Why?

In tribute to all of our loved ones who have gone on before us. To those who have loved and lost. For all of us who have shed too many tears. For all of us who pose the overwhelming question "why?" do bad things happen if God is good?

I don't think anyone on earth could have the whole answer to this question. We see through the glass darkly, we know in part. When we see God face to face, then these things will be revealed. 1 Corinthians 13:12

Through many troublesome times, I have cried out to God for answers. He did provide me with scriptures to help comfort me, and I hope if you need comfort today you will be comforted and encouraged by these as well; John 14:18 Jesus tells us he will not leave us without support. Psalm 91:15 Call on me I will answer. Philippians 4:19 God will supply all of our need... (spiritually, emotionally, physically, financially.... ) He will work things out with our best interest at heart. No matter what He will see us through every kind of trouble we face.

 Now all that doesn't mean everything will line up with what we see as "perfect" because God sees the bigger picture he knows what we need most to become the person he created us to be and what he created is good. Like the master painter or sculptress, he uses the elements at his disposal to form the creation. Even though there may be flaws, they only enhance the beauty.
These are my paraphrases of these scriptures.

I am comforted and encouraged by these scriptures. I understand the scripture in; Romans 8:28 God works everything out for the best according to his plan for us. I thank God for sunshine and rain. We need both to grow.

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God Works Things Out For Our Good

Many times over the years I have had to deal with a tight budget. The economy has highs and lows. The good news is; God (Jesus) is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

In Psalm 37:25 we read I have not seen the righteous forsaken...
My God will meet all of your need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)  In Jeremiah 33:3 we are encouraged to call upon God, and he will answer us.

I remember years ago, as a new Christian,  I had to make a difficult decision concerning the scarcity of food in the house. With payday two weeks away and one chicken in the freezer as well as very little in the refrigerator and cupboards.

A family member wanted to come over and spend the evening playing games and visit (which included eating dinner.) What in the world would I do! I could make a pot of soup and hope it would stretch the rest of the month, or make our favorite company dinner (oven fried chicken w/mashed potatoes.) It was quite the dilemma for me at the time.

After a simple "Lorrrrrd, what should I do?" I heard the answer quietly in my heart,: Trust me! Serve your favorite to your guests." So that's just what I did!
We had a fun night of fellowship, a great meal and I didn't worry whether or not I would have food for the rest of the month.

The next day an unexpected check came in the mail. An abundance, more than enough
for groceries came just in time. We were also able to give the house a fresh coat of much-needed paint.

This scripture is one of the keys to having the ability to ask and receive what God sees as best for us in his perfect timing:

Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

It's All About Conection

Wow!  Civilization! What a difference fifty miles can make between whats my normal and whats not. We camped at a beautiful campground in the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range.

 On the way to the campground I lost my phone signal then at the campground their wi-fi system was down. I was a little dismayed because I had planned on writing on the blog and doing some research while we were away.

 I often find myself being reclusive because of technology. I do take the time to get some fresh air and exercise and take care of chores, but I can see myself hanging out with my phone and computer more than people if I don't work at keeping a right balance.

 When I finally resigned myself to the fact that I was on an unscheduled, unplugged, vacation, I relaxed and enjoyed the beauty surrounding me. The rocky crags overhead, the sage green waters below, the fresh, clean, breathable air. What a gorgeous place to just relax and be refreshed.

 I took many walks throughout our stay and met some lovely people along the way. I was encouraged through visiting with a retired school superintendent and his wife (a retired nurse), as well as, a retired pastor and his wife (also a nurse.
 
  It was nice to connect with people on a personal level, face to face. Seeing a persons demeanor while hearing the words and seeing the body language as we conversed added dimension to our conversations. We can miss these expressions, and body language when we are texting and using other social media communications. I am committing myself to personally reach out to someone every day even if it is just to say hello.

 We don't know how many people need someone to acknowledge them with a simple greeting. We may become aware of the need to pray for more than just our circle of loved ones. (I learned the pastor's wife was suffering from the early stages of dementia.)(the other retired nurse was having trouble with her hip replacement.) Now I know to keep them in my prayers.

 We are called to go about doing good like Jesus did helping out the less fortunate, healing the brokenhearted, binding up the wounds by the power of the Holy Spirit. But if we never go out to the highways and byways; never get outside of our technological bubble we can't fully meet this calling.

  Let's consider the social media as an extension of our outreach to people and make sure we take time; make the time to have one on one, face to face interactions with the people that come across our paths everywhere we go.

Love Is The Greatest Thing Of All

There are so many things we can do in our lifetimes. We can climb the highest mountain, or hike into the lowest valley. We can preach a thousand sermons or work for the poor. Whatever we do, we need to check our motivation before we start or we could end up in a mess or worse not store those treasures up in heaven as instructed. Matthew 6:20

God wants us to be productive, accomplish "good works," but foremost he wants whatever we do, to be done with an attitude of love. Loving him because he first loved us. Loving and serving others because he loves us and we love him. It's all about the love. The world will know we are Christians because of our love. John 13:34-35

Many times I find myself thinking about love as a warm feeling about others. But the love God has called us to is so much more than a feeling. Love is patient, kind, not jealous; love does not brag. Is not arrogant, it does not misbehave, is not self-seeking, not provoked, it does not keep account of suffered wrongs, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things.

All the  "great things" we do in our lifetimes will not profit us anything if we do not have love. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three, but the greatest of these is love, 1 Corinthians 13

Father God, we all fall short of your glory. Please fill us with a fresh filling of your supernatural love and spirit to practice your love toward others as you have loved us. We want to have the motive of love first most in our daily pursuits.
Help us to recognize our wrong motives such as self-seeking, people pleasing and such. Help us to repent of the sin that would so easily beset us. Cause us to move forward in your spirit of love, allowing you to love others through us, as you will.
 In Jesus name Amen

Stay Connected

 Saturday started warm. We enjoyed relaxing, reading and soaking up some vitamin D. Noon - time we moved indoors to the air-conditioning, the temperature became uncomfortable. Late afternoon it reached the mid 90's, scorching in the northwest.

 The temperature rose, so did the demand on the electricity supply, at the campground where we camped. Then suddenly, the power was out, the camper heated quickly. We tried to find relief by sitting in a shady spot where there was a little breeze. When the heat was to hard to handle we turned on the generator and ran the air conditioner again until evening. It cooled down, the power was restored.

I have found a correlation between our relationship with God, the power we receive through his Holy Spirit, and the power supply depended on in the natural course of everyday life. When we spend time connecting with God through prayer, praise and worship we receive power through his Holy Spirit.

When the heat is on, things get hard, we have his power to propel us forward. We may come to the "wall" that marathon runners refer to when they are in the race. When that happens we have an emergency supply to draw on like a generator filling in the gap when needed.

We need a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit power daily. Jesus went to a quiet place to pray before starting his day we have his example to follow. (Mark 1:35-45) Let's commit to ourselves to start each day being filled and prepared to be used by God with a full supply and our reserve tanks full ready for whatever comes our way.
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Relationship VS Religion

As far back as I can remember I went to different churches. Before my parents divorced when I was four years old, my whole family attended together.  After mom and dad divorced, mom took us to some different churches of various denominations and beliefs. I went to Sunday School and catechism, but somehow I don't recall what I was taught. When I was a little older, we lived at grandmas house for a year while she cared for an injured son out of state.

During that time I attended a neighborhood children's bible time at Bethel's house next door. Every Wednesday children would come running home from school so as not to be late. Bethel taught us songs, read Bible stories and had crafts for us to make all about Jesus. She served cookies and juice, and we just had an overall great time. One day Bethel asked us who would like Jesus to be their savior my sisters and I raised our hands, We felt so happy and excited to have Jesus as our friend. The next week I was no longer allowed to go to Bethel's. My babysitter thought it best if I spent that time doing homework. Needless to say what I may have learned at Bethel's slipped away from my mind and heart as disappointment and discouragement took over.

The years went by, then as an adult, a lovely gal named Sandy ministered to me while we volunteered together at the army community center in Germany. She gave me a bible and encouraged me to read the book of John first then start with Matthew and read the new testament. I started doing that, but when my husband came home from field duty, I didn't want him to know I was reading the bible. (I was afraid of what he would think.) I couldn't read it without crying, so I quit reading it at that time.

After moving back to the states, my husband came back from training where he met a Chaplin who ministered to him out in the desert. He asked Jesus to come into his life and be his savior. Then he came home and told me I should do that as well. Wow!, that's all I needed, I was on my knees beside my bed asking Jesus to come into my heart and life.
I poured my heart out asking forgiveness for the sins of my lifetime. When I finished, I knew I was a new creation, cleansed and free from my past, with a fresh new life ahead of me.

Although in my early years I had attended different religious gatherings and activities I did not fully understand what Jesus did for me. By giving his life on the cross so I could have forgiveness for my sin. He became the bridge from sinfulness to relationship with our creator. I believe when I asked him into my life at Bethel's house, God put his seal on me; He saved me for such a time as this.

God created us to be in a relationship with him. We can do that through talking to him and waiting and listening for his heart to speak to ours. He loves us, and although life in this world will have its troubles, He will be with us to see us through them all.

 

Hope For Today

In the Bible, It is written:   In this world, we will have tribulation. But don't worry Jesus has already overcome the world. John 16:33(My paraphrase)

I know firsthand how difficult it is not to worry when trials come. Once when my husband retired early because of health issues, we sold our home (our little piece of heaven outside of town.) One buyer backed out two days before closing the deal. We had already moved out, put our things in storage, we decided not to return. We were living in our 18 ft camper, at a couple of parks, close by, for the next nine months.

When we a sold the house I felt homeless, naked, and alone. I missed my home and my all of my stuff. During that time we went through our belongings donating most to charity. I kept some treasures from my son, grandson and my childhood. Also some favorite home items. As we worked reducing the amount of stuff we had collected it became therapeutic. I spent some years and many tears crying out to God about why I was in this situation.

Several years later I have changed my mindset from being; homeless, naked and alone, into;  I'm a full-time RV'er, well covered and making new friends everywhere I go. I know God is with me he has never left me, and the transition has only been the launching pad to an evangelistic ministry in a way I never knew before.

When everything looked hopeless, God came through, showed me the "light at the end of the tunnel." I had hope for the future.  God has plans for our good not evil, plans to give us hope for the future. Jeremiah 29:11

Now settled into this new lifestyle, I meet people I would never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. I have opportunities to pray for the needs of these people when maybe they would not have had anyone to offer a prayer on their behalf.

One of the first scriptures I read when I  knew God was speaking to my heart so many years ago,  now makes perfect sense to me it is, Mark 16:15-20  Go out to the world,  preach the gospel to every creature. Now I have more opportunities to do that.

I am praying for all those who are experiencing times of trouble today, and I know many others are keeping you all in prayer as well.  I pray God will see you through and set your feet on solid ground. Psalm 40:2 In Jesus name. Amen

We Can Be Better

Having worked with children for many years I remember teaching them about working together and co-operation as the old song goes.

Sometimes as adults we need a refresher course .
 It can be difficult when we are set in our own ways to give a little so another can do things their way or communicate
and work out a compromise that works for all involved.

I think we can find scriptures that encourage us to "esteem" one another more highly than ourselves" as well as no greater love than to lay down our lives for a friend.

The encouragement for us today is to see where we might be able to set aside our own wants and desires or work out a compromise that we can walk in the love of God with one another.

1 Corinthians 13:  Without love our works are to no avail. (my paraphrase)

Getting Out Of The Boat

In Matthew 14:25-32 we can see Jesus walking on water during the stormy night. The disciples were afraid not knowing what was happening. Jesus understood their concern and called out to them encouragingly saying don't fear, be happy; it's me. Peter responds to the question If it is you, Lord, call me to come to you. Then Jesus invited him to come.

So Peter stepped out of the boat and began waking on the water towards the Lord. The problem was he took his eyes of-of Jesus and started looking at the storm as he did he quickly started to sink. (and some of us do the same in our journey at times.) Immediately Jesus reached out caught him, rebuked him for his lack of faith then they got into the ship together.  My paraphrase of this passage.

Notice, Peter was the only one of the disciples to step out in faith in that situation. He got out of the boat leaving behind the protection, comfort and safety net of the known, especially his companions.

Sometimes like Peter we also are calling out to God; Lord if that's you calling me to go there or do that, then confirm your will for me to do so. Many voices may try to deter us as we begin to answer God's calling on our lives.

Our fear of the unknown, the fear of getting out of the boat onto the stormy waters and especially the fear of leaving our companions behind. Some voices come from our closest friends and family who are either afraid for us or just don't want us to risk our comfort when the Lord calls us. They want to keep us from stepping out as well.

There may be hindrances when we do step out. We may merely take our eyes of Jesus. We may step out at the wrong time or place. We might have got the wrong directions.  The bottom line is; If we believe God is calling us to step out then go ahead and do it.

As a young Christian, I was learning to hear from God and obey his leading, there was a woman who said to me with much concern; ''I'm so sorry you have tried so many things and failed.''  I smiled and thanked her for her concern, (hearing God speak to my heart)  "Those were training lessons, not failures."

Be happy, don't be afraid, consider all hindrances and miss-steps to be the stepping stones of life lessons leading us from where we are to where God is taking us.

If we get our eyes off Jesus or take a miss-step Jesus will be there to catch us and lead us where we need to go.

Never Give Up

A funny thing happened on the way to meet my goal of publishing books I was in the process of writing. My computer crashed! I lost all my work. I took it down to the local office supply store to get it repaired.  My heart sunk thinking the work was lost.

Tears welled up in the corners of my eyes as I tried to hold them back. Then the technician said it might be possible that she could transfer the content from the hard drive to an S D card. Wow, there was still hope! I gave it a try knowing if it didn't work I was out the money just for trying.

 Waiting was miserable. I picked it up after a few days. I rushed right home, put it in my new computer. Yeah! I could access all kinds of stuff from camping reservations to recipes. I was so excited as I attempted to open my books, what!!! I couldn't get any of them to open!
Over the last few years, I continued to try and access them to no avail. It has been a very trying time.

I've been disappointed, discouraged, depressed grieving over the loss. Why would God allow this to happen? When I got over my- self; I got up and began doing what I knew to do.

1.) Prepare my heart through prayer.
2.) Take writing courses.
3.) Start writing.

God opened up the way for me to take some classes online.  I started writing this blog. I tried to open up the books again and WALAAA! I SAW AN OPTION FOR OPENING THAT I HAD MISSED ALL THIS TIME.!!! I clicked on the option! There it was! One of my books! Then the next and next, poetry too!

I'm so glad God gave me a stubborn streak (only to be used for good not evil!).
I am thankful for the lessons learned in the; meantime!

Never give up we do not know what tomorrow will bring.