The Psalms are a great gift to humanity, aren't they? This morning, Psalm 52:8 touched me. "I'm an olive tree, growing green in God's house. I trusted in the generous mercy of God then and now."
David was a young man, green as can be when he wrote this psalm; I am no longer young but there's still a bit of green left in me and I don't think one is ever too old to grow a bit.
God's mercy endures forever. Nothing can kill it or stop it from existing in Him and nothing stops Him from having mercy for us. I am for ever grateful. I need His mercy and His generosity in giving this mercy to me.
Should I become cowardly and fear what may lay before me in this future move north, not knowing the future ins and outs of this move? God will not be pleased with me if I do not trust in Him. He has taught me over the years to not be fearful of the unknown because no matter what comes along God has planned it. He is in charge. I am not! His generosity will prevail! I will not suffer loss, but gain from the good God has in mind for me. The final outcome may not come right away, but the final outcome will be for the good. His mercy is absolute and hope follows me from day to day.
What will the future bring? There is no answer today. But God is generous in His mercy and I am growing green in anticipation of whatever it is God has I store for me!
This I trust. This is my psalm.
Jo
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
WE SHALL TRUST, HOPE, AND LOVE
THE MESSAGE tells us in 1 Cor. 13:13, "We have three things to do before (completeness in Christ); trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly; and the best of the three is love."
Trust, hope and love! That's all we need; we need these three things before our completeness. Sounds simple, but put it into a reality situation and what do we get? WORK! But work with a heart trusting God, hoping for ourselves, and loving Him and each other completely.
As I have earlier blogged, Jerry and I are moving north to our home base of the Twin Cities in MN. God revealed this to Jerry earlier this year and we put the house up for sale. We are certain this plan is God's plan for us. Our income will decrease when Jerry turns 81 this summer and we need to sell our house here before we dare to look for another up there. When it sells and where we will live is a mighty big question mark. It will all happen when it happens.
But we must have trust. Nothing is a guarantee, but God showed Jerry this is the right time to return to Minnesota! Therefore, that in itself is a reason to trust. We can trust what we are certain of: God and His infinite wisdom, and Jerry's ability to know when God speaks to him.
Hope follows this trust and comes because of His love. The Father loves His children. We are part of God's family. We don't have the answers of when, how, or especially how much all the changes will take, but we do have hope that it will all fall together as God planned. And the love God has always shown us, even in the most difficult of times, inspires us to keep on hoping and trusting and especially, to keep on loving.
We'll keep you posted on the ifs, ands, and buts about His Plans for us, just as we find out about them ourselves.
Praise Be to God who loves us and guides us home!
Always Loved, (even with the north wind a blowing! ) Jo
Trust, hope and love! That's all we need; we need these three things before our completeness. Sounds simple, but put it into a reality situation and what do we get? WORK! But work with a heart trusting God, hoping for ourselves, and loving Him and each other completely.
As I have earlier blogged, Jerry and I are moving north to our home base of the Twin Cities in MN. God revealed this to Jerry earlier this year and we put the house up for sale. We are certain this plan is God's plan for us. Our income will decrease when Jerry turns 81 this summer and we need to sell our house here before we dare to look for another up there. When it sells and where we will live is a mighty big question mark. It will all happen when it happens.
But we must have trust. Nothing is a guarantee, but God showed Jerry this is the right time to return to Minnesota! Therefore, that in itself is a reason to trust. We can trust what we are certain of: God and His infinite wisdom, and Jerry's ability to know when God speaks to him.
Hope follows this trust and comes because of His love. The Father loves His children. We are part of God's family. We don't have the answers of when, how, or especially how much all the changes will take, but we do have hope that it will all fall together as God planned. And the love God has always shown us, even in the most difficult of times, inspires us to keep on hoping and trusting and especially, to keep on loving.
We'll keep you posted on the ifs, ands, and buts about His Plans for us, just as we find out about them ourselves.
Praise Be to God who loves us and guides us home!
Always Loved, (even with the north wind a blowing! ) Jo
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
GOD'S WORK IS DONE THROUGH YOU AND ME
Do any of you consider the Books of Judges as your favorites? I don't. I dutifully read them and hope I find a kernel of truth to help me in my everyday life. As today was my first day of this year to read the Judges, I thought it desirable to read its introduction. And that's where I found a truly helpful gem in a group of words. And here they are...."God, it turns out, does not require good people in order to do good work. He can and does work with us in whatever moral and spiritual condition he finds us. God, we are learning, does some of his best work using the most unlikely people. If God found a way to significantly include these leaders (judges) in what we know is on its way to becoming a glorious conclusion, he can certainly use us along with our sometimes impossible friends and neighbors."
I like these words and thoughts. God can do anything through and with anybody! (Got an amen?)
I began reading Judges 1and 2, and saw that the generations after Moses slowly began to disintegrate into disorder and disobedience. Judges 2:10 told me "another generation grew up that didn't know anything of God or the work he had done in Israel." And the people began to serve the Baal gods and deserted God, the God of their parents who had led them out of Egypt. They were helpless before their enemies because God's "anger was hot against Israel."
I've said this before in other blogs, I believe; the times we live in are not so different than the Old Testament days. Yet, there are a few today who are believers of that same God who chose the Judges . Now, these days, He has also shown us the Beauty of His Son, Jesus the Christ. He showed us the One who suffered and died on the cross just as the Old Testament prophets said He would do. And those few who love Him are to use that love for Him to try and change the world full of disbelief into a world of people who believe.
Yep. We of the impossible and the imperfect are to love the world just as Jesus did. You see, Jesus through the Holy Spirit lives in us. It is His perfection, not ours, that is to do this work. His perfection is to be seen in us...through the Holy Spirit's work in us. My hands will do the touching, my feet will do the walking, and my mouth will do the talking. But God will be doing the changing of hearts and minds.
I plan to just be there, being me. Even trying to be the best me I can be won't make me good enough to change a heart full of old pain and disbelief. So, God will be there, too, guiding me, but mostly filling that other person with questions or feelings of some kind that turn into interest, and perhaps, finally belief. And perhaps, also, Christ will smile, and the Holy Spirit will sigh, and God will know all about this newest good news.
I hope this is God's plan. And I hope that here it is appropriate to repeat the earlier lesson from the Introduction to the Judges in The Message: "God does some of His best work using the most unlikely people."
Until the whole world knows and loves Him,
Jo
I like these words and thoughts. God can do anything through and with anybody! (Got an amen?)
I began reading Judges 1and 2, and saw that the generations after Moses slowly began to disintegrate into disorder and disobedience. Judges 2:10 told me "another generation grew up that didn't know anything of God or the work he had done in Israel." And the people began to serve the Baal gods and deserted God, the God of their parents who had led them out of Egypt. They were helpless before their enemies because God's "anger was hot against Israel."
I've said this before in other blogs, I believe; the times we live in are not so different than the Old Testament days. Yet, there are a few today who are believers of that same God who chose the Judges . Now, these days, He has also shown us the Beauty of His Son, Jesus the Christ. He showed us the One who suffered and died on the cross just as the Old Testament prophets said He would do. And those few who love Him are to use that love for Him to try and change the world full of disbelief into a world of people who believe.
Yep. We of the impossible and the imperfect are to love the world just as Jesus did. You see, Jesus through the Holy Spirit lives in us. It is His perfection, not ours, that is to do this work. His perfection is to be seen in us...through the Holy Spirit's work in us. My hands will do the touching, my feet will do the walking, and my mouth will do the talking. But God will be doing the changing of hearts and minds.
I plan to just be there, being me. Even trying to be the best me I can be won't make me good enough to change a heart full of old pain and disbelief. So, God will be there, too, guiding me, but mostly filling that other person with questions or feelings of some kind that turn into interest, and perhaps, finally belief. And perhaps, also, Christ will smile, and the Holy Spirit will sigh, and God will know all about this newest good news.
I hope this is God's plan. And I hope that here it is appropriate to repeat the earlier lesson from the Introduction to the Judges in The Message: "God does some of His best work using the most unlikely people."
Until the whole world knows and loves Him,
Jo
Monday, March 25, 2013
CIRCUS? NO, JUST GOD'S WAY!
There are two things on my blog agenda today and 1 Cor. 6 and 7 brought them to my mind. Verse 7 says: "And we must not turn our religion into a circus as they did." Here Paul is reminding the church in Corinth that the early Israelites caused quite a stir by partying things up and making a golden calf when Moses was late in coming down the mountain with the Rules of Ten.
Jerry and I attend a contemporary service. We both really like it, as we enjoy the singing and clapping, and praising by raising our hands. Many others feel it is too casual and doesn't give God the serenity, dignity, and beauty that can be found in a more formal setting. That may be true, but my heart needs to give to God that which is within me. And for me, a casual setting frees me to give all that I am. I pray it is not thought of as a circus. I pray that God sees it as a time of self-lessness and of sharing the joy that is within us with Him and each other.
Secondly, and probably much more important, Verse 6 tells us, "We must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way." Now, here is where it becomes a confession. The verse is a warning to not want my own way. And, you see, I have told God that I trust His way--all the way! But, I see now( as you have undoubtedly guessed), I want God's Way to be what I want! In other words, I want my own way! All this concerning the sale of our house and the purchase of the new. The first must happen before the other can happen.
But, God, as you are Holy, Mysterious, and Powerful, as well as Wonderful, you are to always be trusted. I ask your forgiveness, and know that You expect me to be steadfast in my trust and faith in You.
I am content. I will trust in You. Thank you, God.
I hope you will pray this with me, friend. Jo
Jerry and I attend a contemporary service. We both really like it, as we enjoy the singing and clapping, and praising by raising our hands. Many others feel it is too casual and doesn't give God the serenity, dignity, and beauty that can be found in a more formal setting. That may be true, but my heart needs to give to God that which is within me. And for me, a casual setting frees me to give all that I am. I pray it is not thought of as a circus. I pray that God sees it as a time of self-lessness and of sharing the joy that is within us with Him and each other.
Secondly, and probably much more important, Verse 6 tells us, "We must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way." Now, here is where it becomes a confession. The verse is a warning to not want my own way. And, you see, I have told God that I trust His way--all the way! But, I see now( as you have undoubtedly guessed), I want God's Way to be what I want! In other words, I want my own way! All this concerning the sale of our house and the purchase of the new. The first must happen before the other can happen.
But, God, as you are Holy, Mysterious, and Powerful, as well as Wonderful, you are to always be trusted. I ask your forgiveness, and know that You expect me to be steadfast in my trust and faith in You.
I am content. I will trust in You. Thank you, God.
I hope you will pray this with me, friend. Jo
Saturday, March 23, 2013
GOD ALWAYS KNOWS BEST
"We need to be sensitive to the fact that we're not all at the same level of understanding." So says
1 Cor. 8:7, Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth.
Not too long ago, in a Small Group meeting, when I just happened to be leading, one of my good friends spoke up with a question that had long bothered her: "Why did God make poor people?" She went on to explain how hard it was to see others standing in line to receive food from a food bank.
Well, in my great experience and knowledge, I went straight from my wisdom and explained. "God let some be poorer and some richer so that the person who believed in Him would share what they had out of the love God had given to those who love Him."
It didn't help. She was stuck in her bewilderment. God's reasoning wasn't clear to her and she was afraid God was being unfair.
So, that proves the verse from 1 Corinthians. Certainly, I don't have a tinker's darn about why God does anything! Who am I to speculate? All I know is that I love this woman; she is a good friend. And I can have sympathy for anyone struggling with the whys and why nots of God. God is One who must be accepted as He is, and as He does. ("Their's not to wonder why; their's just to do or die" from Tennyson's Charge of the Light Brigade.) And, I think, He wants us to be that accepting to one another, with forgiveness and love.
I'm very glad God has given me this woman as a friend. And that He has given me a great love for her. She loves God, yet she does not totally "get" Him. Sound familiar?
That is not too different from me. It's really difficult to totally "get" God. He is beyond total understanding from us small fry. I'm amazed that we are just a little lower than the angels according to Psalm 8. Sometimes I think we should be measured more like skunks! Untouchable and stinky!
But God is so generous with us as we plod along under His care. Gracious and generous to all whether we are wealthy or poor. Anyone can be rich in His love. All we have to do is ask.
I asked, and I am...rich in His love for Him....and I hope for others.
Love to you, and you, and you. Jo
1 Cor. 8:7, Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth.
Not too long ago, in a Small Group meeting, when I just happened to be leading, one of my good friends spoke up with a question that had long bothered her: "Why did God make poor people?" She went on to explain how hard it was to see others standing in line to receive food from a food bank.
Well, in my great experience and knowledge, I went straight from my wisdom and explained. "God let some be poorer and some richer so that the person who believed in Him would share what they had out of the love God had given to those who love Him."
It didn't help. She was stuck in her bewilderment. God's reasoning wasn't clear to her and she was afraid God was being unfair.
So, that proves the verse from 1 Corinthians. Certainly, I don't have a tinker's darn about why God does anything! Who am I to speculate? All I know is that I love this woman; she is a good friend. And I can have sympathy for anyone struggling with the whys and why nots of God. God is One who must be accepted as He is, and as He does. ("Their's not to wonder why; their's just to do or die" from Tennyson's Charge of the Light Brigade.) And, I think, He wants us to be that accepting to one another, with forgiveness and love.
I'm very glad God has given me this woman as a friend. And that He has given me a great love for her. She loves God, yet she does not totally "get" Him. Sound familiar?
That is not too different from me. It's really difficult to totally "get" God. He is beyond total understanding from us small fry. I'm amazed that we are just a little lower than the angels according to Psalm 8. Sometimes I think we should be measured more like skunks! Untouchable and stinky!
But God is so generous with us as we plod along under His care. Gracious and generous to all whether we are wealthy or poor. Anyone can be rich in His love. All we have to do is ask.
I asked, and I am...rich in His love for Him....and I hope for others.
Love to you, and you, and you. Jo
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
A GROWING TIME AHEAD
Psalm 69 is a psalm of David. In verse 6, David says: "Don't let those who look to you in hope be discouraged by what happens to me, Dear Lord! God of the Armies!" David was often in a lot of trouble and he worried that the mess he was in at that time would be a deterrent to those around him in becoming One with God.
Now, Jerry and I have our house for sale in the hope of moving back to MN. People here think we are crazy to move back north to the cold winters. Maybe so, but three of our kids' families live there and I miss them. Just as importantly, our financial situation has changed somewhat and we hope to live in a smaller home.
With less income, we are going to be watching carefully our out-go and one place we have to watch is in our giving. Strange, isn't it? Perhaps it has been too easy to give a donation instead of our time. Time changes all things and God will lead us in this, too, as He has in so many ways already.
We do not want to be a deterrent in any way to others who may want to become One with God. Because I believe change to be a "growing time," I also believe this change will be a time of growing and learning for ourselves and, hopefully, for others. We have grown and learned from our past and pray our maturity in God will see us through any difficulties.
You may think we are crazy, but there is more to life than staying away from the cold winters and mosquitoes. We are up for this, mostly because of our love of God and our love for our children. This change does not change our hunger to be with our youngest in Ohio, but MN is a bit closer to OH than AZ!
Just know this, my friends, our sojourn here has been fruitful for us with new friends and experiences galore. And each friend and memory will be carried with us to and through eternity.
BUT, as yet, the house has not been sold, although 92 people were here on Sunday's open house.
God is Good. All in good time. Besides, blogs can be sent from MN, too. Nevertheless, we can use your prayers that the house sells soon.
Your friend in the atmospheric cloud,
Jo
Now, Jerry and I have our house for sale in the hope of moving back to MN. People here think we are crazy to move back north to the cold winters. Maybe so, but three of our kids' families live there and I miss them. Just as importantly, our financial situation has changed somewhat and we hope to live in a smaller home.
With less income, we are going to be watching carefully our out-go and one place we have to watch is in our giving. Strange, isn't it? Perhaps it has been too easy to give a donation instead of our time. Time changes all things and God will lead us in this, too, as He has in so many ways already.
We do not want to be a deterrent in any way to others who may want to become One with God. Because I believe change to be a "growing time," I also believe this change will be a time of growing and learning for ourselves and, hopefully, for others. We have grown and learned from our past and pray our maturity in God will see us through any difficulties.
You may think we are crazy, but there is more to life than staying away from the cold winters and mosquitoes. We are up for this, mostly because of our love of God and our love for our children. This change does not change our hunger to be with our youngest in Ohio, but MN is a bit closer to OH than AZ!
Just know this, my friends, our sojourn here has been fruitful for us with new friends and experiences galore. And each friend and memory will be carried with us to and through eternity.
BUT, as yet, the house has not been sold, although 92 people were here on Sunday's open house.
God is Good. All in good time. Besides, blogs can be sent from MN, too. Nevertheless, we can use your prayers that the house sells soon.
Your friend in the atmospheric cloud,
Jo
Thursday, March 14, 2013
IS CHRIST VISIBLE OR REAL IN ME?
Gal.:19, Paul in writing to the church in Galatia, says, "Do you know how I feel right now, and will feel until Christ's life becomes visible in your lives?" Imagine how those Galatians felt when they read that! Sort of like how I feel when I read it today. Sad. Empty. Hurt, even.
It hurts to know that my life nearing its end, has so little of Christ that shows. Still full of me, which is chapter 2 of yesterday's blog. but it led me to some thoughts I decided to share.
Paul grieved for his friends unable to express Christ's unerring love and mercy. And I wonder if Christ grieves for me or for Himself because He can't live His life in me more fully.
How can I learn to think and act with the self-lessness and love of Christ until I can believe it is really Christ Himself doing the acts of love? Is it just a matter of believing? Am I making this too important to me or is it truly important to God?
This is what I'm thinking: Belief is everything! In gratitude to Christ, I want to spend more time with Him and include Him in the everyday things that I do, believing that is where He wants to be. How can I not have Him with me if He lives in me. He helps me clean the patio furniture and pick up lemons in the orchard. Maybe He's even with me when I play Words With Friends on my IPad with my sister, Shirley, or daughter, Jean.
Now I'm not trying to be silly here. He either is in me or He isn't. I'm just not usually aware of Him, but perhaps I should be. I shall try to be.
I am a breathing, thinking, and living person who carries the Spirit of Christ within. Therefore, Christ is with me in all that I do. How many of these words has He insisted upon in this blog? Quite a few, I think!
I want to spend the rest of my life living in the person-hood of Jesus. I will have my name. I will be a woman with graying hair. I will sometimes forget His presence and become doubtful, but I will turn and acknowledge His presence once again.
And I will love the Lord with all my heart, because He is my heart.
Your friend, Jesus Christ, alias Jo
It hurts to know that my life nearing its end, has so little of Christ that shows. Still full of me, which is chapter 2 of yesterday's blog. but it led me to some thoughts I decided to share.
Paul grieved for his friends unable to express Christ's unerring love and mercy. And I wonder if Christ grieves for me or for Himself because He can't live His life in me more fully.
How can I learn to think and act with the self-lessness and love of Christ until I can believe it is really Christ Himself doing the acts of love? Is it just a matter of believing? Am I making this too important to me or is it truly important to God?
This is what I'm thinking: Belief is everything! In gratitude to Christ, I want to spend more time with Him and include Him in the everyday things that I do, believing that is where He wants to be. How can I not have Him with me if He lives in me. He helps me clean the patio furniture and pick up lemons in the orchard. Maybe He's even with me when I play Words With Friends on my IPad with my sister, Shirley, or daughter, Jean.
Now I'm not trying to be silly here. He either is in me or He isn't. I'm just not usually aware of Him, but perhaps I should be. I shall try to be.
I am a breathing, thinking, and living person who carries the Spirit of Christ within. Therefore, Christ is with me in all that I do. How many of these words has He insisted upon in this blog? Quite a few, I think!
I want to spend the rest of my life living in the person-hood of Jesus. I will have my name. I will be a woman with graying hair. I will sometimes forget His presence and become doubtful, but I will turn and acknowledge His presence once again.
And I will love the Lord with all my heart, because He is my heart.
Your friend, Jesus Christ, alias Jo
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
THE WHITE FUNERAL
Last Christmas Jerry and I were given bibles which have a blank page after every page of scripture, purposefully to write notes about the written word opposite. When a year or so is over, it is hoped that we would return those bibles to Isaac and Alaya, our grandchildren. Our son and his beautiful wife honor us with this gift and we hope our words and thoughts, dutifully written, will be helpful to those two young Christians.
This morning I was trying to explain to Alaya (I'm writing in her bible, Jerry in Isaac's) what a "white funeral" was, something I was also journaling. So, I basically told her it was a funeral to "bury" self, after going through the act of killing self within me.
I also told her that it was a heck of a hard job! I've killed snakes which were pests under our shed. I've killed mosquitoes and flies, the nasties! I've "killed" relationships that weren't good for me. I've killed time and various good things I later grieved. But, "self" resists my fatal blows over and over.
But, I am reminded each time I see "self" crop up its ugly head, Wait just a minute here! I had a white funeral, and you're supposed to be dead, so what are you doing coming alive again!
Being self absorbed is quite awful, to be simply said. Even when I'm trying to be other-absorbed, I find myself saying, "Good job, Jo." Such is the life of a human being. Or am I the only one who has this problem?
I try to remember to be Christ-absorbed, but much of what I do is for Christ and that brings the old ball right back into the hands of "self"! I, that is my "self", is suppposed to be dead! And it is Christ who lives in my body, not me! Not me. Not me. Not me. No sir, not me.
Oh, Lord, forgive me. I seem to be stuck with me. Well, I did have a white funeral. Nobody was there but me. I'm trying to stay dead, but until I actually am dead, I imagine that self will pop up from the grave every once and awhile. Such is life as a human.
Lord Jesus, have pity on your servant, your body which used to be mine. There may be some who laugh at my predicament, but only you know the real grief I feel when my "self" shows so often to the world around me and takes the place I so seriously and lovingly offer to you.
Once again, take my body and my mind and my spirit as your own.
Lovingly, Jo
This morning I was trying to explain to Alaya (I'm writing in her bible, Jerry in Isaac's) what a "white funeral" was, something I was also journaling. So, I basically told her it was a funeral to "bury" self, after going through the act of killing self within me.
I also told her that it was a heck of a hard job! I've killed snakes which were pests under our shed. I've killed mosquitoes and flies, the nasties! I've "killed" relationships that weren't good for me. I've killed time and various good things I later grieved. But, "self" resists my fatal blows over and over.
But, I am reminded each time I see "self" crop up its ugly head, Wait just a minute here! I had a white funeral, and you're supposed to be dead, so what are you doing coming alive again!
Being self absorbed is quite awful, to be simply said. Even when I'm trying to be other-absorbed, I find myself saying, "Good job, Jo." Such is the life of a human being. Or am I the only one who has this problem?
I try to remember to be Christ-absorbed, but much of what I do is for Christ and that brings the old ball right back into the hands of "self"! I, that is my "self", is suppposed to be dead! And it is Christ who lives in my body, not me! Not me. Not me. Not me. No sir, not me.
Oh, Lord, forgive me. I seem to be stuck with me. Well, I did have a white funeral. Nobody was there but me. I'm trying to stay dead, but until I actually am dead, I imagine that self will pop up from the grave every once and awhile. Such is life as a human.
Lord Jesus, have pity on your servant, your body which used to be mine. There may be some who laugh at my predicament, but only you know the real grief I feel when my "self" shows so often to the world around me and takes the place I so seriously and lovingly offer to you.
Once again, take my body and my mind and my spirit as your own.
Lovingly, Jo
Thursday, March 7, 2013
KEEPING COMPANY WITH GOD
Jesus speaks to His disciples in Mark 13:31 saying, "Sky and earth will wear out; my words won't wear out." So, He also speaks to me. And in Deuteronomy 4:29, "If you seek God, your God, you'll be able to find him if you're serious, looking for him with your whole heart and soul." Then fnally, Psalm 36:10 tells me, "Keep on loving your friends; do your work in welcoming hearts."
What do these three verses mean for me? So glad you asked..
The words and commands of Mark, Deuteronomy and Psalms have touched my heart today with the promise of God's words never wearing out; they will always be good. They either command or encourage, no matter where I choose to read.
II wish more people enjoyed reading the Bible. Even those in the church seem to think it is an effort. And the world at large has determined it is of no value. It seems they have forgotten the importance of this book. It's value only increases as it is read and reread. It is how I keep company with God.
Keeping company with God helps me to walk steadily with Him and not get overly excited when my humanness shows and God's righteousness disappears. That happens regularly for me. I have to remind myself over and over... God is in me...let Him be visible!
It is a BIG task. Probably it is not bigger for me than for others, but big enough to make my head spin. But I don't want my head to be spinning out of control. Enough is enough! Grab onto Christ's hand, young lady! Yes, I talk to myself as I would a child! Because letting your head spin is childish, right?
So, what do I do? I get right back to the Bible, head re-attached and re-read God's command for the future, which starts right now. "Keep on loving your friends; do your work in welcoming hearts." I can do that; no problem!
So, as the world becomes more humanistic and unstable and the world's people more self-invested, I hope to stick out like the sun on a cloudy day by being close to my Lord, His directions and purposes.
And I "Thank you, Lord" for your words and your love that will last forever!
Grant that the rest of my life and my simple words will be pleasing to you.
Jo
What do these three verses mean for me? So glad you asked..
The words and commands of Mark, Deuteronomy and Psalms have touched my heart today with the promise of God's words never wearing out; they will always be good. They either command or encourage, no matter where I choose to read.
II wish more people enjoyed reading the Bible. Even those in the church seem to think it is an effort. And the world at large has determined it is of no value. It seems they have forgotten the importance of this book. It's value only increases as it is read and reread. It is how I keep company with God.
Keeping company with God helps me to walk steadily with Him and not get overly excited when my humanness shows and God's righteousness disappears. That happens regularly for me. I have to remind myself over and over... God is in me...let Him be visible!
It is a BIG task. Probably it is not bigger for me than for others, but big enough to make my head spin. But I don't want my head to be spinning out of control. Enough is enough! Grab onto Christ's hand, young lady! Yes, I talk to myself as I would a child! Because letting your head spin is childish, right?
So, what do I do? I get right back to the Bible, head re-attached and re-read God's command for the future, which starts right now. "Keep on loving your friends; do your work in welcoming hearts." I can do that; no problem!
So, as the world becomes more humanistic and unstable and the world's people more self-invested, I hope to stick out like the sun on a cloudy day by being close to my Lord, His directions and purposes.
And I "Thank you, Lord" for your words and your love that will last forever!
Grant that the rest of my life and my simple words will be pleasing to you.
Jo
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