Who Do You Need To Be Walking Alongside?

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Marie

Yesterday, I went to give my sweet friend a Sunday hug. I do it every Sunday morning we are both there. It was different this time! Her son had passed away and she needed me, more than I needed the assurance of her loving touch. She shared something I will never forget. During the final hours of her child’s life, she sat with him, alone. Certainly not willing to give back the gift she had been given 51 years before, but definitely willing to love and support him as she had done throughout the years of his life. She knew she did not want to be alone and she also knew she wasn’t because God, whom she had known and served all of her life, was with her. During the waiting hours, God sent another of her sons and his wife to walk alongside. God knew her need and provided exactly what He knew was necessary to give her the strength she needed for that moment in time and in the days ahead.

Don’t you love this about God? He knows every single thing we need and He provides it when we need it. David talks about this in the 23rd Psalm.

He gives us everything we need because all of it is His. More than He gives but He wants to give. He sees the need before we know there is one.

Oh yes, God will and does provide however, He wants us to be listening for His voice in ways we can walk alongside others. Sometimes, when I’m thinking of something else He puts a name in my mind. The first time I send up a prayer. If it happens again I give them a call or text and let them know I prayed and ask if they need anything. He gives many opportunities. We need only listen to His still, small (sometimes shouting) voice.

Abba, Father, how thankful I am that You are always walking alongside us. Help me to know when I need to be doing the same for one of my sisters or brothers. Open my heart and cause me to hear Your voice. Give me the strength and courage to follow through. Let Jesus be seen in me!

COME TO ME!

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Marie

Sometimes it’s just too much! Sometimes I can’t bear the insanity of the world any longer. Sometimes I’m so tired, so overwhelmed, sometimes I just don’t understand…

This simple verse gives the simplest of answers. Come to Jesus! That’s it! That’s all!

It’s just not possible to do it all ourselves. This verse assures us that there is Another who really wants to help, to comfort, to guide.

Each morning I read a Psalm and then I pray it back. This morning it was Psalm 23. I find this one of the most calming, restful, and supportive of all the Psalms.

My Shepherd, You are all I want. All I need.
You help me make the right choices.
When darkness surrounds me I do not fear because You are protecting me.
Those who would harm me see all You do for me.
My life will always be filled with your loving kindness and forgiveness.
Your house is my home throughout all eternity.

Abba, Father, You know what life is like right now. Open our hearts to Your Word. Give us Your love! Let us know Your Holy Presence!

My Dining Room Table

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Marie

My dining room table is a collecting spot, a study place, and a mentoring area. It is used for family conversations, sorting notes, having coffee with friends, and yes, even for the rare times we want to eat there. Today it has many jars of canned tomato juice and green beans waiting to be put away, a plastic container that is ready to be returned to a sweet friend who gifted us with some yummy Cinnamon Apple Coffee Cake, and a glass carafe from the coffee maker that ‘died’ and I don’t know what I’m going to do with it. What’s on yours?

In Psalm 23 we are told that God prepares a table for us. David was also very specific about where this table was placed – – in the presence of our enemies. What does that mean? Why, in the midst of a battle, would someone do that?

psalm-23 God prepares the table for me. While I’m watching and waiting. He sets out the gleaming silver, the shining glass, the sparkling crystal. He provides the absolute best for me while my enemies are watching, their eyes popping out of their heads, and their mouths watering. The battle is still going on around me and He serves a sumptuous meal, complete with my favorite dessert. Why? Because he wants them (my enemies) to see how He provides for me.

My enemies, your enemies are real. Perhaps it is the stress of your job…Perhaps you have experienced the meanness of one you thought was a friend… Perhaps someone has spread some vicious, untrue gossip about you…

God is calling you to the table. While there He will serve you in the way only He can. He is a compassionate listener and will delight in having coffee with you. He knows your favorites and will serve you with love and grace. His merciful meatloaf is better than anyone else’s. He dishes up a forgiveness fruit compote that will ‘knock your socks off’. The water in your cup is full of life and never goes dry.

I can hardly wait for Him to seat me. How about you?

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Red and Green

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Marie

The Holly and the Ivy – Olde English Carole

It is not entirely happenstance that Red and Green are the colors of Christmas. They are often mentioned in the Bible. Red is often used to refer to blood and can be interpreted as both life and death (i.e., Jesus blood gives life, Leviticus 17:14 tells us the life of a creature is in the blood).

Red is often used to refer to blood and can be interpreted as both life and death (i.e., Jesus blood gives life, Leviticus 17:14 tells us the life of a creature is in the blood).

Red and scarlet most often symbolize sin. For instance, check out Isaiah 1:18 and Joshua 2:18. Notice that in both of these scriptures the use of red also points to grace. In Isaiah sin will be washed whiter than snow and in Joshua the red cord keeps Rahab and her family safe, forgiven of her sin. Exodus 12:7 tells us that God told the Israelites to spread the blood of a lamb on the doorpost so that when the Angel of Death came by they would safe.

In the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, the blood was a large part of the ceremony. Offering the blood of the animal stood in the place of the sins of the person. This was a temporary solution to the sin problem. Jesus’ blood (life) was required for the final sacrifice. At that point in time, the sacrificial system was no longer needed. Red now is a symbol for life through the blood of the Lamb.

Green often describes life and rest. Psalm 23:2 tells us He gives us rest in green pastures. Psalm 52:8 says, “But I am like a green olive-tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.”

Green trees often refer to nations. “And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the LORD, have spoken and have done it.” Ezek 17:24. All nations and peoples will recognize God.

A green tree is also used in Jeremiah 17:8 to describe a righteous man. “For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreads out roots by the river, and is withered by heat or draught.”

Green as it is first used in Genesis, is the Hebrew word ‘yer eq’ and is used in verse 30. God is telling us that He provides all that we need for life by giving us the food we need.

As you ponder these words in your heart I wish you love, joy, and peace during this beautiful, meaningful season.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Psalm 23

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Marie

There was once a Shakespearean actor who was know far and wide for his one-man show of readings and recitations from the classics. He would always end his performance with a dramatic reading of the Twenty-third Psalm Each night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation–The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want–the crowd would listen attentively. And then, at the conclusion of the psalm, they would rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor’s incredible ability to bring the verse to life.

But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of Psalm Twenty-three, a young man from the audience spoke up “Sir, do you mind if tonight I recite the Twenty-third Psalm?”

The actor was quite taken back by this unusual request, but he allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and center on the stage to re cite the psalm, knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his talent.

With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the Psalm. When he finished, there was no applause. There was no standing ovation as on other nights. All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience had been so moved by the young man’s recitation, that e very eye was full of tears

Amazed by what he heard, the actor said to the youth, “I don’t understand. I have been performing the Twenty-third Psalm for years. I have a lifetime of experience and training–but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?”

The young man humbly replied, “Well sir, you know the psalm…but I know the Shepherd.”