Phone calls...

Phone calls...

I can think of only a handful of good early morning or late night phone calls...most have had bad news...I thought of that early this morning as the phone rang when I was just awakening...to tell me about a refrigerator delivery across the country ...(not mine)... He apologized...random...but it got my adrenaline moving...

I love the good ones....a new baby is coming, early morning birthday or Christmas wishes, just to say "I love you" calls...something good...

But, those late night ones are hard and usually sleep depriving with prayer...and maybe some tears...

I am so glad that God is always awake, always present, always listening, always available to lean into, listen, comfort, to hold...He is there for the good phone calls and the bad...He rejoices with us during the good calls and holds us when we cry through the bad.. 

Plus, He wants us to "phone" Him more often just to talk ...and listen to His words of wisdom, advice, direction... Even to thank Him for the moment...praise Him for the time...

Thank YOU for the good and bad phone calls....thank YOU that You are willing to answer/listen anytime day or night...time is not a problem for You...

Matthew 28:20b  .....And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

Psalm 73:25-26 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. 

John 14:18, 27 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

Without regret....

Without regret....

"101 things to get rid of without Regret--declutter today..."

 "New Years resolutions that are worth keeping..."

Detox for the New Year...

Exercises to continue for the New Year....

1001 places to visit...

Read your Bible in a year....

The New Year is here...we are one week into it...the new model sales have started, the "to do" lists have appeared...tax season has reopened its yearly data accumulation file...diets and exercise machines are being advertised...a year of "new"... 

So many choices, what is important and what is not..I did read each one of these articles..each had pertinent information that I hope to use..there are things I need to get rid of, resolutions that are worth keeping, the smoothie recipes are good-I have tried some, I want to continue the exercises, I have started on the places to visit and the Bible is more than worth reading again ...to name a few...

We each get the chance to choose what is important to change, throw away, keep and remain the same...but we need to get to end of the year "without regret"...  in our decisions...so we need to choose wisely...being ready for God's intervention as well...as His plans for our new year may vary with our own....

There are hugs to bestow, thank yous to be said, words of encouragement to be sent, smiles to be shared, gifts to be used ...add these to the lists and the new year may be brighter and without regrets...

Psalm 90:6 In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered. 

It made me think of this verse in psalms...this speaks of a new day..but I put for a year...we are given this piece of time..and I don't want to get to end of this year thinking my choices  making it a "dry and withered" year...but something with new joys, new understandings, wiser, good choices...

Thank YOU for your plans, Your new days...help me rejoice in each one....without regrets...

Taking for granted...

Taking for granted....

I love to take photos. I am not good with photos of people, usually...but details of flowers, scenery, ...I Iike that the most...it is amazing to see a bush filled with flowers and then get up close and personal and see the detail of each petal, each leaf...the ice crystals that form on the side walk in the snow, the birds, eating or drinking at the bird feeder, the hermit crab skittering across the sand, the howler monkey mothering her baby, a tiny baby's fingers and toes, the magic of a cloud formation or a rainbow across the sky, etc, etc,etc,...

It reminds me of the Mary Poppins' song, "Raindrops on roses" when I start listing out "my favorite things"...

There are many details I dislike, bookkeeping for instance....it is beyond me with all those numbers, checks and balances...I know it is very important and so appreciate those who think in those terms....thank you so much...

Reading about the ordinary water which Jesus turned into the best wine...Jesus did it with detail, telling the steward just what to do ...and it happened...something "everyday" to something special...like raindrops on roses may be everyday to some, but becomes special when the detail is observed...beauty .....

He does that with our lives as well, using them to His glory...each of us is special, even when we think we are ordinary...acts of service, prayer, words spoken to encourage, parenting, and so much more...God can use them for His ultimate purpose...Thank YOU...

"Our Lord is able to take the humdrum, commonplace, ordinary events of any life and with his touch make them full of flavor, fragrance, strength and beauty; to turn them into wine. He will do this with any of us as we faithfully walk with him, follow him, and believe in him. Jesus, please take my ordinary life and through your great power change it into something full of joy, beauty and strength.

Are we learning to observe and appreciate God's awesome, transforming work in even simple and commonplace events and circumstances of our lives?" Ray Stedman, water to wine

use me for your Glory...

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

"This is Jesus"...

"This is Jesus"....

Four years ago I wrote this...

"This is Jesus, counselor, the righteous One, the Living Word....

This is Jesus, the Son of man, the Son of God, Emmanuel....

This is Jesus, Redeemer, the compassionate One, The Lord of all...

This is Jesus, Teacher, faithful, gentle...

This is Jesus, the Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah, the Prince of peace...

This is Jesus, prayerful One, Alpha, Omega..

This is Jesus,  refuge, fortress, strength, shield ...this is Jesus, 

Beloved, Messiah, healer and friend...

The Light, the Vine, the Bread Of all, ....this is Jesus...

THere was a tune...., I have forgotten it and it came with my "songs in the night" that God gave when I was caring for my terminally ill husband...but it rang over and over in my head at the time...

I occasionally read my few scribbled notes in my journal at the time...I was so tired, so desperate, so clinging to Jesus' hand and strength....everyday was a gift and a torture ...bittersweet...to have time, but to see him fade away...to see our expectations, our dreams, our lives change so drastically...to see our children watch their father die was almost unbearable...they were such troopers....

There were friends who stood by us, visited, encouraged...came to express their condolences...those who prayed from far  and near...who dropped by with food, words of wisdom, but Jesus stood with us all the time-day and night....

Thank YOU for "songs in the night"... The Words You spoke and still speak...Your comfort, Your presence, ...."This is Jesus "....

Psalm 119:76 May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. 

Because...

Because....

To start the new year, Our pastor gave a sermon based on the scriptures, 1 Thessalonians 3:9 and 2 Corinthians 9:11-13.

1 Thessalonians 3:9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 

2 Corinthians 9:11-13 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 

Paul was so thankful because of the saints of Thessalonia, and Corinth..their service, giving and sharing of the gospel...

It made me curious about the word "because" in the Bible..there are over 1500 places that "because" is used in the NIV translation...

" because of this..., because of that..." The cause and effect...

There are blessings, curses, judgments, and many reasons..."because"...starting with Adam and Eve all the way through the end in Revelations..."because you ate the fruit..."  to " the beast"...

The major and minor prophets have many judgements "because of " the peoples' sins, turning away from God, rejection of His Word... 

Nehemiah speaks to God not to turn away "because" of God's great compassion...

I stopped in Psalms in my search...where was "because " used in these chapters? It spoke of "unfailing love, faithfulness, goodness " as did other portions of Scripture ...

Psalm 6:4 Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. 

Psalm 115:1 Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. 

Psalm 142:7 Set me free from my prison,that I may praise your name.Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me. 

Whereas Paul was praising man's character,  David was praising God for His character....but...both brought Glory back to God...which is where it all goes...

He is the "because" we have life...

Thank YOU, that You make All of Your Word important...from the "because" to the  "Glory"...

"The power of awe"

"The power of awe"

I have had the privilege these past years to see some awesome sights; the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Kauai Grand Canyon, the Apostles in Australia, the great corral reef, the fjords in New Zealand, the parks of Costa Rica,  some islands in the Caribbean, hold a seahorse or hummingbird in my hand, sail the St. Laurence waterway, travel thousands of miles of beautiful scenery, seen rose ice crystals on a pond,  rainbows in the rain, watched people grow through adversity,  the birth of another grandchild, my children and grand children grow and change, and much much more....all awe inspiring to me...

And I thank GOD for His wondrous creation and creativity..

I recently found an article by Jennifer King Lindley, "the Power of Awe".

"awe is the mind and body's reaction to being pushed outside of their normal way of looking at the world"...

"Awe expands your sense of time"

"Awe can bond you to others"

"Awe may make you healthier"

How to get more awe 

"chase what inspires you, zero in on details and the  complexity of creation , do something new, take mini awe breaks, spend time with kids, reflect on past awe moments"

Ask others what gives them an "awe" moment?

All this goes along with the song " our God is an awesome God, He reigns...."

But, the awesomeness of God in His Word is beyond my finite comprehension...He describes the universe, the multitude of people, the blessings He bestows, the heaven He is preparing, the Salvation he has given, the care He generously gives, the love ....and so much more....

Thank YOU for "awe"... Help me  to take time to be "awed" by You and all that You are and do... 

Psalm 65:5-13 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,God our Savior,the hope of all the ends of the earthand of the farthest seas, 

who formed the mountains by your power,having armed yourself with strength,

 who stilled the roaring of the seas,the roaring of their waves,and the turmoil of the nations. 

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;where morning dawns, where evening fades,you call forth songs of joy. 

You care for the land and water it;you enrich it abundantly.The streams of God are filled with waterto provide the people with grain,for so you have ordained it. 

You drench its furrows and level its ridges;you soften it with showers and bless its crops. 

You crown the year with your bounty,and your carts overflow with abundance. 

The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocksand the valleys are mantled with grain;they shout for joy and sing. 

Psalm 111:1-10 Praise the Lord.I will extol the Lord with all my heartin the council of the upright and in the assembly. 

Great are the works of the Lord;they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds,and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. 

He provides food for those who fear him;he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works,giving them the lands of other nations.

 The works of his hands are faithful and just;all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established for ever and ever,enacted in faithfulness and uprightness. 

He provided redemption for his people;he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name. 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

To him belongs eternal praise. 

Firsts....

First....

On this first day of a new year, a new day, I was thinking about firsts..first hours, first prayers, first children,.... firsts...

Just going through the Bible, not all of it...

-Genesis, God, the first book, creation, the first days, the first people, the first fellowship, the first sin, firsts all through it...the first rain, the flood, first sons, nations, blessings, beginnings...

-Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, migration of a nation, first laws...

-Joshua , a new nation and more choices ...

Joshua 24:15b.....But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 

 Through the Judges, Kings, Chronicles, all had firsts, choices in their lives ...

Psalm 1 tells how to walk, stand and sit...in what to take delight...

Proverbs 1 talks about getting wisdom

The major and minor prophets give us pictures of first and last days, who to follow and the consequences...who to put  first in our lives..

The New Testament, starts us off with the Birth of Christ, the firstborn Son, God with us,....and what and whom  to seek ....

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

There are over 480 references to "first" throughout the Word, too many to talk about in this short writing...

Who is first, what is first....those decisions for a new year...what do I want to be first in my life, both today and the rest of this new year??

Thank YOU for all the firsts in Your 

Word...help me put You first in my life..making decisions that make You first...