Thankful 20...

I am thankful for harmony.

There's not anything I can think of offhand that I enjoy more than good four part harmony.  I love voices blended, complimenting one another, completing each other....connecting to make a whole.

It isn't really logical.  How can sounds that are completely different be so absolutely perfect?

But there is something you can actually feel when perfect harmony happens, you don't just hear it....and you don't just feel the vibrations of your own voice or someone else's.  It isn't just 'pretty'...it is absolutely spiritual, (especially if the message of the song is positive, and even if it is negative, the spiritual aspect of the song's message is still there and is dangerous). 


The harmony of music mirrors what happens in the universe around us. Each aspect of nature compliments the rest, making complete. The cycle of life....


There is another kind of harmony found on the pages of scripture.  Our Bibles contain the complete harmony of God's Voice.  His Triune Deity speaks and sings to us thru what is recorded.  From Genesis to Revelation, the harmony of His Song is perfect. 

I purpose to listen to the entire Song, not just a little phrase or two, not just the lead melody, not just the high harmonious parts, but entirely.

God is so creative.

Thankful 19...

I am thankful for persistence......

Thankful for the persistence of my alarm clock as I hit the snooze button 5 times every morning. Every morning it prods and encourages me to wake up, get up, and go on with the agenda at hand.


Thankful even more for the the persistence of The Holy Spirit of God, Who nudges me over and over again, prodding me and encouraging me to get up and go on with Him with the agenda at His Hand.

As always, it is my choice. Often, I slap the snooze button a few times...but He is the hound of heaven, and persists in encouraging me to obedience.

Both personally, and as a nation, I am reminded of Jeremiah's recorded warning and it's actuality....

".......the LORD has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention.
 Those prophets and servants said, "Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices......Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not provoke me to anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you."

"But you did not listen to me," declares the LORD, "and you have provoked me with what your hands have made, and you have brought harm to yourselves."
Therefore the LORD Almighty says this: "Because you have not listened to my words, I will......" (Jer. 25:4-9) 
Our God is persistent.  His desire is that we obey Him.  Not because He is domineering, mean, and nasty....but because He knows the best and wants the best for us.

My God is persistent.  His desire is that I be involved in what He is doing, hand in hand with Him throughout my every day. 

 I purpose to stop slapping the snooze button so often......

Thankful 18...

I am thankful for the church. 

I am thankful for the church family.

And most of all, I am thankful to have come to understand that my secure salvation does not lie with either, but is in Christ Jesus alone. 

Now....I better get busy or I'm going to be late getting there to be with all of them today !! 

Thankful 17...

I am thankful for taste.

I have known people who have lost their sense of taste.  Hard to imagine...

I am not as much a fan of food as some people, but I do enjoy a good meal.

I love chocolate.

As I sit and reflect this cool November morning, with my pumpkin spice coffee in hand, I am thankful to be able to enjoy taste. 

God is so creative...............

Thankful 16....

I am thankful for a great staff.

I've been working behinf a styling chair in a hair salon since 1973.  I've worked with quite a few people.  I've learned from each and every one of them.  Some, from the negative.....



I'm not the greatest hairdresser there is.
I'm not the greatest business owner...
I'm not the greatest teacher, or mentor.
I'm not the greatest anything for that matter !

So, why I've been so blessed has nothing to do with my greatness.

 Why God has chosen to bless me in the ways He has is beyond my comprehension.

Tonight, as I reflect on the 16th day of thankfulness, I again count my co-workers as great blessings.

They do good work.
They care for people.
They support each other.
They trust.
They love.


They have my back.
They endure.
They don't give up or give in.
They strive toward their goals.

I've been so blessed to see them reach some of those goals, and enjoy watching them grow toward new goals.

I have a great staff.  And am blessed to call them friends.

Thankful 15....

I am thankful for purposes.


And I am especially thankful to understand a little of what mine is......

"...For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. .." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Who I am is not just an accident or a coincidence.  Certainly, who I have become is a product of the choices I have made.  Some of them wrong ones....

But God has created me with the possibility to choose an incredible life.  

God's truth is that when my life was first sparked, when it first began in my mother's womb... He assigned a plan for my life.  He knew who I would be, and what I could accomplish with His help and guidance. 

 He also knew what I would be without Him. And as from the very beginning, it is my choice to take that path, or devise my own.   

I am thankful that none of us are left to our own devices. We aren't just thrown into life without purpose. Neither are we without help and guidance. 

"But...... my people wouldn't listen to me.....wouldn't obey me...So I let them go their own stubborn way.  I let them follow their own sinful plans"(Ps. 81:11-12)
I too, follow my own plan from time to time.  (Hopefully not on purpose..!!) 

 Somewhere along the way, thru the struggles and wrong choices, I began to understand the purpose of my life.  It is a process. 

and an adventure....

Thankful 14...

I am thankful I can comprehend.
 

Now...I can't comprehend everything !  Some things just go smooth over my blonde head !!! 



But I am so very thankful I can open my Bible and comprehend the printed words. 
 

I am thankful that I can comprehend, but even more than that.....I am thankful to have the Holy Spirit of God to aid my understanding. 


I am thankful that He brings to my mind whatever I have comprehended.


I am thankful He shows me how to apply what I comprehend and remember.




 
 


"....the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you..." (John 14:26)

Thankful 13....

I am thankful for thermostats.

I am thankful it is so easy to change the temperature in my house.  I am thankful to be cool enough, and thankful to be warm enough.

That little device regulates the environment of my home. 





I am thankful for the Holy Spirit of God.  His Presence and power regulates the environment of my spirit.  He keeps me cool when things in my life heat up.  He keeps me warm when I am chilled to the bone with anxiety, dread, or fear. He is able to do all that and more....

......if I ask, allow, and obey. 

 "Dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

  Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt;   snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before hHs glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen  (Jude 1:20-25)


Hallelujah.

Thankful 12...

I am thankful for healing.


Some time back, while slicing tomatoes, I sliced a piece of my thumb off.  Literally. 

There was nothing to do except stop the bleeding and wait for new skin to grow over the raw flesh. I protected it, I attended it, did everything I could do to avoid further problems....infection or breaking the wound open again...

Today, by careful inspection, it is detectable that my thumb is misshapen in that place. Consequences of the injury.  (You could see it if I pointed it out to you.)

Today, that thumb feels different.  Consequences of the injury.  (You can't see that, and neither can I....but I am always aware of it.) 

I am thankful that my body can heal.  And even though there are consequences that remain from injuries, bodies can be restored. Some consequences are more obvious than others, some hinder more than others.....damage may remain, but healing is possible.  Restoration is possible.






More than physical healing, I am thankful for spiritual healing.  Every single one of us need it....not just me.

Each of us have a spiritual disease.  Simply put, it is sin.

Sin has caused pain and injury..it has damaged relationships. It cuts and steals away vital parts of our soul.  It makes our spirits bleed and robs us of joy, even life.



You can't be perfect. I don't care who you are or how strong willed you are, you can't be perfect. (And let's be clear....the standard of perfection is God.  Not anyone God granted life to...)

So, that leaves us all in a predicament.  We have the disease.  We are injured.  Broken.

The consequences are often visible....often not. The damage sin wreaks  leaves us vulnerable to further pain and injury. 

Our wounds break open again. Again and again we tend that same wound, trying to bring about healing, trying to fix it, only to have it manifest in another area. 

You can't heal yourself of sin.

But there is One Who can.  He went to such great length to make healing available. And I am so very thankful.

 I am thankful for my healing.  And for yours...



(...and by the way, don't slice tomatoes on a mandoline slicer without the vegetable gaurd.....)

Thankful 11..

I am thankful for soldiers. 

I am thankful I have not had to fill those shoes.

I purpose to tell at least one of them personally. Today.

Thankful 10...

I am thankful for mobility.

I am thankful that I can walk and even run. (...if I have to !)
I am thankful for hands that have served me in my work for almost 40 years.


I am thankful for vehicles that carry me where I want/need to go, both on the ground and across it in the air.

I am thankful I am not confined to one single place day in, day out, hour after hour.  City, house, chair, or bed.

I am thankful my fingers can type these words and strike notes on a piano or work a shear and hairbrush.

I am thankful for knees that bend without excruciating pain.

My body is not as young as it was, but it is still very mobile.  And I am so thankful. 

Thankful 9...

I am thankful for simplicity. 

Life can get so terribly complicated. 

Today, I am thankful for simple pleasures.



Family.

Home.

Good food.

Good company.

Simple pleasures.

Thankful 8....

I am thankful for music.     ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪

I think every year when I count down to Thanksgiving, I again am deliberately thankful for music.  (...several other things are regularly on the list...)    ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫

There is power in music....power that can unleash all sorts of emotions, or change them. 

Music communicates love, praise, worship     ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
 Fear, anxiety, anger.    ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
Joy, laughter, pleasure.       ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫
Submission or rebellion.      ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫

If you don't agree....try watching a movie without a soundtrack.  (...if you can find one, I doubt you can....)

I am thankful to have learned what little I know about music. I am thankful to be able to play instruments the little I can.  I am thankful to be able to 'carry a tune in a bucket'....to sing with the limited talent that I have.        ♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫

Most of all, I am thankful to have learned how to channel the power of music and direct it in positive ways.  Praising the Creator God who is the Master Mind of it all....it was all His idea. 

And what a great one !! 

♪♫  ♫♪♫♪  ♫  ♫♪♫  ♪♫♫♪  ♫♪♫ ♫♪  ♫♪♫    ♫♪♫♪♫   ♫♪♫ ♪♫  ♫♪♫♪   ♫♫♪ ♫♪♫   ♫♪♫♪♫   ♫♪  ♫♪♫ ♫♪ ♫♪♫♫   ♪♫♪♫♫  ♪♫♪♫♫♪♫   ♪♫♫♪ ♫♪♫♫♪♫♪    ♫♫♪♫♪♫ ♫♪ ♫♪♫♪♫ ♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪ ♫♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♫♪♫

Thankful 7...

I am thankful for my citizenship. 

I was born in the state of Washington.  I am a citizen of the United States of America.

I was re-born in Jesus Christ.  I am a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Hallelujah. 


My hope is in Him.
He has changed my life.
He is still on His throne today.
I am still His child, a sheep of His pasture.
Nothing surprises Him.
Nothing robs Him of His power.
His will is accomplished.  In His time.

Hallelujah.


My faith is not in man.
My faith is not in government.
My faith is not in a nation.
My faith is not in an army.
My faith is not in a society.
My faith is not in religion.

My faith is in Elohim, Creator God Almighty.
My faith is in El Roi, the God Who sees me.  In every detail.
My faith is in El Olan, the everlasting and eternal God.  His Reign does not end.
My faith is in Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Who provides.
My faith is in Jehovah Nissi, and He is my banner.


My peace is provided by Jehovah Shalom, The Lord is peace.  There is no other true peace.
My security and rock is Jehovah Tsuri.  He is unchanging and stable.  There is no other stability.

Today, I am thankful to be a child of the King of glory.
Today, I am thankful to have an inheritance and home in His land of plenty.
Today, I am thankful to be protected and provided for in His kingdom.  I live there now.

Hallelujah. 

Thankful 6...

I am thankful for rest.

Rest for a tired body.
Rest for a weary mind.
Rest for a concerned heart.
Rest for an unsettled situation.
Rest for an uncertain future.
Rest for a yearning spirit.


Rest isn't just about sitting on the couch or snoozing in the bed.  I've often done both, only to get up exhausted.

The only true rest is found in the comfort and safety of the sheep pen, under the care of The Good Shepherd....  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."(Mt. 11:28)

"There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." (Rev. 14:11)

 





"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.   He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.   My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people.  Pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.(Ps. 62:5-8)

Thankful 5...

Today I am thankful for emotion. Even though sometimes emotions hurt...

Ridicule hurts, but I want hearts to stay tender enough to feel the pain.

Love is sometimes so intense it hurts. Especially when those we love are sad, or hurting, or when we are separated. But I want hearts to have an increasing capacity to love.



Emotions are sometimes hard to distinguish from one another. Fear often looks and sounds like anger. Sadness can easily be mistaken for disinterest or disdain.

I purpose to identify and embrace each emotion. It is difficult...

Thankful 4...

I am thankful for make-up.

As I applied my cosmetics this morning, I thought about how different I look with it than I do without it.  I think I look better with....   I think most everyone would agree that I do.

 I battle vanity, and I don't think I'm extremely vain, but I would rather you see me with it than without it.

As I applied cosmetics this morning, my mind turned to how God sees me.

I am thankful today for what He has made available to me to make me look perfect in His Eyes.

The blood of Christ Jesus covers my every flaw.

Hallelujah.

Thankful 3...

I am thankful for correction.

I remember learning to type...way back then.  We had correction tape.  It was a lifesaver.

I keep a bottle of White-Out in my desk drawer.  It comes in handy.  Often.

We are learning to depend on spellcheck. And as we do, we become less cautious and aware of mistakes.

I had my bite corrected in order to be rid of headaches.  My teeth were not lined up correctly, and it caused pain.
Surgeries are performed regularly to correct problems.
I wear glasses to correct vision problems.

The list is endless.

Corrections are often not pleasant but are necessary and beneficial. But corrections are not really corrections if they aren't done with an ideal standard.

Spelling has a standard.  We have dictionaries.
Vision has a standard.     We want 20/20 vision.
Our bodies have a standard. We want them maintained in the original design.

We are wise to be easily corrected.  Behavior. Attitudes. Actions.  There IS a correct way to live, and even though we  choose to deny or refuse it,  it is the standard.  We will all be measured by it eventually.

"This is the nation that has not obeyed the Lord its God, or responded to correction. Truth has perished, it has vanished from their lips." (Jer. 7:28)

"He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
(Prov. 10:17)

"He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame. Whoever heeds correction is honored."
(Prov. 13:18)




"Bless is the man You discipline, O Lord, the man You teach from Your law." (Ps. 94:12)


I purpose to hear and heed the first Word of correction.... to be easily corrected. I do not want to be re-taught, yet when I do not learn easily, I purpose to be thankful that He does not give up or allow me to slip further away from Him.

Thankful 2...

I am thankful for reasoning.

I think about the line from Forest Gump, "I am not a smart man..."  

I'm not the smartest or most educated person you know, but I can reason.  I can think about things and make sense of some things.  Certainly on some levels anyway.

Understanding the concept behind a matter makes a lot of difference.  Knowing the 'why' of doing something instead of just the 'how'.  In teaching hair cutting or hair coloring, I emphasized the laws of color and the principles of shape.

It does limited good to learn ONE haircut.  When you learn the principles behind the steps of that one design, when you learn why those steps have that particular end result....then you can use the principles in endless ways.

I think of dozens of examples...and I am reminded of one example that changed history.

Adam and Eve.

While I am thankful for my ability to think and reason, today I purpose to use that reasoning only within the parameters of God's design and His will.

When God says 'do' or 'do not', He says it because His reasoning is perfect.  I need not understand it or even try to reason it out for myself.  It is always always always in my best interest to simply obey and follow His reasoning and rest my own in the matter.

There are ample opportunities to exercise mine.....

Thankful 1.....

It is again the season of Thanksgiving.  And I again issue a challenge.....

Make it your purpose to develop the habit of thankfulness.

I have heard that it takes ten days to develop a habit.  That means we can develop a habit of thankfulness between today and turkey day !

What is it you are thankful for today?

I challenge you to look beyond those broad responses like health and freedom.  Even though we should all indeed be thankful for those things.  My challenge is to be more specific....





Today, I am thankful for words.


I am thankful to be able to use these things we call 'words' to communicate by voice, by sign language, written on paper, transferred thru technological machines across the entire globe....

Words are powerful.

They are a gift of God that empower and connect us.

They build up, but can also tear down.
They encourage, but can also defeat.
They communicate love, but can communicate hate.

I am thankful for words, and I purpose today to use them in positive ways.

Sand...

When our boys were little, we hauled sand almost every year.  They loved to play in it, build roads, pile it into mountains, and dig lakes.  They were always frustrated because their lakes wouldn't hold water...

I've spent a lot of time on lake shores, but I had never spent much time on a beach before last summer.  We visited our son's family and made a day trip to the New Jersey shore. Miles before we arrived, I began to see sand.  The trees began to get smaller and scrubbier.

Standing on the edge of that massive body of water, my bare feet could almost feel the current of water pushing thru the sand.

Today, I am back visiting New Jersey.  But this time there will be no visit to the beach.  Instead, I am drawn to the news programs as they show the devastation of the recent monster storm, Hurricane Sandy.  The houses built on the sandy beaches have been washed away, their foundations of sand unable to withstand the power of the wind driven water.

I am reminded of the song we sang in Vacation Bible School when I was a child.

"The foolish man built his house upon the sand.....the rains came down...the house came crashing down...."

I don't mean to call those folks foolish. I don't presume to judge or criticize.  I would love living in one of those beach houses.  It is a beautiful place, a beautiful environment....but it is vulnerable.


Water pushes thru sand and sand moves with it.  It just does.
Sand washes away..  It just does.

My heart breaks for the devastation on those sandy beaches from hurricane Sandy.

 I purpose today to not build my life on what can be pushed and washed, or blown away by circumstances on this planet.  I purpose for my life to be lived on The Rock of ages....

"For in the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in HIS dwelling, He will hide me in the shelter of HIS tabernacle, and set me high upon a rock."
( Psalm 27:5 )

And I thank Him again this morning for the safety we have enjoyed during hurricane Sandy, so close to those beautiful sandy beaches here in Tabernacle, New Jersey with our son and his family.

And I pray for all those who suffer and grieve as I sit here untouched.... God help them.

Answers...

God answers.  I know He does.

During the past few hours, He has said 'Yes' to my requests.

To mine....yet for so many others, it seems there was not a yes.

It is the age old question.  Why do bad things happen, even to good people?

Again my mind turns to the story of Job.  Again I determine to look ole' Job up when we all get home to God's house and thank him for his faithfulness.  I want to personally thank him for being used by God SO many times to encourage and admonish me.  I want him to know that his suffering so many many years ago did not go without purpose.



I do not want to be like Jobs friends.  I don't presume to know why this tragedy has happened, other than this world is suffering from years and years,  layers and layers of sin and rebellion.

The ground was cursed because of disobedience and rebellion in the Garden.  We have damaged our earth home and caused consequences we don't even recognize.  Yet God IS still on His throne, He still has power that is unequalled....far beyond the small display we have seen in the recent storm!!

I do not challenge His authority, I do not accuse Him....yet I struggle with why we were not touched by what has devastated so many.

The storm did not harm us.  But it was not because of any good thing in me, or any of us in this house.
The storm did not harm us.  And that was exactly what we requested.
The storm did not harm us.  Yet so many were indeed harmed.

Did they pray?

Surely there were prayers said....by someone......

Warning...

We have been made aware of a coming storm.   Warnings are a constant on any radio or TV you turn on.

The store shelves have very little of the basic supplies and food items.  It is interesting to see what people hoard in times like this.  We are much more likely to go to 'needs' than our usual 'greeds'.  

Water and bread are two items at the top of the list. 

Medicines that are essential for managing a health condition..

Blankets that contain body warmth...

Light, whether battery operated lanterns and flashlights, or candles....

We have had days of warning.  I 'think' we are ready.  Whether we are or not remains to be seen....

Man has been given warning since the Garden incident.  Oh that we would all heed that warning and respond to it as we seem to all respond to this visible storm.  

"The wages of sin is death" ( Romans 6:23 ) And we all fit in that wage bracket.... (Romans 3:23)

I find myself constantly reflecting on the seemingly monumental things that are going on on our planet home.  Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Floods, Tornados, Hurricanes....

I've came to New Jersey expecting to see the glory of my Creator displayed magnificently.  But I was expecting colorful leaves.... It is not the first time that He shows up in a way I did not expect.

My Father does not lose His cool.  He does not lash out in unrestrained anger.  He is not mean and nasty....  

He is holy.  He is just. He is loving and patient, but He will not contend with sinfulness forever. (Isaiah 57:16)


There are those that thing these are signs of His wrath.  Perhaps they are.


I have experienced His comfort and perfect peace in storms before.   I know His comfort and Presence in this storm.

I am somewhat comforted by the resident of Uz.

Wealthy.
Big family.
Shunned evil.
Respected and reverenced God.
Blameless.
Protected.
Blessed.

Yet devastated in a series of storms and tragedies.



Father, I thank You once more for the blessings of Your Hand, and for Your protection. Lord God, You are perfect and holy, and I am not. Father God, as the storm rages in our midst, my desire is to accept the adversity of life as willingly as I accept and embrace Your blessing.  I purpose in my heart to be like Job, to remain firm in my integrity, never doubting Your love, never failing in faith. (Job 2:9)

You, Lord, are our essential.
Wrap us in Your Presence.
Be our Light as never before....
You, Lord, are our Peace in this storm.

Hallelujah.

Prayer...

　

Father, we who call ourselves by Your holy Name come seeking Your Face. Long have we enjoyed the blessings of Your Hand. Make our blinded eyes see the rebellion in ourselves so that we are truly humbled before You. Make our eyes see the wicked ways in our own lives. Lord God may we no longer seek only the blessings You provide, but with undivided hearts seek Your Face. (2 Chron. 7:14)

Holy Father, you have been merciful to the sinful and rebellious, You have given grace and a way of pardon and restoration, but You command repentance. Father, I pray we may be brought to true repentance without further suffering. For each individual and for our nation, I pray that we might have fresh realization of our own personal sin and truly turn from it. (Acts 17:30 )

　

Lord, stir Your Holy Spirit within every Christian in this land. Motive each person to seek You as never before. Father our security is in You. You are king. You are ruler. I fervently ask that You show Yourself and make Yourself heard in each Christian heart and mind. Oh God, may we seek You and follow Your leading BEFORE we find ourselves in trouble. (Ps. 32:6-7)

Father, You are sovereign over times, season, and all powers. Only by Your permission does any ruler sit in authority. (Daniel 2:20) Reveal to us when we are decieved and have believed lies. Oh God, help us to see the truth of what is happening in our world. Help us to recognize the signs around us, just as we recognize the signs of storm clouds in the sky. (Luke 12:54-56)

Our Creator God, fear and reverence of You is where any and all knowledge begins. Give our leaders fresh fear and reverence for You and Your Word. Enable them to hear and understand Your Will, increase their learning, give them wise counsel, and a desire to bend their will to Yours. (Prov. 1:5-6)

　

Lord, those who have followed You have “ subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. “(Heb. 11: 33-34)

　

Now Lord God, strip away human pride in our leaders, remind them that only thru You can any lasting thing be accomplished. Mere man can do nothing, but thru You, all things are possible. ( Phil. 4:13)

Our God, do again what you did in the days of old. Astonish us as You rule and reign in our midst. (Hab. 1:5)

And Father, as You bring judgment, as You surely must….remember mercy. (Hab. 3:2)

Separation...

"....If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father..." (John 14:28)


In children we have labeled it 'separation anxiety'.  Children most often cry when their parents leave them.


Had I walked and talked with Jesus, I have no doubt I would have had separation anxiety too.  The disciples did not find it easy to hear when Jesus was preparing them for what was about to happen. But they needed to hear it, and He needed to say it.

The purpose of His life was not to just live it out.  His purpose was far greater.  In fact, the end of His life was the very reason He was born.

We are never anxious to be separated from those we love and rely on, yet the time comes when we are all separated from each other.  Death comes if nothing else...
Today, people I love are faced with coming separation.  I pray that God will remind each one who struggles with the anxiousness of the moment.....
"....you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." (John 15:19)
We may be apart from each other for some period of time... a very short time in the eternal scope of things....but we can be confident that we are never really separated.  Not when it is the very love of God that binds us together with Him. 
Hallelujah.   


  
"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.: (Psalm 116:15)

Self....

Does self come first?  Last? Somewhere in the middle? Who decides?


Self will.
Self love.
Self contempt.
Self righteous.
Self defense.
Self abuse.
Self-admiration.
Self-confidence.
Self-conscience.
Self-sufficient.
Self-preservation.
Self-esteem.
Self-defense.
Selfish.


Me. Me. Me.

Seems quite natural to put self first. Logical really....

But like everything Jesus said and did, He turned all of it around and put self last. And He didn't just issue the order....He didn't just command it, He did it. What might be logical in a human mind matters very little when God is involved.  He acts outside of human wisdom.

He pulled off His deity and put on human flesh. He was First. And He put Himself last. 

 Last.....  After my needs, and yours.

.

Jesus has an uncanny way of cutting right to the heart of a matter.  The Jews had six hundred thirteen laws recorded in the Old Testament.  Jesus summed it all up..... 
" Jesus answered...'HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD;  
AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.'  "The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31)God is first.
Neighbor is next.


Following Jesus does not mean being a doormat. It doesn't mean that we become unimportant or of little value. In fact, it means we are of great value !

Following Jesus means HE is first. No need looking any further until we get a grasp of that truth.

Tutor....

Webster says "One who has the care of instructing another in various branches or in any branch of human learning."

 

When I was a student, I never had one.  I took a few piano and voice lessons, maybe that counts....

 

I paid a tutor once, an algebra tutor....(shudder....)   I certainly couldn't help our son with his algebra, so we paid someone to step in.

 

I've done some tutoring I guess....certainly not algebra!, but  I've taught the law of color to hairdressers, and the  principles of shape. 

 

 

  

 

As I read thru scripture and see Jesus' most intimate followers still not 'getting it', my first response is always one of impatience.  Why did they not get it?   How could they still misunderstand? How plain did it have to be?
 

"Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered, "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you shall follow later. Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You."(John 13:36-37) 

 

"Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" (John 14:5)

 

"Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." (John 14:8)

 

"Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us, and not to the world?" (John 14:11) 
 

It is easy to read the account recorded in scripture and be impatient with these people.  After all Jesus had taught, after all he had done....they still didn't get it.  It just didn't make sense, didn't match up to anything they were expecting.

"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;...that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you"(John 14:16-18 emphasis mine)

 

"....the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you."(John 14:26)

 



This morning, I purpose to give them a break.
This morning, I praise Him for giving me a break.

Not until these intimate followers of Jesus had recieved the Holy Spirit did they really 'get it'.
Not until these disciples of our God in flesh were sent the Holy Tutor did they 'get it'.

And so it was with me. So it is with you. Jesus knew we would need tutoring just as those intimate few did. After that Holy Tutor came to them, they were forever changed. Scripture from Genesis forward totally clicked.  They 'got it'.  Beginning to end.

I continue to be amazed with each new thing that I 'get'. 

Day after day.

Page after page.

Life situation after life situation. 

I have a Tutor in it all.  And He is incredible.
 
 

 

Therefore...

 
Therefore....I heard it said once that when you see that word, to stop and ask what the word is there for. (....therefore, there for....get it? )  There are lots of therefores in scripture. This morning, my attention was drawn to the concept of joy. (thanks to a friend's post on Facebook that has me humming 'I've got the joy, joy joy, joy...down in my heart...')  Then, I go to my morning time in God's Word, and there's that concept of joy and that 'therefore' word.  (...isn't God a hoot? )  


"Therefore you will joyously draw water From the springs of salvation." (Isa 12:3)

Now I ask myself, what is that 'therefore' there for?
Why the joy? (...or the absence of it...? )

It is such a simple reason, yet so profound, and so hidden from me for so long....

".......He has become my salvation..." (Isa. 12:2)
 He is the saving factor. Not me. Not what I do. Not what I do NOT do.

 


Our joy bubbles over like a spring bursts forth from the ground ONLY when we recognize the truth of God's incredible love for us, and the unreasonable grace He has extended to us....to do what we are absolutely incapable of achieving ourself. 

Therefore, :) ......when I see someone who seems to have no real joy, I have to consider that they might have no understanding of that love and grace.

I purpose today to...
"...joyously draw water From the springs of salvation...."
 and "'Make known His deeds among the peoples... Make them remember that His Name is exalted....He has done excellent things, Let this be known throughout the earth...." ( select verses from Isa. 12)  "Cry aloud and shout for joy...... in your midst is the Holy One of Israel." (vs.6)
 

Consecrate...

It's not a word we use much in our day.  Webster says it is to declare and appropriate to sacred use. The Hebrew word scholars translate as 'consecrate' meant 'to observe as holy and to keep as sacred'.


The Bible speaks of consecration a lot.  There were rituals. Deliberate acts. Ceremonies.  A lot of trouble maybe, but it seemed to draw the heart and mind to the purpose.  Or should have....

So I ask myself this morning, what about me is consecrated?  If I am consecrated, to what am I consecrated?  One thing, or several?  Am I consecrated to 'ME'? Am I completely consecrated, or just a portion?  Is it a process or an event? Can I do this thing called consecration?

Questions.........


"Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God."(Lev. 20:7)

The instruction is clear. I am to purpose myself, to 'set myself apart'.
I am to take some sort of action that creates a sacredness or holiness.
My heart and mind should be purposed in this thing of consecration, as well as my actions.



So, what can I do?  I know that I can not muster up perfect holiness.  I have the same sin problem all humans have. (Romans 3:23) Do I just throw up my hands and throw in the towel?

Questions...........




In the temple worship system, there were vessels that were used for various things.  These vessels were 'consecrated'.  The inside of the vessel was cleansed. 

And so was the outside.

The inside of me, my 'vessel', has been cleansed by the blood of The Perfect Lamb of God. He has done it.  "It is finished."  My vessel IS holy.  Not because of any action on my part, but simply because I accepted His cleansing OF it.

 The outside of my vessel must be clean as well. I must purpose to remove what contaminates.

 My will is forever mine.  If I choose to hang onto sinful behavior, God will not over-rule my choice. But I will suffer the consequences and answer to His justice. He IS holy. Perfect and holy in every way.

If I choose to remain in wrong behavior, behavior that contaminates and is counter productive to consecration, has there really been any real conviction and turning away from a wrong path?
Questions.....

I can't be 'set apart to keep sacred' and my vessel be used in the same wrong ways all at the same time can I?

Questions........


Amid the questions I find assurance and encouragement this morning ...

First, from the words of an old hymn...

---

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

Again from the words of Jesus...amid the dilemma of my nature, I find assurance and encouragement....
 

"Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured..." (Matt.8:3)

He is willing to make me clean.


I have come to the personal conclusion that my consecration is a daily, moment by moment thing.
I choose. Not perfectly. Sometimes my choices are poor. And when they are, I purpose to WANT to choose better. I never want to be satisfied and comfortable in my sin. I want my will and His to be the same....

As I thank Him this morning for His grace manifested in my salvation, I purpose  to cooperate with Him, consecrating every aspect of my life........ to Him.

Pattern...

I've used one to make a dress and pants.
I've used one to do cross stitch.
I've used one to shape a cake into a bunny rabbit.

There are patterns for all those things. Examples to follow. Instructions.

Scripture gives us patterns.  Jesus Himself was and is the very Pattern of life.  He didn't draw it out or write it on paper.  He lived it.  We can never have the excuse that God doesn't know how difficult it is to follow the pattern of His holiness.  Jesus knows.  So God knows....

This morning, my attention is drawn to Isaiah 12.  There is a pattern there.  A pattern of praise.

We love to sing songs about heaven.
We sing songs that say "I'll fly away.....when I die..... I'll fly away."
We sing songs of encouragement to each other. "Hold to God's unchanging Hand...."
We sing about blessing, "count your blessings, name them one by one..."
We sing wishing to "...hear mother, pray again."

I do love to sing. And all those things are great things to sing about.  In fact, I am very particular about what I WILL sing.  I opt out of singing something if the lyrics go against what is true and right.

Isaiah 12 has a pattern. 

I am thankful for forgiveness. (vs.1)
I fear God, but I am not afraid of Him. He is trustworthy. (vs.2)
I ultimately have no strength, His is limitless and is mine for the asking. (vs.2)
I am free to take from Him what sustains and refreshes, and saves. (vs.3)
When I have experienced His love, I can not help but share it. I must help others remember. (vs. 4)
It is to my own benefit to acknowledge and appreciate the excellent things He has done. (vs.5)
The Holy One of Israel is still in our midst. (vs.6)

A pattern of praise....  
I am thankful for the blessings of His Hand...but is His Face I seek.
I purpose to praise HIM.
He is always and only...good.

Storms...

I've ridden out a few pretty scary ones.  I've put my kids under the bed and in the closet.  I've put other people's children in a bathtub and covered them with pillows.  I've ministered to people who left everything behind and were at other people's mercy for food, clothing, and shelter.

Tornados.  Hurricanes. 

We can know about these kinds of storms.  We can be warned and take steps to prepare. If we are wise....

There are other storms in life that come without warning. The doctor says 'it's cancer'. The officer says 'there's been an accident'.  A spouse says 'I'm leaving'. 

Nothing we can manage prepares for that kind of storm. But like all storms of life, they blow in, damaging everything in proximity. Ripping  shelter, dislodging foundation, taking what was 'ours'.

When the storm comes and goes, those who remain take stock of what is left behind. Decisions are made, pieces are picked up, broken pieces inspected and repaired or discarded.

We are wise to prepare for storms.  We are wise to have a strong relationship with The One Who is Master over every storm.

For THAT is the only real way to prepare for storms.....


"When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever."
(Prov. 10:25)

Dining...

We have a culture fascinated with eating out.  When we were raising our children, it was a luxury we seldom experienced.  But we did dine!  We ate very well.

 Big meals, home raised beef, home grown vegetables....oh yes.  We ate very well.

We didn't think up this concept of entertaining ourselves around a table filled with food. Table fellowship is almost as old as humanity. Food is indeed vital for our existance. 

And gluttony is indeed a misuse of the Creator's design.  Seems man can misuse every single thing God has created....

Fellowship around a dining table can be so good for us, or so very wrong....

Scripture is rich with stories that include the dinner table. 
I found this warning in my morning quiet time....
"When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,  and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive."      (Proverbs 23:1-3)Sitting together with a table of food can be much more than a time to taste food and fill a belly. It can be a time to bond with other people, and even a time to be caught off gaurd in compromise.  We are admonished to carefully consider what it is that's on the table.  Often, it is not just food. 

Indulging the appetite of our human flesh has always gotten us into lots of trouble.  Self-restraint is an exercise lost on many of us for the most part, whether it is over eating or some other excessive behavior. 

Food can and should be enjoyed, but I wonder that we don't get caught up in 'craving delicacies'...pleasing our bodies and  poisoning them at the same time. 


I purpose to enjoy the people at the table more than the food on it.

Home...

Home.... Webster says it is the 'sacred refuge of our life'.

Some online definitions I saw were 'the physical structure within which one lives'.
Another, 'the social unit formed by a family living together'.
Yet another, 'the place or region where something is native or most common'.


Words are so powerful. A simple four letter word... 'home', so full of application.

There are a lot of people who are homeLESS.  The saddest of those are the people who have big houses, and yet are homeless.

There are homeless people who own places, even lots of land....and never are 'home'.

There are people who are surrounded by people, live among them...with them...and are homeless.


I am blessed with a physical structure to live in. I am blessed with a husband who loves and cherishes me. I am still geographically in the same area that has always been home.

Yet sometimes the world around me and all that is in it seems so foreign. There have been so many compromises, so many alterations, so many adaptations, so much has changed.  Sometimes I feel quite homeless.


"....But the People of Israel made themselves at home among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. They married their daughters and gave their own daughters to their sons in marriage. And they worshiped their gods. The People of Israel did evil in GOD's sight. They forgot their GOD and worshiped the Baal gods and Asherah goddesses. (Judges 3:5-7 from The Message)

 I am called to love, sent to disciple, and instructed to be light in dark places. 

But I never want to feel at home among people who have compromised God's standard and refuse to line up their lives with His design and plan.

"...We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."(2Cor. 5:8)


There are days when I so identify with Paul......days when my spirit longs to cry out "Come Lord Jesus."     

Yet there are those who are not ready....
  

Driven...

Power. Money. Success.  We Americans seem to be driven by them. We drive ourself, and we drive others....pushed by a need and want for more, more, more....

As I begin in John 10 I realize that God has never driven me . It is my own desire that has driven me. Sometimes that desire has been to be more Christlike and driven me to seek Him with an honest an undivided heart.

Sometimes that desire has driven me away from Him.

Jesus  is a Shepherd not like a cattle driver.  Which causes me to remember how my father-in-law would deal with his cattle.  He led them.  He had a certain call.  They recognized him and would follow him into the corral.  They were led.  Not driven. 

I am led.  I want to be led. 

Whether led to it, led around it, led away from it, or led right through it...I purpose to follow Him.

I purpose to listen and follow His Voice, never to balk and run or to be driven by my own wrong desire.


(.....I understand a shepherd would sometimes injure the leg of a disobedient sheep, carry it on his own shoulders until it was able to walk again.  The sheep would become close and very bonded to the shepherd while being carried around, and when the sheep was able to walk and put down, it stayed as close to the shepherd as it could get...   Sounds a bit familiar....)    

Kicked out....

Ever been kicked out? 

I remember being kicked out of a click of girls in school. Of course, I was taken back in a week or so and somebody else was kicked out. 

I've known of people getting kicked out of college. 
I've known of people getting kicked out of a movie theatre.
I've even known kids who got kicked out of their home.

Most of the time, getting kicked out is a result of bad behavior...though not always.  (...I don't remember that I behaved badly in school, but maybe I did...and I am regretful this morning to have participated in that kind of behavior towards anyone else..)

As I continue to reflect on the man with new vision in John 9, I see that he got kicked out. 

This man, blind for as long as he had lived, now sees.  He is interrogated about it as if he had done something wrong. His family is approached. He is challenged about his honesty. The religious leaders throw out their chests and wave their credentials.

Then they kick him out.

Oh that will resolve it....right.  NOT!!

Rather than listen honestly and consider the testimony.....they kick him out.
Rather than honestly consider why they are so against such a wonderful thing....they kick him out.

I am thankful that I am given sight. It matters that some people don't understand. I may be 'kicked out' of certain circles, ridiculed, accused, or avoided. 

But that's ok.  I'll just keep trusting Him......the One Who gave me sight and directs my steps.

Declare...

I remember hearing my grandmother say "......well, ... I declare !!!  "

I don't recall just what it was that she ever declared, but whatever it was, I would have believed her. 

Being believed is a valuable thing. 

Continuing my study in John 9 where  John records the story of the blind man that Jesus' healed.  Afterwards, he is bombarded with questions.  Why were you blind in the first place? Were you really blind?  Are you pretending to be that blind man that has always been down on the corner? Just who did this supposed miraculous thing?  How was this done? If that happened, it was illegal !

ugh... 

I sure understand the response of this man with new vision.... "....I know one thing for sure: I was blind . . . I now see." (John 9:25 The Message)


I declare....I have been blind.  And Jesus has given me new sight. 

Why....

We look for reasons. We want to explain...

"...who sinned.... causing him to be born blind?"
( Jesus' disciples concerning a blind man in John 9:2)


"...I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble.. reap it."
(Job's friend Eliphaz in Job 4:8)

The age-old question...why do bad things happen to good people?

"No one is good, except God alone."
( Jesus Christ in Mark 10:18)

I suppose perhaps the question should be why not?

While scripture clearly teaches that we reap what we sow, it is also clear that we don't always get what we deserve.

Paul didn't deserve to be an apostle. (1 Cor. 15:9)
The centurion didn't deserve having his servant restored to health. (Matt. 8:8)
The prodigal son didn't deserve to be restored into the family. (Luke 15:21)
Jacob didn't deserve protection from Esau. (Gen. 32:10)

....and I have done nothing to deserve the privileged life I have enjoyed.

Why was I born into a church-going Bible-believing family?
Why was I born an American and not an Ethiopian?
Why have I not had some dreaded disease?
Why do I not have a physical disability?

There is no answer. Certainly, the reasons are not of my own doing.

What IS of my doing is the choices I have made. I can prevent some bad things from coming into my life sometimes, simply by choosing to be obedient and NOT choosing the participate in evil. (...it's that same principle of choosing evil, picking and eating the fruit from that awful tree...)

But just because I don't, doesn't guarantee a trouble-free life.

Just ask Job.

Can't....

Somewhere in my life I've heard it said that  'Cain't couldn't never do nuthin'....' 
It was an admonition to make an effort.  It was a warning that if you decide you can't succeed before you even try, you will certainly NOT succeed.

There is truth in the saying.

 We have to WANT to try....and it is really hard to want to do some of the really hard things...  Our flawed nature does not naturally WANT what is good and right.  In that, I'm afraid that it is true that we 'cain't' do 'nuthin' about it.

But God can.  And He will, but only by our honest request and permission, only according to His will and not our own.


"  You're the One I've violated, and you've seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil. You have all the facts before you; whatever you decide about me is fair.   I've been out of step with you for a long time, in the wrong since before I was born.

  What you're after is truth from the inside out.

Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.  

Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.  
God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.  Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me.

 (selected verses, Psalm 51 from The Message)



We certainly 'cain't' do 'nuthin' about our flawed nature.  How thankful I am that He is willing to restore mine....

"...Change my heart, O God,

Make it ever true...

Change my heart, O God...

May I be like You. "

Left....

I've never been much of an Elvis fan.  He could sing pretty well, and I could enjoy listening to some of his stuff, it depended on the genre...

I remember the saying, 'Elvis has left the building...'.  I understand that was first said after Elvis had in fact left the performing auditorium, and it was said in order to encourage people to remain in their seat and watch the rest of the show. (..seems people wanted to follow Elvis off stage instead of hear the next performers....)



Now I in no way equate Elvis with God.. but God left a building too.  God's Shekinah glory once lit the tabernacle. (Ex. 40:34) 

But then, because of man's disobedience and rebellion,  "....the Glory of GOD left..." (Ez. 10:18)

God left the building.  (...how sad, yet again, is the response of humanity to the Person of God.)



When God filled the tabernacle with His glory, there was no need of light.  After He left, candelabras were set up to dispel the darkness within the tabernacle.

Hundreds of years later, Messiah Jesus, God in flesh, spoke in an area of the temple, the temple where those candles were still burned. (John 8:20)


God had now returned.

He had returned to 'the building'. Not a cloud of smoke or fire this time, but in the Person of Jesus Christ.  (how sad, even again, the response to the Person of Jesus Christ, God in flesh.)



He told them He would leave again.  (John 8:21)  And He did.

But He left us the benefit of His light.  We don't have to burn candles nor do we grope around in darkness. He has given us His Word, and has sent the Helper to be with us in His place. 

.....until He comes back yet again.  One last time.

Stoning....

Throwing rocks.  AT a living person. Until they die.  That is what stoning is.

It was the death penalty of Biblical time. (...still practiced in some cultures today)

It just sounds horrible to me.  I can't fathom throwing a rock at somebody, especially with the intentions of it being a death blow. 

The religious leaders'  in John 8 suggested a stoning.  Not because they wanted justice, but because they manipulated the rules for their own purpose.


That old saying about sticks and stones?  It's a lie.  Words hurt and can bring about death. 

So I repent this morning as God shows me my words can be spewed out like stones at some guilty person, not because I'm concerned with justice, but because I too am capable of manipulating the rules for my own purpose. 

Lord, give me a heart like Yours...full of mercy and compassion.  I purpose not to be an executioner of those caught in sin, but an encourager, encouraging  them to leave it behind.