God Has a Plan

God is purpose driven!  Rick Warren wasn't the first to come up with this!! He has a purpose and plan for everything He does, and He will accomplish His plan.

 ⁹ "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
       so are my ways higher than your ways
       and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 ¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
       come down from heaven,
       and do not return to it
       without watering the earth
       and making it bud and flourish,
       so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

 ¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
       It will not return to me empty,
       but will accomplish what I desire
       and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:9-11

As we live by faith, trusting that His way is completely good and perfect He guides, guards and gives us an abundant life full of love, joy and peace.
This does not mean that we will always like His plan or our part in it.  In the book of Habakkuk, the prophet demanded that God do something about the evil in the land.  God's response was not what Habakkuk expected.  Things were about to get REALLY NASTY for Habakukk and Judah!  The Babylonians were coming to punish and destroy.
Yet, Habakukk was at peace and ends this book with praise.  We too, can remain in perfect peace through every difficulty when our mind and our life are centered on Christ and we trust his promise that

All things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

Leave it all in His capable and loving hands and be at peace.

Thoughts on Humility

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:4 NIV

In an effort to understand and internalize Jesus teaching, imagine with me what it would feel like to be the little child that Jesus used for this object lesson. What are some words that come to mind as you picture yourself as a little child called to stand among a group of adults?

• unassuming
• shy
• quiet
• unpretentious
• genuine
• submissive
• obedient
• subdued
• inconsequential
• respectful
• compliant
• timid

The child would be looking to Jesus for instructions.  Not knowing what was expected of him in the situation he would be focused on Jesus and looking for clues.
I imagine him comforted by Jesus touch, but uncomfortable under the scrutiy of the disciples.He didn't attempt to teach the disciples a lesson, but allowed The Master to use him to teach them by simply responding to His call.
In the same way we can develop the humility that Christ is teaching here by

1. Focusing on Christ and allowing Him to give us clues for our behavior.
2. Responding to His instruction.
3. Feeling the comfort of His presence as we are scrutinized by others.

Humility does not come naturally, but requires a decision and effort.  So, why would we want to choose humility?

What Love Really Means

This week I have been struggling with the question, "When is it OK to bar someone from your life because they just keep making wrong choices?"  There are two young men in my life right now that are challenging my desire to love them.  The easy route would be to turn my back on them, but I don't feel that it is what Jesus would do, or what He wants me to do.
I don't think it is a coincidence that I just finished re-reading "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers, just as I am faced with this challenge. "Redeeming Love" is a story based on the Book of Hosea and is a powerful picture of God's unconditional love and acceptance for us.  I am reminded that I am called to love others as God has loved me.
Love is a very strong force with the ability to change lives for eternity.  While it is difficult to love certain people, the Holy Spirit is able to equip us for the challenges that loving presents.  Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can find ways of sharing God's love.  One of these guys felt loved just because I accepted his collect phone call when he contacted me from jail, and then brought him some stamps.
 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
A word of caution - don't be manipulated, be led by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus has sent us out as lambs among wolves to minister in His name.  If the person you are called to love is open and receptive to Words of Life you can make a difference.  If they are not, then shake the dust off of your sandals.
I hope you enjoy this Christian Praise Song
-Scott Smith, K-LOVE Asst. Program Director/Music Director said, "Listening to JJ Heller's 'What Love Really Means' brings me to tears! What a beautiful reminder that no matter where you find yourself in life.  God loves you.  Really loves you, no matter what you have done or failed to do, He is always there.  What an amazing mesage to share with everyone who listens."

Please comment!

Hope for a Blessed Marriage

Last Friday I was asked to testify at a friend’s custody hearing. As we waited for our turn to go before the judge, we witnessed several other cases that were called before my friend’s case. I came away with an enormous feeling of sorrow. I realized that without the grace of God I could very well be waiting in the same line.

I want to share some of the resources that I feel have contributed to the fact that my husband and I are celebrating our 31st Anniversary today and our seven children are secure in knowing that their parents love and honor each other.

Our marriage did not start out on a firm foundation, but we were both determined that divorce was not an option. Therefore, we could either be miserable for the rest of our lives or learn to make it work.

First and foremost in God’s plan for guiding us along the right path was the Family Life Conference “A Weekend to Remember”. We have attended four times. At the conference I learned that God created and ordained marriage and has a plan for how it should work. The world’s plan for marriage that I had known was very different and very flawed. The conference laid out God’s plan and provided direction.

A book that made a big impact in teaching me to be a better wife was, “A Woman After God’s Own Heart” by Elizabeth George. Many books I read about making marriage better left me feeling discouraged because they required a mutual effort. He wasn’t always as receptive as I would have liked. I felt that if he would - then I would - and then we could be happy, but he won’t - so I can’t - so there is no hope. This book taught me that I should treat my husband with love and respect whether I felt like he deserved it or not out of obedience to Christ. Christ is always deserving of my obedience and the Word does command wives to honor their husbands. This mindset helped me to be more loving even when I didn’t feel like it. Lo and behold my relationship with my husband improved dramatically!

Finally, I will mention one other book that has taken our relationship to new levels of joy and satisfaction. “Reviving Your Romance” by Terry and Barbie Franklin is a 40-day devotional that helped us to talk about deep issues that are rarely discussed. Talking about these things made us feel closer than ever before.

Please be encouraged. God loves you and has an amazing plan for your marriage. He wants it to be a source of joy and delight. If you will trust Him and seek His will, He will take you from wherever you are right now to a place of abundance. He did it for Danny and I and He will do it for you too!

Making My Life a Christian Praise Song

I can't sing or play an instrument, but I can use my words to "sing" Christian Praise Songs to express my devotion and love to the Creator.
In 2002, I learned the value of journaling when I read Elizabeth George's "Woman After God's Own Heart". I always had problems with my mind wandering while reading my Bible and seeking God's presence.  The discipline of writing helps me to stay focused while I communicated with God.  
This page is an attempt to share and to record new facets of God's love and character that He reveals to me each day.  Since nothing communicates this better than music, each post includes a link to a Christian Praise Song, Christian Instrumental Music or Christian Piano Music that helps communicate the thoughts my words are trying to convey.
If you are reading my posts, please know that I am praying for you and that I am hoping that you will be blessed and that my attempts would draw you into a closer walk with the Lover or your soul, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.


***Disclaimer***  I do not own the rights to the songs included on this page.  They are linked from YouTube for your enjoyment.  If you like them, I encourage you to support the artists, by purchasing their music.">

Biblical Advice and Counsel

I really enjoy using The Thompson Chain Reference Bible for my word studies.  They call it the "self-commentary" Bible because the Chain Reference allows you to see what he Bible says about a subject as you follow a word through the Scripture from front to back.
Anyway, I was looking for counsel/advice because I was trying to learn to make decisions based on God's will and not my own understanding or emotion.  In the process I gleaned an interesting insight that I wanted to share.

¹⁹ Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. ²⁰ Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.

Ex 18: 19-20

New International Version

This passage relates to the advice that Moses received from his father-in-law.  I have read it many times, but never thought about how it relates to me.  As I read it today, seeking wisdom concerning advice, it became clear to me for the first time that I am often put in the position that Moses was in - having to settle disputes among the people.

Any parent with more than one child is regularly called upon to play judge.  It is frustrating because you never know what really happened and there are always two vastly different stories!  It never occurred to me to take it to the One who actually KNOWS what happened!

When I pray with the warring sibling, asking God to settle their disputes, I can take advantage of the opportunity to teach principles of Christ-likeness.

• consider others before yourself Ph 2:3
• let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth Ep 4:29
• develop the attitude of Christ Ph 2:5
• forgive others as Christ has forgiven you Lk 6:37
• love is patient, love is kind... 1 Cor 13:4

If I just brush it off or tell them to work it out themselves, I have missed an opportunity to guide and direct my children.
I am praying for you, and for myself, that we don't allow ourselves to become to busy or distracted to take advantage of teachable moments when they present themselves.

Busy at Home

Today has been delightful.
My morning began with precious time alone with my husband ;)  We have been married 30 years and have just discovered how lovely it is to spend some time together before anyone wakes up.  It is definitely worth waking up earlier.
He left for his workday and I headed into to town to take a child to work and went to the grocery store.  8 am. is definitely a great time to go to the store.

• I had the store practically to myself-no bumper to bumper traffic!
• The meat manager was just marking down the items that were about to go out of date-I got some great bargains.
• My brain was still working clearly before being bogged down with all the little issues of the day

When I got home I prepared a huge pot of Beef and Vegetable soup, two Chicken Pot Pies, and am slow cooking a large Boston Butt on the grill for BBQ sandwiches. I put one Chicken pot pie in the freezer and the other will be tonight's dinner.  Most of the soup and the BBQ will also be put up in the freezer of a later meal. 

What is so remarkable about my day is having the freedom to spend half a day in the kitchen.  For much of the last 10 years I have worked outside the home striving for money, fulfillment and recognition.  When I lost my job 2 months ago I grieved for weeks.

Today, I am rejoicing over the freedom to serve my family by providing some good eating!!
I saved a ton of money by doing my grocery shopping before the crowd.  I am fulfilled by the joy of a job well done for people who love and appreciate me, and the recognition I receive as my family enjoys my offering is very gratifying.