Updated on May 11, 2014
Wonders of Old
But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. – Psalm 77:11
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Sometimes I amaze myself with how quickly I am ready to think the worst.
With the tiniest bit of loneliness, I feel abandoned. With the smallest amount of pain, I feel punished. The least bit of bad news can become a raging inferno of fear.
Somehow I let my knowledge of how big and powerful and loving my God is be overshadowed by the cares of this old world and this frail body. It shames me. And I want it to change.
I started off this morning by thinking about all He created in six days. I followed that up with an imagining of walking through the Red Sea on a path of dry land that wasn’t there 15 minutes ago. I dwelt for a long time over blind eyes made to see and dead men called to live again.
It was right about then that I began to realize, even the smallest of details showcase His glory and leave me in wonder.
He not only created the hummingbird; He gave it an irridescent sheen to delight the eye as it darts from flower to flower. He not only created butterflies; He caused a transformation from a fat ugly caterpillar.
God didn’t just come to earth as a man for some grand main event where He would be crowned in glory and lauded for ages to come. He came as a thirsty man waiting at a well for a scarlet woman to offer Him a drink. He wanted her. He came as a dirty and tired nobody, with blistered feet that would be wiped clean with perfume and hair. He wanted her.
Christ didn’t only speak to the masses; He thought of their comforts and their hunger, and then He took it upon Himself to feed their bodies of dust just as He’d been feeding their starving souls. And when the time came for Him to finally claim His kingship, He was determined to wash his disciples’ feet before He was led away to be pierced.
This. This is the Savior I expect to desert me. This is the Lord I think has stricken me or forgotten me.
“Really?” I ask myself, “Really?”
Yet Jerusalem says, “The Lord has deserted us;
the Lord has forgotten us.”
“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible,
I would not forget you!
See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.”
– Isaiah 49:1-16
Lord, I remember Your deeds from long ago. Wonderful deeds. Deeds that leave me gasping for breath at the depth of Your love. May they stay fresh in my mind, so t hat I will not be so quick to believe the worst. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on May 11, 2014
Devil’s in the Details
The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand. – Psalm 37:23-24
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The details. Have you ever heard that “the devil’s in the details”? It means there’s a catch hidden somewhere.
But I don’t buy that. It’s actually God who’s in the details.
How that perfect song comes on in just that short drive I have with the radio on. When my friend reaches out for encouragement about the exact thing I’ve been needing encouragement with. The day that article ends up in my inbox. The night that phone call comes out of the blue and answers a prayer.
Every feather and twig that make up a bird’s nest were supplied by Him. Every flake of pollen the bees use to create delicious honey… God led them to that flower.
Each minute that I was running late that kept me from that accident turned out to be His timing. Each day I was delayed in posting the words someone needed on a particular day in the future was actually His will.
God is in the details. Every single messy one. Every uncomfortable, painful, miniscule thing that frustrates and distracts and hurts us are being gathered to include in His orchestra. And when we get the final result… really get it… it will awe us.
There are so many details we’re completely unaware of, I can’t help but have my breath taken away. Can you imagine the pains He’s sheltered you from today? Do you glimpse the bitty blessings that have His fingerprints all over them? Do you hear the strains of His glorious melody as He directs and conducts and creates?
I don’t quite know the tune by heart yet, but it sounds an awful lot like…. Love.
Holy Lord, Thank You for not only caring but for delving right into our messy details. Help me to pay attention. Help me to learn the song by heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on May 9, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 5/11/14
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We put our hope in the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 33:20-22
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Shelly
Updated on May 9, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: Don’t Do It
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.” – Revelation 3:20-21
There’s a spirit of suicide in our midst.
God asked me to talk to you today.
To get real.
God sees you crying there.
He hears your pleas and He feels your pain.
He is answering. He is beckoning.
Won’t you turn it over to Him today?
He has a new plan for you.
A better plan, not this ending you have in mind.
He’s begging you to trust Him.
I’m begging you to recognize this as what it is…
A Divine Intervention.
You’re ready for more.
If you can’t take it anymore, then let Him take it.
If you’re tired of feeling like a burden,
then please believe that you are a treasure.
If you don’t know what to do next,
just hit your knees and whisper, “Yes.”
The woman from the first video is the singer/songwriter who performs this song:
We are best when we are community.
I would love to share in some of that community
right here from my website.
You can join in, too!
Share a post from your own blog
and then simply click on the
“Add your link” button below
and enter your blog information.
Then, please grab my Recommendation Saturday button
below, and place it on your website or post,
so that others can find their way to
our little Saturday community!
You can also Tweet your participation with the hashtag
#recommendsat
so that we can all find each other on Twitter!
You may also join in by leaving a comment.
The most important part of our community
is spreading our hope and love to others
by visiting some of the other inspirational sites
linked up and leaving comments there.
Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Loading InLinkz ...If you have been helped by this post and think it could be helpful to someone you know, please share this post on the social network of your choice for me.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on May 5, 2014
Sing Over Me
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“For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.” – Psalm 32:7
This little clip just struck me, and I knew I had to share. I hope you’ll watch.
The dad decided to try and keep his four-year-old daughter calm by singing with her during the fireworks. She was afraid of them. It made me think of this verse.
“For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” – Zephaniah 3:17
God just accompanies, calms and soothes. He reacts immediately to our fears and woos us back so sweetly. Beautiful picture I’m going to keep in my heart. I hope it blesses you.
Father in Heaven, You amaze me. Please help each soul reading this to know that You are loving and kind and good, and that You are always beside us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on May 2, 2014
Sunday Scripture: 5/4/14
One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:35-40
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Shelly
Updated on May 2, 2014
Recommendation Saturday: Sing to Me of Heaven
Take some time today, won’t you,
to imagine it.
Feed your spirit with its images.
Delight your heart with its sounds.
Dream big. Hold it close.
Believe it to be truth.
He has gone to prepare a place for us.
photo credit: Terence S. Jones via photopin cc
I saw before me what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them. And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:
“Great and marvelous are your works,
O Lord God, the Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations.
Who will not fear you, Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous deeds
have been revealed.”
Then I looked and saw that the Temple in heaven, God’s Tabernacle,
was thrown wide open.
– Revelation 15:2-5
We are best when we are community.
I would love to share in some of that community
right here from my website.
You can join in, too!
Share a post from your own blog
and then simply click on the
“Add your link” button below
and enter your blog information.
Then, please grab my Recommendation Saturday button
below, and place it on your website or post,
so that others can find their way to
our little Saturday community!
You can also Tweet your participation with the hashtag
#recommendsat
so that we can all find each other on Twitter!
You may also join in by leaving a comment.
The most important part of our community
is spreading our hope and love to others
by visiting some of the other inspirational sites
linked up and leaving comments there.
Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Loading InLinkz ...If you have been helped by this post and think it could be helpful to someone you know, please share this post on the social network of your choice for me.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 27, 2014
Light a Lamp
You light a lamp for me.
The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness. – Psalm 18:28
Oh, Lord, I am weary from wick trimming and match striking. I’m out of oil and out of steam and fresh out of hope.
It is dark and I am weary.
It is cold and I am afraid.
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble? – Psalm 27:1
Can You see me here, crouched and wary? Can You hear the cries and whimpers that eek from my heart? I am here, and it feels like I’ve been here forever.
I don’t want to be here anymore.
For you are the fountain of life,
the light by which we see. – Psalm 36:9
I can see from the promises in Your word, Father, that I don’t have to keep going on this way. I don’t have to find my own light or my own path. I don’t have to suffer in silence or cringe and cower here in the cold.
Light a lamp for me, Lord.
Light up my darkness.
I am coming.
This is the message we heard from Jesusand now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. – 1 John 1:5
Lord, I am tired of cowering here. I am weary from fear. Thank You for the light that is You. No darkness at all. Yes, please. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on April 27, 2014
Make It Through Tough Times in 6 Easy Steps
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So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. – 1 Peter 5:6
We’ve all heard the term, “Take it like a man.” Yeah, it’s supposed to make us set our jaw and dry our tears and stand a little taller. Cause men don’t cry or whine, and they can stand up to an immense amount of pain, right? Right?
I have a new saying for you. How about when times get tough, we “Take it like a child of God.”
Oh sure, Shelly, that sounds all well and good, but what exactly does that mean? Well, let’s take a peek into scripture. Let’s see what THE Child of God did when He reached dark days.
Step 1:
Surround yourself with Godly friends that you can lean on. Jesus chose His twelve. Some He lost forever, some He lost for a time, but He chose each one with care and He depended on them.
At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. – John 6:66-68
There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. – Proverbs 18:24
Step 2:
Take time to serve. Even if it’s just to lend a compassionate ear or lift someone up in prayer, give what you can to others. It will do you a world of good to refocus away from self and to know that you make a difference.
And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. – John 13:14
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. – 2 Corinthians 1:4
Step 3:
Pray constantly. Find a quiet, private place. Don’t just whisper platitudes or memorized words. Pour your heart our to your Father. Be real and honest with your feelings and your needs.
He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. – Luke 22:44
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! – Matthew 6:6-8
Step 4:
Ask for mercy. It’s that simple.
He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” – Matthew 26:39
For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. – Luke 11:10
Step 5:
Fulfill your purpose. God has created you as a vessel for His glory. Whatever that entails, trust that He can and will get you through. Be willing.
He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” – Matthew 26:39
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. – Colossians 3:23
Step 6:
Commit yourself into His care. Give up the striving, the reaching, the fighting. Surrender yourself completely to Him.
Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!”And with those words he breathed his last. – Luke 23:46
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. – James 4:7
It was good enough for Jesus. It’s definitely good enough for me.
How about you? Are you ready to take it like a child of God?
Dear Lord, keep me grounded when I feel like I might fly apart. Let me remember the example You left us. Thank You for your unfailing love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on April 27, 2014
Come Out Swinging
The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. – Exodus 14:14
To “come out swinging” means to strongly defend yourself or something you believe in… I’m a fighter, so when I hear this, something inside me says, “Yes!”
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But let’s try a different tactic today, shall we? Let’s practice fighting the biblical way.
The LORD himself will fight for you.
Could we ask for anything more? Could we find a finer champion?
Just stay calm.
Ah. There’s the rub, isn’t it? Just. Stay. Calm.
I’ll take a page from my precious little nephew’s book on this one.
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The kind of swinging that calms him most is more the kind our King has in mind, don’t you think?
The next time you hear “come out swinging”, well… do just that.
The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.
Lord Jesus, remind us today, when it feels like a fight, that You have other plans for us. Better plans. Sweet plans. Help us to trust. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
