This Time and This Place

15 12 2014

Snow Covered TreeThis day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today. Psalm 118:24

Our experiences in life come one after another. Being fully present in the blessedness of now requires focus. This time and this moment will never come again. Today is an opportunity to use all of your senses – eyes, your ears, your sense of smell, your touch and your heart to absorb, what is happening around us right now. Not what has happened in the past or not even what tomorrow will bring but focus on the blessing of this moment – in this time and in this place. It is easier said than done with the hurried pace of our living. We can rush through the blessings of love and life or slow the pace of our minds down to realize that now is the perfect blessing before us. So many guided steps and unearned favor allow me to breathe in and out and to be conscious of His blessings. The Lord is good to each of us. His mercy, His love and His grace make this moment possible.

Even in the most difficult circumstance, we can be glad that we serve a God who is with us. Our Heavenly Father is so faithful, so caring and so loving to shield us and to undergird us even when we believe that our hearts will break during the circumstance of the day. The blessing of now may be disguised by difficulty but we are still here, we have faith in our Heavenly Father, we are still on the path and God is still leading. We can rejoice in that blessing alone.

My mind is clear that embracing now is my charge for today. This is the day. This is God’s day for me. I am glad to experience it fully with a grateful heart and attitude of praise for this time and this place.


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Wise Men Still Seek Him

12 12 2014

Barcelona 2013 032Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2

The wise men saw the star indicating the birth of Jesus. Their response was to begin their journey to seek Him in order to worship Him. The news that the Savior is here still requires a personal response from each of us. Jesus came that we might have life and life more abundantly. We might be tempted to think of abundance in terms of things but life walking with the Lord and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are so much more – peace, joy, gentleness, love, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control and long-suffering. These are qualities so scarce in our society today. This Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ let us turn our hearts to Him and share His purpose for coming with the World. Let us seek Him daily in our lives and worship Him.


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God is with Us

11 12 2014

Sparkling FallviewAll right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’) Isaiah 7:14

One of my favorite Christmas songs is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. The words reflect the great anticipation of Jesus’ birth. It expresses a great desire for God’s Son to come and to dwell among His people. I am so thankful that each day we have the opportunity for God to live with us and in us through a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. We know that the promise in Isaiah was fulfilled and Jesus was born and He died and rose again for our sins. What an awesome gift that God is with Us!


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Just Keep Swimming

10 12 2014

Maui BeachSo let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”   Galatians 6:9  (New Living Translation)

“Finding Nemo” is one of my favorite movies. It is a story about a fictional father fish whose worst fear comes to past when he loses his son “Nemo”.  Most of the movie is about his journey to find Nemo, despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the life of a big ocean. The movie was made for children and for adults like me who like to find encouragement in most things. During this voyage, the father must overcome fear, keep the faith and trust others to help him. At various points in the story when things seem to be at their worst, his companion on the search for Nemo, keeps repeating the mantra, “Just keep Swimming”. When I ever I hear this phrase, I am reminded the importance of perseverance, resiliency and the need to keep moving forward. Things do get better when we keep putting one foot in front of another and “swim”.  Of course, I love happy endings and this movie concludes with a happy reunion but both father and son learn a lifetime of lessons on the journey, especially to “Just keep Swimming”.


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Hiking Season

9 12 2014

winter pathShow me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.

Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.

All day long I put my hope in you.        Psalm 25:4-5

This season is full of twists and turns, with some sharp bends in the road that I did not see what was around the corner. Our path is a journey that I have likened more to hiking in a mountain forest than a Sunday walk in the park. As believers we are challenged to seek God’s leading and to listen for the guiding of the Holy Spirit, who provides the gentle whispering winds of which way to go. The path is rugged, requiring strong muscles of faith in our legs, in our hearts and minds to continue to move forward. We have to remember to breathe in and out, creating more opportunities for our heart muscle to become stronger. We have to use all of our senses, listening for God in unfamiliar territory and careful to avoid the stench of discouragement. We have to reach out to others who can help us along the way and take every opportunity to encourage each other in the Lord. We may meet strangers along the path creating an open door for others to join the journey. Using our love with His light, they are more apt to walk the path with us. The enemy may desire to sift us like wheat but Jesus has prayed for us that our faith would endure and that we would not give in or give out. Our savior has prayed for us that our Faith would not fail. We are encouraged to stay on the path, even when it is hard, when it is dark and even when we are tired. We can be assured even in uncertainty of the next stretch on the journey, our God promises to be with us every step of the way and that victory is at the end of the road.

“Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.” Luke 22:31-32


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Don’t Look Back

8 12 2014

Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet.  This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:12-13

Have you ever walked with a small child who is not focused on where you are going? You may be trying to get to a destination but even though you are walking hand in hand you notice that the child is looking behind. It makes the walk more difficult and requires more effort until the toddler decides to focus on where you both are traveling instead of where you have been. This situation reminded me of my sometimes difficult walk in life when I dwell on things in the past. Focusing on the future is a hard task when we decide we fix our attention on things that are behind us. We cannot change what has already happened. While I can’t relive it, I can ask the Lord to help me with how I feel about it. I can ask and receive forgiveness from Him. I can give forgiveness to another who may have caused harm. We can even ask the Lord about wisdom that we don’t repeat mistakes. Each of these steps is a part of a turning motion to focus on our future. God has such an exciting future for each of us when we are fully focused on the prize that lies ahead. Decide today to turn our attention on the path in front of us and don’t look back.


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I will trust

5 12 2014

Arizona Hills by Lori 2012Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7

 I will trust in the name of the Lord.  God is our strong tower, our refuge and our source of strength.  Even as the landscape may shift beneath our feet, we can stand firm in faith on the name of the Lord.  Our trust is in the Lord, who loves us and provides peace even in the midst of the storm.  He is our present help and a bulwark never failing.  Our trust is in Him, Jesus our Savior.

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.  Proverbs 18:10


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Lean In

4 12 2014

March 2013 Picture IPhone 323Trust God from the bottom of your heart;

don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; 

he’s the one who will keep you on track.  Psalms 3:5-6 MSG

Have you heard someone speaking and you weren’t able to make out the words that are being spoken?  Have you found yourself moving closer so that you can be in better position to hear their words?  Once you reach close proximity, have you ever leaned in to make sure that you are hearing every word clearly?  Did you focus on their words and the cadence of their speech to understand not only their words but the feelings from their heart?  The process of listening takes hearing, focus and comprehension.  I believe God is speaking.  He is speaking to us daily.  If we move closer, we can hear His message of love to us.  If we lean in we can hear that His Son Jesus Christ came that we might have life and life more abundantly.  If we focus on His Word and the many stories and letters it contains to us, they illustrate how great His desire is for us to live as His blessed Children.  His plan for us is for good and not evil.  He desires for us to come closer, lean in and experience His love.

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. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT  


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Anticipating Jesus

3 12 2014

winter clear roadSo the Word became human and made his home among us.

He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.

And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

 John 1:14 NLT

We have entered the Advent season, a time observed by Christians, in anticipation of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. For some this is a formal of time of prayer, fasting and devotion creating a spiritual connection during this Holiday season. For others it may not have much meaning at all and represents something that other people practice. I believe at some level all of us can prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas. We may not choose to use an Advent Calendar or observe the formal weeks of Advent devotion. But all of us can anticipate the celebration of the gift of Jesus Christ. He came so that we may have abundant life. His coming, His living and His gift at Calvary makes our salvation possible. We are so thankful for this gift and His unfailing love that blessed us at His birth and continues to bless us today. During this time leading up to Christmas, we can anticipate the celebration of His birth and turn our hearts and minds toward Him.

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.   We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.

John I:4 MSG


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Continue in Thanksgiving

1 12 2014

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Hebrews 13:15

Another holiday of Thanksgiving with all of the feasting with family and friends is behind us. While the holiday is officially over our expressions of thanks and gratitude to our Faithful Father should be a part of our daily living. His praises should continually be in our hearts and on our lips. We are a blessed people in countless ways to experience His Goodness, His mercy and His love. Every day we can tell the Lord how thankful we are for another day. Even when the days are difficult we can pray His word – Lord, I am thankful that by your stripes, I am healed. Lord, I am thankful that the plans you have for me are for good and not for evil. Lord, I am thankful that you said you would not give me more than I can bear. Lord, I am thankful that you would never leave me alone. We can give thanks in all things and His praises be a part of our everyday lives.  Let’s continue in Thanksgiving!


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