God is in control

As you can see, I have been wondering for the longest time what to share on the blog. At the moment I am wrestling with some thing in my heart, and letting it take over.
Today in my devotional book, God's Promises I read this:

Psalm 40:8

"I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart."

"The situation that looms in front of you may seem impossible to overcome in your own strength.  It might be the result of your own actions, or you may be an innocent victim, caught in the backlash of someone else's consequences.  Whatever the case, we can easily become intimidated, even fearful, and eventually immobile.  The only way to move beyond that sort of paralyzing stalemate is to learn to accept and trust God's plan.  You release the controls and wait for Him to move."

Charles R Swindoll

Paul: A man of grace and grit.

We all know we should trust God and just give it over, but we do not always do that.  Today I gave it to God.  God knows the outcome and the plan He has for me.

The Invisible Woman

Wow, in this video Nicole Johnson explains even though we feel invisible, God sees what we do every day.

Trust in God's love

I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.

Psalm 52:8

A tree stands in the courtyard.  Immovable.  Unshakable.  With roots deep in the rich earth, drawing strength, support, and sustenance.

An olive tree is evergreen.  Always alive, always growing, limbs spreading and greenery flourishing.  That was how David pictured himself as a child of God.  The question of his place in the world had been settled.  He would trust in God's love forever and ever.

PETER WALLACE

What the Psalmist is saying to you.

Love God and love people

At the end of August 17th Sunday service Pastor Mark gave us a challenge, to for the next 4 weeks love God and love people, just as God commanded us to do in Matthew 22:36-40.

While we had communion God said to me go and look at the scripture when Jesus washed the disciples feet.  My first thought was can you just imagine how dirty their feet must have been, and what kind of dirt did Jesus had to wash off.

Then when i started to read John 13:1-17, I realized it is not about dirty feet but Jesus showing His love to His disciples.  The first verse just stood out, "Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extend of His love." 

Jesus humbled Himself and took on a servants job to wash the disciples feet.  I can just imagine how surprised the first disciple must have been, maybe so much so that he could not say a word and object, and maybe none of them said anything because they did not know what to say.  Jesus was not suppose to wash their feet but rather one of them should've washed His.

Peter tried to object and wash Jesus's feet, but Jesus said to Peter "unless I wash you, you have no part of me." (John 13:8)  Then Peter being Peter wanted everything Jesus will give him, asked that Jesus would wash his hands and head as well but Jesus answered:  "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean.  And you are clean.  "...

As soon as Jesus finished washing their feet He asked them "Do you understand what I have done for you?" (John 13:12b)  Jesus was willing to humble Himself to take on a servants job so that the disciples would know how much He loves them, Jesus also asks us to do the same.

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should was one anothers feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

God Knows You

Psalm 18:32

"It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect."

Who is God?  He is the Lord.  He is intimately involved in your life,  He knows what you're feeling and why.  He knows what you need, and He will give it as you can receive it.  

He is a rock - strong, bold, mighty, immovable, unyielding in power.  The Lord your God will guide your right.

Peter Wallace

What the Psalmist Is Saying to You

Summer Social

It was so nice to meet up with friends and catch up after the summer vacation and to see some of our friends.  

We all enjoyed some Ice cream, and there were even sugar free Ice cream but then again after adding the chocolate syrup how sugar free is it then?  :-)  There is so many WM ministries that you could get plugged in to, there really is something for everybody.

  

God wants to fill the void in our lives with His love

At the moment I am reading:  In a pit with a lion on a snowy day, by Mark Batterson.  In one section in the book he is talking about how the spirit of God was hovering over the waters before God created the heavens and the earth.  Today God is still hovering over the chaos ready to create order and beauty in our lives.  

Genesis 1:2

"Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the water."

Expressions of your love

The Shack

While we were in New Zealand I read a book The Shack by William P Young.

Wow what a great book, it has changed the way I see God and I hope my relationship with God my Father as well.

I had a lot of pain in my life, and God helped me to work through it so that much needed healing could take place - this book just put a lot of perspective on a lot of things I had to go through.

I would like to quote one paragraph in the book.

"Don't ever discount the wonders of your tears.  They can be healing waters and a stream of joy. Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak.

Wow isn't that something, we always try to hide our tears, maybe it is time to just let it go, and ask God to show us what to do with all our tears.

I do not want to give away the story in the book, if you want to know more about the book go to www.theshackbook.com

Overflow of the heart

Proverbs 4:23

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Matthew 12:34b

..."For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."

If we store up good things in our hearts, our words and actions will be good.  

The way we store up good things in our hearts is to spend time with God daily and to read our Bible.

Find a time of day that works for you, and give that time to God.

I know if I do not have my time with God, that day I am not always a very nice person.  And especially now in summer when the kids are home, it is difficult to find that time, but when I do, it is all worth it.  

Back from New Zealand

We are back from New Zealand, and over the jet lag, and into our normal daily routine.

We had a great time, and yes it is a beautiful country.  While we were sight seeing one day, one of the tourists, said to us they are sure that this must be the paradise.  

It was also nice to spend time with family.  Every time after a visit with my family I realize how much I do miss them. 

Being Loved

"The LORD is my shepherd; i shall not want." Psalm 23:1

What is it like to know that not matter how messed up you might be, the good shepherd looks at you with love, surrounds you with His compassion, envelops you in His arms, and cares for the details of your life?  Love begins, not with loving, but whit being loved.  Being loved gives you the freedom and the resources to love.  We can only give what we have received.

By: Paul E. Miller

Love Walked Among Us