sunrise thoughts 16 October 2015

An hour or so before the scheduled time for sunrise, there was not a cloud in the sky. Orion was shining brightly near the southwest horizon. Pleiades was clearly visible, as well as several other constellations and planets. It was gorgeous out. It was just perfect for viewing the night sky.

When it came time for the sun to rise,

PAIRINGS - Certainties in an Uncertain World

I got a message from a friend this morning that she'd sent in the night. My heart broke as I read her words. Did I miss seeing signs that this was happening in her life? Aside from prayer, what can I do for her all these miles away. I wrote back and sent her my love, my prayers and a number where she could reach me. I thought, "What can I do to really help!?!?!"

I sent a second note...

I am so sorry if I missed the signs of this... I'm praying earnestly for you now though!!! Words are cold & hollow in times like these. But, I am praying that you will find peace, comfort, safety & strength in the only LIVING WORD!!

I looked back upon the darkest times in my life and remembered the nights when God's Word brought comfort and the name of JESUS was all I could cry out when my heart was speechless.

For my friend... for all of us... as we fight the battle each day...

Who really wants to hear the words, "Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows"? But, what a wonderful reminder of the future... in the words of Jesus, "Take heart, I have overcome this world."

So often there's nothing we can do to change things in this world. In those times, we must hold tightly to the certainty of the world to come!

Be encouraged friends! God completes what He starts!!

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

Enduring Love - What's That Mean?

When you hear the words "enduring love" what comes to your mind? According to my "smart phone app", Dictionary.com, endure means:
 * to go through something
 * to support adverse force or influence of any kind
 * to suffer without yielding; to suffer patiently
 * to continue to exist; to last
 * to have or gain continued, lasting acknowledgment or recognition, as of worth, merit or greatness
 * to hold out against; to sustain without impairment or yielding

For me, in most cases, enduring would most accurately mean putting up with something not very pleasant. So, what about me? Do I love anyone with an enduring love? If so... who? 

I love my husband. He's a man. I'm a woman. And gender difference alone seems to put us at odds often enough. Thankfully those differences don't hinder our relationship. With regards to our convictions & beliefs, he's a believer, like me. But, I'm very vocal about my beliefs & convictions where he's on the quiet side of that equation. I would guess he'd rather I be less demonstrative. As for me, I'm almost always wishing he'd be more demonstrative. That doesn't stop me from loving him though! So, I love my husband (aka the LOML) with an enduring love.

I love both of my children. From the terrible two's (which was actually the terrible three's for both) to the teen years & into young adulthood, we've had our share of up's & down's. They've made choices contrary to what we thought we were teaching them. They haven't been perfect kids. And, we certainly haven't been perfect parents! Sounds like there is some enduring love on both sides there :)

Since the word endure reminds me of suffering or battling through something, when I read about a "love that endures forever", I stop to ponder its meaning. The following scripture is found throughout the Bible -- used in 5 separate Psalms, as well as several other books of the Bible. It's probably a pretty familiar verse to most believers:

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT 

The fact that God's love is faithful and it endures forever, brings such comfort to me. It reminds me that there's GRACE from God for mistakes that happen or poor choices I make. It reminds me that God's love doesn't lessen when I pull away from Him. 

He loves us where we are... how we are... why we are... WITH A FAITHFUL & ENDURING LOVE!

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

Who knew I was this strong?

What a week this has been. The nation cried out in anguish at the senseless terrorizing of the Boston Marathon participants & the Boston community. With the apprehension of the second suspect, there was a slight sense of relief. And, this tragedy has once again reminded us that... there's still a lot to be learned. 

My week began with a bang. My heart sank as I walked through some pretty scary things for a few days with a loved one. I was reminded that I have no control over many of the things that happen in my life & in the lives of those I hold dear. I only have control

Sometimes We Have No Words...

Sometimes We Have No Words...
           ... and, in those times we hear the words of Jesus.
 
When life gets crazy, sometimes we just don't know what to say.  Right now, it's hard for me to think of much else than what has happened & is happening to 1,000's... 1,000,000's of people on the other side of the earth this March 11, 2011. Jennifer at the office has this scripture at the bottom of her email notes: "He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:2, NLT.

Photo by T. Getz  John 8:16

No matter how HORRIBLE life can seem, GOD IS OUR ROCK! He is present in times of trouble. Here's Psalm 46:

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

I encourage you to go to God in prayer today for those suffering in our world... and for the things that break your heart! God hears His children!

I Just Gotta SING!

Photo by T. Getz

A few days ago, I could NOT get this thought and this scripture out of my head. Even though my past 2 weeks have been a BIT of a pain, I could only think & feel.... 

How can I keep from SINGING Your praise God?

"You both precede and follow me.

You place your hand of blessing on my head."

Psalm 139: 5

In the middle of every trial & tribulation that God's children experience, HE IS FAITHFUL. His praises should continually come out of us... in our words & deeds, in our expressions & attitudes... in our very being!

(written 27Feb2010)

Attitude... I'm Working On It!

It's been a great week -- not so much a great day. I learned today that there's no visible healing (although no further injury) in my foot. I had a second x-ray done & have to wear the boot until the next x-ray in three weeks. 

I can't drive a car. I can't do step aerobics anymore. I can't even walk for exercise. I'm not thrilled but, I'm not devastated either. It could be SO MUCH worse. It's just gonna be a pain for a little longer than I had hoped. 

Several scriptures come to mind & I'm reminded that this life on earth is going to be a challenge. 

Christ spoke in John 16:33, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." 

So, what do we DO about those trials & sorrows? I look further into the Bible. 

We're told in Matthew 6:34, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

That second verse might seem to have a negative connotation to it. But, the way I look at it is that there's no need to fret about tomorrow, worrying will NOT change things. Sometimes we need all our energy for just what's thrown at us today! So, I attempt to deal with today's challenges with God's help and claim His help for whatever tomorrow throws at me! It's all I can do. 

Okay "stuckinindiana"... breathe in & out; ask God for a positive attitude about the foot & a few others things! I'm standing on the promises -- and leaning heavily upon His Word!

My attitude... I'm working on it!

A human being can alter their life
by altering their attitude.
~ William James