On September 1, 2012 I posted this...
What If I Had Never Found Him?
One day recently, while working side by side, my husband asked me if I had ever considered what my life would be like without the Lord. Wow! He had obviously been thinking about this in reference to himself but it really startled me. So, for about two weeks, I've been musing - is this an important matter? Has it made a difference? If it has, then how? What would I have missed without His forgiveness and love? Here are just a few of the things I've come up with so far...
* One God
* A true friend - no friendship can equal His
* Unconditional love from a Savior full of grace
* Shelter
* Defender
* Loving, God-fearing husband
* Loving, God-fearing children
* Loving, God-fearing grandchildren
* Friendships full of God's grace and love
* Opportunities upon opportunities to share His love and to have that love shared right back
* A solid rock on which to stand
* One who I can always count on
* Hope for a fruitful future
* A desire to fulfill His purpose for my life
In reflecting on this, I've realized how many situations and problems I have avoided because my focus was redirected one day back in 1969. I did find Him then and life has never been the same.
Friday, September 1, 2017
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Giving Him Glory: Reflections on Being Made 'Flawless'
Giving Him Glory: Reflections on Being Made 'Flawless': No matter the bumps No matter the bruises No matter the scars Still the truth is The cross has made The cross has made you fl...
Reflections on Being Made 'Flawless'
No matter the
bumps
No matter the
bruises
No matter the
scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made
you flawless
No matter the hurt
Or how deep the
wound is
No matter the pain
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made
you flawless.
(“Flawless”-MercyMe)
As I walk this new path, alone, but not alone, I have
been experiencing an awakening. I have encountered a new deeper understanding
of just what the cross means.
Flawless has always meant the beautiful, the perfect, the
never dirty, the wise, the focused, the goal oriented – the one which makes no
mistakes, always on time and ready for any adventure.
I have never been flawless. I trip over my shoelaces, I
don’t mind being dirty, I lose focus more than I have it, I give up on goals
too soon, and mistakes are my way of life. I am however, ready for any and all
adventures.
I’m guessing that’s why God made me flawless on that day
in 1969. On that day, I discovered the cross. Actually, I discovered the blood
that was shed on the cross. Today I
understand the true meaning of the cross. Over the past several months my
studies have revealed the ‘cleansing’ of the cross. It is sad that until now I
didn’t picture myself as ‘washed’ clean. I understood in my mind the concept of
cleansing but failed to see the ‘flawless’ me.
To be flawless, perfect in His eyes, is to be ready for
whatever He might call me to do. All in to do whatever He might put before me,
knowing that if I surrender to His will, He’ll make it to be so. The bumps, bruises, scars, hurts, wounds, and
pain have led me to the truth…He has made me flawless.
Therefore
if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new
creature; the old
things passed away; behold, new things have come.
2 Corinthians
5:17
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Arrested by You
Sometime in the early 1990’s I discovered
something that has changed my life. No, it wasn’t salvation, that happened many
years before, 1969 to be exact. This ‘something’ was a lifestyle change-much
like salvation-with far reaching effects.
It was early morning and my alarm clock was
playing one of the Bear’s favorite songs. I chose it because I knew he wouldn’t
want to get up but would be blessed by the words of the song…”I’ve been
arrested by you, take me in, finally captured by you, take me in.” Mr. Romantic
loved the song and what it said.
In those quiet, cool, moments of the day I chose
to leave the warmth of the bed and with my cup of coffee settle into ‘the chair’
in the living room. That day I began a journey that continues to this day.
I have often wondered what my boys and the Bear
thought when Mom chose to get up so early. My youngest, Josh, ran track and
cross country all through high school and each morning I prepared a full
breakfast and a cooler full of lunch before he left for school which meant that
I had to get up no later than 5am. I do know that after a while I couldn’t
imagine life without that time in my day.
I began a time with the Father. Over the years
that time has grown, not in time, but in its importance to my day. Chatting
with a friend the other day I realized that I could probably count on my 10
fingers the number of days that I have not gone to ‘the place’ (now it’s my
dining room table – too many books to fit in my lap). Even on those really dark
days in 2014 when I knew the end was near for Mr. Romantic, I spent those
minutes in His presence.
So just what do I do? I read the Scripture. In the
beginning, truth be told, it was just a lot of words. Now it’s the light of my
life. Each day I find new hope, new joy, new direction, and answers, all in
those amazing words. I might spend a few minutes working through a current
Bible study, preparing for a class but the most comfort and encouragement comes
from the time spent talking with the Father.
Several years ago, I read a book that outlined a
method for prayer – I have used this method since. Some of you reading this are
on my ‘list’ – some of life’s events are too – I seek a Scripture each day as I
read through the Psalms and the book of John that ministers to me that day. Immediate prayer needs that have been asked
of me, top the Prayers on Demand list.
I say all this to encourage you to try to give the
Lord just a little of your time to begin your day. He has not failed to bless
my day – despite the trials, despite the hurts or problems of the day – He’s
always just a thought away because His thoughts are my thoughts.
Lent has just begun. Not everyone is on board when
it comes to giving things up but why not add this? Commit yourself to just 15
less minutes of sleep tomorrow morning. Grab your coffee and the Word and spend
some quiet time before the hurry of the day and talk to the Father. I liken
this time to the tithe. My blessings overflow because I choose to give back to
the Father both my tithe and my time. He will honor your time with Him. He says
He will and He always keeps His promises.
40 days. The Jews wandered for 40 years before
arriving at home. I’m just suggesting 40 days. You can do it. Let me know you
are on board so that I can pray for and with you.
The book pictured takes you through the 40 days
leading up to Easter. It’s available in the library at church – copies are for
sale and we have a couple that you can checkout.
May you be richly blessed and may this be the
beginning of a new way of life for you.
Monday, February 27, 2017
It seems as though I have been walking this trail recently. My thoughts are mired in days overwhelmed with decisions. As much and as often as I seek opinions, I am still the only one who can take the next step. Information, encouragement, prayer are all welcome but still...it comes back to me.
The expression 'can't see the forest for the trees' is very real to me. I am intrigued by many things but all those 'things' clutter my mind leaving me 'driven and tossed by the sea.' I am unable to separate the immediate from the 'this can wait.' Hidden among the 'things' are decisions of great importance. I listen, in my quiet moments, I listen. But, I don't always hear - at least not right away.
Many would say that I need to focus. Yes. Focus is needed. But I have come to realize that too often my focus is in the wrong place, on the wrong thing. Sometime in the past three years of loss, I discovered that when life became a barely visible, saturated pathway, I needed to move my focus away from myself and on to others. First, I had to go to the Father for His direction and then on to sharing His grace as he has shared it with me. Giving away is the trail that leads me back to a life of hope and joy.
There are days when being on my knees before the Father is the only way to see the trail I should choose. Then there are days when the voice of someone dear echoes in my head and I see the warning of the 'rabbit hole.' The voice I choose to hear along the path is that of the One who holds my heart and loves me the deepest and best. I choose to listen.
"The way of the righteous is smooth;" Isaiah 26:7 NASB
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Trust
In my life there have been trials, heartaches, criticisms, failed expectations, triumphs, a love greater than I could have ever imagined, faithful friends, sunshine, darkness, physical pain, great loss, but now...after walking through these years, there is hope and joy, comfort, love, encouragement, challenge, desire, focus, trust...a new life. Ageless songs speak of His walk with me; His talking with me; His carrying me; His challenging me. I live there.
This person, this Creator, this lover, this strength giver, blesses my every thought, my every move, my every desire. My hope is built on a perfect trust in His undying love.
Can I walk without this trust? Yes. I can follow the lead of the world placing my focus on things or achievements even accolades but I cannot be my utmost for His highest choosing the world's pathway. It is a deep and trial-filled rabbit hole without an exit to glory. Eternity is promised when I choose Him. Its pathway is not without potholes - choices - but keeping in mind His love and the blessings that await I cannot but choose to follow Him.
All in, I trust. I have hope. I am comforted by His presence and His Word. To my Father be all the glory.
"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12
Monday, October 24, 2016
Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 (NASB)
How easily we become immune to the beauty around us. The picture above cannot even begin to show the expanse of the Amazon River. The river is so immense that at its mouth one cannot see the opposite bank. It flows rapidly - so rapidly that it constantly pulls pieces of the shore away. Large chucks of soil with grass still growing float by as do great logs from regions far upstream.
When I watch this vast river, I am overwhelmed by God's creation. He created all this beauty and then created man and placed him in it. Honestly, there are no words to explain the feeling that wells up inside when I first step on deck of our boat after a night of rest to drink in the beauty. How could God have known just what would touch my heart that very morning? How could He have anticipated my need to see Him? Ah, but I do...I see His hand in the magnificent sky; in the swift flowing water; I hear the sound of children's laughter in the village on the bank; and I feel His presence all around me.
Most recently I have been struck by this sense of His presence. As the words in His book come to life in understanding, my trust is strengthened. It's as though His breath passes over the words and invades my heart. Charles Swindoll in his little devotional book, Perfect Trust, challenges my mind to allow my heart to receive His grace. My trust is being perfected. My ultimate goal: perfect trust. As good as it can possibly be. Perfection of trust. Unquestionable trust in His provision, His love, His care, His comfort. He walks with me. In me. How deep His love must be to give such a great gift...His Son...so that He could walk with me.
Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6
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