SPAM?? - CAPTCHA GOTCHA

OK, so there's this verification thing on blogs.

It's called Captcha. 

But did you know it stands for this:  "Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart".

It's a way to screen out spam comments.

Usually, one only needs to check a box to confirm that you're not spam. (While trying not to be personally offended at the implication that you would ever be spam even if given the chance!  Totally kidding!!)

I don't know why I get all nervous waiting for the green check mark.  Or why I then get all excited when it appears.  (As if I was ever in doubt???)

But, sometimes the verification asks for a second step.

In this scenario, you are shown a photograph, and then asked to check off all the other photos that are in the same category.

OK, honestly, this is a difficult task when you are "reading-glass-challenged" like those of us who have reached…um…wonderful middle age.

I have found myself squinting to even see what the photos are!!

Then, the second challenge is the category itself.

I have been known to fail on my first attempt.

Once I was asked to check all the boxes that were sushi.  As I squinted, I checked off the boxes that I thought were photos of sushi.  Then I was informed that I had somehow failed.

Huh?

What did I do wrong?  

Did I mistakenly check off a spring roll, or a tiny hors d'oeuvre, or…what the heck WAS that anyway???

Or, how about the category of meat.

Don't "tiny bits of something white in a salad that look like chicken" count? Or, excuse me, should that have been considered for the incorrect salad category?

Sometimes, after encountering a few of these Captcha moments – (which I am not fond of capturing) – I find myself inordinately hungry for really random food.

Not so great.

Especially when there's no sushi in the house.

Suffice it to say, that I also used to struggle with the verification method that asked you to type in the number you saw in a photograph.  Can't tell you how many times I looked, and scanned, and peered…and yes, squinted…trying to determine what the numbers actually were.

Is that an 8 or a 3?  A 1 or a 7?

Where's a magnifying glass when you need one?

Now, I have to admit that I did enjoy the old verification method of one or two words that you had to retype.  I had fun imagining what the gobbledygook words might mean.

Like gobbledygook.

And, I enjoyed the occasional actual word(s) that snuck in.

This was especially fun when the two words formed a rather funny phrase. Like *heroic lizard* or something else ridiculous – (I just made that up).

(By the way, what is a heroic lizard anyway?  One who keeps his tail?  Or one who burns his belly by refusing to do those funny lizard push-ups on hot cement?  Or what about the one that refuses to move when I scream??)

I digress.


But really, all this has got me thinking…

Two thoughts come to mind.

First of all, we are not spam to the Lord.

He has saved us, and we belong!

There is no need to add to His gift of salvation.  There is nothing we can ever do to make His love for us greater or less.  We are justified by our faith, and the verification is the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

What a comfort in a world that is becoming increasingly more impersonal, more dangerous.

It is an age of social media, where people "connect" but often never get beyond the surface of "look good, talk good" posturing.

It is an age of identity theft, when people try to "steal" who we are.

It is an age where many are bullied, many are persecuted, many are hated – just because of misguided stereotypes and preconceived judgments.

It is an age where we can get *lost*…

No need.

For we are intimately connected to the Lord God Almighty.  

The One who knows all about us, way beyond our surface.  The One who promises that we are never in danger of losing our identity as His children. The One who is infinitely kind and compassionate to each and every one of us.

No more judgment, no more condemnation.

For we are held securely by Our Redeemer, the One who *verified* us when we opened the door of our hearts.

Green check mark completed!


The other thought I've had is that there is no confusion in Him.

Captcha has sometimes confused me with their numbers and their photos.  I find myself struggling to understand what I'm seeing.

And in this tired old world, with its many "mixed messages", it's easy to get confused.  We are constantly bombarded with conflicting viewpoints.  And how widely the meter of public opinion swings.

Sometimes humans can be so naïve, so gullible, so willing to follow…

Confusion could reign, if we were not given the sure beacon of Truth.

The Bible is the perfect antidote to a world gone mad.  

We are cautioned against listening to false teachers and untrue teaching.

And we do this by reading, studying, contemplating, memorizing, internalizing Scripture.  By making ourselves intimately familiar with it.

We are promised that if we seek wisdom, it will be given to us.

Let's take God at His Word (literally!).


So, my friends, as we negotiate Blog Land, with all its idiosyncrasies, may we remember these two things…

We are not spam.

We need not be confused.


OK, one more thing…

We are eternally *verified* by The One who *captcha-ed* us and who has said forever…

"Gotcha."

Sorry.

The heroic lizard made me do it!! 

Hey!

I passed the test!

I got the green check mark.

 Thumb's up!! 

"Know that the LORD, he is God!  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." (Psalm 100:3, ESV)

"'My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.  No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else.  No one can snatch them from the Father's hand." 
(John 10:27-29, NLT)

"If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." (Romans 14:8, NIV)

"Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence." (Ephesians 3:12, NLT)

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." 
(Hebrews 4:16, NLT)

"You, therefore, dear friends, having been warned beforehand, must continually be on your guard so as not to be led astray by the false teaching of immoral men nor fall from your own steadfastness." 
(2 Peter 3:17, WEYMOUTH)

"Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit.  You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world." (1 John 1:4, NLT)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5, ESV)

"By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path." (Psalm 119:105, MESSAGE)

"Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action), so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, AMP)

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13, ESV)



How does knowing you belong to God *straighten out the paths* of life?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAYS, SMALL WONDER, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, MOM 2 MOM MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, WORDS OF COMFORT MONDAY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY,WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, JOYHOPELIVE LINKUP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, BELOVED BREWS, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, SHINE, HEARTS FOR HOME, LOOKING UP LINKUP, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, TGI SATURDAYS, WEEKEND BREW, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

ANNOUNCING MY WORD FOR 2015

May I have the envelope, please?

(Insert drum roll…)

My Word for 2015 is – HEALING.


I must tell you the story about how it arrived.

A couple of months ago, I had a meltdown.  A good old sobfest with "The Hub."  Numerous things were swirling through my emotions.  Numerous aches in my heart were especially acute.

"The Hub" was dismayed.

You see, he does not like to see me cry.  I don't think any man likes to see his loved one cry.  It seems to trigger their *fix-it* gene.

He looked at me, rather desperately, and said, "What is wrong with you?"

And I, just as desperately replied, "I'm just so broken.  I feel like I'm in a million pieces.  I just really need God to heal me."

As soon as the word came out of my mouth, I felt it.  It triggered something deep.  It touched a nerve somewhere in my soul.

Later, after many Kleenexes – (for after all, meltdowns are sloppy business) – later I got to thinking more about what I said.  And realized…

Yes, healing – that's what I want.

And I started to wonder if this could be my word for the coming year.  Two things kept me from claiming it at this point.  One, it was early.  Most often, the word doesn't arrive until December sometime.  And two, I was concerned that I was making this word my choice because it's what I wanted.

I like it when God picks.

So, I put it aside for the time being.

Well, as the weeks progressed, I started wondering some more.  So I prayed. Prayed that God would confirm this word, HEALING, if it was His choice.


Two things happened.

Here's the first thing.  I have had incredible insomnia over the last year.  My mind just won't shut off.  Many times I can't fall asleep, or I wake up and can't get back to sleep.  Either scenario is annoying.  But very often these are also the times when I am attacked with arrows of anxious thoughts and the hammer of fear is slung hard.

So, one night I got up and logged onto the internet.  And, I googled this phrase, "dear lord do you see me?"

At the top of the list was something called The Dear God Project.  And the very first sentence of the snippet below was this:

"I truly believe Lord that only you can heal me and you're my only hope."

Right there – the word – HEAL.

Sigh...


Still not wanting to "handpick" my word, I continued to ask for another confirmation.  (Hey, I figured it was OK to ask again.  Gideon did it…)

Soon after, a dear friend, Cheryl, posted this.  And once again, I felt the Lord tap me and say,

"It's OK, Sharon.  Yes, I will grant this word to you for the year.  But let Me teach you what it really means.  For My healing will go deeper than you can even imagine."


So…HEALING.

I tell you what, I don't really know what to expect.

But I have a feeling that God is going to teach me something deeply important and meaningful in this process of healing during this year.

And it's probably going to be something completely different than what I'm thinking – new avenues of revelation, new truths to explore, and new surprises along the journey.

For one thing, I'll tell you what I want when I think of this word.  I want God to fix me, and fix my life.  I want Him to take everything bad away.

I want THAT kind of healing.  The good kind.  Like how a warm bath soothes away the aches and pains.

God is most likely going to do something else, something more.


Three things He's already whispering to me.

First of all, healing might just require more brokenness.

I am reminded of how a broken bone sometimes needs to be re-broken so it can heal properly.  I can remember how it once took a year for a piece of stepped-on broken glass to finally work its way out of my foot.  Or the time when weeks after having an impacted wisdom tooth removed, a painful leftover piece once again required surgery to remove.

To reveal His healing, God is going to have to reveal where I'm really broken.  

Not just the areas that hurt.  There's a difference.  The areas where I hurt are the areas that have something to do with my comfort.  God wants to bring healing to the areas that have something to do with my character.

And that just might require some *ouch.*


Second, though I am seeking and wanting healing for myself, it just might arrive as I reach out to others with a healing touch.

For example, a few weeks ago "The Hub" and I came across a homeless man sitting in front of a dollar store.  His head hung low, and he was particularly scrungy.  Yet, we felt compelled to reach out with a small gift of money.

As we approached, his head came up, and I reached out my hand to give him our small offering.  And before I knew it, without thinking (thank you, Holy Spirit!), I blurted this out:

"Are you cold?  Could you use a blanket?"

Of course he answered yes.

We had to travel around to find somewhere to buy that blanket, and added a sweatshirt and some water, too.

But oh, how good it felt to do this.  My heart felt full and satisfied.  I knew that we had indeed touched on a secret to healing.

"And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." (Matthew 10:42, NLT)

Yes, my healing might have a whole lot more to do with the healing of others.


And finally, healing is going to be found in the nourishment of daily bread.

Last year was the first year in a very long time that I didn't read my Bible every day.  I started out well, but then my dad fell and went to the hospital and then passed away.  My days were crazy and disrupted – in fact, the whole year has been a bit of a seesaw.

Yes, I was in the Word.  But not in an intentional, methodical way.  I missed it.  Frankly, I think it had a lot to do with my struggles.  So this year, with the Lord's help, I am going to return to the discipline of daily reading.

I have a feeling that this practice is deeply tied to healing.


So, boom, there it is…my new word.

HEALING.

I think of the time when Jesus said this:

"When Jesus heard this, he told them, 'Healthy people don't need a doctor – sick people do.  I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.'" (Mark 2:17, NLT)

Oh yes.  I am a sinner in deep need of healing.  I desperately require the services of the Great Physician.  And, I am glad that I know it.  It opens the door for the Lord to work.


I close with a remembrance of the scene of the man at the pool of Bethesda.  A man who had been an invalid for 38 years.  Jesus, arriving on the scene, had this to say:

"When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, 'Do you want to be healed?'" (John 5:6, ESV)

Perhaps this is the beginning point of my year of healing – answering that question.  Because it's not as straightforward as it seems.  My gut reaction is to scream, "YES!  Of course I do!  I am in pain, after all."

But true healing is going to require learning other lessons.

Lessons of humility, desire, longing, self-sacrifice, surrender.

For after all, I want healing that soothes.

God wants healing that delves.  He's going to probe, and dig, and reveal where I'm truly broken…

Am I ready?

Yes, Lord, I believe I am.  Help my unbelief.


So, just as He said to this same man, He is saying to me:

"Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!"

One step at a time, yoked with Him and in His strength, I am going to do just that.


"Taking her by the hand he said to her, 'Talitha cumi,' which means, 'Little girl, I say to you, arise.'" (Mark 5:41, ESV)


OK, Lord, I rise…

(To be continued…)

For I will restore health
unto thee,
and I will heal thee
of thy wounds.

"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5, ESV)

"For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal." (Job 5:18, NIV)

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." 
(Psalm 147:3, ESV) 

"O LORD, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved." (Jeremiah 17:14, NLT) 

"Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak.  Heal me, LORD…" 
(Psalm 6:2, NLT)

"Come, let us return to the LORD.  He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us.  He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds." (Hosea 6:1, NLT)

"They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them." (Isaiah 19:22, NIV)

"Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.  He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them…" (Psalm 107:19-20, ESV)

"The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help.  He rescues them from all their troubles.  The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.  The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.” (Psalm 34:17-19, NLT)

"…Thus says the LORD…'I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears.  Behold, I will heal you.'" (2 Kings 20:5, ESV)

"He took her by the hand and said to her, 'Talitha koum!' (which means 'Little girl, I say to you, get up!').  Immediately the girl stood up…" 
(Mark 5:41-42, NIV)

"'Behold, I will bring…health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth.'" (Jeremiah 33:6, NASB)

"'My child, pay attention to what I say.  Listen carefully to my words.  Don't lose sight of them.  Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.'" 
(Proverbs 4:20-22, NLT)

"O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me." 
(Psalm 30:2, NASB)

"...unto you who revere and worshipfully fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings and His beams, and you shall go forth and gambol like calves [released] from the stall and leap for joy." (Malachi 4:2, AMP)


"I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, God's home is now among his people!  He will live with them, and they will be his people.  God himself will be with them.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.'

And the one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making everything new!... Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true...It is finished!  I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End.  To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.  All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.'" (Revelation 21:3-7, NLT)

"...for I am the LORD who heals you." (Exodus 15:26, NLT)

YAHWEH ROPHEKA (RAPHA)

***SIDENOTE: Be sure to check out my sidebar for some thoughts and definitions of healing.  And, I've also included some wonderful verses about healing.  (Look under MY WORD FOR 2015, and MY VERSES FOR 2015).

Additionally, please check out these new pages: 2015 QUOTES ON HEALING, 2015 THOUGHTS ON HEALING, 2015 SONGS OF HEALING, and A COMMENTARY ON HEALING.  I think you'll be edified in the reading – I most certainly was!

What is your Word for 2015?

Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, UNFORCED RHYTHMS, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAYS, UNITE, TITUS 2 TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL HIS STORY, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, CAPTURE YOUR JOURNEY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE AND CONVERSATION, SO MUCH AT HOME, FRONT PORCH INSPIRED, THE LOFT, THRIVING THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, EVERYDAY JESUS, HEARTS FOR HOME, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE,  THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAYS, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, MISSIONAL WEEKEND, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, A GROUP LOOK, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND BREW, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

DON'T BE A SPIRITUAL GIMP

You know, it's one thing to take a verse out of context.

It's a whole other thing to completely misread it.

I had this happen the other day.  This year I'm reading through the Bible using The Chronological Bible.  It's been very interesting reading Scripture in *real-time*.  And one of the things I do is keep a quiet-time journal.  In this journal, I write a verse or two that really struck me that particular day.

So, on Monday, I found myself in the book of 1 Kings – reading the very exciting story of Elijah facing off against the priests of Baal.  And the verse that stood out to me was 1 Kings 18:21.

But when I copied this verse into my journal, I miswrote one of the words. This is how I wrote it (from the NLT translation):

"How much longer will you waver, hovering between two opinions?  If the LORD is God, follow him!"

But then I looked again and realized I had made a mistake.  It does NOT say *hovering* between two opinions – it says *hobbling*.

(Interesting sidenote:  The ESV says "limping" – the KJV says "halt" – the NASB says "hesitate")

Upon my first reading of this verse, I had in my mind a picture of myself hovering.  Kinda circling around two opinions.  Yes, I believe that the LORD is God, but I sorta hover over still trying to control my own life.  

When I saw that the word was actually *hobbling* – it kinda stopped me.

Let’s go to the dictionary first:

HOVER - To remain suspended over a place or object; to move to and fro near a place; to fluctuate around a given point 

HOBBLE - To walk or move along haltingly or with difficulty

You see, hobbling is something that is done to a horse or a person for a very specific reason:

A hobble is a device that prevents or limits the locomotion of a human or an animal, by tethering one or more legs. 

You see, when I read what I thought I read, I had this idea that it was just harmless hovering that Elijah was talking about.  Sorta innocent waffling, being a little wishy-washy, just kinda hanging around, a little unsure about trusting.

I thought I was just a hummingbird hovering around two opinions.

But no!

I am a completely grounded dodo bird, crippled and tethered to my unbelief.

Wavering between trusting God and having complete allegiance to Him – or not – is not without consequence.

I will be impeded, thwarted, stymied in my walk with the Lord if I don't stop WAVERING!!

My walk of faith will become a measly shriveled crippled thing.

This is how that Scripture truly reads (and I happen to believe that Elijah shouted this to all the people present on that mountaintop):

"How much longer will you waver, HOBBLING between two opinions?  If the LORD is God, follow him!"

I read in this verse a conviction, a command, and a courageous stand. YES, I choose God – and that means I choose to follow Him, NO MATTER WHAT!

Joshua said it this way:

"But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve…But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

There's something else that happened on this day in Elijah's life.  It's the rest of that verse – it's the reaction of the people:

"But the people were completely silent."

How pathetic.  How sad.  What a terrible loss…

So, today I am putting myself up on that mountain with ol' Elijah.  And when he shouts out his words, and the crowd stands silent, I am standing up on singularly un-hobbled legs and shouting back to him…(please picture me with an upraised fist):

"Count me in, Elijah!  Today I choose God, and I will follow and serve Him with my whole heart!"

Lord, rain down on me fire from heaven – 

Let me run like a spiritual thoroughbred!!


What are the things that hobble you in your walk of faith?


Linked today with Joan at the GRACE CAFE


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

HOUSEKEEPING FOR 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I am so excited to begin a new year of Bible reading!

This year I have chosen to read the One Year Chronological Bible. I have not read the Scriptures in this format before. It's going to be exciting to watch God's story unfold in *real time.*

For my devotional study, I have picked "How Great Is Our God, Timeless Readings on the Nature of God." It is a compilation of some of the best writings on the nature of God – gathered by The Navigators, and published by NavPress.

In addition, I will be spending some time each day with three of my favorite all-time Christian authors:

Knowing the Heart of God by John Eldredge.

Grace Notes by Philip Yancey.

A Year with C. S. Lewis, Daily Readings from His Classic Works, Edited by Patricia S. Klein.

I am eager to let the words of these great believers permeate my soul this year. My devotional readings will be a treasured enhancement to the wonderful work that I know God will accomplish through my reading of HIS WORD!

On my sidebar, I will feature these new additions:

My Word for 2012.

My Verses for 2012.

Verse of the Day.

Thought for the Day – I will include something from "How Great Is Our God."

Quotes for the Day – I will include something from each of the three authors.

Daily Prayer – A prompt to focus your prayer for the day, and a Bible verse.

Prayer for the Week.

And, I have added a new page – DEVOTIONAL AUTHORS – that will be a listing of authors and their works from my devotional reading.

What does God have in store for YOU in the new year?

I would encourage you to read God's Word each and every day.

It is a Book that is alive.

It will challenge you, comfort you, convict you, calm you – it will teach you, and guide you – it will strengthen you and humble you.

Won't you join me and let God work in your heart and life through His Word this year?

ENJOY!

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - Merry CHRISTmas!

In today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" the Word of God will speak for itself:

THE PREDICTION

Yet a ruler…will come.

And He will stand to lead His flock with the LORD'S strength, in the majesty of the name of His God.

He will be highly honored around the world.

And He will be the source of peace.

(From Micah 5)

For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.

The government will rest on His shoulders.

And He will be called:

Wonderful

Counselor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace.

His government and its peace will never end.

(From Isaiah 9)

THE FULFILLMENT

Look!

The virgin will conceive a child!

She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means "God is with us."

(From Matthew 1)

"Don't be afraid, Mary…for you have found favor with God!

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.

He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High.

And He will reign…forever; His Kingdom will never end!"

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.

She gave birth to her first child, a son.

Glory to God in highest heaven,

And peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.

(From Luke 1 and 2)

So the Word became human and made His home among us.

He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.

And we have seen His glory.

(From John 1)

THE ANTICIPATION

Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory.

And He will send out his angels to gather His chosen ones from all over the world – from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

(From Mark 13)

For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.

Then we will be with the Lord forever.

(From 1 Thessalonians 4)

I am coming soon.

Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.

(From Revelation 3)

Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

(From Revelation 22)

THE CULMINATION

Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!

And He who sits on the throne will give them shelter.

They will never again be hungry or thirsty.

For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd.

He will lead them to springs of life-giving water.

And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.

(From Revelation 7)

Praise the name of the Lord!

Praise Him, you who serve the Lord.

Praise the Lord, for He is good.

Your name, O Lord, endures forever!

(From Psalm 135)

AMEN! Come, Lord Jesus!

May the wonder of a starlit night,

The power of our Savior's might,

The glories of His merciful love,

Bring blessings to you from above.

Wishing each of you and yours a very Merry CHRISTmas!

(Linked today with Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, and Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

SURPRISE, SURPRISE

I love surprises.

Well, most of them.

An unexpected bouquet of flowers – good thing. An unexpected flat tire – not so much.

But, my favorite surprises have to be the ones that come from God's Word. You know what I'm talking about. Those nuances or details or insights that, though you've read them countless times before, suddenly jump out at you – and you learn or see or hear something completely new in the Bible.

Spiritual serendipity.

Moments when I slap my head (sorta like one of those "I could've had a V-8" commercials) – and just smile and go, "Huh…"

I've had several in the last few weeks, and I thought it might be *fun* if I shared them with you.

Let's start in the Old Testament:

"Moses said, 'I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.' So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.'" (Exodus 3:3-4, NKJV)

OK, the story of Moses and the burning bush. You've heard it many times – I've heard it many times. So, what did I see this time?

This part: "So when the LORD saw that [Moses] turned aside to look, God called to him…"

I had never really noticed before that God did not talk to Moses UNTIL Moses turned to look. I have always known that God talked to Moses from the burning bush. What struck me this time was the timing.

Moses turned toward the bush – THEN God spoke.

So, here's what I'm thinking.

I spend a lot of time thinking about, looking for, wanting some kind of "opportunity" to drop in my lap to serve the Lord. I think to myself, "Shouldn't I wait for the Lord to show me what to do?" And then, after waiting for a (long) while, I might say a little less patiently, "Isn't God supposed to bring something to me?"

After this particular passage hit me anew, I asked myself this question.

Is God just waiting for me to turn?

Maybe God is waiting for me to move first. It's hard to drive a parked car, after all.

Now I'm not advocating moving willy-nilly all over the place without prayer and counsel. But I am saying that sometimes we sit waiting when we should be faithfully moving out.

I think God just might be saying – Turn in curiosity, and see what I might say. Try some new doors, and see what I might open. Explore new avenues, and see where I might guide you.

Hmmm.

Now let's move on to the New Testament:

"They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, 'Don't be afraid. I am here!' Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!" (John 6:19-21, NLT)

OK, the story of Jesus walking on water. You've heard it many times – I've heard it many times. So, what did I see this time?

This part: "…and immediately they arrived at their destination!"

I had never noticed that part. I've always been so captivated with Jesus' ability to defy nature. I've always been so comforted by His kind and encouraging words. I've always been so sure that I had the complete story, that until now, I had missed the second miracle.

I checked other translations to make sure that that little tidbit of miracle was there. It was. And here's what John Gill's commentary had to say about it:

"...and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went –
 which was done, as Nonnus observes, by a divine motion; for not only the wind ceased, but another miracle was wrought; the ship was in an instant at the place whither they intended to go."

So, here's what I'm thinking:

Jesus didn't get into the boat and help those disciples row the rest of the way to shore. Not this time. This time He performed a second miracle. He immediately brought them to their destination – suddenly and unexpectedly.

When I am in the middle of the storms in my life, I pray – of course I do. And the Lord comes to me. I invite Him into all the troubles that are raging around me. And He does indeed say to me, "Don't be afraid. I am here!"

But, do I ever really consider the possibility that He might immediately change the situation? Do I pray big – believing that He could perform a miracle? Do I entertain the thought that Jesus knows my destination – and He might just fast-forward me there?

Do I believe that when Jesus appears, anything can happen?!

Yes, sometimes He calms the storm.

Sometimes He invites me to walk on water.

Sometimes He gets into the boat, and we ride out the storm together.

But now – a new possibility! He might just perform a miracle, and my rowing might be instantly needless in one shining moment.

Hmmm.

I've got one more.

Can you hang in there?

New Testament again:

"[Jesus] stepped forward to meet them. 'Who are you looking for?' he asked. 'Jesus the Nazarene,' they replied. 'I AM he,' Jesus said…As Jesus said, 'I AM he,' they all drew back and fell to the ground!" (John 18:4-6, NLT)

OK, the story of Jesus being arrested. You've heard it many times – I've heard it many times. So, what did I see this time?

This part: "As Jesus said, 'I AM he,' they all drew back and fell to the ground!'"

How did I not notice before that these words, this Name, uttered from the lips of Jesus threw these people to the ground?!

I wonder – did Jesus shout it? Did He whisper it? Or did He say it calmly, stating it as the matter of fact that it was?

And this – did the disciples fall down, too?

Oh, how I wish I could have been a "fly on the wall" – (a gnat in the Garden??) – and seen this scene unfold.

So, here's what I'm thinking:

There is power in The Name.

Does that thrill you like it thrills me?!

Just the Name, just the Voice of Jesus saying it, was enough to topple people. His Voice had authority, it had power, it had the ability to knock people off their feet.

It still does.

It's a divisive name – a bold claim. Jesus is God. In many circles, that isn't going to win you the Most Popular vote. I don't know about you, but I kinda like that. It kinda makes me stand a little taller.

One day, at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.

But what about now? What about me?

Am I knocked off my feet by the fact that the great "I AM" died for me? That the awesome "I AM" rose from the dead to give me life? That the glorious "I AM" is the One that I serve? That the majestic and almighty "I AM" is my friend?

I should be.

I should be knocked off my feet, down to my knees, and flat on my face.

I am loved by "I AM."

His words silence me. I am hushed with humble gratitude.

Hmmm.

So, my friends – thanks for hanging in there with me! I hope my thoughts cause you to ponder, too.

The Word of God is alive and powerful.

And it is full of surprises – really, really good ones!

What's something you've learned lately from the Bible that struck you in a new way?

Come and enjoy some nourishment at Joan's GRACE CAFE!

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

UFO'S.

No, it's not crazy flying saucers filled with little green men.

Sharon's Acrostic Dictionary defines it this way:

U nknown

F aces

O n

S idebar

Yes, I'm talking about all those little square-faced people that become your *followers*. I'm always fascinated by them. What stories are represented by those pint-sized faces? What struggles, what triumphs, what pain, what joy?

I have come to know some of those faces quite well. And one in particular, I just had the pleasure to meet IRL…(I know, I had to figure it out with my sons. In "textspeak" it means *in real life.* LOL)

A couple of weeks ago, Janis from Open My Ears, Lord, notified me that she and her family were going to be in my area on Sunday. Well, we met and went to church together! I can't tell you how special it was to celebrate next to a real-live UFO from Blog Land. Glorious.

I had lunch with her family afterwards. And it was like we had known each other forever. She was exactly how I pictured her – the way she spoke and acted, the things she talked about, her laugh.

I realized a wonderful thing about this blogging that we all do.

We are truly putting ourselves out there. And you really can know someone through their writing. Somehow the heart comes through…

A great truth.

Particularly when applied to God's Word. We have His writing, His actual writing in our hands. The Bible is God's Blog, so to speak. And through it, we can really know Him. All about Him. About His character, His pain, His joy, His triumphs, His love…we can know His heart.

Glorious.

You see, that's the thing about writing. It isn't just words on a page. It's the person. Janis was everything that her writing led me to know – and more. I sat with her in church, and at lunch, and couldn't stop thinking – she's JUST like I knew she would be.

I believe that we can have that knowledge – that SURE knowledge – about the Lord. And when we finally see Him face to face, He will be everything that His writing led us to know – and more…so much more.

So, I would encourage more of us to make the effort to meet IRL…in real life. It's a joy worth experiencing. And if that isn't possible, trust that we ARE getting to know each other, we are forming friendships that are real and vibrant, we are bonding to each other.

Blog Land is real.

And, as we pursue the Word of God – the living, breathing, vibrant Word of God – we will get to know God. We will become friends with Jesus. We will connect with the Holy Spirit.

I read my Bible every day – and I hope that you do, too. It's an amazing book. And sometimes in a radical way, and sometimes in a subtle way, its words work themselves deep into my heart. They become part of my soul. They find themselves at the forefront of my mind.

To all of you, every one of you little square-faced people, I want to say thank you. Thank you for becoming my friends, my confidantes, my soul brothers and sisters. What we have is wonderful and full. There is comfort and joy in knowing that we are upheld and empowered by real people.

Janis, it was my pleasure to meet you IRL. And I hope I have the chance to meet more of you, my dear blogging friends.

In the meantime, know that I know you. I see your heart. I feel your feelings, and I cherish your faith. I hold your friendship, and your words, so very close to my heart.

Just like my Bible, my friend.

How thankful I am that God knows me completely (IRL!!), and that I am growing to know Him ever more deeply and completely through His Word.

H&K – 143 !

(Textspeak to English translation: "Hugs and kisses, I love you!")

*SIDENOTE: Won't you please join Janis and me at her blog,

Open My Ears, Lord, for our online "interview"? We think you'll enjoy it...C'mon on over! :)

Have you ever met a blogger in real life – tell me about it!

(I am also linked today with Joan at THE BEAUTY IN HIS GRIP, for "Sharing His Beauty.")

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

First impressions.

I'm usually pretty good at them.

Like the first time I met my high school bus driver. I knew she was going to be mean. Her name was Mrs. Ferrari – and let me tell you, it was an oxymoron if there ever was one! It would have been like calling Shaquille O'Neal "Mr. VW Beetle." She was built like a tank, and had a drill sergeant personality.

I was scared to death of her.

Rightfully so. She demanded total law and order on her bus. Sure, it was noisy – what bus isn't?! But, the rules were obeyed, and no one got away with anything.

As the year went on, I began to learn that Mrs. Ferrari wasn't quite as mean as she seemed. Yes, she was strict – but she cared for her students. She'd taken the time to get to know some of our names, and she even smiled once in awhile (I think it was every other Friday…)

She played the radio for us.

I still thought she was stern – but I began to see something else in her, too. She actually was a very nice person – patient and tolerant.

Like the one time that a group of boys, who liked to banter with her, executed a good-natured squirt gun attack on the last week of school.

I expected Mrs. Ferrari to go ballistic.

She didn't. She laughed, and took it in the joking manner in which it was intended. I was pretty surprised actually. But my surprise was about to be taken to the next level.

On the last day of school, all of a sudden the bus stopped in front of a house several blocks away from our regular bus stop. What??

Just then, two guys came running out from behind the house, dragging a garden hose along with them. The doors of the bus flew open, they handed the nozzle of the hose to Mrs. Ferrari, and she yelled out at the top of her lungs…

"TURN IT ON!"

Well, the entire bus got a soaking that I will never forget! We were scrambling and laughing – it was a pool party gone mad! And no one laughed harder than Mrs. Ferrari – who also ended up completely sopping wet.

Mrs. Ferrari had become our friend – and we all hugged her good-bye for the summer.

I was wrong on this first impression – and it's always served as a reminder to me that often a "book can't be judged by its cover."

Even Jesus.

Especially Jesus.

I always thought He was a mild-mannered, meek, slightly "Renaissance-y feminine" sort of person. Many of the depictions I saw of Him only served to reinforce this image. I loved Him – oh yes I did – but I definitely had Him filed under *passive.*

Until I read through the Gospels.

Jesus was no wimp. He was all the things that a hero should be.

Intelligent, clever, forthright, opinionated, strong, independent – perfectly balanced with humility, kindness, goodness, and devotion to His Father.

I've been a Christian my whole life – but I didn't get to know Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible, the unexpected Jesus – until I was an adult.

And every day that I follow Him, I get to know Him even better.

He's my hero.

So, are there any people in your life who deserve a second look?

What about Jesus?

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

JUST IN CASE YOU FORGET...

Listen to Me.

I have cared for you since you were born.

Yes, I carried you before you were born.

I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age.

I made you, and I will care for you.

I will carry you along and save you.

To whom will you compare Me?

Who is My equal?

Do not forget this!

Keep it in mind!

Remember this...

Remember the things I have done in the past.

For I alone am God!

I am God, and there is none like Me.

Only I can tell you the future before it even happens.

Everything I plan will come to pass.

I have said what I would do, and I will do it.

I am ready to save and show My glory!

Long ago I told you what was going to happen.

All my predictions will come true.

I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.

But, I will rescue you for My sake - yes, for My own sake!

I will not let My reputation be tarnished.

I alone am God - the First and the Last.

I will teach you what is good for you.

I will lead you along the paths you should follow.

I will give you peace flowing like a gentle river.

Remember...

I alone am God!

I am God, and there is none like Me.

P.S. And I love you so very much!

(Selected from Isaiah 46 - 48, New Living Translation)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

DEVOTIONAL TUG-OF-WAR

I have a love/hate relationship with my daily devotionals.

OK, not a hate thing exactly – but hear me out.

I love how God so often speaks a word to me – just when I need to hear it.

I "hate" how God so often speaks a word to me – just when I need to hear it (but might not want to!)

Let me give you an example.

The other day, I was writing a post about the peace of God. I wanted to see if it flowed – so I read it out loud to my youngest son. At the end He was really quiet. (Was it that horrible, I thought to my "glass half-empty" self?)

Finally he said, "Mom, you know that leather devotional book you gave me with the leaves on the front?"

"Yeah, I remember that."

"Do you have a copy?"

"Yes, I do."

"Go check out June 4th."

So I did. It was all about the peace of God – and it had used the exact same verses that I had placed in my post. Words and verses that both my son and I really needed to hear on that particular day.

I whispered to him, "God is really awesome, isn't He?"

That's a *love my devotions* moment.

And those moments happen all the time, don't they? When a particular passage of Scripture just seems to leap out at you. When a particular message in church, or a lesson from Bible Study, is just so perfectly appropriate to where you're at – it's like God spoke out just to you…

Of course, there's the other side.

Let me give you an example of that.

I had a day last week that was full of aggravations. Dealing with frustrating family issues, and cantankerous people, and irritating phone calls – I was quite honestly just annoyed with everything and everyone. I was not feeling holy and patient. I was sick and tired of being responsible and conscientious and kind…

I wanted to be selfish – I wanted to be left alone.

That's how I went to sleep that night – in a mood. The next morning when I woke up, I wasn't feeling any different – (unless you call being even more annoyed and entrenched in my crummy attitude "different"…)

But, I went to do my devotions.

Here's how they began:

"Some people annoy us. They interrupt us when we're trying to concentrate, ignore us when we need their help, or give us unwanted advice. Sometimes, the best we can do is tolerate them. Tolerating people, however, isn't loving them, and God has set a high standard for us in relationships – especially in the family of God…"

Can you see God's timely irony?

I looked up at the ceiling, and said with a sigh –

"God, will You just leave me alone?"

(Sometimes I'm just not in the mood to be convicted, you know??)

But He answered me, just as clear as if He had spoken it aloud –

"No, I love you too much."

So, you see, I love my devotions when they're a timely word of encouragement, or comfort, or inspiration, or peace.

And though I might "hate" my devotions when they convict me, or challenge me, or discipline me – I actually love those, too.

For in it all, God is speaking – sometimes in a way that's just so perfectly appropriate to where I'm at – it's like God spoke out just to me.

And praise His name – He never leaves me alone…

No, He loves me too much for that!

(Today I'm linked with Wendy at Faith's Firm Foundation)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"