Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Creme Horns and Grilled Shrimp....hmmmmmm

"Taste and see that the LORD is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing." Psalm 34:8-9


Yes, taste. That is what we love to do, isn't it? Taste the salty air at the beach...the snow flakes on our tongues in winter. We love to taste the spoon after we've stirred up our sweet tea. And lick the batter bowl when we make a cake or brownies. Tasting is important to us. If it doesn't taste good, we don't want to have anything to do with it. If our food tastes bad to us, we get rid of it. Thankfully a very Wise Creator, the God of the Universe equipped our bodies with tongues that can tell if something tastes good or bad, sweet or salty, hot or cold, sour or not! Our taste buds discern these flavors for us!

How do we "taste and see that the LORD is good"? I think Holy Spirit helps us discern if the good-ness we are seeking or are experiencing is from the LORD. His goodness will line up with what we know about Him from scripture. For example, He sees the beginning and the end...and He knows where our current 'circumstances' fit in that calendar. He is a good God, waiting and more than willing to lavish His grace, mercy and blessing upon us, those He loves!

That is good news. News that can make our sometimes bleak outlook turn around. He is "I AM"...and He deserves and is worthy of our continued praise! As we press in to His identity and character, we realize that tasting Him is tasting His goodness, His provision, His love, His abundance, and His grace--but ultimately, His presence. Nothing compares to that experience. Nothing.

Amazing to me is the fact that the same God that created time and space, cares and knows how many hairs are on my head (and He knows their 'original color'!)--He also blesses us with air to breath, sweet family & friends and wonderful things to place on our taste buds, like creme horns, chocolate kisses or grilled shrimp. He is a good God, and we can know that He can be trusted in our every circumstance.

Randy & I were blessed to have met some new friends last night at dinner. As she and I talked, we discussed the fact that we need to trust in Jesus personally, not our 'religious experience.' She shared with me Bible vereses that ultimately mader her want to trust Him. Consider tasting that experience for yourself, or sharing it with someone who is looking for it.

The verses are found in Philippians 4:6-7, which says: "Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

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