Holy Spirit Auto Correct

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." -- Romans 8:26-27

Auto correct seems to have a mind of its own -- it corrects and chooses words for us and often those words change the entire meaning of the sentence. Take the example above. Spell check doesn't recognize the word "Disney" and so it auto corrects and chooses the word "divorce." Ever had this happen to you?

I actually had something similar happen to me the other day and boy did it cause an avalanche! But it got me thinking about how poorly we are at communication. It's been said that communication is comprised of 55% body language, 38% voice tone, and 7% content of words. And now that we've become an electronic generation -- often preferring to communicate via text messages, email, and Facebook, we've taken body language and voice tone out of the communication equation altogether. No wonder we struggle so much!

But there is one area where we don't have to struggle. I like to think of the Holy Spirit as our "auto corrector" when we're praying to the Father. The Spirit understands the will of God and prays for us according to His will. And one thing is certain, we don't have to worry about the Holy Spirit choosing the wrong words. Now that's an auto correction I can appreciate! ;)

The Stuff You Use

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." -- John 16:33

Delays, flat tires, sick pets, sick kids, fender benders, leaky roofs, missed appointments .... the list goes on and on. Beth Moore calls these things the thistles of life. But we know that God uses everything to develop our character, to conquer our frustrations, to break off our impatience, and to polish out the rough edges. So, of course it was fitting to wake up to this song:

Francesca Battistelli, This Is The Stuff

I lost my keys in the great unknown

And call me please 'Cuz I can't find my phone

This is the stuff that drives me crazy

This is the stuff that's getting to me lately

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I'm blessed

This is the stuff that gets under my skin

But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing

It might not be what I would choose

But this is the stuff You use

45 in a 35

Sirens and fines while I'm running behind

Whoa

This is the stuff that drives me crazy

This is the stuff that's getting to me lately

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I'm blessed

This is the stuff that gets under my skin

But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing

It might not be what I would choose

But this is the stuff You use

So break me of impatience

Conquer my frustrations

I've got a new appreciation

It's not the end of the world

Oh Oh Oh

This is the stuff that drives me crazy

This is the stuff

Someone save me

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I'm blessed

This is the stuff that gets under my skin

And I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing

It might not be what I would choose

But this is the stuff You use

Oh Oh Oh Oh

This is the stuff You use

Let The Waters Rise

"When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him." -- Isaiah 59:19

I went to bed last night praying for a situation that seems unfair to my natural mind. And although it seems like the flood waters are rising and about to overtake, I was reminded that God uses everything. All through scripture, God used good (and evil) rulers to accomplish His will. And so I drifted off to sleep saying, "God, I don't like this situation and it would be my preference if "x-y-z" happened, but I trust you no matter what. I woke this morning to the song, "Let The Waters Rise" and I had to smile. That's our God. Always faithful; always speaking; always calming the hearts of His children.

Let The Waters Rise (lyrics by Mikeschair):

Don't know where to begin
It's like my world's caving in
And I tried but I can't control my fear
Where do I go from here

Sometimes it's so hard to pray
You feel so far away
I am willing to go where You want me to
God I trust You

[Chorus]
There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If you want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

I will swim in the deep
Cuz You'll be next to me
You're in the eye of the storm and the calm of the sea
You're never out of reach

God You know where I've been
You were there with me then
You were faithful before
You'll be faithful again
I'm holding Your hand

[Chorus]

God Your love is enough
You will pull me through
I'm holding on to You

God your love is enough
I will follow You
I will follow You

[Chorus]