A cross section of lives....

A cross section of lives...

It has been Interesting to get to know people on this excursion....it is a small cross section of America..as far as I can tell, there are only three Christians out of 46 people, there are Jews, lesbians, young newly  marrieds, several couples-married and unmarried, families with teens, those with health issues, others with abounding energy, quiet listeners, talkative ones, divorcees, Asian descent, European descent,  widows, widowers, friends, older newly weds, a foreign exchange student...many kinds of categories you can think of... .plus the native Costa Rican guide and bus driver... And there are many internationals around as well...Yesterday, I met some children from the Czech Republic...they showed me  cute little frog sitting on a huge leaf as I was walking along...you hear a multitude of languages at any given time wherever you are...

We are as diverse as the wildlife found  here...with howling monkeys as our morning alarm clocks, toucans sitting outside our windows, colorful birds and frogs to light up the green foliage...vipers camouflaged against the tree trunks.  

Our goals are similar, to live interesting and productive lives...with purpose...

Some of our end goals vary as with other groups of people ...but, we all have  a free will in how we choose to live...in whom we choose to believe..

But, in the end, we all have to answer in whom we believed...what did we do with Jesus...this man in Nazareth...who claimed to be doing God's bidding, who died, rose again, and sits at the right Hand of the Creator of the universe...who claimed to be preparing a place for those who believe in and accept Him as Saviour for all eternity ....

Thank YOU for this trip...this picture of the world around me...I pray that those who come in contact with me or others who are believers will see YOU in me...and desired Your Life in them...

2 Peter 3:9-10 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 

 Romans 14:11-12 It is written:“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,‘every knee will bow before me;every tongue will acknowledge God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. 

Hanging bridges....

Hanging bridges in the rain forest...

Yesterday we went on an excursion which was challenging to me to say the least...there were three trails which were to be traversed using "hanging bridges" over deep ravines in the rain forest..I chose the middle trail which included only three bridges and a mile and a half walk...

I want to add that the weather has been beautiful for each portion of my trip, but during this walk, the skies opened up and wept large and continuous drops....but, we are in a rain forest...so it added to the ambiance of it all..

So with rain ponchos in place, we trudged forward and upward and "overward".... The trails were packed cinder blocks through the dense forest...occasionally we stopped to see some wildlife, but even they weren't abundant because of the downpour ....a red frog here....a hidden viper there...finally reaching the hanging bridges ...I hung on for dear life as we swung, swayed, and moved over them...."look up, look up" I said over and over again, "not down, move with the sway, don't battle it..."

God has used this illustration over and over again...."look up, look up" through various life challenges....looking up to Him, not the world  for solutions and peace...."move with Him, not against Him"...and "hang on tight" moving through the obstacles, not freezing in place afraid to step out...

We eventually made it back to solid ground, soaked to the skin...(I was only dry from my shoulders to thighs, squishing water in my shoes)...exhilarated that we "met" the challenge...and "conquered" the trail...but the message of "look to Me, I am the way , I am your peace, I am your fortress, look up" resounding over and over through the mud,  water and over the hanging bridges..

Thank YOU again for reminders to look up to You...not focusing on the things of this world that hold sway in this life...hanging on to You, looking ode Your direction...

Job 35:5 Look up at the heavens and see;gaze at the clouds so high above you. 

Psalm 48:8-14 As we have heard,so we have seenin the city of the Lord Almighty,in the city of our God:God makes her secureforever. Within your temple, O God,we meditate on your unfailing love. Like your name, O God,your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;your right hand is filled with righteousness. Mount Zion rejoices,the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. Walk about Zion, go around her,count her towers, consider well her ramparts,view her citadels,that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. 

Early morning splendor ....

Early morning splendor....

As I write this morning, it is pouring rain on the lush tropical landscape.  Looking outside, the birds are even sitting under the broad foliage leaves of the plants.  They sit there as I,  watching the drenching rain, wondering  when they can flit about.  The usual low flying swallows which are out on the less rainy day have not even made their appearance to catch the multitude of insects which occupy the green lawns...

That is today's early morning splendor .   Yesterday was a different story with sun as we  floated the river in search  of  wildlife...that was  yesterday's  splendor....

Variety....in weather, wildlife, flora...people, emotions , needs...but   God does meet our needs in each one...splendor ....He is that to us...and so much more...seeking Him in all...

Thank YOU for meeting me here...please renew my strength....and saturate me with your strength....

Jesus calling-August 16
Meet Me in early morning splendor. I eagerly await you here. In the stillness of this holy time with Me, I renew your strength and saturate you with Peace. While others turn over for extra sleep or anxiously tune in to the latest news, you commune with the Creator of the universe. I have awakened in your heart strong desire to know Me. This longing originated in Me, though it now burns brightly in you.
When you seek My Face in response to My Love-call, both of us are blessed. This is a deep mystery, designed more for your enjoyment than for your understanding. I am not a dour God who discourages pleasure. I delight in your enjoyment of everything that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. Think on these things, and My Light in you will shine brighter day by day.
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
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
—Psalm 27:4
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
—Philippians 4:8

A hunger for the Word....

A hunger for the Word....

I liked this title from the following devotional...

I have been traveling in Costa Rica, purely for pleasure, but the Word goes with me wherever we go. It is found in the rooms with the Gideon New Testaments, pictured in the cathedrals we visit or pass, written into my iPad that I use, shown in the beauty of the creation we see, and it is written in the hearts of the people I see..not that it is obeyed  or acknowledged...but, It is there...I am overwhelmed by the creativity of God and the handiwork He has displayed here...how can we not see Him???

We have been adopted by a young man who is traveling with us...He  believes there is a god, and maybe in two hundred years scientists will be able to prove there really is a God...he believes in creation as well as evolution..and that there are various pathways to God..but science reigns in His mind...but there seems to be a hunger to see all that God has created....words may not draw him to God, but maybe His creation and all of its beauty can...pray that it might be...He is an impressionable young man who is of the age that knows all the answers .....

Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 

Romans 2:15-16 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them. This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. 

Thank YOU...that You have written Yourself into each one of us...help those around to hunger for and acknowledge You...that Jesus would reign In Their hearts....and be saved....

Hunger For The Word   A daily devotion for August 15th   From your friends at RayStedman.org     Read: Nehemiah 8:1-8       They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel (Nehemiah 8:1b)       It is not surprising that chapter 8 opens with a manifestation of a great hunger for the Word among these people in Jerusalem. Notice that this seems to be a spontaneous gathering. No invitations were sent out. No public notice was given. People were hungry for answers to their problems and for guidelines from the Word of God, and with one accord they gathered in this great square before the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the priest to bring the Law of the Lord and to read it to them. This would undoubtedly be the entire Pentateuch--the first five books of the Bible. This indicates the tremendous desire of these people for truth. They listened, while standing, from daybreak until noon! Certainly this long attention indicates how deeply they were aware of their ignorance about life and how much they needed answers from God. They were simply crying out for the Word. Ezra, the priest, the author of the book of Ezra, appears for the first time in the book of Nehemiah. Thirteen years earlier he had led a return from Persia to rebuild the temple and to teach the Law of God. Apparently he had been occupied in that task all through the time of the rebuilding of the wall. But when the people had finished their work, they were desperate to hear from the Word of God, so they sent for Ezra to lead them. It seems to me that we have come to such a time as this again. The prophet Amos predicted that there would come a famine in the world for the Word of God. People would actually be starving for answers to the problems of life. I find everywhere a deep hunger among non-churched people to hear the Word of God. Wherever it is taught with any degree of understanding, they are immediately attracted to it. In Singapore I was invited to speak to a group of young Chinese professionals. About forty or fifty doctors, lawyers, engineers, and others met in one of the high-rise apartments in the city. As I opened up the Bible to them, I quickly discovered that they were absolutely fascinated with it. When I had to leave for another appointment, many of them crowded into the elevator with me, and others came on other elevators down to the lobby, asking questions all the way. I got in the car, and as we were driving off, they ran alongside, still shouting questions through the open windows. I have never forgotten that display of hunger for God's Word among people who had not yet been taught the Scriptures. When the Word is opened up, people begin to understand themselves. When you know God you begin to understand yourself, because you are made in the image of God. These people in Jerusalem were soon growing in self-knowledge as they began to hunger for the Word of God. The great tragedy of our day is how few churches seem to understand this power of Scripture. Lord, create in me a hunger for Your Word. Forgive me for so often taking it for granted.       Life Application   When our souls are undernourished and we suffer spiritual indigestion, do we turn to the Word of God to feed and restore us to wholeness?   Related Message   For more on this portion of Scripture read the message: The Shining Light or listen to the audio by clicking:   Listen to Ray     Previous Devotions for August Next       Want to Subscribe?   Subscribe / Unsubscribe to this Daily Devotion by Email   Copyright © 2014 Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book The Power of His Presence: 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.

 

Costa Rica 1

Jesus Calls-August 13

Learn to enjoy life more. Relax, remembering that I am God with you. I crafted you with enormous capacity to know Me and enjoy My Presence. When My people wear sour faces and walk through their lives with resigned rigidity, I am displeased. When you walk through a day with childlike delight, savoring every blessing, you proclaim your trust in Me, your ever-present Shepherd. The more you focus on My Presence with you, the more fully you can enjoy life. Glorify Me through your pleasure in Me. Thus you proclaim My Presence to the watching world.

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”
—Matthew 1:23

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
—John 10:10–11

San Jose, Costa Rica 

This is the first real day of touring...up bright and early to be ready to go at 7:20 after breakfast...

Opened the curtains to sunshine with clouds in the background...but we have been facing a large mountain all this time and couldn't see it since we got here..so that is fun.  Today is poas volcano, escalonia Cloud Forest Trail, coffee plantation tour, butterfly garden and drive through the town of San Jose...

Slept fitfully last night so rest on bus as we travel from place to place. Connie watching what she eats for digestive issues...

But, I appreciated this devo as I have a hard time relaxing and enjoying life as much as I need to...always so driven...my expectations are that I should always be doing something purposeful and exacting...not taking time to enjoy the life God has bestowed upon me and provided for...and not only that, I judge others for having good times and then I feel guilty because I am judging and not have some enjoyment myself and judging them...it is a big tangle of emotions...

How we take things so personally, taking on guilt that is not ours, emotions that we don't have to carry..trying to solve issues that are we don't  have to...letting the thief steal from the joy that God so freely gives....

Thank YOU for the beautiful morning...help me to take The Joy from enjoyment and soak it into my soul...

Heavenly sunset....

Heavenly sunset....

 Last night I witnessed the most spectacular sunset and I couldn't get picture of it..

Flying to Costa Rica from Atlanta, Georgia, Both places were experiencing thunderstorms. As as we flew up through  the clouds, is was bit bumpy...the captain called it a "typical summer evening".

As we flew further into the evening, we were on top of the storms below...the arrival of the sunset.....there was a layer of black below, then brilliant reds from soft to deep black reds which colored the hundreds of thunder heads reaching into space...above the black bases each stood upon...ahhhh...

God must love the infinite colorful views He designs...each one created for that time and space...each one different from any other...just as He created each person....for a particular time and place...from the tall African Massi to the shorter Mongolian...from the Irish redhead to the black haired Asian.....and He loves them all...such creativity.....

Psalm 8, 139

Thank YOU for the Magnificent sunset as an infinite picture of Your love and creativity ... 

The note....

The note....

http://ipad.aol.com/article/2015/08/07/a-mom-gave-her-adopted-daughter-this-tear-jerking-note-on-her-we/21219810/?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000058&intcmp=hplnws

This note and video touched my heart this morning...I wish I had been as creative as this mother as each of my children arrived....

We, too, desired children, a topic of discussion before and after marriage...When the miscarriages happened, we were devastated...wondering what we had done wrong, if we would ever have children, if we were bring punished for something...no answers, except to wait ....we prayed and waited...then a son, another miscarriage, then a daughter, more waiting, then a daughter, more waiting and finally another son...with several foster children along the way as well....

Each child a blessing, each with their own fantastic personality, whims and wishes...smiles, grins and grimaces...

I see them each day as they scroll by on my computer from babyhood to marriage...their father giving the girls away on their wedding days....from school days to dancing through life...and I thank God for each...His answers in our lives while we were waiting...I thank God for the spouses He brought to each as well....perfectly matched...perfectly suited ....

Thank YOU, God for the children You freely gave to us....the adults they have become...the future each of them holds...

Psalm 37:26 They are always generous and lend freely;their children will be a blessing. 

Psalm 127:3-4 Children are a heritage from the Lord,offspring a reward from him. 

Like arrows in the hands of a warriorare children born in one’s youth. 

Genesis 2:18, 22-24 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” 

Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 

The man said,“This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’for she was taken out of man.” 

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.