"Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." 1 Kings 19:11-12
A time in which no one wants to come face to face.
A time people wander in darkness...
shallowness
emptiness.
Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
These are the beginning of birth pains.
“You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Mark 13:5-13
What are we going to do about it?
"I trembled inside when I heard this;
my lips quivered with fear.
My legs gave way beneath me,
and I shook in terror...
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights." Habakkuk 3:16, 18-19
My eyes have scanned over many Bible studies and the ink of my pen has marked, circled and written various and numerous answers. But have I truly grasped the depth and richness of
(All Scripture is from the New American Standard Version)
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."
2 Peter 1:20-21
"For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you receive the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe."
1 Thessalonians 2:13
"If the Bible is what it says it is - and comes straight from the mouth of God - how important is it that you pay close attention to it? Have you? Have you honored it as it should be honored? Or have you preferred the writings - the books of men and women - above God's Word?"
(Kay Arthur)
May we never replace the holy Word of God with anything!
No blog, no book, no magazine, will ever change us like the
Word of God!
No calendar, no schedule, no job could ever be as important as the
Word of God!
No person, no place, no thing will ever penetrate our hearts as the
After piling in the car on a hot, Saturday afternoon, determined to have a fun and free afternoon, our family headed to the state park. Anticipating the fresh, soothing smell of salt water combined with the attempt of skipping a few rocks over the beautiful Puget Sound water, smiles decorated each face.
A curve here and a curve there, through the tall evergreens of the northwest (which always tempts me to bellow out, "Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we'd go...") we traveled to our destination.
The excitement grew thick in our car the closer and closer we got...finally arriving only to find a blow to our plans. To park a car, a $10 pass must be attained. So much for our free entertainment.
Strike one.
An exit followed by whines and whimpers led us to a ride through the countryside. (Once again, the bellowing temptation surfaced yet I still overcame it...my children would thank me, if they only knew!) Plan B: enjoy the sights and sounds of the local Farmer's Market. After pulling out our family's best friend, Gracie (our GPS), she led us out of the country and back to the city. Upon arriving and parking, we soon found out we arrived 15 minutes late...all the cinnamon rolls and flowers, soaps and fine meats, herbs and crafts were being packed away as we walked up to the market.
Strike two.
No worries, another great idea surfaced! "Let's go see the boats!" Just walking distance away, sailboats of every kind docked for the evening. This particular dock has become a family favorite. Yet, once again, our plans squashed right before our very eyes. The unanticipated, frustrating sign loomed ahead of us, "Closed for private party."
Strike three.
So we headed home.
Disheveled. Disappointed. Down right frustrated. Back home without a single plan coming into reality. A "Woe is me!" attitude thickened the atmosphere. The protests began, "But we didn't get to do anything!"..."I don't wanna go home!"..."I wanted to see the water!"
How many times we get knocked over in our days because our plans just don't work out the way we had hoped. I find that usually the small things do the most damage in my heart. But God has a gentle way of reminding of the simples things...
A family made of three absolutely precious children and the most loving husband ever!
A home, as dated as it is, to keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summers.
The opportunity to see my children learn and grow daily, right before my very eyes.
Living in a state drenched in beauty all around.
Early Thursday morning, as the sun was rising in the east, the morning sky's hue displayed baby blue with soft fluffy clouds like the cotton my children use for their sheep crafts. An ideal morning to bring in the start of a new day.
Sitting in my cozy "Tent of Meeting", listening to the Word of God speak, a simple surprise gifted the moment.
A rain shower.
Blue sky and all, the rain watered the dry, end of the summer ground bringing refreshment to the grass and flowers. It was as though the Lord sent the rain for my house only...a gift from above. And then the Lord reminded me...
"Let my teaching fall on you like rain;
let my speech settle like dew.
Let my words fall like rain on tender grass,
like gentle showers on young plants."
Deuteronomy 32:2
Do you have a favorite moment from this past week? Please share!!
"I simply argue that the cross he raised again at the center of the market place as well as on the steeple of the church,
I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles;
But on a cross between two thieves; on a town garbage heap; At a crossroad of politics so cosmopolitan that they had to write His title in Hebrew and in Latin and in Greek...
And at the kind of place where cynics talk smut; and thieves curse and soldiers gamble.
Because that is where He died, and that is what he died about. And that is where Christ's men ought to be, and what church people ought to be about."
will soon be distant yet precious moments in pasttimes.
Soak them in...
Stop to enjoy...
Remember...for they won't always be this way.
Someday they won't thrive on coloring shapes...bigger and better hobbies will replace washable markers and crayons.
Taking baths will be for little girls...time for make up and curlers and fashion.
Puppy towels will no longer be fun and exciting...just your basic white towel will do.
The mini soccer goal won't hold them any longer...nor will the desire to rest inside one.
Things that seem hard today...like studying and moving away and youngsters running all around the house...will become precious and sweet and a time to reflect on as a time of growing.
"Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
