biblical truth. It’s the rock I needed to stand on at this moment. Especially when I feel like I have chosen to stand on sand today instead. Melissa, your message helped me to choose to stand on the rock today, who is truth and forever praised, amen.
The enemy of our soul hates it when we start remembering the truth God has given us. And that makes me do a happy dance because it means we have just kicked some serious devil butt! Hallelujah! I will not let him accuse me anymore today!
Thanks Melissa!
Kari
Melissa,
That was so powerful and full of truth. Singing praise to Jesus always shifts our eyes to Him who has done everything for us! Thanks for sharing and I’ll see you in August in San Antonio!
Love,
Dianne
Nothing compares to our God! What a beautiful post. I taught about our great Intercessor, always making intercession for us in my former Sunday school class. I often think on just that point alone, why do I worry and have anxious thoughts when Jesus is praying for me?
What a beautiful song. I had my praise music playing this morning instead of having the t.v. on and what a difference that made!!
Thank you for writing and sharing with us today and we can behold Him whereever we may be, whatever we may be going through, seriously, I have beheld His glory at the Wal Mart!! He is Good!!!
Have a great evening Melissa!
Love,
Patty
Melissa!
Thanks for being real with us! Going through it together is the only way to do this life! I thank God for you and everyone at Living Proof! And I’m right there with you…tough times…God can bring us through! Only God!
Love,
Donna (the mom of twin boys)
You know Beth, you are blessed with TWO incredibly talented and smart daughters. I remember Beth telling in the blog once that she told Melissa she would be a teacher herself one day…I think Melissa is closer than she thinks she is!!
So, Melissa, when is your first class….with LifeWay?
Janet
WoW Melissa!! You need to get fired up more often girl!! Somehow I think one day you may be following in your mama’s footsteps of studies & books….bring it on! Thank you for being so REAL in life and for loving Jesus the way that you do.
Melissa,
I am so grateful that you took the time to post today and offer such an encouraging, strengthening word!
I immediately bought the song from itunes. I admit that I had never heard this song. It is incredible. I bought it with my husband in mind…knowing that he desperately needs TRUTH infused into him right now. I can’t wait to share it with him.
Bless you!
From one adventurous cook to another,
Elaine
Melissa: I learned a trick AFTER a bad computer crash (short of being highly responsible and frequently downloading files to a removable drive): When I’m in the middle of important, involved writing project, I’ll periodically save the file and email it to myself. Then if my PC crashes AGAIN, I can retrieve the file through my email account from any other trusty PC.
Hope that helps somebody out there!
This is really off the subject, but I just came across the “God’s Word and Big Texas Hair” facebook page for Beth, and have to say how much I loved Amanda’s entry there about “accomanying someone to the ship.” Thank you so much for that, Amanda! – Linda
Dear Melissa,
Thank you so very much for teaching, sharing, exhorting, and leading me into worship. As a worship leader I intend to put this song in our next set.
You filled my mind and heart with such love for Jesus and what He has done for me.
Blessings on your head,
What a terrific post! Girl, you hardly ever post, but when you do…watch out! I agree with you 100%! I also believe that when you are able to try to grasp what Christ truly has done for us, you’re right…IT”S SCANDALOUS! It actually makes my poor blond head spin..Honestly, not just sins, but imputed righteousness, seated with Christ in the heavenlies, freedom from bondage, release from the pit(or in some cases, pits), the power that raised Christ from the dead, all this and more (more than we will ever fully grasp)including but not ending with Life, more abundantly and eternal! My word-“what is man, that YOU are mindful of him?” It’s too much LORD!
Thank you- you are a beautiful, bright, thoughtful young woman, who I can tell, takes after your mama!Love to you dear heart-
I’ll pray for the de-bugging of your technical life!
Lisa in Kirkland, WA
I’m glad I stopped by today! Thanks!
Genny
http://www.mycup2yours.com
Melissa, thank you for that great post. It was also good to hear from you….sorry you are so frustrated, whatever you are working on, the devil must feel threatened in some way. Thank You for that inspirational song. Our God is so faithful.
Now, could you send that recipe out someday when you do another post? It sound delicious…..
May our Father bless you richly….
Georgia in MI
WE need to pray harder for you and for God to just cover your work! I loved the song and the lyrics written out for me to just meditate on…I love sound theology, and I love the way God works through it and in us.
I am tickled to read from you! I just love you bunches!
You do not know what this has meant for me! I’m so glad you’re computer started working and I’m so thankful for God speaking to me through you! WHOA as Joey from friends would say! I needed this!
WOW – amazing! SO amazing and true. THANK you for sharing this! Sunshine
Thank you so much, Melissa, for turning my focus back to what it needed to be on. After some minor things that had me feeling sorry for myself and one big thing that I was worrying over for a friend in a medical situation, I really needed to read and think about what you wrote in this point! Thank you again–many blessings! SJM from the Big D