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’ve never blogged on here before, but I just only started the whole blogging thing a few weeks ago. First off, what God is doing through LMP is awesome! It’s so amazing how God can use the internet to minister to people all over the world. Secondly, Melissa, I hope you keep writing. This is the second post I’ve seen from you, and I can tell you have a special gift. God’s blessed me today through you!
Thank you,
Amber Ploof, SC
Melissa,
I needed the encouragement! Thanks so much for sharing. I had forgotten about this song. I’ll listen to it tonight as I decompress after a hard day.
Truth…
How refreshing!
Praise and Worship followed by some teaching of the Word….I’m so glad you are hooked up again….keep working from home More Often!!!!! I Love these lessons!
Melissa,
You couldn’t have written this at a better time. I’ve been so frustrated today with my temporary, carnal problems. I was flucuating from being angry to condemning myself for being so angry. BUT, ah, just to remember that He is on the throne above and He holds all things in His very capable hands!! Thanks for the uplifting reminder!!
Melissa,
Thank you for letting God work through you and giving me exactly what I needed at precisely the right time!
Peace,
Kim in Apex, NC
Thank you Melissa! Beautiful! I love how praising Him takes our eyes off our circumstances! Such a blessing!
Melissa I must say thank you for your words. I just finished my finals tonight at seminary and one was a paper on the customs of the passover in Exodus 12: 1-28. Not only did I have to write about the customs but once that was complete I had to go about and show the comparisons of Jesus Christ and the Passover lamb. Wow can you say touching. And your post goes so well with me. I have been on a high ever since I finished it last night. I so much enjoy digging deep into our Heavenly Father’s word and have Him reveal himself in such away. Thank you again for your words and I will be praying for you as you adjust to working at home.
Becky
Attalla, AL
By the way I thought I would let you know I to have my degree in interior design and now have just completed my first year at Covington Seminary.
Melissa,
I was at school/work today when I commented on your entry, and went through my jump drive absoultely positive that the song was on there. It wasn’t, but I’m transfering it right now so I can have it tomorrow! =)
Hey Melissa, we’re getting ready to be relocated to Atlanta ourselves, and was just wondering if you have found one or more churches that you really like that you would reccomend? Thanks!
Wow, what an awesome post, full of the Greatness of our God, thankyou!
Blessings to you and your home Melissa!
So needed this – have been so discouraged. Thank you for your honesty Melissa.
Amen, Siesta!
Melissa, that hymn made the hair on the back of my neck stand up, and it brought tears to my eyes. Those old hymns that are packed tight with great theology are just amazing, aren’t they? This one is new to me. Time to get my daughter busy with her ipod stuff to get me a copy.
Thank you for breaking out the truths like that. I hesitated a bit when the word “doctrine” appeared; for a long time, that meant “intellectual assent to a philosophical system” while I sadly wondered why Christianity was so dull and dry.
Now (praise Him!) it means a way to get to know my living Lord better. What a difference! He is so merciful…
Being able to say “Jesus, my passion is You” (like Travis’ song in the first Stepping Up) is such an awesome blessing.
Thanks for posting. Sure gave my day a huge boost…
And thanks, Beth, for nurturing such a contagious passion in your girls and in your siestas.
Thank you so much for your encouragement today. I had a not so fun mothers day considering my mom didn’t come for the dinner I had prepared for her. I wasn’t surprised but, it still hurts. The song reminded me where my focus should be…THANKS!
Called, challenged, lonely, uncertain, bold, courageous, fearful, confident. Remembering what He has said, certain of what I am to do. Uncertain if I will fail or succeed.
Thank you for the encouragement and the doctrine you shared. I really needed these reminders this morning.
He is the goal. Not my success or whether or not I make a fool of myself. He simply calls me to obedience with the understanding that He is the reward….
Keep doing what you do.
As Annette said, I too desperately needed encouragement today as well. I have some pretty heavy stuff going on with a friend who needs all of your prayers!!! God will know who you are praying for without giving out her name. Also, I visited audreycaroline.blogspot this morning and it’s such an incredible story! But, sad too. We need to focus our eyes on Jesus – live through the good and the bad knowing HE is right beside us, loving us.
The perfect way to start a day! Thank you!
Love,
Steph
what a great word to one who is also fighting computer trouble today!! I may through my laptop from the second floor window and spend the day praising Jesus for Who He is! I am off to re-read Romans 6!!
Blessings to Melissa for this timely and beautiful word!
Dear Melissa
I am not glad you had all those problems but it is so refreshing to hear that someone else has those days now and then! Music speaks to my heart like nothing else when I am weary and that song was so so beautiful. I had never heard of it.
My song of songs(i have many) is “In Christ Alone!” He is my hope, my strength, my song and my solid ground, praise Jesus!
THanks for sharing. You certainly inherited your mom’s writing ability!
love you and can’t wait to meet you in San Antonio!
Sharron in Alabama
That EXACT cd is in my car now and that EXACT song is my all time fave. I can scarce drive when it comes on for the hand-raising and weepinng going on. Every single time. I never get over it.
(Obviously the roads are not so safe when I’m having a spell.)
Excellent thoughts to begin this rainy day!
Dear Melissa, thanks for being transparent on a hard day! I am a pastor’s wife and am oh so tired. I appreciate the reminder of “refocusers” and “attitude changers” that will bring me back to the foot of the cross. It’s so easy to get caught in the quagmire of day to day needs. I’m off to study Romans 6 and Habakkuk 3, and I’m renewed to win the war for replacing Hannah Montana in my car’s cd player with some whole grain music!! In Christ and for His glory, Jen
Thank you for such encouragement and Truth! I love that hymn but I have to confess I have never pulled it apart like you did. It makes me want to dig into it even deeper! I have to go, I want to re-read your post and read Romans 5!! What a blessed redeemer we have! Thanks again for your words…and thank you for your passion for Christ. Oh He’s just too wonderful.
Lisa
Stop looking in my windows before 9am. lol.
I needed that and I’m off to download the song while I deal with the unpleasantries that woke with me.
Fixing my eyes BACK on Jesus.
Melissa –
Thank you for your post. This song is one I love to sing, preferably by myself since I am not much of a singer and I can really emphasize the “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” part. How can anyone not get EXCITED and accept His wonderful gift to us! Believe siestas, He is alive, real and wanting to be your Savior, your all in all.
Love and Blessings to you all,
Debbie in Tennessee
Love it! What a great reminder. I am going to have to download that song on my ipod!
Prise His name! Thank you for the uplifting words. I needed to hear that. Selah is wonderful and their music is to inspirational. God bless and sustain us in our times of need!
Melissa, I found the song on my Shane and Shane “Pages” cd! I had to play it for my man and I. Another song popped into my head this morning as I was getting up, “Trading My Sorrows” of an i Worship cd I got years ago. “I’m trading my sorrows…:)…I’m laying them down, for the joy of the Lord…:)…yes, yes, Lord, Amen!” I’m going to go listen to that now.
Also, Beth, one of my mentors thought it would be good for me to do “Living Beyond Yourself” so we had our first session yesterday, and I had to finish it up this morning here at the house. I’m really not trying to “Beth Moore” myself out! I do read other authors, I promise!:) But, learning that sign language was the best! I love the sign language for joy and self-control.:) You and your hair-you are precious!
Love ya’ll,
katiegfromtennesee
Phil. 4:13
With tears in my eyes, how AWESOME is He!!
Amen and Amen siesta
Thank you so much Melissa for your insightful and encouraging words! IsnĆ¢ā¬ā¢t God so generous to show Himself through any circumstances we may be encountering? One of my favorite verses in Romans is 6:14Ć¢ā¬ĖFor sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.Ć¢ā¬ā¢ Praise Him that we are not under the law and can be lavished in His grace! May you be blessed today with a fresh revelation from the Almighty!
Amy in OK
Melissa,
I had never heard that song. So I opened i-tunes and bought the song and listened to it while I read the words on your post. No wonder you love it so much!! It is so full. Plenty to think about. Thank you for introducing it to us.
Hope today is a better computer and printer day for you.
Wow, girl, you’re deep! Loved that post! I have to confess, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard that hymn (and I would’ve sworn when I was 13 that I’d heard them all at least a thousand times) so I Googled it. I just love the internet! I was able to Google that exact version and listen to it. It’s a beautiful hymn. Powerful words! I just love to hear old hymns, especially when they’re redone.
About your struggles adjusting to the move and change in work environment…We’re a military family and move a lot. One thing I’ve learned is that even though we may not like it, God has placed us where we’re at “for such a time as this.” Soak up all God has for you! He is good ALL the time.
Great post Melissa! I love that song as well and the Selah version is amazing. I also love the Shane and Shane version on their newest album. I’m very sad about your computer drama and even more sad that this is your 3rd one after having 2 stolen??!!?? How did that happen? Thanks for sharing! We all hope you are enjoying newlywed life!!
Hello! Melissa, please post the recipes for your fabulous queso and quacamole! I can’t wait to try them!
Thank You for sharing! Thanks for being so transparent! I am single…and have my dreams sitting on God’s shelf…i was encouraged by your mom mentioning about your Broken road…i can identify…and now a new road, w/ the same self…that HE loves and Redeems…With His Righteousness! thank You!
Thanks melissa! My printer has been down for 3 weeks and I have been out of sorts with the darn thing. I have tried numerous times to make it work myself to no avail! Thanks for reminding me that Christ the high priest will stand me back on my feet! Especially when I’ve been on the floor staring at plug-ins, trying to figure things out!
Wow! You are definitely your mother’s daughter! That was a great reminder. Thank you!
Sacred perspective on a day when I don’t feel like that there is much of Him living in me. I will take some time and behold Him this day.
peace~elaine
May the Lord bless you as you persevere for HIM!
Blessings in Christ–
Melissa,
I have been on “blogger sabbatical” due to end of year overload in nursing school…HOWEVER…
I had a moment to check the blog today and I’m am so grateful I did.
Melissa, you are such a gifted teacher and I am not just complimenting you. I wish somehow you could do indepth study with women who want both – Bible Study for the closeness that it brings us to HIM and HIS word and love for both. But the Bible studies that are expository and take apart verses and get really meaty with it.
Have some of your Mom’s Sunday School CD’s like Ephesians, Romans, and 1 Peter.
I love that so much now and I can’t believe that I do!
You would be so awesome with your tremendous love of HIM and your knowledge.
Please share when you can. There are people out there, but I just feel like I can trust someone completely that is not hyper anything and not totally sensationalist or totally cessasionist. It’s so hard to find someone to teach doctrine that is right there in that spot!
If you guys feel it’s better not to post this because I mentioned something that might offend someone of whatever faith…just delete.
Thanks so much
Love and prayers for you and Colin,
Teri
Wow I love the God is so awesome, and he has a perfect plan, and he always, sets us right when we need it, he uses what ever means that are avaible, as long as we are open to his word… Thank you
Connie
GBU
WOW! What a message! It appears as though there is more than just one preacher in your family.
Thank you for this awesome word. This is one post that I will print and keep.
Thanks for the blog. I am in the midst of a computer with a spider spyware virus that is about to drive me crazy. I’m just amazed always at how God gives us exactly what we need when we need it. Hope things get better. Thanks.
I feel the same way about that Hymn – it is very special to me. Check out Shane & Shane’s version – it will give you goosebumps!
Thank you soo much for sharing….i tend let a few mishaps affect my day and attitude so your post was such an encouragement….on a side note…I know you miss TX but I know you will love living in ATL…
Praying for you!
Christal in GA
Hi Melissa – and greetings from a fellow Atlantan! I’m not sure what part of the city you’re in, but if you love to do a little shopping, I have an art gallery and custom frame shop, Avery Art, on Miami Circle in Buckhead. The street is FULL of great little shops. The Diet Coke’s always cold here!
Thank you for that Melissa š
It’s funny how God knows what you need when you need it! Today my devotional was on taking our eyes off our problems and focusing them back on HIM, and then I read your post. I praise Him for feeding my spirit through you today and for encouraging me! And I’m going to hunt me down that song so I can download it! Funny thing…also this morning, I got out one of Travis’ CDs from a LP event and played Shackles..haven’t heard that in a while and needed to hear it again!
Thanks š
i was JUST introduced to the LPM blog and this was the first thing i read. kudos to my friend katie for the heads up.
*my perfect spotless righteousness* there is the great exchange- my sin for His righteousness. that is enough for me to sing Hallelujah for eternity!
Thank you Melissa for sharing a WORD!!
I can wait to hear that song.
Resurrection power! Glory to His Name!
girl music has healed my attitude more than a time or two! š
haven’t read through all the comments to see if anyone else already said this, but have you listened to the Shane & Shane version of this song? it’s amazing and adds a swelling hallelujah chorus (not like the one you sing at easter haha)…it’s amazing! (so is “embracing accusation” from that same CD if you haven’t heard it! i cry every time!)