Category Archives: Uncategorized

February 18, 2023 · 8:18 am

Enter Broken, Leave Whole

Crraacck! All who heard the breaking of the alabaster box and inhaled its sweet fragrance knew this was no ordinary oil.

They watched her. The woman who opened the stone container which held her valuable oil. Her body and hands trembled as she knelt before Jesus. With her hands wet from her abundance of tears, she carefully poured the oil and anointed Jesus’ feet. She sobbed. Expressed thanks. Kissed his feet, wiped them with her hair and cried (Luke 7:47).

And yet, even in this same worshipful atmosphere, there stood a man skeptical and unmoved. This man, Judas, the disciple who kept the purse strings and later betrayed Jesus, focused on the guesstimated cost and seemingly waste of oil.

Which person will I be?

When someone has been given much, much will be required in return. Luke 12:48 NLT

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:17 KJV

John 12:3-8

Luke 7: 44-50

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February 25, 2022 · 3:07 am

God’s Math–God’s Way

From our viewpoint, God’s math seems fuzzy. In Numbers 7 you read about Levi’s sons-three men who were given twelve oxen and six wagons.

One son received four oxen and two wagons. One son received eight oxen and four wagons, and one son (Kohath) received no oxen, no wagons. Zilch, zero, nada. Doesn’t appear fair does it?  Yet, God had a reason for the uneven distribution. 

Kohath, and the men in his family who didn’t receive any oxen or wagons were given the greater responsibility of carrying the holy vessels and furniture of the Tabernacle. God knew these items were too precious to be placed on a wagon. They had to be entrusted to men who valued their sacredness. Men who would carefully pack these items, which were unseen to the average Israelite, and carry them in an ark on their shoulders. 

The Old Testament is full of types and shadows. Perhaps this was meant to be a foreshadowing to us. Our human nature will often compare ourselves to others. We may see our load and what we’re dealt with as not being fair. But in viewing things through the Spirit realm, God’s perspective, could it be that He has a unique, specialized responsibility for you?

Numbers 7: 1-9

Isa 55: 8-9

2 Cor 4: 7

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October 30, 2021 · 8:26 pm

Hand in Hand

A small act of chivalry, yet it means so much. Whenever we’re walking together and my husband realizes I’m the one walking closest to the street he’ll say, “We need to switch places. I should be over there.”

We switch. I smile, knowing he’s willing to take a muddy splash, or in the worst case, a hit from an erring driver to insure my safety.

I have a spiritual protector beside me too. He’s promised to always be with me. I may never know the times He’s fought off unseen hindrances or attacks. Yet I trust Him.

I think I’ll keep walking.

Phl 3:14, 2 Tim 4:7, Rev 2:10d

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February 21, 2021 · 12:29 am

Things Looking Dark? It’s Time to Trust

Not long after we entered Carlsbad Caverns the park ranger asked us to turn off our lanterns. Everything I heard about conditions being so dark that you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face was true. I waved my hand several times in front of my eyes. Still, I couldn’t see them.

I’ve often wondered if it was the same pitch black atmosphere for Moses when he stepped into the darkness and met with God, Exodus 20:21. Others, kept their distance. But Moses, knew God would meet him there.

At times, situations in life seem uncertain, bleak, dark. What a comfort to know the Light of the World can be found in the darkness, even the thick darkness.

Deut. 5:22, 1 Ki 8:12, 2 Chr 6:1

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January 4, 2021 · 1:24 am

Dirt Taker, Heart Cleanser

Got dirt? Something unclean? It won’t stop God! His Heavenly resume includes the following:

  • Genesis 2:7-Formed man from the dust of the ground.
  • Mark1:41-Touched a leper and declared him clean.
  • Mark 5:41-Touched a dead girl and brought her back to life.
  • John 8:6-Removed a woman’s accusers by writing words in the ground with my finger.
  • John 9:6-Healed a blind man by making clay eye salve from my spit and a little dirt.
  • John 13:5-Exemplified servant-leadership by washing my friends’ feet.

But what about invisible dirt—internal yucky stuff? If I pour it out can He handle it?

Crimson dirt cries, “Yes!”

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September 23, 2019 · 7:18 pm

Deja Brew

Spreading chicken salad on a slice of bread swept me away to a time when I was four.

“Let’s have a tea party,” I’d say to mom.

Mom would bring out little sandwiches on little plates and place them on a little table. Our party was complete with little cups and a little silver tea pot.

Now, decades later I’m making sandwiches and brewing tea–mom’s lunch request. I pour the tea into mugs and arrange four triangular sandwiches on a little plate.

A tea party once more.

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June 21, 2018 · 10:40 pm

A Crow’s Nest, An Oak Grove and An Apron

The inner chamber, a phrase from Isaiah 26:20, means any place apart. For Edward Wilson, it was the crow’s nest on the ship Terra Nova. He’d often climb to it during his expeditions to Antarctica. He called it his private chapel.

Vesta Mangun’s father, Royal Gibson would slip away to his favorite place of prayer–a secluded oak grove not far from his house. Many miracles and healings occurred throughout his ministry. He knew that power with God came through unwavering faith in His word and in the power of the name of Jesus.

Susanna Wesley, (1669-1742), mother of nineteen children including John and Charles Wesley, would sit down and pull her apron up over her head. Her children knew to be extra quiet during this time so they wouldn’t disturb her time of prayer.

What does this have to do with outreach? Everythng! John 6:44.

We must pray until~

This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize
And shout while passing through the air
Fare well, fare well, sweet hour of prayer.

(Last verse of Sweet Hour of Prayer)

Selah

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March 5, 2017 · 12:09 am

A Transformation

We called a friend to ask if we could borrow his pressure washer.

“Sure as long as you pay me in some of your homemade bread. Deal?”

“Deal.”

Making bread is one of our pastimes. It’s amazing how the ingredients can mix into such warm deliciousness.

Jesus told a parable about bread making, (Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:21). Although there are other scriptures comparing leaven to sin, (Matthew 15, Mark 8, 1 Corinthians 5 and Galatians 5), Jesus’ allegory to His Kingdom being like leaven hits home–in the kitchen and in the heart.

Heaven’s Leaven

When yeast is mixed into the dough then left alone, a change will show.

The dough will soon be twice its size thanks to yeast that made it rise.

The kingdom’s like this Jesus said, like the leaven makes our bread.

Word and Spirit both alive begin to work, deep, deep, inside

and change a life bound by sin, setting it free–new life in Him.

And He in us, hope of glory. Heaven’s leaven. Unseen story.

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February 4, 2017 · 10:51 pm

Going the Extra Nine Miles

The saying, going the extra mile, originated during the Roman occupation of Israel. Roman soldiers had the right to ask any able-bodied man to carry all their equipment for one mile. After carrying a soldier’s armaments for one mile, the one who fulfilled this obligation could put down his burden and leave the soldier to carry it himself or seek someone else to serve the next mile.

In Matthew 5:41, Jesus addressed this law and surprised his hearers by saying they should accept the opportunity and even go beyond the required duty by carrying a soldier’s load for two miles instead of the required one mile distance. Say what??

Two thousand years before Jesus’ astonishing statement, Jacob sent his son Joseph on a sixty-mile mission to deliver provisions to his ten sons, Joseph’s brothers, shepherding their flocks in Shechem, (Genesis 37:14). As instructed, Joseph arrived in Shechem and heard his brothers had been there and could be in Dothan. At this point, Joseph made a decision–to return home or continue on to Dothan.  After all, weren’t these the same brothers who mocked and despised him?

Yet, through his weariness, frustration and perhaps some hidden reluctance, Joseph manned-up and trudged another nine to twelve miles, a day’s journey, through the wilderness to complete his Father’s desire.

Dear Lord, Make me like Joseph–willing to seize the opportunity to serve others, even if it means going an extra nine miles.

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July 27, 2008 · 5:03 am

John’s Gaze Reveals Praise

Ever hear a crowd erupt into applause? It sounds like a cascading waterfall or the voice of many waters (Revelation 19:6). That’s what John heard when he peered into heaven. So . . . if that’s what heaven is like–perhaps I should rehearse down here.

O clap your hands all ye people, shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Psalm 47:1

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