SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/index.php

Day after day goes by that we are unaware of the hurts and pains of a lost world. Let us pray and seek God's face like we never have before. We cannot afford to be lazy at this point in our lives. We must fast and pray, inquire of the Lord for direction, hope and believe, and be still and listen for the voice of our Shepperd.

"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of sorrows." Mark 13:8

"And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." Luke 21:11

BESIDE THE STILL WATERS

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Psalm 23:1-3

It is true that He leads me beside the still waters. Romancing my heart like no other. He calls me. He comes for me. He takes me away with Him into His quiet strength. I hear His whispers in the wind and His beautiful words as I walk the path through the trees. He takes me to the mountains and teaches me what I long to know. Alone with Him, trusting His protection, I have unbroken rest. He listens intently and intercedes for the very depths of my needs. He sings over me. By His side distractions are far away. I lean against the rock of my faith. Laying beneath the stars, exhausted from the climb...His presence covers me strong into night. I need nothing else when I am with Him.

EMO

It is difficult not to be emotional when life is in your face, you see just how weak you are, but realize any strength you have is not your own. And all of this is for something so much more than you ever could possibly think or imagine. If you will just focus your eyes on Home. Eternity.

Be content right now where you are
Don't wish this time away
Feel what you feel
Do all that you do with your heart and pray
There are places yet to explore
Trust God and Obey
Casts your cares upon the Lord
Patiently continually wait

HEART ADVENTURES

In the back yard playing with my Niece, we were going to kick a huge ball around. As we were walking to open the fence to play out front --- she saw a dragon (well, a wagon). Ocassionally, no matter how old we are I think we have a tendancy to rename things. And is it me, or don't we all sometimes want to be somewhere else? If we are in front yard we want to be in back. If we are inside the house we want to be outside. She dropped the ball and immediately wanted to play with this old, rusted, but still good-for-rock-collecting wagon. She likes to find rocks and drop them down the little holes in the sewage lid, so she can hear the little splashing sound it makes. She actually calls the drainage sewer a bridge...makes sense to me.

Once we started walking with the wagon, I took note of how often she would look back to see how far we had come from where had left. I watched the tug of war going on in her thoughts of trying to decide to turn back or keep on going...exploring. Her want to keep on going reminded me of the lingering feelings I have had since childhood as I have become an adult. Knowing good and well God is right there watching me. Patiently waiting for me to take the next step. Allowing me to decide and realize what it is that I really want. When my niece would be walking down the middle of the road or looking slightly confused as she was hurried forward...when she listened for my voice...instruction came...understanding and joyful peace.

I am encouraged to know regardless of the steps I take; every choice I make deepens my dependance upon God for comfort, counsel, and trust. There is alot I do not know in where I am going, but if I will listen for His voice...instruction will come...understanding...and assurance that He knows and sees so much more than I do.