Memorable Moments

     My sweet neighbor, Phyllis, is 87 years old. This week I brought our 6-month old grandson to visit. He gave her an immediate, huge smile. He loved her, just as I do. She has slowed down over the last two years, after an aortic dissection. Her short-term memory is not good, but she continues to have a sweet countenance and her love of Christ is inspiring and infectious.

     We have so many memorable moments together, including this recent visit. She and I and our friend, Connie, have met each Wednesday, with little interruption, for the past seventeen years. We pray, we study the Bible and we invest in each other’s lives, to listen, to love, and to pray.

     We have shared even the most intimate details of our lives and the lives of our families with trust and hope. I am eternally grateful.  Both of these older women in my life have shared their faith and their time over and over. Because of my eyesight, they have offered countless rides to and from church, to visit my husband after his stroke and the list goes on and on.

     I tell them I am asking Jesus for a red chariot in heaven to give them rides once we are all together in eternity! For now, I count my blessings that they are still here.

A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17a

     Is there someone in your life you need to visit? Do you need to share just how much someone has meant to you over the years? My list is long and I pray my friends and my family know how much they mean to me. And my sisters in Christ and I dive deep into the things of God. What a gift!

These are the deep things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10

Jesus,

Today we thank You for sweet blessings in friendship. Friendship spans the generations as we learn from one another. Be with Phyllis and Connie today and give each of them a sweet blessing from You. They live to serve You and bring light to others.

Amen

Memorable Moments

     My girlfriends are great moms and grandmas. I have learned from them for decades. Many of them were moms long before me (we started late!) and I have appreciated their wisdom, their example and the way they make life special for their families.

     Making memories is such a blessing, isn’t it? I am going to the beach today with my niece. Even though she is my niece, we are only one year apart. We are visiting the lake where our families had huge picnics each summer. The beach is still there, but the snack shack is long gone. Things have changed, but our memories are alive and well.

     We are going to hike up the hill that loomed large in our childhood. We will go swimming past where the rope kept us safe from where our cousin told us there was a drop-off. We were petrified! Our other cousin typically found a snake or two to freak us out. Now we smile as we reminisce.

     What memories are you talking about or making today? God gives us opportunities with our friends and families to enjoy our lives, to appreciate the good gifts He has given us. Take time to remember and to rejoice.

Remember the days of old. Consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders and they will explain to you. Deuteronomy 32:7

     Listen to the words of King Solomon, considered the wisest man who ever lived.

So, I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of their life God has given them under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8:15

Lord,

Today we thank You for the enjoyment in life, for memories shared with family and friends, for all of the blessings you give us day by day. Bless my friends and family today as they share their lives with those they love.

In Jesus name,

Amen

God's Shoulder Taps

     Has the Holy Spirit prompted you to talk to a stranger? To call a friend at just the right moment? To bring a gift at the perfect time? You may have seen a recent video called, “shoulder taps.” A man about fifty tells the story. He and his wife are having dinner and he spots an elderly woman dressed up beautifully, having dinner with, what looks like, her children and grandchildren.

     For some reason, he has the desire to tell her how lovely she looks. They proceed to eat their dinner and, as they walk out, he feels the nudge again. He bends down by her table and meets her gaze at eye level.

    “I just wanted to tell you,” he begins, “Just incase no one has told you, you look lovely today.”

     The woman smiles, and says, “I know you.”

     “No, I don’t believe we have ever met,” he responds.

     “I know your spirit,” she says with a tear in her eye. “My husband died a year ago and he would have said something exactly like that.”

     The man in the video says he was overcome with emotion. He reminds us all that God taps us on the shoulder each day and asks us to respond. Not only will we bring blessings to others, but in the way God always works, we will be blessed right back.  We are here to be a blessing.

I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:21

     Listen for the voice of the Spirit within today.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:31    

     Let’s live and walk in the Spirit.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

Father,

Your voice will lead our hearts as we venture out today. Keep us mindful of opportunities. Prompt us to speak. Give us the right words and let us be a blessing, to the glory of Your name,

Thank you, Jesus,

Amen

Stuck In Pergatory

     Our Bible study group had a discussion about the Catholic belief in a place called “purgatory” this week. It is not in the Bible, but, somehow, over the years the tradition has taken hold. They believe purgatory is a stop-off before heaven to do a final cleansing from sins before heaven.

       Directly after our discussion on purgatory, my husband and I took a drive to a lake my family visited often when I was young. On the way home, we found a place to walk, called, ironically enough, “Purgatory Park.” We walked merrily along the path and I was happy to see nice smooth trails, with just a few hills.

     We walked for a bit, crossed a bridge and stopped. My husband thought we should veer to the right. I thought to the left. We went right, and continued to walk and walk, finally ending up outside of the park in a residential area! My husband has a much better inner compass than mine and found a way back to civilization. He left me by the side of a busy intersection and went ahead to retrieve the car. (And I am sure enjoyed the peace and quiet away from my chatter about being lost.)

     As I waited for him to return, I had to laugh. Stuck in Purgatory! God has a great sense of humor. And I also thought of all of the people stuck without Jesus, moving merrily along in life, thinking they know what they are doing and where they are going.

     So many lost souls in need of a Savior. If you believe in Jesus, there is no holding place before heaven. Once we are absent from the body, we are present with the Lord.  (2 Corinthians 5:8) All you need is to believe that Jesus died and rose again for you and ask Him to be your Savior. He finished the work on the cross. No Penalty for sins. Forgiven, past, present and fufutre. Here are two verses to remind all of us. All it takes is faith!

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:10

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves. It is a gift from God-not by works so that no man can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

     That’s it! By faith. Proclaim, “Jesus is Lord!” and be saved. There is nothing we can do to earn it. It is a gift of grace. Don’t be stuck on the path without Him! It is the most incredible gift ever given.

Lord,

We pray for those stuck in this life without You. What promises you offer. A life filled with Your love until we arrive to be with You forever, immediately at our death. Help us to reach the lost souls in need of You.

Amen

Praise Him In Death and In Life

    This week was a reminder to me of the circle of life.  As we let go of those we love, we often welcome new life. We attended the funeral of the 92-year-old mom of friends of ours. A few days before the celebration of her life, her 6^th great grandchild was born, a sweet girl named Charlotte.

     Job wrote about this, as he mourned, in what may be the oldest book of the Bible.

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship, and said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I will  depart. The Lord gave me what I had and the Lord has taken it away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:20-21

     The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Can we praise Him through it all? Job lost everything he owned including all of his children and yet He praised the Lord. We receive. And we let go. I found a verse this week that gave me great comfort.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants. Psalm 116:15

     Precious is our death! God will welcome His believers into heaven to be with Him forever.  Wow…do not fear death. We will depart here and be present with our God and it is precious in His sight.

Father,

We celebrate the lives of those you have given us and those who are now with You. Our deaths mean we will be present with You. Help us to savor each moment we have on earth with those we love. Your children are precious to You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

What Do We Love?

     Did you know we are to be in the world, but not of it? (John 17:16) What does that mean exactly? The patterns of the world revolve around those things that God despises; power, prestige, prosperity and pride. There is nothing wrong with having money or enjoying all of the good things God gives us in this world. It is a matter of priority. What do we love?

     Stay apart from the world. Keep it in perspective. Everything we see, taste, touch, smell and hear is temporary. The love of Christ and the communion of the Holy Spirit will last forever.

     Let’s stay focused on things above. As the world cries out for more, more, more, stay peaceful and light-hearted. Nothing here will last. Only love. Give love. Receive love. Share love. And share hope and faith to a world that needs them all.

For now we see only a reflection, as in a mirror. Then we shall see face-to-face. Now I know in part. Then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. Bur the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:12-13

     God knows us fully. We will not know all things until we are face-to-face with Jesus one day. In the meantime, focus on the these three, faith, hope and love. And the greatest of all is love. Love will remain. Love will last. Love will follow us into heaven. Love. When we see Jesus, our faith will be realized. Our hope will be fulfilled and love will remain.

Jesus,

Thank You for the reminder today. Keep our minds and hearts focused on You. We receive Your unending love. Fill us to the brim until it overflows out into this dark and churning world. Your love is above all else.

Amen

Precious In His Sight

     Our precious children bring us delight, worry, wonder and deep love. As our youngest daughter is dealing with an almost 6-month old who doesn’t want to sleep in his crib, I am reminded of the attachment we share. I have sleepless nights worrying about her sleepless nights. I pray for our daughters’ well-being every day and pray for peace, joy and happiness for both of them and their families.

     I also recognize the fact that life is tough. There will be tears along with the laughter, struggle along with the sunshine, worry along with the wonder. The journey of life teaches us along the way, through the tough and through the terrific times.

     Our little sunshine, Gavin, is learning to sleep on his own, slowly, but surely. They are using a sleep-training method, where they go in the room every few minutes at first to pat him and comfort him as he cries and then extend the amount of time, and it looks like it is working!

     God trains us that way, too, patiently, slowly, with a pat on the back, here and there, recognizing for us (we won’t understand until much later!) that the tough times in life bring out the best in us.  As we teach our children through discipline or by allowing them to experience struggles without bailing them out, (and allowing our babies to cry it out a bit) we need to remember; it will, ultimately, be for their own well-being.

     Just as we remain in our children's lives to support, to love, to teach and to nurture, so Jesus remains close by our side through the ups and downs of life. He doesn’t get dizzy on the ride. He won’t get off because He is tired or worn out. He doesn’t sleep. In the midnight hour, He is there, ready to listen and to assist.

     Just as we are here to answer the phone or to give our daughter a break from the exhausting life of new-baby care, God is there in a much deeper way. He knows the future. He doesn’t worry. He won’t make mistakes along the way, as we will. He knows our hearts. As much as we love and care for our children, He loves and cares for them even more.

I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-He who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121:1-3

Father,

Thank You for watching out for our children and grandchildren. Our hope and trust is in You. We praise You for being there through the days and nights of our lives. Protect us all and teach us everything You desire to make us servants of Jesus.

Amen

The Humble Heart

     How could the creator of the universe, the Word of God (John 1) come to earth to become one of us? We can’t fathom the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords giving up the heavenly realms to visit earth and to take on the suffering of the world. But He did it steadfastly, with intent and purpose, with the foreknowledge of the pain He would endure. And He counted it joy. He humbled Himself to be a servant to all.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage. Rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by being obedient to death-even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8

     If Jesus could humble Himself to be a servant to all, how can we not humble ourselves before Him in awe and wonder at what He has given. Exalt His name today. Hold it in the highest regard. He is the Savior. This humble servant is alive and well at the right hand of God and will one day rule the heavens and the earth in perfection.

Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place, and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

Lord,

One day every knee will bow before You. We bow today, with humble hearts, recognizing the name above all names. It is Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen

The Humble Heart

     The Christian life is the most adventurous, joy-filled life on the planet. If you see a Christian with head down, duty-bound, and guilt-ridden, they have not experienced the life-changing, sin-cleansing, Spirit-filled life of the true believer. The cross, the death and resurrection of Jesus offers us freedom from the condemnation of sin.

     This glorious news sets our souls free for eternity. Jesus spoke the words on the cross as He breathed His last, as He felt the sins of the world on His shoulders and as He was separated from His Father in heaven for the first time and as He faced His death.

When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 18:30

     As we humble ourselves before the greatest gift ever given, as we ask Jesus to be our Savior, there is no more condemnation. We are freed from the punishment for sin.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

     Take in the joy of those words this morning. Christ died and rose again for you! Live with the joy of eternity. He has conquered death for you and for me and for all who will believe in the name of Jesus!

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which he must be saved. Acts 4:12

Father,

How can we not be humbled by such a gift as this? You have wiped our slate clean by the death and resurrection of Your Son. We live in the joy of eternity that awaits. The joy of the Lord is our strength! (Nehemiah 8) Give us Your strength today.

In the name above all names, Jesus,

Amen

The Humble Heart

     Prayer is powerful. If you are praying for someone to come to faith in Christ, remember God’s omniscience and foreknowledge. The Bible is full of God’s understanding in meeting each person’s needs. He understands when a heart will be ready. He met Paul on a dirt road and changed his life.

     As for Moses, God led him and his people in the wilderness for 40 years!

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. Deuteronomy 8:2

     If you feel God calling you, be patient. He waits for our hearts to be ready, first to believe and then to serve. He does not call qualified people. He qualifies the people He calls. Listen for His lead.

Jesus,

It is hard to be patient. Teach us to wait for Your timing. Help us to humble ourselves before You in service. Help us to change the world in Your powerful name, the name of Jesus.

Amen

The Humble Heart

     The commandments and the law given to Moses are impossible for man to keep. In fact, they were given so that man would recognize his own sin, for us to understand our need for a God who saves. The Bible continually points to Jesus. And His first coming and second coming was and will be timed perfectly.

     We will never understand the complete plan of God, but He loves each one of us and does not want to lose even one.

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

     God’s timing. Impossible to understand, but Peter reminds us that to God a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years, like a day. (2 Peter 3) Let’s continue to humble ourselves before Him as we await His coming. Pray for others to be saved.

Lord,

We can’t fathom eternity. You set the earth in motion and You will bring about its end and its redemption. We await the new heaven and the new earth. We witness the evil around us, but You are not slow in coming. The whole world is in Your hands.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Humble Heart

     How I wish the world knew Jesus! We wonder at the chaos, the turmoil, the violence, the disease, the darkness. As believers in the one true God, we know the missing piece. It is the King! One day He will rule and reign and judge the living and the dead.

     It takes a humble heart to admit our need for God. When we recognize His holiness, His righteousness, His perfection, we recognize the sinful nature in ourselves. The apostle, Paul, was once named Saul. He was a knowledgeable Jewish man, high up in the hierarchy and out to persecute Christians.

     God met him one day on the road to Damascus and changed his life. And Paul gave us most of the New Testament and introduced the world to the Gospel of grace. The words he was given by the Holy Spirit have changed millions of lives since his day, around 60 A.D.

     This powerful evangelist and writer understood his own humanity and his need for a Savior. He recognized his own weaknesses and failures and with that inner knowledge, understood Jesus as the only possible answer.

     If you read through Romans 7, Paul wrestles with the fact that he wants to do what is good. He loves the law of God, but he continues to fall, to follow the sin within himself. But God, as always, brings us back to hope.

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So then, I myself, in my mind, am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25

Father,

These words remind us that Your law is perfect and we are not. Jesus came so that we might live! He is the only perfect man and the perfect sacrifice to save us from ourselves. Let the Word of Your gospel ring throughout the world so that many may humble themselves and believe.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Truth About Angels

     One other misconception in our culture today is that we can pray to angels and ask for their help. Angels only listen to and obey God. When John saw an angel in person as he was receiving information for the book of Revelation, here is what happened.

At this, I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.” Revelation 19:10

     This angel astounded John and he bowed down to worship. The angel is forceful in his language. Notice all of the exclamation points! The angels are fellow servants along with us. There is no need to pray to angels or to anyone else. Jesus is the intermediary for the Father. We pray in His holy name.

Father,

We praise You for Your plan of redemption and we praise You for the angels. Someday we will see them face-to-face, along with Jesus. Until that day, we know they are around us, serving You, just as we do, and we pray only to the Father through and to Your Son.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Truth about Angels

     There is a misconception among the general population that people turn into protective angels after death. This simply is not true! We will be given heavenly, eternal bodies one day, but angels are separate beings, created by God to worship Him, to serve Him and to glorify Him.

     Humans were created in God’s image. (See Genesis 1) Angels are separate beings described both in the book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1 and 10 and in the book of Isaiah Chapter 6. The descriptions of the seraphim and cherubim are incredible and I look forward to being in the presence of the angelic host one day.

The seraphim:

Above him were seraphim, each with six wings. With two wings, they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. Isaiah 6:2

The cherubim:

But each of them had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight, their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead. They did not turn as they moved. Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left, the face of an ox, each also had the face of an eagle. Ezekiel 1:6-10

     Not exactly the cute image of the cherubs we see in pictures and statues, right? The sights and sounds of our heavenly home are beyond our imagination and angels are just one part of all we will see and experience.

Father,

Your creation astounds us as we look around us during our earthly lives and when we are in eternity with spiritual bodies and minds we will see so much more. We thank You for the gift of Your angels. Place them around us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Truth About Angels

     I have studied death and dying, have worked with hospice patients and have heard stories of those nearing death. Many people, as they near death, see angels There is a story in the Gospel of Luke about an angel escorting someone to heaven. I love the thought of being introduced into heaven by an angel. He just might show us around and introduce us to our Lord.

“the time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side.” Luke 16:22a

     This can be a comforting verse to the dying. Angels may be surrounding the bed. The dying person may even see the angels as they near the time to go home to heaven.

Father,

Thank You for sharing stories with us about angels. We are grateful for their presence, for their protection and for their guidance. They serve and honor You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Truth About Angels

     I believe we all have an angel or angels assigned to us by our God. Many call them, “guardian angels,” although there is no such term in the Bible. One reason for believing each of us has an angel is found in the Book of Acts.

     Peter has been arrested because he is a follower of Jesus. King Herod has already put James to death and he plans to do the same with Peter. You can read the full miraculous story in Acts 12. Many of the disciples and followers of Christ are together praying for Peter. God hears their prayers and sends an angel to free Peter.

     Four sets of four soldiers each are assigned to guard him day and night and when the angel comes to wake him, he is chained between two soldiers and two others guard the prison door. Peter thinks he is dreaming as the angel leads him outside and he is free!

     In the home where his friends wait and pray, a servant goes to the door and sees Peter standing before her. She is so flabbergasted, closes the door, and runs to tell the others. And they don’t believe her! Listen to what they believe.

“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” Acts 12:15

     Did you read the words, “his angel?” Maybe our spiritual angels can manifest themselves to look like us? We can only imagine, but I love to think of angels surrounding us and protecting us. All because we belong to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Jesus,

We thank You for Your angels. We believe they exist. They are spoken of over and over again the Your Word. Thank You for giving us access to Your holy angels.

Amen

The Truth About Angels

     Did you know angels are messengers sent in service to the believers?

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14

    That’s me! I am going to inherit salvation because of Jesus. How about you? Isn’t it exciting to think of angels as our ministering spirits? They serve us in miraculous ways. You may be surprised at the truth about angels. Let’s research them together this week.

     Angels were created by God to serve and worship Him. They are sent to do His bidding. They hearken to His Word. Don’t be surprised, if you are reading or speaking Scripture out loud that there may be angels surrounding you. Did you know that angels sometimes take on human form to serve us? You may have heard stories about someone coming to another’s aid and then vanishing, seemingly into thin air. Could it have been an angel? Be kind and hospitable to everyone and one day you may meet an angel is disguise!

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2

Father,

Your ways are wonderful and miraculous! Keep us protected, served and surrounded by your angels. Keep our eyes open for ways to serve You. Who knows if one day we will meet an angel?

In Jesus name,

Amen

A Quiet Place

     This is my favorite time of the day. Early morning, just me and the Lord, praying, soaking up God’s Word and writing. It is tough to find a quiet place these days, would you agree? It is a busy, noisy world. We hustle and bustle from one place to the next and when we do have a free minute, we pull out our phones and peek at social media.

     Daniel was given many prophecies about the last days around 600 B.C.  One verse came to mind yesterday, a verse you might find interesting about the last days.

But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will run to and fro, and knowledge will increase. Daniel 12:4

     My husband and I have had a couple of days this week to ourselves, with nothing specific planned. (My favorite kind of days) The weather was perfect yesterday and we took off for a ride in our little, red convertible and took a long walk.

     As an introvert by nature, I crave quiet days. But, as we ventured out, I began to lose my dream of a peaceful day. Lawn mowers roared, weed trimmers whirred, airplanes flew overhead, dogs barked, garbage trucks rattled, rap music blared from a nearby car. Noise surrounded us. It is life in our modern generation. People moving to and fro, Here and there, in a noisy, zany world.

     The weeds in my gardens were calling my name, as we came home from our ride. Digging in the dirt is another passion, another way to get away. But, as usual, when God has a message, the noise followed me. Our next-door neighbor happened to be power-washing his deck, the neighbor across the street was starting up his riding lawn mower and the kids were playing basketball. Thump…thump…thump…

     Jesus found it important to get away from the noise of his day. Imagine no airplanes or cars, no motors, just people moving slowly from one place to the next. He needed a quiet place to meet with His Father in heaven. So do you and so do I.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where He prayed. Mark 1;35

     Quiet time with Jesus fills us with His presence, feeds us with His Word, finds us with real time to pray. Here are His words of invitation to us.

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31b

     Rest from the world. Rest from the hustle and bustle. Rest in this early morning hour.This time fills me with strength and joy for the day ahead. There is no more powerful time than the time we spend in His presence and listen for His voice.  And the times are few and far between. Find some time. Find Him and rest for awhile.

Jesus,

Help us to listen to Your invitation to come away with You to a quiet place. It isn’t easy in the times in which we live. You understand. You prophesied about a time such as this. Guide us into listening for You in the midst of a noisy and chaotic world.

Amen

Lord of the Dance

     Love, song, dance. We started the week there and God brought me back to dance this morning. It’s in the air this week. Remember the movie, “”Footloose?” A pastor dad of a teenaged girl did not believe in dancing. He believed God would forbid such foolishness.  Kevin Bacon reminds this preacher of the fact that King David danced in the streets, praising God. It's true.

     And the sister of Moses played the tambourine and danced, along with the other women of her day. Dance is seen throughout the texts. Here are just a few:

A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3;4

You turned my wailing into dancing. You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent, Lord my God. I will praise you forever. Psalm 30:11-12

Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. Jeremiah 31:13

Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might. 2 Samuel 6:14

     Dance allows us to move outside of ourselves and enjoy the freedom that comes from feeling the music. Let Him move you from sorrow to gladness, from mourning to dancing. He is ours forever. Here is an Irish tune about the Lord! The Lord of the Dance.

  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OYg6ePQ9SY

Father,

Thank You for the joy you bring that get us to our feet in praise! The gift of music brings us gladness. Let our feet tap and our bodies sway this week as we praise You everywhere.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Let Freedom Reign

     Today we celebrate our freedom. Freedom to speak, to vote, to worship. America is the land of the free and the brave, and those freedoms were hard-fought. Brave men and women sacrificed their lives. As you celebrate our personal liberty, remember you, too, have freedom in Christ Jesus. And our freedom from sin and death was bought with sacrifice. The blood of Christ

     When Jesus walked the earth, He proclaimed part of Isaiah 61.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from darkness to the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1

     How beautiful! Christ has released and redeemed us from darkness, from the prison that contained our souls, into His glorious light. And, because of His death and resurrection, we have the Holy Spirit!  Let freedom reign!

Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

     We are set free in His truth. Be confident in Christ today, as we celebrate our freedom in Him and in our country. Let freedom reign!

In Him and through faith in Him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12

Jesus,

We give You thanks for our great country. We pray Your name would remain strong here and that many will come to believe in the freedom you offer to everyone.

Amen

The Lord Bless You and Keep You

     What a treasure you are to God! He loves you as if you were an only child. The time you spend with Him gives Him great pleasure. The prayers you offer draw you near to the throne of grace. As you drop to your knees, you touch His heart. You are a gift to Him. You were the joy set before Him as He journeyed to the cross.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

     Jesus saw you when He made the full sacrifice for sin. He knew His painful death and resurrection would mean eternity with you. As we mature in our faith and draw closer in relationship, we have a small foretaste of what is to come. Spending time in the presence of God is beyond any earthly relationship. Take time to fill up with the presence of God today. The presence of the Holy Spirit surrounds you.

     Soak in some good worship music. Spend time in prayer. Listen for His voice. Read His wonderful word and take in something written just for you. He will be there to meet you. In the garden, in the living room, at your desk, as you make dinner. Our Lord is present. He is real. He is alive. And He loves you!

I leave you with this blessings.

The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift His face toward you and give you His peace. Numbers 6:24-26

The Song, The Dance, The Love

     The song. Remember? The dance. Prom? Your wedding? Hanging out with friends? The love. It’s there, in your thoughts, in your days, in your life, in your past and in your future. Music from my past is resounding in my ears these days. A concert with the bands of my teens and twenties and the karaoke you-tube with Paul McCartney and James Corden, brought me to tears and laughter.

     And the songs that will be a part of our future at our daughter’s wedding next year? I am a puddle. The father/daughter dance song? Too much! Yes, a song finds something deep within our souls.

     And, of course, God is the master conductor, giving us the gifts of music, the slow romantic song, the beat that gets our feet tapping, the worship song that brings us to our knees. He gives us every good and perfect gift.

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

      What does the soundtrack of your life sound like? A particular song can bring us back to a person, a place, a passion, from our past. And the dance of life? If we let God lead, our steps can be fluid and confident. When we take the lead, there are missteps and stumbles. Let God take your hand this morning and lead you into the future. Listen to a favorite song today and sway to the music of life.

Jesus,

Thank You for the gift of music, the notes that fill our hearts with emotion and love. Take the lead with us today, as we step out into the next dance.

Amen