He's Not Done

Psalm 33:11
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
    the purposes of his heart through all generations.

In church Sunday, we sang My Testimony by Elevation Worship. One of the phrases in the song says something like this, "if I'm not dead, then you aren't done."

As songs often do, this one got me to thinking. I pondered about God's plan and how I fit in. I have a t-shirt that says, "He has a plan, and I have a purpose."

The phrases from the song and the shirt remind me that no matter how old I am, I have a purpose in God's plan. That thought can be applied to how young, whether by age, or by new life in Christ, a person is. He wants us to be part of His work in this world.

My mom lived to be ninety-five, my Grammy ninety-two, and my dad eighty-seven. I remember talking to mom on visits as she grew closer to the end of her life. Due to her arthritis, she couldn't do as much as she used to, but she continued to address and send cards for her Sunday school class even when she couldn't attend. The cards her hands touched and prepared blessed the sick, elderly, shut-in and whoever the class reached out to. Grammy taught piano to students until the day she passed, and she prayed. She lifted every family member, friend, and acquaintance to the Lord in prayer every day. Dad encouraged his grandkids and until he couldn't anymore, he fixed everything for everybody. All three of them allowed God to continue to work through their lives and touch others in His name.

I have been blessed by many children and young people who love Jesus. I'm thankful for every one of them. Not to mention the folks who are young in Christ and share an enthusiasm that reminds me not to take my faith for granted.

No matter how long I live, I want to continue to follow God's plan for my life.

Don't give up, instead ask Jesus what you can do.

Decoration Day

Memorial Day or Decoration Day as Grammy called it, 

is a day to honor the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in a war. 

I remember, as a young person, helping Grammy snip peonies and irises. 
Then we wrapped a glass jar in aluminum foil, filled it with water, and added the flowers. We placed the simple remembrance at the graves of my grandpa,
great-grandma, and my great-uncle, Walter Smith.
Walter died during the Great Influenza epidemic in 1918,
while he served at a camp in Chillicothe, during WW 1. 

I don't visit the graves anymore, but I want to offer honor and thanks
to those who have served our country and lost their lives for our freedom.
Thank you to the families who have lost loved ones to war. May God bless you.

No Fear of Bad News

It's hard not to fear bad news. 

As a person who's been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, 

I understand that ungrounded fear 

dredges itself up in the mind and plays tricks on me. 

Yet, because I trust in the Lord those fears reveal themselves as lies.

It's hard at times to turn my anxiety over to God, 

but I know in my heart I trust Him with everything in my life.

We're all a work in progress, as the saying goes.

Keep trusting and laying your fear at Jesus feet.

 

An Adventure of Obedience

Psalm 128:1
Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him.

Obedience to God is an act of faith.

For as long as I’ve walked with God on my writing journey, He’s only asked one thing of me—to be obedient. With every word I’ve typed, class I’ve taken, conference I’ve attended, He has opened doors for me to walk through. Mind you, I didn’t have to step through any of them. The free will He gives us to choose our own adventure could have kept me from the journey He planned. And at times, I know I stepped off the path, but He waited patiently for me to turn around and seek Him again. You see, I had a dream to be a writer, and I prayed about my desire. I had no idea where the journey would take me, but I knew God walked with me.

He’s my writing partner. The One who knows my every thought and prayer. He understands my heart’s desire and He’s given me the tools to follow my dream. I know this because He’s the one who placed the dream on my heart from the beginning.

Scott and Lori Conley had a dream to provide food to children, offer scholarships for camp, and provide pillows to kindergartners. They prayed about the possibility of beginning a ministry to empower children and provide for their unmet needs. Lori and Scott got the program off the ground with much prayer, and Empower Youth soared. Since then Lori has made her way to heaven, Scott remarried, and the dream has continued. Even though Lori is in her heavenly home, Scott has remained obedient to God’s call.

We don’t know where our passions might lead. I pray my words encourage and bring hope. I know Empower Youth feeds the hungry both physically and spiritually.

My question now is, do you have a dream, a desire, a passion you want to pursue? Is it something God has placed on your heart? Pray, read the Bible for guidance, and seek people who will encourage you and give you wisdom, and be obedient.

Have faith in the One who created you for your adventure.

Your Next Beach Read!

Are you gathering your beach reads? Maybe your sit by the pool reads? Or summer reads under a shade tree. I hope you'll consider Home Away from Home, set in the summer on an island.

Order:
Amazon

Mt Zion Ridge Press

His Joy is Strength

My joy overflowed to have all three of my daughters 

with me on Mother's Day weekend.

We made art, we laughed, we talked, we ate, and we loved.

Even when my days are not so glorious and full of family and fun, I choose joy. 

Different from happiness, joy is Jesus in my heart, 

comforting me and reminding me that in Him everything will be okay. 

This day is holy to our Lord. 

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10b

 

Coming June 1

I've been writing devotions for years, and I'm happy to let you know my nature devotional will be published June 1, 2023.

Pre-order at https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Todays-Heart.../dp/1955838658/

or https://www.mtzionridgepress.com/.../hope-for-today-s...

If you love being outside enjoying nature, I believe this devotional is for you.