My Energy Drink

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." (Psalms 19:14 NKJV)

Vitamins, minerals, protein drinks, energy drinks....ahhh these are terms we are well acquainted with these days. We are all looking for more energy and strength.

But the verse reminds us that God is our strength. I just wonder if we would have more energy and strength if we invested more time in the Word, more time with the Lord, and less time worrying about today or tomorrow, or even yesterday for that matter. Worry can rob us of energy.

So today, Lord, may the words I speak and the thoughts I think be acceptable to you. May my day be filled with your strength, better yet, be my strength!

God bless you

Mine Enemies

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt
stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy
right hand shall save me. (Psalms 138:7)


Do you ever wake up, feeling empty and sad? No reasoning behind this. I could cry but have no reason for this either. Why the emptiness?


When I read this verse a few minutes ago, I realized this may be an attack from my greatest enemy, satan. He will use any tactic he can to keep me from joy. He will try to empty me from joy so that he has more room for discouragement.


God promises to revive me and save me in the midst of trouble. And trouble lies in the mind. I struggle this morning to keep my thoughts on that which is joyous. I've been thinking a lot of all the "noises" around us all the time. The age of technology has brought many voices into our lives, crowding out the still small voice of the spirit.


All the more reason to "bury" myself in God's Word.


I feel like I'm just mumbling along in this post, but that's the way my mind feels, a bunch of mumbles. So it is time to get off to church and hear the Word.


The joy of the Lord is my strength! 


May you have a wonderful Lord's day
God bless you

The Way of a Child

Having 3 children in the house, serves to be interesting. "I want a cookie."  "Eat your dinner, then you can have a cookie." "But I'm not hungry."

"Grandma, Nate took my...."  "Grandma, Promise won't share."

We, as adults, often act as little children. We want God to give us what we want, even if it isn't good for us. We pray for things that would be to our destruction, yet get angry at God if He doesn't comply to our every whim and wish. We get angry when God blesses someone in a way that we think is way too good for them...on and on, we go acting as children.

Yet, God in His mercy continues His love toward us, teaching us to be more like Him. I was reading in Matthew this morning as Jesus answered questions or accusations. Some of his answers don't seem to really be the right answers. He really was not politically correct. But He was right. He knows the beginning from the end. Just as we know what is best for our children, and we expect them to obey and be alright with the decisions we make for them, we need to thank God for all that He chooses for us so that we can become more like Him.

Yes, even in earthquakes, tornadoes, loss of jobs, homes and persecution because of our choice to follow Him.

God is good and faithful. Today choose His way.

God bless you

No One Knows

As I was reading Matthew 28 this morning, a verse "jumped" out at me. Verse 27, "no one knows the Son except the Father, Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."

After reading the scriptures, repenting of our sins, and giving our life to God, we really still do not know the Father or Son. This will be the grandeur of heaven, to finally see Him face to face and not through a cloudy mirror.

Life is filled with noises. As wonderful as technology is, it is a noisy world—TV, cell phones, video games, iPads, and the list goes on. Even when it is all turned off, our minds continue to buzz. Is this a plan of the enemy to keep our minds filled with that which is not conducive to learning who God is, so that we will not really know Him. I'm just wondering...we have been desensitized..

Maybe this is why I get up as tired as when I went to bed...I'm not really resting. A day of rest is not really a day of rest anymore. There are things to do, places to go and people to see.

How I love the verse following, verse 28 "Come to Me, who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest..." Ahh, rest. The Father knows our weariness. To feel His arms around me, and give me rest. His yoke is easy...a friend of mine just mentioned this week that she thinks His yoke is forgiveness, compassion and unfailing love. Oh what rest. Lord, help me bask in your rest today.

God bless you

Who Is He?

Mark 4:41 "And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” 


I think I classify as one of Jesus' disciples. They walked with him every day, they saw the miracles, heard him teach, and yet in a moment of utter fear, they wondered who He was. 


God has done so much for me on a daily basis, yet in those stressful moments, I find myself worrying and wondering how things are going to be. So if I worry, I must not really comprehend who Jesus is, really. Why would I ever question who Jesus is?


God has proved Himself faithful to all the prophets, disciples, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Daniel, Joseph...the list goes on. They all suffered immensely as they served him. Yet, He was always with them. He promises He will never leave us or forsake us. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.


Why question His ability to care for us? Why? Maybe it isn't only the problem with who He is, but also thinking I am more than I am. Oh now that may be where the root of the problem is..."let me just help you out a bit, God, I think I can handle it." Then things crumble into a pile of rubble, and we cry out to God to get us out of a mess once again. 


Forgive us, Lord, for not trusting you wholly!


God bless you

A Cup of Water

Matthew 10:42 "whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly I say to you he shall by no means lose his reward."

This verse probably means little to anyone in the states where everyone can get a drink of water whenever they want. Today it is common to see people walking around carrying bottles of water. So this verse may seem a bit odd that it would be so important to give someone a drink of water, but in a country like Haiti, water is precious.  It is hot all the time. People walk everywhere, sometimes for hours. There is no water, and most of the time if there is water, the question is, "Is it safe to drink?"

I remember one of my walks up the mountains of Haiti. We walked for several hours, sun beating down on us, dust flying with every step. We had walked up one mountain, our tongues parched. We hadn't had anything to drink for several hours. At the top of the mountain was a mango tree. Those mangoes were so good! They provided a bit of fluid so we could continue our walk. We still had a few hours to walk to arrive at our destination. What a blessing when the hostess offered us some water to drink!

I remember Patrick telling the story when he and a group of guys were walking to a village. They had not had a drink for many hours when they spotted a house on the hill. They went there hoping to find a drink of water. The lady was pleased to serve them. When she gave the them the glass of water, they saw small "things" floating around in the water. They looked for a bit, not sure if they wanted to drink it. But they realized she had given out of her poverty. They closed their eyes, prayed, and drank the water. Refreshed they continues on their journey.

A cup of water in the States doesn't seem like anything, and especially not to receive a reward for it. But in a parched land, a cup of water is a refreshing gift.

So for those of us who know God's Word, We have living water, and how selfish not to share it. People need a cup of water, living water. Yes, let's give a cup of water to the thirsty, but let's not forget to give a cup of living water, God's Word.

God bless you

Walking

Walking can be a challenge, tiring and what I call "hobbling." But it is walking just the same. I can get from point A to B. So thankful, so good. Those of us who have problems walking, plan our steps well. Today my sister (the one who lost her husband a month ago) is have a double knee surgery. She has lived in pain for years. She has had this appointment before her husband passed away. Walking was not easy, yet she pressed forward.

So why is it that we are so attentive when our physical bodies refuse to let us walk without pain, yet when our spiritual walk is affected, we walk on as if it isn't important?

I'm thinking of Ephesians 4:31-32 "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Then Ephesians 5:2 "and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us..." He is that sweet-smelling aroma for us. We are to be like Him, follow His ways.

We limp along with bitterness in our hearts, refusing to forgive the pain someone caused us. We are filled with anger, but "oh well, that is what my dad was."  Jesus has set the example for us. Forgive, love, forgive, love, forgive, love.

Honestly, Jesus has a better medication for our pain than the doctors do for our physical ailments. God's medication is for eternity. Medications cover the symptoms, but forgiveness and love heal the cause. They heal the heart. Not only that, if we apply God's remedy for bitterness, anger, etc. we will come out smelling good.

Awesome! We are out and about, someone looks at us and says, "You really smell good, what is it?" You're reply, "Oh that is God's love and forgiveness." That is better than someone looking at you, and wondering if you are having a "bad hair day."

Have a good-smelling day
God bless you

Home at Last

Being on the road since October 5, it is so good to be home again! Empty suitcases. Oh how good is home. Home with family. I enjoyed every minute while I was gone but now I'm enjoying the familiar of home.

That is the way heaven will be...Home at Last! No more "baggage"...just the freedom of being Home! Although, we have not arrived in Heaven, it will have the feel of familiarity. We won't need to get adjusted to it.  Best of all, Jesus!

Thanks to all of you who fed us, housed us, invited us to share in your church, shared vehicles and prayed with us. We enjoyed drinking coffee together, sharing ideas, We are now energized and ready to press forward.

God bless you

The Lesson of the Tarantula

Haiti has many tarantulas. For those of you who are not familiar with this "spider", it is big, black, furry and not friendly looking. I have met up with many tarantulas during my years in Haiti. My last encounter was before the 2nd story of the building in the village was complete. I had gone upstairs to enjoy the sky since there wasn't a roof yet. My reward for this was a nice sized tarantula at the top of the stairs. It is difficult to Kill them. 


As I stood there, I had to make a decision...jump over it or wait until someone would rescue me. :) I opted to jump it since in reality I was bigger. It just looked big. Isn't that the way problems are? We see them bigger than they are. Anyway, today on FaceBook I found this lesson on the tarantula. I thought it worth sharing.


"Zaryen is the Creole word for tarantula.
“One side has four legs. The other side has three legs. That means if that spider [tarantula] lost one leg, his life still continues. You can do everything like you with only two legs," he explained." Wilfried Macena


This is a lesson on being an amputee.  Yes, there are adjustments, but just like the spider, life goes on. I can do many things that I never thought possible. I'm still learning, and hope to continue learning.


God bless you

A few more days

A few more days then home. A few more meetings, a wedding, babysitting, then home. It is so fun to have all 3 grandchildren and our 2 children with us here in Sarasota. The missing link is our son-in-law. He tried to come, but was unable to get away from work.

Praising God over and over again that during these 2 1/2 weeks on the road, I have had no pain. The prosthesis is fitting well. So wonderful to walk without pain.

Many times it is easy to think that when our days aren't going so good, then God isn't blessing us. But I find that those moments are when He is pulling for me. He is stretching my faith. He is molding me to be more like Him.

I feel like my mind is in a mumble, interruptions are on the list. And now, it is time to go put the grandchildren to bed. Precious moments when I get to read to them, pray with them and kiss them good-night. This is one interruption that is so sweet. :))

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement during my travels. I truly enjoyed it, and felt like I am finally being able to do a part of the ministry that I truly enjoy doing—meeting people, sharing God's faithfulness and love. We are blessed to have you as a part of the ministry.

God bless you

Abiding in Him

John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."


We, Tammy and I, have been traveling for 10 days. Living out of a suitcase. But out of a suitcase or in our homes, we are commanded to abide in Jesus. If we live life outside of Jesus, we are not producing fruit. Fruit? Yes, sharing Jesus with others, fruit of the spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering..


No matter where we are or where we live, the true living comes in abiding in Jesus. God has allowed us to meet many people on this trip. My prayer is that we left a sweet aroma of "fruit" with each one. We have been so blessed and have experienced more than we could ask or think of asking. Our abiding in Him is a living relationship.


Where do you abide? Are you abiding in Jesus, or only in your house? Houses fall, houses shake, but Jesus never does. There is no abiding as sweet as abiding in Him.


God bless you

On the Road

I just wanted to touch base with my blog family. Traveling is going very well. I'm walking without pain which is a wonderful blessing. We (Tammy, my traveling companion & I) have visited different areas in Indiana. God has given us the joy of connecting with old friends, and blessed us with new friends. What a blessing you all have been to us. We have laughed with you, cried with you, hugged you, and are already sad to know our time is almost here to return home.

I will blog again when I have a moment with internet. Thank you for your prayers and love to keep us on our traveling road.

Oh and God has given us the beautiful array of fall colors. The leaves are beautiful. This is an add-on blessing. Thank you God.

Until next time, God bless you

Compassion

Matthew 9: 36 "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd."


 I was reminded again of Jesus' love for all mankind. When he saw the crowd, going about as sheep without a shepherd he was filled with compassion. This is the picture of people without the Lord, and even sometimes Christians who are living as if there is no God. Sheep without a shepherd go astray. Jesus did not respond, "Well, if you don't believe what I tell you, then you deserve to go astray." No, He was moved with compassion.

The question is, "Am I also moved with compassion when I see people walking in despair without the Lord?"

Today I want to be compassionate to those who are without a shepherd. Today I want to see each opportunity that God places before me. Today is an opportunity.

Again, remember I will be traveling, so blogging will probably not be on a daily basis. Pray for God's glory to be magnified with every meeting I have, with every person God places before me.

God bless you

Trauma or Treasure

I received another prosthesis today. It is so small, finally my "permanent one."  I have heard those words before and a few months later my leg is so small  and ready for another prosthesis. So I asked the doctor what we'll do if I shrink again, and his reply with a smile, "we'll do what we've always done, give you another one."

This is a treasure that was caused by a trauma. For you see, we cannot stay in the trauma mode. We move on. God never meant for us to stay on the rubble pile. It has been a long road to this point, but God has provided medical help all along the way. This is a treasure, and so is my new prosthesis.

I do have other treasures...enjoying Patrick again after has 3 week absence. We are having special chat moments before my take off tomorrow. Pray for my 12 days on the road...conference, speaking engagements, and visiting family.  I will blog as I have opportunity.

If you are in a trauma today, look for the treasure within.

Romans 8:28 "For all things work together for good, to those who love God and are called according to His purpose."

God bless you

Working Together

The teaching this morning was in Nehemiah 4-5, showing us how the men worked together to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. When opposition came, some were chosen to watch for enemies while others built the walls. One of the verses state that they worked with one hand and held a sword in another. Now that is multi-tasking.

This is a perfect picture of what God wants from the church. When we are a part of a church, we are no longer alone. We need to work together, pray together, and hold the arms of our brothers and sisters as we fight the good fight together. We cannot fight alone. We need each other. There is too much independency in the church. Each man to his own...we are a body and the members each have a ministry but we all need each other.

If the men would not have worked together, the walls would not have been completed. This would have been what their enemies wanted. The walls of Jerusalem would not have been good for enemies. And so it is with us, the enemy does not want us to build the church. Satan wants to destroy us.

Let's stand together!! It is the only way for God's work to be completed.

God bless you