God Does Not Forsake Us in the Darkness

WE ARE GLAD THERE IS LIGHT BECAUSE OF DARKNESS. BUT EVEN IN THE DARKNESS CREATING PRESENCE ENABLES INNER GROWTH AND GOD DOES NOT FORSAKE US TO THE DARKNESS.

we live by faith

This morning I read, "We live by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5; 7) — in everything we have partial knowledge, and we do not know what is down the road, but in faith we meet the moment trusting Grace/Wisdom…the circumstantial and ultimate Will of God….and God is Good.

Iron

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." / "People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron." (Proverbs 27:17) - her mind works on  something that matters to her and I listen to hear what she is saying and what I can learn. If I am not feeling well, she is quick to question and find out why. Interaction with someone you love and who loves you results in both blessing and making better each others' life.

Live by Faith

This morning I read, "We live by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5; 7) — in everything we have partial knowledge, and we do not know what is down the road, but in faith we meet the moment trusting Grace/Wisdom…the circumstantial and ultimate Will of God….and God is Good

Peace from the Lord

'The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26) 

a blessing for everyone this day.

The Lord is my Shepherd

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD……HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES,  HE LEADS ME BESIDE QUIET WATERS, HE RESTORES MY SOUL. (Psalms 23)  I am tired, my energy low, my spirit depressed. I plop down where I am, maybe even fall asleep. Some where in time I awaken to quiet beauty around me. The richness of God's love embraces my being. I am feeling renewed. 

23rd Psalm

THE 23rd PSALM. REPEAT THE WORDS. LISTEN AS THESE WORDS SPEAK TO THE YEARNING, HURTING, NEEDING IN YOU. 

"THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD,I SHALL NOT WANT…". IMMEDIATELY MY ATTENTION IS TURNED BEYOND MY LOST CONDITION IN WHICH I AM NOW DWELLING. LIFE IS DANGEROUS. WE BEAR SCARS AS EVIDENCE. MANY TIMES THESE FIVE WORDS ARE AS FAR AS I GET FOR IN MY MOMENT OF FEAR, ANXIETY, WORRY, GRIEF, FEELING LOST……THEY DRAW MY ATTENTION TO THE GOD OF MY SALVATION. THE GOD WHO HAS COME TO YOU, ME, IN CHRIST TO WALK WITH US ……THE LITTLE SHEEP IS LOST OR ENTANGLED IN THE BRIARS….THE SHEPHERD FINDS AND CARES FOR THE LITTLE SHEEP/YOU/ME/OTHERS……HE KNOWS MY NEED AND TENDS IT……THANK YOU LORD!!

Psalms 120:1

i cried out to the Lord in my agony and pled, Let not evil prevail in this situation, and the answer that came back in my mind was, fear not, watch me….."I CALL ON THE LORD IN MY 

DISTRESS, AND HE ANSWERS ME. SAVE ME, O LORD, FROM LYING LIPS AND FROM DECEITFUL TONGUES." (Psalms 120:1)

IN  THE CRISIS OF THE MOMENT WE ARE CONSUMED AND ALL TIME AND ALL LIFE IS IN THAT MOMENT. WE ARE CRUSHED UNDER THE LOAD. UNTIL IN OUR SUFFERING AND DEFEAT ONE SPEAKS IN OUR MINDS: RELAX, THIS IS TEMPORARY, I AM PERMANENT. WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS AND LIFE, LOVE, GOODNESS WILL PREVAIL.

 AFTER ALL, TROUBLE LOOMS SO BIG BY LITTLE PEOPLE WHO KNOW NOT THEIR SMALLNESS AND LITTLE PEOPLE WHO KNOW NOT THEIR BIGNESS AWAKEN TO THEIR POTENTIAL AND BLESS ALL IN THEIR SHADOW.

Just Keep On

GOD MEETS US WHERE WE ARE…..be careful not to ignore or shut the door……long ago he came in Christ….now he comes in other people….and other ways…..OF COURSE WE MAY NOT WANT TO HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY……(this is one of those days when my mind keeps thinking of how to give expression to meaning and love…still not sure how….just keep on….)

corks

"THE LORD'S UNFAILING LOVE AND MERCY STILL CONTINUE, FRESH AS THE MORNING, AS SURE AS THE SUNRISE. THE LORD IS ALL I HAVE, AND SO IN HIM I PUT MY HOPE." (Lamentations 3:22-24) the writers world is turned upside down. his nation is in disarray. yet he senses God is still their hope. Someone interviewing Pope Francis asked him about the trouble in the world today and the destruction of people. He said, "Some people are like corks: certain circumstances push them under,but then they bob up to the  surface; meaning they always bounce back. I think this applies, in general, to human nature, to all people and all societies."

This is the day the Lord has made, let us dare to rejoice and be glad in it……

EVERY PERSON NEEDS A LOVE TEAM. LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS PEACHES AND CREAM. SOMETIMES LIFE IS REALLY SOUR GRAPES AND ROTTEN APPLES. A PERSON CAN BE REALLY HURTING AND FEEL ALONE AND DISCOURAGED  THEN THE LOVE TEAM GETS ON THE BALL AND FINDS WAYS TO BE THERE. THE LOVE TEAM MAY FIRST OF ALL BE FAMILY. IT MAY BE CLOSE FRIENDS, A SMALL SUPPORT GROUP, CLOSE CHURCH FRIENDS. THE LOVE TEAM IS NOT A FIX IT GROUP, THEY ARE A BE THERE GROUP. THE LOVE TEAM KNOWS THEY ARE NOT IN CHARGE. AT THE HEART THE LOVE TEAM IS PRESENT IN THE NAME AND SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST AND TAKES THEIR COUNSEL FROM HIS TEACHINGS AND EXAMPLE. AT THE HEART MESSAGE OF JESUS IS, “NOT MY WILL, BUT YOUR WILL BE DONE”. IN ORDER FOR THE LOVE TEAM TO DO ITS JOB THERE ARE SIX RULES: 1) I HAVE SURRENDERED YOU TO GOD. 2) I WILL LISTEN FOR COUNSEL FROM HOLY SPIRIT. 3) I WILL WAIT FOR GUIDANCE. 4) I WILL NOT JUMP AHEAD OF YOU IN IMPATIENCE. 5) I WILL PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR WORD. THIS IS FOUND PRIMARILY IN MATTHEW, LUKE, MARK, JOHN AND PSALMS. ALSO IN THE MANY BIBLICAL STORIES. 6) I TRUST GOD WITH ALL MY MIND, HEART, STRENGTH. 

The “Love Team” is a concept I have been using with my children and grandchildren as a way of letting them know family hangs together. We are the first line of care in times of need.

In these predawn moments all is quiet and in the silence my mind flows with thoughts of my life and the lives of others near and far. Some one is living slowly, painfully, with unsteady feet toward the end of the line. Some where a woman is painfully giving birth to her first child and there comes from deep within her cries of pain soon to become the smile and joy of cuddling her first born. Some one is waking to this new day hesitantly stepping forth on unsteady feet into a new life without dependency on habits and ways of thinking and attitudes that are enslaving and harmful. Some one is holding the arm of a person walking down the hospital corridor following surgery. Another is leaving home for the first time eager to make happen the dream of becoming_________.  And in my mind I hear the words, “Behold! I am making all things new!” (Revelation 21:5). Let us give thanks that God is at work in your mind and heart making you new, fresh, joyful, free to be your real self in whose smile and personality others are blessed and encouraged. Never stop dreaming, never stop getting upland starting new. Live, always live………………….