Seeking Shelter

Monday has rolled around again....

I opened my Bible to the Psalms this morning...randomly...and these verses are what I read:

God is our refuge and our strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea....Psalm 46:1-2 NLT

If you've been following along with me, you'll know that I recently had periods of anxiety...anxiety that was so strong that walking through a door--yes, even thinking about walking through that door--brought me legs of rubber, shaking hands, a feeling in my chest that was overwhelming me.

This went on for several weeks.  Then, I met with some friends...we talked....we prayed about this situation....prayed blessings over this place.

Now...

I arrive.  I sit in my car and again pray blessings over this place.  Then, I walk on strong and steady legs to the door.  I put my key in the door but do not turn it.

Close my eyes...hand on the key...and say outloud--

"God, I need You to go before me into this place.  Walk in front of me and I will follow.  Guide me and lead me."

All I can say is--anxiety gone, pressures gone, and a feeling of peace has entered my heart and mind.

Thank You, God, for walking in front of me.  Thank You for leading me and guiding me.  Thank You for the peace that You have instilled in my heart and mind.  Let me be a shining light to others so that they can also experience Your peace.




strong as a lion; weak as a lamb

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Chosen in Faith

I was driving home one day last week, and I heard two songs which greatly touched me....to the point of tears:

Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as He decided long ago....Ephesians 1:11 NLT

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us....James 1:27 NLT

I will declare that Your love stands firm forever, that You established Your faithfulness in Heaven itself...Psalm 89:2 NIV

Soaking on SONday



strong as a lion; weak as a lamb

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True and Faithful

I am joining Peggy for her 'Friday Focus'.  The promise of God that I am claiming as my own this week is:

365 Promises

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does..Psalm 33:4 (NIV)

God IS faithful.

God IS true.

God NEVER changes.

God NEVER lies.

God IS worthy of our trust.

I have had 'trust issues' for a great deal of my life.  My trust has been broken in relationships here on this earth time and time again. 

Words spoken into my heart and mind.....actions taken that hurt so much that I felt I could not function....

And these words and actions were lies about myself that I began to believe....untruths that I took into my very being until I felt that these were the truth....

Words that evoke feelings of :

SHAME

GUILT

UNWORTHINESS

BLAME

UGLINESS

BITTERNESS

And the list could go on and on...

In the devotional that goes along with this photo, the words are written:

If we struggle to believe that God's word is true and we cannot trust Him completely, then we are in effect doubting God's very character. Every time we question God's Word or His goodness, we are agreeing with the Father of Lies and the continual accusations he brings against God. Just as this would hurt an earthly father, I believe that it deeply grieves the Father of Lights.

I am happy to say that many of these lies and feelings associated with them have been broken....broken by healing through Jesus Christ....a long journey of prayer and listening to God's speaking the truth to me. 

My journey is far from over....will never be over until I see Jesus face to face....

And I pray the prayer that is written in the devotional:

My prayer today is that Holy Spirit would make us aware of the unbelieving thoughts that come into our mind and we would break any power of agreement with them, for the Word of the LORD is right and we can trust everything that He does!







strong as a lion; weak as a lamb

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The Way to Think

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 praiseworty--think about such things....Philippians 4:8



strong as a lion; weak as a lamb

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Knocking At The Door

I am a day late again!!  It seems to be very difficult for me to post on Friday after a long week...

But, as Grandma said:  "Better late than never!"....I'm sure a lot of Grandma's had this saying...

I am joining Peggy for her Friday Feature.  I have chosen these verses from the many of the promises God has given us. 

365 Promises

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?...Matthew 6:25-26

And these verses go on to say:

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.....Matthew 6:27-34

If you've been reading along with me, you'll know that I have been having a lot of anxiety and worries over some situations in my life....anxiety to the point that it almost feels debilitating. 

I have been in this place before....about a totally different situation.  But, this worry and anxiety is not the way God wants me to live.  He wants me to be dependent upon me....seeking Him first....and He will supply exactly what I need to go from day to day. 

As I was contemplating upon these verses, a memory was brought to my heart and mind. 

I was a young girl...perhaps 8 or 9 years old.  I am in church on a Sunday, and it is so hot...just like the days we've been having now.  We had no air conditioning, only fans that were supplied by a local funeral home. 

These fans had pictures on them, and my fan on that very hot day had this exact same picture:

I'm sure that many people have seen this picture--Jesus knocking at the door. 

If you will notice, the door has no handle for Jesus to open the door and come inside.  He is waiting on the other side for us to open the door to our hearts, inviting Him into our lives. 

These verses from Matthew--they are Jesus speaking--speaking to each one of us:

Invite me into your life--I am here for you--don't worry about these things--I can take care of all of these and more--you are My child and I love you....

But, we have to make the choice, open the door, and rest in the assurance that God has the power and strength...will give us the strength through Him and not ourselves....

No, worry will not add a single day to our lives.  In fact, worry will more than likely take away a day or more of our lives.

So, why not give it to God and let Him handle all of these things?  He is so much more capable than I am!!



Strong as a lion; weak as a lamb

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Weak Yet Strong

Yesterday after work, I headed over to see two friends...very dear friends....and we talked and prayed about all that is on my mind. 

Wonderful, calming, peaceful.........interspersed with laughter and tears....words of wisdom and love from God....

I left their home, listening to the radio as I drove.  God often speaks to me through music, and I heard a song that I had never heard before.

The chorus of  this song, "Taste and See" by Jason Allen Rich stayed with me through the night and into this morning:

 

I want to taste and see That the Lord That the Lord is good And I want to be strong like a lion But weak like a lamb And I want to be Your child Broken and broken and broken again

As I listened to this song--these words in particular--an image came to my heart and mind....

along with these verses from God's Word to fill my very being:

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.......2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Yes, I will be weak like a lamb.  I know the Good Shepherd, and He knows me....calls me by name...tenderly caring for His flock...I hear His voice and I will follow.

And through my weakness, I will rely on the strength of the lion....and my weaknesses will be made strong by His power and not my own.

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Seeking Calm

Today is Sunday...and I'm linking up with Peggy for Soaking On SONday...

I said yesterday that I was struggling with anxiety...fear of the unknown...how this is definitely not the way God wants us to live. 

So, I am wondering why I struggle so against releasing all of my fears and anxieties to the One who loves me the most...the One who is control....the One who knows and sees all....the One who can take my fear and anxiety and calm me with a touch of His Hand...a word from His Word....

Courtesy of Heartlight

 I need to soak in this verse.  I need to let God take control, completely surrender to Him. 

God often speaks to me through music.  This morning I actually did a Google search for "Christian music about releasing your fears to God", and this song was #1 on the search.

As I sat and listened...sang along...tears flowed to the point of sobbing...crying out to my God...seeking His peace, His forgiveness for seeking other things before Him....



And as I sat here, watching, listening, singing, crying....the calm and peace of my God filled my soul.....

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Restoration and Healing

I'm a day late....

I'm joining Peggy for 'Friday Feature'--claiming one of the many promises our Father God has given us as my own.

This week, this promise has been fulfilled in me:

365 Promises





For I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds, declares the LORD. Jeremiah 30:17a (NASB)

These past two months have been a trying time for me....not feeling well...unable to eat many foods...abdominal pain which comes more than it goes....and the most trying of all is the 'not knowing' what is truly causing these symptoms.

Yesterday, I had a procedure which revealed the cause of my problems.  In the back of my mind, there was lurking the possibility that all of the symptoms put together could be a cancer growing within me. 

And I allowed this grow...bringing it to God, but not fully releasing this to Him....

I was to be at the hospital at 8:30 for a procedure at 10 a.m.  I was up early, couldn't sleep, and the anxiety that came with these thoughts, the procedure awaiting me, the outcome of the procedure...well, I'll just put it simply...I felt overwhelmed with anxiety.

I was alone in my home...no one to talk with to help focus my mind elsewhere...

Yes, I prayed....prayed and prayed...and still the restlessness and feelings stayed with me.

At 7:30 a.m., my friend arrived...much earlier than expected.  And, she was an answer to my prayer.  She came into my home...we talked, and I told her how anxious I was feeling about this whole day. 

Just the telling of this to someone, helped alleviate my fears.  God sent her to me.....I could talk with her and through her being here, I felt the presence of God as peace in my heart and mind. 

Many wounds from my past have been healed through the blood of Jesus.  There are many hurts that have just been swept away. 

But, as all of us are...I am still a work in progress...still walking along on my journey....and how easy it is to slip and fall in the lies of the enemy...allowing him to steal my peace and joy. 

That is exactly what I was doing by jumping to false conclusions....worrying about the outcome of something that had not yet even happened.....

This is not the way God wants us to live...

He wants to be omnipresent in our lives....

He wants us to seek Him for comfort and guidance....

He wants to heal our hurts and wounds....

But, we have to seek Him.....develop our intimate relationship with Him...remain in constant contact with Him through our prayers and our everyday lives...ever seeking to be closer and closer.

Yes, I did have the procedure.

No, it was not the cancer I thought may be lurking there.

What I have is irritable bowel syndrome....not something that is enjoyable by any means....but, this is the best case scenario for the symptoms I have.

This can be controlled through medication, diet, and reducing my stress level.....

And yesterday, I gave thanks to my Father for my friend arriving early...her staying with me and supporting me through this procedure....her love for me shining through...

I gave thanks for the many prayers that were offered to God for me...

I gave thanks for the good news of my diagnosis, and God's powerful and mighty Hand steering my course.

Most of all, I gave thanks for Jesus...the One who sacrificed all for me.....and you.

For it is by His wounds that we are healed.

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Time For A Party

I'm linking up with Peggy for Soaking on SONday. 

If you would like to join in, please visit her and link up!!  It's easy...just a Scripture or song--something--that has spoken to you through God....

So, I've not been feeling well....you all know this...

These past few days have been a test of my patience and tolerance.  The pain is not steady and constant, but comes and goes...I never know when.

Not only do I not know when, I don't know where.  These pains move from the lower abdomen to the upper abdomen....sometimes on the right, sometimes on the left, sometimes in the middle.

To say that this is starting to be a bit trying and sapping me of my energy is a small statement.

Yesterday, I finally broke down and had a 'pity party' for myself--a full blown party with tears and sobs and yes, a bit of anger thrown in just for good measure.  Of course, the 'party' did not involve just my illness that seems to go on forever.  Oh, no....the list started there and moved on to other things in my life that I felt were unfair, unjust, 'slap in the face' things that happened recently and long ago..

Doesn't the enemy know how to use one situation and stir us up into a lather of past issues--bringing them back to the forefront once again?  Situations that have absolutely nothing to do with the present, but push a button, and they are there...those places that remain unhealed...and he will work them to his advantage--if we let him.

In the middle of all of these carryings-on, my youngest daughter calls me.  We are supposed to go to a birthday party that afternoon for Danielle's son, Jackson.  Am I going, she wants to know.

Sobbing, I try to talk to her--explain my feelings and frustrations.  She listens....really listens to what I'm telling her.  She does not say to just brush my feelings aside.  She does not say that this is nothing and to get over it.  She does not say that I'm acting like a child.

What came through in our conversation was her love and care for me....the knowledge of this love....the caring she showed just by listening and being there for me....her willingness to help me do the things I've been unable to do (such as cleaning)...

And though my youngest daughter professes not to believe, God's love was shining through her--whether she knew it or not. 

God--what an awesome God--using my daughter to show me His love for me......

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago...Ephesians 2:10

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!....2 Corinthians 5:17

And yes, we did attend Jackson's birthday party....probably the best thing I could have done for myself yesterday...get out of the house and be with others...

As I feel God's love flowing through me, I'm having another kind of 'party'....a party of celebration of His love and care for me....

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Closeness

First cup of coffee on the deck.....

I awoke earlier than usual this morning....probably because of all the sleep I had over the weekend....resting and healing.

Up out of bed, to the kitchen, coffee in hand and open the door to the deck.  Oh, no!!

My nose is 'assaulted' by an obnoxious odor!!  A skunk!!  A skunk has been visiting somewhere close by, and he let all of us know that he has been here!!

Miles came in after spending the night outside, and I thought to myself...."Hopefully, she wasn't skunked!"  I reached down, scooped her up....no, she's safe and odor free. 

It is already muggy outside....a kind of closeness that seems to envelop your very being. 

As I sat there...thinking about this closeness in the weather....I thought about how God wants to be close to each of us.  He is waiting for us.  He desires an intimate relationship with me and you and everyone in this world. 

He is patient and kind....and He will wait. 

I, for one, don't like to keep Him waiting too long.  God has blessed me in so many ways, and I am on a walk with Him...a walk that will never end until I see Him face to face. 

So, I begin my walk for this day...with God by my side...guiding and directing each and every step. 

Sometimes it's difficult.  I have found that my busyness through my day tends to distract me from this closeness.  I go through my day, and I'm sure there are missed opportunities....things that God is trying to tell me or show me that I have missed completely....

I don't want to miss these God-given opportunities.  I don't want to miss His whispers to me.  I want to feel Him close beside me every moment of every day. 

And I am back to the very same question I asked a few weeks ago:

How is this possible?  I walk out my door...into the world....and sometimes I don't have a minute to think or feel....just move on what I've done in the past....through my entire day until I get in the car to come home again. 

My prayer for today:

Father God,

Draw me close to You--so close that I feel Your presence within me during each and every moment of this day.  Fill my heart and mind with Your thoughts and guidance for my day.  Help me to see all that You have to show me.  Help me to hear each whisper into my heart and mind. 

I pray that the distractions of the day do not lead me away from You, but towards You.  Help me to take each thought captive and turn the thought into a prayer--a blessing upon others rather than being negative or cutting. 

Lead me, bring me close and keep me there.....

I pray all of this in the powerful, mighty, strong, loving and most precious Name of Your Son, Jesus....

Amen

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A New Bird Song

I am linking up with Peggy today for Soaking on SONday.  It's easy and simple...just post a Scripture or song....something that is speaking to you today. 

I am again not feeling well.  The abdominal pain that I've been experiencing over the past month...which had stopped....came back to visit yesterday.  Thankfully, my daughter, Cara--along with Ryan and Lydia--was able to make the trip to the pharmacy for prescriptions and the grocery store for needed items. 

Woke up this morning--feeling the same as yesterday.  I know it will take a few days for the antibiotics to work--and I'm being as patient as I can be.

As I walked out onto the deck this morning, I  immediately heard the birds singing.  But, this morning was different.  There was one bird that stood out from the rest.....singing a bird song I had never heard before.  In my mind, I'm thinking..."Hmmm....this is a new song...."

And my heart feels this:

Sing a new song to the LORD, for He has done wonderful deeds. He has won a mighty victory by His power and holiness. The LORD has announced his victory and has revealed His righteousness to every nation! He has remembered His promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The whole earth has seen the salvation of our God. Psalm 98:1-3

After reading and contemplating on these verses, my heart and mind jumped to the Book of Revelation:
 

Courtesy of Heartlight

Phil Ware

which, of course, led me to this song:

God speaking to me through one bird with a new song.....

Have a wonderful day soaking in the Son...

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