BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER!

HISTORY IS HISTORY!  There are no pictures on record of this green yard overview to the lake on July 24th of any day,  of any year since 1970.  It is beautiful to see God's green carpet on July 24th and today, July 27th.  (the picture says July 20th, but our grandson took this picture on Wednesday of this week.)  (need to check camera dates)  At any rate it is such a blessing to see how lush everything is.  And, we have no mosquitoes on the premises.   Tuesday night I had a gentleman very fearful of sitting on the pier because allergies to mosquitoes.  He was totally blown away.  This year we bought a zapper and its been 100% for the entire acre.  Yes, this is trivia today.  Taking the weekend off.

GOD USES EVERYONE!

Joshua 2: 1/14

There is a lot to be seen and understood when you read this passage about Joshua who sent a couple of guys out to scout for the promised land.  They went in secret, but the King of Jericho got wind of their inquiry.  So he sent his men out to find them.  Now here is the interesting part of this story; Rahab a known prostitute offered her home as a hideout and lied to the authorities about whether they had been there or not.  So, number one, was is okay for her to lie?  And, why did a woman of her stature know these were men of God and what stirred within her to do this?

Verse 9, 10, and 11:  And she said to the en, I know that the Lord has given you the land and that your terror has fallen upon us and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.  FOR WE HAVE HEARD HOW THE LORD DRIED UP THE WATER OF THE RED SEA for you when you came out of Egypt, and WHAT YOU DID TO THE TWO KINGS OF THE AMORITES who were on the (east) side of the Jordan, Sihon, and Og, WHOM YOU UTTERLY DESTROYED.  When we heard it, OUT HEARTS MELTED, neither did spirit or courage remain any more in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.  (Hebrews 11: 31)

Hebrews 11: 31 - (Prompted) by faith Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed along with those who refused to believe and obey, because she had received the spies in peace (without enmity).

So, we can do the math here, even though it can be debated forever. . ."When is it righteous to lie?"
God blessed it.  God used her.  God uses everyone, no matter what their condition.  Why?  Because she obeyed Him.  She was convicted, committed, and changed.  Hallelujah!

I remember when I came to the Lord and when some of that church leadership prayed with me, and I confessed the desire to serve the Lord in the church doing whatever.  I just want to help people where I was.  Can you imagine what could have been had I listened to this. . ."Oh, I don't think so Shirley, your husband isn't saved yet and God doesn't honor women in leadership roles here."  I left that church and the rest is history.  I went to Bible School on a dime, my husband wasn't happy, but I trusted the Lord.  I heard Him say He wanted me to help people, trust Him for John and be a leader.
I found the right churches for that, my husband led me to County Line, and I have done all that.
Not because I was some wonderful obedient, sinless child of His, but because I obeyed.  God uses everyone right where they are.

B R E A T H. . . . .!!!!!!!

My new chiropractor tells me this all the time.  Whenever she puts me through a pace, I concentrate and stop breathing.  She says. . ."Breath Shirley, don't stop breathing!"  We have all learned that without breathing, we die.  It takes necessary oxygen to the brain.  We can lose our breath over so many things, pain will make you hold your breath, bad news will make you hold your breath, and yes, swimming makes us forceably hold our breath.

I am referring to the concept of breathing through an event, rather than holding your breath.  Some of my exercises make me want to hold my breath, but once I learned how to do them, I could breath while I did them.  Other exercises proved to be better when I took a breath, let it out and relaxed.
Do you see where I am going?

Knowing how to use our own God given breathing helps us with everyday life events and surprises.

The reason I got impressed with this concept was realizing how important it is to know how and when to use a very important part of our development and creation.  God gave us breathing to maintain life.  Yes, we get the breath knocked out of us at certain times.  Emotionally, Spiritually, and Physically.  What else does God tell us in His Word about breathing.  He wants us to practice leaning and relaxing on Him when we get knocked around.  John and I both talk lately about how "this just takes my breath away!" when we hear about what someone in our family is going through, or all of them, and the people in Boston, San- Francisco, just name an area today.  God's Word has so many examples, but let us embrace Psalm 121.

Paraphrased;  I need to lift my eyes to the mountain tops, because there is where I will get help!
My help and my breath only comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.  My God will not let my foot slip or be moved, why?  Because HE NEVER SLEEPS.  He shades me, from the blinding light of the sun and will KEEP ME FROM EVIL.   He has my life in His hands.

Psalm 121: 8  The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

My perspective about this last verse.  He will keep me breathing through anything I need to go through, no matter what, now and forever!

Today, I practiced the five breaths in, hold for 5, and let out for five.  Breath!  Relax.  He's got it covered.

TAKE THE PLOW!

On our trip to Chicago and back I was impressed with how high the corn was already.  Last year, it was 105 degrees with corn only about 6 inches high.  What a difference?  It was breath taking.  In some places it was taller then myself.  Today (Sunday) I notice that on our road it is higher then John.
What a wonderful site that was.  Farmers have to hold their breath a lot you know.  This year they do not.  They will have to keep their hand to the plow:

Luke 9: 62

Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back (to the things behind) is fit for the kingdom of God.

There are so many different ways to apply this to our lives, isn't there?  Do not look back at the weather last year.  I get picked on for doing that some times.  I just think it is interesting to see how things change.  Some do it, because they want to stay back there in the past.  Some do it, because want to compare how different things are now.  Jesus is saying very clearly, we are to move forward with His plan for our life.  No need to look back.  This is now, that was then!  I am highly impacted today about how God has a plan for each one of our lives.  Think about that!  Did you, do you see yourself living His plan for you?  Do you know what it was He had planned?  Maybe you are living it right now!  Maybe you are not sure if you are.  I have not been home two days and between phone calls and emails, I am bombarded with "What happened to my life, I can't catch a break?"  "What did I do wrong, what wrong road did I go down?"  "This can't be what God planned for me, what am I going to do?"  "Why are these people doing this to us, why would God plan this kind of assault?"

Difficult times, but a clear message.  Stop, pray, and listen.  Some are being assaulted for their ministry for God.  Some have made bad choices in their lives.  Jesus is still saying, keep your hand to my plow.  Do not look back.  "Fix Your Future So That It Does Not Reflect Your Past!"  If you are praying, listening, and applying - hang onto the plow.  Jesus is at the same plow you are.  He is the head oxen.  Let Him lead.  He does not fail, abandon, or forsake you.  He is the best farmer, shepherd you will ever have.

CHOICES!

How many books or blogs could anyone write about that word!!  Choices!  It can mean one thing, it can mean thousands of things!

As we go off on vacation for the week, I would invite you to think about the difference between feeling guilty about discipline or excited to make a change.  If I asked you to rate that question with 1 being the lowest, or 10 being the highest, what number would you choose when it comes to being disciplined.  It may feel like this was a trick question.  Sure it depends on the level, who is administrating the discipline, and how bad did you screw up.

Rev. 3: 19

Those whom I (dearly and tenderly) love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten (I discipline and instruct them).  So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent (changing your mind and attitude).  AMP

There are other verses that can be found to back this up, but I like this one because it encourages us to look at that whole conviction thing and make a decision that discipline is good.  Each one of us can look at at any given moment and know whether God is involved in teaching us something new, or we are just bad mouthing ourselves with false humility.   It can be over eating wrong, spending too much money, something you said to someone that hurt them, or  serious things we don't want to share.

The excitement for this choice must be - categorically that we know He loves us, and when we repent or admit we need to fix that, that it becomes that moment of celebration - WE ARE ALIVE IN GOD!  We are spiritually alive and growing.  Do not make the mistake of choosing to beat up on yourself about "How could I have done that, or said that?"  Get up out of that mud puddle and brush yourself off.  Walk out of that pit and choose to realize. . ."He loves me.  He is in me.  He will help me.  I can do this!"

You are alive in your Lord God Jehovah and growing spiritually.  Celebrate.


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Have a wonderful holiday over the 4th.  I will be back on by Sunday the 9th refreshed and ready to share more.

WHO'S HOLDING IT TOGETHER?

WHAT ARE YOU HANGING BY TODAY?  A nice specifically made hanger?  A nice tight and packed with dirt container?  Or is the fertilizer that makes you grow?  What engineer formatted and programmed this Black Eyed Susan to grown this way?  I submit it was, of course, God who implemented this entire part of our stunning visual capacity.  Look at it.  This is just one of many
things (ALL THINGS, ACTUALLY) that He did for our pleasure. 

In studying Col 1: 17, we see it very clearly.  "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."  He even got someone to invent the hanger, the pot, and the fertilizer.   He supplied the rain or water from a hose.   It is a master programmer that can do it all.  I certainly can't hold it all together.  I have heard many people say, "I just can't keep it together!"  Well meaning people will say, "Get your stuff together, will you?"  And, the fun answer is always, "Well, even if I could get it together, I can't lift it."   

We are more than relieved to learn that He goes before, He holds it all together for us.  More than once I have had to be bopped on the head to "let it go" and let him hold it.  It is too heavy anyway.

And, God's Word reminds us that we are to bring our heavy stuff to him for He cares.  He takes the burden, He shines the light ahead.  So, if you are hanging by a thread today, can you let it go and fall safely into the hands of your Lord and Savior who promises in His Word that he has it all together?
Or maybe you are swinging from a lovely golden rope that is swaying gently in the breeze.  Fabulous.
Whatever it is, we all know that at sometimes, we hang by a thread.  Let God show you the special made and heavy duty hanger.  Let Him show you the very special and prepared pot with enriched dirt to supply your needs.  Let Him show you the fertilizer and water that will make you grow full and beautiful.  Wilting only happens when you don't fertilize and water.  His Son Jesus is the water, and His Word is the fertilizer.  Use them all and as much as you need.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

HERE IS TO YOU JOHN DAVID SOUDER -  A TRUE GENUINE FATHER.  What is a father after all.  Is he like God, all protective, all knowing, all protecting and has your back at every turn?

Some of us had that, some of us didn't.  What I see in John is how he has really put every effort into honoring God by being an upright, honest, God fearing person with integrity and unconditional positive regard for everyone.  He has rescued animals galore, and taken care of God's gift of property that we have had here for 43 years.  No one has done it better.  He has a deep respect for nature and does give the benefit of doubt to most who cross his path.  Does he have a moment when you have crossed that line, oh yeah!  But it takes a whole lot to turn that corner and for that I am grateful.
I have certainly crossed the line many times.  We need more people like John David Souder in today's world.  I am just fortunate to have been blessed with a true renaissance man.  He could iron, cook, plant flowers, mow, build a building, paint one, draw one, fix a car, build a car, parent and grand parent, teach, name it and he would try to conquer it.  I have seen him stay up at nights processing in his head how to fix something that broke or needed facilitated.  Sure enough - he came up with it.
He learned how to say "I'm sorry" which is rare, and fix things he didn't like about himself.  We can learn from him, I just wish we could spread him around more.

Happy Father's Day to a real gem and treasure.