Category: Psalms

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So Much Fun

I don’t know of a better way to usher in the Christmas season than with hearts filled with thanksgiving. It just seems like the logical thing to do – giving thanks prepares our hearts for the best that God had to give.

So, we decorated our trees (I’ll explain more in a minute), started reading our new Christmas story books and talked about Jesus’ birth with Sam and Kristine. One of the things I enjoy doing most at Christmas time is reading beautifully illustrated books that will capture the childrens’ attention and help them understand the real meaning of Christmas.

Dave and I will be spending Christmas at a campground this year. This was not our original plan but it’s not a bad Plan B. Last week I bought a small evergreen tree to take with us and it will sit on the breakfast bar until we leave. Yesterday the kids decorated it with some brightly painted tin ornaments. They both chose five ornaments and could place them whereever they wanted on the tree. Sam had an angel ornament that also had a star attached to it. He wanted that one to be at the top because the star was for Jesus.

Later in the day we headed out to the front courtyard where Dave helped us place big plastic ornaments in the mesquite tree. We laughed and giggled, oohed and ahhed, as he lifted each glittery ball at least fifteen feet in the air.

We were having so much fun!

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord was shining around them. The shepherds were very afraid. 10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I have some very good news for you—news that will make everyone happy. 11 Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:9-11 ERV

Joy is the message of Christmas. God, the Father, was so excited about His Son’s birth that He lit up the heavens and had an angels’ chorus announce the good news! After thousands of years, the day was here, that day when God came to earth and became Immanuel, which means God with us!

“So the Lord’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 23 ‘A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.’”Matthew 1:22-23 CEV

Now that’s the reason for the joy and laughter!

May I admonish you to take a strong stand against stress and grumbling this Christmas season. What if we decorated our lives they way we decorate our homes and our trees? Look for and share the lasting joy that has been heaven sent! Look at Christmas through the eyes of the angels – the wonder of heaven coming to earth.

“My soul will be happy in the Lord. It will be full of joy because He saves. 10 All my bones will say, “Lord, who is like You? Who saves the weak from those too strong for them? Who saves the poor from those who would rob them?” Psalm 35:9-10 NLV

Prepare now to be happy and full of joy!

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Waiting…

On Thanksgiving we told our three year-old granddaughter that she and her brother would be coming to our house for the weekend. She was excited. Her brother has come alone on a couple occasions but this would be her first trip without parents. When the day was done and we helped gather up the things our youngest daughter and family would take home from our oldest daughter’s, none of us were giving much thought to the next day when the kids would join us for the ride to our house.

No one except for Kristine.

She isn’t real expressive with words but when her dad lifted her into her car seat she said “Wrong car daddy”. Oh…we hadn’t made it clear that she wouldn’t be coming that night, she had to WAIT one more sleep and we would come for her in the morning. It made my heart hurt.

None of us do well with waiting.

Nowadays we live in an instant, microwave, IM world. Some things are just worth waiting on. As children we waited on Christmas morning; it brought excitement, anticipation and an almost sleepless night. As women we wait expectantly for 9months, 40 weeks – for the birth of a child. Each week, each month there’s a new joy of expectancy; we’re excitedly awaiting the due date.

Then there’s the joy of planning a wedding – deciding on the right dress, the flowers, the venue, the food – registering for gifts, planning the honeymoon – you get the picture – although it’s in the future, there’s joy in the planning.

Guys wait for that first hunting trip of the season, getting the tag, the food, scouting the right spot, the thrill of the hunt, buck fever; or it could be the High School State Football Championship – the weekly games, the playoffs and finally the championship game.

Perhaps it’s the promotion at work, graduation from college or trade school, moving out and getting your own place. It would be silly to think that any of these things could be accomplished without preparation, without the passage of time. Looking at the goal and preparing ourself each step along the way is what makes the end result so successful – so rewarding, so joyful.

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14

Wait on the Lord!

How many times have I heard someone get upset because they are having to wait for an answer to prayer, I will include myself in that. Let me encourage you with this; as we’re waiting on the Lord let’s prepare ourself to receive His blessings. Don’t be discouraged instead let the anticipation build and don’t grumble. Wait patiently!

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3

Little Kristine is here at Besta and Pappy’s now, without Momma and Daddy, and if you asked her if it was worth the wait I’m sure she’d say yes.

The Lord has so many special blessings planned for our lives. Waiting on Him is a great adventure.

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The Wish List

For weeks now we have been inundated with ads for “Black Friday”. In fact, those sales which were once just that one super day after Thanksgiving have been going on since the first part of November.

Black Friday – Cyber Monday! The “wanting” season has started.

Retailers are doing their best to convince us that our lives won’t be complete unless we buy this or that – go here or there – have the very latest that technology has to offer!

Don’t get caught up spending more than you have. It’s madness. There was an economist report on the news the other night that told how many people still haven’t paid for all the “great deals” they got last year. Millions of dollars worth.

Don’t buy into it.

“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.You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. 4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid.You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod[a] makes me feel safe. 5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch.You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 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

Our Shepherd provides all we need: rest, food, water, protection from danger, guidance, overflowing blessings, love and kindness. Now those are things that He gives us freely – more than money can buy!

This year give the best gifts – give your time, your love, be patient and understanding. Help those who have less – make a difference. Let’s show our children and our grandchildren that it is truly “more blessed to give than to receive”. It’s so much fun to give.

Thank you Father for your “pro vision”, for seeing ahead in my life and giving me more than I deserve.

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Thankful for Protection

I was sitting here for the last few minutes mulling over what I might share with you this morning. Several different things were running through my mind but nothing seemed to gel.

It was then I felt something crawling on my ankle. It was something small and I figured it was a moth. I uncrossed my ankles and looked down but didn’t see anything. I sat here a bit longer and there it was running across my keyboard. Now, don’t freak out when I tell you this but it was a baby scorpion!

Yikes! I had a tissue handy so I pinched it in the tissue. Problem solved. No more scorpion. Living in an arid climate we find scorpions in the house on rare occasions. It’s something we learn to be on guard for.

Years ago Dave and I learned to take these words of Jesus at face value:

“Jesus said to them, ‘I saw Satan falling like lightning from the sky. 19 He is the enemy, but know that I have given you more power than he has. I have given you power to crush his snakes and scorpions under your feet. Nothing will hurt you. 20 Yes, even the spirits obey you. And you can be happy, not because you have this power, but because your names are written in heaven.’” Luke 10:18-20 ERV

Jesus had sent his disciples out to surrounding cities to preach the good news or the Gospel. He told them to heal the sick, cleanse lepers and cast out demons in those places to demonstrate the power of God. When they came back to where Jesus was they were telling Him of the miracles they had seen.

Jesus’ comment was what we read above. “I have given you power over the enemy, over serpents and scorpions but the greater miracle is that your names are written in heaven. The greater miracle is that you have relationship with the Father”. (my paraphrase)

Our hearts should be overflowing with thankfulness because our names are written in heaven’s Book of Life when we come into relationship with the Father. God has been gracious and kind. There may have been disappointments and even heart aches in the last year but God remains faithful and trustworthy. He continues to bring blessings and benefits into our lives. He protects and provides! He covers us with His love.

“Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God. He is the One Who made all light. He does not change. No shadow is made by His turning. 18 He gave us our new lives through the truth of His Word only because He wanted to. We are the first children in His family. 19 My Christian brothers, you know everyone should listen much and speak little. He should be slow to become angry.” James 1:17-19 NLV

He is the giver of every good and perfect gift and He does not change. We need to listen more and murmur less.

“We praise you, Lord God! You treat us with kindness day after day, and you rescue us. 20 You always protect us and save us from death.” Psalm 68:19-20 CEV

One translation of this verse says ” Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.”

Daily, He loads us up with benefits…Selah (stop and think). As we get ready to go about our day let’s stop and think about the ways the Lord has been good to us. You probably haven’t started your morning by killing a scorpion but I know you’ve already experienced some of God’s goodness.

Be thankful for protection!

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Give Thanks During Adversity

I would be unfeeling and lacking in compassion if I didn’t acknowledge that there are some of you who just don’t feel like being thankful. The words “Happy Thanksgiving” set you on edge.

Some are facing a physical battle for your very lives. Others have lost loved ones this year and your hearts are aching. Still others of you may have experienced the closing of a family business and financial insecurity. There’s just not much, if anything, to be thankful for.

It’s important that we learn how to give thanks in the face of adversity. It’s also important for those of us who are in a better place to be compassionate, understanding and supportive of others.

“But let the godly rejoice.
    Let them be glad in God’s presence.
    Let them be filled with joy.
4 Sing praises to God and to his name!
    Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the Lord—
    rejoice in his presence!

5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
    this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
6 God places the lonely in families;
    he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.” Psalm 68:1-5 NLV

I cannot express enough the Father’s ever-abiding presence. He does not desert us or abandon us. He is always with us giving us comfort, strength and help.

Jesus experienced heart ache and loneliness. His accountant stole money from his business. His family didn’t understand Him and even His closest friends abandon Him in His greatest hour of need. He experienced all that and made us a promise that we would never have to go through those things without His help.

“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 4:14-15 CEV

Having a grateful heart during adversity becomes our victory song. Not thankful for the adversity but thankful we aren’t alone and thankful that we have the Father’s promise of help.

No matter the circumstances we face we can give thanks – thanks that God never lies, He is faithful to His word. He brings the help we need!

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Creation – Salvation – Inspiration

Three words came to mind first thing this morning – creation, salvation and inspiration.

Even though we don’t live in an area with a brilliant autumn pallet I’m so glad that I can enjoy the beauty that is captured by a photographer’s lens.

It’s breath-taking!

Hopefully, when we see nature’s beauty we stop and thank God for creating it for our enjoyment. There are so many things that attempt to distract and divert our attention to the mundane and unattractive. It’s refreshing to be able to “enjoy the view”.

I’ve told you before that some of the first thoughts that come to mind when I wake up are to tell my heavenly Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit that I love them. To me, there’s just no better way to start the day.

This morning those thoughts were followed by these words: “Thank you Holy Spirit for inspiration, thank you Jesus for my salvation and thank you Father for your creation”. A heart filled with gratitude just starts the day out right.

God’s creation teach us: “The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done. 2 Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next. 3 They don’t speak a word, and there is never the sound of a voice. 4 Yet their message reaches all the earth, and it travels around the world.” Psalm 19:1-4 CEV

The Holy Spirit inspires us: “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. 27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:26-27 NLT

Jesus is our salvation: “Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone.” Acts 4:12 CEV

I don’t know what my day has in store, neither do you, but I do know that when we start our day with praise and thanksgiving we start from a position of power and strength.

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Satisfaction Guaranteed

I’m probably like many of you. In the last few months the majority of my shopping has been done on-line. For the most part it has been ok but there are those exceptions and two of them came in the last week.

We received the notifications that these items were going to be delivered mid-week. Sure enough, right on schedule they arrived but they were the wrong item or subquality. How disappointing!

And then there was the follow-up. Email brought the quickest contact. Take the pictures, include the receipt, send the explanation as to what was wrong but really no satisfaction. Oh, we did receive a refund but now I had to start over looking for something similar because this had seemed like the perfect gift.

I almost burst into song. “I can’t get no satisfaction”!

But there is one place that guarantees satisfaction and I know I will never be disappointed there.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:2-5 NKJV

The place of absolute satisfaction is with the Lord. What more could we hope for than forgiveness, health, safety, strength, love and mercy?

Satisfaction guaranteed.

Even in the face of adversity we can and should be satisfied because we have His companionship to give us strength. The Apostle Paul was beaten and shipwrecked several times during his years of ministry. Look what he said:

“I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. 13 Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” Philippians 4:11-13 CEV

I have learned to be satisfied…yes, it’s something we must learn.

Advertising tells us to look for bigger and better. I remember our first television set had a seven inch screen, was in black and white, had three stations and we thought it was a marvel. Now, we are conditioned to believe that a 55″, 4K, smart tv just isn’t enough. Seriously?

There are things I would like to have and there are places I would like to go but I don’t have to have them to be satisfied. I am content. I am satisfied with the blessings the Lord has added to my life. I’m thankful for what I have.

“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.” I Timothy 6:6-7 NLT

With Him, we have a promise of Satisfaction Guaranteed.

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A Good Thing

For as long as I can remember the focus of November has been thankfulness.

For the last thirty days I have made gratitude the central theme of my morning writings. I will continue to do so throughout the rest of this month. Each day seems to bring little, and some not so little, changes to our life’s plans that could cause us to grumble and complain.

So, let’s lift our sights and look for all the good things.

“It is good to praise the Lord. God Most High, it is good to praise your name. 2 It is good to sing about your love in the morning and about your faithfulness at night.” Psalm 92:1-2 ERV

It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord!

Here’s a short list of things to be thankful for, I’m sure you can think of many more.

  1. Thank the Father for his love and protection.
  2. If you have a job, be thankful.
  3. If you drive safely to work and home each day, be thankful.
  4. If your children arrive home from school each day, be thankful.
  5. If you have enough money in your purse for groceries, be thankful.
  6. If your house is warm and your clothes are adequate, be thankful!

“Tell the Lord how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful…5 When I was really hurting, I prayed to the Lord. He answered my prayer, and took my worries away. 6 The Lord is on my side, and I am not afraid of what others can do to me. 7 With the Lord on my side, I will defeat all of my hateful enemies. 8 It is better to trust the Lord for protection than to trust anyone else” Psalm 118:1-8 CEV

Outside of my relationship with the Lord, the best “good thing” in my life is the friendships I have been blessed with. Family and those who should be family. Relationships require work. There are challenges – opportunities to grow, times to be forgiven and times to forgive. Times of laughter and of heartache and tears. The “good thing” of relationships is the love shared.

“Try to understand other people. Forgive each other. If you have something against someone, forgive him. That is the way the Lord forgave you. 14 And to all these things, you must add love. Love holds everything and everybody together and makes all these good things perfect. 15 Let the peace of Christ have power over your hearts. You were chosen as a part of His body. Always be thankful.” Colossians 3:13-15 NLV

Yesterday brought disappointments and there will be more to come. We get to choose what we focus on. I choose the good things!

I will give thanks to the Lord for all the wonderful blessings in my life!

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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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