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YOU Made the List!

You made the list Pic.jpg

Remember back and for some of us WAAAAY back, when we were in the 4th or 5th grade, out on the playground we would divide up in teams for a ball game? That had to be some of the most frustrating moments of childhood. Nervous thoughts of “Will I be picked?” Or remember when the list was posted for those making the team following tryouts? We stood a slight distance away, just close enough to see if our name was there, but not too close to be faced with rejection by our name’s absence.

Making the list. Go ahead admit it, we all want to be wanted, picked and deemed valuable! We all have areas of our life that we fall short, lack the skill or just can’t seem to get it right. In these, we begin to see ourselves as less valuable than others. Perhaps even become resentful, envious of those who do seem to have it all together. (They really don’t by the way).

Ever notice that we may take these perspectives, or may I say insecurities into our relationship with God?   Often, we may find our head bowed, not necessarily in reverence, but out of frustration.  Words painfully escape our whispering lips, “Will You, can You … use … ME!”  Then continue to list all our shortcomings, these becoming our excuses and before we know it, we are telling God why He shouldn’t want us.

In short Beloved, have we ever considered the ‘list’ that God compiled? The list of Biblical proportion. These folks did stupid things, (STUPID) made BIG mistakes, when told to do something God’s way, they chose the DIY and ran.  Some were too small, too old, too ugly and too worrisome.

Eve listened to the Devil *Rahab was a prostitute *Adam blame shifted *Jeremiah and Timothy were too young *David had an affair and was a murderer *Abraham was too old *Elijah was suicidal *Isaac was a daydreamer *Isaiah preached naked (oops) *Jacob was a liar *Jonah ran from God *Leah was ugly *Naomi was a widow *Joseph was abused *Job went bankrupt *Moses stuttered *John the Baptist ate bugs *Aaron watched the idol-making *Peter denied Christ *Gideon was afraid *The Disciples fell asleep while praying *Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer *Martha worried about everything *The Samaritan woman was divorced, (more than once) *Zacchaeus was too small *Paul was too religious AND Lazarus was dead!  DEAD I tell you!

Here it comes … (Wait for it) … HOWEVER. God used ALL these people! They were part of His plan. They all had weaknesses of some sort. Do you find yourself among this list?  Do you worry, then beat yourself up for lack of faith? Do you fall asleep when you pray, then believe the lie you don’t love God enough?

God moved in and through these people’s lives. Aren’t you glad God didn’t hide or remove the background history from these folks?  God is the Redeemer of our soul, life and YES mistakes, failures, and shortcomings. Have you been divorced, afraid, abused, bankrupted or drunk or eat weird things?  Or let’s face it, said things before your brain was engaged? (YAY Peter!) God is God.  He compiles the list.  YOU made the list, the list of redeemed mankind.  (Group hug!)

YOU my friends are sons & daughters of the Most High God! YOU are valuable! YOU are loved! YOU made the List!  HIS list!  Regardless.

Big plans for YOU!

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24)

 

Posted by  |  September 26, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Because You Say So

fuller nets

One day (Luke 5) Jesus was out in Peters’ boat teaching to the folks on the shore (no fog machines, no colorful backlighting, but great acoustics on the water). After Jesus finished teaching the crowd, He told Peter to put his nets out in the deeper water and there you will catch fish. Peter and crew had fished all night with no catch to show for it. Being professional fishermen, they knew the skill of the waters, the timing, and the fish patterns. Peter could have assumed he knew better than Jesus (not to mention, but I will… it being HIS boat and his men watching) he could have offered a lengthy debate and completely refused to obey. YET he responds with some of the most profound words in scripture, “Master … because You say so…” (v5). They did as Jesus said, the catch was SO full, they had to ask fellow fishermen in another boat to help, ‘soon both boats were filled with fish’ (v7). Peter teaches us, although we may not understand what/why Jesus tells us to do something, our obedience brings HUGE blessing and that blessing spills all over others as well (you may have to take a shower) but blessings all the more.

Peter, what a guy. You can’t but love him. He was the one who went on to ask Jesus, “So, how many times am I to forgive someone? What, say … 7 times?” Way to think BIG Pete! Jesus tells him, “No, seventy times seven” (Matthew 18). In the upper room, humbly Jesus begins to wash the disciple’s feet, Peter was the one (the ONLY one) who insisted Jesus not wash his feet, (and well, then requests the whole bath package, John 13). And Peter’s also the one wielding a sword and cuts off the guys ear in the Garden attempting to protest and protect Jesus (ever wonder what he might have been aiming for?) Interesting also, Luke, the physician is the only one of the four Gospel writers who offer the follow up, that Jesus healed the man’s ear (Luke 22). No one speaks in the gospels as often as Peter and Jesus spoke more to Peter than anyone else.

Does THAT resonate with you? It does me! I too would’ve been the one with all the mistakes, all the outbursts, act before thinking, Jesus needed to heal others of my messes and yes even the outrageous denying. Yet, in Peters’ doing and Jesus’ divine responses – what lessons, what grace, what love!

Peter messed up (a bunch) but he was the “Master… because You say so” guy.

What a challenge – may we be also.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrew 10:24)

Posted by  |  September 22, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Routine Anchoring

routine coffee

When we think of back to school, what first comes to mind? Sack lunches, big yellow buses, school supplies (Oh I love school supplies) and what about routine? During the summer we tend to lighten up or throw out routine altogether. Spontaneity is exciting and good and at times a total hoot, yet routine gives aide to keeping our prone-to-wander ducks – in a row.

Routine helps anchor our season of life – our day – our moment. An anchor is used when a boat or ship needs to be centered in one location and not moved by the wind, waves or current. When we follow an established pattern, it gives us focus, a goal rather than a haphazard throw it to wind mindset. Routine is a time, a place and a purpose.

Daniel of the Bible followed a pattern of praying three times a day, regardless of what was going on around him. His time with his God solidified his assurance of God’s character, thus help shape his own stand-strong character. King David mentions multiple times his routine was ‘early in the morning’ (early & first) he sought God, read His law, setting everything aside to praise Him. Jesus, our ultimate example was often seen slipping away to pray to His Father. Routine is a time, a place and a purpose.

Nicholas Herman of the 1600s, known to us as ‘Brother Lawrence’ speaks of the development of acute awareness, in the beloved compiled letters ‘Practicing the Presence of God.’ Brother Lawrence spent years working in the kitchen, then working as a shoe repairman. If I may offer application; he speaks of routine as a tool for focus.

Each night as my husband and I crawl in bed, he reads over us. A portion of scripture or from an in-depth devotional. He does this even if he’s traveling for work, through the phone the established routine anchors us.

Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do.” Oh. (OH!)

Perhaps we need to re-adjust some focus, smooth out our schedule, dotting our calendar with designed routine. A time, a place, a purpose: For prayer, praise, seeking HIM early and first. For family and relationship.

Routine.

I shared the above with our women at church over breakfast at our September gathering.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

 

Posted by  |  September 15, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: | Leave a comment

In The Early – In The First

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This is Fred my aquatic frog, my husband named him, I wanted something more exquisite like ‘Sebastian Theodore III’, nope, Fred. He is just a lil guy, less than an inch from nose to frog rump. Most folks have a dog or a cat, but I have fish and a frog. Fred is often seen waiting… just waiting … still waiting. You see when I drop his food in the bowl, it is here (where he waits) that we meet. This morning when I saw him waiting yet again, I thought of his expectation, knowing it is our morning routine. The words of the Psalmist came to mind, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.” (130:5) Waiting in routine is good, waiting with expectation is great.    “For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.” (Ps 107:9).

King David wrote, “O God, you are my God; early will I seek You…” (Ps 63:1a) He is saying he not only seeks God early but FIRST.

Finding inspiration from the Psalms and Sebastian Theodore III (aka: Fred). May we too find routine in the early – in the first – in expectation of our God.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  September 9, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

The Simple

Simple slide

Simple. We all seek the simple, the quick, and the ‘let’s get to it’ in life. But, when something is presented without difficulty, we pick it up, look behind it and wonder where’s the rest. We take this mentality into our Jesus walk as well, if it seems uncomplicated, effortless and even manageable, we begin to reach for stuff to fill in the cracks, make it heavier than designed and by all means, let’s OVER-THINK-IT!

Most of the basics are just that … simple.

This Jesus life is co-operative – His divine (instruction & empowerment) with our obedience, equates good God stuff! Example: John 9, the blind man, blind from birth encounters Jesus: (In short) Jesus puts spitty-mud on the guy’s eyes and instructs him to go and wash.   “So, I went and washed and then I could see.” (v11, NIV) To wash – so simple. Yet, there are others who hesitate due to the simple: Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army (2 Kings 5) he’s a mighty man of valor yet had leprosy. Through interesting circumstances, he was told to go dip seven times in the Jordan and he’d be healed. But the man thought he needed-deserved more! Bring out the parade, Elisha wave your hand over me, pray a glorious King James prayer (ok, I added that). In his refusal of the simple, fighting against God’s instruction, he didn’t do it. But finally, in response to his servants challenging him, he went, did the dunking and was healed – his healing, however, was delayed due to denial of simplicity. The blind man in John 9, obeyed immediately – healed immediately.

What is God instructing us? Are we holding out for more, before we respond? Perhaps, we’re making it more difficult than it is.

Simple.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  September 2, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Your Name

Name

We’ve heard the questioning phrase, “What’s in a name?” The answer: Biblically, a boatload, actually. When we begin reading John 11, we are introduced to a man named Lazarus. We find he is a brother, lives in Bethany and is ill. But beyond those three initial facts, before going any further so much gets lost in the translation – his name. Names given in ancient days helped define the person, gives a title and even their destiny. Lazarus is known to come from the Hebrew, meaning ‘God is my help.’ Continuing the story: Lazarus dies, he is buried, the sisters mourn, and after 4 days Jesus comes and calls him out with all Godly authority and out of the grave walks … Lazarus. THAT is indeed ‘God is my help.’

Names.  I am known by many names, legally I am ‘Diana’ and if called out by my dad, I am ‘Diana Rena’ (and better respond quickly) but to most I am DeDe. To my sons, ‘Mom’, my granddaughter, of recent ‘Grams’ and to my Beloved, I am ‘Sweetheart’. These names offer relationship, title and yes destiny. But my most cherished name and the honored title is ‘Child of God.’ It is SO defining. John writes, “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12-13, NIV) I am born of God, His child, His daughter.

The scriptures speak of the privileges that accompany the title (AND the responsibility) of being a child of God, one – inheritance (See: Ro 8:17; Tit 3:7; Eph 1:11,18; Acts 20:32; 1 Pet 1:3-12, Col 1:12-14, just to name a few). Folks, this alone is huge, when we are in Jesus, we get the full-meal-deal, the whole God package! Because of our relationship with Him, our name is more than DeDe, Lisa, Bob or Mary – it is CHILD OF GOD.  So, you too, like Lazarus, may be a brother/sister, live in ___________ and even sick (be healed in Jesus name) but because of your titled name, YOU get the privilege of walking out of an assured death sentence to … LIFE! As your story continues, don’t let your name get lost in the translation of the world, keep walking, remembering who and Whose you are – a Child of God.

What’s in a name? Everything.

HIS, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

*Photo credit: product of IdealPin

Posted by  |  August 17, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Happy Left-Handers Day (Left Handed in the Bible)

left-handed-facts

Happy ‘Left-hander Day.’ Yes, it’s an annual national day. Studies suggest that approximately 10% of the world’s population is left-handed.

Leftys …

  • Use the right side of the brain the most
  • Twice as likely to be a man
  • Better at multitasking
  • Of the eight most recent U.S Presidents, 4 have been left-handed
  • Less able to roll their tongue than a righty, (fun facts to share with your friends)

You may ask, “What does the Bible say about being left-handed?” ‘Left-handed’ in the Hebrew is itter and only mentioned 2 times in scripture (Judges 3 & 20) and literally means; ‘not of the right hand’ – thus …left-handed.

Judges 20: In short: There was a very icky situation, war broke out among the tribe of Benjamin and all the rest of the tribes of Israel. “Among all these were 700 chosen men who were left-handed…” (These leftys were in addition to 26,000 other men). ‘Chosen’ is a keyword. In essence, they went looking for left-handed men. WHY?

Back up to Judges 3, Israel had AGAIN gone about doing ‘evil in the eyes of the Lord’, (Boooo!) God allowed the bad king Eglon of Moab to help teach the Israelites a lesson, through warfare. Israel cried out to God and He sent ‘Ehud’ (of the tribe of Benjamin) who just happened to be left-handed, who goes on to defeat the bad king. (YAY!) Moab became subject to Israel and there was peace in the kingdom for 80 years. (Ahh!) All of Israel KNEW the story of the ‘left-handed’ Benjamite – Ehud! THAT is why the Benjamites went looking for leftys – in hopes of having an ‘advantage.’ They were known for being able to “sling a stone at a hair and not miss.” (Jg 20:16). The Benjamites, however, did lose the battle – guess the left-handed missed. (Oops!)

What a lesson for us, we can’t always reach from our past in hopes that what worked ‘then’ will work now. God used the left-handed man to show the Israelites that when they are in fellowship with Him,  He takes the least (one man) and makes the MOST.  His lessons take on new angles with each battle. Left-handed or right-handed, new battle, new battle plan. God’s plan.

Left-handed.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

 

Posted by  |  August 13, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Tangled Hangers

 

tangled hangers

Patience. At times a hurry up and wait mindset. When the hurry isn’t an instant thing, then anger becomes our response. GOOD patience is a God quality, Paul lumps it in with love, joy, peace, patience…and self-control. (See Galatians 5:22-23).   My husband and I together, have worked through the devotional book, “Praying the Attributes of God” by Ann Spangler and I mean ‘WORK’ through. One does not merely read when you open your heart and mind to transformation. The chapter on patience, looking at God’s patience with us. OH-MY-GOODNESS! God makes declaration of Himself: “The Lord, the Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6).   In short, God does not grow frustrated with us like we do with others, things, circumstances or … ourselves. Patience is being long of feeling, delaying one’s anger.

Impatient trigger points, what is it for you? Long lines at the gas station or 23 items in the gals cart ahead of you at the grocery store when the sign clearly reads only ‘15’? For me, it is tangled hangers – NOTHING makes me more instantly frustrated than when I reach for one, ONE, and they tangle, and others come tumbling out and fall to the floor. Instant ‘hurry up and get it the way I WANT IT’ – mad woman moment! The imagery in life is the same – we are SO busy, our mind so full, that when we reach for one thing, the thing needed or wanted, it potentially all comes tumbling down. What is the first step to de-tangle my hangers and decrease my instant anger? CLEAN OUT THE CLOSET! (I know, DUH!) The same is true with our lives, clean out, get rid of, grow pass all the stuff, so when we (or God) reaches for something… there isn’t a tumbled mess at our feet.

“Thank you, God, for being so very patient with us, willing to allow us to grow and learn. We invite You to work YOUR precious attribute of patience, full of mercy and slow to anger in us. May we this week, sense You as we clean out the stuff, making life easier and not so cluttered, reducing our frustration. De-tangling for Your glory! In the powerful name of Jesus. Amen”

De-tangling the tangled hangers. Pursuing God patience.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:2

Posted by  |  August 10, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Extolling Him

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“I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever.” (King David, Psalm 145:1, ESV – emphasis mine) Extol, the word is pretty much obsolete these days. When was the last time we used it in a sentence – it doesn’t just roll off our tongue? (Or should it?)

Webster’s defines it, ‘to praise highly or enthusiastically.’ Looking at the many different words translated in the Old Testament on praising and glorifying God, there are two main representations: When we exalt God, (in word AND deed) we are personally declaring Him as Superior: He is more, He is beyond, He is above … all. When extolling God, we not only raise Him in high status, but we lift His attributes as well. God, YOU are holy! You are merciful! You are loving! You are sovereign! You are grace-filled and grace-giving! (Selah)

The imagery is likened to when we raise our hands in church, not only are we in a posture of surrender but raising God above – above the stuff, higher than ourselves. There have been a few times when I, reading His word and becoming so keenly aware of Him and His holiness, on the floor face down I can-not-get-low-enough. A true revelation of God will cause a gut response to do nothing else but lift Him up!

King Nebuchadnezzar experienced just this when stating: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of Heaven, for all His works are right and His ways are just; and those who walk in pride He is able to humble.” (Daniel 4:37) As the ancient folks came across on dry ground, safely on the shores, with the Egyptians who sought to again enslave them, now lay dead, it is said of them, the Israelites  ‘believed in the LORD…” (Ex. 14:31) and sang: “The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him.” (Ex 15:2)

Praising lavishly and magnifying His majesty! May ours, be a lifestyle of extolling God above all. (In Jesus name)

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  July 30, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: | Leave a comment

Rest (Mini Devo)

quiet boat
When the disciples had returned from teaching, healing and delivering the people, exhausted, Jesus tells them, “Come with Me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mk 6:31, NIV) They get in a boat and go to a solitary place. Notice Jesus was very specific. He didn’t say ‘Go away – take some time off – I’ll see you on the other side.’ He wasn’t offering options. He said, “Come with Me ….”   The narrative doesn’t say it, but can you imagine the boat ride, they, being exhausted: no joking, no retelling of events and no telling Peter to sit down. Just quiet and the lapping of the water on the boat – and Jesus. Presence. Quiet on the way to and in the solitary place.  What God-math: Jesus + quiet = rest.
Perhaps YOU are exhausted, exhausted from the stuff, worn out from routine, serving and loving.  Rest.  Follow this example: “Come with Me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest.”   By the way, we can’t stop there – that solitary place?  SOON thousands of folks show up, Jesus teaches them and hands the broken bread & fish to the disciples to feed them – getting ready (for the next thing) means getting rest! 
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)
* Photo credit: Horacio Cardozo

Posted by  |  July 25, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Purposeful Process

Problem solving with Jesus

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man, hearing the commotion that Jesus was there, called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” In which he was told “Be silent!” by those around him. Well, THAT didn’t stop him, he cried out even louder, “JESUS, SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!” Jesus stops, has the man brought to Him, He asked (although apparent of the mans need) “What do you want Me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus tells him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight. (Luke 18)

Mark chapter 8: In Bethsaida, a few folks have approached Jesus, begging Him to heal their friend who also was blind. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and walked with him out of the village. “When He had spit on the man’s eyes and put His hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put His hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” Amazing story, the man went from blind to the ability to see, to seeing with perception and detail.

Notice in these stories there was dialogue. Jesus could have from a distance, with a miracle-filled wave and a divine word, heal the men and continue on His way. Yet, He didn’t. There was purposeful process. Walk with Me – talk with Me, process. Some helped in the process, while others tried to discourage it.

How is our process? How desperate are we? Do we earnestly seek out Jesus regardless of obstacles, regardless of dismaying voices? Do we have folks around us that match or exceed our pursuit of God? Folks, Jesus invites us into the process.  Are we willing to walk with Him and process through?  Point to Ponder. Faith sees Jesus is, Jesus can and Jesus will.

Walk with ME – talk with Me, purposeful process.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  July 21, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Make Every Effort

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“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Said Thomas Edison, who after 1000 attempts, succeeds with the invention of the light bulb. Try just one more time!  The 4 guys carrying the paralytic in Mark chapter 2, understood this. Jesus is preaching to a packed house (literally) “Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they …” the story continues with the guys making an opening on the roof and lowering their friend right-in-front-of Jesus. Jesus seeing their faith, He heals buddy number 5, because they kept going, creatively going.

We are lazy people (in general) we give up quickly or keep our efforts minimal at best, after all, we wouldn’t want to exert ourselves. (Phew) We take this into our God walk as well. Peter wrote; “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life… He has given us great and precious promises, enabling you to share in His divine nature.” (2 Pet 1:3-4, NLT) He continues, “In view of this, MAKE EVERY EFFORT …” (v5a, emphasis mine). Give all diligence in making good use of what God provides, apply it – apply yourselves! Peter goes on, saying ‘add to’ your faith; moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love (vv 5-7). I would liken it to the Israelites in the wilderness, God provided the manna to survive, they were to go out and gather it, (yes, they had to work to get it) diligently they worked, adding to their jar each lil flake, they did this DAILY. (Ex. 16) Do WE put forth an effort to get the God stuff? Do we make time, make room, make it a PRIORITY to be in His word, talk to Him DAILY! Or do we mess around, give lil effort or quit altogether. Our very thriving existence depends on the effort we put into it!

Oh, and as for the guys and his lowered down friend? At Jesus’ word, he jumps up, grabs his mat and walked through the stunned onlookers. ‘They were all amazed and praised God…” (Mk 2:12) Those not giving up men with their determination to get to Jesus brought about a miracle, that miracle amazed the folks, which initiated praise. God doing a miracle in our own lives WILL catch the attention of others to the glory of God – our effort brings God glory!

Make every effort.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  July 7, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Know the facts, not the hype

not so tough

60 SECOND BIBLE STUDY: Goliath was NOT all that!  Taking a closer look: 1 Samuel 17 – Goliath may not have been as big and nasty as perceived, or as LARGE as the flannel graph silhouette from Sunday school, scholars believe he may have been perhaps only 6 1/2 feet to 9 feet.  Super-sized large or not, there are other interesting facts to be had. When pictured, either mentally or vibrantly sketched, we usually see just the two of them facing off (Goliath & David) yet there was a 3rd person out there, Goliath’s shield bearer whom Goliath was standing behind (v7 & 41). Not so tough now big guy! But what is fascinating: when young David steps forward to fight, Goliath mocks him about being just a boy and coming at him with a stick, yet Goliath doesn’t change his stance, he doesn’t drop any weapons, doesn’t take off any shielding, or send the shield bearer away. This so called champion was still concerned. And rightly so, that boy who RAN towards him, was the future warrior-king (and killed him and cut off his head).
 Sadly, the foes and so-called giants we face get deemed BIGGER and BADDER (Yes, that is a word according to my granddaughter) than they really are, in reality they are not all that, especially when we, like David, come against them in the name of the LORD Almighty!  As a dear friend said, “Sometimes it’s the hype that undermines our confidence not the facts.”   We are to direct our attention to the truth of God and not allow unhealthy thoughts, fears or perceptions to take us captive (like Goliath did the with the Isrealites, v11).  I’ll leave us with the wise words of Paul, “We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.” (paraphrased, 2 Cor. 10:5 –  The Message)

Know the facts, not the hype.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  July 1, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Living By Design

 

Solomon wrote; “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Proverbs 4:23, NLT)  Good words, wise words.  Solomon was stinkin wise. 1 Kings 4:31 makes mention, listing those he was wiser than. In this list, among many, we find ‘Ethan the Ezrahite‘. Can you imagine going down in permanent history, basically being said of you, “Ethan, oh he’s the not so wise guy Dude!” – overshadowed by another, someone greater than you?  We live in a society where there are comparative views of about EVERYTHING.  “This tastes better than that… over there is more spacious than here…he sings better than him… she is prettier-thinner-gifted and smarter than her… they have more than us.”  Comparison.

Even though, Solomon was granted wisdom and a discerning heart by God (See conversation in 1 Kings 3) reading this narrative of Ethan, we can’t stop there! Scholars believe Psalm 89 is attributed to this same Ethan the Ezrahite. He is divinely granted parchment space of 52 verses.  He writes of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness of covenant, with strong worshipful words, “I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth, I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations.” (v1)  He goes on to declare  “You have made … established… You rule… crushed… scattered … founded, and created…”  THAT is some dandy declaring!

Overshadowed Ethan?  I think not.  Yes, not as wise by design as Solomon, but he was impacting, he was declaring, worshiping Ethan,  “O LORD God Almighty, who is like You? You are mighty…” (v8)

May we be inspired, it is not a matter of comparison, but one of living by design. What will WE do, write or sing?

Stinkin wise?  Perhaps not, but making known God’s love and faithfulness.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  May 6, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Leave a comment

Fresh Fire

 

The lamp, warm dancing flame seen with silhouetted patterns on the wall.  Soothing isn’t it?  One could sit for hours in its glow, just admiring the effect it has on us.  There is something about a flickering flame.

The Lord revealed Himself many times in the flame, the bush with Moses, where he was commissioned and Yahweh gives His name, “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3) and the pillar of fire at night to the Israelites, extending His guidance (Exodus 13).  Solomon dedicating the Temple, fire came down from heaven as God’s glory filled it (2 Chron. 7). One cannot talk fire without mentioning the showdown on Mt. Carmel, Elijah and his God against the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18) – we WIN!

Oh, we may not be calling God down from heaven these days to consume our sacrifice to prove a point, but the use of the flame on a smaller note we can understand.  The theme of the candle or lamp in the Bible is strong.  In Psalm 18:28 David writes “For thou wilt light my lamp: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.”   Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”   It is God that burns, His presence, His word that lights our way.

I am currently leading our women’s group through the study of the Tabernacle of Moses, amazing story of being set apart and of sacrifice and light.  With the joy and privilege of the lamps comes responsibility, requiring tending.  The priests DAILY tended to the lamp in the Tabernacle, along with the sacrifice and the water, these needed daily attention.  When God gave strict instruction of the articles for the Tabernacle, He included the ‘wick trimmers’ being made of pure gold. (Exodus 25:38)

In my research, I found the need that as we trim the wick short (i.e. of today’s waxed candles) we ‘cut off yesterday’s fire.’  If not, the wick begins to have a small build up causing the flame not to burn pure and burn too fast and this creating soot attaching itself to those things closest to the flame.  We trim for a fresh, even, pure, lasting flame!  Fresh Fire!  Does that stir something in you?

The Lord spoke to me about the need to come DAILY, seeking His presence, His word, that FRESH FIRE, depending not on yesterday, but tending to TODAY.  Representing a true pursuit of Him, giving Him priority and signifying value to our relationship.  As I trim my wick and prepare for a fresh word from God, His presence comes.  As He did with Moses, He will reveal Himself to me, commissioning me for the day.  As His child, He will guide me – His temple, He will fill me.  And just like Elijah, He will do great things in my midst.

How is our flame burning?  Are we tending?  Is it yesterdays fire, has it cooled down or gone out completely or perhaps a bit messy due to lack of attention.

Fresh fire.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

Posted by  |  April 28, 2019 | Categories: * Miscellanous Stuff | Tags: , | Leave a comment