Posts Tagged ‘psalm 46’

Does He Love Me When I Rest?

Posted: October 29, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
Tags: , , , ,
6
Learn to Rest in the Lord
Bill Yarbrough with Dave and Jim DeWitt at the border crossing in Mexico

Bill Yarbrough with Dave and Jim DeWitt at the border crossing in Mexico

I thank the Lord that he loves me even when I rest. For some reason grasping this concept is like trying to catch a slippery fish. This is true for me. What has your experience been?

Our Latin American director for Mission to the World (MTW), Bill Yarbrough has been mentoring me in growing in my inner life. In this process he’s encouraged me to stop and to create space and a rhythm in my life that helps me to grow closer to the Father. Bill’s not just a boss, but a friend!

Bill asked me about my sabbath rest. As I reflected on that I realized that my rest isn’t as rich as it could be. When I expressed my struggle to Bill he reminded me that I am loved even when I rest.

How Do I Block Out All the Noise?

I think I get that at least to some degree, and it’s not like I don’t rest physically. The trouble is when I seek rest for my soul, spiritual rest there are so many things that begin to crowd out the quiet. I start worrying about what I have to do today, or about a ministry situation that isn’t going the way I would like it to go.

I feel like this pattern is a lot like what Martha struggled with when Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better thing to sit at his feet. I want to become more like Mary and less like Martha.

Church planters gathering

Church planters gathering

The last two days I’ve been in some invigorating meetings with church planters from around the U.S. and Mexico. Three of the guys that shared spoke about the importance of maintaining our intimacy with Jesus. Two of the pastors said that they felt like they were so focused on the ministry that their relationship with the Lord had waned. They had to get alone with God and restore their first love.

Unfortunately, I found that I could relate to them.

There’s so much to do, so much noise, so many distractions. 

Taken from Sunset Cliffs in San Diego

Taken from Sunset Cliffs in San Diego

I don’t know how this is for you, but I think it is common in our culture whether you are serving in vocational ministry or not. We are a busy people. We don’t like to be still. Yet that’s what the Lord calls us to.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”  – Psalm 46:10

I’d appreciate your prayers for my family and for me that we will grow in and maintain an intimate relationship with our Abba, Father. Maybe you should pray for yourself in a similar way. We can’t take a break from growing deeper with Jesus. His mercies are new every morning. Our soul cries out and we long to know him better!

I’d love to hear from you. What have you found that has helped you to maintain a close and intimate walk with the Father?

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Do You Feel Like the Sky is Falling?

Posted: March 27, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
Tags: , , , , , , ,
10
The Bombs are Falling!
Dave at the U.S. Mexico border - Life on the Border

Dave at the U.S. Mexico border – Life on the Border

I read an interesting article this week that referred to the effects that the bombings had on the English in WWII. The Germans thought that if they bombed the English in their homeland that it would dishearten them. They thought it would weaken the English.

Interestingly enough it had the opposite effect. It emboldened the English. The people begin to think, if I could survive a bomb I can survive anything.

God Strengthens Us Through Trials
Pretty much how we hope things will be, and the reality of the trials of life

Pretty much how we hope things will be, and the reality of the trials of life

I think that’s a great picture of how God uses trials in our lives. We don’t like the curves in our lives. Maybe we’d like a little more routine, but the Lord uses the valleys to strengthen us.

That’s what Dawn and I are finding as we traverse this long and winding road.

I’m not saying that we don’t get down. What I am speaking to is how we grow, and we are strengthened even when it seems like there are explosions going off all around us.

God is Our Refuge

Maybe that’s what the Psalmist is feeling when he wrote Psalm 46.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah”

Psalm 46:1-3 ESV

Hannah, Dawn and Dave

Hannah, Dawn and Dave

Even though everything around us is falling apart, we do not fear. We are not afraid, because God is there. The Lord holds everything together. When things seem chaotic they aren’t. God brings order out of chaos. He has a purpose in it all.

Our family has been walking through this trial with our daughter for two months now. It’s been a journey filled with low points and high points.

The only constant is that God is there, and he is carrying us through it. He is our rock and refuge.

Hannah reminded us the other day that she wants to love God and enjoy him forever. Which is the answer to the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. What is the chief end of man?

As we seek to love God and enjoy him forever there are the good and bad moments. There are the high points and the low points.

Coming Forth as Gold

Job is a constant reminder of the Lord’s work in suffering. There are many nuggets to be found in Job. Here is one of them:

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”

Job 23:10 ESV

The Lord is refining us and making us into a pure gold.

I’ve been encouraged as our friends have come to me and said that the things I’ve written on this blog have encouraged them. When I write I feel like it’s cathartic for me. It also gives me joy to know that the Lord is using it to minister to others. I do pray that it will strengthen you in your journey.

Your love and your prayers do lift us up.

Lo Mejor del Trigo #24 in Plan Libertador

Lo Mejor del Trigo #24 in Plan Libertador

I’m amazed that even in this turbulent time, that the Lord is doing so much. The church is growing. The kingdom is advancing. This Sunday we will be celebrating the inaugural service for Lo Mejor del Trigo’s 24th church!

God is so good. We feel privileged to serve him, and see such awesome advance!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

Quiet in a Loud World

Posted: March 29, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
Tags: , , , ,
2
Be Still My Soul
The Diaso Family at Christmas!

The Diaso Family – growing together in God’s grace

Through our work in the ministry and our family trials God has been teaching me some great lessons. One of them is the importance of resting in him.

That has not been an easy lesson to learn. The Psalmist in Psalm 46:10 says to cease striving and know that I am God. Yet I continue to strive.

I’m grateful that the Lord does not give up on this slow student. He is a patient and loving teacher.

There are some wonderful promises in the Bible, that I have a hard time believing. Just think of Psalm 127:2, “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

Draw Near to Jesus
pastor Leo leading us in prayer

pastor Leo leading us in prayer at the border

I think that’s an amazing verse, because I often feel guilty if I’m not staying busy. There’s this battle to be always at it, always doing something that at least feels productive. Jesus said Mary had chosen the better thing as she was at Jesus’ feet while Martha was busy serving.

The Lord has impressed on my heart that I need to grow in listening to his voice, and to do that I need to be quiet. I ask the Lord that he will work in my heart and help me to slow down and rest in him.

When I meet with the pastors I’m working with, I’ve been encouraging them to learn to listen to the voice of God. It’s essential for ministry, especially if we want to last and be effective.

God calls to come before him and to rest in him

God calls to come before him and to rest in him

O Lord, please continue your holy work in me. Make me like Jesus. Cause me to work hard, but also to slow down and to rest in you. Be still before the Lord.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

 

 

God is Bigger Than the Fires in Colorado

Posted: June 27, 2012 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Journey, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
Tags: , , , , , , ,
24
Pray for Colorado and for Colorado Springs

Pray for Colorado and for Colorado Springs

You may have seen the alarming news that Colorado Springs is on fire! We never thought the city we live in would get caught in such a big fire.

Friends of ours have already lost their homes, and others have been displaced. Those displaced face the possibility of losing their home, and in the meantime they need to find another place to live.

This photo was taken from Tom Graham's house as they were leaving at 4:30 PM on Tuesday

Photo taken from Tom Graham’s house as they were leaving at 4:30 PM on Tuesday

One of our friends that’s been displaced is Tom Graham. Tom has been a mentor to me over the last 12 years, and he has been one of the most influential people in my life during that time. It’s sad to see such dear friends going through this. Now all they can do is wait and pray, hoping their home will be saved.

We live on the east side of Colorado Springs, and the fire is on the west side, so at this point our home isn’t in danger.

We do need prayer! Prayer for the city, and all those affected by the fire.

It’s important to remember during these times that God is greater than the storms that life brings. My daughter, Hannah just posted this quote on her Facebook page,

“Don’t tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is.”

That’s a great reminder to all of us. Keep your eyes on the Lord.

Psalm 46 offers us great comfort and encouragement. The subtitle for the Psalm is, God is Our Fortress.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when the morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

— Psalm 46:1-7 (ESV)

It’s so important to remember where are peace comes from. Who are rescuer is. This is an opportunity for us to trust in the Lord, as I wrote about recently.

This is taken from the Chapel Hills Mall - on the north part of the city

This is taken from the Chapel Hills Mall – on the north part of the city

We cry out to the Lord for help! Please rescue our city. Deliver our friends and our homes. Stop the blazing fires. Change the direction of the wind. Comfort our friends who are displaced. Comfort them as they wonder if they still have a home. Draw people to yourself during this fiery trial.

Our church, Village Seven Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs has started a web-link for information on how you can help. Tonight the church called a prayer meeting to plead with God for His mercy to save our city. Here’s the link for more info on ways you can help – v7pc.org/fire.

Here’s a link with some news on the evacuations, and some updates on the fire – Waldo Canyon fire. This article captures some of emotion in the Springs – Firestorm of Epic Proportions.

Dawn and I are in California we fly back to Colorado on Thursday. Pray that we are able to get to Colorado without any complications. David, Jon and Hannah are home. We look to the Lord for their safety.

Wow, what a hot and crazy summer! Thanks for caring, and praying with us.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org