You are Ready for Spring Aren't You?

Evening of April 25th

Well friends, winter is dealt another blow. It was April 25th and another spring snow storm promising to deliver 6" - 15" so say the meteorologists.  Argh...I had crocuses already blooming and they were going to be covered with a blanket of snow the next morning. On top of that, we ended up postponing a trip to Bemidji to see the grandsons. How discouraging it is when our plans don't work out.

I have this Scripture taped in main control at work that says:

"The Mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" Proverbs 16:9 (NASB)

It seems that there a couple of ways to look at that verse with one having a negative slant and the other quite a positive directive. The application for me is in understanding that my default is to always run ahead of God and make all my plans without consulting my Father. Well, you know how frustrating that can be when the plans don't work out the way you thought they should have. I think of those poor little crocuses that have opened their pretty little heads to show some of the first colors of spring to us and then wham, they get hit with six inches of snow. Somehow I'm guessing, this probably inhibits their growth and reproduction.  And when I tie that in with going ahead of God like I do so often, I wonder just how much am I set back from my growth by not praying and seeking the Father's will before I lunge ahead and move out? 

How do you like this verse in Proverbs:

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand" Proverbs 19:21 (NASB)

The counsel of the Lord will stand. Hmmm...counsel of the Lord, Etsah in Hebrew, meaning advice; consultation; purpose, project, plan, design; wisdom, deliberation. Wow, do I consult with my Father as I make my plans? Almost always, not. Do I seek out His purpose before I run out the door, make the phone call or plan the trip? Of course not, especially if it is just everyday living type of stuff. But this is my challenge and this is what God is trying to teach this girl. How much better to seek God in the morning as I begin to plan my day or whatever it is that I have going on than to do things at random and on a whim.  Now I just looked up the meaning of whim in Websters Dictionary and the meaning is a bit odd and not nearly as fun as I always though of it being as when we us it in its adjective form, whimsical. So the first meaning of this noun is: a freakish pattern of ideas and their associated emotions as a motive of action. I am thinking that this is not the best laid plan for myself or anyone who desires to live a Spirit-filled and controlled life. Why do I want to act on emotions based on freakish ideas? In essence that is what I'm doing by missing out on God's best for my daily living when I forsake my time with Him as I plan my 'whatever.'

By the way, on Saturday morning, April 26, 2008, the snow had (thus far) produced slick roads with a dump of about 6+ inches on top. Good thing my husband didn't put that snow blower away for the spring! There are all these tiny, little spring birds flitting around trying to find fall's leftovers that are now covered in several inches of snow. And the worse part is that the snow was expected to continue for several more hours and the temperature was only 23 degrees with a wind chill making it feel like only 10! What's up with that at the end of April? And just to let you know that this was the third snowstorm in northern Minnesota in the month of April! The other two deposited anywhere from a couple to 30+ inches of wet sloppy snow in some areas of the northland on the first and second weekends of the month. I'll bet you are glad you don't live here. But if you do, we just say, "Well, that's northern Minnesota! You never know what you are going to get."


The bottom line for me is that I need to quit running ahead of God, and slide into His plans for my days.  So much easier said than done especially if that is the way you've done it thus far. Those old habits are so hard to break but God has amazing things to say about the man who indeed walks in God's ways like this:

"The steps of a mans are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way.
When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord i the One who holds his hand."
Psalm 37:23, 24

The crocuses managed to endure unscathed for the most part!

You have to love that! God delights in my ways when I walk in His will. A dear friend told me not to be too hard on myself for we are all in a process and indeed we are. But I truly want to be a woman who is bent on walking in God's plans for my life. And the best part is that when I am led by the Spirit then I walk in love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The fruit produced by being Spirit-led. I will share on that another time.

"Father, I sure frustrate myself time and time again when my best laid plans go awry! How frustrating because I am so convinced that I have laid them perfectly yet without Your approval and consultation, I miss the cracks and weaknesses that can literally trip me up. I am humbly asking, Father, for You to help me come to You the first thing with my days and events, allowing You to shape and mold them as You do when I ask. Even more importantly though is to help me to wait and listen for Your reply when I do ask for Your direction. I am tired of being in a hurry, rushing out the door without Your approval and then asking why when things get weird. I pay dearly every time I do that. Thank You that You are so concerned with my little life that You will show me the way when I ask. You truly are an amazing Abba God, Amen"

Happy Valentine's Day

February is most of all highlighted by Valentine's Day, a designated to express and receive love! How delightful. The following is a writing I want to share with you by Stephen Crotts.

Love ~
To be young, wealthy and in love--all in the third century. And to be a Christian.


Such was young Valentine. He would consummate his great love by taking her as his bride. Soon he would be wed. But his world came crashing down around him when the Roman emperor declared all Christians illegal citizens and guilty of treason. All they had to do was to say, "Caesar is Lord!" Rather than deny Christ, young Valentine was arrested.


In jail, awaiting his execution, he wrote love letters to his girlfriend...beautiful, passionate letters assuring her of his great love for her. But theirs would be a love not lived out. On February 14, 269, Valentine was put to death, martyred for Jesus Christ.


Since then, Christians have celebrated his fidelity to Christ and romantic love on the 14th of February by sending our own love letters to special people. And we do so this year, let us resolve to live for Christ unashamedly.

~ Stephen Crotts

So my friend, how will you spend your Valentine's day? Maybe a romantic dinner with card and flowers from or to your beloved? It seems odd that we need a day in the year to remind us to show and exhibit love. A day that indicates we should express our faithfulness and love to our beloved!  Yet, how about most of all to our Christ. His words to us penned by the apostle Paul in Corinthians need to be seared upon our hearts:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13

No small wonder it is called the Love Chapter. The above words are the key to any and every relational issue known to man. For if we do as it says we should, we become humbly involved in laying aside our agenda and we pick up with care the concern for others and administer love, unselfish love.


I know my tendencies and I know how hard it is to look beyond me and see others in the light of God's love, forgive me Lord. As Your creation it should be a natural to do likewise--as You do unto us--to those around us. Why do I always get in the way?


Father, when I am struggling with my spouse, my friends and even the poky driver ahead of me who thinks I should live my life at his speed, help me to think LOVE. Forgive all the "buts..." that I throw out as excuses to justify my unloving attitude. Lord, if I could always have on my mind the love You showed Your unworthy child, I just might remember. And how do I really show Your love to that unlovable person(s) we all seem to have in our lives? Whatever it takes Lord, I need Your grace and mercy so that I would remain that humble servant who desires to walk in love and then purposes to do it! I am so weary of asking and then I watch myself turn around and reneging on my intention. Give me authenticity that will reveal who You are through me. I love you Abba and my desire is to live for You. In Jesus Name, Amen!

A Gift of Life

"...But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, Seed of Abraham My friend--You whom I drew from the ends of the earth and called from its far corners, To whom I said: You are My servant; I chose you, I have not rejected you--Fear not, for I am with you, Be not frightened, for I am your God; I strengthen you and I help you, I uphold you with My victorious right hand."

Isaiah 41:8-10 (JPS)

Praises be to God who allowed us the amazing privilege of being grafted into the lineage of Abraham--God's friend--as well as Isaac and Jacob's.  How?  Simply put by accepting His gift, His precious Son, Jesus.  For God Himself, became flesh to dwell among us, making a way where there was no way because of sin.  Jesus, came to earth as a humble little baby, born of a virgin (young Mary) as was told so long ago, all so that you and I could become God's sons and daughters.  Do you realize just how incredible that reality is?  Can you wrap your brain around the fact that the Creator of the universe, our Father, made a way for us to have a personal relationship with Him?  I will honestly tell you that I don't understand it.  It makes me crazy to think of the expanse of the love that my heavenly Father lavishly poured out, certainly exceeding all imagination, just so that I could be restore into a right standing with Him!  How could I ever expect to comprehend this one?  But...by faith, I must. I must simply believe because after all He saved my life, gave me hope and a chance to walk with purpose in my gait, giving me a reason to wake up and live! 

I like what Francis Chan said in his book Crazy Love, “The point of our life is to point to Him…”

You know that you too can have life that is intended to be full, rich and abundant and filled with purpose.  You do know that don't you?  If not, friend, I can't say enough in an attempt to convince you of this truth.  I know, you can't see it, taste it, smell it or see it but...it is yours for the taking.  So here, here is the gift of hope, wrapped up in love and not only love but the Father's love.  A gift of life the life of His Son, Jesus.  Here, it is for you, I want so much for you to have it, no strings attached!  He loves you so much that words are inadequate to even explain it! I pray you receive the blessings of being welcomed into the family of God, friend.  Take it from someone who has been so topsy turvy through her first 30 years of life, it will turn your world right-side up!

Make Me a Change Agent

The song "History Maker" by the group Delirious is a great song that reminds me of the purpose for which we are in the here and now. I shared in a church, some time ago, of being a "Change Agent" and the two terms, history maker and change agent are synonymous. I don't know about you but I do want my life to be used to make a difference for God's Kingdom.

I looked up the meaning of "Change Agent" in the dictionary and this is what I read:

A change agent, or agent of change, is someone or something that intentionally or indirectly causes or accelerates social, cultural, or behavioral change.

If we apply that to kingdom work...wow, that's it! I want to make a difference in the lives of other people to the extent that they will come to Christ or become more Christ-like.I know it is not about me, but about God uses us when we allow Him to work in and through us, we become His vessel or conduit! Likewise, is that "history maker" one who obviously has an influence for Chirst's sake to altar the course of history for kingdom purposes, wow! That is pretty powerful stuff!

Like I told the folks in church that morning, "we didn't get saved to live a cushy, comfy life with all the amenities, we got saved to make a difference in the kingdom as we come alongside those who don't know the King of kings." We are to show and when given the opportunity to share Christ and Him crucified! and from 1 Peter 3:15

"...always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"

Father, I am asking You to do such a work in me that I would become one who can make a difference in my environment for you. As I go about the day-to-day stuff I want people to see You. And to see that You really can make a difference in people's lives. After all, I am not who I used to be, praise be to God! Let others see You when they observe me so that You will be glorified and others will desire to know You. It is only through You that I can be the hands, feet and mouth of Jesus. As You perfect in me the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, I will make a difference for Your kingdom and change the course of history, Amen.

Praise is Prayer

Scripture teaches that we experience the manifest presence of God as we "enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise." (Psalm 95:2, 100:4 NIV) We thank God for his goodness and we praise him for his greatness.

Praise is prayer. When I lift up my heart to God to praise him, I talk to him and commune with him. Prayer is not all asking. As Thomas Watson, the seventeenth-century Puritan, quaintly put it, "Many have tears in their eyes, and complaints in their mouth, but few have harps in their hand, blessing and glorifying God. Let us honor God this way. Praise is the quitrent we pay to God: while God renews our lease, we must renew our rent."

True prayer is in itself part of our praise of God. We go to him in a way we go to no one else. He is able to help us as no one else can. Furthermore, in prayer we submit ourselves to God's will--we pray "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Mathew 6:10) as the foundation of all our other prayers. By our acknowledgment that God's will is best, we praise God indirectly for his infinite and perfect wisdom. -- from "Praise Is Prayer" by Derek Prince

Father, let me lay down all of the concerns that I am having. I truly want to be void of all things that are worldly and reek of me. Give me, even if for just a few minutes, the opportunity to dwell in Your presence and let me linger there as I simply place my attention full on You, Lord. Gazing upon Your beauty and acknowledging all that You are. I know that You will then fill my heart with Your purposes, Your will for my life, my environment, and my community as I radiate Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen