From the dark of night I could not see,
My eyes unprepared for light.
How thick that darkness was, how heavy its chains!
Hidden in a child's sorrows,
I was told to hate because I was hated.
Deep within, the Destroyer made his wicked claim.
Convinced that I could not speak
I was bound in weighty chains of deceit.
As a child of death, I lived out lies
And filled my flesh with sorrowful gain.
Lost and drowning, the tide washed over me.
Sharks surrounded me to take my life,
Trapping one precious life named for the Light.
Upon the sea He walked with strides of strength.
My mighty One came near as I sank.
I took my last breaths of death below the sea of sorrow
Until His hand plunged down to me.
Lifeless I lay in His arms 'til He breathed His breath in me.
The dark of night fled as I choked on perfect life.
In the sweet Savior's arms I lay.
My adoring Rescuer came to me.
What love He has! What might that makes the demons flee!
I now walk at His side.
Wisdom is my lot.
For truth has shone brightly and pierced my broken soul.
Oh, unending Love, amazing gracious One.
You are my Light and my Portion.
No death shall do us part.
I am Yours and You are mine.
May that name which I was given
Cause the demon's world to quake
For thy Word accomplished
that for which it was sent in me.
© 2007 by Kendra Hinkle
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
One Thing (Psalm 27:4, Mark 10:21, Luke 10: 41-42)
For a little topical study in relation to prayer, I have been looking at some "one thing" verses in Scripture:
Psalm 27:4 David's one thing
One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek;
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD and to meditate in His Temple.
Mark 10:21 Jesus to the rich young ruler
Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack; go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
Luke 10:41-42 Jesus to Martha, Mary's sister
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
"One thing" rules out everything else. It is an expression of importance and devotion. Most of my own life seems to be in competition with devotion to this singleness of heart and mind. "One thing" is intimidating to approach because of my sin. Yet, the more I approach with the simplicity of "One thing" in my sights, the easier it is to realize the grace that is extended to me.
From the busyness of life which competes with devotion to One, I come to my busy mind that fights the simplicity and necessity of One. From there my emotions fight the reality of holiness and grace in comparison to my sinful self. Approaching, each resistant part of my life breaks from my spirit's own desperation for Jesus Christ and God the Father. Then, through the doors of the temple of His presence, I find myself prostrate in His glory - amid the beauty of His holiness.
I received the invitation, and I have come.
© 2007 by Kendra Hinkle
Scripture marked “NAS” is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Psalm 27:4 David's one thing
One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek;
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD and to meditate in His Temple.
Mark 10:21 Jesus to the rich young ruler
Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack; go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
Luke 10:41-42 Jesus to Martha, Mary's sister
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
"One thing" rules out everything else. It is an expression of importance and devotion. Most of my own life seems to be in competition with devotion to this singleness of heart and mind. "One thing" is intimidating to approach because of my sin. Yet, the more I approach with the simplicity of "One thing" in my sights, the easier it is to realize the grace that is extended to me.
From the busyness of life which competes with devotion to One, I come to my busy mind that fights the simplicity and necessity of One. From there my emotions fight the reality of holiness and grace in comparison to my sinful self. Approaching, each resistant part of my life breaks from my spirit's own desperation for Jesus Christ and God the Father. Then, through the doors of the temple of His presence, I find myself prostrate in His glory - amid the beauty of His holiness.
I received the invitation, and I have come.
© 2007 by Kendra Hinkle
Scripture marked “NAS” is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Finishing Well (Summer is Over)
God orchestrated some really great collisions this weekend. I flew to KC for some family events, and was able to meet up with Isa. Isa and I have been doing an IM Bible study through Esther this past semester while she was preparing for college in Germany. My flight for a baby shower coincided with her time in KC. We actually got to talk face to face!!! Also I met up with Brooke, a great gal who I met while traveling and homeless and working a friend's church camp (same way I met Isa). Brooke gave her first months out of high school to serving in Africa, since she didn't know what she wanted to do in college. It was an amazingly mature kingdom decision. We all had lunch this weekend! They are gals I appreciate and am so blessed to stay in contact with.
The international gals study went so well this summer. Through our relationship built with the Baptist Student Ministry (using their facility for the women's study), we are now moving our ministry's main night onto UNT. It's at the heart of campus and very accessible to the international students, who don't usually have cars. AND...for Marilyn...it has a kitchen to serve dinner from! God is continuing to build and move. He always does for His name's sake. Sadly, I won't be able to be as involved this semester because of seminary classes. Yet, I knew my time would be changing in the coming months. My spring prayers have been abundantly overfilled through God's grace: for the women to be encouraged in knowing the Lord and His Word and for workers to be raised up into the harvest within this ministry as I was being moved out of my normal roles. The ministry is now teaming up with the BSM to reach out to international students on UNT and TWU campuses for the coming year. The Lord has been gathering our many prayers and moving us into His plan for the future.
I'm too tired to think of anything else. Good night!
The international gals study went so well this summer. Through our relationship built with the Baptist Student Ministry (using their facility for the women's study), we are now moving our ministry's main night onto UNT. It's at the heart of campus and very accessible to the international students, who don't usually have cars. AND...for Marilyn...it has a kitchen to serve dinner from! God is continuing to build and move. He always does for His name's sake. Sadly, I won't be able to be as involved this semester because of seminary classes. Yet, I knew my time would be changing in the coming months. My spring prayers have been abundantly overfilled through God's grace: for the women to be encouraged in knowing the Lord and His Word and for workers to be raised up into the harvest within this ministry as I was being moved out of my normal roles. The ministry is now teaming up with the BSM to reach out to international students on UNT and TWU campuses for the coming year. The Lord has been gathering our many prayers and moving us into His plan for the future.
I'm too tired to think of anything else. Good night!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Waiting On a New Day (1 Samuel 27-28)
Just before the dawn of a new day, darkness lingers. Twighlight's blanket of stars and quiet stillness do not give a hint of the day that will soon come. One must wait with anticipation for daybreak.
In chapter 27 & 28 of 1 Samuel, David waited in the dark of night. His new day to come was the fulfillment of the God's promise to his throne in Israel. Likewise Saul awaited the fulfillment of God's promise. Yet, Saul's lingering darkness was the coming night of death. God promised Saul that the throne was no longer be his, but that it belonged to his neighbor David (15:28). Both men are waiting on God's word to become sight. Neither realizes how soon it will happen.
The pace of our story slows as God allowed the lingering darkness to expose the lack of faith that both Saul and David had in God's word. For David, hope waned, and he joined the Philistines to find temporary rest. For Saul, a mystic witch was sought to force God's answer to his question.
Waiting on God, especially when He seems silent, requires trust in His absolute determination to keep His word and His immutable character. Situations lure us to make decisions without recounting the character of God, yet doing so brings peace. He is a strong tower of refuge when the storms of life come at night and leave us anticipating daybreak.
© 2007 by Kendra Hinkle
In chapter 27 & 28 of 1 Samuel, David waited in the dark of night. His new day to come was the fulfillment of the God's promise to his throne in Israel. Likewise Saul awaited the fulfillment of God's promise. Yet, Saul's lingering darkness was the coming night of death. God promised Saul that the throne was no longer be his, but that it belonged to his neighbor David (15:28). Both men are waiting on God's word to become sight. Neither realizes how soon it will happen.
The pace of our story slows as God allowed the lingering darkness to expose the lack of faith that both Saul and David had in God's word. For David, hope waned, and he joined the Philistines to find temporary rest. For Saul, a mystic witch was sought to force God's answer to his question.
Waiting on God, especially when He seems silent, requires trust in His absolute determination to keep His word and His immutable character. Situations lure us to make decisions without recounting the character of God, yet doing so brings peace. He is a strong tower of refuge when the storms of life come at night and leave us anticipating daybreak.
© 2007 by Kendra Hinkle
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