As created beings we already belong to God. He created mankind, but He created him with a freewill. Because of freewill, a choice was made to sin against a Holy God. The Holy God loves His creation and presented a plan for man to follow. But just a short time after that plan was initiated, rebellion lead to jealousy, which lead to murder.
Rebellion is the will making a choice not to follow the rules or laws. God's creation follows specific laws of physics to keep on track. The universe follows a pattern of divine design that man has tried for many decays to explain away so as not to have to trust the Unseen One. Because of this rebellion, God often allows depression, the sinking of oneself into oneself, to take place. This allows God the opportunity to recapture man's AWE.
As a youth, I began to question man's theory of the universe. I could not rationalize how something could come from nothing and then become what I saw all around me. The theory of evolution made NO sense. So, I chose to believe that there was a God. I had been raised in church, but I had to choose what to believe. That choice being made, I then had to know how to respond to Him. At seventeen I found that I could have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ and have not been without His presence in my live.
Depression is the "Alone place." I truly thought I was all alone. I have since learned, those are the times God was carrying me. He never left me. I just wasn't looking for HIM.
Psalm 107 Follows a pattern of thanks, praise, rebellion and prayer. This pattern, I have found is what leads to my depressions. I thank and praise then I rebel and God has to take me into the "darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron." (verse 7) "He brought me down with labour." It is then, I cry out to God, my Creator, and He brings me out to view His glory once more.
Psalm 107:17-20 "Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction."
It was during one of those times, that a precious friend of mine, began reminding me that the Christian life is not about living at all, but about dying. Dying to self and selfish desires and living as a daily sacrifice for God, broken and spilled out before Him in all we do. She would remind me every time we saw each other at church. She would even call me randomly at 4 A.M. to ask if I had died today then hang up the phone. As I look back I remember how furious that made me. But what she did truly helped me to grow in my desire to die to self and surrender to Him. He knows my needs. He will supply. He will carry me. He will never leave me. BECAUSE...........HE LOVES ME!!!
Psalm 107:43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
Ponder This
When was the last time you were awestruck? Caught up by something that stopped your breath, raced your heart and caused your mind to soar heavenward in praise to God. We really aren't having many of those experiences anymore. We have replaced the truly awe inspiring moments with thrill seeking adrenaline rushes. When the thrill is over, we feel empty and disillusioned.
In days gone by, when people needed recreation or entertainment, they would escape to nature. They would feast their senses on God's creation. They would bask in the power of the Almighty, become overwhelmed with the Wonder of His Glory and return home eager to share their joy with others through their labor for Him.
In this generation, men seek different thrills. Things like television, video games, computer, even the talents God gave to man to exhibit His glory, are being viewed as awe inspiring. Satan has blinded man since the beginning of time with the illusion that what God provides to hold his wonder is not enough. He has clouded man's mind and obscured his view of God. This allows man to believe his on creations are worthy of awe.
I remember the day God began conditioning me to view His glory in His handiwork. It was a few days after Hannah was born. I began to notice the hands of the people that held her. Some of the fingers were smooth and straight, while others, were bent wrinkled and swollen with arthritis. Some of the nails were polished and well kept, others were stained and short indicating work of some kind. In my journal I noted many of the characteristics of those hands. We will examine some of those characteristics and begin the process of returning our awe to the ONLY AWE INSPIRING ONE.
Layers of self must be removed before one can return one's mind to God. We will never be finished with this peeling, as I call it, until we get to Glory, but the process must begin somewhere. Removing the layer of frustration over circumstances is first. One must begin to see the circumstance as something to learn from. God knows what He is doing and will allow us to rest in Him IF we are willing.
After giving birth my senses were on overdrive. I heard every move that tiny baby made, even from the other room. Well, maybe not every move, but she had a powerful set of lungs. They let me know any time she needed me and like a dutiful first time mom, I checked on her every few minutes just to make sure she was still breathing.
During those first few days, Hannah was held by many visitors. She was blessed with five grandmothers and countless family members. I was a stay at home mom and I loved showing her off. As visitors held my precious, I focused on their every move, especially the grandmothers. I wanted to know what they knew. All of them had raised at least one child. They had all been teaching me my whole life. I wasn't about to let those moments pass. Then I began to notice their hands. The oldest, the ones with the wrinkled skin and knobbed knuckles, were the most curious to me. Those were the ones who had spent many years of their lives tending and nurturing others.
Because of heightened senses, during early motherhood, I had a very difficult time sleeping. Whether Hannah woke me up or not, it seemed I could never get a full night's rest. I allowed lack of sleep to raise my temper. I couldn't continue to fume, so I began praying God would condition me for this task. Along this time, I began to study a few Psalms that God would use to help me deal with the everyday duties of motherhood. One of those was Psalm 4. I titled it my "Rest" chapter. It contains a formula for dealing with frustration that I have used time and time again.
vs. 1-Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress, have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
The first step to dealing with frustration over circumstances is prayer. Our relationship with the Father began with prayer. The most beautiful aspect of my elders hands was the fact I knew they folded them everyday in prayer. Calling out to God about my frustration and asking Him to free me from the hemmed in place and to enlarge me or make me able to tolerate more with less sleep became a daily practice. I wanted His mercy and I wanted Him to hear my prayer. All of this was unfolded for me from this verse as I gnawed on the words and began to disgust their meaning. You might say I started the process of pondering at this time. Pondering isn't just thinking. It involves deep, careful, even prayful consideration. It is a type of thinking that returns your mind to awe and wander. You begin to realize you are powerless, that the Almighty has the plan, pattern and purpose for your life and He alone will provide for your every need, including sleep.
vs. 2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
The second step to dealing with frustration is realizing selfishness and eliminating it. The dutiful hands of the grandmothers taught faithfulness in hardships. One tended to a sick husband for seventeen years. One prepared meals for 3 households daily due to extended family illnesses. One did needle work and gifted often to extend hospitality and graciousness and all mended and tended gardens, canning and putting back for the harsh winters to come.
I began to realize I was making some choices that were robbing me of sleep. Drinking too much caffeine, watching too much television, staying up late after Hannah was asleep so I could have "my time."
vs. 3-4 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: The Lord will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
It was time I learned the art of being still........What? None of my elders hands were ever still, yet their was a steel like quality to them. They were strong enough to roof houses, lay bricks, stock shelves, but gentle enough to cradle a newborn with such graceful motion. I learned that being still in spirit is the third step to dealing with frustration. I learned many hand art from the hands of my elders. I was always amazed at how those weathered hands could produce the most beautiful things, from quilts, to crocheted doilies, to clothes, and even furniture. I began to learn that watching television or reading novels did not produce a still spirit. But I did find it in the hand arts and daily chores. I became awestruck many times in the process. A still, quiet spirit allows the soul to see God in everything.
vs. 5-7 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the Lord. There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of they countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
The final step to dealing with frustration is not to compare your situation to someone else. You might say, "Thou shalt not to covet."
I Thess. 4:11 became a daily reminder. "And that you study to be quiet and do your own busy and work with your own hands as we commanded you."
What God was doing in my life was about me, not my friend who had children who slept through the night from day one. It was about what He was conditioning me to do for Him and for His glory. All of my circumstances were for my good, as Romans 8:28 states. If He has the plan, pattern and purpose for my life then lack of sleep must be part of that plan. I would learn how to refuse the temptation to compare myself to someone else and ask God for the rest He knew I needed.
vs. 8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Becoming awestruck offers the soul a jolt, a restart, a renewed genesis if you will, a place to ponder.
May I ask-- Have you been awestruck lately and what do you ponder?
In days gone by, when people needed recreation or entertainment, they would escape to nature. They would feast their senses on God's creation. They would bask in the power of the Almighty, become overwhelmed with the Wonder of His Glory and return home eager to share their joy with others through their labor for Him.
In this generation, men seek different thrills. Things like television, video games, computer, even the talents God gave to man to exhibit His glory, are being viewed as awe inspiring. Satan has blinded man since the beginning of time with the illusion that what God provides to hold his wonder is not enough. He has clouded man's mind and obscured his view of God. This allows man to believe his on creations are worthy of awe.
I remember the day God began conditioning me to view His glory in His handiwork. It was a few days after Hannah was born. I began to notice the hands of the people that held her. Some of the fingers were smooth and straight, while others, were bent wrinkled and swollen with arthritis. Some of the nails were polished and well kept, others were stained and short indicating work of some kind. In my journal I noted many of the characteristics of those hands. We will examine some of those characteristics and begin the process of returning our awe to the ONLY AWE INSPIRING ONE.
Layers of self must be removed before one can return one's mind to God. We will never be finished with this peeling, as I call it, until we get to Glory, but the process must begin somewhere. Removing the layer of frustration over circumstances is first. One must begin to see the circumstance as something to learn from. God knows what He is doing and will allow us to rest in Him IF we are willing.
After giving birth my senses were on overdrive. I heard every move that tiny baby made, even from the other room. Well, maybe not every move, but she had a powerful set of lungs. They let me know any time she needed me and like a dutiful first time mom, I checked on her every few minutes just to make sure she was still breathing.
During those first few days, Hannah was held by many visitors. She was blessed with five grandmothers and countless family members. I was a stay at home mom and I loved showing her off. As visitors held my precious, I focused on their every move, especially the grandmothers. I wanted to know what they knew. All of them had raised at least one child. They had all been teaching me my whole life. I wasn't about to let those moments pass. Then I began to notice their hands. The oldest, the ones with the wrinkled skin and knobbed knuckles, were the most curious to me. Those were the ones who had spent many years of their lives tending and nurturing others.
Because of heightened senses, during early motherhood, I had a very difficult time sleeping. Whether Hannah woke me up or not, it seemed I could never get a full night's rest. I allowed lack of sleep to raise my temper. I couldn't continue to fume, so I began praying God would condition me for this task. Along this time, I began to study a few Psalms that God would use to help me deal with the everyday duties of motherhood. One of those was Psalm 4. I titled it my "Rest" chapter. It contains a formula for dealing with frustration that I have used time and time again.
vs. 1-Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress, have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
The first step to dealing with frustration over circumstances is prayer. Our relationship with the Father began with prayer. The most beautiful aspect of my elders hands was the fact I knew they folded them everyday in prayer. Calling out to God about my frustration and asking Him to free me from the hemmed in place and to enlarge me or make me able to tolerate more with less sleep became a daily practice. I wanted His mercy and I wanted Him to hear my prayer. All of this was unfolded for me from this verse as I gnawed on the words and began to disgust their meaning. You might say I started the process of pondering at this time. Pondering isn't just thinking. It involves deep, careful, even prayful consideration. It is a type of thinking that returns your mind to awe and wander. You begin to realize you are powerless, that the Almighty has the plan, pattern and purpose for your life and He alone will provide for your every need, including sleep.
vs. 2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
The second step to dealing with frustration is realizing selfishness and eliminating it. The dutiful hands of the grandmothers taught faithfulness in hardships. One tended to a sick husband for seventeen years. One prepared meals for 3 households daily due to extended family illnesses. One did needle work and gifted often to extend hospitality and graciousness and all mended and tended gardens, canning and putting back for the harsh winters to come.
I began to realize I was making some choices that were robbing me of sleep. Drinking too much caffeine, watching too much television, staying up late after Hannah was asleep so I could have "my time."
vs. 3-4 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: The Lord will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
It was time I learned the art of being still........What? None of my elders hands were ever still, yet their was a steel like quality to them. They were strong enough to roof houses, lay bricks, stock shelves, but gentle enough to cradle a newborn with such graceful motion. I learned that being still in spirit is the third step to dealing with frustration. I learned many hand art from the hands of my elders. I was always amazed at how those weathered hands could produce the most beautiful things, from quilts, to crocheted doilies, to clothes, and even furniture. I began to learn that watching television or reading novels did not produce a still spirit. But I did find it in the hand arts and daily chores. I became awestruck many times in the process. A still, quiet spirit allows the soul to see God in everything.
vs. 5-7 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the Lord. There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of they countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
The final step to dealing with frustration is not to compare your situation to someone else. You might say, "Thou shalt not to covet."
I Thess. 4:11 became a daily reminder. "And that you study to be quiet and do your own busy and work with your own hands as we commanded you."
What God was doing in my life was about me, not my friend who had children who slept through the night from day one. It was about what He was conditioning me to do for Him and for His glory. All of my circumstances were for my good, as Romans 8:28 states. If He has the plan, pattern and purpose for my life then lack of sleep must be part of that plan. I would learn how to refuse the temptation to compare myself to someone else and ask God for the rest He knew I needed.
vs. 8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Becoming awestruck offers the soul a jolt, a restart, a renewed genesis if you will, a place to ponder.
May I ask-- Have you been awestruck lately and what do you ponder?
Monday, April 29, 2013
His Peace
Peace of mind and soul is what we strive for daily. We pray for it, yet it seems the heavens are as brass. We work for it, only to find we are too tired to recognize it. What is real peace? How do we loose it? How do we find it again? Maybe a little digging in the Word will make it possible for us to regain what we "feel" we have lost.
First of all, Galatians 5:22-23 list peace as the third fruit of the Spirit. Romans 5:1 says, we can have peace with God only through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, the first step to real peace of mind and soul is a personal relationship with God by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and living for him as Lord.
Secondly, in John 14:27 Jesus states he would leave us his peace. Not the kind of peace the world can give, which is based only on feelings and good experiences, but his own peace. A peace that believes in the good of an eternal outcome regardless of the circumstances. A peace that knows the love of the Father and believes he is working all things for our good and his glory. A peace that understands the eternal value of difficult times.
Read Mark 4:35-41
Picture the scene. The sea is stirring in such a way that avid seamen are terrified they are going to die, while Jesus, the Creator of the storm, is peacefully asleep in the bottom of the boat. His peace allows him to know that all is well and will continue to be well for all eternity no matter what the circumstances may be on earth. He views the eternal value of the wind, rain and thunder not the finite, earthbound, time limited nature of things.
Note what Jesus says in verse 39 of Mark chapter 4: "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" Herein lies the key to discovering why we have little peace during the storm. We allow our minds to race with thoughts of how to row out of our own raging seas, instead of resting in the Creator of them. Just as Jesus spoke the words, "Peace be still," to the troubled seas, he wants to speak the same words to your troubled soul. To hear him, you need only to choose to view him as the Sovereign and believe he is the Lord of all your circumstances.
Psalm 4:4 "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still."
Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
Now, read Psalm 46:11 "The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge."
Of all the patriarchs, why did God allow Jacob to be mentioned here? I believe it is because Jacob was a wrestler with God. Jacob had great difficulty finding peace with God because he sought ways to maneuver around difficult circumstances, often choosing to be deceitful. Lying is the sin that causes us to believe we have the power to manipulate our way around God's plan. We loose fellowship with God, thus loosing our peace with him.
We must stop allowing ourselves to be agitated and disturbed by our circumstances. We cannot allow ourselves to be fearful, intimidated and unsettled. We must choose to walk by faith, in true obedience to God's Holy Word and allow him to fill us daily with his peace so we can walk in peace of mind and soul.
First of all, Galatians 5:22-23 list peace as the third fruit of the Spirit. Romans 5:1 says, we can have peace with God only through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, the first step to real peace of mind and soul is a personal relationship with God by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and living for him as Lord.
Secondly, in John 14:27 Jesus states he would leave us his peace. Not the kind of peace the world can give, which is based only on feelings and good experiences, but his own peace. A peace that believes in the good of an eternal outcome regardless of the circumstances. A peace that knows the love of the Father and believes he is working all things for our good and his glory. A peace that understands the eternal value of difficult times.
Read Mark 4:35-41
Picture the scene. The sea is stirring in such a way that avid seamen are terrified they are going to die, while Jesus, the Creator of the storm, is peacefully asleep in the bottom of the boat. His peace allows him to know that all is well and will continue to be well for all eternity no matter what the circumstances may be on earth. He views the eternal value of the wind, rain and thunder not the finite, earthbound, time limited nature of things.
Note what Jesus says in verse 39 of Mark chapter 4: "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" Herein lies the key to discovering why we have little peace during the storm. We allow our minds to race with thoughts of how to row out of our own raging seas, instead of resting in the Creator of them. Just as Jesus spoke the words, "Peace be still," to the troubled seas, he wants to speak the same words to your troubled soul. To hear him, you need only to choose to view him as the Sovereign and believe he is the Lord of all your circumstances.
Psalm 4:4 "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still."
Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
Now, read Psalm 46:11 "The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge."
Of all the patriarchs, why did God allow Jacob to be mentioned here? I believe it is because Jacob was a wrestler with God. Jacob had great difficulty finding peace with God because he sought ways to maneuver around difficult circumstances, often choosing to be deceitful. Lying is the sin that causes us to believe we have the power to manipulate our way around God's plan. We loose fellowship with God, thus loosing our peace with him.
We must stop allowing ourselves to be agitated and disturbed by our circumstances. We cannot allow ourselves to be fearful, intimidated and unsettled. We must choose to walk by faith, in true obedience to God's Holy Word and allow him to fill us daily with his peace so we can walk in peace of mind and soul.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Friday, September 21, 2012
Make Me Wholly Thine
My husband and I spent some time with some young Christians. As we chatted about how we all came to Christ, the young lady relayed how that although she had never attended church, and she didn't know Christ as Savior, when she and her husband relocated she wanted to make sure they found a good church. It was important to her! She was driven to make this request known to him. Shortly after their move, they both came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. As we were talking, her husband responded with, "I think that is so awesome." We continued to discuss how God woos us to himself.
Every person is precious to God! He wants a relationship with every one. We are all loved as if we are the only one, and that is possible ALL because of JESUS. It is only through him that we can have a personal relationship with the Holy Father. He created us to be wholly his. He reveals himself to each one of us in his time and then leaves the yielding up to us.
Ephesians 1:18 "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints."
This verse says that God owns it all and he is willing to share it all with us. It is also declaring, if we take hold of the hope that is only offered in him, he will open our hearts and lifes to receive blessings beyond belief! He will give us power to be able to love others as he loves, to live with joy in the mist of trails, to be at peace in the mist of tumult.
Ephesians 1:19 "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power."
Do you realize God has chosen you to be set apart so he can extend to you his power? He wants to possess you and own you, so he can bless you in love and grace and peace!
WOW! What a Savior!
He wants you to live in fullness of joy through your relationship with him, knowing that all events are under his control and he is not allowing anything to happen to you that is not part of his wonderful plan for you. He will give you his power to be more than a conqueror!
Ephesians 1:20-23. "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
Remember, Jesus is God's only begotten Son (John 3:16). He came to suffer, bleed, and die. BUT...
The same power that raised Christ from the died is the same power that God extends to us to live in daily. It is that power that fills everything everywhere with Himself. We have that power! We are the set apart ones, his precious ones.
Thank you Lord for the privilege of being yours. Please help me to be fully yours. Completely surrendered for your use. Yielded to you. Settled in you and on you. Bless your Holy name. Your grace is sufficient. Your mercy endures. I love you, Lord! Help me to serve you with a willing heart, because you loved me first and wooed me to yourself for your service. Help me to be wholly Thine. In the name of my Savior, Christ Jesus. AMEN!
Every person is precious to God! He wants a relationship with every one. We are all loved as if we are the only one, and that is possible ALL because of JESUS. It is only through him that we can have a personal relationship with the Holy Father. He created us to be wholly his. He reveals himself to each one of us in his time and then leaves the yielding up to us.
Ephesians 1:18 "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints."
This verse says that God owns it all and he is willing to share it all with us. It is also declaring, if we take hold of the hope that is only offered in him, he will open our hearts and lifes to receive blessings beyond belief! He will give us power to be able to love others as he loves, to live with joy in the mist of trails, to be at peace in the mist of tumult.
Ephesians 1:19 "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power."
Do you realize God has chosen you to be set apart so he can extend to you his power? He wants to possess you and own you, so he can bless you in love and grace and peace!
WOW! What a Savior!
He wants you to live in fullness of joy through your relationship with him, knowing that all events are under his control and he is not allowing anything to happen to you that is not part of his wonderful plan for you. He will give you his power to be more than a conqueror!
Ephesians 1:20-23. "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
Remember, Jesus is God's only begotten Son (John 3:16). He came to suffer, bleed, and die. BUT...
The same power that raised Christ from the died is the same power that God extends to us to live in daily. It is that power that fills everything everywhere with Himself. We have that power! We are the set apart ones, his precious ones.
Thank you Lord for the privilege of being yours. Please help me to be fully yours. Completely surrendered for your use. Yielded to you. Settled in you and on you. Bless your Holy name. Your grace is sufficient. Your mercy endures. I love you, Lord! Help me to serve you with a willing heart, because you loved me first and wooed me to yourself for your service. Help me to be wholly Thine. In the name of my Savior, Christ Jesus. AMEN!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Needy Peep
Have you ever observed a hen settle over her chicks?
Mother hen has a dozen or so peeps scattered several feet from her. A hawk's shadow is spotted gliding across the ground. Mother hen cackles loudly! Her chicks race to her from all sides. She shakes herself violently, ruffling all her wing, breast and tail feathers, each pinion standing straight out. The peeps run headlong, right into their mother, disappearing from view. She rustles her full frame down over her brood. When all danger is gone, she will quietly cluck the all clear and her peeps reappear one or two at a time, continuing to peck the ground for grubs.
Do you get the picture?
That mother hen will settle in over her chicks several times a day. She will even give her own live with her little ones nestled safely inside her downy feathers.
Not all chickens react to fearful situations like this. Some will run and cackle loudly in a panic. Those hens do not make good mothers. They are too concerned for their own safety to care about the needs of others.
I have seen both kinds of hens in action. You see, when our children were little, we raised several broods of bantam chicks. We ordered our first lot of 25 from a hatchery and the box of peeps were delivered through the U.S. mail. We kept them under a warm lamp and watched them grow into a variety of hens and roosters. (I'll blog about what we learned.)
Those chickens not only provided valuable instruction to our children, God used them to illustrate scripture to me.
Psalm 17:8 "Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of they wings."
Psalm 91:4 "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
God SETTLES down over me like that mother hen and SETTLES me!
Webster defines settle as: putting in order, to set in place firmly or comfortably, to free the nerves from disturbance, to decide, to become more stable, to reach an agreement or decision.
As I studied the hen and her chicks, I saw how God has settled over me. Psalms says his word is settled in heaven. It is resolved never to change and his promises are true. Isaiah 12 says God is my salvation, therefore my salvation is settled. Those things are in order, established by an eternal God who will never change.
Running to him, hiding in his word, has labled me a weak, crutch needing, dependent female, to which I say, "AMEN!" It is when I am weak, that his strength is perfect. When I am nestled under his wings, he frees my nerves from disturbance, gives me direction, helps me rely on his stablity. So, just call me a "Needy Peep."
Mother hen has a dozen or so peeps scattered several feet from her. A hawk's shadow is spotted gliding across the ground. Mother hen cackles loudly! Her chicks race to her from all sides. She shakes herself violently, ruffling all her wing, breast and tail feathers, each pinion standing straight out. The peeps run headlong, right into their mother, disappearing from view. She rustles her full frame down over her brood. When all danger is gone, she will quietly cluck the all clear and her peeps reappear one or two at a time, continuing to peck the ground for grubs.
Do you get the picture?
That mother hen will settle in over her chicks several times a day. She will even give her own live with her little ones nestled safely inside her downy feathers.
Not all chickens react to fearful situations like this. Some will run and cackle loudly in a panic. Those hens do not make good mothers. They are too concerned for their own safety to care about the needs of others.
I have seen both kinds of hens in action. You see, when our children were little, we raised several broods of bantam chicks. We ordered our first lot of 25 from a hatchery and the box of peeps were delivered through the U.S. mail. We kept them under a warm lamp and watched them grow into a variety of hens and roosters. (I'll blog about what we learned.)
Those chickens not only provided valuable instruction to our children, God used them to illustrate scripture to me.
Psalm 17:8 "Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of they wings."
Psalm 91:4 "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
God SETTLES down over me like that mother hen and SETTLES me!
Webster defines settle as: putting in order, to set in place firmly or comfortably, to free the nerves from disturbance, to decide, to become more stable, to reach an agreement or decision.
As I studied the hen and her chicks, I saw how God has settled over me. Psalms says his word is settled in heaven. It is resolved never to change and his promises are true. Isaiah 12 says God is my salvation, therefore my salvation is settled. Those things are in order, established by an eternal God who will never change.
Running to him, hiding in his word, has labled me a weak, crutch needing, dependent female, to which I say, "AMEN!" It is when I am weak, that his strength is perfect. When I am nestled under his wings, he frees my nerves from disturbance, gives me direction, helps me rely on his stablity. So, just call me a "Needy Peep."
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Settle Me!
When our children were small, we lived on a granite mountain on about two acres of land. For the first three years or so, there were no fences in the yard. The house sat far enough back from the road, I could put my little ones in the back yard and watch them from the kitchen window. I had trained our daughter Hannah not to wander passed a certain tree. When I tried to do this same thing with Noah, he didn't take to it. He would amble on adventures beyond the bounds.
One morning I put them both outside and went back inside to start a load of laundry. A few minutes later I returned to find Hannah pretty much where I had left her, but Noah was no where to be found.
I ran frantically around the yard looking, when I spotted him just feet from the road. I wanted to run straight for him, but he loved a good game of chase. I knew if I tried this he would run right into the busy road. As I took my first steps toward him, I prayed for help. He didn't notice me following him. As I closed in on him, he heard the rocks under my feet and turned to look. I took a deep breath. We made eye contact and I reached out my hands for him. He smiled and turned to run away from me. I yelled, "NO!" He was startled and turned back toward me. At that moment I scooped him up and carried him back into the house crying and praising God that he was safe. Just a few days later a six foot tall, chain link fence was put up in our yard.
Scripture says fear hath torment. Watching your children do things you know could hurt them is the most tormenting experience for a mother. There are some lessons that can only be learned through experience. A baby's first steps require many falls. Riding a bicycle will mean dealing with accidents. You can warn your child about the dangers, but you can't keep him from trying something if he truly believes there is no harm in it. So, what is a parent to do with this kind of torment?
I Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you."
You must give it back to the Creator of life himself. You must come to the place were you realize your children are not your own. They are God's and he knows what he will allow to happen to them. That doesn't mean you don't continue to protect and warn. It only means you release the worry.
I can't say this was easy for me to learn. I can say that God did a lot to train me along the way. You see, I have another son. His name is Jonah. Remember that six foot fence I told you about? That fence wasn't tall enough to keep him in. He was always escaping. One morning, when Jonah was almost three, I sent Hannah, Noah, and Jonah outside to play while I worked in the kitchen. About twenty minutes later, I heard screaming coming from the front yard. They were never to play in the front yard without me outside with them. I had told them all to stay in the fenced back yard. I went through the house quickly to see who was screaming and there at the foot of a large maple tree was Hannah. She was circling the tree looking up. She was screaming for Jonah to come down. Noah was circling the tree as well, but he was covering his mouth with his chubby hand laughing. I looked up into the tree and could see by skinny, little boy had made it nearly to the top limb. The branch was swaying with his weight. I threw my hands toward heaven and prayed aloud, "Lord, help me!" Then proceeded to climb the tree. All the while visions of Jonah falling or firefighters coming to get him down were dancing in my head.
I couldn't climb as far as he had. When I had to stop, I reached up and yelled for him to come down to me. He let loose of the limb he was clinging to and fell right onto my frame. Needless to say, I prayed all the way down, while he clung to me like a monkey. When we reached the ground, I wanted to tear into to him like a whirlwind, but I couldn't. I was so relieved we were all safe. It was at that moment God prompted me with this thought:
"I gave you these children, but they are not yours. Keeping them safe is MY job."
Later, I learned this verse from Psalm 4:8: "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me to dwell in safety."
I can't tell you I have given up all worry regarding my children. But, I can tell you that God used that experience to teach me how to respond to it in the right way. He settles me when I release myself to him. Let's spend a few more blogs on the words "Settle Me," and see if we can learn something.
One morning I put them both outside and went back inside to start a load of laundry. A few minutes later I returned to find Hannah pretty much where I had left her, but Noah was no where to be found.
I ran frantically around the yard looking, when I spotted him just feet from the road. I wanted to run straight for him, but he loved a good game of chase. I knew if I tried this he would run right into the busy road. As I took my first steps toward him, I prayed for help. He didn't notice me following him. As I closed in on him, he heard the rocks under my feet and turned to look. I took a deep breath. We made eye contact and I reached out my hands for him. He smiled and turned to run away from me. I yelled, "NO!" He was startled and turned back toward me. At that moment I scooped him up and carried him back into the house crying and praising God that he was safe. Just a few days later a six foot tall, chain link fence was put up in our yard.
Scripture says fear hath torment. Watching your children do things you know could hurt them is the most tormenting experience for a mother. There are some lessons that can only be learned through experience. A baby's first steps require many falls. Riding a bicycle will mean dealing with accidents. You can warn your child about the dangers, but you can't keep him from trying something if he truly believes there is no harm in it. So, what is a parent to do with this kind of torment?
I Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you."
You must give it back to the Creator of life himself. You must come to the place were you realize your children are not your own. They are God's and he knows what he will allow to happen to them. That doesn't mean you don't continue to protect and warn. It only means you release the worry.
I can't say this was easy for me to learn. I can say that God did a lot to train me along the way. You see, I have another son. His name is Jonah. Remember that six foot fence I told you about? That fence wasn't tall enough to keep him in. He was always escaping. One morning, when Jonah was almost three, I sent Hannah, Noah, and Jonah outside to play while I worked in the kitchen. About twenty minutes later, I heard screaming coming from the front yard. They were never to play in the front yard without me outside with them. I had told them all to stay in the fenced back yard. I went through the house quickly to see who was screaming and there at the foot of a large maple tree was Hannah. She was circling the tree looking up. She was screaming for Jonah to come down. Noah was circling the tree as well, but he was covering his mouth with his chubby hand laughing. I looked up into the tree and could see by skinny, little boy had made it nearly to the top limb. The branch was swaying with his weight. I threw my hands toward heaven and prayed aloud, "Lord, help me!" Then proceeded to climb the tree. All the while visions of Jonah falling or firefighters coming to get him down were dancing in my head.
I couldn't climb as far as he had. When I had to stop, I reached up and yelled for him to come down to me. He let loose of the limb he was clinging to and fell right onto my frame. Needless to say, I prayed all the way down, while he clung to me like a monkey. When we reached the ground, I wanted to tear into to him like a whirlwind, but I couldn't. I was so relieved we were all safe. It was at that moment God prompted me with this thought:
"I gave you these children, but they are not yours. Keeping them safe is MY job."
Later, I learned this verse from Psalm 4:8: "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me to dwell in safety."
I can't tell you I have given up all worry regarding my children. But, I can tell you that God used that experience to teach me how to respond to it in the right way. He settles me when I release myself to him. Let's spend a few more blogs on the words "Settle Me," and see if we can learn something.
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