Category: Psalms

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Clearing Clutter

This morning when I got up and looked around the house I stopped to be thankful for my mother.

When I was a girl we lived in a trailer. My dad worked in road construction and we moved frequently. Our home moved with us. But there isn’t much room in a trailer and so everything had to have a place. I was allowed one junk drawer and when it was full I either had to throw out some of the old or I couldn’t keep anything new.

I learned to appreciate the qualities of tidiness and organization that were a natural part of Mom’s life and adopted them as my own. I have one friend who comes to visit and she always tells me, “I love coming to your house, it’s free of clutter. Always picked up and neat. It makes me feel comfortable and welcome like you were expecting me.”

The Apostle Paul said this in I Corinthians 14:40: “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

He was referring to the local gathering of believers in Corinth and the order of their service. He admonished them that it should be orderly so that those attending weren’t confused but gained benefit from the service.

He used the word “All” and every place I have researched the word all means all. I’m not trying to convict or condemn any who have cluttered homes. It’s a personal choice and I won’t judge you.

However, when it comes to cluttered minds, thoughts or actions that can be a detriment to us hearing God.

“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

It’s hard to “be still” with a thousand things on our mind. It’s important that we have our thoughts line up with God’s so that we can make wise and godly decisions.

In the very beginning the earth had no form and was void of life but God spoke the worlds into existence with His words and brought order and beauty. He removed the chaos. His Word will bring order and beauty to our lives as well.

I know how busy things can be at this time of year. Family, friends, food, festivities can lead to frazzled nerves and frustration. Take time to walk away from the clutter and the busyness. Clear the clutter. Be still.

The Father is waiting for you!

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Needing Direction

Have you ever had that feeling of being lost and alone?

I think GPS devices were probably invented by someone who had been lost or had a loved one who had been. As annoying as that silly voice is, there is some comfort in knowing that someone knows where I am even if I don’t.

Dave and I watched a movie a while back, “Adrift”. It is based on a true story of a couple who are lost at sea. In one particular scene the young woman is using a sextant to plot their location. In desparation she declares that they are so far off their original course that she doubts anyone with find them. Physically they were lost but they were almost emotionally or mentally lost. Alone and afraid.

I think more people experience being lost emotionally than do physically. The inner turmoil that comes from feeling lost in a big world is unnerving and creates fear. There’s a way of thinking that leaves us feeling isolated and alone even when we are in a group of people. Where’s the GPS for that?

Glad you asked.

“With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

We all experience uncharted territory as we go through life but there is One who has gone before and He knows the way and will direct us safely through.

Joshua was a man who had been Moses assistant. He was being groomed to lead the Israelites into the land that God had promised them. Joshua had been there once as a young man but this was new territory. Being the leader of a nomadic nation of over a million people was also new territory. He had many reasons to feel lost and alone but he also had a word from God.

“Then Moses called Joshua. All the Israelites watched while Moses said to Joshua, “Be strong and brave. You will lead these people into the land that the Lord promised to give to their ancestors. You will help the Israelites take that land and divide it among them.  8 The Lord will lead you. He himself is with you. He will not fail you or leave you. Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid!” Deuteronomy 31:7-8 ERV

Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid. Let God lead!

Joshua followed that word and the Israelites were successful in conquering the new land God had given them. The first step into this uncharted territory was the step Joshua took in his heart. He put his confidence in the Lord, not in his own abilities. He trusted God to direct his steps.

What are our uncharted territories? Relationships, career, education, medical, financial, political or maybe a combination of these. We are not alone; we don’t have to have all the answers and in our finite minds we won’t. However, there is One who will guide us through. He will never leave us on our own.

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

We can take comfort in that!

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Where There’s Peace

We’ve had the opportunity to live in a lot of beautiful country; wide open spaces with pastures of grazing cattle, majestic mountains in the background and the sky filled with clouds ready to blanket the earth with snow.

And there, I can sense the granduer and glory of God!

“For every animal among the trees is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know every bird of the mountains. And all things that move in the field are Mine.” Psalm 50:10-11 NLV

If God knows all of this, and He does, how much more does He know about us and care for us? He knows every time we get up and when we lay down. He sees us on our restless nights and when we sleep peacefully. Our Father knows when we work at a frenzied pace and when we rest, trusting Him to handle it all.

“I look at the heavens you made with your hands.
    I see the moon and the stars you created.
4 And I wonder, “Why are people so important to you?
    Why do you even think about them?
Why do you care so much about humans?
    Why do you even notice them?” Psalm 8:3-4 ERV

King David expresses what I have felt. “God, you have done so many great and wonderful things. Why do you care about me’? There is a real peace that comes from enjoying the beauty in nature. How many “meditation” videos have been made with soft music and scenes of nature’s beauty from around the world? All of creation tell of God’s glory and remind us we are not alone.

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.” Psalm 19:1-4 NLV

Do you hear their message?

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

Take a drive to the country; get out in nature. If you can’t do that, watch a YouTube video. Take time to view God’s handiwork and listen to the message it’s preaching. Every mountain, every flower, every cow, every bird, every sunset/sunrise, every wave on the shore are telling us to trust the Father and be at peace.

I’m so thankful for nature. It’s a reminder that He’s got the whole world in His hands!

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Life’s Greatest Blessings

A year ago I started keeping “My Gratitude List”. I would pen a couple of lines in my morning journal, two or three things, that I was grateful for from the day before. In December the list focused on wonderful gifts that the Lord has blessed me with – strength, health, joy, a day of baking, time spent with friends and family. After the first of the year I continued recording my gratitude and my gifts, thanking the Father each day for specific things.

As I flip back through the pages my heart is warmed by the many times that I make reference to my kids, grandkids and great grand. As a mother, I have much to be thankful for.

Some years back I wrote this on my Facebook News Feed. I believe it was one of those things you are supposed to copy and share. The words rang true then and still do today.

“I loved you the minute I knew I was pregnant. I loved you the minute you were born. Then I saw your face and fell in love some more. You were only a minute old but I knew I would die for you. To this day I still would. When I choose to have children I made a conscious decision, to allow my heart to walk around outside my body. You, my child are my heart.”

Once I begin to focus my thoughts on my kids it doesn’t take long before I am focused on my heavenly Father and His love for me. The capacity to love deeply and unconditionally as a parent comes from Him. The ability to forgive and not be bitter come from Father God. The willingness to forget the struggles and focus on the “best” all comes from the Lord.

We are His children and He has chosen to forgive, forget, encourage, correct, instruct, praise and nuture each and everyone of us. He doesn’t grow weary by our questions, He’s always there to calm our fears. Never has He abandon us or left us on our own – even when we’ve told Him we don’t need Him, that we can handle it without Him.

Our family is far from perfect. I say that tongue-in-cheek because none of us are. I was not the perfect daughter and I haven’t been the perfect mom. That’s why having a perfectly loving, heavenly Father means so much to me. He sees my failures, covers me with forgiveness and sets me on the right path.

“The Lord is kind and merciful.  He is patient and full of love. 9 He does not always criticize.
 He does not stay angry with us forever. 10 We sinned against him, but he didn’t give us the punishment we deserved. 11 His love for his followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth. 12 And he has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is as kind to his followers as a father is to his children.” Psalm 103:8-13 ERV

How could I limit my love when He never has! Our names are written on the Father’s gratitude list.

“We pray that the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father will comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. God loved us and gave us through his grace a wonderful hope and comfort that has no end.” II Thessalonians 2:16-17 ERV

Counting my blessings today – my relationship with my heavenly Father is the first thing on my heart followed by my family.

I am grateful for the full and rich life I have!

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Give Thanks

The sun hasn’t come up yet but I know it will so I will give thanks. The birds haven’t started singing but they will soon and I await their song with a grateful heart.

I haven’t spoken to my children yet but I know that their texts and calls will come today so I say “thank you Lord” for blessing me with their lives. My husband is still sleeping but when he wakes up he will give me a kiss and tell me he loves me and so I will give thanks.

I have strength and health this morning so I give thanks. There is electricity in my home and food in the cupboards so I give thanks.

There are so many things to be thankful for I just have to give thanks to the Lord for He is good!

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble. And He saved them from their suffering. 20 He sent His Word and healed them. And He saved them from the grave. 21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving-kindness and His great works to the children of men! 22 Let them give Him gifts of thanks and tell of His works with songs of joy.” Psalm 107:19-22 NLV

We have much to be thankful for. Personally you may be in a difficult spot, things may not be as you would like them to be but God is in control and He can be trusted, so trust Him.

The Israelites left Egypt and immediately began to complain, they didn’t see God’s vision for the future but it is good, very good. The disciples complained to Jesus that they didn’t have enough food to feed the 5000 – all they had were five loaves of bread and two fish. But God had a plan and everyone ate their fill and then they collected the leftovers.

“Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need. 7 The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLV

Pray about your needs, give thanks and let your heart be filled with peace.

Give thanks!

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Where Do You Hang Your Hat

I got up this morning and headed to the front door to let in the cool morning air and there it was. The hat rack.

Dave made it a couple years ago so we would have a handy place to hang our coats and hats. I love it! There’s room for our big cowboy hats and also smaller hooks for the ball caps that we wear on our walks. It’s always full.

This morning as I opened the door I was reminded of the words of an old expression – not a Scripture, just as expression. “Now that’s something I can hang my hat on”. For those of you who have never heard it let me share the meaning.

When you can “hang your hat on” something it means it’s dependable, reliable, trustworthy and believable. i.e. They’re someone I can hang my hat on, they’ve never let me down.

As we start into November, the month of giving thanks, it’s important to evaluate what we can depend on. Where do we hang our hat?

“Forever, O Lord, Your Word will never change in heaven. 90 You are faithful to all people for all time. You have made the earth, and it stands. 91 They stand today by Your Law, for all things serve You. 92 I would have been lost in my troubles if Your Law had not been my joy. 93 I will never forget Your Word for by it You have given me new life. 94 I am Yours. Save me, for I have looked to Your Law. 95 The sinful wait to destroy me, but I will think about Your Word. 96 I have seen that all things have an end, even if they are perfect, but Your Word is without end.” Psalm 119:89-96 NLV

There is only ONE that I know to be completely faithful and trustworthy, that is God and His word. God’s word is the exact representation of Him in this world. If we want to know how He thinks we read His word. If we desire to see how the Father will act and respond we read His word. When we search for instruction and wisdom we find it all in His word. I am thankful for the infallible Word of God. It has stood the test of time. It will never pass away.

Years ago we used this expression, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it”. However, the real truth is this. God says it and whether we believe it or not it’s settled. God’s Word is always reliable, always true.

Yes, the Word of God is where I hang my hat!

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Present or Absent

Do they still have Attendance Charts in school? It’s been so long since we had small children in a classroom, I don’t really know how attendance is taken in the computer driven classroom. Teachers were so creative in building their bulletin boards around a specific teaching or seasonal theme and somewhere on that board was the attendance chart.

I’d like to talk with you this morning about two opposing ideas; presence and absence. The two walk hand in hand. King David wrote the following in the Psalms.

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 NKJV

He found that being in the presence of the Lord brought fullness of joy to his life. And in turn, there was absence; the absence of discontentment, sorrow, defeat, anger, selfishness. If a life is full of joy then there is obviously no room for any of these other characteristics.

A prophecy was given about Christ nearly four hundred years before He was born and it said He would heal the broken hearted, cleanse the leper, heal the sick, set those who were imprisoned free. This was His purpose and those who were touched by His presence experienced the joy of having their circumstances change.

God doesn’t want us to be living in fear. That’s why the Bible is filled with so many verses on not being afraid. The presence of God is the absence of fear.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. 32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” Luke 12:31-32 NLV

I use this verse as a barometer in my life. When I find myself becoming anxious, stressed or worried I realize that I have moved from the Father’s presence and that’s why there is an absence of joy in my heart.

Let’s take a look at heaven. What makes heaven, heaven? It’s the presence of God, the Father. When we enter there we will be overwhelmed by His presence. We are told there is constant singing and praising God. Constant joy in His presence!

We are also told that there is an absence in heaven.

“I heard a loud voice coming from heaven. It said, ‘See! God’s home is with men. He will live with them. They will be His people. God Himself will be with them. He will be their God. 4 God will take away all their tears. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All the old things have passed away.’ 5 Then the One sitting on the throne said, ‘See! I am making all things new. Write, for these words are true and faithful.'” Revelation 21:3-5 NLV

While we live on earth where these things are present – tears, death, sorrow, crying and pain – we have a promise from the Lord.

“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.” John 14:27 ERV

Joy and peace are our inheritance. When we are feeling troubled and distressed we need to draw close to Jesus. Tell Him about those things that are upsetting us, let Him handle them.

Be present. In His presence is fullness of joy!

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So Yummy!

The last few days we have been off on another adventure in our fifth wheel trailer. We are enjoying the change of scenery and weather. The mornings have been below freezing.

I’m very thankful for a good heater!

As I sat here this morning I began making a mental list of the baking that needs to be done. The change in weather prompts a desire to bake and to make warm dishes. There’s just something about the smell of cookies, banana bread and cinnamon rolls that make a home seem cozier.

Warm soup simmering on the stove and fresh bread in the oven are some of the best parts of autumn and winter. My most favorite part is sharing what I’ve made with family and friends. Feeding those I love brings me great joy.

I think I get that from my Father. He enjoys feeding people.

In the Garden of Eden He made sure Adam and Eve had every kind of fruit and vegetable their hearts desired. When there was a famine He sent Jacob and his family to Egypt where there was plenty to eat. When the Israelites complained that they didn’t have enough to eat in the desert He sent bread from heaven every morning and supplied them with an over abundance of quail.

Jesus fed over five thousand men and their families with a boy’s lunch and had leftovers. After his resurrection He had a morning meal of grilled fish waiting for his disciples on the seashore when they returned from a night’s work.

The Bible even tells us about a banquet that will be served at the end of the age called the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It will be a feast like none other.

The Father provides for those He loves!

“For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! 9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.” Psalm 34:7-9 NLV

King David said that God’s word is sweeter than honeycomb. I agree. My life with the Lord is so good. Nothing can compare with the joy, the peace, the unconditional love that the Father shares with me.

For those who are hungering for more in life I encourage you to come. Taste and see that the Lord is good! A life centered on Him is delicious!

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Carrying the Load

Do you see the little boy in this picture? What stands out to me the most is the son is spending time with the father but it’s the father who is carrying the load.

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we are free from disappointment and heart ache. It does mean that we have someone who will carry the load of our cares.

We are faced with the same challenges and problems as everyone else in the world. We experience relationships that fail, physical sickness and disease, death of loved ones, family crises and financial lack. What makes the difference in our lives is our faith and trust in a loving heavenly Father who is willing and able to come to our aide in every situation.

We don’t live with our heads in the sand but we do live with our hand in HIS!

“The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah),Because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), 19 to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].” Luke 4:17-19 AMP

This was the reason Jesus came. He didn’t just talk the talk, He walked the walk.

“Jesus answered, “Go and tell John what you have heard and seen. 5 The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news. 6 God will bless everyone who doesn’t reject me because of what I do.” Matthew 11:4-6 CEV

His purpose is the same today as it was then! When we are feeling overwhelmed we don’t have to fall into the same pit of despair as others around us. We can lift up our heads (a sign of hope) and go to the One who comforts, heals and sets right.

“Hear my cry, O God; Listen to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [a rock that is too high to reach without Your help]. 3 For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, A strong tower against the enemy.” Psalm 61:1-3 AMP

“We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. 15 Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 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 4:14-16 CEV

Let Him carry the load.

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Remove the Clutter

Yesterday was the first day of our two-day garage sale. We had been pulling things together all week, the signs were placed and now everything was on the driveway. We were ready.

I heard one interesting statement repeated all day long. “You have good stuff, this is really nice. Are you moving? Why are you selling such nice things?”

My answer was simple. “We live by a two year rule. If we haven’t used it in two years, it’s time to get rid of it”.

Neither Dave nor I like clutter. We are far from being minimalists but this is our fourth garage sale in the six years we’ve lived here. The important things – family photos, heirlooms, life’s memorabilia and the utilitarian necessities for daily life – still have a place within the walls of our home, shed and shop but the clutter needed to go and become a treasure to someone else.

The same rule for “de-cluttering” holds true in my life with Jesus. I don’t want to gather so many things around me that He gets pushed aside.

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romas 12:1-2 MSG

Life will clutter our soul, if we let it. Worries, obligations, distractions of all kinds creep in around us. Even the good things we do can become clutter. I once had a pastor-friend tell me “don’t get so busy working FOR God that you don’t work WITH God”. That’s where we find the clutter – the “FOR” part. Working “for” someone, even if it’s God can leave us exhausted, burning the candle at both ends. However, working “with” God gives us purpose, clarity and rest. God always makes sure we rest.

“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.” Proverbs 4:23-27 MSG

I encourage you to take inventory and see if there are distractions that are cluttering your life. It may be time to let go of some things and let others handle them. The very thing that is cluttering your life may be someone else’s treasure.

“God, my shepherd!  I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.” Psalm 23:1-3 MSG

I am so thankful that my Father watches over me and brings me to rest!

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