Exodus 14:14 - "You Are So Good To Me"

I woke up this morning with a song Third Day sings called "You Are So Good To Me" and thought about conversations Doug and I had throughout the day yesterday. As we drove home from the cabin we passed some run-down homes. He talked about how there are many people who would love to live in our cabin for their first home and here we have it for our second home. He said it is hard to believe our life and how God continues to bless us. I had said for a few weeks I wanted a true celebration date when my property in Ohio sold. That is exactly what we did last night. Neither of us had ever been to Old Bull Tavern and I heard the food was good. I knew we were taking a chance with going without a reservation but we were seated and enjoyed our dinner. After we ate we walked over to Kilwin's for our ice cream and sitting by the water. Unfortunately, it started sprinkling and was so crowded with the Water Festival so we didn't stay long. What a blessed evening we had! This evening and tomorrow Doug will experience his first District Assembly. I hope he feels as welcomed to South Carolina as I was seven years ago. My South Carolina Nazarene family continue to love me well. They have been through a lot with me over these seven years but always are here for me. I remember the first District Assembly with only knowing a couple people and thinking how weird it felt after being on the North Central Ohio District for so many years and knowing everyone. Thankfully God created me to be a 'people person' so it did not take long to make friends. The words to this song greatly speak to me. They remind me the more I seek Him for my life the more I will experience Him in my life.

You are so good to me, You heal my broken heart
You are my Father in Heaven...
You are beautiful my sweet, sweet song...

You ride upon the clouds, You lead me to the truth
You are the Spirit inside me...                                                                                                                           You are beautiful my sweet, sweet song...

God has been with me for over sixty-one years and will continue to be with me. The desires of His heart is for me to go deeper in my faith as I live in His presence 24/7. Oh how I pray I will fulfill the desires of His heart more and more every day. When the difficult days come, we must remember the words of Exodus 14:14 and allow God to take care of things. As we allow His will to unfold in our life our faith will deepen. We will realize His love to a deeper degree when living in this manner. The peace that only He can give will be present. All we have to do is be still before Him.

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of being at the cabin for a couple days to get things done, our celebration dinner for the sale of the Ohio property, and for the way Doug loves me well! I pray for our District Assembly over tonight and tomorrow. May You be so real to Pastor Sam and the leaders as they do Your work. I pray for pastors who will be preaching today to do so as You desire. Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May people see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray for those going through difficult days to lean into Your strength. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friend; David; and Damon. I pray for: Dave and Carol as they await to start treatments; Dan; the Long family; Becky; Kayla, John, and their family; Baby Sabre and her family; Janice; Debbie; and Russ. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam! Thank You for being My Father! Amen.

Philippians 4:7, 13; Psalm 23, 13:5-6; Proverbs 3:5-6 - "You Will Be Found"

I woke this morning with the song "You Will Be Found" and started praying for many who are going through difficult days. I prayed for them to have a personal relationship with Jesus and to draw closer to Him. I prayed for life's struggles to take them deeper in their faith. It hurts my heart for those who are not in relationship with Him. It also hurts me to see people who have been in relationship in the past yet have drifted away. He is the only peace that passeth understanding as Paul wrote of Philippians 4:7. He is there to guide us as David wrote in Psalm 23. He is our strength in difficult days such as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13. What we must remember in both the 'good' and the 'difficult' days is Proverbs 3:5-6. We must trust Him with everything. This means our checkbook, calendar, family, etc. We must not only hear His direction but adhere to it. Living in His presence is a blessing He gifts us with every day we allow Him. I love the words to this song...

Even when the dark comes crashing through
And when you need a friend to carry you
And when you're broken on the ground
You will be found
So when the sun comes streaming in
You'll reach up and you'll rise again
If you'll only look around
You will be found

Yes! I love sunrises and sunsets because they remind me of His great blessings upon my life. Sunrises remind me I have another day ahead. It does not matter what I messed up yesterday nor what I did not do. Sunrise shows us we have a new day ahead of us. What we do with the day is up to us. Sunsets give me a time to reflect on the day. I can see the accomplishments and know God is proud of me. Sometimes God reveals to me mistakes made and forgives me when I repent. He encourages me when I get upset with things not accomplished. The beauty of His creation is seen in both sunrises and sunsets. He paints the sky so beautiful. Oh how I enjoy such times. When I need a boost in my emotional being, I go out into nature and He provides. I am so blessed by Him every day. This picture was taken in January on a day the fog was coming in at sunrise. The sun was trying to shine through but the fog was thick. Sometimes the 'junk' of life feels 'thick' and overwhelming. What we must remember is God is powerful enough to break through anything this world puts on us. We just need to remember to allow Him to be our supernatural empowerment.

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of yesterday with: all accomplished by Doug and I; my lunch with friends; the afternoon with Marion; dinner with Andy, Nick, and Carol; and the nature scavenger hunt with Nick! Woo hoo to a day full of blessings! Cleanse me so You can fill me so people will see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. May those going through 'difficult' days find you in the 'fog' of their day. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friend; David; and Damon. I pray for: Dave and Carol as they await to start treatments; Rebecca as she recuperates from surgery; Dan; the Long family; Becky; Kayla, John, and their family; Baby Sabre and her family; Janice; and Russ. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam! Thank You for being My Supernatural Empowerment! Amen.

Philippians 4 - "Glorious Day"

Yesterday was another day full of blessings. Time writing in the morning and then a visit with my friend MaryBeth followed by a lunch date with Doug was a great way to start the day. The afternoon had a visit with Marion before going to the beach with my honey to soak in some Vitamin D. It is such a blessing to live so close to the beach. The weather was perfect for a beautiful sunset so we stopped for pizza when we left the beach so we could see the it. Wow, God was a beautiful artist with last night's sunset! It was gorgeous! Once again I can say I am one blessed lady. I woke this morning with a song Passion sings called "Glorious Day"...

You called my name
And I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day

Yes! The day I chose to accept Jesus in my heart as a little girl was a blessed day. I will never forget talking to the preacher and being baptized. Another day I will never forget was when I walked back into relationship with Him after falling away. The day I allowed Him to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords of my life was another day of great remembrance. He has loved me greatly over my life but the closer I get to Him the more I experience His love. Woo hoo! Last night when I asked our waitress how we could pray for her she responded she wanted 'peace of mind' and shared she was working two jobs to get a new car. It was busy so we couldn't get into conversation but I hope to go back soon to talk with her. We prayed for her to know God's peace which passeth all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Paul teaches the Philippians and us to Rejoice in the Lord always... (vs 4) and to pray with thanksgiving (vs 6). As we live in this manner we will have God's peace. He continues teaching us to focus on 'good' things in verse eight. Even in the midst of the storms of life we can experience God's peace as we allow Him to fill us with His Spirit. We may not understand the 'Whys?' of life but we don't have to. All we have to do is allow God to work in and through us. 

Dear Jesus, Thank You for another day full of blessings yesterday! Thank You for Doug and I taking time to go to the beach for a couple hours and then having dinner and seeing the gorgeous sunset You painted! Thank You for the day ahead! Cleanse me so You can use me to be Your hands and feet. May people see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray for our waitress last night to have 'peace of mind' as she asked us to pray for along with others going through difficult days. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friend; David; and Damon. I pray for: Dave and Carol as they await to start treatments; Rebecca as she awaits surgery; Dan; the Long family; Becky; Kayla, John, and their family; Baby Sabre and her family; Janice; and Russ. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam! Thank You for being My Peace! Amen.

Psalm 69 - "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"

The Lord took me to Psalm 69 this morning. This Psalm resonates in my heart. David speaks of having people against Him. Sometimes this world can throw a lot of ugliness your way. That ugliness is used by the enemy to pull us away from the Lord. One grounded in their faith will do the opposite and trust God more as they lean into His strength to get through such times. Their faith will deepen as they deal with such people. Verses thirteen through twenty-one David prays for God to rescue him from the 'junk' the world puts on him.  He prays for deliverance from those who are against him. The most important aspect of this Psalm is found in verses thirty through thirty-six. David begins his writing with lamenting and ends it with praising God. Matthew Henry describes it:  

The psalmist concludes the psalm with holy joy and praise, which he began with complaints of his grief. It is a great comfort to us, that humble and thankful praises are more pleasing to God than the most costly, pompous sacrifices. The humble shall look to him, and be glad; those that seek him through Christ shall live and be comforted.

When we feel like we are sinking under the things this world puts on us, God is there to pull us out. When we feel like there are more people against us than love us, He is there to remind us of His love. When we feel like we cannot put one foot in front of the other, He is there to give us His strength to carry on. This morning I have the song "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" on my mind. I know my God is here with me. I know He desires for me to lean into His strength. I know He loves me enough to never let me succumb to the enemies of life. Plain and simple, I know.

I will call upon Your Name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the encouragement of David's words in Psalm 69 and the song "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"! When the enemy comes knocking at my door, may I remember to not allow it to be open for him. Thank You for Doug mowing the church yard yesterday and for the great meeting I had with the board last night! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray for those going through difficult days to find Your peace. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friend; David; and Damon. I pray for: Dave and Carol as they await to start treatments; Rebecca as she awaits surgery; Dan; the Long family; Becky; Kayla, John, and their family; Janice; and Russ. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam! Thank You for being My Protector! Amen.

I Thessalonians 5:17 - "Broken Prayers"

Yesterday as I walked into the hospital to pray with a family with a loved one in his last days I thought about my days as a Medical Chaplain. I was so blessed for the time God gave me to minister to people in that position. So many people went through some pretty tough things and I was there to give God's love to them. What a blessing! I remember sitting in the office before doing morning rounds and praying for God to give me 'right' words. Times I was called to the ER in the middle of the night to be with family were sometimes so hard physically yet so rewarding emotionally. I wrote this past week about how God is so good at being here with what we need as we allow Him to be. Sometimes I get so caught up in life I forget to ask Him things yet He already knows and provides. Preaching yesterday was difficult with the pain in my hip/leg being intense. What a blessing for Doug to ask for prayer for me. I sometimes shy away from asking for prayer for myself but need to realize people won't know how to pray for me if they don't know what is going on. I have a friend who says we don't need to pray for the same thing more than once because God already knows our request. That is true. God does already know our request but I disagree with him. I believe prayer is not so much for God but for us. My prayer life encourages me greatly. I love seeing answers to prayers but especially see answers to prayers I have sent to the Father multiple times. I don't believe I change God's mind but I do know He changes mine. The more I seek His will the more I will realize His will. The more I seek the desires of His heart the more He will empower the desires of my heart to align with His. The more I sincerely pray the deeper my trust will go and more faithful I will be. So many times people will say they pray yet when you talk to them about their prayer life you find it is only at meal and/or bed time. Communication with God needs to be on-going as Paul writes of in I Thessalonians 5:17. Our prayer life needs to go beyond throwing up what Doc called "flair prayers" when we needed something. It needs to go beyond just praying at meal/bed time. It needs to go beyond just saying the Lord's Prayer and not really praying it. Our prayer life needs to be a large part of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. When it has this look to it, we will realize the desires of His heart for us. E.M. Bounds wrote, "The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees." I personally strive to do what God desires of me. I want to accomplish what He has in store for me. I firmly believe the only way to realize these goals is through prayer. A song Riley Clemons sings called "Broken Prayers" is on my mind this morning. How many times do we pray because it is what we are 'supposed to do' or because we are in trouble? How many times do we repeat prayers such as the Lord's Prayer without meaning them? How many times do we feel like there is no need to pray because God already knows what is going on? This song reminds us that God desires to hear our prayers. He desires for us to pour out the hurts of life to Him so He can heal them. He is there in our brokenness to bring wholeness. Praise His Holy Name! 

You want my tears, every messy word
Every scar and every fear
You want all I have
With no holding back
When I'm hurt, at my worst
You meet me there
'Cause You see the beauty
In my broken prayers!

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessing of yesterday with the privilege to teach children's Sunday School, preaching, time of fellowship after the service, Doug driving me to Hilton Head to pray with John and Kayla and their family, and the rest You provided for the rest of the day! Thank You for the day ahead! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You so people will see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray Your peace over many going through difficult days. My all know You are ready to hear their "Broken Prayers." My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friend; David; and Damon. I pray for: Dave and Carol as they await to start treatments; Rebecca as she awaits surgery; Dan; the Long family; Becky; Kayla, John, and their family; and Russ. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam! Thank You for being My Prayer Listener! Amen.

Psalm 113 - "Cornerstone"

I woke up this morning with these words to "Cornerstone" going through my mind...

The sun goes up, the sun comes down
This old world keeps spinnin' 'round
I'm here travelin' down this long and winding road
Seasons come and seasons go
They take me high, then leave me low
But I'm still standing on the only rock I know
You're my cornerstone
Oh, oh, oh, no matter where I go, my cornerstone

Yes! He is my Cornerstone and for that I am grateful. "Seasons come and seasons go..." These words are what we deal with every day. Life changes. Some changes are easier to deal with than others. Some changes happen without too much trouble yet others are overwhelming. I do not deal well with pain in my body. It not only effects me physically but also mentally and emotionally. Yesterday ended up being a day of a lot of rest as I continue to 'baby' this leg/hip along. It bothers me physiologically when I can't be out doing my normal day with walking. This song reminds me God sees every aspect of my life and blesses me through the 'tough' ones. He knows the desires of my heart. He gives them to me daily. This picture is a great reminder of such blessings. I took the picture of sunrise in Ohio on a day I was visiting my Momma on one of her hospital stays last year. That evening I took the picture of the sunset when I was back home. I loved seeing the corn growing in the fields on that trip but I also am blessed with the beauty of God's creation here in my little world. I loved spending time with my Momma yet was always ready to be back home. God gives me the desires of my heart all the time. Things may not happen in the timing I desire but His timing is always perfect. When my will is aligned with His will, His timing will be what I desire. As I live in His presence and strive to walk in His will I will realize more and more of what His will is for my life. I don't have to understand the 'Whys?' of life. All I have to do is go with whatever He desires of me. I don't know why I had to rest so much yesterday but I know God has a plan and I am ready to walk in such plan. Saturday nights are always for praying for pastors. I took a pain pill so didn't wake in the night to pray but I am praying this morning for pastors in the pulpit today, including myself, to speak what God has given them. i pray for a hedge of protection around all pastors so the enemy has no open doors into them. Sundays are hard for pastors. People don't realize how taxing it is on the physical body to preach. They don't realize how taxing it is on the mental/emotional body to not only preach but to be on the right mindset to answer questions, interact with people, etc. as God desires. Praise God we have our Cornerstone as our foundation! The cornerstone is important to a physical building as He is to us. The cornerstone of a building determines the alignment of the remaining construction just as Jesus determines our life. With Him as our Cornerstone we are aligned with His will. 

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead today! Thank You for what Doug and I accomplished at the church! Thank You for lessened pain this morning after resting so much yesterday! I pray for all pastors in the pulpit today to be aligned with You as their Cornerstone. Cleanse me so You can fill me with more of You so people will see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray Your peace over many going through difficult seasons of life. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friend; David; and Damon. I pray for: Dave and Carol as they await to start treatments; Rebecca as she awaits surgery; Dan; the Long family; Becky; and Russ. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam! Thank You for being My Heavenly Father! Amen.

Psalm 81 - "Into the Sea (It's Gonna Be OK)"

My heart breaks for people who live their life without Jesus. The saying 'hurting people hurt people' is so true. Those without the Lord in their life cannot heal from the hurts of life on their own. They also take out those hurts on others. When I think back on my own life, I see many times of hurt I experienced. Without God's soothing balm to get me through such times I would not be where I am today. I am so thankful for His love that overpowers any hurt this world puts on me. I am thankful for the way He uses people, Scripture, music, etc. to encourage me through hurtful times. This morning He brought the song "Into The Sea (It's Gonna Be OK)" to my mind. What a great reminder this song gives us.

Though the mountains may be moved into the sea
Though the ground beneath might crumble and give way
I can hear my Father singing over me
"It's gonna be OK, it's gonna be OK"

The only way life will be 'OK' is through Jesus. He took me to Psalm 81 this morning to ponder upon. This Psalm was written to remind us God will provide exactly what we need in life when we allow Him. That does not mean financially but also physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, and most of all spiritually. We are encouraged to praise God in the beginning of this Psalm because He is our strength. The Psalm continues to remind us of all He has done for us. It gives us direction to stay focused on God and to allow Him to be Who He desires in our life. This Psalm also gives direction on how God will be with those who do not allow Him in their life. He gives us a free will. He is a gentleman so when one makes the decision to live without Him in their life He allows it. His hope is for all to live in such a manner that His love flows from us. The end result of such a life is found in the last verse when we read of the satisfaction given to us through the Lord. It hurts my heart to see people living in the 'junk' of this world instead of with the Lord. 

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of yesterday with safe travels for Doug and I and dinner with Joe, Val, Cailie, Cade, and Lauren! I needed to be with family and You provided! Woo hoo! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May people see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray for those not in relationship with You to find You. I pray for those who have fallen away from You to have a renewed spirit. Lord, may Your strength be felt by many going through difficult days. My sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Jack and Paula; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many dealing with ‘c’ and/or going through treatments…Chrissy’s cousin; Shirley Jones; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; Dan who started chemo; Mr Mullett; Marybeth's friends; Jim; David; and Damon. I pray for: Dave and Carol as they await his pathology report; Rebecca as she awaits surgery; the Long family; Sandy and her family; Becky; and Russ. Thank You for continued healing for Pastor Tommy and Pam! Thank You for being My Satisfaction! Amen.