June 30, 2008

Gambol Like Calves

But unto you who revere and worshipfully fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings and His beams, and you shall go forth and gambol like calves [released] from the stall and leap for joy.

Five years ago a phone call came I never imagined I’d receive. I remember the exact place I was sitting, the time of day, the air I breathed. My parents were on the other line.

“Honey, we need to tell you something. Mom got her results back from the doctor. It’s cancer.”

Complete silence. I couldn’t process anything except how the carpet felt under my toes. Stiff, but somehow soft.

But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

Then a thousand thoughts rushed through my mind. A thousand emotions slammed my heart. Fear, panic, helplessness, grief. I cried. Discussed the prognosis. Treatment. The Road ahead. We talked a long time and then hung up the phone.

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Helplessness strangled me. I thought about driving home, but lived hundreds of miles away. Then my heart turned a corner and a small light clicked on. “Search my Word sweetheart. See what My thoughts are. Find my emotions about your mom.” Barely could I choke out my reply, “I don’t even know where to begin Lord.” “That’s okay…I’ll lead; you follow.”

The sun of righteousness will dawn on those who honor my name, healing radiating from its wings. You will be bursting with energy, like colts frisky and frolicking.

“Look up Malachi 4:2.” In blind numbness, my fingers found the book, flipped to the chapter, and scanned verse 2. I’d never read this verse before. Amazement and awe, peace and purpose, daring and delight replaced fear, doubt, hurt, and mistrust. And God gently reminded me He courts our hearts much like a suitor courts the delight of his eyes. Like a young man pursuing the heart of his beloved, God pursued my heart with His Word and Truth.

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.

This verse was our proclaimation of the Lord’s favor through my mom’s cancer. The cancer that spread within 1/8 of a centimeter from infecting her other organs. 1/8 of a centimeter!! I picture God’s enormous hands (big enough to hold the world!) sizing down to 1/8 of a centimeter, placing them between my mom’s organs and declaring, “This far, and no farther.”

God rose with healing in His wings, spread them over my mom, and she has been cancer-free almost five years! Praise the Lord! We rejoice in Your mighty sovereignty! You never leave us or forsake us. Thank you Jesus. Thank you God Almighty. Your ways are great indeed.

June 26, 2008

Live from the Womb

Your very own verse! Check this out!! www.birthverse.com/mybirthverse.cfm

Mine is 1 John 5:14 "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."

Please leave a comment sharing your birth verse!


Psssst…hey there…wake up sleepy-head! [Insert your name here]. How I love to say your name! I hope you like it too…I picked it especially for you (Isaiah 49:1).

It’s dark and a bit muffled but I couldn’t wait to talk with you while no one else is around. (Jeremiah 1:5).

What a joy to call you my friend (John 15:15) and my son/daughter (Galatians 3:26).

I want to let you know what a treasure you are to shape as my hands wonderfully weave and knit you together (Psalm 139:15).

You are beautiful/handsome beyond words; flawless; inviting. You ravish my heart and are my delight (Song of Solomon 4).

Shhh…listen…do you hear me singing my songs of rejoicing just for you (Zephaniah 3:17)?

I can hardly take my eyes off you. Just for fun, I count every hair on your head (Matthew 10:29)!

And all the while I’ve been planning every day of your life (Job 31:4).

My eyes will always watch your path and establish your ways (Proverbs 5:21, 4:26).

Hey, while we’re chatting, can I ask you to do just one thing for me? Will you love me (Deuteronomy 6:5)?

With all your heart. All your soul. All your strength.

Oh, and just one more thing I’d like to ask. When you’re tempted, please, don’t be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous, and take heart. Your battles are mine and I will protect you (Joshua 10:25)!

I promise I will always stand up for you (Zechariah 3:2) and I will never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

I love you more than life itself [insert name]. I simply love you. (John 3:16).

This imaginary conversation between God and us as a baby in the womb doesn’t end there. He longs to have this talk with us daily as we open our ears and allow His Word to filter the world. Praying you feel the voice and presence of the Alpha and Omega today!

June 25, 2008

Push!!

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” ~Galatians 6:9

I had this dream a few months ago: My oldest sister stared in amazement at my belly, “Wow! You are huge! I’ve never seen someone SO pregnant!” Nodding in agreement, I resigned, “Yes, well … I am 10 months overdue.”

Okay, I’m not actually pregnant or given birth in the natural yet. However, there is a promise that has been growing in my heart for almost two and a half years (see blog below.) Many women toward the end of pregnancy lament of swollen feet, aching backs, tiredness, and anxiousness to meet their baby face-to-face.

I can relate! My feet hurt from running this race carrying my promise inside; my back aches from bearing my load; I’m weary, and can’t wait to meet my promise face-to-face!

Though pregnancy has its aches and pains, so does labor. There are several stages of labor (don’t worry men, no gory details will be provided!). The last stage is called the Transition Phase. See if you can spiritually relate to these:

~ The sign labor is almost over and delivery is in progress
~ Generally the shortest and most intense part of labor
~ Emotional markers are giving up and feeling out of control
~ Not uncommon for a mother to say "I can't do this."

What seed has God planted in you that feels '10 months overdue?' Are your feet, back and heart aching from your long 'pregnancy and birth?' Maybe you are in the Transition Phase of labor and feel like giving up, thinking “I can’t do this.”
Hold on dear friend, hold on. You can do this. Please reach out to a friend or family member and tell about your journey. If you’d like, leave a comment sharing what you’re waiting to 'give birth’ to, and how the Lord sustains you through this season. We overcome by the word of our testimony.

“The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” ~Psalm 16:5-8

June 24, 2008

Forrest … Forrest Gump









“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:7

Have you run a marathon? I haven’t, but I love to run. Especially when I push past the first half hour and soar to the ‘runner’s high.’ Ahhh! Lungs on fire, the weight of the world falls off and I’m carefree! Often I choose markers to motivate endurance. “If I can make it to that lamp post I’ll be okay.” Reaching the lamp post, the traffic light is my next goal. And so forth until I’ve run an extra mile without knowing it.

God asked me over two years ago to lace my spiritual running shoes for a particular race. I often get the mental image of myself being like Forrest Gump running from one side of the States to the other. Just running and running and running. This course could be named “Promise Keeper” as it’s a journey of faith, acknowledging that God not only gives the promise, but also keeps it. At times I skip along full of confidence this promise will prevail and I’ll finish well. Other times I can hardly put one foot in front of the other, doubting this promise will be rescued. God has graciously placed lamp posts of help and traffic lights of hope along the way to give me strength to push on:

~ One of my dearest friends emailed: DON’T grow weary. It is in the last leg of the race we often grow weary when it is just minutes away from the finish line. YOU will finish well. KEEP your eyes on the PRIZE…your relationship with CHRIST. HOPE IN ALL THINGS.

~ At the end of a phone conversation last week about business, the caller randomly tossed out this encouragement: “Hey … hang in there. The finish line is near!!”

~ Yesterday a friend came by the office and shared with me how God has taught her to run her race. Her motto is “Be the Turtle.” Running with steady confidence, keeping her eyes on the goal, and pushing through with perseverance.

Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”

The word endurance also means: Perseverance. Patience. Never Quit. Steady. Active persistence.

Keep running friends. The goal is perfect, complete, total, utter joy! May there be peace for your journey, hope for every step you put in front of the other, and grace along the way. Listen for the cheers of the great crowd of those who have gone before you!! Run Forrest, run!

June 19, 2008

Greater













“But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.” ~ Exodus 14:13-14

At times the thought of the enemy can get the better of us. Defeated, deflated, despaired, and depressed. There just doesn’t seem to be a way out of being covered with attacks. One of my favorite scenes from Return of the King is the last battle. The “good guys” march straight up to the enemy, boldly beckon them to fight, and are thus surrounded by the enemy. At the last possible second, good prevails and the enemy turns tail and flees.

God gave me a dream very similar to this scene I’d like to share. My hope is to encourage each of us that God does come to our rescue!

A fierce, dark battle, with morbid, mangled creatures was waging in front of me. Two unearthly beasts charged towards me to attack, leaping as if their feet never touched the ground. With no weapon in hand, and knowing I couldn’t outrun these things, I simply stood my ground. Out of nowhere, Aragon from Lord of the Rings bounded over the beast’s heads and knocked one to the left. The one to the right was a massive, gray and black tiger. Aragon took hold of its bottom jaw and swung it up in the air. The tiger bit down hard on Aragon’s hand, but he seemed unfazed. "You think you're such a big kitty, don't you?" he jested at the enormous cat. Gripping the mighty jaw of the tiger, Aragon flung him up over his head and slammed the beast down hard on a raised platform with bars around it. I was rescued simply by standing still.

The battle was still going on, but slowing down and the enemy was confused and scattering. I followed Aragon to the side of the battle, where all of a sudden Gandalf appeared, dressed in white. He and Aragon wrapped their arms in around me in a tight circle and I knew the enemy was defeated and I was safe.

~Beloved, my prayer is that we truly know we are the beloved. Christ loves us. He loved us even unto death, where He rose and defeated the power of the enemy. The next time we're tempted to wage our own war, let's take a step back, stand still and watch the Lord bound over our enemy, fling him into oblivion, and rest in the arms of our Father.

“Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” ~ I John 4:4

June 17, 2008

Where In The World?!?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Yesterday a friend randomly gave me a CD-Rom.

Russian: Language Learning for Kids!

It goes on to read, Collect All 4! Chinese, Italian, Russian, Spanish.

Wow!!! Y’all, God spoke to my heart so loudly through that CD! A strong call He has on my life is to work in missions, with children, all over the world. This CD was such a sweet confirmation of His letting me know He hasn’t forgotten me or my heart’s desires.

While this confirmation is super sweet, it’s also refining for me. Sounds counteractive, huh?

Well, here’s the deal. The refining part is “all over the world.” Latin America has been my heart-throb for years. Snubbing my nose at any other continent/country/people group, I was set to serve there and only there!

However, God has been knocking on and leaving small gifts on the doorstep of my heart, to enlighten the eyes of my heart. Such gifts as the language CD and Toly (check out my blog from June 9) have stretched my thoughts and emotions. They’ve rattled my mind and heart, and caused me to open my tight grip on my beloved Latinos.

Now my hands, heart and mind are open to receive other nations, different people, various cultures. And boy, oh boy…I’m getting excited!!

Is there something you have your heart or mind set-in-stone on? I gently encourage you…seek the Lord and ask "Is there more?" Heed to His Holy Spirit as He speaks to you about another avenue He may want to lead you down. Perhaps it’s a different career, new roommate, direction in ministry, or which country He will call you to serve in. Whatever it is, it’ll only ever be wonderful because it’s the Lord’s plans!

Downhere, Little Is Much, www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQmZy8qaMMg

June 12, 2008

Who Is Like Our God?

My Ebenezer comes from several sweet emails I recieved today. My team at work is preparing for our annual conference, and have felt attacks of the enemy lately. Just last night the Lord and I dug into some parts of I Kings, and 2 Chronicles! See below...I think these emails speak for themselves :)

~I have chosen to share a prayer from one of my favorite passages found in 2 Chronicles 20:1-29. The passage tells of the Israelites being completely overwhelmed by the approaching enemy, and crying out to God for help.

Here is part of Jehosephat’s prayer:
v. 9 'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'
And part of God’s response:
v. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.' "
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~Hi!

Just wanted you to know that I prayed for you specifically today while running at the beach at 6:30am…I prayed in thankfulness that you are on our team, and for strength, guidance and wisdom, among other things the Spirit was leading me to pray…I can’t recall it all, but it was powerful sister! I look forward to spending hopefully a little bit of time with you!! Love,Holly
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~2 Chronicles 32: King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cried out in prayer to heaven about this. And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men. So [the king] withdrew to his own land in disgrace. The Lord saved Hezekiah and the people. He took care of them on every side.

Father, you know the battle and you know the enemy. We do not know how to pray or what to pray, but we cry out in unison that you will go fight the battle as you did for Isaiah. We will stand firm on your promise that there is nothing to fear, that all is in your hands and you will annihilate the enemy and his schemes. Protect and empower these women and their families. We lift this to your throne, we call on the Most High, The Alpha, The Omega, Jehovah-Jirah, El Shaddai, Prince of Peace, Counselor, Yahweh, Lord God, Lamb of God, Almighty Father, The Everlasting, I AM to come to our rescue as we stand firm.

We sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord all the earth; sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord all the earth!

Fill every longing today with You. Fill every heart with You. Fill every need with You. Fill every hunger, every thirst, every thought, with You, we pray in Jesus' name, amen.

June 10, 2008

We Believed

“The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, ‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you...because you have obeyed me.’" ~Genesis 22:15-18

This afternoon, perusing other blogs, I read one mother’s story of her ‘Isaac.’ It was such confirmation to what the Lord asked of me this morning…to open my hands and place my ‘Isaac’ on the altar. Hearing Him say, “I will provide the ram, but even if I don’t, will you still believe I’m good? What fruit will this journey of faith bear in your life for My Name?” The Lord did not provide a ram for the mother I read about. He took her ‘Isaac’ in His arms and carried her home. Even so, she praises the Lord in full beautiful surrender. Her testimony:

“From the day we found out we were expecting you, we knew God had chosen you for our family. Our house was filled with love for you. God had something much bigger planned for your life than we could have imagined. We prayed for you all the time. We never, ever doubted that God could heal you. I feel compelled to tell you that we believed. And the fact that you are with Him does not change that belief.

I will never, never forget the day you were born. Nobody who was a part of it will. Daddy looked at me, "She's alive." I couldn't believe it. I fell completely, head-over-heels in love with you the instant I met you. That's who you are. Your sisters were a little nervous but as they looked you over, God showed them who you were. The peace that filled the room rested on them as they laughed and talked to you. While they were all gathered on the bed, your nurse came to listen to your heart. After a few minutes, she told me quietly you were gone. There was never anything but peace. We sang over you as God welcomed you into heaven.

I cry for you often. My eyes overflow with tears of a mother who has been asked to give her daughter away. I knew I would love you when I met you. I knew you would become a part of me. Even now, as I write, it seems impossible that you were only with us for 2 1/2 hours. Thank you Lord, for giving us all the time we could have asked for with her.

You have no idea how you have impacted those around you. The name of the Lord had been spoken repeatedly in a way it never had. People who came to your birth knowing nothing of your story talked about the "amazing peace" that inexplicably filled the room. Do you know how many people have met Jesus because of you? There are more than I tell. I want you to know you changed me. I am so proud to have a scar to remember where you once were.”

“As for God, His way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true.” ~ Psalm 18:30

June 9, 2008

My Bella Day

“Don’t let foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will never let me be part of his people.’” ~Isaiah 56: 3

Run to the Red Box at Harris Teeter ($1.07/night), rent “Bella,” invite the Lord to view it with you, and keep your finger on the pause button. This beautiful portrayal of Jesus had me stopping to praise, cry and be refined. If my heart were the earth, one scene drilled to the deep inner core and re-awakened my love for orphans in a revolutionary way.

One of God’s calls on my life is to share Him and His Love with orphans all over the world. I dream of my husband and I adopting children from many nations. Confirming this again recently, the Lord’s sweetness fed the hungry place in the depths of my heart for missions and orphans.

Over Mother’s Day weekend, my dad said, “You’re going to have two kids of your own before you adopt.” At church, two separate women hugged me and said, “Happy Future Mother’s Day” with a gleam in their eyes! Then one of my roomies randomly said, “Aww, you’re going to be a great mom!” Getting my hair done last week, the woman next to me told me about adopting her son from Belarus.

And today…oh y’all, today was remarkable!

Standing at the front desk at work, I saw our landlord coming. She had a little boy with her, whom I assumed was her grandson. But was I wrong!

Anatoly is her and her husband’s ten year old, special needs, foster son from Belarus! His country won’t allow adoptions, so he comes for just six weeks every summer. He and his mom explained how they make it through the difficult 46 weeks of the year apart. They keep their eyes to the sky. Toly can’t communicate well with words because of his special needs and lack of English, but his smile and eyes said it all. Pointing to his heart, then his mom’s heart, he showed me how they gaze upward, looking to their Jesus, who binds them together.

Mercy y'all, I lost it! I was a mess as I explained my love for orphans and adoption. And Toly’s mom just sweetly cried with me. She shared how excited they are to adopt Toly when he turns 18. That’s 8 years away! Altogether they will have waited 12 years for the fulfillment of the promise of bringing their sweet son home to stay.

Wrapping his arms around me in a big hug, Toly thanked me for having him there. Oh gracious, ‘Thank you darling!’ I thought. What an Ebenezer from Jesus to bring the orphans from other nations to me until I am released to go to them! God gently reminded me, “’My Spirit is on you, and I have anointed you … to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.’ You will be a great mom to ALL your kids! Wait for the fulfillment of my sweet promise to bring your sons and daughters home to stay.” ~Isaiah 61

June 6, 2008

Just Enough

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” ~Isaiah 55:8-9

Pain began oozing through my side as I sat in my office at work at the Health Center. Hobbling down the hall to the nurse’s station, they set me up to be seen by the PA. “My diagnosis is you need your gall bladder out, but you’ll have to go to a doctor to validate that.”

From that point on, getting proof I needed gall bladder surgery was an uphill climb through thick molasses against 100 mph wind! One obstacle after the other confronted me. My insurance card had wondered off to La-La Land and what a fiasco to get a new one! Without my card, appointments for ultrasounds, CT scans, lab work, blood tests, and physicals had to be paid out of pocket. My savings were dried up, and my checking account down to the wire. As the days went by my pain got worse and I was stressing out, not knowing how I was going to pay a large hospital bill due before they would operate. On top of that I couldn’t eat anything beyond crackers and plain pasta. All these frustrations took a toll and I was ever thankful to go home to my parents for Thanksgiving.

Joining my brother-in-law in the den to watch some football, he wordlessly handed me an envelope and went back to cheering for his team. Peeking inside, there was a check … the exact amount I needed to pay my pre-surgery hospital fees! I hadn’t shared my financial woes with anyone! And with Christmas around the corner, and he and my sister having two children, I knew this was truly a gift. What an amazing Ebenezer!

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace.” ~Isaiah 55:10-12

June 5, 2008

Safe Landing

"Then the Lord took note of Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised." ~Genesis 21:1

“What should I read today Lord?”

“Look up Isaac in your concordance.”


That was not my expectation of what God wanted me to study that day. Isaac. Everyone knows about Isaac. What more could I possibly glean from a story I’ve learned since the cradle?

Nevertheless, I turned to the back of my Bible, flipped to “I”, and ran my finger down the lines: “Isaac”.

Bam! Out of nowhere God spoke: “I protect the promise.”

And then I understood why Isaac. For years I’ve believed a specific promise God spoke to me. My faith has been challenged to stay the course and not doubt the promise will be protected and rescued.

God reminded me of a dream He'd given me:
Sitting in a small fighter plane, my dad was in the pilot’s seat, my mom the co-pilot’s and I in the backseat. Spinning circles in the desert sand, I watched out the side window and all of a sudden saw the enemy's plane coming straight at us. “Fly Dad!! The enemy is coming!!” Immediately the plane righted and shot off in a straight line in the sky.

Landing at an airport only for “good guys,” my mom and I got ready to de-board, but my dad stayed put. “You girls go rest. I need to go back out there.” Fear and worry hit me and I cried, “No! No! I’m going with you! You can’t go alone!!” Turning around, taking my hands, he asked, “What have you committed to do?” “Walk in obedience.” “Then it’s time,” he said. “Go rest. I’ve prepared a place for you and friends are waiting.” Getting off the plane, I saw lifelong friends who had prepared a feast and had chairs set up.

Waking up, God reminded me He is my fighter pilot and there are certain battles I’m just not meant to be privy to. It’s safest to stay on the ground, rest and replenish myself.

The next morning after "hanging out" with Isaac, I awoke to the sound of planes. One after the other, after the other, flew over my house for hours. Am I dreaming?? Lord, that is the exact sound in my dream! Feeling Him smile, He gently reminded me, “I protect the promise. Keep walking in obedience, girl, and let me fight this one for you.”

Lord, thank you for your promises and that you are The Protector. Help our lack of trust and open our eyes to see the 'ram' you provide. We bless your Name, Amen.

"Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’” ~Genesis 22:13

June 4, 2008

Shelter Living

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him." ~ Psalm 91

Passing four schools on the way to work usually means driving by a lot of police cars. But not for me! I may see one a day at the most. So this past Monday when I passed almost 10 my interest was peaked!

“Lord, what are you speaking to me with all these cop cars?”

“I protect you. Know it. Believe it. Rest secure in it. I protect you.”

Why this lesson? Why this day? That was unclear until late afternoon. Out of the blue an incident happened that really shook me and had the potential to cause great fear. This thing was uncontrollable, unforeseeable, and I couldn’t stop it from happening. However, what I could control was my reaction. Immediately I saw the proverbial fork in the road: Trust or Fear.

Seeking the Lord, I felt His comfort and strength and trust in His protection arise. He reminded me again, “I protect you. I protect you.” In my distress, He too was distressed. When I called on Him, He rescued me from fear and the angel of His presence saved me. In fact, the Lord of Hosts commanded His angels concerning me to guard me in all my ways and sure enough, they lifted me up in their hands. (Isaiah 63; Psalm 91)

As if that wasn’t enough, the Lord continued to remind me with police cars that He is my refuge, fortress and protection:

~Later that day I saw bunches more police cars
~Many times looking up, blue lights were in my rear-view mirror
~And just this morning a police officer came into our office!

My concept of the Almighty as my Protector -- His faithfulness as my shield and rampart -- are being redefined. That night, continuing to lay my fear and mistrust before the Throne, asking the Lord to help me believe He protects me, I felt my eyes ‘open’ and the room appeared brighter. A part of God’s character became reality. In all things we are to give thanks, and so I thank the Lord for that frightening moment that I could see His love and mercy. His redemption for me was tangible and I felt His feathers as He lifted me.

I say to you, “God protects you. He protects you.” May our confidence in our Savior grow more secure and sure as He carries us all the days of old.

“’Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.’” He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." ~ Psalm 91

June 3, 2008

Months Later

Driving home from work one chilly, rainy evening last Fall, I saw a nightstand on the curb.

“Stop and take that home.”

“No thanks. I don’t need a nightstand.”

“Stop and take that home.”

“Uh-uh … I don’t want it.”

“Stop and take that home.”

“Really, no thank you. I won’t use it and there’s nowhere to put it at home.”

“Stop and take that home.”


Rudely, I disobyed the Lord telling me to stop and take the nightstand home for about 10 more minutes and many miles farther. Knowing He meant business, I finally listened and obeyed. Turning around, driving back, heaving that heavy, soaking wet nightstand into my trunk, I still doubted there was a valid reason for me to get it. What in the world am I going to do with this? We really don’t have room for it, nor a need. So there it sat, unused, just like I had thought, for the next year, in a storage room.

Fast forward to this Summer. A friend of mine moved and was looking for a few household goodies like mugs, lamps, etc. As I was gathering some of my overflow to give him, the Lord spoke clearly, “Hey, remember that nightstand? That’s for your friend.” “Really? Alrighty then, I’ll offer it to him.”

My friend came over and I gave him the miscellaneous things I had and then said, “I have one piece of furniture for you if you need it.”

And by golly, do you know what he said before I could tell him what it was?

“I hope it’s a nightstand. That’s the one piece of furniture I need.”

Wow!! Who would have thought all those months ago standing in the rainy cold with that nightstand it would serve a totally different purpose than I imagined?

God has been opening my eyes to the fact our obedience to Him isn’t just about us. Our obedience, and disobedience, affects countless others. Some we may get to see, like with my friend and the nightstand, but many we may never know and must simply walk in faith and surrender. All because He is worthy of our respect and His plans are far greater than ours.

A few days after I saw my friend and these were his exact words: “That nightstand fits perfectly in the small space I have in my room.” Perfectly. Something so small as a nightstand; something so small as my obedience to pick it up … fit perfectly into God’s plans.

“And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory." Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
~Isaiah 6:3, 8

June 2, 2008

A Mile or Two

“Then the Lord gave this message to Jeremiah:“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Come and learn a lesson about how to obey me.’" ~Jeremiah 35:12-13

Do you have lessons God teaches you that for some reason take forever to get? Stubbornness, arrogance, ignorance … for whatever reason it just doesn’t sink in? One of these hard-to-learn lessons God has been teaching me is: You are not alone. Feeling alone isn’t a hurt or fear I typically struggle with, so I didn't really feel the need to learn it. But the Lord has brought me back to this truth so much so recently that I’ve perked up! One way He has taught me is with my very own sneakers!
You are not alone:
Others have walked this road before you
Others are walking this road with you
Others will walk this road after you

For those who might be skeptical, please check out how the Lord used my New Balances:

Memorial Day weekend my sisters (biological and adopted) and I journeyed up the mountain for some R&R. Like any girly vacationers, we decided to toodle around Blowing Rock, strolling the sidewalks and peeping in stores. Before we left the cabin to go, one of my sisters realized she hadn’t brought comfy walking shoes and asked if she could borrow a pair of mine. So she donned my sneakers and off we went!

- - - - -

During our lunch hour a friend and I work-out together. All set to head out the door last week, we ran into a glitch … she only had one sneaker! We called off exercising until she said, “Hey, do you want to go? If not, can I borrow your sneakers?” So she donned my sneakers and off she went!

Giving my shoes back to me, she joked, “Now I’ve walked a mile in your shoes!” God reminded me once again: You are not alone. I may not know just yet the reason God is teaching me to never let kindness and truth leave me; why He is asking me to bind them around my neck, and write them on the tablet of my heart” (Prov. 3:3). But I know I need to know His kind truth that I am not alone and He has set others in my life to walk with me. And literally, walk a mile or two in my shoes!

Micah 6:8, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."