Sunday's child.
Have you seen her face? She glows from the inside out.
When she speaks her words are like the softest blanket - warm and comforting.
She wants to hear all about you..what you've been doing. She doesn't talk about others.
It's been a long time since you've had a conversation yet it's as if the last time was just yesterday..
Words come easy between you and you share much laughter - you giggle and she "snorts"
Oh the joy of a friend of long standing.
When it's time to say good -bye you don't want to go ... it's comfortable and safe in her presence.
You each promise to get together soon...friendship has been called a gift you give yourself
Sunday's child is the friend (s) that the Lord has given.
Treasure her.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Needing Him
I’ve been poring through my notes and conversations with the Lord over the past 10+ years. Along with the aforementioned I have found prayers and devotions that I have written or collected over the years. The following is from past devotions.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
..."Because you have prayed to Me...." ~ Isaiah 37:21
Have you ever had your back against the wall so badly that if something didn't happen to change your situation, you were sunk? King Hezekiah was one of Israel's greatest godly kings. One of the greatest challenges to his reign came when the king of Assyria threatened to attack Israel and wipe them out.
The Assyrians were the local bullies of the region and had wiped out all other enemies in their region.
They mocked the idea of having a God who could save them.
"Don’t let Hezekiah deceive you. He can’t deliver you! Don’t let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the Lord when he says: The Lord will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria" (Isaiah 36:14b-15).
The world is full of "Assyrian kings" who mock the idea of a living God who delivers. At this particular time without God's help, Israel would not overcome. Their backs were against the wall. They would be destroyed.
King Hezekiah saved Israel because of one act. He prayed; and because he prayed, God moved on his behalf. In fact, God moved so powerfully that Hezekiah didn’t even have to fight the battle.
"Then the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!" (Isaiah 37:36)
The king of Assyria was even murdered by his own sons. Imagine seeing your enemy totally destroyed without one hand raised in battle!
Another biblical example of God fighting for His people can be found in 2 Chronicles 20. Spend time reading about King Jehosophat. You'll be blessed.
God wants to act on behalf of His children if only they will call on Him. One of the motives Hezekiah had in seeking God's help was "so that all kingdoms on earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God" (Isaiah 37:20). This is what happened; God was glorified.
God wants to let those in our area of influence (family, friends, co-workers, those we minister to) know that He is a living God. He can deliver. Would you join me in seeking Him today for the spiritual battles that rage around us (in our individual lives, our families, in the families of those He has asked us to serve in His name)? May we keep our motives pure, praying His Word back to Him: His deeds and His promises; all the while watching and waiting for Him to move again on behalf of His people.
Come Lord Jesus.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
..."Because you have prayed to Me...." ~ Isaiah 37:21
Have you ever had your back against the wall so badly that if something didn't happen to change your situation, you were sunk? King Hezekiah was one of Israel's greatest godly kings. One of the greatest challenges to his reign came when the king of Assyria threatened to attack Israel and wipe them out.
The Assyrians were the local bullies of the region and had wiped out all other enemies in their region.
They mocked the idea of having a God who could save them.
"Don’t let Hezekiah deceive you. He can’t deliver you! Don’t let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the Lord when he says: The Lord will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria" (Isaiah 36:14b-15).
The world is full of "Assyrian kings" who mock the idea of a living God who delivers. At this particular time without God's help, Israel would not overcome. Their backs were against the wall. They would be destroyed.
King Hezekiah saved Israel because of one act. He prayed; and because he prayed, God moved on his behalf. In fact, God moved so powerfully that Hezekiah didn’t even have to fight the battle.
"Then the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!" (Isaiah 37:36)
The king of Assyria was even murdered by his own sons. Imagine seeing your enemy totally destroyed without one hand raised in battle!
Another biblical example of God fighting for His people can be found in 2 Chronicles 20. Spend time reading about King Jehosophat. You'll be blessed.
God wants to act on behalf of His children if only they will call on Him. One of the motives Hezekiah had in seeking God's help was "so that all kingdoms on earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God" (Isaiah 37:20). This is what happened; God was glorified.
God wants to let those in our area of influence (family, friends, co-workers, those we minister to) know that He is a living God. He can deliver. Would you join me in seeking Him today for the spiritual battles that rage around us (in our individual lives, our families, in the families of those He has asked us to serve in His name)? May we keep our motives pure, praying His Word back to Him: His deeds and His promises; all the while watching and waiting for Him to move again on behalf of His people.
Come Lord Jesus.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Morning Reflection
Sunshine on the horizon
Puffy blue clouds
and God's flowerpot garden is calling me outside.
A breeze is blowing through the palm trees
The wind chimes are singing in unison
And God Almighty smiles down on His creation.
God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. (Gen. 1.31)
All things Bright and Beautiful
Written by - Anderson and Salsbury
Published by Word Music
"Each little flow'r that opens up, each little bird that sings, He made their tiny wings. The purple headed mountain, the river running by, the sunset and the morning light that brightens up the sky.
Refrain: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, and all things wise and wonderful; the Lord God made them all."
Thank you Lord for the beautiful brushstrokes of beauty that you have splashed all over Your land.
Puffy blue clouds
and God's flowerpot garden is calling me outside.
A breeze is blowing through the palm trees
The wind chimes are singing in unison
And God Almighty smiles down on His creation.
God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. (Gen. 1.31)
All things Bright and Beautiful
Written by - Anderson and Salsbury
Published by Word Music
"Each little flow'r that opens up, each little bird that sings, He made their tiny wings. The purple headed mountain, the river running by, the sunset and the morning light that brightens up the sky.
Refrain: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, and all things wise and wonderful; the Lord God made them all."
Thank you Lord for the beautiful brushstrokes of beauty that you have splashed all over Your land.
Friday, September 10, 2010
God moments
As I sit here contemplating those God moments in my life I have to admit that if I want to give credit where credit is due then every moment God has given me is His moment.
Thought provoking isn't it? If you, if I, are disciples of Jesus Christ then how we think, speak and act directly should reflect Christ's light. When I want to remind myself of this truth I turn to Jesus' words found in Matthew chapters 5,6 & 7.
Let's look today at how Eugene Peterson paraphrased chapter 5 in The Message -
1 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down 2 and taught his climbing companions.
This is what he said: 3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. 6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. 7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for. 8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. 10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11 "Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12 You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
13 "Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14 "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. 15 If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. 16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
17 "Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures - either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. 18 God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working. 19 "Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. 20 Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom.
21 "You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' 22 I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill. 23 "This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, 24 abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. 25 "Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you're likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. 26 If that happens, you won't get out without a stiff fine.
27 "You know the next commandment pretty well, too: 'Don't go to bed with another's spouse.' 28 But don't think you've preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices - they also corrupt. 29 "Let's not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here's what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile. 30 And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump.
31 "Remember the Scripture that says, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him do it legally, giving her divorce papers and her legal rights'? 32 Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are 'legal.' Please, no more pretending. If you divorce your wife, you're responsible for making her an adulteress (unless she has already made herself that by sexual promiscuity). And if you marry such a divorced adulteress, you're automatically an adulterer yourself. You can't use legal cover to mask a moral failure.
33 "And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. 34 You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. 35 36 37 Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.
38 "Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' 39 Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. 40 If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. 41 And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. 42 No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
43 "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' 44 I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, 45 for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best - the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. 46 If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. 47 If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48 "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.
Now dear readers those are God moments! Are you in? Ready to live His way? Let's pray for each other..
"Come Holy Spirit, pour your power in and through us so we can be a reflection of Jesus".
Thought provoking isn't it? If you, if I, are disciples of Jesus Christ then how we think, speak and act directly should reflect Christ's light. When I want to remind myself of this truth I turn to Jesus' words found in Matthew chapters 5,6 & 7.
Let's look today at how Eugene Peterson paraphrased chapter 5 in The Message -
1 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down 2 and taught his climbing companions.
This is what he said: 3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. 6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. 7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for. 8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. 10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11 "Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12 You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
13 "Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14 "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. 15 If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. 16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
17 "Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures - either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. 18 God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working. 19 "Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. 20 Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom.
21 "You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' 22 I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill. 23 "This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, 24 abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. 25 "Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you're likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. 26 If that happens, you won't get out without a stiff fine.
27 "You know the next commandment pretty well, too: 'Don't go to bed with another's spouse.' 28 But don't think you've preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices - they also corrupt. 29 "Let's not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here's what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile. 30 And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump.
31 "Remember the Scripture that says, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him do it legally, giving her divorce papers and her legal rights'? 32 Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are 'legal.' Please, no more pretending. If you divorce your wife, you're responsible for making her an adulteress (unless she has already made herself that by sexual promiscuity). And if you marry such a divorced adulteress, you're automatically an adulterer yourself. You can't use legal cover to mask a moral failure.
33 "And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. 34 You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. 35 36 37 Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.
38 "Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' 39 Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. 40 If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. 41 And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. 42 No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
43 "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' 44 I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, 45 for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best - the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. 46 If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. 47 If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48 "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.
Now dear readers those are God moments! Are you in? Ready to live His way? Let's pray for each other..
"Come Holy Spirit, pour your power in and through us so we can be a reflection of Jesus".
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
So It's September
It's September and as I contemplate what to write about I think of a book just finished sitting on my bookshelf. A book written by a best selling Christian author, whose writing style keeps me "turning the pages" for the next word.
Last week I read "Marta's Legacy Part I -Her Mother's Hope" by Francine Rivers. What a wonderful book filled with rich characters and a family saga begun in 1901when the mother of the title was not yet 5 years old.
I tried to take my time reading about Marta's childhood, young adulthood, marriage and motherhood as the story moved from Europe to Canada then California. I was captured by the storyline and after reaching the halfway mark accelerated my speed as I found myself now caught up in the give and take of Marta the mother and her first daughter, Hildemara (Hilde). I was in a hurry for the conclusion. However I will have to wait for Part II, "Her Daughter's Dream" to see how Marta "wins back her daughter" as she promises her friend Rosie she's intent on, God willing.
Though I was hungry to continue the story..right now...as I turned the last page I found "A note from the Author".
Francine Rivers includes personal biographical information about her family that served as the catalyst for "Marta's Legacy". To my surprise it was the "cherry on the sundae" for me. Her notes encouraged me to "open my eyes" to life happening around and within me.
As I continue on this writing journey the Lord has placed before me, and the many questions that sometimes plague me. I'm blown over by the tools and resources that the Lord is placing within my grasp to help me on the way.
Not the least of which are the prayers and words of encouragement of others which the Lord has used to "keep me at it".
I hope these Indian Summer days are finding you hungering for more of what God has planned for you and that with me, you find yourself seeking Him, with all your hearts.
In His grip,
Judy
Last week I read "Marta's Legacy Part I -Her Mother's Hope" by Francine Rivers. What a wonderful book filled with rich characters and a family saga begun in 1901when the mother of the title was not yet 5 years old.
I tried to take my time reading about Marta's childhood, young adulthood, marriage and motherhood as the story moved from Europe to Canada then California. I was captured by the storyline and after reaching the halfway mark accelerated my speed as I found myself now caught up in the give and take of Marta the mother and her first daughter, Hildemara (Hilde). I was in a hurry for the conclusion. However I will have to wait for Part II, "Her Daughter's Dream" to see how Marta "wins back her daughter" as she promises her friend Rosie she's intent on, God willing.
Though I was hungry to continue the story..right now...as I turned the last page I found "A note from the Author".
Francine Rivers includes personal biographical information about her family that served as the catalyst for "Marta's Legacy". To my surprise it was the "cherry on the sundae" for me. Her notes encouraged me to "open my eyes" to life happening around and within me.
As I continue on this writing journey the Lord has placed before me, and the many questions that sometimes plague me. I'm blown over by the tools and resources that the Lord is placing within my grasp to help me on the way.
Not the least of which are the prayers and words of encouragement of others which the Lord has used to "keep me at it".
I hope these Indian Summer days are finding you hungering for more of what God has planned for you and that with me, you find yourself seeking Him, with all your hearts.
In His grip,
Judy
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