Meditate on These THings

“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

Help me, Lord, today with its distractions and worries to keep my eyes on You. In You are all things true and noble. You are just and You are pure. You are lovely, true beauty belongs to You. You are all together good and virtuous. You are worthy of all praise, all glory and all honor! I meditate on Your Word and i am filled with joy ! Your Word sustains me and fills me with peace in a troubled world. In a dry and weary land You give me Living Water for my thirst and the Bread of Life that i might live. Your grace is sufficient! You are all i need and i look to You in expectation, Heavenly Father.

Praise the God of Opportunity

Tonight i had the honor of meeting two brave ladies who will be doing the step study with me starting next week. I would have missed this wonderful opportunity had i let the enemy convince me that it was not worth the trouble to get out in the rain and cold with four children to go into town for a couple of hours. Oh, he tried every trick in the book-i have come to expect this of him. He reminded me my failures today and told me how unworthy i was to be around people who desire change and did not need me to waste their time. After listening to the accusations and lies(why do i listen?) it finally ocurred to me that he was trying awful hard to prevent me from going so it must be very important that i do go. It was with prayer and supplication that i headed out the door and it is with thanksgiving and praise that i share this experience now.
What a shame it would have been to have missed out. What a blessing to have gone and met these wonderful women! Now i have two more names to mention in my prayers tonight and faces to match. Thank You, Father, for every time i have needed encouragement and affirmation You have provided.
Yes Lord, You ARE in control!

Write From the Heart

Watching the fog roll in tonight with the children made me think of the mental fog that has been clouding my view for much too long. For months now i have been overwhelmed by events that have taken place in my life, busy with demands on my time(most of these demands are self-imposed, by the way) and confused by all my crazy conflicting emotions. It is no coincidence that i have not journaled consistently in months. Journaling is a very important part of my life. It is my prayer time. When i try to get down on my knees and speak my prayers i am so easily distracted and soon give up but when i get by myself for awhile and start writing my prayers, the words flow and it is not a monologue. As i write i am also listening. I truly feel God's presence as i journal. Many times i will fill several pages before i am done. Regardless of how i feel when i start to write i always feel at peace by the time i am done. It reminds me so much of the Psalms. I have always appreciated how the psalmist may have started out frustrated,depressed or angry but by the end of the Psalm he is singing God's praises. How beautiful! And how much like my own life i want that to be. To know that whatever i am facing in life i can take it to my Heavenly Father and He will hear me,love me and fill me with His peace. The situation may not go away and i may not have any answers but the One who does know gives me just what i need to stand firm. Back to the fog, after thinking these things over in my head, i dug up my journal and pen,closed myself inside my bedroom and started writing. It was kind of slow at first but i just poured my heart out to God and told Him of my anxieties and how i felt lonely,like giving up. With that out of my head and down on paper, God lifted the fog that has hindered me for so long. Hallejuah! Three pages later, as i finished writing, i made a promise to God not to let myself become so lost in thought that i feel i am drowning before i write again. Since writing is prayer for me i commit to do it everyday and more than just once a day. However He leads me i will write.

Rock Music

As i neared the end of my evening walk a couple of nights ago, i turned off the music i had been listening to and tucked the earplugs into my pocket. It seemed like a good idea to walk the last few minutes in silence. The quiet was very nice and the breeze was so inviting, it made me wonder why i didn't do this sooner and try it more often. All of this was going through my mind while i strolled along. Then...i heard it. At first i thought it might be from someone passing by or a neighbor down the street. I stopped in my tracks and looked around...nothing. With a shrug of my shoulders, i started again...and so did the music. I pulled my earphones back out to make sure i wasn't hearing my own radio. It was still off but the music was getting louder! Determined to solve this mystery once and for all, i decided to follow the sounds. My search led me right to the front of the house where some gravel had accumulated by the front steps. Now i really couldn't believe my ears, the rocks were singing! I don't know how long i just stood there in amazement and disbelief. The music was beautiful and the voices were strong as they sang praises to God. Some sang of the strength of the Lord, some sang of His works and others sang of His greatness. All the voices combined to make a most joyful noise. I wanted to hear more but the rocks heard me and though they had no eyes i could see they were aware of my presence. Finally, the bigger rock spoke, "Why are you hanging around here?". "Please forgive me, i didn't mean to interrupt, but the music you make is beautiful. May i hear more?", was my reply. "Well, we rocks do love to sing and we appreciate your compliment, but we are only doing what you should be doing yourself." I knew what the rock meant without him having to explain but he continued anyway. "Don't you realize how blessed you are to belong to the Creator, who makes all things beautiful?". Guilt washed over me. I knew he was right. I am blessed. "Do you know how much He loves you and all that He has given to show His love for you?". Yes, i am loved. More than i could ever even know, that is how much He loves me. "The same God who blesses you and loves you is also awesome and mighty!". I could not believe i was being preached to...by a rock! But he was no dumb rock and i felt ashamed because i knew he was right. Before i could even respond, he said to me, "We rocks would now like to hear you sing!". At first, my voice was shaky and my words uncertain but as i continued, my voice grew stronger and louder. The words started to flow. Then...i started to dance! It was starting to get dark by this point but i didn't want to stop. The rocks seemed to be enjoying my joyful noise too. They didn't mind a bit that i sang off key. More importantly, i knew my Father was blessed as well. When i finally came in that night i was still singing. As i write this now i smile, thinking of this experience i have shared with you. Now tell me friend, would you join me in making some "rock music" for our God and King?
"I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." Luke 19:40