Friday, April 21, 2006

Psalm 23 with a Twist

The following is an email forward I thought goes well with our theme of Bible Study:

Psalm 23

With A Twist!

The Lord is my Shepherd
That's Relationship!

I shall not want
That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters
That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul
That's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
That's Guidance!

For His name's sake
That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death
That's Testing!

I will fear no evil
That's Protection!

For Thou art with me
That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me
That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies
That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil
That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over
That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life
That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
That's Security!

Forever
That's Eternity!

Recapping:

{ {
{ Psalm-23 {
{ Relationship! {
{ Supply! { Rest! {
{ Refreshment! { Healing! {
{ Guidance! { Purpose! { Testing! {
{ Protection! { Faithfulness! { Discipline! {
{ Hope! { Consecration! { Abundance! { Blessing! {
Security!
Eternity!

FROM THE LORD
A TREE OF LIFE
TO ALL WHO
BELIEVE

IN HIM

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Acknowledging God in our Plans

Come now, those saying, Today or tomorrow we will go into this city, and we will spend one year there, and we will trade and will make a profit, who do not know of the morrow. For what is your life? For it is a mist, which for a little while appears, and then disappears. Instead of you saying, If the Lord wills, even we will live, and we will do this or that; but now you boast in your presumptions. All such boasting is evil. (James 4:13-16, LITV)

"If the good Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise." That's a favorite saying of my dad when making plans. I suppose we'd all do well to add such a saying to our vocabularies. For, as the above Scripture indicates, it's vain to presume we have total control over what we will do.

Truly, it does us good to remember the One who can make things happen, and our acknowledgement of God to others reminds them of our faith.

When was the last time your plans didn't go the way you expected them to? What was your reaction? If you've read the latest BibleStoreBrowser.com blog about the plans of men and plans of God, consider how God may have been working behind the scenes in your change of plans.


(Interesting note: The origin of the saying above appears to be a reference to the Creek Nation of American Indians who would sometimes attack travellers on the road, but its meaning today is usually understood to be in reference to a creek.)

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Rejoicing in Adversity

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:2-6, Common Edition, New Testament, 1865)

Did you ever just know God was working on something in you? You see trials in your life that follow a theme and God keeps leading you to resources addressing change in that area. That's call for rejoicing! God's making you a better person so He can be glorified!

Are you ready to commit yourself to work through trials instead of pretending they're not there? Pray that God will alert you to sin in your life, no matter how small or seemingly trivial, and then be on the lookout for His work! Don't forget to ask in faith for wisdom!

For more on adversity, see the latest blog at BibleStoreBrowser.com.

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Your Support is Needed!

I need your support.

No, not your money. Your prayers!

A little while back, you may recall the blog about prayer being the ministry. I pray nearly every day (if not every day) for things concerning the effectiveness of my blog entries, both here and at BibleStoreBrowser.com. My number one priority is that I keep a Kingdom focus.

Would you take a moment to pray right now? Here is an example of one of my prayers:

I pray that BSB will reach the right people at the right time with the right content. Speak through me and sustain the message within them so that change will be brought about in them and in me.

You might even add this prayer to your regular list. You never know; you may be praying for yourself!

Thank you for your support!

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Your Happy Place

In one of my husband and my favorite tv series, the archaeologist arrives at a mining operation to find that artifacts have been dug up and moved to a different location without consulting him. Knowing the scientist's passionate feelings about this, his superior advises him, "Go to your happy place." He doesn't blow up--that's not his style--but he makes the best of the situation handed him.

From time to time we all need to get away from life and get alone with God. I have a couple of favorite places in our backyard. One is on the back edge of our property, which backs up to some conservation land. It's a good place to go toward the end of an early spring day to listen to birds and perhaps frighten some deer or some small critter that has contributed to the slightly worn paths through the brush. Later in the season, it gets too grown up, but right now it's perfect for a little conversation with the One who created it all.

My other favorite place is in our field. There's somewhat of a valley there that's far enough away from the road that no one would notice you unless they knew to look. Despite a barn and a couple houses in sight, you can feel like you're out there all alone. This is a good place to go sit on warm, sunny days and let the gentle breeze blow across your skin, as though it's the Holy Spirit Himself kissing your cheek.

I have often thought that one of these days I'd like to take a blanket out there on a clear night to look at the stars. That reminds me of something a friend of mine in college told me that I'll never forget. When we look up at the stars, we can know they're the same ones (give or take a few) Abraham was looking at when God told him how great his seed would be.

The mere thought of these experiences--whether real or imagined--puts me in my "happy place." My breathing slows, my body relaxes. I have an overall sense of peace. A sense that I really can let go and let God. When I feel like stress is creeping up on me, I want to go to my happy place and lay my anxieties on God, not let circumstances get the best of me.

Do you have a place like this? If not, can you imagine one? I'd love to hear about it.