Pride, our strength or our downfall...

Pride, Our strength or our downfall....

“There she stood in all of her wedding glory...the day couldn’t be more beautiful...the church was decorated with the best of flowers, the scents permeated the room, the feast was sumptuously prepared...she had waited and planned for this day it seemed like forever...friends and family were gathered, chatting quietly waiting for the ceremony to start...but the groom had issued his last ultimatum...her pride, her arrogance had finally taken it toll, unless she changed her attitude, there would be no ceremony, no wedding, no marriage... his wedding garment tossed to the floor...

The decision lay in her hands...was she to continue and lose it all or mend her ways, ask for forgiveness and move forward...could she acknowledge her pride, her arrogance...could she lay down, turn away from a lifetime having her own way...demanding this or that because it was her “right”...the fork in the road of life had finally come...which way would she take....the groom loved her, had loved her forever, had nurtured her with kindness, and compassion, would die for her, but she was the only one who could make this life changing decision...”

Our pride can be a strength or it can lead to our downfall...which will it be?..

Which fork in the road will I take?   To the life that leads to self, self, self or one which humbles myself before a loving 

God who is worthy of all adoration and glory...

Thank YOU...

Help me to seek your face, walking humbly before you...

I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of your land yield their fruit.

Leviticus 26:19-20

But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.

2 Chronicles 26:16 

But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the Lord’s wrath did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah.

2 Chronicles 32:25-26

In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. 

He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord. 

In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. 

His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies. 

He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.” He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”

Psalm 10:2-6

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. 

Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 11:2,4 

The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day,

Isaiah 2:17

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

1 John 2:16 

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,

Galatians 6:4 

Looking for beauty...hope...

Looking for beauty...hope...

There are some some willows not far from here along a ditch bank in need a a trim job...growing profusely, greening up finally from the gray/brown of winter...

I know it seems like a little thing, but after the crocuses, the brilliant yellow forsythia, comes pussy willows...quickly emerging, then changing into leaved out spring green trees...another seasonal event to look forward to after the winter...

This year just as winter was beginning to wane, another “winter” of sorts hit....the silent, invisible virus taking nations to their knees, killing thousands, creating economic and emotional chaos...it marches on with daily death counts, new rules of social order, a feeling of hopelessness, aloneness even in a world of instantaneous communications...

On my “allowed” walk, I picked some of those pussy willows, to me a sign of spring and hope...to place in my home...(another couple, keeping their “social distance “ asked where I got it)...they, too wanted that symbol of spring and hope in our upheavelled world...

As I contemplated this little act, I realized I was looking for beauty amongst the ashes...Something good from the bad...a visual picture...something to hold in my hand...a gift from my Father of hope...not that it isn’t in the Word...I read that every day, know it in the spirit...hope prevails as does His love...

But, every spring I look for those pussy willows, new life...after the winter...a gift to me personally...from the Father...( I have written in the past that my husband would find them and bring them as a simple gift in the spring to adorn our home, thank you, Don)...(my kids know I look for them...)

Hope can be in the unseen and hope can also be seen...in these days of unrest and unknown, we need it ...it is there for the picking...there for the heart in the love...there for the soul in the Word...there for the mind in the Spirit....He is there, here surrounding us in His beauty with a hope for all eternity through His Son, Jesus...thank YOU...

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:5 

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31 

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/scriptures-that-prove-god-is-still-sovereign-amidst-coronavirus.html?utm_source=Daily%20Bible%20Living&utm_campaign=Daily%20Bible%20Living%20-%20BibleStudyTools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=3170949&bcid=e1a52089598d423137c1dd502a549a53&recip=532179195%20

Escaping...

Escaping...

I escaped from my home yesterday to meet one of my daughters, then to hand off my short grocery list as she was venturing into the unknown of a local grocery store not knowing what was available for that day...

What a turnaround from just a month ago!!!

Driving to meet her, I passed pastures of cows with their newborns, goats with their tiny kids and finally sheep with their little lambs...as well as apple, pear, cherry trees on the verge of bursting into prolific blooms...spring is here or nearly so...still a nip in the air as passing showers drop hail, rain, sleet and at higher elevations, snow...yes, definitely spring...

But, I enjoyed the short won freedom, oh yes...even though I felt almost like a criminal driving around...when the orders are to stay at home except for necessities...

Eight years ago, I left our apartment for a short time, from staying with my cancer ridden husband for nearly five months...it was a dizzying occasion...I was almost disoriented in being outside after the confinement...he wasn’t alone, someone was here with him...but I found life was still going on out of the confines of the apartment...new life was happening, the sun was shining, lambs were being born, etc...even though our lives had taken an abrupt detour in our plans...

God was in the confines of the apartment, as well as the outside world...seasons were happening, life was going on and He was there...just as now with the world in “lockdown “...His presence never leaves...we may not notice, we may not even acknowledge...but, He is holding us, speaking to us in our hearts, loving us, protecting us all of our numbered days...thank YOU...

Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 

Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. 

You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.

Psalm 86:1-4 

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.

James 5:7-8 -

What is good...

What is good...

I went to bed emotionally and physically exhausted last night....the constant barge of negative news, worldwide unrest, news of friends and family under stress, the aloneness of this worldwide pandemic, the search for food, the sheltering in place is emotionally exhausting...I will be the first to admit...I like things planned out, knowing the plans and executing them...that logical, sequential thinking...

This isn’t the first time for the world to be like this, but with instant communications we know everything speedily...the locusts in Africa, the spreading of disease, the death tolls, the market volatility...we get a first hand view it feels....(hardly anything about wars and rumor of wars that we had a month ago... which is different...)

But, there is so much good going as well,  simple and complex....egg delivery to shut ins, hundreds constructing surgical hats and cloth masks, sacrifice of medical personnel to fight this insidious disease, grocery clerks handling crowds of customers, delivery people, researchers relentlessly searching for some sure, factories reconfiguring to help with shortages,  virtual hugs, food pantries, churches online, exercise instructors encouraging us to stay fit...and a million other things...being “ready to do whatever is good”...

I woke up this morning, thanking God for a new day, a good night’s rest...praising Him....I have no idea where these days are leading, if they are continuing, the final outcome...but there is good to be done in the midst of it...

Turing to my place in scripture first thing, Titus 3, Paul was reminding Titus to teach this very thing hundreds of years ago...the times may be different, but God’s Word speaks across the years...it was good then, good now and forevermore...It is eternal...teaching us day by day...living...

Thank YOU...

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. 

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. 

These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

Titus 3:1-2,4-9,14

Songs...studies,,,care...

Songs...studies...care...

These three items came in my mail this morning...

First the song list...when my husband was dying of cancer, I asked .god to give me songs to replenish my soul. 

each morning going through those times, a song was brought to mind...He gave me songs to soothe my soul, to give Him glory, to remind me of his faithfulness even when I questioned, “why”.  My journal entries   lists  those songs...the following is a compiled list of songs from Crosswalk to consider during these unprecedented times...

https://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/songs-to-experience-gods-presence-in-a-pandemic.html?utm_source=Daily%20Bible%20Living&utm_campaign=Daily%20Bible%20Living%20-%20BibleStudyTools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=3161624&bcid=dad4cb6ffa9cb8224d8b23b17fc6f551&recip=488704412%20

I just finished this book by Max Lucado. A free downloadable book, study.   A worthy book ...

https://www.faithgateway.com/anxious-for-nothing-obs-registration/?utm_source=sgobs&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=letterfrommax&utm_term=afnobs2

Then, this weekly Bible study with Jennifer  Rothschild...an amazing woman, teacher, author, speaker...

Bible study bistro with Jennifer Rothschild, studying Isaiah 40, on Facebook, starting Tuesday March 31.

A friend and I had the privilege of going on an inspirational cruise with Jennifer as the speaker along with Kirk Cameron and his wife-Chelsea, David O’Brien-musician...

These are a smattering of things available online...speakers, church pastor speakers, etc. are ramping up to encourage people around the world in these new waters in which we are swimming...

God is faithful to provide...thank YOU....

 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2 

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” ...

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:6, 8

In the midst....

In the midst....

I walk now a little more outdoors as the weather is warming a little...there are different paths to take...each having a variety of scenery.

One of my five year old grandsons walked with me the other day. At his heights, he sees a different perspective, things closer to the ground or on the ground...the bugs, the rocks, the clods of mud, the pine cones....a bridge to look through at the moving water below on his knees observing a forgotten tire covered with moss, the pair of ducks which have begun setting on a nest, an entangled, forgotten tennis shoe washed from who knows where...

But we amble along, observing the beginnings of spring...the crocus, the daffodils, the forsythia in brilliant yellow, the flowering trees ready to burst into bloom...dandelions, of course, making their presence known in this lawn or that...change from winter...just as the world as we knew it last month has changed...

With everyday, everywhere, everyone in anxiety mode or even panic mode, overworked, under worked, expectant of another rule or regulation, another announcement of strictness, financial ruin or near miss...

In the midst of that, spring is starting to show its colors and changes...Lord, help me see the beauty in the midst of the ashes...help me see Your order in the midst of the confusion....help me see Your smile and heart of compassion in the midst the chaos....help me me hear Your, “do not be afraid”, in the midst of the storm...help me live in Your “peace that passes all understanding” in the midst of anxiousness...help me be thankful in the midst of ungratefulness...help me give you my burdens in the midst of crushing worries...help me realize that with You nothing is too hard to bear...help me see needs of others in the midst of want..

For You are in the midst...nothing is a surprise...You are still in control...

Thank YOU...

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord .

Psalm 27:13-14 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 

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 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Grump meter...

Grump meter....

A few weeks ago, our local paper published a “grump meter” drawn and painted by a local artist about depression...

It is divided into sections called “calm, grumpy, caution, stop and finally explode”....

Also, there were various authors and articles about depression...

Thinking of what we are experiencing locally, nationally and worldwide with the coronavirus right now, depression is being addressed as people are encouraged to isolate, not touch, quarantine, stay away from others, etc...plus all the economic strains on people for work, shut downs...this could lead to this picture of a grump meter...

Not all people are okay with being shut in apartments, houses or whatever shelter they reside...there may not be parks or good weather to enjoy...they may not enjoy each other’s company that much either...there are homes where discord is the norm, abuse resides making the grump meter only hit the explode button....

On the other hand, there maybe an explosion of babies in the next nine months, as joke traveling around says, popular name of girls, “charmin”...

I like touch, I like hugs, greetings of friends and families...we need one another...

Every once in awhile I picture Jesus picking the children and holding them in His lap, talking, joking, smiling at them...showing how they are loved and special to Him...

He is doing that for me right now as well and any who come to Him...He is our encouragement , our comfort in these trying times...oh, He uses us   to reach out as well...we can be his encouragers to others...phone calls, face times, notes, Facebook, whatever ....spreaders of peace and not discontent...sowers of love, not turmoil....no exploding , but creating calm in this storm of uncertainty...thank YOU...

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

Proverbs 29:11

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-25 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 

Passing through...

Passing through...

The movie, “The Ten Commandments”, starring Charlton Heston  made it debut in 1956. It was bigger than life it seemed..I barely could see over the seats in the theater. It went on to be a yearly movie to watch around Passover time in the spring...a true classic movie...the director took some liberties with the Word when I look back on it now, but the bigness,  the crowds, the scenery, people were impressive...it definitely made the time period come alive...

A friend suggested that this coronavirus reminds him of that Bible passage...only now instead of the Israelites being saved with lamb’s blood over their doors, this virus can affect everyone especially those over 60...so we are being warned to self quarantine, hunker down in our own homes...

I was rereading the scripture about the Passover, looking up “angel of death”, but it wasn’t angel who went over the land, it was the Lord, Himself.  “ I will” pass through, bring judgment, pass over, strike...He didn’t leave it to his created beings, He did it Himself...”I am the Lord”...it was that serious...He was that serious...saving His beloved chosen People as He promised...Abraham’s seed...

“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

Exodus 12:12-13

Later, in another scripture, He did send and angel to accomplish his will over the Assyrian camp...God was just as serious about saving this city, but sent an angel instead...

“Therefore this is what the Lord says concerning the king of Assyria: “‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. 

He will not come before it with shield or build a siege ramp against it. 

By the way that he came he will return; he will not enter this city, declares the Lord. 

I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant.’” 

That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. 

When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies! 

So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. 

He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.

2 Kings 19:32-36

Predictions for this virus are to affect 70% of the population. My mind pictures the dark cloud that covered the land, the wails of mourning from the movie...I am not sure of where or who this coronavirus will afflict, not sure if this is a judgment or part of the decaying world we live in, but God is in Control, has been, is now and always will be...this is no surprise to Him...thank YOU...

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 

You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 

You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; 

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 

With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. ”

Psalm 91:1-16 

Psalm 91...

Psalm 91

A letter arrived in my email yesterday challenging all who would to read and pray through psalm 91 in these times of world restlessness...

Each day, the news reports new restrictions, new helps, new outbreaks of this virus, covid-19...

We get graphs of where it is popping up, connections, descriptions, what to do and not do, markets falling , money lost, who is affected and how, etc...

Our fears have run rampant...there is no doubt that this is real...thank YOU for your word...may it add strength to our lives...reliance on You...

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 

You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 

You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 

With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. ”

Psalm 91:1-16 

https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/ask-roger/god-and-coronavirus-is-it-a-sign-of-the-end-times.html?utm_source=Daily%20Bible%20Living&utm_campaign=Daily%20Bible%20Living%20-%20BibleStudyTools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=3132045&bcid=dad4cb6ffa9cb8224d8b23b17fc6f551&recip=488704412%20

Valiant warriors...

Valiant warriors...

valiant 

Definition of valiant

1

: possessing or acting with bravery or boldness : COURAGEOUS

valiant soldiers

2

: marked by, exhibiting, or carried out with courage or determination : HEROIC

valiant feats

I have lost two relatives recently, an aunt and a cousin, Parkinson’s and cancer...one 80+ and the other in his 50’s...one on each side of my family...

Each,  I would characterize as valiant warriors, battling and/or bearing with their maladies in years, not days or months...

I would also classify their families as valiant warriors as well. Tending, caring, encouraging, standing by, loving and finally letting go...

Both well known in their respective communities...teachers, supporters, parents, encouragers, loving family members, friends of many...

Each of us has our own paths through this earthly journey...we can choose our eternal destiny, Christ or no Christ...

He speaks to our hearts...with ...

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

John 6:29 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

John 14:1-4 

David speaks thus...

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Psalm 73:25-26,28 

To his son Solomon ...

“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’

1 Kings 2:2-4

Even though I won’t have a successor to 

David’s throne, I pray my descendants follow God...

Courage to be a valiant warrior before the Lord...in His name... to follow, the stand firm in Christ’s love and for His ways...

Thank YOU that you give us courage in times of battle..You carry us through...in Your strength we are strengthened...