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What Is Man…

This picture came up in my computer notifications yesterday. I had taken it a year ago.

I remember specifically how awe-struck I was in viewing the evening sky. I sat in my camp chair and watched as the clouds slowly moved, with the darkness embracing them. I had to capture some of the grandeur!

These words came to mind then and now.

“Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above. 2 With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless.

3 I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. 4 Then I ask, ‘Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?’ 5 You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor.

6 You let us rule everything your hands have made. And you put all of it under our power— 7 the sheep and the cattle, and every wild animal,8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and all ocean creatures.

9 Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!” Psalm 8 CEV

I, too, often think about the heavens and the earth and all that the Lord has made and I ask, “who am I that You, Father God, think of me”. God’s word brings my answer:

“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.” Romans 8:15-16 CEV

The Father thinks about us because we are His children. His love is everlasting, His mercy is new every morning, His faithfulness endures to a thousand generations and His grace is sufficient in every situation.

When I see the clouds, or an evening/morning sky filled with beauty my heart is stirred to sing that great, old hymn of the faith.

“Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook and feel the gentle breeze

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art?
Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art?”

Let’s ask the question again, “what is man that Thou art mindful of him”? We will probably never understand the depth of His answer to us. His heart says He wants us to know this:

“…Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love. 18  I pray that you and all God’s people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep. 19 I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.” Ephesians 3:17-19 CEV

Oh Father, how great Thou art!

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There’s An App for That

Somedays do you feel weak not really able to face the day? Or is it a feeling that you’re unappreciated or undervalued for who you are? If that’s the case, then here’s your answer to end those days of malaise.

Years ago, many, many years ago, a well-learned man put down a plan that has the ability to uplift, encourage and strengthen anyone who will put it into practice.

I guess you could say he wrote a life-changing app before anyone knew what an app was.

” I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. 16 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.

19 I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used 20 when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven. 21 There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. 22 God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. 23 The church is Christ’s body and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything.” Ephesians 1:15-23 CEV

When we ask the Lord, He will give us understanding of that hope , the power that He has made available to us (raising from the dead power) and what it truly means to be a part of the body of Christ!

This is a bad analogy, but I will use it just the same. Many Christians are like a new smart phone user. Only using their phones to make calls and send a few texts. They don’t know how to use it any more than that…download the apps, take pictures, use the GPS, on-line banking, the language translator, etc.

It’s time to get educated about who you are in Christ.

Utilize what’s been given to us. The data plan is unlimited and we’ll never have a power outage or dropped call. We are Christ’s body and we are filled with all He is.

Download the app. Take advantage of all the Father has programmed into it. He’s designed it perfectly – forgiveness, acceptance, protection, provision, peace, joy, worthiness, abundant life. It’s all at our fingertips.

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What Are You Waiting For?

Every few years the Lord reminds me of my need to be contentedly patient.

Therein lays the struggle. “Contentedly” patient. Patient in the moment of today while still waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise. If we become so intent on the when of the promise, we lose sight of the now of our walk of faith.

We become impatient and impatience is a destroyer of faith.

When we become impatient, we begin to try to work things out on our own – we wonder if God is ever going to come through – what’s taking sooooooooooo long? Those kinds of thoughts come from doubt and doubt brings fear – fear that it is never going to work out right. Doubt and fear will choke out the promises of God’s word – they can outweigh faith, if we let them. We must stand with confidence in God’s word if we expect to see God’s promises fulfilled.

“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. 7-8 If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind, and you surely can’t be trusted. So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all.” James 1:6-8 CEV

Abram followed God from his homeland out into the middle of nowhere because God made him a promise. A promise that he would possess great land and be the father of many nations. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham reiterating the promise that he would be a father of many descendants.

Abraham and his wife, Sarah, had to wait years to see that promise come to pass. They tried to rush the promise, using their own efforts, and it caused real issues of jealousy and bitterness. Their efforts didn’t stop God’s plan.

“God promised Abraham a lot of descendants. And when it all seemed hopeless, Abraham still had faith in God and became the ancestor of many nations. 19  Abraham’s faith never became weak, not even when he was nearly 100 years old. He knew he was almost dead and that his wife Sarah could not have children. 20 But Abraham never doubted or questioned God’s promise. His faith made him strong, and he gave all the credit to God. 21 Abraham was certain that God could do what he had promised.” Romans 4:18-21 CEV

What is it that God has promised you? Don’t give up – don’t fall back. Move forward – continue to follow in obedience what God has put in your heart.

“By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful.” Hebrews 11:11

Keep going. Don’t become impatient. A friend of ours told us once “If God says go North He will provide, if you go South you’ll think you died”.

Follow God and He’ll bring His promises to pass.

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Life Is Not A Tweet

This morning I want to present you with another challenge. This is an important question, how well do you listen?

You’ve seen those challenges on FB – do you read a post with no picture attached? If it’s a lengthy post do you read it all or just partially and then skip to the next more “interesting” feed. Twitter’s whole premise is brevity, convey your idea in 244 characters. Make is short!

But life is not a tweet.

True relationships require listening.

Yesterday I had a man check in for his camp site. He was by himself and when I asked, is there only one in your camping group he replied, “yes, I trying this alone; my wife died two months ago”. He talked and I listened. With tears in my eyes, I reached through the window and held his hand for a few moments. Inwardly, I was praying for him and thanking the Father that I hadn’t been in too much of a hurry to listen.

We build relationships by listening.

If you have children or grandchildren you know how important it is to listen. They want to tell you about their day or their favorite game or toy or pet or… They want to be heard and it’s important that we listen.

Sometimes you don’t need to read alot in the Bible to get your direction for the day. That was the case this morning.

“Let people finish speaking before you try to answer them. That way you will not embarrass yourself and look foolish.” Proverbs 18:13 ERV

It isn’t always necessary for us to provide a solution or even an answer, what’s important is that we care enough to listen.

“My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Keep control of your anger.” James 1:19 ERV

Our Father is always ready to listen to us. He invites us to come with our joys and our sorrows. He welcomes us to come with our problems and our victories. He listens to His children with a loving heart.

But He also wants us to listen to His words of kindness and instruction.

“My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. 21 Don’t let them out of your sight. Never stop thinking about them.” Proverbs 4:20-21 ERV

The challenge: don’t be in a hurry. Listen to the Father’s words, learn from Him. When we learn to listen to Him we will be better at listening to others.

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Practice Kindness

Being kind goes a long way in life today. With so many being rude and self-centered kindness and genuine concern are like a cup of cool water on a hot day.

Practice Kindness just because you can!

Not sure what makes people who don’t know you think they can criticize or make hurtful comments but some feel they have a “right” to express their opinions without knowing anything about you.

What a difference it makes to say something kind!

I remember when I was young and learning to play the piano, I was required to practice every day. Mom would set the timer on the kitchen stove and I would have to sit on the piano bench and practice. On most days I would rather be out playing but I knew if I was going to improve I had to sit there and going through my scales, then my selected pieces and finally I would get to end with a song I really liked.

There was a little song that would go through my head, “Practice makes perfect, practice makes perfect”.

The same with kindness. The more we “practice”, it begins to become natural. A kind word, a gesture, a helping hand, a smile, a sacrifice of time, a listening ear, a touch. All of these are ways of saying I care.

“If you are guided by the Spirit, you won’t obey your selfish desires. 17 The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should. 18 But if you obey the Spirit, the Law of Moses has no control over you…

22 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. 24 And because we belong to Christ Jesus, we have killed our selfish feelings and desires. 25 God’s Spirit has given us life, and so we should follow the Spirit. 26 But don’t be conceited or make others jealous by claiming to be better than they are.” Galatians 5:16-26 CEV

We need to let the Spirit lead us even in the simple things of the day.

Let the Father’s love shine through! It’s time to practice.

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Quiet

Back in the mountains this morning. We had a safe drive with clear roads. Thank you Lord!

The last couple of weeks I have been pondering my quiet time. For as long as I can remember I have been getting up early and sitting in the morning silence. I really can’t image starting my day any other way.

“Even before sunrise, I pray for your help, and I put my hope in what you have said.” Psalm 119:147 CEV

I remember when our oldest two children were little, I had instructed them that if they came into our room and I was in my chair praying that they needed to stand quietly until I asked them what they wanted it. It was “Mommy’s quiet time with Jesus and they needed to be quiet too”.

Several years later life got real busy and I forgot I needed that time. I lost focus for a while but then there was a rededication to spending my mornings with the Father.

“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.” Psalm 63:1-3 NKJV

My quiet time is my prescription for a healthy life. It’s where I find strength and peace, it’s my source of joy. Proverbs tells us that a merry heart does good like a medicine so, yes, my morning time is truly my prescription.

“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.” Psalm 16:11 CEV

I am concerned for our society. Being pulled in so many different directions. I meet Christians who are exhausted and weary, that’s not God’s plan. I often hear “I am so exhausted”.

“…But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so they can know him too. 28  If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29  Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.” Matthew 11:27b-29 CEV

Come to the Lord and find rest.

I would like to offer you this challenge. For the next two weeks, get up 30 minutes earlier. Sit quietly and pray. Read your favorite Bible verse. Ask the Lord to give you new insight into how to go through your day. Thank Him for giving you peace and rest. And then sit quietly and listen for His voice.

I guarantee He will meet you there. He desires to spend time with you – His heart’s desire is for a deeper relationship with His children.

Ssssh! Be still and know that He is God.

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Reaching Down

Wednesday, we headed down the mountain for the Valley. We had some business to attend to and were also able to have a brief visit with our kids. Before we left, we did what we always do. We prayed for safely while we traveled.

Our drive was uneventful even though we were followed by some of the largest rain clouds I had ever seen. Thank you, Lord!

Yesterday morning we went to the far east side of the Valley and got some business taken care of. Then we came back to a more central area to do some shopping and our visit with the family. Only a few sprinkles and cloudy skies.

When we were at our daughter’s last night, we saw video of what the over 2″ of rain had done in the area where we had been just that morning. Thank you, Father, for your hand of protection and safety.

“Jacob, the Lord created you. Israel, he made you, and now he says, “Don’t be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine. 2 When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. 3 That’s because I, the Lord, am your God. I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior…” Isaiah 43:1-3 ERV

These words are not some author taking poetic license. They are the promise of God to be our protector!

These words were written to the nation of Israel, but they are valid for us today.

“You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This shows that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 28 Now, in Christ, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or free, male or female. You are all the same in Christ Jesus. 29 You belong to Christ, so you are Abraham’s descendants. You get all of God’s blessings because of the promise that God made to Abraham.” Galatians 3:26-27 ERV

We all get the blessings of the promise that God made to Abraham and his descendants, Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female. In Christ, His blessings are for all of us.

Those promises are practical – they are for everyday living. Look at the words in the Isaiah verses again “when you have troubles, I am with you”. That’s a promise.

The flash flooding and the thunderstorms are a reminder to me of the Father’s hand of protection. Even in our stupidity He is there.

“…Then Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. 30 But while Peter was walking on the water, he saw the wind and the waves. He was afraid and began sinking into the water. He shouted, “Lord, save me!”

31 Then Jesus caught Peter with his hand. He said, “Your faith is small. Why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:29-31 ERV

Now, I’m not suggesting we do stupid things BUT when we realize we have, the wisest thing to do is what Peter did. Shout out “Lord, save me”. And let the Lord reach down, catching us by the hand and rescue us.

The prayer that Dave and I pray each day for safety and protection isn’t wishful thinking or a positive affirmation. It is an expression of our faith-filled trust that we always are under the shelter of God’s hand of protection.

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Soaring

Yesterday morning my attention was held captive by the view across the meadow. I was enjoying watching the clouds that filled the sky. Huge, white billowy clouds, and suddenly there it was.

An eagle.

He appeared from what seemed nowhere and now he was the focus of my attention. I watched as he soared, with wings outstretched, each circle rising higher and higher. I realized too late that I should be trying to get a picture of this magnificent sight.

I reached for my phone but by the time I had it on camera setting the eagle had disappeared into the clouds. I waited but he didn’t reappear.

As he rose higher and higher there was really no effort exhibited on his part. His wings were locked and the wind thermals were lifting him. This morning I looked for some explanation of how this happens. This is what I found:

“Like many people, I am fascinated by bird flight. Unlike most people, I get to study flight of Golden Eagles for a living. These large birds move through the landscape primarily by soaring—a style of flying where they hold their wings outward and rarely flap, saving them considerable energy. Instead of flapping, they rely on rising air currents to gain altitude.

Two types of rising air currents provide most lift for soaring eagles. The first, thermal updrafts, form when energy from the sun heats air at the Earth’s surface and causes it to rise. Eagles circle within these columns of rising air to gain great altitude and then glide out of the thermals to move across the landscape…” from the American Ornithological Society, americanornithology.org

Did you know that the Lord wants us to soar? It’s not to be on our own efforts. He wants us to find our support from the energy, the updrafts as it were, that He provides.

“Each day that we live, he provides for our needs and gives us the strength of a young eagle.” Psalm 103:5 CEV

“The Lord gives strength to those who are weary. 30 Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. 31 But those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.” Isaiah 40:29-31 CEV

“Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help.” Psalm 27:14ERV

The word “wait” in the last verse can also be translated “trust”. When we trust the Lord, we find new strength. We can rely on Him instead of our own abilities and then we will soar.

May I ask, what has been weighing you down? What has been causing you to become weary or has caused you to stumble or fall?

Wait on the Lord – He will give you new strength and show you how to soar!

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Thanks Dad!

Each morning when I walk to work, it’s right across the road, I stop to take in the beauty of the day and I say thank you Father. And when I work the afternoons/evenings, I do the same before I walk back home.

My focus is on my Father and all the beauty He has set for my enjoyment. It reminds me to keep things in a proper perspective.

It’s important to keep a proper perspective when going through tough times and times of contentment. If we begin to look to closely at the difficult situations, they can be overwhelming. In times of success, we can begin to depend on our own efforts and take credit for what God has done. We need to pull back and look at things the way God’s see them.

The Israelites saw a sea too big to cross; God saw a stream and damned it up. Saul’s soldiers saw a giant too big to conquer; David saw a man who was no match for God. Noah saw a world filled with corruption and a devastating flood; God saw a cruise ship of salvation.

King Nebuchadnezzar took pride in his accomplishments and his world-wide fame, forgetting about God. He ended up eating grass in a field like an animal. King Fetus took credit for being one who spoke as “God”, and he was destroyed by his pride.

Fear and pride are destructive forces but staying focused on the goodness and provision of the Father keeps all of life’s circumstances in the proper perspective. It is the Father who blesses us with all good things.

“ Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

It is the Father who is standing at the ready to help us in any difficult situation.

“ 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 grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

Satan saw Jesus as a dead man, buried in a tomb but God saw the resurrection!

Our Father sees us, His children, and is ready to come to our aid. He has promised us victory, comfort and strength. He has promised peace in the midst of the storm and He gives grace to the humble.

Everything we need comes from Him – take time to be grateful.

Thanks Dad!

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In the Midst of Decay

I took this picture a week or so back while Dave and I were out on a walk. It’s the little things that speak to my heart.

Here we have a decaying piece of tree, dead pine needles but from beneath these little wildflowers push through and bask in the sun.

“…but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” II Corinthians 4:16 KJV

Such is life.

As I get older I see my body showing signs of age. There are wrinkles, reduced strength, my joints creak, my skin has begun to sag…Let’s stop there, I think you get the point.

However, my spirit and my emotions are stronger than they’ve ever been. I don’t worry and fret as much, I rely less and less on my own strength and depend more and more on the Lord’s. It’s His word that provides direction and wisdom, instruction and comfort.

“When a wind from the Lord blows on them, the grass dies and the flower falls. Yes, all people are like grass. 8 Grass dies and flowers fall,  but the word of our God lasts forever.” Isaiah 40:7-8 ERV

God’s love will never fail. His Word is eternal. Those things will stand forever!

In the midst of the decay, let’s base our life, our eternal life on those things that last forever.

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