Worship. Worship. Worship!

NGC 2467 and Surroundings by ESO

Good morning, beloved!

How’s that for a statement? Exclamation point! Ha! Take that stress! I wake up in the knowledge that I am loved by Creator God who makes such stunning displays of beauty. He reigns.

I remember when this song came out, my kids would belt this song out and one day I asked them what it meant that He reigns. O, Mom, you know, it means we are so thankful that it “rains”.  The song  takes on some interesting new connotations…

My kids all have certain ways that they like to go to bed. We have routines. They don’t like falling asleep without them. As they get older, the need for a certain routine seems to fade but the younger ones need the stability. Love you, see you in the morning, have a good night, it’s going to be a good night…repeated by each of them (well, except for my eldest). Each need, I believe, the assurance that they are loved.

When my world is caving in, I need reassurances that no matter how much rain falls, my God reigns. He makes it rain. He made this world.

The Lord ·is king [reigns; 47:2; 96:10; 97:1; 98:6; 99:1; Rev. 19:6]. He is ·clothed [robed] in majesty.
The Lord is ·clothed [robed] in majesty
and ·armed [girded] with strength.
The world is ·set [established],
and it ·cannot be moved [will not totter].
² Lord, your ·kingdom [^Lthrone] was ·set up [established] long ago;
you are everlasting. Psalm 93 EXB

Tears may flow from my eyes from life’s messes but I know, I know, I declare that my God is faithful! He is Lord Almighty!

My Pandora mix today are all these songs. I think maybe my Lord wants to me remember this all. SO I’m sharing these songs because they are such good reminders. Remember, beloved. Nothing compares to His embrace. Light of the World He forever rains. (Just kidding..)

⁹ ·Worship [Bow down to] the Lord ·because he is holy [^Lin the splendor of his holiness].
Tremble before him, everyone on earth.
¹⁰ Tell the nations, “The Lord ·is king [reigns; 47:2; 93:1; 97:1; 98:6; 99:1; Rev. 19:6].”
The earth is ·set [established], and it cannot be moved. Psalm 96 EXB

Worship Him. Tell the world that our Lord is King.

There was a whole lotta hoopla about History Channel’s The Bible debut of Satan this week. That the man’s makeup is designed to make him look like Obama. Whatever. For my brain, remembering that our God’s power is triumphant. Are Satan’s tactics hard to cope with? Yes. God lifts us higher. Lifts you higher than your circumstances.

So my thankfuls today:

230. A beautiful bathroom painted by my lovely Mother..

231. A neighbor who brought me yummy slippers and workout pants.

232. What’s In the Bible with Buck Denver..what a gift.

Praying for our Pastors and their wives:

Pray that your pastor and his wife will practice servant leadership, edifying the congregation with wisdom and serving with God’s “agape” love. (Gal. 5:13b; Eph. 6:7; Mark 10:43b-45, 9:23-24; John 13:5-9; Phil. 2:3-4) (ROH)

God bless you today..pray on. Pray on.

 

European Bee-eater, Ariège, France. The female (in front) awaits the offering which the male will make. Photo by Pierre Dalous

Good morning!

I have decided these are my new favorite birds. They eat bees! How fabulous is that! I think we should, as Americans, raise a petition. Bring these birds here! Especially to Illinois. We, okay, I, need these birds, instead of these woodpeckers that keep trying to build there homes in our siding of our house. They are so cute. They bang the stinger out of the bees and then eat them. Maybe we could train them to eat mosquitoes too. I’d be willing to pay them. Seriously.

Yesterday, we spent the afternoon watching the second round of the Bible brought to you by Wal-Mart, and the History Channel, and Mark Burnett. I can’t say I was as thrilled with the second portion as I was the first. No spoilers, I promise, but I found myself wishing I had my Bible with me. I kept thinking and saying out loud, really, was it like that? Did it happen that way? Yet, friends, what I was left with, what I needed to remind myself of, the Bible is coming alive, especially the Old Testament.  How many of us as children (if we went to church) were taught the events of the Old Testament outside of the regular Sunday School stories? It’s amazing to see His Word outside of my imagination or flannel graphs!

As David walked among the Israelites, he was speaking the Word to himself, as he faced off with Goliath, he was fearless.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…

I will fear no evil…

For You are with me…

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me…

Of course, this is Psalm 23. All of the my kids memorized this Psalm, so I had plenty of practice but even if I didn’t, this is an incredibly popular Psalm.  It was powerful watching David chose to walk towards this man/beast.  As Goliath disparaged the one true God, on David walked. The entire army parted ways to bring David to this man. He saw David and threw aside his helmet. Powerful. He was not afraid of a little kid. And that proved to be his demise.

I am told, time and time again. Do not be afraid. Cease striving. Cease the constant conversation of fear.  Yet to watch the men of the Old Testament face their demons, sometimes they failed, which to me, is a good reminder. They were men. Men whom God used. (Women too..)  Pictures in my mind are helpful. Remembering this scene in my mind, I know, I know my God, our God, our faithful, true God will never, ever forsake His children. We can walk through the valleys. We can be without fear.

This is not the story of men. This is the love story of our God dwelling among us.

He fights for us.

Pray on. Pray on.

 

 

 

 

Everything

Panoramic image looking south from the upper deck of the ‘Top of the Rock’ observation deck on Rockefeller Center. Lower deck is visible on the right edge of the frame. Photo by Daniel Schwen

Good morning beloved,

A friend opened her house to anyone in our co-op to come over yesterday and view History Channel‘s The Bible. I sat and watched scenes that until this moment have just been pictured in my imagination. It would be easy for me to criticize or wish for pieces to be shown differently. However, I cannot. Why? Abraham.

The impact of watching the scene play out from Genesis 22 hit me hard as I drove home. You see, you know what is unfolding, but to watch Abraham pick up his beloved son, lay him on the altar they both designed and pick up his knife. We wait for God‘s messenger to deliver. As Abraham begins to drive the knife into his son, he covers Isaac‘s eyes and the angel cries out. Abraham’s hand plunges into the wood rather than his beloved. They turn and they see a beautiful, spotless, white lamb.

It hurts my heart. I see that lamb as Jesus. A foreshadowing of what is to come. God will not hold His own hand.

Does it ever just hurt your heart to think of God’s Son was not held back? Do you ever ponder the wonder of a love so great?

¹³ Then Abraham ·looked up [^Llifted his eyes] and saw ·a [or another] ·male sheep [ram] caught in a ·bush [thicket] by its horns. So Abraham went and took the sheep offering it as a whole burnt offering to God, ·and his son was saved [^L … in the place of his son]. ¹⁴ So Abraham named that place The Lord ·Provides [or Sees; ^CHebrew: Yahweh Yireh]. Even today people say, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be ·provided [or seen].”

¹⁵ The ·angel [messenger] of the Lord [16:7] called to Abraham from heaven a second time ¹⁶ and said, “The Lord says, ‘Because you did not ·keep back [withhold] your son, your ·only [precious] son, from me, I ·make you this promise by my own name [^Lswear by myself]: ¹⁷ I will surely bless you and ·give you many descendants [^Lmultiply your seed]. They will be as many as the stars in the ·sky[heavens] and the sand on the seashore, and they will ·capture [^Lpossess] the ·cities [^Lgates] of their enemies. ¹⁸ Through your ·descendants [^Lseed] all the nations on the earth will be blessed, because you ·obeyed [listened to] me [12:1–3].’ ” Genesis 22

Hard video, friends, I have trouble even watching, but the song, the lyrics speak exactly to what I am trying to write.

Just to be with you, I (God) would give anything. He gave everything.

Here I am. Thankful.

My thankfuls:

214. For Precepts Bible studies where I truly understood the word covenant.

215. Your hand, Lord, Your hand not holding Your Son back.

216. I am thankful that this series is being shown on the History Channel.

Praying for your pastor and his wife today:

Pray that God will build a hedge of protection around your pastor’s marriage, and that he and his wife will be aware of the potential for any improper relationships. Pray that their family time will be protected. (Ezek. 22:30a; 2 Cor. 10:4-5; Matt. 19:6)  (Revive Our Hearts)

Pray on. Pray on.

 

Italy, Sicily, Agrigento, Valley of the Temples, Temple of Juno Lacinia photo by Berthold Werner

Good morning, beloved,

Last night, two of our bunch were out at Superbowl parties. The rest of us might have cared if, say, Phineas and Ferb were hosting the SB. However, since this was not in the plans, we chose to watch Fractured Fairy Tales.  Surprisingly, we ALL agreed they were fun. What caught my attention was how uncomfortable I became as they twisted and remade these well-known tales. We know Cinderella, Rapunzel and we know how they should begin and end. I waited for the right ending and the credits popped up instead. I began thinking about other books that are made into movies and it occurs to me I don’t like many of those either. I have a picture in my mind of how the set should be, how the characters should look and what parts of the book should come alive.

I read parts of the Bible, I pray in certain ways, I hope God to move this way or that…I get a picture in my mind of how His help should come. Keepin’ it real. I don’t even realize how often I do this, until I sit and look at decisions I have made in this past week. My husband asked me yesterday, what if God wants to bless you in this way? Nope, I don’t think He would do that. REALLY? Who made me the Author of salvation? Freedom, for me, I pray, is that I welcome what He is doing, His will be done. Not mine. NO matter how much I moan and complain. May His will be done.

I am really struggling with this concept. No matter how my circumstances seem, seriously, I want to follow. I don’t want to keep telling God, hey let’s try it this way. (Now, you know I don’t say that, but my heart, my attitudes, my actions…) When has GOD ever made a wrong turn or decision? Why can’t I trust Him fully? What is stopping me?

¹⁶ But I will sing about your strength.
In the morning I will sing about your ·love [loyalty].
You are my ·defender [refuge],
my place of safety in ·times of trouble [^Lthe day of distress].
¹⁷ God, my strength, I will sing ·praises [a psalm] to you.
God, my ·defender [refuge], you are the God who ·loves [is loyal to] me. Psalm 59 EXB

So join me in singing. Reminding ourselves…

He is our strength… Remembering His strength carried the cross..

Jerusalem, Via Dolorosa, Station IX – Crosses left after walking the Stations of the Cross by Berthold Werner

He is our love…. He is here. He is watching. He is…

Shepherd and Sheep by Anton Mauve

He is our defender…our place of safety…

The walls of Chlemoutsi Castle, built by Geoffrey Villehardouin in 1223 AD, overlooks the port of Kylini, from where ferries run to Zakynthos and Kefalonia. by Robert Wallace

I am full of earth
You are heaven’s worth
I am stained with dirt, prone to depravity
You are everything that is bright and clean
The antonym for me
You are divinity
But a certain sign of grace is this
From the broken earth flowers come up
Pushing through the dirt

http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/d/david_crowder_band/

You know what else I need to keep reminding myself? His Word. Using it, wielding it, holding on to it in the midst of the chaos and storms of life. It isn’t just for nice words, it is for use in my battles all day long.

Today is busy. This week is..busy. I have the opportunity to start right here.

I love you, Lord. You are my strength.
² The Lord is my rock, my ·protection [^Lfortress], my ·Savior [rescuer; ^Tdeliverer].
My God is my rock.
·I can run to him for safety [^L…in whom I find protection/take refuge].
He is my shield and ·my saving strength [^Lthe horn of my salvation; ^Csymbolizing strength based on an animal lifting its head triumphantly], my ·defender [stronghold]. Psalm 18 EXB

Thank you for praying for my family. Heat is almost installed and we will be ensconced in warmth by tomorrow…hopefully. We have heat upstairs in the two bedrooms and the loft is warmish. My boy is back home and we will be working hard to re-establish  routines and boundaries. My next round of injections is Thursday. No migraine since my last round. Grateful.

My thankfuls:

Ann Voskamp, Joy Dare

Three gifts found in writing:

163. Watching my kids write letters to friends.

164. Finding letters from loved ones.

165. Paul’s letters

Three gifts found when bent down:

166. The blessing found in kneeling to pray..

167. The intricate patterns of a single snowflake…

168. A snowball!

Pray on. Pray on.

 

Contrasts

Pig’s Ear (Cotyledon orbiculata) by JJ Harrison

Good morning, beloved,

We let the kids stay up late last night. Shockingly, some are still sleeping so I am hiding out in my room watching the sky lighten and planning my week. Listening to worship music and allowing my mind to drift. I keep coming back to this Psalm. God, Creator of the universe, forming me, molding me, knowing me intricately and loving me. How often to we pause to just thank God for our life? How often do we look in the mirror and realize just how beautifully God made us?

I have the divine pleasure of looking out my window now and seeing a beautiful male cardinal. He is a stark contrast to the browns, grays of the barren trees.

 

¹³ You ·made [created] my ·whole being [inward parts];
you ·formed [knitted] me in my mother’s ·body [belly; womb].
¹⁴ I ·praise [thank] you because you made me in an ·amazing [awesome] and wonderful way.
What you have done is wonderful.
I know this very well.
¹⁵ ·You saw my bones being formed [^LMy bones were not hidden from you]
as I ·took shape [was made] in ·my mother’s body [^Lsecret].
When I was ·put together [^Lwoven] ·there [^Lin the depths of the earth],
¹⁶     ·you [^Lyour eyes] saw my ·body as it was formed [^Lembyro].
All the days ·planned [^Lformed] for me
were written in your book
·before I was one day old [not one of them existed]. Psalm 139 EXB

Stop. Pause. Breathe. You have a marvelous Creator God who knows you. Loves you. Nothing remains hidden from Him, and He still remain faithful and loves you.

Good grief, now I have two male cardinals outside in my trees. So beautiful! Now the female is close by. How can I marvel at His creation outside my window and not marvel at the creation that is me?

Friends, the battle of the mind is so fierce. I am so very convinced of this. Our thought life can transform us either way. We can be transformed by the renewing of our mind with Scripture or transformed by negative thoughts of criticism for self and others, fear, doubt and worry.

Today, my family will wrap up (I hope) our memorization of Psalm 15 and will continue to 1 Corinthians 13. I say that not for a pat on the back but because I am convinced of the power of His WORD in my family’s mind and especially mine. What Scripture is going to be the sword you will use when the evil one whispers today?

My Thankfuls:

A Gift in Sky, Water, Memory Ann Voskamp Joy Dare

127. My thankful in sky are the beautiful birds that have joined me for my quiet time this morning.

128. I’m thankful to have stepped out on the ice last night and watched my girl ice skate for the very first time.

129. I’m thankful for my memories of my friend, Jo.

Pray on. Pray on.

 

Know the dance

Sunset by Hühnerauge

Good morning, beloved,

My daughter was able to start swim lessons last night. She danced her way through the day, so excited to be in the water. Little murmurs all day, Mommy, I cannot wait! Telling everyone she could. I wonder if this is a trait in other children, but when my younger set gets excited they bounce.  When my Luke was playing soccer this fall, he practically jumped up and down the entire game. So excited to just be playing. Ella got in the water last night and I watched her from afar and she bounced the whole time. I asked her if she was cold and she looked at me strangely and replied no…Mommy, I just was so excited to be in the water. I danced.

When my children play the Wii, they jump up and down while playing. I’ve reprimanded them because it bothers other players. Now, I wonder…

I love watching my children dance.

So when the fighting comes, the discontent mars their faces, tears stream down their cheeks, at the core for me is this: why?

Sin mars. Self focused. We forget to dance. We forget to jump up and down because of the joy that lives inside of us.

John 8:

³¹ So Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “If you ·continue to obey my teaching[^Lremain/abide in my word], you are truly my ·followers [disciples]. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will ·make [set] you free.”

³³ They answered, “We are Abraham’s ·children [descendants; ^Lseed; Gen. 12:1–3], and we have never been anyone’s slaves. So why do you say we will be free?”

³⁴ Jesus answered them, “·I tell you the truth [^LTruly, truly I say to you], everyone who ·lives in sin[commits/practices sin] is a slave to sin. ³⁵ A slave does not ·stay with a family [live in the household] forever, but a son ·belongs to the family [lives in the household] forever. ³⁶ So if the Son makes you free, you will be ·truly free [^Tfree indeed].

If we remain in His word, we are His followers.

Know the truth and the truth will set you free.

Remain. Know. Free. Yesterday, my daughter got married. Yup. Very exciting. And during the ceremony, she was to read part of the Bible, but she’s still getting her wings with reading. I encouraged her to sing the Apostle’s Creed as we have been learning it with the Sing The Word soundtrack. She sang the whole thing.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen. Common Worship

Friends, memorize the word. Know the word. And you’ll dance. You’ll jump up and down. Joy. Freedom. 

Know His Word. 

My thankfuls today:

A gift worn, A gift given, shared:

112. My Grandma’s wedding ring..I think of her so often. And I miss her, yet I’m so thankful she’s dancing in glory.

113. Thankful to be able to make gifts for Christmas and give them. 

114. Thankful to begin to be able to have friends over and share a meal.  (Joy Dare, January, Ann Voskamp)

Pray on. Pray on.

 

A photo-montage of fireworks from a Guy Fawkes Night display at Roundwood Park in Harlesden, London. Eight separate images were merged together into one photo.by Billy Hicks

Good morning, beloved,

If you turn on the radio or television, most likely, you will inundated with a year in review. As I listen, I think back on all God has done this past year. How about you? Are you pondering your year in review? What comes first to your mind? I think there is benefit in reviewing a year, what you have learned, what God has done, ponder and count your blessing one by one.

Being with my brother these last few days, we spent some time remembering humorous stories from our youth. Remembering our grandparents. Remembering times of good and bad, we have a shared history. We all ache with the loss of our loved ones. We ache for times of innocence and yet, I would not ever want to endure puberty again. I would never want to go back to high school again. You get the point. Some things are better left in the rear view mirror.

I heard my girl singing this song the other day, I know I’ve shared it with you. Such a good reminder:

Yet I think God has another plan for our thoughts. Check out these verses from Isaiah 43:

A river in the Ansel Adams Wilderness by Eric T Gunther

¹⁸ Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old.

¹⁹ Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

I wonder about these verses. I wonder. Isaiah 43 is one of my favorite chapters of the Bible to recall and encourage myself and others.

Isaiah 43:

He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.

³ For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt [to the Babylonians] for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba [a province of Ethiopia] in exchange [for your release].

⁴ Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life.

⁷ Even everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, whom I have made.

Makes me smile every time I read it. I know passing through the waters. I know fires that burn. Yet I also know the God who calls me precious, who loves me. Loves you.

He asks us to look to the new things He is doing.

Revelation 21:

Then I saw a new sky (heaven) and a new earth, for the former sky and the former earth had passed away (vanished), and there no longer existed any sea.

² And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, all arrayed like a bride beautified and adorned for her husband;

³ Then I heard a mighty voice from the throne and I perceived its distinct words, saying, See! The abode of God is with men, and He will live (encamp, tent) among them; and they shall be His people, and God shall personally be with them and be their God.

⁴ God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditionsand the former order of things have passed away.

⁵ And He Who is seated on the throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful (accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy) and true (genuine).

So maybe this year, I need to be thinking more about what He is about to do. More longing for what is to come. Less mourning for the past, less looking back over my shoulder, sad for what is gone…God has new things He is doing. Are we looking for the new? Or always pondering the old…

My thankfuls today:

82. Kid’s giggles

83. Phones

84. Cortisone shots

Happy New Year, friends. Pray on. Pray on.

 

 

God of the universe

Zodiacal Light Seen from Paranal. by ESO/Y.Beletsky

Good morning, beloved,

Sundays should not be grey. Sundays should break forth with beautiful sunrises and remind us to praise our Creator. I love all the ways God‘s beauty is revealed in grey days. Green grass is vibrant. The bare trees reveal the intricate beauty of each branch, it’s connection to the trunk. Christmas lights sparkle in the bushes and trees. The squirrels still jump from branch to branch in their chases. Birds still sing their praises. It’s all good.

This month our eyes focus on Jesus. His birth. Much of the world celebrates a Christmas of sorts that originated with our Savior’s birth. I always ask the Lord to reveal new to me. Every year I am never disappointed. Some years I have just reveled in the Son of God becoming a baby. Some years I wonder at the God’s announcement to the shepherds and how they were first to know. Some years I have been amazed with where Mary delivered the Savior.

This year, as I think I’ve mentioned, my eyes have turned to the prophecies in the Old Testament.

“In many separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets, [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].” Hebrews 1:1-2AMP

I’ve wanted my children to see the revelations for themselves. I’ve wanted to see the portions of Truth set forth. I want to hear God’s voice spoken to the forefathers (from a root signifying “a nourisher, protector, upholder“) and prophets (one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation. )

Not one word of our precious Scriptures was brought forth on man’s idea or thought. Each word was moved by the Spirit of God. Think of it, friends. We read the Bible, we hear His thoughts, His movements, His grandeur every time. We read a verse that we’ve heard our whole lives and we are not moved. We nod and say the verse but seriously, how often are we moved to remember it is His whisper, His voice?

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Ponder His love. Ponder the choice He made. Could we ever imagine giving up our precious children for such a sacrifice? Why did He do it? Why did He give so much?

He wants to spend eternity with us.

The God of the universe created the worlds, the reaches of space..He made, He arranged them in order, wants to have communion with me. With you.

So much to be thankful for today.

12. I’m thankful for bird feeders that bring little birds to our window.

13. I’m thankful for warm sweatshirts and socks that keep me warm.

14. I’m thankful for Christmas lights and people who decorate their houses.

Go to church today. Pray for your pastor. Be a part of community today. And always, pray on. Pray on.

Related articles

• God Loves… You! (spiceofyourlife.wordpress.com)
• A Savior (findingchristinchristmas.wordpress.com)
• God Reveals Himself Through Jesus (bugsandstuff.wordpress.com)
• Carols: A Christmas Devotional – “Joy To The World” (christlikeministriesnwa.wordpress.com)
• A Branch for Christmas: the richest gift of all (mytotallyother.wordpress.com)

 

He’s here

The Fairy of Eagle Nebula.by NASA

Good morning, friends,

I think I’m going to need to put an alarm on. Yesterday, my follow-up appointment with the neurologist…exhausted me.  I went to bed shortly after getting home.  I had a visitor come in and out until he went to bed. So cute.

Beginning with my thankfuls today,

7. I am so very thankful for the compassion and knowledge of my neurologist. I’m thankful she gave me her full attention and explained everything thoroughly.

8. I am very thankful that the tests I have undergone are normal..so no tumors, no surgery, no stroke.

9. I am very thankful a plan is in place and I can get to the business of healing.

I was up in the night thinking. Have you ever noticed when you think at night it never goes very well? I began worrying about my kids, my sedentary lifestyle, my husband..I was on a roll. Quite honestly, as I think through my rollercoaster, it was not a divine appointment or Spirit led. So finally my heart tuned to Him. I am so prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love…

And then I began to pray, lo and behold, I fell back asleep.  Hence, the late rising this morning.

The Milky way. Picture by NASA

Where was God during my panic train wreck?  He was there.  We, ( ok, maybe just me but I doubt it…) I get so focused on today. I forget I am in a season, God has me here for purposes and reasons. His ways are always good, not always a “happy, giddy” good but a “molding me into looking like His Son” good.  When I take my eyes off the truth, the trainwrecks, the rollercoasters are horrible.

2 Peter 3:

⁹ The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [^[a]material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.

¹¹ Since all these things are thus ^[b]in the process of being dissolved, what kind of person ought [each of] you to be [in the meanwhile] in consecrated and holy behavior and devout and godly qualities,

¹² While you wait and earnestly long for (expect and hasten) the coming of the day of God by reason of which the flaming heavens will be dissolved, and the [^[c]material] elements [of the universe] will flare and melt with fire?

So I remember the TRUTH. I remember the Lord is extraordinarily patient. The day of the Lord is coming, yes. He is returning. He is coming for His children. Have I loved only my own world and worries or am I careful to proclaim the Truth of His Word?

Here’s more truth. The Lord does not delay.  What He promises, we can stand on the truth. We can hold tight to the knowledge that…

The Lord Is There

(yeh-ho-vaw’ shawm’-maw)

Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament Jehovah Shammah occurs only once in Ezekiel 48:35.

Variant spellings: Jehovah Samma

TWOT Reference: None

Strong’s Reference:3074

Jehovah Shammah in the Septuagint:estai to onoma autês…the name thereof

Meaning and Derivation:Jehovah is translated as “The Existing One” or “Lord.” The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning “to be” or “to exist.” It also suggests “to become” or specifically “to become known” – this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Shammah is derived from the Hebrew word sham, which can be translated as “there.” Jehovah Shammah is a symbolic name for the earthly Jerusalem. The name indicates that God has not abandoned Jerusalem, leaving it in ruins, but that there will be a restoration.

Further references of the name Jehovah Shammah in the Old Testament:Eze 48:35

What can we learn from this Name? God is always revealing Himself. Unceasingly. What a phenomenal word.

God is here. Always.

That is truth to live by.

Pray on. Pray on.

Related articles

• He’s Here…And He’s Got This {Jehovah Shammah} (simplystriving.wordpress.com)
• The name of the Lord is a strong tower (vidsth.wordpress.com)
• The slowness of God (catchjohnfischer.wordpress.com)
• Thankful for the Simple Truths of the Gospel (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
• Grace (achristianmeditation.wordpress.com)

 

Shepherd

A seascape after sunset. Just north of Cabo da Roca, Portugal by Rnbc

Good morning, beloved,

I woke up earlier than usual today. I woke up to the song again.  And I found the version to share with you!

Then Biblegateway’s verses of the day made me smile ( I think God likes it very much when we give thanks, what do you think?)

Psalm 136: ¹ O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. ¹ O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. ²⁶ O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!

Crepuscular rays, and their reflection. The image was taken in Golden Gate Park,San Francisco at Mallard Lake. by Brocken Inaglory

Did you notice a theme in the three verses? Mercy and loving-kindness.  I want to tell you something. If you look, you will see these two attributes all over your life. You have to train your eye to be looking, but you can find it and so can I.  Here are my next three, and by the way, I’m loving those who shared with me yesterday. What an encouragement!

4. I’m thankful for friends and family who read this blog and comment and love me to read to the end.

 

5. I’m thankful for coffee to sip while I study His Word in the quiet.

6. I’m thankful for the pain because in the pain, I understand His suffering just a bit and I love Him all the more for all the pain and agony He endured on our behalf.

How about you? What are you thankful for today? Write it down. Have your kids write it down. Ask your spouse. Let’s look at another name of God from the Blue Letter Bible.

The Lord My Shepherd

(yeh-ho-vaw’ raw-aw’)

Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament Jehovah-Raah (The Lord my Shepherd) is used in Psalm 23.

Variant spellings: Jehovah Rohi; Jehovah Ro’eh

TWOT Reference: 2185, 2186

Strong’s Reference:7462

Jehovah-Raah in the Septuagint:kurios poimainei me…the Lord shepherds me

Meaning and Derivation:Jehovah is translated as “The Existing One” or “Lord.” The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning “to be” or “to exist.” It also suggests “to become” or specifically “to become known”…this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Rô’eh from which Raah derived, means “shepherd” in Hebrew. A shepherd is one who feeds or leads his flock to pasture (Eze 34:11-15). An extend translation of this word, rea’, is “friend” or “companion.” This indicates the intimacy God desires between Himself and His people. When the two words are combined…Jehovah Raah…it can be translated as “The Lord my Friend.”

Further references of the name Jehovah-Raah in the Old Testament:Gen 48:15; Gen 49:24; Psa 23:1; Psa 80:1

(yeh-ho-vaw’ raw-aw’)
The Lord My Shepherd

Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament Jehovah-Raah (The Lord my Shepherd) is used in Psalm 23.

Variant spellings: Jehovah Rohi; Jehovah Ro’eh

TWOT Reference: 2185, 2186

Strong’s Reference:7462

Jehovah-Raah in the Septuagint:kurios poimainei me…the Lord shepherds me

Meaning and Derivation:Jehovah is translated as “The Existing One” or “Lord.” The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning “to be” or “to exist.” It also suggests “to become” or specifically “to become known”…this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Rô’eh from which Raah derived, means “shepherd” in Hebrew. A shepherd is one who feeds or leads his flock to pasture (Eze 34:11-15). An extend translation of this word, rea’, is “friend” or “companion.” This indicates the intimacy God desires between Himself and His people. When the two words are combined…Jehovah Raah…it can be translated as “The Lord my Friend.”

Further references of the name Jehovah-Raah in the Old Testament:Gen 48:15; Gen 49:24; Psa 23:1; Psa 80:1

Here are those verses that point to our LORD as the Shepherd:

Genesis 48: ¹⁵ Then [Jacob] blessed Joseph and said, God [Himself], before Whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac lived and walked habitually, God [Himself], Who has [been my Shepherd and has led and] fed me from the time I came into being until this day…

We can say the same. He leads us. He feeds us. He has been our Shepherd for the time I came into being and you too!

Genesis 49: ²⁴ But his bow remained strong and steady and rested in the Strength that does not fail him, for the arms of his hands were made strong and active by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob, by the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel…

Rested in the Strength that does not fail Him. Oh, my, thank You Lord for being my Strength. Thank you that we can rest and know You will never fail. God who makes us strong and active. Mighty God, Shepherd, Rock…

Psalm 23: ¹ The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.

I bet that is familiar to you.  When I think back on all the times I have stressed about finances, about feeding my family, about this worry or that, I cannot forget the exorbitant number of times that the Lord has provided, cared for, guided, shielded my family. Too many times to count..

Shepherd by JdeFrodo

 

This Christmas season, I was considering for my Bible study with my kids reviewing the story of Christmas as usual when as I was praying about it, the Lord, I’m sure of it, prompted me to consider another way. We are going to spend the month of December searching the Old Testament for prophecies about Jesus. I’m very, very excited.

Psalm 80: ¹ Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You Who lead Joseph like a flock; You Who sit enthroned upon the cherubim [of the ark of the covenant], shine forth.

Lead us, Lord. Draw us close to You this day. Father, Shepherd, lead us as we go about our day. Prompt us, and may we hear Your voice calling us to do Your good work this day. May people see Your light shine forth in us. May we be a blessing for life to those whom we come into contact with this day.  We praise You and thank You for being our Shepherd, always.

Pray on. Pray on.

Related articles

• Jehovah – It is not just a name. (thechurchatcarrollton.wordpress.com)
• My Jehovah Jireh Experiences (jesuslikespizza.wordpress.com)
• Psalm 136. A Hymn Of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving To God For His Enduring Mercy (bummyla.wordpress.com)
• Prepared for the Journey {Jehovah Raah} (simplystriving.wordpress.com)
• Give Thanks unto YaHuWaH- Psalm 136 (endtimelect.com)