"and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go."(Mark 10:22)
Sitting in the darkness with only the light from my laptop attempting its feeble attempt to chase out the shadows surrounding me in the living room. It was 3:30, unable to sleep, I came to read from ABBA's Love Letter to me.
I love the freedom I have in being able to read His Word pretty much anywhere, anytime, anyway. Pulling it up on Biblegate.com enables me to easily copy/paste - when my laptop is cooperating. Lately, it has been having fits and in those early morning hours it didn't let up, only continued to throw up blocks until I gave up and hit the shut down key. Perhaps it was a little resentful for being awakened and put to work at that hour! And still, it is attempting to hiccup now and then.
As it was earlier, the wind is continuing to make its way down through our little valley. Bending the tops of the trees down in worship to our ABBA. Ringing the many wind chimes hanging about in a song of pure joy up to Him. All of nature stands in admiration to Him. All of nature causes my heart to smile.
It wasn't due to worries or any other negative thoughts I was unable to sleep. He was giving me ideas for the landscaping job we are working on and my brain wouldn't shut down. How much I love when He speaks and I am listening. How much I love when my heart is not heavy with the things of this world, but in the freedom from "things" it is soaring as the winds, amongst the highest of high. With Him.
My heart hasn't been "heavy" for very long or very often, during the past few years. His Word has taught me how essential it is to "let go" the things of this world, the things that are not of Him. In following His Commands, I have been given the gift of freedom through forgiveness, in loving even the unlovely, in setting up boundaries. He has shown me the "things" I was holding onto tightly were actually holding onto me even tighter.
I was thinking about the wind as I sat in the darkness listening to its howling, whistling around the obstacles standing in its path. We are able to see it in action, to harness it for its energy, to feel it upon our faces, but we can not hold it in our hands. Just like water - we can try and cup it into our hands, but it will seep out through the cracks in our attempt to capture it.
Just like we do with anything else. The tighter we try to hold it - or them - all will eventually be squeezed out. Or it will overtake us. I thought about how I used to get my worth from our sons. How they were a reflection of how I was doing. What a burden this placed upon them. I thought about how I used to get my worth from the things of this world. How they were a reflection of who I was. How fleeting and exhausting it was. I thought about how I used to get my worth from what I did, didn't do, how I preformed. How I was craving approval from all but our ABBA.
It wasn't until I put my faith and trust into Him, that I was able to "let go".
And in a way only our ABBA can do, only He is able to endure the "holding on tightly" from us. Only He is able to provide more of Him, to fill us up completely. Only He is able to fill our every need, desire, void.
Only He is what we are to hold on to tightly and not about to let go.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
"Part of" - 10/30/14 - Luke 17:11-18:14
"Because God's kingdom is already among you."(17:21)
His Home, for the past two nights, has been filled with "His Kingdom Come".
My sibling.
Their voices, laughter, smiles - the all of them - have left their echo in each nook and cranny - also in my heart.
How much I love when He uses His home for His children. How much I love to be His child, celebrating Him in the safety and comfort of each other.
Even though I hadn't makeup on, my clothes were super comfy lounge abouts, my hair was on top of my head, probably containing bits of leaves still there from the quick shake out before showering, I felt completely comfortable and accepted with each of my siblings. Standing at the kitchen sink, my heart seemed as though it would burst from the amount of love we have for one another radiating throughout the rooms.
How He so blesses my all.
Not only in face to face time, but through the gift of the internet, phones, Skype, and old fashioned "snail mail".
Living life to the fullest isn't about how we spend our time, it is who we are spending it with.
ABBA's Kingdom Come.
His Home, for the past two nights, has been filled with "His Kingdom Come".
My sibling.
Their voices, laughter, smiles - the all of them - have left their echo in each nook and cranny - also in my heart.
How much I love when He uses His home for His children. How much I love to be His child, celebrating Him in the safety and comfort of each other.
Even though I hadn't makeup on, my clothes were super comfy lounge abouts, my hair was on top of my head, probably containing bits of leaves still there from the quick shake out before showering, I felt completely comfortable and accepted with each of my siblings. Standing at the kitchen sink, my heart seemed as though it would burst from the amount of love we have for one another radiating throughout the rooms.
How He so blesses my all.
Not only in face to face time, but through the gift of the internet, phones, Skype, and old fashioned "snail mail".
Living life to the fullest isn't about how we spend our time, it is who we are spending it with.
ABBA's Kingdom Come.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
"This" - 10/29/14 - John 11
This - is why.
This - is the most important reason why our Savior left His Father's side and became of the flesh.
This - is why He was. He is. He always will be.
This - is the most important question He asks of you:
"I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all.
Do you believe this?"(25-26)
I pray - each of you - your answer to Him is:
"Yes, Master. All along I have believed that You are The Messiah, The Son of God who comes into the world."(27)
This - is the most important reason why our Savior left His Father's side and became of the flesh.
This - is why He was. He is. He always will be.
This - is the most important question He asks of you:
"I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all.
Do you believe this?"(25-26)
I pray - each of you - your answer to Him is:
"Yes, Master. All along I have believed that You are The Messiah, The Son of God who comes into the world."(27)
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
"No Exceptions" - 10/28/14 - Luke 16:1-17:10
"Ah, I've got a plan. Here's what I'll do . . ."(16:4)
Even though ABBA has shown me, too many times it is quite embarrassing, He is in control - I still sometimes try to live my life on my plan or my schedule. "Here's what I'll do.........."
And each and every time I find - it just doesn't happen.
Everything is His way - His time. There aren't any exceptions. None.
It used to be I had our mowing schedule down to minutes. And something would always happen to throw things off, resulting in my being anxious about finishing things up when I deemed they should be done. I wasn't taking time to visit with our clients, it was all about getting on and off the property to keep "my" schedule.
Then "my Curt" came to work with me. "My Curt" is the PR of our company. Although he is a very hard worker, one of the greatest blessings he gives is in having a cup of coffee in one hand while standing and visiting with a client. I am thankful this is his gift, for it isn't mine. I don't like coffee.
In actual reality, it was my pride. What I wasn't liking was my schedule was being rearranged.
ABBA was putting persons in my path for Him to use me and I wasn't responding to His lead. He was putting all sorts of obstacles in my way, from flat tires to equipment problems. He was actually hitting me over the head.
He has used "my Curt" to help me see the work will get done when it gets done. My life here isn't about the business He has given us, it is about using the business for His purpose - to reach out to people. His business is putting us at a persons home, on a regular basis, some of them for over 17 years. His business is drawing us into the lives of others so they have become much more than a client, but a friend. Someone who we share life with.
So, I am again reminded, while thinking about all the work He has lined up for us to do and we are heading into the 11th month of the year, this is about His plans. Not mine.
As in all of life - His time. His way.
Anxiety gone.
Even though ABBA has shown me, too many times it is quite embarrassing, He is in control - I still sometimes try to live my life on my plan or my schedule. "Here's what I'll do.........."
And each and every time I find - it just doesn't happen.
Everything is His way - His time. There aren't any exceptions. None.
It used to be I had our mowing schedule down to minutes. And something would always happen to throw things off, resulting in my being anxious about finishing things up when I deemed they should be done. I wasn't taking time to visit with our clients, it was all about getting on and off the property to keep "my" schedule.
Then "my Curt" came to work with me. "My Curt" is the PR of our company. Although he is a very hard worker, one of the greatest blessings he gives is in having a cup of coffee in one hand while standing and visiting with a client. I am thankful this is his gift, for it isn't mine. I don't like coffee.
In actual reality, it was my pride. What I wasn't liking was my schedule was being rearranged.
ABBA was putting persons in my path for Him to use me and I wasn't responding to His lead. He was putting all sorts of obstacles in my way, from flat tires to equipment problems. He was actually hitting me over the head.
He has used "my Curt" to help me see the work will get done when it gets done. My life here isn't about the business He has given us, it is about using the business for His purpose - to reach out to people. His business is putting us at a persons home, on a regular basis, some of them for over 17 years. His business is drawing us into the lives of others so they have become much more than a client, but a friend. Someone who we share life with.
So, I am again reminded, while thinking about all the work He has lined up for us to do and we are heading into the 11th month of the year, this is about His plans. Not mine.
As in all of life - His time. His way.
Anxiety gone.
Monday, October 27, 2014
"The Right Side - His" - 10/27/14 - Luke 14-15
Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You'll be - and experience - a blessing. They won't be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned - oh, how it will be returned! - at the resurrection of God's people." (14:13-14)
My heart went out to her every Sunday morning. She was always sitting alone in the darkened place of worship, a hat pulled down low over her face, her body hidden away in the over sized hooded jacket. I didn't know her name, couldn't really see her face, but I knew how she felt.
Outside.
Not fitting in, but wanting to belong. Not really knowing what was "wrong" with her, but seeing the look in others eyes upon her approach, knew she had to be the "misfit".
She reminded me of myself.
It began during greeting by going up and introducing myself and learning her name. It was given in a whisper, her eyes never left the floor. Each week I made sure to go to her and say hello, calling her by name. One Sunday I knew ABBA wanted me to hug her. She didn't push me away nor did she melt into me. There were some Sunday's I would sit by her. Never did she show joy, acceptance. Her eyes had yet to meet mine.
I was driving the truck and hauling our mowers on the trailer behind me on the way to a job site when I happened to see her getting out of her truck and going up to a house. I stopped and yelled hello, using her name. Not having a clue who I was, I said, "Deby, from church" as she stood there looking at me. There was a smile as she gave a little wave to me.
Upon seeing her the next Sunday, she told me I had scared her. She didn't know who I was in the truck. We both laughed. I felt she was finally warming up to me.
And then, for a number of Sunday's I didn't see her on her usual side of the room. It was as though she was hiding from me across the way amongst the people. I began to draw back and give her space. I wondered to ABBA if she was beginning to think I was a stalker. Many a time I walked away feeling I had overstepped into her comfort zone, bumbled up an opportunity for ABBA.
Yesterday, I walked into the auditorium and the first face I saw was hers. She was looking me right in the eye and smiling a full out smile. She welcomed my embrace.
I'm not sharing this to brag. I haven't a clue as to why ABBA has used me to reach out to this young woman. I just know I am heeding His commands and trying to follow in His steps. The other thing I know is I was once that "misfit". There wasn't one who took the time to follow ABBA's lead, to give me welcome, until I was a new mom with Adam. Her name was Margaret. Her name was Diane. His name was Dick. His name was Thomas. Their names were His Servants. He uses each of us in His family to welcome in the "misfits". Each and every one of us are commanded to be a part of His welcoming committee.
Throughout the years there have been many moments in which the feeling like a "misfit" has came into my mind. I still fight it. And He still puts into my life and heart those who welcome me into His Family.
They are "you". His Beloved. My Family.
I pray each of His will know how welcome "you" have made me feel. That I am no longer a "misfit", but I belong. Thank you.
My heart went out to her every Sunday morning. She was always sitting alone in the darkened place of worship, a hat pulled down low over her face, her body hidden away in the over sized hooded jacket. I didn't know her name, couldn't really see her face, but I knew how she felt.
Outside.
Not fitting in, but wanting to belong. Not really knowing what was "wrong" with her, but seeing the look in others eyes upon her approach, knew she had to be the "misfit".
She reminded me of myself.
It began during greeting by going up and introducing myself and learning her name. It was given in a whisper, her eyes never left the floor. Each week I made sure to go to her and say hello, calling her by name. One Sunday I knew ABBA wanted me to hug her. She didn't push me away nor did she melt into me. There were some Sunday's I would sit by her. Never did she show joy, acceptance. Her eyes had yet to meet mine.
I was driving the truck and hauling our mowers on the trailer behind me on the way to a job site when I happened to see her getting out of her truck and going up to a house. I stopped and yelled hello, using her name. Not having a clue who I was, I said, "Deby, from church" as she stood there looking at me. There was a smile as she gave a little wave to me.
Upon seeing her the next Sunday, she told me I had scared her. She didn't know who I was in the truck. We both laughed. I felt she was finally warming up to me.
And then, for a number of Sunday's I didn't see her on her usual side of the room. It was as though she was hiding from me across the way amongst the people. I began to draw back and give her space. I wondered to ABBA if she was beginning to think I was a stalker. Many a time I walked away feeling I had overstepped into her comfort zone, bumbled up an opportunity for ABBA.
Yesterday, I walked into the auditorium and the first face I saw was hers. She was looking me right in the eye and smiling a full out smile. She welcomed my embrace.
I'm not sharing this to brag. I haven't a clue as to why ABBA has used me to reach out to this young woman. I just know I am heeding His commands and trying to follow in His steps. The other thing I know is I was once that "misfit". There wasn't one who took the time to follow ABBA's lead, to give me welcome, until I was a new mom with Adam. Her name was Margaret. Her name was Diane. His name was Dick. His name was Thomas. Their names were His Servants. He uses each of us in His family to welcome in the "misfits". Each and every one of us are commanded to be a part of His welcoming committee.
Throughout the years there have been many moments in which the feeling like a "misfit" has came into my mind. I still fight it. And He still puts into my life and heart those who welcome me into His Family.
They are "you". His Beloved. My Family.
I pray each of His will know how welcome "you" have made me feel. That I am no longer a "misfit", but I belong. Thank you.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
"So Much More" - 10/26/14 - Luke 12-13
"There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body."(12:23)
Yesterday, while helping in Adam's home, the radio was playing a secular station. I hardly ever listen to the radio, for like TV, it seems there are a lot of commercials than what I am wanting to actually watch or listen to. I mostly listen on Pandora, Sirius, or cd's to Christian artists, but do enjoy the pop music.
There was an advertisement that kept repeating throughout the time for an upcoming fitness event. Even though I can't remember word for word, the phrases that caught and stuck were: do you want to make yourself more awesome. make yourself look awesome. be awesome. The words that really have sunk in deep and cause me not only sadness, but to actually cringe - "save your own soul".
The words that tumbled out from the advertisements were about buying something, "nothing down-special financing", driving something, wearing something, to "make your friends and neighbors jealous".
What emptiness the world is consuming hand over fist. What a shallow and wasteful way to live this short period of life on this earth. It isn't that I don't enjoy nice things. I am thankful to be driving a vehicle which is not only nice, but reliable. My closet isn't overflowing, but I am blessed in being able to cover my body according to the seasons. ABBA has blessed us with a home that isn't the mansion on the hilltop, but it is more than we ever dreamed we would be living in. All He has blessed us with doesn't make me who I am. It is only because of Christ that I am my ABBA's.
It isn't stuff that has made me "so much more".
I haven't found anywhere in His Word where He is telling us not to enjoy the blessings. He does tell us not to allow them to surpass His place in our lives - to not allow anything but Him to be our God. I just keep coming back to the words I heard and am so thankful His Truth filters it out. Could you imagine a life where the main goal is to cause someone to be jealous of you or what you have? How much of a burden it would be, not only emotionally, also financially.
It isn't about the stuff.
Stuff isn't what makes you. it breaks you. Stuff won't last for eternity. All stuff will quickly or slowly become useless. It is Who we live for - not what. It is Who we fill our heart, mind, life with.
Stuff won't save your soul. You won't save your soul.
Jesus tells us very clearly, "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."(John 14:6)
Yesterday, while helping in Adam's home, the radio was playing a secular station. I hardly ever listen to the radio, for like TV, it seems there are a lot of commercials than what I am wanting to actually watch or listen to. I mostly listen on Pandora, Sirius, or cd's to Christian artists, but do enjoy the pop music.
There was an advertisement that kept repeating throughout the time for an upcoming fitness event. Even though I can't remember word for word, the phrases that caught and stuck were: do you want to make yourself more awesome. make yourself look awesome. be awesome. The words that really have sunk in deep and cause me not only sadness, but to actually cringe - "save your own soul".
The words that tumbled out from the advertisements were about buying something, "nothing down-special financing", driving something, wearing something, to "make your friends and neighbors jealous".
What emptiness the world is consuming hand over fist. What a shallow and wasteful way to live this short period of life on this earth. It isn't that I don't enjoy nice things. I am thankful to be driving a vehicle which is not only nice, but reliable. My closet isn't overflowing, but I am blessed in being able to cover my body according to the seasons. ABBA has blessed us with a home that isn't the mansion on the hilltop, but it is more than we ever dreamed we would be living in. All He has blessed us with doesn't make me who I am. It is only because of Christ that I am my ABBA's.
It isn't stuff that has made me "so much more".
I haven't found anywhere in His Word where He is telling us not to enjoy the blessings. He does tell us not to allow them to surpass His place in our lives - to not allow anything but Him to be our God. I just keep coming back to the words I heard and am so thankful His Truth filters it out. Could you imagine a life where the main goal is to cause someone to be jealous of you or what you have? How much of a burden it would be, not only emotionally, also financially.
It isn't about the stuff.
Stuff isn't what makes you. it breaks you. Stuff won't last for eternity. All stuff will quickly or slowly become useless. It is Who we live for - not what. It is Who we fill our heart, mind, life with.
Stuff won't save your soul. You won't save your soul.
Jesus tells us very clearly, "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."(John 14:6)
Saturday, October 25, 2014
"He Speaks to us" - 10/25/14 - Luke 10-11, John 10:22-42
"My sheep recognize My Voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of My Hand. The Father who put them under My Care is so much greater than the destroyer and thief. No one could ever get them away from Him. I and The Father are one heart and mind." (John 10:27-30)
Sometimes, it is just a faint whisper beneath the noise of this world. Just barely heard amongst the words of others and myself going about in my head. And then, there are the moments without any doubt, whatsoever, within my whole being. because His Voice is loud and clear. There are within my time of spending with Him each morning, of only my eyes "hearing" Him through His Word. My heart will actually leap at the verses, words, He has spoken for me to glean from.
It has taken time spent with Him to be in a place where I no longer doubt it is my ABBA speaking. It has taken millions of minutes spent in His Love Letter, His Word, to hear what He has written, they all still stand True and Strong. He always speaks in the same Truth and manner. It has taken Him to come into my heart, after I invited Him in, and thoroughly transform it to where I am today. To know He is continually cleaning my heart and mind with the power of His Voice. His Word.
I didn't "rest" on His promises until I started to take into myself His Words. To heed what He was saying. To have faith and trust The Words spoken applied to me.
Today, I have absolutely no desire to go back to the place where I do not "know His voice". Where I do not hear it loud and clear, nor take heed to His instructions. To be in a place where I am not conversing out loud or inside my head to "my Daddy". To a place where I am not in continual prayer with Him.
To a place where I was living and I was not His.
"My sheep recognize My Voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of My Hand. The Father who put them under My Care is so much greater than the destroyer and thief. No one could ever get them away from Him. I and The Father are one heart and mind."
Sometimes, it is just a faint whisper beneath the noise of this world. Just barely heard amongst the words of others and myself going about in my head. And then, there are the moments without any doubt, whatsoever, within my whole being. because His Voice is loud and clear. There are within my time of spending with Him each morning, of only my eyes "hearing" Him through His Word. My heart will actually leap at the verses, words, He has spoken for me to glean from.
It has taken time spent with Him to be in a place where I no longer doubt it is my ABBA speaking. It has taken millions of minutes spent in His Love Letter, His Word, to hear what He has written, they all still stand True and Strong. He always speaks in the same Truth and manner. It has taken Him to come into my heart, after I invited Him in, and thoroughly transform it to where I am today. To know He is continually cleaning my heart and mind with the power of His Voice. His Word.
I didn't "rest" on His promises until I started to take into myself His Words. To heed what He was saying. To have faith and trust The Words spoken applied to me.
Today, I have absolutely no desire to go back to the place where I do not "know His voice". Where I do not hear it loud and clear, nor take heed to His instructions. To be in a place where I am not conversing out loud or inside my head to "my Daddy". To a place where I am not in continual prayer with Him.
To a place where I was living and I was not His.
"My sheep recognize My Voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of My Hand. The Father who put them under My Care is so much greater than the destroyer and thief. No one could ever get them away from Him. I and The Father are one heart and mind."
Friday, October 24, 2014
"He Saw" - 10/24/14 - John 9:1-10:21
"Walking down the street, Jesus saw"(9:1)
It's hard to know how many steps I have taken during my life. It's even harder to know, or accept, how many times I walked without seeing. without looking. without knowing. How many steps I walked and missed out on. Just kept walking right on by.
I'm talking about God moments.
Those times in your life when He places events, trials, tribulations, joys, sorrows, things, and people. Particularly people.
How many times have I walked and it wasn't until looking back and reflecting that I was able to see Him at work. How many times when I receive a note, a message, words from someone, telling me what an impact I have had on their lives for Him. How often I sit back in amazement because I didn't have a clue He was using me then.
I didn't have a clue because I was walking and not seeing anything except "me".
My focus was all about "me". I was so wrapped up in "self" and yet He still used me.
Isn't He just totally Amazing!
His Words this morning, right out the gate, "Walking down the street, Jesus saw", hit me right smack in the face. Sometimes He uses any method to get my full attention.
He "saw" not only the blind man. He "saw" you. and He "saw" me.
Here is our Savior. Our Savior who knew He was on the uphill climb towards The Cross standing ahead of Him, and yet He was taking time away from Himself and "saw". He never in His walk acted as the martyr and He had ever right to. He did after all die for all of our sins. He was/is the ultimate sacrifice. He never in His walk asked others to feel sorry for Him. He shot straight from the hip, he laid the facts out and it was their choice to accept them. Just as it is our free will to accept Him too.
So, with this day before me, I wonder. We will be landscaping just the three of us. I am wondering what He will place before us in our walk. I am wondering if I will look back on my day and see all He wanted me to see. How will I be as His Warrior in all the things I will say, do, think.
Each day I am praying I will hear His Voice say, "My Beloved, you saw".
It's hard to know how many steps I have taken during my life. It's even harder to know, or accept, how many times I walked without seeing. without looking. without knowing. How many steps I walked and missed out on. Just kept walking right on by.
I'm talking about God moments.
Those times in your life when He places events, trials, tribulations, joys, sorrows, things, and people. Particularly people.
How many times have I walked and it wasn't until looking back and reflecting that I was able to see Him at work. How many times when I receive a note, a message, words from someone, telling me what an impact I have had on their lives for Him. How often I sit back in amazement because I didn't have a clue He was using me then.
I didn't have a clue because I was walking and not seeing anything except "me".
My focus was all about "me". I was so wrapped up in "self" and yet He still used me.
Isn't He just totally Amazing!
His Words this morning, right out the gate, "Walking down the street, Jesus saw", hit me right smack in the face. Sometimes He uses any method to get my full attention.
He "saw" not only the blind man. He "saw" you. and He "saw" me.
Here is our Savior. Our Savior who knew He was on the uphill climb towards The Cross standing ahead of Him, and yet He was taking time away from Himself and "saw". He never in His walk acted as the martyr and He had ever right to. He did after all die for all of our sins. He was/is the ultimate sacrifice. He never in His walk asked others to feel sorry for Him. He shot straight from the hip, he laid the facts out and it was their choice to accept them. Just as it is our free will to accept Him too.
So, with this day before me, I wonder. We will be landscaping just the three of us. I am wondering what He will place before us in our walk. I am wondering if I will look back on my day and see all He wanted me to see. How will I be as His Warrior in all the things I will say, do, think.
Each day I am praying I will hear His Voice say, "My Beloved, you saw".
Thursday, October 23, 2014
"For Him" - 10/23/14 - John 7-8
"Jesus said, "If I turned the spotlight on Myself, it wouldn't amount to anything. But My Father, the same One you say is your Father, put Me here at this time and place of splendor."(8:54)
Just as He did for our Savior, He has put each one of us here - in this place. at this time.
Do you ever marvel at that? Do you ever recognize that nothing - not one incident - is by "chance"?
Do you ever stop and try to grasp, before the world was - He has each of your days, your moments, orchestrated to His plan?
Do you ever think about who your are living for? Is it for your "self" or for Him?
Are you taking this treasure of life and living it for and in Him?
Take each moment He gives you today and really look at the wonder of it all. Each person you encounter - He planned for their path to cross yours. Each cloud, color of His nature, animal, rock, blade of grass - every single thing you encounter with your senses - He planned.
It never ceases to cause my heart to leap when I read the Word He gives me for this time in my life. It never ceases to give me comfort when His Word - through Scripture or song - come running from my heart to my mind. It never ceases to amaze me in the wonderment of this life, I am only getting a glimpse of how very much He loves me. Loves you.
He has placed you "here at this time and place of splendor." I pray you are living with the spotlight on and for Him.
Just as He did for our Savior, He has put each one of us here - in this place. at this time.
Do you ever marvel at that? Do you ever recognize that nothing - not one incident - is by "chance"?
Do you ever stop and try to grasp, before the world was - He has each of your days, your moments, orchestrated to His plan?
Do you ever think about who your are living for? Is it for your "self" or for Him?
Are you taking this treasure of life and living it for and in Him?
Take each moment He gives you today and really look at the wonder of it all. Each person you encounter - He planned for their path to cross yours. Each cloud, color of His nature, animal, rock, blade of grass - every single thing you encounter with your senses - He planned.
It never ceases to cause my heart to leap when I read the Word He gives me for this time in my life. It never ceases to give me comfort when His Word - through Scripture or song - come running from my heart to my mind. It never ceases to amaze me in the wonderment of this life, I am only getting a glimpse of how very much He loves me. Loves you.
He has placed you "here at this time and place of splendor." I pray you are living with the spotlight on and for Him.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
"Words" - 10/22/14 - Matthew 18
"When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."(19-20)
I easily drank down the two glasses of mixture she gave me. It was clear, pretty much tasteless and cold. Not long after, I began to feel it within me, working its way through my body. The coldness came from within me and eventually overtook my whole body. Sitting there for an hour, waiting. His Words coming from within my heart and going through my mind. Semi watching a program playing on the TV with total sorrowfulness. Distaste. I don't usually watch the talk or commentary shows. Again, I was reminded as to why not.
How easily we drink up the words of others. These persons sitting there have been put into such a position where they are now influencing millions. Most of them come from nothing and now have a material wealth that surpasses any dreams they ever had. And people lap up what their words usually based on the status their dollars have put them at.
How far away from His Word are their words. I actually shuddered at times while listening, knowing it was from the evil and not from the coldness of the drink within me. I am so thankful His Word surpasses any I was hearing. Knowing without a doubt, His are solid, never changing Truth.
The nurse came and got me. We made our way to the machine that was programed to take pictures of my insides. I lay there and marveled at the way ABBA has created us to invent such equipment, procedures. As the dye began to make its way through, I wondered about who it was that came up with this and then to the one who volunteered to see if it would work. So much action going on, completely unseen with my eyes, amongst the sounds that broke the silence in the room.
It was then I was really hit with the Power of ABBA.
His peace, joy, all the Fruits of The Spirit, came flowing from within and completely overtook me. Much like the drugs and dye administered to me. So many were lifting me up to Him with their words. He never isn't here. He is never not "taking action".
Driving home, the heated seats on, 90 degree heat blasting out upon me, slowly driving out the coldness within me. Exactly as He drives out the coldness of fear. of doubt. of sin.
I was reminded over and over as I took in His amazing and awesome paint colors throughout the drive home, just one way He shows off His Glory to us. This has to be the most beautiful fall I have ever experienced.
His Prayer Warriors, as numerous and colorful as the leaves on the trees, surrounding me, lifting me up with their heartfelt words. This is where He is showing off His greatest Glory - through them. Through each of us. The Creator of all, desires most is to be with us. Desires most to share all of us with Him. To be our Bestest Friend.
To exchange words with Him. For us to lap up His Words and not the world's.
His Word continually tells me -
No matter the results, I know He has me and He has this.
I easily drank down the two glasses of mixture she gave me. It was clear, pretty much tasteless and cold. Not long after, I began to feel it within me, working its way through my body. The coldness came from within me and eventually overtook my whole body. Sitting there for an hour, waiting. His Words coming from within my heart and going through my mind. Semi watching a program playing on the TV with total sorrowfulness. Distaste. I don't usually watch the talk or commentary shows. Again, I was reminded as to why not.
How easily we drink up the words of others. These persons sitting there have been put into such a position where they are now influencing millions. Most of them come from nothing and now have a material wealth that surpasses any dreams they ever had. And people lap up what their words usually based on the status their dollars have put them at.
How far away from His Word are their words. I actually shuddered at times while listening, knowing it was from the evil and not from the coldness of the drink within me. I am so thankful His Word surpasses any I was hearing. Knowing without a doubt, His are solid, never changing Truth.
The nurse came and got me. We made our way to the machine that was programed to take pictures of my insides. I lay there and marveled at the way ABBA has created us to invent such equipment, procedures. As the dye began to make its way through, I wondered about who it was that came up with this and then to the one who volunteered to see if it would work. So much action going on, completely unseen with my eyes, amongst the sounds that broke the silence in the room.
It was then I was really hit with the Power of ABBA.
His peace, joy, all the Fruits of The Spirit, came flowing from within and completely overtook me. Much like the drugs and dye administered to me. So many were lifting me up to Him with their words. He never isn't here. He is never not "taking action".
Driving home, the heated seats on, 90 degree heat blasting out upon me, slowly driving out the coldness within me. Exactly as He drives out the coldness of fear. of doubt. of sin.
I was reminded over and over as I took in His amazing and awesome paint colors throughout the drive home, just one way He shows off His Glory to us. This has to be the most beautiful fall I have ever experienced.
His Prayer Warriors, as numerous and colorful as the leaves on the trees, surrounding me, lifting me up with their heartfelt words. This is where He is showing off His greatest Glory - through them. Through each of us. The Creator of all, desires most is to be with us. Desires most to share all of us with Him. To be our Bestest Friend.
To exchange words with Him. For us to lap up His Words and not the world's.
His Word continually tells me -
No matter the results, I know He has me and He has this.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
"Jesus. Only Jesus" - 10/21/14 - Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9:28-62
"But Jesus came over and touched them. "Don't be afraid." When they opened their eyes and looked around, all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus."(Matthew 17:7-8)
After laying in bed for the past few hours, tossing and turning, praying, counting my innumerable blessings - my Curt, Adam being here in Quincy, our Amber, praying with Nichalas over the phone tonight, a way we have ended our conversations since he moved to his first apartment and so many by whom I am loved and love. In my restlessness, I heard ABBA whispering for me to come to Him. Here on the couch I was reading through the verses for today and my heart leaped.
He gave me these Words at the exact time I am in need of them. The exact Words my heart need.
"Don't be afraid."
He was touching me to my inner self, the place where I try to hide emotions, thoughts, parts of me, I don't want to deal with. Things that complicate living this life. I have found there are some things easier to deal with packed away in this hidden place of my heart.
No matter how far away I think these things are, He knows. He knows my heart better than I do.
In 1990 I was diagnosed with a rare type of blood cancer. As of today, there isn't a cure, there isn't much known about it, but they are able to stabilize it with chemo. I have been taking a tablet form of chemo for the past 24 years. Eventually, my body will stop responding to this type of chemo and they will have to switch me onto a stronger medication. When I first began taking it, my body lost most of its energy, much of my hair, and other nice little things that go with putting a foreign substance into your body. Thankfully, I have been blessed in living a very normal and active life, adapting to not only the meds, but the disease as well. There are even times I am able to totally forget I even have this disease.
A few months ago I noticed some changes in my body, my energy. After visiting my doctor last week, we are going to begin with a ct scan today of my abdomen/pelvic area and then go from there. It may be nothing or it may be my body is coming into the next stages from the meds or disease.
And that is why I was tossing and turning tonight. I have been allowing a few moments here and there of the "what if" fear. It isn't that I am afraid to die, I just am not ready. It's so hard to grasp that in Heaven there is a Love even greater than the love I experience here on earth with those in my heart. Then the guilt will try to set in, "If I am so in love with ABBA, then why don't I want to leave this earth now?" How thankful I am He knows my heart and I don't have to own up to that guilt. He knows my weaknesses, my selfishness, and still loves me.
He also knows my deepest, darkest fears. In Scripture, so many accounts of our Savior tell of His reaching down and "touching" in situations where touch wasn't what one would normally do. He came down inside of my heart, in the midst of the "what if" fear and touched me. Here on my couch. He held me and reassured me, "Don't be afraid." So many places and times in my life He has spoken these words to me.
Even knowing there are many prayers lifting me up, my focus wasn't totally on Him. It was on the pain going on in my heart, in my physical insides, it was on me. I was closing my eyes in fear.
He has taken all of me and put it back upon Him. I know He will be with me tomorrow and always, just as He is now, here on my couch. He is in complete control and I am able to stand on His promises - no matter what I will be walking through on my way Home to Him.
How He speaks to me through His Words.
With His touch, I have opened my "eyes and looked around, all I see is Jesus, only Jesus."
After laying in bed for the past few hours, tossing and turning, praying, counting my innumerable blessings - my Curt, Adam being here in Quincy, our Amber, praying with Nichalas over the phone tonight, a way we have ended our conversations since he moved to his first apartment and so many by whom I am loved and love. In my restlessness, I heard ABBA whispering for me to come to Him. Here on the couch I was reading through the verses for today and my heart leaped.
He gave me these Words at the exact time I am in need of them. The exact Words my heart need.
"Don't be afraid."
He was touching me to my inner self, the place where I try to hide emotions, thoughts, parts of me, I don't want to deal with. Things that complicate living this life. I have found there are some things easier to deal with packed away in this hidden place of my heart.
No matter how far away I think these things are, He knows. He knows my heart better than I do.
In 1990 I was diagnosed with a rare type of blood cancer. As of today, there isn't a cure, there isn't much known about it, but they are able to stabilize it with chemo. I have been taking a tablet form of chemo for the past 24 years. Eventually, my body will stop responding to this type of chemo and they will have to switch me onto a stronger medication. When I first began taking it, my body lost most of its energy, much of my hair, and other nice little things that go with putting a foreign substance into your body. Thankfully, I have been blessed in living a very normal and active life, adapting to not only the meds, but the disease as well. There are even times I am able to totally forget I even have this disease.
A few months ago I noticed some changes in my body, my energy. After visiting my doctor last week, we are going to begin with a ct scan today of my abdomen/pelvic area and then go from there. It may be nothing or it may be my body is coming into the next stages from the meds or disease.
And that is why I was tossing and turning tonight. I have been allowing a few moments here and there of the "what if" fear. It isn't that I am afraid to die, I just am not ready. It's so hard to grasp that in Heaven there is a Love even greater than the love I experience here on earth with those in my heart. Then the guilt will try to set in, "If I am so in love with ABBA, then why don't I want to leave this earth now?" How thankful I am He knows my heart and I don't have to own up to that guilt. He knows my weaknesses, my selfishness, and still loves me.
He also knows my deepest, darkest fears. In Scripture, so many accounts of our Savior tell of His reaching down and "touching" in situations where touch wasn't what one would normally do. He came down inside of my heart, in the midst of the "what if" fear and touched me. Here on my couch. He held me and reassured me, "Don't be afraid." So many places and times in my life He has spoken these words to me.
Even knowing there are many prayers lifting me up, my focus wasn't totally on Him. It was on the pain going on in my heart, in my physical insides, it was on me. I was closing my eyes in fear.
He has taken all of me and put it back upon Him. I know He will be with me tomorrow and always, just as He is now, here on my couch. He is in complete control and I am able to stand on His promises - no matter what I will be walking through on my way Home to Him.
How He speaks to me through His Words.
With His touch, I have opened my "eyes and looked around, all I see is Jesus, only Jesus."
Monday, October 20, 2014
"Who or what has your soul?" - 10/20/14 - Matthew 16, Mark 8, Luke 9:18-27
"Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is The Way, My way, to finding yourself, your true self. 26 What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?"(Matthew 16:25-26)
Standing under lights, before the mirror, totally naked, nothing is hidden from us in our reflection.
Just as we are when standing before our ABBA.
Millions of self-help books in the world and yet it is still His Word that is total Truth. Totally accurate in leading us to who and what He designed us to be.
Take a moment and really look at yourself in God's mirror.
Who or what is your God? Have you traded your soul? Whose are you? Who are you? What is your life's sole purpose? What word is your name linked with? What legacy are you leaving? When thought of, is it self or ABBA that stands out?
Most of all - where are you going? And who are you taking with you?
Standing under lights, before the mirror, totally naked, nothing is hidden from us in our reflection.
Just as we are when standing before our ABBA.
Millions of self-help books in the world and yet it is still His Word that is total Truth. Totally accurate in leading us to who and what He designed us to be.
Take a moment and really look at yourself in God's mirror.
Who or what is your God? Have you traded your soul? Whose are you? Who are you? What is your life's sole purpose? What word is your name linked with? What legacy are you leaving? When thought of, is it self or ABBA that stands out?
Most of all - where are you going? And who are you taking with you?
Sunday, October 19, 2014
"Secure In Him" - 10/19/14 - Matthew 15, Mark 7
"Later His disciples came and told Him, "Did you know how upset the Pharisees were when they heard what You said?" Jesus shrugged it off. "Every tree that wasn't planted by My Father in Heaven will be pulled up by its roots. Forget them. They are blind men leading blind men."(Matthew 15:12-14)
"Forget them."
My heart hurts just reading these words.
"Forget them".
Not spoken by Jesus because He isn't of Love, but because He knew their hearts. He knows what is within us. He tells us what is in your heart come forth in your words and actions.
My heart hurts when I am as the Pharisees.
My heart is overwhelmed by His forgiveness, His grace, His mercy which have cleansed me of those moments. Only because of Him am I able to confess, repent, and continue striving to be more like Him.
Him - whom I am deeply, madly, head-over-heels in love with.
How thankful I am knowing, without doubt, I will never, ever, ever hear these words spoken in regard to me from my ABBA.
I am His. He is mine. Forever.
"Forget them."
My heart hurts just reading these words.
"Forget them".
Not spoken by Jesus because He isn't of Love, but because He knew their hearts. He knows what is within us. He tells us what is in your heart come forth in your words and actions.
My heart hurts when I am as the Pharisees.
My heart is overwhelmed by His forgiveness, His grace, His mercy which have cleansed me of those moments. Only because of Him am I able to confess, repent, and continue striving to be more like Him.
Him - whom I am deeply, madly, head-over-heels in love with.
How thankful I am knowing, without doubt, I will never, ever, ever hear these words spoken in regard to me from my ABBA.
I am His. He is mine. Forever.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
"Filling the God-Void" - 10/18/14 - John 6
"Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with Me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever.(6:35)
This morning before reading, I asked ABBA that I would hear the Words He was speaking through to me. I don't want to miss out. I then went on to pray for His continued help in the battle of losing weight. And throughout the verses today, He is talking about thirst and hunger.
He is something else that ABBA of ours. Knowing beforehand - always knowing - exactly what we need and desire. Always wanting only the best for us.
All of my life I have struggled with emotional eating. It wasn't until I had Adam my metabolism couldn't keep up with the amount of food I consume. Looking back and knowing I was able to out eat most men and still be super skinny, is probably why I never recognized I had a problem.
And I do.
I love food. I enjoy watching cooking shows, talking/trying recipes cooking/feeding others. I love the different taste, textures, the way different things explode in your mouth and take over - like chocolate. But ABBA has also opened my eyes to the fact I was stuffing in large amounts of food, trying to fill a void. A huge void.
Whenever I am encountering the past, I fight the urge to run to the candy stuffing aisle. Whenever sadness envelopes me, it is the savory, fat laden comfort foods I begin to crave. Whenever He is drawing me out of my comfort zone - sweets take over my imagination.
And my body has/is paying the price for this type of eating.
As I am aging, I am finding as so many others are, the excess weight just doesn't want to leave. It is affecting my knees, my energy level, my activities, my emotions. Embarrassment is the garment I wear when going out in public. I sometimes allow it to keep me from doing my work for Him.
It's interesting to me that ABBA is not only cleansing my spiritual being, He now is working on my physical and emotional. They are all tied in together.
I will never be the twig I was back in the days before Adam, nor do I want to be. There is a thing as too skinny. He has brought me to realizing it isn't only healthy and physically able I am striving for, it is to be spiritually and emotionally healed.
Until I allow Him to completely heal and consume the all of me, I will be trying to do so with food or something else. He is the only way I am able to take food for what it is. Nourishment and pleasure in healthy amounts.
Not a substitution for Him.
Only He is able to fill the "God-void" He created within me.
Nothing or no one else.
"Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with Me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever.(6:35)
This morning before reading, I asked ABBA that I would hear the Words He was speaking through to me. I don't want to miss out. I then went on to pray for His continued help in the battle of losing weight. And throughout the verses today, He is talking about thirst and hunger.
He is something else that ABBA of ours. Knowing beforehand - always knowing - exactly what we need and desire. Always wanting only the best for us.
All of my life I have struggled with emotional eating. It wasn't until I had Adam my metabolism couldn't keep up with the amount of food I consume. Looking back and knowing I was able to out eat most men and still be super skinny, is probably why I never recognized I had a problem.
And I do.
I love food. I enjoy watching cooking shows, talking/trying recipes cooking/feeding others. I love the different taste, textures, the way different things explode in your mouth and take over - like chocolate. But ABBA has also opened my eyes to the fact I was stuffing in large amounts of food, trying to fill a void. A huge void.
Whenever I am encountering the past, I fight the urge to run to the candy stuffing aisle. Whenever sadness envelopes me, it is the savory, fat laden comfort foods I begin to crave. Whenever He is drawing me out of my comfort zone - sweets take over my imagination.
And my body has/is paying the price for this type of eating.
As I am aging, I am finding as so many others are, the excess weight just doesn't want to leave. It is affecting my knees, my energy level, my activities, my emotions. Embarrassment is the garment I wear when going out in public. I sometimes allow it to keep me from doing my work for Him.
It's interesting to me that ABBA is not only cleansing my spiritual being, He now is working on my physical and emotional. They are all tied in together.
I will never be the twig I was back in the days before Adam, nor do I want to be. There is a thing as too skinny. He has brought me to realizing it isn't only healthy and physically able I am striving for, it is to be spiritually and emotionally healed.
Until I allow Him to completely heal and consume the all of me, I will be trying to do so with food or something else. He is the only way I am able to take food for what it is. Nourishment and pleasure in healthy amounts.
Not a substitution for Him.
Only He is able to fill the "God-void" He created within me.
Nothing or no one else.
"Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with Me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever.(6:35)
Friday, October 17, 2014
"Pie" - 10/17/14 - Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9:1-17
"You are the equipment."(Mark 6:8)
Just trying to get my day going. I had a schedule I wanted to keep and life was getting in the way.
My Bible study. Make a phone call. Get outside and start to fill up the dumpster with the accumulated "stuff" laying around our place.
Sounds pretty simple.
Reality stepped in. Phone call from Dish tech to see if they could come this am instead of afternoon to realign our dish. Installation of new roof bumped it off its mark. Phone call I needed to make to insurance adjuster, notifying him roof is done. Can not find bid from roofer anywhere. How is it by getting organized you begin to lose things? I have kept it in our inbox since receiving it, taking it out to figure out sum contractor requested before job started, and swore I put it back. Obviously not. Phone call made to insurance and all I can recall is the name of the representative who we were working with. No figures. No nothing. Zach, dish tech, arrives and I am spending my time going between him and boxes. Curt will be excited to have his sports channels up and running.
Zach. dish tech. really neat guy. friendly. feeling a little under the weather.
This is who ABBA had on my schedule this am.
And how was I with that?
Let's just say "Deby Downer" was visiting with Zach on our front porch. Standing there on this beautiful fall day, living a life with blessings raining down on me, like the leaves which have begun falling from the trees.
Our conversation wasn't about the beauty He has given us, showing off His colors. It wasn't about this perfectly crisp weather. Nor was it about how He blessed Zach with an easy fix on the dish. Instead - we began to discuss taxes, the state of the world, government, corporate America.
And the more we talked, the "downer" my self was feeling. I was agitated because "my" schedule wasn't on target.
This morning, nor any other time, is to be about "my" anything. It is to be all about Him and who He has put onto my path.
I am His - "the equipment". His seed planter. His Warrior. One of many to reach those outside of Him.
I am so sick of "Deby Downer" being a part of my being. Slowly He is shedding this unsightly garbage I continually bring along with my "job". I so love when she isn't involved, how much lighter and higher my life is.
He is holding me accountable. He is growing me His way. And I am learning He has provided for me all the equipment I need to do work for Him.
He works best when it is just "me", particularly after eating humble pie.
Just trying to get my day going. I had a schedule I wanted to keep and life was getting in the way.
My Bible study. Make a phone call. Get outside and start to fill up the dumpster with the accumulated "stuff" laying around our place.
Sounds pretty simple.
Reality stepped in. Phone call from Dish tech to see if they could come this am instead of afternoon to realign our dish. Installation of new roof bumped it off its mark. Phone call I needed to make to insurance adjuster, notifying him roof is done. Can not find bid from roofer anywhere. How is it by getting organized you begin to lose things? I have kept it in our inbox since receiving it, taking it out to figure out sum contractor requested before job started, and swore I put it back. Obviously not. Phone call made to insurance and all I can recall is the name of the representative who we were working with. No figures. No nothing. Zach, dish tech, arrives and I am spending my time going between him and boxes. Curt will be excited to have his sports channels up and running.
Zach. dish tech. really neat guy. friendly. feeling a little under the weather.
This is who ABBA had on my schedule this am.
And how was I with that?
Let's just say "Deby Downer" was visiting with Zach on our front porch. Standing there on this beautiful fall day, living a life with blessings raining down on me, like the leaves which have begun falling from the trees.
Our conversation wasn't about the beauty He has given us, showing off His colors. It wasn't about this perfectly crisp weather. Nor was it about how He blessed Zach with an easy fix on the dish. Instead - we began to discuss taxes, the state of the world, government, corporate America.
And the more we talked, the "downer" my self was feeling. I was agitated because "my" schedule wasn't on target.
This morning, nor any other time, is to be about "my" anything. It is to be all about Him and who He has put onto my path.
I am His - "the equipment". His seed planter. His Warrior. One of many to reach those outside of Him.
I am so sick of "Deby Downer" being a part of my being. Slowly He is shedding this unsightly garbage I continually bring along with my "job". I so love when she isn't involved, how much lighter and higher my life is.
He is holding me accountable. He is growing me His way. And I am learning He has provided for me all the equipment I need to do work for Him.
He works best when it is just "me", particularly after eating humble pie.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
"So ALIVE" - 10/16/14 - Matthew 9&10
"But when Jesus had gotten rid of the crowd, he went in, took the girl's hand, and pulled her to her feet - ALIVE!"(9:25)
I so love this word picture He gives me today.
How He has "gotten rid of the crowd" - the crowd of sins. doubt. lies. false standards.
How "He went in" - into my soul. my heart. my mind. my all.
He "took the girl's hand" - He touched me. I am that girl. You are that girl. He has come in and taken each of us - by His Hand.
He "pulled her to her feet" - those in Him are able to stand up straight. stand up strong. stand firmly - because we are now planted in Him.
"ALIVE" because of and in Him. No greater way to be.
I so love this word picture He gives me today.
How He has "gotten rid of the crowd" - the crowd of sins. doubt. lies. false standards.
How "He went in" - into my soul. my heart. my mind. my all.
He "took the girl's hand" - He touched me. I am that girl. You are that girl. He has come in and taken each of us - by His Hand.
He "pulled her to her feet" - those in Him are able to stand up straight. stand up strong. stand firmly - because we are now planted in Him.
"ALIVE" because of and in Him. No greater way to be.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
"Audacity" - 10/15/14 - Matthew 8:14-34, Mark 4 & 5
"He told His disciples to get Him out of there to the other side of the lake.(Matthew 8:18)
I don't know how many times I have read this Scripture, but it only hit me this morning Christ "told His disciples to get Him out of there".
As if He needed them to "get Him out of there". Here is the Son of God, one who has complete power at the tip of His finger, getting help from mere humans.
You know, He asks the same of us. He doesn't "need" us to do His job. He doesn't "need" us to do anything. He desires to do so. He desires to have us in His life and He in ours.
Our ABBA, The Creator of this world, when creating us, in His Image, put within us a deep desire to be "needed". To have worth. To count for something. To be recognized. To be accepted. To be desired. And most of all. most of all. To be unconditionally loved.
Yet, here we are, the created ones, ignoring, setting aside all He has asked us to do. Putting our "self" on top of the priority list. We are picking and choosing which and what we want to do for our Lord.
The times I do become humble and think about my arrogance in His face, I am repulsed. And again, I am grateful He looks at me through Christ, seeing me, even in my sin, as Holy. As His Beloved. The Holy Spirit is convicting and growing me to be excited, more than dreading, when I am pushed out of my comfort zone. He is energizing me, opening my eyes, ears, and heart to those who live outside of Him. He is using me. And for the most part, I am heeding His call.
But still there are moments when the human side of me steps in. and I flat out refuse.
Who do I think I am to do this?
"He told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.(Mark 4:39)
He is "I AM". God of all.
There are so many times I haven't a clue what, how often, His Grace has saved me from when I am nothing but arrogant.
I don't know how many times I have read this Scripture, but it only hit me this morning Christ "told His disciples to get Him out of there".
As if He needed them to "get Him out of there". Here is the Son of God, one who has complete power at the tip of His finger, getting help from mere humans.
You know, He asks the same of us. He doesn't "need" us to do His job. He doesn't "need" us to do anything. He desires to do so. He desires to have us in His life and He in ours.
Our ABBA, The Creator of this world, when creating us, in His Image, put within us a deep desire to be "needed". To have worth. To count for something. To be recognized. To be accepted. To be desired. And most of all. most of all. To be unconditionally loved.
Yet, here we are, the created ones, ignoring, setting aside all He has asked us to do. Putting our "self" on top of the priority list. We are picking and choosing which and what we want to do for our Lord.
The times I do become humble and think about my arrogance in His face, I am repulsed. And again, I am grateful He looks at me through Christ, seeing me, even in my sin, as Holy. As His Beloved. The Holy Spirit is convicting and growing me to be excited, more than dreading, when I am pushed out of my comfort zone. He is energizing me, opening my eyes, ears, and heart to those who live outside of Him. He is using me. And for the most part, I am heeding His call.
But still there are moments when the human side of me steps in. and I flat out refuse.
Who do I think I am to do this?
"He told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.(Mark 4:39)
He is "I AM". God of all.
There are so many times I haven't a clue what, how often, His Grace has saved me from when I am nothing but arrogant.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
"Because of Him" - 10/14/14 - Matthew 13, Luke 8
"But you have God-blessed eyes - eyes that see! And God-blessed ears - ears that hear!(Matthew 13:16)
I love seeing our ABBA everywhere I look. Knowing He is here, within, outside, omnipresent. I love seeing people, this world, through His eyes. Seeing the blessings in every single portion of life.
I love feasting my vision on His everlasting banquet.
I love hearing His Voice. Knowing without doubt it is my ABBA. I love hearing Him speak to me through His Word, through His Spirit, through His people. I love how He is all knowing, in total control, God.
I love He designed me to share intimacy in Him.
I love seeing our ABBA everywhere I look. Knowing He is here, within, outside, omnipresent. I love seeing people, this world, through His eyes. Seeing the blessings in every single portion of life.
I love feasting my vision on His everlasting banquet.
I love hearing His Voice. Knowing without doubt it is my ABBA. I love hearing Him speak to me through His Word, through His Spirit, through His people. I love how He is all knowing, in total control, God.
I love He designed me to share intimacy in Him.
Monday, October 13, 2014
"We - His Family" - 10/13/14 - Matthew 12:22-50
Jesus didn't respond directly, but said, "Who do you think My mother and brothers are?" He then stretched out His hand toward His disciples. "Look closely. These are My mother and brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys My Heavenly Father's will is My brother and sister and mother."(48-50)
Standing on the outside, looking in. Always wishing I could be a part of "them", but never accepted as such. Labeled, bullied, ostracized, ignored, ridiculed regarding everything about myself. Even to the size of my feet. the softness of my voice. my height.
Words have the ability to be so cutting. so damaging. so able to shut out His Truth.
It has taken years of saturating my "self" with His Word, prayer, counseling, to finally accept and realize - I am part of His "in" crowd. I look about my life today and am overwhelmed with the love, acceptance, encouragement, accountability, and most of all, unconditional love, I receive from His family.
My family.
I pray for those within His Family to never stop looking out to see those who are standing on the outside looking in. I pray we never forget or don't realize, "we" are who bring those outside, inside to be adopted by Him. I pray we will never overlook one soul who is longing for the comforts of belonging. of knowing. of security. In Him.
I pray for those who haven't accepted Him and entered into His Family. I pray daily the lies they have been taking in will be removed and replaced with His Truth. His Grace. His Mercy. His Forgiveness.
Him. Our Savior.
"He then stretched out His hand toward"
Not to the select few, but to all. All. He wants to call all. each one. His Family.
He desires for no one to be on the outside looking in.
Standing on the outside, looking in. Always wishing I could be a part of "them", but never accepted as such. Labeled, bullied, ostracized, ignored, ridiculed regarding everything about myself. Even to the size of my feet. the softness of my voice. my height.
Words have the ability to be so cutting. so damaging. so able to shut out His Truth.
It has taken years of saturating my "self" with His Word, prayer, counseling, to finally accept and realize - I am part of His "in" crowd. I look about my life today and am overwhelmed with the love, acceptance, encouragement, accountability, and most of all, unconditional love, I receive from His family.
My family.
I pray for those within His Family to never stop looking out to see those who are standing on the outside looking in. I pray we never forget or don't realize, "we" are who bring those outside, inside to be adopted by Him. I pray we will never overlook one soul who is longing for the comforts of belonging. of knowing. of security. In Him.
I pray for those who haven't accepted Him and entered into His Family. I pray daily the lies they have been taking in will be removed and replaced with His Truth. His Grace. His Mercy. His Forgiveness.
Him. Our Savior.
"He then stretched out His hand toward"
Not to the select few, but to all. All. He wants to call all. each one. His Family.
He desires for no one to be on the outside looking in.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
"Adding more to His family" - 10/12/14 - Matthew 11
"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: "Thank you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth. You've concealed Your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that's the way You like to work." Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. "The Father has given Me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows The Son the way The Father does, nor The Father the way The Son does. But I'm not keeping it to Myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."(25-30)
I stood there and looked about. Surrounded by my precious sisters. Warmth radiating and covering all who shared in the Crumrine baby shower today. Excitement in the welcoming of not one, but two, new little ones for parts of our hearts. ABBA is growing His family through the awe of birth.
The joy of being a servant for Him was rewarded, as I was hugged, greeted, kissed. My soul being filled up, ABBA kept reminding me over and over - here are My Beloveds. Sharing life together through Me with you.
Ordinary people transformed into ones I hold dearly into my heart. Bonded in and through our Savior.
I thought about those He has placed into my life and I lift them up in thanksgiving for the blessings He rains down upon me through them. Most of them haven't a clue the value they are, for they see themselves as just - ordinary.
How much growth I have gleaned from just watching them, talking with them, listening to them, delighting in them. How much they allow our ABBA to shine through them in all they are.
His ways of blending us together into His one family cause me to smile and shake my head at again, another act of His wonderment. We are The Kingdom come. We are who He shines through. These verses are only one of the many examples He shares in how He provides our togetherness, in order to give the needed for each other. Lifting each other up to perform the dance toward our eternal Home with Him.
"Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you."
Never are we alone "in" Him.
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."(25-30)
I stood there and looked about. Surrounded by my precious sisters. Warmth radiating and covering all who shared in the Crumrine baby shower today. Excitement in the welcoming of not one, but two, new little ones for parts of our hearts. ABBA is growing His family through the awe of birth.
The joy of being a servant for Him was rewarded, as I was hugged, greeted, kissed. My soul being filled up, ABBA kept reminding me over and over - here are My Beloveds. Sharing life together through Me with you.
Ordinary people transformed into ones I hold dearly into my heart. Bonded in and through our Savior.
I thought about those He has placed into my life and I lift them up in thanksgiving for the blessings He rains down upon me through them. Most of them haven't a clue the value they are, for they see themselves as just - ordinary.
How much growth I have gleaned from just watching them, talking with them, listening to them, delighting in them. How much they allow our ABBA to shine through them in all they are.
His ways of blending us together into His one family cause me to smile and shake my head at again, another act of His wonderment. We are The Kingdom come. We are who He shines through. These verses are only one of the many examples He shares in how He provides our togetherness, in order to give the needed for each other. Lifting each other up to perform the dance toward our eternal Home with Him.
"Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you."
Never are we alone "in" Him.
Saturday, October 11, 2014
"Could have been" - 10/11/14 - Matthew 8:1-13, Luke 7
"Jesus came down the mountain with the cheers of the crowd still ringing in His ears."(Matt 8:1)
He could have been, you know, the kind of King who is big-headed. Too good for the lowly, those who are beneath Him. He could have mingled only with the affluent, living on the mountaintop. He has the world at His fingertips.
He has every reason to be. He is the Son of God.
Instead -
"Then a leper appeared and went to his knees before Jesus, praying, "Master, if you want to, you can heal my body." Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, "I want to. Be clean." Then and there, all signs of the leprosy were gone.(Matt 8:2-3)
He bent down low and touched the unlovely. the unwanted. the outcast. the untouchable.
His Love for those lost, surpassed love for the superficial. His Love for His Father, surpassed love for Himself.
"Jesus said, "Don't talk about this all over town. Just quietly present your healed body to the priest, along with the appropriate expressions of thanks to God. Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done."(Matt 8:4)
Holy Love. It is all He is about. Gut wrenching, crucifying, death defying, Holy Love. For us.
"The wretched of the earth have God's salvation hospitality extended to them."(Luke 7:22)
That is exactly what I was outside of Him. Our Savior. Wretched and of the earth.
And through His Blood He has given me words to live by.
"Impressive, isn't it? I was forgiven many, many sins, and so I am very, very grateful."(Luke 7:47)
and to all who are His.
"He spoke to her: "I forgive your sins."(Luke 7:48)
"and said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."(Luke 7:50)
He bent down to touch each of us.
He could have been, you know, the kind of King who is big-headed. Too good for the lowly, those who are beneath Him. He could have mingled only with the affluent, living on the mountaintop. He has the world at His fingertips.
He has every reason to be. He is the Son of God.
Instead -
"Then a leper appeared and went to his knees before Jesus, praying, "Master, if you want to, you can heal my body." Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, "I want to. Be clean." Then and there, all signs of the leprosy were gone.(Matt 8:2-3)
He bent down low and touched the unlovely. the unwanted. the outcast. the untouchable.
His Love for those lost, surpassed love for the superficial. His Love for His Father, surpassed love for Himself.
"Jesus said, "Don't talk about this all over town. Just quietly present your healed body to the priest, along with the appropriate expressions of thanks to God. Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done."(Matt 8:4)
Holy Love. It is all He is about. Gut wrenching, crucifying, death defying, Holy Love. For us.
"The wretched of the earth have God's salvation hospitality extended to them."(Luke 7:22)
That is exactly what I was outside of Him. Our Savior. Wretched and of the earth.
And through His Blood He has given me words to live by.
"Impressive, isn't it? I was forgiven many, many sins, and so I am very, very grateful."(Luke 7:47)
and to all who are His.
"He spoke to her: "I forgive your sins."(Luke 7:48)
"and said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."(Luke 7:50)
He bent down to touch each of us.
Friday, October 10, 2014
"Suggestions Please" - 10/10/14 - Matthew 5-7
"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His Grace."(6:6)
Rain drizzled on my windshield as I made my way over the roadway in the darkness towards home. Headlights illuminating the wayside, creating shadows running along beside me. The voices of praise being sung to our ABBA filled the interior of the vehicle, but inside my head were the voices of doubt. of fear. of second guessing. guilt.
He had drawn me out of my comfort zone in a huge way.
"Your love doesn't mean anything to me", "All these years I have looked at you as a burden". Ignored the last time we were just "us" when I smiled and said hello. But on this day, with witnesses, the sickening sweetness of fake dripped from lips. Superficial, ignoring the elephant in the room.
Words. Actions. Overwhelming memories, when encountering the persons sitting in this place. There. Outside of my comfort zone.
I have repented, apologized, asked forgiveness with these persons and it still is not enough. There isn't any compromise. grace. mercy. A relationship with them has to be their way or the highway. Through much prayer, counseling, I have taken His Words "And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town."(Matthew 10:14). Again, in yesterday's reading I was reinforced, "Jesus, knowing they were out to get him, moved on."(Matthew 12:15).
I have chosen to take His Highway.
In doing so, I have been given the gift of freedom. There aren't any more guessing games in how they feel about me. I am able to lift them up in Christ Love and genuinely pray for them. Only through Him, without their asking me, I have been able to forgive each one and go on - and for the most part - cast aside anger and bitterness. It is only sorrowfulness I feel for them within my heart.
Yet when in situations where we are face to face, I can not partake in the meaningless words. I can not act that all is right after being treated, having heard words they have spoken behind my back or to my face. Knowing there isn't anything I will ever do to gain their approval or unconditional love. The deeper I become "in" Him, the less I am able to participate in the dance of pretend.
Acknowledging hellos and not engaging in conversation goes totally against my natural bent. I feel cold, rude, unapproachable. I study through His Word trying to learn and heed to how Christ, His followers have handled situations as this. I yearn for His Voice, desiring only to please Him. I pray He is seen, whom I am standing firm in and not self pride. And He reminds me, no matter what I do, say, they will see me in only one way - theirs.
"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage."
It was there in the car He gave to me peace. He knew there were moments I wasn't as He wished. He also knew there were more moments that was all I was striving for while in this place.
Worship words crowded out the doubts.
"The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His Grace."
"Breathing in His Grace. Breathing out His Praise."
One step at a time on His highway I am on.
Rain drizzled on my windshield as I made my way over the roadway in the darkness towards home. Headlights illuminating the wayside, creating shadows running along beside me. The voices of praise being sung to our ABBA filled the interior of the vehicle, but inside my head were the voices of doubt. of fear. of second guessing. guilt.
He had drawn me out of my comfort zone in a huge way.
"Your love doesn't mean anything to me", "All these years I have looked at you as a burden". Ignored the last time we were just "us" when I smiled and said hello. But on this day, with witnesses, the sickening sweetness of fake dripped from lips. Superficial, ignoring the elephant in the room.
Words. Actions. Overwhelming memories, when encountering the persons sitting in this place. There. Outside of my comfort zone.
I have repented, apologized, asked forgiveness with these persons and it still is not enough. There isn't any compromise. grace. mercy. A relationship with them has to be their way or the highway. Through much prayer, counseling, I have taken His Words "And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town."(Matthew 10:14). Again, in yesterday's reading I was reinforced, "Jesus, knowing they were out to get him, moved on."(Matthew 12:15).
I have chosen to take His Highway.
In doing so, I have been given the gift of freedom. There aren't any more guessing games in how they feel about me. I am able to lift them up in Christ Love and genuinely pray for them. Only through Him, without their asking me, I have been able to forgive each one and go on - and for the most part - cast aside anger and bitterness. It is only sorrowfulness I feel for them within my heart.
Yet when in situations where we are face to face, I can not partake in the meaningless words. I can not act that all is right after being treated, having heard words they have spoken behind my back or to my face. Knowing there isn't anything I will ever do to gain their approval or unconditional love. The deeper I become "in" Him, the less I am able to participate in the dance of pretend.
Acknowledging hellos and not engaging in conversation goes totally against my natural bent. I feel cold, rude, unapproachable. I study through His Word trying to learn and heed to how Christ, His followers have handled situations as this. I yearn for His Voice, desiring only to please Him. I pray He is seen, whom I am standing firm in and not self pride. And He reminds me, no matter what I do, say, they will see me in only one way - theirs.
"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage."
It was there in the car He gave to me peace. He knew there were moments I wasn't as He wished. He also knew there were more moments that was all I was striving for while in this place.
Worship words crowded out the doubts.
"The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His Grace."
"Breathing in His Grace. Breathing out His Praise."
One step at a time on His highway I am on.
Thursday, October 09, 2014
"After Him" - 10/09/14 - Matthew 12:1-21, Mark 3, Luke 6
"One Sabbath, Jesus was strolling with his disciples through a field of ripe grain. Hungry, the disciples were pulling off the heads of grain and munching on them. Some Pharisees reported them to Jesus: "Your disciples are breaking the Sabbath rules!" Jesus said, "Really?"(Matthew 12:1-3)
"The Pharisees walked out furious, sputtering about how they were going to ruin Jesus.
Jesus, knowing they were out to get him, moved on."(Matthew 12:14-15)
My heart is so sorrowful for the Pharisees of this world. What a way to live your life, standing, watching, wrangling the Word of God to suit their own beliefs. For what? To ruin Jesus.
You can not ruin Jesus.
Nor can you ruin His followers.
We stand firm in His Truth.
No matter the Pharisees in your life, stand firm "in" Him. He is your ultimate Protector and even when it seems things are out of control, they aren't. All is in His control. Remember The Cross. So many gave up hope when seeing Christ hanging there, put into the tomb. And as always, our ABBA prevailed. He conquered death. He conquered sin. Our Savior rose from the grave!!!!
The Truth always comes out. What a person is in their heart will show through in their actions, words, motives. There is never a time to stop praying for others. To stop loving them through Christ - no matter how they are to you. Sometimes though, when a persons heart is exposed our only choice is to move on.
Our ABBA has created you for a special mission. a special time. a special place.
"You!"
And sometimes we discover what that is by packing up and moving on to where He leads us.
"The Pharisees walked out furious, sputtering about how they were going to ruin Jesus.
Jesus, knowing they were out to get him, moved on."(Matthew 12:14-15)
My heart is so sorrowful for the Pharisees of this world. What a way to live your life, standing, watching, wrangling the Word of God to suit their own beliefs. For what? To ruin Jesus.
You can not ruin Jesus.
Nor can you ruin His followers.
We stand firm in His Truth.
No matter the Pharisees in your life, stand firm "in" Him. He is your ultimate Protector and even when it seems things are out of control, they aren't. All is in His control. Remember The Cross. So many gave up hope when seeing Christ hanging there, put into the tomb. And as always, our ABBA prevailed. He conquered death. He conquered sin. Our Savior rose from the grave!!!!
The Truth always comes out. What a person is in their heart will show through in their actions, words, motives. There is never a time to stop praying for others. To stop loving them through Christ - no matter how they are to you. Sometimes though, when a persons heart is exposed our only choice is to move on.
Our ABBA has created you for a special mission. a special time. a special place.
"You!"
And sometimes we discover what that is by packing up and moving on to where He leads us.
Wednesday, October 08, 2014
"Healing Waters" - 10/08/14 - John 5
"When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, "Do you want to get well?"(6)
Seems like a rather silly question to ask a sick person. Jesus knows our hearts and inner thoughts though, and He asks because He wants to know, deep down, "Do you want to get well?"
The question goes deeper than a physical healing, but spiritual.
He has seen how long we have lived within reach of His healing "waters" and found whatever excuse not to get up and bath in them. Bathing, cleansing, renewal, healing.
Redeemed by His pure, cleansing blood as waters to wash the all of us clean.
"This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living. "It's urgent that you get this right: The time has arrived - I mean right now! - when dead men and women will hear the voice of the Son of God and, hearing, will come alive."(24,25)
Forever healed. Forever.
Seems like a rather silly question to ask a sick person. Jesus knows our hearts and inner thoughts though, and He asks because He wants to know, deep down, "Do you want to get well?"
The question goes deeper than a physical healing, but spiritual.
He has seen how long we have lived within reach of His healing "waters" and found whatever excuse not to get up and bath in them. Bathing, cleansing, renewal, healing.
Redeemed by His pure, cleansing blood as waters to wash the all of us clean.
"This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living. "It's urgent that you get this right: The time has arrived - I mean right now! - when dead men and women will hear the voice of the Son of God and, hearing, will come alive."(24,25)
Forever healed. Forever.
Tuesday, October 07, 2014
"Best. Decision.....EVER!" - 10/07/14 - Mark 2
"Jesus said, "Come along with me." He came."(2:14)
You know, that request wasn't just for Levi. or His other disciples. or all those we read about in His Word. All the others who are part of our lineage in Him. Who came.
That request has been handed down from our ABBA since the beginning with Adam and Eve.
There in the garden all was as He meant it to be. Until they decided not to "come along". Instead, going their own way - that lead to bringing death into the world and the need for our Savior.
Today, He is still asking, "Come along with me."
It is "you" He desires. Not the perfect "you", the one who "will get it all together and then follow". It is you. As you are.
It is "you".
Just as He did with them, all He wants is for all of us to "Come along with Him".
You know, that request wasn't just for Levi. or His other disciples. or all those we read about in His Word. All the others who are part of our lineage in Him. Who came.
That request has been handed down from our ABBA since the beginning with Adam and Eve.
There in the garden all was as He meant it to be. Until they decided not to "come along". Instead, going their own way - that lead to bringing death into the world and the need for our Savior.
Today, He is still asking, "Come along with me."
It is "you" He desires. Not the perfect "you", the one who "will get it all together and then follow". It is you. As you are.
It is "you".
Just as He did with them, all He wants is for all of us to "Come along with Him".
Monday, October 06, 2014
"A Drink, For You" - 10/06/14-John 2-4
It is my prayer, from deep within me, for you to know ABBA intimately, deeper each passing moment. Continually I pray He is your "Bestest Friend". Each day I read His Love Letter, His Word, praying my ears, heart, eyes are open to what He is speaking to me. I don't want to miss out on anything He is saying. I don't want to miss out on His transformation of me into His.
I continually pray His using me (through this media or any other means) will be for you, as the woman at the well in the scriptures this morning. One of the many vessels He is using for your life to become centered around Him. I pray for you to draw deeper into His Word, His personal Love Letter to you, each day - Our Living Water.
"Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst - not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life."(4:14)
I continually pray for Him to use me as His vessel in all that I do. I say. I think. I continually thank Him for His grace and mercy and forgiveness the times I fail. When "I" get in the way.
My life was once on a journey of darkness and He saved me. I continually pray you will be saved or kept from the darkness. I continually pray all I encounter will see Him and not me.
I continue to pray for all to truly and intimately "know" ABBA.
To truly and intimately "know" there is no greater Love - for "you". (I promise)
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, His one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.
God didn't go to all the trouble of sending His Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.
Anyone who trusts in Him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust Him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to Him."(3:16-18)
"The Father loves The Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to Him so He could give it away - a lavish distribution of gifts.
That is why whoever accepts and trusts The Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever!
And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts The Son is in the dark and doesn't see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that."(3:35-36)
Sunday, October 05, 2014
"We Are" - 10/05/14 - Matthew 4, Luke 4-5, John 1:15-51
This is Kingdom Come! (Luke5:35)
Last night was such a wonderful blessing. Taking off around 3:30 with eight of my "sisters", we made our way to see Jason Gray, Unspoken, Lindsay Mccaul, and Carrolton on the "With Every Act of Love" tour in the big city of LaHarpe, IL. Three vehicles caravanned on the highway stretched out ahead of us, blending into the same steel gray color of the skies above us, reminding me of solders marching single file, making their way. Massive white clouds grouped together as far as the eye could see. Traveling the back roads of my old stomping grounds, memories floated in amongst the present day conversations filling our car. My eyes drank in the beautiful golden hues of the crops with their heavy offerings of grain, awaiting their turn under the combines. Areas once bare from vegetation, now crowded with fully grown trees. Where old homes once stood, no longer is any indication of them ever being there. New homes scattered in places where in the past were covered with dense underbrush and trees, or plowed and planted.
I was reminded again, nothing stays the same. All is revolving. All is ever changing.
Except my ABBA.
Except His Word.
In the verses He gave me yesterday, "Ignite" was the one Word I carried and tucked into my heart. I was chewing on it throughout the day, wondering in what ways am I ignited for Him. I know, without doubt, my passion is my ABBA. I am so in love with all there is about Him and want to introduce all I am able - to Him. I am passionate about His Living Word. How it transforms, molds, leads, creates me into the woman He designed me to be. I am passionate about celebrating living this life. Desiring so much to be rid of the baggage I have picked up throughout my journey. And I am. Slowly, but surely.
My breath caught as I listened to the words of the first song preformed. Again, in another set. He spoke to me through the voices singing praises to Him - "Ignite the fire within". My heart beamed as I knew He was speaking directly into me. "Ignite".
Throughout the evening we were blessed by the spoken words He gave the performers, in their testimonies, their thoughts, their teaching. Jason (how ABBA is able to bond us into first names) in sharing his heart spoke about His Kingdom. How we in Him are living now on earth His representatives of His Kingdom, awaiting the day when He returns to take us Home to where He resides. I sat wrapped in the surrounding of His and reflected on this. How ABBA has blessed me with so many "tastes of Heaven" through His grace and mercy and forgiveness. Through His Word. Through the Holy Spirit who lives within me. My comforter, my guide, my everything. Few of the many benefits in accepting Jesus as my Savior.
I looked about me in the room, watching faces. Beautiful. Lovely. Upturned faces. All with their ABBA shinning through, as they drank in the songs of worship. Beside me sat my sisters. Women whom I adore, love, grow from and with.
My ABBA so lifts me up. He so encourages me. He so, so very much loves me. How He does in so many ways bless me. May I never take them for granted. May I always be "ignited"
My sisters. My brothers. My family.
"With Every Act of Love", we are part of "His Kingdom Come".
His Beloved.
Last night was such a wonderful blessing. Taking off around 3:30 with eight of my "sisters", we made our way to see Jason Gray, Unspoken, Lindsay Mccaul, and Carrolton on the "With Every Act of Love" tour in the big city of LaHarpe, IL. Three vehicles caravanned on the highway stretched out ahead of us, blending into the same steel gray color of the skies above us, reminding me of solders marching single file, making their way. Massive white clouds grouped together as far as the eye could see. Traveling the back roads of my old stomping grounds, memories floated in amongst the present day conversations filling our car. My eyes drank in the beautiful golden hues of the crops with their heavy offerings of grain, awaiting their turn under the combines. Areas once bare from vegetation, now crowded with fully grown trees. Where old homes once stood, no longer is any indication of them ever being there. New homes scattered in places where in the past were covered with dense underbrush and trees, or plowed and planted.
I was reminded again, nothing stays the same. All is revolving. All is ever changing.
Except my ABBA.
Except His Word.
In the verses He gave me yesterday, "Ignite" was the one Word I carried and tucked into my heart. I was chewing on it throughout the day, wondering in what ways am I ignited for Him. I know, without doubt, my passion is my ABBA. I am so in love with all there is about Him and want to introduce all I am able - to Him. I am passionate about His Living Word. How it transforms, molds, leads, creates me into the woman He designed me to be. I am passionate about celebrating living this life. Desiring so much to be rid of the baggage I have picked up throughout my journey. And I am. Slowly, but surely.
My breath caught as I listened to the words of the first song preformed. Again, in another set. He spoke to me through the voices singing praises to Him - "Ignite the fire within". My heart beamed as I knew He was speaking directly into me. "Ignite".
Throughout the evening we were blessed by the spoken words He gave the performers, in their testimonies, their thoughts, their teaching. Jason (how ABBA is able to bond us into first names) in sharing his heart spoke about His Kingdom. How we in Him are living now on earth His representatives of His Kingdom, awaiting the day when He returns to take us Home to where He resides. I sat wrapped in the surrounding of His and reflected on this. How ABBA has blessed me with so many "tastes of Heaven" through His grace and mercy and forgiveness. Through His Word. Through the Holy Spirit who lives within me. My comforter, my guide, my everything. Few of the many benefits in accepting Jesus as my Savior.
I looked about me in the room, watching faces. Beautiful. Lovely. Upturned faces. All with their ABBA shinning through, as they drank in the songs of worship. Beside me sat my sisters. Women whom I adore, love, grow from and with.
My ABBA so lifts me up. He so encourages me. He so, so very much loves me. How He does in so many ways bless me. May I never take them for granted. May I always be "ignited"
My sisters. My brothers. My family.
"With Every Act of Love", we are part of "His Kingdom Come".
His Beloved.
Saturday, October 04, 2014
"IGNITED" - 10/04/14 - Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3
"But John intervened: "I'm baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house - make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned." There was a lot more of this - words that gave strength to the people, words that put heart in them. The Message!"(Luke 3:16-18)
What a wonderful change in my life has been brought
Since Jesus came into my heart
I had lied in my soul for so long I have sought
When Jesus came into my heart
Since Jesus came into my heart
Since Jesus came into my heart
Floods of joy fill my soul like
When sea billows roll
Since Jesus came into my heart
The words came flooding back from my growing up years, often singing this old hymn during worship time in church. They really didn't mean anything then, I was just doing lip service.
In His transforming my soul, no longer are they meaningless words. The words I now sing are praise to Him. Prayers to Him.
I so love the Word He has given me this day. Read them again. Chew on them. Think about how much your life and heart has changed because of Him. How much excitement there is in your life, replacing all the negative, because of your faith and trust in Him being in charge of you. your heart. your life. Look back at where He has brought you through and how His Glory now brings His Light to the darkness. How He has completely transformed you. How it is becoming less and less of you and more and more of Him.
"The main character in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house - make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned." There was a lot more of this - words that gave strength to the people, words that put heart in them. The Message!"
What a wonderful change in my life has been brought
Since Jesus came into my heart
I had lied in my soul for so long I have sought
When Jesus came into my heart
Since Jesus came into my heart
Since Jesus came into my heart
Floods of joy fill my soul like
When sea billows roll
Since Jesus came into my heart
The words came flooding back from my growing up years, often singing this old hymn during worship time in church. They really didn't mean anything then, I was just doing lip service.
In His transforming my soul, no longer are they meaningless words. The words I now sing are praise to Him. Prayers to Him.
I so love the Word He has given me this day. Read them again. Chew on them. Think about how much your life and heart has changed because of Him. How much excitement there is in your life, replacing all the negative, because of your faith and trust in Him being in charge of you. your heart. your life. Look back at where He has brought you through and how His Glory now brings His Light to the darkness. How He has completely transformed you. How it is becoming less and less of you and more and more of Him.
"The main character in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house - make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned." There was a lot more of this - words that gave strength to the people, words that put heart in them. The Message!"
Friday, October 03, 2014
"Born" - 10/03/14 - Matthew 2, Luke 2:39-52
"Jesus was born."(Matthew 2:1)
Being born. Such a miracle in itself.
I think about the circumstances, situation, time of when Jesus was born. How many prophecies He fulfilled during His life. How many He fulfilled before, during His birth.
Jesus, the babe in a manger. Born for one purpose. To die on The Cross, for all of our sins, so we can be with our ABBA eternally.
Our Savior. What a Savior.
No greater love.
Being born. Such a miracle in itself.
I think about the circumstances, situation, time of when Jesus was born. How many prophecies He fulfilled during His life. How many He fulfilled before, during His birth.
Jesus, the babe in a manger. Born for one purpose. To die on The Cross, for all of our sins, so we can be with our ABBA eternally.
Our Savior. What a Savior.
No greater love.
Thursday, October 02, 2014
"Just a Carpenter" - 10/02/14 - Matthew 1, Luke 2:1-38
"Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream"(Matthew 1:24)
Joseph. The man who was chosen to help raise our Savior. The man who would be there from the moment of conception, to love and guide our Savior. The man who would have our Savior as His stepson.
I've often wondered about Joseph. What character traits did our Savior glean from him. How did they interact. Their relationship. Did they ever wrestle. What did they build together. Discuss deep and serious things, Did Mary confide in Joseph things in her heart, causing Joseph to protect his "stepson" even more. Did he ever stand and look at our Savior, his heart in his throat, knowing. Seeing our ABBA in the face of his stepson. What it was like to love our Jesus throughout those growing years. There isn't much written about him for us to know. He is from the family tree of Abraham. He is a carpenter. We don't know about his finances, social status, what kind of donkey he rode, what he did in his spare time.
We do know He was a man of God.
He was hand chosen by God, just as Mary was, to be in the role of parent to our Savior.
He was so loved, trusted, approved by God. ABBA wouldn't place the care of His only Beloved Son in just anyone's hands.
His heart was one that desired to please God. No matter what.
It was a time when a woman who became pregnant before being married was to be stoned. Joseph could have easily went this route, instead "Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. (1:19,20)
No matter the consequences, "he did exactly" what he was commanded.
How often are we as Joseph? How often do we allow other factors to surpass what our ABBA has instructed us to do? For we too are so loved, trusted, approved by God for His work. To love as He loves.
I learn so much from Joseph.
He didn't consider what was in it for himself.
He was all about how he could be used for the glory of ABBA.
No matter the consequences.
Joseph. The man who was chosen to help raise our Savior. The man who would be there from the moment of conception, to love and guide our Savior. The man who would have our Savior as His stepson.
I've often wondered about Joseph. What character traits did our Savior glean from him. How did they interact. Their relationship. Did they ever wrestle. What did they build together. Discuss deep and serious things, Did Mary confide in Joseph things in her heart, causing Joseph to protect his "stepson" even more. Did he ever stand and look at our Savior, his heart in his throat, knowing. Seeing our ABBA in the face of his stepson. What it was like to love our Jesus throughout those growing years. There isn't much written about him for us to know. He is from the family tree of Abraham. He is a carpenter. We don't know about his finances, social status, what kind of donkey he rode, what he did in his spare time.
We do know He was a man of God.
He was hand chosen by God, just as Mary was, to be in the role of parent to our Savior.
He was so loved, trusted, approved by God. ABBA wouldn't place the care of His only Beloved Son in just anyone's hands.
His heart was one that desired to please God. No matter what.
It was a time when a woman who became pregnant before being married was to be stoned. Joseph could have easily went this route, instead "Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. (1:19,20)
No matter the consequences, "he did exactly" what he was commanded.
How often are we as Joseph? How often do we allow other factors to surpass what our ABBA has instructed us to do? For we too are so loved, trusted, approved by God for His work. To love as He loves.
I learn so much from Joseph.
He didn't consider what was in it for himself.
He was all about how he could be used for the glory of ABBA.
No matter the consequences.
Wednesday, October 01, 2014
"Good Morning Beautiful" - 10/01/14 - Luke 1, John 1:1-14
Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.(Luke 1:28)
He has been convicting me of the way I speak of myself. Not only to Him, others, but to myself. The way I cut myself down when looking at photos, reflection. He is listening to every word and thought I have and most of them in reference to me is unkind. Not only unkind, but without grace and mercy. How often I take the blessings He gives me through the words of others and dash it to the ground because I don't see myself as He and others do? How often are all of us harder on ourselves than anyone else?
He has been convicting me of the way I speak of myself. Not only to Him, others, but to myself. The way I cut myself down when looking at photos, reflection. He is listening to every word and thought I have and most of them in reference to me is unkind. Not only unkind, but without grace and mercy. How often I take the blessings He gives me through the words of others and dash it to the ground because I don't see myself as He and others do? How often are all of us harder on ourselves than anyone else?
He brought to my attention how fragile a man's ego is. Every time I am tearing apart me, is actually an attack on Curt. I am saying he doesn't have very good taste when it comes to who he is sharing his heart with. What I am doing to Curt is on such a small scale to what I am doing to my ABBA. He created me. I am made in His image.
He has surrounded me by so many who see me as He does, and I am being a hypocrite. Why is it so easy to see others as beautiful and not ourselves? Why is it so easy to encourage others in seeing themselves as He does, and not ourselves? Why is it so hard to believe His Word applies to each one of us, when He says "You - are beautiful"? Why is it so hard to believe when others say we are beautiful?
These are just a few of the words spoken to Mary from God through Gabriel. He didn't have to say these, but He knew what was coming. He knew this young teen child/woman would be coming up on some moments of self doubt. of criticism from others and probably herself. He knew there were moments ahead when the world would look at her as "ugly". He knew there were moments when she would look at herself as "ugly". He knew she needed to know, to hear, to focus on His Truth.
"Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you."
I'm thinking this is a verse He has given me to paint on my bathroom wall.............
He has surrounded me by so many who see me as He does, and I am being a hypocrite. Why is it so easy to see others as beautiful and not ourselves? Why is it so easy to encourage others in seeing themselves as He does, and not ourselves? Why is it so hard to believe His Word applies to each one of us, when He says "You - are beautiful"? Why is it so hard to believe when others say we are beautiful?
These are just a few of the words spoken to Mary from God through Gabriel. He didn't have to say these, but He knew what was coming. He knew this young teen child/woman would be coming up on some moments of self doubt. of criticism from others and probably herself. He knew there were moments ahead when the world would look at her as "ugly". He knew there were moments when she would look at herself as "ugly". He knew she needed to know, to hear, to focus on His Truth.
"Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you."
I'm thinking this is a verse He has given me to paint on my bathroom wall.............
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