All We Have to Do is Ask.

THANK GOODNESS the other day is behind me! My morning routine of getting up, getting a cup of coffee and having my "quiet time" with the Lord is the most precious time to me of each day and second to that is my beautiful daughter bouncing into the house after school each day so that I can simply ask her how her day was. But that day...was different. I did get my coffee and I regretably rushed through my bible studies so that "I" could tackle the computer network problem on my daughter's computer. Is started at 7:30am. I struggled and stressed and complained for hours. I continually fought off my frustrations so that I could try to calmly come up with a solution to the problem. By 4pm it came to me. We are told it the bible to "ask" and I did not go to the that source! So I "asked" and by 4:30 the dilemma with the computer was solved! It was only my fault that I went through all of the frustrations. So, my lesson learned is that sometimes we forget that God is up there just looking down and in my case, shaking his head at me for wasting hours to come to the simple solution...the solution of a simple request for His assistance. SO ASK!!!!!!! ((Hugs until next time))

Who's got your back

Growing up I remember hearing it said “I got your back” or “who’s got your back?”

I have read over the scriptures (Eph.6:13-17) many times where it is instructing us to be strong in the Lord by putting on the full armor of God daily. The Strong Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Rightousness (God’s approval), the Shoes that has prepared us to go out and share the Gospel and Good News to others, the Shield Of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God.)

WOW that’s PROTECTION!! But I have never thought of this…What is the protection for our backside, what’s covering our back? Hum…I have you thinking now, huh?

Well, I was so privilege to hear of a conversation told by a mother who’s son was serving in Iraq. She told us how she was speaking to her son on the phone and letting him know that there were many prayers being prayed for his safety while in Iraq. And that he needed to stay firmly planted in his faith and not to be fearful. His response was so profound for such a young man. It went something like this, “Mom, I have on 2 sets of armor; the one issued to me by the military and the one I am to put on daily spiritually. It is the one who has my back that I depend on the most, God.” WOW.

Oh My Goodness! For our spiritual protection we are to put on our Belt, Breastplate, Shoes, Shield, Helmet and Sword. Visualize that if you will. And our backside seems exposed…but oh, the knowledge in God’s Word mentions over and over…if we have faith and believe and remain obedient…He’s got our back!! I just love that visualization.

(( hugs until next time!!))

Waiting

Upon at the last minute, my daughter finds she needs a new bathing suit for a church trip. It was totally one of those last minute determinations that I just could not say no to. She could not possible wear the one she had and the function she was attending was at a water park. So, she had me. I gathered the keys and out the door we went. After fruitless shopping and my weariness (actually I think it was more crankiness) to just give up, we tried one last store. And there she found it. Maybe it was a little mix matched but it was “workable swimwear.” AND the best part was that it was 60% off!!! Now that is my kind of shopping!!

We went to the line at the register and we were quite content with waiting, because she had something that would work and might I remind you IT WAS 60% OFF!!!! It was then that a manager called another clerk to come assist with checkout. At this point we know that we will be called “NEXT” soon. But it was then that the manager called another clerk up from the back to open another register at another location in the store and now she was looking at us to go on over to the other area to be checked out. My mind was racing, thinking “but I am ok in this line…I have gotten kind of used to this line and the people standing waiting with me.” But it was too late; we were called to go over because we were “NEXT.” Being called “Next” in a long waiting line is a big adrenaline rush then you realize “Hey that’s me!!!!”

It was on my walk over I was thinking, well this is a blessing because we are finally going to be on our way back home soon. That was a short blessing when we got to the location to only find someone else was out the counter being checked out. What happen?? We were “NEXT”…I was happy over there with my “in line friends” and being called “NEXT.” ”We were prepared for being “Next.” We certainly could not stomp our feet, huff and puff nor whine, groan and complain out loud. We had to wait in this new line with integrity. We were waiting again to be called “Next.”

And then it hit me, life can be a whole lot like standing in line just waiting to be called “Next.” It is how we handle ourselves during the waiting that makes all the difference. There are many kinds of waiting lines in life. There are waiting lines for the right mate to come into our lives, waiting for children, waiting on our careers to take off, lies we believe, difficult relationships, financial hardships. There are even lines for waiting for the opportunity to use our spiritual gifts, a strong physical body or a healing. Waiting is not whining or fretting or comparing those whose turn is before us. Waiting is an opportunity to grow.

Waiting calls on prayers. And prayer is the discipline by which God gives us the ability to wait. We have to trust God to wait on the many things in our lives. We must believe in His divine love and surrender to “our plans and time lines” and wait for His Will at His time. It is what we do with waiting in those lines. I try to visualize myself just falling into God’s arms and just staying there. Don’t get out of line too soon without prayer. Don’t abandon the waiting. Trust in God and continue to keep your eyes on the Lord. Waiting until it is your turn. And until then, be aware of His presence in the waiting. He’s your “in line friend.”

This brings back the story of Jesus and the disciples in the upper room and in the first 11 verses of John 15 he tells His disciples 10 times to “remain”, abide, wait. God makes a really good “in line friend” when waiting.

((hugs until next time))

The Duck and the Devil

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch the next day Grandma said, 'Sally, let's wash the dishes.' But Sally said, 'Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen.' Then she whispered to him, 'Remember the duck?' So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, 'I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper.' Sally just smiled and said, 'Well, that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help.' She whispered again, 'Remember the duck?' So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, 'Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.' Thought for the day and every day thereafter? Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done...and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it is..You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved. When Jesus died on the cross; he was thinking of you! ((hugs until next time))

Take My Breath Away

As I was reading and in quiet time this morning, I ran across a passage that questioned “when was the last time you witnessed something that “takes your breath away” and in it you saw God. I really hate to admit it, but right in that moment I sincerely could not come up with anything immediately that “takes my breath away.” I thought of things that made me smile, laugh and “oh no!” but I did not have an immediate thought of “take my breath away.” The longer I thought I did come up with many experiences with God’s hand in it and go “wow! That had to only be a God thing.” Then I realized that simple things as stars lighting up the bright sky on a clear night; the birth of nature or human form were also wows, just not charged with “taking my breath away.” Then I thought of looking out over the pasture the other day, the sun shining and from a distance was a beautiful horse running towards the house. Her mane flowing as she ran as hard as she could with her tail straight out and her head held high. This was a beautiful moment. But, I must be honest it did not take my “breath away” it made me stand still and appreciate God’s gift. I have stood at snow covered mountains in Lake Tahoe and Steamboat Co., and embraced the beauty of nature. But take my “breath away” no. Is standing still in amazement the same as taking my breath away? I do know one thing for certain I am in Awe of God and all that He has done and is doing in my life and others. Honestly, does Chili Powder count?? Help me out, am I broken that I am not relating to the “take my breath away” statement? Is my sense of “standing still to take in the moment” my “takes my breath away”? I love to see God’s fingerprints in all things and His creations. I understand that the good Lord did not create anything without a purpose, but Mosquitoes do confuse me in their purpose! Now I am really confused, or either broken! (( hugs until next time ))

Run the Race

"Oprah's quote "Run your own race - any energy towards someone else takes away from you." I am really questionning this because she helps so many others. In my opinion (whatever it is worth) when I was running my "own race" in my career I missed sooooo many opportunities to reach out to others. With this comment from her, it makes me wonder what are her opportunities for her reward? I cannot or am not the judge on that, but from my own experience, it is such a "selfish NOT SELFLESS" statement. There are so many opportunities in life that are here to help others, encourage others, let others know that they matter. Hebrews 10:24, "Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works." Better yet, one of my favorite is Philippians 2:3,4, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interest of others." THAT IS SOME POWERFUL STUFF!! Even for those who are not Christians, they should live by these words. But for those of us who are, our attitudes should be the kind that was shown by Jesus AND he definitely used MOST ALL OF HIS ENERGY on others right up til his death on the Cross. Until now I have never thought of life as a race. But the race I want to be in is the one that God has set before me..for His purpose. If it is to be a race of endurance, let my "energy drink" be that from God and used to help others, encourage others, love and pick up my fellow brother or sister when they stumble. For I know, from my past...that is was someone who slowed down from "their race" and used their "energy" to help set my feet back on the right path. So my tennis shoes on foot...I am ready but not for My Purpose or Will, but His!!! (( hugs until next time ))