"His Bride" - 06/15/15 - 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8

"Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter up from the City of David to the palace he had built for her, for he said,
"My wife must not live in the palace of David king of Israel,
because the places the ark of The LORD has entered are Holy." (2 Chronicles 8:11)

I have been thinking on this verse throughout the day.  I am assuming his wife couldn't live in the palace because she was not of the chosen people.  an outsider.

I smile knowing - one day my ABBA will come for me.  Jesus has went on ahead and prepared a room for me.  In His Father's house.

Not outside looking across the way.  A room "in" His House.

Because I belong to Him.  For eternity. 

The Bride of Christ.  Yes, I am. 

               

"May Each One" - 06/14/15 - Psalm 134, 146-150

"Let everything that has breath praise The LORD.
Praise
The LORD." (150:6)

A few years ago,  I couldn’t help but smile, as I watched them. 

Kids.

Of all ages. 

Parents swinging and dipping their babies toes down into it.  Little ones running, screaming, laughing as they ran through it, on that first warm day of spring.  I was sitting on a bench at the fountains.  Watching how different God has made each of us, not only in our looks, but our temperament. 

A beautiful little girl reminded me of a duck.  She was following another  little girl, mimicking her every move.  Even in holding up her “skirt”, while not wearing a skirt.  Never did that little hand unclasp the hem of her short tee shirt.  Wherever her leader went, she went also.  Whatever action, she was a perfect copy. 

The little boy made his way about the waters on his own.  Splashing whomever happened to be in his way.   Running through the water falls and squealing with delight, as he came through the other side completely soaked.  His mom soon joined in.  Not caring at all what she looked like to others.  They were in their own little world – delighting in it.

Four sisters ran from one end to the other, until one was completely soaked.  When they came over to their mom, who was sitting right beside me, her excitement quickly fizzled out.  Her mom was reprimanding her for “not thinking long term” and getting soaked.  She would have to ride in the car like that.  I wanted so badly to say, “pick your battles.  Your child will most likely remember getting “shoulded”, instead of the giggles, screams, and laughter the four of them had – getting soaked”.  I kept my mouth shut and prayed.

And continued to pray for all I was watching.    

 

Wondering how many of them share an intimate relationship with God or even know His name. 

I so want my fellow man to know Him. 

All the thousands of persons I saw that day, I wondered.  I prayed as I walk down the streets over them.  I may not have met them face to face, but I believe my Divine Appointment that day was to pray over them.  

I cannot contain my love for Him. 

 
Later, as I was sitting in Union Station waiting on my train, I looked across the room.  There was a woman with two books in her lap, she was writing and turning pages back and forth.  One of those books was her Bible.  Another woman sitting two seats down from her, also studying her Bible.

There in the middle of the city -  In the middle of the crowds - He is.

I continue to pray for those about me

"Let everything that has breath praise The LORD.

Praise

The LORD."

"Everlasting is He" - 06/13/15 - 1 Chronicles 6-7, Psalm 136.

                                                                                                    
"Who remembered us in our low estate,

for His loving-kindness is everlasting,

and has rescued us from our adversaries,

for His loving-kindness is everlasting."

(Psalm 136:23-24)

                       So thankful. Enjoy your Saturday!

"Can Do" - 06/12/15 - 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4

"Now King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre.
He was a widow's son from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze;

and he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill for doing any work in bronze.

So he came to King Solomon and performed all his work." (1 Kings 7:14)

You know, I can mow a mean yard.  

I can cook a decent meal.  
I can keep a pretty clean and organized home (most times).
I can keep the books and do the billing for His business.


When I get to thinking about it, there are a lot of things I can do.  

But.  there are even more things I can not do.

If I allow myself to focus on the "can not do", instead of the "can do", I could become very discouraged.  very bitter.  very jealous.  

Our ABBA has given us each gifts and talents.  He has given us each the same amount of time in a day.  He has given us His Word to gain Wisdom.  and discernment.  

He has given us each the ability to "know" where and how He needs us to be in His body.  

It is so easy to fall victim to the game of "compare".  To think what we are able to do isn't worth much.  To look at others and see ourselves as "less than".  Not as "good as".  nor as "talented".  We haven't a clue what goes on in most persons lives, yet continually we put them above us on the comparison chart.  

And then we believe, there isn't anything about ourselves our ABBA is able to use.  

That. is. a. lie.

Each of us is invaluable to Him.   Each of us is an important and essential part of His body.  Each of us  - He uses for His glory.  

Instead of looking at the "can not do", look eagerly for His Divine Appointments which only "you" are able to "can do".  
He has put "you" in the exact place. 
the exact time. 
with the exact person. 
and needs all that "only" you "can do".          

                  

"Investing In The Future" - 06/11/15 - 1 Kings 5-6; 2 Chronicles 2-3

It took Solomon seven years to build it. (2 Kings 6:38)

One of my favorite things to do is going through empty, abandoned houses.  I love looking at the craftsmanship, imagining the people and their lives while living in these places.  There is a show on tv where a woman is taking these buildings, condemned to be torn down, and rebuilding them, making them back into a home.  You can take a drive in a city or out in the country and see many such places, sitting forlorn.  Just a shell.  Four walls which used to surround the making of memories.  Sitting empty - stripped of their former glory.

I think about all the work, the time, the cost, the materials, the manpower, which went into the building of the temple. 

Over the years, it was completely destroyed.

Everything that is manmade will one day be destroyed, no matter how elaborate. 
How expensive. 
How finely crafted.

Eternity.  Either in or out of our ABBA.

And that is all that really matters.

What do we invest a lifetime building?  What are we passing on? 

Who are we inviting to come live with us in the place Jesus is preparing for us?

Through and Through" - 06/10/15 - Proverbs 22-24

"Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,

And apply your mind to My knowledge;

For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
That they may be ready on your lips.

So that your trust may be in The LORD ,

I have taught you today, even you." (22:17-19)



"For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you"

 

"Loving My Soul" - 06/09/15 - Proverbs 19-21

"He who gets Wisdom loves his own soul." (19:8)


This verse hit me in between the eyes a number of years ago.  I realized I didn't love me.  Love me as He loves me.  

Because of that, I was allowing myself to be in situations I felt worthy - or rather unworthy -of.  I believed I wasn't included in the Promises He has told each of us, we are given.  

I was also searching for Love in all the wrong places.

Through His Word, He has transformed my eyesight when looking at me.  For the most part, I am able to see me through His eyes.  To ignore and cast aside the lies of the world and my self.  Yes, I still fight the urge to believe, "I am too fat, too ugly, too stupid, too much bad/evil", to amount to what He designed me to be.  

We are promised the gift of Wisdom through knowing His Word.

It is through Wisdom we are able to love our own soul - as He does.

Not the way of the world, which only promotes self love. 

Loving our own soul as He does, it promotes growth in our love for our ABBA, for others. 

Because when we love our own soul as He does, "self" doesn't matter anymore. 

                                                     

"For Always" - 06/08/15 - Proverbs 16-18

"but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (18:24)


He has.  He does.  He will.

My Jesus.  My Savior. 

"The" friend who sticks closer than a brother.

"Much Revenue" - 06/07/15 -Proverbs 13-15

"Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox."(14:4)

I'm not calling them oxen.  But I am thinking how much these past few days relate to this verse.

The "Lotter Invasion" has come to an end. 

Scattered throughout our home are reminders of how full this place has been these past few days.  Just like my heart. 

The voices.  The laughter.  Are ringing through my ears.  The images of each one pressed into my heart, as keepsakes between the pages of a book. 

Our home before their coming had most everything in its place.  except where we are remodeling the downstairs bath.  The floors were clean.  things were dusted.  laundry caught up.  beds were made. 

My manger was clean.

And so, so empty. 

Of life.

So much strength have I gathered from these persons.  Their wisdom.  their unconditional love.  their delight in living life.  their sharing.  their caring.  their welcoming us into their hearts and lives.

As Steve has said often throughout these days, "this is a glimpse of what Heaven will be like when we are all together under one roof".  For eternity. 

The "revenue" I have gained from my siblings being here - numbers can not count my wealth. 

"My Soul Family" - 06/06/15 - Proverbs 10-12

"The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger"(10:3)

Although I have tucked myself into my office to do my morning study, I can still hear them.  

Our home is overflowing with voices, little and big footsteps, laughter and the sounds of a very young baby.  We are experiencing the "Lotter Invasion".  

As the kitchen countertops are loaded down with food, so is my heart and soul.  

Our ABBA is filling me up with the love from my "soul family".  

Here for a wedding the 10 of us will be attending this day, we are being fed the food of love.  of joy.  and of wisdom.  How much I grow and delight in these special persons whom He has given me as part of my heart.  Just like food, He knows how my soul needs nourishment.  He knows memories being made become treasures in my heart to sustain me during times of drought.  Like a cool drink of water for a parched soul they are.

Most every Wednesday night our home is filled with other members of my "soul family" as we gather to study His Word.  Every other Tuesday a group of my "sisters" come together, bonding, falling deeper in love with our ABBA as we grow through His Word. 

This home.  It is His.  It is His and we are blessed, honored, beyond words to use it for Him.  For His glory.  We are blessed and honored, beyond words, to fill it up with our "soul family".  To fill it up with those He has put into our lives.  All the while, being fed by Him. 

It is the little moments that are really the grand events in life. 

It is the many ways He feeds me.  His Word each day I take of it and chew on it throughout my days.  Constantly my eyes fall upon persons or things and His Word is brought into my thoughts.  He feeds me.  Through the love and honor from those He surrounds me with.  How I delight in the food of life He gives me.  

The everlasting food of His Love through the many members of His family. 

Thank you my ABBA.  For knowing.  for providing.   

                                                         

"Fruits" - 06/05/15 - 156 - Proverbs 7-9

It's through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens, and the years of your life ripen.  Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life (9:11-12)


Some years ago, it was while sitting in the service, the casket in the front of the room, hearing the words of the minister, this feeling came over me and hasn't left.  It was another moment of a vivid reminder all of us will die. 


And how am I using my life?  What will I be leaving behind? 


What will be my legacy?


"your life deepens"


"and the years of your life ripen" 


"will permeate your life"


I love these words.  Knowing through His Love Letter, The Bible, we receive the gift of Wisdom.  I love how He has given me the true drink of living.  How He has quenched my thirst, and no longer am I wandering on this journey, but headed with purpose on the path to Him.  With Him. 

You are able to tell much about a person at their funerals by their fruits.  By the relationships we are able to look in on.  To those whom ABBA was  their life, in their fruits I see the delight of life, even through the sorrows, it shows in their smiles.  Smiles which come from their hearts, light up their eyes, and spread joy to those around them.  Even in their grief.  They never lose the hope.  the peace.  the joy. 

 I came away with questions of what kind of woman am I.  What memories and tools am I handing down.  Do I delight in life?  Does my fruit show this too? 

I came away knowing my ABBA is my Father.  The perfect Father.  He has given me the gift of Wisdom - one of the many perfect tools. 


I came away knowing what a legacy He has given me. 

"Be His Invaluable Jewel" - 06/04/15 - Proverbs 4-6

"The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."(4:18)

I sat on the floor last night, part of the Wednesday night circle which is made up of my family. 
My family bonded forever together through The Blood of our Savior.

We have been studying Revelation.  Lots of questions.  Lots of discussion.

And lots of growth.

Each week I sit in wonderment of those He has blessed into my life and heart.  Our home is bursting at the seams with the wisdom He has placed within these siblings of mine.  How much I have learned, am learning, will learn from each one of them. 

I am delighting in His words from the lips of our Ruby. 

She isn't very big, she has lived longer on this earth and experienced more than myself or the others.  But upon reading this verse today, I instantly thought of her. 

She isn't growing dimmer with the years, she is growing brighter.  The Light of our ABBA is shinning out through her eyes so brightly, they twinkle.  Her gentle smile has taken on the one from our Savior.  Her whole demeanor is filled with quiet, yet strong, grace.  Looking at her is looking at "the full light of day". 

I think about how she has lived up to the name her parents gave her.  Ruby. 
She literally sparkles, just like a rare, perfect, beautiful jewel in our ABBA's  crown.  Invaluable.

There are others in my life whom have walked many steps.  I think of my Wilma.  Small but mighty for Him.  She is one who isn't allowing age to hinder her in making and taking the most of this life He has given her. 

So opposite of others their age I know, who have decided to sit back and wait for their time to end.  So many who have decided to make living all about them.  Missing out on many opportunities because they have decided to continually look inward and not outward. 

I don't want to be the dim light of the sun just before it slips below the horizon.  I desire to allow Him to shine through me "shining ever brighter till the full light of day", no matter my age. 

                                                        

"Wisdom Is His Word" - 06/03/15 - Proverbs 1-3

My child,

If you will receive My words And treasure My commandments within you,

Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;
For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding;

If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;

Then you will discern the fear of The LORD And discover the knowledge of God.

For The LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.

Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.

For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you,
To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things;
From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness;
Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil;
Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways;

To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words;
That leaves the companion of her youth
And forgets the covenant of her God;

For her house sinks down to death And her tracks lead to the dead;

None who go to her return again,
Nor do they reach the paths of life.

So you will walk in the way of good men And keep to the paths of the righteous.

For the upright will live in the land And the blameless will remain in it;
But the wicked will be cut off from the land And the treacherous will be uprooted from it. (Chapter 2)

                     

"My Curt" - 06/02/15 - Song of Solomon 1-8

"This is my beloved and this is my friend" (5:16)

We were still working at 8 o'clock last night.  I was planting flowers and he was framing up a wall in the bathroom.  This was after we had put in a full day of work for our clients.  He was taking a breather, before finishing up a little bit more and calling it a day. 

My beloved, my friend.

We talked, as I continued planting.  Talked about how blessed our life is.  Having our Adam home.  His invaluable help, both physical and mentally, with the business.  How nice it would be to have that stamina, physical strength once again.  How exciting for Nichalas/Amber as they head out on their adventure home.  How they live life to the fullest, creating such beautiful memories.  How they are truly each others best friend and complete each other so.  I listen to him when he is speaking to our children.  My heart is full knowing the sound of his voice, his advice, is tucked into their hearts.  I pray his days are plenty, knowing the day he is called Home will be one of great, great sorrow for them. 

My heart gave thanks my beloved, my friend, is the father and friend of my children.   

We talked about our home.  How it is finally feeling like the gift ABBA has given us and not another's place we happen to reside in.  The plans we have, or rather I have, and he goes along because that is how he is. 

My beloved, my friend, who is patient and gives a hand in making my dreams a reality.

I have a picture of him taped to the bottom left corner of my computer screen.  It is from 1982.  Taken during a softball game, on one of our first dates.  In it, I have captured his smile.  His blond hair is longer, a bit curly, and more of it.  In seven days it will be 33 years since our first date and still, when looking at him my heart will leap as it did back then. 

My beloved, my friend, whom I adore and desire.

There are moments he causes me laughter.  to become flustered when still - he flirts with me.  joy.  peace.  contentment.  frustration.  pain.  the one who accepts and loves me as I am.  the one whom I am able to be completely myself with. 

My beloved, my friend, the one who has my heart and I his.

We spend most of our time together as we work and live life.  It amazes me how being such fickle human beings, we haven't grown tired of each other.  So many memories, adventures, moments spent together.  It amazes me after all the valleys we have journeyed through to the mountain tops, we are still together, stronger instead of weaker.  We are only as one because we turned "us" over to our ABBA.  It delights my soul to see him as a warrior for our Lord.  It delights my soul knowing we have/will share our days here together, but also eternity.

My beloved, my friend, my brother in Christ.

"My Curt".

"Nomads" - 06/01/15 - Psalm 119:89-176

"What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens.

Your truth never goes out of fashion; it's as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up.

Your Word and Truth are dependable as ever; that's what You ordered - You set the earth going.

                        
If Your revelation hadn't delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came.                            

But I'll never forget the advice You gave me; You saved my life with those wise words.

Save me! I'm all Yours. I look high and low for Your words of Wisdom.

The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me,
but I'm only concerned with Your plans for me.  
                          
I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can't contain Your commands!                            

Oh, how I love all You've revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long."(89-97)

 

 

 

His reminder.  His comfort.  His Truth. 

 

Right there - first ones I read this morning.  He is I AM.

 

Comparing myself to how I was in my yesterdays, I have improved greatly.  There are still moments when I fail and fall back into the old habit.  When I allow the whispers coming from the enemy to draw my attention off of my ABBA.

My g'ma Dorothy used to tell me, "it's like a rocking chair.  Even though you rock and rock, you're never getting anywhere".

 

Worry. 

 

I have been striving to eradicate it from my life by depending and believing in all - all - He has written to me in my love letter from Him - His Word.  I have been trying to lean on the Holy Spirit and draw from the Wisdom received from digging into His Word, becoming more intimate with my ABBA than just a superficial relationship. 

 

For the most part, He has helped me overcome the noise of the whispers.

 

I didn't sleep well last night, nor the nights before.  Today is the official day of a new beginning for our Nichalas/Amber.  They are embarking on their journey, camping and hiking through California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and other states until they make it home for their summer visit.  The mama in me is trying to ignore the fact they will be spending a bit of time in bear, moose, cougar, wolf country.  Not to mention any "nuts" who may be out and about.  Nichalas has tried to reassure me in the past, "they are so far into the wilderness, "nuts" don't want to take the time or energy to get there".  Okay, his words helped regarding the "nuts", but only made me more aware how off the beaten path they will be. 

 

It has been bittersweet having our sons become grown men and leave the "nest".  There have been, and most likely will be, moments my heart physically aches from the days which accumulate between being together.  How I delight in Adam being back.  To spend time with him.  Just to hear his voice in person and see his face.  I love just sitting and looking at our kids.  His beauty within and outside of them, continually takes my breath away.  "Marvelous are His works". 

 

And again, He reassures me.  We are but nomads here on this earth.  Picking up and journeying through the dangers of this world, towards our place in "The Home" in which He has prepared a place for us.  He has reassured me the all of our ABBA is as permanent as the heavens.  In Him, He is as the air we breathe, surrounding us and within.  No matter where we journey. 

. 

 

Again - He knew I needed to "hear" right off, He is in complete control. 

 

"What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens.

Your truth never goes out of fashion; it's as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up.

Your Word and Truth are dependable as ever; that's what You ordered - You set the earth going.

                        
If Your revelation hadn't delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came.                            

But I'll never forget the advice You gave me; You saved my life with those wise words.

Save me! I'm all Yours. I look high and low for Your words of Wisdom.

The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me,
but I'm only concerned with Your plans for me.  
                          
I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can't contain Your commands!                            

Oh, how I love all You've revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long."