Reflection of Providence

In showing “Christ” to the ‘least of these’ should I only give bread to the hungry, or the bread of life to those whose spirit is starved, should I only give the thirsty a cup a water, or take a cup of living water to a war torn soul, am I not the first person to share what I have with a friend in need and leave a stranger out in the cold, should I only give clothes to those without, or also clothe my enemy in prayer (and a shirt if he/she needed it for that matter.) I believe we create boundaries in our hearts for who we consider ‘least of these’. It is usually those we feel most comfortable helping. I know I do, I know I’m self-centered. Instead of helping someone take their groceries to their car, I sneer when I have to wait behind them in line, their heavy burden an annoyance. My pastor recently said, “Humility is not thinking of you at all.” How easily it is about me, and not the ‘least of these’. It isn’t social or economic status (or the lack of it). It is a bleeding broken hear...

Great and Just Lord, I will rebuke that which I cleave to, for it is not of you, and I do not belong to it. I will remove the adulterous look for my face and the unfaithfulness from between my breasts. The stripping is painful Lord and the desert is hot. I know that my sins against you are great, and I know why my land is barren. Have mercy on my children for what I have done… I have said, “I will go after my lovers, who give me my food and my water, my wool and my linen, my oil and my drink.” Yet, you block my path with thorn bushes; and you wall me in so I cannot find my way. I have chased after my other lovers with so much gusto and determination, but I have not caught them, they do not satisfy. I have looked high and low for what would satisfy me, but my mouth grows dryer by the day. Then I said, “I will go back to my husband as at first, for then I was better off than now.” I had forgotten, foolishly forgotten, that you were the one who gave me the grain, the new wine and oil. It ...

Christian LIVING is the matter of the WILL! WE ARE HELL BENT TO LIVE OUT OUR LUST! Temptation comes from our natural desires! We have to learn the secret of control! So, what are we left with... It's about surrender... 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. - Ephesians 1: 18-23 The same power that...

This is hard Lord, for sometimes I get confused. What do I have really? You are my King and the author and finisher of my faith. Lord, let me see with your eyes and focus with your mind and heart. I want to know the plans you have for me and follow close in your footsteps. I have a caring and compassionate heart. I truly want to do for others, even though my pride and fear so often get in my way. I LOVE children with a passion beyond anything I can ask or imagine. I know that if you are calling me to teach them then it will be YOU who would do it; I'm not capable on my own. I enjoy writing and believe in my heart that you have placed a seed for that in me, and a purpose to go along with it. All I've ever wanted as long as I can remember is to be a wife and mother, what does that mean to you? What does that look like to you? I am willing and in the same breath stubborn. I have nothing but my heart, body, soul, and mind. My heart is bruised from mishandling, my body is weary for ...

It has been a good long while since I have written on a sermon that my dear Pastor has done. It isn’t that he hasn’t been speaking to me or ministering to me. On the contrary, God has been giving out a heavy dose of truth. He does that each and every time I attend church. So, first let me give you the scripture… 1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; 2 O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. 3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. 7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. -Psalm 130 We all suffer...

4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind . – James 1: 4-6! Yes, it is alright to ask, but I think it is important to know what to do with the answers. I have always had a questioning faith whether due to being to smart for my own good or too easily manipulated by others thoughts. As I mentioned in my previous post I struggled with the hard questions and what I was going to do with them. I didn’t really trust that I could take them to anyone, and so I hid them and my shame behind a curtain of insecurity and regret that I couldn’t be better. I think the first truth we have to set deep in our hearts is that God loves us, not because of what we do or don’t do, but because He created ...

I love when God begins to work in my life. Over the last several months I have felt the cold chill of silence in my life, a great hallow chasm began to open up and all my hopes and dreams began to seep down deep into my bones. I felt like I had no direction or purpose and I would plead daily with God to give me the answers I wanted and help me on my path. He has once again begun the work He has set out for me and I can feel it strengthening my weary bones and pressing me on toward the finish line He has prepared for me. How do I know He is beginning to work? Well, I’m in anguish, I’m confused, and I’m excited. I still don’t have the answers to all the questions. I have some answers that I don’t trust…yet! Things I had hoped for so long, and well, they aren’t turning out like I thought they would. Isn’t it just like God to go and answer a prayer upside down and inside out to what you thought or hoped for? I keep my vision of the sun coming up over the glorious horizon and know that as t...