"Continuing Onward and Upward" - 09/07/17 - Nehemiah 1-3

"So I went up the valley in the dark - continuing"(2:15)


There are times when we are reminded of the valleys we have journeyed through.  Some moments, places, words, are able to take us back and we then stand at a crossroad.  We can either go down the "valley of memories", sinking into a pity party, picking up doubt and shame, considering His Word is not Truth, or we can turn and place our focus on our ABBA. 


 "In the dark, continuing". 
Continuing onward. 
Or continuing to stay.


I find it isn't a coincidence when reminded of those dark valleys,  our ABBA gives us strength and courage.  Be it through His Words coming over the radio through numerous Christian artists,  His colors in the turning crops against the beautiful sky, reminding each of us,  He designed and created beauty in all.  He has given us His Words in our heart continually reminding us, "we are His Beloved". 


Through Him my eyes have been opened to His blessings continually raining down upon me, casting off the darkness.  The songs, the sermons, bright eyes and hugs, words spoken by others, to the simple thing of finding chicken breast on sale for $.99 a pound.  Everywhere my eyes fall upon, I am reminded of how much He loves us.   

 

A couple of years ago it was time to head out to Adam's football game and I debated about staying home.  It had been a long day and honestly, lounging on the couch sounded really good.  The sun had sunk below the horizon as Curt and I made our way over the hill.  I could see Adam, Jacob, and the other players on the field below as they fought for the ball.  Sitting between them and me on the bleachers were three more parts of my heart.  


With the lights illuminating their outlines, I knew He was shinning down upon them too, pointing out to me, telling me, "these people are part of your many blessings".  Two bright eyes sparkling in delight, her smile covering her face as she pointed at me.  Within seconds Ella was running up the hill towards me calling, "Grandma Deby".  Following close behind was her older brother, Charlie.  It amazes me how little children love so freely.  And how I delight in this gift.


There at the end of my day was my treasure.  part of my family.  Adam, Ashley, Charlie and Ella.  Our ABBA then added to the mix a phone call with Nichalas and Amber.      


Our ABBA.  Our Savior.  The Holy Spirit.  His Word. 


Always, always there.  Each and every day bringing delighted Light into darkness.

Our Taste of Heaven.

We need to continue onward looking for the rain of blessings in our journey upward towards Home.

"I said, "God, God-of-Heaven, The Great and Awesome God, loyal to His covenant and faithful to those who love Him and obey His commands(1:5)   

How He so blesses each of us. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Jesus - Our Gift of Life" - 09/06/17 - Ezra 8-10

“Now for a brief time God, our God, has allowed us, this battered band, to get a firm foothold in His Holy Place,
 so that our God may brighten our eyes and lighten our burdens,
 as we serve out this hard sentence. We were slaves;
yet even as slaves, our God didn’t abandon us." (9:8)

Slaves. 

Not the way He intended for life to be for the all of us.

He didn't intend for sin to be in the mix.  or us to become slaves to it.

But because He desired us to follow Him on our own free will, He gave/gives us a choice.

To follow Him. 

Or not.

There is so much darkness on the path of sin.  It always seems bright until the rose colored glasses come off.  The burden of sin weighs us down so we are traveling through with our eyes to the ground.

Sin.

It is the only reason He gave us The Gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
It is the only reason He did so in order that we may be with Him face to face.

Our Savior.  Our "firm foothold in His Holy Place". 
Our Savior.  Our gift to "brighten our eyes and lighten our burdens".

But it remains our choice. 

To accept our ABBA who is always there waiting.
Or remain a slave to sin.  We must choose wisely and live life fully "in" Him. 

"Heaven. His Sea of Joy" - 09/05/17 - Ezra 6-7

"Then the Israelites who had returned from exile, along with everyone who had removed themselves from the defilements of the nations to join them and seek God, the God of Israel, ate the Passover.      With great joy they celebrated the Feast of Unraised Bread for seven days.

 

God had plunged them into a sea of joy."(6:21-22)


 "returned from exile."

 

The reward of remaining steadfast in their work of rebuilding the temple.  No matter the circumstances, the people they came up against, the situations.  His people remained true to ABBA.


They remained focused on Him.


They remained on course to following His lead.  His ways. 


Him.


In Him we are His Temple where He resides.  Loving within us. 

 

We are part of His great commission:

 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of The Father and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."(Matthew 28:19-20)


How often do we allow ourselves to take our focus off of His commission and stop "building"?  How often do we set aside our tools and go off into the world for a time of serving "self"?  Each moment I continually strive not to.  I am so in love with ABBA, I desire to please Him continually.  (So thankful for His Grace and Mercy, as there are many times I don't). 


 I love knowing at the end of our time here, we"in" our Christ, are ones "who had returned from exile, along with everyone who had removed themselves from the defilements of the nations to join them and seek God ate the Passover."


 "With great joy they celebrated the Feast of Unraised Bread".


"God had plunged them into a sea of joy."


I love the word picture we are given here for His followers.  There is nothing like diving into the cool waters and feeling them remove the heat of the day from our body.  To feel the coolness refresh you.  To ride the waves, build sand castles, to delight in His nature. 

I am so looking forward to the day of  going "swimming" with His family - for eternity.

In The Sea Of Joy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We - His Unfinished" - 09/04/17 - Ezra 3-5

"It has been under construction ever since but it is not yet finished.” (5:16)


There is a song by Mandisa, "Unfinished" which, whenever I hear it, I receive encouragement.  No matter my slipbacks, goofups, beatmeups, backsteps - until I die - He isn't finished with me. 

Just as He isn't with all of us.

I smile while reading today and seeing The Hope.  The Israelites wanted nothing more than to rebuild their temple.  Totally focused on the job our ABBA had set them up to do and along comes "life". 

Overcoming times of fear, they went forward.  Along comes the drama of old enemies and construction is halted.  How often do we find our "building of the temple" for The Kingdom Come sidetracked by life? 

And how often do we allow doubt to seep in, allowing the seeds to sprout that we aren't just "enough" for the task our ABBA has given us.  Or that we have "messed things up" so bad nothing can be fixed.

He is bigger than any and all of what satan, the world, and even "self" will throw up at us during our journey towards Home.  He is also the one who created, equipped, prepared, and guides us in the steps we take following Him.

I love our ABBA.  I love how He is always there to remind us.  We are "unfinished" until our last breath.  I love how He covers us with His Grace and Mercy.  His Forgiveness. 

I love knowing - The Power that raised Him from the grave is the same power that lives within us.  His Children.  His Beloved.

"Unfinished"
(Mandisa)

Not scared to say it, I used to be the one
Preaching it to you, that you could overcome
I still believe it, but it ain't easy
'Cause that world I painted, where things just all work out
It started changing and I started having doubts
And it got me so down

But I picked myself back up
And I started telling me
No, my God's not done
Making me a masterpiece
He's still working on me

He started something good and I'm gonna believe it
He started something good and He's gonna complete it
So I'll celebrate the truth
His work in me ain't through
I'm just unfinished
I'm just unfinished
So I'll celebrate the truth
His work in me ain't through
I'm just unfinished

I know His history and the kind of God He is
He might make it a mystery
But He's proving I can trust in Him
And yeah, I believe it

So I can pick myself back up
And keep on telling me
No, my God's not done
Making me a masterpiece
No, my God's not done

Still workin'
Still, still workin' on me
He's still workin'
Still, still workin' on me

He started something good and I'm gonna believe it
He started something good and He's gonna complete it
So I'll celebrate the truth
His work in me ain't through
I'm just unfinished
I'm just unfinished
(I'm just unfinished)
So I'll celebrate the truth
His work in me ain't through
I'm just unfinished

 Oh, yeah
I'm just unfinished

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drkqqCy8emM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Our High Priest" - 09/03/17 - Ezra 1-2

^"They had thoroughly searched for their family records but couldn’t find them. And so they were barred from priestly work as ritually unclean. The governor ruled that they could not eat from the holy food until a priest could determine their status with the Urim and Thummim." (2:62-63)

So often we wander around trying to find our purpose in life. 

We needn't live that way.

Because of our Savior, we are made completely clean through the gift of His Blood.  The Ultimate Sacrifice. 

When in Him, our ABBA sees us as pure and Holy.

No longer are we barred from the priestly work He has commissioned us to do while journeying towards Home on this earth.  We have been given access to eat from the Holy Food.  His Word.  To partake of the Holy Communion in remembrance of The Sacrifice of His only begotten Son. We have been left with The Holy Spirit who lives in and around us. 

All of us have been left with The Great Commission:   

"Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave His charge: “God authorized and commanded Me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.
I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20)

We all have a purpose.  His purpose.

"As We Live - Go!" - 09/02/17 - Daniel 11-12

"Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies.
And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever."(12:3)


What a promise He gives us!

I love how He speaks so to us, through His Word - His gift of Wisdom for us to drink in. 

How easily we can become bogged down by the lies of this world and forget.

Forgetting this is our temporary place. 
Forgetting we are to be fishers of men. 
Forgetting it isn't about us, it is about Him.  

We are just traveling through to our final destination, bringing along as many as we can to our Savior - Jesus Christ. 

I continually pray our eyes will be wide open to see the persons He has set before each of us on all of the days we are given.  There isn't such a thing as a coincidence in whom we will share moments with.

All moments are our Divine Appointments set up by our ABBA.

How exciting knowing we have the choice to "glow like stars forever" - His stars! 
"Putting others on the right path to life" - to our Savior - our Jesus Christ. 

"We - His So Much Loved" - 09/01/17 - Daniel 9-10

"You had no sooner started your prayer when the answer was given. And now I'm here to deliver the answer to you. You are much loved!"(9:23)


"No sooner started". 


Your ABBA is always listening.  at the ready.  always.


He has your full attention.  Usually though, He is waiting.


Waiting for us to come to Him.  Desiring nothing more than the "all" of us. 


Our attention.  our heart.  our mind.  our soul.


And He always gives us an answer. 


After - He has let us know how much He loves us.


May not be the exact answer we are praying for.  He knows best, only He is able to see the whole paradigm.  He is God - not us.  Prayer isn't a dictation from us to Him instructing Him how to run things.  Prayer is to be a continual time of communication, baring our all before Him and leaving everything at His feet.  So we are able to be before Him naked and unafraid.  unashamed.


Prayer is a time to focus on how much He loves us, growing our faith in His ways.  Not ours. 


And most of all - it is a time to know - The Creator of all is listening and telling you


first and foremost -
"You are much loved!".

"Our Savior Is Coming!" - 08/31/17- Daniel 7-8

“I saw a human form, a son of man,
    arriving in a whirl of clouds.
He came to The Old One
    and was presented to Him.
He was given power to rule—all the glory of royalty.
    Everyone—race, color, and creed—had to serve Him.
His Rule would be forever, never ending.
    His Kingly Rule would never be replaced.(7:13-14)


What a day it shall be!

"Our Father of Miracles" - 08/30/17 - Daniel 5-6

"King Darius published this proclamation to every race, color, and creed on earth: Peace to you! Abundant peace!   I decree that Daniel's God shall be worshiped and feared in all parts of my kingdom.

He is The Living God, world without end.
His kingdom never falls. His rule continues eternally.   
He is a Savior and Rescuer.
He performs astonishing miracles in heaven and on earth.

He saved Daniel from the power of the lions"(6:25-27)

A number of years ago I was sitting on the couch and looked up to see Curt in the doorway holding Adam in his arms.  Adam was laying limp and Curt's face was covered with tears, everything about him was showing the fear he had. 

 Adam had been run over by his truck.

He laid him on the couch.  Adam was aware of all that was going on, talking to us, his body unhurt.  Looking back now, I think he was so frightened by Curt's reaction he remained calm. 

Curt was driving his ton truck back to burn brush and the boys had ridden in the back to help.  When they hit a bump, Adam flipped out and the dual back wheels ran over him.  Curt had swept him up, and ran carrying him to the house - his heart in his throat.  

I have never doubted if Curt loves his sons.  This is one moment which stands out just how much.  He had lost two brothers early on in his life and the fear of losing one of his sons has never been far from his mind.   Death has a way of touching us and leaving its mark. 

We had removed Adam's coat to check him out and after determining he was okay, I noticed it laying on the floor.  As I spread it out, the muddy tire tracks marking their path were easy to see. 

Even today I am in awe of the miracle ABBA delivered that day.  With the sleeves spread out as though Adam were still in it, the outside wheel had run up and over his arm, right next to his head.  The mark of the inside wheel stopped in the middle of his back.  Somehow, someway, the inside wheel didn't follow the outside wheel to go over his head. 


I hope this description makes sense.  There isn't a logical explanation when looking at the tracks on his coat as to why it didn't run over his head.  This wasn't the first time ABBA stepped in and preformed a miracle with our Adam. 


When he was in the birth canal, his heart beat started to go down drastically and an emergency C-section was preformed.  After everything was done, Adam and I were resting when Dr. Matthews came in to see us.  He told me there was nothing short of a miracle in Adam being alive.  The cord, placenta, and Adam's head were all in the birth canal trying to get out at the same time. 


Death used to scare me to the point of overwhelming me.  I would sit up through the night, just watching our Adam and Nichalas as they slept.  Afraid they would stop breathing.  Afraid they would die.  After losing two babies, I allowed my sorrow and fear to get in the way of ABBA and rob me of the joy of being a mommy.  Even of a wife. 


How much He has transformed my heart through His Word.  I draw strength from Daniel in his courage, his loyalty, his love for our ABBA.  As I imagine what it was like for him to be lowered into a pit without physical escape, surrounded by lions, I am able to see through ABBA's words, Daniel never took his focus off of ABBA.  No matter the surroundings.  The situation.  The consequences. 


What a witness.  What a warrior of our ABBA. 


I pray we may be as Daniel while living this life among the lions of the world and satan.

I pray others will witness the miracle of the heart transformation only He can do when we choose to become a child of The King. 

 

 

 

"He - Is Within Us" - 08/29/17 - Daniel 3-4

  "I see four men, walking around freely in the fire, completely unharmed!
And the fourth man looks like a son of the gods!"(3:25)

 

I wondered today as I read this account, did they hate to leave the furnace, leave walking with Him, leave to go back into the world?   I am so thankful for The Gift of The Holy Spirit. 

How I love knowing, without doubt,  He walks with and within us always - even through the "fires" of life. 


We in Him are never without Him within us.  

  

"Our ABBA of Hope" - 08/28/17 - Daniel 1-2

“But throughout the history of these kingdoms,

The God of Heaven will be building a Kingdom that will never be destroyed,
nor will this Kingdom ever fall under the domination of another.

In the end it will crush the other kingdoms and finish them off and come through it all standing Strong and Eternal.

It will be like the stone cut from the mountain by the invisible hand that crushed the iron, the bronze, the ceramic, the silver, and the gold." (2:44-45)

I love how our Hope can rest in the promises of The Kingdom Come. 

No matter the situation or circumstances we are going through during our journey here on this earth towards Home. 

Our ABBA.  Our Father. 

He has everything in His Hands.  He is in total control. 
Have Faith and Believe in Him. 

"Knowing - Without Doubt" - 08/27/17 - Esther 7-10

But when Queen Esther intervened with the king, he gave written orders that the evil scheme that Haman had worked out should boomerang back on his own head. He and his sons were hanged on the gallows.(9:25)  



When reading Esther, it gives me a heartsmile knowing I don't have to wait to be summoned to go before our King. 

What great comfort in knowing, without doubt,
No matter the hour or place, our ABBA is always waiting for us with welcome arms. 

What great comfort in knowing, without doubt,
our Savior has/is/does intervene with The King on our behalf.

What great comfort in knowing, without doubt,
our Savior's Blood has covered us with grace, mercy, forgiveness, cancelling out death for our sins. 

What great comfort knowing, without doubt, 
He shields us from the catastrophic destruction our sin would cause, blocking the "boomerang". 

What great comfort knowing, without doubt, 
He is there as we endure the consequences of our choices, taking the brunt of it all for us. 

What great comfort in knowing, without doubt, 
He has our backs.   

What great comfort in knowing, without doubt, 
In Him we are redeemed.  Our sins are forgiven and forgotten. 

What great comfort in knowing, without doubt,
in Him we have The Gift of The Holy Spirit within and about us.

What great comfort in knowing, without doubt,
He Loves us with an unconditional, pure, Holy Love.

What great comfort in knowing, without doubt, 
He has made us a new person - His. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"He Gives A Taste Of Heaven" - 08/26/17 - Esther 4-6

                   

 

 

"When Mordecai learned what had been done, he ripped his clothes to shreds and put on sackcloth and ashes. Then he went out in the streets of the city crying out in loud and bitter cries." (4:1)

 

We stood in the outer foyer sharing conversations with those who had progressed through the line.  Parts of my heart were standing there receiving those who had come to pay tribute to the man who lay in the coffin they walked by as they exited the room.   

 

My heart breaks for the pain and sorrow. 

 

Death was not part of our ABBA's plan when He created this world. 

 

I wonder if He reacted as Mordecai did when Eve took the first bite of the apple. 

 

Knowing because of that first bite all was changed.  Death had entered into the picture of His beautiful Eden.  Sin had come between the face to face time He had so delighted in with His children.

 

As I watched those in line there were faces which seemed familiar, but older and I couldn't take their name from the tip of my tongue.  I realized they were probably thinking the same about mine when their eyes rested upon me. 

 

Time has a way of flying by and stealing from us the youth of our bodies.  Of the day when we are no longer together here on this earth.

 

So many memories have went through my mind.  Each one accompanied with a heartsmile as I remember my Uncle Ray.  He was my first crush.  It took awhile for me to get over the hurt when he married Sandi.  (So thankful he did!)  This man always, always had a grin for me with sparkling eyes to match.  I thought about how much this family of mine has endured over the years.  The loss of two sons hits high on the list.  The fighting to survive the grief and binding together, becoming stronger has been such an inspiration to myself and so many. 

 

My heart breaks for my Aunt Sandi who no longer has her best friend of 52 years by her side.  My heart breaks for my "little sis" Teresa who no longer is able to hold her daddy's hand.  My heart breaks for Tim, the soninlove, who will no longer have the times of farming side by side with his bonus dad. My heart breaks for Michael, the only grandchild, his wife Emy, who will no longer have this man to share their youthful adventures with. 

 

I am so thankful knowing no matter how much my heart breaks for these precious treasures of my heart, our ABBA's breaks even more and is there to comfort them.  He did not intend for our hearts to break.  Ever. 

 

In His sorrow, He then gave us The Bridge, to overcome the gap sin created, in the gift of our Savior.  He created The Way Home. 

 

How much I rejoice knowing in Heaven  "He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

 

Until Heaven Uncle Ray.  Thank you for being there for me.  for loving me.  for a taste of Heaven. 

I so love, love, love you and yours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We - Children of The King" - 08/25/17 - Esther 1-3

                   

 

 

^"The king fell in love with Esther far more than with any of his other women or any of the other virgins—he was totally smitten by her.

He placed a royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti." (2:17)

 

 

It is such a comfort knowing, without doubt, our ABBA feels even more so with each one of us.

 

We - in Christ - are His royal children. 

Children of The King.

 

No greater Love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"In Him - We Delight" - 08/24/17 - Ecclesiastes 9-12

"Oh, how sweet the light of day, And how wonderful to live in the sunshine! 
Even if you live a long time, don't take a single day for granted.
Take delight in each light-filled hour" (11:7-8)


 A few years ago, while driving across the Hannibal bridge, ABBA was showing off.

On the right side of the bridge the blue sky was filled with sunshine and white fluffy clouds. 

The left side, no more than 200 yards away, the sky was dark and angry.  The rains were coming down so hard I couldn't see the river.

I can remember wanting to just stop and watch His complete control over the elements, but due to other traffic had to press on.

I love watching His storms.  I love His rains.  But more than anything - I love feeling the warmth of His sun upon my face.  A hug from my ABBA.  The wind blowing gently across my face.  A kiss from my ABBA. 

Although I love the work He has blessed me with (I do so delight working out in His nature), I love even more delighting in living in a life drenched in His "Son"shine - each and every Son filled moment.

I pray for all to know an intimacy with Him.  To look up and feel Him covering you inside and out with His wonderful, marvelous, glorious, Awesome "Son"shine. 


The Cross gave us access to our ABBA. 


No need for sunblock - His "Son"shine is guaranteed to be cleansing in all ways.  Purifying us from the cancer of sin, won't burn you to a crisp - causing only healthy, fruit producing growth.  I love how He has opened my eyes to be thankful for each and every day - not taking life for granted. 

Basking in His "Son"shine.