In a World Wind

"When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf!

Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth." (Genesis 8:11)

Turmoil and life’s difficulties can leave the soul with unrest.

We wonder if restoration will arrive. We debate ourselves and find that sin is at the root of the troubles in this world.

We’ve entertain it. We adjust and make sin comfortable. We twist the Word of God to make it what we want it to say.

Our justification leads us down a road of trouble.

But, Noah was a man who was found righteous in the eyes of God.

He heard God’s direction and though it seemed ridiculous he followed through. He believed God.

In this fallen world sometimes, we are the dreamer with interruptions assailing at us. The vision was given but the realities seem to escape us.

So many days and weeks in the flooded waters.

I know I heard God.

As he waits and waits I wonder did his heart grow weary or stronger?

When we wait on the Lord, do we grow tired or does our faith increase?

“When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.” (Genesis 8:11)

The preservation of the seed is remarkable!

Turmoil, flooding, shifting and the conditions of the earth God made were shaken. But the seed survived, preserved!

Noah did not plant the seed. The dove came to him with an olive leaf. Extraordinary event!

This gives me hope!

When life has been shaken like a world-wind tornado, where is the hope?

The hope does not depend on me. The hope comes from God. I am to rely on HIM!

So, like the dove sent out by Noah, I pour out my heart to the Lord. I wait on the One who preserves the seed!

God who created everything along with the Son and the Spirit hears, sees and preserves.

The Initiator of the vision is the one who makes it come to pass.

Don’t give up even though the waters are rising!

Don’t loose the vision because it was the Lord who spoke it!

Watch and pray! It is coming.

Remain faithful for God is the Promise Keeper!

God bless you!~Liz

Was Blind But Now I See

" “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)

When babies are born their eyes don't have the ability to fully focus. Their eyes are developing.

"Babies learn to see over a period of time, much like they learn to walk and talk. They are not born with all the visual abilities they need in life. The ability to focus their eyes, move them accurately, and use them together as a team must be learned. Also, they need to learn how to use the visual information the eyes send to their brain in order to understand the world around them and interact with it appropriately." (aoa.org)

“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:6-7)

Adam and Eve's were not ready to have their eyes opened via disobedience. Their forced eye sight was more than images that had to be interpreted by the brain. Their souls were exposed. Their spirit died. Their transgression delivered death. (Ephesians 2:1)

They sewed figs leaves together to hide what their eyes were seeing. Where once there was no shame, their new gained sight brought some new visitors; more like enemies! Shame had now made itself at home. Disobedience lead to death.

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” (John 6:44a)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

When God opens our eyes the dead come to life. We are born again and able to readjust our sight to see life and interrupt life through a new set of "lenses". Our relationship with the Father is restored. Eternity becomes a focal point.

A submitted vessel surrenders all to the Lord. He has all we need to live, he makes provision and leads us to overcome evil.

In the story of Elisha we see trouble surrounding Israel. The king of Aram had encircled Elisha and his servant.

When we wait on God he is able to "open our eyes" to see the unseen.

The serpent promised Eve that she could be like God and what was delivered was death.

God desires obedience and He delivers life.

" “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)

“And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." 

(2 Kings 6:16-17)

If you are unfamiliar with the story of Elisha. Here we see Elisha, a prophet, but a man none the less. This is not a superhero. This is one called by God and he obeyed!

In the middle of this war, God opened his eyes to see in the spiritual realm what God was doing.

Obedience always leads to life!

When the serpent deceived Eve he showed her a peek into the spiritual realm. Death was waiting and indeed greeted her and Adam just as the Lord had spoken. In addition, their authority to rule over all God had created was now up for grabs.

When the Lord intervenes in the lives of men and we obey he delivers the truth. We get a front row seat of what is happening. He gives us understanding and wisdom.

" “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

The vision assured them of the unseen realities all around them.

Praise the Lord!

So what do we want? Should our eyes be opened prematurely? Should we listen to the lures of the devil who is aware of the spiritual realm but wants us dead?

It is wise to seek the Lord who can open our eyes to life! There is something happening in the unseen. For the believer, God goes before us. He speaks and reveals to us his plan, is provision and protection as in the testimony of Elisha.

There is a warning in the Scriptures, DO NOT get involved in witchcraft, sorcery, those how want to reveal our future to us. The serpent lured Eve and she received exactly what God has already spoken--death. "For rebellion is like the sin of divination and arrogance like the evil of idolatry." (1 Samuel 15:23)

God is merciful. The covering that Adam and Eve made for themselves out of fig leaves was inadequate. "Jehovah God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins, and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21 )

The coats of skin, a foreshadow of the cost it would take to cover the sins of the world. Blood was required. Someone had to die.

Disobedience has an effect and an action that is required.

Someone sins – Someone has to die. The law required blood.

Christ offered himself –the Lamb of God to bring restoration and right relationship with us and himself.

Obedience…sometimes is seems difficult but really to do otherwise brings destruction.

God loves us!

God bless you!~Liz

Reject or Inflict

They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place

of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.

There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Therefore many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’; but that He said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” (John 19:17-22, NASB)

Is he King to you?

When confronted with the Truth what is our answer?

For a while I did not believe. God’s mercy and patience sought me and rescued me from sin.

We can reject or inflict.

If we reject him there is nothing else that can rescue us.

Not my good works, not my money, not my name.

There is only ONE that saves! (Acts 4:12)

If we accept him who has come into the world, we are released from out debt of sin and we inflict damage to the kingdom of darkness. Darkness will no longer have authority over us.

I bow the knee. I repent and Hail Him King of the Jews and King of Liz!

God bless you!~Liz

How many stamps am I worth?

Memories are a funny thing.

I’ve been awake for about an hour and just like that something triggered and brought to life these hidden gems, even made me smile.

When I was a little girl living in the Bronx, I remember walking the streets under the raised train tracks. I can still hear the chuck-chuck-chuck rhythm in the background. I never second guessed the noises in the air. It was city life.

Hand in hand with my mom we’d walk to our destination. One hand holding mine and the other in her pea coat pocket with her booklet.

There was this Redemption Center that we would go to. We’d browse the front window and then walk inside. Based on how many stamps my mom accumulated; this determined the item we could take home.

But what if we were missing a stamp?

Redemption is “the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.”

It was a lot of work to own anything on the window display in exchange for the stamps we collected. In never really amounted to anything big. The prize always seemed out of reach.

What if the item or object is unattainable? What if my booklet is deficient in pages or the stamps that I collect are not enough?

The Bible tells a story of this exact thing.

Often sin is spoken as something someone else is doing. It’s the evil we see on TV. It’s the criminal that often repeats the offenses. Even a child is taught to share otherwise they grow up selfish. But, what happens when we grow up and are now mature?

Are we now exempt? We’ve learned right from wrong. We’ve arrived. Right?

Somewhere in our walk we have forgotten that the smallest of wrongs have accumulated. They have joined together to taint our behavior, actions and even our outlook on life. We have become familiar with the “noises of the world” that they don’t even affect us anymore. At least we don’t think so.

Let’s go down memory lane again.

Magilla Gorilla, do you know who he is?

He spent a lot of time in a window hoping someone would redeem him; purchase him, love him and take him home.

The jingle went like this, “Gorilla for sale. Take our advice, at any price, a gorilla like Magilla is mighty nice. Gorilla, Magilla Gorilla for sale!”

I remember thinking, poor gorilla. No one wants him.

Sometimes we feel like that poor creature. Here I am! Someone, love me.

We want to be loved and cared for. We feel the wrongs of yesterday have taken something form us. Perhaps we are right.

Yet, there is a Redeemer that is quite familiar with all that we have done; all that we have lost.

The loss is his.

He longs to bring us home.

His walk has been long. He has paid the price for the one he yearns for, you & I.

You see, I have gone to the redemption center and brought out my booklet.

I have a stamp for obeying my mom. I did all my homework. I did not steal the gum from the corner store. Oh, I did lie to my dad about that thing he said I should not do. Can I still redeem my stamps?

The Lord is aware of how many good things we have done. He knows we desire to do what is right but sometimes fail.

Who will redeem us? Was this not the cry of poor Magilla Gorilla?

Jesus will walk the road,” With shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 2So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. (Luke 23:23-25)

“Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26)

Jesus is aware of all my sin. Yes, the things that I have done. And, he still loves me. He is the only one who has what it takes to redeem my life. “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 11:22b)

Who will take this little girl home?

“And I was included in Christ when I heard the message of truth, the gospel of my salvation. When I believed, I was marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing my inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)  

It's personal.

The Redeemer said I am worth it! My debt was cleared. He said he would take me home.

Jerome Avenue in the Bronx, the Redemption Center.

The treasure was not always what was in the window. The prize is the great memory of being with my mom. Walking hand in hand. Secure &. loved.

He did it once and for all.

I got my new song to sing....I am redeemed...you set me free......

God bless you!~Liz

Mary or Martha

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Hey, Jesus is coming over today!

What would be the first thing we would do?

Hmmm, perhaps clean the bathroom. Touch up the living room. Make sure there is something to eat. Oh, did you run the dishwasher? Pick up your dirty socks from the floor! 

Oh, no the guest room looks like a storage bin!!!

The very familiar story of Mary and Martha. Martha often is seen as the “busy Martha”, so worried about the “house” when Jesus was visiting.

According to the Lord’s comment, “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) Indeed she was preoccupied with other responsibilities.

I wondered what she was worried about?  What had her upset?  Was it just the housework?  Maybe the status of her heart was on shaky ground.  Questions about life?

Let's not be unfair. We have all been there. I’m not justifying that keeping busy doing “housework” is more important than sitting at the feet of Jesus. Perhaps there were troubles or doubt about her own soul?

I’d like to say that after the Lord’s rebuke and revelation, I believe that Martha’s heart and outlook changed.

Follow me….

When Lazarus dies who is it that runs to meet Jesus?

Was is Mary? No.

“When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.” (John 11:20) 

Mary stayed, and Martha runs quickly to meet the Lord. Martha says, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11:21) 

Here we see her faith.

I don’t believe that Mary was now preoccupied with other responsibilities, but both have now seen Jesus as their Master. Something deep inside has changed for both.

Martha’s heart has been touched by the Lord.

Martha may have been rebuked but she quickly learns “what is better”.

We all have been Martha. We may be Martha right now. The lesson is to hear the voice of the Lord. To anchor to the direction he is pointing us to. He is the Way to Life! He knows our preoccupations and how easily distracted we get.

We can’t make excuses for our neglect; our disregard what the Master is teaching us. We must realign ourselves to what is right.

Sometimes we neglect to read the Word of God; guilty! When opportunities arise to share the Gospel, we might shrink back; guilty! Sunday mornings seem to be the best time to sleep and we want to stay home. The distractions of life are obstacles. They try to stop the transformation the Lord is working out in us.

Jesus says to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Wow, do you believe?

Martha replies, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:27)

Way to go Martha!! God is so patient with us.

The Lord is Messiah. He is the promised One. 

He takes the dead and causes it to live. 

Dreams, situations and circumstances that speak dissolution and strife; he turns them around. 

He hears when we call for help. He knows our weakness and yet he continues to pursue us. 

He knows our need for him and he waits in hope that we respond to his love. 

He gives us many opportunities to come and sit with him. He wants to lavish us with his love!

So, what shall we do today?

Have the dishes called to you? The dust is overwhelming! The dirty clothes have consumed me. Distractions, interruptions, commotions, and on and on.

PUT THEM ASIDE.

Sit at the feet of Jesus today.

He can raise the dead to life; He is the Resurrection and the life!

Let’s choose what is better, it will not be taken away from us! (Luke 10:42)

The housework will get done.  He quiets the anxieties of life.

When we have been filled and refreshed by the Word of the Lord, the rest of life becomes easier.

Thank you Martha & Mary!

Thank you Lord!

God bless you!~Liz

Praise Weapon

Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger. (Psalm 8:2 a)

When I think about an infant, the freshness of this little life, it is their cry that is so fascinating. It calls to our attention to respond. Is he or she wet, are they tired, or hungry? Are they praising God?

The Psalmist here points out the praise. How can an infant praise God? I love the reminder that we have all been created to worship God. Why not the infant?

The Psalmist is speaking of establishing praise. The writer here expresses that children and infants praise God and with it establish a stronghold against the enemy!

My intellect tells me that praise must be formulated. Praise must somehow be a strategic time consuming plan. But the Spirit of God says otherwise. He reminds us that we follow the leading of His Spirit!

Let’s remember David a young boy reaching in his bag; grabbing a tiny stone and fling it to the enemy of Israel!

Praise is a weapon!

Praise is not just a song. It’s an action. It aligns itself with the Lord. It’s an expression of the splendor of our God within us; our love for Him! It involves and invokes all that I am; my voice, my hands, my feet and my bag of stones.

“David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)

“David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (1 Samuel 17:32)

“Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” (1 Samuel 17:33)

Israel had an army. Their plans were in place but the enemy was still taunting them. Here comes a child with words that will produce action and silence the enemy.

“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:46)

"Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger." (Psalm 8:2)

This little creature wrapped in flesh that reflects its Maker has sound, a cry, a way to communicate with his Creator.

Recently I have been watching a program about a girl that is deaf. It has been fascinating to see how she communicates.

The Lord has made it so that we can indeed connect with him. Even in silence he knows what’s in our hearts and makes Himself known.

The Scriptures say, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)  He makes Himself known!

He desires us. He wants to communicate with you and me. We’ve been made to share, to translate what God has built inside of us to explore the riches of His Goodness; to enjoy Him Forever!

When the infant cries is it not a sweet sound? So, tiny and precious, made in all perfection −all we want is to come to his/her rescue.

You’ve ever watch a baby sleep and they are smiling. Have you heard them in the middle of the night just making silly noises; it causes our hearts to melt.

We all have the ability to communicate with our Maker.  That's how he made us!

Oh, come let us sing for joy to the God of our Salvation! (Psalm 95:1)

Parents train up a child in the instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

Start them early in the way they should go. (Proverbs 22:6)

Let’s share with the little one, the works and mighty acts of the Lord. (Psalm 145:4)

Infants and children are a weapon in the hands of the Lord!

Today, let’s take this weapon of Praise and launch the assault. “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty”. (1 Samuel 17:47a)

Whether we are one or 100....let everything that has breath...PRAISE THE LORD!

From one generation to another.  Let's praise fill the air!

God bless you!~Liz

The Fob

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in

heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)

How convenient is life getting?

In the days of old if you carried a lot keys on a keyring you were mockingly called a “super” or a superintendent; one who maintains a building with tenants. This job required 24-hour monitoring. If something broke, heat failed or pipes burst the superintendent quickly came to the rescue. See, he had the keys to all the apartments, to the furnace room and if you lived in the Bronx, he also had the key that opened the roof exit door. Hence, he carried all the keys that amounted to quite some weight on his belt.

Nowadays we barely use keys. At least not the old fashioned brass or nickel keys that jingled.

When I leave my house I walk right up to my car and the door opens automatically. My key is now called a fob and it authorizes and identifies me as the owner.

I arrive at church and likewise my access is granted via a fob.

This easy access caused me to think today. My battery is dying on my car fob. I realized that this easy access has become so “normal” for me that I forgot that these fobs are just another way to gain access. Convenient yes, but nevertheless a key.

I expect to swipe my fob and immediately get access. I have even become impatient if my first swipe doesn’t open the door. Keys are a privilege and should not be taken for granted.

In the Book of Matthew, Jesus asks his disciples,
“Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (v.13)

He further asks, “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (v.15-16)

"Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; 

whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, 

and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
”Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah." 

(John 16:17-20)

Access by the One who can give authority, the One who holds the KEYS has been granted to Peter, to the disciples and actually to all believers.

Jesus made it clear that the Kingdom of Heaven was present. He gave many proofs, even miraculous healing so that the “crowd” would see the Father. 

 He wanted to exhibit his Love for the World. He loved the Jew, the Samaritan, the wealthy, the healthy, the cripple and even the thief on the cross. 

Jesus holds the Key to life and death. 

 He is the access, the door, the way, the truth and the life. (John 12:6)

He offers the keys to us and beckons to do likewise. 

Share it, live it, make it beautifully contagious. 

 Preach the gospel to all creation. (Mark 16:15)

When I arrive home, I press a few digits and once again I have access to my home.

Keys give access. But, like my experience today, let’s not get so comfortable that we forget the access given in the name of convenience is still is key, still unlocking closed doors and granting access.

Like the superintendent Jesus has access, ACCESS TO ALL. 

He can fix the broken, give us access to the Father and quickly come to our rescue when we call him. He is the Authority and we have the privilege to identify ourselves with him.

If you have placed your trust in the Lord Jesus and know what it is to be forgiven and set free, share it today! If you don’t know the Love of God, Jesus who laid down his life for all to have access to the Father, call on him today. He is the life-giver, the Key to Salvation!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me. (John 14:6)

JESUS IS THE KEY.

My car key fob is a square little piece of plastic. What I did not know and quickly learned is that inside this plastic tool is an actual key. A small key that can eject out of the fob in the event the battery dies.

Ok, we are back to the key. One access - one way!

God bless you!~Liz

It can't hurt me if its dead!

"As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." (John 9:4)

Yesterday was a very difficult day for me. When Rheumatoid Arthritis (“RA”) flares us it does not care what day of the week it is. It’s not concerned that you had plans. The pain comes from all angles and makes no apologies for the agony it causes.

Disruptions of life!

Whether we are dealing with a physical trial or other changes that challenge our daily lives, we all have a choice to make.

So, yesterday my husband had to take day off from work. He literally was my crutch to get up, sit down, lay down and rise again. It seemed that every 25 minutes I had to move my body to relieve it from pain. This was our ordeal for 24 hours that began at 3 AM. He cooked and literally fed me. Let’s just say it was a day of heartache.

I am what some would call a “type A personality”. I can’t sit still. I have to-do list everywhere. 

I'm not sure I understand the words “I can’t”.

After a day like yesterday, family and friends advise me to relax and recoup and regain my strength. I agree, except….you got it… I CAN’T SIT STILL for long.

“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4)

I believe rest is a gift from the Lord and I’ll quickly resort to that to be refreshed. But as I get restored I am ready and willing to continue to do the work that the Lord has from me. If that means laundry for my family, there I am. If it means sharing life with a friend, use me Lord. If his church needs my attendance, you got it...on the road I go.  Idle hands are good for nothing.

We must be ready. God will infuse strength when we are weak. 

I get my strength through reading his Word and singing songs of praise! Yeah!!!

Today I begin the administration of a new medication; a new road to travel! It’s been months since this journey began.  This pain has to go!

I visited with a friend today. A spider was crawling down from the ceiling. As I called her attention to it, I was also reminded that she does not like spiders. So I said, “I know you are afraid of spiders.”  Before I could finish the sentence, she replied, “ It can’t hurt me if its dead.” Wack! WOW.

Why tell you this little excerpt from today? If this disease if beating me up. If it brings grief and pain to my life. If fear tries to creep in, I must do something.

Truly trying this medication (like all medications) has risks.

I won’t let RA instill fear in me. Something must be done. After much thought and council, the new road began today.

RA can't hurt me if it’s dead. The RA effects must be stopped; it can't continue to  ruin this body that God gave me.  I can't just sit and do nothing! 

No matter what may come, I am his. I belong to the Lord who saved me. The Bible says, he is a healer, to the Healer I will call!   All wisdom comes from the Lord.

“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4)

Use me Lord. When I am weak, you are strong! (2 Corinthians 12:10b)

God bless you!~Liz

Eclipse

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)

Did you see it? 

Everyone is talking about it.

The lesser light obscuring the greater light; a Solar eclipse.

The best part of all the images I’ve seen is the glowing light! The fact that once the moon stands in front of the sun it creates a beautiful glow; the sun itself still shining around the moon.

Absolutely beautiful!

When Jesus walked the earth we read in the Book of John,

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1)

It’s a brief explanation of Christ, the Light coming into world that was in darkness. The world full of darkness could not overcome the Light!

Stand in front and cause those that Christ died for to stumble. Make them turn from their Creator.

Try to make them forget their purpose and blind them so that they cannot see.

Now let the Son of God step into time and the revelation that unfolds Salvation begins. The words of the prophets of old unfolding.

"Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" (Isaiah 53:1)

Ask Nicodemus, Israel’s teacher. “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked.” ( John 3:4)

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1 10-13)

Yes born again of the Spirit of God.

Eclipse the heart and blind the eyes. Dull the ears and be cloaked in darkness. That’s what happened when the Fall of Man occurred. Satan not content with his own demise, incited God’s creation to disobey.

Let the Son become the canopy of our sinful lives and new life emerges. The blood that was shed was spent for us; to give us new life!

Did you see it?

Everyone is talking about it.

Darkness could not overcome the Light!

"Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:15)

My life was purchased by the shed blood of The Lamb of God!

Absolutely beautiful!

I am redeemed. Do you see the glow!

God bless you!~Liz

Yield the fruit of the season!

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)

Believe it or not but if you live in the Northeast change is coming.

Seasons are a beautiful experience!

Today I decided to remove what was left of my cucumber vines. The season was very fruitful. The abundance was shared with my neighbors and friends. As I cut away all the dead leaves I noticed there was one vine that had attached itself to my window shutter. I could see even as an end is about to come that this vine continued to produce flowers—flowers that with the right conditions would turn into fruit.

But, I realized that no matter how much this vine wants to continue in its efforts to produce cucumbers, the season will bring it to a halt.

It reminded me of life’s cycles. One day I am 16 years old and life did not have any cares that concerned me. My body underwent a physical attack and my season came crashing down. The doctor said, “you have Rheumatoid Arthritis”. The simplicities of yesterday now were a challenge.

Women have babies that leave their bodies changed; no longer able to slip into those skinny jeans. Sorry for the reminder. Seasons change!

Imagine trying to fit into those jeans because you were willing to torture your body and insisted on conforming it to the size 2 we used to be. Well try if you must, but it will not work apart from a broken seam.

Life is a book of seasons with chapters that have beginnings and an end. Let’s enjoy them!

The Samaritan women when confronted with the choice of receiving living water did not say I prefer to stay thirsty. No, seasons change and she reached out to the Water that quenched her soul! This new season produced life for those who heard her testimony. (John 4)

There is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3).

Psalm 1:3 reads, “which yields it fruit in season”.

Enjoy the process. Be ready when the chapter closes and a new one begins.

The cucumber vine continues to produce flowers that will not mature. The sun will change as Fall begins and Summer comes to an end. We must recognize the shift in our lives and embrace it.

So let’s not try with relentless efforts to squeeze into the old jeans. There is a sale at the department store. Get a new pair and let the new chapter in our life begin to bloom with new adventures!

Yield the fruit of the season!

My story book has an "Afterwards Page" that reads, “this life was designed to bring glory to her Maker”. Love, Jesus.

God bless you!~Liz

Do as I say, not as I do

Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it. (Deuteronomy 1:39)

Do as I say, not as I do. Familiar?

Wow, I hope I never used that on my son.

A familiar saying that denotes the speaker as already guilty, wouldn’t you say?

If I am doing things well than, by all means follow me as I follow Christ. But, if I am in error, Lord have mercy – DON’T FOLLOW ME!

In the Book of Numbers the Bible unfolds this dance of disobedient children; children delivered by the very hand of God out of slavery.

It’s a dance that exhibits the mercy of God to a generation whose parents grumbled over and over again, to the God who spoke with Moses face to face.

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say: In this wilderness your bodies will fall—every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me.Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. But as for you, your bodies will fall in this wilderness. Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness.  For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.’ I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this whole wicked community, which has banded together against me. They will meet their end in this wilderness; here they will die.” (Numbers 14:26-38)

Okay.

Here we see that after much complaining the Lord did exactly what the children testified.

In the desert, we will die.

My intrigue has been in the complaining. Not only are they grumbling, they just saw miracles that no one had ever seen before. They are the ones God delivered with a mighty hand and outstretched arm.

What fascinates me is the cry of the children, the younger generation.

If indeed they were young when they traveled into the desert, a generation that would ultimately grow up and see the promise land, where did their complaining come from?

"Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!” (Numbers 20:4-5)

This is the younger generation speaking!

Could it be they learned this behavior and language from their grumbling parents? Could this generation really remember the figs, grapevines and pomegranates? Maybe some did or maybe they just remembered their parents language.

What kind of conversation do we have around our children? How do we speak around co-workers and family members who specifically don’t know the redeeming life that Jesus offers?

Do as I say, not as I do?

The Lord indeed exhibited his mercy with these second generation grumblers.

“Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin." (Deuteronomy 24:16 )

Complaining is a form of disobedience.  It's a place of dissatisfaction!  

What we are saying is, God is not enough.

It is by the mercy and grace of God that these people even entered the Promise Land!

What kind of complaining, dissatisfied language are we passing down to others? 

Are we missing the promise land?

Should others not hear the testimony of God’s blessing upon our lives instead?

God has been very good to us!

Unfortunately, if we are not careful our speech is more like, “the grass is greener on the other side.” We justify our grumpy attitudes and can very well misdirect the “hearer” as our hands are stamped "guilty"!

Behaviors are learned.

We are silent teachers to those around us.

We are instruments that lead people either to obedience or disobedience.

We introduce them to the Lord or cheer them into their path of destruction.

What’s on our tongue?

"So the men Moses had sent to explore the land, who returned and made the whole community grumble against him by spreading a bad report about it— these men who were responsible for spreading the bad report about the land were struck down and died of a plague before the Lord. Of the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh survived.” (Numbers 14:38)

Let our countenance project joy, mercy and the grace of God.

May our tongues testify of God’s goodness as we see it and as we wait for visions and promises to unfold.

No weapon formed against us will prosper except our own destructive heart and tongue.

Ouch.

Maybe the reason the grass is greener is because the property owner blessed the Lord!

God bless you!~Liz
Certified Christian Life Coach

What's in a Name?

"But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name

from 

being profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they lived and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites." 

(Ezekiel 20:9)

Who cares what other people think?

We’ve all heard this expression, specifically from our parents. Growing up we are sent to school and I'm sure we can all recall the voice, “who cares what others think, be yourself.”

Our parents were trying to cultivate a sense of well being. They wanted us to flourish and thrive in this new environment. There were gifts planted deep inside. Our parents or overseer wanted them to grow.  We were discovering who and whose's we were.

Perhaps it went something like this,  “don’t forget, you are a Rodrigues” or add your family’ name there. It defined who we were, our inheritance.

There were certain qualities that our parents spent years trying to impress on us. How to love ourselves, respect others and if you grew up in a Christian home, how to honor the Lord.

Our name is often the first thing people know about you.

Shakespeare’s Montague and Capulet. Need I say more?

Most importantly, we were not to come home laced with the influence of the world or “the bad crowd”. “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15;33)

If I left home with courteous language, I best not come home with a filthy tongue!

We must stay alert when entering new places lest we confirm to their ways.

Here we are on the Babylonian front where a priest in exile (Ezekiel)  is given prophetic visions for Israel.

The Lord warns his people against idolatry. 

Don't look like the world.

God’s people are starting to look like and imitate cultures around them. 

Don’t look like your captive, don’t indulge in their behaviors and remember who you are!

“You are mine, and “I am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:5)

“He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood.” (Ezekiel 8:3)

He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, ‘The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.’” (Ezekiel 8:12)

“He said to me, “Have you seen this, son of man? Is it a trivial matter for the people of Judah to do the detestable things they are doing here?” (Ezekiel 8:17a)

The Lord’s Name is Vital!

Don’t forget you are Mine!

I guide you in paths of righteousness for my Name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)

We cry out for God’s mercy when we have sinned; “for your Name’s sake.” (Jeremiah 14:7)

In the Lord’s righteous anger he could have destroyed all his people. 

But for his Name's sake.....

God is always trying to express his Love and his desire for fellowship with us. He has guidelines to keep our relationship pure and safe. He is aware of the lurking dangers and his warning is for our safety.

“But for the sake of my name, I brought them out of Egypt. I did it to keep my name from being profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they lived and in whose sight I had revealed myself to the Israelites.” (Ezekiel 20:9)

You’ve engaged in areas that I warned you about. You have turned your back on Me.

You have bowed to sinful idols and claimed they are your helper. You look just like the world that hates Me.

But for his Name's sake.......

You are Mine!

Writings written long ago still speak to us today.  The Written World of God!

Often we leave home and return looking, smelling and even acting like the world.

Don’t forget your name.

Remember you are mine. I have purchased and ransomed you.

Even until now, you have forsaken my ways.  Return to me

“ I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” (Jeremiah 24:7)

“But for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out” (Ezekiel 20:14)

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” ( 1 Peter 5:8)

Those who hear we belong to Him, will persecute us. “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)

“ Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.” (Ezekiel 20:12)

“Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.” (Exodus 31:13)

Jehovah Mekoddishkem “the Lord who sanctifies you.”

I want you to flourish and thrive.

“There were certain qualities that our parents spent years trying to impress on us. How to love ourselves, respect others and if you grew up in a Christian home, how to honor the Lord.” ~Liz

Honor Him.  He has given us his Name.  On the Cross he purchased us with his blood.  

"My beloved is mine, and I am his."  (Song of Solomon 2:16)

God bless you!~Liz

What's on you?

Exodus 14:22

Have you ever been standing next to someone and you can tell they have been by a fire?

Roasting marshmallows is fun but if you just got your hair done, brace yourself, you will have to do it again.  The smell of the burning wood lingers close and ultimately those around you can identity that you were by the pit.

You clothes smell, and even the ashes that have landed now reside in your hair.

You were close to the fire but it did not consume you.  Actually you enjoyed the soft, warm chocolate covered graham treat.

Life leaves residue that others can see.

What’s on you?

Life is a road of ups and downs.  

Often the very place that was a blessing can become hardship.

We can learn from the Israelites as the story of deliverance unfolds.

The LORD is making a way for them from bondage and oppression.

Troubles cause us to either retreat and sulk or to persevere and move ahead.

The truth is that in this world we will have trouble! (John 16:33)

I recently got a visual of God’s people crossing the Red sea. 

Remember they had been suffering for a long time in a place that once was a blessing.

It’s time to move!

As Moses steps into the topography of Egypt, there is only one message, “let my people go”. 

(Exodus 5:1)

The Lord does hear us! It may seem like he is taking long like fireworks on the 4^th of July. 

But, El Shaddai, God Almighty who supplies and satisfies is my Deliverer!  He is the All-Sufficient One.  

He makes a way when my way of escape has been exhausted.

So, the fascinating picture for me is imagining the multitudes crossing over as the waters part.  

The Lord leads them through a route less common because his ways are higher than ours. 
(Isaiah 55:9) 

^“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle. (Genesis 13:17-18)

So here we go!  

The Lord looks down and inflicts confusion on the enemy. (Genesis 14:24) He causes there transportation to fail; he jammed the wheels on their chariots! (v25)

The enemy finally acknowledges that the Lord is fighting for his people!  

He is a Jealous God; a consuming fire!

The depiction that fascinates me is this. 

A body of water splinting in two.  Scared people walking on dry land.

Walls of water erected on both sides.

Was there any mist? Aha!  

When I’m in trouble in need of the Lord’s rescue, he comes with Might, Strength and very clever ways of getting me out.

What I’m imagining is mist on God’s people as they walked to the other side. 

They can see it on each other.  This moisture clinging to their clothing.  A reminder of what is happening; danger inflicted on their enemy as they cross over to the other side.

Mist, tiny droplets of water suspended in the atmosphere, possibly visible but not quite heavy enough to moisten land.  After all they “walked on dry ground”. (Exodus 14:22)

Danger so close, but it did not impact them. 

Arriving on the other side was evidence that they were surrounded by water, 
his judgment made clear.  Let my people go! Those in bondage set free; they did not drown!

Their enemies would feel the wrath of God but God’s people would walk right through it. 

See, it's like the campfire.  Everyone knows we were by the pit. We may smell like fire but we were not consumed.

I see them walking through the impossible with 
dewdrops as evidence that God was there Deliverer.

They escaped by his Mighty Hand and Outstreched arm.

So why fear trouble! Our God is our Deliverer; our way out and place of escape.

Step out of a camp fire and we smell life fire.

Cross the Red Sea and the nations tremble as you arrive covered in mist droplets all over you.

Bow before the Lord and receive new life and his fragrance becomes your scent; 
people will see the transformation! 

We are the fragrance of Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:15)

Is there evidence that God has taken you via a road less traveled?  Take a good look.

Is there proof that he is making a way out for you? You might be traveling through it right now.

Be still and know that he is God!

Acknowledge Him and testify!  He is taking you to the other side!

God bless you!~Liz

BOW!

Mark 5:1-20

We were evicted after many years living comfortably. We had matured and were sure that we would
remain.

We saw him from a distance and had to rise and meet him. There was no hiding from his Presence. As he left the boat and his feet touch the ground, we traveled quickly, submission is all we had.

All the authority, power and strength we had exhibited was now challenged. Actually we had no strength at all and our road of ruin was halted.

He looked straight through me. He called to us. The ground that was firm began to shake.

Who could do this? 

 Our grip was diminishing. 

This is all we knew! 

Where else can we turn to?

We addressed him by Name, for this King required it even though he did not speak at first. His authority was evident to all. We left our hiding place exposed and left bare before Him.

Bowing down before the King, we begged him not to torture us. He seemed to be interested in our “home”, this flesh that we had commanded for some time.

He was not going to let this man that was “made in his image” depart unless he was free.

Dirty, wicked, fallen, ugly, ruthless, call us many things but don’t leave us without a place to dwell.

We offered to go into the herd of pigs as he asked for our identity. 

We answered him, “My name is Legion, for we are many”.

We trembled and knew that our time was done. 

The King’s eyes were fixed on his possession!

This man whose name we did not even know was now about to be liberated, set free.

He looked at him with such mercy as if he knew him and loved him. 

What this “flesh” was unable to do for years as we subdued him, this King Jesus did with just a few words. “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!” (Mark 5:8)

We were overthrown! Displaced! Now residing in the unclean; pigs that soon would fly off a cliff.

It is finished!

It's the Liberator, the King of kings and the one who sets men free.

There is no authority that can usurp the King’s power. There is no greater love that can consume us.

He challenges and confronts entities that have brought destruction and division between himself and those he made for his good pleasure; those stamped with his likeness!

The King is here! The Defender has come! Every authority must bow.

Run and fall prostrate on your face for you are exposed you lying devil!

The chains have fallen, the controlled are loosed!

My Maker has come to claim his own, “To proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners”.

I’ve heard it said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

I say, it’s over!

Jesus’ feet have touched the ground! He has visited his own and darkness trembles!

The Light it is shining and darkness exposed, revealed for what it really is! 

BOW!!

Death has threatened us. Sickness and disease has tried to weaken us. The spirit of confusion reigns with lies, speaking that we don’t possess God’s wisdom.

Death has been defeated! 

Confusion replaced with the mind of Christ. 

His beating on the cross brought us liberty from sin and healing from afflictions. 

He is familiar with our weakness and intercedes to the Father for us! 

The Holy Spirit lives in us and he is Mighty and Powerful! 

Mighty to bring down strongholds and address all wickedness!

BOW!!

The reality is that He is Here!

We walk in the Authority of our Father!

We are the children that he died for!

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

God bless you!~Liz

CLEAR!

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray." (Matthew 14:23)

CLEAR! The language used when you see someone go flat-line. The heart is in trouble!

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace” is how Matthew 11 (MSG) reads.

God is gentle. I’ve written about this before, but the subject is not exhausted. I’m still learning!

The heart is racing. Thoughts are challenging me. The day is filled with request and I just got up. Sound familiar?

How do I get away? How do I make my soul be still? How do I please God? Will he receive my cry for forgiveness? Will he be angry with me? 

Lord is that really you? How do I know your will for me? Is my unrest due to sin? Did I miss you when you spoke?

Show me Lord; show me your ways.

The valley is a place of reflection.  It can be a place of anguish. Looking for answers that allude us. I can go no further downward. My eyes must look up, look to the hills where my help comes from, but it seems so far away.

A people created in the image of God at times want to be their own god. 

Submission to a God who has established order, guidelines and a way to commune with him is tainted by our own fallen way of thinking. 

We are people whose very bloodline is infused with sin and we think that we know how to do this thing called “life”.

He made the day and he made the night. He made us for his good pleasure and we try to find our own.

There is a spiritual pace, a rhythm that he has established. We find that REST when we surrender our way.

My very flesh will fight the TRUTH and at time will choose differently.

We learn that if PEACE and STILLNESS is what we want, we must surrender.

This is a daily quest to find the LORD in the midst of all the noise.

CLEAR!

The Peace that God offers is often interrupted by the cares of this world. It causes my heart, literally to race. It invites stress, confusion, chaos and an unrest that is destructive.

My thoughts race for an answer as if I can come up with one all alone.

The Word of God sits calling to me but I find excuses not to engage.

CLEAR!

We know that we must get away with the Lord but we struggle to even find the time.

CLEAR!

Sit with me and worship; change your environment, your focus.

CLEAR!

My heart yearns for HIM.

REST is not a perpetual state of being.  It gets interrupted often.
We must fight for our REST just like Jesus did.

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” (Matthew 14:23)

My understanding is that a defibrillator “resets” the heart to its natural rhythm.

Lord reset my heart both physically and spiritually to the unforced rhythm of your GRACE!  

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30) MSG

God bless you!~Liz

Looking for Rest?

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 
(Psalm 62:5 )

The great grandson of Solomon, Asa became King in Judah.  A man zealous for the Lord; he command the people to seek the Lord and he himself searched out the heart of God.

“He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his laws and commands.  He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him.” (2 Chronicles 14:4-5)

Asa desired to please God.

When trouble came he did not resort to his own strength but, “Asa called to the LORD his God and said, “LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. LORD, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.” (v. 11)

When he was discouraged the Lord himself lifted his countenance by sending Azariah the son of Obed the prophet. “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. “ (2 Chronicles 15:2)

“Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (v7)

“They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.” (v15)

What a great testimony about Asa, King of Judah. 
This could very well be me or you.  

Zealous and wanting to please God, we rise up early and seek his face.  
We close our day with a song in our hearts.  
We serve, we help, we grow, we share and our lives are a picture of ‘walking with God.”

Let’s heed the warning from Chronicles 16.

In the last years of Asa’s life, when trouble visited him from surrounding enemies, Asa did not call on the Name of the Lord.  

What happened Asa; did complacency visit you?  
Why put your trust in silver and gold?  Is the arm of your neighbor Ben-Had stronger than God? 

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9a)

When Fear visits it clouds the memory and challenges the testimony of God in our lives.
When confronted by Hanani the seer, Asa became angry.

Here is where things get dangerous. 

Correction from the Lord is rejected.  Council is dismissed and Pride takes the lead and offers a life of withdrawal from God’s presence and favor.  

In this case, I believe Asa’s heart embraced bitterness.  
The Scriptures read, “ In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians.“ (v12)

Why not call on the Name of the Lord?  Are you still angry, Asa?

"Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires" (James 1:20b)

Sometimes life’s road take a twist.  There are times the change comes not because of our sin.  Yet often it is our pride that causes us to stumble, to fall, to crash hard!  
We must quickly heed the warning of the Lord.

Sometimes the warning comes through a casual conversation.  God can send a child, a friend to share a word that pricks our hearts giving us the opportunity to re-calibrate and get correct.  He challenges our thinking and convicts our soul.   

Lord, may our hearts never grow callous.  May we be eager to please you and welcome correction. May your council never depart from us.  Help us to embrace the rest we need and you offer when our hearts are surrendered to you. 

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:5)

God bless you!~Liz