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Remember When

For over three years now I have been reading the same verses every morning. These verses have truly made an impact on my life, on my awareness of how the Father wants me to see and treat others.

“Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.” Titus 3:1-8 NLT

This is a big order to fill but God isn’t asking us to do it on our own. No, He is telling us to live like this, directed by the power of His love and His grace.

It’s because of His grace that we have been made right in his sight and it is by His grace that those who are living contrary to His will be drawn to Him.

The Apostle Paul knew this drawing of God in a very public and personal way. He was zealously rounding up Christians. He had them arrested and imprisoned, even killed.

One day he had a personal encounter with the Lord. It wasn’t an encounter with men who were condemning his actions but instead an encounter with God himself. God in his mercy brought Saul, now Paul, to repentance.

“So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.” Acts 9:17-18 NLT

Our command from Scripture is to always be ready to do good and not to slander! We are to remember when we first were introduced to God’s grace. It wasn’t something we deserved; it was something we were freely given.

There’s only one way we can fulfill this command.

“ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20 NLT

Father, remind me of Your word. Remind me to always be devoted to doing good.

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Friends and Family

Thank you to the friends who called and text yesterday to check on me. I was blessed to know that you cared enough to make sure I was ok. You know I don’t miss the daily opportunity to share with you. Yesterday was an exception.

To be frank, I slept in. It was our first day off in many, many days and our bodies needed the rest. I had fully intended to post a blog later in the morning however my sister is here visiting, and we spent the time talking, as I was preparing pies for last night’s bbq.

Our season on the mountain is coming to an end. Tomorrow, our first camp host couple will be leaving. We wanted to give them a proper send off and what better way to do that than with a bar-b-q.

It was a day filled with love and appreciation. A day to say thank you, you’re appreciated, and we’ll see you again next season. A day filled with many little details in the kitchen. A day filled with family and friends.

“He must like to take people into his home. He must love what is good. He must be able to think well and do all things in the right way.” Titus 1:8 NLV

My mother was such a wonderful example of being hospitable. She loved having people share our home. As a little girl, I remember our living room would have several card tables spread about and friends would come for an evening of puzzle making and enjoying the cookies, cakes and pies that Mom had made.

Later there were always times of dinners with friends. People knew they were loved when they came to our home. It’s always been important to Dave and I to have our home open, ready to share, a place where all are welcome.

“Continue loving each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. 2 Always remember to help people by welcoming them into your home. Some people have done that and have helped angels without knowing it. ” Hebrews 13:1-2 ERV

I don’t know that we have ever “entertained angels, unaware” but I do know it brings us great joy to share our blessings, great or small, with those around us. It reminds me of the teaching Jesus gave to His disciples.

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” Matthew 25:37-40 NLT

Friends and Family. The word family, from God’s perspective, is all encompassing. Never think that having someone to dinner or sharing dessert is inconsequential. The Father sees it as a kindness shown to Him.

Take time for family and friends. Share what you have, it warms the Father’s heart!

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Drawing Close

There was a time when I felt the Father was so far away, I wondered if I would ever have a close relationship with Him again.

Circumstances in life had caused me to distance myself from His presence. I honestly felt like the prodigal daughter. It started out with the little things – selfishness, putting my needs and wants before others. Self-pity. Why are “they” treating me like this? Self-importance. I deserve better, and went searching for it.

I hardened my heart to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. This was my thought, “If God’s not going to fix this then I’ll do it myself”. I wanted to be in charge.

Have you ever fallen into that mindset? I hope not but if you have let me show you the way that the Father ministered to me.

As a little girl I grew up loving the Bible stories I heard in Sunday School. One day as I was struggling with self-pity, I remembered the story of the prodigal son. I wasn’t in a physical pigpen but I was in an emotional one. I remember imagining that I was walking with the son on the road to his Father’s house.

I saw the Father running up the road to greet us but instead of embracing His son, He wrapped His arms around me and He held me close. I heard Him whisper in my ear, “Welcome home, I’ve been waiting for you. I love you”.

Never once did He ask me where I’d been or what I had been doing. He knew. I didn’t feel condemned – only love and forgiveness flowed from the Father’s heart to mine.

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’…We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” Luke 15:20-24 NLT

When we start on our return journey to the Father, drawing close to Him, He meets us – embraces us and throws us a party. His heart is full because we have come home!

 “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” James 4:7-10 NLT

When we humble ourselves and repent, He forgives and restores. He brings us to a place of peace, surrounded by His love.

Come with me and draw close to the Father!

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Redirected

You know people think that when you’re retired that you wake up each morning with a blank slate and you aren’t subject to the pressures of those who are still working.

However, working folks, stay-at-home moms or dads, retirees, students all have the same 24 hours each day and we need to be good stewards of the time we have.

Yesterday was a day not planned. We had planned to have breakfast with friends who had been visiting and were heading back to the Valley. We had planned to enjoy our streaming church service, but after that nothing was according to our plan but it was part of the Father’s.

It’s probably been 35 years ago that I found these verses in Proverbs 16 and began to pray God’s Word over my plans for the day. Have I ever messed up and gone off and done my own thing? More times than I would care to admit. Have I ever wasted a day selfishly? Sadly, yes!

But I do try to honor the Lord in my busy times and in my quiet, do-nothing times. Sometimes it’s much harder to sit quietly and rest than it is to spend the whole day in strenuous, working activity. The important part of any day, especially the ones where the plans change, is to be mindful that the Lord has a purpose for us and to go forward with a heart of gratitude because His plans are always best.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiahs 29:11-13 NLT

As we all start this week let the Lord direct. As He does we will have good success.

“The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the [wise] answer of the tongue.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart).

3 Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:1-3 AMP

Be willing to be redirected, a new path directed by the Lord will be filled with blessings and good success.

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Time to Worship

Sunday morning and people every where are getting ready for church but don’t limit your worship of the Father to a particular building or location.

Worship is truly a heart issue; a grateful heart will make time to worship whenever and wherever it is touched by God’s goodness, beauty, grace and forgiveness. For years we lead working cowboys and their families in times of praising and thanking the Father for His wonderful love and many blessings.

Now, I take time every morning to thank Him for where He’s brought me and what He teaches me each day while we are here on this mountain, which is like a great cathedral.

“Jesus said, ‘Believe me, woman! The time is coming when you will not have to be in Jerusalem or on this mountain to worship the Father. 22 You Samaritans worship something you don’t understand. We Jews understand what we worship, since salvation comes from the Jews. 23 But the time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. In fact, that time is now here. And these are the kind of people the Father wants to be his worshipers. 24 God is spirit. So the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.’” John 4:21-24 ERV

This was the instruction that the Lord gave the woman at the well in Samaria. Worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. She was so touched by her encounter with Jesus that she dropped everything and went to tell her family and friends about the Messiah.

“Then the woman left her water jar and went back to town. She told the people there, 29 ‘A man told me everything I have ever done. Come see him. Maybe he is the Messiah.’ 30 So the people left the town and went to see Jesus.” John 4:28-30 ERV

When was the last time we literally dropped everything to tell someone about Jesus? This woman wasn’t concerned that she would be welcomed by her friends and neighbors or that the message she was bringing was politically correct, she just had to share that she had found the Messiah.

Whatever she said, however she said it, she was convincing. Folks came out to see Jesus. This woman was of low reputation in town, also understand that the Jews and the Samaritans had been opposed to one another for generations but still they came.

“Many of the Samaritan people in that town believed in Jesus. They believed because of what the woman had told them about him. She had told them, ‘He told me everything I have ever done.’ 40 The Samaritans went to Jesus. They begged him to stay with them. So he stayed there two days. 41 Many more people became believers because of the things he said.

42 The people said to the woman, ‘First we believed in Jesus because of what you told us. But now we believe because we heard him ourselves. We know now that he really is the one who will save the world.’” John 4:39-42 ERV

The Lord will use our testimony to bring people to Christ. We must be willing to share what God has done in our lives and then He can work in the lives of those who know our story.

Make time to worship the Father for Who He is – He is the Almighty God, our everlasting Father!

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More About Contentment

Do you remember being little and “wishing” for everything? Another word for wishing is wanting. If those desires are not guided properly they can lead to disillusionment and discontentment, not only in children but in adults as well.

So, this morning we’re going to learn one more lesson from our wooly, four-legged friends.

There was a time when my conversation was filled with the things I wanted – a new house, a new job, to lose weight, more friends, more money, less bills. But that’s not the mindset of a sheep. They are content to follow the shepherd, they are content in the pasture.

Sheep are known for lacking in intelligence, some would call them dumb. Not to be insulting but isn’t that the way it is with us. We think we know what’s best for us but left by ourselves we will get in trouble. We will be lost and in need of rescuing.

“Then Jesus told them this story: 4 “Suppose one of you has 100 sheep, but one of them gets lost. What will you do? You will leave the other 99 sheep there in the field and go out and look for the lost sheep. You will continue to search for it until you find it. 5 And when you find it, you will be very happy. You will carry it 6 home, go to your friends and neighbors and say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I found my lost sheep!’” Luke 15:3-6 ERV

And when we are lost, our Good Shepherd will come searching for us, bringing us to a place of safety and provision.

When we are with the Shepherd, we can be safe and content.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 KJV

“You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.” Psalm 23:1 CEV

The Apostle Paul put it this way in his writing to the Christians in Philippi.

“… for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13 NLT

How could Paul be content in every situation? The answer is clear. Contentment comes from Christ.

The Lord doesn’t want us worried or wanting. He knows what we need, He wants us living in a place of trust.

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:21-33 NLT

Lord forgive me today for my wanting. I thank you that you bless me beyond measure because of Your great love. You supply all I need and more. You’re the Good Shepherd and I will follow you!

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Hurry Up & Wait

I was telling a co-worker yesterday, as we were waiting for campers to arrive, that a favorite saying of my dad’s was “hurry up and wait”. When we become impatient, we rush about expending unnecessary amounts of energy and we still end up waiting.

Some mornings I wake up knowing what the day has in store or at least I think I do. And then there are mornings like this morning that I start praying over my day and have no idea how it will go or what I will be doing.

It’s then I remembered all the places we have lived where sheep were raised. They were a part of the natural landscape and I learned much from them. Sheep are rarely in a hurry; they moved slowly. There is no rush to their day.

Last night sheep settled in the pasture. They laid down to rest and felt safe. They will begin stirring in about 30 minutes or so as the new day starts to dawn. They have no agenda and feel no anxiousness over what they will do or where they will go. Unless the shepherd comes to lead them to a new field, they will be content to eat well in this pasture. But the minute they are aware of the shepherd’s presence, they become attentive – their senses heighten, their tails flick and their heads come up. They are ready to follow!

I need to learn that. I need to be content in this pasture until I hear the shepherd and then be ready to follow. It’s a lesson I have had to learn many times. But today, I will be content and wait for the shepherd. Following Him brings me to a place of provision and protection.

“Jesus said, ‘It is certainly true that when a man enters the sheep pen, he should use the gate. If he climbs in some other way, he is a robber. He is trying to steal the sheep. 2 But the man who takes care of the sheep enters through the gate. He is the shepherd. 3 The man who guards the gate opens the gate for the shepherd. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out. 4 He brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leads them. The sheep follow him, because they know his voice. 5 But sheep will never follow someone they don’t know. They will run away from him, because they don’t know his voice.’

6 Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant….10 A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good. 11 ‘I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep…14-15 ‘I am the shepherd who cares for the sheep. I know my sheep just as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me just as I know the Father. I give my life for these sheep.” John 10:1-15 ERV

Let’s follow the Shepherd. Wait patiently, be content and then follow His lead!

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Wanting More

This morning I was greeted by this photo I had taken a few years back. It brought a smile to my face and a thought to my heart. This little fellow and his many friends came every morning, afternoon and evening to my feeders, always wanting more.

I have no idea how many pounds of sugar and gallons of water I would prepare each summer for the hummingbirds who visited my yard.

Come they did – 50+ at a feeding. I would take the feeders down, all eight of them, wash them and refill them. From the inside of the house I could hear their little wings whirling as they waited impatiently for me to bring them back to the yard, filled with nectar.

They were always wanting more.

Do you know that our heavenly Father does no less for us?

“Then Jesus said, ‘I am the bread that gives life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who believes in me will ever be thirsty.'” John 6:35 ERV

“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.’ 15 The woman said to Jesus, ‘Sir, give me this water. Then I will never be thirsty again and won’t have to come back here to get more water.’” John 4:13-15 ERV

He planned for all of life’s other necessities as well.

“‘Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 That’s what those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.'” Matthew 6:31-33 ERV

The Father provides for our needs and Jesus said what we should want most, our number one need, is to know Him and His kingdom. The Apostle Paul said this in his teaching to young christians:

“…now I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Christ, I lost all these things, and now I know that they are all worthless trash. All I want now is Christ. 9 I want to belong to him. In Christ I am right with God, but my being right does not come from following the law. It comes from God through faith. God uses my faith in Christ to make me right with him. 10 All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death.” Philippians 3:8-10

Just like those little hummingbirds who were always wanting more, “All I want is to know Christ”, I want more.

The Father has meticulously planned for our every need. His plan is perfect. Our responsibility is to trust Him and make relationship with Him our top priority.

We should always be wanting more!

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On Fire

Something that most every camper enjoys is their campfires.

Early in the season the vegetation was so dry that the Forest Service executed a Stage 2, Red Flag fire restriction. No campfires, not even charcoal – anything that could cause a spark was restricted. Everyone understood the reasoning, but they weren’t happy.

Then the rains came and the restriction was lifted. I have no idea how many bags of firewood we have sold. There’s something mesmerizing about watching those yellow and gold flames. It’s soothing, comforting, inviting.

Campers love to sit around those campfires and visit. It’s definitely a time of relationship building, memory-making.

That is how our conversations should be as we interact with others. Remember yesterday’s verses – we are salt and light. Fire is a type of light, a warming and welcoming light. Those who are chilled from the circumstances of life can come and be warmed, those who are hungry for what’s missing in their hearts can come and be fed.

Those lacking joy can come to the fire within us and find fellowship.

Jeremiah was a prophet in a wicked and perverse generation. His nation was under siege because of their sins and their disobedience to God. He was a prophet whose message had been ignored and in fact, he had been jailed because of his message.

Just listen to what he said:

“Sometimes I say to myself, “I will forget about him.
    I will not speak anymore in his name.”
But when I say that, his message is like a fire burning inside me!
    It feels like it is burning deep in my bones!
I get tired of trying to hold his message inside.
    And finally, I am not able to hold it in.” Jeremiah 20:9 ERV

The message of God is a fire inside of me, I can’t hold it in. His was a message of repentance and forgiveness.

Is the message of God a fire inside us? We have a message of God’s love and forgiveness to offer those around us; a message of comfort, of nourishment, of acceptance.

There is a line from an Alicia Keys song that I want to ring true in my life. “This girl is on fire”.

Lord, let Your word burn within me, a fire that can’t be contained. Let me not hold back on the message you have given me. May I warm and console those around me with your love.

“John’s answer to this was, “I baptize you in water, but there is someone coming later who is able to do more than I can. I am not good enough to be the slave who unties his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Luke 3:16 ERV

Holy Spirit, light the fire in my soul!

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Salt & Light

This world needs us! It needs our influence and our perspective. It needs us to be salt and light.

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:13-16 NLT

This is our calling. However, we can fail in our influence if we become more concerned about pleasing people than pleasing our Father.

Salt makes us thirsty. Thirsty for the living water that only God can supply. Light keeps us from stumbling in the darkness.

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 NLT

This world we live in needs both now more than ever.

Have you ever been in the trap of pleasing people? You know, when we try to impress folks with our efforts and our actions. It can be a vicious cycle of doing something nice, waiting for approval, doing something nice again to gain acceptance and kind words.

This type of action can be emotionally, physically and financially exhausting.

Jesus knew this very thing and walked away from those situations choosing rather to please God than man.

” In Jerusalem during Passover many people put their faith in Jesus, because they saw him work miracles. 24 But Jesus knew what was in their hearts, and he would not let them have power over him. 25 No one had to tell him what people were like. He already knew.” John 2:23-25 CEV

This account takes place early in Jesus ministry. He had just chosen his disciples and not many people knew Him. You would think that he would want to cater to these people who had just put their faith in Him but instead the Scripture says He didn’t allow them to have power over Him or to control Him and His actions by their opinions.

Sadly, today many Christians are giving others power over them and are making their belief in Jesus and His word take second place to public opinion.

Lord, we desire to stand strong today. Representing You without apology. We desire to please You and not cater to the dictates of men.

“Don’t ever let love and loyalty leave you. Tie them around your neck, and write them on your heart. 4 Then God will be pleased and think well of you and so will everyone else.

5 Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil.” Proverbs 3:3-7 ERV

We all have a calling to fulfill – shine brightly and add flavor wherever we go!

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