COME ON IN

When my kids were little, we be like driving along always listening to some children's CD. Yes, a CD. Some youth may wonder what that is, it dates us! Anywho! 

The CD: Mom I have lost my joy. The mom, "really what's going on? When is the last time you saw her?" The boy, "That's it I just don't know." The sister interrupts, "Mom do you think he is talking about the cat, Joy?" Yes, the mother responds! The girl, "No, mom we are talking about his true "Joy"! To which the mother responds with a giggle, "I know how to get it back."

...weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning -Psalm 30:5

We all burst out in song....We got that Joy, Joy, Joy...down in our heart! 

The children's tune comes across loud and clear. Choose Joy! You can't get your joy by naming your cat or dog joy, you can't perform better and get joy! But you can keep knowing God's truth about joy and find inner joy. Looking at the words and receiving their meaning. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit-Romans 15:13

Trust in Him brings us inner Holy Spirit led joy!

You maybe asking why are you writing this Elaine?

Let me explain:

On December 24, 2020, laying in bed I recounting my past days to prepare for Christmas...the word joy is appearing frequently. This happens annually where I where I begin to see a word for the new year to be my focus, last years was Light. It is funny it starts to appear. It takes me a moment to wake up and pay attention. Have you experienced that? You are sleeping and you begin to wake up and you are suddenly aware something is happening. Next, I pray God are you revealing something to me?

Let's see, you tell me...

I say to my husband...I need signage for the Christmas message to be real and I want to display it in front of the house. Like...MERRY CHRISTMAS. He comes home with "Joy". I am asleep on that one. "Okay", I sort of disappointedly say back to him. I I I I wanted, Merry Christmas! (sleeping then, awake now...I realize HE wanted JOY!)

Getting back to Dec. 24, I'm praying God confirm this, I keep seeing the word and I am not...honestly...convinced. Next, I open a new devotional I got at Salvation Army look up the date and the title of the devotion is, Come on In. It comes from John 15:11-I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your may be complete.

I count the word "JOY" in that small devotion eight times! You know at Christmas we always talk about, "Love coming down." At Christmas abundant "Joy" came down probably for the first time. In the life where we think we have everything in place and joy appears at Christmas...then it fades and we wonder why, "Why do I have family and the decorations and presents and suddenly I feel lonely?" True joy came in the lowly manger through the baby Jesus! How do you get that joy, we must declare, say "Yes", and shout, "Come on in, Jesus." He stands waiting. Joy comes when we hold out our hands and receive the greatest gift ever. Jesus!

I love that, so much so I am filled up to shout it out back to whoever wants to listen. I have found people giving me joy ornaments or verses jumping out with clarity. I even had a girl approach me at church asking, "What is your name, my name is Joy...can I pray for you?" God brought JOY to pray for me. Does He have a sense of humor, I hope so!

Let the Choose Joy, abundant joy, joy infilling beginning and continue through 2021. I will try to be diligent to document these sightings so my joy may be complete. 

I am already observing the Apostle Paul's greetings are frequently sprinkled with Joy, like in Philippians, "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day. When I read that I ask myself questions and acknowledge some facts. Paul a leader, prays for his flock who he is called to, He prays with joy for them because they have a partnership in the gospel and the gospel is pivotal point for life. He delights when He thinks of them in prayer. Amazing! I delight when God brings leaders in my life who with Joy pray for us the flock.

I will post the pictures of my sightings recently so we can giggle together over God's delightful revelations. People post their joy sightings without knowing that I am on this "Choose Joy" journey.

May the God of all hope fill us with Joy in 2021, his joy is different than the world.

THE POSTMAN

The midday sun was blinding my eyes, yet, it was 32 degrees out. I delight in a walk where I can lift my face to heaven, relish the warmth and talk to God. I looked up and spotted a postman walking from a delivery at the neighbors door and he was limping.

I picked up my pace and asked with joy, "Is your ankle okay?" He said, "It's not my ankle it is my siatica!" Remembering the pain of my own siatica I declared, "Oh that can be so painful, what are you doing for it?" Calmly he said, "It will go away, I did some stretching and eating right (?, not sure how that helps, but oh, well)" I replied, "Icing it to death is the secret." To which he agreed he needs to go home and do that. 

As always a postman is in a hurry and I did not want to delay him in his work, I ended with, "I hope it gets better soon, I will pray it does", to which he just responded, "It will not last I did stretch." He seemed a little uncomfortable with the idea of prayer. He was cheerful and kind.

I promised a prayer so...Lord heal him...let him relate it to this incident and  lead him to a discovery of Jesus. Giggling with delight over the prayer...Lord make him a magnet to the things of Jesus. May Jesus sightings be everywhere...so much so that he will be like every since that lady said she would pray for me I keep hearing about prayer and Jesus. I pictured in my head...him running into all creative ways Jesus will get his attention. How this prayer will change his life. I am excited for him. I am not magical...I just believe in Jesus and the power of prayer. I trust God wants this more than I can imagine.

Before I knew it he passed me with a honk of his horn. 

Ask anything in my name and I will do it! John 14:14

Jesus go get him! Make him a magnet for you! Amen.

MARY DID YOU KNOW? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

 

Mary did you know (the song goes) that one day your baby will walk on water? "He will be the son of the most high", declares the angel of the Lord and "He will save the people from their sins!" When I read this, it was like I read it for the first time...slowly asking questions..who is He?, Why was He born and given to Mary?, Why should that matter to me? When I sought this answers many years back I saw the world and a reason to exist completely different. I got a new set of eyeglasses! My heart and soul seemed to sense a peace that I can't explain. You have to seek this for yourself. I recommend you pray and ask God, "Are you real? If so, please show me yourself" Then read Luke Chapter one, in your bible, youversion app, google or biblegateway on your phone. 

The song, MARY DID YOU KNOW, sung by Mark Lowry is great! 

Aww...you maybe irritated that the angel said and, "He shall save the people from their sins". Many years ago I had the same reaction, because I was a really good girl (in my eyes I was good) but I really looked at my heart and asked myself, "Are you saying you are perfect. In no need of change or help." No, I was not became my honest answer.

I was guided to look up the answers to life questions...why was I born...is there a God...do I have purpose...why do I feel empty, like something is missing?

Mary lived out what was written in a book over two thousand years ago. She did not have all the answers, yet, she said yes to the plan foretold by the angel of the Lord. We have the book and the answers...SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Dear God, help me to find meaning and new life. Amen. Thank you in advance.

Christmas is a time where the word,  BELIEVE, started 

YOU TELL ME

 Do you ever wonder if you made the right decision? You know have a true sign, like yes! Sometimes we step out in faith, looking for that peace we pray for or sometimes we just clearly see it's the right thing to do.

I'll explain.

In the cold vortex winter in February 2019 (I live in Chicago area) we got the call a offer was made on our house. We excepted the offer and began question will this really be the buyer? Where do we go? I had refused to look. We had looked for two years while our house would not sell. You begin to ask yourself, why put an offer on a house if you house is not selling? 

My son looks up houses in an area we didn't even consider in the two year process. We pray. Houses come up with criteria that we would like this time around. We drive by just a few, after all it's freezing out and did I mention I am in a medical boot for a torn tendon in my ankle? 

On that day we looked my husband decides instead of looking at the current listings why not go back a bit in the listings, and then one house popped up with our criteria. As we read through it, yes, it has this and that, check check check. Crazy! At the moment I was tired of even thinking about it and said to God really are you going to make this easy for us. This long journey...look at a couple of houses and buy. Not even knowing all of the neighborhoods. You know not doing alot of research or homework. Would that be dumb? Dumb as it was to the natural eyes of house buying people, we looked at the house and bought it!

I'm going to fast forward to now quarantine 2020, I'm outside and meet a neighbor, the conversation of where did we come from, what brings us here...blah, blah, blah. She talks about the things she does, like fundraising for the fine arts center down my block, which I already signed up for classes at. Can you believe I can ride my bike there? The most revealing part of our conversation was she mentions have you heard that around here we get quite of few sandhill cranes. I thought what? I love sandhill cranes! If you know in the past 3 years its my greatest adventure to go to Nebraska during March to see the mass migration of sandhill cranes. I'm like wow! 

I continue down the block on my walk and come to the intersection Crane Rd. and Crane St. Do you every pass by or see something daily and never really think about what you are seeing? WELL, that is what I did? For one year living in this neighborhood I never ever questioned why the main road I have to take to get to my street is called "CRANE RD."! Why? Because that area sees CRANES! Walking distance from my house is Primrose Farm and that land sights Sandhill cranes quite frequently!

This revelation was like duh, hit yourself on the forehead! What the...

So the other day driving I saw them! I posted pic below. This is crazy, I stopped and observed and videoed and screamed with delight! Is it safe to say this was the confirmation I needed that we are certainly in the right place. A for such a time is this moment. This is where God has placed us!

YOU TELL ME!

I always like the Ferris Bueller saying, "Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Is that a statement I could find in the bible? The bible has this verse, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul  Mark 8:36 NIV? This is my favorite question in the bible!

If we don't stop and look around at who God is and why that matters for now and eternity...we miss a great part of ourselves, which is our soul! Understanding and wisdom is lost. What's the purpose!

Do you have just pause to ask such an important question?

To emphasize the point I'm making is in life a sign could be right in front of our faces and we could miss it because we don't stop, pause and ask important questions! In my case, why is the street named Crane? It was a great question to ask because it points directly to my prayer in February of 2020, "Lord will you make moving this easy for me? Make it clear."

YOU TELL ME!

Let's pray:

God life does move pretty fast let me not miss the important that you are trying to point out to me. Amen.

Another similar statement in the bible that confirms with what I'm saying, "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring, What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:14 ESV"

OH GNATS!

 After four weeks of battling the gnats in my kitchen, I was angry, fed up and ready to leave my home.

Crazy out cry! Right?

This message developing right in my own kitchen coincides with my life and faith. 

Let me explain.

Here is what I was not doing about the multiplication of gnats whirling in my home.

I was not reading up on them and what the experts say about them.

I was sinking in hopelessness, just accepting what was happening.

Until...I realized it was affecting my focus...and then I was like, I'll pray about this.

I want to admit that praying for gnats seemed like a crazy thing...until I did and my attitude began to change. What happened is my thoughts started to be more productive...like...look up gnats and what to do about them.

After prayer, then research, I made up a concoction of trap filled with liquid to lure them in.

Next I sat and thought where are they nesting? All to say, finally, I remembered our recent breakdown of  our trash compactor. When we opened it we discover month old trash. It became a he said/she said they would empty it kind of deal! Friends!, after discovering millions of gnats in it...we got that compactor out of the house and now we are dealing with the remnant. I telling you, upon discovering this and taking action...there was new hope...relief that the end of the critters was in sight. Till I woke up the next day to that not being all gone. I went into despair again. Feelings of giving up!  All to realize that I disappointedly celebrated a bit to soon and put many of the traps away to soon. I got the energy to put the traps back and wait. I did notice they were getting easier to catch, they were slowing down. 

Isn't life just like this when a struggle comes, we cower and give in. The enemy just loves that. The bugs just love that. They are thriving!

Reading my bible, praying, being with other likeminded friends all help to combat the struggle, the bug, lol! Staying fit and alert, helps the battle!

Despair is not an option!

The moments when I did the research, moved into action and saw results were hopeful and joyous. I am not going to be defeated by some bugs/struggles! 

The set back of them not being 100% gone and the recurring feelings that accompanied that was eye opening for me. 

It's a journey of faith and I must remain in the faithful, hopeful camp!

When I step our of the practice, I am filled with thoughts of giving up. 

I know I am talking about stinking bugs, buts there is so many similarities I could see the correlation between me and trusting. Praying about everything! Realizing God wants to be in my life. He helped my thoughts along! He helped me find the remedy. I don't have to go on a rollercoaster with God. With God it is a much more steady ride. He gave us the Holy Spirit to coast! I can coast with God!

Please step out with me and validate me that God is in the small and in seeing that we realize that He can be in the big! 

I thought of this in the end as the bugs are getting slower...as satan knows...the bugs know their time is short!

Pray with me:

God thank you for growing, showing me that way to go. You are faithful to show me. Amen.

Path is in the bible 77 instances.

The verse, "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete John 16:24 NIV."

Assurance of answered prayer! 

Beloved friends! God wants us to have our armor up and ready to use. Prayer being huge! In this day and time, talk to him about everything!

Amen!

FREEDOM; LET YOURSELF GO

 Dear Friend:

I was serving in a 3 year old class and this was our coloring page for the day. At the same time I was chose to take out a children's bible and read the story of Moses life. First you must know everytime I use the simple bible or lessons for the youth, the presentation is straight forward and simple, with all clarity. When I got to the 3 rd plea of Moses asking Pharaoh to "Let the People Go", I stopped. I was convicted that not only was this story for the three year olds it was for me. The people were in slavery. My thought was you are in slavery..

I was like what? I had been trying to sell my house for two years and I wondering if I was not convinced about moving. We had just sold our house. I was second guessing the decision.  In that very moment, I realized I was like the Israelites, doubting the timing, doubting the provision, doubting the new place, doubting the new plan. Don't we pray Lord I want to trust you, lean on you for understanding and then you make our path. He made their path he made my path. The Israelites grumbled, "maybe we should go back to slavery!" No! The message of Moses!

I was asking to go back. Then as I finished the story I heard something within me, "Your house was good for twelve years, but it slavery now, you need to go to the place I'm calling you too. Do you trust me!

Stop! I can't go back. A strength within me came. I could not think about the house, only could only pack up with determination and get out, move forward.

I never look back or question. You know where the bible says the Lord will guard your heart and mind. I was protected. The guard was on my mind and it was a barrier, I can't explain it!

Friends, someone needs to here don't go back to SLAVERY!

Thank the Lord. 

 

LEGACY

 I wrote a paper in one of my college courses, the assignment was to sum up in less than two hundred words a life statement of mine. I don't remember all the criteria for the article but I am sharing this to inspire you to write your own statement. Pray about it.

"Leave a legacy of persistence, humbleness, caring, loyalty to myself and others, all with Christ as my focus or center. Be an example of Jesus. My purpose is to gain new insight about myself and new direction, renewed insight of my abilities, and gain clarity for work. Why I do what I do. To grow for Jesus, and feel accomplished. I want to grow up, be stronger, and maybe network with others. I pray there will be more doors open or possibilities. I want to be God reliant but also more self-reliant (meaning not dependent on others so much). To keep this going will require prayer and time spent with God."

I never will succeed when I go so fast.

I'm not very good at keeping things organized.

Something I'd like to change about myself...be more organized, be satisfied with myself, slow down what I think I should do, have less expectations for myself and others, stop asking what would so and so do and finally...begin to do. 

Friends:

I repeat the story frequently when in 1997 me and my little family made a declaration of dependence. Dependence on God. We put scripture on the document and signed it. I have the signatures of my then only two sons. My daughters weren't born yet. You know the idiom or saying, "Draw a line in the sand", which means to establish a figurative boundary that someone refuses to cross or beyond which no further advance or compromise is accepted.

We did this line regarding our direction for life with Christ. We no longer were going to be on the fence just teetering (meaning moving unsteadily; wobbling) in life when it comes to trusting in God. 

I love that document. I'll have to get it out and report back what the verses we selected.

Let's pray:

Thank you Lord for moments. Moments in time where we were brought to a point of realization that everything we have is yours. You created us. You love us. You want us to follow you. Amen.

EVER PERCEIVING AND EVER UNDERSTANDING

Hi! I am getting alot of disruptions as I try to keep my peace and write this quick note to y'all!

Have you ever had that happen...weird texts, phone ringing...

I have something on my heart it's been a battle to write it!

My day started with a walk down by a running river, as I sat on a bridge I saw a momma deer and two baby deer (they still had their whites spots on them, so cute!). My grateful heart got of glimpse of God. God watching over me as the mother watches her babies. I love my kids and to imagine God loving me that much and more, is so mind boggling! Right?

So Lord help me write this message, push back on the distractions and help me.

Scripture comes to me now:

He whose mind is on Him will be in perfect peace...if you know me I say you are P squared (perfect peace=get it, p squared!)

As I was walking I was thinking pondering on the world problems and asked God to not allow my walk to be inundated with those thoughts but thoughts more about Him the prince of peace!

Have you ever seen or read a fiction story about end times or pandemics or even the left behind series. How should I be acting and reacting in this day and age? What I am reminded of is I can glance at history and books but the true inner peace and my going in and going out needs direction from the Holy Spirit and submission to that leading. Do we race ahead with the fiction writers vision or do we seek God for the times through prayer and submitting to God? Before I take a stand on something, I wait for the leading of the Spirit. Do you? It takes spending time with the author of peace to learn to extend peace or live peacefully.

It takes a sensitive spirit. I do know that in the mean time while waiting for the leading we can live what is in the word.
My favorite is:
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: you should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."
In the Kings James version it says "so you will lack nothing."

I write this verse a lot this past year because this is a inner work and desire of mine to live this out. So, I take each part of it and do an inner inventory of when I do this and when I don't and make changes.

Today I am focused on "not be dependent on or lack nothing". God what does this mean? There is only one cross reference and I love it!

Jesus told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. (the believer) But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, "they maybe ever seeing but NEVER perceiving, and ever hearing but Never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!" (Mark 4:11-13). This is priceless, worth more than anything material.

This spoke to me! I am reminded in the moment. The chosen people of God, Israel, were wandering in the desert for forty years! Forty years friends! They were provided for the whole time. God says everything I provide, even if it seems difficult to navigate, is allowed by me, but remember I am watching and if you ask I will help you perceive and understand. But if you do not ask you will wander with LACK OF PEACE! Are you navigating these days with the lack of peace? Jesus says, peace I leave you, peace I give you. I DO NOT give to you as the world gives." I understand that to mean Jesus inner peace will divinely help me in hard times. Do you believe this? God was basically saying to the Israelites, DO NOT DESPISE THE MANNA!  He provides daily. (that is the food He gave them daily) Friends, we have to get this! Jesus peace does mean He will help you with reactions, but it does not mean that he will put you in a bubble and you will never run into trouble. In this desert story God was also saying, stop grumbling, to not ask to go back to Egypt or SLAVERY. He took me out of slavery into the light of  freedom. I am free!  He training me to be like Him.

Getting back to "lack nothing or not be dependent on". It is a spiritual blessing to be able to have forgiveness, grace, peace of  Christ, with that I will lack nothing. I shall not be in want (Psalm 23).

So so important to get!

Prayer:  Thank you God that I as a child of God and can perceive and understand. Please help me to remember believe that. Amen.

Part of my perceiving and understanding is starting my day with Jesus. Jesus in this case blessed me with this real live picture of the deer. I pray you find these messages written in the smallest way today.

EVER PERCEIVING AND EVER UNDERSTANDING IS THE OUTCOME OF SPENDING TIME WITH JESUS. You will be able to be led BY THE HOLY SPIRIT for your actions and reactions but be slow and wait.

MIRACLE

The description of the face mask I was applying read, MIRCOL (pronounced miracle, lol!) revitalizing lotion (pink) in a luxurious cream. The thick, rich formula applied easily, next I had to wait, as the lotion hardened, made my skin so tight and wrinkled that after twenty minutes I looked like an old lady.

Then it happened.

I dipped my face into the warm water and instantly the lotion melted and was gone leaving my skin silky smooth. As my face was in the water I heard a whisper...when you come to me I take the hard wrinkled moments you are struggling with. I felt washed...smooth...clean...refreshed...loved. It was a moment of listening and agreeing that whatever the day holds He promises to be ever-present.

It was a sample of peace that I could carry into the day. I could write to you and assure you as I felt assured.

A simple exercise I had done prior to this self-facial. Matthew 14:25-32, using my imagination I pictured myself in the boat...the wind rocking the boat and I was feeling sick and scared. Jesus comes to me and holds me in the boat till the water calms.

Realizing again that I don't know what is next...but stay in the boat and be safe with Jesus. Answers yet to be revealed...answers that might not be what I wanted...but Jesus will be there...He will make it okay. I am sure of that! Are you sure of that!

So no Mircol will fix everything its just a face-mask, but Jesus....He comforts...and loves.
Wait for Him!

STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES

Have you ever had what you would call ,"A bad hair day", or chronic complaints like, "Why didn't God give me straight hair instead of curly?" There are a myriad of complaints about our job, body, or even personality. You may be asking "personality"? I mean you catch yourself saying, "I am so loud why do I always have to be that way!"

Then it happens!
What happens, Elaine?

Let me explain what happened to my daughter, she is mid-twenties now, but back when she was 17, we were in a grocery store checking out and a girl bagging, about her age, says, "I just love your curly hair, I would love to have hair like that! You are so fortunate!" My daughter smiles! Let me back up. Just that day she was grumbling about her curly hair with the "why!" What a grin on my daughters face! It was priceless! To have a girl around her age make a compliment like that! What a gift! Which I pointed out to my daughter. "A gift!"

Do we look at compliments as a gift from above? I think it is powerful to receive the gift and believe in a small way God gave it to me. I had a friend that always says to be a "bucket filler". Taking each little experience and writing it on a piece of paper and before you know it your bucket will be begin to be full. Love! It connects me with the love of the Father.

I think it is hard to love without first really paying attention to the Father's love.

I have this happen more as I'm acknowledging the small happenings. Like one time I was dressing for a rehearsal dinner and felt unsure about my lipstick I chose, do you believe someone specifically said without any prompting on my part, "I love the lipstick color you chose!". I'll take it!

You know we race through life without joy and it's because we do NOT take the advice, "Take time to smell the roses!"

Now don't go around looking for compliments, what I am suggesting at the end of the day laying in your bed doing an inventory of your day, add circumstances like these. If you saw a cool butterfly and had a photo shoot with it (like I did today), count it as joy!

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace."Col. 3:15.

I'm not sure what day we are on in this Covid-19 but as I read the word so many things come to my mind. My family can not handle anymore of my stories in this time of lock down.
I went to open my bible and some of the pages were sticking. I had put a empty packet of honey in a bag with papers. The papers got drips of honey on them and then the papers got shoved into my bible, thus now the sticky pages.

Why am I writing this. Because over the past thirty of so years, when I am doing something, sometimes an analogy will pop in my head. I get over joyed about it but and want to share, yet I get a eye role from my kids (like we need another story, eye roll).

In this case I think of honey, google the word. That's what I've always done over the years. I look up words and their definition. Wow, if you google it and click on idioms used for the word honey there are so money like...honey do list...land of milk and honey...no money, no honey.

But when I saw the honey I thought of sweet and sticky. That's what the bible is to me, sweet and sticky. I would go on to write a devo about HONEY. God wants the word to stick in our mind and it is so sweet. "Gracious word are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones Proverbs 16:24 NIV."

Another story:

I used a very old magnifying glass to see the smallest of print in my study bible. Ugh! I can't read it without it! I thought of my grandma using this. I remember after my grandma died I was standing in the nursing home, saying good-bye to the nurses and compiling her things to take with me. I remember that after Mother Theresa died they said they only had a bucket full of her possessions. That's it! Here I was saying good-bye and it was a bag full of stuff. In it was this magnifying glass. My grandmother went from not seeing well, to getting worse, to being legally blind. Well, that's depressing to think of, but my point is this, magnify the Lord, He is worthy to be praised. More of Him and less of the struggle. Singers Shane & Shane put it well its title Psalm 34-
Magnify the Lord with me, exalt His name together. So true. People lets do this! Lets praise the Lord in all times!

Stories make the world go round! It's time to listen people. Experiences, sharing, listening make others feel valued. Slow down, sit down, quiet down....i am going to add listen...listen to Jesus...let Him be magnified... let the stories of life unfold and enrich you. Be present is the saying these days. LISTEN.
What is Jesus saying in these times?
It's never changing!
He never makes up anything new.
We should not be surprised.

I am going through the book of John right now. My observation so far for chapters 1-4
Jesus was in the beginning and everything is made by Him. In Him we have life and when we believe we receive His grace and truth.
His life brought light to everyone.
He helps us see truth. Because of grace, we receive blessing after blessing.
Jewish baptisms were for ceremonially cleansing of  the Jews. Jesus baptism is a symbol of His death, resurrection and knowing who the son of God is.
The Spirit came of Jesus at His baptism. Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit. John, "He is the son of God."

COVID-19. OVERWHELMED OR BORED TO WONDER; HOW DO YOU GET THERE?

In this time of unrest, you may feel restless!

Restless-unable to rest or relax as a result of anxiety or boredom. Which is it for you anxiety or boredom.
I'm turning off the news and letting the people who are in charge figure this crazy days out.

My commitment right now is to sit down, quiet down, calm down and learn from this.

I landed on a passage of scripture and as I read it, I thought what if someone today just sits down and declares, "I have the time, I'm finally going to read my bible." Panic sets in with a question, "Where do I begin?"

It was Luke 5 for me.
1. I  prayed God help me to learn something, understand something, realize something.
2. Read it through and then I went back because something caught my eye.
Maybe something didn't happen for you? What to do?

Here are some questions to ask:
a Who are the characters in the story?
b.What is Jesus doing?
c.What are the others doing?
d. How do they react to what is going on? How were they feeling when Jesus encountered them?
f.  What was Jesus' reaction to their reaction?
g. Who is Jesus to me?
h. When I'm in a situation what do I do?
i. What can I learn from their reaction and what can I do different in the future?

What stuck out for me was, "Why did Jesus say, "Don't be afraid?"
Why did they need to be calmed?

I feel really like a reporter digging around the story to understand it. Then I am trying to understand why read it and how can this help me?

Let's do this together.
The characters: Jesus, Simon Peter, Simon's companions, John and James (sons of Zebedee).
What were they doing when Jesus came on the scene?  Simon and his friends worked all night fishing and caught nothing, they were cleaning their nets.
What must they have felt after the long night? overwhelmed, fearful, discouraged, lacking hope. Not only did they feel emotional they would have also been tired, and their bodies physically worn out.

They maybe saying: "I need the work, I need the fish to sell...they may take it to the next step...if we don't have money we can't eat, we can't feed our family, we can't pay the bills. And then ask...what will happen if we can't pay the bills...the final doom and gloom of their story could be we will starve and we will loose everything! Yikes!

Have you ever done this?
Right now are you overwhelmed, bored from lack of activities, fearful, scared, discouraged, impatient, lacking peace and hope? Put your circumstances in your feeling words. Right your story right now.

Jesus comes on the scene and what does he do? He walks in peace. Why? Because He is God, He knows the end of the story. Yes, he has an advantage. But what we must know that when Jesus (who is always on the scene with us) is with us; things are calmer, more peaceful. Reading God's stories and living them out gives us the assurance that peace is with us. Jesus represents peace.

Let's get back to the story! Did Peter get interrupted? Yes. Does Simon know Jesus prior to this? How does Peter react to this disruption? Did Peter make excuses like, "Jesus I am cleaning my nets, I've been out all night?"  I'm pretty sure if a stranger showed up Simon would not listen to them. But he  honors Jesus request to take him a little from the shore. It indicates Simon knew Jesus before. So Peter even tho he is exhausted, listens. Pause. Do you listen when you are tired or weak?  Just sayin!

Pause a question pops in my head? What does Jesus teach? In this case the other Gospel's have documented this story. Matthew, Mark and John have there version. All similar but each add or do not include every detail. Matthew 4:18-22 does not tell Jesus taught. But after that incident he does say Jesus went on teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom. Right before the incident he preaches, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near Matt. 4:17b." Mark gives the short version like Matthew. John's version is very insightful to add to Luke's story. (John 1:40-42) It states that Simon was with Andrew (I forgot to mention that the other versions mention Andrew was with Simon) and they heard what John had said prior, "Look the Lamb of God." They emphasize another very important things we too should ask ourselves. Are we looking right now, do we see, and  when we see do we listen? John says, "Look!"

What does Simon say in the John version? "We have found the Messiah, (that is, the Christ). Then Jesus says, "Follow me!"

They all leave their "stuff" and follow Jesus!

Let's get back to the Luke version.

Jesus asked Simon to take a little way out so he could teach.
Jesus sometimes asks even more of us. Pay attention. In this case it was to reveal more about Himself to the boys.
Luke 4:4, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."  What does that mean for the boys.
1. dirty their nets again.
2. move the boats to the deep. GO DEEPER! When we go deeper we SEE more!
3. trust
4. not question
5. have faith

Peter could not help himself tho? What does he say before he goes out deep? the BUT...do you but?...but I worked all night...but we tried... but I'm doing all I can...
Does Simon stops and catch himself? Yes! Thank goodness Simon says, "But because you say so, I will let down the nets Luke 5:4."  Next, they catch alot of fish.

How does Simon respond? He fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" What is this reaction? He realizes who he is talking with. God!
What does His companions do? They are astonished=amazed, impressed!

How does Jesus respond to their reaction? "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." They must have looked scared.  Like, "You want us to work for you?"

Conclusion: Simon went from being overwhelmed to wonder. He realizes he is unworthy and sinful. Despite them catching their big load of fish, they make a life changing decision, they drop everything and go catch people!

Very worth job.
What about you?
You are overwhelmed.
Pray
Seek God.
Wait.
Look.
Listen.
Wait.
Pray.
When you seek; act on it. Is it ok to have reactions? Yes! The disciples sure did, yet Jesus was patient with them.

Jesus is always there for us.
Jesus loves us like a Father loves his child.
Jesus seeks us and wants a relationship with us.
Jesus works things out the way He sees fit.

GODCIDENCE

i DON'T THINK SO!
Coincidence, no way, no how!

God is a beautiful rescuer.

Ready!
Willing!
Not wanting us to fall!
HE HELPS US FIND A WAY OUT!
I'm not making this stuff up!
He means its.

Let me explain,
I'm really holding my head high. I'm not slouching and going to give in. I say "I" but I really mean God doesn't want that to happen to me.
He is powerful!
He proclaimed from the beginning he would come to set the captives free.
I am one of those captives.\
As I memorize and read over and over Colossians 1.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your behavior. Then i woke up. I saw. I listened. God let me see. I was no longer blind. I could hear, taste and see in a new way. It was amazing grace. But I was...I was an enemy to the cross...I was separated..but....but i was found...i am no longer afraid...
But now he has reconciled ME by Christ's physical body through death to present ME holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

If I continue in the faith established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which Paul, had become a servant, which I now am a servant of also.

So as I labor for this faithful God professing my obedience in Him, I continue. I am blessed. I was never promised an easy journey. Never!

But I was promised protection, guidance, wisdom, knowledge, forgiveness, eternal life, love, hope, joy, peace, love, patience, love, joy, a heart to hold my head up high. I will hold my head high.
The saints will pray. God will respond. He has responded.
Today he awoke me with a song.
Healing rain!
AS IT RAINS TODAY! it is a physical way of showing what Jesus wants me to know.
TRUTH!
From the one who is the way, the truth, the life. it is his blood that pumps my blood and I go on!
Healing rain comes for the weak. I am not always strong. I feel weak.
My dry heart is soaked in heavens rain!
I am not afraid. I am not afraid.
Accuser!
Listen, I am not afraid, because God told me not to be.
Healing heavenly rain is here.
Tears of joy!
Tears of shame! are washed forever in Jesus name!
Let us not ASK, WHERE IS GOD?
He's here. He's alive. He helps, he sprinkles us with healing rain!

Each time I begin to get down, He lifts my hands and they are held by someone greater, THE GREAT I AM!
Be lifted friend from being down. Love your enemies. Pray for them. Because they are not capable of knowing this heavenly rain! They don't get it! WOE! Pray they do!
It's freeing!
It's nothing to be afraid of !
Be blessed today.
The other day the song Indescribable by Chris Tomlin came to me. I played it all day.
I was going down again. The song came to mind. I was lifted up. It taught me. I can't even describe the power of love of Christ, but to say it is amazing grace and you meet it at the death of Christ at the cross!

Wonder. The spontaneous worship song, came the next day. Realizing I am holy, without blemish, the daughter of the King, the child of Christ, the heir to all of His beauty. I am qualified!
You are amazing God!
(Wonder, Live, Bethel Music, Amanda Lindsey)
Next he helps me, he is ever present in my trouble. He is present! Oceans; Regine Velasquez!
Each song full of truth. His words. My worship!
Spontaneous!

WISDOMS WAY OF LEARNING

Pictures of the three girls I had drawn represented FREEDOM. Freedom from the tyranny of urgency, peoples opinions of me, just like I was letting my hair down and flowing with life. The way I believe God wants me to live.

Wisdom way of learning for me is the Holy Spirit. Those nudges where you are on the right track, keep going. Or even keep waiting even though you aren't sure.
Leaning on His understanding is not always easy because I'm impatient and I want control. Learning to wait is hard! Is anyone tracking with me here? I'll say it again! Waiting is hard! Not having clarity in your path is hard. Yet God said when we lean on Him for understanding, He will make our path straight.

So I need, a God confirmation. Do you? A sign! Is He real! The Jews agreed with Jesus when they saw the miracle, signs and wonders. Do I do that? Jesus corrected them when they wanted that more than Him. When they couldn't just see Him for who He was without the miracles.

It is so cool though to see His presence in a situation when you really can't see Him physically.

I got a stirring before Christmas arrived. My Christmas prepping creeps up every year with such a delightful surprise. A word or catch phrase that resonates deep within my soul. So deep that everywhere I go it appears, like in a song or on a billboard or a note/text from a friend.
In the past Oh Holy Night, each day leading to Christmas was anticipation imagining that baby in the manger. Last year was Join the Triumph of the sky. My artwork has been correlating with the words. It usually starts with the Christmas card message and grows into my own personal love words to start the next year. The words grow into a question, how will we triumph for Jesus in the next year? I remember through the year the words rang true in my ear. When the enemies of life try to derail me God counter acts with a triumph. He trumps that downward spiral and never let's me fall, He makes my feet steady and we triumph together. Another triumph was when person acknowledges that Jesus is truth and they take Him as a friend. Jesus, a friend, yet God himself. The creator of that person who connects the dots. Jesus, the angels in heaven, those shepherds out in the field all TRIUMPH IN THE SKY. CELEBRATE! I pictured myself celebrating with the heavens as they worship Jesus.

The picture of the girl represents this celebration!

I was doing my scripture reading the word Light jumped out more than usual. Right there next to it quite frequently dark! THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD! Jesus! People starting sending me verses with the word in it. Podcast appears where a pastor is revealing His word for the year, before he reveals I say , "Watch it's the word Light." Well, it was! I giggle of course it was! God wants to reveal himself. He doesn't stay hidden. He says we are without excuse if we believe He is not real, because he is all around us. A message I got texted to me this morning, "We met and prayed for you today. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men." John 1:4, Hallelujah for the Light!!! (three exclamation points)." Of course, she will never understand how much that meant to me. A message from God. I'm here!

I was praying God what should I do? My identity comes from you. I get that. Yet I am feeling a little dry over here. I had been taking my recent artwork with me while I visit with others. Got a text, "I would like to purchase some of your cards. A request to draw a new picture. Wow! I just asked in the past days, "What should I do?" My journey is continuing. Yet I still am very close to taking the control back. To rushing ahead in my own strength. Help! Do you do that? I keep getting that verse in my head, "But when you are tempted He will help you find a way out." Oh Jesus, thank you for rescuing me from myself.

A text from a friend "A big distortion in human thinking is if we have a calling it will be easy, there won't be obstacles."

Good grief, do I want it to be easy?! I am arrogantly confessing, yes! Waiting on God being empowered by God involves opposition from people and situations. The stories of God confirm this, remember?

John the baptist had God's approval, Jesus said, "there is anyone greater than John the Baptist." Yet some people were not excited about his work. People live by the paradigm that only certain people are qualified to do the work.

Moses, Nehemiah, Joseph, Daniel, most importantly Jesus, he was questioned, "By what authority are you doing these things?".

Jesus wasn't following certain mans plans and they didn't like it.

Desire to please God must be stronger than your desire to please men.

PRAYER:  Lord, equip me and help me not to fear. Help me to stand strong. Amen.