Category: Relationship

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Copy, Cut, Paste

Copy, Cut, Paste. It is a computer basic that has become second nature to most of us. One that my husband likes a lot. You know the concept was God’s idea.

“And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind…27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:25-27 KJV

God created us to be like Him – to be His representative, His counterpart on the earth. But when Adam sinned our nature was changed. God had to put a plan in place that would restore our relationship with Him.

Enter Jesus.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” II Corinthians 5:17-19 KJV

In Christ, we become new – a new creature – like the one that God created in the Garden. Jesus restored us to our place of being created in God’s likeness. He copies and pastes the origin blueprint into our hearts.

“But God is rich in mercy, and he loved us very much. 5 We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against him. But he gave us new life together with Christ. (You have been saved by God’s grace.)…8 I mean that you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. 9 You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about. 10 God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.” Ephesians 2:4-10 ERV

In Christ we have been made new. It’s not something we work to earn but something we receive freely by grace. Salvation and restoration to a loving relationship with the Father God has been His plan from the beginning.

Since Christmas will be here in a couple of weeks, I give you permission to open the best gift you will ever receive – the gift of salvation, of renewed life and relationship with the Father.

Open it now and share it with others!

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A Father’s Heart

A couple of days ago I asked you to imagine what it might have been like for Jesus when they discussed the plan of restoring relationship with those of us on earth. He had to lay aside everything glorious and heavenly and become common. Now consider this.

Those of us parents who have had children join the military or enter other dangerous occupations know the heart ache, the apprehension and even the fear of having our children go off into the unknown, into hostile and harmful circumstances.

What if we were Father God? Our Son has been with us every moment from eternity past. We have created universes together, have intervened in the lives of our creation in a powerful way. Never a cross word spoken, never a rebellious thought or action – our Son is our dearest friend, He’s a part of all we do and have ever done.

He’s leaving now – headed to earth. “unto us a Son is given” Isaiah 9:6

He will be loved by some, treated with ambivalence by most and hated by others and they will plot to kill Him. Although we know all this, we still choose to let Him go and even more than that, we choose to let Him die so that He can provide restoration for all those who are incapable of providing it for themselves.

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people.” II Corinthians 5:17

And all of this was not because of our great value or importance but because of His great love.

“Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. 7 Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person.But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.9 We have been made right with God by the blood sacrifice of Christ. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger.” Romans 5:6-9

“Unto to us a Son is given”! Would you be willing to give your son? Aren’t you glad He did!!

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The Joy of Relationship

Pictures of little ones are starting to appear on social media. They are dressed in cute little outfits of red and green and their eyes are sparkling as they stare at big boxes wrapped with glittering ribbon.

There’s just something about kids and Christmas. If we’re honest Christmas brings out the kid in all of us and I’m sure that makes God, the Father, smile. He loves to see His kids having a good time just as much as we enjoy watching our children and grandchildren.

The little ones in our lives are an amazing example of our life with the Father. Each week there seems to be a new milestone. Something new to celebrate; a giggle, a smile, a word, a step.

We laugh, we do something cute, we cuddle in His lap, we learn to say His name – all these milestones He records. All these things mean we are spending time with Him.

He loves to spend time with us!

He wipes our tears when we need to be comforted and He rocks us to sleep when we’re tired. He is focused on us because He loves us!

Yes, it’s a special time for the Father and for us. Time to build relationship.

“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You! If I should declare and speak of them, they are too many to be numbered.” Psalm 40:5

“We love Him because He loved us first.” I John 4:19 NLV

Think of all the things in your life that you consider wonderful. God was there, enjoying every moment with us. He is the very essence of love. He is WONDERFUL!

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A Hand to Hold

A week or so back we were talking with friends about memories we have made since moving into our Arizona home. So many good times, so many good friends. One memory in particular came to mind.

About three years ago, our youngest daughter and her family had come to visit for the weekend. Sam, our grandson, was about 15 months old. I was in the kitchen cooking and his parents and Pappy were outside on the patio. He stood at the door waiting for someone to let him out but no one came. Sam had been watching our dog, Glory, go in and out the doggie door so he crawled over to it and tried to go through.

He got stuck, high centered in fact. The outside patio is considerably lower than the kitchen floor and as he went through the door, his hands went down to the patio but his feet in the kitchen came up and he no longer had any traction to move himself forward.

I was laughing almost uncontrollably. His Mom saw what was happening and she came to his rescue by offering him a hand to hold, a hand to help.

There are so many of us like little Sam. We just need a helping hand. Sometimes life gives us what seems to be insurmountable obstacles. Our own efforts lack the ability to bring us through successfully. We need a hand to hold.

“For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you,  ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NLT

I have heard the Lord whisper those same words of encouragement to my heart in times of struggle. “Just take my hand”.

“You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me,  your help has made me great. 36 You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.” Psalm 18:35-36 NLT

During this time of year, there are so many around us who need a helping hand. They need to know that whatever obstacle, situation, or heart ache they face they aren’t in it alone. They need to know there is a hand to hold. Jesus said when we help the least of those around us we are reaching out as if He were the one in need.

Extend a hand to someone in need. It may be the best gift they receive.

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God’s Workmanship

Yesterday Dave brought in all the Christmas decoration tubs so I could start decorating. I love decorating for Christmas. The center pieces, Nativity sets and ornaments all remind me of family and friends. I found some angels yesterday that I had purchased the first year Dave and I were married, they are still in good shape.

One of the things that has changed in the last few years since we’ve retired is our tree. It’s now one of the pretty artificial ones. There aren’t too many places in southern Arizona where we can go cut our own but that’s what we did for many years.

I remember all our times when the kids were little and we went out to the forest and cut our own Christmas trees. In Idaho, we would make a day of it with family and friends. Even when it was just Dave and I in Montana, we drove up to the hill behind our house looking for just the right tree.

Trees grown in the wild are never the perfect shape like the ones you find on the tree lot or at the Christmas tree farm but the fun is the adventure you have while searching.

Once we got more adventure than we had planned for and it was very exciting and a bit scary. Stuck in the snow, sliding backwards down the trail, unable to stop and settling for any tree that was close to the road’s edge as we were getting off the mountain. Awww, I digress – that’s not the point of my story.

Each tree had it’s own beauty and charm. Each tree had grown from a small seed that fell from the pinecone years before we had come. Each tree was a testament to God’s recreative power and each tree took us to nature, God’s beauty and reminded us of His love.

In thinking about those trees, their imperfections, their beauty, I was reminded that we are like those trees. We all have our own little quirks and characteristics but we are all a creation of beauty designed by the Master Creator, our Heavenly Father.

“You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about. 10 God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:9-10 ERV

Take time this Christmas season to be someone’s tree. Maybe you are a Charley Brown tree or maybe you are majestic like the tree in Rockefeller Plaza. Just let your light shine and bring joy into the lives of those around you.

Let people see that you are God’s workmanship, created by Him to do good.

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Christmas Tradition

When I worked outside the home, I always started my Christmas decorating the day after Thanksgiving. I had the day off, guests were gone and I’ve never been one to shop on Black Friday.

This last week while cleaning, I was also preparing the house for today. Moving small pieces of furniture to make a place for the tree and the different nativities I put out.

It’s Tradition! Another word for tradition is purpose.

My first memories of Christmas are of my daddy, with his big Bible, reading the Christmas story on Christmas morning. After he finished reading, he led our family in prayer. This was the focal point of our day. After Dave and I were married, he read the same account from Luke 2 and then one of us would lead our family in prayer.

There were Christmases when the gifts were few but it didn’t spoil the day. Christmas was never been about us and what we got. The focus had always been on Christ and what He gave. His birth was and is our reason for celebration.

There are many things we do during the Christmas season, they each have a purpose. The nativity is the center piece of our Christmas decorations; the special carols, the Christmas stockings that Mom and now, I, have made for our family, the books on the coffee table, kringla (a Norwegian cookie) and the peanut butter balls are all reminders of love of family and love for the Lord.. If we forget the reason for the season, it’s just another commercial holiday that leaves us feeling empty and disappointed with “that’s all I got”.

As parents and grandparents it’s our responsibility to see that the traditions we establish point upward to Jesus and not inward to self.

“I taught you the laws and rules that the Lord my God commanded me. I did this so you could obey them in the land you are ready to enter and take for your own. 6 Obey these laws carefully. This will show the people of the other nations that you are wise and sensible. They will hear about these laws and say, ‘Truly, the people of this great nation are wise and sensible.’

7 “The Lord our God is near when we ask him to help us. No other nation has a god like that! 8 And no other nation is great enough to have laws and rules as good as the teachings I give you today. 9 But you must be careful! Be sure that as long as you live you never forget what you have seen. You must teach these things to your children and grandchildren. 10 Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Mount Horeb. The Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people together to listen to what I have to say. Then they will learn to respect me as long as they live on earth. And they will teach these things to their children.’ ” Deuteronomy 4:5-10 ERV

It’s never too early or too late to start a tradition! Fill your Christmas season with purpose!

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Maxamino’s Portion

Sometimes I am surprised at the things that come to mind and the lessons the Lord teaches me from those memories.

Years ago when Dave and I were farming alfalfa in central Arizona we had a man who worked for us. His name was Maxamino. He was such a great help. He was responsible for doing all the irrigating of the 900+ acres we farmed. He was a happy man, always a smile on his face, always willing to do what he was asked.

It was Thanksgiving and we were cutting hay. When alfalfa needs to be cut it doesn’t matter what day the calendar says it is. I had made the traditional Thanksgiving dinner and we ate after we swathed hay in the morning. I fixed a big platter of food for Max and Dave took it down to his house. He was overwhelmed by the amount of food that we took to him. He told us that this plate would have been enough for his whole family.

I realized how blessed we were and was grateful for how the Lord had provided for us. Since that Thanksgiving I have been reminded again and again how important it is that we share what the Lord gives us.

There will always be someone who has more than we do but there will also be those who have less. We have been commissioned to be a light in the world. The Lord wants to shine through us and one way He does that is through our giving.

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 The Message

As I was reading this morning I came across these words:

“He will bless those who fear the Lord, both great and lowly. 14 May the Lord richly bless both you and your children. 15 May you be blessed by the Lord  who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 115:13-15 NLT

Part of the blessing we receive from the Lord comes through giving. Look for someone to bless and let God’s light shine through you.

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Good Fertilizer

Yesterday I listened to a conversation between two very wealthy men. One man was asked about his philanthropy. He is extremely generous; always giving to make the lives of others better. This man said he looked at wealth in the same way as he did manure.

Interesting thought.

He said if you hold manure too close it will cause everything you do to stink. But, if you throw it away from you, it can be used to fertilize the ground and cause things to grow. He was using his wealth to cause communities to grow; he was fertilizing local economies.

Such an amazing perspective. This man chose not to hold his wealth close to him, instead he wanted to spread it around where it could benefit and prosper others. If more of us had this attitude there would be much less selfishness and greed.

“Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. 32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself. 33 “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:31-25 NLT

The Apostle Paul was willing to give up all his personal acclaim and possessions to see that the world knew the greatness of God’s love for us. He learned that from Jesus – instead of holding His position in heaven tightly in His grasp He gave it up freely so that all would know His Father’s love, forgiveness and desire for renewed relationship.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me. 15 Just as the Father knows me, I know the Father, and I give up my life for my sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them together too, when they hear my voice. Then there will be one flock of sheep and one shepherd.

17 The Father loves me, because I give up my life, so that I may receive it back again. 18 No one takes my life from me. I give it up willingly! I have the power to give it up and the power to receive it back again, just as my Father commanded me to do.” John 10:14-18 CEV

Jesus fertilized the world with God’s love. He spread it everywhere He went.

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” I John 3:16 NLT

In light of this analogy I can honestly said that I want to be a fertilizer spreader. I want to fertilize the world with God’s love.

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The Air I Breathe

Have you ever been desperate? Thinking all hope was gone and there was no where to turn – what do you do? That’s a time when many turn to God – they have exhausted their own resources; their wisdom, their finances, their influence and even their health and then they say “God help!”

I’ve been there and so have many of you! I would never criticize any who finds yourselves in that place. I only want to encourage you with this truth – God does care and He will help – He will provide a way out! When I think of that helpless, hopeless feeling now it brings me to a place of comfort and peace because God did meet me there – He did provide all that I needed and more!

There’s a song by Michael W. Smith that says “I’m desperate for you” – that’s the place I want to be each and every day. Desperate for the Lord – I want to be so dependent on Him that I can’t imagine a day or an hour of living without a sense of His presence in my life. Again from the song there’s a line that says, He’s the very air I breathe. Do you know what’s it like to be that desperate for the Lord? I hope so!!

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good his love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story, those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, 3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. 4 Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. 5 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. 6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 7 He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. 8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, 9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:1-9 ERV

Verse 9 in the King James version says “ For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” To be longing – that’s desperate. It’s more than desire; it’s a need, a deep need – a “I can’t go on any further without you” need.

When Jesus was teaching the Sermon on the Mount he said this:

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6 KJV Now read it in the Easy to Read Version
“Great blessings belong to those who want to do right more than anything else. God will fully satisfy them.” Matthew 5:6 ERV

Are you satisfied – fully satisfied? They will be satisfied! That’s a promise from God. Do you long for Him today? I hope you do!

I hope you are as grateful for God’s presence as you are for the air you breathe and the food that sustains you.

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Grateful for Good News

I have a few tabs on my desktop that I leave open because I visit the sites frequently and see no need to close them but when I do open a new tab my screen defaults to a news page and I am faced with the latest headlines of the day. Very rarely does that page bring me good news.

That is a stark contrast to the headlines I find each day when I open my Bible! I am grateful for good news, the good news of the gospel.

“Good news from a faraway place is like a cool drink of water when you are hot and thirsty.” Proverbs 25:25 ERV

Since all Scripture is inspired by God and since His throne is in the heavens I figure that constitutes a faraway place. His word, my good news, is refreshing to my soul. Each morning we are able to choose the path our day will take; we can choose life and joy or frustration and stress. All of us face difficult and trying times but we don’t have to let them control us.

“When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” 20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” 22 Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” Luke 4:16-22 NLT

Jesus is our good news! When he came, he came with purpose – He came to bring deliverance, sight, freedom and favor with the Father. He spent His entire life of ministry bringing good news to all He met.

The angels announced it on the night of His birth.

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” Luke 2:8-11 NLT

Good News!

And I am very grateful that I get to share the good news with you.

“Yes, the Scriptures say, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed.” 12 It says this because there is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is the Lord of all people. And he richly blesses everyone who looks to him for help. 13 Yes, “everyone who trusts in the Lord will be saved.” 14 But before people can pray to the Lord for help, they must believe in him. And before they can believe in the Lord, they must hear about him. And for anyone to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them. 15 And before anyone can go and tell them, they must be sent. As the Scriptures say, “How wonderful it is to see someone coming to tell good news!” Romans 10:11-15 NLT

I hope you welcome this blog each morning as your good news. Extra – Extra. Today is a day of Good News – Jesus, our Savior, is here to save, protect, provide and deliver!

Read all about it!

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