Apr10
Mar19
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands!
For the Lord is the Great God…
In His Hands are the Depths of the Earth,
And the Mountain Peaks Belong to Him.
The Sea is His for He made it,
and His hands formed dry land.
Psalm 95: 3-5
When I read the verses above, I had to review them over and over again to try and fully grasp the magnitude of God. Most of us have sung the song, “He’s got the whole world in His hands…,” but have we ever really stopped and thought about the real truth in those words? These verses tell us that He has the depths of the earth in His hands. In other words, the earth and EVERYTHING in the earth are in His hands. The mountains and the sea and dry land belong to Him…He formed it all with His hands. Sometimes my view of God’s greatness is limited to my human capacity to understand His attributes. Even though I may not comprehend the amazing power and wisdom of God, I do know that He also has me in the palm of His hand…He knows my name, and it is carved in the palm of His hand. He knows every intimate detail about me and has known me before I was formed in my mother’s womb. The same God who created the Earth and everything in it, knows me and loves me with his ever-lasting love….truly, “The Lord is the Great God!”
Feb10
Reflections
As Water Reflects a Face,
So a Man’s Heart Reflects the Man.
Proverbs 27:19
This week I attended two Memorial Services on the same day….a first for me. As I sat and listened at both services, I thought about the words which were spoken for each precious soul. Both ladies were wonderful Christian people, and both served God throughout their lives in their own special ways. Each ulogy reflected upon a life of ministry and love. The first service was for a beloved 93-year-old grandmother, whose Homegoing was more of a celebration than a typical funeral. Yes, there were tears, but at the same time, there was rejoicing over the fact that she was in her new Heavenly Home, reunited with loved ones and awaiting the arrival of those left behind. Family members all spoke of the legacies she left for them. Not material possessions, but things that truly matter like character, work ethic, hospitality, perseverance, loyalty and love.
The other service was for a beloved teacher and coach at my sons’ school. Her life cut short by complications of surgery. Though she never had children of her own, the evidence of her love for children was seen in the faces of the hundreds of students who attended her service and in the words of several athletes who spoke of her impact upon their lives. She seemed to be the kind of person who made everyone’s life better, just by knowing her. Although her life ended too soon, her legacy will live on in the students, athletes, family members and friends who were privaledged to know her.
After hearing about the positive imprint these two women have left on so many hearts, I began to think about what impressions I am making on those who are closest to me. What legacy am I leaving for others? What are my heart and my life “Reflecting?” After spending this extraordinary day traveling to attend two funerals, I feel the need to pause and take account of how I am spending my time, what are my priorities, in whom am I “investing,” whose lives am I blessing, and what type of “inheritance” am I leaving for those around me? Our days are numbered, and we have no guarantee of living a long, full life. I hope to be making every day count and fulfilling the purposes to which I am called. I hope to be “reflecting” things from my heart and life that will make other lives better for having known me.
Jan16
Wonderfully Made
Psalm 139:13-16
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
God knew you before you were even formed in your mother’s womb…
He knew His plans for your life from the beginning of time…
He knew everything about every day you would live…
He alone knows you intimately and completely.
Seek Him for the answers to whatever you are searching for.
Ask Him for His vision upon your life…
Ask Him to point the direction in which you should go…
Be still and Listen for His answer.
Turn to Him for the solutions to your problems…
Read His word and “hear” Him speak to you from the living scriptures.
He loved you from the beginning of time…
and He will Love you FOREVER.
You are His design…wonderfully made!
God's Art
Jan14
Blessing of Peace
Peace on Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe
“The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face shine upon you
and be Gracious to you.
The Lord turn His face toward you
and give you Peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
While reading this beautiful blessing, I felt the overwhelming urge to pray this as a prayer for all my friends and family. What more could I pray for others than these simple, yet powerful intersessions?
No matter what is happening in the lives of others, this prayer would apply to all.
Basically the prayer asks the following precious requests of the Lord for others:
That the Lord…
1 Bless them
2. Keep Them
3. Make His face SHINE upon them
4. Be Gracious to them
5. Turn His face toward them
6. Grant them PEACE.
When reading these verses, I envision being held in our Father’s arms, as though He were cradling His child. His FACE is TURNED and looking toward His loved one and SHINING the comforting, soothing warmth of His intent gaze upon His own. In that spot He KEEPS us close to His heart and BLESSES us with His love and GRACIOUSNESS. As we focus on Him and His love, we relax in His embrace allowing His PEACE to flood our souls and wash away any traces of fear, pain, heartache, worry or discord. What a BLESSING!!
May the Lord grant you this beautiful blessing of PEACE!!
Jan9
Perfect Peace for the New Year
You Will Keep in
Perfect Peace
All
Who Trust in You,
All
Whose Thoughts are Fixed on You!
Isaiah 26:3
The thought of “Perfect Peace” is so appealing to me. I want Perfect Peace in my life…Not just plain peace…PERFECT peace! I long for that feeling daily. This verse tells me exactly how I can continually stay in the state of blissful contentment. There are two simple steps that I must remember. In fact, I plan to use them as my New Year’s Resolutions:
1. Trust God completely.
2 Fix my thoughts upon Him.
Why is it that I allow doubts to shadow my trust in Him? Why do I allow my thoughts to run in every direction except toward the One who knows my whole story and has my very best interest in mind? I pray that the year of 2009 will be one of Perfect Peace for me. Whatever events may be happening in my life, I will focus on the Prince of Peace and trust Him to lead me in the path of His light and to flood my soul with flawless serenity. I pray that others will join me in this simple plan for perfect peace.
Jan1
Let the New Begin…
Colors of Hope
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a New Creation.
The Old Life is Gone.
A New Life Has Begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Peace and Blessings to you as you begin ths NEW YEAR!!!
Oct11
Trust God Alone…
“Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men who cannot save…”
Psalm 146:3
In the midst of our presidential election, it seems we have become caught up in thinking that one candidate or the other will solve all the problems for our country. We think that if our candidate doesn’t win in November, our hope is lost. No matter how our outward circumstances look, we should never look to a leader (man) as our ‘savior.’ Trust in God alone. He is the only SAVIOR your life (and our country) will ever need. Turn to Him and He will be your fortress and your rock. He will also bring you peace and comfort, hope and joy. He promises to be our “ever present help in times of trouble.”
Trust Him Alone!
Sep30
Peace and Prosperity…
Submit to God, and you will have peace;
then prosperity will come to you.
Listen to His instructions and store them in your heart.
The Almighty Himself will be your Treasure
Job 22:21-25
Sep30
Have Faith…
I can do ALL things
though Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
everyday encouragement 