Category: John

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Gift of a Thirsty Soul

The image I am sharing with you this morning is one that was taken in our yard in Idaho about 15+ years ago. It had been a dry Spring and Summer. The natural springs and ponds were very low and some were dry. We lived in an area called the Rimrock north of Coeur d’Alene. It was a Saturday and we were all in the living room when the dogs started their low growl, you know, the one that means something’s up and they didn’t like it. Our living room southern wall was all windows. When we looked out this is what we saw.

A cow moose had brought her twin calves up to rest in the shade and she found water. They stood there was a while just letting the sprinkler hit them in the face and then she knelt down and wrapped her lips over the sprinkler head and just sucked up the water. I had never seen anything like it before or since. Her thirst was overwhelming. She needed the life giving water and would take it from whatever source was available. We had just been telling that sorry to some folks visiting in our home yesterday and here was the picture today.

This is the picture I see when I think of the Bible verse found in Psalms

“As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. 2 In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God. When will I see your face?” Psalm 42:1-2 CEV

I’m sure you know that the human body can go longer without food than it can without water. Since our bodies are about 70% water, it is vitality important that we stay hydrated in order to be healthy. No, I’m not going into a teaching on health and nutrition. Just stating the facts. But it is important that we stay hydrated spiritually too.

“I remember to think about the many things you did in years gone by. 6 Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you. 7 Please hurry, Lord, and answer my prayer. I feel hopeless. Don’t turn away and leave me here to die. Psalms 143:5-7 CEV

Have you ever felt that hopeless? Felt like you were completely dry on the inside and had nothing left to give? When it happens we become prey to thoughts of depression, loneliness, hopelessness. We need to have our souls watered – words of encouragement, comfort, kindness, love bring new life and hope back to our hearts.

“All you people who are thirsty, come! Here is water for you to drink. Don’t worry if you have no money. Come, eat and drink until you are full! You don’t need money. The milk and wine are free.
2 Why waste your money on something that is not real food? Why should you work for something that does not really satisfy you? Listen closely to me and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the food that satisfies your soul. 3 Listen closely to what I say. Listen to me so that you will live. I will make an agreement with you that will last forever. It will be an agreement you can trust, like the one I made with David— a promise to love him and be loyal to him forever.” Isaiah 55:1-3 CEV

Over and over again throughout the Bible we see the reference that coming to the Lord, trusting Him is like receiving life giving water. Jesus told people he was the bread of life. By coming to Him they would find food that sustains, spiritual food, and water that will quench their thirst, soul refreshing.

“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. 36 I told you before that you have seen me, and still you don’t believe. 37 The Father gives me my people. Every one of them will come to me. I will always accept them. 38 I came down from heaven to do what God wants, not what I want.” John 6:35-38 ERV

Now I could tell you that there are many around us that are parched, badly in need of water and that’s true but I get the feeling this morning that some who are reading this are the ones who are parched. You feel dry and used up and just don’t know how much longer things can go on like this. I’ve been there!

Let me share one last very familiar group of verses with you.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3 and you refresh my life.” Psalm 23:1-3 CEV

When we come to the Lord he takes care of us like a good shepherd takes care of his sheep. He brings us to good pastures so we can eat and rest and He will refresh our souls just like water from a peaceful stream.

Thank you Lord for the gift of a thirsty soul because you give us life giving water.

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The Gift of Selflessness

A few days ago I told you about the books that I keep on my coffee table at Christmas. This morning I want to share with you the one that started the Christmas collection. The story was shared in the December issue of Arizona Highways magazine in 1973. It’s called The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde. I have no idea how many times it has been printed and the cover has changed over the years but the message is the same.

The story in a nutshell – is a selfish giant walls his beautiful garden so that children can’t come in and play. As a result the garden remains in a state of winter all year round and the giant becomes grumpier with each passing of the months. Then one day in the corner of his garden he notices that the birds are singing and the trees are green…the children found a break in the wall and came in to play. The giant is so glad to see them that he runs out to welcome them.

All the children see the giant running in their direction and scurry out of the garden. All except one little boy who doesn’t see the giant coming because he his eyes were filled with tears. You see he was too small to climb up in the tree and it made him so sad. The giant lifted the little boy into the tree and the little boy rewarded him with a hug and kiss.

On that day, the giant broke down the wall and the children were welcomed in. The children came to play with the giant in the garden but the little boy whom the giant had loved was never seen again and no one really knew who he was or where he lived. Years passed, the seasons came and went and the giant became old and feeble and each day he looked for the little boy.

One winter’s morning, in the far corner of the garden the giant saw a tree covered in blossoms and beneath it stood the little boy, the giant could barely believe it eyes. He ran to the boy and as he got close to him the giant’s face filled with anger. He could see that in the boy’s hands and feet were the prints of nails. “Who wounded you, I will slay them he shouted.” But the child told him “No, these are wounds of love”. And then the child said “You let me play in your garden once and today you shall come with me to my garden, Paradise.”

The giant gave love freely to one small child and it changed his life forever. We are all like that giant at one point, walls were built to keep others out. What actually happens with those emotional walls is they imprison us. We decide not to be hurt or inconvenienced but we also keep ourselves from loving and being present in the lives around us.

“I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you. 35 All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.” John 13:34-35 ERV

The command Jesus gave us was one to love. It’s not a suggestion or even a good idea. It’s a command! And like any command given by a ranking officer the command has a purpose. In this case the purpose is so that “all” – A L L will know that we are his followers. God gets glory when we walk in love towards others. Jesus loves (present tense) unconditionally. He loves us on our good days and the bad. He loves us through our failures and in our successes. Plain and simple He loves us!

Today, we can share God’s love with someone and it will not only change their life but ours as well.

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The Gift of a Prepared Room

Last year Dave and I listed our home on the Airbnb website. We love having our friends come to our home to spend a few days. It’s fun to entertain and perhaps pamper them a bit. It’s what we do. So we began toying with the idea of offering our home to folks who were coming to visit in our area. We had a couple guests each month during the winter and it was nice to meet new people and tell them about our area. The last few days I’ve been getting ready for guests who will be coming the first of next week and this morning I was thinking about preparations that still need to be made.

And then my thoughts went to other preparations. Can you imagine the plans that Mary was making in her last month of pregnancy? Moms you know what I’m talking about, especially when it was your first child. Everything had to be perfect – was the cradle ready, was there enough swaddling (diapers), was the house clean enough – all the details. She was preparing for her son, her first child but she was also preparing to receive the Messiah and it was her responsibility to raise him. Now that was a big responsibility.

But in thinking about the preparation, all the little details, I asked myself, how have I prepared for this child called Jesus? Have I kept things back, hidden away or have I been completely open in giving Him all of my heart for His home? Have I allowed Him free rein to transform me?

He loves me more than I love myself. He has never nor will ever ask me to make any changes that aren’t for my best. He’s not out to destroy my life but to make it better than I ever dreamed possible.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

Now let’s go back for a moment to our new mother. Having a baby in your home meant you went without sleep, your life was no longer your own. Your primary focus became the baby’s well-being; you had a new purpose in life. And it was worth every second – no regrets!

So I ask now, are you prepared? Have you made room for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

“The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” Exodus 15:2 KJV

Make preparation today not for just a guest who will come and go but for the One who comes and promises to never leave us alone!

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No Longer Lost – Thank God

I remember years ago when our oldest daughter was just a toddler we had bands of sheep across the road in the fields. I would walk her across the road and she would watch the sheep. Of course they wouldn’t come up to the fence like horses or cows but they kept a little girl’s interest. (for a while)

My husband grew up with sheep herders and had the opportunity to watch their ways. Interesting people. One man with several working dogs could control a large band of sheep – protecting them and moving them from one field to another.

Shepherds care for their sheep. They live with them in the field. They don’t abandon them. They protect them personally and then leave the dogs with them to keep them safe from predators in the night.

The shepherd makes sure they have plenty of grass in the pasture and when it is eaten down they move the sheep on to the next field. Shepherds also make sure their flocks have plenty of water. They pay close attention to the weak and injured; nursing their wounds and seeing that they aren’t picked on by the stronger rams.

I have a good shepherd. He loves me, He cares for me, He feeds and protects me and He searches for me if I get lost and He brings me back to His fold! Remember what I said yesterday about Jesus using nature to teach us valuable lessons?

” Jesus said:
I tell you for certain that only thieves and robbers climb over the fence instead of going in through the gate to the sheep pen. 2-3 But the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and he goes in through it. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice. He calls each of them by name and leads them out.

4 When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice. 5 The sheep will not follow strangers. They don’t recognize a stranger’s voice, and they run away.

6 Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.

7 Jesus said:
I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep. 8 Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. 9 I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.

10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest. 11 I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep. 12 Hired workers are not like the shepherd. They don’t own the sheep, and when they see a wolf coming, they run off and leave the sheep. Then the wolf attacks and scatters the flock. 13 Hired workers run away because they don’t care about the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me. 15 Just as the Father knows me, I know the Father, and I give up my life for my sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them together too, when they hear my voice. Then there will be one flock of sheep and one shepherd.” John 10:1-16 CEV

“Then Jesus told them this story:
4 If any of you has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won’t you leave the ninety-nine in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it? 5 And when you find it, you will be so glad that you will put it on your shoulder 6 and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, “Let’s celebrate! I’ve found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:3-6 CEV

I am a loved sheep -> lost by now I’m found! It’s time to celebrate!!

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Old Faithful – A Glorious Reminder

Faithfulness! The sign of a true friend is faithfulness. Through the years, Dave and I have been blessed with many acquaintances and even dear situational friendships. You know, those friends that are in your life for a particular seasonal or location. But then there are the friends that rise above time and space. They are the ones who you may not talk to for months or even years but when you see them, your heart is stirred with love and memories and the relationship picks up and grows even deeper.

Yes, we have been truly blessed with friends that fall into that category! Our lives are richer, warmer and fuller because of their love!

I was mediating on that word “faithfulness” this morning. Faith+full+ness.

Faith= the established belief in someone or something not seen. The knowing that they will always be the same. Never failing, always there.

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

Full= not empty, not lacking, abundance, more than enough.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

Ness= a suffix added to a word to indicate quality

Faith= believing in the unseen; Full= abundance; Ness= quality

Faithfulness: believing in the abundance of someone always being the same in overflowing abundance, to the greatest extent or quality.

You know folks have been going to Yellowstone National Park for years to see the geyser Old Faithful. In fact, Old Faithful is so faithful that the Park Rangers can predict with great accuracy when it will blow. Summer, winter, spring or fall the geyser erupts, crowd or no crowd, rain or shine Old Faithful is the same. Can a geyser be more faithful than the Lord – not hardly!

God’s faithfulness endures forever! He will always be the same – He keeps His promises and His love never fails! Rest in Him today.

“Our Lord, I will sing of your love forever. Everyone yet to be born will hear me praise your faithfulness.

2 I will tell them, “God’s love can always be trusted, and his faithfulness lasts as long as the heavens.”

3 You said, “David, my servant, is my chosen one, and this is the agreement I made with him: 4 David, one of your descendants will always be king.”

5 Our Lord, let the heavens now praise your miracles, and let all of your angels praise your faithfulness.

6 None who live in the heavens can compare with you.” Psalm 89:1-6 CEV

Trust in the faithfulness of your loving heavenly Father!

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It’s in the Script

Last night I couldn’t sleep so I turned TV to the Hallmark Channel. At first I caught the last 30 minutes of a movie I hadn’t seen before, then I went to another Hallmark Channel and caught the last half of a movie I hadn’t seen. I love Hallmark movies – they are predictable and they make me feel good. The perfect thing to watch as you are trying to fall to sleep.

Let’s evaluate most every Hallmark movie. You have a female lead character who is generally faced with some dilemma. She is most generally a commoner; seamstress, waitress, office worker, teacher, widow, etc. Then you have the male lead; quite often he is wealthy and has social acclaim; king, prince, business mogul, doctor, military hero. And finally there is the villain; parent, business adviser, other woman, jealous boyfriend, who is trying to keep the male and female lead characters apart.

The story proceeds with the plot undermining the relationship between the two characters but in the end true love prevails!

Simplistic, predictable but heartwarming and sweet!

We have a saying around our house when someone asks “why in the world did they do that” and the answer is “it’s in the script”. However, daily life isn’t scripted – the situation we face are learned dialogue. Yet the underlining premise is the same.

We have the commoner and the king. Someone is always trying to undermine the relationship between the two but if you fall the storyline long enough you will find that love never fails and good triumphs over evil.

Yes, that’s the way it is in our relationship with the Lord. We are the commoners and Jesus is the King of Kings. The stresses, evil and dependence on self in this world try to keep us separated from the King. People around us and the voices in our own heads tell us that we aren’t good enough or just the opposite, that we don’t need God, that religion is just a crutch.

God isn’t a crutch, far from it. He is the source of love and the abundance of life. When we enter into relationship with Him he takes us from our common life and elevates us to a place of honor and esteem. He invites us all to come to Him and find rest; to an abundant life.

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 CEV

“20 Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together.” Revelation 3:20 CEV

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

Time and time again I focus on God’s amazing love but only because it’s the heart of our story. Christ freely laid down His life for us, He loves us that much.

“Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. 13 The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.” John 15:12-13 CEV

“We know what love is because Jesus gave his life for us. That’s why we must give our lives for each other.” I John 3:16 CEV

You see our relationship with the Lord is a lot like a Hallmark movie only better! And when you read the Bible you find out what this amazing new life is all about.

It truly is “in the script”!

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The Smell of Sweet Perfume

Chanel – White Diamonds – Giorgio – Shalimar – perfumes! All have a wonderful odor.

Just one drop, and a room will be completely filled with fragrance. Have you ever experienced that? Just one little dab of expensive perfume on a cloth or piece of clothing will bring a wonderful bouquet to all the other clothes in your closet or drawer. Or maybe you’ve had the experience of walking past someone and you pick up on the sweet smell of perfume and it reminds you of someone you love or a place you love.

“I am grateful that God ALWAYS makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” (emphasis mine) II Corinthians 214 CEV

The Apostle Paul tells us that we should be thankful because God ALWAYS causes us to triumph in Christ. ALWAYS!! Not just occasionally, not just half the time but ALWAYS!

And then He helps us spread the message of Christ and His victory everywhere like a sweet perfume. We’re not the perfume, the message of Christ is. We’re simply the article that transports the aroma.

Reminds me of the woman who broke the box of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus. People were upset because she had wasted such a costly ointment but everywhere Jesus went, He left a sweet smelling fragrance and there was no denying that they had been in His presence.

“Six days before Passover Jesus went back to Bethany, where he had raised Lazarus from death. 2 A meal had been prepared for Jesus. Martha was doing the serving, and Lazarus himself was there. 3 Mary took a very expensive bottle of perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet. She wiped them with her hair, and the sweet smell of the perfume filled the house.” John 12:1-3 CEV

Are we leaving people with the ability to sense that they have been in the presence of the Lord? Talking about His victories in our lives isn’t bragging on us and our great feats; it’s simply leaving the fragrance of Christ for others to enjoy.

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

Be grateful, be thankful, leave a sweet smell!

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Grateful for Light

Have you been out at night where there are no street lights and all you have is the moon and the stars to light your way? You know there are things in the bushes you can’t see…it would be great to have a flashlight!

Have you ever gotten up in the middle of the night, been disoriented, stubbed your toe, stepped on something sharp or wet, and/or hit your shin or hip on a piece of furniture you forgot was there? Or maybe you’re staying in a hotel or the home of a friend? Where am I?

Well, I have!

The night light in our bedroom burned out a while back and it took me a while to get to the store for a replacement bulb yet.

We have night lights in every bedroom and the hall in our house. We don’t want our family and friends experiencing what I just described.

Do you know Jesus doesn’t want us walking around in the dark either?

“In a loud voice Jesus said: Everyone who has faith in me also has faith in the one who sent me. 45 And everyone who has seen me has seen the one who sent me. 46 I am the light that has come into the world. No one who has faith in me will stay in the dark. 47 I am not the one who will judge those who refuse to obey my teachings. I came to save the people of this world, not to be their judge. 48 But everyone who rejects me and my teachings will be judged on the last day by what I have said. 49 I don’t speak on my own. I say only what the Father who sent me has told me to say. 50 I know that his commands will bring eternal life. That is why I tell you exactly what the Father has told me.” John 12:44-50 CEV

Jesus said that He was the light of the world. He shines in the dark places and lights the way so we don’t lose our way. He brings light to our souls and salvation to our lives.

In the Psalms we also find that the Word of God is a lamp for our feet and a light on our pathway. Since Jesus is described as the Word the correlation between Jesus and the Word of God is the same.

But then Jesus told us that we are to bring light into the world. When Christ lives in us and we are following God’s Word we will bring light to those around us.

“You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, 15 and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. 16 Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 CEV

Be someone’s light today. Help them see past the darkness. Bring them hope.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine till Jesus comes. I’m gonna let it shine.

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The Remodel Isn’t Done Yet

So how’s the remodel coming? Did you find that you were in a refining or remodeling project after yesterday’s devotional? I looked for verses with the words “grateful” or “gratitude” in them. I couldn’t find either word in the King James Version of the Bible and only found a couple of references in the New International Version. However, gratitude, thanksgiving, gratefulness, appreciation is the focal point of so many books even though those specific words aren’t there. Just goes to show it’s an attitude of the heart and not words on a page.

I did find a passage in Colossians, which you know it my favorite book, that has gratitude as its theme and stays with our idea of spiritual remodeling.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

Jesus said “be of good cheer” and the apostle Paul says “let peace rule in your hearts”. Those are two basics of gratitude when going through a trial, a remodel. Cheer and peace!

Look at the way the Easy to Read version puts it:

“Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful.

16 Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:15-17 ERV

Let peace control your thinking…WOW! That would certainly be a major remodel – controlled by peace. How many times do you find yourself jumping to conclusions or flying off the handle – judging people and situations wrongly, that’s not a mind controlled by peace and definitely a mind that needs to be renovated.

“But the Helper will teach you everything and cause you to remember all that I told you. This Helper is the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name.

27 “I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am leaving, but I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be happy that I am going back to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am.” John 14:26-28 ERV

And it’s not peace we have to manufacture on our own – notice it’s Christ’s peace. It’s the same peace He received from the Father when He left heaven to come to earth and live as a man. It’s a supernatural peace. It’s the peace that will take you through trials victoriously just like it did for Jesus. Oh and the added bonus, Jesus said we have His peace and He’s also given us the Holy Spirit to be our helper until Jesus comes back again!

We have the opportunity to teach, to share with one another, things we’ve experienced during the remodel process. Don’t you think we could learn something from Daniel about peace and something from David about thankfulness and from Joseph about hope. We can learn from the pages of God’s word and we can share with others the way we have seen those promises fulfilled in our lives.

“Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16 Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:15-17 CEV

Oh boy, the Lord just reminded me of an example in my own life. I don’t claim to be a completely “remodeled” habitation for the Lord but I certainly have been through several major renovation projects. Years ago I was in a place where I was in my bedroom all alone crying to God to fix some broken areas in my life. I had listed each of them and was telling Him that I wanted His will in my life and I wanted to be free of these things that were holding me back. I felt God’s peace! Oh how sweet and then a song came on the radio and it cut like a knife.

“THERE WAS A PLACE IN MY HEART WHERE EVEN I WOULDN’T GOI HAD SOME THINGS HIDDEN THERE I DIDN’T WANT NO ONE TO KNOWBUT HE HANDED ME THE KEY WITH TEARS OF LOVE ON HIS FACEHE MADE ME FREE I LET HIM IN MY SECRET PLACE.” The Secret Place by Calvin Clark

I knew immediately that the Father had something greater on His mind that He wanted to remove and rebuild. It was an area of unforgiveness that I wouldn’t even look at – a place I chose not to go. A place where the hurt was too deep to even talk to the Father about…I blurted out “ok, but I’m not going in there alone”. As we walked in, He looked around bringing light to that part of my life and now it’s a beautiful room with a view!

So now as the remodel continues, I’m reminded of what “my house” is supposed to look like. It’s supposed to be a home that will give glory to God; I am an example of His handiwork. Although I get the privilege of picking the colors and the décor, He is the master builder and He gets the glory for the building.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:15-17 KJV

Whatever I do, may it bring glory to you, Lord!

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Just Can’t Say Too Much

Have you ever been around someone who can only talk about one thing? Perhaps it’s their latest vacation or their talented child, maybe it’s their favorite sports team or restaurant. Could be it’s their favorite hiking trail or musician. You would hope that would spend most of their time talking about the love of their life…

Me, I spend a large portion of my time talking about the special solitude I find each morning in prayer and God’s word. Guilty!

But do you blame me? If every day you were invited to spend as much time as you want with the most influential person in the world and you could discuss anything you wanted for as long as you wanted, wouldn’t you be talking about it non stop? And if that person told me that I could bring as many friends as I wanted to those meetings, would you want to come? He has and that’s why I spend so much time telling you about it and inviting you to enjoy the same experience.

My day’s purpose is to sit with coffee in hand, dog at my feet, computer on my lap and my heart focused on what the Father is saying to me. Join me

I wonder what the morning routine was for Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jesus, Peter and Paul.

This is written about Abraham:…
“And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord.” Genesis 19:15 KJV

And King David gives us insight to his mornings:
“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.” Psalm 5:3

“But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense And refuge in the day of my trouble.” Psalm 59:16

“I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word.” Psalm 119:47

“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.” Psalm 143:8

Jesus gave us this example:
” Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” Mark 1:35 KJV

“Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.” John 8:2 KJV

Yes, our mornings should count! They should set the tone and purpose of our day. There is a song that is running through my heart today. It was written by either Jeremy Camp or Fernando Ortega, Give Me Jesus.

“In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus…”

Greet the morning with song for the good things the Lord has done!

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