November-A Whirlwind Part 1

   November was a whirlwind of travel, family, friends, joy, hope and sorrow.

   
   The month started out with a 5-day trip to the Mayo Clinic with Grandpa and Grandma Z. for Grandpa's hip replacement surgery. Even though hospitals and cities can be stressful and aren't my favorite things... it was a special time with Grandpa & Grandma! We had many sweet conversations and laughs along the way that I will remember and cherish for a long time to come.

   
   While we were away, I was able to have some much needed quiet time at Starbucks... I was tired out and hungry for some time with Jesus. But even though I was worn-out and a bit stressed... I couldn't have felt more peace, as I sat there and pondered the sweetness of KNOWING I needed Jesus, in that moment and in that place. Of course the truth is that we always need Him, but we are not always conscious of it. I love knowing I need Jesus. I love that Jesus says "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)  I love that when my strength is gone, I have more strength than I could ever need in Jesus Christ! And it is truly by His strength alone that I walked through the following days and weeks...

   
   I returned home with just enough time to unpack, celebrate my birthday and pack again! This time I was headed to a retreat in Georgia... But before I could go... I had to do one more thing, I had to say good-bye to my Grandpa M. who was undoubtedly in his last days here on earth. I never did muster up the courage to say the words good-bye... 2 words that had never held so much weight... because this time they meant that there wouldn't be a hello again here on earth.

Grandpa & Grandma M. and Me at an Aloe Vera farm in Southern Texas - March 2013

   Grandpa M. passed away on Sunday, November 12th at the age of 88. I feel incredibly blessed to have had Him as my Grandpa. 

To be continued... 

Truth Set Me Free

    God's Word is Truth! Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17) And it has the power to set you and I spiritually & emotionally free! And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

   I haven't had the worst lot in life, but over the years there have been circumstances that took their toll on me emotionally and then spiritually. Not unlike most people, I imagine… Life here on earth can just be plain hard sometimes! So what are we to do when life has given us a beating and we are feeling down and struggling to see the goodness of God? What are we to do when we are struggling to have hope for the future, when our pasts have seemingly stolen it right from under our feet? What are we to do when we know in theory that God is good and powerful, but our hearts are far from believing it in the reality of our brokenness? Some deny the faith, turning to drugs, alcohol, immorality, false religions… And end up even more hopeless… But we don’t have to! We can turn to God’s Word and find all the strength and healing power that we need! When the storms of life are raging, we need to fight with the sword of the spirit, which is God’s word! (Ephesians 6:17)
   

   And so it was when I found myself in the place of little hope and many fears that I turned to the word of God, searching for verses that directly addressed the fears and struggles that I was battling. I printed them out on a paper and took it with me everywhere! Whenever I felt bondage from my past creeping up on me, I would read through them, pray through them and soon without trying I had them memorized! And the power of scripture really did begin to change me from the inside out. Not over night, but over time and continually so! These are what I call my bondage-breaking verses:

Then Jesus said to those Jews which believed on him, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; {32}  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."               John 8:31

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Romans 8:15

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. {7} But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. {8} We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;{9} Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;" 2 Corinthians 4:6-9

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: {4} (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) {5} Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, {2} Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. {7} And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. {8} Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:6-8

 "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. {29} He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.{30} Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: {31} But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

And he said unto me,  My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  {6} In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Psalms 16:11

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  {22} It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  {23} They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  {24} The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  {25} The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.  {26} It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." Lamentations 3:21-26

   These are the verses that met me in my need. That God used to bring reviving hope and renewing faith into my life! But what about you? Where are you at today? Wherever you are and whatever you may be going through, God's word can meet you there! Search the scriptures for yourself. And let God use His Word (TRUTH!) to set YOU free!

Quote By: A. W. TOZER

   O God, I have tasted of thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. O God, the triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, "Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away with me." (Song of Solomon 2:10) Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus' name. Amen.

A.W. TOZER, The Pursuit of God

To See Goodness

What is it about looking at life through a camera lens... that makes ordinary moments near spectacular? And what is it about looking at life through the lens of truth, that brings abounding joy, abiding peace and deep, sweet contentment?

 

Even when nothing in life changes, except the way we choose to see. We find that seeing is the path to the change we really needed. That we need heart changes, more then circumstance changes. 

When you know in the depths of your being, and choose to focus your heart on, the truth that God is good in character and deed, a beautiful thing begins to happen... you begin to see what was there all along. God's goodness displayed in simple, humble, everyday-ness. Thousands of grace gifts, wrapped in God's goodness... FOR YOU!

The photographer's focusing lens draws spectacular out of ordinary and the Christian believing in God's goodness grows contentment where once lay worries, frustrations and unhappiness.

It's where we put our focus that makes ordinary into spectacular and life worth living! Are you looking at life through the lens of cynicism or the truth that God is good?

Because the way we see changes the way we live.

 

Happiness...

"Happiness comes from a heart of gratitude and thankfulness. 
 Victory lies in the recognition that God is good." 

- Michael Phillips, Wild Grows the Heather in Devon

    
    I find the words God is good gracing my stationary.  It is true and it is changing me. Really believing that God is good, that He is Goodness, is reviving life in me, giving me joy & peace in Him! Like fresh air to my lungs, is God's goodness to my soul! Indeed what true happiness & victory there is for the soul that believes God is good!

Reason for the season?

   We have all heard the saying "Jesus is the reason for the season." Why is it then that there seems to be a million more distractions away from Jesus, during the very season that we say He is the reason for? It's like planning a surprise birthday party and inviting everyone except the birthday person! I could get on my soap box and proclaim the merits of simplifying our lives, that we might have less of what doesn't matter and more of what really does. But you know... Now isn't the time for that. Now is the time to focus on Jesus Christ and who He is!  

Watch as this 11 year old boy proclaims who Jesus is in every book of the Bible!    

           

                                                               

May your Christmas be Jesus-saturated! 

Merry Christmas!!

A Closer Look

Have you ever found someone's faults glaring 

you in the face, only to find that the glare was 

a reflection of your own heart & life?

Psalms 26:2  

Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

Proverbs 3:5-8

Surrender

 

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines surrender as:

To yield: to give up

 one's self into the power of another.     

God's Word says we are to:

...yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Romans 6:13b  

  


    I am learning that growing in the Lord is a surrendering process. Laying down my will and ways and embracing life as God gives it. Though I do desire to live in surrender to the Lord. When life doesn't go according to my plans, I find that I fight for control. As if I know best.  I question... Why Lord? Why these circumstances? Why now? Or why not now? But He calls me and you to trust in Him.To not lean on our own understanding. To not always know why. To walk by faith and NOT by sight! Is this easy? No! I like having a plan and knowing what to expect. But all that is, is a false security. Why do I fight for false control, when I can have true strength & security in the Lord through surrender?  
   
     As I flip through my journal I see it. See the call to surrender. See that God has been trying to tell me the message of letting go for months. But I have been so stubborn. So tough to break. Though I wrote it down with pen on page, my heart didn't read it... Trust. Complete abandon of me and rest in the Lord. No matter the wait of time or the weight of burden... lay it all down. God can carry it all! God can carry me! 
    
   The call to surrender, is a call to deeper living... To come to the end of Me and My plans, hopes and dreams... Calling me to run into the heart of God. To give Him complete control and in simple faith to trust Him. Not knowing what's next... The thrill of this calling rings this song in me: What about living a life where God would get all the glory! Because it would be a life not lived in my own strength. Or by my own invention. What about dreams that will keep me on my knees in prayer?  Why do I only want easy and what I can understand? Why not hard? Why not faith stretching?
  

   A life surrendered to the Lord gives spiritual life! And is not surrender to the Lord the very essence of what it is to be a Christian? Coming to the end of ones self {...for without me (Jesus) ye can do nothing. John15:5b.} and living in the strength of the Lord! {I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13}

   

Submit yourselves therefore to God. (James 4:7a)

 

The Sacrifice of Praise

   I didn't want Thanksgiving to completely go by with out recognition. So while others may be plunging headlong into the Christmas Season today... I wanted to linger a bit longer in the season of purposeful praise. 

   Honestly I haven't had a heart overflowing with gratitude lately. So how could I write about it? How could I celebrate Thanksgiving? But then the Lord reminded me, that we are to give the sacrifice of praise. Hebrews 13:15 says: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Is sacrifice something easy? That we do naturally? Or does it rather come with a cost? By a decided choice?  It's true I haven't felt like giving thanks to the Lord lately... Not because I don't have anything to be thankful for. But because I was choosing to look at the "bad" things in my life, instead of the good. Yet when we obediently choose to offer the sacrifice of praise, we change our focus, and our new focus changes us! Gratitude has a way of growing joy in our hearts! Changing our attitude and prospective! 

Thank you Lord for: 

• Each one that gathered around our table yesterday. My parents, 4 Grandparents & Sister! 
• The food & time we shared. 
• Grandparents celebrating 66 years of marriage yesterday!
• Far away family too... My brothers, Sister-in-law, and dear nephews and nieces!
• The country I live in. God bless America!
• The Word of God!
• God's Saving Grace.
• That when I am weak, Christ is all the strength I need!
• Living on a farm.
• My church family.
• Dear friends!
• My home.
• Health & energy!
• This day! And so much more!

     
   If you would like, please leave a comment sharing what YOU are thankful for! I would love to hear! 😊 

P.S Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

Psalm 23:6

 

Perfect Peace

The Riches of His Goodness

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 
Romans 2:4 

   The title of this blog is a reflection of where I find myself ... needing, desperately needing to know the goodness of God. In the real and raw, ebb and flow of my everyday life. God is good! Yet so often I choose to see the bad things of this world, instead of His goodness. This blogging journey is about decidedly believing, seeing & proclaiming the goodness of God! What is at the core of God's goodness? Repentance unto salvation! And if that is all the goodness of God that I ever hold, what an extravagant gift! May I never despise it!  But the amazing thing is, He has given me more of His goodness than my two hands can hold! So join me if you will, as I blog The Riches of His Goodness!

Like breathtaking sunrises...