Presence of Peace

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

Jehovah-Shalom 

The LORD is peace …

The LORD who is the embodiment of peace,

     He gives us a special gift -

He gives us the gift of peace, the gift of Himself 

Throughout history, there have been many who have strived for peace. Yet, there has only ever been One who actually is peace.

And that One promises to never leave you or forsake you.

That is a comforting thought …

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 14:27 NLT

Presence of Stillness

BE STILL

‘Be still and know that I AM God …’

‘Be still and know that I am God …’

‘Be still, and know that I am GOD …’ 

                                          Psalm 46:10

Be Still …

Be Still …

‘He says,”Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”’ Psalm 46:10

Being still -

It is easier to say than it is to actually do

Our nature as humans is to ‘be active’

Often, we much more ‘humans doing’ than ‘human beings’

Activity is not a bad thing - but it may not always be the best thing

‘Being active and doing’ can indicate and be rooted in self-reliance

Whereas ‘being still and waiting’ can point toward a complete reliance upon God … especially when everything within and outside is screaming at you to be bold and take action

Please do not misunderstand me - there are times when that is the prescription for the day. However, there are days when He simply says,

“Be still and know that I AM GOD”

And those moments require a complete trust in Him - even when everything we see contradicts what He said … what He promised

Those moments require us to ‘walk by faith and not by sight’

Now you might say, ‘but, ‘walking by faith’ is still activity

And you would be correct

But, I would add that ‘being still’ is not complete inactivity 

No, ‘being still’ is actively taking God at His Word - and trusting 

I have a daily devotional which I have read every year for past sixteen years - Streams in the Desert

I would highly recommend picking up a copy

In any event, my reading this morning touched on this subject, including  the following poem:

O troubled soul, beneath the rod,
Thy Father speaks, be still, be still;
Learn to be silent unto God,
And let Him mould thee to His will.

O praying soul, be still, be still,
He cannot break His plighted Word;
Sink down into His blessed will,
And wait in patience on the Lord.

O waiting soul, be still, be strong,
And though He tarry, trust and wait;
Doubt not, He will not wait too long,
Fear not, He will not come too late.

-end

Powerful!

The progression from troubled, to praying, to waiting - 

     Waiting with confident expectation 

May you be blessed with the peace to trust

And reassurance to wait with confident expectation 

Have a Blessed Day!

TRUST

Here we are in the homestretch of 2020 –

I pray and trust that all is going well with you as this year winds down

Yes – there are still two more days...

One day and a wake up as we used to say when I was a military spouse

But – we are almost there and it has been quite a journey, this 2020 year

There were some expected occurrences, and many more which took me completely by surprise

Yet – as I went to sleep last night, and arose this morning, one word has been on my heart and mind: TRUST

At the beginning of this year, I wrote a post titled ‘2020: New, New Year’s Resolution’

In that post I wrote about how resolutions do not have to focus on removing something negative; but that it could center on maintaining & increasing something positive … continuing to do what proved useful and faithful:

If you placed & found your trust in the LORD in 2020 –

                Resolve to CONTINUE TRUSTING IN THE LORD

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him” Jeremiah 17:7

 

If you clung to your hope in the LORD in 2020 –

                Resolve to CONTINUE HOPING IN THE LORD

“For You, O LORD are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth” Psalm 71:5

 

If you found strength in the LORD in 2020 –

                Resolve to CONTINUE RELYING ON THAT STRENGTH

“ Those who trust in the LORD, will renew their strength; they shall rise up on wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

 

We may not always understand the ways of the LORD –

It is difficult for us to comprehend how He is working in certain situations,

            Why He is allowing them to occur

But, if I have learned nothing else in almost 35-years of following Him, I have learned this:

He is faithful and can be TRUSTED

He is completely TRUSTWORTHY

He is worthy of my TRUST, He is worthy of our TRUST

 

‘Not one of all of the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled.’ Joshua 21:45

 

This is a cause for celebration – not just for nation of Israel but for us all:

You see, ‘The LORD is no respecter of persons …’  [Romans 2:11]

What He has done for one, He is well able to do for another

And, when it comes to the subject of the LORD making promises;

            He will always do, for all, what He has promised He will do

For, ‘God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?’ Numbers 23:19

 

This morning –

My only encouragement is that you TRUST THE LORD –

He will not fail you!

I am praying that you will experience tangible instances of His presence, protection and favor

 

Have a Blessed Day!

‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.’

Proverbs 3:5-6

WSR REPORT: CAST THOSE CARES

Hello Friends …

I pray all is going well for you this Saturday afternoon

Today has been a beautiful day –

The temperature has been perfect,

And I have had this overwhelming feeling of calmness all day

There is a song I have been listening to all week –

The song is ‘Always Faithful’ by Bethel

This song has been resonating somewhere deep inside

The song talks about how:

‘I sought the LORD and heard me,

‘I sought the LORD and heard my cry,

‘I sought the LORD and He heard my cry, and He answered me’

I cry every time I hear it …

I keep reflecting on His goodness … how good He has been to me

His goodness is nothing new … neither is my thankfulness for it

However, there are times when you are so much more aware –

It is like all your senses are turned up to a thousand

‘Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you’ I Peter 5:7

This verse –

It has taken on an entirely next-level degree of significance in my life,

Especially during this season of my life

This is probably one of the shorter posts that I’ll write

                I tend to be a bit long-winded …

I just want to encourage you this evening –

Cast those cares on Him – it’s all about trust

His shoulders are broad enough

He has no rival, He has no equal …

He has inscribed you on the palms of His hands

He cannot forget you … He will not fail you!

There is NO ONE like the LORD God Almighty!

There truly is no place you can go where He will not meet you

There is no place you can go where He will not chase after you

He’s faithful!

I pray you will have a peace-filled evening …

God Bless & Stay Safe

leap of faith ...

Happy Saturday!

It is the last day of February –

Bringing to a close  our focus on love.

I am actually not quite sure where my time went today

The days come and go;

The weekend comes … the weekend goes

However, it has been a relatively good day – following a rough evening.

Last night, out of nowhere, I had a full on anxiety attack

It made me so ill, that all I could do was lie down, to try to calm down

But eventually, I fell asleep ...

And today – well today is a new day

Today is Leap Day … the reason 2020 is a Leap Year

Today is also my Aunt Julia’s birthday;

I always remember her birthday because it falls on February 29^th

This day, the 29^th of February, will not occur on the calendar again

For another four years        

This day, the 29^th of February 2020, will not occur again – ever

There is an old Irish tradition that if a woman makes a proposal on February 29^th

                It must be accepted

The idea was that of a single woman asking a man for his hand

However, I will accept that any proposal made by a lady this day, will be honored.

Therefore, in view of my night last night –

and sensitive the plight of so many who must confront anxiety from time to time

I would like to make the following proposal:

‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

                And do not lean on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths’

                                                                                              Proverb 3:5-6

‘Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

                Nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

                Nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at your side,

                Though ten thousand are dying around you,

                These evils will not touch you’

                                                               Psalm 91:5-7

We cannot always control the feelings which come upon us,

But we can control whether we will allow them to control us.

Last night, recognizing what was happening, I went to lie down;

I played some Christ-centered music & I quoted some scripture,

‘Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 3:12-14

Eventually I fell asleep last night – the LORD granted me rest 

The LORD grants His beloved rest;

He is Jehovah-Shalom, our Peace.

So take a leap of courage, a leap of hope, a leap of faith

                With God, every day, moment-by-moment

God is our refuge and strength – in a leap year and every year

Have a Blessed Evening!

LOVE 2020: LOVE COVERS

Good Evening Friends!

Happy Monday!

I am excited this evening … because  …

We are on day three of February –

And I am 3:3 with our series!

No –  I am not crazy 

BUT

Yes – that is how yesterday’s post was supposed to begin

However, a ‘quick snack’ and a severe allergic reaction later and .. well, you get the idea

SO – here we are:

Happy Tuesday!

I pray your week is off to a great start and that you are ready to continue our journey:

TODAY –

We are talking about LOVE THAT COVERS

At several points yesterday [and over the past couple of days],

The following verse has popped into my mind a few times:

‘Love covers a multitude of sins…’ I Peter 4:8

The Greek word for sins in that verse is – ἁμαρτία 

And, while it has several definitions, I like the highlighted one below:

‘To miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor; to do or go wrong’

NOW – we are all familiar with the ‘doing wrong’;

It part of the sin-filled fallen nature of man

HOWEVER – today, I would like to spend a moment on the ‘going wrong’ portion

Which can still be a part of our sin nature;

But, which can also just be a part of life.

Sometimes life is like that isn’t it?

There are times when it feels like all the right efforts

still have you going the wrong way.

BUT, SOMETIMES – even the ‘wrong’ path can take you to the right location

Even when we go the wrong way – perhaps not intentionally – He is there

Even when we go the wrong way on purpose, and we turn back repentant – 

He is still present & waiting for us, seeking us out & running toward us,

His love covering us and the multitude of situations we find ourselves in,

Working ALL things together for the good.

Indeed, He works things together so well, it looks like it was part of the original plan

He is always with us;

His love is ever-present;

His love is ever-working, always covering

He loves you [and me] with an ever-lasting love

It still amazes me every time I truly stop and take time to meditate on that truth

And, as I pondered the roads I have traveled,

He spoke to my spirit this past weekend –

And here is what I heard:

“I work all things together for your good and for My glory;

The right things and the wrong things,

The times when you hit it spot on and the times when you miss the mark completely

The beautiful and the ugly

The pleasant and the not-so-pleasant

I am there working in all of it, loving you through all of it,

Working it all together for your good and for My glory”

That is a LOVE THAT COVERS!

I’m tearing-up just thinking about it

No matter how it may seem, or how you may feel;

HIS LOVE COVERS ALL

‘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’ Psalm 139:10

SO BEAUTIFUL!

I pray – tonight and the rest of the this week – that you would realize

                Just how very much YOU ARE LOVED!

Have a good evening …

God Bless & Much Love  

2020: HE'S FAITHFUL

Hi There!

I pray your weekend has gone well

And hope you are enjoying a relaxing evening –

My weekend has been just what I desired – a time of rest, reflection and relaxation

That is why I would take a quick moment to share something from my devotional this week

Earlier today, I was spending some time with my eldest son

And, I was sharing with him about some thoughts that have been  present lately

I have been thinking about this life-journey – with all of its twists and turns

In all that thinking, I thought about the countless challenges we have faced

And I shared with my son, how thankful I am and how truly blessed we have been

                In spite of all the challenges

There is something about taking the time to TRULY consider how things could have been

Indeed, when most people start to engage in those kinds of thoughts,

                They think about how things could have been better ‘If I only I had …’

During this time of year, it is easy to get caught reflecting … but not in a good way

Well this weekend, I have been reflecting on the blessings of the LORD

I look at my sons – and I say ‘I am blessed’

I stand on my feet in the morning – and I say ‘I am blessed’

I lie my head down at night under the roof of my home – and I say ‘I am blessed’

Please do not misunderstand, things are not perfect - not by any stretch of the imagination

I could focus on the negative and difficult situations

However, I choose not to focus and dwell upon those things

I choose instead to focus on the goodness and faithfulness of God.

Even as I wait …

Even as I work toward and eagerly await the manifestation of many things –

some things I have been believing for a while –  

I am confident because I have His promise.

Yes, I can boldly proclaim like David:

‘I rejoice in Your promise as one who finds great spoil’ Psalm 119:162

The New Living Translation says, ‘I rejoice in Your word like one who finds great treasure’

I rejoice in His promise –

Because His word is better than a treasure chest filled with gold

Because His word is richer than a mine filled with diamonds

It never diminishes and value and can never be stolen away.

‘God is not a man that He should lie, not a human being that He should change His mind? Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?’ Numbers 23:19

His entire reputation rests on His faithfulness to His word, on the truth of His word

As such, ‘He esteems His Word above His Name’ [Ps. 138:2]

And we know there is not a single word that proceeds from His mouth that returns void;

No, it goes forth and accomplishes that for which it was sent [Is. 55:11]

Be encouraged tonight –

If you have a promise from the LORD, you already have everything you need

When He freely and generously promises, He is guaranteed to faithfully fulfill the same

HE IS SUCH A FAITHFUL GOD & A LOVING FATHER

HE’S GOT THIS … AND HE’S GOT YOU!

Have a Blessed Evening &

A Fabulous Week!

THANKS GIVING 2019: IDENTITY

Good Evening Friends!

I pray you had a great day –

It is COLD AND RAINY here in Virginia Beach

AND –

Days like this … they get me in a reflective mood

I do not know the precise reason

Perhaps it is because there is not much more you want to do when the weather is YUCKY

In any event – it got me thinking about one of my favorite children’s movies: MOANA

It is a Disney film about a young girl named Moana who has been chosen to help her people. Their island is dying. And, as part of this mission, she has to engage the assistance of a demi-god named Maui

That part aside, it is an interesting little film –

                It is one of those movies that I stop and watch every time I see it

AND – there is one part in particular which resonates with me for some reason

Facing challenges in their quest and dealing with Maui wanting to abandon the mission and literally jump ship [or raft/canoe], Moana reminds Maui ‘We’re only here because you stole the heart [of Te Fiti] in the first place’ – to which Maui responds, ‘No we’re here because the ocean told you, you were special and you believed it.’

THEN –  sounding every bit like she is attempting to convince herself and Maui, Moana declares:

“The ocean chose me!"

AND THEN – Maui, offering one last quip before he leaves, states, ‘The ocean chose wrong.’

NOW –

I will not go through the entire movie because that scene right there is what got me thinking tonight.

AND –

I started thinking about myself – 

And then I started thinking about all the other people out in this great big world tonight.

So what does this have to do with thanks giving and the subject of identity?

IDENTITY IS CRUCIAL – AND SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR

‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone; behold, the new has come!’ II Cor. 5:17

Yet, people will always attempt to flip the script on you –

to even blame you for things they have done;

or to project their issues upon you.

Earlier on in that movie, Maui tells Moana that he was not born a demi-god; that he was tossed into the water [discarded like unwanted garbage] by his human parents – and that he was plucked from the ocean. However, rather than focusing on the fact that he was rescued from a certain death-sentence, he continued to struggle with his own identity – and projected his issues upon Moana.

This is what happens to men and women everyday

BUT – DO NOT EVER allow someone else’s tainted self-image define who you are

Who you are with does not define who you are

What your enemies, family friends & associates say does not define who you are

Where you have been does not define who you are

Where you are presently does not define who you are

Where you are going does not even define who you are

NONE OF THAT DEFINES WHO YOU ARE

WHO THE LORD IS DEFINES WHO YOU ARE

THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY – 

                and your relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, 

                empowered by His Holy Spirit – THIS IS WHAT DEFINES YOU

BE CAREFUL who you allow to speak into your life and who you listen to –

                They are likely struggling with their own demons

Choose to listen instead to the voice of the LORD –

Which lovingly speaks to each and every one of us, reminding us:

‘Before I formed you in your mother’s womb – I knew you;

before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you ….’ Jeremiah 1:5

In that verse, the LORD is speaking to Jeremiah and reminding him that He chose him and appointed him a prophet. Now, we are not all destined or appointed to be prophets. However, we are all chosen and appointed.

UNDERSTAND – that the area or subject that gets you fired up and causes a righteous indignation to arise within your heart … is likely the precise area where you have been ANOINTED AND APPOINTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Your battle to maintain your identity has a MUCH BROADER IMPACT BEYOND YOUR LIFE.

There are people who have experienced victory – BECAUSE OF YOU

There are people who find strength for another day – BECAUSE YOU ARE ALIVE

There are people you have not even met yet,

who will be IMPACTED FOR ETERNITY – ALL BECAUSE OF YOU

If you have to tell yourself [and your audience] everyday who you are – 

YOU DO JUST THAT

BUT –

DON’T YOU EVER GIVE UP, DON’T GIVE IN & DO NOT FORGET WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST!

Praying you have an incredibly blessed evening –

Stay warm … and dry … 

FULLY AWARE OF WHO YOU ARE & THANKFUL FOR THAT IDENTITY

Blessings & Much Love in Christ!

THANKS GIVING 2019: OUR VETERANS

Happy Monday!

I pray your week is off to a great start;

And there is no better way to start the week –

   than to acknowledge our service men and women for all they do

Today is Veteran’s Day

HOWEVER –  I hold a special place in my heart for our military at all times

I love my country and I love and appreciate those who serve [and have served] selflessly

Being a former military spouse, I know that service comes at a cost

In my post on Memorial Day earlier this year, I noted some of those cost – which often go unseen:

§  There are also those, who live among us, who have also sacrificed their lives
 §  There are those who may not have experienced a loss of physical life;
§  Yet, they are the ones who have suffered the loss of a way of life which they held dear,
§  A life which was compromised while they selflessly served [and still serve] this country.
 §  There are those who have experienced the death of relationships –§  Those who have suffered the painful demise of a marriage … while they served.
§  There are those who have endured the loss of a loved one –§  Where they could not be present because they were off serving this country on foreign soil.
§  There are those who have experienced the loss of a life which they knew –§  Those who have lost health and wealth while serving or upon returning from service to this country
§  There are those who have cried tears that only they and God know about –§  Those who deal with the ongoing emotional trauma of having served.

I am so thankful for those give their all every day –

So that we may enjoy the freedoms we experience on a daily basis.

Today, I honor and celebrate all service members [and their loved ones and families]

I humbly and gratefully say …

Happy Veteran's Day and God Bless!

NO REGRETS ...

Good Evening … Again …. Friends …

So earlier today, I wrote about how – even as a friend of Jesus – you can face dark places

I shared some of the concern that I had heading into the Mother’s Day Weekend.

However, I have to say that I was PLEASANTLY SURPRISED!

I went to church in the morning –

Heard my Pastor preach an amazing message on ‘The Power to Get Back up’

SO – AFTER CHURCH …

I had a FABULOUS breakfast made by my oldest son ‘Eggs-Benedict’ … AMAZING!!!!

And then He and I went to go see my Mom.

I was nervous and a bit sad because things have just not been the same since … ALZHEIMER’s

HOWEVER –  All my fears were for naught

We had an absolutely amazing visit with my mom!

She knew who my son was [which she ALWAYS does] …

But she knew who I was as well … BEST MOTHER’S DAY PRESENT EVER!!!

I was even able to show her a picture of my Aunt Mae … her favorite & only remaining sibling

SHE WAS SO EXCITED!!! Her face just lit up as she grabbed the phone from my hand and proceeded to talk at the picture of my aunt, ‘My sister, my sweet sister … I miss you so much and I love you!’

I was ABSOLUTELY TICKLED!!!

And as we concluded our visit, I said, ‘MumMum … I love you!’

And she responded, ‘I love you MORE!’  Just like she always did …

So I went my way … stopped at the SPCA to look at some adorable puppies and then to enjoy the remainder of my Mother’s Day.

THEN – AT 9:53PM MY PHONE RANG

“This is Mary [one of the nurses from my mom’s nursing home], your mom, Ms. Sereta was having trouble breathing and we have called an ambulance and she’s been taken to the hospital.”

So, I told my youngest son and bolted out the door. 

We had just did this same thing LAST MONTH! When I got there, they had her on a BiPAP oxygen machine, had nitro-patch on her chest [her systolic was 196 when she got there] and her lungs were filled with fluid. Already suffering from congestive heart failure and renal failure, she was experiencing a hypertensive crises and respiratory distress.

 Around about midnight, I got a text message from my middle son asking how she was doing.

Now, you have to understand that he has not seen my mom in two years.

The last time he saw her, she was ICU and they were asking us to make a decision about taking her off of life-support. So, we had called all the grandchildren up to the hospital to say goodbye.

NOW – she obviously survived that episode. However, my middle son has not been able to bring himself to visit again her since then ... NOT UNTIL LAST NIGHT/THIS MORNING. 

He wanted – as best he could – to remember her as she was before … the Nana that lived in my home with my sons and I for over fifteen years … the Nana who used to get on the floor with them and act crazy. That is why him coming to the hospital this morning WAS HUGE!

HE HAD TO FACE HIS FEARS and the sure pain he would experience seeing her, not only in her diminished capacity because of Alzheimer’s, but even more fragile due to the numerous issues that landed her in the ER last night.

BUT HE DID IT … AND I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE PROUD OF HIM

You see, he is my child that puts on the strongest face of all my sons. He is a lot like his mom.

Yet, he is actually a very caring person under that SUPREMELY TOUGH [AND OFTEN TIMES CYNICAL] EXTERIOR. 

AND – when he got to the hospital, wouldn’t you know … SHE KNEW WHO HE WAS! And her first comment after acknowledging him was, ‘I HAVEN’T SEEN YOU IN A WHILE!!!’

I LOVE HER!!! SHE IS SO FEISTY!

He stayed with me until after 3AM – until they got her situated in her room in ICU

SO WHY SHARE THIS TONIGHT?

Because I believe there are some people who fall in the category of my last post:

FRIENDS OF JESUS FACING SOMETIMES DARK PLACES

But, there are also some people who fall in the category with my middle son:

INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE TASKED WITH FACING THEIR FEARS AND CHOOSING TO STEP … FORWARD ... IN FAITH

While this morning was extremely difficult for my son, 

HE WILL NOT LIVE WITH REGRETS

He will not live/exist wishing that he had seen her one last time, wishing he had said ‘I love you’ one last time AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY he will not have to live with the regret of letting his fears control his present and future. He faced that challenge head-on. So, whatever happens with my mom [whenever it happens], I know he will be alright.

BE ENCOURAGED TONIGHT –

No matter what your today may look like …

No matter what you have been avoiding up until this point …

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE DECISIONS WHICH WILL CHANGE YOUR PRESENT AND FUTURE

THE HARDEST PART IS MAKING SHIFT IN YOUR THINKING.

DO NOT BE CONTROLLED BY FEAR

DO NOT LET FEAR OF WHAT MIGHT/MIGHT NOT HAPPEN ROB YOU OF JOY TODAY

STEP OUT IN FAITH ... NO REGRETS!

Praying You Have a Blessed Evening!