The Season of Singing

Spring is beginning to show itself here in WV! The back yard is full of birds singing their praise. The trees are full of buds awaiting their leaves to suddenly appear. The iris and lilies are pushing through the long awaited thawed ground, soon to show all their colorful beauty.

Does God not dress this season beautifully?

"Flowers appear on the earth;the season of singing has come,the cooing of doves is heard in our land." Song of Solomon 2:12 (NIV)

Accepted

Catching a mental glimpse of Esther this morning in prayer set me to thinking. Before I even start to type upon these keys allow me to say, I am not trying to be a theologian this morning. Instead I offer this simple girl’s (my) glimpse at a profound truth.

Many of us know the story of Esther, a young virgin girl that saved her people. Upon being chosen as Queen, Esther had to go through the NORMAL twelve months of beauty treatments before meeting the King. There was six months with oil of myrrh and six months with sweet odors and with other things for the purifying of women. Later in book of Esther we see how the King must lift his golden scepter to give permission for even the Queen to come before him. Appearing before the King without being summoned could mean certain death for her.

Often I ask of the Lord to lift his scepter that I may come before Him. Have I been prepared to appear before the King of Kings? Has my body been soaked in oil of myrrh and sweet odors? Am I without sin (a virgin)? A resounding NO would have to be my answer. But…by the grace of God, instead I come with the blood of His precious son applied to my life. I come clothed in the robe of righteous provided by His son. As I enter the throne of the King of kings, He lifts his scepter and says “you my daughter may come boldly before me today”.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NKJ

In Whom Do We Trust?

The affairs of this nation seem to be confused and running amuck. Worry fills our hearts and minds like smoke fills a chimney. Many cry out surely the time of the Lord’s return is soon.

May I remind us of David’s words this morning as I ask each of us where does your trust lay? If anyone knew of great battles and stress within a nation certainly David did. The book of Psalms is filled with David’s cries to the Lord as he pleads for mercy and deliverance. This morning in prayer God reminded me of this scripture, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”

Let us remember not to put our trust in man nor in man’s ways but in the Lord. Let each of us gather in our prayer closets seeking God’s ways. Just as David sought God for mercy and deliverance, so must we.

"To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion; May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah - May He grant you according to your heart's desire, And fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call." Ps. 20

The Dream

Today someone reminded me that the true Dreamer Giver always keeps His promises. There are times when doubt (yes and fear) loves to strip us of both faith and courage as we wait on God’s timing. But we must remember God does not give us dreams nor promises that He will not fulfill. God is always faithful to His word. So if you are waiting on that promise of ministry, healing or salvation for a love one just keep on believing.

“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 NKJV

Girls, you really need to see the great video "If the shoe fits", my words can’t do her justice. Check out “B His Girl”. Just click on her site listed on the left side of my screen. I know you will be blessed!

Rollercoaster

Do you ever feel like your life is a rollercoaster ride? Up, down, all around goes our mind and emotions. What can one do? What must we do to achieve the peace our soul so longs for.

“To you, O Lord I lift my soul. O my God, I trust in You….. Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.” Psalm 25: 1,2, 4-5

Our soul is our mind, emotions and will. May you find peace today as you lift your soul to the Lord.

With a God given love for His daughters,
LindaJ

Clap, Mamaw

“Clap, Mamaw clap”….. Rebecca (my granddaughter) loves to sing and dance. She was anything but shy as she entertained the grandparents last Thanksgiving. Singing the ABC song, her eyes wander across the room making sure all are watching her. Upon finishing everyone will clap – well if they know they are to do so. Unaware of the performer rules, I failed to follow the rules. Believe me it didn’t take her but a second to say “clap, Mamaw clap”. If only I had simply did as the others were doing. Clap, clap, “good job Rebecca”….

Yesterday during my prayer time I was worshipping the Lord with song. “I have come into this place to magnify your name and worship you. I have come into this place to magnify your name and worship you. I have come into this place to worship you; oh I worship you Jesus Christ, my Lord…..” The baby’s words came quickly into my head “clap, Mamaw clap”. My heart leaped with joy as I envisioned my Abba Father clapping for me and saying “good job my daughter”.

Okay I know there are now people saying “come on – God smiles and claps for you?” Well there are many things I do not know nor understand about the greatness of God. However the scriptures tells me that He finds delight in us (His children), that we were created for His pleasure, that He wants our love and that He wants us to know Him. One more thought on the matter. Ephesians tells us not to grieve the Holy Spirit. So if we can grieve the Holy Spirit, why could we not bring a smile to Him as we worship?

Psalm 147:10 “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.”

Revelations 4:11 “You (God) created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created!”

Psalm 149:4 “The Lord takes pleasure in His people.”

Hosea 6:6 “I don’t want your sacrifices, I want your love. I don’t want your offerings; I want you to know Me.”

Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

The Light of the World

There was sunlight pouring through the blinds that morning as I lay in my bed. The thought of Jesus being the light, my light came quickly to mind. The beams of light caused by each slant seemed so inconceivability beautiful as they danced on the sheers. God reminded me that we are His rays of beauty. He shines His light through each of us so that the world might see the beauty of His love.

Are you, like the blinds allowing His love beams to shine through you? Are the beautiful “son”-lit shadows falling across not only those you love but those who need to see His love beams?

Matthew 5: 14 says “you are the light of the world.” Go on, you know you want to. Pick up your Bible and read the rest….

REFERENCE: Matthew 5: 14-16

Day of Rest

Sunday has to be my favorite day of the week. Going to the house of God, fellowship with other believers and corporate worship brings sweet satisfaction to my needy soul.

After church Donald and I usually go to a nice restaurant. A great meal can only be better when your better half (A.K.A. - husband) is sitting across the table being your captivated audience.

Sunday is also my day of rest – NO HOUSEWORK…. Quiet time spent with God as I look back over my week. Soul searching and prayer fill my mind as I ask God to allow me to be all He has created me to be. I want nothing more nor nothing less than what He has designed for me to be. Oh, that I might walk in His perfect will for my life.

Some see Sunday as the first day of the week. For me it is the last day, the day of rest.

“...so on the seventh day he rested from all his work” Genesis 2:2

Wait on the Lord

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage yes, wait for the LORD.
PS 27:13-14

Okay about the picture – we had only been in West Virginia about 9 months when I took this shot. That day I was truly missing my family so as I stopped to compose the shot, loneliness flooded my very being. In God’s gentle way, He provided peace as scripture replaced the empty lonely feeling. Immediately I knew what the picture would say in my scrapbook journal.

Here’s just a portion of that day’s journeying.

"On this mid-September day, there is a cool breeze rustling through the trees. Everything is quiet except the sounds of nature all around me and the soft click of the camera. Looking at this empty bench, a wave of loneliness sweeps over my soul and the camera captures the emptiness I feel inside. Usually, the girls would be posing with their faces all smiles or arguing "no, just take me; no just me this time." Instead the park bench stands as empty as I feel.

So today I will simply seek Him and wait for His direction. Today, I will take comfort in His Word.

"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you." De. 31:6 (Message Bible)

Thank you for allowing me to share with you. Don't forget to check out the thought for today in "Pondering Corner". You will see it goes hand in hand with today's post.

Until a later day......

Memories May Follow

Forgot to share - the above picture is one of mine. I took it at a local park during the summer of 2005. Stay tuned and I just might share the memories of taking the shot.......

Who are You Lord? Who Am I?

Not sure if this is copyrighted but I have seen it posted in several places over the years. This is one beautiful poem and right on the mark. Hope you all enjoy the post.

Talk with you later.

New Beginnings

It is time for new beginnings. This is my first attempt at blogging. My true desire is that someone will be blessed as I enter words of encouragement, words of wisdom, words to ponder and tales of our lives.

Today here in West Virginia the ground is still covered with snow. Still somehow my nose has caught a breath of spring in the air. Perhaps it’s just my inner longings that I smell. This has been a white winter for us. While the snow covered hills are things of beauty, my heart longs for spring flowers and yes WARMTH… These old bones of mine are not taking pleasure in the cold weather.

This blog is coming with a warning: Southern chatter will follow! Conceived in Mississippi, born and raised in Texas can only produce a good old country vocabulary. Then add South Carolina charm and West Virginia mountain talk, you have a…. well you have been warned!

Till tomorrow – wishing you a blessed day!