Perfect Peace

Where do you find your perfect peace?  There is so much turmoil in the world.  The majority of people seem to be in turmoil.  Everybody is looking for something. Peace, happiness, joy!

Will money give you peace?  It does help.  Statistics will show you that financial problems are normally the reason that couples argue or the reason why they divorce.  Just recently I was on a trip and I met a man who was very wealthy.  Through our conversation, this man told my husband and myself that he had all the money that he could ever want and he was bored and not happy.  Wow!

You also read about movie stars, athletes... that make million of dollars.  Then you read about them years later that they had died and had nothing and were homeless.  So yes, money is important, but it doesn't give you the peace that you may be looking for.

A friend of mine was talking with me and they told me that if they could find the perfect man then they would be happy.  As we all know, no one is perfect.

Then you have the people that are killing people because they fired them from their job, they looked at them different or they just did not like them.  These people use guns, knives... to destroy someone else, when all alone they need to destroy the demon within them.  They are wanting peace, happiness and joy.

Isaiah 26:3 says "You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you."

God's unchanging love and His mighty power can calm you and your surroundings.

In the New Testaments, Mark 4:35-41, the disciples and Jesus were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee.  During the night, a storm came upon them and almost sunk the boat.  Jesus was sleeping and the disciples were awake and fearful.  They called upon the name of Jesus.  Jesus woke up, rebuked the storm and told the waves to be still.  Jesus said to the disciples, "Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?"

Just like the disciples, we all panic when their is a situation that effects our surroundings and we want to do something to take away the fear, the hurt, the unhappiness in our lives.

Jesus told us in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in my you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart?  I have overcome the world."

Once again, all the answers that we ever need are right before us.  The Bible will give us the assurance that we need to have a peaceful and joyful life.

God gives us the peace that we need to overcome sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt and other demons that we struggle with. 

We forget that the battle has been won.  Jesus died on the cross so that we could have victory in our life.

As I walk through my neighborhood and look west at the beautiful Rocky Mountains, I know that there is a God that can give me perfect peace.  If only I will call upon His name.

The choice is yours!

Don't Stop Praying!

I love the weather changing.  You can feel the change in the temperature.  The mornings are now in the 30s and during the day the temp is in the 60s.  With it being warmer in the mornings, I enjoy getting out and walking.

This morning as I was walking and praying(talking to God) I looked up into the sky and observed how blue it was with the wisps of the clouds and then to see the plane with the white contrail behind it.  It is still cold in the higher altitudes.  It is still amazing to me how a plane stays in the sky.  I don't have an engineer's mind, but the builder of that plane knew what he was doing.

To me it just amazes me what God does.  If God knows what He is doing, then why do I even pray?  Praying is probably more for myself than it is for God.  Praying helps me to draw closer to God and to allow Him to work among myself.

God's word is so filled with so many books and verses that at times I don't even know where to begin.  As I stay in the word, God does bring special verses to mind.  Today the verse that comes to mind is "For this reason we have always prayed for you, ever since we heard about you.  We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will, with all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives."  Colossians 1:9

It is interesting to note that Paul was the author of Colossians.  Paul was writing this book from  prison in Rome.  Paul had never visited Colosse, but he had heard about these new Christians and he wanted to encourage them and also to warn them against false teachings.

This shows me how important it is to pray for someone or something.  We may have knowledge, but we also need wisdom.

I have so many friends and family with health issues.  Of course, my prayer is always heal them. There are so many other issues that we pray for others.  I even have people that call me and ask me to pray for one of their family members or friends.   So how do I pray?

Colossians tells us how we should pray.  If the person is a believer than you need to thank God for their belief in Him.  If they aren't a believer, than I pray that they will come to have that personal relationship with Jesus.  One also needs to pray for wisdom and knowledge for whatever the prayer request is.  Pray for a spiritual understanding and guidance of their needs.  We also need to pray for strength and endurance during their journey.  Also, I ask for God to give them a hedge of protection.  As we all know, when we are going through something, there are always battles.  As you end your time with God, praise Him and rejoice for what He will do in their lives.

By praying, it will give you a new attitude towards that individual.  As you pray know that God does answer.  It just may be a yes, a no or wait.  But He does answer!  Everything is in His timing!

The universe is so big.  But know there is a mighty God that wants all of us to be in fellowship with Him.  Praying is what will bring us all together!

What is the Desire of My Heart?

As I look unto the sky, I see the different different colors of blues and the various shapes of clouds.  The hole in the clouds makes me think that God is peeking down on me.  As I speak to Him, I am asking "what is my next stage in life?"   I am no longer working 24/7.  My job in the cosmetic world was my identity for 20 years and it was who I was.  What is my next focus?  Where can I be used to glorify Him?

I read this verse today "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."  Psalms 2:4.  The question is "what is the desire of my heart"?  I have tried many things, but nothing just grabs me.  

I have written so much lately on "be still".  Maybe that is my focus for now.  People always say "be careful for what you wish".  I don't want my life just to be filled with things to do.  There is a lot to do out there.  One can volunteer, join a book club, knit, take cooking lessons, play a sport, such as golf, etc.......

I want to have joy about whatever I do and a peace that this is where God can use me.  As I am typing, I am laughing to myself.  At this time, I have peace and I have joy at just being at home.  Well, maybe that is my answer!

Soar Like the Eagle

About five miles from my house is a lake with a huge cottonwood tree.  Even though it is March, spring has not sprung in Colorado and the tree is barren.  On top of this tree sits a bald eagle. Every time I drive by there are cars pulled over.  People are out with their binoculars and cameras trying to capture the eagle's pose as it sits on the branch with his head up high and with all the confidence of the world.  To have that much confidence.

The eagle is America's emblem of the nation.  It symbolizes such strength and freedom. 

Every time I see a bald eagle, Isaiah 40:31 comes to mind.  "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run  and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Praise God, I believe in a God that gives me hope and strength.  He helps me to rise above difficulties.  By trusting Him, I know that I can be like that eagle.  As I am challenged with life and I wonder how I am going to get through a situation; I will raise my head up high and spread my arms(wings).  God will give me the assurance.  I will be still and patient and wait on Him as he fulfills his promises.

What Ingredients Are You Made of?

Yesterday I baked some homemade chocolate chip cookies.  I wanted the cookies to be perfect, so I followed the recipe and made sure that I had all the baking ingredients.

As I measured the flour, white sugar, brown sugar, eggs, baking soda, salt, vanilla extract and butter, I was thinking I better make sure that I do exactly what the recipe says.

Last week, a friend was visiting and she wanted to bake chocolate chip cookies.  She got all the ingredients and mixed them in the glass bowl.   As she was putting the dough on the cooking sheet, I thought that batter doesn't look like it normally does.  It seemed to be more sticky.  As the cookies baked, you could smell the cookie aroma throughout the house, but I noticed that the dough was spreading over the cookie sheet and the cookies were thinner.  The timer went off and we pulled them out of the oven.  The taste was fine, but the cookies were thin and crunchy.  To find out, my friend had put 1 1/2 cups of flour into the batter instead of 2 1/2 cups.  That 1 cup made a big difference.

With the beaters mixing the ingredients together, I made sure that I had poured in 2 1/2 cups of flour instead of 1 cup.  Thinking about the cookie mix, I also thought about how God wants us to have the perfect ingredients to build the perfect character within ourselves.

The verse that came to mind was Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."  We are all born with sin, but if we allow God to show us the fruits of the spirits, we will have more harmony than the various vices that will cause destruction in our everyday life.

The fruits of the Spirit will help us be more like Christ.  By allowing the fruits of the spirit, we must know Him and love Him.  We will never be 100% in each of these virtues, but by only having a percentage of each of these virtues, we will have more peace in our lives than not have any.

For recipes to turn out well, we have to follow the instructions.  All that God is asking is that, we will follow the instructions.  Those instructions are in the Bible.  We just need to take the time and read up on what the ingredients are and how to obtain them.

The manual is there, we just need to read it.

Disappointments vs. Blessings

Have you ever been disappointed about something?  You didn't go on a trip that you had planned. The dress that you wanted was sold out.  The store did not have the shoe(that you loved) in your size.  The list could go on and on and on.  The truth is who hasn't been let down?

When something doesn't go your way, you feel cheated.  You may even say "this always happens".  I am not worthy.  Why don't good things happen to me?  We are often our worst enemy by saying negative things about ourselves.

During these times, this is when I quote scripture, such as Romans 8:28 "all things work together for good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Another scripture that gives me comfort is 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  Paul wrote this letter to encourage the new Christians and to remind them that Christ would return again. In the meantime, one needs to enjoy where they are at in life.

There is also a quote that offers encouragement and a positive can do attitude:  "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade".  Lemons suggest sourness or it could also be the difficulties in your life.  How are you going to handle the tough times?

Just the other day, I was reading about "kintsugi".  This is Japanese art in which the person repairs broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum.  The story is that a Japanese shogun sent a damaged Chinese tea bowl back to China for repairs.  It was returned with ugly metal staples.  A Japanese craftsman decided it could be more attractive with gold painted on the cracked areas.  Collectors were so in awe of the beauty that some were accused of deliberately smashing valuable pottery so it could be repaired with the gold seams of kintsugi.

Could you picture people making bad things happen in their lives so that they could see what blessings God would provide for them?

So Paul taught the Thessalonians that they should thank God "in everything" that happened to them.  As we know, evil does not come from God, but when it does happen be thankful for God's presence and the good that He will accomplish through the hurt, the tribulations, the pain and the afflictions.

Remember Job.  Through all the tragedies happening in his life, his wife told him to "curse God and die."  Job's reply was "You are talking like a foolish woman.  Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"  Job knew he couldn't give up on God when He allows bad experiences to happen in our lives.  At times, we don't even understand why these situations happen.  Once again, this is where our faith comes in place and we have to trust God.

You will have tragedies and disappointments while you are on this planet.  The choice is yours.  Are you going to allow God to make lemonade out of lemons?

1st Day of Spring

A week ago today, I was sitting by the fireplace and reading and baking chocolate chip cookies, as the Bomb Cyclone 2019 swept through Colorado.  The blizzard had schools closed and offices shutdown for the day.  The northern winds were strong at 50 to 70 mph.  The beauty of the white snow made everything look so pure and innocent.

Here we are a week later.  It is sunny and 60 degrees with a gentle wind from the south and hardly any snow in sight.

With today being the first day of spring, one wants to hang up those coats and put away those snow boots for the winter season.  In Colorado, we know that this is just a sneak preview of what is to come.  We will have another snowstorm or two before spring comes to stay and then there will be summer.

But I will enjoy the beauty of today as I walk through the neighborhood and see the first signs of spring popping up through left over snow or rocks.

Today is actually unique in that there is a full moon this evening and the equinox is happening today.  The equinox is when day and night are nearly the same length.  This is the first time since 1981 that the spring equinox and full moon happened on the same day.  That is cool!

Spring is a gift from God.  Song of Solomon 2:11-12 states "See!  The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land."

God gave us all the seasons so that we can realize that our lives are just like the seasons we experience all the time.  Spring represents new life.  As a Christian, I celebrate Easter, which is during Spring.  This celebration is for me to reflect on what Christ has done for me.  He died/crucified and arose for me(to give me new life).

Springtime reminds a person to reflect on rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection and regrowth. May this new season of life give you the energy and the hope that is needed!

For Such A Time As This!

Have you ever read the book of Esther?  This book could definitely be made into a best-selling novel or even a movie.  There is drama, power, romance, history and conspiracy.

This true story actually takes place in the Persian capital.  King Xerxes ruled during this time. 

Esther begins with Queen Vashti refusing to obey an order from her husband, King Xerxes.  The King's staff reminded him that by the Queen refusing him then he would be perceived that he had no authority and his military credibility would be damaged.  In the King's anger, he banished the Queen from his presence.  He did love the Queen, but because he banished her, the decree could not be rescinded.

The King and his kingdom began to look for another queen.  There was a beautiful young lady named Esther.  She had been raised by her uncle.  Esther was one of the beauty's that was taken to the palace to be groomed by the servants and to be presented to the king.

Esther won the King's favor and approval over all the other young ladies.  So she was crowned Queen.  There was a banquet for all the king's nobles and officials.  Even a holiday was declared.

Mordecai, who was Esther's uncle, was a jew and had been carried from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar into the Persian Empire.  Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do.

During one of the ceremonies, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate and he uncovered a conspiracy of two officers that were planning on the assissination of the king.  Mordecai told Queen Esther and she reported to the king of this plot.  These men were sent to the gallows.

The King had several nobleman and one of them was Haman.  Haman thought he was important and he wanted to be bow down to and paid honor.  Mordecai refused to kneel down to Haman because he was wicked and wanted to be worshiped like a god.  This made Haman furious.  Haman knew Mordecai was Jewish.  He wanted Mordecai and all Jews to be killed.  Haman sent a decree out that all Jews would be murdered within the year.

Mordecai asked Queen Esther to go before the King and to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people, the Jews.  Queen Esther said that she couldn't go before the King because if she went before him without being summoned she could be executed.  The only exception was if the king extended the gold scepter then her life could be spared.  It was a gamble.  What was Queen Esther doing to do?

In Esther 4:13-14, Mordecai replied "do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape.  For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish.  And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

God tells us in Psalms 139:16 - "Your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  So God placed Esther on the throne even before the Jews faced the possibility of destruction.

You never know why you are placed in certain circumstances.  God does have a plan for each of our lives and you are in certain places for a purpose.  Sometimes when we are in a life-threatening situation, we say I'll wait for God to fix everything.  God may be wanting you to ask for direction and just "do it".  Just like Queen Esther, God may have placed you there "for such a time as this."

Queen Esther did go before the king and he did extend his gold scepter.   The king did hear her request but Haman's message had been sealed with the king's signet ring and could not be reversed, even by the king.   King Xerxes realized that Mordecai was the man who had warned him about the  men who wanted to murder him.  The king had Haman hung and put Mordecai in a position to assist the Jews from being murdered.

Even today the Jews observe the celebration(Purim) of the Jewish deliverance.  This holiday will be celebrated this year from sunset of March 20th until the nightfall of March 21st.

So as you go through life, always remember you are put in a certain job(s), friends with a particular person or live in a specific neighborhood, city or state because you could make all the difference for whatever problems arise, to being a friend....  For such a time as this!

Life Is Short

As I reflect on my life, I realize that life is short.  Psalms 90:12 says "Teach us how short our life is, so that we may become wise."

Psalms 39:5-7 states "How short you have made my life!  In your sight my lifetime seems nothing.  Indeed every living man is no more than a puff of wind, no more than a shadow; All he does is for nothing; he gathers wealth, but doesn't know who will ever get it.  What, then, can I hope for, Lord?  I put my hope in you."

James 4:14 - "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes".  What are we living for?  Live for God today!  Are you enjoying your loved ones?  Are you doing what you need to do?

We so often get caught in the web of our jobs and running here and there, that we forget to live life.  I remember how I use to work 24/7 and there was hardly any time to breathe.  I felt that I always needed to be working on something so that I could grow my business and to be able to improve each account.  It is so hard to learn how to balance working and taking time to "smell the roses".

When we are young, we feel that we will live for ever.  It is only as our life is creeping up on us that we finally can see the big picture and understand that there is more to life than meeting our goals for work or trying to make as much money as we can.

I am thankful to be where I am at in life.  I can take the time to be with God, read my bible, pray for others and to be able to assist family and friends with various situations.

Am I doing what God wants me to do?  I wake up each day knowing today could be my last and that I want it to be a day that I could make a difference in someone else's life.  Making a difference could mean calling someone, texting a friend with words of encouragement, writing a letter to someone or visiting someone to put a smile on their face.

If today was your last day, how could God use you in making a difference?

What is Success?

For so much of my life, I have always said "I want to be successful".  Here I am at the age of sixty-five and I ask myself "Am I successful?". 

As I look back on my journey, I would say that I have achieved that status.  But once again, what is success?  So many people label "success" as financially achieving a substantial amount of money.  Is that the true meaning?  We have all seen so many people(movie stars, athletes, entrepreneurs) that are financially wealthy and they are very unhappy people.

Throughout the years, I have tried to define success.  The dictionary states that success is "having achieved popularity, profit and/or distinction".

A few years ago, I came across this definition "success is to be found in the way in which we live out our lives day in and day out.  It is to be found as we pursue what God calls us to be and to do.  Success is not the end of a process.  It is how we undertake the process called life."

I do feel that as I mature that I am faithfully trying to please God with all the resources and responsibilities that He has given me.  It definitely has taken me many years to realize all of this.  I still try to take over and do it "my way", but after I spend time studying God's word, I realize his way is best. 

There are so many proverbs that talk about success and how to achieve it.  Proverbs 15:22 states "Get all the advice you can, and you will succeed; without it you will fail."  And Proverbs 16:3 quotes "Ask the Lord to bless your plans, and you be successful in carrying them out."

When I am looking for answers and need direction, why don't I take the time to read the Bible?  All the answers are right there.  It could have saved me a lot of heartache throughout my sixty-five years of life. 

Some of us take a little bit longer in gaining wisdom and success.  I am definitely one of those who has taken longer to learn.

My prayer is that my years ahead, I will thank God for all the success He has given me and that I will continue to allow Him to direct me.

Revenge

Have you ever been furious with someone for something they did to you?  All you can think of is "revenge".  You want to retaliate to get even.

In the book of Genesis, Joseph could have easily had his brothers killed for all that they did to him.

Joseph was his father's favorite son and he knew it.  He was overconfident about his life.  He even had a dream that his brothers would one day bow down to him.  Of course, they were furious when they heard this.  No way would they ever bow down to their younger brother.  Even though God may have a unique plan for your life, He doesn't want you to brag about it.  In God's timing all things will take place.

Because of Joseph's bragging and thinking that he was better than the rest of his family, his brothers sold him into slavery.  Through the trials that Joseph went through when he was taken to Egypt, Joseph learned a lot.  He was betrayed, deserted by his family, exposed to sexual temptation, went to prison for many years and was forgotten, all because of his brothers.

Through all of these situations, Joseph became the governor of Egypt.  He had spent years learning to trust God and knowing that God was in control even while he was being tempted and locked up in prison.

Joseph's perfect opportunity came while he was behind bars.  He was able to interpret the King's dream.  God had opened the doors by Joseph telling the king that there would be a famine and that God had provided the plan to help Egypt to survive the famine.

Joseph prepared Egypt for the famine by storing grain during the years of abundance.  At the end of the seven years of abundance, the rest of the world was not ready for the famine. 

Remember Joseph's brothers?  They were not ready for the famine.  They had heard that Egypt had grain to sell.  Off to Egypt they went to purchase the grain.  Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.  Remember it has been thirteen years and Joseph has changed.  He looks more like an Egyptian than an Israelite.

Through many events, Joseph finally revealed himself to his family.  Of course, they were terrified.  They remembered what they had done to his brother.  They had sold him into slavery.

This is what Joseph told his brothers:  "Don't be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don't be afraid.  I will provide for you and your children.  And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them."  Genesis 50:19-21.

Wow!  Can you imagine telling someone who had harmed you "don't be afraid"?  That is why God's way is so much more powerful than what your way would be.   Joseph forgave his brothers for selling him into slavery and reassured them that he would provide for them and their family.  He demonstrated how God graciously accepts us even though we don't deserve it.  God forgives us, so we need to forgive others.

Joseph trusted God and was willing to wait for Him to bring good out of the bad situations.

Next time someone does something evil to you and you want revenge, stop and think about what Joseph did.  Truthfully, stop and think what Christ did for you!

My Rock & My Fortress

"He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken."  Psalms 62:6

It is so powerful to know that I believe in a God that is my rock.  When I think of a rock, I feel how solid it is  and how strong that it can be.  My God is someone that I can always rely on to be there for me and to protect me.

My fortress is my castle.  A large and permanent building that can't be moved or knocked down.  He will surround me and guard me against the enemy.

Praise God, I am delivered from my sin.  Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith.  It is not from yourself or anything you've done, but the gift of God."  Salvation is my free gift of grace from God.

Knowing that I am saved and that God is my rock and my fortress, I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me!

When you are doubting what you believe, remember "He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken."

Be Still

There is something about sitting in the woods and being still.  You will here things that you normally never would.  As you sit there and listen, you can hear the wind as it blows through the leaves and across the debris of the land.  The fluttering of the bird's wings and their chirping voice brings a musical tune to mind.  In the distance, you can also hear the faint buzzing of the bees as they fly from one flower to the next.  Just within a few minutes, one can hear so much by just being still.

As I read Psalms 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth", I can feel His mighty power.

God wants you to come before Him and feel His presence.  So often we say, Lord I can't hear you.  Are you totally shutting down your surroundings, such as your phone, the radio, the television, etc.?  We always seems to have some noise around us.  Is it to keep us from thinking about things we don't want to think about?  Is it to keep us busy?  At times we are running from God, so we surround ourselves with material things and noise.

I challenge you to take one minute without anything distracting you and just meditate on the words "Be Still and Know that I am God".  You will feel His presence!

A True Friend

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."  Proverbs 18:24

No man is an island.  We all need a friend(s).  We need someone that will be there for us during the good times as well as the bad times.  Who is that one person that you could call at 2 in the morning?  That person who would listen to you?

Everyone is looking for a true friend.  Someone who is not superficial.  Who is that person that will stick close to you and offer you help when you need it?

Carole King sings a song "You've Got a Friend".  This song is about being there for others and being a friend for someone in need.  Friends can be just as important as family.  

As I purged through the many boxes of cards from friends in the past 40 years, my heart just smiles as I think about all the wonderful friends that I have.  All these friends have made a difference in my life and the choices that I have made.  They have been there for me through happiness(getting married), through deaths(my father, my brother and close friends), through times of celebration(graduating from college, moving to NYC to work) and so much more.

One can not put a price on friendship.  That is something that just happens.  It is a trust and support that it is hard to explain to others.  

It is hard to find a friend.  Someone that you can open up to and be you and tell them whatever and they will still love you no matter what.  It is so hard to allow yourself to be you.  There are so many people out there that want to be evil and they want to destroy you.

So how do you find a friend?  To find a friend, you need to pray.  God will reveal that friend to you and then you need to be a true friend yourself.

God provided that true friend to me back in March of 1980.  I specifically remembering writing down my prayer requests and one of them was that I wanted a friend.  I had been living in Austin, Texas for about 6 months and I was lonely and not feeling a part of anything or anyone.  

I attended a church one Sunday and met a young lady who was going through a divorce and had a sweet spirit.  There was something about her and her red hair that spoke to me.  I prayed specifically for that person.  Within a week, God had brought us together as prayer partners.  By praying together for each other and for our specific needs, God began to work on our own hearts and our relationship. Forty years later, we are still friends.  We have lived in different states and have each gone through different circumstances, but God keeps us in touch with each other.  We always know when we each need an encouraging word.  God is good!

My other friendships are just as dramatic.  The spiritual thread is what has woven my relationship with so many girlfriends.   

God will provide you that friend.  He knows the person that will encourage you and allow you to be the person that you need to become.  

Forgetting

There is so much that I learn from watching movies, listening to music and reading verses from the Bible.  It is always perfect timing.

As I read "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:13-14, I know that God forgives me of my past and He wants me to move forward.

Paul, who was the author of Philippians, wanted to know Christ, to be like Christ and to be all that Christ had for him.  Remember Paul, whose name was Saul, was a Jew and was very religious.  He knew the Bible and believed that Christians were dangerous to Judaism.  He believed this so much that he persecuted the Christians and he approved of Stephen's stoning.  But God used Paul and changed his heart.  A man who once persecuted Christians became a believer and preached Christ.  Christ even changed his name to Paul, so that he would know that he had a new beginning.

We have all done something in our lives, that we are ashamed of and we want to forget.  This verse assures me that my hope is in Christ and that I can let go of the guilt of my past and know that God has something special planned for me in my future. 

I am forgiven once that I accept Christ as my Savior. And I know that He wants me to concentrate on my relationship with him and to live a life of faith and obedience. 

If you have something going on in your life and you don't have the peace that you need, give it to Jesus.  Ask for forgiveness and He will cleanse you.  As you drive your car, you have a huge window in front of you to observe everything around you.  The rear view mirror is small and you only see a little bit behind you.  This is like your past.  Let it be your rear view mirror.  Don't dwell on it.  Keep looking ahead and all that God has planned for you!  Press on and run the race!

Be Strong, Be Confident!

As I dig through the boxes of memories, another verse that I have read several times is "Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident!  Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

This verse was written by Joshua.  Joshua was a brilliant military leader and a strong spiritual influence.  He lived under the the Egyptian slavery and as a leader was able to take the Israelites into the promised land. 

Growing up, I lacked confidence.  I guess most people lack confidence because we are always worried about what others will say about us. Why do we worry about what others will say?  That is another topic to discuss at another time.

Confident means trusting yourself, knowing that you can do something, being sure of yourself.  Strong means "having or marked by great physical power".  When I think of strong and confidence, I think of a lion.  Lions are also symbols of royalty.  A lion's roar is the loudest of all the cats.  The way the lion carries himself, one knows that he is in charge. 

Through the verse of Joshua, God was showing this young girl(myself) that He was with me.  He knew that the task before me would not be easy.  The task of finding a job, meeting new friends, finding a place to live....  I was so fearful of the unknown.  But if I didn't go forth, I would stay in my "poor me attitude" and continue to be surrounded by people who had no goals or energy to enjoy life that God had given them.

I needed to step out like the lion and to show the world that I could do it.  That I could make something of myself.

Just like Joshua, I needed to follow God's words and not worry about the "world standards".   That I would be successful in God's eyes... and the truth is that is all that matters.

A Discerning Heart

The Bible has a lot to say.  Even if you aren't a Christian and you believe that the Bible is hogwash. The book of Proverbs is for everyone.  There have been some great teachers with some of the most inspirational quotes.  One of the greatest authors and kings was Solomon.  He wrote the book of Proverbs(which is in the Bible) to teach people how to have wisdom, to know right from wrong and how to have a discerning heart.

The book of Proverbs is a guideline for young people, leaders and actually all people.  Solomon did not discriminate against age, sex, color or their position in society.  He wanted everyone to have wisdom for daily living.

There are so many quotes in Proverbs, but one of my favorites is "trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Never rely on what you think you know.  Remember the Lord in everything that you do and he will show you the right way."  Proverbs 3:5-6

What does this actually mean?  As we all know, it is hard to trust someone.  We all have been hurt.  To trust is to give all of your self to someone(physically and emotionally).  Then they went against you or told someone something that you had said or done, etc.....  So if we can't trust a family member or friend, how are we going to trust God?

As I have studied, God is the only one that I can trust.  He has always been there.  He created me.  He knows what is best for me.   You have to make a choice:  you either "trust Him" or you don't.  I have made the choice, to "trust Him".

He will make my paths straight by guiding and protecting me.  I do have a free will and God does want me to think and to plan, but He also wants to be a part of the planning.  He will guide me to assist me in accomplishing His purpose.

So as I go through the chapters of my life, I can see where I allowed God to direct me and also the times when I told Him to move over because I was driving.  He is a wonderful God.  He moved over and He allowed me to take over, but He also allowed me to walk through the valley.  He was waiting for me at the top.  I just had to reach up and say "please pull me out of this valley". 

Proverbs has thirty-one chapters.  You could read one chapter for each day of the month.  You will be surprised how God will speak to you by reading these words from a wise man named Solomon. 

Take the challenge and allow your life to change!

Who Knows the Future?

Since the beginning of 2019, I have taken the time to rest, recharge and to reflect.  The past few days I have been going through several boxes of memories(cards, letters, articles, etc for the past sixty-five years).  I keep thinking that when I die none of these memories will mean anything to anyone that I know. 

I don't want to throw everything away.  I have read cards from family members, card of encouragement from friends, congratulation cards for a new job, congratulations for graduating from college, birthday cards, wedding cards....   As I read these cards, a smile is on my face as I think about these friends and family members.  I have read some cards from people that I don't even remember.  What is nice is that I did make a difference in their life.

I have come across several spiral notebooks that I have written about what was going on in my life during that particular time.  It seems as if I got a grip on my life in the early 80s.  That was when I was truly soul searching for answers.

One particular verse that I keep reading in my journal is "I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for."  Jeremiah 29:11  Future, that I hoped for?  What was I hoping for?  Happiness, peace, marriage, job, financial wealth....

Jeremiah wrote the book of Jeremiah.  He was called by God.  God told Jeremiah that He knew him before he was even formed in the womb and that God had appointed him as prophet to the nations.(Jeremiah 1:4-5).  Pretty powerful!  So God knows our future.  He knows that we are valuable and that he has purpose just for you and me.

God is the answer.  He is the leader who encouraged me to step out, to believe in the tasks that were in front of me and that He would be with me each step of the way.  He is the hope that we all need.  I keep reminding myself that everything in life will not be perfect.  But once again, define perfect.  To some, perfect is that there will not be any hardship, suffering, pain and/or confusion.  What I have found out in my sixty-five years of life, that it has been the hardships, sufferings, pains and confusions that has made me to mature, to grow and to stand firm in my beliefs.

As I read each card, letter...., I can see God's handwriting as He defines my future.  The five boxes of memories are being put into one or two boxes. In another ten to twenty years, hopefully I will be going through these two boxes and reflecting once again that "it has been a wonderful life".

I am learning not to rush Him or make demands, but to enjoy each day that He has given me and that my life is turning out exactly how it is suppose to.

Unfailing Love

"The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.  The Lord is all I have and so in him I put my hope."  Lamentations 3:23-24

Looking east, one can see the picturesque colors of pinks and blues as the sun rises.  There is no way that a person can ever capture the beauty of the morning sun.  As the rays of light beam across the sky, one knows that God's unfailing love is like the rays of hope.

Lamentations was written by Jeremiah.  Jeremiah was grieving from the destruction of Jerusalem.  Have you ever felt that your heart was so burden that you couldn't continue on in life?  I know that I have.  The years of depression hit hard with me and I always felt that the black cloud followed me and that I would never find joy or happiness in my life.  That is what happens when we allow sin to take over and to control us.

How does one break free?  It is a process of where you finally believe the words of God.

Jeremiah began to realize that it was the Lord's mercy that had prevented total loss among Jerusalem.  Even through all the wreckage, God was able to turn everything into good.  Remember Paul and his words "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him".

Prayer and confession of sin is the beginning of the cleansing process and that will set you free from the choices that you have made.

Like Jeremiah, we need to remember God's faithfulness and how he restores us as he restored Jerusalem.  Today is a new day.  Allow the Lord's unfailing love and mercy to give you the hope that you need!

Contentment

As I stroll through my playlist of verses, another verse that is dear to me is "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."  Philippians 4:11.

Paul was the author of Philippians.  Paul was in a Roman prison and the Philippian church had sent him a gift.   Paul had treasured his time when he was with the Philippis.  It was a time of great joy as they expressed their belief and their walk with Christ.  He wrote them back to thank them for their gift and to encourage them in their faith.

Paul reminded them that whatever their circumstances were that they needed to rejoice and be glad and to keep their eyes on Christ.

We have all been in situations that we wondered how can I be happy and content. I'll never be happy!  As I thought those words, I would replay "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." I was always in awe at the peace that would come upon me and the wisdom that would fill my mind.

Like Paul, we need to be content at all times, whether we have plenty or we don't.  The secret is relying on Christ and the strength that He can give us.  As I have talked about God's promises, this is one of His promises.  God will give you the strength that you need.  He tells us in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me."

Paul kept his eyes on Jesus, even as he was in prison.  Jesus is the only one that can give us what we are needing.  So often people are wanting possessions to fill a void in their life.  The void so often is filled with money, relationships, jobs, hobbies, drinking, etc.  Even filling the emptiness with these things does not give a person any satisfaction or contentment. Sometimes the individual even feels more depressed.

We need to remember that as we are faced with troubles, pressures, trials and so much more, we need to ask Christ to give you the strength that you need.

Give Jesus a chance.  Ask for His help.  You will be amazed at what He can do!

A Pure Heart

Looking outside the window watching it snow, I reflect on the pureness of one's heart.  When I look at the color white, I always think of purity and innocence and cleanliness.  White brings to mind, a bride's dress, a hospital, doctors and so much more.

My playlist of verses are playing through my mind as I think of the snow and the purity.  The verse that my mind lands on is:

"Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me.  Do not banish me from your presence."  Psalms 51:10-11.

My mind flashbacks to the 70s and 80s and all the turmoil that my life was in and the choices that I had made.  Would I ever have a peace and a productive life?

The Book of Psalms is in the center of the Bible.  It is a collection of songs and prayers that expresses the heart and soul of man.  There are several different authors that define their feelings throughout Psalms.  David is the one who wrote Psalms 51:10-11.  David had written these verses after he had slept with Bathsheba(another man's wife).  God had described David as a man after his own heart.

We all have a sinful heart.  No man is without sin.  God wants us to come before Him and ask for forgiveness.  Jesus Christ is that bridge between us and God.  As a Christian, we sometimes think that we can go do whatever and ask God for forgiveness and we can go do it again and ask forgiveness again and repeat it again and again and again.....  We can do that.  But we will miss out on what God wants to do in our lives if we don't seek Him and walk with Him and ask for His assistance in not sinning.

I am not perfect or without fault, but throughout the years I have learned how to ask God to create a pure heart within me and to allow the Holy Spirit to direct me.  Just like David, I am asking God to cleanse me from within.  Only when my heart is cleansed can I feel the Spirit within me.

Stop whatever you are doing and pray "create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me."  In the stillness, you will feel His presence and know that He has cleansed you and made you whole.

Wait!

As I continue to reflect on the verses that have been there for me, my heart rejoices that these verses are what helped me get through those difficult days, months and years.

Habakkuk 2:3 states "Put it in writing, because it is not yet time for it to come true.  But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true.  It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place and it will not be delayed".

This verse came to me as I was trying to get my life back on track.  I was in my twenties and single and living in Austin.  I had made some poor choices in life and was running with a crowd that had different beliefs.  These friends were smart, fun and good, but just not on the path of glorifying God. 
Here I was struggling trying to make ends meet and wanting to put God first and these friends were financially doing well and not concerned about their walk with God.

As a prophet, Habakkuk was also concerned about the world and the people who were controlling the kingdom.  He saw a dying world and wondered why the evil were financially making it while the others who trusted God couldn't get it together.  I felt this way as well.  Why walk with God?  Why did it matter?  At times, I felt that it didn't matter whether I trusted God or not.

Deep down in my heart, I knew that those words were not true and that God had so much more planned for me.  I just needed to trust Him and to "wait".  But when bills are due, how can you wait?

Habakkuk said "write it down".  This is when I began to journal my thoughts, concerns, prayer requests and so much more.  God wanted me to write so that I could remember my concerns and when He answered those concerns.  Even writing my requests, it did seem slow for God's reply.  But as I sit here and type, I realize that God did answer and the answer was not delayed, but it was in His timing.  There were things that I had to learn during the waiting time.

Just like Habakkuk, I did come before the Lord with my requests and I did begin to understand how God works.  At the end of the chapter, Habakkuk did rejoice in God and what he had done for the people.

Don't be afraid to come before God and ask questions.  Realize that our problems are not with God and his ways, but the problem is with us as we limit what God can do for us.