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Posts Tagged ‘Where Did You Find God’

Form the V

Posted in Nature, tagged , , , , , , on January 17, 2014| 1 Comment »

ID-10029292I looked up as I drove down the highway and saw geese in a V formation. I thought, “Wow. Odd time of year to see them. It’s the middle of January. They migrate in the autumn, right?”

A chill, like a million microscopic, icy-footed ants, jumped from my heart and dashed down to my hands as they gripped the steering wheel. What I saw was an answer to prayer. I found God today in the V formation of the geese.

Geese fly in a V to conserve energy for the long trip. Their leader is at the point of the V. But, after a while, that leader tires of fighting the wind currents. It drops back and another takes over. The other geese support the tired one. The V formation continues, and so does their journey.

So should be the same for us Christians, no matter our ministry. I will admit it. I am tired – emotionally, physically and a bit spiritually. I’ve been flapping my wings like mad as the leader in several organizations. It shows in the darkening circles under my eyes. 

Through these geese, God revealed to me it is time for me to drop back and let someone else take over. “But Lord,” I asked. “My terms as president is not over for 5 months in one organization, and a year in another. There is still a long journey ahead.”

Suddenly, one of the geese flew to the front of the V. I watched as the leader dropped back a pace or two, but not to the end of the line. It positioned itself near the front, just behind a place or two. I had my answer.

Oh, yeah, My Lord is the one who should take over at the tip of the V. He’s the one who never tires, controls the wind, and always knows the direction we are going. Somewhere along the way, I’d lost sight of that fact. I’d been flapping so hard,my head was downcast against the winds–my eyes squeezed tight in determination, my teeth clamped together as I trudged on. No wonder I’ve been so tense… and exhausted. God made me realize (again) that I am not flying this journey alone. He didn’t say,. “Here – it’s yours. See you later.” He’s been flying there with me the whole time.

 My Savior whispered into my heart, ” Drop back and let me take over now. It’s not because you’ve failed, it is because you have succeeded.” In His quiet way, God told me It’s okay for me to rest my wings for a time- under the momentum of His mighty ones. I need to recuperate- to be carried by the current of His grace. In fact, isn’t that where I should have been all along? Humility washed over me as my eyes teared. I whispered back, “Thank you,Lord.”

 If I am to complete the journey of leadership in which He placed me, I need to let Him take over. First, because He needs to be in control, not me. Second, so I can replenish my strength and pace this journey by following His lead. That way, I will not only be more able to prepare others to lead when the time comes, but show them, by example, the benefits of letting Him lead.

V is for victory…and vacation. It is not for vainglory. We don’t need to be busy,busy, busy all the time to be good Christians. (Recall the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42?)  God gave us rest, patterned after Himself on the seventh day of creation. I need to rest in Him so I can prepare for:

  • the continuation of this journey,  
  • the next ministry He wants to train me up in as these leadership positions come to an end,
  • and, so I can support the new leaders He will raise up to flap ahead of me in the future. 

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5

He will keep the momentum going as long as He wants the journey to last. That is not my job. I just need to flap in sync with Him and encourage the others behind me to do the same.

Where in your life do you need to drop back and let God lead a while? Are you willing to let someone else be ahead of you?

 

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But, I’m Not Worthy

Posted in Biblical, Christian, Devotional, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 9, 2014| Leave a Comment »

John stands knee-deep in the river, day after day. He feels this inner fervency to draw people to repent. So much so that he lives off the land and sleeps under the stars. Relentlessly, he cries out, taking no notice of how he is received.  Maybe, just maybe a few will respond.

Then, one day, the Son of BaptismOfJesusByJohn-787653God,  for whom he has been preparing others to receive, arrives and wants to be baptized as well. John says, “Uh, no. You are the one who should be doing this to me. I am not worthy to untie your sandals.”

But Jesus tells him this is what must be done, and there is purpose in it.   I can picture him as he looked into John’s eyes. I almost hear him say, “Trust me on this. You have to do this. You’ll see why in a minute.”

As he is baptized,  the Holy Spirit comes to bolster Jesus through the next three years of grueling ministry.  God anoints Him for the task. He confirms that Jesus is His Son.

Jesus’ baptism has another purpose as well. It’s is also a foreshadowing of Jesus passing that same Holy Spirit on to each believer who is baptized in His name and receives Him into their lives.  While John baptized for repentance of sins, Jesus takes that and turns it into so much more. John’s baptisms was temporary and temporal.  Jesus’s obedience turned it into a divine and eternal action of our loving and willing-to-forgive Father in Heaven.

Have you ever felt inadequate for a ministry God has called you to do?  Then you can relate to John. But just as Jesus told John that what he was asking him to do was purposeful and necessary, so He tells you. Just do it, trust and then watch what happens. Christ can take your simple acts of obedient talent and manifest Himself into them so they become  significantly more than you ever imagined.. He did it with water jugs at a wedding, with a boy’s meal of fish and bread, and with two pieces of wood tied to make a cross bar in which to punish thieves and murderers.

So, do what Christ is calling you to do, no matter how insignificant it makes you feel. Obey His command. Perhaps the skies won’t open up and an illuminated dove descend. But God will nod and say, “This is my child, with whom I am well pleased.”

 

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And now for the rest…

Posted in Biblical, Christian, Devotional, tagged , , , , , , on December 30, 2013| Leave a Comment »

I saw this on Facebook –

1487304_10202985527502930_829738040_nWant peace? Well, does God’s favor rest upon you?

It does, if you stay still and let it pour down upon you. I see God’s favor raining down from Heaven like a soft, spring shower onto a dry, winter-beaten, parched land. It is freely given, but do we take advantage of it?

When rain comes,  how many of us dash for cover as the first plop hits the pavement?  Or do we grab an umbrella to keep from getting drenched and trudge through it, grumbling? Or hold something over our head to ward off the rain drops from spotting our good clothes and messing up our hair?

Or, do we dance in the puddles and laugh? Twirl carefree in the spray as others shake their heads and click their teeth at us. It probably depends on what’s on our minds at the time, right? Does the rain interrupt our agenda?ID-1004856

Now, how often do we miss God’s favor because we try to cover ourselves with the umbrella of pride, or with the covering of prejudice, or with a raincoat of self-reliance?  How often are we determined to do it our way,depend on our own defenses? How often do we anticipate the worse when we see the clouds rolling in and assume it will mess up our day?

ID-100169595Have you seen flowers in the rain? Their petals get wet. They may bend to the ground as the drops splatter them. But, the rains soaks deep into their roots, and the water seeps into their leaves. After the shower passes, they stretch towards the out-coming sun and, now washed clean, their petals are more colorful. With the dust and dirt rinsed away, their leaves can soak in the benefits of the sun. They did nothing to receive the rain and the sun. But they soak both in when it is given and thrive.

Before the rainbow, the rain must come. Both are from God. Both are freely given for our benefits, and like the flowers, we must receive them in order to be filled with peace. It is only when we give God the glory in all circumstances that we open our souls to receive his favor.God is not just a fair-weathered friend.

This new year- choose to welcome God in your life- rain or shine. ID-100141400No matter the weather brewing in your souls, open yourselves to Christ. Drench yourself in His favor. He loves you- glorify Him for that. Soak in the Son and receive His benefits. Even if you can’t see their purpose, they will be revealed. Trust that He is with you – Emmanuel.

Now, that’s peace. Rest assured.

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62:1

 

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Wise Words – Timeless Truth

Posted in Christian, tagged , , , , , on December 24, 2013| Leave a Comment »

A_Previtali_Nativity

Christmas is not about what we can do – or should do – or even want to do! Christmas is about what God  has done and continues to do, in His saving love for us  It is not something we deserve, nor is it anything we can make happen. It is pure gift – pure grace – pure love!

We can only receive it with a thankful heart. It is deliverance from bondage and darkness and death, for all eternity.

The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker
Third Bishop of Fort Worth
Christmas 2013

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Wait for the Morning

Posted in Biblical, Devotional, tagged , , , , , on December 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Never had he seen it so dark.

The young sentry squinted his eyes into slits. It didn’t help.He couldn’t see his hand in front of his face, much less any enemy lurking. It was as if a dark blanket had covered the whole earth. No moon, no stars. Just thick swirls of black fog.

His ears picked up the muted call of his fellow guard at the tower to the north. “Three o’clock and all is well.”

The sentry repeated the call to the next tower, per protocol.  But it was more of a wish than a declaration. How could he be sure? A whole army could be hiding.  Instead of being here, he longed to be home, in his bed spooned next to his wife and feel her hand stroke his shoulder. He paced the twenty feet that was his guard post as he peered into the thickness that would not reveal what it cloaked.

He yearned for the evenings when the stars twinkled their welcome. At times they seemed so close to him high in his tower, he could almost reach out and grab one. Or the nights the full moon illuminated the hills with soft tree-shadows that reached across the meadows like the beckoning fingers of his grandmother. But tonight, there was no light at all. No way to keep his bearings.

Three more hours until dawn. Would it ever come?Oh, how he wished for this night to be over. He wanted to breathe in the smell of honey and hot porridge waiting for him when he traipsed in at dawn. Feel the steam envelope his nostrils and the warmth slide down into his belly.He crossed his arms and rubbed them to keep out the chill–not so much from the temperature as from the ominous feeling he  could not shake. Evil lay out there like a tiger waiting to pounce. He needed reassurance that he’d survive the next few hours unscathed.

All he could do is wait, and hope. Trust in the God of his fathers to protect him, protect his family inside the walls, protect the whole village. He lifted a simple, plain-spoken prayer to Heaven beyond the stars he could not physically see.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.
 I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          more than watchmen wait for the morning.     Psalm 130:5-6

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I hope my story encourages you today. If you are in a dark, uncertain place right now, take hope. Your Lord will watch over you, protect you and guide you through it. All you have to do is ask, then wait in hope. He can see what you cannot.

Let His love envelope you like a cloak. There is nothing that He will not hold you through, so cling to that belief and feel His peace.

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Wrapped in Prayer

Posted in Christian, Devotional, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , , , on December 9, 2013| Leave a Comment »

buster on blankieIt’s been bitter cold for Texas. Schools have been closed. Icy roads and parking lots that resemble skating rinks have kept holiday shoppers at bay. Large tree limbs and power lines have cracked and tumbled from the weight of the ice. Facebook is littered with ice and snow pictures.

Even churches shut down for Sunday services and told their congregations to stay home and stay safe. They posted their lessons and sermons online so their flocks could cyberspace worship.

Our thin,Texas blood, designed for 100 plus F temps in the summer, is not insulating us very well from the sub-freezing digits that have settled over the state.Fleece sweat pants, knobby sweaters and gallons of hot tea and cocoa are not sufficient to keep the chill off the back of our necks.

Same for our pets! But they are smart. My cat decided the left hand side of my desk was optimal for catching the blast of warmth from the central heating vent. But he was still cold. So, I took my prayer shawl, which always hangs on my desk chair ready for use, and folded it for him to lie upon. He slept peacefully and allowed me to get my praying, writing, and Bible study done. And yes, check my email and Facebook, and bank online, too.

And of course, God decided to use my cat nestled in my prayer shawl as a lesson. That is where I found Him today. He showed me (again) that —

Prayer is our insulator. When life bears down on us and the world seems harsh and cold, the warmth of God’s love can envelope us like a towel fresh from the dryer. All we need to do is to wrap ourselves in His peace, settle in and rest.

But instead, how often do I try other ways to “stay warm”? Do I dash for chocolate and carbs, or veg out on a favorite TV show that allows me to escape the things on my mind, or indulge in a computer game with superficial cyber-friends?

Prayer can cushion us from the icy stares of others, from the slippery paths that tempt us, and the cold harshness that those without faith call reality.

But instead, how often do I turn to other sources or people for advice, direction and protection?

Prayer can soften the hard, frigid surfaces of our lives and bring us comfort.

But instead, how often do I seek comfort in other ways?

Lord God, blanket me in Your love today. Let me feel the warmth of Your Holy Spirit wrapped around me. Cushion me for the world and comfort me with your inestimable love. Let me seek you first, and not the things of this world. And in all things, let me ever praise You and seek Your blessings in all that happens. I choose to nestle in You and not in the things that fade. I pray this through Your Son who hung on the cross for my sake.  Amen.

 

 

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When Do You Give Thanks?

Posted in Biblical, Christian, Devotional, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on November 27, 2013| Leave a Comment »

” Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this one foreigner?’ ”  Luke 17:17-18

I really do not think the other nine lepers were ungrateful or rude. Leprosy was a horrible disease. Not only did it eat away your skin, but it ate away your existence in the community. You could not associate with anyone. Your spouse or your children could not get near you to hug you. It was a very lonely and isolating disease.

My guess is that the other nine dashed away rejoicing and seeking their friends and families. Their arms had ached for their loved ones and now miracles of miracles they could hold them. They wanted everyone to share in their joy. Perhaps they even gave the credit to this man Jesus whom they met on the road.

When things are “eating me”, I can feel isolated if  I let myself get in a slump and throw a pity party. When I receive God’s mercy and grace, I, too, want to run and tell everyone, “Look what happened. Look what God did!”  When I know people have been praying for me, I want to tell them their prayers were heard. I certainly want to hear that from others I’ve been praying for. Then when things calm down, I go to my closet and thank my Lord for His wondrous love.

Have I been praising Him to others before I take time to praise and thank Him? Probably. Like a  child who gets the Christmas present they earnestly desired, how often have I ripped open God’s blessings wrapped especially me, gasped, bounced up and down in excitement and joy, and then dashed off to enjoy it without hugging my Daddy around the neck and thanking him?

Heavenly Father, forgive me for not turning to You and thanking you immediately for the gifts you bestow on me – your healing mercy, love and grace.  Forgive me for not sharing my joy with you first and foremost as ID-10067151quickly as I  share my sorrow and distress. I do praise You and love You and need You daily in my life. Cleanse me from whatever is eating me and remind me that I need to lay it all at the foot of the Cross in praise and thanksgiving- good and bad – because all is Yours and all is for purpose. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Worry’s Growl

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on November 1, 2013| 1 Comment »

My guest blogger today finds God, even in scattered worries. Please check out Kathy Collard Miller’ new book- just released:

I headed out on my jog, eyeing the storm clouds that threatened rain above me. Oh, I so want to run, and I can’t run tomorrow. I’ve got to do it right now even if it rains. But by the time I’d run a mile, the drops started and got bigger and bigger.

Oh. I’m so disappointed, I mourned, as I turned and headed back. But then, a new resolve overwhelmed me. By golly, I’m going to run even if I get wet. It’s just too important for my health.

I continued running and the drops fell continually but were not drenching. As I ran, the rain slackened, yet clouds off in the distance were a dark, threatening color. Will it hold off? By the time I’d passed my three-mile mark, the sprinkles stopped, and when I looked up at the sky, the dark clouds were gone. Where did they go? I turned to look for them, but they had dissipated, though the sky was still overcast.

For the next two miles, no rain fell. As I reached the last half mile, the storm clouds opened up again and my clothes were reaching the wet category. But I didn’t care that my hair was wet; it had been an exhilarating run. Walking for my cool-down, a few rays of sun broke through the clouds, splashing the luscious, colorful hues of a rainbow across the sky. Wow. I would have missed it if I hadn’t risked getting wet.

My run could have been a really unpleasant experience but the warning of rain had turned out to be a worse threat than the actual rain. In the end, I was rewarded with a beautiful rainbow that I would have missed had I not run.

That day as I ran, I saw an analogy to worry. Its growl is worse than its bite. Worry can easily cause us to focus on disaster while taking away our ability to trust God. Yet even if what we fear happens, it’s often not as bad as we thought it would be. We might even experience the “rainbow” of God’s blessings in some unexpected way.

k collard bookBOOK SUMMARY AND BIOGRAPHY:

It is possible to worry less through trusting God more. Regardless of the storms of trials, temptations, worry, uncertainty, confusion, or regrets that you’re facing, you can trust God more. Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries offers a conversational style, personal testimonies, practical illustrations, and solid biblical teaching for breaking anxiety and the devastating effects of worry. Each chapter includes Discussion Questions for individuals or groups, along with a “Letter from God.” In addition, a profile of a woman in the Bible who struggled with or experienced victory over worry is featured in each chapter to inspire every reader to see God’s hand in her life.

Kathy Collard Miller is a speaker and author. Her passion is to inspire women to trust God more. She has spoken in 30 states and 7 foreign countries. Kathy has 49 published books including Women of the Bible: Smart Guide to the Bible (Thomas Nelson) and she blogs at www.KathyCollardMiller.blogspot.com. Kathy lives in Southern California with her husband of 43 years, Larry, and is the proud grandma of Raphael. Kathy and Larry often speak together at marriage events and retreats.

Order at: http://www.amazon.com/Partly-Cloudy-Scattered-Worries-Collard/dp/193849976X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1380319647&sr=8-2&keywords=partly+cloudy+with+scattered+worries

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Is Being Angry Okay?

Posted in Biblical, Devotional, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , , , on June 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »

 

You may be familiar with the passage in Ephesians 4:26 which says to not let the sun go down on your anger. It is often given as marital advice.

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????But, anger itself is not evil.  The first part of verse 26 says: Be angry, and sin not, it doesn’t say to  never be angry because that’s a sin.

So where does the sin part come into the picture? It is all in how you handle your anger.  Anger that brews or broods can become toxic.  In fact, the next verse, 27, says to give no opportunity to the devil.  When we mull over our hurt and angry feelings like a cow chews its cud, that is like sending the evil one a personal invitation to come into our hearts and minds.

Anger doesn’t have to be a destructive emotion. It should be the catalyst that drops us to our knees, not fly off the handle.  Righteous anger happens when something vehemently against the Word of God happens. When that anger rears up inside of you, it is a prompting by the Holy Spirit.  It is a call to action – to pray, to  peacefully protest, to speak truth.  It is not a call to lash out, say things you will regret later, or hold a grudge. You can find God in the middle of your anger.  In fact, you should.

So, go ahead – be angry. Righteous anger over being violated or robbed, or hearing about atrocities such as sex slavery and child trafficking should get your bile boiling.  When someone hurts our loved ones, we should get riled. But, stop it there. Give it to God and let Him channel the anger according to His will. Remember that God is the one who has the right to judge others, not us. We are to forgive so we can be forgiven.  Like separating the shaft from the wheat, we must ask God to separate our emotions from our anger.

And, if you are angry at God because you don’t understand why or how He could allow something to happen, that’s okay as well. Beat on His chest and scream like a two year old. That’s being honest and raw. God can take it. Just don’t turn away from Him. Ever. Give Him the chance to heal you, correct you or comfort you.

Be angry- that’s okay- but don’t turn it into a sin. Don’t let it separate you from the One who loves more than anything, or the ones who are trying to love you the best they can yet still manage to step on your feelings. Before the day is over, lay that anger in the hands of the One who knows the best way to handle it.

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