Hope

When it all seems daunting and hopeless, think again.  Make requests and confessions to Him.  Believe again.  Lay yourself at His feet. Live again.  Take your refuge in Him, for Jesus never fails.

Psalm 121:1-2 says, I will lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

You may not can see Him but He stands at the ready to be felt.  He really is only a prayer away.  Instead of Lookin Around, Look up.  Instead of Reaching Inward, Reach up.  Your Deliverer reigns.  He will set you free—rescue you---from all that has set you captive.  Your freedom as well as your security rest in HIM. 
 
(NIV) Job 11: 13-15, 18  Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear...You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

Surrounded in stark darkness yet appeareth hope, for Jesus is the beam of Light filtering through the window of my soul.

--md

Peace In Child-Rearing

Isaiah 54:13 All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.

Walking along the Path of Parenthood there are segments of the journey that are not quite so easy. We mothers (and fathers) seem to make it look as if it is though, don’t we? (it's ok to give yourself a pat on the back. Go ahead!) The skills and lessons learned throughout life are vital. 

They say what a child learns in the first 5 years of life will be with them throughout their entire life.   It is my personal belief that Adolescence is the hardest part of the journey—both for the parent(s) and for the child(ren).    There are times when a 3 am feeding, a poopy diaper, and chunky spit-up on the shoulder of my just-changed-nightgown fade in comparison to the trials of the now.  Thinking back to those times and how frustrating that segment of the journey seemed to be…WOW!, I want to say, Are you kidding me?! Changing diapers was a piece of cake. :-D

Even stepping on a Lego in a darkened hallway at 2:00 in the morning fades in comparion to some moments in parenthood.   I’d almost rather go back to those days…ahem, I said, almost. 

Now before some of my readers would get the idea that I'm complaining about my "job-status" or about my child, let me set the record in order.  I. Am. Not.  I'm not complaining about either. 

For the last several months it seems that the issues we have are not coming from the people inside the walls we call "HOME", but rather from outside forces. Thankfully the good and all wise GOD above sees all, knows all, and understands all. AND...is willing to stand with us through it all.    

One most certainly has to rely on God during these years…especially in the times we live...it’s just too risky otherwise. Yes, we are way past the 5 year mile marker of this journey now. And, the milestones are swifly passing us by.  I’m thankful that these parental skills are not all left up to me.  (Especially as a single-mom I take great pleasure in this knowledge.) I do not have to go through anything alone. God is the greatest teacher. 

As a Mom I hope I’m doing my job…at least to the Lord’s standards anyway.  (yes, I'm quite aware that I, neither my child, are up to par according to other's standards. For this crowd I say: If you're not praying with me, Remember you are but a by-standard. Your vote doesn't count.)  I think every God-conscience parent would ask the question of themselves---Lord, am I doing everything I'm supposed to be doing?  If I please no one else, I want to please Him. 

I am blessed.  REALLY BLESSED.  My teenager certainly has worked with me.  She's also worked with her Heavenly Father.  For this I am most grateful.  She’s made the journey bearable, both for herself and for her parents.  We are not out of the woods yet. We still have several child-training years to go, but God certainly has made this journey sweeter. 

Every day is a FROG day for our household! Fully. Rely. On. GOD.  And, with His help my sweet daughter is growing—physically, spiritually, and intellectually—by leaps and bounds into the well-rounded individual that Christ would have her be.    

When my hope wains and the outside forces seem to press in a little too close I'm thankful that God is near.  I take comfort that God is for us, God is with us, and not only that, but God is helping me parent/train/teach the BEST kid on the block!!
(you can call me biased if you want.  I really don’t mind. :-D)   

Peace Out!

Where Does Happiness Come From?

Psalm 32:10-11  Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.  Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Those who talk with God in sincere confession—those who trust Him---will find mercy to encapsulate them.  They will find mercy to free them, grace to sustain them. 

It is with this thought in mind that we can have access to be GLAD in the Lord, to REJOICE, and to shout for JOY.  For the upright-in-heart mercy and favor can be found everywhere—at home; at the workplace; abroad; in the daylight; in the night; in solitude; in a crowd; in sickness; in health; in death; in time; in eternity.  The upright shall walk amidst mercies always. 

It is only in submitting to God that we all can attain complete victories.

He that trusts the LORD is both safe and happy.  Trust that GOD’s got your back.  He never fails.  He really is with you wherever you go.

So...Don't Worry, Be Happy...Be BLESSED

Judged

I Corinthians 4:2, 4  I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.  My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

My main desire is not so much to secure the esteem of my peers, but of God. People’s opinions--their likes & dislikes fade.  They change with time.  But God’s opinion stands sure forever.  

In my estimation---in regard to myself—it is a matter of small concern for a fellow human-being to voice judgment.  My real responsibility is to my Master only.  God.   The One (and only) who has the supreme power over the end of my life.  I am answerable really only to God. If He be please with my life, which is what I'm striving to reach, well then,….’nuff said.  

When comes the great “getting up morning”—the Rapture of the Church---I want to hear HIM say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”.  Man's applause doesn’t even exist in comparison to this.

Protection

Feeling like you need some protection from the Lord today?  Here are verses that will encourage your heart. These are ONLY a few…there is comfort to be found all throughout the WORD of GOD.  When you think you’re all alone and perhaps GOD Himself doesn’t even know who you are, take this scripture to memory.
Enjoy  

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him

When I think of the wickedness surrounding each and every one of us on any given day—even if I cannot see it with the naked eye—I become overwhelmed.  My heart and mind begin to quake with fear.  It’s in these moments that I have to remember that it is GOD whom I serve and He is most powerful.  He is my Protector, and He’s bigger than any problem that I can or can not see. 

And, He’s your protector too.  There are volumes of verse in scripture that remind us of the love and protection of our Father.  He is GOOD and His mercy ENDURES forever.  His GOODNESS and His MERCY follows us....and never ceases.  Upon reading His WORD I find rest, peace, and restoration. 

He covers me.  He covers me when I am lonely.  He covers me when I am afraid.  He covers me when I am not feeling strong.  He covers me when I am walking through the storm.  He covers me when my thinking is not right.  He covers me, He protects me. 

He covers me when I’m not strong:  Isaiah 58:11  And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
He covers me when I’m shaken and afraid:  II Thesselonians 3:3  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
He covers me when I’m lonely:  Psalm 125:2  As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
He covers me when I’m walking through a storm:  Isaiah 43:1-2  But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
He covers me when I’m being persecuted:  Psalm 41:1-3(NLT)  Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive.  He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies.  The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.
He covers me when I’m confused and hurting:  Psalm 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

And here are a few verses from my most favorite passage:
Psalm 121:5-8  The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore

Victory

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Those who love/seek after/attain the instructions of the Lord shall have great peace.  His path is a clear path to walk upon.  When we keep our mind set on the goodness of the Lord---choosing to direct/walk our mind in good things---rather than walking in and dwelling on the aggrivations that come in life, we are more apt to live peaceably.  We become more content with the atmosphere and people surrounding us.  God is a God of peace and we do well to trust in Him and seek HIS favor.  We do well to trust in Him for doing so will keep us from being tripped up by the enemy of our soul. 

Aggrivations come but don’t let them keep you from living a victorious life!  :-D 

The Temple of God

II Chronicles 2:6, 6:18 But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?...But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!

Solomon had it right.  He knew that no temple could contribute to enhance the glory of GOD, they are only built to afford the opportunity for public worship. The building affords us the opportunity to gather with other worshippers and worship the King of all kings.  In the House of the Lord, the Temple, we can gather and render thanksgiving to God and seek His favor and blessing in our life, and become witness to another's blessings as well.
 
Repentence and forgiveness is the chief foundation for all other mercies.  May our hearts become GOD’s resting place, the place where GOD dwells by faith. May we be consecrated as HIS temples and shed abroad HIS love within us to all other generations.  

Who could have thought it possible that GOD would consent to place His majesty among humanity of earth?  All of heaven cannot contain the glory of God, yet God stooped low to dwell among us.  He loves us that much!

Roll With It

Courage is not the absence of fear, but it's doing what needs done inspite of fear

Psalm 27:14  Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord

Who knows, but the Lord, how He uses us to be of encouragement to someone? :-)  The LORD somehow takes us, with all our faults...all our imperfections...and fears, and uses us so that an outcome brings HIM glory. 

You can be a person that is remembered in a tender, loving way for generations to come.  When your world feels like a gooey-ewey, sticky, leachy, gummy big headache of a life...remember.  Remember that you can take charge of it.  With GOD's help you can do all things!!  Remember that GOD can make beauty from ashes.  He can work miracles out of the seemingly impossible.  Take what you've been given into your hands and roll it...see how creative you can be with what you have.  You may find that you can make something out of it in spite of your struggle.  It takes strength & perseverance to build something grand. 

Stand firm.  Be of good courage.  He's strengthening your heart even now.  

Refinement

Proverbs 25:4  Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer

One of the duties of my job is to strip out CLOSED files, keeping only the pertinent documents intact.  Everything else pertaining to that file is thrown out.  Taken away. 

There are things in our life that this process applies to as well.  We must be stripped of the "filmy-junk" that would like to encase us, that sometimes binds us and keeps us from the full potential in God. If we aren't careful, going through situation & circumstance--one right after anotherj especially--can make us dull and left to feel un-useable.  We can become numb, oppressed, depressed, compressed, etc.

God wants us to SHINE.  He wants us to be used for a greater purpose.  If we let Him, He can strip away all those things that aren't needed so that a more divine plan can be fulfilled.  The stripping out hurts.  Sometimes where we once felt full, we now feel quite empty and naked.  But we must always trust the heavenly Father to fill us back up with the things that He deems necessary.  It's our job, if we want to live with divine purpose, to make sure that we have space in our life that only HE can fill. 

....and there SHALL COME forth a vessel for the finer. 

God, grant me the grace I need for YOUR divine will to be done in and through and around me.  I may be cracked pot, but make me shine...please!  

Rewards~

Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring

God said He would pour out His Spirit upon our children, and His blessing on our descendants.  O what a promise!!!  I want to shout and dance just at the thought of it!

I'm thankful for the promise that God will watch over, keep, provide for, fill, and sustain that which concerns every conscientious parent. What a good, kind, gracious GOD!!  I'm so glad HE cares.

Generational curses can be broken--IN JESUS NAME!  All it takes is for one generation to say, "that's enough" and be willing to lay aside for the sake of Christ.  It can be done! 

Make, Set aside, some time to spend focusing on the child(ren) that the LORD has blessed you with this weekend.  Better yet, fulfill the command that He gave in Luke 18:16, and point he/she to Jesus.  And you don't necessarily have to be a mother/father in order to do that :-) 

But Jesus called them to him, saying "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God (ESV)

Quiteness in the 'Whatever'

Philippians 4:7-8

And the PEACE of GOD, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Sitting here this morning in the quiet. I'm relishing the 'quiet'. To much clamor and chaos here lately. And to think....I wouldn't have this moment if it weren't for waiting on the repair man this morning. Any other time I'd be rushing around here, getting ready to leave for work. Sometimes ya just gotta relish the little bends in the road...sometimes they lead to a quiet meadow.

NOUNS: Persons, Places, Things, and/or Ideas

It's come to my attention in recent months that there are some 'nouns' in my life that I do not need to focus my efforts upon. I love this scripture because it reminds and it compels me to 'get a higher focus'. It is far better to think on scripture (such as this, for ex.) than to dwell on those 'nouns' that want to plant seeds of frustration, anger, bitterness, strife, envy, helplessness, hopelessness...just plain chaos...in my mind, heart--aka--my life!

A long time ago I knew a person who could not stand to hear the word "WHATEVER". It didn't matter the tone, this person just didn't like this simple phrase. However, I tend to rather like it. For to me it is a phrase that breathes freedoms. I just feel such sentiment to it...I haven't used it in a while, but I find I've been bringing it back into my vocabulary more over the last few months. That one word seems to be a gate, that when opened, releases me into a passage of hope, escape, and tranquility. (I know...you're probably thinking I'm a little weird about now, but it's the truth nonetheless).

And this scripture is my reinforcement. Paul's words remind me to refocus...to have a "whatever moment(s)" in my days. Sometimes I have to RE-refocus. And I'm finding that this is ok too.

I do better by filling my mind on things that are true, noble, authentic, compelling, gracious, beautiful. It's best for me to mediate on issues that fit these catagories. I can not help those 'nouns' that want to fly over, above, into my head; but I can sure keep them from building a nest in my brain. Thinking the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse is the building blocks to a stable, harmonious, victorious day!

Time is a precious commodity. We only get 24 hours in a day (and about 8 of those hours are spent sleeping) There's way to much positive energy/task to focus on than to allow my mind to be filled with junk...cluttering up my world...weighing me down. Thank God for shredding machines..."WHATEVER" is my shredding machine.

To the nouns in my world, here goes a big shout-out to you: WHATEVER!!!! :) :) ;) There will always be people, places, things/ideas that I will never totally figure out. But rather than figure them out I need to stop trying to and RE-focus my efforts to more positive forces. Re-focusing. Saying "whatever"...shrugging off the gloom, the frustration, and pour my energy and brain-cells into something that brings blessing into my world. Peace comes when I focus on hatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report. There is no real praise in anything else. :-)

Enduring Shame, Patiently Running

Two girls…opposite teams…students of different HS campuses…at the start, each having one goal….TO WIN…

I read a heart-warming story this morning!  It really made my heart smile.  Two girls on a High School track competing, the one is out front, leading closer to the winning than the other…then all of a sudden, she collapses right there on the field.  The other girl, which had the same goal in mind—to win the race, to come away from the day with a championship—instead of running around her…stops…and carrys her opponent to the finish line.  Not only that, but since her opponent was in front of her before the collapse, she made sure her opponent crossed the finish line first.  She said, “helping her across the finish line was a lot more satisfying than winning the state championship”.  She was willing to finish last in order to be of help to someone else. 

What a SELF-LESS, heartwarming act of kindness.  This is an outstanding act of sportsmanship.  This is TRUE sportsmanship. I even dare say…a TRUE act of Christianity. 

I’m reminded of Paul’s words in Hebrews 12:1-2:   
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,  lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

There are people sitting on the sidelines of our life.  They watch, observing, to see how we handle various circumstance in our life. 
How do they perceive us? 
What will we do with theobstacles that are thrown at us?
Will we allow them to work for ourgood? 
What if someone else falls in front of us, are we a going to help them up?
Or,  pass them by?
(because we are carrying the weight of “self” rather than the weight of helping a brother/sister up)

Jesus took suffering for the JOY that was set before Him.  He endured the shame because He knew the greater goal.  He kept the greater goal in mind.  He proved that He is the Victor.   

When your opponent…your enemy, (if you will), …seems to be leading the way, seems to be winning at every turn, everything seems to be working out for them, they hurt you at every bend in the road….but then suddenly she/he falls…what will you do then?   

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let usrun with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus theauthor and finisher of our faith

Lord, it is only through Your divine grace.  Help me to be more like You.  Help me to take suffering wth JOY....Knowing that YOU work all things for my good! Yes, it's YOUR amazing grace...and mercy too...that I need. You are an awesome GOD!   

Jesus NEVER Fails

Wickedness must find exercise for its malice.  When one dares not openly assail, they will privately ensnare.  This is a great trial for the “victim”, but the LORD is greater still.  No secret snare can harm the man who dwells in a secret place with the Most High. God is the perfect (complete) Guardian.  He makes us to walk safely in the midst of danger and tulmult times.  God knows us and our enemies…and that, my friend, I find to be a victorious thought!  God knows the pathway of the down-hearted and those who feel victimized. 

He is not far from each and every one of us.  HEIS NEAR!  
 
A Psalm of David regarding his experience in the cave, trying to hide from Saul.
Psalm 142:1-7 I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.  Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
David pleaded his cause before the Lord in a prayer filled with humility.  In humbleness of spirit he asked God for grace and mercy. He did not seek God for merit nor for worthiness, but he cried out for grace and mercy.  In the end David gives all praise—all credit---to the One who holds him in His hand. 
   
JesusNever Fails
Words & Music by: GaryDriskell
Verse 1
So many souls have tested Him throughout the course of time.
So many still reach out to Him with broken hearts and minds.
And every one of them will say,
Without exception that they find…
Jesus never fails...
Verse 2
Even in the days of old, He brought His people through.
And then He came to show His love and died for me and you.
Then He rose again to prove,
That every story has been true…
Jesus never fails…
Chorus
Jesus never fails. Jesus never fails.
You might as well get thee behind me, Satan
You cannot prevail, because Jesus never fails.
Verse 3
Sometimes this world brings trouble I find so hard to bear.
I know I could not make it without Jesus being there.
It’s so encouraging to know,
How ever deep we’re in despair…
Jesus never fails.
Verse 4
So what can I do to prove to you, tell me how can you deny?
No untold facts, no mysteries, it’s all so cut and dried.
On the witness stand of your life,
I’ll be the first to testify…
Jesus never fails!
Repeat Chorus
I know… RepeatChorus
Tag
You might as well get thee behind me, Satan
You cannot prevail, because Jesus never fails.

Never fails…Jesus never has…and He never will!

It Ain't OVER!

Mark 5:21-24, 35-43  And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much
people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.  And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.  And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him….While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further. As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.  And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue,and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why makeye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her,Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Never mind what your religious peers may say....It ain’t over til God says, “it’s over”. 

Through everything we must trust Jesus! I believe most of us give up on our miracle way to soon.   He truly is still the Miracle-Worker, and we must never doubt that.  Nothing, absolutely NOTHING, is impossible for Him.  What looks to be like a ‘done deal’, GOD can resurrect.   God doesn’t need a “recovery room” either.  He can perform the impossible and make it appear like their was nothing ever amiss. Jairus’ daughter appeared to have just awoken from a nap..she got up from her bed and had a little snack that was especially ordered for her by God Himself.   MIRACULOUS!! 

I have an example for you: 
A miracle happened for somone several years ago now that was very close to me.  I was dating him at the time (eventually married).  An accident happened.  His ankle was broken, all black and blue, and twisted in a very precarious position.  Some guys who were with him helped him get to the house of prayer, his pastor prayed for him. His ankle righted into position, the bruising began to disappear, the flesh turned pink again, and he was able to walk out of there, praising God! And, ya know what, God never sent him a bill.  He’s the Master of the miraculous…all He really desires out of us is our love and faithfulness. 

Circumstance and Situation may change...oftentimes they do change...but God is the same.  And in moments when we in dire need, when we are weak, when we are down, God brings back to our memory miracles of the past.  He reminds us that He has NOT changed.    
   
What’s more…only those that fully trust and believe GOD to do the miraculous get to have a ‘front row seat’ to the miracles that He performs.  They don’t get the ‘seat’ because they come looking for a show…they aren’t spectators…but they are participators. They pray and believe in earnest for the need of someone else (or even their own need), not because they think they’ll earn‘bragging rights’, but because they truly care…and they truly believe.  I happen to believe that’s why in this verse of scripture, God charged very commandingly those in the room with Jairus’daughter to “tell no man about the miracle that was performed”. In other words, if you don’t believe it and ain't willing to pray a miracle into existence, then you don’t even get to hear about it!

There needs to be a resurrection of BELIEF!!!  God never changed. He never will change. 

But, has our TRUST system…our BELIEF system…our FAITH system in HIM, changed? 

Oh, I pray not!!!

Always remember:  It ain’t over ‘til God says, “IT’S OVER”.