Storm...

Storm… Webster calls it a rushing violent wind. A violent assault on a fortified place.

As I sit and watch a hurricane headed toward the east coast of the United States, threatening New York City, I wonder why we convince ourselves that we are fortified against a breeze, much less a storm.

It’s a lie.

“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above..”(the words of Jesus as recorded in John 19:11)

We have no power that is not granted to us by The Hand that controls the nature He created.

I fully understand there is a science of air flow, pressures, cold and hot atmospheres….all of these things contribute to how these storms form and move. But that does not change the fact that it is God's science, He is The Scientist !

“For He spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.
They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away.
They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits' end.
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble…..” (Psalm 107:25-28)

Then...THEN they cried out to Him. Isn't that always the way it is with us?

Did He send this hurricane? Good question.

I know one thing without question. He can stop or control it. He speaks and it is. Period.

Will He? Obviously not. It is happening.

What will the response be?

It is during times of threat beyond our capacity to control that we historically turn to Him.

My prayer is for safety, especially for those I love. But I also pray that some person who has never really turned to Him, never felt a real need for Him…would seek Him in a new, more real, more honest, and more complete way than ever before.

“ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”(Jeremiah 29:13)


I pray that this storm will be used by God to prepare people for a new beginning, with HIM at the center. When He is center, the eye of any storm has no power to threaten us, can never take away the calm and peace of a heart inhabited by His Spirit.

Hallelujah.

Metal...

Metal… What kind of metal are you made of?

When I was younger, I remember older people talking about someone’s character and use that phrase. ‘We’ll see what kind of metal he/she is made of’.

When the fire gets hot and the testing comes….you do indeed find out what kind of metal you are made of.

I don’t know a lot about metal working. I know that a new iron skillet is awful when it’s new…it needs to be heated and oiled, ‘seasoned’, before it is useful for cooking.

I know that silver has to be heated so that the ‘dross’ comes to the surface and is removed, leaving the silver pure and beautiful.

This morning as I continue my reading of Psalm 119, I come to this…


“All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes.
My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.” (v. 119,120)

Dross is discarded.

I reflect back on my life and I can see times of heated testing, and can be thankful for those very painful times. Now. Certainly not then. Refining is not pleasant. But it is necessary.

My God is holy and perfect. Everything and every one else is just simply not. We fall so far short of perfection, and we are so incapable of fixing that problem.

I too find myself in awe of His law, of His perfection. I too tremble when I see my imperfect sinful self compared to His holiness.


“Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
Uphold me, and I will be delivered.” (v. 16,17)

He is the only hope I have. His upholding me is my only chance of deliverance. “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” (v. 114)

Dark...

Dark… Walking around in the dark is dangerous. You can veer off of where you intend to walk. You never know what is there…could be a hole, something to trip over, a snake in the grass…..


It is wise to use a light. When you have light, you dispel darkness….you are able to see.

Scripture uses the concept of light/darkness often. As I continue to reflect on Psalm 119, I come to one of my favorite verses. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (v. 105)

God’s Word, what He has said, is the light that reveals the dangers we encounter. When we use His Light, we are able to see those things and escape harm. We can see where we need to walk, avoid falling into a pit, tripping up, falling and getting hurt. We can avoid the snake lying ready to strike…..

And he is there.

Are you able to see?

I confess with the psalm writer. “I keep putting my life in danger.” And I purpose that
“I won't forget to obey your law.”(v.109)

What God says, He has very good reason for. There is a snake…

Instructions...

Instructions… Do you read them first?

I admit it, I usually don’t. I arrogantly assume I will know how. But I will also confess…most of the time I end up going to the instructions.

We have been given instructions. How to live has instructions. How to have relationships, how to conduct business, how to deal with conflict, how to care for our bodies, maintain health, on and on and on the list goes… Instructions.

But we never have to read them.

Putting together something without using the instructions can be done. Sometimes we can get it put together pretty good. Other times it comes out all wrong. Sometimes it can be corrected. Other times we’ve damaged it in some way that leaves it warped and beyond repair.

So it is with our lives. We can opt to live it without going by the instructions, and sometimes get by without much damage.

But life is not an entertainment center. Regardless of how you try to make it one. And living it ignoring the instructions will eventually prove that fact. And eventually, it will be far from entertaining…

As I continue to reflect on Psalm 119, I read these phrases… “Your commands make me wiser” (v.98) “ I have more insight..”(v.99) “I have more understanding..”(v.100)
“I gain understanding from your precepts.”(v.104)

Following the directions, (obedience),…. brings about wisdom. Knowledge alone doesn’t make us wise….only the application of knowledge (obedience).

Reading the directions is useless unless you put the entertainment center together like it says.

Father, help me to “..keep my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.”(v.101) Help me to remember and to believe, that what You say, You say for very good reasons, always and only for my greater good.

It is what it is....

It is what it is… I heard that phrase used the first time by my daughter-in-law.

She used it in the context of discussing something she didn’t like, but could not change. I’ve used the phrase many times myself since hearing it from her. Sometimes a bit flippantly, I admit. I am prone to excuse myself from situations without really putting forth the effort to bring about any change.

This morning as I continue to reflect on Psalm 119, I discover this in scripture ! “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (vs. 89)

It is what It is. What God says, IS. His Word is spoken and settled. Not one single act of denial or rebellion changes that fact.

The problem is, it’s not settled on earth. Jesus prayed for that to come about, and taught His disciples to pray in that way. “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.” (Luke 11:2)

Like Eve, there is still a tree of knowledge that I can choose to eat from. Every moment of every day, I am faced with decisions and choices. I walk around that tree and examine the fruit, often hearing the enemy lies and sometimes falling for his deceptions. Every waking moment it is my place to settle it. My will, or His?

It is settled in heaven. It is spoken to me, here on earth.

How will I settle the matter today?

Father, “Your laws continue to this very day“(vs.91) Help me to “never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life”(vs.93) “I've learned that everything has its limits. But your commands are perfect. They are always there when I need them” (vs.96) Your Word….. It is what It is, forever. Let it be settled in my heart and manifested in my life. Today and every day…

Life....

Life… We have a heartbeat, we breathe, we move around…and we call it life.

We say ‘live it up!’ and do all sorts of things thinking that’s what we are doing….living it up. Yet the search is never ending. Where does it end….

I continue my study of Psalm 119 and identify with David’s words in verse 82. “My eyes grow tired looking for what you have promised”

I know what that feels like. Searching for that contentment, fulfillment, pleasure, purpose…call it what you like. It is endless....

Doing the do’s and not doing the don’ts. It is exhausting…

David also has the key in this section of his psalm.

“According to Your steadfast love give life to me; then I will keep the testimony of Your mouth” (Ps. 119:88 AMP)

Without being granted spiritual life from our Creator, we have a heartbeat, we breathe, we move around….and we wear ourselves out in efforts to find what He offers to provide.

Without the life that He in His steadfast love gives, we will never know how shallow and empty our so-called lives are. And we will never ever be able to line our lives up with a holy God and His Word.

Thank you that You have given life to me. Thank you Father for the power of Your Spirit, that enables me to follow You. “All your commands are trustworthy..”(vs.86) I want to simply believe what You say, and accept the help that you provide to me thru Your Spirit.

Addiction....

Addiction… It is rampant in our culture. Think you are immune?

You don’t have to have a drug problem to be an addict. It doesn’t have to be alcohol…or cigarettes, although those are some common ones.

I am addicted to caffeine. I like coffee, tea, cola, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate.

While I don’t share the addiction to television, I fear I am addicted to my computer and cell phone.

I don’t have any addiction to drugs, neither prescription ones or illegal ones. I don’t frequent porn sites, and I am not a gambler.

The reason I can say most of that however, is not because of some special thing about myself. I have just stayed clear of those things, choosing instead not to take the chance on having a problem or becoming an addict.

I have seen addiction. I have seen its destruction. I have heard the justifications for them, the excuses, the blame-laying. But addictions aren’t anyone else’s fault. The circumstances may not be our personal choice, but our response to the situation is.

An addiction can be anything. When we desire a thing so much that we will do anything necessary to get it…that is an addiction.

And an addiction is idolatry. The addiction has become god.

“Do not run after other gods until your sandals are worn out and your throat is dry. But you said, 'It's no use! I love those gods. I must go after them.” (Jer. 2:25)


We go after all kinds of things. Compromising all kinds of things. Then all those things end up bringing us harm. The very things we have pursued and sacrificed our character and principles for become the opposite of what we were seeking. Instead of blessing us, they becomes a curse.

“….when you are in trouble, you say, "Come and save us!' So where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come when you are in trouble!” (Jer. 2:17,18)

When the curse comes down on our head, we have no choice but to see the truth. The addictions in our lives bring nothing but trouble and heartache.

Praise God that His desire to restore us never changes.

"Return to me. I will heal you.”(Jer. 3:22)

Hallelujah.