GOD KNOWS

And the LORD, He is the one who

goes before you.  He will be with

you, He will not leave you nor

forsake you; do not fear nor

be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8

My parents told me a little later in life that even when four and five years old, I had a good sense of direction.  They noticed we could go somewhere for the first time and if we made that same trip again, I could tell my Dad who was driving the exact way to get where we were going just in my observance.  After having come to the Smoky Mountains the second time with my Mother, she fumbled with a map while I knew how to get there accurately without any kind of map.

When six years old, I asked my Mother if I could walk to my Grandma's house.  Her house was seven blocks from our house.  She thought about it and agreed to let me walk there...alone.  The walk was interesting because as I arrived in each block, there was one very kind friend or lady who would suddenly appear on her porch, greeting me.  This went on block after block.  I finally got to the last block where I had to cross a street.  As I approached that corner, there was Catherine, leaning on her crutches.  She had polio when younger but now in her 20's just happened to be standing on that corner.  My Grandma's house was across the street but about three houses down.

Grandma greeted me and praised me for being such a big girl.  She added that she needed to call my Mother about something.  I may have been smart in some ways but a little on the naive side as well.  In later years,  I learned my Mother had set the whole thing up with lady friends who lived on those blocks that led to Grandma's house.  They were all looking out for my safety without my knowing it at the time.

Even as adults there is so much God does on our behalf we don't even know anything about.  He has guided and protected us when we never had to give it a thought.  He's put people in our path from whom we've learned and perhaps been protected and encouraged.  They have popped up on certain blocks of our lives with a greeting and perhaps help we didn't know we needed, but God knew.  He's always on duty...will never leave or forsake us.  Praise Him!

My Father...protector, teacher, true daddy, our all in all...thank You for all of Your work behind the scenes of our lives.  Praising You in Jesus name....Amen

PREPARE  THE  WAY

"For I know the plans I have for you, 

declares the Lord,  "plans to prosper

you and not to harm you, plans to

give you hope and a future."  

Jeremiah 29:11

For some time, I have known I should do something about a tooth that has been driving me crazier than I already am.  I haven't had anything done physically since Brian went to Heaven.  He was always the thinker and planner under these circumstances.  I found a good place to go for dental attention but still had great concerns.

When faced with a difficulty, I've prayed for the Lord to go ahead of me, preparing the way.  I'm well aware that 24/7 God is ahead, behind, up and down and all around me but sometimes, I need a little more attention from Him.  I tend to think negatively about new or scary things.

Got to the place and met the surgeon.  I was reading a book Bev had given me when he walked in and asked about what I was reading.  I told him some about it and that the author was guided by one verse throughout the book.  He asked what verse and I gave him the reference at the beginning of this blog.  He reached for his cell phone in his pocket, pushed one button and turned the phone toward me.  Written out was the same verse from Jeremiah.  He said he never leaves home without it.

He said he had prayed for something special in the new work day and there I sat.  He asked if he could take a picture of the front of book.  I gave him a foldy our class is giving out that says JESUS LOVES YOU. He said that it was going on his trucks dashboard.

He did get the tooth thing done believe it or not but I hardly gave it a thought because of how very special the time had been.  We both bragged on God and how he can do the greatest things we can hardly believe.  God had gone ahead of me, with no Brian, but made the way and He even hung around during the whole event.  Praise the Lord!!!

Father God, I'm so grateful for your presence and how You make Yourself known in my  life.  I believe You may have smiled with us as we talked of You...two people who didn't know each other but both knew You.  Amen

GAME OF ALL GAMES

I press toward the goal for the

prize of the upward call of God

in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

It's been a big basketball time this weekend, not just for most schools but especially as our local UT team that has moved to the SEC championship game.  There is alot of cheering, traveling, wearing of certain colors, pom-poms and of course, lots of food.

Unfortunately, folks who are real fans, can never know what all goes into any team, of any sport, whether teams win or lose.  Alot of time goes into training, skills in movement, aiming at a goal of some kind, studying game plans and going through the rigors of following strict orders and information from not just one coach but maybe two or three.  

Many athletes started in their favorite sport when in grade school and work up through every school year.  Hours have been spent and even families involved as well.  Lots of transportation needed back and forth to a school that could have both morning and evening special sessions.

Coaches put in hours of work both away from and in practice times. The coach can't be out on a basketball court doing for the players what they have been trained to do.  It has to be hard for the coach when he's done his best to see a player who isn't giving his best.  They have planned, been father figures, disciplined and equipt their young players the best they can and then are put on the sideline.

I wonder how God, the perfect coach feels when we don't respond to directions, discipline, training, life plans and general guidance.  Athletic teams have equipment to be used in their various sports.  Our Coach equips us in every way to participate in this  game of life.  We may not have a ball or hockey stick but we have a book...the Bible, the very Word of God  

God is our coach and He has His assistant coaches here on earth to assist Him.  They may be pastors, teachers, godly friends and family, but it is God who calls the plays.  How can we lose in life with all of that love, instruction and His Presence.  Let's give it our best...we are already on the winning team.

Father, I don't know how I could face life without You and all You provide for me.  Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who guides, keeps me mindful of You and empowers me to do well for Your honor and glory.  Thank You, too, for Jesus.  In Him...Amen

 

SEE SPOT RUN

Study to show thyself, approved 

unto God, a workman that needeth 

not to be ashamed, rightly dividing

the Word of truth.

II Timothy 2:15

I’ve been thinking lately about some folks that had a strong influence in my early years of life.  I’m sure there were many but there is one lady that I look back on with such gratitude.  Her name was Miss Irene, my first grade teacher.  She had been called by that name since she had taught some of our parents.  She was a little on the heavy side, with dark hair in an updo as was in that day.  I feel such a gratitude for this sweet teacher who taught our class a special skill that I have taken very personally…she taught me how to read.

You and I could hardly exist if we didn’t know how to read.  In early years, our reading was confined pretty much to books…school, comic and children’s classics.  But now, think how we could hardly make it in this life if we didn’t know how to read.  We couldn’t rely on everyone to read to us.  Without reading, we couldn’t write either. 

Here's my point of gratitude.  Miss Irene taught me a skill not just to get me through school and life in general, but through it, I was able to read a Bible.  There are times I turn in my Bible and think about her.  She taught us to read by sight, sound, and lots of repetition.  However it was taught it is a skill I will take with me to Heaven because of Miss Irene.  A simple word of gratitude could never ne enough.

Father, it sounds so simple being grateful for a skill everyone has been taught.  Just in reading Your Word, I’ve come to know You and Your salvation.  I love reading Your Word and thank You for its availability.  In Jesus’ precious name…Amen

 GIFTS ARE  GREAT

Thanks be to God for His

indescribable gift.

II Corinthians 9:15

People who don't like receiving gifts or presents must have something wrong in their being.  People of all ages love receiving presents...the more the better.  Some gifts come wrapped up with pretty paper and bows.  Others may come in a card by way of a gift card for cash to a favorite store.  Some gifts may come through a phone call or written greetings on one's computer.  However, from our very young years, we have really liked wrapped gifts the most.

We think of children when we think of gifts.  A child's birthday  is a really big event as is Christmas.  There is just something about a box of any size, wrapped up, looking very mysterious.  The first Christmas gift I remember is a baby doll.  Oh, how I loved that doll and I think I got one every Christmas after that.  The bike came along and of course it couldn't be wrapped.  Back then there were no training wheels or helmets.  I just got on my bike and took off.

Adults still love receiving gifts but have also loved giving them.  Their gifts are usually more sophisticated but still enjoyed.  One special gift usually available to every age person is the gift of life to be enjoyed and used for God's glory.  God gives us the gift of life each day and it doesn't come gift wrapped but is a gift just the same.

I've known people through the years who are so very generous and thoughtful in gift giving but no one can ever top God's supreme gift.  He gave us the gift we still can't understand, that being the gift of His Son.

Most gifts given or received have usually be purchased with money.  Our gift purchase price from God was far different.  God's gift of His Son was paid for through the shed blood of Jesus...no bows or wrapping paper necessary.

Thank You, Father, for the gift of Your Son.  It wasn't just a one-time gift, but is THE GIFT that just keeps on giving and will on into eternity.  Thinking of Jesus...Amen