Author Archives: Marie

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About Marie

Happily married to the same awesome guy for many years. Love God, reading, cats, and travel. Avid crafter especially counted cross stitch and crochet.

STAYING FOCUSED

David and Goliath, a colour lithograph by Osma...

David and Goliath, a colour lithograph by Osmar Schindler (c. 1888) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Then Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.”

But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep.  When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him.

“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.”

And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand.

I SAMUEL 17:33-37, 50 (NASB), HOLY BIBLE

Take a close look at this story.  David was so sure of his faith in God that he could disobey King Saul’s order not to go against the Philistine.  David had life experiences with lions and bears and had known God’s protection.  David’s courage came directly from God Himself because He knew his heart.  David knew God and knew God’s will in this situation would be done.

Basically, David never took his eyes off God during the battle.  There was a problem (later in his life) only when he chose to see through eyes that were selfish and sinful.   Faith is keeping our eyes on God, and staying open and aware of His desires, even when we don’t think He’s looking.  He’s always looking…He never Blinks. 

Heavenly Father give me faith and courage like David’s.  Let me keep my eyes on You at all times.  Make it so, Lord!

40 Years

Ray and I will be married 40 years soon.  I’ve given some though to that number and realized there are a lot of biblical applications for it. 

Moses had 3 sets of the number 40 during his life.  First he spent 40 years learning all he needed to know to be a prince of Egypt (Exodus 2:1-15).  Then he spent 40 years outside of Egypt banished for killing another Egyptian(Exodus 2:16-4.  He spent his last 40 years wandering in the desert yet, heading toward the Promised Land because God had said no one that had grumbled against Him would see Canaan (Numbers 22-23).

Jesus spent 40 days fasting in seclusion, preparing himself for the ministry ahead.  During that time he was tempted by satan 3 times.  He was offered the very things He already had.  By simply quoting the scripture back to the evil one he thwarted the plan.  (John 4:1-11)

So how do these apply to our marriage?  Although neither of us is an official member of Egyptian royalty we are a definite part of the Royal Priesthood.  These 40 years for us have been a time of ‘heading toward the Promised Land’.  Jesus’ 40 days of fasting included temptation from satan.  The evil one has tempted us many times but by spending our married lives reading, studying, and yes, even memorizing parts of it we have been able to keep his legions at bay.  We are not perfect but we certainly know Who is in control.

Praise God for this incredible span of time together.

Abba thank You for these 40 years, for allowing us to walk this journey with You, for giving us such joy and for the miracles you have done in our lives.  Guide us through the next 40.  Give us enough laughter and sorrow to keep us always mindful that You are God and You are in control.    Make it so!

I grew up in a family that went to church every Sunday but really had no true idea of who God and Jesus was.  Depending on the particular church, (We moved around a lot.) He was an observer of my actions, hellfire and brimstone, always there….I know now He was there because there seemed to always be something missing in my life.  After I met and married Ray God made himself visible to me.  Ray led me to affirmation of faith and baptism.  I have never doubted that he wants me to have a relationship with my Lord that is greater than what I have with him.  The plan of our lives is God first, spouse next, and anything after that comes after that.  There is no better way to enjoy the purity and sanctity of marriage without having God in the primary relationship position.

Exodus 20:3 tells us we are to have no other gods.  Unless we keep sight of the fact that God is God and we (or our spouse) are not we will not be able to build the relationship that God wants.  Keeping God first and knowing He will ‘grow’ our marriage relationship allows us, as a couple, to recognize what is most important in our earthly lives.  He loves us, He cares for us, He wants what is best for us.  Once we recognize that it is much easier to be the helpers, lovers, and friends God intended both relationships will grow and flourish.

Heavenly Father, thank You for creating marriage.  Grant us the ability to see You in our coupleness.  Let us model to the world around us the joy of making You first.  Help us learn to forgive one another with love and grace.  Let the sanctity of marriage show through us.  Make it so!

Walking With Him

This morning this was in my Facebook feed and gave me cause to think…Do I ask God to guide me then do nothing?  Way to often.  How shall I change that?

In Prayer – – Father You alone are the true Guide of my life.  Give me the supernatural ability to follow through with what You want of me. 

In Song – – “I have decided to follow Jesus: No turning back.”  “All to Jesus I Surrender, all to Him I Freely Give” “I’ll Tell the World That I’m a Christian”  “Set My Soul Afire, Lord”

In the Word – – The Great Commission – Matthew 28:16-20,  Being fishers of men – Luke 5:1-11,  Proclaiming the Word – Romans 1:15-17

Heavenly Father, King of All Creation, Master of my life,  I am willing to move my feet just help me know where to move to. Amen and make it so.

God is So Good

The birds are singing, the grass is growing, there are buds on the trees, the sun is shining and in 6 days it will be spring according to the calendar.  God gives us this reminder every year…winter is a cold, dark, waiting time for life to reappear in the spring.

This winter has been a great time of rest and reflection for me.  I was drifting and needed to refocus on what really matters to me.  Daily time with God in prayer, Bible reading, study, and contemplation matters to me.  Time to make decisions on where He is leading me.  Joy in warm blankets, kitties on my lap, really good books, talking with Ray, and planning for spring.

So now what will Spring bring.  First of all great celebration as we have been married for 40 years.  (I tell everyone I was a child bride…) Then, I will be getting to know my brother, whom I just met for the first time in my life about 3 weeks ago, and my new sister whom I will meet for the first time this summer.  (I also have two sisters that I grew up with.)  Perhaps a cruise or some time in the mountains with the man who has kept me laughing and in love for 44 years. 

God is so good!  He has given me so much, so many blessings and miracles.  How can one not believe that HE IS?  I don’t know.  I do know this, without Him in my life I would be nothing, could do nothing, and would be going nowhere.

I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.  Psalm 146:2

Shout for joy to the LORD; all the earth.  Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Know that the LORD is God.  It is He who made us and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.        Psalm 100:1-2

Heavenly Father, King of all Creation, You are my God.  You give me all I need and bless me with mercy and miracles.  You know my sins and forgive me.  You know my enemies and protect me from them.   I give You all my praise and honor and lift this prayer to the throne in the Precious Name of Jesus…Hallelujah!!!