Category: Psalms

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A Harmonious Outcome

For years I lived by my daily planner. The person who invited the “Day-Timer” was my hero.  Everything needed to be written down, each appointment recorded. That’s how I kept life organized and on track.

It wasn’t just the business, school and medical appointments. No, I put in trips to the grocery store, which day I would do laundry, time in my yard and for a while I even had the week’s menu in my planner.

I knew how each day should play out and it made me feel accomplished.

Gradually I found myself releasing control. Less and less do I reach for my planner with pencil in hand and it isn’t because we are retired and have less to do. I am learning to enjoy the moments, every day unexpected encounters with life.

“Trust the Lord and live right! The land will be yours, and you will be safe. 4 Do what the Lord wants, and he will give you your heart’s desire. 5 Let the Lord lead you and trust him to help. 6 Then it will be as clear as the noonday sun that you were right.7 Be patient and trust the Lord. Don’t let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things.
8 Don’t be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin.” Psalm 37: 3-8 CEV

Waiting patiently was not something either Dave or I were good at. We were the ones to do the planning and if something needed to be done you could count on us to jump in with both feet and take care of the details.

How you heard the expression “burning daylight”? That was us – we didn’t tolerate what we considered wasted time.  But our way has changed.

We are learning to relax, rest and enjoy all that God has for us. We are seeing the Lord remove stress and frustration from our lives and we are loving it. There’s a line from one of our favorite westerns that says, “Slow down, you’ll get a more harmonious outcome”.

When we slow down, we are more likely to experience the Lord’s little blessings. If we’re in a hurry, we often miss them completely. Yesterday morning after posting the blog Dave and I drove past three doe standing at the edge of the road. He slowed way down so I could get a picture. We almost stopped completely. They were in no hurry; they were content to stand there and eat the meadow grass.

It occurred to me that the animals in nature are really in no hurry at all. They just wait on what the Lord has provided. They eat quietly and lie down to rest in the shady spots. The only time you really see them “rushing” is when they feel they are in danger.

Kind of reminds me of Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd, He leads me by still waters and in green pastures, He restores my soul.

If the sheep can learn to relax and the doe can be still, shouldn’t we follow their example as we wait and trust in the Lord?

“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,” Psalm 23:1-2 CEV

Enjoy this day.  Let the Lord minister to your heart!

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Protected By The Light

As I look out the window this morning, I see strands of blue and white lights throughout the campground. It seems so strange in the forest setting but it is an absolute necessity.

We hadn’t been here very long when we had a more experienced camp host tell Dave that he should have a light under the hood of his truck at night and that we should have lights under our RV to protect the wiring of our vehicles from the pack rats.

Really?!

Those little critters love to chew on the wires, and they can do hundreds of dollars’ worth of damage to the vehicles. They are small little varmints, but they are sneaky and destructive. They wait until after dark to do their dirty work; having the area lighted discourages them.

Isn’t that how it is in life?

Little varmints causing havoc.

“But now you must stop doing such things. You must quit being angry, hateful, and evil. You must no longer say insulting or cruel things about others. 9 And stop lying to each other. You have given up your old way of life with its habits.

10 Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better.” Colossians 3:8-10 CEV

They are cute little creatures and fun to watch as they dash here and there but their work is destructive. Much like the work of selfishness, anger, dishonesty and greed.

A little child starts early with one of their favorite words, “Mine” and we ignore it or laugh. As the years go back, left uncorrected, their selfishness becomes explosive and out-of-control. 

The same can be said for the “little white lie”. Really, it’s no big deal, right? Wrong. Lying, big or little, destroys the credibility of the one speaking it. It becomes impossible to trust someone who lies.

I think we all need to have strings of spiritual blue and white lights that help deter those destructive actions that would undermine our character.

“Your word is a lamp that gives light wherever I walk.” Psalm 119:105 CEV

The Father has promised that His word will light our path and it will keep us from stumbling. That’s a protection I, personally, want to have.

Let the Lord show you some of the little critters who have been sneaking in to chew away at your heart. Shine the light of His word on those actions and be free from the destruction they cause.

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Another New Lesson

It’s possible that you have seen the news about the wild fires in Arizona. We are in the mountains of northeast Arizona and there are a number of fires here. None of them are imminently life threatening but yesterday the Forest Service asked us to evacuate the campground where we are serving as camp hosts for the summer.

We spent most of the afternoon talking to and reassuring campers. Many of them left yesterday. Today the remaining campers will leave and we will close the campground and relocate with the other camp hosts while we wait for the summer rains to do their job of bringing moisture to the dry forest and meadowlands.

We are praying for the firefighters who are working endlessly to contain and suppress the blazes. We are safe but this afternoon we will be moved until the danger is over. We were told yesterday that the internet connection and cell service is weaker where we are going than what we have here so I’m not sure I will be able to continue with the daily blogs. I’m praying I can.

When we started this adventure this summer our prayer was “Lord, take us where you can use us.” and here we are!

Now you know why I wrote to you about God’s Hand of Protection in yesterday’s blog. The Scripture I shared with you was the one the Lord gave me to share with our fellow camp hosts.

“The Lord will protect you from every danger. He will protect your soul. 8 The Lord will protect you as you come and go both now and forever!” Psalm 121:7-8 ERV

It is such a blessing to have the Lord speak into our life’s situations. He is always present to encourage, reassure, strengthen and direct.

Pray for us today. There is still much to do. Campers may need assistance with packing, they will certainly need encouragement and smiling faces. We will have buildings to close and property to secure. Then we will move.

We are confident that the Lord has great things ahead! I’ve never been through something like this before so I am trusting the Father to protect and provide for all of us as we experience this together.

“You, Lord God, are my mighty rock and my fortress. Lead me and guide me, so that your name will be honored. 4 Protect me from hidden traps and keep me safe.” Psalm 31:3-4 CEV

Pray for an open channel of communication. I will look forward to sharing the adventures with you.

The Father knows the way and we are eager to follow His leading. The same applies for you – no matter where, no matter when, no matter what – the Lord is always faithful to His word and to us, His children.

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Protected by God’s Hand

Last night I went to bed thinking about how many times and in how many ways God protects. It filled my thoughts all through the night.

Some people step off a curb and break their ankle or hip. Others make a simple drive to the grocery store and have an automobile accident. Kids who are healthy and strong play a backyard sport and are injured. And yet most of us go through each day not knowing that we have been protected from these things and many others.

“The Lord will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers. 8 The Lord will protect you now and always wherever you go. Psalm 121:7&8 CEV

Each morning I pray that I will experience God’s protection and be open for his leading. Each day I pray over my children and grandchildren that they will be covered by the Lord’s loving protection. Each day I am thankful that I don’t need to be afraid because I know that He will keep His word and protect me in all my ways.

The Lord made me this promise long before I was born and I will trust Him to keep His word.

He protected Daniel in the lion’s den, the three Hebrew men in the furnance. His protection covered the Israelites as they crossed the Red Sea. The Lord gave David strength to defeat the giant and Paul was protected in the sea after his ship wrecked.

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.” 3 God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases. 4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield. 5 You will have nothing to fear at night and no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day. 6 You will have no fear of diseases that come in the dark or terrible suffering that comes at noon.” Psalm 91:1-6 ERV

What kinds of things cause you to fear? Trust in the Lord – our All-Powerful protection. He hasn’t failed to keep His promises yet and He isn’t going to start now!

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In His Hands

As I sit here praying this morning, there are many of my loved ones that I haven’t seen in quite a while. My heart aches some days just wanting to hold their hand, look into the eyes and feel the warmth of their embrace.

It’s hard being away from the ones we love, isn’t it?

Can you imagine how the Lord must feel? He created us out of His love and His desire for a close relationship has never changed.

This weekend I watched as hundreds of people poured in the campground to celebrate with their fathers. I watched the children playing on the roads, riding bikes, going fishing, walking hand in hand with their dads.

Adult children have been arriving and fathers’ having been telling me “this is my daughter, this is my son” as they check in. The joy on their faces can’t be erased.

Our heavenly Father must feel the same! He desires to give good gifts to His children, to us, and the greatest gift He gives is His love.

He gives strength to the weak, healing to the broken hearted, peace to those who fear, rest to the weary, comfort to the lonely, joy to those who mourn, salvation to the lost and love to the abandoned!

“I look up to the hills, but where will my help really come from? 2 My help will come from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let you fall. Your Protector will not fall asleep. 4 Israel’s Protector does not get tired. He never sleeps. 5 The Lord is your Protector. The Lord stands by your side, shading and protecting you. 6 The sun cannot harm you during the day, and the moon cannot harm you at night. 7 The Lord will protect you from every danger. He will protect your soul. 8 The Lord will protect you as you come and go, both now and forever!” Psalm 121 ERV

Thank you Father for loving me and being the Best Father, ever!

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Good For All Time

Every day I ask the Lord to show me something new. I never want to quit learning. I want increase in knowledge of natural things and in spiritual things.

Yesterday, I was reading the list of items the Lord told Moses would be needed in building the Tent of Meeting. This would be the portable place of worship where the priests would offer sacrifices for the people and would also offer prayers of repentance and thanksgiving.

There were all the things you would expect to find when for erecting such a structure – gold, silver, wood for the tables, bronze, oil, spices, precious stones, linen for the priests’ garments but there was one item I did not expect to find, seal skins.

Seal skins? That was odd.

Dave and I talked about it, and I went to the maps in the back of my Bible to see where they might have gotten seal skins. The Israelites were still traveling in the wilderness and weren’t close to any seaports that I could tell so I’m not sure how this was a thing. I learned something new.

I also learn something new about my husband’s camping experiences when he was a kid. He asked me what I remember about being in the mountains with my family and then told me things he did with his cousins and the fun they had. When we love someone, we should want to know all we can about them.

Our walk with the Lord should never be something we take for granted, consider passe` or old fashioned. It should be more contemporary than the newest software, technology advancement or medical breakthrough.

Our love for Him should have us asking questions and learning new things in our relationship with the Father. God is practical but complex. He is the God of all generations.

“I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. 2 I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. 3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. 4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. 5 I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles…For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.”
Psalm 145:1-4, 13 NLT

God’s kingdom will last forever. He will rule in every generation. He is good for all time.

I encourage you to ask the Father to show you something new today or to remind you of something you have forgotten. You may be surprised by what He teaches you when your heart is opened to learn.  

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Make Your Word Count

We recently had a situation in our neighborhood that created a danger for anyone driving our street. It was really dangerous and had the potential to cause a serious accident or even death. The company responsible for correcting it was aloof and non responsive. Their word was hollow and void of caring. After many tries at communicating the seriousness of the problem we call the sheriff’s office.

They said they would come, they did and were here in fifteen minutes. They kept their word!

Do you remember the old saying, “My word is my bond”?

People used to give value to what they say, to the words they used. Words had importance, value and meaning and now it seems it has just become so much noise or lip service.

To God, words are important.

With them He framed the world and all that is in it. “And God said, light be and there was light”. When God promised Abraham a son Abraham believed God. The Bible says that Abraham wasn’t moved by his and Sarah’s old age, they believed God’s promise.

The longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, is written about the importance and power of God’s word. Jesus is referred to as the Word. What He says has value and power!

People were healed when he spoke a word; his words cursed a fig tree and caused it to die from the roots up; His Word turned the water into wine and raised the dead. Jesus told the religious elite that from the abundance or fullness of their hearts came the words they spoke. Their words would be used to justify or condemn them. He went on to say that they would be judged for every idle word that came from their mouths.

“A good man will speak good things because of the good in him. A bad man will speak bad things because of the sin in him. 36 I say to you, on the day men stand before God, they will have to give an answer for every word they have spoken that was not important. 37 For it is by your words that you will not be guilty and it is by your words that you will be guilty.” Matthew 12:35-37 NLV

The Pharisees had been plotting against Jesus and even went so far as to say that the works Jesus was doing were of the devil. They were trying to stir up the people against Jesus using their words and Jesus wanted them to know that their words would come back to judge them.

King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, wrote these words: “Your words can be as satisfying as fruit, as pleasing as the food that fills your stomach. 21 The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.” Proverbs 18:20-21 ERV

We should be determined to have our words bring life. Life to us and our situations, life to our mate & children, life to our collegues, words of life, peace, health, prosperity and salvation.

“May my words and thoughts please you. LORD, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.” Psalm 19:12-14 ERV

I desire to speak words that are helpful and good!

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Trust is Progressive

As with most things, trust is not a one time experience, it’s progressive.

Any adult who has tried to coax a child or grandchild into jumping into their arms in the swimming pool knows what I’m talking about. The child stands timidly on the side, while you are tell them repeatedly, “It’s ok, I’ll catch you”, knows it takes time for them to trust.

Each time it gets easier for them…trust has been built. There’s a track record that they can count on.

Do you have a track record with the Lord? Have you trusted Him in the small things of life and found Him always faithful? If so, your trust has grown and matured and you have a confidence that He will never let you down.

Perhaps you are standing on the edge for the first time and hearing the Lord say, “Trust me, I’ll catch you”.

This morning I would like to share a few of my favorite trust verses. Write them down, screen shot them, keep them handy. You’ll rely on them again and again. I know I have.

“God’s way is perfect. The Lord’s promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in him.” II Samuel 22:31 ERV

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in people.” Psalm 118:8 ERV

“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge.” Proverbs 3:5 ERV

Early in our marriage we were really struggling financially. Two small children to care for, Dave was working long hours but there was barely enough to cover household expenses and even less for groceries. I remember the first time I prayed over my grocery list.

My prayer went something like this. “Lord, you know I need to feed my family. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I only have $25 . I need a miracle. I trust You.” And off I went.

I was learning to trust.

I did not deviate from my list. The first item, bread, had a 2 for 1 special. Next was eggs, this week’s price 79 cents a dozen, milk, cheese, potatoes, flour, sugar…90% of the items were on special and if I remember correctly, I spent $23.74.

“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

I wish I could tell you that from that day forward I always trusted the Lord but that wouldn’t be true. There have been times, more than I’d like to admit, that I have done my own thing, trusted in my own knowledge and resources and have neglected to trust the Lord. The outcome was far from stellar.

But when I returned to trusting in my Father’s provision, He was always there waiting to help.

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

Trust the Lord with the small things and soon you will be trusting Him with everything! It’s progressive.

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How Long Is Forever?

When we’re children waiting for some special occasion next week can seem like forever. A long lonely highway seems to go on forever. A mother expecting her first child may feel the arrival date is taking forever. However, when we age years seem to pass so quickly. Time flies by. So, how long is forever?

To truly grasp the concept of forever will take forever.

Forever is how long the Lord says His love for us will last!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 4 Give thanks to Him Who alone does great works, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 5 Give thanks to Him Who by wisdom made the heavens, for His loving-kindness lasts forever.” Psalm 136:1-5 NLV

His loving-kindness lasts forever!

There are another twenty-one verses in this Psalm and each of them end with His loving-kindness lasts forever. Forever!

I think I have a very good imagination but it’s mind-boggling to focus on forever. The Father will love me forever. And because of His forever love He has offered us all life with Him that will never end.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever.” John 3:16 NLV

This morning I am focused on that life which lasts forever because yesterday our Mom left this temporal life on earth and stepped into her perfect heavenly life that will last forever. I am so happy for her, words cannot express it.

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLT

Forever in the Father’s presence, forever surrounded by His love. Joy forever!

I pray that you all have this forever life which is filled with love that lasts forever.

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One More Time

This morning I want to spend a little more time looking at the Israelites when they first left Egypt. We see the cycle of joy and desperation repeated. I’d like to think that I wouldn’t have gotten drawn in to their murmuring and complaining but I just don’t know.

We all have areas of individual weakness, ways we act and react when we’re under pressure; anger, self-pity, denial, frustration, lying, criticism, worry, doubt.

The difference between us and the Israelites is their short comings have been written in down in the world’s best seller, the Bible, for everyone to read and hopefully learn from. Mine, on the other hand, are hidden in the recesses of my heart and only seen by a very few.

So let’s look at one more time when the Israelites murmured against God. One more time when they let doubt overcome trust.

“It was the fifteenth day of the second month after they left the land of Egypt. 2 And all the people of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the desert, 3 saying, “We should have died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. For you have brought us out into this desert to kill all of us with hunger.” Exodus 16:1-3 NLV

Quick recap of the last forty-five days: leave Egypt, see the Egyptians coming after them, COMPLAIN, cross the Red Sea on dry ground, Egyptian army destroyed, PRAISE GOD, go another few days, find bitter water, COMPLAIN, God makes the bitter sweet, PRAISE, go further and camp at an oasis, now 45 days in, COMPLAIN.

Oh my!

“The Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the complaining of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘In the evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” Exodus 16: 11-12 NLV

The Lord had never intended for them to starve or go without water. He always had a plan for their benefit but they failed to trust. How much better would it have been if they had come to Moses and said “We’re hungry, what’s God’s plan”? No complaining, just a simple question.

“The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. 7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. 9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. 10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far from us  as the east is from the west. 13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:6-13 NLT

Our Father’s plan is to shower us with love and mercy. He chooses to forget our sins and to remove them from us, even the ones we repeat again and again.

What I want you to take away from the last few days is not how many times the Israelites failed but how many times God forgave and delivered them.

One more time – remember this:

“But the Lord has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever!” Psalm 103:17 ERV

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