My Name is Written in the Palm of His Hand

The other day I saw a friend write a phone number of someone on the palm of her hand. I've seen others write their grocery list on their hand. And, I remember when I was a kid in school, seeing some “cheaters” write the answers to test questions on the palms of their hands.

I’ve been a fan of Max Lucado's writings for years because he writes with a style that awakens my thought processes. Every time I read one of his books or writings, I have an “aha” moment. So now that I’ve built my case for Max Lucado and his God-given anointing to pen God’s heart for us to know Him better, I want to “gift” you with the following inspiring words from his book, “When God Whispers Your Name” to tell you how much God loves you:

"When I see a flock of sheep I see exactly that, a flock. A rabble of wool. I don’t see a sheep. I see sheep. All alike. None different. But not so with the Shepherd. To Him every sheep is different. Every face has a story. John 10:3 says, “The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name.” When we see a crowd, we see exactly that, a crowd. We see people, not persons. A herd of humans. But not so with the Shepherd. To Him every face is different. Every face is a story. The Shepherd knows you. He knows your name. And He will never forget it. God said in Isaiah 49:16, “I have written your name on my hand.” Quite a thought isn’t it? Your name on God’s hand. My name on God’s hand…how could it be?”-- Max Lucado

Those words not only encourage and bless me, but they assure me of God’s love for me. In the 7th grade, I fell for a boy named Ronnie Wuerch. I wrote his name on my books, my folders and in the palm of my hand. It meant I was thinking about him all the time. And how awesome to know that our names are written in the palm of God's hand? He is in love with us. He's thinking about us all the time. We are individualized. We are so special. We are one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Yes, that, my friends, is TRUE LOVE! And, oh, by the way......your name is written on the palm of His hand, too!

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

I love the way my friend, Melissa Ascarino Silvestro, Director of Adult and Family Life at my church, talks and leads those in faith formation to falling in love with Jesus. First it’s getting acquainted with Him and His Church. It’s all about a Love Story. Please allow me to give you her perspective of that love story. (I’ve embellished her words with my words -- just a little!)

First you hear about this "guy" from a friend. She tells you she wants you to meet him because he’d be perfect for you. You’re hesitant about meeting another guy who could let you down and disappoint you. But, she goes on to tell you that the two of you have so much common with each other because he knows disappointment and rejection too. He is kind and generous and forgiving. You agree to meet him, but you’re not quite sure so you remain cautious. The encounter is planned and the day comes when you get to meet him. He’s everything that your friend said he would be. But you’re not about to commit to someone you just met. Your friend encourages you to hang in there, find out more about him, and just spend some one-on-one time with him. You agree to another “date”. This time, something starts happening inside you. You start to get some emotions you can’t explain. You really, really like him…..a lot. By now, you've met some of his family members -- and they are warm and welcoming and you like hanging around them, too. But, you’re just not a quick decision maker – especially when you think about a long term relationship. By now, you can’t stop thinking about him because he seems to be everything you hoped for, dreamed for, and waited for. You spend even more time with him and when you do, you see that he’s a friend that you can talk to about any and everything with. He “gets you”. He understands what you mean when you speak and he even knows what you’re thinking before you speak. Then, the day comes when he asks if you’ll be his forever and ever love, and there is no way you could say “no” – he has captured your mind, your heart and your soul. You say, “Yes – I believe in you. My life is in you. My hope is in you. You are my beloved and I am yours.” Honestly, this is MY Love Story. Jesus is my everything -- my hope for today and tomorrow. I assure you, that this could be your Love Story, too!

Indeed, the greatest story ever told is that LOVE STORY – the story about God’s Son who left the portals of heaven to become one of us, first, as a little baby, then grow up and set the pattern for loving and living and serving others, and then to ultimately, die for us so that our Love Story lives on forever. The Bible tells us to "give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever" Psalm 136:1. Twenty-five more times in the Psalm we are assured that God's "steadfast love endures forever." "Steadfast love" describes a love that is unconditional and unchanging, depending in no sense on us and in every sense on God.
So as we enter into this most holy of seasons that describes that LOVE STORY to us over and over, how should we respond to such a Love Story? We can respond like the shepherds did on that first Christmas night, and like the Wise Men when they arrived at their home. They worshiped Him. We can enter into that amazing LOVE STORY as we contemplate Him, lean in closer to Him and bow our lives to Him in adoration for who He is and all He has done for us. We can fall in love with him again and determine to keep the “flames of that first love we had for Him” burning as brightly as the star that announced His coming over 2,000 years ago.

One of my favorite authors, Max Lucado, also recommends this Love Story: "When we invite God into our world, he walks in. He brings a host of gifts: joy, patience, resilience. Anxieties come, but they don't stick. Fears surface and then depart. Regrets land on the windshield, but then comes the wiper of prayer. The devil still hands me stones of guilt, but I turn and give them to Christ."

Am I Your Favorite?

This boy. My joy. This Bryson man is the baby (I won't get away with saying that much longer, I'm sure​!​) of the 6 grandchildren, so maybe that's why I treasure that he ​and I are such good buds! He's 10 now, but he'll still hold my hand while we're sitting together and he ​still lets me cuddle him. He asks me, "Nana, am I your favorite?" To which I reply "You are my favorite 10-year old." There is just something about this boy, however, beyond him being the youngest, that grabs my heart. He is not as big in stature or ego. He's not competitive, unless he's beating me at Monopoly.

He's his own man and is quite content in his own skin. He loves his animals, so much so, that you don't have to ask if he's fed them or seen after them. He's out with them at least three times a day. He loves them so much. ​He'll say, "I've got to go see my girls (those are the donkeys, Molly Grace and Firecracker)", or ​"I'm going to feed the boys!" That's Vamanos, the longhorn, and the goats -- Oreo, Jorge, Billy, Buttercup and Bobby! And, he is on point everyday feeding and caring for his beloved dog, Bentley.

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Have you ever felt like the favorite (favored one)? I guess I did because I, too, was the baby, with my next oldest sibling, my sister who was 12 years older than me. I know I had special privileges because I was the youngest, but being the youngest, I was also my Mom's caregiver until her "going home" day. My joy.

Maybe you never felt like the favored one or favorite of anything? Here's some really good news. I assure you that we are loved by God without partiality. ​Oh yes, I know there was John, the beloved apostle, who kept repeating that he was "the one that Jesus loved" over and over in his writings. Then there's the scripture that describes David's relationship with God ​as ​"A man after God's own heart". It ​sure does sound like ​God ​does have His​ favorites, ​doesn't it?​

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Maybe there's a reason for favortism. Wonder if our choices have any impact on whether we are among His favorites? Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my Word.” God wants to show us all His favor and God isn't limited in His favor. He doesn't rank us in order of importance, nor is His favor something we must compete with one another to earn.

God is not limited in His favor. He does not rank us in order of importance, nor is His favor something we must compete with one another to earn. Every child of God who comes to Him through faith in Jesus Christ has the favor of God. ​Psalm 5:12 ​says, “For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” ​ ​As we grow in faith and seek to please Him, God demonstrates His favor by drawing near to us ​(James 4:8). He desires to bestow favor on everyone who seeks Him​ (Jeremiah 29:13). Even the Lord’s ​discipline is a means of showing favor to His children.​ Hebrews 12:5-6 ​says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

In reality, I think God has only One favorite -- His Son Jesus, but because God loved me and you so much that He sent His Favorite to become one of us, gave Him as the ultimate sacrifice to die for us so that we can have an abundant life here and forever, we are His favorites, too. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world (that's you and me) that He gave His only begotten Son.....(and the prerequisite?) that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life." That's real favoritism!!! When I am found in Him I too am a favorite of His. and when God sees me, He sees Jesus. I love the way Max Lucado puts it:

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If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem; not to mention that Friday at Calvary? Face it, friend. He's crazy about you." Max Lucado

So, go ahead......feel the love, feel the favoritism, feel the warmth of His embrace. You are loved and the more you and I get that.....the more we'll accept the privileges of being in the royal family of God!



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My Prediction for November 9th

There is nothing I could say that could top this message that was recently written by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado. I wouldn't give up my own posting for just anyone, but because I believe these words so much, it's as though THIS IS MY POST! I urge you to read every word and realize, no matter what.....WE WIN!

MY PREDICTION FOR NOVEMBER 9th (Written October 11, 2016)

We are really ready for this presidential election to be over. We’re ready for an end to the rancor and tackiness. Voters on both sides feel frustrated, even embarrassed by it all. There is a visceral fear, an angst about the result. What if so and so wins? When we wake up to November 9th, post-election, when the confetti is swept away and the election is finally over, what will we see?

I have a prediction. I know exactly what November 9th will bring. Another day of God’s perfect sovereignty. He will still be in charge. His throne will still be occupied. He will still manage the affairs of the world. Never before has His providence depended on a king, president, or ruler. And it won’t on November 9, 2016. “The LORD can control a king’s mind as he controls a river; He can direct it as He pleases” (Proverbs 21:1).

On one occasion, the Lord turned the heart of the King of Assyria so that he aided them in the construction of the Temple. [1] On another occasion, he stirred the heart of Cyrus to release the Jews to return to Jerusalem. [2] Nebuchadnezzar was considered to be the mightiest king of his generation. But God humbled and put him in “detention” for seven years. [3] “The kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations” (Psalm 22:28).

Understanding God’s sovereignty over the nations opens the door to peace. When we realize that God influences the hearts of all rulers, we can then choose to pray for them rather than fret about them. Rather than wring our hands, we bend our knees, we select prayer over despair.

Jeremiah did this. He was the prophet to Israel during one of her darkest periods of rebellion. He was called “the weeping prophet” because he was one. He wept at the condition of the people and the depravity of their faith. He was so distraught that one of his books was entitled Lamentations. But then he considered the work of God. Note the intentionality of his words:
This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never ceases,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentation 3:21-23)

Imitate Jeremiah. Lift up your eyes. Dare to believe that good things will happen. Dare to believe that God was speaking to us when He said: “In everything God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28).

Let's make this our prayer:
Dear Lord,
You are perfect. You could not be better than you are. You are self-created. You exist because you choose to exist. You are self-sustaining. No one helps you. No one gives you strength. You are self-governing. Who can question your deeds? Who dares advise you? You are correct. In every way. In every choice. You regret no decision. You have never failed. Never! You cannot fail! You are God! You will accomplish your plan. You are happy. Eternally joyful. Endlessly content. You are the king, supreme ruler, absolute monarch, overlord, and rajah of all history. An arch of your eyebrow and a million angels will pivot and salute. Every throne is a footstool to yours. Every crown is papier–mâché to yours. No limitations, hesitations, questions, second thoughts, or backward glances. You consult no clock. You keep no calendar. You report to no one. You are in charge..........AND I TRUST YOU!

Circle November 9th on your calendar and write upon it the words: Our good God rules the world.
© MaxLucado, October 2016

Changing is Possible

I know it’s hard to believe, but in all honesty, I was a shy,timid introvert as I grew up. I avoided crowds, parties, and situations that would cause me to HAVE to interact with people. So, obviously, I was not chosen to be “Most Popular”. And, I know it’s even harder to believe that I am still, not by nature, outgoing. I literally have to force myself to walk up to people and create conversation. BUT, I realized, long ago, that if I remained in that mind-set, I would never have friends. “If you want friends, you must show yourself friendly.” I had to be willing to get out of my comfort zone and be willing to change. I had to become "tweak-able"!

One of my favorite authors, Max Lucado, puts it this way: “Here’s some good news. You aren’t stuck with today’s personality. You aren’t condemned to “grumpydom.” You are tweak-able! So what if you were born a bigot? You don’t have to die one. Where did we get the idea we can’t change? Where do statements come from such as, “It’s just my nature to worry,” or. . . “I’ll always be pessimistic. I’m just that way.” Or, “I have a bad temper. I can’t help the way I react.” Who says? Would we say, “It’s just my nature to have a broken leg. I can’t do anything about it.” Of course not. If our body malfunctions, we seek help. Shouldn’t we do the same with our hearts? Can’t we seek aid for our sour attitudes? Of course we can. Jesus can change our hearts! He wants us to have a heart like His!”

And, I add to Max’s words, if we desire to be that outgoing, optimistic, cheerful personality that others want to hang with, then, we must purpose to live outside our comfort zones. We need to be the gal or guy that we want to hang with. When we're that gal or guy – others will gravitate to our "sunny" and even "funny" dispositions. They'll want to hang with us because we exude He Who lives BIG in us AND His personality ROCKS with joy, peace, abundance, patience, beauty and a merry heart!

Who Says Changing is Impossible?

Day 103 of Photo Inspirations -- Who Says Changing is Impossible?
I know it's hard to believe, but I was a shy, timid introvert as I grew up.  I avoided crowds, parties, and situations that caused me to HAVE to interact with people.  So, obviously, I was not voted to be "Most Popular".  And, I know it's even harder to believe that, in some respects, I am still not, by my nature, outgoing.  I literally have to force myself to walk up to people and create conversation.  But, I realized, long ago, that if I remained in that mindset, I would never have friends.  "If you want friends, you must show yourself friendly."  Proverbs 18:24

I receive devotional emails from my favorite author, Max Lucado, and this is what he said recently:  "Here's some good news.  You aren't stuck with today's personality. You aren't condemned to "grumpydom".  You are tweak-able!  So what if you were born a bigot?  You don't have to die one.  Where did we get the idea we can't change?  Where do statements come from such as "It's just my nature to worry," or...."I'll always be pessimistic.   I'm just that way."  Or, "I have a bad temper.  I can't help the way I react."  Who says?  Would we say, "It's just my nature to have a broken leg.  I can't do anything about it."  Of course not.  If our body malfunctions, we seek help.  Shouldn't we do the same with our hearts?  Can't we seek aid for our sour attitudes?  Of course we can.  Jesus can change our hearts!  He wants us to have a heart like His!"

And, I add to Max's words, if I desire to be that outgoing, optimistic, cheerful personality that others want to hang with, then, I must move out of my comfort zone, and be the gal that I want to hang with.  When I'm that gal -- others will be drawn to me, and I will be drawn to those who need me and I need them.

And speaking of tweak-able, I'm so tweak-able that today I'm leaving on a 20-day adventure to Northern Europe with some new friends and will be sharing a cabin with a gal I've never met before.  This feat would have never been possible if I had stayed in a mindset "I'll never change!"  Change is possible -- and when we are willing to change -- the doors to adventure will open wide!
#ChangeIsPossible

My Name is in His Hand

I'm a fan of Max Lucado's writings -- he's so real and relevant, and what he says touches my heart so much. This one, I just had to pass on to my wonderful FB friends:

"When I see a flock of sheep I see exactly that, a flock. A rabble of wool. I don’t see a sheep. I see sheep. All alike. None different. But not so with the Shepherd. To Him every sheep is different. Every face has a story. John 10:3 says, “The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name.”

When we see a crowd, we see exactly that, a crowd. We see people, not persons. A herd of humans. But not so with the Shepherd. To Him every face is different. Every face is a story. The Shepherd knows you. He knows your name. And he will never forget it.

God said in Isaiah 49:16, “I have written your name on my hand.” Quite a thought isn’t it? Your name on God’s lips. My… could it be? -- Max Lucado
In the 7th grade, I fell for a boy named "Ronnie" Wuerch. I wrote his name in the palm of my hand. It meant I was thinking about him all the time. And how awesome to know that our names are written in the palm of God's hand? He's thinking about us all the time. We are individualized. We are so special. We are exactly who He planned us to be. We are one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Yes, that my friends, is TRUE LOVE!

The Greatest Gift We Give Our Children

In my post, yesterday, I urged parents to cultivate the talents, giftings and abilities of their children. The same day I read Max Lucado's post along the same lines, but he took it a step further by saying "The greatest gift you can give your children, is not your own riches, but revealing to them their own!" I love it. Helping our children find God's destiny and purpose for their lives is how Father God orchestrates our lives, and as we yield ourselves to His Master wisdom and direction, He helps us discover those gifts and talents He's placed in us, and then we use them to bless our world. Enjoy Max Lucado's (one of my favorite authors) short message here:

The Greatest Gift
by Max Lucado
"My dad repaired oil-field engines for a living and rebuilt car engines for fun. Dad loved machines. But God gave him a mechanical moron…a son who couldn’t differentiate between a differential and a brake disc. My dad tried to teach me. I tried to learn. Honestly, I did.

Machines anesthetized me. But books fascinated me. What does a mechanic do with a son who loves books? He gives him a library card. Buys him a few volumes for Christmas. Places a lamp by his bed so he can read at night. Pays tuition so his son can study college literature in high school. My dad did that.

You know what he didn’t do? Never once did he say, “Why can’t you be a mechanic like your dad and granddad?” The greatest gift you can give your children is not your own riches, but revealing to them their own!"

You're the Apple of His Eye

"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. 
If God had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers in the Spring, and a sunrise each morning.
You're the apple of His eye and the delight of His heart."
-Max Lucado

I'd say that makes you and me quite special. To know we are loved so extravagantly by our Dad, should sure make us want to bring Him pleasure as we reflect that same love everywhere we go. Wonder what we could do today to convey His love and heart of giving? Maybe we could start by thanking Him, praising Him, being proud of Him, like He is of us. Let's share the awesomeness of our God by talking about His greatness, goodness, love and mercy to others and let's look like Him today as we speak, serve others, and live out His love today. Wouldn't it be great if others remarked about us -- "You look just like your Dad!"?