Month: October 2015

Birds of Praise

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Dove flying

God must have a special affection for birds. Beautiful creatures, they are. Created in all colors of the rainbow and with songs more beautiful than anything ever created by man.

But I think the real proof of His affinity for our feathered friends is their ability to fly. High above the earth they soar, a source of wonderment to those of us below. God’s breath taking them higher and higher as they break through the clouds and out of sight.

It is at this time, I can’t help but imagine that that tiny little bird, dressed to the nines and with a voice fit for King, ascends through Heaven’s gates and onto a perch on our Father’s throne.  

As he sings his praises, God breaths in all its beauty and joy and exhales gently upon the bird, sending him back to us on earth. It is then that that tiny little bird, dressed to the nines and with a voice fit for a King, spends the rest of his days singing God’s praises and telling all that will listen of God’s great love and enduring promises.  Amen and Ehmen.

 

News Flash: They WILL Find You!

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As I sit here trying to wave off a hot flash with some mail that came the AARP artother day, I catch a glimpse of a return address. The heat continues to rise as I stop fanning long enough to read it. Yup. It’s for me. There’s my name. Yup, it’s from them. I knew they would eventually find me. If it weren’t for the fact that you might save me some money, I’d say kiss my derriere AARP. 🙂

His Presence is Our Protection

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Me and Thee: A Morning Chat with God…

Good morning, God. Well, it’s taken me about an hour to get myself awake dear godenough to get here. Why can’t I just bound out of bed and grab this computer to talk to You? It frustrates me so. Instead of talking to You and praising You, I sit here googling possible causes of my health concerns. Yes, I want to feel better, Lord, but I don’t want to spend my now limited time with You this morning focused on that. I do ask that You heal me and fully believe that it is within Your power, but from this moment forward during our time together today, I want to focus on You. God, You simply amaze me. The beauty of the world and universe that You created. The mercy and grace You have shown all of us, though we have all helped cause this fallen world. The hope that You give us through Your Word and through the death of Your one and only Son on the cross. Oh, the lengths and depths You have gone for us. You are the creator of it all and the fact that You choose to stick with us even though we disappoint You time after time is simply astounding to me. Lord help me to please You more with my life. Even that, I can’t do alone. I need You. You know what I struggle with and You know my heart. Help me to focus on only that which will propel the Kingdom forward. I love You, my dear sweet Savior. I love You with all of my heart and soul. Walk with me through this day. Help me to stay aware of Your constant presence and love, for that love is a shield of protection for me; the very armor of which the Bible speaks. Clothe me in Your love, Lord. Amen and Ehmen.

Dear, sweet child of mine,

What a beautiful and accurate way to view My armor. Let me assure you that My love and presence surrounds you at all times, whether you recognize it or not. More importantly, there is nothing, but nothing—NOTHING—that can take that away. It is indeed like a hedge of constant protection around you; a suit of armor that protects you and keeps you safe. You are a most prized possession of Mine, child. Walk in that knowledge. Breath in the sweet peace that this state of being provides. Embrace the grace that I have so freely given you and get yourself moving. You have a job to do, for your employer and for Me. I love you, child. 🙂

And His Word says:

Romans, Chapter 8: 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Breadcrumbs to Heaven…

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Writer’s Note: This was penned into my Dear God journals during my personal “Me and Thee” time Easter Sunday 2014. I post it today as God has been nudging me to revisit this verse and teaching. Don’t you just love how He works? May He never stop speaking to our hearts. Amen and Ehmen!

Walking the Talk

Good Morning, God.

You are risen! You are risen indeed! Thank you, Lord, for doing what you did for me. For dying on that cross. For enduring such great emotional, spiritual and physical pain so that I might share in your inheritance with the Father; that I might live forever in the presence of the Almighty God. Today, Lord, in our time together, I’d like to know more about the verse above. Words are very important to the writing craft and being creative is an important part of the writing process. Lord, you lead me to this verse this morning, and I ask you, with humble heart and a desire for obedience, to show me what you mean and help me to not get caught up in trying to write for the sake of writing and impressing others, but writing with a pen dipped in Your power and then walking in that power. I love you, Lord. With all my heart and soul. Lead me. Guide me. Teach me. I am yours today and forever. And you are mine. Thank you for that! Thank you, Jesus!

Dear, dear child of mine,

I love you, too. I gave you this chapter and verse this morning, because I want to make sure that you fully understand your calling. Yes, it is to write, but it is to write in my power and then to go into the world and live those words. When you do this, your pen strokes will flow off the page and into the heavenly realms leaving a clear-cut path to me. Like a trail of bread crumbs that both nourishes and leads the hungry. But, child, do not get caught up so much in the words. Don’t worry and fret. Who can add a single moment to their life by worrying? Don’t worry about what you will say. Just stay in my presence at all times and I will give you the words to say, when words are what is needed. God back and read 1 Corinthians 4:20. Read it three times, out loud. Each time pausing on a different word and then come back to me and this page. Listen, child. For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by My Power. My Word is the fuel of My Power and it is important that you top off your tank every day. Listen to My voice every day, every moment child and I will never lead you astray. My will for you, my purpose for you, the things that you most desire are within your reach as long as I am within your reach; as long as you remain within the sound of My voice. Hear Me, child, and join me in Walking the Talk. I love you, child. And, yes indeed, I AM RISEN! I AM ALIVE and I AM LIVING IN YOU!

Silence Can Be The Sweetest Sound of All…

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gary lake posted by friend after memorialThe silence was deafening. Until I began to really listen. For it was there in the silence that I heard the sweetest sound of all. That still, small voice. That gentle, almost audible and definitely love-evoking voice of the most powerful and wonderful Almighty God. In an instant, He calmed my fears; wiped out any loneliness; and reassured me of His love and everlasting presence. Never run away from your alone time; never crowd your life with busyness just so you won’t feel alone. You may just miss the most precious; the most fulfilling; the most intimate and purposeful moments of your life. Protect those times. Live for those times. Enjoy every second in His Presence. And all of his children said, Amen and Ehmen!

It’s All About Perspective…

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amenandehmen eagle

It’s all about perspective and perseverance…

Proper perspective solves many problems. Before I chose the will of God over my own, life was so much harder. I cried a lot. I felt unsettled. I lamented about my conditions and worried about my future. I struggled to control things that were never mine to control. I had no true purpose and my passion was misplaced. Don’t get me wrong, I still hurt sometimes. I still have problems. I grow impatient. I cry. But I can also quickly turn it around and crawl right back into the lap of Jesus. I no longer wander thirsty, because Jesus makes hope spring forth even in the deserts. When you know Jesus, your past becomes a building block instead of a stumbling block and your present becomes an opportunity to soar high as if on the wings of eagles. Thank you, Jesus! Amen and Ehmen.

Giving Up is Where Hope Begins

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Giving up is Where Hope begins

My Prayer for Today…

You can either give up on a person or situation or you can give that person or situation up. It may sound the same, but it’s not at all. The first is to call it quits, call it hopeless. The latter is to lay it at God’s feet; to, fueled by faith, put it in the great Potter’s hands and let Him create a work of art and fill that work of art with hope. Lord, help me to lay these things at your feet, to give you the materials to work miracles in my life. I’m just so stubborn. Help me with that, please. Show me the way. Amen and Ehmen!

And God’s Own Word Says…

1 Peter 5:7New Living Translation (NLT)

7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Matthew 11:28-29New International Version (NIV)

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Faith and Endurance Go Hand-In-Hand

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Note: This is from my Me and Thee time today. I get so much from even thirty minutes dedicated to The Father. May we all spend more time with Him. It changes everything!

October 3, 2015, 8:50 am

Good Morning, God.

It’s Saturday and I’ve been up for a couple of hours already. I should have never dear godgotten up and made that cup of coffee before spending time with you, because, of course, I got distracted by a dozen things between the coffee pot and here. Still, I don’t want to miss this opportunity to commune with you; to re-connect and receive my dose of love, wisdom and beauty from The One That Loves Me. Hmmmm, I wonder if that is one of Your many names? If it isn’t, may I suggest that it be added? I love you, Abba Father, with all my heart. And, though I have many things I need You for at this time in my life, I want to stop and just praise and worship You for all that You are and all that You have done, are doing and will do. Thank You for writing me into Your story. Thank You for speaking me into existence. Thank You for considering me worthy for Your will and purposes. Thank You for being omnipotent, omnipresent, the beginning and the end and still finding room in Your heart to be my Daddy. But, most of all, Abba, thank You for being The One That Loves Me. May I always return that love to You in a way that pleases You. You rock! Amen and Ehmen!

Dear Sweet Child of Mine,

Thank you for your outpouring of love this morning. It warms My heart so. And, yes, I am happy to be The One That Loves You. Open My Word to Hebrews 6:12.

“Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.”

Child, I’m so pleased that you realize that you don’t have to constantly list all of your needs; that I know your needs and that I love you and will take care of you. Take heart, child, as I know that you have been battling the enemy ever since you truly accepted and began passionately pursuing My purposes for you last year. Don’t go for even one minute without trusting that I am aware of ever venomous dart he hurls your way. He’s scared and he’s doing what he does. But, you, my child, are following the example of those who are going to inherit My promises, because of your faith and endurance. Keep believing; keep sharing; keep loving me and others, child. Keep pursuing your purpose and what I have laid out for you. Cherish that cardboard box for even the plainest looking package can contain the most beautiful contents. Keep digging in and keep pursuing it and Me. Endure. It is an action word just like faith and, just like you and Me, the two go hand-in-hand. Oh, the plans I have for you, my child. You have only seen a tiny glimpse so far. Stick with me for we are going places that your imagination can’t even fathom. Much love to you, My dear one, from the One That Loves You.

My beautiful, faithful Father, oh how much I enjoy spending time with you. I just sit here smiling. I just realized in the last couple of days just how many things satan has hurled my way since last summer and it all makes sense now. Thank You for protecting me always and for understanding how I feel, even when I’m not sure myself. I love you and I will not let that little sucker win or even slow me down. I will ENDURE and grow stronger and stronger in YOU. I can’t wait to go wherever it is You need me to go and do whatever it is You need me to do. I’m Yours! I’m ready! Not mine, but Your Will be done in my life as it is done in Heaven! Amen and Ehmen. 🙂