My Secret Place is Rock Solid

Yesterday, sweetest memories flooded my mind from 2010. In Cabo, I woke early each morning to take in the magnificent sunrise on the crashing waves. I would find the cleft of the rock formations to sit beneath. How sweet was the presence of my loving Father there – especially as He restored my soul, for it had been in the valley of the shadow of death just a week before.

It was a trip my husband and I had hoped to take with my son and family that year for Thanksgiving. As it turned out, only my side of the equation made the trip. His trip was to heaven, a week before Thanksgiving. And, though without him here on this earth, I sensed him with me each morning as I walked the beaches at 5 am. and hid in beneath those massive rocks. My little guys joined me later in the mornings. It was heaven-on-earth then. Yesterday, I asked my Bear (aka, 2nd oldest grandson) to be our photographer and help me re-enact those sweet moments from nine years ago with my two youngest grandsons. Sweet captured moments of my two little guys, 5 and 3 years old then to now, 14 and 12 years old.

When I shared about my “Secret Place” amidst the rocks, Lobo, a Spanish mariner I met called it “El Lugar Secreto”. What a special gift it was to go to such a peaceful and tranquil place. I continue, to this date, to live daily in the secret place. Psalm 91:1 says -- "He that dwells in the SECRET PLACE of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!'"

Why shouldn't I feel this peace? God promised it to me if I would live in that place. It's a choice I purpose to make daily. And, that’s my address: 911 Peace Ave. You will find me there most of the time, except for when I forget where I live, but His watchful eye and tender care seems to always draw me back in, Yes, I continue to go forward -- cherishing the memories, the sweetness of loving and being loved, choosing to be care-free and unafraid…….and daily living in el lugar secreto!

Does life seem overwhelming to you today? The deadline is long past, and you're still endeavoring to get the project done? Are the kids more than a handful? Did you get a pink slip from your employer and you wonder how you and your family can survive? Are you or a loved one so ill that you wonder if you or they will make it? Do you feel like you're at the end of your rope?

I've been there..... and each time that I found myself in places like that, I found my answers, my peace and my comfort in the One who is the Rock, and I realize those overwhelming circumstances were ultimately for my good....because they drew me to the Source of answers, my shelter, and my SOLID ROCK.

When the earth all around me is sinking sand,
On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand
When I need a shelter, when I need a friend, I go to THE ROCK!

Our Secret Place

I receive daily emails from a ministry that sincerely seeks God for His daily thoughts. These were the words God gave them for us yesterday that really resonated within my heart: “When you feel vulnerable, make a concerted effort to do what it takes to be as safe as possible. However, you must not forget that abiding in Me is your ultimate security. I am your safe harbor in the midst of a storm. Come and hide yourself in Me, says the Lord." ~~ Psalm 27:5 “For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.”

Like me, do you ever feel vulnerable – even just a little bit? My vulnerable times are when I come home late at night and have that initial eerie feeling of walking into my dark home; driving in torrential rain; waiting for a doctor’s diagnosis; when I’m speaking up in a meeting; or the times when I’m about to go on stage to speak for an event. And, what I do to be and feel as safe as possible, is to pull out the “big girl antidote” of praying for the sense of peace that comes from He Who is our peace.

God really is our safe place and when we abide in Him, He does bring us ultimate security. I love that line “Come and hide yourself in Me!” I was with my computer technician yesterday and while he was explaining new features he had added to my computer, I was explaining my 911 emergency number to him. It’s Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” When I need peace and a sense of safety, I quickly resort to my Secret Place – to the place and to the One who quickly restores my peace.

The shepherd boy, David, and later, King David, knew that peace from an early age. And so did I. I don’t know what’s going on in your world today, but I’m quite sure I know that there will be times when you feel vulnerable and afraid. But, rather than staying there, we quickly realize those feelings don’t come from God, and we, assertively demobilize them by placing them in God’s hands in the Secret Place and sweet peace comes. It’s not a mind-over-matter moment. It’s a God-over-matter moment.

At my church, we say “The peace of the Lord be with you” and in reply we say, “and with your Spirit”. That is – God’s peace be with you – spirit, soul and body! That’s the full meal deal God gives us – without measure when we go to His “secret place”.

Is it NESTING Time or BUY NOW and DO MORE Time?

Oh my! The holiday ads, promotions, and marketing campaigns are amped up. Every day, the message is "buy now for best bargains", 50% off today only, deal of the day! BUY -- BUY -- BUY!! There are banners outside stores, ads coming in the mail and tons of them coming through on social media. It takes great willpower to NOT be drawn in. After all, it's only 20 more days until Christmas! And, believe you me -- I was one caught up in the frenzy for many years. The pain was real!

Something happened to me this year. I’ve turned over some new leaves. At this age and stage of my life, I get to do that. My father-in-law was the one who closed out our family Christmas’ present exchanges with his grand finale of handing out his envelopes which had a little money in them for each one of the family members. This was a big milestone year for me and I think it merited me making some changes. Since Dad has been long gone for about 20 years now, I’ve decided to carry on where he left off and this year, my family will receive envelopes with a few dollars in them with a love letter from me to them.

I can’t begin to explain the weight that has been lifted off my shoulders. You'll know that relief one day. No need for mall or online shopping! Oh, sweet Baby Jesus! I can celebrate the gift of You so care-free because of my newfound freedom! What a relief it is. I am sure not desiring to dampen your Christmas spirit by my new-way-of-thinking. This is my time to change, but oh that I might have discovered this freedom before now.

I also cut back on my usual “decorating every room in the house” to putting out just enough that the Christmas spirit is alive and well in my home – especially with my old family photos of Papa reading the Christmas story to the grandchildren and my children’s visits to see Santa. I didn’t even put out all of my Christmas churches or villages! I haven’t been tempted by Pinterest or emails that beckoned me to get started with craft items and buy more decorations. I’m passing up any reasoning that I need to do more to make this season more and just right.

Instead of my usual Christmas frenzy, I'm "nesting". This is the awesome season of Advent and finding a "nesting" place to ponder the beauty of Christ and His coming as a baby and His return to take us away to glory takes precedence over the hustle and bustle of the season. Don't we really want to push the MUTE button to separate ourselves from the crowds and busyness to enter into God’s stillness by taking some R&R (rest and relaxation) time to go find HIM in the secret place?

I'm a realist and I know we often don't have much choice but to stay on hyper-mode. Somewhere, however, there must be a quiet little "nesting" spot that we can find to pause for some silence when we can. It may mean we have to turn down the TV or the radio or shut off the computer because of the constant temptation to buy more, do more and be more. Hearing God’s voice in the midst of all the hubbub isn’t always easy, but when we place a high priority on practicing God’s presence, we just might find more strength, energy, and enthusiasm for all those things we must do. Maybe it’s as simple as reading a short devotion or simply whispering His name in prayer. Maybe we should start nesting like a Mama Bird who is preparing for the arrival of her babies, to sit and wait and breathe in peace and quiet and exhale the worries, the stress, the fears, and concerns. I promise. God is quite aware of all that's on our plates. He totally gets us, but all the while, He's over in a quiet "nesting" spot just waiting for us to cozy up to Him for refreshing and restoration.

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Welcome to my SANCTUARY!

While having my morning devotion time, I looked at the sign on my fireplace hearth, SANCTUARY, that I see every day. But yesterday it resonated with me more than ever. I looked at the back of it to see when it was that my friend gave it to me. It is dated October 10, 2010. That was just before my precious husband had a pain pump surgically placed in his body to help subside the pain he suffered for so long. Though the surgery was successful, we still had to make the decision to go on hospice.

SANCTUARY: a place of refuge or safety, haven, shelter, hideaway, port in a storm.

Indeed, my friend knew that we needed to be reminded of the SANCTUARY we have in our relationship with God. I remember that because we determined that our home would be a SANCTUARY in that season of our lives. Indeed, we had peace and joy throughout the remaining days of my Sweetheart's life. As I wrote that word in my journal, I knew it would be my word of the day because I sensed it might be a word that some of my friends, who are facing some tough times, need to become familiar with because of the place of refuge, shelter, port in the storm they need today.

So how do we find that place of peace and the place to escape from the everyday stressors of life – an escape from busyness and chaos! That place where we find peace in our hearts and souls when with everything in us, wants to run for our lives.

We watched a lot of basketball when our daughter played in high school. We always loved having “home court advantage” over the visiting team. The home team fans were out in droves and the team spirit elevated our team's thinking AND their game. Home court advantage applies to the SANCTUARY that our home becomes as a haven of peace, love and rest when we treat it that way. It becomes our "home court advantage".

The politics. The news. The shootings. The weather. The hate. The worry. I turn the news on and then I turn it off quickly. It reminds me why I rarely, if ever, watch those live news broadcasts anymore. I don’t have the stomach OR heart for it all. The combative nature in people these days and the us vs. them mentality wears on my spirit. I don’t quite know what to make of it all, but as I sit down to write loving, comforting words for myself and for my readers, God places my attention on a little sign that says, “SANCTUARY” with a scripture reference of Mark 6:31 “Come away to a secret place and rest for while” that reels me back in to what matters most.

I don’t know what your world looks like today. You may have young children jumping off of the furniture and climbing in your pantry. Their sibling rivalry is at peak performance. Your spouse may be overloaded in worries and care. Your to-do list is way too long to stop in at the SANCTUARY. I know that atmosphere. It is very familiar to me. But what became the most familiar to me and the priority in my home was making God -- my deepest source of meaning, unconditional love and real peace. It can be found -- even in small increments of time. I promise you, when our priority is, first and foremost, going to the SANCTUARY sometime throughout our day, it will create a settled, peace-filled home because of the presence of a holy, loving, awe-inspiring God. When we ask Him to settle into our homes and our home-life with us, He does it. He is available, present and more life-giving and peace-giving than everything else combined.

Today, I offer you a glance at my sign. SANCTUARY. Doesn’t that sound like a relief, hearing it put like that? That lovely, reassuring place of safety. Relief from all the ugliness out there. A break from it all. What if SANCTUARY looked like nothing more complicated than a hot, comforting cup of coffee? A cozy pair of slippers. A fire in the fireplace. A pen in our hand, a blank page beckoning, with a Bible or devotional book nearby. Going to the SANCTUARY and having moments of quiet, deep peace and rest and the assurance “It is well with my soul.”

You've Got a Friend in Me

With six grandchildren, I've watch many animated movies and among my favorites was Toy Story. "You've Got a Friend in Me" is the theme song. Maybe we should use it as our own theme song:
You've got a friend in me. You've got a friend in me.
You've got troubles, and I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and can see it through
'Cause you've got a friend in me. You've got a friend in me

Yesterday, I heard a speaker say, “Often we look and act like we have it all together, but in reality, we are struggling and hurting and we could sure use a friend that we could like, love, and TRUST." That resonated with me. And, that friend is one we trust so much that we can bear our aching heart to as we cry bucket loads of tears. That friend is so trustworthy that they will cry and laugh with us, and best of all, our friend provides a “safe” place for us, because what is said in our time together, stays there. The speaker went on to say “Look at how Christ modeled His life. In the garden, as the Son of God, He chose to reveal to his three closest friends the anguish that He was in. He didn’t put a brave face on for the disciples. He shared the anguish of His soul as He cried, ‘Let this cup pass from me. ” If Christ could bear His soul – we need that, too.

We do have a trustworthy friend in Jesus. He is always there for us. He truly understands everything about us because He felt the same pains that we do. But, we also need a friend or friends that we love and trust and are able to reach out to them for encouragement. When I lived in Tulsa, I had a precious group of loving and caring women that were in my weekly Life Group. My home was our "safe space”, because we liked, loved and trusted each other. We shared our hearts openly because we knew what we shared was held as sacred. Galatians 6:2 says “Help carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ.”

Monday night was the first team meeting for a beautiful spiritual retreat that will take place in March. This team is a group of 40 women who will grow together throughout the next 16 weeks as we pray and prepare together for the retreat, but the most important facet of our coming together is that we are sisters in Christ and we will feel safe in that place. We covenant together to encourage and support each other. WOW! Forty friends to “safely” share each others joys and sorrows with.

The Christmas season is here and no doubt there will be added stress and pressure because of all the many activities that come along with it for many, and for others who are alone and lonely and long for this season to be over for another year. We need to find a “safe place” and a trustworthy friend, one of God’s kids, who will encourage us and lift us up. They are out there. To find that friend, it's up to us to show ourselves friendly. Maybe YOU and I could be THAT ONE that can offer ourselves as a “safe place” for others to come to for comfort and prayer. Instead of displaying a “Do Not Disturb” sign on our hearts, it’s time to put up an “Open” sign that says “Here’s my shoulder – go ahead and lean on me!” They will know they can come to us for hope, encouragement and support. After all, aren’t we supposed to be the “Good News” carriers? If you haven't heard it from me before, please hear it now "You've got a friend in me, and I love you so much."

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "And so encourage one another and help one another, just as you are now doing."

He Tells Me I’m Never Alone

Because of the 24/7 hours a day of living/working/playing together for most of our 44 years of marriage, I really never knew loneliness, or for that matter, being alone. But, seasons changed when he graduated to heaven and I had the opportunity for both: being alone and being lonely. Great news is I didn't choose either. I chose a sweet place of solitude. Loneliness is inner emptiness and solitude is inner plenty especially when our inner plenty includes acknowledging our Plentiful Father is always with us..

Now don’t get me wrong. I love hanging out with my friends, attending church, shopping, playing games, socializing, being a part of women’s groups, prayer groups and spending as much time with my kids and grandkids as possible. But, right here at the front side of 2017 I'm embracing this sweet journey of solitude. It’s a journey of choice -- from “It’s all about me and what I don’t have and what I need”, TO “It’s about personal maturity and communion with God Who assures me I am NEVER alone, that He is has plans and a future for me and His plans for me outweigh my plans for me.”

Jesus explained His solitude like this in Matthew 16:32 “The hour is coming when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone for the Father is with me."

I understand solitude is the opposite of companionship and both have their places. I love spending time with my besties and my family. And, I even enjoy my iPhone that gives me news updates and music at a push of a button. But I also understand the importance of “being still and knowing He is God.” Psalm 46:10. That is where my strength for today and hope for tomorrow comes from. I know that "The Way" I need to go, "The Truth" I need to know, and "The Life" I live is in Him alone. (John 14:6).

I’ve tucked myself away in this little secret place of diving deep into the waters of God’s love and grace. I have several resource books with me, my Bible, my computer, my journal – all for use in this “Treasure Hunt” of “seeking and finding, knocking and waiting for the door to open to me.” I have no idea where this search and rescue will end, but I do know that I will come out knowing I am loved more than I knew possible and I will love Him more.

Need love? Seek Him. His arms are open wide and when you hug Him? No contest. He will always be hugging you way longer than you could ever hold Him. After all, He’s our “Good, Good Father” and He knows what’s best for us. Oh, how I love Chris Tomlin’s song, “You’re a Good, Good Father”. It describes our Father's deep love and His tender whispers that tell us we're never alone. Here are some of the words::

I've heard a thousand stories of what they think You're like,
But I've heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night.
And You tell me that You're pleased, and that I'm never alone.

You're a good, good Father.
It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am.

Listen to this beautiful song and feel His Father love to you today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_m5ZWchiZo

It's That Looney Cardinal Again

My son and family live in Austin on a large acreage which includes a lovely guest house that they offer to visiting missionaries, ministers and other visitors. I'm always at the main house when I'm there visiting, but I wanted a day of solitude a couple of weeks ago to meditate and finalize my thoughts for the upcoming Advent event I would be speaking at today here in Tulsa.

The house is tucked in heavy trees, off the beaten path, so it’s a perfect place to be still and hear from God. And that I did. As I settled down at the dining room table with my Bible, computer, notes, and cup of coffee, soon my envisioned “quiet and secret” place was interrupted by the constant beating on the windows of a hard-headed red cardinal. Poor bird -- I was concerned he was about to break his neck. It was annoying to say the least, until I thought “If I’m truly trusting God with all my heart and leaning not to my own understanding, and in all my ways acknowledging Him and trusting that He is directing my paths” (Proverbs 3:5,6), He must be using that cardinal to speak to me.

I remembered two winters ago that a cardinal family made their home in a crepe myrtle just outside my bedroom window. I began to cherish the cardinal because I came to understand that the cardinal is said to symbolize hope, joy, health, rejuvenation and celebration, the blood of Jesus that was shed for us, as well as to remind us of a dear loved one that may have passed from this earth.

A friend of mine, on the anniversary of her Dad's passing, was at her Mom and Dad's home, organizing family photos into envelopes for each of her eight siblings. When she put the last photo in the envelope, she looked out the window and saw a red cardinal in their backyard. Her dad loved cardinals. It was a sweet memory, and she knew that cardinal was heaven sent as she heard the words in her heart "Well done, good and faithful servant."

And, on this day in Austin, what seemed earlier like a looney cardinal, I knew now was a kiss from heaven to me. I like to think that my daddy, mama, grandparents AND, most of all, my sweetheart were sending me kisses from heaven to speak about the signs of Advent -- and talk about the many other "heaven sent" signs and messages from God that occur on a daily basis. Jesus used objects and "signs" to convey messages all the time. All those analogies that He used were probably from actual situations where He'd be by a well, and He'd talk about "living water" where we'd never thirst again; or the lilies of the field how they never toil -- He was probably by a field of lilies at the time; or when He said, "Consider the sparrows -- there were probably sparrows flying over head.. When He taught the parable of the sower, it's by no means a major stretch of our imagination to think that there was a sower in the next field where Jesus was.

So WHY wouldn't we see a cardinal and think of hope, joy, celebration AND sweet loved ones that could just be sending their love to us in the most beautiful way?

I knew my message tonight would include reference to the cardinal as a "sign" of hope and peace. And, all of that was confirmed when I arrived at Mom's house on Saturday.. When I walked in and saw her Christmas decorations with obvious "signs" of the cardinal -- the placemat, the pillow, the ceramic house and the sign. I knew I was on track.

It's about being a "Noticer" -- noticing those objects, signs, things, scriptures, nudges and hugs, where God reminds us of His love, His presence, His peace and hope. I'm just trusting Him so much that I'm willing to keep "noticing" how vast, how wide and deep is His love for me AND you.

El Lugar Secreto

Have you been to el lugar secreto? This weekend, six years ago, just after my Sweetheart graduated to heaven, I was invited to go to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to spend Thanksgiving with my son and his family. What a special gift it was to go to such a peaceful and tranquil place. I woke early each morning to take in the magnificent sunrise on the crashing waves. I would find the cleft of the rock formations to sit beneath. How sweet was the presence of my loving Father there – especially as He restored my soul, for it had been in the valley of the shadow of death just a week before.

And if that serene, tranquil place wasn’t enough to soothe and comfort me, the exciting deep sea expedition filled me with joys and exhileration beyond compare. My son, and his two sons, and this Nana set out early for “The Secret Place” aka el lugar secreto.

According to grieving support specialists, the standard operating procedures aka the rules of engagement for a new widow or widower is to let her find her own way to healing. I was supposed to be a grieving widow, but that morning I was so giddy and excited about this grand adventure. I just knew my Honey, who loved to fish, probably orchestrated this whole thing from heaven’s pilot seat. He would want me free of pain, worry and sorrow, and while I was casting for a whopper, he would want me casting my cares as well. Lobo, the captain of our boat, told me he was taking us to el lugar secreto (the secret place) to find the fish. He did. Reeling in the Mahi Mahi, shown in the photo, was a thrill of a lifetime for me. And I’m sure it was God (and my Honey’s) plan to give me such a sweet victory.

Like Lobo taking us to "the secret fishing place", I continue, to this date, to live daily in the secret place. Psalm 91:1,2 says -- "He that dwells in the SECRET PLACE of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!'" Why shouldn't I feel this peace? God promised it to me if I would live in that place. It's a choice I purpose to make daily. And, that’s my address: 911 Peace Ave. You will find me there most of the time, except for when I forget where I live, but His watchful eye and tender care seems to always draw me back in, Yes, I continue to go forward -- cherishing the memories, the sweetness of loving and being loved, choosing to be care-free and unafraid…….and daily living in el lugar secreto! I highly recommend that you hang out at el lugar secreto, too!

Home is a Heart Matter!

John Denver sang "Hey, it's good to be back home again!" And Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, said, "There's no place like home!" Even though I sold my home and am staying in a friend's home in Tulsa, I'm still singing with Dorothy, "There's no place like home!"

"Home" has changed for me many, many times over the years (way more than most) -- home once was when my sweetheart met me at the door with a sweet kiss and hug, and home was where my kids brought their friends to for comfort and FOOD, and home was where a light was always burning when one of us would be out late. Home was where the yummy smell of chocolate chip cookies were baking. And home was where we could be ourselves -- no masks -- no pretense -- just real, authentic, truth spoken in love....and even sometimes....when the truth hurt. But still, all those things were what made home...HOME!

The meaning of home changes over time -- when we were growing up in our parents' home, then a college dorm room was home, then our first home as a married couple, and then home was where our family came "home" to after they moved out and we were empty nesters. Or sweet loved ones left us for their real HOME in heaven. "Home" has so many different meanings.

Now, in this season between living in Oklahoma and Texas, home represents for me....my space in my friend's home or my mother-in-law's home or my children's home, I've got the "gypsy" wandering vibe going. That's been at my children's urging -- "Mom, take your time on buying a new home! Trust God's timing and the place He's planned for you." I'll admit -- I have been a little antsy about that because this little bird would like a "nest" to go to that she can call her own. But, right here in my friend's home in Tulsa, I'm typing my next FB post with complete peace and sensing that God knows where I'm headed tomorrow.....so that makes this spot, right here "home".

In reality, it doesn't matter where the structure of a home is, because home is where our hearts are at the time. I've learned that home can be outdoors, in a chapel, in a comfy chair, riding in a car....or even a motorcoach -- really, just anywhere. In this season of my life, I've come to appreciate that my most precious "home" place to be is where I spend time with the Lover of My Soul -- that place of peace and comfort -- where "in His presence -- is fullness of joy"! I'm "at home" with the One Who always wraps me in His loving arms and He assures me I am home....right where He is -- is home -- any where and any time. Give me that -- and I'm home -- my quiet place -- my refuge -- my shelter -- my secret place of the Most High -- abiding under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).

Yes.....there really is no place like HOME SWEET HOME -- because Home is a heart matter -- not a place matter -- because any where (and that's everywhere) He is, I'm HOME!

Where is Your Safe Zone?

With the sun up, I could assess any damages around my place from the violent winds in the thunderstorms and tornadic activity that came through Tulsa on Tuesday night. Except for a lot of petals from my rose bush on the ground, it seemed all was well. Thanks be to God. When I turned on the 6 am news, I was pleased to hear that there were no fatalities but lots of damage around Tulsa and other communities, and power interrupted in a lot of homes.

We Oklahomans are a resilient bunch, even though there has been serious damage and loss of lives many times in the past. We still recover, rebuild and restore. Weather forecasters have certainly helped us prepare and be on alert for those nasty funnels. My father and mother-in-law lost their home years ago from a tornado, yet, as Mom and I discussed yesterday, that damage opened the door for them to move to the home Mom still lives in and loves today. We take the bumps and bruises....and turn it into something good.

In fact, many make light of tornadoes. A friend posted: "What do Oklahomans do when they hear a tornado siren?" "They go outside, set out their lawn chair and watch the show." Another of my friends, who moved from California three years ago, loves everything about Oklahoma. In fact, she takes tornado activity with a grain of salt, or rather a color of her hair. She posted Tuesday night: "Tornado sirens going off...not a good time to be coloring my hair." Another friend replied to her post: "Note to self: 'Next time storms are expected, don't even think about coloring my hair. You're not in California anymore, Toto!" LOL!

My neighbor texted me that she had extra space in her "safe room" in case I'd like to join her. But, with the sirens sounding off for about an hour, I made the closet in my laundry room my "safe room". But who am I kidding? That little spot wouldn't provide safety in the horrendous winds of a tornado except for God's protecting hand. Mom reminded me yesterday that all the roof was gone when the tornado hit their home years ago.....except for the patch where Mom and Dad were holding up in a central shower stall. They were in the "shelter of the Most High".

Whether it's a wild storm outside or a wild storm inside me, here's what I pray and speak: Psalm 91:1 (my 911 emergency number) "I dwell in the secret place of the Most High. I abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of You, Lord, You are my fortress, my deliverer, my God in Whom I trust." I also quote and pray Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

What's YOUR safety zone? Mine is the solid rock of Christ. When I need a shelter, when I need a friend....I go to THE ROCK!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Day 316 of Photo Inspirations -- These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
Definitely not the feet in the beach picture, but a chilly morning, wearing my cozy robe and slippers, sitting in my favorite comfy chair, with the fireplace blazing, sipping on a hot cup of coffee and having sweet, peaceful times....just me and my Father God. Such bliss.  Yes, these are a few of my favorite things.

Okay -- let's get real!  I know that scenario must look and sound like Fantasyland for you moms and dads who hit the ground running.  You do good to get your teeth brushed and your "troll" hair back to normal so you don't startle your little ones before it's rushing to get their breakfast made and their lunches packed and then hustling everyone off to school or work.  And that's all in the first 15 minutes of your day.  The day may hold your job where your fast pace continues, and/or it's a packed-full day of housework, laundry, taxi service, bills paying, meals preparing, etc.

I know that pace -- been there and done it with my kids and even my grandkids.  One day, you, too, will have earned this calmer, more stable and relaxed place of casually....getting your day going.

This quiet place is where I get some of my best inspirations.  That's where this post today comes from -- a peaceful, noise-free place.  But I know it's also possible during the times of craziness to find a secret place -- maybe a closet or even the bathroom.  Lock the door, even for 5 minutes to "chill" and listen.  God's still small voice is there to settle you down and whisper His profound love into your ears.  When you acknowledge Him at some point of your day, I promise you -- you'll recognize Him throughout your day.  Those times when you almost forgot to do something and then you recall it before it's too late or that extra ingredient in the recipe that you almost forgot to add, but didn't, or you're just pulling out of your driveway and you remembered your cell phone or book or deposit you needed to take with you.  Those are those "Thanks, God!  I know you reminded me!"

Having these little quiet times of dedicated focus on God (acknowledgeing Him) is like a divine roto rooter that clears the passageways for entry of God's voice that brings clarity into your thinking.

So whether you have a cozy spot like mine, or it's a bathroom stall at work.....go there for R & R (refilling and refocusing) on Him whose got all the answers AND the bases covered for you!

Jeremiah 29:12 "Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will hear you."

Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

Indescribable, Uncontainable, Amazing God

Day 259 of Photo Inspirations -- Indescribable, Uncontainable, Amazing God
For the last three months, I've been privileged to be part of a retreat team that is working diligently on an October special women's retreat.  Weekly, we meet for prayer, study of God's Word, and then it's "all hands on deck" -- to diligently work and prepare for the event.  What a joy it is to know that we will be getting to take other women to a place of "green pastures" -- to get away from EVERYTHING -- families, work, electronics, schedules, routines and "to do" lists -- to enter into a new or deeper relationship with Christ..  That happens when we go to that "Secret Place".  Psalms 91:1-2 "The one who lives in the shelter of the Most High, who rests in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “You are my refuge, my fortress, and my God in whom I trust!"

I'm baffled when I think that THE GOD of the universe is my loving Father and He knows me by name.  His arms are outstretched to me/us 24/7.  Shouldn't we be the most excited people on the planet because His arms outstretched means PARTY TIME.  The party begins when He is invited into the innermost recesses of our hearts and lives.  

I want my passion for God getting stronger and stronger, and my light to burn brighter and brighter, and a sweet way of doing that is to REFRESH and RECHARGE at a retreat (a place of refuge and restoration).   Some things with God are so personal, so intimate, that they cannot be described with words -- they can only be felt with the heart. This is how true intimacy with God is; we feel that no one else can really understand the special bond that we share with Him because it's altogether personal.  But I assure you of this -- that intimate place of relationship -- removes doubt, worry, concern, and fear consciousness and replaces it with "Savior" consciousness.

This describes my relationship with Christ. He has comforted me as I have cried.  He has directed me, taught me, reproved me, guided me and loved me.  Only God knows us perfectly and intimately. He understands our desires, motives, and thoughts. Nothing about us escapes His notice. In fact, God knows infinitely more about us than we will ever know about ourselves.  He not only knows all about us, but He will never forget us. He even keeps an account of the number of hairs on our heads.   God promises in Isaiah 49:16 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands."

Perhaps it's not possible for you to go to a physical retreat location to find Him, but you can find a "hiding place" or a "secret place" where you come to know the indescribable, uncontainable, all powerful, untameable, uncomparable, unchangeable -- AMAZING God...for yourself RIGHT NOW -- wherever you are.  His arms are outstretched to you.....and in case you haven't been told 'you are loved today', through me...He is telling you now.....'YOU ARE LOVED'!

I love this song by Chris Tomlin.  Maybe, right there at your computer or cell phone or iPad, you can find that secret place right now.  Listen and know HE IS AMAZING GOD who loves you so much!           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpLqAUJcUbo

This is the Way I Start My Day

Day 24 of Photo Inspirations:  “Lord, in the morning you hear my voice. In the morning I pray to you. I wait for you in hope.” Psalm 5:3

This is the way I start my day.  One of the things I love about the chilly winter weather are my mornings before the fireplace, nestled in a blanket and spending time with my CEO and Father.   It's our secret place, just Him and me.  That's where I get "inside" information from Him that keeps me above the fray in my day.

But, I'll admit, my mind wanders and it's easy to get distracted there, too.  I have to keep reeling myself back in -- the duties and responsibilities of my day (my "to do" lists) try to invade this privacy.   But the point is, I'm sitting in the very presence of my CEO and Father.  He deserves my undivided attention.   Although my eyes cannot visibly see Him, I picture Him being here, bending close to hear my every word and know my every thought.  I sense Him holding my face and lifting it heavenward.  He cradles me in His arms.  I'll admit it's difficult to fathom that the God of the universe, who holds the entire world in His hands, has time to hear my little prayers. But not only does He have the time, He calls us to come to Him. Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know”.

I know  many of you whose day starts with a bang and you have to hit the ground running -- breakfasts to make, kids to get off to school, chores and all kinds of activities await you.  But, I promise, even if it's for just 5 minutes.....to spend a little "HIM and me" time, it will make such a difference as you create the atmosphere of His peace and joy in your home and day.  You'll set the tone for your entire family  and even your workplace as you exude His energy, His love, His peace, His can-do attitude -- all just because you checked in with Him -- got the download of what you'll need for that day....early in the morning.
#SecretPlace #CEOMeeting #FatherKnowsBest