Monday, November 30, 2009

Words of Wisdom (Part 2)

The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
and opens my understanding to his will.
Isaiah 50:4



In this passage we see the importance of spending time getting to know God.  We become closer to Him as we spend time in His Word, in prayer and contemplation, in fellowship with other believers, and in worship.  We can not know God nor understand His words of wisdom without spending time with Him.  We cannot discern His Will if we do not seek Him daily.  Our daily quiet times of seeking Him are not just for our own benefit - it is also for the benefit of others. 

As a teacher, I spend time preparing lessons so that I can find the best approach to take in teaching my students.  I think about what would work best in teaching a new concept.  I consider what types of difficulties or questions the students might have with the topic of study.  I plan how I can best communicate very technical terminology to my students by relating it to something they might already be familiar with.  I can't just walk into my Precalculus classes or Statistics classes and teach cold turkey - with no preparation at all.  I wouldn't have any forsight for trouble students might have with the material.  I wouldn't be prepared with alternative explanations if they don't understand.  I wouldn't have additional examples that drive home the concept.  I wouldn't be able to tie in the new material with past knowledge.  I wouldn't have a logical progression of concepts and examples that build upon one another.   I wouldn't have leading questions to help them connect the dots and draw correct conclusions on their own.  I simply wouldn't be as effective of a teacher if I didn't plan my lessons in advance.  I would be a disservice to my students.  It would be a disaster!

Let's translate this idea to the Christian walk.  If we are ill prepared as Christians, then how can we be ready to 'give a quick answer'?  If we don't seek God daily then how can we know His words of wisdom in order to comfort others?  If we don't know His words of wisdom and awaken to Him morning by morning, then how can we understand His will?  How could we confirm or communicate His will to others when we don't know it ourselves?  How can we tell others about Christ if we don't know why we believe what we believe?We can't just 'wing it'!  Our faith just doesn't work that way!  We must get to know our Lord.  Thouh our finite minds can not know every single thing about our INFINITE and GLORIOUS LORD, we can still come to KNOW Him and His will!

I love the idea that God awakens us morning by morning, opening our eyes to understanding His will.  I think of my sweet children as babies, soundly sleeping as the rays of dawn's first light peeked through their windows.  How excited I was to see their little eyes flicker open and be the recipient of their first smile of the day!  I loved swooping them into my arms, covering them with kisses.  I loved the feel of their little arms responding to me with tiny hugs.  I wonder if this is how our Lord feels about us.  How precious is the thought of Him expectantly waiting for us to wake each morning, patient to share with us the first cherished moments of the day!  How often do we respond in kind, delighted to share with Him our first smile, responding to Him in love? 

Morning by morning HE awakens you.  Make being with Him a priority in your day - for both your sake and for the sake of others.  Grace and peace, friends!

In His Love, Cathy

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Words of Wisdom (Part 1)

The Sovereign Lord gives me his words of wisdom
so that I know how to comfort others.
Morning by morning he awakens me and
opens my understanding to his will.
Isaiah 50:4

This verse was in the passage that I read this morning in my daily Bible reading.  I was struck by it's simple yet profound wisdom.  Each day is an opportunity for to know the Lord more and more.  We've all heard of the importance of having a daily quiet time.  However, I wonder if many of us miss the mark - seeing quiet time as our Christian duty, rushing through it so that we can check it off our to-do list.  Quiet time with God is also the first casualty of our busy schedules.  Somehow we think it's okay to shorten it or skip it altogether when our days are hectic.

The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race;
he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,if anyone seeks God.
Psalm 14:2 & Psalm 53:2   

God knows our hearts.  He knows our thoughts.  He knows our deepest secrets.  He even knows the number of hairs on our heads.  He knew us BEFORE we were born - BEFORE we were in our mother's womb.(Jeremiah 1:4-6) He knows us so intimately, but in comparison, we know so little about Him. But that is our own fault, not His.  He tells us of who He is in His Word.  He even sent His very own Son in a human body to show us who He is.  And though our finite minds cannot ascertain all of who He is, He has revealed who He is in terms we can understand and accept by faith.  All creation speaks to His glory!  He is a great and magnificent God yet we blow right on by Him in our day.  Seeing our time with Him as merely a speed bump slowing us down.  We reduce our time with him to no more than a check mark off our Christian to-do list.  We may read our Bible.  We may pray.  We may listen and sing along to Christian praise music.  We may go to church.  We may do all the things we think a good little Christian girl or boy should do.  But do we TRULY seek Him in our day each and every day?  Psalm 14:2 and 53:2 says that God looks down from heaven on the entire human race to see if ANYONE is truly wise - if ANYONE is seeking Him.  I wonder if He has to strain his eyes to find even one person who truly seeks Him?  Verse 3 of these passages seems to suggest that He does.

But no, all have turned away;

all have become corrupt.
No one does good,
not a single one!
Psalm 14:3 & 53:3

It's sad to say that we, God's children, tend to blow Him off at times.  We don't always take the time to truly seek Him.  We live each day as though our lives will continue the same way forever.  We 'notice' God but do we really stop to visit with Him in a meaningful way.  Or do we treat Him like our quirky relative that we dutifully visit at holidays - tolerating our time with Him until we can get away!  So often we approach His HOLY and MAGNIFICENT THRONE with a "GIMME" attitude.  Though He does want us to lay our requests before Him, He desires more of us than we often give!  He LOVES us so perfectly.  That fact, in and of itself, should be cause enough for our hearts to DESIRE HIM more than anything or anyone else!

And when we do make time for God, do we really listen? Amazingly, our quiet times aren't always so quiet - we end up doing all of the talking!  We can't seem to shut up long enough for God to get a word in edgewise!  No wonder we can't always understand what He's trying to tell us!  Our time with God should be a balance of quality and quantity.  We should make time to revel in His glory, adore Him, to get to know Him, to read His Word prayerfully, seeking Him, praying, worshipping, medititating, and then being still before Him.  Our time with God should be a two way conversation between a Father and His child.  But unlike children of this world, we need to listen and take to heart what our Father is telling us.  AND...our quiet time doesn't have to end when we get off of our knees.  We can "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) throughout our day.

Let me phrase it this way.  Do you remember how you felt when you first fell in love?  Do you remember how your thoughts centered on that person, almost to the point of obsession?  Do you remember how much love you felt for that person and how your heart flutterred at the very thought of him or her?  When you were apart, how much you missed him or her?  You just couldn't get enough of them.  Your life revolved around that person.  On a deeper, more spiritual level, we can be in love with our wonderful Lord!  He loves us so deeply and DESIRES US!  Our quiet time should be like spending time with someone we love!  Our alone time with God should be a result of our LOVE for Him - our desire for more of Him - our delighting in HIS company!  As a natural outflow of our love for the Lord, our thoughts become fixated on Him! We develope a healthy obsession of 'being in love' with Him!    

Only when we seek Him with our whole hearts will we hear and understand His words of wisdom.  He will open our understanding to His Will.  And that's a most marvelous thing!

In His Love, Cathy

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Lord, If You Are Willing...

When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 
Matthew 8:1-3

This passage beautifully illustrates the compassion of our Lord.  Though MULTITUDES pressed all around him, demanding of his time and attention, Jesus took time out to help this man afflicted with leprosy.  No doubt, out of the many people who were there, others were afflicted in some way or another, hoping to be cured by our Lord and Savior.  But Jesus paused, took valuable time out of his busy schedule to help THIS man - the man with a most uncurable and debilitating of diseases.  My heart was captured by the compassion expressed by Jesus in this moment.  Christ's compassionate love wasn't lost in the pressures of the world around Him.  In this act, we see a Savior reflecting the nature of His Father - loving the unlovable, healing the unhealable, touching the untouchable.  We see a compassionate God!
 
Leprosy was, and still is, a horrible disease.  It was the HIV of its time.  In most cases, there was no cure.  Once a person had this disease, they were exiled from their family, their home, and their town.  They were looked down upon as cursed.  They were despised by others. They had no hope.  But this man with leprosy dared the crowds.  This man dared to risk it all for the opportunity to fall on his knees and worship His Savior!  He asked for the impossible - to be made clean of the disease that had plagued him.  But he left the decision up to Jesus - "Lord, IF YOU are willing..."      Jesus' touching response - "I am willing; be cleansed!" 

We, too, have an incurable disease - it's called sin.  However, sin is far worse than any disease that we can contract. There is no worldly cure for this disease.  The only cure for sin is to come humbly before our Lord and ask for His forgiveness.  Each day we have an opportunity to fall on our knees before our Savior and worship Him, asking, "Lord, if you are willing.."  And if we are sincere and repentant, His response will always be "I am willing; be cleansed!"  In fact, He has already proven just how willing He is - by dying on the cross for our sins.  No matter what we have done, how bad it is, or how often we have done it - if we truly seek his forgivenes and turn away from our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us!

I wonder why Christ stopped to heal this man out of the multitudes who were there? I believe it had to do with this man's heart condition - his attitude of worship and his willingness to submit to God's will on the matter. This is the same attitude that we, too, should approach our Lord with. He has the cure for our disease, but is our heart condition ripe to receive His forgiveness? Are our hearts wholly surrendered to Him and truly repentant?
 
Look and see the compassion in his eyes calling out to you as you approach Him.  He desires you to come to Him.  Worship Him on bended knee asking, "Lord, if you are willing..."  He will answer!
 
In His Love, Cathy

Sunday, November 22, 2009

In Rivers of Difficulty

But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name, you are mine.
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...
Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored and I love you."
Isaiah 43:1-3a,4

Although God can remove the mountains if we just have the faith of a mustard seed, there are still times in our lives where we must go through rivers of difficulty.  As people of God, we are not immune to experiencing the troubles that this world brings.  In fact, because of Christ, the world hates us.  Therefore we should expect to face difficulties in this world.  In facing these deep waters, we have a choice to make.  We can either go it alone under our own strength or invite Christ to climb into the boat with us.  If we face these deep waters under our own strength, we most likely will drown.  If we invite Christ into the boat with us, He will protect us - giving the spiritual strength we need to overcome.  Christ protects us because He honors and loves us.  He will help us to survive the rivers of difficulty.  However, that doesn't mean that He'll necessarily remove those difficulties.  Nor does it mean that we won't have battle scars from the experience.  It simply means He will be there to help us through it AND if we rely upon Him, keep our faith, then He will bring us through spiritually intact and stronger than before!

Because God loves us and honors us, He will climb into that boat riding down the rivers of difficulty right along side of us.  But we must let Him navigate that river.  We must be patient, stay strong in our faith, never wavering, relying on His strength and guidance no matter the outcome.  He may choose to remove the mountain or lift us safely out of the river before we hit the rapids.  But then again, He may choose not to.  You see God's primary concern is our spiritual condition not our worldly condition.  Though He does not wish for us to suffer and cares deeply when we do, He knows that completely removing us from suffering renders a stagnant faith in us.  And if He did not spare His One and Only Son from suffering for our sakes, then who are we to think that we should be given a free pass?  He is our Heavenly Father who knows what is best because of His ETERNAL perspective.  And we, His spiritual children, aren't able to see much beyond our finite state.  Therefore, what we want and think as best often comes into conflict of what our Heavenly Father knows as best.  It's so difficult for us to trust in what we can not see, but we can and must trust in God in all circumstances! 

God can take the difficulties we face in life to grow us. Paul says that those who endure the rivers of difficulties come out stronger in the end.  In Romans 5:3-5, Paul writes:

  "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment, For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." 

We are to rejoice in these deep waters not because of the pain nor the trajedy, but because these bring opportunity for God build our faith and character.  God is not the source of these problems - we live in a fallen world, an imperfect world filled with sin.  But He can use these difficulties for the good of those who love Him and obey His commands!  He can help us to OVERCOME any difficulty life or Satan throws at us!  Why?  Because of His great love for us.  Did you notice the last verse in BOTH passages that were quoted above?  Go back and read Isaiah 43:4 and Romans 1:5 - the last sentence of both passages.  What do they both say about why God helps us through deep waters?  Because HE LOVES US!!!  We will never be disappointed in God if we truly trust in Him, remain faithful, and obey.  He is always with us as evidenced by the presence of HIS VERY OWN HOLY SPIRIT within us!!! 

Do not panic or fear in when you are in rivers of difficulty.  Know that your Savior has climbed in the boat with you.  Allow Him to steer and use these difficulties to make you stronger.  Be perserverant and endure in faith - that will build your character, which in turn, will deepen your trust and faith in our wonderful God!  He has a beautiful, ETERNAL future in store for you.  He promises to give you a hope and a future. 

When you are in rivers of difficulty, thank God for the opportunity to grow.  He will see you through the dangereous rapids no matter what - if you persevere and trust Him.  And even if you started off down the rivers of difficulty without Him, it's never too late to ask for His help.  Remember, He can walk across the raging waters to reach your boat.  Simply place your faith and trust in Him today!  He loves you so much that He traded the life of His very own Son - for you!
     
In His Love, Cathy

Friday, November 20, 2009

These are a Few of My Favorite...Commercials

THE NEWEST BASKIN ROBBINS ICE CREAM & CAKE COMMERCIAL - LOVE IT!




My Dirty Laundry made a guest appearance in this next commercial!


And the E-Trade Baby has nothing on these little dudes:

Have an awesome weekend!
In His Love, Cathy

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

A Mountain Moved

Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” 

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “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.
Matthew 17:19-20


Today a mountain was moved.  An impossible situation, one that we had been told unequivacably "No!" to, one that we had no way of controlling or influencing, was turned around 180 degrees.  We attempted to resolve this situation.  However, we got nowhere.  Though the situation seemed impossible, we continued to pray over it and its negative impact.  We surrendered ourselves to God's Will AND we gave this mountain over to Him.  We didn't allow it to dampen our faith and though it did impact our spirit, we continued to place our hope in God.  We knew that He would faithfully be with us as we dealt with life under the shadows of this mountain.

Then today, God showed us His goodness and mercy.  Out of the blue at the end of the day, the unexpected happened!  God cast this mountain aside!  It no longer cast its ugly shadow over us!  What a wonderful way to end the day!  God's way in answering this prayer was awesome indeed!  It was a HUGE blessing and wonderful surprise!  I love it when HIS plan comes together! 

Though we were stressed, I now know why we had to experience the shadow of that mountain.  God used the shadow of that mountain to grow us more into the image of His Son.  It was His teachable moment to us- an opportunity for spiritual growth.  It tested our faith and our obedience.  While in the mountain's shadow, we were reminded of our utter helplessness and dependence upon our wonderful, all powerful God.  We were reminded of HIS faithfulness to be with us always.  We prayed, we remained faithful, and we obeyed - even when the hardship made it difficult to do so - and it was so hard to be obedient in the shadow of this situation.  It was truly a struggle.  It was God's strength and power that got us through the shadow of that mountain.

But then, just like that, He removed the mountain.  And within its removal was another one of God's teachable moments.  When He removed that mountain, we were reminded that we can trust Him in all things big or small.  We were reminded that He does hear our voices and that our prayers for mercy do reach His ears(Psalm 116:1)!  We were reminded that He does still answers our prayers with awesome deeds(Psalm 65:5)!  And because of what He has done, I will tell others of His excellent greatness! 

My life is an example to many,
because you have been my strength and protection.
8 That is why I can never stop praising you;
I declare your glory all day long
Psalm 71:7-8

Today, a mountain moved!  Trust Him with your mountain today!

In His Love, Cathy

Monday, November 16, 2009

What is Your Egypt?

"“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,”
says the Lord.
“You make plans that are contrary to mine.
You make alliances not directed by my Spirit,
thus piling up your sins.
2 For without consulting me,
you have gone down to Egypt for help.
You have put your trust in Pharaoh’s protection.
You have tried to hide in his shade."
Isaiah 30:1-2



What is your Egypt?  What is it that you depend on more than God?  Is there someone in your life who you rely solely upon - depending on them to come through for you more than God? Perhaps your Egypt is money.  If you are wealthy, do you rely on your what your money can do for you more so than what God can do?  Wealth can enable you to generously further God's Kingdom and help others.  However, it must never displace God on the throne of our lives.  Or perhaps you have other types of money problems, living paycheck to paycheck.  Do you rely on God to help you or do you place your trust in credit cards, racking up debt up to your eyeballs?  Maybe you are unemployed and just struggling to survive.  In the depths of your struggle, it's hard not to worry about the money, but is that worry taking God's place in your life?  Or perhaps your Egypt is a bad habit or an addiction that you believe helps you make it through each day.  You are holding on so tightly because you don't think you can live without it or, even worse, quitting cold turkey on your own poses serious health risks. 

Whatever our Egypt is - a person or a thing - God will not allow it to take priority over Him.  We can be assured that He will deal with us about our Egypt. 

But by trusting Pharaoh, you will be humiliated,
and by depending on him, you will be disgraced.
4 For though his power extends to Zoan
\and his officials have arrived in Hanes,
5 all who trust in him will be ashamed.
He will not help you.
Instead, he will disgrace you.”
Isaiah 30:3-4

God is good.  But He is also a loving Father.  And like any loving Father, He must discipline His children when they get out of line.  When our dependence upon Him falters it's usually because our focus has shifted prmarily to the problem and off of God.  Our faith waivers and we search for tangible ways to resolve our problems instead of relying upon His higher ways.  We can't always see what His plans are.  We get impatient and we seek help elsewhere.  However, the world doesn't have the answers nor the help that we truly need.  Reliance upon worldly wisdom and help only leads us to a place of destruction.  Therefore, when we rely upon the world's help over God's, God may allow us to suffer the consequences of that decision.

Prayerfully ask God to reveal any Egypts in your life.  He's just waiting for you to come to Him - to show you His love and compassion.  But He won't force Himself on you.  Oh how He longs for  you to come willingly!

So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
So he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
Blessed are those who wait for his help.
Isaiah 30:18


In His Love, Cathy

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Waiting Quietly Before Him

You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always,
for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Isaiah 26:3-4

This is the verse I opened my Bible to a few morning ago.  I was struggling in my faith.  Wrestling God over something that I shouldn't have tried to hold on to.  I was afraid, fearing for the worst to happen instead of trusting God for the best.  I grappled with releasing this 'thing' to God all the previous night.  As I sat down on my patio swing to begin my Bible study, this verse came to mind.  I recited it.  Then I prayed it, claiming the promise found within it's words.  I knew I had to surrender to God on the matter.  My heart had to release it.  It was then as opened my Bible for my morning Bible Study that the words of the very verse I had just prayed appeared right in front of me.  It was embedded in the passage for my daily Bible reading.  Coincidence?  Not by a long shot.  God was gracious enough to show me that He was serious about keeping His promise and that I had to seriously trust Him.  It was a sign from a loving God who cares so deeply for us.  How could I resist a God like that?  Yet, I did.

Over the course of the next several days, things happened that would send me reeling back to the place where I wrestled with worry and fear.  And each time, my Savior met me there, reminding me that He was taking care of it all...He was still serious about His promise and I had to seriously trust Him.  Again, I awoke after a night of restless worry.  But again, our wonderful God revealed Himself to me during my quiet time.  In my morning devotion, I was reminded that  "The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need."  (Psalm 23:1)  We have no need to worry.  We have no need to fear.  For if the Lord is our Shepherd, we have ALL that we need.  No matter how much or little we have, no matter what we are going through, HE is all that we need.  So I prayed that promise.

But God had one more thing for me to know before I finally released 'it' to Him.  So as I grappled with worry once again, I awakened a third morning to another promise.  "I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken."  Psalm 62:1-2  God revealed to me my part in fulfilling His promise - to wait QUIETLY before Him.  Not only is my soul to be still and quiet, I am to wait BEFORE Him...not wait 'for'  or 'on' Him while He takes care of the problem, but BEFORE HIM!  Waiting BEFORE HIM, on my knees(literally and figuratively) in prayer and petition BEFORE Him!

On our knees, waiting quietly before Him is the place where we will never be shaken!  On our knees waiting quietly BEFORE our Rock and our Salvation is where the victory lies.  For it is on our knees before Him that we are made strong!  He is our unshakable fortress!  He is all that we need!  Fix your thoughts upon Him and He will keep you in perfect peace!  Wait quietly before Him today!

In His Love, Cathy

Thursday, November 12, 2009

A New Endeavor - A New Blog Site In the Works

Either because one blog site isn't enough to keep me busy or because I'm just plain crazy, I would like to announce the grand opening of the ROCK SOLID - DEVOTIONS 4 KIDS blog site.  This new site will be dedicated 100% to kids and their parents.

Here's where I need YOUR help.  I would like to hear suggestions, ideas and recommendations for this new blog site.  But before you do, go visit this new blog at http://rocksoliddevotions4kids.blogspot.com/ and read my introductory article.

By the way, thanks to my small groupers who planted the seed in my pea brain.  Ya'll are wonderful!

In His Love, Cathy

Genuine People

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Romans 12:10


I love hanging around people who are genuine - people who are real, who are down to earth, and who love God and others with a genuine love. To be around them is so refreshing and uplifting.

People who are genuine have no need to impress others. People who are genuine have no ulterior motives. People who are genuine don't put on airs nor are they arrogant. Genuine people are confident in who they are in Christ. Genuine people don't just act concerned about others, they ARE concerned about others. Genuine people are easy to talk to, are sought for their wisdom, and looked up to by others. People who are genuine are humble regardless of their success or position in life. Genuine people don't just talk what they believe, they live it!

When choosing friends, genuine people are the best kind of friend to have. That is why I am so blessed to not only have a husband who is genuine, but many, many friends who are genuine too.

Fakeness has no room in my life - I can see right through fake smiles and smooth words. In the words of Shania Twain - "That don't impress me much!" Cliques have no room in my life - if you don't want to be my friend because I'm not in your clique that's okay by me! I've got the 'bestest' friend anyone could have! Good ole boys have no room in my life - they usually end up in trouble sooner or later anyway! Who needs that? Not me!

Though I am to love all people as Christ does, and do try very hard to do so, I choose to surround myself with friends who are genuine. I need those in my life who can be honest with me. People with whom I can be completely open with. People whom I can trust and who can trust me. These are the people that I can be myself around, let my hair down, and relax. We are each others' encouragers. We are each others' help in times of trouble. We are each others' prayer warriors. We suffer together! We celebrate together! We are brothers and sisters together in Christ. We do life - together! That's what is so genuine!

I love hanging around genuine people. I guess that is why I love my church and church family so much!

Thank you, God, for the genuine people in my life! Help me to be genuine as well!

In His Love, Cathy

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Sing a New Song!

Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
Sing a new song of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
Psalm 33:2-4

Ever have those times in your life where nothing seems to be going your way? Those times have a way of bringing us down. It is during these tough times that overwhelming feelings of despair paralyze our faith. But we don't have to give in to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Instead, ask God to place a new song in your heart. Sing praises of thanksgiving to the One who can move the mountains in your life. Doing so helps us take the focus off of our problems and places our attention upward toward where it belongs. Our enemy delights when we allow problems to distract us from our relationship with God!

He has given me a new song to sing,a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see what he has done and be amazed.They will put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3

By trusting God in both the best and worst of times we accomplish two things. First, this places us in the best position possible in any problem we face. In the worst of storms, we can find solid, safe ground by trusting God. Secondly, by placing our trust in God, others will see His greatness in the midst of the storm and be amazed!

They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem.They will be radiant because of the Lord’s good gifts—the abundant crops of grain, new wine, and olive oil,and the healthy flocks and herds.Their life will be like a watered garden,and all their sorrows will be gone. Jeremiah 31:12

God can put a new song of joy in your heart! Don't let the problems of this world steal your hope and leave you in despair. Sing that new song today! Sing of His excellent greatness! Sing of our wonderful Savior who gives life! He loves to hear you sing!

And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll

and break its seals and open it.

For you were slaughtered,
and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
Revelation 5:8-10

In His Love, Cathy

Sunday, November 8, 2009

No Cash for a Clunker




In the fall of 1996, a new member was added to our little family of four. Our brand new Pymouth Voyager minivan was the answer to a stressed out mother's prayers. So, as we drove our newest family member home for the first time, my husband and I rejoiced. You see, our two children would each have their very own bench seat. No more fussing about someone sitting to close to the other person. Wonderful! In addition, as opposed to our other minivan which only had one back door, the new minivan had a back sliding door on BOTH sides. No more arguing and fighting over who was going to get out first! Brittany was assigned the door on the left side, since she was a lefty. Mathew was assigned the door on the right side. Ahhhh, how nice and pleasant travelling was once again. However, this peace was short-lived. Within a month of purchasing our new vehicle, we discovered that yet another addition to the family was on the way! Though joyous over the news of another little Denny being born into the clan, I knew that this would upset the balance of peace that had finally been achieved within the minivan. Oh, what to do?

Our Plymouth Voyager has been with us through thick and thin. In fact, I was involved in a head on collision when 6 months pregnant with Michael. I can never forget the image of the hood of the van completely flying off, up and over my head. I learned later that this was a designed safety feature. And miraculousy, the air bag did not deploy. Yes, I said that is was a miracle the driver's airbag did not deploy. I was told had it deployed, then I most likely would have lost the baby. God certainly protected little Brittany, little unborn Michael, and I within the confines of our lovely minivan. I guess that is why instead of totalling it, which many people suggested should be done, we decided to have it repaired.

Our Plymouth Voyager not only protected us, but was part of many special memories of our young family. It was the vehicle that transported our third child home after he was born. We also took our trusted minivan on so many road trips - vacations, holiday trips, & family visits. Oh the memories of lost french fries and spilled coke! Our trusted minivan has also hauled many a basketball team, soccer team, and cross country team.

One of our family's favorite memories occurred in the minivan. It was the Christmas of 1996. We had Christmas Eve dinner with Granny and Granddaddy. After dinner, we loaded up the minivan to travel back to our home to settle down for Santa's visit. Our oldest son, Mathew, decided that he was bored all by himself on his bench seat in the back and began to aggravate his sister. His reign of torture on Brittany began as soon as we began backing out of Granny & Granddaddy's driveway. Scott had threatened Mathew several times before we even got out of their neighborhood. By the time we were on Highway 90, Mathew was on thin ice, in fact, his ice was thawed and his goose was about to be cooked! He aggravated Brittany one time too many. Scott pulled over, got out of the van, entered the back of the van, and spanked Mathew. I felt like I was in the car scene from The Christmas Story. There was wailing and knashing of teeth. Then Scott calmly got back out and climbed back into the driver's seat. Then - we - saw -IT! A GIANT, NEON, SIGN flashing - "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!" We were parked right in front of Pace Assembly's Christmas Display! Scott had spanked Mathew underneath the warm glow of this sign of good will! Though still sniffling from his spanking, Mathew joined the rest of us as we laughed over the irony of the situation.

Yes, our minivan gave us many wonderful memories. It also has transported us from harms way during hurricane evacutations and it has weathered the worst of storms and survived with nothing more than some scratches. I watched as hurricane Dennis lifted up the minivan off the ground repetitively with it's strong winds. Yet our faithful minivan was ready to transport us home from the shelter when it was over.

But after 12+ faithful years of service, our tired Plymouth Voyager just couldn't go another mile. It tried it's best one day to get Scott home one last time. It's engine completely stopped about halfway up our street, just around the bend. Though it's engine had quit, our trusted minivan had enough heart to get Scott and Michael home...it coasted all the way down the street into our driveway.

We thought about repairing our trusted minivan, but realized that it's reliability has ended. We tried to trade it in for Cash for Clunkers, but it was rejected. We tried to sell it, cheap. But no one wanted it. We tried to give it away to relatives who knew someone who might fix it cheap, but they couldn't transport it back to their home 200 miles away. We considered donating it to charity to help someone in need, but the repair work is more than the vehicle is worth. So it has sat in our driveway, it's final resting place, since last summer.

So, this weekend, we have determined it's fate. We have decided to sell it for salvage...a whopping $60.

No cash for this beloved clunker!

In His Love, Cathy

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Clinging

Here am I, Lord,
Clinging to You once again.

The raging seas of this world
bashing against me.

The torrential rains of life
rising higher and higher.

But for You, I'd be swept away.

Here am I, Lord,
Clinging to You once again.

The hopes of dreams of my youth gone forever.

I strayed from your path in my younger days,
I searched for life's meaning elsewhere.

It almost lead me to ruin. But You
rescued me!

Here am I, Lord
Clinging to You once again.

I don't know what to do.
Life's unexpected turns have brought both
blessings and pain.

Others rely so much on me, yet I am
confused as well.

What am I to do? I don't know the answer!

I look for your counsel, yes,
You will show me the way!

Here am I, Lord,
Clinging to You once again.

My children's laughter is fading.
They've grown up so fast.

Have I done all I could?
Was I a good mother to them?

I worry about their futures and the choices they
must make.

I pray they will listen to us , their parents,
and not make our same mistakes!

May they have godly wisdom and
let you lead the way!

Here am I, Lord,
Clinging to You once again.

Our parents rely on us more,
our fathers' health fading fast.

Our mothers need our support now
more than ever before.

Give us the strength, Lord, and the wisdom we need!

Help us to take good care of those
who have taken such loving care of us.

Here am I, Lord,
Clinging to You once again.

As the storm around me worsens,
I am no longer afraid.

For I see You walking across the raging waters,
arms outstretched as they were on that day,
the day you stretched them out wide for all of humanity.

I grasp Your hand for dear life as You reach out to me!
Oh the feeling of Your nailed scarred hand in mine!
My heart can hardly contain the joy and peace I feel inside!

So, here am I, Lord,
Clinging to You once again.

In His Love, Cathy

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

His Word is ...Life!

How do you feel about reading the Bible? Is it something you do out of duty or habit? Is is something you do for 'good luck' or to find favor with God? Why do you read your Bible? Or do you?

I'm often surprised at the various reasons Believers read the Holy Bible. Some do so out of Christian duty and nothing more. Others do so thinking they get brownie points with God for doing so. Others read the Bible inconsistently and sporadically. I'm also often surprised at how Believers feel about reading it. On more than one occassion, I've heard Believers express how boring they find reading the Bible to be. To them, the content is dry and irrelevant to their lives. Others see it as a book that simply gives good advice on how to live. And others view the Bible as just another antiquated book of religious ideas, legends, or fairytales.

The HOLY Bible is God's written Word to mankind. It is not a human book written through ordinary means. It is in NO WAY boring nor is it irrelevant!

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16,17

The Bible is God-breathed meaning inspired by God. God's Holy Spirit revealed His message to certain Believers throughout the ages who wrote down this message for all mankind. God spoke to these writers and they wrote what God wanted written. Though each writer wrote in the context of their time, culture, and in their own writing style, God was ultimately the author. God was in control of the written message. Therefore, the Holy Bible is completely TRUSTWORTHY and full of TRUTH!

Now before we move on from this idea of God-breathed, writing it off as nothing but fantasy, let me share with you the awesome power that is unleashed when God 'breathes.'

  • When GOD 'BREATHED,' the Heavens & the earth were created: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth....And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said,..." (Read Genesis 1:1-19 for the complete description.)
  • When GOD 'BREATHED,' life was created: Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.” Genesis 1:20 AND Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened." Genesis 1:24
  • When GOD BREATHED, man was created from DUST! And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7
  • When GOD BREATHES during the tribulation, the TWO WITNESSES will be brought back to LIFE: But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them. Revelations 11:11
God's 'breath' is potent. And if the Holy Bible is GOD BREATHED shouldn't we place a high value on reading it? I mean, God's breathed life into Adam to create the first man and He continues to breath life into man through the HOLY BIBLE!!! That very same breath that gave life to man to begin with is still breathing life through Scripture. If this is the case, then how could we even begin to consider the Bible as BOR-RING? We are suffocating ourselves when we don't deeply inhale the breath of life that God provides! For it is the HOLY BIBLE that testifies to God's glory AND to our RISEN LORD, Jesus Christ!

We should have a deep desire for the Word of God. That desire should drive us to breathe deeply as we inhale the Truths found within it's pages. Reading for reading's sake, out of duty or habit, is simply taking shorter breaths. Shorter breaths don't help us when we are drowning in the sea of a world filled with evil and despair. No, when we open the pages of the Holy Bible, we need to have hearts that are ready to thoroughly soak in it's truths. As we prepare to read, we can pray for God to open our eyes to see and open our hearts to accept what lies in His sweet and precious words to us. Even the dryest passages come to life with meaning if we'd only ask God to give us fresh insight.

When we read the Holy Word of God, let us read with great expectation. Let us read with a heart ready to apply it's truths. Let us read it to change. Let us read it and then OBEY what God is telling us through it.

Reading the Bible isn't boring. If it is, then you might need to check your perspective and maybe even your relationship with God. The Holy Bible is HIS WORDS to a lost and dying world. It is HIS ENCOURAGEMENT for His people. It is HIS Love Story to us...a story of a righteous, patient, loving, and wonderful God and what He does for the love and salvation of mankind. Spend time pouring over it's pages. Spend time reading His Love Letter to you! Simply ask and He will give you a desire for His Word. His Word is LIFE!

In His Love, Cathy

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

It's Just Okay

From a post on my facebook wall...

Cathryn got a message that on this day, God wants her to know...
... that it's OK.


Just rest for a moment. It's OK. Yes, things are crazy, yes, the world is going nuts. Yet, deep underneath the stormy waves, there, in the core of your being, there is pure silence, pure love. And ... it's ... just ... OK.

And this is the message I want to share with you...that it's okay. You can let go. God has it under control.

He handled the creation of the universe without you, I know He can handle whatever it is you are struggling with. Let Him.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

In His Love, Cathy

Monday, November 2, 2009

Taming the Tongue: No Gossip Zone

Everyone loves a juicy story! Like flies drawn uncontrollably to light only to be zapped in the end, we are drawn into the decieving attractiveness of gossip. Everyone loves a good tale. But gossip is more than just a story. Gossip is the spreading of lies and rumors about someone. Gossip may be grounded in truth but with the flare of opinions and suppositions thrown in. Gossip destroys the reputations of others and tears people down. Gossip is very wrong and it is evil.

My sister owns a 5 star Salon and Spa. Because her business depends on providing clients with top notch service, she established it as a no gossip zone. Her number 1 rule to employees - NO GOSSIPING - period! Most of her employees follow this rule and it has lead to a positive work atmosphere and relationships. However, she did fire a young lady a little over a year ago because she broke this number 1 rule - repeatedly and in front of clients. My sister patiently worked with this young lady to help her overcome her nasty gossiping habit but to no avail. The young woman just couldn't resist the temptation and ended up losing her job due to her inability to tame her tongue.

We all know someone who is a gossip. This person always seems to have the scoop on everyone and their business. They may couch their gossip in feigned concern or sugar coat it to sound completely innocent, but it is gossip nonetheless. We must guard ourselves around such people and guard our ears and hearts from accepting gossip. Here's what Scripture has to say about those who gossip:

  • Gossips can't be trusted: A gossip goes around telling secrets,but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. Proverbs 11:13
  • Gossips are troublemakers and destroy relationships: A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;gossip separates the best of friends. Proverbs 16:38
  • A sinful heart desires gossip: Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;liars pay close attention to slander. Proverbs 17:4
  • Gossip is wicked: Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. Romans 1:29

The negative effects of gossiping impacts not only the person who is the topic of the gossip but also the gossiper.

  • Gossip spreads slander like wildfire - once out of one's mouth, it can't go back in: They visit me as if they were my friends,but all the while they gather gossip,and when they leave, they spread it everywhere. Psalm 41:6
  • People avoid gossips: A gossip goes around telling secrets,so don’t hang around with chatterers. Proverbs 20:19
  • Gossiping betrays and ruins reputations - even that of the gossiper: When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret. Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. Proverbs 29:9-19
  • Gossiping causes arguments & quarrels: Fire goes out without wood,and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. Proverbs 26:20

Though we may not consider ourselves a gossiper, it is just as easy for us to fall into gossip's trap. We may love a juicy morsel of gossip every now and then and think nothing of it! However, we must guard our ears, heart, and mouth against both receiving and bearing gossip. The Bible is very clear that we are to encourage one another and build up each other. (2 Corinthians 13:11) Gossip tears down and destroys. It has no place among us.

So here's a better way as outlined perfectly in His Word:

Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest,and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.

Such people will stand firm forever.

Psalm 15:2-9

In His Love, Cathy

Sunday, November 1, 2009

TAMING THE TONGUE: Why Be Truthful

Here's a post I wrote back in March but never posted. I thought it would be an easy post today since I had a migraine and am not up to much writing or anything else for that matter. 'Someone' didn't want me to post this today because the content was literally wiped out right as I was ready to post. Nice try, but that just made me mad. Tried to reconstruct the essence of the original post but not as good as the original - especially since I'm on meds this morning:-) Hope this message is a blessing. Now back to bed to sleep off this headache!

Ever had someone tell you a lie? How did it make you feel? Have you had others ever tell lies about you? Have you ever told a lie? As imperfect beings we have all been lied to, lied about, and even told lies.

Lies destroy trust. Lies damage relationships. Lies hurt. When Believers lie, it damages our testimony for Christ. Satan is the father of all lies. So when we lie, who are we reflecting? It certainly isn't Christ!

What about telling little white lies, you know, the ones that are told as to not hurt the feelings of others or to avoid confict? A lie is a lie, no matter how big or how small. Lying can take many forms and be of varing degrees. Lying is anything that deceives another - whether spoken or unspoken. Lying can include partial truth, half-truths, withholding information, cheating, a broken promise, dodging questions, keeping silent on an issue that you should speak out on, or keeping a damaging secret.

There is nothing good about lying. There are numerous verses that describes those who lie:

  • Lies reveal a wicked heart: The wicked conceive evil;they are pregnant with troubleand give birth to lies. Psalm 7:14
  • Lies reveal a heart that isn't right with God: You love evil more than goodand lies more than truth. Psalm 52:2
  • Lies destroy others: All day long you plot destruction.Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;you’re an expert at telling lies. Psalm 52:2

Now let's what Scriptures says about God's perspective on lying.

  • God hates a liar: There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. Proverbs 6:16-20

Did you notice out of all the sins listed, how lying is listed TWICE in Proverbs 6:16-20? Not only that, the first time it's mentioned in this passage it is named right beside MURDER! God is also very clear on the consequences of lying:

  • God will destroy liars: You will destroy those who tell lies.The Lord detests murderers and deceivers. Psalm 5:6

Notice again lying is mentioned right beside murder! Maybe this is an indication of just how much God absolutely HATES lies!

So, why be truthful? Truth is good medicine. Truth is life giving and sustaining. Truth builds trust in relationships. Truth gives credibility in our testimony for Jesus Christ. Although being truthful can be tough at times, the alternative is much worse. Let me share with you some of the benefits of being truthful according to Scripture:

  • Being truthful yields a right relationship with God and with others: Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? 2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Psalm 15:1-3
  • God is close to those who love Truth: The Lord is close to all who call on him,yes, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18
  • Truth stands the test of time, lies don't: Truthful words stand the test of time,but lies are soon exposed. Proverbs 12:19
  • The Lord delights in those who are truthful: The Lord detests lying lips,but he delights in those who tell the truth. Proverbs 22:22

Though we are not always perfect at being truthful, we can ask God to forgive us and help us to walk in Truth. His mercy and forgiveness know no bounds. Make it your goal to be truthful. Resist the urge to tell even the littlest white lie, even if it is being told to avoid hurting someone's feelings. On the flip side, sometimes bluntness is to be avoided as well. There is a fine line between being blunt, speaking your opinion , and speaking TRUTH in LOVE. Ask God to deal with you if you are struggling with being truthful. He can help.

Grace and peace, friends!