Start FRESH

Start Fresh with Your Mother in Law

2012-01-27T09:23:00.005-05:00

January 28-29

No, this is not a lecture on being nice to your mother in law. It is a look back at one of the dearest fresh starts in the Bible...the story of Ruth and Naomi. The book of Ruth is a quick read if you want to get the whole context. Naomi and her husband left their homeland in Judah, because of a famine, and moved to a foreign land where their sons ended up marrying foreign wives. Naomi's husband dies and then the two sons die, leaving the three widows from two generations. Naomi, instructs her daughter in laws to move back with their Moabite families and she is returning to Judah. In the end, one daughter in law goes back to her family, but Ruth chooses to stick by her mother in law. Ruth loved not only her mother in law, but the God her mother in law served.

But Ruth said, "Don't force me to leave you; don't make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I'll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I'll die, and that's where I'll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us! Ruth 1:16-17

Ruth realized the best fresh starts are the ones with God and worth the risk. Sounds like she would have agreed with Paul who said in Philippians 1:21

For to me, to live is Christ, to die is gain.

Pray:

God, You are our Dwelling Place. Whether we are on the mountain top, sailing out at sea, or drudging through the desert, knowing Jesus allows us to be at home. Help us to be content wherever You have placed us at the time and watch for the wonder of Your ways at that time.

Keep us close, even when we feel far away. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Start Fresh

2012-01-27T09:13:00.004-05:00

January 27

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:
The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Lawsie, lawsie...did I learn a lot about making all things new the other day. Five years ago I bought a necklace to wear to a party for our son's wedding. By the time I traveled home, this necklace with 12 tiny gold chains and one pendant was a tangled mess, the likes of which I have never seen. While going through a box of old jewelry I thought, "I'd really like to wear that necklace." After about a twenty minute attempt to untangle the chains I realized the only solution was to disconnect the chains at one end, take them all out of the link holding the pendant, straighten them out and re-thread them. My best friend sat patiently by me the first ten minutes, then quietly disappeared from the room. Frustration sank in as I was unable to get the minute links on the chains to thread back onto the link on the catch.
What an amazing picture of our lives the Lord put before me. Sometimes we make such a mess of our lives that at first glance we think the only solution is to give up or even toss our life away. We feel like we can be no good to anyone.
But the truth is we belong to a Creator who sees all the beautiful elements He placed within us and He is willing...painful as it can be for us, to help us lay the parts out and slowly put them back together to create something beautiful.
He has made everything beautiful in its time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
While working on the jewelry, after only reattaching four of the twelve chains, my hands and fingers began to cramp. Two of the four chains fell back off. I wanted to cry. My friend came back into the room and I asked, "Why did you abandon me and not sit by me and support me?" The reply...."Isn't it good we have a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

At this time I have decided the best solution may be to take this trinket to our jeweler and ask her to assist in attaching the final chains. Thus, another lesson for Starting Fresh...
Sometimes we need to be honest and ask for help!
God designed the body of Christ to build one another up!

Pray:
You are a perfect God who is in the business of untangling messes! We praise You Lord and thank You for your patience. Forgive us for becoming discouraged, that shows a lack of faith in what You can do. May we turn our eyes upon You, the author and Perfector of our faith. In Your name, we pray, Amen

A Grace Filled Fresh Start

2012-01-26T07:51:00.006-05:00

January 26

God is flat out amazing. If you are not walking and talking to him everyday, you are missing out on SO much. It is the ultimate relationship!

This morning I said, "Lord, we are 26 days into this starting fresh thing for the month of January and I need a fresh idea to write about this morning.

Look to the WORD!

We've got the OLD and the NEW testaments!

One governed by the LAW and the other governed by GRACE!

There's a fresh start!

Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith?

Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Romans 3:31 NIV

There is a quote I jotted down, which I believe the credit should go to Charles Spurgeon:

Grace is the mother and nurse of holiness,

and not the apologist of sin.

We get a redo through the New Testament relationship.

We go from being slaves to children.

While we are not bound by the Law, we are still under an authority, our heavenly Father, and have a role of obedience to follow his desire for us to be made perfect like Christ. The magic potion, which should make it work, is JOY. As in any parent-child relationship, we need to get to the point where we are grateful God/our parent loves us so much that He is going to discipline us and direct us on the path which is best for us. We start to see God's rules as healthy habits!

He desires for no harm to come to us, but happiness!

Oh, I like that one! When dark clouds come and we don't get our way if we stop and remember "He desires for no harm to come to us, but happiness, " then we can ask ourselves:

What good can come from this time of travail we are facing?

How does God want me to walk through it?

What is He fine doing in me, by allowing it?

OK, this next thought is a little out there, but paints a good picture and prompts a fun tradition. When potty training a child, one suggestion is to give them a treat after they use the bathroom. Lots of moms keep an M & M jar handy to use as the reward. I think maybe jewels in our crowns are more in keeping biblically with how God functions, but while on earth we may want to have a concrete way of reflecting and reinforcing the realization that God is at work in us.

Maybe it is a written time line or journal.

How about a marble jar on our kitchen sink where we plop one in each time God guides us through the web of life.

Ladies, we may want to have an add a bead necklace!

It's a new day! Let's face it God's way!

But by shifting our focus from what we do to what God does, don't we cancel out all our careful keeping of the rules and ways God commanded? Not at all. What happens, in fact, is that by putting that entire way of life in its proper place, we confirm it. Romans 3:31 MSG

Pray:

Lord, there is a song lyric which goes...He will make a way, when there seems to be no way. Thank You that you call us your children and you take joy in training us. Give us eyes today to see the good You are up to. May the love You have for us, spill out upon those who are not feeling loved today and help us to relay to them how very well YOU love them. May we tell of Your amazing grace. God's Riches At Christ's Expense! In our Savior's name we pray, Amen.

Start Fresh Manicure

2012-01-23T08:09:00.005-05:00

If you really want a lift, go to www.mentormemoments.blogspot.com and read Ruth Myers' entry in 31 Days of Praise for today. It was written for Fresh Starts!

January 25th

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Philippians 4:8

Years ago, we had a new minister come to our church and I went to their home on moving day to help them. It was a good thing, because no one else showed up! Introducing myself to his wife, she took my hands in hers and said, "Oh, I am going to like you! You are my kind of woman. I can tell by your hands! You are a worker!"

Rarely do I polish my fingernails, because the activities I pursue tend to tear up a polished look rather quickly! If I had fake ones they would probably end up cake batter, at the bottom of the lake or pull off in a knitting project or a dirty diaper! LOL.

The other day I was painting my toe nails, which aren't aging well and tend to get a coat of lacquer right often, especially in open toed shoe season! The old polish had to be rubbed off, the nails trimmed and the cuticle pushed back. Looking at those old toes, with their shinny new coat of polish, I thought about all that fresh starts require.

They require:

...recognizing what we are presently doing with our lives isn't working and most likely isn't appealing to the Lord.

...cutting out or off something or someone. That process can be painful.

...pushing back old habits or ways of thinking and replacing them new ones.

When the process is complete and we stop and look at the creation it is pleasant and pleasing and was worth the effort!

The greatest thing about "starting fresh" with Jesus is that the Holy Spirit helps...we don't have to do all the work...we just need to be willing to let Him scrub us and begin the manicure! It is a team effort! Amen!

Pray:

We look to you, heaven-dwelling God, look up to you for help. Like servants, alert to their master's commands, like a maiden attending her lady, we're watching and waiting, holding our breath, awaiting your word of mercy. (From Psalm 123) Forgive us for our stubbornness and for being satisfied to allow decay to continue in our lives. You created us for a freshness, a vibrancy, a very alive relationship with You. Today we choose to say, "Out with the old and in with more Jesus!" In whose precious name we pray, Amen.

Stepping Towards a Fresh Start

2012-01-21T09:09:00.008-05:00

Just an aside thought here to brighten your day...

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:30

(Maybe bald men and bald babies are to help cut down on God's counting task!)

January 24

"In some way, every single scrap of my life, every step and every struggle, is in the process of being fitted together, into God's huge and perfect pattern for good." Claire Cloninger

Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters,

whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:2-3

January is almost over and it seems as if each day in my quiet time the concept of "suffering being for our benefit" comes up. Even at fifty-five years old (and having loved the Lord for the majority of those years) I still fall into the trap of contemplating that maybe if I "get it right" often enough He will be pleased and things will go more smoothly, but no where is that promised.

The other day I read a devotional by Nancy Leigh DeMoss that had me realizing how the Lord wanted me to seek deeply into my heart to consider something. It was as if there were little pieces of dirt under my fingernails and He wanted to get those out. The end result of the probing was refreshing.

Here is what it looked like to encourage you if you feel him getting out the fingernail brush.

I received a very special note from a friend. It was so uplifting that I tucked it away in my Bible to read on a rainy day! Then I read the noted devotional, which was on humility. The writer explained that after a speaking engagement, to a group of ministers, she received numerous notes saying what a great job she had done and how much she had helped them. Being pleased with the notes she filed them away. Later it hit her that she was taking God's glory in what He had done at that conference and she burnt the letters.

My thoughts were promoted to a drawer I have of precious notes written by dear friends and our children over the years. The searching of my heart began and I wondered why I had kept them. While, pride was not the issue, I searched deeply into the possible reasons I had kept those and shared these with my daughter and a friend.

First Possible Reason:

I saved them so that when I die and my children are cleaning out my house they will find them and see I really was a nice person! :) LOL...then I realized with all the junk in our house there is no way they were going to sit down and read letters! (My daughter said, actually she would.)

Second Possible Reason:

I've watched my father pour over old photos since my mother's death and it has kept memories fresh for him So many of those letters are from people God briefly brought into our lives at times of need and I think the written record of what we walked through and the depth of love we shared will keep those times fresh for me. (I wish I had a picture attached to many of them to help me remember the faces.) It also is an excellent reminder of how important it is to get outside ourselves. (I'm struggling with only wanting to help grand babies right now!)

Searching our hearts is a good exercise though. If an endeavor is not about Jesus, it is on the wrong track and we need to switch tracks and start fresh

If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. James 1:5

Pray:

We look to You, heaven-dwelling God, we look up to you for help. Like servants, alert to their master's commands, like a maiden attending her lady, we're watching and waiting, holding our breath, awaiting your word of mercy. (From Psalm 123) Search our hearts and find any unpleasant corridor and cut it out, forgiving us Father for our wrong mindsets and misgivings.

Thank You that you care about us enough to remove our tarnishings. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Start Fresh with a List

2012-01-21T09:08:00.005-05:00

January 23

Did you make New Year's resolutions? Charles Swindoll, in The Finishing Touch, writes...

"Invariably, a new year prompts us to make our own list of things deserving our diligent attention and pursuit." He goes on to suggest a godlier guideline than what the world might have a tendency to tip us toward. Looking towards those who have gone before us he records lists made by Moses, Paul and Peter.

Moses' List (Exodus 19:3-17)

Don't ever place substitute gods before the Lord your God.

Don't make an idol out of anyone or anything.

Don't take the Lord's name in vain. It is holy.

Remember to observe a Sabbath rest every week.

Honor and respect your dad and mom.

Don't murder anyone for any reason.

Never, ever commit adultery.

Don't take things that aren't yours.

Never lie or give a false impression.

Don't covet another person's image, benefits or belongings.

Paul's List (Galatians 5:19-23)

Stay away from the things which flesh produce, such as immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, arguments, jealousy, angry outbursts, heresies, envyings, drunkenness, and running around with the wrong crowd.

Emulate the things which the Holy Spirit produces, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Peter's List (2 Peter 1:5-8)

Be a diligent person.

Don't waiver in your faith.

Be known for uncompromising moral excellence.

Enlarge your reservoir of knowledge, keep learning.

Stay balanced: guard against extremes.

Persevere

Make sure you godliness is free of hypocrisy.

Treat others tactfully, graciously.

Let your Christian love flow, let it flow, let it flow!

Those are quite the lists! Not is our power can we stay within them, but in the Lord's power it is possible!

Pray:

Lord, we look up to the mountains and say, "Where does my strength come from?" Then we know it is not from the mighty mountains, but from You who created not only those mountains but the heavens and the earth! How blessed we are to have a King who will not let us stumble and who never sleeps, but keeps a watchful eye upon us, protecting us from every evil. Guarding us when we leave and when we return. Loving us and encouraging us when Starting Fresh is the best option! Whatever list, changes or hurdles we face today, we know we do not face them alone. Hallelujah! What a Savior in whose name we can come humble to You through prayer. Amen

Start Fresh a New Perspective

2012-01-21T08:30:00.002-05:00

January 21-22

Here's a little visual exercise for the weekend. The email I received said this is labeled an anti-Alzheimers exercise. Below each picture will be directions to find the picture within the picture.

It is a good reminder to us that things are not always as they seem. Usually there is something that lies much deeper below the surface. Whether we are trying to understand ourselves or others it is good to pray and ask the Lord to help us see situations in another light.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

Can you see the three women?

Can you see the couple kissing?

Can you see the baby?

Can you see the face?

Can you see ten faces in the tree?

Let's ask the Lord if there is a perspective we need to change?

Pray:

Lord, You see all things and no one can fool You. Forgive us for our limited vision. So often we see things only from our perspective. Open our eyes to see others as Christ did...totally loved by You and in need of salvation. When we look at others may we not judge or condemn, but see an individual created by God, one of His master pieces, planned with a specific purpose.

In Jesus' Name, Amen

Blueprints for Starting Fresh

2012-01-19T08:59:00.006-05:00

God doesn't give blueprints to any of us for the entire span of life ahead.

We need daily communication with Him to know one step at a time.

Edith Schaeffer

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with My eye.

Psalm 32:8

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.

Luke 24:45

January 20

Lying on the floor yesterday for a time of stretching out my back, I brought my Bible along to meditate on the Word. Finally, I rolled over and asked the Lord, "Would you just tell me where it is You want me to go now? I am willing to obey, I just want to know the way?"

The past two months, those of us in SW Virginia have had to stay daily connected to the weatherman. Day to day fluctuation of temperatures between 35 and 60 have made the morning inquiry a necessity. We don't know what any day holds, so why is it we are not willing to go daily to the One who holds today?

"If I not only seek an answer but seek after the God who gives the answer, then I receive the power to know I have obtained what I have asked." Andrew Murray

Pray:

We will praise you, O Lord, with all of our hearts, we will tell of your wonders, being glad and rejoicing in you through song. Lord, you are a refuge for the oppressed and a stronghold in times of trouble. Your ways should be the blue prints for our lives as You are our Guiding Light. Forgive us Father, when we stand far off and hide from you in times of trouble. You are the God of Fresh Starts and we come to You today seeking to be shown what You have for us this moment. Rebuilding takes time. We will be patient. In Jesus' Name, Amen

2012-01-18T16:37:00.006-05:00

Even if yesterday was a disaster,

we are to enter God's gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise today.

Charles Stanley

You make known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

We are not alone in our Fresh Starts.

January 19

Moses, our old bulldog, follows our grandchildren around as if it is his given duty to protect them. Whatever task they are about to undertake he is willing to accompany them. We can enter into God's gates and His courts with praise, because we are always in His presence. Yesterday, morning, our grandson and I ran to the window to look at the skyline before sunrise to see what color God had decided to paint with. "PINK!" our grandson exclaimed. "God painted with PINK today!" The exercise was a simple reminder that each morning is a NEW day and God is still on His throne, being God!

Pray:

Oh Lord, open our lips and our mouths will declare your praise. Do not cast us from Your presence or take your Holy Spirit from us, but create a steadfast spirit within us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and grant us a willing spirit to sustain us as we face yet another "fresh start". In Jesus' Name, Amen

Start Fresh Pattern By Paul

2012-01-17T11:05:00.006-05:00

January 18

Paul was such a people person! I delight in his letter to the Philippians. He overflows with thankfulness for the generosity and kindness of these people and he takes very seriously the ministry of encouragement to which he feels a calling. Paul has recognized that following Christ means accepting a new set of standards (deny self and following Christ) which is a high calling.

The verses I have selected below are great steps to readying ourselves for a fresh start of any kind!

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Philippians 1:27a

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Philippians 2:13

. . . I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:12b

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Pray:

There is none like You Lord. Whatever You set before us, You will meet our needs and show us the way to press on in the strength of Christ if we just make our requests known. Help us to lay our anxieties aside and conduct ourselves in life with a confidence that You are a God, who works in us for good and for a planned completion. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Start Fresh

2012-01-17T06:06:00.002-05:00

January 17

I am the LORD; that is my name!

I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being I announce them to you.

Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise from the ends of the earth...

Isaiah 42:8-10

God will use every experience of your past

to position you for the fulfillment of your purpose in the future."

Tom Paterson

January 17

Age, ailments and a whole lot less income have caused us to change the appearance of ministry here at Shiloh. Docksiders was an exhilarating ministry we had for teens and college students. Sixty to eighty young people would pour in here on Thursday afternoons for water activities, DINNER, a concert, a time of testimony and prayer. Do we still work with young people? Absolutely...it is just seen in a different frame.

Just as athletes age and become coaches, encouragers of a younger breed, or expert fans, often our ministries take on a different appearance. God is always calling us to trust HIM and START FRESH. While Billy Graham's message is the same PURE simple "gospel call" he is no longer the one traveling to crusades and on stage. His role still can pack a punch for heaven from a rocking chair and the ministry is most likely magnified through the extended time he has for prayer. Ministry has not lost its potency for him, it is just projected from a different position.

Life is a series of continuous fresh starts!

Whether you are in full time ministry, mommying, memorizing studies in school, money making mode, or you are somewhere in between right now, the landscape will change. Those you are ministering to may move on and new faces will or appear or the steadfast ones will be transformed and have new needs. The children will grow and eventually leave, if you are a student, hopefully you will graduate and for the money makers the job will end or change. Starting Fresh will be necessary in some form. It happens everyday in the kitchen and the laundry room!

So let's sing to the Lord a new song as we experience the changes in life and be excited like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon!

“I never lay my head on the pillow without thinking that perhaps before I awake the final morning may have dawned. I never begin work without thinking that He may interrupt it to begin His own.” G. Campbell Morgan

Pray:

We shout for joy to You, Lord. We worship You with gladness and come before You with joyful songs, recognizing it is You who made us and we are yours. Life is full of ups and downs, trials and triumphs, tragedy and majesty. You, Father, are steadfast and forever. Your faithfulness continues through all generations although the backdrop of life takes on different forms. Fresh starts require us to come to You daily Lord, to be on the alert, and to seek guidance. Hallelujah! Starting fresh keeps us close to You. That's where we want to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Remodel

2012-01-15T06:50:00.007-05:00

January 16

Our bathroom remodel mess.

One of our sons is a contractor and thoroughly enjoys remodeling. The first part of a remodel is the tearing out. You have to get ride of the old, before you begin to build and put the new in place. What an awesome example of the way a FRESH START occurs in our own lives!

"Christ wants to transform our troubles into trust,

our problems into promises,

and our fears into faith!"

Henry Gariepy

This process begins when we believe and follow Psalm 119:114

You are my refuge and my shield;

I have put my hope in Your word.

Anne Ortlund wrote:

"It's not your circumstances that shape you.

It's how you react to your circumstances that shapes you."

You will keep in perfect peace, those whose minds are steadfast,

because they trust in You.

Isaiah 26:3

Yes, STARTING FRESH is a process, but the end result allows hope which is waiting to shine to burst through.

The finished product.

Pray:

We sing to You, Lord, a new song for you have done marvelous things! Because of the cross, You have taken our sins and tossed them away for those with repentant hearts. We come to You with grateful hearts, humbled by Your provision. Forgive us for those sins and remodel our hearts. Tear out all bitterness, anger, anxiety, jealousy and greed. Build up our faith, nail in place pure hearts and install attitudes of gratitude, which overflow with love and forgiveness for You and others. In the name above all names....precious Jesus.

Tebowing

2012-01-13T11:52:00.005-05:00

Peaks of Otter, VA Poses

January 14-15

OK! Time out from Starting Fresh...or maybe not.

A New Year's resolution appeared on a dearly loved friend's facebook page:

"I don't usually make a New Year resolution, but for 2012: I will not be shy about praising our heavenly Father, praying in public places, sharing my joy, love and faith.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

wOOt! Girlfriend...

Facebook is a good place to go BOLD and Start Fresh!

This theme of outwardly expressing our faith has come up time and time again for me this past week. A radio show's theme (It may have been on Haven Today) was on Christians being obedient like Tim Tebow and giving God the glory due him in all aspects of our lives. There is even a tebowing,com site. While many are making fun of Tim, God is using this for his glory and I believe working all things together for His good!

Another dear friend and godly mentor emailed me Anne Graham Lotz's January 12th devotional which packed a powerful punch with this grandmother.

Speaking Up for Jesus

"We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Acts 4:20, NIV

It has been several years since our youngest daughter, Rachel-Ruth, gave birth to our first grandchild - a little girl named Ruth Bell Wright. Since that very first day, my husband and I have been totally enthralled with this little girl. She fills our hearts! We can't help talking about her to anyone who will listen. I'm not afraid to talk about her. I don't plan in advance how I will talk about her. I don't worry about offending someone with my talk about her. I don't go to classes to learn how to talk about her. I don't read books on how to talk about her. I hug that little girl, feel her snuggle up against me, touch her soft cheek, and melt! Little Ruth Bell fills my heart! And what fills my heart comes out on my lips!

Why do we seem to make speaking up for Jesus so complicated? If He fills our hearts, He is going to come out on our lips! Like Peter and John, we will not be able to help "speaking about what we have seen and heard" of Him!

Blessings, Anne Graham Lotz

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Then, yes, I reached the trifecta when my January 12th evening devotional by Charles Spurgeon confirmed....

I have yet to speak on God's behalf.

Job. 36:2

"We should not court publicity for our virtue or fame for our zeal; but at the same time, it is a sin to be always seeking to hide that which God has bestowed on us for the good of others. A Christian is not to be a village in a valley, but a city that is set on a hill (Mt. 5:14). He or she is not to e a candle under a bushel (v.15), but a candle in a candlestick giving light to all. Retirement may be lovely in its season, and to hide oneself is no doubt modest, but the hiding of Christ in us can never be justified, and the keeping back of truth that is precious to ourselves is a sin against others and an offense against God...Seek in the name of Him who was not ashamed of you, to do what you can to tell others what Christ has told you....From the hidden springs within, let sweetly flowing rivulets of testimony flow forth, giving drink to every passerby...To speak for God will be refreshing to ourselves, cheering to saints, useful to sinners, and honoring to the Savior. Lord, unloose all your children's tongues."

And wait! There is more...look what the daily verse on Biblegateway was:

God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 MSG

WOW, well said.

So are we willing to start fresh in our faith walks by not being ashamed of Christ.

Pray:

Great are You, Lord, and worthy of praise. We declare Your glory among the nations, Your marvelous deeds among all peoples. We say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns." (Ps 96) Or do we Lord? This weekend will we enter Your courts with praise and thanksgiving. Will we stop in the midst of weekend projects, sporting events, or date nights and simply say..."God is so good, He reigns on high."? Forgive us for becoming consumed with worldly issues and worry what others think. May our minds be controlled by the Holy Spirit and steadfast on You. May the joy we have in being Your child spill out of our mouths and expressed to others. In Jesus Name, Amen

Start Fresh

2012-01-13T07:45:00.008-05:00

Bunko Men

Bunko Babes

January 13

I've been a member of a Bunko Group for close to 20 years. We know we aren't the norm in that our men are still alive and they are still living with us. Two other friends buried their husbands this past December. Another widow friend called, asking me if I'd like to go to yoga with her in the evenings. She liked the 6:30 class because it was at dinner time and that was the most painful time of the day for her....when her husband no longer walks in from work.

Equally as painful is the heartache of divorce. Not being loved, by the one you love and have shared all vulnerability with for years, cuts deeper than anything I can imagine.

Starting fresh in a romantic relationship at any age has to be tough.

Starting fresh in any relationship where hurtful words have been tossed finds us tentative.

Below are some quotes which hold healing and help for fresh starts in all kinds of relationships.

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does unlock the future!

Richard Exley

And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you. 1 Kings 8:50

God forgets the past. Imitate him. Max Lucado

Blessed are all who put their trust in Him. Psalm 2:12

Here is a great confidence builder for fresh starters!

God will use every experience of your past to position you for the fulfillment of your purpose in the future. Tom Paterson

Peter has a pep talk for us!

So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love; each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your sinful life has been wiped off the books. 2 Peter 1:5-8 The Message

Pray:

Lord, what a joy to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night! How great are your works and how profound your thoughts. Forgive us our trespasses Father and find us quick to forgive others. Hold our hurts in Your mighty hands and steady us when new starts are necessary. While the past is gone, may our present possess wisdom from the wear, which we apply to our hope for the future. We can start fresh with the vision not to step into troubled waters, but onto the paths You place before us. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Stop before we Start Fresh

2012-01-12T07:07:00.005-05:00

January 12

One of our sons came in our bedroom the other day and Moses, our bulldog, crept over and placed his paw on our son's foot in an effort to keep him there. Do you ever feel like the hand of God is on you saying,

"Stop, stay here with Me."

God loves us too much to want us to go our own way. Elisabeth Elliott

Before we start a fresh it is in our best interest to

STOP, DROP & ROLL.

Stop trudging ahead with our own plans.

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Drop to our knees and seek the Lord in prayer.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 95:6

Roll, by faith, with where we hear the Lord leading us and start fresh in radical obedience.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Pray:

Lord, You are our refuge and our fortress...our God in whom we trust. Forgive us when we become fearful, doubtful, or apprehensive. We need not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day. Remind us to STOP and remember that You will cover us with your feathers and place us under Your wings for refuge. We can DROP to our knees and cry out knowing You have angels ready to guard us at the sound of Your command! Your ways are good and trustworthy. Help us learn to ROLL with them by faith and delight in the fresh starts a life in Christ affords us. In Jesus Name, Amen

The Ultimate Fresh Start

2012-01-11T06:43:00.003-05:00

The Peaks of Otter, Virginia in the background.

HEAVEN

"The native language of heaven is the laughter of joy."

Terry Lindvall

January 11

In addition to morning devotions, I decided to read Charles Spurgeon's Evening by Evening each night before I retire. Last night's entry was thrilling. It was based on a comment made by Job and is found in Job chapter 19,verse 26, and relates to heaven. NOW here is the ultimate fresh start! wOOt!

In my flesh shall I see God.

Spurgeon so eloquently writes:

"Note the subject of Job's devout anticipation: 'I will see God.' He does not say, 'I will see the saints'-though, doubtless, that will be untold happiness-but, 'I will see God.' It is not, 'I will see the pearly gates, I will behold the walls of jasper; I will gaze upon the crowns of gold, ' but 'I will see God.' This is the sum and substance of heaven' this is the joyful hope of all believers....Christ will be the object of our eternal vision, we will never wish for any joy beyond that of seeing Him...Consider the reality of heaven's bliss; think what heaven will be to you. All earthly brightness fades and darkens as we gaze on it, but here is a brightness that can never dim, a glory that can never fade. I will see God."

So for now, we start fresh each day trusting in the Lord and trudging triumphantly with Him through the earthly trials, which we WILL encounter, but the hope of heaven and the happiness therein hangs ahead of us on the horizon. It is going to be a REALLY good time!

Pray:

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, '"Return to dust, O sons of men." Forgive us when we whimper and worry and forget You are on your throne. Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. We are so richly blessed to know You and to be loved by You. Guide our steps while we remain here on earth in Your service and ready our feet for dancing, one day soon, before You our King! In Jesus' Name. Amen

(Psalm 90:1-2, 12, 14)

Praise in Your Pockets

2012-01-10T10:44:00.001-05:00

Need a little praise in your pocket? Join me at:

http://mentormemoments.blogspot.com/

for 31 Days of Praise excerpts by Ruth Myers.

Start Fresh

2012-01-09T09:12:00.005-05:00

January 10

"Join us at the bar for a party, " the physical therapist called out to a young woman sitting on the stationary bike. She is a civilian who has just returned from working for the military in Afghanistan. While there she severely broke her leg. The bar is simply a chrome contraption used to steady those rehabilitating, while various leg lifts are done. Wincing and wobbling would be the best way to describe those of us gathered in hopes of restoring our health. It is certainly not a quick fix for anyone there.

Fresh starts take time, persistence, a willing heart

and a whole lot of "RE" words.

"The only way to bring about real change in your behavior is to renew your mind to God's truth. To make this thing called life work, we gotta lean and support, and relate and respond. And give and take and confess and forgive. And reach out and embrace." Charles Swindoll

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Psalm 51:10

Check out this Godtube...I had already begun this post on

rehabilitating, restoring and "re-doing" when this popped up in my email...

ya gotta love how God provides!

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=KGPZ6GNX&utm_source=GodTube%20Today&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=01/09/2012

Pray

Lord, the heavens and earth are yours. You founded the world and all that is in it. Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne. We rejoice in your name all day long. Forgive us for the times we have rejected your instructions, renounced the covenant you made with us or reduced our relationship to a simple Sunday morning sitting in a pew and singing songs. Renew a steadfast spirit within us. May we be found relentless in our praise and refreshed and restored to a right relationship with You. In Jesus Name we REJOICE!

Start Fresh

2012-01-06T07:55:00.009-05:00

January 9

There are days you just know the devil is knocking at your door. It sounded as if someone was outside my bedroom hammering on the house. There was no one on the patio, but when I opened the window I saw a woodpecker pecking away at our cross!

"Be GONE, in the mighty name of Jesus," I shouted!

The two old blue jays in the bare crepe myrtle tree below chuckled at the ole fellow getting caught!

The devil pecks away at our hearts as well. He tries desperately to delay Fresh Starts. He likes to keep us worn down and comfortable in our old ways. Bitterness, jealousy, discontentment and fear are some of his favorite coverings in which he desires to keep us coated.

"Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does unlock the future!" Richard Exley

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Matthew 5:44

Lord, Among the gods there is none like you, no deeds can compare with yours. You are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Have mercy on us when we falter and fail to keep Your commandments. Teach us to walk in Your truth and have undivided hearts. Forgiveness is freeing, may we taste of it today and offer it up to others as well. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit for it is only in that equipping that we can love our enemies and pray for your blessings to abound on those who persecute us.

Show us this day how to love in Your way. In Jesus Name, Amen

Puzzled

2012-01-06T06:26:00.005-05:00

January 7-8

"We yearn for a fresh start. We pray for a hand that will enter the dark cavern of our world and do for us the one thing we can't do for ourselves-make us right again." Max Lucado

A fresh start is similar to puzzle working.

The pieces are dumped there before you

You turn all the pieces/prospects over trying to get the best perspective. The task ahead looks daunting, but most things in life require hard work.

Sorting out priorities (like straight edges) is a good starting point.

The framework is laid, often in our own strength and without too much effort.

Then a point comes when we need a plan, a guideline, some instruction.

The author of Psalm 119 may be unknown, but he was obviously a passionate Israelite who wanted to pass along the worth of God's word as an instruction manuel in this longest psalm written. My Bible is highlighted with action verb phrases which make a perfect prayer for us this weekend:

Lord....

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (v.18)

Remove from me scorn and contempt for I keep your statutes. (v.22)

Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. (v27)

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. (v28)

Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. (v29)

Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees. (v33)

Give me understanding. (v34)

Direct me in the paths of your commands, for there I find delight. (v35)

Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. (v36)

Turn my eyes away from worthless things. (v37)

Fulfill you promise to your servant so that you may be feared. (v38)

Take away the disgrace I dread. (v39)

Teach me knowledge and good judgment. (v66)

Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. (v.77)

Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth. (v.108)

Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live, do not let my hopes be dashed. (116)

(and that is just the half of them)

Charles Swindoll took Psalm 119 and created a guide for godly living. We could call it the way

to STARTING FRESH!

1) Seek the Lord on a regular basis. (v.10) Pursue Him daily.

2) Treasure His truth in your heart. (v.11) Memorize scripture.

3) Openly tell others of Him. (v.13) Make your faith known.

4) Rejoice and delight in God's workings. (v.14 & 16) Let your light shine.

5) Spend free moments meditating on His principles. (v.15) At stoplights, waiting in lines, etc.

6) Give God your full respect. (v.15 & 16) Don't hold back. Trust completely. Dare to live by faith.

In Jesus Name, Amen

And in doing these things the puzzle pieces of a Fresh Start will come together.

Start Fresh

2012-01-04T20:43:00.007-05:00

January 6

Young parent alert! Incorporate this specific into your family rules....if you use the last paper towel...

piece of toilet paper....

or tissue in the box, please throw out the old container or roll and replace it with a NEW one!

Most fresh starts require, some initiation, a bit of effort, and stepping into the unknown.

God clears the underbrush ahead and guides us down special paths

beaten just for us through thickets of time and uncertainty.

Leslie Williams

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

Proverbs 4:10-12

Pray:

Lord of heaven and earth, You are the author of fresh starts every day! Forgive us when we forget who You are and allow hopelessness to overwhelm us. When life seems to be coming up empty may we place our hand on our heart and feel the beats You have given us for today and take them as a reminder that Your plan is for us to continue on! Your will! Your way! Your wonder! We place our feet on the path and open our minds to your instruction and believe You will make a way. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Start Fresh

2012-01-03T17:39:00.006-05:00

January 5

"The best way I know to face each day is to prepare the heart first thing in the morning.

Ravi Zacharias

My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

The water view we wake up to, with its sunrise, is amazing. God is always picking a different palette of colors to display. I moseyed out of bed and decided to check out the morning perspective from the other side of the house....

Darkness still loomed in the west...the woods had not awakened.

But back on the other side, God had dipped his brush into pinks and salmons, a few purple hues, and the golden sun was about to show off her stuff!

God has stuff for us to show off as well. He created us with a purpose. Just as Adam was called to cultivate and keep the garden of Eden, we are to work. And each day is a new start, even if we are tackling old problems.

Whatever you do, do your best! Ecclesiastes 9:10

We are called to let our light shine and in so doing exhibit to the world the substance of God's love. A friend shared a prayer yesterday she has prayed for 20 years.

Let's make it our prayer for this day!

Good morning Lord, I come not to ask , to plead or implore You, I just come to tell You , how much I adore You. To kneel in Your Presence makes me feel blessed for I know that You know all my needs best, and it gives me great joy just to linger with You as my soul You replenish and my heart You renew, so thank You again for Your Care and Your Love and for making me heir to Your KIngdom above. In Jesus Name, Amen

Start Fresh

2012-01-03T09:21:00.014-05:00

January 4

Bowl season is winding down! Athletics. Now there is a genre which is constantly starting again.

Three of this week's bowl games ended in overtime with the final wins resulting in successful field goals. In each scenario one team left the field with helmets lifted high, the other with their heads hung low. One locker room was filled with victory chants...the other with the lone sound of the coach's voice reciting consolation and admiration. This week each coache will gather their staff and look at 2012 and START AGAIN. The recruiting trail will be trod again, but to different places and a game plan will be compiled AGAIN determined by the talent at hand.

Like a child enjoying being picked up and twirled around, we shout....

"again, again, again"

to the good things in life. On the flip side those words ring out in stringent scenarios, which are far less pleasing...studying for a failed test, searching for a new job after being laid off, listening to the doctor prescribe more chemo...

God may be orating the word AGAIN to us related to sin struggles...

Forgive...again

Resist temptation again

Repent again

Come to Me again

God is a seasoned coach with a grand plan.

He is accustomed to having to produce new game plans.

If today we are on the end, which is facing a loss or disappointment, we must open His Word and look again at what is ahead.

God's readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness. Titus 2:11-12

"God is ready to fill your empty hands like you would never believe, if you will only lift them up to Him in obedience and praise." Charles Swindoll

Pray:

Lord, you showed favor to your land and forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. You set aside your wrath towards Israel's rebellion and turned from your fierce anger. We too, in this modern world, have disappointed You. Restore us again, dear Savior, and put away your displeasure towards us. Restore us again Lord and set us on the path to righteousness. Our hearts' desire is to START AGAIN and be pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Start Fresh

2012-01-02T22:54:00.005-05:00

We yearn for a fresh start. We pray for a hand that will enter the dark cavern of our world and do for us the one thing we can't do for ourselves-make us right again.

Max Lucado

January 3

Even under the covers my toes are still cold. Why have I not changed out the summer coverlet for winter's velvet duvet filled with down? The few Christmas decorations, which had been placed around the house, did not go back neatly into the correct boxes. Then I missed saving $6 at the grocery store due to a miscommunication and it seemed as if everything was against me. My source of joy was plugged into the wrong socket.

Politics, finances, physical pain, house hold maintenance and chores were mounting in front of me...things that really are not of eternal value were choking me. Trying hot chocolate with almond cream and a decadent brownie for dinner brought only momentary relief. It's time to start again! Recognize the battle capable of quickly igniting in our minds. Take every thought captive and pull of the blanket of God's love and curl up with only Him.

He forgives your sins—every one.

He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.

Psalm 103:4

I choose Him!

Pray:

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! Our souls yearn and even faint for you as our hearts and flesh cry out for a touch of the living God. Forgive us when we lose our focus and draw our eyes back to Your direction and allow us to start again. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. In Jesus Name, Amen

Start Fresh

2012-01-02T10:21:00.004-05:00

January 2

"The best way I know to face each day is to prepare the heart first thing in the morning."

Ravi Zacharias

What is your daily "fresh start" routine?

I've never had a cup of coffee in my life, but I've lived with some individuals whose eye balls don't open until their coffee is consumed.

Possibly a splash of cool water awakens you and prepares your mind to face the day.

God's Word is a

great place to start.

My grace is sufficient for you.

My strength is made perfect in weakness.

2 Cor. 12:9

Zephaniah 2:3 says to seek a quiet and disciplined life. An athlete training at the highest level is certainly disciplined, yet the training routine has variety.

Seek the Lord in new places this year. Let's reposition ourselves (or He may have already repositioned us) and hunger for His teachings. Maybe our college days are long gone, but this can be a new semester in living our lives for the Lord.

Pray: Lord, there is none like you. We will sing of your great love forever and our mouths will make your faithfulness know through all generations. The heavens praise your wonders and we will too. Find us faithful today Father. Thank You that our pasts are forgiven and today is filled with newness and the chance to be more like Christ. As yeast causes bread to rise, help us rise above circumstances and trust You to be our guide. Not in our strength, but by Your power your will be done this day. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Start Fresh

2012-01-01T11:51:00.006-05:00

January 1

This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:16, 18-19

The year ends with a bang! Confetti, good food and drink, funny hats and horn blowers! 2011 is behind us and we can take what we learned and enhance 2012. Jonah went the wrong direction, but with a bit of cajoling in the belly of a big fish and the elimination of a shade tree Jonah received God's wake up call and came back to Him in obedience. Moses had his moments, but was the recipient of some amazing "fresh starts". David lived in castles and caves and walked in equal extremes of obedience. Our God is merciful and compassionate and longs for us to come back to him if we have wandered away. For some of us the process of staying on the path which he projected for us from birth looks a bit like one of those paddle ball games....we hit the "sweet spot" and walk like Jesus and then before you know it we are "strung out" in a sinful free fall. Fortunately, that staple (Jesus) on the back keeps us connected so we can cry out and find our way home.

No promises as to what the blog will look like this year or how often I will place entries.

My goal for 2012 is to have a daily "In Box" and a daily "Out Box" spiritually speaking. Each day I plan to put the Word of God into my heart and then pray seeking his plan as to where "out in the world" he wants me to put that lesson into action.

"You were born prepacked. God packed you on purpose for a purpose."

Max Lucado

Seeing a physical therapist for some of my bodily ailments, I was caught off guard with his question: "How flexible are you?" While he was inquiring physically, I knew the deeper question applied spiritually. "The greatest thing older people (yikes, I am now in that group) can do for their physical well being is improve their flexibility and strength," he instructed.

Well, while I am doing those things to relieve my physical pain and improve my health, I want to place those same requirements at the top of the list spiritually.

PRAYER:

Lord, your grace is infinite. You are the God of "Fresh Starts". Forgive me for the times I wander from You and wonder about Your plan. Make me flexible so when you direct I am quick to follow. Strengthen me through your Word so I will have stamina and wisdom for the journey. Today is a new day and in Your will I want to stay. In Jesus Name, Hooray!

Praise, Prayer and Purging of sin are part of the process for me 2012.

A dose of laughter each day is park of my new diet! Check out Make me Laugh above.

The Order

2011-12-30T13:15:00.007-05:00

December 30-31

Genesis 2:15
God took the Man and set him down in the Garden of Eden to work the ground and keep it in order.

I like order! My closets are color coded and the hangers match as much as possible. Our spices are arranged on the shelf in alphabetical order and after that I have to go with the flow of living with others who have a much more "free" style! :)

While God is a God of order our lives are filled with the unexpected. Looking back on life we can see it spotted with "pop quizzes" and jacks coming out of the box! As I look back at the highs and lows of 2011 and I watch the winter winds begin to whip up a warning that the cold is coming, I am thankful for God's steadfast love that weathers all storms.

Dear God, my Master, you created earth and sky by your great power—by merely stretching out your arm! There is nothing you can't do. You're loyal in your steadfastlove to thousands upon thousands...

Jeremiah 32:16

May steadfastness of faith be a character trait for which we are known.

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Psalm 112:7

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

What's on the inside

2011-12-28T11:49:00.007-05:00

December 29

Yesterday, tired of feeling awful for 11 days I decided to get up, shower, wash my hair, put on cute jeans (as cute as they can be on a 50's something), a silk shirt, layers of pearls and some shiny earrings. Contacts and make up did not make the list, because by that point I was exhausted, my back and knees aching and I was lying down again. No matter what we put on the outside, that doesn't change what is on the inside.

Attitude counts more than outward appearance in God's pageant!

While I am staring at 15 extra pounds on the scales, which I know need to come off for the betterment of my health, I need to equally examine the characteristics in this Charles Spurgeon prayer a friend emailed to me.

" Pray that this year you will be holy, humble, devoted, and diligent; that you will have a closer communion with Christ, often entering the banquet room of His Love. Pray that you will be an example and a blessing to others, and that you will live more and more for the glory of your Master."

OK, so you are thinking it will be easier to lose the 15 pounds! :) I will need perseverance and the power of the Holy Spirit to attempt either!

Take a Look & Act

2011-12-28T09:50:00.005-05:00

December 28

It was a mirror stare down. Moses sat and looked at himself in the mirror...he was mesmerized by his own beauty or had entered a "don't blink" contest with the bulldog in the mirror. Shooting photo after photo did not phase him. Were the vet's words concerning a needed diet troubling him...he'd only gained 3 pounds!!!! We'd discussed the eyelid surgery years ago and thought he was content to fore go the procedure. Maybe he had New Year's resolutions and needed to confide in another canine. Or maybe he and God were getting real and he was struck by the reality that God was calling him to action.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss had an excellent message today on God's tender mercies. The Greek word for tender she explained is called splanchnon. It means spleen or deep inner part of the body. The message went on to say that when we experience splanchnon towards another...we are to be filled with such compassion that we are motivated to do something about the situation. God's mercy was so deep towards our sinful state that he sent Christ as the redemption for those sins.

When we get face to face with Jesus and allow him to inspect our current state do we take what He reveals and move into action. James' book, thought to be the oldest of the New Testament book, starts off with excellent insight and instruction for us.

James 1:19-25

Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.

Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.

Let's take time to escape today and allow God into the inner most parts of our hearts. What new Kingdom impacting action awaits us in 2012? After we take a look let's step away into action...not oblivion!

2011-12-27T18:37:00.003-05:00

December 27

There are some days where the load is so heavy, the suffering so severe, the demands so devastating that lifting our hands to the Lord is all we can offer up. Positioning ourselves at the place of praise for the simple fact that God is God begins a process where proclamation can flow forward.

On those days...

Praise God

Proclaim Christ King of Kings

Pray with expectancy

Pause and listen

Process the points and procedures placed before you.

O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name!

O my soul, bless God, don't forget a single blessing!

Psalm 103:1-2

Worth

2011-12-26T22:41:00.001-05:00

December 26

When such a word rings loudly in my mind hour after hour in the middle of the night...curiosity gets hold of me and the search begins. Recalling a time when I wanted each room in our home to reflect Christ in some way, I wondered if I went room to room now, what would resonate as having great "worth". Items which hold the greatest value to me are those connected to my heart. Daily, my aging father thumbs through photo albums he has compiled, for there among those pages are the memories which are his treasures.
Clay hands of our children grace a silver tray. Should fire erupt here, those are probably what I would grab and being like my father... a suitcase full of photo albums.

When we are wavering in our faith, lacking in the love luster we desire to have shining upon us, or just having a day where we really don't want to get out of bed...we must remember our worth to God! How deep is the love of a Father who would sacrifice His only son.
Matthew 10:31
So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Psalm 148:13
Let them praise the name of God— it's the only Name worth praising. His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky; he's built a monument—his very own people! Praise from all who love God! Israel's children, intimate friends of God. Hallelujah!

2 Samuel 22:4
“I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.

1 Chronicles 16:25
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

Psalm 145:3
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are notworth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

1 Peter 1:6-8
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

Philippians 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

Proverbs 31:10
A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.

Light of the World

2011-12-23T07:26:00.006-05:00

December 24-25

The final two songs I've selected are not Christmas carols, but they have everything to do with Christ coming to earth as the Light of the World....shining hope through salvation on spiritless sinners. There is a filling available to us and it doesn't come from the bountiful Christmas dinners many of us will eat this weekend.

The birth of Christ fulfilled "part 2" of the Trinity...Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

A four year old sleeping in our house last week crept into my bed early one morning. She said, "When I wake up I see a bright light shining over me." I asked her if she thought it was an angel. She said she didn't know, but it was always there wherever she woke up and it was beautiful! How sad that we lose that childlike faith and the ability to see the angelic realm.

One day we will see them and The Light of the World face to face.

There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 22:5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBKzCpkXJR4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MKDVx6oiKc

Merry Christmas

An Offering

2011-12-22T07:57:00.006-05:00

December 23

The music to the lyrics below is fabulous, but I have not been able to find Nicole C. Mullen singing it online. I bought it on iTunes, but can't figure out how to post it for you!

The concept of what we have to OFFER God challenges us in these lyrics. Searching the NIV for "offering," 714 scriptures are referenced. Bringing an offering to God is not a new idea. At this holiday time, the tradition of gift giving can be burdensome for individuals who feel they can't give extravagant enough gifts, which would be of value to someone who has much more materialistically. Try figuring out what we could give God Almighty we can look to Mark 12 which contains "The Greatest Commandment." This points us toward a free gift God longs to receive from us...the giving of our love to God and others.

³²You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. ³³ To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.

We still fall at His fee with the first fruits of our labor and tithe with joyful hearts, but an offering of our love and obedience is of great value.

I do hope you can find a way to hear this music. It is full of passion!

Nicole C. Mullen - Lamb Of God lyrics

VERSE1 - Once upon a long night after a hard cry Somewhere in bethlehem
A baby graced the silence sweetly he's crying I AM EMMANUEL
Then angels gave him music
Shepherds gave reverensce and a message to the land
A widow held and cherishe the god who became a man

Chorus Oh lamb of God
Oh prince of peace
What tribute shall i bring to worship thee
I have no gold to lay at your feet
So lamb of God i offer me

VERSE2 - can you see the wise men?
A star did guide them searching all the earth
Till they found the one child the very godchild who ruled the universe
Did they know the lady's little baby was god in fully man
And everything they gave him he himself had made with his hands

------CHORUS------

I bring you all my hopes
I bring you all my dreams
I give you all my soul my min and all my strength i wrap them all inside my heart to give to the
AND i come
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him christ

Oh lamb of god oh prince of peace
What tribute shall i offer thee
I have no gold to lay at your feet
SO lamb of God may i offer me

SEEI have no gold to lay at your feet so lamb of god
Please let me offer me

Lamb of GOD I offer me

Mary's Boy Child

2011-12-22T07:45:00.002-05:00

December 22

The question is posed: Why do we celebrate Christmas?

The responses vary. Some will get it right with the simple statement...

It's Jesus' Birthday!

If the investigator was to delve deeper and ask: And what is the big deal about Jesus?

The lyrics Harry Belafonte sings in the song Mary's Boy Child hint towards the eternal benefit God bestows upon those who believe in the miracle birth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfdx2V5sAic

Where are you Christmas?

2011-12-21T07:24:00.002-05:00

December 21

Faith Hill and The Grinch teamed up for this video called Where Are You Christmas?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSMjgNMdzEI&feature=related

In the song she comes to the realization that Christmas is "LOVE"...so true although she holds back from explaining it is...God's love, which was given to us in the form of a baby. Christ love which walked on this earth as the perfect example of how to live, and the love of the Holy Spirit who is available to daily fill us.

Being covered in all that love, it should naturally spill out upon others.

The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ,

the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (The MSG)

Who do you know who might feel as if the love of Christmas is missing from their life?

Share the love today!

What is Christmas

2011-12-20T08:12:00.002-05:00

December 20

As we continue along a musical Christmas theme I hope you get a laugh from a church sign which said:

"Dancing with the STARS in Bethlehem!"

In their song, "This is Christmas" Kutlass poses the question :

What is Christmas?

If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger.

What is Christmas without Christ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20HoJZecNqM&feature=related

We wouldn't be getting our school breaks and days off from work, baking cookies or singing carols, or sending CHRISTmas cards if the Savior hadn't been born. December might be rather dull. Yet, many homes go about decking the halls and making jolly without ever mentioning Christ.

A friend sent an excellent email the other day about how we get up in arms over all the efforts to remove the mention of Christmas from our schools, places of business and government. It went on to challenge our own lives to reflect Christ. It suggested instead of fighting for the nativity scene to be put up at the court house...what if we all put one in our own yards...

do our Christmas cards shout Merry Merry, Be Jolly or do they turn our attention to our Savior.

When someone asks us..."What is Christmas?"

Let's have a list ready to share about the Birthday Boy!

When Love Was Born

2011-12-19T12:31:00.004-05:00

December 19

We all want to be loved. We are all loved...the baby born to die for us is proof.

Each time this week when your eyes cross a symbol of Jesus... on a Christmas card, in a decoration or through hearing a carol sung...whisper..."I am loved!"

For the most extravagant love came down from heaven for us.

Mark Schultz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKSU9Dbxvrw&feature=related

Starlight shines, the night is still
Shepherds watch from a hill
I close my eyes, see the night
When love was born
Perfect child gently waits
A mother bends to kiss God's face
I close my eyes, see the night
When love was born
Angels fill the midnight sky, they sing
Hallelujah, He is Christ, our King
Emmanuel, Prince of peace
Loves come down for you and me
Heaven's gift, the holy spark
To let the way inside our hearts
Bethlehem, through your small door
Came the hope we've waited for
The world was changed forevermore
When love was born
I close my eyes, see the night
When love was born

O Come O Come...

2011-12-18T09:26:00.002-05:00

December 17-18

Week of preparation is what we are entering. Enjoy these three siblings as they sing,

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and prepare your hearts to receive all Christ has to offer.

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=FEM0BFNU&utm_source=GodTube%20Must-See%20Video&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12/18/2011

We've found ourselves praising the Lord this week for seeing a precious one year old through surgery to remove a brain tumor and then on the other end of the spectrum we praise God for his Presence in the life of a dear friend, who has left this earth to spend his first Christmas in heaven.

We can be joyful always, because we trust in God's plan.

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Give Your Gift

2011-12-16T07:17:00.005-05:00

December 16

"The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:23

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrNcD34KFhM

What gift do you have to give our King? This teenager in Canada, took his drums and made a video in honor of Christ and put it on You Tube!

It doesn't have to be extravagant, outlandish or expensive..it just has to come from the heart.

Two days ago, while driving home along the rural back roads of our county, my husband picked up a 60 year old hitch hiker. "You did WHAT?" I exclaimed when he told me. The man had undergone heart surgery 5 weeks earlier, yet he smelled of smoke. Inquiring about the obvious order and the hold this habit had on the man, my husband offered to pray for him. "You a preacher? the man asked. I need a preacher on Friday to marry me. We just gonna do it right here in this trailer."
The important response from my spouse was...."Do you know Jesus?" A requirement before he would marry anyone. Then...."You're not leaving me much room for premarital counseling."

Discussing the situation with me, we both realized this was one of those God encounters and even though we have house guest arriving around noon, I told him to go for it.
Like the drummer boy in this video...my husband can take his talent to the woods today and bless the Lord!

Proverbs 18:15-17

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

This Year's Favorite

2011-12-14T11:05:00.006-05:00

December 15

Chris Tomlin's Hallowed Manger Ground has topped my list of favorites this year! Sing along!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTDA_awnl8g

What hope we hold this starlit night
A King is born in Bethlehem
Our journey long, we seek the light
That leads to the hallowed manger ground

What fear we felt in the silent age
Four-hundred years can He be found
But broken by a baby's cry
Rejoice in the hallowed manger ground

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
God incarnate, here to dwell
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Praise His name Emmanuel

The son of God, here born to bleed
A crown of thorns would pierce His brow
And we beheld this offering
Exalted now the King of kings
Praise God for the hallowed manger ground

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
God incarnate, here to dwell
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Praise His name Emmanuel

Oh, praise His name Emmanuel
Oh, praise His name Emmanuel

Whose Party is it Anyway?

2011-12-14T09:10:00.005-05:00

This video had me up and in action this morning.

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=FE1M01NU&utm_source=GodTube%20Today&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12/14/2011

Revelation 5:12
In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

December 14

LOL..arriving home late after a board meeting last night my husband entered the house and said, "Do you realize the outdoor speakers are on and you are blasting Christmas carols all over the Lake?"

I know Jesus is the reason for the season and inwardly (and blog wise) He and I are celebrating the implications of His birth (you know the guy who came to die), but what does the person who walks into my home this month see, what about Christmas Eve dinner and the pomp and circumstance of our Christmas morning routines....is HE visible, is He welcome? Is there a seat at the table for Him? Do we converse with Him in prayer recognizing Him as the GUEST OF HONOR?

A Happy Birthday banner now adorns our front hall closet...it lists the gifts I want to give Jesus for His birthday...my heart, my soul, my mind, my obedience, honor and praise!

It also lists many of His 2011 accomplishments in lives at Shiloh!

The nativity has moved from a side room to the living room coffee table.

Watch December Discoveries tomorrow for some insight into our nativity.

Come Away With Me

2011-12-12T10:51:00.012-05:00

December 13

This entry is probably more suitable for a December discovery. Actually, it correlates with what the Lord gave me there. Cream cheese was being mixed in a bowl with fresh parsley and green onions. The combination of that spread with a fried egg, bacon, a slice of tomato and avocado were about to be laid out on toasted whole grain bread, but God said, "Come away with me right now." Obediently, I wandered off to a quiet spot with The Message Solo and turned to Day 151.

The title "When Disappointment Comes" and Bible book-Lamentations- were not signs that this was going to be a yippee, good ole time. Two phone calls and one email already had me pensive over the depth of hurt and heartache several of us, who loved each other dearly, are facing. But by faith, expecting God to show me something good I proceeded to read and before I headed back to sandwich making I was rejoicing that my God speaks.

Lamentations 3:19-30

It's a Good Thing to Hope for Help from God

I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom.

But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks.
It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God.
It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through the hard times.

When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear.
Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The "worst" is never the worst.

AMEN!

I don't want to rob your Christmas music time, so check this out!

Take time today and enter into His Presence with thanksgiving in your heart.

Enjoy the video below & allow the song's words to seep into your heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulY2KPmpMwk

A Mixed Bag Musically

2011-12-12T07:58:00.005-05:00

December 10-12

We worshipped at The Wave yesterday. It is a Hillsong church plant out of Australia. JOY filled is the phrase that stayed with me from the moment we entered the building until we drove away. Eleven children were dedicated to the Lord (2 of our grandchildren) and a passionate message on the Holy Spirit was preached. While I was not familiar with any of the music, the worship was infectious. To see our three year old grandson praising Jesus in such a setting thrilled my heart. Now the music can be a bit loud for the little ones so they provide headphones!

Forgive me Hillsong for not featuring one of your songs today, but as I stood there holding our grandson, watching the big screen flash pictures of God's galaxies, I whispered in this little fellow's ear....God made everyone of those stars and He took time to make you too. He loves you so much and has great plans for you!

So I am mixing up the bag of musical artists and leading you to Chris Tomlin's song called Glory in the Highest from his Christmas album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mFCXbhKaEQ

Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.

Luke 2:14

I Saw Three Ships

2011-12-09T08:46:00.006-05:00

December 9

Continuing with the music theme "I Saw Three Ships" is as close as I can get to my message for today. The link below with the song also has Christmas poems, jokes, etc and may lead you to something else to brighten your day.

http://www.carols.org.uk/i_saw_three_ships.htm

A thick fog covers the lake this morning and frost is on the ground. Glancing out my bathroom window I was amazed to see a tiny, white boat venturing out. It was quickly taken from my view in the dense fog. Why in the world would that person go out in conditions like that? Heading back into our bedroom I picked up Jesus Calling recalling a similar theme in today's entry.

"Be willing to go out on a limb with Me (Jesus). If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be. Your desire to live a risk-free life is a form of unbelief...In order to follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your tendency to play it safe....As long as you stay close to Me, My sovereign Presence protects you wherever you go."

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10

Hmm, better to be safe than sorry, doesn't apply when the Lord is in the lead.

A Baby Changes Everything

2011-12-06T07:36:00.005-05:00

December 8

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=DW6KZLNX&utm_source=GodTube%20Today&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12/06/2011

Faith Hill's Lyrics to A Baby Changes Everything are filled with truthful emotions.

Allow them to seep into your soul, devouring walls you may have built and crumble before God in honesty. Allow the Spirit to take what seems as loss and show you how to be found in Christ's love.

Unprepared for what has hit you?

Do dreams appeared to have shattered right before you?

Has a trust been betrayed?

Does the need to run seem the best way out...but where?

Cry out! Remember Mary and watch for a star, a shepherd an angel...

look to the baby who changes everything.

The Lyrics

Teenage girl, much too young

Unprepared for what's to come

A baby changes everything

Not a ring on her hand
All her dreams and all her plans
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

The man she loves she's never touched
How will she keep his trust?
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

And she cries! Ooh, she cries Ooh, oh

She has to leave, go far away
Heaven knows she can't stay
A baby changes everything

She can feel it's coming soon
There's no place, there's no room
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

And she cries! And she cries! Oh, she cries

Shepherds all gather 'round
Up above the star shines down
A baby changes everything

Choir of angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything
Everything, everything, everything

Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah

My whole life has turned around
I was lost but now I'm found
A baby changes everything, yeah
A baby changes everything

Joy to the World...God is at Work

2011-12-05T10:43:00.007-05:00

December 7

Anticipate the Workings of God was the title of Day 141 in The Message Solo devotional. Have I done that today? Have I lived with positive expectancy?

In Isaiah 65 are found these instructions:

Pay close attention now...

Look ahead with joy...

Anticipate what I'm creating.

Simeon and Anna did that...they watched closely and with joyous expectation anticipated the birth of Christ!

Are we paying close attention to the signs of the times? Are we joyful about the second coming of Christ? Do our hearts thrill at the creation of the New Jerusalem?

This season is about more than a baby who was born in a manger. It's a celebration of life everlasting.

Philippians 1:12 states: The things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.

Paul, could put all the pain and persecution behind him, because of the purpose for which they were produced!

Joy to the World the Lord has come and will come again!

Where's the Line to See Jesus

2011-12-05T08:12:00.005-05:00

December 6

Ok, so this is looking like a songfest blog! Bring on the Christmas Carols..old and new.

Thanks to sweet Aunt Ruby, from Nashville, who read this blog for sending the story behind this thought provoking song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium

While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "where's the line to see Jesus"?

My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response from friends. He sent the song off to Nashville without much response, except for a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus. My dad then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it. I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better, and we headed to Shock City Studios. It was at the studio where Chris, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus... with goose bumps and emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt like we had something special. The demo was recorded in just under 2 hours and sent off

again to Nashville... still no response. Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from people all over asking for the music, CD's, iTunes, anything... we had nothing. After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, we got serious. We headed back into the studio this past spring... this time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs... the real deal.... and here we are today.

Getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come together... remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you. Merry Christmas everyone.

Remember to pop over to the special December blog....

http://decemberdiscoveries.blogspot.com/

Bethlehemian Rhapsody

2011-12-05T08:10:00.000-05:00

December 5

The beauty of the voices in the opening of this puppet show sent a shiver through my body. I love the diversity of the ways there are to share about Jesus.

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=KG7GGLNX&utm_source=GodTube%20Must-See%20Video&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12/02/2011

An All About Jesus Tree

2011-12-03T11:20:00.003-05:00

Getting into the Word and remembering who is "The Word" I felt it appropriate to have a tree that tells a story of Jesus...it is His birthday we celebrate! Snowmen melt, reindeer die and bells on bobtails are limited in the longevity of joy they shower, but Jesus...He lasts forever.

It will be next year, before all the desired ornaments are gathered in. I prefer to buy them half price after Christmas. A few already inhabit our holiday closet! Click under the Jesus Tree link above for the list I've come up with so far.

Also, check out our daughter in laws blog www.thoseandrews.blogspot.com for some great recommendations on Keeping Christ in Christmas!

Simeon: A Song of Hope

2011-11-30T11:47:00.007-05:00

December 3-4

"The rewards are worth the wait."

One of my closest friends has battled cancer for 8 years and during that time, God has graciously extended her the opportunity to see her children graduate from college, get jobs and her daughters be married. Now she longs for the day she will become a grandmother and is waiting and walking alongside a daughter with infertility issues and a very difficult pregnancy. Holding this baby boy in their arms will so be worth the wait.

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. Luke 2:29-32

That passage refers to an spirit filled, elderly, gentleman named Simeon, who along with his Anna, spent his whole life waiting for God's promise called, the consolation of Israel. Salvation through Jesus. Simeon was ready to die in peace after seeing the Christ child! What a challenge to not tire of waiting for the redemption of the world, but to be prayer warriors for many to come to Christ.

Who is it we need to pray for today to come to know Jesus? Sing a song of hope!

Mary Sang a Song of Trust

2011-11-29T08:24:00.004-05:00

December 2

Of all the personalities in the Christmas story, being a mom, I think Mary is the one I relate to the most. Each time I study the scenarios she was faced with I am awed by her faith and joyful obedience. Joseph had a pretty good attitude himself. OK, so the angel encounters probably helped increase their faith! I can't recall the site where I saw this study, but under the Mary chapter was this quote: "Like Mary, we can move from anxiety to adoration."

Mary had a great attitude, which birthed from her trust in the Lord. Look around your circle of friends, and rejoice and be strengthen through their faith in the forest.

Luke 1:46-55 Mary’s Song

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things,
but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

The Angels Song of Peace

2011-11-29T08:18:00.006-05:00

December 1

There is a peace that passes understanding available to us through our relationship with the Lord. One of the comforts of our faith is the realization that God created specific beings called angels to watch over us. And whew wee, do I look forward to hearing them sing!

A favorite song of mine, "Amen" was sung as the recessional at our daughter's wedding. The artist, Debbie Forrest, has this chorus in the lyrics, "And the angels sang Hallelujah!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh6vol-AJWc

Put on some Christmas carols today and be like the angels as you sing to the Lord!

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14

I have a new project in the works...it is an "All About Jesus Tree". Will post soon.

Zechariah's Song of Faith

2011-11-29T08:07:00.007-05:00

November 30

Looking for a good study on Advent, I came across a Bible study, which could be downloaded for $20, on various songs that were sung related to the awaiting of the Savior. The four chapters titles themselves were free food for thought, so I wanted to pass these titles and their scripture references along this week for you to feed upon as you await the day we celebrate our Savior's birth.

Theme One

Zechariah's Song of Faith in Luke 1-"Even in silence God is at work."

Giddy up horsie! We do not like to wait and when God is silent we initiate thoughts which bring his character and existence into question. Yesterday, I share a magnificent answer to prayer with a new believer...I left out the timetable...it was 5 years before that prayer was answered. Also, quite often we do not like to be silent ourselves and activate the instructions in James 1:19. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

The temple priest, Zechariah (father of John the Baptist) didn't have much of a choice with that one. Literally struck dumb, he had to wait in silence during his wife's pregnancy. Disbelief that he and his wife could have a child, due to his age, brought about a request for a sign to uphold the prophecy he had heard from an angel. Here's your sign! God was still up to good in Zechariah's speechless life and influencing the lives of those around him and even us today.

Luke 1:67-79

⁶⁷ His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:⁶⁸ “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. ⁶⁹ He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David ⁷⁰ (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), ⁷¹ salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us ⁷² to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, ⁷³ the oath he swore to our father Abraham: ⁷⁴ to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear ⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.⁷⁶ And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, ⁷⁷ to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, ⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven ⁷⁹ to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

The Old Testament prophet, Zechariah, prophesied about the coming of the Savior.

Zechariah means, "God has remembered."

Daily Devotion

2011-11-28T23:03:00.004-05:00

November 29

The best part of a daily devotional, beside the discipline, is getting into the Word and allowing the Lord to lead you. It is so exciting to see God take the same string of words and minister in a variety of ways to a diverse range of people. Where I thought we were headed today took a turn and instead I've nibbled again and again on the message in 1 Chronicles 16.

My heart's desire has been to "be still" before the Christmas tree at least once a day, while it is up and truly keep Christ at the center of Christmas. This passage maps out a game plan of possibilities for our Christmas gatherings. I've placed in bold some of the elements we may want to include as we gather together with those we love in the name of Christ and celebrate his birth during this time of year, remembering how blessed we are to be Christians.

1 Chronicles 16 Ministering Before the Ark

¹ They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. ² After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. ³ Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each Israelite man and woman.

⁴ He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to extol, thank, and praise the LORD, the God of Israel: ...They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, ⁶ and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

⁷ That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the LORD in this manner:⁸ Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. ⁹ Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. ¹⁰ Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. ¹¹ Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.¹² Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, ¹³ you his servants, the descendants of Israel, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. ¹⁴ He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.¹⁵ He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations, ¹⁶ the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. ¹⁷ He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: ¹⁸ “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.”¹⁹ When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it, ²⁰ they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. ²¹ He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings: ²² “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.”²³ Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. ²⁴ Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. ²⁵ For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. ²⁶ For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. ²⁷ Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.²⁸ Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

²⁹ Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. ³⁰ Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. ³¹ Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” ³² Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! ³³ Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.³⁴ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. ³⁵ Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.” ³⁶ Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.” ³⁷ David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements. ³⁸ He also left Obed-Edom and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were gatekeepers.

³⁹ David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon ⁴⁰ to present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law of the LORD, which he had given Israel. ⁴¹ With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, “for his love endures forever.” ⁴²Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

⁴³ Then all the people left, each for their own home, and David returned home to bless his family.

Making a List

2011-11-28T07:52:00.004-05:00

November 28

He's making a list and checking it twice. That is what is said of Santa. God has a list too and He longs for your name to be on it.

Referring to the New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:27 says:

Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

As we make our Christmas lists, let's be sure there is something Christ centered in this season of waiting called Advent. Slow the pace and enjoy the people who God has placed in your life.

Seasonal Changes

2011-11-27T12:35:00.007-05:00

November 26-27

The turkeys, leaves and gourds are being packed up and one of our sons is taking the pumpkins out to the rifle range for target practice...more than likely that is where our pumpkin patch will grow next year. :)

While we still have a little man power left around here, they are suggesting we put up the tree tonight and move into the season of Advent. My best friend is lying here on the bed beside me snoring away and may beg to differ!

The intensity of the seasons of our love for the Lord may strengthen and wane, but the basis for our love is simple and remains steadfast in our hearts waiting to be ignited no matter the season of life.

God is love. 1 John 4:16

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

Thanksgiving Medley

2011-11-23T05:24:00.019-05:00

November 24-25

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5 NIV

Hope you take a few minutes to click on this link and sing a couple quick hymns of thanksgiving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3dXCL34aEA

Challenge yourself or those with whom you've gathered, to take the letters in thanksgiving and share a scripture which highlights a word beginning with that particular letter. Also, take the letters and name things or individuals whose names begin with that letter that you are thankful for.

T- Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...Pr. 3:5

H-Now honor the LORD, the God of your ancestors, and do his will. Ezra 10:11

A-He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully...Luke 4:10

N- The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Psalm 23:1

K- Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9

S-Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. Psalm 30:4

G-Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

I-I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 9:1

V-But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15:57

I-I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Ps. 91:2

N-Narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:14

G-Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3

The Gathering Room

2011-11-23T05:03:00.007-05:00

November 23

Does your home have a gathering room? Terminology changes over time. If you are shopping for a home your realtor my show you a home with a bonus room, a keeping room, a great room, a hearth room...probably won't refer to the parlor anymore, but they may rave about the gathering room. More times than not, I think the kitchen becomes the gathering room in homes!

Wherever you gather this Thanksgiving, remember God has designed you for a purpose and has something for you to offer! You may have baked a pie, brought flowers for the table, be the lap to hold a baby, the one to take out the trash or maybe you will be sitting by the bedside of a loved one, simply holding their hand in a time of need.

1 Corinthians 14:26
So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight.

Psalm 111:1
Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got— Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. God's works are so great, worth A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment! Splendor and beauty mark his craft; His generosity never gives out. His miracles are his memorial— This God of Grace, this God of Love.

Lyrics for hymn...We Gather Together

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing;
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be;
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

More Real Simple Verses

2011-11-19T06:08:00.003-05:00

November 22

Me oh my...holiday time can be stressful. Whether out shopping, traveling or having a houseful, apply these four "real simple" steps to your life, as you face the hustle bustle of this time of year.

Cast, forgive, trust, and rejoice!

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Matthew 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Real Simple Verses

2011-11-19T05:59:00.007-05:00

November 21

Here are some "real simple" life changing concepts in addition to the 10 commandments.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

Romans 8:39
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—

Real Simple

2011-11-19T05:41:00.004-05:00

November 19-20

The name on the caller ID read...."Real Simple". Had I not been the recipient of a year's subscription to this delightful magazine, I am not sure I would have had a clue what was behind this call. With that term "real simple" on my mind this morning I thought it would be fun to challenge you this weekend to select some scriptures that you find to be real simple! You know, cut and dry.

As we enter this week of Thanksgiving, maybe you will want to print off some of these verses and put them in a basket to share with others and simply thank God for the Word he has given us. I will try to post more as the week progresses. Email me some of your choices.

Here are a few real simple steps to becoming a Christian:

1) Admit you are in the "all" category.

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

2) Accept the gift God has so graciously provided.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord

3) Activate your faith life by following these steps.

Romans 10:9

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Filling In The Cracks

2011-11-17T08:06:00.006-05:00

November 18

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52

Rubbing face cream into my dried out old skin, I looked at my wrinkle lines and thought...."I wish this cream could just fill in the cracks!"

There are cracks in our souls...actually, for many there are craters...empty spaces achingly causing us to feel incomplete, so we tackle the tactic of fulfillment taking up the wrong tools.

Food, drugs, alcohol, exercise, shopping, promiscuity, pornography, books, movies, work, volunteering, fleeing...grabbing for whatever seems to be the most enticing technique to take away the God given void designed with the intent of drawing us to Him.

We can poor water, peanut butter or perfume in our fuel tanks, but there will be no acceleration from our vehicles. For our lives to run smoothly, we need to feed our souls the right food!

For years in our kitchen I had a glass jar of rocks and a glass jar of sand. It was a reminder that if I put the big thing (Rock) "God" in my day first, then the little things (sand) will fill in around Him. If we fill our day up with the little things...there isn't much room for God. He just gets stuck on the top, as an after thought, and doesn't dwell deep down inside us where our joy is made complete.

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. 1 John 1:3-5

Simple Sheets

2011-11-17T07:22:00.003-05:00

November 17

Traveling through the rain and fog yesterday I made my way to the city to purchase some bedding for what we hope will eventually be our overflow bedroom again. (It housed 2 sets of bunk beds and 2 trundle beds, had an extra mattress for the floor, so we could sleep 7). We are giving away our 25 year old bunk beds to Habitat for Humanity and simplifying the room, but the process has not been simple.

Trying to save a buck and take advantage of the Veteran's day sales has about done me in online and in the stores. Finding 3 matches sets of sheets, shams and comforters hasn't been easy. Then you add matching colors and I've finally realized this is not of eternal value and bought white sheets!

Reading in Jesus Calling this morning, I laughed.

"Be content to be a simple sheep." I read it "simple sheet"!

I am not content with the condition our home is in right now....but I need to learn to be!

Trouble and anguish have found and taken hold on me, yet Your commandments are my delight. Psalm 119:143

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12

Do You Love Me?

2011-11-16T00:03:00.002-05:00

November 16
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30

A friend and I were studying in Beth Moore's Breaking Free study and came to a session on God's love and our love for God. The message was very convicting as it challenged us to ponder if we loved God in the way He calls us to love him with a deep, sold out, reverent, agape love.
Looking into John 21, where three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him, Moore explained that in the first two references Jesus asked if Peter agape loved him. Peter's responses each time were that he phileo (brotherly love) loved Him.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” John 21:15

Moore made the point that we can follow Christ and love Him with a brotherly love and slide along through life life or we can be radically sold out and love Christ obediently, with sacrificial, agape love, laying it all down for Christ as He laid it all out on the cross for us.
Peter came to realize there was a big difference. The cock crowing that third time was a real wake up call for Peter.
May our souls be awakened to be sold out for our Savior!

I think I am tired silly...here comes a song....
Do you love me, do you love me? Do you love me, do you love me? Do you love me with your heart, mind and soul....yea...love me now!

Old Reliable

2011-11-15T05:41:00.004-05:00

November 15

The restoration process in our home project has been a daily roller coaster. Someone will say they will show up and then either call to cancel or just not come at all. There is one contractor who has been here seven days a week, plodding away at everything from tile, plastering, plumbing to electrical when a sub doesn't show up. Walking into the room where he was putting drywall onto a ceiling late yesterday, I told him the latest news that a tile helper had just cancelled. With an amazing attitude he said, "Old Reliable" is right here!

Immediately, I thought of the Lord's ability to be omnipresent in our lives. We can be quick to feel abandoned, but in reality our Creator is right there with us, waiting for us to acknowledge His presence and our need for Him.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9

Peace Sign

2011-11-14T02:37:00.003-05:00

November 14

The digital clock shines out an orange glow stating it is 2:36AM. Whether it is a hot flash, the severe pain in my lower back from injuring it once again, or the anxiety of the mess our home is in from this SLOW restoration, I am not sure, but I've bagged praying I can go back to sleep and decided to get up and hang out with the Lord.

As my eyes opened they looked up to the ceiling and saw where the moonlight shining in through the windows had caused a couple of the blades from our ceiling fan to make a peace sign on the ceiling. God was reminding me, "I am your peace."

Jesus Calling warms my soul as I read "As you sit quietly in My Presence, your awareness of My Life within you is heightened. This produces the Joy of the Lord, which is your strength. I, the God of hope fills you with all Joy and Peace as you trust in Me, so that you may bubble over with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

These are the verses, from which this paragraph was taken. Tweak it a bit and we can have an awesome prayer for our lives.

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope. Romans 15:13 (AMP)

I think I will pull out my mental prayer list and pray myself back to sleep, since God is up and ready to listen!

For those of you reading this, know that I have prayed for God to be your Peace today.

Prone to Wander

2011-11-12T09:02:00.009-05:00

Couple of our boys wandering around Lake Tahoe

The yard I like to wander around!

November 12-13

I laughed when the Lord put the phrase "prone to wander" on my heart this morning! This time of year in Franklin County, VA people like to wander through the woods and hunt. That is why it is not a suggested time for construction work, because many of the workers wandered off the jobs to go hunting! :) It's a dead give away that a student has wandered off the path to school if there is a deer hanging out the back of their pick-up truck!

The hymn Come Thy Fount of Many Blessings has a lyric which says we are prone to wander and leave the One we love. It is so easy to walk away from God. The Israelites had gotten so good at it, that God left them to wander in the desert for forty years. In our day, there are so many tempting offers calling us to set God aside and pursue self. Take a look at what four Bible authors have to say about wandering and commit this day to stay close to the Lord.

The sound of voices comes drifting out of the hills, the unhappy sound of Israel's crying, Israel lamenting the wasted years, never once giving her God a thought. "Come back, wandering children! I can heal your wanderlust! Jeremiah 3:21

Be good to your servant, God; be as good as your Word. Train me in good common sense; I'm thoroughly committed to living your way. Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place, but now I'm in step with your Word. You are good, and the source of good; train me in your goodness. The godless spread lies about me, but I focus my attention on what you are saying; They're bland as a bucket of lard, while I dance to the tune of your revelation. My troubles turned out all for the best— they forced me to learn from your textbook. Truth from your mouth means more to me than striking it rich in a gold mine.

Psalm 119:65

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, James 5:19

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:9-11

If you are wondering about wandering, be willing to wait!

Serendipity

2011-11-11T05:36:00.005-05:00

November 11

Wikipedia defines Serendipity this way: "when someone finds something that he wasn't expecting to find. The word has been voted as one of the ten English words that were hardest to translate in June 2004 by a British translation company. In the simplest of words, it means a "happy accident" or a "pleasant surprise".

A young woman who has been coming here the past couple weeks for encouragement found something yesterday. I am not sure what she was looking for, but she found Jesus and prayed, asking Him to come into her heart. W00t! Woot! It doesn't get better than that!

We have a Christian comedian coming in from California tonight who is performing at the Christian School where my husband is head master. What a pleasant surprise it would be if he was an excellent tile worker, dry waller, plumber, and painter and was elated to knock out the rest of our restoration work here on Saturday before his show!

Whew, looking over my prayer list, I'd like to see some serendipitous moments popping up in the lives on that list. They wouldn't really be serendipitous though would they, they'd be answered prayer!

While the verse below is a pleasant surprise for sinners, it is not a happy accident, it is a well thought out sacrifice for which we will be eternally grateful.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Come Before Winter-Tough Days

2011-11-10T07:53:00.004-05:00

November 10

Startled by something unknown, I awakened at 1:30AM. Looking out my window the stars were shining brightly in the sky. "Come Before Winter" is the phrase on my mind. Huh? I remembered a Charles Swindoll book, copyright 1985, by that name and began to hunt for it this morning, hoping for more insight into this thought. Hmm, our son and his wife live in Minnesota, maybe we are supposed to go visit again before winter hits! :)

The sub title of the book is Come Before Winter and Share My Hope. Opening the book to its center I peered into to see if the devos were laid out by date. They weren't but the one I opened to was "Tough Days". It intrigued me enough to read on.

Swindoll recalls the the quote..."Cheer up, things could get worse." He says, "So I cheered up-and sure enough, things got worse!" Also, written down is "My mother told me there would be days like these, but she never said they would run in packs."

We've all experienced..."when it rains it pours" times in our lives. How do we trod through?

Swindoll suggested four threads to hold us together from Galatians 6

Let us not lose heart. (v.9)

Let us do good. (v.10)

Let no one cause you trouble. (v.17)

Let grace be with your spirit (v.18)

Let's weave together a plan for facing Tough Days!

Topsy Turvy

2011-11-08T07:12:00.005-05:00

November 9
Here's something that happens all the time and makes no sense at all: Good people get what's coming to the wicked, and bad people get what's coming to the good. I tell you, this makes no sense. It's smoke. Ecclesiastes 8:14

In my home town there was a local amusement park. What I thought to be one of the worst rides was called the egg beater. I never entered either of the cages on the ends of the axle, because I had heard a rumor a snake was found in one of them once. That did it for me! The operator was used to hearing screams coming from that ride, so even if someone was screaming "snake" I doubt he would stop.

There are occurrences in this topsy turvy world which we need to be screaming "stop" over, but the fear of what others might think, the fear of repercussions, or of losing a friendship often keeps our mouths shut to the destruction we see around us.

The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It's written,

I'll turn conventional wisdom on its head,
I'll expose so-called experts as crackpots.
So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn't God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation. I Corinthians 1:18-21

We hold tightly to the One who makes total sense! Jesus!

Windows

2011-11-08T06:52:00.006-05:00

November 8

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

The word from the Lord yesterday morning was "window". Taking that to Biblegateway, none of the 27 verses in the NIV seemed applicable. (Lordy, lordy, none of the three rooms which are demolished here have windows...pray, tell,....we are not supposed to put in a window are we?)

Certain of there was some relevance to the word, I decided to search The Message and there were to verses well worth chewing on today.

A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out. Proverbs 25:28

Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have! Matthew 6:22

Before the sun was up and I was seeking the Lord for the purpose in the "window" word. Grabbing my camera, I decided to check out the view from a few windows in the house through the camera lens. I had contemplated that in life we have open windows, windows of opportunity, window views, Windows related to computers; there are window boxes, window coverings, window displays, window screens, window seats, and more. What I found in the photographs was encouragement through a reflective light which was apparent in all the photos. No matter which window I looked for the light of the Lord shined back, reminding me He is everywhere!

Clear Out Debris and Clutter

2011-11-07T06:58:00.005-05:00

November 7

If you read Sunday's devotional "Getting Real", you are aware I was hoping to be able to skip today and get on with the mess we are in. I wasn't skipping my quiet time with God, just you all! :) Opening today's devotional in Jesus Calling my jaw dropped with the confirmation on those pages. Yesterday, I'd referred to the "letting go of control" lesson I sensed the Lord trying to teach me. Today I read: "I am working My ways in you: the divine Artist creating loveliness within your being. My main work is to clear out debris and clutter," (you have got to be kidding me) "making room for My Spirit to take full possession. Collaborate with Me in this effort by being willing to let go of anything I choose to take away. I know what you need, and I have promised to provide all of that-abundantly! Your sense of security must not rest in your possessions or in things going your way. I am training you to depend on Me alone, finding fulfillment in My Presence. This entails being satisfied with much or with little, accepting either as My will for the moment instead of grasping and controlling, you are learning to release and receive. Cultivate this receptive stance by trusting Me in every situation."

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4

Opening my email, early this morning, my eyes were drawn to a link from my husband. He was reading My Utmost for Your Highest and was blown away by God's personal message for us. By simply absorbing (you can tell I've been in a wet mess with that word coming to mind) two devotional messages with their scriptures this morning, my heart is changed to God's mindset. By the time this process is complete at least twenty people will have come to Shiloh related to this mess and I will have talked to several others on the phone. I've already missed some opportunities, but I will back track and try to find them. I am typing up a special devotional, giving each person one of Betty Ashton's CD and explaining that God has put it on my heart to pray for them. Please lift me up, as I die to self and try to live for the Lord through this experience.

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God . . .

—Romans 8:28

"The circumstances of a saint’s life are ordained of God. In the life of a saint there is no such thing as chance. God by His providence brings you into circumstances that you can’t understand at all, but the Spirit of God understands. God brings you to places, among people, and into certain conditions to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you. Never put yourself in front of your circumstances and say, “I’m going to be my own providence here; I will watch this closely, or protect myself from that.” All your circumstances are in the hand of God, and therefore you don’t ever have to think they are unnatural or unique. Your part in intercessory prayer is not to agonize over how to intercede, but to use the everyday circumstances and people God puts around you by His providence to bring them before His throne, and to allow the Spirit in you the opportunity to intercede for them. In this way God is going to touch the whole world with His saints."

New Layout

2011-11-06T17:25:00.002-05:00

A Hunting we will go! Love this picture of our grandson gearing up for his first hunting trip.

The new template is a bit much. I will work on toning that day later this week.

Getting Real

2011-11-06T08:38:00.005-05:00

November 6-7

Sundays are normally my day of rest from writing, but to be perfectly honest I'd like to write to say I am permanently signing off. Instead of making an excuse and fa la la ing saying I'm just going to chill this week and enjoy the fall leaves, I am going to be real, because that is why most of you say you read this blog.

Working steadily along, I've been excited about Thanksgiving and most of the children being home. Having everyone together is so much fun and I love getting the house ready for the holidays. So therein lies the target zone the enemy likes to hit...the house and family hospitality.

What began as a simple shower remodel, expanded into two complete bathroom remodels when damage from a leaky toilet was found. A tile man told me to call the insurance company who would cover a great deal of the cost and that he could have this job complete by Nov. 11th.

Last week was a bummer as the tile man backed out on the job, the wrong tile arrived and the insurance company refused to cover a penny. Two bathrooms stripped bare and the living room is full of grout, tile, toilets, sinks and a tub...not to mention the dust coating the house and our teeth!

Crying out to the Lord, he quickly sent a new contractor and the plumber is set to arrive tomorrow. Settling in yesterday to watch some football with my husband and knit, it seemed possible we would meet our deadline and I could leave Sunday for a baby sitting gig in Nashville. Then Moses, our dog, began to bark frantically downstairs. Calm and collectedly, one of our sons walked into the room and said, "There appears to be a leak downstairs." Rushing down the steps into our bunk bed/craft/gift wrapping room water poured from the ceiling. My husband rushed to cut off the main water valve and my son and I began taking things (like wrapped Christmas presents and childhood pictures) out of the room. We covered the 4 beds with plastic and stood dumbfounded as to what was wrong. I headed for the phone to contact our plumber who was 3 hours away on a mountain hunting, yet answered my call. Whispering, he compassionately said, "I won't be down your way before midnight." Of course this would occur on a Saturday afternoon.

Four hours into this endeavor the ceiling had been ripped down, sinks, ice makers, a hot water heater, etc. had been checked out trying to unveil the culprit.

Jesus Calling read on November 4th..."The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from Me. This is a training opportunity, since I designed you for deep dependence on your Shepherd-King. Challenging times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing My help.

Whew, something woke me up last night and it was fear, overwhelmingness (not sure that is a word), and a lack of control in this situation. This morning I wept at the mess before us and I prayed for the many people who have endured fires, floods and hurricanes/tornadoes. Not wanting to participate in life today, I heeded my husband's urging to listen to today's sermon. It began this way...."There are valleys in our life and people can lose heart. Don't lose heart! It's impossible to avoid the valley, but you don't have to go through it alone."

There was a knock at the door around 7PM as the restoration company showed up last night. There standing in our doorway was a godly, godly man from our home church in Roanoke. I stood staring at him wondering why he was at our door. He likewise was rather surprised for he didn't know whose house he was coming to. He explained he was here to help with the clean-up. He said, "Let me in girl, I'm not the devil!"

God will get some glory through all of this. It certainly isn't what I planned to do this week, but may His will be done.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

PS. If I don't get back on tomorrow, maybe the Lord will let this count for Monday! :)

Remodel

2011-11-05T07:24:00.002-04:00

November 5-6
Remodeling bathrooms is one big mess. A lot of tearing out needs to occur first and that process is really messy. There have been times I wished we had never found the leaky toilet and damage, but I know we must persevere and the end product will be much better than what we had before.
Sound like anything familiar in our own lives? Remodeling resembles repentance! Repentance is not enjoyable, but brings about a refreshing, resuscitated end product.

So today we allow Jesus to access the damage we have created in our souls by allowing sin in. Whether it takes chisels, saws or wrecking balls we lay ourselves bare for the reconstructing process to begin by tearing out the old mess and making a new creation!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Thwarted Plans

2011-11-04T09:30:00.002-04:00

November 4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Picking up Jesus Calling, yesterday I was so encouraged and had to take a dose of the very same ministry medicine that I had dished out to a friend the day before. Whew, wee...I am so thankful for those life lines that Jesus tosses to us! I thought the trials of the day before were a downer, but yesterday the level of intensity deepened in the "life isn't far" discouragement category and I started to sink...ok, actually weep. An insurance adjuster came to the door and was rather aggressive and intimidating at first. I looked at him and said, "I have a young woman in a crisis downstairs, a friend whose grand baby just had to have his head drilled into and they have found a brain tumor and my tile man just backed out on me with this bathroom mess. Just warning you, I am about to burst into tears." He became a lot nicer!

When he left I returned downstairs where we were watching Beth Moore's video series, "Breaking Free" and it hit me. I was being tested. My words had to become my actions and when they did, God delivered me from my mess in a way only he could have!

Jesus Calling reads:

"Every time something thwarts your plans or desires, use that as a reminder to communicate with Me. This practice has several benefits. The first is obvious: Talking with Me blesses you and strengthens our relationship. Another benefit is that disappointments, instead of dragging you down, are transformed into opportunities for good. This transformation removes the sting from difficult circumstances, making it possible to be joyful in the midst of adversity. Begin by practicing this discipline in all the little disappointments of daily life. It is often these minor setbacks that draw you away from My Presence. When you reframe setbacks as opportunities, you find that you gain much more than you have lost."

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? Hebrews 12:7

My new saying is to put on the Armor of God each day before you put on fresh panties!

Prayer Resuscitates

2011-11-02T22:49:00.007-04:00

November 3

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

A leaky toilet has brought damage to our bathroom. Yesterday, I waited for two delivery trucks, a plumber and an electrician who all said they were coming. One delivery truck came and no one else. The frustration level was high and the day felt wasted. The other episode of waiting was on more of an emotional level. A dear friend's eleven month old grandson was undergoing a biopsy to see if he has a brain tumor. She called once to say the surgery had been delayed and then the second call came with the news he did in fact have a tumor.

This sweet family has lived out Colossians 4:2 for several months now and even with this news this grandmother was trusting in the Lord to be her strength and to stay thankful.

Feeling like Pigpen in the Peanuts Cartoon, I, on the other hand, allowed a cloud to come over me and suffocate my joy. There is an online devotional called Wisdom Hunters and today’s message held within it an excellent word picture. The phrase “resuscitated by our Savior Jesus” places a powerful image in our minds for us to be able to pull up when we feel as if we are being suffocated. It continued:

But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2

The raging waves of the world’s worries crash against the shore of our soul... Life is loud, and, sometimes, its deafening tones tune out our trust in God. Only in silence can our soul be resuscitated by our Savior Jesus. He works wonders when we wait before Him. We are clamorous without Christ, but by grace our soul is subdued and soothed. Calm and contentment come forth by faith, when we are stilled and quieted before Christ. One example is the emotional word picture of parental love.

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem (Isaiah 66:13)

Tail Lights

2011-11-02T08:17:00.006-04:00

November 2

Adrian Rogers' Ministry, Love Worth Finding, broadcast a great message yesterday on choosing to follow the Lord. http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/love-worth-finding/

He told a story about following a friend to a destination and all he had to do was follow the tail lights of the car. His message was based on Joshua 3:3: giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.

God gave Moses a set of tail lights, by which to lead the Israelites, in the form of a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire.

By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

Exodus 13:21

The task is a little more difficult for us, first off because it goes against our natural grain of serving self and setting selfish desires. Did you hop out of bed this morning and say, "Lord, lead me. I am ready to go wherever you direct me. Your will, not mine."?

God has made me shift my gears and turn in a totally different direction than I had anticipated for this week, but as I view what He is leading me into, it is filled with His purposes and will bring him much more glory than what I had on the calendar.

Meeting Your Needs

2011-11-01T08:02:00.004-04:00

November 1

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Ugh! I just had one of those late for the airport, gonna miss my flight dreams. The details are so vivid. There was road construction and we were in a left turn lane, which had been closed. My husband was driving, so I got out of the car, walked across the highway and asked a construction worker for permission for our car to turn. In the meantime another worker forced my husband to go forward, but I didn't see that. Waiting and waiting for him to turn I began concerned when he didn't show up, but I didn't have my cell phone. We were in an unfamiliar area, but I new this was the road to the airport so I began to walk. Looking down I had on one black shoe and one brown shoe. Along the way I hit an icy patch and slide down a hill getting mud all over my pants. I ended up on a college campus, walked past a rugby team and finally found a man who would allow me to use his phone. Reuniting with my husband, we finally made it to the airport, but had to run and run through the concourse and missed the flight. Waking up, I realized I've overslept and am probably going to miss an appointment myself this morning. Whew, I need some praise music to soothe my soul!

Yesterday, I was walking with a young single mom. She was so excited because her babies father has just returned from the Middle East and she and her child were going to see him this weekend. There was concern in her voice though, because she had heard he'd been in the states for a week but didn't call her. Her heart's desire was that when he saw them this weekend, he would want to marry her and be the best dad ever to this precious baby. We talked about so often God's ways are not our ways, but when our hearts' desires line up with God's will He is more likely to answer our prayers. Certainly it would be God's desire for her to have a loving godly husband and father for her baby, but this fellow may not be the one and she needed to trust God. She nodded in agreement, but had her fairy tale ending in place. Praying together before I got out of her car, she seemed to have a peace. Two hours later, I received a text!

Her soldier had called! Unfortunately, he called to tell her he had met someone else and fallen in love while overseas and was bringing this woman home to meet his parents this weekend, so he didn't want her to be there with the baby. The fairytale became a nightmare, but God had prepared her two hours earlier with the things we talked about. So, instead this weekend we are going to church together and we are believing God can work all things together for good.

Now I've got to get myself in gear and out of here, double checking to see if my shoes match.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us to Hm be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Ephesians 3:20-21

"We can confidently journey on our path of life, knowing that we have an all-knowing, unerring, and loving Guide." Henry Gariepy

Trick or Treat

2011-10-30T22:01:00.007-04:00

October 31

Yesterday, as I was looking for whipping cream in the grocery case my eyes settled on a dairy product in an Almond Joy flavor. It didn't say exactly what you were supposed to do with it, but I surmised it was a coffee creamer. I've never had a cup of coffee, but I really love Almond Joys and I like hot chocolate, so I was thinking I could use it in some way to enhance my hot chocolate. As I unpacked my groceries I was curious about this product, so I took a swig. It was tasty, so I had another swig and placed it in the refrigerator. Before all the groceries had been put away, I was feeling rather nauseous and guessed it was from consuming the Almond Joy juice, straight up, on an empty stomach. My treat, tricked me!

There are many things in life which are enticing, but in the end trick us and are not the treats we thought them to be. When we take our last breath and step to the other side, we will be in for a trick (rude awakening) or a treat (the heavenly realm)?

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1

The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Psalm 12:15

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Proverbs 4:18-20

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matthew 24:42

Call Upon the Father

2011-10-28T10:01:00.004-04:00

October 29-30

Call Upon the Father

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18

For years we lived in our hometown where our parents were. It was such a blessing for our children to see their grandparents on a regular basis and for us to have the support of our parents. My husband and his father coached football and basketball together for twenty years.

My father, who's occupation was a road builder, has a brilliant engineer's mind and has helped us design everything from home additions and play grounds, to bridges across our creek.

Growing up help was always just a phone call away. Even if he was away bidding a large highway job, he had an office staff, work crew and heavy equipment to solve any problem. We had a small elevator in our home growing up and I remember my mother getting stuck in it and telling me to call Carl, one of the best of the company's superintendents. He arrived and had her out on no time! Those were the good ole days!

The next generation has come along and one of our sons is a builder, but lives five hours away.

He came a few weeks ago to start us on two bathroom remodels. I've become a regular DIYer and learned online to take out sinks, vanities, toilets, shower doors and old tile! There have been many times I wished I could just call my Father and help would be on the way.

Our heavenly Father, may not have a whole construction crew readily at our disposal, but He cares about all the messes we get ourselves into and will show us a way out. I'm pretty pooped from all this work and on a deadline with 18 coming here for the Thanksgiving holiday (we need our bathrooms...it's too cold to bathe in the Lake). I decided to get a bid for someone else to paint the upstairs bathroom as it needed the ceiling done as well. An older gentleman and his wife arrived. They gave a very reasonable quote and he said, "I will be here in the morning."

Moses took right to John, who explained he loved animals and had four dogs....are you ready for their names....Jacob, Joshua, Moses and Gabriel. Hmm, I called out to the Lord to provide help and he sent a very sweet spirit?

Journey Proud

2011-10-28T08:58:00.002-04:00

October 27

This week my husband has been out of town attending a conference. Wednesday morning, when he was quietly finishing his packing in the wee hours of the morning, I called out to him..."Are you journey proud?" "Am I what?" he replied. Laughingly, I said, "I don't know, that is something my mother and grandmother used to say. I guess it means are you excited about your trip?" Then it hit both of us! As believers, we are journey proud, for we are headed for the ultimate destination. A journey beyond comparison!

My mother looked forward to heaven. The verses she wanted read at her funeral were

John 14:1-3. On my calendar that year, which had a daily scripture verse, was this reference the day she died. God is so good!

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God;believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:2-3

What a gift we give to our family and friends when we let them know we are journey proud concerning our upcoming trip to heaven!

Fall in love with Jesus

2011-10-27T09:01:00.006-04:00

October 27

The frothy whipped cream atop my steamy hazelnut hot chocolate left a mustache above my lip that our bulldog longed to lick off. The sun had left our yard and was shinning on the tree tops across the lake, so there was a chill in the air. Being alone this particular evening I looked at Moses and said, "Let's grab my Bible and steal away with Jesus." Wrapping a raggedly knitted scarf, which I made years ago, around my neck I grabbed a cozy blanket and we headed for the hammock. (Getting Moses in that hammock was a feat!)

I opened my Bible to Isaiah 43:1-4 and felt the love!

Isaiah 43 When You're Between a Rock and a Hard Place

But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel:
"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you!
I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.

How quickly we forget the magnitude of the love of the Father. Let's just stop and tell God how much we love Jesus.

Time Investment

2011-10-26T07:22:00.007-04:00

October 26

By two o'clock I was missing my husband greatly. Mondays seem like such long days. The weather was gorgeous, but I was stuck inside on a major clean up project in our furnace/storage room. When he walked through the front door, I suggested we hit the hammock before the sun went down. Serenity now! We rocked back and forth and recapped our days for each other and pondered why certain trees had lost their leaves and others were still clinging to their foliage. One of the trees our hammock was attached to was almost bare with the exception of a few walnuts hanging overhead and one red headed woodpecker jumping around. There was not a sound to be heard, nary a boat on the Lake or a leaf blower blasting. Even the woodpecker kept quiet.

What a wonderful time to be still and reflect on the power of God, evident in the changing seasons.

Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

Tuesday, three o'clock. Sitting on our dock, I awaited pick up from some friends, whom I had asked if I could hitch a ride with, to enjoy the October grandeur on the lake. With warm sugar cookies in hand I jumped on board and left my chores behind. Before they arrived I had been reading Psalm 148 in "Solo" The Message devotional and took to heart the challenge therein.

"Allow the words to wash over you in their vividness. See specific birds or wild beasts, sense the chill of the ice, hear the roaring of the ocean. Watch ever action of the characters. Compare the way each created thing uniquely praises its Maker." I'll post the psalm below.

Wednesday...my to do list is overwhelming, but I am choosing three actions:

To stop and bask in God's love, which is radiated upon us in his magnificent creation; to be still and know that He is God; and to reciprocate by praising Him and telling him of my love.

Invest time with your Creator today!

Psalm 148

Hallelujah! Praise God from heaven, praise him from the mountaintops;
Praise him, all you his angels, praise him, all you his warriors,
Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, you morning stars;
Praise him, high heaven, praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
Praise, oh let them praise the name of God - he spoke the word, and there they were!
He set them in place from all time to eternity;
He gave his orders, and that's it!
Praise God from earth, you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;
Fire and hail, snow and ice, hurricanes obeying his orders;
Mountains and all hills, apple orchards and cedar forests;
Wild beasts and herds of cattle, snakes, and birds in flight;
Earth's kings and all races, leaders and important people,
Robust men and women in their prime, and yes, graybeards and little children.
Let them praise the name of God— it's the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
he's built a monument—his very own people!

Praise from all who love God!
Israel's children, intimate friends of God.
Hallelujah!

An Attitude of Gratitude

2011-10-25T07:09:00.008-04:00

October 25

You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

"God's fingerprints were on your life before you had fingerprints of your own."

Eddie Lawrence

Being part of an Internet prayer ministry, based in Mississippi, has been a blessing to my life for many years. Janie, the coordinator, is the mother in law of a pastor from our past! :) She is a kindred spirit, a woman who loves Jesus with a passion, and an individual who exercises with obedience our call to pray without ceasing. Two years ago, she called upon our group to pray for her niece, living in CA, who experienced complications with her pregnancy. What ensued were heart wrenching prayer request for this little fellow, Gian, and the life threatening surgeries and ordeals this family would face. Today Gian's mother writes:

Dear All,
Just wanted to send some pictures of Baby Gian to you. I hope this offers encouragement and hope to all of those that seem to have insurmountable health issues. This baby is the definition of God's perfect work. Two years and one month ago, there was so very little hope and even if by some miracle, Gian survived, what would his quality of life be? Well, let me tell you...he is smart, beautiful, loving and brings joy to every person he meets! He still has special needs, he still has the trach, he still has a feeding tube and we have yet to hear his little voice but he is the happiest and most fun loving child I have ever met.
I know how important our prayers are and how effective our prayer chain is but when we get to see the power of God's love with our own eyes, it is to know HIS perfection. As always, please remember Gian in your prayers and know that not a day that goes by, I offer my thanks to HIM for his grace.
Love,
Kathy

Another motherly mentor of mine, who lives in Virginia, chants this phrase in her unforgettable southern draw...

"God is good, all the time!"

And like Kathy, we need to give Him the glory for all He does. Keep spreading the joy Gian!