Ancient Words

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Marie

When Michael Smith released Ancient Words he spoke right into my heart. (Click on the blue title words to listen to the song.)

David’s words in Psalm 119:11 tell us to hide God’s word in our heart’s. How do we do that? By memorizing them. When we take time to memorize the Word we have all we need to make decisions, to deal with the ups and downs of life, and to help those around us who need to hear them.

Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, has given us 774,746 words that will change our lives when we choose to live by them. Words of life, read John 3:16. Words of hope, read Jeremiah 29:11. Words of strength, Joshua 1:9. (Did you know fear not appears in the Word 365 times.) Words for coping, Psalm 46:10.

Take the time to read, read, and reread Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts and Revelation. Use a red-letter edition. His words are as timely now and they were then.

Ah, Lord God, you have breathed Your word on to the pages of my Bible and into the nooks and crannies of my heart! Keep me always mindful that You breathed those words into existence so I would have the answers. Thank you, Lord!

This post was written for the Weekly Writing Challenge: Moved By Music

A Promise Kept

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Marie

Do you believe that God’s Promises are real? That He can do what He says He can do? It’s so easy, in a world of broken promises, to get a very jaded attitude about this subject. Promises are made and broken with such regularity it’s what we expect to happen. In the story of Abram and Sarai we are given a glimpse into a Promise Kept.

Wikipedia

I’m sure you know the story…God told Abram to pick up his family, flocks and possessions and move from Ur to where ever He told him to stop. God’s promise was that Abram’s offspring would number more than the stars in the sky and the sand on the beach. So Abram said sure, I can do that and he began walking. He got side-tracked a bit when they stopped in Haran to visit his father. During the lengthy visit his father died and he remembered what God had promised so off he went again.

Abram and Sarai seemed to like doing things themselves rather than waiting on God. (How much like us is that?) During their journey Abram passed off Sarai as his sister to protect themselves. (BTW she really was his half-sister. It was very common to marry within the family at that time because there weren’t a lot of options.) Sarai got tired of waiting for this promised heir, so she gave Abram Hagar to have a child with. The child was conceived, born and caused no end of envy in Sarai’s heart. Abraham got so tired of her constant nagging that he told her to do whatever she wanted with Hagar. That nearly cost Hagar and Ismael their lives, but God intervened and promised a great heritage to them, also. We are still seeing the impact of Sarai’s misguided decision today–Isaacs descendants are, of course, the Israelites and Ishmail’s are the Arabs…need I say more on that?

Abraham and the Three Angels by J.Tissot

There is another part to this story that tells us Sarai had pretty much given up on the Promise. When the three men came to visit Abram in Shechem (the fulfillment of the land part of the Promise) they told Abram they would visit again in a year and at that time he would have a son. Sarai, who was standing in the tent listening, thought to herself–Yeah! Right! Not gonna happen. I’m to old. Ha! Ha! When asked why she laughed she said I didn’t. The man said, yes, you did! Genesis 18 verses 1 and 2 tell us who these visitors were. Abram addresses Him as LORD (It’s capitalized in every translation I read which means a direct reference to Yahwah!) Sarai’s denial of laughter makes sense when we realize that God was the One who ‘heard’ her.

God followed through and Isaac was born. Not only Isaac but three more sons and two daughters. When Isaac was 37 years old Sarah went to her reward. In her lifetime she learned a very important concept…God keeps His promises.

Heavenly Father, Lord of all, help me realize and recognize Your Promises. I give You thanks for all You’ve given me! I ask that You make me constantly aware of You and Your blessings. I lift this prayer in the Precious Name of Jesus. Make it so!

The story of Abraham and Sarah can be found in the following scripture:

Genesis 11 – 21

A Satisfied Spirit Book Review|still lolo

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Marie

Life can be tough and life decisions even more so. Add to that a horrible accident that results in a Traumatic Brain Injury and the loss of an eye and a limb and one might begin to question whether life is even worth it. Strength….strong faith…supporting family and friends…

This beautifully told story by Lauren Scruggs, and her family, give personal insight into the life of a talented and gifted fashion reporter who does not let this horrific injury change the journey God has given her. Of course, she gets depressed from time to time, deals with learning how to use prosthetic devices, wonders why this happened to her, and sometimes pushes family and friends away in her efforts to deal with her “new normal”. Through all of this her faith in the One and Only God keep her moving forward, preparing to ‘take up where she left off’.

I highly recommend this book! Not only for those who have experienced life threatening injuries, but also for those who have sat by their side. The parents, siblings, friends and supporters who wait day after day, in the fog of not knowing, for the eyes to open and the recognition to set in. To hear the voice of the injured say, “I love you!” and to know others have been encouraged to go on through your story is life changing. God is still performing miracles!

I had no idea when I started reading “still LOLO” that it was going to be a book of healing for me. 3 years ago, on October 30, my husband fell over the cat gate between the den and the kitchen. Unknown to either of us, a blood vessel had broken in his brain. About 3 hours later he came into the bedroom and said something was terribly wrong. I did not realize the extent of his injuries until the brain surgeon spoke to me after a 7 hour surgery and said that he had only a 50% chance of survival. The blood that had pooled in his head has shifted his brain right of center. He was kept in a chemically induced coma for 20 days. In the TICU unit he was cared for by the best of nurses and doctors, kept in constant prayer by churches, family, friends and many we did not know, and held lovingly in the arms of the Great Healer Himself, God. When he was finally allowed to awaken, a great miracle had occurred. Within a week he could eat on his own, knew where he was and the people around him, and was ready to go into rehab. What could have been 3 to 4 months in a constant care situation, lasted 39 days. He left the hospital on day 40, able to walk from the wheelchair to the car and was home for Christmas. Yes! God is still performing miracles!

In compliance with Federal Trade Commission regulations: I have been provided a complimentary copy of Still Lolo by Tyndale House Publishers.

7 Rules For Life

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Marie

From time to time I read something on Facebook that is actually applicable to life. The 7 Rules of Life resonated in my thoughts, leading me to find scripture that tells me God would want these ‘rules’ to be considered and used by His Children.

Hebrews 12:8 tells us to live at peace with everyone. If we are doing that we will not need to make peace with our past because there will be nothing there to worry about.

I loved the second one and really gave it some thought. If we truly believe Genesis 1:27 then we understand that we are defined by God. How we look and our personal characteristics are the mirror of God’s image. What other’s think doesn’t really matter when our life is completely centered on the One and Only.

Matthew 6:34 applies to rules 3 and 7. Our problems, trials, temptations, and challenges look different as time passes. What may have been a major crisis in our 20’s pales when we look at it through the lenses of our 50’s. We will never solve all the problems that are in this world, but we can know that in God’s timing everything will eventually work out.

Judging others is a major issue in everyone’s life. We may be able to convince others on the surface that we aren’t judging them, but… Matthew 7:1-2 tells us that the consequence of being judgmental is that we will be judged in the same way as we judge others. Can we at least, if we have to ‘judge’, do so with love, mercy, and compassion?

Why are we so worried about stuff? We are clearly told in Phil. 4:6-7 to quit worrying. God is in control. He has our front, back, sides, tops, bottoms, past, present, and future in His very capable hands. Let this truth settle in your mind…He wants and will provide what is best for us.

Number 6 is the only one I would question. I have given God charge of my life. With that I have given him control of happiness, joy, delight, and all the other good things that are in His storeroom for me. Ecclesiastes 2:26 says He will give us wisdom, knowledge, and happiness if we please Him. You might ask how do we please Him. It’s quite simple! We learn His Word, know His Son, and share all with others.

All Things Are Full of God

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Marie

I came across this beautiful poem from more than a century ago. It spoke to my heart so I’ve added some pictures to the words. God bless you throughout this special day.

All Things Are Full of God

by: John Stuart Blackie (1809-1895)