I must admit, surrender is not an easy thing for me. In fact, when I read verses like Isaiah 64.8 ‘Yet, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our Potter, and we all are the work of Your hand’ and Jeremiah 18.6 ‘O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? says the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand,’ I would cringe deep inside.

My mental images tended toward torture and crushing me to smithereens. Smithereens is a funny word – ‘broken into small bits or pieces.’ It all had to do with my concept of God. I did not see Him working on my heart to my benefit and I never saw Him as liking who I was and ‘changing’ me meant I was defective – the way I was afraid I was. All this twisted thinking did a real number on my ability to surrender to the Living God and truly trust Him and love Him. I would think ‘do anything but hurt me please.’

Well, it has been many years of patience on the part of the Living God to help me to surrender and help me to trust. In fact, one author helped me see that God really does like the ‘me’ He created and wants me to be that ‘me.’ Surrender means that more I abandon the clamor of self-will, the more I become that ‘me’ He created as I surrender to Him.

One of my favorite parts o the Bible is Deuteronomy 15.12- 17. While I do not understand all the customs of other cultures or long ago, sometimes it seemed safer and wiser to be under someone’s umbrella of protection, but it meant being a ‘servant.’ Deuteronomy talks about what to do with those who have been in this position.

 ‘If any of your people … sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free. And when you release them, do not send them away empty-handed. Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to them as the Lord your God has blessed you. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.’ It touches my heart how God commands for generosity and supply to those less fortunate. 

But, the next part is especially touching – ‘But if your servant says to you, “I do not want to leave you,” because he loves you and your family and is well off with you, then take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life.’ 

I have come to the place in life, by the grace of God, that I do not want to leave Him, I love Him and I want Him to

Pierce my ear, O Lord my God
Lead me to Your door this day
I will serve no other gods
Lord, I’m here to stay
For You have paid the price for me
With Your blood, You ransomed me
I will serve you eternally
A free man I’ll never be.

I will be a willing bond servant to Jesus forever.

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I was an ambulance driver in Cleveland, Ohio for three years when I was a young woman. I learned that one really needs to keep a serious outlook on many things, but a sense of humor really helps as well.

On occasion, the dispatching team shared stories about the incoming phone calls they received from the public. I realize their job can be very stressful at times, but I am certain all the 911 call receivers agree that not taking everything too seriously helps them do their jobs well.

Recently, my sister and I  were talking. She works with the elderly in a nursing home and told me one of the resident’s family called 911 because they could not find their parent’s dentures. I was a little disgusted and said, “You can’t call 911 for lost items.” My sister proceeded to give me an education in Georgia 911 calls. She said, “We have residents call 911 all the time. They call and say they need a bedpan…” That’s when I began to laugh hysterically. I immediately heard the 911 operator say, “911- what’s your emergency?’ to receive “I need the bedpan” at the other end. Even though it is pretty sad when the elderly may not be able to get staff to respond to them and they resort to calling for help – any help – even 911, wouldn’t you just love to be the 911 operator for that call?  We must have laughed for 20 minutes thinking of this. She said she felt all the cell phones should be taken from the residents. We laughed more.

My sister said the 911 dispatchers call the home to inform them of the call and ask if the staff will handle the call. Problem solved, no charges filed. No harm done.

I remember how I chuckled when I first read Psalm 44.23-36. The children of Israel were in distress and it seems like the 911 verse of the Bible – ‘Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Arouse Yourself, cast us not off forever! Why do You hide Your face and forget our affliction and our oppression? For our lives are bowed down to the dust; our bodies cleave to the ground. Rise up! Come to our help, and deliver us for Your mercy’s sake and because of Your steadfast love!’

They sound pretty desperate. I know I have and have made 911 calls to God on more than one occasion. He is a very present help in time of need. He will respond. (Psalm 46.1) Even though I think He has forgotten, decided not to, out helping someone else, very slow, and more, He is on the job and will help.

Psalm 121 encourages me. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from where comes my help. My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.’

We have His Word on it. He will help. He does not sleep or slumber. He is always working and always talking.

We can call on Him anytime and in any emergency!

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I don’t know about everyone else, but I have had a very challenging 2019. There were mixed feelings last night about being relieved the year was over and being happy for all that happened. Between work and family and new business ventures and more! it has been one busy year.

2019 had some great moments, but also moments of loss. I am sure all my FB friends have experienced similar things. I lost a very dear friend this year. I know she is with the Savior and looks down on me and smiles, but I sure do miss her. Also made some great new memories, new friends, and new opportunities have come my way.

There were many times I thought I was in way over my head and did not handle every situation well. I shared struggles with close friends and we prayed. One night, while sharing some concerns, the Lord spoke to my heart and the words, ‘I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4.13) poured from my lips.

It was amazing the impact these words had on my heart and my circumstances. I have read that verse for over forty years and now, in my time of need, it is here to comfort and encourage me. I have quoted it every time I thought things were getting too difficult to handle. They broke any spirits of defeat or discouragement inside and truly God gave me strength to mange every situation.

The Bible is filled with encouragement for all our needs and challenges. Romans 8.37 tells us ‘Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.’ MORE than a conqueror. 1 Corinthians 15.57 also assures us ‘..thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Victory over loss, heartache, oppression, lack, anything.

We now have another New Year to celebrate and I know I need to look to the Lord for His strength each day. Whatever I face, I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.

I love the words to Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “His Strength Is Perfect”

Happy New Year everyone!

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I always have at least one person on my list that I never know what present to buy them for Christmas. This person seems to have everything they need and I joke about just getting them ‘more of everything they already have.’ But, the challenge continues each year.

I am blessed and have been given much by God. I do not give Him Christmas gifts, but if I did, I feel stumped. I ask myself, ‘What can I give God?’ Many wonder why I would ask that because usually He is the Giver of all good things. (James 1.17). And, the Word tells us that ‘the Earth is the Lord’s and everything that’s in it’ (Psalm 24.1) and that ‘He owns all the cattle on a thousand hills.’ (Psalm 50.10)

So, God really is the One Being that has everything. He does not need anything. To be honest, I never think I have anything that could be good enough to give to God. I have flaws and failures and broken dreams and futile attempts at walking the line most days. What could I possibly give to the God of the Universe that would matter?

But, that being said, there is something He really wants us to give Him. When I was a young girl being pursued by the Living God, I heard Him speak to my heart one night. He said, “Give me your heart.” I was frightened because I did not know Who He was or What He was and did not realize I could trust Him and I did not realize how much He loved me and wanted great things for me.

It took me about one year of being pursued by God to want to give Him my heart as He asks us to do in Proverbs 23.26. I feel this it the ultimate gift that gives the Father pleasure – to have us be His children – to have His sheep know His voice, follow Him, and trust Him with their hearts and lives and everything every day. He treasures the gift of our hearts. It’s not what He needs, it’s what He wants. 

I recently learned that the composer (Hugh Martin) of ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ also had these words to that tune —

Have yourself a blessed little Christmas
Christ the King is born
Let your voices ring upon this happy morn

Have yourself a blessed little Christmas
Serenade the Earth
Tell the world we celebrate the Savior’s birth

Let us all proclaim the joyous tidings
Voices raised on high
Send this carol soaring up into the sky,
This very merry blessed Christmas lullaby.

Let us gather to sing to Him
And to bring to Him our praise
Son of God and a Friend of all
To the end of all our days

Sings hosannas, hymns, and hallelujahs
As to Him we bow
Make the music mighty as the heav’ns allow
And have yourself a blessed little Christmas now.

He is a great God! Have yourselves a Blessed and Merry Little Christmas everyone!

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Dad I like to watch world news with David Muir each evening. I have never been a news buff because all the news seems like ‘bad’ news and never ‘good’ news, but David Muir always has something sweet at the end of his news.

During Halloween, he had a story about a little boy trick-or-treating. The young boy came to a home with a pumpkin basket on the porch; but there was no more candy in the pumpkin. The little boy informed his mom of the situation. It seemed he had a problem. At first, I wondered what he would do. Then, to my surprise – to fix it, he proceeded to take candy from his bag and put it into the empty pumpkin basket on the porch. Problem solved – the pumpkin basket was no longer empty. The sweetest thing is that he did not know anyone was watching, but this was all captured on the home security camera and that is how all of us in news land were able to see the kindness, sweetness, and innocence of this young man. I was touched once again that good things do happen every day.

I am called to be like a child. Even though Halloween is passed, the Advent is here. The time of year that the year is ending and I am celebrating the birth of the Savior. It is a time when I can turn my heart to how I can fill up someone’s basket that is empty. God promises that it is impossible to out-give Him.

I am first reminded in James 1.17 that, “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights..” Our Heavenly Father gives great gifts.

My motive, however, should be pure – just for the sake of sharing with others less fortunate, however, God’s Word promises – “Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6.38) I believe His promise of ‘pressed down, shaken together, and running over’ is to me and the ones I love and bless.

Genesis 9.3 lets me know that “(God) give(s) … everything.” And Proverbs 28.27 tells me, “He who gives to the poor will not want.” God’s Word is clear – He is a giver and I, as His child am be be a giver too – with the spirit that shows how grateful I am that God has given to me.

Luke 12.32 warms my heart with the words, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” The Kingdom is Him and His salvation, goodness, faithfulness, provision, answers to prayer, and everything I have here and in my heart.

God Bless you this Season. I hope you find someone to bless.

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I am always amazed at how one small seed, planted in the ground, can cause a plant to grow and produce so much. From apples on an apple tree to corn on the stalk, it all begins with little seeds.

Genesis 1.29 tells us how God gave us seeds as a gift  – “and God said, See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the land and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.” Our Provider is incredible beyond words.

The cycle of life is wonderful to me. The fruit and vegetables we enjoy are not only grown in abundance, they carry with them more seeds for planting and harvesting even more fruit and vegetables. God’s supply is generous and ‘superabundantly above all that we could ask or think.’ (Ephesians 3.20)

God tells us about seeds:

“…Isaac sowed seed in that land and received in the same year a hundred times as much as he had planted, and the Lord favored him with blessings. (Genesis 26.12) God multiples our fruits and vegetables and He multiples His spiritual blessings to us as well.

God tells us not to judge a seed by its size:

“Of all the seeds (the mustard seed) is the smallest, but when it has grown it is the largest of the garden herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and find shelter in its branches, but look what it brings!” (Matthew 13.32)

And He also mentions the mustard seed in comparison to how much faith it takes for us to pray and believe and receive, “He said to them, … if you have faith … like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” (Matthew 17.20) Doesn’t seem like it takes faith much to make great things happen.

Jesus spoke of the Word being like seeds in our hearts:

“But as for that [seed] in the good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just (noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8.15) God wants His Word to take root and grow and flourish in our hearts.

God wants us to use seed to win others for the Kingdom:

“…he who goes forth bearing seed and weeping … shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalms 126.6) This is a very old-time way of speaking of winning souls for Christ.

Everyone plays a part:

” I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was making it grow and [He] gave the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3.6). Our efforts are never ‘fruitless’ because God is the Force behind all our efforts and He never loses and nothing is ever wasted.

It is true, seeds are small. Sometimes we see our gifts as small, but God takes those gifts and causes them to grow. What we need to do is sow our seeds. Our seeds of kindness, a smile, a word of encouragement, a meal, a token of appreciation, supporting a good cause, listening to ones who need us to listen, sitting by the beds of our friends and family when life is changing from earth to heaven, and more. Every day, we have seeds to sow and give to others. We may not always see the reward here or visibly see how we touched someone’s life, but we have God’s word on the matter, that what we do, He will make matter. Some of us plant, some of us water, but it is God that gives the blessing and increase! We can sow a lot of seeds this Advent Season.

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I love Thanksgiving. It is not only a time for special thanks and turkey and family, it means Christmas is very near again. YEAH!  I titled this ‘Always Thanksgiving’ because, while we have one  day we call Thanksgiving, the truth is that every day is a time for giving thanks.

I think being thankful is another way I give praise to God and acknowledge Him as great and as my Lord and show Him I believe He is good and providing for me at all times, even if it is not exactly what I had in mind.

There have been times it was difficult to be thankful. I have been jobless, homeless, foodless, hopeless, on the verge of losing everything, and wondered why and how these things happened in my lifetime. Recovery is great, but when going through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23.4), thanks is not the first impulse in my heart.

God’s Word tell me to “Thank God in everything – no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks, for this is the will of God for you who are in Christ Jesus – the Revealer and Mediator of that will. (1 Thessalonians 5.18) and that  “…all things work together for good to them that love God…” (Romans 8.28) So, if I really take God at His Word, then He knows everything and will make even the things I think are really bad turn out for good. It has taken some time to work these truths into my life.

One of my favorite movies is Pollyanna. In the movie, she is a 12-year-old orphaned daughter of missionaries who came to live with her rich and strict aunt. Pollyanna is a very cheerful, talkative and radically optimistic  youngster who focuses on the goodness of life and always finds something to be glad about, no matter the situation. She plays the ‘glad game.’ The game is where – no matter what is happening – you find one thing to be glad about. Once she had a broken leg. When she played the glad game, she was glad to have crutches.

I think I should have no difficulty finding more than one thing to be thankful for each day and in each circumstance. I have Jesus as my Savior, family, all my facebook friends, I live in a free country, I can pray, I have a Bible, I have a home now, and many more blessing each and every day. Now I have enough to share with others too. I want to always find something to be thankful for and meditate on that each day to help me walk through all the good and bad times of life. I am thankful for everything. I pray you are too.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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I love pastry. One of my favorite things is creme-filled donuts. The more cream the better. “Fill them up,” I say. While donuts are not great for my weight watcher’s diet, I love chocolate or vanilla creme just the same.

The Bible talks about being filled – not with vanilla or chocolate creme though. It’s my spirit that needs filled. I know my spiritual tank feels like it is running on empty so much of the time. God knows when I am a little less patient, a little less kind, a little less thoughtful, a little less generous, etc. I think those times are because I am a little less ‘filled.’ My tank is on empty and I need a refill. Sooooo, I know I need to spend time in the Word and in prayer and fellowship with God.

One of my many favorite sections of the Bible is the wonderful prayer for all of us in Ephesians 3.16-19

“May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. 

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,

That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!”

Filled with God Himself! What a wonderful privilege to know that God does not just want to give me a little of Himself, but wants me to be filled with Him and to really know His love. When I am filled with God, my tank is full and I am able to be more of what He wants me to be and give from a full tank – so to speak.

There is no end to God’s supply – He tells me “the Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24.1) and that He “owns the cattle on a thousand hills.” (Psalm 50.10)

God wants to fill us with His provision as well as His love, His mercy, His goodness, His patience, His kindness, His Presence and everything about Himself. He wants us to know personally what He is all about and His great love.

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There are many ways to think about trees. Some feel trees are spectacular parts of nature, but others consider them a nuisance because they either want to make room for other things or they fall down on precious property with weather or aging conditions.  Others look at trees as providers of shade on warm days or as very fun to climb or hang a swing from or put a tree house in for play. Some use trees for art and change the direction of the growth to provide unusual and artistic forms to the trees. I have seen this in Key West as well as many Asian countries.

In addition, some feel trees are home to many birds and small critters like squirrels and, my personal favorite, at the Cologne Zoo in Germany, fun for the elephants starts after the holidays because they are fed all the unsold Christmas trees – soooo, the elephants see the tree as a delicious snack!

Where am I going with this? Well, I think life is a matter of perspective – not only about trees, but I also relate this to my difficulties. Most of the time, I see my trials as the worst thing that could ever happen to me and wish difficulties never happened. If I change my perspective just a tad – a major over hall for me –  perhaps I can see them differently. I have decided that I need to turn every worry, job loss, brothers and sisters struggling, car keys being locked in the truck, loss of health or a loved one, and all the other little things on my ‘what can go wrong today’ list  into an opportunity to see the greatness of God. I want to see for myself His faithfulness, kindness, love and care, and attention to every little detail in my life.

I admit that I have never been fond of James 1.2-4 – “Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.  But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.”

God’s Word goes on to promise, “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God … and it will be given…” I sure do need wisdom, so I ask the Father for wisdom about how to view the daily struggles and how to see Him in everything.

Prov 24.20 tells me “(my) steps are ordered by the Lord.” He is in control of the Universe, but He is also in control of every step I take. Even if I think I have taken a bad one, He makes my “crooked paths straight.” (Isaiah 42.16)

I also have the assurance that “God has said, ‘I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not!'”  (Hebrews 13.5) Amen.

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I love pandas. They are really cute. This one looks to me like he is praying, so I included him here today. He reminds me of what I need to be doing more and more of.

I feel like I am not alone in forgetting to pray. When I have a problem or feel I am lacking in something, I do everything except pray. The other day I was driving to work on a road we should have been able to go at least 60 mph on and, instead, I was forced to drive down the road at 45-50 mph for over 20 miles. Now, I realize I am in need of patience, however, I informed God that I did not want any lessons on the road this day. Needless to say, I received the memo from heaven that told me, “It’s either His way, or it’s His way.” I tried to say, ‘No thank you’ to the lesson today, but, needless to say again, that did not work.

So, I decided God wanted to slow me down and He wanted me to pray. I did. I spent the extra time on the road going through my list of personal prayers and prayers for family and friends that are so dear to me. I was also able to enjoy a radio teaching about prayer as well and was reminded how Apostle Paul never ceased praying.

“For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] …”(Colossians 1.9)

I was challenged to wonder if there is there anything in my life I value enough to never cease praying for. I am convicted of my lack of persistence in prayer for loved ones who – years later – still struggle. I know God has not given up on them and I need to remind myself to not give up on them or answers to my own prayers that have gone unanswered for many years.

I read one man’s devotion that said, “The devil is not troubled when … writes books or prepares sermons, but his knobby knees tremble when … prays. The devil does not stutter or stumble when you walk through church doors or attend committee meetings…..But the walls of hell shake when one person with an honest heart and faithful confession prays and also says, “Oh, God, how great Thou art.””

The devil keeps us from prayer. He tries to come between us and God and fill our hearts and minds with doubts and business that hinders us. But he scampers like a spooked dog when we pray. So let’s do.

Let’s pray, first. Traveling to help the hungry? Be sure to bathe your mission in prayer. Working to disentangle the knots of injustice? Pray. Weary with a world of racism and division? So is God. And He would love to talk to you about it.

Let’s pray, most. Did God call us to preach without ceasing? Or teach without ceasing? Or have committee meetings without ceasing? Or sing without ceasing? No, but He did call us to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5.17)

Let’s pray.

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