COME AWAY. . .

Mark 6: 31

"And He said to them, (as for you) come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest awhile - for many were (continually) coming and going, and they had not even leisure enough to eat."

That is my calling today - to take this time and spend it with Him, in His creation.  This last month has taught me about the tyranny of the urgent.  God does call us to rest and be prudent with our time.

Enjoy your weekend, I know I am. It is the prettiest August I have ever seen.

THEREFORE, BE CLEAR MINDED. . .

And that is the key isn't it?  It is not always easy to do.  So much is thrown at us in one day.
Whether we work all day in a career, work from home, retired, or retired but always busy.  There a million stories in the city.  I like I Peter 4:  7/11 for many reasons.  Peter summed it up then and it also applies to today.

"The end of all things is near.  Therefore be clear minded and alert so that you can pray."

And, there you have the bottom line to our individual lives for each day.  You can't get anymore direct then that.

However, even though knowledge is power, the execution of that becomes the problem.

So he goes on to say. . .:Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves,  he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ."

The key being we should do it in the STRENGTH GOD PROVIDES.  Oops! And, therein lies the problem with clarity.  We all have different personalities and some of us just have to fix it ourselves, or at least worry about fixing it.  If we find we can't get control, then we just fester and stew about the problem at hand.  So NO clarity.  I recently gave up that little trick I have of worrying about it.  Years ago, I just stepped in.  Not so much anymore.  I would rather fester.  Found out what that gets you.
Physical outbreaks.  You know.  Headaches, back spasms, stiff necks, and the list goes on.  When I let up on the worry wart aspect,  mainly because I couldn't find any wart medicine to take it off. . .(a little humor there), everything fell into place.  Again, God does work it all out for His good, our good.

Just another reminder, it is always going to be in His strength people.  Not ours.  Clarity is resting.
Clarity is purpose,  truth,  vision and finally peace.

SNARLING DOGS! SNARLING THOUGHTS!

It has been quite a couple of weeks, I must admit.  Beautiful weather, but lots of drama!  Between finding out I have a patch of shingles on my back, a frozen shoulder to be undone, tendinitis in the elbow, colonoscopy is clear, and I don't have to get foot surgery on the heel spur; whew! And that was just a few things that went on.  How does one person get all that in a two week period of time?  Stress?  Yep!!!

I have seen a doctor every day but one this week.  In all of that questioning and fist raising to God, I did learn a lot about the subjects at hand today -   You learn that once again the body takes what is going on in the mind and decides how it will respond.  What a deal!  You think you are being cool, but you aren't.  After all these years of counseling and studying you would think I could get that fixed.   Humbly, no!  Monday, however, the Lord got it through my thick skull some answers  I want to share with you, that might help you on down the road.

Our mind, unfortunately, can be penetrated by the enemy with our own toxic thoughts.  Hence - Psalm 59.  Here is a snippet. . .Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;  defend and protect me from those who rise up against me.  .  .They return at evening, they howl and snarl like dogs, and go (prowling) about the city.  Behold they belch out (insults) with their mouths; swords (of sarcasm, ridicule, slander, and lies) are in their lips, for who, they think, hears us?  But you,  O Lord, will laugh at then (in scorn); You will hold all the nations in derision.  O my strength, I will watch and give heed to You and sing praises; for God is my Defense (my Protector and High Tower).   (Read the entire chapter)    Job, no doubt, learned all these too!

My point here is that our own thoughts become like snarling dogs in the night.  We get all caught up in the "Why" questions of life,  and why did I do that, well why did I make that decision, am I nuts?
We worry, fret, fester, stew, and steer.   I wrote a book on that once.  Fretting, Fussing, Stewing, and Steering.  Here is the question I had to ask myself when I looked at the last two weeks and all that is going on in our family right now . . . " Do I trust that God works ALL things together for good according to His purpose, or not?"  And, if I believe His Word, then why don't I act like it.  Telling me, "Shirley, you are human, we are all human after all!"  That just doesn't help.

What I needed to hit me was that I need to keep my snarling thoughts down to a dull roar.  I need to share with you that keeping your mind clear and at peace no matter what, brings praise, and clarity.  Trusting that, turning that all over to God, and not carrying it ourselves brings peace.  Trust brings peace.  

You will keep the enemy away more often, you will circumvent his snarling away at you so much.  You must also be about keeping your thoughts in steadfast prayer, peace, and trust.  Stop, Look and Listen to God.  He DOES work all things together, especially,  if we keep our mitts off of it!!!!

Hang out and rest in a beautiful tree, the TREE OF LIFE -  Jesus Christ!  TODAY!


I Peter 4: 7 - But the end and culmination of all things has now come near;  keep sound minded and self - restrained and alert therefore for (the practice) of prayer.

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.