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Give Thanks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Give thanks!

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Paid In Full

I don’t know if you have ever experienced the worry of having a large and looming debt but I have. The thought of that still brings a churning in the pit of my stomach.

Some dear, wonderful, loving friends learned of our situation and they paid what we owed! Oh my! The thankfulness we felt and still feel is beyond words.

This morning I am thankful to say that there is only one debt, make that two, that I owe.

“ Do not owe anyone anything, but love each other. Whoever loves his neighbor has done what the Law says to do.” Romans 13:8 NLV

“We love because God first loved us.” I John 4:19 ERV

The debt I owe now is a debt to love! Love God and love others – that is my indebtness.

There’s a song that means so much to me, a song of thanksgiving for who Jesus is and what He has done for me.

“Here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down, Here I am to say that you’re my God, You’re altogether lovely, Altogether worthy, Altogether wonderful to me. I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross. I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross. Here I am to worship…” By Chris Tomlin

“I’ll never know how much it cost”, stop and think about that!

How much did it cost Jesus to bear our sin? It cost Him relationship with His Father. It cost Him his home in heaven, His reputation. He was hated by men and hated by the realm of Satan and his demons. They spent all their time trying to destroy Him.

He was misunderstood by His friends and family. It cost Him His physical life, which He laid down willing, but only for three days and then He rose again. And when He did, our debt was paid.

“You were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self. But God gave you new life together with Christ. He forgave all our sins. 14 Because we broke God’s laws, we owed a debt—a debt that listed all the rules we failed to follow. But God forgave us of that debt. He took it away and nailed it to the cross. 15 He defeated the rulers and powers of the spiritual world. With the cross he won the victory over them and led them away, as defeated and powerless prisoners for the whole world to see.” Colossians 2:13-15 ERV

Debt forgiven. Jesus’ final words on the cross were “It is finished”. He could have said “paid in full” because His death removed our debt and brought us into a new relationship with the Father.

I love the Father because of His great love for me and I will love others because of His great love for them. “Here I am to worship” and to say thank you for paying my debt.

Thank you Jesus for giving up all you had to remove my debt! Thank you for marking it paid in full!

“He paid for our sins with His own blood. He did not pay for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world.” I John 2:2 NLV

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Where Do You Hang Your Hat

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Present or Absent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.” John 14:27 ERV

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

Be present. In His presence is fullness of joy!

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Good & Healthy

How many of you are already planning your holiday baking and the menus for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals? Does the word “healthy” fit with those culinary delights? Or is your attitude more along the lines of indulgence and it’s only once a year?

I was going to use the “just this once” phrase but realized that has kind of been a pattern of late. Camping and cookies – just this once. Grandchildrens birthday cupcakes – just this once (three months in a row). Yes, I’ve let those just-this-once treats and snacks add some extra pounds that need to be removed.

So, this morning I’m going to talk about exercise for a bit. Not for you but for me. I need to put this out there and be accountable.

When we first realize that we “need” to exercise it’s never pleasant. Accepting that we are out of shape and not as healthy as we should be is the first step. So we decide to exercise.

The first few days we have a real commitment or at least that’s what we tell ourself. But then comes day seven or eight; and it becomes harder to stay committed to the goal. Our muscles hurt, we’re not seeing any results yet, we start making excuses and when we do that we are on your way to failure.

I know, I’ve failed many times.

Now think back to our childhood days – exercise wasn’t a bad word. In fact, it was called play. To be outside with our buddies playing ball, running through the yard playing tag or football. Going hiking to your favorite fishing spot or walking the mile to the swimming pool in the afternoon heat (my personal favorite). It was fun and we were in shape.

Of course you know this is going to have a spiritual correlation.

When we face trials and temptations it is an opportunity to exercise our faith. James tells us to count it joy because we will be developed and end up lacking nothing. Exercising our faith builds spiritual muscle.

“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

Facing trials is like building muscle. At first we see little victories but then to continue to develop a muscle we must increase the weight, the repetition or both.

In walking with the Lord, we’re never left to do this on our own. We have a great coach who is with us every step. Under His direction and inspiration we come out the winner.

“You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.” I Corinthians 10:13 CEV

Jesus knows what this is all about because He went through every temptation we experience while he was here on earth. Who better to coach us than someone whose been there, done that and emerged as the Champion of Champions!

“We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him. 15 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 4:14-16 ERV

Thank you Lord for coaching me through life and providing all the help I need to develop and finish as a winner! And thank you for giving me the power to resist that pecan pie and stay on track with my daily exercise!

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Mistaken Identity

Yesterday Dave and I went for drive to some small ranching towns near where we are camped. I was talking about a friend who lives there and how it’s been over thirty years since we’ve seen her. I wished we had thought to contact her and tried to arrange a meet up.

We stopped at a bar-b-que place for lunch and were seated near the window. Dave looked out and said “I think that’s her”. I did a double take and sure enough, it looked like her. I headed out of the restaurant and down the street. I called her name but no response. When I got closer I realized it was a case of mistaken identity and I apologized to the woman.

It was a disappointment to say the least.

Has anyone ever mistaken you for someone else? I know I’ve had it happen to me a few times. It’s pretty easy to do. It’s also something that happens every day when it comes to character.

A person who is clean and sober runs into someone they knew when they were an addict and they get treated as if they hadn’t changed. A person who was selfish and self-indulgent turns over a new leaf but they’re held at arms length by those they have slighted.

David, the shepherd boy, had a case of mistaken identity. Golaith, the seasoned warrior, mistook David for an unskilled, scrawny youth. What Golaith didn’t see was the bold, God-fearing, young man who had killed a lion and a bear. Goliath’s case of mistaken identity brought him to his death.

“Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory.” I John 5:4 CEV

We are as guilty as Golaith in some of our misjudgements.

We look in the mirror and see ourselves as weak or inadequate. Moses told God that he couldn’t deliver the Israelites because he stuttered. But God saw the man Moses was on the inside and used him anyway. I’ve heard it said that God doesn’t choose the qualified, instead He equips the willing.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” II Corinthians 5:17 NLT

What are some of the things you, or others, have been saying you can’t do? You’re not qualfied, you’re not equipped to handle. We have a new identity – we are empowered by God for the task at hand.

“I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLV

Don’t look back at who you once were. Look forward at who God has called you to be!

I am so thankful for my new identity in Christ!

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So Yummy!

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

I’m very thankful for a good heater!

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Father provides for those He loves!

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

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

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

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Carrying the Load

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. 15 Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:14-16 CEV

Let Him carry the load.

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Threading the Needle

This will probably be one of the most obscure things I will tell you about.

Yesterday I had time to sit down to the sewing machine to finish one last project for the RV. I was making a table runner and needed to add seam binding to the edge.

Now I know many of you will relate to what I’m about to say next. As we get older our vision needs correction. I, for one, have worn glasses since I was ten years old. Now I have bifocals. When I am doing “close” work I generally remove my glasses, that works best. But yesterday I had my contacts in so the project before me was a bit more challenging. Can anyone relate?

The color I choose for the binding tape and matching thread are pumpkin. Although I had never really thought about it, the color of our leather table top is very similiar. When I was trying to thread the needle on the sewing machine the color of the thread kept blending in with the background of the table making it difficult to place.

I made several unsuccessful attempts and my frustration level was rising. I didn’t want to take my contacts out and I certainly didn’t want to leave the table runner unfinished. I said a simple prayer: “Father, this is such a tiny thing but I need Your help. I don’t want to waste anymore time. Please guide the thread through the eye of the needle”.

He did and I finished!

Some will say why did you ask God to help with something so trivial. I asked because He’s my Father and I know He cares about the things that matter to me. This mattered.

When the kids were small and I was teaching them to sew I helped them thread a needle. I have also had times when my mother was working on a project and she had difficulty as well. Since I felt compelled to help those I love with such a situation I just knew my Father would feel the same way about helping me.

“Ask, and what you are asking for will be given to you. Look, and what you are looking for you will find. Knock, and the door you are knocking on will be opened to you… 11 You are bad (*natural, human) and you know how to give good things to your children. How much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?” Matthew 7:7,11 NLV *explanation mine

My prayer was a simple request. “Dad, I need help.” His answer was simple as well. “Daughter, I’m glad you asked”.

Religion tells us that we shouldn’t bother “Almighty God” with the trivial. Relationship with the Father tells us to come boldly to Him in our time of need.

I am so thankful for my Father/daughter relationship. I’m thankful that I’m not restrained by religion. The day is so much better when we recognize that our Father wants to be a part of all we do.

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Intentionally Planted

Some of you have read my previous blogs where I talk about the tree in my backyard. It was just a twig, no bigger round than my little finger when we first discovered it. And it was only inches high. That was six and a half years ago. Today its close to fifteen feet high and shades half the yard. We didn’t plant it but once we saw it was there we decided to nurture it, hoping it would do exactly what it is doing now and provide good shade on warm afternoons. We haven’t been disappointed.

I’ve learned many lessons from that tree and the other day when I was out working with my flowers that tree brought another lesson to mind. The Bible talks about the natural law of sowing (planting) and reaping (harvesting). In fact, a number of times Jesus used farmers and their work with seeds in His stories that He told about spiritual principles.

“While the earth lasts, planting time and gathering time, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not end.” Genesis 8:22 NLV

These words were spoken by God to Noah after the flood. He was reassuring Noah that never again would He destroy the earth with a flood and that the earth would be fruitful and produce with regular occurence. God knows how long it takes crops to go from seed to harvest and the time of seasons were set accordingly.

But now, let’s go back to the tree. God also knew/knows how long it takes trees to grow to the point of maturity so that they can be used for timber. And in one particular case, He knew where to plant and when to plant the seed that would grow to be used for the cross.

Before Jesus was born on this earth, the tree had been planted. It grew, unhindered, until the day a woodsman saw it and felled it. The bark had to skinned and the tree split into planks that could be used for building. It had to be left to dry so it wouldn’t warp or twist.

God had intentionally planted the tree that would be used for a Roman cross. My tree was nutured for comfort, for shade. His tree was nutured for salvation.

“But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13-14 NLV

Each time I look at the tree in our yard I think of how much its grown. I wonder if each time the Father looked at earth if He thought of that tree and what it represented for His Son and for us. I’m sure He did, it was part of His plan.

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 NLV

I’m so thankful that God is intentional in all His doings. He intentionally set seasons, He set the boundaries for the oceans and the rotation of the planets. He put the earth on its axis and set us at the right distance from the sun. From the very beginning, when man sinned God intentionally put a plan in place for us to be restored to relationship with Him.

Intentionally planted and salvation was complete!

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