Is it true? Is it slippery as sand or a Rock to stand?

“Make good choices,” we instruct our children. “T-H-I-N-K before you speak. Is it True, Helpful, Inspired, Necessary, and kind?”
“Is it true?” is an interesting question. If our thoughts be accusing and destructive, then our “truth” is misguided. Who is the “accuser of the brethren” anyway? The devil himself.
We check ourselves in the mirror before going out. We make choices in appearance. We concern ourselves with the outside. However, we can be deceived in what we see, in our own lives, and the lives of others.
But the Lord said . . . “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7.
We have today. None of us know what tomorrow will bring. As the world spins out of control, often with “evil being spoken of as good,” and “good being spoken of as evil,” the children of the world, (young, old, and older still) are often confused.
We are often deceived by what we see. We are often misguided by twisted words here and there.
If our outside world is crumbling, but we are getting our hearts in line with God, our Father in heaven, who is holy and just, and merciful, compassionate and forgiving, then we are gaining riches no one can take away from us:
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life,” Galatians 6:7,8.
Today, let us build our house upon the Rock. With the foundation of wisdom and understanding and good judgement. Let us seek the “fear of the LORD” this day, that we might obtain the riches that god has for us.
“Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment,” Proverbs 9:10.
Where do we begin? If your world has been torn down, don’t fret. Perhaps the foundation wasn’t sound. It’s time to rebuild.
But, before the work for today, let’s “pretend as a child” as if hearing from Jesus Himself, our instruction,
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash,” Matthew 7:24-27.
Today we choose to rebuild in wisdom. Rebuild in knowledge and good judgement. We will rebuild with an awe and hope and a healthy fear of the LORD.
This is the foundation that stands—Truth is on our side. This is a good and solid choice. This is the way we will T-H-I-N-K!

Who is the LORD?

Who is the LORD? I thought I knew. But, like a flood, at times, the foundation of my mind becomes overwhelmed with weight and heaviness.
Do you know of this kind of stress?

What then do I do? Where do we go? What kind of witness is this?

If it’s true, that we’re not alone. And we’ve received the love of the Father and have believed on His Son.

If it’s true He promises to hear when we call, and is a present help in time of need,
what  do we do when it all seems to be swept away by a flood? Can you hear the still small voice whisper,

“Hear the word of the LORD.”

Not, “read” the word. But words sprinkled throughout the entire Bible remind us to also “hear” and “listen”  to word of the LORD.

“So then faith comes by hearing and hearing of the word of God,” Romans 10:17.

To hear the word it must be read and spoken. For those with no hearing, it must be signed.

So, here it goes, let’s put sound on our voice. Let’s take extra effort and read aloud, even though the carpet’s been lifted from under our feet. Even though the water is rising over our heads, let’s increase our faith by reading the Word, aloud.

Because God said.

So I open my Bible to Psalm 27.

I read aloud verse 7 first, as it fits my situation.
“Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When You said,”Seek my face,”

My heart said to You, “Your face LORD, I will seek.”

Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my help; Do not leave nor forsake me. O God of my salvation. When my father and mother forsake me,

Then the LORD will take care of me.”

Power is given by the Lord our strength. Now let’s read on together aloud and strong every word from the 27th Psalm.

But, go to your Bible and open it up, and together we be changed by His Spirit of Love. Alone with the LORD,

Let’s make Him our trust. And hear our voice ring, and call Him today,
“Lord.”

Re-weave this tapestry

“Empty the impatience, empty the anxiety.” You, Lord, can read my heart as it cries,  “Give me a break!”

This tapestry of mine is frayed and torn and worn out, forlorn.

Then, I remember, when You walked this dry, barren land, officials with position put on Your head a thorny crown.
The words, “Give me a break,” come back to me, as I watch You in Your word, in silence You went, the way of the cross.
I have a payment owed. I can’t come close to pay it.
Death for my sin is the bottom line. To be separated forever from Your Love, for all time.
I am broken and frayed. I can’t meet the requirements. To be perfect and holy, there’s naturally, no way.
“I am willing.” Jesus answers.
Not with words, but in action. The words of the pages bring the past into focus.  The words are today, for me, in the present.

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.  The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe  and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.

 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”  

When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them,

“Here is the man!“

As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted,

“Crucify! Crucify!” (John 19:1-6, NIV).

 The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” (John 19:7).

The word speaks with such sharpness. How the story often is blurred. But living, it is, and it speaks. To me, every word:

 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace.

“Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.

 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar . . .”

13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out, . . . “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.

15 But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”
How can I read all this and not ask, “Who is this Man?”
Praying, “God, give me a break.” He shows me, “I AM. I have given you a break.”

Deeply woven in me is a sense of justice. But, it’s not found in You.
Weaved inside my being are threads that life should be fair. That what’s “right” must prevail.
But, Jesus.
You didn’t fight. You didn’t defend Your innocence.
You remained silent. You weave the word s-a-c-r-f-i-c-e in Your cloak of Love.
And in my tapestry, you find competition,
comparisons,
insecurities,
and pride.
And, who am I kidding, rudeness and evil thoughts thread their way through, knit, naturally inside.
Rip it all out Lord.
Rip these threads from me.
I believe Who You are. You came that I might be made free.
Weave in me, Your Scarlet thread.
Death to myself and my own righteousness, and my needing control of the circumstance.
Re-weave me.
I am broken and frayed.
But I believe You came. Let my tapestry proclaim You.
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 
(Revelation 21:5-7).
Jesus brings eternal life.
 

What news are we investing time in?

We see and hear the news. Have we honestly been deceived in believing the daily news is of more value than the inspired Word of the God, who Loves and created us all?
With intelligence in technology, and language, and medicine, and law – have we really come to believe we can “live life without God?”
In Literature, we understand the best story has great conflict. Did we forget there’s an enemy that’s out to destroy? Did we forget he hates everyone? Satan deceives the world that God is the “kill joy.” When he, himself is the killer of all joy.
Satan hates. Satan lies. And he’s deceived the world that God doesn’t care.
Our hearts and minds are naturally dark from the fall.
By page 3, in the Book, the Bible, by name – we can clearly see, that God didn’t bring the ruin we often give Him blame.  Where is the curiosity to “check it out for ourselves?” Do we really believe the modern “opinion” of what the Book’s all about.
Did we forget that all the words that flow through our brains is not truth. All the words we read are not fact. Satan hates. And He is in full attack!
The name of “Jesus” is an offense. “Whatever you do, don’t speak of His name.”
Can’t you see the smirk on Satan’s face, when in the name of “Jesus” Satan has to flee.
Run to the Word. Seek refuge in God. Yell at Him if you must. Tell Him your heart. God is big enough to take your pain and your anger.
He sent His Son. Your debt has been paid. Talk to Him about Jesus. Ask Him what it’s all about.
His word will bring healing to your heart.
When we turn in our disaster to His good and precious Word. When we seek Him in brokenness, He won’t turn away,
He hears . . .
He hears . . .
Are you seeking His face? He will pour down on you, His grace.
Satan hates for any to believe. If you get on your knees, he has to flee.
A Book in the Bible, Nehemiah by name, tells a story, that today many can relate. Nehemiah received news about the state of his homeland.
“Those who survived the exile . . . are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” Nehemiah 1:3.
Turn and open the pages in the Book. Watch Nehemiah’s response, after receiving news of the day:
 “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.”   Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,  let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel.” (Nehemiah 1:4-6).
Have we forgotten God is the creator of heaven, and is the great and awesome God?
Have we believed all the words of deception, of  “Big Bang” evolution – even though every day we see that through time all material things break down.
The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics – a universal law of decay. Yet book after book fill the libraries today that great systems evolved through eons of time.
Satan laughs through it all. He’s deceived God’s creation.
Back to Nehemiah, and his prayer. Could it be, that God will restore life and hope in the hearts of us all, if we simply open old, and sacred pages:
“I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.  We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,  but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’” (Nehemiah 1:6-9).
Can we humble ourselves and admit “sin” anymore?
“O God, turn us around. Restore. Restore!”
What medicine ever “tastes” good and is “easy to take?” The remedy of “turning to God and admitting my wrong,” isn’t pleasant,
but that’s when the healing comes. Do hard things.
Can you and I admit that we’ve been unfaithful? That our hearts feel “scattered” and torn. Can you and I receive today, the promise in the return:
“but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.” (Nehemiah 1:9).
I pray for a return of the children of God. Let’s pray “Revival.” And believe in our hearts that with God’s “great strength and mighty hand,” He will “gather” His children back and restore.
That the News of God’s Holy Word would be the priority above all things.
“Today, Our Father in heaven, in Whom we pray, and in the name of Jesus, Whom You gave to save, I humble and pray and seek Your face. Will You wipe away all my sin and disgrace? I believe healing, salvation and an outpouring of Your amazing grace. A new creation today, I’ll be. Thank you for gathering me, and setting me free. in Jesus name, Amen.”
 
 
 
 

"Trusting God is always the right thing to do." A happy birthday note to David.

“Trusting God is always the right thing to do.”
It might not always look like the “smartest” thing to do, but as each day dawns, if we seek the Lord with a yielded heart, doing the best we can, slippin’ and slidin’ along the way, He is our support.
His Hand is our hope and stay.
He offers grace, “unmerited favor,” and mercy, “not giving us what we deserve.” God is a faithful Father.
And God spoke from heaven in Luke 9:35, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

There was a day I heard God say those words to me, so I spend time each day trying to do just that – to “hear Him”
 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14.
Perhaps I’ll spend my lifetime discovering what this verse is all about. But today I write because we celebrate the birthday of my 9th child, David.
Happy Birthday David! How can you actually be 17 years old today?
Born in the year 2000, I will never have to stop and do math to figure out your age. My 2000 baby.
David, you are such a blessing. Words could never express.
From the beginning, well, you did have a bit of a rough beginning, at least from my point of view – you were my biggest baby of the 11 at 8lbs 14 oz.
But for you, it was probably wonderful to be breathing well at birth because you had the chord wrapped around your neck during delivery. Thanks to the best midwife on the planet, Marylou Nalducci,
and our Lord Jesus, (who was watching out for you then and is watching out for you now,)
you recovered it all. The purple blue face for the first few days, all the prodding from the Neonatologist, the tests. And then later, coming home to a houseful of kids who couldn’t wait to hold you.
It is days like this when you can say with a heart skipping with joy, “It is always right to trust the Lord.”
And now to think, you will be approaching your Senior year in high school. And smart as can be. No damage done in that rough beginning, that’s for sure.
“Thank you Lord.”
David, 17 years later your mom and dad will still tell you, “It’s always right to trust the Lord.” We might not always say it with an outward “skip and a hop,” in our voice, but with a deep resound.
But God has shown himself faithful daily. To you, to me, to our entire family. That is why your mom and dad love the Lord so much David. Because He loves us first.
And He blessed us on June 3 with you! “Trusting God is always the right thing to do!”
But you have experienced and seen for yourself, in the 17 young years of your life, that “trusting God” in life is a bit like a marathon. It has it’s ups and downs and dizzy spells and muscle aches.
Sometimes “trusting God” just plain hurts. Especially if you feel you are on mile 17 of the run, or again on mile 26, with rubber knees and bleeding toes! ( I wouldn’t know from running specifically.)
But experientially, your mom and dad can say, David, It’s always right to trust the Lord. You see, He is the One who directs your steps through the rough terrain and the smooth.
He’s there at the beginning. He waits for us to believe. He hears us when we bleed. He helps us persevere. And in Him, He helps us succeed.
Seek His face as you wake. Hear His voice in His word. Talk to Him throughout your day.
Trust God. He is faithful. Always.
David, before you get out of bed, take a hold of your Father’s hand – your Father in heaven, and follow His lead. He will show you the way.
I love you, forever,
mom
“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.
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.“ Psalm 62:8.
“Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?” Deuteronomy 10:12-13.

A Salvation Story. Do I come out of the rain?

God holds the Umbrella that I come out of the rain.
Why the struggle? Why the delay?
God holds the Umbrella. He cares about me.
Did I forget? Or did I simply leave?
Do I find contentment in lies that bring strife? Am I choosing to destroy my very own life?
Can I make the choice to step out of the comforts of despair?
Or do I keep my head down on the puddles, believing lies of being victim. Staying, pitifully there.
He bids me with thunder and lightning to fear and to look. In the Light, through the flash,
I see the hand of His Son.
It’s reached out towards me.
Then I see His face.
His eyes, . . .
are grace.
He calls my name. I hear the words,”Come.” 
Directly in my heart, I feel Him look.
Burning.
Revelation comes, Truth is alive.
He waits.
Immediately, there’s strength that wasn’t there.  Hope to lay down the shame. To cast off the pain.
God is offering me to come out of the rain.
Again, He calls my name.
Do I receive Him and take hold of His hand?
Why is it so hard? Why would I choose to stay out in the cold? To reject the dance. To stay wet in distress?
In an instant I choose.
I lift my eyes to meet His.
In an instant my garments are made new. Gloriously cleansed. I take hold of His hands. With all of my being, I know at last, I have found Love. He loved me first.
He desires me.
The rain is still falling, but I don’t even care. Because Love has captured all of my being. Love has called me. He has lifted me up.
I turn to kiss His cheek. He smiles.
He is pleased.
Everything new, everything possible, we dance, and we dance under the grand Umbrella. The canopy of protection, with a symphony of grace.  As it rains,  Love and I look face to face.
With a long-lost song that returns in my heart, I will sing as I dance, and make day of the night.

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.