Rainbows & Mustard Seeds

Storm Warning

2010-01-31T16:35:00.003-06:00

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:11 KJV

The news had been forecasting a winter storm approaching for days. We knew the chances were good it was coming, just not exactly whether it would be mostly ice or mostly snow. There was time to stock up on milk and bread and prepare for possible power outages, still, I'm sure, some were not prepared. There were tips for driving safely, still cars were in the ditch on my drive home. As usual, I started thinking, what if.......?

What if God had a Holy Emergency Broadcast System and our station was interrupted to bring us a warning about an approaching life storm - a health emergency, a financial crisis, a relationship problem, you know, the seasons of life.

As quickly as the thought came, His Word reminded me that He has provided that very system.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 KJV

How wonderful to hear God's Word answer my heart's questions! The power of hiding God's Word in our hearts is immeasurable.

In the storms we can have peace and good cheer because of Jesus; because He lives; because the grave couldn't hold him. We don't just have to endure the storm, we can actually thrive in it! Just as driving home through the storm provided an experience that was both beautiful and frightening, so are life storms.

Knowing God and His Word is the ultimate storm shelter!

Reflections: The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

2009-11-19T05:36:00.004-06:00

But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanks-giving; I will pay that that I have vowed, salvation is of the Lord. Jonah 2:9 KJV

Spiritual sacrifices are noted in 1 Peter 2:5 and I have been noting the various forms of spiritual sacrifices as I read my Bible, taking notes and thinking often on them.

When I study a theme, I usually start with by looking at the definitions of the words, and my favorite definitions usually come from Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary. Most definitions contain spiritual references, I believe, because faith was so intricately woven into our everyday lives at that time. A country built on faith, still relatively young, who had yet to stray so far away from the original principles upon which it was founded.

Although the 1828 definition of "sacrifice" is "the thing offered to God, or immolated by an act of religion", the more recent definition offered in The American Heritage Dictionary is "forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim". This time I think the modern definition helped clarify the importance of our sacrifices.

Since "spiritual" means "of, concerned with, or affecting the soul" our spiritual sacrifices, and especially the sacrifice of thanksgiving, are an offering from our souls to God wherein we willfully choose to open our hearts to His blessings and thank Him, giving up as we do a sense of entitlement to hold on to a negative, grumbling attitude.

Although next Thursday is officially Thanksgiving day, our cups overflow year-round and so should our thankfulness. As Robert Caspar Lintner said, "Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day."

Gray though the day may be
The Light of His love shines through to me
Blessings disguised as trials teach
That I'm never farther than His Hand can reach

Child of God, do not despair
His loving touch is everywhere
The smile of a child, the song of the birds
A hug from a friend speak volumes without words

But most precious of all, the greatest of these
Is the gift of His life sacrificed for me
The least I can do is offer while living
My Lord my spiritual sacrifice of thanksgiving

Counting My Blessings - Day 5

2009-11-08T12:42:00.002-06:00

O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker. Psalm 95:6 KJV

(Drawn, I think, in 6th grade -- another found treasure placed with the Thanksgiving booklet)

Counting My Blessings - Day 4

2009-11-07T12:28:00.003-06:00

Slow, lazy Saturday mornings........... Several cups of coffee, laundry, cleaning, reading, more laundry, more cleaning, more reading..............

Clean windows looking out into an Awesome Autumn Day.......

A thoughtful mother who held onto my third grade Thanksgiving poem collection that blesses my heart 39 years later........

The help of my tween daughter with the mopping.......

The napping husband dreaming of somewhere good to eat out later this afternoon.....

A few stolen minutes on the laptop to count my blessings...........

The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. - Proverbs 10:22 KJV

(Cornucopia Cover of 3rd Grade Thanksgiving Poem Collection - Mrs. Bettye Burns Class)

Counting My Blessings - Day 3

2009-11-06T08:03:00.003-06:00

Image courtesy of www.birdfreak.com

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. - Genesis 1:20 KJV

When I behold the birds' song and beauty my heart responds with worship.

LET HEAVEN AND NATURE SING!

Counting My Blessings - Day 2

2009-11-04T09:01:00.004-06:00

I am thankful for God's Word.

As our pastor, Bro. Doug Dezotell, reminded us Sunday, God's Word has been given to us in order that it may change us. I am thankful God provided His Word for His children and I am thankful to live in a country where today I can possess it without fear of persecution from my government.

I am thankful for our pastor and his beautiful wife. His gentle spirit is a blessing to us all.

Count Your Blessings

2009-11-03T08:42:00.004-06:00

Ephesians 5:19-20 (New International Version)

¹⁹Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday season. I know it's not very commercialized and maybe that's part of the appeal. The time change brings a good excuse to slow down, rest, and do a little blessing counting before the rush of the Christmas season hits home.

I hope to post some thankful thoughts throughout the month. Would you join me in a little blessing counting?

I am thankful for the old hymns and the comfort they bring to my soul. I am thankful for gospel greats like Hovie Lister and the Sensational Statesmen and the way it lifts my spirits when I watch this YouTube video of the two:

Seasons Greetings

2009-10-09T12:27:00.004-05:00

Storms tend to create seasons in our lives at times. Have you heard the forecast?

Many times I have heard it said, “You are either about to go into a storm; you are in a storm; or are coming out of a storm.” Can you relate? Had any bad weather in your life recently? Been praying the storm would finally pass, anyone? Feeling your life looks more like hurricane season?

I can relate. Most of you are aware of our current season of healing following Mike’s car accident on April 24^th of this year. Reviewing my past blog posts it seems I may have invited a storm.

From Life Changing Heat: “Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise to see Your children through every trial. Help us endure them as a testimony to Your faithfulness.”

From God of the Wind: “Thank You, Father, for gentle breezes and for winds of change.”

From The Whirlwind of His Storm: “Heavenly Father, thank you for the whirlwind of Your storm. Send me out through the storm, Lord, and keep me planted until you do.”

“Send me out through the storm” I say? Be careful what you ask God to do for you. The answers might come in forms that make you uncomfortable; that stretch you; that drive you closer and closer and closer to Him and His infinite love, grace and mercy. How else are we going to get there?

Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 NKJV

When I read this scripture in my quiet time one recent morning I immediately thought of the wind that directs the sails. Then I recalled my post, Adjust the Sails. The word “direct” in this scripture jumped right off the page and into my heart. I mentally pictured someone shoving another person, as if pushing them out of the way of danger and into a safe place. I think that’s the kind of driving and directing God does for us in these storms.

I am hoping that God will allow me to once again share through my blog things that encourage me and are revealed to me through life’s storms and through life’s fair weather. I pray it will be something to encourage others on their journey.

Thank you all for your prayers over the past few months for Mike and all of us as he’s been recovering from his accident. Friends and family have rallied around us and helped us in so many ways and we are so thankful for all of you. Mike’s continuing physical therapy continues to improve in his mobility.

(image courtesy of www.heartlight.org)

The Whirlwind of His Storm

2009-03-11T06:02:00.003-05:00

From today’s reading (March 11^th, 2009) in My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers writes:

Watch for the storms of God. The only way God plants His saints is through the whirlwind of His storm. …. Let God send you out through the whirlwind of His storm and don’t go until He does.

What a picture this paints! “The whirlwind of His storm……” – I think of the tornado and how it displaces everything in its path, apparently without any sense of order or purpose but pure, deadly destruction, yet the whirlwind of God’s storms is such the opposite.

God’s storms prepare us and then direct us onto the paths He has planned for us; the places He has gone ahead of us and made clear. His storms do not mangle us or break us down as we may perceive with our earthly vision; they build us up and shape us with His heavenly vision for His heavenly purposes.

Isn’t life all about perspective? Doesn’t our vision get clouded and distorted by the things of this world? Oh that we may obtain the vision to find the beauty in the storm!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the whirlwind of Your storm. Send me out through the storm, Lord, and keep me planted until you do. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Image from www.heartlight.org

Seek & Find

2009-02-25T06:14:00.004-06:00

Many times we go through seasons in life feeling that God is far away from us. We have gradually, over time, moved away from God, too busy to involve Him in the details of our lives; too busy to look for Him, to seek Him, to talk to Him. It is not God, though, who has moved. God does not play hide and seek. His offer is much greater; it is seek and find.

God’s Word promises that when we pursue God we will not be disappointed. When we look for Him, we will find Him. When we open our eyes to the creation around us, we will see His hand. When we open our hearts to those around us, we will feel His love. When we give to a hurting world from our hearts of our resources, time and talents, we will offer Him to others who are in need of His grace and mercy.

God does not play games with us, but is always available to us. He patiently waits for us to come to Him and delights with us when we find Him.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your promises and your faithfulness. Help me keep my eyes and my heart open to your loving presence.

Where do you see God’s hand in your life today?

image courtesy of www.heartlight.org

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-21T05:58:00.001-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-14T06:50:00.002-06:00

Give Me Your Eyes

2009-01-06T06:33:00.009-06:00

I've been contemplating the New Year and my goals for it, praying that God would give me His direction and a focus that is hard for me to obtain without Him.

Stuck in my thoughts, playing again and again, is Brandon Heath's song "Give Me Your Eyes".

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

[Click Here to Watch Video]

In part, there's my prayer for the New Year--that I may see my life and the hearts of others with His eyes and not my own.

One step beyond that is my prayer for wisdom and revelation from Ephesians 1:15-19, paraphrased in The Message:

"....I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!"

Ah, there's the prayer! Doesn't that sum it all up, tie it all together-endless energy and boundless strength?

And the source of the endless energy and boundless strength?

"All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence." (vs 20-23 Msg)

When His people see with His eyes lives are changed, beginning with our own. Lord, give me your eyes!

(image from www. heartlight.org)

Chasing the Wind

2008-12-10T06:34:00.003-06:00

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. (Ecclesiastes 4:6 NIV)

I had lost something and it bothered me. In a time of a recessed economy, I’d treated myself to a new decorative Christmas flag. My heart smiled each time I saw it as I looked out the window or as I pulled into the garage.

But at our house on the little hill the flag must battle its archenemy, the wind. No matter how creative I’ve gotten in my attempts to secure my flag, the wind has won most of the battles. So I was not surprised to drive up to an empty flag pole last week, but I was disappointed all the same. As the days passed without finding the flag, my mind’s eye pictured a twenty dollar bill flapping in the breeze where the flag used to be, and I chastised myself for spending money on such a frivolous thing. But as I fussed at myself I also prayed, and I launched a search party; my husband and daughter joined me in the search around our property for my lost treasure.

I walked in the freezing cold temperatures, stepped around mud, searching as I went for any signs of the blue flag to no avail, but I refused to call off the search. I prayed God would forgive me for throwing money (that He provided) to the wind on such a thing, and I prayed He would help me find it.

As I had searched the last spots and headed back to the house discouraged I looked under our deck, almost as an afterthought, and to what did my wandering eyes appear but a blue Christmas flag that my heart held so dear!

Like my flag, I was blown away; blown away by the realization that God cares about me so much that He would answer my prayers for little things like lost flags. And if I can trust Him and see Him in these little things, why is it sometimes so hard to believe Him for the big things? I believe that God understands how we feel about the little things because Jesus became flesh and felt the little things with a heart like ours.

God loves me even when my life is wrinkled and muddy like my lost flag. Perpetual grace (John 1:16) is poured out over my life and your life from a Heavenly Father who knows us and loves us and wants to bless us. Thank you, Lord, for perpetual grace!

Heavenly Father, thank you for answered prayer, big and small. Thank You for allowing us the privilege of trusting all things in our life to your care. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Seasons Praise Him

2008-11-16T12:42:00.002-06:00

Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! Praise him skies above! Praise him vapors high above the clouds! Praise the Lord from the earth, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars. Let them all praise the name of the Lord. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven! (Psalm 148:1 ,3, 4, 7, 9, 13 NLT)

How great must God’s love be for us that He would create nature in all its beauty for our pleasure and enjoyment! Autumn’s colors seem to be an offering of nature’s praise and worship at the end of the seasons of planting and harvesting! Many times words cannot adequately express the joy and worship in my heart for all of the blessings God has given, yet when I see the splendor of creation during the seasons, their sheer beauty exclaims that which I cannot put to words.

Is it what we see that brings us to an understanding of an existence of God? Is it what we cannot see or touch but what stirs inside us that tells us there is a God? Nature stands to witness the character of God, the master artist, and to His perfect design and timing. The birth of a newborn child or animal gives testimony to the existence of God. The timing of the seasons, the sun’s rising and setting, and the moon’s movement of the tides point the way. The tides and the very boundary of the oceans are His design.

May we recognize His hand in creation in all seasons and may we daily take time to give thanks for his gifts.

Heavenly Father, we join all of nature in offering You our praise and worship today and each day. Thank You for loving us so much that You would create this world for our pleasure. In Jesus’ name. Amen

All Saints Day

2008-11-02T15:23:00.004-06:00

The memory of the just is blessed. Proverbs 10:7

As our pastor reminded us that today is All Saints’ Day, my mind immediately turned to my paternal grandmother, who went home to be with the Lord on April 13, 2007. Mother, Daughter, Sister, Wife, Grandmother, Employee, Sunday School Teacher, Friend …. Mary Jones was something special to each person who knew her.

One of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t recognize her legacy while she was still with us. I know it would have tickled her pink if I’d shared with her all that she’d done for me and meant to me. I can honestly say I never stopped to think about a life without her. Although I know that no one lives forever, Grandma was so full of life and had so much “go” in her that the thought had not yet occurred to me.

I have discovered in the months since her death that she is so much a part of me; that my life and all of my memories are molded and shaped by her place in my life. She’d have been proud to know this. One reason I know she would love it is that I have since found taped inside the cover of her Bible a copy of an article in the Calvary Baptist newsletter dedicated to her for all of her years as a Sunday School teacher. I can imagine her turning to it and reading it again when she found herself wondering if she’d ever made any difference in someone else’s life. It read:

This week’s note of appreciation is dedicated to Mrs. Mary Jones, and I ask you to forgive me for making this one more personal. Mrs. Jones has been a faithful dedicated teacher for a least 36 years – because I can remember that many. Mrs. Jones has taught practically every age group and has done a good job in any class she leads. She has influenced many people in a positive way through her example more than through the words she teaches. Mary Jones is loved and respected by all who know her, and her work here at Calvary has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Thank you, Mary Jones, from all of us you have touched! (November 29, 1992)

Material things never meant much to her, but being needed did mean something.

In her absence I’ve discovered she impacted my life in so many positive ways. I realize now that she has left a tremendous legacy to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. We all knew and can proudly tell you today that she loved us unconditionally. She was proud of us all and she was there for us. She loved us to the moon and back with her cooking. I believe our lives are a reflection of her prayers for us. I believe our lives are a reflection of her life.

May we continue to do justice to her memory and may the generations call her blessed until the end of time.

Season of Gathering

2008-10-19T17:15:00.004-05:00

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18 KJV

Of all the colors clothing the autumn trees, it is not gold or orange that dresses the fall dogwood tree. Symbolic of the blood shed for us on the cross, the leaves of the dogwood are crimson, their branches reaching gently heavenward, as did the arms of Jesus as He drew His last breath and bore the sins of every man.

Autumn is often referred to as a season of gathering. The crimson blood of Jesus has made possible the ultimate Season of Gathering, when the dead in Christ shall rise and be called up with the living children of God at the Rapture: the gathering by the Crystal Sea; the gathering to worship and fall at the feet of our Heavenly Father; the gathering to lift our voices with songs of praise and worship with new harmonies like the angels’ choir.

I am thankful for the beauty and promises of autumn and for their gentle reminders of the Season of Gathering.

Thank You, Lord, for all seasons. Thank You for gathering us to You – sheep unto our Good Shepherd, gathered into the waiting arms of our Savior, made possible by Your crimson blood. Isaiah 40:11

Image courtesy of http://www.heartlight.org/

There Really is No Debate

2008-10-07T06:42:00.005-05:00

As the morning news flashes on the muted television during my devotional time today, many are gathering on the campus of Belmont University, the site of tonight's presidential debate. Some hold signs indicating their political choices, campaign slogans, and well wishes. Many are pinning their hopes and dreams on the outcome of this election. Sadly, many have little knowledge of the true hope and eternal salvation.

Godly enough, a scripture in my daily Bible reading had already captivated my thoughts: And whatever you say or do, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father (Col 3:17 NLT). As Christians, what signs are we waving in our daily lives? The i.d. badges on our shirts and around our necks say "Christ's Ambassador" yet the signs we carry may show no true reflection of His presence and manifestation of His Spirit. Instead of love, grace, mercy and forgiveness our signs sometimes proclaim anger, bitterness, bigotry, impatience, unloving and unforgiving.

Our last Sunday school lesson was a study in the New Testament Day of Pentecost and the birth of the church. The coming of the Holy Spirit placed within each and every believer the ability to receive God's plan of salvation; to pray, having the Spirit as our intercessor; to fellowship with one another; and to tell the world the Good News. The Spirit came to join us together, making our spiritual lives the joint, tissue and marrow that operates in the secular world--woven together, not divided. The Spirit did not come upon us with denominations and labels (Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Church of Christ, Evangelical, Fundamentalist, Conservative), but united as one body in Christ.

Surely, then, our choices of and participation in the election of our officials, from the county courthouse to the White House, should not be without the influence of our spiritual consciousness. The responsibility to make informed choices that best reflect our beliefs is tasked to each of us. I have failed in times past to take this responsibility seriously enough. I encourage you to watch prayerfully tonight's debate, obtain as much accurate information as possible about the positions of each candidate, then vote according to your convictions. While at one time I might have elected not to vote at all, that is no longer the right choice for me. It is time that we take responsibility for voting our convictions as Christians, just as many other others who have beliefs contrary to ours have so vigorously pursued having their voices heard in our governments.

God of the Wind

2008-09-30T06:26:00.005-05:00

Read Psalm 135:5-7

I sat one September morning, window raised, with the wind blowing strongly in the early morning darkness, the remnants of a front caused by Hurricane Frances. Immediately I began to reflect on how God moves through my life like the wind. At times His movement is like a gentle breeze, refreshing and relaxing, a reminder that He is always at work in my life, though recognizing it often requires me to be still, watch, and wait for His presence. At other times, He seems more visible and His presence is felt strongly, as if He is trying to get my attention.

Like the wind, I cannot literally see His face, but I can often see the effects of His moving or see where He has been as I look back on my life. Hurricane wind, though the hurricane has passed, leaves its handprint in the destruction it has wrought. I love and respect my God and know that He will bring the hard winds necessary to strengthen my faith and draw me to Him, and I fear His winds of judgment. I am thankful for the death of Jesus and for the Holy Spirit sent to dwell in us allowing me to hear God in my heart and see Him in the winds.

Thank you, Lord, for gentle breezes and for winds of change.

Image from www.heartlight.org

Life Changing Heat

2008-09-24T00:01:00.003-05:00

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)

Microwave popcorn is one of my favorite snacks. I like the movie butter flavor, the more buttery the better. Can you imagine for a second eating it straight from the bag? No, I don’t mean instead of from a bowl, I mean before heating it in the microwave. Nasty, isn’t it? It made a wonderful children’s sermon to illustrate the change in our lives that Jesus makes, but the illustration stuck with me for another reason- the reference to the change after it was heated.

Transformation in the Christian heart brought on by the heat of life’s trials is life changing. David knew that the children of God would always face trials. “The righteous face many troubles, but the Lord rescues them from each and everyone one.” (Ps 34:19 NLT) And in Psalm 40:11-12, David was drowning in them: “Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. My only hope is in your unfailing love and faithfulness. For troubles surround me – too many to count! They pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They are more numerous than the hairs on my head. I have lost all my courage.” (NLT) Have you been there? Me, too; and I expect I will go there again and again.

New Christians sometimes mistakenly believe their lives will be without trouble. The blinded unbeliever is no challenge to Satan (2 Cor 4:3-4 NLT), but the effective witness and testimony of the child of God, in Satan’s opinion, must be diminished, if not stopped altogether. But he who began the good work in us will see it through to the end (Philippians 1:6), and the heat will be turned up at times in our lives. We’ll never look forward to the heat, but, thank God, we are assured we will not be consumed by it. (Isaiah 43:2-3)

Perhaps I’m crazy to see popcorn as a symbol of a Christian life surviving the fiery trials, but I see God in just about everything at some point or another – even dryer lint. But that’s a post for another day.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise to see Your children through every trial. Help us endure them as a testimony to Your faithfulness. Amen.

Image Courtesy of www.heartlight.org

Painter of Light

2008-09-19T21:24:00.003-05:00

Read Psalm 8:3-4

Because we are situated a quarter mile from the road and about as far from the view of neighbors, we built our home with a full, large, clear window above the bathtub instead of with frosted privacy glass. The view of the surrounding hills, nature, and wildlife commands our attention. After eleven years in this house, it’s still my favorite spot.

At times, this has been my place to retreat for solitude. From here, I’ve taken in many sunrises, and the light of the new or full moon also shines brightly through, a breathtaking witness to Jehovah-Elohim, the Eternal Creator.

A recent sunrise was out of this world. As I soaked in the beauty of the new sky, sipping coffee from my favorite Thomas Kinkade mug, I realized Thomas Kinkade is not the original painter of light.

No two sunrises ever alike, I am convinced that the sunrises and sunsets are a reflection of the pure and holy light of our living God. Revelation 21:23 confirms “the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” In Psalm 4:6, David cried, “There be many that say, who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.”

Those who walk in darkness likely miss the sky’s divine presence; they probably don’t get it. But of those He has called, it is written, “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) And in Ecclesiastes 11:7, “Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.”

I look to the sky a lot. Perhaps it is because we are to be watchful for His coming (Matthew 24:42). Yes, I believe that’s part of it, but I believe I look also for a glimpse of His glory, and, more often than not, He doesn’t disappoint me.

Father of Lights, thank you for the beauty in the morning and evening sky. I will watch for Your coming and I will walk in Your light. Amen

All scripture quoted is KJV. Image courtesy of http://www.heartlight.org

I GOT IT RIGHT!

2008-08-16T19:51:00.002-05:00

From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place he watches all who live on earth - He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. (Ps 33:13-15 NIV)

I got it right today! Thursday's crumpled heap in the floor told me so! Oh, not in so many words, but in so many giggles, smiles and little ways. From the way she helped clean house without any complaining to the way her ponytail bounced in the breeze as we rode the bicycles down our country road. As she ran the imaginary bases and I chased the balls she'd hit into the tall grasses. In the happy way she kept score as we kicked the soccer ball like a couple of Olympic athletes. Oh, I had moments of journaling and studying in the chair on the deck as the wind chimes gently rang and the hummingbirds waged their aerial tactics battling for the feeder, but today everything was in harmony - for a change.

God is good that way to His children. And He was proud of us, too, I know. I saw His wink in the setting sun as it slipped into the horizon.

Learn From Me?

2008-08-14T07:10:00.003-05:00

“You hurt my feelings!” yelled my daughter as she crumpled into a sobbing heap on the floor. It started innocently enough. Like most of my days since becoming a mother nearly eleven years ago, the day had been filled with meeting the demands and needs of others: an eight-hour workday in a hectic real estate law department and the second shift at home as cook, secretary, homework assistant, housekeeper … well, you know exactly what I mean – any day in the life of a mother. And I was desperate for a little time all by myself to unwind with just a little crafty piddling. Handling fabric, needle and thread can be a retreat, like any craft or hobby you truly enjoy, and I wanted the experience, no, I needed this experience all to myself.

So moments earlier I’d tiptoed past my daughter, who was busy on the laptop, into my sewing room and began to cut border strips for a pillow top. Minutes later, having barely gotten started, I’d been discovered in my hiding place. Wanting in on the fun, my daughter begged me to let her cut the strips with the rotary cutter, a new gadget for her. Not wanting to share and frustrated because my solitude had been compromised, I’d snapped “This is why I tried to sneak in here without you knowing it!” Hence, the crumpled sobbing heap on my floor.

I was still anxious and frustrated, but more emotions started to creep in – guilt and shame. As a parent, it is my responsibility, and it should be my honor, to let my child learn from me and work alongside of me, but I so often discourage it, even resent it, yet my heavenly Father never treats me this way. The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him (Lam 3:25 NLT). He actually invites me to come alongside of Him and learn of Him! (Mat 11:28-30) What an awesome God we serve!

I believe God calls me to time alone to study His Word, seek Him, worship and thank Him. I believe He also calls me to be a loving, teaching, patient mother to my daughter. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it (1 Thes 5:24 KJV). If He calls me to it, He will see me through it!

Heavenly Father, thank You for always being there for me. Help me to find a healthy balance between time with others and time alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

How Big is Your Battle?

2008-08-05T07:05:00.001-05:00

Read 2 Chronicles 12:1-7
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chron%2012:1-7;&version=50;

How big is your battle today? Let me put that another way, how vast does the army seem that threatens against you? Huge? Consider the battle facing King Rehoboam in 2 Chronicles 12:3. 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and people without number loomed because Jerusalem had transgressed against the Lord. Can you imagine peering around the wall of the City and finding such a mass waiting to overcome you? It was bigger than the Verizon crew that follows their cell phone customers on the commercials! Don’t we all experience trials that seem comparable?

The good news is that deliverance IS possible! Although we usually desire a complete deliverance, it is the partial deliverance that allows us to grow and learn from our trials without being consumed by them. In verse 6, the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and the Lord responded by granting them “some deliverance.” The Lord required they endure the trial to teach them the difference in serving Him as opposed to serving the kingdoms of the nations.

We have a similar choice: we can choose to serve our sins or we can serve our Lord. Making the wrong choices will result in trials and struggles that may be avoided if we properly prepare our hearts to seek the Lord. (2 Chron 12:14 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chron%2012:14;&version=50;) No battle is bigger than our God.

NOTE: Post inspired by Bible Study The Way of Cain at Absolute Truth John 17:17 (See Link at Left)

PASS IT ON

2008-07-29T06:22:00.003-05:00

Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren (Deut 4:9 NKJV)

One of our Sunday school class members pointed out yesterday the following statement from our lesson on Jesus as Messiah: “….for always the Christian faith is one generation away from extinction. We must rightly answer and confess in response to this supreme question: ‘But who do you say that I am?’” (Cokesbury Adult Bible Studies, Vol. 40, No. 4) We went on to discuss how much truth rested in that statement, and we acknowledged the awesome responsibility we have to continue to pass on the message of our faith.

Deuteronomy 4:9, a scripture from my morning devotional, again reminded me of this discussion. The Israelites were commanded by Moses to keep the statutes he had given them that he received from the Lord. He told them to pass it on to their children and their grandchildren, basically showing them that their faith was only a generation away from extinction.

Presently in America we are experiencing the fallout from the poor financial practices of our current adult generations. It occurred to me recently that the more generations removed we are from the Great Depression, the more poorly we understand and practice saving money for hard times. I now see the similarity with the extinction of financial planning and the extinction of our faith. If we fail to share our faith with others it will die out and leave in its place a society reeling from the fallout of a lost, superficial, godless society.

Sharing our faith can be intimidating. We are most comfortable sharing our faith with others who already believe as we believe. We need this kind of fellowship, in fact, through scripture we are called to this kind of fellowship (Colossians 3:16), however, we have an equal call to spread the Word. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15 KJV)” When we take the initiative to share God with another, God will give us the strength and the ability to follow through.

There are many ways we can share our faith, aside from the words we speak. The way we live our lives and the things we do to show love to others speaks volumes about our faith. Perhaps it’s time to step outside our comfort zones and find new creative ways to share our faith. Let’s not let our faith be the best kept secret!

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word and your plan of salvation. Help us to step outside our comfort zones and share you with the World. Give us the ability and the desire to keep our faith from extinction. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Receptive vs. Non-receptive (Conclusion - Reception Tools)

2008-07-27T14:59:00.001-05:00

Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. (Ps 143:8 KJV)

All believers experience seasons of non-reception – sort of like cable television which comes and goes. A receptive spirit will never be developed accidentally. We must be intentional and deliberate in maintaining an open spirit. We must keep our eyes open for all of the ways and places in our lives that God reveals Himself. We must empty ourselves of ‘self” and ask Him to refill us with His Holy Spirit.

Daily quiet time is a wonderful tool for improved reception. Time spent early in the morning before the day’s stresses begin is a good time for most of us. During this time, a daily Bible and devotional reading often helps to bring our day into focus in light of time spent in the presence of the Lord. Prayer is a wonderful beginning and end to this time with the Lord, giving us the opportunity to offer Him our praise and worship and not just our list of wants and needs. Time spent without speaking at all, offering Him the opportunity to speak in return.

Writing in a journal during my quiet time helps me to recall the ways God has been at work in my life and in my circumstances; things I might have forgotten without the journal entries to remind me, enabling me to look back at where I have been in light of where I now am.

There are times when just sitting quietly outside, observing all of God’s beautiful creation helps us to experience God’s loving presence. At others, our time of worship and fellowship with other believers helps improve our reception. Music often speaks to us, and we may hear God speaking to us through the words of a song or a melody may soothe us in such a way that we know it is the very presence of God.

No, good reception is not automatic but it is possible. Let’s make our daily quiet time with the Lord a priority and watch our reception improve beyond anything we thought possible.

Heavenly Father, thank You for meeting us wherever we are; for speaking to us in so many ways; and for never failing to show up when we make ourselves available to You. Help us to be diligent in maintaining a daily quiet time with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

MOM’S LABORATORY

2008-07-21T06:26:00.001-05:00

A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.
Proverbs 24:3-4 NLT

Building a new home and expecting the birth of our daughter, I planned a special room for my sewing and crafting located next to my daughter’s bedroom. I imagined endless hours crafting with her toddling in and out of my special space.

As fantasy gave way to reality, my special room looked more like organized chaos than the organized retreat I’d planned. Unfinished projects littered the room and the desktop could not be seen. One day, when my daughter was about four, she walked in, looked around, and, as if seeing the room for the first time, said “So, Mom, is this your la-bor-a-tory?” I felt as if she’d just discovered that her mother was the mad scientist.

Things often don’t turn out the way we plan, but when we look at them with a child’s eyes we often find they are not nearly as bad as they seem, and usually there is humor hidden under all the mess. Leave it to our children to remind us of it!

Things are never as bad as they seem.

Another Random Piddling Thought

2008-07-17T05:57:00.002-05:00

Godly enough, I found a note I had made on December 26, 2006, today, and it was something I'd forgotten. (Journaling is a wonderful way to recall where we have been on our walk with the Lord and the ways He is faithful to us.) I wrote:

"Even when your mind wanders, I am still in your heart - spoken to my heart by God as I lost focus while meditating on Psalm 84:11 (No good thing will he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.)

I wanted to know how anyone, me in particular, could ever feel blameless in the presence of the Lord. I felt the Lord say that I should not feel blameless, but I must see and understand that I am blameless because I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and it is His blood that presents me blameless in the sight of the Lord.

God can bless my mess!"

As you can see, even these thoughts are rambling, but the Lord is faithful to ultimately connect all of the dots for me. I needed the reminder that He is always in my heart, regardless of how often my mind wanders. I thought you might need it too.

RECEPTION PROBLEMS (Part 3)

2008-07-15T06:24:00.000-05:00

I’ve wanted to conclude this short series, but I’ve had a problem…….a RECEPTION problem of all things! I have a secondary problem that leads to my reception problem; I call it my piddling problem. Many people have this condition, although I believe those who do not have a piddling problem often misunderstand people who suffer from it. We piddlers are often a creative lot, ideas popping up everywhere and often we stop whatever we are presently doing to pursue a new idea or project.

Instead of looking at the ways to improve our reception, I thought I’d expose my own reception problems and, hopefully, refocus and close the series with reception improvement ideas. We’ll think of Part 3 as my “self-help section” and I’d like to thank you for helping me work through this with you (hopefully I want scare you away).

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines piddle as to deal in trifles; to concern one’s self with trivial matters rather than with those that are important. I don’t always piddle at trivial matters; I piddle at all levels, so I take issue with this definition. Dictionary.com’s definition is closer to correct, yet still somewhat offensive to the natural piddler: to spend time in a wasteful, trifling, or ineffective way; dawdle. (Oh, by the way, I do know there is another meaning of the word piddle and a quick Google search will turn up sites that sell protective pads for that problem, but nothing to help those of us who suffer with the psychological piddle problem instead of the physical piddle problem. Maybe they can invent a patch for us psychological piddlers.)

I piddle at everything I do and have tried to find ways to force myself to focus, although I’m rarely successful for any extended period of time (hmmm, I believe I piddle at piddle control…). I piddle at my job, much to my employer’s chagrin. I piddle in my housework, much to my husband’s chagrin. I piddle at my writing and craft projects, much to my chagrin. Even worse, I have taught my daughter to piddle as well!

I promise to try to regain my focus in the next day or two and bring this series to an end. Knowing God can do all things brings hope to even the worst conditions and habits. Comments from fellow piddlers are welcome; non-piddlers, well…….just be gentle, please. Pray that I will be able to commit my works to the Lord and establish my thoughts (Prov 16:3).

Receptive vs. Non-Receptive (Part 2)

2008-07-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thess 2:16-17 NIV

Webster defines receptive as open and responsive to ideas, impressions, or suggestions. Growth is impossible without reception. Just as plants cannot grow without receiving water, sunlight, and nourishment, our spiritual growth is stunted by seasons of non-reception. A non-receptive believer has less to offer other believers and is less likely to recognize the needs of non-believers. A non-receptive believer may fail to recognize God’s blessings and protection.

In contrast, a receptive believer hears God’s voice; sees God’s handprint; feels the snuggly down of His protective wing; recognizes blessings in trials; and knows when to send a card or offer a hug. A receptive believer can more quickly recognize and respond to Satan’s attack.

A receptive believer should reflect the signal he or she receives. A receptive spirit reflects God’s love and kindness; encourages other believers along their journey of faith; and recognizes and responds to the lost and the hurting. A receptive believer is able to look past his own trials and circumstances and reach out to one whose signal is presently blocked. A non-receptive believer needs the gentle encouragement of a receptive believer.

Next we’ll look at the ways we can improve or increase our reception……….

HOW’S YOUR RECEPTION? (Part 1)

2008-07-08T06:03:00.001-05:00

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Ps 25:4-5 NIV

Something in my Sunday school lesson caught my attention. The lesson stated, “Receptive believers do not have to feel powerless before the forces of evil and heavy burdens of life.” My first thought was what is the difference between receptive and non-receptive believers? Secondly, what habits and tools increase or fine-tune our reception?

Two pictures come to mind when I think about our spiritual reception. The first picture is of an old rabbit-eared television set, snowy and noisy, with someone rearranging the antennae, putting aluminum foil on the tips.

The second picture is that of sisters Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-42. Martha, careful and troubled about many things, appears non-receptive to me. She was so distracted by her busyness that the signal was blocked. Mary, on the other hand, had recognized and chosen the good part, the only needful thing. Most of us can relate more to Martha, can’t we?

In the next entry, we’ll compare the receptive and non-receptive believer in detail. In the meantime, how’s your reception?

2008-06-26T13:39:00.002-05:00

Be Encouraged

1 Samuel 30:6(b) says "but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God". Reflecting this week on how important and priceless it is for us to encourage others, I looked to the concordance for the scriptures containing the word "encourage" and was surprised that it appears very few times. It was not surprising, though, to find that one those verses contains a lesson for us in encouragement.

We all need encouragement on a regular basis. We need to encourage one another, be generous with our thanks and recognition for each person's gifting and talents and for the little things that often go unnoticed. As much as we need to give encouragement, we are also built up by the encouragement we receive from others. Usually I would have stopped here in my thought on encouraging one another, but God's Word gives us another step.

Absent the encouragement of another we have the gift of encouraging ourselves in the Lord. What a wonderful thought! When we are down and out and discouraged, we can escape to the presence of the Lord and encourage ourselves. Our Father will relish the opportunity to renew and inspire us. He is our biggest cheerleader.

Now, go get your encouragement!

What's Following You?

2008-06-20T21:19:00.003-05:00

Read Lamentations 3:21-23
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lam%203:21-23&version=9

What’s following you these days? Sometimes the consequences of our own bad decisions seem to follow us throughout life. While we may have moments when it seems they are at last truly behind us, we often turn the corner to find them standing in our path again. Are you looking over your shoulder, waiting to see what trouble may be gaining on you? Are you winded from trying to stay ahead of life’s trials?

Psalm 23:6 says “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Imagine now that you are running just ahead of a tidal wave about to be overtaken by . . . what? Trouble? Yes, if you choose. But it doesn’t have to be that way. When we choose Christ and decide to follow Him, His blood covers our sins. The tidal wave of goodness and mercy now pursue us – great, isn’t it? A tidal wave of blessings, God’s covering, always on our heels.

Now, what’s following you?

Heavenly Father, my Shepherd, thank you for your goodness and mercy. I choose You.

God is not waiting for us. He is pursuing us . . . like a highway patrolman pursuing you down the interstate with lights flashing and sirens blaring to get you to stop –not to give you a ticket, but to give you a message so good it couldn’t wait till you get home. Charles Stanley, Into His Presence

A Think Ye Devotional from
Rainbows & Mustard Seeds Ministry
Written by Tina Neeley

Hope Deferred

2008-06-17T06:19:00.002-05:00

Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when dreams come true at last, there is life and joy. (Prov 13:12 TLB)

I have recently found myself thinking about the meaning of this scripture. “Hope deferred” what does that mean exactly? In The American Heritage Dictionary hope has been defined theologically as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God’s help. Deferred means delayed, so what causes us to have delayed hope?

As Christians, we are not without hope, yet our lives are often lived as if we are hopeless. Since we can safely put our hope and faith in the Lord and His promises, delayed hope can certainly be a strategy of the enemy. For many years I have refused to allow myself to dream, giving this scripture special meaning for me. I have wasted many years of my life pushing down the desire to write, believing that to pursue a dream would be to waste my time and attention on foolish things and distract me from dealing with the realities of my life. My God is not restricted by my realities, yet I failed for many years to even consider it.

This blog is a dream come true. I have written more in the past six months than I have written in most of my adult life, and I can honestly say that I have found life and joy in pursuing this dream. I was slow to permit myself to dream, but I am no longer bound by that particular stronghold. Rainbows (promises) and Mustard Seeds (faith) represents my faith in His promises and my resolve to pursue them for the rest of my life.

I encourage you to search your heart and give yourself permission to dream. Seek God’s will for the direction of your dreams. Don’t delay the life and joy that comes from placing your dreams in the hope of the Lord. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the Lord! (Ps 31:24)

Heavenly Father, uphold me according to thy word, that I may live; and let me not be ashamed of my hope, for you have said, blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. Amen (Ps 119:15; Jer 17:7)

Father's Day

2008-06-15T05:00:00.001-05:00

The Lord is like a Father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. Ps 103:13 NLT

The calendar says today is Father’s Day. Well, every Sunday is our Heavenly Father’s day. And because every day we live is a gift from God, every day is actually Father’s day. Are we conscious of this? Most of the time, I think, the busyness of life keeps us from recognizing it.

The tired and discouraged employee may see the new day as another dread. The chronically ill person may see the day as another day of pain. The grieving wife or mother may see the day as a long, silent, empty day that must be endured. For most, it is often just another day in the rat race of life.

To those who trust and hope in the Lord, it does not have to be this way. Sometimes we just have to be reminded of it.

Happy Father’s Day, Ya’ll.

ADJUST THE SAILS

2008-06-14T17:56:00.000-05:00

Scripture: Read Psalm 107:23-31

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20107:23-31&version=31

“We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails.” – Chinese fortune cookie

Saving the tiny slip of paper from the fortune cookie for future consideration, I immediately saw this as a reminder from God. The winds of the storms of our lives blow hard at times. Often we feel like small sail boats tossed in the midst of a dark, raging sea, holding on for dear life.
Oh that we could see our way clear to turn our sails and our eyes upon Jesus before we find ourselves in the midst of the storm! Our Savior calmed the sea and walked on water. True, we have no ability to direct the wind, and we will face times of trials and discouragement, but we have hope and promise in Jesus.

Prayer: Heavenly Father who calms the sea and walks on water, help us turn our sails toward You before we find ourselves in the eye of the storm.

Just think . . . .Do you need to adjust your sails?

The Winds of Fate
by
Ella Wheeler Wilcox

One ship drives east and another drives west
With the self-same winds that blow;
‘Tis the set of the sails
And not the gales
That tells them the way to go.
Like the winds of the sea are the winds of fate
As we voyage along through life;
‘Tis the set of the soul
That decides its goal
And not the calm or the strife.

A Think Ye Devotional from
Rainbow & Mustard Seed Ministry
Written by Tina Neeley

A Special Treasure

2008-06-12T21:11:00.006-05:00

Have you ever felt like a treasure? Recently I noted in my journal that I love the feeling I get when flipping in my Bible from the concordance to the scriptures on a quest for scripture that supports an idea or treasure I feel God is helping me unearth. Strangely enough, I noted, I am one of God’s treasures. The King James Version of Exodus 19:5 states “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people.”
Peculiar in this scripture actually means special. I’m sure most of us can associate with feeling peculiar, but feeling special and like a treasure is not quite so common or comfortable to us.

"Obey my voice and keep my covenant" was spoken by God to Moses as a message to the Israelites and is likened to the New Testament call of Jesus “Follow Me.” If you have accepted Jesus as savior and answered His call you are a child of the King, and a treasure indeed.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:14 KJV

Why Write? Pass the Coin

2008-06-12T05:50:00.005-05:00

Since December 17, 2007, I have felt very strongly that God was encouraging me to write and learn all I could about writing. Often I question myself on whether or not I actually have anything to say worth hearing. Although I've not literally searched for the statistic, there are no doubt millions of blogs -- everyone has something to say about something. Who am I to add to the pile?

I have noted inside the cover of my journal the following quote in answer to these doubts of mine: "So whenever you hear a good thing just put it down, because if it's good for you it will be good for somebody else; and we should pass the coin of heaven 'round just as we do other current coin." - D. L. Moody in the introduction to the Bible Readers Guide by F. S. Schenk

Rainbows and mustard seeds........Rainbows - promise..........Mustard Seeds - faith. God gives His promises and asks only for the tiniest speck of faith to open the windows of heaven and secure our salvation.

Heavenly Father, sometimes I make things too complicated. Let me realize the foundation of my faith rests on simple trust in You. Lead me one step at a time. Amen

The Think Ye Story

2008-06-11T06:59:00.003-05:00

As I slept June 7, 2007, God gave me a dream. In this dream, Philippians 4:8 was shown to me as a flower. This verse says: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” “True, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy” were each inscribed on the petals of the flower, with “think on these things” in the flower’s center.

God has engraved this scripture upon my heart. Confirmations abound that He has great plans for my life, and the key to reaching His goals is to keep my thoughts focused on these things. I believe this is the key for all of God’s children. At times we all need our focus redirected and reminded that God has great plans for His children.

God is so good, and I hope that you will allow Him to reveal His faithfulness to you. I pray as you read these devotionals and random thoughts your attention and thoughts will be redirected to things true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy.