The wind
the wind
the wind blew my hope
from my soul
The rain
the rain
the rain washed my belief
from my heart
and now
now
today
all I hold
is a flickering flame of faith
in my empty
raised hands
as I pray
The Storm
Words Words Words
WORDS WORDS WORDS
Sit for awhile
Tears may flow
And it’s okay
I know it hurts
It hurts like
Lime and salt
On open wounds
It matters not
If sounds came
From them or not
They were written
To belittle you
with criticism
Unworthiness
And judgment
Words, words, words
They can lift a soul
Bring a spirit to fly
Place a skip in steps
Bring a song to a heart
Ignite a passion to soar
Or they can just leave
One to bleed profoundly
With no energy to move
With no pep to take steps
With no self-esteem to rise
Mean words, hurtful words
Destructive words are heavy
Like rocks sinking the spirit
Drowning a deflated soul
Robbing energy from a heart
Leaving the person without
Motivation to hold an inhale
As their soul sinks downward
Without a reason to try and
Release the sinking stones to
Grasp their worthiness to breath
To exist, to persist, to rise again
Above the daggers of insults
It takes more than courage to
Lift your head and take a breath
One must give grace to self
And say, yes I’m hurt
True, I’m bleeding
But I have a life
To keep living
For I know my
Self worth
Poem and photo by
Lidia Hu
A Root Out Of The Ground
Many times I wonder, why things just stop me as I walk? Why do they move me to take a picture? Why, when it seems there’s no reason, no purpose, no clue, yet the sight hollers at my heart?
I’ve learned to take the picture anyway. The reason, the purpose, the meaning will come. And when one of these or all three flow to me, I will then ask the Lord to guide me to the picture to express what is bubbling within me.
At other times it’s the picture which jumps from the collection of photos and it moves me to write a phrase or two.
There’s something beyond my understanding that tugs at my spirit and connects me with the picture then words begin to flow from somewhere in my soul.
Even though I know this, I still wondered why the root of this tree stood out to me. It seemed like a toenail of giant beast. What’s so appealing about it? Why was I moved to take a picture? Who, if anyone, would find it pleasing to look at?
I ask God why did He lead me to take this picture? What’s the message that I need to hear? What do I need to write regarding this idea of an exposed root? Is there a verse to point me to a truth?
God never fails. He never fails to lead me to an answer. Never!
Isaiah 53:2
“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of the ground.”
What I read left me in awe. I knew whom the verse described. I knew who the words were about. It was my Lord. My Savior. I love how God answers.
So I read the rest of verse.
“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.”
I was blown away by what I read. Because that’s how I felt regarding the picture of the root when I took it. I honestly didn’t find it attractive at all. I told the Lord. I see no reason or beauty or uniqueness that makes this root stand out. But I will obey. I quickly took the picture and walk away.
Something tickled my interest after I took several steps away from the root. I turned around and took the picture of the mossy roots which led to the tree. I did find the roots intriguing. I knew something interesting will come from that photo.
Wanting to understand where the Lord was leading me with this post, I went and read more of Isaiah 53.
Verse 3
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
God in a manner of speaking, unearth his Son slowly to man’s heart. In time, he revealed his heart to those who needed compassion, answers, meaning and guidance. He sent his Son as a lowly person not as a high branch from a towering tree.
Jesus came to us with a humility of understanding rejection, sorrow, loneliness. People stumbled of who He really was, for they were expecting a king. Jesus began to build his roots in peoples hearts with the lowly and grew into other hearts
He became the tree of life pointing to the one and only true God, His Heavenly Father, our Heavenly Father.
Just like these exposed roots reveal their source, the giant evergreen tree, so did Jesus Christ reveal the source of whom sent Him.
Jesus came with a great message that brought physical, emotional and spiritual healing. And He still has that power today through His Holy Spirit.
Like an evergreen tree, Christ will forever be with us. Therefore, let’s not reject, despite or deny Him today. Together in heart, in worship, in sharing let’s esteem him every day of our life.
From an unattractive root on my walk, I am reminded that God never waist a thing. All things have a purpose. They’re there to point to a greater truth. Let’s be the source for others and point them to the truth of a forgiving Love.
I will continue to listen and obey to what moves me and stops me to take pictures. For I know a purpose from a Higher Power has a reason for its existence.
They’re there to point all of us to the source of our existence, the existence of God.
A Break-up
Hello Busyness,
I just wanted to tell you that I do not appreciate how not so busy you’ve kept me these past few weeks. I hate to break it you, but this thing, you and I, isn’t working for me. I’m not getting anything done. You know the last chapter we wrote, chapter nine I think, or was it ten? Well, it’s been so long that I don’t recall. I showed up at different hours of the day and night to create, but you, you were nowhere in sight. You have not met up with me for months. That’s why I’ve stopped writing.
Someone took your place. Do you recall, Nothing, that strange fellow that looks like Rip Van Winkle? You know, the one who sits at the corner? Well, he brought me coffee and kept me company as I waited for you. It doesn’t feel good to be abandoned like this. I’m beginning to think it’s my fault. But I know better. Yet questions swim in my head. Why did you leave? Did I do something wrong? What did I not do? Where have you gone? Will you return?
Anyway, since you haven’t been present in my world, my unwanted lost friend, Procrastination, moved in. To be perfectly truthful and you can tell her if you like, I don’t care for her style, not at all. She comes in saying, “We’ll have so much fun now that your boyfriend hasn’t come around.” We played games, watched movies, looked up friends in social media. Rabbit Trail and Intrigued come over and hang out with us. When they show up, hours pass like minutes.
It isn’t that I didn’t have fun but it’s not giving me anymore of that thrill it did in the beginning. I’ve been telling Procrastination that my guy friend, Fitness, who needs a project subject, invited me to help him out. I’ve been working on being punctual on a regular basis to this job, but even that is not long lasting. It just a bunch of bull-sweat.
So therefore, I’m writing this note to tell you, that I’m leaving you for good. I’m going to be calling on my friend, Reliance, who pushes me off cliffs. Which I seem to be on one right now. I need to jump off and fly. I need to arrive at my aunt’s, Accomplishment’s place to finish my story. Or I’m afraid, I’ll find myself going back and asking Procrastination for advice on how to join her new favorite miniseries, Tic-Tok. At least I’ll start something new.
For now, I’ll sip my coffee and keep Nothing company as we share this moment of nothingness.
Good-bye Busyness, it was sweet while it lasted.
Your X-girlfriend, Unaccomplished
Wisdom and Understanding
Wisdom, understanding, devotional, photography
WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James3:13
To be wise is to have understanding
Understanding help us have a good life.
To be wise is to have a good life.
A good life encourages deeds to be done.
To be wise is to accomplish deeds with meekness.
Deeds done in meekness produce humbleness.
To be wise is to do all things with humility
Humility focuses on others more than self.
Understanding, a good life, deeds done in meekness, and humility are developed when we spend time with the One who is the wisest of all, our risen Savior, Jesus Christ.
Nature always reminds me that if I remain in Christ, I’m a mighty mountain, a pool of fresh water, a plant with beauty blooming, and a child of God. Which reminds me of doing good deeds for my Lord.
As long as I practices the truths above, I reflect a hint of the grandness of our mighty God and the power of our Savior.
As I step away from such a grand scene, I’m also reminded of my earthly size. For I must remain humble with the confidence of what I know to be true in Christ.
For it is not me, but Christ in me who is mighty like a mountain.
•He is the refreshing water who quenches thirsty souls.
•He is the one who rebuilds beauty out of ashes.
•He is the one who gives confidence to the lowly.
•He renews hearts, minds, and souls.
Once Jesus touches the heart, the human spirit can clearly sense His spirit. Wherever anyone goes, wherever ever anyone find themselves, when ever anyone falls away from Him, His Spirit will be there.
The Lord will always give his hand to the fallen not only to correct but to restore the one who calls his name. He rescues out of his love, his mercy, and his grace.
It is then we can live a good life, do good deeds, remain humble and be wise with a personal understanding.
Lord help us to be wise with understanding. In Jesus holy name I ask. Amen.
© 2022 Lidia Hu
My Daughter’s Roses
Cees-photo-challenges-flower-of-the-day-fotd #photography Close-up flowers Cee’s Fun Photo Challenge ~ Beauty On The Ordinary
Individual petals
Soft like silk
One before the other
Revealing detailed
Characteristics as
Colored petal tips
Bleed inwardly
Framing each
Developed rose
While their center
Glow with warmth
Like the high noon sun
On an late summer day
Their essences spread
An unspoken invitation
Come close and smell
What no one can ever see
Enjoy my fragrance and beauty
Before fall comes and I must sleep
© 2022 Lidia Hu
Teach Me God
“Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me
on level ground.”
Psalms 143:10
Teach me God
Of hearing
Your voice
Your lessons
Your advice
Tell me
Once again
Remind me
To do your will
And to release
My fisted hands
You alone
Are my God
The rock
Of my life
Where I
Find refuge
I ask for
Your favor
Your goodness
Your protection
Over my life
And my spirit
Please allow
Your Holy Spirit
To lead me
On level ground
Where You’ve
Anointed Already
ss
TEACH ME GOD
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalms 143:10
Teach me God
Of hearing
Your voice
Your lessons
Your advice
Tell me
Once again
Remind me
To do your will
And to release
My fisted hands
You alone
Are my God
The rock
Of my life
Where I
Find refuge
I ask for
Your favor
Your goodness
Your protection
Over my life
And my spirit
Please allow
Your Holy Spirit
To lead me
On level ground
Where You’ve
© 2022 Lidia Hu
Under His Shadow
Shadows
Mislead
Unless
One is
Under
His shadow
His shadow
His people
Will grow
Will bloom
Will rejoice
Return to
His shadow
With words
Or repentance
His forgiveness
Always abounds
– Lidia Hu
~ ~ ~
Hosea 14:7
“Those who live in his shadow
Will again raise grain,
And they will blossom like the vine.
His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.”
Prayer
Our Heavenly Father, please guide us back under your shadow, forgive all our sins and receive us graciously.
Only you can save us from shadowing misguidance. Your compassion will reach us. Save us.
Help us to grow in your precepts. Bloom your goodness in us. Then other can see the reason for our joy.
I ask these things in Jesus everlasting name.
Further reading Hosea 14:1-8
Repentance to Bring Blessing
14 Return, Israel, to the Lord your God.
Your sins have been your downfall!
2 Take words with you
and return to the Lord.
Say to him:
“Forgive all our sins
and receive us graciously,
that we may offer the fruit of our lips.
3 Assyria cannot save us;
we will not mount warhorses.
We will never again say ‘Our gods’
to what our own hands have made,
for in you the fatherless find compassion.
4 “I will heal their waywardness
and love them freely,
for my anger has turned away from them.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
he will blossom like a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon
he will send down his roots;
6 his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,
his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
7 People will dwell again in his shade;
they will flourish like the grain,
they will blossom like the vine—
Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?
I will answer him and care for him.
I am like a flourishing juniper;
your fruitfulness comes from me.”
Hungry for Pizza and a Relationship – Flash Fiction
I
Photo by Christian Mackie on Unsplash
Hungry for food and a relationship, I sat in my car holding a piece of wet paper with the words, come to dinner. I studied the note. Strange, there’s no name. I don’t recognize the handwriting. Could it be the new neighbor down the hall from me?
A tap on my window startled me. I looked up. A man bent over motion for me to roll the window down. My heart seemed to beat out of my chest. It’s him. I cracked the window opened.
“Did you get my note? “The new neighbor asked.
Entranced by his lite brown eyes, I lifted the yellow paper and nodded my head.
“I didn’t see you at my party and realized I had forgotten to put time and place. Will you join me? Or do you need to go somewhere?”
“Pizza. Have craving for pizza.” The words slipped from my mouth.
“From Antonio’s?”
“Yes.”
“I ordered some. Save your bucks and come.” His smiled.
I rolled up the window. We both ran inside the building. I shook the rain off my raincoat before entering his apartment. The aroma of basil, cheese and tomatoes, my favorite pizza, made my stomach grumbled.
With an empty plate, I stood by the table waiting my turn. I looked for him. He hung my coat next to his. Hope entered my heart. I reached for a slice of pizza. Is this his favorite too?
Thin fingers took the piece, I had my eyes on.
“By the way, I’m Mat and this is my girlfriend, Unzi.” He towered her small frame.
Deflated, I took a slice of pizza then said, “Unzi, you took the one, I had my eyes on.”
“We must have the same taste,” Unzi responded.
Gazing at Mat I said, “Apparently we do.”
Written for Roger Shipp’s Flash Fiction for the Purposeful Practitioner challenge 31st August. 299 words
Change of Focus
CHANGE OF FOCUS
When the sky is huge
And I feel small
The ant comes to mine
A mighty insect
That gets much done
The scale of their might
Gives me a perspective insight
When the mountains are far
And I feel nothing is done
A fish comes to mine
A energetic species
That swims and swims on by
Their energy gets them a bit far
It gives me an accomplishment insight
When my love ones are miles afar
And I feel lonesome inside
Christ comes to mine
A heavenly being
Who gave up much to live
Among those he deeply loved
Which gives me a true sacrifice insight
In time my focus will not be
On the sky, the mountains
Or the emptiness of family
For the mighty power of nearness
The energy of our gathering
The loving acceptance of each other
Will fill my heart with a genuine understanding
of perspective, accomplishment and sacrifice
I will then not be bothered
By the grandeur of the sky
Or by how far the mountains are
Or the thousands of miles
Which exist between my family and I
For God’s insight helped change my focus
From where I want to be to where He has me
A Slice of Indulgence
When the view is to grand for the picture to capture it all, what does one focus on? Nothing. Just take the picture and hopes the camera’s radius captured a slice of what the eye indulged.
A Little After Seven A.M.
A LITTLE AFTER 7A.M.
What’s keeping you awake through the night?
Children, spouse, parents, extended family, a soul friend, your beloved pet, concerns for our world?
Worry, anxiety, fear of the future, anger of what has been your lot?
You’ve prayed, trusted God, stayed faithful to Him, repented when you’ve fall away, loved and forgiven others and self as much as it was possible, yet life still hands you sour grapes, mildew lemons even rotten tomatoes are thrown at you, again!
You wonder, how Lord, how am I going to make it through the night this time?
I had enough.
Every step forward, I end five steps back.
Lord, it may not be that way, but it sure feels as others get somewhere, while I find myself back where I have been over and over again.
Even during the day, night holds the light from me.
Why?
Love one, if this is how you feel, I tell you, I know where you are. I understand your perplexed soul. I feel your dry tears, silent cry and cold loneliness.
Call someone. Tell them what your facing. Ask them to pray for your concern.
After the tears fall, I pray words of encouragement brings a smile, a giggle or even a time laughter for you load has been shared and you sense a bit of hope of what’s on the way, goodness.
Prayers are whispers of wind that come to lift the darkness away, allowing the break of God’s goodness to be felt, seen and grasped.
If you’re still in the dark of your night, may the Light of morning dawn find you soon, where the Lord trades your burden for more than you could ever have dreamed.
When the pain, fear, anxiety, worry, anger returns to stop you from trusting, speak out, “God is working things out for me, my family and keeping a watch over our lives.” It’ll hush uncertainty away.
Let’s not ignore the opportunity to be a servant of the Lord through prayer and help someone move-out of their dimmed, hopeless, lonesome day. Remember to pray for one another, even if that one soul hasn’t call, especially when God places them in our radar.
I know someone is praying for you, right now!
Yahweh Conquers Valiantly For Us
YAHWEH CONQUERS VALIANTLY FOR US
“The joyful songs I now sing will be sung again
in the hearts and homes of all your lovers.
My loud shouts of victory will echo throughout the land.
For Yahweh’s right hand conquers valiantly!
The right hand of Yahweh exalts!
The right hand of Yahweh will never fail.
You will not let them kill me, but I will live to tell the world what the Lord has done for me.” Psalms 118:15-17 TPT
At the end of the day, when fatigue, apprehensiveness and maybe even hopelessness come like dark clouds ready to pour a storm in our mind and into our heart of mistrust and unbelief, SING a song.
Sing the words of this psalm.
“Yahweh’s right hand conquers valiantly!
The right hand of Yahweh exalts.
The right hand of Yahweh will never fail.”
Then make these words the chorus of your daily living; “His constant, tender love lasts forever!”
Repeat this truth, this fact, this hope until you fall asleep.
When you wake and the storm remains, may the hope of the Lord give you a step to dance of what is yet to unfold, His Victory.
Then call someone, text someone, send a message, encourage others, for we will persevere.
If it’s difficult for you to see the Victory, then take time to revisit how other believers in their great evil trials endured, held on and stood firm.
May the good Lord, Yahweh, give you endurance during this quarantine with stories of His goodness.
May your words reflect the light of Hope for others to visualize the new norm. Ultimately see how the mighty hand of our Savior never fails.
His constant, tender love does last forever.
Yet, He fights for us. His fight is fureiously. He will fight fiercely for you, me, us.
Dare to Come
DARE TO COME
The path
Whispered
Enter but
Be aware
Hidden
Secrets
Will be
Found
Tears
Will fall
Wounds
Will heal
Do
Come
Do not
Fear
Lejos de Ti / Far from You
Lejos de Ti
Ayer me sentí tan lejos de ti,
que mi sueño se desapareció
me encontré esperando,
escuchando por tu susurro.
Caminé de un lado a otro
de la cocina a la sala,
te hablé con mi corazón
te dije mis necesidades.
Anhelaba tu presencia
queriendo tu compañía
deseando tu cariño amoroso
confesé no haber usado el regalo
qué me distes, de escribir historias.
Me paré junto a una ventana abierta
el cielo de medianoche revelaba
el solsticio de verano,
allí rogué por tu perdón y ayuda.
Mi sueño regreso
Uniéndose con mi cuerpo,
mi alma sintió tu presencia,
pero no me quedé despierta.
Hoy . . . mi alma recuerda
lo que mi cuerpo no sabía,
tu presencia me refresco,
tu susurro melodioso me arrulló
tu abrazo calmante me relajo.
Mi espíritu dijo a mi corazón:
Dios vino y te abrazó
en sus alas superpuestas te dijo:
Duerme, mi perdón ya paso,
mi ayuda ya llego.
~ ~ ~
Far From You
Yesterday I felt far from you
that my sleep vanished
I found myself waiting
listening for your whisper.
I walked from one side to the other
from the kitchen to the living room,
I spoke to you with my heart
I told you my needs.
I longed for your presence
wanting for your company
desiring for your loving embrace
I confessed not applying the gift
you gave me, to write stories.
I stood by an open window
the midnight sky revealed
the summer solstice,
there I begged for your
forgiveness and help.
My sleep returned
Joining with my body,
my soul felt your presence,
but I didn’t stay awake.
Today . . . my soul remembers
what my body did not know,
your presence refreshes me,
your melodious whisper lulled me
your soothing embrace relaxed me.
My spirit said to my heart:
God came and held you
in his superimposed wings, he told you:
Sleep, my forgiveness has passsed,
my help has arrived.
Put Up With One Another
“Put up with one another. Forgive. Pardon any offenses against one another, as the Lord has pardoned you, because you should act in kind.” Colossians 3:13 (The Voice)
~~~~~~
To put up with one another, one has to have a triple tune-up; in the heart, of the mind and from the attitude. In order to get the tune up, one must go to the best adjuster. I only know of one, Jesus.
Many times we need more than a tune-up to put up with those we love.The following also may need to be looked at:
1) A total overhaul. There could be major repairs to be considered which have been overlooked for years. Like years, 10, 20, 30 maybe even since childhood.
2) A quick refurbish. They may only be the need of an adjustment. The stress from a new job, newborn baby, low bank account, high credit card bill. Or just plainly the stress of marriage, parenting, or any other relationship along with the stresses mention above.
3) A costly remodel. This means a major fix up. What once worked is no longer working. People grow, mature, change revealing the need of new ways to deal with the present circumstances while others are stagnant, stuck, stubborn. It’s costly because most of us like the way we deal with others and feel the other person should change and not us. Well, think again! This is where it will cost, when we are the ones who must be remodel and we aren’t willing. God help us!
4) A humble Patch up. Restoring is when something worked well, but now it has a tare, a crack, or a hole which been over looked. Time and wearing down caused some wear and tear. Now they’re noticeable with the need to be covered with the same agreements. Together the loop holes must be recognized allowing proper time for healing and restoration.
5) A true revise. Reworking is going back and starting all over again. But, the start begins with a changed plan. Starting again with the same agreements, which didn’t work to begin with, will only produce more frustrations. A revision will have to be made or the error will occur again and again. Honesty is best, even if it’s fearful. It’s pricey to be frank.
Relationships are hard work. Maintaince is a must. Tune ups of ourselves have to be made.
Sometimes, we just have to put ourselves in the shop with God and tell Him do the works on me.
We may need to take a sabbatical.
All this to say, forgive, forgive again, forgive seventy times seven.
Actually forgive as often as the person who turned the heat up in the realtionship to 80 while you were already sweating anger and frustration.
By the way, forgive yourself for storming to the person holding your dial.
Cause and effect goes both ways. They hurt you. You hurt them. Come together to God, if possible. Be pardon, then pardon. Remember we’re sinner just as much as the person who raise the heat on our thermostat.
Forgive. Forgive. Forgive.
Pardon. Pardon. Pardon.
Release. Release. Release.
So, put up with one another, as you are kind with your words, your actions and in your secret thoughts.
Pray often. Pardon always. Prosper with love.
Will You Believe?
Will You Believe?
To believe, sometimes, one must take a step into an overgrown area of disbelief.
One walks cautiously removing what isn’t true to see facts, learn new truths, forming a path of belief. At times, one must trust on what they’ve been told in order to move forward to continue to believe. Trust to believe removes fear, concerns and falsity.
Let’s read, Hebrews 1:1-4.
“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.
3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.”
There is no consensus on who’s the author of Hebrews. The possibility could be St. Barnabas or Paul. Whoever wrote this book had much knowledge of how God communicated in the Old Testament to those with great faith and belief.
The author knew the Jewish history well enough to understand how the Lord spoke to God’s selected. He must have been well-versed in the Tora and the great stories of old during and after the fall of the Garden of Eden. But knowing wasn’t enough, he believed what he read, the stories and what he heard from God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Let’s re read and focus on the first two sentences of the passage above.
Belief is the main focus here. Its importance is not only in what we read about God, but the new revelation Jesus spoke to anyone who would listen. Jesus teachings were something this author took to heart. In the further chapters in Hebrews, we will see how he connects Jesus’ teachings to what he knew to be true of God’s dealings with his children.
For now, let’s take a giant step back in time when God spoke to men through the prophets. The author of Hebrews wrote, “many times and in various ways” our Heavenly Father conversed with those mention in the Old Testament. Wait, maybe we shouldn’t take such a big step backwards yet.
Let’s read John 9:28, “Then they cursed him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses! 29 We know God spoke to Moses, but we don’t even know where this man comes from.””
If you need to refresh your memory of the investigation by the Pharisees of this man born blind, whom Jesus healed, read chapter 9 from verse one. It is a cool story. Back to the Pharisee’s statement to the healed individual.
In this verse, the Pharisee confirms of God talking to his Prophets, like Moses, whom they followed. As far as I know from research, God spoke to Moses over two thousand times. Makes me wonder how many more times God spoke to Moses which no one recorded.
If you like to read about God and Moses flip the pages of time and turn to Exodus 3 and linger in the far past for a little. Be aware, as you stay in the yesterdays of the Old Testament, keep your ears tune to hear God’s voice in your todays.
Now, let’s flip a few pages back in the book of John. There’s an important word, which I pointed out earlier that we need to dwell upon in our mind and heart.
The word is belief.
John 5:46-48, “Yet it isn’t I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your hopes. If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. But since you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”
We, you and me, today must not only believe what we read, but we also must believe what we hear. Yes, we do need to be careful of what we are hearing, for many things said are to tickle our ears and not to set our heart after God. What is written has an importance and its place. But hearing God, the Lord and the Holy Spirit today is of great importance.
There’s an invisible rope with knots of truth that one can grab to climb through Biblical history. It’s there to not only take us to the past, but to help us understand a time we didn’t live in or know anyone who experienced life in that time frame. We depend on the historical writings of the scriptures to teach us what was and happened in the years before and during Jesus days. We accept those facts and teachings as God’s truth.
Much like the Jews, who studied the works of Moses, we study the works of Jesus. They didn’t believe Jesus, even though Moses wrote about him, which made it challenging for the Jews to climb on the rope of understanding in their present day. They didn’t believe in the words Jesus spoke or recognized them as God’s truths. We need to be watchful for ourselves of what we once understood. We shouldn’t allow unbelieve to creep in about the Holy Scriptures. Otherwise, unbelief will keep us from understanding the scripture and not hearing the truth God want us to hear today.
Let’s be watchful or we may find ourselves like the Jews not trusting the rope before us even if there are knots of truth in our grasp. We’ll then hesitate to climb, not only because we don’t know its truth bases, but we don’t believe what we’re hearing or grasping. Disbelief in what we hear today may come from not having God’s newness of the Lord’s experienced in our lives. It could come because we are not following his teachings. It may come because we are set in our ways, not allowing the Holy Spirit to change our heart with the newness of the Lord’s love. Disbelief comes from not hearing God ourselves.
It could be that we haven’t received the sight, the miracle like the blind man. Yet, Jesus calls us to walk by faith and not by sight. Why? Because he knew we base facts, truths by what we see and experience. God’s truths permutate throughout our life as we faithfully keep grasping the rope even though we don’t feel the next knot of truth.
With this thread of thought how can we today hear God, who we can’t see? How did Moses, other prophets, even Jesus hear God whom they didn’t see? First, we must believe in what we’ve read, ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand what we’ve learned. Then listen intently to God’s whisper and in what the Holy Spirit has to reveal to us. One more thing, we must take the step in faith into the crowed space of unknown, uncertainty, and at time unbelief.
When we have been given understanding and know the truth when the Lord comes and reveals something new to us, we will believe. Always quiet ourselves, listening carefully, paying attention to the details of life around us. Like Moses did when he saw the burning bush.
We, for sure, are not Jesus, but we are much like Moses. God can speak two thousand times to us and more. He has been talking. Are we believing what we hear? It’s our unbelief, our hurriedness, our concerns which keep us from hearing God’s soft whisper clearly.
On a spring day, my husband and I walked through a wooded area in Anchorage, Alaska. It’s an area where black and brown bears’ roam. Anxious and fearful, I talked staying alongside my husband. The possibility of encountering a bear in the woods was possible but not so much probable.
Other people were around. I just couldn’t see them. My husband tried to calm me by telling me that we would be alright. We had the protection of spray and a gun in case we faced danger. Which we didn’t. We only encounter runners, hikers and their dogs.
Because of fear of not knowing and not trusting in what my husband said, I missed out on stopping to pay attention to the birds in the area. There were signs along the path, suggesting stopping for a while and listen. On the sign it told to listen for how birds communicate. I couldn’t stop myself. I missed out on the birds along with the joy of God’s creation. All I wanted was for the trail to end and get back in the car.
When it’s time to go walking or spending time with God, let’s not allow fear of what we don’t understand or anxiety of what we can’t see to stop us from slowing our body down, calming our mind and resting our heart with Jesus. Otherwise, we won’t pay attention to the sound of God’s whisper. He may just be singing along with the birds, trying to get us to draw near to hear his whisper and his loving song.
God speaks today. It may not be through a burning bush, a donkey or a prophet, but his whisper can be heard in church, at home, in the car, or outside as we enjoy God’s creation. Ask the Holy Spirit to quicken your spirit and teach you to hear God’s whispering voice. Then believe.
Remember what the scripture teaches, “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”” Psalm 46:10
Once we are calm and listening, believe what we’ve learned from the patriarchs of the Bible and the Lord Jesus Christ, then we won’t have such a hard time seeing the truth of the Holy Scripture along with hearing the truth God is telling us today. His message today, will not contradict who Jesus was and is.
Christ is as the verses 3 to 4 say. “He is One who—imprinted with God’s image, shimmering with His glory—sustains all that exists through the power of His word. He was seated at the right hand of God once He Himself had made the offering that purified us from all our sins. This Son of God is elevated as far above the heavenly messengers as His holy name is elevated above theirs.”
Next time God whispers something that is new to you, the scriptures will verify it. The Holy Spirit will remind you and the Lord will help you with the newness. It’s to help us see what we’ve been blinded to see on our own. Jesus still purifies us from all our sins, our ill, our weaknesses. Every time our Lord renews us it’s a form of elevation by His Holy name to present us to our Heavenly Father as forgiven and pure.
Let’s learn, listen and trust. Then our understanding will be broaden to grasp what we couldn’t believe before God changed us. Now we move forward today with a testimony of who changed us and belief in, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
In the Old Testimony God spoke through His prophets. In the New Testament God spoke through Jesus, His Son. Today God speaks to us through His Son’s Holy Spirit. He can chose to speak to us through a burning bush, a donkey or one of His present prophets. But, as a loving Father, he desires personal time with us. Listen for his soft whisper, He’s ready to speak truth into your heart, mind and soul.
Will you believe what you hear from God today? Will you trust His Son’s word in spite of your fears, concern, falseness? Will you trust the Holy Spirit teachings? Will you speak of what you know to be true about God, His Son, the Holy Spirit to those who want to hear? It’s a choice.
.
If You Ever Find My Phone
IF YOU EVER FIND MY PHONE
If you ever find my phone, you will see all the pictures I’ve taken in the past few months.
They will show the beauty, the detail, the moment, the color, the morning, the evening, the sky, the sea, the tree, the leaf, the moose, the bear, the rabbit, the flower, the people with me, all the life around me.
But, it will never show my storms, my waves, my turmoil, my pain, my tears, my sadness, my sleepless nights, those are not the things I chose to focus on.
Yet, those experiences are what move me to take the picture of what is right before me as I hold on for dear life to the purpose of living with hope, by faith and in love.
My life is a well of emotions which helps me to pull from to write, to share, to connect with others and those whom I may not physically touch, yet understand by our similar thoughts, emotions and unspoken circumstances.
We all have wild waves to survive. Maybe even ride out in this very moment. If we do ride our waves out, survive their overwhelming power, they will push us to solid ground.
Then, we can give an encouraging word to the ones still out at sea. Give a hand to the ones that got washed from the sea. Help others walk on the solid ground we are now walking on.
Let’s be compassionate to those around us who are drowning, tumbling, and sinking.
May they sense the hope we have in God; see our faith in our Savior and Lord, Jesus in us; and feel the love of God for humanity through us.
Pain Is Not Only Caused by Thorns
Pain will always be. The caused from the pain could be avoidable. But when love is involved, it may be more challenging to slide pass the pain. It can be managed with the correct dosage of relief.
Love will always bloom. It’s the caused of hearts admirations who may not always be suitable and avoided, yet the heart wants. It can blossom with much sacrifice, heartfelt dedication and caring fertilization, but it requires work form both individuals.
Pain comes from grasping what the heart wants, the flower.
“No one can say, “He jests at scars who never felt a wound,” for I have never got one moment been in a state of mind to which even the imagination of serious pain was less than intolerable. If any man is safe from the danger of under-estimating this adversary, I am that man. I must add, too, that the only purpose of the book is to solve the intellectual problem raised by suffering; for the far higher task of teaching fortitude and patience I was never fool enough to suppose myself qualified, not have I anything offer my readers except my condition that when pain is to be borne, a little courage helps more than much knowledge, a little human sympathy more than much courage, and the least tincture the love of God more than all.” From “The Problem of Pain” C. S. Lewis
Pain comes from suffering, discomfort, injury and wounds which are not only caused by the thorns of living, but by embracing what or whom one loves.
Even in love, pain can only be bared for so long before it cripples the heart, effecting the mind and in-prisoning the spirit. It is then when one can chose to act lovingly because it’s the right thing to do. While one lives experiencing hurtful thorns in the relationship, they may continue to accomplish what must get done as their spirit becomes fragile in a mindset of unworthiness out of duty and not so much out of love. One then exist in a mental cell, never living free to truly grasp the fullness of loving unconditionally.
What once was spontaneous romance, it becomes an expected reaction. What once was adoration, it becomes sights of hateful humiliation. What once was a breath of fresh intimacy, it becomes a toxic act of selfishness.
The blooming flower of any abusive relationship will wither at the edges. Soon the peddles of happiness vanish to not be felt again. What once was to be forever will frail apart, for the heart was never free to flourish, expand and grow into a mature love while romancing another’s heart.
What imprisons a soul is not always what one has done wrong, but what wrong has been done to the one with the caged up spirit.
How can one heal from such pain, abuse, circumstances?
First one must be freed. This freedom is not only physical, it is also spiritual. Both may be needed in order to feel safe. Through the help of a godly counsel, a person who is equipped with godly truths, the captive can hear words of healing. Even though the advice may bring further pain.
To heal a broken bone, more often than not surgery is a must. It is also true of a healing broken heart. Pain can cure pain. Managed pain can be a cure for unmanaged pain.
The ones who have been locked up by tormenting verbal abuse, threats of fearful actions, belittlement of their essence, physical scars of unspeakable tortures and reoccurring nightmares of past experiences need more than a therapist, they need a Savior. They need someone with the good news and the Spirit of the Lord God on them.
“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has chosen me to bring good news to poor people. He has sent me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent me to tell those who are being held and those in prison that they can go free.” Isaiah 61:1 NLT
Once the person has been spiritually freed then one can take the words of C. S. Lewis and meditate with much prayer to see how they can be apply to their hurting soul.
“It will take a little courage more than knowledge.” Within this little courage fear will exist.
“It will take a little human sympathy more than much courage.” With the little sympathy heart’s warm is felt.
“And the least tincture of the love of God more than all.” With the least bit of God’s love an overwhelming freedom appears.
Where can an impressoned soul get a little courage, a little human sympathy and a slight trace of the love of God? From the person the Lord has chosen to bring His good news.
The Lord will give the person’s sad heart joy, free to learn to love again and live a life of possibilities. Once the captive sees and accepts the Lord’s hand, the messenger must tell the one being held in hellish circumstance, that they can walk out and be free.
Once freed, there is where the healing begins. It will not be fast. One will be needing spiritual therapy. Continual mentoring exercises. With well-soul check-ups scheduled. One must learn to trust themselves to love again inspire of the thorns to come.
To guide someone to be spiritually free, one must have been set free themselves by the Lord Jesus Christ. These chosen people understand well the phrase, “He jets at scars who never felt a wound,” for they have felt the wound. These individulas know pain is caused by reaching to love the unlovable, to bare the unbearable, to give when there’s no more to give.
Yet these chosen people of God will stretch out their hand and give godly grace for they know what the cell room smells, feels and looks. They have empathy for those who are still captives in the cell. It’s an experience they will never forget nor ever want live through again.
Who Performs Miracles?
WHO PERFORMS MIRACLES?
“Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” Psalm 77:14-14
God, our Father, please display your power among me. Perform a miracle in me, through me and with me.
May my life demonstrate a ray of hope in you, where others see you and your light through me as I wait for your miracles.
I ask in my loving Savior’s name, the name above all name here on earth, your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Maybe Tomorrow Knows
Writing prints thoughts, feelings, ideas, dreams.
Some thoughts I rather keep to myself never to be read or heard, then they’ll never be known.
Some feelings I stuff in a hole of my heart vanishing from my blood not seeing the light of white paper.
Some ideas do ignite only to be blown away by my insecurities before the image been typed, given no breath to be.
Some dreams I rather never dream again, even less giving them an identity for they have no right to form before me.
Yet they return at the sight of the sunset hoping to escape through a phrase, a poem, a story to touch a wordless soul letting them know they are not alone.
I am in control of my reality, so I think, therefore I put them all in my pocket till the glow of the sunset is gone for I know they will fall asleep within me.
I wonder, will these thoughts, feelings, ideas, dreams will actually exist to see the dawn of day?
Maybe Tomorrow knows.
A Little After Seven A.M.
A LITTLE AFTER 7A.M.
What’s keeping you awake through the night?
Children, spouse, parents, extended family, a soul friend, your beloved pet, concerns for our world?
Worry, anxiety, fear of the future, anger of what has been your lot?
You’ve prayed, trusted God, stayed faithful to Him, repented when you’ve fall away, loved and forgiven others and self as much as it was possible, yet life still hands you sour grapes, lemons and tomatoes are thrown at you, again!
You wonder, how Lord, how am I going to make it through the night this time?
I had enough.
Every step forward, I end five steps back.
Lord, it may not be that way, but it sure feels as others get somewhere, while I find myself back where I have been over and over again.
Even during the day, night holds the light from me.
Why?
Love one, if this is how you feel, I tell you, I know where you are. I understand your perplexed soul. I feel your dry tears, silent cry and cold loneliness.
Call someone. Tell them what your facing. Ask them to pray for your concern.
After the tears fall, I pray what has been said to you brings a smile, a giggle or even laughter for you load has been shared and you, now, can sense hope of what’s on the way.
Prayers are whispers of wind that come to lift the darkness away, allowing the break of God’s goodness to be felt, seen and grasped.
If you’re still in the dark of your night, may the Light of morning dawn find you soon, where the Lord trades your burden for hope.
When the pain, fear, anxiety, worry, anger returns to stop you from trusting, speak out, “God is working things out for me, my family and keeping a watch over our lives.” It’ll hush uncertainty away.
Let’s pray for one another, even if that one soul hasn’t call. Especially when God places them on our radar.
Let us not ignore the opportunity to be a servant of the Lord through prayer and help someone move out of their dimmed, hopeless, lonesome day.
On A Warm Rock
ON A WARM ROCK ~ Psalm 40:1-3
“I waited a long time for the Eternal; He finally knelt down to hear me. He listened to my weak and whispered cry.He reached down and drew me from the deep, dark hole where I was stranded, mired in the muck and clay. With a gentle hand, He pulled me outTo set me down safely on a warm rock; He held me until I was steady enough to continue the journey again.As if that were not enough, because of Him my mind is clearing up.Now I have a new song to sing— a song of praise to the One who saved me.Because of what He’s done, many people will see and come to trust in the Eternal.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There has been times my waiting for my Lord felt like a dark tunnel without a way out. Yet I kept going searching for his hand and hoping to hear his foot steps. Maybe even the wings of his eagle as it comes to my rescue.
Many times, in my low hours, I cried for him as I felt alone. He comes. Always comes.
I’ve felt his touch, his warmth, his whisper. The picture this psalm describes of the Lord finally kneeling down to hear, it is what I’ve experienced and still experience.
His hand is gentle, his pull is kind and places me oh so tenderly on his warm rock. That warm rock, I usually describes it as his embrace, his lap, his heart. I know without a doubt and with every fiber of what makes me, that my Lord has come to my rescue over and over again.
When he holds me, its just not for me to regain my step, no, it’s to hold my lifeless soul, my weak spirit and my dwindled heart. Once I’ve regain my spiritual balance, my heart strengthens as it holds to God’s promises and my soul is filled with the hope that carries one to tomorrow.
It is then when I walk with my Lord as we lock arms that my mind becomes clear. For I know he is with we as I continue in the darkness of today’s unknown. For it isn’t what I can see or understand, but the hope of what God is doing that gives me a positive outlook at a distrustful time.
Then a song comes, it always has and it sings my heart and feels my mood, but someone else wrote the word and played out the rhythm. Time after time, I’m still amazed how God works it out for the song comes on the radio, pandora, or someone sends it at that hour.
I worship a living God and serve a risen Lord and listen to a flowing Holy Sprit. No one can ever take my faith, my belief nor my hope from me.
Because of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for me every season of my life, even today, I can say he rescues, teaches and guides. Everything the Scriptures say about my Lord, is who my Savior is and what he does for those who follow him and worship God.
I pray that if you do not know God, his Son and the Holy Spirit, that you come to trust in the Eternal and experience his majestic love, his forever forgiveness and his everlasting assurance.
By Day By Night
By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.
Psalm.42:8 NIV
~~~~~~~~~~~
God,
My heart and spirit know the words of these verse are true. When I face dissapointments and my heart cracks from the hard pressures of life I hold the hope you’ve placed in me as a child.
Your Son, my Lord Jesus Christ, directs his love like ever flowing river reaching me. It is also true for any soul.
Could you please lead those souls who need you to the closest river to them. I pray they will go and bath in the Lord’s love and forgiveness.
When they step out from the Lord’s river, I pray they too will be encouraged and hold tightly to the hope you provide.
Then when night comes whether its because its time for the stars to shine or the night of the soul, they’ll have a song in their heart of your truths and promises.
May the song become a testimony of their life with you!
Because, I know you will never let them go, just like you have not released me from your loving arms.
Day in, day out, I hear you say to my heart, “I am yours and you forever will be mine.”
Thank you for what you are doing for us.
In Jesus powerful and blessed name I ask. Amen.
Holding Hope
HOLDING HOPE
Yes
I know
You’re tire
No
Don’t you
Give up
Listen
Hear me
No
Don’t dare
Close your
Eyes
Keep them
Open
I know
You rather
Sleep and
Dream
Even though
Nightmares
Also
Exist
In dreamland
Hold on
To what
I’ve placed
In your hand
You will
Be fine
Again
No no
Don’t slip
From here
I can read
Your eyes
Feel your heart
Hear your
Thoughts
You rather
Give up
You’re
Exhausted
In pain
Hold on
To what
I’ve given
You
I promise
I’m on may
To you
Keep
Your focus
On the horizon
When
Darkness
Engulfs the day
Find the
Smallest light
Follow it
It’s me
Coming
Towards
You
For now
Be there
For me
My love
Live
Hold hope
Close
Don’t
Let it
Leave
You
~~💜~~
With Open Minds and Hurting Hearts
WITH OPEN MINDS AND HURTING HEARTS
One can see God’s truth inspite of sickness and death sweeping love ones from our grasp.
“I pray that God will open your minds to see his truth. Then you will know the hope that he has chosen us to have.
You will know that the blessings God has promised his holy people are rich and glorious.
And you will know that God’s power is very great for us who believe.”
(Ephesians 1:18-19 ERV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
His power can comfort without human understanding.
His power can heal hearts without human involvement.
His power can strengthen without human encouragement.
Know the hope, God chose for us to have.
Know the blessing, God gives to us freely.
Know the great power, God uses for us as believers.
Even when one is not healed and the Angel of the Lord comes to take love ones from this world, we can know the hope, the promises the power of God are all available for each one of us, his holy people.
Be Humble
TODAY ~ What are you thinking about yourself?
An old advice given to us all:
Don’t think of yourself higher than you should. Instead, with sober judgment, think according to the faith each of you have been given. (Romans 12:3)
Don’t judge others on their thinking. Also, don’t be harsh with yourself.
If you desire to reach different thoughts of others and yourself as God to increase your faith of what’s to come.
Change happens every sunrise, every sunset. Every day, every night. Every hour, every minute.
Souls, hearts, minds are changeable if one is willing to hear, listen and be humble.
Will you be humble?
AN IRON AXEHEAD FLOATS
AN IRON AXEHEAD FLOATS ~ What’s impossible for man, it’s possible for God.
Have you ever read the story of the axe head that floated? It’s in 2 kings 6:1-7.
Elisha, God’s prophet, join the company of the prophets who were headed to the Jordan river. Cutting trees to make a bigger meeting place was the purpose of their quest.
One of the men’s iron axehead came off and plopped into the river.
With great concern, the man exclaimed, “Oh, my lord, it was borrowed!”
Elisha, man of God, asked, “Where did it fall?”
The man pointed to the spot.
Without a word, Elisha cut a stick and threw it where the axhead went down. Soon after, the iron piece floated.
The men must have been in awe because Elisha commanded, “Lift it out.”
The man reached out his hand and took it.
What an amazing story. What factors in this story grab your imagination? What details send questions to your heart? What lesson floats to you today?
Can you believe of what God can do for you? If not, you can confess, “Lord, I have less than a grain of belief.” Then ask, “Please Lord, help my unbelief?
If you don’t have enough faith, but you know someone with great faith, go to them. Ask them to pray for you or even better with you.
I read once a story of a preacher headed to a destination where God sent him. He got a free ride on a ship which was headed in the same direction. A stormed developed.
The captain came to the preacher and informed him that they will not be able to take him to the port he requested.
In that moment the preacher wondered why God would send him there, provide a free passage but then bring a storm.
He then told the Captain, ” Let’s go to your cabin and pray.”
The captain reply, “What can God do? It’s a massive cloud.”
After the pastor prayed, the captain started to pray. The pastor stopped him and said, “You don’t need to pray, for you don’t believe. Come, let’s go up and see what God has done.”
Once they were out, they noticed the storm cloud had moved away from where the pastor needed to go.
When, you don’t have enough faith or your belief is low, go find those whose faith is strong. Ask them to lift your burden to the Lord. You pray also and ask God to increase your faith.
Then wait for your iron head to float. Your burden to be lifted. Expect a solution to come your way.
Just like the man, had to reach in and get the axe head, we too need to reach out and take what God will bring our way.
Keep in mind when life seems challenging to overcome, it wasn’t the stick which brought the iron out of the water, but the knowledge of what God can do and the faith of him solving the impossible.
May God bless his word and us and his word in us.
Come fly With Me
COME FLY WITH ME ~ From Seattle to LA
Seeing the world from up high gives only a section of a perspective. Specific details are impossible to see until the destination is within sight and even more when one arrives.
Sometimes life is very much this way. It gives us a broad picture, when all we want is a specific and detail plan.
Many times, we become impatient taking the plan of flight in our own hands. Soon, we find ourselves headed straight down, spinning out of control, before the crash.
Waiting, as hard as it is, possibly causing anxiety, has its different purposes for our own good.
Besides acclimating to the descending pressure, balancing our equilibrium, our reasoning is in need of the proper oxygen for clarity.
Otherwise, our choices become unwise.
In spiritual or even physical matters one may not know the next destination. Despair, fear, denial, depression can easily accompany anxiety causing one to hyperventilate.
Trust, faith and reliance on God, family and friends become a necessity.
It’s as if one holds their heart in their hands passing it carefully to the hands of the one before them and say, ” Help! But, please don’t break it.”
Not easy for me to trust others with my heart, only God. He’s teaching me at this time of my life, vulnerability. Not an easy lesson. It hurts.
My Version of Psalms 61
Psalms 61
- 1
- Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.
Oh my Heavenly Father, hear my aching heart. Listen to the words my lips cannot speak to you.
- 2
- From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
From the end of this rope I’m holding onto without sight of stability, I call only to you. My cramped fingers are stuck to this hard, dry-out rope. Don’t allow my heart to grow faint. Please come. Rescue me. When you arrive, don’t leave so quickly. I need your leadership. Guide me to the rock that is much higher than me.
- 3
- For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
Lord, you’ve been my faithful refuge for many years and a strong tower against the foe, day and night. He’s back. He torments me in my relationships during the light of day and in my dreams in the darkest of night. With great persistence he prickles my fingers, trying desperately to break my grip.
- 4
- I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah
Oh how I desire relief, to dwell in your presence, in your tent forever. There I would find the refuge my soul seeks, in the shelter of your beautiful comforting wings. Yet, Lord, I don’t believe is time for my story to end. No, not yet.
- 5
- For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
As for my vows, you know each on. They’ve been recorded in the holy of holies, your heart. O God, you and you alone, through your Son, Jesus Christ, you’ve given me the heritage of those who feared your name. Now, that I’m your daughter, and with that honor, I wait for your fatherly hand to take mine.
- 6
- Increase the days of the king’s life, his years for many generations.
Give me more days of life on this earth, if it’s part of the story you’ve written for me. Either way, if my last chapter is coming to a close or more to be lived, bless the years of the many generations which you’ve brought forth and will continue through my lineage.
- 7
- May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.
May I and those of my family line be establish in your presence forever. Appoint your love and faithfulness to protect us all.
- 8
- Then will I ever sing praise to your name and fulfill my vows day after day.
Then and now, I will sing praises to your name as I fulfill my vows day after day until the last chapter of my life comes to a close.
Thank you Father, for your written Word. In Jesus, my Lord and Savior I cling to your promises as I wait for your hand of assurance and help. May each day I live bring glory to your Name, the name above all names.
Choose Life
CHOOSE LIFE
I will not die but live. And I will tell of what the Lord has done. Psalms 118:17
May the Lord give you strength and wisdom to pass through your present bridge you are facing.
As you walk across, whisper to yourself, “I will not die. I’ve chosen to live. With Jesus help, I will prevail.”
Once you’ve reach the otherside, shout with all your might of what the Lord has done.
Wishing The Sunset To Never End
This day made me desire a place or is it a time which can never be, where the Sunset never finishes the day and time will make the moment last till my cup is full.
For I wasn’t ready to face my tomorrow and be away from those I love.
My two oldest sons, their wife and my two grandsons.
My daughter with her funny faces and her boyfriend.
Plus my youngest and his halerious humor.
Accepting I have no power to keep the sun from setting
only to return and visit those whom I care about,
my family, is something I can do and sleep on.
These unique souls are the excuses for my absence from blogging, for they’ve occupied my time, my heart, and my mind.
Plus my travels with my husband, family and friends.
I am planning to blog again. Hmmm, wondering what those writing will say.
Hope you’ve been well. Looking forward to catch up with your post. See you around through your words. 🙂
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1
God bless,
Lidia
Look and Wait for Truth
LOOK AND WAIT FOR TRUTH ~ Before taking any steps of action based on present feelings, God can lead and teach one to find peace, joy and hope in the uncertanty of tomorrow.
Psalm 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
It isn’t easy waiting on a result one can’t control. And honestly, many time it isn’t easy waiting on the Lord to work things out for us, my husband, me, my kids, family or dear friends.
But, every time, the answer, solution or remedy comes. Not always what I expected, but always something that was the best under the circumstances for the individual or individuals involved.
Only in time I’ve seen the many benefits on allowing God to lead me and teach me in my waiting periods which have been many even till today.
He has always come through. Many times God shows up through friends. Or an unexpected invitation to go explore, fish and fellowship with others.
God is teaching me the importance of staying involved with caring and loving people in my life. He’s leading and teaching me into building lasting relationships with deep roots and with plenty of room for growth.
Without dear friends, like Lori, I would not only have a void and sleep days away, but struggle to remain strong in my storms.
Grateful to know Lori and her husband, Jeff. They are a blessing in my husband and my life.
When A Massive Wave Comes
WHEN A MASSIVE WAVE COMES
Living His Word
Our God, punish those people. We don’t have the strength to stop this large army that is coming against us. We don’t know what to do! We are looking to you for help.”
2Chronicles 20:13 ERV
When one receives a blow of shock, disappointment, betrayal, challenging time or difficult news to heavy to bear it’s like a massive wave over us. Its power smashes us against a boulder, which can’t be move, and leaves us powerless.
When hours, days, months maybe even years passed and the boulder is still sitting there, we come to a place again and again of not knowing what to do.
From nowhere another blow has knocked out our wind, our strength, our stamina to fight. We can’t stop what’s coming against us. For the boulder has trapped us.
We then feel alone and totally helpless. Feelings and thoughts overwhelm us and we become powerless to fight the enemy of our mind, our will and at times our belief.
Then we hear a whisper, like a soft warm wind, reminding us, “It’s not your battle to fight. Do what you must. Do what you can. Then do what I’ve told you. Rest and trust in me, your Lord and Savior.
I will stop this large army which has come against you. Will you take my hand and believe that I am watching over you?
Don’t forget of those people who I’ve placed along side you. They are part of my army. They too will be fighting for you in prayer. Surround yourself with my people.
Don’t remove yourself, then cry wolf, as if you are all alone. For you are never alone. I am with you. When you are with your brothers and sisters in Christ, you will feel me there.
Don’t turn away from my ways or from me, look to me for my help. Take my hand and I will bear this burden with you until this storm passes.
As for the boulder, it’s a reminder of my power in your life. It will remain where it has been placed. In the past.
Remember, the past can return and bring a storm. If and when it does, it should draw you even closer to me than before. For we have a history together. Don’t allow the storm to wash you away from me.
I’ll fight the enemy which your eyes can’t see, which destroys the human spirit and imprisons souls.
I will fight the wind which whips you away from me. I will cover you with my hands.
I will fight for you, my child, when you can’t see any one else beside you.
Come, trust in me again, take a hold of my promises and follow me. Always, look towards me for help.”
May the Lord bless his word and his people.
Revealed Glory Through Pain
REVEALED GLORY THROUGH PAIN
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18
An insert from BibLe Hub
“Jesus told us that He came so that His disciples may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10), but He also told us that in this world we will have tribulations (John 16:33) and persecutions (Matthew 5:10-11).
Paul experienced the extremes of Jesus’ words.
On the one hand, he had a life more abundant than most. He was full of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit and he had a powerful ministry all over the known world.
But he also suffered many trials, troubles, tribulations, and persecutions. He knew the heights of the Christian experience in this dispensation and he knew the depths as well.
And when he sums it all up, as he does in our verse for today, he says that all the tribulations and persecutions are not worth comparing with the abundance of life that is still to come.”
My two cents worth:
In struggles, sufferings, pains come moments of unexplable hope which are slivers of glory. Those moments sparkle of what is yet to come, lighting-up the path which overcomes the present darkness of the tormoil.
May you see those landers of glorious hope on your way to the glory which God has and will revealed to you on that day.
God bless his Word and his people.
Rekindled Love
REKINDLED LOVE
On a lonely beach
Dinner for two
Is what you chose
Heart pounding
Hands sweating
Mind unfocused
Speechless
Beside you
I stood
Arm in arm
You guided me
And whispered
Be with me
Stay with me
Live with me
Lighter than air
Softer than silk
Warmer than summer
You embraced
Me whole
With gentleness
You kissed
My lips
With tenderness
I reaccepted
A ring’s
Caressed
My heart
My soul
My life
Has been
It is and
Will be
Only for
My true love
You, my Husband
Childlike Finds Heavenly Treasures
CHILDLIKE FINDS HEAVENLY TREASURES
At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.”
— Matthew 11:25 NLT
Insight
As a child we eager to grow up.
As a teen we eager for independence
As a young adult we eager for retirement.
As a mature adult we eager to be young again.
When reason blooms understanding, at all stages of life we should strive to be childlike in our eagerness to become something we are not. It is then when we can seek heavenly treasure and actually find it.
Joy among tears.
Peace among caos.
Love among dissapointments.
Forgiveness among unrepentance.
Lord, help us to be childlike with our faith in you. Hold our hand and lead us to the treasure you have for us. Thank you that we don’t have to be wise or clever to understand your ways.
Bless your Word and your people. In Jesus name I ask.
Work Prepared In Advanced
WORK PREPARED IN ADVANCED~ Living His Word
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Have you ever gone to bed thinking of all the things you have to a accomplish tomorrow?
Of course, we all have.
But have you gone to bed wondering what work God prepared for you to do tomorrow?
Well, that part of the verse was a target hit on my heart.
Almost daily I wake up asking God to guide my steps, thoughts and words for I know in my head where I must be, with whom I will be and what I’m going to be doing. I planned these things in advanced.
Hmmm.
Now I’m thinking. I should be prepare to do my list as well as God’s.
Questions:
Can we know the work He has for us? Yes.
It will be present to us. God’s good works will be done along side our work. There are times we must put a side our work to do God’s. Also, the Holy Spirit will tell us in advance and help us to be ready.
Will we listen to the Holy Spirit small voice?
If yes, can we work along God’s plan and ours? Or can we postpone ours to do list for God’s good works?
Lord, may we not miss the good work you have prepared for us today. May we be listening to your Holy Spirit and be willing to do the prepared godly tasks you have for us.
God, bless your Word and your people. Amen.Work
Look Up
LOOK UP.
Allow the beauty of the day to lift your mind above the darkness of the night.
Reflect on the goodness of past days for it will shed pounds from a weight down heart.
Give an encouraging, loving hug to someone, help them to keep looking up.
Psalms 5 NIV
1 Listen to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people are not welcome.
5 The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
6 you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
toward your holy temple.
8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make your way straight before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongues they tell lies.
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Roundness of the Sea
In mathematics the center is a point within any round object keeping the object circumference evenly space. As for the human, the heart it’s referred as the center of who we are, yet it’s on our right side, guarded by our chest.
As the center of a circle, our hearts keeps us well balance as it pumps life to every cell of our body, giving life.
Life also exist in the center of all creatures, even the ones at the bottom of the deep blue sea.
The Ocean, which has always given me a since of roundness, for water brings life, yet water drowns life, it reveals the circle of life in different species.
Anemones, which have unique shapes, beautiful neon-colors and rubbery, slippery texture captivate the imagination.
Sea life is an example of how once light shines on them, light returns from within each being revealing their unique color or colors and design.
A message is clear. Be aware where you stick around for one never knows what kind of light may shine out of us. Let’s hope, our natural illuminating radiance be the one to be seen by those we encounter in our lifetime.
In our effort, let’s be as well-rounded as we humanly can by being golden with our words and actions. Allow goodness to radiate beautiful colors from our a caring heart as the sea creatures have demonstrated for the world to see.
Photo Challenge from Dutch goes the Photo – Round
Until
How many times do I need to tell you . . .?
You’re beautiful!
Until, I am.
You’re not over weight!
Until, I am not.
You’re able.
Until, I can.
You can let go.
Until, I’m safe.
You can do this.
Until, I’m accomplished.
You’re forgiven.
Until, all my guilt is gone.
You can trust me.
Until, I can truly surrender.
Father continue to remind us, of all these possibilities, your promises. Every time our insecurities show up, may we run into your arms before lies chisel us into ice sculptures.
As for the lies we have believed, evaporate them at the touch of your hand, at the sound of your truth and at the warmth of your love. Please, remold us to live the life you’ve given us through your Son’s sacrifice. And, when the pest of lies return, which they will, help us come into your presence.
“The Lord is good. He is a safe place to go to in times of trouble. He takes care of those who trust him.”
Nahum 1:7 ERV
Standing Firm
STANDING FIRM ~ means to recall the truth and anchoring my soul to the freedom I have in Christ, my Lord.
When the wind of setbacks comes, bringing the yoke of slavery, I’ll stand firm on God’s promises.
Then, in Christ, past burdens of insecurities and doubts will be blown, right passed my heart and mind.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
– Galatians 5:1 NIVSta
While You Slept
While You Slept
To you
my love
I whispered,
in the night,
“One Single
white rose
is what I
NEED
to know
I’m still
yours.”
When The Impossible Is Before You
WHEN THE IMPOSSIBLE IS BEFORE YOU ~ Wait for the Lord.
Then:
1. See where God takes you
2. See what God shows you
3. See what God instructs you to speak
“Son of man, can these bones live?”
“O Lord GOD,” I replied, “only You know.”
And He said to me, “Prophesy concerning these bones and tell them: ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!
This is what the Lord GOD says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live.
I will attach tendons to you and make flesh grow upon you and cover you with skin. I will put breath within you so that you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”
So I prophesied as I had been commanded.”
Ezekiel 37:2-7
Take time to read the rest of the story to find out what happens when we obey God’s commands.
Happy May Day
HAPPY MAY DAY
Wether the sun is shining beautifully or clouds blanket the sky, the earth sends it messages of warmer days to come.
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May flowers will be sent to family and friend reminding them of what’s on the way.
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Many will begin preparing for barbecuing camping, boating, fishing, hiking and spending time in the outdoors rejoicing in the sun.
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Before the gathering of people and the buds fully bloom, we’ll want to get rid of what we acquired during fall and winter time. Therefore spring cleaning and fitting into that swim suit must get accomplish.
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While we strive to exist with less, lets remember one thing to have lots more of. . . time with family friends and with God.
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Two of the three may not be near, but they are just a message or a call away.
In the meantime let’s keep these words of wisdom in mind as we pull weeds, trim bushes, rub off grass stains from cloths, go for a run and wash our windows clean;
“The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 ESV
*
Because, all summers do end, the grass will wither and the May flowers will fade, we must remain in God’s word. It’s the one thing which is everlasting.
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May the Lord rubb and wash away what keep his light shining in and through us. May He pull and trim the things which cover our hearts and keeps his showers of blessings from reaching us. May he work us out to get rid of what weight us down then we can wear the proper spiritual clothing.
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Once He showers, dresses and lights us may the fruits of the Spirit bloom wildly within us like flowers on the fields for many to receive.
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Let it be a reaccuring spiritual cleaninsing through out the year and not only in springtime.
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God bless each one of you, my family and friends.
Giving Up or Letting Go?
GIVING UP OR LETTING GO?
Woke up with the phrase, “thoughts can kill you or heal you,” and it wouldn’t leave me alone.
Seeking undestanding, I ask the Lord, “is this a theme for a story or something else?”
As I spent my quiet time, the phrase return and it brought another idea along. Not finding the proper words to put on this feeling, I looked for a photo to help me identify what the Holy Spirit was telling me.
When I saw the leaf, a question formed, “Is the leaf giving up or letting go?”
Knowing how God works and moves me or should I say pushes me to act upon what He sees in me, I knew a reminder was being handed for my mind.
Will I be giving up what has been done in me? Or letting go and accept the change which is in hand?
Many times, I fight thoughts which push me to give up and let the dream die.
It’s a real, true struggle within me!!!
One which produces melancholy even after workouts, walks and being out in nature for hours. Usually God wakes my spirit and soon I get myself moving by doing my duties of laundry and cleaning or paying bills.
My self talk goes something like this, “Lidia, you’re a grown woman, just keep taking steps. How else can you be a witness of what you’ve said you are in Christ?”
Why am telling you this? Because I’m not alone fighting a battle which we’ve been told it’s won. Yet, no relief has come. It diverted and missed us. Well, it feels like it has for what ever reason.
Instead of standing strong against the enemy. I do as he wants, be in the front battle zone fighting for my right to be who God said I am.
For many of us, the war exist in our head more than in our heart.
We struggle with thoughts which are killing us, inside out. Once our will is done with, we have no reason to exist. Meditate on God words, are daily pills, but our thoughts of redemption and healing remain dried up. (Rom. 12:2)
Then the dagger hits home, Hope is for others, not for me.
I shared my reoccurring waking thought with a friend over coffee this morning. I mention that I wasn’t sure if it was for a story. She suggested to write a story about twins, one with the name Ican’t and the other Ican.
After she left, I had my quiet time. It was them when I saw these twins, joined by one heart, in me.
Who will win?
The one who will remain standing strong and walk in the newness of who she has become.
Is it easy? Nope. I will confront that solid steep mountian God told me about.
It will seem unclimbable before me, but with the Lord’s help, I will get to the other side which is labeled, “accomplishement.”
Not sure what you’re struggling and doing battle with today, but be assured you are not alone even though it’s a lonesome road.
Today will you chose with me to dwell and meditate on the Victory which the Lord conquered for us through His resurrection?
Let’s encourage each other today as we stand with the banner of victory on our spear then walk in faith on what has already been done and accomplished in us. (Heb. 3:13)
You maybe on a different road, but we’re facing the same enemy. Let’s keep in mind the enemy is not only finished but CONQUERED! (John 19:30)
Oh How I Miss My Artist Friends
As the Ocean
would be dry
without the sea,
that’s how
I find
myself
without you,
the poet, the storyteller,
the artist, the reporter.
the thinker, the dreamer
Life captured me
took me from you
I’ve returned
now and then
But, only for a glimpse
Maybe, just maybe
this time
I’ll stay a bit longer
Maybe, just maybe
the chains
of inferiority
incompetent
imperfection
won’t pull me
away again
Enslaving feelings
keep me in the dark
corner of my soul
Away from you
Oh, how I missed
your printed words
your rhythmic sound
Your unique ideas
Your provoking art
Your rainbow heart
You, my friends
are the missing
colors of my
creative playtime
Your unique art
gives me a key to
become an ocean
filled with a sea,
rejuvenating ideas
deep inside of me
A Sunrise Relationship Connection
“Grandpa at what time will we see the sun?”
“Well Grandson, it depends where we are standing.”
The grandson blew into his cupped hands, then asked, “What do you mean?”
“You see, if you stand far from the mountains, like we are now, we’ll see the sun sooner. But, if we were at the base of those mountains, we won’t see the sun until it cleared their peaks.”
“But Grandpa, Nana said that the sun rises at the same time.”
Grandpa patted his grandson on the head, chuckled and then responded, “Nana is right. The sun rises at a specific time every day. But if a mountain is right before us, it will block the sun from our sight.”
“Oh, I see.” The grandson cuddled in his own coat as the Alaska’s cold, morning air touched his skin. He then releases a deep sigh.
“What thoughts are you wrestling with, grandson?”
“I was wondering, if the reason why my parents can’t see God like we do, is because of where they are standing.”
His grandpa wraps his arm around the Grandson’s shoulders, “You are wise for an eight-year-old.”
“Grandpa, you’re the wise one, for you bring me out here where God teaches man about him and ourselves.”
“How did you arrive to this conclusion?”
“By watching and listening to you.”
“Hmmm.” Grandpa remain quiet for a while before releasing a deep breath.
The grandsons watched the cloud of breath float up and reshaped itself until it vanished from sight.
“Grandpa, did you just tell God a prayer?”
“I did.”
“What did you pray for?”
“That you and I will have many more mornings to witness the sunrise. And, for you to keep reminding me of the important things one must do. I also asked the Lord to help me stand where I will always see God so that He can shine through me.”
“I will ask the same things.” The Grandson released three puffs of breath and watched them transformed shapes as they floated to the heavenly sky. “Grandpa, the sun!”
Grandpa moved away from the rail, took the keys of the truck out of his pocket and told his Grandson, “the sun rays have spread making this Grandpa and Grandson connection time, extra special. Now let’s go to the mountains and explore.”
Tuesday Photo Challenge by Dutch goes the Photo ~ Connections
Worship In My Highs and My Lows
Out loud
or within
I cry out
in praise
and
at times
in pain,
either way
I choose to
worship a
Deity who
was, is and
continues
to be
With such knowledge
I face the world
whether it maybe
a pleasant sunny day
or a dark stormy night
with a certainty
of a holy assurance
I’ll walk as
I face my fears
calming my breath
when nightmares
of my past appear
Although
my knees
give in from
unbelief and
my face falls
to my feet
I will climb
the steeple
of prayer
to arrive
at the cross
where my
help comes from
All I need to do is worship.
When I’m Weak, I’m Strong
There are days, which I’m more than ready to go full stride with my writing without telling myself, “believe, believe in your giftedness.”
Then there are those days, like yesterday, which all I could do was to muster enough will power and not get lost on the path which I’ve been on many times. The path which accomplishes nothing.
I pushed myself to move, only to have felt the dragging of my steps in familiar groves. Fear of stumbling in the old rut of ‘lack of trust’ or twist my ankle from a previous deep footprint of ‘doubt’ entered my heart. I struggled all day and didn’t return to the road of progress, which I had hoped to be on.
On days like yesterday, I normally repeat to myself, Lord, I believe, please, oh please help my unbelief. Honestly, this prayer didn’t even cross my mind. For some reason I kept expecting something bad to happen. I couldn’t stay focus on anything long enough to do or accomplish what I long, to write, to be creative or even go for a walk. My body became fatigued. All I wanted was to return to bed and sleep. By the end of the day, I was exhausted.
Today, the verse about, “My Grace is sufficient,” came to mind.
My spirit remarked with sarcasm, really Lord? I don’t think so.
I went ahead and looked up the verse, for I didn’t recall the whole passage.
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
When I read, “three times,” I felt my spirit harden. It told me, “I’m not asking three times. It should have been taken care of the first time, we asked “three times.” Why must the wait have to occur, every time? Why? I’m tire of waiting.”
For some reason, a spirit of pessimism overcame me.
I wondered, where in the heck did, I pick up this spirit? Or did it just floated my way and decided I was a perfect candidate? Well, I don’t know. But, wanting to get some writing done today, I thought I should do as Paul wrote, “boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” Maybe then this spirit would leave me, and my mindset be on Whom and what I believe God can do through me.
It’s difficult to write when low self-esteemed conversations arise over shadowing my creativity, and questions of my true ability drown the little confidence I hold inside. The idea of being a good writer quickly slips from my grasp, when my weakness of spelling, grammar and punctuation face me each time. Plus, the fact that the proper words I want to use don’t fruition quickly, only concepts float in my mind which frustrate my heart. Last, the critique in me wins more often than I care to admit, leaving me defeated.
Often, I ask myself, “why do you need to be perfect and want man’s approval when you have both in Christ?”
My mentors’ advice return, “write Lidia, just write. Don’t worry about the errors, go ahead and tell the story. Later, return and rewrite with the help of others.”
But I don’t want others to see my mistakes. Which in itself is another weakness of mine. Yikes! Why Lord, why do you fill my head with stories that I can’t finish and at times not even start? I don’t understand, why you gifted me with this talent of story-teller?
The Lord reminded me of His Grace as I struggle with the assurance of what God sees in me.
With truth, I responded, “Yes, Lord. I know your grace is sufficient.”
Then, I heard in my spirit my Lord say, “Lidia why don’t you do what Paul did, delight in weaknesses, in insult, in hardships in persecutions, in difficulties. It’s not a delight of your weakness, but while you are in the state of being weak, delight in the knowledge that my grace is sufficient and allow the errors to be made. In other words, trust me as you obey and make mistakes. All you need to do is believe Paul’s words. Believe, when Lidia is weak, then Lidia is strong.”
Truthfully Lord, it makes no scenes to me. How in my weakness, can I be strong? How will your grace be sufficient for me? I do understand your power, yet not how it is made perfect in my weakness. Could you allow the Holy Spirit to help me understand your “grace?”
I heard my Lord say, “My Grace is many things, but here it refers to dexterity. Through my Grace you will receive the ability for the artistry which I’ve blessed you with. When you face the struggles, challenges, insults, difficulties and persecutions, I will give you the tact require to be strong as you hold on and accomplish each story.
Believe in me, in spite of your disbelief in yourself. Write and accomplish the stories.”
Lord, bring me back to this lesson when my will doesn’t want to obey, my spirit toys with disbelief and when self struggles with my old ways of thought for they return only to taunt me. I don’t want the struggle of my weaknesses, but I do desire for your divine power to be seen in me and through me so that many will trust in you.
Therefore, I will learn to say, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
What I’ve learned
What I’ve learned
How to declutter. Release your fisted hand, let go and walk away. Do it again and again even if it hurts. Otherwise, you will bring a replacement on your way-back home. Philippians 3:13-14
How to mend relationships. Talk less. Listen as if you were the one talking. Give advice only if they ask. Pray for them silently as you listen. Also pray for yourself not to bud in on God’s business, not until he gives you clarity on what to do or say. Galatians 6:2
How to improve self talk. This is an on going process. In the meantime repeat God’s truths over yourself. Don’t give the microphone to the voices of your insecurities, fears and doubts. Or they will shout lies over truths. Mark 11:22-24
How to get motivated. I don’t know. Maybe, you can help me. But, I think it has more to do with wanting to workout the change, the letting go, the listening and praying and improving self talk than motivation. Because, once the block has been removed, the desire to get things done will get done. What has been piled up in our home, on our desk or in our heart will get cleared. Romans 12:2
How to keep believing in God. I look back as I step forward. Why? Because I’ve see where he has gotten me out of, provided for me, and raised me from. As I take steps forward, doubt, fear, insecurities, worry, anxiety, disbelief in the present moment diminish. I then will not loose my reliance on Whom it has been placed on. If I begin to feel my knees weakening, I call for his hand, my Lord’s hand, Jesus the keeper of my soul. He keeps me from returning and reliving hurt, pain, misery not all caused by self. His Holy Spirit reminds me of my new qualities and strengths. I then can walk the tight rope, up high with a balance of truths and confidence. Romans 8:28
Believe me, days still come with fog and darkness. I do find myself crawling on my belly. Yet, I don’t loose sight of my belief in God, His son and the Holy Spirit. I know, soon aid will come replenishing my soul and setting my feet on high ground. It will happen again and again and again as long as I keep calling him, Jesus, my Savior and Lord. Joshua 1:9
How I keep my eyes focus on what is yet to come. What is coming brings change. Change is a road, a path, an open door, an opportunity to move forward. Returning to where once I had been has been for the purpose to celebrate the growth, forgive what still hinders, take back the good I left behind and be thankful for the lessons learned. Philippians 4:6-7
What have you learned?
corazon181 