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Safe in His Care

2/15/2013

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During a recent plane trip, I watched a darling 2-year-old boy as he interacted with his mother during the flight.  
 
As is normal with 2-year-old children, he was eager to experience everything that was within his reach.  He would happily and contentedly remain playing with the object that currently held his attention until he was distracted by some new interest that captured his notice.  When he reached for something that would be an unknown potential danger to him, his mother would “no-no” him which would upset him.  This denial of something that looked desirable to him would immediately throw him into a fit of tears and wailing.  Even though it was his mother who had withheld the wanted object from him, he would bury his face into her lap where he would remain while she comforted him with gentle pats and caresses until his sobs quieted.

This precious one was enthralled with the learning toys and games his mother placed
into his hands that she had wisely packed so as to occupy him during the journey.  She joyfully shared in each new discovery he made and praised all of his correct answers to the game’s questions.  
 
When he was hungry, he would look at her in expectation of receiving a shared portion of her food. This loving mother did not disappoint her son.

When an unexpected, loud mechanical or electronic sound startled him, he bodily threw himself rapidly into his mother’s chest – again face first – where he remain
hidden from the world (or so he thought) for several minutes until he finally worked up the courage to shyly peak out at the world; his big eyes looking for the unknown scary thing that had made the offending noise that had sent him scrambling to safety in the first place.  Seeing nothing to fear, he gradually unwound from her embrace and immersed himself once more in the wonders around him, of which there were
many.  Time and again, he would point to an object, look towards his mother with wide-eyed questioning that quietly asked for her to give him an explanation.

At last, exhausted from the many discoveries that had filled his day, his head drooped lower and lower, his eyelids closed further, until he was picked up by his
mother and placed gently against her breast.  His fell fully asleep before his head
came to completely rest against her neck; his little body safely encircled within the security of her arms.  He peacefully slept.

Having watched how this little boy interacted with, and looked in confidence to, his
mother during the course of this trip, one particular verse in the Bible came to mind.  
 
Matthew 18:3
“And he [Jesus] said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.””  
 

God longs to have His children – those of us who accept His Son as our Savior – look to Him in the same way that this young one looked to his mother.

Safe in His care, we are fed and clothed and have all of our needs met.

Matthew 6:25-26; 28-30
“Therefore I [Jesus] tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?   Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?”

“And why do you worry about clothes?   See how the flowers of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God  clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith?”

Safe in His care, we can always find a willing ear to listen and can receive the comfort we need whenever we are upset over confusing situations, unexpected occurrences, or other issues in life.

1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all  your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (Emphasis
mine.)

Safe in His care, we have nothing to fear.

Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
 
Safe in His care, He freely gives wisdom to any who would ask.

James 1:5 
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given him.” (Emphasis mine.)

Safe in His care, we can rest in the security of His arms and peacefully sleep.

Psalm 4:8 
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Come as a child to the Father. You will not be rejected.

John 6:37 (AMP)
“All  whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me].” (Emphasis mine.)

He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see 
How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

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Spring Cleaning

2/7/2013

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While  much of the country is still deep in the grip of old man winter, the southern areas are just beginning to see the first promises of spring’s arrival as buds appear on trees and bushes, the grass begins to lose some of its brownness as the first blush of green appears, and early flowers begin to show their eye-popping colors of yellows and deep pinks as they spread wide their petals to  bathe in the warmth of the sunshine. 

Though many of us have several weeks of the winter whites and grays ahead of us, the first  vestiges of spring fever are starting to stir deep within us.   Gardeners everywhere – who have probably been forming this year’s planting strategy since late last fall – are eagerly watching the calendar for the perfect date to begin their seeds indoors and to also schedule the transplantation of the anticipated seedlings outdoors a few weeks later.  

Full of enthusiasm and visions of lushness for the upcoming growing season, the
hopeful gardener looks over their outdoor space only to realize that prior to
planting anything – seed or otherwise – the cleanup that should have been
performed in the fall and wasn’t done because of time or weather constraints now
needs to have some serious time spent on it to remove the damages caused by the
wear and tear of the winter weather on shrubs and trees.  
 
Pruning isn’t a bad word, though by the time many hours are spent lopping off wayward branches or dead limbs and expending much energy in carting off the amputated appendages, you may think that it is.  I assure you that it is not.  Quite the opposit in fact.  By making the effort and taking the time to invest in the spring clean-up process, you make conditions more favorable for your tree, bush or shrub to not
only be more esthetically pleasing, but also to reap the benefits for a healthier, more productive life.

What are some of the benefits of pruning?    Irregular growing habits can be corrected; it can bring about an earlier bloom period; it can encourage larger flowers and fruits to be produced; it can cause a tighter root structure to form thus increasing the chance for greater survival if the plant should be transplanted elsewhere; it can aid in controlling disease and pests; and it is also vital to keep the plant’s energy  from being drained by trying to keep the dying or dead portion(s) alive.

When each person makes the choice to accept Christ into their heart as their Lord and Savior, immediately he/she stands spiritually perfect before the Father at that
moment of acceptance.  What remains oftentimes, however, are the previous habits, responses, attitudes and behaviors of our physical existence that have been learned over a lifetime of living in everyday life that need to be broken as well as new ones formed that are more pleasing to God and that better reflect our new status as His child.   

What is needed is pruning.  It is just as vital of a process in a person’s life as it is for the survival and flourishing of the vegetation as listed above.  And the very same benefits mentioned earlier for the plants are equally beneficial to us.   Spiritually speaking, acceptance of the pruning process ensures better health, greater strength and more vitality that will be evidenced by the size of the fruit (i.e. love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23)) that we bear.  
 
Philippians 3:12 
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

As long as we let Him, pruning remains a life-long process as He consistently molds
us more and more into what He’s designed us to be.  
 
Isaiah 64:8 
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

For people, pruning can be a painful process as we strive to hold onto what is  familiar; it (whatever ‘it’ may signify for you) is what we have always known and have gotten used to living with.   But greater life – healthier, stronger and more fruitful – lies within the process of letting go of what is at best mediocre (or else completely
life-draining unto death at worst) and grasping hold of the better living which is ours through the trusting acceptance of Him and His reshaping of us. 
 
John 15:1-4 
“I [Jesus] am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts
off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear  fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.   You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.   Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”


This spring, as you spruce up your outdoor environment in preparation of the planting
and growing of your chosen vegetation, I would encourage you to also spend time
allowing Him to tend to the garden of your heart.  You won’t be disappointed in the lushness of your harvest.

John 10:10b
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

The choice is yours.  He’s waiting for you.


(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see 
How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)




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Still the Same Address

1/30/2013

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Now that the long holiday season (and all of the busyness that goes along with it) is a memory, I gathered up the envelopes from the Christmas and New Year’s cards that we had received, as well as the scraps of paper containing hastily scribbled notes of the soon-to-be address changes, and prepared to update our address book.
 
Before I made any changes, however, I took an unplanned walk down memory lane as I  leafed through each page and scanned the entries.  The names listed there told many different stories from the past.  

Some were names of people who were only briefly and slightly known from so long ago that I could not bring a matching face forward in my mind.  (I can’t help but wonder, do they remember me just as well?)

Others were names of precious friends and family members who make a point to keep in consistent contact as they share both everyday happenings and the big events in their life and the lives of their family members.   Visits with these dear ones – whether via paper (i.e. cards and letters), by telephone, over electronic devices or in person – are eagerly anticipated. The merest thought of them immediately brings a smile to my face as well as a strong desire to drop an unexpected card or note in the mail to them to simply say, “I was thinking about you today.” 
 
On the other hand, an ache spreads in my heart at the sight of the names listed of those who see themselves as the center of their universe and have chosen to remain aloof, and refuse to take part in any form of a healthy relationship. Usually, contact is only made when something is needed or when a crisis is occurring in their life.  How we long to have these names join the ranks of their smile-producing address book neighbors spoken of above!  
 
As household moves take place, multiple entries are reflected for some of the names; while other address entries have been scratched through repeatedly as each move (or two or three) has taken place and been replaced by the latest contact information.  These moves have occurred so frequently that the newest information has had to be carefully squeezed into the margin as near to the surname as possible.  These listings alone can take several minutes to reminisce over as each new house, city or state holds precious memories of special times that were created while the entrant lived there.  
 
As new branches are added to the family tree and the children grow up to eventually move away from their familial home to live their own life in their own surroundings, a new listing is created for each of them.  Their name, address and telephone number has been lovingly written on a separate line.  The newness of this entry looks odd for a while as the new home is established apart from the parent’s address entry.   

Then there are those names of individuals who are no longer here.  A contented happiness tinged with a little sadness comes to the surface over the all-too-brief opportunity to have known them while we shared in their walk along this life’s path right on to the very end of their journey. 

Similarly, a penetrating sadness is fast to be felt – even after many years - over the ones who are now gone without any type of reconciliation having taken place prior to the end of their life, completely ensuring that no hope remains for one to ever take place.

So many moves have taken place over the years as well as many life changes.  Without extending the effort, is it any  wonder that people have lost touch over time and feel disconnected from people?

God, however, has all of us written in His address book.   Regardless of where we live or where we may move to throughout this life, God never loses sight of us.

Psalm  139:2
“You know when I sit and when I  rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.”

We may change - our address, our minds, or ourselves - but God never changes.

Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

He calls to each one of us:

Revelation 3:20
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.   If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

Open the door and invite Him into your home.  No matter where you are situated either in life or geographically, He’d love to have a heart-to-heart visit with you.  He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see 
How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)




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Immeasurable Bigness

1/20/2013

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There is something humbling about being on the shore of a large body of water.  This huge, blue vastness in front of me helps to put into perspective how small human beings are – how small I am. 
 
The watery vertical line on the horizon is deceptive in its appearance as it looks to be the very edge of the world.   If we weren’t enlightened as to the spherical shape of our planet, we
would think that we were in danger of falling off of the world should we succeed in traveling to that sharp border in the distance. 
 
Across this great expanse of sea are other lands and myriads of other peoples living
out their lives.  One realizes that it is only by God’s design that we were born in a particular location and under specific circumstances.  None of this was by chance, but rather by the guiding hand of Providence.

The immensity of this water body speaks to me in small part of the large expressive
nature of God as Creator as He made all of the expanses and then filled them with considerable celestial or physical bodies (Genesis 1); at the same time, I am equally mindful of the intimate knowledge He has of the minutest parts of us as He is able to
number the very hairs of our head (Matthew 10:30).  
  
While unable to see the deep chasms reported to be far below the surface, I know that if I found myself there that it would still not be too far away for God’s love to reach me.  
 
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The sunlight, dazzling on the water’s surface, pales against the radiance of the
glory that shines out from Him and illuminates a whole city.

Revelation 21:23
“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”

The water birds dip and soar on the constant wind; their playfulness expresses the
unspoken confidence they have in their Creator that they will be provided with all that they for survival this day.  
 
Matthew 6:26
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds  them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Other birds perch on the bobbing buoys and face the sun as they serenely drink in
its warmth.  Quietly they remain until the wind urges them to take flight and play once
more.

Looking closer to shore, one can’t help but acknowledge that it is only God Himself who could set the invisible boundaries in place so that the waves know where to stop their advance.  
 
Job 38:1, 8-11
“Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm.  He said:  ... “Who shut up the seas behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, ’This far you may come and no farther; here is where
your proud waves halt’?”


Children and adults alike seek treasures along the shore as they poke and prod about in the sand, hopeful to find a pretty shell, a colorful pebble, or other shiny
object that they find beautiful.

Others walk beside the water’s edge with a friend and quietly talk of common interests or issues, or share easy laughter together over an amusing tale.  

Some sit still and silently gaze out across the water as they contemplate private thoughts of both lost dreams and future hopes.
 
And, always, the children run and squeal with laughter oblivious of all else but the
enjoyment of the moment and the adventure of simply playing at the seaside.

How like all of these we need to be.  In awe of the Creator and what He has made for us to enjoy; resting in His immeasurable love for us while living fully confident in His care; quietly communing with Him or joyously celebrating Him with the simplicity and abandon of a child; constantly seeking the many treasures He longs to share with us; and enjoying the warmth and life He has given us through His Son.

You are not here by chance; you were not a mistake.  The Creator longs to show you how vast His immeasurable love is for you.  

Isaiah 33:6 "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;  the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure."

He’s waiting for you.


(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see 
How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)




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Don't Touch!

1/19/2013

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At age 4 (or perhaps 5), I can recall watching as my mother set up the ironing board in the kitchen, plugged in the iron and positioned it in the center of the board. She saw me eyeballing it
and, knowing from experience how I loved to investigate all that was in my little world, admonished me to not touch the ironing board which would knock the iron over onto me; nor was I to touch the iron as it was hot and would burn me.  As soon as Mom’s back was turned, I reached for the iron. 
 
Mom found me several minutes later under my bed - clutching my blistered hand and whimpering in pain - where I had run to in order to escape the consequences I knew were sure to come from my disobedience to the warnings she had given me  moments before about the iron.

I don’t recall getting punished in this instance; perhaps Mom felt that the pain of the burn was punishment enough.  I do remember Mom gently putting salve onto my burned palm and
fingers. She held me while she spoke softly to me of how important it was that I minded her in future as she wanted to protect me and keep me from getting hurt.  I learned my lesson about the iron and never again reached for it when I shouldn’t. 

God, as a loving Father, had also warned His children, Adam and Eve, not to touch something or else they would die.  
 
Genesis 2:16-17
“And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

They had the entire garden to delve into, yet the serpent (Satan), who was more crafty than any other wild animal God had created, asked Eve, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)  He made it sound as if God were withholding something good from Eve and her husband by excluding this particular tree from their area of exploration.   The more Eve and Satan carried on this conversation, the more pleasing the fruit of the forbidden tree became to her.  Before long, she plucked a piece of fruit from the tree, ate it and then shared it with her husband.  
 
Death did occur instantaneously though not in a physical sense, but rather in a spiritual one.  Because of this one act of  disobedience, separation from their loving Father was immediate, not only for Adam and Eve, but was also passed down to every human being who was born afterwards, including us.

Just as I had hidden from my Mom when I had disobeyed her warning to me about the iron, so, too, did Adam and Eve hide from their Father after they had disobeyed His warning about the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  
 
Genesis 3:8
“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the
garden.”


God called out, asked why they were hiding and then inquired as to if they had eaten of the tree He had warned them about. 
God knew what they had done, but desired that they admitted it freely to Him. Feeling distinctly uncomfortable, instead of answering His question directly, they each began to place blame for their poor choice onto someone else:   Adam blamed Eve while Eve blamed the serpent.   Regardless of whom they tried to blame, there were still consequences to be doled out for their disobedience as it was each individual’s choice to ignore
God’s warning and do what He had said not to do.

There are always negative consequences to disobedience, and just as my Mom placed salve on my burns to help them to stop hurting, immediately after Adam and Eve were confronted by God, He placed a ‘salve’ on their wounded spirits by giving the first promise of Messiah that would lead to true reconciliation between God and mankind in verse 15:
“And I will put enmity between you [Satan] and the woman, and between your offspring and hers;  he [Christ] will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Psalm 103:8-13
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will be harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our  transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;”

The Father is calling out to you today and longs to share the promise with you that He spoke about of a reconciled life with Him through His Son, the Christ.  His healing salve is for all who will ask.  He’s waiting for you.   


(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see 
How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)




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Weary Traveler

1/14/2013

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Recently, it was necessary for me to drive several hundreds of miles from home ….. by myself …… during the nighttime.   Though this was a first for me to drive such a great distance alone, it was not a fearful thing for me to do as I knew that if others could do it, then so, too, could I.

For a number of days prior to the trip, I tried to find as many
positive features to this lone journey as possible.   After all, it isn’t often that I get that much quiet time by myself.  I looked forward in anticipation to spending time praying about anything or anyone that came to mind.  I also looked forward to singing along with some of my favorite tunes.  (And don’t we all sound good when belting out a favorite melody while alone in a car? 
If nothing else, we are certainly entertainment to those who may look at us through our closed windows and see all of the facial expressions and gestures we exhibit while we bellow at the top of our lungs.   But I digress.)

The first half of the trip went quite well.   Many prayers were prayed, countless conversations held with God and numerous praises were sung to Him.  As the hour grew later and my eyes grew tired and blurry, the enthusiasm I had felt at the start of the trip began to wane.   All I thought of was the distance I had yet to travel and how I would love to sleep for at least a full day. 
Then, halfway through to the border of the next state, patches of wispy fog moved in and gradually grew more dense as it populated additional areas along the way.  By the time I
managed to cross the state line, the fog had turned very thick and had completely covered the surrounding area.  Ahead of me, for mile after long mile, the only things visible for a few feet in front of me were two parallel lines of painted white dashed road lines against black asphalt, a wall of fog and an occasional glimpse of a hazy deer along the berm.  The only way to get out of the fog was to concentrate on staying in between those mesmerizing white lines.  I had to trust that there truly was more to the road beyond what I could immediately see and that it
would lead me to safer conditions eventually.

Nearly hypnotized from the limited visibility and the consistent
flash from the white lines as they whisked by hour after hour, I was reminded that we are all travelers in this life.  None of us can see into the future nor can we see what obstacles may lie in wait for us there.   Just as the lines on the highway had to be trusted that night, we too have Someone who can be trusted to light the way for us as we travel along life’s road.

2 Samuel 22:29
“You are my lamp, O Lord;  the Lord turns my darkness into light.”

And He will faithfully guide us until journey’s end.

Psalm 48:14
“For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.”

Weary traveler, is there some ‘fog’ in your life that makes you doubt the road ahead or obscures the next step you need to take in the journey?  Trust in the Guide who will always lead
you in the right path and will never leave you alone during any part of your trip.
   
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
         
He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the  Lord, see
How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

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And The Winner Is ....

1/4/2013

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We are now four days into 2013.  How’s your New Year’s resolution coming along?   You know, the one where you vowed to start (and keep up with) an exercise program?   If you are like most people, your ‘want to’ was bigger on New Year’s Eve than it was this morning.  Instead of climbing out from beneath the warm nest of blankets it took all night to make so  you could keep to your resolution, you rolled over, snuggled in deeper and then whispered a quick vow to yourself that you would make up for it … later.  
  
Every workout routine – whether measured by distance, length of time, or reps – has a beginning, middle and end.  You feel proud, energized and focused once you begin your routine.  Your whole body exudes confidence.   You mentally pat yourself on the back for actually getting up a little earlier, donning your exercise clothes, lacing up your shoes and heading out the door.  
 
 
As you approach the midway point to your goal, you realize that while you have made marvelous strides thus far, you still have the same distance/time/reps yet to perform.  Your energy flags and your confidence falls a bit.  Yet one word of encouragement  - whether intentional or not – from a passerby or family member can breathe new life into your waning spirit, increase your energy level and cause you to focus once more on your finish line with renewed determination.   (If you raise your eyebrows in question of this, think of a time when you may have seen a marathon and then watched as a flailing runner (or walker) has
only made it across the finish line buoyed along solely by the cheers of the spectators.)

 Something magical happens once the goal is at last in sight -- when that final series of reps is started; as the last minute of a
timed interval shrinks one second at a time while the clock counts it down;  when the ribbon across the finish is visible just ahead and a-l-m-o-s-t within reach.  You know then with complete confidence that you will make it.  From somewhere inside of you, with muscles trembling, the last reserve of energy is pulled out of the depths and then expended in one burst to propel you across the line that marks the  attainment of your goal.  You’ve made it!  Well done!

Life is very much like the performance of an exercise routine. 
Indeed, in the Bible it is compared to the running of a race.  

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

In life, just as in a race, there comes a time when encouragement is needed to simply make it through day let alone to the end.  God provides just such a thing for us both through Himself and through other people.

Psalm 10:17 “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.”

Hebrews 3:13
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you  may be hardened by sin’s
deceitfulness.”


And all along this race of life, we have the assurance of a guide – a coach if you will – to lead us into what is the best way for us.  

Isaiah 48:17
“This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:  “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should  go.””

We have our Encouragement and we have our Guide.  Combined, they will help us finish this race.  And once across the ‘finish line’ at heaven’s gates may we be welcomed with open arms and these words: 
“Well done, good and faithful servant!”  (Matthew 25:21)

1 Corinthians 9:25 
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

Today, resolve to join the race that matters above all else this side of heaven.  The choice is yours.  He’s waiting for you.


 (For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see
How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)




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Absolutely Always

1/2/2013

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As the old year has ended and 2013 stretches fresh and sparkling new ahead, I spent some time reviewing the work that had been accomplished in 2012 and then imagined all of the work that has to be done in the New Year, much of it the same as in the previous year.  I was bemoaning the tiredness I felt from constantly doing (ad infinitum) the daily ‘have-to’ tasks involved in the successful running of a frequently transient household.   Everyone needs a break from their job, yet homemakers rarely (if ever) get a true break from their labors because they live within their work  environment every day of the livelong year.  I was expecting to get some  understanding (and perhaps some pity?) along with a little encouragement when my
husband piped up and quite plainly let me know that “there will always be work
that needs to be done.”   I was not encouraged.
        
Do you know what absolute words are?  These are words that have no exception.  They signify 100% of something.  It’s those ‘all or nothing’ words I’ve mentioned before.   Always is just such a word, as is never, all, and whoever.  There are many more of them, but you get the picture.
        
As I thought about the always statement my husband made, I could not help but think also of the absolute words God has given us that are both an encouragement and an assurance to us as we walk through this life on earth.
           
Matthew 28:20 
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  [Emphasis mine.]
           
Always.  He (Jesus) is with us 100% of the time, right to the very end.
           
Hebrews 7:25 
“Therefore he [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” [Emphasis mine.]
             
Always.  Jesus, again 100% of the time, acts as mediator (between us and God) as He pleads our case to the Father.
            
Deuteronomy 31:6 
“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”   [Emphasis mine.]
            
Never.  The Lord will go with you and will be with you 100% of the time.  We do not have to live in fear of Him deserting us just when we face our biggest challenge or  have desperate need.
            
Philippians 4:19 
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."  [Emphasis mine.]
           
All.  That’s 100%.  While things may look grim, bleak or hopeless to us, there is not one need of ours that He cannot effectively cope with, frequently leaving us amazed and in awe over how He was able to accomplish it.
             
John 3:16 
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   [Emphasis mine.]
            
Whoever.  That means anyone.  There are no exceptions to this invitation.  All of us (100%) have been given the choice to either accept eternal life, or decline it.  The only requirement to do so is to believe that God’s Son, Jesus, gave His life for you.
             
Each day of this New Year will be filled with many tasks, some exciting and some mundane.  Through it all, we have the assurance that we are never alone to face anything that the future holds because He is always with us and is able to meet all of our needs from today right through to the very end of this life.   Absolutely!
            
The choice is yours.  He’s waiting for you.
 
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see
How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)


 

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Under Construction

12/23/2012

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Working on a newly-purchased house is both exciting and frustrating.  While it’s fun to make your new home into a reflection of your personality and dreams, it is also challenging as much time and energy must be invested so that the previous
owner’s imprint is removed.
             
While on the outside a house can appear to be a solid and safe structure in which to live, the interior, upon closer inspection, can leave quite a different impression.  Much, too, can be learned about a previous homeowner’s habits, his/her home repair
abilities, and also of their acceptance of a contractor’s level of workmanship.  The hidden potential (or further disgust) of a residence is uncovered each time a major appliance is moved – how can someone live with decades of such accumulated filth? – or else a cobbled-together plumbing or electrical issue is revealed (usually because of a problem that only arises immediately after the sale and/or after move in) that creates sheer amazement in the minds of the new owners as they wonder how the house never burned down either in whole or in part, or kept from being flooded out.

Houses and human beings are quite similar in this respect.  On the surface, we may look as if we are well put together as we go about our daily tasks well-groomed and fashionably dressed.   Yet on the inside, we are sick and feel as if we are dying.  Our negative emotions or hurtful intentions are swept aside and buried underneath the
pleasantries and smiling facades we put on each morning before we face the rest
of the world.  We long for relief; yet are hesitant to open up for fear of rejection.  We know that others would be truly appalled (or scared) if they could read our minds and see what’s really going on inside.  
             
God knows all of the thoughts you have …
      
Psalm 94:11
“The Lords knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile.”
             
… and all of the words you will speak.
             
Psalm 139:4
“Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.”
             
He knows all about you – yes, even those hidden parts - and loves you anyway.
  
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Bring to Him all of the things that give you pain or shame, all of those things you have been hiding, and God will lovingly dismantle your ‘human’ house and remake you into something new. 
            
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!”

He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see
How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)


 

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Christmas Treats

12/12/2012

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Can you smell it?  The scent of cinnamon and other spices permeate the air in homes across the globe at this time of year as special treats are made in preparation for the celebration shortly to come.  Many of these tantalizing goodies are only made during the Christmas season and are looked forward to all year long.   For some people, Christmas doesn’t feel like Christmas until the baker in the house rolls up his or her sleeves and takes the carefully shopped for (and guarded) ingredients out of the cupboard and begins the measuring, mixing, and baking process involved in creating these traditional family delicacies.  The luscious aroma of your favorite cookie, roll, pie or cake being baked, as well as the anticipation of that first bite, is enough to make you feel like a kid all over again.

As a youngster, I can remember watching as my mother performed the holiday baking ritual in our household.  I was fascinated by how she could pull
several ingredients out of the cupboard (in what I thought at the time was a
random fashion) and then mix them together in such a seemingly effortless way so
that the end product was a picture-perfect and delicious tasting cookie or other
treat.  It was during one of these baking sessions that my mother taught me a valuable lesson.

I had wandered into the kitchen when I heard the sound of the hand mixer being used as the sound of it was a near-guarantee that something extra special was being prepared.  As I peeked over the edge of the large mixing bowl, my eyes grew wide as
I saw what appeared to be mounds and peaks of delicious whiteness.  My mouth watered as I believed that I was seeing cream cheese frosting!  Yum!

When she turned off the mixer, I asked her if I could taste it. She consented and, before she could change her mind, I immediately scooped up a mound of the fluffy whiteness with my finger and popped it into my mouth fully expecting the sweet, creamy goodness of frosting.  The pleasure I had hoped to enjoy came unexpectedly to an abrupt end as I quickly spit out the mouthful of shortening I had eagerly asked to sample just seconds before.  
 
Mom, in her wisdom, allowed me the freedom to experience the consequence of my request.   She knew that eating vegetable shortening wasn’t something that I would
enjoy, yet she also knew that I needed to discover for myself that what looked good wasn’t and that it was highly likely that I would willingly – forcefully - reject it and would not want to sample it again.  She was right.  I never again tasted something without first asking what it was.   

Psalm 34:8
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”

One of the definitions for the word taste is ‘experience.’   Our Heavenly Father has invited us to experience Him for ourselves so that we can see that He is good. 

What are some of the ways He shows His goodness to us?

He is always with us.  Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never
leave you nor forsake you.”
 

He always hears us when we cry out to Him.  Psalm 34:15
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.”

He offers guidance to us. Isaiah 30:21
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.””

He provides for all our needs.  Philippians 4:19
“God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

He gives healing to us.  Exodus 15:26
“I am the Lord, who heals you.”

And He promises everlasting life to anyone who asks.  John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

This Christmas season as you pick and choose which special goodies you will sample, take the time also to “taste and see that the Lord is good.”   When you experience God, you will not be disappointed.  He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see
How
You Can Find Him
located at the top of this page.)

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    Welcome to my site!  My name is Robin. I'm a Christian writer with a heart-desire to share how I have found (and continue to find) God in the everyday.  Thank you for joining me on this adventure!

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