Love

Getting in “The Spirit” of the Election

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October 9, 2016

Good morning, God.

My mind is reeling, Lord. I have so many things rattling around up there and I pray that I can find peace by coming into Your Presence. While I have so much in my own life that threatens my peace every single day, I find my focus being turned to something much bigger than myself…the nation for which you blessed me. Lord, our nation is in a perilous state. The politics are frightening. The unrest in society, the violence and the hate are terrifying. It’s as if satan himself is holding the threads of our nation between his gnarly fingers as we spin out of control and unravel ourselves. The worst part is that I can hear his demonic laughter in the background. He thinks he is winning and, quite frankly, sometimes it looks as if he is. We need you, God, more than ever before. Come close, Lord. We need you.

James 3:13-17

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes with wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows not favoritism and is always sincere. And, those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

1 Corinthians 2: 4-13

And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten.  No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit) so we can know the wonderful things that God has freely given us.

When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.

Writer’s Note:

As you just read, my prayer time this morning circled the struggle I am having with our nation’s current state of affairs and, most especially the upcoming presidential pray-vote-prayelection. Truth be told, I had been trying to ignore it all and was planning to simply stay away from the polls this November. I have since, however, recognized that this is not the answer. That said, I can honestly say that I am still not sure who I will vote for at this time. That will be a decision that I will make only after spending much time in prayer and calling upon the Holy Spirit as I feel God so clearly directed this morning.

And, although I will continue to study the above Scriptures to which God led me,  it also appears quite obvious that He wants me to understand the difference between the “wisdom of above” versus the wisdom of humans and that no matter what happens, His plan for my ultimate glory was set in stone before the world even began.

So, as of today, Lord, though I may not yet know what boxes I will check in the upcoming election, I do know that I will take Paul’s advice to the Corinthians and remember that true wisdom and discernment requires one to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Please, Father, grant us true wisdom and discernment in choosing the candidate whose heart is still fertile ground; the candidate that is most likely to turn to You for guidance as opposed to relying on human wisdom and selfish accord.  We need you more than ever, Lord. Come close and lead us.

Amen and Ehmen.

Where There is HIS Will, There is Always A Way!

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From My Personal Dear God Journals

September 28, 2016 5:55 am

Good Morning, God.

I’ve been tossing and turning since about 5:00 a.m. and finally decided to get up and spend some time dear godwith You. No need in lying—I am fretting about work and all the things that need to be done. So many people expecting so much out of me. It’s hard knowing that people are getting upset waiting on things from me just so that they can get their own jobs done. There are only so many hours in a day and I have been working at full tilt. I’m really getting tired, both physically and emotionally. I feel my body getting run down. The worst part is that I see no end in sight. Looking at the schedule ahead, it just keeps going and going and going.

But let me stop complaining and thank You, Lord. As I traverse this new valley in my life, You have also been a constant beside me. I would have never believed I could physically hold up to these relentless hours, particularly the 15-20 hour days that are coming at me weekly now. But, You have sustained me and for that I must thank You. Please continue to sustain me as long as it is necessary.

I also want to thank You for my finances. While this recent change brought a substantial pay cut; though I have substantial medical bills as well as growing maintenance bills at my home, You continue to sustain me in this area as well. Though it is easy to get stressed about this, You have showed grace over and over again, somehow making it work. I must stay focused on that as that darn devil seems to derive pleasure from continuously launching curve balls right at my head!

And thank You, Lord, for the people who are praying for me. I know there are several and I am humbled and honored that they are willing to take the time to approach You on my behalf. You know my heart, Lord. You know my desires. You know that, more than anything, I want to seek and fulfill your purposes and will for my life. Please help me to have a healthy fear of You, my Lord, but not a fear of what You have laid out for me. Help me Lord in all the areas that I need help, which are many. And help me to see You at every turn and in every corner; fill all the dark places with Your glorious light. I love You, Father. With all that I am, Amen and Ehmen.

***

Dear Child,

Oh, how easily distracted you are! It is okay, however, as I am just happy that you continue to find your way back to Me; that, here in this moment, you are taking the time to just sit with Me, just like my daughter, Mary. You recognize the many blessings I pour on you in return when you, too, slow down and take pause, basking in My presence. Stress is a sure sign that you have chosen the busy, busy path of Martha.

My child, people will always try to pile work upon you as long as you live in the world. They will stack it so high that you will feel like once more single request, no matter how small, will cause it all to come crashing down like a house built on sand. But, that won’t happen as long as you lean on Me. Continue to look to Me. When your day seems out of control; when the tasks are too many and the hours too few, call out to Me. Just whisper My name. Nothing is too hard or too unimportant to Me, because you and the purpose I have designed you for are of utmost importance. I will never let you get too bombarded that you cannot fulfill your purpose. Where there is My Will, there is always a way. Don’t forget that! Wear this word like a bumper sticker on your heart. You need not worry about anything. I have it all under My control. Just keep listening to my voice and following my lead. I love you, Child, and I am proud of you. Take on this day with that knowledge and breathe easy knowing in your heart that we will do it together.

 

Luke 10:38-42New International Version (NIV)

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

 

 

The Prologue of A Purpose

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I realize that most writers are also avid readers, but truth be told, outside of the bible and a blog here and there, I really do not read much. And, when I do read, it usually tends to be books to which I feel particularly drawn or to which God seems to lay in front of me over and over until I pay attention.

A few years ago, it was Seven Days in Utopia.  One day as I was researching something online for work, I seven-days-in-utopia-book-movie-cover_default_550opened a random webpage. Though I had not clicked anything and my cursor blinked rhythmically within the safe confines of the search bar, my screen was instantaneously filled with not one, but multiple video advertisements. Cascading from top to bottom, video clips bombarded my consciousness–each one playing a different part of the trailer for the book’s newly-made movie.

At first I was annoyed, but after the fifth or so video popped up, I was compelled to pay attention. Determined to figure out if this had been a stroke of marketing genius or a simple computer malfunction, I noted the name of the movie and closed and reopened the page to see what would happen. This time the page remained static with just one banner ad across the top. I moved my cursor from the search bar onto the ad and clicked. The movie trailer began playing again, but this time just once. I then went to another computer at my house and navigated to the same page. Again, I had to move my cursor and click on the banner ad for it open a single time. I even had my daughter check from her MacBook and, no big surprise, one banner ad and one click to open.

“Ok, God, I’m listening,” I said as I began researching the book and looking up movie times. I did go see the movie and truly enjoyed it, but it was the story behind the movie that really resonated with me. It was about the author and how, out of nowhere, God let him know with no uncertainty that Seven Days in Utopia was something He wanted him to write and how everything just fell into place. You’ll have to Google the book/movie and the author, Dr. David L. Cook and check out his story or click on this link: http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/moviemom/2011/08/interview-david-l-cook-of-seven-days-in-utopia.html. God has done a similar thing with me as He Himself has laid an incredible story in front of me and continues to ignite a compelling passion in me to write it.  In the interview linked above, I can especially relate to the part where the Seven Days in Utopia author said:

“I’m not smart enough to write some of the things I’ve found embedded in this story.  I’m just scribing it.  When other people say it means something to them and affects their life — that’s pretty amazing.”

About a year later after my experience with Seven Days in Utopia, a post by a local Christian bookstore seemed to leap off a very busy Facebook newsfeed. It was about a new book entitled The River by the-river-bookMichael Neale. I was unexplainably drawn to the post and, as I learn to be more obedient, went straight to Amazon, found the book and bought it. When it came in the mail a few days later, I immediately began reading it. Two things stirred me to my very soul in the very first pages. The first was this quote by Barry Lopez in the “Note From The Author”: 

“If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive.”

Wow!

The second thing which struck me to my core were the first sentences of page 1, the author’s prologue:

“Every now and then, you have an encounter with someone who changes your life. A conversation or interaction so profound, it seems otherworldly. You can’t get his (or her) story out of your head and heart. It’s hard to explain how powerful stories can resonate within us on many levels, but it’s often because they speak with passion, heartache, or even joy…I don’t think these encounters happen by chance. I think there is a reason, although we will never understand the full weaving of life’s tapestry of events this side of the eternal. I have had such an encounter with someone. It moved me to my core, so much so that I had to share it…”

I had such an encounter with someone as well. Indeed, it was not an accident that I met my friend Denny over a virtual scrabble board and it was not an accident that, since that very day, our lives have been intertwined and interwoven in such remarkable ways that no one, much less either one of us, can refute that there is a purpose behind our predestine. Indeed, I can’t get this story “out of my head or my heart.” It has changed my life, moved me to my core and I know, without question, that there are people out there that need this “more than food to stay alive.”

May God–the author of our lives–continue to nudge me and keep me on the path to putting this story and others on paper.  And I ask that you, too, the reader of this, pray for me as all too often I let satan and life dampen my passion for the purpose He has lay before me. 

I will pray the same for you–that passion for your own purpose is reignited each and every day. Amen and Ehmen!

 Yours in obedience,

Brenda

It’s not just a promise. It’s an oath.

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Preface: What beautiful words and the most fitting and perfectly-timed message. I still can’t believe that God, without fail, shows up when I sincerely seek His face in the early morning hours, keyboard at hand. Though I had no idea where he might lead me, this morning He sent me to Hebrews, Chapter 6.  The name of the Book and the Chapter just floated to the forefront of my conscience as I finished typing my prayer to the Father. I read the scriptures, wide-eyed and intently, soaking it in, and typed those verses that I felt particularly led to. How many times will He have to remind me that what He has promised is already mine? I hope I don’t need reminding so much in the future, but I am oh so thankful that He has been so patient with me. I just have to wait like Abraham. Hanging on to this precious message and Word from God. Thank you, Jesus. Praising you, with all that I am! Amen and Ehmen!

 

September 15, 2015 6:00 AM

Good Morning, Lord.

As you know, I have been awake for a couple of hours already, since around 4 a.m. I have much rattling around in my head regarding work and I find myself fighting internally overdear god worrying about that and wanting and needing to spend time with you.

I feel that you have something to do with me waking up so early and not being able to go back to sleep. And so, after praying profusely in the dark and then being distracted by various media, I am finally here. Here, in front of the blank page as you so often beckon me.

There is a certain comfort in staring at the blank page as I know that this is where You often meet me. The rhythmic blinking of the cursor mesmerizes me and the cadence is strangely familiar, like the beating of a heart. I like to think of it as Your Heart, dear Lord.

Show me Your Heart, Lord. Give me direction and instruction and accept my praises. I love you. I need you. Come close for I am finally here.

 

Turn to Hebrew 6, my Child.

Hebrews 6: 1-3

“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.”

Hebrews 6:11-19

For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:

“I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”

(15) THEN Abraham WAITED PATIENTLY, and he RECEIVED what God had Promised.

Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise (Brenda!) could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind.

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.”

 

Of Tragedy and True Love

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Writer’s Note: Scrolling through my old journals, I stumbled upon this diary entry from 2010. It is a personal account of a difficult, but precious conversation I had with my mother; a conversation that changed the way I would forever look at her and one that really drove home the importance of sharing The Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone that you can, most especially the ones that you love.

March 6, 2010

So, I had a nice, long talk with my mom today. I told her about the letter I wrote forgiving the man that killed my dad. She was surprisingly open. For the first time, she talked to me like I was just a friend. For the first time, I saw her as a wife and mother who lost a husband, and very tragically so. The tears that filled her eyes and spilled gently out onto her softly aged face transported me back to a time that I was then too young to experience.

She told me how his stomach had been completely destroyed by the shot from the sawed off shot gun. She told me how she held vigil in the hospital hallway outside his intensive care room, day and night, for the three weeks he lay in the hospital. She told me of all the doctors who went in and out of his room and of all the friends, acquaintances, doctors and nurses who sat with her, prayed with her and offered help in every fashion.

She told me about the two things he managed to say to her: the first, right after he was shot, he said “I didn’t know” meaning he did not know the guy had a gun; and the second, not long before he died and after the doctor warned her that he would not know her, she had gone in and placed her hands over his and he opened his eyes and said “I love you”. That was the last time she would hear him speak. The only other words she knew him to speak during those three weeks were to my brother, Gary. To him, he said, “Take care of your mama and the girls.” By now, tears were flowing down my own face and, as I write this, they are flowing again. For the first time, I can actually “see” it, like a very sad movie playing out in my head.

The worst part of all is that I am still left to wonder if my father knew Jesus as his personal Savior. Will I get to see him again, but, more importantly, will my mother get to again see the man that she loved with all her heart and who, to this day, 40+ years after his death, remains faithful to?  My mother said that he had gone to church with her time and again and he was indeed a good man, but, truth be told, she just wasn’t sure if he ever did business with God. They never talked about it. 

Now, it is time to share the letter I wrote to my dad’s killer with my brothers and sister. I simply can’t stand by and let another loved one pass from this earth without knowing that they have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.

I can forgive the man who killed my dad, but I would not be able to forgive myself if one of them leaves this earth unsaved. 

Today was a good day. I fell in love with my dad who spoke of love and concern for his family in his last words and I fell in love with my mom who stood by her husband in life and in death.

Amen and Ehmen.

It’s Yours For The Asking…

We are all His children and He really wants a relationship with each and every one of us.  He loves you and He loves me with all His heart and He is just a simple prayer away. But, you have to take the step and ask Him into your heart. He’s not going to do it without an invitation from you. You yourself have to acknowledge that Jesus is your Lord and Savior and that He died on the cross so that you can have eternal life.

You yourself have to accept Him and invite Him into your heart. When you’re ready, you just have to say a prayer something like this. It doesn’t have to be word for word and you don’t even have to understand it all. And, you don’t have to be perfect, for no one on earth is perfect. Just say something like this:

“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. Please forgive me for my sins. I believe that your son, the Lord Jesus Christ, died to pay for my sins and I trust Him now as my personal Lord and Savior. I ask Him to come into my life. Amen.”

It’s that simple. If you pray this prayer and truly accept the Lord Jesus as your personal savior, you can be assured of going to heaven. No matter what you did on earth; no matter what you did in your past.

For more information, I like this website for answering questions about God. You are loved and you are in my prayers.

http://www.gotquestions.org/personal-Savior.html

Reflections in the Night

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Happy Saturday, everyone. I want to apologize for being little quieter than usual of late. As I have mentioned in prior posts, my personal world has been pretty noisy lately. However, I promise that I’m staying connected to The Father and will be back on track with my posts soon. Please continue to pray for me and for my family and know that I will be doing the same for you. In the meantime, I was scrolling through some old computer files and found this short little snippet I wrote about this same time of year all the way back in 1998. It’s not really all that special in and of itself, but it really just struck a chord with me tonight as it transported back to a night almost two decades past that I would otherwise simply have forgotten. I’m so thankful for words and for the fact that God has planted such a love for them deep inside. Written memories are the best and I really enjoyed this short jaunt down memory lane. I hope, if nothing else, it inspires you to take out pen and paper the next time you have a moment worth remembering.   🙂

Reflections in the Night

 As I sit here alone in the night, a sheath of black velvet enveloping, my mind can’t help but basketball goalHoneysuckle-Flower-wallpaperdrift…embrace this peaceful journey being offered to me…a journey of reflection.

This is my home, where I grew up. Right over there hangs the old basketball goal, it’s homemade backboard of wood now weathered and worn, but still proof that young children once lived here. The sweet, sweet smell of honeysuckles still linger from the summer and the crickets are still harmonious and serenading us to sleep night after night.

My, but it is comforting to know that some things never change in this crazy world.

Tonight I ask that you, too, always remember to share your yesterdays, todays and tomorrows — even if it is just with the night.

Amen and Ehmen!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Hanging on…

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hang in there

Sometimes hanging on is the only expression of faith that we can muster.

Fortunately, it’s all that is necessary.

Thank you, God, for that!

Amen and Ehmen!

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.

Praying for you…

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Abba, send your warrior angels; your angels of protection to build a wall around dear godeach 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 is Tangible Proof

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Today, I will intentionally look for beautiful signs of summer: reflections on the lake, summer flowergreen 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.

Cutting Through The Weeds of Life

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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 lawnmowermotorcycle 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.

flower

Your Heart is like the flowers

The most fruitful of seeds

It will die if not tended

Choked out by weeds.

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!