About Me

Van Walton

Fun Facts about Van Walton

My favorite smell: The way the earth smells after it rains.

My favorite sound: The first notes of a grand symphony.

My favorite way to relax: Sitting anywhere outside - on my front porch, on my deck, or by the lake, early in the morning with my first cup of coffee.

My favorite birthday dessert: a Peach cobbler baked by my husband. He’s my fave chef!

I will not eat: Avocado. They turn my stomach into a volcano that never erupts.

Technology I couldn't live without and why: My laptop - it takes me anywhere I want to go.

One thing that makes me smile: My sons' faces!

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My Resources



My book, From the Pound to the Palace, is available for $10
from Proverbs 31 Ministries.


Pound to Palace


My book, Little Halos, is available for $5.99 from Proverbs
31 Ministries.


Little Halos


Proverbs 31 Ministries












Links




Sponsor a Child in Jesus Name with Compassion

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Becoming Intimately Acquainted with THE COACH who calls me to His Wait Room

Slowly… I have learned that waiting does not have to be a waste of time.

While I wait, I can use my time wisely. In fact I can take the most important opportunity of my life during this time. I can become more intimately acquainted with God.

If you have read any of my entries on waiting, you know I learned to wait by studying the life of King Hezekiah.

His biography in Chronicles and Kings reminds us of his greatness. He clung to the Lord. As I pour over his life, I learn that one of his activities while he waited was to dig deep. He dug deep under the city of Jerusalem channeling water from outside the city to a place inside the city so its citizens had a steady supply of water.

Digging deep, finding springs of living water. That is what my role model, wait trainer King Hezekiah did while he waited.

So I spend my time, while I wait, digging deep, deep into God’s Word.

Lately I am driven by Hosea’s prophecy. I read what God told him to tell the people in Hezekiah’s time and I relate it to me, today, in the United States. What I find, loud and clear is God’s desire for His people to know Him.

Hosea 4:6: “My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me.”

As I sit in God’s Wait Room, I have a choice: either train and grow spiritually stronger or allow my circumstances to destroy me. It is a battle. Sometimes the waits are so heavy, they threaten to crush me.

That does not have to be the case, though! If I spend my time becoming more intimately and deeply acquainted with God, my Father, I will not be destroyed.

So… I read on in Hosea and learn so much about the God of the universe.

First lesson I learn about God I find in Hosea 1:2. He goes to great lengths to show us how much he loves. He uses an illustration that grabs our attention. He says we have acted like a prostitute!

Instead of remaining faithful to our Creator and worshipping Him, we have turned away, focusing on the blessings He showered upon us. Most of chapter 2 lists the gifts God gave us and then points out how we have misused everything He gave us, “the grain, the new wine, the olive oil, silver and gold…” (Hosea 2:8)

I think, “ How do I feel when my gifts to others are not appreaciated?” No wonder God is angry and seeks to discipline me. I need to be taken to His Wait Room where He can get my attention, teach me to grow stronger so I am not swayed and tempted by the world’s ways.

God doesn’t stop by merely calling us names. At the end of chapter 2 He calls out to us:

“But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gatewy of hope. She will give herself to me there…” (vs 14-15)

God’s Wait Room may seem like a desert, but it is there in that dry and desolate, lonely place where He knows, we will finally listen.

I need to stop and listen to his tender words.

While in God’s Wait Room, I am becoming acquainted with my God.

What have I learned about him as I grow to know him? He wants me to know that He is a husband to me.

What do you know about God?
Be warned, the world's depiction of God does not necesarily agree with The Word's description of God.


So, let’s talk about Him. What is your favorite fact about God? You confidence in Him will only grow stronger if you, not only list His attributes but, site the location in the Bible where you found that portrayal of God to be true.

BTW- Why not begin an exercise with your children! As you read with them from the Bible have them make a list of God’s attributes. What a way to build a child’s confidence!

4 comments:

debrah said...

Hi Van:
Lately I have been seeing that even the smallest hurt does not escape the attention of our Lord and Savior...
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing: and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 10:29-32
Have a blessed day!
Debrah

Dana said...

My Sista...I adore you! Waiting has been soooo hard for us! We do it...but it ain't always pretty! Your blog has helped me to learn to wait patiently, lovingly, and wisely! Learning in this "wait" room in my best defense and my greatest offense!
I cling to Hebrews 11:6...But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is (exsists in KJV) and that he is a rewardser of them that dilligently seek Him..(NIV)
Oh, how I love HIM! To reward me with riches beyond my wildest "fleshy" dreams! All because I came, BELIEVED, and sought out His face! What price I was bought with...I can never fully understand...but I can believe!
Luv 'n' Hugs!

Laura said...

His faithfulness has never failed to amaze me..."Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." (Psalm 36:5). Whenever I face a fear, whenever I experience anxiety, His faithfulness always reassures me!

MrsProverbs31 said...

How unique. One of the most trying times of my life is waiting. Oh, how impatient I became when I had to wait. Daily, I'm learning that patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit and I need to wait patiently. So, I am a work in progress.

Thanks for the suggestions. Your posts have been great encouragements to my heart.