Week Forty - Staring at the Ceiling

I hadn't thought much about it, but when the hairdresser said my scalp was red and asked if I was under extra stress, I began to think about all that has been on my plate for the past several weeks and the anticipation I felt with several more weeks ahead of me. I guess I am stressed. And then my body began to confirm it. Headaches, frozen shoulder, muscle aches, and exhaustion began taking over until my only recourse was to put a total stop on everything and just go to bed.

Staring at the ceiling, I tried not to think of the things not getting done. I tried to occupy my mind with nothing - and that's very hard for me. I prayed, rested, and wondered when and how I would get back on my feet. With the essential oils floating around the room and my heat pad's comfort, I knew I was exactly where the Lord wanted me - resting and waiting on Him.

In Psalm 130, David cries from out of the depths. He recognizes his own iniquities, the greatness of God's forgiveness, the hope of His Word, and God's great mercy. So, he settles in to wait. "I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning" (Vs 5-6).

Waiting has a divine purpose. It shifts our faith onto more solid ground and deepens our relationship with the Lord. It reminds us of our puniness and His power, our sinfulness and His perfection, our inability and His ability. It may feel uncomfortable; we may kick against it, but eventually we will come to the same place as the psalmist - watching with hope in His Word and complete faith in God's ability to redeem.

Exhaustion can place you in the depths. So can finances, family breakups, depression, and a host of life's events that take their toll. But God's mercy remains. His ability to redeem - to get you out of there - remains.

If you are in a holding pattern today, if life has you in its grip, or stress and exhaustion are taking over, stop straining and rest in God. Look for the beauty and security of God's truth. Place your hope solidly in the promises of His Word while you stare at the ceiling and wait with hopeful anticipation.

Week Thirty-Nine - Make Us Glad

Psalm 90 is one of the oldest psalms. Penned by Moses as a prayer, it focuses on longevity and wisdom. Man's life is short compared to eternity, so Moses desires wisdom to live well and be productive.

His desire is found in verse 14-15, "O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil."

Moses' life, from start to finish, is hardly one in which we read of gladness, so we might wonder why his prayer contains that word. He is abandoned to the river, grew up in a foreign household, fled into the wilderness, stood before Pharaoh, carried the burden of the people of Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness, and finally died without making it to the promised land. That's hardly a happy song.

But here is His secret. His prayer begins with God, "Lord thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God" (vs. 1, 2), and it ends with God, "Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."

Whatever happens in between doesn't matter as long as God is there, as long as God is woven through all the ups and downs.

This is the tale that is told (vs 9). This is the wisdom of verse 12: "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." He is our dwelling place - “from everlasting to everlasting thou art God” (vs 2). And that should make us glad!

Our lives may not be as tumultuous and shifting as Moses’, but we can still rely on the secret He reveals. Whatever has happened in our lives, God is there. That is the tale we tell. This is the story that makes us glad. God is with us - for eternity. He is our dwelling place, and He will satisfy us with His mercy so we can rejoice and be glad all our days.

If you are going through a troubled time, remember you aren’t finished yet. God was with you in the beginning, and He will be with you in the end. Not only that, but just as He was with Moses through all his ups and downs, He is with you in the middle, too.

Let your heart rejoice, and let Moses’ secret make you glad.

Week Thirty-Eight - A God Who Forgives

Forgiveness. What a precious word. 

This morning I was reading Psalm 99. This group of psalms in the middle of the book is full of praise. Almost every one opens with “make a joyful noise,” “sing unto the Lord,” “bless the Lord,” or “the Lord reigns.” These forms of praise are found throughout the Psalms, but here in the 90s, they are increased.

Psalm 99 is no different. It opens with, “The Lord reigns, let the people tremble,” and moves through to praise and joy, giving complete exultation to the God who reigns, the God who is great and terrible, the holy God who speaks from the cloudy pillar. He is faithful to His Word, and He keeps His covenants. Then in verse eight, it says, “thou wast a God that forgavest them.” He forgave them! What a promise. What an outstanding quality of an awesome, terrible God to forgive those who go against Him.

He doesn't have to; He chooses to. He sought us, redeemed us, and bought us back to Himself. We are His creation, the apple of His eye. When we consider His greatness and His loving kindness and mercy that bring Him to forgiveness toward us, surely praise is the only thing that can come from our lips: praise from a humble heart of thankfulness for a God who forgives.

It's a very short thought today - the God who forgives. I want to leave you to ponder all He has forgiven you and see if praise isn't what rings from your heart and into the world around you. A God Who Forgives! Make sure those around you know!

Week Thirty-Seven - The After Effect

This summer has been one of wildfires both in America, England, and across the globe.

It is sad knowing people have lost their homes and all their belongings to the flames. Farmers have lost crops, forests and mountains have been scorched and laid waste. These are dangerous events for sure.

My grandparents used fire to burn off their fields – a controlled burn. It destroyed the brambles and weeds, allowing the soil to breathe and replenish itself. They would trim saplings and brush from the fence rows, and then we’d have a big bonfire. It was quite an event. Many times, the evening would end with hot dogs and roasted marshmallows. I love a good fire.

Psalm 97 starts with a fire – a fire that melts the hills and burns up the enemies. Clouds, darkness, and lightning accompany it. Sounds like an epic and scary show of nature, but the Psalm renders this catastrophe to God – this is the effect of His presence.

Why does God make such a show? Verse six says, “So all the people see His glory.”

Just as my family used fire to cleanse and rejuvenate their fields, God used fiery judgment to cleanse and rejuvenate His people, so they could see His glory and return to His ways.

If the field isn’t cleared, the soil is choked and the weeds, the enemies, take over. If, in our lives, cleansing or chastisement doesn’t take place, we get choked by sin, and our faith cannot continue to grow.

It would be hard to miss if God dealt with us by fire today!

Hebrews 12:11reads, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness.”

We don’t like correction, just like we don’t like the thought of losing something we love to a fire, but until that correction takes place  - even if it hurts – we will never know what new and peaceable fruit can grow in the soil of our hearts.

It’s the after effect – that’s where the joy is found.

And 2 Corinthians 5:11 reads, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.”

This may seem an odd verse to add here. Still, if we have experienced, or truly believe, that God can break through like a cleansing fire into a life, and that men are bound for an eternal flame, then love demands we persuade; we strive to convince them of the surety of God’s judgment and of their precarious state.

God’s hand of terror does more than judge and destroy. It clears a path for light and gladness. For once the smoke is cleared away, and the enemy is gone, God’s glory shines; light is sown and that peaceable fruit of righteousness has room to grow and rejoice the heart.

2 Corinthians 4:6 tells us: "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

That is the After Effect – when God intervenes, it is to bring light!

When Mount Saint Helens erupted and scorched the earth with molten lava, the scientists said it would take generations for the earth to recover, but by the next spring, things were growing, and the seared scar was covered by new forestation. Light had reached the forest floor, reviving nature.

So don’t fear the dark times and fiery moments of life. God may be at work clearing land where you can grow and prosper. And so you can see His glory.

Let's also consider one more thought. God sows light, and we should be sowing light to help others see His glory.

This too is the After Effect. When we reach and pull men out, as Jude 23 says, "out of the fire," God's glory is seen. God commands the light to shine, and we are His witnesses. What an amazing change happens when a soul is redeemed from eternal damnation - what a wonderful after effect!

Week Thirty-Six - The Dark Night of the Soul

Psalm 88 is a desperate psalm. In the throes of the psalmist's soul, anguish and despair ring through every verse. With hands stretched out unto God, his soul cries for answers and release. Such is the sound of lamentation - with no sight of comfort. The psalm contains no resolve, no hopeful phrase - only waiting and anguish.

The dark night of the soul is defined as a deep psychological and spiritual crisis incorporating a loss or redirection of life's meaning, intense inner longing and emptiness, along with stark loneliness. It is usually accompanied by a major shift in thought or a new stage of personal or spiritual growth, as it acts as a spiritual cleansing to remove pride and press the individual toward mature faith.

While it is a painful and dark experience, the child of God need not fear, for such is the fellowship of His suffering, the purging that removes pride, and the place where crucifixion is better understood.

In Galatians 2:20, Paul gives this summation, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

The idea that one would come to this level of spiritual dedication and understanding by walking a flower-strewn path is never taught in Scripture. Instead, God speaks of pruning, refining by fire, and the putting away of self and the flesh. It is a cutting process that produces deeper love and experiences deeper understanding of God’s love.

Oh, friend, if this is your season, don't waste it. Cry out to God. Ask your questions. Bear your heart to Him and count your suffering as your closest walk with your Saviour - your Gethsemane.

What came out of Jesus' garden prayer? Renewed and energized faith. Determination to obey His Father at all costs. The laying aside of self to humble service for others. A deeper understanding of His holy purpose.

And in you, this season will produce fruit; never doubt it. God will not leave you there forever. It is only a season getting you ready for the praise found in Psalm 89.

P.S. If you are in a dark place and your soul is singing Psalm 88, I invite you to my book, Build That Wall, describing my personal journey and what the dark night of my soul taught me. It is available in eBook and paperback.

https://a.co/d/0hcEfZdA

Week Thirty-Five - It's Shocking

I sat stunned as I read the first verse of Psalm 79. Shocked because it was so upfront and in-your-face, so current to today. It reads, "O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance."

Israel opened the doors, and reaped the consequences. Their temple was defiled, the city laid waste, saints were martyred, and the glory of God's name was torn down. Truth lay trampled in the streets. Such is the way of the heathen. There is no respect for others or God Almighty. They devour and cast away. They do not build up.

This shocking truth is right before our eyes today. The Western world opened the doors and allowed the heathen in, and now we reap the consequences. Our churches are being burned, our cities are full of rubbish and filth, the streets are unsafe, and saints are martyred around the world. God's name and His truth are mocked and ignored. The influence of the heathen is written too boldly across our nations, in our homes, and in our schools. We are being torn down.

As Asaph prays in Psalm 79, he recognizes Israel's sin and pleads for God to deliver and purge for His name's sake (Vs 8-9). Only God can remove the heathen now. Israel is a sighing prisoner appointed to die. They have no strength except the Lord; by His power, deliver them.

This shocking truth is repeated in our lives. When we open the door, the heathen come in, and with them comes darkness, not light. 

Boundaries are not unbiblical. God warned Israel, just as He warned us, to keep our homes and lives pure and separate, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. But we dance on like it doesn't matter, as if tolerance were a virtue, while we blindly overlook the evil growing around us. It is shocking how blind we have grown. There is always a price to pay for living opposite to God's commands. This is true for individual lives and for nations. 

Equally, there is always grace and mercy for those who think on their "ways, and turn. . unto thy testimonies" (Psalm 119:59). Only God can cleanse our lives, and only God can cleanse a nation. Our part is to pray for our nation and for our lives to return to God's praise.

It is a shocking place to which we have arrived, but the God of all grace remains at our side. He can and will deliver His people when they confess and call upon Him.

Asaph finishes by praying, "So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations" (Psalm 79:13).

So my friend,  join me in prayer today. "If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Week Thirty-Four - The Things That Matter To Me

I've had an amazing bit of time this August. After getting back from the States in early July, Tom and I made a list of things around the house and in ministry we wanted to accomplish and things that needed tending. We knew we couldn't start on our lists until August, because our July was fully booked. But we made our list and waited. 

The first week of August, we started. He had his list. I had mine containing things that mattered to me. But God interrupted our plans. Tom was called back to the States for a family funeral, leaving me here by myself for a little over two weeks. Amazingly, Tom got his list completed before he left, but my list, of course, of things that mattered to me, was much longer.

I sat down and made myself a simple chart with tick boxes for things completed and spaces to record dates and notes. I love getting organized like that! And I started with great zeal! 

In my journal I recorded, "I asked the Lord last night to tell me what to focus on today. This morning He said, "All the little one-off jobs." So that's where I started.

All the little things went wild. I booked quotes for roofing, a built-in wardrobe, driveway repair, and a new front door. Things were getting done: phone calls and work on upcoming teaching and seminars were underway; my little chart already had several elaborate ticks! I had appointments with friends, deep housecleaning was getting done, and even a jigsaw puzzle!

I was amazed at how God was helping me accomplish the things that mattered to me. He gave me time in His Word, great moments of prayer, and Spirit-filled writing. He energized my mind to stay focused when things didn't go smoothly. 

Let me share one crazy thing - I had booked the man to replace the flat roof for the Friday. We had agreed while he was here, and I had it written in on my chart. Friday came, but he did not. I wondered why, and so I looked back at my WhatsApp correspondence. I had inadvertently canceled! Thinking I was messaging the man I wanted to decline, I ended up sending the message to the wrong person.

I immediately messaged to express my regret and apologized for the mistake, asking if we could reschedule. Which, he did - he came on Monday.

But that sudden change threw me off. I had to sit down and restart my day. My plan was gone. I slumped into my corner chair and prayed, asking the Lord what was next and how to order my now empty day.

I got up, did some personal perspective training, prayed some more, finished the hemming on a wedding dress, went shopping for a new oven, got the neighbour's help with repairing the guttering downpipe, refreshed my front garden bushes, ordered new ceiling fans for the offices, and ended the day working in the garden and putting together my new egg chair, even completed my jigsaw puzzle.

I am always amazed at how the Lord knows the things that matter to me. And not only that, but He helps me see things accomplished and makes His presence and interest so real that I do not feel alone - I have a God who cares about the things that matter to me.

And so do you!

Week Thirty-Three - Where Are You Headed?

A common question when meeting new people is, "Where did you come from?" The answer can be very telling because we tend to emulate our background through our accent, food preferences, and even our worldview.

For example, I don't have to talk long here in England before they know I'm not native to the island. Nearly always, they pin me as American or Canadian. 

Next, they ask where I am from, and most of them have never heard of my little hometown of Marshfield, Missouri. Some don't even know where Missouri is, so I mention Kansas City and St. Louis, and they nod like they understand. Then, they will ask why I am here. That gives me a good chance to speak for the Lord. 

This all helps to give context and open conversation, but as I was reading Psalm 87, I thought of a better question. Before I give it to you, this little Psalm is one of the songs for the sons of Korah. It is short and a bit hard to understand, but it is basically a psalm about Zion. Verse two reads, "The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob."

Zion originally referred to a specific hill - the Temple Mount - but it became a poetic name for Jerusalem. It is also sometimes used for the whole land of Israel. The psalm sings that to have been born there, to be a citizen of Zion, is a great blessing. It appears to be the hometown of the psalmist. This psalm would have been sung as a foregoing psalm, one they sang as they journeyed to Jerusalem for special days.

So the better question would be not, "Where did you come from?" but "Where are you going?"

Oh, friend, where we came from matters little compared to where we are heading. The city of God is our destination, the city where glorious things are spoken and the love of God abides, where our Saviour awaits, and our mansion stands ready. Where we are headed is what really matters, and it determines so much about how we walk and what we expect. 

In our Wednesday night Bible study, Bro. McHenry expounded on 1 John 3:1-3, noting the deep love of our Father, the privilege of being called sons, and the hope we have of being like Him, with all sin and pain gone from our lives. That is where we are heading. Verse three makes this point, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." 

We have the hope of meeting our Lord in the heavenly Zion, so preparedness must be our focus. 

Just as the pilgrims journeyed toward Jerusalem for the feast days, they sang songs, cleansed themselves, and prepared for the sacrifices; we, too, have a forward expectation and reason for rejoicing.

Let's not focus on where we came from, but turn our eyes to where we are going and be ready to enter the city the Lord loves and has prepared for us- Zion, the city of our God!

Week Thirty-Two - The Enemy of Jehovah

Psalm 83 is one of those "kill 'em, Lord" psalms, psalms where the writer is asking God to annihilate the enemy with the harshest of means. 

Asaph cries out for God not to be silent, not to hold His peace, because the enemy is lifting his head against Jehovah. By crafty counsel, the enemy seeks to remove Israel until it is remembered no more. They have joined forces with enemies of old, and even distant relatives, who desire to take the house of God.

Asaph pours out instruction for God to make them like stubble, burn them like wood or wild fires on the mountain, to persecute them by the tempest and frighten them by storms until their faces are ashamed. He's serious about their removal.

Then, Asaph makes two merciful requests. 

1. That they might seek God's face (vs 16).
2. That they might honor Jehovah as supreme (vs 18).

So, Asaph's prayer has two parts. First, he prays that the enemy would be stopped.

Many of us are praying similar prayers today. The enemy of Jehovah is raging. Fear does grip our hearts, and we may feel helpless to calm the situation, but prayer is never wasted. We know the prayers of God's people will be answered. They rise to Heaven with a special scent when God's people are persecuted.  So keep praying for God to intervene.

Then, Asaph inserts the two merciful requests - 1. That they might seek God's face and, 2. That they would recognize God as supreme.

Our prayers, like those of Asaph, can get focused on praying that the enemy would be thwarted because we want the fear and struggle to stop. But equally important is this second point - that they would seek God and recognize Him as supreme. And how would they?

God may reveal Himself to them in power, or even through dreams, as we read in the Bible. He may use the testimonies of God's people, but most often, He is revealed through our reaction to persecution and by answer to our prayers. 

Think about this in light of your prayer life. Are you praying for the enemy to seek and see God as sincerely and urgently as you are praying for them to be removed? Would God's mercy and Holy Spirit conviction channel to them through your behavior toward your enemy?

Those who oppose God are out there, and as much as we should resist them through prayer and legal means, we should equally be praying for God to intervene in their lives. Why? Because God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4) to all who call upon Him. (Romans 10:12). He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9) - not even our enemies.

Week Thirty-One - Not Set Aright

I was a rebellious teenager. I won't go into great detail, but suffice it to say I was a grief of mind to my parents and wound up being a grief of mind to myself in the end. Had the Lord not stepped into my life, I'm sure I would have continued down the path to my own destruction.

I was reading Psalm 78 today, and the writer, Asaph, states that the hearts of the children of Israel were not set aright. They were rebellious. He recounts their failings before God, saying they refused, forgot, spoke again, believed not, lied unto him, turned back, tempted, provoked, dealt unfaithfully, and limited God. Sounds like a rebellious heart to me.

But God? He continued leading them safely to the Promised Land, forgave, was compassionate, remembered they were only flesh, showed His strength, provided flesh and water for them, and in verse 72 we read, "fed them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands."

When our hearts are not set aright, we rebel, biting even the hand that feeds us. Thinking we have the right to complain about our situation, we act like Israel and forget God. But He never forgets us. Even in our rebellion, He works to draw us home through kind compassion and just punishments. He is a faithful Father who works with His children through love and integrity.

Rebellion is stubbornness. It is saying you are right and must have things done your way. There seems to be no place in the rebellious heart for obedience unless it is profitable to the desired outcome. No amount of lying, deceit, or conniving is beyond the use of the rebellious heart. And when caught, more lies and more deceit are used in an attempt to cover guilt. It is a vicious circle that leads to a hardness of heart; a heart not set aright. And rebellion isn't reserved for teenagers!

But when God enters, when His compassion and love shine, the hardness melts away, and the first part of this long chapter becomes the new reality. People whose hearts are set aright are described this way - they hear the words of God, wisdom proceeds from their mouths, they care for the next generation, teaching them the ways of God and uplifting Him because of "the wonderful works that he hath done" (Vs. 4). (These are the same works, by the way, that produced rebellion in the heart not set aright.)

But the heart set aright declares God's glory to the children and points them to hope - "that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments" (Vs 7).

Hope or destruction are derived by the set of your heart. So today's question is: Where is your heart set? What work is God doing in your life, and how are you responding?    

Week Thirty - Treasures in Darkness

Let's look today at Isaiah 45:2-3. It reads, "I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel."

This was one of the verses I claimed when the dark night of the soul had me in its grip. My depression was almost tangible as I sat in fear wondering: What was going to happen to me? Where would I find release? Where could I place my hope? How long would this last? These unanswerable questions haunted my soul. Only God's Word could reach me, and even then, it often took a huge amount of blind faith to come to any rest.

This was the first place where I began noticing the I Will statements in the Bible. We've talked many times about David's I Wills - I will praise, I will sing, I will trust - but here in Isaiah, the I wills are promises directly from God. He says:

I will go before thee.
I will make crooked places straight.
I will break the gates of brass.
I will cut the bars of iron.
I will give you treasures in darkness.
I will give you hidden riches in secret places.

Treasures in darkness? Hidden riches in secret places? All the darkness I was experiencing held treasure? It seemed hard to believe back then, but today I can attest to the truth of this promise. Had I never experienced the darkness and the secret places, my walk with God would not be as close or as sweet as it is today. The depth of my relationship with God was hollowed out during those dark times. He went with me. He did make crooked places straight, and He did release me from the gates of brass and bars of iron. And He did it in His time - the time when He knew I had come to understand the value of my valley journey.

True riches and treasures are not those that shine openly, but those hidden in the soul: personal fellowship and intimate encounters with the God who knows our name. They are that calm assurance that comes when the soul rests in the Word and confidence built by knowing God is sovereign, loving, and wise. 

God's promises aren't reserved for the treasures that come after the darkness; they are also treasures IN darkness. When God's Word comes alive in your heart, when light shines into your soul, when you see Him at work on your behalf, these, too, are treasures of darkness. They shine, pointing us to continued hope on our journey.

So if you are walking in the shadows, remember there cannot be a shadow without light, and God is that light. He will keep His promises, and in His time, you will know the treasures of darkness, too. So lift your face toward Him, keep going, and trust that He is right beside you.

Week Twenty-Nine - Little Graces

We made it! Our Wednesday flight was delayed by an hour and a half, which meant we did not make the planned overseas flight out of Atlanta. But there were little graces planted throughout the trip. 

Grace One - they check all our bags straight through to Birmingham, UK, no extra charge, so all we had to deal with was our backpacks.

Grace Two - I overheard the attendant reserving a seat for another passenger in a similar situation, so I went up to check on our flight before we boarded and got the same assurance. We would be on the 10:41 flight Wednesday night, and when we got to Atlanta, they would sort the passes. So we boarded feeling assured.

Grace Three - Upon arrival in Atlanta, Tom was met with wheelchair assistance: something Miss Mary had advised due to the original anticipated short layover, but something we thought had been lost because of the changes. This little grace not only meant Tom didn't have to walk so far and so fast.

Grace Four - our little pusher girl knew where to take us to get the boarding passes for the next flight and she took us straight to the gate. 

Grace Five - We were booked to be seated on opposite sides of the plane, so I went to the attendant again, and he moved us to seats together for the long flight. 

Grace Six - Tom was met again in Amsterdam with a wheelchair and then boarded onto an electric trolley (and I rode too), which again took us straight to the gate for our final flight, Grace Seven -which had changed with no warning, but our driver knew. 

Grace Eight - We didn't have that panicked married-couple discussion about where to go or what to do next! We just knew God was taking care of us. 

Grace Nine - a wheelchair took us straight to customs and through immigration with no waiting, and then to the luggage carousel. Tom loved that! We assured the young man that we could take it from here and waited for our luggage, but it did not arrive. So after filling out the forms for lost luggage, we called for our pickup man. 

Grace Ten - We anticipated Bro McHenry arriving to collect us in our car, but he came in his, which would not have held all our luggage. (God knew!) 

We settled back for a nice drive home - he took the scenic route - and we got home about 24 hours after we had begun our journey in Springfield, knowing the grace of God had gone before us. 

Looking for graces in the midst of testing and turmoil is a valuable skill that helps you obey Scripture and keep your heart calm. 

"In everything give thanks" 1 Thessalonians 5:18. I'm thankful for the three extra days with my friend, and thankful for those wheelchairs! 

God's hand was all over last week, and His hand continues to grace us with blessings. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits" Psalm 68:19.

Oh, and the luggage was delivered the next day - Grace Eleven!   

Week Twenty-Eight - Stuck

I thought I'd be writing this blog in the air. We were to fly back to the UK on Monday, but our flight was canceled. We thought we would fly on Tuesday but arrived to find another cancellation. Now, I anticipate flying this afternoon. Time will tell. 

Meanwhile, we are stuck in the Ozarks. And that's not a bad thing. It has afforded time to spend with my precious friend, Mary. She is providing room, board, transport, and sweet fellowship while we wait and enjoy the Lord's gift of time together.

I used to grow anxious when life stuck me in uncomfortable or unexpected spots. Like when I felt my little ones would never grow up and I was stuck as a young mother. Or when we were so poor we lived on hot dogs and pot pies. Or when I found myself begging for showers of blessing instead of appreciating each little drop of mercy falling around me. These places felt like they would never go away, like I'd never find release. But I've learned they are only seasons of time, each with its own challenges and lessons, helping me grow less anxious over time.

Are you stuck in a spot today? Does it seem the Lord has every door closed? Is every day dark? Every situation confining? That's not necessarily a bad thing. This is a tiny portion of life, a moment of time designed by God. It has a purpose, and your acceptance or rejection of it reveals your faith and often determines how long you remain stuck.

You can scream and cry, pout and feel sorry for yourself, shout in anger, and raise your fist, but that won't change anything. You are still grounded!

Or, you can look at the mercy drops around you and yield your spirit to the Word - your "times are in God's hand." The ebb and flow of life are in His control, and He "waters every moment." He knows exactly where you are and why. You aren't stuck - you are in a holding pattern.

The children do grow up, and you become a grandmother. You move on from hot dogs to steak, and the showers of blessing are an accumulation of little mercy drops that water your way to joy. So enjoy the stuck spot - it's God's doing. 

Take time to rest and appreciate where you are. Get in and learn the lesson designed for you, and let your faith grow. And when you get unstuck, remember to move forward with thankfulness and joy.

Hopefully, I'll write to you next week from over the pond and share the joy of my little stuck spot.

Week Twenty-Seven - Unmovable

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, it makes a good time to reflect on what made it great in the first place. She consists of a melting pot of people, a mix of cultures, and a variety of political persuasions. This was true from the beginning. 

As the founding fathers debated and scrutinized the guiding documents, they had one main point upon which they agreed: the nation would be built upon faith in God. This standard would be the guiding light for America.

In Psalm 62, David makes a corollary point. "I shall not be moved" (Psalm 62:6). This is a psalm of confidence. With men's vanity on one side and their deceit on the other, David positions himself squarely on God. He only is his rock and defence. With God by his side, David declares he shall not be moved. "Power," he says, "belongeth unto God." So, he places his full trust there.

Our world, just as David's, is full of vanity and deceit. Voices cry out, calling us to one side or the other, yet they sway back and forth like "a bowing wall" or a "tottering fence" (Psalm 62:3). These are not the voices that lead us to stability, nor are they the voices to which we should yield.

In Psalm 60:11 and 108:12, David says, "Vain is the help of men." Therefore, if we desire a stable life, our trust must be fully placed in God alone. He must be our source for all things - wisdom, direction, fulfillment, joy, comfort, assurance, peace, etc. "He only," David says. (Psalm 62:2, 6) Only He is our rock and defense.

If you are looking for anything other than God to meet your need, you are looking in the wrong place. If you are expecting any man or politician to correct the woes of our land or lead us into peace, you are trusting in an uncertain expectation. Only God can do these things. He puts up kings and takes them down. "Vain is the help of men," but "with God all things are possible."

Look again at these truths that made David unmovable. God only was his rock, defence, and salvation. All power belongs to God. And, as David closes the psalm, "Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy; for thou renderest to every man according to his work" (Psalm 62:12).

When we take hold of absolute truth in God's sovereignty and power and make ourselves accountable to it, we, too, will remain unmovable. This must be the standard and guiding light of our individual lives as well as of our country.

So as you celebrate this weekend, focus your thanksgiving, praise, and joy on God—the God in whom we trust—and pray that we remain unmovable in our faith.

Week Twenty-Six - Overwhelmed

Sometimes life seems like too much, doesn't it? If you are a young mother, you know the constant demands of parenting that drive you to exhaustion. If you are experiencing health issues, you know fear and doubt as you go from appointment to appointment and prognosis to prognosis with no end in sight. If you are facing financial strain, you know how it feels to receive yet another bill or unexpected expense that threatens to drive you to bankruptcy. There are so many things in life that overwhelm us.

In Psalm 61, David writes about his heart being overwhelmed. I think we'd all probably feel the same if we had spent years running and hiding from an enemy trying to kill us, trusted friends turning against us, and our children betraying us. His feeling of overwhelm was justified, but he didn't stay there. He says, "When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

He knew he had another resource - the same resource available to us, the rock, shelter, and strong tower that takes our overwhelm and replaces it with quietness and rest.

David's reaction bears notice. When he is overwhelmed, he looks for help outside himself, help that is higher. He doesn't go into recluse mode, anger, fear, or a deep depression. He looks up for spiritual strength that only comes by a closer walk with God - the Rock.

We see David making three more choices. He says, "I will abide, I will trust, and I will sing praise" (vv. 4, 8). He makes a conscious choice not to dwell long on the overwhelming situation but to shift his thoughts and responses toward God's ability, adjusting his own reaction. This positions him for hope.

He chooses:

To abide - he focuses his thoughts and judges his steps, making sure he is obedient to God’s Word.
To trust -  he looks beyond the circumstance to a God who is fully able to conquer every circumstance.
To sing - he allows his heart and soul to sing and worship the Rock that is higher, to lift his voice up to God.

And then he says, "that I may daily perform my vows" (v. 8). He makes a conscious decision to continue his daily tasks and remain faithful to his life's calling. He isn't pulling himself up by his bootstraps but choosing to move forward; all the while trusting, abiding, and singing praise as he leans on the higher Rock. His circumstances may not have changed, but his attitude and focus have. His overwhelm subsides as he places his thoughts and understanding on higher things. 

So today, if overwhelm nips at your heels or even if you are deep in its throes, look up. God is above all these things. He sees you. Put your thoughts and "I wills" solely upon Him and let your heart sing. Then, pick up your task and keep going. God hears you and sees your need. His strength is available - tap into it.

Week Twenty-Five - No, Not One

 

"No, not one," God's Word says. Not one does good. Not one accepts the fact that God is always watching, so they act in evil and corrupt ways. Not one seeks Him or even considers Him in decisions or actions. Therefore, God is against them. That is the bleak message of Psalm 53.

As I joined the Lord for my devotions, I wasn't expecting such a harsh psalm. I was looking for comfort after receiving troubling news the previous evening. The enemy is attacking my grandchildren, tempting them to follow the world and accept ungodly ways. I watch my children trying to wisely navigate parenting in a world that screams against God and lives like Psalm 53. 

All around us, and ever more evident every day, are people whose eyes are blinded, and hearts are hardened to truth and the ways of God. They cannot see Him, so they live without Him and mock those who stand for righteousness. The book of Romans reveals that the knowledge of impending judgment is in their heart, but they ignore it and "not only do the same (live and act in evil) but have pleasure in them that do them." They love to sin and drag others along. God's Word tells us they are under condemnation and that not one will escape God.

Such is the world in which we live. So, what are we to do? What should be our response? As I prayed for my grandchildren's protection and for truth to reign in their hearts, God gave me three things to do.

1) Do not join in their ways. As children of God, we are to live differently - not oddly, but with a purity and consideration that honors God as we walk in light and exhibit His love to those who ignore Him. Their ways should not be our ways.

2) Pray for the light of God's Word to open their eyes and soften their hearts. Who else will pray for them unless God's children do? Jesus had compassion on them; how could we do less? 

3) Stand as a beacon and ambassador ready to rescue those who come to Him. Jude 23 says, "others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." How can they be saved unless we are willing to put forth a hand to receive them? These are those for whom Christ died; it is our job to be His witness and point them to Him. We can't do that if our light is hidden, our hearts are cold against them, and the door is closed.

So as I pray for God's protection and direction over my grandchildren, I will also pray that those living around them see Christ and come to Him.

He is "not willing that any (no, not one) should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). 

Week Twenty-Four - Hold Yourself Accountable

Citizenship, along with the responsibility and accountability it holds, is a rare yet valuable commodity these days. We say that we expect moral and honest leadership from those to whom we entrust our government, but sadly, these qualities seem to be missing in so many. 

We should not be too quick to condemn politicians when we ourselves often fail in the same qualities. We speed, fudge on our taxes, litter, gossip, and think no one should say anything to us about it. But good citizenship requires us to hold ourselves accountable for how we live, how we respect the laws of the land, and how we treat other people.

Citizenship, as defined by Google, "is the legal relationship between an individual and a state, granting the person specific rights, such as voting and legal protection, in exchange for duties, like obeying laws and paying taxes.  It also refers to membership and active participation in any community."

I see citizenship as a privilege. It means I have an invested interest in my community, a voice, and a part in what happens to the whole.

As I was reading Psalm 50, I noticed a stark description of citizenship gone awry and leadership that did not hold itself accountable. From verses 16-22, God's Word describes it this way: they hate and ignore God's Word and instruction. They allow theft and adultery to go unpunished, even taking part in it. Their mouths are full of evil and deceit. They sit and speak against other citizens, even slandering each other. Then, God warns them that He sees and hears their deeds, and they will not go unpunished.

Good citizenship means we, too, address such issues because the leadership we put in place reflects who we are as a people. What a sad state of affairs when we devalue our citizenship by not participating in voting and maintaining the laws of our land. But I'm not trying to make a political statement. I'm trying to call us to individual accountability, for that is what will make the difference.

God closes this psalm with exactly the same call for accountability when He says, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God."

We are to order our conversation. It isn't simply our words, but every area of our lives. We are to live by order - the order of God's Word. And to do so "aright" means we hold ourselves accountable for our words and actions. We aren't two-faced or hypocritical. We don't speak evil or slander others. We don't have secret sins. We don't ignore God's Word, but rather, we use it to judge ourselves and keep our lives clean and acceptable before God and man.

When every citizen does his or her part in living aright, things around us will shape up. We may hold different political views, but we can all live under God's law - "for against such there is no law." And what does God's law require of a citizen? Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance are a few things. (Galatians 5:22-23) And Micah 6:8 gives this instruction, "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."

These are some of the qualities of good citizenship, and they are things to which we must hold ourselves accountable. Let's rise to the challenge!

Week Twenty-Three - The Reflective Pool

I've been marveling at the recent renovations in Washington, D.C. I didn't even know some of these monuments existed because I've only been there a couple of times in my life. It is so refreshing to see them renovated and brought back to life.

I was reading about the Reflection Pool, which is nearly completed. The workers were explaining that the darker the base, the more reflection it will cast and the more defined the image will be. We should be able to see not only the two monuments at each end, but also the clouds and birds in the sky above. It all makes me want to visit D.C. again and just do a monument tour.

Psalm 19 reminds us that creation reflects God's strength and proves His presence. There is no where it cannot be seen, and His law is perfect through and through, providing reward and benefit for all who will hear and apply what they read. These truths brought David to self-reflection and earnest prayer.

The truth of God's greatness and presence, and the infallibility of His precious Word, ought to cause us reflection as well. We stand before a perfect and awesome God whose truth is deeply based in His rich and penetrating character. We, however, are far from perfection and awesomeness. 

David's take, and ours, needs to be one of humility and submission. We ought to make the same plea, "Lord, cleanse me, free me, and 'let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight.'"

How precious it would be to stand at that Reflection Pool in Washington and think about how God has guided our country in the past? To pray over our country's future? And take time for personal reflection as well? Are the words of our mouth acceptable in God's sight? Are the thoughts and meditations of our hearts reflective of His character?

As we move toward the celebration of our country's 250th anniversary, let's reflect on who we are individually and let the beauty of God's creation and character be seen through our words and lives.

Week Twenty Two - Fly, Dream, and Live

Recently, three of our grandchildren graduated from High School, and one from College. That means all but four of our 16 grandchildren have now graduated and entered young adulthood, entering a different phase and seeking to discover their life's path.

I remember my children being at this age. Not one of them wound up on the path they initially thought life would take them, but God has guided them all the way. He is a great parent, you know. He takes better care of my children than I could have ever done.

Still, when I am with them for an extended time, I find myself falling into whatever is happening in their lives. Not that any of them lead chaotic lives, but each one has their own set of challenges and consequences based on their life choices, which is true for all of us, isn't it?

We make choices, life happens, and we wind up with situations and circumstances that naturally arise from those choices. Nothing can change that; it is just the law of sowing and reaping.

Anyway, because I avoid and dislike conflict, chaos, and imperfection, difficult life situations unnerve me.

I was deep into thought about this when the Lord spoke up, saying, "Their problems and challenges are not your problems and challenges. They are only prayer points for you, nothing more. I oversee their lives. Leave the adult parenting to me.

When I stick my nose in where I am not invited, point out things I see, or try to fix them, I am not trusting the Lord. I'm making things harder for them. I am upsetting myself to the point that I might impulsively say or do something that could hurt them.

Trusting the Lord means I bring those concerns to Him alone while I portray love, assurance, and faith. Shining a light is better than provoking them to wrath. When I cast doubt or worry, I only make their way darker and more difficult. I don't want to do that.

They are succeeding in their lives. Am I succeeding in mine? That is the better question. Judge myself first - right?

When I was their age, I faced challenges and choices, too. This is the part of the adult process that fosters faith and wisdom. So, let them grow. Let them face consequences and work through life's challenges with the Lord. He will direct them because their heavenly Father is that sort of faithful parent. I can hold them up in prayer and watch Him work.

With these thoughts in mind, and the voice of the Lord in my head, we arrived home after a long drive from Atlanta to Missouri.

The Lord has provided us with a lovely lodge out on the family farm for us to use while we are stateside. It belongs to my cousin and was just completed last year. He and his wife come through doing a bit more with each visit. This time, while we were away, they hung some pictures in the living area.

Well, as the Lord would have it, one was a quote from Mother Teresa that amplified the discussion I had been having with the Lord.  She said,

You will teach them to fly, but they will not fly your flight.

You will teach them to dream, but they will not dream your dreams.

You will teach them to live, but they will not live your life.

Nevertheless, in every flight, in ever live, in every dream,
the print of the way you taught them will remain.

How true! My life is not their life. My children and grandchildren are only a portion of my life, a place where I invest all I can to give them the ability and freedom to fly, dream, and live. My prayers for them will last through generations, and my prayers and influence are an indelible part of their lives.

This truth brought calmness, confidence, and joy to my heart. With all the challenges my children have faced and are facing, they are flying, dreaming, and living their lives. I see God's hand in each of them. What more could I ask?

And He will do the same for my grandchildren as they learn to fly, dream, and live because He is the faithful parent. He remains beside them. He will answer this grandmother's prayers.

Week Twenty-One - Wrong Way

Tom and I have been traveling a lot lately and have been reminded to use caution when we drive because we are no longer on the English proper side of the road; we are on the American right side!

That makes turning corners challenging, and I have noticed the Wrong Way sign on the interstate many times. Thankfully, we haven't turned down that way!

Psalm 36 was my reading today, and it came with a huge Wrong Way sign. Verse four reads, "He setteth himself in a way that is not good."

David has been describing the man who chooses to go his own way. This man (or woman) ignores God. They flatter themselves, thinking they know best, and hate begins filling their hearts. Then, what is in the heart comes out of the mouth, and all wisdom fails. They find themselves thinking about how they can get even, how they can give someone a piece of their mind, or make a point, not for good or to resolve a problem, but to hurt the other person as they have been hurt. They grow full of pride and attack anyone who tries to point them back to the way of God. They have set themselves on a way that is not good. 

And there they sit, stewing in their hate and regret, but too proud to kneel and ask forgiveness of God, seek resolution, or admit their own sin and wrongdoing.

Until they turn around, they are driving their lives the wrong way, and a collision is bound to happen.

The right way is also described in the psalm. It is full of God's great mercy, abundant provision, light, and lovingkindness.

Here is the interesting thing. We all travel the path of life together, and we see how each of us manages our lives. The choices we make determine the outcome. God says there are two paths to follow: the broad way or the narrow way. The paths are also described as light and darkness, as evil or good, and as truth or deceit. One leads to joy and life, the other to hatred and death. We know which path we are on by the fruit of our lives.

Sadly, those going the wrong way hate those going the right way. Maybe they are envious or confused about how to direct their lives. Maybe their hurts and life choices keep them prideful and unable to change their path. Or maybe no one has shared the light of the gospel with them.

Oh, let that not ever be said. When you meet someone whose life is set in a way that is not good, take time to lovingly speak truth to them. Don't let them ever say no one cared enough to speak up. 

David's closing prayer was, "Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me” (vs 11). Stay on the right path! Yet, reach out in love and concern for those going the wrong way.