The Promised Highway...

Upon thinking that 2010 is here, I wanted to share a promise from our Savior Jesus Christ for us as believers! I don't know about you, but 2009 was one of those years that will never be forgotten! As a family, we were talking and sharing the challenges and the victories of 2009.

Through our family sharing with one another about all the Lord has had for us this past year the Lord laid it upon my heart to remind each of us of the road that we will eventually be on for eternity! I hope it will encourage you and give you umph as it has me! Remember the Road of the Redeemed!

In Isaiah 35:1-10 it says the following to us so let's read on!

"The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it. The excellence of Carmel and Sharon They shall see the glory of the Lord, The excellency of our God.

Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees, Say to those who are fearful-hearted, Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing, For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

A highway shall be there, and a road. And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness, The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others, whoever walks the road, although a fool Shall not go astray.

No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there; But the redeemed shall walk there.

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away."

I don't know about you but I can't wait to be on that Highway promised to us His redeemed!

Close and Personal:

1. Have you ever read this passage?

2. Will you remember this as we go throughout 2010?

My Dearest Savior, Thank you Lord for your sweetest reminders of where our hope is and our eternal rest will be with You in joy and happiness! May we keep You and Your promises close to us as this new year begins! Father may we be mindful to remember that our trials and tribulations that we will encounter are just temporary in comparison to "The Highway of the Redeemed!"

We love you Lord Jesus!

Thankful...

We were in the kitchen last week as my daughter's and I were discussing the Thanksgiving menu for 2009! I said, "Girls, we are discussing this already and it is still a month away?" "Yes!" They shouted with excitement!

Listening to their excitement about their favorite dishes that they wanted to prepare, it began to stir my emotions inside of me! I am not sure what has perspired in your lives since Thanksgiving of last year with still having a heart and spirit of being thankful, but I know that it got me thinking!

Have you sat down recently and began thinking what exactly does it mean to be thankful in all things? The girls again reminded me of that during our Woman's Bible Study this past week! Does it not just get you when the younger ones are the ones reminding you? UGH!

Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

We began discussing how this verse says, in everything to be thankful and then you let your requests be made known! Ouch! Does that mean you have to be thankful before coming to Him with your requests? YES! I don't know about you guys, but that can be pretty difficult at times.


So, again we continued with our Bible study and after we finished I could not get "with thanksgiving," out of my mind. Upon recalling some of my stories since last Thanksgiving, I was thinking this could have given me a heart attack!




For instance recently with one of our newly "adopted" daughters who came out of sexual abuse and incest for 23 years had an opportunity to be interviewed and share her story. One thing that struck me was her thankful attitude towards the Lord as He had protected her all those years! She was thankful that she was now in a family she could count as her own. Somewhere she was safe and loved! She brought me to tears and it was a sweet reminder to me that in every circumstance there is thanksgiving! Wow!


Is this a difficult proposition to be thankful in all these matters before even coming with our requests before the Lord? YES! Can it be done? YES!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Listen to this from Acts 16:22-25: "Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them." If that does not bring me to conviction!

So this is what I simply gathered. To be thankful in all things! This Thanksgiving, when you gather with your family and friends, remember those that came before us and their difficult times under their circumstances and conditions. Their thankful attitudes and hearts should encourage us to come with thanksgiving before bringing our petitions to Him!


Close and Personal:

What can you be thankful for in the midst of unbearable circumstances?

"Thanksgiving." Should it be only celebrated in November?

Can you think of a time this year that now looking back you realize you should have been thankful?


My dearest Savior,

I want to take time to tell you thank you for those moments this past year that seemed so gloomy and difficult! Those times now looking back you were using for your Glory and Honor yet I saw them so hard to endure! Father I love you and I thank you for entrusting those difficult times to us and our family! May this Thanksgiving we remember that it does not end in November but rather last all year round! I praise you now and forever!
Amen.

My Prayer Walk

Please join us in welcoming our Guest Barista, Courtney Joseph today!

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

My prayer walk begins as I pull the crumpled blankets from a sweet nights rest up "Lord, bless the man who slept here last night - give him strength for today’s trials, integrity for today's temptations and wisdom for today's decisions." I go around to the other side of the bed and pull the blankets up "Lord, help me, help me be a blessing to my husband today, be patient with the children, and wise for today's challenges."


I walk into the bathroom - bathtub toys are strewn across the floor, I pick up the match box car "Lord, bless my little boy who dreams big and plays hard - help him use his strength for you." I lay my daughter's bath baby back into her bucket - "Lord, bless my little girl, she has so many words to say, help her be wise in her word choices."


I walk down to the kitchen, crumbs are wiped from the morning breakfast table "Lord, use this table to comfort weary souls and encourage my little pilgrims on their journey". I wipe the first chair "Lord, help our leader husband to be healthy so he can complete the ever mounting tasks on his plate." I wipe the second and third chair "Lord, give the children laughter in their adventures together - knit their souls together." And then the fourth... "Lord, help - I just need help...tears bubble under the surface...no more words for her need to be said - the Spirit already understands what words cannot express."



Then into the living room, pillows are straightened prayers are said for visitors, friends and family who once sat there. Dust is wiped from the piano as praise bellows in my heart for the joy that has come through the blessing of that black wooden box with ivory keys. Memories of children singing and dancing flood my heart with overwhelming joy. The joy is broken...the newspaper is lifted from the entry way - the world's troubles vomit on me - prayers are lifted for my city, state, country, and President.


My heart is heavy as I lift the heavy laundry basket and carry it out of the room and up the stairs - the basket seems to get lighter as I thank the Lord for giving us these clothes in abundance. The drawer is opened, the clothes slip into their comfy home ready to be used.



I walk past the television and pause - "Lord, have we dishonored you by the things we have watched on there? Help us to not waste our time on useless viewing which turns into useless living."



I walk to my computer...there it sits...the world at my finger tips...it calls my name...it woos me to come and sit for a while.

My Bible is right beside the keyboard...there it sits...God's only written truth there at my finger tips...it calls my name...it woos me to come and sit for a while.



Why am I so torn - why does the computer's wooing seem stronger than the Bible's? Pause for repentance - "Father forgive me for weak moments where time spent on my computer has caused me to neglect your word."



I open my Bible and drink a tall glass of refreshing living water that is spilt on every page. Sweet refreshment - I rise refreshed as distant little voices call out "mommy"...temptations to carry my heavy burden rise with me. I move forward leaving my burden to lie at the feet of Jesus. My heart is light - I walk in peace - I walk with the King - the King walks with me.


Today - pause, take the time to pray over the people in your home, over the places they sleep, their toys, the television that will capture them and keep them hostage for as long as you allow, the computer which can bring life or death into your home. Let God use a daily prayer walk to transform your family...if you don't pray for them - who will?

In Him,

Courtney

Courtney is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute with a degree in Evangelism and Discipleship. She has been married 12 years to her high school sweet heart and home schools her son and daughter (ages 6 and 4). She enjoys blogging in her spare time at http://www.womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com



Walk with the King!

Girlfriend, Don't Eat the Cake!

For a couple of years now I have been on this health kick. We have been taught over and over again that we must watch what we eat. The bad stuff may taste ever so sweet when you’re savoring it on your tongue but when you are carrying that weight around afterwards it just doesn’t seem worth it, does it?

Well, on Saturday my sister and I went shopping at the health foods store. I had a simple list: bread, chocolate milk, honey, chicken, and pineapple. Yes, chocolate milk. A girl has to have her daily intake of calcium and flavanoids. I’m sure I read that somewhere. So we perused through the store admiring the organic, non-harmful nail polish and body lotion all the while gathering my groceries. I even brought my reusable grocery totes to enhance the experience. There were goodies everywhere and the word "organic" seemed to make the calories disappear but I knew better. We were almost done browsing and shopping when we got to the bakery department and I turned around and noticed my sister was missing. Knowing someone wouldn't mistake her for a dessert, I looked all over to find her.

I went back to the cracker aisle, down the freezer section, looked again in the dairy department and finally got back to the baked goods. Then a really big guy moved on with his cart, cleared the view, and there she was, all 4 foot 11 inches of her. She was staring intently into the case that held the cakes and pies.

"What is she doing?" I thought. “I am trying to change my lifestyle and she is looking at calories, and lots of them! I have avoided temptation for the last hour and she is caving in?” So, I took a deep breath and started making my way towards her. She was going to get a piece of my mind if she was thinking about buying a piece of that cake! I wasn't going to stand for this. I even thought of lots of clever and witty things to say while en route to that dessert case. A bit of anger began to swell up inside of me and I was going to let her know it.

I got to the case, stopped my cart, looked her in the eye, opened my mouth, and said it....

"How much is it?"

It was Chocolate Eruption Cake, folks! And it was labeled organic so it must have some nutritional value, right? Two pieces and one full glass of chocolate milk later I can tell you that the word organic means nothing when they are placed in front of ingredients like butter, whipping cream, and sugar. It turns out that cake has more calories than a boxed non-organic cake. Oh the deception!

Weeks later as I strolled on into to a local book store to have coffee with some friends this cake came back to haunt me.

We sat down and began laughing and discussing the latest stories of our life. I got so caught up in hanging out and having fun with my girls that I never even saw it coming.

“While we are on that subject we need to pray for Kara’s marriage.”

Immediately I became concerned and curious. Then I said it, “Well what should we specifically pray for?”

The door was opened and I invited that gossip in. The tongue was loosed and assumptions were made. Everyone was completely tuned in to get the latest dish on what this seemingly perfect family in our church was going through. I had sworn that I would never get sucked into that again and that any friend of mine who dared speak that way in front of me would get a piece of my mind but the word “prayer” made it all seem fine. We had been spoon fed gossip and every juicy bite was savored.

Proverbs 18:8 – “The words of gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” (NIV)

On the way home I thought about that organic cake. I thought about how sick it made me and how many extra minutes I had to spend on the treadmill to get rid of it. This gossip made me sick too and the weight of that conversation haunted me. I knew I'd have to spend some time on my knees in repentance. Just because something is given a fancy and “good” label doesn’t mean that it is beneficial to us. We have to be prepared at all times and consistently walk in the spirit so that we can recognize the tactics of the enemy. The Holy Spirit and I now have an inside joke. When I am about to encounter a similar situation I hear him whisper to my heart, “don’t eat the cake!” It works!

I'd love for you to visit me at my personal blog: AmyBayliss.com

Did You Think to Pray?

We are thrilled to WELCOME Roxanne Langley to the Cafe today!

You think some of the things you have to do are irksome?


While traveling one day, I was discussing with my husband an odd command God gave the Israelites regarding donations that were required for the building of the tabernacle. Among the list of scarlet, purple, and blue thread, gold, silver, and copper, acacia wood, goat skins and the like, was the requirement for “the hides of sea cows dyed red.”





Now that one stumped me. They were near the Red Sea presumably, and obviously there WERE such things as sea cows. I, however, found asking for “bovines of the sea” while traipsing through the Sinai Desert a bit much. So I ask my husband, “Exactly how did He (meaning the God of the universe, sea cows included) plan on anyone finding SEA COWS in the middle of the desert?”







From the back seat in a very teen-agery, eye-rolling, duh-you-are-so-dumb voice my seven year old daughter piped up with,

“Well. . .I guess they PRAYED for one.”

That shut me down right there. Seriously, what shortage of sea cow hides CAN’T be overcome by some heart-felt, earnest supplication followed by a large dose of obedience?


As I pondered my daughter’s words, I realized two very important things:

1. Her first reaction to face an obstacle was to pray.
2. My first reaction was to question God.

Matthew 18:3 “And he said: ‘I tell you, the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”(NIV)

What was HER first reaction? What was MY first reaction? And exactly how long will it take for that to cease being her first reaction if I do not proceed very carefully with my own? She didn’t quote one single scripture touting God’s mightiness or sovreignty. There was no need. She unintentionally wrapped her words around a brick, and hurled that brick at her momma’s hard head. I think God might have even chuckled.


I also think I have a lot to learn from my child and from my Father.

What is your first reaction when faced with a daunting or seemingly insurmountable task?

When was a time your prayed and found that the task seemed easier to handle?

In Him, Roxanne

Roxanne lives in small-town Texas with her husband and two children. She teaches Jr. High school on purpose. And yes. She is a little crazy.

Come Prepared

Each week I have an art lesson. These lessons were meant to be an extracurricular activity for my children, but as they have gotten older I have had the privilege of joining them in this expression of creativity. Each week when we arrive, our instructor asks us to do a few simple drawing exercises.


We have to get into our right hemisphere.

Admittedly, I spend much of my life here on earth taking care of left brain tasks; paying bills, grocery shopping, laundry, emptying the dishwasher, shuttling people to and fro. These activities require little creativity, or "right brain" function. But art, now that is a different story.



Our instructor insists that moving into our right hemispheres is critical to art and original creativity. She reminds us weekly that without this transition, our best expression of art and creativity are not possible. There are times that getting into my "right mind" is hard work. I have to WORK at shutting my left brain interferences out, or my artwork will not be a reflection of my true creativity.

One morning, as I was sitting down to quiet time with the Lord, I had a revelation.

Much like art class, many times coming to the Lord disconnected from the noise is hard work. The day's distractions bombard me. Much like my art class, I must find a way to leave those things at the door. Moving from my world into His. If distractions interfere with my time with Him, I will not ever hear completely what He is trying to communicate to me.

Rather than preparing my brain, I have to prepare my heart.

How can I prepare my heart when my heart longs for real intimacy with God?

When we have met our Lord in the silent intimacy of our prayer, then we will also meet Him . . . in the market, and in the town square. But when we have not met Him in the center of our own hearts, we cannot expect to meet Him in the busyness of our daily lives.
Henri Nouwen

Just as I have a series of exercises that I need to do to prepare this brain for art class, the same can be said for my quiet time with God. If a few simple exercises work in art class, why should it surprise me that a few simple exercises work at prayer time too. Just as right hemisphere exercises allow creativity to flow, centering my heart in Christ through prayer moments of solitude with Him will allow Him to freely move through me. Much like the drawing exercises that we do in class, I have learned to come to quiet time prepared. Repeating the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Here am I," helps me to be present to the Lord.

In order to meet Him in the busyness, I must meet Him in the center of my own heart, and that simply cannot be done if distractions interfere with my holy experience. I am a canvas of the Lord. If allowed, the artist of all creation would choose to use me to reflect His love to the world. As the canvas, I need to simply be, before I can ever do.

Father God,

Thank you for the creativity that surrounds me and even more I thank you for the lessons you continue to so eloquently teach me thorough simple, daily experiences. I want to meet you in the center of my heart. I ask you to guide me as I strive to come to you in the quietness, meeting you in completeness, releasing distractions. Father, hear the prayer of your child, "Here am I." Use me as your canvas Lord, as your will would have.

Amen







join Lori daily at her personal website,all you have to give, where she can be found anxiously awaiting football season.

He Restores My Soul

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23:2-3

Driving up the steep, curvy, gravel road, I asked the Lord to meet me on the mountain. After a season of intense trial, I needed some time alone with the Lord. I needed the peace and comfort and restoration that only come through Him.

After breaking my right foot in early spring, I’d been unable to walk or drive for ten weeks. As my world shrunk to four walls, the days crawled by. Satan didn’t waste this opportunity, this time of weakness and discouragement, to attack. Life delivered another blow that threatened to break my very spirit - my soul.

As I returned to the doctor for check-ups and x-rays, the news was the same time after time. The bones haven’t healed. The bones haven’t healed. “Why aren’t your bones healing?” the doctor finally asked.

The news from my spirit was the same. The heart hasn’t healed. The heart hasn’t healed. “Why isn’t my heart healing?” I cried out to the Lord.

I felt so helpless. I felt so alone. I felt so wounded. The words that usually poured from my heart onto the page ceased. This had never happened to me before. Yet, that’s exactly what Satan wanted.

Ten weeks after the fall that broke my foot, I returned to the doctor for yet another x-ray. With the report in hand and a smile on his face, he walked into the room and delivered the wonderful news - your bones have healed. Even though my foot was tender and painful to walk on, I enjoyed every step I made. I enjoyed getting into my car and driving once again. My foot had been restored.

But my heart - my spirit - that was another story. Desperately needing to get away, I made a reservation for a few days at Pilot Knob Inn. Arriving at the tobacco barn cabin, I unpacked my bag and laid down for a nap. As I closed my eyes, sleep didn’t come – prayers did. Lying on the bed, I began to feel God’s mighty presence as I poured out my heart to Him.

The room was dark because the view from the small window was obscured by trees. Suddenly, an intense light from the sun shone between the leaves and forced my eyes open. I hadn’t seen even a tiny opening in those leaves but God allowed the sun to break through and flood not only my face but my heart. As I shielded my face from the bright light, I felt that I, like Moses, had seen the goodness of the Lord pass by me.

Throughout the weekend, each time I tried to nap, my nap time turned into prayer time. I was drawn to God’s Word and read Scripture that I’d highlighted while going through previous trials. I read all the verses I could find pertaining to healing.

Thinking my broken spirit couldn’t be repaired in one short weekend, I merely hoped to find peace and a little restoration. Packing my car to return home, I realized how little faith I have in our big God.

I’d asked the Lord to meet me on the mountain and He had met me on the mountain. I asked him for a little peace and restoration. God gave me His peace that passes understanding and He healed my broken spirit. I returned home to the same problems I’d left behind only now, by His grace I knew I could handle them. The Lord restored my soul.

Are you at a place in your life where you need to be restored?

Do you need a healing touch from God?

Pour out your heart to the Lord and He will heal your broken spirit.

Father, thank you that you are able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. Thank you for being the Lord who heals us.

I'd love to have you visit at http://www.inspirationfrommayberry

When Flocks of Geese Attack: Dealing With Anxiety

Why is it that in the middle of a restless night, worries come at you like a flock of geese relentlessly honking and snipping, demanding the bread in your hand? As soon as you give a morsel to one, another comes charging at you.

As I write this, it’s 2:30 am. I’ve been lying awake due to mid-life hormonal power surges and a persistent snore beside me. Before I rose, my personal flock of geese was closing in, snatching my peace thought by anxious thought.

Question: What do you do when worries surround you?

In the spirit of Family Feud: “Survey says … pray!”
I’m guessing that “pray” is the number one answer for anyone reading this devotional, and that’s a good answer!

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you,” and the first order of casting off anxiety is to open up conversation with our Father.

Sometimes I tell God about my troubles as if he were an ordinary friend, explaining to him the situation and my questions and fears.

But the Lord is so much more than an ear to bend. He is, of course, well … bigger.

Let’s review, Class. He is:

Faithful

Good

Incomprehensible

Infinite

Loving

Merciful

Omnipotent

Omnipresent

Omniscient

Sovereign

Wise

The list goes on. I’d like to add one more: Near.

Remember Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” He is with us in the presence of enemies, whether tangible or intangible.

I’m so thankful that although God is everywhere, he is also near. We do have troubles in this world. But it’s comforting to know that whatever besieges us, we do not face it alone, even if we’re battling in the middle of the night. He is always near and always awake.

When I turn to the Lord for help, I must continually remember to “cast” my cares upon Him. That is, I have to make sure I’ve done more than just vent my feelings in prayer. I must release the burden to Him in faith, because He is faithful.

In other words, I have to divest myself of the habit of rehashing the whole scenario.

The Amplified Bible opens up 1 Peter 5:7 in the context of giving (casting) our concerns to God: “… the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”

I need to digest that: “All of your worries, once and for all, because he cares for you,” and may I add again, this is a really BIG God who watchfully cares for you.

Finally, I will share an exercise that helps me release my burdens, although it is fairly juvenile. It goes like this: my son has shared that he and his teammates are traveling to North Carolina for an Ultimate Frisbee tournament.

Eventually, after I pray about his safety, my imagination will evoke anxiety, in this case, by presenting the scene of a terrible wreck. I then picture a red (appropriate for alert or fiery trial, yes?) helium balloon representing my specific fear. Sometimes I envision the burden written on the balloon, such as “Keep Jordan safe.” Then I let it go, and watch it waft up, up and away. Then I remind myself that I have released this fear to a big, omnipotent God who loves my son more than I do.

Now it is 4:00 am, and I’m getting sleepy. If the geese encircle again, I will stand my ground and say, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust” (Psalm 4:8). And if I have to, I will release a big bouquet of red balloons one by one until I drift off under His watchful eye.

Questions:

1. Do you ever find yourself merely bending God’s ear in prayer instead of trusting Him for peace and resolution?

2. Is there a mental image or exercise that would work for you to help you release burdens for which you’ve already prayed?

3. Which scripture would be most helpful for you to have at the ready when geese attack?


Please visit Linda Crow at her personal blog:









photo credit

Are You in a Dry Spell?

I've heard people say concerning their walk with Jesus, that they are in a "dry spell." In other words, they "don't hear the Lord," or "don't feel anything," or "don't get anything out of the word."

I don't meant to be a party-pooper or disqualify what you might be feeling, but let me offer another suggestion:

Maybe the reason you're feel like you're in a dry spell is because of...you.

Remember the Israelites back in the Old Testament? They had to wander around the desert, not because God wasn't speaking, and not because they didn't hear a word from Him, but because of their unbelief and disobedience.

Fast forward to Jesus. He said, "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." The next verse lets us in on the secret to the living water, "By this he meant the Spirit whom those who believed in him were later to receive." John 7:38, 39

When we feel that we are in a dry spell and can describe our walk with Jesus as quiet, dry, uneventful, unproductive, and simply at a time when we neither learn nor desire to learn, this my friend, is not of the Spirit, but of us. It is a red flag, a sign for us to check ourselves.

Here are some tips to staying out of the desert!

1. Humble yourself before the Lord and consider what confession you might need to make. Are you meeting with Him? Are you aware of His presence? Are you walking in habitual sin? Are you reading His word?

2. Begin afresh the discipline of quieting yourself with Christ sometime during the day and making it a point to humble yourself to His Spirit within you. He never stops working. We are the ones who gauge His work based on how we feel.

3. Get your face back in the Word and go to it with expectancy and respect. It will judge your thoughts and minds and motives, but will also teach you, encourage you, and give you insight and discernment that you just don't have all by your onesie.

4. Ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit to come again! Ask Him to bring that water regardless of your situation or circumstance. He is LIFE! He is the living water and He will be faithful!

5. Get others involved. Find a friend that will ask you if you have made your relationship with Christ your number one priority. Those friends are priceless, and are also fun to shop with.

Now, are you in a "dry place"? I challenge you to take a good look at yourself and realize that our God is never far and certainly never with holds good to those who seek His face. Go back to the living water right now!!

Living in the Water,
Natalie!

Enjoy Natalie's other blogs

and

Be Still

The Internet Cafe is thrilled to welcome Kris Williams today!!

"Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

Some days are just better than others. Today is one of those days.


Today is one of those days when it seems like God chose to stand a little closer to me. Now, maybe He did, and maybe He didn’t. Perhaps I simply chose to take a moment and bask in His embrace before I got started on my day. Perhaps He is always the same closeness to me and I choose not to acknowledge his presence.

After all, I am a busy girl with important things to do. I do not always have time to stop and just “be” in the presence of the creator of the universe.


Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? Too busy to be with God? Really? Crazy as it sounds to say it, that is how I live much of my life….running here and running there...caring for the family He gave me, cleaning the house He gave me, working the job He provided....much too busy living the life He provided take time to just “be” with God.

As crazy as it sounds, I cannot imagine that I am alone in this. I would think that you too may go through your days without stopping to just be with God. I imagine that you, like me, often go through your day caring for, interacting with, and reacting to the people in your life without stopping for even the briefest moment to just "be" with your Creator, your Savior, the Lover of your soul. I have spent far too many days running on empty because I have not taken time to pause and just rest in the loving arms of my Heavenly Father. I have spent years weary from carrying heavy burdens when Scripture promises relief to those that come to Him....

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

May I be so bold as to challenge you?

Stop, take a deep breath, relax your shoulders, exhale, and just be in His presence. Just for a moment. Picture Him standing by your chair. Relax into Him and feel the warmth of your Creator’s perfect embrace. Rest your head on His chest. No questions, no requests, just be in His presence. Close your eyes and listen for the beating of His heart and embrace the enormity of the fact that the creator of the universe LOVES you…YOU! He loves you with a love so pure and perfect that no human love can duplicate it. He loves you just as you are right now, flawed and imperfect.

He just loves you.

So take a moment and just let Him.


Think about it....

When was the last time you just let God love you?



When during your day can you find time to just relax in God's embrace?



What is your normal response to stressful situations?



How differently will your reaction to stressful situations be if you pause and ask God to draw close to you before you react?



Oh God! I love you! Thank you for promising to always be with me. Draw me to yourself as I rest in your peace now. Fill me with your love so that I may share that love with the people you place in my life today.



In Him,
Kris


Kris is a woman blessed beyone measure! God has entrusted her with the awesome privilege of being the helpmate to her husband Calvin as he serves the Most High as Sr. Pastor, caring for and nurturing a small congregation in Mississippi. Also entrusted to her care are Brian and Izzy, 10 and 4. Kris also spends time as the team leader for the Women’s ministry at their church.

In Kris' words;

"I am living, breathing, walking, talking proof that God is very much in the business of radically changing lives. I spent most of my life looking for “something”. “Something” to make me feel secure, “Something” to fill the emptiness in my heart, “Something” to give my life meaning and purpose… and tried lots of “somethings” before I embraced the One who would finally quiet this restless soul.

While I would never want to go back and relive my “Pre-Christ” life, I am fully aware that each step of that journey led me to where I am today. Once I put my hand in His and accepted His plan for my life, He gave (and continues to give) me more joy than I could have ever imagined possible. It is my greatest burning desire and most humble prayer that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will use me to encourage and inspire other women to seek a deep and meaningful, all- consuming and passionate relationship with HIM."

Kris can be found at her personal site and at the FLO Ministry blog.

Don't You Want to Know?

If we were to make a list of the things that we all pray about on a regular basis, how long would that list be? Too long to measure, that's how long! I made a list for myself, just to get an idea.

Things I Pray For:

Kids: Safety, healing, attitudes, their futures, their happiness, their future spouses, their house cleaning ineptitude, their academic success, their friendships, their walks with God, their unwillingness to EVER sleep, etc. This list is potentially endless.

Husband/Marriage: Unity, relationship issues, blessings, health, attitudes, his career, his talents, his relationship with God, our calling as a couple, our happiness, etc. Also, . . . an endless list.


Family: Salvation for unbelieving family members, marriage struggles, and all of the various things we hope for, for those we love.


Myself: (This can get crunchy!) The usual things like, impatience, jealousy, unforgiveness, doubts and fears always top the list. However, it seems the longer we walk with God, the more we see areas of our personality that are not so . . . holy - areas that send us to our knees regularly. So, again, very likely, this list (if we are honest seekers) never ends.

ETC.: The catch-all list. Prayer for government, church leadership, poverty, missions, the single mom down the street, the sad, sad things we see on the news. You know . . . etc.


What I have noticed, and maybe you have clued in to this as well, is that, for the most part, my prayers are mostly "reactive" prayers. Prayers that address things and situations that are already broken (or well on their way). Reactive prayers seem to focus on 'fixing' what is already broken. Thank goodness Jesus Himself tells us to pray about these things, because our lives are full of them. We never seem to run out of "prayer fires" that need to be put out or that need to be answered by the Father.

What I'm wondering though, is what would happen if we occasionally changed up the 'prayer-as-usual' habit. What would happen if we regularly put aside our brush-fire prayers and purposefully decided to simply sit quietly with the Lord? What would happen if, instead of always being needy children (I am usually first in that line :), we chose to sit at the Father's feet simply to hear what He has to say to us? What if our conversations/prayers are always so busy and full of needs that we never hear what the God of the Universe has on His omnipotent mind? What if the Alpha and Omega has been waiting for years to whisper some truth into your ears that only YOU will be privy to and only YOU have what it takes to bring to fruition?

Long before the creation of this planet, long before the foundations of the earth were laid, God knew you. The Word says,

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you." (Jeremiah 1:5)

"I knew you?" What did He know? What plans were forged in His mind concerning your life on this planet? What specific calling, talent and/or gifting was placed inside of you when God lovingly "knew you" so long ago?

There's really only one way to find out, Friends. We must regularly sit at his feet without personal agendas. We have to learn to nurture and honor the relationship God longs to have with us. And that will come only by spending time in His presence. . . just like every other personal relationship we have.

Don't you r e a l l y want to know what God has on His mind today concerning you? It may just cause our "prayer lists" to pale in comparison. Who's with me?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Father, thank You for holding a place for each of us at your feet. We are so grateful that You never stop waiting for us. You never stop calling us to Yourself. We wait to hear,"Great and mighty things which we do not know."
Jeremiah 33:3

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Him . . .


Visit Darnelle at her personal blog: All Things Work Together...

Free To Be

I sat in Starbucks with the beautiful teenage girl listening to her heart. She was telling me of how Jesus found her. I asked her what her greatest challenge in life was. I thought she might speak of her relationship with her mother, or a subject at school, or even knowing what to do with her life once high school ended. But it wasn’t so. Her greatest challenge was to pray for everyone she needed to pray for.


I felt the weight of her burden. I’ve carried the burden myself in years past. But Jesus has shown me a different way. It has breathed the breath of life into my soul. Maybe it would hers too.


Jesus is at the right hand of the father always interceding. At the same time He indwells me. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, Christ now lives in me. He’s not just someone who came to take away our sins, He now indwells each and every one of us. I don’t think we get that sometimes. But if we accepted His invitation for an exchanged life, it is our reality.


If Christ indwells us and is always interceding, then could it be that at all times prayer is going out of us while we are unaware?


I am convinced that everything is by His invitation. Where He wants me to join Him, He places a call, burden or desire on my heart. It doesn’t really require any effort. Instead it elicits a response.


There have been times when my heart has been so burdened for another that I couldn't get it off my mind. I’ve come to believe it is His invitation to join Him before the Father. It doesn’t require a discipline to pray, or even a list to remind myself. My heart is drawn to the point that I cannot NOT pray.


Which leads me to another point. What is prayer any ways? Is it sentences strung together that sound spiritual? Or could it be even an ache of the soul for another? Doesn’t He read our thoughts (Psalm 139:2)? Doesn’t He look on the heart of man? (I Samuel 16:7)


I’ve come to believe that Jesus reads our groans, tears, and thoughts; puts them into legible words and offers them to the Father. For at times, there are no words to be spoken.


There was a time when all I had was tears. The deep sobs wracked my body as I felt the intensity of life bearing down on me. There were no words to offer, only exhaustion. Yet, He came for me. Without a word spoken, Jesus came and lifted me up. It changed my paradigm. For I had been taught that we had to pray with words about everything. I hadn’t uttered a word, I didn’t have any. Yet Jesus read my tears and came.


I’ve come to believe that is His way. Sometimes there are words to speak. They easily pour out of me. Other times I have only groans and aches. And then there are the times I have only tears. Each one is an invitation. Each one represents a heart’s cry. Each time He responds.


The beauty is that we are free to be in the moment. As we rest in His life lived in and through us we can just be. His Spirit indwelling us will invite us. It will be a response instead of a requirement. He will burden our hearts with those things that He desires us to join Him in.


I could see it in her eyes as I spoke. She’d never heard anything like it.

I know, I hadn’t either. Complex Christianity has just been made simple. Be with God in the moments of life, knowing He will invite you into where He desires you to be. No more struggle and strain to “get ‘er done” we are now free to just be.

You can find Julie at her blog: Jewelz Sightings

On Hold?

This is my phone. Not my 'home' phone...but my work phone. This phone is the reason that I don't answer the phone at home. Unless Jeff is not home. If he's home, he is sweet enough to answer it---:) (whether he really wants to or not)--we never screen calls...either we are home or we are not---if we are home we pick up.
This phone can make you crazy. I should know---see---it is what makes me crazy!

Please allow me to give you a brief run-down of my day....I get there...after having driven about 42 miles...phone is ringing. Walk in the door--- answer the phone. I try and remember if it is morning or afternoon (sometimes I do really well at this...sometimes not so well). Good morning "blaahby, blaahby" (attorney's names---we chose to shorten the length from 5 names to just the first two--thank you LORD!)---then while I listen---I write....most of what they say. Now the tricky part is if another line starts ringing while they are still talking...hmmmm. Please hold----Good morning "blaahby, blaahby"....yes mam, can you please hold? Go back to line number 1, apologize for asking them to hold, finish taking message, hurry back to line number two and line number 3 rings. Please hold. Take line 3 and then line 4 rings. Good morning, "blaahby, blaahby", please hold. PLEASE HOLD. PLEASE HOLD...PLEASE HOLD...Do you see where you might get a tad crazy??? Well? DO YOU?

Sorry. Got a bit out of hand there---(I didn't mention that all the while the phone is ringing...I am greeting clients---creating files, entering time/data for 4 of the 5 attorney's for every minute of the work day for them---every minute of their time is documented...yeah. right. by me---no don't feel bad. After all---this is my job....so I'm cool with it...most of the time.---That MUST be the reason for my twitching left eye! Yikes!)

Have you ever paused to think about how many "calls" the Lord receives in a day? It is unimaginable. I cannot begin to fathom how in the world He does it! But---then He is God. He can do it. I get frustrated when someone tries to talk to me when I'm on the phone. But He doesn't. He just handles it all with such finesse. Never does He miss a call. You NEVER have to leave a message. YOU are NEVER put on hold! He is always there! Try Him. Try the line. Call Him. Call upon Him.

Psa 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

Psa 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Jer 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

Did you find the words..."call upon me and if I am not too busy with someone else I will answer you?"....No---you didn't. NOR will you ever. You will never call Him and get a busy signal. Neither will He ever be too busy ---nor too far away---or tied up---or have a "shortened arm"---or a deaf ear---or any other hindrances that I am missing....

We are His beloved children---His heirs. With an incredible inheritance awaiting each one of us!

Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.

Gal 3:29 And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Tts 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Jam 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

So---if you've made that call----or if you have that problem----or have a certain need....and you don't think you "hear anything"...stay on the line. You are not on hold. You are His beloved child. He will answer---His Word says it! I believe it! That settles it!

(All scripture references are KJV)

Even in the Dark

At some point in my elementary school days, my parents carpeted the basement and it became a depository of toys. Like most kids, the toys were fun, but some of the best times to be had just required an imagination. There were a couple window wells, but really, the basement was fairly dark. We discovered that playing Hide-N-Seek in the dark was better than regular Hide-N-Seek. If the cousins were visiting, this was a great pass time.

But at other times, I found darkness to be scary. One set of cousins lived in front of a cemetery. It wasn't particularly scary during the day, but it was creepy at night. It was rare for anyone to be able to entice me out of the house for a real life game of Ghost in the Graveyard.

Part of it, perhaps, was that at home I knew right where the light switch was. There were no light switches in the cemetery and flashlights didn't provide enough light. Things in the dark can look very different from things in the day. Just ask any three year old who sees a shadow move in their room. They are not scared of the shadow during the day, but . . . .

Even as adults, we have periods of darkness. Often times these are emotional or situational. I know a good many people in Illinois right now feel the darkness in threatened job loss and state budget cuts and any number of things. For me at the moment it is relational. I feel like I cannot move without bumping into something and knocking something over.

And at times, it is hard to remember that there is light. At times, it is hard not to let fear over take us.

Here is the truth. God is light. The pslamist writes in Psalm 27:1:

The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?

When I was a child, I was disappointed to discover that the moon was just a giant rock that didn't even have it's own light. It seemed so large in the dark sky that there had to be more to it than that. It dawned on me tonight that there really might be more to it than that. The moon reflects the sun's light. Perhaps God placed it there in it's reflective capacity to remind us that even in the dark of night the sun is still shining.


I am never without a light switch. I need only to go to God in prayer.

God's Work In Progress,

I'd love for you to visit my personal blog:

Home

Charles Spurgeon wrote, "When home is ruled according to God's Word, angels might be asked to stay with us, and they would not find themselves out of their element."

Recently, I spent a week back home. The house where I did most of my "growing-up" is about an hour's drive from here. Give or take. Depending on who's driving...and the traffic. Which, the closer you are to home, the more you might find your way slowed by a tractor or two.

Housesitting is a splendid way to get a mini-vacation--with the exception of going to work. My mother and stepdad (Grandbuddy), were on a week long missions trip to Central Florida to work on an orphanage with several folks from my home church. Normally, I would not have to housesit, but they recently aquired a very large dog and he won't let just anyone into the yard--but he has to be fed--so the neighbors can't do it. And, since he happens to like me--then I get the job! So this was really more dog-sitting than housesitting.

Okay, I am rambling. Sorry.

It felt so good to be home. It was quiet, and the feeling of family was like a warm blanket. There were memories on every wall, in every picture, even the scent seemed so familiar. It was the scent of prayer.

I've smelled it before. At my grandmother's house. It is the scent of offerings of thanksgiving, petitions of mercy for family members, and much praise that has washed the walls of the house. Permeating every room with the feeling that you are welcome, you are loved and that God reigns in that home.

I remember giving some clothes to a friend several years ago, she grabbed them up in her arms to carry them to her car and as she did, she exclaimed, "oh these smell good! They smell like your house!"

I hope my house today smells like an altar before the LORD.

Many years ago, I realized I had allowed the world to enter in my home. It slipped in innocently enough, so quietly I hardly recognized it for what it was. But when I did, I pulled out the garbage can!

When secular books out numbered the godly--uplifting ones, something had to change! Music was next. I had begun to listen to (almost constantly) a country radio station. I had even purchased a few CD's.

Now, don't get all twisted up---I am not saying country music is wrong---but for me it was. I needed to feed my soul Christ, not Tammy and George. Or in this case, Tim and Faith.

I was not feeding my soul the proper nourishment. My home suffered. My heart suffered. I was ill equipped to face the battles that were looming ahead. But the LORD stirred my soul and my senses. I began a spiritual house cleaning, as well as a physical house cleaning.

While in this house cleaning, both of the heart and the home, I began to reflect on my "time". How much I spent with Him, verses how much I spent involved in other things. The other things seemed to win out. Changes had to be made there as well.

This time at mother's gave me the opportunity to once again, slow down and reflect. At my heart-home. I had my morning devotions in the very spot where mother has hers each day. The LORD met me there each morning and bathed my day in His presence as I went before the throne in offerings of praise. It made a difference.

Titus 2:11-14 NIV

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

What does your heart-home look like?

Is it cluttered?

Is God reigning? Or is He squeezed out? Is there a mismatch of desires?

Seek His desire for your life---He will help you with the "housecleaning".

I'd love your visit at my place!

© Angie Knight 2009. All rights reserved.

Filling Your Tank

It was a hot Saturday afternoon. I'd put it off long enough. It was time to just get it done. Time to mow the grass.

I really don't mind mowing the grass. It is usually my husband's chore but, every now and then I get out there with the mower and cut the lawn. The one part I dread is filling the gas tank.

I'm messy. Gasoline is smelly. So, I often take a peek inside the gas tank, eyeball the gas level, replace the cap and hope for the best. If the tank is full, there is more than enough to mow the entire lawn. If the tank is half full, there is still enough. Somewhere below the halfway mark is the critical level for running out of gas.

The funny thing is that I never do this with my car. For some reason, the gas pumps at the convenience store are just that- convenient. I am able to fill the tank of my car much easier with those high-tech pumps than with that messy, flimsy red gas tank in the garage.

On this particular day, the gasoline in the mower was at the critical level. I nearly finished with the front lawn when the mower began to sputter. It coughed and hacked and I kept mowing, pushing the mower faster to try and finish. Finally it went kaput. Out of gas.

If I had started my task with a full tank, I never would have run out of gas. I could have kept mowing, and finished with a nicely maintained lawn.

Our prayer life works the same way.

Sure, we make a point to pray before a Sunday School lesson or a meeting. We pray for a sick friend or when we are headed out of town on a trip. But prayer life is a lot like gas tanks. You can't pick and choose when to "fill your tank."

Jesus began His day with prayer.

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before the day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." Mark 1: 35

Notice that Jesus didn't say a quick prayer of "Lord, help me today with all I have to do. Amen," on His way out the door. His effort to take time in prayer was purposeful.

Jesus made a point to get away and have time alone with God. This is difficult for us today, especially for busy moms. It takes an effort to be alone at all. Look at your day and find some time to be alone with God.

Prayer is so important to our everyday lives. Prayer is not meant to be a quick fix to top off our tanks. It is meant to fill our spiritual life, to give us the energy we need, and most importantly, to bring us closer to God.

Check your tank. Are you at that critical level? Don't let yourself sputter and hack and go kaput. Take time each day with the Father; begin your day with a full tank. Your lawn may not reap the benefits of a full prayer life, but your relationship with God will.

"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessaolonians 5: 17

In Him,
Melanie

Reflections:
1. How has your life been affected by prayer?

2. Do have a specific time set aside each day to pray?



Join Melanie at her personal blogspot, "This Ain't New York."

Phenomenal Prayer

The Internet Cafe is thrilled to welcome Jennifer Reyes today!

Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably.

I Samuel 1:11 (The Message)

One of the beauties of being a woman is our ability to communicate. No other species, animal or gender can express themselves the way we can. We have a God-given lingo and style that’s all our own, hallelujah!! Sistah, doesn’t your soul sigh with satisfaction every time you’re able to speak your mind and share your heart? That’s the kind of freedom we have in prayer.

Our Sistah, Hannah didn’t know if God would answer her prayer. All she knew was that she had to communicate. And like most Sistahs, she found a way to speak not only in words but through tears. Aah my Sistah, you and I have been blessed with the ability to speak in various ways. Tears should never be a form of shame or weakness but just another way of sharing our soul. Our God is a communicative God and He created His daughters to be the same way.

Maybe you were never taught that your thoughts are significant. Maybe the enemy used someone to devalue you and minimize your feelings. Well, know today that God treasures His time with you. You can stutter, groan, moan, meditate, and cry your way into prayer, and Sistah, it’s all good.

The most perfect prayer isn’t the one with the most eloquent of words, but the one that’s written in your heart for God alone. It’s a speech born out of desperation, faith, and hope. It’s a prayer that says to God “I can’t, but you CAN.” The prayer of a phenomenal woman doesn’t lie in her ability to manipulate God into giving her what she wants. The prayer of a phenomenal woman lies in her relationship with a God with whom she can divulge her deepest secrets, her biggest dreams and even bigger disappointments.

It’s the prayer of a women crushed in spirit, it’s the prayer of a woman in the season of celebration, and the prayer of a woman somewhere in between. Wherever you are in life God loves to hear your voice. He inclines His ear to listen to every sob, every sniffle, every shout, every chuckle and petition you send His way. Phenomenal prayers are said by phenomenal women; and that totally includes you!

Father, I pray for each Sistah that comes across these words. May she always remember that you not only want to hear her voice but you want her heart as well. Ever the gentlemen that you are, you will never abuse or mistreat her. Instead you will treat her as the treasure that she is. Thank you for making her phenomenal in your sight. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen

In Him,

Jennifer

Jennifer Reyes works in publishing and loves it! She’s Editor of Well Said…Newsletter, she’s a contributor of Romantic Times Book Reviews, and a member of ACFW. What began as a young lady loving to read soon blossomed into a woman finding God and in essence discovering true life. When she’s not writing she can be found watching her favorite I Love Lucy episodes. She currently resides in NYC with her husband of ten years.

Hard Hearts, Bad; Soft Hearts, Good

Lately, I have been asked this question by many women: What do you do when you have a hard-hearted husband and God told you to stay in your marriage?

That’s quite a loaded question and a very tough one to answer. And while the answer is simple, it is awfully difficult to stomach.

Pray.

We’ve trained ourselves to look for answers that we can touch. We would like a 3-point message that will tell us how to change a person. Unfortunately, even the greatest speakers and orators can’t give such a speech.

I don’t remember the day or the person who shared this passage with me or even where I was, for that matter. But I do remember it well.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

So, for years now, I’ve been praying for people whose hearts seem to be a little on the hard side. For those people who seem to think they’ve got it all together and actually do no wrong, I pray for brokenness. For those people who still love their sin, I pray they develop a hatred for it. For those who have turned from their faith in God, I pray for a return. I pray that God will give them a new heart and a new spirit and remove their hard heart and give them one that is pliable to the Master’s touch.

I’ve seen remarkable results in doing this. And quite frankly, am still waiting to see many hearts softened…even after praying for over a decade. Truth is, I may never see a transformation in some, but I still pray. I still believe.

My God is the creator of the possible.

In Him,

Cindy

Adversity and Destiny

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 (NIV)

Have you been side swiped by adversity? I don't mean in a car. I mean in your heart---your life. Something that has stumped your toe--tripped you up.

A storm in your life that may have caused you to run for cover. Only maybe you didn't run for the right Cover.

Think about it for a minute.

What about Job? You know, Job in the Bible. The one who had it all and lost it all... but by the mercy and grace of God, had it all and then some---again!

And what about Joseph. Sold by his brothers into slavery. They thought they'd never see him again. Little did they know---Joseph had a destiny--and God used the adversity in Joseph's life to usher in the destiny-- for the well being of his family.

Okay, those are some men, what about Naomi? She lost her husband and her sons. What did she have. Adversity with a capital "A". But she also had a daughter-in-law that vowed to never leave her side. And God had a plan.

Okay, if those aren't enough, think about Esther. She's on my mind since we've been studying her life. She lost her mom and dad---maybe at the same time, maybe close together---the point is---she lost them both. And being raised by her uncle...well, I call that some adversity. But she also had a destiny. Designed by the Master Designer Himself!

We can go on and on here!

Have you ever considered that the very adversity surrounding you--- may be shaping your life for your destiny? Or, consider that it could be shaping someone else's destiny.

I know. It's hard to imagine that losing a job would play any part at all into shaping up your destiny. But I remember a time when Jeff lost his job. Many years ago when our daughters were very young, Jeff was "let go".

Sound familiar? Well, let's just say he had principles and the boss did not. He wanted Jeff to lie --deceive a fellow employee. He wanted Jeff to do some "dirty work" for him. And Jeff refused. In a nice way of course. But...that ended that. It also ended our income.

I remember distinctly going into the closet in April's room. She was the baby---and had the most space in her closet. I didn't need much space---for I only stood and pounded the wall ---and asked God "why"?

"Why now Lord? Don't you see? We'll have no food! What if we get sick? We won't be able to pay our bills!"

We were Christians. We believed God "could" meet the needs...we just never had to "depend" solely on Him for them. Little did we know that God had a plan.

Looking back at that time, I can't really tell you what we did next--besides pray. I know we prayed. God not only supplied one job, but He supplied two. Two part-time jobs and then soon, very soon, a full time job opened up and Jeff walked in.

As Jeff settled into the new job, he made some friends. One friend was very nice to Jeff and they began to talk daily about the difference in Jeff's life over some of the others that were there. It was not long before Jeff was leading this young man into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!

Not many months after that, we attended our first A.M.E. Church service as that very same young man preached his first sermon! How glad we were to be a part of that day! And it came about through our adversity. God brought about this man's destiny.

Care to give God what's troubling you? I assure you He can handle the adversity going on in your life right now. Rest in His care. He's assembling all the pieces into your destiny.

And might I say....what a picture it makes!




© The Knightly News 2009.

I'd love your visit at my place! The Knightly News~ Have a blessed day!