Tag: Jesus

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

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

 

 

Read your Bible, Pray Everyday, and you grow, Grow, Grow.

When we walk into a dark room, we search for the light switch.

Our world is a dark room. Where can we find the Light to warm our weary and restless hearts? But on that note, the light reveals the dirt and the junk.

Do we really want the Light on?

Common and broad is the media escape. Lights down low, time ticks on. Forgetting the day, and flying off in everyone else’s other world.

But there’s an inner fight and struggle. “I want more than this,” we cry inside. Where’s the Light switch. I need to draw near to God.

The Word is opened, fatigue overwhelms. Eyes can barely stay open, the battle rages on.

Psalm 103: 

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits–
Praise is a remedy to begin to restore breath.
I want strength and hope.
So, deep cries out to deep, and the best I can do is: “Dear God, You are good.”
Baby steps, perhaps, but I want medicine for my weary soul, so I continue to read:
. . . who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
God forgives my impulsive impatience today. God forgives all my sins. And He heals all my diseases?
What about the disease of worry and fret? What about self-righteousness? What about all the wrong things I say and do?
When I turn to see that God does, in fact, forgive and forget, I wonder, am I willing to do this for others. Forgive, and forget?
To give the other side a break? To let go, to forget?
God’s Word is sweet, but bitter all at the same time.
I have a choice, to close the Book and nod off, or
do I dare request from God to search and know my heart?
Well, yes, He already does. But by me asking, I’m giving Him permission to show me the stuff I keep hiding from myself.
God’s aware of everything.
He still loves. He’s showing me things.
He waits. I read on:
. . .who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
How can God do this? He’s not like anyone we see. He is above our greatest of thoughts. He loves beyond our comprehension.
Am I willing yet, to rest in His love?
To let go of the junk He’s revealed to me?
and then to put out my hands to receive?
. . . who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
I want so much to be satisfied with good things. I need energy.
But the big question is, do I want to be renewed?
Could it be, I have to let go of all my misery? Forsake my un-forgiveness?
This invades my identity. Can I let go of that?
Now, the verse about denying myself is coming to my mind:
 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me, Luke 9:23.
Could it be that all I want can be gained through me, . . .
losing?
Can I trust Godlike that? The world says, “NO!” “You have to trust yourself. Propel yourself forward.  Get up and go!”
 God’s solutions seem backward at best? If I lose myself, will I find life and rest?
Trust God? Psalm 103 says, “Yes.”
. . . The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

The Light switch is easy to find, but hard to maneuver:

It’s Surrender.

Jesus says, “You will have trouble in this world. Trust Me.”

Turning on Light, brings a cost to ourselves. There is a battle over and over again. But . . .

God laid His life down, that we might see, He is our present help, Psalm 103 reveals, it’s all His great doing, not me:

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children–
with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts . . . Psalm 103.
I gain all I desire, in surrender. I have choice. Moment by moment.
Over and over again. But now, I want Light:
“I surrender Lord.”
Repeated five times in the Bible, the Light switch is located all through the Gospels. “Where’s the Light switch?”
God answers:
“Those who love their own life will lose it; those who hate their own life in this world will keep it for life eternal” John 12:25.
“Those who try to gain their own life will lose it; but those who lose their life for my sake will gain it” Matthew 10:39.

“For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it,” Matthew 16:25.

 “For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for me and for the gospel, you will save it” Mark 8:35.

“For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it, but if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it” Luke 9:24.

It’s time to surrender. It’s time to be all God wants me to be. It’s time to turn on the Light. (Constantly!)

Join me?

Why Write?

I felt as if God woke me up and put on my heart, “Get up and write.” Not only last night, but after the cancer diagnosis.

“You’ve got cancer,” were the words from the Doctor eight years ago.

As many of you know, these words change your lives forever.

The urgency to write came. And, yes, even if the words were written primarily for me. God wanted me to write.

I didn’t know then that I would see eight years out, as I am today. During treatments, everything’s a blur.

I wrote to keep my vision as clear as possible of the Lord.

And, many of you know, I didn’t always have clear vision. Often, my view became distorted, warped, foggy. I needed help staying on course.

I’ll never forget a phone call with my sister Susie after a handful of treatments. I was more than under the weather. I felt thrown under the bus. (I will be blunt and honest,

I’m a believer in Jesus. He has washed my horrible sins away. He gave me His Holy Spirit to convict, convince, and reveal Christ . . .

I was hurting and completely without strength. I wanted to go home!  To heaven, home. Yes, exclamation point).

My sister Susie said the best words I needed to hear that day. They don’t seem like much, but they were the perfect reminder I needed to hear:

“Toni, people that keep faith do better in their battle.”

That was it. I had to keep faith.

Immediately, I had the will to live return. God does the changes in our heart that we can’t do ourselves.

That’s why I write. To remind myself Christ is the Rock. Cancer is not a podium to stand on, no, Jesus must be lifted up because He’s the giver of life after death. Jesus is the hope of heaven.

Jesus is our everything. We don’t realize it until someone gives you a death sentence.

The one truth in life, that is often pushed out of sight out of mind, is the fact that 100% of us will die. At some time or another, each of us will face death.

But I write because I don’t have to face death. This is the glory of it all. Our resurrected Lord, will resurrect us to be with Him in paradise. We only graduate to our home.

But we need each other. To spur us on for love and good works. My sister spurred me on to the best work I could ever do in my whole life: Keep believing God. Always.

When we don’t have strength to hold on, He’s got a hold on us.

Don’t condemn yourself for becoming weary and faithless. He is faithful. And, while it is today,

I will write, to the glory of God, I will.

“Where, O death, is your victory?

    Where, O death, is your sting?”[i]

 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” 1 Corinthians 15:55-58.

God is good. All the time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

No matter what, Jesus loves.

(When we sit to eat a meal, we hope to satisfy and fulfill. Today, many face great struggles and hard times. Perhaps we might read aloud to a child at our table, or, better yet, become that comforted child as we remember God through a weave of rhyme.

God News is needed to help enrich our day with food from His Word that is wholesome, sweet, trustworthy, and good.)

 

We can’t see God. We can’t hear His voice. But maybe we can, when we stop to be still and come away from the noise.

When times are filled with sunshine and laughter, it’s easy to praise God with joy inside.

But, when loss comes, or great sadness within, where can we go to start breathing again?

One vision will hold you and me at such times:

Imagine Jesus showing you His nail pierced hands. Yes, holding out His outreached arms, with marks from His scars. It’s so hard to understand.

Jesus has scars. He has suffered all we have, the same. And more.

He is able to know how you feel, He is Lord.

He was nailed to the cross, for you and for me. He was willing to suffer. And today, He says, “I love you. Do you believe?”

God speaks. Not audibly, of course, but He desires to comfort. He’s  near when we call.

God spoke out loud, one day of Jesus His Son. His voice came with sound, straight down from heaven:

“You are my Son and I love you. I am very pleased with you.”  This is what the Bible tells us in Mark 1:11.

God spoke again, at another time from a cloud, “This is my Son, and I love him. Obey him!”

The Bible tells us this in Mark 9:7.

We can see that God loves his Son.

But God, the Creator, the One in control, even though we don’t understand all that’s happening, and our feelings are low,

God gave His only Son to pay for our sin. Those marks on His hands are proof we’re forgiven.

 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you . . .” Jesus tells us in John 15:9. These words should be repeated aloud at least three times.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I love you. God loved His Son so very much, but here He’s saying, with that same love, He loves us.

This is His remedy for sad times of loss.

No matter what, Jesus loves.

No matter what’s happened, He asks that we ” . . . remain in my love.”

“Now remain in my love,” This is Jesus giving us a job to do.

This is God’s remedy. This is how it’s done.

We remain close, giving God our pain and sorrows. And He comforts us. He carries us today.

And we can comfort someone else in their hard day, tomorrow.

He’s got a good plan for all who believe.

His scars healed. And  He will help ours heal also.

“Help us dear Jesus, always remember Your great love. Help us stay close and read Your word, so we can hear Your voice and grow.

In Jesus name,

Amen.”

 

 

 

To be fruitful

Worship.

Wait.

Worship still.

Occupy, watch, wait some more, being nourished by daily water in His Word.

With continual Love from the Son, and grace sufficient for each day to abide, rejoice that He produces the fruit of joy in our soul.

Rejoice always. He alone is good.

He will do what He has said He would.

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” John 15:5-9.

Because of His new mercies, my meditation is a song.

A Psalm of David, so long ago, was penned and written for the Chief Musician.

Psalm 139, I pray will stay close to my heart as I take hold of His hand.

Before my feet hit the floor, may I meditate on who He is, and by His help better understand.

My walk is as a messy poem, but God in His great mercy never leaves me alone:

 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
 You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off.
 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.

 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.

 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

If these words be true, (You have pronounced Your Word as truth), help me today to believe.
Help me remember . . .You.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth, John 17:17 states.
So, in knowing and seeing it all, You can see clearly, I often make many mistakes.
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. John15:3.
I don’t completely understand, but I receive a washing in the morning as  I read.
Let this Word be a continual song I sing:

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;

Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;

The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

Yesterday’s pain, struggle, and loss feel like heaviness falling on me, but if even the night shall be light about me; . . . and the night shines as the day;

I receive Your Word that I don’t completely know, but when I look at a candle, only light surrounds it, so . . .

I can see that You are with me, and light even my night.

You are greater than all of my anxiety, ugliness, and fright. Your Word, the powerful sounds, are healing the doubt that so often surrounds.

 For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.
 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

Deep calls to deep. These thoughts are not as man’s. These Words pierce me through. My days you write in a book? Truly from beginning to end? I clearly see, I want more faith, more faith each day to trust You!

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!
 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Clearly, a lifetime it will take to comprehend such thoughts. Give me wisdom and knowledge. Help me understand the price You paid on the cross.

A Love so real. You laid down Your life for me. Even though You knew how wretched many of my steps would be.

I want to be on Your side, dear Lord.

Please keep me from being an enemy. With doubt, and unbelief. Making excuses to sin.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalm 119.

Get my eyes in Your Word, more and more, dear Lord.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

This is a hard prayer to pray in the morning, and even more so, at night.

Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for covering my sin with Your blood. I thank You for showing me You walk with me and know, every step that I take, and every word I speak, and even the thoughts that I think. And You still love . . .

You knew me in the beginning and promise to know my end days as well. Today, let me be new, tear down, rebuild, clean up and move.

Help me walk more closely. Help me let You lead. Let this be my song that I continually sing,
making the choice each day, to acknowledge You,  King:

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

In Jesus Name, I, and all who believe ask, “Let it be, yes, let it be. Amen.”

When Jesus is Silent

A mother’s child was sick. The mother, (a Gentile woman) must have been following and watching Jesus for some time.
She spoke the Jewish dialect, unlike her own, when she made her cry to Him:
“Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
“But He answered her not a word.” 
“And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us” Matthew 15:22-23.
Jesus was silent, and the followers of Jesus were cold-hearted,  impatient, and more.
But the desperate woman knew something . . .  deep down—Jesus was her only hope.
Then, Jesus spoke, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Are these sharp words of Jesus worse than silence?
Is this “No?” from the mouth of the Lord?
Jesus broke His silence, but the words to this desperate woman seem so far from compassionate: “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
As my eyes read on recovering from Jesus’ reply, thinking, “I don’t understand,”
The next verse informs:  “Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
This Gentile woman was not offended by His words.
 She most likely witnessed Jesus previously being with the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the house of Israel, of whom He said,
”These people draw near to Me with their mouths, and honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me” Matthew 15:7-9.
This Canaanite, gentile woman sought Jesus, not with the right words, but with her whole heart, and she worshiped Him.
 “But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” (Matthew 15:26). 
Israel is a nation, but Israel means, “one who strives with God.” This woman, with all her heart, believing Him to be her only hope, believing Him to heal her daughter, worshiped Him and asked for help—a lost sheep striving with God:
“True, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from the Master’s table”Mat. 15:27. 
 “Lord, I know I am a Gentile, but even the crumbs from Your table will be enough for me.”
Jesus wasn’t silent to be cold-hearted. Jesus didn’t reply to offend, but reveal her heart:
 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”And her daughter was healed at that moment Matthew 15:28.
Today, it’s “heart-check” time. Are we offended by the Word of God? Perhaps we do best to follow closely through the Gospels and walk with Jesus for awhile, to witness His grace and truth for ourselves.
“Give us understanding Lord, to Your Word. We are in desperate need of You for healing and hope. In Jesus Name, Amen.”
 For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” 1Sam. 16:7.

A Run of Refuge to the Psalms

Let’s devote time to run.

To run to the refuge of the Psalms.

Let’s get up and do it. Let’s move our hands to progress. To move our mind from chaos. To choose to run to the Songs.

Do these Words, so ancient speak today of a present situation? Whose words are these anyway?

Psalm 55, Amplified. These are Words penned by David, inspired by God:

Listen to my prayer, O God, and hide not Yourself from my supplication! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless and distraught in my complaint, and must moan; 

[I am distracted] by the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression and threatenings of the wicked; for they would cast trouble upon me, . . .

Can any of us identify with the cry?

God knows. He’s breathed these words: To the Chief Musician, with stringed instruments. A skillful song, . . .

My heart is grievously pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling are come upon me; horror and fright have overwhelmed me. 

And I say, O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest, Yes, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah
[pause, and calmly think of that]!

Is this a state we find ourselves in? Selah

Pause.

How challenging it is to do that!

When we read these living words aloud, we no longer feel alone.

Why do we wait to run to the shelter in the storm?

Destroy [their schemes], O Lord; confuse their tongues; for I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go about on its walls; iniquity and mischief are in the midst. 

Violence and ruin are within it; fraud and guile do not depart . . . 

How in the world are these words even a reality in our heart? But they are a reality. Our hearts bleed from all the hurt.

For it is not an enemy who reproaches and taunts me; then I might bear it; nor one who has hated me who insolently vaunts himself against me; then I might hide from him. 

But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend; We had sweet fellowship together, and used to walk to the house of God in company.

Psalm 55:16, Amplified is giving us a place to start:

As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon will I utter my complaint and moan and sigh, and He will hear my voice.

He has redeemed my life in peace from the battle that was against me [so that none came near me], . . .

I run to the One who created the sun, the moon, the stars, and every place. Who abides in praise and hears the broken heart.

He hears our voice. Our thoughts are written.

Let us shower and cleanse ourselves continually in His word. And draw near to Him. Asking for increased faith in believing, He is the LORD.

That is how we will get up again, and again. We can face today as we asked to be filled to overflowing with His Spirit. Rain down on us Your sufficient grace, dear Lord.

We lift our eyes to You, we speak Your Psalms back to You, and we praise You. This is our victory. This is our Peace.

You alone are Peace.

 The Scriptures used are from Psalm 55. Amplified. To God be the glory. May His Word be our continual guide.

God News for Kids/ The 10 Commandments Song

The 10 Commandments found in Exodus Chapter 20, are foundational to knowing the heart of God and His desire for His children, young and old.

Here is a song to help you learn this important text:

The 10 Commandment Song: Exodus 20:1-12

Words by God. Music, given to Toni Rypkema by God

 

I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.

I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.

 

You shall not have any gods before Me.

You shall not have any gods before Me,

I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.

 

You shall not make for yourself an idol, you shall not bow down and worship them.

I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.

 

You shall not misuse the name of God.

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord, the LORD your God.

I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.

 

Remember the Sabaath day by keeping it holy

Six days the Lord made heaven and earth but rested on the 7th day.

I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.

 

Honor your father and mother so you live long in the land.

Honor your father and mother, there’s a promise that it may go well with you.

I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.

 

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not give false testimony.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, or wife, or anything.

I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God. 2X, end.

God knew that his children would not be able to keep His law. He sent a Rescuer. Jesus.

Jesus is the only keeper of the 10. God’s law is not to make us run from Him, but to come to the cross in complete brokenness to acknowledge He paid the punishment we deserve in full.

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be save through Him.” John 3:17.

Enjoy learning the 10 Commandments of God through song.

love, Toni

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Man’s word. God’s Word.

Justice?

Peace?

The media of this day is filled with . . . words, words, and endless words of man. Our hearts feel oppression of lies, cruelty, hate. Confusion comes and every evil thing.

The Bible says, “if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” James 3:14-16.

This describes our day. People are confused. Out-of-order is the loud message of many people with microphones of this day.

We are restless.

Those who believe God is greater than all this, pray.

We seek His Word. Be amazed as He speaks in  Isaiah 29:

Woe to those . . .
who do their work in darkness and think,
    “Who sees us? Who will know?”
 You turn things upside down,
    as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!
Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,
    “You did not make me”?
Can the pot say to the potter,
    “You know nothing”? . . .

Professional people today are ruthless with each other, they are mockers of good. They, “with a word make someone out to be guilty, . . . with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice” Isaiah 29:13-21.

But believers in an Almighty God Who sees and knows, pray.

We ask God to encourage our hearts. We read His Word and He is faithful to speak and comfort:

“Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob:

“No longer will Jacob be ashamed;
    no longer will their faces grow pale.
 When they see among them their children,
    the work of my hands,
they will keep my name holy;
    they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob,
    and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
 Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding;
    those who complain will accept instruction” Isaiah 29:22-24.

These are words of hope.

The Word of God is filled with woes and stories hard to understand, but the spirit of man is fed and encouraged when the Spirit of God is invited in.

“Lord, give us hearts soft and ears open to receive and understand Your Word:”

“People of Zion, . . . you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you.  Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more;

with your own eyes you will see them.

 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

 Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!”

He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful . . .  The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted” Isaiah 30:19-26.

“Speak, Lord. Your servants are hungry for Your Word. We have read.

Show us our attitudes that must go.

Reveal to us Your ways, unlike ours.

We wait and believe You are able to accomplish all that You say to Your people who believe.

Help our unbelief!

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.”

 

The Polar Express? Believe? Yes, just like that.

We live in a fallen world.
But we’re not left orphans on this earth. But there are times when we feel like we are.

Jesus said, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” John 14:18.

Perhaps, there was a young day, when the soil of the heart was soft and receiving, and the journey was abundant with blessing and joy, but

what happens through the the course of time when the clay soil overtakes the soft top ground, the cold scorches the life from the leaves, the wind of trouble choke joy all around.

Because of circumstances, temptations of doubt and fear blow in like a harsh blizzard. Hearts, grown dark and cold, think of Jesus, the Light of the world, that He’s some distance away, somewhere.

We think a-miss. We trust our feelings and heart. Then we separate from the Word, and begin to trust elsewhere.

And we look around, and the name of God’s Son, Jesus,  is taken from every place.  It’s not in the schools, in the towns, or the books children are allowed to read. It’s used as a curse, even on TV.

“Who’s Jesus? Why should I care what He says?”

The winter is long, hard, and cold, and we ask, “What’s happened to this place?”

Quite honestly, I have failed God often through unbelief, and lack of faith. And, there are people in my life who have witnessed failure at times in walking the faith I claim to have.

But there is not one day, that, even though I didn’t have a hold on God, He had a hold on me.

Yes, I believe!

There was a day, that I have written about before, when I thought I was going to die. But I didn’t. I was sick, outwardly afraid, and weak. I’m reminded of it often, but, again today because of a verse I read this morning:

“After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this” Revelation 1:4.

My eyes were closed, and I saw a door open. Out of all the things I could have possibly see, I saw the two scarred, but healed, hands of Jesus presented palms up before me. And the impression of the words from a favorite child’s book, “Not all know Me as their King.”

“Oh, I’ve heard this before,” you might be saying to yourself. Yes, perhaps, but today, I’m reminded of a question I was asked from Sunday’s message from church,

“What is living, to you?”

Quite honestly, through all that God has allowed for me to be part of, great treasure and riches in family and friends, great gifts, and joys, as well as deep, and excruciating loss and sadness, I would like to answer the pastor,

“to live is Christ.”

Yes, as in the Book of Philippians,  “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21. 

I feel the light enter my heart at the very proclamation.

He knows every little thing about us. Even before we were born, the Bible says God knew:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;” Jeremiah 1:5.

Do I believe God? Yes, the choice is mine.  I choose right now, with each minute of time, to believe God’s Word to illuminate and vitalize my mind.

God knows my name. He knows yours too. He has a plan for each of us. He is Almighty God, and  He is good.

The Bible proclaims that God sees us now. He knew what went on yesterday, and He knows our tomorrow as well:

“You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely” Psalm 139:2-4.

The number of our days is already written in a book: “My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
    How vast is the sum of them!” Psalm 139:15-17.

Am I living to live long? Is the purpose of my life my family? my job? serving in the church?

What is all this living for anyway? Who am I believing to show me the way?

Do I believe God?

I guess the main issue, when it all comes down to it, is, God is God. Whether we believe Him or not.

I don’t need to worry what this one thinks or that, for that matter, but I must be concerned about God’s heart and thoughts. Do I believe?

He’s like the Polar Express coming at some point in our lives,  and the door opens, and He calls, “All Aboard.”

He gives every single human being a call at some time or another.  I believe every house is visited.

He’s big enough when we don’t believe.
Yes, He is. He let’s us be.

But today, I will proclaim Him, and best I can, receive His great love, which is beyond my understanding. And I pray to the God of the Universe, that He help those who believe to be like little samples of His grace.

Hey, the Express is here,

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” Revelation 3:20.

Let’s choose Jesus, the Christ today. The journey northward to heaven will be directed by the Conductor. He’s got the plan all written down.

 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne” Revelation 3:21.

Amen. God help our unbelief. We’re taking the big step to forever, with God at the helm.

 

 

 

Hymn Therapy for an infusion of faith and renewed strength and direction

Hymn Therapy awakens the quiet spirit in the senior folk and they tap their feet and sing each word from memory when I, on occasion have to look at the lyrics to get them right.

Oh, the joy. And even more than that, what power.

Music has power. And add the doctrine and truth of the hymns and you’ve got healing, life, and energy being birthed before your eyes. Everyone in ear shot of the sounds are changed.

In need of breaking through a stressed and restless spirit, an increased tempo is played and then the story. This is actually Christian testimony, universal.

And I must admit, this medley is individually my Christian story.

You see, there comes that day when the heart is touched by the Lord and the decision is made to follow Jesus.

Choosing to give our back to the world and face to the cross gives us courage and strength against the temptations that come every day.

Pressing in closer to God and growing in His grace and knowledge of His precious Son brings relationship unlike any other we can obtain here on earth.

Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother, (Proverbs 18:24).

What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.

Talking to Him through the day becomes a common occurrence.

But I will confess at this time, I fail often. I have let circumstance, and the reactions and responses of others to move me, especially in my home. I get discouraged, tired, and what seems, faith-less.

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

How we need infusion of hymn therapy at times like this.

The very act of singing the hymn gives opportunity for the heart to confess to God our weaknesses, which He already knows,

and  our spirit is quickened again to what’s most important—faith that is pleasing to the Lord.

Are we weak and heavy-laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Yes, we are.

Precious Savior, still our refuge.

Oh, how we forget, especially drowning under the load of care.

What happens? What do we do?

Take it to the Lord in prayer, In His arms He’ll take and shield us.

He leads us to the cross.

His willingness, His surrender, His gentleness.

Can we find a friend so faithful? Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Then our faith returns, we are healed in heart and God can once again use us to bear fruit.

I may fail, but my Lord is perfect. He is my help in times of trouble. Jesus knows our every weakness, we can take it to the Lord in prayer.

Will you decide now, to follow Jesus? Will you decide now, to follow Jesus? Will you decide now, to follow Jesus? No turning back, no turning back.

Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony.

 Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 

 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 

 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life  1John 5:10-12.

If you decide now, to follow Jesus, simply talk with Him about washing away your sin. He’s paid the debt in full.

Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit. In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sin and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.

Joseph M. Scriven, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, 1855.

Source Unknown, Folk Melody from India, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.