MONDAY MUSING: REJOICE

In a few minutes, the work-a-day world will be in full swing.

Some of you will put on your tool belt and report to a construction site.

 Some of you will put on your uniform, and prepare for a day of cleaning, or waitressing, or cleaning car engines.

Some of you will be heading off to the corporate world where the color of your tie or the type of shoes you wear impacts the success of your career.

And some of you will stay in your pajamas or donn a pair of sweat pants as you spend the day chasing after toddlers and running a household.

There is no doubt about it, whatever your profession, the next 8-10 hours promises to be full of pressures and expectations. It's part of the having a job.

It comes with the territory so to speak.

We accept it.

We endure it.

We slug through the day, longing for the 5 o'clock whistle to announce our release.

But is that they way Jesus intended our work life to be?

I don't think so.

Consider the following scripture:

"...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

Jesus didn't say our life would be abundant excluding work.

No, this scripture seems to indicate that all parts of our life can be abundant, joyful, fulfilling.

So my prayer for you today is to embrace all that Jesus has for you in your job today. When the pressures come, thank Jesus for them.

When a co-worker lets you down, ask Jesus to bless them and encourage them.

Rejoice my friend, in the job God has given you because it is in thankfulness and joy that we learn the true secret of living every day with Jesus.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)

WEDNESDAY WEIGH-IN: Virtual Models

(Well, even though today is Thursday, I did weigh in yesterday and lost 2 pounds. I've got my groove back and am walking again on my lunch hour, tracking my food, and not eating after dinner. I give God all the glory for His empowering help.)

I discovered a neat little website called My Virtual Model. After you put in your height, weight and body shape, it creates a virtual replica of yourself. Then you can shop for real clothes, and try it on your model to see what you might look like in it. Sometimes, I enter 30 pounds less than I weigh to see what I'll look like when I lose 30 pounds. For me, it's a motivator.

But all of this got me thinking about what my heavenly model might look like to Jesus. Imagine if instead of entering pounds, body shape or height, there was a website where we could enter in our secret struggles and hidden sins. This imaginary site would be for our eyes and Jesus' only, but it would create for us a spiritual image of our true selves. Yikes! I fear it might too frightening to behold because the Bible says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But it's an interesting thought isn't it?

So for today, my question to you is... what does your Virtual Model look like, and more importantly, what does your Spiritual Model look like?

Self-examination is a very real part of living every day with Jesus. But the really cool thing is that once we realize that are just helpless balls of dirt, God in His mercy doesn't just leave us in that state feeling hopeless. No, He sends His spirit to us to give us a spiritual makeover.

But until then, remember Jesus loves you and there is always hope in Him.

God Hugs

How would you like to have special favor with your boss? Or have unexpected resources fall into your lap? Or maybe you'd just like someone to advocate for you when the going gets tough.

All of these things are possible when you live every day with Jesus.

Take for example what happened to me today: I applied for approval to attend UMass to pursue a Journalism Certificate. (In order to recieve tuition reimbursement - a company perk - one has to first have their course of study approved.) Admittedly a pretty far reaching expectation since they normally only pay tuition for those individuals pursuing a healthcare degree.

But writing is my passion, so I prayed about it and submitted the necessary paperwork to my boss. Although she was compassionate, she  reinterated that company policy states tuition reimbursement is only for those individuals pursuing a healthcare related field. So basically she was telling me not to get my hopes up.

Well, today my boss came to me with tears in her eyes, and told me she couldn't believe it, but my request was approved!

Amazing things like this don't always happen to me, but when they do, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that is my Heavenly Father's way of reaching into my world and giving me a great big hug, just like any earthly father would do. Perhaps that is why, the gospels twice records the following passage:

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:3 and Matthew 7:11)

These kind of wonderful things happen when we live every day for Jesus because we are His child.   Now that doesn't mean we won't have hard times in our lives, because the Bible also says it rains on the just and unjust alike. But the difference between living every day with Jesus, or living without Him is the difference between having someone on our side, or being all alone.

Do you live every day for Jesus? If so, what God hugs have you recieved? Leave a post so that we all can have our faith increased and believe that more God Hugs are coming our way!

Favorite Foods

I woke up with this scripture on my mind this morning:

"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts." (Jeremiah 15:16)

I'm not sure if the prophet Jeremiah actually ate paper, but it's a powerful image isn't it? Imagine loving the word of God so much that you actually gnawed on it.

My favorite food is ice cream. All kinds of ice cream. With nuts or without, covered in chocolate or plain, nuts and candy bars mixed in or not. It doesn't matter, it's the cool, creaminess that draws me in every time!

What is your favorite food? What is it about it that hooks you, and makes you crave it? Now imagine if we craved the word of God like that.

Visions of Dairy Queen may dance in my head, but seldom does Acts 2:38 or Psalm 71. Growing in God and learning to live every day with  Jesus means falling in love with God's words which are recorded in the Holy Bible.

So please do tell me what your favorite food is, but also what is your favorite scripture. And let's spend time chewing on both!

MONDAY MUSING: God's Bufferers

How are you feeling this Monday morning?

Does a job await you?

Are you preparing  for your kids to go back to school?

Or will you spend this Monday looking for a job,  maintaining your house, or struggling with a chronic illness?

Whatever your Monday holds, I want you to know that Jesus is with you in it.

He feels the dread you feel when the morning alarms goes off in the dark of the early morning.

And He understands the stress of getting school age children dressed and ready for school. Rest assured , Jesus  cares deeply about  your day-to-day challenges.

And for me Jesus' love and care is enough.

That is one of the perks of living everyday with Jesus.

Everday may not be perfect, but everyday is buffered by His sweet presence and by the people He sends into my life to help me.

I was thinking this morning about all the men and women God has placed in my life over the years who helped to  buffer my hard times.

• Brother Kenny, my teen Sunday School teacher, who made it a point to encourage me and build me up in the faith every week.
• Sister Bevens, a sweet eldlerly lady who came to my house to pray and sit with me as dealt with depression.
• Sister Hensel, a mighty prayer warrior who continues to carry me in prayer and speak the truth of God's love to me, even when it's hard to hear sometimes.
• My precious grandfather, who first taught me about Jesus, prayed for me, opened his home to me when I was a teenager, and continues to imprint Jesus on my heart by his words and example.

These are just a few of the many that were willing to sacrifice and gave of themselves to me.   I thank God for every one of them, and I regularly ask God to bless them for the difference they made in my life.

That's the great thing about living every day with Jesus.

We may have hard times, because the Bible says it rains on the just and unjust alike, but we can take comfort in knowing that God buffers all of our circumstances.

Sometimes He acts in supernatural and invisible ways, and sometimes He sends 'people with skin on' to undergird us and strengthen us.

And what about you?

Who has God sent in your life  that has been a bufferer to you?

Won't you honor them and God  by leaving a post as a testimony to God?

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Revelation 12:11)

Getting To Know Us

Buddy (My husband) and Me

Good Morning My Friend! It's a glorious Friday to be living every day with Jesus, and I must admit a little more glorious for me personally because I am off work today! (woo hoo!)

Mikensay in my Great Room

I believe that times of rest and relaxation are just as important to our success in living every day with Jesus as times of advancing the kingdom. So since I'm home today, and feeling rather playful, I thought it'd be fun to share with you a little of my world. Because I believe it is only we share ourselves with others that true friendships are forged.

 If we are guarded, or too reserved, we make the other person feel shut out. That is why I try to be transparent in my writing. Granted, it's not always easy to 'tell the world' that I have well over 100 pounds to lose, or that I once struggled greatly with depression.  But when we are willing to be vunerable  (exposed if you will)  we dismantle the enemy of our souls, and forge bonds with others that are not easily broken.

But first some edification to nourish our souls because I'm sure you didn't come by just to read about me:

"No cloud obscured the face of the Father from His trusting child, who could look up into the Divine countenance and pour out the longings of his heart." -E.M. Bounds

Oh, how true this is! One of the most fabulous benefits of living every day with Jesus is knowing that no matter how dark my world gets, or how many struggles I must endure, I always have a safe haven from my loving and protective Heavenly Father!

Safety is a very real reward don't you think? Especially in today's world. To have such assurance and confidence in our Creator that no matter what happens externally in world at large, or internally in our lives or psyche, is one of the most profound aspects of living everday with Jesus.

 Yes, Jesus often gives me loving human hands to provide for me  but over and above all that they could ever  imagine to do, God is there. Keep repeating those last three words to yourself... God is there. When I can't make my mortgage payment...God is there... When my family disappoints me... God is there... Those three little words honor the make of our souls! Be assured my friend, God IS THERE!

Okay, now for some pics to show you what life is like on my side of the computer....

My Dad and Step-Mom

JOY IS A CHOICE

Joy is a choice. The end result of joy may be a feeling of euphoria, but when you live every day with Jesus, joy is a choice.

Circumstances come to all of us that threaten our joy: job disappointments, physical challenges, contentions with co-workers, misunderstanding with loved ones.

Yet, Jesus said there is a source of joy in Jesus that is not affected by any outside disturbance.

So how do we access this river of unending joy?

By declaring the promises of joy in the Holy Bible. The more we speak the truths of joy, the more empowered we become! Here's a few of God's joy nuggets to get you started today:

"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12)

"We're depending on God; he's everything we need. What's more, our hearts brim with joy since we've taken for our own his holy name. Love us, God, with all you've got— that's what we're depending on." (Psalm 33:21)

"I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul!He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness,As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara. For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers,  and as a garden cascades with blossoms, So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations. " (Isaiah 61:10)

Singing songs of praise is another way to immerse yourself in the river of joy. Here's one of my favorites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4wl0VFgpjY&feature=fvst

Be inspired and uplifted today my friend! Jesus loves you. He is in control of all that concerns you. Drink in the cup of joy today. It's one of the most glorious benefits of living every day with Jesus!

WEDNESDAY WEIGH-IN: The Race

Last Wednesday, many of you responded either publicly through posting or privately in an email to my request for help and encouragement with my struggle to lose over 100 pounds.

Well, I wanted to say a big thank-you and let you know it really, REALLY helped! Praise the Lord, I am back on track with my food plan and exercise routine. Being a part of a body of believers is one of the most wonderful things about living every day with Jesus. Every one of you who reached out to me put into action a key Biblical principal:

"Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived." (Galatians 6:1-3, from The Message)

So thanks again from the bottom of my heart! Your encouragement really worked - I lost 3.5 pounds since my last Wednesday post because I  implemented some of your suggestions and went back to a few things my doctor told me to do like:

• Stopping eating after dinner
• Walking on my lunch hour
• Tracking my food
• Stayed accountable to you my readers and others

It is my conviction, that all of the above is necessary for permanent weight loss. Following it is not always easy, but the pay-off will be worth it one day!

By the way, I wanted to tell you about this really cool FREE online food tracking tool I'm using. It's called My Daily Plate, by Livestrong , one of Lance Armstrong's initiatives and it is really, really cool! Try it, see what you think and let me know.

Actually, Lance Armstrong isn't a bad role model for the whole weight loss journey thing. He's all about running the race and overcoming great odds. And isn't that also what the Apostle Paul told us to do as Christians?


"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. ...And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." (I Corinthians 9:24-25)

So tell me, what is THE RACE you are running today? Is it weight related? Your Christian walk? Your raising of small children or your dealing with a reoccurant illness? Tell me. Tell others. Because connecting and drawing strength from the body of believers is a very real part of living every day with Jesus.

Remember, in Jesus there is always hope.

"For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God." (Psalm 38:15)

Run to Jesus!

Unspeakable joy can be ours when we run to our Heavenly Father with every bump and bruise. It's only when we try to lick our own wounds, that sadness, resentment, and bitterness set in.

Do you want overflowing joy in your day-to-day life? Run to Jesus!

It doesn't mean there won't be problems. And people will still disappoint you. But the difference is that when you run to Jesus, and hide in Him you no longer have to fight or struggle. It's Jesus' job to that for you.

What a glorious benefit of living every day with Jesus! Remember, in Jesus there is always hope, always peace, and always safety. So run with confidence to the outstretched arms of your loving and gracious heavenly Father.

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you." (John 16:33)

THAT'S NOT IN MY BIBLE!

(It's funny, but no matter how much time I have in the morning before work, I always seem to be pressing against my 'getting ready time.' I think it's because I like to sit and read my Bible and pray in the quiet of the early morning which is a good thing. But, I lose track of time, which is a bad thing. So I said all that to let you know my post will short today but hopefully still lift you up on this bright and sunny Monday morning.)

My grandaughter, Mikayla (the one in the red shirt) is 7 years old and has quite a strong-willed personality. She challenges her mother often, and even her dad occasionally which is no small thing since her dad is a former marine and a real tough cookie.

Her defiance can be over the smallest of things: where she sits in the car, who puts the straw in her juice pouch,or whether she should put on her socks first or comb her hair. And when she's mad it's at the whole world, not just the one who is standing the way of her wishes. It's quite comical really. Her face turns red and puffs up like some cartoon character and she puts her hands on her hips as if to increase the size of her small stature.

Mikayla's mother (my daughter, Stephanie) for the most part has let Mikayla work through her anger  ignore the red puffy face thing. But now, Mikayla is starting to get mouthy and disrespectful. And of course this must be addressed. So after many attempts at disciplining Mikayla, reasoning with her, spanking her, making her sit in the quiet chair with no improvement, Stephanie decided to employ the help of her former Sunday School teacher, Sister Debbie.

Stephanie's old teacher and her have remained friends all these years, and as a matter of fact 'Sister Debbie' was very good friends with Stephanie's real mom, Michelle. Well anyway, Stephanie and Mikayla were visiting Sister Debbie and Mikayla popped off at her mom. So Sister Debbie, did what all good Sunday School teachers would do and pulled out her Bible to show Mikayla that Jesus says we must respect our parents.

Well, true to form, Mikayla turned red faced, puffed out her cheeks, put her hands on her hips and arrogantly declared "THAT'S NOT IN MY BIBLE!"
Evidently, Stephanie and Sister Debbie tried to explain to Mikayla that these truths were in all Bibles, but Mikayla wouldn't concede. As far as I know, she is still convinced that her Bible has a different set of admonitions.

Funny? Yes. But I wonder how many times as adults we act just like Mikayla? When there is a Biblical truth that makes us uncomfortable, do we internally scream... That's not in my Bible?

When we are reminded to "love our enemies, do good to those who despitefully use us" do we intellectually dismiss it as not applying to our unique situation? If so, that is the same as saying... That's not in my Bible...
And of course the list goes on.

So my challenge to you today is to pay attention to the times when God's instructions grate against your will or desires, and honestly ask yourself if you are unknowingly trying to have your own version of the Holy Writ. Because obeying ALL of scripture is also a very real way of living every day with Jesus and it is the only way to the true hope that Jesus offers.

AN ASIDE: If you have any "that's not in my Bible experiences" I'd really like to hear about them! Won't you post for others to read? Or at least email me? Living every day with Jesus affords us the wonderful joy of gaining strength from the body of believers and this is one way we do this!!

God bless you my friend. Thanks for being part of my day!

What's Your Home Feel Like?

If you had to put one word to the overall feeling in your home what would it be? Relaxing? A refuge? A battlefield?

What if I could tell you that every day from now on you could have an overiding sense of peace and calm in your home? Would you be interested? How much would you pay to have such a guarantee?

It is possible. And it won't cost you any money. But it WILL cost you some time and commitment. The solution?

PRAYER!

O. Hallesby explains it this way:

"Prayer brings a good spirit in our homes. For God hears prayer. Heaven itself would come down to our homes. And even though we who constitute the home all have our imperfections and our failings, our home would, through God's answer to prayer, become a little paradise." - O. Hallesby

It has been my habit to pray every morning and read my Bible. When my kids were small, I prayed with them, and read them a devotion. When they were in school, we prayed before school for  God to be with them. We had a lifestyle of prayer in our home and still do. And God's presence is felt because of it.

Others have attested to the peace that is in my home. Many times we have had people over and they have commented on the lightness in their spirit that  they feel . Or, if they don't understand what it is they are feeling, they may say "I like what I feel in your home... it feels good here." What a compliment! And it's all because Jesus is welcomed into our home through prayer.

That doesn't mean we don't have disagreements and the like. But when Jesus is the center of all that you do, His spirit dominates, and that goes a very long way in helping everything stay calm and reasonable.

So I ask you again , what does your home feel like? Is there peace? Or did the  stench of last night's arguement greet you at the breakfast table?

Jesus Christ desires our home to be a place of refuge and refreshing. But He leaves the choice up to us. So I ask you today... What will you choose?

"... choose you this day whom ye will serve; ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

What's In Your Mouth?

My challenge for you this morning (and for myself quite frankly) is to pay attention to what we say today. Think of your mouth as a bank teller - the giver and reciever of monies. And your heart is the bank vault.  Every positive word is money deposited and every negative word is a withdraw.

With this in mind, are you making money or losing it? Mmmm, I must admit, some days my heart is very much overdrawn.

Almost daily I ask God to set a guard over my mouth and pray some of the following scriptures:

"Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day." (Psalm 71:8)

"My mouth shall tell of Your righteous acts and of Your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is more than I know." (Psalm 71:15)

"Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. ...Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."
(Psalm 19:13-14)

A dear friend of mine told me that sometimes she actually puts her hand over her mouth to remind herself NOT to say something inappropiate when she is listening to someone tell a lengthy or negative tale. Pretty good idea huh?

We serve a positive God so it only makes sense that part of living every day with Jesus is to focus on the uplifting, positive things in life.

It makes sense doesn't it? Jesus loves us so much and in His infinite wisdom He knows that happy, upbeat conversations will keep our spirits buoyant. That is why, when we live every day with Jesus there is always hope and always comfort.

So valued reader, what do you do to stay in a postive talk mode? Tell us that we can all learn from each other.

WEDNESDAY WEIGH-IN: Facing the Scale

Good Morning My Faithful Readers! Thank-you for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by today. It makes a huge difference to me. :-)

Well, it's Wednesday and the day I promised to post about my struggle to lose over 100 pounds.

Admittedly, it's been a harder commitment than I bargained for, but it is a neccessity if I truly want to live every day submitted to Jesus. Because you see, in Jesus there is always hope, no matter what our present circumstances. And in Jesus there is always comfort, joy and a light at the end of every tunnel. 

Think about that last statement for a minute. Let's say it outloud very slowly together so as to engrave it on our hearts and mind. Ready?

In Jesus there is ALWAYS comfort, joy and a light at the end of every tunnel

What is your present struggle today dear reader? What obstacles are you trying to overcome? Is there an area of self-improvement that you have been grappling with? Tell me. Let's bear this together. If you don't want to post openly, then email me at dsimlergoff@sbcglobal.net . There is power and strength in the community of believers.

Now, as to my own weight loss issues:

It's been really hard to face the number on the scale because I have not been excercising or following my food plan. But last Wednesday, I finally weighed myself after 2 weeks of avoiding the scale and discovered I'd gained a 1/2 pound. In and of itself that is not bad, but I've been gaining a little each week for the last few months which means I'm headed in the wrong direction.

Galatians 6:1-3 says:

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.



Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.


For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."

My fault today is my overeating and lack of excercise. You who are strong in this area, please tell me what you do to get back on track.

Helping one another to overcome, is yet another facet of living every day with Jesus. We need each other!

Yes, there is always hope in Jesus, but often we need the expression of another human being reaching out in compassion to help us embrace that hope. I want to be there for you in the areas I've grown in. Would you like to be there for me with my weight struggles?

It really is part of living every day with Jesus.

ELITE WARRIORS

I feel that God is calling together a band of elite warriors who are willing to be trained in the deepest of His anointing. But it will be tough training and filled with many trials... much like the Navy Seals but only in a spiritual sense.

ARE THERE ANY TAKERS?

The Apostle Paul was well versed in this kind of training:

"I've worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death's door time after time. I've been flogged five times with the Jews' thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I've been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I've had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I've been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I've known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.



And that's not the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches. When someone gets to the end of his rope, I feel the desperation in my bones. When someone is duped into sin, an angry fire burns in my gut.


If I have to "brag" about myself, I'll brag about the humiliations that make me like Jesus. The eternal and blessed God and Father of our Master Jesus knows I'm not lying. Remember the time I was in Damascus and the governor of King Aretas posted guards at the city gates to arrest me? I crawled through a window in the wall, was let down in a basket, and had to run for my life." (2 Corinthians 11:20-33 from The Message)

But oh the anointing and souls that were impacted because of all the Apostle Paul endured. Make no mistake, Suffering is part of living every day with Jesus. But not suffering for suffering's sake. No, this kind of suffering is for the cause of Christ, for souls to be wrought from the enemy's hand and brought into the kingdom of God!

Are you up for the task?


Lord, help us to be brave and ready to do all that is asked of us. Make us the  ELITE WARRIORS you want desire us to be that many might be saved!

Remember my precious reader. In Jesus there is always hope. And Jesus is always with us in all that we endure. Doesn't it make it worth living every day with Him?

Reluctant Warrior

Today I feel like a reluctant warrior.
I know the truths of God. His promises. His power. But still I wait in the foxholes of life. Praying. Hoping. And trying to avoid being hit by one of the enemy's bullets.

Yet I know this is not what God intended for His children at all. He came that we might have life and that more abundantly. And He intended that we would charge the enemy's camp with our swords drawn, full of confidence. Not in ourselves and our ability, but in the one who  made us.

I wish I could tell you that living every day with Jesus means you are always on the mountaintop. But that simply is not true. There are times in our lives when Jesus beckons us to the valleys because He know that even there, in the darkest and deepest of shadows there are increbile treasures that await us.

Lord Jesus, help us to embrace the valleys as freely as we embrace the mountaintops. We truly want to live everyday with you.

This poem was in reading for today from Streams in the Desert. It encouraged me and seemed to be straight from God to my heart. May it bless and encourage you today.

I have been through the valley of weeping,
The valley of sorrow and pain;
But the God of all comfort was with me,
At hand to uphold and sustain.

As the earth needs the clouds and sunshine,
Our souls need both sorrow and joy;
So He places us oft in the furnance,
The dross from the gold to destroy.

When He leads thro' some valley of trouble,
His omnipotent hand we trace;
For the trials and sorrows He sends us,
Are part of His lessons in grace.

Oft we shrink from the purging and pruning,
Forgetting the Husbandman knows
That the deeper the cutting and paring,
The richer the cluster that grows.

Well He knows the affliction is needed;
He has a wise purpose in view,
And in the dark valley He whispers,
'Hereafter thou'lt know what I do'

As we travel thro life's shadow'd valley,
Fresh springs of His love ever rise;
And we learn that our sorrows and losses,
Are blessings just sent in disguise.

So we'll follow wherever He leadeth,
Let the path be dreary or bright;
For we've proved that our God can give comfort;
Our God can give songs in the night.

OUR BEST INTEREST

She said she saw me with my arms wide open, and all kinds of weapons pouring down in front of me from heaven like rain.


“Swords, knives and other stuff…God is equipping you for battle – for your future.”

It was a sobering thought, but a welcomed one. And I was thankful to have a friend who was sensitive enough in the ways of the spirit to impart her heavenly vision to me.

Has anything like that ever happened to you? Have there been times in your life when God used a friend or family member to speak encouraging words? Or to admonish you? How did you know their words were from God?

Speaking the truth in love, and edifying one another, is a vital part of living every day with Jesus. We were created for community, for camaraderie. We draw strength from one another – it is God’s way.

And so when my friend spoke those words to me, I received them as they were intended – in love because I felt the deep resonating confirmation of the spirit of God.

I’m not sure what God has planned for my future – or for yours. But we can take comfort in knowing that He is ever watchful of us. If His eye is on the sparrow, we know most assuredly that His eye is even more attentive to us. And He always, ALWAYS has our best interest in mind!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen." (Jeremiah 29:11)

DEFENDING GOD

As a believer, and one who tries very hard to live every day with Jesus, I sometimes find myself in the odd position of defending God.

Life is filled with injustices. And  when these injustices occur,  people tend to look heavenward with a defiant fist raised, and hurl a series of accusatory questions:

How could you let my child die? 

Why didn't you keep me from losing my job? 

Where were you when I was abused? 

The list seems endless, and there are no easy answers.

For example, a young man reached out to our prayer group because his little boy had an inoperable brain tumor. We prayed several times for this gentlemen and his family. And I personally, felt led to take it a step further, and email him the specifics of my prayers as a way to encourage him, and hopefully build his new found faith. 

And then his little boy died.

He was only 7 years old, and their only child.

What now? I thought. How do I go from offering this man hope in the infallible God, to telling him this all powerful God did not let him down?

This is one part of living every day with Jesus that I still struggle with.

But I know is that God is still good, and His love is still everlasting.

Whenever I face hard times and want to ask God 'how could you?" I always  reread the last few chapters of of the book of Job because it reminds me that I am not God. And that He knows exactly what He is doing.

 "And now, finally, God answered Job from the eye of a violent storm. He said:


Why do you confuse the issue?

Why do you talk without knowing what you're talking about?


Pull yourself together, Job!


Up on your feet! Stand tall!


I have some questions for you,


and I want some straight answers.


Where were you when I created the earth?


Tell me, since you know so much!


Who decided on its size? Certainly you'll know that!


Who came up with the blueprints and measurements?


How was its foundation poured,


and who set the cornerstone,..." (Job 38)


What about you my very special reader?

Have you ever found yourself in the unique position of trying to defend  God?

How did you handle it?

And more importantly, how did living every day with Jesus help you to handle it?

GUEST POST: Lysa Terkeurst

(I stumbled across Lisa Terkeurst's BLOG about a month ago, and visit it  periodically. Lisa is the founder of Proverbs 31 Ministries which is an organization dedicated to  helping women become all they can be in Christ Jesus. Their site is user friendly and has alot of resources. It's definately worth checking out!)

Lysa is a prolific and very successful writer, and in a league way beyond where I am right now. I do not know her personally, but I wanted to share one of her recent posts (see below) because I think it will bless you. But also, because rejoicing in another's gifts is an important part of living every day with Jesus. 

Think about that last statement just a minute - rejoicing  in another's gifts.  How comfortable is it for you to that? It's certainly not always been easy for me.  Our human tendancy can be to think about our own gifts, and how we want to be used; be in the limelight; make lots of money, or win hundreds of souls to the kingdom. 

But how often do we help someone else be in the limelight? Especially someone who is operating in the same gift we are? If you are a singer, do you wholeheartedly support the other singers in your church? Or if a teacher; do you enthusiastically applaud another teacher's presentation? It's the same for writers, or any other profession.

Sharing Lysa Terkeurst's post is easy for me. Afterall, she's already famous, and if anything, my posting about her can only help me.

So the real test for me, will be for me to give 'blog space' to another struggling writer just like myself. Someone who is my peer. And help them because  I want to see them shine. Even if it means they will shine more than me. Why?  Because that is what Jesus would do, and that is what he would expect of me.

So I have included the link for Lysa's post from yesterday. May you be blessed and may God continue to anoint all her efforts for His kingdom.

Your Wedding Day

One day you will be a beautiful bride. There will be more fanfare, and better food at your wedding than there was at Chelsea Clinton’s last Saturday. Your dress will be prettier than the one Chelsea wore. Her dress was designed by Vera Wang. Your dress will be made by a famous designer too – one of almost heavenly rankings. Your hair will be done perfectly. Your eyes will shine bright, and your complexion will be smooth and clear.

But whereas Chelsea’s wedding date was set for July 31st, your wedding as an undetermined date. But rest assured the timing will be just right and the weather will cooperate perfectly.

And who will be at your wedding? Some family, some friends, and some people you’ve never met before. But all will be dressed in their finest, just like Mary Steenburgen and Madeline Albright were at Chelsea’s wedding.

And just who are you marrying you ask? Why Jesus Christ of course! He is preparing His bride – the church to attend the marriage supper of the lamb. To be joined with Him for all eternity:

“Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of a mighty cataract, the sound of strong thunder:


Hallelujah!


The Master reigns,


our God, the Sovereign-Strong!


Let us celebrate, let us rejoice,


let us give him the glory!


The Marriage of the Lamb has come;


his Wife has made herself ready.


She was given a bridal gown


of bright and shining linen.


The linen is the righteousness of the saints.


“The Angel said to me, "Write this: 'Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.'" He added, "These are the true words of God!" (Revelation 19:8-10)

You see becoming part of the bride of Christ is an obvious part of living every day with Jesus. That is why baptism is so important. Because it is in baptism that we take on the name of Christ – just as a bride takes on her husband’s last name. And it is in baptism that we are ceremonially buried with Jesus Christ, and our sins are completely washed away. Then and only then do we begin to walk in the newness of life that Jesus Christ spoke about when He walked the earth.