Category: Jeremiah

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A Stubborn Mule

Have you ever faced a dilemma when you wondered which way you should go – which was the right decision to make? I have on multiple occasions. In fact, Dave and I have a few decisions ahead of us in the next few weeks that we are still seeking the Lord’s direction on.

It’s great to know that we aren’t left to our own limited knowledge. We have Someone we can talk to and gain insight from Who knows the beginning and the end. Someone who is infinite in wisdom and willing to help.

“I was still being held prisoner in the courtyard of the palace guards when the Lord told me: ‘I am the Lord, and I created the whole world. 3 Ask me, and I will tell you things that you don’t know and can’t find out.'” Jeremiah 33:1-3 CEV

I am so grateful that His wisdom goes far beyond mine and that I can depend on the Lord to give me the direction I need. His wisdom keeps us from making mistakes if we are willing to listen.

“You said to me, ‘I will point out the road that you should follow. I will be your teacher and watch over you. 9 Don’t be stupid like horses and mules that must be led with ropes to make them obey.’” Psalm 32:8-9 CEV

The image I used for today’s blog makes me laugh. I have sometimes been like the mule in the picture. Dug in and unwilling to move. However, I am thankful for the Lord’s patience and love. The Bible tells us He is “long-suffering”.

“And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him (Moses) there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” Exodus 34:5-6 KJV

Thank you Lord for being merciful, gracious, longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth!

The Lord is faithful to forgive our sins of stubbornness and disobedience. He is abundant in goodness.

“So I confessed my sins and told them all to you. I said, ‘I’ll tell the Lord each one of my sins.’ Then you forgave me and took away my guilt. 6 We worship you, Lord, and we should always pray whenever we find out that we have sinned. Then we won’t be swept away by a raging flood. 7 You are my hiding place!  You protect me from trouble, and you put songs in my heart because you have saved me.” Psalm 32:5-7 CEV

The Lord is merciful and He always forgives. I think the raging flood mentioned in the verses above is the flood of guilt that rushes over us and keeps us from moving forward. The Lord doesn’t want us being held captive by guilt or thoughts of unworthiness. He not only forgives our sins, He also chooses to forget them.

Those are excellent reasons to sing!

Today I am grateful for the Lord’s leading, for His forgiveness and for giving me a clean conscience.

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Getting Ready to Leave

We only have a couple days left on the mountain, the place that has been our home for the last four and a half months. It’s been hard to say good-bye to friends and there are still good-byes to be said.

Yesterday, we spent time in the campground, going from campsite to campsite, making notes of things that need to be improved upon before the next camping season. We visited with the two families of campers that are still here. Only the hardy, with good generators, are here now. We had snow on Tuesday and the night time temperature dropped to 18*.

After that, there was the check-in station to finish packing up; all the bookwork and supplies have to be moved to the administration building. Bulletin boards, signs and windows have to be covered and there was one final load of laundry that needed to be done.

Almost all of the preparations have been made.

We have also taken time to pack away our own things – the bar-b-q, the outdoor canopy, and chairs. The closets have been rearranged, the cupboards straighten, awnings are pulled in, things are stowed away and secured. A little more cleaning and another load of laundry and we’ll be ready to pull out.

I began thinking of all the people in the Bible who had to leave some place they were accustomed too; Abraham and Sarah had to leave, Rebekah left her home to join her husband, Jacob’s whole family left their home to join Joseph in Egypt. Samuel left his mother and father to go to the Temple, Ruth left her home to follow her mother-in-law, Esther left her uncle to go to the King’s palace, Peter left his fishing business to follow Jesus, Paul left his place as an important member of Jewish society to become an itinerate preacher and Jesus left heaven to come to earth.

All of their leavings had a purpose. Esther was placed in the palace as queen by divine providence. She was used to save her people from genocide.

“And who knows, maybe you have been chosen to be the queen for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14b ERV

I believe that God has a purpose and a plan for every life, including yours and mine!

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you. This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.'” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

Maybe your circumstances are changing too. You are making preparation for a new home, a new job, a new life. There can be insecurity and apprehension in this but when we trust the Lord, He will give us peace and direction.

None of us know exactly how the Lord will use us from day to day but we can be certain that His plan for us is good. Each one of us should always “be prepared for leaving” the old and embracing the new as we follow the Lord’s leading.

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Set the Table

Years ago I was acquainted with a lady named Dorrie. She was in her mid-forties, her children were grown and gone and she had been divorced and had no one to share her day-to-day interests with.

She told me that life had been lonely for her until she decided to set the table and welcome her lifelong Love to have coffee with her each morning and dinner with her each night.

“ I pray that you will enjoy the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.” II Corinthians 13:13 CEV

Each morning before she left for work, she would put 4 coffee cups on her kitchen table. She would fill hers and then she would sit and talk about her day, her children, her desires and her fears. She would have sweet conversation with Jesus, the heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. She would ask them for guidance and direction. She didn’t do all the talking, she had her Bible open on the table and would read to get Their insight for her day.

When she came home at night, once again she would set the table for four. She would make her meal and over dinner they would once again discuss her day. Now, to some this may seem strange, even a bit bizarre, but not to Dorrie. She knew that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were as close as her next breath. She experienced a sweet fellowship that many desire but some never know. She made time in each day to spend, on purpose, talking with Those she loved the most.

“ Ask me, and I will tell you things that you don’t know and can’t find out.” Jeremiah 33:3 CEV

I remember after my grandpa died that I would go to my grandma’s house for lunch. She lived close to the elementary school and I could walk there and back during my lunchtime. She spent her day talking to the Lord, her closest friend. It wasn’t a “heads bowed, eyes closed” kind of prayer but a walking through the house dusting, vacuuming, washing dishes, kind of prayer. Whatever was on her heart, she talked it out with the Lord.

“Always be joyful 17 and never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 CEV

Dorrie said she was never lonely anymore because she realized she never was alone. She was always surrounded by the Ones would loved her most.

Maybe today would be a good time to set the table or at least grab the coffee cups and have time with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

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The Times Are A Changin’

Yesterday morning as I was sitting here writing my blog I heard the birds singing, as always. This time I stopped and looked at my watch; it was 4:45. I remember when I came to the campground in June, the birds started singing at 4:18.

The times, they are a changing.

Stop right now, if you will, and do a mental recap on your summer so far. What have you accomplished since June 1? Have there been any moments worth remembering? Oh, I hope there have been.

You have traveled along with me this summer. We came for a simple two week camping trip starting on June 4 and then had plans to meet up with friends for a few days but all that changed. We were offered an opportunity to be camp hosts at our favorite campground in the mountains. A place we come to every year, a place of many memories.

Then two weeks after that we were evacuated due to threat of fire. Yes, you were with me then too. During our evacuation we met and became friends with other camp hosts. It was an interesting time but we were always on alert that we could be moved from the mountain at a moments notice.

The first bird just started to sing, it’s 4:47. The times they are a changing!

Two weeks ago we were allowed to come back to the campground and resume our duties. Campers came slowly at first but last weekend we were almost full and the same holds true for this weekend.

The rains came and we are still getting rain every day. The wild flowers are blooming, the fish are biting, the elk are grazing in the meadows. It’s beautiful.

And then there were the lightning strikes…just yesterday a large ponderosa pine was felled in one of the campsites because it had been badly damaged by a lightning strike on Sunday.

This is my recap of the summer! Not what I had planned in any way but exciting just the same. I have been able to share God’s word with new friends, and I have prayed with and for others. The thing that never changes is the word of God and the power of prayer.

Each day changes just a little. Plans need to be rescheduled or laid aside completely but the Lord is ever present and those little birds that sing each morning remind me of that.

“ Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. 30 Even the hairs on your head are counted. 31 So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 CEV

Maybe your summer hasn’t gone as planned. Maybe things have changed signifcantly. Maybe you don’t know what to do next or where to turn. Be like the birds – start your morning with a song.

“ I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

Trust the Lord. He has a plan and a purpose for you.

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Talking to the Kids

How many of us love talking to our kids?

Everything else in our day comes to a stand still when we see their number on caller id or their faces pop up on Facetime. A friend and I were exchanging emails the last week or so and I told her that the only thing I was having a hard time with in our summer RV adventure was the inconsistency of conversation with the kids. She agreed. There are so many suggestions on how to successfully full-time RV but none of them really deal with the separation from family.

Before we left home for the summer, I would have Facetime conversations nearly everyday with our youngest daughter and get to see our littlest grandchildren. They might not say much but there would be lots of smiles, “I love you’s”, waving and throwing kisses. They grow up so fast. She and I would get to talk – talk about everything.

And it was nothing for our oldest daughter just call to say hi and tell me about her busy schedule or send me a picture of her granddaughter, our great grand. We talk about camping trips, what they had done for the weekend, just a lot of staying in touch.

Our son always finds time to call when he is headed home after a forty-eight hour shift at the firehouse. He and his dad can talk on and on about boats and fishing and refurbishing. There isn’t a subject they don’t enjoy exchanging ideas on.

It means so much that they like to call – we love it!

Yesterday, all three of them called. A perfect day! One that fills a parents’ heart with love and joy!

This morning, I sat here still enjoying hearing their voices and then I thought I’m sure our heavenly Father feels the same way when we call. He’s always ready to share His heart.

“Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen here.” Jeremiah 33:3 TLB

Talking to the Father shouldn’t always be a 9-1-1 call. We don’t need to be in a crisis situation to pray. No, if we follow the example of Jesus we will be talking to the Father morning, noon and night. It’s a conversation of loving exchange.

“And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.” Matthew 14:23 NKJV

The Father loves to talk with us and when He sees that we are reaching out to Him, He drops everything to take our call because we are His kids and He loves us. Maybe some are resistant to prayer because they think they might get scolded for one mistake or another. Our Father will correct us when needed but always with a heart of love. He loves to give!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven.” Ephesians 1:3 ERV

Take time to talk with the Father today – He loves talking to His kids.

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The Sound of the Bugle

As I sat here this morning the quiet was broken by the sound of an elk’s bugle. It is an amazing sound.

It’s piercing. It’s regal. But it also sounds lonely.

Yesterday driving to town, we encountered many cow elk along the way but we have yet to see a bull. I’m hoping that is something I am able to capture before the summer ends.

The bugle let’s me know they are close. They are majestic creatures.

I’m intrigued by the mind and creativity of the Lord.  This summer has been interesting, to say the least, with the number of wildlife we have seen. The elk and the moose are large, strong animals. Close in size but so different in confirmation.

Each day we watch the chipmunks and the squirrels. Again, similar but different. The chipmunks scurry through our camp looking for bits of food that may have dropped from the griddle. The squirrels dash through but rarely stop.

A grouse is a common visitor to our host campground and each day we see the woodpeckers, the crows and the robins. The wild horses graze just yards from our RV and the black tail deer come nearly every morning to the area adjacent to our picnic table.

These are only a few of the world’s many creatures that were designed and created by our Father. Each has a purpose. Each has individual distinctions. God knows them all.

More than that He knows us!

Our DNA and our fingerprints are unique only to us. All designed and established by our Father, the Creator of heaven and earth.

“You are the one who put me together   inside my mother’s body, 14 and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous!  Of this I have no doubt.” Psalm 139:13-14 CEV

He knows each elk that bugles, and He knows each voice of His children that call out to Him.

“’Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.’” Jeremiah 33:3 NLV

We are not an afterthought. We are not alone. We are each created with a specific purpose. Our Father has designed us. We are uniquely His!

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In Capable Hands

When I was very young, I remember my Dad letting me sit on his lap as he was driving.

Now, before anyone starts to tell me how dangerous that was I will remind them this was 65 plus years ago. It was on dirt roads, with no other cars in sight and for two or three minutes at the most.

What stays in my mind and my heart is the love and laughter that we shared in those moments. I trusted my Dad and I knew he would never do anything that would knowingly harm me.

I was in capable hands. I learned to listen and to trust.

Some days, I still feel like that little girl sitting on my Daddy’s lap. There are new situations, new joys, new adventures, new dangers that present themselves. I find myself reaching for my Father’s hand and wanting to crawl up on His lap, listening to His voice and learning from His words.

Of course, now, I’m not speaking of my natural father but of my Heavenly Father.

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

We are in capable hands.

We are told to come to the Father WHENEVER we have a need and we will find help! He won’t refuse us. He doesn’t just want us to come when we need something He wants us to come and learn from Him. In this way, He will teach us how to avoid the dangers and pitfalls that are waiting to ambush us.

“With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

Trust the Father’s capable hands.

“Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” Proverbs 16:3 ERV

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

We have the Father’s word that when we turn to Him with a trusting heart He will be there to direct, guide, instruct and provide. He won’t break His word.

There are a few things that I have been talking to the Father about. Things that I need His wisdom and leading in. My knowledge is limited and sometimes I feel like a little kid again, a kid who needs my Father’s help. Maybe you’re experiencing the same kind of thing. I can assure you that when we take these to our Father He will listen and lead us to a good future.

We’re in His capable hands.

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What Are You Looking For?

I know I’ve told you that I really enjoy “hidden object” search games. Even when I was young I liked doing the word search pages in the newspaper or magazines.

Down the side of the page would be a list of words that were hidden somewhere in the maze of letters. If I was really feeling confident I would do them with an ink pen. These were the earliest versions of computer games before there were computers.

We all seem to be on a search, one way or another. It can be a search for fame and fortune, the perfect mate, a healthier lifestyle – any one of a vast number of things – all in hope of making life better.

My search was complete when I found Jesus!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV

Seek, search for Me, and you will find Me! This was the Lord’s instruction hundreds of years ago and it’s still valid today. The Lord isn’t trying to hide. We find Him in plain sight. The shepherds found Him in a stable. The wisemen found Him at His house with His mother. His mother found Him in the temple teaching.

Zacchaeus went searching for Jesus. He even had to climb a tree to get a better vantage point. What Zacchaeus didn’t know was Jesus was also searching for him.

“Jesus said, “Today is the day for this family to be saved from sin. Yes, even this tax collector is one of God’s chosen people. 10 The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them.” Luke 19:9-11 ERV

After His resurrection Jesus found his disciples behind closed doors. He came to them just like He comes to us. He came searching for those He loves. When we are in our darkest hour He comes. He comes to bring life, light, hope and joy.

Jesus searches to save the lost. We seek a Savior. When we meet, the search is over. No point to look any further.

“Look for the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the sinful turn from his way, and the one who does not know God turn from his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have loving-pity on him. Let him turn to our God, for He will for sure forgive all his sins.” Isaiah 55:6-7 NLV

When we find Jesus our search ends, we are complete in Him!

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Real Encouragement

I am overwhelmed when I stop to think of the friends I have been blessed with through the years. Their love and encouragement is priceless!

Encouragement.

In it’s simplest form encouragement is the act of infusing with courage. By definition it means “the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope”. Encouragement is something friends give to one another.

Encouragement is a light in our darkness and a warm blanket of comfort. It provides us with strength to move forward and hope in future.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. 8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT

The Bible tells us we are blessed when we turn to the Lord for encouragement. In Him, we find hope and confidence. In Him, we flourish like a well watered tree. In Him, we produce good fruit.

Christ gives us courage and infuses us with encouragement. That’s what the Bible is all about – written words of encouragement and our friends are used by God to remind us that we can always trust in Him and depend on them.

Today, we are ending our quick study through the book of Colossians. I hope you have found it encouraging. In the last eleven verses of this book Paul mentions eight people who have worked with him, encouraged him while he has been imprisoned and who are now offering encouragement to these Christians.

The book started out with Paul’s greeting to be filled with grace and peace and ends with him urging us to encourage others in their faith. Some skip over these closing words, thinking they are insignficant. However, every word in the Bible has significance.

These final thoughts express appreciation for those who have worked with Paul to deliver the message of new life in Christ. It calls by name those who have worked closely with him, it validates them. And it reminds us to express appreciation for those who have walked with us in our trying times.

“Tychicus is my dear brother in Christ. He is a faithful helper and he serves the Lord with me. He will tell you everything that is happening with me. 8 That is why I am sending him. I want you to know how we are, and I am sending him to encourage you. 9 I am sending him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother from your group. They will tell you everything that has happened here…Epaphras, another servant of Jesus Christ from your group, sends his greetings. He constantly struggles for you in prayer. He prays that you will grow to be spiritually mature and have everything that God wants for you.” Colossians 4:7-9, 12 ERV

Give encouragement!

Let’s follow Paul’s example. I urge you to make a mental, better yet, a physical list of those who have been an encouragement to you. Pray for them, send them a greeting and thank them for the role they have played in your life. I guarantee your greeting will be an encouragement to them.

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I’m Listening!

This morning I read a quote by Colin Powell and I’d like to share it with you.

“All children need a laptop. Not a computer, but a human laptop. Moms, Dads, Grannies and Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles – someone to hold them, read to them, teach them. Loved ones who will embrace them and pass on the experience, rituals and knowledge of a hundred previous generations. Loved ones who will pass to the next generation their expectations of them, their hopes, and their dreams.“

The truth of this statement rang true in my heart. I realized that it isn’t just small children who need a laptop but we grown-ups need one as well…and we have One!

We have a Father whose lap is available 24/7. He’s never too busy to spend time with us, to listen to us or to share His love with us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will look for Me and find Me, when you look for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLV

It’s imperative to be a good listener if we desire to have strong relationships. Children need to know that their parents are listening; spouses must listen to each other; co-workers must listen to be an effective cohesive team and friendships are shallow without a commitment to listening.

Listening is caring! It says “You are important to me. I will give you the one commodity I can’t replace, my time.”

I haven’t always been a good listener – a good talker, yes, but not always a good listener. With age, I have improved. Now, when I know someone is wanting to talk and be heard, I will often say “Give me just a minute to finish this and then you will have my undivided attention”. I try to listen more and interrupt less. Relationships improve when we listen. The one talking feels valued.

“Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name. 17 And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:16-17 AMPC

The Lord listens when we talk to Him and about Him; He says He sees us as a treasure, as valuable as jewels.

Not only does the Lord listen but He responds. He’ll provide us with answers. He gives us instruction, wise counsel, course correction and help. He tells us His hopes and dreams for our future.

“Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NLV

Listening is a two-way street. We are listened to and then we listen for is said to us.

The Lord hears our praise and our prayers. We need to listen as He tells us the great and wonderful things that He has planned for us.

Lord, I’m listening!

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