CAN YOU SEE THE MOUNTAIN?

It never rains in California…

Isn't that how the old song goes?  

(FYI, the song was written and recorded by Albert Hammond in 1972.  I know, I had the same reaction…who???)

Anyway, rain…

So, let me answer the question – YES, it does rain in California!

And sometimes it sleets, and snows, and blows!

Last weekend we had some dramatic winter weather.

The winds were gusting, the rain was smashing into our windows, and an icy sleet covered everything with a chilly layer of white.

For a few days, it never got out of the 20's.

Now listen to me, you folks who live in the Midwest or Eastern part of the country.  Don't be getting high and mighty on me, bragging on how you deal with your winter weather.  I will gracefully concede that many of you face conditions much worse than this.

But, consider…

For a girl who's spent almost all of her life living near the beach, in sandals and shorts for most of the year, this mountain weather is a whole new story!!

Dealing with possible freezing pipes, and chipping out ice-encrusted cars, and shoveling driveways, and putting on and taking off chains, and any number of other winter challenges is brand new territory for me!

I digress.


So, last weekend we had a STORM!!

Sunday was the worst day of all.  

Yo, ho, blow the man (or woman) down!!

(Let me tell you, I am very glad for the protection of double-paned windows, a roof over my head, and good, solid carpentry!)

Monday morning arrived…

"The Hub" has a ritual that he goes through every morning.

He gets a big glass of iced tea (yeah, he grew up near the beach, too!), and stands by our huge floor-to-ceiling window.  You know, the one with the breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains, and one very impressive granite outcropping.

He's like a lizard – he loves to soak up the rays of the sun first thing in the morning.

I knew the sun was not shining this morning.

Because along with the storm, we'd had crazy fog!

Carl Sandburg wrote a famous poem called "FOG".  

Here's the first line:

"The fog comes
on little cat feet."

Yeah, well, this storm's fog hadn't come in like a little cat.  It had arrived full-force, roaring like a lion, and blanketing the entire mountain in a shroud.

So, I asked "The Hub"…

"Can you see the mountain?"

"It comes and goes," he answered.

As a little joke, I replied, "The mountain?  Or our perception of it?"

He chuckled.

"You know," I quipped, "it doesn't really matter if we can see it or not.  It's still there."


Throughout the rest of the day, I got to thinking about what I'd said.

And I got to thinking about how it applied to life lately.

I don't know what's going on with me.

Severe anxiety has plagued me for a couple of weeks now.

Personally, I think it has something to do with the fact that I am intentionally seeking to be grateful.  And when one makes an effort to mindfully incorporate gratitude into their everyday life, *someone* isn't happy about that.

You-know-who always seeks to steal, kill, and destroy.

Steal peace.

Kill joy.

Destroy hope.

I have felt his influence more than usual lately.  In some ways, it's sort of validation that this *journey of grateful* this year is indeed God's plan and purpose for me.

Sometimes God's work is confirmed by the counter-work of the enemy.

But, being grateful is made so much harder when you're fending off arrows of attack.


I sometimes often don't understand myself at all.

I get in these places, these moods, and I'm not always sure of how I got there – let alone how to get out of them.

And lately, that's just how I've felt.

Beleaguered, beset, bedeviled, bewildered.

Anxious and unsettled.  Afraid and rattled.  Discouraged and dismayed.

Off-kilter, overly sensitive, hyper-reactive – sad, mad, and glad in dizzying merry-go-round fashion.

Yeah, and also desperately out-of-control.

So, on this stormy morning, when I jokingly asked "The Hub" about the mountain, I saw a pretty appropriate lesson in it.


It is so easy to lose sight when surrounded by storms.

And sometimes, even though life might not be throwing a bunch of actual storms at us, the storm can still rage within us.

A fog of moodiness can blanket our hearts and spirits.

And we can lose sight of the mountain – The Rock.

It seems to me that there is a direct correlation between the state of my emotions, and my perception of God's closeness.

The more tossed and turned I feel, the less I feel Him there.

The more I am consumed with my inner tempest, the less I sense His presence.

If someone were to ask me, "Can you see the mountain?" – (Can you still see the Lord?) – my truthful answer would probably be, "It comes and goes."

But here's the thing.

The mountain – our Lord – never disappears.

He stands in the same place...

...strong and steady and sure, whether I see Him there or not!

Perception is never reality.

Feeling is never truth.

And moods never, ever change the position of our Mountain, our Rock.

God doesn't play cosmic hide-and-seek with us.

But we can certainly experience times when He seems distant, silent, hidden.

How come?

I'd have to say it's because we live in a world that is shadowed by sin. 

Where truth can be hidden by the vacillating challenges of circumstances.

Where emotions can fool us, and feelings can trap us.

Where it seems like God is here one day, and gone the next.

Where few things are in our control.


So yeah, I'm not entirely sure what's responsible for this recent roller-coaster of emotion.  This tumult in my spirit.

But, in the end, it matters not.

"Can I see the mountain?" I ask myself.

It's not the right question.

I do not need to see Him.

I do not need to sense Him.

I do not need to touch Him.

Fleeting senses, one and all.

I simply need to rely on what I know is true...

The mountain, My Rock, is there.

Unmovable, unchanging, undiminished by my lack of perception.

My emotions may ask the question.

But my heart will instead proclaim the Truth:

"It doesn't really matter if I see Him or not…

HE'S. STILL. THERE."


Yes, I will rest in that…

Gratefully.

Fixing
my eyes on
Jesus,
my vision
is focused
and my future
is clear. 

"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." (Romans 1:20, ESV)

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.  He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation…" (Colossians 1:15, NLT)

"No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known." 
(John 1:18, NIV)

"No one has ever seen God.  But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us." (1 John 4:12, NLT)

"It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt…He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible." (Hebrews 11:27, NLT)

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, Bearean Bible)

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV)

"Then Jesus [said], 'You believe because you have seen me.  Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.'" (John 20:29, NLT)

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy…" (1 Peter 1:8, AMP)

"Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.  All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely." (1 Corinthians 13:12, NLT)

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2, KJV)

"Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality – faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]." (Hebrews 11:1, AMP)

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.  And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!  I will see him for myself.  Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.  I am overwhelmed at the thought!" (Job 19:25-27, NLT)

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.  Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17, NIV)

***REMEMBER to check out DAILY GRATEFUL THOUGHTS here***

  
(Updated DAILY GRATEFUL WORDS, A WORD FROM THE WORD, A "MESSAGE" FROM GOD, and FOOD FOR THOUGHT can be found on the sidebar.  Thank you!)




In spite of the fog and storms in life, can you still see The Mountain?




Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, UNITE LINKUP, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, WISE WOMAN, TELL HIS STORY, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAYS, DANCE WITH JESUS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH, WEEKEND WHISPERS, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

AT THE RED SEA - A POEM

Ever feel like you're stuck?

Like you're in a season of life when nothing makes sense?

When hardships and struggles and fears threaten to overwhelm you?

And you just don't know what to do?

Yeah, me too.

Lately I've felt like I'm in a sort of *holding pattern* – trapped in an anxious and edgy state of mind, feeling all sorts of turbulent emotions, and seeing nowhere to turn and no way to escape.

So, as I was contemplating what to write about this week, I remembered a poem that I had written several years ago.

Ah, the search began.

I ventured down into the pile of unpacked boxes, cache of pack-rat treasures, storage room to look for my notebook full of poetry.

I'm happy to say that I located it right away – (you see, there is a method in my madness!)

I reread the poem, and realized that God once again used the words to speak to my heart, right now, right where I am.


You see, when I wrote the poem I was contemplating a decision.

And I just didn't know which way to turn – what to do, where to go – and I couldn't figure out when and how to do it, if I was even supposed to do it in the first place.

I thought of Moses and the Israelites, standing at the Red Sea.

Looking behind, all they could see was the quickly-approaching armies of Pharaoh.

Scary.

Looking ahead, all they could see was the impassable waters of the Red Sea.

Daunting.


Here's the scene in Scripture:

"The Egyptians chased after them with all the forces in Pharaoh's army – all his horses and chariots, his charioteers, and his troops.  The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore…As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them.  They cried out to the LORD…" 

(From Exodus 14, NLT)


I can relate.

The sense of impending doom, the panic over the surrounding circumstances, the urgent cry to the Lord…

And the anxious waiting for Him to DO. SOMETHING. NOW.

Of course, we know how the story ends.

God did arrive, He did act, and He saved the Israelites – defeating the Egyptian forces in rather stunning fashion.

But there were *those* moments…

Moments on the shore, when doubts crept in and fear threatened to overtake the bravest of hearts.

Nervous moments of waiting.


I'm not facing a decision today, but I am facing life.

And lately, I have to admit, I've felt like Moses and the Israelites.

Trapped between a Pharaoh of fear and the daunting Red Sea of circumstances.

Waiting for God to show up and DO. SOMETHING. NOW.


So, I share this poem today, and hope that it brings encouragement to you.

For, no matter what we face, the Lord is indeed there with us.

Waiting to move…



AT THE RED SEA

Lord, I'm standing
between Pharaoh and the sea,
Wondering, worrying
Do You even see me?

I know You've led me
through troubles in the past,
But why, oh why
can't those victories last?

So here I am
hoping to rejoice,
For all I want
is to hear Your voice.

Just to know
which way to go,
Just for Your presence
within me to grow.

I want my heart
to follow Your will,
But Lord, I cannot
make myself still.

You know all I want
is just to obey,
To do only and everything
that You say.

So I wait for You
to appear at this sea,
To make Yourself known
to come here and calm me.

Speak to me, Lord
show me the way,
Lead me, guide me
hear me as I pray.

Lord, I'm standing
between Pharaoh and the sea,
Wondering, worrying
Do You even see me?

Wait just a moment
What do I hear?
A rumbling, a tumbling
I feel God coming near.

There's an unmistakable
quaking in my heart,
I think the Red Sea
is about to part!

So I stand on the shore
and wait for dry land,
I wait for the arrival
of God's powerful hand.

I wait and I wait
and I wait some more,
And yet I'm still standing
on this daunting seashore.

Oh Lord, I say
as I fall to my knees,
Why aren't You answering
any of my pleas?

Then, miracle of miracles
my face in the sand,
I finally feel
the stirring of God's hand.

Oh yes, there is something
that God wants to move,
it's my desire to control
that He seeks to reprove.

I am the sea
that He wants to part,
The immovable obstacle
is within my heart.

Oh God, I am yielded
once again to Your will,
For You are the only One
who makes my heart still.

So shake me and shape me
for I want to obey,
And rest in the promise
that You know the way.

Lord, I'm standing
between Pharaoh and the sea,
Marveling, grateful
that of course You see me!


© Sharon Kirby
March 26, 2010 (revised October, 2015)



Move me, Lord...

When I'm stuck
between a rock and a hard place,
God will lead me.
His rod and His staff
will comfort me.
And I will find my way
home. 

REMEMBER THE STORY AGAIN...


"They cried out to the LORD, and they said to Moses, 'Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness?...'

But Moses told the people, 'Don't be afraid.  Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today.  The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.  The LORD himself will fight for you.  Just stay calm.'

Then the LORD said to Moses, '...Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea.  Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.  And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites.  My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers.  When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the LORD!'

Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp.  The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them.  The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night....

Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind.  The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land.  So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!

Then the Egyptians – all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and charioteers –chased them into the middle of the sea.  But just before dawn the LORD looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion.  He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive.  'Let's get out of here – away from these Israelites!' the Egyptians shouted. 'The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!'

When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the LORD said to Moses, 'Raise your hand over the sea again.  Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.'  So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place.  The Egyptians tried to escape, but the LORD swept them into the sea. Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers – the entire army of Pharaoh.  Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.

But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides.  That is how the LORD rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day." 

(From Exodus 14, NLT)



"God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable],
A very present and well-proved help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains be shaken and slip into the heart of the seas,

Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains tremble at its roaring. 

God is in the midst of her...she will not be moved;
God will help her when the morning dawns.

The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. 

'Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.'

The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]."

(From Psalm 46, AMP)



"'Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name; you are mine.  When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.  When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.'" 
(Isaiah 43:1-3, NLT)

"'Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.'" 
(Isaiah 43:19, KJV)

"'Be strong and courageous...It is the LORD who goes before you.  He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed.'" (Deuteronomy 31:7-8, ESV)

"'...[For] lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually – regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.'" (Matthew 28:20, AMP)




If you're between *Pharaoh and the sea,* are you letting God move you?




Linked with:

FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAYS, DANCE WITH JESUS, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND WHISPERS, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE, SHARING HIS BEAUTY

(I'll be linking up with other blog hops next week!)



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

LORD, YOU ARE ABLE

Seems like a rather self-evident statement, doesn't it?

And if someone were to ask me if I believe it, I would answer, "Yes, of course!"

But, if that same someone were to ask me if I lived like I believe it, well…

(Cue deafening silence)


Yeah, I struggle with that.

I remember several years ago being in a Bible Study.  We were studying a book written by the wonderful Priscilla Shirer, "God Is Able."  And I remember one week in the video she said something to this effect:

We only have to decide whether we believe that God is able.

That's our part of the equation.

Whether He will or will not, that is His sovereign decision.

That's His part of the equation.


Ah, there's the struggle.

I do believe He is perfectly capable of doing ANYTHING.

What stops me in my anxious tracks is the worry that He won't do that wonderful something that makes everything OK again.

That He just might not do something to change a situation, to mend a relationship, to cure the health problem, to fix the financial mess, to work a miracle.

He might choose NOT to act.

This is where my *math* fails.  Where I don't fulfill my part of the equation.

Perhaps the better questions to be asked are these:

"Sharon, do you believe that God is able to work in ANY situation, even when it looks like He's doing nothing?"

"Sharon, do you believe that God is able to bring about His PERFECT will, even when things don't work out the way you want?"

"Sharon, do you believe that God is able to uphold you through ANYTHING that happens, even the scary stuff?"

This is where my faith falters.

How about you?


Today in church we had a wonderful sermon about the abundant life.  And in the course of the message, the point was made that we need to really make Jesus the Lord of our lives.

I've grown up hearing about the *throne of my heart* – and how necessary it is to yield everything in my life to the Lord.

To let HIM sit on that throne.

But, how often do I really do that?

Some days I sneak into the throne room and wait until Jesus gets up. Then I jump onto the throne when I think He's preoccupied.

Or some days I pick up the crown and scepter and act like I control the kingdom.

All too often, I try to lock the doors to the throne room so Jesus can't even get in.  Of course He does, but I still refuse to yield.

But guess what?

Even when I jump onto the throne, I still find myself sitting on the lap of Jesus.  And when I pick up the crown, it doesn't fit.  You see, it's made out of thorns, and it wasn't made for me.  And that scepter?  Way too heavy for me to hold.

And I cannot lock the doors, even if I tried.  Jesus is there, always, no matter what…

Patient with my childish ways, patient with my pretending to run the show, patient with my fearful refusals to yield my life fully to Him.


Surrendering is so very hard, isn't it?

And I believe that it involves a tough, and sometimes lonely journey to the Cross.


Here's what I see Jesus calling me to do:


1) Bring my impossible stuff to the Cross

Sometimes I don't even pray about the things going on in my life.  I am so overcome by their dreadful, possible outcomes that I cannot even put words to them.  Sometimes I run away from the cross, hiding like the disciples did, crouched in fear and trembling.

Sometimes just walking up that steep and difficult path to the cross is a willful act, a step-by-step journey I travel in spite of my feelings.

"Sharon, come to Me."


2) Lay my impossible stuff down at the foot of the Cross

OK, so I've made it to the cross.  I look up at Jesus and I ask Him for His help. I know that He can do something about every single thing that affects me and my loved ones.  This is the bundle of *stuff* that I hold in my arms.

But I cannot lay it down.

My arms are aching from carrying it all, my head is swimming with treacherous thoughts, my emotions are exhausted, and my spirit is weary.

Sometimes, quite honestly, I finally lay down my burdens just because I am utterly done in.

"Sharon, lay your burdens down."


3) Let go of my impossible stuff

Jesus is not fooled.

He sees me during the day, hands still gripped tightly to my burdens.  He sees me during the night, laying in the shadows, hands still gripped tightly to my burdens.

And no matter what "right" words I say, or how I might attempt to portray a perfect picture of faith, He can still see the fingertips holding on for dear life.

He sees.  He knows.

And He gently presses me to release my fearful grip, to surrender my anxious grasping.  To relinquish my desperate need to control everything.

"Sharon, let go."


4) Walk away from the impossible stuff

This is the hardest part of the whole journey.  If my desperation brings me to the cross, if my weariness allows me to lay down my burdens, if my faith drives me to let go…

I've still got to walk away.

This is the toughest part.

This is the final admission.

The total acknowledgment that I cannot deal with the burdens of life on my own.  That I need a Savior's help.  That I submit to His perfect will.  That I yield to His ways, His timing.

That I trust Him enough to walk away and LEAVE my burdens with Him.

The unchangeable situation, the utterly broken relationship, the dire and deadly health problem, the convoluted financial mess, the totally impossible miracle.

"Sharon, walk away."


This has always been my battleground.

For fear is all too often my master.  And the enemy does his best to keep me seeking to sit on the throne, and whispers to me that I can rule my world.

Oh, his lies are dangerous…

Lord, please bring me to Your Cross.

Help me to lay down my burdens.

Give me the courage to let go.

And strengthen me to surrender and walk away.


Listen to this wonderful quote from Priscilla Shirer:

"Got an IMPOSSIBLE situation?  The anxiety it brings can wake you in the middle of a needed night's sleep and then stalk you in the middle of broad daylight.  It can sneak up on you and cast a cloak of fear and concern over your shoulders that you can't seem to shake no matter how hard you try.  It can take you down.  Squash all hope.  Stop you in your tracks.

IMPOSSIBLE.  IMPENETRABLE.  UNCHANGEABLE.

Maybe so…until God gets involved.  No matter the details of your circumstance, His raw power potential and immeasurable ability refuse to cower in the face of any challenge.

Nothing is impossible with God.

Nothing.

Not even that thing."


What's that *impossible* thing in your life right now?

What's that one situation that seems beyond fixing?

Do you think God is able?


IMPOSSIBLE = HIM-POSSIBLE

He is the King of Everything!



The Lion of the tribe of Judah
has overcome and conquered,
has triumphed, 
has won the victory!

He is able...

"I WILL LOOK UP"

All the worries of this world
I will lay them at Your feet
Surrender every anxious thought
For perfect peace, Your perfect peace.

All the loved ones I hold dear
All my hopes and dreams and all my fears
I will choose to trust Your name
In everything, with everything.

I will look up for there is none above You
I will bow down to tell You that I need You
Jesus Lord of all, Jesus Lord of all.

I will take You at Your word
For Jesus You have taken hold of me
All my life is in Your hands
You are my strength, You are my strength.

Prince of Peace, Perfect Healer
All my life, all my cares on You
King of Kings, Mighty Savior
All my life, all my cares on You.

I will look up for there is none above You
I will bow down to tell You that I need You
Jesus Lord of all, Jesus Lord of all.

I will look back and see that You are faithful
I look ahead believing You are able
Jesus Lord of all, 
You're Jesus Lord of all.

(Elevation Worship)



"Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]."(Hebrews 4:16, AMP)

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]  Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29, AMP)

"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." (1 Peter 5:7, AMP)

"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, AMP)

"We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose." 
(Romans 8:28, AMP)

"For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." (Jeremiah 29:11, AMP)

"For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment." (Luke 1:37, AMP)

"Jesus looked at them intently and said, 'Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.'"(Matthew 19:26, NLT)

"O Sovereign Lord!  You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm.  Nothing is too hard for you!" (Jeremiah 32:17, NLT)

"Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] – To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever.  Amen (so be it)." (Ephesians 3:20-21, AMP)

"...'Lord, I believe!  [Constantly] help my weakness of faith!...I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:24, AMP & NLT)

What is the *impossible* thing in your life that you need to surrender to God's *Him-possible* ways?

Linked with: 

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



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

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!"

SUSPICIOUS MINDS

I was talking to my cousin the other night.

I was recounting to her some of the difficult things that happened during the last couple of years with my dad.  The things that happened as he increasingly slid into a state of dementia.  And I told her how one of the hardest things for me to deal with was how suspicious he became.

He was always convinced that my siblings and I were "out to get him."

For instance, my sister and I went over on several occasions to help clean and organize their house.  One day, we happened to be working downstairs.  We could hear our parents talking upstairs.  So, instantly turning into *children* again, we snuck up the stairs to listen in.

I sorta wish we hadn't.

Because what we heard was my dad telling my mom that we were stealing things.  Taking away their silver and jewelry.  Absconding with art pieces. Sneaking precious treasures out of their home.

We heard how he didn't want us there.  How he didn't understand why we had to interfere.  How he didn't trust us.

I'm not gonna lie – it hurt really bad hearing this.

Yes, suspicion and paranoia are common manifestations of dementia.  And the accusations are more often than not aimed at family members.  

This from WebMD: "A person with dementia may become irrationally suspicious of the people around him. He might become convinced, again and again, that someone has stolen his [possessions].  It can be demoralizing – after all the work you do as a caregiver, being called a thief a couple of times a day isn't fun."

But to tell you the truth, knowing the reason for this behavior, and knowing that my dad wasn't in his right mind, may have explained these thoughts – but it didn't alleviate the hurt.

Of course, there were moments of comic relief.

Like the time my sister snuck a beat-up old knife from their very old everyday set of eating utensils and put it in her purse.  And then proceeded to slyly show it to me as she walked out the front door.

"Hurry, start the car!"

We laughed so very hard.

Sometimes, in the midst of the pain, you've just got to laugh.

(And yes, we returned the knife!!)


But now, the pain comes back.

You see, my mom is beginning to suffer signs of cognitive impairment.  And though she hasn't become totally suspicious, there are times when she gets huffy with me, times when she gets angry.

This is not my mom.

My mom is the most gentle, soft-spoken person I know.  She wouldn't hurt a fly, nor would she raise her voice to it.  So, when she looks at me like I'm trying to do something terrible to her, it hurts.

A lot.

I feel like I want to say to her:

"Mom, you've known me my whole life.  Don't you know how much I love you, and that I would only do something if it was for your own good?  How can you mistrust me?  Haven't I proved my character by now?  Don't you know me?"


So, I'm in the middle of the conversation with my cousin when those words came out of my mouth...

...I stopped.

Mid-sentence, mid-thought.

For you see, I had not only just said these words to her, I had also heard them said to me.

Someone had spoken to my own heart.

It's like God gave me a glimpse of how it grieves Him when I feel suspicious of Him.

I wonder, does He sometimes say the same thing to me?

"Sharon, you've known Me all of your life.  Don't you know how much I love you, and that I would only do something if it was for your own good?  How can you mistrust Me?  Haven't I proved My character by now?  Don't you know Me?"


After I hung up with my cousin, I kept thinking about this.  

It must hurt God so much when I doubt His goodness, when I question His motives, when I act like I don't trust Him.

I can hear Him saying – softly, plaintively – with a tear in His eye, a crack in His heart:

"Sharon, don't you know Me by now?"


Oh, how foolish I am!

Hasn't He proved Himself to be completely faithful, trustworthy, consistent, good, loving, kind?

Over and over again?

Yes, He has.

It's life that gets in the way.

It's the lies of the enemy that lie to our souls.

And it's our sin-flawed minds that believe those lies.

For you see, we are not really in our right minds at all.

God is not out to steal our joy, nor is He sneaking behind our backs to do terrible things.  He isn't the devious or misanthropic ogre in the sky.

He loves us.

More than we will ever, ever comprehend.


Do we ever stop to think about what a risk He took when He offered His love to humanity?

Think about it…

The Creator of the Universe opened up His heart, offered His love, knowing that He could be rejected and spurned.

Along with His love, He gave humanity the awful and wonderful gift of free will.

He gave us the freedom to turn our backs on Him.

To hurt Him.

To grieve Him.

And the awful, terrible truth I have come to believe is that I grieve Him when I mistrust Him, when I doubt His love.

Oh, this pains me…

All those things I felt with my dad, the things I am beginning to once again feel with my mom – the sadness, the anger, the pain, the dismay – the horror of hearing them distrust my good intentions – all those things I have caused God Himself to feel.


Lord, I'm so very sorry.

For yes, I know better.

I know You.

Through the centuries represented in Your Word, and through every single day of my own life.

Through the good things and the bad things.

Through thick and thin, one thing remains unchanged…

Your love.

Might I just say this to You:

"I have known You all of my life.  I know how much You love me, and that You would only do something if it was for my own good.  I trust You.  You have proved Your character over and over again.  And yes indeed, I do know You."


His love never changes, never wavers, never diminishes, never fades.

And my love for Him begins…

…when I trust Him.

Have I been so long with you,
and yet you have not come to know Me?
O you, of fainthearted faith.
Why do you doubt?
I am the resurrection and the life.
Do you believe this?
Then do not let your heart be troubled.
Trust in Me.

"Thou wilt keep him in peace; in perfect peace, inward peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace at all times, in all events.  Trust in the Lord for that peace, that portion, which will be for ever.  Whatever we trust to the world for, it will last only for a moment; but those who trust in God shall not only find in him, but shall receive from him, strength that will carry them to that blessedness which is for ever.  Let us then acknowledge him in all our ways, and rely on him in all trials." 

(From Matthew Henry commentary on Isaiah 26:3)

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him." (2 Samuel 22:31, KJV)

"The Rock!  His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness...righteous and upright is He." (Deuteronomy 32:4, NASB)

"The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes.  He is close to those who trust in him." (Nahum 1:7, NLT)

"And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you." (Psalm 9:10, ESV)

"O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me..." (Psalm 7:1, KJV)

"When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You." (Psalm 56:3, NASB)

"This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him." (Psalm 91:2, NLT)

"O Lord, you alone are my hope.

I've trusted you, O LORD, from childhood.

Yes, you have been with me from birth;

from my mother's womb you have cared for me.

My life is an example to many,

because you have been my strength and protection.

And now, in my old age, don't set me aside.

Don't abandon me when my strength is failing.

For my enemies are whispering against me.

My God, please hurry to help me.

I will keep on hoping for your help;

I will praise you more and more.

O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood,

and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.

Now that I am old and gray,

do not abandon me, O God.

Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,

your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.

Who can compare with you, O God?

You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,

but you will restore me to life again

and lift me up from the depths of the earth.

You will...comfort me once again.

Then I will praise you...

because you are faithful to your promises, O my God." 

(From Psalm 71, NLT)

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3, ESV)

Do you truly trust the Lord?

Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAYS, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, WORDS WITH WINTER, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAY, (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, RA RA LINKUP, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, UNITE, 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 WEDNESDAYS, BELOVED BREWS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, EVERYDAY JESUS, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, HEARTS FOR HOME, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, DANCE WITH JESUS, GRACE & TRUTH, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND BREW, TGI SATURDAYS, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!