Solid Ground

Where are you standing today? Is your footing sure?

Hiking the hills around our home, it’s imperative that you know where your next step needs to be. The terrain is covered with cactus, sage brush, an occasional rattler and the  ground can cause your foot to give way without any notice.

The same holds true in life. If we aren’t standing on a sure foundation undoubtedly we will slip and fall. But when the foundation is sure, we are secure.

Turn Your ear to me, and be quick to save me. Be my rock of strength, a strong place to keep me safe. For You are my rock and my safe place. For the honor of Your name, lead me and show me the way. ” Psalm 31:2-3 NLV

Jesus taught about  a house on a solid rock foundation  in a parable and then went on to say that the rock was the Word of God.

“Anyone who comes and listens to me and obeys me is like someone who dug down deep and built a house on solid rock. When the flood came and the river rushed against the house, it was built so well that it didn’t even shake.  But anyone who hears what I say and doesn’t obey me is like someone whose house wasn’t built on solid rock. As soon as the river rushed against that house, it was smashed to pieces!” Luke 6:47-49 CEV

There’s an old hymn that says the same. It was written by a man named Edward Mote in the 1800’s – it has a true message for today.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

There are so many things that could to shake us to the core. The political  climate, actual storms like those we’ve seen hit our country recently, health issues, stormy relationships can all be devastating if we aren’t securely anchored to our sure foundation.

Turn Your ear to me, and be quick to save me. Be my rock of strength, a strong place to keep me safe. For You are my rock and my safe place. For the honor of Your name, lead me and show me the way.” Psalm 18:1-3 NLV

Thank you Lord for giving me a secure place to stand. In You I am safe!

 

Mother’s Sleep

Ladies who are reading this will understand this term, “mother’s sleep”.

It’s not really sleep; it’s that stage when you are half awake, half asleep, listening for your little one, waiting for that cry or even waiting to hear them take their next breath.

I had a Mom ask me once when I got my first real night’s sleep as a mother. My answer: I still haven’t! You see it stays with you as your children grow. When they’re teens you have “mother’s sleep” until they get in from the game or a date, you have “mother’s sleep” until their car pulls in the drive. And now, even though my kids live hundreds of miles of away, most nights I still experience “mother’s sleep” and grandmother’s sleep, if that is a thing.

When I know the kids are going to be on a road trip I get up to pray. They don’t get on a plane, go to a doctor’s appointment, start a new job, or have a challenge to conquer that I don’t give way to Mother’s Sleep! Then, there are just the normal days of getting up and going off to work or school, I pray. Forty plus years of being Momma to my great kids, their mates and my grandkids – very rarely has their been a time that I’ve had a full night’s sleep.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t begrudge a moment of it. I love my role of Mom and love that I have the privilege to pray for these wonderful people! And since I’m up  I never just pray for my family and quit. I have added all of you to the prayer list too. It’s a blessing to be able to pray.

This morning I realized that “mother’s sleep” is a gift from the Father. It’s what He does for us! He never slumbers nor sleeps. We will never call on Him and He won’t be there to answer. We don’t have to remind Him of what we are going through because He’s there each step of the way.

“I look to the hills! Where will I find help? 2 It will come from the Lord, who created the heavens and the earth. 3 The Lord is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble. 4 The protector of Israel doesn’t doze or ever get drowsy. 5 The Lord is your protector, there at your right side to shade you from the sun. 6 You won’t be harmed by the sun during the day or by the moon at night. 7 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 CEV

So as I prepare for my day, I thank the Lord for all of you and for keeping you safe during your day’s activities!

Dry & Thirsty

I have lived in the desert most of my life. I remember when I was a child and we would go out to a dry river bed, I was amazed by the parched ground.

I could pick up the chunks of dried earth and hold the pieces  in my hands. The soil of the fields around it were a different consistency. They were grainy and the particles were finer but the river bed was dried mud; it had once been moist.

When we farmed alfalfa in Arlington, AZ we were out in the middle of no where. There was a dried riverbed just on the edge of our fields. The contrast between the soil of the two areas was amazing. One was dried and cracked while the other was lush, green and productive.

Don’t our lives seem to be like that from time to time? One moment we feel well watered and refreshed and then something happens and we seem to dry up and crack.

God has never wanted that for us. He wants us to draw our life from Him. He promises to provide the water we need; He has a supply of life-giving water that never runs dry.

For I will pour water on the thirsty land and rivers on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your children, and will bring good to your children’s children. They will grow like grass in the fields, and like poplar trees by the rivers.” Isaiah 44:3-4 NLV

This is a promise the Lord gave to the nation of Israel. They realized that God was promising to be the very substance of life. They lived in an arid region and understood the importance of life-giving water so verses like these were very applicable to their lives.

God, you are my God. I am searching so hard to find you. Body and soul, I thirst for you in this dry and weary land without water. Yes, I have seen you in your Temple. I have seen your strength and glory. Your faithful love is better than life, so my lips praise you.” Psalm 63:1-3 NLV

King David wrote the words above. As a young shepherd he knew it was vital for the well-being of his sheep to have a good source of water. He knew what it was like to search diligently for those ponds of water that would quench this tremendous thirst.

In light of that, the verses in Psalm 23 have a greater meaning. He knew how diligent he was to provide for the well-being of his sheep, searching out good pastures and clear water, and he saw the Lord provides for us in an even greater way.

The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters. He makes me strong again. He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name.” Psalm 23:1-3 NLV

Jesus met a woman who came to the well to draw water. Her life was emotionally and relationally dry. She had been married and divorced five times and was living with another man. He told her this.

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.”

15 The woman said to Jesus, “Sir, give me this water. Then I will never be thirsty again and won’t have to come back here to get more water.” John 4:13-15 NLV

Jesus is our source of living water. What we receive from Him does more than nourish the flesh, it brings us life eternal.

Have you gotten off in a dry place? Do you feel parched and cracked like the ground in the picture above? Come back to the One who has promised to give you living water.

God promises an abundance – a river that never shall run dry.

The Lord will always lead you. He will meet the needs of your soul in the dry times and give strength to your body. You will be like a garden that has enough water, like a well of water that never dries up.” Isaiah 58:11 NLV

Mission Possible

Your mission today, should you decide to accept it…

“Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ” Colossians 3:16 ERV

Letting God’s word live in you will revolutionize your life and the life of those around you!

The understood subject of that verse, “let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly”, is you.

When I woke at 1:30 this morning thoughts of fearful things filled my mind and I couldn’t fall back to sleep. I could have laid there fretting or complaining in my head or I could let thankfulness replace the fear and fill my heart. It was my choice to make; it wasn’t impossible.

Let the name of the Lord be honored, now and forever. The name of the Lord is to be praised from the time the sun rises to when it sets. The Lord is high above all nations. His shining-greatness is above the heavens.” Psalm 113:2-4 NLV

There are so many things to be thankful each day; a bed to sleep in, food to eat, warmth and protection of a home, friends, good coffee, and beauty of nature.

Those are just the natural things, the things we can see. Then there are those things we can’t see like God’s love, his protection, mercy, grace, joy and peace. Those are the things that are eternal.

With perfect peace you will protect those whose minds cannot be changed, because they trust you. Trust the Lord always, because the Lord, the Lord alone, is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 GW

We can choose to worry or be at peace; we can chose anger and resentment or forgiveness; we can choose to grumble and complain or to be thankful.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. I trust God, so I am not afraid of what people can do to me! I praise God for his promise to me.” Psalm 56:3-4 ERV

The mission is possible. We need to be willing to accept it. I will put my trust in God.

 Let us give thanks all the time to God through Jesus Christ. Our gift to Him is to give thanks. Our lips should always give thanks to His name. 16 Remember to do good and help each other. Gifts like this please God.” Hebrews 13:15-16 NLV

I hope you are willing to accept this mission today. It’s Mission Possible, giving thanks and praise to God.

 

 

Push the Refresh Button

So much of our verbiage has changed since computer technology has become common place.

Download, hard drive, upload, Google search, the cloud, USB, thumb drives, memory, gigs…

Refresh.

Refresh the screen, refresh the document, refresh the file. When we do this, we find that some information may have been removed and in other cases, we find that information has been added. Just that simple.

I remember when I first started using email consistently. I would refresh the mailbox several times a day, wondering if anyone had sent something new . I loved finding emails from the kids or from friends. There were also responses to business dealings that I waited for. Refreshing became what I did.

But it wasn’t always so refreshing – sometimes it was just down right frustrating. Things I had been wanting to save would be gone and news I was waiting for hadn’t come.

And now things are so much faster. We live in a world of instant gratification, instant message, instant soup and waiting is not something we do well.

Is it any wonder  the Lord calls us aside to rest and be refreshed?

With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.” Proverbs 3:6-8 ERV

Hitting the refresh button spiritually is like wiping the slate clean. Deleting those things that cause worry, stress, undo concern. They are removed from the document of our lives and we can rest and regain health (emotional, physical & spiritual).

“Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. 29 Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls. 30 For My way of carrying a load is easy and My load is not heavy.”  Matthew 11:28-30 NLV

When we come to Jesus with the loads that are weighing us down He gives us rest. He shoulders the burden and makes the load lighter.

Refreshing the screen not only deletes things are harmful and worrisome; it can bring the addition of new and helpful information.

You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 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.” Psalm 23:1-3 CEV

Words of encouragement from the Lord are like peaceful streams and cool pastures. It’s refreshing to know that the Lord will lead us along a good path.

What’s on the screen of life’s computer? Are there things that need to be deleted? Any comments or directions that need to be added?

Refresh the screen and let the Lord bring you to a place of rest.

Never Alone

“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.”

The above is a quote from Helen Keller referring to companionship.

However, we have a promise from the Lord that we never walk alone, not in the dark of night or the light of day.

Thank you Lord that You walk with us each and every day through all circumstances. When God is with us we have light.

Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take.” Psalm 119:105 CEV

Have you ever been where it’s really dark? The stars are obscured, no street lights, no flashlight, no cell phone glow – real darkness. If you have then you know that one little light, the weakest flicker can seem like a spotlight.

Dave and I used to start out on our road trips very early in the morning, long before the sun came up. The headlights would illuminate the road in front of us but not what was off to the sides. It was important that we stay on the path.

One morning driving through Texas, we could see off in the distance a faint light. Of course, the closer it came the brighter it got. At one point it was a bit alarming because it appeared to be coming right at us. It was! At what seemed to be the last minute, the light turned and passed us on the right.  It was a train, the tracks ran parallel with the road. Our headlights weren’t bright enough to show us the train tracks but they did show us the road ahead was clear.

Trust the light!

Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, “I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12 CEV

God’s word and His promise to never leave us or abandon us will light up the darkest of nights. Yes, light will dispel darkness. God’s word will mark our path with clarity.

Not only does He walk each step with us, He will give us wisdom in each situation when we ask. Are you asking? When our natural minds seem at a loss, He knows the answers.

“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking. 6 But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm.” James 1:5-6 CEV

Ask and listen for His voice. Then follow through with the instruction he gives. He will NEVER lead us astray.

Everything we do, everything we say can and should bring Him glory.

“Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:17 CEV

Day or night we are never alone when we follow the Lord. We will always walk in the light.

Heart Trouble

This morning I have a question for you. Do you have heart trouble? Are there triggers in your life that have or are now affecting your heart?

This weekend, you know, we had a garage sale. It was fun; we got rid of some stuff and we really enjoyed talking to the different folks who came.  I was surprised to learn how many of them had heart trouble.

Some had physical trouble while others had broken hearts. Then there were those who were lonely and heart sick.

Heart Trouble.

During my last annual physical the doctor and his assistant asked me about my medical history and that of my family.  Lots of questions. Then there was the counselling on eating properly, getting enough exercise and plenty of rest. Must keep that heart healthy.

Well I’m here this morning with my own Rx for heart trouble. It’s guaranteed to have positive results with every patient.

“Do not let your heart be troubled. You have put your trust in God, put your trust in Me also. ” John 14:1 NLV

Jesus spoke these words to his disciples right before His crucifixion. If any thing would cause “heart trouble” for them it would be this, the death of their friend and leader.  However, Jesus’ command was don’t let this trouble you.

“My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn; Open your ears to my sayings. 21 Do not let them escape from your sight; Keep them in the center of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, And healing and health to all their flesh. 23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:20-23 AMP

King Solomon knew the best way to prevent “heart trouble” was to pay attention to God’s word. It provides health and healing to all who choose to live by it.

So if you are experiencing heart trouble this morning, I’m sending you to my cardiologist, He’s never lost a patient.

“But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” John 14:26-27 AMP

Acknowledging God’s presence and His love will put our hearts to rest.

I have placed the Lord always in front of me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be moved. And so my heart is glad. My soul is full of joy. My body also will rest without fear.” Psalm 16:8-9 NLV

There’s always an appointment available with the Lord, no waiting. Just come and find peace and rest.

Enjoying Good Fruit

So as I’ve been sitting here with my coffee and my thoughts I had the following verse fill my heart:

“14 May my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.” Psalm 19:14 CEV

Words and thoughts – those two are linked together on more than one occasion in the Bible. Jesus put it this way.

” Every tree is known by the kind of fruit it produces. You won’t find figs on thorny weeds. And you can’t pick grapes from thorn bushes! 45 Good people have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts.”   Luke 6:44-45 ERV

I remember my first experience growing peaches. It was years back. We had moved to a home with a small peach tree in the back yard. I was so hopeful that we would have sweet juicy peaches at the end of summer. But no! It took a couple of years to see the tree really produce . All the time it was drawing nourishment from the ground, developing a strong root base and maturing. Only then did the peaches come. The first harvest it was only a few large peaches but the second harvest there were many more.

We’re like that tree. When we begin our walk with Christ we need time to take in His word, our roots spreading out deep, giving us a firm foundation. As we apply His word to our lives our thoughts and actions change. Our heart changes and we begin to produce good fruit.

Thoughts, the things we save in our heart will come out our mouths. Just like fruit grows on a tree, thoughts produce words. If we spend our time thinking on the hurts, failures, and criticism, those are things that we will produce with our words.

However, if the meditation (thoughts) of our hearts are pleasant, loving, forgiving and kind then the fruit we produce will be gracious, loving, understanding and good!

When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives He shows us what Jesus truly did for us – He cleansed us completely so we are able to have confidence in the Father’s presence. Confidence brings peace.

The night when Jesus was arrested He was in the Garden with His closest friends. He was still teaching them up to the very end. They came to the point where they could finally see that yes, Jesus was the Messiah. He was God’s Son.

Jesus spoke to them the words He held in His heart.

31 Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? [Do you believe it at last?]  32 But take notice, the hour is coming, and it has arrived, when you will all be dispersed and scattered, every man to his own home, leaving Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.

33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” John 16:31-33 AMP

Jesus knew they would all leave him when he was arrested. Fear would overtake them. However, He spoke words of encouragement and confidence to them and to Himself. These men who had once been afraid of their own shadows would soon stand before the rulers of the land and boldly proclaim that Jesus was the Christ and they would serve Him even if it cost them their lives.

Jesus gave us this example. Don’t think about our fears, failures and heartaches but instead look at the bigness of His sacrifice. He conquered the world for us. We can live in peace and victory knowing that God has and is working everything out for us.

We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.

Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:3-5 CEV

We need to fill our hearts, our minds, with memories of all the times the Lord has proven to be our defender, our strength, our joy, and our unshakable hope. When we plant those seeds of confidence we will harvest peace and rest.

Father, I want to speak gracious and loving words from a heart that’s filled with confidence in You!

Tradition – Tradition

I love musicals! When I was a young girl we went from Yuma to Phoenix to see Sound of Music on the big screen. It was amazing!

I became enamored with Rogers and Hammerstein’s productions; Oklahoma, Cinderella, State Fair, Carousel, South Pacific. Stories told with music were wonderful.

They still are!

But the one I remember most was when we went again to Phoenix/Mesa area and saw Fiddler on the Roof! Awww. I laughed, I cried and I had the time of my life.

Tradition, Tradition!

Traditions are important. They come from a place of family history. Traditions either mark great trumpets or they can come out of tremendous hardship.

The Jewish holidays were established to commemorate monumental things that God did for the nation of Israel. We celebrate communion as a remembrance of the Lord’s sacrifice for us.

Tradition, very meaningful tradition.

What do we pass down from generation to generation? What family stories are forefront; which recipes; which photographs or printed articles?

My mother’s mind is still pretty sharp and it’s fun to sit and talk with her about her childhood and what she remembers hearing from her parents and grandparents.

Now, what do my children and grandchildren want to learn from me? What stories are they interested in?

It’s important to me that they know how good God is and how many times I would have been overtaken by despair and discouragement if my Father God had not been my source of strength!

When there was no one else to depend on, when hope was all but gone, when situations looked disastrous He was there! When things were good and grand, when blessings were obvious, when I felt strong and at ease He was there! Times of health and healing, prosperity and lack, courage and disappointment, joy and heartbreak, purposeful direction and aimless wandering – through all He was and still is there!

“I will praise you, my God and King, and always honor your name. 2 I will praise you each day and always honor your name. 3 You are wonderful, Lord, and you deserve all praise, because you are much greater than anyone can understand. 4 Each generation will announce to the next your wonderful and powerful deeds.

5 I will keep thinking about your marvelous glory and your mighty miracles. 6 Everyone will talk about your fearsome deeds,
and I will tell all nations how great you are. 7 They will celebrate and sing about your matchless mercy and your power to save.

8 You are merciful, Lord! You are kind and patient and always loving. 9 You are good to everyone, and you take care of all your creation. 10 All creation will thank you, and your loyal people
will praise you. 11 They will tell about your marvelous kingdom
and your power. 12 Then everyone will know about the mighty things you do and your glorious kingdom.

13 Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever. Our Lord, you keep your word and do everything you say. 14 When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand. 15 Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food. 16 By your own hand you satisfy the desires of all who live.

17 Our Lord, everything you do is kind and thoughtful, 18 and you are near to everyone whose prayers are sincere. 19 You satisfy the desires of all your worshipers, and you come to save them when they ask for help. 20 You take care of everyone who loves you, but you destroy the wicked.

21 I will praise you, Lord, and everyone will respect
your holy name forever.” Psalm 145 CEV

It’s never too late to start a tradition. Ask the Lord to show you how and when to have special times of remembrance, and let those in your world see that God is good!

Shouts of Triumph

This morning I feel like shouting! Really shouting.

Clap your hands, all you people. Shout to God with a loud, joyful song. We must fear the Lord, the Most High. He is the great king of the whole earth.” Psalm 47:1-2 GW

You know the kind of shouting I’m talking about. It could more appropriately be called cheering. That makes it clearer right?

That cheering, roar-of-the-crowd, winning touch down, home run kind of shouting! The “victory is mine” kind of shouting. The walk around Jericho, let the walls fall down kind of shouting.

So then the priests blew the trumpets. When the people heard the trumpets, they began shouting. The walls fell down, and the people ran up into the city. So the Israelites defeated that city.” Joshua 6:20 ERV

Today is our day of victory! Maybe you feel you have been in a battle for a very long time. Almost ready to give up – feeling winded, knees wobbly, biceps quivering and shoulders drooping. Don’t quit now – it’s time to shout!

“I celebrate and shout because of my Lord God. His saving power and justice are the very clothes I wear. They are more beautiful
than the jewelry worn by a bride or a groom.
11 The Lord will bring about justice and praise in every nation on earth, like flowers blooming in a garden.” Isaiah 61:10-11 CEV

Not only do we have reason to shout but heaven is shouting too. The Bible tells us there is great rejoicing in heaven when we come to the Father and receive His love and forgiveness. He marks the day we find life in Him.  He circles it on the calendar. The angels in heaven sing and heaven’s “social media” come alive with the announcement of our birth.

Suppose a woman has ten coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house, and look for the coin carefully until she finds it? When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Let’s celebrate! I’ve found the coin that I lost.’ 10 So I can guarantee that God’s angels are happy about one person who turns to God and changes the way he thinks and acts.” Luke 15:8-10 GW

And oh how the Father rejoices when we come to Him! It’s party time!!

Yes, it truly is time to shout!

God has made us His own. He has given us new life, new hope and a joy that is almost unimaginable.

You have now become a new person and are always learning more about Christ. You are being made more like Christ. He is the One Who made you... Christ is everything. He is in all of us.

12 God has chosen you. You are holy and loved by Him. Because of this, your new life should be full of loving-pity. You should be kind to others and have no pride. Be gentle and be willing to wait for others.” Colossians 3:10-12 NLV

More like Christ. Each day the Holy Spirit is working in us to make us more like Christ. Christ lived a life of victory; He had challenges, attacks and all out persecution but He knew victory was His because the Father had promised that He would triumph.

I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

Join me please. Let’s start this day with a shout! Let the voice of triumph be heard!!