Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Hope

Hope~ to desire with expectation of obtainment
~ to expect with confidence

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

1 Peter 3:15

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

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him

Lamentations 3:25

Lord, let my hope be only in you.


Sunday, April 26, 2009

OSU!

Guess what we did this weekend? My 18 year old daughter and I visited my old college campus (well, one of three) and attended their open house. It was so fun! Everything was orange! We walked along the same sidewalks that I walked as a freshman and saw all of the classroom buildings I remember. My old dorm had been torn down even though it was new when we moved in some 35 years ago. The Italian restaurant I worked in was closed up and empty. It's still a friendly school with great spirit and attitude. It makes me wish I could go back to college days again and take advantage of all of the fun things to do! My daughter is still deciding on a school. But it was such a treasure for this mom to get to spend a day with her and relive alot of fun memories as well. Go Cowboys!

Friday, April 24, 2009

On My Front Porch

On my front porch are two chairs. I bought them a few years ago. I was looking for something inexpensive but nice looking. I really like them, they are blue and green striped fabric on a wood frame with a little wooden table to match sitting in the middle. Usually when I sit outside I don't notice the empty chair sitting beside me. However, the other morning as I sat trying to capture a sense of peace and quiet, all I could hear was the constant roar of the nearby highway, with an occasional bird's singing, and my mind was full of thoughts refusing to be quiet.



All of a sudden, the emptiness of the chair seemed to have a presence all its' own. I began to imagine, what if Jesus were sitting in that chair. What would I say to Him if given the chance? What would He say to me?



We all have things in our lives that seem to keep reoccurring. People or situations . . . something that we just haven't been able to make sense out of. So I asked. I asked what am I supposed to do and how am I supposed to feel and respond in "my" situation. His answer to me, brought me peace. He said that there are words that people say and things they do that destroy, that are meant to cause destruction in some way. Remember when this happens, that these words are not from me. Remember My Truth, that you are loved.


Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1.


This morning, I was reminded of this verse as I sat on my front porch.


The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.


Psalm 34:18


Now, if you read this and think I've lost my marbles, let me assure you I haven't. I didn't hear a voice or see a vision. But His words spoke to my heart and for the first time I realize that some things don't have to make sense. I don't have to make them make sense, when I know that I am loved.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

God's Amazing Grace

There is no limit to the things God has in store for us. His love holds the most unexpected gifts, just waiting for His moment to give them to us.

I just spoke to my sister in law (ex), who I had not spoken to in at least 10 years. The sound of her voice and laughter brought healing to a place in my heart that I didn't even know was there, but God knew. We just had a casual conversation, but the acceptance and love were still there as if no time at all had gone by. Isn't it amazing. . . God's grace. The grace we have known, we hold in our hands to give to others.

GOD, YOU'RE AMAZING!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Ephesians 3:20

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Encouragement for the Day

We all need encouragement, some days more than others. There is an enemy of our soul, watching and waiting for loneliness, fatigue, fear, worry, anything that distracts us from the path we're walking with Christ, the journey that God has set before us. God has made me aware lately, as if watching from a distance, the spiritual battle going on around us. We begin to feel alone, then tiredness sets in, and then when fear over any small (or big)circumstance enters our mind, we start to worry. When we worry we can't trust. Then the enemy has us where he wants us.

We become disoriented from the direction we were headed. It happens to all of us, at one time or another. I guess I wanted to write about this today because about a week or so ago, God began to show me new things. I was given a glimpse into a new realm of awareness of God working. And then this week, I am aware of fighting an invisible enemy. It's a pattern I can see scattered throughout my Christian life. Can you see it in yours as well?

It really began when I chose trust over worry. Sometimes I think that by worrying, I'm protecting my family, simply being cautious. But sometimes, God asks us to trust Him, to allow Him to give us a gift. Sometimes He wants to answer a prayer we have never prayed with words. He wants to answer the yearnings of our hearts that we don't even know how to express.

Two things happened actually, simultaneously. My son was given the opportunity to attend a father/son retreat on being a man of integrity. It was for his age group of boys getting ready to enter 7'th grade. Three men in our church volunteered to go as a"foster dads" so that the sons of single moms could also take part. I believe it will be a blessing for years to come in my son's life. The look in his eyes with the anticipation of going and the look in his eyes when he got home, I'll never forget. It was as if he knew this was a gift he was being given, something of great importance.

At the same time, there was a woman speaking Saturday morning to the women at my church. Her talk was called "Ministering to the Wounded Heart"*. While I was driving to hear her speak that morning, my heart felt as if I was "running" to Jesus. I knew I would meet Him there and hear Him in her words somehow. Her words helped me to understand myself and my past. God also gave me a new vision for my future. A joyful vision of ministering to other wounded hearts.

She shared how her plan was to minister to others through her strength. God's plan was for her to minister through her weakness*. God is so good. His grace is always right there, right where you are. He can turn our suffering into a treasure to be used by Him*. I guess that's what I mean in my heading, about God turning the greatest struggles in our lives into blessings. For me, I have found that when I struggle, then I draw closer to God. The closer I am to God, the more peace, hope and joy I am given, deep in my spirit, regardless of circumstances. Without suffering, without struggle, where would I be?

I pray that these verses are an encouragement and strength to you as you persevere and fight the battle.

Psalm 37: 39-40
The spacious, free life is from God, it's also protected and safe. God-strengthened, we're delivered from evil— when we run to him, he saves us.

Galations 5:1
Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.

Romans 12: 9-10
Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

Ephesians 6: 10-18
God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13-18 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.


Philippians 1:6
There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.


* Alisa A. Hale
East-West Ministries

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter

There is a peaceful rain falling and birds are singing. A beautiful Easter morning!
Happy Easter from my house to yours!
John 20
1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" 3So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." 16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' " 18Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. Jesus Appears to His Disciples 19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." Jesus Appears to Thomas 24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." 26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Friday, April 10, 2009

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.Take these words along with the image when you post your award.
Just when I feel I've been neglectful of my own blog and my blog friends, I get a sweet message from Joni at Morning Coffee to encourage my heart and my writing! I've been really busy lately as well, hurrying to read what you've written, and not having the time to let you know that I've stopped by and that your words gave me inspiration for the day. Busyness means there's more work, which is good, however there's not as much time left over to nurture the soul. God has been busy though, allowing me a small glimpse into a new realm of awareness. Isn't it cool how that happens? So, I will be writing more soon.
Now, if I just had a few more hours to devote to blogland today! I'm passing this on to
The Perfect Walk
She has had to take a break from blogging and I want her to know she is missed. Her words always touched my heart for their honesty. Pray for Leigh in the Philippines.