Free Fall

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6


This may seem like a strange picture for the scripture I have chosen today but let me explain…

The testing of my faith has been both lengthy and rocky over the past six years. My love for Jesus is solid but sometimes I bow in the winds of doubt and fear. Still over the past few weeks I have heard Him calling “just trust me.” Often when I lay down at night I will simply tell the Lord of my love for Him and thank Him for His love for me. Last night as I did so, once again I heard “then simply trust me.” Immediately the picture came to my mind of a free fall. If only I could trust the Lord and fall freely into His outstretched arms! If only I could give all my fears of failure, the fear of opinions of others, and doubts about the future to Him. See I know the Lord truly does direct our paths. But do I, do you truly trust Him when it seems you might have taken a wrong turn. If you feel you have obeyed His spoken word to you and things did not go as you thought they would, do you trust that He is still directing your path? Oh, that we would fall freely into the arms of our Father as we trust that He will NOT fail to catch us.

The Message says it this way, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.”

Dear Lord, today I place my trust in you. As the man in the gospel of Mark cried out “Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief”, so I cry out to you today. Help me to fall freely into your outstretched arms. Help me to realize that if I take a wrong turn along the way, You will be there to set me back on the path You have chosen for me…

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Child Like

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.   Matthew 18:3 NIV

The movie over as we make our way to exit into the mall. Her little heart is full and overflowing with praise. We had just seen “The Prince of Egypt”. That was back in 1998; still the memories are fresh today. With her little hand in mine we walk along the corridors of the mall but those little hands just had to be free. As she broke loose from my grip both small hands went up in the air as she began to praise and worship God. “Thank you Jesus for Moses and for the movie. Thank you for keeping him safe in that basket. I love you Jesus.” No she didn’t care if people were looking at us, she paid no mind to this Mamaw (grandmother), she was lost in her task of praise.

Oh to be totally lost in our praise! So lost that we do not hear the naysayers of life as we praise our Lord. Completely absorbed in our love for Him, our eyes are on the prize without counting the cost. Do you ever simply long to be in His presence with no distractions? Do you simply find that you do not want to leave the sweetness of His presences? Still the maturity of life, the responsibilities of life keep calling to us as we must get on with our day.

Today with child-like faith, I am going to lift my hands high. Naysayers will just have to excuse me for the day.

“Thank you Jesus for the ones of faith that have gone before us. Thank you for keeping me safe in my basket (pit) but thank you even more that even as Moses was not left in the basket, you did not leave me in that pit. Thank you for deliverance for the Israelites and for me. I love you so much, Jesus….”

I have shared this on Word-filled Wednesday and now would like to share it with Spiritual Sundays. Please join with others as we offer encouraging words and praise to our Lord...


 

True Love

Abba Father, this morning humbled before you, we come seeking to obey your greatest commandments. We long to be known as the children of the one true living God. To do so Father means that we must first truly understand that loving you with all our heart, soul, mind and strength is the way others will know. For if we obey the first of these commandments, all other things will follow suit. Lord, when we truly love you then we will begin to love others as you love. So this morning, Father teach us to love as you love. Teach us to give when giving seems impossible. Teach us to accept responsibility for our actions and our deeds. Teach us Father to be all you have called us to be, loving one another. Yes, Lord teach us to love even the ones we consider unworthy of our love. Thank you that as unworthy as we were, you still loved us to the point of death. Now Holy Spirit walk with us today as we set out to show the love of Christ to those who need it the most… In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen


And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31 NKJ


"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." (1 John 5:2-3)

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Calm

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" Mark 4:37-41 NKJ

His name is Jesus.  Even today this Man is longing to calm the wind and sea for us.  Will we allow Him to do so?

A True Titus Woman

                                          ...that they admonish the young women

                                                             (Titus 2 :4)

What a blessings, a sheer pleasure my friend and I had recently. We were able to sit at the feet (so to speak) of a godly elderly woman and learn of God’s true loving provision. We listened as she shared story after story of God’s amazing grace in her life. We rejoiced with her in the good times and to a degree felt the sorrow of the bad times. This beautiful wise woman told us of a love for her husband that last 25 years after his death, she remains his - unclaimed by any other man.

What a shame that the world no longer puts stock in those that are growing old. The world now labels them of little or no value. Most of the world refuses the wisdom their lives have reaped. Even in the churches, many put aside the aged to “make way” for the new generation. Some reject the sheer joy of listening to the testimony of God’s hand on the lives of these saints.

I was reminded yesterday that God has always had a plan for both the young and the old… He has a purpose in the aging progress if we will but heed God’s word. “the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teacher of good things – that they admonish (caution) the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. “ (Titus 2:3-5)

Admonish means to caution – discreet is to be tasteful or careful in all we do – chaste is to be faithful; I’ve looked at this scripture many times and longed to be like this biblical example of an older woman. Today however I met such a woman! Even her name states up front that she is a jewel, a piece of GOLD that God has used in His kingdom.  Thank you Miss Goldie for leaving foot prints worthy of following....

Do you know some older godly women? Perhaps even your own mother can be called a godly woman? Then why not find the time to listen to the stories they have to share of God’s loving provision. Not only will you be blessed but you just may find you have blessed them as well.

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Makes Me to Lie Down

"A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever."  Psalm 23

Have you ever been uncomfortable with a medical or dental procedure? Perhaps you were so uncomfortable that a sense of fear crept into your thoughts. That is exactly where I found myself a few weeks ago. Now I would like to justify my fear by saying once after taking a prescribed drug I almost lost my life. Note I said I would like to justify but the truth is God says we are not to fear. Nonetheless, that fear had sat in. So sitting there in the dentist chair I began to silently recite the 23rd Psalm.

The fear began to subside leaving a sweet peace in its place. Without a doubt I knew the Lord had once again heard the voice of one of His children. The reciting of the psalmist’s words ceased; the words of admiration, love and thanksgivings became my own.

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures.” Many times I have quoted the 23rd Psalm. As a child I recited it as part of a children church’s play. For years I walked away from God but the Holy Spirit kept that childhood memory in place. The word “makes” has never jumped out at me like it now does. Hebrew concordance defines “makes” as to accomplish, appoint, and bring forth. He accomplishes bringing me to a green pasture, He appoints me to lie down and He brings forth the peace (rest in Him) so needed.

Maybe right now your pastures do not seem so green and you wonder if peace will ever come. Trust the great Shepherd, begin to whisper “I will follow you; I know your voice and I will follow.” As the peace begins to flood your soul realize He makes you to lie down in green pastures.


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Vision

"When your memories are bigger than your dreams (vision), you're headed for the grave" Author unknown

God’s word says this: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18 KJV

Perhaps it is that true vision comes in knowing the law of God and as a result we will know His will, and then we must keep it. If we walk in the path that God has set for us, keeping his teachings and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us as we follow His Son Jesus, then we truly have vision. His word tells us that doing so will bring happiness or a happy life.

But let me leave us with these questions to ponder… Are you living on yesterday’s manna? Has the memories of what God has done in your life became bigger than the vision of what He still wants to do in and through your life? Maybe you need to read that again.

Has the memories of what God has done in your life became bigger than the vision of what He still wants to do in and through your life?

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Praise the Lord!

Some say we should not show emotions (zeal) in church. Some say we are to keep our emotions for other places. We can jump for joy, dance about, shout and be emotional in many places but not in the house of God.

Today's post isn’t meant to anger anyone nor to even challenge your beliefs. It is however something to ponder on. Recently I read an article that stated that David’s dancing brought him disgrace in the eyes of his wife and others. This article of showing emotions was based on that one statement. It went further to state that David did not dance in the church. Saying this might be why some believe that is what gives them the right to do so.

No, David wasn’t dancing in a so called church building.  He was dancing before the Holy of the holies. He was dancing right before the throne of God…   He was showing loud and clear that God was his God. He was showing praise to the God that had spared the lives of the Levites as they were obedient to the handling of the ark of God.

David felt no disgrace. Dancing and music were a natural expression of his great joy and exultation of mind. David went on to tell his lovely wife, Michal, that it was neither she nor her father that had chosen Him but God… You might also note that Michal was struck barren for her judgment on David. I cannot help but wonder if Michal was not the one who felt disgrace on her life for passing judgment.

So where shall I dance before the Lord for saving my life? In my home alone so that no one can see the joy God has given me? Where shall I praise Him? In my home alone so that no one shall see the glory given Him? Where shall I bow before Him washing His feet with my tears? Yes, I will dance, praise and bow before Him in my home and my zeal shall be just as real in the sanctuary. For like David I echo these words:

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150 (NKJ)

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Filling the Sky

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

old things have passed away;

 behold , all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

About fifteen years ago, long before the butterfly became such a symbol for Christians, God gave me a vision. The vision was crystal clear and one that I will never forget. About to host a conference for women that still has neither theme nor title, I prayed asking God what He had for His daughters. Let me add, this conference was sponsored by giving, caring women of God that like me wanted to reach the unchurched as well as reaching out to local churches. Because of their generous hearts we were able to offer this conference free of charge. As I sought God’s direction, He gave me this vision:

At first there was a small cocoon with only a slight view of a butterfly about to be released from the cocoon. When that butterfly was set free, it flew high and as it flew one butterfly became a breathtaking view of many colorful butterflies. They filled the sky with such grand splendor. One after another and another, no longer could I see the cocoon, only them as they  filled the sky soaring higher and higher.

The Lord than gave me this scripture to base the conference on and the rest as they say became history. That weekend we decorated every nook and cranny with the vision God had given me. We watched in awe as neighborhood women came to the Lord. We watched others grow in their relationship with the Lord. And yes oh yes indeed, we celebrated the love of our Lord and Savior!

As I have pondered that vision lately, a thought that did not come to me then has surfaced strongly in my heart. Can you see how one butterfly can produce many? Yes, they too will have to go through their growing period. Still could God be telling us that we as butterflies of His love and grace have the ability to fill the sky (your neighborhood, city, state) leading the way for others?

Oh, Lord to be such a butterfly for you!


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Photo by Connie Gatlin (my niece) - August 2010

Don't Give Up

Don’t you just love it when God’s plan comes together? Ok, let me start from the beginning. Knowing that God has asked me to do certain things, still I find myself easily giving up. A few weeks ago during a sermon I grasped hold of one statement “don’t give up.” Pastor Tim told us about this picture that I have included. He told us to be like the frog with our hands around the neck of the bird. In that we would not give up or go away easily when God has given us sometime to do. Now, I’m not sure what the jobs of these little fellows were but I am sure of what God has asked of me.

Wish I could tell you the sermon was enough to get me moving in the right direction. Perhaps you can relate to being in that position, perhaps not… Ok back to God’s plan coming together. This morning, a very dear friend reminded me again “don’t give up.” “Don’t get frustrated - Just a word of encouragement for you” were her exact words to me. Okay, God I hear you…

How often do we give up on the very thing we know it is right thing to do? How often are we silent when we know prayer is needed? How often is our Bible simply collecting dust when it should have our finger prints all over it? How often do we have an encouraging word for a friend but our tongues (or typing fingers) are silently immoveable?

So in the words of my pastor and another dear friend: don’t get frustrated and don’t give up! I’m not! Satan beware - God’s daughters are coming through!


Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:35-39



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Walking in the Light

I am the light...  John 8:12

Have you ever been in a dark yet familiar room? You should know your way around and still you stumble over things you can not see.  Then someone turns on the light and you now can see where you have been and where you are going. You are no longer feeling your way around.  The same is true when the "Light" came to abide in your heart.  You no longer have to live by your feelings alone - there is the "Light" of  Truth to help you find your way...

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Where Does Your Help Come From?

I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where comes my help.

Psalm 121:1

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The Woman

Like the woman at the well, I met a man who knew all about my life. He had been telling me in His own ways that I should come back to my first love. He caused me to take a serious look at my life and where it was headed. He offered me a drink from His well of living water. Who was this man that He would offer me a free drink of water? Who was this man that would offer me love without a price tag?  His name is Jesus!

Like the adulterous woman hurled at His feet, He told me I was not condemned but to go and leave that life of sin behind. Who was this man that He would offer me pardon and this life changing advice? His name is Jesus!

There were people in my life that said I could not or would not change. Through their accusing words, accusing laughter and accusing looks, I crawled to touch the hem of this man that I had heard of. Surely if I could touch Him then I would be healed from pain, regret, and a broken heart. He knew the moment I touched Him, as did I. For immediately His healing power I could feel as He touched my tattered soul. He said my faith had healed me and that I should go in peace. Who was this man that such healing power could come from Him? His name is Jesus!

There were also people in my life that told me of a man that could offer me a better way of living. Believe when I say men had often changed my life but not for the good. This man they guaranteed me was different. This man would love me like no other could. As a child I had met such a man but in my youth I had put him aside for the worldly gold that seemed to beckon me. Forever I will remember that day when on my front porch, I washed His feet with my tears. He gently stroked my head and said I was forgiven, loved and could now go forward in peace. Who was this man that he could offer me forgiveness and give me peace like I had never known? His name is Jesus.

Now I know this story is true. After meeting this man, often I would tell Him how I long to be like the woman at the well, like the woman hurled at His feet, like the woman touching His hem or like the woman washing His feet. One day in prayer He showed me how I and so many others of His daughters are just like these women. Pause and ponder upon that!

Years have passed since I met this man. Our times together have become my source of life. Now like Mary I often sit for hours at His feet. Oh, there are times when the Martha in me will still show up; times when I will try so hard to show by my works that I do indeed love and appreciate Him. It is then that He reminds me that works are not what He requires of me. His love is free! Who is this man that would love me so much to invite me to spend countless moments, minutes and yes even hours in His presences? His name is JESUS…..

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Eternity - Word Filled Wednesday

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Picture taken by Karen Raby (my sister)

Galveston, Texas

    Word-Filled Wednesday

Shower of God's Presences

Don’t you love getting gifts? One Christmas (a long time ago) we gave one of our sons a gift too large to wrap. Not being able to wrap it, we decided to simply send him on a hunt for it. Placing little notes along the way to keep him moving in the right direction turned out to be a delight for both him and us.

Have you ever considered God’s promises as gifts? Not that God hides His promises from us but there are times when we are reading His word and there it is. There is it neatly tucked where we never expected to find it. That’s exactly what happened to me this morning. Just look at this promise…

"But now, listen to me, Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. 2 The LORD who made you and helps you says: O Jacob, my servant, do not be afraid. O Israel, my chosen one, do not fear. 3 For I will give you abundant water to quench your thirst and to moisten your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children. 4 They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank.” Isaiah 44:1-4 NLT

Look at this promise. God didn’t say I will give you a sip of water. He said “I will give you abundant (plentiful – enough) water to quench your thirst.” God goes on to promise moisture for our parched fields. Now I don’t know about you but sometimes my fields (my very beings) are parched so badly that only God’s moisture will benefit them. You know those days when you simply must stand under the shower of God’s presences.

Yes, I see the scripture is talking to Jacob. Good news is that we are Abraham’s seed as was Jacob so we are named in this promise. (Galatians 3:28-29) Even if you say God promised Jacob an abundant of water, then keep reading. “And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children.” Wow, if I am only in that part of the promise then it too is enough. Not only I but my children and my children’s children shall thrive like watered grass and like willows on a riverbank.

This is my promise. This is your promise! Accept it; claim it as your own…

“Abba Father, thank you for making me an heir. Today I claim the promise you gave to Jacob as my own. I claim this promise for my children and my children’s children. Thank you for the living water that quenches our thirst as we drink from your well.”

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise”. Galatians 3:28-29 (NKJV)

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Family Time

Just taking a break - spending time with family!

6 of our 11 grandchildren

So what shall we do?

Pray for our nation, pray for our president, pray for our government leaders! Why should we pray? Because God tells us to do so…

The Message translation says it like this: “The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned."

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,  for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,  who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
                1 Timothy 2:1-4 NKJ

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Let Me Ask You a Question...

Would you want to go back to your old life?

There has been a bump in my road this week; the internet system has been having problems. However it seems we are back up and running now. This morning as I opened my system the emails flooded my inbox. There were so many that I could only read my favorite devotions and the necessary ones.

The first devotion that I read this morning started like this “would you want to go back to your old life?” Wow, what a question. Funny thing is that so often when I find myself in despair or find myself feeling somewhat dirty, I will cry out to God. “Please help me Lord I don’t ever want to go back to my old life.”

Now I don’t know what your old life (before Christ) was like. No matter what it was, I do know with Christ as the center of our lives is better than our best day in sin! I would never want to go back to a life of depression, fear and shame. And I am so thankful that I don’t ever have to go back, my eyes fixed on Christ I vow to move forward!

“So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. 2 Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ - that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. 3 Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life - even though invisible to spectators - is with Christ in God. He is your life. 4 When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too - the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ. 5 And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. 6 It's because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. 7 It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. 8 But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk. 9 Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. 10 Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete” Colossians 3:1-10 The Message

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Blessings - Word Filled Wednesday

Give us day by day our daily bread. Luke 11:3 NKJ

This picture was taken some years back and the memories have lingered. During a visit from my sister, her granddaughter was fond of calling us to dinner. She would say “come on Aunt Linda is going to say the blossums."  Before their visit ended blossums became “blessums."

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How Shall I Be?

How I long to be like a deep rooted tree planted by streams of water, with my fruit bearing in its season and my leaves not drooping. How I long for whatever I do in goodness to prosper.

How shall I be these things? Writing this portion of the psalms in this manner helps me to make the word become my own. Please read the top paragraph again allowing the pronoun “I” to become personal. Do you not long to grasp the promises of God? Do you not long to simply be a deep rooted tree drinking from the streams of water that never runs dry?

How shall I be these things? I shall not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. My delight shall be in the law of the LORD, and on His law I shall meditate day and night.

Eugene Peterson author of the Message bible has a way of getting right to the nitty-gritty of the truth. Here is how he says it. “How well God must like you - you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.  Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night.  You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.” Ps. 1:1-3 the Message

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Ps. 1:1-3 NKJ

 
 
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Where Do You Place Your Trust?

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;

 But we will remember the name of the Lord our God

Psalm 20:7

We often find ourselves trusting the things of the world instead of the Creator of all. We place our trust in our husbands, friends or even our children when it comes to our happiness (peace) instead of Jehovah-Shalom. We place our trust in our jobs instead of Jehovah-Jireh. We place our healing in the hands of doctors instead of Jehovah-Rophi. And the list go on and on... Where do you place your trust? "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Jehovah-Shalom - The Lord of peace (Romans 15:33; Eph. 2:14)
Jehovah-Jireh - The Lord will provide (Genesis 22:14)
Jehovah-Rophi - The Lord our healer (Psalm 103:3) - He says of himself "I am Jehovah, thy Healer"

Keep On Holding On

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t go on for another week, another day or perhaps even another minute? Admitting, I have more times than I care to reveal. However, that is when I have found that prayer is the answer to my woes. God tells us to cast our cares on Him for He cares for us. There is no need to go before God as if nothing is wrong – as if you don’t have a care in the world. Quite the contrary, He tells us bring on the problems I’m big enough to handle them. Listen, sisters He already knows ALL about us. Prayer is a way of saying “ok I cannot handle this on my own – Lord I really need you here!”

This morning I just want to urge us to keep on keeping on in faith. Do not let the devil, anyone else or anything else tell you to give up the fight. Fight the good fight of faith. The battle is won – the finish line is in sight and the prize is waiting!

Remember the old Carly Simon song: 
You had better hold on, hold on to what you’ve got
You had better hold on, hold on to what you’ve got

Keep holding on to what you’ve got – the very promise of God. “I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. 12 "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. 13 "When you come looking for me, you'll find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 (The Message)

This is My Story - Blessed Assurance

The last time I heard this old hymn was probably in childhood. Believe me when I say that was a long time ago. How could my first waking thoughts be “Blessed Assurance”? My feet have not yet touched the floor, my eyes are only half way open and the words blessed assurance are gently rolling over and over me like a gentle wave beating on the shore. How can we know how the Holy Spirit works? Perhaps it is not for us to know but to simply enjoy and certainly obey. And so this morning with a glad heart I wish to share this beautiful hymn with you….

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

[Refrain:]

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

Angels descending bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Misty Lowland

Words have become my way of expressing myself both with voice and pen. There are times when we are so concerned with OUR words that we forget to share the words of another. And so today I want to share words that spoke so loud and clear to my heart that they leaped off the page at me. They come from Francis Chan’s book titled “Crazy Love.” While I am not necessary promoting this book, I will say it has been an inspirational, challenging one for me. These words are the beginning of chapter six being credited to A.W. Tozer. After reading most of the book (almost finished), I feel sure he nor Mr. Tozer will not mind my repeating this prayer to God. God is the one after all that gives us our words, is He not?

“O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire, O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love with me. Say to my soul, “Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.” Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long.”

While we live on top a hill called "South Hills", often I too find myself in misty lowlands longing for more of God.  My hope today is that you too will long to repeat these words to our Lord and Savior.

 Spiritual Sundays is hosted by Charlotte and Ginger. Be sure to visit them!



Photo of misty land from photobucket.com.  Clicking on picture will lead you to that site.
Prayer from "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan

Beauty Along the Way - Thankful Thursday

Today I am simply thankful for the beauty God allows us to see along the way!

 

Please join  Iris at Grace Alone to read more Thankful Thurday post.

Chosen - Word-Filled Wednesday

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9

Word-filled Wednesday is now hosted at Internet Cafe Devotions

One Eye Opened

Have you ever woken up in a funk? You know one eye opened seeing only the bad but the other refusing to see at all.  Webster’s dictionary defines funk as being in a depressed state of mind or a state of paralyzing fear. Well this morning, I got my precious husband off to work, came downstairs to my office and just stared out the window. The sky was dreary gray as rain blocked my view of anything remotely green. This morning I would not being watching the birds fly in and out of the bird houses. Even they didn’t seem to want to finish building their nest for the soon to arrive time of nesting. Finally I clicked opened my emails and began to read my morning devotions. Still there was a funk, a lingering question “what for”. You know the feelings of the same old – same old again today.

For those of you that know me, you know that I refuse to allow Satan to hold me in this bondage for long. God delivered (healed) me of major depression some 14 years ago. Still Satan will always temper us with our past. He cares not if he has to use the same old – same old time and again.

Everyone has a remedy for the “funk”. Here are a few I read of today.
1. Light up the room – turn on every light if the skies are gray outside.
    Personal side note: it has been proven that depression is greater during dreary winter months and long        rainy seasons.
2. Some say “chocolate” - sorry I don’t do chocolate
3. Read about a life that is way worse than yours. – Sorry but that would just depress me more as I would want to fix it for them.
4. Exercise – What’s that?
5. Plow on!
6. Good uplifting music.

All of these suggestions are good. Well maybe not the chocolate if you are given to be depressed for long periods of time. Too must chocolate might lead to yet another reason to be depressed, if you know what I mean.

Funny thing is I sit here writing this I am remained how quickly I left my comment about this thing called depression on a lady’s bog just the other day. If my memory serves me well, I said “Aren’t you glad we no longer live by our feelings? For whom the Son sets free is free indeed.”

Guess Satan wanted me to see how free I was this morning. I am happy to report Satan did not win nor can he win. If God says we are free then we are indeed free. If God’s word says “But God, who encourages those who are discouraged”, then I’d better seek God for encouragement. And so I end this post by giving us God’s word – His promise of wholeness.

“But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.” 2 Cor. 7:6

“I will rejoice because of the LORD; I will be happy because of the God who delivers me! The sovereign LORD is my source of strength. He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.” Habakkuk 3:18-19

“But the godly are happy; they rejoice before God and are overcome with joy.” Ps. 68:3

“One may experience sorrow during the night, but joy arrives in the morning.” Ps. 30:5

Join others over at Chatting at the Sky to see what they have unwrapped today.

Testify

Did you ever attend a church that had “Testimonies Services”? Perhaps you still do. Still this type of fellowship is few and far between. How I love to hear testimonies of God’s loving grace! Sitting still is not one of my better suites but I could sit for hours, upon hours listening to, reading about and telling of God’s love for His daughters.

What Shall I Tell Them?

Lord, what shall I tell them when they are lost and cannot even seem to make a step in the right direction?

Tell them “I Am the Way.”

Lord, what shall I tell them when they are daily faced with liars full of deceit?

Tell them “I Am the Truth.”

Lord, what shall I tell them when they feel only despair in their lives?

Tell them I will give them hope and new life for “I Am Life.” Oh, and tell those in the darkest of places to look up for “I Am Light”, they only need to call upon me.

Join others at Spiritual Sundays

Peace

Fireflies lit up as they danced across the yard, candles softly flicked on the porch, the happy babble of water spilled over in the man (husband) made pond as the peace of night fall enveloped me in its cocoon. I gave God praise for the small things that brings a weary soul peace….

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!  Isaiah 26:3 NLT

  Join Jan for more simple but thoughtful post!

What a Dance!

The spiral staircase almost seemed to beckon me as I was about to walk past it. One step, two steps my pace is hurried not knowing why. Soon I was about to come to an unbelievable new knowledge. Fifth step, a voice that seemed to be outside me whispered my name. In my office at the top of the stairs the praise music is softly playing. As I finished my climb, the music now seems like a backdrop. The voice so gentle and calming continued "come dance with me." That voice I’ve heard it before on several occasions but never as gentle as this. Not a person to be seen, yet I feel my hands being taken in His. As we sway to the music, I can now see my feet on top of his scarred ones and the white of his robe is touching my wrist. The love of my father is more real than I could ever imagine but a love I will forever remember!

Perhaps, I should go back some years. So often I have heard girls speak of learning to dance on the feet of their fathers. That would never have happened in our home. As I grew up I was always envious of my friends that had a healthy relationship with their fathers. This post isn’t meant to be about my childhood woes. I simply state these facts so to better explain the miracle of my dance with my heavenly father. I was raised in church but home was not like what I heard the preacher and teachers say a family was to be. So when I was old enough to make my own decisions I put God on a proverbial shelve and crossed over to the other side. Over time the bridges just seemed too long and untrusting to get me back to the right side of life.

Years have passed since that day the Lord whispered “come dance with me”. And just as He has moved me up spiritually, He has sent us to yet another physical place as well. But I will always be thankful for the voice at the top of that spiral staircase calling me to dance. Abba Father and His little girl danced.  And what a dance it was!

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."  Romans 8:15

Iris at "Grace Alone" is hosting Thankful Thursday this month. 


Picture above is my wonderful husband dancing with our granddaughter.