“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest. “ Matthew 11:28 (CSB)

Are you weary of the messed-up world we’re living in?  Are you burdened, stewing over the probability of the messed-up world your children and grandchildren will inherit?

What is the answer to that weariness and worry?  Our Bible has it – come to Jesus.  It’s that plain.  Come to Jesus and place that weariness in his hands because He tells us He will give us rest.

Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?  I’m not saying that putting the weariness and worry in His hands will make all the problems go away. 

We live in this messed-up world because of sin.  And although Christ paid the price for our sins, giving us the right to eternal life with Him, Satan’s minions are still around until that final day when Christ comes again to make all things new.  So sin is still present, it’s just that if we trust in Jesus, we can be assured that we, His children, though touched by that sin, do not have to give in to the world.  He will give us strength.  He will give us rest.

Last night, I had a real rough time, thinking thoughts that I know did not make my Savior pleased.  But I remembered that the Holy Spirit was there to help me – and through a lot of crying, a lot of prayer – a lot of asking for His help, He did help me.  He gave me peace.  I just had to come to Him humbly and remember what He has always said in His Bible. 

Oh, I’m so grateful that my church upbringing forced me to memorize scriptures.  Those scriptures come back at my lowest times.    I don’t know how many times I’ve recited in the night - 

Psalm 23 “the Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.  

He makes me lie down in green pastures. 
He restores my soul.”  

Psalm 40:2 “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, 
out of the mud and mire; 
He set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.” 

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all of your cares upon Him 
for He cares for you.”

----

The Lord is my shepherd, my rock and my stay. 
He meets me at night when I’m lost on the way. 
He fills with His Spirit the heart’s empty nest 
when worry and weariness keep me from rest.

The Lord is my shepherd. 
He holds in His hand
a peace that will give quiet rest in this land.
He guides with His Spirit; He calms the heart’s fears 
when worry and weariness bring me to tears.

Friend, cast all your cares on 
The Maker, The One
who helps you to rest when you cry to His Son.
When you go to your Savior, His spirit draws near 
to ease your own weariness and to banish your fear. 

Love, Diane

Time or eternity!  We’re living in this world's time and God's eternity!  

God made us in His image. We have a soul, an eternal spirit, as well as an earthly body.  

But God planned life for mankind - an eternal life - with Him - for those who choose to be His children, or without Him, if we so choose.

Having lived in this earthly body for 85 years, I’m kind of tired, and I’m looking forward to that time when I step over the doorway into a life with my Savior, my God.  But I’m finding out that He is not through with me yet.  For some reason I still feel a connection to this earth.  So, though I am tired, I believe there is still work to do.  My only question is, what work?

I’m capable of “thinking, smiling, helping (sort of) and talking“– though not always out loud.  My interaction with friends and strangers can be the work that God has set out for me. Possibly?   But my conversations with Him are more important, since they impact everything on this “time/place” we call life.  They impact my attitude, my interaction with others, my judgements and my “work” for Him.

So I pray because I’m tired.  I pray because I don’t know what I am capable of doing while my time on earth is now.  And I pray -  because sometimes I feel that I am of no use to God. Sometimes I feel empty, and that feeling is not so bad because

That empty place within my heart -
is waiting for a mission - one I’m capable to fill.
I pray dear God, 
please show me how I’m meant to do Your will.

My God, I leave control to You,
and in your strength abide.
Please help me do my best for You,
to see my life the way You do,
and place my helplessness aside.

Father, God, Almighty Friend.
I smile and know You hear my prayers
 for wisdom, strength, desire,
 to know and do your will. 

The young and fit - You “run” with them.
And you’re
”walking” 
with me still.

I pray that “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,”  Ephesians 1:17 (ESV) 

Love, Diane

He's the Rock

 

Isaiah 26:3-4
You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
    because he trusts in you.

Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
---------
Sometimes life’s storms split my world in two,
or the riptide of fear steals the peace that I knew,
and the pain makes me look at myself not at you.
But
I’m told you’re the Rock.
You’re the God who cares,
who answers prayers.
 
That tide grips my life and I’m racing behind.   
This world’s noises torture my heart and mind.
But in this I will pray that Your peace I will find.
 
So I pray to the Rock.
You’re the God who cares,
who answers prayers.
 
 When I cry for the turmoil, the trials, to cease,
when I ask you, my God, for that blessed release,
I turn to you, Father, for your incomparable peace
 
And I know
 you’re the Rock.
You’re the God who still cares,
who loves all His children and answers their prayers.
 
May God bless you today with assurance that He hears.

Diane Oct 2025

Love your .... enemy

 Jesus said, “Love your enemy.”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ... “ Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV)

We often ask when reading scriptures, so who is my neighbor or who is my brother?  But do we ever ask, who is my enemy?  If you’re like me, you’d be hard pressed to name anyone as a personal “enemy.”  I mean someone I hate, or someone that I know wishes me harm – that would be an enemy.  Right?

I read something recently about loving your “Political” enemies and was struck by how easy it was to identify that person, or party or group, or country.  Wow!  If I am going to Love my neighbor and my enemy, that will include - heaven forbid – those people who stand for things that I don’t support.  It would include people who stand in opposition to my firmly held political beliefs, my religious convictions, and my faith.

It is not up to me to “hate” another person, no matter what they do to me, or what they stand for.  Jesus says, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  So there is not an “if they” or an “unless” in His teaching.  He just says, “do it.”

That’s a lot to think about.  I’m afraid that, in this world of anger and strife and hatred between people who disagree with each other, it’s very hard to feel love for others.  But love is NOT a feeling, it’s an action.  So I must be careful of my tongue, what I say about people I disagree with, or what slogan I post on my car or my blog, because those actions show where my heart is.

I appreciated what our minister said this morning about praying for those in our government by name, asking God to bless them in whatever way pleases Him.  So that is my plan – because it’s God’s plan.

Love,

Diane

Promises

 Dear friends,

I’ve struggled with this last post – had a lot of ideas, but when it came right down to it, I felt that my ideas were not what  my friends needed to hear today.  I decided that only God’s love and truth would be my focus.  

John 1:14  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  

I think sometimes all we need to think about is the amazing truth that Jesus, the Son of God came to earth as a man and lived a life that was constantly in the “giving” mode.  He died “giving” us all the chance to connect with Him – God in flesh and with the Father - God who answers our prayers, and the Holy Spirit - God who has come to be our helper, our comforter, our teacher, our friend.

Today, that is the way I want to see our amazing, powerful, almighty God.  He allows us to see so many facets of Himself in the scriptures and in His creation. And today we focus on His care and His love for each of us.

God is with us.  He is for us.  He loves each of us and He walks on the paths of our life, each step with us.

My mom had a plaque on the wall of her dining room.  I couldn’t remember the exact words, so I looked it up and found that it is a poem by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932)

God hath not promised Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain, joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor and light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.

Mom didn’t always have an easy life.  She and my dad raised 4 children on a policeman’s pay.  It wasn’t easy even in those days.  Mom saw her share of grief and death.  She worked hard to make sacrifices for her family.  She cared for her mother in our home when it was, oh so hard.  Mom lost her husband, the love of her life, when she was only 60, and although she didn’t know how she could go on, she did, sometimes in sorrow and many days full of life and joy.  

God was my mother’s help.  She spent her life close to Him.  Her Bible was well used, and her children, friends, and Saint John’s church were blessed by the work of her hands.  

So I’ll remember the poem on her wall, but I’ll fiercely depend on the words from the Bible she was so fond of.

Psalm 42:8 (ESV) By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

Romans 8:28-29 (ESV) For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Psalm 86:15 (ESV) But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Singers' Prayers

 The book of Psalms sings to us in our troubles.

As we read through the Psalms we hear the "singers" crying out to God.  These songs speak words of anguish, of pain, of worry, of loneliness, of uncertainty.  But they also speak words that reflect assurance and understanding.

Let’s look at one of the singer’s cries for help.

Ps 42:3 (NIV) My tears have been my food day and night while they (people) say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

Are you crying out to God with words like those?  Is sorrow filling your thoughts – are tears your food in the night?  Do you chew on worries?  It’s so easy to do, isn’t it - to let the “problems” in your life become “you”?  

It’s easy to see those problems as who you are, not something external to the “self” of you. 

If I lose a job, or something important in my life, do I see myself this way “I AM A LOSER."  Or if people don’t value my friendship, I may say to the mirror – "I AM UNLOVABLE."  Are you looking at these or other situations and seeing them as who you are?  Wow!  I’ve been there and sometimes, even though I know my position as God’s child in His family, those old thoughts still sometimes haunt my dreams.

The prayers of David and the other “singers” tell us that God is capable of handling all those tears, the anguish, and the problems in our lives.  These particular prayers speak of our assurance from God.

Assurance that God is alive and active.

Assurance that God is good.

Assurance that God cares for His people.

Assurance that God is capable.

And assurance that you are not “your situations” 

because you are a dearly loved child of the King.

The singer prays saying:

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7 (NIV)

By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8 (NIV)

He tells us God is capable. 

I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:4 (NLT)

My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Psalm 57:7 (NLT)

The Psalms tell of the goodness of God.

For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalm 84:11 (NLT)

How kind the LORD is! How good He is! So merciful, this God of ours! Psalm 116:5 (NLT)

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God? Psalm 71:19 (NLT)

 And finally, the singers remind us that we are on God’s mind.  

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! Psalm 139:17 (NLT)

I’m on His mind.  I’m in His care.

He’s thinking thoughts of me

God sees each stumbling step I take,

and times that I despair.

He sees the worries that I face, 

the hurt, the pain that’s there.

He walks with me and talks to me

He holds me up and comforts me

No matter when or where.

My God is strong enough to hold 

the trials I cannot bear

He is the sun that shines so bright

He is the one who brings the light.

When my darkest thoughts are there.

He is here. He is kind.  He is able.

He is the almighty God.

A Midnight Prayer

 Dear Friends, do you ever lay your head on your pillow at night and wonder if there was any little thing you did or said that would please our God?  I know that sometimes I can’t think of anything terrible that I did – but I wonder if, that day, I even made God smile a little bit.

Yesterday I wrote this prayer – hadn’t planned to post it, but maybe it will touch someone’s heart.  

A prayer of repentance

Evening is closing the chapter “today.”

Many steps I have taken, some people I’ve met.

But many of them I’ve ignored on the way.

Though cocooned from the world in my own little nest

guilt keeps me from rest, holding slumber at bay.

I ponder my actions and thoughts from today

Close by my side, you were there Father, God

as I took every step, not watching the way.

I wonder tonight, is your heart even pleased

with the actions I take and the words that I say.

Gentle shepherd please come, place my sins from today.

In your sea of forgiveness as you promised you would.

With your almighty power take my heart’s guilt away.

Please speak to my soul Gentle Spirit.  

Draw near,

so your voice I will hear in the night wind,

 I pray.

Revelation 4:11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

 
Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

The storm

 

Matthew 8:23-27
tells us about a  day on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus and His disciples were hit by a storm.  Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat and the men were terrified.

Jesus had shown His power over evil spirits, disease, death and nature.  He had healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, provided food and turned water into wine. Jesus was able to control anything -  any situation that they faced, and His disciples were afraid of a storm?

Hey, wait a minute!

That storm was absolutely huge!  It wasn’t just an ordinary squall.  The wind and the waves roared!  They covered the boat!  The boat was far from any harbor.  These guys were in the middle of something they had never faced before, and they were afraid.

Friend, are you in the middle of something you’ve never faced before?  Are the waves of pain, of loss, or betrayal covering the boat of your life?  Are you afraid?  Are you discouraged?  Do you feel abandoned?  Are you out of options?

Jesus understands the storm.  He sees the shoreline.  He sees beyond the clouds and the rain.

There’s a song I used to sing when my voice was young.  It was one by my favorite female singers, Dottie Rambo.  It speaks of a storm and a prayer -

Soul be calm, rest in His keeping.
Never fear, He has control.
He rides the wind and
He’ll chart the vessel
and calm the billows that toss me so.

Those words came from a heart that had endured much pain and trouble.  Dottie could sing it with conviction, and I would love to be able to say that I always believe them and trust with all my heart.  But still I've found that even in my fear, God always calms the storm. 

And Jesus said to the storm “Peace be still” Mark 4:39  and the wind died down and it was  completely calm. 

Bent and Broken

 Bent,

but not severed.

Cracked,

but holding on.

Shattered,

but not scattered.

Broken,

but not discarded.

Ruined,

not at all.

Her life was bent, not straight and pure

the cracks still held, though still unsure

‘til shattered pieces hit the ground

her heart lay broken – then she found

no condemnation in His face

no final ruin – only grace.

The Bible speaks of how sin has infected our world.  It bends, cracks, shatters, breaks and ruins  lives.  Sin destroys the pure heart and life that God had planned for man.  When sin entered into the world it destroyed so much, but it did not destroy the love that God has for His people.

John 4:4-30 tells of the event in which Jesus meets a woman at a well, we see in that encounter the way God meets with us in our brokenness.

The scripture says, “Jesus was tired from His journey, and He sat down at the well.”  This was a normal picture - a tired man and a water well.  Jesus turned up just where, in the normal course of things, a particular woman could be touched by Him.

He does that for us as well.  He meets us in our ordinary places.  He comes to help and heal us just as He did with this broken woman.  He comes if we let Him in - if we listen to Him.

So my friend, I know that even if the trauma filling your life is not of your own doing, as it likely was for the woman at the well, God wants to help you heal.  If you are broken – no matter the cause, there is only one who can put your life back together.  That “one” is the one who made you – the Master Potter.

So when you see the cracks appear, or when you feel bent or broken, watch for Jesus at the well.  He’s willing and able to give you life-giving water to heal your broken soul.  He will listen.  He’ll ask you questions. He’ll show you the way forward. 

He will help you see His face

No final ruin – only grace!

God bless you my friends,
Diane

Broken

There is so much pain and hurt in this world.  Some people are so broken that it affects the way they see themselves.  They have scars that hinder them from reaching out to others – even for help. 

I can’t put those broken pieces back together, but I do know someone who can.  And in the process, He can and will show His people how beautiful even scars can make their lives.

The Bible offers so much encouragement and help, if we only take God's words into our broken hearts.  Let's hear the words.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds,

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

So my friend, if you feel like a broken pot, you are not alone.  The writer of this Psalm felt the same way. 

Psalm 31:12  I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.

When I think of all the broken vessels in my world, I hurt for all of us.  But hurt is definitely not God's plan for the broken pots that inhabit His world - not hurt, but healing.

I recently found this article about Kintsugi and wondered if that is how God heals our wounds - not with Gold but with the blood - the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God.

Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, emphasizes the beauty of imperfection and the value of an object's history.  Instead of, concealing the damage, kintsugi highlights the cracks and breaks with seams of gold lacquer, creating a unique and often more beautiful piece than the original. This technique celebrates the object's history and transforms it into a one-of-a-kind work of art. 

The process 

Joining the pieces: Broken pieces of the pottery are carefully joined back together using a special urushi lacquer (made from tree sap).

The broken pieces of our lives can be joined together by Jesus, the potter.  He has sent His Spirit into this world to make of those pieces something beautiful.  It's impossible to repair that  brokenness without God's Spirit helping us to find out just where those pieces fit.  He knows the original plan for the vessel, because He/God is the potter. 

 

Next - Highlighting the cracks: The lacquer is dusted with powdered gold, silver, or platinum, creating a striking contrast with the ceramic material.

The blood of Jesus is the lacquer, mending those broken pieces.  His love is purer and more beautiful than gold or silver.  This lacquer doesn't erase the memory of the pain or betrayal.  Instead, if we put our broken pieces into the hands of the Master Potter, He uses them to create a life that, within the cracks, is more beautiful and exciting than it could possibly be without them.

Take a look at this picture and see the beauty created by the one who mended the broken bowl.  And then know that you can be just as beautiful, and useful in your new life, when you trust the true Potter.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

Looking in the Mirror

I've been looking in the mirror - Do you often  think about your “everyday shortcomings,” and see them as just that, “only shortcomings” – "not such a big deal?"  I know that sometimes I think that, but then - sometimes . . . 

I remember that they just might be a big deal - yes.  If I wish to be counted as a disciple of The Master; if I want to be His disciple - one who walks in the dust of the Master, I need to look at whose dust is covering my feet.  Walking in the dust - walking so close to someone that his dust covers my feet.

It’s so easy to accept and minimize my “shortcomings” if I walk through the day without a thought about how I'm living, or without wondering if my actions are a big deal to God.  So, before I greet one more day, I feel that I must personally look at the everyday things I call shortcomings and determine whether they are worth worrying about.  

In that vein, I want to look at the one I call Master – The only true God, Creator, Savior, King of the Universe.  And then I need to decide what I believe would be HIS view of the actions and thoughts that I see as only my “shortcomings.”

You may have your own list, but here are a few that I sometimes find myself struggling with.  Pride, envy, and anger – guess that’s a good start!

So if I take each one and dissect it in the light of God’s word, His purity, and His holiness, it may help me to see whether it is  serious enough to be too concerned about.

Pride – oh wow!  The Bible talks about that a bunch.

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.  Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from The Father but from the world.

It sounds a bit like Pride is not something that I should tolerate in my life.

Then there is Envy

Envy comes in the back door, and some of the time I don’t see it until God points it out to me.  That envy isn’t usually a desire for wealth or talent, or even the beauty that another has. Most of the time it just says, “I wish I was as important to (this group, this person, this situation) as another person.  It’s still definitely envy and it’s grounded in comparison.  I have come to the realization that, when this “shortcoming” haunts me, it’s because I don’t see myself in the light of my importance to God – which is the only importance that really matters.

1 Corinthians 12:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.

Galatians 5:21 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

As I look at these scriptures, it seems to attach envy to coveting  the importance of others in the world’s eyes.  That was a bit eye-opening to me.

And Finally Anger

Jesus makes it very plain that my use of the word "shortcoming" would not be the way He describes anger - it's a slippery slope from anger to sin. Words and actions around us make it so easy to be angry. We have opinions about everything, in the Church, and in the rest of our lives.  Anger seems to be always in the air, in the wind and in the dust.  I must remember that this is not the way of The Master.

Colossians 3:8 but now is the time to cast off and throw away all these rotten garments of anger, hatred, cursing, and dirty language.

Matt 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. . .

So to net it out

Galatians 5:19-20 The acts of the flesh are obvious: debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, , ,

God is Holy, Good, and Pure. I want to walk in His dust, and He is more than willing to walk with me and give me strength to follow.

Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

• In pride I put myself in center stage – But the King humbled Himself by entering into our world.
• When I envy another’s situation, wealth, or status – I forget the family status given to me by the grantor of every good thing.  
• When my anger causes me to sin, I forget that when Jesus spoke of anger in His sermons, He even covered it in His discussion about murder.

As always, my friends, I'm looking in the mirror - not at you, but at myself.  We all must determine how well we will follow God's plan in our own lives.

The Open Secret

 

1 Chronicles 29:11 (ESV)  Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.

Dear Friends, lately it has occurred to me that our Christian world's focus seems to be on what God will or can do for me.  But when I think about it, I seem to be drawn to discussions on the Majesty of God, so I've spent many hours pouring through this book with my Bible and notepad.  The book - The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer.  

In this chapter I focused on one thing particularly that the author reminds us of.  He states that, if we are to live as God's  people in this world, we must “Acquaint ourselves with God.”   We must get to know Him as He is, not as we’d like Him to be.  

Mr. Tozer says, “God is not a utilitarian God . . ..  whose chief claim to men’s attention is His ability to bring them success in their various undertakings and who for that reason is being cajoled and flattered by everyone who wants a favor.”

He goes on to say that “The God we must learn to know is the Majesty in the heavens, God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, the Only Wise God, our Savior.”  Tozer almost shouts about the power, the works and the wisdom of God.

He mentions a few things that we can work on in order to “Acquaint ourselves with God.”  Here is one that I want more in my life.  That suggestion is to invest a great deal of time meditating on God as He is - on the majesty of God as our KING. 
 

There is a King of this world, and it is NOT me, NOT my family, Not my country, NOT this earth, NOT science, intelligence or knowledge, NOT strength and NOT my local congregation, a hero or a group.

God the creator is KING, and to truly know Him, I must worship, I must bow, and I must make sure I’m submitting to Him, His will and His truth.

There are no words that can sufficiently describe the Majesty of God, simply because He is not simple.  He is so complex and unknowable that we can only just TRY to know Him better. 
 

Many of us know the truth that God loves us, and that Jesus came and paid an unbelievable price for our eternal salvation.  We’ve been assured that God listens to us as our Father.  All those things we can understand in some way, but His Holiness, His Omnipresence (always, everywhere), His Transcendence (superior, beyond anything we can see or imagine) are somewhat beyond anything we can wrap our minds around, aren’t they?

So my wish is that I can begin to understand a little more, and worship a lot more – that I can rest in His promise that He loves and forgives me, and yet be forever acutely aware of His Majesty.

Love, Diane

 

Wait and Rest

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
  for my hope is from him.  
He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; 

I shall not be shaken. 
On God rests my salvation and my glory;

 my mighty rock, my refuge is God.  
Psalm 62:5-7 (ESV)

I speak to my God as I lie here awake
in the silence, my heart knows He hears.

I speak, and I wait for a word from my Lord, 

trusting He knows all my burdens and  fears.

Soon my God will release a vast vapor of love

that will send all my worries to flight.

No clouds will obstruct the view of His care

as I wait in the still of the night. 

My soul,

it will wait for my God to come near

for He is my shelter from harm.

My soul,

it will wait for His answer tonight.

He’ll give me sweet peace in this storm.

In this world He is steadfast - 

my trustworthy Friend. 

I cannot be lost from his sight.

So I wait for a whisper

from His Spirit of calm

as I silently watch in the night.

Fidelity

Recently we heard a podcast featuring a social movement begun by Dr. Robert P. George, McCormick Prof. of Jurisprudence, Princeton University.  The following is a short synopsis of what he is calling Fidelity Month.

Dr. George writes, "You may have read about the rather disturbing recent WSJ poll indicating a precipitous decline in our fellow Americans’ belief in the importance of such values as patriotism, religion, family, and community—the values that used to unite Americans despite our many differences. There are a million things we can and should do to restore the faith of our people, and begin to heal the dreadful division in our country, but I would like you to join in one small one."

Dr George goes on to explain the steps a person, a church, or a group can take to espouse fidelity to our God, to our families and our country.  I believe that this could be a movement which may change the way we look at our lives, our politics and other people.

Fidelity means: faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support and allegiance.
 
In a biblical context, fidelity means unwavering faithfulness and loyalty, especially towards God, one's spouse, and within the Christian community. It's about being true to promises, commitments, and duties, reflecting God's own character and the importance of covenant relationships.  This faithfulness is something that I believe is important for us to focus on.

From the Fidelity Month website - "The official symbol for Fidelity Month is a wreath, particularly a myrtle wreath, representing God, His eternal nature, and family unity. The wreath is designed with specific elements: the open top symbolizes divine embrace, the branches and leaves signify family dependence on and union with God, and the star and stripe at the bottom represent America's union. The color gold in the logo symbolizes generosity and compassion, while blue (background) symbolizes truth, loyalty, responsibility, and peace."

Thanks for reading through this. 
I hope it gives us all some food for thought.

Love, Diane 

Love from the Throne

 John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Beautiful words from someone who had been face to face with Jesus.  They were written by a man who was so overwhelmed with his knowledge of Jesus that he continually rehearsed in his mind the fact that Jesus could love even him.

He often referred to himself as “the disciple that Jesus loved.”

I truly believe that it was John’s humility that created those thoughts and words. 

John sees Christ in a special way. John’s words speak of Jesus as “the One who made all things” and “the light of all mankind.” He speaks of Jesus as “the light that shines in the darkness” and cannot be overcome by that darkness.

Can you imagine the way John's heart would pound when he saw our Savior face to face - as he watched Jesus' actions of love for needy people each day?   Can your mind picture his confusion and concentration as he heard the words of God from the mouth of this perfect one?

And finally, can you imagine how he must have felt when Jesus gave him the responsibility to take care of Jesus’ mother – words from the cross?

John spoke of Jesus as the one
who brought the world to life.
He spoke of what he’d seen and knew.
He spoke of Christ who loved him too.

He spoke of Jesus Christ, “The Light”
whose love shown through the darkest night.

His name!
“Immanuel” “God’s Son” “The King”

His purpose!
“Ransom Payer” “Go-between.”

His Gift!
Eternal life for those who bring
a humble faith in offering. 

If I see John, “the one Christ loved”
as a man who looks like me,
a sinful one in need of love, I cannot help but see
a trait that I must strive to have -
it’s deep humility.

If I see me, in Jesus eyes, as I look to heaven above,
then I can say with John today,
“I’m the one that Jesus loved.”

Emotions

Using social media we’ve begun to stress emotions through emojis - hearts, smiles, thumbs up, tears, and several pages of little “meaningful” pictures. They truly are a lot of fun, but are they real?  Do they picture our true emotions?

When we spend time listening to people, I mean really listening to them, we can truly read their heart’s emotions.  And only then might we get an idea of just how we can be a real friend to them.

I heard your heart today my friend

as I listened to the story’s end.

I heard the sorrow in your life and felt the awful pain

that you’ve endured through failing health
or acts you won’t or can’t explain.

I heard your tears, 

they fell 

despite the way you tried

to keep them to yourself – to hide.

Those deep emotions left inside
your broken heart 

held only fears.

I heard your pain. 
I heard the fear.

But friend, I cannot know

enough to help you on my own

or tell you where to Go.

Except
to trust the One who does -

the One who’s always there, 

the One who holds you in His hand

and hears each hurting prayer.

My friends, I pray that I can always be a real friend to you.

Love, Diane

Blessings

 

We pray, "God, thank you for our blessings.”  I wonder what we really consider as blessings when we say those words.

Sometimes we see them as “blessings” only if they are wrapped in pretty paper, or resulting in things we've wished for, or maybe only if they are clear and definite "yes" answers to our wants. 

The word “Raindrops” sound beautiful, soft and lovely. But when we use the word “Rain” it has a different sound to us. Like something a little harsh, like a trial. Let’s explore that a little.

Do you remember reading the book of Job? Job was a good guy. He did what God wanted him to do. He lived a pretty blameless life.  But there was more to the story.  Blessings?

Job lost everything. His children and servants were killed, and he lost all his riches. Soon he was afflicted with sores over his whole body.

Job laid out his complaints to God. But he also asked God to show him where he had fallen short.  He spoke of God’s goodness, and yet complained about the state he was in. He felt that God wasn’t listening to him - sometimes we feel the same way.  Job just didn’t understand – and that’s the crux of the matter. 

God’s answer set Job back a bit. In Job 38, we read.” Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. . . In the storm He showed Job that God was God, and Job was not.

God was laying out for Job a picture of just who he was complaining to, and then God asked Job to answer Him.

Job didn’t know that God was so sure of Job’s love that He would allow him to go through these troubles for another reason. Job didn’t know what blessing was going to be his. He didn’t know that God was showing Job how to trust Him.The storm helped him grow, and because of it, Job learned more and more about God and learned that no matter where Job found himself, in the sunshine or the rain, God can be trusted. 

Job's blessings came through raindrops. This time the rain was a real gully washer, tearing through Job’s life was a real storm. The rain in Job’s life was a blessing, even though at the it didn’t feel like it.

A little aside -- Job’s “blessing” is really a blessing to us. It helps us to know God better. It speaks of an almighty God, a God we don’t always understand.  It also shows that man can have a conversation with God – not a “formal” talk, but a real conversation.  For although God basically scolded Job for his attitude, He continued to talk with him.  He didn’t shut Job out.  And in the end, God demonstrated His love for Job in a very tangible way. We may, in our rainstorm, hear a gentle word from our Savior saying, may this trial be a way for you to understand Me more.

Oh yes, sometimes in our storms we wonder if He’s listening - but the Bible tells us that God always hears His children.  Yes, sometimes our blessings come through raindrops. 

These were just my thoughts after I listened to this beautiful song.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKPeoPiK9XE

 

Pride - it's a Virus

Proverbs 11:2  
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

Pride’s a lethal virus that affects each living man, and in fact, man doesn't see how deep the evil in it stands.

We oft’ don’t know that pride is there within our human heart, unless we look beyond ourselves and take our thoughts apart.

        Possibly we’ll find it tucked within our halo’d hair,

preparing to reveal itself, when least expected there.

Pride masquerades as many things.
Pride’s costumes are so fine,

that we may sometimes see it as
"humility divine."

 

Pride’s a lethal virus that affects our walk as well.

We stumble on the “I” and “me” in the stories that we tell.

In tales of glory, we’re the ones that win the big grand prize

for deeds we’ve done, and races run; our works are supersized.

 

Pride enters through a mirror that reflects a wish to shine,

and to hear the words that puff us up; those words we underline.

 

You see –

When pride builds me and lessens you,

sin shows his ugly head - it’s true.

Whether searching for the spotlight, or looking in the glass,

If I am first, that pushes you

to second

or to last.

 

So, don’t be proud of your beauty,

or your talents

or your stuff.

Those gifts and possessions are

yours for today,

but in eternity -
not enough.

They may pass in a moment

since it’s not up to you

how the world sees your worth

and the things that you do.

Instead,

bow to the One who is perfect and wise,

to the God who will hear when His humble child cries.

On her knees,

and with tears,

see the love on God’s face.

Hear His promised forgiveness.  Know the gift of His grace.