Learning to stand...

Learning to stand...


http://www.coolestone.com/media/17604/Funny-Baby-Animals-Walking-for-the-First-Time-2017/#.WaKsD-tHaK0

As I watched this video early this morning, I just wanted to jump in and help each little baby to get up, hold them them while they were learning to take each awkward step....I felt my mind and body moving to urge and support each movement to make it easier ....just I like I did when my children were learning to walk many years ago...or the butterfly to emerge from its cocoon, or the baby chicks pecking their way out of the shells....

But, the fact is that without the struggles, the learning is incomplete...if I had Christmas everyday, it wouldn't be special and I wouldn't appreciate it...

As a parent, I wanted to hold my babies hand all the time to help them walk, but if I did that, they wouldn't learn to walk by themselves...

Just as we have tests and trials, we have to trust that each one is designed to mature us as we go through each...even when we may want to just sit and not walk through them or avoid the pain...

I don't like trials, pain and sometimes learning new things...a new schedule,  a new routine or a new normal way of life...I want the comfort of the comfortable ...but that doesn't always happen....but usually, when I get through it, there is a blessing to be had, a thankful heart for it...thank YOU that you go through each "new" with me...always near....

James 1:4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Jeremiah 6:16a This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.....

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Tests and challenges...

Tests and challenges....

Here is it after 3 am...the smoke so thick outside, it looks like fog sifting through the streets, wandering here and there...causing my hay fever to act up as well as others with much more respiratory problems...so I am sneezing away waiting for meds to kick in...I am not actually awake with multitudes of plans and lists or tests and challenges going through my head this time...But still awake anyway...

This week was the week of the big eclipse.  It was fascinating to watch through the ellipse glasses, the movement of the sun, moon and earth...the slivers of light which was still enough  to give light to us all, even though it was cooler....what a amazing universe that God has created for us to live in and enjoy the spectuclarness ...thank YOU...

Yesterday was my late husband's birthday as well...many memories of past years, things we did, places we travelled..

And I am packing and moving with many decisions to make along the way...utilities to change, business packing, personal packing, people to see, doctors to change, things to do...tests and challenges...I have to watch my attitude of regrets and attitudes...and consider it a joyful opportunity...I had thought those thoughts this week and then this devotional was so timely....
I have God's presence, His Spirit to calm, comfort, to help...

I kept thinking about the big picture earlier and then the author reiterated it again ...I so love how God knows our every thought and speaks comfort into our heart through his Word, through life, other people...thank YOU again...

"Hi - I'm reading "The Jesus Always 52-Week Discussion Guide" by Sarah Young and wanted to share this quote with you.

"August 23
WHEN TESTS AND CHALLENGES come at you from all sides, consider it a joyful opportunity. Don’t waste energy regretting the way things are or wishing you could go back to yesterday. Remember that I am sovereign, powerful, and loving; moreover, I am with you to help. Instead of being overwhelmed by all the difficulties, grasp My hand with confident trust. Though you are insufficient to handle your troubles by yourself, you and I together can handle anything! If you view your circumstances from this big-picture perspective, you can be joyful even in the midst of your struggles. You have not only My Presence with you but My Spirit within you. He is always ready to help; seek His assistance as often as you need. One of the hardest parts of dealing with multiple trials is waiting for their resolution. Since patience is part of the Spirit’s fruit, He can help you endure the waiting. Don’t try to get out of hard times prematurely. Instead, persevere patiently, knowing that perseverance must finish its work—making you mature and complete."


"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.—JAMES 1: 2 MSG

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.—GALATIANS 5: 22–23

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.—ROMANS 12: 12

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.—JAMES 1: 4""

Banana boxes...

Banana boxes....

When I move I like a few banana and apple boxes for clothing...they have these wonderful cutout handles and you can only fill them with so much...just right...
the huge wardrobe boxes are great as they take a whole closet of clothes, but they are so big and bulky and then you have to get rid of them....

But, the stores rarely have the ones I like, as they go directly into the box crusher/bundler...I have stopped several times and no boxes were to be had nor would they save them...

Timing is everything it seems even in scavenging boxes ....

I happened to be at the store the other day at just the right time to find the produce men with empty apple and banana boxes...they were filling the bins to overflowing for the anticipated influx of eclipse watchers...the store was filled with people, gathering their supplies and I was looking for boxes...the timing was right...

I collected two loads of boxes, thanking God for his simple supply...my simple request and timing for us both...he does care even in the little things of life ....thank YOU...



Hi - I'm reading "The Jesus Always 52-Week Discussion Guide" by Sarah Young and wanted to share this quote with you.

"REJOICE IN YOUR DEPENDENCE on Me. This is a place of wonderful security! People who depend on themselves, others, or circumstances are building their lives on a foundation of sand. When storms come, they will realize how flimsy their foundation is; it will not be adequate to support them. You, on the other hand, are building your life on the rock. Your foundation will be more than sufficient to support you during life’s storms. I want you to depend on Me not only in stormy circumstances but when the skies of your life are calm. This is a daily discipline—preparing you for whatever lies ahead. It is also a source of great Joy. Relying on Me involves staying in communication with Me: an extraordinary privilege. This rich blessing provides you with strength, encouragement, and guidance. When you stay in touch with Me, you know you are not alone. As you walk in the Light of My Presence, I help you rejoice in Me all day long. Depending on Me is a most joyful way to live."

Psalm 89:15-18 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn. Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always,
pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Ashes...

Ashes....

This is a dry summer and the fires are burning up a lot of dry areas nearby in the forests as well as grasslands...
Sometimes the smoke is blown into the town where I live and other times it is  blown in other directions...
Yesterday I found it "raining ashes" outside...everything was covered with ashes from nearby fires...the ashes continued to "rain" off and on all day, covering more and more with its white/gray grit.

Earlier this year, I watched the movie, "the zoo keeper's wife", with a scene of the burning of the Jewish portion of Warsaw in World War 2....the "raining" of ashes covered much...lives and property lost because of the dryness and deadness of the hearts of the Nazis at the time...the hatred of God's chosen people...

On TV, we see over and over again the protests of one thing or another, the clashing of ideas, people, causes....some peaceful, some with injuries and still others with death and pillage...so dreadful to watch as cultures disintegrate into chaos..."wars and rumors of wars"...

Dryness and deadness of souls without Christ...spreading the ashes over much...

This verse came to mind as i watched the ashes silently float down...

Isaiah 61:3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Grief turned from ashes to beauty...oil of joy instead of mourning...praise instead of despair...

In the forests, there will still be blackness for a time, but new growth will come...and I have to believe that good will come after the horrors of the deadly protests...beauty will reign somewhere, sometime...God's grace will be shown...hope in times of ashes...

Thank YOU...

Psalm 23:3 NLT He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Patience...perseverance...

Patience ....perseverance...


James 5:7-11 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.
The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Patience is not necessarily one of my virtues ....I think over time, I have gotten better...but it did not come easily....I had to wait ....and therein lies the lesson...waiting ....

God gave me a husband who took things s l o w l y...when I was ready early, he was still getting ready ...when I was packed early, he was still packing right up to departure time...when I wanted to get things done quickly, he procastinated....tension?   Yes...but we had gained patience for one another over the years...we persevered through it...I learned waiting in peace....

The reward of this passage, the Lord's coming, and he is full of compassion and mercy while we wait..that is part of his character...what a gift we can receive and give to others...instead of our grumbling ( which makes matters worse and makes our attitude  bad)...

Thank YOU for your patience with me....help me extend it to others you bring my way...

Caring..

Caring...

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=7641

I matched this short video early this morning...touched...

It can be taken so many ways...hunger, caring for one another, etc....
It is a world wide, cross culture picture of emptiness...whether physically, emotionally, spiritually...and many of us have the means, the heart, the calling to share...a simple gift of food, shelter, the Word, care...

I see it at church with food donations, backpacks for children, school supplies, clothing, foster care, Christmas child boxes, etc...

We see it in the community with shelters, food, medical and legal help, etc.

I see it in myself...I come before God so empty at times...and he fills me with his Word, his truth, his love and compassion, his enthusiasm for life, his peace...thank YOU...

 Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 12:48b....From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Ephesians 4:28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

Psalm 65:4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Ephesians 5:18-20 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Old song...

"Fill my cup
Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy; 
And then I heard my Savior speaking:
"Draw from my well that never shall run dry".

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord! 
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul; 
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more 
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole! 

There are millions in this world who are craving
The pleasures earthly things afford; 
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord! 
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul; 
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more 
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole! 

So, my neighbor, if the things this world gave you
Leave hungers that won't pass away, 
My blessed Lord will come and save you, 
If you kneel to Him and humbly pray:

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord! 
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul; 
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more 
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!