Keep your eyes on the Lord

 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." Psalm 32:8 NKJV

It's been a bit since I've sat down to write. Life has been busy. In September we moved from the place we'd lived for nearly 15 years, into a place closer to town. The drive up and down the canyon had become less easy, and the family was concerned for our safety. Moving is never easy, but at our age it definitely took a physical toll. We are extremely grateful we have family and friends who worked together to make the transition as smooth as possible. Moving a 700-pound upright piano was one of the scarier things I watched them do. We had to stay in a hotel for a few nights in between places, and when we were checking out, the cat in the picture above, disappeared.  Literally. Although there was no way for her to escape the room, when it came time to put her into her carrier, she had simply vanished. After looking under the bed and every other conceivable place where she might have hidden, we figured she must have found a way out of the room.  Saddened by her disappearance, I had no other choice but to ask the hotel to keep an eye out for her.  I returned the next day to look again, but no sign of her, even though the hotel staff once again helped lift the mattress to look under the bed. Shortly after I got back to our new place, I got a call from the hotel saying they'd found her.  She had managed to wedge herself in between the wall and the base of the bed.  Not an easy feat for our plump girl.  She was quite happy to be reunited with us and her sisters.

Getting things unpacked and organized has been an ongoing operation.  In between all the crazy of the move, the pastor of our church resigned suddenly, leaving all of us surprised and grappling to get our footing.  Added into the mix was Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then just like a blink of the eye the new year was upon us. I am just now beginning to feel like we're settling in.

As we traveled through this place in our journey, I continually leaned deep into the Lord's embrace. There was so much change going on and I needed the constant of His Presence. 

One of the hymns that kept coming to mind was Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.  It is one of my favorites. I found myself playing Alan Jackson's rendition of it regularly. The sweet tune offers assurance of God's peace as we look to Jesus for comfort. 

Life can be hard. Trying times are part of our journey here on earth.  There will be seasons where life doesn't play out the way we think it ought to go. People will respond differently than we expect. Things will seem lost, that aren't. We might find ourselves in changing situations, or stuck (rather like my cat). But the one beautiful constant in every situation is God's love and His desire to teach and guide us. 

That is why it is imperative that we keep our eyes on Him.  How can He guide us if we aren't looking to Him?  How can we hear Him speak if we aren't listening? How can He teach us if we aren't regularly studying His word?

My cat got scared and hid because things weren't the same as they had been in all the years of her life. In her desperation to protect herself from the things that frightened her, she hid and got stuck.  She hid herself so well, that we were unable to find her for a season. But when I came and called her the third time, she answered me from between the wall and the bed frame.  Although she was pretty tightly wedged in her hiding place, when she called out to me, I was able to find her.

I found her because I was diligently searching for her, and when she called out to me, I was able to rescue her from her self-imposed prison and bring her safely into our new home.

God will do the same for everyone who calls to Him for help.  He is continually looking for those who are lost, frightened and stuck in their own crisis. He is our constant source of help and peace.

Don't let the world consume, distract of cause you to hide you from the One Who loves You best. He is diligently searching for you.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace....... His word will not fail you He promised, believe Him and all will be well, then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell." (A few of the words from that marvelous hymn.)

Peace with God

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;  and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:1-5

I am writing this post on my phone as I sit at an auto dealership waiting on a scheduled oil change. The day started out with a heaviness of heart over the events of the past week in the senseless murders of innocent people, as well as a look at Calvary last night in Bible study. And then, right before we left the house, I got a call from my sister informing me our brother had been taken to the hospital with symptoms of a stroke.

When we got to the dealership for the oil change there were additional hiccups that stretched my spirit even more. Nothing major, just things that make me eternally grateful for God's grace and His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Our world is desperately in need of His peace but so many have no clue of Who He is, or the life changing grace offered through His Son Jesus Christ. As I sit here waiting on the car I look around at the diverse people groups in this space and ask God how I might be a withness for Him in this moment and time. I have shared the gospel preveiously with individuals here, and pray for the discernment and courage to do so again.

What I can do in this moment is see people as Jesus sees them.  

May His grace, peace and love shine through my eyes, and if dialogue takes place, may He be glorified. 

Confidence in God's plan

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;"

Proverbs 3:5

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me (Jesus) you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."John16.33.NKJV

Written late Saturday evening 

It's been quite a week. Last Snday evening our youngest son called to tell us our medically fragile granddaughter was on her way to the hospital with respritory problems. We prayed with him and sent prayer requeats to prayer warriors and placed our concerns in God's hands. We were updated that tests revealed she had RSV. By God's grace the kid's quick action got her the needed care. They called us on the way home with her 3 days later. They were delighted that she was had recovered and this stay at the hospital was a record short one. Her last one earlier this year was 10 days. 

As we finished the call, my sister called from Colorado to tell me our brother had been taken to the hospital. He has heart issues and had apparently passed out and she hadn't been able to revive him, so she called 911. The paramedics arrived, and after some difficulty, revived him and then transported him by ambulance to the hospital. I prayed with Susan, let my prayer warriors know and put my trust in God for the answers needed for his future care.

Today we were on our way to a memorial service of a young man who was very dear to our family. Our daughter was driving us so I didn't have to navigate freeway traffic. As we were pulling into the parking lot I got a call from a neighbor telling me there was a fire up by our place. I prayed with her and immediately sent out a prayer request to my prayer warriors, once again putting my trust in the Lord. A bit later we learned the fire was not by our house but actually near our daughter's house....the one they had just rebuilt after fire destroyed their home seveal years ago. I prayed once again and leaned deeper into God's embrace. I watched the faces of our daughter and two sons as they talked with one another over the current events. I knew they were consoling and encouraging each other.

Blessedly because my son-in-law had chosen not to go to the memorial service he was at home and was able to start putting the fire out before Calfre got there. They  helped him extinguish it when they arrived, remaining on site for some time to make sure there were no flare ups.

As I prepare to go to bed tonight my prayers are of thanksgiving. I am thankful that my granddaughter is home from the hospital, thankful my sister was able to be there to help our brother, thankful that my son-in-law was home and the fire is out and everyone is safe.

I am most thankful that I serve a God Who I can depend on. I know I can run into Hs embrace at all times, and no matter what comes my way, it is well with my soul.

Navigating through the storms of life

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." ~Jesus as quoted in John 16:33

My heart has been broken over the recent flash flooding in Texas and other states. The amount of water that swept through that took and devastated so many lives, is beyond my ability to completely process. There is a deep feeling of helplessness in response to all the reports, and a yearning to try to make sense out of all it. My only recourse is to run to my Savior in prayer and petition for all who have been affected.

The fact is there will be storms, and in many cases, those storms will cause disaster. So how do we manage when they do?

My mind goes to Scripture and the situations Jesus allowed the disciples to experience. My first thought goes to Mark 4:36-40 where the disciples and Jesus were in the boat when a great windstorm arose, beating upon the boat. The boat was beginning to fill with water and the disciples were afraid. Jesus however was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. Terrified, the disciples awoke Him and asked "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  He arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. His question to them "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" 

I then think of another event on the stormy seas recorded in Matthew 14:24-32. The disciples had just experienced the miraculous feeding of over 5,000 men, women and children with five loaves of bread and two fish, with enough left overs to fill twelve baskets.  Jesus then sent them ahead of Him by boat, while He went to the mountain by Himself to pray.  When the boat was in the middle of the sea, the wind became contrary.  About the fourth watch (which is described as being between 3am and 6am) Jesus came walking to the disciples on water.  Now you know they must have been weary and feeling quite a bit overwhelmed.  They were even afraid that they were seeing a ghost and cried out in fear. Jesus spoke to them "It is I; do not be afraid." This next part is my favorite.  Peter, being Peter, answered and said "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And Jesus did just that saying "Come." This part is where it becomes so real to me. Peter got out of the boat and walked on water.  That is until he became distracted by the wind and the waves, took his eyes off of Jesus, and became afraid. 

Isn't that us?  We walk in tremendous faith until the storms of life distract us with the noise of the wind and the waves of adversity.  Suddenly feeling overwhelmed by our circumstances or the circumstances of others, we shift our focus off the face of the One Who controls the wind and the waves, and sink in the storm itself.

Oh but blessed Savior that He is, just as he stretched out His hand to Peter and caught him when he cried out in fear "Lord, save me!", He will do the same for us.

Again and again, He calls out to us to keep our eyes on Him and walk with Him in faith. 

It's hard. Our eyes see and ears hear things that cause us to shrink back in faltering faith and fear. Faith is tested when we are asked to shift our focus from what we see and trust what we have learned about Jesus and His character. That is why it is imperative to get to know Him intimately through Bible study and prayer.

There is an old hymn that is running through my head as I write this. "Oh, soul are you weary and troubled, no light in the darkness you see? There's light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. His word will not fail you, He promised. Believe Him and all will be well. Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell. Turn you eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

Just as Peter learned when he became distracted by the storm but was rescued when he cried out "Lord, save me!" we too can find refuge and safety in life's storms. The second verse of the song Turn your eyes upon Jesus, reminds us "Thro' death into life everlasting, He passed, and we follow Him there; over us sin no more hath dominion-for more than conquerors we are!"  We can walk in victory even in the storms. Cry out to Jesus. He longs to give you a place of refuge in the midst of life's storms.  He is faithful and loves us beyond what we can possibly imagine. He simply wants us to follow Him in faith.

In doing so, we can "walk on water" and in His perfect timing, we will all make it home.

 

The Sideways Glance

I have a confession to make.  There is something I struggle with much more than I'd like to admit. It's the problem of the sideways glance. Perhaps you struggle as well as you endeavor to follow after the Lord.  Our eyes are fixed on Him and the path He is laying before us, when suddenly something catches our attention out of the corner of our eye. We know the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on the path Jesus is leading us on, but the temptation to look away is strong, so for a moment we give the distraction a sideways glance.

And trouble always ensues. Maybe not for long, but the briefest glace away from the Savior delays our journey with Him. It created chaos in the beginning when Eve was distracted by the serpent, and he put doubt in her mind by asking her "Did God really say..." (See Genesis 3:1). Later in John 21:18-22 we see Peter getting distracted as he saw John following them as he and Jesus talked. And in one of my favorite accounts in Matthew 14;13-32 we see faith, failure because of distractions and restoration. Jesus had just finished feeding 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish and then sent the disciples ahead of Him by boat to the other side. In verse 25 we read that in about the fourth watch they saw Him walking towards them on the water. Thinking He was a ghost they cried out in fear. He assured them it was Him. Peter, being Peter said basically...prove it Lord, if it's You tell me to come to You on the water. Jesus said "Come".  Emboldened by the Lord's command Peter got out of the boat and walked on water to Jesus.  

But then...distracted by the wind and the waves he began to sink.

Blessedly the Lord is gracious when we cry out to Him to save us.

Distractions are always around us.  The key to victory is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. But I know from experience that it's hard at times It takes a concentrated effort not to get distracted.

Years ago, I was leading a ladies Bible study group, and we were discussing the difficulty with getting distracted. At the time, my sister was raising horses, so I knew the way they kept a skittish horse from being distracted when teaching them to a trail, was to put blinders on the horse's bridal. The blinder was a piece placed on the bridal at the side of the horse's eyes; that kept the horse from seeing anything that might cause it to shy and throw the rider. I used the example as an illustration of how we must put on "spiritual blinders" so as not to be distracted by the things the enemy throws in our path. Our spiritual blinders are more necessary every day. It is imperative that we spend time in God's word and in prayer.

A myriad of distractions vie for our attention daily, seeking to pull us off the path the Lord is putting before us. I know I must deliberately put on "spiritual blinders" daily to keep me from giving a sideways glance to the things that cause me to stumble and sink.  My journey with Jesus continues upward, and I want to be with Him always.  He is faithfully leading me each step of the way.  Our job as believers, is to keep our eyes fixed on Him and follow where He leads.

Me He grant each of us the courage and wisdom to stay focused on Him and may our fixed focus draw other eyes to Him.

To Him be the glory and honor forever. 

                                 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~

"You follow Me." ~Jesus 

Lessons from a splinter

It was the tiniest speck of a splinter in the heal of my hand, but was causing me frustration. I got it while doing work in the yard and used the normal route of tweezers to remove it. Although I managed to get the larger portion out, a tiny, nearly invisible piece remained imbedded in my hand. And it hurt!

I tried getting it out with a needle and peroxide, but to no avail.  So I waited.  I knew the body's natural healing would take its course and make the splinter fester.  When it did, I was finally able to remove the speck of annoyance from my hand.  Although it is still tender, I know the wound will now completely heal. Looking at the speck I thought of how the tiniest things can create enormous pain and frustration.  I realized there was a lesson deeper than the physical splinters we try to avoid.

As I prayed and pondered, the Lord brought to mind how anxiety is the splinter in our souls. The tiniest worry that God is not in control or able to meet our needs, creates a festering wound that only He can heal. This immediately brought to mind Philippians 4:6&7 "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus."

Isn't the peace of God what we all desire? 

His peace, which surpasses all understanding is available to those who find comfort under the shadow of His wings. He will heal us of the splinters and wounds in our souls if we will let Him. So when that little speck of anxiety pokes your soul - pray.  Thank God that He is showing you there are places He wants you to allow Him to heal. Ask Him to reveal the root and then rejoice as He brings about healing. 

He loves us more than we can possibly imagine and wants to heal us of everything that keeps us from living joyfully in His presence and peace. Turn to Him with your anxieties.  Trust Him to do an awesome work.

He is always faithful.

Meeting in the livingroom

 I recently had a lovely hour long conversation with my sister on the phone.  She lives in another state, and we don't get to see one another often. We do our best to stay in touch with one another and call our conversations "meeting in the living room". Because of our age difference and experiences, we don't always share the same viewpoints on things. The "living room" is a place where genuine conversation can take place. Our different thoughts and ideas are easily expressed here without concern of the others approval or disapproval. It is where we can talk candidly about things that we are rejoicing over, or are troubled about, without reservation. 

It is a safe place of acceptance and love.

Because there is a four year difference in our age, we see things from different angles. Although we were raised in the same house with the same parents, our experiences and take on life are different. We're different people.  Even though we have many common experiences and situations, we have traveled different roads in our journey of life.  The living room is where we get to share those  things and invite the other into our place on the road.

We understand that the other has a different view of things, and it grants us the opportunity to learn and see things from a new perspective. It is a place to learn and question, and to the best of our human ability, come to mutual agreement on important issues. It is also the place where grace is lived, accepting the other for their view point with no need to try to persuade or change them. It is a peaceful place of communication.  Talking, listening, pondering and loving one another.

Oh, if only more people could understand the pure joy of being able to meet there.