Category: peace

How Does God Love Me?

​How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)

Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1806 – 1861

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.”

This is such a beautiful sonnet, and God loves us even more! 1 John 4:9-10: “God showed how much He loved {He LOVES us!!} us by sending His One and Only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is REAL Love – not that we love God, but that He loves us – He sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins!”

How much better can it get? I am so spoiled… no, make that blessed! Seriously. This morning I’m talking about my little dogs, because I can. 😉 Every morning, our routine is this. They wake me up with kisses (not everyone gets kissed awake!!), then they go out while I turn on the coffee. I feed them – the little black boy sits up on his back legs so prettily while he’s waiting – then I get my coffee, and by then the little brown boy is dancing at my feet, anxiously waiting for me to go sit on the couch. Really. Dancing. As soon as I sit, he is climbing into my lap to be covered in his blanket, while the little black one curls up on my side. (He’s my shadow. Wherever I go in the house, he’s right there with me.)

Many of you think I’m nuts (not to mention any names, sis, heeheehee) but others understand what I’m talking about. I have never been a “little” dog person. My preference runs to bigger ones – 40 to 80 pounds – but these two found me and I wouldn’t change it. My big boy Rascal used to get in my lap, too, but at at 70+ pounds, about all that fit was his head! 
Why am I talking about dogs today? Because they are all about love. Because dog, turned around, spells God. Love, unexplainable, without boundaries, total love. No matter if I were to mistreat them, or how long I leave them, they are always there waiting on me so they can show me how much they love me and missed me. Like the prodigal son, they are there with no judgement or condemnation. It’s pretty amazing when you think about it. 
  “We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!” – Luke 15:32 NLT (http://bible.com/116/luk.15.32.NLT)

Substitute “mom” for brother and that’s how the dogs act when I come in after being gone. It doesn’t matter if I was gone for 15 minutes or a couple of weeks. It’s time for the to celebrate when I walk in the door! It’s a tiny example of the rejoicing that happens in heaven when we return to God’s arms. He is always there, waiting for us to open the door and walk in. So where are you today? Have you left His comfort and His embrace to do your own thing? Life is short, people.  When I was in my twenties, I doubted I would see 50. In my thirties, I seriously doubted I would see 50. In fact, I was sure of it. How could I survive what I was doing? God obviously wasn’t done with me yet, because I’m 65 and still kicking. I don’t know His plan, but I try to stay open to His leading. How are you doing? Struggling to do it yourself way, or submitting to His will? 

Just askin’….

(😆 I am shamelessly showing how cute these two are to me!)


Amen!

Can You Hear It??

​  “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!” – Psalms 42:11 NLT

  “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.” – 1 Kings 19:11-12 NLT

Do you hear it? That stillness, and a gentle whisper from the LORD? Just as Elijah and David, we have to slow down and listen to hear what God is telling us. it’s not always what we want to hear, because we think we can plan our futures better than He is able to. We become discouraged when we don’t stay focused on God’s Will, so doesn’t it make sense that we put your hope in the LORD instead of in ourselves and other humans? If your faith is in people, you will always be disappointed. Always.God is the only thing we can believe in and not be disappointed.  

Do You Hear What I Hear 

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy 

Do you hear what I hear? 

Ringing thru the sky, shepherd boy 

Do you hear what I hear?

What do you hear this Christmas season? Do you hear the quiet whisper of God, reminding us of the WHY of this time of celebration, or are your ears so filled with all of the hustle and bustle and noise that your mind feels like mush?

I’d just like this time to be a quiet moment of reflection about why we are doing all of this. Can you hear it?


Christmas Is Coming 

​This is what Christmas is all about:

  “So the Word became human {flesh} and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing Love and Faithfulness. And we have seen His Glory, the Glory of the Father’s One and Only Son. 

  John testified about Him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the One I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me Who is far greater than I am, for He existed long before me.’” 

  From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.  For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing Love and Faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 

  No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is Himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. 

  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The LAMB OF GOD Who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:14‭-‬18‭, ‬29 NLT  (http://bible.com/116/jhn.1.14-29.NLT)

Our God, the Creator of this incredibly complex universe, left heaven and came to earth. His sole purpose was to provide us salvation from our sin-filled lives. Think on that for today.

Saved by Grace

Saved by Grace

For many people, the thought of being saved because of God’s love just isn’t enough. We feel the need to do something to redeem ourselves. How could a man who has everything – eternal life, riches beyond measure, countless angels and beings to worship Him and adore Him, give it all up just for me? I’m a selfish, stubborn little human who is as flawed and imperfect as anyone ever born. I forsook family and friends to pursue my desires; I continually stumble and fall in relationships and life. I am not, and never will be, a “good” person. But hear this:

  “God saved you by His Grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a Gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” – Ephesians 2:8‭-‬9 NLT (http://bible.com/116/eph.2.8-9.NLT) 

Let me put this in a slightly different format:

  “God saved me by His Grace when I believed. And I can’t take credit for this; it is a Gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things I have done, so I cannot boast about it.”

Too many times, boasting is exactly what we do. I succeeded; I accomplished; I, I, I …. I should get what I deserve. What have I really done? In truth, if each of us received what we truly deserve, it would not be the awards and accolades that we want. Instead, if every thought and every deed were to come to light, what rewards should we have? I thank GOD – I mean really thank God – that I don’t have to receive the punishment for all of the stupid, vile, insensitive, mean things I think and do as a human being of free will! To imagine that the Son of the Most High God voluntarily left Paradise to come to earth for the purpose of suffering and dying just for me…. just for you….. how humbling is that?

  “For the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] came to seek and save those who are lost.” – Luke 19:10 NLT (http://bible.com/116/luk.19.10.NLT)

One more word for those who don’t believe that Jesus is necessary to salvation: “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” – James 2:19 NLT (http://bible.com/116/jas.2.19.NLT)

Don’t let the enemy drag you down! The Name of Jesus is the only way we have to vanquish the enemy. “…. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:11b NLT (http://bible.com/116/1co.6.11.NLT)

AMEN.


Roots

“Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” – Colossians 2:7 NLT (http://bible.com/116/col.2.7.NLT)

Growing up a “PK” – preacher’s kid – gave me the opportunity to grow roots deep into the scriptures. Many afternoons and weekends were spent with my parents and siblings at the church, preparing for the Sunday and Wednesday services. We “helped” by straightening classrooms and turning the crank on the mimeograph machine so we could help fold the bulletins. I expect we (the kids) spent more time playing than anything, but to me at least it’s always been a good memory to hold on to. There’s a distinct smell associated to older woodframed buildings and offices; a havemixture of wood and dust and warm sunlight, paper and inks. The sounds are uniquely theirs, too. A creaky floorboard, the squeak of a hinge, footsteps echoing down the empty hall; the silence – only it isn’t really silent after all. Sitting all alone in a hard wooden pew in a quiet sanctuary, watching as the dust motes dance in a sunbeam that is reflecting through the old imperfect glass promotes a reverence that is difficult to duplicate.

As viewed by some, I had a deprived childhood, but I don’t see it that way. For all of the sibling rivalry and lack of creature “comforts”, I don’t remember going without something to eat and a warm place to sleep every night. We did things as a family, even when it was a battle between my brother and I! My roots are deep in family and God.  ”

Some people (like me!) have to learn things the hard way. Why, when we grow up hearing and knowing the truth do we have to rebel? It’s all about that pesky free will God bestowed on us. Ever the gentleman, He refuses to force Himself on anyone who doesn’t choose Him. Too bad more men and women don’t follow His lead! I’m thankful for roots that were deep enough to keep me from getting swept away by the enemy during my rebellious years. Even today, I’m not a great conformist…. okay, I’m a lousy conformist who loves to argue and do things her way, sometimes to my detriment. The good news – the BEST news – is that God doesn’t give up on us easily. He loves us in spite of ourselves, and He is always waiting to give us a hand out of whatever mess we’ve gotten ourselves into.

“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:37‭-‬39 NLT (http://bible.com/116/rom.8.37-39.NLT) 

AMEN.

O Our GOD 

​  “O our God, we thank You and praise Your Glorious Name!” – 1 Chronicles 29:13 NLT  (http://bible.com/116/1ch.29.13.NLT)

I have so much to be thankful for and to praise GOD for! Think about this: Following Jesus is an oxymoron at times. I thought for years that in order to follow Christ I had to give up something. I was right – I had to give up my life to Him. I thought I had to give up everything that was “fun”…and I did. Ironically, I didn’t give up anything, because I GAINED everything! I gave up my life, only to gain ultimate Life. I gave up partying and chaos, and I gained PEACE – the kind of Peace you’ll never understand without Him. I gave up control, and gained understanding that I was never in control in the first place! I gave up “fun”, and found better fun and enjoyment, the kind that isn’t fleeting, but lasts. 

  Jesus said “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

Life can be as great as we can handle if we let God have the reins (or the wheel 😊). Nothing and no one can destroy us when we are in Christ. In this life, there will always be pressures and struggles of all kinds. That’s because the enemy has temporary control over the earth. He does NOT have control over me any longer. I slip and I fall constantly, like I’ve done all my life. I don’t have to struggle back to my feet, pulling myself up, any longer.  I just reach out my hand, and my Lord is waiting with outstretched hand to help me up again. He’s waiting for you to reach out for Him, too.
That’s a lot to be thankful for.

Beloved and Blessed

​Oh, I am Beloved!

  “Concerning the Gentiles, God says in the prophecy of Hosea, “Those who were not My people, I will now call My people. And I will love those whom I did not love before.” (Hosea 2:23) And, “Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not My people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the Living GOD.’” (Hosea 1:10) ” – Romans 9:25‭-‬26 NLT 

Do you consider yourself God’s Beloved? 

Sometimes I am just a little envious of the Jews, the Israelites. I mean, GOD chose them to be His people! Why the Israelites? And where did the split from being just “people” to being Israelites and Gentiles happen, exactly?

 Adam and Eve were the first humans, and as such are the founders of the human race. “This is the written account of the descendants of Adam. When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself. He created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them “human.” ” – Genesis 5:1‭-‬2 NLT 

For generations, people were called by their tribe, which came from the founder of each tribe, such as the tribe, or sons, of Seth, and the tribe, or sons, of Enoch. Then came Noah and his family. Did you know that Noah was 500 years old before his 3 sons were born? Or that the Flood began when he was 600 years old? Perhaps we should be reconsidering how we treat our seniors……

  “From these three sons of Noah came all the people who now populate the earth.” … “These are the clans that descended from Noah’s sons, arranged by nation according to their lines of descent. All the nations of the earth descended from these clans after the great flood.” – Genesis 9:19; 10:32 NLT

Can we please stop arguing about “race” now…. we are all the same!! God created a rainbow of colors in us, just as He did with animals and plants. Look for beauty instead of ugliness. Sometimes we put so much emphasis on the ugly that we even forget there ever was beauty. There are, unfortunately, people who thrive on the ugly – and that is exactly what the enemy wants to happen. By getting our attention off of God and onto Satan, it is easier to subvert our good intentions. Rather, we can show the world of our love for Jesus through the gifts of the Spirit.

  “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” – Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NLT 

Be a positive influence today. If you are broken, it is so that God’s Light can show more brightly through the cracks! Never be ashamed of your brokenness. God doesn’t need perfect people, He needs us, the broken. 


( All scriptures quoted are from http://bible.com/NLT )

Thankfulness 

​  “O  LORD, I will honor and praise Your Name, for you are My God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now You have accomplished them.” – Isaiah 25:1 NLT (http://bible.com/116/isa.25.1.NLT)

We live in such a beautiful world! God gave us the earth for us to live our natural lives, yet we often don’t take the time to open our eyes and enjoy it. I know how blessed I have been to live in small towns and smallish cities, and for the travel I’ve been able to do. I confess that all I know of big city life is what I see on the TV and in the movies, and for the most part it doesn’t seem all that pleasant for the less than wealthy people. I’ve read that inner city kids can grow up without ever seeing a cow, and the most they see of nature is a random tree or potted plant. It’s almost incomprehensible to me that people have to live that way. To miss out on so much beauty….

How thankful are you for where you are; where you’ve been; who you are?

Fall, Falling, Fallen

🍃 Interesting word, Fall. It can be both a noun and a verb; a thing, or an action. “I love Fall”; “I will fall if I stand there.”

We use it to define the third season as the earth prepares for winter. Leaves fall from trees, creating an inviting cushion to walk on and play in. Seeds fall from plants to lie fallow on the ground until the time of renewal, and grains and fruits and nuts ripen to feed all manner of creatures. The sun moves lower in the sky and the nights grow longer as the earth rests before its renewal in the Spring. 🍁

In scripture, we read that Lucifer, whom God called  and the angels who rebel against God “fall” from heaven. “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world.” – Isaiah 14:12 NLT (http://bible.com/116/isa.14.12.NLT)

Adam and Eve fell from God’s Grace when they sinned in the Garden. Because of their action, all humanity is banned from the garden and have fallen into sin. No matter how hard we try to be “good”, we constantly fall because of our imperfect nature. Because of their action, all of the earth has fallen from the perfection God created. 

  “But You, O LORD, are a Shield around me; You are my Glory, the One Who holds my head high.” – Psalms 3:3 NLT (http://bible.com/116/psa.3.3.NLT)

By ourselves; through our “goodness,” We are nothing. It is only through God by way of Jesus Christ that we are anything. “For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw His Majestic Splendor with our own eyes when He received Honor and Glory from GOD the Father. The Voice from the Majestic Glory of GOD said to Him, “This is my dearly loved Son, Who brings Me great joy.”  We ourselves heard that Voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding,  or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.” – 2 Peter 1:16‭-‬21 NLT (http://bible.com/116/2pe.1.16-21.NLT) 

Whether you choose to stay among the fallen star, satan, or stand up with Jesus, the Morning Star, is up to you. God gave us free will to make our choice. Have you made yours? It’s not too late! 

  “GOD raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now He {Jesus} is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s Right Hand. And the Father, as He had promised, gave Him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today…. Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to GOD, and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts of the Apostles 2:32‭-‬33‭, ‬38 NLT (http://bible.com/116/act.2.32-38.NLT)