God sees us

“No set of circumstances could ever isolate you from My loving Presence. Not only do I see you always; I see you as a redeemed saint, gloriously radiant in My righteousness. That is why I take great delight in you and rejoice over you with singing!”

Jesus Calling

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save, He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

I love when I come across a verse like this one in Zephaniah. It tells us so much about God and also about us.

God is You, me

LORD (Yahweh, I Am) have Yahweh as our God

our God God is with us

with us can be saved

mighty delight God

saves can be comforted

delights in us sang to by God

quiets with love

rejoices over us

sings

Isn't that just amazing that the God of all creation, the great I am, Alpha and Omega not only provides salvation for us, but He loves us. He delights in us and sings over us. That is a loving and personal God.

one thousand gifts

#108 red fingernail polish

#109 white rattan chairs on the front porch

#110 packing to go home

sitting quietly

"Demonstrate your trust in Me by sitting quietly in My Presence. Put aside all that is waiting to be done, and refuse to worry about anything. This sacred time together strengthens you and prepares you to face whatever the day will bring." Jesus Calling

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do,and your plans will succeed.

**When I think of having quiet time with God, I think of time spent reading the Bible or a Christian book, or time spent in prayer, or even times of personal worship where I may sing praise songs to God. I have to admit I rarely think of ,me. I don't think of myself as being much of a doer, yet I have trouble just sitting quietly. Why is it that I am much more comfortable talking to God than to spend time listening for Him to speak to me?

I am sitting outside enjoying this beautiful afternoon and I am going to try to listen for God. I am going to try and just enjoy His presence. I'll let you know how it goes!

P.S.

I lasted about 5 minutes and then was back to reading. I will need to spend more time on this discipline of quietness!

one thousand gifts

#107 Stromboli followed by turtle pie

#108 friends praying over me

#109 the process of mourning

#110 hope

Pure Pleasure

"Spend time with Me for the pure pleasure of being in My company. I can brighten up the dullest of gray days; I add sparkle to the routine of your daily life." Jesus Calling

Psalm 63:7-8 Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You. Your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 100:4-5 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever. His faithfulness continues through all generations.

**Time spent with God is meant to be pure pleasure. Being with God should produce joy--leading to singing and praising. There are times when we are in His Presence that we are reminded of the sin in our life which saddens us, but God doesn't leave us there. He forgives us...which leads to thanksgiving, praise, and joy!

Let's make sure that today we spend long enough with God that our hearts get to the place of pure pleasure.

Two other quick thoughts on these verses. In verse Psalm 63:7, the writer used the picture of a bird in the shadow of his parent's wing. I recently purchased some small note cards that had pictures of swans. Probably my favorite picture is of a baby under the wings of mother. That is where I want to stay, under God's wing... protected, loved, peaceful, and joyful!

In verse 5 of Psalm 100, David states that God's faithfulness continues through all generations. I recently heard several young women discussing whether it was the right thing to do to bring children into this evil world. I think this verse answers that...God is faithful through all generations. He didn't stop being God with our generation, or theirs, He is God of all generations!

one thousand gifts:

#102 friends bringing bouquets of love for Robin

#103 the smell and feeling of clean hair

God's Ballet

"Trust Me in the midst of a messy day. Your inner calm-- your Peace in My Presence--need not be shaken by what is going on around you...Instead of desperately striving to maintain order and control in your little world, relax and remember that circumstances cannot touch My peace."

Jesus Calling

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.

Psalm 105:4 Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always.

John 14:27 Peace I give to you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

**Stop striving to maintain control...One of the ladies I spent the day at the hospital with was Sally. Sally is a dancer and teaches dance class. She has had several hard years. She was telling us that some one gave her the advice to "stop writing Sally ballets, because no one is going to play their part right." I thought this was so true. Isn't a lot of the stress we feel because others aren't playing their part in our ballet the way we wrote it. Maybe yours isn't a ballet, maybe yours is a play or a story or just a list of how everyone should behave. What ever the case, we need to realize that we are not the writer of this life--we are only fellow dancers. God is the writer and we need to focus on what He has written for us to do and look for how His plot is unfolding around us!

Today, let's just dance!

one thousand gifts

#98 preparing one of Robin's favorite meals

#99 chocolate covered apples

#100 the privilege of dancing in God's ballet

God is the I am, Yahweh

“I am the eternal I am. I always have been and always will be. In My Presence you experience Love and Light, Peace and Joy. I am intimately involved in all your moments, and I am training you to be aware of me at all times.” Jesus Calling

Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I am has sent me to you.'”

I Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and the Spirit lives in you.

Psalm 25:14-15 The Lord (Yahweh) confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on Yahweh, for only He will release my feet from the snares.

I am is Yahweh in the Hebrew. The Israelites believed that this name for God was too holy to say out loud or even write, so they would spell it or write it as YHWH. Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we are now children of God not servants. We have no reason to fear God or fear calling Him by His name, the I am—Yahweh.

Yahweh has always been, will always be. Yahweh is eternal in His existence, eternal in His holiness, eternal in His creativity, eternal in His sovereignty, eternal in His Presence, eternal in His supremacy. God is also eternal in His Character; loving, gracious, merciful, faithful, kind, just, sufficient...

What a God we have as our Father. Yahweh!

One thousand gifts

#96 my Father is Yahweh

#97 being nurses Florence and Floyd Nightingale for Robin

nearness to Jesus

“I am all around you, hovering over you even as you seek My face. I am nearer than you dare believe, closer than the air you breath. If My children could only recognize My Presence, they would never feel alone again...Be blessed by My intimate nearness. Since I live in you, let Me also live through you, shining My Light into darkness.”

from Jesus Calling

Psalm 139:1-4 O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. When I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord.

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once was far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

II Corinthians 5:21 God mad Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

**Today I was sitting at the hospital while my friend Robin has surgery. In the waiting area there were ten friends of Robin's whom had chosen to spend their day at the hospital to be a support for her and her husband Boh. We had the opportunity to pray with her before her surgery. Then came the time of waiting.

She was in pre-op for several hours before surgery and then the surgery took 2 hours. When the doctor was finished, he was confident that he had removed all the scar tissue and that after a recovery time of several weeks, she will have no more pain. While she was in post-op, they were having trouble getting her pain under control and decided to have her spend the night at the hospital. She should be able to come home tomorrow morning.

There was important healing going on in the OR today, but I also believe there was important healing going on in the waiting area. Healing that comes when people share their lives with each other. We shared concerns, struggles, triumphs, and hopes. And all during that time, Jesus was blessing us with His intimate nearness. Grace upon grace.

One thousand gifts:

#93 meeting new sisters in Christ

#94 surgeons who remove scar tissue from our bodies

#95 Jesus who removes scar tissue from our hearts

entrust your loved ones to Jesus

“Entrust your love ones to Me, release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands...When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand. As you entrust others into my care, I am free to shower blessings on them. My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest. This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch to see what I can do.” from Jesus Calling

Genesis 22:9-12 (The story of Abraham asked to sacrifice Isaac)

Ephesians 3:20 Now, Him who is able to do measurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us.

Exodus 33:14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.

## Today Sarah Young wrote about releasing our loved ones into God's care. Do you have loved ones that you have been worried about? I do. Some have financial worries, some have physical ailments, some are having relationship problems and some have spiritual needs. Let's work on turning them over to God.

First, pray for them. Ask God what their true needs are. Ask God if there is anything that you can do for them. Ask God to bless them and meet their needs. Then tell God that you are letting go of the loved one's hand, but holding on to His hand. Ask Him to give you peace. Praise God for the work He has already done for them and the work He is about to do. Praise Him for His faithfulness in your life.

Second, if God revealed some way that you are to help them...do it. Do it!

Last, get busy doing something. Whatever is next on your list of to dos.

Through out the day if you find yourself starting to worry again, it's time to pray and re-release them. Worry without action is wasted time and energy.

One thousand gifts:

#89 meeting dad for breakfast

#90 a hat to shade my face during our trip to Omaha

#91 raindrops racing on the windshield

#92 grace, grace, God's grace

trust God

"Trust Me and don't be afraid. I want you to view trials as exercises designed to develop your trust-muscle. When you start to feel afraid, affirm your trust in Me. Speak out loud, if the circumstances permit. Refresh yourself in My Holy Presence. Speak or sing praises to Me, and My Face will shine radiantly upon you. Trust Me, and don't be afraid: for I am your Strength, Song, Salvation. from Jesus Calling

James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.

When I am afraid:

1. affirm my trust in God by remembering:

His character

His help to me and those I know in times past

His help to those in the scriptures

2. speak a loud my faith

3. resist Satan

4. refresh myself in God's presence:

speaking to Him

singing to Him

Results:

1. Satan will flee

2. God's face will shine on me

3. I will no longer be afraid

Do you suffer from fear? What do you fear the most? Take time this morning to talk to God about your fears.

one thousand gifts:

#87 sunshine this morning

#88 sonshine in my heart

Wait with Me

"Wait for Me for a while. I have much to tell you: you are walking the path I have chosen for you. It is both a privileged and perilous way: experiencing My glorious Presence and heralding that reality to others... The work I am doing in you is hidden at first. But eventually blossoms will burst forth and abundant fruit will be born. Stay on the path of life with Me. Trust Me wholeheartedly, letting My Spirit fill you with joy and peace." Jesus Calling

I Kings 8:23 ..."O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below--You who keep Your covenant of love with Your servants who continue wholeheartedly in Your way.

##This is a verse from the old testament. Believers were considered servants of God. Today because of Jesus, believers are children of God!

Galatians 5::22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

##Not only did God adopt us, but He gave us gifts: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

God wants us to wait, not until He shows up. He is always with us. He wants us to wait with Him. Is there anything better than spending time with your best friend? The time usually just flies by. Whatever you are waiting for: healing of mind, body, soul or salvation for a family member or friend or relief from monetary burden... Spend some time with God!

one thousand gifts

#84 Amelia saying "cookie" to me for the first time

God who heals (Jehovah Rapha)

"I am a God who heals. I heal broken bodies, broken minds, broken hearts, broken lives and broken relationships...I rarely heal all the brokenness in a person's life...Nonetheless, much healing is available to those whose lives are intimately interwoven with Mine. Ask and you will receive."

Jesus Calling

Sarah Young also says in today's devotional that there are steps that we should take to be healed:

1. live close to God

2. God will prompt us for what to ask for--ourselves and others

3. ask

4. trust fully

5. be thankful for the restoration that has begun.

Psalm 103:2-3 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not His benefits--who forgives your sins and heals all you diseases.

James 4:2 ...you do not have, because you do not ask God.

II Corinthians 12:7-9 To keep from becoming conceited because of these surpassing great revelations there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.

Matthew 7:7 Ask and it shall be given, seek and you will find, knock and it will be open to you.

##Healing... this is a hard subject. There has been a great deal of damage done to many people over the years in regard to this doctrine. There is damage done by those who say that God wants to heal all your brokenness-- mind, body, soul, but you must have faith. This sounds pretty close to what Sarah wrote about today, but the difference is in the all. We have Paul's testimony in II Corinthians that God chose not to heal him of his thorn in the flesh. God does not always choose to heal in our lifetime. But there is a time coming when we will be made whole again!

The other end of the spectrum is those that say that healing was just for during Jesus' time. It was used as proof that what He said was true. Healing was used to testify to Jesus being sent from God, but the scripture plainly states the disciples were healing people after Jesus' death and resurrection. I find no scriptural basis for saying that healing is not available today. I believe that God is healing everyday.

With that said, I do have some questions about healing. Do you ask 3 times believing like
Paul did, but if you are not healed, then you accept that you are not going to be healed. Or do you keep asking until God tells you that He is not going to heal your need because He will gain glory through your weakness.

Maybe my questions come from not walking close enough to God and listening for when He tells me to pray for something. I do believe that I have experienced healing of broken relationships and having a broken heart, but I would like my mind healed from depression. Guess I need to spend some time with God talking about this!

What do you think about healing? What has been your experience? What are you asking God to heal you from?

closeness with God

"I continually call you to closeness with Me. I know the depth and breadth of you need for Me...I offer rest for your soul, as well as refreshment for you mind and body." Jesus Calling

## Closeness. It is what all humans desire, isn't it? To have intimacy with someone. To know and be known, but even more to be accepted and loved. We desire that with our husband/wife, with family, with our best friends, but above all we have a need to have that kind of relationship with our God. And God offers us that kind of closeness.

When Jesus took our sins upon Himself at the cross, He paid our debt. We only have to accept this free gift and He will give us His righteousness and heal our broken relationship with God. Amazing Grace!

Not only does He heal our broken relationship, but by His righteousness He has allowed us to be adopted sons and daughters of God. We are now God's children!##

Psalm 21:6 Surely You have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of Your Presence.

II Corinthians 6:18 I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty (Protector Provider).

Luke 11:2 He (Jesus) said to them, "When you pray say; 'Father, hallowed be Thy Name, Your kingdom come. Give us this day our daily bread..."

##Father is the Greek word Pater which means Father, Dad. Jesus was telling us that just as He could speak to God and be in His Presence... so could we. We can call God our Dad. We can climb onto His lap and spend time with Him. That is what a quiet time is really all about. Sharing about your day with your Dad.

one thousand gifts

#81 " 'mon Cocoa"-- Amelia telling Cocoa to come on!

#82 looking through family photos with Amelia

#83 Mommy and Daughter aprons

rest in the shadow of My Protective Providing Presence

" Anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities: situations totally beyond your ability to handle... It is precisely where I want you--the best place to encounter Me in MY glory and power...cry out to Me! Watch Me working on your behalf, as you rest in the shadow of My Almighty Presence." Jesus Calling

Revelations 19:1 After this I heard what sounded like a roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to the Lord our God.

Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

##Yesterday I wrote about being in the midst of an impossible situation, a maelstrom. Today I am focusing on "resting in the shadow of My Almighty Presence". In these scriptures we read 4 names for God. Names in the Bible were extremely important, usually declaring the nature or an attribute of the one named. Let's look at what those 4 names tell us about God.

Rev. 19:1

Lord in the Greek is the word kurios. It comes from the word meaning supreme authority. Kurios means God, Lord, Master. When we use this term we are acknowledging God as our Lord and Master-- it is us bowing to His authority over us.

God in the Greek is the word theos. Theos means Supreme Deity, God. There is none superior to our God.

Revelations is telling us salvation, glory, and power belong to our Master, the Supreme God. We have nothing to fear when we put our trust in the Lord our God.

Psalm 91:1

Almighty in Hebrew is Shadday. Strong's Concordance says that shadday comes from the word #7703, shadad, pronounced shaw-dad, which means burly one. And that shadday means Almighty. I have also read that shadday may come from the word #7699, shad which means breast... thus shadday means Provider. I believe that you can add the two meanings together and have God our Protecting Provider. I get the picture of a breast feeding mother--nothing is as fierce in protection and as tender in her providing for the needs of her child.

I hope that this brings you joy and comfort to know that you are in the loving arms of God!

One thousand gifts:

#76 haircuts that make me feel renewed

#77 an old man with spindly white legs wearing short shorts that made me chuckle as I drove by

#78 Amelia helping me water my plants

#79 the sprinkler twirling water droplets

in the midst of the maelstrom

"Find Me in the midst of the maelstrom. Sometimes events whirl around you so quickly that they become a blur. Whisper My name in recognition that I am still with you...you will find peace and strength through praying My name... Accept each day just as it comes to you. Don not waste your time and energy wishing for a different set of circumstances. Instead, trust Me enough to yield to My design and purposes..." Jesus Calling

maelstrom= a large or violent whirlpool

Does that sound like your life? I love that in the midst of our swirling whirlpool of life that we don't have to wonder if God is aware of our circumstances. He is there with us! We just have to look for His presence. We also don't have to know what to pray or what to ask for, we just need to say His name, Jesus. And a whisper will do, because He is near.

How are you at accepting circumstances? Funny how we seldom question when our life is being blessed and going well, but let the maelstrom begin--or sometimes just a little swirling, and we start to question God. Do you waste your time and energy wishing for some other life? Isn't it sad how much time and energy that we waste worrying and then complain to God that we don't have enough of either?

Let's commit today to spend our time praising God for who He is and what He does for us instead of doubting His presence and protection and plan.

Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Isaiah 43:1 But now this is what the LORD says--He who created you, O Jacob. He who created you, O Israel. "Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

unknown flowers

Several days ago, Amelia picked a flower that had just budded. I had no idea what it was. Several days later more stalks grew up, then flowers opened. This is them.

Last week-end we had a terrible storm and it blew them all down. Now they are inside in a vase. They are very fragrant. I think they may be a variety of amaryllis. Kelly talked to a friend and she said they are naked lilies (I keep calling them bare naked lilies...I guess after the band bare naked ladies!) Anyone know what they are for sure? Let me know!

Whatever they are they definitely are on my

one thousand gifts list!!

Hope you are having a great day!

mornings with God

"Meet Me in the early morning splendor, I eagerly await you here. In the stillness of this holy time with Me I renew your strength and saturate you with peace." Jesus Calling

##If you know me well, you know that early mornings for me used to mean from midnight to around 4am. Over the last several years, I am sleeping more at night, so my early mornings are more from 8am-10am. I know for some of you this is mid-day! I would like to be more of a morning person. I know from staying awake all night several times, that the sunrise is beautiful

and those early hours are peaceful. Maybe over the next few years God will wake me earlier to meet with Him. When is your "early morning"?

Isa 40:31 but those who hope (wait) upon the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar like on eagles wings, they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint.

Psalm 27:4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and serve Him in His temple.

## David's desire was to dwell in God's sanctuary everyday. David was from the tribe of Judah not Levi--so he could not enter the Holy place in the Temple and definitely could not enter the Holy of Holies. It was enough for him to be able to even enter the gates to the outer court. We don't even have to ask permission to go into His temple because through Jesus--we are the temple. The Spirit of God lives in us. Amazing!

Phillipians 4:8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about these things.

## If this is what we think about, the words coming out of our mouths should also be true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy!

one thousand gifts:

#68 fallen naked ladies (amaryllis) standing tall and fragrant in a vase

#69 Matt's new job as Assistant Manager at Uncommon Ground

#70 dinner made by Kelly

#71 sharing Andy's peanut butter pie made for "Andy week" by Kelly

change

I am yours for all eternity, I am the Alpha and the Omega: the One who is and was and is to come...The world you inhabit is a place of constant changes--more than your mind can absorb...Because I never change, your relationship with Me provides a rock solid foundation for you life." from Jesus Calling

Revelations 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Psalm 102:25-27 In the beginning You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of you hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them and they will be discarded. But, You remain the same and Your years will never end.

Psalm 48:14 For this God is our God forever and ever. He will be our Guide to the end.

Our world is continually changing. Last night at the Indiana State Fair a storm hit and knocked down a section of the stage. There are at least 5 dead and many injured. Just like that the lives of so many people are changed forever.

Thank you God that You never change. That You are there with us, walking beside us through the good and the bad. Be with those families that are experiencing a terrible loss today. Let them feel you loving Presence. Amen

one thousand gifts:

#64 wearing a sweater in the cool morning air

enjoy life

"Learn to enjoy life more. Relax, remembering that I am God with you. I crafted you with an enormous capacity to know Me and enjoy My Presence...When you walk through a day with childlike delight, savoring every blessing, you proclaim your trust in Me, your ever present Shepherd. The more you focus on My Presence with you, the more fully you can enjoy life. Glorify Me through your pleasure. Thus you proclaim My Presence to the world." Jesus Calling

Matthew 1:23 The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel--which means God with us.

John 10:10-11 The thief comes to steal and destroy and kill; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

##In this devotional we are told that we can learn to enjoy life. We have an enormous capacity to know God and enjoy His Presence, but it may no longer be a natural behavior for us and we need to re-learn how to enjoy. To learn something we have to make a conscious choice to develop knowledge and/or skill. So the first step is to make that choice. I want to learn how to enjoy life to the full.

The second step is to define what it means to enjoy life. Take a few moments and think about how you would describe enjoying life. According to Webster's Dictionary, enjoy means to get pleasure from, to relish. So enjoying life means to get pleasure from life, to relish life.

The third step is to practice this behavior. In this devotion Sarah gave some of the ways to practice enjoying life.

1. Relax! Although we are wanting to learn how to enjoy life, there will not be a test! Give your self time and grace.

2. Know God. For us to enjoy life we have to feel loved and safe. This comes from knowing God. Just from the devotion and scriptures we read, we learned that God is our God, my God; He is with us; He made us; He is our Shepherd; Jesus, Immanuel, God with us; Jesus came to give us life and to the full; Jesus lay laid down His life for us. Knowing God lets us open our hearts to Him and to His creation.

3. Look at things through child-like eyes and be delighted. Watching Amelia has reminded me of what that child-like wonder looks like. There is such excitement and joy and everything is new! We need to look at our world that way! Slowing down to notice the little things.

4. Savor every blessing. Reminds us of "One Thousand Gifts", doesn't it?

5. Focus on His Presence. God is always with us. Look for His Presence in every situation. He is there walking with us and in us.

6. Glorify Him. We bring Him glory just by enjoying our life. There should be smiling, laughter, singing, prayers of thanksgiving, and sharing His world with those you meet.

The world is watching. The world is desperate to enjoy life...just look at all the commercials, but only God can give us true joy. Share your joy with others!

I would love to hear from you what brings you joy today!

one thousand gifts:

#61 an iridescent hummingbird skirting from one flower to another

#62 the sacred treasure of weakness

#63 the last family swims before school starts

weak and weary

Today's devotion really spoke to me, so I am going to copy it for you. If you haven't thought about buying this devotional, I would highly recommend it to you. I have a feeling that I will be reading it for the next several years!

Jesus Calling, Enjoying Peace In His Presence by Sarah Young

Come to Me when you are weak and weary. Rest snugly in My everlasting arms. I do not despise your weakness, My child. Actually, it draws Me closer to you, because weakness stirs up My compassion--My yearning to help. Accept yourself in you weariness, knowing that I understand how difficult your journey has been.

Do not compare yourself with others, who seem to skip along their life-paths with ease. Their journeys have been different from yours, and I have gifted them with abundant energy. I have gifted you with fragility, providing opportunities for you spirit to blossom in My Presence. Accept this gift as a sacred treasure: delicate, yet glowing with brilliant Light. Rather than struggling to disguise or deny your weakness, allow Me to bless you richly through it.

Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed He will not break, a smoldering wick He will not snuff our. In faithfulness He will bring forth justice;

Isaiah 54:10 Though the mountain be shaken and the hills removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD who has compassion on you.

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words can't express.

***I am sure that you know why this blessed me so much. I hope that it has touched your heart also and that today you feel God's arms around you.

Our bedroom

I was showing my friend Robin pictures of our home and realized that I hadn't really taken pictures of our bedroom, and it is really one of my favorite rooms. So here are some photos. Robin take notice of the desk by the window... it is the one you gave me a couple of years ago. Doesn't it look perfect?!

Thank you so much!

transformation

Tom and I were driving home from our very quick trip to visit our friends the Kurylos yesterday and I didn't feel like posting late last night, so here is yesterdays blog from me.

"Relax in My healing, holy Presence. Allow Me to transform you through this time alone with Me...As you walk close to Me, saturate your mind with Scripture... I will show you how to spend your time and energy." Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Isn't that all we really need to be healed by Jesus' holy Presence. From that comes transformation of us. What is our part of this transformation walking closely with God, meditating on the Scriptures, following Jesus lead in where we need to spend our time and energy.

one thousand gifts

#52 sharing life with Robin and Boh

#53 sweet, sweet Jonathon who reminds me of my Matt

#54 trying to figure out the difference between our soul and our spirit... and heart, mind, emotions--the body is easy to figure out.

#55 the American flag waving in the wind

#56 Queen Anne's Lace dancing by the highway

#57 soy beans rippling in the wind (there isn't wheat along the highway in Nebraska, Iowa, nor Illinois)

Come to Me

Jesus Calling:

"Come to Me. Come to Me. Come to Me. This is my continual invitation to you, proclaimed in holy whispers...Open yourself to my loving Presence, so that I may fill you with My fullness."

*** That just thrills me to think that in a holy whisper that Jesus is calling me to come to Him! That He wants to fill me to His fullness not to my fullness.

John 6:37 All the Father gives Me will come with Me and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away.

Ephesians 3:16-19 I pray that out of His glorious riches, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in you hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have the power with the saints, to grasp how wide and how long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all fullness of God.

***This power is not to do anything, but to grasp how much God loves us and to be filled with that love to the fullness of God!

***Yesterday while driving back from Omaha, Tom and I were listening to a sermon on the radio. The pastor was speaking on the importance of sharing the gospel (the good news about Jesus). He said that when we were talking to someone about this that we should start with "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. You are not good enough for God." I know that this is the beginning of the "Romans Road"-- a way of sharing the gospel, but I believe were God would want us to start the conversation with John 3:16 For God so loved the world..." God loves us very much and knows that we have a broken relationship with Him. Jesus died to pay for our sins and to restore our relationship with God. That is Good News!

one thousand gifts

My Robe of Righteousness

from Jesus Calling:

"Wear My robe of righteousness with ease, I custom-made it for you...the price I paid...My own blood...sometimes you forget righteousness is a gift, and you feel ill at ease in you regal robe...as you practice walking in this garment of righteousness...when your behavior is unfitting for one in My kingdom, do not try to throw off your royal robe. Instead, throw off the unrighteous behavior. Then you will be able to feel at ease in this glorious garment enjoying the gift I fashioned for you before the foundation of the world.

Isaiah 61:10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

II Corinthians 5:21 God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught with regard to your former way of life to put off you old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

** I have to admit I don't often think about being clothed with garments of salvation and arrayed in a robe of righteousness, but today's devotion got me pondering several things:

1. In the Isaiah passages it is actually Isaiah speaking, it was also a foretelling of Jesus, but I do believe it also applies to us today. One statement with many applications.

2. At first the verses in II Corinthians and Ephesians seem to imply that it is just a possibility that we become the righteousness of God or that it is an on going process of putting off our old self, and putting on our new self; but if you read the verses in context it becomes clear that when we accept Christ as our Savior we put off the old self and put on the new self and God clothed us in garments of salvation and arrayed us in the robes of righteousness. One time event!

3. These garments are gifts from God, not something we earn or have to take off when we do something bad and get to put back on when we are good. They are now what we wear. We can take no credit for them, but we need to acknowledge the gift and wear them with a thankful heart.

Always back to thankfulness!

one thousand gifts:

#48 the helpfulness of Tom

#49 Andy and Kelly watching Cocoa

#50 sunshine after the rain

#51 riding in the Solara with the top down, on a sunny day with the temperature of 75 degrees, drinking sweet tea, listening to Josh Groban, on the way to Robin and Boh's house!

#52 dinner with the Kurylo's: spicy food and sweet friendship

Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

deep unto deep

"I speak to you from the deepest heaven. You hear Me in the depth of your being. Deep calls unto deep. You are blessed to hear Me so directly. Never take this privilege for granted. The best response is a heart overflowing with gratitude... a thankful mind set."

from Jesus Calling.

Psalm 42:7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all Your waves and

breakers have swept over me.

Psalm 95:1-2 Come let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.

Matthew 7:24-25 (**Jesus was preaching the sermon on the mount. He finished with these words.) Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who builds his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

I love the pictures that are painted in these scripture:

God:

as a waterfall, a river

Jesus:

the Rock of our salvation

the foundation of our house

Us:

stones in His river (implied)

worshippers shouting aloud, singing

building a house on the Rock of Jesus

life:

a riverbed (implied)

rain coming down

streams rising

wind blowing

And what is our response to be:

to listen, to sing for joy, to shout a loud to Jesus,

come before God with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.

These verses reminded me of Nicole Nordeman's song River God.

This is the address to her song on utube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snCS8iw0x38

peace

"Understanding will never bring you peace. That is why I have instructed you to trust in Me, not in your own understanding...My peace is not an elusive goal, hidden at the center of some complicated maze. Actually, you are always enveloped in peace, which is inherent in My Presence. As you look to Me, you gain awareness of this precious peace." Jesus Calling

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Savior Jesus Christ.

II Thesalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Is that the problem with a lot of Christians and churches, they are focusing on gaining knowledge, but not God's presence? Knowledge of God's word is important, but only as a pursuit a closer relationship with God.

What are some ways God gives us peace? Here are some of my thought:

1. His presence

2. His word

3. nature

4. loving family and friends

5. answered prayer

6. music

7. testimonies of others

8. bringing us through trials, tragedy, sorrows, pain

Can you think of other ways that God gives us peace?

When Things Go Wrong

Today's devotional in "Jesus Calling" was about what to do when things go wrong:

1. stop what you are doing

2. trust God

3. calmly bring the situation to God

4. leave it with God

5. simply do the next thing

6. keep in communication with God

7. Rejoice in God

8. Exult God for your salvation

Probably the step that really spoke to me was: simply do the next thing. How often do we hit a hard situation and its almost like we are paralysed. We may have prayed, but then we just sit there trying to figure out how to solve the problem or worrying that there is no solutions. But we were suppose to leave it with God and then go on to what we know to do next. It may have nothing to do with the situation, but it is what we are to do. Letting God do His work. He will let us know when it is time for us to get involved.

Today's Bible verses were Job 13:15, Psalm 18:33, and Habakkuk 3:17-19.

Again, God's timing is perfect. Our air conditioner went out today and I can honestly say that my first thoughts were:

Thank you God that it isn't in the 90's with high humidity, that we have screens to put in our windows, and there is a nice breeze blowing.

Losing our air conditioner reminded me again how when things are working--we can take them for granted. Then I started thinking about all the poor people in the world who live with much higher temperatures and don't have food let alone air conditioning. I am so blessed! I know that it is not because of anything that I have done or anything that I haven't done, but simply because God is good and He loves me.

I think this journey of being aware of the gifts that God gives me, is helping me to have a better perspective about what is important!

one thousand gifts

#38 hummingbirds feasting on my "manna" plant

#39 air-conditioning

#40 my salvation

#41 the breeze blowing through the screens

Amelia-palooza Day 4

This is the last day of Amelia-palooza. I believe it was a big success. Amelia had fun, Kelly got some rest, Andy got to spend time thinking about math with a lot of other math nerds, and Papa and Mimi got to spend time with our sweetheart Amelia. Doesn't get much better than this!

the buds that Amelia picked for Mimi actually bloomed today

Amelia eating her lunch

Mommy and Daddy are back!

Amelia reading her new book with Daddy

and snuggling with Mommy

Andy and Amelia catching up

Goodnight Amelia, Kelly, and Andy!

Amelia-palooza Day 3

Amelia is awake, but it looks like it might have been a rough night

It's bath time... almost as fun as the pool

instead of the pool, Amelia tries playing in the sprinkler

Before bed watching "Dora"

and a little pony ride!

goodnight Amelia

Amelia-palooza Day 2

morning play time........ Amelia playing with buttons

prayer..................................... lunch

talking to Mommy & Daddy.....naptime

snack before swim................ "I love my pool!

swimming hat?....................... Amelia diving into pool

Dinner: mac-n-cheese............. Reading with Papa

playing piano............................. a little music before bed

Goodnight Amelia!

Hold My Hand

"Hold My hand, and walk joyously with Me through this day. Together we will savor the pleasures and endure the difficulties it brings. Be on the lookout for everything I have prepared for you: stunning scenery, bracing winds of adventure, cozy nooks for resting when you are weary, and much more."

"Jesus Calling" devotion for August 4th

John 14:6 Jesus answered "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

I love it when God is calling to me and telling me some truth. He usually uses several sources. Today's reading in "Jesus Calling" says the same things that "One Thousand Gifts" says: God loves us intimately and wants to walk with us through our life. There are so many blessings and gifts that He gives us daily that we just don't see or ignore or don't recognize as being from Him. I am on a journey of opening my eyes and my heart to Him. I hope that you are with me on this journey, because there is nothing like walking hand in hand with Jesus.

* Kelly, I think the "cozy nook for resting when you are weary" is especially for you. Hope you are enjoying your day.

** Felicia, I am praying for your family in the loss of your Grandma. I hope that you are feeling Jesus' comforting hand in yours.

One Thousand Gifts

#34 the giving heart of Tom

#35 marshmallow clouds floating by

#36 a gentle breeze blowing through the weeping willow

Amelia-palooza Day 1

Tom and I picked up Amelia at 11am today. We are going to have her until Saturday. I know that Andy and Kelly will miss her, but we are looking forward to having a lot of fun.

Amelia eating a snack and watching a cartoon with Papa before naptime

"It's not time yet for my nap, I still have some snack left."

"I am getting a little tired"

putting on sunscreen before we swim

"I'm not sure I want to swim Papa"

"I like the water, but the sun is hurting my eyes"

suppertime

a little help from Papa

Not sure who is chasing whom

run Cocoa run

unknown flower before Amelia picks for Mimi

no, this isn't time out, Amelia is just taking a rest

jammies on and watching Dora

another snack

"Blanket, check; pacifier, check; a little music, check; yeah I'm ready to sleep"

"Night Papa"

"Goodnight Amelia!"