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Showing posts from 2012

Confidence through the tough times – Psalm 9:10

Written April-June 2011 Psalm 9:10 (GW) Those who know your name trust you, O LORD, because you have never deserted those who seek your help. I know one thing for certain: God will hold my hand. Today I saw how frail human life is. My Mom is ill and if I start to let go of the peace that God gives me, I feel intense turmoil in my heart. Just as I start to fall, God steadies my heart. He steadies my heart by giving me the Scripture that I need to hang on. Those deep times of communion with the Lord have given me the confidence to know that he is there even when times are hard for me. Certainly, I cannot live only for those deep moments with God. But those times when I clearly discern his hand in the everyday-ness of my life are the result of that bond. If I didn't know God, I would not understand his presence in my life. He loves me regardless of the things I tend to do or say. He knows the journey I am on and he also knows when I am feeling tired and overwhelmed...

Joys of the healing journey: The tenderness of the Lord

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December 9, 2012 Isaiah 41:10   Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand. Add your own issue and it becomes your story -- ·         Injury. ·         Hospitalization. ·         Incapacitation. ·         Loss of independence. ·         Long and painful rehabilitation. It’s easy to be overwhelmed when we tumble into deep, unexpected valleys and find ourselves with interrupted lives. Why not write? The journey has been interesting for me because I  didn't  let go of the hand of God. I screamed out in pain, I never doubted God was with me through my trauma. So why did I stop blogging and writing about the journey?   I had not been able to put into words what God revealed to me during my most painful times. The tenderness of Jesus I learned that Jesus wanted me to hold Him – to hold on to His strength and tenderness. When we hold on to a

Joys of the healing journey: Stay in today

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Joys of the healing journey:   Stay in today - Matthew 6:34 I’m going through a healing journey and I am hopeful because I know that God will not let go of my hand. My writings this month will focus on lessons I learn on this unexpected journey. Matthew 6: 34   So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings. Most of us have the tendency to plan ahead, but during a life crisis it’s almost impossible to do.  I've  found myself agonizing about what I need to do and then I realize that I can’t do it all right now.  I cannot allow that familiar stress to overtake my heart right now. I have to concentrate on me and that’s just what I am doing today. The Lord was serious when he said that tomorrow will have its own troubles. Deal with that you need to keep yourself motivated and open to healing today. Tomorrow will arrive and you will deal with it when you arrive there. Meanwhile, empo

When God moves you out of your current comfort zone

Psalm 119:2 Happy are those who follow his commands, who obey him with all their heart. “Obey God and leave the consequences to Him.” – Dr. Charles Stanley Imagine skydiving, car racing, competitive skiing or swimming and the exhilaration and increased heart beat you feel when you first jump out of that plane, go around that sharp corner or finish that course? Well – that’s how I feel right now. God has pushed me out of my comfort zone – and I feel totally incompetent but well-equipped. I know that God called me into the caring ministry. I fought it until I accepted His healing love. But I wasn’t sure whether I could go to the end of caring – but I can. I’ve been reluctant, I’ve doubted my abilities but over the last year, God has pushed me into situations that have tested my willingness to go for Him and not for myself. It has to be about God and not about my selfish motives. Lately I stop and ask the LORD if whatever I do is indeed his will – or if it’s just me

Is anything worth more than your soul based on Mark 8:37

Mark 8:37 Is anything worth more than your soul? As the world crumbles before our eyes, I feel disbelief and sadness. I grew up knowing right from wrong.   I’m not saying that I grew up in the perfect family – indeed – we were far from perfect. But I recall the LORD and the family instilling in us a deep sense of what was right and wrong. My maternal grandmother ultimately turned our lives over to God. But I drifted into sin and acceptance of the status quo even though I had an outwardly very successful looking life. I remember those dark times of sin when my soul was troubled and devastated because I knew better…but sin blinded me with instant gratification in so many areas. Occasionally I’d wonder where God was because the hole in my heart was so deep. I didn’t want to sin, but it was easy, enjoyable and everyone was doing it.     After many years of living in sin’s desperate grip, I found peace, joy and freedom in being loved and accepted by Jesus Christ. God chose to

Leave it in God’s hands – Romans 8:25

Romans 8:25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. I wrote these words a while back and they startled me today: “Whatever you place in God’s hands is secure.” – Unknown author I don’t recall who said them, but it was important enough for me to make the note to myself. My relationship with God is vibrant, living and real. The Lord has done and/or put into motion many wonderful things for me. But … That but. But I struggle with waiting patiently and confidently. I should know better. The LORD knows my human condition. He knows your condition, too.

Should a believer and unbeliever get together? 1 Corinthians 7:12-16

1 Corinthians 7:12-16 (GW) 12 I (not the Lord) say to the rest of you: If any Christian man is married to a woman who is an unbeliever, and she is willing to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any Christian woman is married to a man who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to live with her, she should not divorce her husband. 14 Actually, the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and an unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, their children would be unacceptable {to God}, but now they are acceptable to him. 15 But if the unbelieving partners leave, let them go. Under these circumstances a Christian man or Christian woman is not bound {by a marriage vow}. God has called you to live in peace. 16 How do you as a wife know whether you will save your husband? How do you as a husband know whether you will save your wife? I’ve been asked many times what I thought about marriage between a passionate Christian (one who has a vibran

Reflecting on another year in my walk with the Lord - Isaiah 46:4

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May 23, 2012 Me today. Isaiah 46:4 (NLT) I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you.  I will carry you along and save you. Today I’m celebrating with the Lord that I am a year older! What an honor it is to wake up with a mission each day! As I thought and prayed about what I would write today, the Lord reminded me of my growth over the last year, which I’ll share… ·        I may not understand God’s timing and reasons, but I can have peace. ·        While I don’t have to understand God's reasons, I can ask questions. ·         As I go deeper with God through spending time in His presence, reading the Bible and learning about His heart, I gain understanding. ·        I will reap the consequences of doing things my way…no fun. ·        I don’t have to go along with popular culture, but I do have to love those who choose life’s tough paths or who have different

The end of the road: Everything can change in a split second

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April 15, 2012 Psalm 121:8 The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Cars and pedestrians sometimes just don’t mix. I live and work in a large city, so I share my life with cars, trucks, buses and an assortment of other vehicles. I cross very busy streets on foot each day without giving it a thought. Most of us who live in large, heavily congested cities never think about all that traffic, it goes with big city life which I enjoy and would never trade. J The sound of screeching tires about two feet from me recently got me to thinking: I could have been hit by a car…my life could have been over! I had just stepped onto the pavement after crossing a major street when a car came barreling out of nowhere, and made a screeching halt just under the red light signal. This startled me – what if I had slowed my pace while crossing? I would more than likely be dead. I share this story because none of us are guaranteed a specific number of days on ea

Churchianity motions – Matthew 15:7-8

Matthew 15:7 You are hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he said about you: 8 'These people show honor to me with words, but their hearts are far from me. One thing that was clear with Jesus during his earthly ministry, he didn’t have a problem challenging the religious people of his day. He saw through their traditions and empty words. In the same way, he sees through our words, hearts and traditions. Going to the front of the pew at a church, revival meeting (or in the comfort of your own home while watching TV) and declaring that you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior doesn’t guarantee that you are saved any more than a person who claims that they are saved just because they are good and live lives doing good deeds. Many people head to church or watch TV on Sunday mornings looking for something they just can’t find. More and more people are voicing dissatisfaction with “churchianity” as they struggle to find meaning in their lives. I know because I’ve lived on both sides

A month of mindfulness

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I don't want to forget that I only have a certain number of years on earth, so I'm learning how to concentrate on the things that really matter to God for my life. I look at the big picture, but I tend to rush through my daily life...consequently I miss the little things that matter. I'm practiced mindfulness by stopping to take a photo of things that caught my eye or brought memories during March. It was fun, but hard. I added a couple of photos to make up for days when I forget to be mindful... It's a journey and I'm loving every moment of it! March 21 - A girl needs her bling! March 22 - My cat birthday calendar March 23 - Love the work I do March 24 -just 1 of the churches on my block! March 25 - Sunday dinner was a family tradition March 26 - Updating my style March 1 - flowers for the birthday girl March 11 - gift from beloved Aunt Lupe March 17 - I love my momma! March 15 - Know what to expect when you die. The Bi

Parents – you have a lifelong responsibility - Psalm 127:3-5

Psalm 127 3-5 (The Message) Don't you see that children are GOD's best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Reflections on my daughter’s 21 st birthday Motherhood changed my life. I never imagined how a little person could have so much impact. As I look back over the last 21 years, I see God’s hand intervening at critical stages, especially when I refused to allow him to touch my heart even though I was a professing “Christian” since childhood.   My daughter is now a successful college student. I’m proud of the heart she has for God. It was her passion for God that ultimately changed my life. My notes are always intended to encourage your journey, so I offer these observations about my experiences: ·         Remember that you are the parent and not their best friend. Friendship happens when they are older. ·         Have a passion that you can share with your child. I love animals, reading, shopping and volunteering.   We have many memories enjoying