Ever wonder "Why?"

Ever wonder why ‘hard” things happen? Why the difficulties and heart wrenching times seem to multiply and are never ending? Just one thing after another or there is that one problem that keeps getting bigger and bigger?

I asked the Lord about this and was blown away by His answer. “Would you be on your knees to Me if these things were not in your life? Trust Me, I know what I am doing. In this world you will have trouble but I have overcome the world!”

The more I scratch the surface of this spiritual journey the more I can't get my head around my God. He gets bigger all the time and truly His ways are not my ways, His thoughts are not my thoughts. 

I shudder to think of all the problems in our collective families, compounded by the world and its issues.

We have an infinitely HUGE God . . . it truly boils down to our relationship with Him, our persistence (not perfection) in walking with Him, sacrificing our will and acknowledging that He is in charge of it all. Keeping our eyes on Jesus and allowing Him to work His perfect plan and rejoice with Him in His will accomplished! 

He gently brings our thinking in line with His when we spend time and sit quietly in His Presence! 

Right back to, “Be still and know I am God”! 

Eyes on Me!

Precious Sadie, 7 pounds of  happy black fur . . . several months ago, a totally different picture. 

Sadie had just been adopted and rescued from a puppy mill by our neighbor Christie. Our first introduction to Sadie was seeing her sitting on the grass, weak, painfully thin, droopy eared,  and a very unhappy toy poodle. She would not look directly at you. Her eyes empty of all emotion, wariness and distrust  radiated from every sad curl of her dull, matted coat.

Now, with love as a healer, Sadie bounces along the sidewalk, ears flopping happily, tongue hanging out of a mouth in constant smile mode!

 She has eyes only for her “Mama”. Always checking to see “if it is ok”, “if she did well”, “if she is a good girl”! She’ll sometimes miss a step going upstairs while looking lovingly up at her “Mama’s” face and tumble down the stairs to bounce quickly back to “Mama” - her security, her protector, her world!

Sadie’s life revolves around the one who has opened her heat to love and melted the walls around it to trust. She listens and knows Christie’s voice. Her eyes follow Christie as she moves around the house and is never far from Christie’s side. She keeps her eyes on the one who rescued  her from a life without hope! 

Sound familiar?

John 21:22 – Jesus tells Peter (and us) not to look at anyone else but to “follow Me”!   

EYES ON ME!

Matthew 11:28 – Jesus lovingly invites us . . . “Come to Me and I will give you rest”  

EYES ON ME!

John 10:27 – Jesus confidently states . . . “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow Me”

EYES ON ME!

Hebrews 12:2 – We are encouraged to  . . . Fix our eyes on Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith

 EYES ON ME!

Jeremiah 31:3 – Our God says . . . “I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with unfailing kindness!”  

EYES ON ME!

‘nuff said!

                                                    

new year, new attitude

Each New Year brings with it a time of reflection over the last year and a look at the possibilities in the coming year.

Perhaps regrets of wrong decisions and actions, harsh words and reactions of the past weigh us down. Looking into the unknown of all those tomorrows is foreboding.

But right now is what we have and the present is where we are. Now  is the perfect time to dwell on who our God is. To be still and know He is God, right now, this day and the next and the next. He is the same. He is the God who laid all our sins on the Perfect Lamb at the cross. The price was paid, is paid and our debt will always be cancelled in the eyes of the Father!

So today, this day, it is time to acknowledge before Him those things that burden us and lay them down never to pick them up again! Today, lay down all our fears of the future!

Picture it. 

We timidly walk up to the door of His throne room, slowly open the door and and step over the threshold. We look up and see Him running toward us, arms open wide! Our slate is wiped clean and He slams into us with a fierce love, holds us close and whispers, “what took you so long! I love you and this is where you belong! You are precious in My sight and I have so much to share with you!”

Beloved, let us change our attitude and live victoriously!

There is nothing we can do to earn God’s love. We have it!!!! 

He sees us already perfect and mature and rejoices as He watches us grow into His image. He desires persistence and progress not perfection. He understands us better than we know ourselves. He is infinitely patient and waits for us to become the mature child He already sees. He encourages us along the way, blesses us with special surprises and loves us with indescribable love!

Philippians 4:13-14  - But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

2 Thessalonians 5:16-18  - always rejoice, always pray and always give thanks no matter the circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Join with me as we strain eagerly toward the goal, forget what is behind and live victoriously in Christ!

HOPE

Jesus, our hope of glory . . .Hope does not disappoint . . . God of hope . . .your faith and hope are in God . . .

 What is hope? What is the hope we read about in the pages of scripture? What about the hope we speak of freely in saying "I hope so"? These questions set me on a quest recently and the answers have amazed me!

Several definitions of hope are below – popular and not satisfying at all. Both depend on ME, my wishes, my desires, my expectation on my future with my goals in mind. 

1.  Wikipedia -  “Hope is the emotional state which promotes the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one’s life. Hope is the “feeling” that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best or the act of looking forward to something with desire and reasonable confidence or feeling that something desired may happen”

2.  Charles Snyder, Ph.D – created a “Hope Theory” – “Hope is the sum of the mental willpower and waypower that you have for your goals” (goals are objects, experiences or outcomes that we imagine and desire in our minds)

These ideas are based on  Plato, believe it or not! – Plato contends that hope is the subjective projection of our desires. So if our “wishes” turn out to be unfulfilled in the future, our present mental status is still improved! Is this the hope of Christ???? Not in a million years!!!!

I love words studies!

The Greek word elpis – confident expectation, trust (used by Paul)

Hebrew words in Old Testament all pointing to :

trust, wait, look for, expect, confidence, security,

refuge, shelter, flee for protection, assurance,

to rely on something reliable

The difference?   Our trust, expectation and  confidence is in God! The promises of God are directed to each of His children in the community of those that have given their hearts  to Him. Hope is not based on our individual psychological state of mind but in God’s purposes and perfect plan for His children collectively. We trust and place our hope in the God who loves us with an infinite love, who will not disappoint us in our future Home and inheritance and will remain with us through life’s joyous moments and heart breaks.

Hope, therefore, can be defined as:

confident expectation, regardless of our circumstances, of the continued fulfillment of the promises of God by God Himself in His perfect timing

It’s not about us. Hope is not dependent on us at all, it is about His will, His perfect plan, His doing what He says He will do. We are His children, He loves us so much He sent His only Son to be the payment for our sins. He provided a solution to the separation of sinful man and Holy God. Love, incredible love, infinite love, unlimited love backing His promises to us. 

A Father's Heart

A Stable? Really? Yet it felt right . . .

The smell of animal is strong - constant rustling of hooves and sounds of cattle and goats fill the spaces between May's soft moaning. The torch flickers in the cool breeze, casting shadows along the wooden boards of the stalls. The cave walls radiate some heat from the day and the warmth for the animals give comfort.

The sky is lit up by so many stars tonight. I notice each night lately has been a bit more bright - tonight I can see easily around me.

"Joseph!"

"I'm here, Mary."

I walk over quickly to where my beloved is laying, propped up by sweet smelling hay and grasses - covered with some blankets we brought from home.

"Joseph - it hurts so" Mary whispered. "I'm know, Mary, I won't leave you."

I look up, "Lord, help us - show me what to do! Deliver Mary quickly and keep precious Jesus - Your Son, safe!"

Peace filled both our hearts - a smile on Mary's lips revealed promises kept and God's immediate help here.

She struggle still with the pain, trying to relax, holding tightly to my hand. I brushed the hair from her face and wiped the tears from her cheeks, "It will be over soon" I said softly.

Mary pointed to a bundle close by and I rose to get it. Inside I found fresh clothes for her, clean strips of cloth for the baby and soft blankets to wrap Him in. She had everything prepared.

I changed the straw beneath her and propped Mary up more so she could more easily bear down. Oh how I wish I could give her my strength!

Mary looked at me suddenly - "Joseph - the baby- now" she pants.

I move to her side and gently hold the baby's emerging head in my hand. Soft,wet curls spilled onto my palm.

I feel a hand on my shouder - giving me strength and confidence, helping me.

Slowly the baby's head is delivered, then one shoulder after the other. He looks at me! Is that a "thank you" I see, a glimpse of eternity and glory? I feel the hand on my shoulder give a gently squeeze. I dry him quickly, wrap him in a blanket and place him in Mary's arms.

Tears of joy drip onto my shirt as I sit there watching Mary tenderly look this wonderful baby over - counting finger and toes - running her hand along his back, his arms, his legs. He squirms and protests loudly!. Hungry? Cold?  Mary gently wraps him in the strips of cloth and guides him to her breast. I lean over and cover them both carefully with my cloak.

Mary looks at me and we smile through our tears. Lifting our gaze upwards we praise God for His strength, safety, provision and Emmanuel - God, with us!

Frightening glimpses through the fog!

We live in a world filled with sickness, death, evil and trouble. 

We are in this world.

We don’t think “bad” things will happen to us.

We live in a complacent fog. 

We catch glimpses of the true battle clashing around us when occasionally the fog lifts and we see the results of evil. 

We see godlessness, the raw wickedness of the heart and mind of man controlled by Satan.

In the shifting vapors we see the suffering that occurs daily in many parts of the world – areas where God is forsaken and evil rules blatantly and openly.

I find it appalling that “horror” shows depicting bloody killings, torture and darkness are welcomed into our theaters and homes through Internet and TV.  As we sit numbly watching “entertainment” these very atrocities are taking place in far off and not so far off countries against men and women, little boys and girls, many of whom are brothers and sisters in Christ. They are beaten, imprisoned, tortured, and killed. Children witnessing unspeakable acts not reported in the States.

God, in His mercy, allows us to be safe and secure – but for how much longer? Our country has turned her back on Him and worships the god of self and materialism. 

The war is in full swing around us – a spiritual battle full of hatred directed toward us and our children.

Man’s laws allow us to live, work and play in relative safety and security. BUT man’s heart is desperately wicked. Satan knows his time is short and is stepping up the attack. We are in the way – may our eyes be opened to see through the fog! We must read and know the Play Book and its’ Author! We must stay on our knees before our God!

Will we be touched by evil? YES

Will it defeat us? NO

Our hope is Christ, the victory is already won by Christ at the cross and empty tomb, our peace and security is in Christ.

May the God of hope, fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit         (Romans 15:13)

 

It is through our hope in God, our trust in Christ, our joy and peace given to us by our Father during the battle, enduring the suffering, in the midst of disappointment, tearful in grief, stunned by tragedy and picking up the pieces of shattered dreams that others see Christ.  

They see and are drawn to:

the Prince of Peace

Our Emmanuel!!!!

When angels dance and sing!

I just read a story of lost and found.

In a countryside filled with green pastures and sloping hills a shepherd stands straight and tall. Leaning on his staff, he looks out over HIS precious herd making sure the little ones are close to their Mamas, the older sheep are well and walking without difficulty, the herd as a whole is happy and content, feeding off the bountiful grass he has led them to. As a matter of habit he begins to count the sheep, smiling at the antics of the lambs jumping and chasing each other. Then he stops smiling and frowns. He slowly and carefully counts again. 

One is missing!

He sounds the alarm to his friends and neighbors and the search begins.

He scans the area. He moves swiftly and carefully along outcroppings and drop-offs. He calls the missing  sheep by name. He does not stop for food or rest. He quickly walks around the area, calling, listening, looking. Then he hears, of in the distance, a lonely bleat, a cry for help. Running, the shepherd arrives to find a frightened, dusty little lamb and gathers it gently in his arms, carefully wiping off the dust from the lamb’s face and holding it close as he softly probes with his loving fingers for cuts and bruises. The shepherd moves slowly back to the herd, murmuring loving words quietly to the little one. He places the lamb down by it’s mother and smiles as it hungrily feeds.

His friends and neighbors gather around the shepherd, celebrating and rejoicing with him. The lost lamb is back in the fold with the herd. The precious lost has been found.

Wow!

Jesus then went on to say, “there is more rejoicing in Heaven” when one of His creation comes to Him and accepts Him as the Savior.

 We made the angels dance and sing when we wrapped our arms around our Lord and asked Him to live in our hearts at the foot of the cross! The trumpets blasted, the music swelled and the angels sang songs of praise and joy when we became part of our Lord’s family.

 And the incredible reality is,  He is still smiling! And I believe the celebration is still going on and will continue till we join it and our loved ones to dance with Jesus and sing His praises with the angels! 

We are HIS!