Honoring our Father through obedience

Richey and Bryce  = )

                http://youtu.be/4Z8bXcBRIU0 - Want to be just like You - Phillips Craig & Dean

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."  Exodus 20:12



When I was younger, I thought that God had just made up a bunch of rules and regulations for me to follow.  I thought it was a test to see if I would obey. Some of the rules seemed impossible to follow.  Some just didn't make any sense to my human mind.  But I tried to obey the best I could because I didn't want to be punished by God.  I saw Him as a disciplinarian ready to slap my hand whenever I failed to measure up to His expectations.  And I never measured up.

I obeyed out of fear, not out of love or gratitude.  I still fear Him; but it's more like being awestruck by His power and His majesty.  He is Creator of the Universe, and I'm so humbled  and so grateful that HE loves me.  I fear Him - not unlike how I feared my parents when I knew I had done something I shouldn't have done.  I wasn't afraid for my life, but I knew there would definitely be consequences for my actions. I didn't like being disciplined very much. 

Richey, me and Mikey

I have a different perspective now.  As a parent, I understand the love behind the rules and regulations.  The rules I make as mom are meant to make life easier, safer, and more enjoyable for my child.   My rules are designed specifically to help my child be the best he can be.  Sometimes that means correcting and disciplining him so that he can learn how to make better choices.  He doesn't always understand why he can't do this or that, because he doesn't have the experience or hindsight that his dad and I have. 

Larry's mom, LaVerne, used to tell him, "Larry, you can go along the road of  life and hit every pothole, or you can listen to me, and I can direct you around those potholes."  Pretty wise advice. 

All of us parents were young once.  We have experiened the journey from birth to adulthood.  As long ago as it was, I still remember being a teenager so clearly.  I remember the good times and the bad times.  Looking back, I have a different view of those life experiences.  I remember how terrible I felt when I broke up with my high school boyfriend. I was hurt and devastated!  I thought I'd never find anyone else like him.  It was the end of my world - at least that's how it felt at the time.   Looking back now, breaking up was probably the best thing that could have ever happened.  God had a better plan for me.  I just couldn't see it at the time.  But my parents did.

Of course, I blamed my parents for the breakup!  I don't how I managed to make it their fault that he was not a good boyfriend, but I managed.  All they did was try to encourage me. They assured me that there would be someone else much better down the road. But every time they tried to "help" me,  I'd get defensive and angry at them - not because they were wrong, but because they were right.  And when you're a teenager, it's really hard to admit that your parents are right about anything.  = )

I wished I had known then what I know now.  My parents loved me more than anyone else on earth.
They wanted me to be happy and have a wonderful, full life.  They sacrificed for me.  They always put my needs ahead of their own.  Why?  Because I was their child, and they loved me more than I could understand.

Now I understand.  I know how much they loved me because I'm a parent, and I know how much I love my children and grandchildren.  I would do anything humanly possible to insure their happiness.  The rules I made for my sons as they were growing up were meant to protect them and to help them learn how to be responsible, caring adults.  Not one rule was meant to hurt them and or to make life harder than it had to be.  Not one rule was meant to take away even one second of  their happiness. 

As a parent, the hardest thing to do is to stand by and watch your child making a mistake that could easily be avoided.  If only they would listen!  I've been there.  I know what will happen if they continue on a certain course.  And I know how to make it better because I've lived it.  I have the experience.  I know the outcome of those choices.  But they don't always listen, and even when they do listen, they some how think their situation is totally different from what mine was all those years ago.  But as Solomon so wisely said, "There's nothing new under the sun."  Our children make the same mistakes we made  because they don't fully trust our love or wisdom.

How do we get our children to understand that everything we do, every rule, every disciplinary action, every thought we have towards them is for good and not evil?  How do get them to trust our love so that they can listen when we instruct them on how to choose the right path?  How do we teach our children to honor their parents?  Why do children have to make all their own mistakes instead of learning from the two people who love them more than anyone on earth loves them?

I think one of the problems is that husbands and wives don't honor each other in front of the children.  We criticize and put down our spouses too often.  It's disrespectful.  And if we don't respect each other, why should our children respect us? 

Sitcoms have taken a bad turn in the last few years.  Dad is always a big joke.  Mom is almost always portrayed as  "the smart one"; she's usually quick witted and doesn't mind throwing a cutting remark in dad's direction.  The kids take in every word, every eye roll, every put down, and eventually, they may very well  copy mom's behavior and attitude.  This happens in reverse, too.  Dads don't always  respect their wives.  They don't always demand that the children treat mom with respect and honor.  If dad doesn't pay any attention to what mom has to say, why should the kids?  That's what we see on T.V. and in the movies.  Unfortunately, that's what many of us see at home, too.

I've made lots of mistakes, and I wished I could have a "do over" or two.  Hindsight makes all things so much clearer.  I've learned lots of very hard lessons, and how I wished my children and grandchildren could learn from my mistakes instead of having to make the same stupid mistakes themselves.

This is what I know:

• If I don't treat my husband with respect, eventually, my child will not respect him either.
•  If my husband never places any value on my knowledge or my contributions to our family, my child won't think I have any value either. 
• If I use cutting remarks and put downs towards my husband, my children will think he's a big joke. Why would they trust dad with any problem they might have?  I've made him out to be a big loser who can't do anything right.
• If my husband is verbally or physically abusive to me, then my child may imitate those abusivebehaviors  - either towards me or towards a future spouse.

Bottom line:  The only way we're going to get our children to honor their parents is if we honor each other. 
That means even if we are divorced from the other parent, we still need to teach our sons and daughters how to respect the other parent, for their sake.

When children respect their moms and dads, they are more likely to listen and to obey them.  Life would be so much easier if  they would do that.  So many of those potholes could be avoided if children would just listen and obey the instructions of their parents.  Aren't I just so full of wisdom?  lol

But guess what?  Here I am at 62, and I still make those same dumb mistakes.  Sometimes I still refuse to listen and obey my Father, just like I did when I was a kid.  The difference is now I know better.  = (

My heavenly Father gives me rules and guidelines for living my best life.   Do I listen?  Do I always obey?
Nope.  You see, sometimes I think His rules are a little outdated.  After all, He made those rules thousands of years ago.  Lots of things have changed since then.  Right?  Not really.  The hairstyles and clothing may be different; and of course, we now live in a high speed internet world full of all kinds of challenges; we're inundated with advertisements telling us that we deserve to be first; we deserve to be happy.  On the surface, life seems very different now.  How can God expect us to follow those old rules?

Again, we have Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, telling  us, "There is nothing new under the sun".  But what does he know?

Think about every challenge you face. 

Sickness  - the man with leprosy, Job
Death of a loved one - Mary and Martha when Lazarus died
Suffering - every apostle, Job,  and of course, Jesus most of all
Relationships - Joseph and his brothers, Job had a discouraging wife
Financial issues - the widow who gave her last penny, Matthew, a tax collector had to change his career, Job lost everything.
Depression, Jealousy, Self-esteem issues -  David was depressed; King Saul was jealous; the woman who was caught in adultery felt worthless, ashamed, Job was depressed...
Mental illness - pretty much everyone who had a demon cast out, Saul
Marriage issues - Bathesheba and Uriah, Hosea and Gomer, Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and his wives = )

The list could go on and on.  Go ahead.  Try and think of even one challenge that we have today that the people in early bible times didn't have. Adultery, promiscuity, homosexuality, bickering and division in the church, etc.
Every temptation falls into one of these three common denominators:

1 John 2:16 says, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”

Pride -                             "me first"
Lust of the flesh -    craving things of this world
Lust of the eye -       being enticed by outward beauty or desirability

Every single struggle, every single temptation we experience has happened before to other people.  God has seen the same sins happen over and over again since the beginning of time.  He knows how to avoid the potholes, but we won't listen.

Adam and Eve faced temptation in the same way we do:

Genesis 3:6 
“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.”

One rule!  That's all they had to follow!  God told them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This rule was for their protection; for their long term happiness.  If they didn't partake of the fruit from this tree, they would not become aware of sin.  They would remain innocent before God.

But they didn't listen.  They didn't trust God's love towards them.  They listened instead to the enemy.

The serpent twisted the truth. He planted a seed of doubt.  "You will not surely die, for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:4
Eve could be just like God!  Pride crept in. 

We all are susceptible to becoming prideful.  Pride is all about self.  We seek honor and power for ourselves rather than giving all honor to God.  Anytime we trust in ourselves instead of trusting in God, we can become prideful.  

When I think of pride, I get an image in my head of a football player who has just made a touchdown.  He's in the end zone doing a little dance, pounding his chest, just screaming, "look at what I did!".  He seems to have forgotten all the other people who made the touchdown possible.  The quarterback, his teammates who protected the quarterback so that he could execute a good pass, all the guys who blocked and tackled, clearing the way so that he could run the distance...  But he crosses the goal line - not them.  He did it.  That's pride - failing to give honor to those who made his victory  possible; taking all the glory for himself.

Eve saw that the fruit looked good.  Lust of the Eye - Genesis 3:6 - "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good and pleasing to the eye..."   The fruit looked good; it enticed Eve.  The outside beauty of the fruit tempted her to question God.  How can anything so beautiful be bad?
2 Corinthians 11:14b
...for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 

Eve trusted her own understanding.  The fruit was desirable and appealing.  Her human desires for food and for more knowledge became a stumbling block for her. She wanted something this world could offer -delicious food and wisdom.  Her Creator knew what was best for her, but she thought she knew better. The lust of the flesh - selfish desires tempted her. 
Genesis 3:6 - "...the fruit ... also was desirable for gaining wisdom."


Jesus was tempted in the same way when He was in the wilderness.  He had fasted for 40 days and nights, and certainly, He was hungry and tired.  The enemy always hits us when we are weakness, most vulnerable. 

Matthew 4 tells us how the devil tempted Jesus. 

"If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."  Matthew 4:3 – lust of the flesh

Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple.
"If You are the Son of God", he said, "throw Yourself down.  For it is written, 'He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.'" Matthew 4:5-6 – the pride of life

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  "All this I will give You, he said, if You will bow down and worship me."  Matthew 4:8-9 - the lust of the eyes.

Here's the thing.  Adam and Eve did not listen to God.  He knew what would happen if they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  He warned them specifically, "DO NOT EAT".   He gave them every other tree to eat and use as they saw fit; just not this one tree.  The serpent convinced Adam and Eve that God was holding out on them; that He didn't want the very best for them.  So, instead of listening to God, they used their own logic and reason, tainted by the lies of the serpent. And they did what they wanted to do.

The devil tried the same tactic with Jesus.  But Jesus remembered His Father's Words.  He answered every temptation with Scripture:  "It is written".  He could have said, "My Father says..."   Jesus knew that the only way He was going to accomplish His purpose - Salvation for those who believed - would be by listening to His Father and doing  everything He told Him to do. He knew His Father had a plan and a purpose for Him.  Not only did He listen, He obeyed.  He showed honor and respect to His Father because He knew His Father loved Him.  He trusted His Father completely.

Sin came into the world by one man - Adam.  But by one Man, Christ, we can all be saved.  The difference between these two men was the first disobeyed and the last One obeyed.

Why can't I learn to trust my Father?  He has never failed me.  He's never steered me wrong.  He's never abandoned me, even when I turned my back on Him for a while.  He provides for me.  He protects me.  He blesses me so much.  He even sent His Son to take my punishment so that I can be with Him for all Eternity.  I know He wants the best for me.  He knows the past, present and future and how every choice I make plays out for good or for bad.  He has a plan for me that's far greater than anything I can imagine.  I seek happiness on earth - He wants so much more for me; He wants me to live a life full of joy for ever and ever.

I truly believe He loves me; I believe He wants the best for me,  So,  why oh why, do I not listen when He speaks?  Why don't I seek His direction in every circumstance?  Why don't I obey Him instead of thinking I know a better way?

I think if we parents could teach our children to sincerely trust us; to have faith in us; enough faith to obey our instructions even when those instructions seem counter to what they want to accomplish; if our children could just remember that we've been there and have so much more insight and wisdom because of  our life experiences; and if they could just know without a doubt how great our love is for them, maybe then when they grew up and became Christians, it would be the most natural thing in the world for them to trust their Heavenly Father.  The most important thing I can give my children is a deep, personal understanding of how much God loves them, and that He has a very special pupose and plan for each of us.  We just need to trust Him.

Father God, thank You for loving me and for being so patient with me.  Forgive me for being rebellious, even now I still have moments when I think I know best.  You'd think I would have learned by now.. Thank You for patiently prompting me and guiding me.  Thank You for not giving up on me.  Father, please help me as a mom and a grandmom to teach my children and granchildren by my example.  Help me to show them how to obey - even when it doesn't make sense to me.  Maybe if they can see me obeying You, without hesitation, maybe they will learn to trust You completely, too.  Help me show them Your amazing love and faithfulness through every circumstance that you allow in my life.  Father, help me to remember that before You allow one difficulty or struggle in my life, You filter every single challenge through Your deep and abiding love for me.   Father, instead of focusing on getting to the end of a struggle, help me to focus more on allowing You to accomplish Your purpose for me during the difficulties.  You are always faithful and I trust You to bring me good and not evil; a hope and a future.  I don't want to settle for my idea of happiness.  Fill me up, LORD, with Your Joy which lasts for ever and ever.  In the precious Name of Jesus, I ask all these things.   Amen.

http://youtu.be/3JfifnH3wd0 - The One You Need - Shane and Shane                                                                

Mikey and Brooklyn

Mikey, Jill, Brooklyn and Presley



Richey, Amber, Jaycie and Bryce



Rob, Jenna, Ally, Cari and Bobby



                                                             Larry, me and Tyler 2011


Family forever  ~ ~ ~      

In quietness and confidence is my strength...

The Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says, "Only in returning to Me and waiting for Me will you be saved.  In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it."  -  Isaiah 30:15

Why is it so hard to find quiet time? I long for the tranquility that I feel when it's just me and God - no noise - no distractions- just soothing, calming quiet.  But it's so hard to shut the world out.  It seems everytime I sit down to just "be still and know", that's when all those things on my "to do" list come flooding in.  I can't seem to clear my mind of the noise and distractions. 

It never fails, when I'm trying to spend some quiet time with God, that's when I will remember all the things I need to do. My thoughts take over:

"I'll just get up and make that one phone call, then I can really be still."
"If I just put one load of clothes on to wash, then I can be doing two things at once." 

And it doesn't stop there.  It really is a battle of the mind.  The enemy does not want me to spend this time with God.  He does not want me to feel the comfort and peace that being alone with God provides.  He throws everything he can at me, trying to distract me from the One who can calm my spirit.

When I let those distractions take me away from my communion with God, I'm putting those things before Him. I'm basically saying, "Father, hold on just a minute, I just have this important thing I need to do.  It won't take a second for me to check my email.  After all, there might be something very important I need to attend to."  That's exactly what I'm thinking when I get up from my quiet time to do that "one thing" that seems so critical at the moment.  I'm telling God to wait?  Am I really going to tell  my Father that something else is more important than my time with Him?  That is not good.

There are times = ) when I am talking to my husband, trying to share something that is really important to me, but he doesn't see the importance of what I'm saying.  After all, he has things he needs to do, and he is easily distracted.  If his cell phone rings, he doesn't think twice about answering it right in the middle of our conversation.  Needless to say, I feel pretty unimportant in those moments, even though I know he loves me.  I just don't feel like a priorty when he doesn't give me his full attention when I'm talking.

It makes me feel bad.  After all, shouldn't I be the most important person in his life?  Shouldn't what I have to say matter more than what anyone else might say?  Okay... to be fair, I do the same thing to Larry.  = )  It's the pot- kettle thing.  But what's even worse, I do the same thing with God.  In my quiet time, if the phone rings, I usually answer it.  "Excuse me Father, I just have this important call...."  REALLY???

In my quiet time, God will speak to me.  Maybe He will speak by giving me insight regarding the passage I just read, or maybe He'll speak through a bird soaring high in the sky.  If I don't let the world distract me, if I don't let my own thoughts distract me, God will speak to my heart with love.

Is that 30-45 minutes of down time really going to prevent me from doing all the things I need to do for the day?  Do I really think that?  It's crazy to think that because I waste at least that much time doing meaningless things all through the day. 

This struggle to have quiet time is spiritual warfare to be sure.  If the enemy is fighting so hard to keep me from it, he must know how powerful it can be.  In quietness and confidence is my strength.  If I want to be strong and powerful throughout the day, I need that quiet time with God.  I refuse to let the enemy steal it away. The (Holy) Spirit who is in me is more powerful than he (the enemy)  who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

I love the verse in Isaiah:  "In quietness and confidence is your strength."   I have experienced that strength that comes from simply sitting in my yard, watching the squirrels scamper around, racing each other from one tree to the next.  I've seen the birds scurrying about as they look for food for their babies.  And when the wind is just right, I love watching them fly overhead, allowing the air to come under their wings and lift them up. They are carried along with no effort on their part.  All they do is just spread their wings wide, trusting God to do the rest.

photo by Tomasz Sienicki

I love the word "soar".  The online Free Dictionary defines it this way:

To rise, fly, or glide high and with little apparent effort.
To climb swiftly or powerfully.
To ascend suddenly above the normal or usual level as in  "Our spirits soared."

What does "soaring" have to do with quiet time?  Well, when I sit quietly in my backyard and wait on God, He sometimes speaks to me, by sending a beautiful bird high over my head, soaring confidently with power and ease.  In that moment of  quiet and peace, I am reminded that just as He gives that beautiful bird the ability to rise above, He will also give me the strength and confidence to rise above my worries and cares, if I simply trust in Him instead of myself. 

Isaiah 40:30-31
Even youths will become weak and tired,

and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

http://youtu.be/mVEvD30e5yc - On Eagle's Wings - Hillsong
 
I hope you can find your quiet time with God today.  I know it's difficult to get away from the noise of this world.  But Jesus found time, and He was so much busier than we are.  Every where He went, He was bombarded with people who needed Him.  How many times do we read that He went off by Himself to pray or to be alone with His Father?  Sometimes, He would wake up early in the morning, while everything was still quiet.  One way or the other, He found time. I need to find time, too. 
 
Quiet time is so important to my relationship with God.  How am I to know what He would have me do if I never really sit still and listen?  I can read a chapter from the Bible every day, but if I'm not being still and truly listening with my heart for what He wants to show me in that passage, I'll miss out on so much. 
 
Isaiah 30:18-21
"But the LORD still waits for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion.  For the LORD is a faithful God.  Blessed are those who wait for Him to help them.
O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more.  He will be gracious if you ask for help.  He will respond instantly to the sound of your cries.  Though the LORD gave you adversity for food and affliction for drink, He will still be with you to teach you.  You will see your teacher with your own eyes, and you will hear a voice say, "This is the way; turn around and walk here."
 
When I try to do things on my own, or when I get caught up in the cares of this world, my Father, who loves me and has compassion on me, will sometimes allow adversity or affliction in my life.  Not because He's mean or wants to punish me, but because He's my Father, and He uses whatever is necessary to draw me back to Him for my sake.  2 Corinthians 12:10b - "when I am weak, then I am strong" becomes real to me. Because when I'm facing difficulties, when I feel overwhelmed by this world; when I realize that I cannot do it alone, that's when I reach for Christ.  In weakness, affliction, adversity, I become strong by trusting in His strength, not my own.
 
When I wait on God, when I sit and listen, Isaiah says I will hear His voice say "This is the way; turn around and walk here."  But if I don't  listen, if I don't make time to be still and quiet before Him, I won't hear what He has for me.
 
Matthew 14:22-23 ESV
Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, ...


Mark 1:35 NLT
The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray. 
 
James 4:8 ESV
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Psalm 46:10 ESV
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Matthew 6:6 ESV
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

http://youtu.be/mZGzu6oI9b4  - I Give You My Heart - Hillsong

Father, my heart's desire is to worship You. Nothing and no one is more important to me than You.
Lord I give You my heart, I give You my soul. I live for You alone. 

Please help me to shut out the distractions for just a few minutes of precious time with You alone.  Just You and me.  Father, open my ears and prepare my heart so that I will see clearly what You have for me today.
Before I get all bogged down in things I need to do, help me draw strength and confidence for the day by spending quiet moments with You.  Nothing matters more than my time with You.
Every breath I take - every moment I'm awake, Lord have Your way with me. Do what You need to do to keep my attention on what is most important.  More than anything, I want this day to honor You.  In the blessed Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

I believe I can fly

Scientists say bumble bees shouldn't be able to fly,
but they do it anyway.





http://youtu.be/UaztLLbY6fs- I believe I can fly - R Kelly

When I put my trust in God, I can do anything He has for
me to do.  I can't do it alone, but I can do it through His
power and strength.





http://youtu.be/qa1hABLMzDE - I Will Lift My Eyes - Bebo Norman

I will lift my eyes to the Maker of the mountains I can't climb.
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer to the oceans raging wild.
I will lift my eyes to the Healer of the hurt I hold inside.
I will lift my eyes to YOU.

MONDAY!  I don't know what this day holds, but I know that whatever I may have to face, I won't have to face it alone.  My God will be with me every second.  He's got my back.  = )

When I consider how powerful and mighty HE is, I feel confident that I can get through this day in victory. Defeat, "can't do it", discouragement... those are words that will not be in my vocabulary today.  Just like the bumble bee which shouldn't be able to fly, I will fly anyway.  I will accomplish what God has for me to do with His Power and Strength.  The only thing I need to do is keep my eyes on the One who holds me in the palm of His Hand; the One who loves me more than anyone on this earth loves me.  He is the keeper of my heart and I can trust Him with everything.

Holy Father, I'm in awe of your amazing creation! There is so much detail and creativity in everything You've made, how can anyone thing it all just happened?  I'm ashamed and embarrassed when I hear anyone trying to leave You out of Your incredible Design. Please forgive them, LORD.  Open their eyes so that they can see You in everything like I do.

For me, Father, I see You everywhere and in everything. I'm overwhelmed with Your power and greatness! 
A flower, a leaf, an insect...A bumble bee that according to scientific minds shouldn't be able to fly, but it does! You're design is beyond our ability to comprehend.
When I look at the night sky, all the twinkling stars, I feel both insignificant and treasured at the same time.  To know that You - Creator of the Universe, Almighty God, LORD of Heaven and Earth - You, Father, call me Your child, Your special possession, that knowledge fills my heart with so much love and comfort. 

You're never too busy for me.  You never forget me.  You never push me aside for something more important. Father, You treat me as if I'm Your only child.  How precious are Your thoughts for me!  I'm greatly loved, and I want to remember that today as I begin a new work week.  Please help me to remember that always.
Where can I go from Your Presence?  Where can I hide that You won't be with me?  I will not fear for I'm never alone.  Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to guide me, to comfort me, to strengthen me, and to remind me just how much I'm loved by You.  Thank You for showing Your amazing love through Christ, my Savior. There are no words to fully express the praise that You deserve.  Please Holy God, hear my heart song for my words fail.  I'm full of gratitude and praise for You. How can possibly thank You or praise You enough?  All I have to offer is a life lived for You.  Help me to live today so that You are glorified in my thoughts, words and actions.  I pray these things in the wonderful Name of Jesus, my Redeemer.  Amen.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.


He will not let your foot slip— He who watches over you will not slumber;


indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.


The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand;


the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.


The LORD will keep you from all harm— He will watch over your life;


 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.


http://youtu.be/oK2LMz5cU6A - Keeper of My Heart - Mercy Me


Nehemiah 9:6
You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest
heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it,
the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything,
and the multitudes of heaven worship you.


1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Here's an excerpt from Paul's letter to the Philippians as translated in the Message.  I think will be my focus for today.  I can do all things through Christ who will give me the strength I need.

Philippians 4:4-14
4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

6-7 Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.


Content Whatever the Circumstances


10-14 I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.



What can I add to that?  Have a blessed day!  Maybe you can go flying!!!

Shalom! - May God provide you with His perfect Peace that surpasses all understanding; May He be Your Provider, Protector, Comforter, Mighty Tower of Strength and Power.  May everything you face today, become insignificant when compared to the glory He has set before you.  You can do all things through Christ who will give us His Strength.


Have a blessed Monday!