DETANGLER

This morning I was blessed with a passage that promises me , my children will be ok. In my tangled mess, I cry out and worry that my children will not understand and further more won't wish to understand.But as I said I was blessed with Jeremiah 31:16-17. " Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work shall be rewarded says the Lord and your children shall return from the enemy's land. And there is hope for your future says the Lord your children shall come back to their own country."
Our relationship with Alex will mend, and all of our children and grandchildren will someday praise and honor our Heavenly Father! I can give it all to my Father and he will graciously detangle the mess that I have made. He will deliver me and my children! Amen, amen!

CHEST PAINS

As my day dawned, I chose to be not so diligent in my quiet time with the Lord. Instead of reading His word and having my prayer time, I was instead busy being a Martha. The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 tells how Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was busy in the kitchen being grumpy! Guilty! I hurried around my home doing busy stuff. Yet in that harried state, I still left laundry undone and dishes to wash.
Was it worth what I have given up in this day? My soul is down cast, my heart is heavy, and things are irritating. If I had only sat at His feet this morning, my burdens I could have laid down.
Isaiah 26:3 tells me “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You.” I didn’t have enough faith to know that all the laundry would done in due time. I didn’t leave my cares in His hands. If only I could leave my sinful ways behind, days like today would not be so frequent.
Father, forgive me for being to busy to sit at your feet. Life is so much easier when I let you be in control. Thank you for loving me even in my selfish ways. My grief is great Father, so I will take the time to come to you in repentance, and then give my day to you to direct.
“My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to your word.” Psalm 119:28
For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

PSALM 139

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me,”
As I read psalm 139, it became clear to me that my life was not my own. Jesus loved me and knew me long before my body was formed. He already had me labeled as His daughter. He chose the color of my eyes, He chose the color of my hair, and He chose the Mommy that He would give me too.
Jesus wrote my name on the palm of His hand. With those hands he fashioned my days. Jesus already knew every word I would speak, every deed that I would do. And He forgave me. Yes, before my body came to this earth, before my Mother held me in he arms, I had already been forgiven. I had been granted everlasting life with a Father, who would never leave me or forsake me! No matter where life takes me, my Heavenly Father is always there to love and to guide me, with a tenderness that is beyond comprehension. His kingdom is my kingdom. His glory is my glory. The only thing I am required to do is to stay focused on Him. My Father will shelter me through life’s storms and He will be my strength. Thank-you Father, for giving me the greatest gift of all, eternal life, the blood of the cross. Amen!

What's Up?

Once again I was up long before dawn. I seem to only need about 4-5 hours of sleep right now. I am not sure who decided this, I know that I haven't! I guess I should be checking into this with my Doctor or maybe just leave well enough alone and let Jesus make the call!
Once that I am awake, I get up start my coffee and get my bible out. I use this time to study God's word and to pray. So maybe Jesus has decided that I need some extra study time and 3:00 am to 4:00 am would be His choice of time.
If I was worn out by mid morning , then I should probably worry. But so far my Heavenly Father is giving me the energy I need to get through the day and do what I need to do. Thank you for your strength! Is this His way of teaching me to stay strong in my faith? Maybe! Ok, Father, I will do what you ask of me and not complain. I would like to remind you that an occasional day of sleeping in would be nice!
Some of you may wonder , is it right for me to ask for rest when He seems bent on using this time to teach me? I think so. The bible clearly states that we , as His children have the right to come to Him and ask for the things we need. He tells us to ask boldly and to never grow weary of spending time with Him or of doing what He has called us to do.
So with that said, I will get myself dressed and ready for another day at work. I do have one more request! It is so cold and rainy this morning, Father. Could you calm the winds and send those clouds scooting? I love sunshine , ya know! I love you too and I am grateful for the time you are providing for us to spend together, uninterrupted!

MY REDEEMER LIVES

In my loneliness, I wonder does anyone really care? The pain, the hurt, the anger are overwhelming. All I want is for someone to hear me, to touch me, to love me. I have that someone , His name is Jesus. He was chosen before creation to be my redeemer. He is my father, I am his daughter. He is my husband, I am his bride. He is the lover of my soul.
While living life, we can easily stray. Each of us try to take the wheel and steer the happenings in our lives to suit our own desires. Caution and wisdom is cast away. Our flesh cries out to be satisfied now. It is in that season of our lives , that we can become broken.
Some of us may wonder around in the wilderness for many years. We may have known Jesus, heard his word, but now reject it. It is during that time of dwelling in the pits of addiction , pain, loss, rejection, loneliness, that God begins to speak to us. C.S. Lewis once said that “God whispers in our pleasure but shouts in our pain.”
Our heavenly father wants to be the center of our life. He longs to be our father. He wants me to return his love as any bride or daughter would do. He longs to be the only lover of my soul. Wow! I am not alone! There is someone who hears me when I cry. The pain of loneliness is gone because my husband is always there to love me and to help me. My father holds me tenderly in his arms as I crawl out of my pit. He will you also.
My redeemer lives! He is living within me, he loves me and will walk every step of the way ,if I will only allow Him to. Thank you for the gift of your love !

ALL HIS PARTS ARE IN OUR HEARTS

Last night I was having a conversation with my six-year-old grandson. We were planning our Saturday together. I have tried to teach each of my grandchildren to respect and enjoy the sunrises and sunsets. A few times we have driven to a place that we can watch it with out any disruptions. Our music is playing and the moment is awesome.
Aidan expressed that we must start our day by watching another sunrise and we should listen to our Jesus music, then we could go for a walk in the woods and look for wildlife. This was sounding pretty good so far. As our conversation continued he finally asked “Where does God live any way, is he in the sky?”
I answered him by explaining that Jesus lives inside of each of us. That he lives in our hearts. He sat quietly for a few moments and turned to me and said, “ All his parts are in our hearts!”
Isn’t it amazing how the innocence of a child can help you see things in a different perspective? So this morning as I sit here reading Gods word and lifting up this day that he has so lovingly graced me with, I realize that Aidan’s words were sent to me from God to store in my heart.
As I surrender my heart to my Heavenly Father, he promises to fill me up. He will give me His eyes to see others with tenderness and mercy. He will give me His tongue and words of compassion and love to speak to those whom are hurting or are alone. He will give me His hands, so I might reach out o help another. He will give me His feet, so that I can walk a mile in another’s shoes and offer them hope and joy. He will give me His heart so that I may know the unconditional agape love that He has for me.
Yes, Aidan, his parts are in our hearts and it feels good! We must hurry! The sun will be coming up soon and we sure don’t want to miss it. With the dawning of each new day God gives us new grace, so don’t pass it up. Go grab your portion and then honor and glorify Him by sharing His parts with those whose hearts are still empty.
Thank you, Aidan for your words of wisdom!

I LOVE YOU!

Early this morning I was reading the Psalms and Proverbs.We are currently doing a bible study on the book of Hosea and John,so I felt familiar with it.But this morning it was different.God directed me to Hosea 11:8reading from The Promise.
"Israel,(Terri), I can't let you go,I can't give you up. How could I possibly destroy you as I did the towns of Admah and Zeboiim? I just can't do it. My feelings for you are much to strong."
Wow! I was crying at that point. I then went on to read, "No matter what your sins are, God can't forget your status as His own child. He will bring you back to Himself, even though you stray far from Him. You will not be able to forget God, your thoughts will always turn back to Him and the early joy in His love.He will bring you home again."
I couldn't stop crying at this point. I thought about my own children and how I hated fighting with them.It always hurts my heart when they tell me how much they hate me. Or when they strayed away willfully disobeying all of our rules.My only thoughts were of how much I loved them, how much I wanted to hold them.
Our Heavenly Father feels the same about us. .He made such a big sacrifice to give us life. Yet we turn our backs and willfully disobey.
Our Father, placed our names on the palm of His hand. He stamped His love on our hearts,so we couldn't forget Him.
Yet in our rebellion He is forced to allow us to wander in darkness. Tough love is something all parents have had to use at some point in time. It is no fun for either person involved.Tough love hurts, it breaks us down and makes us weary. Then you are offered the chance to come home.There you are as a parent, arms aching, your heart is pounding, then your eyes spot that wayward child. Who runs faster?
I ran this morning. Tears streaming, my heart pounding I ran to my Heavenly Father and begged to come home. Oh what a feeling, to be loved so much! As the sun came up I went out side to head to the barn.
The Great I Am sealed my return with a kiss! The most beautiful sunrise was just beginning. The horses were all waiting for me at the gate. We walked together in silence as the new day dawned!
Thank you for loving me , even when I am not so lovable. You are God, the Almighty. I give you my heart forever.

Listening to God

The other day in church , a call was put out for support for a childrens trip. It seemed almost immediately, God tapped me on the shoulder and told me to give. I don't know about anyone else, but I tend to argue a little with Him when He calls me to give up much. The dialoge is usually one sided, my side! Are you sure? This can't be so again , Lord. But the more I fight with Him , the more He lays guilt and shame on my heart. So I did what He has requested. The money is still in my hands, but I haven't seen the right person yet to give it away. I should know by now that to those given much , much is asked of you.
During the holidays, the Lord directed me to hand out Christmas gifts to those less fortunate. I emptied my savings account which didn't take much doing, and bought as many things as I could. My grandchildren and I went to the local nursing home and gave each resident a stuffed animal. It was amazing to see the children as they anxiously gave to strangers! The Lord was working in them that day! The awesome thing about this is, He refilled my savings account double what was taken out! Yes, tithing and listening to His instruction has diffinate benefits!
I hope that anyone that reads this will someday learn to trust in God's nudgings. He has great and wonderful things in store for us when we do!
So today , I will give and thank God for His many blessings that He has poured out on me and my family. Father, I will anxiously await your next assignment.