Sleepless nights

I have to be honest with you. There are nights sleep leaves me and I think about our country and “what might happen”. Trillions in debt, health care costs rising, food costs and gas prices on the increase, housing market still shaky and a growing population dependent on Medicare and Social Security. 

Jesus Calling – again touched my heart and encouraged my soul. 

In Luke 12, Jesus reminds His “little flock” that the ravens go about their business, looking for food, building their nests, raising their young with God, the Father, providing bountifully for them. “And you are much more valuable that these” Jesus states tenderly. God, in His love, cares for His creation. He sees the need and supplies it. 

Jesus addresses our concerns - food on the table and clothes on our back. But it is more than that. Are we obsessing about these things – the newest fashions, the biggest house, the freezer and cupboards full to overflowing? 

 

We can plan for the future – tuition, retirement, house, cars, food and clothes – all these things everyone seeks.  It is the worrying, striving, fretting – selling ourselves and our families to the getting and the gaining. It’s pushing God out of our lives, depending on ourselves and money for security and safety. 

Jesus shouts, “STOP!” 

 He the quietly continues,

“My Father knows what you need.

He made you.

 He loves you.

He knows your thoughts, your dreams, and your needs:

Physical: food, clothing, shelter

Emotional: love, acceptance and sense of accomplishment

Family: security, protection” 

He then brings the focus back to the real issue: 

Our GREATEST NEED–

A vibrant, loving, confident, trusting relationship with God.

To BE STILL and KNOW HE IS GOD 

His PROMISE!!!!

 

“Seek the Kingdom of Heaven and all these things will be added unto you”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IF I know He is God, Then I will BE STILL

 

IF : I know that He is God:

He has undisputed supreme power (Sovereign)

He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings

He is present everywhere and at all times (Omnipresent)

He has unlimited authority (Omnipotent)

He is mighty to save

He is Holy

His love is infinite, unconditional and unfailing

His gift of grace and mercy

He is Creator of all things and holds all things together

He is my Shepherd

He cannot lie

He cannot deny His own

He is my Father, my Abba (Daddy)

He is Prince of Peace

He loves me

I am His

He knows my name and listens to my voice

He sings over me with gladness

My name is written in the palm of His hand

He is my refuge

He is my strength

He is my Rock

He is my Fortress

He is my Deliverer

and my Protection

He is my Provider

He is unchanging, the same yesterday, today and forever

He is the beginning and the end 

And on and on and on 

THEN:  I cannot help but to BE STILL (cease from striving). 

We are lovingly shown in the pages of scripture – GOD. When the realization of who He is drops us to our knees, when the truth of His love for us overwhelms our hearts and we believe, we see ourselves, we see Him and we are STILL.

 

 

When we complain to God!

What!

Complain to God, you say! Really?

Yep, He wants to hear our complaints. He longs to have us share our doubts and fears with Him.
He welcomes this time with us. He desires these special moments.

Why?

When we bring our questions, our anger, our disappointment, our doubt and fear to Him, He listens.
He allows us to express ourselves. Then, when we have said all we have to say, shout or cry, He takes us in His arms and tenderly reveals our hearts to us.

We see:

our selfishness

our pride

our controlling nature

our immaturity

 

Then He lovingly tempers our thoughts with His. He reveals His perspective. He allows His Word to bring our focus back to Him. To see Him, His Character, and bow before His Omnipotence, His Sovereignty, to welcome His purpose, love and grace, His glorious plan.

Our thankfulness and peace return.

 Our trust is strengthened and

Our faith renewed.

But, what do we usually do????

We grab the phone. We unload when our mate steps in the door. We talk to a friend to complain, to commiserate.

 In so doing we sew cancerous seeds of self-pity, doubt, negativism, even rage. We take control and decide what is to be done, what is best for us or the situation. We elevate our desires and opinions above God's. We become impatient, spreading anxiety and fear to others.

WE STOP TRUSTING GOD

 WE STOP THANKING GOD

Our minds are in turmoil, our energy is spent and our tongues are sharp and wounding.

 

We SIN!!!

So, Beloved, let us take our complaints to the Father.

Let us allow His Word to remind us of His sovereignty.

 Let us ask the Holy Spirit to teach us and grow us into the mature,

godly Child of the King that our Father already sees!

Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

YES . . . He knows how to handle our complaints!

 

 

 

 

Heaven,very real, stayed just beyond my fingertips!

That last week of Daddy’s life the house was full of visitors. I couldn’t see them, I had no way to communicate or touch them but they were there.

 A refreshing fragrance in the air I didn't quite recognize, yet familiar filled the rooms. Music playing softly just out of hearing, still, I felt it in my heart.

I could almost hear the china and glasses being placed on the table for the welcome Home celebration.  I could almost smell the wonderful dishes cooking in the oven and on the stove from a kitchen I knew was there but could not see.

Arms wrapped around me with love and comfort giving me strength. Words, whispered quietly in my heart, full of promise and hope. Yet the One hugging me was invisible to my eyes.

Heaven, very real, stayed just beyond my fingertips.

Yesterday, Bruce and I visited a dear friend who waits expectantly for Jesus to come and take her Home.

 Joyful, thankful, DeLana reached out to wrap me in her arms. Hope and promise filled the air. Her expression shone with Heaven's light. Her conversation filled with excitement about seeing Jesus and touching His face!

Friends and family were present, but the familiar, comforting visitors were also there.

 A remembered fragrance sweetened the air, filling the rooms with freshness, with love. Music played softly just beyond our hearing, yet our hearts beat to the Heavenly rhythm.

The banquet room, filled with preparation noise, blended with the kitchen’s business as dishes were prepared, veggies chopped and delicious smells wafted from the oven just outside our senses.

Loving arms giving strength, held each of us tightly to His chest.

Yes, Heaven, very real, stayed just beyond my fingertips!

 

 

When dreams are in pieces!

Troubling news, information I do not want, yet in my heart I know it's reality.

 "Lord? I don't want to feel this pain! I don't want to walk this road!

It hurts, Lord. The dreams I cherished are in pieces. 

 I grieve for them.

 I fear the unknown of tomorrow.

I am angry. Others seem to move through life

with ease.

Their dreams blossoming and bright."

 

Silence

 

"Lord? I see no  path, only  a wall.

I need Your light, I need Your hand."

 

Movement

 

"Lord? Is it for my growth the pieces lie on the floor?

A gentle nudge to ask for Your dream?

A loving whisper to hold fast to Your hand?

A tender touch to stand strong in who You are?"

 

Footsteps

 

"Lord?

You love me with an infinite love.

Your hands tenderly mold my heart into Your likeness.

Your ways are not my ways.

You hold me in the palm of Your hand and

my name is written there.

Your hear my prayers

and know my voice.

You love my dear ones more than I.

You created them.

You are moving and working,

creating dreams for them.

You are God!"

 

Embrace

 

 

 

Help along the way - Part 2

The fog clears.We find ourselves staring into a bottomless chasm. In the distance we see peaks of ranges yet to be climbed. We collapse, weary, exhausted, discouraged against the mountainside.
 No way to cross, no path down, no way out.  We are helpless and alone!

Night falls, darkness - no light, no warmth only chilly gusts of icy wind and strange, guttural sounds that keep us awake.  We cry out, "Lord, protect me, I'm scared, I need You!" The growls are louder now,  closer - suddenly we hear footsteps, a shout and a thud then a yelping, paws scurrying away.

All is quiet. We are not alone! We fall into a fitful sleep. A loving hand covers us with His robe and His singing quietens our hearts.

We awaken and slowly rise to greet a new day.  Rubbing our eyes we move stiffly to the edge of the cliff  and see what was not there before, a small ledge along the walls of granite.

We hear the Voice.

 We follow.



A breeze, gentle and warm caresses our face as we stumble down the path. It's less steep, less rocky, easier to walk. We enter a small cave behind a large boulder and emerge quickly into a small pasture.

Sheep graze contentedly and cows lounge in the shade of a large stand of trees. Butterflies float from flower to flower, birds sing sweetly.  Fruit trees welcome us will branches heavy with delicious, sweet, fruits of all varieties. Cool, refreshing water flows beside the tress offering relief to a very thirsty traveler. Pillows and blankets lay scattered on the grass in the shade.There's a table by the stream with platters  filled with meat, cheese and bread for us to enjoy.

We  gratefully relax.
 We gather strength for the next leg of our journey.

Rested and refreshed we hear the call of the Shepherd to continue our way Home.

More mountains to climb-

More meadows to rest

but never alone!


Psalm 23

 

 

 



Help along the way? - part 1

Our journey - This walk through time on a path full of surprises. Some roads incredibly joyful while others painful, difficult. We look ahead and see that glow in the distance - our Home.

We step forward, surefooted and confident.

Around us, a beautiful meadow -  lush green grass rippling in the warm, summer breeze,
 flowers of all colors filling the fresh air with their perfume while bobbing their heads in time to the music of the birds flying overhead. Water flows nearby, skipping happily around and over smooth multicolored rocks. Clouds dance in the breeze,  the sky, a brilliant blue.
 Stopping to rest by the stream we reach up and pick a luscious, red apple from a hanging branch nearby and laugh as the juice runs down our chin with the first bite.

A call,
A sweet voice in the distance asks us to follow.

We rise and walk happily toward our Shepherd

 

Leaving the meadow, we round a corner to see a rock strewn road winding back and forth up the side of a hill. Off we go, following the footsteps in the dust. We walk for hours finding the path steeper, harder. We climb on and around boulders, duck under jagged pieces  of granite and slide on slopes of shale.

The wind turns cold and gusts push us back down the path. We teeter on the edge of sheer drop-offs. The fog rolls in. It's difficult to see. We are cold, hungry and exhausted. We grope along the wall of the mountain, our hands cut and bleeding from sharp edges. We fall to our knees, crawling, crying out for help, reaching out blindly in front of us.