Monthly Archives: February 2011

The Sea Tells Us Of God

26 Saturday Feb 2011

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The seas have lifted up, O Lord,

the seas have lifted up their voice,

the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,

mightier than the breakers of the sea –

the Lord on high is mighty.

Psalm 93:3-4 (NIV)

Perhaps this scripture tells why I love the sea so much.  It is the very reflection of the Lord God Almighty.  The seas do indeed speak and the sound is irresistible; we must listen.

It croons and calls out, it exclaims, and softly murmurs.  It is like a love song from the Lord.  When the waters glide slowly onto the beach in soft quietness of a peaceful morning or ending day, we are calmed by the beauty and discipline of so great a mass.  We find rest for our weary souls.

When the waves thrash the shore, we both see and hear the majesty of the sea, and are reminded of the strength and power of Almighty God.  As roiling, pounding waters rush back into their depth, going we do not know where, we are told again of the Lord’s supremacy and mystery.   The clap and thunder of the waters cause us to stand still and respect what it can do.  Only the Lord controls the seas.

We marvel and exclaim this work of Your remarkable hands.  That you could create and then draw a line the seas must respect.  Only if You decide, may the deep waters crawl or dash further than you determined.

You have designed the seas with many facets that describe You.  Their sounds still us and draw us, caress with a music that soothes.  Yet they can crash and quickly remind us they are also to be feared.  The great waters move with obscurity.  We both see and do not see; much remains secret.  There is gentleness, grandeur, and might.  It is all a reminder of You, Almighty God, and we sing with the seas, praises to Your Magnificent name.

The sea is His, for He made it.  Psalm 95:5

Prayer Journaling

23 Wednesday Feb 2011

Posted by in family, journaling

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I recently found some prayer notes tucked away in a Bible commentary I used in my 20s and 30s.  It was an excellent reminder of things I had prayed for during the early years of my marriage and as my child went through her teen years.  There were also notes about children I had taught in Sunday School, a young boy who sat with me during church service (his parents didn’t attend), and names and prayers for others I only vaguely remembered.

There were many pages of these notes.  Some were detailed and others not, but through the re-reading of them, I recalled many blessings of God I had long ago forgotten.  It caused me to wish I had been more deliberate in keeping these prayer memories.  I have always been one to store prayer notes here and there rather than in an orderly fashion.   And while a nice surprise to come across them, how nicer still it would be had I kept books of prayers throughout the years, collecting more of my conversations with God.

I would encourage a young parent today to teach their children the benefit of keeping prayer journals or some means of prayer file throughout their life.  Guide them to record their prayers of petition and how they saw those prayers answered.  Date the petitions and answers.  As they grow, they might add how they matured spiritually by giving a concern over to God, or what they learned through the experience of long seasons of prayer.  It will serve them joyfully through the years and be a record of faith for themselves and their children.

Father, thank You for leading me to these prayer notes; they are records of Your faithfulness.  This was an unexpected blessing and I thank You for it.  May I be more mindful of writing down my petitions and Your answers, and the things You taught me.   It is an affirmation of our relationship.

“Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness.”  Isaiah 30:8 (NIV)  

Content In Whatever State

21 Monday Feb 2011

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The apostle Paul said he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in.   He said to be anxious for nothing, but give thanks in everything and when we have that attitude, we will know the peace of God.  I knew a wonderful example of that.  Her name was Martha.

I worked for a physician and Martha was a patient there.  A very gracious lady and one known for her baking, she would often bring to us her specialty, a five-flavor pound cake.  It could brighten any busy day.

Martha had grown up in an affluent home, but her married life was one of ups and downs.  Her husband was given to taking great investment risks, some said all with the money she had inherited.   A time came when he risked too much and they lost everything they had.  This kind lady lost her family home – the one she had lived in all her life – and everything in it.

Not long after their plight became public knowledge, she called to say she needed to come in for an examination.  She said they wanted to cash in a life insurance policy and it required a physician’s statement that she was no longer able to bear children.  They had grown children and the policy secured the money for their inheritance, but also for any future heirs.  Their children had released the binder on the inheritance and now she needed proof that there would be no danger of a future heir’s protest.    Martha was approaching 70.   We saw it as insult upon insult.

We were nervous about her visit.  It was a small town and there were no secrets so she would come knowing we knew of their severe loss.  How did we greet her?  Pretend nothing was wrong?  Hope we could just fake it through to help her preserve dignity?  And the terrible offense of having to submit her body for a pointless examination had us all riled.

The day came for her visit and I can still remember how tense we all were.  We loved Martha and were concerned about this ultimate embarrassment.  But as soon as she was in the door, we knew we had far under-estimated her.  She came in laughing at such a ridiculous request by the insurance company; she just thought it was all very funny.  And with her came one of her famous cakes.  She apologized that it was a little lopsided but she had borrowed the mixer and oven of a friend and was unfamiliar with both.  She made the remark as if it was quite normal to produce a cake in this manner.  And, Martha’s husband was with her.  There was no tension between them; rather, she seemed perfectly delighted with his company.

Some in the town mumbled that Martha had lost her mind since no one mentally intact could behave as she did in view of all she had lost.  But I never saw that.  I saw a godly woman who was living out the scriptures, a woman who loved and trusted God.  She was refusing to live as the world would choose for her.  Martha had obviously forgiven her husband and accepted the tremendous blow to her life.  She walked on in faith and in practice, with the peace that comes from believing God’s word.  She is one of my spiritual giants.

Give His Love

19 Saturday Feb 2011

Posted by in poetry

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I saw a bird low on a limb looking down at you.

He chirped and turned from side to side to get a better view.

He had visited with the Father in the early morn

and God had mentioned you to him and that you were forlorn.

The little bird then flew down and rested in a tree

right outside your window, as still as he could be.

He saw your tears and heard your cry and knew you needed care.

He didn’t know just what to do or what he had to share.

Then he thought about the love the Father gave to all,

and found a song deep in his heart on just your ears to fall.

He sang about the Savior who brought the Father’s love,

how He walked and talked with men on earth and told of home above.

The little bird sang full and loud and pulled himself up tall.

His melody was one of joy about the Savior’s call.

He sang a song so pure and sweet; it traveled to your ear,

and very soon you saw him and wiped away your tear.

For God had sent His love to you in such a perfect way.

It made you smile, it filled your heart, it brightened up your day.

That one so little, like a bird, could bring a gift of cheer,

could bring you love from God above and bring the Father near.

We each have gifts with which to serve and giving makes us grow.

As we receive, we then must give, a debt of love we owe.

So thank that little bird, who sang a song to you,

by helping someone else today, that’s all you need to do.

Just give your love to someone, no matter – big or small.

Tell another what you know, that Jesus loves us all.

 “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.”  Romans 13:8 (NIV)

                                                  

The Harm Of Negativity

12 Saturday Feb 2011

Posted by in forgiveness

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My Father, protect me from negativity.  If I begin to think unkind thoughts about another, please draw me away from those thoughts.  Remind me of how negative thinking takes one into a downward spiral and away from You.

One of the hardest things for me is to stop thinking about is an offense, to not mull over how I was hurt.  Lingering on hurtful thoughts is unproductive and takes away precious moments that will never come again.   I pray to grow stronger in letting go of hurts and remembering this is just part of life here on earth.  Help me to not give up on others or myself.  I pray to use the lessons hurt brings and then step outside the pain and go on with You.

If I am with someone and they speak inappropriately, give me the grace to be silent and not a contributor to such conversation.   If there is a word I can say that will help the matter, please put that on my lips; otherwise, please button them.  I have enough regrets for words I wish I could call back; please keep me from adding to them.   Remind me to distance myself as quickly as possible, as negativity can sometimes gain a foothold simply by lingering too long in the wrong environment.

The answer to negativity is to lose ourselves in You, to focus on the good and beautiful.  On that, dear Father, help me to think long and often.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”  Philippians 4:8  

God’s Incredible Design

08 Tuesday Feb 2011

Posted by in nature

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The skies are grey with snow.  Big and small flakes fall from the sky.  There are drifts and whirls and a white frosting on the trees and ground.   It is beautiful.  I stand at the window and watch as this creation falls quietly to the earth, bringing calm to the day and whispers of sweet peace.  The cold winds push the snowflakes here and there; at moments they seem to stand still, waiting to be told where to go.  It is a glorious sight, Lord.  Glorious.

In the white frosted tulip magnolia, I see five little bird nests – evidence of another season, another glory.  It is a reminder of warmer weather and the small winged creatures who built nest there through the years.  You made those little birds, covered them with feathers, told them how to fly, and gave them the knowledge of home-building.  For their shelter, You made trees with high reaching branches, shaped just right to hold their nest homes, and protect their young.  Your design there alone is incredible, Lord.

There is such purpose of dependency and support as You link one creation to another.  How seldom we slow down enough to recognize all that went into Your perfect design, the kindness and goodness.  It is shown in the strength of a tree and the fragility of a bird.  It is shown in the softness of snow against hard ground.  Your are a God of love and majesty, of power and wisdom, of beauty and graciousness.

Father God, please forgive us for the abuse and destruction we have placed on Your perfect order.  We have wrongly thought the world was ours to do with as we pleased.  Forgive us, Lord, and give us new commitment to appreciating and caring for all Your creation.  Thank You for the promise of that day when all will be restored, when we will live in concert and joy with nature.   When we will live with You in Your new kingdom on earth.  It is our hope for tomorrow, and we give You praise.