God is in the Intensive Care Business

Having spent the past few days in and around the ICU ward of a hospital, I can tell you more about the ins and outs of the ward now that we’ve experienced it.  I can also tell you that folks who are patients in these wards are from all kinds of backgrounds and have varying problems. I can tell you that not one single person had plans to be a patient or a visitor there. And I can tell you that each person is loved by someone. Each person looks completely different and yet they hold these basics in common.

As we walked out of the ward last night, after visiting my brother, who is a patient there, I was ecstatic.  We have faced a dire situation requiring brain surgery and the outcome has been fantastic. After talking for several days about the sickness and knowing how we all felt so helpless and a bit fearful, we are now laughing and thanking God for His blessings of returned health.

While my brother is recovering and will move to a regular room sometime today, I am reminded that God is in the intensive care business.

God wants you to know that He is with you no matter where you are. You are never beyond His reach and never beneath His loving care. He is the Lord of the good times of robust health and He is the God of the hard time, when health is failing or sudden, unexpected times arise. He never leaves His position of Authority and Care. He’s never caught by surprise with the things that want to derail us.  He intensely watches over all of us as the Great Physician and the King of the Universe. When someone asks who my brother’s doctor is, I can tell them his name. But really my brother’s ultimate source of love and care is God Himself. The One who put the stars in orbit and the planets on their rotating cycle is the One who presided over the surgery suite as delicate brain surgery was performed. He is the Same God who oversees the healing of one and the home going of another.

Oh beloved, do you know about the intensive care you receive from the Lord? Do you know how much He loves you? He loves who you are right now. He never says “I love who you will be” or “I will love you when…” but He loves you exactly where you are.  He watches every step you make, and He knows everything that has happened to you. He was with you at birth, He is with you now and He will be with you forever. When you give your heart to Jesus, and allow Him to be the Lord of your life, the Intensive Care is out of this world. You have no guilt about your past, no cares about your present and no fear about your future. It is all in His Loving care and all presided over by His loving hands. No surgeon’s hand is so steady as our God’s hands in all situations of life. He wants you to know that while your situation caught you completely by surprise, He did not arrive on the scene breathless and unprepared. No, beloved, He is always present, all knowing, completely prepared and more than able.

You are in the hands of God and He is worthy to receive your trust. He loves you beyond your wildest imagination and He will always watch over you, guide you, protect you and keep you safe. And when your time on earth is done, He will be there to welcome you into His loving presence forever. Trust Him today, pray for all its worth and be thankful in all circumstances for He Alone is worthy. God loves you and He’s for you and that’s the most intensive care you will ever have all the days of your life.

Psalm 16:8-9  I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.  No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts His praises! My body rests in safety.

Psalm 121:1-2, 8 I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. NAS

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you His peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

May You Live in More Power

May You Live in More Power


We took some time to be with all our grandchildren during this week of spring break. We did a trek to the DeSoto Bluff area on the Caddo River and then on to the lower lake area of Lake DeGray for some kite flying. It had been windy most of the day but when we got out to the lake the wind wasn’t consistent. Grandsons would take turns trying to run as Popaw held the stri...ng and then vice versa. Finally, they gave up. Without enough wind strong enough to lift the kite and keep it flying, there was just a lot of work running and trying and failing to get airborne.

God spoke to my heart: You are destined to run and fly with Me. But you’ll never truly get off the ground nor have sustained momentum without the wind of the Holy Spirit. You may run short distances, jump low boundaries and have little bursts of energy, but without the Holy Spirit there is no chance you will succeed, even in the good times. I AM not concerned about what you can or cannot do in the flesh. I AM not about your education or your stock portfolio or your hobbies. I AM beyond all that. And because I want you to fly high with Me, I AM overlooking the things of the flesh that you count as such value. I don’t use personal bests, I overcome personal weakness. Whether you are overlooking the bluff of fear or you are running the race of hardship, I AM going to show you how to live life in Me. Hang on to the string of My Word, because you are headed beyond yourself. Worn out? Tired? Stretched thin? Hit the ground face down? That’s alright. Now we will go together and I will lead. My Spirit is your only opportunity to maintain momentum of your faith, your life or your love. Other folks may look like they are doing great things, maybe even for God, but unless they are moved and have their being solely in Christ they are just doing so much exercise. In Me you will succeed where before you have failed. In Me you will sustain growth where you have lost ground before. Don’t look back to the way it was, just run forward, under My guidance and in My power and you will go where you’ve never gone before. The past is just that, passed – it’s not something you can relive or regain, but beloved, I AM teaching you to rely on Me alone, so that you have strength beyond yourself for everything you need in the days ahead.

Oh beloved, aren’t you blessed! You no longer have to struggle to make yourself look good or be good. You don’t have to hope you have the strength to keep up appearances. You can soar with the eagles and fly high as the birds while holding onto Jesus. He will take you beyond yourself and into His flight pattern, sustained by His Holy Spirit wind and the Word of God. You’ve been struggling and getting tied up in knots trying to overcome your past, make things happen or to be somebody, but that no longer matters. Let God untangle the mess and release you from the flesh. His perfect will is found in Him alone. Your perfect plan for life is found in Him as well. Rejoice in the weakness as you learn to live in the power of the Holy Spirit and live a life that is built completely on Christ.

God loves you and He’s for you, so you can let go the things that are holding you down, grab hold of Him and fly!

Zechariah 4:6 Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts.

Psalm 44:6 For I will not trust in my bow, Nor will my sword save me.

2 Chronicles 32:8 “With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Psalm 75:10 For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly.

Psalm 23:3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.

Merry Christmas Beloved!

Merry Christmas! Such precious words. Such a miracle message. Such a joy and delight. Christmas. How very blessed we are to be able to celebrate a holiday with the One who has given us life and breath and opportunities.  This babe in a manger is no fictitious childhood story that must eventually be outgrown and put away.  His glory does not tarnish. His value does not lessen. He remains the same yesterday, today and forever.  While much about the holidays celebrated is so much pomp and circumstance, storybook adventures and wives’ tales, this message is eternal. This King of Kings is faithful and true.

You may be thinking as you rise early this morning that you left something out of your plans. You forgot a gift, you didn’t remember the cranberries, you don’t have enough cola or punch.  You may be wishing you could undo an error, repair a rejection, restore a friendship or regain a trust.  You may be missing a loved one, longing for a kind touch or wishing you could do things differently.  You might wonder if it will ever be perfect, if the gifts will fit or if anyone will care.  Right about now you may be coming face to face with the fact that you’re not perfect, people aren’t perfect and life is not perfect.

Look beyond all that. Look once more at the manger, the cross, the tomb and the sky. The Light of the World has arrived! The Savior of the nations has been here! The tomb where all your mistakes, mishaps and missteps have been laid to rest is empty! And the sky, where your hope of glory awaits is full of promise, full of mercy, full of grace. Keep watching the horizon, keep searching for His return for He is coming again!

Oh beloved, Jesus is the reason for the season to be sure. But it’s more than that!  He’s the reason you live and move and have your being. You are no accident, this day is not an error and your life is no mistake. You are waking up to the most wonderful day of your year. You are alive and you are capable of taking in His Truth and living out His purpose.  Rejoice in all you are In Him! He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Prince of your peace, the Counselor with all your answers and the Majestic One Who is praying for you day and night at the Father’s Right Hand.

Quickly, before others get up and the day gets covered in wrapping paper, ribbons and too much food. Slip into the Father’s waiting arms and read His book of love! Every wonderful Truth is your gift from Him to you.  He is everything He says He is. He does everything He says He will do. Open all the gifts, don’t leave one unopened. Rest in His care, delight in His presence, grow in His grace, feast on His manna and walk in His anointing.

Merry Christmas beloved of God. True happiness is found in Him. Overcoming life is met in Him. Purpose and victory, honor and commitment are abounding through Him. He loves you and He’s for you and those gifts cannot be taken from you  all the days of your life.

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

Ephesians 1:6-8  So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.  He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

1 Corinthians 1:7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Habakkuk 3:18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and He has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and He is eternal life.

No One Can Ruin a Life that is Hid in Christ

 

It was one of those mornings. Our 6 year old grandson was excited to come over and let me take him to school. We were having a hugging time and visit with Popaw.

Suddenly things changed. He went limp. I went to get the car out so that we wouldn’t be late to breakfast at school. I looked and saw him running back to his mother’s house across the street. After some coaching by his mother, and after limping all the way to the car as though he had no strength to walk, we were on the way to school but he wouldn’t speak. I knew he loves to let me take him to school and he’s usually quite talkative. I remembered that we had new praise cd’s in the car and turned them on. In just a few moments the whole atmosphere changed. He relaxed and even though he didn’t say much, by the time we arrived at school he wanted to stay with me the entire day. I asked Jesus to watch over him and we discussed visiting again this evening when I got home. I said, “We’ll start over and have a good time”. He said okay and headed inside the building.

God speaks to my heart: There are times when I just don’t want to ____________. I would bet there are times when you don’t either. Whatever it is that fills the line, we all have days that we’d rather be doing something else, going somewhere else or just plain doing nothing. There are times even when God is asking something of us and we just don’t feel we have the energy or desire to do it. We know we love Him. We know He loves us. We know everything He does is ultimately for good and for His glory in our life. But we balk. We want to run in the opposite direction. We want our way, our own plans, our own fun, our own destiny.

Fortunately for each of us, God has great patience. He won’t leave us in the dust or turn His back on us. He will sit with us and speak to us. When finally we start listening instead of stewing, He will pick us up, help us along and send us on His way.

Oh beloved, God knows your dilemma. He knows that you’d rather not go the path ahead. It may be that someone took you out of your plans, but no one can take you out of God’s plans. If you will get your eyes off the circumstances and focus on the Lord, listen to His Word, drink it in and take it as your necessary food, He will correct the situation and order your steps right. His plans are for your best and even when you are in a learning situation, you are not alone. He is with you, holding your hand, making His truth shine through your heart and giving you joy in the journey.

Ultimately no one can ruin your life when it is hid in Christ. The enemy has no such power over God’s purpose and people don’t have that power either. You can rest in God’s promises, Trust in His plans and rejoice in His love and care always. Praise Him in the storms, worship Him in the changes, look to His Truth when things are shaky and rely on Him always for He has you and your life in His hands.

So today, beloved, jump up, read up, pray up, rejoice and get going! God’s got a plan and it’s all good! He loves you and He’s for you and that’s worth keeping on no matter what.

Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, I will honor and praise Your name, for You are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now You have accomplished them.

Ephesians 1:11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan.

Psalm 57:2 I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]! (Amplified)

1 Peter 2:21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.

Psalm 37:23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

It All Belongs to Him!

I went in for just a moment the other morning to say hello to my across the street grandkids before I headed to work. We visited for a moment but time flew by and I had to head for my car. This meant I needed my phone, which has become the grandkids’ personal play toy. Caleb was playing a game and not a bit interested in giving up the phone but I had to go! He continued to say “No, I don’t want to” quietly without making eye contact, but time was racing!




As his mother took it from his hands, he got angry! He let out a screaming growl of disapproval towards his mother. It was loud! It was not his will to hand over the phone. It was not his intention to have it pried from his fingers. And he let it be known. This otherwise quiet docile sweet faced angel changed in an instant!



Regardless of what he wanted the phone had to go with me. And I had to leave. His anger spread to a bit of chaos between brothers and sister. His frustration brought a room full of activity as everybody felt his anger and saw his response.



We adults laugh about such behavior, but we often mirror it. Our lives are just like we want them. Everything is in order, all our ducks are in a row and it’s all neat and tidy. We have our needs and most of our wants. We have our loved ones, our fun and our way. We’re playing our games and enjoying our life. We’re happy, kind and embraceable.



But let one thing ripple out of our order and we’re fit to be tied. We want to scream from the top of our lungs. We clench our teeth, stomp our feet and claim our rights. We become like children demanding things that don’t belong to us anyway. We forget that everything we have – everything – is from the generous hand of Almighty God. And since all we have is from Him everything must belong to Him not us.



Are you reeling from the loss of something most dear to your heart? Were you holding on very tightly and being very careful to keep close ties only to find it taken from your hand? Have you been having a tantrum with God? Have you been blaming Him, arguing with Him or screaming to high heaven about all you can’t hang onto?



Oh beloved, it’s time to quit rehearsing your loss, and start rejoicing in all that you have that cannot be taken from you! Every day is precious, every moment is a gift, and every sunrise is a new start. It’s time to stop feeling like a loser and start rehearsing the truth about your situation! You are a child of God! You are a blessed believer! You are a blood bought worshiper! Your Father has your very best interests in mind so that if He requires you to give up something, let Him have His way. Don’t make Him pry it from your fingers as though you are the owner! For you will find that it is only in the giving of everything to Him, including your very existence, that you can find true peace and happiness. Thank God for life, thank God for heaven, thank God for His Word and thank Him that He listens and answers and provides all we have need of forever and always.



God loves you, precious child, and He’s for you beloved believer, and that’s worth giving it all to Him!



Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.


Deuteronomy 10:14 Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the LORD your God.


Nehemiah 9:6 You alone are the LORD. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship You.


Colossians 3:2-4 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.


Psalm 25:1 O LORD, I give my life to You.

You Can Always Ask for Directions!

Recently we watched an episode of Myth Busters revolving around whether men or women are more likely to ask for directions. This produced much laughter because everyone knows men don’t like to ask directions, even if they are completely lost. Wrong! It turns out that both men and women will ask directions more often than not. Seriously!



I can remember a couple of times asking for directions could have really cost me. Once was during the tornado in Arkadelphia in 1999. Our younger daughter was with me in our car and we stopped to ask a policeman for advice as to where we should go to take cover. He told me to go into a store building that was completely glass on three sides. After he drove away I commented to our daughter, “We’re not going where all that glass is!” We took our chances and drove home. The storm bypassed completely the area we lived in.



Another time was to get directions to an address we were trying to find. Turns out the storekeeper we asked had no idea where to go and gave us bogus instructions! Why didn’t he just say he didn’t know? We spent time searching in the wrong area. Finally we got our bearings and found our destination within moments of better directions.



There are some good indicators of who to ask for directions. Don’t ask someone who seems distracted. They just want to move on and they don’t really care where you go. Don’t ask someone who is disoriented. They are confused and don’t know the truth, so how can they send you rightly? And for sure don’t ask anyone who can’t find their own way! But if someone has a roadmap, they’d be a lot of help, for they have a set of directions from a reliable source.



Do you feel as though you’ve been going around in circles? Life has become like a series of mazes rather than a road. You’ve gotten off course and you’re ready to get back to business. You may have asked a friend only to find out they don’t really care. You may have asked a mentor, but they’re distracted by the busy-ness of life. You may have taken your own road, thinking that you knew best, but now you’re in a tight spot and you don’t know where to turn. Without proper instructions you’ve found yourself in worse shape than you were when you started out. The wrong road is usually marked with potholes, sinkholes, mud holes and more. It’s time to pull over and get your bearings straightened out and return to the high road!



Oh beloved, rest your weary travels and pull out the Ultimate Road Map – the Word of God! The only set of complete and perfect instructions for life is found within its cover. By reading God’s Word and following it’s instructions, you will find that even when you feel completely lost you are still on the right road with the Lord. Even if you’ve chosen the wrong road, there’s still time to return to God’s road map and get back where He wants you to be. Other people may disappoint you, abandon you, give you wrong information or take you on a wild goose chase; God’s Word will always deliver you to God’s intended destination. You can trust His Word for He is the Author and Finisher of your faith travels. He would never mislead you or abandon you to your own devices for His amazing eternal care is marked on your heart! He wrote His guidelines for your life before the foundation of the world! His road map is a Love letter as well – for He loves you so much that He went to the Cross so that you could find your way!



Rejoice, beloved! Even in the dark, even in the desperate moments, even when you’re thoroughly confused- God’s map of life will get you turned around and traveling securely all the way to heaven! He loves you and He’s for you and that’s worth following His Word always!



Psalm 119:59 I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.



Isaiah 30:21 Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.



Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.



Psalm 119:104 From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.



Psalm 119:130 The teaching of Your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

Canceled! Paid in Full! Debt Free!

Years ago we realized that we had too many credit cards and decided to cut them all up and pay them off.  We made deals with each company and they gave us amounts to pay in order to never hear from them again. It was great! Over the years it has saved us a boatload of money.

Until last year, when we received a note in the mail that we still owed a credit card company and they were making us pay.  I took the bill to our lawyer who contacted them. He made arrangements for us to pay them off through him and we won’t hear from them again this time.

Who wants to hear from old debtors you thought you had paid off? Our credit scores are good and we could buy a boatload of stuff but we choose to be careful about what we go into debt for. Because of that one time we just don’t like credit cards.

Although credit card companies may try to make you pay again, there is one Creditor who never makes you pay, ever. Jesus paid our debts in full and when He did this our debts went into the Sea of Forgetfulness, as far as the East is from the West. They were shredded beneath the cross and you can always know that if you hear from them it’s not coming from the Throne room of Grace!

Have you been wrangling with your past problems? Are you wondering why they keep returning in the middle of the night? Is the accuser of the brethren hassling you? Maybe you can’t go back and make things up, but Christ in His Mercy has a better plan for you.  Maybe someone has withheld forgiveness from you and your peace is disturbed! Call out to Jesus! For He says cancelled by the Blood of the Lamb and He says Sealed at the Cross and rolled away with the Stone! You may not be where you want to be, but with Jesus you are more than a conqueror, forgiven completely and seated in Heavenly places with the Lord.

Oh beloved! Today is your day to remind the enemy of your soul that you are debt free! Run to God’s Book of Records and see – if you have given your heart to the Lord and you are living as a child of the King, then no accusations brought against you can stand in God’s court! Rejoice that you are loved so mercifully and that you are cared for with all of His Promises written just for you!

Psalm 62:7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

Galatians 3:13 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.”

Colossians 2:14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

Isaiah 43:25 I--yes, I alone--will blot out your sins for My own sake and will never think of them again.

 

Who's Opening Doors for You?

One of my cousins was talking about selling books in Kentucky in the 60’s. One summer he went out there to walk door to door and sell Bibles, reference books and more. He talked about one particular town where every single door he knocked on refused to greet him. On the sidewalks of the small town, every merchant cussed him and tried to run him out of town. Eventually he decided there would be no selling books there, so he left for the next town. He had been warmly greeted in the previous town and greeted kindly again at the next town but that town was completely closed to him.


Have you ever had a door closed in your face? Maybe you weren’t selling anything, you were in a relationship with a friend or loved one and it all went south. You didn’t do anything and yet they shut the door and walked away. Maybe you did something wrong and tried to make amends but the door remains shut.

Oh beloved, I’m here to encourage you today! Rejoice! God is with you no matter what! He is with you when you are greeted warmly and He is with you when you are given the cold shoulder. He’s with you when men speak highly of you, He’s with you when you’re cursed and pushed away. He’s with you when things are going wonderfully and He’s with you when it all goes bad. He is with you!

Today, regardless of your circumstances, you can rejoice, for God is your Sovereign Father and He has appointed the right place for you to be. If He has allowed a relationship to be broken, He is certainly able to restore heal and make it new. If He has allowed a door to be closed, whether it’s a job or a ministry or a friend or family member, He is going to work it all for His good because you are called according to His purpose. You may do your best to open doors or make things right, but ultimately it is God who does the work. His appointment for you is solid and you do not have to be concerned for He goes before you all the way.

It may be hard, I truly understand, for there have been times I have felt the cold winds blow as relationships falter, but I also know that God and only God is the restorer of everything. And as you look to Him and only Him you will never be disappointed, for He is your maker, your husband, your friend and your guide forever! Never despair for God is the One Who is the Door Opener and the Door Closer. No one can do a thing without His sovereign purpose being fulfilled in your life. You can be assured of this because He loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters.

Revelation 3:8 I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed My word and did not deny Me.

Isaiah 43:616 I AM the LORD, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea.

Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Isaiah 48:17 This is what the LORD says--your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I AM the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.

Psalm 23:3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.

It's Time to Stand Back and See!

I love lighthouses. I admired a framed print of a lighthouse before Christmas at a Christian gift and bookstore. Danny and I were in there one day together and as I looked at the picture I wept! It spoke volumes to me. It was a wonderful representation of "God as our refuge and strength" depicting a lighthouse, holding strong against a deluge of white water. A man was standing on the railing and h...e seemed incredibly small compared to the lighthouse and the deluge of water. From close up it looked as though he would surely drown, but no the lighthouse was standing. The store was going out of business, so my hubby sneaked back over there and bought the magnificent item for me! I opened it on Christmas morning and was thrilled!


As I was overtaken by emotion once again, viewing it on the dining room wall, Danny asked me to stand back and look. He said the water that looked so horrendous up close looked like two hands enfolding the lighthouse when you stepped away! I saw that yes, it did indeed look as though someone was holding the lighthouse in his hands.

Maybe you have been under a deluge of trouble. Things are going terribly wrong and you’re not sure how you will ever survive. The floods of life are threatening to take you down and you feel yourself holding your breath with white knuckles. You’ve heard it before, that God is with you, but at this point you feel so terribly alone. You’ve looked so closely at the problems and the hurts and anguish that you cannot see another thing.



Oh beloved! Stand back and see that while you are going through the hardships of life, God is holding you securely in His hands. His love is surrounding you and His delicate care and guidance is giving you strength you never knew. You will not drown! You will not be swept away by life’s present current. The day will come when the floods will recede and the ocean will calm down. Until then, beloved, hang on – to God! He is fighting for you and you are not even going to see the battle. He is holding you and you will not even feel the water.



God is with you – because His Word is His bond. He is always going to love you and always be with you no matter what, so rejoice and relax and rest until the sun shines again.



Psalm 18:2 "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge."



Isaiah 43:2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.



Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.



Psalm 32:7 For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.

Being Attacked by the Why's of Life?

Some things about kids never change. One of those eternal things is asking  “Why?”  You ask a child to come inside and they will ask why. Tell them to get ready for bed they will ask why. Tell them to put on their coat, and you get a why. Even explaining everyday things like the sun, the moon, the stars – you get a why. Kids just naturally want to know why. My own children asked it all the time and now I hear my grandchildren asking the same question.

We want to know why.  Irritations occur like being cut off in traffic and we hit our hands on the steering wheel and say why.  We have a flat on the way to work and wonder why. It rains and we forget our umbrella and wonder why. Most of our whys are a bit self-centered – just wishing we could have freedom from those little irritations of life that are inevitable.

Some of our why’s come when hard things enter our lives. Someone rejects us and we want to know why. We get passed over for a job and we ask why.  Young kids rebel and grown kids don’t live the way they were raised and again we wonder why.  A spouse walks away, a friend betrays you, someone passes way and again the why’s come up. These why’s are heartfelt – the pain is strong and we cry out to the heavens for some sort of explanation.

We blame ourselves with why’s as well.  Why did I do that? Why don’t they like me? Why have I gotten into this mess? If we only look to ourselves and our circumstances we’ll be done in. Eventually something irritating will happen to everyone. Eventually, something hard and extremely hurtful will enter into our world. If we just look to ourselves, to our own devices, we can become bitter, angry, frustrated, depressed, dejected and doomed.

Oh beloved, this morning you may be surrounded with the why’s of life. You may be blaming yourself, blaming others, blaming fate. You’ve grown tired of the struggle and you’re ready to pitch in the towel. You know you messed up. You know you deserve better. You know that you’re the only one in this hard, rough place with no sign of help.

But beloved! You can make it! Because God Himself is with you! For the believer, even in hard times, even in frustrating moments, even in rejection and fear and longings of the heart no one sees – God is with you! When you put your trust in the Name of Jesus Christ for your salvation, you can be sure that while you don’t see immediate reasons for life’s hardships, you can know that God is with you! Why? Because His Word is His Bond. His Cross is His reason. His empty grave is His proof. God loves you. He loves you when you mess up and wonder why. He loves you when friends quit you, spouses pass away, jobs play out and money gets tight. He loves you when your children disappoint you, when life gives you lemons, when no one else comes to your assistance. And because He loves you, beloved one, He is with you always – He will never leave you, He will never quit you, He will never turn away. He is with you on the side of the road when you have a flat, He is with you at the hospital bed when you have a loved one going home with Him. He is with you!

Rejoice this morning that you are loved and treasured and valued beyond any other creation. Rejoice that He knows your name and your days are written in His loving hand. Rejoice that all the why’s are not important because you know WHO is with you all the days of your life!

1 John 4:9 God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him.

Psalm 42:11 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again— my Savior and my God!

Psalm 62:5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.

It's Time to Start Walking!

Walking is one of the best “exercises” a person can do. There is even an extension program called “Walk Across Arkansas” where people can log in their miles and minutes as a team. Teamwork helps tremendously. Just the idea that you have someone by your side through the walk time makes for more fun and fellowship! Walking, any way you look at it, is beneficial to the mind the spirit and the body.

Historically walking was the main mode of transportation before the invention of buggies and the taming of horses. Later on, with the onset of automobiles, people began going places with the quickest transportation. But walking is still the most heart healthy way to go. Take a walk and see- you will find the sights and sounds that are unseen while in a car. From birds to blooms, everywhere you look you see God’s beauty and smell the wonderful aroma of the world He created for you and me!

Our lives are full of blessings – more than we can contain.  God gives us everything we need to enjoy the life we have, to endure the storms that come our way and to make it all the way to heaven. Without God and His blessings, we might make it to heaven, but this life with its hills and valleys, would be hard to endure.

Today is your day to start walking! It’s time to get up and walk in the blessings God has for you! Are you worrying about your past? God wants you to walk in His forgiveness. Are you struggling with your faith? God wants you to walk in His Truth. Are you worrying about your family members, your children, your grandchildren? God wants you to walk in His precepts, for He will answer your prayers in His time. You may feel alone, abandoned, unworthy, discarded or worse. But God says Walk tall in all that I AM for you! You may have nothing on your own, but God’s Word says that God chooses the foolish and base things of this world to confound the wise! Rejoice! You are a Faith Walker because Jesus rose again to give you faith and He loves you forever – even making intercession for you eternally in heaven with the Father!

Psalm 119:44 I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to Your commandments.

Deuteronomy 26:17 You have declared today that the Lord is your God. And you have promised to walk in His ways, and to obey His decrees, commands, and regulations, and to do everything He tells you.

Psalm 56:13 For You have rescued me from death; You have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in Your presence, O God, in Your life-giving light.

Psalm 89:15  Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of Your presence, Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight--

God Holds All Your Tomorrows in His Hands

An old friend tried to contact me last night. At first I didn’t realize who it was. Danny and I have had an awesome Christmas holiday, full of family, friends and faith.  It has been wonderful! Even with the poor weather, slick roads and continual dampness, nothing has dampened our time off. Nothing that is until I was reading a friend’s post on the fiscal cliff, the state of our nation and the terrible situation we are in. 

About that time I heard a knock on my heart’s door. It was that old friend that I used to consider quite close.  Something about this old friend used to make me feel cozy. Well, at least cozy as long as I didn’t go anywhere, didn’t share anything and didn’t try to break through to victory.  I thought the two of us had it made – I would keep to myself and with the help of his assistance I’d be safe and comfortable.

But God showed me one day that this was no friend.  Instead of being a friend, he was actually a nemesis from the pit.  You’re probably wondering if you know him. You’re trying to figure it out by now.

My old “friend” was Fear. Regardless of how he tried to speak to me, he will try to pull out the stops on anyone he can in any way he can. Fear will seek to keep you at home, keep you in bondage, keep you worrying about the wrong things. He’ll help you major on the minors and try to keep you completely overlooking the truth about your life. Fear says “you don’t have enough money”, “you won’t make it”, “you’ve done wrong too long”, “you better quit”. Ever hear those phrases?  How about, “God doesn’t care you”, “you’re all alone”, “nobody loves you”. 

Like other old friends, Fear likes to show up after you’ve had a wonderful time in Jesus, after a victorious moment in your faith walk, after you share Jesus, after you forgive the unforgiveable or as you begin leaning on God more than ever.

His desire is the same as His father – to kill, steal and destroy.  He is the king of trouble, the prince of darkness and the jailer of  the dungeons of the heart.

Just about time I felt the old chill of fear settling into my bones, I heard the Savior whisper to my heart. Go get up and write about this. For others are getting the same visit and they need to know not to answer the call. Tell them to let Me answer. And tell them to recall the Truth they have been learning and to act on My Truth instead of Fear’s lies.  

Oh beloved! I cannot tell you all about tomorrow, but I can tell you Who holds all your tomorrows in His hands! The Lord says to you this morning that He loves you! And, because He loves you He makes all things beautiful in His time. He is the repairer of the breech. He is your Alpha and Omega. He is the One Who feeds you, clothes you, keeps you and cares for you all the days of your life. He is the One who forgives you, redeems you, and renews you. He grants you unending hope, everlasting courage and joy beyond measure! Run to Him this morning and watch as Fear walks away, for fear cannot stand when the King of the Universe steps in!  Rejoice for your foes are vanquished when you look into your Savior’s wonderful face!

Revelation 22:13  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.

Philippians 4:6, 7  Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. AMP

Proverbs 3:5-7 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. AMP

Phippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

1 John 4:18  Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Mail Running Slow? God is Not! Rejoice!

Back a few months ago I joined “Arkansas Women Bloggers”. I saw it as another opportunity to share God’s Word with more women.  Since I’m not a foodie or a fashionista blogger and I don’t really sell anything, I wondered if I would even have a place there. But I joined and it has been fun. We had a handmade ornament exchange secret pal type event to participate in if we wanted to, and today is the day we all are supposed to blog about the ornament we received, who it was from and whatever else about it each of us wanted to share.

Sending an ornament to a complete stranger is a little scary. Who knows what you will get from the one who got your name or if you’ll get anything at all. Even if you do everything right on your end, it still can come to nothing if the person at the other end doesn’t fulfill their pledge. I love crafts but seriously I don’t have time to make things much anymore. Still, I wanted to participate so I made a little paper Christmas tree to send to my blogger. I think it met her personality and I hope she liked it.  I sent it, along with a copy of the devotional book, praying that God would send His Word to the right woman at just the right time.

This morning as I write this blog I realize that I have been left empty handed. Like the proverbial recipe exchange, try as I might to send the right amount of recipes to the right amount of people and gingerly place the right name at the top of the email list, I usually get one to no recipes in turn.  The un-received gift says much to me.

The reason the intended ornament has not arrived may never surface. Lots of things happen – the mail is running slow, things get lost, and people get sick. I pray that whoever got my name was not ill, had no family tragedy and that they just had a moment of forgetfulness. Regardless of what happened, they have been prayed for and that’s a wonderful gift in and of itself. The ornament package may yet arrive, who knows.

Mostly it speaks to my heart just how thankful I am that Jesus meets every one of His promises to me. He never leaves me hurting or wanting or feeling left out. He’s indeed my best friend, my Father, my closest brother and more. He thinks I’m worth it. Worth the time and effort. Worth the pain and agony. Worth the trip to hell and back.  Neither He nor I have to rely on the postman to receive all that He says is mine based on His desires towards me. He’s not a slacker, He won’t forget and He keeps each and every single promise He has ever given me.

And, just so I’ll remember, He put all His loves songs, love promises and love words into a beautiful Book just for me! How awesome is He and how wonderful are His thoughts towards me. I am worth it all!

Oh beloved, you may be facing an empty nest, an empty tree or an empty heart. Every single person you ever trusted or loved may have forgotten you, turned their back on you or worse. But not the Lord! His love songs are not just for me – they’re for you as well! Open His Book of Love this morning and read! Each Word of love was written by the Holy Spirit because He loves you. Each Word was breathed by the Heavenly Father because He’s for you. And each Word is sealed by the Blood of the Lamb because He gave it all for you!

Thank Him this morning for though your gift may not have arrived, the Unspeakable, Unsurpassable, Wonderful, Eternal, Extravagant, Beautiful Gift has arrived just for you! He has proven His love for you, He will show you how much He cares for you and that’s all that really matters.

Psalm 119:114  You are my refuge and my shield; Your word is my source of hope.

Isaiah 40:6-8 People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.

Isaiah 49:4 I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the LORD’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.”

Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.

Hebrews 10:35  So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!

Isaiah 40:28  Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding.

Zephaniah 3:17  For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Reflect His Glory by Abiding in Him

When Danny brought our live tree into the house it was wrapped up tight so that the limbs wouldn’t get broken during travel from the tree farm to the store.  That made it easy to manage from the store to the house as well. But once inside that tree needed to have its bindings removed.  By the time I got home, the tree was looking quite full.

Danny had cut the binding loose, sat the tree in a reservoir stand and positioned it just right.  Throughout the day he had poured water into the reservoir – several gallons by that evening. The tree was not only bound up, it was thirsty. As it took in water it also began to branch out, and display its true splendor.  We thought it looked like a good tree with a straight strong trunk, but you never know how it will look once you get it home.  This tree was beautiful. The care we are giving it, fresh water daily and vacuuming up any needles around, decking it out with all our finest decorations, has given it a truly regal look.

We’re a lot like a store bought Christmas tree. For many, days are spent going from one destination to another. There are ballgames, piano lessons, homework, office management, car repair, vacuuming, dusting, washing, and more. There are issues and problems everywhere. Misunderstandings, misgivings, misappropriations, mistakes and more. More bills, more broken things needing fixed. We find ourselves being tossed around as we go from one problem to another, one appointment to another, one destination to another. Before you know it, we can be bound up as tightly as that Christmas tree. 

But when we come into the house of the Lord, into the presence of Jesus, we begin to unwind. He takes our bound up lives and begins to remove those things that have us so bound up. Just as He laid aside the grave clothes, we too are able to lay aside those things that bind us.  He also gives us living water so that we never have to thirst again, even in the dry days of disappointment or discouragement.  He sets us securely in His Word so that our reservoir of living water never goes dry.

Oh beloved, let God take you into His presence! Let Him lovingly apply the Word to your life so that you can move freely and show all the splendor a child of God can show! You were meant to be lovingly displayed as His precious possession. You were meant to live a full and beautiful life.  All you have to do is let God take the bindings from your heart and life. Let Him love you as you were meant to be loved. Let Him feed you and care for you as only He can. What wondrous love is this that the Lord of Heaven and Earth has picked you and set you securely in His Presence to show His glory all the days of your life! What absolute care is yours as He is your Caretaker. He will never grow tired of you, you will never dry up and be thrown away! For His care is Eternal! You are His beloved and His love and care is your path to true beauty and true rest. Rejoice!

Deuteronomy 14:2 You have been set apart as holy to the LORD your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.

Psalm 94:18 I cried out, "I am slipping!" but Your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me.

2 Corinthians 3:18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.

Isaiah 41:9 I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, 'You are my servant.' For I have chosen you and will not throw you away.

Psalm 92:12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.

Psalm 73: 23-25, 28 Yet I still belong to You; You hold my right hand.  You guide me with Your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but You? But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.

It's Christmas! Be a Kid! The Most High God is your Father!

Our grandson Blake spent Friday night with us. It was his plan to help decorate our Christmas tree and the house. He was a great help! I told him we’d have to be careful with the ornaments because some of them were very old and fragile.  He’d gingerly remove one from the box and ask me if it was one of those special ornaments. Those go up high so that little sister and brother fingers can’t reach them! By the time Popaw had returned from the store with more Christmas lights, 500 to be exact, Blake was beside himself with excitement. We keep our ornaments and other decorations in plastic tubs and he could not rest until the tubs were empty. He even wanted to put the forlorn dozen antique Santas on the tree! I finally convinced him to put those back in the tub.

When Blake’s mom came over to look at everything, she was holding Stella, who immediately started saying “ooooh” and “wow”!  She was ecstatic! Caleb was excited too because he loves the musical bears and snowmen we have around the house. He’d push the button, hear the song start up and exclaim, “It’s working!”  Nothing is more wonderful than sharing Christmas memories and traditions with grandchildren!

There's no pretense with grandchildren. They just love tell you their innermost feelings, they believe you completely and they abandon themselves for the joy of your presence! It’s so sad that when kids grow up they take on the grown up world of suspicion and cynicism.  Children don’t look for hidden motives or intentions. They just love you and believe you and have a blast with you!

Maybe you’re a cynic. You scoff at heartfelt sentiments. You laugh at tender-hearted conversations. You’ve looked under Santa’s beard and you know the truth. Tender memories are for kids. A cynic’s outlook is scornful and habitually negative. Maybe you’ve become a realist. You know things were great as a kid, with all the mystery and wonder of the holidays, but really, there’s no need for that anymore. You’re very practical and stoic. Perhaps you’ve let yourself become suspicious. You’ve become one who doubts others’ motivation and thinking. You think something fishy is going on and everything around you, everyone around you, has become questionable, unreliable and shady. After all you just can’t trust people anymore.

Oh beloved, it’s Christmas! Time to be a child again! It’s time to leave behind fleshly thinking! It’s time to take pleasure again in the delicate, fragile and heartfelt moments of the Season! Be a kid! Have a blast! Enjoy the past, relish today and let yourself have bright hopes for tomorrow! It will be okay because the Lord Himself is with you! Tell Him your innermost feelings for He is waiting to hear and always listens! Believe Him completely for He is Faithful and True!  Abandon yourself to Him for He is Ever Present and Always Reliable!

He’s speaking to your heart this morning. He says to you “I love you! I was born to give you life and give it to you lavishly, abundantly, without reservation and with no hidden motives. You are Mine and I am yours. I AM the gift of your wildest dreams, I AM the answer to your deepest problems, I AM your Abba Father, so you can relax and be My child! It’s Christmas! Won’t you let Me take you into my heart and arms and show you what Christmas is all about? I AM the Reason for the Season and I AM able to make you feel with your heart, trust with your mind and let yourself go for the joy of the moment! Trust Me for I AM Faithful and True! Enjoy the Season for I AM able to make all things work out for you. Together you and I can have the Best Christmas Ever! Why? Because I love you and I’m for you and you can see that all the way from the Manger to the Resurrection. What else could you possibly need?

Galatians 4:6  And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”

Psalm 138:8  The LORD will work out His plans for my life— for Your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for You made me.

I Timothy 6:17b “…trust in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy (KJV)

Ephesians 3:6  And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

Psalm 31:19  How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world.

Matthew 18:3 And said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all]. (AMP)

You Are Truly A Work of Art!

“You’re a piece of work!” comes to mind this morning. I’ve heard it on TV. I’ve heard fathers say it their kids. I’m pretty sure Archie Bunker said it to Edith at least once. Exasperated people use phrases such as this to vent their frustrations. I cringe as I remembered my own occasional irritability when mine were young. I didn’t talk to them that way, but there were times I would get tired of the chaos, clutter and cacophony of daily life at home with three young children.  We spent a lot of time outdoors, working in the yard, picking up sticks (I offered a penny a stick as reward!) and riding bicycles, chasing puppies, feeding chickens.  The outdoors made for smoother days as my kiddos worked off their enormous energy stores.

Perhaps you grew up in a home with an unfulfilled mother or an annoyed father or both.  Their anger and bitterness with themselves might have accidentally poured out on you.  Their words linger in the air, long after you are grown, still feeling the hurt and pain. Just as I remember hearing the phrase from long ago, you too may be recalling unintentional or intentional hurts from yesteryear.  Maybe you are the frustrated one and you are having issues as you try to live a life worth living.

Listen to the Lord’s love song to you this morning as He speaks affection into your life. God never gets frustrated with you, ever! He never throws up His hands and says, “done”. He never says you’re hopeless and He will never walk away.  He is the One Who will come and scoop you up when you’ve fallen. He kisses the hurts away with His tender words of care. 

Oh beloved!  You are not a piece of work to Him ever, but rather you are truly a work of art in His sight! You may have looked like a blank canvas when you were born but He is the painter and He gently guided the Colors of Love, Hope, Peace and Comfort onto your canvas as He created you to dwell in beauty and joy! Not only did He create you, He is continuing the canvas of your life!  He will continue His Artwork until you are home and even then you will continue to be a beautiful masterpiece in His Mansion, which is your heavenly home!

Rejoice as you learn to let Him sing love into your life and speak hope into your heart, because He loves you and He’s for you and that makes you priceless!

Ephesians 2:10  For we are God’s masterpiece…

Isaiah 29:16 How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and He is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the One who made it, “He didn’t make me”? Does a jar ever say, “The Potter who made me is stupid”?

Isaiah 43:7 Bring all who claim Me as their God, for I have made them for My glory. It was I who created them.

Job 10:10 You guided my conception and formed me in the womb.

Psalm 139:14 Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.