burden to share, request for prayer

Hello everyone.

it's been a while. .but I have to post an update.  Things have been going so fast around here that it's hard to keep my head from spinning. . . but I really need to stop and post and update for prayer. Have to keep this short due to time limits. .

Bryan, my husband, was told today that there is a growth on his kidney.  We have spoken to two different doctors today. . .both agree that it's best to not  even biopsy this because the mass/growth/lesion has "crossed the line" and needs to be removed.

Also...benign solid masses in the kidney are rare...so it is standard to treat this as malignant until proven otherwise. 

We see another DR on this coming Thursday.  We are facing certain surgery and him being out of work for approx. 6 weeks.  They are saying it is very possible Bryan will lose his kidney, but will try to remove just a portion of the kidney--if they feel confident it wouldn't become a problem later.  But we'll just wait and see what happens.

Praises:  God allowed Bryan to have kidney stones and in the CT scan they "happened to find" this place on the kidney. Bryan had a follow-up CT scan a month or so ago and that's when we were told this is not a cyst, it has grown, and something must be done. . so that's where we are today....seeing both DR's and facing certain surgery and an unknown future (unknown to us; but God is fully aware.) 

It appears that this is contained to the kidney which is very good news.

Requests:  Pray for Bryan. . for strength, wisdom, and healing. . and a full recovery.  His burden as the sole provider for us is great. . . But God is greater.    Pray for me.  Trying to be there for him and remaining calm for the family, while keeping up with the intense work load at school, as well as keeping my focus, without falling apart. . . it's a job too big for me.  But God is greater.    Praying that this mass will stay in the kidney between now and the actual surgery when it can be removed.

Thank you all so much. . . And continue to pray for my cousin Michael as well.  He is in treatment currently.   I will be in touch at some point, Lord willing.

Love and hugs to everyone and thanking God for the prayers and support of His children and for the promise to see us through.

Dear Heavenly Father, You are greater than all of the problems this entire world has ever or ever will face.   So I lift my heart, with all its burdens, to You.  Admitting this is too much for me to figure out.  Claiming Your promise "I know the plans I have for you....to give you a hope and a future and not to harm you."  Jeremiah 29:11.  Even though our troubles seem like they could never be a source of hope and promise for a future, but rather a way "to harm" us----You have promised that even our troubles, can be a source of Your blessings---in fact, I wonder if the blessings could be even greater because of them being camouflaged as troubles. ??   Very well could be.    I feel exhausted.

So...I just climb up in Your lap and quietly ask You to hold us as a family, and somehow, some way, get the glory out of this too.  It's too big for me.  But nothing is impossible with You.  "With God all things, (even getting the glory out of this) are possible."

So...thank You for promising to be with us, and for already having the answer even before we ever began to pray. . .and for listening, while we are still speaking.

Bless everyone with the sense of Your presence in the midst of their storms.  

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

From 'Flawed ~ to ~ Awed'

My strength is made perfect in weakness.  II Corinthians 12:9

Been a while since I've been able to write..and actually I should be studying for a physics test which is Monday. . but I wanted to log this lesson as a written reminder to myself of what God has taught me over the past week or two.

One day, I will hopefully look back on this specific time in my life and admit that the difficulties were worth every single degree of suffering, or pain. . .and actually I am almost certain that I will...because it is when I realize and readily ADMIT my weakness, and visualize my "smallness" in comparison to the all-powerful-strength and creativity of our God (Who is beyond any measure or limit) that's when my perspective on life's difficult challenges begin to change.

One way to do that is to take a step back, and look at our universe....go beyond myself and look at the vast expanse of God's creation...keeping in mind that even the universe can not contain God.

A week ago, on my way to school, several mornings the sun was shining so brightly that as traffic was traveling along the interstate and began to round the corner, beyond the trees, the sun was so blinding-bright that traffic began to come to a crawl. .  there as we crept along the interstate and I tried to see past the bright, almost white, sun, I began to realize....this is just the sun. . and look at how we all come to a screeching halt!!

Imagine when we are with God in all His glory . . .purest brightness, in His holiness. . . surely no one will be able to move...but bow down and worship Him.

After feeling unable to "do" what is required of me at this present time, and feeling so unable, and weak, this difficult time reveals my flaws. . . but God's strength is made PERFECT in my weakness. 

Taking a step back, and looking at the marvellous wonder of creation, and seeing the majesty of His power at work around me. . .and that's when I go from feeling "FLAWED" to "AWED.

It's also very helpful for us to remember that even though we may "Feel alone," we really ARE NOT alone..and that the very Creator of the universe not only loves us, but is watching us every second of the day!  "I will guide thee with Mine eye." 

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for looking around, at my tiny "box of space on earth" and thinking that this is it...losing perspective on the bigger picture..on Your power, and how MUCH You truly love me and my fellow family in Christ!   I pray that everyone will begin to grasp this truth:  Yes, we ARE flawed!  But the only way to tap into YOUR strength is to go from focusing on being "FLAWED" to being "AWED" by Your power!!    Thank You!!  I again declare my trust in YOU and Your strength!

Please be made perfect in my flaws and weakness.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Another Journey Begins

"Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long."  Psalm 25:5

"Lord, let me walk so close to You each day,

that I am always ready with welcome

for Your surprise visits to my life."  B.J. Hoff

Well, dear friends....This blog began in 2010 as a way for me to journal whatever it was that God would give me to share, and really I had no idea that anyone would become a follower besides my parents--(Hi Mom and Dad!)   

This has been an online journal of lessons He's been teaching me along my way.  To know that He has allowed you to join in and even receive a blessing from these lessons is so overwhelming that I can not even begin to grasp it.  :)  He has proven Himself, over and over, and surely He will continue to do so.  Amen?  Amen!

 

First of all. . .God is faithful.      Am I faithful? 

I look back and see so many times my faith has been tested, and I suspect even wavered, in the midst of the storms. 



Instead of faith-ful, I was faith-less.

Instead of fear-less, I was fear-ful.



• The main thing I was concerned about was:  What is God's purpose for my life?  How can He make a difference through my life while I'm on this earth?  

LESSON LEARNED: 

Do not seek God's "purpose for your life" first and foremost, but rather seek GOD HIMSELF .

                     

• The other thing I most frantically tried to find answers for was:  How will I arrive "at that special outcome" that He has planned for me?

LESSON LEARNED: 

God will not show us the "final result" of what it is He has planned for you and me.  In fact, He will only reveal His plan for us on a day-by-day basis--kind of like a flower---opening up one petal at a time.

And IF we do not follow each step in obedience, we'll become sluggish in our walk with Him.

And does the arrow have anything to do with it hitting the target?  No!   The Archer places the arrow in the bow, and stretches that bow.  He finds His target, and when the target is in sight, the Archer will fling that bow, and the arrow is set in motion!  Same with us.  We are to just rest in His hands as He prepares to set us into motion.



So...I said all that to say this.  I went back to school last fall.  Exactly one year ago I was wondering why in the world He would lead me to go back to school. (fear made me doubt everything!)  I went through the required classes so I could apply for the ultrasound program this past May.  There were 140 applicants, and they only accept 16 students each year. 

Today I found out that I was accepted!  As the Lord has opened the door for me to pursue a field that I never dreamed would be possible for me ~ or something He would even have me to do in the first place based on how He's equipped me "musically" ~ I just wonder what does He have in store?  I "thought" He would have me share His music.  And yes, He has opened doors, and continues to receive glory musically. . .but there is someone He wants to reach in this field ~ someone that can only be reached if I go through that door, in His power and in His might, and for His glory.  The "ultra-sound" will be the sound of His good news being shared.  :)  And as He teaches me how to look in to the depths of the human body and understand His creation, may He open my eyes to even more depths of His wisdom!

So, instead of worrying about how life is about to  change  dramatically for me and my family, I'll just rest in the fact that God has opened a door, and He wants me to keep my grasp firmly in His, and step through it.   I do believe that is G R O W T H.  :o)

Giving God the
Room to

Override my ideas while I'm

Waiting and

Trusting Him to

Have His way

That's what "GROWTH" means for me today.

Oh Father, Thank You for allowing me to make it through this past year and for teaching me so many valuable lessons, not just in the classroom, but in the school of LIFE.  Like I told my dear Grandmother tonight, "This past year has been so rough. . .but maybe God is using the rough times to be like sandpaper and smooth out the rough edges in my life.". . .please smooth out the rough edges in me.  And oh, there's a plenty!!  I'll not worry about tomorrow, but just take each day as it comes, for You've promised grace only for each day.  Please use me somehow, for Your glory, even as You lead me to a new path.  Strengthen and encourage not just me, but also my dear friends who may be entering a new path that is unfamiliar territory.   Thank You for Your longsuffering with me.  I'd have given up on me a long time ago, Father!  Thank You for not only rescuing us in our present time of need but also consistently rescuing us each time we call out to You. 
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

In the Dark? Here's the Key...

Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?  let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon His God.  Isaiah 50:10

Have you found yourself to be in the dark about something? Wondering where God is taking you, or what He is up to.  Wondering how things will ever work out?    Have you remained ever faithful in your healthy fear (respect) for the LORD?  And you're still obeying His voice, as He speaks?  Yet ... there you are, still in the dark....having no light?

Take heart my friend!    As soon as I read this verse in my devotional today, I noticed that I had written "2010" on the corner of the page.  Here I am, exactly one year later, and still wondering how in the world this particular situation (that I've not mentioned. . . . YET) will ever work out.   But I have found HOPE!  I have found the secret to NOT losing hope!  You can too!  It's right here in the Word!   

• continue to fear the LORD...respect Him.... be "afraid" to hurt Him or let Him down.  That will keep you on the right path.
• Continue to obey Him as He does speak words of guidance to you..Obey immediately, or else you'll become sluggish in your walk with Him. Obey at Once in each little tiny step throughout your day.

And, if you're like me, still in darkness, not sure about things, the command for us today is:

• trust in the name of the LORD.   TRUST in the POWERFUL NAME of the LORD.  The One and ONLY Lord.  The One that at just the SOUND of His name, every knee will bow and tongue will confess that HE IS LORD.  TRUST IN our Precious LORD's name!  ONLY!  Not in money, not in other people....in nothing else BUT His lovely name!
• STAY UPON Your God.    Rest on Him.  Rely upon Him.  The Hebrew transliteration is "shaan" which means to Lean, to support oneself upon.  Lean Upon the strong arm of the LORD.  Rest upon Your God.  Did you realize that HE is YOUR God!?  How personal is this?  Isn't this wonderful?  Not only is HE the Creator of the universe, my dears, but He is YOUR Very own, One and Only, Loving, Tender, Compassionate, Forgiving, Patient, Gentle, Sweet, Strong, Heavenly Father---He is Yours!  And you, my friend, and I, are HIS!

So....keep on walking, obeying, trusting, relying on Him...SOONER or LATER, He shall shed His wonderful LIGHT upon your path!  and upon YOU!

"...the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." 
Numbers 6:25-26

Praise You Father, for bringing hope and encouragement to us who are following You, yet still "in the dark" about things.  We know that You tell us if we walk with You we will walk in Light...and we fellowship with YOU, Who IS the LIGHT of the World. . .we thank You that You understand we have the desire to understand things . . .and yet we are unable to.  Thank You for encouraging us to keep on walking in the direction You are leading, as we know You have said You will lead "the blind in a way that they have not been before."  How very scary to be blind, and in unfamiliar territory!  Help us continue to obey You, and trust and fully rely upon YOU!  We thank You for when You WILL break forth the Son-shine, we shall see what this was all about!  And we pray it will be for Your glory!!  And for our good!
In Jesus' Name, Amen.



Peace, Be Still

Peace, Be Still
(written by my grandmother, Belle Sandefur)

God is our refuge, our strength, our song. 
In Him we can rest all the day long.
The cares of the world soon vanish away,
For in Him there is safety in each passing day.

As a baby looks to its mother
For it's nourishment and care,

We draw strength from our Father

As we go to Him in prayer.

(This is my sister, asleep with a cookie in her mouth @ 1975.)

His Word gives us comfort
As we obey His will,

And in the quietness of our heart,
We find His "Peace, be still."

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Psalm 107:29

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?

Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea;
and there was a great calm.

Matthew 8:26

Dear Jesus, thank You for being our Peace. (Eph. 2:14)   Whether You speak peace to our storms or bring peace to our hearts, we are resting in the comfort of Your arms.  Empty our vessels of ourselves and fill us up with the power of Your Holy Spirit.  And there we will find Your Peace, Be Still.  In Your name we pray, Amen.

(*Thank you, Joanne @ Blessed for suggesting this song!  It is wonderful. 

Did you know that my sister's name was Sherri, with an "i" too?? 

Oh how wonderful this is. Thanks again, Joanne!)

Are You Fed Up with the Delivery?

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.   Psalm 37: 3

 

Have you been holding on to something so tightly, and not being willing to let go?  Sometimes our unwillingness to let go stems from a lack of trust--full, wholehearted, trust in Him.  Lack of faith blinds our eyes.  II Corinthians 5:7 says, "for we walk by faith and not by sight."   It seems that having a lack of faith actually blinds our spiritual eyes from seeing the truth in God's Word:  His unfailing promise to never leave us, to provide for us, to shelter us, to lead us, to protect us, to strengthen us, to uplift us, to comfort us--you name it, anything we could ever ask for or need, He's promised to meet that need by His All-Sufficiency.   In our unwillingness to trust Him, we "think" we are walking by "sight," but we're really walking blindly.  

 

The only thing we see is our circumstances.  But we fail to realize that our circumstances are just the "wrapping paper" enclosing a hidden blessing from our Lord.  Looking at our circumstances from that perspective should stir us to run TO our circumstances instead of running from them.  Embrace the storm, and go for the blessing that is within--in the midst you'll find Him there!  

 

Everything comes with permission from our Father, Who has promised to work them out for our good and His glory (if we desire to serve Him) (Rom. 8:28)  And it's all coming to us as a gift from Him.  He purposely wraps them in "not so desirable" paper to test our faith...do we really trust that THIS is coming from our Lord, with a hidden gift and purpose for our growth in mind??  

 

Instead of getting "fed up" with these "special" deliveries, we should trust in the Lord, and do good--because He promised we will dwell in the land of promise and surely be FED.  :o) 

 

Trust Him.  I'm in the learning process too.  In this land of promise where I'm dwelling, He is surely feeding me.  I'd much rather be "fed by Him" and grow, than simply "fed up" with life's circumstances and blindly miss the gift He sent to me.  In this "letting go, yet embracing the hidden gift" process, He gave me a special arrangement of "Only Trust Him."  To take a listen, just click here..Only Trust Him  (it should load automatically.)     

If you're hungry for more out of life, embrace this life and its being wrapped in "brown-paper-bag" circumstances, and be fed by our Lord. 

 

 Dear Father, Please help us..help me...as You're teaching me to let go of "life as I know it," help me embrace the hidden gift of blessing You're sending my way.  But I will go so far as to ask for You to help me share this gift with as many people as You see fit.  Please let these lessons, sometimes difficult as they may be, be given for not just my benefit, but for others' benefit as well, and most of all for Your glory.  One more thing, Father, it would we very wise for us to remember that the greatest Gift You have sent to us is Your Son, and the salvation He offers to us was wrapped up in the most unattractive paper imaginable---the grief and pain of a brutal death on the cross.  To receive this requires us to embrace Your gift of salvation by faith, and "only trust You!"  Thank You, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, for being Our Greatest Gift!   In Jesus' Name, I humbly pray, Amen.

Son-Glasses

My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me?  Psalm 119:82  (NLT)

The original KJV of Psalm 119:82 says, "Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?"  But I chose the NLT version to give you a mental picture of eyes straining, almost squinting, to see God's promises on the horizon.  

Have you ever been in a tunnel?  Living in the Virginia Beach area, I've been able to drive through several tunnels.  When I'm at the very bottom of the tunnel, my eyes can strain to look ahead, but the end of the tunnel is nowhere in sight.  All I see is the incline of the tunnel---up, up, up...sooner or later we've got to reach the end of this tunnel, right?   Um..is it me, or are these walls closing in a bit??   HA  (that was for added drama...I was just kidding.)  :)

Life is full of mysteries and tests that require wisdom in order to glean the lessons God is trying to teach us while we're in the "fog."  I've heard it said that "wisdom is like the defogger to the glasses in which we're trying to view our circumstances."   Let's take it a step further: "Wisdom is gained every time the Word of God is opened."  Hmmm... The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.  Psalm 119:130 (KJV)  So...in order to keep our eyes from straining to see God's promises fulfilled, we need to stay in His Word, gain that wisdom, and apply that "defogger" to our "glasses" (i.e., our perception of things.) 

Staying in and BELIEVING in His Word = Automatic Light at the End of Your Tunnel.  Beware...Son-glasses may be needed, for the brilliance of His glory in your life will shine brightly when you exit the tunnel!

Oh Father, I need to see the fulfillment of Your promises on the horizon.  Please take these tired eyes of mine and cover them with Your wisdom.  With the veil of Your Word over my eyes, I shall no longer be BLIND!   Give me the eyes of Your dear Son, Jesus, in order to clearly see the world as You see it---in desperate need of a Savior!   For indeed, Father, out of all of life's trials and struggles, my main focus should be to draw closer to You, bring honor and glory to Your name, and praise You even in the storms....even at this midnight hour!  And what's this, Father?  You just reminded me--You are in the business of Midnight Miracles---setting captives free at all hours of the night.  Oh!   My "eyes" are squinting---but it's a GOOD THING!  I'm catching a "smidgy" glimpse of Your glory!  I think I need a pair of Son-Glasses to shield my eyes from Your wonderful glory!  Thank You, Father, for Your Word is TRUE!  Never changing, and All Sufficient! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

A.C.T. Now

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.  I John 2:6

Have you ever prayed about something for so long, seeking an answer from the Lord, and yet for whatever reason He remained quiet?  Day after day, week after week, sometimes month after month, you await an answer...you're simply waiting for God to ACT.   I've been there..in fact, I'm there even now.

For months now I've been seeking His guidance, writing notes as to what it is He may be teaching me through this time of "quiet."  Guess you could say I've been in the wilderness.  It's okay, though, because Nahum 1:3 says "the clouds are the dust of His feet..."  So that can mean one thing:  I may be in a FOG, but at least I know that HE is very nearby---just got to keep looking up.  ;o)

Recently I've felt like a "deer in the headlights" of oncoming traffic.  You know---totally frozen.  So focused on what's coming that I've forgotten to MOVE.  Ever noticed how difficult it is to focus and function on a day-to-day basis when you're facing something scary?   Wonder why?  Well, I think there could be a couple of reasons:  the ole enemy knows just what it takes to stop us "dead in our tracks" once we've started moving forward in our journey with God.  FEAR.  What an obstacle!    Or--it could be our Heavenly Father is trying to purge the dross from our lives in order to reveal to us more and more of our NEED FOR HIM.  Either way, one thing is for sure---God has allowed it, and He wants us to ACT now!

Of course God wants us to wait on Him.  (Psalm 27:14)   But do you think He wants us to just sit still?  Oh ha...I know you're thinking, "Be still and know..."  (Psalm 46:10)   Yes.  But there are a few other things He wants us to do.  He wants us to ACT---Abide in Christ.  (John 15:4)  Continue in our service to others for Him.  "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."  Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)  While Abiding and Continuing, we need to be Trusting in Him with all our hearts.  (Prov. 3:5)  (Trusting Him is what brings the "stillness" to our hearts.)

Ahhh...the main key is to keep feasting on His Word (see SUP, Success Under Pressure)---Abiding in Christ on a daily basis will ensure the lines of communication will remain open and "unclogged" by sin. 

Then, instead of freezing in our tracks, staring at the big burden or trial, we need to CONTINUE ON in our service to others for God's glory.  I've noticed a pattern....Look at Job 42:10  "And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." (KJV)  Take a look at II Kings 4:37...The Shunammite's faithful hospitality to Elisha was rewarded with an answer to a SECRET desire of her heart.  God gave her a son.  It seems to me that when we remain focused on OTHERS in the midst of our trials and storms, and continue to reach out and serve THEM, that God will begin to ACT on our behalf.  

The final letter, "T for Trust," really hit close to home this weekend.  God showed me that I have several "little foxes" that are "getting the grapes" in my life:  lack of motivation, fear of MOVING forward.  But it's the root cause of these little foxes that is the main problem:  LACK OF WHOLE HEARTED TRUST in my Father.  Trust in Him wholeheartedly.  For goodness' sakes, if I can trust Him for my eternal security, then why on earth is it so hard to trust Him with "this stuff?"   Oh, immediately I asked for forgiveness for my lack of complete trust in Him with all of "this," and am letting go.  The end result will be whatever He wills it to be.   Since I  know that He works all things out for my good and His glory if I'm called according to His purpose, I have to know that whenever He does choose to ACT on my behalf, it's "gonna be GOOOOD." 

So, let's A.C.T. while we're waiting for God to act on our behalf.  Abide in Christ, Continue to walk forward in our service for Him, and Trust Him whole heartedly.

Oh Father, You are Sovereign and in control of every tiny detail in my life.  I'm so grateful for Your tender mercies and compassion which never, ever, ever, ever fail!   I'm taking the plunge...letting go.  Trusting You with the outcome.  I'm praying for all my friends and even strangers out there who may be suffering from some sort of captivity in their lives...financial, emotional, spiritual..whatever it is, Father, TURN THEIR CAPTIVITY in Jesus' Name...for we know that You are the God Who sets the captives free!!  AMEN AND AMEN!  And all of Your children are saying...Amen!

Construction Zone

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.  Psalm 37:5

Tuesday's blog entry was discussing how God has promised to make all things new, and for us to forget the past and watch Him make a "road" in the middle of our "wasteland"---(which the Hebrew text is referring to an open field, such as where cattle are driven.) 

With the recent announcement of some upcoming changes being made, I couldn't  help but wonder... "Lord, how will all of this turn out?  How is this even going to happen?   I don't even have any 'oars' to paddle with."  (See Sat.'s blog.)    Well, last night, I read Psalm 37:5.  Hmmm.  Commit thy "way."  "I wonder if 'way' means the same thing as 'way' in Isaiah 43:18, 19.  Sure enough..it does.  "Way, road, distance, journey, manner."  

We are to commit (roll over) our way (or the road we're on) right onto the LORD.   Remember He tells us in Isaiah 43: 18, 19  to forget the past because He's going to make a way for us...A new ROAD.  A new direction.   We really aren't supposed to wonder about "where's He taking us?" or "how's He even going to do this?"...we are just to trust Him.  So...forget the old PATH (past) and roll it over onto Him, bad memories, bad decisions, mistakes, and all, and TRUST HIM---to do what?  To make a NEW WAY spring forth in this wilderness....Have you ever seen a construction zone in the middle of a wilderness?  I think I'm in the middle of one...but it's good, because He is making all things NEW.  :)

Father, I have no idea what You are doing in my life right now..sometimes it's like a mystery.  That's totally fine with me too..because all I need to know is YOU are UP to something.  Instead of "Road Under Construction," I think I'm seeing "Road Closed, Follow Detour."   Please help me, dear Holy Spirit, by giving me a clear vision as to where I need to be facing..what direction is this new road going to be headed?  I am trusting You in the midst of it all.   In Jesus' Name I pray...Amen.

You Hangin' in there?

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. 

Isaiah 49:16

Earlier today my friend and I had a quick conversation, albeit via email.  The Lord has inspired several of the past blog entries based on conversations with this dear person.  It is humorous how sometimes little catchy phrases can light a spark in my heart.  For example:  As soon as I wrote, "Hang in there... better yet, hang on to the ROCK!  I'm there too,"  I thought, "Wait a minute!  What am I saying?  We may think we're plastered on the side of a high cliff, hanging on for dear life, but really, we're engraved on the Palm of His Hand!  We are engraved on to the Rock!"    

Psalm 18:2 says, "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."  Looking at it like that, we are on solid ground!   High up from all dangerous floods that would overtake us if we were "down there."

So if you feel like you're hangin' on for dear life today, dangling from some rocky cliff, take heart! You're not dangling! You're engraved!  Not enslaved by these circumstances, but engraved on the Palm of the Creator of the Universe's hand!! Whoah! "He is our Rock and our Fortress! A refuge in times of trouble."

I'll close this as if it were an open letter to all who read this:
Be encouraged!  I'm right there with you! 
Big hugs!  :o)
Tammi
PS...even if we were cliff hanging....and we did happen to "let go"---we's goin' no where! Cuz He's got us!

Inquiring Hearts want to Know

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Psalm 9:9, 10

Okay...it's been one of those days.  I'm writing this on Monday night, but hope to post this for Tuesday's entry.  I just glanced at the clock..it's almost midnight...so it will be Tuesday when it's posted.

Anyway...Ever had one of those days when you wonder, no matter how much it seems like you are trying to live right, do right, seek Him, obey Him...things just DON'T GO according to the way YOU thought they should?   Ever been there?   I'm there.   Things just do not make a bit of sense.   I mean seriously.  What is going on?   I won't even attempt to answer that question.    I know that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."  (Eph. 6:12)   But what are we supposed to DO about that?

Well, when things happen that we just can't make sense out of .. like your Air Condition Unit blows up, right after the Gas Furnace has been replaced. . . or the kids seem to keep arguing; or one of them is suffering from a disorder or disease....your husband is suffering in a dead-end job:  God wants us to get to KNOW HIM. 

Word-Check

Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? John 18:23

Today's thought is primarily for those of us who are God's children. We've been born into His family through accepting His gift of salvation through Jesus, and more than likely we are familiar with His promises found in Scripture. Maybe we can even quote some great promises verbatim. I wonder though, when the first sign of trouble comes along, is our faith shaken? All of a sudden, if the precious promises of God have not taken a deep root within our hearts, our faith rapidly deteriorates.

Oh...my.  I can look back and say, "Yes, this is true of my past experiences. . . (and if I'm honest, there may be times in the future when I find my faith to be too small.)

Have you ever had an experience that brought you so low, that when others around you tried to encourage you with God's promises, that you have outwardly expressed your doubts? God is listening. He is not pleased when He hears us filling the atmosphere around us with our doubts of His sovereignty.

Malachi 3:13 reveals our Father's inward feelings towards our outward expression of doubt and fear. He says, "Your words have been stout (harsh) against me. Yet ye say, 'What have we spoken so much against thee?'" Verse 14 reveals His answer: Basically He says, "You have said it's of no use to serve me. . .look at everyone around me that has no trials, has "been blessed with ease and comfort in this life."  Did you ever stop to think that whenever we talk, just in passing, no matter how minute the comment may be, that our Lord is listening, and taking notes?  Did I say notes? Yes...Look at verse 16: "Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name." He is writing down what we are saying about Him. Whoah.

Let's don't diminish our "opinion" of God..or our impression of Him.  Do not try to contain the Uncontainable with your "plastic" circumstances (trials.)

When I read John 18:23, the Holy Spirit paused my thoughts..."dwell on that." Then He began to tie everything together: Jesus is the Word. He promises to meet our need in every situation, no matter how big our problem may be! (Phil. 4:19) He promises to comfort the broken-hearted and to save those with a crushed spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

Now, look at John 18:23 again..."If I have spoken evil..." His promises are God's SPOKEN Word to us. Who of us could ever say that anything that came forth from Our Lord's mouth was ever evil? None of us could because He spoke the Truth. He IS Truth.

He seems to be challenging us to take Him at His Word! "Tell me if I have spoken evil!" BUT, look at the rest of the verse! "But if (I have spoken) well, WHY SMITEST thou me?" God says our verbal (and inward) expression of DOUBTING His promises, are "Harsh!" "Why smitest thou me?" Could it be that we are smiting our Lord whenever we doubt Him and have the nerve to EXPRESS our doubts??? It seems like it to me.

Checkpoint: Have you doubted Him today? Let me encourage you to take Him as His Word. He honors His Word above His name! Do not try to contain Him, the Uncontainable, within your circumstances. NOTHING is too big for Him to turn around for your good and His glory.

Dear Father, please forgive us of how we talk, even within the confines of our home. Help us to remember You ARE listening. When we doubt You, because of our lack of faith, You are not pleased. Don't You grow weary of our inability to SEE You (And TRUST YOU) for Who You are? Help us to please You by the way we present You (and our faith IN YOU) to others around us. Do a "Word-Check" on our discussions, and check us if we are speaking anything but the Truth, which is YOUR Word. Thank You for Your Divine Enabling to get us this far in our journey with You. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.

You are what You Think

"Now the just shall live by faith:  but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."  Hebrews 10: 38

We're all familiar with the phrase, "You are what you eat."  Recently, I began to wonder if it would be better to say "you are what you think."  Don't you think there is some truth to that statement?

You can do an experiment to test this "theory."  Next time you begin to feel "down and out," frustrated, discouraged, confused, down-right grouchy, STOP and think. . . and while you're thinking, ask yourself, 'What Am I thinking anyway?"  I can almost gair-own-tee (guarantee) that your thoughts have become negative.   "This is never going to work out."  "We'll never see the light of day."   "This house is a disaster."  "Why can't they pick up their own clothes?!"  "That pile of laundry just keeps GROWING."  "I can't do anything right!"   "These kids will never learn."  Oh my--those are to name just a few.  

We are surrounded by negativity.  The atmosphere has become bogged down with negativity.  No wonder we're discouraged and walking without faith!   Faith can barely breathe when stifled by negative thoughts.

Which Faith Do You Have?

But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Hebrews 11: 6

As you may remember, I've been reading a few books by A. W. Tozer.  I must admit that I'm only within the first thirty and forty pages of each book, but that's okay.  Like the joy of sipping a warm cup of coffee while basking in the sunlight through a bay window, I'm digesting these words of wisdom from the Lord.   MMMmm good!

I'd like to ask you...which type of faith do you have?  I know, you're asking, "What in the world are you talking about, Tammi?"    Nominal faith is faith that accepts what it's been told, believing the text, even quoting the text by heart, just to prove it.*  Do you possess this kind of faith?  I think of it as "surface faith."  Reading the Scripture, maybe even accepting God's promises as true, but leaving it at "that" is not TRUE Faith in God's character.    It's just faith in the text of His Word. 

Faith in Waiting

Truly my soul waiteth upon God:  from Him cometh my salvation.  Psalm 62:1

Waiting.   When I think of waiting, and what that means, typically it brings a sense of impatience, discontent, traffic lights, bumper-to-bumper traffic, going nowhere "fast."  It makes my heart thump faster and beat irregularly just thinking about it right now.  (If you're familiar with Hampton Roads traffic, you know exactly what I'm talking about.)

Anyway,  what are you waiting for?  Anything special?  A dream to come true?  A hope to turn to reality?  Are you waiting for a red light to turn green in your life?  No matter what it is you may be waiting for, be sure you're waiting ON the Lord.  He is the only One Who can bring about the best of the best in your life.  Sometimes He takes us on disappointing detours.  Other times we find ourselves rapidly gliding upon an icy road without any sense of control.  Either way---we're looking towards a definite end.   Since our Lord has already gone ahead, it's safe to say that He knows the way through the turbulent times, and can ensure us a safe arrival to our destination. 

How to Fix a Fearful Heart

Okay....it's Saturday when I'm writing this...and to be awaken to the news of yet another powerful earthquake that struck, with a possible tsunami to follow just made my heart sink.  *sigh*   More Bad News.   

I know the Lord is reminding us that He is the One in control, and I really believe He's trying to get our attention.   He's coming soon.  No doubt.   The news of His arrival being announced by the blast of the trumpet SHOULD BE a welcome relief for God's children.   But honestly, how do you feel when you think of the rapture taking place?  Is this honestly something you are looking forward to?  
Does this give your heart a sense of peace and longing for His return ~OR~ do you feel a sense of impending D O O M???

I guess it all depends on the condition of our heart..and whether or not we are truly saved.   How's our relationship with Him been going lately??    Are we busy about the Master's Business, building His kingdom ~OR~ are we busy about our OWN business by building up a beautiful sand castle that is about to be washed away by an enormous tsunami!?!?  

How to "Think Straight" Today

Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."  Who doesn't need help "thinking straight" these days?  Could it be that simple?  Wake up to a new day, and say, "Here I am Lord...I've got so much to do today...so much is expected of me, by so many people.   I can not do this without some outside help!  Instead of taking it upon myself to do, I hereby ROLL all of this onto YOUR shoulders!  Now, please honor Your Word--You promised if I roll my works onto You, that You will in turn HELP ME THINK STRAIGHT."   

No matter what you've got "on your plate" for today---rejoice!  The Bible teaches us to "rejoice in everything."    Since He has offered His limitless help, put your HOPE in God.  Then what?  
W A I T patiently for Him.  Be still, and listen.  If you yield to the still small voice of His dear Holy Spirit, He will then orchestrate your thoughts in such a way that by evening's tide, you'll be amazed at the beautiful concerto your day turned out to be!  

Proverbs 16:3~~What a promise!  This is a promise we can take to the "Bank of Faith" and cash it in, immediately ready for withdrawal! Cha-ching!  

So remember:      Rejoicing in Everything 
                         +  Hoping in God = 
                            V I C T O R Y in Jesus!