A Thousand Blessings

Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever (Psalm 106:1). The importance of having a grateful heart can not be stressed to much. It's really encouraging and faith producing to regularly spend time pondering all that God (Elohim) has blessed our lives with. That is what the first thanksgiving was all about. We too should take time, not just to enjoy a special meal with loved ones, but also to think about all of God's numerous blessings to us and give thanks for them. 

While it's good to get alone with God and think about all his blessings, you can also go around the Thanksgiving table and have each person share what they are grateful for. Included in the following poem are a few blessings I'm grateful for. 

A THOUSAND BLESSINGS

Not just a thousand blessings,

But oh so many more,

Countless in number,

Or so it seems,

Gifts from a gracious Father,

Who wants only our best,

What is love?

But the Father’s heart revealed?

A love so unquenchable,

He sent his only son,

To die for our sin,

Grace upon grace,

Totally undeserved,

Yet so lavishly bestowed,

Nature’s awesome beauty,

Sweet fellowship with God,

Caring family,

Close Friends,

Enjoyable work,

A healthy lifestyle,

A comfortable home,

A peaceful life,

Simple pleasures,

Satisfying delights,

That fill the empty places,

As nothing else can.

From a Place of Rest

Jesus wants to be our all in all  As the beautiful worship chorus says, He wants to be our strength when we are weak (Philippians 4:13). Jesus desires to give us his wisdom generously and without reproach (James 1:5). He longs to give us joy unspeakable (I Peter 1:8). If you'll but ask, the Prince of Peace will fill you with his peace (John 14:27). He who is love wants to abide in each of us in all his love (I John 4:16). Jesus also desires to heal us (Isaiah 53:5) and set us free (John 8:36).  

The list of all our Savior longs to be for us is long. Everything from our Strong Tower to our Light to our Good Shepherd and so much more. Reading through the Bible and writing down all the Father and Son long to be for us is so encouraging. It really builds faith or trust.

Learning to trust allows you to rest. Especially if you were raised in a dysfunctional home where no one was trustworthy, learning to trust again is a journey which takes time. Jesus is so patient. He never rushes us faster than we can go. Step by loving step he brings healing and deliverance and shows how totally faithful he is. 

From a Place of Rest

May all that I do,

All that I say,

Be done,

From a place of rest,

In you my Lord,

Not struggling to perform, 

Nor striving to measure up,

Knowing your love,

Your acceptance of me,

Your approving smile,

Is what matters most,

Exchanging my weakness,

For your strength,

My struggle,

For your peace,

My sadness,

For your joy,

My impatience,

For your patience,

My fleshly reasoning,

For your wisdom,

My selfish desires,

For your righteous ones,

And so many more,

Which you long to do,

Healing and setting me free,

Flowing out to a broken world,

Through me,

Healing and setting people free.

We Are Artists

If you are like me and aren't talented musically or artistically or in some other area or several areas, I've got good news for you. Even if you feel like you have no talents at all, you are a fearfully and wonderfully made creation of God, endowed with gifts to use for his glory. You need to seek him concerning the gifts he has given you and pray for the courage and anointing to use them to bring his life to others. 

Your ministry will match your gifts. You can and will minister in gifts that aren't your main ones as the need arises, but your main ministry will use your main gifts. My main gifts are those teacher and encourager. This makes jail Bible studies and praying for individual needs a perfect ministry for me. I've done jail ministry for almost 22 years now and find the women bless me at least as much as I do them. There is always a tremendous blessing in using your gifts to bless others. 

I've seen a number of people get into jail ministry who soon leave. They most often do not like teaching and also do not have a good singing voice for leading worship. Their gifts lie in other areas.

WE ARE ARTISTS

Even if we can't sing,

Dance, act, write or paint,

Or whatever else artists do,

We are artists,

Fearfully, wonderfully made,

In the Creator's image,

God's masterpiece,

Made for relationship,

With him,

And other believers,

Made to glorify him,

Draw others to him,

With our every word,

Each deed we do,

We're his co-creators,

Not his slaves,

His beloved family,

Sharing our hearts,

Experiencing his love,

Faithfulness,

Enables us to trust,

Dare to be real,

Discover our unique gifts,

Our artistic talents,

Use them to serve him,

By serving others.

A Gentle Breeze

I was pondering the difference  between a gentle breeze and a fierce wind. A gentle breeze is cooling and refreshing. It is constructive. Most often a mighty or fierce wind is a destructive force. Think of tornadoes, hurricanes and thunderstorms with high winds. Satan is the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus (Yahshua) comes to give us life and that more abundantly (John 10:10).

Isaiah 40:11 is a beautiful description of  our Good Shepherd's gentleness. It tells us, "He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom,and gently lead those who are with young." Now that's tenderness! Being carried in his bosom is a safe place where healing takes place.

We are also told in Mathew 12:20 that a bruised reed he will not break. Jesus is here to bring wholeness to every area of our lives. Satan longs for just the opposite. He loves it when we are broken and defeated.

What our Father longs for most is ever deepening relationship with his children. As his sons and daughters, he wants us to taste and see how good he truly is (Psalm 34:8). Building a relationship takes time. Trust can't be coerced, but rather it is earned. Healing and deliverance must take place for us to be able to trust. Trust involves honesty and vulnerability. Our loving Father never rushes the trust building process, but gently leads us one step at a time to quiet waters and green pastures (Psalm 23).

Time spent in prayer, praise and Scripture study is the key to an ever deepening relationship. It is through time spent conserving with someone, sharing your heart and attentively listening as they share theirs that you learn to know their voice and distinguish it from other voices whether friendly or hostile (John 10:26). To be able to discern the enemies voice and not follow him builds trust and deepens our relationship with Jesus. I consider my prayer time sacred and usually do it first thing in the morning when I'm most alert and can give my precious Savior my best.



A GENTLE BREEZE

A gentle breeze,

Or a gentle rain,

Slow,

Calm,

Cooling,

Refreshing,

Contrasted with...

A mighty wind,

Or rain,

Rushing,

Boisterous,

Overwhelming,

Fatiguing,

Like him,

God’s spirit is gentle,

Not forceful,

Persuasive,

Not dictatorial,

Earning trust,

Not controlling you,

Respecting free will,

Not demanding compliance,

Building relationship,

Not coercing submission,

Always honest,

Not deceptive,

Affirming,

Not condemning,

Healing wounds,

Not inflicting them,

Setting people free,

Not causing bondage,

Unlike Satan’s harsh spirit,

Which is a destructive wind.

The Year of Jubilee

Earilier this year, I had the priveledge of hearing the Isaac's sing. They travel with the Gaithers. They sang a song they had just written called "The Year of Jubilee." It really touched me and inspired me to write this poem. 2016 is a Jubilee year. Leviticus 25:8-12 describes the Year of Jubilee.

Wars and rumors of wars, the list is long. I really believe that even though no one on earth knows the day or the hour, only those in Heaven, we are in the last moments of history (His story). In May,1948 the fig tree budded when Israel became  a nation. I was born in August of that same year. That begin the end of time as we know it.

Like me, you have undoubtedly had people tell you that you need to be careful not to be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good. But what about being so focused on the nasty events taking place on earth daily that you are no heavenly good? Honestly, the wickedness going on all around can be depressing. Thank God for the good that is here also. Our Savior's second coming is our blessed hope and  also our anchor for the soul (Hebrews 8:19).

Very soon we will have a new heaven and earth, ruled over by a righteous king, our Messiah. It's an eternal kingdom. There will be no more wars or rumors of wars, no more sickness and disease, no more sin, no more power hungry despots.  The list of eternal blessings is awesome (Relation 21:1-7). 

As I shared with the gals at jail, this can be your personal year of Jubilee. Your year of release from any bondages or besetting sins in your life. Satan comes to steal and kill and destroy. Jesus (Yahshua) comes to give us aabundant life (John 10:10).  Enjoy the poem.

IT’S THE YEAR OF JUBILEE

It’s the year of Jubilee,

The prison doors are opened,

The captives are set free,

Relatives purchased debtor’s land,

The price was figured,

By the years left,

Until the next Jubilee cycle,

One Jubilee cycle,

Was forty-nine years long,

Seven, the number of completion,

Tmes seven,

Year fifty began a new cycle,

Was the year of Jubilee,

In the seventh month,

On the fifteenth day,

The Day of Atonement,

The Book of Life was opened,

Last years sin’s dealt with,

Jubilee begin,

A holy year,

One of great celelebration,

Liberty proclaimed throughout Israel,

To all the inhabitants,

No crops were planted,

Or harvested,

They ate last year’s excess,

Debtor’s land was returned,

To the original owner,

Our Messiah will soon return,

Totally heal his people,

Set the captives free,

Return their stolen inheritance,

In the year of Jubilee.

Last Words

Blessings to all my dearest friends and fanily. He is risen, just as he said! A few years ago I got to thinking about Jesus' awesome last words from the cross. This poem was the result. I also taught on our Savior's last words at the county jail. It was one of the most powerful teachings I ever did in 23 years of jail ministry. The girls were riveted on what I was sharing. A couple started to cry. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so evident. Every last  inmate prayed to receive the Savior. With something that anointed, I used this teaching for several years with similar effects. Every time I ended the teahcing with this poem. May it richly bless you and fill you with a sense of gratitude and awe at the depths of God's love for us.

LAST WORDS

Moments from death,

Totally physically, emotionally spent,

Having pleaded to be spared,

To have the cup pass,

Jesus surrendered his will,

Sweat drops of blood,

Agonized over what lay ahead,

A crown of thorns,

Beaten into his brow,

As the curse was broken,

A cat of nine tails,

Mutilating his flesh,

The world’s sin,

On his bruised shoulders,

The despair of feeling forsaken,

Abandoned by his Father,

Jesus uttered his last words,

Caring words for his Mom,

“Woman, behold thy son,”

And his beloved disciple,

“Behold thy Mother,”

Also for us,

“Father, forgive them,”

Words of desperate anguish,

“My God, My God,

Why have you forsaken me?”

Words of trusting submission,

“Into your hands,

I commend my spirit,”

When all looked bleakest,

Words of Triumphant conclusion,

“It is finished!”

They Did It For Us!

Why did our Savior and Lord endure the horrors of the cross? Why did the Father sacrifice his only begotten son? They did it all for us. Oh, what beyond words  to describe it love that gives us peace and rest, even in a world of constant turmoil where men's hearts are rightly failing them for fear. It lets us know that God keeps his promises. Just like the Father kept his promise to send his son the first time, he will keep his promise to send him back at the appointed time to set up his kingdom. Hallelujah!

THEY DID IT FOR US!

The king of all kings,

 Laid aside his crown,

 Left heaven’s perfection,

 For a manger,

 A crown of thorns,

 And a cross.

The sinless Master,

Humbled himself,

 Took on flesh,

 Hating man’s wickedness,

 He grieved over lost humans,

 Healed and set them free.

The Lord of lords,

Was tempted,

 Just like us,

Yet without sin,

 Had human needs,

 Felt what we feel.

God’s only begotten son,

 Suffered a broken heart,

Was betrayed,

 Beaten and mocked,

 Spit upon,

 Died between two thieves.

 Knowing what he would suffer,

 Why did the Father send his son?

Seeing their broken creation,

 Headed for destruction,

 Their heart ached with love,

 They did it all for us! 

His Wings

What a blessing. My study of the Jewish wedding ceramony has really been an enlightening, turst building, joyouos experience. As whole books have been written about tthis subject, I can't begin to discuss it all in this short blog. My favorite part is discussed in this poem. Oh, the unfathomable love of my Messiah that he would desire me whose righteousness is as filthy rags to be a part of his bride. Our courtship leading up to the Lamb's Marriage Super, is the greatest blessing in my life. To be under his wings or covered by his prayer shawl thrills me. The all powerful, all wise, loving  Master and King wants an ever deepening relationship with each of us. And our Father who so loved us that he sent his only begotten Son  does too.

Praise report: I pray daily for my brothers and sisters in difficult places like China and the Middle East. I have also ask you to pray. Glenn Beck just brought the first of what's left of the Kurdish Christians into a safe place in Slovakia to live.

HIS WINGS

There’s healing in his wings,

Kanaf in the Hebrew,

Four corners of his tallit,

Or prayer shawl,

With its tassels,

Or Tzit, tzits,

A Jewish wedding,

At the ceremonies’ end,

The groom wraps the bride,

Covers her with his tallit,

Promising to protect her,

Provide for her,

Pray for her,

For their relationship,

Which she is also doing,

For her husband,

Emotionally,

The two become one,

Minutes later,

They physically become one,

The Lamb’s marriage super,

Fulfills this word picture,

Our Messiah,

The groom wraps his bride,

In his tallit,

Promising to care for her,

As she does for him.

Not Driven But Led

I do not like the word driven at all. "The Purpose Driven Life" is still driven. What does it mean to be driven rather than being led? One dictionary definition describes driven as "to cause to move by force or compulsion." Led is defined "to guide in direction, course, action, opinion." See the difference? To be driven is coercive. Being led is gentle guidance. Our good Shepherd leads us into green pastures. They are soft to recline on and also, tasty and nourishing to eat from. He has his sheep peacefully lying down in green pastures and drinking from still waters.

Satan is the slave driver. Learning to lean (be led) as opposed to being driven by the enemies cracking whip takes practice. We don't automatically rest 24-7. Many believers have a hard time resting at all. I used to be there. While I most certainly haven't arrived, it's gotten much better. 

That is why I believe God (El in the Hebrew) placed the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments. In order to love him and other people, we need instruction and practice in how to do so. Sabbath in the Hebrew means "return to the Covenant." It's a day to deal with any sin from the past week and commit to serving him in the coming week. We fellowship with other believers and renew our marriage vows together. This allows us to enter into his rest.

NOT DRIVEN BUT LED

Not driven,

By the slave driver,

The master con artist,

A liar and thief,

Expert condemner,

Guilt trip producer,

Accuser,

Loves tormenting you,

Stealing your peace,

Not letting you rest,

Burning you out,

But led by the Savior,

The good Shepherd,

The gentle Master,

Into green pastures,

Besides still waters,

Always encouraging,

Instructing his sheep,

Desiring intimacy,

Ever deepening relationship,
Experience born trust,

His sheep knowing his voice,

Not being deceived by Satan,

Obeying his whip’s crack,

But knowing full salvation,

Setting free,

Wholeness!

Our Set Apart Place

I just finished writing this poem and since it has been awhile since I put out a blog, wanted to share it with all my special friends and relatives. The song "In the Secret Place," which I love inspired it.

One of the sorrows on our God's loving heart is all the evil that takes place in the world. Twenty two Coptic Christians were just murdered by ISIS. What demoniacally inspired mad men. In America, we for now have it so good. I agree with those who say WWIII is soon coming. Where I often differ with them is it isn't just WWIII, but the return of our Messiah, Lord and King to set up his kingdom. This is our anchor for the soul and also our blessed hope. Please join me in praying for our brothers and sister in hard places and the missionaries who serve them in ministry. A friend, who just passed away, sent a letter from some missionary friends of his to the Kurdish people in Northern Iraq who choose to stay and die if need be with them.

A daily Quiet Time is so important. I like to open mine by singing a few worship choruses and singing or praying in the spirit. After reading Scripture, I pray for whoever God lays on my heart. My daily Quiet Time allows me to learn to discern my Messiah's voice from the enemies and so many other good things. If you wish to know more about praying in the spirit, feel free to ask me.

OUR SET APART PLACE

Only you and I are allowed,

No one else may enter,

It's a secret place,

A set apart place,

A transparent place,

Where truth is spoken,

Free to be real,

You with me,

Me with you,

This leaves me vulnerable,

Open to being hurt,

Even my biggest sins,

Are never used against me,

But rather to heal me,

Set me free,

Bring ever greater wholeness,

Enabling me to trust,

Rest in you,

It's a quiet place,

No loud noises to startle,

Enables me to focus on you,

Learn to discern your voice,

From the enemies,

It's an unhurried place,

We reason together,

Share our joys,

Also our sorrows,

You give me your desires,

We end our time,

I move through my day,

Walking hand in hand,

We continue to share.

What the Father is Like

While there are undoubtedly other theories as to why the Father sent his Son to die, the two main ones that I know of are the Christus Victus Theory of Atonement or Love Prevails versus  Penal Substitutionary Theory of Atonement or Perfect  Justice. I call them the Good God versus Bad God theories. I had never heard of either one when I named them that, but had for years been thinking about the love and goodness of God. If God is love, then all he does flows from his heart of love. The evil in this world flows from it's author Satan, who loves nothing more than deceiving people into believing his evil works are God's doing. 

You may be rightfully asking, "Why does it matter?" As briefly as possible, I'll attempt to show you why it is so important. It wasn't until a thousand years after after our Savior's death that the Perfect Justice Theory was first heard of. Love Prevails was the only known theory until that time.

The Love Prevails Theory contends that God loved mankind so much he sent his Son to rescue us from the evil forces of sin, death and the devil which had captured and enslaved mankind. Not only our Messiah's dying, but every word he spoke and every action he took showed us how good the Father is. This is what I read in the New Testament gospels and epistles about why the Father sent his Son.

The Perfect Justice Theory contends that because of man's sin God, who is perfectly just, was so angry that he had to pour his wrath out on somebody, and that sacrifice had to be sinlessly perfect. Even though I had never heard what it was called, Perfect Justice is the only theory of atonement I'd heard about, except as I now see it in the Scriptures.   

Do the horrors our Savior went through on Calvary sound more like God's wrath or Satan's fiery? I contend the later. If he couldn't get Messiah to sin while on earth, he'd kill him and make it as brutal as possible. What Satan did not reckon on is he couldn't keep a sinless person in the grave.

If God was so mad at mankind because they had sinned and kept on doing so, why did our Savior forgive people before he ever went to the cross? For example, the women caught in the very act of adultery? 

Also on the mount of transfiguration why did God the Father, who is love say, "This is my beloved Son in whom I well pleased, hear him," and a few days later put him through the awfullest of tortures? The cross sounds like Satan's fiery and not God's wrath to me. Only the blood of Messiah would "force" him to relinquish the control over mankind he had deceitfully taken in the garden.

WHAT THE FATHER IS LIKE?

What is the Father like?

Our Savior not only told us,

His every action showed us,

How good the Father is,

He said,

He who has seen me,

Has seen my Father,

So what did Messiah teach?

What works did he do?

He taught about the kingdom,

Where love reigns,

He walked in love,

Forgiving sinners,

Setting captives free,

Healing sick people,

Raising the dead,

Fellowshipping with outcasts,

His life was so appealing,

Crowds followed him,

The power hungry feared him,

Crucified him,

Sinlessly perfect,

He died for our sins,

Rose again,

Defeating Satan,

Also, sin and death,

Sent his Spirit,

To live in us,

Empower us,

Give us victory over sin,

That's what the Father is like!

Anticipation

While I agree with my friend who contends that we shouldn't focus on our Messiah's return to heavily, it's right at the door. Study end time prophecy and watch the evening news and you'll understand that it is very near. While we can't put a day or hour to it, the signs of the times speak for themselves. Living amidst the world's wickedness, it truly is our blessed hope.

ANTICIPATION

Filled with hopeful longing,

Excited anticipation,

The signs are lining up,

Prophecy is being fulfilled,

Right before our eyes,

The daily news,

Confirms Scripture,

Its predictions,

Their accuracy,

Right at the door,

It's time,

His redemption is here,

God's promises are true,

We're going home,

To a sinless kingdom,

With a righteous King,

With no more wars,

Power hungry humans,

Brokenness,

Evil,

As wickedness flourishes,

Grieves our hearts,

Hurting people bring tears,

With joyous expectation,

We await Messiah's return.

Fresh Eyes

Thinking we have the final world on correct doctrine is pride. Only he who is the way, the truth and the life has the final word on not only doctrine, but everything else as well.

At one point, I very much wanted to do things the way the first century believers did them. Then I decided since they had been around way longer, to find out about the Jewish spiritual practices and follow them. I've now gone back to the beginning before sin so totally corrupted the world to find out how God originally set it up. All was simple, oh so lovely and right.

It didn't take sin long to reveal it's ugly face. One chapter after the fall we see Cain killing Abel. There have been wars and rumors of wars ever since. Power hungry, greedy people lording it over other people. We won't see any of this taking place in the Kingdom. The King of all kings rules and reigns in righteousness.

May we see things from the Father and Son's prospective, a Kingdom focus and not simply an earthly one. A wise saying encourages us with these words: Always remember your present situation is not your final destination. The best is yet to come.

Have a blessed holiday. January 5th we will be leaving Wisconsin for a couple of weeks in Florida. Yesterday it was 75 degrees in Pensacola where we are going.

FRESH EYES

Heavenly Father,

Help me to see,

With fresh eyes,

From your prospective,

Not my fleshly,

Flawed reasoning,

Stuck in a rut,

Bound by tradition,

Final word attitude,

Pride,

All stinking thinking,

Only you know it all,

Have the final word,

Help me love truth,

Be eager to discover it,

Develop relationship,

Honest communication,

Nothing hidden,

Done for show,

But to express my love,

Gratitude,

Make you smile,

Protect your heart,

Let me see,

Beyond the present,

Have an eternal vision,

That sees with fresh eyes!

Holy Passion

May each and every one of us reading this poem have a red hot passion for the things our Master is most passionate about. What are those issues dearest to his heart? Holiness is one thing. Other areas include family, relationship or ever greater intimacy with each of his people, responsibility or seeking to know and do his will and not just talk a big Spiritual talk, but letting our walk match our talk. Their are undoubtedly other areas our Messiah and also the Father are passionate about. The two are one in their desires. They long to bless you with life's true riches, which are all the holy desires they are so passionate about. Seek them as to what they are and they will show you. Ask them to infuse you with their passion in these areas. They long to do so.

HOLY PASSION

What excites the Father?

Is he passionate about?

Family for one thing,

That lives to serve him,

By serving each other,

He yearns for relationship,

Ever deepening intimacy,

Seeking not only his hand,

But also his face,

Longing to protect his heart,

Trusting him to protect ours,

Which he longs to do,

He honors holiness,

Of thought, word, and deed,

Total surrender to his will,

Learning to lean,

Experience his faithfulness,

Even in the darkest hours,

Laughing and weeping with us,

Sharing his deepest longings,

Listening as we share ours,

He desires ever greater oneness.

Brothers and Sisters

In a few days I turn 65. I was lonely and prayed for the right guy to spend my life with. God in his goodness gave me all I ask for and more. It's time for another blog spot.

If you aren't up to speed on what's going on in the Muslim part of the Middle East, it's horrible. In Egypt, churches are being burned, believers are being tortured and killed. Genocide of  Christians in Egypt, which has the largest Christian population and dates back to the time of the gospel writer Mark, who was the first evangelist to Egypt, Iraq which has the second largest number of believers (very close in number to Egypt), North Sudan and more places is taking place even as I write. Whatever these people's denomination and style of worship, they are our brothers and sisters, an essential part of the Savior's one body. We need to support these brothers and sisters in any way we can. First of all with our prayers, then alerting other believers and soliciting their prayers for this tragedy, and thirdly whatever else God lays on your heart. We dare not harden our hearts. For more details on this tragic genocide of horrific proportions, go to the Blaze, with Glenn Beck.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Our brothers and sisters,

The Christians in Egypt,

Iraq,

Sudan,

Wherever they are found,

Persecuted for their faith,

Tortured,

Killed,

Their churches burned,

Our family members,

Whatever their denomination,

Style of worship,

Unique parts of one body,

One faith,

One baptism,

One Lord and Savior,

Each part is essential,

When one part hurts,

The whole body feels pain,

Cries out for healing,

Hardening our hearts,

Ignoring their plight,

Brings continued destruction,

To all believers.

Protecting God's Heart

For several years now, I have been slowly learning Hebrew. I've mastered the alphabet which is fascinating, but little else. In the Hebrew, every letter started out as a picture (pictogram).  For example, the first letter Aleph was a picture of an ox or bull. While each letter is a number, it also has a meaning. The first letter of the alphabet is aleph which is number one and means first, strong.

The combined meaning of the individual letters give you the meaning of the word. For example, God or El contains the letters aleph which means first, strong and lamed (the twelfth letter) which means leader. Unlike other languages, Hebrew is written from right to left. Also, in the ancient or paleo Hebrew, there were no vowel markings, only consonants.

In a most fascinating book,with a chapter on each letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, the author under aleph talked about the concept of protecting God's heart. As we grow in intimate relationship with God, we progress to the level of wanting to protect God's heart. While we never stop needing and seeking his hand or face, we also desire to guard his heart. Sin has caused his totally loving heart unimaginable grief. To the point of having to send his only Son, the person dearest to his heart, to die for our sin. Oh the width, and length and depth and height of El's unfathomable love for us  which surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:14:21).

PROTECTING GOD'S HEART

As God's children,

Learning to trust,

Know our provider,

Our all in all,

We seek his hand.

Having fallen in love,

We desire relationship,

Long to serve God,

Cause him to smile,

We seek his face.

As intimacy deepens,

Often without words,

We feel God's heart,

His hurts and joys,

And long to protect it.

Eat Your Frog First

I don't know what you most dislike doing, but I have a hard time getting motivated to exercise, especially lift weights. Having bad osteoporosis, my chiropractor says walking isn't enough. In order to build bone mass, I have to do weight bearing exercise. For years, I've used a doable program, by Miriam Nelson, Ph.D. "Strong Women Stay Young." It was first used on nursing home patients. Some of them were in wheelchairs. I lift wights twice a week. Nelson says you need to do it either two or three times a week for maximum benefit. More than that will not give your muscles time to heal the little tears. I have my own dumbbells and also leg weights. When I read the advice about eating your frog first this is what came to mind. 

EAT YOUR FROG FIRST!

What do you most dislike doing?

Put off as long as possible?

Don't procrastinate,

Save it for last,

Eat your spinach first,

Save your dessert for last,

Do your ick jobs first,

Get them behind you,

Enjoy the satisfaction,

Knowing there completed,

Do your yum jobs later,

Look forward to them,

Enjoy working on them,

In other words,

Eat your frog first.

Responsibility

What a bummer. I just lost my first draft of this. So here it goes again. For some time now, God has been teaching me about what he loves and hates. One of the character qualities he loves is responsibility, while its opposite laziness is detestable to him. Laziness as well as excuses concerning laziness are sin. So is procrastination.

For years instead of being led by the Good Shepherd, I was driven by the enemy. Our precious Savior isn't most concerned with speed, but with obedience, desiring believers develop an ever deepening relationship with him and learn to discern his voice from the voice of the enemy. We are to let the peace of God rule in our hearts and not rush into an action we don't have his peaceful knowing that it is the right course to pursue. 

We are not called to be human doings, even in getting out the gospel, but human beings, who have our priorities in order and know our Lord's seasons for our lives. There is a time to work and a time to rest. Without down times we burn out. That is why taking one day a week to cease from our everyday labor and fellowship with him and other believers is so important.

Also opening our day with prayer for wisdom concerning our daily activities and his anointing on them is most important. As we continue through the day, we need to seek guidance concerning the moment by moment decisions we have to make.

The eternal kingdom will be simple, lovely, pure and right. We are a three part being consisting of body, soul and spirit. Clutter in any one of the three indicates clutter or unresolved issues in all three of them. Clutter overwhelms, steals our peace, prevents us from hearing God's voice most accurately and being the most effective in all that we do. Excessive belongings or stuff which is never satisfying is usually a counterfeit for the truly satisfying relationships with our Master and other believers that God intended to fulfill us.   

Our Messiah is preparing us to rule and reign with him eternally. In order to merit such responsibility, we have to prove ourselves trustworthy while on earth. As  they are the truest indicator of the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, our actions really do speak louder than our words. God doesn't call just anyone his friend, but only those who are willing to do the work necessary to develop an ever deepening relationship with him.

RESPONSIBILITY

For years,

God has been showing me,

What he loves,

Also what he hates,

He detests laziness,

But loves responsibility,

God's kingdom is coming,

Soon it will be here,

Believers are being prepared,

To rule and reign,

With the King of kings,

There is no higher honor,

To be trusted with authority,

We need to act responsibly,

Obey God's commands,

Have our house in order,

Be cleaning out our clutter,

Simplifying our lives,

Developing relationships,

With him,

And set apart believers,

Not substituting stuff,

The unsatisfying counterfeit,

For the satisfying real thing,

Stop making excuses,

For our laziness,

Learn to discern his voice,

From the enemies,

Refuse to be driven,

But rather be led,

Knowing the seasons,

The time to work,

And the time to rest.