The Majestic...

The Majestic.....

The movie, "The Majestic"  played yesterday on TV. The movie, starring Jim Carey, was mostly filmed in a small picturesque town near where I was born and raised for part of my life.  My mother was raised there, married in a nearby town and my parents lived 10 miles away, for 40+ years of their marriage..my relatives and now, my parents, are buried there... 

During the filming, there was a posted schedule of where in the town, they would be filming and what day..my mother purchased  a pot of red tulips and put them in the cemetery on the family plot...so, for a nano second in the movie, you can see her flowers in the cemetery in the background. My mom's contribution to the "film set"....

The movie came out in 2001, fifteen years ago. We went to see it soon after it came out. It was fun to hear about the filming first hand from my parents and read newspaper clippings they would share...a big deal for this small tight knit community.  

Watching the movie again, I recalled watching it before, first with my parents and then with my husband...all are gone...and here I am watching and remembering it alone...with memories of each person, their lives intertwining for all my life with mine...from birth, through growing up and life,  marriage...

It brings to mind another more Majestic...a song we sang, coming from these Psalms....

Psalm 8:1-9 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory in the heavens. 

Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 

You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. 

You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds,and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea,all that swim the paths of the seas.

 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! 

Psalm 111:1-4 Praise the Lord.

I will extol the Lord with all my heart in 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. 

Majestic...a movie remembered...and God whose name encompasses all..thank YOU...

  

Class reunions. ....

Class reunions...

This week I have heard that my high school reunion is coming up later this year.   But, of all things, it is for old people, those who graduated 50 years ago...I cannot believe that I am in that class...when I was young, I saw their picture in the newspaper, white haired, glasses, grandparents, retired....that was way in the future and it is now!

Then the anxieties I felt as a teenager all flooded in...the quietness, the uneasiness, the lack of confidence, self-consciousness of myself, my hair, my body type, my clothes... all the  nervousness of being a teenager struck me again...I should be over that, but it is there, lying dormant after all these years...those feelings of insecurities....

Will I go, not sure...facing fears that are 50 + years old...very little is the same, to be sure..

I was reading the Devotional "dear Jesus" this am, the author, Sarah Young, was thanking Jesus that He loved her soul...rather than her appearance or performance...which we get hung up with ...He knows our heart , and does not look on outward appearances, which the world and myself focuses on..

he knows our fears, our very beings...and helps us deal with those ...but, He really wants us to focus on Him, our life in Him, our love for Him, our peace in Him, our path that He has prepared, .....because His way is perfect...

Thank YOU, that You Are with me through all of life's events...growing older, teenage years, parenthood, widowhood...and even class reunions...insecurities...

help me be a light wherever you place me...reflecting your love...

Isaiah 54:10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken or my covenant of peace be removed,”says the Lord, who has compassion on you. 

Psalm 63:1-8 You, God, are my God,earnestly I seek you;I thirst for you,my whole being longs for you,in a dry and parched land where there is no water. 

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life,my lips will glorify you. 

I will praise you as long as I live,and in your name I will lift up my hands. 

I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 

I cling to you;your right hand upholds me.  

lyrics let them see you in me You Tube...

Lights...

Light....

The day is slowly awakening outside..the light is becoming more and more visible as well as the shadows are becoming less and less..the darkness is retreating ....

Ephesians 5:13-14 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 

This is why it is said:“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you.” 

That was my morning's opening verse...

 The outside objects become clearer and no longer await in darkness .  I turn my lights on and the rooms become visible..I no longer stumble around in the dark...

Light was the first part of creation..."let there be light"...."it was good" and it was "separated  from darkness"....Genesis 1:3-4...

What a picture, light and darkness. It is throughout the Word..light and darkness ...separation...from Genesis to Revelation ....light and darkness...good and bad...with the good, Victorious....Living...He is our Light...

thank YOU for being the Light...showing me the way in the darkness, revealing darkness in me...help me be a lamp to others...let Your Light shine forth ...

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Job 12:13, 22 “To God belong wisdom and power;  counsel and understanding are his. 

He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light. 

Psalm 18:28 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. 

Psalm 89:15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. 

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,a light on my path. 

Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

John 9:5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 

1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.

 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 

Goats....

Goats.....

When my family was younger, my youngest daughter still in diapers, we had milk goats. I know I have written about them before, but this video clip surfaced and gave me pause to think about those goats again.

Of all the animals we ever had, goats were the most entertaining, exasperating, cutest, disobedient, useful, tree eating animals we had...they would give wonderful milk which we used for cooking, making cheese, yogurt, and just plain drinking ...

When some of my family lived in and visited Mongolia, goats were used for milk, cheese, hair, cooking, and meat there as well..the babies kept penned, while the mother goats roamed to eat..is was the women's duty to milk them when the time came each day... Goat  meat was sold at the market, whole or pieces...

Goats are talked about all through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelations...both wild and domesticated....they  were used for their skins, their hair for spinning, for sacrifices, trade, their value....A sin offering and a scapegoat to be sent into the wilderness carrying " sins" on its back...they were referenced as part of one's wealth ...a variety of colors and patterns for their skins...meat and milk for the food of a family...they were and are part of the Mid Eastern culture as well as others around the world... 

Thank YOU for the provision through the generations of food which you Supply either from the ground or the animals You Have created for our use...

Everything has a purpose in your economy ....

http://www.coolestone.com/media/13906/Cute-Baby-Goats---A-Cute-And-Funny-Baby-Goats-Compilation-%7C%7C-NEW-HD/#.VqIrGIg76K1

Proverbs 27:23-27 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;

 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, 

the lambs will provide you with clothing,and the goats with the price of a field. 

You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants. 

Tightrope....

Tightrope...

As I was running errands yesterday, I drove past a park. Two young men had strung a cable between two trees and were "practicing " their tightrope maneuvers, balancing their bodies as they traversed the cable...I didn't see them fall, only walk sedately from one end to the other, with the ground five feet below...

It gave me pause to thought...am I walking a tightrope in life? With no safety net below? Or is life safe with the rope only a few feet off the ground? What is my safety net?

Then as I turned to Jesus Calling this morning, it asked the same question...as a Christ Follower, my safety net is in the Everlasting Father..as I step out in faith, He is there, holding my hand, ....if I fall, I fall into His arms....my balancing act is between Him and the world...which would I rather put my faith in...

Stepping into each day, whom do I trust? Each decision, who is my helper/ counselor ? Who gives me balance? Who catches me when I fall?

Who is my safety net?

Thank YOU for holding me  through the tightropes of life...the balancing acts we are thrown into in this world...

Deuteronomy 33:27a The eternal God is your refuge,and underneath are the everlasting arms.....

Deuteronomy 33:29b He is your shield and helper.....

Psalm 15:1-5 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?

Who may live on your holy mountain? 

The one whose walk is blameless,who does what is righteous,who speaks the truth from their heart; 

whose tongue utters no slander,who does no wrong to a neighbor,and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord;

who keeps an oath even when it hurts,and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest;

who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things will never be shaken. 

Romans 8:39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Truth....

Truth .....

 I was looking up the simple word, "truth" recently...

What a plethora of definitions..."relative", "factual", "firmness", "frankness", "faithfulness", constancy"... To name a few..."everyone's truth is different..."

So what do we base our truth on? We each have to make that decision, God has given us the free will to choose ...but if must be done carefully. It has an eternal consequence..."our truth or His..."

Truth is our core...the first first piece of armor, the belt that strengthens us...

These passages stood out when I was looking at the word, "truth". The WHOLE WORD is truth...but truth has much to say to each of us...Jesus is truth, He is the Word...

Thank YOU for real Truth,,not what the world gives, but what You give freely...  

Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 

Psalm 119----so rich with what the Word  does and our response...

Proverbs 22:17-21 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, 

for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 

So that your trust may be in the Lord,I teach you today, even you.

 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? 

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

John 15:26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 

1 Timothy 2:3-4 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 

This passage made me stop and consider my ways...I don't want Truth to perish ...and what am I doing to prevent that?

Jeremiah 7:28 Therefore say to them, ‘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. 

Our comfort....

Our comfort....

 A friend and I are having a marathon Griefshare session as We are spending the week together.

By day, we are working the sorting of equipment, books, accounting, etc that were the accumulation of our husbands' lifetime businesses.  In the evenings, we have been watching all the Griefshare videos and responding to bookwork that accompanies that class...it feels like everything is on hyper speed as we grapple with both the business and Griefshare information...she is only four months into widowhood...

This Journey really started five years ago when the two men partnered in business after successful careers singly.  Eleven months into the partnership, my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer and succumbed five months later. Her husband then took the full reins of the new company and ran it successfully until cancer and it complications took his life as well four and a half years later as well... Leaving two widows and their children with gigantic holes  in their lives and a business to motivate through....

Through it all, God has comforted, revived, held us....He has provided people who have advised us...helped us, encouraged us..He has loved us,  sending His word deeper into our souls to those hidden places that only He sees...he has prepared us, as well, through life experiences, to move forward, to rely on Him...

Oh, there are tears, questions, reminders of loss and gain, every hour of the day and night ...that we are on an unexpected journey ...but we have a eternal, all knowing, all powerful, compassionate Partner on this path...

Thank YOU, for journeying with us, giving wisdom, giving deep abiding peace, enfolding us with your loving arms....You alone deserve honor and glory...Praise to You....help us to look to You in everything we do...

Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction,That Your word has revived me. Nasb 

Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this:Your promise preserves my life. NIV 

Psalm 119:156 Great are Your mercies, O Lord; Revive me according to Your ordinances. 

Psalm 119:156 Your compassion, Lord, is great; preserve my life according to your laws. NIV. 

"My grief doesn't end with my comfort...." Griefshare participant , 

It goes in to comfort others...

The New Resource   A daily devotion for January 16th   From your friends at RayStedman.org     Read: John 6:16-21       A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, It is I; don't be afraid. (John 6:18-20)       Those are very wonderful words for us, because our Lord is saying these same things for our benefit. This whole incident of the storm and their precarious condition in their boat is designed to teach his disciples the resources they have in their risen Lord. This is why John follows immediately by saying, they were glad to take him into the boat. Their fear was immediately relieved when they realized it was indeed Jesus who was walking on the water, and he was in control of all events, so they willingly received him into the boat. Immediately there was further demonstration of the power of Jesus, for they were instantly on the other side of the lake, to where they were going. The three or four remaining miles of the journey was suddenly accomplished, and they found themselves at the dock in Capernaum. I am startled by the number of Christians who do not act upon this truth, but seem to succumb to the pressures and the problems of life and react just like a non-Christian would. They grumble and complain, feeling set upon and put upon. They despair and strike out and strike back; they rely upon worldly schemes to deliver them from difficulties. What is more amazing is how many times I have experienced the joy of Jesus' presence, freeing me from the circumstances, and yet how many times I go right back and react the same way that others do in times of pressure and danger. Yet, here indeed, is the sign of the New Covenant, the new creation: Jesus with us in the very circumstances we find ourselves; triumphant, in control, Lord of all those circumstances, the new hidden resource for life which is available to believers but which the world knows nothing about. This leaves us with really only one question: Why don't we believe this? Why are we so much like Peter, who, even in the midst of experiencing the power of God to walk above his circumstances, loses his faith and begins to sink beneath the waves? You can always tell the man or woman who does learn this secret, who does welcome the Lord into the boat of difficulty, who does hear his Word, It is I; be not afraid. When we accept that fact we will find that it reveals itself in our very countenance. People who have discovered this have a quiet peace in their eyes even when things are going wrong. They have a confidence that everything is going to finally work its way out to what God's intended purpose was. There is not a word of complaint or grumbling. They regard the circumstances as necessary to what God wants to do in their lives—which is always for their own good, for their own ultimate happiness—and they accept them. They are a joy to be around. When you go to encourage them you find they encourage you. Do you know why? It is because they have already taken Jesus into the boat. When people do that, they discover that they have already arrived at the goal toward which the rest of us are still struggling. They are already there; they have found love and joy and peace. That is why these accounts are here in the Scriptures—to teach us the hidden resource of life, the place to run to when things get overwhelming and we find ourselves pressured. And this is not something to be reserved only for the great trials of life. It is available for any time of pressure, or any degree of it. When we accept this on that level, we are discovering the new creation, a new resource the world knows nothing about. Lord, may I understand afresh the inner resources by which I can remain calm and confident in the midst of trouble and danger. Help me to manifest this, Lord, as a testimony to your presence.       Life Application   As our lives are rocked by worldwide turbulence, added to life's daily stresses - where do we go to find peace of heart and soul? Does the Prince of Peace have full occupancy in our lives?    Related Message   For more on this portion of Scripture read the message: The New Resource or listen to the audio by clicking:   Listen to Ray     Previous Devotions for January Next       Want to Subscribe?   Subscribe / Unsubscribe to this Daily Devotion by Email   Copyright © 2016 Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book Immeasurably More: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman, compiled by Mark Mitchell. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet.