Glory! Glory!

“being confident of this, that He Who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6

“The One Who calls you is faithful and He will do it.”  1 Thessalonians 5:24

Your glory, Your power and Your Presence, have been so evident, Lord, as You have worked in and through all recent things in our lives.  Things like….

After 4 years, 3 months and 4 days You sold the home You gave us in  Montgomery.

3 months, 3 weeks and 2 days later You enabled us to close, not only on our house in Montgomery but also the new house You have given us in Benton.  

In only a little over 4 hours today the packing team of 8-10 men from our movers packed our entire house for our move to Benton.  

In the next 2 days You will have our earthly possessions put on a moving van and by mid-January You will have it all delivered to our new home in Benton.  

You have provided a couple in Benton who will be able to do some wallpaper removal and painting at our new home in Benton, some of which will be done before our possessions arrive.  

You have given our Allison some pain relief from her car accident.  

You have given our Ericka a new place to live that is just where You want her to be right now.  

You have made my Daddy’s heart sing as he awaits the soon-to-be homecoming of his second daughter and her sweet husband.  My heart is full as I thank You and praise You for taking me back to spend precious time with my Daddy before You take him Home.  What an indescribable blessing. 

All these things and so many more have Your handprints all over them, Lord.  It is an awe-inspiring thing to watch You work Your great and mighty acts at any time, but it is especially humbling and amazing when You do it for me and my family.  All I can do is kneel before You and try to find the words to say “thank You”.  It is all so overwhelmingly glorious.  All done for this piece of dust of Yours.  Glory!  Glory!

A Second

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”  James 4:14-15

A series of events, Lord, has caused me to remember once again that life is fleeting.  A football game lost in the last one second of the game… the death of a 40-year old actor in a car accident… and the death of a friend’s close friend.  James says it so clearly.  Our lives are but a mist that is here for a while, then gone.  What a sobering and humbling Truth.  

Yet, Lord, what I glean from this reminder is the deeper understanding that all our days are numbered and ordained by You before one of them ever comes to be.  (Psalm 139:16)  Even more sobering and humbling.

So now it grows more imperative to me that I follow You with all my heart and go wherever You lead me.  I do not want to get to the end of my life and realize that my disobedience has robbed You of any glory You would have received if I had followed You obediently.  I am forgiven, I know, but my heart’s desire is to be all you would have me to be, do whatever You have for me to do and go wherever You take me.  The thought of doing anything else grieves my soul. 

Up and away with You again, Lord, so that I may be Your instrument of peace and grace as You live and work through me.  What a privilege… a sobering and humbling privilege.  Praise You.

The Wisdom Of Waiting

You and Your Word, Lord, are my only true comfort as we continue to wait for those things You have promised to do.  While the wisdom of waiting shines through, it is still a challenge to wait for those things.  Of late, though, You have shown me that the gift in my health will not resolve my health problems but will intensify them.  Waiting becomes easier since You gave me that understanding from Your Word, as does a deeper dependence on You, You Word and Your grace.  Yes, there is wisdom in waiting on You.  You always know best.    

“Moses answered them, “Wait until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you.”  Numbers 9:8

“Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled…”  Ruth 3:18 

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”  Psalm 27:14

“We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.”  Psalm 33:20 

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”  Psalm 37:7

“I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands.”  Psalm 119:166 

“I will wait for the LORD, Who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob.  I will put my trust in him.”  Isaiah 8:17 

“It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”  Lamentations 3:26

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.  Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”  Habakkuk 2:3 

“On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which You have heard me speak about.”  Acts 1:4

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”  Romans 8:25

“The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.”  Luke 3:15 

“And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.”  Hebrews 6:15

One More Time

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”  1 John 3:16

My Savior’s Love

My Savior’s love is never-ending,

Steadfast, faithful, true.

He gave His life so I could live

Forever in His tending.  

Upon the cross He bled and died

For all my sins and failings. 

Forgiveness, healing all for me,

His sacrifice unending.

Forever will I serve Him now

To share His love and light. 

His mercy, grace, peace and hope,

Offered without price.

He beckons all who will come, 

The fullness of His love.

A humbled heart is His desire,

Surrendered to Him above.

Poetry

“For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our Guide even to the end.”  Psalm 48:14

I never dreamed, Lord, that You would write a poem through me.  Yet You did that very thing this afternoon.  It surely describes the times in which I walk these days.  May You be greatly and mightily glorified through it.  

Amidst It All

Amidst it all the Lord has blessed

My every step and way. 

Alone He leads and daily guides

This journey that I take. 

At His side I am secure.

His loving hands uphold me.

As I surrender to His all, 

I follow where He leads me. 

’Tis to His glory as we go.

His gentle hands sustain me.

Every twist and every turn

I bow to His command. 

So, by His grace, I carry on 

To follow where He leads.

He daily fills my heart’s desire 

To seek and love Him more. 

All praise and honor, thanksgiving and rejoicing

To Him I will earnestly give. 

He is my Lord, my Savior, my All, 

My every reason to live. 

Absence

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:37-39

I didn’t mean to stay away from the blog for this long, Lord.  I really didn’t.  But things have been so chaotic for so long around here that it was easy to simply ignore it.  I’m back and desire to write as You lead and guide me.  Thank You for showing me the way you want me to go concerning the blog You have given me.  

The challenges of our lives continue to grow in number and intensity.  There is little or no way that we can do anything to change these challenges.  A very humbling place to be.  Sometimes frustrating, sometimes numbing.  Always a place where You must be our Refuge, Fortress and Deliverer.  We must wait on You to show Yourself strong to bring resolution to the many complications and challenges in our lives right now.  You are more than able to lead us to Your higher rock and You will do this, but You will do all these things in Your perfect way and in Your perfect timing.  In the mean time You are changing and conforming us more into the image of Your Son…. all to Your greatest glory.  You are working in great and mighty ways.  We eagerly await Your resolution… by Your all-sufficient grace.  Praise You from Whom all blessings flow.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

Changes

“My times are in Your hand.”  Psalm 31:15

My e-mail today to those who need to know, Lord....

“For some time I have been having a lot more trouble when I drive our car/van.  I kept telling myself that it was okay and that it was still safe for me to do so.  Well, yesterday changed all of that.  I almost had a very, very bad car accident that could have ended tragically.  Thankfully the accident did not even take place, but it was a miracle that it did not.  The accident would definitely have been caused by me.  Since then I have had to pray and think hard about whether or not I could safely continue driving.  As I prayed and thought things through, it became very evident that it is no longer safe for me to drive a vehicle... not for me and not for others on the road.  As of today I am hanging up my car keys and will no longer be driving for my own safety as well as the safety of others.  It is time.  While I would love to be able to drive again one day, the bottom line is this.  Unless a doctor finds the real reason for these neurological problems that continue to adversely keep progressing and find a treatment that would heal or reverse things, I will not drive again for the remainder of my life.  It simply is not safe.  

Also I am going to start using a walking stick (think hikers) whenever I have to walk by myself.  Anytime we are away from home, Mike and I hold hands to stabilize me, however, lately, that is not helping nearly as much as in the recent past.  I have stumbled and fallen twice.  It is no longer safe anymore to try to walk by myself without assistance of some kind. 

My many cognitive impairments have also worsened as have my vision (not fixable by glasses, etc.) and the use of my hands.  I have had to completely give up my sewing and have donated my machines, fabrics, accessories and notions to a church sewing ministry that will use them to help children and others.  I believe I can still crochet (and knit dishrags) for now since they don't require fine motor coordination, but I have not tried them lately.  I am hoping to try them again very soon.  

Life has changed for me in dramatic ways recently, but I am absolutely certain that the Lord will carry me through these and other changes when they occur.  The way will be challenging and sometimes frustrating, but He will never leave nor forsake me.  He will see that I have all that I need in the midst of all these things.  Of that I have no doubt.  God is good.    

Just had to let you know what is going on in my health, especially since the changes are becoming severe.  Life changes but not my love for you.  It will last forever.  If you have any questions, let me know and I'll do the best I can to answer them.”  

Abba Father, You have a plan.  Hold me in the shadow of Your wings as we walk forward in light of these new changes.  You know what You are doing.  I’m so thankful that You do.  Praise You from Whom all blessings flow.  

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

Two Things

“Have you not heard?  Long ago I ordained it.  In the days of old I planned it; now I have brought it to pass...”  Isaiah 37:26a

Thing One-

In Your great mercy, Lord, You have sold our home.  It is time, time for our move to Arkansas.  After 4 years, 3 months and 4 days You sold our home.  Thank You!  Such inadequate words but the only words I seem to be able to muster for such a long awaited deliverance.  You have taught me much during those years.  I pray that I have learned all that You have taught this piece of dust.  Of course, all the glory goes to You because, once again, these people had come to see our home 1-2 years ago.  Who but You could have piqued their interest and sustained it for so long?  No one.  Absolutely no one else.  There is no question that YOU have done this.  May Your glory always rest upon this home and may the new owners learn to love You more and more each day.  Shower Your blessings upon them as they rest in the home of Your choosing for them.  

Thing Two-

You never cease to amaze me, Lord, in the things that You do.  The sewing that You restored to me many months ago You have taken from me again.  However this time, it is for always.  By Your grace I was enabled to give all three of my sewing machines, accessories, fabric and notions to a wonderful sewing ministry that You are blessing and using in a great and mighty way.  It was a true honor to be able to give all those things to them, because I know that this ministry is anointed by You and that You will use all the things that I gave them so that Your glory can shine brightly and bring many people to Christ.  An incredibly mind-boggling thought.  Very humbling.  

So... now that I no longer sew, what do You have for me next, Lord?  For a while I will help care for my Daddy.  Forever I will pray for the lost, lonely, wayward, blessed and needy.  Forever may I be drawn closer and closer to You.  As my health issues are named correctly, we will go from there.  I know that You will use me for Your greatest glory and as an instrument of peace and grace, for You have told me just that in Your Word.  Again... incredibly mind-boggling and very humbling.  

So, off we go, Lord.  Forward together in the plan You have for my life.  Keep my eyes on You.  Let people see You, not me.  May there be less of me and more of You as time progresses.  By Your grace alone I am ready.  I’ll follow wherever You lead me.  Praise You from Whom all blessings flow!

Rejoice In Him

Rejoice!

 “Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails 

and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls, 

yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.”  Habakkuk 3:17-18

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance”  Romans 5:3

“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.”  Philippians 2:17

“But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.”  1 Peter 4:13 

“I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.”  Psalm 31:7

And again I say “Rejoice!”

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”  Philippians 4:4 

“This is the day the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24

“I rejoice in Your promise

like one who finds great spoil.”  Psalm 119:162

“The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;

let the distant shores rejoice.”  Psalm 97:1

“Instead of their shame

My people will receive a double portion,

and instead of disgrace

they will rejoice in their inheritance;

and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,

and everlasting joy will be theirs.”  Isaiah 61:7

“Let us rejoice and be glad

and give Him glory!”  Revelation 19:7a

More tough times, Lord.  By Your grace I am rejoicing in You.  Praise You from Whom all blessings flow!  

Love,

Your daughter who, by Your grace, is rejoicing over You anyway

Precious

“For You created my inmost being;

You knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful,

I know that full well. 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, 

Your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in Your book

before one of them came to be.”

Psalm 139:13-16

Two precious little girls, Lord.  Ashley Kate and Rosalie.  Two little girls who are now by Your side in Heaven.  Two little girls that have changed my life in a multitude of ways.  I thank You for placing them in my life and for the privilege of praying for them, their family, friends and prayer warriors.  It is amazing to me how You have used each of them and touched so many hearts through their short lives.  You are good and You are merciful, even in their deaths.  

Lord, I pray for each of their families, friends and prayer warriors.  We will all need Your love, mercy and grace to walk through the days ahead.  Thank You for providing all we need to celebrate and honor their young lives as You are glorified in it all.  

You know the pain and grief of these families.  You have suffered as they are.  You know that they trust You and look to You for help.  Thank You, Lord, for healing their broken hearts and binding up their wounds.  You are good.   

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways My ways,”

declares the LORD. 

As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are My ways higher than your ways

and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Psalm 55:8-9

Love,

Your daughter who trusts that You know best

Solace

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Lord, the longer this journey in the desert is, the more unable I am to express the depth of its pain.  Were it not for Your mercy, faithfulness and love, I would never be able to face it day by day.  It threatens to overwhelm me.  The pain in my heart grows greater each day.  I am broken inside and am laid at Your feet.  There is where I find my solace.  I find my peace in Your arms and in Your Word.  You are my God and there is no other.  Apart from You I cannot survive all of this pain.  

 

“The LORD is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid? 

When evil men advance against me

to devour my flesh,

when my enemies and my foes attack me,

they will stumble and fall. 

Though an army besiege me,

my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

even then will I be confident.

One thing I ask of the LORD,

this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to seek Him in His temple. 

For in the day of trouble

He will keep me safe in His dwelling;

He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle

and set me high upon a rock. 

Then my head will be exalted

above the enemies who surround me;

at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;

be merciful to me and answer me. 

My heart says of You, “Seek His face!”

Your face, LORD, I will seek. 

Do not hide Your face from me,

do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my Helper.  Do not reject me or forsake me,

O God my Savior. 

Though my father and mother forsake me,

the LORD will receive me. 

Teach me Your way, O LORD;

lead me in a straight path

because of my oppressors. 

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

for false witnesses rise up against me,

breathing out violence.

I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living. 

Wait for the LORD;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the LORD.”

Psalm 27

Love,

Your broken and pain-filled daughter who looks to you for help

Bombshells

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  James 1:2-4

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:17

More bombshells!  Help, Lord!  

“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:9a

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”  Romans 8:18

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  2 Corinthians 4:8-9

“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you...”  Exodus 14:13

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  Genesis 50:20

Can’t wait to see how You work all these new bombshells out, Lord.  I know it will be miraculous.  You are the only Hope in these latest gifts from You.  

Love, 

Your child who sits under the shadow of Your wing

Reflections

Four years... four years.  As you well know, Lord, that is how long I have had this headache.  While it seems like I’ve had it much longer, it has only been four years as of today.  What started out as a ripple across the top of my head has transformed into a 24/7 headache accompanied by little balance, cognitive impairments, and other symptoms that affect my daily living.  It is hard to imagine that all of this is still progressing and there have been no correct answers found.  If I did not know that I know that I know that You are leading and guiding me along this path to the discovery of the right name and treatments for all of this, I would stay in despair and discouragement.  One day, though, You will reveal it all and my life will be forever changed.  By Your grace I will wait for that revelation and by Your grace I will live my life after that revelation and all that is to come from it.  I cannot do it any other way, nor do I want to.  You are my Provider, Protector, Defender and Light.  YOU will carry me through every step of this journey as I lean on You to strengthen, help and uphold me.  YOU will show me the way through it all.  May Your good and perfect gifts to me glorify You and You alone, no matter what they may be.  Praise You from Whom all blessings flow.  

“Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”  Proverbs 23:18

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding.”  Proverbs 3:5

“... the battle is the Lord’s...”  1 Samuel 18:47 

Minions

Minions.  Cartoon characters.  Despicable Me.  You, Lord, flabbergasted me when I realized how You had worked in my life through these little critters.  Much needed and life-giving laughter came through the minions.  As I watched the first Despicable Me movie I laughed till I cried and couldn’t get my breath.  Just when I thought I was through laughing, I started all over again and was totally unable to speak so that I could be understood by others.  All through a children’s movie.  All through little cartoon characters.  I can still laugh about it all as I remember portions of the movie.  Lord, You truly do use all things to work for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.  Thank You.  

Laughing too is a gift from You, Abba Father.  It is such a joy.  You have used it to rescue me from being overwhelmed by all that is going on in my/my family’s life.  I could feel the heaviness being lifted from me as I laughed more and more.  It felt so good to laugh and enjoy Your gift.  I will definitely go see Despicable Me 2.  More wonderful and life-giving laughs from You.  You are so good to me.  Praise You.

“Sarah said, ‘God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.’”  Genesis 21:6

“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”  Job 8:21

“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.  Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’”  Psalm 126:2

Botox And More

Worry... anxiety... stress.  None of them come from You, my Lord.  None.  I don’t want them.  They only dishonor You and take my eyes off of You.  No need to worry since You are sovereign and in perfect control of all things.  

But... Botox injections are coming up later this week.  The thought of having up to 31 injections in my head is not calming to me, Lord.  Help!  Yes, I know You will take hold of me and will carry me through the shots, the side effects and their efficacy.  

Then... news today that my Daddy is getting much weaker.  It is hard to know that he is getting worse.  It is hard to know that one day he will no longer be here on earth to talk to and to enjoy.  While it is comforting to know that our separation will only be temporary, it is still hard.  

Still more...  You know, Abba Father.

So, Lord, with all of these things hovering over me, I only have You to turn to.  Who else can I go to?  No one.  Work it all out in Your good, acceptable and perfect will and guide me every step of the way.  You know the outcome of all these things and will strengthen, help and uphold me amidst them all.  Keep my eyes on You.  Thank You for being my Refuge, Deliverer, Protector and Shepherd.  Thank You for listening to my cries.  WE will get through all that threatens to overwhelm me.  They pale in light of You and Your greatness, power and love.  Praise You from Whom all  blessings flow.  

“For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know My ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God.  They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.”  Isaiah 58:2

“Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.’”  John 6:68

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.”  Psalm 23:1

Twice

Twice.  In one month.  Thank You, Lord!  

You know, Lord, that You had have me tucked away in isolation for quite a while now so that I may trust in You rather than others.  You and I both know that this has caused me to cling to You in deeper ways.  You have ordered my steps to be in line with YOU, not others, thus increasing my dependence on You.  You have kept me at peace during all of this, even though, at times, I have whined and cried out to You about being isolated from other brothers and sisters in Christ.  Of course You have worked all these things for my good as only You can do.  Thank You, Abba Father, for loving me so much and drawing me closer and closer to You.  

Earlier this month You gave me an afternoon of a quilting lesson with a young woman that I have known for quite a while.  She is a delightful young woman who loves You and is growing in You.  What a wonderful gift she and our time together was to me.  Hard physically but incredible at the same time.  Bless her, Lord, and keep her in Your Truth.  

Then today while at the Subway inside Walmart You coupled me with another sister in Christ, but one that I had never met before.  Our conversation centered on You as we sat there eating, drinking and enjoying our time together.  Both of us needed someone to talk about You and Your magnificent ways.  We encouraged each other about the trials in our lives and walked away from our time together knowing that You had placed us together at this time for edification and comfort.  We may never see each other again this side of Heaven, but we both went away feeling blessed by our time together.  You are so awesome, Lord, and provide our every need, even those that we don’t know that we need.  Bless her, Lord, and use her greatly for spreading Your hope and encouragement to others.  

Twice.  More to come.  Be glorified in it all.  Praise You from Whom all blessings flow!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.”  Psalm 118:9

Reign And Shine

I absolutely love it, Lord, when You show me Your Presence in the ordinary.  Just when I needed it, You set a sign on a church marquee in my sight.  It said something like this...

“The forecast today: God reigns and the Son shines.”  

Wonderful Truth in a short, concise and everyday way, Lord.  How grateful I am to You for reminding me of this Truth and for Your long-suffering with me as I grow in You.  Keep me in Your Truth and keep my eyes on You.  This piece of dust praises You and prays that You will be glorified in all that I am and do.  

Reign and shine, Lord.  Reign and shine as only You can do. 

Love, 

Your never-ending student

“The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.”  Psalm 103:19

“He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”  Psalm 72:8

“... God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords”  1 Timothy 6:15b

BIG God, little i

Lord, as You continue preparing me for all that is to come in my life, You have been pressing in hard on me that You are bigger than anything that will come into my life and the lives of my family.  I must say that I’ve been paying lip service to this concept in the past, however, You are deepening and changing my heart and understanding about Your “bigness” and Your sovereignty.  I am grateful, for, if You were to leave me where I am with this, I would never be able to face whatever is coming.  While the “whatever” is still untold, I do know that You will reveal it when the time is perfect.  As much as I want to know soon, I feel certain that I am not yet prepared enough to know now.  You are still placing Your “bigness” into my heart and soul and, by Your grace, I will wait.  May Your will be done.

These are the things You are teaching me in deeper ways these days...

**You are bigger than anything I can ever possibly face, not matter what “it” is.

“How great You are, O Sovereign Lord!  There is no one like You, and there is no God but You, 

        as we have heard with our own ears.”  

2 Samuel 7:22

“In the beginning God...”  Genesis 1:1

**Your love never fails and will always be there for me.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor 

         the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able 

         to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39

**Nothing is too hard for You... NOTHING!

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by 

        Your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.”  Jeremiah 32:17

**Your grace is all sufficient at all times.

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.‘  

        Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest

        on me.”   2 Corinthians 12:9  

**I can praise You and trust You in all circumstances.

“...Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?..”  Job 2:10

“ Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” 

        Psalm 20:7

**May Your will be done, not mine.

“Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, 

         may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as You will.”  Matthew 26:39 

BIG God, little i...  just as a lighthouse looms large over us, Lord, You tower far above us and anything that comes into our lives.  You are sovereign and in control, no matter what gifts You give us and no matter what they look like.  I am so very thankful.  Apart from You I can do nothing.    

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33  

Questions And Answers

Lately, Lord, You have directed me to Your psalms.  While my words simply do not come to pray, may these be my prayers to You.  

Questions:

“How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?  

How long will You hide your face from me?  

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and

every day have sorrow in my heart?  

How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.  

Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;  

my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and 

my foes will rejoice when I fall.  

But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. 

I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me.”

Psalm 13:1-6

“O God, You are my God,

earnestly I seek You;

my soul thirsts for You,

my body longs for You,

in a dry and weary land

where there is no water.

I have seen You in the sanctuary

and beheld Your power and Your glory.

Because Your love is better than life,

my lips will glorify You. 

I will praise You as long as I live,

and in Your name I will lift up my hands. 

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;

with singing lips my mouth will praise You.

On my bed I remember You;

I think of You through the watches of the night. 

Because You are my help,

I sing in the shadow of Your wings. 

My soul clings to You;

Your right hand upholds me.”

Psalm 63:1-8

Answers:

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—

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.

Psalm 121

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,

He leadeth me beside the still waters, 

He restoreth my soul.

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

for His name’s sake. 

Yea, though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil,

for Thou art with me;

Thy rod and Thy staff,

they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me

in the presence of mine enemies.

Thou anointest my head with oil;

my cup runneth over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.”

Psalm 23

“...because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.” 

So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?” 

Hebrews 13:5b-6

You always have the answers, Lord, to any question I might have.  Though the times are really tough and the waiting seems so long, You and You alone will uphold me with Your Word and make it possible to walk through them as You lead and guide.  Praise You from Whom all things are possible.  

Love, 

Your straying daughter whom You love anyway

Frosty

It has been a long several days, Lord.  DHE is definitely not the answer to pain relief for me and my headache.  More pain with severe and still lingering side effects.  What an experience, Lord!  Thank You for answering my prayer to show me “in neon” if DHE gave me relief.  Not.even.remotely.  Thank You for holding me close and taking such loving care of me in the midst of the storm named DHE.  I’m thankful that is over, despite the fact that it is not Your pain relief for my headache.  

You show Your love for Your children in so many varied ways, Abba Father.  Your way to show Your love and mercy to me today after the chaos of DHE this week was a Wendy’s Frosty.... a CHOCOLATE Frosty, at that!  Although I cannot eat chocolate anymore, I still love it.  Carob is okay, but it is not chocolate.  Today You let me take a rescue dose of antacid so that my bladder could tolerate the chocolate in the Frosty.  It was delicious!  Such a great kindness to me, such a loving kindness and mercy.  I was greatly humbled by Your gracious gift to me.  I am amazed at how You show me that You love me through buying me a chocolate Frosty.  Every good and perfect gift comes from You.  Such was my chocolate Frosty today.  A humble thank You from Your daughter to You, gentle Abba Father, the One Who created me and set me on the path of pilgrimage with You.  There is more of You and less of me after today.  Praise to You and You alone...  

“the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”  Genesis 2:7

“for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.”  Psalm 103:14

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23

Love, 

Your piece of dust