DISCERNING THE TIMES

Lots going on around the world, alot going on inside of me. Mostly just thinking about seasons changing and am I living what I believe? Lord, how I pray that all those who have children are not slacking when it comes to spending time with them and speaking to them the truth that will prepare them for anything that comes. I pray their faith will make them fearless to face obstacles, and their little minds will be exercised to trust that God is unfailing and is able to deliver and keep His every promise.

How fearful the unbelieving will be when all that they have trusted in vanishes away. God please help me to pray as I should for those who have come to a reality of the truth, but are thinking there is more time to do your will later. Please help us to obey you now, the first time, be willing to give our lives away now so that we will be able to not love our lives unto death when difficulty and persecution arise.

AFFECTIONATE FATHER

Just finished reading 137 pages of letters written in 1821, by the hand of William Sprague, an adoring Father to his motherless daughter. Could not help but be deeply moved as I read these letters, each one addressed to "My Dear Child." Subject after subject this Father wrote his thoughts down for His daughter that she may have detailed instructions concerning the practical matters of christian life directly from His heart. Each thought was completed as he signed it, ~Your affectionate Father.

Remembering back when I was ten years old and crying out to MY FATHER IN HEAVEN who knew me since ever I was...how He whispered to me, "I will Father you..." Twenty years later I am living proof of my affectionate Father. Reflecting back upon His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to me...those letters I read might as well have been addressed to me. God disciplines those He loves. I am certain of His love as He has not left me to myself. He has instucted me in the way that I should go and I will not depart from it.

HEADS UP!

If you care at all and you see a foul ball flying into a crowd of people that are pleasantly distracted and unaware - YOU WILL BE SHOUTING, "HEADS UP!" Lately I have been thinking about that with concerns for those around me that seem to be simply oblivious to their own self righteousness or spiritual tiredness.

To think about or talk about doing God's word is one thing, and actually living it out and doing it is quite another.

I can think about reading the Bible all I want, but until I actually take time out to study it and make a conscience effort to put it into practice what I read, then I am deceiving myself and failing to renew my mind according to God's word. Same with praying. Lots of people talk about praying, but how many actually do?

BODY BUILDING

DEAR BODY:
It has come to my thoughts more than a few times now to write these things down.

If one part of the body is weak the rest of the body comes to its aid. There are times when a particular member is repeatedly hurt in the same area. It tries to heal, but occassionally weathers more abuse or accidental bruises and scrapes, it might need to be left alone or guarded more carefully as to not repuncture the wound or cause more injuries to the damaged area. Each member when functioning properly contributes willingly to the growth and maturing of the whole body. Picking at the wound is generally discouraged as it could cause infection that could be sore, and most unpleasant...causing other parts of the body to suffer.

If you are bleeding or wounded you would most likely attend to it immediately. If the situation is ignored it could get worse and lead to more serious injuries. You absolutely would not cut off that particular piece of your body...every part is necessary and needful and must be restored to its rightful place.

As I listen to others I cannot help but compare what they are saying to what God's word says. In doing so, I realize many are daily making agreements with the enemy about themselves or in their perception of others. It's easy to pick up on things when it is happening to somebody else, but when it is going on inside me (accusations etc.,)I tend to dismiss it as just being negative or receive it as something I should seriously consider (which turns from well meaning to condemnation very quickly.) So recently I made two lists entitled: What God says about me and what the liar says about me. Thought I would share it so that you can make a list of your own and speak the truth over yourself.

What God says about me: Daughter of the King. Worthy. Faithul. Pure heart. Reflection of God's glory. Truthful, sincere, right motives. Feminine. Lives to please her Father. Knows her place as a woman. Committed to doing God's will. Directed by the Holy Spirit. Obedient. Taught of the Lord. Strong in discerning, submissive, teachable, fruitful, honorable, and loved.

What the liar says about me: Unworthy. Failure. Wrong motives, lives to please herself, does not know her place as a woman. Male characteristics. Following her own desires, doing her own thing, Jezebel. Mislead, deceived, unfaithful, untrue, disobedient, poor discernment, indecisive, talks too much, has not fruit, misdirected, dishonorable, unloveable annoyance.

Thank God for the Blood of Jesus. Thank God for His report! Thank God that we can walk by faith, love being our motive, and be free from fear. Thank God there is grace and forgiveness with God and that mercy and truth come by Jesus Christ alone. Thank God that He first loved us. Thank God that He has called us to love one another as HE HAS LOVED US not as we have loved Him. We have failed at all points, we deserve hell. But Love is the greatest thing in the world! Greater is He that is within us than He that is in the world!

RIO DE LA VIDA

I WHISPER SECRET WORDS OF PEACE EACH TIME I PASS YOU BY

A SONG OF JOY I SING WITH YOU WHEN RAINDROPS FILL THE SKY

I AM FOR YOU A SWEET ESCAPE FROM CHAOS PAIN AND FEAR

I WELCOME YOU TO SIT A WHILE AND LEAVE YOUR BURDENS HERE

I COME FROM SOMEPLACE FAR AWAY YET FURTHER STILL I GO

I FIGHT TO MAKE MY WAY YOU SEE THIS JOURNEYS ALL I KNOW

I'LL SHARE WITH YOU A PART OF ME IT'S ALL I HAVE TO GIVE

SO DRINK OF ME YOU THIRSTY ONE -I AM- THAT YOU MAY LIVE!


Sharing is not just having good manners. It is the kindness of God. A dear friend wrote this to me in a card and gave it to me after I had rested a little while at her home, and we shared some of our hearts with one another. With all thankfulness I must pass it on and share the sweet little things God gives to me as I am passing through. I pray that you take the time to sit a while, listen, be still and reflect on God's faithfulness to you, in you and around you, every day.

TO KNOW AND BE KNOWN

SO THAT WE WHO FIRST HOPED IN CHRIST [WHO FIRST PUT OUR CONFIDENCE IN HIM HAVE BEEN DESTINED AND APPOINTED TO] LIVE FOR THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. Ephesians 1:12

My friend's Dad reminded me tonight how much God loves us. No matter what. His love is big. He loves us despite all else. He loves us regardless of failings. He loves us when we are having a hard time loving ourselves.

Your love is redeeming, freeing, joyful and I am so rich indeed!
That you would answer me so faithfully, visiting me in the night with Your truth and unchanging glory. My eyes are fixed upon You ---- and do not dare to move.
Every fear is fading as I behold the Beauty of Love.
I will be still and quiet and wait as You redefine all I have known.

Ok Ok ok

My niece seems to say, "Ok ok Ok" alot. Normally, her body language is saying that's enough! No more for me thanks. No matter where I go I seem to hear her little voice saying "Marce" or "Is that better?" I am ok when I remember that I am not the one in control of the this big world. And it is better once I realize that the burden was never mine to begin with. One day I was flying to see a friend, aboard the flight I wrote these words:

Babies crying, people coughing
regenerated air
overhearing multiple conversations
Of casual laughter and seemingly concern
Am I losing oxygen before take-off?
Thinking in slow mo
a little tired, a lil hungry
Thank you for these hours alone with you Lord
Lost in the crowd - I know deep down
You are right here with me...
In this almost crash landing.

There is alot going on in this busy world. It is a real task to not allow yourself to be sucked into the everyday distractions around you. Sometimes people get lost in routine and do not even realize that time is sifting away. It does not matter what you choose to do whether it is stay at home or travel. If one is not mindful of it, they can do the same things out of habbit anywhere they are. The times when I am most attentive and comforted is when I am talking to God and reading His word.