Category: Relationship

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Looking for Eagles

All summer long I have been waiting to hike a knoll near the campground. One morning early in the season, we drove to the parking area below the hill, enthusiastic about our climb, only to be turned back.

There was a posted sign, “Eagle Nesting Area”, and it went on to say that no one should be in that area from February 1 to August 31. It was a protected area. We turned back, disappointed, and found another knoll for that day’s hike.

Now, here it is mid-September and we are making it back to do some exploring. We were looking for the eagle’s nest.

I refrain from calling it a mountain hike only because we are on a mountain, surrounded by taller mountains, like Mt. Baldy. But to call it a hill or knoll diminishes the challenging terrain. We had to watch every step – there were downed trees, stinging nettle, and big logs to climb over.

We were always looking up, scanning the treetops, searching for the eagle’s nest. Much to my chagrin we never located it. What we did find were vultures! Yes, vultures. The standing dead trees provided them with the perfect setting to roost. They would leave the branch and with two or three flaps of their massive wings they would soar above the landscape looking for food far below. Then back to their resting place.

I’m sure you’re wondering what great Biblical truth came to mind during our exploration. The only one I have is an absolute awareness of the greatness of God. Here we were in a thicket of trees. Vultures were soaring, scanning the earth below to look for food and found none.

God’s vision is much more acute than that of a vulture or an eagle. There in that mesh of living and dead trees, we were not lost to the sight of our loving Father. He knew right where we were. And He was there.

“The eyes of the Lord go around looking in all the earth for people who are faithful to him so that he can make them strong. ” II Chronicles 16:9 ERV

Even in the most obscure places we are never alone. God is there to protect and provide.

“You are all around me—in front of me and behind me. I feel your hand on my shoulder. 6 I am amazed at what you know; it is too much for me to understand. 7 Your Spirit is everywhere I go. I cannot escape your presence.” Psalm 139:5-7 ERV

The view from the top was beautiful, even though we didn’t find the eagle’s nest. What we did find was much greater – we found another day of adventure with the Father.

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Made Whole

Last night we had dinner with friends in the campground. I was speaking with a gentleman that had lost his family home and all its belongings earlier this Spring in the fires that consumed a large portion of New Mexico.

Ranchers and farmers not only lost their homes but their livelihoods. He told me that there is an effort under way to help all those who suffered loss so they would be “made whole”.

Made whole. Those two words resonated within me. Made whole carries a meaning of lacking imperfection.

Made whole . It’s a phrase used time and again when Jesus healed people. Look at these few examples:

“But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” Matthew 9:22 KJV

“And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.” Matthew 14:36 KJV

“And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” Mark 10:52 KJV

“The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.” John 5:15 KJV

Be made whole!

In most of these cases the Biblical account goes on to say that Jesus also told them their sins had been forgiven. They weren’t just made whole physically but also spiritually. The Father is concerned with our “complete” person, spirit, soul and body.

“May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!” I Thessalonians 5:23 MSG

When the Father touches our lives He doesn’t leave us broken – He makes us whole, He makes us new.

“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

The life we once lived, operating under our own power and intellect has been removed and we have become a new person. Sins forgiven and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans 8:11 NLT

“ The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can’t receive the gifts of God’s Spirit. There’s no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit—God’s Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing, and can’t be judged by unspiritual critics. Isaiah’s question, “Is there anyone around who knows God’s Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?” has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ’s Spirit.” I Corinthians 2:14-16 MSG

One phrase in one conversation filled my heart and my mind. God the Father has made us whole. We have His nature and are created in His image!

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Family Portrait

Yesterday morning I was saddened to hear of a recent study on the decline of Christianity in the United States.

The survey stated that “people are giving up on Christianity”.

I can see how many are giving up on religion, man-made doctrines and legalistic rules, but how can people give up on Christianity? A Christian is one who is a follower of Christ. How can someone who has followed Christ and known the unconditional love of the Almighty God, our heavenly Father, and His grace, mercy and unfailing forgiveness give up on what they’ve experienced?

Was their experience purely an intellectual one and not a matter of the heart? Have we who are Christ’s followers not truly shown what it means to be in relationship with the Father?

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 NLT

If our world is to see the depth of God’s love, His character, we are the ones who need to be showing it to them. As His children, we need to be expressing our love for our good Father.

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” II Timothy 3:1-5 NLT

“They will reject the power that could make them godly”. This is how the decline is evolving.

Don’t give up what you have learned and what you know to be true of God’s faithfulness and love.

This morning’s picture is one of my family that was taken for the local paper when I was about 2 1/2 years old. There was an article that accompanied it on families that based their lifestyles in faith and on Biblical principles. Today my mother and father are in heaven and my sister and brother live according to the faith in God that we were taught as children.

“ But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” II Timothy 3:14-17 NLT

May I encourage each of us to continue to live according to the Scripture. It is the Father’s word preparing us for every good work.

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Friends and Family

Thank you to the friends who called and text yesterday to check on me. I was blessed to know that you cared enough to make sure I was ok. You know I don’t miss the daily opportunity to share with you. Yesterday was an exception.

To be frank, I slept in. It was our first day off in many, many days and our bodies needed the rest. I had fully intended to post a blog later in the morning however my sister is here visiting, and we spent the time talking, as I was preparing pies for last night’s bbq.

Our season on the mountain is coming to an end. Tomorrow, our first camp host couple will be leaving. We wanted to give them a proper send off and what better way to do that than with a bar-b-q.

It was a day filled with love and appreciation. A day to say thank you, you’re appreciated, and we’ll see you again next season. A day filled with many little details in the kitchen. A day filled with family and friends.

“He must like to take people into his home. He must love what is good. He must be able to think well and do all things in the right way.” Titus 1:8 NLV

My mother was such a wonderful example of being hospitable. She loved having people share our home. As a little girl, I remember our living room would have several card tables spread about and friends would come for an evening of puzzle making and enjoying the cookies, cakes and pies that Mom had made.

Later there were always times of dinners with friends. People knew they were loved when they came to our home. It’s always been important to Dave and I to have our home open, ready to share, a place where all are welcome.

“Continue loving each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. 2 Always remember to help people by welcoming them into your home. Some people have done that and have helped angels without knowing it. ” Hebrews 13:1-2 ERV

I don’t know that we have ever “entertained angels, unaware” but I do know it brings us great joy to share our blessings, great or small, with those around us. It reminds me of the teaching Jesus gave to His disciples.

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” Matthew 25:37-40 NLT

Friends and Family. The word family, from God’s perspective, is all encompassing. Never think that having someone to dinner or sharing dessert is inconsequential. The Father sees it as a kindness shown to Him.

Take time for family and friends. Share what you have, it warms the Father’s heart!

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Drawing Close

There was a time when I felt the Father was so far away, I wondered if I would ever have a close relationship with Him again.

Circumstances in life had caused me to distance myself from His presence. I honestly felt like the prodigal daughter. It started out with the little things – selfishness, putting my needs and wants before others. Self-pity. Why are “they” treating me like this? Self-importance. I deserve better, and went searching for it.

I hardened my heart to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. This was my thought, “If God’s not going to fix this then I’ll do it myself”. I wanted to be in charge.

Have you ever fallen into that mindset? I hope not but if you have let me show you the way that the Father ministered to me.

As a little girl I grew up loving the Bible stories I heard in Sunday School. One day as I was struggling with self-pity, I remembered the story of the prodigal son. I wasn’t in a physical pigpen but I was in an emotional one. I remember imagining that I was walking with the son on the road to his Father’s house.

I saw the Father running up the road to greet us but instead of embracing His son, He wrapped His arms around me and He held me close. I heard Him whisper in my ear, “Welcome home, I’ve been waiting for you. I love you”.

Never once did He ask me where I’d been or what I had been doing. He knew. I didn’t feel condemned – only love and forgiveness flowed from the Father’s heart to mine.

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’…We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” Luke 15:20-24 NLT

When we start on our return journey to the Father, drawing close to Him, He meets us – embraces us and throws us a party. His heart is full because we have come home!

 “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” James 4:7-10 NLT

When we humble ourselves and repent, He forgives and restores. He brings us to a place of peace, surrounded by His love.

Come with me and draw close to the Father!

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Redirected

You know people think that when you’re retired that you wake up each morning with a blank slate and you aren’t subject to the pressures of those who are still working.

However, working folks, stay-at-home moms or dads, retirees, students all have the same 24 hours each day and we need to be good stewards of the time we have.

Yesterday was a day not planned. We had planned to have breakfast with friends who had been visiting and were heading back to the Valley. We had planned to enjoy our streaming church service, but after that nothing was according to our plan but it was part of the Father’s.

It’s probably been 35 years ago that I found these verses in Proverbs 16 and began to pray God’s Word over my plans for the day. Have I ever messed up and gone off and done my own thing? More times than I would care to admit. Have I ever wasted a day selfishly? Sadly, yes!

But I do try to honor the Lord in my busy times and in my quiet, do-nothing times. Sometimes it’s much harder to sit quietly and rest than it is to spend the whole day in strenuous, working activity. The important part of any day, especially the ones where the plans change, is to be mindful that the Lord has a purpose for us and to go forward with a heart of gratitude because His plans are always best.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiahs 29:11-13 NLT

As we all start this week let the Lord direct. As He does we will have good success.

“The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the [wise] answer of the tongue.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart).

3 Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:1-3 AMP

Be willing to be redirected, a new path directed by the Lord will be filled with blessings and good success.

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Time to Worship

Sunday morning and people every where are getting ready for church but don’t limit your worship of the Father to a particular building or location.

Worship is truly a heart issue; a grateful heart will make time to worship whenever and wherever it is touched by God’s goodness, beauty, grace and forgiveness. For years we lead working cowboys and their families in times of praising and thanking the Father for His wonderful love and many blessings.

Now, I take time every morning to thank Him for where He’s brought me and what He teaches me each day while we are here on this mountain, which is like a great cathedral.

“Jesus said, ‘Believe me, woman! The time is coming when you will not have to be in Jerusalem or on this mountain to worship the Father. 22 You Samaritans worship something you don’t understand. We Jews understand what we worship, since salvation comes from the Jews. 23 But the time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. In fact, that time is now here. And these are the kind of people the Father wants to be his worshipers. 24 God is spirit. So the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.’” John 4:21-24 ERV

This was the instruction that the Lord gave the woman at the well in Samaria. Worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. She was so touched by her encounter with Jesus that she dropped everything and went to tell her family and friends about the Messiah.

“Then the woman left her water jar and went back to town. She told the people there, 29 ‘A man told me everything I have ever done. Come see him. Maybe he is the Messiah.’ 30 So the people left the town and went to see Jesus.” John 4:28-30 ERV

When was the last time we literally dropped everything to tell someone about Jesus? This woman wasn’t concerned that she would be welcomed by her friends and neighbors or that the message she was bringing was politically correct, she just had to share that she had found the Messiah.

Whatever she said, however she said it, she was convincing. Folks came out to see Jesus. This woman was of low reputation in town, also understand that the Jews and the Samaritans had been opposed to one another for generations but still they came.

“Many of the Samaritan people in that town believed in Jesus. They believed because of what the woman had told them about him. She had told them, ‘He told me everything I have ever done.’ 40 The Samaritans went to Jesus. They begged him to stay with them. So he stayed there two days. 41 Many more people became believers because of the things he said.

42 The people said to the woman, ‘First we believed in Jesus because of what you told us. But now we believe because we heard him ourselves. We know now that he really is the one who will save the world.’” John 4:39-42 ERV

The Lord will use our testimony to bring people to Christ. We must be willing to share what God has done in our lives and then He can work in the lives of those who know our story.

Make time to worship the Father for Who He is – He is the Almighty God, our everlasting Father!

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More About Contentment

Do you remember being little and “wishing” for everything? Another word for wishing is wanting. If those desires are not guided properly they can lead to disillusionment and discontentment, not only in children but in adults as well.

So, this morning we’re going to learn one more lesson from our wooly, four-legged friends.

There was a time when my conversation was filled with the things I wanted – a new house, a new job, to lose weight, more friends, more money, less bills. But that’s not the mindset of a sheep. They are content to follow the shepherd, they are content in the pasture.

Sheep are known for lacking in intelligence, some would call them dumb. Not to be insulting but isn’t that the way it is with us. We think we know what’s best for us but left by ourselves we will get in trouble. We will be lost and in need of rescuing.

“Then Jesus told them this story: 4 “Suppose one of you has 100 sheep, but one of them gets lost. What will you do? You will leave the other 99 sheep there in the field and go out and look for the lost sheep. You will continue to search for it until you find it. 5 And when you find it, you will be very happy. You will carry it 6 home, go to your friends and neighbors and say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I found my lost sheep!’” Luke 15:3-6 ERV

And when we are lost, our Good Shepherd will come searching for us, bringing us to a place of safety and provision.

When we are with the Shepherd, we can be safe and content.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 KJV

“You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need.” Psalm 23:1 CEV

The Apostle Paul put it this way in his writing to the Christians in Philippi.

“… for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13 NLT

How could Paul be content in every situation? The answer is clear. Contentment comes from Christ.

The Lord doesn’t want us worried or wanting. He knows what we need, He wants us living in a place of trust.

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:21-33 NLT

Lord forgive me today for my wanting. I thank you that you bless me beyond measure because of Your great love. You supply all I need and more. You’re the Good Shepherd and I will follow you!

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Hurry Up & Wait

I was telling a co-worker yesterday, as we were waiting for campers to arrive, that a favorite saying of my dad’s was “hurry up and wait”. When we become impatient, we rush about expending unnecessary amounts of energy and we still end up waiting.

Some mornings I wake up knowing what the day has in store or at least I think I do. And then there are mornings like this morning that I start praying over my day and have no idea how it will go or what I will be doing.

It’s then I remembered all the places we have lived where sheep were raised. They were a part of the natural landscape and I learned much from them. Sheep are rarely in a hurry; they moved slowly. There is no rush to their day.

Last night sheep settled in the pasture. They laid down to rest and felt safe. They will begin stirring in about 30 minutes or so as the new day starts to dawn. They have no agenda and feel no anxiousness over what they will do or where they will go. Unless the shepherd comes to lead them to a new field, they will be content to eat well in this pasture. But the minute they are aware of the shepherd’s presence, they become attentive – their senses heighten, their tails flick and their heads come up. They are ready to follow!

I need to learn that. I need to be content in this pasture until I hear the shepherd and then be ready to follow. It’s a lesson I have had to learn many times. But today, I will be content and wait for the shepherd. Following Him brings me to a place of provision and protection.

“Jesus said, ‘It is certainly true that when a man enters the sheep pen, he should use the gate. If he climbs in some other way, he is a robber. He is trying to steal the sheep. 2 But the man who takes care of the sheep enters through the gate. He is the shepherd. 3 The man who guards the gate opens the gate for the shepherd. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out. 4 He brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leads them. The sheep follow him, because they know his voice. 5 But sheep will never follow someone they don’t know. They will run away from him, because they don’t know his voice.’

6 Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant….10 A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good. 11 ‘I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep…14-15 ‘I am the shepherd who cares for the sheep. I know my sheep just as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me just as I know the Father. I give my life for these sheep.” John 10:1-15 ERV

Let’s follow the Shepherd. Wait patiently, be content and then follow His lead!

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Wanting More

This morning I was greeted by this photo I had taken a few years back. It brought a smile to my face and a thought to my heart. This little fellow and his many friends came every morning, afternoon and evening to my feeders, always wanting more.

I have no idea how many pounds of sugar and gallons of water I would prepare each summer for the hummingbirds who visited my yard.

Come they did – 50+ at a feeding. I would take the feeders down, all eight of them, wash them and refill them. From the inside of the house I could hear their little wings whirling as they waited impatiently for me to bring them back to the yard, filled with nectar.

They were always wanting more.

Do you know that our heavenly Father does no less for us?

“Then Jesus said, ‘I am the bread that gives life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who believes in me will ever be thirsty.'” John 6:35 ERV

“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.’ 15 The woman said to Jesus, ‘Sir, give me this water. Then I will never be thirsty again and won’t have to come back here to get more water.’” John 4:13-15 ERV

He planned for all of life’s other necessities as well.

“‘Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 That’s what those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.'” Matthew 6:31-33 ERV

The Father provides for our needs and Jesus said what we should want most, our number one need, is to know Him and His kingdom. The Apostle Paul said this in his teaching to young christians:

“…now I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Christ, I lost all these things, and now I know that they are all worthless trash. All I want now is Christ. 9 I want to belong to him. In Christ I am right with God, but my being right does not come from following the law. It comes from God through faith. God uses my faith in Christ to make me right with him. 10 All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death.” Philippians 3:8-10

Just like those little hummingbirds who were always wanting more, “All I want is to know Christ”, I want more.

The Father has meticulously planned for our every need. His plan is perfect. Our responsibility is to trust Him and make relationship with Him our top priority.

We should always be wanting more!

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