Traveling with my parents and my favorite Aunt Patsy to Savannah, I have become more aware of the ride. The ride down here was LONG....especially when we get past Atlanta and my sweet Mama in the back seat perks up and says it won't be much longer now we are almost there. Four hours later we pull in to the "flea motel". Yes, I said "flea motel". We are traveling with my baby brother dog Toby and I had chosen a "pet friendly", economical establishment with a breakfast. I thought we were set! My heart kept pulling to the Spa Resort across the river but, I just couldn't justify the cost difference with no breakfast. I am always trying to squeeze as much as I can out of life you know.
Looking at my road weary parents and aunt as we de-flea my baby brother dog I thought what the heck. I marched myself down to the front desk and began my plight with the night manager. I sweetly requested a refund and began packing the family up again. Dad is thinking of just driving around to look for another room. Not me, I pick up the phone and call the Westin Resort and Spa, make my reservation and waltz myself right up to the valet and go inside. My weary travelers can't believe it! We look like a herd of Lord knows what as we walked in with our extremely overloaded cart of "stuff" as the bellman struggles to keep it all together. I can't help but laugh as I watch us drag ourselves into this beautiful hotel after a long days journey. But never more have I felt like we deserve it! These three people with me are some of the most precious in the world to me. So why not? Who needs breakfast anyway when you don't get up until 10:00am?
I found a Little sign in a gift shop that read."it doesn't matter how good you look when you get to the end of life. Show up late, sliding in on one foot yelling whooo hooo what a ride!". This one has been some more ride......one I will treasure forever!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Onions & Leeks vs. Milk and Honey......
Numbers 11:4-6 The riffraff among the people had a craving and soon they had the People of Israel whining, "Why can't we have meat? We ate fish in Egypt—and got it free!—to say nothing of the cucumbers and melons, the leeks and onions and garlic. But nothing tastes good out here; all we get is manna, manna, manna." The Message Bible
Isn't that just what happens when you take a group on a trip of a lifetime? It's what they have always wanted, planned a lifetime for, and the first time it isn't like what they thought it to be, they being thinking how good it used to be! I read that today in our Bible study One in a Million and just thought why?
The Pharaoh put Task Masters over the Children of Israel to make life "difficult" for them. This was all part of the plan to keep the Children of Israel from rising up and freeing themselves from captivity. Soon everyone became accustom to life in bondage and began to enjoy the food of Egypt. Fish, onions, leeks, garlic,and cucumbers are some of the favorites given freely to them. They began to miss the food of captivity when manna was now on the menu. Manna, the purest most heavenly food God would give His people. Why? To them it became mundane and bland, but to God, it was the purest form of nourishment able to satisfy millions of people. The food of captivity was heavy and pungent in odor. Think about it. The effects of cooking onions and garlic not to mention fish hang in the air long after the meal is finished? And let's not even think of the reoccurring effects of cucumber and melons!! (Maybe you don't have that problem. Be thankful!) Isn't that just like the enemy? Leaving us with the after effects of "good eating" to cover the aroma of fresh Bread from Heaven?! But manna, needed no seasoning, had no side dish that complimented it, it was just manna. All they ever needed!
The time of manna was also a cleansing of the palate. Time to forget about the bondage and experience freedom. But leave it to the "riffraff" to stir up old feelings. You know like a bunch of women discussing recipes around the Manna Buffet. That if they just could add a little onion maybe a clove of garlic and the manna would be outstanding! I have taken part in many of those conversations. I love to cook and even more I love to eat!
God needed to cleanse their palates. To rid them of the after effects of the heavy, overbearing food of the enemy, so they could see their need of dependence of Him. His nourishment is all we need. Feasting on Him and His goodness and His freedom. So I ask myself....Do I miss the food of slavery or wish there was a part of it I could add to what God has for me? Do I remember fondly the days I spent eating the free fish, that kept me needing to be refilled? Do I wish I could go back for just one day and smell the food of bondage simmering on the stove when there is Manna from Heaven fresh waiting for me to gather and feed myself and my family daily? We don't have to store it because it only comes during season. It is daily, fresh and pipping hot from the oven of Heaven! You see we have to cleanse our palates from the food of slavery, by experiencing the pure manna from heaven so our hearts can feast on the Milk and Honey of God's Promise!
Bring on the Manna!!
Isn't that just what happens when you take a group on a trip of a lifetime? It's what they have always wanted, planned a lifetime for, and the first time it isn't like what they thought it to be, they being thinking how good it used to be! I read that today in our Bible study One in a Million and just thought why?
The Pharaoh put Task Masters over the Children of Israel to make life "difficult" for them. This was all part of the plan to keep the Children of Israel from rising up and freeing themselves from captivity. Soon everyone became accustom to life in bondage and began to enjoy the food of Egypt. Fish, onions, leeks, garlic,and cucumbers are some of the favorites given freely to them. They began to miss the food of captivity when manna was now on the menu. Manna, the purest most heavenly food God would give His people. Why? To them it became mundane and bland, but to God, it was the purest form of nourishment able to satisfy millions of people. The food of captivity was heavy and pungent in odor. Think about it. The effects of cooking onions and garlic not to mention fish hang in the air long after the meal is finished? And let's not even think of the reoccurring effects of cucumber and melons!! (Maybe you don't have that problem. Be thankful!) Isn't that just like the enemy? Leaving us with the after effects of "good eating" to cover the aroma of fresh Bread from Heaven?! But manna, needed no seasoning, had no side dish that complimented it, it was just manna. All they ever needed!
The time of manna was also a cleansing of the palate. Time to forget about the bondage and experience freedom. But leave it to the "riffraff" to stir up old feelings. You know like a bunch of women discussing recipes around the Manna Buffet. That if they just could add a little onion maybe a clove of garlic and the manna would be outstanding! I have taken part in many of those conversations. I love to cook and even more I love to eat!
God needed to cleanse their palates. To rid them of the after effects of the heavy, overbearing food of the enemy, so they could see their need of dependence of Him. His nourishment is all we need. Feasting on Him and His goodness and His freedom. So I ask myself....Do I miss the food of slavery or wish there was a part of it I could add to what God has for me? Do I remember fondly the days I spent eating the free fish, that kept me needing to be refilled? Do I wish I could go back for just one day and smell the food of bondage simmering on the stove when there is Manna from Heaven fresh waiting for me to gather and feed myself and my family daily? We don't have to store it because it only comes during season. It is daily, fresh and pipping hot from the oven of Heaven! You see we have to cleanse our palates from the food of slavery, by experiencing the pure manna from heaven so our hearts can feast on the Milk and Honey of God's Promise!
Bring on the Manna!!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Going Around the Mountain Again.......
If you have hung out with me for very long you will hear me say, "you go on around that mountain and I'll wait for you here at the Stuckie's exit when you get back". What I mean by that was "look, I already know the pitfalls, the outcome, the result so I would rather not spend my time going through that again." I really didn't mean that I wouldn't be there with you to share my experiences, pray with you. But if you just didn't want to listen to those who have learned the lesson already then I would rather not go on that fieldtrip again. Do you understand what I mean? Finally after all these years I would rather learn in the classroom of other's experience than on a field trip of my own.
I have asked the Lord, "why don't you ever just let me go where everything is already worked out, the plan is in place and everyone is already doing what I need to be doing. That way the unknown is known and I don't have to wonder if I am doing it right. Lord, help me understand why I am always building and rebuilding. Show me what this is all about."
I have ready Isaiah 58 many times. It is highlighted in my bible so I know it has encouraged me many times. But today I saw a new thing. Isn't that just like the Lord? Always building and rebuilding? When I read it in the Message Bible it poured fresh on my heart.
1-3 "Shout! A full-throated shout! Hold nothing back—a trumpet-blast shout!
Tell my people what's wrong with their lives,
face my family Jacob with their sins!
They're busy, busy, busy at worship,
and love studying all about me.
To all appearances they're a nation of right-living people—
law-abiding, God-honoring.
They ask me, 'What's the right thing to do?'
and love having me on their side.
But they also complain,
'Why do we fast and you don't look our way?
Why do we humble ourselves and you don't even notice?'
3-5"Well, here's why: "The bottom line on your 'fast days' is profit.
You drive your employees much too hard.
You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight.
You fast, but you swing a mean fist.
The kind of fasting you do
won't get your prayers off the ground.
Do you think this is the kind of fast day I'm after:
a day to show off humility?
To put on a pious long face
and parade around solemnly in black?
Do you call that fasting,
a fast day that I, God, would like? 6-9"This is the kind of fast day I'm after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.
What I'm interested in seeing you do is:
sharing your food with the hungry,
inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.' 9-12"If you get rid of unfair practices,
quit blaming victims,
quit gossiping about other people's sins,
If you are generous with the hungry
and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
firm muscles, strong bones.
You'll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You'll be known as those who can fix anything,
restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
make the community livable again. 13-14"If you watch your step on the Sabbath
and don't use my holy day for personal advantage,
If you treat the Sabbath as a day of joy,
God's holy day as a celebration,
If you honor it by refusing 'business as usual,'
making money, running here and there—
Then you'll be free to enjoy God!
Oh, I'll make you ride high and soar above it all.
I'll make you feast on the inheritance of your ancestor Jacob."
Yes! God says so! (Isaiah 58, The Message)
Questions answered, He has called each of us to refuse business as usual. To shout a full throated shout of all that is wrong. Help others not go on a Field trip since we have already passed the test in the classroom. To build from the ruins, to make our communities liveable again. To enjoy God and share that joy with those "down and out". You know them, the ones about to "go around that mountain" you just came off of.
In order to build from ruins one has to have seen a finished product before. Able to recycle useable materials and destroy the materials too weak and unfit to use in building. In renovation, you have to replace the worn out materials and bring updated and more effective ideas and materials. Restoration, you have to have seen it before; to know its history, its meaning, To lovingly bring it back to the original thing God intended it to be.
Wow, you will use the rubble of the past to build anew. You'll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again. Not just going through the motions, following others lead, following and action plan already in place but doing the work and "refusing business as usual". Then he wraps up with the promise if I do my part....Free to enjoy God. Ride high, soar above and feast on the inheritance.
Lord, I want your inheritance.....Now, where's my hammer......
I have asked the Lord, "why don't you ever just let me go where everything is already worked out, the plan is in place and everyone is already doing what I need to be doing. That way the unknown is known and I don't have to wonder if I am doing it right. Lord, help me understand why I am always building and rebuilding. Show me what this is all about."
I have ready Isaiah 58 many times. It is highlighted in my bible so I know it has encouraged me many times. But today I saw a new thing. Isn't that just like the Lord? Always building and rebuilding? When I read it in the Message Bible it poured fresh on my heart.
1-3 "Shout! A full-throated shout! Hold nothing back—a trumpet-blast shout!
Tell my people what's wrong with their lives,
face my family Jacob with their sins!
They're busy, busy, busy at worship,
and love studying all about me.
To all appearances they're a nation of right-living people—
law-abiding, God-honoring.
They ask me, 'What's the right thing to do?'
and love having me on their side.
But they also complain,
'Why do we fast and you don't look our way?
Why do we humble ourselves and you don't even notice?'
3-5"Well, here's why: "The bottom line on your 'fast days' is profit.
You drive your employees much too hard.
You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight.
You fast, but you swing a mean fist.
The kind of fasting you do
won't get your prayers off the ground.
Do you think this is the kind of fast day I'm after:
a day to show off humility?
To put on a pious long face
and parade around solemnly in black?
Do you call that fasting,
a fast day that I, God, would like? 6-9"This is the kind of fast day I'm after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.
What I'm interested in seeing you do is:
sharing your food with the hungry,
inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.' 9-12"If you get rid of unfair practices,
quit blaming victims,
quit gossiping about other people's sins,
If you are generous with the hungry
and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
firm muscles, strong bones.
You'll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You'll be known as those who can fix anything,
restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
make the community livable again. 13-14"If you watch your step on the Sabbath
and don't use my holy day for personal advantage,
If you treat the Sabbath as a day of joy,
God's holy day as a celebration,
If you honor it by refusing 'business as usual,'
making money, running here and there—
Then you'll be free to enjoy God!
Oh, I'll make you ride high and soar above it all.
I'll make you feast on the inheritance of your ancestor Jacob."
Yes! God says so! (Isaiah 58, The Message)
Questions answered, He has called each of us to refuse business as usual. To shout a full throated shout of all that is wrong. Help others not go on a Field trip since we have already passed the test in the classroom. To build from the ruins, to make our communities liveable again. To enjoy God and share that joy with those "down and out". You know them, the ones about to "go around that mountain" you just came off of.
In order to build from ruins one has to have seen a finished product before. Able to recycle useable materials and destroy the materials too weak and unfit to use in building. In renovation, you have to replace the worn out materials and bring updated and more effective ideas and materials. Restoration, you have to have seen it before; to know its history, its meaning, To lovingly bring it back to the original thing God intended it to be.
Wow, you will use the rubble of the past to build anew. You'll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again. Not just going through the motions, following others lead, following and action plan already in place but doing the work and "refusing business as usual". Then he wraps up with the promise if I do my part....Free to enjoy God. Ride high, soar above and feast on the inheritance.
Lord, I want your inheritance.....Now, where's my hammer......
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Reflective and Thankful......
A full heart, eyes in awe, a faith strong, a heart changed. Today is one of those banner days that leaves you with a renewed sense of purpose. Over the last 12 years I can't tell you how many times I asked the Lord, "What's the purpose and when can I leave?". I prayed for release to be free, to run and do my own thing. What felt good to me. But the Lord always said no. Today He said a resounding, YES! To understand how the Kingdom of God is to work and actually see it in action has left this very talkative person reflective and quiet.
Today was the final day to be with my Jungle Family as we have come to know it. The Lord truly put His stamp of approval on the day and met with us so sweetly. I will never be able to put into words all that the Lord confirmed, manifasted and brought to memory that made this day so sweet. I don't think I have ever been at the end of something that could end so well. There was love for one another, for people we haven't met, an ability to reconcile all that had gone on in the past, to see its purpose and a peace in accomplishment. It was like an ending to the best movie of all time. It made you feel good, purposed and ready to go out the door and nothing would be able to change your mood.
Our message at Mosaic was so confirming on how the Kingdom of God works. Mark 4:26 Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.
I am so thankful to have learned how to sleep resting in the arms of a Father who will cause things to happen and I just don't know how it did. That was so much the theme of today. We could never have been able to plan this any better. The rolling thunder of the morning, the video of Peter's life, the hillarious ride into town, Worship and new idea of Hosannah sang beautifully, meeting with someone you felt and instant connection to and know that it was right, watching my strong friend overcome with emotion in knowing her committment to prayer was not in vain. Praying with friends around the altar and hearing their prayers of thanksgiving and prayers for on another. I could go on and on from today, but I am sure that each of us had our own take of this day. All we can say is God Did It!
To my Jungle Family: We have found so much laughter and humor in the circumstances the enemy tried to use to break us only to have the Lord reinforce each time with His Word and our laughter. What I have learned in this Jungle I can't even begin to tap out in words here. I have gone out deeper with the Lord, found new treasures in His Word, and watch Him work in lives Supernaturally laughing all the way.
Joshua, Peter, Elijah, Elisha, Moses, Job, Betty, Judy, Edna, and Shirley have become trusted friends that have shared with us the secrets of a life spent with our Lord. We have spent time looking inside their lives and finding their lives are not much different than our own and learning more and more from them.
You have seen my at my best and my worst and you still love me. Wow! You have held me in your prayers and stood behind me so I wouldn't fall and beside me in battle and victory. So the Old Eagle (who is in the sunset of life lolol) is a better Eagle for having spent time in the little Sunday School Jungle with you. I love you my dear friends.
Today I found this scripture
Isaiah 4:2-3
2 In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. 3 Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem.
I believe that day has come to Faith You are a beautiful and glorious branch of the Lord.......God Did It!!
Today was the final day to be with my Jungle Family as we have come to know it. The Lord truly put His stamp of approval on the day and met with us so sweetly. I will never be able to put into words all that the Lord confirmed, manifasted and brought to memory that made this day so sweet. I don't think I have ever been at the end of something that could end so well. There was love for one another, for people we haven't met, an ability to reconcile all that had gone on in the past, to see its purpose and a peace in accomplishment. It was like an ending to the best movie of all time. It made you feel good, purposed and ready to go out the door and nothing would be able to change your mood.
Our message at Mosaic was so confirming on how the Kingdom of God works. Mark 4:26 Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.
I am so thankful to have learned how to sleep resting in the arms of a Father who will cause things to happen and I just don't know how it did. That was so much the theme of today. We could never have been able to plan this any better. The rolling thunder of the morning, the video of Peter's life, the hillarious ride into town, Worship and new idea of Hosannah sang beautifully, meeting with someone you felt and instant connection to and know that it was right, watching my strong friend overcome with emotion in knowing her committment to prayer was not in vain. Praying with friends around the altar and hearing their prayers of thanksgiving and prayers for on another. I could go on and on from today, but I am sure that each of us had our own take of this day. All we can say is God Did It!
To my Jungle Family: We have found so much laughter and humor in the circumstances the enemy tried to use to break us only to have the Lord reinforce each time with His Word and our laughter. What I have learned in this Jungle I can't even begin to tap out in words here. I have gone out deeper with the Lord, found new treasures in His Word, and watch Him work in lives Supernaturally laughing all the way.
Joshua, Peter, Elijah, Elisha, Moses, Job, Betty, Judy, Edna, and Shirley have become trusted friends that have shared with us the secrets of a life spent with our Lord. We have spent time looking inside their lives and finding their lives are not much different than our own and learning more and more from them.
You have seen my at my best and my worst and you still love me. Wow! You have held me in your prayers and stood behind me so I wouldn't fall and beside me in battle and victory. So the Old Eagle (who is in the sunset of life lolol) is a better Eagle for having spent time in the little Sunday School Jungle with you. I love you my dear friends.
Today I found this scripture
Isaiah 4:2-3
2 In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. 3 Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem.
I believe that day has come to Faith You are a beautiful and glorious branch of the Lord.......God Did It!!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Man, That Fern Sure Is Pretty......
Sitting on the patio (my favorite room at the house) with my hubby, today I suddenly felt full circle. It had just finished raining and the air was fresh. I had just finished a wonderful afternoon nap. (Beginning to love those, I haven't always.) Kids tummy were full and off to their evening's activities. All that was left was me and the hubby sitting there with nothing to say except "Man, that fern sure is pretty". Silence and then "Man, that fern sure is pretty". Like five times!!! I finally said "Honey could you talk about something besides that fern? Yes, its pretty but have we gotten so old that all we have to do is sit here and talk about the fern?!" We laughed and talked for a little while about life, then low and behold if he didn't say it again! I finally said what is so danged pretty about that silly fern? He couldn't say except it sure was pretty! I was beginning to feel like I was on a first date and nothing to talk about! Obviously, there was something to see in that fern. I thought about why that fern was pretty. Well you have to know the fern.
It began all beautiful lush and sitting among many other similar ferns when I picked it to bring home with me. Well you know me, I began my spring with good intentions to continue to have a beautiful fern. But.....it didn't get watered it lost its leaves and began to look "pitiful". We would drag that thing in and out over the next 2 winters saying it looked so bad it needed to be thrown out so we would not have to look at it. We just couldn't give up on the poor thing. This spring we were determined to give it one last chance. Bought it a new pot, new dirt, and gave it a "hair cut". Thought to myself that if it didn't make it as least I had a pretty pot for the next plant. :)
I had forgotten all the efforts of the past winters today when Chris kept talking about its beauty. I simply enjoyed it but as I stayed there for just a few more minutes I looked down to see a garden plaque that sits close by the fern. I just had to smile as I read its words again.
"The Lord is my Light and Salvation, who then can cause me to fear. The Lord is the strength of my life who then is a danger to me." The fern trusted in one who wouldn't throw him out.
That plaque has been a focus for me when I have retreated to my favorite room in fear, anger and distress. The Lord always reminds me "really how bad can this be, I've got this you know." Life has been full of long winters, bad hair cuts (never from Ang) new dirt and new pots.
Enjoy the new dirt, and new pot. Hair will grow back and the winter will end. Man, that fern sure is pretty!
It began all beautiful lush and sitting among many other similar ferns when I picked it to bring home with me. Well you know me, I began my spring with good intentions to continue to have a beautiful fern. But.....it didn't get watered it lost its leaves and began to look "pitiful". We would drag that thing in and out over the next 2 winters saying it looked so bad it needed to be thrown out so we would not have to look at it. We just couldn't give up on the poor thing. This spring we were determined to give it one last chance. Bought it a new pot, new dirt, and gave it a "hair cut". Thought to myself that if it didn't make it as least I had a pretty pot for the next plant. :)
I had forgotten all the efforts of the past winters today when Chris kept talking about its beauty. I simply enjoyed it but as I stayed there for just a few more minutes I looked down to see a garden plaque that sits close by the fern. I just had to smile as I read its words again.
"The Lord is my Light and Salvation, who then can cause me to fear. The Lord is the strength of my life who then is a danger to me." The fern trusted in one who wouldn't throw him out.
That plaque has been a focus for me when I have retreated to my favorite room in fear, anger and distress. The Lord always reminds me "really how bad can this be, I've got this you know." Life has been full of long winters, bad hair cuts (never from Ang) new dirt and new pots.
Enjoy the new dirt, and new pot. Hair will grow back and the winter will end. Man, that fern sure is pretty!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Source of Abundant Joy
Recently encouraged by the following thoughts. Hope they encourage you too.....
"Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Things we try to avoid and fight against are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. "We are more than conquerors through Him""in all these things";not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn't know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. The undeminished radience, which is the result of abundant joy, is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. And the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to "separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord"
My Utmost for His Highest Oswalt Chambers Updated Version.
Your God is present among you,
a strong Warrior there to save you.
Happy to have you back, he'll calm you with his love
and delight you with his songs. Zeph 3:17b (The Message)
"Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Things we try to avoid and fight against are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. "We are more than conquerors through Him""in all these things";not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn't know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. The undeminished radience, which is the result of abundant joy, is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. And the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to "separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord"
My Utmost for His Highest Oswalt Chambers Updated Version.
Your God is present among you,
a strong Warrior there to save you.
Happy to have you back, he'll calm you with his love
and delight you with his songs. Zeph 3:17b (The Message)
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
His Word Speaks!
I am following Beth Moore's blog on scripture memory. Not good at memorizing, I remember the text of the verse just not word for word. I want to do better than that. Every two weeks we are learning a new verse. Instead of finding my own, I decided to learn the one provided. The first verse came in so handy :) I was in need of that "word" during that time and I even encouraged others with the verse. That what is so wonderful and amazing about the Word. It always, always, always, speaks! I can't tell you how many days in the past two weeks that I needed, told the enemy, and rejoiced over:
"In that day He will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store full of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure." Isaiah 33:6
When I was unsure, He is my sure foundation, whatever I needed, He provided a rich store. So, I logged on to find my verse for this week and found.
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8
Wow, can't wait to see what situations life will put me in in the next two weeks to need these verses! His Word Speaks!
"In that day He will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store full of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure." Isaiah 33:6
When I was unsure, He is my sure foundation, whatever I needed, He provided a rich store. So, I logged on to find my verse for this week and found.
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8
Wow, can't wait to see what situations life will put me in in the next two weeks to need these verses! His Word Speaks!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Channel Surfing.....
Rare day to spend a rainy afternoon alone. Chris is working (Lord, bless him today, I know he would rather be on the couch snoring.) the boys are off doing their thang. So its me and my faithful companion, Puck, the wonder dachshund. Anyway amid the Rifleman, the Jefferson's, the Hallmark channel, travel channel, I find the Gaither Homecoming Concert channel. (Stay with me now) I begin watching. I grew up with these people. They were my social outlet, and I just knew one day I would jump on one of those buses and live my dream. But you know the rest of that story!
This program featured the music of Dottie Rambo. I went back in time with each song but the last song was an aaha memory. Sandi Patty took the mic and begin to sing the song "We Shall Behold Him". I remember when it first came out, it was not accepted in my circle. It was considered to be song by a Matthew Redman type of my day. I had to sneak and listen to Sandi Patti and defend her music. This song was the first to whet my interest in this worship thing. Just remember the song about the day we will Behold Him! It didn't talk about the long hard journey that I had or how much I had to give up to see Him nor how great Heaven would be. It was just about the day when face to face I would see Him. Over the next 20+ the Lord and I would begin a love relationship based completely on Who He IS, not who I am!
Here is the actual clip I watched today. The song was written around 1983 and this clip is from 2004. It takes us all a while but we finally get it. It's not about me but it's all about Him. Oh the day when We Shall Behold Him!
This program featured the music of Dottie Rambo. I went back in time with each song but the last song was an aaha memory. Sandi Patty took the mic and begin to sing the song "We Shall Behold Him". I remember when it first came out, it was not accepted in my circle. It was considered to be song by a Matthew Redman type of my day. I had to sneak and listen to Sandi Patti and defend her music. This song was the first to whet my interest in this worship thing. Just remember the song about the day we will Behold Him! It didn't talk about the long hard journey that I had or how much I had to give up to see Him nor how great Heaven would be. It was just about the day when face to face I would see Him. Over the next 20+ the Lord and I would begin a love relationship based completely on Who He IS, not who I am!
Here is the actual clip I watched today. The song was written around 1983 and this clip is from 2004. It takes us all a while but we finally get it. It's not about me but it's all about Him. Oh the day when We Shall Behold Him!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Speed Bumps & Sandcastles........
Yep, that pretty much describes 2008. Plenty of speed bumps, you know the kind, life going on at a rapid speed and BAM! there it is. Your head hits the top of the car, the bottom of the car scraps the ground and you slam on the breaks. Then some of the bumps are wide and last a little while, take your stomach and cause you to giggle. But with either kind, you remember what will happen if you go there again. So why are they there? I mean really who in the world invented speed bumps?
Then there are sandcastles. My darling husband came up with this one. You might begin to see where my imagery comes from. You build a sandcastle, you spend the day working diging plenty of motes to keep the waves out. You build it tall with places to see the waves coming. It is built on a beautiful beach you so enjoy building you love it and admire it....Then when no matter what you do you watch a big wave come up and crash the shore and drag sand from around your castle and it falls and washes into the sea.
I know sounds like a sad pictures but not here! The enemy would like nothing better to see me stop driving to avoid the speed bumps, and stop building sandcastles. Now why in the world would I ever let him win? No, my speed bumps have provided so much learning this past year. I have learned that its ok to release the fear of bumping my head. It only hurts for a short time and any damage to the car can be repaired or I might even get a new one (smile). And the sandcastles? I still have plenty of sand and a big and beautiful location to begin again! Chris brought that one home to me I have to give him the credit for sandcastles. Besides, it was Chris who helped me build the sandcastles. I never had the patience or vision to build before he came along.
2009 will have its share of speed bumps and sandcastles. I'm ready with what I have taken with me from 2008. I have a great family, good friends and enough passion for living to push me through any loss of sandcastles or damage from the speed bumps.
To the Lord who has held me in the palm in His hand be all glory and praise!
In that day HE will be your sure foundation,
providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.
The fear of the LORD will be your treasure.
Isaiah 33:6 (NET)
Then there are sandcastles. My darling husband came up with this one. You might begin to see where my imagery comes from. You build a sandcastle, you spend the day working diging plenty of motes to keep the waves out. You build it tall with places to see the waves coming. It is built on a beautiful beach you so enjoy building you love it and admire it....Then when no matter what you do you watch a big wave come up and crash the shore and drag sand from around your castle and it falls and washes into the sea.
I know sounds like a sad pictures but not here! The enemy would like nothing better to see me stop driving to avoid the speed bumps, and stop building sandcastles. Now why in the world would I ever let him win? No, my speed bumps have provided so much learning this past year. I have learned that its ok to release the fear of bumping my head. It only hurts for a short time and any damage to the car can be repaired or I might even get a new one (smile). And the sandcastles? I still have plenty of sand and a big and beautiful location to begin again! Chris brought that one home to me I have to give him the credit for sandcastles. Besides, it was Chris who helped me build the sandcastles. I never had the patience or vision to build before he came along.
2009 will have its share of speed bumps and sandcastles. I'm ready with what I have taken with me from 2008. I have a great family, good friends and enough passion for living to push me through any loss of sandcastles or damage from the speed bumps.
To the Lord who has held me in the palm in His hand be all glory and praise!
In that day HE will be your sure foundation,
providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.
The fear of the LORD will be your treasure.
Isaiah 33:6 (NET)
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