Don't be a dumb bird.

Mr Cardinal came for a visit this morning! He saw the open door and let himself on in. As beautiful as he was, bright red in color, he was not a welcomed guest in our home. What a chore it was to get him out of here. It was very easy for him to come in but it was really hard getting him out. The poor guy was flying circles around my dining room looking for one of the windows to open all the while the same front door he entered upon remained open and in the same place as when he entered! 
He finally caught eye of my upper windows and with all he had, kept trying to get out those closed windows. Could he not see that 3ft below him was the way out. It was right there! Dumb bird!! We knew it and did everything we could...we gave him time to wear out banging his head against the window, we held out poles for him to get on which he did only to jump off repeatedly. 
Finally, we had to corner him and throw a towel on him and literally grab him and carry him out. On his own, he may have just died up there trying it his way, thinking he could get out what appeared an open window. We saved his life. Either he would die of starvation or head injury or my stalking kitty would have enjoyed a feast!

As always, you know there are lessons here. This is what I learned this morning:

1.) It's easy getting in (sin) but it's not as easy getting out.
2.) God is patient giving us the opportunity to explore the choice we've made to go through seemingly open windows.
3.) God is faithful to rescue us. There is a way to freedom. He knows the Way. He IS The Way to life!
4.) There are many windows. Don't panic and continue to be stubborn, banging your head upon each one in hopes it's gonna be right. You are hurting yourself. Stop and look for the open door.
5.) God is grieved watching you hurt yourself. Won't you stop flying circles and trying things your own way and trust Him. He wants you to have life, not death.
6.) God will grab you, not allowing more than you can bear. Sometimes it will be at the end of all you have. That's where He grabs you.
7.) God is good. He sees you and is waiting for you to settle down and trust Him.
8.) Accept help. Sometimes we need help.  

Did you go through a door you shouldn't have? Can't seem to find your way out? Rest assured, there is a way out. God sends rescue in many forms. The fingerprints of God are all around. If you are feverishly flying around banging your head, trying all you can to go the way that seems right, won't you stop and breath. Take a look around you. There is a way out. Trust the help that is being sent to you. Satan, the Deceiver, will put lots of "seems good enough" around you, but I challenge you to not settle but know with clarity The Way to rescue which leads to life! You are only hurting yourself and you will wear out. Be careful if you choose to be stiff-necked for the prowling lion is waiting for you to be weak. Be alert. Be smart. 

Don't be a dumb bird.

Thank you Mr Cardinal for reminding me to be smart!

" Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:13-17

What does my soul really magnify?

"My Soul, My Soul, Magnifies the Lord..." but does it really? 

Our church worshiped with this song last week and as I was singing it, about half way through, I felt the prompting question, "Michele, does it?" I stopped singing and listened. (Click HERE to access this song on YouTube if you want to listen also." "Let every heart prepare His throne... Come and worship, do not be afraid. My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord. He has done great things for me....Wonderful. Counselor. Everlasting Father."  

Yes, awesome and Holy God. Wonderful. Counselor. Everlasting Father. It's easy to say these things, especially if you believe them. But then, does my soul magnify Him? Yikes, we can think all we want in our heads but what do I magnify... Self? Hatred? Bitterness? Selfishness? Greed? A Gossiper? Unforgiving? Judgement? Or do I magnify the Lord I say I worship with Patience? Love? Servant? Fair? Gentle? Trustworthy? Joy? Hope? Peace? Faith? Self-control? Kindness? If someone had a magnifying glass on me, what would be the most obvious? Honestly, it's a frightening thought, am I truly magnifying the Lord? Do others see His Light that I say (claim) I trust? Do I still have my own eyes set on Him?

Romans 3:23 says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." You may not even need a magnifying glass to see all my sin. We all have things going on in our heart, mind and soul that we hope no one knows. Sometimes our sins gets it's own t-shirt if you know what I mean! Often though, it takes a magnifying glass to find those little sins down in the hidden areas of our soul.

This week marked for me the 4 year anniversary of my Season of Hell. That's exactly what it felt like. As absolutely horrible it was, the redemption and healing that came of it, I would not trade having to have gone through that in order to be where I am today, healed and restored, freed from bondage, and passionately in Love with the Lord! I don't want my "old" Christian self back. God in His grace, provided so many instruments of healing through Christian counselors and mentors, strengthening old friendships to beautiful new ones, to timely bible studies, opportunities to encourage and be encouraged, etc, etc. 
I can honestly say that over these past 4 years, as I have pride-shattering, humbly put up a magnifying glass over my own heart, mind and soul and compared it to His, the more intentional I am to fix my eyes on Christ's Love to see more of Him and less of me. It's been a battle learning how to receive His unconditional Love into my sinful self. Seeking to be more intentional in His Name, it's my heart's desire to honor Him with my life, loving Him with all my heart, all my mind and all my strength, helping me to become more pure in my thoughts and deeds, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14  "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17 I can see and even feel less of me and more of Him. Oh yes, there is still sin and there will be until we sit at the feet of Glory's throne. But that void of "something missing" has been filled with wonder and delight, only God can be all that!!! 

The Lord HAS done GREAT things for me! The song for me now is a prayer more than a declaration. It's a "fearful" thought to say I do magnify Him. Oh how I pray I do, but I cannot promise that I will. I am a sinner saved by grace who's greatest desire is to know Him more and share Him more! I pray that I lead a life reflective, magnifying the One who holds my very breath, my life, my heart. I am not perfect and don't claim to be (anymore-lol). But what I do claim is the Blood of Jesus poured out over me, cleansing me, redeeming me, guarding me, helping me, sanctifying me. PRAISE GOD!!!! 
It is my prayer that as Believers, we will encourage and love one another, stirring up in one another a purposeful intention and accountability to fix our eyes on the Lord and magnify His Love to the nations, both saved and wondering. Will they see Christ the Redeeming Savior? Who will they say we are celebrating? Will it be our life or His? We can fake our words but we cannot fake our heart's outpouring. Isn't it time to stop lying to ourselves and with pride-shattering faith, magnify the heart of God?!?


Father God, Christ Jesus, You are the Great I Am. My soul, my soul, how it is desperate for Yours. I am yours. Father, magnify Yourself to us so we may reflect You more and not only experience it but also share the unshakable Joy of Your salvation and Peace that surpasses all our understanding. In Your unending love and mercy, cleanse us and help us be who You created us to be. Take every part of us and cast out all that hinders us from being filled with You. Help us to be intentional in seeking You, knowing You, trusting You. God our Creation, Sustainer and Rock, we worship You, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father. To You be all the glory forever and always, in every thing, every where. amen.

My Mountain- Wheezing to Whistling

I bet when I say "mountain" this is what you imagine. Those of you who know me already know I LOVE taking pictures and am especially awed by God's magnificent, diverse creation. I have TONS of pictures of mountains, snow-capped and richly green alike. There is something so grand about mountains and oceans as they display the might and control of God. I could sit and stare at them all day, every day! 

I have hiked mountains and I have taken the lift up. Truly, both trigger my adrenaline. Hiking is a serious work-out going up, down is much easier. Not to mention the fact you very well may encounter a bear, snake, boar, lion, and a moose (which we have!) Lifting up the side however, while safe from being a meal for Mr Bear, is unnerving for someone afraid of falling/heights. Either way, anxiety hits a high. So why do it? Because the glory is worth the sacrifice it takes to get through it. The views are breath-taking.


You may have noticed that the first few pics I posted are "real" mountain shots from a recent snowy vacation with the family. (I'm resisting the urge to dig out more of these awe-some mountains...so massive and beautiful.) So then, what are the other pics?!? They are my other "real" mountains. The "mountains" and valleys we walk through in life. Our obstacles. Our challenges. Our conquering moments.


We all have "mountains" to climb. These pictures represent for me, some of my mountains. To you, they may look like a fun, lovely moment, and that is nothing more than the Grace of God shining through that moment, but in my world, they are mountains that were climbed! 

I am blessed to get to help with the children's choir in my church and the song I am teaching is "Go Tell it on the
Mountain." Last night as we were singing and teaching the sign for mountain, I said "Stretch your arms all the way up. Show me how high your mountain is!" The kids reached their arms up and one said, "Your mountain is higher than mine." Those words cut to my core....how true. 

My mountains are not the same as your mountains. The way we climb it, the time it takes to get up and over it are different. I know, I have work-out buddies and they can out-run and out-last me any day of the week and even whistle a tune! Good Grief...I'm just trying to breath while not tripping over my own feet! lol


Think about it for a minute...If you took a picture of your mountain what would it look like? Maybe you are climbing one right now. I won't explain all my pictures but I will summarize in this: many of my mountains are fear- heights, falling, judgments, trusting God, trusting others, letting go; forgiveness, courage, parenting, leadership, surrender, endurance, illnesses, faith...

Because we are all in different seasons of life, our terrains will look very different. We will face different obstacles, slopes, views. This is why we cannot compare or judge one another. If you were to stand at the foot of my mountain, you may laugh, for to you, it's merely a bump in the road. We must be very careful that we do not judge the climb another is taking. Rather, that we speak truth in love and encourage our friend to get up and over their mountain! 


As I have consistently "worked-out" with my buddies, over time, I have begun to gain strength and endurance. I get over my "mountains" faster. I am stronger. I too shall be able to whistle a tune as I conquer a travelled path! Endurance and strength are both physical and spiritual attributes. I find that as I grow my spiritual muscles, my physical muscles increase too. I am less fatigued and weary. A Holy fire fuels my day. When I am not working out, physically or spiritually, I become lazy, weak, distracted and defeated. As I come to the foot of my mountain, I must have endurance and strength to climb it!! Otherwise, the journey will take longer than needed (thinking of the Israelites and Jonah!!). 

The glory waiting on the other side of your mountain...the views that are sure to take your breath away, are well worth the sacrifice it will take for you to climb! Begin today to "work out" those muscles of faith, hope, trust and you will find your wheezing transforming into a  joyful whistle soon enough! Unsure? Need motivation? Accountability? Ask God to send you a "work-out" buddy or two and head to the mountains!


What a time of celebration when we gather together to share the photo albums of our Mountain Journeys! From all around the world, millions of hiked trails, majestic views seen through the eyes of each one, how inspiring and incredible it will be as we see all God has done!!! Here are just a few of mine from 2012....

"He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." 

I Timothy 4: 7-10 

 

"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." 39 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye." Luke 6: 37-42

"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." I Timothy 4: 7-10 



"...so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us tothe kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1: 10b-14

                                          

DO NOT JUDGE! ENCOURAGE!

DO NOT FEAR! TRUST!

DO NOT QUIT! ENDURE!

DO NOT DESPAIR! BELIEVE!

YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS!!! Phil 4:13

Climb that wall.

Our family recently joined Lifetime Fitness which is a HUGE gym, much a like a country club in its design and amenities. We feel very spoiled and are loving the family time it has given us as we share activities such as swimming and rock climbing together, along with working out with the big boys upstairs. It's become more of a lifestyle of togetherness and health. We've enjoyed it much!

The Kids Club is wonderful and the little ones never want to leave even after their 2 hour time limit. Half the time we go, it's because they are insisting we go! Their favorite treat right now is the rock climbing wall. the first time they scaled it, it was with apprehension and a very slow pace. Now, they lock in and they are up within a minute and back down again, ready for the next climb!

 I LOVE watching them climb. To see their courage grow as their muscles get a good workout to say the least. I hook each one into their harness and lock them in and give them a slight lift onto the first holds, then they are on their own. I stand cheering safely from the ground keeping a watchful eye as they near the ceiling which must be 3 stories up. WOW!!! All smiles.
I've climbed that wall in my head, imagining what it must be like but honestly, while part of me is not sure how my elbow will hold up, I am also pretty nervous about falling. Nope, haven't seen one person fall...I trust it for my children, but for some reason I hadn't made the climb for me yet. I have soooo enjoyed just watching and helping guide from below. Also, everyone climbing these walls know what they are doing and are physically fit to do it.
Here I am a flabby 40 year old (eventhough I feel younger than that in my heart and mind) and I cannot imagine first, the image of my booty bulging out of the booty harness, an area I try very hard to HIDE, not expose!!! And second, how clumsy will I be?!? What if I can't even get up onto the wall?!? That would be totally embarrassing. So, I choose the Observer position, and perfectly happily there!!

Well, that was until this week. My teen brought me a harness and said, " Here Mom, your turn." With a big grin, I chuckled, "Oh no. I couldn't. I'm good, thank you." Pushing the harness in my face, he insisted. I hadn't shared any reasons why I didn't think I could do it. I knew some were convenient excuses and at his age, he'd see right through them too. He is aware of my slight fear of heights and all things daring. He dared me. A lot of fear and little bit of pride had kept me off that wall and my son was calling me out. I harnessed up. He tightened my straps. He locked me in, just as I had done a hundred times for all 4 of them.
I tried to stop imagining my booty bulge. I tried to remember that my little kids were doing it and so should I be as capable. Determined, I took the first climb up with his encouragement. He said, " Just don't look down, keep going just like a ladder. All the way." He cheered me on and kept me focused. There were a few times I wanted to look down to see where I was, but I knew that'd be a bad idea, so I kept my eyes focused on the next hold...where did my hand go next? My foot? I did notice the depth below me but I didn't look. One grab at a time, I made it up. "Good job Mom! Now jump back and come down." WHAT?!?!?!? I have to get down!!!! Oh no!!!!!! PANIC!!! What if I fall? Where my straps on right? Fearful and doubting thoughts flooded my mind...I remember thinking the same thing when I was pregnant...the pregnancy was a delight but then the last few weeks you begin to face reality that some 8lb (one was 10lbs!!!) watermelon-sized object was about to pass through you know where and that just doesn't make sense and all of a sudden seems impossible and panic erupts, how in the world????? There I sat at the same intellectual crossroad. How in the world.
I'd seen everyone else jump back with great control. But what about me...did I do my clips right? I was clinging so close to the wall, I couldn't look down to check them. My belly was up against the wall. I slowly began to climb down one step at a time, hearing from below, just jump back!! Did I trust what I knew to be fact, that others had done this, that I had made it all the way up, that I knew I was harnessed in correctly, that jumping back was the right way to get down that Jack in the Beanstalk high wall. With a deep breath of pure faith, I let go of one hand at a time and released the wall through my last finger. It was slow motion as my mind raced but my body repelled steadily down. Such a crazy experience emotionally and physically. I believed, therefore I acted.
My nervous-anxious smile became a rejoicing-happy-to-be-alive-can't-believe-I-made-it smile!!!
Together, we walked over to the other "Kiddie" climb, climbing side by side, I made it half way up, then I I hit a pitch and gracefully and humbly came back down. I wasn't ready for the little necessary jump. The employee came over to me and instructed me to get back up and go again. I said politely NO! My body and mind had accomplished great things already and I was done!! He scaled up that wall to show me the holds and as he jumped down he bluntly said, not asked, but said, "You have trust issues. You have to trust your equipment. You have to clear out the doubt in your head, knowing this is all a mental game, not physical. You must learn to trust."
Had he been reading my blog? Did he read minds? I'm kidding, but obviously God was using this young man to call out my fear and doubt. It's true that I have trust issues. While I have come a really long way, trust goes deeper than we can know. Like ants building up their mounds one grain at a time, every hurt, a small bit of a wall begins to build and before we know it, we have a mound that must be brought down, again!
When we are betrayed, trust can be lost with that person and because we are commanded to forgive as Believers, we forgive and allow the restoration process to begin. Love Hopes and keeps no record of wrongs, and yet there are consequences that scars mark.
God allows things in our lives to bring us closer to Him. Great blessing or devastating hurts, all ought to cause us to fall at the feet of the Cross where Covenant blood covers and holds us, binding us closer to Him. God is love, hope, courage, peace, comfort and healing. Revenge is His. Redemption is His. So, although we may have lost a sense of trust with another person, we can not and must be careful to never transfer those feelings to Christ our Savior, who has faithfully stood on that Hill for us from the beginning of time and stands waiting to come again. He is trustworthy.
God will never leave you or forsake you. We cannot always make sense of what's going on in our circumstances but we must act on what true, and trust what we know, that God sits on the throne. He sees us. He has a plan for us. God is Alpha and Omega, without time. He has been where we are going and walks beside us now. There is nothing that escapes Him eventhough our minds may race thinking otherwise, even with perfect logic to believe otherwise. Satan wants you to be overcome with fear cuz nothing stops a person in their tracks faster than for them to fear and freeze!!
A fearful, doubting person retreats. A courageous, trusting person moves forward. Which direction do you want to go? If you have faith, you will move forward as you cling tightly to The Rock. If you fear, you will fall.
No matter what wall you must climb today, won't you trust the equipment God has given you in His Word? The armor to battle and conquer? Harness up, lock in and step up, eyes forward to the next hold. One hold at a time, one step at a time, carefully and intentionally moving forward, till you make it to the other side. Hear the cheers of those who have gone before you and even stand with you now, encouraging, cheering, focusing you...now. You...must...trust. You must have faith in what you trust. Love Hopes. Do you?

Scriptures to reflect on:

Ephesians 6: 10-13 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."

Proverbs 3:5-8 " Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones."

God, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!! Therefore I TRUST YOU. Guard my heart, mind, soul and spirit that it may it always be so. AMEN!!!!!!

Another lesson learned, "Just like you."

"Beaten up, marked up and even small, it is a crucial piece and it's precise placement is hugely important. The fact that it is a solid piece is what makes it work. Without this small plank of wood, there would be serious problems in the Dickerson Garage!!"

"So, what does it do? It marks the place of boundary. It holds a place a value. It is a guide. It helps show the way in. There is another board at the front of the garage holding another place of boundary, resting just on the other side of the front tires. Without these boards, as small and insignificant as they may seem, we would have some serious damage. These two boards are strategically placed in our garage to set the boundary for whoever is driving the vehicle as they maneuver it carefully into the garage... Therefore, it is crucial the two seemingly insignificant boards remain in their pre-determined placement. Otherwise, things will go bad quickly!!"

As I penned these words this morning, God was shaping within me another illustration about these boards. In my spirit I heard, "just like you." I stopped for a minute to make sure I was writing what I was supposed to and I felt I was. There were two lessons to be learned from my boards. Here is Lesson Two...

Not only do these boards represent guides in our lives, but they can also be a lesson inward....us as a board. Just as we can see those boards as boundaries and or guides for us, we too, can be that guide or boundary for someone else. It goes both ways as "iron sharpens iron." We live in such a "Me Society" and when you couple that with our selfish nature, we tend to filter life through the lens of how does that help or affect me rather than how does this implicate me. 

I have always struggled with my value, my small self, my seemingly insignificant self. And yet, like these boards, while marked up, scarred, and tethered, each holds a crucial placement in my home. I, too, small and seemingly insignificant was given a pre-determined placement for such a time as this. I don't have all the answers to my own life, much less anyone elses, none of us do, but I know that we were created with a purpose. You and I were placed here, today, in this place, with all we have and don't have physically, emotionally and spiritually, for a reason. We have value. On our own we are nothing but with Christ our Strength, Reason, Purpose, Redeemer, we are crucial to His Home. By His grace, if "iron sharpens iron" then despite our scuffs and splinters, jagged edges, we are special, with purpose, and each hold a crucial place. By faith, we are built solid and sure! 

Maybe you are one of those "boards" and you already know how important and valuable you are, recognizing your preciousness. Good, may you be the iron that sharpens us who are weaker, to see our value. To encourage our hope. To stand in the gap where are greatest cracks are.  

God has created us to be solely dependent on Him as we also live in community, many parts of one body, each recognizing our crucial part and learning how to encourage each other in Love's sweet Name. Pray today and ask God to not only give you guides and boundaries in your life, but that He would also show you how you are that same guide and boundary of hope, encouragement and love in the lives of those around you. There are no mistakes in the House of God! Everything has been pre-determined from the beginning of time....including YOU!!!!! 

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing...And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,encourage the fainthearted,help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone."

I Thessalonians 5:11, 14-15

Those two white boards!!

I know, WOW!! A 3 ft piece of wood. Impressive right? It lays at the front of my garage, just inside the opening. It's not a fancy board. It's cut up and has a few splinters and even has visible marks running up and down it. And yet, there is is in my garage, probably the most valuable thing in the garage in my opinion. Okay, the lock on the door would really be the most valuable/important thing in the garage, but this would be second!!

Beaten up, marked up and even small, it is a crucial piece and it's precise placement is hugely important. The fact that it is a solid piece is what makes it work. Without this small plank of wood, there would be serious problems in the Dickerson Garage!!

So, what does it do? As you can see in the photo (sorry not great quality-I took last night with my phone as God shared this with me), it rests beside the tires of the car. It marks the place of boundary. It holds a place a value. It is a guide. It helps show the way in. There is another board at the front of the garage holding another place of boundary, resting just on the other side of the front tires. Without these boards, as small and insignificant as they may seem, we would have some serious damage. These two boards are strategically placed in our garage to set the boundary for whoever is driving the vehicle as they maneuver it carefully into the garage. The side board is a guide in. It provides protection and help for all the many other belongings to be sure they are not crushed upon entering. The front board lets us know when we have reached the place we need to stop, keeping us from crashing through the wall just a few feet away. As the driver backs in, the focus is on the two boards and nothing else. Therefore, it is crucial the two seemingly insignificant boards remain in their pre-determined placement. Otherwise, things will go bad quickly!!

Last night as we were pulling in the Jeep, I almost panicked when I didn't feel the front board. And it looked like we were about to crush some important stuff!! CAREFUL!!!!! WAIT!!! Let me check the board....ahhh, okay, just one more 1" and we would have reached it. Oh how we need and count on those two boards.

Last night, the Lord showed me how crucial having boards in my life are, for all of us. Something that guides me in, shows me where to center myself, where to stop, how far I can go, where my focus needs to be, something solid that if I bump up against it, I will surely know I have gone off course. The Lord God is just that boundary-giver. He strategically places "boards" in our lives to be our guide. The Holy Spirit is our most important guide, " But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:26-27

Through the Holy Spirit, we are given other boards which may be found in our disciplines: how we follow and obey His commandments and rules, the discipline we have in our prayer life, study times, priorities, where and how we serve; and even through our relationships with family, friends and the world. There are "leaders" in your life, those who have gone before you and those who walk beside you today. God has not left us aimless. If we will just take our eyes off everything around us, focus on the solid boards which set our boundaries, we will find ourselves centered in to the place we need to be...a place we were created and purposed to be.

What boards surround you? Emotional boundaries? Physical boundaries? Spiritual boundaries? If you cannot think of any, or you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, you just might need to stop "driving" and find those boards before you crush something of value, including yourself!

God has a plan for you and has provided a way for you to accomplish it. Set your eyes on Him and find your place of true rest, protection and provision. Obedience brings blessings!! Trust Him and do not be anxious!! 

"So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them." 
Hebrews 13:6-9

Drenched

Has this ever happened to you? That unexpected WOOSH of a wave that penetrates through every layer of clothing?!? It's less funny the older I get, although since the most recent one happened on my way home, it was actually a bit funny!!

This morning when I was out for a walk, I had this flash back from a few weeks back when water saturated through and through. I have been soaked worse. This was mild comparingly. Standing nearby the curb after a rain, cars would pass by, slowing down, moving over, obviously seeing me and being respectful knowing the power of their car could drench me and only a small SWISH of water would bump up on the curb. Other cars on the other hand were either: 1.) not paying attention and could not respond quick enough at their rate of speed, cutting it close the edge where the largest amount of water puddled; or 2.) they just didn't care knowing they would be gone and there would be no consequences as I stand there dripping wet, completely shocked at the sudden impact of cold water thrusted at me.
I wonder about the drivers of those cars, today and previously. As water, or leaves, rocks, dirt, or trash blow up in my face as they blaze past me, I wonder if they even realize what havoc they are leaving behind as they go on their way. There is no way to avoid making "waves" as you go by, but you can control how big they are. 
We all make some sort of impact. You have a choice though....You can either slow down, move away from the edge and take care to have control over your impact or you can blaze through, leaving behind you a path of destruction as you go along with your day, ignorant or should I say arrogant of what kind of impact you have made.
Now, get yourself out of the Driver's Seat of the car, and think of yourself as a Driver of Self. You alone are in control of you! No one can control you. Your choice is yours. When you go through your day today, what impact are you going to leave as you go along? Are you taking time to slow down, be respectful, consider your surroundings and have self control? Or will you hurry along, ignorantly or arrogantly, mindless of what impact you are making on those around you?
It's more than Live for Today, Leave a Legacy of Good....it's not all about us. We are impacting those around us, those we know and strangers alike. What kind of impact are YOU making as you go through your day?
And if you happen to be the one who is devastated by another one's passing through, well, that could be a whole other blog, but may I remind you that God is a just God and He will give you Grace Sufficient to "clean up." God sees when you are devastated. Nothing escapes Him. We all have consequences to our sin. Praise God, He has paid the penalty for them on the Cross so that we may be forgiven and redeemed, but there will still be consequences. We just won't get what we ultimately deserve which is eternal death. He gives us Hope, Strength, Endurance and Joy in all circumstances. He may even give you someone to laugh with you when others laugh at you. God is good.
To God be the Glory as we honor Him through loving Him and loving others, forgiving ourselves and forgiving others.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." 

Colossians 3:12-14

Uphill vs Downhill

Imagine you are out riding your bike and then you notice in the distance a slight change in the elevation and it's taking you UPHILL? For the moment it seems thrilling as you continue pedaling along and begin the climb UPHILL...only to be at a near stop half way up!! You don't have momentum to get up top the topside. So, you stop to catch your breath and then as you push off to go, you find yourself actually sliding backwards. I wish I hadn't of stopped!!!! Now, I am not only back where I started but I'm exhausted and still need to find the energy to get UP that HILL!! The Good News is I now know what I need to do to get over that hill to the other side!! Here I go...digging deep...pushing off...digging deeper...pushing through the pain...seeing the top!!!! At the top!!!! Yay!! Now, to coast downhill and catch my breath. What a feeling of freedom to now be flying DOWNHILL!! (The only time I think the phase "headed downhill" is a good one~LOL!) (I also can't help but thinking about my 15 year old as he learns how to drive his manuel-drive Jeep uphill!!! We certainly avoid whatever hills we can!! LOL!!!)

What was the key to getting UPHILL? Awareness. Awareness that there was a hill coming. Awareness that momentum was necessary to get up there. Awareness that it will take extra effort but the other side will be one of freedom. Do not stop...it's much harder to keep going if you stop. You may just have to dig deep and start over, taking with you the Good News of The Way to get to the other side.

We don't know what our future holds. "Hills" for us can be right around the corner while sometimes they can be seen in the distance. What we need is the awareness that "hills" will come and since we don't always know when they will be upon us, we must keep our momentum. If we are idling along, odds are we won't make it up that hill. We need to dig deep, daily, consistently, always ready to get up and over those "hills." Some may be higher than others, and some may be enough to jump over, but one thing is for sure, you must be ready!

Are you gaining momentum today for your next "hill?" What are you doing today to be ready? How are you "digging deep?" 

Or are you stopped on your "hill," sliding backwards? How can you "dig deep" and gain that momentum to get UPHILL?

No matter who you are, how long you have been a Believer in Jesus Christ, we ALL need our Daily Bread. We ALL need to find our momentum,  that "digging deep," into The Lord as we find strength and endurance up and over our "hills." Taking with us The Good News that God has gone before us and knowing we can get over that 'hill" infront of us if we trust Him and don't stop!!!

Here are some ways I personally am digging deep in this season in my life...hope it encourages you to find how God would prompt you to dig deep to get up your "hills."

 * Start before my feet hit floor and End my day in prayer...adoration, confession, intercession for self/others, protection. When you "pray without ceasing", it is constant communication throughout the day, so here and there, I'm asking for awareness. But there are also times where it is necessary to stop and pray as the Holy Spirit leads...especially in warfare.

  * Being in The Word DAILY is crucial!! "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" Hebrews 4:12...on my own, I am weak!

  * Accountability. I LOVE women's bible studies. Not only is there teaching from those who have been gifted with teaching the wisdom of the Word, but you also find accountability within the group. Love that!! You won't likely find yourself idling by...as "iron sharpens iron" you find that momenteum.

  * I cannot stop! It is obvious if I miss a study day or if I go with how I am feeling, cuz there are plenty of days I feel like being idle. Digging deep is not easy. It takes strength and endurance which on my own, I don't have. I will slide back. Thankful that when I do slide back, I can repent and start again, knowing The Good News!!

  * Remembering that I am not alone on the "hills." Everyone has hills. Also, I cannot compare or whine about who's hill is greater or lesser. I need to dig deep, gain my own momentum and quit worrying about everyone else. I am encouraged when I see others around me digging deep to get up their "hill" and that pushes me to dig deeper too!

  * Do not fear!!! Be aware of idling and idoling!! Be ready to battle! Be in the Word. Be aware of "elevation" changes. Don't fear or grow weary about the climb up. If you have already gained momentum, you will get up it quicker and with less pain. Get up. Get over. Enjoy the freedom headed down on the other side.

"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, 

encourage the fainthearted, 

help the weak, 

be patient with them all." I Thess 5:14

Friend, your first hill needs to be the Hill of Calvary. God loved you so much, He knows the hills you need to get over, and He made a way for you through the Gift of His Son. Get yourself up on that Hill and get the gift of Life. See the Blood that He dug so deep. Then, find yourself on the other side of that Hill where Freedom is. He is alive and risen so that you may have life abundantly! There is Hope. There is Peace. There is Strength. There is Endurance.

Good News is found Uphill and Freedom is found Downhill!