Even though I didn’t get to “see him” on Memorial Day…I know he has made it back stateside from the desert. Praise the Lord….from whom all blessings flow!
Yeah God!
Cling to the Rock
You know those little cards that fall out of magazines the moment you pick one up to try to relax just a minute?
Just a breather.
That is all you need.
Just a few quiet moments in your favorite chair with your pillow and blanket and new magazine!
Then out of this magazine, several little cards float to the floor and you feel you must pick them up before you can relax and enjoy perusing your newly arrived treat!
Annoying isn’t it?
A few months ago I was a subscriber to several country decorating magazines….along with a few “how to” magazines, even a health/fitness magazine. When one would arrive, I would be so excited! The first thing I would do is stand by the garbage can and shake it real good to let all those annoying little cards fall out! Some needed more encouragement to “fall”. Some I ripped out because they made the book fall open to the same place every time I picked it up. I didn’t want my magazine to choose where I read, I would do the choosing thank you very much!
Anyway, back to my story….this is supposed to be about rocks you know.
I flipped open another annoyance and ripped it from the book and started to toss it in the trash along with its friends when something on one side caught my attention. It was a woman scaling a rock….a mountain! I could suggest you purchase a health/fitness magazine for women and maybe you would find what I found, but you might not find it. Indeed, I think I found it that day for a purpose.
I was leaning back too far from my “rock” trying to see how much farther I had to go in the journey I was on.
Confused?
Let me share what I learned from the article and from the Word of God.
According to expert rock climbers, focus on balance is the utmost importance in rock climbing. They say the “center of gravity” is always the rock and you must stay close to it at all times to maintain proper balance.
No leaning back!
Proper gear is also very important. A helmet to protect your head, sturdy harness, ropes and even the type of shoes are important. For rock climbing you don’t need heavy boots as you might for hiking. In climbing a rock face, you need to be able to get your feet into cracks and crevices of that rock for added security. Are you getting the picture?
Psalm 27:5 says, “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 61:2 “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 62:1-2 “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. “
Over and over again in Psalms and in much of the Old Testament we are told that God is our rock. He is our fortress, our deliverer. In Him alone we can find rest for our weary souls. Battle scared from the day to day war zone that is many of our lives. The war is with Satan. But we serve the Commander of the Army of God!
Paul instructed the people at Ephesus, to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Sounds like they were gearing up for some rock climbing! Maybe it should be “rock clinging”. For with my whole heart I cling to my Rock. The God of my salvation!
Remember, no leaning back. It doesn’t matter how much farther you must go, it matters only that you travel “with” Him as your guide.
He will instruct you as to where your feet must travel.
Go where He leads.
He will never lead you astray.
Try trusting Him.
He is the rock after all.
The “Center of our gravity”.
Immeasurable Thankfulness
e I am thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ. He has filled my life with more blessings than I have time or space to write.
e I am thankful for my husband, my daughters and their families! For all my family! God is good!! AND especially thankful for time with my mother and sister!
e I am thankful for my church family —- where fellowship abounds and godly relationships are formed. AND especially thankful for sweet sisters-in-Christ at other churches—that allow me to be a part of them! (Sneads First Assembly YEAH!–Sister Janice–you are so precious!–and my home church—that will always be called home—Carmel Assembly of God!)
e I am thankful for the new friendships formed in Blogville. Sweet new friends discovered here ….I started typing names and realized I would take up the whole page! I am so blessed to have found this “village” of encouragement and love! Girls…if I told you I am praying…I am praying. For you!
Every Thursday, I when start reading all the Thankful Thursday posts. I soon realize how many things I should have listed! I soon forget the problems at hand. I am encouraged by every life that I get to peek into. When someone shares what the Lord is doing in their life or what He has done in times past, it renews my faith. My walk with Him is steadied. I have new strength! From some difficult experiences in my life, the Lord has shown me His great love and I have been strengthened in tough times.
The Lord wants us to encourage one another continually. IThessalonians 5:11-18 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
More encouragement and thankfulness than you can imagine is found over at Iris’ place—“Sting my Heart“. Take some time over the Memorial Holiday and read all the Thankful Thursday posts. Remember all that He has done for you in times past. You are loved dear one. You were worth dying for blessed child. He loves you more than anything. Focus on Him. Count your blessings. They will outnumber your problems. Mention your blessings to someone. Whether it is a found sock that was missing…or a broken washing machine that is fixed…it is worth praising God for! He cares about every.single.detail of your life. Tell Him thank you! Tell us about it!
What’s the Title of YOUR Book?
Every life is a story. A book written by you. Lived by you. Determined by you. What is yours about?
Mine has been a roller coaster ride! Up—down—twists—-upside down! But thankfully, years ago….I found Someone to ride that roller coaster of life.
As a rule, I DO NOT LIKE roller coasters. I have only been on two in my life. Promised myself there would not be a third. It’s just not my thing. It wouldn’t be featured in my book. Too many sharp curves. Too many steep hills and then…..doooowwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnn you go…..and it is so fast it takes your breath away and you scream!
Sometimes life is that way. You are thrown a curve, the hill you were going up seems to disappear and suddenly…..the bottom falls out from under you. What do you do?
Glad you asked….
Call on the name of the Lord. Psalm 145:18-19 says “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.”
Verse 14 of the same chapter says “The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”
When you fall…it is not the end. The enemy wants you to think that. He wants you to believe you are so covered with the filth of this world (sin), that you could never approach the throne of God again…that’s what he wants you to think. If you believe it then your book title would be “I Believed a Lie”. Not a very good title. Doesn’t sound like one I’d want to read.
One of the prayers of David recorded in Psalm 86:15-17 tells us that David knew and believed that the Lord was compassionate…a God that would not turn His back on us when we fall…
“But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.”
Don’t be mislead by anyone. God is ready to hear your repentant prayer. He is waiting for you to be honest with Him. He will help you up, wipe you off, dry your tears and hold you close. The title of your story can now be “I’ve Been Made Clean!”
Spend time with Him. In His Word you will find the peace that you need. At His feet you will find rest and healing. For mind, body and spirit.
. . . “Following Him”. . .that would be my choice for a title.
The above post came from the archives of “Renewed Day by Day”. It was one of several I have written for our youth group blog.
Talking among the weeds
Did I say weeds?? Yes I did. You see, on Saturday, Jeff helped me build 3 flower beds. This was my “Mother’s Day” gift. This was all I wanted.
Working in my flower garden has always been wonderful therapy. And I need me some therapy. It’s true. You sweat…which gets out impurities in your body…and you (me) can spend countless hours on your knees weeding, not only unwanted growth from the garden, but unwanted growth from our lives. Unwanted growth. I have a lot of it. AND I NEED TO BE WEEDED!
So, as I was getting an area “grass and weed free” and Jeff was off getting fill dirt for the raised flower bed, I began to talk to the Lord about my current ailment. It’s all about the heart. What my heart is feeling. Or not feeling. What my heart is longing for. And what His purpose is for my life. I began to see some areas that needed attention. As I lay my heart open before Him, He began to pull out the “unwanted growth”.
Then He plants fresh seed. New growth. But it must be watered, tended and fertilized. So that is exactly what we did on Saturday. Then we watered. And I prayed. Now, you may think that is silly. But girls, I have ALWAYS prayed over my flowers, and my little plants and shrubs. I love it when I see the growth take root and flourish! HE loves it when He sees us take root and blossom for Him!
I also did some container planting for my entrance and the patio. I will show you pictures of them later this week. This one picture is from last year’s container planting. I planted, prayed, watered and then one morning as I left the house, my plants at the door seemed to smile with gratitude! I smile with that same gratitude at the wonders and blessings that I see all around me—thankful that my Father “knows what things I have need of before I even ask”. And He sends.
Have a blessed week! Take care of the weeds…before they take over the beauty of the garden in your life!
Do you know what a Weezie is?
A Weezie is a sweet girl who loves her mommy. Weezie shares said mommy with Frog Legs. (Their Daddy picked both nick-names and they STUCK)
If my eyes look a bit sad or droopy (they do) we had just released our “Mother’s Day” balloons to the skies for Wanda. I wanted to ride one up and give her a kiss and hug. I couldn’t. But soon. We will leave this earth for the heavenlies. Wow! What a ride that will be!
I shared both days celebrating motherhood with both of my girls. It was a real treat! This sweet girl will soon make me the Nana of 5 little boys. No, only 2 will be hers to claim!
Lori, can you spell “clean the tub quick!” Guess what I was doing 30 minutes before they all gathered at our house? If you guessed cleaning the tub, you win the prize! I knew that at least one little boy, if not all four would be taking a bath at Nana’s before they went home and straight to bed! It is sort of a tradition. If they don’t bring jammies, Nana provides.
My two sweet girls cooked the entire supper on Sunday night, cleaned up the kitchen…completely. Ladies—this was a real treat! I have never felt more honored….and like I was in someone else’s house…with someone else’s family….(kidding). It was incredible! They worked as a team…I played outside with the boys…until they wore me out and then someone else took over! It was the most fun we have had in quite a while.
Wish you all could have been here!
I did tell ya’ll it was picture sharing week right?
Well, it is. Here Aimee and I are writing our notes to Wanda…..and earlier, I caught this little “clown” not wanting me to take his picture!
That’s his mommy—“Frog Legs”…a.k.a. Tiffany. Janice, you have my permission to tease her about it at church!
I enjoyed my evening with you bunch of sweet ladies. Gloria and I discussed what a sweet spirit of unity there is in your church. Consistently.
You are the body of Christ and you all show it in your hospitality! Thank you for always making me feel welcome~
Papa and Weezie’s Boy
Watersports on Mother’s Day
They had no choice–it’s in their genes…boys that “see” water in a pool…no matter the size…must jump in….clothes, shoes and all!
Rylan just doesn’t understand why they got in with their shoes on….
Zackary says…”because you ‘posed to Wylan”…
little Jason says, “pway mommy, ‘ets pway!”
Hope you don’t mind me sharing pictures this week.
I am feeling rather wordless…
must be the weather….
I will be back to regular devotions next week….this week, let’s just share a bit over a cup of coffee…or tall glass of iced tea…sweet please…with lemon!
Zackary says, “Jason, deese shoes are heavy now…”
Janice, whatcha fixin’ for the ladies tomorrow night?
Aimee said you looked after her while I was away. I knew I could count on you! You are wonderful! Thank you for that!
A very special thank you to my sweet precious ladies and sisters-in-Christ from Marianna First….you read, you tell me you are fed–or enjoy it—it lifts my sometimes weary heart! It meant a lot on Sunday to hear those words. Thank you dear ones.
The Cabbage Patch Hospital and Helen, Georgia Trip!
http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf
Yes, we’ve been here before…when our girls were small….but we did it again. And bought two babies….no–we didn’t adopt. (THEY are expensive!) I could hardly afford two from the gift shop! Whew—add that to the price of gas it took to get there and you have a wad of dough! And no cookies come from that either!
We had such a great time! I can’t wait to take you on a tour of the Day Spa…saving that one! Hurry back!
I will be joing the ladies at Sneads First Assembly of God tomorrow night —yeah! A fun night! I will tell you all about it!
I think this will be slideshow week. 🙂
Jeff & Angie 
