In Awe

There are times that I turn over in bed or look out the window or look at pictures of creation or look at pictures of smiles, and I am reminded of our loving God. I have a hard enough time taking a picture of beautiful birds and He created them! How did He do that?

For three weeks I was blessed with visiting Renton/Kent, WA, Centralia/Salkum, WA, and Salem, OR.  Many good friends visited and it was a great time with family:  games, laughter, and fantastic discussions. A few of the discussions were about the Lord, the Creator, God. Wow! It was so exciting and I was so in awe of how our Father was working. He does answer our prayers whether it be for others, doors opening, or ourselves...and it doesn't get old. Joy comes every time I see Him at work in others. 

One of the times of joy was when Tim and Rachel drove me to the airport to fly home. We tried to say Bible verses that we knew. It was so exciting to see that they had many verses memorized! The Lord allowed me to see that they do have a Biblical connection. He is definitely preparing me to rest and be at peace. My adult kids will be fine no matter what His timing will be.  I am in awe of His personal relationship with each of us.

       God’s way is perfect.

            All the Lord’s promises prove true.

            He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

       For who is God except the Lord?

            Who but our God is a solid rock?

                                                                                                      

                                                                       Psalm 18:30 - 31  NLT

HIS Promises

My "birthday buddy" and her sister have been told to get her "end of life respite care". (She is my children's aunt.) Thankfully, her daughter and grand kids lives near her, siblings and nieces are on their way to visit, and she is surrounded with love and prayers. This lovely, single mother has been a hard worker her whole life and, as cold as this sounds, she will be at peace. My prayer is that she is comfortable and that they can relive beautiful, loving, and fun memories.

My beautiful - inside and out - niece, Jamie, shared this passage with me at dinner last night, Isaiah 45:2 - 3 NLT                            

This is what the LORD says:  

“I will go before you, Cyrus,

and level the mountains.

I will smash down gates of bronze

and cut through bars of iron.

And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness — secret riches.

I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD,

the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.

Can't you hear the Lord saying this?  It is full of hope and promise. It is full of love and compassion.  It is full of wisdom and knowledge. In these two verses, Isaiah was talking to captives in Babylon, but I think that God was also talking to us - to me - to my birthday buddy. Many times in Scripture, we are told that God goes before us; He makes the path level; He removes barriers; He blesses us.

Our Sovereign Lord does this for us in life and in death. We mourn because of the pending separation. We mourn because of the unexpected events surrounding death. We mourn because of the unknown.  We mourn. As Christians, we have hope: the hope of our salvation, the hope of His Presence at all moments, the hope of Heaven.

I will go before you.

Joy of the Lord is Strength?

And Nehemiah continued,

“Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks,

and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared.

This is a sacred day before our Lord.

Don’t be dejected and sad,

for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”

Nehemiah 8:10  NLT

This is a verse that many of us have memorized but does it help? When we are discouraged, how does the joy of the Lord strengthen us? How does it strengthen cancer patients, those going through a separation, those grieving a loss?  It sounds great but what does the "joy of the Lord" look like?

Some of us would say that the joy comes from our salvation, God's love, His provisions, His protection, His wisdom.  When we think of those, there is joy. If aware of our limitations and temporary life on earth, His salvation can bring peace which leads to joy. When lonely or rejected, His loving arms can bring acceptance and warmth which leads to joy. When our path curves and we can't see what is ahead, His wisdom can bring comfort which leads to joy.

How does joy lead to strength? According to Cancer Centers of America, "Addressing your psychological well-being can help you feel more relaxed and in control, cope better during treatment, overcome anxiety and depression, and enjoy life." So, for today, we will think of joy as an emotion that leads to relaxation and one that can help overcome anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression do rob us of energy. If we keep our anxiety and depression under control, then we can gain strength. One of my favorite passages is Philippians 4, especially verse 8:

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.

Fix your thoughts on

what is true,

and honorable,

and right,

and pure,

and lovely,

and admirable.

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Our thoughts can be controlled, self-disciplined.

Joy can strengthen us when it limits depression and anxiety. For me, I focus on God's sense of humor. One example is when I have my camera, usually there aren't any hummingbirds in our yard. When I go inside, several hummingbirds will be flying near the trees. "Funny, Lord!" It is my way of remembering that He is present and likes to make me laugh. It does give me strength.

Where do you see our loving Father's sense of humor? In creation? In communication with others? In your situation? "Think on these."