Friday, June 14, 2013

A New Journey

Well....it's a sad and exciting time tonight.  Because of issues, that I couldn't seem to get fixed, this is the last post I will write on Chelle's Blog.  But because of that I have started a new blog, a new journey. And I have to tell you I am excited about it.  The LORD gave me a new URL (address), some new scriptures to go with it, and a new blog name.  I hope you all will join me over at my new place....check it out....and maybe even give me a follow.  I will be looking forward to hearing from each of you there.

Here is the link....hopefully you can just click on it. But who knows....like I said there is some issues going on!  If not just type it in.


Thank you all for all of your support and comments while I blooged here.

Blessings....Chelle


Sunday, June 9, 2013

The Lord Merely Spoke

Psalm 33:6-9

The Lord merely spoke,
    and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
    and all the stars were born.
He assigned the sea its boundaries
    and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
Let the whole world fear the Lord,
    and let everyone stand in awe of him.
For when he spoke, the world began!
    It appeared at his command.

For a couple of weeks now I haven't been able to wrap my head around any scripture.  Reading the Bible has seemed kind of pointless to me.  It seems that I go through theses stages a lot recently.  I don't like it but it's a fact.  

Bad days....bad times....read the Word....get closer to God.  Get closer to God....still have bad days and times....everything is better because you know God is in control.  This is what I should do.  So tonight I opened my Bible and read this passage of scripture.  Somehow it helps.  If God can merely speak the whole world into existence....then He can take care of all that troubles us.  

Just a good night thought before going to bed....


until we see Jesus....face to face




Sunday, May 26, 2013

The Life You Got

I'm honored to be guest posting today over at Encourage 24/7.  For days now I've been trying to come up with something encouraging to write but it just hasn't happened.  So tonight I'm sitting at my desk and praying that the Lord will give me something to say.  I've started a few times and deleted them all.  I've flipped through scriptures....and nothing has hit me.  Until....

Psalm 107:2

Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!
    Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.


This verse is for all of us.  As Christians we have all been redeemed and we all have a story to tell.  We need to tell our stories to all that will listen.  All of us are walking....talking....miracles!  You don't have to be a speaker....a writer....a singer....or anything else, other than just you, to tell your story.  

Before I gave my heart to the Lord I did many many things I'm not proud of.  For a long time I regretted that life.  Yes....I knew God had forgiven me but it was so very hard to forgive myself for those things.  Then one day I started realizing that until I forgave myself I wasn't going to really have the life that the Lord wanted me to have.  So....I went back (physically) to a few of the places where life went all wrong....talked to the Lord about them and forgave myself.  For the places I couldn't go back to....I just talked to the Lord about them and forgave myself.  You see....you can never truly be free until you accept your past life and move on into your new life with the Lord.  I heard a line on a movie tonight that fits this well....

The miracle ain't the life you missed....it's the life you got!

Sometimes we look back and think about all that we missed because we didn't always do the right things. But, what I have found is how much more the life I have now really means to me.  Since I gave my life to Jesus it's so much fuller and brighter than anything I ever knew before.  The life I have now is the life the Lord had planned for me all along!  The people that mean so much to me now....I may have never known had my life been different. This life I've got now is my miracle!  I have had a crazy, full life and I wouldn't trade it for anything else because now I can fully appreciate all that the Lord has done for and given me.  

When Jesus died on Calvary He set me free from all of my sin and made a way for me to be free!  Jesus did that for all of us.  So if you have been redeemed....Speak out!  Tell the people around you....or the world if your a blogger....your story.   People need Jesus and you just might be the one with the right life story that will show them the way.


until we see Jesus....face to face



 

Sunday, May 19, 2013

He Brought Me Out

This weekend while reading some scripture I came across Psalm 40.  I read verse 1-3 and thought how familiar they sounded to me.  Not just that I had read them many times before....no....there was something more....

Psalm 40:1-3

I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.


It is the words of the chorus to an old hymn called....He Brought Me Out written by Henry L. Gilmour, 1898.  Here is the chorus....

He brought me out of the miry clay,
He set my feet on the rock to stay; 
He puts a song in my soul today,
A song of praise, hallelujah!

This was a song from my childhod that was stored somewhere in the recesses of my mind....or was it really stored in my soul?  Anyway, I find it so amazing how the Lord brings things back to our remembrance as we need them....even when we don't know we need them....

First I read the verses, then the song was playing in my mind, and I immediately thought about my life and how the Lord has brought me out. 

The definition of the word mire; used as a noun it means a marsh or a bog. As a verb it means to involve or entangle.  That is what satan does to us.  He gets us so heavily and deeply involved in our sin that before we know what's happening we are entangled as if we are a fly caught in a spiders web.  Then we find ourselves sinking....sinking....sinking....until we are so much in a bog that we think we could never get out.  That is just a mind game that the devil uses on us to keep us in our sin.  The cool thing is....

When the Lord gets a hold of us He pulls us up out of that miry clay and does just what the scripture and the song says.  He sets our feet upon the rock (solid ground) and helps us to stand.  He has done that for me.  He steadies me....calms me....holds me....firmly places me in His care!  Then He started replacing all of the old songs I had carried in my soul for so long....with His songs....and fills my heart with praise!   

There are many times when I start letting the evil one take me down a dark path that I try hard to stay away from.  That's when I need to reach up and grab His hand before the bog starts sucking me in.  It's at those times I need to be reminded of where the Lord has brought me from....and where I am today.  The Lord did that for me yesterday when He led me to these verses.  

As the title of the song says;

He Brought Me Out....and He will bring you out too.  


Until we see Jesus....face to face





 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Steadfast As An Olive Tree

Right now....though I should be in bed....I find myself drawn to my computer.  For a few days now I have had many thoughts of things I wanted to share but when I tried my mind would just go blank....then I would sleep.  So tonight I really don't know where I'm going with this.

Lately when I open my Bible I always go to the Psalms.  Somehow they just seem to give me comfort....rest....peace.

Psalm 52:8-9



But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
    I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
I will praise you forever, O God,
    for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
    in the presence of your faithful people.

I found these two verses yesterday and for some reason can't seem to get away from them. I looked up a little about olive trees and found that....An olive tree is known for its tenacity and that it can grow and thrive in just about any soil. 

I looked up the word to be sure of it's meaning and found that  another word for tenacity is steadfastness.  So, if you remain steadfast as an olive tree....or unshakeable in your faith...and trust that God loves you and cares for you....you are going to thrive in your walk with Him.  We just have to do as David did and commit our life to the Lord no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in. 

As I have said before my quest is to have unshakeable faith.  So I think the reason I found this passage  was to show me that I needed to be like an olive tree....tenacious and thriving where ever I am.  With unshakeable tenacious faith growth should come....as long as I'm relying on...and trusting in...the Lord.


until we see Jesus....face to face 



Linking up with Tracy



Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Sleepless Nights

Do you ever have sleepless uncomfortable nights?  During one of my recent long nights I opened my Bible and read Psalm 63.  The verses that stuck out to me were 6-8.

I lie awake thinking of you,
    meditating on you through the night.
Because you are my helper,
    I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
    your strong right hand holds me securely.

First, I have to tell you that I was not lying awake thinking of God as the scripture says.  I was praying but probably not in the way this passage is saying....probably more a prayer of desperation.    But, as the night turned to morning my thoughts did go the way of easy more meditative thoughts.  I started realizing that if I kept the Lord in the forefront of my thoughts that rest came easier.  I may not have slept but I did eventually rest.  

When we are going through something that just seems to have no end what is it we should do?  My study Bible says to make it a point to count examples of God's faithfulness.

You know His mercy is so great and really it knows no end.  Our Lord is always holding out His hand to us and if we take it we will find many wonderful things that He has for us.  Some of them are faithfulness....mercy....hope....rest....and His mighty strength to hold us up and get us to the other side of our problem.

Then I read verse 1 again.

O God, you are my God;
    I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
    my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
    where there is no water.

Life can spiral out of control for many reasons.  When it does I find that I start feeling empty.  I long for something to change how I'm feeling.  In the past I have used many different things to fix this feeling.  None of them worked.  When our whole body....our entire being....is suffering or lacking something....only the Lord can help us.  He can give us rest and comfort when nothing or no one else can.  

Another passage that comes to mind is this....

Psalm 42:1

As the deer longs for streams of water,
    so I long for you, O God.

Everything that has life needs water.  The water that we need most is the Living Water....JESUS.  In the midst of your trial reach out for that living water.  If you reach up for His hand you will find it....even in the night!


Linking up with Tracy at Winsome Wednesday.

 

 

Saturday, May 4, 2013

He Gives Amazing Grace

Long days...longer nights...so much alone time.  How do you fill it up?

Sitting here this morning I realize that the only way to truly fill it up is with God.  We choose how we fill our lives and He chooses how to fill us up.  He will fill us up with all good things when we make the correct first choice.  That choice can only be one thing...the Lord.  When we choose Him, He fills us with things that we could only hope to find before...

Many times we have to walk through things of this life to truly find the exceptional good things that He has for us...  

We go about our everyday lives taking much for granted.  Everything is good...great even...we are reasonably healthy...life is comfortable.  Then life happens...different for all.  Within a family circle...be it blood family or friend family...we experience many different things.  Things that bind us tightly if we let them.  Good things...great things....extravagant things.  Then on the flip side...things of sickness...tragedies...and sometimes loss...

Through whatever our individual life holds...if we choose...He is there.  With us every step of the way.  Giving us exactly what we need...exactly when we need it.  All of our walks are different.  We don't all go through exactly the same things at exactly the same time...but we all go through something.  I have found through watching others and from my own experience...the only way to get through is God...

Truthfully...you can make it through without Him...but it's so much harder.  You really have to learn to give to the Lord whatever it is you are going through.  Compared to what many peoples lives are like...my trials are small but still a learning experience for me...

This past week the Lord has allowed me to spend some quality alone time with Him.  There have been moments when I wasn't happy with it at all...and other moments that were good...God good.  As long as He gives me those Amazing Grace filled times with Him...I can go through the rough times with Him...

In the midst of whatever your battle is today...share it with the Lord.  He can give you whatever you need to get you through your battle...take you to the other side of it...and help you to stand when you get there. When you are weak He will give you strength...

2 Corinthians 12:9-10


But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).


till we see Jesus...face to face







 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

It Only Takes A Millisecond

Faith only takes a millisecond to be expressed.

Isn't that a good statement?  God has been working on my faith level recently so when I saw that it kind of jumped out at me. 

Today I had a few moments...couple of hours really!...of feeling sorry for myself.  After a bit of an "oh poor me" attitude, I realized that I hadn't been doing the same things today as I had been doing in the previous days this week.  I had not listened to one bit of music or read even one scripture.  So I turned on the music.  Whisper Jesus came on...beautiful song! Here's the first verse and chorus:

There's a name I love to whisper
anytime of day or night
And though the peace
that accompanies is mentioned
No tongue can tell
no pen can write


Whisper Jesus
I love you Jesus
Heavens peace will flood your soul
Whisper Jesus
I love you Jesus
Heavens peace will flood your soul

I started thinking about my day...my attitude...and what just a little bit of worship did for me.  I don't know how it is for you but for me it all ties in to faith.  Finally, I was understanding that if I would just reach out in faith, and believe, then all I had to do was just whisper His name...Jesus...it was all going to be okay.  They were saying that many times you can't express in prayer what you need or how you feel.  But...you can just whisper His name...Jesus...Jesus...Jesus...and that's all it takes.  How true that was.  I found that Jesus was there with me...holding me...comforting me.  Isn't that really all we need at times?  Just to know He's with us?  Just to know we're not alone?  To feel His peace and comfort drop over us like a heavenly blanket...that's all I really needed.  One of the best things about all of this was...

It really did only take a millisecond to get there.  The very second you start to whisper Jesus...He steps in.  It doesn't matter that nothing has changed in your situation.  The unsettled, anxious feelings start to leave with just the whisper of His name...Jesus.

James 1:2-4

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Thank You

Right now my blog isn't updating on any blogrolls. I don't know why and have not been able to check into it as of yet. So I am hoping that all of you that have been praying for me get this.

I just want to say thank you all so much for all of the prayers. I know that because of you praying my surgery went well. I am recovering now and would still appreciate your prayers. Some days are good and others are pretty painful.

Many bloggers I know, and many I do not know, have been praying. Those of you that know me well, thank you. Those of you that Jan sent a call out to in the FOCB community and don't know me, thank you. Jan from FOCB sent me responses from many of you and I plan to eventually visit all of your blogs.

God Bless you all
Chelle

For Our Good and HIS Glory

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

The questions I pose for myself today are these...

Do I really believe in God's promises?  Do I really believe that even though things seem to be worse the last couple of days that God is in control and He will work it all out?  That In the end...everything will be okay? 

What I read is this...

I...we...have to have enduring faith.  If I don't then what is the point in anything I believe?  Faith and hope go hand in hand.  We have a great hope that all things in our life are going to work out...for our good and His glory.  That's a phrase Marge says to me all the time and I am still learning.  Our hope reveals our faith in Him.  Having courage and hope shows that we have faith that the Lord is working out everything for us.  Yes, my courage and hope wane at times.  In fact at some points this week they have lacked a lot!  But...because of my faith I was able to get up with renewed hope this morning!  Just knowing that today is a new day and God had it all planned out for me before I ever awoke...well that's exciting!  

Before I knew the Lord I believed that everything just happened.  I lived my life as much on the edge as I could because I thought that it really didn't matter anyway.  Kind of like what that old song says...what will be will be, the futures not ours to see, que sera, sera.  Just so you know...I still don't believe that I'm in control of my future but doing things like driving at high rates of speed while under the influence of  "whatever" is a risk you don't need to take!  I do believe that God has a much better ending in store for me than those actions would bring on.  I now have hope...and assurance...that I am part of God's family and no matter what...it will all turn out for my best!  

Something else I know is this...

Without faith we would be like a boat on a stormy sea.  Tossed and turned about...never knowing what direction we were going in.  Think about the mess you would be in if you didn't have faith. Faith is what holds me...us...together. When we are on that stormy sea faith is what keeps us going.  Faith is like a lifeline to the Lord.  Without faith prayer is meaningless.  Why pray if you don't have faith that God is listening?  But when you do have faith that He is...even when you don't see immediate results...you know that you know that He is listening and is working it all out for you...

For your good and His glory! 


till we see Jesus...face to face 



Linking up with Tracy today





Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Strengthening Faith

For a while now I have known that to become "Deeply Rooted and Unshakeable" you have to go through things.  How else can your faith be strengthened?  So...when life happens I can let those things effect me in one of two ways.  Feel sorry for myself and become unsettled and tossed about or...dig deeper into the Lord so my faith can grow.

When I found out I was going to have back surgery I was a little less than thrilled but I knew it was what needed to be done.  There were many thoughts that passed through my mind about the whole process but the one that quickly took the forefront was...this is an opportunity to spend more time with the Lord.  My intention was to spend time reading His Word and maybe a book or two that I have.  So far that's not how it's been going.  I have read a few verses but mostly it's been lots of praise and worship music and just talking with Him...and that has been good!  Being able to focus on reading hasn't really happened for me but on Saturday I really felt I needed to read some scripture.  So I simply said...Jesus please give me a scripture to read that will help me right now...1 Peter came to mind immediately.  So I got my bible and begin to read.  When I read verses 6 - 7 I knew that's what He wanted me to see...

1 Peter 1:6-7

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Saturday just seemed to be a day that the Lord was using to let me know that my quest for "Deeply Rooted and Unshakeable" faith  was the road I need to be on.  I just happened to receive a surprise in the mail that same day...one of my favorite poems.  A wall hanging with the poem by Bonnie Mohr...

Our faith must be Deeply Rooted and Unshakeable.
I will rely on Your unfailing Love.  Your Roots hold me to Your steadfast Foundation, strengthening and overflowing me with thankfulness.  I will stand firm in Your Word and truth for it reaches to the Heavens. 

The Lord never ceases to amaze me how He uses different ways to speak to us.  Through His Word...special friends...music...and the life situations that we find ourselves in.  Each day since this journey started He has spoken to me in many ways.  As He leads...I will share.


till we see JESUS...face to face













Monday, April 29, 2013

Victory

dark flows in
light flows out
where do you go
just flail about
seemingly vague
clouds settle in
raindrops are falling
on your world again
filled with despair
hopeless abounds
pain in the path
fear wins out
thinking is muddled
sickness abounds
turmoil within
fogginess without
what do you do
when all settles in
at every turn
you just can't win
run to the cross
fall on your knees
face to the ground
tears flowing free
shouts you send up
Gods breath you feel
warmth spreading through
soul hole is filled
stand to your feet
shout it out loud
go tell the world
Christ you will see





 


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Let Jesus Be What You Need

Jesus....Jesus....Jesus....there's just something about that name!  Wherever you are tonight....whatever you are doing...if things just don't seem right for you....just call on that name....Jesus!  He won't let you down.  He will hold you up and take care of you.  He will calm your fears and help you to keep your sense of humor regardless of what's going on. He will place within you peace and hope when you least expect it.  He will be your rock...let Him be!

Psalm 94:19
When doubts filled my mind,
    your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.




Monday, April 22, 2013

He's Got You Covered

2 Chronicles 20:15b
This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

What are you afraid of today?  What battle are you fighting tonight that's got you all wrapped up?  
Whatever it is you know that God already has it all under control. 

He. Has. Got. You. Covered!

2 Chronicles 20:12
O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

Are you feeling powerless against what you are going through? Well so did the King and his armies. they didn't know what to do in their own power so they called on the One who could help them. And they worshipped!

2 Chronicles 20:18-22

18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.
20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”
21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:
“Give thanks to the Lord;
    his faithful love endures forever!”
22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.

Notice what verse 22 says...At the very moment they begin to sing and give praise...WOW! At that moment the LORD came through! He caused things to happen! They won their battle!!

I'm thinking that if we would do that we just might be surprised at what the LORD will do for us! We all fight battles and we all want to defeat our enemy...whom ever or what ever it is. So lets begin to praise and worship the Lord and see what happens. 

If we do this we just may see how good He really is!

Oh taste and see that the LORD is good. 




 

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Faith Versus Fear

I just wanted to share these two days off of my calendar with you. It's called; Gods Heart For You...by Holley Gerth. I had not looked at my calendar for about ten days but the day I went to the surgeon I decided to see what it had to say. I went on the 18th but I read the 17th and 18th.

17th

Hey, you.
Yep, you.
The one feeling a little weary.
Carrying that load.
Fighting this battle.
You're beautiful, you know that?
It's true.
And you can do this with Him.
With His power.

18th

You feel like your strength is small.
But it's not.
It's BIG.
World-changing big.
Life-altering big.
Make-it-over-that-mountain big.
BIG enough for you to do what you need to do.
Because your strength is as big as the GOD in you.

Aren't they good!!! I like all of what it says but especially this part...Because your strength is as big as the GOD in you. That is so true. I was just thinking about unshakeable faith the last couple of days. How I so want to just get there!! In my head...my heart I guess. Just to have faith no matter what. A faith so big that no matter what...I'm okay with it. That I know that God is in control of every situation and I can just roll with whatever happens...at any given time...and not doubt and be fearful or whatever other emotion I have. I don't like how I'm good one minute with how things are going to be and then the next I'm feeling the wave of...I don't want to do this fear.
 

So...back to that last line of the 18th...

I ask myself...How big is the GOD in me? Well, I think the answer is...as Big as I will let Him be. If I believe He is in control and I have nothing to fear...then I'll be okay. It's when I start listening to the voice in my ear...instead of in my heart...that I get all messed up. Satan is the one filling my head with the fear thoughts. I know this but I still listen. God wants to be the One I listen to. The voice that is bigger than any other voice! I have always thought that the voice of God is probably a Big, Deep Voice...rather booming! That is if you were to hear it audibly. But that's just my thought.

To wrap this all up I will just say this...

At times we all fight battles and feel weary...worn out and down in fact! And sometimes...our strength is pretty much gone. But I know...I Know!!!...that God is still there. Fighting with us...giving us the strength we need, just when we need it. HE is...everything and all we need! And in a few days when I need to really have that faith to believe...beyond any doubt...He will help me to have it! 



Saturday, April 13, 2013

Redirecting

As you can tell by reading my last couple of posts...God has been trying to get my attention.  I've noticed...I just haven't been responding.  Mainly because I haven't known the answers to the questions that keep forming in my mind.  At times I don't even know the questions...but I do know who brings on the confusion...

More and more it seems that I have been slipping away.  Away from what?...everything that holds me together.  Why?...I keep asking myself.  The answer...I don't have one.  Then the next question...how long has this been going on?  Days...weeks...months even?!  All I can say is...for a while now.  It hasn't been a complete all the time thing...but it has been happening more and more.  I know it...heart and soul.

When I first started noticing the difference I went back and read some of the things written in the past.  Everything I picked to read was written with feeling...my feeling.  They were truth...honesty...transparent and yes!...some even were gut wrenching to me.  Where did I go?  Where did it go?  That feeling...that heart that I once had for everything that was right and good...for Him.  How have I let it get lost...myself get lost...amongst everything else that goes on in life?  Really, the only answer that I can come up with is just life. That I have let life...all the ups and downs...twists and turns...disappointments...my own failure...sidetrack me.

So now the next question.  Where do I go from here?  Yes...there is the obvious answer.  Back to doing what I did in the beginning...reading...studying...learning.  And yet...not just those things.  I need to open my heart...my mind...my spiritual ears...and do and hear what He wants me to do...completely.  Give Him freely, the part of me that I hold back...what ever that may be.  At this point I don't really know what that is...but I want too.  I need to not let the disappointments sideline me.

Why am I sharing this with all of you?  That's a good question.  One that I have asked myself time and time again since starting this blog.  The answer?  For one reason and one reason only.  Because God...God wants me to be transparent.  Maybe because I have always hidden myself...my life...from everyone. At least I did before becoming a Christian.  I always lived in the shadows...the darker the better...shadows and walls...and I came to like it that way.  At times it's really hard to not still be like that!  But one thing I know now is this...to hide in the shadows and behind walls is darkness and promotes fear.  To live in the open is light and promotes life.  Gods way...in the light...is the right way...the best way.   

And now...how do I end this? 

I read a prayer tonight from Called Magazine that said this...

Father, if we're (I'm) on the wrong path, please redirect our (my) steps. ~ Don't allow us (me) to live our lives (my life) missing Your plan. 

In Jesus' name, Amen

To personalize it I added the words in parenthesis.

I believe I saw this prayer so that I would know that GOD is redirecting my steps today.  Not to get me back to where I once was, but to help me to become more.  More of who He wants me to be. 

I'm going to end this with the 23d Psalm because He is my Shepherd and the only One that I want to follow!

Psalm 23

The Lord the Shepherd

A psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green pastures.
    He leads me to calm water.
He gives me new strength.
He leads me on paths that are right
    for the good of his name.
Even if I walk through a very dark valley,
    I will not be afraid,
because you are with me.
    Your rod and your shepherd’s staff comfort me.
You prepare a meal for me
    in front of my enemies.
You pour oil of blessing on my head;
    you fill my cup to overflowing.
Surely your goodness and love will be with me
    all my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.








LORD I Need YOU More

I need You more than ever before
more than anything else in my life
more than the sunshine or the rain
more than the dew upon the flower
more than the birds in early spring

I want You more than my biggest dream
more than my mind can conceive
more than my deepest longing
more than my highest hopes
more than my heart can fathom

I long to let Your love
consume my mind
comsume my heart
consume my soul
consume my whole life

To the core of my being
to the places I have never let You go
to be more to me than I think possible
to run wild within my heart
to depths I have never known

You are everything I need
the One who has given me grace
the One who has healed my mind
the One who has allowed me to feel
the One who has given me hope

You Lord have imparted Your peace to me
You Lord have given me life free and abundant
You Lord have opened my eyes so I could see
You Lord have opened my heart to receive love
You Lord have freely given me more than I could have imagined

Yet today Lord I need You more
more than ever before
more than my thoughts can conjure
more than my mouth can speak
more than my heart can feel

You are the same yesterday today and forever
yet I Lord am forever changing
yet I Lord am forever needing
yet I Lord am forever reaching
yet I Lord am forever growing

So today Lord I ask You
to hold me up once again
to give me strength once again
to let me feel Your love once again
to heal my body soul and mind once again

Because Lord

I will always need You more
more than my mind can conceive
more than my deepest longing
more than my highest hopes
more than my heart can fathom

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Contemplative...Reflective Thoughts

Some weeks...days...hours...moments...I think I'm just done...

Done with life...people...myself...sometimes even God...

But I know I'm not really...

At least not with God...and most people...not even with life...

At times...like this moment in time...I just think it...

This may come as quite a shock to those of you who read this blog all the time but I'll say it anyway...

I. Am. Not. Perfect. 

Those really are my thoughts sometimes...

There are times when I just don't handle life very well...

Things go wrong and each day you go to bed thinking that the next day will be better.  You will get up tomorrow and all will be good...or on the way to good.  But...you wake up and it's not better.  In fact...just the opposite...each day is worse...harder.  Life...it keeps going on in just the way God has planned...His perfect plan.  Which...by the way...isn't always our perfect plan!    

So while I've been home trying to get a handle on things...I got on Facebook.  What I probably should have been doing was talking to God...but since I wasn't...God decided to talk to me.  Through Facebook!  

Philippians 4:19

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 

That's what someone had posted.  Right there where I had no choice but to see it...read it even!!
You think God had something to do with that?  My thought is yes...everything to do with it I'm sure!

So I can tell you this...

While taking time out of my contemplative...reflective thoughts...to write this...

Nothing has changed...

I'm still not perfect and sometimes I will still be done with it all...

Everything that was wrong when I started this post...

Is still wrong now...

Well...

One thing has changed...

I'm not done with God and never will be...

His perfect plan is what's right for me...

Even if I don't see it right now...

And...

His perfect plan for your life...

Really is right for you too...

Even when it's hard...

Remember this when you aren't sure...

It's what I will be reciting to myself...

He really will meet all of your needs...

Just like He says He will...









 









Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Have Faith...Believe

Do you ever find that sometimes you just have to throw up your hands and say...

"Okay God...I give up. What is it that you want me to do in this situation?"

Now, your situation is probably different than mine but the thing is...we all need answers. Maybe not even answers...but just help in making the right decision. It could be that you have been doing what you thought was the right thing but it hasn't helped. So...you continue to pray in faith knowing that God has it handled already, even though you haven't seen a change for the better. In fact, it continues to get worse. So what next? You take the next step and while doing that...continue to pray that God will just take care of it.

I received a gift a couple of days ago and this is what it says...

Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see.

That saying is great. It really makes me think about my faith...how much of it I really have. So many times I feel that my faith is so lacking! I know what to say...but do I really believe and not just say what I'm supposed to?  What people want to hear. Sometimes I question myself.

What I do know for sure is...God is a big God and He loves us. Regardless of what we are struggling with He is there with us. In the thick of it. It might seem like you're on your own in the battle at times. It might seem like nothing is changing. Things may even be getting worse. But just remember this...

God is bigger than any situation you find yourself in and He will see you through it. Just have faith and believe!

Hebrews 11:1 AMP

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].



Until we see Jesus face to face.

 










Monday, April 1, 2013

Only Believe

Only believe 
Only believe 
All things are possible, only believe
Only believe
Only believe
All things are possible, only believe

Lord I believe 
Lord I believe
All things are possible, Lord I believe
Lord I believe
Lord I believe
All things are possible, Lord I believe

As I've told you before, the Lord uses music to get through to me many times and tonight was no different. He used this old chorus from my childhood that I hadn't heard in a long time. Amazingly...to me...hearing this chorus started bringing me out of the place I was letting myself go.

Now for me...and maybe for you too...this is what He wants us to do...

Only believe! For whatever we need...believe. That's all we need to do! Jesus will take care of the rest! 

Matthew 19:26 NLT


26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”



Until we see JESUS face to face...













Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Psalm 5

Psalm 5


O Lord, hear me as I pray;
    pay attention to my groaning.
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
    for I pray to no one but you.
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
    Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
    you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,
    for you hate all who do evil.
You will destroy those who tell lies.
    The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.
Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
    I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
    or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow.
My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.
    Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
    Their tongues are filled with flattery.[a]
10 O God, declare them guilty.
    Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many sins,
    for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
    let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
    that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
12 For you bless the godly, O Lord;
    you surround them with your shield of love.


Our morning prayers need to be expressive. Look at what David prayed. He had confidence that the LORD  would protect him against his enemies. We also need to have confidence that the LORD will protect and take care of us through anything! What ever our day holds for us! Look at verse 7...how awesome is that? Because of HIS unfailing love for us we can go to HIM and worship  in awe! Then we can be filled with joy for our day!

Praise the LORD! Go through your day with praise and thanksgiving to HIM and see how much better your day goes!

 
Until we see JESUS face to face...

Friday, March 22, 2013

Don't Let Your Past Become Your Present

Do you ever have things from your past unexpectantly jump up and slap you in the face? You know...give you the wake up call that you know you need but you aren't really ready for. Well, that happened to me just yesterday. It was coming from a voice that I know all too well and he was putting thoughts in my head that I thought were gone for good. Those thoughts made me realize one thing...

don't ever get too comfortable and be slack in doing what you know is right! Even though I have been slippin' and slidin'...stumblin' and failin' a bit...God won't leave me alone. He still keeps talking and that's a good thing! He leads me to scriptures...like the ones I shared in the last post. Then there's the book I bought today...Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. The sub title is...Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God. That so fits with what has been going on inside of me lately. Before I started the slippin' and stumblin' stuff I had been praying something like this...

help me to have a deeper relationship with You. Give me back that burning desire I once had to write with passion...from the depths of my soul. Fill up that hole inside of me that just seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

So, I'm writing this now because of one of the things He said to me...

Be more transparent in your writing like you use to be. If you feel it...write it! If your struggling...write it.

Everyone struggles at times. Everyone fails at times. It's not always easy to share those thimes...but it is a good thing to do. You see, if you share, it may help people that are reading because they are struggling also. And, it helps you because people pray for you. Not only that...it begins a healing process. A form of therapy if you will. So...

again I am excited to see what the Lord has planned. I know I don't like stumblin' around. I don't like my past coming back because that part of my life is just that...past! I want to pursue God on a deeper level. I don't want to celebrate in my failure, I want to celebrate in my success with Him.

Don't let your past become your present. Reclaim the adventure.

Learning and growing until we see Jesus Face to face.

Psalm 139:23

Search me O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a stedfast spirit within me.

Psalm 37:4

Take delight in the Lord,
and He will give you your heart's desires.





Thursday, March 21, 2013

Turn Upward To God

Tonight, while I was sitting and thinking about many things, I looked down at the page my bible was opened to and saw this verse...

Psalm 57:7 NLT

My heart is confident in you, O God;
    my heart is confident.
    No wonder I can sing your praises!


That's an easy verse to understand and yet for some reason...Obviously GOD...my eyes were drawn down to the study notes. The last sentence is what really spoke to me...

In times of suffering, don't turn inward to self-pity or outward to revenge, but turn upward to GOD. 

This statement really hit home with me. I am one that tends to sit and reflect...turn all my thoughts inward...about things in life. It doesn't take long before satan is using this to his advantage! I know that God showed this to me tonight because He wants me to "get a grip" on life! Figure out what is going on with me...get up...and keep going. Get rid of all the "mental activity" that is dragging me down and turn my thoughts back to Him. Turn upward to God. 

Right across the page in Psalm 55 is another good verse...

Psalm 55:22 NLT

Give your burdens to the Lord,
    and he will take care of you.
    He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.



The study notes for that are...

God wants us to give our burdens to Him, but often we continue to bear them ourselves even when we say we are trusting in Him. Trust the same strength that sustains you to carry your 
cares also. 

Just before going to sleep last night I picked up the bible by my bed and opened it right to this verse. Is God trying to tell me something...Yes. Have I been listening...No. But tonight...this all hit me...

Our Lord is amazing the way He just keeps after us. After me. Lately I have just been one big fail after another. That's how I see myself...but He doesn't. He keeps on talking to me...reaching out to me...trying to pull me back in. Yet my mind wanders...my heart wanders. I seem to be caught in a struggle...a wrestling match of some sort. But God...He doesn't give up. He doesn't abandon. He is there for all time...right beside...giving slack but not too much. He doesn't ever let go...and I am thankful! 







 

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Come To Me

He is there
Even when every thought
even when all you feel
is just a jumbled up mess
He is still there
Waiting for you
for you to come
Waiting for you
to just get over it
What is messy inside
and it is because you
allow it
He is here
In your world
beside you
reaching
Reaching out to you
with holes in His hands
reaching
He is with you
Through it all
He is still here
still waiting
still reaching
His arms open wide
beckoning
Come
I
will hold you
I
your Lord
I will hold you
Help you to figure it out
The mess inside
the jumbled up mess
All the thoughts
the feelings
I your Lord
am with you
and I will be
until the end
Come to Me
for you are weak
Come to Me
so I can carry you
Come to Me
and rest






Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Find Your Spiritual Sea Legs

Philippians 4:19

19 And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Do you ever feel like your just going through the motions and things aren't really how they should be between you and the Lord? I don't mean that you've turned your back on God...or your deliberately sinning...but maybe your kind of hanging on the edges...the perimeter...of where you once were in your relationship. I'll step out, be a little transparent, and tell you I have for a while now. I've been on a downward trend and don't even know why. What I do know is I don't like it. I am not happy in this place. So tonight I was reading my bible and then decided to read a devotional. The word vessel was used and as soon as I read that word I knew this...

God was trying to speak to me and I needed to listen!

A vessel is a container. When it's empty it's like a cavity...just a hole needing to be filled. As in; an empty vessel needs to be filled. 

What do you use to fill your vessel when it's empty? You know...the spot inside of you that at times feels like an empty hole...a cavity. Right in the middle where nothing seems to be. Where all you feel is a gnawing hunger that you just can't seem to satisfy! At times it's hard to know what to do. Sometimes trying to fill that space is like trying to find your sea legs when you're on a ship in rough water...

At first you try to stand up but you find your wobbly...stumbling...maybe even fall down. But eventually you get a grip...right yourself, stand up straight and start walking again. You've found your sea legs! 

The same goes for that gnawing hunger inside of you...that ache. You need to find your spiritual sea legs again. You need to reach out to the Lord...take His hand and let Him lead and guide you. Let Him take you where you need to go...in Him...until your standing strong again. Commune with Him on a level that lets you get your spiritual sea legs back. You might wobble and stumble a bit at first but soon...with the Lords help...you will stand strong again. He will fill that empty vessel...cavity...inside of you to overflowing once again. You will soon feel His presence with you again...His joy...His peace. One more time you will know it was His grace that gave you the strength you needed to stand again. 

So that's my goal for the days ahead. To get my spiritual legs back.To be able to stand...unshakeable...and get off the perimeter. I know that I can't live this life without holding on to the hand of Jesus. He is my strength...my rock...my refuge. 

Psalm 16:8

I know the Lord is always with me.
    I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Just A Little Light From Heaven

2 Samuel 22:29-30

O Lord, You are my lamp.
The Lord lights up my darkness.

In Your strength I can crush an army:
with my God I can scale any wall.

When I read these verses today they really resonated within my soul. The word resonate means; to be filled with. That is exactly what the Lord is doing for me with these verses. He is filling me up with His goodness...His light...His love!

I am so thankful that the Lord is my light. We all have those days when we don't feel well...things aren't going like we need them too...we're feeling a bit down or sorry for ourselves...and then a little bit of darkness starts to find its way into our lives. But...if we look up to our Savior...to our Light in the middle of our darkness...HE will light up our life! He will give us a reason to keep going because...

Just a little light from Heaven fills our souls! He is what we need! Jesus is the answer to it all! In His strength we can crush the army that is attacking us. We can climb our way out of anything! We can keep going because the Lord gives us strength! He is alive and well and He lives inside of us!

He. Is. All. We. Need!! 

2 Samuel 22:47

"The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock!
May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!"

Monday, March 11, 2013

Keep On

When the fog starts to roll
and the light becomes dim
where do you go
to find light...
again

Your thoughts are a blur
your heart has grown weak
your body's half numb
things sure have...
become bleak

You look for escape
can't find it again
you try to get away
there's no fight...
left within

What do you do
where do you go
who does he want
come on...
take it slow

You're ready to rumble
you're ready to fight
you've done it before
you can beat it...
find the light

Whatever the struggle
whatever the pain
just keep on fighting
don't look for...
the rain

The sun will come out
again you will see
the clouds will disperse
just wait awhile...
you'll see











Thursday, March 7, 2013

Help Them Lord To Know

Lord I want to ask You
to watch over one's I know
To comfort guide and hold them
help them Lord to know
That You will always be there
no matter what may come
To hold them close and rock them
give them hope to carry on
You are the One who loves them
more than they can e'er conceive
So Lord reach out and touch them
pull them close help them to breathe
Wrap them in Your loving arms
dry their tears and still their souls
Comfort guide and hold them
help them Lord to know





Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Thank You, Lord

I was just getting ready to go to bed and a song start playing in my thoughts. It's an old one...a Blast from the Past! I like the song because it reminds us that we need to be thankful. If we can't think of anything else to be thankful for just read the first line of the chorus. He saved us! Oh how blessed we are! Think about where you would be right now if Jesus was not your Savior. Where ever you are...what ever you are doing...stop right now and give Him thanks.

               Thank You, Lord

Some thank the Lord for friends and home
For mercies sure and sweet
But I would praise Him for his grace
In prayer I would repeat

Chorus
Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul
Thank you, Lord, for making me whole
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free

Some thank Him for the flow’rs that grow
Some for the stars that shine
My heart is filled with joy and praise
Because I know He’s mine

Chorus

I trust in Him from day to day
I prove His saving grace
I’ll sing this song of praise to Him
Until I see His face

 Lyrics and Music: Seth and Bessie Sykes






Stand Strong and Courageous

"God's Word is shallow enough not to drown the young, but deep enough that the greatest theologian will never touch the bottom."  Augustine

Love this quote!  It caught my eye...and my heart...as soon as I read it.

I find this to be so true.  As a child we can be taught the Word of God and...even when we don't want it to be so...those Words stay with us forever.  As children we understand what the Bible stories mean...what the verses mean that we memorize...why it's important to accept Jesus as your Savior...and you even understand the difference between Heaven and Hell and GOD and satan.  If you are exposed to God and His Word at all as a child...you get it! 

Now, I'm no theologian but as a "reformed rebel"..."thankful child of GOD"...I learn something new everytime I open my Bible and study the Words found there.  For me it's not just the learning of new things but, more importantly, how the Word speaks to me...what I get from it at the time I'm reading it right now!  If I'm reading with an open mind and heart...and really searching for help...I find that help in the words within the Word!  The meaning is not hidden from me as it seemed it was before I came to know Jesus as my Savior.  The Holy Spirit is there helping me to understand what I am reading now.

One of my favorite passages is...

Joshua 1:7-9


Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
My study Bible says...God was telling Joshua that he needed to be strong and courageous to be successful against the Canaanites. And...the Book of Instruction probably refers to the book of Deuteronomy. 

Nevertheless...I believe that it holds true for us today. We have the whole Bible and we need to read it and take heed to what the Lord is telling us through His Word.  Live the way we should.  Follow the example that Jesus set down for us.  Be faithful in reading the Word...your Bible.  Pray and meditate...sit and think about what it says...daily.  Let it seep into your heart...soul...mind...so that when troubles come you can stand firm in your faith. Or...when people you know are going through things you can be there to pray for them and help them in any way they need. Having the Word planted deeply within our hearts and minds helps us to stand strong and courageous in the toughest of times!  Even when those things may scare us or discourage us we can remember that we have a Savior who is with us...always!  

The Lord knew that I needed to be reminded of this scripture this morning.  I pray it somehow helped you as much as it did me.  
Take a little time out to sit and meditate on the Word that He has for you today.  I believe the Lord will honor you for it and speak something that you need to hear into your heart and soul!  What He speaks to you could be life changing in your circumstance today. 



Saturday, March 2, 2013

Imagine My Surprise!!

If you received a post about the transparent side of me...hit delete. I was deleting posts this morning, that I wasn't publishing,  and hit the wrong button. Imagine my surprise!! At work I can recall things I send, but on Blogger, I can't! Sorry. Sometimes I write things just to get it out of my head not meaning to share.

Walking Through Your Whatever

Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.

Philippians 4:19
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which   have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

John 14:27
 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Matthew 11:28-29
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the Lord says:
“Stop at the crossroads and look around.
    Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls...


This morning I read a devotional then opened my Bible to one of the scriptures...Psalm 23:1. From there I started following the string of scriptures in my Bible...as one led to the next. The Lord has been talking to me about how He is all I need for whatever comes my way. It doesn't matter what the whatever is...just that He is enough and that He has it all in His care. 

All of these verses are good and  I have read them all many times except for the last one. In fact, I don't remember it at all. It could be that I have never read it or...just maybe...the Lord thought knew that this was the time...that I have the need...to really see it the most. 

Is He telling me I'm not following His path? No. He's telling me that as long as I continue following Him, He will give me peace and rest. Sometimes I get tired...worn down...and I let the way I feel dictate the way I act. Then...I don't follow after Him as closely as I know I should be! For that matter...as closely as I know will help me to walk through the whatevers in my life!! 

Lately I have spent a lot of time reading about something, that I do need to know about, and many questions have been answered for me. However, at the same time, I read things that I didn't really need reinforced in my mind. The Lord knew this. He knew I would need to read His Word to help me to  remember that He is here with me. He will give the peace of mind and heart...rest for my soul...calm the trouble and fear...that I need. He will take care of me.

I share this with you because the Lord wants you to know this too. Whatever your whatever is...He is there for you too. Walking right beside you. The Lord will take care of you...give you the rest and comfort you need...as you walk the path with Him.