He Is So Much More!

"Ataraxia"
a state of freedom from emotional disturbance and anxiety
tranquillity

peace of mind
calmness

When we know God there is freedom! To the same degree that we know Him, we will be free from worry, fear, stress.

God is love and His love is always planning for, working in, giving to, supporting, defending, nurturing, blessing my life. He is my passion, my heart's pursuit. His life draws my heart to Him like a moth to a flame. The manifestations of His love are all around me and I am never tired of or have ever gotten used to His 'life-giving' effects!

Knowing Him like this allows my soul to be free! I can have complete confidence in His goodness to overshadow any circumstance I may be facing. I do not have to worry - I know His will take care of me. I don't have to fear - I know that He will protect me. I don't have to be filled with stress of any kind - I know that He has a plan, He is at work and He will always be with me.

I have the joy of knowing that all of His promises are true! I can look at each situation that comes along and have peace that it is an opportunity for God to reveal Himself, His heart, His ways.

David, who was passionate for God said,

"The Lord is my light (my fire, my passion)
and my salvation
so why should I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:1

Paul said,
"If God is for us, who can ever be against us?"
Romans 8:31

When my mind and heart are filled with Wonderful Him, everything else falls into place in His grace. He is so much bigger, so much lovelier, so much more valuable, so much more than anything else in my life! Oh the sweetness of life with Him!

Goodness and Blessing

Paul says in Romans 14:17, "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
Need some ideas about living a life of goodness?
**Smile!
**Hug!
**Give encouraging words!
**Let the person in line behind you go ahead of you!
**Compliment someone today!
**Do something more for someone you are responsible to!
**Surprise someone with a coffee drink!
**Pick a flower and give it to someone who is weary!
**Send a card filled with happy thoughts!
**Take someone out to lunch!
Ask God to show you opportunities where you can do something good. But, I must warn you -- it is addicting! Once you begin to bless people, and see the effect of that blessing, you want to bless more and more and more. There is no greater joy in life!

He Will Give You Everything You Need!

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else,
and live righteously,
and he will give you everything you need."
Matthew 6:33

Do you feel ill equipped in wisdom or resources for a difficult situation? Do you wish God would DO something and do it in a certain way? Do you feel alone and have need of comfort or encouragement? Have you lost hope for tomorrow or for a good outcome? Is there anything you need - an answer, a provision?
Jesus tells us to "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else...". When we are seeking God's Kingdom, we are earnestly looking for what that life is and wanting that life to be our experience more than anything else.
Paul says in Romans 14:17, "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Seeking the Kingdom of God is earnestly looking for opportunities to do good, be at peace, to experience and share joy in the Holy Spirit. Its seeing life and people with God's heart and wanting to share His life in the midst of the moment.
Why? What is the benefit of seeking the Kingdom of God above everything else?
In seeking the Kingdom of God, we will be seeking Him. We seek Him, not what He can or should do for us. We are seeking His heart, His presence, His face. In our pursuit of Him, we come to know Him in His good nature or character and we come to trust and love Him more than anything else in our lives.
When our hearts become closely connected with Him, our attitude toward life is dramatically changed! We have a positive outlook filled with faith and hope in the living God. We see the value of people, time and things with more clarity. Our definition of 'need' changes! We are more content with what He brings into our lives because we trust in His goodness and kindness. We are filled with His love and grace and people around us are affected - their lives are 'splashed' with the blessing of His life that is in us. When our lives are filled with goodness, we are sowing goodness and will reap a bountiful harvest to the extent we cannot even imagine!
Jesus says that the result of seeking the Kingdom of God above all else is,
"...he will give you everything you need." The promise is that every need will be met! We will have everything we need!
Sometimes I think God has met our need, or touched a situation or person and we don't even see it because our hearts are so far away from knowing His ways and His wisdom which are so much better than ours. We miss His best plan because we are so bogged down by our own strong, but short sighted desires for what we think the outcome should be.
I have never known such peace as when I want Him, Him only, His ways, His heart. I am at complete rest knowing that He does all things well and whatever He does is far better, with more far reaching blessing than I could ever dream of. Because of and with Him, I do not fear that terrible things will happen. I just expect that everything will be ok.
Can I join with Jesus and invite you to "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else"? I can testify that all of His promises are true, and that as you seek Him, He will give you everything you need. Everything!

Long Beach Revival

What an extraordinary day at Long Beach!

Yes, I am here at my favorite spot in the whole world and the whole time I've been here the weather has been glorious! The forecast was for rain, rain and MORE RAIN, but God orchestrated the most beautiful days in so many ways!
Rebekah and I came down on Wednesday suffering from 'Ocean Deficient Syndrome' - (haven't been here in months!). We were in much need of some recharging, renewing and inspiration. Little did we know what God had in store for each of us!
Life has been a challenge lately, and after awhile, it gets increasingly challenging to see and hear clearly what is going on around you and to know what the right course of action is necessary. It's amazing how muddled up our hearts can get!
I have been so fully blessed to have a time and a place to meditate, pray, hear, learn and gain new insights. Long Beach does it for me! How I thank the Lord for His great kindness toward me! I am ready to face the challenge again with eyes wide, ears clear, heart wide open and faith in the Almighty God of heaven and earth,

"who is able, through his mighty power at work within us,

to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

Ephesians 3:20

Living Faith

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth,

if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed,

you could say to this mountain,

‘Move from here to there,’

and it would move.

Nothing would be impossible."

Matt. 17:20

Living faith! It doesn't take much, because its not the size or quantity of faith that is important. What is important is, "What is my faith IN?" How powerful, how strong, how dependable, how right is the object of my faith? And, tho' the measure of my faith may be small, if it is LIVING, and if it is in GOD, nothing would be impossible!

Bits and Pieces

I just want to jot down some things that have been a real encouragement to me in the last few days. There is no particular order or connectedness. My prayer is that you will read something that will inspire or encourage you, too.

(from an inspirational calendar)

"Love requires sharing,

sharing requires struggle,

struggle requires faith,

faith requires love."

"Snuggle in God's arms. When you are hurting, when you feel lonely...let Him cradle you, comfort you, reassure you of His all-sufficient power and love." Kay Arthur

"The wonder of living is held

within the beauty of silence,

the glory of sunlight...

the sweetness of fresh spring air,

the quiet strength of earth,

and the (L)ove that lies at the very root of all things."

"To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else."

Bernadette Devlin

(from Joyce Meyer's devotional)

"Do you lack appreciation for your own worth and value? You may not feel treasured or even acceptable, but you are. In Ephesians 1:6, Paul says that all who believe in Christ have been 'accepted in the beloved'. What joyous and amazing affirmation! Surely you are valuable; otherwise your heavenly Father would not have paid such a heavy price for your redemption."

(from my daily readings)
selected verses from Deuteronomy:

"...what does the Lord your God require of you?...only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul....Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God. Yet the Lord chose your ancestors as the objects of his love....Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn. For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing...... He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes.... Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him."

from Psalms:
"May he (the Lord) grant your heart's desires and make all your plans succeed."
"For You have given him his heart's desire; You have witheld nothing he requested."

from Luke:
"But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer."

"Jesus answered them, 'Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do. I have come to call, not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent."

"But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. 'The old is just fine,' they say."

from Thessalonians:
"...we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ....
Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts....
We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too.
...And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children.
...After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes you are our pride and joy....
So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How we thank God for you! Because of you we have a great joy as we enter God's presence.
...For you are all children of the light and of the day...be on your guard...stay alert and be clearheaded...
Now may the God of peace make you holy in everyway, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful."

Bless you, friends!

More of You

(Sunset in October)

Here I am waiting,
Abide in me I pray.
Here I am longing for You.
Hide me in Your love,
Bring me to my knees.
May I know Jesus more and more.

Come live in me all my life,
Take over.
Come breathe in me and I will rise
On eagle’s wings.


("Eagles Wings" by Reuban Morgan)

I need to know You, Lord, more and more. Everyday brings with it challenges that are beyond my own abilities. I need Your love to flow through me, to see as You see, to do what You do. I need Your wisdom to know how to walk in Your righteousness and grace. I need Your joy to be my strength. I need Your life to fill me when I have no more to give. I have known Your abundant infilling, but now, I long for more.

Come live in me. Come breathe in me. Take over, Lord. I am waiting, longing for You.

An Honest Look

Relational struggles in our home have been so very few over the last 28 years. After we had children, we didn't experience all the 'dreaded' times of those phases that most parents and families go through - even in the teen years of our three oldest children, life was generally whole, good, creative, productive, and loving.

Today, we are in a season where I wonder if I was only in a dream all those other years, or were my kids normal back then, or do I know anything about parenting anymore? There is certainly a lot to be said for the consequential dynamics that times of grieving will produce, but, right now, I look at all the factors and relationships and I feel not a little overwhelmed.

There are so many disjointed pieces - not to mention all the missing pieces. There is a lack of knowledge as to how to rebuild (yes, we've taken ourselves to a family counsellor for help). There is little human energy compared to the task at hand. It would be so easy to give up.

It would be so easy to blame. It would be so easy to become defensive. It would be so easy to have a pity party! (After all, what more can you expect when menopause has made its entrance!) It would be all to easy to point out all the ways you've done the right things that were either ignored or not appreciated because it wasn't what they wanted or because they were too mad to see or appreciate your demonstrations of love in the midst of your own pain and emptiness.

It would be so easy to do what so many other people have done through the ages - get fed up with people's lack of maturity in social graces, morals and family respect, and give them the ultimatum to "shape up or ship out".

There is no greater opportunity for things to implode as in a situation where all these factors are stirring around. It would be all to easy to explode and not care where all the mess splatters.

Honestly, right now, I have a struggle to "Be still and know that He is God" . That's where my heart longs to be, because without that, I have no wisdom, no strength, no refuge, no hope, no love. Apart from Him and His incredible heart, I can do nothing beyond what many others have done in destroying their families in the rashness of selfish control.

I have been through circumstances that would try any one's faith to the max and I have KNOWN, EXPERIENCED, not just believed or hoped, that all of God's promises are true - because at those terrible 'faith defying' or 'faith defining' moments HE WAS THERE in all of His goodness and did not fail or leave me for one infinitesimal second.

I wait patiently for Him. I listen carefully for Him. I trust that He will strengthen and keep me through all of the 'mess' until the light dawns again. I know He will be with me, no matter how dark and terrible it gets, no matter how weak I feel, no matter what I have to go through to get to the other side of the battle. I know that all His ways are good and when I pursue Him with everything that is in me, I am at peace and am truly blessed!

He is Faithful - originally posted: April 16,2008

(Morning sun in my yard)

Isaiah 43:2-3

When you go through deep waters,

I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

you will not be burned up;

the flames will not consume you.

For I am the Lord, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Galatians 6:9

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.

At just the right time we will reap a harvest

of blessing if we don’t give up.

Proverbs 19:11

And those who are peacemakers

will plant seeds of peace and

reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:18

The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,

And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD,

my strength and my Redeemer.

Psalm 37:23-24

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.

He delights in every detail of their lives.

Though they stumble, they will never fall,

for the Lord holds them by the hand.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.

“They are plans for good and not for disaster,

to give you a future and a hope."

Psalm 33:11

But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;

his intentions can never be shaken.

Psalm 37:4

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Psalm 16:8-9

I have set the LORD always before me;

Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will rest in hope.

Regardless of what you are facing today, put your hope in God!

He is acquainted with every detail of your life!

His plans for you are as sure as the morning sunrise.

He will never leave you stranded.

We can sing and dance because of His faithfulness!

Worship the Lord in the Beauty of His Holiness

I love you, Halleleyah!

Psalm 19
The heavens declare the glory of God;
The skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Psalm 145
All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord;
And thy saints shall bless thee.
They speak of the glory of thy kingdom,
And talk of thy power.

Psalm 104

Let all that I am praise the Lord!
O Lord, my God, how great You are!
O Lord, what a variety of things You have created!
The Lord takes pleasure in all He has made!
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.
I will praise my God to my last breath!
May all my thoughts be pleasing to Him
For I rejoice in the Lord!

John 4
For God is Spirit, and those who worship Him
must worship in spirit and in truth.

Matthew 5
Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works and
glorify your heavenly Father.

To God Be the Glory!

(View from my deck)

"And many people shall go and say,
'Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord...
and He will teach us of His ways,
and we will walk in His paths..."
Isaiah 2:3

April 13th -- Sunday morning
I woke up feeling a little less than optimum. Sometimes this body feels so unfamiliar!
Church was another glorious experience! Rebekah shared all that the Lord had brought to her in the way of encouragement throughout the week concerning her son, Caleb. Watching Him blessing her as she pursues Him and His righteousness in her life is breath-taking. So many are supporting her in prayer, with encouraging words, in tangible ways.
Other people shared scripture verses, and testimony. Each one lifted up the Lord and His goodness. His glory seems to bounce off the walls as those who love and follow Him tell of all the wonderful things He has done.
Pastor Jeff taught about "The Mountain of the Lord". Oh, how everyone was blessed! ! ! He proposed a new thought about 'the mountain' - connecting the passage where Caleb says, 'Give me this mountain' , and where Jesus says that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we could say to 'this mountain' be moved... We have always thought that the mountain Jesus was referring to was a mountain of challenge that we want 'removed' for some reason.(ie. the mountain of illness, or the mountain of debt, or the mountain of bitterness, etc.. But he suggested that faith the size of a mustard seed could move the "Mountain of the Lord" to act on our behalf in whatever situation we have need. So, instead of praying for the 'mountain of illness' to be removed; pray that the 'Mountain of Healing' would move on your behalf. Instead of praying for the mountain of debt to be removed; pray that the 'Mountain of Provision' move on your behalf! Instead of focusing on your problem, focus on God, who alone can bring aid and restoration to your life!
When I got up to lead worship, I decided to begin with the song that was actually 2nd on my list. I began to play and the words of the song were leaping off the page resonating with the word that had been taught. Each succeeding song led us higher and deeper in intimate worship and adoration of the Lord who is holy. In the end, I was leading the song, 'The Lord is Holy', and was overcome with the sense that I was in the middle of bright, clear Light. There was no one else, nothing else - just me in the middle, completely surrounded by this clear brightness. I could not sing. Tears were falling but I didn't feel like I was crying. I didn't want anything to stop, but I was afraid of what might happen next. It was truly an awesome, holy moment.
The comments that I received later about the worship time, were so very humbling and encouraging at the same time. The effect of hearts responding to the Word of God in sweet, honest worship was very powerful. Each one found their place before Him and they will never be the same.

To God be the glory
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
For the things He has done!

The Beauty of the Lord

(From my Garden)

Lamentations 3
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”

Psalm 16
11Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
in thy presence is fulness of joy;
at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Isaiah 26
3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
4 Trust in the Lord always,

for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

I am still basking in the events, effects and memories of yesterday. Sunday, April 6th was the 4th meeting of Redeeming Life Fellowship. I am not sure I can find the right words to justly convey all that transpired. I keep hearing the words of an old hymn ringing in my heart when I try to communicate the beauty of all that happened:

Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of his grace!

The name of Jesus charms our fears
And bids our sorrows cease,
Sings music in the sinner’s ears,
Brings life and health and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin;
He sets the prisoner free.
His blood can make the foulest clean;
His blood avails for me.

All week long, as I prepared music, I felt a rush of anticipation. There was something in the music I chose that made my heart want to run into glory! I was as so excited!
I wondered who would come. I wondered how and what they might share about their lives, their week, their relationship with God. I wondered how we might lift them up and encourage them; what would we be able to give them that would help them in the next week. I couldn't wait to see and pray with the leadership couples, joining together in anticipation with them - oh, how we love to prepare a place to welcome folks and make them feel loved!
All I can say, is that it was like there was an 'awesome', tangible, fragrant, sweet 'cloud' or 'river' that filled the entire room, enveloping each of the 38 people there and enveloping them all together! (We've grown from 11 to 38 in 4 weeks! There would be close to 50 people who are interested in coming consistently!)
Each testimony that was shared was beautifully honoring to God. Each verse that was shared perfectly fit. Jeff's message on "Seeking the Face of God" was delivered so tenderly and passionately. Every word was gratefully received and taken in deeply.
By the time we got to worship, every heart was fixed on God, alone, and His beautiful presence was undeniably there - felt by all. People were praying for one another all over the room. Others were partaking in communion. Some were crying, some standing with uplifted hands in deep worship - heart to heart - face to face with God. All were immersed in the light of His life, His goodness, His love, His healing, His encouragement, His forgiveness, His abundant grace! No one wanted to leave - "service" being over at noon, but most everyone staying until well after 1:00pm!
I wish there was some way you could see into our hearts! The leadership couples came to our home at 5:00pm for dinner and we delighted in the events of the morning over and over again. "To God be the glory for the things He has done!"
Oh how we love to share God with people! ! ! Oh how we love to love people! ! !
Oh how we look forward in anticipation for next Sunday! ! !
I wonder what it will be like?

Fulfillment of the Impossible

Blessed is she who believed,
for there will be a fulfillment of those things
which were told her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45

WOW! Mary's cousin, Elizabeth, who was also with child because of a miraculous pregnancy, makes a huge statement! Please allow me to give my own paraphrase:

"Blessed, happy, is she who believed, whose faith was set on the all good, loving, powerful God who does all things well; for all the impossible things that the Lord told her about being the mother of His Son, will actually come to pass ( because she has faith in Him)!"

The key to Mary seeing all these things come to pass, was that she believed!

Joyce Meyer's evening devotional last night said, in part:
"There is a gold mine of dreams, visions, abilities, and strength hidden in every life, but you have to dig to get to it. You must be willing to dig deep and go beyond how you feel or what is convenient. If you will dig down deep into the spirit, you will do greater things than anyone could ever imagine."

Its deep down in your spirit where you will 'hear' God. Its deep down in your spirit where you will find the faith to believe what He is saying to you. Its deep down in your spirit where you will find Him and everything He has put there for you to overcome your feelings of discouragement, weakness, depression, defeat. Its deep down in your spirit where you will find what it takes to endure even when things are not comfortable, easy or convenient. Its deep down in your spirit where you will see the dream and see it through to its fulfillment.
God is there, holding a myriad of 'Dreams', 'Impossible Possibilities' in one hand, and all the resources and strength for them to be fulfilled in the other.

People are filled with potential
often unrealized! --
Brian Housten, Hillsong Church

Let's dare to trust Him for greater things than we could ever dream or imagine!

Choosing the Impossible

'For nothing is impossible with God.
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant.

May everything You have said about me come true.”

And then the angel left her.' Luke 1:37,38

The context of these verses is found in the story where Gabriel, the angel, comes to Mary to announce that she has been chosen by God to mother His son, Emmanuel, whom we know as Jesus.
I am told that Mary was probably very young at this point in time. She was promised to a man named Joseph in an arrangement that was much more serious than our modern day 'engagement' to be married. She lived her life in such a way that God, Himself, noticed that her heart was genuinely expressive of her values and those values being matched with His. I have often wondered what it would have been like to know her and watch her live.
One thing I am certain she was not; and that was foolish. Because she feared God, and He obviously knew the reality of that in her heart, she had wisdom. She didn't make foolish or rash decisions. I am sure she would have taken time to consider all the factors before choosing which way to go in her life.
She is standing with Gabriel listening to the plan of God. God had chosen her to be impregnated with His seed, by the Holy Spirit, and has chosen her to be the mother of His own Son. Mary's response is incredible!

'I am the Lord’s servant.
May everything you have said about me come true.”
And then the angel left her.'

Mary would have known some of the big consequences that she would be facing under such an agreement. She knew that this would impact her family - bringing shame to her parents because of her seeming immoral and irresponsible behavior; her relationship with Joseph - who would be very angry when he finds out that she is pregnant with a child and not by him; her very life - she could have been stoned! And who is going to believe her when she says, "I am pregnant with the Son of God!" ?
Yet, because of her beautiful heart of love and confidence in the living God, and being reminded of His Sovereignty (ability to rule over all - making the impossible possible, accomplishing His will) she openly submits to Him and prays that everything He desires come to fulfillment in her life. She says, "Here I am God! Do all that You want to do with me. I trust You because I know that You are good!"
I had to wonder. How many times has God whispered something into my heart, placed a dream there that seemed impossible and I shrugged it off as just a dream? How many times has He desired to use me in His plan to do something that looked impossible at that moment and I shook my head and said, "No way that can happen! I'm not cut out for that job!" How many times has God desired to have my participation in something that had a number of very hard consequences related to it and I found the cost too great.
I'm sure there have been many, many times when I've missed an opportunity to join hands and hearts with God to do something that He was well able to accomplish, only because all I could see was what I didn't have, couldn't do, didn't want to experience and totally missed this 'impossible situation' as an opportunity for God to demonstrate that with Him, all things are possible!
I am challenged by this young girl's heart. Just because God wants me to be a part of His plan, doesn't mean that He's trusting in MY abilities or resources! No! He wants me to trust in HIS ability and resources to accomplish all that He wills to do.

'Lord, I am Your servant.

May everything You have said about me come true.”

Peace

During our outing on the Dungeness Spit today, Rebekah and I sat down on a huge log for a bit to take in the sights and sounds of the incredible beauty that surrounded us. Blues and whites were so very crisp and fresh in the brightness of the cloudless sky above us. Waves caressed the shore as rhythmically as a heart beat. The breeze felt like a whisper or a breath from the unseen.
As we sat, each with our own thoughts and reflections, my mind started on a journey. The feeling I had, at that moment, was a very familiar one and I realized that every time I find myself in the 'elements' - surrounded by Nature - I want to stay. I never want to leave no matter if I'm by the ocean, by a lake, by a river, in the forest or in a field - I LOVE to be there and the thought of leaving makes my heart ache.
When I am surrounded by Nature, I am surrounded by the handiwork of God. Everything He does is good, orderly, peaceful and permanent. Its not going anywhere; its not in a hurry to change; it doesn't put pressure on me for anything; it is constant. God's creation mirrors His very life and all that He is and when I am there, there is peace and confidence in my soul that all is well. All is in His care.
Then I thought, this is an encounter with God! I love to be here. I have read that the life pursuit of a few extraordinary people in history has been to take that experience and keep it with them on a moment by moment basis - in their everyday life. No matter what life looks like at any given point in time, their hearts will be found resting in the settledness of the goodness, the rightness, the peace of God. Their hearts would look at their circumstances and declare triumphantly, "What have I to fear? God can and will take care of it all!" - because He has promised that He will take care of all of His creation until the end of time - ALL of His creation! He will keep the seasons rotating like clockwork. He will keep the oceans in their boundaries. He will even feed the little birds, and give flowers their beauty, always. But, He also said that He loves us much more than everything else He created, and He will take care of us, always.
How easy it is to be distracted by the things that press us day to day. How easy it is to think that everything depends on us - our power, our resources, our strength - and forget Who is most powerful, most resourceful, most strong! We forget He sees the beginning from the end, and that He has a plan that far exceeds our wildest imaginings and that He is always at work on our behalf to bring good things into our lives!
I came away from the Spit with more desire than ever to watch for the evidence of His care for me; to wait in peace for His promises to come to light regardless of what any given moment presents. My encouragement to you today is, keep looking for His goodness, and when you find it, don't let go of it in your heart! Carry it with you always, and let it be a reminder of His good will for your life too!