"Why Should I Be Discouraged?" (Revisited for Friday Foto Friends)

I can't believe it's Friday, and I don't have any new pictures to share with you again! It was a busy week with Dr. appointments and other commitments, and, well, you know how it is! We all have weeks like that...no time for taking pictures when we are in the midst of "life"...so here is a post from a couple of years ago about a cute little wren who built a nest on our back porch.  The wrens still come and go, but I haven't seen any evidence of nest building on the porch yet this year...but it is still early...

This little wren is sitting in her nest, right out in plain view on my back porch. As I walked by the nest this morning on my way to hang up the bird feeders for the day, I almost missed the fact that she was sitting in there. She didn't even move as I swept by singing "Oh What a Beautiful Morning!" at the top of my lungs. I think she was afraid to move into the path of something so....noisy?! Anyway, I tiptoed in and out of the house quickly to get my camera, and very quietly tiptoed back to her nest asking myself, "Do I dare disturb this little wren just so I can have this wonderful picture that I know the world wants to see?" My hubby told me not to do it. But he should know better than to tell me that...you'd think he'd have learned by now... But anyway, I stood there very quietly for a moment while my camera focused and prayed that she wouldn't fly away...and this is my gift from God this morning to share with you! I quoted from the wonderful song, "His Eye is on the Sparrow, and I know He watches me." Yes, I know this is a wren, not a sparrow...but to my knowledge no one has written a song or Bible verse about a wren yet. And that message comes from the scripture found in Matthew 10:29-31:

"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do NOT FEAR therefore; YOU ARE OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY SPARROWS!" 

I pray this little wren will bring a smile to your face today as you remember that not only does our heavenly Father watch over the birds of the nest...but that He IS ALWAYS WATCHING OVER YOU...AND YOU ARE VERY VALUABLE TO HIM! Praise God!

This is another picture of her nest...not very neat,
but it seems to suit Mrs. Wren very nicely!
I guess that is all that matters!
"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home!"

Why should I feel discouraged and why should the shadows come?

Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home?

When Jesus is my portion, a constant Friend is He, 

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy; 

I sing because I'm free; 

His eye is on the sparrow (WREN!)

And I know He watches me.

Let not your heart be troubled; these tender words I hear; 

And resting on his goodness I lose my doubts and fears; 

Though by the path He leadeth but one step I may see; 

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy; 

I sing because I'm free; 

His eye is on the sparrow (WREN!)

And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted; whenever clouds arise; 

When songs give place to sighing; when hope within me dies; 

I draw the closer to Him; from care He sets me free; 

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy; 

I sing because I'm free; 

His eye is on the sparrow (WREN!)

And I know He watches me...

(Written by Civilla D. Martin, 1905)

You can see this perky little bird has been a source of joy and delight for me for a while!

Rest peacefully little Wren...I'll try not to bother you anymore today!

To read previous posts about a similar story, click HERE, 

AND HERE!   and HERE'S ANOTHER ONE!   It would appear that this blog has gone to the birds!  But there are so many valuable lessons to be learned from God's creation.  I never get tired of seeing what God is going to show me next!  Certainly is a wonderful way to lift our spirits, don't you agree?

Have a blessed day my friends!  Go out and see what YOU can learn from God's magnificent world around you today!

Back to the present:  Now let's fly on over to Deb's place at Breathing in Grace and see what our other Friday Foto Friends have been up to this week!  Have a blessed and happy day!

Lift Up Your Head! Revisted

Today, April 19, 2018, marks the 7th anniversary of the passing of my father from this life into heaven.  I was just thinking about him as I scrolled through some old blog posts, and came across this one, which brought tears to my eyes in a good way as I read about the loving act my father did for me many years ago when I needed it most.

Original Post 7/24/2014:

"But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head..." Psalm 3:3

Young Fawn at dawn in my neighborhood today

I was reading in the book "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young the devotional reading for today, July 27. Here is what it says:

"Hope is a golden cord connecting you to heaven.  This cord helps you hold your head up high, even when multiple trials are buffeting you.  I never leave your side, and I never let go of your hand.  But without the cord of hope, your head may slump and your feet may shuffle as you journey uphill with Me.  Hope lifts your perspective from your weary feet to the glorious view you can see from the high road.  You are reminded that the road we're traveling together is ultimately a highway to heaven.  When you consider this radiant destination, the roughness or smoothness of the road ahead becomes much less significant.  I am training you to hold in your heart a dual focus: My continual Presence and the hope of heaven."  

This reminded me of a time in my life when I was going through a very difficult time, and it was tempting to hang my head in despair and hide away from prying eyes and wagging tongues.  That year for Christmas my father surprised me with a special gift that I will never forget.  We had previously lived in the north country, where moose were a very BIG part of our lives. (pun intended).  If you were lucky, you might see a live moose walk through your yard occasionally (as we did).

(Picture from Internet)

 If you were not so lucky, you might NOT see a moose crossing the road in front of your car in the middle of the night...and then you'd be in BIG trouble.

Internet Photo

 That is why you would often see along side every road a sign that said: 

I had often mentioned to my my father, who was a retired hobby carpenter, that since I had moved back to Florida it would be such fun to have a "moose" in my yard again...meaning a wooden cut out of a moose.  He always said "maybe, sometime when he had time, he'd think about it..."   And then in that particular year some things had happened that brought sorrow and disappointment to our home, and having a moose in my yard was probably the last thing on my mind.  But apparently not on my sweet father's mind.  Imagine my surprise on Christmas when he led me out into his back yard with my eyes closed and standing there was the most delightful bull moose ever seen in the state of Florida!  It looked something like this:

Internet Photo

Actually there were two of them, which I don't have a picture of, but the other had its head lowered, and it was a gift for a friend of ours who was also from New England. But about the one standing tall and erect as above, my father said, "This one is for you, because I want you to always hold your head up high like this and be strong."  It brings tears to my eyes even now to remember that moment, and how loving and compassionate my Daddy was as he presented his gift to me that day. It was a gift of love and hope to me from my earthly father, but I believe it was also from my Heavenly Father. HE wanted me to know that I was not alone in my struggle...and that He was to me, as quoted above in Psalm 3:3 ~ 

"But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, 

My glory and the One who lifts up my head."

and then  

"I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.

I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people

Who have set themselves against me all around."

Psalm 3:5-6

I wish I could say that all my troubles were magically over at that moment, but that was not the case. However, my attitude was changed...my hope was restored...and I was better able to hold my head high and move forward with renewed strength and courage, ready to face the future knowing that God was with me, sustaining me, and making my path straight.

And now, "It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.  He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places..." Psalm 18:32-33 

Bye Bye little deer! You have cheered my heart today!

 How about you?  Have you ever felt like letting your head hang low and hiding away from your perceived "enemies"?  Take heart from these words today, and "LIFT UP YOUR HEAD!"


In loving memory of my dad, this is one of my favorite pictures of the two of us, taking a nap on a Sunday afternoon. Precious memories. 

William F. Mursch, 8/9/1918 ~ 4/19/2011

"Rise and Stand Upright!" Updated and Recycled to Give You HOPE

This post was originally written on 4/23/2016, and I see that many of my friends had some excellent supportive comments at the end.  I was looking for something this morning to share about the word HOPE, and even though that word is not necessarily used or highlighted in this post, it is certainly implied and a very big part of what it means to "Rise and Stand Upright!"  Our HOPE is in the Lord, and because of Christ, we as believers have every reason to RISE and STAND UPRIGHT in the face of sorrow, disappointment, grief and fear.  It is my HOPE that you will find encouragement and HOPE as you read this post today.  It encouraged me to re-read it after almost a year.  God's Word is ever-active, always appropriate, and  easily recycled to meet whatever situation you may be facing today and in the future.

1.  "May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;

May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;

2.  May He send you help from the sanctuary..."  Psalm 20:1-2

Original Post 4/23/16~

This evening I was skimming through my Bible, looking at different verses here and there that I had highlighted in some way, or circled, bracketed, drew arrows pointing to, and in some cases, wrote a date in the margin.

I noticed that particularly in the book of Psalms, almost every page or Psalm had some kind of personal markings scattered throughout.  Probably because the Psalms are my favorite go-to verses in the whole Bible.  I've often thought they were written especially with me in mind...and perhaps they were. (See note card peeping above the Bible, which says, "Because you're so special...")

Anyway, tonight's "special" Psalm that I have zeroed in on is Psalm 20. There is an arrow pointing to it with the date 7/24/96 written in the margin.  Now, where were YOU on the date 7/24/96? Can you remember? Was it in any way significant? If so, please fill me in.  I do not quite recall why this particular Psalm was so important to me on this specific date in my life...(makes me wish that I had kept a journal during that time...but for various reasons I did not...probably because of the busy-ness or stressfulness of that time period,  I just wasn't able or in the mood to write it down.  However, I dated these verses in my Bible because they were speaking to my heart for some reason...and so perhaps the ancient words written in God's Word are journal enough.  God's Word, or in this case, God's inspired Word written down for us in Psalm 20 by the Psalmist David, was subtitled "A plea for help from the sanctuary".  

Let me quote a few of the verses here for you...the ones that I believe were speaking directly to me at that particular time in my life:

1.  "May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;

May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;

2.  May He send you help from the sanctuary,

and strengthen you out of Zion;

3.  May He remember all your offerings,

and accept your burnt sacrifice.

4.  May He grant you according to your heart's desire,

and fulfill all your purpose.

5.  We will rejoice in your salvation,

and in the name of our God we will set up our banners!

May the Lord fulfill all your petitions." 

Sifting back through the cobwebs and corners of my mind to that time period almost 20 years ago, I can vaguely remember that we were in a time of transition. Without going into specifics, I know that it was a time of great distress and unrest in our hearts and lives. We had left the pastoral ministry due to issues beyond our ability to "fix" on our own.  Only God could help us get back to where we needed to be in our lives.  Our hearts were broken, our spirits were sorely troubled and needed supernatural healing from on high.  Our greatest desire was to be healed and restored to what we believed was our purpose in life...but it was going to take Divine "help from the sanctuary"...and strength that could only come from "Zion"...the city of God.  

As I read through these verses at that time, I know when I came to verse 6 that I claimed it for our situation:

"Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;

He will answer him from His holy heaven

with the saving strength of His right hand."

I wish I could say that the answers came immediately and that we were rescued spontaneously from our "day of trouble".  But it was not that simple. Some parts of our lives...our "purpose", was not fulfilled completely for some time. There were still many days...and even years of waiting and wondering when God would intervene on our behalf.  Now, don't get me wrong...God truly heard my plea for help...and He did send ministering angels from the sanctuary to give us strength and guide us through the maze of uncertainty in the days ahead.  But the depth of the wounds that were still "bleeding" took time to heal and oftentimes the scabs would form and would somehow get scratched off and have to start all over again in the healing process. 

Today I can say as I look back on that time that God was surely with us. He never left us helpless.  But we had to learn to trust Him all over again.

Verse 7-8 says 

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;

But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

 They have bowed down and fallen;

But we have risen and stand upright!"

Yes, we had to learn to keep our eyes on the Lord our God and not in the strength of men.  Those who trust in men or principalities or chariots or horses, or jobs or positions..."They have bowed down and fallen"....but when we learned to keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), 

"We have risen and stand upright!"

Praise God!

I hope this will be an encouragement to you today.  When you are going through various trials and difficulties in life, whether they be self-inflicted, or brought on by the cares of this world...put your trust in "Name of the Lord our God", and when all the others around us may have bowed down and fallen, you will rise and stand upright!

Don't Lose Heart - Updated 7/31/2015

I just reread this post from a year ago and thought it might encourage someone today.  I am not feeling this discouraged today as I must have felt a year ago. Funny, I don't even remember now who or what was said that got me so upset...so God surely took care of it.  If you are feeling alone, frustrated, angry, depressed or devalued, take a moment to STOP, LOOK around you at what God may be really doing, and LISTEN to HIS Words...not the words of the world.  Be encouraged in your faith and be strengthened through Christ.
Have a blessed day my friends!

Original Post 7/25/2014:

"Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart."  

II Corinthians 4:1

Have you ever felt like giving up, throwing in the towel, walking away, disappearing for awhile?  I have.  I almost did it this week.  I got discouraged by some negative comments and attitudes toward me personally and toward my faith. Not just from one place or person, but from more than one in one day and it caused me to stop dead in my tracks and reevaluate myself, my motives, my methods, and my purpose here. Not necessarily here, in this spot on this blog site, but in other places of my life...social media, professional and personal relationships, and life in general.  I was so disheartened that I threatened to remove myself from social media first of all, and then I considered withdrawing from some other aspects of my current life as well.  Frankly, I just didn't feel like fighting anymore. I felt misunderstood and undervalued.  I wanted to quit.

Please don't misunderstand me now, I was not suicidal or depressed or desperate. I was plain frustrated, tired and somewhat angry.  Okay, probably a lot angry. But mostly tired and emotionally worn out.  That's when anger and frustration usually attack...when we are overtired, spent emotionally, and feeling like no one really cares anyway.  Dangerous place to be.

So I made a statement on Facebook:

"I strongly debated shutting down my Facebook page last night and just walking away from all negative people and comments. I am still not totally convinced that I should stay here. But God has reminded me that I am to be "the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." Matthew 5:14-15. 

Verse 16 goes on to say: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  

Therefore, even though I do not boast that I have any good works, but the things that I do and the words that I say I pray will be a light in the dark places of this earth. I pray that my life will be a shining light and not a millstone of darkness. I pray that God will continue to shine through the places of my heart that I feel led to share with you. If I tend to go astray or wander into places where I shouldn't be, I pray that God will gently lead me back to where He wants me to be. I pray that this place will be an instrument of peace and love and glory to God. If it becomes anything else, I do have the right to remove comments that I think are more harmful or hurtful than positive. I can and will censor comments that are addressed to me or tagged with my name that I believe are in direct conflict with my beliefs and what I stand for. If that offends anyone, you certainly have my permission to "unfriend" me. Thank you dear friends, for standing up for the truth with me. May God bless your day with His grace and love."

Within minutes comments of encouragement, affirmation, love and comfort came pouring in. I was so overwhelmed by this response that I realized that God must have planned this so that I would see that my life here and there were valuable to others as well as to God.

When I woke up this morning I saw that even more people had responded during the night, and again I was so touched and amazed, this is what I said,

"I woke up this morning expecting this post/messages to be over...and yet here are more that came during the night! I am so overwhelmed with this outpouring of love and support I just can't begin to fathom or believe it! This has been quite a humbling experience for me. I thought I could just slink away and no one would notice or even care...but this has been a good lesson for me. And it should be for others too...Our lives matter to others. We are here for a purpose. Whether it be on facebook, or in our "real life" with our families, friends and co-workers, what we do really matters to others. How we live makes an impact that we do not even realize. I am amazed at how far-reaching that impact is. I hope we will all think about this in our own lives today. The little pebbles we toss carelessly into the water have a much larger rippling effect throughout our world. This has been quite an eye-opener to me. Thank you everyone for your love and support. You are the greatest!!!!"

So today I read the following in II Corinthians 4:1  "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart."...and then on in verses 5-7:

"For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake.  

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."

So what have we learned from this lesson?

1. Don't listen to voices of negativity and discouragement.
2. Don't believe everything you hear from others is a direct insult to you.
3. Especially don't allow yourself to become so over-tired, spent emotionally, or so weary that you can't think straight and begin to take other's pent up frustrations as being an attack on you personally.
4. We all have bad days. Be kind to yourself and to others who may also be in similar levels of frustration.
5. DO recognize that you are precious in the sight of God, and that your life has extreme value and purpose. God paid a huge price for your ransom...His only begotten Son. He loves you that much.
6. Do recognize that others are depending on you to shine brightly in the dark places of their lives. Somebody out there needs the light you have. Don't give up.
7. Don't give in to discouragement, despair, and despondency. Those are tools of the enemy, not of Christ.

I like what the rest of II Corinthians 4:8-10 has to say to us:

"We are hard pressed on every side,

yet not crushed;

We are perplexed,

but not in despair;

Persecuted, but not forsaken;

Struck down, 

but NOT destroyed...

Always carrying about in the body 

the dying of the Lord Jesus, 

that the LIFE of Jesus also

may be manifested in our body..."

and further down in verses 17-18:

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 

is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

while we do not look at the things which are seen,

but at the things which are NOT seen. 

For the things which are seen are temporary,

but the things which are NOT seen are eternal."

This is some heavy and wonderful stuff to recognize in the daily workings of our lives. There is so much more going on here than meets the eye. God is at work in our midst, even when we are feeling down and discouraged. He uses every circumstance of our lives to bring us and those around us into a closer walk and fellowship with Him. He proved that to me in the last 48 hours.  He's still at work in our midst. I am expecting some marvelous and eternal blessings/results from this momentary jog in my journey.  Not just in my heart and life...but in some others as well. One thing I know, we are never alone...and God is much closer than we think.

My usual routine on the mornings that I don't have to rush out the door to work is to go to the garden to pray and meditate and enjoy God's handiwork.  This morning, after working through the humbling realities of my position here on earth...I sat down in the Memorial Garden arbor and this is the first thing I saw:

This rosebush was a gift to us for our memorial garden in memory of our son Matthew, and someone made the comment to me after seeing this picture posted on Facebook that it "looked like someone was handing (me) this rose...perhaps it was Matthew."  That thought had not occurred to me until she mentioned it, but somehow that made sense to me. I'll accept that offering as a gift from my sweet son today. Today is the two month anniversary of his passing. So I will be thankful for this reminder of him, regardless of how it happened to appear. It gave me comfort and joy in my heart.

The rest of these pictures are from my walk about the yard and our neighborhood this morning, which was a gift from God, "who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ..." (II Cor. 4:6 again)

What a beautiful, calming, peaceful way to start my day. Thank you Lord!!!  I will NOT lose heart!

Getting Back on Track

I seem to be a bit behind in my writing and reading of other friends' blog posts these days.  It's been busy, I've been tired, and just can't seem to get my thoughts together.  I've said that a lot over the past few months haven't I?  Well, even if I haven't written it down here, I've said it in my mind aplenty.  But I'm getting better. Not that there is anything wrong with me...just haven't had the get up and go that I used to have. It got up and went.

It's been too hot here in my home state of Florida to have much energy for anything during the summer months. I keep saying when it cools down I will do such and such...or when I retire I will take care of that, or go there, or build that little guest cabin,
or finish my front porch, or plant those flowers and take better care of them than I have in the past.  Good intentions...we all have them.  Dreams, schemes, and plans for a better life, a great retirement, a wonderful vacation, more friends and fellowship, more time for home and family.

(all signs are courtesy of Ben's Country Woodshop)

Our intentions are always good. The ideas are noble and wonderful.  The dreams are full of marvelous hopes and unselfish desires. And then it seems that things happen to prevent us from doing the things we had been striving so hard to achieve.  Unexpected illnesses, loss of job, death of a loved one, financial losses, disappointments, moves of necessity not of choice...the list could go on and on. These events in themselves may not be the reason we can't fulfill our dreams and plans, but they could cause us to lose the drive and desire to keep striving.  We get depressed, bogged down in the mire of the situation, and become too tired to keep forging ahead. We lose our focus on the vision of the goal ahead, and get sidetracked and discouraged.

How can we turn this around and get back on track? Good question. I'm asking myself that right now. There must be a way. We just can't give up and throw in the towel.  

1. Pray for fresh inspiration from God.
2. Look into God's Word, the Bible, for answers and direction.
3. Spend time in His presence, away from the cares of the world for a while. Every day...
4. Resist the temptation to go here and there, chasing the whirlwind of activity and worldly answers. 
5. Don't look at your circumstances and fear that there is no hope.
6. "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established."  Proverbs 16:3
7. "Do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.  For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.  But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.  Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."  Luke 12:29-32
   
8. Fix your eyes on Christ..."the author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:2) and 
9. "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (II Corinthians 4:18, NIV)
10. "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."  (II Corinthians 5:1, NKJV)

I started writing this tonight feeling a little down...could you tell?  But God, in His love and mercy, did exactly what I've been writing about...as I started to work through this list of things to do to "get back on track", my spirits were lifted and my heart was encouraged.  I said a little prayer right back up there where I wrote #1, "Pray for fresh inspiration from God"...and He led me to these passages in His Word.  He also directed me to read a little devotional in the book, "Jesus Calling"   by Sarah Young, and the thoughts for today, August 29th, gave me further words of admonition and encouragement.  

No, I don't have all the answers to my life's questions, but I have the answers that I need to know, found in God's Word.  He gives me hope...He strengthens me and lifts me up when I am down. He sets my feet back on the right track...and gives me a little boost in the right direction when I seem to be hesitant to trust.

If you are feeling off the track of your life's goals and dreams, try these steps listed above.  Look to God for the answers you are seeking.  He will not lead you astray...and He will lovingly guide you back on the right track. I know this from experience.

Random Journal Day...A Prayer for Defeating Discouragement June 6, 1985!

Today is the day for the July Random Journal Day Link Up, where those of us brave enough to do so open up an old journal from way back when and dare to share it with you and the rest of the world.  You never know just what you're gonna get when you open up an old dusty journal from off the shelf (or out of the dresser drawer, like mine), and within reason, we print whatever happens to pop up. 

 For my post tonight I thought I would look for something written around the 4th of July back in the past, but the closest thing I found was from June 6, 1985!  This was written when we were searching for a new place of ministry, and we found ourselves in the throws of despair.  I'll lay it out for you here, and you might see why I decided to go ahead and share this one...

"Believe it or not, I'm almost willing to stay in ___, if God so directs, that I will do!  I'm willing to TRUST HIM in that decision. HE knows what is best for us.

Right now we really need help in defeating the spirit of discouragement.  After our annual church council, we were really excited and hopeful for our future.  But upon coming home, doubt and despair have crept in.  

Lord, I ask You today to cast out, in the Name of JESUS, all thoughts and feelings of doubt, despair, and discouragement in both my husband and me.  Lord, You know how Satan has tried to thwart what You have wrought in our hearts this past week at "council".  Lord, help us to keep our eyes on THEE, so that we may continue to have faith and believe in You, without doubting.  Forgive us, Lord, of our fears and doubts.  FILL us with Your Holy Spirit, Renew us, and Help us, I pray, Oh Lord Jesus.

I write this prayer so that I can refer to it again--as we see You at work in our lives, Lord.  I PLACE MY TRUST IN YOU.  AMEN.  Thank  you, Lord."

As I looked further in my journal for this particular year, I realized that in just two months' time God had answered our prayer, and we were on our way to an exciting new adventure in ministry! Although I was feeling a bit of sadness at leaving behind the friends we had made in the current place of service, I wrote the following:

"The people here at our (current) church were very understanding~although sorry to see us go. It isn't easy to say good-bye to people~but when the Lord says "GO", we must obey!"

I concluded with the following:

"Thank You, Jesus, for all Your blessings on me!" 

One of the "many" places we served...this was back
in the mid 1980's... Just one of the ways that God blessed us.
Yes, thank you Lord, for Your blessings on us!

 Dear friend, if you are battling despair and discouragement today, think about the little prayer I prayed above, and pray it with me.  No matter what the situation, God wants to carry you through to victory.  Commit your life to Him...He will not lead you astray.

"Lord, I ask You today to cast out, in the Name of JESUS, all thoughts and feelings of doubt, despair, and discouragement in me.  Lord, You know how Satan has tried to thwart what You have wrought in my heart through __________ (you fill in the blank).  Lord, help me to keep my eyes on THEE, so that I may continue to have faith and believe in You, without doubting.  Forgive me, Lord, for my fears and doubts.  FILL me with Your Holy Spirit, Renew me, and Help me, I pray, Oh Lord Jesus." Amen.

Then remember to praise Him for His promises and blessings.  Even when you don't feel like praising...the very act of giving thanks to Him opens your heart to receive the blessings He has in store for you.  If you don't believe me, just try it for yourself. Give God a chance! He will not fail you.

Random Journal Day...Sacrifices or Trust?

If you have followed my blog throughout the past year you will remember that at least once a month I join up with some other blogging friends for the "Random Journal Day" Blog Hop..(.Click on this Link to Random Journal Day Blog Hop for January info) ...It's where we go pull an old journal off the shelf (or out of the bottom drawer of the dresser, in my case today), and randomly open to hopefully a journal entry that can be shared with others!  Sometimes they cannot be shared, and I have to turn a few more pages...and then I wonder if I've already shared this one or not...but oh well! If I have, you'll just have to endure it again, because this is where God led me tonight.  The first part sounds a bit depressed...but I was going through some difficult days.  We all go through deep water and difficult days at one time or another...maybe something here will help you if you find yourself in such a place...

This particular entry comes from Thursday, December 27, 2001,(excerpts) followed by Tuesday, January 22, 2002...Here is what I wrote...

(Dec. 27, 2001):
"I just re-read the entries in this little book that I've written throughout this past year--God was truly ministering to me during those days of convalescence from my surgery.  I see that I haven't written anything since going back to work in May...So much for goals and keeping up with writing! But I guess it has been all I could do over the past six months to keep up with house and home and work~let alone try to write a book! I really haven't the physical energy~as well as the spiritual power necessary to write all that was on my heart.  Looking back, I realize that I have been in a real emotional fog for most of this year.  I wish I could say that the fog has totally dissipated and I am walking fully in the sunlight at this time.  But I cannot honestly say that.  Each day seems to bring new challenges to my faith and mind.  There are days that I find myself wishing there were some means of 'escape'.  And yet, I know that is not what God would want for me.  I know I must persevere and remain faithful to His calling on my life.  To quit now would show a lack of trust and faith.

     Lord, You know I believe, but help my unbelief...I am only human, after all.  There are days that I fear that I will either lose my mind or my life~but then I remember that God is able to sustain me throughout all of my life~in all circumstances. I need not fear what man may do to me~I am safe in the arms of Jesus.  He continues to carry me and protect me.  Praise God! Jesus NEVER fails!


(January 22, 2002):

"I have been thinking about yesterday's devotional reading from I Samuel 15:22-23; 

'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.  Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.'

Although this was directed to King Saul, it has application for us today. I know that I must obey the voice of the Lord in all things, in every area of my life~regardless of what sacrifices may have to be made.  Sometimes it is easier to say, "But Lord, look at the sacrifices I've already made to serve You"....and God says, "Yes, child, I know you have been faithful in many things~but you must continue to Obey Me and Trust Me in all ways!  Don't give in to the "martyr syndrome"...keep your eyes fixed on Me, Jesus, the Author and finisher of your faith..."Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

A song I am listening to right now as I write this, "Where There is Faith"...by 4Him:

"I believe in faithfulness

I believe in giving up myself for someone else.

I believe in peace and love,

I believe in honesty and trust...

But it's not enough

For all that I believe may never change the way it is,

Unless I believe that Jesus lives...

Where there is faith...

There is a voice calling

"Keep walking...You're not alone in this world~"

Where there is faith~

There is a peace like a child sleeping

Hope everlasting in Him Who is able to bear every burden,

to heal every hurt in my heart...

It is a wonderful, powerful place~

Where there is faith..."

"Where There is Faith" by 4Him 

Christ's bequest of peace=  

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

Isaiah 26:3-4:  "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength."

This was the last entry written in this particular journal.  It was a long time before I started writing again...so many things were going on in my life and I didn't feel like writing it all down at the time.  Thankfully God has restored my desire and joy in writing...it has been a healing balm in so many ways. I trust that others who may now be reading what has been on my heart in the past and now the present will find His PRESENCE in these words...and find hope and rest and peace for your own souls.  Amen.