The other day I went for a much needed walk. After spending the morning studying and preparing to take an online exam I just needed some good fresh air before the exam. I love walking here because just down the road from our house is the river with a running/walking/biking trail that goes for 8 miles. It's pretty in all seasons. As I was coming near to were the trail begins I was struck by this tree on the side of the road. I stopped and just looked at it. (You can click on the image to enlarge it.)
I thought about Jesus - the crown of thorns that was put on his head. I have never seen a tree with such big thorns. Jesus endured this crown made out of thorns for me - for you. Matthew 27:29 "and then twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on his head...they mocked him saying, "Hail, King of the Jews."
I cannot comprehend his love for me. I cannot comprehend that he thought of me as he endured the suffering. I cannot comprehend that he took all of my sin on himself. I can only imagine the pain of just one of those thorns in my head. Because of what Jesus did the following verse tells us what we receive. Wow!
Isaiah 61:10 "I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
Lets live today claiming the truth - that we are forgiven and free.
Have you ever been concerned about money/finances? Have you ever been at a point in life when you didn't know how you were going to pay your next bill? Have you ever been or are you at a point in life where finances are not a concern? I've been on both ends. I bring this topic up because I was reading in 1 Timothy this morning. Paul is writing "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils."
I found myself thinking that I don't desire to be rich so I'm ok. NOT! I felt convicted that even spending too much time focussing on money, even the basic needs and wondering where it will come from is harmful. It can take my focus off what's important. The next verse says that "many have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." Wouldn't that make sense that the more you give money much of your attention it often becomes a distraction and begins to become more of a challenge? The definition of pang is 'a sudden feeling of mental or emotional distress or longing.' One thought can lead to the next and pretty soon it has become monumental.
Here is where our attention should be. A few verses later: "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith." Those in battle do not shrink back. I want to fight the good fight of faith.
I feel honored that my daughters call me their friend. What greater gift could a mother receive. I feel honored that they want to talk on the phone with me (even though I am not a fan of talking on the phone. :)) and that they want to hang out with me. This past week I have been able to do this more as we have had both of our cars in Michigan for some much needed car repairs. Our son in law works for a tire/car company and the discount is worth the drive. Thanks Eric!
My grandson is 2 1/2 and has discovered make believe play. It's fun to play with him or just watch and listen to him in the next room. He is happy to play with little characters and have conversations with them. If one of them falls on the floor he quickly picks it up followed by "he's ok." When we were getting ready to come home last night my husband picked up his shoes and began to untie the knots in the laces. He looked at him and said "no tie shoes." He didn't want him to leave. Why would he really - grandpa had time to sit on the sofa and play make believe with him. They are buddies and it's the cutest thing ever.
Me and my grandson watching a duck.
As we spent time hanging out with our grandchildren (others to be featured in future blogs) and grown children, I was remined this morning of our friendship with Jesus. I was reading John 15 this morning. "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I call you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me but I chose you..." I am humbled that Jesus would call me his friend. And I am even more humbled to know that Jesus has told us what he heard from God the Father. Think about that. All that Jesus heard from his Father he has told us. WOW!
Today I am winding down from my first day of clinicals yesterday at a skilled long term care facility. This is completely a new work experience for me. Completely new!! A few things stick out in my mind from ladies in their 80's and 90's - "I'm sorry that you had to clean me up, I am so sorry; thank you so much, thank you so much." - "I like you." - "I have 5 children but 4 of them have died - why did that happen to me?" - "When you are 94 years old you just can't do things anymore." - "I use to tell my son what to do, now he tells me what to do."
Needless to say it took me a while to fall asleep last night. I am processing the path that God has me on. Not in a bad way, just processing. I don't know if I will work in this type of facility or a hospital, but wherever it is God is definitely shaping me.
I see God working in the life on my youngest daughter, now a freshman in college. I see how much she is growing and learning. Kinda blowing me away actually. She is awesome. I love hearing her tell me this morning how she was talking with another friend and telling him how thankful she is that we moved to Ohio. She can see God's hand at work.
And I have to add my husband here. He has been working at an inner city ministry and growing and experiencing ministry in a way that he never has. Praying with men, teaching them how to communicate with others, talking about Jesus with them, talking men down from fighting...etc. He is pretty beat when he gets home.
The three of us living in this house are definitely facing some new ventures in life. Change can create tension, tears and even fears. But change creates joys, growth and new life. Think about the changes in your life. Can't you see how without that change you may never have reached the point in life you are at?
I love being in worship to Jesus through music. I love just opening up my hands and being completely open and vulnerable before him. Holding nothing back. As I was blogging I was listening to a Pandora station and the following song came on. Take a moment to just worship your creator. He loves you and he is calling you to him. If you have felt far off from God lately, remember he is right there, hands outstretched for you, hands reaching to take hold of yours. Close your eyes, open your hands, open your heart and worship him.
The definition of Majesty is supreme greatness of authority; sovereignty.
It's been a long time since I have blogged. Why? I went back to school and have been non-stop for the last 5 weeks. This morning I sit in the living room listening to a worship song and am just blown away as I think about what he has done in my life.
I had a long talk with my sister last night. It was awesome to catch up and share life with each other. After I got off the phone tears filled my eyes as I came to this realization of how God has been moving in my life.
I begin with the huge gift of my new friends that I have met through The Daughter Project. It started out with becoming involved in this non-profit organization that is building a recovery home for girls that have been rescured from sex tafficking. It turned in to more than that. It turned out that I would meet some of the most amazing women. Some of the most vulnerable women - broken - freed - redeemed - and I love them all so much. Then a few months ago I began to pray about going back to school and become certified as a STNA (State Tested Nursing Assistant). I had two options - a 2 week intensive course, full time OR a 5 week class twice a week at Owens Community College. I didn't know which course to take but I wanted to take the class that God wanted me to take. So Tim began to pray and asked God to shine a light on where I should go. As soon as he finished praying I happened to look over the bookshelf that was filled with Tim's books and saw the words on these books. 4 times! Not only that but notice to the left the "student" bible. I had my answer.
I have completed my couse, besides my clinicals and my state exam. I don't know where or what kind of facility I will work in but I will pray and ask God to show me. I am also completing another online class that will run the full semester.
Sometimes God confuses me, sometimes I wonder what he is doing, sometimes I am just blown away how he takes my confusion and shows me the next step, shines a light so to speak and takes away my confusion. Then the next unknown place in life comes along and we become stronger, sure we will still "wonder" and may even begin to doubt again, but if we take the time to stop and look back at how God has taken care of things we can know that he has a plan for our next step.
I was reading in John 13 when Jesus washed the disciples feet. "He poured water in a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and wipe them with the towel. He came to Simon Peter who said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?" Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand." Something is going on in life and we are wondering why it's happening, what God has in mind - let's remember Jesus words here. "Afterward you will understand!" God has had me in many circumstances where he wants me to just trust him when I don't understand. How comforting that he says to me that afterward I will understand. The definition of an aha moment is "a moment of clarity." I think God does that with us. We all of a sudden have that moment when we get it.
I love worshiping God in church. I love singing songs of worship to him, it's one of the ways that draws me near to him. I also love being in nature and worshiping God on a good hike. I love sitting on the sofa with my bible in hand when a scripture jumps out at me and stirs in my heart. These are times of worship for me.
This morning I was reading John 4, about the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus talked with her about living water, he talked with her about her life. The Samaritans followed their own traditions rather than the Word of God. Jesus said to her, "But the hour is coming and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." So if the hour was here for this Samaritan woman it is certainly here for us. What does this mean? I am not a bible scholar but I do know this. He wants you - just you - to come to come to him, to worship him, with all your heart.
I was imagining what this woman at the well must have felt. After the above words she said to Jesus, "The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ.) When he comes, he will tell us all things.'" Jesus said to her, "I am who speak to you am he." I feel like I would have broke down in tears. Now she could understand worship. The one to worship was standing right there next to her. And you know what? She didn't feel condemned either by Jesus. He knew the sin in her life but he just loved on her. That is what he does for you and me. Blows my mind!
Last week we were at a family reunion. About 60 of us gathered together for fellowship, games and devotions. If your that family reading this, I love you all. I want to share the following clip with all of you. This is my father in law. One of the most humble and gentle men I have ever known in my life. A man of God, a sinner, a retired pastor, a father and a great grandfather. This was his time of closing for the reunion. May you be blessed.
It has just been way too long since I blogged. I've been missing my quiet time in the word lately in the mornings. Something that had become such a part of my morning coffee for years now has started to slip. Time to get back into the rhythm. I love this about mistakes - we don't have to beat ourselves up about them, we just have to turn around and start over again.
Lately I have been feeling really discouraged. Looking at the life situation around and allowing every doubt or fear from the enemy to slip in. Sometimes we need someone from the outside looking in to speak a word that helps you put things back in to perspective. As church had ended on Sunday, the pastor shared just a few words that I so needed to hear. He had been in a similar situation as us before so he understood. He reminded me/us to just - "enjoy the ride, it may feel like you are free falling, but God knows where you will land. He is laying the foundation." Seemed to be just what I needed. When you are "inside" a challenge it makes it harder to see the whole picture.
Then tonight someone had a facebook post that read, "Never ever let the words of men, steal the promises of God." How often don't we do that? We are walking along confident that God is leading us then - bam - somebody shuts it down, throws into question the path you are on, the job you have, the move you made and you begin to doubt that God lead you in the first place. Makes me think of Adam and Eve in the garden. "Did God really say?" Satan putting the question out there. The promises of God - LET'S KEEP THEM LIVING IN OUR LIFE.
Today I was blessed to bring a lunch meal to the volunteer workers who are working on the home for The Daughter Project. An organization that I am volunteering with. They are building and operating a recovery home for adolescent girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking. I was blessed to bring them a lunch - those guys working out in this unbearable heat, giving freely of their time to build a home, a place of healing for these girls. The many volunteers who will still give of their time blows my mind. It is a rather emotional work site to be at. And those promises of God - may those girls be filled to overflowing with the promise that God loves them so much and that he does and will heal their wounds. He will heal yours too. Just ask him!
His love is marvelous. The following song (a demo) was written by my son (in law). He is working on a worship CD. Copy and paste the following link into your internet browser. Close your eyes, listen, and meditate on the one who loves you more than you can begin to imagine.
