The Adjustment

Apparently being smashed into the wall while playing basket ball, or hitting my head on the playground while running from my children is not good for an already fragile neck and back. I visited the chiropractor today and he adjusted my very sore body, working to put it back into alignment. He  recommended to me that I stay off the playground or away from the dangerous areas. And, for awhile I do, but then I end up running in a rousing game and before long, an adjustment is needed.
This morning as I prayed asking God for an overall life adjustment He led me to Hebrew 2. I haven't read this chapter in awhile, so I guess God figured it was time. In verse 10, it says this: "It makes good sense that the God who got everything started and keeps everything going now completes the work by making the Salvation Pioneer  perfect through suffering as he leads all these people  to glory."
I'm getting the idea that suffering is part of the picture in scripture. Life did not come easy for a lot of people. In fact for most everyone, adjustments took place, and as they went about their life, some of them being smashed against walls, or bumped on the playgrounds, they had to continue to come back to God for an adjustment. It was a lifetime process for them, and that's exactly what it is for me. A daily adjustment. My heart, my attitude, my mind, my soul, it all has to be daily adjusted to God, aligned with Him, set to His timing and His way. I have found that sometimes I am way off balance. But, His grace and mercy towards me is infinite. So, He is my Adjuster.
 I really need an adjustment today, Jesus! I know You are working through me, and I am leaning into You to trust that process. I need You to Say That Again to me, You will complete the work, and it makes good sense!

The Ice Cream

My confession for today is this: I usually eat a bowl of ice cream every day. Sometimes, I have two. Yesterday, I had chocolate ice cream, twice. Today, I had chocolate and caramel pecan. I really do like ice cream.
Someone asked me once why I always want ice cream. I said I want it because it's good. And, I sometimes want it because it's distracting. Anybody relate?
I've had a lot of things in my life lately that I've wanted to be distracted from. The tidal wave of issues that have been building for some time now. I run to God. And, I eat ice cream. I cope in lots of ways. God continues to reveal to me my distractions.
He hears me when I cry "help" and brings rescue into my life.
Oh Jesus, I need You! I am Saying That Again. "HELP"

The Heavenly Door

I received a text this morning from a friend, she sent me Revelation 4:1. I looked the verse up right away, and this is what I found: "Then I looked, and, Oh--a door, open into Heaven. The trumpet-voice, the first voice in my vision called out, 'Ascend and enter, I'll show you what happens next.'"
I've had several days of asking God to show me what to do next, or of asking Him for direction. I've had some days where I've felt like nothing has been able to come out of my mouth, I just sit in silence, in a stupor or a fog of doubt and disbelief over our circumstances. And, I've had days, of boldness where I believe it's going to be okay, my strength is good and I'm ready to move forward.
 "Ascend and enter, I'll show you what happens next." He has transferred me out of darkness into the heavenly light, and He is ready to show me whatever I want to see. He has promised daily strength, wisdom, hope, courage, discernment, joy, and hope. He has given warmth on days that seem so cold and blustery, friendship on days when I feel lonely, His Heavenly Door has always been open.
Still, the steps can be challenging. As I proclaim each day Who I know that He is, I find that the enemy fires arrows my way. Then, I am reminded, by a friend that there is a heavenly door.  He is ever-present, He is the Victor. I am the Victor, because He is ever present IN me. So, The sun is out again today, The Heavenly Door is wide open pouring blessings down my way, and yes, the circumstances are all still the same. But, God is God and He has promised to keep the Heavenly Door open. Say That Again, Jesus, "Ascend and enter, I'll show you what happens next!"

The Faith Builder

Today has been another one of those days where my faith has been put to the test. I've come up with a new name for it--Faith Buster! The enemy is determined to bust through my faith and send me running. He has been flinging arrows of doubt my way all day long, and frankly, I'm sick of it.
I have been praying a lot today that I will see His truth and grace and that I will be armored with God's armor. I have been praying that my feet will be firmly planted with the gospel of peace so that I do not fall over in the midst of this battle. To be firmly planted in the gospel of peace, I have to know the gospel, read the gospel, and live the gospel. Everyday, the story of Jesus, must be my story, confirming who I am, deep within me. Building me up, loving others, and restoring my faith. I have to reclaim all that the faith buster takes from me!
I am seeing that as I continue to dedicate my life to Jesus, and my husband has turned our business over to HIM, our life has become more and more challenging. The battle rages, our faith grows, and some days it feels busted. I feel tired right now as I come before the Throne daily and ask God what He wants of me next? Where does He want me to go next? What should I do? What is He going to do now? It's all up to Him at this point.
Jesus, Say That Again, the Faith Buster had his day today, but You are the Faith Builder and I need you so much! Be my strength, Jesus, and build me up!

The Call

My husband and I are faced with some tough decisions. As we talked on the phone today, and he discussed the plan for the next few days, my heart ached. I could tell that his heart was in the same place, and we both were crying out to God for a miracle. We have been crying out to God for some time now, for our financial situation is not good and it has been hard to hang on. We have made major cut backs, and it looks like we will have to make more.
As I brought my heart and my anxiety before God this afternoon He directed me to Isaiah 49. It starts out by saying this: "The moment I entered the world he named me. He gave me speech that would cut and penetrate. He kept his hand on me to protect me. He made me his straight arrow and hid me in his quiver. He said to me, 'You're my dear servant, Israel, through whom I'll shine'. But I said, 'I've worked for nothing, I've nothing to show for a life of hard work. Nevertheless, I'll let God have the last word. I'll let him pronounce his verdict.'"
This is how I am feeling today. "I've nothing to show for a life of hard work." I realize that is a pretty big thing to say, for in reality, we have so much to "show" for our life. We are coming up to thirty years of marriage, we are blessed with four sons, one daughter, three daughter in laws, and two grandchildren. We have more gains than losses. God has surely kept us in His hands, cared tenderly for me, and for everyone in my family. Yet, here I am feeling like I am on the edge of loosing my stuff. I have to ask myself what that means for my calling? He has called me to speak for Him, even in the midst of my trials. I know God has promised me many things, mostly to keep me, still I am faced with fear.
Further in this chapter I read this: "God comforted His people. He tenderly nursed his beaten-up, beaten-down people.
I'd never forget you--never. Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands The walls you're rebuilding are never out of my sight. Your builders are faster than your wreckers. The demolition crews are gone for good. Look up, look around, look well! See them all gathering, coming to you? As sure as I am the living God--God's Decree . You're going to put them on like so much jewelry, you're going to use them to dress up like a bride."
He is saying to me that He is never going to forget me--never. And, I do know that. But, oh, there are days that my faith wavers. I have days that I come before Him and ask Him with a shaky voice to just get me through the next hour. There are days that I question if I misunderstood what He has promised me, or if I have made the wrong choices and now I'm paying for that. I forget what He has said to me. I'm human, and I need Him to lift me up so that I can Look up, look around, and look well! I need Him to show me the builders coming and gathering around me. I need Him to be my Strength!
Say That Again, Jesus, You have called me to shine for you, to speak for you, and to step out in faith. You have my name on the back of Your hand, I'm going to keep looking up, looking around, and looking well. 

The Glorious Sun

As I drove down my hill this afternoon to go to another group at our ministry house the glorious sun reflected off the snow that was so tenacious this morning. It was warm, and beautiful outside. I smiled as I drove down the main street of our town and a gentleman walked along the sidewalk in shorts, and winter boots. " Huh, I'll have to try that sometime." I mused to myself.
The sun not only shines tomorrow, God reminded me, but this afternoon as well!
Say That Again, God, The sun is shining today, and I am feeling warmer. It is all because of YOU. Thanks for the reminder.

The Spring Snow

I woke this morning to lots of snow, too much snow for Spring. The calendar tells me that it's Spring, but the weather is insisting that it is still Winter. As I drove down our hill for a 7:00 group, I found it challenging to thank God for the snow. I wanted to remind Him that He SHOULD be sending us sun and warmth, because the calendar is telling me that it is Spring time now. He reminded me that HIS timing is perfect and that I will feel better as soon as I adjust my heart to HIS calendar and not the one on my phone! Ouch! Okay, so God does not consult the calendar on my phone to see if He should let it snow. As much as I love summer and sun, I am finding that God is speaking to my heart today and asking that I see Him in the Spring snow. He Has kept me through the cold days, when I've been triggered by snowflakes floating down to meet my lashes. His Robe continues to be wrapped around me to warm me and clothe me and remind me that He is a continual flood of Renewal, Restoration, and Revival. My job is to step out in the Spring snow and walk in faith.
I watched my kids play in the snow a lot this winter. They went sledding, made snowmen, and snow angels.  Yesterday, I mentioned that someday, I too would make a snow angel, someday. It is a goal of mine, a sign of snow restoration!
God is in constant motion, always restoring, renewing, reviving. I am in constant need of His gifts. My heart is open to Him, receiving what He has for me, healing, loving, hoping, giving, being filled with His Spirit! Say That Again, Father God, it's all about You ,Your timing, Your Way, and Love.