let it rain!

Today it rained!!

In Southern California, that's not a common occurrence, but most times it is a very welcome one. It seems we are always in a drought anymore...never seeming to get quite enough rain...lakes and rivers and reservoirs growing ever lower.

We need the rain for drinking and for crops--for sustenance.

We need the rain for cleansing--for washing away the dirt and grime that builds up on everything.

We need the rain for growth-- for new life and renewed life.

Whenever we get a good cleansing, drenching, thirst-quenching rain, I think of how we need God in such a similar way...to pour out Himself upon us like the rain pours from the clouds. In much the same way that the land thirsts for the rain, our souls thirst for the rain of God... and for the same reasons-- for sustenance, for cleansing, for growth... for LIFE.

Lord, pour upon us this day...

Wash us clean.

Quench our thirst.

Help us to grow.

Give us LIFE...

We are grateful for Your rain...

a slice of the pie...

A friend emailed me this little clip the other day, and I couldn't help but share it with you....



A very thought-provoking visual, isn't it....

Don't forget from Whom all things come to us...

difficult circumstances

Often times God demonstrates

His faithfulness in adversity

by providing for us what we need

to survive.

He does not change

our painful circumstances.

He sustains us through them.

~ Charles Stanley

celebrate the Sabbath...preparing our hearts for the Cross

Golgotha.

Calvary.

This is what it SHOULD have looked like:

Crosses covering the hill.

Hundreds and thousands of crosses.

A line, a mass, of crosses-- stretching as far as the eye can see.

"For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

All are deserving of death.

And yet, there were only three crosses on the hill that day--

the center one being the focal point.

That ONE CROSS making a way...

A new way.

A way of LIFE instead of death.

"...the result of one act of righteousness was justification

that brings life for all men." Romans 5:18

And, instead of a hill covered in crosses,

we see but One.

One Cross--bearing ONE MAN--Who dies for the many.

Who takes on the sin of the world.

It is

THIS CROSS,

THIS SACRIFICE,

THIS LOVE

for which we must prepare our hearts.

contentment...

In this time of world-wide economic strain and financial stress--when we tend to look at our LACK rather than at what we HAVE-- let us remember that we have all we could ever need when we have Jesus! And, though that may sound trite or cliche, it is TRUTH! We who have Jesus are RICH, indeed!

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." ~1 Timothy 6:6-8

Lord, we ask that you would make our hearts content....

vanity plates and a good hard look at one's heart...

Taking a look at ourselves... it's sometimes NOT a pretty thing. I had one of those moments this morning. I was driving to work, and at a stop light, I noticed the license plate of the car in front of me. It was a vanity plate. It didn't really matter WHAT it said (though it said DVAFIED, which was rather apropos). My problem started with the fact that it WAS a vanity plate.

(Actually, my problem didn't start with that. My problem started way down deep inside; the plate was just a catalyst causing my problem to surface!)

In my head, I heard myself say, "Sheesh. I can't even AFFORD vanity plates." Then, I REALLY heard what I had said, "God, You don't provide very well for me. I can't have good stuff like what everyone else has."

I'd like to say I was shocked by the voice in my head. But I wasn't.

I'd like to say I didn't mean it. But I did.

I'd like to say I'm better than that, more grateful. But I'm not.

What I was, however, was convicted. As soon as I really heard the comment in my head, I knew what I was saying. It was quickly followed by, "Wow, God. Thanks for the manna and the quail, but what I'd really like is something different, something better." Because, at that moment, not one thing was separating me from the Israelites in the desert --grumbling and complaining and whining about what they didn't have while God was providing miraculously every step of the way!

I immediately confessed and apologized to God-- Jehovah Jireh, my Provider-- and asked for His forgiveness for my ungrateful heart and ungracious thoughts. And I began to thank Him for all that He has provided for me, for the many, many ways He shows me His love, for giving me Jesus when I'm complaining about not having vanity plates.

For what more could one ask?

What greater gift could ever be given?

Lord, I ask that you would give me a grateful heart...
and that I would always treasure You above the vanities of this world.


(Dr Freud and the Self-Aware Chicken appear courtesy of Doug Savage; used by artist's permission)

can i have a testimony, please?!

Does that sound familiar to you? If you've ever been in a Pentecostal church, you have probably heard that question--that invitation for someone to tell of something God has done in their life! An invitation to proclaim the greatness or the faithfulness of God... An invitation to tell all those within hearing distance of some way the Father has touched a life, healed brokenness, or uplifted the downtrodden.

It is an invitation for someone to tell aloud of the goodness of God--to acknowledge Who He is and what He has done, to bring glory to God and encouragement to others.

Today, I accept that invitation. Let me tell you something which God has done for me this week...

It may not seem like much on the surface, but I must tell you of a way in which my Father has provided for me this week. If you're a regular reader, you may remember Saturday's post about my unexpected car repairs with which I began the new year. I was not thrilled about the car repairs nor of having my Fixing-the-Finances plan thrown off track by this unexpected expense. The enemy attempted to use it as a vehicle (pun not intended but appreciated!) through which to rob me of my sense of peace and hope... to thwart my intentions of trusting God in this area.

I chose to STAND. I refused to listen to his lies (that it's hopeless, impossible, and that God will not be there to provide). I refused to go to that place of anxiety and unrest--of fear. I chose, instead, to trust that no matter what obstacles are cast in my path, God is my Provider.

But, this is not a testimony about ME... this is about GOD...

So, I took my car to the mechanic on Saturday, walked down the street to the coffee shop, and awaited the verdict. After an hour or so, the mechanic called me on my cell phone and told me the immediate problem and what needed to be done to fix it. (He also then proceeded to tell me a couple of other things that needed to be taken care of in the future but which weren't crucial at the moment.) Thankfully, the total cost was just around $300. I told him to go ahead with the repairs.

Now, $300 is not terrible compared to some of the other car repair bills I've had in the past couple of years. With my newly set-up financial plan and tight budget, however, there's not that kind of "wiggle room" for such expenditures. And, the big picture is not to incur any credit card debt--not even for 'emergencies.' I figured God and I would have to figure it out somehow over the next month or two, and I charged it on my credit card.

(And here comes the cool part of the testimony!!) As part of my financial plan, I had started saving small amounts of money from each paycheck for various future expenses. When I got home from the mechanic's, I just thought I would check out my "car repairs" savings to see if I had any money in that account at all. Guess what....?!

I had just $7 short of what the repairs had cost me!!!! Really! How awesome was that?!

This kind of thing doesn't normally happen to me, and I could totally see it as God's handiwork! Especially after the battle with the enemy over this area, it was such a testimony to me of how God provides for our needs when we trust Him! It felt like a 'reward' for my choosing to not let the enemy pull me into his place of darkness but, instead, to walk in the Light! It definitely served as a reminder of God's care for me and an encouragement to continue to trust Him!

And so I proclaim this testimony of the goodness of God--to acknowledge Who He is and what He has done, to bring glory to God and encouragement to others. May He and you be blessed! (174)

five kernels of corn...

Yesterday I posted a bit about the first Thanksgiving in October 1621. There is, however, more to the story... there is the winter and the year that followed that first Thanksgiving.

It was a terrible winter, full of great hardship and deprivation. In November a shipload of additional colonists had arrived, but they had brought with them not a bit of equipment--no food, no clothing, no tools, no bedding. Suddenly there were far too many colonists and far too little food.

"...a sobering appraisal by Bradford, Brewster, and Winslow was taken, and a grim decision was reached: they would all have to go on half-rations through the winter, to ensure enough food to see them into the summer season..."*

“…What mattered to God was how the Pilgrims responded to [adversity]. And He was pleased with their response: they kept their eyes, for the most part, on Him. Thus, they did enter their own starving time that winter of 1621-22, and were ultimately reduced to a daily ration of five kernels of corn apiece. But as always, they had a choice: either to give in to bitterness and despair or to go deeper into Christ. They chose Christ. And in contrast to what happened at Jamestown, not one of them died of starvation. Then God had mercy on them, as He had so often in the past.”

* * * * *

It was not until almost two years later, in 1623, that the second Thanksgiving celebration took place. And at that feast, the first course that was served --on an empty plate in front of each person--were five kernels of corn...lest anyone should forget.

...At my friend's home at Thanksgiving dinner, in honor and remembrance of God's amazing provision, there are always five kernels of corn next to each plate...lest we should forget.

May we, like the Pilgrims in that starvation winter, CHOOSE CHRIST that we may please God with our response to both the difficulties and blessings of life. And, may we, like those Pilgrims, see God's mercy on us, in the past, in the present, and in the times to come.

quotes from "The Light and the Glory" by Peter Marshall and David Manuel

the first Thanksgiving...

"The First Thanksgiving",

painted by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863–1930).

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims in October of 1621 following the Plymouth Colony's first successful harvest. Though many of their number had died that winter, they had much for which to be thankful. And they knew to Whom they owed their gratitude.

"The Pilgrims were brimming over with gratitude--not only to Squanto and the Wampanoags who had been so friendly, but to their God. In Him they had trusted, and He had honored their obedience beyond their dreams. So, Governor Bradford declared a day of public Thanksgiving."*

There were feasting and games and contests with their Indian friends. Everything went so well that the celebration was extended to three days!

"They had so much for which to thank God: for providing all their needs, even when their faith had not been up to believing that He would do so; for the lives of the departed and for taking them home to be with Him; for their friendship with the Indians...; for all His remarkable providences in bringing them to this place and sustaining them."*

This was the story of the first Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims had come to the new world to pursue religious freedom--the freedom to worship God as He had called them to. They were brave men and women who endured great hardships but counted it all as suffering for the cause of Christ. These were the men and women who first settled our great nation. These were the ones who 'counted the cost' and left behind all they knew to create a nation for the glory of God!

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, may we truly be thankful--not only for our tangible blessings but also for the freedoms we enjoy as a result of those who came before us. And, like the Pilgrims, may we recognize from Whom these blessings come...

Let us join with the voices across the ages as we give gratitude to God for His amazing providence and His incredible blessings! Thank You, Lord; we are grateful!!

*quotes taken from "The Light and the Glory" by Peter Marshall and David Manuel

celebrate the Sabbath...in song...

The Solid Rock

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

When darkness veils his lovely face
I rest on his unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

His oath, his covenant, his blood
Supports me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay

When he shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in him be found
Dressed in his rightousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne

* * * * * * *
The song was written in 1832 by Edward Mote,
and the tune in 1863 by William B. Badbury.

...written so long ago and yet, like God Himself,

because of His unchanging nature,

it still holds so true today.

laughter at the gas pump

I had a shocking and wonderful experience yesterday. I laughed! At the gas pump! Well, I didn't actually laugh AT the gas pump; I laughed while pumping gas at the gas pump. Yes, I know, it may sound strange... and that may be what the other customers were thinking about ME as I stood by the pump and delightedly laughed out loud.

If any of them had bravely ventured forth to enquire as to WHY I was laughing, I would have been happy to share my joy with them. But, sadly, none dared (or bothered) to ask.

I will tell you, however, what caused my delight... I was only paying $2.45 per gallon!!!! which meant I was able to fill my tank for only $35!!!! Amazing and miraculous!!! (especially since most gas stations in our area are still charging between $2.80-$3.00/gallon)

Due to city driving, my old car gets very low gas mileage, and for now, I must continue to drive this car. Just to go to work and back and to church once in a week, it takes a full tank of gas. For many, many months now it has been costing me $65-$70 per week for gas, and we here in Southern California haven't seen gas prices below $4/gallon for a very, very, very, very (ok, you get the idea!) long time! It was only about two months ago we were paying about $4.59/gal.

So, I had great cause for joy!!! I filled up my tank for HALF THE PRICE of late! I couldn't help but laugh! and, had I known how, I might even have done a little jig! : ) (though that probably WOULD have caused a ruckus at the gas station!)

I share this story with you to also serve as a reminder to myself of this great blessing! For, it truly is that. And, lest I forget or take it for granted, I share it with you and express my gratitude to our Great Provider...from Whom comes all good gifts!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ~James 1:17

• incredibly low gas price!! (120)
• God's amazing providence (119)

worship the King today in song...

In light of my subject yesterday-- finding peace in a crazy, broken, scary world, I thought this song would be a great reminder today with which to celebrate the Sabbath... (I wish I were brilliant enough to know how to post the music, but I'm not there yet!) Our God is truly mighty to save!!...

Mighty To Save

~Reuben Morgan

Everyone needs compassion,

Love that's never failing;

Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,

The kindness of a Saviour;

The Hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,

My God is Mighty to save,

He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,

All my fears and failures,

Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow

Everything I believe in,

Now I surrender.

My Saviour,

He can move the mountains,

My God is Mighty to save,

He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,

We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,

My God is Mighty to save,

He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave.

ps. I apologize for the distracting lack of spaces, but the formatter is defying me again and refusing to show the spaces I have entered.

a cup of water...

If in thirst you drink water from a cup,

you see God in it.

Those who are not in love with God

will see only their own faces in it.

~Rumi

What do I see in a cup of water?

What do you?

I pray that we would see each drop of water as a gift from our loving Father's hand... that in our thirst, we would see not only the water provided but the Hand of the One Who gives it.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:19

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father... ~James 1:17