Look and listen carefully

"And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but he LORD was not in the fire, and after the fire a still small voice." 1 Kings 19:11,12

Today was one of those days where I needed extra focus to keep my footing.  It seems of late, that not only is my physical balance a bit off, but I am more acutely aware of all the negative things in life. There seems to be a constant barrage of distracting sights and sounds.

It wearies my soul.

The noise in life had become increasingly loud, and sadly I had momentarily allowed my focus to shift off my Savior's face and onto the wind and the waves.

As I struggled to rise above the tide of discouragement that assaulted me from every angle, I fought valiantly to hear the peaceful chords of encouragement from the LORD.  The more diligently I sought refuge at His feet, the clearer the message became.

"Be still.  You can rest in me." (Psalm 46:10 and Matthew 11:28)

Immediately peace began pouring through my soul. I was finally able to take my eyes off the storm and refocus my attention on the Lord.

It takes deliberate action to stay focused on what is true when adversity swirls around us.  The enemy of our souls uses every tactic to distract us from the peace the Lord continually offers. But the Lord delights in those who seek Him.


"Seek the LORD while He may be found.  Call upon Him while He is near." Isaiah 55: 6
"Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." Mark 6:31

And so, once again I have found refuge in my Savior's embrace as He reminds me there is NOTHING outside of His control.  Even the fiercest storm is calmed at His command.

My prayer is that each of you will find solace in the knowledge of how deeply God loves you. May you continually find the strength and courage to carry on in the mission field of life to which you've been assigned by Him. When the winds of adversity howl and swirl around you, press into His embrace and listen carefully.  He has promised He will never leave or forsake His beloved children.

Above all else, rest in confidence that this life is but a vapor and eternal joy and peace await for all of us who truly seek Him. To Him be the glory and honor forever.

The Eyes/I's say it all

On the wall in the guest bedroom hangs a picture of my mom and dad.  Of all the pictures I have of them, it is one of my favorites.  Not only is it one of the last pictures of the two of them together, but it is the expression on their faces that makes it most dear. At the time of its taking, Daddy's health was already beginning to fade, and they knew they had limited time together left on this earth.  Yet you wouldn't see that in their faces.  They are both looking intently into the lens of the camera so they seem to be looking you right in the eye.

And oh, the message their eyes send.

Even though you can detect the slightest discomfort in her eyes, knowing her time with Daddy was drawing closer to the end, and in his, the sorrow of leaving her and the rest of us; the greater reflection is of deep, deep love. On the days when the weariness of the world threatens to steal my peace, one look at their picture and I am encouraged t continue to fight the good fight, just as they did.

Neither of them were particularly "religious" in their faith, but the love for Christ and family was demonstrated daily in their lives.  They lived the Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (see Matthew 7:12) was carried out daily in their lives.

As I ponder the deep love they showered upon me during my childhood and as an adult, I am overcome with longing for their presence.  I miss them  And yet, because of the courageous way they faced life, and death, I am encouraged to do the same. You see, they both knew the power of God's gift in the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  They knew that His "I's" carried the power of God, and they followed Him in confidence.

His "I's" say:

• "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6
• "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5
• "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me, though he may die, shall live.  And whoever believes in Me shall never die." John 11:25,26
• "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." John 10:11
• "I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me he will be saved, and will go in and out an find pasture." John 10:9
• "I am the bread of life.  He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." John 6:35

My parents eyes reflect confidence and love in the "I's" of the One Who loves us best.  And in His grace and mercy we can rest.

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Read these verses and contemplate what they mean "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God" John 3:16-21

All of us will ultimately face our final days here on earth and then stand before God. Are you ready? My parents were able to confidently face their death and separation from one another, because they knew Jesus Christ personally and had accepted the gift of salvation.

How about you? Are you saved?

Do you know the peace of God? Is it reflected in your eyes?

If you have any question about it, why not make today the day of salvation. "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:10  Good works won't get anyone into heaven. It is by God's grace alone "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8

A simple heart felt prayer acknowledging your sin, your need for a Savior and inviting Jesus to be Lord of your life opens the door to eternal life. 

Won't you accept His invitation to eternal peace and rest?

"Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden,,and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me , for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.." ~ Jesus as recorded in Matthew 11:28,29