Simple Faith .
Joshua 1:5-7 NLT

Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do.

I’m testing out this theory right now in my life. Strong – I am indeed strong-willed, physically strong, and mentally strong (most of the time)! I’m finding my spiritual strength is growing as my faith becomes more and more child-like and basic. That probably sounds very odd, but it’s true! It really does all boil down to obeying all the laws Moses gave us. That obedience often does require courage because it’s so counter to what the world tells us.

What do I mean when I say my faith is becoming more and more child-like and basic? It means that there is one truth I know and believe: Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, he died on the Cross and rose from the dead on the third day. That’s it. That is all I need to know. Nothing else! Only Jesus crucified and risen. I don’t need any lectures on theory or doctrine or dogma. I don’t need an analysis of what scripture really means—in context. The words don’t matter – what matters is the impact the words have on my heart and on my mind.

Does that sound too simple? Sorry. That’s where I am in my faith right now. Simple. Basic. No bells or whistles or fancy trimmings. Just Jesus, waiting, watching, stretching out his arms to me – bidding me to come to Him. His strength and His courage are my strength and courage. He doesn’t shout at us like all the commercials on television. He quietly speaks, barely above a whisper. We must be still to hear Him.

Successful in everything you do? That’s a pretty tall order, isn’t it? But that statement isn’t about acquiring wealth or fame, things or notoriety. It’s about our success as believers. If we are motivated by our simple faith in everything we do, we cannot fail. We may not accomplish what we think we should have. Remember, though, God uses even human failure to fulfill His plans.

So we can be strong and courageous in our simple faith because God sent us Jesus. He wanted to make it simple for us, I think, because we had failed to understand for so long. God realized we were unable, on our own, to uphold our side of the covenant. So he made one that is so basic, so simple, it’s impossible not to understand our part of the contract: Jesus Christ died for our sins. And as my young friend reminded me, Jesus is irresistible! Knowing that truth, how can we choose anything else except Jesus?!


My prayer today is that you will be strong and courageous in Jesus Christ. And that you will remember the laws of Moses as you made every decision.

Mary  ¶ 9:05 AM

  Perfect Planning .
Psalm 37: 3-8

3. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security. 4. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. 6. He will bring forth your vindication as the light, and your right as the noonday. 7. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over him who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! 8. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

Another morning where I received a subscription e-mail that deals with my own life situation! If you know me, or have read some of my postings in the past you know that waiting is my absolute least favorite thing to do. And I don’t do it well at all. In fact I drive those around me crazy as I work through every possible scenario and turn things over in my mind, over and over again! I also have a big problem being still! So God really exhibits tremendous patience and mercy in dealing with me!

Yes, I am waiting on several fronts. And it is so frustrating! I know that God has a great and amazing plan for my life. I just want Him to tell me what that plan is – right now – as I’m typing I would like it revealed! Then I will be able to get on with the plan! Do you ever experience this? You have an important decision to make, and rather than wait, pray, let it sit for a while, you rush right in and charge ahead – setting your own course? We’re taught and the world tells us today to be self-sufficient. We are not to be dependent, because then we won’t be successful – we won’t be the best, the brightest, the most admired, the most whatever.

Yesterday I had a really rough “waiting day.” I felt I had waited on God as long as I was able. But my husband and two of my friends reassured me I could keep waiting – and that it would be worth it. We’re not to look at others in the world and aspire to what they have accomplished – God has a plan for us, an individually designed, hand-picked, perfect plan for our lives. He longs for us to allow Him to reveal it to us. When we charge ahead, setting our own pace, we may miss out on God’s perfection for us.

Today will be a day of intentional waiting. I commit my day to God and His timing, His plans, His course for me. I don’t want to expend energy fretting over what is to come. I want to store it up so I can go forth and do what God reveals to me as His plan.

My prayer today is that you commit your way to the Lord. And that you trust in His perfect plan for your life.

Mary  ¶ 8:43 AM

  Sprinkling Salt .
Matthew 5:13-15

13. "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. 14. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

Perhaps you don’t think these images all “go together!” I used to feel that way, too, until I read more about salt and light and thought about how we as individuals can influence our world. Jesus telling the listeners they were the “salt of the earth” was a very high compliment. Salt is the most essential element. We need it to survive, to flavor our foods and to preserve them. In Jesus’ time, salt was precious. It was very labor intensive to produce. If one didn’t live near salt water, it had to be transported and was very costly. Since there was no way to refrigerate foods, salt was used to preserve foods so they would last through the season. Also, salt was used as an insulator in their clay ovens. So, you see, life was almost impossible without salt!

Salt was essential, yet also a part of daily life. Using salt is what people did, it was how they lived. And as Christians, we are called to be “salty.” We are to live our lives as if it was only natural to be Christ-like in every deed and action and thought. And we are called to “sprinkle salt” as we go. We are to engage others and to use every opportunity to introduce (or reintroduce) them to Christ. I have found some very “casual” ways of interjecting Jesus into many conversations I have throughout my day. Standing in lines is a great way to talk to people – they’re stuck there with you!

Beyond that, we are to a light for the world. And the world is a very “dark” place right now. Corruption, greed, idolatry, immorality, every kind of sinful behavior you can think of is reported on the evening news and exhibited with blatant, shameless frequency and reckless abandon. We must take our stand and shine the light of Christ for a world lost and stumbling in the darkness. We must rise above the world and show them the way – by how we live our lives. It may seem like a daunting task. I so often think to myself that I’m just one person—how can I make a difference. But then I remember I am not alone. I am not just one—I have Jesus and all the fellow believers.

When we “hide our light under a bushel” we deny the world the opportunity to hear our testimony. We disobey God and defy the message of Jesus. Jesus tells us to go out and make disciples in all the world. Even if our world only consists of our neighborhood, our city, our state, our country—we need to start somewhere, right? I have found that the more I shine my light, the brighter it shines. The more people I reach out to, the more blessed I am. I don’t mean I feel blessed—I mean I am blessed.

God blesses obedience and faithfulness. Perhaps not with material things. Perhaps not even in the ways I think I want to be blessed. But He certainly blesses me. And His blessings are without exception so much more than I could ever conceive.

My prayer today is that you will sprinkle salt everywhere you go. And that you’ll be a light for this dark and fallen world.

Mary  ¶ 7:56 AM

  One Hundred People .
Ezekiel 36:24-27

24. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

These verses remind me of a comment made by a former pastor several years ago. I don’t remember the exact world crisis that had occurred, or what had ensued in the weeks prior to her making this remark, but I have recalled it often! She said that sometimes she felt as if she wanted to move to a remote island somewhere with 100 of her favorite people and never need to have contact with “the world.” Doing that would certainly allow for separation from the daily grind, and keep one from becoming burdened with the cares of our fellow humans.

Sometimes after working together for a number of years, co-workers may feel as if they are “on an island.” I’ve seen more than one workplace setting where the workers are out of touch with the “real world.” They have become so insulated and isolated that they can’t really figure out how the rest of the world functions. Even churches or civic organizations can become that way. That’s a negative connotation to these verses. I believe what God intends is for us to be sanctified in His truth and made new by His mercy, redeemed by His love. And dwell in that truth, mercy and love. That’s the “separate reality” I envision when I read these verses.

We must go out into the world in which we dwell. But we don’t have to succumb to it. We don’t have to believe the lies. We don’t have to worship the world’s idols. We don’t have to become bitter and angry by the pain and suffering and cruelty in the world. God is the anecdote for the world’s pain and suffering. Dwelling in His power allows us to be the vaccine against bitterness and lies. We walk in His statutes and keep His judgments because we have been sprinkled with God’s forgiveness, love and mercy.

Out of gratitude and joy we spread that Good News. We are not left here to our own resources. We don’t need to escape the world. We are empowered to live in it, sanctified to thrive in it, cleansed and made whole to spread the Good News to all the earth. And we can endure it all because we know what the future holds for us. We trust and believe what awaits us at the end of time. When we believe, God takes us to himself, then sends us back to world, so we can bring others to Him.

My prayer today is that rather than fantasize about the 100 people with whom you would escape, decide the 100 people to whom you want to tell the Good News. And that you walk in God’s statutes and keep His judgments as you go.

Mary  ¶ 8:00 AM

  Everyone Has a Story to Tell .
1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

I’ve had an interesting experience. A friend of mine recruited me to pass out food samples at a local grocery store to kick off some new food products they started offering. It has been quite an experience! Of course, the most important cardinal rule is: never allow a customer to touch the food! What is it about us humans that we feel compelled to touch two or three “roll-ups” until we find exactly the right one to eat? (Remember this is free food!) My instructions were to physically place myself between the food and the customer. That sounds easy enough, doesn’t it? Not! People are tricky! They wait until you’re talking to another customer about the wonderful line of products and then dive right in!

So you’re asking what this has to do with these verses from Corinthians. I kept these verses in mind throughout my demo shift. I saw every make and model, shape and size of human being in the course of the shift! Human beings are quite fascinating creatures! I remembered these verses though for several reasons. Another cardinal rule: you never know who will actually purchase the product – so be nice to everyone. Well, that sounds rather worldly, doesn’t it? And my entrepreneurial spirit kicked right in with that instruction. As the day went on though, something happened. I began to see each of the food samplers as individuals. I started looking into their eyes and watching their hands as I passed them a roll-up or a chip with salsa.

Each person had a story to tell – and as I was “stuck” there, I heard many of them. And it was a blessing and a gift to hear what they had to say. One woman survived two hurricane seasons in Florida (losing everything both times), a bout with breast cancer and had her foot in a cast – she was upbeat, though, and ended the conversation with “What are you going to do?” She meant the only option, in the end, is to keep on living—and not allow life to beat you down. Some of the folks just smiled and said thank you. Some of them wanted to sample “one of each” and I suspect that might have been their “meal” for the day. Some just made comments in passing that let me know they needed prayers.

Isn’t God amazing that he affords us opportunities to witness in the most mundane situations?! Of course, I didn’t tell anyone I was a Christian, but I sure hope many of them knew it. I wonder if the folks I interacted with after my change of heart from worldly to Christ-like felt any differently. I know I did! And the next time I work in that setting, I will be focused on those who walk up to me to sample the food, and I’ll be fully engaged in what they have to say. I may be the only person willing to listen to their story. And we all need to tell our story – once spoken, it becomes a part of the cosmic energy that makes up our universe.

My story unfolds each morning as I sit at the computer to share my thoughts and revelations. Your story may unfold in the line at the grocery store or at the water cooler at work or at a PTA meeting. I have found that I am so blessed when I listen to the stories of those God places in my path – and I’m sure he’s using their stories to teach me something I need to know or learn.

My prayer today is that you lovingly listen with your heart when someone tells you their story. And that you thank God for using you in such a loving way.

Mary  ¶ 7:48 AM

  Hum Along with Me .
Psalm 4:6-8 NIV

Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

This state of being is what we achieve when we follow yesterday’s message! When we completely and absolutely place our trust and hope in God, we have no need to worry or fret about anything! Perhaps that when should really be “if.” We have the best of intentions. We commit on a regular basis to rely upon God and His will for us and for our lives. Then we take it back. We decide we’re tired of waiting on Him and take matters into our own hands. Dr. Phil is certainly shaking his head.

So what does our life look like when we finally figure out that we only have to please God, only have to live up to His image of us, only have to dwell in the safety and protection of His gaze? Well, I am known as a hummer – people have told me they can tell I’m coming before they ever see me, because they hear my humming. I’m not even aware of it! So I guess that is one way my joy in the Lord has manifested itself. I listen to Christian music throughout a good portion of my day – in my car, and at work. It keeps me centered. It helps me remember whose I am. It makes me hum!

There’s a bigger picture here, though. It’s about more than just humming. It’s about taking a deep breath and breathing in God’s love and peace. It’s about going out into the world without fear or concern for personal safety. Of course we need to be careful—but we don’t need to cower in fear. Of course we should lock our doors and look around before we head for the parking lot—but we don’t stop going out to the mall! Even more than that: we allow God to dwell in us – to be a driving force in all of our decisions, our plans, our hopes and dreams.

We don’t have to stop and ask ourselves, “What would Jesus Do?” Because we already know the answer. And all we have to do if we forget the answer is to open the Bible. He trusted His life to His Heavenly Father – Our Heavenly Father. In Gethsemane He asked God to take the cup of crucifixion from Him. But he added: “Not my will, but yours.” That’s what it looks like when we live out today’s verses. We are at peace with ourselves and with God because we have given over our very existence to Him and His will.

My prayer today is that you will dwell in the safety of the Lord. And you might try humming a tune—it will make people wonder what you’re so happy about!

Mary  ¶ 7:43 AM

  Great and Unsearchable Things .
Jeremiah 33:3

Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

I’ve been on somewhat of a hiatus the past couple of mornings, you’ve probably noticed! I’ve been devoting some serious and intentional time with God that I needed for myself. You see, I have some decisions I’m struggling with and they involve or at least demonstrate the depth and degree of my faith in God. I am waiting for guidance and direction and praying for discernment that I will recognize God’s will when it is revealed.

God tells us to call out to Him. Jesus tells us many times in the New Testament to simply ask God for anything, in the name of Jesus and we will receive. It sounds pretty easy, doesn’t it! Of course it would be if we didn’t allow our human pride and our stubborn will to interfere with the plans God has for us. I have some wonderful opportunities being presented to me. You’re probably wondering why that would be a problem! It’s a problem because I can see how going down one path could make it more difficult to pursue some of the things I want to do. Notice the “I” in there?

That is the real problem – or should I say “I” am the real problem. My choices are to wait on
God and allow His will for me and my future to unfold in His time; or to rush on ahead, like a bull in a china shop to do what “I” think I should do. See my point? Do I believe God has “great and unsearchable things” to tell me? Or do I call to Him, going through the motions, and then proceed without the benefit of God’s revelations for me? Dr. Phil would ask me, “How’s that workin’ for you?” I can tell you what has happened in the past.

My answer would be, not so bad, but I know God could make things even better for me. His plans involve my accepting and discovering my own greatness. He sees me as a marvelous and wondrous creation. And he wants that image reflected back to me. So what am I so afraid of? I think it may be that to be marvelous and wondrous, I am then held to a higher standard. I am then to respond in gratitude and love, awe and thanksgiving. That response involves sacrifice. And I don’t know anyone who enjoys sacrifice. Turning over my life fully and absolutely to God’s will and His plan means I die to myself. I give up needing to be in charge. I relinquish the “I” in all my future plans.

So you can see, I’ve been quite involved in conversation with my Lord and Master! I think I’ve had a bit of a “Jonah” experience in the past few days! Maybe that’s what God is waiting for: complete submission and obedience. Actually, there is no “maybe” about it! That is exactly what He wants!

My prayer today is that you decide to submit to God your whole life. And that you allow him to reveal to you “great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Mary  ¶ 7:51 AM

  No Better Time .
Matthew 16:1-4

1. And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2. He answered them, "When it is evening, you say, `It will be fair weather; for the sky is red.' 3. And in the morning, `It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah." So he left them and departed.

This morning we’re on a different schedule at our house (my husband had a little incident with the carafe to our coffeemaker last night and he announced there would be “no coffee in the morning”)! For those of you who do not know either of us, let me just tell you that is not a statement that is made lightly—actually it is a statement that should never be made at our house! Fortunately, wonderful man that he is, he got us coffee from a convenience store we like this morning—so our day may be salvageable!

I share this with you because my entire morning routine was thrown off and out of order. The benefit of that is that from my kitchen window this morning, I observed the most awe-inspiring sunrise! The sky was bright red, streaked with gold—absolutely incredible. I know the sailors would say that means bad weather is on the way – we are expecting a snow fall late tonight. Not being a sailor, I view the majesty of the gold and red sky as God’s handiwork. It was absolutely stunning! And I can’t help but believe God knew I was going to need a sign today. A sign that He is still in charge of the world.

The anxiety level in the world seems to be on the rise. Listening to the news reports is really quite disturbing. As I re-read these verses, and think about Jesus and his radical message, I can’t help but wonder about how well we are reading the signs of the time. I find myself continually wondering what it will take for the world to “get it.” In this case ‘It’ is not whatever one’s heart desires as in one of the latest commercials—it is the message of Jesus. How many wars must be waged? How many people must die of HIV/AIDs? How much corruption and greed will be tolerated before the Christians of this world stand up and say, “Enough.”

I’m getting a bit “political” I realize. But at a certain point, we must take a stand. The world seems to be out of control. And while the media feeds on the unrest, riots, threats of attack, nuclear arms races, racial tension, religious fervor, they seem to be able to get us whipped up into quite a state of agitation and hopelessness. Or worse, profound disinterest. “It’s” too big for us to deal with. That is exactly why NOW is the time to act. NOW is the time to take a stand. I’m not talking about rioting or boycotting. I’m talking about how we live our lives. Now is the time to declare our faith and to share it with the world.

Now. We must read the signs of the times and know that it is always the right time for Christians to live out their lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. We may feel very small and powerless. But we are not alone. We are never left to our resources. We are children of God – the one true and loving, merciful and mighty God. The same God who reigns in glory over the Middle East, over the Midwestern United States, South America and everywhere in between. Our God is in control of the world. We only need to call out to Him.

He has promised us, “never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

My prayer today is that you take a stand as a Christian. And that you live out your calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Mary  ¶ 7:41 AM

  Could Today be “The” Day? .
2 Timothy 4:1-5

1. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2. preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. 3. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, 4. and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. 5. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.

Verses 3-5 sound as if they were written about the current political climate in the world! It almost feels as if things are about to break loose and as if the whole world will be at war at any moment! Of course, the broadcasters are almost like Jekyl and Hyde: as human beings they don’t want people to be harmed or to die, but their livelihoods depend upon “breaking news” and the more dynamic and dramatic the better!

In light of all the violence and unrest in the world - on many fronts and for many different reasons - we could easily fall into the mindset that the “end times” are near. And in a way, that might make us shape up and live correctly and minister to God’s world more diligently. It might cause us to love our spouse more passionately and be more patient and gentle with our children. Who knows, we could even think about reconciling with an estranged relative or muster up the fortitude to withstand all the annoying quirks of our co-workers!

The thing is: the world has been this way for thousands of years! So I think the message we might take away from this passage is that we better continue (or start) to live as if the end is near! The truth is, we have no way of knowing when Christ will come again. Some may proclaim the time and place has been revealed to them -- they are those referred to verse 3! We don’t know. So we better be proactive, urgent, steady in our work as evangelists. I almost hesitated to use that word, because “evangelists” have been portrayed in the media as if all of us think exactly alike, believe exactly the same thing, vote exactly the same way. In truth, the only thing “all of us” share is our belief that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. And that he was crucified, died and rose again.

Oh, and that we will all join Him in heaven when the end times actually do arrive.

My prayer today is that you get back to basics of our faith. And that you live out today as if it were your last.

Mary  ¶ 7:18 AM

  God’s Unsurpassed Patience .
Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In case you ever wondered whether or not God has a sense of humor . . . He does! I say that with some assurance too! And I am certain I provide an on-going source of amusement for Him as well. I sat this morning pretty much decided that I would not post a devotion this morning. I have a great deal on my mind and I have been struggling to allow God to lead me. You can imagine how that is going. I start out with the best of intentions. But then I trip over myself trying to take charge of the situation.

I had trouble focusing this morning, too. I was thinking ahead to my day, and to the week and about the situations in which I will be placed. Then I opened up this subscription e-mail . . . I really want to be in charge of my life! And that is the problem. I am not! And when I try to stage a coup against God, I don’t allow myself to fully partake of the blessings he has stored up for me. But charge on ahead, Mary! I’m in a funny place in my life, and I’m not sure if I’m foreseeing “empty nest” syndrome or if I’m finally at a point where I am realizing who God made me to be.

In either case, I am trying to let God lead me. I’m trying not to stamp my feel like a petulant child and demand that God show me the right path -- right now! I mean today -- no -- I mean this minute! That’s where God must get quite a kick out of me! “Oh, Mary. Lean not on your own understanding.” I’m so grateful his patience surpasses my defiance!

My prayer today is that you wait on God. And that you trust he has in store for you so much more than you can even imagine.

Mary  ¶ 7:10 AM

  Where Do I Put My Hope? .
Psalm 39:4-7 NLT

"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath." We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth for someone else to spend. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.

Luke 12:22-26 NIV

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

I have certainly been focusing on a particular theme the past several days! If you ever doubt God’s grace, or the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, just stop and think back over the past few days. Haven’t there been situations that worked out so much better than you imagined they would? Or times when you felt completely overwhelmed and suddenly a great sense of peace and calm came over you?

Maybe the instance was much smaller than that! You thought of someone and then they called you or e-mailed you. More important than any of that is when you get so far off course, so consumed by the cares of the world, so overwhelmed by life, God is there. I have no doubt of that. There have been too many times in my life when I know without question that God’s grace alone got me through. Too many things have happened that can only be explained as divine intervention.

Jesus tells us to give over our lives, our hearts, our minds to God. Give yourself to Him and He will take care of you. God loves us so much He sent Jesus. How could we even imagine a greater love? My line of reasoning is that if God loved us so much he sacrificed that which was most precious to him, he certainly would never leave us to our own resources now.

It may sound as if I’m trying to convince myself of this truth. I don’t need convincing! I do, however, sometimes need to be reminded of it. That’s why I’m sharing these scripture passages today. My guess is you can use some encouragement, hope, good news, comfort in some area of your life. And so, believing God will provide so much more than we can even imagine, we can focus on making the most of our lives.

My prayer today is that you give over to God everything that troubles or worries you. And that you trust God to carry the burden for you today.

Mary  ¶ 7:09 AM

  Where No Water Is .
Psalm 63:1-8

1. O God, thou art my God, I seek thee, my soul thirsts for thee; my flesh faints for thee, as in a dry and weary land where no water is. 2. So I have looked upon thee in the sanctuary, beholding thy power and glory. 3. Because thy steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise thee. 4. So I will bless thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on thy name. 5. My soul is feasted as with marrow and fat, and my mouth praises thee with joyful lips, 6. when I think of thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the watches of the night; 7. for thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of thy wings I sing for joy. 8. My soul clings to thee; thy right hand upholds me.

My Bible has Comfort and Assurance in God’s Presence as the heading for this psalm. Then a note follows: A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. I have found it so much easier to marvel at God’s greatness and mighty power when I look upon a mountain or a field of wildflowers than when I’m driving to work on any given morning! When in the “wilderness” we are not so distracted by the world around us--rather it becomes a canvas upon which to view the wonders of God’s handiwork. That’s why I think it so important to place ourselves in nature as often as possible.

I’ve shared with you many times how much I enjoy sitting on my deck when weather permits. I can view the birds and the squirrels and all of God’s creatures, the trees and the sky . . . It’s just amazing. I feel as if I’m in a different time and place when I spend time on that deck, especially early in the morning. I’ve also told you often about how my walking buddy and I meet at 5 am three mornings a week to walk. It has become a holy time for us. We are both so conscious of the sky -- the stars and the stages of the moon. We watch the leaves change color and fall in the autumn and rejoice and marvel together as new life begins to spring forth in the spring!

Our husbands teased us at first, certain that we would not be able to maintain such a schedule -- I, in particular, am not a morning person normally. Those walks have become a vital part of my prayer life and of my walk with God. We find inspiration as we walk, we feel the Holy Spirit so active within us and around us. We share ideas and dreams and a deep bond, knowing that God led us to each other. It is so amazing to feel upheld by God and we have both endured some difficult times in no small part because of our morning walks with God and with each other.

We find ourselves in the mindset of verse one: “O God, thou art my God, I seek thee, my soul thirsts for thee; my flesh faints for thee, as in a dry and weary land where no water is.” We have come to know that only God can satisfy, fulfill, sustain, guide and guard us. We have wonderful husbands, and awesome friends. But in the end it’s only God. We have learned that in the journey of life. We have both testified to God’s love and devotion to those who love him and are devoted to Him.

My prayer today is that your thirst is quenched by your Lord and Savior. And that you cling to Him, upheld by His right hand.

Mary  ¶ 7:16 AM

  Shadow of the Cross .
Luke 8:22-25

22. One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they set out, 23. and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a storm of wind came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in danger. 24. And they went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25. He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even wind and water, and they obey him?"

Is this a familiar scenario for you? I don’t mean being caught in a sudden storm in a boat! Well . . . maybe I do! I must say I find myself calling out to the Master in times of trouble. Those are the times I ask, “Why haven’t you allowed things to go the way I planned?” And much worse! And when something marvelous occurs, I marvel at God!

Oh, my . . . what a silly thing it is to confine God and reduce Him down to human dimensions. But we may have some consolation in that the apostles lived with Jesus - they had seen him perform miracles -- healings, driving out demons, and many other amazing acts. And they didn’t “get it” either! In fairness we often don’t see what is right in front of us. But what is the message here for us?

For me this passage speaks about how my faith falters when I find myself in a situation that is not going the way I think it should. Or when something happens that I don’t think is fair. Or when I’m tired and beaten down by the world. I’m good on an average day! I can profess my faith all day long and go into overdrive as long as everything is “going my way!” It’s the other times that I must admit I am challenged to keep my faith foremost in my mind and heart.

It is in the difficult times in our lives that our faith is tested. It is when we feel the farthest from God that we are challenged to look up--toward the Cross. It is when we want to take charge and force a point that we begin to act and think in a way that is the polar opposite of the faith we otherwise profess. Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?” The way in which we answer speaks volumes.

My prayer today is that you cling fast to your faith. And that no matter what happens, you take refuge in the shadow of the Cross.

Mary  ¶ 6:55 AM