Bam Wham Computer Down!

Nothing like starting the day with great expectancy and promise. Then all it takes is one major kink in the hose, so to speak, to stop the flow. And, in my case, it was bam, wham and my computer was down. That means a call for 911 computer help! Fortunately, that day last week happened after I posted my early morning blog. And, thankfully, I have a 24/7 repair guy. Well, he may not agree with that all-day-and-night hours of business, but he was there when I needed him that early morning. Twenty-four hours later (he pulled an all-nighter – well, actually, the computer pulled an all-nighter getting all my files and programs restored). BTW, if you’re local to me, I’ve got the whiz-older-kid repair guy for you! Reasonable, fast and efficient!

We know how productive we can be when our computers AND our lives are operating at top performance. And we also know how counter-productive we can be when our computers crash or we crash. Our computers are of such importance to us that we use security, filters, and firewalls to help protect them and we do regular back-up of our information. But what about us? We are like a sophisticated, advanced, powerful, intricate, masterfully designed and crafted, highly intelligent, capable of so much input AND output computer -- created by God. Nothing like starting the day with great expectancy and promise and then all it takes is one major kink in the hose, so to speak, to stop the flow. And, in my case, it was bam, wham -- computer down! That means a 911 computer tech call for help! Fortunately, that pivotal calamity unfolded after I posted my early morning blog. Thankfully, I have a 24/7 repair guy. Well, he may not agree with that all-day-and-night hours of business, but he was there when I needed him that early morning. Twenty-four hours later (he pulled an all-nighter – actually, the computer pulled an all-nighter getting all my files and programs restored). BTW, if you’re local to me, I’ve got the older-whiz-kid repair guy for you! Reasonable, fast and efficient!

We know how productive we can be when our computers AND our lives are operating at top performance. And we also know how counter-productive we can be when our computers crash or we crash. Our computers are of such importance to us that we use security, filters, and firewalls to help protect them and we do regular back-up of our information. But what about us? We are like a sophisticated, advanced, powerful, intricate, masterfully designed and crafted, highly intelligent, capable of so much input AND output computer -- created by God.

Our minds are really like a computer, and how we program them and what we input into them determines our output. Negative thinking and speaking is like a corrupted program or virus that comes from an external source (i.e., the enemy of our souls) that can make its way in and infects our thinking. That's when we need to use the DELETE button and reprogram ourselves with software that says "I am more than a conqueror"; "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me", "Greater is He Who is in me than he that is in the world", "If God be for me, who can be against me?" That is the input we need and then the output will be conquering, winning and being blessed.

It's time we get really good at hitting the DELETE button and then say, "I am who God says I am. My mind is alert and my heart is receptive to only God's voice. No one can make me feel inferior without my permission. Voices from the past are no longer a stronghold over me." When voices say, "You'll never get ahead." DELETE. "You're stupid." DELETE. "You're defective." DELETE. Say, "I am equipped, well able, I will fulfill my destiny. God says I am His masterpiece. I am not defective or flawed. God has crowned me with his favor. I am the apple of His eye, and one of His prized possessions. I am accepted, approved, and I am valuable."

Maybe, it's time to reboot, reprogram, re-input, and renew your mind (your computer). And, for goodness sake, we MUST keep our computer CLEAN, free from viruses of hate, anger, jealousy, unforgiveness, worry, and defeat. We must make sure our FIREWALL is working well -- the FIREWALL of God's Word that protects against the adversary's voice and his devices and tactics. And, remember to DELETE when necessary!

God's Hand of Protection

Remember how life seemed to just coast along when we were youngsters? I’ve witnessed that in my grandsons for the last week – making the grade in class, making the varsity baseball team, making the animals happy, making their Nana happy with helping out, making the decision on which Saturday activity to do. Thankfully my boys don't have this trouble yet, but do you remember the boy or girl friend trouble that all encompassed our lives? But, then life raced along and we got older, got married and had children of our own. THEN, they became our number one focus when it came to their protection and safety, especially in this age that we are living in today.

There is nothing that causes us to be prayer warriors like having children. There was no more coasting along. Suddenly we were caretakers of little people -- all consuming loving and making sure of their well-being. My children are grown with children of their own -- and they are still at the top of my prayer petitions. So many unknowns, so many reasons to stay tight with God in keeping them secure in His love and care for them.

In raising my children and having some responsibility at times like these couple of weeks here in Austin with my youngest grandsons, I’ve always found encouragement from how Jesus boldly prayed for His followers. The night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed this prayer: “My prayer is not that You take them out of the world, but that You protect them from the evil one.” (John 17:15).

Notice Jesus didn’t pray for fame, wealth, safety or for a great escape for Himself or even that His disciples get a pass and go directly into heaven. Instead, He asked His Father to protect them from our enemy, Satan, the “evil one.” Right here in this world. We don’t have to look far – to recognize him and his evil tactics. Oh, I know those times. He is easily recognizable at what started to be a pleasant, loving and communicative family time and just one wrong word gets thrown out, and suddenly chaos breaks out and replaces the peace that was there before. “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:16)

Oh how the enemy of our souls wants us to be at odds with each other. He wants us in fear and doubt. If he can plant those seeds in our minds, he can dissuade us from stepping out in faith and causing us to be fighters instead of lovers. Jesus knew we would need “protection,” because every time we say yes to God, we step a bit further into enemy territory. Yet when we take risks for God, He will protect and preserve us from the evil one.

Following God doesn’t always mean knowing each step, but knowing each step He is with us. And as we leave the concern to Him, we can watch in awe as He grants reassurance from all our doubts. Trusting God every step of the way gives us sweet assurance of seeing God’s hand of protection in miraculous ways.

My Safety Deposit Box is Secure

For years, my husband and I had many important documents in a safety deposit box at our bank. Ours held only documents, but my dear friend had some very precious, rare, expensive jewelry in hers. I wondered "Why have those items if they can't be worn or used?" But to both of us, we didn't want to risk our items being stolen, broken, or burned up, so we took them to the bank and entrusted it all to the protection of a safety deposit box.

The key word is ENTRUSTED. We entrust our home's protection to a security system. We entrust the care of our children to a day care or school system. Even more than a bank lock box, our home's security system or our children in someone else’s care, whatever we entrust to God, we can be assured that He is going to take care of it. We can count on it. He has a perfect track record. Other people and systems may not have a consistent track record of taking care of things for us. But whatever we entrust to God, we can be assured “It’s done and done!” A long time ago when we were young, inexperienced and green in just about every area of life, we entrusted all we had to God – and that included what concerned us – from the huge pressures to the daily details of making ends meet.

Maybe today there are worries, concerns, family, children, husband, wife, and every situation that is on our minds today that need to be entrusted to God. All of it – from the least to the greatest – needs to be entrusted to the safety deposit box of God’s love.

Worry is, in a way, like atheism. We act like spiritual orphans who don’t have a Father in Heaven Who loves us and Who can be trusted. Worry is unbelief. It’s saying we don’t believe the thousands of promises God made in His Word. The most difficult time for us to put our "stuff" in God’s safety deposit box is when we’re in pain. When we are suffering, we don’t want to trust even God. We want to pull it back and hold it to ourselves. St. Paul knew this, but he also knew that when we’re in pain, that’s when we need to trust God the most: “I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have ENTRUSTED to Him until the day of His return.” (2 Timothy 1:12)

Maybe, like me, you need to take all those concerns and worries today – let them go, give them – ENTRUST them to God’s safety deposit box. That's when we have been convinced God is alive and well and He can be TRUSTED to work ALL THINGS for our good in due season.

Oh, But for the Mercy of God!

I’ve heard people say “Lorrrd, have mercy!” as a quick retort when yet another “I can’t believe it” circumstance happens. In reality, that is what we should say, rather pray, anytime we encounter a roadblock, a rock landslide, “rocked my world” or rock crazy situations going on in our world. God is our ROCK in all of life's ups and downs and His DIVINE MERCY is at our beckoned call when tough times come or when we are the ones who made a huge mistake and created the tough times.

Today is “Divine Mercy” Sunday – a time that is specifically dedicated to the great gift of the Lord’s mercy and love. God's “Divine Mercy” was given in His covenant as He promised protection, provision, guidance, and His constant presence to His children. Because God is the initiator, the mercy He gives is gracious, unmerited, undeserved, is compassionate and leads to forgiveness, and to the steadfast love that God sustains in our relationship with Him.

Thank God, we are no longer defined by our past because God's mercy is real and available. Of course, we celebrate His mercy every time we cry out to Him for mercy when we have failed Him. And, mercy should be a part of every Christian's life when we have been hurt by someone. “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7).

Think about it – after Jesus rose from the dead, He went to His disciples where they were huddled in fear. He could have gone in and started in a rant about their weaknesses and their failures. He could have displayed His disappointment in their betrayal and denial of Him. His first words could have been, “Thanks…. for NOTHING! What were you thinking? Where were you when I needed you?” He had every right to unload His righteous indignation on them. But, no, His first words to them were “Peace be with you”. Isn’t that the way He continues to speak to us – in spite of our mistakes & failures? He loves us unconditionally and speaks “Peace be with you.” Yes, He is a God of divine mercy!

None of us need to be defined by our past because Divine Mercy is open to us all. Whether our sins are small or great, the mercy of God is available to all of us. The mercy of God is real! The mercy of God is His love! The mercy of God is the power of the resurrection still working today. You are not your past. Believe in it! Embrace it! God’s Divine Mercy forgives, forgets and even forges the way to becoming all God destined for us in the first place. So, shouldn't His example cause us to be His people of mercy, too -- forgiving and loving others with mercy? Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Are We So Spoiled Because We’re So Blessed?

I am here for my volunteer work at Children’s Hospital and it starts out slow this morning. The radiology techs give me a sweet card of thanks and a great set of earbuds. I am blessed. I have time to read my scriptures for today and then have an “aha” moment.

In Acts 3:26, Peter was speaking about when God said to Abraham, “In your offspring, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” I begin to think “What did “blessing for his offspring” really mean to Abraham back then?" New and more well-crafted tents; stronger, faster and more trustworthy camels; more tolerable winds in the sandy deserts; wives that are more sensitive the needs of their husbands; obedient children; fruitful crops and clean water?

As I type this post in this bright, fluorescent LIGHTS reception area, using WIFI on my COMPUTER, at this state-of-the-art HOSPITAL, responding to text messages on my CELL PHONE, sitting at a clean and sterilized DESK, in a ergonomic CHAIR that I can move up because the last volunteer was a shorty, take patients back to RADIOLOGY where their fractures and broken limbs are X-RAYED. I’m drinking coffee poured from my Keurig COFFEEMAKER in my YETI MUG guaranteed for 12 hours hot or cold liquid. I’m hearing the sounds of the HD resolution TELEVISION in the waiting room. There’s a HAND SANITIZER machine near me. And, the restroom, complete with indoor, self-flushing TOILETS is just down the hall. I am smelling the mouth-watering popcorn that is popped from a huge ELECTRIC popcorn machine that, by the way, I must always take some with me as I’m leaving for home in my CAR!

Did I make my point? We are BLESSED! We take so much for granted because we missed out on having to deal with life without our modern conveniences. We are so privileged that we are spoiled. We don’t know real hardship. We aren’t being persecuted and we aren’t living in a poor country. We don’t know what it’s like to live in a country where we can’t drive to the grocery store to pick up ingredients for dinner. We don’t know what it’s like to live through the bombings in Syria. Our country isn’t in shambles!

Bottom line, my dear friends, we need to stop being so melodramatic over all the "the stuff" going on in our lives. We need to take a deep breath and express how thankful we are for the century we are living in and that God, in all His sovereignty, deemed us to be here NOW!

Back to Abraham and the blessings that God was pouring out on him. The actual definition of the word “blessed” is “made holy; consecrated; endowed with divine favor and protection. I find it encouraging that the primary definition of blessing is not wealth or comfort, but rather “being made holy”. I think that’s what Abraham and we -- have in common. In the midst of all our conveniences and privileges, may we become people of holiness as we make Dad proud of how we live out our faith in gratitude and in praise to Him. Yes, we are privileged HOLY people.


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When We’re Afraid to Trust Him

You may have witnessed our “family” mishap a few weeks ago. Our “stud muffin” Buddy (The Wallace Family’s 75-pound Australian Shepherd) had a precious, equally beautiful, female Australian Shepherd come from Austin for a lovefest. In case you’re not following my delicate way of putting it, Moana’s master brought her to start a family of Australian Shepherd babies. Moana wasn’t so receptive to the plan and in an effort to give them “alone” time in the backyard, they escaped. Buddy didn’t go far, but Moana was on the run. Family and friends were on the hunt and as soon as someone got close to her, she ran from them – over and over again. Each time someone would call her name and go to help her, that little girl raced away. She was offered food and protection, but each time, afraid, not knowing that no one meant her harm, she would run and run.

She ran for the next 19 hours. Nineteen hours of fear. Nineteen hours afraid to accept food and help from strangers. Nineteen hours of living unprotected from the cold and feeling abandoned. We felt helpless when we went home at midnight to rest until sunrise when we could continue our search. Our hearts hurt for her and her master.

How often do we live this way, afraid to trust, refusing the assurance that God will shelter us, running from the safety of His protection? I sensed that from the homeless people we served last weekend. They were choosing to live on the streets, abusing their bodies and their souls as they continued to refuse to trust when the assurance that God’s arms are open wide to protect them and to give them a place of refuge, if only they would submit to His call. He who says, “Peace, be still,” and calms the waters can surely calm them, too! He offers more than food and blankets and the comfort of a safe place to live. He offers Himself, all that they need. The God of the universe woos them with His perfect love and there is no need to be afraid.

Perhaps you are living like this little dog or the homeless people who are refusing the help that God offers to us through His Word and even Godly brothers and sisters who are reaching out as the hands and feet of Jesus. Psalm 37:40 says “The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in Him.”

I wish this story had a happy ending that she finally gave in and responded to our calls. But after 19 hours of searching, praying and calling out her name, we received the call that she had been hit by a car and was rushed by a witness to a nearby emergency animal hospital. Moana was seriously injured in her pelvic area, but her vital organs were good. After two major surgeries, in a walk-a-bout harness (unable to put pressure on her legs for several weeks) Moana returned home. Her healing will come, but it will take time. The upside of this story is Moana’s master came into a beautiful relationship with Christ in the process of this story. “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes." Romans 8:28

Oh, that those of us who are like Moana, afraid to trust, would come to know our God, in Whom we trust! “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will direct your steps.” Proverbs 3:5-6

This Christmas and always, God is offering Himself, all that we need, to us today. That's why we celebrate Christ's birth. The angels said to the shepherds, "Do not be afraid!" We have nothing to fear because He is on our side. Won’t you respond to His call today? He has such great plans for you and your future!

God’s Road Map -- the Surest Way to Stay on Course

Road Map – a map, a plan or strategy intended to reach and achieve a particular goal...........A couple of weeks ago I was asked to share my favorite daily devotion with a group of new Christians. It was easy for me to share, because this “book” has been my daily "road map" all my life.

We don’t use road maps too much these days with the advent of technology and GPS systems, but I remember, even as a child, loving to hold one of those paper maps and with my finger follow along the roads that my daddy was driving to West Virginia to visit my oldest sister and her family. Then I was promoted to being the navigator, using the Atlas Map Books, as my husband & I and our ministry team traveled the U.S. and Canada in our 28 ft Winnebago. But, my navigating skills were tested to the core as we flew in our Cessna 182, as my husband’s Co-Pilot and Navigator. Flying took mapping to a whole new level as we had all kinds of other considerations besides roads. We had to consider the weather, coordinates, the wind velocity, and we used ground landmarks, shorelines, rivers, mountains, things other than just roads to consider. Of course, today, GPS systems for flying and driving changed just about everything.

If only we would be as attentive to the “road map” that God gave us for our lives. That road map is found in God’s Word, the Bible. The Bible is not just some musty old book that we can just ignore because it was written ages ago. It is the Word of God, written down by those individuals who were inspired by Him. The texts are about us and our lives, even though they are thousands of years old. Every time that we read or hear scriptures from the Bible, God speaks to us and touches us in a new way. Of course, the Bible’s most important message is God’s love for every person, including you and me.

I told the group that I’ve used the Bible as my “end all” in all the ups and downs of my life and it has never failed me. When I had been in fear – I would turn to the concordance in the back of my Bible and look up scriptures on courage; when I was sad – I would look up scriptures on joy; when I was sick, I would look up scriptures on healing. God was speaking directly to me as I read those words that were His PROMISES to us.

Now, what’s so easy and simple for us to do in this information age – no matter whether we’re carrying around a hard copy of our Bible or not, we can google scriptures on our laptops or phones: scriptures on love; scriptures on healing; scriptures on joy – and a host of scriptures will pop up.

If I had the cure for stress and worry; for sadness and pain and kept it to myself, what kind of friend would I be? I do have the cure – it’s found in our Road Map for Success in Life…..and it’s called “The Bible” – God’s Word. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've read a scripture and my perspective completely changed and the navigation I needed to go from Point A to Point B in decision making was given to me. Like a good road map, God's Word points us to the best roads and places of insight and illumination so that God's Spirit can shine His Light into our minds and hearts. And that "road map" NEVER needs updating. The roads, the destinations, the promises and the treasures are as sure today as at the time they were written when He illuminated them to His transcribers.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…”

To Everything, There is a Season

On Sunday, I attended church in cool, Fall-like weather. In Florida, churches were closed because of Hurricane Irma fast approaching. I barbecued outdoors and served my family dinner and special cake for Alexia's 10th day leading up to her Sweet 16. In Florida, many families were dispersed to shelters, hunkered down in their homes or stayed with friends or families further North. On Sunday night, I watched the Dallas Cowboys play and beat the New York Giants (Yay) in between watching the 2018 Miss America Pageant where my kids, Ryan, Shawntel (1996 Miss America) and their two youngest boys were celebrating that wonderful organization that provides such outstanding scholarships for young women. I’ll admit my conscience was disturbed as I was having such a beautiful day, while people in storm areas didn’t even know if they’d have a home to go home to the next day, or if they did, they didn’t know when their electricity would be back on or have access to running water.

King Solomon (son of King David) wrote these words in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
~ a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
~ a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
~ a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
~ a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
~ a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
~ a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
~ a time to tear, and a time to sew; time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
~ a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”

That list represents the seasons and the important matters of our lives. Some are happy times, others sad; some are productive while others seem wasteful; some inspire peace and others bring pain. But, all of them are necessary for us to learn, grow, and be resilient and determined to press through or coast through “the seasons”. Their appearance is not by accident. If we look closely enough, each experience reveals a loving, divine purpose that we can learn to trust God more.

I share this with you from experience. I’ve experienced most all of those seasons that King Solomon referred to, especially “a time to be born, and a time to die” Today marks the birthday of my precious husband. . I enjoyed many seasons with him before his graduation day to heaven. There were times of weeping, and there were times of laughing. I laugh a lot these days. My time for weeping was over. There was a time to mourn and a time to dance.

I know it’s difficult to fathom any good that can come out of the devastation and heartbreak that has been experienced in the recent hurricanes, fires, and earthquakes. We prayed for the Lord to push this storm away from land and out into the sea, but instead it ravaged so many homes and businesses.

I pray each day for God's protection over my family and nation. I'm sure you do the same. But, when our prayers seem unanswered, how can we continue trusting the One to whom we pray? First of all, it's when our prayers seem unanswered that we MOST NEED to trust Him.

Today it may not feel like there is much hope on the horizon for an expeditious way out of our circumstances. The passage from here to there may seem like a dark and endless tunnel, but I assure you, one day, we’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel and we’ll realize the gifts we received during these days. If we remember that there is a gift in every crisis or challenge -- in every transition of life -- we will be able to go with the flow more easily. As we discover the gift in every season, we learn to trust that loving, divine purpose behind it. Then the current of life can carry us off to new adventures, more rewarding and exciting than any we may have chosen on our own.

Yesterday I spoke about “The Eye of the Storm”. If we respond to each storm and each season from the “eye” of God's presence within, where perfect peace and wisdom dwell, we will emerge even stronger, wiser, and freer than before. We may even morph into a beautiful, free butterfly for the first time because of the inner workings of God in our lives. Lord, please give us grace for every season so we can spread our wings and fly!

What is Your Ultimate Protection Guarantee?

While Staci called Poison Control, Larry called me to pray for Payton (10 years old at the time) who had been stung by a scorpion four times and each of the places was turning red and swelling up. Immediately, I remembered our son, Ryan, was stung by a scorpion on his foot. I gave Larry the remedy that God gave us. Without even a second thought, my husband and I begin to pray and speak scripture verses over Ryan that applied to this very situation. “Behold! I have given you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall in any way harm you’ (Luke 10:19). Those are words that Jesus spoke to His disciples when He was speaking about the authority He was giving them. And they were words that we had lodged in our hearts. And, I also remembered hearing – “apply ammonia immediately to the sting”! Within just a few minutes the pain that Ryan was experiencing ceased.

Taking the advice of Poison Control (“apply ice compresses to the sting, and keep a watch over him for a while) and Nana’s advice, within just a short while, Payton had calmed down and the pain had subsided. As you can imagine, his activist Mama Staci, was on the phone the next morning getting an extermination company to come out and rid their home of the enemy that had invaded their home.

Immediately, I began to think about getting my house exterminated – literally -- and spiritually. Spiritually, in the sense that perhaps little creatures of doubt, unbelief, offenses, fear, concern, worry may have found their way inside my heart. We have a responsibility to keep our spirits free of the enemy’s attacks. Remember how Jesus handled the enemy’s attacks during His 40-day fast? He spoke God’s Word of truth to him. That’s how Jesus conquered……and that’s how we conquer.

God knows exactly where the enemy’s traps are located. And when we study, memorize and cultivate God’s Word into our hearts, we will also know. Proverbs 4:20-24 says: “My son, attend to My words; consent and submit to My sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart, for they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.”

I was reading one of the extermination companies’ on-line guarantees. It said, “THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION® GUARANTEE -- Protect yourself with the strongest guarantee in the business!!” And, when it comes to God and His Word, that is truly THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION GUARANTEE!’ It’s time to take advantage of these guarantees -- to get busy with good common sense ways of exterminating the little creatures from our homes with bug spray, traps and deterrents…..and even more importantly, rid our lives of the enemy that wants to steal our peace and joy….with the infallible, sharper-than-any-two-edged sword -- Word of God!

Acknowledging Him = Straight Paths

“Before you arise from your bed in the morning, I have already arranged the events of your day. Each day provides many opportunities for you to learn My ways and grow closer to Me." -- God

Ever look back on your day, and because of so many distractions or needless worry, you realize that you missed the lessons God was trying to teach you? Even the most inconsequential events could be God speaking. I know He is working on me to be “present” with Him throughout my day, to know those little nudges and kisses from heaven, to experience Him in the beauty around me, and to recognize the undeniable times when He sends angelic protection my way. I sincerely want to live, even though I'm in the middle of traffic, or in a long line at the store, or writing checks for this month's bills -- in the KNOWING He's as close to me as a whispered prayer, and in that knowing, I acknowledge Him, and then I recognize His wisdom and direction in what I'm doing -- in ALL MY WAYS.
".....in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:6.