enter

Creekside

Some weeks I create more “drafts” then I do posts. This was one where I found great words, more questions and continue to seek wisdom. It makes this painting call to me as a resting place…

God has a constantly flowing river whose sparkling streams bring joy and delight to his people!

His river flows right through the city of God-Most-High, into his holy dwelling place. God is in the midst of his city, secure and never shaken. At daybreak his help will be seen, with the appearing of the dawn.

When the nations are in uproar, with their tottering kingdoms, God simply raises his voice
and the earth begins to disintegrate before him!

Here he comes!
The Commander!
The mighty Lord of Angel-Armies is on our side!
The God of Jacob fights for us!
Psalm 46:4-7 The Passion Translation

in the quiet

Glowing Trio

One of those last warm nights to sit on the screened porch with the cats, listening to the gentle breeze, hearing the crickets, and feeling the peace of His presence. A beautiful way to end the day and celebrate all He has planned for His children, His Bride.

Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.

The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!
1 Thessalonians 5:15-24 MSG

shield of faith

FAITH

How is FAITH a shield in your life?

One of the basics of faith is that its not just belief – it’s about action.

I hear many say, “Faith is spelled R I S K.”

We seldom need faith if all is well. Hebrews 11 shows the GREAT FAITH that has gone before us and their stories were not about being comfy at home, enjoying friends or TV. We are not much of a threat in that position – unless…we are in earnest prayer.

When Christ followers do step out in faith – to press on – to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold (Phil 3:12-14), this shield is of utmost importance.

For me it is often a shield of peace –

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

gaining momentum

Anchor

Do you ever feel like you’re going nowhere or missed the boat? 

Maybe you feel life is on repeat, repeat, repeat or “recalculating” (a pet peeve for this adventurer.) Let His Word move you to new thoughts (renewing the mind.)

His TRUTH is bigger than even our FEELINGS. 

As I write the wind is having little bursts. If strong enough we can feel it and hear the effect, but even when calm and still – the air continues to move. Very much like God in our lives.

There is always MOVEMENT.

Our sight is limited. Our feelings are usually based on what is happening in the worldly ways… BUT GOD… He never slumbers and He never gives up. Some of His best work is done while we rest and wait.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

God’s Word is trustworthy and reliable….filled with great promises! Hang on to it and know that He is always moving on our behalf.

be still

STOP
one way

How often are you still?

It is not a normal pattern for our culture or our brains. We seem to thrive on time management, figuring it all out, AND having the perfect “human” answer.

Be still and know that I am God…
Psalm 46:10a NIV

Stillness isn’t something we do – it is a big STOP sign we need to actually obey.
Brain STOP
Body STOP
BE

A recent message from God to me about stillness…

I seem to keep finding reasons to avoid stillness. What is keeping me from that Lord?

You think it is useless but it is not, it is your most valuable weapon.

Surrender your anxiety!
Be silent and stop your striving
And you will see that I am God…
Psalm 46:10a TPT

Are you ready to try it His way?

His mighty hand

His Hand

Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
Like your name, O God,
your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;
your right hand is filled with righteousness.
Psalm 48:9-10

On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:6-8

Then I thought,
“To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.”
Psalm 77:10-11

Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous:
The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
Psalm 118:15

new perspective

Over Focused
(we become what we think)

Do you jump to conclusions you don’t know are truth?

We have thoughts faster than our mind can process. They’re not always about others, often they’re about ourselves.

…someone didn’t return our call – they must be mad…
…no thank you for the meal – it must have been bad…

Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?”

Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.
John 9:1-4 Message

This blind man was healed with spit and mud. Some thought that impossible and others were upset it happened on a Sabbath. Were they looking at the right thing?

God did not create in black and white. He has great imagination. He likes the word mystery and speaks in parables…not to confuse but because He wants to be the one to help us to understand.

Note to self: stop trying to figure it all out on my own…listen to Him.

so many choices

Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Matthew 6:26-34 Message

finding rest

Some years the holidays keep you so busy you need a vacation to regroup. I’m thankful for some time to get some things caught up this year. And a joy to read again!

What do you set aside or stop when life is too busy?
It might be a good time to evaluate those priorities.

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.  Matthew 11:29

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

What a JOY Lord to spend time with You. To hear Your Voice, read Your Word and feel Your Presence – there’s no place I’d rather be!

secret retreat

What do you do for some refreshing time away?

A friend has a shed in the woods she calls the “little house”. I have yet to do my mini retreat there since it’s closed for the winter, but still picture the peacefulness.

Location is not always the answer. Sometimes we just need to invite the Holy Spirit to join us.

When the armies of the enemy surround me,
I will not be afraid.
When death calls for me in the midst of war,
my soul is confident and unmoved.
I am pleading with the Eternal for this one thing,
my soul’s desire:
To live with Him all of my days—
in the shadow of His temple,
To behold His beauty and ponder His ways
in the company of His people.
His house is my shelter and secret retreat.
It is there I find peace in the midst of storm and turmoil.
Safety sits with me in the hiding place of God.
He will set me on a rock, high above the fray.
Psalm 27:2-5 The Voice