Category: May2021

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I Am Strong

Some mornings when I get up my body doesn’t want to work the way I want it to. Today is one of those days.

I am ever mindful of my loved ones who live with chronic pain and they are always in my prayers. As I get older I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul said about our bodies:

“We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day.” II Corinthians 4:16 CEV

That verse was part of my reading this morning. It is the one that will stay with me all day. Maybe you are one who feels like giving up today – don’t!

Give the weakness that you are experiencing over to the Lord. Have a sit down with the Father. Tell Him what you are experiencing and let Him show you that He is greater than your weakness.

“I asked the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 He answered me, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me. 10 I receive joy when I am weak. I receive joy when people talk against me and make it hard for me and try to hurt me and make trouble for me. I receive joy when all these things come to me because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:8-10 NLV

Both of the Scriptures above are part of the same letter which Paul wrote to the christians in the church of Corinith. It is obvious that the Lord had a message for them and for us.

Our bodies will experience hardship and weariness. In all of it we aren’t to give up. When we feel weak we can and should draw on the strength that Christ gives us. When the Father says “I’m all you need” then we can be confident that He is and will be more than enough!

Do you feel weak? It may be physical, emotional or spiritual. Say with the Apostle Paul I am strong.

I know that those are the words I voiced this morning and I will be saying them throughout day – Father you are all I need and in You I find strength for my weakness.

I am strong in Christ!

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In My Life

This morning is a time to reflect on my years as a mother. 46 years to be exact.

Dave and I have three great kids and I am blessed to be mom to them and their mates. I am also blessed to be Besta (grandma) to five and great grandma to one more. My heart is full!

My children have seen me in my moments of greatest weakness, they know my inadequacies and some of my failures but they also know that I can be strong and relentless. They know that I depend upon the Lord, His word and the power of prayer.

There is a chorus* we used to sing in our church 35+ years ago and it came to mind this morning when I was thinking about my life as a mother.

“In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified, Be Glorified
In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified Today.”

Only two little lines but they are life changing. Whatever we do should be honor to the Father.

“Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” I Peter 4:11 NLT

If someone were to ask my children to tell them something about their Mom I hope they would say “My mom loves the Lord”. That would be the highest compliment.

Moms, we don’t need to be perfect – we can’t be. In our humanity, we should show our children that we love them, unconditionally, just like the Father loves us. They should know that we will be there to help them in any situation because the Father is always there for us.

We don’t need to preach at them, instead we need to live a life where they see our dependence and trust is in the Lord. Living for Jesus is the example we should be setting and when we fail in that, they should see us repent and not make excuses.

Pray for their friends, their careers, their well-being. We can trust the Father with every area of their lives. Pray for them as infants, toddlers, school-age, stepping out on their own. Pray for them if they are rebellious. Pray for them always!

Moms, this is my Mother’s Day prayer for you:

“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.” II Thessalonians 1:11-12 NLT

In my life, Lord, be glorified!

*In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified written by Bob Kilpatrick

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A Better View Point

Most of this past week I have been removing decals from the side of our RV but the last day and a half have had a bit of a twist.

The ladder. Not just any ladder, an extension ladder!

For days I had been able to work with both feet on the ground or on the wider, more secure steps of the step ladder. Once all the lower decals had been removed the only ones left to work on were the ones at the roof line. (Deep breath taken)

Up the extension ladder I went. I was definitely out of my comfort zone. I don’t like high ladders. They wiggle, the rungs are narrow…and did I mention they wiggle? Because my arms are short I was only able to apply the decal remover to about three feet of it at a time. This meant multiple trips of ascending and descending.

Yesterday I completed the one side. Monday I will be completely finished! But here’s what I learned on my many trips to the heights – I was more comfortable each time I climbed to the top. Although I had been shaky, hesitant and at one point some what frightened I now felt comfortable and able to complete my task feeling relaxed.

I had a better point of view!

I had learned to work with the ladder. I got rid of the wiggle, I had a routine for the things I needed to carry up and down. I was better prepared to do the job once I got to the top. Things went smoother.

Climbing that ladder I thought of the story of Abraham’s grandson, Jacob. He encountered a ladder in the wilderness. He was on a journey to find a wife but on the way he encountered the Lord.

“He took one of the stones there and put it under his head for a pillow. 12 And he had a dream. He saw steps going up from the earth to heaven. He saw the angels of God going up and down these steps. 13 And he saw the Lord standing above them. He said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham, and the God of Isaac. I will give to you and your children after you the land where you are lying… 15 See, I am with you. I will care for you everywhere you go. And I will bring you again to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done all the things I promised you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “For sure the Lord is in this place and I did not know it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “This place is so different! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” Genesis 28:11-17 NLV

When we encounter the Lord we will have a better point of view.

It may be frightening at first. The Lord has a life plan for us; it will take us out of our comfort zone. It will require us to lay aside our small thinking and to see things from God’s point of view. But rest assured, we have the same promise from the Lord that Jacob did, “I will not leave you until I have done all the things I promised you”.

It’s time to climb higher. God will give us His point of view and it will be much better than our own.

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Don’t Go to the Party

There are some parties that we should never attend. Specifically, the pity party.

The guest list is disasatrous: loneliness, condemnation, self-loathing, imperfection, and low self-esteem.

If you’ve ever attended a party like that or you might be today’s guest of honor, I have Good News!

“We sinned against him, but he didn’t give us the punishment we deserved. 11 His love for his followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth. 12 And he has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. 13 The LORD is as kind to his followers as a father is to his children. 14 He knows all about us. He knows we are made from dust. 15 He knows our lives are shor… 17 But the LORD has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever! He will be good to all their descendants, 18 to those who are faithful to his agreement and who remember to obey his commands.” Psalm 103:10-18 ERV

Don’t go to the party!

It seems we fall prey to that destructive kind of thinking at one time or another. Do you know why?

We forget what God says about us. What’s the first thing that jumps from the page when you read the verses above? For me, it’s “he didn’t give us the punishment we deserved.”

Jesus died for my sins so I don’t have too. He knew I was incapable of living a sinless life so the Father placed the responsibility for my sin on Jesus! The Father showers me with love and kindness – my sin has been blotted out. My failure has been expunged! The handwriting against me has been cancelled!!

No pity party here – send the guests back to hell, that’s where they came from!

Each day we can walk free of condemning thoughts, low self-esteem, by reminding ourselves what God has done for us through Christ Jesus.

“So I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way. 2 Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.” Roman 12:1-2 ERV

The more we focus on God’s love, the less we will focus on our short comings.

“But God’s free gift is not like Adam’s sin. Many people died because of the sin of that one man. But the grace that people received from God was much greater. Many received God’s gift of life by the grace of this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 After Adam sinned once, he was judged guilty. But the gift of God is different. His free gift came after many sins, and it makes people right with him.” Romans 5:15 ERV

Tear up the invitation; don’t go to the party! Remember, “the LORD has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever!”

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A Safe Place

Dave and I enjoy spending the evenings on our patio. It’s a busy place.

We watch the hummingbirds scooting in for their last drinks of the day. Flittering here and there at high speed. Up to a tree branch, down to the feeder and in just a few minutes they are gone.

About this time we hear the cooing of the doves who are roosting in the mesquite trees. Then comes the lone call of the quail. Quail are very vocal birds and Dave and I will make up conversations when we hear them calling at dusk.

“Hurry up now. It’s almost bedtime. Don’t delay, you need to come in before it gets dark.” And then there will always be an annoyed chatter…”But I don’t want to go to bed yet, can’t I stay out just a little longer”.

It’s amazing the natural instinct God has gifted to the different animals. They all have a desire to protect their young, keeping them safe from danger.

Is it no wonder that the Scriptures talk about us being safe, under the wings of Almighty God?

“Your love is a treasure, and everyone finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. 8 You give your guests a feast in your house, and you serve a tasty drink that flows like a river.” Psalm 36:7-8 CEV

“God will save you from hidden dangers  and from deadly diseases. 4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield.” Psalm 91:3-4 ERV

We don’t need to beg the Lord for protection. He is the One making the offer. He wants us to come to Him for help and safety. He has given us an open invitation to utilize His protection.

Shortly before His death, Jesus was on a hilltop looking over Jerusalem and He was heart broken. He was praying for the Jewish people and their leaders. He had been preaching and teaching for three years and still there were many who refused to accept His message, a message of salvation and protection.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets. You stone to death those that God has sent to you. Many, many times I wanted to help your people. I wanted to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you did not let me. ” Matthew 23:37 ERV

Do you hear the heart ache? I wanted to gather you in, under my wings, but you wouldn’t let me.

“With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:16 ERV

Coming to the Lord for help in times of trouble isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s an action of wisdom. Come to the Lord’s safe place!

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Praying Not Preying

This morning I saw a picture of a praying mantis. You know the insect that looks like its’ front legs are bent in a position of prayer.

I had to stop and think for a moment – why do they call it praying and not preying? This insect eats, devours, other bugs.

There is a reality there. If we aren’t praying for others and over our circumstances we will be preying on them or we will become their prey. I’ll wait a minute while you think about that.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Pray about EVERYTHING. That’s everything. I learned years ago to pray over my grocery list and the amount of money I had in my wallet. That may seem like a small thing but the list was bigger than my cash. Most week’s I would find that the items I needed were on “special”. I came home with all that I needed to make good meals for our family and then there would be the bonus. Farmers Dave worked with would have extra veggies and fruit to give away, a dairyman would have cheese, a friend who be in the neighborhood with a couple extra bags of groceries and we would have more than enough!

Prayer and thankful hearts go together. Complaining does nothing except make you vulnerable prey for bitterness and worry.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” Matthew 5:43-45 NLT

These are the words of Jesus. If anyone had just cause to harbor a grudge against their enemies it would be Jesus. A perfect man, with perfect motives, was constantly harrassed by his enemies. But He chose to pray for those who wanted Him to be discredited and who called for His death.

Pray or prey.

Quite often I will get a phone call, text or email asking me to pray. I consider that a high honor. I take time to pray right then, I don’t put it off for a more convenient time. After that, each time I am reminded of the situation I thank the Lord that He is working everything out and bringing peace to the hearts of those who need it.

“I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind and merciful to you. May they bless you with peace!” I Timothy 1:2 CEV

I hope this is a word for you today. Pray, not prey, and be filled with thankfulness and peace.

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Practicing My Preaching

Yesterday after I posted my blog I picked up my journal and pen. I opened it to a clean page and found that it had been several days since I had written any of the things I am thankful for. I had also neglected to record the prayers of my heart.

Lots has been going on. Although, I have been praising the Father for miracles large and small and I have also been pouring my heart out to Him with specific requests, I had failed to write them down. Now to some of you that may not seem significant but to me it was a true sign that I had become overwhelmed in the circumstances.

So…I stopped, almost mid sentence and asked the Lord for a verse or verses that I could live out. Remember what I said yesterday? It’s better to read one verse and live it than to read chapters and not have it make any impact on what we do.

I wanted and needed to practice what I preach.

“O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! 2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, 3 for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. 4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!” Psalm 61:1-4 NLT

These are the words that jumped out at me – when my heart is overwhelmed. What do we do when we’re overwhelmed? Answer: Cry out! That’s exactly what I did.

I practiced what I was preaching.

Then next words that caught my attention were rock of safety, safe refuge, safe beneath your wings. Key thought here – when we cry out to the Lord, when we are overwhelmed, He will lead us to a safe place.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3 and you refresh my life. You are true to your name,  and you lead me along the right paths. 4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me and your shepherd’s rod  makes me feel safe. 5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life,  and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23 CEV

Life will always have circumstances and situations that will try to unsettle us. We will have many opportunities to be fearful and overwhelmed. However, when we are following the Lord we can choose not to take them.

I found a place of safety and peace. I can trust my Father. I don’t need all the answers because He has them. If I follow His lead I will come to a place of rest.

I will practice what I preach.

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My Greatest Desire

What’s the one thing you desire most?

I would like to say that my one thing is to honor and serve the Lord, but many times my days are so wrapped up in my own pursuits that the Lord is put somewhere further down the line. Just being honest folks – if we aren’t honest with ourselves we can’t and won’t serve the Lord the way we should.

“LORD, teach me your laws, and I will always follow them. 34 Help me understand your teachings, and I will follow them. Obeying them will be my greatest desire. 35 Help me follow your commands, because that makes me happy. 36 Give me the desire to follow your rules, not the desire to get rich. 37 Don’t let me look at worthless things. Help me live your way. 38 Do what you promised me, your servant, so that people will respect you. 39 Take away the shame I fear. Your laws are good. 40 See how much I want to obey your instructions! Be good to me, and let me live.” Psalm 119:33-40 ERV

King David had a “greatest desire” mentality.

The Bible says that David was a man after God’s heart. He wanted to serve God will all his natural ability but that wasn’t enough, he wanted more. He knew he needed God’s help if he was truly going to follow God’s word.

David didn’t just sit by each day and have harps playing in the background, eating grapes and contemplating the greatness and vastness of God.

His life was full – he had a kingdom to run, he had wives and children, there were enemies to defeat and battles to be won. Yet his priority was God’s word – he wasn’t seeking wealth or power – but those things came to him. He was “seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things were added to him.” David was living the very thing that Jesus taught but he was living it hundreds of years before Jesus delivered the message.

Jesus said “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:38

Have you ever looked at a single day in the life of Jesus? From the time He got up until late at night he was busy. His daily life was filled with walking, sailing, healing, teaching, facing his critics and raising the dead. When he did take time to pray and be alone, people would seek him out and interrupt his prayer time. He had learned the Scriptures from his youth and was living them out each and every day.

Reading one verse from the Bible and living it all day long will have more of an impact on our lives and the lives of others than reading chapters and not having it change us.

I like this part in today’s verses. “Don’t let me look at worthless things. Help me live your way.”

It begs the question “what worthless things am I looking at”?

Like King David, our goal should be to live in a way that people know we are depending on the Lord.

My heart’s desire is to do more than read the Word today – I want to live it!

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Know When to Be Silent

Do you ever stop to think where you would be without God’s amazing, unconditional love?

On our best days, when we’re kind and gracious to those around us, we still don’t measure up to the love that He shows us on a moment by moment, 24/7 basis. He has forgiven us of all we’ve done!

All of my sins have been forgiven and even, according to Hebrews, forgotten, never to be remembered again – that is just so overwhelming – so, well the only word for it, awesome!

If God, who is perfect, can forgive and love not just me but everyone who is living and has ever lived with all of their sins, their failures, screw ups and out and out vulgar living than I should be able to love and forgive those who live in my house, work on my job and who are acquainted with me on a daily basis.

The Father isn’t just asking us to do this; He’s telling us we need to be an example of Him. He never asks us to do anything that we are unable to do. That would be unfair and our Father is just. We have His strength and His character living in us so we can accomplish all He instructs.

“God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. 13 Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. 14 Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16 Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:12-17 ERV

Since we are a part of the body of Christ, we should work together to be a display of His love to the world around us. I love verse 17. WHATEVER you say or do, do it in the name of the Lord. If we are going to say or do something that won’t represent the Lord, then we should remain silent!

I know some days my world is really quiet because I’m holding my tongue until I can say something that would be representative of what Jesus would say if He were speaking through me.

Yes, very quiet indeed!

I asked you at the beginning to stop and think where you would be without God’s amazing love. It’s imperative that we let His love and forgiveness flow through us since we are His representatives.

“There is a time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; a time to be quiet, and a time to speak.” Ecclesiastes 3:7 NLV

Father, help me to know when to keep silent!

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Never Satisfied!

Thank you for coming along on our adventures.

For the eighteen months you have been sharing our RV outings. We were blessed when we purchased our neighbors older 5th Wheel in December of 2019. For Dave and I it was a dream come true.

Since the time of purchase we have remodeled the inside to make it us! New flooring, walls and cabinets painted, colors added, furniture changed out, new window coverings, etc. It’s our Bunk House!

About two weeks ago we began working on the exterior. The decals were weathered and had oxided badly. That was the first step. But removing the oxidation didn’t restore the color the way we had hoped. Next step, we found a product that removes the decals completely. It was much easier than we expected and so for the last few days we have removed the nose cap decal and half of the decals on each side. Waiting for more product and then all the decals will be removed.

New decals have been ordered. A fresh new look. Dave will be washing, buffing and waxing before we head out on our next trip. All will be made new.

As we talked last night on the patio, we both expressed how happy we are to have our mobile Bunk House and began talking of all the places we want to go. We want her to be well stocked and well traveled, looking good!

God is so like that!

He takes what we were and makes us new: “Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.” II Corinthians 5:17 CEV

He equips us for service: “God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That’s why he sent Christ to make us what we are.” Ephesians 2:10 CEV

He sees that we are well supplied: “I pray that God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus!” Philippians 4:19 CEV

He wants to enjoy the journey: “The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

He wants to go with us every step of the way and keep us free from fear: “God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.’ 6 So we can feel sure and say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. People can do nothing to me.'” Hebrews 13:5-6 ERV

He takes care of us because He loves: “‘Don’t fear, little flock. Your Father wants to share his kingdom with you.'” Luke 12:32 ERV

Our Father does a much better job at “make overs” than we ever will. We can trust the outcome when we put ourselves in His hands.

“ Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That’s the most sensible way to serve God. 2 Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.” Romans 12:1-2 CEV

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