Anchor the Ship. We must Trust in the Lord.

The winds of change, the sharp storms of this world. How do we anchor the soul of our hearts and minds?

What are the promises of God?

We must keep it simple. Our minds must rest.

North winds of bad attitude and strife,

turbulent gusts of people cold as ice,

hard rains of struggles, time pressures, and more, often prove to close off the mind’s ability to stay centered, secure.

“Dear Lord, be near. Calm each of our hearts.  Help us draw near. Help us hear. Remind us of the promises of God.

Standing on the promises I shall not fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all, Standing on the promises of God. 

(Russel Kelso Carter, 1849-1928).

“Give us ears each day. Help us hear what the Spirit has to say:

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord,
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.
 Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken,” Isaiah 40:3-5.

Secure the anchor. His words bring hope. His Spirit brings courage to rest and wait, . . . yes, we can do this.

We can wait and trust in the Lord. His Word will bring us safe, when we meditate and obey.

“I will sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!
 The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

We anchor our minds by singing. We gain courage by growing in His Word: 

Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises I shall not fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

But I will sing of your strength,
    in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
    my refuge in times of trouble.

 You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
    my God on whom I can rely, Psalm 59:16,17

Be Still.  Jesus took the bread. He lifted it. He broke it. Then He passed it out.
“Take Eat . . . 
Jesus fell to His knees, for our sakes, not His.

He prayed for me. He prayed for you. He still intercedes. 

Jesus died and rose. Jesus lives.
Jesus is faithful and secure. He must be the Anchor of our souls.
But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves, John 17:3.

Do you have Jesus? Ask Him to come into your life. He will forgive your sins and wash you clean. Ask for His Spirit to fill you each new day. He will give you understanding to His promises in His Word.

He is the Anchor of our souls.


 

Garden Lessons #1

A garden is a field of promise.

For the promise of fruit to come, there must be good soil, rain, and sun.

This is Gardening 101.

When the gardener begins to clean up the land, he quickly finds, there’s an enemy in the sand.

If that enemy is allowed to stay, the whole area will decay.

Weeds and poisonous plants must go. If they are left to survive, the fruit simply won’t arrive.

Spot them quick. Pull them early, so they don’t take over and make the good seed sick!

These weeds have a plan to cause distress.

We must root them out, and tend to the plants of promise.

There are “weeds” of fear and discontent. Weeds of arrogance. Weeds of sin and hatred. Weeds of care-less-ness. All of God’s created people have sin in their heart. (1) We are weak, and unable to root it out.

God alone is able to take it from us and make our lives new. Only God, through Jesus His Son is able to bring change, and an everlasting one.

On our own, we become frustrated and discouraged. But God, the Master Gardener provided Jesus on the cross. He sends His Holy Spirit to remind us He’s able to cleanse us.

What is fruit? What are weeds? Can the Bible help us to grow to discern between good and bad seeds?

Here are Words from Galatians 5:19-21.ERV,

The wrong things the sinful self does are clear: committing sexual sin, being morally bad, doing all kinds of shameful things, 

 worshiping false gods, taking part in witchcraft, hating people, causing trouble, being jealous, angry or selfish, causing people to argue and divide into separate groups, 

 being filled with envy, getting drunk, having wild parties, and doing other things like this. I warn you now as I warned you before: The people who do these things will not have a part in God’s kingdom. 

God’s Word is rough. Like pulling of poisonous plants. But they must go. Or, we are left with pain, and trouble wherever it continues to grow.

Can we find fruit? Not without God. We must first ask Him to cleanse us, then He provides for all good:

 But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful self. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do.   Galatians 5:22-25. 

We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.  Galatians 5:26.

Fruit, through Him. God’s power within. He gives us His Spirit.

He does the work when we make Jesus, LORD.

Fruitful plants. Rejoicing lives. All because God, He’s able to do all things.

(1) Romans 3:23

Watercolor credit: Grace Rypkema

Follow?

Who’s following me? How quickly we forget. I’m not talking about all the friends on the internet. It’s Goodness and Mercy that are following us, today, tomorrow, and in every last breath. When we choose to let the Lord be our Shepherd, Goodness and mercy follow us. As if living and nearby. But we forget. The Lord told us why. He likens us as sheep. We’re often too busy noticing that other people’s grass is green.  We’re minus the joy. Depleted of smiles. Our focus is not vertical, but searching for popular styles.  We forget to be thankful of God’s watchful eye. Not noticing the many gifts He brings. Our minds are elsewhere, we walk on by. We fret on along. We lose our song. We wonder. We ask, “Where is the road to happiness?” “Today.” Today.” The Lord cries to all. The most important day of our lives is the day we answer His call. We put it off, we wait for the day. “Who wants to be a Jesus Freak anyway?” But the Lord calls again, “Today.” “Today.” And we know deep in our heart, He’s the Way. “I hear. I believe. Jesus, come, make me new.” God hears. He comes. Forgiveness, Salvation, Comfort in all. Angels rejoice. The sky is the bluest of blue. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing,(1)  He patiently works in us, as we grow in our trust and believe, receive, and let go of the stuff. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,   Allowing, at times, disappointment to come, or sickness, or loss, . . .  but the good Shepherd promises, and  he refreshes my soul. Psalm 23 tells me so. He promises to lead, to guide, to provide, to protect. Yes, He promises. “My goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life. Remember Me,” He asks at His communion Table. “Remember my mercy poured out with My out-stretched arms. Remember my goodness to pay your debt for all of your wrongs. Eat this bread broken for you. “Dear child of God, Remember Me, I love you.” Is the Lord your Shepherd? Ask Him to be “Today.” Today— Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 23 NIV

 

#4 God Reveal: 7 Reasons to Believe God Created

Today I take time to look at creation, to be open to hear a Word that was spoken.

Not by men and their gathered thoughts, but by God sprinkled throughout His 66 Books.

Faith is the key, I must confess. We need faith to receive what the Bible does tell. But it takes faith in the wisdom of man to believe every word the public arena does sell.

We hear the world’s message loud and clear, but for the children’s sake, should we stop, and at least, take some time to hear?

What does the Bible say? Do we know? Will we be as a Berean back in ancient days? It is told they had open minds, to listen eagerly, and to search for answers day . . . after. . . day. (1)

Let’s open the Book and view the wonder of God’s love on display:

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:3. 

This living Book, The Bible was written for you and me, and for ever it will be. (2)

God understands the difficulty to trust and believe. He gives His Word and waits as we receive:

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
    or the birds in the sky, and they will tell . . . ;
 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish in the sea inform . . .
 Which of all these does not know
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?
 In his hand is the life of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:7-10. 

Oh, would it not be amazing to stop and ask our animal friends.

God is gentle, kind, patient, and true. His glorious creation is His daily gift to human-kind, the whole earth through.

You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased, Revelation 4:11, this is the Master Artist’s creation.

Psalm 95:4-5,In his hand are the depths of the earth;
    the heights of the mountains are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.

God’s Word is Living. Ask Him. He gives grace to understand!

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1. How vast is His expanse. How grand is His Hand. He deserves praise each day for the warmth of the sun.

God loves. He speaks each day through His creation.

How many are your works, Lord!
    In wisdom you made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures, Psalm 104:24. 

 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth, John 17:17.

Is the Word not powerful and glorious? Ask God to reveal Himself and give you understanding!

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse, Romans 1:20. 

These are seven Scriptures that gently speak of God the Creator of everything. Are we curious and hungry for more? The Bible has answers for more, and plenty!

Take time to follow God in His Word. He will give you peace. He is the LORD.

(1) And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth, Acts 17:11.

(2) Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens, Psalm 119:89.


Hope for 2020. Where does our help come from?

https://seekthingsabove.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/4595177604_49db06e213.jpg

As our world enters a new decade, 2020, do we often feel like pilgrims in a foreign place?

Do our heart’s long for a homeland of peace and truth? Stepping up to hope for our upcoming year is found in our own personal, active worship to the LORD.

I won’t use the word god, because in this day, as in the Bible days, there were many gods among the people.

In ancient Israel, the people would travel in companies up to Jerusalem three times a year to worship the LORD, YHWH. They would sing pilgrim’s songs, marching songs to the true, eternal God, defined as the Creator of heaven and earth.

The songs are recorded for us in the Psalms of ascent.

The early steps of the journey, step by step, began with a company of singers proclaiming their heart.

Tell me, does your heart not cry out these phrases?

I took my troubles to the Lord;
    I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.
 Rescue me, O Lord, from liars
    and from all deceitful people . . .
 

How I suffer in far-off Meshech.
    It pains me to live in distant Kedar.
 I am tired of living
    among people who hate peace.
 I search for peace;
    but when I speak of peace, they want war! Psalm 120 NLT.

But as Christmas decorations get put away, in this new year of 2020, we must be diligent to keep our Jesus in full view, for this world is a battle zone.

“I search for peace;
    but when I speak of peace, they want war!”

Many words are spoken by the people and leaders around. But only God knows the heart of man.

Some words have been shoved aside because they’re offensive, but when someone has an invasive cancer, the attack is often bitter treatments. Our world is sick with a cancer.

The original word of this particular sickness, (which needs to be resurrected to make sense of this upside down world) is . . . sin.

The heart of people, all people, is deceitful. We are all prone to war in our minds. All have sin. (Romans 3:23).

None of us escape this condition, but thanks to the Lord, He gave us Jesus.

Where does our help come from?

Did we not sing the song this Christmas?

“Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim:
“Christ is born in . . .

our hearts today?

Hail the Heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Yes, we must lift our eyes and worship aloud. The heaven-born Prince of peace abides in a heart of praise. Do we need peace? Do we need light?

We must receive this Prince of Peace. We must believe He loves us and came to heal each of us individually.

This new year can we put sound to the words? Do we dare sing aloud the never aging words of hymns and psalms. We must receive in order to . . . receive:


Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth

We live in a world that needs help, . . . one person at a time. Help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth.

I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth! Psalm 121.

The wise men came to worship the New-born King. Do we take time to worship Him. Do we go out of our way to give Him praise? This is a New Year. We will answer,

“Yes!”

“Thank You Lord, for saving my soul. Thank You Lord, for making me whole. Thank You Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free.”

God’s provision of the Babe come down to later die on the cross that Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled.”

We say, “Amen. Let it be in me.”

Jesus is our gift for each day of this new year.

Let’s worship the Prince of Peace, in the assembly of the congregation, stepping up with community that we might live with renewed courage every waking day.

Speak, sing, mumble, grown, to the LORD it’s glorious if it’s praise and adoration to Him, the Creator of heaven, earth, and the incredible life we see.

Our help comes from the LORD.

Yes, we lift up our voices exalt His great Name:

 He will not let you stumble;
    the one who watches over you will not slumber.
 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
    never slumbers or sleeps.

 The Lord himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
 The sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon at night.

 The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.
 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever Psalm 121.

“Praise be to our God, the Maker of heaven and earth, forever.”

 Hark the Herald Angels Sing. 1739, Hymns and Sacred Poems, Charles Wesley and George Whitefield.



#2 God Reveal: God’s Ocean Deep Love

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! Romans 11:33, New Living Translation.

Oh, but to seek and to search and to know God and His love more and more is to find soul changing discovery and answers through His amazing creation.

The Bible tells us, You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart, Jeremiah 29:13.

Isn’t Love what we’re all searching for? God says, when we seek Him (His Love), with all our heart, we will find Him.

Samuel Trevor Francis wrote of God’s deep love in a hymn from 1875,

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!

Underneath me, all around me, Is the current of Thy love, Leading onward, leading homeward, To my glorious rest above!(O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus).

Like an ocean, deep and vast, God’s love is like the current surrounding those who step in, and walk deeper, deeper still. Those who desire, know Him more. God is love.

God’s love is a Person. We learned that from Reveal #1. God Sent His Son for us because we needed a Rescuer from our sin. We all have sin. The Bible uses the word “all” have sin, (Rom. 3:23).

There are not “good” people and “bad” people, NO! There are “all” people. The Bible says, we’ve all turned from God. We are one people,

in need of Love.

Perhaps the ocean is a good picture for us all. Do we stand on the shore without getting our feet wet? Are we satisfied to simply look from afar? There is a great separation.

Or do we take steps into the water, to walk deeper still.

Do we walk in depth to our knees? To our neck?

Risking loss of our own balance, our own sure step, that we might speak as the hymn from our heart past our lips: O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me! 

Even to those who don’t know Him now. God is love. He waits that they might know He is love.

The moment something happens in our heart and we agree with God that we need a Savior, the moment that we invite Him to come in our lives, He washes away the guilt. All of it, completely.

He comes in. Erases the past. He releases the fear. He gives us hope to start over anew. God gives us a song, Underneath me, all around me, Is the current of Thy love, Leading onward, . . .

This is the unsearchable mercy and grace of God, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New Living Translation, read it aloud for yourself often (and someone else, very soon. Emphasis added). . .

(God’s) Love is patient and (God’s love is) kind. ( God’s) Love is not jealous, (God’s love is never) boastful or proud or rude.

(God’s love) . . . does not demand its own way. (God’s love) . . . is not irritable, and . . .

it keeps no record of being wronged. 

(God’s love) . . . does not rejoice about injustice . . .

but (God’s love) rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 

(God’s) Love never gives up, (on anyone),

never loses faith, (in anyone),

(God’s love) is always hopeful,

(God’s love) . . . endures through every circumstance.

God’s love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:8.

There is nothing human about God’s love. His ways are not like ours. God’s love doesn’t depend on us. God is love.

Agape.

Unconditional.

Other’s centered love.

It’s alive on its own. God’s love is, “I love you.”

It’s like an ocean saying, “Come on in!”

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Love of every love the best! ‘Tis an ocean full of blessing, ‘Tis a haven giving rest!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ‘Tis a heav’n of heav’ns to me, And it lifts me up to glory, For it lifts me up to Thee!

This new day, let’s say together, “I’m diving in!”

And sing from our hearts, this age old hymn: O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Spread His praise from shore to shore! How He loveth, ever loveth, Changeth never, never more!

How He watches o’er His loved ones, Died to call them all His own, How for them He intercedeth, Watcheth o’er them from the throne!

O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus, Samuel Trevor Francis, 1875.

Gaze at the Christmas Tree, Differently . . .

(To be read for the children, both young and old, that our minds might be refreshed. Let a new picture unfold.)

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree, how richly God has decked Thee:

Christmas is here! Look at the tree.

Sit and be still.

Let us gaze, differently.

It sits on its stand so high and so grand.

Wrapped in light, what a glorious sight,

bearing ornaments of love from each branch.

But think for a moment, living trees are far.

Alive and growing in beauty,

then, we come in our car.

We search.

We choose.

Then we cut down the tree.

We open our door and let it in, happily.

Broken and dead the tree had become,

yet, now beautifully alive.

Does this make you think of Someone?

The Christmas tree can be a picture of Jesus.

He came down from heaven to die on the cross.

to be cut and broken . . .  

for each one of us.

He rose again, in glory and light.

Just like the ChristmasTree that we now have inside.

What happens to a heart, much like the door, that allows the cut Vine a place on the floor?

No longer distant, but close.

Now near.

Jesus died that all of our guilt is cleared.

We ask Him in.

We believe in His love.

We call on Jesus,

for His promises of Love.

“I will never leave you.

 I will never forsake.

I am your helper. You no longer need be afraid.

Call on Me.

I will answer.

I Am your Bright and Morning Star.

I Am your light,

your glory.

I make new all you are.

Believe.

And bring Christmas to others throughout the year.

I make you a blessing, a gift, each day.

Seek, to be still, . . . know Me . . .draw near.

And, I in turn, will draw near to you. 

that you might shine for Me in all you do.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Joy comes with the decision to praise!

Joyful, Joyful we adore Thee, God of glory Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, Opening to the sun above. 

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!

Making the choice to read aloud words penned by Henry van Dyke in 1907, allowing the strings of my vocal chords to vibrate the waters within my flesh,

I am changed.

Not completely at first, but my spirit is lifted from the hard, stale place it was, to a new and lifted height.

Only moments ago, my earthly thoughts had me overwhelmed,

But the melody of Beethoven and the rich poem add a breath and flight to my night terrors and fright.

“Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away.” Yes, Dear Lord, Almighty God of heaven, only You have supernatural power to do this for me.

Jesus, You willingly shed Your blood for me.”

The words I struggle to pray are enclosed in this glorious hymn,

Just for me! God is an intimate God.

I am brought to a place to give Him praise:

All the works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays; Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise . . .

Thou art giving and forgiving. Ever blessing, ever blest, Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest!

The daily battle to go astray and forget to put off fret and put on a garment of praise.

My daily battles bring defeat when I become a victim of life’s circumstance. Confused, critical, provoked, and faith-less.

But God:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble,” Psalm 46:1.
 
God’s word invokes praise. 
Praise, increases faith.
Increased faith brings victory and rest.
 

Mortals join the mighty chorus, Which the Morning Stars began. Father love is reigning o’er us, Brother love binds man to man. Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife; Joyful music lifts us sunward, In the triumph song of life.

Yes, let’s be changed from sadness and doubt. Let’s believe God’s promises and by a filling of His glorious Spirit, let’s shine bright.

Joyful, adoring our Christ Who saved our self destructive, anxious, sinful life.

He makes us gloriously new!

Let the Christmas Tree Speak (when the mood might be bleak)

Not in the mood for the Christmas cheer? Think on Jesus. He’s the reason we bring in the tree each year.

Some might not know it, some might not care, but the Christmas Tree has a speech from it’s core to share.

Imagine with me and listen down deep. Let God show you His gift. He changes things . . . supernaturally.

Open the door and bring it on in. Don’t be boggled down with origin.

Simply bring in the tree and get it right, in quiet or noise, and wrap around the light.

Place an ornament or two, three, or more, and bring back old memories from Christmases before.

Have a seat. Rest, and listen after the task,

“Listen?” With my ears, you might ask.

“Yes, but with your soul and heart,” I pray. “The annual Christmas Tree has so much to say.”

Untangle your thoughts.  Unweave your mind. Withdraw from all schedule for a moment of time.

The Christmas Tree lights reflect off colored spheres, much like the moon, that draws our gaze near.

“Remember Me,” says a still quiet voice.

Let Me in, I bring calm and peace in the day’s noise.

The Tree is a symbol of what was, what is, what is to come. I represent God, His nature, His glorious Kingdom.

I AM the Vine, I Am Light. I AM beauty. I AM the Bright and morning Star. I AM the Beginning of Christmas, the angels proclaimed from afar,

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and goodwill to all men.”

God’s will is that I come,

to be a sacrifice for all isn.

The tree points up, to heaven above, yet it sits on the ground to remind you,

I have come down,

to be cut off,

to be thirsty,

to bleed on the cross.

To rise again in glory.

I understand all things.

I came for you, to provide salvation. Let this Evergreen Tree speak revelation.

I came that I might die on a tree. That you might believe, and rise as Me.

Talk to the children about My everlasting beauty. Look at the Tree. It’s a symbol of Me.

Tell them I give. I gave. I Am all this world needs.

I wait for that day, when My gift,

is whole-heartedly received.

Forgiveness and grace, and promise to someday see Me,

face to face.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

I hear Your love. “Yes, I receive.”

O God, You have come down to set us free!

“O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”

First Things, Along the Way

A look out the window or a walk out the door and a word about creation can be simple as a breath. But what’s simple might not be easy, especially when it comes to talk about the Lord.

There are so many words that have evolved through time. Opinions, books, nature shows, and more, but there is a Word of power, life, and truth,

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, (1) . . . 

This Word is said to be living and able to transform death to life.

And today, for those who have faith, as we walk out the door, with young or with older, as we experience troubles and pressures on every side,

we can overcome darkness by speaking of the Light.

We can reveal or remind that in the beginning the earth was a formless mess. Empty and dark, told in the second verse of God’s Holy Book. God didn’t leave us alone in despair, in the same verse it continues,

and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (2)

Good news was present in the dark, formless story. And the Spirit of God moves over our empty, dark hearts as well.

God is here. God was there. God’s Spirit is moving over the waters of our being, this moment, as well.

And God said, “Let there be light, and there was light.”(3)

God moves first. God’s Word of power changes things.

God saw that the light was good. (4)

Safety, peace, warmth, pleasure, and glory are given by God through His Word. “Let there be light.”

We agree with God when we say true Light is good.

And he separated the light from the darkness. (5)

God’s Word proclaims.

We need to know that we’re all separated from God. Each of us has a dark, empty, and cold heart.

We’re all selfish, insecure, and impatient, naturally.

The kids understand, they know, they see, how easy it is to want to hide, and fear, and want their own way. Adults might want to look the other way.

But we can share our story of beginnings, when our darkness of heart was touched by the Light.

No one can debate the story we have inside.

In the beginning, when we received God’s Word. Power was given. A new creation was born. God the giver of Light came to shine in our empty, formless life.

Jesus the Man took hold of my sin and the guilt all died, with Him.  He breathed His last, on the cross. After three long nights, He rose again.

It’s time to share the stories to this generation today.

Many books could be written throughout the history of man, if each new creation in God told how he was touched by the Light, and it was no longer night.

God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. (6)

Is your heart burning within you? Has darkness the guilt of night seen it’s final hour?

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12.

God has given His Son for you and me.

He who believes and receives Jesus today, becomes a new creation. Today can be — your very first day.

While it is day, join me in reminding others of the true Light?

 

 

(1) Genesis 1:1

(2) Genesis 1:2

(3) Genesis 1:3

(4) Genesis 1:4

(5) Genesis 1:4

(6)Genesis 1:5

 

 

The Greatest “Along the Way” Story Ever Told, Again and Again.

In our fast-paced days in this culture, I hope to help us learn to change gears and bring in some whole-hearted conversations about God as we go along the way.

Many people understand and agree The Bible to be the Word of God.  Making time to seek God in His word is a daily challenge. And talking about the things of God a whole other test.

We face hardship and brokenness,

but in this greatest of all stories, “along the way,” perhaps we can be strengthened to see Jesus, not in our heads, but 18 inches lower, in the retelling of it:

News stories are often the talk of town, but there is one that had everyone in town talking.

Two men left Jerusalem sad and weary after a prophet of dynamic works and word, blessed by God and all the people around, known as Jesus the Nazarene had been betrayed and sentenced to death. They were talking and a stranger joined them,

“What’s the conversation about?”

They had no clue it was Jesus. They didn’t recognize Him, so one of them answered,

“Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?” (1)

“The One about to deliver Israel is dead. It’s been three days. And not only that, some women said they couldn’t find his body and they saw an angel that said, ‘he’s alive.'”

“And there were some friends that went and said they found it empty as the women did, but they didn’t see him.”

As they talked along the way, the stranger said to them, 

“How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (2)

Can you imagine a 5-7 mile walk with Jesus sharing Himself in all of the words of Moses and the Prophets? The Alpha and Omega speaking the stories himself.

But even greater is when they saw it was He:

 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. (3)

Let’s keep our eyes and ears open and may the Lord give us help to see Him as these two men did:

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. (4)

We too, go along our way, not recognizing Jesus, but, as the bread is broken, God allows brokenness in our lives. It is then that our eyes are willing to see Jesus. Our hearts are opened to  the blessings of God, far exceeding anything we can comprehend or attain on our own.

Children face times of discouragement and brokenness as well. How beautiful to retell this story where Jesus broke the bread and blessed it.

When we invite Jesus in to heal our broken state, He blesses us.

Our hearts begin to burn, and a hunger and thirst is kindled within us to know him more.

 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (5)

Yes, our hearts burn, and we go to tell the story to anyone who has ears to hear, like these two men on their journey after Jesus had died.

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together  and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 

 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. (5)

Jesus is the broken bread. He’s been poured out for us. His blood on the cross is what allows for our healed lives.

Can you see Jesus break the bread and bless it?

His Word is our healing, peace, and rest. His Story is Love for all who ask.

(1) Luke 24:18, The Message

(2) Luke 24:25-27, NIV

(3) Luke 24:28-29, NIV

(4) Luke 24: 30-32, NIV

(5) Luke 24: 33-35, NIV

Hard to be Thankful? Think about God!

(Today, I bring a change of focus to my blog. I pray that my studies help to  encourage everyday communication about God with others and especially children. Let’s know Him more. Love Him greater, and be able to share Him daily. Toni)

Today, we, adults and children, need to put on our tables a  cornucopia of sorts. Or at least imagine that we do, so we can talk about God. He’s like a cornucopia.

A cornucopia speaks of abundance. It’s horn-shaped object that overflows with fruits and nuts, odd gourds, and ears of corn.

It’s known as a “horn of plenty” of different shapes, colors, and flavors overflowing. We need to remind ourselves and those around us, and especially the kids, to get our eyes up and our ears ready.

We must “blow the horn of plenty” so to speak of God’s multi-shaped, colored, and flavored shades of provision and love.

He said, “Let there be light.” And there was light.

In thinking about only one aspect of His creation we become awed.

Without light, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the many shades of color and beauty around us.   God gave us a spectrum of color: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet all within His glorious light.

We have so much to be thankful for. Especially that God is light.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5.

What great news this is. Light of the world has come.

We live in a world with much darkness.

We know this in our hearts.

The kids need to know that we all have the desire to do wrong. To want to lie about eating the cookie. To want to cheat on the job being done.

Temptation is a part of all of our days. There are not good people and bad people. All people have sin.

Sin came before Chapter 3 in the Bible. You turn the first page, and can read the fall of man. Man disobeyed God. (Gen. 3). We have a problem. All of us do!

But we can choose God. We can be hungry, just like reaching for some of the fruits and nuts in the cornucopia we can reach to know Him more, to love Him more.

Seekers of God. Find.

When we want to know God, He tells us about His Son. Jesus died for all the sins of the world. When we believe on His Son, God hands us His sweet Salvation.

Salvation through Jesus takes our dark hearts and cleanses them clean for all eternity.

Drawing near to God brings God near to us. Maybe we can make a rainbow of color to remember a cornucopia of gifts God gives.

Red, can be for God’s love through Jesus, His Son whose blood was shed on the cross.

Orange can be for God’s joy.

Yellow the color of mercy can help us have peace.

Green can be a color for growing in happiness as the Good News transforms.

Blue, the color of the glorious sky can remind us of God’s gift through believing in Jesus: Eternal life,.

And Violet can remind us of royal thoughts that come from continual help and filling of the Holy Spirit.

Thankfulness comes when we take time to think of our colorful riches from God.

A cornucopia of color and abundance fills us up with riches that never change. A spectrum of love, joy, peace, and growing happiness in eternal life, as the Holy Spirit helps us remember, time and again.

Think on a good theme this thanksgiving, and talk of a “horn of plenty” of glorious colors  that His light brings.

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways! . . .
For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed].
To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen” Romans 11:33-36, Amplified.

“Dear Lord help us talk about you more and more in our everyday lives.”

In Jesus name,

Amen.

 

Evolution of a Writer. New Focus. A New Day

In the beginning, I was stirred to write after I read the words of Jeremiah 30:1-2, “Write in a book all the words which I have spoken to you.”

What a mess of a beginning, but I’m happy to have a beginning and to fumble along the way, and then join a local Word Weaver’s writing critique group, and discover the more I know, the more I know I don’t know.

So, I wrote basically a series of Bible thoughts and meditations that I would call God’s Hand.

Today, I change the face, the direction, and purpose of my blog writing. I want the focus to be Help in talking about God along the way that hunger would be stirred to know Him more.

 

 

“Spirit of God, drown the doubt. Renew in me a happy condition.

“I’m not able to do this,”

speaks my heavy spirit.

Hope, kept deep inside fights back,

“But thanks to God, He can.”

“I can’t get it right,” spoke discouragement who found a seat in my heart.

The Spirit inside stands with the fact,

“Thanks to God He did.”

A war takes place. I read the Word, because I’m encouraged to do so. I turn to Psalm 42, and discover my feelings and soul are weighted with woes as the Psalmist so many thousand years ago, ”

     Why, my soul, are you downcast?
     Why so disturbed within me?
     Put your hope in God,
     for I will yet praise him,
     my Savior and my God . . .  

     Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and                     breaker have swept over me.” 

The heaviness won’t leave. Fretfulness bombards every cell. I continue to read,

      I say to God my Rock,
     “Why have you forgotten me?
     Why must I go about mourning,
     oppressed by the enemy?”
     My bones suffer mortal agony
     as my foes taunt me,
     saying to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”

     Why, my soul, are you downcast?

     Why so disturbed within me? Psalm 42:9-11.

The open Book breathes my own inner turmoil. The Living Word pleads,

       “Put your hope in God,
         for I will yet praise him,
         my Savior and my God”

As if I was handed, from the Spirit of God a personal prescription against the flood of fear and doubt. This Psalm invites me to seek the Spirit of God that I might sing in the rain.

The Book cries aloud, words I hold deep. Flooding over even to the next chapter.

     “Vindicate me, my God,
     and plead my cause
     against an unfaithful nation.
     Rescue me from those who are
     deceitful and wicked.
     You are God my stronghold” Psalm 43:1-2.

I imagine the Psalmist making a change, becoming secure and calmed until I continue reading aloud, only to discover the continued doubt and reminder of hurt.
    

     Why have you rejected me?
     Why must I go about mourning,
     oppressed by the enemy?

One phrase of exaltation and yet three thoughts of drowning pain. All in the same verse.

But, then I think, maybe I’m not crazy.  The psalmist penned this up and down sequence which, at this time, mirrors me, exactly. This might simply be common occurrence of all mankind.

 I know God as my stronghold and defense, yet I wrestle. I fight.

“Am I praying at all? What’s prayer anyway?”

“What’s God’s will when everything seems so wrong?”

“What’s going on?”

“Am I ‘trying’ to worship?”

“Is there meaning to the agony and unrest?”

Is it simply to turn to the One Who is Able and discover, He’s already at work on getting me through this test.

Living waters then spill out solutions for the darkness and the sudden attack of doubt,

     “Send me your light and your faithful care,
     let them lead me;
     let them bring me to your holy mountain,
     to the place where you dwell.

God dwells in praise, but praise seems so difficult. “Spirit of God, drown the doubt out of my way. And as the psalmist, I will follow through;
         

     Then I will go to the altar of God,
      to God, my joy and my delight.
      I will praise you with the lyre,
      O God, my God.”

A change does happen. Supernatural change. Psalm 43:5 has my soul speaking it’s consolation,

    Why, my soul, are you downcast?

    Why so disturbed within me?
   Put your hope in God,
   for I will yet praise him,
   my Savior and my God.”

Altered at the altar, I look to speak a hymn that can flood my insides with a happy condition:

Free from the law, O happy condition, by Philip Bliss, 1834. 
Jesus hath bled, and there is remission;
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Grace hath redeemed us once for all.

Chorus:
Once for all, O sinner, receive it,
Once for all, O friend, now believe it;
Cling to the cross, the burden will fall,
Christ hath redeemed us once for all.

Now we are free, there’s no condemnation,
Jesus provides a perfect salvation;
“Come unto Me,” O hear His sweet call,
Come, and He saves us once for all.

[Chorus]

“Children of God,” O glorious calling,
Surely His grace will keep us from falling;
Passing from death to life at His call,
Blessed salvation once for all.

[Chorus]

Why so downcast, O my soul?

“Spirit of God, You supernaturally have answered my call.”

 

 

 

A Repeated Song of Thanks and Love, from mom

A giver of gifts, not my specialty.

Empty wallet, distant feet, words that struggle to leave my heart to speak.

For each of my children, if you could take an imaginary ride through my veins, you would witness my mind reciting thankful strains,

a heart bulging with inexpressible love,

and through each vessel, your name resounding in your mama’s blood.

My child, you are knit to me.

With lack, and loss, and struggles, and pains, I seek to think on an abundant theme:

God the Father, Jesus, His Son, and the Holy Spirit—God is love.

He’s the Beginning, He’s the End. He saved me, remade me, fills me new, time and time again.

He’s my “same old” song on my one-stringed guitar. He’s my note that hammers and slides, with added harmonics.

The bread, His body, broken for me, the blood that was shed on Calvary, He bid me to come to His Table one day, that I might leave with Him every guilt and every stain.

The Table is where I gave Him my all.

He faithfully re-created me. He told me, “I will not let you fall.”

Following His grace notes, He’s added more strings.

God is blessed with family. The struggle for unity, harmony,  and joy each one knows.

I give you Jesus. He’s the wine never ending, the Bread, the beauty a Rose.

The invitation comes from the King of all Kings. His word is true, He’s hope. He’s life. He’s deliverance. He’s rest.

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–” (1)

Jesus is the name above every name. He never changes, never leaves, He forgives, He believes, . . .

in you.

Always.

He is faithful. Of Him only, this is true.

He’s your keeper, your healer. He breaks down every wall. He’s present. He’s patient.  He’s  power, and  peace.

He was spat on, beat, abused. He was hated.  He knows your every thought, good, bad, and weighted. He accepts you. He’s perfect,

so the best gift I could ever give to you my daughters and sons, (apart from the first birth, many years ago), I can offer you Jesus, for a new birth, right now, right here,

that daily we can share His world together with new eyes and new ears, and we grow in His grace and His knowledge for all eternity’s years.

Talk to Him now, read His word daily. Love floods in like a symphony’s song . . .

I love you forever, my sons and daughters, oh, but He loves you most, more than any other,

for now and forever,

I am a thankful mom.

(1) John 1:12