Grace and Mercy 2009

New Years Eve... when the countdown begins of letting go of the current year, and bringing in the new year with great celebration and hope for better things to come. For some, this past year has been a year of struggle and hardship. For others, it has been the best year of their lives. For most of us it is a year that has brought both hardship and times of joy. Pain and sorrow are often intertwined with success and joy.

My husband and I took fruit baskets to our surrounding neighbors this year the week before Christmas. As we listened to each family recap their struggles this past year, we felt that we had shared a little part in their lives as we had prayed for them over the year. One man's wife had died with cancer. A wife had lost her husband due to an accidental death. He had been cleaning the gutters on there house and fallen. Another young couple struggled to raise a young family and plan for the future. He had been going to school as well as work. Other things had happened during the year. He said it was the hardest year they had experienced. Another neighbor is raising three sons without their father as he is working in another country.

This year, in our family, we saw renewed relationships that had been broken. We experienced the loss of a dear brother who died with lung cancer. We were in involved in two weddings of young ladies we had known since their birth. We tried to be an encouragement to the broken hearted. We have experienced sickness and healing. We had some great family times together with our children and grandchildren. We rejoiced at the birth of our new grandson.

If I could declare a theme for this past year... it would be "grace and mercy." If you could read my journal... it would describe in detail what God has done in my life in the year of 2009. If I could read your journal... it would probably describe much of the same. I have grown in grace and knowledge and I am so thankful for the Lord, His Word that guides me, for friends that encourage me. I am thankful for the freedom we have to serve and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. We are a blessed people and nation.

As we leave 2009 behind... may you be blessed in your relationship and knowledge of the Lord Jesus in this coming year. May you grow in grace, and may His grace and beauty shine through you. May others want to know who He is because they have seen Him in you.

"All of us, with no covering on our faces, show the shining greatness of the Lord as in a mirror. All the time we are being changed to look like Him, with more and more of His shining- greatness. This change is from the Lord Who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18

" I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-- righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God." Philippians 1: 9-11

That You Should Be Mine!

That you should be mine.

Reading the Old Testament can be challenging at times, but I have come to love it. When read with New Testament understanding, in the light of Jesus as its aim and fulfillment, it comes alive with the character of our God who really is the same today as he was all those very many years ago.

You have to admit that some of the Old Testament laws and regulations are a little weird. Some of them make you wonder what the Israelites were thinking in the first place if God had to tell them that such and such was a no-no. Really – don’t have sex with your father’s wife or your sister or your dog? I guess people, if left to themselves, and the influence of the ruler of this world, will do just about anything. In fact, that’s what the people of Canaan were known for – evil practices, abominations in the eyes of God, done in the name of worship to their pagan gods.

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is like no other god. The God of Israel has a different way of doing life, different rules to make life work, different rules of worship so that his people would be like him and would not participate in the abominable practices of the surrounding nations.

I am the Lord your God. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statues. You shall follow my rules and my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 18:3-4

I am the Lord your God, who have separated you from the peoples. You shall therefore separate the clean beast from the unclean…You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine. Leviticus 20:24-26

That you should be mine. Listen to the heart of God in that statement.

That you should be mine.

That same God says to you today, “I am the Lord your God. I want you. I want you to be mine. Your acceptance of the sacrifice of my Son makes you holy to me, separated out from the others, mine.”

Oh Lord, I am yours! I belong to you. May I walk in the joyful confidence of knowing that I am wanted by the Most High God.

(a recycled post)

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

I wish you a blessed Christmas. May you experience peace in your heart because God is with you. May you have joy in your heart because of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. No matter how "good" or "bad" your Christmas may be, may Christ's love embrace you. May you know that God cares for you, and that He is good.

With "Season's Greetings" and "Happy Holidays" often replacing "Merry Christmas" as a greeting, I was wondering what came even before that. I was pleased to discover the more meaningful traditional Orthodox greeting:
Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Grace, peace and love to you. May God's blessing be on you and yours.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Luke 1:35

And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God."

I can't deny it...I've thought of Mary in awe my whole life. I've tried to imagine what she must have been like and what kind of personality or character would have made her the young woman God chose to be the mother of his only Son. I don't think she was perfect by any stretch of the imagination. I do believe however, that one of the things that set her apart was her complete trust and submission to her Heavenly Father. She pretty much sums that up with her response to Gabriel's life changing news for her in verse 38. And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." I love that.

Another thing I love is that God is seriously the King of Gift Giving. You know that when He gave us Jesus, His precious and only Son....He gave us the gift that just keeps on giving. Our blessed Lord, Immanuel, Prince of Peace...with his birth brought hope...and with his death brought life.

What was available for only a select few, before his foretold coming, is now available, accessible and life changing for us as His sons and daughters...His precious ones.

That amazing gift given to Mary to help her do what God had called her to do...is yours and mine today...for the exact same reason. We have intimacy with our Saviour. We have His Spirit to help us grow and fulfill God's will in us. We are part of his purpose and part of his plan.

Thank you Jesus for your beautiful sacrifice. Thank you for sending us your Holy Spirit. Thank you Father for loving us that much.

For whatever seems impossible for you right now...remember what you have and what you have been given.

And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you....."

Eyes to See

I love this story about Elisha and his servant, Gehazi. It's a great reminder of reality. The king of Syria is after Elisha, because he keeps sending word to the king of Israel, warning him of the whereabouts of the king of Syria who is warring against Israel. He finds out Elisha is in a town called Dothan...

So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city.

And the servant said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"

He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see." So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:14-17

God opened Elisha's servants eyes to see the reality of the situation and invited him to be courageous. "Don't be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

I also think of when the angels appeared to the shepherds at the time of the birth of a little boy. God allowed them to see the multitude of angels rejoicing and praising God. What a gift! I would have loved to have seen that, and heard their voices. How could you not want to go see for yourself "this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us"? They got to see the reality of the situation and were invited to rejoice. "And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen..."

May the Lord give us eyes to see the reality of the situation, whatever it may be. Sometimes he opens our physical eyes to see spiritual realities, sometimes our spiritual eyes are opened by faith to see, to know, what's really going on. May we gladly accept the invitations to be courageous and rejoice!

Those who are with us, are more than those who are with them!

If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

Peace in the Valley

We talk about mountain-top experiences; we talk about being in the valley. I was reading an emailed Christmas letter from friends this morning. In response to a song "God of the Mountain" by Lynda Randle, she writes how she relates to the idea of "God meeting us in the Valley – the place where there is shelter, warmth, people and also all of the conflict and disorder that is part of real life." (italics mine)

I love that. God meeting us in the valley; God with us in the valley...and being our peace.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

I want this God with me in the valleys of life. I want the wisdom of His counsel, I want the power of His might, I want the faithfulness of His love, I want the reign of His peace...in EVERY day of my life!

Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:10&14 (And I hope by now that you know He is pleased with His own. Isn't that amazing grace?!)

The Prince of Peace, the God of peace (1 Thess.5:23) is with you in "the conflict and disorder that is part of real life" as my friend writes.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 Who does He keep in perfect peace? You and me as we are mindful of the "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" and put our trust in Him to be all that for us personally. As our focus is on Him peace comes. He keeps us in perfect peace as our mind stays on Him. That's the challenge, isn't it? When we get conned into worrying about our concerns and problems ... poof! ...our peace is gone.

This is my Christmas prayer for each one of us, that in our lives "the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. Isaiah 32:17

Throughout this last week before Christmas may you "go out in joy and be led forth in peace". Isaiah 55:12

My Jesus Coat

(This post has been re-cycled from December 2008)

A few years ago I was invited to several "fancy" events that just so happened to be in the middle of winter.

I'm typically a jeans girl, but I must admit...I do get that nervous excitement of dressing up on the rare occasion that sends me back to that same girly sensation of getting ready for the senior prom.

The first event was an elegant evening wedding. I went shopping and bought an appropriate dress and shoes for the occasion. How fun. I had not, thought ahead, however, to what coat I might wear that would suit such pretty attire. I did not think of the coat at all, actually...until a couple of hours before we were supposed to leave for the wedding when I noticed it was freezing outside!

Out of time and not wanting to spend a lot of money on a coat that I would only wear a couple of times a year...I called my girlfriend and asked if she had anything I could borrow that would look okay with my elegant dress and shoes. She said she'd bring me something when her and her husband picked us up to go to the wedding. When she arrived...I tried on all of my coats, plus her coat that she had brought for me, to see what looked best. We decided that her coat was the best of the options and so I put it on and we went to the wedding. The only problem was that the sleeves were seriously about 5 inches too long and no matter how we tried to fix the sleeves...it just looked a little funny. I wasn't too worried though because I thought that I would just take the coat off as soon as we got there. It would be fine.

Well....something wasn't quite right with the heat and it was freezing in there. I tried to take the coat off, but every time, I was miserably cold. There I was...a woman...dressed like a princess...but feeling like a little girl...playing dress up in her Mama's coat. We laughed a lot that night and eventually I got warmer....and we had fun. But I told Jesus....that I had at least 2 more fancy events to go to and that it really would be nice if I had a nice dress coat to wear.

Sometime later....my sister and I were out "treasure hunting".....(browsing around in thrift stores)...not looking for anything in particular....when I saw it there on the rack....

A beautiful...chocolate brown, faux fur, vintage, full length coat in mint condition and it was just my size....I trembled with excitement as I took it off the rack...it was so heavy and beautiful...I couldn't believe it.....this time....I felt like Lucy from Narnia as I put it on....

I couldn't stop smiling as I found my sister to show her my treasure...."Jesus totally loves me," I told her, "this coat is from Him." And I knew it...with all my heart.

I hadn't grown up with a lot....and I had experienced Jesus providing huge needs in my life...but this wasn't one of those times....this was simply...My heavenly Daddy showing his little girl that He loved her....it wasn't a need....just a petty little desire....but I had shared my heart with Him and He had shared His with me.

I love that coat! I feel like a million dollars when I put it on....It is my Jesus coat.

What ever your needs are....share them with Jesus....give Him your heart and ask Him what His love looks like for you today....

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

In His Shadow

Psalm 91:1

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. KJV

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. NIV

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. ESV

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. NLT

I love Psalm 91. You should go read the whole thing.

The other morning I awoke to Psalm 91:1 running through my mind. It is a verse that I am familiar with but not one that I have chosen to memorize and since I did not consciously put it in my mind, I have been joyfully meditating on it ever since. I have been asking the Lord to speak to me through it and to reveal to me specifically how it applies to me in my life right now.

Well...it's December. Which translates "crazy busy...everyday, every night seems like something's going on."

Lord...How do I manage the life I live, in the world I live...keep up, keep it simple and not lose focus of You in the most wonderful celebration of Emanuel--God With Us?

You readers out there may have some good suggestions for us because I know I'm not alone in this.

But for the meantime,I will tell you what I try to do...I pray alot and I meditate on God's words...It's the only way I can stay focused on what's important. It's the only way I know how to enjoy what I actually love and that is... Christmas!

So back to Psalm 91:1...What does it mean to dwell in the shelter of the Most High? What imagery does that conjure up for you?

What does a shelter do? What do you need sheltering from? Dwelling doesn't mean here for a few days, gone for a few days. It means living, residing, decorating, being at home. In your everyday busy life, in your work, in your relationships, in your thought life....what does it mean to live everyday in God's shelter?

And the promise is this....if we dwell in the shelter of the Most High...we will rest and abide in the shadow of the Almighty, the El Shadai.

When I think of resting and abiding in the shadow of my Lord...I get a whole new sense of what is important. He's helping me with all "my plans" for His Birthday Celebration. We're close. I'm still a bit scatter brained but I'm 'resting' in the doing and not 'fretting' in the doing.

Let's dwell with Him together. Bless His Holy Name. What Joy He brings in the peace of His Presence. Celebrate His Birth. Rest in His Shadow. Know the Truth. Live in His Shelter.

Grace and Peace and Joy to you my sisters.

Joseph the Carpenter

The Birth of Jesus Christ

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.¹⁹Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

²⁰But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

²²All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

²⁴When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ²⁵But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
~ Matthew 1:18-25

Let's put this scenario in today's time. There's so much infidelity going on in today's society that it makes me sick. What's been on the headlines this week: Tiger Woods and his admissions of infidelity... him taking his wife and 2 kids to Sweden to work on being a better parent, husband and to work on himself.... 13 women have come forward admitting to affairs with Tiger. That's only one example of what's going on this world. There's so many I could list off.

No man had ever slept with Mary. God incarnate placed His son Jesus into her womb. In those times a woman could be stoned for becoming pregnant before marriage. Mary was carrying God's son and Joseph, not knowing or believing that this was true, loved her so much he chose to do the honorable thing and not have Mary stoned but to divorce her quietly. An engagement was legally binding in those days and was totally different than how we go about getting ready for marriage. God intervened and Joseph obeyed. He took Mary as his wife and had no union with her until Jesus was born. Wow!

Look at how many teenagers are having sex before marriage. Look at how many couples live with each other to see if they're compatible for marriage. How many marriages are falling apart or have fallen apart because of extramarital affairs either by the husband or wife. Divorce is so predominant in today's society. It's quite sad.

Joseph could have walked away from Mary. He could have chosen to make a spectacle and have her stoned and her pregnancy exposed publicly. Mary could have walked this journey by herself and suffered alone. Joseph chose to stand by her and shared the "shame" she would have endured by this pregnancy. That's a man! Not many men would do that today. How many of us would wait that long to have sex? It's advertised and glamorized on TV that sex before marriage is okay. The temptations are there and were real I'm sure for Joseph and Mary once they were married yet he chose to have no union with her until Jesus was born.

The true Christmas story is truly from God. No one could ever carry a child conceived by the Holy Spirit on their own. Joseph and Mary walked this journey by God's strength. That sure is a testimony of God's power and amazing strength.

Joseph the carpenter was a role model that we can look to. How many of us are willing to walk the other way when things get tough and challenging.... sometimes embarrassing... so we run and hide. How many of us would choose to walk the road that's got rough terrain, even though we know there's gain by walking the tougher journey. I find that difficult myself. It's easier when things go smooth and my way. I am in a place where the journey is tough yet I long for the simpler life I had without as many challenges. Yet, knowing I'm growing deeper in love with Jesus in this journey would I still trade it? Today I realized that I wouldn't. I praise God for showing me the strength of Joseph.... I have alot to learn from him.

Ponder the Path of Life

As we continue last Friday's discussion of "the path," let’s look at another comparison.
Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol (the grave); she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. Proverbs 5:5-6
Those who do not know Christ as Saviour and Lord are unknowingly, and maybe some are consciously, following the path of death to the grave. They do not ponder the path of life… and don’t realize they are already dead since they have not chosen Life.

But the righteous – those who have received the righteousness of Christ and walk in His ways – do ponder the path of life and have literally been set on a brand new path - the path of life!
In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. Proverbs 12:28
Even if the righteous walk the path of life all the way to the grave, that death is not their end, nor will it be ours if we die before the Bridegroom returns. For those who have died in Christ are very much alive with Him… and will be for all eternity. What an amazing promise of hope!

This hope is not only for the afterlife - Praise God!- but it’s for here right now on earth.
For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders – makes level - all his paths. Proverbs 5:21
The Lord has His eyes on our paths, and He makes them level before us. How gracious and kind He is! God gives a very precious promise in Psalm 91:12.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways, they will lift you up in their hands so you will not strike your foot against a stone.

God does not wish us to be tripped up. That’s the work of the enemy. In fact, the next verse in Psalm 91 reads, “You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.” (vs. 13)
We have been given authority over the enemy through Christ! That’s good news. We can be victorious in our walk on the path of life!

God further provides His blessing and protection over us.
Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:14-15

May you be encouraged today as you continue to walk with our Father on the path of life... and may you be filled with joy.

Love, the strongest thing...

Christmas... what a mixture of emotional thoughts... It comes each year but we all see and experience it differently. Yet, there is something about the birth of Jesus that moves us. It reaches the very depth of our soul. I think it is because it doesn't stop there. We watch Jesus, grow from a little baby lying in a manger to a young boy hanging out in the Jewish Synagogues. We watch Him work beside His earthly father as a carpenter and we see Him walk along the shores of Galilee calling His disciples to follow Him. We watch Him love and care for the sick and bring the dead back to life again. We look on as He gathers the little children on his lap and blesses each one. And we can only stand and gaze in agony as He takes my sin and yours, and the sins of the world upon Him as He carries His own cross to Golgatha.

It is hard to look at this tiny little baby and see Him nailed to a cross for us. But had he not given his life, there would be no celebration each year. It would just be an ordinary birth on an ordinary day. The sacrifice He made lives in our hearts today and is the reason we hold Christmas so dear to our hearts. It is the reason we give to the poor, we gather together, we are moved to acts of kindness not even thought about throughout the rest of the year. I believe it is the time of year that a lot of people experience the love of God.

But Satan is also aware of the impact it has on our lives. His trick is to have us so busy with all that has to be done, it puts us under great stress. We can be so busy with the preparations of Christmas that we miss what our heart wishes to celebrate. Hurt feelings, anxiety, anger, impatience, even self- centeredness and loneliness can blind us to seeing the glory of Christmas and the birth of Jesus.

We need to slow down, even skid to a stop if we need to and reflect and think on what is important to us. Really, the best gift we can give to anyone is the gift of Christ in our hearts, His love, His compassion, His mercy and His joy.

"Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world... stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death... and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas." Henry Van Dyke 1896

In His Arms

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

I have been pondering the word "faith" lately. It's seriously a huge word.

I've read of it more times than I can count or recall. I've claimed it, spoken of it and prayed for it. Sometimes I've felt overflowing with it....and other times....I've felt like I didn't have any.

And truthfully, I'm having a hard time writing about it. But the more I read God's Word, the more exciting it becomes, the more I want to know, the hungrier I feel inside my soul for Truth, and the more I realize how little I know about a lot of things, and in particular, about faith.

When I think back through all the heroes and heroines in the bible that I admire....each one had pretty much, one thing in common....Faith.

They let go of themselves...and took the hand of God.

Ephesians 6:16 says

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

1 Thessalonians 5:8 talks about....having put on the breastplate of faith

I couldn't help but think here about what the breastplate protects.

When life gets crazy...when we have conflicts and trials and stress...when relationships are struggling and there's not enough money to make ends meet...when sickness and death threaten us or those we love...when all seems hopeless....

We need to hold on to what we know is true...even though we may not be able to see it at the moment...We need to hold on to our faith. We must let go of ourselves or anyone else we're hanging on to and grab hold tight to the hand of God.

The evil one knows that faith is what protects are heart (I'm not talking about our eternal soul, saved by grace through Jesus Christ...I'm talking about what we believe) If we stop believing that God is who He says He is and that He can do and will do what He promises in his Word...we begin to lose heart...we begin to believe satan's lies to us...and we begin to lose faith in what we know is true. He attacks our faith...we doubt and lose hope.

The Bible is completely full of verses about faith...more than I can write. Story after story fills its pages of people that put their faith in God. When I allow my circumstances to flood my mind with all of the worries they tend to bring...I can lose sight of hope and goodness and joy.

In a picture the Lord gave me...it's like I am in a sinking boat filled to the brim with all of my fears, and worries and stresses. The wind is blowing and the waves are crashing all around me and water is pouring into the boat. But I am struggling, tossed to and fro, I can't keep my balance as I try to hold on to everything in the storm. Jesus is calling to me to jump out of the boat...his arms are open wide...I want to...but the waves look so rough and scary. I have no control over anything and some of my things in the boat have already washed over the side and fallen into the water.

Jesus keeps waiting for me...He is already saving some of the things that have fallen overboard...the water looks freezing and his boat looks so far away.

I look around me and let it go. The minute I jump into the swirling waves...He is there. His strong warm hands pull me up into the safety of his arms.

It is faith.

I just wouldn't want to be anywhere else but right there...in his arms.

Another little bit about paths...

(Interestingly, I had thought about writing this blog before I read Amity's blog from Friday. How often our paths cross!)

After a particularly trying day at work last week, God led me to Psalm 139 where he encouraged me with his love by reminding me that he not only knows everything about me, where I go, what I do, what I say, but that he knows it all beforehand, and that my days, every one of them - good and bad - were formed for me before they happened. His hand leads me and his right hand holds me. And like David, I say, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it." Which means for me - it is too wonderful for me to fully grasp. And I also say with him, "Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." My soul knows it very well. I have received abundantly the benefits of his wonderful works.

The last 2 verses are a prayer, I believe, for God to continue his work, to keep doing what he does as proclaimed in the preceding 22 verses. "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

"The way everlasting" can also be translated, "the ancient way". David prays, "lead me in the ancient way!"

Jeremiah 6:16 let's us know what that is:

Thus says the LORD:"Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.

David is asking to be lead in the way that is good, the paths of righteousness that he is familiar with as revealed in Psalm 23. The places of rest. He talks to himself about it also in Psalm 116:7, Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

It is God's desire for us that our souls will find rest, peace. Jesus said it, too: Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29

The paths for our feet should lead us into rest for our souls. As Amity encouraged us to do, let's ponder our paths, be fully aware of them, and walk in the light. Knowing that the paths God leads us down will lead us to rest, contentment, and joy. That we may say, "Wonderful are your works, O God. My soul knows it very well."

Sometimes the wounds are as fresh as when it just happened. Other days it seems like a long time ago. I've been hurt by a woman who I called my friend. She said such nasty things to me in a moment where I needed her the most, a time where I leaned on her strength. I confided in her and trusted it was kept in confidence. The thing I came to know later is that all other people's information was being shared with me and never did it cross my mind that my "junk" was being shared and spread around church. In a time where my husband and I needed our caregroup to surround us and pray for our marriage and the postpardum depression I was going through, is when everyone pulled back and people at church would find ways to avoid us. We were judged based on rumors and it was a very painful time for our family to have our lives exposed and confidence broken.

Jesus knows what it means to be hurt, spat at, criticized, judged, and alone. If you look at his geneology you'll see that he didn't come from a perfect line of heritage but that God used people with broken lives filled with horrible sins to bring the Saviour into this world. We all have a history and our families have a history. Jesus understands all of it.

Jesus knows my pain. He knows my fears of becoming friends in a new community and getting plugged into a new church. For the past couple years we've attended a bigger church and it wasn't as important to get plugged in as we could sit comfortably in church, be fed, participate in worship. We grew so much in that time soaking in on God's truths. It was a safe place for our family to go... where we didn't need to meet people but could slip in and out each week without the major socialization. We had a handful of people that we would talk to every Sunday.

Now I'm in a different season in life. I'm in a small town. Small church. Close-knit community where everyone has their friends and family and here we come. I have to step out of my comfort zone when people come to talk to me at church. It's scary. What comforts me is that Jesus knows and feels all my pain and fears with me. He is the best friend I will ever have!

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.~ Proverbs 18:24

Many of you are walking a road where you feel alone too. You might have been hurt like I was and are in a similar place that I am. You might have been the person who walked away from someone when they needed you the most. I want to encourage you in this Christmas season and every day to trust Jesus with your heart. 1 Peter 5:7 says to "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Jesus does care and understand. Let Him stand in the gap for you and be your shoulder when you need someone. He will never leave you or abandon you in your times of need. He is with you ALWAYS!

God bless you today.

Ponder the Path

With the beginning of the month of December, I'm reading the Proverb that correlates with each day. Since it's the 4th, I read Proverbs 4.

There's an interesting contrast that caught my attention in this chapter.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble. vs. 19
For the wicked it's dark, and they don't know what tripped them up. They don't have a clue, and maybe they don't even bother to figure it out.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day. vs 18
Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. vs 26
Ponder the path of your feet; take heed to the path of your feet; watch the path of your feet; make level the path of your feet. These are all different translations of verse 26. Pondering the path of our feet is a conscious awareness and can lead to deliberate action. This is our responsibility. Since the path of the righteous - those who have received the righteousness of Christ - is full of light, we can be aware of our path.

We have the written word of God to bring light to our path.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

We have the Holy Spirit living in us, teaching us and leading us into all truth.
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." John 14:16-17,26

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21

Ponder the path and make level paths for your feet, my dear sisters. May His Word and His Spirit lead and guide you today in all you think, say and do.

A Christmas Blessing...

It was the week before Christmas... 1961. I sat on the steps in the hallway staring at the Christmas tree in the living room. Mama was not one to be particular about her tree. We children always helped decorate it though the ornaments were few. Using the same wrinkled tinsel year after year, excitedly throwing it all over the tree. But when Christmas was over and the tree came down, we took each strand and carefully packed it away.

Though my Daddy had a drinking problem, he always tried to make sure each child had a present under the tree. Somehow, though, I knew this Christmas was going to be different than any other we had known. Daddy was slowly recovering from a heart attack. Mama had taken us to the S & H Green Stamp store that day. Carefully counting her stamps to see what she could buy, she chose a bicycle, perfect for my younger brother. "He's little," she said. "He won't understand if he doesn't get anything for Christmas." And she found a small doll for my baby sister. We hardly had money to buy food. I knew she could not afford gifts for the rest of us. So, I sat on the steps thinking about what a bleak Christmas it was going to be. I was fourteen and trying hard to understand.

A knock on the door arrested my thoughts. We lived in a turn of the century home built in 1910. Little had been done to change its original appearance. When I opened the door, I was greeted by familiar faces, more to me, than to Mama. For two years, since we had moved there, I had walked to a little church about a half mile away. Standing in front of me were people who had told me about Jesus, about how much He loves us and how He cares about every part of our lives. They had boxes of food and gift certificates for each child. We could pick out whatever we wanted at J.C. Penny. I wanted to cry... God really did care. Mama took us shopping the next day. Mama even got money to buy things she needed. I bought new clothes to wear to our Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, I would not care if there was nothing else under the tree for me, I knew God loved me!

Mama never did attend that church, except on special occasions. But those people continued to demonstrate their love to her. When Daddy died eleven years ago, they continued to bring food boxes at Christmas and money for her house taxes. Over the years, her heart softened and at the age of seventy-nine, she gave her life to Jesus. Three years later, I was sitting by her bed when her hand slipped away from mine, as Jesus held the other and walked with her through the gates of heaven. I have watched God soften hearts as He softened Mama's. Not in our time, but His. Our God is faithful! May He bless you this Christmas season beyond your imagination! Each day, as you step outside your door and breathe in the cool winter air, may you know that His love for you is boundless... and His reward certain.

Where is Your Faith?

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!"

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?" Luke 8:22-25

I've often wondered about this story and Jesus' question to his disciples. What did he mean when he asked them, "Where is your faith?" Did he expect them to call out to God before they woke him up? "Why didn't you pray?" Maybe.

Did he expect them to believe that nothing bad would ever happen to them and that they would make it through the storm? Doubtful. It said they were in danger. It was real.

Was he mad at them for waking him up? Did he expect them to have faith to calm the storm? Don't think that's the case either. It was the wind and the raging waves he rebuked, not his disciples.

Was he frustrated that he had to rescue them...again? Get them out of a jam? I don't think his question was a reprimand or a scolding, and I don't think he was disappointed in them. God isn't like that. Like I said before, it was the wind and waves that received the rebuke.

I believe he was getting them to think. Times of crisis are good teaching opportunities. Where is your faith? What do you believe about me? Are you getting who I am? Apparently, up to that point, they weren't getting it, because they were afraid and marveled at the obedience of the winds and water. Maybe when they saw his authority over the natural realm, they started to get it then.

Anyway, I believe he asks us the same question now and then. In the midst of life, when good stuff happens and when the storm comes (particularly when the storms come), he asks us, Where is your faith? What do you believe about me? Do you know who I am? Are you getting it that I love you and will take care of you? That nothing is impossible for me?

Where is your faith today?

Guard yourselves

There's alot of hype about the new movie 'Twilight - The New Moon" out there today. My 10 year old daughter is even being pressured at school to watch the movie and read the books. I decided to do some looking into the movie as I had never heard about the movie or books. I was quite appalled when I found out the content of what these 10 year old girls are reading and watching. It's awful! I have heard about many women reading these books too. For our family, we have chosen to not watch an movies that have story lines about vampires. That's what this series is about. It's a romanticized vampire story.

Not long after looking into the movie, a dear friend of mine called me up in dispair. She has become so consumed with the "Twilight" series that it is affecting her marriage. The men in the show are so goodlooking and she says that the man treats the woman so well and it's such a romantic setting and story line. It has made her look at her spouse and start to despise him for the way he looks, acts, and what he does for a living to support her family. For the first time in her life she is struggling with the desire to cheat on her husband after she sees how glamorous the sexuality in this show is. She's drawn to that and has allowed all these evil thoughts of regret to enter her mind that she married too young and that her husband isn't the right person for her and she doesn't like to be told what to do and that she wants to be wooed like the women in the movie. She eats, sleeps and breathes "Twilight." She is not a Christian and I can only pray for her and encourage her.

Movies like this can be so tempting to watch. It could be any movie we're watching that Satan can use as a stronghold and as a temptation for evil desires. I have to be careful not to read romance books also or I can get caught up easily in the romanticism. It's easy to allow our hearts to become discontent with who God has created us to be and who God has brought into our life as a marriage partner.

God has lots to say in His Word about this topic:

"Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." - Proverbs 4:23-27

"You must not commit adultery. But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman (or man) with lust has already committed adultery with her (him) in his (her) heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." - Matt 5: 17-30

"Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. " - 1 Cor 6:18-20

"All of you should honor marriage. You should keep the marriage bed pure. God will judge the person who commits adultery. He will judge everyone who commits sexual sins. - Hebrews 13:4

Acting on these desires is just as much committing adultery as thinking the thoughts (Mt 5:17). God has really laid on my heart this past week for us to guard our hearts from what is evil. Be careful of the shows we watch. Be careful of the books we read. Guard our hearts from evil and temptation. Be thankful for the man God has brought into your life and find ways to bless and encourage him today. Praise God for all the good things your marriage has to offer.

Would you invite Jesus to watch the movie with you? Would he be happy watching what you've invited him to see? Would you want to curl on the couch with Jesus and read a book together? What would he think of the book you'd be reading? Hollywood wants us to lust after the actors and actresses. Writers want you to get caught up in the romantic love stories. Adultery has become so glamorized that we've become desensitized to how evil it is. Satan can sneak into our lives in many different ways.

Guard your hearts (and marriages). That's my encouragement for you today.

Dearly loved children

This morning I had the sweet privilege of having a peek at the hidden life of my pre-born grand baby. The first thing I saw was the heart...beating away indicating life and strength. Then we saw his or her wide mouth and little nose...the beautifully shaped head, the spine, both legs with knees, the arms crossed in the shape of an X, and a relaxed hand with fingers slightly curled. Aah...so very precious.

The ultrasound appointment had been delayed for an hour, so I took my grandson to a craft store and a hardware store in the meantime. Busy shoppers stopped to interact, smile and chat with us. No one seemed in a hurry. They all had time to watch my grandson's animated expressions over the little plastic Santa plane this Grandma had said we could buy. Back at the x-ray lab, the waiting room was full of lively chatter with the grandchildren as the focus.

What is it about little kids that cause women, gruff-looking men, teen boys and young girls to pause, soften their features and interact with strangers? Maybe it's the innocence and sense of wonder a child carries, or the laugh that accompanies the simplest of pleasures. Or is it the freedom of learning and discovery without nearly having perfected the skill or acquired the knowledge. Open, honest, no pretense, unhindered in being.

I thought about all this as I drove home. If that is how people soften and respond to children, how much more do You, our perfect Heavenly Father, look toward us - your creation and your children - with love and favour!

Proverbs 8 - Wisdom is speaking here:

32 Then I was the craftsman at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,

31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.

32 "Now then, my sons, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not ignore it.

34 Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.

35 For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the LORD.

36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself;
all who hate me love death."

If you belong to Jesus, you belong to the Father. He sees you and knows you. He is attentive to you, and His look is one of love and favour. Keep remembering this: He looks at you with love and favour.

The Wise and Foolish Builders

I read recently that a famous beach house used in the movie, "Nights of Rodanthe," is washing out to sea. It is situated on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in a town called Rodanthe. According to The Virginia Pilot newspaper, it is a beautiful rustic, weathered looking house that was built in 1988 by Roger Meekins. He said he sank the pilings for the house more than 14 feet deep and poured concrete around it.

"The house is built so good there's no other like it on the Outer Banks said, Murray "Frisco Mo" Clark, the house's 79 year old care taker. I've been in this house in 130 miles per hour winds. It didn't move at all. It just whistled."

Due to storms earlier this year, the house had taken a beating and was under continuous repairs. A major storm hit again this month, and the house sits at sea, surrounded by water. It has begun to break apart and will eventually fall into the ocean. The house had been up for sale this past year... The owners were offering it at a really good price, actually, more than a good price. I've read that it was beautiful... a landmark. Definitely ocean front. When I read about this, it reminded me of the scripture in Matthew 7:24-29.

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.

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority and not as their teachers of the law.

All praise to the Lord Jesus Christ who is our solid rock through every storm that shakes our lives. He is the foundation that we stand on. He is our hope and trust.

Photo credit goes to Donny Bowers, The Virginia Pilot

If feels too early to be up. I'm sitting in front of my fireplace with a cup of tea...all is dark and quiet except for the cat who saunters here and there to let me know that she also is up and the warm light from my Christmas tree illuminating the room.

Part of me wishes that I was still in bed...but the other part of me feels so glad to have gotten up to have this peaceful and refreshing time with Jesus before the rest of the house wakes and the day begins full swing.

I've been meditating on some words that the Lord gave me for several days now. They're not new. I've read them many times before. But they seem fresh to me...alive...full of encouragement and inspiration.

2 Peter 1:2-11

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The ESV says it this way in verse 10: Therefore brothers, (or sisters) be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

Lord, show me what it looks like today to practice my faith, to practice goodness, to practice 'knowing you', to practice self-control, to practice perseverence, to practice godliness, to practice kindness and to practice love. Help me to start with my family before I even try to practice those things with anyone else.

By the Name of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit...I claim these qualities once again as mine.

I Don't Have Silver or Gold

A man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate so that he could sit and beg. When he saw Peter and John he asked to receive alms. When he had the man's attention, Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" Acts 3:6

They didn't have any money, but they had something much more valuable. The name of Jesus Christ. And later, when questioned, Peter told them about Jesus and said, "And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all." Peter and John had the name of Jesus, "what I do have, I give to you". They carried the name. They owned the name. And it was by faith in this name that a lame man was given the ability to walk.

Anyone who is a Christian is a place that God has put his name. Listen to these Old Testament words and then a New Testament correlation:

But you shall seek the place that the LORD your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. Deuteronomy 12:5

and

And so I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD said to David my father, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.' 1Kings 5:5

Now this:

You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

and

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3.16

So that establishes that we Christians, as God's house, his habitation, have the name, just like Peter and John had the name of Jesus.

I did a quick word study. These words are probably familiar to you: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. This comes from Deuteronomy 5:11 and is part of the 10 commandments. Most of the time, we think of this as a command to not use the name of God or Jesus in a disrespectful way, ie. swearing. But I would like to suggest to you that it means way more than that, if it means that at all.

The Hebrew word for vain in this passage is shav, which means, emptiness, falsehood, nothingness, emptiness of speech, worthlessness.

So really, I would say we could re-word the passage in Deuteronomy this way: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in falsehood or as empty or worthless, as if it is nothing.

Discounting the name of Jesus as empty, worthless or ineffective is what it means to take the Lord's name in vain. This can be done in our speech, but I think it can be done with our lives and means this: Taking the name (as a woman takes the name of her husband, whereby it becomes her own) of Jesus in falsehood or pretense, or without effect, or for nothing.

If we have taken the name of Jesus and call ourselves Christians, we must believe that the name that we have is true, worthy, powerful and effective. We carry the name of Jesus! It is our own! And we are to use it to bear fruit, doing everything we do in and by it, making a difference in people's lives.

How amazing is that? And may we, like Peter and John, know what we have and give it away to the glory of God!

This week a family needs to lay to rest their 2 year old son that drowned in the back pool while in South Africa. I went to school with the parents and have had them on my heart this past week and a half. When I hear stories like this it just doesn't seem fair when the life of a 2 year old is taken away. I have cried many tears for this family as they grieve and relive those moments of happiness and grief.

I was thinking about the phrase that we so commonly will say when in the midst of turmoil or tradegy.... "God doesn't give us more than we can handle." I thought of this phrase during this past week alot!

Nowhere in the Bible can I find those verses that support that saying. From everything I've been able to see we have misquoted I Corinthians 10:13. That passage reads: "And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear."

He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. Doesn't say that he doesn't give us more than we can bear. Big difference.

Through tradegy good can come. Through trials good can come. I think of the place where I'm at and know that there can come good from it. Sometimes I wish God would let me in on his view so I could know when it is that I am going to see the good. I know this wouldn't be best for me as I wouldn't grown like I would if I did know.

I think of this family who lost their 2 year old son. They wrote on their family blog the day he drowned in the pool and didn't blame themselves or say any negative thoughts which I honestly have to admit would be foremost in my mind if that happened to me. Instead they pointed their eyes to Jesus and wrote in such eloquent wording what it meant to be in Christ's embrace and feel carried. Each of the entries after that are pointed to God. Isn't that how it should be? How many lives they are touching through their grief... God has given them such incredible strength and what a testimony to others!

What trials and tradegy look like to each of us is different. Each of us is walking a different journey and we all respond to situations in life differently. We all grow differently and heal either longer or shorter than others. God did say there would be trouble and that our lives wouldn't be perfect:

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

How we respond to the troubles in our lives is important. Jesus has overcome so we can be free! Whatever it is you're going through, my prayer is that others can see Christ in you and that you can be a testimony of faith to others. I'm asking God for strength each day in this area. Praise Jesus that he died and rose again so I can be free! We don't need to carry our burdens on our own.

Stubborn as a...

How would you finish this sentence? Stubborn as a ________. What came to your mind?

I was captivated by something I read the other day that I'd like to explore with you today.

"The first offspring of every womb belongs to me, including all the firstborn males of your livestock, whether from herd or flock.

Redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem all your firstborn sons. Exodus 34:18-20a

A bit of history here.
"The Lord said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.' " Exodus 4:21-23

And that's what happened. All the Egyptian firstborn males of man and animal were killed. Meanwhile, the Israelites, who were in their homes with their door frames marked with the blood of the lamb or goat that they eaten together that evening, were spared.

So, I get why the firstborn belong to the Lord, but what's with the firstborn donkey being redeemed with a lamb when all the other unclean animals - and even the firstborn sons! - were supposed to be redeemed with five shekels of silver?

"...But you must redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals. When they are a month old, you must redeem them at the redemption price set at five shekels of silver,..." Numbers 18:15-17

Except for the firstborn of the donkey, of course. This particular animal needs to be redeemed by a lamb. I find that a curious distinction. Don't you? Odd perhaps, but are you beginning to see a picture here?

How often did God say of the Israelites that they were a stiff-necked people? I counted 19 in one concordance. Stiff-necked; stubborn. Stubborn as a donkey or mule. Intent on going their own way. They heard that once, they heard it twice...and many more times through the prophets.

And the unclean part? The law was filled with distinctions between the clean and the unclean. The people were forever needing to be cleansed because something had made them unclean. They were very well aware of what made them unclean, and they knew the rituals they needed to perform to make them clean again.

So here we have a firstborn donkey with the very distinct - and only option - for being redeemed. No lamb? No redemption. Either a lamb or death. Ironic method of death for this stiff-necked animal, don't you think? What was it again? Break its neck.

Through this anomalous law, God gives the people and us a picture of His redemption plan. The redemption of mankind would be through the Lamb of God. God has provided the way to be saved from sin and death. God has made it possible for us to be made clean; for us to be made holy and acceptable before Him.

A choice could be made. Was this animal worth being redeemed by a lamb? Or should the opposite be done - to abandon it, for its life was not worth it?

Beloved, God saw you and said "yes" to you. You are my creation. I will redeem you. I will give My Firstborn and Only Son...for you, to redeem you - to buy you back - from the captivity of sin and death, so you will be mine.

But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob,[O _______, (put your own name in here)] he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Christ gave His life to redeem you. He chose to offer up His life for you. He said "yes" to you. You are worth it. Have you said "yes" to Him and received his redemption? Have you given Him your life?

Do not be wise in your own eyes...

My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

for they will prolong your life many years

and bring you prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then you will win favor and a good name

in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:1-8

Often, when I do not understand what is going on in my life and things are a bit chaotic and out of control... I will be reminded especially of Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord... with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...

We can spend all day trying to understand a situation in our life only to realize at the end of the day... we are back where we started. Some things are meant just to be trusted into the Lord's hands but there are other times that He gives us the spirit of discernment and wisdom that we need in certain situations. Even so, it all boils down to trust... Trusting Him for the unknown, and trusting Him to give us wisdom. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

He does encourage us to... "Let love and faithfulness never leave you: bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."

May the power of His love and wisdom guide you today in all you do...

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,

beholding your power and glory.

Because your steadfast love is better than life,

my lips will praise you.

So I will bless you as long as I live;

in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

when I remember you upon my bed,

and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

for you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings

I will sing for joy.

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:1-8

David wrote these words when he was literally in the desert wilderness of Judah fighting for his life from those who wanted to kill him. I can hardly imagine.

I love his words. I love his focus. I love his honesty. I love it that David wasn't afraid to tell God how he felt. I love it that through his emotional ups and downs, the sin and repentance, the mistakes and achievements and pure humanness of it all...he is one of the people I can relate most to in the bible and the one said to be "a man after God's own heart". I believe David was claiming God's truth over his own life. I believe he was choosing to stand on what he knew to be true in the midst of what probably seemed like all hell breaking loose in his own life.

Lord, when we find ourselves in that desert place...help us to run to you as David did. Hold us in your everlasting arms. Reach for us. We claim your truth and salvation over us today. We drink deeply from the Water of Life...our Source and our Strength, our Refreshment, and our Joy. We hold fast to you. And we trust you with our heart.

Praying for you today.

But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. 2 Corinthians 10:13

In this passage, the apostle, Paul, is reminding the Corinthian church that he and the other apostles will not boast about work that they have not done, but will indeed be bold to reach them because God had assigned them to reach them. They were supposed to have influence over them. God had given to them the Corinthian church as their area of influence.

One morning, as I was doing the morning rush and getting ready to go to my new job, I wanted to connect with God, but didn't have a lot of time. I asked him what I should read in his word that he wanted me to know for the day. 2 Corinthians 10 came to mind. As I read the chapter, anticipating God's word to me, I knew the minute I read it that the 13th verse was what he wanted me to know. He had given me this new area of influence. God assignd me to that place and those people. He is going to use me to influence them, to reach them. Wow! And I know that it will be his work through me, which takes the pressure off of me to try to make things happen, but it also gives me permission to be bold. Bold to encourage. Bold to love. Bold in my prayers for them. Confident, even when it seems I'll never learn it all, that I am where I am supposed to be. I will be me, and they will be influenced for God. Oh Lord, that's what I want. Thank you.

Now, God has assigned to each of us an area or areas of influence. You have your own places and people that will be responsive to you. Who you are matters in your homes, in your work place, wherever you are consistently with the same people. And it is no accident that you are where you are. God has chosen you for your areas of influence, because it is only you who is who you are and who is able to do what you do the way you do it. Your assignment is not meant to be a burden but a confidence that you are where you are for a reason and that he has put people into your life because they will respond to you.

Where are your areas of influence? Where is it that it matters who you are and what you can do? Who are the people God has given you permission to have influence with? If you don't know or aren't sure, ask him.

Lord, we offer ourselves to your service and accept our assignments to our areas of influence. We offer the members of our bodies as instruments of righteousness - our faces, our lips, our ears, our arms, our legs. We belong to you and will trust that through us, you will draw others to yourself. May we count it a delightful privilege!

In Christ Alone

I just got off the phone with a dear friend of mine who encouraged me on a day when I feel like I'm drowning and don't know which way to turn. In the midst of the cross roads of change I've lost who I am and where my heart is. Today I'm feeling like I don't know what it feels like to be in love with Jesus.

What I do know is that God loves me. Who am I when I stand before Jesus just as myself? I've been clinging to my husband as my lifeline and my friend encouraged me to cling to Jesus as my lifeline. I've forgotten what that looks like and need to find that joy once again and see for myself what that looks and feels like. Satan wants to isolate me and wants me to feel alone, and this is a feeling I've had alot lately. I have decisions to make and even forget what the feels like to lean on Jesus today.

Dear God, every day when I wake up please give me strength to direct my thoughts to you and trust each day to you. I've been so focused on getting my kids settled into daily routines and school that I got lost and now I ask Lord Jesus that you meet me where I'm at and sit with me and have tea together so I know what it feels like once again to rest in you. I'm hurting, lonely, sad and don't feel like I have an ounce of joy in me. Fill me once again with no human joy but a spiritual joy. Wrap me in your arms I pray. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Behind His Back

In fear
I hid
my sins
behind my back.

I confessed and repented.

In love
He hid
all my sins
behind His back.

Hezekiah's prayer is recorded in Isaiah 38:17. Here he says of the LORD,
"Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction,
for you have cast all my sins behind your back."

What else has He done with all our sin?

You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah Psalm 85:2

He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:10&12

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 1 John 3:5

Christ is our cover. He is our righteousness. He is our peace and our confidence as we come to God.

Walk in Faith

For this past week and last, I have been "pondering" a lot of things in my heart. Oh, things like nature and natural disasters and how no one can control them. Cancer and how an innocent child can get it. The newspapers and nightly news on television display the wickedness of men. So many things are unsure. We double check our doors at night before going to bed, and make sure our cars are locked with a bar across the steering wheel if we run into the grocery store. We try to guard our secret password when we are at the check out counter as we pay for our groceries with our debit card. We give our children specific instructions when we are not with them as to how to protect themselves. We question whether a beggar on the street is begging for food or drugs and how should we respond.

I read an article in USA today that stated an average of eleven pilots test positive for alcohol consumption every year. Thirteen tested positive this year. That is while they were flying and tested when they got off the plane! Another two pilots had their license revoked because they were on their laptops and forgot about the time. An hour later, they realized they had passed their airport. All of the people on those planes had put their trust in those pilots that they would get them safely to their destination.

We have learned it is not safe to trust everything and everybody. Not everyone is interested in our well being... or for that matter, even cares who we are.

So... living this life has to be lived by faith. It is true that we have no guarantee of what tomorrow holds... good health, financial struggles, sickness, family concerns... we have no promises... that everything is going to be alright according to the world's standard of living. But we do have God's promises.... and here are just a few...

"I have loved you with an everlasting love..." Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love Him. Psalm 145: 17-20

Shout for joy O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:13.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13: 5-6

Though life is filled with it's uncertainties... we can live a life of faith, knowing that God is in control and knows everything that is going on in our lives. Sometimes things happen that just do not seem fair. We are mistreated, abused and maybe taken advantage of. Jesus suffered all of these things for us, even giving up His life for us. We will not live in a perfect world until we reach heaven. Praise the Lord! He made it possible for us to live there with Him. Not only that, we will be able to see our loved ones who have gone before us... who lived lives of faith. Hebrews talks a lot about faith... sometimes... we do not see the fruit of our faith while we are living on this earth... but it doesn't change the importance of having it and trusting God.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not received the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. Hebrews 11:32

We have no way of knowing what God's plans are for us... but we do know that He has our best interest at heart... and that through faith... we know He has something better than we can conceive planned for us..

Lest We Forget

It's Remembrance Day. A day set aside to remember all of those men and women who have given of their lives for the sake of our freedom. Oh, how I thank Jesus for a free country and for those that have sacrificed for us. Most of us have not lived in a place or at a time where that freedom was at stake on our own soil, so it's hard for me at times to fully comprehend even, all that I have to be thankful for. And that, I believe, is why we must remember.

As I sat with Jesus this morning...I began a journey of remembrance in another way.

Did you know that there are 166 verses in the Bible that use the word "Remember"?

I read all of them this morning. Wow!

You wanna hear the very first one? It's from Genesis. And the Creator God speaks.

I will remember my covenant between you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Gen. 9:15

Remember that God is faithful and keeps his word. Everytime we see a rainbow, it is a reminder that God keeps his promises.

Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. Deuteronomy 24:18a

Remember where you came from and what God saved you from so that you may have compassion and understanding for those around you. Remember that Jesus died so that we could be free.

And the last book of the Bible...

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent.

Revelations 3:3a

Remember the truth. Make sure that what you know is true, makes a difference in your life. Remember God's faithfulness, His Grace, His Truth, His Light...Turn from what you know to be deadly in your life . Confess your sin. Live in Obedience.

So I pray that everyday, in the midst of our circumstances, our trials and our joys, in all that we do, in our homes and in the work place and in our relationships...that we will Remember our God and all that He is and all that He has done for us...Lest we Forget.