Live Joyfully in the Midst of Struggles

This is what I read in Sarah Young's "Jesus Today" today.... #116

"I am calling you to live joyfully in the midst of your struggles.

You yearn for a freer, more independent way of life than you're currently experiencing.

You pray fervently--and then wait hopefully for the changes you desire.

When I don't answer your prayers according to your will, you sometimes get discouraged.

It's easy for you to feel as if you're doing something wrong--

as if you're missing out on what is best for you.  

When you think that way, you are forgetting a most important truth:

That I am Sovereign.

I am in control, and

I am taking care of you."

This past weekend was very stressful for us.  As most of you know, we take care of my 93 year old mother in law on the weekends, and she is getting progressively more fragile, dependent and extremely needy.  My time is consumed with caring for her needs, and by the end of the weekend I am pretty well exhausted.  I was so much so this past weekend that I am still feeling the effects on my body and in my spirit.  Those of you who have cared for elderly loved ones can relate.  Our whole family is affected by this in a negative way, and we know that some changes are going to have to be made soon.  But we are reluctant to take those steps, and I find myself praying that God will intervene for her and on our behalf...and be merciful for His children's sake. I know God understands my heart in this, and I don't believe He thinks badly of me for having these feelings.  But He wants me to trust Him to do what is best for all concerned.

This is part of the reason I believe I was directed to choose the word "REST" for my "One Word" for 2017.  Not only is it for a spiritual resting in Christ, but also for a physical rest...which actually coincides with the spiritual.  Because when our physical bodies need rest, our spirit usually needs rest as well.  

Today I was uplifted and blessed to be a part of our monthly gathering of our "Lovely Ladies of the Lord" group.   After we meet for a time of prayer, Bible study and sharing our concerns and joys, we usually continue our fellowship at a local restaurant for lunch...

I know the Lord planned this gathering for this week, because I truly needed this time of respite and joy in the midst of my struggles.  These ladies always give me a blessing just by their words of love and comfort and prayer. We are there for each other...and I am humbled by the true beautiful hearts of these dear women of the Lord.  We all learn so much just from sharing our burdens and cares...and laying them at the feet of Jesus. 

I have come away from this meeting today with my burdens lifted, knowing that, 

Yes, God IS sovereign, and yes, God IS in control, 

and most definitely God IS taking care of me!

And I can live joyfully in the midst of struggles!

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord,

for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever!"

Psalm 118:1

Amen.

Be Exalted, O God!

 "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!

For my soul trusts in You;

And in the shadow of Your wings

I will make my refuge,

Until these calamities have passed by."

Psalm 57:1

The bird you see flying high above is an eagle.

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

Let Your glory be above all the earth."

Psalm 57:5

Great Blue Heron

"My heart is steadfast, O God,

my heart is steadfast;

I will sing and give praise.

Awake, my glory!

Awake, lute and harp!

I will awaken the dawn."

Psalm 57:7-8

American Robin

"I will praise You, O Lord,

among the peoples;

A Red Bellied Woodpecker among the Robins

I will sing to You among the nations."

Psalm 57:9

"For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,

And Your truth unto the clouds."

Psalm 57:10

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

Let Your glory be above all the earth!"

Psalm 57:11

I hope you have enjoyed these readings from Psalm 57, with pictures taken here in my neck of the woods and along the road as we traveled.  God's glory is abundantly surrounding us wherever we may be...and He is covering us in the shadow of His wings no matter how difficult the journey.  We just need to lift up our eyes and behold His glory...and give Him praise!    

Verses 2-3 of Psalm 57 says:

"I will cry out to God Most High,

To God who performs all things for me.

He shall send from heaven and save me;

He reproaches the one who would swallow me up.

God shall send forth His mercy and His truth."

There is no picture to adequately describe what God does for us when we cry out to Him in our distress...but in my mind's eye I can imagine Him sending His holy angels to rescue me from danger...and I can also see the angels fighting for me when my enemies would swallow me up...

Psalm 32:7 tells me that God is my hiding place; and that He shall preserve me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance!  What a beautiful picture that is...and such a marvelous song...I wonder how many times God has had to dispatch His angels on my behalf...and I wonder if the beautiful music of the birds singing all around us could possibly be the songs of the angels...

Some day we will have our eyes opened to see just what God hath done for us, but in the meantime, let us continue to give Him praise among all people...and sing to Him among the nations!

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

Let Your glory be above all the earth!"

Psalm 57:11

Amen!

Stand Still And Consider...

"...Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God."

Job 37:14

As I stood by my kitchen sink washing up the morning dishes, my eyes were directed to this beautiful little mug sitting on the windowsill.  I ordered this mug for myself some time ago because I loved the scene on it so much...a log cabin sitting alongside a pond, with a little log cabin bird house in the foreground with a chickadee perched atop.  Wildflowers dance next to the pine boughs...and it is such a peaceful, tranquil scene I just would love to walk right into it and go sit on that cabin porch beside the pond and rock and enjoy the serenity.

Since my "One Word" for 2017 is REST, this mug should be designated as my mascot for the year!  And please note the verse, taken from the book of Job 37:14, is where Elihu, one of Job's "friends" is exhorting Job to "Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God."  I feel as though God is also reminding me of this in His mandate to "REST".   Even as I stand at my kitchen sink and look out the window, I can't help but be reminded to "Stand Still and Consider the wondrous works of God" as I enjoy watching the birds, bees, butterflies hummingbirds, and even sometimes bears and foxes passing by.  And even when I can't see outside the window because the windows are so steamed up with condensation due to the very cold temperatures outside and the warmth within, (like today on this wintry day in Florida), I am still reminded of God's wondrous works...

Here are just a few of the reminders on my windowsills...

This potted plant is an Amaryllis bulb, just starting to burst forth with a new cluster of lovely red blossoms (actually this one will be red with white mixed in...still a beauty)....I absolutely LOVE to watch these plants grow almost visibly before my eyes...every day you can see new growth...and it reminds me of a new baby Christian...growing up straight and tall and beautiful as he feeds on the nourishment of God's Word and is watered daily by the grace of God, and soon blossoming with joy and beauty for the glory of God.

This little picture  above reminds me to never lose hope, even when doors seem to shut in my face...because God always opens a window of new opportunity and blessing if we just trust Him and be patient....it is also the message that is the inspiration for this blog!

And who could not be blessed and encouraged to be patient by this beautiful stained glass window ornament above...with a portion of one of my all time favorite verses:

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.

They shall mount up with wings as the eagle.

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint"

Isaiah 40:31

Then there is this little mug, with another chickadee on it! (I do love chickadees...but I love ALL birds really)...And it reminds me to:

"Let Heaven and nature sing!"

Which is the theme of my whole kitchen window!!!

And last but not least is this little candle holder, with the message:

"A Heart that seeks God finds Him."

So, even when I am unable to go outside and sit in "My Secret Garden", (like today...when it appears to be so sunny and beautiful, but is really quite chilly and too breezy)

or when there is no time to truly "rest" from my labors...I can still be reminded to seek God even while doing the mundane chore of washing dishes or preparing our meals.  I can stand at my window and "consider the wondrous works of God", while I "Let Heaven and Nature Sing" ...and am sometimes even known to sing along with songs of praise and worship while scrubbing and chopping and rinsing and drying...Just like  the birds...they sing praises to their Creator as they gather their food for their families and bathe in the water provided...

So, no matter where we are, or what we are doing...let us be reminded to look around...up at the skies or stars, out at the trees blowing in the wind, or the snow that is falling gently to the ground...

and let us:

"Stand Still and Consider 

the Wondrous Works

of God!"

Saturday Praise and Whimsy

It's Saturday morning, and I've got nothing special to say....except Thank You, Lord, for getting us safely through another week.  Thank You, for the rain that is falling today...and that the storms did not harm us during the night.  Thank You, Lord, that my mother in law seems a little better today. Yesterday she was not herself at all and we were strongly considering taking her to the hospital today for an evaluation...but today she is resting peacefully and seems to be not quite as disoriented as yesterday.  

So, today, Lord, I'd just like to give You thanks for the marvelous ways You continue to care for us, Your children.  Even though we don't deserve Your kindness...You lavishly shower love upon us. I give You praise and thanksgiving today. Thank You!

Now here are a few pictures to bring a smile to our faces...just a little whimsy from God's creation here in my neck of the woods... 

"The Lord upholds all who fall...

 And raises up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look expectantly to You,

And You give them their food in due season.

You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all His ways,

Gracious in all His works.

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,

To all who call upon Him in truth.

He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;

He also will hear their cry and save them."

Psalm 145: 14-19

Hope you all have a blessed and joyful day!  

Repurposed For Christ (Friday Foto Friends)

"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."

(2 Corinthians 4:6-7)

Just an ordinary light fixture, repainted, recycled, repurposed and lit up for 
God's Glory!

Isn't the transformation remarkable?
I wish I had taken a BEFORE picture of the light fixture...it was 
 very dingy, dark, dirty and boring....

This is what happens to us when we allow the 
Light of Christ
to shine in our hearts!
We become re-purposed for His glory!!!
No longer dingy, dark, dirty or boring...
but filled with the joyous Light of Jesus, 
radiating out to a darkened world!

(and yes, this light is going to shine
in 
The Secret Garden!)
Stay Tuned!

Linking today with Deb at Breathing in Grace and friends for Friday Foto Friends. Hop on over and visit with the rest of the group!  Have a blessed and Light-Filled Friday!

Happy New Year everyone!

BE STILL AND KNOW...Updated and Recycled

Dear Friends, as most of you know, my new "One Word" for 2017 is "REST".  Today I was thinking about a certain song, "Jesus I Am Resting, Resting"...and was reminded that I had included it in a previous post some time ago.  So, after researching through my archives, I discovered this post, written on 4/22/2015, which includes a link to that song.  Apparently my need for "REST" is not new at all.  It appears that this is a recurring theme throughout the history of my blog posts through the years.  So, rather than write a new post for today, I thought you might like to go back in time with me and see how the Lord has been teaching me throughout the years.  When you get to the link for the song "Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting", please be sure to turn on your sound, click on the link and sit back and enjoy that song with the pictures... It is is very calming and "restful" .

Here is the original post:

"Be still and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!"

Psalm 46:10

It is curious how often I come back to this verse in my thinking...in prayer time...in times of devotion and worship.  I don't believe it is ME doing the prompting in this process...it is coming from another source directly connected to me...God.  Yes, God is directly connected to me...by blood...the blood of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, which was shed for me...and by Spirit...His Holy Spirit...Who came to live within my heart when Jesus left the earth and sent Him to dwell here in His place.

In case you've missed it somewhere along the way, my "business" IS working in God's Kingdom...as a Church Administrator for a large historic church in an active modern community...and also as a semi-retired minister's wife with many years of experience in varied types of ministry.  So I should KNOW about serving God...and I should KNOW God Himself up close and personal.

Sounds like a lot going on there...and yes, there is! All too often I get so caught up in the busyness of this world...and even in the business of working in God's Kingdom in this world...that I forget to listen to the prompting of God's Holy Spirit reminding me to "Be Still...and KNOW that I AM God!"

If you read my previous post "The Food That Satisfies", I talked about how we can get so fraught with running to and fro in search of more spiritual food that we are literally starving for the living "Bread of life",  in the person of Jesus Christ Himself, and missing that deeper personal walk with Him.  So many people in today's Christian society seem to have the "bigger is better" philosophy of worship and church ministry.  We get caught up in the hype of bright lights, loud music, multi-sensory activities that boggle our minds and create an emotional pseudo- spiritual experience that makes us "feel good", but may leave us feeling dissatisfied with those quiet moments of inner reflection.  We tend to forget how important it is to our personal spiritual growth to spend some quality AND quantity time alone with God away from the noise and clutter of corporate "worship".

Jesus invited His disciples to

"Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while,"

(Mark 6:31)

right when they were in the height of their new and exciting ministry...(you can read more about this in the whole sixth chapter of Mark)...

He had sent them out (vs. 7) "two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits...", and they (vs. 13) "cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them."

and it says in verse 31:

"For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat."

They were so caught up in the miracles and the excitement of their new-found ministry that they barely had time to eat or sleep...so Jesus Himself took them on a little "retreat" away from the crowds for a little while...so that they could set apart some time to

(Sign courtesy of Ben's Country Woodshop)

I am not trying to be critical of today's modern style of worship...but what does concern me is that I see so many trying so hard to be super spiritual that they lose sight of the One Who has it all...God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit...Three in One...Blessed Trinity...

We need to purposely set aside time to "Be Still...and KNOW that I AM God"....and to "Come aside and rest awhile..." with Jesus.

Here is a modern version of an old hymn that I love and seems to fit here: 

"Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting"    

Take a few moments...or as long as you can...and rest in Him...Find out the greatness of His loving heart...and be at peace.  Amen.

Here is another post on a similar subject you might appreciate: My Open Window Wasn't Really Open

And Another: Driven Into The Wilderness.  

In the Secret Place...

This morning I was rushing to put a load of clothes from the washer into the dryer...rushing because my husband was waiting for me in the car to leave to go run some errands...and I remembered at the last minute that the clothes were sitting in the washing machine and I didn't want to come home to stinky clothes that would have to be washed all over again...and yes, I was in a hurry as usual...because that is just how I tend to operate...

and God got my attention....

I looked up and out of the window that is just above the washer and dryer...and there sat this beautiful male cardinal...partially hidden in the branches...but an obvious contrast to the green leaves surrounding him.  Naturally, I stopped what I was doing...and ran and got my camera, and prayed he wouldn't fly away before I could get a picture of him...and there he was, waiting for me...

because he was God's little reminder to me about my new One Word for 2017...REST... Stop what you are doing and pay attention to ME for a moment...the errands can wait...(even though my husband came back inside to see what was taking me so long...)   The pictures aren't the best quality due to being seen through a dirty window and it was rather cloudy this morning...

but God got HIS message across to me...

and here it is:

"You are my Hiding Place;

You shall preserve me from trouble;

You shall surround me with 

songs of deliverance."

Psalm 32:7

and:

In Psalm 32:8 He says:

"I will instruct you and teach you 

in the way you should go; 

I will guide you with My eye." 

"Oh how great is Your goodness,

which You have laid up for those who fear You,

which You have prepared for those who trust in You

in the presence of the sons of men!

You shall hide them in the secret place of Your Presence

from the plots of man;

You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion

from the strife of tongues!" 

Psalm 31:19-20

Oh yes! I believe I am going to enjoy this new One Word adventure for 2017...  The Lord is drawing me closer to Him...hiding me in the secret place of His Presence...away from the plots of man and this world and away from the strife of tongues.  He is already surrounding me with songs of deliverance...singing His loving lullabies over me...and sending songbirds to brighten my pathway.  

Now, if I could just learn to stop rushing around so much!

Have a blessed, joy-filled, restful, peaceful day, my friends!

What do Blue Jeans and Jesus Have in Common? - UPDATED

I have to tell you something wonderful!  My new classy bluejeans that I got for Christmas...the jeans that replace my only old pair of saggy baggy worn out jeans that are ancient and totally out of style...my new jeans think I'm gorgeous! They also think I'm beautiful, sexy, glamorous and stunning!!!!  I had no idea until I was sitting in the you know where and happened to notice that my jeans pockets had writing all inside of them!  As I sat there wondering what on earth could be written all over these pockets, I looked a little closer and found these amazing affirmations over and over again!  Imagine how this made me smile?  I mean...how often do you ever have anyone (or anything) tell you at this stage in life (senior citizen) (and while you are sitting in the you know where) that you are gorgeous, glamorous, sexy, beautiful and stunning?  I must tell you this really put a smile on my face and a little skip to my step! I couldn't wait to get out of there and tell my hubby!  Of course, he said that he already knew that...Ha ha!!

Ha ha Ha, so now that I've got your attention and hopefully also have you laughing, I am certain you are wondering where I am going to go with this question at the top...

"What do blue jeans and Jesus have in common?"

Well, relax...I'm not going to tell you that Jesus thinks I'm all of those descriptive adjectives above...but I can tell you that He does delight in me! I can tell you that He thinks I'm pretty special...and that He loves me so much that He was willing to die for me!  And He died for me so that He could one day take me to heaven as His beloved Bride, and that we could live happily ever after for eternity!    And you know what?  He feels the same way about YOU!  Yes He does!

This morning the devotional that I read in "Jesus Today"  (#111) by Sarah Young said the following:

"You are a delight to Me! (Jesus).  

I know you find it difficult to receive this blessing.

It is based on the unconditional Love I have for all of My followers.

I love you more than you can begin to imagine, 

so just relax in the

Light of My Presence--

take time to soak in this luminous Love. 

Relax with Me and listen while I

rejoice over you with singing...."

"Remember that My delight in you is based on 

My finished work on the cross.  

So don't fall into the trap of trying to earn My Love.

Instead, live as the one you truly are--

My beloved--

and let your gratitude keep yo close to Me,

eager to follow wherever I lead.

I delight in you!"

God's Word tells us in Zephaniah 3:17  (NIV) the following:

"The Lord your God is with you,

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing."

Don't you love that verse?  I sure do.  Especially as I begin this new year...and as I seek to find REST in God...I love that He tells me not only that He is WITH me, and that He is mighty to SAVE me, and He also takes great DELIGHT in me...but He also will QUIET me with HIS LOVE...and then He actually REJOICES over me with singing!!! How lovely...how precious this makes me feel.  These words are an affirmation from God that He truly enjoys spending time with me...and that makes me all the more determined to set aside that special time each day to spend time with Him...to hear Him singing over me and quieting my anxious heart as a mother sings a lullaby to her beloved child.  These words are much more precious to me than all the sweet "nothings" that were written in my blue jeans pockets! God's words give me HOPE, and Blessing, and great comfort.  And that truly puts a big smile on my face!!!

POST UPDATE:  OKAY GIRLS, SINCE SEVERAL OF YOU HAVE ALREADY ASKED ME WHAT KIND OF JEANS THESE ARE, THEY ARE LEE CLASSIC FIT 1889, PURCHASED AT JCPENNEY!

And here is gorgeous,beautiful, sexy, glamorous and stunning me, wearing my new jeans!!!!

How's that for a good laugh?  I know Jesus must be smiling...because He loves us so much...and He KNOWS we are beautiful because He created us in His image!!!

It's a New Year...and I'm Going to....

Rest!

Yes, my friends, it is a New Year...and I am going to REST!  That is my "One Word" for 2017!  I "labored" over what my new "One Word" should be...and my mind grew weary with trying so hard.  Then this morning I opened my "Jesus Today" devotional book by Sarah Young, and this is what I read:

"Find Rest in Me alone, dear one; 

Your hope comes from Me. 

You have a restless mind. 

It skips and scampers about continually, rarely taking time to be still.

Listen, and you will hear Me saying,

"Come to Me."

I am the only resting place for your mind that will truly satisfy and strengthen you.

Take time-make time-to direct your thoughts to Me.

Whisper My Name and wait in My sacred Presence.  

You are on holy ground.

This provides refreshment not only for your mind

but also for your soul."

(Jesus Today, #108)

And this message confirmed to me what I was already thinking...it is time for me to 

find REST in Christ alone.  

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;

my hope comes from Him."

Psalm 62:5

In keeping with this idea, my mind was already spinning (not resting!) with ways in which I could accomplish this idea of resting.  Doesn't sound like I've quite learned anything about it yet, does it?  But hear me out, please.  

You see, my son sort of started it when he gave me this wonderful surprise gift for Christmas:

Here we are on Christmas morning, as my son Scott explained to me that he found this bench, in pieces in a dumpster, and he knew he had to bring it home and rebuild it for his mom!  And so, after he'd get home at night after work he was secretly laboring over this project outside when I was totally unaware. I was warned to stay away from the lean-to in the yard, but not told why.  And so on Christmas morning he revealed this beautiful park bench to me, which is still not quite completed, but good enough to show me...and I immediately started thinking about where I was going to put it so I could enjoy it the most!

I've had a dream of establishing a little "secret garden" in our back yard...even wrote about it once before I think...(Click HERE for that story...three years ago!)  but I never really got that project off the ground.  I was still working and going through other difficult things in our lives, and the secret garden kind of just faded into the weeds...(ferns mostly)

and even the spiders found a home there:

But now that I am retired...I feel God nudging me to set aside this special place where I can go and find REST for my soul...my own little "Secret Garden" where I can meet the Lord in the morning or the shade of the afternoon...whenever I feel the need or prompting of the Holy Spirit to steal away into a quiet place and meditate on Him...

I found this quote on Pinterest today...and it expresses my sentiments exactly....

and so one of the first things I have set in place is a gate that opens wide into my secret garden:

It is actually an old iron headboard that I found in the old shed on our property...so I painted it and we set it in place...permanently in the OPEN position, so that nothing will hinder me from entering this secret garden...and you are welcome too!  The beautiful glass flower ornament is a Christmas gift from my sweet hubby! He didn't know this would become the first thing to decorate this special place...he just saw it at the flea market and knew I would like it!

He was so right!!!! He knows me better than I realized!

And so now that I have embarked on this new project...it is supposed to help me find "REST"...but first I have work to do so that I CAN rest!  (Something wrong with this picture? Perhaps...but I can't rest until I know everything is in place...) so stay tuned for future developments....(Now you may understand why God wants me to learn how to REST).   

By the way, last year my "One Word" was GRACE...(Click HERE for that story)...and I must admit that God has shown me His loving grace in so many ways this past year...as well as I have had to  learn how to be filled with grace as I have helped to care for my mother in law as she progresses in her physical and mental needs each week...that is still a work in progress for me.  

So perhaps the time of REST will help me to fully understand just how great is God's Grace.  

Psalm 46:10 says:

"Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth."

This won't be the first time the Lord has tried to teach me to be still and meditate on Him.  I pray that this year I will do exactly what He is teaching me to do...and just

Rest!

Post Update: Linking up with Deb and friends over at Breathing in Grace to share our One Word for 2017!  Check it out and see how the Lord is leading others in this adventure to draw closer to God in 2017...