Category: Relationship

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My Choice

What I’m about to say may shock you. I am pro-choice.

Don’t stop reading. Let me explain.

“My body and mind may fail, but you are my strength and my choice forever.” Psalm 73:26 CEV

“You, Lord, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe.” Psalm 16:5 CEV

“ Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! 4 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.7-8  Christ sacrificed his life’s blood to set us free, which means our sins are now forgiven.” Ephesians 1:3-7 CEV

I woke up this morning thinking how thankful I am that God chose me – He chooses us! And then I heard my heart say, “Father, I make You my choice”. Yes, I am very definitely pro-choice. God doesn’t demand that we love Him, He give us the choice.

You all know I love getting up early in the morning and starting my day in the quiet. It didn’t use to be like that.

I didn’t always enjoy being alone with just my thoughts. My heart would become anxious; I would want to turn on the tv or the radio – anything to block out the silence, anything not to focus on the unrest or the distress that I felt churning in my spirit.

Maybe you’re like that. No wanting to get up and be “alone” with yourself and with the Father. Wanting to get up and get going right away to keep yourself from pausing in the quiet of the morning…

King David wrote in the Psalms to “be still and KNOW that I AM God”. Know = to be intimately acquainted with, a deep personal knowledge or understanding.

“God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 And so, we won’t be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea..10 Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.” 11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:1,2,10,11 CEV

This verse says to calm down where the KJV says be still. Take time to let what you just heard sink in.

God has made the choice to be our strength, our peace, our help, our defender, our protection and our Savior. We need to make the choice to “calm down” and “be still” so we can learn that He is God and He has chosen to be kind to us.

It’s our choice.

It was reading, learning and applying God’s word that brought me peace.

” 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 4:16 ERV

When I come to His throne, in the quiet of the morning, I find grace, mercy, kindness and help. I find Jesus! I can’t imagine starting a day without this time.

The choice is ours! My choice is to choose God!

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Real Friendship

Friendship – true friendship, is a gift from God.

Folks that will be with you in good times and bad. We see how when disaster strikes that a community will rally around someone – helping to provide food, clothing, shelter and money. Even strangers react in time of need.

Friends just want to hang with you when they could be doing other things. Friends want to hear your voice even though you might not have anything interesting to say. Those are the friends that will be there for you when things are good or bad – true friends. The ones who will tell you the truth even when it hurts your feelings – that’s friendship.

Around here we can communicate that sense of friendship with just a couple of words. Fire? Happy? Sometimes it’s just Dave and I around the fire, talking about our plans and dreams. Other times we have all the chairs filled or maybe it’s just one or two who dropped by. It’s always special to accept the invitation to share someone else’s fire.

An invitation to share our fire or join a happy hour is a time of laughter and conversation – a time of friendship.

The Bible tells us that we have a friend that sticks closer than a brother. That friend is God. Yes, God has friends.

Abraham was called the friend of God. Abraham believed God and knew God wouldn’t lie to him so he could do what God asked of him knowing it would always turn out right. Isn’t that what friends do? Believe that they won’t be lied to and help out when asked regardless of how much it may inconvenience them personally. Why? Because this is my friend and they would do the same for me it I asked.

“This shows the full meaning of the Scriptures that say, “Abraham believed God, and because of this faith he was accepted as one who is right with God.” Abraham was called “God’s friend.”” James 2: 23 ERV

“And not only will we be saved, but we also rejoice right now in what God has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of Jesus that we are now God’s friends.” Romans 5:11 ERV

Friendships need to be cultivated. They come from spending time together. God desires that with us.

Isn’t it time you said to Him – Fire? Happy? I guarantee He’ll join you and He’ll be glad you asked.

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Sharing Love

What are your plans for today? Working, recreating, relaxing? Whatever it is, wherever you are take time to praise the name of the Lord!

If you see a beautiful sunrise, taste those bacon and eggs, hear a small child giggle, see an older person smile, have a dog wiggle all over because he’s glad to see you – praise the name of the Lord for these are small but irreplaceable gifts from Him.

If you comfort someone dear to you, shed uncontrollable tears, speak a kind word to someone who is hurting or help someone who is down on their luck – praise the name of the Lord that He has chosen you to touch their life.

““Then the godly people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you with no place to stay and welcome you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?’

40 “Then the king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.’” Matthew 25:37-40 ERV

“May the LORD’S name be praised now and forever. 3 May the LORD’S name be praised from where the sun rises to where it goes down. 4 The LORD is higher than all nations. His glory rises to the skies.” Psalm 113:2-4

With each bit of kindness, each word of praise, each whispered prayer of thanksgiving your day will be brighter and you will be doing what you were created to do – praising the name of the Lord. Have a blessed and praise filled day.

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Don’t Quit Too Soon

I had been reading my Bible this morning and quit to have my prayer time. I closed my Bible and laid it on the shelf beside me. That’s when these words came ringing through the silence in my heart.

“You quit too soon”. Too soon? Yes, too soon.

I had been reading about Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem; I read about the heads of the clans of Israel. I read Solomon’s words in Proverbs and David’s words in Psalms.

“ Words from good people are like pure silver, but thoughts from the wicked are worthless. 21 Good people say things that help others, but the wicked die from a lack of understanding.” Proverbs 10:20-21 ERV

“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.” Psalm 145:17-18 CEV

These words were establishing themselves in my heart. I was beginning to praise God for what I read – how could I have quit too soon? It was then I remembered that my reading yesterday took me up to the last chapter of Luke.

I had read about the mock trial, the persecution and crucifixion of Jesus. The last I had read was of His burial. So, I picked up my Bible and opened to chapter 24 of Luke. The words jumped off the page…

Jesus Is Alive

24 “Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. 2 When they found the stone rolled away from the entrance, 3 they went in. But they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus, 4 and they did not know what to think.

Suddenly two men in shining white clothes stood beside them. 5 The women were afraid and bowed to the ground. But the men said, “Why are you looking in the place of the dead for someone who is alive? 6  Jesus isn’t here! He has been raised from death. ” Luke 24:1-6 CEV

Now, don’t get religious on me. Listen to what I have to say. Of course, we all know that Jesus is alive.

JESUS IS ALIVE!

Too many times, we read the Bible like a history book, a good story or helpful instruction. But it is the living word of God!

John wrote in the first chapter of his writings that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. Jesus is the Word; He is alive and He is living with us through the pages of the book that we hold in our hands.

Heed the words of the angels – don’t go looking for the living where the dead are. When we need strength, go to the One who conquered death. When we need peace, go to the One who calmed the storm. When we need hope, go to the One who promises to satisfy our desires. When we need wisdom, go to the One whose words are like pure silver.

Don’t quit too soon!

“ For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.[a] 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 NLT

Jesus is alive and because He is, we have His life residing in us!

Don’t quit too soon, let the reality of the living Christ live, really live, in you!

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Dyed Red

Today’s blog is a Valentine’s message.

One of my favorite chapters on the love of God is Colossians 2. The Apostle Paul writes about what Jesus did on the cross for us and how his death set us free from our sin and made us acceptable to God. I want to focus in on one phrase that has always had particular meaning to me.

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” Colossians 2:14

The Old King James English phrase “Blotting out the handwriting of the ordinances against us” drew my attention.

Writing a document in Jesus’ day required extreme patience. No erasers or delete buttons – every word had to be carefully written. If there was a mistake, the document had to be thrown away. Some corrections would be acceptable, but the paper would have to be so saturated with ink that the word or the mistake was completely blotted out so that it was no longer legible.

This is the picture that Paul is painting for us here. There was a document with a long list of sins we have committed, God’s laws we have broken, and Jesus “Blotted” out the list. He took and nailed it to His cross. His blood cancelled the evidence of our sin. It was dyed red. Amen!!

Jesus completely defeated His enemy; the one accuses us of the things we have done. Jesus rendered him powerless for all the spiritual world to see. We are now free to live for Christ, through God’s amazing love!

“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

God promises that He will not remember our sins and the wrong that we have done.

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10: 16-17

How can He do that?

Simple – God the Father chooses to hit the delete button; crash the hard drive; He blots them out. Why? Because He is our LOVING heavenly father.

“His love for his followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth. 12 And he has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. 13 The LORD is as kind to his followers as a father is to his children.” Psalm 103:11-13

The page from our life’s book that has all our sins written on it has been dyed red. The handwriting is no longer visible. Thank you, Jesus, for Your shed blood!

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Just Like A Child

A number of years ago, I was reading in Luke and I saw something I hadn’t seen before. In Luke 18 Jesus is telling the story about the Pharisee and the tax collector, who came into the Temple to pray.

The Pharisee looked for a place of prominence, threw his hands in the air and began praying loudly. It’s indicated that folks stopped to listen and commented on his piety.

The tax collector on the other hand quietly went to the corner, bowed his head and prayed humbly. No one really noticed that he was there. Except the Lord.

So this is the conclusion Jesus draws from his story.

” I tell you, when this man finished his prayer and went home, he was right with God. But the Pharisee, who felt that he was better than others, was not right with God. People who make themselves important will be made humble. But those who make themselves humble will be made important.” Luke 18:14 ERV

Jesus wanted his disciples to learn the importance of humility. Jesus said of himself that he came to serve others, not to be served or waited on.

Now what happened next is the new part that I saw.

“Some people brought their small children to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them to bless them. But when the followers saw this, they told the people not to do this. 16 But Jesus called the little children to him and said to his followers, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these little children. 17 The truth is, you must accept God’s kingdom like a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it.” Luke 18:15-17 ERV

Jesus had just spoken about humility and his disciples didn’t get it.

Parents brought their children to Jesus and the disciples were turning them away. Jesus was too important – he needed to be talking to the adults – He had thousands of followers; He didn’t have time to be bothered by these kids!

WOW! Stop the action.

Jesus interrupted the event and had the kids brought front and center. Bring the little kids here – let them come to me. It’s their faith that’s pure and their innocence is to be admired. They are examples to the rest of us!

Jesus was humble, he wasn’t too busy or too important that He couldn’t take time for the “little people”. We need to be like him today.

Who are the “little people” or the “sinners” in your life? The Father needs you to touch them with your love today!

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Taking Good Advice

Do you know that God is a very loving Father and that He desires the best for us?

His word is filled with good advice. Just like we try to impart good advice to our children, God has written a book of daily life advice for us to follow, to live by.

Why? Because He wants nothing but the best of us.

I want to share just a couple of things that jumped off the pages of the Bible this morning.

“My child, if you listen and obey my teachings, you will live a long time. 11 I have shown you the way that makes sense; I have guided you along the right path. 12 Your road won’t be blocked, and you won’t stumble when you run. 13 Hold firmly to my teaching and never let go. It will mean life for you. 14 Don’t follow the bad example of cruel and evil people…My child, listen carefully to everything I say. 21 Don’t forget a single word, but think about it all.
22 Knowing these teachings will mean true life and good health for you. 23 Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.” Proverbs 4:10-23 CEV

Those are the words of Solomon who was endowed with an abundance of wisdom. Next, we have the words of the Apostle Paul to his disciple Titus.

“God has shown us undeserved grace by coming to save all people. 12 He taught us to give up our wicked ways and our worldly desires and to live decent and honest lives in this world. 13 We are filled with hope, as we wait for the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. 14  He gave himself to rescue us from everything evil and to make our hearts pure. He wanted us to be his own people and to be eager to do right. 15 Teach these things, as you use your full authority to encourage and correct people. Make sure you earn everyone’s respect.  Remind your people to obey the rulers and authorities and not to be rebellious. (Chapter 3) They must always be ready to do something helpful 2 and not say cruel things or argue. They shouldbe gentle and kind to everyone. 3 We used to be stupid, disobedient, and foolish, as well as slaves of all sorts of desires and pleasures. We were evil and jealous. Everyone hated us, and we hated everyone.

4 God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. 5 He saved us because of his mercy,
and not because of any good things we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. 6 God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit. 7 Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life. 8 This message is certainly true. These teachings are useful and helpful for everyone. I want you to insist that the people follow them, so that all who have faith in God will be sure to do good deeds.” Titus 2:11 – 3:8 CEV

As parents we have all given advice to our children, advice that we feel is good. God’s advice to us as His children is much better, more reliable and always true. We do well when we follow His teachings!

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Light In the Darkness

If you have been reading my blogs for any length of time you have probably read about our use of night lights.

No, we’re not afraid of the dark, we just don’t like stubbed and/or broken toes. This last weekend was no different.

Before bedtime in the Casita, Dave and I made sure there were night lights in strategic places. One near the coffee maker, so I could see to start the coffee in the early morning, one at the foot of the bed so we could avoid those stubbed toes and one in the bathroom, just because you always need a night light in the bathroom.

This morning, I wrote in my journal “Thank you Abba for always being here – my strength, my comfort, my wisdom, my joy. You are the light of my salvation, whom shall I fear”. Light in the darkness, my God, that is who you are!

“You, Lord, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears. 2 Brutal people may attack and try to kill me, but they will stumble. Fierce enemies may attack, but they will fall. 3 Armies may surround me, but I won’t be afraid; war may break out, but I will trust you.” Psalm 27:1-3 CEV

For us, we needed light because we were in new surroundings. We didn’t know the lay of the room well enough to keep from bumping into things in the night. Silly as it sounds, we needed light.

Maybe you’re in new surroundings. A new job, new responsibilities, a new course in life. Uncharted territory, a place you have never been before. Empty nester, loss of a partner, the darkness of a new job and new co-workers. You need some light in the darkness.

“Our Lord and God, you are my lamp. You turn darkness to light.” II Samuel 22:29 CEV

“Everything that was created 4 received its life from him, and his life gave light to everyone.
5 The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out.” John 1:3-5 CEV

In God, through Jesus, we have light. Darkness – emotional, physical and spiritual darkness is dispelled by the light of God.

As I’m ready to close, the words from the song “Way Maker” are running through my mind.

“Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness, my God
That is who You are
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness, my God
That is who You are…

Even when I can’t see that You’re working
Even when I don’t feel that You’re working
You never stop
You never stop working
You never stop
You never stop working”

God, our Father, never stops working on our behalf. We might not see, we certainly might not feel it but He never has and never will stop working. He will always be our light in the darkness and we never need to be afraid!

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What Is Love?

The answer is God!!

Dave and I had a wonderful weekend away. We stayed at an historic ranch that is now a guest ranch. The air was crisp in the mornings, the adobe casita was beautifully furnished and the grounds were serene.

We talked of many things.

Life in the desert and in the mountains, our children and their children. Our great grandbabies. Our life and love through more than 50 years. A cup of steaming hot coffee, a plate full of rolled tacos with guacamole. Friends gathered on the deck/patio of our home for good bbq; yes, and the planning of more adventures in the days to come.

I asked the Lord, “Father, all of these images that I see can be described but how do I describe Your love? These are the things that mean love to me.” For the most part, I’m pretty good with words but when I try to describe God’s love I am seriously at a disadvantage. However, this morning I heard the answer to my question and it was “You just did!”

You see, every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father and with Him there is no variable or shadow of turning. Which basically means – every good thing that we enjoy comes as an outward expression of God’s love; that’s the way He’s always been and that’s the way He’ll always be! When I’m thinking on these things that I can describe, I’m describing the Father’s love. In every circumstance and situation that I live, I can sense the love of God and know that He is there because God is LOVE!

“ And now in these last days, God has spoken to us again through his Son. He made the whole world through his Son. And he has chosen his Son to have all things. 3 The Son shows the glory of God. He is a perfect copy of God’s nature, and he holds everything together by his powerful command. The Son made people clean from their sins. Then he sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven.” Hebrews 1:2-3

Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth was to bring God’s love to each and everyone of us. He brought the message that God isn’t mad at us and that God desires to have relationship with us – not some experience that is staunch and unfeeling or condemning and angry – but a real, where-the-rubber-meets-the-road, everyday, I’m always here type of relationship.

I’m not saying that everything will be perfect in our lives because our lives aren’t perfect! But I do know that in the imperfect, trying, challenging, frustrating, ugly times of our lives that God is always there and He doesn’t abandon us! He’s always there to offer comfort, help, to bring wisdom, peace and joy even in the midst of our storms. God is love!

What words can I use to describe God’s love?! This love can’t really be described but it can be experienced. I will leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul:

“I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.” Ephesians 3:17-19

Now that’s love!

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A Changed Mind

Having a changed mind, or a renewed, transformed mind, as the Apostle Paul says, is a two-sided coin.

We have to realize what God the Father says about us in His word and live that out each day, but we also have to realize that we have an enemy who tries to destroy what the Father desires to do.

We are the deciding factor.

Who do we agree with? If we side with the Father and believe His Word we will see the positive results that He intends for us. If we side with the enemy and agree with him, we will see results of destruction. God is greater than the devil and could just “force” us to believe the right, but He won’t.

God doesn’t want us to be mindless puppets. He wants us to be loving children who hear and obey His word. We have a free choice, even if that brings a negative influence into our lives.

I want to point out a few of the subtle and not so subtle mind games the devil likes to play. He uses the same old tricks he always has so they are pretty easy to spot and through our strength in Christ, easy to defeat.

“… He was always against the truth. There is no truth in him. He is like the lies he tells. Yes, the devil is a liar. He is the father of lies.” John 8:43-45 ERV

“…The snake spoke to the woman and said, “Woman, did God really tell you that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Genesis 3:1

“The devil came to tempt him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these rocks to become bread.” Matthew 4:3 ERV

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMP

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” Romans 8:1-2 KJV

Identify the words of the enemy; he comes to bring doubt, destruction, condemning and “if” thoughts. “You can’t do it; look at your past; God won’t use you; did God really say that; you’ll make a fool of yourself; “if” you try you’ll fail; are you really sure you’re saved and God will come to your rescue?” All of these and so many more are the tactics of the enemy.

The devil’s a liar but God cannot lie!

If the thoughts that come to your mind are any of the above, you know the devil is at work trying to dis-courage or destroy what God has promised. Condemnation doesn’t come from God. When we do things wrong, He will correct and instruct and even discipline us but it always comes in a loving, you-can-do-better type of way. He doesn’t ridicule or defame.

“[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),” II Corinthians 10:5 AMP

We are to take EVERY thought captive into obedience in Christ!

Don’t let thoughts that aren’t from God take residence in your mind, drive them out as Jesus did – IT is written, it IS written, IT IS WRITTEN!

God’s word creates a changed mind!

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