Bow Down

In this time of uncertainty, I know God remains the same. 

He's bigger than all my problems, greater than all my stress. 

I know that I can bow down and lift my prayers to Him, and He hears me. 

He loves me and He comforts me. 

Lift your worries and anxiety to the one who always listens.

Worship the One who cares.

Go With Joy

Luke 19:37-40

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Nothing is more peaceful than sitting on a rock by Lake Erie and listening to the natural world.

I hear the waves crash on the shore. Birds splash in and out of the water. Leaves on the trees rustle in the wind. In that moment, I hear the voice of God through his creation. Even the people chattering behind me, as they visit the nearby lighthouse, remind me of God's glory. His incredible creation, so complex yet simple.

When Jesus traveled to Jerusalem on the back of a colt, his followers praised his name. They shouted their love for him and worshiped. The disciples placed a coat on the colt for Jesus to rest on and others laid their coats on the ground. Folks even cut palm leaves and placed them on the dusty road. All because they loved and respected Jesus.

Yet amid the rejoicing, a group of people taunted Jesus. The Pharisees, a religious bunch, ordered him to tell his followers to be quiet. I love Jesus response. He basically said, what good would it do, if the people are quiet, then the very creation my Father made will cry out with joy, even the rocks.

No matter what Satan tries to do to quiet those of us who love Jesus, rejoicing and worship will not stop. The world God designed, every mountain, tree, bird and flower continue to adore the Savior.

Go with joy and praise our incredible Lord!

You will go out in joy    and be led forth in peace;the mountains and hills    will burst into song before you,and all the trees of the field    will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

The Heart of the Matter

1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I rummaged through my closet trying to find the best outfit to wear to the Mercy Me concert. Everything I pulled out either looked like work clothes or casual Saturday (different from casual Friday, much more relaxed—maybe even sloppy.) Frustrated, I tried again. I'd decided jeans would be good, but felt discouraged with my choice in shirts. My good friend Bev and I had planned this evening for months, and I wanted to look nice. I finally narrowed it down to two possibilities, then went on with my day.

Coffee in hand, I opened my Bible to the daily reading. As I perused the verses, my foray through my closet seemed pathetic. Here I was preparing what to wear to the concert. When what I should have been doing was preparing my heart to worship and praise God.

As Samuel searched for a future king to replace himself, God reminded him not to look at the outward appearance, instead look at the man's heart. David, who Samuel would later choose to follow him as king, was a man of small stature. Even though he was considered handsome, God wanted to know what was inside, not outside. God looks at the heart, the organ that pumps life into our souls. After I bowed my head and had a heart-to-heart with God, I knew I was ready to receive his blessing and give him glory at the concert. I pray that my heart is ready to worship the Lord every day.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

Contagious Joy!

Psalm 100:1-5
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (KJV)

Years ago, Bill Gaither and his wife Gloria produced a record titled I Am a Promise. My daughters often listened to the upbeat praise songs written for kids and to the children who recited Psalm 100:1-5. There was something pure about the sweet voices speaking David's words.

This week my daughter shared a short video of my youngest granddaughter (14 months old) standing in junior church dancing and clapping to a praise song. Talk about precious,  her joy was contagious. She moved with enthusiasm and freedom (and she was so adorable!)

Children don't hesitate to sing out or shout about Jesus' love. They aren't afraid. As I watched Ella Cate dance, I found myself thanking God that my grandchildren still have the freedom to worship. I pray the freedom we have is never taken away. And I don't want to take it for granted. My challenge this week--dance like no one is watching, sing like no one but God is listening, make worship totally about Him, and say prayers of thanksgiving every day. " For the Lord is good and his love endures forever..."