Star-fish

      I stand amazed at the Lord today. He orchestrated a series of events that I could not have made happen even if I wanted to. As I fretted and groaned in my spirit, trying to figure out what to do, He reminded me to let go. It would be clear to me. And it was, and it blessed others when they saw me let go and trust God.      Thank you Lord for loving me so personally and caring about me in such a way that I can't ignore your interventions in the events of my life. They are clearly not coincidence, luck, or happenstance.       Give God a try. Give over your cares, concerns, and worries and see if He won't turn them into answers, decisions, and direction. John 14:27   Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled  and do not be afraid.

     As I sent out requests for prayer for a difficult decision, my prayer partners have been sending back their thoughts. I love what my godly friend, Patti, shared: Stand still and wait FOR the Lord...different than waiting ON the Lord....waiting ON....I am doing that....waiting FOR....He must do it.        God tells us over and over in scripture to "Stand firm," but it doesn't say go out and make it happen without conferring with Him first. Thus, I'm "standing firm" today, knowing that what comes from God is "good and perfect."  A recent rainbow after a storm. Our hope is not necessarily in the storm, but it can come from going through the storm and making it to the otherside.  Philippians 4:5  The Lord is near.   6  Do not be anxious about anything,  but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.   7  And the peace of God,  which transcends a...

      I saw a hummingbird flitting about early this morning and she looked like a fairy from a distance. I wondered if that was how early writers got the idea of little people flying about sprinkling pixie dust around. It's interesting how people are willing to believe in fairies, ghosts, and goblins, but they do not believe in the Creator of the Universe.      But what about me? Do I believe in God? How can I say I have faith in God when I'm full to the brim with worry and fear in regard to future decisions about my career. Yes, my hope is in God, my faith is in His Son, and my peace is through His Holy Spirit. The three in one is how it's done. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are who they say they are; I just need to release my grasp on the reigns of my life and move over, so they can steer me in the right direction. 1 John 5:5  Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 6  This is the one who c...

      There's nothing like a dog to brighten my day. My pup is of course my favorite. She knows my habits and loves me anyway. She obeys me and comes when I call her. She stays close when storms come near. And like me, she enjoys sunbathing, coffee, and napping. She's my kind of dog: loving, patient, and loyal.      I believe God gave us animals to remind us of how we should behave toward Him. I should know Gods habits and love others despite their habits. I should know my Master's voice and obey Him when He calls me. I should stay close to God when the storms of life hit. And most importantly, I should mirror God's behaviors and know His ways. He is my kind of God: loving, patient, and loyal. Of course, I mean no disrespect to God with this comparison, and something tells me He doesn't take it that way either, as He knows all that He created is Good. 1 Corinthians 1:9  God is faithful,  who has called you  into fellowship with his Son,...

     I just finished listening to a CD, by a person I know, giving a sermon on The World from God's perspective and from our perspective. I like the way he tied together some of the scriptures about the world.  God tells us He loves the world (us) and sends His Son to die in our place, but He does so not so we can conform to this world, but be transformed by our relationship with His Son. John 3:16 For God so loved  the world that he gave  his one and only Son,  that whoever believes  in him shall not perish but have eternal life.   17  For God did not send his Son into the world  to condemn the world , but to save the world through him. 18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned,  but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 1 John 2: 15   Do not love the world or anything in the world .  If anyone loves the world , love for...

     I went to Staples tonight to simply get three copies of a manuscript made so some friends could read it and help me with editing. I have put off the editing process for nine months and today it seemed the Lord was saying, "It's time." As I stood there waiting for my copies I watched as the young clerk struggled to unjam the copier time after time. When I finally got the copies, they were out of order with whole chapters missing.      I took the random stacks and with my husband's help began trying to put them back in order. What was ironic was that a woman had come in before me and was irate at the work someone had done on her copies. She was clearly upset while talking to the manager. I thought smugly to myself, "She seems pretty impatient over some copies. What's the big deal?"      God has a way of showing me, when I'm being judgmental or smug, how I'm no better, if not worse than others in my own behaviors. So, as the hours ticked...

     I'm a mess! Totally stressed, yet completely certain that God is in control! How can that be? What I know is my flesh and it's weakness, but what I also know is God and His strength. My problems haven't been forgotten or ignored by Him. He knows the outcome and I know it's in my best interest and the interest of His kingdom.      How can I be so confident in the Lord's strength, grace, mercy, and faithfulness? Because He and I have history. We go back a few years, 26 years in fact, and through these years He humbled me with His personal attention to my specific concerns. It hasn't been 26 years of coincidences, it's been a journey of growing to believe that my life isn't controlled by luck or superstition, but a loving God who is all about my well-being.      So even though I insist on being a stressed mess, it is not because I need to be, but because I've chosen the hard way to wait on the Lord. Matthew 6:33  But seek first his...

     Lately, everything I have been reading speaks to the idea that we don't grow as Christians nearly as much in prosperous times as we do in trying times. I'm really hoping the Lord is not preparing me for a lesson, yet I know it's best to be stretched.      Billy Graham, in his book, Hope for Each Day , said "Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity." I sat talking to my friend Bobbie last night, who recently returned from a vacation with some wealthy friends. She noted that she'd known a lot of people with a lot of money and that they all had problems too.       Money is not the answer. Inherently, we all know that, but we hope for just enough money to solve our current woes.  God tells us this about money: Matthew 24:6 No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate the one and love the other,  or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot...

     The following excerpt and website are from today's sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley. He speaks on our walk with God and how as we mature as a Christian our dependence on Him goes from fear of repercussions to a relationship based upon obedience to a faithful and loving God.      God wants the best for us, but sometimes our impatience leads to us not listening, and settling for second best. The consequences that come with decisions made away from the will of God often lead us to discouragement, but God can turn even our worst choices into something for good, if we are willing to repent and ask for His will to be done in our lives. Obey, it's the only way to blessed living and a better day. Following God is never simple or easy for any one. It takes courage. A passion to obey the Lord doesn’t suddenly appear in the believer’s life... Obedience usually begins with a healthy fear of the consequences resulting from disobedience...Following God’s will...

     Today I was blessed to spend several hours with some ladies I haven't seen in months. We sat around tables and scrapbooked. Scrapbooking is a hobby where you put photos and mementos into albums and embellish them with colorful papers and sticks. It was a bit like a modern day quilting bee. We chatted, laughed, snacked, and sat quietly at times working on our memory books together.      The woman who organizes these events will be leaving and moving out of state. One of my friends noted that we would need to keep these crafting days going so we can see each other at least every couple of months. Sometimes we don't get to see each other as much as we'd like, but planning times to come together and work with our hands, gives us something to look forward to.  1 Thessalonians 4:11 ...make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,  just as we told you,   12  so that your daily l...

     I have a close friend moving away. It's hard to think of someone you care about and enjoy being around, not being around anymore. I want to make my blog entry today about her:      Sheila, you are the type of person that knows what to wear, how to wear it, and when to put it on. You decorate your home with an easy style that feels elegant, yet comfortable. Your southern drawl makes you "a little bit country," but the way you carry yourself is with Christian confidence. Your dependence on the Lord, even in those times you waver, (we all like friends who are human:) is precious and real.      I loved having you as a friend and know I always will, since we have eternity on our side. If we don't see each other again in this life, we will see each other in the next, thanks to our salvation through Christ Jesus. God be with you and keep you, may He shine upon you. May He guide you and yours in the days and weeks to come as you start a n...

          We recently lost 19 firefighters in a wildfire here in Arizona. These highly trained men got caught off guard when the fire suddenly changed direction on them. They were unable to reach their safe spot. They left behind families, friends, and three of the men's wives were pregnant so their babies will never know them. Heroes to many, yet complete strangers to their own children. A tragedy by all measures and still there was some light at the end of this dark tunnel, as a few of the firefighters' friends noted that they attended church and did God's work.      Let's pray for the families and friends of these brave men. To know for certain that you will go to heaven when you die, simply ask Jesus Christ to come into your life, forgive you of your sins, and save your soul. If you have faith that He is the Son of God and was sent by God as the Messiah, Savior of the world, you will be born again. It will cost you nothing, but your pride, an...

      A television show came on at the dinner hour and blasted out a derogatory statement about a male athlete with crude language to go along with it. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! What has happen to America? Why are we allowing or condoning this type of conduct on our airways, in our streets, and on our school grounds?       We have taken on the philosophy that everyone has a right to do, say, or act in any way they so desire. This type of careless "freedom" leads to the destruction of peoples, communities, and nations. We must have some boundaries or all walls will be breached.       George Washington, one of our founding fathers and first president said, "Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience." Our Heavenly Father told us through Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people." 

     A friend at work loves being outdoors. She drinks in nature while riding her bike, swimming, and walking. She bundles up in the winter so she can drink coffee out on her patio before heading off to work. In the summer, she wakes up at the crack of dawn to exercise outside before it gets too hot. I teased her today about her early hours and she replied, "I do what I have to do, to do what I love to do." I responded, "I love that."      Mornings come much too early for me and evening doesn't seem long enough. My priorities often get muddled and soon my day is gone. Time lost, never to be retrieved. Opportunities gone, never to be seen again. I miss the Lord and don't spend nearly enough time with Him, but it's no one's fault but my own. I don't claim my time or own my hours. I fritter them away and end up doing not what I love to do, but rather only what I have to do. Romans 7:15  I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do no...