WALK IN THE PARK

I am thinking of the times I have rode my bike or walked in the park.
Especially when I come upon a deer.
It's absolutely refreshing.

Restoring, reassuring, a bit of fresh air.

The breath of fresh air that God puts in your lungs is life.

THE SON IS RISING

While just coming home from a long drive, Nebraska to Illinois, I saw this!
THE SON IS RISING!

My thought! What a gift! I literally know I was just speaking at a Christian women's connection in Nebraska about Jesus' love. Sharing Jesus arrival on earth, ministry, His unjust criminal death on the cross He suffered, His resurrection and then His ascension. This message written in the sky "The SON is Rising". Indeed He is alive and seated in highest honor in heaven praying for us all!

Friends, do you feel peace? Or are you struggling to find meaning here on earth? I saw this cross and was filled with joy. Jesus came to earth and had so many things to say and teach us while he was here. Have you ever read what He said? He calls to us all, listen, walk, talk with me for I am humble and gentle at heart.

Jesus, humble and gentle, knows everything about you, He created you, He loves you, turn your face toward the SON and talk to HIM. He listens well and joyfully is patient. No question ever offends Him. Tune in. He will answer back. Never harsh, never sarcastic, never with anger, but with gentleness. Have you ever met anyone with perfect love?
It is a gift to meet Jesus and personally walk and talk with Him.
That peace you are craving for sure...will disappear...the fears will be dispelled and...well, you will feel loved. Like you have value and worth. 

I saw the Sandhill Cranes that are migrating in central Nebraska for 6 weeks. They are so amazing! For thousands of years over 600,00 stop to migrate. The noise they make is so cool. 

 Sandhill cranes are tall. I could sit for hours and watch them flap up and down and make their noise. This visit was a gift from God.

SANITY COMES FROM CERTAINTY

Feeling a little insane? The schedule is crazy? Life is crazy?

You may ask:
I don't understand?
Why me?
I don't get what's going on?
Can you clue me in?
What's the reason?
What's going on here?
What's next?
What do I do now?

Asking too many questions?

Been there done that!
Can you identify? (Now I'm asking you a question.) Sorry, there is a point to this.

Possibly ask:

How do you want me to view this situation God?
and
What do you want me to do right now?

My answer as I prayed and asked was:
Go to John 17 (Jesus' last words before the cross.)

John 17:8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them.  26. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the LOVE you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.
11. Protect them by the power of your name.

After reading this. My mind stopped the clutter, the chatter bantering in my brain. I was quiet. I was peaceful. My next thought was. Check your exercise classschedule. Okay I'll go to that. With the peace of God I went to my class.

I walked in His truth. He loves me. He died and rose again, conquered death for me. He forgives me. He knows that I am not perfect, but I am His. He is my protector. I AM HIS.

In the past God has given me a song to listen to. I have learned that listening to it once is not enough. It takes about 3x. With ear plugs. After my mind is calm and I just do the next thing I peacefully think of things to do next. I like this one GREAT ARE YOU LORD ( by All  Sons and Daughters).

Everything we have is from Him.
Everything we are is because of Him.
We inherited:
His mercy.
His faithfulness.
His Holiness.
His atoning sacrifice.
His flawless character and infinite love and compassion.

Be reassured. Answers will come. Next steps will come. Keep calm and carry on.

Prayer: Lord, what do you want me to do right now? Thank you Father for being with me. Thank you for your love. I wait on you. Amen.

God wants to keep you sane. He did not give you a spirit of timidity but of Power, Love and Sound- mind. Stick with your certainty every time. It will bring you back to peace.

Hi Friend: Do you want more? Here is a little exercise to open your mind to focus on Jesus.

Read Psalm 111. This Psalm contains a word bank of characteristics of Jesus.

great, glorious majestic righteous, wonderful, memorable, gracious, compassionate, provider, covenant keeper, powerful, giver faithful, just, trustworthy, steadfast, upright, redeemer, holy, awesome and eternal. His character is being presented to you every day! Is He real to you? How do you see Him working? What verses help reveal this truth of who God is for you right now? Are you meditating on this scripture day and night? Is it a work in progress, are you waiting, is it finished and you have the answer? Realize sometimes you won't ever get the answer. That's okay! It still will be an opportunity to grow. Your next steps:  be brave, be vulnerable, be authentic, invite someone to her your story of now!

I've been left out! Not even an invite! A chance for me to say "Yes" or "No"!

I heard a young girl, junior in High School, say "I'm not even gonna try anymore."
Try to figure out her "Group" of girls she is part of! "Why?", I asked. She said it began years ago. She is so young. Years ago? When she was in middle school she was not included in a "Girl group". She basically said that she gives up and just waiting for college.

Giving up to find decent people to hang with. People who will build you up. People who will accept you for who you are. People who will include you and want the best for you. They would bring the best out in you.

Do you know anyone that can be on your team?!

I want to share a story about that.

(This story is the only miracle Jesus did and is mentioned in all four gospels.)

Jesus started His public ministry when He turned thirty. He had twelve disciples, walking, talking and learning from Him. One day he was tired from spending much time with the people. More and more people heard about Him healing and teaching. Crowds would gather just to be by Jesus. On this day Jesus got in a boat with idea to go to the other side and go to a place of solidarity to pray.
When he got to the other side there came a crowd. Jesus looked at them and HAD COMPASSION ON THEM. The disciples wanted to protect Jesus. They said, "It's getting late, lets direct the crowd to a town where they could find lodging and food for themselves."  Jesus said, "Let's feed them." His disciples said, "We have only these 5 loaves of bread and two fish." Jesus told the people to sit on the grass and then he took the bread and broke it, looked up to heaven and blessed it and gave thanks. Then He instructed the disciples to feed everyone. They did. There were over 5000 men and also women and children in addition. There was twelve baskets of food left over.

The disciples had temporarily forgot that Jesus did remarkable things. They witnessed them. They were being practical the lacked judgement. They just did saw they did not have the time, money or ability to feed 5000.

Jesus being God himself. Creator. Loved everyone. He reached across and wanted to take care of everyone. He did not leave anyone out! He blessed the bread, gave thanks. (He was teaching everyone.) He did not get mad at the disciples. He did not take charge and do everything. He included the disciples in the plan. They are participated willingly, remember who Jesus was. God took something small and multiplied (did it big). He does miracles. He is a miracle maker. He is acting like a father would. He lavished them with food generously. They got to have as much as they want. Jesus did the impossible. He was kind and compassionate. He includes everybody. He wants the best for everyone. There were even leftovers! He looks out for us all.

Jesus is the one to run to when you feel rejected, alone, left out. To look at your situation in light of the cross, death and resurrection of Christ will bring you peace. Let us say, "I will pray for those to come into my life that will have my back, will support me and want the best for me. I always have Jesus. The one who forgave me, loved me, took the punishment for me. I am seated with Him. He has His thoughts are for me. He will be my rock and protector. He is with me. He left the Holy Spirit who now lives in me. I can do all things with Him. I will be okay. For now better to be alone with Jesus than be with those who are good for me."
Grieving and being sad is real. But then we have to speak the truth to ourselves.
Wait. Wait on Jesus. Wait till the light of the world shows you His next steps.

Pray:  Lord thank you for loving me so much. At times you may want me alone so that you can protect me. Forgive me when I get impatient. Forgive these people who have been mean. I can be mean without you. Help me to find people who will love me and care for me the way you do. I wait on you to show me. Amen.