And the Word of God says:
Isaiah 41:13:
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.
Abba, send your warrior angels; your angels of protection to build a wall around 
each one of your children who are in special need today. Instruct them to fight for those sons and daughters who simply need a chance to breathe and regroup. Thank you, God, for understanding that even those of us who clothe ourselves in your armor still need time to replenish every once in a while. Your Word says to ask and it shall be given. So, again, God, I ask you to send forth your angels to fight for those in need today. And send forth angels in the way of friends and family to help on an earthly level as well, be it to help with things that need to be done or just to love on and pray for them as I am doing right now. Let them feel YOUR love and YOUR presence. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen and Ehmen!
Today, I will intentionally look for beautiful signs of summer: reflections on the lake, 
green grass, blue skies or even gray skies made tolerable by the smell of sweet rain. Today, I will listen for the love songs of birds, the breeze making its way through the leaves on the trees out back, the pitter patter of rain on my favorite picture window. It’s funny how rain can be so melancholy, peaceful and refreshing all at the same time. Today, I will breathe in deeply and take time to enjoy the scents of summer—even the cow poo in the field across the way as I know that that cow poo eventually fertilizes a field of beautiful green grass and wildflowers. Today, I will stop to feel the gentle breeze as it caresses my skin, the warmth of the sunshine embracing my soul or, if the day brings it, the cleansing rain on my face. Today, I will intentionally look for the Presence of God and realize that all these things are His love letters to me; tangible proof of an infinite, unyielding and unfailing love.
Writer’s Note: Life has sowed a new crop of weeds over this past little while with multiple family illnesses and situations that have prevented me from writing. For that reason, I decided to re-publish this post from last August. I hope you enjoy and will help me pray for my family as we go through this trying time. Things are looking up tonight and I am quite certain that we have prayer to thank for that. God is good. All the time.
The other day, a friend was telling me that he gets his inspiration while riding his 
motorcycle to which I quickly quipped that I got mine on my riding lawnmower. And while I said it jokingly, it’s really very true. Indeed, sometimes God speaks to us in the strangest places—and, for me, it is quite often over the roaring of a lawnmower engine. Perhaps He finds that it is easier for him to “cut” to the chase as the rapid revolutions of the engine and blades drown out all the other noise of my world and I become more focused on Him and His creation. It really is a special time during which, over the years, I have received a lot of great insight.
This past weekend, for example, as I carefully and—I like to think skillfully—maneuvered my fire-engine red Craftsman mower with shiny chrome wheel covers tightly alongside the landscape timbers that separate the grass from my flowerbeds, I felt him nudging me to take a closer look inside the beds. Much to my dismay, what I saw was more weeds than flowers. It is then that I heard these words in my heart; words that flowed melodically and in perfect harmony with what was now just a backup hum from the mower.
Stopping the engine, I immediately hopped off the mower and started tending that flower bed. I pulled, plucked and tugged every weed. And, with each weed I pulled, it was if God breathed new nuggets of wisdom into my soul. He explained that the enemy has one play in his playbook—to plant weeds anywhere He Himself has planted seeds. In the case of our own hearts, the weeds represent things like sorrow, regret and shame. The evil one knows all too well that if he can keep us focused on the weeds, he can keep us from growing into the creations that God intended.
But, oh no, you devilish one, you are quite mistaken. God is the gardener of my life. And where you sow a crop of weeds, God is always standing by to pull, tug and pluck every single one. In fact, Matthew 15:13 promises us that “every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.’”
Indeed, as children of God, we should forgive ourselves and each other, just as God forgave us through His son, Jesus Christ. By forgiving, we pluck the weeds of sorrow, regret and shame and free ourselves to give love to and receive love from God and others, just as we are commanded in Matthew 22:37-39:
“And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
By forgiving, we free ourselves to be more fruitful—to grow more and more into His image, the image in which we were created in the first place.
Ah, sweet Jesus, I have held this teaching close all week and, today, as I prepared to do my weekly mowing once again, I noticed those flowers and plants which I tended last week have bounced right back and are full of life. My heart is feeling pretty full of life, too. Thank You for loving me; for never giving up on me; for forgiving me through your Son and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; and for always being willing to tend the garden of my heart. Please help me to do my part so that I can produce fruit that will make You proud. Now, I’m off to hop on the lawnmower. You know, I’ve been thinking. Perhaps, I will give the ol’ Craftsman a name. Harley. That way I can tell my motorcycle friends that I, too, find my inspiration when riding my Harley! 🙂 Amen and Ehmen!
Have a blessed, weed-free day, y’all!
Good morning, child.
I woke you up this morning to talk about purpose.
You have developed a tendency to see purpose as something that you can postpone until you think the time is right; when you feel you have the time to commit; when you no longer have
to worry about how you will pay your bills or when you will be able to retire.
But, child, I tell you in no uncertain terms that this is the wrong way to look at your purpose. You should not shoulder so much burden; for when it comes to your purpose, nothing will ever happen in your power. It is only possible in My power through you. Remember that.
Secondly, purpose is not about tomorrow. It is about the present. It is about My presence. Understand, My child, that because your purpose must be fulfilled with Me by your side, your purpose is meant to be lived and fulfilled in the present, the only place on earth where you can come into My Presence. Resist the urge to wait. Preparation and planning are important, but at a certain point those things can turn into procrastination and procrastination is a tool of the devil.
Stop putting off your purpose. Unfurl it at My feet, today, and jump in. If I have planted the seed, you must trust that I will provide everything that seed needs to not only survive the elements, but to thrive and to grow and produce great fruit.
Remember the parable of the talents? When you put off your purpose, you are like the one who buried his master’s talent. That is not My desire for you. Keep your purpose in the present where I meet with you, child. Keep tending it. Keep adding to it and it will be added unto you. Today, not tomorrow. Don’t worry about tomorrow for I have tomorrow covered and will always walk with you into it so that we can face whatever is there together. Trust Me, child. Trust Me and take a deep breath and dive in. Oh what joy awaits those who fulfill their purposes in Me.
Thank you, Jesus, for continuing to find me worthy of your teaching and purpose. Help me to stay in Your Presence and to follow only You. May Your will and purpose be done through me here on earth just as it is in Heaven. Amen and Ehmen.
Matthew 25: 14-30 (NIV)
The Parable of the Bags of Gold
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Although I stepped outside to complete a chore, I was instantly captivated by the sweet sounds of a world preparing to slumber. On this beautiful clear night, a gazillion stars gather around the quarter moon like groupies at a rock concert. Nature’s own night lights illuminate the sky and world below with just enough light to enjoy this summer night. I couldn’t help but smile when I noticed several of the stars perched atop the palm tree as if God himself saw fit to decorate its branches. God thought of absolutely everything and tonight as the beauty of His creation enveloped me and stopped me in my tracks, I praise Him and His Holy Name. Thank you, God, for absolutely everything. Amen and Ehmen.
Psalm 8: 3-5
3When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; 4What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? 5Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!
Writer’s Note: It’s been awhile since I spent the first moments of my morning communing with my Maker. But, no matter how much time passes, He is always willing to meet me; to love me; and to lead me. He SHOWS up! Thank God. Below is this morning’s exchange which started with a blank page and an open heart.
June 20, 2016
Dear God,
I often worry that I am being like King Saul and not being completely obedient to your instruction? I don’t want to disappoint you and have you pick someone else to fulfill this purpose you have planted deep within me. Please speak to me, for I am listening.
Child, you lack only one thing to completely fulfill My purposes for you and that one thing is trust. Like Peter, this is an area in which you waver and is a direct result of you trying to live in your own power.
I don’t fault you or Peter for this as most of my sons and daughters throughout the bible and history have suffered the same. If this human trait kept people out of heaven, there would be no one here. And, that is not what I want.
What I most desire is that you keep bringing your focus back to Me. Learn to recognize the signs that you are taking back control. Feelings of worry, confusion, stress, and of being lost are just a few red flags that should make you stop in your tracks. Yes, child, every time you feel yourself trying to take back control, stop and simply whisper My name, out loud or under your breath. I will hear you. Focus on Me. Talk to me. Cry out to Me. And then listen.
I am pleased with you, Child. Know that. You never get too far away before calling out to Me. As long as you keep plugging away, I will continue to bless you in the purpose I have chosen for you. Yes, I would like for you to spend more time with Me. Yes, I would like for you to quit worrying so much about your job and your health. I have you in My care and there is no better place to be. Trust me, dear child. Remember that deer that I showed you recently. He signified that no matter what is going on behind the scenes of your life, you have no reason to fear; for I am in control of it all and you live under the protection of My love, power and will for your life. Nothing, but nothing will be able to take you from Me and from My purpose for you. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Trust me, My child. I am the light behind any shadows that may pervade your life. I show this darkness to you so that you can walk around it and into My Glory light. You are never alone, yet you don’t always see Me here. Read 1 Corinthians 2:15-16. Find it in your Bible. Then look at the study notes in your bible. What does it say, child?
***
1 Corinthians 2:15-16: Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
Study note: No one can know what the Lord is thinking, but through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers have insight into some of God’s plans, thoughts and actions. They, in fact, have “the mind of Christ.” Through the Holy Spirit, we can begin to know God’s thoughts and prayers. Are you spending enough time with Christ to have his very mind in you? An intimate relationship with Christ comes only from spending time consistently in His presence and in His word.
Oh, dear Lord, how can I thank You for being so patient and loving toward me? The word consistently jumps out at me as I know that this is where I falter. I am inconsistent when it comes to spending time in Your Presence and Your Word. I let worldly worry and worldly life get in my way. I don’t go to sleep soon enough. I don’t wake soon enough. I numb my mind with distractions. I don’t mean to do this, Lord, but it just happens. And, yet, when I do wake up and call Your name, You are there. Patiently and lovingly waiting. You speak to me on this written page. You send me to just the right scripture in Your Living Word. You love me. You lead me. All I have to do is stand close enough to hear You. Lord, I want this more than anything. Help me to stay close to You and live in obedience to Your leading. I can’t wait to see what You have in store for I know in the deepest reaches of my heart that it is what is best and it will be good.
1 Corinthians 2:9 comes to mind.
“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.’
*Sigh* Again, twice in just a few moments with You, the perfect Scriptures at the perfect moment. Thank You, Lord, for this morning and this reminder. I love being in Your Presence. There is no place I would rather be. I love You. Bring on this day. I can do anything with You standing right beside me. Amen and Ehmen.
Today as I was riding down the road, blue skies and puffy clouds overhead, I saw a convertible Mustang. Convertible Mustangs always make me think of you.
As I pulled up beside it at the red light, I could hear that they were listening to country radio. Singer-Songwriter Cole Swindell was singing “You Should Be Here,” a song he wrote about his beloved and dearly departed dad.
“…Ah this is one of those moments that’s got your name written all over it. And you know that if I have just one wish it’d be that you didn’t have to miss this. Aw you should be here,” the radio blared as memories flooded my soul and overflowed onto my cheeks.
Oh how I wish that it was you behind the wheel. I sure do miss you, brother, but am thankful for the memories and the moments that still have your name all over them.
Amen and Ehmen.
Writer’s Note: My dad was on the receiving end of a robber’s bullet many, many years ago, when I was just a little girl, robbing me of the opportunity to grow up with a father in my life. I have since forgiven the one who took him from us, but it still hurts, even all of these decades later…
I sit and stare at the photograph. Like my memories, it is faded. I just don’t seem to
remember much. Black and white, shades of gray memories. I know you once existed in physical form, but, unfortunately, our life together was way too short; pretty much just a foreword and preface to my own story. Sometimes I wonder if I have blocked memories of my childhood, just because your untimely departure hurt so much. Because I know if I remember the good times then I will also have to remember how those good times ended. Those were dark days, even for an 8-year old whose most pressing decision was whether or not to climb the tree in the backyard. One day you were there and the next you were gone.
And even though my present mind sees our days together as a mere outline, like the beginning of a sketch without the details filled in, today, on this Father’s Day, I sit here and FEEL a flood of memories. I FEEL your warmth as we cuddled up on the couch and watched Elvis movies AFTER my bedtime. I FEEL your strength when you’d catch me as I leaped into your arms when you came home from work. Please forgive me if I ever hugged your neck too tight as I searched for that ever-present piece of gum in the pocket of your starched white shirt. I FEEL your gentleness and compassion as—after being banished to my room to “just wait until your father gets home—you arrived to lovingly correct me and, with the fluffy wallop of a pillow, forgave me of my transgressions. I FEEL the pride I felt when I was up at “daddy’s work.” Yes, that was me that was always rummaging in your desk drawers for change for the coke and snack machines, and no, I still do NOT want a piece of the fruitcake you sold for the Civitan Club. I FEEL thankful for all the family times, the vacations in Clearwater, Florida at the Sandlewood Hotel, the holidays, the dinners around the dining room table and all the moments for the eight years that we were together. For though I don’t remember many of the details, I DO remember the FEELINGs of LOVE—feelings powerful enough to help me navigate through your most devastating and tragic departure; through the difficult years that followed as we tried to put our lives back together; through the many years and many milestones that would have been so much more with you here; all the way through today as I spend this Father’s Day weekend feeling memories made more than four decades ago; memories that turned into a life time of love.
Thank you, God, for my earthly dad and for this walk down memory lane. But, most of all, God, I thank you for YOU and for your promise that one day my stroll down Memory Lane will bring me to Heaven’s Gate where I will once again have the chance to jump into my Daddy’s arms. Make sure you have Juicy Fruit. It was always my favorite. Happy Father’s Day to you both. Amen and Ehmen!
Writer’s Note: My dad was on the receiving end of a robber’s bullet many, many years ago, when I was just a little girl, robbing me of the opportunity to grow up with a father in my life. I have since forgiven the one who took him from us, but it still hurts, even all of these decades later…
I sit and stare at the photograph. Like my memories, it is faded. I just don’t seem to remember much. Black and white, shades of gray memories. I know you once existed in physical form, but, unfortunately, our life together was way too short; pretty much just a foreword and preface to my own story. Sometimes I wonder if I have blocked memories of my childhood, just because your untimely departure hurt so much. Because I know if I remember the good times then I will also have to remember how…
View original post 436 more words
With one finger, a deranged man takes the life of a beloved singer.
With one finger, a madman pledging allegiance to ISIS takes the lives of 50.
Within just hours two different men pulled the triggers that cast the happiest place on earth into a sea of heartbreak and tears.
What triggers such heinous actions?
Fear and hate. The same thing that triggered the heinous crucifixion of Jesus Christ. But our Lord and Savior defeated death once and for all so that all that believe in Him shall have everlasting life. Thank goodness for Him for, in my opinion, He is the only thing that makes any sense at all in a fallen world left gasping for air.
Indeed, as the seconds, minutes and hours tick off, as the days turn into night, it seems as if the darkness is completely overtaking us. Satan is hard at work and knows just what to use to cloud our souls, to hurl as many souls as possible into an abyss of hate, confusion, loneliness, hurt and depression. The prince of darkness knows full well that is harder for us to follow and find comfort in our Great God when our eyes are shrouded by clouds.
What that devil can’t comprehend, however, is how our faith can still rise up like a phoenix from the darkest, nethermost reaches of his hellish plantings. How, just when he thinks he has us in his evil grip, the majestic bird adorned with colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet scoops us up and drops us safely in the lap of our Father.
Oh my, please don’t you ever forget, no matter what, that we are safe in our Father’s lap. And from that place of safety, we should lift up our eyes and voices in prayer, not just for Orlando and Florida, but for the United States and the entire world. Don’t stop with the victims and their family and friends, but pray for each and every aching heart on the planet. We must stand together in solidarity; we must stand in the gap and intercede; we must be fervent and relentless. We must keep crying out to The Father who loves us. We must curl up in His lap and receive comfort and healing as well as training and power. In His Name, we can and will make a difference. Our weapons are bigger than anything the enemy can muster and, unlike him, we are indestructible. The Bible tells us so. Stand up. Suit up. Live and pray in His awesome power.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Amen and Ehmen! 