Category: Character

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Breathtaking

Have you ever had an experience where you had to grab a breath? The beauty of nature – the birth of a child – seeing your mate at the altar?

Breathless! Breathtaking! Awesome!

The image I used this morning was from a sunset we saw the other night coming home from town. Dave was driving and he didn’t think it was much, looking through the rearview mirror but when we stopped…he said “that’s amazing”!

Sometimes I see things in nature, hear a symphony or see a loved one and it takes my breath away. I feel the presence of God in those times. Our Father is so vast in His existence and omniscient in power.

Our God is an awesome God!

You have an assignment today. I don’t often assign homework but today’s the day.

Take time to find something where you can focus on the awesomeness of the Father. Sitting quietly in His presence and let Him speak words of love to your heart.


“The Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King over all the earth.” Psalm 47:2 ERV

“Look at the powerful things the Lord has done. See the awesome things he has done on earth.” Psalm 46:8 ERV

“He rescued his people and made his agreement with them forever. His name is awesome and holy.” Psalm 11:19 ERV

“I prayed to the Lord my God and told him about all my sins. I said, “Lord, you are a great and awesome God. You keep your agreement of love and kindness with people who love you. You keep your agreement with the people who obey your commands.” Daniel 9:4 ERV

Take time, after all He took time for you!

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Family Heritage

In the 1970’s and 80’s, it became popular to search out your family tree. People had always kept records in the family Bible but with the information age, via the internet, it became easier to find dates, places and events that shaped our history.

Now it’s easier than ever, with the help of sites like Ancestory.com and 23&Me, to dive deeper in our past and even discover unknown relatives.

I have to be truthful; although my mother-in-law did extensive study and research on Dave’s family it never peaked my interest. Yes, I was curious about his grandfather and some of the other family members but knowing the whole history just isn’t my thing.

However…there is one bit of family history that I find very intriguing.

“When Jesus began to preach, he was about 30 years old. Everyone thought he was the son of Joseph. But his family went back… David, 32 Jesse, Obed, Boaz, Salmon,… 34 Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Terah, Nahor,…Shem, Noah, Lamech, 37 Methuselah, Enoch,…Seth. The family of Jesus went all the way back to Adam and then to God.” Luke 3:23-38 CEV

The world had a hard time accepting the words of Jesus because they considered Him to be the son of Joseph, a carpenter, but there was so much more. He truly was the Son of God!

How do people see us?

I’m the daughter of a construction worker and a bank teller. No great fame or fortune, just part of the working class. Not a scholar or one of the elite in society. That’s the way it looks from the outside.

But inside it’s entirely different.

“ Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children. 15  God’s Spirit doesn’t make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. 16 God’s Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. 17 His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.” Romans 8:14-17 CEV

“ Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. 5 God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children. 6 God treated us with undeserved grace because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God.” Ephesians 1:4-6 CEV

We have been adopted. Chosen by God since before the creation of the world. Chosen to be His children!

When we have our identity in Christ, our family tree starts with God. We receive His character. Our DNA is His Divine Nature Attributes. We become His representation to the world.

“ Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 CEV

“ God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23 gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” Galatians 5:22-23 CEV

The Holy Spirit creates within us God’s character; after all, we are His dear children.

When we are adopted by God, we get a brand-new life and a new family heritage. Our family tree begins and ends with God, the Father.

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My Dad

Bear with me this morning, please. I had to get a new computer and spent most of the afternoon yesterday keeping it loaded up with the things that are important to me. Still getting the feel for it this morning so I am recycling a blog I posted about 9 years ago…I hope you relate to it.

I have a few questions for you this morning. If I asked you to tell me about your dad how would you describe him? I imagine you could tell me about his character and you could give me physical description but what more could you tell me.

Do you know about his childhood, his dreams and ambitions? Is/was he a fisherman or hunter, cowboy or city man – Ford, Chevy or Dodge – techie or handyman – quiet or outgoing?

How well do you know him?

He had a great deal to do with shaping your life into the person you are today. If he was there all the time or absent from your life, he still had a big part in how you turned out.

In all of Jesus teaching He represented his Father. He said he came for one purpose – to do the will of His Father.

“Later, Jesus talked to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never live in darkness. They will have the light that gives life.”

13 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “When you talk about yourself, you are the only one to say that these things are true. So we cannot accept what you say.”

14 Jesus answered, “Yes, I am saying these things about myself. But people can believe what I say, because I know where I came from. And I know where I am going. But you don’t know where I came from or where I am going. 15 You judge me the way people judge other people. I don’t judge anyone. 16 But if I judge, my judging is true, because when I judge I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. 17 Your own law says that when two witnesses say the same thing, you must accept what they say. 18 I am one of the witnesses who speaks about myself. And the Father who sent me is my other witness.”

19 The people asked, “Where is your father?”

Jesus answered, “You don’t know me or my Father. But if you knew me, you would know my Father too.” John 8:12-19 ERV

It’s important that we know the Father. The way we get to know Him better is by watching the Son. It’s important that we study Jesus and his life so that we can model our lives after his and in so doing we will also be reflecting the Father.

“Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 CEV

How has the Father shaped your life? Do you reflect His nature? We have been given the Father’s spiritual DNA, divine nature ability. So let me ask you now, tell me about your heavenly Father.

Getting to know Jesus, we get to know the Father.

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Carrying Kindness

In my morning reading, I was in the book of Mark, chapter 15. Jesus had been betrayed by Judas, deserted by His disciples, denied by Peter and was now standing before Pilate to be questioned.

“The chief priests brought many charges against Jesus. 4 Then Pilate questioned him again, “Don’t you have anything to say? Don’t you hear what crimes they say you have done?” 5 But Jesus did not answer, and Pilate was amazed…10 Pilate knew that the chief priests had brought Jesus to him because they were jealous.” Mark 15:3-10 CEV

Before I started reading the Lord had been dealing with my heart about godly character, carrying kindness instead of carrying a grudge.

Jesus knew what it was like to be lied about, misunderstood by family, betrayed by friends, persecuted. He knew hardship, he knew anger, he knew heartbreak, he knew loneliness.

He was the Son of God but His life was not void of hardship.

“Great blessings belong to those who suffer persecution for doing what is right.
    God’s kingdom belongs to them.

11 “People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow me. But when they do that, know that great blessings belong to you. 12 Be happy about it. Be very glad because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did these same bad things to the prophets who lived before you.” Matthew 5:10-12 ERV

“ But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45  Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. 46 If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for this? Even tax collectors[a] love their friends. 47 If you greet only your friends, what’s so great about this? Don’t even unbelievers do that? 48  But you must always act like your Father in heaven.” Mark 5:44-48 CEV

This truth of godliness was so engrained in the life of Christ that on the cross when He had been beaten, whipped beyond recognition and nailed to a cross He was able to cry out, “Father, forgive them. They don’t realize what they are doing”.

In His most agonizing moment, He carried kindness and not revenge.

Most of us will not experience this type of persecution but we will have what the Bible calls tribulation. We will have moments of great sorrow that are unjust – we will be lied about and lied to. We will have heartache, we will be betrayed.

“ Listen to me. A time is coming when you will be scattered, each to his own home. In fact, that time is already here. You will leave me, and I will be alone. But I am never really alone, because the Father is with me.

33 “I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:32-33 ERV

We will never experience this peace on our own. Grudges, resentment, and hatred will fester and grow if left unresolved but in Christ we can have peace. In God, we find help.

“Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:15-16 ERV

Through God’s strength and mercy we stop carrying a grudge and we carry kindness and forgiveness.

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Blessed Wherever You Are

Our lives are blessed by the Lord so that we can be a blessing wherever we are. Blessed to be a blessing!

I was thinking about Barnabus. His name was Jonas, but he was renamed by the apostles.

“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement),” Act4:36 NKJV

Barnabus was the one who brought Saul, later named Paul, to the apostles after his conversion on the road to Damacus. He was Paul’s traveling partner on some of his missionary journeys. He was blessed with a gift to encourage and he used that gift to bless others.

We might not all be blessed with the gifts of prophecy, miracles, words of wisdom or words of knowledge but we are all blessed to be a blessing to others.

“And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:

3 “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

4 “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.

5 “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

7 “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

8 “The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

9 “The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways. 10 Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. 11 And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. 12 The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13 And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you]heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. 14 So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.” Deuteronomy 28:1-4 NKJV

The Lord blesses us so the world will see that we are called to be His. We share, we love, we encourage because He does that for us!

In the city, in the fields, coming in and going out we are blessed. Encourage others with the goodness of God!

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A Life Worth Living

Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. Ever heard that before? Did you think it was Shakespeare or some other poetic author?

It comes from Isaiah and was then quoted by Paul. People have been living with this idea of self gratification for a long time. I remember years back when Frank Sinatra’s song, I Did It My Way, and Peggy Lee’s hit in the late 60’s, Is That All There Is, echoed the sentiment above.

Paul the Apostle was writing to the Christians in Corinth about resurrection from the dead and the promise we have in Christ. He was writing to encourage them that there is so much more to life than living for a few days of gratification here.

This morning’s thoughts come from Paul’s letter to the Christians in Corinth. It’s his instruction on a life worth living from I Corinthians 15.

People will try to influence us away from what we know is right and good. It’s called peer pressure, and I quoted verse 33 to my kids on numerous occasions as they were growing up.

“ I face death every day. That is true, brothers and sisters, just as it is true that I am proud of what you are because of Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 I fought wild animals in Ephesus. If I did that only for human reasons, then I have gained nothing. If we are not raised from death, ‘Let us eat and drink, because tomorrow we die.’

33Don’t be fooled: ‘Bad friends will ruin good habits.’ 34 Come back to your right way of thinking and stop sinning. Some of you don’t know God. I say this to shame you.” I Corinthians 15: 31-34 ERV

If our only hope is getting all we can out of this life and not looking at eternity, we should eat, drink and be merry.

But we have more than that. We have this life and life eternal with Christ. Our hope is in Christ and the power of His resurrection. Living physically, there will be a physical death, but it is not something to be feared. For when we die physically, we will live on spiritually.

“It will be the same when those who have died are raised to life. The body that is “planted” in the grave will ruin and decay, but it will be raised to a life that cannot be destroyed. 43 When the body is “planted,” it is without honor. But when it is raised, it will be great and glorious. When the body is “planted,” it is weak. But when it is raised, it will be full of power. 44 The body that is “planted” is a physical body. When it is raised, it will be a spiritual body.” verses 42-44 ERV

We need to be mindful of the joy of living for the Lord.

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don’t let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.” verse 58 ERV

“ So if you eat, or if you drink, or if you do anything, do it for the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31 ERV

Our life’s work here on earth is to show the world that hope, joy and peace that a relationship with Jesus gives. We truly have a life worth living!

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Practice Joy

As I watch the sun peaking through the eucalyptus trees I am practicing joy.

The fishing boats are headed out with great hopes of catches of albacore. Me, I’m just joyful for another day on the water and the nature the Lord has placed around us.

The best way to practice joy is to start the day by thanking the Lord for another sunrise, knowing He has planned our day, filled with good things.

One of my favorite joy verses is Psalms 16:11.

“You have shown me the path to life,and you make me glad by being near to me.Sitting at your right side,I will always be joyful.” CEV


“ My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. 3 You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. 4 But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” James 1:2-4 CEV

In the King James version, it says “Count it all joy”. Really, count it joy when you fall into temptations?

Yes, because the joy comes from knowing that you’re not in this alone! God has promised to never leave us or forsake us, that means we are in His presence and in His presence there is fullness of joy!

Joy in knowing that we aren’t operating under our own power or our own wisdom, joy to know that He has created us to be victorious! When I realize all of that, I am growing and maturing, becoming the more Christ-like .

In John 16, Jesus was talking with his disciples the night before His crucifixion. He was giving them last minute instructions. He told them that they would all abandon Him and that He would be alone but He quickly added that the Father would be with Him so He wouldn’t really be alone. (In His presence is fullness of joy)!

He then told the disciples that they would have troubles in this world. Not as big as the crucifixion but troubles all the same. His next words may have seem strange to them, He said “Be of good cheer (find joy), for I have overcome the world”. Jesus had just told them how he was overcoming the trials in His life – He wasn’t looking for the support of friends and followers but He was simply looking to the One who would never leave or forsake, the Father and in the Father’s presence is victory and fullness of joy.

I am determined that I will have a joy-filled day. I will keep my mind focused on the Father and in His presence I will have fullness of joy!

I will practice joy!

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Ask for Wisdom

I was doing a search on wisdom and what I found was very interesting. Really it was!

I thought it might have been used for Adam naming the animals or Noah building the ark but no.

Wisdom is first used in Exodus chapters 28 – 36 when the Lord showed Moses how to make the Tabernacle. It talks about all the workers who were assigned the tasks of building. The Bible said that they were all filled with a spirit of wisdom.


Then it goes on to show that Joshua was filled with wisdom and Solomon was the wisest of all men.

God has promised to give wisdom to anyone who asks.

As you are looking at your day, your occupation, your marriage, your kids… Let God fill you with His wisdom and it will definitely make a much favorable outcome.


” I have chosen Bezalel from the Judah tribe to make the sacred tent and its furnishings. 3-5 Not only have I filled him with my Spirit, but I have given him wisdom and made him a skilled craftsman who can create objects of art with gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood.” Exodus 31:2-4 ERV


“So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers. 17 I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. 18 My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God’s people.” Ephesians 1:16-18 ERV


“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 ERV


If you need wisdom today – ask and you will receive it.

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Little Old Ladies

When I put the words “little old ladies” into a search this morning, this was one of the images that popped up.

I want us to look at one little lady that the Lord brought to the attention of His disciples.

“ Jesus sat near the Temple collection box and watched as people put money into it. Many rich people put in a lot of money. 42 Then a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth less than a penny. 43 Jesus called his followers to him and said, ‘This poor widow put in only two small coins. But the truth is, she gave more than all those rich people. 44 They have plenty, and they gave only what they did not need. This woman is very poor, but she gave all she had. It was money she needed to live on.'” Mark 12:41-44 ERV

I’ve seen this lady many times in my imagination. Hair brushed back, the fabric in her clothing faded, a bit thin but a smile on her face and an air of confidence in her step.

The disciples hadn’t noticed her but God did!

The world around her ignored her. She wasn’t significant to them, but she was to the Lord. She didn’t come to Jesus asking for anything, she came to give to God willingly, sacrificially and without pretense.

There’s no mention that Jesus had any personal encounter with her, not like He had with Zacchaeus when he told him to come down out of the tree or that He had with Peter when He asked him to leave his fishing nets and follow Him.

No, but He noticed her. He knew what God would do.

“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.” Psalm 145:15-18 CEV

“ When you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand gives. 4 Your giving should be in secret. Then your Father Who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:3-4 NLV

This isn’t a message on giving, please don’t think that. But it is a message on being seen by the Father.

These four verses tell us that nothing is outside of the Father’s attention. Something that appears insignificant to the world makes our heavenly Father take notice.

A little boy’s lunch, a widow’s small offering, a cup of cold water, a broken bottle of perfume – all gifts from the heart. All were noteworthy and found their place in Scripture. God felt they were important enough to be recorded in a book filled with miracles.

The little kindnesses we extend each day, the time spent in prayer for a loved one or a neighbor, forgiveness given, sacrifices of time, all are noticed.

Young child, college student, young mother, career path walker, blue collar worker, executive, retiree or little old lady – the Father sees you, He notices and He knows your heart.

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Some Things Should Be Cleaned Out

This weekend Dave is off on a weekend with our son so I am making good use of my time by doing some deep cleaning. I don’t like clutter and I don’t like mess.

Friday, I got out the leaf blower and cleaned up the deck and the patio. Dave’s really good at keeping that done but Thursday night we had a monsoon come through with winds, blowing dust and pine needs, rain and more dust.

Then yesterday it was time to hose off the patio chairs because of the dust, the rain and the tree pollen. After my prayer time and Bible reading this morning, I got up to get another cup of coffee and the refrigerator caught my eye. Since I’m going to be joining Dave and Koy on Tuesday I thought I really should go through the fridge and get rid of anything that might spoil. Yep, I went down that rabbit hole but it’s done now.

Brought myself back to my chair and laptop and these words came to mind. “Cleanse yourself from these things”. I knew the Lord was speaking to me spiritually.

“ In a big house there are not only things made of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some are of more use than others. Some are used every day. 21 If a man lives a clean life, he will be like a dish made of gold. He will be respected and set apart for good use by the owner of the house.

22 Turn away from the sinful things young people want to do. Go after what is right. Have a desire for faith and love and peace. Do this with those who pray to God from a clean heart. 23 Let me say it again. Have nothing to do with foolish talk and those who want to argue. It can only lead to trouble. 24 A servant owned by God must not make trouble. He must be kind to everyone. He must be able to teach. He must be willing to suffer when hurt for doing good.” II Timothy 2:20-24 NLV

That part about those who want to argue hits home. In high school and college, I was a debater. You choose one opinion, and I would debate the opposite side, whether I believed what I was saying or not. I was good at it. The Lord continues to teach me not to argue!

“There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven that are hated by Him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that kill those who are without guilt, 18 a heart that makes sinful plans, feet that run fast to sin, 19 a person who tells lies about someone else, and one who starts fights among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19 NLV

That’s a big list – pride, lying, murder, evil plans and running to carry them out, gossip and discord.

Now, I’m not trying to step on anybody’s toes but Scripture is given for our instruction and correction. Even the things that are silver and gold need to be polished so they keep their luster.

The Father wants what’s best for us! As the Holy Spirit ministers to our hearts, we should be willing to clean some things out.

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