Category Archives: God

July 5, 2008 · 1:24 pm

Make a Funnel

I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Psalm 143:6 NIV

“When you lift your hands you make a funnel for God’s spirit to come down to you,” said Reverend Lee Stoneking at a recent conference. Hmmm? I’d never thought of it that way. I’d always thought of it as a sign of surrender. Here I am God. I give up. I give it all to you. But make a funnel? OK.

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. (and make a funnel) Psalm 63:4

Pour it on God.

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June 19, 2008 · 2:26 am

You’ve Turned My Mourning Into Dancing

In John Bunyan’s classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian the journeying pilgrim traveled with a heavy load on his back until he came to a hill. On it stood a cross and below it, at the bottom, was a tomb. When Christian came up to the cross, his burden loosened from his shoulders and fell onto the ground. It rolled and rolled until it tumbled into the empty tomb. He never saw it again.

Christian stood in awe at the sight of the cross–amazed that his oppressive burden dropped and rolled away so quickly. He felt released from the pressure he had carried. As a result, he wept and sang and leaped for joy. The cross became a bridge that brought him from a life of despondent sighing, to over flowing gladness and singing.

Like Christian, I basked in a feeling of warm joy when I met Him at the cross. He gave me a new song and turned my mourning into dancing.

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing. Psalm 30:11a

Thank you Jesus!

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June 8, 2008 · 3:10 pm

Does Zeal For Your House Consume Me?

For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Psalm 69:9a

And his disciples remembered that it is written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. John 2:17

Although God can be worshipped any time and at any place, there’s something about going to His house. In church our spirits connect with His Spirit and with one another. We’re free to release the cares of life and focus on Him–the object of our worship and reason for living. We greet each other, pray and sing praises. We give our tithes and offerings. We break spiritual bread by reading and listening to someone explain His word and tell us how to apply it to our lives. In the tabernacle of His presence He renews our minds, refills our spirits, restores our soul and refreshes our strength. Finally, when the lights are turned off and the doors are closed we step out empowered once more to do His will–to be salt and light.

Dear God,

May I always have a zeal for you and your house.

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June 1, 2008 · 3:36 pm

Glorious Graduation!

Many years ago, I started the Christian school of life with a different graduation in mind. Though I have been through the “though he slay me, yet will I trust him” test like Job, “the valley of the shadow” test like David, and my own small Gethsemane test, quitting has never been an option. In the words of Garfield and my pastor: “Big, fat, hairy deal.” For you see, I have had a sneak preview of this graduation. I heard something about streets of gold, walls of jasper, gates of pearl, no more tears, no more sorrow, no more parting. I just have this feeling that it will be worth whatever I have to face to make this one. So let me go dream about it. Better yet, come dream along with me!

*copied from ninetyandnine.com 09/09/02

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May 17, 2008 · 2:16 pm

Heavenly Heart Transplant

In 1983 my nursing class took a field trip to the Texas Heart Institute in Houston. It was fascinating to look down through a special viewing area and watch chest cavities opened as the physician surgically repaired heart defects, one right after the other.

Although we did not see a heart transplant, the bible reminds me that Jesus, the Great Physician, has been doing heart transplants for a long time.

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19 NIV

Thank you Lord for a new heart.

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April 21, 2008 · 12:17 pm

No More Digging

Sometimes I dig up bones–especially when I’m angry. For instance, when someone says something hurtful, my human instinct quickly digs through the past. In the dirt, if I search long enough, I find a mistake, a broken promise, or a repented sin. I reach for one and shake off the dust. Then I remember 1 Peter 3:9, Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

I bite my tongue realizing that digging into the past is a choice. Things can change. People can change. I can change. So I must forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead (Phillipians 3:13).

Help me Lord . . . from now on, no more digging.

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March 16, 2008 · 6:58 pm

A Lesson From Moko

Moko is a bottle-nosed dolphin near the New Zealand coast. Recently he responded to the distress calls of two stranded whales and led them through a channel and into the sea. http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/12/nz.whales.ap/index.html

Moko restored them to their intended environment. Due to Moko’s efforts, the whales will hopefully enjoy a few more whale years instead of an early death on a New Zealand sand bar.

Dear Lord

You specialize in turning hopelessness to hope. Help me to be sensitive to the distress signals around me. I long to stand in the gap and intercede for someone who’s lost their way. In this sea of life–I want to be like Moko.

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February 26, 2008 · 3:34 am

Why Worry?

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4

Guess there’s no use in two of us staying awake.

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January 17, 2008 · 4:02 am

Wash Me Lord

The following was written by my friend Linda. You can learn more about her and her custom embroidery business @ www.mollymine.com

Are You Serving the Name Brand or a Generic?

So you think you Surf the Tide and follow the Unbelievable worldly Trend. Cheer up. Get a Fresh Start before you Cascade down the Niagara. I know someone who can Scrub Free the sin from your Life Buoy. He’ll put Bounce into your step and a Sparkle in your eye. You have everything to Gain. Your troubles won’t completly Vanish, but you will have Joy and a heart that is Spic & Span. You’ll Behold the Sunlight of a new Dawn, and experience the Bounty of the Lord.

It’s not a Chore Boy. Pledge to be Bold in your Zest to serve. Resolve now to change your Future. If you need a Safeguard, take the Shield of faith. Snuggle up with the Good Book.

Tone out the Devil. Give him the Biz.

Dial the mainline!

Send an S.O.S!

Shout unto God with the voice of triumph!

Give Him your All!

If you want to stand Faultless before the Lord–serve Jesus, the only (brand) name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

Being Mr. Clean is Fantastic!