Welcome
HE IS THE POTTER, WE ARE THE CLAY
True life stories to encourage and inspire
LOST PEOPLE
ONE LOAD OR TWO? 11/15/2024
Who knows how the subject of the laundry mat came up, but it did. Hubby and I used to frequent the place back in the day when our washing machine was on the fritz or if we had an especially grimy load of clothes, or coats or rugs to launder. He shared a memory of him sitting in a corner, reading a magazine while our clothes agitated away. A young woman entered with a good-sized clothes basket full of dirty laundry. She chose an economy-size front-loader washer and shoved the clothes inside. Afterwards, she retraced her steps to retrieve two more heavy loads of clothes. Hubby’s eyebrows must have raised when she added the second load to the machine, for he has this thing about leaving plenty of room for the washer to work. But the kicker came when she heaved that third load into the same machine! The clothes did not fit, so she raised her foot – and yes – gave a mighty heave to force them inside. Next, she poured half of the contents of a plastic decanter of laundry detergent into the machine, put her quarters in, checked to see if it ran, and bolted out the door. The washer had a recessed cement area beneath to catch any overflow. Soon bubbles started coming out of the machine, filling that recessed area until a flood rose and eased out onto the floor to travel a distance of 12 feet away. At this moment, the owner of the laundry mat sauntered in. Incredulous at the disaster, he looked toward the only person sitting in the room. “That’s not mine!” Hubby assured him post haste.
IN RETROSPECT
At first, it seemed clear that the young woman was trying to save money. But when she wasted the detergent, my opinion of her greatly changed. Now I believe she was ignorant about how to wash clothes.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
Believe it or not, there are people out there who are ignorant about Jesus. Romans 3:22-25 tells us, Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference. (Jews or Gentiles). For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
the good shepherd
FOLLOW THE LEADER 11/8/2024
I jumped when my cell phone rang at 6 pm. We didn’t know the hour the call would come but we were anticipating it. In a matter of minutes, the caller would meet us at the barn to load most of our sheep onto his livestock truck. Doing my best to remain calm, I texted the three “wranglers” we had drafted earlier to assist us. The truck arrived first and through the aid of the driver’s wife and myself, the driver cautiously backed to the barn and inside. The helpers showed up then, each grabbing a wooden pallet to create a barrier behind the truck across from the fence on one side. I took my place at the forefront, close to the truck. The gate to the sheep enclosure opened and the driver and his wife worked the flock calmly to ease them out. Sadly, they were skittish and after exiting, they doubled back inside. The driver and his wife started the process again, and the ewe we call, Doe, took the lead. Upon reaching the truck bed that stood a good foot above ground, she stopped, turned, and with trusting eyes, regarded me. I paused. Would she obey her shepherd? “Go ahead. Go inside,” I asserted, to which she responded favorably.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
John 10:1-5 explains the relationship between sheep and their shepherd. Verily, verily, I say unto you he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers.
WORSHIP
BROWNIES GALORE! 11/02/2024
Foraging through the freezer for a main dish on Friday, I found a zip-locked bag with small cupcake-shaped brownies inside. Since I am a sucker for chocolate, I hastened to take a bite and the deep chocolatey sensation and chewy texture were a fabulous combination. By the end of the day, I had eaten three of them. The next day, our gracious friends, the Browns brought lunch to our house; homemade chicken noodle soup and dessert – brownies! That chocolate dessert wasn’t baked yet, but the hot, finished product certainly hit the spot! Several family members joined us to eat the following day, and my Mom brought dessert. Brownies again! Hers were more like milk chocolate with dark chocolate icing. Oh, my golly and I still have leftovers from the first day in the freezer! I wonder how long they’ll last?
VARIETY LIKE BROWNIES
I used to wonder why Christianity offered so many different denominations. n’t there be one in particular that is superior to the others? Years later I understood the differences were all about the preferences of the people who attend them. If you have not found a House of Worship to suit your needs, I encourage you to keep looking. Our bible tells us in Matthew 18:20, Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY?
The doctrine all Churches must have in common is the gospel of grace. Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ephesians 2:4&5 explains it this way, But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, (hath made us alive) together with Christ (by grace ye are saved).
GOODNESS
ANGELS OF MERCY 10/25/2024
After I parked in front of the beauty salon, I discovered to my dismay, that my purse and camera straps were hopelessly tangled. Instead of dealing with it, I searched my purse for the checkbook, left a window open a couple of inches, shucked my jacket, and hurried inside. Instantly the salon’s pleasant atmosphere enveloped me like a warm hug, and I sat in the small lobby and waited. Later, when my enjoyable session with the stylist ended, an awful thought alerted me! My keys were not in my pocket and had to be in the jacket pocket of the SUV. Oh shucks! Since the window was down about two inches, I could not reach my hand inside! I love to exercise, so I took advantage of the situation by walking to my last stop, the public library. As I paced myself evenly, I wondered, would a clothes hanger open the door? I enlisted a couple of librarians, and one, the head librarian, offered to drive me back with a tool she came up with – a flyswatter! I don’t think I will ever forget the scene of me trying to break into my vehicle while Ellen stood on the other side, cheering loudly and urging me on. When the flyswatter failed to do the job, Ellen came up with a solution, handing me the stiff metal base of a political yard sign. At one point, I had to accept my failure to get the job done and went inside to use someone’s phone to call 911 for help. Yep, no phone either! When I returned to the SUV, a retired deputy on his way into the salon, had stopped to lend a hand. He took a pair of needle-nosed pliers out of his car to make the flyswatter into a more serviceable tool. A cruiser arrived and the door lock made that sweet sound. The door opened simultaneously as the alarm went off! Ellen and I scrambled inside to check everywhere, including the jacket pockets for the non-existent keys. “My gosh,” I gushed, “they must be inside the salon. Everyone looked up expectantly when I came in, watching my every move. Not in the lobby. On the way to my stylist’s station, I saw them lying on the counter, out in the open for all to see! The stylist assumed they were hers. I never looked there because I knew they were in my jacket. What a mess. Oh, but what an adventure!
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
Ellen and the retired deputy reacted to my need like “angels of mercy” and I appreciate that. Were they exercising a gift of the spirit mentioned in Romans 12:13? I think so. Distributing to the necessity of saints; (fellow believers) given to hospitality. Hebrews 6:10 tells us, For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shown toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, (fellow believers) and do minister.
trials
KERPLUNK! 10/19/2024
I walked underneath the walnut tree by the side of the road, warily sidestepping all the nuts lying on the ground. To my delight, the nuts gave off a pungent scent of autumn which I adore. This, and the gorgeous foliage on all sides enthralled me until a “missile” fell with a loud “kerplunk” on the road behind me. Oh my! I barely escaped being pelted by a walnut!
WHEN STUFF HAPPENS
The Walnut episode made me think of unexpected challenging moments when we are pulled from complacency into hardship. You know what I mean; your loved one's health is suddenly compromised, or your own. Maybe someone drops a “bombshell” you could have never anticipated. No matter what difficulty assails you, there is Someone who promises to love and care for you in and through it. No matter what you have done. Someone gave His life for you! This week, a quote on a Church sign I drove by seemed appropriate to share. “Fall for Jesus, He is the only one who never leaves you.”
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
A good way to remember God’s love for us is by repeating bible verses committed to memory. A couple of days ago, I decided to relearn verses I used to know but are now sketchy. One verse I haven’t forgotten is John 3:16; For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jeremiah 29:11-13 shares, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you, And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
MEMORIALS
A COINCIDENCE? 10/11/2024
It’s true, after losing the zipper tab on my bible book cover, zipping and unzipping takes more effort, but being too cheap to buy another cover, I deal with it. Or did, until lately. Now I am considering replacing that missing tab with a cross and not just any cross, but a special one purchased for an occasion long ago. When I look at it, it will be a memorial of something extraordinary God did for me.
THE TALENT CONTEST
Black slacks and a long-sleeved white blouse would be fine. Except the blouse seemed bland for the occasion and needed something extra. Something large and showy. A cross, maybe? Something sizable to be seen clearly from the audience to prove my faith was the real deal? But where in the world would I find such an unusual necklace? I prayed and decided Goodwill might be my best bet. I have no doubt the Lord arranged for the necklace to be there at exactly the right time, with its heavy long chain, and a 2 and a half by 3 and a half inch cross! I have never seen another as grand since then.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
Joshua 4:1-9 says, And it came to pass, when all the people were completely passed over the Jordan, that the LORD spoke unto Joshua, saying, Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, And command ye them, saying, Take here out of the midst of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night. Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man; And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel; That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel forever.
PRAISE GOD
THE GOOD MORNING SONG 10/4/2024
In 1952 a new release called Singing in the Rain dominated the movie screen. Debbie Reynolds portrayed a young woman who dreamed of attaining fame as a dancer. Gene Kelly and Donald OConnor were experienced dancers who shared sage advice with the leading lady and were both in love with her. Years later when I watched the movie, one particularly catchy tune crept into my consciousness and remained.
AROUND THE BLOCK
Catching the sight of my equine friend grazing in the pasture, I automatically burst into song. “Good morning. Good morning. It’s such a beautiful day.” I ham it up like there is no tomorrow. Stately swans swim in the lake nearby, so they are included in the “audience.” Memories flood my mind of our kids, still young enough to lie abed in the home of their youth. It was morning and I entered their rooms singing the Good Morning Song with all the gusto I could drum up as I tickled, pinched, and lay on them until they flopped out of bed! When our kids grew up and flew the coop, their children came over for sleepovers. They too suffered through my corny routine. I hope they will remember those times with fondness. I surely do.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
Wake up! Pay attention! Psalms 17:15 announces, As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness, I shall be satisfied when I awake with Thy likeness. Psalms 73:26tells us, My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. Psalms 30:5b adds, but joy cometh in the morning.
HONESTY
HOW RUMORS GET STARTED 9/27/2024
Have you given much thought to rumors? Although some people fabricate stories to dishonor others, I think, for the most part, rumors are tales that are innocently misconstrued. Like the telephone game I recall as a child, a story can change with each telling until the last person in line hears something entirely different from the first.
PICKING APPLES
Hubby and I were back at it again picking apples from a tree behind the Museum. We prepared this year by bringing: clothes baskets, grocery sacks, a flat box, a ladder, and two apple-picking tools. These last items were found at a Goodwill bins store nearby. They are long-handled with a woven cup on the end to place underneath apples we could not otherwise reach. Although not originally made for this, the repurposed tiki lights worked fine. I stood on the ladder doing my job, while Hubby steadied it and removed apples one at a time from the little basket. When a young man paused to offer help, we gratefully let him carry a heavy flat of apples to our car. Before long, the guys found common ground to speak about. I climbed down from my perch to rest and hailed over an acquaintance who exited the Post Office. She remarked, “I didn’t recognize you at first, but I did notice those two guys goofing off down below while you were working hard trimming that tree!” A rumor in the making.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Ecclesiastes 5:2 and 1 Peter 4:1 warns, Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
forefathers
A COMMON DENOMINATOR 9/20/2024
A small group of cousins meet monthly at each other’s house for an evening meal. The hostess plans a menu and purchases the necessary ingredients. Before the guests arrive she arranges cutting boards, knives, bowls, pans, ingredients, and whatever else is required on her kitchen counter. Once the meal is prepared, cooked, and consumed, each person pays the hostess their portion of the total cost.
AT MY HOUSE
We sat gabbing on the back porch before heading to the kitchen and returned afterwards while the meal was baked. We filled our Fiesta plates next and sat around the farm table in my blue dining room. Our conversations included many subjects, including a tropical vacation on the horizon for one person, a life well-lived in Alaska by another, and plans for the next get-together. The name, Helen Kump crossed my mind, a great-grandma of mine and one cousin, and a grandma to the others. From diary entries, I learned she enjoyed staying with her daughter, Ruth, in faraway places. We all knew of her creativity with knitting and crocheting from the gifts we received at Christmas and the lessons she taught us with various degrees of success. She loved to cook for others and herself. And she loved the Lord.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
Paul speaks to Timothy in II Timothy 1:3&5, “I thank God from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayer’s night and day. When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee which dwelt first in thy grandmother, Lois, and mother, Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
godliness
RUN TO WIN 9/13/2024
The calendar on my bathroom wall is a calligraphy masterpiece. Each month when a page is turned, a new inciteful bible verse is displayed in colorful, dancing letters. The September verse, Isaiah 63:1 grabbed my full attention right away! Ever since that day, I have been praying for an illustration to accompany it in a blog. Today our gracious Lord gave me exactly what I needed!
WILD TURKEYS
This morning on my country walk, a flock of 15 turkeys stood on the road ahead of me. The space between us kept them unconcerned until I reached a distance of about 30 feet when a couple of them decided to detour into the woods. The others walked unhurriedly in the opposite direction as I did, except for two, who also exited into the woods. About this time those birds became agitated and several took flight. Should I leave? The few ones remaining wondered. Which way should I go? I watched in fascination for the birds are like people pondering the direction they should go when times are difficult. God allows us to be tested. He gives us every opportunity to choose the right path. Will you and I be like the trees of righteousness Isaiah 63:1 speaks of? Or not?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
I Timothy 4:12b charges us to be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Hebrews 12:1 says further, Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
FEAR
HIGH ANXIETY 9/6/2024
Back in the day, I spent many mornings working on my flower beds while listening to contemporary Christian music and good preaching on the old radio resting on a beam under the carport eaves. Charles Stanley, Chuck Swindoll, and Lester Roloff’s programs were back-to-back and I loved this! One morning, I heard Chuck Swindoll preach on anxiety, and he used a personal story to prove his point.
I REGRESS
Young Chuck and his Dad rented a cabin in the woods near a lake. In the evening they took a Coleman lantern and a long fork-type tool to gig flounder. Afraid of the dark, the boy asked, “What if we get lost?” Dad’s answer? “We won’t, we have the lantern.” “What if the light goes out?” “Don’t worry, son, I’m sure I would find the way back.” When Chuck continued to worry, his Dad calmly assured him, “I’ll take care of you.” Soon his Dad stabbed a fish and it flailed about making an awesome spray – just enough water to snuff the lantern out! But before Chuck could speak, his Dad pulled a flashlight from a rear pocket, and finally Chuck understood his father deserved his trust. His fear went away.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
Isaiah 41:10 strongly encourages us, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee. Be not dismayed; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
THE NEEDY
WHOSE OUR NEIGHBOR? 8/30/2024
Labor Day weekend is here, and to most of us, this heralds the end of summer and the beginning of fall. But this year the holiday took on an additional meaning for me. The brother of a departed friend asked if I could help him move, and since the week of May 1st, I have been doing just that. To say I was getting tired of the project is an understatement. We filled cardboard boxes and totes and marked them for the movers. We donated what he didn’t want or need to local thrift stores. We sold merchandise at a Barn Sale and a Garage Sale. All that is left to pack is his wardrobe (he’s on his own with that!) but as for me, I am finished. Done. Labor Day weekend has arrived! I believe the Lord did want me to help this “neighbor” in need. But…I am so looking forward to having my Wednesdays free again!
THE GOOD SAMARITAN
Jesus told a lawyer the story of a Jewish man on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho who was beaten, stripped, and abandoned. The man lay on the ground while 1st a priest and then a Levite passed by. A Samaritan (someone looked down upon by the Jews) stopped out of compassion to clean and bind the wounds. He took the man to an inn, gave the owner money to cover the cost of his care, and promised to return in case there were additional charges. After relaying the story, Jesus asked, “Which of the passing men was a good neighbor?” The lawyer answered, “Him who showed mercy.” Jesus responded, “Go, and do thou likewise.”
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
Deut. 15:10&11 tells us, Thou shalt surely give (to) him (a poor brother) and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him, because for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land, therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in the land.
PRAYER
PEACE WITH GOD 8/23/2024
My prayer life has greatly improved thanks to the release of a Christian film a few years ago named, War Room. Looking back, I attribute the change to three factors. First, the movie mentioned the need to choose a place to meet with the Lord each day. The character in the film used a closet, and to make it diversion-free she removed everything inside of it. Second, we must decide what time of day is most suitable for our holy appointment. Third, we list ahead of time the people and situations we plan to pray for.
PEACE OF GOD
Yesterday, afternoon, with a burden on my heart, I decided to head to the outside chapel at my parent’s Church. It’s a nice walk from here and a cool, shady destination for a mid-summer’s day. Once there, I prayed for the requests a friend entrusted me with and then shared my difficulty with the Lord. “Lord, will You reveal an answer to me? I will sit quietly and wait.” I could hear the breeze rustling through the trees, and before long, a few blessings encompassed my thoughts. I so enjoyed the lovely week of mild weather we were having. Hubby and I had also accomplished several tasks we’d needed to do for a long time. I prayed again, “Will You reveal Your answer to me while I sit and wait?” I tried to concentrate on being still while waiting. When it seemed like no answer would come, I opened my eyes to focus on the woods instead. A grin tugged at the corners of my mouth as I admitted that now my problem felt way less serious than before.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
Psalms 5:1,2,7,11& 12 reveals, “Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God; for unto Thee will I pray. I will come into Thy house in the multitude of Thy mercy; and in Thy fear will I worship toward Thy holy temple. Let all those who put their trust in Thee rejoice; let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them; let those also who love Thy name be joyful in Thee. For Thou, LORD wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt Thou compass him as with a shield.
salvation
THE WORDLESS PLANT 8/16/2024
By the time this plant appears above ground, summer is half gone; but the growth process goes into overdrive and soon a bountiful bush meets the eye. The bush becomes plastered with blooms of a distinctly odd color that mature almost overnight into large red blooms. Every year this showy, “Dinner Plate” hibiscus reminds me of the same cheery thing, a tropical paradise where lovely ladies wear live leis around their necks and put live flowers in their jet-black hair. But not this year.
PERCEPTION
This year I got hung up on that odd color mentioned above. Black. Short of losing petals, how does a black bloom transform into a gorgeous red one? Also, when the red bloom is nearly spent, how does it close up and become a beautiful purple one? I am reminded of The Wordless Book which gives the plan of salvation without using words.
We are sinful (Black) and in need of a perfect sacrifice God will accept in our place, Jesus’ blood (Red). When we humble ourselves and ask Him into our hearts, He makes us holy (Purple).
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
Ephesians 1:7 speaks of Jesus, In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, (a people of His own), that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
HONOR HIM
MOVIE STAR FOR THE DAY 8/8/2024
What started as a cool and comfy day at my friend’s Garage Sale, progressed into a steamy and sticky affair. Loose-fitting clothes stuck to me like I’d been dunked in a tub of Elmer’s glue or something! I looked down at the tie-dyed orange shirt and shuddered. What is the oily-looking substance spilt down my front? This sale was not the typical Garage Sale, for we sold items you mostly find in garages: tools, auto signs and auto repair and upkeep items, gardening supplies, crocks, outdoor and indoor furniture, Christmas decorations, tarps, totes, extension cords, etc...Oh my, can I get any dirtier than this?
THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
It is so embarrassing when my friend blows his horn about me. His sister used to do the same thing, recommending me to the clubs she belonged to, to get singing bookings. Here we go again! I roll my eyes, listening to the familiar words. “This is my friend, Kathleen Horn. She sings, canes chairs, writes books and manages the McCook House. Here are her books if you want to buy them.”
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
Do you notice how proud friends, parents and grandparents brag about their loved ones? They pull out their phones, and share information back and forth, but are they (or I) willing to share in the pride of the One who created us and loves us unconditionally? Psalms 19:7-9 &14 says The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear (awesome adoration) of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
joy
BOOK 2! 2/23/2024
Throughout the years I had many moments in life that were simply stellar. You know the kind. You’ve had them too. Something extraordinary transpires, random or planned, and you are struck with utter joy, so much so, that you can hardly stand it! This month while I anticipated the publishing of my 2nd novel, I prepared for this. The date for publication was yesterday and the night before, I scrolled to Amazon Books on the off chance that The Abiding Kind would already be listed there. When I spied its now familiar cover, the one I chose out of hundreds of options, I nearly cried. I should have! Or I should have yelled, “Hooray!” or “Yes!” or “Yippee!” Or I should have leapt out of my seat to jump up and down like a crazy banshee! But I didn’t. Instead, I sighed with satisfaction and just grinned.
DO I DESERVE THIS?
Why does He give me what I desire? It seems the closer I draw to Him, the fuller He allows my life to become. Sometimes I even imagine He is smiling down at me when my prayers are drifting upward. Drawing nearer to Him is giving Him His due if you know what I mean. It’s sort of like tithing. A year or so ago I felt like I should step up the amount of money I put in the offering plate, and in turn, the Lord is making sure enough is coming in for me to continue to do so. The other day I stepped it up once more and the same thing is happening all over again.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
Psalms 145:18 & 19 says, The LORD is near unto all those who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them.
faith
NEVER FEAR, ONLY TRUST AND OBEY 4/23/2021
Our 3 year old great-granddaughter, Oaklynn, and my husband share a special bond they developed when he babysat her as an infant and toddler while Mommy worked. This bit of information will be detrimental as you continue reading, so please keep it in mind.
TOOTHPASTE DILEMMA
While Oakey and I were brushing our teeth, somehow or another, toothpaste got into her eye. Oh - how she wailed! It would be futile to try to rinse the offending goo out with water, so I grabbed the Visine out of the medicine cabinet. "These drops will help." "No-o-o!" she wailed on. John's voice came to us in a clear and unworried tone. "Why don't you come here and let my magic hanky take care of it?" (His what?!) She rushed to his side, weeping less, as he explained calmly how the magic hanky would immediately draw out the pain. She laid down, and he covered her eye with the cloth but a moment, pulled it away with a flourish, and asked, "Does it hurt anymore?" Joyfully she replied, "No!" Although he never tried this before, Oakey trusted him so completely, the ruse worked! A verse from an old hymn reminds me about this kind of devotion.
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet
Or we'll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do
Where He sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY?
If we trust in God the way Oakey trusts in Grandpa, the peace mentioned in Philippians 4:1-7 will be ours! In Psalms 37:3-5 we see how this actually transpires.
1st, TRUST in the Lord and do good, so shall thou live in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 2nd, DELIGHT thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
3rd, COMMIT thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.