Resting In Truth

When the fog rolls in and blocks you from my view,

the strength of your words make a corridor of light.

When the pain of trouble and sorrow overwhelm me,

your Spirit takes flight with songs of peace to my soul.

When my feelings hold fast to anger and darkness,

a rainbow of promise is hurried to my understanding.

When your silent voice seems only meant for me,

you hold my hand whispering truth through the wind.

There is no place so low or high where you are missing.

Let me rest in the covenant your presence is mine.

6/24/2016

Serious Times?

How serious is the time in which we are living? 

I can remember the military parades of the 1940’s. I can still hear the marching band play the rousing songs of America that filled even a small child's heart with pride, and see the men in uniform as they passed by in perfect step.

I remember when the first television first hit the market.  It was a telephone that spoke back to you with, “Operator.”  The number at our house started with “Jackson 5"…I can’t remember the rest. But the operator would hook us up to the person with whom we wished to speak. Then we could talk as long as a neighbor didn’t interrupt by picking up their own phone and asking to make a call.

Yes, I've seen knowledge increase and technology explode. I’ve seen America at the pinnacle of its greatness, when good moral behavior was admired not ridiculed, and when we didn’t have to lock our doors for fear of intruders. 

I am sorry to say, those days have gone. We've changed.

Now we are wary of neighbors or co-workers. The things we only read about now make up the fabric of our society.

We’ve been warned of these things, but what to do about it?  The devil delights in the destruction of all we used to hold sacred. With so many distractions that totally surround us, how do we keep our connection strong with our only hope?

Now, more than any time before, we must evaluate the things that cry out for our attention.

Whatever we are doing, does it bring me closer to God or does it draw me closer to the world? Whatever we watch, which mindset has the greatest pull? Whatever I listen to, how does it affect my thinking toward spiritual things? 

If we answer these question honestly, we will know exactly which direction we’re headed, regardless of what's happening in the world around us. If our focus is turning toward the world, the good news is that we know Who can correct our course.  

6/21/2016

Justice

Jesus is seeking justice. 

A liar and thief has stolen into the camp of God’s children and stolen many away.

As Isis spreads propaganda and recruits through false promises, so the enemy of our souls plummets the unsuspecting into bondage and a life of fear and regret. With hope of wealth, power, and good times, he lures his prey outside the walls of protection. 

For others, they have believed the lie that Jesus is responsible for all of the bondage, that He is the one at fault, that He is the one that has taken away man’s freedom.

But Jesus is seeking justice!  

The Father knows who the enemy is.  He even sent His Son to come where we are being held captive, to pay the ransom so He can get us back. He has been working tirelessly to redeem His children and bring them home.

The case was settled when Jesus paid with His life. All that is left, is for us to hang on until judgment is set and the devil is taken into custody. 

Don't let the evil one trick you into believing he can still hold you captive. He's going down for what he's done. We can't let him take us with him.

6/16/2016

Measuring Life

Do not measure your life's journey by its length,
but by the extent of its width.

The Formula

I got to thinking the other day how I've often wished for a magic formula for putting my life together. You know, so I won't mess up so much. Well, I've determined that there is a formula we can identify if we look at things from a slightly different point of view.

Let's say I want to make a Tuna Noodle Casserole.  I would need the proper ingredients in order to get the results I want. I can't just throw in whatever I want, willy nilly, and come out with a Tuna Casserole.  I love chocolate, but chocolate would not go well in a tuna casserole.

My point is, my life is not a haphazard guess at getting things right. There are specific ingredients that go into it in order for it to come out with joyful results.

All these ingredients are given to us without measure or price.

Forgiveness

Faith

Endurance

Love

And the will to accept these gifts.

That's it, that's all! If we are willing to accept these gifts, the end result is guaranteed.


6/12/2016

All About Jesus

How often do we hear the words, help me, in our own prayers?

Help me be more patient.  

Help me to know what to do.

Help me succeed in this. 

In our prayers, we often want Jesus to help us accomplish whatever it is we have in mind to achieve, so we can have the results we want or expect.

 

It almost sounds like we’re inviting God into our plans rather than desiring to enter into what God has planned for us. We want God to come and help us to be good, or help us not to do bad things.  But, in reality, we are not actually capable of being good.  Nor are we capable of not being bad.  It is Jesus, alone, who gives us even the desire to be good. 

 

When we give up trying and give Him the authority in our lives, His goodness and strength overcomes our weaknesses. Jesus makes Himself responsible for our success. 

 

When we take the “help me” out of the picture, with total reliance on Him, change can finally take place.  Then the Holy Spirit will have an open invitation to demonstrate:

 

How to be more patient, how to know what to do, and how to succeed in our spiritual walk.

Psalms 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” 

He gives me rest, He leads me, He refreshes my soul, He guides me along right paths.

It's all about Jesus. There is no helping me to do anything. All I have to do is to let Him do it!

6/9/2016

In My Opinion

What do you think?  

How important is it to be right? Don’t we all think what we believe in is right?  We have our own views on many things, so why would we care about how other’s see things?  

Should it make a difference if others agree with my point of view or if I disagree with someone else?  

For many people, it is so difficult to accept that someone just might disagree with what is obviously the correct opinion on a particular matter. And then we go to great lengths to prove that our way is the correct way and others are just stupid to think the way they do. 

I think — and this, of course, is only my humble opinion — that our Creator scratches His head in amazement at what we’ve done to the meaningful diversity that He, Himself, set before us as a beautiful mosaic in color, taste, diversity in sound, culture and yes, points of view. 

Is it not God’s job to direct us in whatever direction we need to go? Isn’t it God that leads us into understanding about what we need to know?

I have come to an epiphany in my spiritual walk. What others choose to believe (outside of Jesus being the Son of God; His dying on the cross to save me and rising up from the grave), I leave to the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would lead us into ALL truth. And I know that within every differing opinion and view point, there runs a thread of truth about Jesus’ love.  It is the Holy Spirit that will weave those threads together, when the time is right, to bring us into a better understanding of Jesus’ great love for us. So I celebrate the differing points of view that others might have about Jesus’ life and ministry.  And I invite, and eagerly
await, the Holy Spirit’s work in my own heart for conviction and clarity.

As we are available, Jesus uses us to share our “Jesus experiences” with those who don’t know Him. Then the Holy Spirit will speak to them about that experience, encouraging them to give Jesus a try.

Who am I, to think I can - or should - change people’s mind’s about how they believe?  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for assuming that role.  Your work is so much more gentle and effective than mine!


6/9/2016

Seeing The unknown

As I walk with God today, I see the unknown of tomorrow and dance above the clouds.

Time Is Running Out

I'm not a scientist, a biologist, or even an anthropologist. I am what you might call "an observer." We are all observers, are we not? Some of you with far greater knowledge than I.  That being said, I have to say I am startled at what I am seeing take place in the world today. It's as if people are being shaken awake by the sound of an unknown intruder.

The message comes in loud, and it echoes clearly through village, town and country. "Time is running out."

The protective ozone layer is disappearing. It has holes in it that are growing rapidly. The ozone layer is running out of time.

The sun flares are increasing in number and intensity. The stability of the sun is running out of time.

Wells and underground water reserves are drying up. Fresh clean water is running out of time.

The once fertile soil has lost its power to produce as it did in year's past. The earth's bounty is running out of time.

Scientists are concerned with the growing aggressive behavior in the large feline cat family. They are afraid these large cats have acquired a disease that are making them bold enough to invade populated cities, in broad daylight, to search for human prey. Many species in the animal kingdom are running out of time.

I could go on and on with all the changes in the sea as well as in the sky above us. Luke 21:26 shows us, "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." Hebrews 1:10-12 tells us the earth and the heavens will wear out like a garment.

For us who find our safety in the hands of God, there is nothing to fear. We have been forewarned of these things, which are even now taking place. The warning has been sounded.  But do we believe it?  Are we awake?

6/5/2016

Remembering

"Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy."

We all have keepsakes. There are various kinds, but all are precious to us. 

A young woman gives the love of her life a locket with her picture inside before he is deployed to a far away place. It is special to him whether at peace or war, in good times and bad times, it is a constant reminder of her love for him. It brings her close. He reflects on what she means to him and increases the longing to be together again.

She walks the seashore in search for sand dollars to collect for every week he’s gone, as a way to keep her devotion at the forefront of her mind. It is important to her because she cannot forget, because of love.

Do you suppose… ?

That God has done the same?  That He participates in an activity that gives Him an opportunity to display His dedicated intent to show us that He won’t forget about us while we’re apart from Him? 

Do you suppose…?

That we have gotten it backwards? So many times, we’ve seen the Sabbath as a requirement for us to fulfill.  But can it be that it is He that is expressing His devotion to us.  He comes in an effort to draw close and express His enduring love for us.

Do you suppose…?

It is God, Himself, that looks forward to the next Sabbath just to be with us? 

Do you suppose…?

He is suggesting: “Remember the one who loves you.”

Do you suppose…?

The Sabbath is His keepsake for us? 

6/2/2016