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Out of Control…

Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
    opening your mouth can ruin everything. Proverbs 13:3 (NLT)

The LORD has used this time of sheltering in place to show me I need to do a better job of controlling my thought life. My grandma used to say, “A still tongue is in a wise head.” How right she was!

Have you ever said something you wish you hadn’t.

I have!

The verse I’m using today speaks directly to the results of speaking without thinking. But I think it speaks to something much deeper. I find when I speak words I would like to take back, it’s because I was thinking those things.

In fact, I was thinking and thinking and thinking those things. Sometimes for days and days and days. Then out they pop. They’re in the atmosphere and impossible to retrieve.

Relationships are dinged up and in need of repair and healing. It’s a total mess and all because I didn’t keep my thoughts on the things of the Spirit. Instead, I focused on the things of the flesh and found myself wallowing in regret.

Yes, I can follow the instructions in 1st John 1:9 to confess my sin and be forgiven and cleansed. I can claim the promise of Romans 8:1 of no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

But in the end, the words are spoken and the wounds are real. Grief follows for all involved because there is a loss of what was. Why?

There are a multitude of reasons, but some of mine are:

Pride

Insecurity

Jealousy

Fear

Fatigue

Anxiety

And did I mention Pride? Too often I find myself thinking I know best. Ugh! No wonder Proverbs 16:18 reminds us of the destruction of pride.

Ephesians 4:29 tells us to use words that build up and give grace to those who hear them.

I definitely want my words to give grace instead of ruin.

LORD, forgive me when I don’t trust You enough to keep my mouth shut. Help me pay better attention to my thought life. Give me wisdom and understanding for those times I need to speak, and discernment and discipline for the times I need to keep my mouth shut.

And LORD, thank You for each one reading this today. I ask a special blessing on their lives. Give them a word of encouragement. Help them control their thoughts and words so they will not find themselves in a place of regret. Thank You. Amen.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Afterward…

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NLT)

We live in a world of instant. Instant gratification and little effort. In some things, instant works. But in others, instant gratification means living a life of compromise and missing out on the benefits.

Afterward is used in today’s verse, and it reminds me instant gratification is not my goal.

Afterward means there is a lapse of time between where I am now and what I will receive. Afterward means waiting.

If you’re like me, even the word wait calls up feelings of idleness when we want to be doing. I envision a waiting room at the hospital or doctor’s office.

A few years ago, the LORD gave me a perspective change when our pastor at the time asked, “What do you call someone who waits?”

Answer? One who waits; a waiter or waitress.

How’s that for a perspective changer? No more sitting and twiddling our thumbs. Waiting is active!

What does today’s verse tell me will happen between now and when I receive my reward?

I will be tested and tempted! And I’m to go through the testing and temptation with patient endurance!

Our youngest granddaughter once told me she learned patience is waiting with a happy heart.

Waiting and patience collided in my mind when I read today’s verse. I am to serve the LORD with a happy heart and not be concerned with my reward. It will come, but that cannot be my focus or I will fail each test and succumb to the temptations of my day.

I’ve been reminded I cannot wait well without a steadfast focus on the ONE I’m waiting on. I must be attentive to the LORD and what He asks of me. Otherwise, I will trade the instant gratification of this world for the reward He has for me. That would be a very sorry trade indeed!

LORD, thank You for this reminder to keep You and not my reward as my focus. Please keep me focused on You as I wait, so I will pass each test and resist every temptation with patient endurance and a happy heart.

And LORD, for those reading this, surround them with Your presence. Enable them to see their value in Your kingdom. Cause their hearts to be filled with Your joy as they wait on You this day. May every test and temptation seem small as they live this day happily serving You and trusting their reward will come, afterward. Amen.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Goodbyes

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29b (NLT)

Yesterday brought a nice surprise. I was included in George’s retirement telecom, and I got to hear his co-workers share their memories of George and how he had impacted their lives over the years.

You know, I was struck by how similar it was to what happens when someone dies. Yes, I’m sure Daddy’s recent death has made it easier for me to see this, but really!

People do the same when someone dies. Except they’re telling the loved ones all those things instead of the person who touched them.

So, I’m thinking about goodbyes and wondering why it is we wait to tell the people in our lives the different ways they touch us. Is it because we don’t stop to think about it until they’re leaving or gone?

Do we not even notice the gift of their lives until they’re no longer a part of our life?

So today, I’m wondering who it is I’m neglecting to appreciate? Who in my life is a blessing I’m not noticing? Who do I need to give my thanks for their influence in my life? And how can I tell them today?

And what about tomorrow and the next day and the next? I want to practice saying these types of words right in the middle of living life. I want to notice the gift of blessing people are in my life and I want to practice telling them. Who knows how this may encourage them?

LORD, thank You for the people who surround me each day. Help me see them and apprecite them. Help me speak words that bless them as they bless me. Allow me to be an encouragement with my words.

And LORD, for those reading this today, thank You for each of them. Thank You for the people You’ve given them. Help them see the blessing of people in their lives and tell those people right in the middle of the living.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Words…

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)

To encourage is to give courage.

To give courage, our words must be both good and helpful.

Who are we to encourage?

Those who hear our words.

I’ve always taken this to mean even those who are not even a part of our conversation but are within hearing of our words.

Okay, why am I pulling this thread?

In recent week’s, we’ve been ordered to shelter-in-place for the purpose of stopping the spread of Covid-19.

Wow! I’ve been amazed by the controversy.

I’ve also been sad to hear all the reports of increased domestic violence during this time.

Why are people hurting the very people they’re supposed to love? I’m guessing there are a couple of base level reasons.

1-life feels scary and/or out of control, and

2-aggressive words and behavior give them a feeling of control

Of course, we all know abuse is not control.

Self-control is the ultimate control.

Jesus-followers have an advantage when it comes to self-control. It’s been given to us in full measure.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

What’s the catch? We must take the self-control given to us and use it! And…

We practice, practice, practice using our self-control every single day of our lives!

My old piano teacher used to say, “Practice makes perfect when you practice right.”

So, although I’m not abusive with my words or deeds, I am asking myself what kind of word usage I’m practicing.

Where are my thoughts? I need to know the answer, because my words and actions will soon follow the direction of my thoughts.

LORD, thank You for giving me everything I need to successfully live the full and abundant life You created me to live. Help me be intentional about my thoughts, so my words will bless all those who hear them. I ask alongside David…

May the words of my mouth
    and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

And, LORD, for those reading this today, I ask You to surround them with Your presence, power, protection, provision, and peace. May they see evidence of You this day. May they know You are there and really do care about them. Amen.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Pictures of Jesus

You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Momma got a card from one of her sisters and showed it to me. It included two photo copies along with a one dollar bill, a dime, and a picture of Momma.

Aunt Cherry sent one to each of her sisters. Turns out, Aunt Cherry was given Grandma’s purse, but she never had the heart to open it until now.

There were seven one dollar bills and seven coins in her wallet. There are seven girls, so Aunt Cherry sent a dollar and a coin to each sister and kept one for herself.

The photo copies were of two different pictures of Jesus. One included a plan of salvation along with Grandma’s signature. The other included a reminder to look to Jesus for all your needs. You could tell from the photo copies that the pictures had been handled often and were ragged along the edges.

Today’s verse is a verse Grandma shared with me years ago when I was a young mother and struggled going to sleep at night. She told me if I would look at Jesus instead of my problems, I would remember who He is and how much bigger He is than anything I’m struggling with or any circumstance I’m facing.

You know, she was right! I began to name the characteristics of God when I went to bed each evening and would quickly drift off to sleep. I was once again able to be like a little child. I was no longer trying to carry the weight of His responsibility or wield His control over others or my circumstances.

Grandma is in heaven with her Jesus now, but she lived a beautiful life here. She was an amazing Grandma and I’m so very thankful for her influence in my life. It’s a lasting legacy I want to pass on to my sweet grandchildren!

Our God is bigger and stronger than anything we will face. He is sovereign. He is good. He is loving, righteous, and just. He is merciful and compassionate, faithful and trustworthy. He will never leave or forsake us. And He is unchanging in all His ways!

LORD, thank You for being who You are. Please help us to see You more clearly. Give us the desire to know You more intimately. And teach us to follow You more closely. Thank You for being You! Thank You for being bigger than anything we may face this day. Amen.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Rest in the Transition

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

As Momma and I were doing our lateral raises (therapy exercises) yesterday, Momma talked about the times we used to watch the butterflies dry their wings and prepare for flight. She compared the slow movement of our outstretched arms to the movement of those fresh from the chrysalis butterflies.

Her comparison reminded me of what I learned while doing research for last year’s butterfly posts. I’ve always heard about the struggle of the chrysalis, but I found out there is rest in the chrysalis.

I’ve also heard how the butterfly has to fight it’s way out. Again, it’s not so. The chrysalis cracks open and allows the butterfly to begin the process of opening and drying its wings.

It’s a tedious and yet beautiful time as the butterfly slowly moves it wings up and down repeatedly. When its wings are totally dry, it flies away free and is no longer confined to the ground.

Easter is upon us and Jesus-followers are remembering what Jesus did for us and the freedom of new life in Him.

“Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NLT)

There doesn’t have to be struggle in the transition, because the LORD brings the transformation of our lives. He does the work of making us those new creations.

LORD, thank You for the full and abundant life You paid such a high price to give me. Teach me to agree with You, so I will live the life You’ve given me to the fullest degree and with Your joy.

And LORD, for all those reading this today, I ask Your added blessing on them. Help them to willingly submit to You and Your ways for them. No struggle, but complete surrender and perfect peace! Amen.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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The Three T’s of Trusting

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NLT)

I’ve lived long enough to learn troubles are a place of testing and reveal my places of temptation.

I’ve also learned trouble grows endurance and endurance brings benefit (James 1:2-4).

Testing reveals who or what I love most (Deuteronomy 8:2 & 13:3, Hebrews 11:17 & James 1:12).

Temptation comes from my own desires (James 1:13-14).

Jesus understands my temptation during times of testing and He provides a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:12 & 13 & Hebrews 2:18 & 4:15).

I’ve learned, the hard way, I must recognize my need for help or I won’t take His way.

I want to develop a new way of viewing troubles and hardship. I’m practicing. I take my troubles to Jesus and ask for His perspective. He’s teaching me to see the opportunities to experience the joy of loving Him through my choices (Matthew 22:37-39 & John 15:10-12).

And I want to embrace the growing pains of endurance and receive all the benefits promised to those who endure (Romans 5:3-4, Hebrews 6:12 & 10:36, & James 1:4 & 12).

LORD, thank You for always being with me. Grow my love for You, so I will joyfully embrace every opportunity to choose Your ways over mine. May Your joy be my strength, Jesus. May others desire to know You because they’ve seen You in me.

And LORD, please show Your love in a very tangible way to each one reading this today. Reveal their opportunities to experience the joy of knowing, loving, and trusting You in every trouble, test, and temptation. Amen.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Times of Trouble

“God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (NLT)

refuge is shelter or protection from danger or distress

strength is the quality or state of being strong : capacity for exertion or endurance

help is to give assistance or support to

help is also to make more pleasant or bearable : improve, relieve

trouble is a state or condition of distress, annoyance, or difficulty

I woke with today’s verse running through my mind. I could think of nothing else, so I’ve shared my word study with you.

So many changes are going on around us. For me, it may be different than it is for you, but in the end of it all…

Change can overwhelm us with trouble if we don’t remember our refuge and strength is in the LORD. As Jesus-followers, we know the One who will help us in those times of trouble. The challenge is whether we will go to Him or seek our own way. He is our support and our perspective changer in times of trouble.

I’m closing with another verse as a prayer for myself and for you.

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NLT)

hope is to expect with confidence : trust

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

All definitions used came from https://www.merriam-webster.com/

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Giving Thanks…

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

Daddy was all about living with joy, remembering God’s presence, and giving Him thanks in all circumstances. No, really! He practiced this in front of us our entire lives.

So this morning, I’m going to tell you how Jesus showed Himself working through a low grade fever.

Momma was admitted to rehab last Friday afternoon. Normally, we as a family, would be there surrounding her with love as she grieved for Daddy and began her strengthening process. But…

There is absolutely no visitation because of Covid-19.

Momma was experiencing a lot of difficulties. Her roommate was really nice, but her preferences and needs were polar opposite to Momma’s. This created a lot of hardship for Momma.

Meanwhile, Momma has run a low grade fever every evening.

Yesterday, she ran a low grade fever all day. The doctor ordered another rapid flu test; it came back negative, again.

Just before supper last night, the doctor decided to move Momma to a private room as a precaution.

There are multiple reasons to praise the LORD over this move, but Momma’s favorite is the window. She couldn’t wait to tell me about it when I called last night.

Yes! Momma has a window! Her room overlooks a small lawn area with a bench and a birdbath. Momma loves to watch the birds, so this has a double touch of love straight from our LORD.

Bonus? We as a family, can go sit on the bench while we talk to Momma on the phone. We can see each other while talking!

LORD, thank You for being present at all times. Thank You for giving Momma such a personal gift. Please help her get strong and healthy, so she can come home and live independently. Thank You for showing Your goodness through a low grade fever.

And LORD, for those reading this today, help them to see You in the middle of whatever is going on in their lives. Help them to see the love touch You give them, and how personal Your love is for them. May their joy be in You, Jesus. Keep them ever looking for You and seeing You in all their circumstances. Amen.

Scripture quotations are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Going Home

“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.”  2nd Corinthians 5:1 (NLT)

My sweet daddy went home to be with the LORD early this morning. And even though I’ve cried buckets of tears, I’m so pleased for Daddy.

I have no words, so I’m going to include a link to a song everyone loved hearing Daddy sing back before COPD robbed him of his breath. Its words are an expression of Daddy’s life. Loving worship!

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=How+Great+Thou+Art+Carrie+Underwood+Lyrics&&view=detail&mid=CCDD493F7723C2C83C04CCDD493F7723C2C83C04&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DHow%2BGreat%2BThou%2BArt%2BCarrie%2BUnderwood%2BLyrics%26FORM%3DVDMHRS

I imagine he’ll soon be singing in Heaven’s choir with healed lungs and a face radiant with the joy that comes from being with Jesus.

Happy Homegoing Daddy! I love you to the moon and back!!!

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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