Are You Looking Up?

Well, you are not at this moment looking up because you are reading this, and thank you for your time. I recently watched a sporting event kicked off by the singing of the “National Anthem.” To this day in my 62 years of life, I tear up and get chill bumps every time I hear it sung. I have had the privilege of growing up during my formative years in the greatest country on earth. I thank God for that and for the opportunity my children have had to experience life in the United States.

Our country has experienced its problems no doubt, but freedom of speech has not been threatened before this recent era in which we find ourselves. Lawlessness without consequence is rampant. Cities and businesses have burned. Whoever thought defunding of the police would ever be agreed upon? My heart breaks as I see division and hate abounding as family members and friends become enemies if there are differences of views and beliefs. As “Old Glory,” our flag, flies beautifully unfurled by a gentle breeze, the message it formerly sent of national pride, of lives sacrificed to grant us the liberties we take for granted has been lost in the fray.

People protest and sing “thank God for abortion” as a woman plays out the birth and killing of a baby on the steps of a church as worship takes place inside. Murder of babies is fought for vehemently. Politicians fight to pass legislation to “abort” babies up to 28 days after birth. Again, that is murder plain and simple of the most heinous type, and we file this under “healthcare for women.”

Equality for genders and sexual orientations which God never intended is front line and championed. Attempts are being made to confuse children on these issues in the school systems as early as the age of seven and eight. Outright lies are championed as truth. Deception is now the norm. Church members are disillusioned and stepping away from their faith and belief in God. Prominent “Christian” worship leaders and pastors have now embraced atheism.

But here is the question. Is God surprised? Of course not. Did He, his prophets, and disciples speak of days such as this in the Bible. Absolutely! Jesus himself explained future times such as these as He spoke to his disciples in Luke 21:5-36. Please take the time to read these “red letters” spoken by our Lord as if He were speaking of current day events. And smack dab in the middle of those scriptures is verse 28 which reads: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. “

We have a choice to make. We can continue to look at all the distractions Satan has in play in our society, wring our hands and become distraught, or we can look in our Bibles for encouragement and strength because these times are foretold. We can look away from our phones, computers, televisions and look up for the blessed appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We can look around and ask the Lord for opportunities to share his love, sacrifice, gift of forgiveness and the ability to be adopted into the family of God. We can also share the reality of where eternity will be spent…Heaven or hell. God is love, but there will come a time when unbelievers will experience his wrath.

If you are reading this and do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, please keep reading to the ABC’s of Salvation. Read through some of my prior posts if you are new to the blog and find encouragement in the Lord for these times. Hold fast in your faith and seek God’s face, spending time in His presence through prayer and study of Bible where all truth is revealed through His word. God bless. Look up! To God Be the Glory!

A. “There is no one righteous, not even one…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:10,23)

Ask God’s forgiveness. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:3)

B. Put your trust and belief in Jesus as your only hope for salvation. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

C. “If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) See verse 10 also.

Under His Wings

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(This is an old post I believe illustrates Psalm 91:4 so beautifully. “He shall cover with HIs feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge.” I have memorized vs 1 and 2 successfully. Only 14 More to go! God Bless!)

Sixteen!  You can enlarge the picture and count for yourself!  Bless her heart, this mama duck hatched sixteen ducklings. It was a God moment for me sent at the height of much frustration and anxiety.  God knew that I needed a distraction from my misguided focus, that I needed to take a breath and smile.  If you have become acquainted with me through past blogs, you already know that it took me approximately .2 seconds to grab my camera and start taking pictures after my husband informed me of his discovery.  In truth, I had to take photos to enable me to obtain an accurate count due to their clustered movement together.

Reluctantly, I returned to work after spending my lunch hour “duck watching.”  That evening as dark approached, I watched as a prayer I had spoken the night before was illustrated before my eyes. On that night, I realized that a bevy of situations beyond my control had all but engulfed my thoughts and emotions.  My petition that night was Psalm 91:4 which says, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

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Please allow me to describe what I witnessed at day’s end of the new family’s arrival.  The mama duck rested on the bank of the lake settling in for the night as one by one the ducklings, all sixteen of them, disappeared under the shelter and protection of her wings.  It was amazing to watch as her wings kept extending to include each of her offspring.  A new onlooker would never have guessed her secret.

God in His infinite love and power had orchestrated my witnessing Psalm 91:4 in action. Just as these babies secured safe haven under the wings of their mother, I had found shelter and peace under my Heavenly Father’s wings, in His presence. As this mother cared for and safeguarded her young, God cares exponentially more for us…enough to send His only Son to die for my sins, for your sins so that we might find forgiveness in Him. Deep down I knew this to be true, but often when caught in the hail storms of life, fraught with problems, we become overwhelmed and forget to run for shelter. We stand there being pelted when what we need to do is run for sanctuary under God’s wings. And there is always room…room for more…room for you. Oh the peace, the love, the comfort that inhabits that hiding place!

I will close with this picture of the mother duck after all of her offspring had been tucked in for the night. For many nights, I observed as they disappeared on by one. For even more nights, I have tucked myself in under God’s wings, breathed a sigh of relief and rested there. My prayer is that you do the same.  He is faithful. To God Be the Glory!

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When You Need a Word from the Lord

Here I am again popping my head up after a prolonged absence. In the course of a sermon I heard yesterday, this passage of scripture was being referenced… Psalm 91. The words of this Psalm touched every fear and worry I have let burden me over the last two years. I am attempting to commit it to memory. I pray it helps you!

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘He is my rock and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in the darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” Psalm 91 NIV

Do you know my Jesus? He will do all of this for you and so much more. Below you will find scripture and the ABC’s of Salvation as originated by J D Farag. Follow him at jdfarag.com for life giving messages and prophecy updates.

TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION
If I die today will I go to Heaven? Why would anyone put off the most important decision they could ever make in their lives, concerning eternal life? / For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that none can boast.
EPHESIANS 2:8-9

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4

Songs from Glory

My Bible study group is about to embark on Beth Moore’s new book entitled “Chasing Vines.” The passage below is Beth’s not mine, but it was so powerful I wanted to share it with you.

“David sang to God in one of his Psalms,

‘You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7, NIV)

Try to absorb the wonder of it: we have a soundtrack playing over us, proclaiming our deliverance. Here we are, down under, feeling unseen while we’re being watched over by the King of heaven and surrounded by singers our ears are not yet tuned to hear.

In the next line of the psalm, God sings back: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8, NIV) Can you imagine? Think of all the times you’ve sung to God in worship. Has it ever occurred to you that, when you take a breath, He might just be singing back?”

Thank you Beth Moore for these words. My dad was tone deaf as a fence post, but he never failed to sing out his praises to God whenever a hymn was being sung. Singing has been a part of my life since I could talk. I have sung in children, youth, and adult choirs, ensembles, and a praise band. Songs written by Godly inspiration have spoken deeply into my soul bringing rejoicing, healing and direction. I love to sing!

However, there have been times when I could not bring myself to utter a note. I think we all have those times of discouragement when our song is silenced. When I experienced four miscarriages, my voice was silent. When I was told my song, my voice was not good enough to help lead in worship, my voice was silent. A broken heart and a broken spirit will stifle your song without fail.

Yet, though it took some time, in the silence I could hear God singing over me, healing songs, songs of love and encouragement. The immense pain I felt was a hard wall to penetrate, but, then, God is God and with Him all things are possible. I’ll admit that His song was not the one I wanted to be playing at my pity party, but it was the one I needed to have on repeat. With time and the balm of His love, my song returned to blend with God’s which had never stopped.

If your heart is heavy today, might I suggest that you listen to your favorite worship song or hymn or Christian radio station. There have honestly been days the playlist seems orchestrated by God just for me when I turn on my radio. Seek God’s love and grace in verses of scripture in the Bible. He will meet you there, and then sing, just sing knowing you’re not singing alone.

I will leave you with one more verse and, of course, a song!

“”The Lord your God is in your midst, and a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exalt over you with loud singing.” (Zepahaniah 3:17)

Loud singing! did you see that! He wants you to feel his love and presence! Listen closely for His precious harmony! Do not let satan steal your song. He will try, and like me you may let him win for a while. Draw close to God and join with him in his song as you sing though your pain. I am praying for a new song to be planted in your heart today. For you below is one of my favorites! To God Be the Glory!

We Will Never Deserve It

This worship song has swept across the churches of America. Please take a moment to listen to the affirmations and promises of who God is as stated in the lyrics of “Way Maker.” The Holy Spirit allowed the lyrics to deeply touch my heart, and, the more I hear it, the greater the impact has been.

Hopelessness was overtaking my life when I first heard this song. It brought me to tears, reminding me on the most difficult of days God was by my side as “way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness.” When the path is rocky and fraught with potholes, it is easy to focus on the difficulty of the journey instead of looking up to see the face of The Father. Satan’s time is short, and he will use every tool in his arsenal to distract us from the grace and goodness of the Lord with each hardship that comes our way.

I was able to sing this song from a different perspective at church on Sunday, as I offered the words back to God in praise and worship. With each qualifying description, my mind returned to moments in time when He was and is for me what each title states. My heart swelled with love for my Heavenly Father. Gone was my self condemnation and fear of being undeserving of His unconditional love.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life though Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) We deserve nothing, but God, rich in mercy, gave his Son, Jesus, as a free gift to all who believe. That gift was one of sacrifice to win forgiveness of our sins and salvation in Christ Alone for all who believe. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not persist but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

If you think worthiness of God’s love comes only in living a sinless life, that is impossible and takes away from the gift of grace and forgiveness God offers through His Son’s death on the cross and resurrection. We will be tempted and we will sin, but forgiveness is a prayer of confession away. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)

So, today rejoice in the knowledge that Jesus is everything this song states He is. That is His gift to you everyday. Remember when He has been a way maker for you when there seemed to be no hope and all was lost. Reflect on the miracles, big and small, happening in His perfect timing. When has He fulfilled a promise from scripture of His grace, love and provision in your life? Thank Him for His light in the darkest of nights, chasing away the depths of despair and gloom.

Let this song voice your praise to God in response to His great gift of unconditional love and forgiveness. Some versions of this song end with these words: “Even when I don’t see it you’re working. Even when I don’t feel it you’re working. You never stop, you never stop working. You never stop, you never stop working.” God is always by your side, a prayer away with a plan for your life. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) To God be the Glory!

Squirming At the Feet of Jesus

Luke 10:38-42 New International Version (NIV)

At the Home of Martha and Mary
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41″Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed–or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I am a hardcore Martha. I’m claiming it! As the scripture above informs, this is not a good thing. Of late, God has been trying to help me address this in subtle ways. Today the message was not so subtle. A prophecy update I clicked on in YouTube from J. D. Farag turned out to be his Sunday sermon. By the time I realized this, God had already gotten my attention.

Let me cut to the chase. Because I have a hard time quieting my heart and soul, I am missing the “still small voice” that can only be heard when I choose to “be still and know.” In the quiet this afternoon as I chose to take on the posture of Mary, God revealed some gaping wounds in my life which have led to unforgiveness. Unforgiveness leads to bitterness, which leads to a hardened heart, which nurses pride, all of which affect my relationship with my Heavenly Father and bog down my soul–not to mention the crack in the door left for Satan to sneak in and stir the pot.

Whew! What blessings am I blocking in my life carrying unforgiveness in my heart? Well, God wasted no time helping me uncover the places I had hidden my hurt and pain which led to unforgiveness. Had I not made a concerted effort to sit still in His presence, these revelations would never have happened. I would be carrying the weight of unconfessed sin.

I believe God loves us so much, that He will place us in situations where we have not only the awareness of but the opportunity for stillness at His feet. This “Martha” was aware of this need and God’s leading today because I am no longer able to work. I have Multiple Sclerosis which has become more symptomatic over the last couple of years. God has used even this for my good, providing me with the time and quiet for this revelation today.

When God loves you enough to put you in a place of surrender to clear your head and your heart, just surrender. He has a plan. As I confessed my unforgiveness and sought God’s healing grace for those gaping holes of hurt, He urged me to write this post. It is my hope He uses it to speak to someone who can benefit from what I am learning.

As a very new, very ADHA “Mary,” I want to encourage you to find the time to sit still in the presence of God and listen for how else do we know His will for our lives? How long do you sit? Until He speaks. It will be worth it, I promise. It’s OK if you so squirm a little bit. Just carve out the time away from social media, TV, the news, the children and do it. Take captive those random thoughts and listen closely. There is blessing to be had when you hear His still, small voice and choose what is better that can not be taken away from you. May Jesus bring new wine out of you. To God Be the Glory!

Special Delivery

When I was a child, I loved to order free items offered on cereal boxes. Per instructions, three box tops enclosed with my request would soon make the owner of my own spy decoder ring! Usually the item was a trinket of very little value–some plastic toy that would hold my attention for only a moment and soon be forgotten. In retrospect, the process was never really about the toy. It was about the process and the anticipation since the average time for delivery was six weeks. Seems like forever doesn’t it? But I loved the idea of waiting for its arrival, checking the mail every day.

We’ve come a long way since that “snail mail” delivery delay. We find ourselves at the Christmas season with companies falling over themselves to see who can get your order to you in the swiftest time frame. Even “two day” delivery has become “next day” or “same day!” Boxes pile up outside our doors as the UPS truck pulls away often in the dark of night to make sure the promised delivery date of Black Friday and Cyber Monday orders is honored. We expect it now. There is no anticipation. The process becomes a bit mechanical with no feeling, no excitement for what each box holds for the recipient or as the giver. Another item is simply checked off the list and needs to be wrapped.

By the time Christmas Day arrives, we are often so tired and overloaded from a month full of festivities, shopping and decorating that we forget to celebrate the season’s most special delivery–our Savior, Jesus, whose birth is “the reason for the season”. And what of anticipation? Yes, we celebrate a past event in anticipation of a future event–the return of our Lord and Savior–when He returns to take His bride the church home.

Because I am a fan of anticipation, Christmas Day used to end with a bit of a let down. The festive decorations that brightened our home would soon be returned to the attic. The beautifully wrapped boxes holding the element of surprise were empty. Only the dreary days of a cold January filled the calendar.

However, I now look at Christmas Day and every day through different eyes. Every day is a day filled with anticipation of what God has in store. There are daily gifts in the form of His blessings– gifts that don’t require an internet search, a credit card, or a box at the doorstep. Grace, forgiveness, salvation, peace, joy, eternity in Heaven have been purchased for you by God the Father through His son, Jesus. God gave us the greatest gift of all.

May your Christmas season not rob you of the joy and anticipation of its true meaning which extends beyond a baby in a manger. From the manger, look to the cross where Jesus died so that we might have forgiveness of our sins. From the cross, peer into the tomb that no longer holds a resurrected Jesus. From the tomb, look up with anticipation because His redemption, His return for His children is drawing near. It is my prayer that Jesus is your most desired, most coveted, most anticipated “special delivery” gift this season. To God Be the Glory!

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

Temporary Shutdown

Hello, All! Of late have I been absent from writing posts on this blog. Upon missing the notice that my domain name had expired, the site was shut down for several days. With that taken care of and the site once again operational, I will return to writing encouraging and God-centered posts. Stay tuned! So much to catch you up on! God bless!

Hello, All!

Dust Off and Fly!

My recent posts show a bevy of sunflower pictures. It’s that time of year, and I get a little obsessed as past posts reveal!  These pictures should  wrap up my favorite photos and musings from this year’s field mixed with sunflowers and zinnias.

I was stalking this beautiful butterfly hoping to capture the perfect picture when it came to rest. It was surrounded by flowers of every color in the rainbow.  So many choices it could have made. But NO! It fluttered right onto the ground and decided to hang out in the dirt. A watchful eye was kept for its next move.  My patience waned, and I disturbed the ground close by to elicit movement.  It fluttered out of sight.

However, within minutes a second butterfly decided to make a better decision and rest on a spot of beauty in the field.  God ministered to me in that moment. God has so much beauty and purpose planned for our lives. The Bible does say “in this world you will have trouble.” (aka dirt!) But in Ephesians 3:20-21 we find flowers!

“Now to him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, unto him be glory in the church and in Jesus Christ…”  (Emphasis mine)

Take a look at your personal GPS and assess your location.  If you find yourself in a barren, patch of dirt, look up.  Seek God and His face. There is beauty to behold in His presence scattered along your journey. Ask Him to direct you to the next beautiful flower intended to be your pit-stop along the way.  The choice is yours.  Please dust off and fly!  To God Be the Glory!