Living in the Peace Zone: psalm 37:23

Showing posts with label psalm 37:23. Show all posts

Monday, May 13, 2019

Living -- Laughing -- Loving

Isn't that what it's all about? Living....really living this life we've been given -- with all its many adventures. Laughing out loud in the midst of the good living and the tough-living-times. AND, most of all LOVING God, others AND ourselves. Sure, there's plenty to complain and worry about but, seriously, why waste time, energy and breath on complaining, when there is so much to celebrate and be grateful for?

Here's what I know: Gratitude begets even more reasons to be grateful; living, really living, begets more out loud living; laughing begets laughter and a life intent on loving and serving God will produce the desire to love and serve Him even more.

So, I MUST give gratitude for the last few days in Austin so that I'll continue to have even more reasons to be grateful. I like that. It's God's laws of reciprocity. "Give and it shall be given." Since I’m with my Frisco family most because that’s where I live, this Mother’s Day was celebrated with my Austin Family. What a sweet time of laughter, reminiscing, Shawntel and I getting the “special plates” at the breakfast table, getting sweet gifts (mine included the lovely 70-reasons I love Nana from the notes at my 70th BD), going to church together to express our praise and thanksgiving for life and being able to give life to our children and those God has called us to – to “mother” and encourage. Going out for Sunday dinner with dear friends – having sweet and almost holy communion as we had a “gratitude” feast when we thanked God for His tender mercies. Life really is about giving life – the abundant life of Christ to others in word and deed. And, what a life it is!

I believe gratitude is taught from those around us. We can teach our children to be grateful for what they have. This family of mine -- we talk daily about gratitude and our blessings. My children understand they are beyond blessed. As we stood in a little circle of eight on Saturday night, waiting nearly an hour for our table at a restaurant, I saw us. I REALLY saw us -- we were a village like no other. At least it seemed that way when we looked at most around us waiting, who were deep diving into their cell phones, unconscious of those around them. We were living, laughing and loving as we talked – sometimes silly talk. We were embracing and holding each other close to our hearts – so much so, that I didn’t even take my phone out to take a photo of this little village of love. The attention to each other mattered.

I felt my husband’s love – living, breathing and laughing with us. After all, if it weren’t for him – this little village wouldn’t be here. We have family, we have a roof over our heads, laughter in our hearts, and lots of love surrounding our every moment. We have memories before his death and memories beyond. Each memory serves as a blessing, for that means we had one more precious day together. We are valuing moments, not material things, and to look for the love and light in each situation.

We can all find fault in this life. We can all wish and want for more, but the real blessings are the smallest moments and memories we cherish. I’m grateful I taught my children to be grateful and, now, they are teaching their children to be grateful for the little things. We are teaching them to be happy at the deepest level in life – love – laughter.

That is a gift every child deserves and every mother cherishes!

Saturday, January 26, 2019

The Steps of a Good Man Are Ordered by the Lord

I send an early morning text message to my children every day. Yesterday, I texted my son: “'The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delights in his way.” Psalm 37:23. I went on to say: "I love this scripture because it describes you and how God delights in the steps that you take daily. I am so thankful for you and the leadership you give to your company, your family and so many others. I sure do love you and I’m so thankful for you.”

Psalm 37 was written by King David in the twilight of his life. He was writing from his experience of knowing and walking with God. He was looking back at his life of great victories and great failures. I've heard it said that we never learn much about ourselves during our times of victory, but who we are and what we're really made of are in those times of failure when we're forced to look deep in our hearts.

In that scripture, I realized that the emphasis is on the GOOD man (or woman). When we give our heart to the Lord, we embark on a journey of a specific plan that God has willed for each one of His children. We didn’t come into the family of God to wander aimlessly in life, but to do and be what He has planned for us.

I love the analogy of Christ as our Good Shepherd and we are supposed to be His GOOD sheep. He desires to take care of us and protect us, but remember that little renegade sheep that left the fold and wanted to do his own thing? The Good Shepherd didn't let him stray too far. More than anything, He wants us to be His GOOD sheep so that we are out of harm's way -- the enemy's way!

That is the picture of such great love that God has for us. Why wouldn't we desire to be a "good sheep", rather, a "good man or woman” who stays in right standing with his Father, his Good Shepherd, and whose faith is solely placed in He Who will go the nth degree to protect, love, and even die for Him?

Lord, may we bring you great joy and pleasure and may You delight in the ways we go daily so we can count on our steps and our ways being directed and ordered by You. Amen.

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Here We Are to WORSHIP

Here I Am to Worship

My word of the day is: WORSHIP -- the feeling or expression of reverence, adoration, exaltation, honor for God (the dictionary says for a diety, but in my case – the only ONE who deserves WORSHIP is our ONE TRUE GOD).

This morning my Christmas season is officially over as I return home from caring for my two youngest grandsons in Austin while their Mom and Dad have been celebrating their annual “anniversary honeymoon” trip that takes place after Christmas each year. I’ve savored these precious times with my boys, but now it’s back to God and me in my everyday of life.

I can’t resist – just one more post about those very wise, Wise Men. Last Sunday was the celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord when they arrived at the Holy Family's home to WORSHIP the child-king. The final scriptures of the magi’s visit give us our basis for WORSHIP – my word for today. After they had WORSHIPPED the newborn King, “Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.” Matthew 2:12.

That verse has two great points: One, they had been WORSHIPPING the child-king and out of that intimacy, God spoke to them and revealed dangers up ahead. After all, King Herod’s plans were to kill all the little boys because he suspected one of them would take his throne. God looked out for the magi because they gave their best in WORSHIP to His Son.

What about us? When we go into that secret place with God and we honor Him by our WORSHIP, aren’t we being wise children, men and women of the Most High? God is no respecter of persons. Why wouldn’t He give us wisdom for our future and the dangers that could lie up ahead and why wouldn’t He instruct us to go another way instead of the way we had planned if our way proved to be dangerous, off course or even the longest route. Just think about the Hebrews wandering around in the desert for 40 years and in reality, it was only an 11-day trip (Dueteronomy 1:2) – had they stopped to spend more time WORSHIPPING than complaining?

The second point in Matthew 2:12 is the Wise Men did go a different way. What about the plans we make for ourselves – those goals, resolutions and plans? Proverbs 16:9 says “A man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” When we live a faith-filled life of trusting and WORSHIPING God, we can count on His wisdom and direction.

Psalm 37:23 says “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delights in his way.” If the Wise Men had a dream that sent them another direction, we can be confident that if our plans are altered, it will be for our good and in our best interest to take that different path. Just maybe our plans are not God’s plans, and if we are willing to be tweaked, then like the Wise Men, we, too, will be wise enough to listen and walk in the steps He lays out for us. Imagine the pitfalls, detours, side roads and other off track places God could keep us from, as we surrender to follow Him.

Like the Wise Men, may we WORSHIP our King of all Kings, and then listen for His voice. After all He knows shortcuts and secret passageways to get us to where we need to go -- safe and sound. After all, Father KNOWS best!

Friday, January 20, 2017

Best Laid Plans Sometimes Go Awry

It hasn't been easy to stay sequestered at the guest house on my kids’ property on my “God” quest this month. After all, I have two young grandsons, who I adore and they adore me, and when Nana’s around, it’s usually play-time! They inhabit these grounds, so I’ve had to be very resolute in staying hidden. They’ve coped pretty well with my “disconnect” from their world. Their Mom and Dad have been great in reinforcing my solitude.

The guest house has been stocked with plenty of food and drink to keep me nestled in, with very few needs or wants. Well, except for this one thing. My kids have the most amazing ice making machine on their outdoor patio (you know that “Sonic” crunchy ice).

Yesterday, knowing Bryson would be at his golf lesson, and Mama was probably running errands, I snuck over to the main house for a refill. Front door was open and it was dark and quiet, so I knew the coast was clear. That’s when I made my way to the door through the kitchen to the patio. I heard a little something and looked down and there was Bryson in the kitchen chair playing a game on his iPod. He didn’t see me so I started quietly backing out of the room when Bentley (their dog) saw me and started to bark. Bryson turned around and said “Hi Nana. What are you doing here?“
Me: “I was sneeking in to get ice. I thought you were at your golf lesson!”
Bryson: “Nana, haven’t you been noticing the rain? We could swim on the course, but not golf.” I hadn’t noticed, obviously. “Nana, did you hear about me losing 5 teeth, yesterday?” I had heard – baby teeth that weren’t giving way to the big boys needing to come through.
Me: “Did the tooth fairy come to see you?”
Bryson: “Yes.”
Me: “How much?”
Bryson: $100.
Me: “Well that’s what happens when five come out at the same time! I gotta’ go back to my chapel in the woods! I sure love you!”

Best laid plans sometimes go awry! My little scheme wasn’t earth-shaking when it went awry, but how many times do we make a plan, chart a course, set goals, cast vision, and even set out on a long-awaited dream-come-true adventure and something still goes wrong?

Most of those times, there are logical reasons beyond our control that keep us from our plans. Other times, it’s simply a matter of readjusting a schedule, and the plan can proceed. Quite frankly, changing the course or our mind is not a bad thing. Having to reconfigure doesn’t make us a flip-flopper. In fact, accepting that this change is for our good and God could be planning an even better outcome than what we had planned shows we' re flexible.

My husband and I had saved and planned for a 7-day cruise in the Southern Caribbean. We had been working hard and this would be a much-needed get away. We had even minimized our expenses by driving down to Galveston instead of flying there. The cruise started out magnificently, but on the 2nd night, after the Broadway Show, the ship came to a halt in the middle of the ocean. The lights flickered off and on and soon inexperienced cruisers were running for their life vests. This wasn’t our first cruise so we were confident that we would soon be on our way and we became encouragers to those very anxious travelers. As it turned out, the engine had caught on fire and there was no option but for the ship to be towed into the nearest port which was 150 miles from us. It was 24+ hours of trepidation for folks, discomfort (no-running water, so you can only imagine the rest room facilities), low on food – the next port was where they would be restocking), and it was too warm to stay in our cabins, so most all of the 1500+ cruisers were on the outer decks. Such complaining we heard, but all my husband and I could think “This is going to work out for our good!” And, sure enough – it did. Not only were we refunded this cruise in its entirety, but we were given a free 10 days cruise of our choice, for a future date, as well as airline tickets.

Oftentimes, best laid plans really weren’t the best laid plans at all, because if we truly believe that our steps are ordered of the Lord (Psalm 37:23) and that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purposes (Romans 8:28), no matter whether OUR plans work out or not, God’s ways are so much higher than our ways. Why don’t we just learn to do what the old Greyhound bus commercial said, "Go Greyhound, and leave the driving to us.....OR "Go God, and leave the outcome to Him!"

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Worship = Blessings

I can’t resist – one more post about the Wise Men. Last Sunday (the celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord), Father Brian O’Brien who is the President of Bishop Kelly High School in Tulsa, gave a most beautiful explanation of the magi’s visit to the Holy Family. What stood out to me the most was his take on the final line of the scriptures of that story. After they had worshipped the newborn King, “Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.” Matthew 2:12.

That verse has two connotations. One, they had been worshipping the newborn King and out of that intimacy, God spoke to them and revealed dangers up ahead. After all, King Herod’s plans were to kill all the little boys because he suspected one of them would take his throne. God looked out for the magi because they gave their best in worship to His Son. What about us? How about when we go into that secret place with God and we honor Him by our worship, aren’t we being wise children of the Most High? God is no respecter of persons. Why wouldn’t He give us wisdom for our future and the dangers that could lie up ahead and why wouldn’t He instruct us to go another way instead of the way we had planned?

The 2nd connotation is the Wise Men did go a different way. What about us and the plans we made for ourselves – those goals, resolutions and plans? Proverbs 16:9 says “A man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” When we live a faith-filled life of trusting God, we can expect His wisdom and direction.

Psalm 37:23 says “ The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delights in his way.” If the Wise Men had a dream that sent them another direction, we can be confident that if our plans are altered, it will be for our good and in our best interest to take that different path. Just maybe our plans are not God’s plans, and if we are willing to be tweaked, then like the Wise Men, we, too, will be wise enough to listen and walk in the steps He lays out for us. Imagine the pitfalls, detours, side roads and other off track places God could keep us from, as we surrender to follow Him.

Like the Wise Men, may we worship our King of all Kings, and then listen for His voice. After all He knows short cuts and secret passageways to get us to where we need to go -- safe and sound. After all, Father KNOWS best!

Monday, May 9, 2016

Living, Laughing, Loving

Isn't that what it's all about?  Living....really living this life we've been given -- with all its many adventures.  Laughing out loud in the midst of the good living and the tough-living-times.  AND, most of all LOVING God, others AND ourselves.  Sure, there's plenty to complain and worry about but, seriously, why waste time, energy and breath on complaining, when there is so much to celebrate and be grateful for?

Here's what I know:  Gratitude begets even more reasons to be grateful; laughing begets laughter; God's tender mercies begets even more of God's tender mercies.  That's what a life intent on loving, serving God and living for Him is all about.   Psalm 103:17-18 says it this way, "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them."

So, I MUST give gratitude for the last week in Austin.....so that I'll continue to have even more reasons to be grateful.  I like that.  It's just God's laws of reciprocity.  "Give and it shall be given."

When God orders our steps (Psalm 37:23), and we respond with "Yes, Sir!" to His orders, it brings us countless blessings.  Our steps were ordered this last week.  First was Payton and Alexia's NCFCA Speech & Debate Tournament at Austin's Concordia University where I'm always astounded by the brilliance of these young people.  Three days of early morning to late at night competitions.  It's a work-out but ever so worth it.  Then it was three exhilarating days of family fun with the Wuerch cousins:  swimming, fishing, Brennan's winning baseball game (10-2), seeing "Captain America's Civil War", and then Mother's Day breakfast, church, and yummy barbeque dinner before heading north for Frisco last night with laugh out loud jokes and stories along the way.

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To say that I feel overwhelmed with God's tender mercies, puts it mildly.   I know it must seem so mechanical to read my posts because I'm always posting about gratitude, celebrating life and its great moments.  I just can't help myself.  The truth is....that's what I focus on, so that's just what I keep getting.  Accentuating the positive and eliminating the negative....just keeps the sunshine shining -- whether there's rain or shine!  What a way to live!

Monday, May 2, 2016

Flying By the Seat of My Pants = Kisses From Heaven

Missing my home church service yesterday morning because of timing, I headed out for Texas.  It was a spendidly gorgeous day with the sun shining so brilliantly.   I was bound and determined to attend service somewhere, and as it turned out, the timing was perfect for me to stop in Durant, OK.  

Durant has a special connotation for me.  It is where my 19 year old Mother and my 31 year old father drove to where Dad's best friends lived, who stood up for them as they got married in Durant.   There were 12 years difference in their ages, but it was a match made in heaven.   Sweet memory for me as I drove through that sleepy little town, past Southeastern OK State University and made my way to St. Williams Church.

As I drove up to the church, I knew I was going to be in the minority. Most of the attendees I saw going in were beautiful Hispanic people wearing their Sunday best.  At first I thought the service would be only in Spanish, but I was pleased that it was all in English.  What pleased me even more were the beautiful young girls all dressed in gorgeous white gowns and veils (looking like little brides) and the boys in their Sunday best, standing in the foyer when I walked in.  I had to grab a photo of them. I made a spectacle of myself when I said, "Everyone look here -- smile big and say cheese!"  They did.  It is such a beautiful sight and such a momentous and touching occasion.  

First Holy Communion (usually in second grade), is a defining moment and really big celebration for Catholic families. The day of First Communion is one they've spent months preparing for, learning the significance of the price Christ paid when He died on the cross for us, and then as He commanded at the Last Supper "As often as you do this (receive Holy Communion), do it in remembrance of Me." These kids have looked forward to this day with great anticipation -- the day when they are intimately united with Jesus Christ.  This day is one the kids will never forget -- and it will be up to the parents', families' and friends' prayers and examples that will help ensure it.  

The final little photo is a precious little girl and boy that sat behind me in church.  The little girl kept tapping me on my back.  I felt her love.  I think she knew I was a Nana, just like at my home church where my  godson and his sister, give me love-taps, hugs and kisses.  I know they are heaven sent...in Tulsa AND in Durant, OK.    

I love schedules and I also love "winging" it because when I just run with the wind and I trust that my steps are ordered of the Lord, He gives me some of most precious moments.  I felt it big time yesterday.  Psalm 37:23 "The steps of a good man (good woman) are ordered by the Lord: and he (she) delights in His way" -- (the way that led me to Durant, OK to witness a little piece of heaven on my way to my little piece of heaven with my kids in Texas).  I'm just thanking God, once again, for shining His light brightly into my world.

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