Wait, Who wants to do that?

Wait... who wants to do that? Waiting is hard isn't it?

One reason it's hard is we live in an impatient world. We want it, and we want it now!

We want things fast... slim-fast, instagram, quicken loans, etc. This is the society we live in. The microwave doesn't even seem fast enough!

 Micah 7:7 says, " But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me."

" Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14

" I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1

1. Wait. ( for the Lord). In all of these Scriptures above, it doesn't say wait ON the Lord, it says wait FOR the Lord!

2. When you're waiting, God waits with you.

" Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him."  Isaiah 39:18 (ESV)

So He waits that He may be gracious. You will be blessed if you wait for Him.

Wait... for His timing... wait for His purpose.. He is working even if you don't see it!

3. God still hears you.

Wait.... and in your waiting know that He still hears you. In two of the verses above it says that God hears your cry and your prayer.

" ... Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words." Daniel 10:12

Don't lose heart dear Christian, He hears you...

4. God will give you strength to wait.

" Those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 41:10

Don't lose hope. God will give you strength to wait. A renewed strength for the journey ahead. Who knows but what in this journey of waiting, when you can't seem to put one foot in front of the other.....

He may give you wings!

It's time to cancel your daily rehearsal!

Recently I posted a verse on facebook that says:

"Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night." Revelation 12:10 This verse made me think of how Satan is tireless to accuse us. To bring our sins up to God. He does the same thing to us. He whispers in our ear ugly reminders of our past sins. "You'll never be good enough." Or, "How could God love you after everything that you have done?" Sound familiar? This causes us to have rehearsals... You don't have to be a singer... a instrumentalist. or an actor to hold regular rehearsals. You can also hold regular rehearsals as a Christian who doesn't forgive and forget... yourself! If you have come to Christ and repented, confessed your sins to God, why are you holding this regular rehearsal? Will this change anything? Will mulling this over again and again change the past or it's circumstances? More importantly, are you God?  Who are you to not forgive yourself when God has forgiven you? God has said in I John 1:9, " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Not just some unrighteousness depending on if it's not too bad, but ALL unrighteousness! Planning on rehearsing today? I believe I would cancel that!

Be Still

Still carrying over my thoughts from yesterday about being still before God.
I love Steven Curtis Chapman's song, " Be Still and Know"
Here is the song of Steven singing it along with the lyrics.
Listen... Be Still and Worship.

 

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still, O restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that he has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still

Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know he is our Father
Come rest your head upon his breast
Listen to the rhythm of his unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still

Can you pass me a napkin?

     A friend of mine called me the other day to share with me a passage of Scripture that she was excited about. This friend does this often and I love it when she does. She opened her Bible and read this Scripture to me over the phone:

Colossians 1: 9-14

" 9For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." I told her to hold on and let me write this down so that I could go back and read it again for myself and soak it all in. Then I told her to let me go get a napkin to wipe my mouth because I feel like I just had a good, large, delicious meal! (This is just how we talk to each other).  So, I went back later and re-read this wonderful passage. God kind of messed with me a little.  When I went back and read the passage again, the word "filled" jumped out at me in verse 9. I guess He does want us to be "filled" just as if we had a big, satisfying meal! But come away after the filling with the knowledge of His will, spiritual wisdom and understanding.  You may not understand me feeling this way when reading Scripture, but the Psalmist felt the same way. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103  If you are reading this blog, I hope that you will take the time and truly digest this passage. I bet you will need a napkin too... Cause it's soooo good!

Stay Thirsty My Friends

On our recent visit to Missouri, my Sister-In-Love, took my camera and snapped some beautiful pictures of her neighbor's little fawn. There are some scriptures that mention the deer.

Psalm 42: 1-2 says, " As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?"

Hunger and thirst is something that is hard to ignore. God placed these cravings within us so that we would seek food, or drink and get what our bodies need to survive. I believe that He also placed a similar craving within us for Him. We will not be satisfied, truly with anything else.

The picture here in this passage is of a deer that has been chased up into the hills and is so thirsty. This is a thirst and craving similar to an alcoholic craving alcohol. They just have to have it or else! The deer is so thirsty that he not only bends his head down to drink, he dives his whole body right into the river. He just wants to soak it right into his pores!

Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount that if we are that thirsty for Him and His righteousness, we are blessed, the word happy could be inserted here.

"Blessed (happy) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (filled). Matthew 5:6 I would submit to you that you don't want to be righteous apart from knowing God. We need to want to know God with that much desire. Like a deer that is on the brink of thirsting to death if he doesn't get water!

Am I that thirsty for God?

In asking myself that question, I thought of that clever commercial of "The Most Interesting Man in the World". You know the one I"m talking about? At the end of the commercial, he says, "Stay Thirsty My friends"... this is a clever way for the advertiser to sell his product. It is not however something that we are interested in being physically. Who in their right minds would ever want to "stay thirsty"? However, this is a good way to think spiritually. We need to stay thirsty for God and His Word and His righteousness.

Are we thirsty for God?

Stay thirsty my friends...

All that glitters is not gold

Steve and I were recently in New Orleans for the SBC. After the convention was over, we set out to explore the city. We went to Bourbon Street. The sights and sounds and smells were overwhelming to the senses. Not just a bombardment of my senses, but of my soul. As we were walking down the sidewalk, my attention was drawn to a place on the sidewalk . The owner of the shop had sprinkled some beautiful, gold glitter on it. The glitter laden sidewalk was right in front of a place that said, "Angel readings". As I stopped to look at this, I realized that it was a place where you could go and get a "fortune telling" done. This grieved my spirit. We are told in Leviticus 19:31 "Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the LORD your God." I wonder how many people went in there because of the beautiful glitter on the sidewalk, or the attractiveness of the place. My heart was so sad for this woman. So I stopped there and prayed for the woman who would be doing these readings. I prayed that she would come to know Jesus as her Saviour. The God we serve knows our future. He holds our future in His hands. I don't know about you, but I don't want to know my future! God created us so that we would not know the future for a reason. It would keep us in a turmoil and scared all the time to know the bad things that may lie ahead for us.

We should not be surprised by this. This is Satan's mode of operation. II Corinthians 11:14 reminds us that ..." Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." This is what he is so good at! Making sin look attractive and beautiful!

Next time you are tempted by something that looks so enticing remember that's how Satan works. He disguises the sin into a thing of beauty. That's how the serpent got Eve! The unfortunate thing is you don't see where it leads. Oh, there is a definite trail, but to where?

It may lead to your destruction.

James 1: 15 says," Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings for death."

Thomas Gray in 1742, in an "Ode on A Distant Prospect of Eton College" wrote these wise words, "Not all that tempts your wand'ring eyes And heedless hearts, is lawful prize; Nor all that glitters gold."

If you can't remember the Scriptures, the next time you see something that is shiny, that glittering thing of beauty that would be oh so tempting, just remember this little phrase...

"All that glitters is not gold."

"Nevertheless"

This past Sunday we were so privileged to hear Mark Sweeting speak to us at Hocutt. Mark and Sharon are Missionaries. I will not say where, but as I was thinking about all that they have sacrificed to go, I came across this verse, "And Simon answering said unto him, Teacher, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net." (Luke5:5 KJV)

Simon, James and John had been toiling and fishing all night without catching any fish. Fishing like they did 2000 years ago would be tiring. They would throw the nets out over and over again, and pull them back in. I imagine they were tired. Human reason and physical exhaustion would make them want to stop. But Jesus told them to try it one more time. Simon said one word that caught my attention, "nevertheless". In other words, even though I'm tired from fishing all night, nevertheless, I will obey you.

William Chalmer Burns was a missionary to China in 1847. After seven years he wrote, "I do not know of a single soul brought to Christ through me." Nevertheless, he persevered.

The country that Mark and Sharon have gone to is very dangerous. We hear about it on the news, car bombings and other things that would make anyone apprehensive about going...nevertheless, they went.

Mark and Sharon has children and grandchildren that they dearly love and miss... nevertheless, they went.

What is your "nevertheless"?

God may ask you to sacrifice your time, talent, treasure, family, home, comfort. He may ask you to toil in your menial, everyday tasks and live in obscurity. No one may ever know the things you do for the Lord, and for His kingdom. Whatever the situation, are you willing to say, "Nevertheless Lord, I will obey you"?

Let us live, and obey in the magnificent word...Nevertheless.

Walk Through

Sunday evening I stood by the bedside of a friend... a 47 year old man who had struggled and fought with his body betraying him. I listened to Kez his wife tell about how he had also struggled with the Lord. What made this a bitter sweet time is that Kevin, in struggling with the Lord, I believe from what Kez told me, received answers from the Lord... and so, there was a resolve... a release that took place in Kevin's heart and soul.

The next day I pondered many things. One being a portion of the 23rd Psalm. " Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I fear no evil, for You are with me."

Some phrases in this that played over in my mind were... "walk through". For the Christian, death is not a wall, but a doorway. We proceed through this doorway with Him. We may be weary, even injured, but we arrive at our destination. How? Because the Lord Jesus is with us with every step we take.When we "walk through"the valley, He is right there with us.

The second phrase is, " shadow of death". I was thinking about shadows. You could be walking down a trail in the woods and come across the shadow of a bear. The shadow itself cannot hurt you. It is just a play of the light reflecting a certain way that makes the shadow. A shadow can only be seen when the sun is shining! This is not a cloudy, gloomy day for the Christian. So when we are walkingwith the Lord, we need not fear the "shadow" of death, for it's just a shadow. When you are a child and you first discover a shadow, you may be afraid until your Mom or Dad that is with you explains it. They may say, "Oh honey, there's no need to be afraid, it's only a shadow and shadows can't hurt you." I believe this is what it's like for the Christian when they face death. We don't need to fear death because when Christ is walking with us, it's only a shadow.

In Randy Alcorn's book,"If God is Good" he says, " Although death is the last enemy, the ghastly result of the Fall and the Curse, Christ made death a passageway into the loving presence of God, "Sothat by His death He might destroy him who holds the powers of death- that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." Hebrews 2: 14-15) Christ has liberated us from the need to fear death." Why? Because He conquered death!

So for the Christian, when we come to the end of our journey here in this life, we can continue to "walk through". We can walk through the valley of the "shadow of death", where God will comfort and calm fears, where our cups can overflow, and this is a place where we can rejoice and look forward to an eternity of being with our good and loving God.

So, walk through Kevin, and walk on with your Lord, dear Brother. It was just a shadow, and the Son is shining bright on the other side!

I want to have 12/12 vision

I used to work in Eye care. Most people think that if you have "perfect vision" that it is "20/20". Actually, you can have vision that is better than that, but that is not the point of this post. Today I read Romans 12:12.  It says: "Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer." In reflecting on what this verse means, I decided that I want "12/12" vision! Okay, I don't think that is very good when it comes to vision for your eyes. I want this kind of vision for my spiritual eyes.

How can we have 12/12 vision?

 We can have this because Christ is raised from the dead. This is where we find hope. His death looked bleak, but His resurrection brought hope for a new tomorrow for all of us, if we are believers. "Hope", that is a beautiful word. Burns said, " Hope is the cordial in every human heart." We get up and go every morning because of hope. It gives us something to live for. I can live my life rejoicing in a hope like this!

The second thing mentioned in the verse is "Persevering in tribulation". I am told in Scripture to expect tribulation. It will come. But I am to persevere through it. With the Lord's help, I can go on, through the tribulation. Isaiah 43:2 says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." Notice it doesn't say, "If" you pass through the waters, but "When". But the second part of the verse is how we can persevere through the tribulation. It says He will be with us. The Holy Spirit will be with us, guiding us through the trials and tribulations.

The third thing is, "Devoted to prayer". If you are devoted to something you are dedicated to it. It becomes something so important to you that you become single-minded in it. If I am devoted to prayer, it becomes such a part of my life that I do this like breathing. I Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Pray without ceasing." We can only pray like this if we are devoted to it.

Lord, Help me to have 12/12 vision. To be ever "rejoicing, persevering, and devoted" to the things that are important to you. I want to look at life through spiritual eyes like this. For it is then that I will really begin to see things clearly... as You would have me see.

Cross references:

1. Romans 12:12 : Rom 5:2
2. Romans 12:12 : Heb 10:32, 36
3. Romans 12:12 : Acts 1:14

 Picture:                                                

Source: borntomakeanimpact.tumblr.com via Kalyn on Pinterest

What about your heart?

Things we guard:

Our children, from dangerous situations.

Our home, by using locks and security systems.

Our computers, by implementing a password.

Our property, by using a guard dog.

Our skin, by using sunblock.

Our finances, by saving money.

Our car, by using a car alarm.

What about your heart?

Did you forget to guard one of the most important things?

The Bible says in Proverbs 4: 23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (NIV)

This word guard means to protect, keep, watch, inspect, like the guarding of a fortress.

We are guarding everything else, why aren't we guarding our hearts? If you are not careful with your heart, it will lead to "heart"ache. The repercussions can be terrible. You have the potential to not only ruin your life, but the lives of your family and the people you say you love.

Don't start the "innocent" flirting, there is no such thing! The confiding in someone other than your spouse. That is giving a piece of your heart away that should be for them alone. Only let your spouse be your confidant... not anyone of the opposite sex if you are married.

Most affairs start out innocently. You think it would be just fine to friend your ex girlfriend or boyfriend on facebook. In my opinion it's not fine... it's dangerous and playing with fire. If you are married you need to be careful of who you allow to be your friend in life AND on facebook! Too many marriages have failed because of facebook. I know of several.

You might think, wow, you sure are strict! Yes indeed I am. I'm trying to guard my heart.

We guard everything else... why not our hearts?

After all... if you don't guard it... you might not have anything much left TO guard. The rest may be left shattered in a million pieces...

Something to think about...

Our Awesome Creator/ Song Writer/ Music Producer

Louie Giglio Mashup of Stars and Whale Singing God's Praise

Psalm 148:3-13


As a music major and music fanatic I am always interested in learning new
things about music. Yesterday I saw a you tube clip that just fascinated me. It
is about different things in nature and creation that put out a sound that could
be interpreted as music. I started thinking about this, and wondered if anyone
else might find it interesting as well.
We all know that birds chirp and sing with different pitches and melodic
tones. But did you know that stars did as well? How about whales, did you know
they sing a song too? The whales have a call to each other that is a haunting
sound. Elephants and other animals do as well. By definition this could also be
thought of as music.
Our great creative, creator God has made all of these things for His good
pleasure. He has created them to praise Him in one way, or another. Just their
very existence is a praise to His glory. But the Bible also says that His
creation praises Him. In some instances in Scripture, it says that creation
sings praises to God.
I found too many to print out the full verse, but I want to list them so
that you can look them up. I went over these yesterday and had my own time of
praise to the Lord.
I Chronicles 16: 31-33, Jeremiah 51:48, Isaiah 14:7, 35:2, 44:23, 49:13,
55:12, Psalm 65:13, 69:34, 96:11-13a, 98:4, 7-9a, 103:22, 145:10, 150:6.
We kid ourselves if we think we as humans are the creator of music. The
creation of music is within the mind of God.
Edith M. Thomas said, "The God of music dwelleth out of doors." God created
us as humans to praise Him, but we would be naive to think that He didn't create
His other creatures to be able to do the same thing.
Psalm 98:8-9 says, " Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains
sing together for joy before the LORD..." Psalm 148: 3 also says, "Praise Him,
sun and moon; praise Him, all stars of light!" (vs 7) "Praise the LORD from the
earth, sea creatures and all deeps..." (vs 10-13) "Beasts and all cattle;
creeping things and winged fowl; Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and
all judges of the earth; Both young men and virgins; Old men and children. Let
them praise the name of the LORD, For His glory is above earth and
heaven."
Are you getting this picture?
His creation is leading the praise. The rivers and the mountains, the
creatures in the sea, the birds flying in the air are all praising the Lord. So
we see that they are doing what they were created to do... Praise God and give
Him glory!
Are we doing what we were created to do?
We were also created to praise God and give him glory. The Scripture above
does not leave anyone out. It says young men, old men and children. Kings of the
earth and all people.
All means You! Don't let the rivers, and the whales and the stars out do
you in their praise to God!
"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD!"

Our Awesome Creator/ Songwriter/ Music Producer

As a music major and music fanatic I am always interested in learning new things about music. Yesterday I saw a you tube clip that just fascinated me. It is about different things in nature and creation that put out a sound that could be interpreted as music. I started thinking about this, and wondered if anyone else might find it interesting as well.

We all know that birds chirp and sing with different pitches and melodic tones. But did you know that stars did as well? How about whales, did you know they sing a song too? The whales have a call to each other that is a haunting sound. Elephants and other animals do as well. By definition this could also be thought of as music.

Our great creative, creator God has made all of these things for His good pleasure. He has created them to praise Him in one way, or another. Just their very existence is a praise to His glory. But the Bible also says that His creation praises Him. In some instances in Scripture, it says that creation sings praises to God.

I found too many to print out the full verse, but I want to list them so that you can look them up. I went over these yesterday and had my own time of praise to the Lord.

I Chronicles 16: 31-33, Jeremiah 51:48, Isaiah 14:7, 35:2, 44:23, 49:13, 55:12, Psalm 65:13, 69:34, 96:11-13a, 98:4, 7-9a, 103:22, 145:10, 150:6.

We kid ourselves if we think we as humans are the creator of music. The creation of music is within the mind of God.

Edith M. Thomas said, "The God of music dwelleth out of doors." God created us as humans to praise Him, but we would be naive to think that He didn't create His other creatures to be able to do the same thing.

Psalm 98:8-9 says, " Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy before the LORD..." Psalm 148: 3 also says, "Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all stars of light!" (vs 7) "Praise the LORD from the earth, sea creatures and all deeps..." (vs 10-13) "Beasts and all cattle; creeping things and winged fowl; Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; Both young men and virgins; Old men and children. Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His glory is above earth and heaven."

Are you getting this picture?

His creation is leading the praise. The rivers and the mountains, the creatures in the sea, the birds flying in the air are all praising the Lord. So we see that they are doing what they were created to do... Praise God and give Him glory!

Are we doing what we were created to do?

We were also created to praise God and give him glory. The Scripture above does not leave anyone out. It says young men, old men and children. Kings of the earth and all people.

All means You! Don't let the rivers, and the whales and the stars out do you in their praise to God!

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD!"

Tim Terrific!

I first heard about Tim Tebow in 2007. Steve and I and much of our church staff went to the Pastor's conference in Jacksonville, FL. While we were there we were introduced to a young man that played college football, named Tim Tebow. He spoke for a few minutes and I was so impressed with him.... I still am.

As far as I can tell, Tim Tebow is the same young man that shared his heart with us that day. As a member of First Baptist, Jacksonville, he grew up hearing great preaching from Jerry Vines. He was taught a solid Biblical foundation.

What is so impressive about Tim Tebow is that he gives God the honor and glory. When he scores a touch down, he bows his knee and thanks God. Back when he played college football he wore the black paint under his eyes with the Scripture verse, John 3: 16.

Once he started playing in the NFL, he was probably told that he couldn't wear that. But the Lord has a way of getting His message out anyway! Recently the big game that Tim played in, the numbers 316 kept turning up. In fact, they turned up at least three different times. The result of this was many people Googled "John 3:16". So many people found out the message that,

"God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." You see God was not sharing His glory with Tim Tebow. He will not share His glory with anyone! God loves people. He wants them to hear that message. The good news message of John 3:16.

When I think of Tim Tebow, I also think about the verse Proverbs 3:6, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."

When Tim Tebow bows the knee during a football game, he is acknowledging God. He is acknowledging Him in everything he does. That is what is so great and inspiring to watch!

Tim Tebow has caused this woman to start watching football and the reason has nothing to do with football! I am just drawn to someone who acknowledges God in all of his ways!

Our young people need a good role model to look up to. Our society is lacking in this area.

I think they are safe to look up to a guy who bends that knee, and humbles himself to an Almighty God! I thank God for Tim Tebow. I will pray for him. We need more young men like him. Keep on Tebowing Tim! It's a good example for us all.

A Book of Remembrance

Last Saturday we buried a sweet, dear woman of God. She lived with Alzheimer's disease the latter part of her life. I loved watching how her husband and children cared for her and doted on her. She would come to church on Sunday nights with her husband and she would do her best to follow along and pay attention. They usually sat behind me so I was privy to hear what she would whisper to her beloved. She would usually say, "What book was that?" What chapter did he say?" She was still eager to learn about the Holy Word of God.

So when the Lord lead me to the book of Malachi a few days before she passed away, I paid special attention to a particular passage. Malachi 3: 16-17 (NASB) says, " Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who esteem His name. "They will be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "on the day I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him."

The Lord is speaking here and He says that those who fear the Lord, (another version says "reverence my name"), spoke to one another. This is saying that if you reverence the Lord and you are talking to one another about Him, He has someone writing these things down in front of Him. This is a book of remembrance. It says "the LORD gave attention and heard it", or "He hearkens to hear it", as if He is stooping down, to hear everything that you are saying in honor of His name. Lastly, the scripture says, "They will be Mine," (KJV) says," they are my jewels". Oh my, I have to tell you that this was like taking some kind of tonic for my heart! It just made my heart leap for joy to read those words!

I am in awe that the God of the universe cares about my little conversation with another Christian. When we hallow His name He has it written down in a book of remembrance. He also calls me one of His jewels! This is almost more than I can fathom! How could anyone not love a God like this?

So, to tie this all together, Betty Lambert could not remember a lot of things in her latter days, but God had it all written down for her. When we can't remember, He does, and that's such a comfort to me. He knows that Betty once talked about Him and how much she loved Him. Even when she couldn't remember, God kept these memories for her and stored it in a beloved book of remembrance. But now that Betty is in heaven... She remembers everything and she is seeing her Saviour face to face. The Lord may have said something like this, "Welcome home my sweet jewel, I remember you and love you and that's the most important thing." "Your mind is fully restored and whole again. "Enter into the joy of your salvation."

Skipping Isn't Just For Kids

Have you ever watched a child skip? I have, it caused me to wonder why we stop skipping when we are adults. When you watch a child skip they effuse so much joy that it becomes contagious. With abandon they skip, not caring what anyone thinks of them. Something within them makes them want to do this. Like something is just welling up within them.

I came across an obscure scripture this morning and I have just been meditating on it all day. It says, "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall." Malachi 4:2 (NASB)

Another version says those who revere My name. When we have reverence for God, we want to honor and magnify Him. We love Him. We want to keep His commandments, we pay attention to Him and His Word and we want to obey Him.

I believe that this sun of righteousness is none other than Jesus the coming Messiah. He is who we place our hope upon. Now we look for His second coming with great anticipation!

Have you ever watched a young calf skip about in a field? My Dad had cows when I was a little girl. They are so cute when they skip around. When they are let out of their stalls into an open field they just skip around in delight of the freedom. When we belong to the Lord we have freedom in Christ. He alone has the ability of giving us what our hearts truly long for...real and lasting joy, freedom and happiness. He fulfills the longings of our souls. We are content in Him.

Suddenly I feel like skipping! Who would like to join me?

God's Laser Level

A few days ago I went to church to put up a Bible verse on our wall in our Sunday School class. This was the kind that the verse is written out and you rub the words onto the wall. There were some important tools that I needed to be able to put this up successfully. The most important tool that I used was the laser light leveler. As I was using this level, I would get the bubble in the middle to make sure that the verse would be on the wall straight. Looking with my eye, the verse looked very crooked to me. I am not a handyman, (or handy woman), but I do know that you are supposed to trust the level. I did just that. I trusted what the level was telling me, and I put the verse up according to the levels' instruction. Then when I stepped back and looked at it, guess what? It was straight! The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, "This is a good lesson for you. Do not trust in your own feelings, and what your eyes see. Trust in Me instead. I will not lead you in the wrong way. In fact, I am never wrong about anything!"

Two wonderful verses that go along with this is, " Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5-6 (NASB)

Had I trusted in my own eyes, and my own judgement looking at the verse I was putting up, it would have been put up crooked on the wall. There is a wonderful lesson in this. Trust the Lord instead of your own judgements. He sees the whole picture. He knows everything. He knows what is best for you. He is the best laser level so to speak ( He was also a carpenter). Leave it in His hands because He knows how best to handle your life. Do not trust your own eyes, they may lead you in a crooked path.

Choice Silver

I recently went on vacation to see my Mom and Dad. Down the street from them there is a little Art studio where you can take classes. So, like last year, I signed up to take a class. This time I took the clay and metals jewelry class.

The instructor gave us a small piece of clay that is mixed with silver. This silver is actually purer than sterling silver. We are given a small square of it. It is ours to do with as we wish. There are all kinds of designs that can be done, but since I love birds so much I decided to make a pendant with a bird on it.

After you have fashioned it like you want it, you then put it into a kiln specially made for the microwave. It is heated at about 1300-1400 degrees for about 2-3 minutes. When it comes out it is rather disappointing because it looks like baked clay. But once I, (the maker) starting buffing it with a wire brush and it was buffed by a cloth, something miraculous happens! It starts to shine! That was exciting how something so plain as a piece of clay could be turned into a thing of beauty.

The Lord spoke to my heart and said, "This is how it is with your life... there are times when you have been through trials and you can't see or understand what I am doing but trust me. I am shining you up and making something beautiful that I can use for my kingdom."

God's Word says, " He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver... and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness." Malachi 3:3

When a silversmith refines the fire He holds it. The Master artisan knows just the right amount of time the silver must be in the fire before it melts. You may ask, "But how does He know when the silver is ready? He knows when He can see His own reflection!

Lord, I thank you that when I have gone through the fiery trials, I know that you are right there with me, holding me, shining and polishing me into your image. If you can see your own image, I am beautiful to you! May I present my offering of righteousness to you, Amen.

Sorrows End

" And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, " Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes: and there will no longer be any death: there will no longer by any mourning, or crying, or pain: the first things have passed away." And He who sits on the throne said, " Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, " Write, for these words are faithful and true." Revelation 21:3-5 (NASB)

Many tragedies have happened in recent weeks and months. We experienced tornadoes in our area in Raleigh. Violent tornadoes hit Joplin, MO and practically wiped out a whole town. We have seen on the news flooding in the mid-west, and wildfires in Texas and Arizona.

We are touched by tragedies in our own lives with family members receiving the bad news that they have the dreaded disease of cancer. Today I received news that a dear friend of mine lost a loved one. This brave young man died from his wounds he received on the battle field.

Sometimes it just seems so overwhelming to hear, much less to experience these sorrows. Recently I was reading a devotional written by Randy Alcorn and I thought it would be a good time to share this.

"God promises that one day there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. As we are acutely aware, that day has not yet come. But notice how Jesus caps off His promise to His disciple John: He says John should write the words down because they are "trustworthy and true." In other words, He is saying, " John, my beloved friend and servant, you can take these words to the bank: I'll stake my life on them, In fact, I already have."

Christ promises- in writing- a resurrected life on the New Earth, an eternal life without sorrow and pain in a glorious new world. Talk about light at the end of the tunnel!

Devastation and tragedy feel just as real for those with faith as they do for those who have none. But knowledge that others have suffered and learned to trust God anyway gives the faithful strength to keep going. Because they do not place their hope for health and abundance and secure relationships in this life but in an eternal life to come, believers' hope remains firm regardless of what happens.

And on the other side of earth, God promises that all who know him will experience acceptance into His holy, loving, and gracious arms- which is the greatest miracle, the answer to the problem of evil and suffering. He promises us an eternal kingdom on the New Earth, where he will wipe away every tear from the eyes of those who come to trust him in this present and temporary world of pain. "

( Devotion written by Randy Alcorn from the devotional book, " 90 Days of God's Goodness"

It's Hot! Where Can I Find A Fountain?

Fontana dell' Ovato, Tivoli, Italy

It has been so hot here! It is only June 10th and the weather has been in the 90's this week. When the children were little we would let them run through the sprinkler on a day like today. The goal is just to stay cool.

I was reading this verse this morning and pondering on what it means. " The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life..." Proverbs 10:11. I was looking up some famous fountains and reading the descriptions of them. One of them said it was "refreshing". Once, I saw a romantic movie where the couple jumped into the fountain. It looked refreshing, like it just invigorated them! In pondering this I was wondering how we as Christians, if we are righteous, can be a fountain of life?

The answer is found in Psalm 36:9 " For with You (God) is the fountain of life...". So if we stay close to the Lord, we seek Him, we get to know Him and ask for His wisdom, we will have the "fountain of life", and because of that we, in turn, can be a fountain of life to others.

Our joy will be bubbling over, and we will be so refreshing to be around. Like a fountain on a hot, sweltering day. Wish I could find one to jump into!

Sowing Seeds of Light

I was reading the Bible this morning and these two verses jumped out at me.

" Light is sown like seed for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones, and give thanks to His holy name." Psalm 97: 11-12 ( NASB) In the Holman Bible the translation is, " Light dawns for the righteous...".

This time of year we plant seeds, another term for that is "sow". I relate this verse to sowing seeds. When you are a Christian who tries to live righteous and godly, you are sowing seeds of light. You may not see that light immediately, but eventually you will. When you sow the seed of righteousness, you will harvest the bounty of gladness. You will be glad in the Lord when you are living according to God's commands and His will for your life.

Does this mean that everything will go smoothly for us all the time? NO! but even in the dark valleys, we can have a contentment and have joy and gladness in the Lord.

The last part of verse 12 calls for others to give thanks with you. Let all creation give thanks and be glad in the Lord. We as individuals are called on to give thanks, and then we want to lead others in a praise chorus of thanksgiving to the Lord!

When Christ died, He sowed that seed for us. That seed is bursting forth, and this light, The God of light shines forth in our hearts! I am so very glad today and thankful! Will you join me in a chorus of gladness and thankfulness today?