Category: Isaiah

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The Compass Rose

Most everyone of us has felt lost at one time or another – physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. It’s a sinking feeling!

I live with a man who loves maps. In fact for many years of our marriage a map would be the perfect gift for him for Father’s Day, birthday and even Christmas. He will sit for hours, it seems, with a map before him as he plans our next trip. He wants to know where we are going and which roads are the best for our journey.

Isn’t that just like the Lord?

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” Psalm 23:1-2

Dave and I have some big decisions to make over the next few weeks and months. We need to know that we are taking the right path; that we are following what the Lord has for us. In our younger years if we followed our own thinking and made a mistake we had years ahead of us to recover. But now, in our late 60’s and early 70’s we want to be sure that we are following the Lord’s leading. No time for mistakes.

“But now you will again see the Lord, your teacher, and he will guide you. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road! Now follow it.” Isaiah 30:20b-21 CEV

The compass rose is the center of the compass. “A compass rose, sometimes called a wind rose or rose of the winds, is a figure on a compass, map, nautical chart, or monument used to display the orientation of the cardinal directions (north, east, south, and west) and their intermediate points.”

When I searched for images of compasses this morning I chose this one because the compass rose is brilliant, bold and quite frankly it reminded me of the strength and wisdom that we find in Christ.

We once had a cowboy preacher friend of ours give us this advice, “If God says go North, He will provide. If you go South, you’ll think you died”. That has stuck with us for 40 years now. No more going South – we want to follow God’s leading. The Lord’s compass rose always points to true North.

“Shout praises to the Lord!
    He is good to us,
    and his love never fails.
2 Everyone the Lord has rescued
from trouble
    should praise him,
3 everyone he has brought
from the east and the west,
    the north and the south.

4 Some of you were lost
in the scorching desert,
    far from a town.
5 You were hungry and thirsty
    and about to give up.
6 You were in serious trouble,
    but you prayed to the Lord,
    and he rescued you.
7 Right away he brought you
    to a town.
8 You should praise the Lord
    for his love
    and for the wonderful things
    he does for all of us…

19You were in serious trouble,
    but you prayed to the Lord,
    and he rescued you.
20 By the power of his own word,
he healed you
    and saved you
    from destruction.

21 You should praise the Lord
    for his love
    and for the wonderful things
    he does for all of us.” Psalm 107:1-8, 19-21 CEV

I would encourage you to take time to read the whole chapter of Psalm 107. Then “Praise the Lord for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us”.

The Lord is our rescuer, our deliverer. He is our Compass Rose and He will always lead us on the right path!

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Through The Rivers

I needed to share this photo with you from our recent trip to the Catwalk. This is our daughter and son-in-law. What you don’t clearly see behind them is a rushing waterfall. Our daughter has a “thing” for getting in the water. Her husband prefers that she doesn’t take chances like that! He is always there to protect her, I like that!

This morning I am wondering how many of you feel you are in a vulnerable situation, in need of protection.

God’s faithfulness is never ending, and neither is His love, mercy and grace!

A few incidences in the Bible came to mind this morning while I was thinking about some of the rivers we go through. Remember when the children of Israel were being led out of Egypt? They came to the Red Sea and God parted the waters. Then as they were about to entire the Promised Land, the land God provided for them, they had to cross the Jordan River while it was in flood stage. The minute the priests set foot in the river God did a miracle. The waters held back and the entire nation crossed on dry ground.

“The priests carried the Box of the Agreement, and the people left the place they had camped. The people started going across the Jordan River. 15 (During harvest time the Jordan River overflows its banks, so the river was at its fullest.) The priests who were carrying the Box came to the shore of the river. When they stepped into the water, 16 immediately the water stopped flowing and piled up like a wall. The water piled up high a long way up the river—all the way to Adam (a town near Zarethan). And the water flowing down to the sea of Arabah (the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. The people crossed the river near Jericho. 17 The ground at that place became dry, and the priests carried the Box of the Agreement of the Lord to the middle of the river and stopped. They waited there while all the Israelites walked across the Jordan River on dry land.” Joshua 3:14-17 ERV

Do you think some of the people might have been afraid? I do. However, our Father is always faithful to protect and to guide.

“ Jacob, the Lord created you. Israel, he made you, and now he says, “Don’t be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine. 2 When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. 3 That’s because I, the Lord, am your God. I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1-3a ERV

As I said at the beginning, I’m not sure what vulnerable situation you may have before you but I do know that when we walk through rivers, when we go through fire, when life’s storms seek to capsize our boat, the Father is there – He never leaves us alone!

“The mountains may disappear, and the hills may become dust, but my faithful love will never leave you. I will make peace with you, and it will never end.” The Lord who loves you said this.” Isaiah 54:10 ERV

Through the rivers, God’s faithful love with never leave us!

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I Will Sustain You!

This morning those were the opening words in my Bible reading, “I will sustain thee”!

Those words have a particular importance to me today. I had been sitting here praying for my dear friend from high school. She and I have shared many experiences, heart aches and joys, over the years. Miles have separated us but the love we share has never waned.

I silence my phone during the night and so when I woke up this morning I had a text from her. She was diagnosed with cancer a week a go. Today she will have exploratory surgery. As I sat here I prayed for her strength and healing, for the medical teams skill and wisdom, peace for her and her family and death to every cancer cell in her body.

A fighting spirit emerged from my heart. I went to my Bible looking for answers and the Lord brought me this verse.

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4 NIV

God’s word has our answers, there is nothing that comes our way that He cannot change. “I will sustain you and I will rescue you” are great words of promise and hope.

We are never on the sidelines when it comes to our family and loved ones. The Apostle Paul tells us that we are all members of one body in Christ and when one members hurts we should all come to their aide. Our prayers, our encouragement, our faith are needed on their behalf.

And, when we’ve done all we know to do we stand, stand firmly on God’s word.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the worldly forces of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist when the times are evil, and after you have done everything to stand firm. Stand firm then!” Ephesians 6:10-14 TLV

This morning I need some gray-haired prayer warriors to send prayers of encouragement, of healing and strength to my friend. We have a Father who will carry us, sustain us and rescue us.

I believe that with all my heart.

“God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes His mind! Does He speak and then not do it, or promise and not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19 TLV

Join me in my battle cry – “He will sustain and rescue”!

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Super Saints

So often people think that they need to be super saints to be used by God.

Not so…God is looking for people who are available. You don’t have to be someone who has been a Christian for a long time – someone who has been to Bible school or seminary – or even someone who has lived an exemplary life.

God is looking for the willing and obedient!

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:” Isaiah 1:18-19 KJV

Remember the marriage feast in Cana? Jesus’ mother told him that they were running low on wine. She expected Jesus to do something and then she said to the servants standing nearby, “whatever he tells you to do, do it”. They did and a miracle took place.

If we will just “do” what we hear from God, He will work the miracles. We don’t have to know great amounts of Scripture, but we need to be willing to do what we hear.

“Mary then said to the servants, “Do whatever Jesus tells you to do.”

6 At the feast there were six stone water jars that were used by the people for washing themselves in the way that their religion said they must. Each jar held about twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants to fill them to the top with water. Then after the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now take some water and give it to the man in charge of the feast.”

The servants did as Jesus told them, 9 and the man in charge drank some of the water that had now turned into wine. He did not know where the wine had come from, but the servants did. He called the bridegroom over 10 and said, “The best wine is always served first. Then after the guests have had plenty, the other wine is served. But you have kept the best until last!”

11 This was Jesus’ first miracle, and he did it in the village of Cana in Galilee. There Jesus showed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.” John 2:5-11 CEV

These servants only claim of greatness was they did what Jesus told them to do.

Lord, today, I desire to be willing and obedient!

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A Solitary Place

I think the thing I enjoy most about the mountains is the quiet – the solitude!

Each morning and evening I watch the campers come to enjoy the beauty of the morning sun on the lake and the evening glow but it’s the quiet and sense of peace that overwhelm me. I don’t think there is any other place on earth where I have experienced the Scripture, “Be still and know that I am God”, anymore than here.

Throughout the day, the side-by-side’s and pickups are headed to the lake and out to the trails. Campers are laughing, waving as they head out. There is such a sense of joy, even when it’s raining.

But it’s in the peace that the Lord speaks to my heart!

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ERV

We all need a place to come away and enjoy the quiet presence of the Lord.

“You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side,  I will always be joyful.” Psalm 16:11 CEV

Life gets so hectic that we all need a place to unplug. Jesus knew this.

We tend over spiritualize Jesus life and forget that He faced difficult issues on a daily basis. The religious leaders hated him and were openly plotting his demise. The country he lived in was under the rule of a foreign dictator. The masses came seeking Him but most only wanted to see the next miracle and didn’t really embrace His message. His own disciples questioned his actions on numerous occasions. From early morning until late at night demands were made on His time and His strength.

“After Jesus said goodbye to the people, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. It was late, and he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23 ERV

“The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where he could be alone and pray.” Mark 1:35 ERV

On the night that He was arrested He took His disciples with Him to the garden where He prayed.

“Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Matthew 26:36 CEV

Jesus needed a place to pray, we all need to follow His example.

I remember when our oldest children were two and four my quiet place was our walk-in closet. Honestly, that was where I had no distractions. I would put them down for their afternoon nap and I would go into the closet to pray. It wasn’t nearly as serene or beautiful as the view I now have of the lake but it was quiet and I was alone.

I encourage you to find a place – even a closet – that becomes your quiet place where you can go and sense God’s peace, be filled with His joy and come away refreshed.

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The Flowers Are Fading

We’ve had a beautiful summer!

Never has the grass been so lush and green or the wild flowers as plentiful and vivid. Camper after camper, who had been coming here for years, tell us this is the most vegetation they have ever seen.

Just last weekend, we had a group of visitors from the Arizona Mushroom Association. They were wandering the forest in search of edible fungus and even had classes on proper drying and preparation.

It is a bumper year for vegetation. However, the chill of fall is in the air. Morning temperatures have been in the mid 40’s and we’re wearing sweatshirts or fleece part of the day. With the chill, the flowers are beginning to fade.

Things are changing, as they must. The earth needs time to catch its breath and replenish its soil through the Fall and winter.

We, too, go through times of change. I was watching a series on the West last night and one old Cheyenne warrior was telling his daughter that he had entered the winter of his life but she was not to be sad because this was the way “the One God had planned it”. I’m definitely in the fall of my life.

“7 At the Lord’s command,
flowers and grass disappear,
    and so do we.
8 Flowers and grass fade away,
but what our God has said
    will never change.” Isaiah 40:7-8 CEV

Throughout my lifetime I have found God’s word to be my only constant, it’s the only thing that has never changed and is completely trustworthy. I’m so thankful I have learned and am still learning to trust His word.

“13 Just as parents are kind to their children, the Lord is kind to all who worship him, 14     because he knows we are made of dust. 15 We humans are like grass  or wild flowers that quickly bloom. 16 But a scorching wind blows, and they quickly wither   to be forever forgotten. 17 The Lord is always kind  to those who worship him, and he keeps his promises to their descendants. 18 who faithfully obey him.” Psalm 103:13-18 CEV

What season are you in? The Father will be faithful.

It doesn’t make me sad to see the flowers fade because it reminds me that God always keeps His promises, no matter the season.

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Rest for the Weary

This morning is one of those rare mornings when I would like to go back to bed. I didn’t sleep well, tossed and turned, and this morning as I sit here in my chair I am weary.

Not a good way to start the day.

I’m on my second cup of coffee and with each sip I close my eyes and inhale deeply. Each breath is a prayer for strength and direction. And then I wait, completely at peace, knowing I am in the Father’s presence and He will give me what I need for the day.

“Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Lord is the eternal God, Creator of the earth. He never gets weary or tired; his wisdom cannot be measured. 29 The Lord gives strength to those who are weary. 30 Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. 31 But those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.” Isaiah 40:28-31 CEV

I don’t know what this day will have in store but He does and I can be confident in His strength. He will give me exactly what I need for the day ahead. The key point in these verses for me is this, “those who trust the Lord will find new strength”.

The thing I have learned in my sixty-eight years is the Lord is trust worthy. If He promises to give me strength, He will.

I just finished reading the story of Paul’s ship wreck on his way to Rome, again. They were in a terrible storm on the open sea for fourteen days. The Bible says they couldn’t see the sun – now, that’s a horrific storm. The crew and passengers were scared, they feared all was lost but the Lord gave Paul a message concerning their survival.

It could be that you feel you have been going through a fourteen day or a fourteen year storm. God has not and will not abandon you. He has a good plan for your life. Follow the advice that Paul gave.

“23 I belong to God, and I worship him. Last night he sent an angel 24 to tell me, “Paul, don’t be afraid! You will stand trial before the Emperor. And because of you, God will save the lives of everyone on the ship.” 25 Cheer up! I am sure that God will do exactly what he promised…33 Just before daylight Paul begged the people to eat something. He told them, “For fourteen days you have been so worried that you haven’t eaten a thing. 34 I beg you to eat something. Your lives depend on it. Do this and not one of you will be hurt.”

35 After Paul had said this, he took a piece of bread and gave thanks to God. Then in front of everyone, he broke the bread and ate some. 36 They all felt encouraged, and each of them ate something. 37 There were 276 people on the ship” Acts 27:23-27 CEV

Cheer up – have something to eat! God’s in control!

Renewed strength comes from trusting – trust Him to provide strength for our daily walk, then He gives us the energy to run with the day’s details and He also provides us with the strength, Isaiah says, to soar high above earth’s obstacles like an eagle.

“Lord, I came to you weary and I thank you that through Your word I have been strengthened and am at a place of rest. Today I will walk, run, and soar with You.”

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He Did It Again!

It amazes me how my Father, my God, delights in ending my day! Last night He gave me this great display as I was getting off work!

Spectacular!!

I went to sleep last night with an old song running through my mind. I’ve shared it with you before but it was so appropriate.

“Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above, With wisdom, power and love, Our God is an awesome God.”

Oh, and He is certainly that! Amazing and awesome!!

Then this morning as I gazed at this picture from last night’s sunset another song came to mind. I really can’t think of a better way to start any morning than in song of praise to the Father.

“Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness, My God that is who You are“

Isn’t it mind boggling that God wants us to know Him in such a dramatic way. Each one of those characteristics of God are spelled out for us in Scripture.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NIV

“Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, “I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12 CEV

“Our Lord, no other gods compare with you— Majestic and holy!  Fearsome and glorious!
Miracle worker!” Exodus 15:11 CEV

Do you need to know the right way to go or to depend on Someone who will never lie? Do you feel you are groping around in the darkness? Maybe you just need a miracle. If any of those apply, come to Almighty God, our gracious heavenly Father, in Him you will find all you need.

He did all this for those in the Bible as an example for us and He will do it again!

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Oh My!

Last night we had one of those rain storms with lightning that take your breath away! Oh my goodness.

For years when the lightning has seemed close, I judge it with the count-to-eight method to determine just how close it is. If you hear the thunder eight seconds after the lightning flash then the lightning was approximately one mile away, if it’s four seconds then the lightning is about one-half mile. You get the point…last night there was a strike and I didn’t even get to the count of one.

Oh my! It was beautiful but so loud and close. Praise God there was no damage and all in the campground are safe.

It’s easy to become fearful when things catch us off guard. That’s why it’s important to remind ourselves daily, sometimes hourly, that the Lord is our constant companion and that He has promised to never leave us or abandon us.

Right here, in the mountains in the midst of this amazing thunder storm the Lord was with me. Right there, in the midst of a hurricane or tornado the Lord is with you!

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you; don’t be distressed, for I am your God. I give you strength, I give you help, I support you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 CEV

We don’t need to be afraid on a busy freeway or flying from place to place. We can be at peace in the doctor’s office or in an operating room. There is no circumstance or situation that we face that God is not there and when we trust in Him we can have perfect peace.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ERV

Practice peace and fear not. Live a life of trusting our heavenly Father. The result will be a fearless and peace filled life.

Oh my!

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Behind Closed Gates

The last few days have been filled with much activity. Moving from one campground to the next. Breaking camp and setting up again, all the while wondering how long this temporary relocation will be.

We are here with the hosts of nine different campgrounds. We are safe and that is what is important. There have been many words of encouragement, hugs and conversations regarding our current circumstances.

Do you remember the old western movies when people traveled by wagon train from St. Louis to “the West”? We are neighbors depending on neighbors, assisting where we can – providing extra muscle in lifting heavy bar-b-ques or ice chests, providing an extra stick of butter for a cake or just offering a chair under the awning for a chance to visit.

We are not certain of what each day will bring but we are here together. 

“…But God is your teacher, and he will not continue to hide from you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. 21 If you wander from the right path, either to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, “You should go this way. Here is the right way.” Isaiah 30:20-21 ERV

Dave has helped me and we believe we have found a place, not far from our campground, where we can drive and get a signal that allows me to post this blog each morning. It has definitely been a trial and error process.  But if this morning is successful then we should be able to continue with this plan for as long as needed.

I want to encourage each one of us to always be ready to share the love of Jesus in each day’s circumstance. It is important that we are prepared to give an account for the peace and assurance that we have in Jesus.

“Tell everyone God’s message. Be ready at all times to do whatever is needed. Tell peple what they need to do, tell them when they are doing wrong, and encourage them. Do this with great patience and careful teaching.” II Timothy 4:2 ERV

It is a joy to share with you all each morning. I’ve missed it the last couple of days!

I am praying for all of you and trust that your faith and trust in the Lord is growing each day.

“ You accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, so continue to live following him. 7 You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God.” Colossians 2:6-7 ERV

This is a day filled with many opportunities. Follow the Lord’s leading and be a blessing.

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