25 November 2012

Faithful God ...


Ever feel like you just don’t know what to pray?

It is actually a very common occurrence and one that should not evoke fear or frustration. There can be peace even in those times when words escape us. For, there is a moment when our very thoughts become the prayers that ascend into heaven.

He cares for us and for that which concerns us – 
(see Psalm 138:8 and I Peter 5:7)

Further, He does not just care for that which we can articulate or that which we can eloquently present as a petition before Him. He cares for the things that flood our mind and hearts, our souls and spirits.

This is my favorite time of year. Yet, I realize that it is not for many people. Whether it is anxiety about buying gifts that exceed the budget, painful memories that get conjured up from family gatherings, anger over reunions that still have not taken place or the disappointment of nearing the end of another year with still unrealized dreams – there are countless situations which can trouble the mind and stifle our prayers.

However, there is not one circumstance which escapes the attention of the LORD God Almighty

Even when we think we are handling everything fine, He knows how we are truly doing.

A couple of weeks ago I had a dream. I was on a bridge trying to get somewhere. But as I crossed the bridge and came to the end of it, I could see where the river had transcended the banks and everything, everywhere was flooded. As I wondered how I would get to where I needed to go, a path appeared in the flood waters. And I thought, ‘That makes no sense, why aren’t the flood waters covering the path? If I step down there, I’ll drown.’ But then I did actually take a step, and another, and another and the floodwaters could not cross the boundaries of that miraculous path that ‘appeared out of nowhere’. Then I woke up. 

Now, I did not need a dream interpreter for that one. 

However I had tried to convince myself that nothing was bothering me, subconsciously, there were floods of situations that I felt like were waiting to consume me. Yet, even in my dreams, God demonstrated His faithfulness in supplying a way through the floodwaters.

Notice – the flood did not go away. He simply made a way of passage through the troubling waters.

He knows our conscious contemplations and our subconscious uncertainties.
He hears our vocalized prayers and our silent ponderings.
He understands that the audible cry for help and the streaming tear say the exact same thing ... 'I need You!'
And He is faithful to address every need.

I don’t know what waters you will face in the coming weeks –

But I know there is a Faithful God who hears and cares and moves on your behalf – who says, ‘Trust Me’ and assures you:

"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown ...” Is. 43:2

Praying you have an abundantly blessed week …

24 November 2012

the most wonderful time ...


It’s The Holiday Season!

I love this time of year ….

With the exception of ‘Black Friday’, people are generally a little nicer, more giving, more patient and more loving. It is absolutely great!

I had a peaceful and enjoyable Thanksgiving Dinner with my sons and my mom. It was a little different this year – with two vegetarians this year, I had to get creative at meal time. Yet, all in all, it turned out very well.
Right now, I am sitting in my living room …

The tree is up! 
     
And sweet little Chico has found a way to nestle himself – blanket and all – behind the tree. Unfortunately, the only picture available is of his back side ... and I didn't think you would want to see that this morning. So you'll just have to imagine him curled up in a ball in that back corner. 

My sole aim for today and tomorrow – continue enjoying my five-day weekend. It is good to be with my sons and just relax.  And it's good to be able to just sit and pray and read at my leisure. Oh, and I can't forget all the mushy romantic holiday movies that have started to show. Just love the simple pleasures of life … 

Praying you have an equally blessed day!

07 November 2012

Hosanna!

Heavenly Father,

I thank You that You are the same,
Yesterday, today and forevermore,
Worthy of honor and glory and praise

I thank You that You are a God of reconciliation - sons to fathers, brothers to sisters, and most important, that you reconcile fragile vessels such as we are ...  to You, our LORD and King.

I thank You that Your ways are not our ways, that Your thoughts are not our thoughts and that Your wisdom far exceeds our own.

You, O LORD, are perfect in all Your ways, faithful and true.

I praise You and exalt Your name!


Hosanna by Israel Houghton


Hosanna
In the highest
Let our King be lifted up
Hosanna
 

'Jesus replied, "My Father is always working, and so am I."'
John 5:17


"For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed."
Malachi 3:6
 
“ Worthy are You, our Lord and our God,
to receive glory and honor and power;
for You created all things,
and because of Your will they existed,
and were created.”
Revelation 4:11
 
“ Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”  Revelation 5:12 
 

06 November 2012

His Promise ...

‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land
     And streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring
     And My blessing on your descendants.'

                                                                Isaiah 44:3

01 November 2012

a beautiful exchange


Isaiah 53

Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment,
And who will declare His generation?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
And they made His grave with the wicked—
But with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.
11 He shall see the labor of His soul,and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,
And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
Because He poured out His soul unto death,
And He was numbered with the transgressors,
And He bore the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors.


A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong United