Hope

Missing You Moments

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Gary and his convertible

 

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.

 

The Heart of Home Improvement

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Point To Ponder amenandehmen

If you are a Christ follower with a broken heart, take solace in knowing that your heart won’t stay broken forever.

Look at this way: If you went home and your house had been destroyed by a storm, you wouldn’t just ignore it and live amongst the rubble. You would repair it and make it livable again.

God does the same thing. Your heart is His home and He’s not only going to repair it, but He’s going to make improvements and additions galore until it is truly fit for a King.

I don’t know about you, but I’m up for remodeling anytime! Thank you, Jesus!

Amen and Ehmen!

He Is Working Behind The Scenes

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Having things up in the air in your life can be very stressful, especially if when you lose Giving up is Where Hope beginssight of the fact that God really is in control.

Over the last few weeks, I have sometimes done just that–lost sight amid the craziness and the many unknowns surrounding my work life.

But, in true Father fashion, God just keeps gently pulling me back to Himself and reminding me of all He has done for me. Why, I wonder, do we always forget Him when he never, ever forgets us?

His children have been doing it since the very beginning. Literally, since Genesis! Over the last couple of weeks (I am sure by His design), I have been studying Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers and have often found myself “judging” the Israelites for continuing to grumble to Moses and God. How could they do such when they had seen such miracles–strolling through the Red Sea; eating food from Heaven; drinking water from a rock; defeating enemies that outnumbered them; watching powerful nations fall while they remained safe; having God Himself lead them?

Then, I realized I do the very same thing. Oh, the miracles I have seen; the comfort and reassurance that God has given me, all of my needs met and, still, I grumble and worry.

All I can say is that it is a good thing that our Dad loves us unconditionally and is willing to keep reminding us to be still and know that He is God.

This morning, he reminded me of this special teaching moment that He and I shared back just a few months ago. I am reposting it today to remind myself and my co-workers and friends that our God is always, always working behind the scenes for the good of those of us who love Him! Amen and Ehmen!

Stopped In Their Tracks… 

As I rode along praying from the deepest reaches of my heart, I suddenly became overwhelmed with this feeling that I was in danger. Completely out of the blue, I sensed that there were deer in the …

Source: Stopped In Their Tracks

A Stroll Down Wisdom Lane

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IIMG_1463 woke up early and decided to walk as the sun rose. There is just something about watching the light cut through the dark that gives glorious hope. I could almost feel my spirit smile. But, as I got about halfway through my one mile circle, I realized that the sun was no longer in front of me, but behind me and that I was now walking in shadows. It was then that I heard the Teacher say: “See, dear child, when you walk toward me, there is always hope, but turn your back on me and you always walk in shadows.” Needless to say, I turned around. Amen and Ehmen.

 

The Compliment in Being Compared to a Donkey

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Though they are often the “butt” of many a joke, I have always had a special affection for donkeys. And, brenda and donkey 2every year around Easter, that affection grows. Have you ever wondered why Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem oh so many years ago on what we now call Palm Sunday? Why not a strong, valiant horse? A horse worthy to roam the king’s pastures?

This week, in reflecting on that very question, I thought I’d ask God himself. And so, during my God time earlier this week, that is exactly what I did. As I sat quietly with nothing but a Bible, a blank page and a deep affection for The Father, these are the thoughts that came to rest deep in my spirit.

“Child, do you remember the verses in My Word in which I told you that the first will be last and the last shall be first; those that remind you to be a humble servant? My friend, the donkey, is a fitting image of what I expect from my children. Humble, hard-working, peaceful. I don’t need pomp and circumstance from you. I just need a willing, servant’s heart.

I asked for a donkey to ride me into Jerusalem for many reasons, one being to remind all of my children that it matters not how the world sees you, but instead how I see you. This donkey, considered one of the least among his kind, was fit for a King. With a servant’s heart and attitude, he escorted me into Jerusalem and into my destiny and this is exactly what I ask of you, dear child—a servant’s heart and attitude that I can use to take me to the people of the world and into my ultimate and eternal destiny. I want ALL of my children with me in eternity. Even one lost grieves my spirit so. Think of those parents who have lost one of their children to drugs, alcohol or depression. Think of the parent whose child has run away, who they’ve lost all contact with. Oh how their heart grieves! Now, multiply that by infinity and that is how I feel about my lost children. My heart is not complete without them. My kingdom is not whole. They are MY children. All of them. No matter what they have done. No matter what they haven’t done. They are MY children and I love them. And, I need you, to help me bring them home. I need you to be like that humble, willing donkey that will take me to my children; to my destiny as Father of All. Go read the story of the Prodigal Son. I will open your eyes to new things, my child. And, go through this day aware of my presence. I’ll be right beside you all the way. It’s going to be a good day, child. A very good day.”

Thank you, God, for this. Thank you for the donkey and thank you for now giving me a reason to smile when someone calls me one. 🙂 Amen and Ehmen!

 

Plugging into His Power

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Pondering Out Loud

1 Corinthians 4:20
“For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk, it is living by God’s power.”

This was the daily verse provided by You Version today and something aplug into biblebout it just struck a chord with me; so much so that I stopped everything that I was doing, opened my bible and studied not only that verse, but all of 1 Corinthians, Chapter 3 and 4. I wanted to make sure that I understood the context for which this statement was made. Boy, are there some powerful things in those two chapters and I made many notes. I was surprised, however, that this particular scripture verse, which continued to resonate with me, goes completely un-noticed in the notes sections of the Life Application and Study Bibles. So, I prayed. I prayed for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and wisdom in fully understanding the significance of this short, single sentence scriptural verse.

As per usual when I ask for teaching on a biblical principal, I grabbed my computer to open a blank document so that I’d be prepared to start writing. But, just as I did, my computer’s power cord came unplugged from its AC adapter—that little black brick that acts as an electrical bridge between the wall source and the actual computer. Because it had dropped to the floor, I had to get up and retrieve it and, as I lifted the plug, I immediately sensed that this was a teaching moment. And, so, here I sit pondering and whatever follows is my “pondering and praying” out loud.

So, just how does this computer power supply relate to this scripture: “For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk, it is living by God’s power?”

As I finished re-typing the scripture, the word “power” leapt off the page at me. In fact, the Microsoft “grammar police” actually underlined it for me and I honed in my focus on that one word. The first thought that popped into my head was that for one to truly understand and share the things of God, they must be plugged into God’s power. Ok, that’s a no-brainer, I thought, and I asked for more. That’s when the Holy Spirit whispered into my own spirit, breaking it down a little further for me and using the computer power supply to help me better understand.

From a technology and scientific standpoint, AC adapters are used with electrical devices that require power, but that do not contain the internal components to derive the required voltage from the main power source. This adapter “adapts” the power so that the device—in this case a laptop computer—can make proper use of it.

I then imagined myself as the laptop computer in this analogy. Without power and the proper power adapter, I am destined for failure. Sure, I may run for a little while on stored up power or even from a corrupt power source, but I will eventually shut down and die. My AC adapter—His Word and Spirit—serves as the bridge between me and the main power source, which is, of course, God. And, like the computer, I alone do not have the internal components to derive and make proper use of God’s power. To live in His Power, I must have His Word and His Holy Spirit within me. And that is the only way to truly possess and promote the Kingdom of God; to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

Indeed, without Him—like the computer whose value and purpose plummets to nothing without power—we are dead and useless. Aha, point taken. Lord, help me to plug into Your power today and everyday. Amen and Ehmen!

Comfort from The Creator

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Writer’s Note: I was reading through some old messages and ran across this Featured Image -- 351that was written for my dear friend who had recently lost her best friend and husband. While it was meant to comfort her in that moment, I found it comforting myself today and thought I would share.

I was in the middle of working the other day when I got this little “God nudge” as I often do and when I opened the blank page this is what came out:

“Sweet, sweet child of mine, don’t you know how much I love you. My love for you is more vibrant than even the largest expanse of buttercups growing on My green earth. It is deeper than the deepest swallows of the ocean and higher than the beautiful blue skies suspended above My own Heavens. I know you hurt. I know you are missing him. But, oh my, has he brightened things up here. What a heart he has, full of love. Thank you for sending him back to me in such good shape. I’m taking good care of him and we both eagerly await the day of your arrival. Please, my child, take that knowledge that we are waiting for you and live out your days with joy. There is so much left to do there on earth; so much that only you can do. I promised you hope and a future and I always make good on my promises. I just need you to listen for me; listen for my whispers; listen for me in the silence of the night; the quietness of an empty house. Talk to me always; in your heart; with your mouth; when you are alone or when you are in a crowd. Whisper my name when the devil attacks you. No matter how loud he gets in your head, even a whisper of my name will squelch him. I am right here. I AM.”

Lord, thank you for these precious words and times together. And thank you for your unending comfort and love. May we have many more “blank page” conversations in 2016. I can think of no better way to spend the year. Much love from earth to heaven. Amen and Ehmen.

–Brenda

 

 

 

 

Fear Not For I Am in 2016, Too…

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Last night as I sat on the verge of 2016, for the first time in a long time, I found myself a little reluctant to cross the threshold into the new year. I know it’s silly, because, ready or not, that clock is not going to stop for me or anyone else on the planet.

Still, there I stood in fear; fear that I might forget the loved ones that I lost in 2015. “At least,” I thought to myself, “this time last year we were breathing the same air and wishing one another a happy new year to come.” Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock.

Fear that my job will continue to be unbearably stressful and, if I’m completely truthful, fear of what my new life as an empty nester will bring in the days ahead. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock.

But, perhaps most of all, I stood frozen on the brink of the new year as health concerns and the very real possibility of a troubling diagnosis continues to hover over my present and haunt my future. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick. TOCK.

I closed my eyes and—symbolically trying to bring a close to 2015 which had been bathed in tears and realistically knowing that starting 2016 clothed in fear stood against everything that I KNOW to be true—I decided to pray in the new year.

However, before I could even utter a single word—in the single tick of the clock—the following words floated straight down from heaven.

“Fear not, child, for I am with you.”Fear not art

Sigh.

He needed not say more.

Eight simple words with such powerful impact. Comfort, Love, Promise, Hope, and Grace all rolled up in one short sentence.

“Thank You, God, for that. Thank You for You,” I replied, my heart bursting with relief and gratitude, my eyes releasing cleansing tears and my spirit digging in a little deeper to the words He spoke.

Though it may not be true as other authors and internet posts claim that “Fear Not” appears verbatim 365 times in the bible, it is true that these beautiful and comforting words appear in some form or fashion many, many, many times. The same goes for the phrase, ‘I am with you.’ In fact, resting in the peace, hope and grace of God’s Presence is a primary theme of God’s Word and a cornerstone in its—and our—very foundation.

Oh how very much our God loves us. Oh how very much He wants us to follow Him; to walk with Him; to trust Him; and to rest in Him. Oh, how very blessed we are.

Thank you, God, for Your infinite love and for putting up with me and my humanness. For loving me in spite of my stubbornness and for keeping and reminding me of your promises. Because of You, I am ready to face this new year with hope and peace. May 2016 find me walking even closer to You and to Your will and purpose for me. May I be a reason that Your Kingdom gains more citizens, growing greater and larger than ever before. Bring on 2016. Because of You, Lord, and You alone, I am ready! Amen and Ehmen.

And the very Word of God says:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. –Psalm 23:4

The Lord is my light and my salvation—who shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? –Psalm 27:1

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?—Psalm 118:6

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.—2 Timothy 1:7

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.—Deuteronomy 31:6

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?—Psalm 56:3-4

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.—Isaiah 41:10

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.—Isaiah 41:13

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “”Abba,” Father.—Romans 8:15

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”—Hebrews 13:5-6

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.—Matthew 6:25-34

David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.—1 Chronicles 28:20

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord—Luke 2: 9-11

Enough is Enough…

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 I know I have been a little quieter than usual this past little while. Truth is, there has been so much noise around me that I haven’t wanted to create any more, whether good, bad or indifferent.

Death and its silent, but deafening roar has pervaded my life. Family. Friends. Clients. Co-Workers. Illness and issues of health have taken up residence in the lives of many who I know and love, including myself.

Work stress has hit crescendos that I never knew even existed. Friends and loved ones have needed support, and even though I have tried, there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day or strength in my spirit and body. Add to that, that all of this comes during a time when I desperately want to spend time celebrating birthdays, holidays and, above all, the fast approaching nuptials of my beautiful little girl.

Truth be told, I have just been trying to make it from one day to the next; putting one foot in front of the other; reminding myself to breath; reminding myself that God is there, even though I might not think I have the strength or energy to tune into His Presence. And, this week, on my birthday, after receiving the early morning news that my dear friend and co-worker had passed away unexpectedly in his sleep, I finally hit the breaking point.

Metaphorically standing on a ledge and physically driving to work, I turned down the voice on my radio so that I could lift my own to the Heavens. The decibels increased with each syllable to the point that I practically screamed these words into the universe: “God, enough is enough!”

But, before I could even start the rant that was building up in my heart, I received a resounding reply that permeated my spirit. I heard these correcting, yet oh so loving words: “My child, I say when enough is enough, and I Am always enough.”

Sigh. I KNOW this, but, like everyone else, I so often let the heaviness of life smother me and blind me to the fact that God is always, in all ways, involved in our lives. He doesn’t cause the bad stuff, but He is there all through it—walking right beside us, crying with us and loving us; all the while directing our steps and using it all for our own good and for His own Glory. Sometimes we just have to adjust our perspective.

Thank you, Lord, for the reminder, that these storms of late were not planted to disrupt the joyous days of holidays and a very special wedding, but, instead, the joyous days of holidays and a very special wedding were predestined and crafted by You to infuse the dark days with light and love.

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me that You are ALWAYS enough. That there is no one nor anything greater than You and that You and You alone hold everything, every matter, every situation and every person in the palm of Your beautiful, merciful and capable hands.

Please forgive me for letting the storms of life take my eyes off of You, but THANK YOU for always being there to pull me up out of the raging seas. Many years ago, I entrusted my life to you and throughout the years I have re-dedicated it to You over and over again. And, though I am quite sure that You will have to remind me that You are enough again in my life, today, in this moment, I re-dedicate myself—every fiber of my being; my past, my present and my future—to You. Continue to teach me and use me, my dear Lord.

And thank you for all the blessings that are flowing all throughout my life; thank you for the tinkling silver bells that remind me of Christmas and the celebration of Your Son’s birth and for the not-so-distant sound of wedding bells that will ring in new love and new life for our precious daughter, Billie Girl, and son, Billy Boy. On with the celebrations!

Amen and Ehmen.

He is Enough Artwork