Words of Encouragement ~ Christian

Every morning I get up and take a three or five-mile walk through our subdivision.  Our mornings are spectacular with the fall colors and the dusting of snow on Mt. Sopris.  It’s cool and brisk and I love the first kiss of the sun as it comes over the ridge.

This morning as I walked and prayed I asked the Lord what He would like me to blog. Then I started saying this verse, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6   I just kept repeating it even as I stopped to snap a few photos with my iPhone.

Finally, I stopped and realized THAT is the scripture He’d like me to start a series on.

As I continued on my five-mile walk, I wondered if I should take a short cut.  Then I heard, “Why would you do that?”  Well, I reasoned, because I would get home faster and I’ve never been that way before.  “Are you sure that way will get you home?”  I thought well no, but I’ll see if it does.  I continued to follow the road only to find myself standing at a dead end.

I’m sure you’ve heard there are many paths to God or that all paths lead to God.  That is not true.  Even on a simple walk as I took today the Lord ministered to me that the ways we choose are not often THE WAY.  In this life we will choose dead ends, cul-de-sacs, Not A Through Street for a reason as I thought; I would get to my destination faster and I’d never been that way before.

God will never lead you off track or in a direction that would bring you destruction or delay.  We, on the other hand, will decide we know what is best and when we make that quick choice that is not a good choice we blame God for the outcome.  In reality, there are always consequences to pay for poor choices, always.  On the other hand, we may make a pretty good choice…BUT was it Gods highest and best for us?

So how do we remedy the delays, the missed opportunities the mistakes the shortfalls?  We look to His word and this is what we find:  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

His grace carries me and is perfect where I’ve missed it.  His grace is quieting yet aggressive in the areas of my wounds.  His grace fills the void and the doubt.  His grace is sufficient.

Psalm 25:5-14 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.  Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.  Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.  He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.  All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.  For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.  Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.  He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

In the northwestern part of India there is a spectacular sight to behold.  For centuries in this tropical part of the world they have been training the roots of fig trees from one cliff side to connect over treacherous water falls to the other side forming a living bridge.  This has afforded people to travel with ease and out of danger.  These living bridges live for approximately 500 years and are absolutely stunning for some double-deckers have also been created!!

The elders of these villages are training young children the importance of building more bridges for their children and their children’s children!

Jesus did this very thing for humankind.  In His death, burial and resurrection He formed a living bridge for man to come into a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is here that we walk through life on His promise that He will never leave nor forsake us.  It is here that we stay confident that the bridge is strong and supportive as He comforts us through the torrential storms of life.  It is here where we continue to teach our young ones that this bridge simply does not fail and is eternal until He takes us by the hand on the other side and says, “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Master.”  Matthew 7:23; 25:21

What bridge are you traveling on?  How has it been constructed? There has been and always will be a master plan for your life. The Living Bridge of Jesus Christ has made that possible for you today…it is everlasting!!!

Robert is up and being restored daily as he graduated from a walker to crutches to a cane.  Soon he will no longer depend on these devices.  He’s had a positive and joyful attitude.  Yes, there are tough times but he’s such an overcomer!  He inspires me!

Are you an overcomer today?  To overcome is to prevail.  When the economy looks bleak, when jobs are scarce, when the stress of life overshadows your everyday simple joys and you wonder if it’ll ever get better there is a secret place for you to go to.  It’s confessing that even though things are tough you simply say, “It is well.”  That’s faith, believing that God can do the impossible for you in lieu of what you see.  This past Sunday my pastor said, “Nothing is impossible for God…nothing at all!!”  That was powerful for me to hear.

Today as I sit at my desk catching up with all the things I had set aside while Robert was healing, I pray that you will consider coming to a secret place in the Lord.  This is where He waits to hear your heart’s cry, this is where he touches the tender scorched wounds and heals them with His breath, this is where nuzzles close so you feel his warmth and love, this is where he teaches you to say, “It is well!”

Praise God!  Total hip replacement went very well. We’re home and recovering nicely. Strength everyday and a great attitude through it all, Robert is progressing beautifully!  Thank you for your calls and prayers!!!

I’m not one who is easily impressed with people’s successes, homes and cars.  I think it’s wonderful, but I’m not impressed to the point of being in awe of these things.  I am joyful for those who receive it, but my mind does not linger in continual amazement.  I looked up the word “impressed” and this is what I found:  To affect strongly, often favorably.

This weekend…I was impressed.  I heard an amazing speaker, by the power of the Holy Spirit, minister out of his heart to fellow colleagues honor and respect in such a humble, loving manner.  Witnessing this changed me for he spoke of regal remembrance.  As he spoke, he delicately began to weave a tapestry of a God-filled past of relationships, decisions and hard work.  He then gently shook this tapestry out for all to see it was not yet complete for there was a great future ahead yet to be woven because of the faithfulness of his colleagues.

My mind raced through clips of mini mental videos as he spoke of the power of memories. Throughout the day these videos continued to give me preview after preview after preview. That night as I lay next to my ailing husband in bed memories of how we met fourteen years ago and fell in love  moved me in ways I haven’t been moved in a long time. I recalled meeting his five children and my little grandchildren to be.  I recalled in just loving them and being patient with them  how they came to love me.

The scene of Robert’s stroke two years ago gave way to tears of gratefulness for his life.  God had protected and upheld me during those critical days.  I remember the peace that cloaked me while Robert was in critical condition and then how we walked out of that hospital in Arizona on day five.

As I cuddled next to Robert in his deep sleep and listened to his soft breathing with the sound of the river flowing outside of our window, I began to recall the victories we have experienced together.  As each victory presented itself, as each scene was replayed, my heart began to form melodies.  These scenes are melodies because God’s Word is truth and He is faithful to those who love Him.  His songs are deeply embedded in our memories and our walk with Him.

The preview of these melodious victories came to full crescendo as I squeezed my beloved’s chest knowing that God has already dealt with Robert’s illness and all is well.

The Lord your God is with you,

He is might to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.  Zeph. 3:17

This weekend I was strongly and favorably affected and it has changed me!

Don’t miss a Life-Beat!

You know when you have your heart set on something?  And you wait for that day and just as you’re approaching that time, that hour, you’re told it’s not going to happen?  Well, that’s what happened to Robert.  He was scheduled for a left hip joint replacement and it was cancelled due to an illness that has left him feeling weak.  His doctors have rescheduled the date for August 17.  Prayers are coveted at this time.

Disappointment can come on in a heartbeat.  It has the ability to steal your joy, your hope and make you feel like things are never going to improve.

That’s why we have faith.  Faith in a living God that says we can go to Him with all things.  Not some things, but all things.  During this time of waiting once again, Robert and I choose to cast our cares upon Him for He cares for us.  I Peter 5:7  We choose not to become anxious and worrisome.  But we choose to believe God will strengthen and sustain us during the wait.  We choose not to complain and wine but to declare that ALL His promises are true for He is a faithful and loving Father.  We choose not to listen to those who say, “Oh this is bad…” but we choose to speak life over this situation that all is well because the very life of God dwells within us and He desires to see us healthy and prosperous.

Good choices, huh?  God choices, yes!!

Don’t miss a life-beat!  Make some good choices for a God future.

We just returned from a road trip to Minneapolis. We had the honor of watching our grandson graduate from a prep school. We are so happy for him and his future.

On the way home we decided to stay at Custer State Park in South Dakota. We found a marvelous lodge and settled in for the night. The next day as we were leaving the park we came across hundreds of buffalo. Their calves were nearby and everyone driving inched along as the buffalo crossed the road at their leisure. Everywhere in the park are signs DO NOT APPROACH BUFFALO THEY ARE DANGEROUS. They are also HUGE!

I started thinking about people who approach things that can harm them. Knowing full well that this is not a good idea they proceed to step into a messy relationship, charge their credit cards to the max, or as one person said, “touch the ‘wet paint’ sign”.

No one likes the word sin. It conjures up hell but sin is sin. What do I mean? Well, when we make a conscience decision to do something we shouldn’t do it’s often referred to as wrong. In today’s world that word is often replaced with “embrace.” I often hear people say they “embrace it all.”

So what is sin? It is separation from God. When we choose to approach danger, when we choose to approach hurt, when we choose to say “I’m god”, when we choose to live in bitterness, unforgiveness and jealousy that is separation from God.

Recently we saw a woman who has for years carried bitterness and anger inside that it now has visibly and physically manifested in her body and her face. It is sad for it is not affecting anyone else but her.

Today my prayer is for all of us to stay away from danger. Turn our backs to sin and by faith accept what God has has prepared for us.  His desire is that we live free from sin.  What liberty to know that in Christ your life is made new for His word shows us a better way through this life and to the next.  Choose well today…choose God.

“If you do well, will you not be accepted?  And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door.  And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”  Genesis 4:7

DON’T MISS A LIFE-BEAT!

Scroll Below and Get a Sneak Peek of the Beautiful stories and photography found in Life-beats: Everyday Cherished Moments!

Today is our website designer’s birthday!!!   Gloria is such a blessing to us I couldn’t let the day go by without celebrating her a little more.  So here she is on my blog!  We love her!

It is such a pleasure to work with Gloria.  She continues to “wow” us at every turn. I’m reminded of the scripture in Jeremiah 1:5: “Before you were formed in the body of your mother I had knowledge of you, and before your birth I made you holy;….” AND WE ARE PRIVY TO HER GIFTS!! That makes me so happy and that is why we simply can’t do enough for her.

Robert and I took her to lunch and brought two dozen roses, cards (even one from my dog) and one of Robert’s finest photographs she’s been admiring. Gloria said, “You do too much!” Actually, we simply can’t do enough for her! She blesses us over and over and over again.

Never bemoan your birthday! God created you and has placed some special gifts that are hidden until you come to the knowledge of Him. For it is then that He will show you what He planted within you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GLORIA!!!! WE’RE STILL CELEBRATING AND STILL SMILING!!!

DON’T MISS A LIFE-BEAT!

The season is in swing to prepare for the planting of vegetables and flowers! I am so excited!!! I can’t wait to get out this afternoon and start pulling some weeds out of that damp soil and begin to cultivate the perennials. I can’t wait to get my pots filled with beautiful bold colors that will be a showcase throughout the summer. I just can’t wait!! But I have to. It’s actually a little to soon to plant here in the Rockies. The weather can be very unpredictable and we could still get very low temperatures in the wee hours of the morning. Not a good thing to wake up and find your plants are frozen and dead.

But in the MEANTIME, I will prepare.

How have you prepared for the season ahead. Just as our weather is unpredictable so is life. It can take such an unwelcoming turn. It can throw us into crisis and fear. BUT if you’re prepared you’ll know how to handle these sudden change of seasons.

A life in Christ is a life that has made the decision that you just can’t do life without Him. There are some things we can do and there are ONLY things God can do. This is where we rely and trust solely on His Hand and His direction. We don’t try and make things happen. A life in Christ believes that He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. A life in Christ believes that we are never forgotten and that the Holy Spirit truly is our Comforter. A life in Christ experiences peace beyond understanding. It’s a great place to live.

If you would like to make Jesus the Lord of your life I invite you to pray this prayer: “Heavenly Father, I have tried life without you for so long. I choose to invite you to live in my heart and guide and direct me to make the right decisions at the right time. Thank you for dying on the cross for me so that I might experience a beautiful life here in Christ, and life in eternity with You. I receive you into my heart and call you Jesus, the Lord of my life”. Amen

Now find yourself a Word/Faith Spirit-filled church. God will show you things you have never seen before or experienced in your life. He wil take you places you’ve never been and begin to speak to your heart in supernatural ways…everyday. DON’T MISS THIS LIFE-BEAT!