Category: Psalms

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Wonderful World

I don’t know why my mind goes the places that it does sometimes but when it does, I take the time to ask the Lord what He is showing me and what He wants me to share with others. Today’s it a song from the 1960’s, sung by Louis Armstrong. What A Wonderful World.

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom, for me and for you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue, and clouds of white
The bright blessed days, dark sacred nights
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands sayin’ how do you do
They’re really sayin’ I love you

The colors that the Father has infused into creation are amazing!

How many different hues do we see in nature, in the birds, the fish, the flowers and the sky? From the beginning of time, they are how God created them to be.

“God said, ‘I command the earth to produce all kinds of plants, including fruit trees and grain.’ And that’s what happened. 12 The earth produced all kinds of vegetation. God looked at what he had done, and it was good. 13 Evening came, then morning—that was the third day…God said, ‘I command the earth to give life to all kinds of tame animals, wild animals, and reptiles.’ And that’s what happened. 25 God made every one of them. Then he looked at what he had done, and it was good. 26  God said, ‘Now we will make humans, and they will be like us. We will let them rule the fish, the birds, and all other living creatures.’” Genesis 1;11-26 CEV

He created the world to be filled with beauty.

“The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies announce what his hands have made.
2 Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God’s power. 3 You cannot hear them say anything. They don’t make any sound we can hear.
4 But their message goes throughout the world. Their teaching reaches the ends of the earth.” Psalm 19:1-4 ERV

The message that nature declares is that of God’s greatness! He is worthy to be praised.

Some think of God as being boring or old fashioned. Hardly. There is nothing boring about the beauty of a sunset or a field of wildflowers in bloom. There is nothing passe about the majesty of a waterfall or the brilliance of the Milky Way.

The colors of nature are as timeless and a constant reminder of God’s unconditional love.

“ When I look and see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the agreement that continues forever. I will remember the agreement between me and every living thing on the earth. 17 So God said to Noah, ‘This rainbow is proof of the agreement that I made with all living things on earth.’” Genesis 9:16-17 ERV

The colors of the rainbow are a sign of promise. A promise from God that the earth would never again be destroyed by a flood. A brilliant, beautiful promise of God’s faithfulness and love.

If the rainbow were only gray and white it wouldn’t make the statement God intended it too. It would be easy to overlook on a rainy day but since it is so brightly colored it stands out in the sky. It draws attention, causing us to look up, take notice – it is declaring God’s message.

What a wonderful world!

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In The Morning

Boy, my morning started late today but the Lord knew it would. He let me sleep. The first words that came to my heart were “thank you”.

It’s hard for me to admit there were many mornings when I didn’t greet the day and the Lord like that. I fretted and fussed, worried and anguished over the day and what it would hold. How could I possibly get everything done or how could I make a change in the outcome of the day’s events?

Now I rest and find my peace in Him!

“It is wonderful to be grateful and to sing your praises, Lord Most High! 2 It is wonderful each morning to tell about your love and at night to announce how faithful you are.” Psalm 92:1-2 CEV

I read a little devotional this morning by Max Lucado. I so enjoy reading his thoughts on daily living. This morning he was teaching on fear. He said something I found profound.

“He didn’t take away the cross from Christ, but he took the fear. Who’s to say he won’t do the same for you?” from Give God Your Fear

In life we will have crosses to bear. We have struggles to face and hardships to overcome but we never have to go through them alone.

“Teach me to follow you, and I will obey your truth. Always keep me faithful. 12 With all my heart I thank you.  I praise you, Lord God. 13 Your love for me is so great that you protected me from death and the grave.” Psalm 83:11-13 CEV

There is a song that often comes to mind on beautiful mornings like today, Give Me Jesus:

In the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise,
give me Jesus.

Refrain:
Give me Jesus, give me Jesus.
You may have all this world, give me Jesus.

I pray that your morning , and all day through, your heart and your thoughts are filled by Jesus!

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Basking in the Son

For a number of summers Dave and I drove from Montana to Iowa. On our return trip I loved driving through the miles of sunflower fields along I-90 in South Dakota.

The first couple of years we were on the road before sunrise and when we reached the fields they were still bent low. I remember the first year we came through after the sun had risen. The stems had strengthened and the blooms were facing the sun. It was glorious!

When we moved back to Arizona I planted some sunflowers in my garden. They were a living reminder that I should face the Son and bask in His light.

That’s the way that we grow in the Lord – we bask in the Son.

“Our Lord and our God, you are like the sun and also like a shield. You treat us with kindness and with honor, never denying any good thing to those who live right. 12 Lord God All Powerful, you bless everyone who trusts you.” Psalm 84:11-12 CEV

For years, I tried to be more like Christ; trying hard to do the right things, keeping my attitude in check, putting others first, etc. I wanted to make sure I was reading my Bible, attending church, tithing, serving. Did you notice it was all about me and what I was trying to do?

“Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen” II Peter 3:18 CEV

Our growth as Christians doesn’t come from our efforts any more than the sunflowers can control their reaction to the warmth of the sun. My works to be like Him are futile and unsustainable but His works in me produce the growth. Understanding His amazing grace lifts my head and my heart, making me more like Him.

“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.” Psalm 3:3 NLT

God’s grace covers me when I fall, picks me up, encourages me to keep going and not lose hope. When I began to realize what grace truly was my relationship with the Father and with Jesus began to grow.

Knowledge of His deep unconditional love brought me from a place of working for the Lord to letting Him work in and through me.

Each day I desire to bask in the Son and let His light change my life.

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Again?

Yesterday was moving day, again. The concrete had sufficient time to cure and we were anxious to get back to the site we call home.

What I didn’t realize was move was part of an unplanned pattern. Looking back, I found that nine years ago was also a moving day, much bigger, as we placed all our belongings in a big U-Haul truck, loaded our Ford Excursion and left Montana for our new home in Arizona.

Yesterday was much easier. Button everything up, move stuff off the counter tops, roll up the hoses, unplug the electric and hitch the RV to the truck and drive about 1/4 mile, back into the site and get set up. What had taken days nine years ago took only hours yesterday. Somehow, I see the wisdom in that.

Sleep was sweet!

The word “Again” was often used in our vocabulary yesterday. Back-in again, hook-up again, level the RV again, put things up again.

Waking up this morning I realized that I was still thinking – again.

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. 24 Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

Every morning – again, my heavenly Father shows me mercy. Again, He covers me with kindness. I can depend on Him, again.

“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…Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23 CEV

Again, I read “I will never be in need, the Lord is all I need”. Each day of my life, again, I have the Father’s love and kindness, He will always be with me.

Some things are worth doing again.

A good Shepherd must lead His sheep to new pastures so they have ample feed. So Lord, if You lead us to move again – we will follow!

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Big Celebration

Yesterday was a BIG DAY to our five-year-old granddaughter. She graduated Kindergarten!

Because of where her birthday falls, she is younger than her classmates and some of the teachers were concerned that she may fall behind the others. (Her mother told me this yesterday.) However, she proved them wrong and her final report card revealed that she excelled in all her subjects except handwriting.

This was a time to celebrate.

Pappy, Dave, went with our youngest daughter to the ceremony. I waited at home with her younger sister and big brother went to his final day with his classmates. When she came through the backdoor her face was beaming. I heard about the songs they performed and other parts of the event. Pappy and I gave her flowers and she gave hugs and kisses, many times over. It was a celebration.

Now we all know that there will be much bigger milestones in her life and sad-to-say, we will miss some of them. But not this time. As I was thinking about this this morning I remembered an obscure verse in the Bible and I knew our heavenly Father had been smiling as we were celebrating.

“Don’t be discouraged or grow weak from fear! 17 The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.” Zephaniah 3:16-17 CEV

He celebrates and sings and refreshes us with His love. One version of this verse says “He rejoices over us with singing”.

The Lord celebrates us. He is invested in our lives and marks down our victories, even if it is on the scale of a kindergarten graduation.

He also plans a party when we least deserve it. Sometimes we wander off to explore the world and all those pastures that look greener on the other side. We do things we shouldn’t, our associations are less than stellar and we ignore our Father and His desires for us.

But when we come back with a sorrowful heart, He throws a party!

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Hurry and bring the best clothes and put them on him. Give him a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 Get the best calf and prepare it, so we can eat and celebrate. 24 This son of mine was dead, but has now come back to life. He was lost and has now been found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:22-24 CEV

The love of our heavenly Father is so much greater than that of this father but we were given this story as an example. Our father is always waiting for us and is ready to celebrate our return.

Today is a day of celebration – what you think you have nothing worth celebrating? Remember this final verse.

“This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today.” Psalm 118:24 CEV

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Camping Out

This morning I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about and praying for my friends who are camp hosts in the mountains. This is a busy week for them. The campgrounds have been open for a couple weeks but this is the BIG weekend. Memorial Day.

As a kid I grew up camping with my folks. Different places we lived always had a lake or river close by and we would go for the day, the weekend or even a couple weeks at a time. It was great! Fishing, campfires, hot chocolate, card games, marshmallows and the stars. So peaceful and life was simple and unhurried. Awe yes, I love camping.

It’s a way to see God’s beauty, unspoiled. My favorite camp spot is Big Lake Arizona. That’s where I camped with my parents, my children camped with them and now my grandchildren have camped there with us.

It was the place, two years ago, where we sprinkled some of my Mom’s ashes. I’m thinking of her today and how much she loved seeing her family have a good time. I know she is enjoying heaven so much more than she did Big Lake, but it was a little slice of heaven on earth. She didn’t like to fish but never stopped us from going. Even after we were grown, she went with my Dad, it was the joy of being together.

Truly a favorite spot for my heart.

I also have a favorite place to camp for my spirit. It’s in the Psalms and my favorite campsite is Psalm 119. This is the place I set up my tent, take out my chair and rest.

“I deeply love your Law! I think about it all day. 98 Your laws never leave my mind, and they make me much wiser than my enemies. 99 Thinking about your teachings gives me better understanding than my teachers, 100 and obeying your laws makes me wiser than those who have lived a long time. 101 I obey your word instead of following a way that leads to trouble. 102 You have been my teacher, and I won’t reject your instructions. 103 Your teachings are sweeter than honey. 104 They give me understanding and make me hate all lies.” Psalm 119:97-104

With Memorial Day coming up many of you will be getting away for a camping trip or wishing you could. Why not take time today to camp by a stream of living water, rest in the grass of green pastures and enjoy the warmth of the Son?

God’s word is a great place to camp and enjoy the Creator!

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Held in Bondage

A new day! A fresh start – opportunities, potential, promise all lay ahead of you today. How will you spend the time that God has given you today?

If there are obstacles in your way do what Moses did:

“And the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” Exodus 8:20 NKJV

Speak to that situation that is trying to keep you enslaved and tell it the Great I AM has freed you from its power. You have been moved to a place of victory through your relationship with Christ.

Is there a particular fear or apprehension that has you weighed down? Has anger and bitterness kept your emotions locked in chains?

“Loving God means obeying his commands. And God’s commands are not too hard for us, 4 because everyone who is a child of God has the power to win against the world. 5 It is our faith that has won the victory against the world. So who wins against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” I John 5:3-5 ERV

Joshua told us we would have good success if we kept our thoughts centered on God’s word day and night. Our faith strengthens when we are focused on His word.

“Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do. 9 Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 ERV

King David told us to rise early and seek God.

“Show me your faithful love this morning. I trust in you. Show me what I should do. I put my life in your hands! 9 Lord, I come to you for protection. Save me from my enemies. 10 Show me what you want me to do. You are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me over level ground.” Psalm 143:8-10 ERV

Don’t despise getting up early. It’s God’s time of preparation, getting us ready for the day and a walk of victory!

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Be Filled

Yesterday I prepared a coleslaw for a bbq dinner we will share with friends tonight. This particular coleslaw has a marinated dressing, unlike most that have a mayonnaise or creamy dressing.

After it had been in the refrigerator for a while I decided to sample it and make sure it had the flavor I intended. When I put it back in the fridge I noticed there was a sugar ring on the countertop, I wiped it up thinking I had been sloppy.

At noon, Dave had a small amount of coleslaw as part of his lunch. Once again, there was the syrupy ring on the countertop. Upon further investigation, I also found it on the refrigerator shelf. Unbeknownst to me, the bowl had a small crack in the bottom and the marinade was slowly seeping out.

If I hadn’t caught it in time all the good stuff would have leaked out and I would have been left with dry cabbage, bell pepper and onion.

The good stuff – how often do we unknowingly let the good stuff leak out of our lives.

“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;  I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
2 I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2 NLT

The busy-ness of the week, the general responsibilities of life, can leave us feeling dry.

“ If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” Luke 11:36 NLT

“ I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.” Ephesians 3:19 CEV

“ Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,” Ephesians 5:17-18 NLT

It is incumbent upon us to check our lives for leaks; leaks of anger, selfishness, pride, self-righteousness, bitterness. When we find that our level of light, joy, the Holy Spirit and all that God is has begun to drain out we need to come to Him for a resupply.

Today I will be making a second batch of marinade for the coleslaw but I will also be examining my heart to make sure I’m not allowing the goodness of God to drain slowly from my character.

May we always be filled with the goodness of God!

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Are You Weary?

It seems I have been writing about weariness or the need to rest quite frequently lately. It must mean we have some weary readers out there.

Fatigue is real. Weariness is real. That’s why God so wisely instructed us to rest.

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.” Exodus 20:8-11 NLT

Resting on the Sabbath, the Lord’s Day, was given for our benefit. God rested and so should we. If asked, many people could come up with a number of the Ten Commandments – don’t lie, steal, murder, don’t have an affair, don’t swear, honor your parents – but one that is often overlooked is resting.

We get up early and stay up late. We fill our days with multiple activities, we pride ourselves by being the “masters of multitasking”. We can be fixing breakfast, answering emails, making lunches for the kids and doing our on-line banking all at the same time and we wonder why we feel overstimulated before 8 am. Then we lay down at night still answering emails or texts and doing one final internet search.

“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” Psalm 127:2 NLT

Setting aside time, dedicated strictly to the Lord, reminds us that He is worthy of worship. It is a weekly reminder that our blessings and strength come from the Lord. He is the one who supplies what we need. He gives us wisdom and insight. He provides us with health and goods. He is our source of joy, peace, kindness and understanding.

“ Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day.” Deuteronomy 5:15 NLT

We haven’t been in physical bondage like the Israelites were in Egypt but oftentimes we are enslaved to appointments, deadlines, obligations and responsibilities that God never intended for us to take on.

When we stop for that “day of rest”, we can focus on the One who causes us to rest in green pastures, beside still waters and restores our soul.

“For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.” Jeremiah 31:25 NLT

Make time to rest – remember, that’s an order from God, Himself.

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Listen!

If you’re anything like I used to be you are probably in a rush this Wednesday morning. The week’s about half over and you have lots that you NEED to get done.

Listen…No stop right now and listen for 10 seconds…If you’re anything like me you’re morning starts with the sound of the coffee pot, the hum of the computer fan and a myriad of other noises all competing for your attention.

I am blessed to live where there are no sounds of traffic, sirens, planes or other such noises. I hear the birds, the air conditioning and the clock ticking.

Yesterday morning I had a very strange experience. I called my doctor’s office to get the results of my lab work. Four times I called. Each time I would hear them say hello, I would say hello and then “click”. I was disconnected. I was frustrated to say the very least; you could hear my frustration in my voice when I finally got through. The nurse on the other end was also frustrated, her phone system was malfunctioning. She apologized and so did I.

Is that what is must be like for God? He calls, we say hello and then He gets a disconnect. Or maybe He calls and we’re too busy so we send Him to voice mail and/or put Him on hold.

I love when I wake up each morning I can say, “I love you Father, I love you Jesus, I love you Holy Spirit” and then I can hear that inner voice say “We love you too”. WOW!!

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Folks spend much of their time looking for the big, the spectacular, the miraculous and miss the simple, still small voice of God trying to lead them and give them insight. How many times have you heard someone say, “I knew I shouldn’t have done that” or “It just dawned on me” or “I was just thinking about that very thing”. And we don’t realize that God is trying to get through to us. It’s a bad connection.

Elijah was looking for God’s answers during a very serious time in his life. He was seeking God and there came a great wind and then an earthquake and then a fire and finally a still small voice. God spoke in a still small voice!

“…a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.” I Kings 19:11-12 NLT

The most important thing you’ll hear each morning, if you listen, will be the still small voice of the Lord. Sssssh – just listen!

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