Intentional Wildflowers

 

Thanks be to God! My husband’s home finally sold. The closing will be on May 1st! We give the credit to God for the answers to our prayers. I mentioned in an earlier blog about the $60K estimate for the plumbing issues. But God -- and a dear couple in our community.

This couple assured us that they would pray – intentionally – every day until the house sold. That’s the kind of friends we all need. Those who pray specifically and intentionally.

April’s showers have already brought May's flowers, as well as the showers of blessings that our Lord has provided. The wildflowers couldn’t wait to show off. Pictured here are the blue bonnets in Carl’s yard. I think those blue bonnets came packed with inticement for the buyers!

I love those wild wildflowers. Wild as in doing their own things. They didn’t need someone to plant them and wait for them to grow. I think God is intentional in growing them in obscure fields and sides of roads. Most of them are hardly noticed, but we notice them.

It occurred to me that there are people all around us who feel unnoticed, too! Maybe they feel inadequate – not enough. Not pretty enough. Not smart enough. Not wealthy enough. Not popular enough. Not accomplishing enough. Not holy enough.

We all want to be enough. Sometimes, if we are INTENTIONAL with our noticing and caring about others, we’ll realize God has us planted right where we are supposed to be.

Our story for God’s glory. Our lives that give God the credit for the rain AND the sunshine and are INTENTIONALLY placed in situations to be used by Him to stir up abundant life in other people's lives.

Remember Jesus’ words: “Do not worry about your life… look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance. Have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The best-dressed men and women look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, don’t you think He’ll attend to you? Take pride in you. Do His best you? What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with "getting" so you can respond to God’s "giving.” (Luke 12:26-29, The Message Bible)

God INTENTIONALLY placed wildflowers in their places. He sent breezes and birds to scatter seeds. He sent rain and sun and grew the flowers. I think God is telling us: “Be my beautiful wildflowers – care free, taking in my SON, Who tells us to BLOOM where we are planted.

An Apple a Day

Apples – the wonderful fruit that keeps doctors away! Well, not really. Because I serve up sliced apples many mornings and sprinkle a little cinnamon on them, it doesn’t really mean we won’t need doctors. Or does it?

The National Institute of Health (NIH) says there is no evidence that eating an apple a day keeps doctors away. However, a study found that people who eat an apple a day use fewer prescription medications.

Apples have received a bad rap because we charge Adam and Eve guilty from eating that scrumptious “apple” in the Garden of Eden. But hold on. We made up that story. It wasn’t an apple that caused their demise. It was in “Genesis 2:17 we read: “From the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat; when you eat from it you shall die". No where in the Bible does it indicate that an apple is bad for us.

I love the saying, "Little is much, when God is in it." and I like to think the King of our universe paid a lot of attention to the king of fruit, the little apple.

Back to “an apple a day, keeps the doctor away”. Check out my findings! Apples are rich in vitamins and minerals: Vitamins C , A, B1, B2, B6, and calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and iron.

They also contain the highest level of pectin among fruits and has huge medical benefits like protecting and stimulating our immune system -- the best body defense to protect us from viruses, bacteria, and free radicals.

Apples are rich in dietary fibers, so they help get excess liquid out of our bodies. YAY! They help with every weight loss diet.

An apple is composed of up to 90% water and contain fructose and glucose – important carbohydrates that supply our body with energy that prevent fatigue and helps keep us more focused.

You might be wondering why I am on this “apple a day” soap box today. Because I was inspired by God’s “medicine cabinet” that includes apples.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…” James 1:17. I heard someone say, “Food is God's love made edible." It is one way that He shows His love and care for us. Because food is a gift of God's good grace, then I best respond by eating food worthy of eating.

King David must have been eating an apple when he wrote these words: “Taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8.

The apple is another example of God’s love and care for His kids. I think I’ll go buy a bag of apples, because I think this blog might be our Holy Physician's way of helping us get onto a path of good health. God loves you and me too much to keep “apple secrets” from us!

We've Been Entrusted

Entrusted – I saw that word in an email yesterday morning. It motivated me to blog about it. To entrust is to give someone a responsibility that we assume they will fulfill. If we entrust someone with the task of getting us to an appointment on time, we best make sure they are punctual. Entrusting is also letting someone take care of something for us because we believe they will protect it.

As a 12-year-old, I must have been mature enough and entrusted enough to take care of a doctor's 4-year-old and 3-month old children. They lived across the street from us. Fifty cents an hour was the pay. I thought “pay dirt” (wealth and success)!

They could “entrust” their precious ones to me because right across the street from them is where we lived. My mom was on call-of-duty if I needed her. I called her often!

And I believe we all have been entrusted by God. To entrust means that God believes in us so much, that He trusts that we can receive the gift – the gift of ourselves.

God has entrusted us with giving oversight to our abilities, our bodies, our voices, talents, the fruit of the Spirit, the fortitude and determination to be successful. We are the guardians of our gifts. I believe that I have been “entrusted” today with reminding you that our Heavenly Father believes YOU ARE CAPABLE! You are “entrustable”!

What has God entrusted us with? Plenty, as it turns out. We are to blossom where we are planted. We are to be His hands extended to build up and encourage others. Entrustment is our responsibility. We have faith in God, and He has faith in us!

“Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak not to please man, but to please God, Who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Wow! What a verse! What a statement! “ENTRUSTED with the Gospel – the Good News!” God has seen fit for you and me to be ENTRUSTED with the Good News, too! What trust we have been given!

Still during these 40 days before Jesus ascended to heaven, we read how He continually “schooled” His disciples. After those three years together, He entrusted His message to them. Then He left for heaven. Mission accomplished.

The rest of the story is history and countless millions have followed that small band of deeply discipled believers who were entrusted to carry on spreading the Good News. We are their recipients! We are their protégés.

Dear Lord, thank you for trusting us and entrusting us with being “Good News” spreaders, too!

Chocolate and Kindness Dealers

 

I have exposed my DELIGHT for anything chocolate for a very long time.  My husband is an accessory to my habit. He knows that one See’s salted chocolate caramel morsel brings me to heaven on earth.  Yum!  Surely heaven will include seeing Jesus face-to-face, streets of gold, AND chocolate!  Heavenly delicacies.  

Chocolate -- that SWEET, savory, God-given, delicacy of DELIGHT.  But I can’t compare chocolate to my DELIGHT in God and His Word because there is no comparison. But I can remind us about some of God’s delicacies from His Word.  Seems He has a sweet tooth, too!

 Proverbs 16:24 says "KIND words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."

That reminds me of honey on a biscuit or roll! And whenever I think of something HEALTHY, I think of fresh tomatoes, avocados, and basil slathered in balsamic vinegar glaze, perfectly guilt-free and healthy to eat!  Donna, you mean when we are speaking KIND words, we are benefited right along with those to who we are speaking KIND words? 

YES!  SWEET and HEALTHY are rarely mentioned in the same sentence yet that is exactly how this proverb describes KIND words. They are like honey. It is both sweet to the soul (our soul -- our will, mind, and emotions in sweetness -- not anger, fear, anxiety) and healthy for the body (our body reaps the rewards of our kindness). Just imagine what a steady diet of our kind words could do -- not only for others, but for us! 

What if we chose to use our words, the ones we speak and the ones we write, to bring KINDNESS into the lives of everyone around us? What if each KIND word we say is an agent of healing, a sweet balm for another one’s soul AND our soul? What if we became intentional about being a bearer of KIND words?

There are enough harsh, bitter, angry, stinging words being thrown around today. What if we were KINDNESS dealers, handing out doses of KINDNESS everywhere we go? Kindness costs little but pays huge dividends in our own lives and in the lives of those we touch. It’s a habit that paves the way to a sweet and healthy, joy-filled life.

Lord, we pray that Your words of loving kindness will fill us to overflowing to others. Help us to speak kind and encouraging words. Help us to be a people of love. Thank You for being the Giver of all true kindness. Thank you, Lord, for helping us to be KINDNESS dealers.

So be it, Lord! AMEN!

Preservation Needed Here

Sounds like I’m talking about an old building or canning some fruit or vegetables. Preservation means to keep alive, make lasting, to protect.

We all have an innate desire to do everything we can to make our lives last as long as we can. We know this life doesn’t hold a candle to what awaits us in heaven, but we still desire to hang out on this side a little longer, so we try to eat healthy, stay active and think positively.

I am an early morning riser. I use the excuse of posting my blog early for other early risers to get a kick-start to their day. Truth is I have been an early riser all my life. And, all my life I can get mighty sleepy throughout my day with so little sleep at night. That’s when I’ll take a little nap -- even if it is for only ten minutes.

As moms or dads of young children, no doubt, you, too, may long for a little down time for a few minutes of R&R. I think naptime might have been what the Psalmist David meant in Psalm 23: “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He restores my soul.” Aw! I like to call it a “preservation nap”!

It's okay to take time to just BE. After all, we were created by God to be human BEINGS, not human DOINGS. I am long past raising my family, being their everything, and working outside the home.

Now I am here! ‘Tis so sweet to be in this season. You'll be here one day, too. Whatever season we are in, for our own good and our preservation – we MUST find time to refuel and get ready for firing up for the next call-of-duty.

But how can we rest when there's so much to do for God? After all, we are His hands and feet extended. After all, if we don't go, who will? After all, if we don't take care of this and that, who will take care of it for us?

Then, loud, and clear comes Isaiah 30:15: “For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel says: in returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength….”

Little pullovers to the rest areas of our lives can preserve our lives for the long run. I've been at this journey of faith long enough to be convinced that in quietness and confidence in God’s faithfulness, we will be renewed and strengthened daily.

Maybe it’s time for a POWER nap – and tap into our POWER SOURCE Who brings us peace and rest – even if it’s only for 10 minutes at a time.

Giants -- Everywhere!

 

I know how it feels when my circumstances are looming over me like a hulking, colossal GIANT who is fierce, beyond my capability. He is throwing every negative word of doubt and unbelief imaginable my way. He is taunting, harassing, smack-talking and my faith is challenged like crazy.

Maybe that sounds like some things you're going through right now. If so, let’s think about the epic story of David and Goliath. David faced all those circumstances.

Goliath had no idea who he was messing with. David had slayed the lion and a bear when they were trying to get to David’s sheep. He had experienced the hand of God, the heart of God and the protection of God when he cared for those sheep. Imagine the hours of getting to know God intimately out in those fields.

Those were hard-core preparation times for what was ahead in his future. God was planting Himself -- His ways, His thoughts, His actions, His character, and His wisdom into David.

So, take David out of his comfort zone and we see the pay-off of those training times. That all brawn and no-brain giant had no idea what was about to hit him when he encountered David.

We read in I Samuel 17:37,46 about young David's attitude toward the giant: "Who is this Philistine that he should defy the Lord my God?" "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down...."

David didn't allow Goliath's size, or words, get in the way of what he knew his God could do through him. He took on Goliath with just his sling and a stone and the giant was destroyed. The giant, and everyone else, were saying “He’s too big to hit”, but David was saying “He's too big to miss!"

That story, and David's words, speak loud and clear to me, and I hope to you, too! "What is this giant that could defy the words of my God?" What are the circumstances that are looming over you today?

May we take what God has given us and shake off defeat because “Nothing shall be impossible with God!” (Luke 1:37)

Let’s take some lessons from David. He had plenty of time to build up His fortitude and skills with those sheep. Maybe we’re a little short on God’s wisdom and strength today. Let’s go to the G-Y-M (God is YOUR muscle) and muscle up with God’s Word.

“I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
“I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:37)
“The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Philippians 13:6)

Healing by Helping Others

When I am hurting, who do I think of most? ME!

I check my text messages right after I post my blog each morning. This day's message from my son made me hurt for my youngest grandson. “Our Bryson had quite an accident today. They all went to the lake. Bryson was climbing up a building to jump off into the lake. A piece of steel was hanging out and sliced his foot almost to the bone. Six stitches later. (I spared you the photo, but YIKES!)

My text back to Bryson: “Oh my goodness! Bryson! Ouch! So sorry it happened but now you’ll have a war scar to show and tell YOUR kids to look before they jump! I sure do thank God that it wasn’t even worse! Love you so much, sweet man!” Of course we had to go comfort him asap! The patient is mending, pain is less, and lesson learned!

It’s our nature, because we’re hurting, to want to be comforted. I know the comfort of being cared for when I've been sick in my body and in my soul.

When we’re in pain, God wants us to love like He does. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, He was in enormous physical, emotional, and spiritual pain. He was carrying all the sins of the world! But in His dying moments, He recognized the pain of others.

He prayed, “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” (Luke 23:34). And He said to the man next to Him, “Today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43). He also made sure John would take care of His mother. When He was in agony, He was thinking of others.

God’s Word tells us to have the same attitude as Jesus. (Philippians 2:5) That means, when we’re in pain, we should be praying and reaching out to others who are in pain. That’s a hard one. How do we look at the pain of others when we’re in pain? The same way Jesus did. And, with God’s grace, we become more like Jesus. (1 Peter 4:1)

When I needed encouragement, God brought many people into my life. Then it was my turn. I started reaching out to others and God gave me purpose and hope.

Are you hurting today? Is your mind solely on your pain and sorrow? Then I encourage you to find someone that you can help by your presence as you invite God’s presence into their lives. God can use our pain, to help others struggling with the same pain.

Galatians 6:2 calls us to “bear one another’s burdens.” Doesn’t that sound just like Jesus? Make me more like You, Jesus! Give me a heart that’s filled with love and make me more like You!

Let's Stop Comparing

I saw a sign that said, “Don’t compare your Chapter 1 to someone else’s Chapter 20." I needed those words. I wanted to be the virtuoso singer who spent countless years training her voice and I was comparing the voice I had in my church’s choir.

I wanted to be the exemplary homemaker whose home is perfection everywhere, while I was doing good to get the kitchen’s countertop cleared off and cleaned off.

There are many ways we compare ourselves. Our physical appearance. Our talents. Our kids. Our jobs. Our financial status. Our singleness or our marriage. The list goes on and on.

I am grateful for those who follow my blogs. Some will say: “I wish I could be a writer/blogger like you!” My reply is, “Just be the best version of you that you can be. Let God use what you have already." Then I recall she is an incredible cook and I praise her. Or to the creative photographer, I’ll remind him: "I love the photos you take of your trips! You are a great photographer!"

Personally, I wanted to be other people’s “Chapter 20”, but I had an epiphany. If God had intended for me to be anyone else other than me, He would have given those gifts to me. By comparing, it was as if I was criticizing His “ME” artwork. I was telling Him that He made a mistake with me.

Once we become okay with who we are NOT and the gifts we DON’T have, we can focus on who we ARE and what we DO have. I don’t want to play the comparison game! We should realize who we are is by God’s grace. As He continues to keep us on His potter’s wheel, we become His vessels of honor to be used by Him as He sees fit.

What we often fail to realize is that it’s not the greatness or grandness of the talent that matters. It’s what we do with what is in our hands. It’s how God takes what little we may have and multiplies it above and beyond what we could ever comprehend.

God gives others what they need for what they do, and He gives you and me what we need for what we do. So……. Let’s stop looking and scrolling and comparing!

God created each one of us with the gifts, the DNA, the personality, the uniqueness, that He wanted us to have. Let’s embrace God’s wisdom and skill that made us exactly Who He made us to be.

May we be grateful to be one of God’s masterpieces – no need to compare, but need to make the most of who He made us to be. His beloved sons and daughters – His masterpieces.

Transitions & Frustrations

A few weeks ago, my daughter, Staci, had a dream come true opportunity to meet up with her daughter, Alexia, in the UK after Alexia’s missions’ trip was over. The next morning, they attended Hillsong's Sunday services and then took the bullet train to Paris.

Staci met up with a friend, Irina, in the UK who became their guide throughout London and Paris. Since they had never taken Paris’ trains, they were soon feeling the frustrations with missed trains, running from platform to platform and feeling out of their comfort zone.

They decided to forego the train and hired a cab. The driver didn't speak English and he didn’t accept credit cards for payment. That’s when Staci asked the hotel’s concierge to interpret for them.

The driver agreed to take them to an ATM. While waiting for the cash, the driver drove off WITH their bags. Staci took off running like she was the heroine in a Mission Impossible movie. After running 100 yards, Staci realized that the driver wasn't trying to get away. He was turning around to avoid traffic.

I could visualize it all as I heard the story – the frustrations and transitions that led to a hilarious story told by Staci on their weekly YouTube broadcast.

Misunderstanding because of the language barrier and the fear of loss quickly brought on the victory! Maybe that scenario was a little visual of what it must have been like for Jesus after He rose from the dead.

In the 40 days from His resurrection to His ascension, Jesus was helping His disciples to transition from those frightened, frustrated disciples to power-packed world changers and history makers.

They had been hand-picked for their assignments. I sense we have been hand-picked influencers and “Rock-Solid” disciples, too! Maybe we’ve had a language barrier like my girls did in their navigating quests. BUT GOD, breaks down barriers and opens doors that can’t be closed.

Perhaps the Lord is teaching us again about what it means to entrust Him with all things and not just a few. My prayer is that the lessons and pearls of wisdom gleaned during OUR transitions and frustrations will cause us to be brave and bold leaders, too!

In the Bible, “40” represents preparation and transition. Remember the 40 days when Jesus Himself spent 40 days in the wilderness for His preparation and transition into the start of His earthly ministry.

I sense God is preparing you and me for transitions – to take us from preparation school to stepping out in boldness and determination to love, serve and be His effective witnesses.

As we move closer to the time of Jesus’ ascension, my prayer is that as the Lord empowered His disciples with “power from on High,” that He will give us the empowerment to become MORE than conquerors!

Unshakable and Unstoppable

 

“Masters champion Scottie Scheffler's faith and focus make him unshakable, and perhaps, unstoppable.” “With Scottie Scheffler’s wife home pregnant, 2024 Masters winner succeeds despite absence of his rock.”

Those were the headlines after Scottie became the Masters Open champion on Sunday. Aw! “His faith! His wife!” Words that touch my heart strings!

It was a leisurely Sunday for us -- knowing Scottie Scheffler, a University of Texas alumni, and Ludvig Aberg, a Texas Tech alumni, were playing. It was a momentous game to watch – especially that Scheffler won and Aberg came in second.

I remembered two years ago when our family converged at Austin Country Club for the PGA’s World Golf Championship Match Play finale. We had a birds-eye view of Scottie’s wife running to his side when he had won the game.

I was confused when I didn’t see her swarm her husband when he became the Masters Open Champion on Sunday. Yesterday’s news gave me the reason why. When I read about Scottie’s faith AND his wife, I knew a blog was coming.

Scottie Scheffler won his second green jacket in three years by capturing the 2024 Masters by four strokes over Ludvig Åberg.

Scheffler's wife, Meredith, who is by his side at every tournament on the PGA Tour schedule, is due to give birth to the couple's first child any week now. She chose to forego traveling to Augusta.

Scheffler repeatedly stated throughout the week that he would withdraw from the Masters if called upon by his wife to return for the birth of their child.

Meredith's absence was particularly noteworthy given the context of Scheffler's 2022 Masters victory. The 27-year-old revealed that Meredith calmed him. While the two connected throughout the week digitally, Scottie was without the presence of his rock.

Scottie and Meredith have proven to be a power couple on the PGA Tour. Whenever Scheffler wins a trophy, it is not hardware that is the first item in his arms but rather his wife.

He speaks about Meredith's importance to his mindset and preparation every week. She keeps him grounded and is always there for him as his biggest supporter. While she was not physically at the Masters this week, Meredith was able to speak with Scottie before his final round.

"She just asked me if she could pray for me," he explained. “She sent a lot of prayers. My neck was bugging me a little bit. Just prayed for some healing and prayed for a lot of peace out there.”

In a sport that pushes relentless pursuit -- more wins, more money, more fame – Scottie’s worldview of contentment as a Christian, as a husband and as a soon-to-be father is a gift.

I love a faith and love-filled testimony of success that comes from being grounded in God’s love and grace. Grounded! Isn’t that what we want, too?

1 Corinthians 13:7 “Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

The Mind and the Mine Connection

“Mine!” That’s what toddlers say when another child wants to play with their toys. I remember my own children saying “Mine!” It took some time to change their “minds” to be generous, kind and giving.

But that “Mine!” attitude isn’t easy to break. Even, as adults, “mine” is a part of our DNA. My plans. My ideas. My way. My life. In the words of Frank Sinatra “I did it MY way!” Not anything against Frank, but that wasn’t a love song about a girl, a boy or even a city — it was about me, me, me.

I am from the Baby Boomer generation that was dubbed the “Me” generation aka the narcissistic, self-made, self-fulfillment generation. But it didn’t start there.

From the beginning, “Mine” was an issue. Out of all the lush beauty and best of fruits to eat – Adam and Eve weren’t satisfied. They HAD to have THAT apple.

Samson HAD to have Delilah. King David HAD to have Bathsheba. Judas HAD to have the 30 pieces of silver. We see the trouble "mine" got them. It seems to have carried over through all generations.

It’s Satan’s tactic. He authored it. It was about his glory as the highest of all angels, but he wasn’t contented. Instead, Satan desired to be God. “MINE” was and is his mode of operation. That’s why he isn’t content. He wants us, too!

You know the phrase: "My way or the highway". I’m singing to the choir and a choir of angels are singing to us. Romans 12:10 calls us to “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.”

I've had plenty of time to get it right. I'm still learning. I've learned that my mind, mouth, mood, and attitude are all intricately connected. When they run amuck, it’s because “It’s all about me!” Mine. My feelings. My way.

For years, I didn’t make the connection between my thoughts and the rest of my life. But God, in His loving ways, taught me many things from His Word about the “mind connection”.

The longer I follow Jesus, the more I learn the attitude of humility. Philippians 2:5-9 explains it well: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death on the cross.”

No longer about ME and MINE! It is about HE. May God help us to humble our hearts AND our minds to become more like Him. More of You, Lord. Less of ME! 

Let's Eat

You ought to see us at our Thursday night’s Mix and Mingle. I mean those of us who live at Everleigh Lakeline 60+ community. You would think that we were starving birds in the wilderness as we line up to fill our plates with another scrumptious meal.

Let’s eat! We love those words! They mean “dinner is served”! We are hungry. The kitchen is filled with nose-worthy aromas. We can barely wait when the hostess says “Let’s eat!”

Ever heard this prayer before a meal? “Good food, good meat. Good God, let’s eat!” And in case we start eating before we pray, we can pray: “Bless the Lord oh my soul and ALL that is within me!” (Psalm 103:1) Maybe Jesus was the first one to pray “God is great; God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. Amen.”

We’re still in the Easter season right on through to Jesus’ ascension. Imagine a breakfast of fresh, grilled fish and warm bread on the beach after pulling an all-nighter at work. Our host is none other than the newly risen Savior. This is one of my favorites “after resurrection” stories.

Let’s put ourselves in the sandals of the disciples. We are emotionally and physically exhausted. We have encountered the resurrected Jesus, twice. Somehow, He walked through walls and comforted us by saying: “Peace be with you!” He also gave us a vision for our next steps of life: “Just as the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” (John 20:19,26)

But what do we do next? We are sure Jesus IS the Messiah, the Son of God. But we need to go back to work because we and our families need to eat. But nothing. Nada. No fish.

But Jesus. He knew what the disciples needed most. Something to eat. He calls to them from the shore and says: “Cast your net on the right side of the boat!” The resulting catch was humongous!

Then the Host, with the most, our Lord graciously offers them hospitality. He invites those who had earlier left Him to share a meal AGAIN with Him. For Jesus to feed breakfast to those failed men must not only have provided satisfaction for their stomachs, but grace to their souls.

The presence of the risen Lord signaled to those weary disciples that everything is going to be okay. He offers that to us, too! May I invite you to the table?

The table is spread where the Saints of God are fed. He invites His chosen people to “Come and dine!” Lord, please make my life less about me, and all about You!

Let’s eat!

Owning Up to Our Authority

 

We’re still navigating our way with Jesus when He was in and out of places after His resurrection. He served up fried fish for His disciples by a campfire as they came to Him from their fishing boat.

Jesus gave plenty of opportunities for witnesses to see Him alive and well AFTER He came back to life at His resurrection. Those witnesses assured us that He is alive. His resurrection Is about us taking hold of His promises and His authority.

At the end of a marriage ceremony, we’ll hear words used by clergy, judge or officiant: “By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you…..husband and wife!” They are saying they are vested with an authority that is higher than their own. Whether it’s a federal or state law, they are acting in the authority that has been given to them.

My dear friend who works with me at the family center, has taken hold of that authority. She has given over 175 hours of her time to a friend who was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. My friend drives her friend to medical appointments, stays with her during treatments and speaks life and wholeness into her friend. She has taken hold of the word “authority”.

A few days ago, at her friend’s routine check-up, she heard the doctor say: “The four tumors are no longer active!” Thanks be to God. Her friend is going with her to church now. My friend realized her authority in Christ by praying and speaking healing words to her friend.

When Peter prayed for the beggar to walk, he said: “I have no silver and gold, but WHAT I DO HAVE I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk!” He was acting on behalf of a higher authority – Jesus Christ. He had been commissioned by Jesus.

Peter believed in that power because he had witnessed Jesus speaking and saying: “WHOEVER believes in me will do the works that I do and will do greater ones than these.” (John 14:12)

We, too, have been commissioned by Jesus. As God’s “elect”, sold-out believers in our Lord and Savior, we too have been given that authority! Like the disciples, we too have been sent to: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 2:19)

Like Peter, we can call on the name of Jesus – that name that is above every other name! It is mightier than any other name. It is the name to which all of creation must bow. (Philippians 2:9-10)

Mountains in your life today? Let’s take authority over the them by remembering Who is in our corner and Who has given us the authority to say: “Mountains, move out of my way!”

Jesus sent you and me with His authority to do His works. When we call on Him with a sincere heart, He will come to us. When we say His name with confidence and boldness, we can rest assured, He stands with us.

It is true whether we pray for a friend’s healing or our own. It is true even if our prayer isn’t answered exactly how or when we hope it would be. Jesus hears us.

By the power vested in me, through Christ our Lord, I speak the name of Jesus over you, today! In your hurting, in your sorrow, in your weakness, I ask our God to move. Mountains, MOVE! In the mighty name of Jesus, the name above all names, we conquer. We win!

I'm a Jesus Fan

 

Yes, I’m a Jesus fan! I can't help myself. He has done so much for me in the peace, comfort and joy categories that makes me want to make Him even more famous. My blogs speak of Him often.

I'm sure you have seen Jesus fans carrying signs on street corners that say something like “Trust God” or “God is Good” or “Honk if You Love Jesus”. I am guilty as charged. I have been one of those who stood on a corner with a group who waved our hands and signs expressing our audacious love for God.

People like me inspire me. I recognize the unbridled love they have for spreading the good news that they have found. Maybe those folks are deliriously happy because of an answered prayer, and they can’t help themselves but to boldly declare it.

On the other hand, maybe those people are acting in faith, simply trusting God for something that seems almost impossible in the natural. Either way, they have the "goods" on trusting.

What causes some folks to live with such unabandoned devotion to God? I'd like to suggest that they are the ones who once were lost. Now they are found. They were on their death bed. Now they’re healed and whole. They were once lonely. Now they are secure in knowing God loves and cares for them so much. They were once alcoholics or drug addicts. Now they’re free. They were once homeless. Now they have a home, a job, a family and friends.

I love seeing people advertising Jesus on t-shirts they wear. They are not ashamed of the One Who changed everything in their lives. Many of us have also become bold and fanatical in our faith and devotion to God. We also wear those shirts or carry those signs!

We are those who are radical enough to defend the unborn; who love our Country, and who believe nothing is impossible with God. We are so fanatical that we happily get up out of bed early on Sunday mornings and are excited to go to church. We read our Bibles for daily inspiration and encouragement. We can’t help but share God’s good news with others.

But most importantly, we trust God in the storms of life and have come through them all. We are willing to take risks, face our fears, and we even dance in the storms.

There are days I am so overjoyed by the answers to prayer, the blessings that come my way, and sheer delight in my relationship with God. I can’t help but express my joy internally AND externally.

Lest you think I am always in this glory hallelujah mood, let me assure you, I am human. There are times when my prayers don’t get answered right away. Often, I get a "No" or "Not yet" answer. Still I have learned total TRUST and complete certainty that God will work it ALL for our good. It is my way of life.

Won't you join me in being a Jesus fan, too? Let's be Jesus lovers. After all, He loved us first so let’s love Him with all our hearts, our souls and strength. It’s good news! Let’s share it!

All is Vanity

 

I spend way too much time looking at myself in the mirror. Lord, have mercy! My mother is looking back at me! The aging struggle is real.

Usually, these days, I take a good quick look at who is staring back at me because the girl I once was, is long gone. But then, I remember the Psalmist's words: "Turn my eyes from looking at vanities: and give me life in YOUR ways."

Did you know that vanity means excessive pride in one's appearance, qualities, abilities, achievements, etc. It is the quality of being vain and conceited. Yikes! THAT is not a character trait I wish to have.

Then I remember that when I show dissatisfaction in the way I look, I am being ungrateful and dishonoring my Heavenly Father, my Creator. I am His beautiful creation. A masterpiece. Even if I look like my mother in her upper years!

Suddenly I make a shift to not seeing me, but seeing a story. A fierce and strong story. A life that despite disappointments, heartbreaks, and weariness, still glorifies God. Why on earth did I take so long to REALLY see me?

I really do want to turn my eyes from vanity and have the life in God's ways. King Solomon said, “Vanity, vanity. All is vanity!” (Ecclesiastes 1:11)

I have spent way too many years focusing on every imperfection. Staring at everything that is wrong and failing to be grateful for so much that is right. I scroll through Instagram posts and see those toned bodies, longing for mine to look just like them. What am I thinking? I am long past those bodies and those faces.

While I am exercising on the elliptical equipment, I remember how blessed I am to still be here. That’s when the scales fall from my eyes. What if the lines on my face that I want to erase are my roadmap to heaven?

I like to think that the wrinkles are not necessarily signs of OLD age. They are signs of BOLD age. Every line tells the story of who I am, and where I have been. Some of them are a warrior's markings, honoring the mountain tops I have rested on, the deep valleys I have completely fallen apart in, and every place in between.

Those lines are like the lines I drew on the door frame measuring my children’s height growth. These are my growth charts. They are quite literally my life-lines. And right there on the elliptical equipment, I realized I was honored to wear those life-lines.

When I pressed the GO button on the equipment, I believed I was worn out with life and circumstances, and it showed. BUT I got off thinking I had been gifted with a life well worn.

Sure, I can erase all those lines. I can get fillers, a facelift, Botox, and a high-priced moisturizer. I can wipe away my life in one fell swoop. But why? Why would I do that? Why would I take away the visible reminder of all I have conquered?

When it is my time to go home, I want every nook and cranny of my face and body to speak for me; to tell my story of surrender, sacrifice and hope against hope. The story of standing strong in the battle and weathering the storm because I built my house on solid rock.

I purpose it to be a magnificent tale of a warrior woman who met Jesus at the foot of the cross and knew there was no safer place to be. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for your cross. It was there by faith I received my SIGHT and now I am happy all the day!

God is in the Details

Details -- those ominous, pit-filled, heart-wrenching times when we ask: "Why? Why? Why?" But hold on, friends, God is in the details!!!

We are having our morning devotions when we start looking for answers to some almost overwhelming issues. A sales contract on Carl’s home seems to have a glitch. During the inspection, some plumbing issues are discovered. Then the plumbers come and along with them comes a $60K repair estimate. Ugh!

Then, there are some dear family friends who we find are overloaded with health issues and “children” issues. As we are praying, in my head I am hearing the words “God is in the Details”. That is a contemporary Christian song written by musicians, Big Daddy Weave and Katy Nichole:

“God is in this story
God is in the details
Even in the broken parts
He holds my heart, He never fails
When I'm at my weakest
I will trust in Jesus
Always in the highs and lows
The One who goes before me
God is in this story.”

YES! God knows all about the details in our lives. He goes before us in the highs and lows. He is in every one of our stories! We are not alone....EVER!!

Long before that song was a hit, I read that "God is in the details" is a quote by American Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886–1969). It means that when attention is paid to the small things, it can have the biggest rewards and that the details matter.

Goodness! And, long before that quote, was God’s words in Psalms 37:23-25. “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in EVERY DETAIL of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.”

What are the “details” that consume your thoughts today? Funny how I think about the incessant discussions we had of where to get the best view of the total solar eclipse a couple of days ago. We called to get a hotel room, where, supposedly, would be the best viewing. “Sold out” was the reply in every hotel. But God was in the details of our lives.

The details of waiting for wisdom gave us the best results. It is one of those times of learning to depend on God’s details. No matter who we are, life can throw some crazy curve balls that completely take us off course and off our perfectly laid-out plans.

It can jar our faith when stuff happens that we didn’t plan. But what I’ve learned in many times of decision-making is that we don’t have to understand the plan or the changes to the plan to know God has His own plan. And aren’t His plans the ones we desire anyway?

God is always ahead of us and proving time and time again “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Keeping our hearts open to God's sovereignty — that He knows what’s best for us, is the best plan.

Very often, blessings come through raindrops, and we left our umbrella at home. Proverbs 9:20 says: “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Indeed, sometimes our plans don’t work out because God has better ones – the ones in the details!

God Sees in Cinematography

We heard the perfect place to view the total solar eclipse was Luckenbach, Texas. Friends said it would be the crème-de-la-crème location of seeing it happen there in full cinematography. Knowing the highways would be packed with travelers, sweet home Austin had a better offer for us.

Our next-door neighbors, Texas Children’s Hospital, offered our community to join them for their Solar Eclipse Party on their 7th floor parking area. We were treated like royalty. Delicious “solar eclipse drinks”, snacks AND places to sit. Along with the hospital’s personnel, we had a birds-eye view of the phenomenon. What an exhibition of God’s incredible genius!

We were in the perfect spot to see the slow and gentle movement of the spectacular! The moon moved between us and the sun. There were clouds but it was as though God orchestrated His creation to show off for us. We absolutely saw the slice of the sun and then the “ring of fire”. These photos from my iPhone display the four minutes we observed it all happen.

The wonders of God’s creation boggles this finite mind of mine. I really didn’t have to see it, but I did, and I was stoked to have seen it live and in person.

Along with God’s intricate details, He chose man as His accomplice in the developments of technology, innovation, and discovery in these days and times. God knew about it long before we could even comprehend it all. Where do those brilliant minds come from? From God the Almighty.

What causes me to scratch my head in awe and wonder, is that God created you and me to create in the fashion of His genius. He uses mere mortals to achieve the unthinkable. Our genius Creator of this spectacular universe knew all we could become and all we could accomplish long before He created us. God sees the cinematographic, big screen view, from where we were to all that is ahead of us. It almost sounds too wonderful to think God sees who we are and who we can become. He sees the person He has created us to be – someone that He can use for His honor and glory.

We are still God’s grandest creation. He called His human creation from the beginning as VERY GOOD! As BIG as God is – He still crawls inside our hearts to nudge us toward doing our best to be our best for Him in love and service.

I heard many predictions from various faiths and religions about this eclipse. But instead of fixating on predictions, I still think it best to simply allow an eclipse to inspire us with the wonder of God’s work. Eclipses are wondrous examples of the reality that Psalm 19:1 points out: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

Experiencing this total solar eclipse gives me pause to let it serve as an occasion to feel awe and thank God for His work in our lives. And, if He chooses to pick me or you for the next discovery, then let’s hold our hand up and say: “Pick me!”

“Oh, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth. Your majesty shines through everything you have made—even me!”

God's Handiwork in the Heavens

On August 21, 2017, millions of people witnessed the last full solar eclipse. While I have a great appreciation for the wonders in the skies and on the earth, I didn’t get carried away with it all until I was at my car dealership. The service guys were outside with their welder’s masks. My service rep called me over to look. Indeed it was a sight to behold.

Fast forward to today, April 8th, 2024. I don't really know what this day holds, but I know who holds today! There is massive enthusiasm about today's total solar eclipse. I read that in Gatesville, Texas, members of Coryell Community Church will congregate at the campus’ hilltop site where a trio of 70-foot crosses tower over the city of 17,000, 38 miles west of Waco.

The region lies in the center of the approaching solar eclipse’s path of totality. Coryell’s “Eclipse of the Crosses” family gathering will feature live music, games, and worship – an occasion to celebrate. Meanwhile, organizers at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo have bought a thousand eclipse glasses for a viewing event, complete with black-and-white half-moon cookies.

“An eclipse is yet another opportunity to witness the handiwork of God that exists in the universe,” said Eric Moffett, Coryell’s lead pastor. “We aren’t looking for any omens in the cosmos, but we are using this as an opportunity, for a little over four minutes, to be reminded that we live in a world made by God and sustained by his love and goodness.”

Our community has partnered with our next door neighbors, Texas Children's Hospital, to have a Solar Viewing Party on their outdoors seventh floor. We'll have our special glasses to, hopefully, watch the phenonmenon.

I never thought of it, but I understand that it was most likely a solar eclipse that God, the Father, displayed in darkness of Jesus’ crucifixion. That’s enough to inspire fear AND awe. As the Gospel of Mark 15:33 reads: "And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour."

I read that many world religions are taking this total solar eclipse very seriously. Some of the omens are frightful and some are indicating the sovereignty of God. When I look at this world, and all its inhabitants, I can’t help but believe that our God is in MASTER control.

Our part, as believers in our God Who with nothing escapes His mighty eyes and His sovereign plans, is to look at this world of conflict and distress. We don’t really need an eclipse to know it’s time to get right with God and the people in our lives so that we have no regrets.

If you are an eclipse chaser, which I understand will, in most cases, require tons of patience as tons of vehicles will be making their way to the best viewing of the eclipse, then enjoy the ride and the darkness.

What I am saying is beyond the darkness (of the sun), there is ALWAYS the LIGHT of our Lord and Savior. Even during the darkest times, we know by faith that God puts a path before us and calls us to follow. Let’s remember to act not only on what we experience with our senses, but always and in all circumstances to live by faith.

God knows our todays — the dark shadows that may come and the bright sunlight that drives out the darkness. We can know every day the sun (The Son) is always shining brightly. Our Creator has something special up His sovereign sleeves.

Let’s keep our “Son” glasses on and keep our eyes on He Who destroys the darkness! "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28

Let's Talk About Going Home

 

I write this blog today after attending a group meeting that included a yummy Mexican lunch! Was it the dying part that enticed me to go to the meeting or was it the free lunch? Maybe both. At our ripe ages, it is incumbent upon us to consider “What’s Next?” – at least regarding helping our children manage our passing.

At the last several funerals aka memorial services we have attended, each of the deceased were cremated. No caskets, but lots of floral arrangements and many inspiring and encouraging words said about the one we were celebrating.

I am not debating with anyone on what choices they are making to ensure what happens to them once they depart earth. But, forward thinking, I wanted to know more about cremation.

The Neptune’s Society meeting helped us explore the options. Let’s face it – no one is exempt from death – well, except for Jesus – Who lives on for you and me!

A lot of people fear death but here’s some good news: Jesus saved us from fear of anything – including the power and fear of death. John 19:30 says, as Jesus died on the cross, He shouted, “It is finished!” It was His battle cry as a victorious conqueror. It meant, “I have defeated death. I have proven that you don’t have to be afraid of death, because I’m going to come back to life. I am the Resurrection, and you can be resurrected by believing in me. Death is not the end. You don’t have to fear it anymore!”

I may have put extra words into Jesus’ mouth in that last paragraph, but if we read scriptures, time and again, Jesus told us He would be our Resurrection and Life!

Because Jesus died on the cross in our place, we should not be afraid. Death holds no power over those of us Who know Jesus personally. Death is simply a transfer because we know where we’re going when we die. If death is scary and overwhelming to think about for you, then I encourage you to trust Jesus to be your Lord, Savior, YOUR resurrection, and your life.

When we become Christians, we stake our claim on it by being baptized. Baptism symbolizes our confidence that we have died to sin and raised to new life. Others are watching us. We can live our life of faith by showing others we are confident in being resurrected one day to be with Jesus forever.

We’ve been raised to live a new life with the best news ever – eternity with our Lord. That’s the best thing to ever happen to us. Now we can live our lives, doing our best, to give others the assurance of heaven, too!

Max Lucado says this: "Death seems like such a dead end. Until we read Jesus' resurrection story." Matthew 28:6 says, "He is not here. He has risen from the dead as He said He would."

Thank you, Lord, for saving our souls. No matter what our last days on earth look like, our best days are up ahead in our home sweet home in heaven. “What a day that will be when our Jesus we will see! When we look upon His face, the One Who saved us by His grace. When He takes us by the hand and leads us to the Promised Land. What a day, glorious day that will be!"

We've Got the Power

I can’t help myself. I am still living in the wonders and miracles of our Lord’s Easter/Resurrection life AND in our resurrection life. Colossians 1:13 says “He rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us safe into the kingdom of His dear Son.”

God was in control when He placed Jesus into Mary’s womb. God was in control when Jesus was born and placed in a manger. God was in control when Jesus grew up, became a miracle-worker, and then went to the cross to die for us.

We all know some kinds of setbacks. But that’s when God orchestrates a set-up for our greatest comeback EVER. We witnessed that when we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord. It was the greatest comeback ever. God was in control!

The greater the setback — the greater the comeback. I mean, seriously, think about Jesus’ death on the cross. It was a setback; unlike anything the disciples could have imagined. It was all over for them, and they hid in fear. But joy came in the morning when the greatest comeback ever took place. Jesus rose from the dead and we were the winners right along with Him. He lives to give us His comeback power!

Romans 6:10-11. “The Spirit of God, Who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” PRAISE the LORD!

On the cross, Jesus destroyed Satan’s power to control our minds, our lives, and our destiny. When Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), Satan should have said, “I’m finished.” His days are numbered!

Jesus has won the victory over death and Satan. But if we don’t have the power of Christ in our life, then we are defenseless against Satan. He can manipulate our emotions. He can mess with our minds. He can get us addicted to all kinds of crazy stuff. We are powerless without Christ in our lives.

Satan has two favorite tools to whip us around: temptation and condemnation. He uses temptation by minimizing sin: “It’s no big deal! Everybody does it!” Satan doesn’t have to speak out loud. He just puts those ideas in our minds. When God gives us an idea, it’s called inspiration. When Satan puts an idea in our mind, it’s called temptation.

Then, the moment we cave to temptation, the dumb devil reverses his strategy and starts playing the “blame game” on us. “You did that! Forget God. He will never love you again. It’s over. God can never use you. That is so big, you’ll never be forgiven for that!”

On the cross, when Jesus Christ said, “It is finished,” he defeated temptation and condemnation. Now, He gives us the power to resist the enemy’s lies. Jesus’ death and resurrection were a fatal blow to Satan.

If we have Jesus Christ in our lives, then Satan has zero power over us except the areas that we choose to give him. The dirty, rotten liar, incessantly, taps our heart’s door to let him in with his guilt, worry and fear tactics. We MUST padlock the door. NO ENTRY HERE!

With God’s power in our lives, the chains of the enemy are null and void:
“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.”

We have the power to say “NO! You are messing with the wrong blood-bought, Child of God! We’ve got the power!

Let's Talk About It Some More

I mean. Let’s talk about what the resurrection of our Lord really means to us. I can’t let it go. The resurrection of our Lord changes everything. He proved NOTHING is impossible with God. He proved that what He said would be.

Jesus said to Martha after her brother, Lazarus died and was buried: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” (John 11:25)

How’s that for a demonstration of what a resurrection looks like? That was a “practice run” for the ultimate resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

Yes. Jesus was born in a pretty shabby birth room – a stable. It didn’t matter where – but it mattered WHAT! The Son of God came to this earth as an example of the lives that we can live on this earth.

Jesus had bouts of weakness and weariness like us. Yes. He encountered pushbacks on so many levels. The religious leaders were diabolically opposed to this mere man from Galilee. They scoffed: “Who does He think He is?”

Everything the disciples witnessed (the healings, the restorations, the exorcisms, the resurrections, the thousands being fed with a few loaves and fishes, the storms becoming peace, the children wanting to be near Him, the water turned to wine and so much more) could never be forgotten.

For a moment, let’s look again at what we can glean from this love story! Romans 8:11 says “And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you!!”

WHAT? The same Spirit? You mean that I can be a conqueror like Jesus. You mean I can pray with someone, being a vessel of the Holy Spirit, and see them experience Jesus’ resurrection life, healing, and wholeness, too?

Just look at how the lives of the disciples were changed and empowered. God can use us in ways we might not even imagine. For example, I witnessed (from our apartment window), our dear friend, Lee Rosenlund, praying for a distraught, hurting woman. She was raising her hand in surrender, and Lee was praying for her. Lee was operating as the hands and feet of Jesus.

It’s easy, given our busyness and distractions, to miss the Holy Spirit’s action in our daily lives. Or perhaps we don’t expect Him to work through us. But if we keep our “antenna” pointed in His direction we will hear Him. My antenna was pointed when a friend hugged me, and I hugged her back and prayed for her.

Remember the denier of Jesus before the cross and resurrection? Look at Him AFTER. The weak-kneed disciple, Peter, now filled with the Holy Spirit, stepped out in faith to help a beggar, by declaring, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” "Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.’” (Acts 3:6)

Peter had to open his mouth, raise his voice, and begin talking. Peter got out of his comfort zone to preach a sermon that brought in over 3,000 people to the Lord.

By the same power of the Holy Spirit, we can step out in faith and persevere to do what we can, when we can. Remember, the risen Christ lives in you AND me!