I've Been Held Captive

True Confession:  I've been mesmerized by the harvest of the HUGE cornfield by our property. The field is approximately 1 mile square & took ALL day long to harvest - with ZERO breaks! The farmer started early in the morning on the southeast side (where the sun was already warming the field). He finished up about 9 hours later - crossing a road to do another field. I can still hear his equipment off in a distance. I'm grateful that I was able to watch the farmer today at work. I've been held captive by his hard work!

Although raised in a rather rural community at the base of the Appalachian mountains, I've never really lived out in the country. Living here these past months has awakened a new love in me for the mid west! The beauty is simple - yet profound.

One of my favorite parts about living here has been the harvest.  I'm sure the farmers get amused at me standing in the "dust of his work" with two cameras in hand - snapping shot after shot.  I love the beauty of it though! 

Harvest always reminds me of how things set aside for us to do - at the appropriate time.  Not everything can be done just when we want to do it.  In the life of someone who proclaims to follow Christ, things need to be done in God's season!  In Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus said to his disciples, 

"The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."

Be willing to be a worker... but, let Him direct the seasons!

Don't Have Much To Give...

Some days I feel like I have pretty much to offer. However, most days I feel I have very little to offer. What does God require of me? Just what He's given me - no more, no less.

I Peter 4:10 tells us, "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another." All I have to do is give what I have in the name of Jesus & in His service. 

There's an older song (written in 1924) which I love. It's recorded here by Ernie Haas & the Signature Sound. Little is much when God is in it...

The words totally resonate with my heart. There's a crown & you can win it - if you go in Jesus' name.

God makes EVERYTHING we have exactly ENOUGH. What seems little results in much when given to Him. So, we just need to give it all & let God use it in accordance to His plan.

Luke 12:48b says, "When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required."

We all have been given so much! Like the saying goes, "Life is great. Don't let circumstances and society fool you into believing it's not."

I choose to be thankful for what I have. I choose to give what I have. I choose JOY!

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

A 9-11 Thought

Each September, our nation observes yet another anniversary of the 9-11-2011 tragedy. Intense memories & feelings are stirred up in the hearts of many as we reflected upon that day & the impact of that horrendous event.

Photo was taken by T. Getz
on the anniversary of 9-11

The Bible has offered me comfort in times when I am at a loss as to what to say or what to do...

1 Corinthians 15:19 says, "... if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world."   We're not to think that we will only see God's glory in heaven. We are to look for it in this world. 

Psalm 46 says, "The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God's voice thunders, and the earth melts! The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Come, see the glorious works of the LORD... The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress!" 

Sometimes, and for some of us, often... life feels overwhelming. Especially in those times, we should heed the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored throughout the world."    

God reclaims what man destroys.  He is with us in the good times, as well as in the bad. 

(written 9/11/11)

Start Small... JUST START!

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

I'm trying to have healthy habits :)

I remember as a child believing the statement above was a medical fact. There IS a bit of truth in the message of that statement though. 

 Sometimes it takes just a "little something" to get us on the correct trail toward the end result we desire. 

In our relationship with Christ & with our growth in our Christian walk, we don't have to start BIG. First we just need to turn our face in the right direction. 

One of the best things for me is to go to the Word of God each day. I set my reading goals pretty low. But, when I get into the Word, somehow I end up spending real quality time with God - whether it be for a few minutes or for a few hours.

Joshua 1:8 tells me to, "Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."

I'm trying to have healthy habits :D

Mean Parent Award?

As I've said TONS of times, parenting is NOT for the faint of heart!  Sometimes we have to make choices, set boundaries, say "NO", and other things that are not at all well-received by our children. 

How many times have you heard this... 

• the King James Version of Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." 
• the New Living Translation of Proverbs 22:6, "Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it." 

I must honestly admit that my prayer has often been, “Dear God, Please let my children GET old.” Today I claim that verse & vow to continue to make the right choices for them - even when those choices are difficult to make & not well-received!

(written 10/08/11)

As A Child... I Come!

Throw cares away & come to Him as a child

A scripture caught my eye today... "You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive salvation that comes by trusting Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15

The first words "you have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood" really grabbed my attention. I was born into the home of parents serving in full-time Christian ministry. I was a "PK" - a preacher's kid. I was taught the Word from childhood through my entire lifetime at home. 

As I entered young adulthood, did I remain faithful to what I'd been taught? Unfortunately… NO. I too frequently exercised my "free will" to question all the wonderful things that I had learned & seen lived out in my home as I was growing up. God allows that for all of us. We are given the choice to CHOOSE what we want to do. Often lessons are learned in the process. Many of our choices come with consequences - regardless of the lesson learned. 

I've returned to walking daily with God & am so blessed to be in His loving care. However, some of the consequences of past choices can be seen & felt in my life from time to time even now. "I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." is told in Mark 10:15. I'm so glad that God suggests for us to have "child-like faith". Sometimes I just need that. Sometimes I just need to let go of past hurts & foolish decisions... and run to Him as a child would! I can come to Him freely, as a little child with no history of rebellion. 

And TODAY, I come to Him as a child. 

"The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and He saved me." Psalm 116:6 NLT

Wars, Rumors of Wars... ALL the Bad Things in This World

Photo taken by T. Getz

Has it seemed to you that we're having a HUGE amount of crazy times these days... political uprisings; horrible weather catastrophes; senseless tragedies; illness, pain, suffering; and so much more?!?! Where's that scripture that talks about the earth groaning as we near the end of time? Anyone know? 

To me, it almost seems like the earth is crying out for Jesus to return. We're often so focused on all the "bad things and/or craziness" happening around us that we are paralyzed to see & do the "good deeds" that have been set before us by God. We read in 1 Corinthians 15:19, "... if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world." We are to set our minds & hearts on things above -- as told in Colossians 3:2. We are not to think that we will only have victory in heaven. 

Sometimes I have to remind myself to take my eyes off this world & keeping my eyes focused on Jesus. He has overcome this world. The battle has been won by Him. He will be my Savior in heaven. He is my Savior here on earth too!

When Will I Be Loved?

Do you remember crawling up on the lap of a loving grandparent or parent as a small child & knowing that you were completely safe?  In the trials of life, do you ever feel like you'd like to be that little kid again?  I know that I have those moments.  

Photo by T. Getz

There's a song I could NOT get out of my head one of my sleepless nights earlier this week.  It was written by George Mathesen in 1882 and entitled, "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go."  Some of my favorite lyrics from that are below:

O love that will not me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee. I give Thee back the life I owe. That in Thine ocean's depths it's flow may richer, fuller be.  

Oh joy that seeketh me through pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee. I trace the rainbow through the rain. And feel the promise is not vain - that morn shall tearless be.

I'm so blessed to be one of God's children and to be a recipient of His love that will not let me go & His joy that seeketh me in pain. The Bible says that God loves us like his own children. God's love is complete & unconditional & perfect.  What a privilege!

• How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1a
• The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.  Romans 8:16-17
• If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

How wonderful to know that no matter how young we are OR how old we get, we can still crawl into the arms of the Father & rest in safety and peace.  His love - that is without condition - will never let us go.

I am loved!

Dying of Thirst Lately?

It was a particularly bad summer that year. The weather had been a SCORCHER in central Indiana (and in a HUGE portion of the nation)! Even long after the sun had set, the heat index was 10-15 degrees over the air temperature -- and HOT! Plants suffered; animals suffered; people suffer! And, all the advise the media seemed to give was...

DRINK LOTS OF WATER & STAY COOL!

Photo by T. Getz

Have you ever felt like you could just not quench your thirst? I remember a time a few years back when I was driving through the Central Valley in California in a car without air conditioning & thought I was going to die. Having lived in south Florida for many years on the beach, I've always been a fan of hot days. But, let me tell you... thirst can be a real killer. 

Does your soul thirst for something and long to have that thirst quenched? Have you gone through times in your life where you felt you couldn't move on without something refreshing to provide energy. 

Well, 'the One sitting on the throne' said,

"I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life." Revelation 21:6 NLT

My times of spiritual famine & thirst have attested to God's word, 

"With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!" Isaiah 12:3 NLT

I'm thankful that my God promises to meet my every need. As Jesus said in John 4:14, "... those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." 

Here's a link to an older song, There is a River, recorded by the Gaither Vocal Band. It always brings peace to my soul in all the struggles of life. 

There is a River... that never shall run dry!

When I Can't See... I Claim Promises...

Some days I just don't SEE... so, I trust in promises. I seem to be having a LOT of days lately when I don't see how this mess can turn out okay. I am living on promises!! We're promised in Isaiah 40:30, 

"... those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." 

What great promises - new strength, not getting weary, etc. Why do I make such a big deal of my troubles?

Isaiah 40 - always worth reading :)

Did someone expect ME to come along and relate so well to these words :)

"How can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? ... how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40

I needed to be reminded of those promises today. Some days it's ESPECIALLY necessary for me to live by faith & not by sight. How about you?

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