LOTS OF WATER

…For He himself has said,

“I will never leave you

nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

It isn't unusual here where I live to hear of weather events that are at a distance from where I live. Oklahoma is often known for tornadoes as well as other states in that part of our country. I've heard about hurricanes in Florida and the Gulf coast for years, but must say I've not paid that much attention to them...UNTIL...I had one of my own children with family move to that state. Then hurricanes became of real interest. Still, they were there and I was here in Eastern Tennessee.

Well, over the last week, some things have changed. I kept track of the hurricane warnings in Florida and watched weather reports on TV of the where and whens of the storm. I'm always amazed that such events are named, this one being Helene. Still, I prayed for my family and the people who would be affected by it all. Little did I know that Helene would find a way to visit Eastern Tennessee with a vengeance.

Like many folks, I've watched the pictures, heeded warnings that might affect me and felt it would all pass like most bad storms. Today has been a different story. I've watched films on TV until I'm about cross-eyed. My heart is heavy as I've seen small communities wiped out, farms with animals destroyed, major highways wiped out, people sitting on roofs, many stranded in the mountains with no roads out for now, hospital patients and staff on the roof of their hospital, waters rushing with great force to anywhere. The heartache, loss and desperation are too much to take in.

However, God knows everything about this event. He has all the answers for each person affected and has promised His presence in all of the havoc. The rest of us are called on to pray, pray hard and pray much for those dear folks that they will still find their hope in their God who has more love to pour into their lives with more power than any hurricane.

Dear Father, I pray for my fellow Tennessee friends and others in North Carolina, who are suffering right now more than I can imagine. I pray they will sense Your presence despite all the heartache. I know You will provide all they need. Draw them close to Yourself...warm their bodies and spirits as well. Thank You for being the loving Father You are and thank You for Jesus....and in His name....Amen 

 

                                    HOW DELIGHTFUL

Delight yourself also in the LORD,

and He shall give you the

desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Life was so good. We had two beautiful little girls and expecting our third child. The only problem was that we were in a two bedroom apartment. We really needed to purchase a house, but wanted a newly built one. Those went for the horrible price of at least $32,000. Back then, goodly down payments were required and we couldn't even come close to having one.

The only money we had coming was Brian's tax refund that might do. I suggested he go to our bank and promise them that check when it arrived if they would give us the funds now for a down payment. He looked at me like I was crazy telling me that banks just don't do that. He took some time to think about it.

The house we wanted was already in process of being built. I loved Psalm 37 for so many reasons, especially the above verse. Without Brian knowing it, I got out our old beat up typewriter, non electric, and typed the above verse 50 times. I cut out each strip, carefully rolling up each one as tightly as I could. I drove out to that house on a really cold, gloomy day. The men weren't working and I was glad because I was on a mission. I tucked each of those little rolls all over that building. They went in the holes of bricks, tucked into sockets, some inside drywall and even down some drains. May I tell you today that whoever lives in that house today has no idea all the Scripture that could be found in that place.

A couple of days later, Brian went to the bank feeling negative but feeling “Why not.” He came home with a huge grin. The banker had never done such a thing before but with a signed agreement, Brian had a check in hand.

I believe it would have worked anyway. We had always delighted in the Lord but claimed a promise. We had the joy of loving on our Father in some new and wonderful ways. We determined to honor the Lord with that house even to the day Brian handed the keys to a new owner. Our delighting didn't stop there as God has been our delight ongoing with Brian there and me here.

What a delight You are Father. Thank You for the sweet memories I have of You having worked in our lives through the years and You continuing to do so on my behalf as I'm alone now. I so love and appreciate You...Amen

 

GO TEAM, GO!

For whatever is born of God

overcomes the world. And

this is the victory that has

overcome the world...our faith.

I John 5:4

I've spent Saturday evening watching two football games. Having lived in Texas for years, I have an interest in the university there. I'm here in Tennessee now so also try to watch our team here. They both happen to be playing at the same time tonight but not against each other trying to keep up with both games.

Both teams are excellent this year and should do well. I've watched the unity of the guys on each field. They've had good coaching, have been trained well with play books and instructions and interestingly enough, both teams wear orange.

You and I are a part of a great team. Our team consists of believers all over the world. Our common uniform is on the different side as we are clothed in righteousness. God, our Coach, had a plan from the beginning of time that all people would love and follow Him explicitly, but that didn't happen. He sent His Son Jesus to coach us here on earth, and yes, to die for us that we might have life eternal. Our Head Coach also gave us His Holy Spirit and a book of instructions to live this life.

Meanwhile, we must be committed tmyo our spiritual training, staying fit through prayer and the Word. I pray I will be as committed to God's plan even more than what I see in the members of the two football teams I'm watching.

We read that at the end of the game of life, our team wins. Our Coach has declared that and He has already seen to it. Through Christ, we are the victors.

Thank You Father, for allowing me to be on Your team. I thank You for Your guidance, forgiveness and love. It's so wonderful knowing that through You, victory is ours. In Jesus name....Amen

 

IF ONLY

And all the children of Israel complained

against Moses and Aaron, and the whole

congregation said to them, “If only we had

died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we

had died in the wilderness.

Numbers 14:2

The adventure of the Israelites trip from Egypt to the promised land has always fascinated me. This was a people who had spent a lifetime in captivity. With God-called leadership, they arrived at the banks of that promised land. In the forty years in the wilderness, they hadn't been the most behaved people one could find but God had been patient with them. They had griped and complained beyond belief and now, in this moment we hear, “If only...”

We have had our own times when we have dwelt on some “if onlys” in our lives. Shortly after Brian went to Heaven, I spoke with my pastor of those things I could/should have done I didn't do that might have made a difference. He reminded me that our regrets are in the past and dwelling on them is anything but healthy.

Bottom line is that in the decision times of our lives, we probably make the best decisions we know to make at the time. We can't see into the future with any kind of accuracy so we do the best we can in thinking things over. David's son had died. He called out Absalom's name several times and then said, “If only I had died in your place!” Our if only statements come from us when a time of sadness or regret has been experienced. There is nothing present or future in those two words.

A real hero of mind through the years has been Corrie ten Boom. She, her father and sister had been in concentration camps because of harboring Jews in their home. Corrie lost them in the process. Through the years, after being liberated, she spoke all over the world and authored books one of which became a movie. Looking back, there were things Corrie wished she had handled differently and had some regrets. However she came to grips with those thoughts and said:

"I had to surrender my 'if onlys' to Jesus!”

May that be so for you and me as well.

Father, we feel we've done all we could in various situations but harbor regrets. Help us to move away from the “if only's” in our lives and move on in Your strength. Thank You very much.....In Jesus' precious name....Amen

 

THE JOY OF WALKING

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness

in the morning, for in You do I trust;

cause me to know the way in which

I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.

Psalm 143:8

There are things about ourselves we rarely think about. The ability to physically walk is one of those things. We feel deeply for folks who have lost the ability to walk because of disease or accident. There is a walk we walk that isn't physical....our walk with God.

I have known of some great couples lately who have just been blessed with their first baby. If they are anything like what Brian and I went through after a few months, folks would begin asking when our little one was going to walk. We never hurried that...thought it would happen in good and God's time. I have often said when a little one begins to walk, that's the first step they take in someday walking out of their parent's lives.

In David's writing Psalm 143, he speaks of his spiritual walk. Walking is mentioned several times in Scripture but doesn't speak of a physical walk that much. David speaks of his/our spiritual walk. David knew he couldn't accomplish a spiritual walk without God's strengthening and direction. In the above verse, David was almost pleading for God's showing him the way he should walk. That same prayer should be ours if we are really determined walk as God would want us to walk. 

We can't walk this spiritual journey in our own strength. God wants our walk to one of joy, a learning experience, of our changing from the world's ways to His precious path. Our map is His Word. His Spirit will teach us and steer us in the right directions. The most beneficial place for us to walk is in Jesus' steps consistently. He'll never lead us in any wrong direction.

Father, I really want to walk as You direct. I realize I must put forth effort on my part to study and know Your Word that will keep me on the right path. Thank You for loving and guiding me. In Jesus' name...Amen