Category: Articles

What is Lovely? Who is the same?

IMG_3677 2“Lovely” is a term that might seem to be going out of style. But there are some things that are truly “lovely.” Like beautiful weather in the course of a day, or a flower, either wild or grand.
Or perhaps some might think a vacation or delicious dessert. Or for others,  “lovely” brings about noble thoughts, such as Manners matter, Character counts.
Today, my word is “lovely.” In whose eyes do I care to be? Do I care to be “lovely” to God today, or other people, or just me.
Merriam-Webster concludes: Definition of lovely, lovelier; loveliest

  1. obsolete :  lovable

  2.   delightful for beauty, harmony, or grace :  attractive She looks lovely in that dress.

  3.   grand, swell what a lovely morning

  4.   eliciting love by moral or ideal worth A lovely woman who loves him for himself, not for his money.

    This can be disheartening. I’m just not “lovely” at best.

     But when I think about my Father in heaven, Whom I believe cares and is aware. And I think about the mess we’ve made as a whole human race. This great earth He designed that we might enjoy and have peace. But we fell with the first.

    But God made way that we may be made new by the last.

    He is all together lovely.
    He came. He died. He rose. Even when no one takes notice. He delivers a gorgeous rose.
    He refreshed with the morning dew. And the early birds sing. Did anyone take notice to see?
    But, best of all, God gave Himself in exchange for my shame. He gave His greatest treasure, to take care of my sin. If it were only me, He would have been willing.
    This love is above what I comprehend. He is love. He bears all things.
    Oh, that we wouldn’t worry about being “right.”
    That instead we would learn more of harmony and grace.
    If we would invest time in knowing God, and asking Him plainly to show us His Son.
    Lovely is what we would find, bottom line. He is the One, from beginning to end.  For all of time.
    What is lovely?
    Making Jesus mine.
    He is gracious, compassionate. He is the Lord God Almighty.
    That my main “fear” would be to offend Him.
    “Dear Lord, that You would help us, lovely to be. That the entire human race would agree, with Thee. To trust and obey, the anointed and powerful Words that You say. Oh, for grace, that we would turn our eyes on You,
    today, in a fresh and new “faith-filled” way. And forsake any sin that brings separation and pain. Your will be done, Our Father in heaven. Yours is the Kingdom, forever, and e-v-e-r.”

"My dear friend, when grief presses you to the dust, worship there!"

“My dear friend, when grief presses you to the dust, worship there!”
C.H. Spurgeon wrote these words. These words were penned and written among a field of thousands of sermons. These gems are gleaned and shared for you and me in the book: Beside Still Waters, Words of Comfort for the Soul,C.H. Spurgeon/ Editor Roy H. Clarke.
When I was in great need of comfort, a friend sent me this book. For this I am forever grateful. God was watching over me. He is always in control. Old words written were now opened to help restore my soul.
Thoughts run here, there, and everywhere – especially when one is going through a crisis-and there are times when we need help from Someone to lead us “beside still waters.” (Psalm 23).
I share words that have been written many years past:
“My dear friend, when grief presses you to the dust, worship there! Remember David’s words, ‘Pour out your heart.’ But do not stop there; finish the quotation. “Pour out your heart before Him.” Turn your heart upside down, empty it, and let every drop run out. “Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8).(Beside Still Waters, pg.49, Yet Will I Trust Him)
Spurgeon continues: “When you are bowed down beneath a heavy burden of sorrow, worship and adore God there. In full surrender to His divine will, say with Job, “Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him” (Job 13:15). This kind of worship subdues the will, arouses the affections, stirs the whole mind, and presents you to God in solemn consecration…”
This last sentence, I circled with stars and even wrote it again at the bottom of the page: “This worship sweetens sorrow and takes away its sting.”
So, in turn, Spurgeon encouraged me to run to the songs.
I received air in my lungs and breath again from words of an old hymn. I opened to the light “Be Still My Soul.”
Worship Him there, in restlessness and pain. Worship Him and speak aloud, “Be still my soul.”
“Be still my soul. The Lord is on Thy side, bear patiently, the cross of grief or pain. Leave to Thy God, to order and provide. In every change, He faithful will remain. Be still my soul, thy Best and Heavenly Friend -through thorny ways- leads to a joyful end.”( Katherina A. von Schlegel 1752).
It’s the books that refresh. Not a shopping trip or vacation. It’s old words on some pages. It’s the word of God and hymns and devotional phrases.
The old words. I opened them up. And today, let us open them again. Let us read aloud hymns and devotions and be lifted up. At a turn of the page, I share another hymn:
 I Will arise and Go to Jesus.
” Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, Weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, Full of pity, love and pow’r.
A devotional and hymn book are a living remedy to a broken heart. Words that live begin to remind me, it might not be well with my life or my even my broken heart, but because the Lord loves me,
“It is Well With My soul.”
God, the Creator, the Lover of my soul – He is in control. The words remind me what I had forgot:
“When Satan does buffet, and trials do come. Let this blessed assurance control: That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and He’s shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well with my soul.
 It is well, it is well with my soul.” 
Oh how words comfort and restore. Yesterday, today, and until the final test. God has not left us, He draws near. His word and the hymns caress.
“When grief presses you to the dust, worship Jesus there!
Thank you C.H. Spurgeon for reminding me that “This worship sweetens sorrow and takes away the sting.”
“The Lord is my strength and my song, and He is become my salvation!”(Exodus 15:2).
Let us go on, with our eyes up, not out on the broken horizon, and let us sing a song that will carry our heavy feet onward.
It might not be well with our circumstances and our hearts, but in Jesus, He’s covered us and washed us and loved us complete. We can take a breath, and bring a sacrifice of sound and sing, “It is well, it is well with my soul.“

Fact, not feelings: "As thy day, thy strength shall be"

Feelings aren’t facts. But they are very real.
Feelings can whirl with tornado-type style. They make havoc of the present moments and solid things even fly wild.
Based on facts of circumstances and realities in this life, our hearts become ripped up in the midst of overwhelming feelings.
But all the while, one thing remains, though we can’t feel Him,
Jesus Christ stays.
We leave.
We mis-perceive.
But He’s present. God doesn’t change.
“Afflicted soul, to Jesus dear, Thy Savior’s gracious promise hear; His faithful word declares to thee That, “as thy day, thy strength shall be.” 
“Let not thy heart despond, and say, How shall I stand the trying day? He has engaged, by firm decree, That, “as thy day; thy strength shall be.”  (Poem found in CH Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible, p.142, based on Deuteronomy 22:35).
“Why should I continue to read,”some will say in the midst of the storm, “Why do you state that Jesus is God? Why does Jesus have to be in the mix? I can do fine with just God in all this.”
Others will say, “I need a lot more than Jesus right now. Get out! I really don’t want to hear you right now!”
The fact remains, God stays the same. Whether we believe or not – Jesus loves, period. You are precious, period. Yesterday this was true. Today this fact stands. Forever, He is God.
God is love.
Can we come close to understand?
“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13. Words breathed from God in the Old Testament persuading, but not only that, these living words provide peace that’s alive. Living bread for a hungry soul.
Comfort true. Comfort whole.
“Let not thy heart despond, and say, How shall I stand the trying day? He has engaged, by firm decree, That, “as thy day; thy strength shall be.”  
“Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be.” These are verses from the Living Word. When the Book is open to Deuteronomy. Chapter 33:25, and by chance one will open the dull looking Book, only to discover precious breath within each word.
“For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.“Deuteronomy 32:47.
“As thy day, thy strength shall be . . .”  Will you believe?
Abide in Me.
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:1-6.

Who was it that came down and rebuked the winds and the sea became sound?

“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.  Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:23-27).
“Afflicted soul, to Jesus dear, Thy Savior’s gracious promise hear; His faithful word declares to thee That, “as thy day, thy strength shall be.” 
“Let not thy heart despond, and say, How shall I stand the trying day? He has engaged, by firm decree, That, “as thy day; thy strength shall be.”  
 

God Calls a Meeting

I wrote a piece yesterday for our Word Weaver’s (of Lexington) Meeting in the evening. I called it “A Child Can Teach Many Things.” After time with other writers and gentle critique, I share with you ideas in editing, so you might be encouraged to join us once a month that the words God has put on your heart would be written and shared. And God is in control of all that happens through the process.
God calls a meeting.
He’s tugging at my heart.
I’m hungry. I’m tired. My tapestry is unraveling.
I’m seeking, but not finding. There’s a Dead End again.
Where is this place of meeting? Does my heart yearn to go?
My thinking goes amiss. I think, “Before the meeting, I have to do this.”
“I have to get rid of that, but I can’t. I can’t. Or maybe, it’s more like, . . . I won’t.”
Is this how we think? Do we believe, “God doesn’t want to  meet with me, I’m way too lost. I’ve gone too far.”
God calls a meeting, time and time again. Do I continue to run the other way?
Do our minds spin out of control?
God saw me running. So He brought me a 3 year old. To simply watch and listen.
A child’s smile, the skip, the joy, the love. How we’re always changing, but some things never change.
As I was watching a child at play, it was like a first day of spring. It was like a sky with fun, puffy clouds.
I was running from God, so He brought me a child. So I could see with my eyes, something I knew of before. Of forgiveness and grace, gentleness, and noise. Of making a mess, but having a second chance – of two sides of a coin.
God called a meeting and I kept putting it off, until He brought a child in my view.
I heard the song coming from their heart during play, “A,B, C, D . . .” So accomplished and confident. So, I broke in and asked, “What’s your favorite song?”
She began to sing: “Jesus loves me . . .”
I watched a tender faith. I witnessed a confident trust. I knew these words. They were hidden deep down in my heart.
“Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.”
My heart was pierced, that very moment. I forgot what was true.
I forgot what I knew.
As sheep often do.
I left from following the Shepherd. I thought I had to “plow on through.” By myself. On my own.
I became like the prodigal. Hungry, far. With pig slop for food. It was when that child sang,  “Jesus loves, . . . ” That I heard, “Remember Me.”
The child sang, “this I know . . .”
My thought, “No, I don’t know anymore.”
The Lord kept His appointment. He spoke:  “Remember Me.”
Gentle and kind. God used a little child to remind. To remind me it’s not “Do this.” “Don’t do that.”
Simply, “Jesus loves.”
How I forgot.
So, I turned around that moment. That moment was new. Because, in my heart, instead of my back, I turned to face the Lord. Inside my heart was bursting.
I held it all in, but, if I didn’t I would have a face filled with tears.
Immediately, . . .
I felt hope.
Out of a child’s praise, I remembered God’s amazing grace.
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, declares the Lord, . . .” Jeremiah 29:12-14. 

So much in His Name

If we hear, “Hey you,” in a crowd. We might not even turn our head. But when one calls, “Toni,” It might not mean much to some, but I stop and look around.
God hears. God turns. He’s not far, as often supposed. Especially when our hearts think on all He is, all His nature, His names. And past understanding is a peace that comes when we speak them aloud, God’s names, and nature. Oh, how our hearts yearn.
Our heart’s yearn for “our Father in heaven.” Does He hear? Does He care? How our minds need focus. In this day of distraction and busy-ness. We forget Who God is.
He is here. He is there.
I opened a treasure of a book of hymns and their stories, and was touched by the hymn, Join All the Glorious Names.
Robert J. Morgan in his Then Sings My Soul, Volume 2, shared in the pages a story of Isaac Watts and his hymn, but not only that,
Robert J. Morgan added more verses to the “all Glorious Names” hymn. I was struck by the comfort reading a portion of the names. God grew in size, above all my trials and life’s stings.
But before I share the glorious words of Watts’ Hymn, and Morgan’s added stanzas, I have to say, as I had the pages open, I saw at the bottom, on the right hand side, an “often omitted” verse from the hymnals today:
“Be Thou my Couselor/ My Pattern, and my Guide/ And through this desert land/ Still keep me near Thy side/ Nor let my feet e’er run astray/ Nor rove nor seek the crooked way.”
Is this the prayer that you needed words for today? If so, pray them over and over again. Let us “speak” in a hymn today.
So, join with me now. When we can, we’ll even read aloud. And let our faith grow and rise high as the clouds:
“Join all the glorious names/ Of wisdom, love and pow’r/ That ever mortals knew, That angels ever bore/ All are too mean to speak His worth, Too poor to set my Savior forth.” ( Isaac Watts).
“The Babe of Bethlehem, the Faithful Witness/ He Is the first and last, was dead, now lives to set us free./ He washed our sins. He is the King, the Lord, the Word, to Him we sing.” (Robert J. Morgan).
“Alpha, Omega He, One like the Son of Man, Arrayed in light/ He reigned before the world began. He was, and is, and is to come/ our Glorious Lord, God’s only Son.” (Robert J. Morgan).
So I conclude, with a heart full and calm, “Jesus, Jesus. That all may hear. That all may see. That hearts soften soon and call on Your Name.”
“Amen, and Amen. Lord, You are coming back soon.”

God Calls a Meeting

God calls a meeting.
He’s tugging at my heart.
I’m hungry. I’m tired. My tapestry is unraveling.
I’m seeking, but not finding. There’s a Dead End again.
Where is this place of meeting? Does my heart yearn to go?
My thinking goes amiss. I think, “Before the meeting, I have to do this.”
“I have to get rid of that, but I can’t. I can’t. Or maybe, it’s more like, . . . I won’t.”
Is this how we think? Do we believe, “God doesn’t want to  meet with me, I’m way too lost. I’ve gone too far.”
God calls a meeting, time and time again. Do I continue to run the other way?
Do our minds spin out of control?
God saw me running. So He brought me a 3 year old. To simply watch and listen.
A child’s smile, the skip, the joy, the love. How we’re always changing, but some things never change.
As I was watching a child at play, it was like a first day of spring. It was like a sky with fun, puffy clouds.
I was running from God, so He brought me a child. So I could see with my eyes, something I knew of before. Of forgiveness and grace, gentleness, and noise. Of making a mess, but having a second chance – of two sides of a coin.
God called a meeting and I kept putting it off, until He brought a child in my view.
I heard the song coming from their heart during play, “A,B, C, D . . .” So accomplished and confident. So, I broke in and asked, “What’s your favorite song?”
She began to sing: “Jesus loves me . . .”
I watched a tender faith. I witnessed a confident trust. I knew these words. They were hidden deep down in my heart.
“Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.”
My heart was pierced, that very moment. I forgot what was true.
I forgot what I knew.
As sheep often do.
I left from following the Shepherd. I thought I had to “plow on through.” By myself. On my own.
I became like the prodigal. Hungry, far. With pig slop for food. It was when that child sang,  “Jesus loves, . . . ” That I heard, “Remember Me.”
The child sang, “this I know . . .”
My thought, “No, I don’t know anymore.”
The Lord kept His appointment. He spoke:  “Remember Me.”
Gentle and kind. God used a little child to remind. To remind me it’s not “Do this.” “Don’t do that.”
Simply, “Jesus loves.”
How I forgot.
So, I turned around that moment. That moment was new. Because, in my heart, instead of my back, I turned my face to the Lord. Inside my heart was bursting.
I held it all in, but, if I didn’t I would have a face filled with tears.
Immediately, . . .
I felt hope.
Out of a child’s praise, I remembered God’s amazing grace.
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, declares the Lord, . . .” Jeremiah 29:12-14. 

Because You are with me, I will fear no evil.

Well known. A favorite. A familiar comfort of all time. Psalm 23. Could it be the bottom line? The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want . . .
Relationship. Relationship. Relationship. “The Lord is my Shepherd . . .,” emphasis mine. Is He mine? That is the question. Do I live believing words of this kind?
Today can be the first day of the rest of my days. I can decide here and now that He is mine. And I am His.
I acknowledge Him now. He is God. I humble myself that I might agree with Him and believe in His Son.
One time I believe for salvation, but each new day, a choice must be made to trust Him and His direction. 
But the thoughts and emotions from this world’s ills has me spinning so often or paralyzed still.
In the world, so much is wrong and full of pain. We often blame God, and that, for . . . everything. 
But God. What beautiful words.
But God is bigger than all this. He allows things to happen that might make me lie down. 
It’s tragic and horrid, yet God makes me still. With a Psalm most familiar, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul. “
I can’t restore. But, He restores my soul. Let God arise and my mind think straight. Let my heart keep beating in the midst of this world’s craze.
Join me, right now, out of your comfort zone today.  Even in the midst of chaos, confusion, and strife.  Let us recite Psalm 23 aloud now and throughout the day. 
Let familiar words be right on our tongues, that the theme of our day will be, “because You are with me, I will not fear.” Let us overcome!

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.”

My cup runs over. For You are with me. I am comforted by You in a miraculous way. I am followed by goodness. I’ve been given mercy. I live now in a house of love. 

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me.”

This is it- the bottom line. Secure. Faithful. Steadfast for all time.

 

Time for some "R and R and R."

“Lead me not into temptation,” it seems night is filled with them. Fatigue and fatigue, and did I say “fatigue,” have apparently let some evil friends in.
Fear  and Doubt invade my space. My thoughts race, my mind is set anxiously on edge.
I need some “R and R.”
So I run to my place of refuge – where my feet can find security. Where needed hope is present, where the past is covered, and my feet stumble far less.
Your Word O God, is my rest. In You is merciful love and forgiveness:
“Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge.” (1) Yes, LORD, to You I speak, seeking You in my prayer of the night.
“Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, . . .”(2)
Bring faith to wipe out my fears. Make me to be still on familiar ground, with Psalm 23, and well known verses hid deep down.
Haven’t I been reminded recently to “Repent. Remember, and Repeat.”
That’s it! I don’t simply need some “R and R,” I need “R and R and R.”
I’m turning around. I’m thinking again, the thoughts that are “noble,” and of good report. (3)
How the power of the word can soothe my anxious thoughts. Read aloud, how sweet the sound: “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want . . .” (4)
You’ve commanded me, now let me agree. Let me stop my doubting, this moment. God speaks:
“Do not fret . . . Nor be envious . . .Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” (5)
What has been my food, this whole anxious evening? I’ve been feeding on Lack, and lack, and that horrible taste of “Lack.”
“Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (6)
“Stop it!” I hear a gentle and firm voice say to me. Put off your fret and put on faith. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (7)
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (8)
I will turn around my thinking. Moment by moment, not just once and for all. I will remember to think on God’s Word my refuge.
Jesus loves me, and you, and everyone, actually.  I don’t – but He does. I will feed and delight myself on His Good News and begin to see everyone as someone that He willingly went to the cross for. I will delight myself in words that are sound.
And as I wait, I will sing. “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.” (9)
“Repent. Remember. Repeat.”
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.  Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  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.” (10)
Repent and Remember. Wisdom for the day, and Repeat is the secret that a Rock may be for my feet.
 
(1) Psalm 16:1.
(2) Psalm 143:7
(3) Philippians 4:8
(4) Psalm 23:1
(5) Psalm 37:1,3
(6) Psalm 37:4
(7) Psalm 32:8
(8) Psalm 119:105
(9) Psalm 40:3
(10) Romans 8: 31-38.

When our hearts need to hear the voice of God

“Speak LORD, Your servant hears.” (1)
We’re listening. “Speak Lord, our hearts are open. You see the complete story, the total reality. The cost of our turning to You at this time.”
The painful brambles of life have brought temptation – to doubt and believe that You’ve left us alone. That You’re silent and distant. That You’re just like man.
But deep down inside, in the depth of our soul, we know this is a lie. For we learned long ago, “the Bible tells me so.”
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.” Isaiah 55:8. Yes, typed in bold.
Somewhere, deep down, this word was filed. Brought up and resurrected, by the Spirit of the living God, to make straight something that had gone wild.
“He does speak. He does dwell inside.” A breath of encouragement is given. He is alive. He does abide.
But, we wrestle with God, even after revelation!
We must not be “fair weather friends.” Let us choose now to believe  when the floods come and it’s typhoon weather.
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want . . .” Psalm 23:1.
But, “I’m wanting Lord.” We confess in our heart. “I’m needy and helpless. I don’t know how to trust.”
So we cry out together, asking for audible words: “Speak Lord, Your servant is listening,” and we open and turn His “dull looking” pages.
“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. Proverbs3:5,6.
A brilliance is hidden under the cover. Hungry we are. So we pray words together:

 ‘“Dear Lord, don’t let my affliction grow greater than You. May I not seek sufficiency from wells, dry and broken, but may I go to You and listen to the words You have spoken.”

  If, “Jesus wept,” (John 11:35) then surely in this life, we will weep as well.

This is God’s word. We will read aloud together, that our souls might be satisfied, and no longer starved with hunger:

“But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”(2)

 “I have spoken. Do not be tempted to doubt. I will fill you with My Spirit that your faith will abound. Will you choose to make me Lord and submit? This is the power of God to you. Take hold, reach up, I offer this. Receive.

“For no one is cast off
    by the Lord forever.
 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
    so great is his unfailing love.
 For he does not willingly bring affliction
    or grief to anyone.” “This is My word from Lamentations. (3) Walk in this. Give fear no reservations.”

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.

Can we hear the voice of God?

Yes, gentle and clear. Lovingly gracious and dear.

 “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.  Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”(4)

(1) 1 Samuel 3:9.
(2) Isaiah 43:1-3.
(3) Lamentations 3:31,32.
(4) Hebrews 5:7-9.

United sound brings a sweet fragrance/ Amazing Grace

Common knowledge learned, in the reach to smell a rose is, “Every rose has its thorns.”
“Ouch!”
How this world with vast beauty and joy, is also sharp and prickly. It punctures and so often, brings about so much more than a “whine”.
Yet,”For God so loves the world.”
How can it be? There are days I can’t “love” anything.
I feel so far from smelling the roses. The “thorns” seem to be, like weeds, surrr-rrrou-nnn-ding.
The darkness of nursery rhymes come to the surface, “Ring around the rosie, a pocket full of posies. Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.”
“Whoever wrote these rhymes anyway? Though the origins are argued, we must believe, it was a day of “thorns” in a struggle to smell the rose.
Common knowledge. Community. Comforts and joy in the reciting. Children gather, hand in hand. Going around and ’round, making familiar sounds. “Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.”
Amidst dark clouds, and thoughts of ashes – being together, gathering around, common words chimed – heaviness dashes.
“Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found. Was blind but now I see.”
The song is sung and we all join along, even if the tone is completely wrong. The melody flows from all lips with a smile. In full agreement, hearts receive the gracious love God freely gives.
There’s no strife when hearts unify. There’s no disagreement in the “wretch” that we each be. The thirst seems quenched. The heart instantly warmed.
The smell of roses comes vibrantly alive, when we put sound on our voice and in a common hymn sing! This is where God abides. This is where He dwells. We can all agree. Yes, we agree and somehow our blindness is made to flee:
“‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.”
As if time stops. Glory invites. “For God,” gave His Son, that we might overcome. The song, is sung. And we agree together, and sing along:
“Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.”
Jesus can turn water to wine. Jesus can heal. Jesus can restore. The fragrance of joy is smelled. Let us put sound on our voice. And join together and sing.
Let us unify. Let us give thanks. Let us worship our King.
“Praise God. Praise God. Praise God. Praise God!”
 

Boastful In One Thing Alone/To God be the Glory

Not boastful about family, yet full of joy, love, and pride. Our family is a gift from God, shared and loaned to each of us for a time.
Not boastful in our talents, or all of our great powers:  To think. To sing. To run fast, to draw.
To create. To figure. To fly. To build high towers. Not boastful in any of these things at all. These are gifts given to us by the great and Almighty God.
Instead – Let us boast and give glory to Him. It is high time we give glory to One who is worthy. We seek God. We desire Him. Let us open His Book and receive His whole Story.
“To God be the glory, great things He hath done, So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, . . . ” (1)
Boastful in one thing and one thing alone: the cross that the Son of God endured for each and everyone.
For God so loved the world, yesterday and today. Even for all who hate Him and despise Him, the cross He endured.
Who yielded His life our redemption to win,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
The Place of the Skull, where there stood the cross. Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, To every believer the promise of God;
Not only one, but of crosses, there were three. And the story is read, of the choices of the thieves:
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son.
Boastful today about the cross alone. We’ve been redeemed, yes, bought by the Son, who paid for all the damages brought on by our sin.
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory; great things He hath done.
We must not boast for ourselves, in a gift that is given. Let’s give God the glory He so wonderfully deserves.
Those who fear man will be fearful in this. But in these last days, let us boast in Christ – let us be of the courageous.
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.
Jesus laid down His life that we might have it abundant. Living water for our thirst. Daily Bread for our hunger. His Spirit indwelling when we believe on the cross. The Father so loves that He gave His own Son.
On thing we must boast in, let us boast in the cross.
This old hymn brought out to the light was written by a woman who was completely blind. Fanny Crosby’s fingers wrote thousands of hymns. God allowed blindness in her life, only to give her incredible sight.
“To God be the Glory,” one hymn out of many, has perhaps even today, opened some eyes that were blind – to see. Let’s give God praise:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice;
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory; great things He hath done.
(1) To God Be the Glory. Fanny Crosby (1820-1915).
 
 
 

I'm Changed, Daily

“The garment [expressive] of praise instead of a disheartened spirit.” Isaiah 61:3, Amplified.
Changes are necessary.
A change of clothes is a natural occurrence, for everyone, hopefully, at least once a day.
We begin clean and fresh but through the course of time, we can acquire smells.
My fragrance changes from healthy to pale when words arise in my ears and eyes. In a moments time a report can bring down great amounts of torrential rains.  Be it news, an assignment, the correction, the debt owed.  The diagnosis, the prognosis, the dropped ball, the “no show.
How sudden everything bright can be enveloped by sighs.
How quickly anxiety and fretfulness wrap around like a weed and there’s no clarity of thought – only thoughts reckless and headstrong. Yielding no peace.
I’m guilty of fear, which brings on regret. I speak unkind words that I can’t retract.
Escape I must, so I run to a place, . . .
of hiding and silence and God’s quietness. He waits for me and makes me lie down on pastures of green, so familiar in sound.
And God speaks to my soul: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” (1). For the “spirit of heaviness,” let Me change your clothing and help you put on a  “garment of praise.” (2).
Lord, I cry, in my weariness, I’m weak. I have no strength. I can’t find a thankful thought. Trouble has clouded my eyes. There’s pain of blood dripping from my heart, and the only language I seem to speak, brings confusion to the ones closest to me.
“Don’t try to figure it all out. Don’t worry about all the “stuff.” That’s an unknown future that you can trust Me with, you know. Let Me take this garment of heaviness from your mind and your heart. Let me remind you that each past failure, has been a teacher bringing about great growth. Let Me help you put a robe of “thankfulness” on. Let Me remind you of good things with amplified reports.
“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” (3)
“Read aloud My word, Amplified, in whom, the Son that I did send opened the Book and read aloud in the hearing of man:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me
To bring good news to the humble and afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted,
To proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives
And freedom to prisoners,
 
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance and retribution of our God,
To comfort all who mourn,
 
To grant to those who mourn in Zion the following:
To give them a turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning],
The oil of joy instead of mourning,

The garment [expressive] of praise instead of a disheartened spirit.
So they will be called the trees of righteousness [strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God],
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Remember Me. Let me lift your heavy heart. Sing a hymn, I will change your garments to Praise.”

The garment of Doxology will be my starting point. Thank you God, that You know my name.

 “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. (The Doxology).

(1) Romans 12:2.

(2) Isaiah 61:3.

(3) Hebrews 12:12.

 

 
 

I choose health over anxiety. Where's my hymnal?

Got health? Real wealth? Worthwhile things are worth the fight.
The struggle to balance. The work to think straight. The temptations surrounding. The need to put off, put away, to breathe, to wait.
I’ll let go of blame and fret. I’ll look up, not out. If it pleases God, that’s my final answer. His way, not mine, or the popular opinion of the time.
I choose to follow the direction that God leads. Even though He knows, I will fail Him over and over as He watches me.
So I take hold  of some old trust-worthy words, and recite them aloud like a song of a bird,
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms
Oh, there are ten thousand charms. Yes, riches, true riches are being near to God. Being full of peace and comfort, not fearing nor having alarm.
But alarm I have, and in fear I dive. But God is a help, and old hymns remind:

Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome
God’s free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh
Come, ye weary, heavy-laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry ’til you’re better
You will never come at all

 
God is love. We are not. He is gracious in His being. He is compassionate.  His heart is gentle and kind. He doesn’t parade Himself. He is truthful, all of the time.
He knows our thoughts.
He is able to make a hard heart soft. He is powerful and willing. So often, we are not.
Are we are tired of being sick? Are willing to change our direction.
God the Father through Jesus His Son, and the power of His Spirit can bring change to our whole story.
He can give us wealth of health with freedom and forgiveness.
And He gives us victory to bring a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
No longer dwelling on the failures of the past. No longer projecting of a future unknown. Living in the present on this earth making my house a dwelling place for the Lord.
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms.

Hymn by Joseph Hart:
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy
Weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready, stands to save you
Full of pity, love and power
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms
Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome
God’s free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh
Come, ye weary, heavy-laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry ’til you’re better
You will never come at all
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms