Missing you as much today as yesterday.

When I think back 1 year today. The last conversation. The last smile . It hurts. More than I thought it would . I wonder what would have been. There is so much you missed in this last year. I want to hear your jokes and sit down and hear what you have to say about this and that. But for some reason. God needed you there. And we have had to adjust to you being gone. Which isn't easy.

Thank you Daddy. Thank you for giving me a sense of humor. Thank you for saying the hard things. And thank you for padding the even harder ones.

Thank you for being there for me when I had no where else to turn. And knowing when I just needed to break down. Thank you for showing me that God was not in a box. HE was not a slot machine to get things from. Thank you for encouraging me to grow in spirit and truth. 

Thank you for making the kids remember lollipops and balloon animals. And thank you for making such an impact that they ask for you and talk about you.

Thank you for always saying "I deserve" to be treated like a queen. Thank you for making me see the value that God sees in me. Thank you for encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone and sing; to go for this or that job; for buckling down and DOING instead of watching on the outside.

Thank you for being an awesome father and grandfather. Thank you for being my friend and even more so my dad. You did not have to be. You chose to be. You may know now what and how much you made a difference in our lives. When I think of the word DAD I think of you. 

Thank you for having fun with us. Teaching me how to kick a football. How to cook crazy things. How to pick a great beer. Fish. And make the best out of little. 

Thank you for the practical jokes. And stories of Crazy old days. Thank you for SHOWING us how to live.

I pray that you can look down on me now and say. That is my daughter. And I am so very proud.

I miss you Daddy. 

I love you. 

And I am so blessed because of you. I know where you are now and it gives me peace.

Detox

“Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind”  Psalm 26:2


There comes a time when reflection and taking into account your soul is completely needed. The Jewish people do this once a year for Yom Kipur. The Muslims do this during Ramadan. But the Christian. We are to do it much more often. If you go to a church that serves communion it is supposed to be done prior to receiving. Some churches do it once a quarter. OH how we have boxed God. (this may be for another time). If you are really up on your spiritual heart you may do this daily.  In preparation for a fast (which I will not tell you when NOR how long) I am thinking about how to prepare myself for this. I will confess I have not fasted in many years. It does not mean I don't have a great relationship with Jesus. I just have not felt it needed. But as I prepare. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally. And Spiritually. I have been thinking about how to prepare myself. 

Detoxing my soul. 


The Heart.

God's word say the heart is the most deceitful. So I started reflecting on my heart. Asking Him to show me where I am may be harboring unforgiveness. Thinking on resentments that I may or may not have. Have I let go of things and allowed God to 'have it'? Vengeance IS HIS. Is there anyone in my life that I think about and it brings anger in? And it has caused me to think about how to LOVE my enemy. How do you love an enemy that would want nothing more than to see you dead? HOW did David do it? Sitting there in a cave with Saul right there. And yet he did not kill him. He remembered who God was. And what he commanded us to do. LOVE.  I don't wish ill on people that have harmed me. That is easy. I don't care for them to be apart of my life .. that to is easy. I can forgive the harm they caused. BUT can I say I love them? Can I say I pray for them? No. I have to confess. I do not. Today. I had to tell God. I do NOT know how to love that particular enemy. I am unable to pray for GOOD for that enemy.  I am unable, in my flesh, to pray FOR that enemy.  I am hoping, along with the reason I am fasting, for God to reveal this to me.  Cleanse my heart Oh Lord. And renew in me the RIGHT SPIRIT.

The Eyes.

“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways” (Psalm 119:37).

We are all guilty of this. Looking at things. Looking at things that do not matter. Not being productive. Binging on TV, Movies,  Games, Internet. Being Bored because there is nothing on.  
How can I focus on God or hear Him if I am too busy checking Facebook or watching a movie I have seen 100 times? AM I being productive in my family, in my relationships and in my relationship with my Lord Jesus?

MY Words.

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" Colossians 4:6

The tongue is a double edged sword used to build up or tear down. Are my words edifying? Or are my words destroying?  Do I let unwholesome talk take over? It takes 7 positive things to get rid of 1 negative thing. We can destroy a child or person so quickly. And they may never recover. Words are powerful. We SPEAK the name of Jesus and demons flee. We speak healing and prayer and the heavens move. Our WORDS.  Our words have so much power. We must keep them in check. 

Actions.

“Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14).

Doing. Am I doing good? Am I seeking peace? Can someone look and see my life and says HER actions are Jesus' actions? 

ACTIONS speak Louder than words. 

I want my words and my actions to line up totally and with the things of Christ. I never want anyone to question my motives, my words NOR my actions. I strive for this. My character longs for this.  Be doers of the word.

Love. Serve. And Forgive. As I prepare myself I know where I lack. And through CHRIST!!! I LACK NOTHING. My flesh may fail, my spirit may grow weak BUT GOD remains the strength of my heart. HE is my portion forever. My soul longs for HIS ways. 

Go in Peace Child of God. He will be your Light under your feet. HE will whisper to you. Sing over you. Dance at the thought of you. You are loved. Rest in HIS love, mercy and grace.

Peace.

Jesus. The Light of the World. For All.

Isaiah 49: 6-7

The Lord has honored me,
    and my God has given me strength.
 He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me.
    I will make you a light to the Gentiles,
    and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

 The Lord, the Redeemer
    and Holy One of Israel,
says to the one who is despised and rejected by the nations,
    to the one who is the servant of rulers:
“Kings will stand at attention when you pass by.
    Princes will also bow low
because of the Lord, the faithful one,
    the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

And just like that Isaiah received the prophecies about Jesus The Christ. WHAT an amazing reminder that Jesus was not ---IS NOT -- and was never meant to be JUST for the Jewish people. That all along God had His Plan set forth for us. 

Thank you! 

Thy Word

Troubled waters come but HE is everlasting.

Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus Walks on Water

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.  After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.

Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.  About three o’clock in the morning[a] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.  When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.  Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Matthew 23:23-27

Jesus Calms the Storm

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

Troubled waters come. Storms of life toss us back and forth. Fear of drowning wells up in us. Jesus. Not using metaphors. Not TELLING a story physically calmed the storms. Physically had Peter walking on water. No matter the trouble we face and we feel like it will over take us Jesus gives peace. He calms the storm. He pulls us from the deep waters and shows us the way ON TOP OF THE WATER. Like a new perspective. A different way of seeing the issue. His way. 

My past has some pretty deep water in it. A time when I did not see how I would get out of the depths of despair. HE pulled me up. He showed me that through Him I could walk on water. Through Him that storm was calmed. I just had to have faith. People say to me I don't understand. They are going through this or that and it is just terrible. But they don't really know where Jesus rescued me. And how my storm was possibly more than most would see in a lifetime. There is this old saying that my Grandmother used to say. "God never gives us more than we can handle" I used to say it. I don't anymore. God WILL give you more than you can handle APART FROM HIM. I can do all things thru Christ. HE will get me thru it. HE will give me more than I can handle so that I fully and completely rely on Him.  We all have storms in our lives. We can let us take us under or we can trust in Jesus. Have faith that HE will calm the storm, pull us onto the water and walk with us taking us to new heights.

It is well.

With my soul

A walk thru a Psalm

Psalm 23
Jesus' word (for you to look up)
What it means to me.

The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.

John 10:11- 18

He takes care of my every need. I lack NOTHING!

2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.

John 14:27

He knows when and where I need rest.

3     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.

2 Corinthians 12:9


HE gives me strength when I am weak. HE refreshes me when I am tired. He leads me down the RIGHT path for HIS Glory and good pleasure.

4 Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.

John 17:12


No matter what happens I shall not fear because HE will protect me. He knows my days. He knows my future. HE is in control.

Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.

Acts 17:11

He corrects me when needed and protects me from my foes.

5 You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.

Matthew 26: 17-30

No matter what comes my way. God Provides and He shows the world who HE is in and thru me. 

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

Matthew 19:14

I am blessed. I am loved. I am redeemed! 

    My cup overflows with blessings.

Matthew 5: 3-12

HE has blessed me in every single area of my life. And I am thankful. And He gets all the glory. 



6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.

John 14:2

If God is for me WHO can be against me. I am His beloved. And He comes after me. I am redeemed and received HIS salvation. And I will live with Him for all eternity.


Worship TIME! I AM NOT ALONE!!!

Knocking on Heavens door.

James 1:5-8

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.  Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.


James 5:13-15

 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.  Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.


1 Peter 3: 7

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.


Isaiah 58- READ ME NOW!

Mark 11:24 

 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours

Matthew 6:7 

 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 

Luke 11: 9- 13

"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

 “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

There SO many verses about praying to God our Father.  God says CALL on Him! He is not a slot machine. It is not a magic trick. There are reason prayers are not answered. (Check your motives, God's Will)  There are other things at work. But His word clearly says. Pray. AND without ceasing. Jesus himself Taught us how. Told us how important it was and modeled it for us.
It is one of the most difficult things to stick with. Something always happens that may hinder us from taking the time to pray. BUT once you start making it your routine. OH the freedom. The JOY. IT is immeasurable.



Here are some requirements for a successful prayer life.

A humble heart.
Wholeheartedness
Faith
Righteousness
Obedience

I take great JOY in praying for others.  It is a privilege to present my loved ones and even strangers to the throne of Our Great Big God. It takes my attitude and aligns it with something bigger than myself. It takes my heart and softens it to face the world. It allows to me to hear, listen and act the way He wants me to.  I challenge you to make great effort to get up 10 minutes earlier in the morning. Wipe the sleep from your eyes. And pray. Thanking Him. Praising Him. Confessing. Pray for others. AND then Just be STILL just listen. Just be quiet for a couple minutes and wait on Him! Let the Spirit of the Lord speak to you. I promise you will not be sorry you did!







Francis Chan