Sitting here in prayer, I bring you in. I have finally found the purpose to old age! Yes, there is one! It slows you down. We mourn for all the things we used to be able to do. We want to do them all again. But you know what? It's a design, a beautiful plan for old age.
"Be still, and know that I AM God! There is no time sweeter! You forget about the aches and pains. It's making love to your Lord. You want His will in your life. That's it! Everything in this world is designed to take us away from that intimacy.
It's spring, and God's love is bursting out all over. Let every ache and pain be a signal to be still. Let old age be a blessing.
God is speaking to me., He is so good and sweet. This walk is a walk of discovery! You don't have to wait for old age to do this. It's available all the time! I am blessed! Love all over! So good! So good! So good! Jesus. John 17.
Love, a work in progress.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
AND THE WAR RAGES ON...AND ON...AND ON
Luke 6:27-36:
No wonder little ones to through the "terrible two's." Have you ever thought that that's the time things take an awful turn? This child has been waited on hand and foot for 2 years. The child was not expected to do anything for itself. Now, these "gods" we call parents become ruthless in training.
Oh, there is still lots of loves and hugs and good stuff, but this training hurts! If I say "no" or I rebel, that really hurts. I get angry. I may even say, "I hate you!" or kick my feet. Where are the good old days when I could do what I wanted, and all was peace and love? Now, I don't think about it. I just react. It's a hard time until I catch on to what is expected of me.
But rebellion is still there and someday I'll be free. Oh ya. little one? Little you know! Selfishness goes with us. Oh, we may learn to act a certain way to be acceptable to those around us, but there is something in us that still will rebel when we think no one is watching. Flesh gives birth to flesh, and Spirit gives birth to spirit. I must be born again in order to be rid of old Mr. rebellion (selfishness). Not born again! It was tough enough the first time. Just when I think I'm free, someone tells me I must be born again and put myself under a new master's care. Now I've got everything I wanted. I must give it away and follow him. It seems I will be under someone. I will follow someone. Mr. rebellion will give me what I want, but what will I have? More rebellion. No strings. No one telling me what to do.... I think!
Where is this leading I don't know. At age 75, I'm learning that what I thought was maturity isn't even the beginning of maturity. Rebellion isn't all its cracked up to be. I hate it now. I find out maturity isn't what I hate, It's what I love. Love your enemies, do good to them. Lend, not expecting to get it back. Be kind to the ungrateful, be merciful. Selfishness is immaturity. I must be born again of the Spirit. Maturity is fullness of Christ. Christ in you. His life in you.
I want maturity now. I want to be like the Father., Patient kind to the ungrateful, the wicked. Merciful like my Father. I've walked the wide path. Now, I'm taking the narrow road that leads to home. I have One who walks with me every step of the way. One who was tempted in ALL things just like me. I couldn't do it without Him. I call Him Master now, and will follow gladly!
Oh yes, there is still a war that goes on inside me. But greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. I'll never walk alone. Jesus is Lord!
In love, a work in progress. God bless all who walk with me.
P.S. Even a panhandler Lord? He could work but doesn't. "Does it rain on you and him alike? Does the sun shine on you and him alike? Who made you judge? Give and it will be given to you. You can't lose!"
No wonder little ones to through the "terrible two's." Have you ever thought that that's the time things take an awful turn? This child has been waited on hand and foot for 2 years. The child was not expected to do anything for itself. Now, these "gods" we call parents become ruthless in training.
Oh, there is still lots of loves and hugs and good stuff, but this training hurts! If I say "no" or I rebel, that really hurts. I get angry. I may even say, "I hate you!" or kick my feet. Where are the good old days when I could do what I wanted, and all was peace and love? Now, I don't think about it. I just react. It's a hard time until I catch on to what is expected of me.
But rebellion is still there and someday I'll be free. Oh ya. little one? Little you know! Selfishness goes with us. Oh, we may learn to act a certain way to be acceptable to those around us, but there is something in us that still will rebel when we think no one is watching. Flesh gives birth to flesh, and Spirit gives birth to spirit. I must be born again in order to be rid of old Mr. rebellion (selfishness). Not born again! It was tough enough the first time. Just when I think I'm free, someone tells me I must be born again and put myself under a new master's care. Now I've got everything I wanted. I must give it away and follow him. It seems I will be under someone. I will follow someone. Mr. rebellion will give me what I want, but what will I have? More rebellion. No strings. No one telling me what to do.... I think!
Where is this leading I don't know. At age 75, I'm learning that what I thought was maturity isn't even the beginning of maturity. Rebellion isn't all its cracked up to be. I hate it now. I find out maturity isn't what I hate, It's what I love. Love your enemies, do good to them. Lend, not expecting to get it back. Be kind to the ungrateful, be merciful. Selfishness is immaturity. I must be born again of the Spirit. Maturity is fullness of Christ. Christ in you. His life in you.
I want maturity now. I want to be like the Father., Patient kind to the ungrateful, the wicked. Merciful like my Father. I've walked the wide path. Now, I'm taking the narrow road that leads to home. I have One who walks with me every step of the way. One who was tempted in ALL things just like me. I couldn't do it without Him. I call Him Master now, and will follow gladly!
Oh yes, there is still a war that goes on inside me. But greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. I'll never walk alone. Jesus is Lord!
In love, a work in progress. God bless all who walk with me.
P.S. Even a panhandler Lord? He could work but doesn't. "Does it rain on you and him alike? Does the sun shine on you and him alike? Who made you judge? Give and it will be given to you. You can't lose!"
Sunday, April 13, 2014
WE CAN'T LIVE IN A VACUUM!
John 17:1-4. We can't live in a vacuum! So many people are in mental hospitals on meds because they are so aware spiritually. This awareness is awful to live with. Meds don't help. They just become a part of the problem. There is evil in this world. Sometimes we think we're not aware of it, but it's always with us. It's a heavy burden to carry alone. Jesus said His burden was light. Be yoked with Him. We have two choices. His presence in our lives or the presence that is in ourselves and the world. There is no third choice! Live with who you are without Him and get so sick of living, or live with His presence in you and know freedom. P.T.S.D. = Presence that points the way to destruction. It destroys lives. Satan comes to kill, maim, and destroy. Jesus comes to give new life, to take away the old. It's terrible to look at, but look at it. We must. We all suffer from it in one degree or another. It can't be covered up. It can't be sedated. It must be faced. It's in us and around us. It is strong in its presence. It turns us against that which is created by God and for Him. We must stand in God's presence and the power of the Holy Spirit to keep us and protect us. We don't live in a vacuum. One or the other will influence us.
God is so good. He is hope, love and blessing. He will not take away our ability to choose. The awareness of the evil in and around us is part of the path from darkness into the light. He hasn't left us. He promised that even when all we see is darkness. He says He is the light at the end of the tunnel. Even if it's just a glimmer of light, believe me, it will get brighter and brighter.
He said that in this world we will have tribulation, but He has overcome the world. He has never lied to us. He can't lie. He is the truth. He will live in us and that presence will overcome the darkness. He is our hope. He wants to live in us as an overcomer. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength.
Look at the eagle flying! Mount up! He is our strength. Keep your eyes on the heavens. Even on a cloudy day the sun is shining. Thank you, Lord! Always a work in progress. It is so like you, Lord, to encourage us and give us hope. You have a plan for each of us. Not to harm us, but to give us hope and a future!
In His love, a work in progress.
God is so good. He is hope, love and blessing. He will not take away our ability to choose. The awareness of the evil in and around us is part of the path from darkness into the light. He hasn't left us. He promised that even when all we see is darkness. He says He is the light at the end of the tunnel. Even if it's just a glimmer of light, believe me, it will get brighter and brighter.
He said that in this world we will have tribulation, but He has overcome the world. He has never lied to us. He can't lie. He is the truth. He will live in us and that presence will overcome the darkness. He is our hope. He wants to live in us as an overcomer. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength.
Look at the eagle flying! Mount up! He is our strength. Keep your eyes on the heavens. Even on a cloudy day the sun is shining. Thank you, Lord! Always a work in progress. It is so like you, Lord, to encourage us and give us hope. You have a plan for each of us. Not to harm us, but to give us hope and a future!
In His love, a work in progress.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
OUR GOD IS A GOD OF PLEASURE!
Matthew 11;26. "Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." Our God is a God of pleasure, to please. We can give Him pleasure. Just look at His creation. Your own body. How pleasurable He made it. His presence. How pleasurable. Even sleep! It is so pleasurable to sleep, to eat, sex, a massage. Love, peace. Created in His image.
I'm afraid we've turned pleasure into lust. But that doesn't take anything away from our God. Look at the rainbow, the flowers, the beauty and pleasure in the seasons. The pleasure of seeing a daffodil poke its green little head out of the cold ground. Then the first yellow flower, the leaves on the trees, a rain, a snowflake, a cloud floating across the sky. The sound of birds returning after winter.
We've forgotten that our God of pleasure has given us these things for our pleasure. I think so often that they are nuisances that just cause us work. Think with me for a moment or two. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control. Meditate on these things. Our God of pleasure gives us all of these things from His very nature. His Spirit. His grace. A gift. He made us for this to enjoy Him forever!
What do you search for to give you pleasure? What happens when that thing is taken from you? I have a pleasure that can never be taken from me, that never wants to leave me. I have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control "living" in me. Why would I look to what could destroy me, for the pleasure I was created for--in the image of God. It's not even in a flower or sex or food, or a rainbow. Those things can only bring out in me what is there already. Created in God's image. Let the living water flow! Dance to its music! Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control. He's alive! He's alive and I am forgiven! Heaven's gates are open wide! He's alive! My beautiful God of pleasure. Created in His image. Meditate on that, why don't you! Such joy and peace all rolled up into one!
Philippians 4:4-8: He even tells us what to think of so we have the God of peace with us. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, PUT IT INTO PRACTICE! The reward is PEACE. God help us all.
May the God of peace guard our hearts and minds and give us His peace that passes understanding. The Lord is good and full of pleasure. When I experience pleasure, I experience God!
In Love, a work in progress.
I'm afraid we've turned pleasure into lust. But that doesn't take anything away from our God. Look at the rainbow, the flowers, the beauty and pleasure in the seasons. The pleasure of seeing a daffodil poke its green little head out of the cold ground. Then the first yellow flower, the leaves on the trees, a rain, a snowflake, a cloud floating across the sky. The sound of birds returning after winter.
We've forgotten that our God of pleasure has given us these things for our pleasure. I think so often that they are nuisances that just cause us work. Think with me for a moment or two. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control. Meditate on these things. Our God of pleasure gives us all of these things from His very nature. His Spirit. His grace. A gift. He made us for this to enjoy Him forever!
What do you search for to give you pleasure? What happens when that thing is taken from you? I have a pleasure that can never be taken from me, that never wants to leave me. I have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control "living" in me. Why would I look to what could destroy me, for the pleasure I was created for--in the image of God. It's not even in a flower or sex or food, or a rainbow. Those things can only bring out in me what is there already. Created in God's image. Let the living water flow! Dance to its music! Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control. He's alive! He's alive and I am forgiven! Heaven's gates are open wide! He's alive! My beautiful God of pleasure. Created in His image. Meditate on that, why don't you! Such joy and peace all rolled up into one!
Philippians 4:4-8: He even tells us what to think of so we have the God of peace with us. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, PUT IT INTO PRACTICE! The reward is PEACE. God help us all.
May the God of peace guard our hearts and minds and give us His peace that passes understanding. The Lord is good and full of pleasure. When I experience pleasure, I experience God!
In Love, a work in progress.
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