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OLD RUG
The rug, once new, now tattered and torn. Holes. Shredded. Greatly worn. The beauty has faded. It’s better days, now jaded. Memories, if this rug could talk, does hold- Stories of Christmas’s, cross-country parties, dog tales would unfold. Gone now are its glory days. I sit. I stare. I wonder with amaze. I ponder. My life seems to resemble this old rug. As I look at it, I cry. My heart feels a tug. Once, I felt valued, beautiful; no more. My life has been filled with pain; my heart ripped and tore! Life’s journey has been rough! But in my LORD Jesus, I trust! He gives me strength; shows the way- Keeps me on the path so I won’t stray! He has and is healing my heart. He cleanses me and gives me a fresh start. Although I am thread bare, Jesus knows every rip and tear! He hears. He sees. He knows. He holds me. Into my heart His love flows. He shatters the darkness with His light. He picks me up, encourages, tells me to continue to “fight the good fight.” This is a spiritual war Put on your battle armor. Fight. Like an eagle-soar! Rise above the despair- My heart hears: “Do good. Love others. Show them I care.” “Out of the ashes, I am teaching you to grow Let my love flow! Show others the way- Remember where you have been. Watch and pray!
Staying rooted in God’s love Amidst Distractions
Video is below the devotional As I read through Jude today, I can feel the urgency in his words. He begins by reminding me that there are false teachers around, people who distort the truth and lead others away from God’s ways. I see Jude calling out the self-serving nature of these false teachers, the way they grumble and slander. It’s a strong warning, but it also challenges me to pay attention to how easily I can be swayed by others if I’m not rooted in God’s Word and the truth of the gospel daily. In today’s world, where social media and online platforms give everyone a voice, there’s a constant flow of opinions and information, some of which can be misleading or false. It’s easy to be caught up in the noise, especially when everyone seems to have an opinion that can sway your thinking. Just like Jude’s warning about false teachers, I realize how important it is to discern the voices we listen to. Some may present themselves as wise or persuasive, but if they aren’t grounded in truth, they can lead us astray. It makes me reflect on the importance of standing firm in what I believe and being cautious about who influences my thinking. Jude’s concern for believers resonates with me, and I can’t help but feel a sense of responsibility to stay alert, remembering the warnings the apostles gave about such people. It’s not just about knowing the truth, but also about living out the truth in a way that resists distractions, whether from false teachers or the overwhelming noise of modern culture. In a world where information is so easily shared, it’s more important than ever to ensure we’re grounded in the gospel and mindful of who we allow to shape our views. Staying rooted in God’s Word helps us stay firm, avoiding being led astray by the shifting tides of misleading narratives. Focus on Jude 1:20-21 Verse 20: “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…” I love how Jude shifts from warning to encouragement. He’s telling me, “Hey, Faith, you can remain strong too!” He’s reminding me that building my faith is something I have to actively do. I can’t just let my faith sit on the shelf or expect it to grow without my involvement. It’s about intentional actions—whether that’s through reading the Bible, spending time in prayer, or reflecting on how God has been faithful in my life. With my ADHD, it can be hard for me to focus sometimes. I get distracted, and it can feel like my mind is jumping from one thing to another, making it hard to stay rooted. When I don’t prioritize my faith—when I skip my quiet time or let my focus drift—my strength in the faith starts to weaken. But when I make a habit of coming back to God, even in small moments, my faith feels stronger. I’ve learned to accept the distractions that come and offer them up to God, asking for help to focus and build my faith each day. Praying in the Spirit helps me with that. When my mind wanders, I can rely on the Holy Spirit to help me pray even when I don’t have the words. I don’t have to get everything perfect; I can trust that the Spirit knows what I need and intercedes for me. Verse 21: “Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” This verse brings me back to the heart of everything—the love of God. Jude is telling me to stay close to God’s love. That means being intentional about staying connected to Him through obedience, trust, and prayer. It’s not like God’s love will ever leave me, but I have to choose to stay in it by aligning my heart with His. It’s easy to get distracted, especially with ADHD. Life is busy, and my mind can sometimes drift. There are days when I feel like I’m not doing enough to stay focused on God. But this verse is an invitation to rest in God’s love. I can stay in His love, even when I’m struggling to focus, by choosing to come back to Him, even in small moments. His love is a constant reminder that I don’t have to be perfect, I just have to keep coming back to Him. And then there’s the part about waiting for the mercy of Christ. I think this is so important, especially when things are hard. I’m waiting for eternal life—the ultimate promise and hope we have in Christ. No matter how much I go through in this life, I have this hope in Jesus that one day, He will bring me to eternal life with Him. That hope gives me strength to keep going when life is tough. My Prayer Lord, thank You for Your Word today. I’m grateful for the reminder to build my faith, to pray in the Spirit, and to stay close to Your love. Life can be hard, and sometimes my ADHD makes it even harder to stay focused. But I trust that You are with me, guiding me even through the distractions. Help me to remain rooted in Your love, to trust in the power of Your Spirit to help me pray, and to keep my eyes on the eternal hope that You’ve promised. Thank You for the mercy that awaits me in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen. https://faithfulforager.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Staying-rooted-in-Gods-love-amidst-distractions.mp4
The Day of the Lord and My Personal Journey
https://faithfulforager.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Day-Of-The-Lord-And-My-Personal-Journey.mp4 “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, says the Lord Almighty. Not a root or a branch will be left to them.” (Malachi 4:1) “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.” (Malachi 4:2) This morning as I was reading Malachi 4, I was reminded of God’s justice and His holiness. The day of the Lord will come, and He will set everything right. But this isn’t just a call for judgment—it’s a call for me to reflect on my own life and examine where my time and attention are being spent. I know there are areas in my life where I’ve allowed distractions to take over—whether it’s playing games on my phone, scrolling through social media, spending time on personal projects, exercising, or even laying in bed for too long instead of starting my day with God. While none of these activities are inherently bad, I’ve noticed that I can sometimes let them consume more time than they should. When I lie in bed too long in the mornings, for instance, it often leads me to waste precious time that could have been spent connecting with God or setting a better tone for my day. The issue isn’t the activities themselves, but how much of my time they’re taking up. I have to ask myself: Is my time being used in a way that honors God, or have these distractions become idols that keep me from Him? Today, I’m reminded that God isn’t asking me to give up these things entirely. He’s simply calling me to be more intentional with my time—making sure that time with Him is a priority in my day. Acknowledging My StrugglesMalachi 4 speaks of judgment, but I see it as an invitation to evaluate my own heart. I recognize that I often let things like my phone, social media, personal projects, exercising, and even laying in bed too long take priority over time with God. These things are not bad in themselves, but when I let them consume more time than I should, they crowd out what truly matters. Today, I bring this before God and ask for His help in finding a balance. I want to enjoy these things but not at the cost of my relationship with Him. God, help me to be mindful of how I spend my time, and remind me to start each day by seeking You first. God’s Healing is for MeGod promises that for those who revere His name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing. I need that healing today, especially when I feel like I’ve been overwhelmed by distractions. When I let other things take over, I end up feeling disconnected or drained. But when I prioritize time with God, His presence restores me. I invite His light into my life today—shining into the places where I feel distant or spiritually dry. I trust that He will heal me, not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally, when I give Him the time He deserves. The Joy of RestorationMalachi 4 speaks about the joy that comes with restoration, describing how those who are faithful to God will “frolic like well-fed calves.” When I think about this, I picture a calf that’s well-nourished, full, and free to run around, full of energy and joy. It’s a picture of freedom and celebration, something that comes when God restores us. In this passage, Malachi is showing me that true joy comes from being in right relationship with God—when I allow Him to bring healing and peace into my life. I’ve noticed that sometimes I search for that joy in things that only leave me feeling empty. But the joy God offers is different—it’s a deep, lasting joy that comes when I’m fully aligned with His will. It’s the joy of being nourished and restored, knowing that I’m living in His purpose. Today, I want to choose that joy by focusing on what truly matters and allowing Him to fill me with the freedom and peace He promises. Living with Expectancy:Malachi also points to the coming of Elijah and the ultimate restoration that Christ will bring. I live with that same expectancy today, knowing that Christ will return and make all things new. In the midst of my daily activities, I want to live with the hope of His return, knowing that He is still working in me. Even the small choices—like getting out of bed on time to seek Him first or choosing to limit distractions—matter. God, help me to live with an expectant heart today, anticipating the work You’re doing in my life and in the world around me. Prayer Lord, as I read Malachi 4, I’m reminded that the Day of the Lord is coming—a day of judgment, but also a day of healing and restoration for those who revere Your name. I realize that I’ve allowed distractions like my phone, social media, personal projects, exercise, and even the habit of laying in bed for too long to take up more time than they should. These things are not bad in themselves, but I’ve let them crowd out my time with You. I ask for Your forgiveness and Your help in setting my priorities straight. Please shine Your healing light into my life and restore me. I want to live with expectancy, knowing that You will return, and I want to live in a way that reflects Your kingdom. Help me to prioritize You and seek Your righteousness above all else. Thank You for the joy, healing, and restoration You offer. In Jesus’ name,
Living with Integrity
I’ve been reading Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament, and I’ll admit, sometimes the Old Testament can be hard to understand. God can seem harsh at times, but lately, as I dive in and ask the Holy Spirit for understanding through His incredible wisdom, I’m starting to see what God is really saying and how it applies to my life today. He’s been revealing areas in my life that I really need to work on. Understanding Malachi 2:1-8In this passage, God is speaking directly to the priests of Israel, rebuking them for their failure to honor Him. They had a sacred duty to lead and instruct people in His ways, but instead, they became corrupt, careless, and misleading. Verses 1-2 – A Warning to Those in Leadership“And now, you priests, this warning is for you. If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.” God isn’t just addressing the priests of Israel; He’s addressing anyone who holds influence. That includes me. Whether in my family, my workplace, my church, or my friendships, I have a responsibility to reflect God’s truth. But if I don’t take that responsibility seriously—if I’m careless with my actions and words—there are consequences. This makes me think and ask myself am I honoring God in how I live and speak? Or am I dishonoring Him by being careless with my leading, words and attitude? Verses 3-4 – Serious Consequences for Disobedience“Because of you, I will rebuke your descendants; I will smear on your faces the dung from your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it. And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the Lord Almighty. This is strong language. God is saying that their corruption will not only affect them but will have consequences for those who come after them. That’s a sobering thought. As I reflected on this I asked myself how do my words and actions impact the people around me—especially those who look up to me? Am I setting an example that leads others to God, or am I making it harder for them to trust Him? Verses 5-7 – God’s Standard for Leadership“My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips; he walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin. For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.” This is what God originally intended for His priests—to lead with truth, integrity, and reverence for Him. But instead, they had become self-serving. This reminded me that God calls me to a higher standard, too. This verse challenges me personally: Am I standing in awe of God, or have I become too casual in my faith? Am I speaking truth, or do I sometimes let dishonesty or harshness take over? Am I someone who helps others grow closer to God, or am I leading them further away—maybe without even realizing it? Verse 8 – The Heart of the Problem“But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord Almighty. God is telling the priests: You were supposed to guide people to Me, but instead, you’ve led them away. That’s a serious accusation. And while I may not be a priest, my words and actions still have influence. So I asked myself have my words, actions, and leading ever caused someone to stumble? Have I ever hurt someone with my direction, attitude or tone? Have I ever made it harder for someone to see Jesus because of how I acted? As I tied everything together I read this morning this passage is a wake-up call. God is serious about integrity, especially when it comes to how we lead others—whether through our words, actions, or influence. He’s not just speaking to priests; He’s speaking to anyone who claims to follow Him. For me, this passage highlights a few things: I need to take my words seriously. If I’m careless with how I speak—if I’m harsh, impatient, or unkind—it doesn’t just affect me. It can cause real harm. God calls me to a higher standard. I’m supposed to reflect His truth and love, not just in what I believe but in how I act. This is a warning, but also an invitation. God doesn’t call me out just to condemn me—He wants me to turn back to Him, to do better, to honor Him in how I speak and live.
God Sees You, Even When You Sneak Away
Scripture: Psalm 139:7-10“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” Yesterday, as I was teaching Children’s Church, I had a special little guy in the room—my 3-year-old grandson. The class was held in a spacious gymnasium, filled with children ranging from 2 to 11 years old. As I began to teach the lesson, I couldn’t help but notice him inching toward the door, trying his best to sneak away. It was almost like he thought he could escape unnoticed, moving quietly and slowly. I couldn’t help but smile, assuming he was probably trying to find his way to his mom. I know from experience how challenging it can be to keep young children focused, especially in such a large space. So, I try to give them the freedom to move around if they need to. But what my grandson didn’t realize is that I had my eye on him the whole time, even as he tried to make his getaway. In that moment, I couldn’t help but think about how we sometimes behave with God. When we’re distracted or avoiding something, we may think we can slip away from His presence, that we can hide or escape without Him noticing. We might try to distance ourselves from Him in different ways, believing that He can’t see us or that we can get away unnoticed. But just as I was watching my grandson, God is always watching over us—His eyes are never off us. Psalm 139:7-10 serves as a powerful reminder that there is nowhere we can go where God isn’t already present. We can’t escape His love, His care, or His guidance. Even if we try to run or hide, He’s always right there with us, loving us and watching over us, even in the moments when we feel like sneaking away. What’s even more beautiful is that God doesn’t just watch over us; He gently calls us back, saying, ‘I see you—come back this way.’ He’s always ready to lead us back to where we need to be, if we’re willing to listen. No matter how far we think we’ve wandered, He’s never too far to reach us, always close enough to draw us back to Him. Are there areas in your life where you might be trying to “sneak away” from God’s presence? How can you be more aware of God’s constant presence and love, even in moments when you might want to run or hide? Take a moment today to reflect on the fact that God’s eyes are always on you, and His loving presence is with you wherever you go.
Am I giving my best?
Malachi 1:6-8″A son honors his father, and a servant his master.If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty… “When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty. I have always tried to understand why God gives us stories of old from the Bible and does it apply to my life today? What is He trying to teach me? How does an ancient message fit into my modern world? This morning, as I read Malachi 1, God gently challenged my heart: Am I truly giving Him my best? The Israelites in Malachi’s time had fallen into a dangerous habit—offering God sacrifices that were sick, lame, or left over. They wouldn’t dare give such gifts to their leaders, yet they gave them to God without a second thought. It made me think—how often do I approach God with half-hearted devotion? Do I give Him my first and best, or just what’s convenient? I feel many times I give him my leftover time, energy, and passion. See God is not asking for perfection from me, but He is asking for sincerity and honor. Just as I wouldn’t show up to an important meeting unprepared, I shouldn’t come before God with a careless heart. Yet in the midst of His correction, God reminds us of something powerful—His love never changes. Before addressing Israel’s failures, He first tells them, “I have loved you” (Malachi 1:2). His love isn’t based on my performance; it’s a constant, unshakable truth. That love calls me higher—not out of obligation, but out of thankfulness and gratitude. Today, as I examine my heart. I am want to give God my best in worship, in prayer, in my daily life? Not to earn His love, but because He deserves it. I don’t want to offer Him leftovers—I want to give Him my first and my best. My prayer to God today: Father, forgive me for the times I have given You less than my best. I don’t want to worship You out of routine or convenience, but out of love and reverence. Help me to honor You in all that I do and to put You first in my life. Thank You In what areas of my life have I been giving God my “leftovers”? How can I intentionally honor God with my time, energy, and devotion today? Let’s choose to give God our best—not out of duty,but out of love. He is worthy!
Clothed in Grace
https://faithfulforager.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Clothed-in-Grace.mp4 This morning, as I read through Genesis 46, I came across verse 22: “But to Benjamin he gave five changes of clothes and three hundred pieces of silver.” (Genesis 45:22) As I reflected on these words, I couldn’t help but wonder about the significance of these particular gifts. Why five garments and 300 pieces of silver? What do they symbolize, and does it relate to me today? The number five in Scripture symbolizes grace, favor, and God’s abundant provision. As I reflected on these words, I couldn’t help but wonder about the significance of these particular gifts. Why five garments and 300 pieces of silver? What do they symbolize, and does it relate to me today? When Joseph gives Benjamin five garments, it’s not just a gift—it represents God’s overflowing grace and provision. Garments, representing status, show how Joseph meets a need and symbolizes God’s abundant love. This reminded me that, just as Joseph blesses Benjamin, God clothes us in righteousness—not because we’ve earned it, but because of His love. Righteousness here means being made right with God, a new identity given through grace. It’s not something we achieve on our own, but a gift from God. The number three hundred also carries significant meaning, recalling how 300 men, chosen by God, defeated the Midianites through divine intervention. Joseph’s gift of 300 pieces of silver to Benjamin symbolizes God’s restoration—what was lost is now freely given, just as God’s provision and restoration come through His power, not ours. God’s grace is freely given, just as Joseph gave generously. I’m invited to receive it with gratitude, knowing that I’m made right with God and surrounded by His provision. As I reflect on Joseph’s gifts to Benjamin, l am reminded of the boundless grace and provision God offers to each of us. Just as Joseph blessed his brother, God continually blesses us with righteousness, restoration, and favor, not because of what we’ve done, but because of His incredible love. May we embrace His gifts with gratitude and trust, knowing that His grace is always more than enough.
Faithful Love
I have to share something that really touched my heart this morning while I was reading Genesis 39. I came across the verse where it says that God showed Joseph His faithful love, and it stopped me in my tracks. It made me want to dig deeper into what faithful love really means—what it meant for Joseph, and what it means for me right now. Genesis 39:21 says, “But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love.” That phrase, faithful love, comes from the Hebrew word חֶסֶד (chesed)—a love that is unwavering, loyal, merciful, and kind. A love that doesn’t waver based on circumstances. But what really got me was this—God’s love for Joseph wasn’t proven by taking him out of the prison. It was proven by being with him in it. Joseph wasn’t alone. Even in the middle of his suffering, God was showing him kindness, favor, and purpose. And that made me pause and ask myself: How often do I look at my own circumstances and wonder where God is? It’s so easy to doubt His love when things feel hard, when life doesn’t go the way I hoped. But this verse reminds me that I can’t measure God’s faithfulness by what I’m going through in the moment. Just because I don’t see the full picture yet doesn’t mean He isn’t working. I know that when I face difficulties, my first instinct is often to focus on the struggle rather than trusting that God is working behind the scenes. But Joseph’s story reminds me of something powerful—what the enemy meant for harm, God turned for good (Genesis 50:20). The prison wasn’t the end of Joseph’s story. It was actually the very thing that positioned him for the palace. And I believe the same is true for you and me. No matter what we’re walking through, God’s chesed—His faithful love—never leaves us. He is with us, He is for us, and even in the hardest, most confusing moments, He is working things together for something greater than we can see right now. So today, I’m holding onto this truth: His love is present. His plan is unfolding. And no matter what the enemy tries to use for harm, God will turn it for good. I have a video i made to share as well. https://faithfulforager.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Faithful-Love.mp4
What If?
For several weeks, I have been in a season of “busy”. Distracted. In my heart, I know that I “should” be writing, encouraging, sharing but I have “put it off”. There are what seem to be endless tasks: mowing the yard, weeding the garden, sowing seeds and reaping the harvests, running errands, fixing meals, doing laundry. The list goes on and on. But, I am without excuse. I let the “urgent get in the way of the important”. I let the enemy get me off course with endless distractions. Today, I have stopped. I hit the pause button and just took time to “be” with God. I took a minute to “be still”, to listen. What is the most important thing in my life? It is my relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Truly, He is my Rock and my Salvation. He is the hope for this world. Today, I share the words that were dropped into my heart; the poem entitled “What If?” What if Jesus came back today What would He find? Are my eyes open or are they blind? Is my lamp burning bright? Or is it dim; hidden, out of sight? Am I seeking Him; reading his WORD? Or do I think the Bible is ancient, irrelevant, absurd? Am I discerning the “signs of the times”? Or do I go about my day without reason or rhyme? Am i living for Jesus with boldness and courage; doing His will? Or am I drowning in fear; grabbing a pill? Is this earth my home? Or is my citizenship in heaven where I long to roam? Is my faith growing; do I really believe? Or do I just want to ignore the TRUTH, turn a blind eye; be relieved? Tough questions we must evaluate. For the path to heaven is narrow; the way to Hell wide is the gate. NOW is the time to accept salvation; the gift from our LORD. His WORD, the Bible, is sharper than a two edge sword. It is time to invite Jesus in. He will cleanse and forgive ALL you sin. He is the ONLY way! He is the ticked to heaven this day! But His love, he will never force. He extends an invitation, but does not coerce. The choice to follow, obey, is yours alone. He has a “still small voice”, not a megaphone. He is calling. Be still. Listen. Hear. He longs to give you new life; remove all doubt and fear. It is as easy as A, B, C: Admit that you are a sinner. Believe that Jesus is LORD. Call upon His name. Pray. One. Two. Three. Jesus, I come to you today, broken. I am a sinner. I cannot live this life on my own. I need You. I need You to save me. I believe that You came into this world to die for my sins. You rose from the dead so that I could have life. I ask that You come into my heart, cleanse me of all sin. Be LORD of my life. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen
Symphony
Psalms 33:2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Psalms 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalms 92:1 It is good to praise the Lord and Make music to your name, O Most High, Psalms 33:2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Psalms 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalms 92:1 It is good to praise the Lord and Make music to your name, O Most High, The summer my son was entering sixth grade in the fall, he was allowed to choose an instrument and attend summer camp. After careful thought and deliberation, he chose the cello. I asked him how he came to that decision. His comment “Mom, it is the most beautiful music that I have ever heard.” At that point, I knew nothing about the cello or its sound. I love music and love to sing but I never learned to read music or officially play an instrument. I played drums, cymbals and tambourine and sang by “ear”; hearing the sounds and following the beat. My son was excited to begin his orchestra summer camp with several other sixth graders. At the end of one week, students gave their first concert. It was impressive! Not one squeak! They played beautifully! Over the course of the next few years, every concert amazed me! These kids were growing in their musical talent! When my son would practice, I would intently listen and be swept away. The cello has a way of sweeping you into the presence of God; captivating your heart! I came to understand why my son had picked this instrument. It truly produces the most beautiful music. However, it has to have someone talented enough to masterfully play it. The music my son would play would move me to tears. His teacher taught him how to put his heart into it and play his soul. He told me “I can see notes in my mind, in color.” He would listen to a music piece and then write it out and play it. He also would take the ending of a piece of music and change it to what he thought would be better. Although he doesn’t like his mother to say it, his music ability is truly a gift from God. God creates us each with unique gifts and talents. We need to use them. A symphony is only a symphony when we use our gifts and play our instruments together. God is our conductor. When we focus on Him, He raises His baton; leads us through the musical journey of life. He shows us when to slow, when to increase our tempo. He guides us along like a music piece telling us which instruments need to raise in intensity and which need to be silent and rest. Nature exhibits His symphony. Each morning last Spring at 4:00 am, a phoebe bird would be the conductor. She would start singing “phoebe, phoebe.” This awoke the purple martins. They began to chirp and garble; then sing happily. The robin, North Carolina wren and cardinal joined in. The doves began softly cooing. The tree frogs croaked and in the distance you could hear a coyote howl. It was beautiful to hear nature praise Him. It was music to my ears and food for my soul! Psalms 113:1 Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul.
Bus Driver
Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” For the past couple of years, my husband has had the opportunity to be a bus driver for the local school corporation. I have to say a special Thank you and God Bless you to all of the bus drivers out there! You are truly an amazing group of people; dedicated, loving, persevering, caring individuals. Much of the time you get a lot of disrespect and very little gratitude. But there are some kids that you absolutely fall in love with! They make your job a blessing, instead of what seems many days, a curse. Today is the last day of school for this calendar year. My husband sent me a picture of a note from one of his special kids: “Dear Mr. Dan thank you for being my bus driver. you are the best bus driver evre. thank you for leting me sit in a set. Love, Lindy” For all of the disciplinary reports that have ever been written or the constant warnings that have been issued, this note melts my heart. It reminds me of the importance of children. Their young innocence needs to be protected. Children are a blessing! They are precious in Jesus sight and are precious to us, to our world. We need to love them, enjoy them. We need to teach them respect and reward them for good deeds. We need to cherish the young years and be grateful for them. The years pass too quickly and the world can be a harsh place to live. We need to guide them ever so gently and show them how to live lives of faith and integrity by being good role models. We need to teach them to love and make a difference in this world! To all parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors, to all, but especially to Bus Drivers….Thank you for being a friend. Sometimes you are the only friend a child may have that day. Use kind words. Give them instructions. Love these kids like they are your own! For Christians, you may be the only Bible some will ever read. Let them read about Jesus through your life and actions. You are making a difference in the life of a child near you! Be the difference! Show them love when the world shows them hate. Let them know that you care, no matter what happens in life!
Prayer Walk
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually, Psalms 33:2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Psalms 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalms 92:1 It is good to praise the Lord and Make music to your name, O Most High, ” The correct concept is to think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts. Our blood flows and our breathing continues “without ceasing”; we are not even conscious of it, but it never stops. And we are not always conscious of Jesus keeping us in perfect oneness with God, but if we are obeying Him, He always is. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life of the saint. Beware of anything that stops the offering up of prayer. “Pray without ceasing”- maintain the childlike habit of offering up prayer in your heart to God all the time.” Oswald Chambers MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST (Updated Edition) This morning’s devotion from Oswald Chambers, like so many of his devotions, always seems to “touch and impact me right where I am,” in that moment of life. Earlier this week I had to opportunity to go on a Prayer Walk with one of my prayer warrior friends. It was a beautiful day with sunshine and blue skies. We drove to a local nature park to walk along the trails and pray. God speaks all of the time, every day. But sometimes, we just need to get away. We need to take a walk into nature and be surrounded by His beauty to refocus and renew our soul. As we walked along the trails, we talked with God. We brought all of our trials, failures, needs of ourselves and of our friends to Him. We observed His beauty in the trees, flowers, creek waters that flowed. From the beams of sunshine piercing through the forest, we saw the Light of His love shining down. He illumined our path as we walked. We felt deep love and peace. Then, suddenly, without warning as we prayed came the attacks. Mosquitos! It was like a fierce army attack! Relentless! We continued to press on and pray; focusing on God. We prayed. We walked. We swatted mosquitos. As our walk ended, I was reminded of how our natural walk is like our spiritual walk. We have a fierce enemy, Satan, who is relentless in his attacks. He comes to interfere in our lives as we talk and grow closer to God. He throws fiery darts and bites at us like the mosquitos. But, we must stay focused. God has given us His armor. Ephesians 6:13-17 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Be Faithful The enemy is real; throws daggers and darts all day. He wants to cause fear and doubt; from Jesus draw our attention away. He whispers lies and deceives. He is constantly badgering; trying to get us not to believe. But God, in His wisdom, gave us strong armor. For He knew the battle would be fierce and we might be distracted by enemy clamor. God gave instructions “Stand firm. Be bold and courageous. Pray continually. Press on.” He gives us strength, joy; a new heart song. The belt of truth guards our waist. While we put the breastplate of righteousness in place. We pick up the shield of faith. Our feet have the gospel of peace to run with haste. We put on the helmet of salvation; protecting our mind. So the enemy cannot deceive and blind. At last, we take up the sword. This is our powerful weapon; God’s Holy Word. We are equipped for battle; God supplied everything that we need. We must move forward; praying, every word from Him heed. God has won the victory; Satan is a defeated foe. We must move forward; praying as we go. Some days the attacks seem endless and are fierce; drain our strength. We must focus on Jesus, remember God loves us; He will keep us; go to any length. Dear brothers and sisters: Press on; be assured God hears and is answering your prayers. His desire is for our best; He loves us immensely, deeply cares. We go out victorious; the battle has been won! JESUS-our victor is King; the Chosen One! We celebrate and rejoice. As we move forward listening, trusting, obeying, surrendering to His voice,
Gifts
James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Last evening some of my friends met for a service project. We were helping a friend’s mother sort through 50 plus years of her household goods in preparation to move. Her mom, widowed, is building a new home and preparing for the next chapter in her life. This is NO easy task! Her current home holds precious decades of memories: babies born, diapers changed, numerous thousands of meals prepared and eaten, grandchildren born, Christmas celebrations, birthdays, etc… Uprooting after so many good years is difficult. Making decisions of what to keep, donate, sale or throw away is emotionally draining and physically exhausting. But it is necessary for preparation for the next chapter and new home. As we were winding down the whirlwind of activity, I was so captivated with my friend’s mom’s artwork. I spent a few moments admiring the details of several of her oil paintings. The beauty spoke to my heart. I told her mom how beautiful her artwork is! One of the paintings “Amazing Grace” reminded me of my dad. His voice was a God given gift. One of his favorite songs was Amazing Grace. As I gazed at the painting, I could hear him singing in my memory. When I looked out of the kitchen window across the backyard, the barn had a stunning mural including a covered bridge. My heart was filled with wonder and joy. I felt so blessed to behold the beauty. We started a conversation around gifts. Drawing, painting is definitely not one of my gifts. But one of my friends can draw beautifully, another has a gift of sewing, another gardening, floral arranging, fixing things. God gives each of us gifts and talents to use to help and bless others. We need to use and share our gifts with others to bless them and serve God. I believe this is our “ministry.” I think we need to embrace the gifts that God has generously given to each one of us. Maybe you cannot paint or draw, but maybe you can cook or bake. Perhaps you can write and send a note of encouragement. Maybe you have flowers in your garden and you can pick a bunch and take to someone that needs some cheer. Share your gift with someone today. Be a blessing! Romans 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
Friends
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. You have heard it said “To have a friend, be one.” We all need friends, community. We need to feel valued, needed, loved. We need to know that we are not alone as we walk through this world. Friends can share our burdens and double our joy! There are all types of friends. Some are acquaintances, some come into our lives for a reason, season or a lifetime, few are true blue friends that are our deepest confidantes and stick with us through the good, the bad and the ugly. Today, I dedicate this message to what I refer to as my “inner circle of friends.” These are the rarest and most precious relationships. These are the people that know me, know my deepest thoughts and feelings. These are my precious diamond friends. Rare. Trustworthy. They love me in spite of me! They see past my flaws and failures and see my potential. They forgive me when I am wrong, encouraging me to be the best me that God has created. They listen. They encourage. They hold me accountable for incorrect thoughts and actions. These are my closest and dearest friends. These are the friends that you can call anytime day or night and they will “be there” for you. They will not judge or criticize. They cry with you, pray with you and have the courage to stand with you through difficult circumstances. When all others turn away, they stand firm and are close by. Take a moment and do a mental assessment of your friendships. How many friends do you have that fit the description of “inner circle friends?” Then, move forward, grow a few of your friendships into trusted friends who will walk with you through the times of life’s adversity. Become a trusted friend to someone today! John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Photo Credit by: Duy Pham @miinyuii
Simply Be
This morning Jesus spoke to me-The words “Simply Be.”“Remain in me. Remain in my love.Set your heart high above. Do not focus on this life.You will only be filled with grief and strife.You must set your sight higher.Let Me set your heart on fire. Keep your eyes on Me.Your citizenship is in heaven for eternity.Life on earth is passing away.From Me, do not stray. Do not doubt. Do not fear.One day, I will wipe away every tear.There will be no more sorrow-Only bright hope for every tomorrow. There will be everlasting joy.No more will people fight or annoy.”We will dance and worship Jesus, our LORD.We will all live in harmony; be of one accord. We will experience perfect peace.Joy! Celebration! Freedom! Sweet Release!The light and momentary trials that we go through-Will be nothing, Jesus, when we are home with You!
Oak Tree
Isaiah 1:30 You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water. Oh God, You teach me to see- So many things about life, its storms, from my Oak tree. My tree stands alone, solid, tall. Other trees have not weathered the storms. They fall. Once this mighty oak was a seed. It was only the size of a small bead. But when it fell to the ground It was buried in the dirt; new life it found. Roots developed and began to spread. A shoot sprang up from what once seemed dead. As the years passed by- The tree grew like a blink of an eye. The droughts came- It went through long periods without rain. The roots pushed down. Digging deeper until moisture and nutrients were found. The winds blew strong- But the tree remained anchored in the ground. It grew-standing tall as a tower. Reminding that God is Mighty; filled with Power. See God in nature. Look around. He is everywhere; His love abounds! He shows up everyday. Take a moment to “Be still. Watch and pray.” When you seek Him, He will be found. His deep love will always abound!
Choices
Luke 10:27 He answered, ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your souland with all your strength and with all your mind’; and,‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Yesterday as I listened to a segment from TBN show Better Together, there were three main points that stuck out: Love God Love others Be obedient I started pondering this as I began reading 1 Peter. I felt the Lord speaking to me of all the choices that we make each day: We make the choice to get out of bed, what to eat, what to wear. Spending time with Jesus is a choice. Being still and listening to God is a choice. Doing good is a choice. Being alert is a choice. Trusting is a choice. Salvation is a choice. Being submissive is a choice. Being respectful is a choice. Being pure and reverent is a choice. Having a gentle and quiet spirit is a choice. Putting my hope in God is a choice. Not giving way to fear is a choice. Being like-minded with Jesus is a choice. Being sympathetic, compassionate, loving others, being humble is a choice. NOT repaying evil with evil or insult with insult is a choice; repaying evil with blessing is a choice. Keeping my tongue from deceitful speech, turning from evil and doing good, seeking peace and pursuing it-all choices. Responding with gentleness and respect is a choice. Choosing to NOT be fearful, a choice. Choosing to believe God and stand on His promises is a choice. Choosing to die to self, a choice… Jesus gave us the greatest commandments: Love God. Love people. Be Obedient. What choices are you making today? I remember telling my children“You get to make choices. Every choice has a consequence, good or bad. You get to make the choices but you cannot pick the consequences!Make good choices.
Fragrance
2 Corinthians 2:15-16 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? There are some fragrances that I absolutely love: the smell after a Spring rain, the scent of leaves on the ground in the Fall, roses, lilacs, eucalyptus, mint, buttered maple syrup candles, apple butter cooking on the stove, cinnamon rolls and sugar cookies baking in the oven, chocolate chip cookies, a variety of perfumes and colognes….the list is endless. Likewise, there are some scents that are repulsive: spray from a skunk, swamp water, dead decaying flesh, dirty chicken pens and animal barn stalls…. When we are following God, loving Him, doing His will, praising Him, loving people, we are a pleasing aroma to Him. I wonder what His favorite scent is? I am sure it is entitled OBEDIENCE. Does it smell like marshmallows toasting over a campfire? Maybe it smells like a brisket cooking in a smoker or maybe a Spring shower? Whatever it smells like, we know that when we are Christ followers, our scent is fragrant and pleasing. But, to those that don’t know Jesus, we STINK. We smell rotten. We smell like death. It is not easy for me to thinkThat I stink.But it hurts me soTo think that Jesus you do not know.Jesus says “Follow me.”“I will wash you clean; give you a home in heaven for Eternity.”Then, you will understand-How the stench changes to a pleasant aroma to God across the land.
Listen
In the gospel of John, Jesus speaks and says “These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 NKJV) I love God’s word and His promises. What He says He will do, we can count on. He cannot lie and will never go back on His word. He tells us in advance many things so we can be prepared. He told us that we will “have tribulation in this world.” He told us that we could have “peace and be of good cheer.” Then, why, when something adverse happens in my life do I often feel like I have been blindsided? I feel unprepared and unaware of how to handle the crisis. For twenty-two years I worked in the medical field within a hospital network. For several of those years I worked night shift. There were two of us on duty each night to handle any given trauma or crisis that arose. I saw firsthand accidents, sickness, heart attacks etc… The list was endless. When I thought I had seen or experienced about everything, something new and unexpected would occur. The one thing that I learned was always be prepared for whatever might “roll in.” We are never guaranteed the next heart beat, breath or moment. We must live and love each day like it is our last. One day, it will be. Tell your spouse, parents, children, grandkids how much you value and love them. Tomorrow it might be too late. The fact is we live in a world that is broken from sin. We have an enemy, the devil, who is out to kill, steal and destroy. We have a Savior who knows all the tribulation and trials that each of us will have to experience. He loves us and came to redeem us. He overcame this world so that we could have His peace, comfort, joy. He never leaves us or forsakes us. When He makes a promise, He keeps it. My bank account may be empty but His account will always be full. I must fix my eyes on Him. I must trust Him. When my eyes don’t see where He is leading, I must take His hand and not let go. I must allow Him to lead; surrender my will and follow. God is calling…Do you have “ears to hear?”On your knees are you fallingOr do you tremble with fear? Is what you are going throughA test? Persecution? Pain?Is He trying to draw your eye to Him; off of you?Is He whispering “Trust Me”, again? Stop. Listen. Be still. What does Jesus want you to learn?Call out to Him; only He can satisfy and fill.All else is emptiness and will burn.Nothing for Jesus is ever a waste!We must share the good news; live by His mercy and grace.He is coming with haste!Soon, very soon, we will see Him face to face!
Breathless Expectation
I sit this morning and ponder of my Great and Mighty God and wonder.How does He feel when He looks down and sees man?Surely, our sins are many; like grains of sand.Yet, He made a way. For forgiveness, for a relationship with Him today.He sent His only SonTo die for our sins; the Chosen One.Jesus paid the price. He was the sacrifice.He rose againTo defeat death, give new life; forgive sin.Now, we wait in gracious uncertainty For His return-heaven-eternity.We wait with breathless expectation,for Him to come. A celebration!We watch and pray His return is imminent, any day.We do not know the day or hour.But we must be about His business;sharing hope, His love and power. His light must shine through the darknessPiercing the hearts of hardness.Calling people to “Come.”Dying to self. Surrendering our lives for him to run. Trusting as a little child.Laying down pride; becoming meek and mild.Letting go of this worldLike sails before Him, become unfurled.
Following Jesus
Jesus said 2,000 years ago and He says now: “Follow me.”To be a follower of Christ, you must develop “Holy Spirit sensitivity.” You must be able to absolutely discern His voice.So you can willfully obey; make the right choice. To follow means you must be willing to serve.Dying to self and from His way not swerve. You must give yourself away.Do His will every day. Following Jesus comes with great sacrifice.What is He asking you to lay down? What is the price? We must deny ourselves, our plans and desires.We must share in His sufferings; walk through the fire. We must suffer, grow and learn; bleed to be blessed.He builds our character so we can encourage many before we rest. He rewards those whom follow. The rewards are great.He gives you the choice to follow or not; to determine your fate. Wrtitten by Kim Clodfelter Photo Credit: Sue Wilson
Porch Swing
From the porch swing,I talk with GodPray and Sing.I sip a cup of tea And listen as He speaks to me.He shows me beauty all aroundFlowers, trees a variety of birds abound.He loves and cares for all Rich, poor, big or small.He has a plan.He wants me to share His love across all lands.He teaches me how to live And shows me how to forgive.He causes me to rememberSo I can trust him, be humble, patient and tender.He is never hurtful, forceful or loud. He convicts me when I am feeling proud.When I am lost, He shows the way.He assures me that I will be with Him one day.He gives confidence and hope. He tells me to “Be courageous”; givesstrength to cope.Yes, from this porch swingI am learning many things! Written by Kim Clodfelter Photo Credit of Porch Swing: James Garcia
Fruit Inspectors
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Today I want to share a memory of my dear friend, Lisa. She was not only my friend, but my colleague, my prayer partner, mentor and so much more! Lisa was vibrant! Her personality was effervescent, contagious! She never knew a stranger and deeply cared/loved everyone. She was authentic, honest, real! She had a deep relationship with Jesus and was always introducing people to Him! Lisa would stop on the street; ask people their name and if she could pray for them. For a short season of about two years, we had the opportunity to work in the same building complex. At lunch, we would put on running clothes and run through the neighborhoods within a few blocks. The area had seen “better days.” Houses were in disrepair and garbage abounded. As we ran, we prayed. We asked God for renewal of the area, revitalization of hearts and minds for the people living there. We prayed specifically for revival. At times, we would stop and chat with people and pray with them. Sometimes, we were able to help individuals with specific needs. One of Lisa’s favorite things to say was “God tells us not to judge others. But He wants us to be fruit inspectors.” As I write, I smile. My memory can still hear her laugh as she said the quote. Many times, I have thought about this quote. Spending time with people, you get to know them. As I spent years with Lisa, I knew she was genuine. Her love for Christ literally poured from every pore in her being! I was able to observe all of the good fruit in her life. She overflowed with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Why? Because she spent time with Jesus. She would read the Bible, pray, and obey. I have found that you can’t “hang out with Jesus” without being filled with His Spirit! The more you surrender your will to Him, the more He fills you with His fruit. We are called to love and become more like Jesus. It is good to become a fruit inspector so that we can identify people that are like-minded; bearing good fruit. First, we need to start with a self-evaluation. What does the fruit look like in my life? Do I love, truly love the unlovely? Am I faithful to read my Bible, pray, surrender my will? Do I forgive? How do I treat people? How are you doing so far on the quiz? I know that I could do far better. I want the fruit in my life to be good. When picking fruit from a store, I want my apples and grapes to be crisp and sweet, not mushy. I want my bananas to be yellow and firm without brown flecks and soft spots. Likewise, I want my life to be filled with the sweet fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5: 19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. It’s important when you do a quality check on anything to understand the difference between high and low quality. Galatians 5 provides a list of “bad fruit” for our inspection checklist. It is no surprise that the bad fruit is completely opposite from the fruit of the Spirit. Am I jealous, harsh, selfish? What would the people that know me say? Do my words and actions match? Am I authentic and real? Five years ago, I lost my friend. As I attended both her visitation and funeral service, I heard testimony of all the good fruit. There were countless lines and crowds of people testifying to all of the good fruit her life had produced in Christ. Many of her community service projects she started continue to this day! And I am happy to tell you that God answered our prayers for both the neighborhood and many people where we ran. There has been revival, renewal and transformation. What is in your fruit basket? Photo Credit: Nick SarroPhoto Credit of Apples: Vera DePhoto Credit Fruit Baskets:Alex Meier
Work for His Glory
Psalm 90:17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands. Last evening I had a “texting conversation” with a dear friend. After battling a serious illness, she will be returning to work in six weeks. She is not looking forward to going back. She is exhausted. Her journey has been long and hard. She is ready to retire, rest, and not have a structured work schedule. She is ready for a break; simply enjoy life. But, sadly, she is unable to retire for another year. As I have thought back over my career, I asked myself “What encouragement, if any, can I possibly offer? What instructions have I given my kids? What would I tell them now?” At different seasons of my life, I had differing needs when it came to my job, different perspectives. My attitude is the only thing that I can control so I will start with it. I made a conscious choice each day to be grateful and have fun in my job. I have always told my children “If you find a job that you love, then, you never have to work a day in your life.” I tried to find something about every job that I loved. Most of the time, for me, it was the people. My goal was always to be the best at whatever I did, put my whole heart into it and help someone. Honestly, people are difficult. But I remember the wise advice from my grandmother “Always take the time to find the good in every person. Even the worst person in the world has at least one good trait. Look hard to find it. Encourage them with it.” So, I have tried to start with and maintain a positive “can do” attitude. I apply Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I truly believe He strengthens me and sustains me every day. he is with me, for me. Each day, I would wake up early, read my Bible, pray and journal. I don’t think there is anything more important than focusing on God. Beginning with and ending each day with the LORD is like “book ends”; it allows God to hold you and your life firmly together. It took me years to realize that life is NOT about me and I am NOT in control. Once I learned this it was an “Ah Ha” moment. I surrendered my will to Him and began laying the burdens at His feet. Psalm 90:17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands. Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. The Bible tells us that we are in a spiritual battle. This is a battle of epic proportion! We have an enemy that is out to kill, steal and destroy! We have to develop our awareness and be alert at all times; staying on guard against his schemes. How? By fixing our minds on Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Deuteronomy 11:18-19 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when your get up. Hebrews 3: 1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. I am a morning person. So, I would be one of the first people at Corporate Center, arriving between 5:00 and 6:00 am. My desk sat inside a cubicle with multiple colleagues surrounding me. At my desk, I kept an open Bible, a daily devotion calendar that I read and I began my day by reciting Psalm 27. Psalm 27 The LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance againstme to devour me,it is my enemies and my foeswho will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me,my heart will not fear;though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the LORD,this only do I seek:that I may dwell in the house of the LORDall the days of my life,to gaze on the beauty of the LORDand to seek him in his temple. For in the day of troublehe will keep me safe in his dwelling;he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tentand set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above my enemieswho surround me;at his sacred tent I will sacrifice withshouts of joy;I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call, LORD;be merciful to me and answer me.My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me,do not turn your servant away in anger;you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.Teach me your way LORD;lead me in a straight pathbecause of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this:I will see the goodness of the LORDin the land of the living. Wait for the LORD;be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. I would pray for my “cube mates” and would often walk around the office praying over the conference rooms and offices before my team members arrived. This was not a “nice” jester. This was my battle plan and tactic. The daily warfare was intense, to say the least. The darts and arrows were replaced with cannons and nuclear bombs! I knew I could not do one second of one day without Jesus in the workplace. The enemy is fierce and relentless. His time is limited! If we think differently, we have bought into his lies. We have to constantly remember that we are in a battle. But, we must also remember Jesus is victorious and we are never alone! He goes before us, is in us and follows behind us! 1 Peter 5: 7-8 Cast all you anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prows around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray continually The roaring lion is always ready to pounce on us and devour us. We cannot let down our guard! To stay alert we need to pray continually. Many of my prayers are not lengthy or eloquent. They are honest and authentic; from my heart. “Help me, Jesus!” I watched Jesus work in me. He took difficult people and used them as sandpaper to hone me and sand off my rough edges. He taught me to love the unlovely and bless those that curse me. I watched Jesus take impossible people, circumstances and do miracles. He would remove boulders and obstacles; creating highways of openness and opportunity. Where there was “no way”, He would create a way. I watched Him and open and close doors. Only God! I experienced, first hand, His power of turning “an enemy” into a dear, respected and trusted friend. Only God can change hearts and minds of what we perceive to be the most difficult individuals. He can take the bitter and make it sweet. Each day He has a plan for our lives. At the time we are going through it, we may not see it or understand the purpose. We don’t have to. We need to “fix our eyes on Jesus”; daily walk in His ways. We need to surrender our wills to Him. Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heartand lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight. Jesus says “Begin and end your day with me.Keep your eyes fixed so you can see.I will show you the way.To walk with me, each second of every day.Keep your mind fixed on my word.So when I speak, my voice is heard.Be obedient. Do what I say.Talk with me. Continually pray.I will make your path straight.I will open doors to a closed gate.I will take all of your sorrow.I will give bright hope for tomorrow.Put your spiritual armor on each morningIn your heart a new work, I am forming.Follow me.I am leading you through this lifeto your home in eternity.” Photo Credit: Dawid Zawiła
Gray Hair
Proverbs 16:31Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. At the start of the pandemic, life came to a screeching halt! All non-essential business doors were closed. When my hair stylist had to close her shop, at first, I felt a bit of “panic”. Although my hair only requires a trim, I was more concerned about my hair color. For 30 plus years, I had my hair colored. In my twenties, I was one of the “fortunate” people to start turning gray. At first, I had it highlighted. As time went on, it became a trip to the salon every six weeks. It was hours of preparation, solutions, chemicals to obtain the desired effect. As the pandemic drew out longer and longer, my hair grew too. At first, there was a gray root streak on the top of my head. I started to notice predominant sparkles. Then, as weeks turned to months, I had a three inch growth of salt and pepper. At that point, I made the decision to be authentic and keep my natural hair color. For some time God has been speaking to my heart about being authentic; real in every area of my life. Being honest, I have struggled (like many women) with my self-esteem. I am my worst critic and tend to judge myself harshly. At some point, I bought into the cultural lie that I could not be beautiful unless I dyed my hair, tanned my body, did excessive workouts to stay fit. Working in corporate America a number of years, only cemented this mindset. It is a lie. A trap. Let me clarify, I don’t judge anyone for coloring their hair, staying in shape or tanning. It was about my heart attitude. I was more concerned with the way people looked at my outward appearance and what they thought, than what God thought about me, my heart. God has been performing surgery on my mind and heart attitude. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) I am created by God, in His image. He created me uniquely to be me, gray hair and all. There is a new found freedom and benefits in embracing this change. I am saving over hundreds of dollars a year and not exposing myself to potentially harmful chemicals. I am also learning that true beauty comes from the inside. I am beautiful, lovely, loved and valued just the way I am.
Grandma Thoughts
While reading my devotion for today, it led me to thinking about my 8 year old grandson. Lately, he has been asking questions about God. Now we’ve had conversations before, but he just blurts out a question and expects me to have the answer. One day while listening to the Christian radio station, he asked me if Jesus was God. My spur of the moment answer, was that God was Jesus’ father and his mother was Mary. So, I guess that makes him 50/50. Some things about Jesus are difficult for me to understand after all these years. So for an 8 year old, I tried to keep it simple. You know, child like faith? Theology is not my strong suit. But, I do know that Jesus is amazing, and personal and He loves us with a never ending love. The other night we were watching a movie and the little girl said that God killed Jesus. Kameron asked me it that was true. I explained that Jesus willingly gave His live so that we could ask him into our hearts and be with Him in Heaven one day. Sometimes this old grandma struggles to find the right words to answer an 8 year old’s questions concerning God. Which brings me back to my devotion today. Oswald Chambers tells us that we should never allow the limitation of our own natural ability to enter into the matter. If we have the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Spirit to be in us. Our capacity in spiritual matters, or to answer an 8 year old’s questions about God, rests on if we have received the Holy Spirit. He will give me just the right words to bring peace to my grandson’s heart. I believe…..and I’m resting in the fact, that he will work it all out for our good.
Who Do You Think You Are
Who do you think you are? You try to come in and steal my joy. You know exactly what buttons to push, making me feel overwhelmed and fearful. You whisper lies that no one else can hear. You wake me when I should be resting, turning molehills into mountains. I see through your game—keeping me awake, turning tomorrow’s promises into problems. You stir up fear and anxiety over nothing more than a simple walk in the park. So, let me ask you again, who do you think you are? You keep me running in circles, leaving me no time to spend with the one who gives me strength. My life becomes a merry-go-round, spinning faster and faster, draining my energy, joy, and laughter, only to replace it with fear, weakness, and exhaustion, mentally wearing me down. So, once more, I ask, who do you think you are? But there is one who stands in stark contrast to you. He offers rest for the weary, strength for the weak. He lets me rest at night and brings me joy with the dawn. He gives me love, peace, joy, and patience. Like I said, I don’t know who you think you are, but here’s a warning: I’ve found my personal Warrior. You no longer have the power to blind me, to keep me living in fear, distracted, and bound. The chains are broken. I am FREE. Written by Faith Lenihan Photo Credit: Vince Fleming
A Question To Ponder
In this past week’s sermon, Pastor Kevin, began with a thought provoking question: “When you die and stand before God and give an account of your life, when God asks ‘Why should I allow you into heaven?’ What will your response be?” He went on to say that over the years of his ministry that many have answered that “I’m a good person.” He proceeded to ask “Do people get to go to heaven if they are ‘good enough’?” Immediately, we sought truth from the Bible. In Romans 3:23 it says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. What about if they do lots of “good works”? Again, the Bible is the place we need to go for God’s truth. Isaiah 64:6 tells us “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” As Jesus is teaching on prayer in Luke 11, in verse 13, He knows humanity, knows our hearts and calls us “evil”. The disturbing truth is that in the eyes of God who is holy, righteous, pure, sinless; we are evil. We like to think that we are not evil and we like to define various levels of sin. The truth is NONE of us measure up to God’s standard. Sin is sin. Gossip is as deadly as murder. We can’t earn salvation. We can’t dig our way out of the pit of sin. God has to do it. I can’t save myself. Ephesians 2: 8-9 For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves,it is the gift of God.-not by works, so that no one can boast. This is the GOSPEL! The GOOD NEWS! God provided salvation for us! He (Jesus) chose to willingly die on the cross for our sins. He puts His Spirit inside of us. God gives us a GIFT. It has to be a gift. We can’t earn it. We are saved by GRACE. Although this concept is simple, it is difficult for many to accept. Culture teaches us to “work hard” and accomplish great things. We define success as achieving titles, earning a 6 digit salary, owning a home, having a business, etc. We don’t like to think of ourselves as “needy.” and not being able to earn our own way. This thinking causes many people to “trip” over grace. Romans 9:33 As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Psalms 33:2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Psalms 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalms 92:1 It is good to praise the Lord and Make music to your name, O Most High, Jesus is the Rock. Historically, the Jews have tried to obey God’s law, rather than trusting in Jesus. They “tripped” over the Rock, Jesus. ALL are offered the gift of salvation through Jesus. But, like a large rock, in a field you can trip and fall flat on your face. This can be embarrassing, painful, humbling. Falling is not fun! The grace of God offered to us in Jesus is like a stumbling stone. Grace reveals my “neediness.” Accepting God’s grace, means I have to humble myself and realize that I need help. I can’t do it myself. I have to be completely dependent on God! I have to depend on His charity. In our pride, we don’t want to feel like we owe anyone, anything. We stumble over the stone of grace. We have to realize that we owe God. We are only saved by His charity. Grace emphasizes my neediness. Grace crucifies my pride! I have to be reminded that there is a God and I’m NOT Him! Grace declares God as primary actor in the drama of life! Grace leaves NO room for me to live for my own glory! Grace says “It’s not me. It is Jesus and JESUS ALONE!” Grace leaves NO room for me to withhold grace from others! Matthew 6: 14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Do I remember that God gave me mercy, forgiveness, salvation, grace and still withhold it from others? Grace, love and mercy does not work that way! Love of God flows and overflows! It goes out towards others. If I try to hoard it, it sours! It has turned into something else. The grace of God leaves NO room for me to withhold grace for others. Think through your relationships with family members and friends. how often do you show kindness, compassion, patience, grace to others when they don’t deserve it? Do you fly off in anger or impatience? How will you fall?What will you do with the experience?Will you fall on you face or on your knees?What will you do with grace? Written from notes taken 11Apr21 Sermon entitled Tripping over Grace, Pastor Kevin Slemp (Berea Baptist Church, Berea KY)Photo Credit: Evi Odioko
Eyes to See
When I pray and ask for “eyes to see” – Sometimes I don’t like what you show me. You open my eyes. Expose selfishness, harshness, deception and lies.What do I do when I see- Bitterness and selfishness inside of me? I have a choice-turn away in pride?Or repent of my sin, ask forgiveness and cleansing inside? Abba, You discipline those that you love. You care about the little details from far above. You listen to my pettiness; hear my whine. Oh, how You must get frustrated and laugh at times! You lovingly chide me and care.You listen; hear every prayer. Like a road grater working on a rock road, You smooth the path, remove the rough spots. You work and You grate to remove bumps and knots. It is a process that takes time and discipline. I learn patience; not to cry and whine at every whim.I learn “tough lessons”; to rely on your strength. You teach me to trust and not “over think”. Let me have Your joy in all that I do. Eyes fixed on Jesus; perseverance to follow You.Let me humble myself, repent and obey – Always waiting, listening and doing what You say! Photo Credit: William Bout
Reckless Reliance/Relentless Love
We need to have reckless reliance on God. He is with us wherever we trod. We need to take Him to our homes-To our business, our churches, our streets; wherever we roam. He needs to be our all in all.We need to listen to His voice; obey when He calls. We have to continually pray-Rely on him every second of the day. God has a relentless love for you and me.His love is deeper and wider than we can see. His love never gives up.When we are empty, He fills our cup. When we have no answers to life problemsand circumstances we do not understand. We can trust Him to lead us; take our hand.He will see us through. He shows us how to be victorious and triumphant too! Photo Credit: JOHN TOWNER
Morale Problems Lead to Moral Problems
When you feel depressed and downWhen hope seems lost and life causes a frownWhen love seems to have grown cold When all that you have worked for begins to unravel and unfoldWhen a diagnosis comes and all seems dimWhen tragedy strikes and life is grim When life happens……our morale may sinkwe may feel desperate; on the brinkwe may feel overwhelmed with sorrowwe may lose hope for tomorrowwe may cry out in painwe may feel life is over; there is nothing to gain Our morale problems lead to moral problemsWe need to stop dwelling on the negative thoughts and attitudes.We need to choose joy and have gratitude.Start small. Thank You, God, I woke up. Thank You for sunshine, Your beauty, birds, flowers, green grass, fresh water in my cup.Thank You for ears to hear.Thank you for peace, for removing doubt and fear.Than You for Your freedom so grand. Thank You for friends across this land.We have the ability to CHOOSE OUR ATTITUDEGod wants to bring healingBut He is waiting on us to start revealing. Take a moment today.To seek God and pray.There is nothing stronger than prayer.Let God show you firsthand how much he loves and cares! Photo Credit: Jackson David@jacksondavid
Sin Destroys BUT GOD Redeems
Romans 3:23For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. “Sin will take you further than you ever expected to go; it will keep you longer than you ever intended to stay, and it will cost you more than you ever expected to pay.”Kay Arthur Anointed Transformed Redeemed A Study of David The most recent Bible study that I am in with my prayer partners is Anointed Transformed Redeemed A Study of David. This Bible study was written by some of my favorite authors Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur. It is a great study of David; a man after God’s own heart. We walk through his life, his anointing, transformation, his failures and redemption. It brings light and hope, knowing that even David a man after God’s own heart was human and fallible. He, like me, at times, failed miserably. Yet, God, in His loving kindness and tender mercies redeems him. As David repents, God restores. God disciplines those He loves and the discipline is painful. God blesses David as he learns hard truths. God disciplines us and blesses us as we repent and turn to Him. He restores all that is lost. He gives us renewed hope and purpose. He never leaves or forsakes us. He is a good good Father whom is faithful! With Sin, You NEVER Win It only takes a second to sinOne thought, one action; we lose, not win.When at a crossroad, it is decision time.Stop. Turn around. Don’t yield. Walk a straight line. The road of sin leads to death.It brings negative consequences, there is no peaceful rest.Sin causes us to dig a deeper pit.One that is filled with evil and regret. King David had it all!Wives, valiant warriors, respect before his fall.It only took one look and then, a gaze.His heart lusted for Bathsheba, then life became a haze. He committed adultery, murder; digging a deeper pit of sin.Lies. Deception. There was no way to win.The prophet, Nathan, was sent by the LORD to confront David’s ways.David confessed his sin. Repented. Heavy consequences were paid. But GOD, in His lovingkindness made a way.To restore David (and us) to Him each day.God sent Jesus, His only Son.The unblemished Lamb, the Chosen One. Jesus paid the price.He is our ultimate sacrifice.Our sin cost Him His life.He willingly died to remove our filth, grime, grief and strife. He rose to defeat death and the grave.Our very lives to eternally save.We need to die to sin; live for Christ.Be thankful and praise Him for His sacrifice. He will return soon.Morning. Night or Noon.Will he find us full of sin: selfishness, arrogance, pride?Will He find us crucified with Him on the inside? You have a choice each day.Walk with Him? Go your own way?At a crossroad, which way will you go?Choosing a slippery slope of sin will take you down fast, not slow. There is nowhere that you can run or hide.God sees all; knows our inside.Come to Him today.Confess your sin. Repent. Run to Him, not away. Run into His arms.He will forgive, restore, protect from harm.His ways are so much higher.Relationship with us is his desire. Written by Kim Clodfelter Photo Credits: Zac Ong
Bitter or Better?
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. This morning as I walked around my yard, looking at my flowers, my heart was sad. I worked so hard last Fall to plant tulip bulbs! After the difficult year of 2020, I was hopeful to add cheer and beauty this Spring. I love Spring! I love flowers! The colors, fragrance and beauty brighten my day. Until a few days ago, my tulips were green and growing. I was looking forward to seeing the colors and smelling their fragrance. But now, they lie in their beds, wilted, brown and with little hope of life left in them. What happened? My husband, being a bit of a perfectionist, recently declared “war” on the weeds in the yard. Since we have several acres, he borrowed a large sprayer and formulated his plan of attack. He executed according to plan. However, he got a little too close to my flower beds. The wind was blowing and blew some of the weed killer onto my flowers. Now, not only the weeds seem to be dying, but my tulips too. At first, admittingly, I was upset! I had worked so hard! I had anxiously been anticipating my flower extravaganza arrival. But now, it doesn’t appear this will happen. After pondering, I have thought of the many disappointments in my life. Some small and some big. I have lived through molestation, domestic violence, divorce, single parenting, job changes, suicide. At times, I was a victim and bad things happened. At other times, I made unwise destructive choices and brought negative consequences upon myself. God always gives us a choice. The question is What will we do? Will be choose to be bitter or better? Will we choose to be a victim or be a victor? Some life situations are far more hurtful and disappointing than losing my flowers. However, how we handle our choice is similar. I could choose to be angry with my husband, rant and rave about carelessness. Or I can choose to forgive him. He didn’t set out to intentionally kill my flowers. It was an accident. If I chose to be angry, then I begin to harbor bitterness. Bitterness quickly builds deep roots. It can quickly consume a person and take on a life of its own; building a heart of hardness. I can choose to be better. I can seek God and ask Him to teach me something in the trial or circumstance. I can pray and ask God for a forgiving heart. I can choose to forgive people for wrong things they have done to me and I can ask forgiveness for wrongs that I have committed. We have a BIG God who loves us more than we know! He brings peace to the past; hope for the future. He rescues the perishing and gives new life! Today, bring your cares to Him. Choose to be better, not bitter. Photo Credit of Tulips: Ralston Smith @ralstonhsmith
What are you eating?
Proverbs 24: 13-14 Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. In January, I had my annual medical physical. This was a routine check complete with blood work. After the year that we had in 2020, I was not surprised to see the number on the doctor’s scales. My clothes had become a bit tighter than normal. My exercise routine was in a lull. I had not been watching my diet. Being at home and trying to isolate from Covid-19, I found myself baking and eating more; especially desserts. Breads, cupcakes, pies and cookies became “comfort food.” There is something about the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls that seems to scream “All is well!”! I found that I had slipped into a pattern of choosing unhealthy snacks and consuming a lot of calories. The excess calories had caused me to pack on extra pounds. I’m sure that I am not alone in this “dilemma”. When my lab results came back, a few were not good. I needed to alter my eating habits and make wiser choices or else I may need to take medication. So, I began a lifestyle eating change. I chose to go on the Mediterranean diet. This diet is more of a lifestyle of eating fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meat, fish, beans and nuts. I stopped eating sugar, artificial sweeteners and things made with white flour. I gave up my diet soda and drink mostly water and a little coffee and tea. At first, my husband was a little “apprehensive”. He loves sweets and snacks more than I do! But, once we started and his weight started dropping, he was onboard and happy. We are a few weeks into our new eating habits and see/feel a big difference. So far, he has lost close to 40 pounds and I have lost 14. He has been able to cut some of his medication in half. In a few weeks, I will have my blood work rechecked and expect to see a difference. Last week, I was texting with one of my close friends. We had seen each other face to face the evening before. She was commenting on how she had noticed that I had lost lots of weight. She was asking me how I was feeling. As I responded to her that I felt so much better, I felt the LORD speaking to my heart about applying this spiritually as well. When your physical body is healthy and you are eating whole foods (vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, eggs, etc…), limiting processed foods, you operate at a premium. But, in contrast, when you eat sugar, more carbs, salt, your body suffers, packs on pounds and becomes unhealthy. It is like putting diesel fuel into a gas engine. It just doesn’t work. It gums things up because a gas engine is designed for gas, not diesel and vice versa. This is the same thing when applied spiritually. When your diet is on the Word of God and truth, your spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When you snack and maintain a diet on secular television programs, news broadcasts, video games, etc., your spirit may be overcome by fear, hate, anxiety, violence and discord. It is Spring, a time of renewal! Take a moment today and do a self-evaluation of your physical, spiritual, mental and emotional health. If you find yourself needing to make some changes, NOW is the time to do it! In 1 Corinthians 6:19, we believers are asked “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Let’s honor God by reading, praying, listening, meditating and obeying His Word. Let’s honor God by eating more fresh whole foods and less processed foods. Let’s exercise more and get moving! Psalms 34:8Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. FOOD FOR THOUGHT You have heard it said, “You are what you eat.”Do you eat fruit and vegetables or donuts, cookies; something sweet?Do you eat healthy protein?Or do you eat snacks, chips instead of meat that is lean?Your physical diet is important to health.Examine what you eat to see if you are bankrupt or have great wealth.If you do not eat healthy foods the body needs, The body becomes sluggish, tired and fat proceeds.A life of disease and inactivity become the result.Numerous medicines taken and doctors you must consult.For the choices we make each day – Have a long term effect in every way.The same is true with your heart and mind.What you fill your mind with is what comes out of your mouth, you will find.Are you reading God’s word, the Bible, knowing truth?Or are you feeding on news, playing video games, watching something uncouth?What are you feeding your soul?Are you moving closer to God, filled with joy, becoming healthy and whole?Are you growing in humility, love, joyfully serving and sharing?Or are you turning your back on the hurting, not caring?Do you intentionally seek God, His will each day?Do you surrender to His will and diligently pray?Or do you just “go through the motions” out of habit?Devotions become a “check box” exercise; quick as a rabbit.Do you ponder on God’s Word? Or are there competing voices in your head that is heard?Like the right type of food is important for the body, the right type of “food” is important for your spirit.Open up God’s Word. Be still, so you can hear it.Let the WORD penetrate your heart.Repent from sin. Get a fresh start.Let the Holy Spirit work in you life – Providing peace, ridding of anxiety, grief and strife.Let the fruit of the Spirit grow.So others see Jesus in you and come to know.Jesus is the only way.To be healthy and whole and to spend eternity with Him in heaven some day. Photo Credit Salad: Louis Hansel @shotsoflouisPhoto Credit Scale: Theme Inn@themeinn
Jesus is Coming SOON
The time is NOW. The day is here. To choose Jesus Christ as Savior and LORD; His coming is near. Like a train pulling into the station signals. The call goes out “Come to me.” to every man, woman child across every nation. The train bound for glory will quickly depart. Have you invited Jesus into your heart? This is the ticket needed to ride. The steep price was paid when Jesus died. When He rose from the grave- Those who accept His gift; no longer are sin’s slave. He broke the chains of death and sin; set us free. When you accept His gift, you will be on the train bound for glory! Do not delay. You better make haste. There is no more time to waste. When that final whistle blows and the train departs, it will be too late. The door will be closed like the door to Noah’s ark. The train will be bound for heaven’s gate. Those left behind will suffer much tribulation. There will be horrific pain and chaos in every nation. Today is the day for SALVATION! Photo Credit: Claudio Schwarz @purzlbaum
Life is Hard BUT GOD is GOOD
Proverbs 3:5-6 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 make your paths straight. These words from Proverbs speak to my heart this morning. On one level, I trust the LORD with my whole heart, my entire being. I know that He is good, faithful and true. I have learned through the most difficult times when I can’t understand with my mind, that I can trust Him. Yet, today, as I write with a heavy heart I find myself crying out for His grace, mercy and understanding. I am human. There are things in this life that seem difficult and unfair from my perspective. However, I know that I am so very limited in my understanding. This is the reason that I cannot lean on my own understanding. Yesterday, I received a text message from a good friend, Deb. We have been friends since high school. Through the four years, we were inseparable. We both lived in the country, a few miles apart. We went to church, youth group, Girls Athletic Association together. We took classes together. We played basketball, bowled, went shopping, ate pizza. We were involved in each other’s life. After high school, she went onto college and I went directly into the hospital medical laboratory school. Our lives grew apart as distance separated. My life immediately changed when I was playing softball with the hospital team that first summer after high school. I had a tragic accident. I collided with the first base woman. She was 6’2″. I am only 5’2″. She didn’t budge. I hit her full speed. I saw the ball coming out of the corner of my eye and I ducked. I hit her squarely in the pelvis and fell flat on my back. I had never been hit that hard in my life. I lay on the ground dazed and in pain. But, I didn’t want anyone to know. I was helped to my feet and tried to play in the outfield. I could barely stand. The umpire made me take a seat. So, I watched from the sidelines. When the game was over, some of my team members kept urging me to go to the hospital and have an x-ray of my neck. I refused to go until I went to a farewell party for a departing team member. At the party, I was in excruciating pain. My neck was stiff. I could not turn my head. I became concerned with how I was going to be able to drive or even dress myself. So, I reluctantly agreed to go with my friends to ER. The ER doctor immediately sent me to Radiology. At this point, it took me every ounce of strength to get on and off of the table. Once the technician was done, she came in and said “Don’t move!” Almost instantaneously there was an entire room of ER nurses and a doctor in the room. They put me on a cart, sandbagged my head and admitted me to a hospital room. The diagnosis: Broken neck. I had two fractures in my Atlas vertebrae. I had to lie on my back, in traction for two weeks. I had to be in a walking cast for a month and a collar for three months. This experience was extremely difficult! My doctor had lunch with me when I was back at the hospital as a student. He told me that I was his “miracle patient.” He went on to explain “You are so fortunate. You could have sneezed hard and could have been paralyzed from the neck down your entire life.” There were times that I was told that I would never regain full mobility of my neck. I was told that I would not be able to complete lab school on time to graduate. I was told that I would be unable to play ball or do many activities that I enjoyed. There were many “naysayers”. But I say this to tell you that God had a different plan. He taught me to have compassion for people that have to be in a hospital. He showed me how to be patient and helped me to learn to appreciate the small things in life; like the ability to eat (lying flat on my back). He taught me to trust in Him. I learned humility the hard way. I was dependent on my mom. She sacrificed her time to help me, to be there for me. I have never forgotten and will be eternally grateful! God used this time to teach me perseverance. Obstacle after obstacle kept coming my way. But God, time after time, either removed the obstacle, helped me climb over it, or enabled me to bear it. Fast forward, back to Deb. For several months, she has been going through a very intense difficult journey. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. I have personally not received this diagnosis but have walked alongside my grandmother, my friend Kellie and now, Deb. I have always admired breast cancer survivors. They are among the most persevering warriors that live on this planet! They have dealt with diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, radiation therapy, skin issues, organ issues; the list seems endless! Yet, they smile! They persevere! They have hope! All three of the women in my life that I have walked with have one thing in common, JESUS! They all have loved Jesus! He is the anchor in their life! Today, I would ask that you pray for Deb. She is in her third week of radiation therapy. She is broken, and hurting. She has been under siege from naysayers. Please pray for her to be strengthened. Pray against damage to her lungs, heart and skin. Pray that the lymphedema will be gone and that she will be completely healed. I believe in miracles! I believe in the God of miracles! I am trusting, believing in God and not leaning on my own understanding! Abba,I am weary today.I hardly have words; know what to say.Broken. I come; fall on my knees and begin to pray.Where do I start?I have so much pain and grief in my heart.Life’s journey seems so very hard.My body aches and is scarred.The chemotherapy and radiation seem to be taking a toll.Tears fall, like a tide rolls.I need Your touch today.Strengthen me in every way.You truly understand.Every trial, every pain. You hold my hand.Help me to stay focused on You.Take these gray days. Give me skies of blue.Let me feel the sunshine and warmth of Your love.Lift me up. Set my mind and feet high above.I trust You, my Father, my LORD.I stand on Your promises, Your Word.You do not lie. You NEVER fail!Your love will always prevail!You are my anchor in this storm.You hold tightly; keep me safe and warm.Through this dark valley, You lead and guide.You are with me; live on the inside!I will praise You in this trial!I lift my head. I see You smile! Softball Mitt & Pink Tennis Ball Photo Credits: Ben Hershey@benhersheyJourney Photo Credits: Vlad Bagacian@vladbagacianStrength Photo Credit: Dulcey Lima
Don’t Let the Urgent Get in the Way of Important
I hurried, rushed through the day. Not stopping; taking the time to pray. I rushed around. Scurrying through chores; no time for God I found. Worries and anxiety began to creep in. I found my patience wearing thin. I pushed forward; busy doing more. Every burden heavier than the one before. I let the urgent dictate the pace. Soon I was caught up in a rat race. I stopped; realized that I was distracted. I bowed my head, quieted my heart and reacted. I asked God into my day. Took the time to be quiet and humbly pray. I had tried to do things my way. Instead of laying my burdens at the feet of Jesus to stay. He took my cares; removed my fears. Picked me up; dried my tears. He organized my steps; did the chores. Reassured me He loved me forever more. Don’t let the urgent needs Or endless greed Get in the way Of taking the time to be with Jesus today! Begin your day in prayer. Leave with Him all your cares. Trust in Him to carry you through. He can do exceedingly more than you expect Him to do! Written by Kim Clodfelter Photo by Diana Simumpande on Unsplash
Light in the Darkness
“Be still and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1) There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. (Revelation 22:5) We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. (Hebrews 6:19) This morning as I pray and seek the LORD for words to write, there is a heaviness within my heart. Outside, the birds are awakening and singing a cheerful melody. The sun is rising and there is a healthy glow brightening today. Yet, inside my heart there is a heaviness. Inside the walls of my mind, there is a cloud surrounding a dark memory as, once again, I remember the day my earthly father took his life. The reality is that we live in a broken hurting sin filled world. When we trust Jesus to be our personal LORD and Savior, it does not inoculate us from tragedy or pain. In fact, Jesus tells us in John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble.” We can count on trouble to come. He goes on to tell us “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” As the month of April approaches, I feel the cloud inside grow with apprehension. I think to myself “It’s been fifteen years, this year.” There is a reluctance to write today, to tell this part of “my story.” Is it pride? Do I feel embarrassed and ashamed or powerless? I confess my sin to God, ask forgiveness and tell Him, “not my will, but Yours be done.” I pick up my pen and write. Sometimes, life happens. Situations happen outside of our control. Our human understanding can simply not grasp and/or make sense of the darkness, the pain. There are times we grieve and mourn and journey through deep loss and heartache, not fully understanding or comprehending the question, “why?”. I wish that I didn’t have to acknowledge the tragedy of suicide in my personal story. But I do. Not only my father, but my prayer partner and friend, Lisa. The statistics only tell the sad story that this “reality” is increasing! Today, so many people know first-hand the reality of losing a loved one to depression in the form of suicide. Just the words on the page appear dark and make me gasp for breath! Memories of “that day” haunt me, my family. It is so difficult to lose a loved one. But to tragically suddenly lose a loved one by them taking their life adds “onion peel layers” to the grief and healing process. The layers of grief are peeled away and exposed over time. Not knowing, at any given moment, when another peel of grief could be exposed. It leaves you hurting intensely, feeling vulnerable. Exposed. I tell my story with the intention of sharing hope and sounding an alarm! Depression is real. It is treatable. There is not a “quick fix” or a vaccination. But, with time, treatment, medication, prayer, faith; there is a cure. The day that I lost my dad is forever seared into my mind. Intense pain. Shock. Grief. Despair. I ran through the gamut of emotions, including being angry with God. Over the months preceding his death, I watched my dad’s health fail. I felt so helpless. He was in intense pain and had lost greater than fifty pounds. He was constantly at the doctor’s office. As his physical health declined, his mental and emotional health slid into a deep dark pit of despair. He was unable to verbally express his feelings. He was unable to focus and seemed to have a deep fog over his brain’s reasoning. His thoughts were becoming irrational. I felt an intense sense of “urgency”. This person my father was becoming was not the same person that I had come to know over the years. My father in recent years had become a man of deep faith; loving and serving God with his entire being. He knew first-hand the grace of Jesus and the power of the cross! He had accepted Jesus as His personal Lord and Savior. His changed life was evident to all that had previously known him. He had left behind alcohol, cigarettes; a sordid lifestyle. He had become a pillar of faith; sharing Jesus and living whole-hearted obedience. He wanted to be the “grampy” to his grandkids that he had not been to his kids. He wanted to show the love of Christ and share the difference that Jesus makes in your choices! But, now, the man before me was struggling. He could not read his Bible. He could not pray. All he felt was pain; physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. He was losing hope. He was sliding deeper into a black hole. My dad, at that time, was in a place that I had not traveled. Years later, I did experience a clinical depression; the blackest darkness. Yet, I can only begin to partially understand the depth of this torment, agony and pain through what I experienced personally. Every person’s pain and experience is as unique as the individual. I don’t believe anyone can ever fully understand or claim to understand another’s suffering fully. At that time, I could not formulate words to express the intensity of my feelings. I could only fix my eyes on Jesus and hang onto Him as the anchor of my soul with every ounce of my being! Depression is real. It is so much more than feeling sad. It can grow to become “all consuming”. For me, it was a deep, dark pit of despair. I couldn’t eat, drink, focus or do normal daily tasks. I was plagued with deep fear and anxiety. Although, by faith, I knew that God was there, I felt like I couldn’t reach Him. I felt helpless and alone; although my family and friends rallied around me. On one hand, I knew that my thoughts were “not me”, were irrational. But I couldn’t do anything to change them. I felt paralyzed. I cried out for “Help!” and slowly began the journey of healing. We live in a “fast food” instant gratification society: wanting quick answers/solutions to all of our problems. Although there is great healing for depression, it is like running a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, one step at a time. But, like any race, you have to begin at the starting line. Begin by telling a loved one, a trusted friend. See a doctor. Get professional help. Take medications. Pray! Do whatever it takes to Hang on! There is hope! We serve a God who loves us, cares and is our ever-present hope in times of trouble! Trust Him! The verse that I held onto “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) The past year, 2020 ,seemed to take so much from so many. But God is still on the throne! He has a good plan for you, for your life! If you find yourself hopeless, you are not helpless. Start the race against depression! You are NOT alone! Tell someone so they can run along side of you and be your support! Hear the words of the LORD, “Be strong and courageous. do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) The Memory: The HOPE Reluctantly, into my memory I go Feet dragging, intentionally slow. Tragedy, darkness, shock, fear Emotions erupt. Hot flowing tears appear. Oh how it tears my hear; That painfully horrific day- When my dad suddenly ended his life; went away. The questions of “why?” swirled around. No answer satisfied; only deep pain was found. How could you do “this”; leave us alone? Why couldn’t you reach out and call us on your phone? The answers would never be “enough” or satisfy. I feel the pain, sob and cry. The feelings of anger, deep sorrow, helplessness re-emerge. I lay them at the feet of Jesus for Him to wash and purge. When I come to Him, am humble, give him the depth of my despair. He meets me, gives peace, comforts and cares. Grief has layers, like an onion peel. I press into Jesus and ask Him to heal. He takes the pain, agony, grief and sorrow. He brings peace and bright hope for tomorrow. He takes my hand; leads me through- The deep waters of grief. My soul cries out “Jesus, I trust You!” He is my anchor in every storm. He holds me close, protects; keeps me safe and warm. He knows the pain that I cannot bear. He wraps me in His arms with tender care. It has been fifteen years since this tragic loss but the pain reemerges as I remember. I wipe my tears and do not linger. I fix my eyes on Jesus. He is the only way! I will see both my earthly and Heavenly Father , one day. Because my dad trusted in Jesus as Savior and LORD. He loved Jesus and His Word. His life was not defined by the final event. It is in what Jesus did on the cross, raising from the dead, defeating sin; I remember this season of Lent. At this time, I shout to all. If you do not know Jesus, NOW, is the time! On His name call. Turn to Him. Repent! Fall on your knees. Call on His name. He forgives your sins. Cleanses. Gives new life. You are never the same! NOW is the time to receive Jesus; resurrection power. He is coming soon. We do not know the day or hour. But seasons are changing; time drawing near. Cast your cares on Him; let Him remove all doubt and fear. Jesus is THE ONLY WAY! To go to heaven one glorious day! Photo Credits belong toBoris Smokrovic @borisworkshop Kristina Tripkovic @tinamosquito Claudia Wolff @kaimantha Jessica Delp @jfdelpKolleen Gladden @rockthechaos Aaron Burden @aaronburden
Forgiveness
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 A former pastor of mine, Pastor Karen, was so much more than a great pastor. She was a GREAT leader, mentor, compassionate and loving friend. She loved people! She enjoyed sharing and living the love of Christ. She was extremely busy but always had the time to sit and chat. She was never to busy to listen. When I was going through my divorce, she was there to listen and pray. She would hold me while I sobbed and would encourage me that God would use it “for my good and His glory” (Romans 8:28). For years, I have journaled; pouring my heart and thoughts out to God. Pastor Karen would ask me to read some of the entries. She would weep with me. One day, she asked me if I had written a poem on Forgiveness. Strangely, I hadn’t. She was going to do a sermon on “The Call to Forgiveness” and asked if I would write a poem to share with the congregation. I told her that I would pray about it and see what the Lord provided. At the time, honestly, I didn’t feel very forgiving or loving. I felt anger, frustration, heartbreak; emotions ran wild. But, I prayed. I read my Bible and searched the scriptures. The words tore at my heart. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Faither will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14) “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) The word was doing exactly what God designed it to do; cut through my bad attitude, directly piercing my heart. He was clearly calling me to forgive. No doubt about it! Being strong-willed, I wrestled with immediate obedience. But, I finally surrendered and when I did, I felt “the peace that passes understanding.” My poor attitude had been hindering my relationship with Jesus. As I forgave, I knew that He had forgiven me of my sins. Then, as I journaled, the words flowed through my pen. God provided a poem that Pastor Karen shared with the congregation entitled: A Call To Forgiveness. Take a moment and read the words. If you have any unforgiveness in your heart, forgive, and give it to God. He has BIG shoulders and can handle ALL of the anger, disappointment, hurt, pain that happens. He loves us. He calls us to be kind, compassionate; to love and forgive. Go ahead. Let today be the day that you are freed from the bondage of unforgiveness and bitterness. Photo Credit of Heart: Kelly Sikkema
Power of Prayer
Luke 18:41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Within the passage of Luke 18, the story unfolds. A blind man is sitting by the roadside, begging. He is going about his daily business when he hears a crowd passing by and asks “What’s happening?” They tell him Jesus is passing by. More than likely, he has heard the stories of Jesus; knows He heals the sick, casts out demons, raises the dead. He has hope and cries out to Jesus. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowd rebukes him and tells him to be quiet. But with more vigor and persistence, he cries again “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stops and orders the man to be brought to him. Jesus asks “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight: your faith has healed you.” (Luke 18:41-42) This morning as I read the verse in Luke 18 of Jesus asking a blind man, “What do you want me to do for you?” My memory flooded back to a time and an event that happened several years ago. I was working in Corporate America for a global company. As a Consultant, I wore many hats. Two of the hats were relationship and project management with various projects and vendors. There were multiple projects ongoing simultaneously with several “irons in the fire.” Most of these were high priority projects with competing timelines, multiple details to be managed, troubleshooting issues, resolving conflicts to move forward without interruption or delays. In an already hectic schedule, I received a frantic text from a colleague. She was requesting my assistance with a project that I was not involved in. Blindsided. Like the man on the side of the road, I found myself asking “What’s happening?” There was an immediate need for data. The timeline to receive, analyze and report it was only 4 weeks away. The issue: testing had not been completed. To worsen the situation, samples were in multiple locations around the world and had not been shipped. So, processing of samples, shipping, testing, analyzing, data sets created, analyzed and reported had to be completed within 4 weeks. In the best of situations with one vendor, these tasks would have taken several months. But 4 weeks with multiple vendors? IMPOSSIBLE! And, it was dropped into my lap! Instantly, I did the only thing I knew to do. Pray! “Jesus, HELP, Have mercy upon me!” The magnitude of the project, high expectations, level of leadership involvement, vendor relationships on the line, with the potential for mega dollars to be lost. How was I going to move the project forward, check all of the boxes, and deliver satisfaction to all customers? There is NO way that I could do that by myself! I continued to pray “You are the God of the impossible. So, I am trusting You. I have enough faith to believe that You will make the way. And I thank You for the answer!” That was the beginning to my prayer. Multiple times each day I would have to bring the situations and issues to the Lord. I sat back and marveled, even chuckling at times as I saw His hand remove obstacles. He removed roadblocks and created pathways of communication that had never existed. He tore down negative attitudes of “I can’t” and replaced with “We can”. There was miscommunication, misunderstanding, misplaced samples, natural disasters closing airports, shipment delays, data delays and yet, the impossible task was completed and delivered within the desired timeline! MIRACLES DO HAPPEN! ONLY JESUS! I recount this story to encourage you START PRAYING and NEVER stop! What if the very next prayer is the answer you have been seeking? God cares about you, your family, your work; every detail of your life! He knows your frustrations. He knows when you ache over a wayward child. We knows the pain of being single and yearning for a mate. He knows the difficulty and all that you have to do as a single parent! He understands the devastation of losing a child. He feels the depth of your grief and mourning when a loved one has taken their life. He knows it all and still cares; loves you! He calls us to come to Him; bringing all of our cares. Yes, ALL of them! He is the God of the impossible! Let Him do what only He can do. We have to pray, trust and obey! Jesus is asking “What do you want me to do for you?” Tell Him. He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 Road Blockage Photo Credit: Matthew Hamilton Woman Praying Photo Credit: Ben White
Jesus Christ is Almighty
“The reason some of us are such poor examples of Christianity is that we have failed to recognize that Christ is almighty. We have Christian attributes and experiences, but there is no abandonment or surrender to Jesus Christ. When we get into difficult circumstances, we impoverish His ministry by saying, ‘Of course, He can’t do anything about this.’ We struggle to reach the bottom of our own well, trying to get water for ourselves. Beware of sitting back, and saying, ‘It can’t be done.’ You will know it can be done if you will look to Jesus. The well of your incompleteness runs deep, but make the effort to look away from yourself and to look toward Him.” Oswald Chambers MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST Once again, I find myself pondering the words of Oswald Chambers as they pierce through my mind, directly to my heart. How many times do I try to do things myself, in my power and time, without either consulting God or allowing Him to direct me? I either think that I can do something in my own strength (my pride gets in the way) or I think it can’t be done (sin of arrogance). I forge ahead, stumble and blunder. I fail to acknowledge that Jesus is Almighty, can do all things and doesn’t need me to do anything. Jesus forgive me for getting in Your way! Surrender Let’s not live with regret or ever forget. Jesus is Almighty; His love true. We must not put Him in a box or place limits on what He can do! We must daily die to self; surrender our will. We must pray and ask the Holy Spirit our lives to fill. We must trust Him and wholeheartedly obey. We must do His work; He is coming soon, one day! Photo credit: Emmanuel Phaeton
Jesus, My Help
I’m sure there have been times in your life, just like my own, when you have sought the Lord through tears and pain; asking God to do something that we think he should do and in the ways we want Him to do them. Those cries in the middle of the night when we are desperate. “Oh Lord, please help me or help (your loved one)!” We need to hear from God, to see Him move and do the thing that we know only He can do. We cry out with all of our being waiting, watching, praying, hoping. Wondering if He is hearing our cries. Does He really hear us? How can we know for sure? He does and we know this because His Word tells us over and over again. Psalm 40:1 is just one example, “I waited patiently for the LORD, and he inclined to me and heard my cry.” That means literally that He bent over to turn His ear to hear me. Why? He hears me because I am HIS child. More than once in my life, I have cried out to God asking Him to help me or help someone I love. The first time, I cried out to Him asking Him to change me. To help me be someone different because I was not a good person. I was very selfish and my life “was all about me.” I so desperately wanted to be someone else and I knew I couldn’t do it on my own because I had tried and failed many times. But, I finally became desperate. I knew it was going to get very ugly if something didn’t change, so I cried out to Jesus to change me and make me new. I knew very little about Jesus or His Word, but somehow from what I had learned and heard as a child, I knew JESUS was the answer. So, I sat in my room on the floor, alone, and I prayed sincere, honest words straight from my heart. And He heard me! Little by little my heart was changed on the inside and soon it was being reflected on the outside-through my words and actions. I am so thankful that He has continued to draw me to Him, changing me, molding and shaping me into the woman He has called me to be over the past 30 years. It has not been easy. It is true that the Christian walk is a journey and it is hard. But when you are hopeless and there seems to be no way, Jesus makes THE WAY and gives us hope. Jesus has been and will always be my Helper, Anchor, Rescuer, Deliverer and Redeemer. The One who loves me with an everlasting love that will never end. He will never leave me. No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me; From life’s first cry to final breath. Jesus commands my destiny.
Baby Girl
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Psalm 127:3 My youngest daughter, whom I call “Baby Girl”, arrived into this world like bright sunshine! She came three weeks early and with a very rough delivery (36 hours of labor)! She has a big personality, a warm empathetic heart, makes friends easily: commands attention when she enters the room! By the age of two, she had mastered the English language, charming all she met and could articulate her position well on just about any topic! I recall taking her to the pediatrician. He asked me “What is going on?”. She looked at the physician and told him every detail and symptom she was experiencing! I watched his mouth gape open. Surprisingly, he exclaimed “I have never known a child so young to express their symptoms!” She would grasp concepts quickly and ask continual questions; talking constantly. I recall that my dad used to tell me “You were vaccinated with a phonograph needle.” I remember my mom affectionately saying “One day, I hope that you have a daughter just like you.” Well, admittingly, I was blessed with two daughters that have many of my traits. However, Baby Girl, probably acquired more of my “can do” attitude and communication skills; enjoying conversation. Very quickly, when she was young, I observed that she was adventurous and enjoyed attention. During a church service when she was about three, she took the stage with the other children. She stood in the front row, center stage, with her older sister directly behind her. As the music played, the children began to sing. Baby girl started dancing and twirling, raising her ruffle dress over her head. My oldest daughter tried to deter her but she continued on as the crowd laughed and enjoyed “the performance.” As the song ended and the children exited the stage, the pastor thanked the kids and added “choreographed by Baby Girl.” Everyone laughed, including me, from hiding under the pew. Little did we know that day “a star” was being born. God has a plan for each of us. He creates our personalities, unique, special. God is not bound by time. He sees everything beginning to end. He sees life as a whole. We see only in parts of pieces. Some of who we are and whom we become partially grows from our experiences and choices. Baby girl also has a chronic health issue that she has had to live with her entire life. Since she was two weeks old, she has been in and out of doctor’s offices, emergency rooms and hospital visits. However, her effervescent personality would capture the hearts of everyone she came in contact with. She is a “fighter”; a survivor. Her mantra is “If you tell me that I can’t do this, I will prove you wrong.” She is to this day strong-willed, determined. Yet, her heart is big, warm, sincere. As a mom, I made many mistakes. I still do. I am a work in progress. But I have always tried to teach my children the importance of helping others and staying “grounded”. I have told my girls “never forget where you came from”. They know what I mean when I tell them this. We lived in a small rural area, in a 100 plus year old farmhouse and had very little materially in their younger years. But we had God, our faith and each other. We were rich and had all that we needed! We were grounded. In high school, Baby Girl, was struggling with what she wanted to do when she grew up. She thought about aerospace and working for NASA or Broadcasting and Journalism? She really didn’t know what direction she should go. She started taking journalism and broadcasting classes. She was enjoying the classes. But she felt pressure from me to make a decision regarding a career path. In April of 2006, she went with her church youth group on a mission trip to D’Iberville MS; an area heavily decimated by Hurricane Katrina. Concerned about making a career path decision, she was praying asking God to send her a sign of which way to journey. She had received an assignment from her broadcasting class to conduct an interview. As she toured the area, she saw first hand hurting people, intense destruction and felt personally the devastation. She wanted to share with others; tell their story and help them. They were assigned to assist and clean a church in the area. There she met Father Denis Harlow. He was a kind priest. She interviewed him. He encouraged her by telling her “You will be the next Katie Couric.” She felt this was her answered prayer; personal sign from God! Upon returning home from this trip, she was grateful, humbled and changed. She loved mission work and helping! She and the youth group returned two other times to complete the work they had started. In college, she pursued Telecommunications. She has gone on to become an award winning journalist and television news reporter/anchor. Most importantly, she loves people and telling their stories. Direction Sign Photo Credit: Mick Haupt
Divine Appointments
Photo Credit – Alexander Schimmeck 1Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Each day, as we look around us, there are different opportunities to serve, to help someone or to offer encouragement. Sometimes it’s the small acts of kindness that mean so very much: a smile, a kind word, opening a door, baking cookies, sending a card or letter, calling your mom or a friend, letting someone go in front of you in the check out lane, taking a meal to a shut-in, calling on an elderly neighbor… The list is endless; waiting for your personal touch, using your gift. This world is filled with hate, violence and crime. We could all use a little more love and kindness. Don’t we all just want to feel loved and valued? Don’t we want to be seen and heard; know that our life matters to someone? I think those are common human basic needs. We matter to God! He loves us! He makes each person unique and gives special gifts to us. Our gifts differ. Yet, they equip us for the tasks that God creates for us to do. He wants us to use them to help and serve others. I have three children, two daughters and a son. There are about ten years difference between my youngest daughter and my son. He grew up in a household with teenage girls and hormones! As a young boy, he would play for hours with Superhero figurines. He wanted to be a Superhero when he grew up. He has always had a big heart! He dreamed of being able to create housing and schools for homeless. He wanted to serve and help the misunderstood, the disadvantaged and underserved. Although, at the time, he was only around four, he was “wise beyond his years.” His passion grew to serve. As a mother, I tried to encourage and instill the value of serving, giving back into the lives of my children. I feel that there is so much to learn by being involved in mission projects. Helping others, like laughter, is good medicine for your heart! I took my son with me to a church in the inner city to serve meals to the homeless. He welcomed and loved serving! Yet, because of his young age, he was not allowed to interact with the people. This discouraged him. But his passion for the hurting did not subside. One day, we were having dinner with my friend, Lisa. Lisa also had a servant’s heart. Upon entering the restaurant, she saw a homeless man seated on the curb outside. When she ordered her meal, she also requested a “carry out” meal with the same entrees. We finished our meals. As we exited, she walked over to the homeless man and struck up a conversation. She asked his name and told him that “Jesus loved him.” As she chatted, she engaged him in a conversation. She asked if she could pray for him. He agreed. Then, she handed him the meal and told him that she loved him too. The gentleman was grateful. He was appreciative for the meal. But it seemed he was even more thankful that someone took the time to “see him”, ask his name and have conversation. For the first time, in a long time, I believe he felt the warmth of lovingkindness in her actions. Don’t actions always speak louder than words? This incident my son witnessed spoke to him deeply; imprinted on his heart. We all walked away differently that evening. I don’t believe in luck or coincidence. I believe this was a divine appointment; created by God in advance for us to do. I think these opportunities are around us every day. Are we too busy to notice or do we turn blind eyes, deaf ears and walk away? A few months later we went to dinner at the same restaurant. My son spotted a homeless man on the curb and asked me if we could purchase a meal for the man. We did and he took the meal to him; giving him a blessing of food and love. My son is now a young man in college. Long gone are the days of playing with super hero figurines. But his passion for helping others is growing into a career path. Today, he is working with special needs children; encouraging, teaching, caring. He appreciates, enjoys, and understands them. He is their advocate, friend and super hero. He is using his gifts.
The Joy of the Lord is my Strength
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! (Phillippians 4:4) For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace. (Isaiah 55:12) In Psalm 127:3 the Bible tells us “Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” This is so true! Children are amazing gifts from the Lord! But, how difficult it is when you long for children for years and yet, your hope goes unfulfilled. You pray, beg, try different options and your womb remains empty. There are painful emotions that run rampant: sorrow, guilt, shame and wondering Why? Thankfully, I have three beautiful healthy adult children. However, it took five years before I conceived. Only through the difficulty that I went through to have children, do I only partially understand the ache and depth of longing. I have family and friends that have experienced the deep longing and unfulfilled hope of having a baby too. My heart aches for them. My daughter and son-in-law experienced this dilemma. For a short time, they became a foster family. Then, they decided to pursue international adoption. The process was long and tedious but they persevered through all of the paperwork. They adopted a wonderful little boy from China, Charlie! I am his Lao Lao (maternal grandma) and I am biased. But he is the most special joy filled gift from God! He hardly ever has any expression other than a huge smile (unless mama or baba tell him, no). He radiates and exudes joy from every pore! Charlie has cerebral palsy. He goes through speech therapy, physical therapy, feeding therapy, occupational therapy and has multiple doctor and clinic appointments. But he is a trooper! He is always excited to do the work! He smiles and fills the room with joy! My daughter homeschools him. He is extremely motivated and intelligent! He may have some limitations on his physical body, but his mind and spirit soar high! The joy of the Lord is his strength. We are blessed! At times, we cannot choose the situations we go through or things that happen to us. However, I believe that we can choose our attitude and how we will respond. I see the obstacles and challenges Charlie perseveres through and watch his attitude, his expression. He is an overcomer. He chooses joy! When I have a difficult day, I look at a picture of Charlie. I smile. I am grateful for this little joy filled blessing and I thank Jesus for him! He is truly a gift from the Lord!
Sometimes it is not what you say; it is the way you say it.
Zechariah 1:13 And the LORD answered the angel who was speaking with me with gracious and comforting words. Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious and win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. Have you ever had to have an important conversation with a person or group of people? Have you ever had to try and explain a difficult detailed and possibly controversial position on a project? There were many times in my corporate career that I had the opportunity. Some, I handled well. But there was one time that I recall, that I failed miserably. At the time, I did not realize it. I call these times “learning opportunities”. I am a passionate person. Some of my job responsibility revolved around quality. Quality is a good thing. The passion for quality is not wrong or a bad concept. However, sometimes our emotions get “caught up” into an explanation. Our tone can change and be perceived not as assertion, but sounds more to the receiver like aggression. I had the conversation with my colleagues explaining details, outlining expectations and thought it went well. Until, I received a phone call from their boss. This person was not only their boss but he is a godly Christian man, my good friend and mentor. With kind and gentle words and tone, he explained that “your passion isn’t wrong, but hurtful”. I hadn’t realized that the way I had delivered my message had seemed hardened; never my intent. His words were tender, timely and pierced my heart, in a good way. I was both humbled and grateful. With sincere humility, I contacted my colleagues and apologized. We sat down again. This time, I listened first. I heard what they had to say. We worked together to come up with a solution that satisfied the quality needs and addressed their concerns. These colleagues were gracious and forgiving. We learned and grew from this experience. Through the years, they became my trusted work partners, team mates and true friends. I valued their patience, perseverance, honesty and accountability! LORD, So often, I fail you and fumble. I am prideful and selfish when You call me to be humble. I confess my sin and repent. Teach me more of humility through this season of lent. As I fix my eyes on You; gaze at the Cross. All that I am is for Your glory; everything else is loss. Take my heart, mold and shape my will. Let Your Holy Spirit my soul fill. Let me be faithful and true Sharing, pointing others to You. This life is not about me. You are writing the story. To You, be all Praise and Glory @ 2021 Kim Clodfelterall rights reserved Psalms 33:2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Psalms 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalms 92:1 It is good to praise the Lord and Make music to your name, O Most High, Photo Credit: Ben White Photo Credit: Samuel McGarrigle Photo Credit: Milada Vigerova
Through Water and Fire
Isaiah 43:1-3 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” A few years ago I went through a very difficult trying season with a pain filled unhealthy relationship. My focus was shifted off of Jesus and onto myself. This is never a good thing no matter how you try to justify it. Needless to say, I made some poor choices. The consequences left me not only broken, but filled with great fear. I sank into a dark period of depression. But God is a good good Father. He used this pain filled time to draw me back. In the darkness, He was with me every step of the way. I clung to Jesus and the cross for my very life! Although I walked through the water and fire, He was with me and did not let it consume me! I am humbled. I am grateful. In my weakness, He gave me His strength to put one foot in front of the other and walk through the “valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4); hand in hand with Him. He restored my health and my relationship with Him. He gave me a fresh hope and a new outlook on life! I have heard people say “Don’t waste your pain.” My hope is to share stories from my life journey to help others. What Jesus has done for me, friend, He can do for you! “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt” (Jeremiah 31:3). He is faithful when we are not. He died so we could live. He forgives so we can have new life and have it abundantly.
God cares for all creatures
1 Peter 5:7, NLT Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you I love that I have a God, who cares about everything in my life. I love that he invites me to go to him with all my praises, cares, fears, and worries. Nothing is too small or great to go to God about. A little over a week ago, my neighbor got a puppy it is so tiny and precious only weights a pound. And in the last week my neighbor has fallen in love with her puppy. She has let every neighbor, friend and family member know about her new addition to her family. Her puppy has brought her so much joy and happiness. Yesterday morning, her puppy fell very ill. She took her to the Vet and found out she has Parvo. The vet told her she has a 50/50 chance of survival because she is so tiny. My neighbors’ heart is broken. I told her I was so sorry and let her know I would pray for her puppy’s recovery and ask others to join me. I am assured that God is concerned about every part of His creation including animals. He made them and they belong to Him. The Bible says, “For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). He also says, On the day God made the animals, the Bible tells us that He pronounced it good (Genesis 1:25). I am amazed and thankful I can go to him for anything, including my neighbor’s puppy “Muffin”.
Fervent Prayer and other things…
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit….” Ephesians 6:18 “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:17 “The Lord is far from the wicked; But He heareth the prayer of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29 Over the past few years, I have read several books on prayer. “Fervent Prayer” by Priscilla Shirer is, in my opinion, one of the best. You may find several thoughts and quotes from her inciteful book as I write. I have found that journaling my prayers is helpful. Then, I can go back and see the goodness of the Lord in all the answers. Does He answer every one? Yes, but not always in the way I expect or in the timing that I like. We have to remember that God’s ways are not our ways. He has a plan to work out for His followers and he knows what’s best to work out that plan. Prayer can make us aware of all the resources and strength and protections God has placed at our disposal. Nothing is a match for the power and authority He gives us access to when we pray. Love this: P Praise: Thank Him for completely forgiving me, cleansing me and changing me. R Repentance: See the foolishness of anything that perpetuates old sin patterns and by His spirit, walk away. A Asking: Ask for freedom for release, for the ability to deflect lies and embrace the truth. Y Yes: Because you, by His resurrection power, can now walk in a new way of life. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things have passed away, behold, new things have come.” II Corinthians 5:17 I pray you have a blessed, beautiful, God filled day.
God’s Victory Through Support
I was blessed to be able to pray for a very special group of ladies who serve the Lord in a particular ministry one day. As we were praying, I felt a Word fall into my Spirit. I want to call this God’s Victory Through Support. We know how tiring it can be to serve others in any capacity. There are times we become so weary. There are times we feel so alone. The Word I received that day can be found in Exodus 17 as Amalek (aka the enemy) comes to fight against Israel (aka God’s chosen people/servants). Moses tells them he will station himself on the top of the hill with the staff (rod) of God in his hand during the battle. So Moses and two of his friends go to the top of the hill. When Moses held up his hands – showing his and their dependence and faith in God – they would be winning. As soon as he dropped his hands, the enemy prevailed. Moses was a man who, although one of God’s chosen leaders, got tired and became weary. His hands became too heavy to keep holding them up until the job was done. But God, had provided helpers, supporters who “supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.” Through the support of his friends, his hands remained steady until the job was done. SWEET VICTORY! We all need supporters at times to help us remain steady until our job for the Lord is done. Ask God when you have the need for help in serving Him – when you are fighting a battle – and He will provide support until the job is done and GOD has the victory! Praise God for His Faithfulness!
Snow
“Come now, let us settle the matter, “says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) The snow sparkles and glistens as it covers the ground in a blanket of white. It appears fresh, pure, beautiful, untouched when it first falls. Within minutes, there are car tracks, footprints, dogs running and playing. The purity seems to fade quickly. Isn’t this similar to the way sin entered into our world? In Genesis chapter one, God creates a perfect world; filled with purity and beauty; perfect. Yet, by chapter three of Genesis, temptation enters, Adam and Eve sin and the Fall of man occurs. The scenery changes from one of purity and beauty to one of darkness and death. Within a short time, innocence is lost. We are told in Genesis 2:25 that Adam and Eve before the fall were naked, and they felt no shame. Once they sinned, “their eyes were opened, and they realized they were naked” (Genesis 3:7). It amazes me how quickly purity is lost when sin comes into the picture. But the story doesn’t end there. It is just the beginning of God showing us his great love and plan for restoration. Redemption. Sin separates. It creates a division between us and God. But God is good. He desires a relationship with us. He loves us more than we can fathom! He wants us to love Him, worship Him; to celebrate and praise Him. God knew that we are sinners and that we cannot do anything to bridge the gap that sin caused. We are, like sheep, helpless creatures in need of a Shepherd. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did no send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17). God sent Jesus to be our Savior, Redeemer, LORD! When we place our trust in Jesus, He takes our sin and washes us clean. He paid the price to free us from the chains of sin; give us a hope and a new life. We are forgiven! Our relationship is restored to Him! We become white as the new fallen snow!
Shut Mouth Grace
In the Bible, James tells us “but no human being can tame the tongue, It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”(James 3:8-10). Last evening with my prayer group, we talked about “shut mouth grace”, again. This has been a hot topic that has come up quite frequently over the past few months. A few years ago, I had a good Christian friend tell me that her pastor had preached a sermon on “Shut Mouth Grace.” So, what is Shut Mouth Grace? It is the ability to “hold your tongue”, be silent and listen, not say a word when someone says something hurtful, harsh or mean-spirited. It is the ability to rise above the circumstance of the present moment and give a person grace by not responding. It is “turning the other cheek” when insulted, persecuted and not seeking to retaliate or take revenge. It is swallowing our pride and not speaking hastily. This is easier said, than done. But I have learned from experience, it is far better to administer Shut Mouth Grace than to try to “eat my words or put out the forest fires that they have caused.” If we are honest, we have all “been there, done that.” We wish we wouldn’t have said something in haste. We wish that we could “take back” the words that flew out with fire and venom. We wish that we could undo the harm caused. But once out, words can never be taken back. Perhaps, this is why in Proverbs 14:3 it says “A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.” We need to be wise protectors of ourselves and others by keeping our words harnessed, or kind, sweet, encouraging for building others up, not tearing them down. How many relationships would be improved by shut mouth grace? If we held our tongues and did not spew painful daggers out of our mouths, could marriages be saved? I don’t claim to have the answers. Proverbs 15:4 provides wisdom and insight “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” Let’s seek to be life building encouragers and administer shut mouth grace whenever needed!
God Speaks Through Nature
This morning it is gently snowing outside. The birds at the feeder are numerous and beautiful: 3 sets of cardinals, several blue birds, snowbirds, finches and a variety of woodpeckers. They come faithfully, daily. They bring their friends and forage in and around the feeders. When praying for the name of this website, several ideas were brainstormed. Then, the word “forager” came out of nowhere. Immediately, I went to a dictionary for a definition. The definition given “a person or animal that searches widely for food or provisions.” As I pondered, the name Faithful Forager, kept spiraling around in my head. My first thought, God is faithful. In Hebrews 10:23, we are told “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” We are called to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). God is faithful and He wants us to be faithful, faithfully seeking, following and obeying Him. So the word faithful seemed to resonate to what God is calling us to be. For some time I have felt called to share my personal thoughts and life journey. However, 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic, seemed to change how we communicate. I kept praying for God to speak to me and share His plans with how this could be accomplished or if this is what His will truly was for me. Then, my friend, Faith suggested we build a website to share with others. My first thought was “Whoa!” I can barely send an email with attachments! Through her expertise and training, I am learning. It seems that God has different plans for how we will move forward sharing than what I had anticipated. Something that I have learned “It is not about me!” I have also learned that “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) Also, Proverbs 3: 5-6 tells us “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 make your paths straight.” Not easy but straight paths. And, the old saying is wrong about not being able to teach “an old dog new tricks.” I am living proof that you can teach a computer illiterate person how to “post” articles on a website. Although, not perfect posts, they are present and I am learning. Thanks to God and Faith! Secondly, the word “forager” seems to have a deeper meaning spiritually when I think about it. Let me explain. I think about my husband and his metal detector that he received as a present. He has trained himself on “how to” use the instruments by watching countless hours of You Tube videos. He knows how to read the gauges and listen to the various tones to know the possible depth and type of a buried treasure. He has found a number of items buried in the ground. They are his “treasures.” He has faithfully followed through on his knowledge and commitment to hunt treasure. He has studied and trained to execute well. I believe that God calls us to do the same spiritually. Read His word daily so He can speak truth to us; we can know Him. He loves us and wants to show us His plans. But how can we know His plans if we don’t spend time getting to know Him? How can we know His voice? We have to spend time reading, pondering on the Word and listening to the Holy Spirit. We have to “ask, seek, knock” (Matthew 7:7). Like, my husband and his metal detector, we will learn to discern His voice, His ways. In John 6:48, Jesus says “I am the bread of life.” I believe that we are to “feast or forage” upon this bread, which is the Word of God. We are to “…train yourself to be godly” (1Timothy 4:7). Training requires commitment, prayer, time, reading, journaling, worshiping, to name a few. The Bible is like a treasure hunt and when we forage through it and feast upon it, we find hidden treasure. This treasure is more precious than gold and has the power to change lives! We share the treasures with others so they can learn, grow and share! So, become a Faithful Forager and journey with Jesus!
Lent Journey
Lent Journey Forty-day journey towards the cross Ask, Seek, Knock, Yearn, Ponder the Sacrifice, ultimate cost. It cost God His only Son To redeem us, pay the price for our sin; render the curse undone. Jesus faithfully knew there would come a day The price of sin with His blood would pay. He did not turn away and run. He knew who He was; God’s own Son. He knew the price. Willingly, laid down His life, became the sacrifice. When the nails pierced his hands and whips tore his flesh, He was “still” and demonstrated holiness. The people spit and yelled; mocked His name. He knew He bore our guilt and our shame. He chose to suffer and die on the cross So, we could live; He knew we could never pay the cost. Will you choose Jesus? Or will you choose to venture on Alone. Doing your own thing; missing your true heart story? Pause. Reflect. Take a minute to see That God is calling to you and to me. One small step each day Building faith along the way God can start Speaking His Word into your heart. It is simply a decision of your will How you will choose; your time to fill. Jesus invites you to “Come follow him.” And become healthy, whole, free from the power of sin
Forty Day Journey To Lent
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent; forty days to journey towards Easter, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. It is a time of introspection, reflection and preparation of our hearts. What does God want us to see, hear, feel, do today, each day? How can we draw closer to Him? How has He prepared us to serve? Will we be faithful to obey what He is asking each of us to do? This morning the words that resonate with me from my daily devotional book, My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers, is “simple things.” This morning in the Midwest the temperature is -4 F. It is bitterly cold! I find myself grateful for shelter, heat, food, pipes not frozen, driveway clear from snow, good health, friends, family, pets and my computer. These things, normally, I take for granted. Simple Things. Today, I thank God for waking up to a new and fresh morning! His grace and mercies are new. I am blessed! Yet, I am humbled by God’s generosity towards me. Jesus, Thank You for all of your kindness, goodness, grace and mercies! Thank You for loving me and blessing me! Thank you for your patience and never giving up on me! As I journey these 40 days to the Cross, let me see, hear and do all You are telling me to do. As it says in Psalm 51:10, ‘Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. In Jesus name! Amen!
God’s Beauty
God’s beauty abounds. We just need to look around. It is in the sky as the sunsets. It can be seen in the plumage of the egret. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; each day, appreciated as I grow older. Beauty is seen in flowers that bloom or in a bird’s plume. We need to look inside of the heart to see some internal characters of true beauty; a gentle spirit, kindness, love, and caring. These are the gifts that we should be bearing.
Faithful Forager
We fix our eyes on Jesus; confess Him as LORD. We feast daily upon the Bible, God’s Holy Word. We are filled with the Holy Spirit; seek to be like Jesus and serve. We are His disciples; from the narrow path do not want to swerve. In Jesus, we have been set free. We look forward to His return and with Him, spending eternity! We have faith of a mustard seed. We believe in the power of prayer; for others, family and friends, intercede. We fellowship and stay connected in the Vine. We serve and exist for others to bring them to Jesus; the Holy One Divine. He is our firm foundation; our Rock. He gives us focus, makes us fruitful, gives us strength. We give him the glory for our walk.