Fallen

I should have pulled it the moment I saw it, but, I let it stay because I thought it pretty. I call it my fallen angel. The flower is tiny, no larger than the tip of my nail. I did not plant it. It was a volunteer, settling itself among the grass in my lawn. Now my lawn is in danger of losing all grass. The beautiful plant has proven to be extremely invasive. I’ve never seen anything multiply as fast. And it not only grows within the grass, but chokes it out completely, leaving only barren soil when the weed is pulled. There are many things in our lives that present themselves as beauty, only to show their true light after they have taken root and invaded our lives. Activities that look appealing and fun on the surface can end up ruining our lives as we know it. And, when recognized for what they are, they are so hard to pull out, leaving large holes in their wake. Yet God is a master gardener. He planted His vineyard with purpose. Turn to Him and let Him pull the weeds from your life. The holes may feel large when He does, but He will turn that soil into soft and supple ground; once again, open for the goodness He can give.

In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel. – Isaiah 4:2

Burden

Pain is real, heartache is wrenching; and the hurt and sorrow of these can bring us to a very low state. Place your needs in God’s hands. Let Him take your burdens from you, bringing the Grace to look within yourself and find the joy that makes you His. In this love, the burdens lighten, and you will once more shine with joy.

Do not abandon your heart to grief, drive it away, bear your own end in mind. – Ecclesiasticus 38:21

Words

A kind heart holds words that will warm and inspire those around them.

For words flow out of what fills the heart. –Matthew 12:34b

September 20, 2017 – Knowledge

Knowledge takes work; ask any scholar or tradesman. You cannot do the work without the knowledge to do so, and you cannot obtain the knowledge unless you strive for it. This is why we pray and study God’s Word. When we openly seek our God . . . when we yearn for His Truth and Salvation . . . when we strive to live our life in His Will; then, we will know Him. And in this knowledge, we will find purpose, grace, and joy.

Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no knowledge of God in the land. – Hosea 4:1

Dance

Busy is good. It creates a sense of purpose for many. But make sure to take that time to sing praise and let your feet find a dance step or two as you work through your chores. The lighter your heart, the lighter your burden.

Yahweh, come to my help and we will make our hearts resound all the days of our life in the Temple of Yahweh. - Isaiah 38:2

Difference

Like many Americans, I have been diligently following the paths of the hurricanes out in our ocean. And, like many, I have friends and loved ones impacted by each storm. Paralleling these wet storms, are fires combing through the desserts of the north and west: again, in the path of those I care for. Throughout our lives, everyone is enduring a storm. Some are of great magnitude, bringing the attention of many. We can see the fire and the rain, and we share the pain. However, many storms are internal to the individual, quiet and unknown to the world around them. We may not recognize the need and the hurt, but it is there, aching to be healed. Every storm has one common thread. Always, within each there is God: bigger, louder, quieter, bolder, more persistent,and exponentially more powerful. Remember to place Him before your turmoil. Lift Him higher than the rage. Whether, you know the pain, or can only guess at the stress, reaching out in love through prayer and a helping hand will make a difference in this life we live.  

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. - Psalm 107:28

Observant

Sometimes, we are so caught up in our own storm that we don’t notice the storm of another.

Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.… - Romans 8:5

Renewal

Sometimes God’s glory is meant solely for us: for you, for me. When we are striving so hard to do good, seeking opportunities to help others, wondering what our purpose is in life, we need to stop and be aware of those moments that God has set aside solely for us. Glorify His Holy Name, by stopping and taking in His goodness for your own benefit. Allow Him to saturate you with His Glory. In this, you will renew the awe, desire, and the power within you to be ready when He calls you again.

 “Martha, Martha, the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”… - Luke 10:41,42

Duplicity

"I Am, Who I Am”.  God Is, Who Was, and Shall Be. He is the same God no matter who stands before Him. His Truth never fades. God seeks us to be the same; to always stand before Him and our fellow man as the same person. He asks us to peel away our layers of self-doubt, insecurity, and uncertainty. Rather, He calls us to live with conviction and confidence in His Way, unwavering in our belief in Him. When our time with God is spent in humility and a true desire for redemption, He will mold us to stand openly and honestly, always praising His Name and spreading His Truth to everyone in our Path. 

Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” – John 1:48

Endeavor

Whatever task you set out to do, seek first to do God’s Will. Walk in His Presence by making a conscience choice to be with Him. With His Grace within, beside, and throughout, you will find success and your heart will find joy.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2

Influence

Back in more youthful days, I coached my daughters' peewee football cheerleader squad. I made up a cute little cheer perfect for the eight girls on the squad. We did the same cheer for about two years, then moved on as young families do. It was a great surprise several years later, while attending a homecoming at the local high school, I saw "my" cheer being performed by the varsity squad.  The eight girls I had taught had long since graduated, yet the cheer lived on.  I was blessed to see goodness come of a small gesture, but I wonder how often I lost patience, made a rude comment, or any other number of things I may have done in front of those little girls. Had these actions had the same lasting effect as the little good? As we go throughout our day today, let us ask God to guide our actions so that our influence on those around us will glorify His Holy Name.

God, who has saved His whole people, conferring heritage, kingdom, priesthood, and sanctification on all of us, as He has promised in the Law, will surely, as our hope is in Him, be swift to show us mercy and gather us together from everywhere under heaven to the holy place, since he has rescued us from great evils and has purified it.  2 Maccabees 2:17-18

April 3, 2017 – Blessed

We are so very blessed that whenever we become too busy to remember Jesus, He never becomes too busy to remember us.

Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. – Psalm 95:6-7a

March 31, 2017 – Connection

Siblings . . . sharing a little soul.

Today, as you sit by a friend or walk past a stranger, glance up, if only for a moment. For this fleeting second look into the eyes of the other and, then, offer a smile. You may learn more about this person and more about yourself in this small encounter than you could ever imagine. For you have just shared a little of your soul with another. This is priceless. This is life.

I have made you a light to the nations, so that my salvation may reach the remotest parts of the earth. – Acts 12:47b

March 30, 2017 - Miracle

Photo by Brittanie Kinch, Curator

There is nothing more profound than that moment in your search for the meaning of life, when you realize that “you” are the miracle.

 

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:14

March 29, 2017 – Glory

Who would have thought!!??

I'm a relic in a museum.

A picture of me working on one of my hubby's old Chevy's

is on the wall of the Peterson Automotive Museum in

Los Angeles, CA,  commemorating "Man's ongoing love with

the automobile!" We never know how God will use us!

In everything you touch today, remember that the hand you touch things with was made by God. Bring glory to those moments by praising God for all feeling, seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, The innermost parts of our being were equipped by God to bring us closer to His beauty, to hear His melody, smell His fragrance and create pleasure and desire for Him and all the gifts He brings. In all things we do and dream, let us give glory to the Father who made us.

1 Corinthians 6:20 - you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

 

March 28, 2017 – Stop

Yes, we know God can; but why would He would want to? If He wants to; would helping me hurt someone else? Am I less loved because he healed another and not me? When we find ourselves questioning God's motives, stop; for in all probability, we will never find the answers while we are still on this earth. Place your thoughts into actions and step out in faith. Let yourself become His hands to help another; His heart to love your neighbor; and His voice to speak for the oppressed. Trust His Plan in the moments before you and find the peace that surpasses all understanding.   

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7

March 27, 2017 - Sacrifice

My Jenni's wedding

Jesus' sacrifice for us began long before His death. From the moment of His conception, He humbled Himself and made Himself obedient to man. He Above All Things, grew in submission to his earthly parents, setting the stage for His ultimate submission to God, The Father. Deferring to Mary at the Wedding of Cana exemplifies Christ’s devotion to our Heavenly Father in honoring the 3rd Commandment: "honor your father and mother". As we choose our path each day, let us put aside all pride and self-need, remembering the example of Jesus and how every breath He took, brought glory to God.

And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." John 2:4-5

March 26, 2017 – Control

It is not giving up candy for Lent that makes us a better Christian. It is the fact that giving up something we love, and crave, strengthens our self-control. Learning to control our physical desires is an integral part in learning to control our emotional and spiritual natures. Choosing to leave behind our own pursuits, frees us to be ready when God calls us to His.

…”if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” The mouth of the LORD has spoken. - Isaiah 58:13-14

March 25, 2017 – Tempt

How many times a day do I tempt God? I ask for Him to show me the way. But am I seeking an outward sign or an inner peace? God has given us a sign that all is right with the world. His son was born of a virgin and gave His life for us. Let us rejoice in this Grace and glorify God’s name in our peace and hope.

 

The Lord will give you a sign in any case: It is this: the young woman is with child and will give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel. – Isaiah 7:14

March 24, 2017 – Responsibility

Our Heavenly Father works with us to grow us, allowing plenty of moments for us to stand on our own feet as responsible people of purpose.  For those who cry out His Name, He becomes our strength, our wisdom, our discernment and our will.  Moreover, He becomes our hands, minds, feet, and our being.  The verse says God works WITH those to bring goodness, not FOR us.  We must work toward resolving a problem; never sitting back and waiting for the solution to come from another.  We have a job to do; and with God beside us, we will be successful.

We all are well aware that God works with those who love him, those who have been called in accordance with his purpose, and turns everything to their good. - Romans 8:28