I think it's important to do as the bible instructs us and give thanks. As a brief departure from the norm here, i want to take a minute to thank two of the most amazing people I have ever been blessed to know, Lincoln and Tamara F.
Recently I needed to get away. Just close the book on this Brooklyn life for a minute to catch my breath and get right with God. So I decided to reach out to my loving "uncle" to see if he could accommodate my need for respite, and he and his wife so lovingly did.
Words truly fall short. Saying thank you sounds like a pat response for all they did for me. There is no doubt in my mind that the hand of God rested upon me during my stay there and that He will bless them for the sacrifices they made to remind me of His love. They prayed with me, fed me, gave me beach(lol), a spa day...I could go on and on, but at the end of the day they loved on me like no one else could.
To Tamara, my newest girlfriend, I love you to pieces. Thank you for making my trip memorable. I will hold our discussions dear to my heart and thanks for showing me a true example of a wife. It will make me a better one.
Uncle Lincoln, what can I say? As you know, you are comparable to none. Always my cheerleader and supporter, I thank God for you and pray continued blessings on your life and family.
The Lord blesses. He gives what you need, when you need it and He knows exactly how you need it. Thanks be to the Lord for every good and perfect gift.
*blowing kisses to my Father*
Thursday, August 26, 2010
What is it?
Exodus 16:1-36
The people of Israel were still complaining, “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt, there we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have bought us in to this wilderness to starve us all to death”. They wanted Moses and Aaron to answer for their leadership. They had no food and no protection. They did not know how they would survive any more of this journey and were afraid they would starve.
The Lord speaks to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day.” He heard the complaints of the people and had Moses tell them, “in the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord you God.”
So God sent Manna from heaven.
It is described as the dried wet dew that evaporated and became a flaky substance “fine as frost”. The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. They had no idea what it was. It was literally sustenance from heaven. And when they arrived at Canaan, some 40 years later (Ex. 16:35), and could survive off of the food of the land, they ate the manna no more.
Manna makes me smile.
When I think of it, it amazes me. So many times in life we face really hard times. I am in the midst of one of them now and I often wonder how I am going to make it to the next minute, hour, day, but somehow I do. I know I am not alone. We wonder what we will do next, how we will survive this valley, when it will end. I just have to think about manna and I am reminded that when there is nothing, God will provide. Just like the Israelites, I cannot say that I draw from strength of my own, peace of my own, wisdom of my own. Because I don’t know how I am doing it, I cannot say it is anything in me. I can only say, “thank you Lord” because it can only come from Him.
Be encouraged. The Lord will provide. You may not know what it is, where it comes from or how long you will have it, but you will be sustained. The Israelites received manna every day and had just enough to last them until the Lord provided again and for those that took too little, the Lord made sure it was enough and multiplied. Everyone had just enough (Ex. 16:17). We will have what we need for as long as we need it and we will know (and be reminded) that He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides.
Amen!
The people of Israel were still complaining, “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt, there we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have bought us in to this wilderness to starve us all to death”. They wanted Moses and Aaron to answer for their leadership. They had no food and no protection. They did not know how they would survive any more of this journey and were afraid they would starve.
The Lord speaks to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day.” He heard the complaints of the people and had Moses tell them, “in the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord you God.”
So God sent Manna from heaven.
It is described as the dried wet dew that evaporated and became a flaky substance “fine as frost”. The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. They had no idea what it was. It was literally sustenance from heaven. And when they arrived at Canaan, some 40 years later (Ex. 16:35), and could survive off of the food of the land, they ate the manna no more.
Manna makes me smile.
When I think of it, it amazes me. So many times in life we face really hard times. I am in the midst of one of them now and I often wonder how I am going to make it to the next minute, hour, day, but somehow I do. I know I am not alone. We wonder what we will do next, how we will survive this valley, when it will end. I just have to think about manna and I am reminded that when there is nothing, God will provide. Just like the Israelites, I cannot say that I draw from strength of my own, peace of my own, wisdom of my own. Because I don’t know how I am doing it, I cannot say it is anything in me. I can only say, “thank you Lord” because it can only come from Him.
Be encouraged. The Lord will provide. You may not know what it is, where it comes from or how long you will have it, but you will be sustained. The Israelites received manna every day and had just enough to last them until the Lord provided again and for those that took too little, the Lord made sure it was enough and multiplied. Everyone had just enough (Ex. 16:17). We will have what we need for as long as we need it and we will know (and be reminded) that He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides.
Amen!
Deep waters...dry land
Joshua 3:14-4:17
I always hear about the first time the Lord parted the waters when the Israelites were running from the Egyptians, but rarely hear about this instance. This time, the Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordan en route to the Promised Land. They come to the waters and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. The Lord had already instructed Joshua, that when they reached the banks of the Jordan, they were to take a few steps into the river and stop. As soon as the feet of the priests, who were out front carrying the Ark, touched the water at the river’s edge, the water began to recede and flow in a different direction until the riverbed was dry. Then the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. The whole nation of Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.
Many times I have come to a place in my life where I don’t know how I will make it. Sometimes I hit a wall and think, “this is just too tough to get past”. Sometimes things seem impossible. I mean, we know that God is God. That He can do the miraculous and that there is nothing impossible for Him, but when I am standing at the water’s edge…all I can see is me…drowning.
I am so thankful for God’s word. I am so thankful that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I hold on to that when I get to the water, b/c I know that if He moved the waters, that thing that looked so impossible to get through for them, He will do it for me. I am grateful that He parts waters.
Not only did He move a huge body of water, but they walked across on dry land. Not only did they walk across on dry land but the riverbed was rocky. I know this b/c while they are crossing, Joshua stops to build a memorial in the middle of the Jordan and 12 of the men (1 from each tribe) are instructed to select rocks to build another memorial where they camped for the night (Joshua 4:1-9). Wet rocks are very slippery and dangerous. It occurs to me that not only does the Lord part the waters to take you through, but He even takes care to navigate you through the possible dangers on your way. I know I don’t always do this well. When I am experiencing the difficulties of my life, it is so easy to take what seems like the easy way out. It is easy to say or do things that can prove detrimental later and make my journey all the more difficult…I am glad to know that if I just keep my eyes on the Lord and my hand in his, He will protect me from the dangers along the way.
Amen.
I always hear about the first time the Lord parted the waters when the Israelites were running from the Egyptians, but rarely hear about this instance. This time, the Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordan en route to the Promised Land. They come to the waters and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. The Lord had already instructed Joshua, that when they reached the banks of the Jordan, they were to take a few steps into the river and stop. As soon as the feet of the priests, who were out front carrying the Ark, touched the water at the river’s edge, the water began to recede and flow in a different direction until the riverbed was dry. Then the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. The whole nation of Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.
Many times I have come to a place in my life where I don’t know how I will make it. Sometimes I hit a wall and think, “this is just too tough to get past”. Sometimes things seem impossible. I mean, we know that God is God. That He can do the miraculous and that there is nothing impossible for Him, but when I am standing at the water’s edge…all I can see is me…drowning.
I am so thankful for God’s word. I am so thankful that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I hold on to that when I get to the water, b/c I know that if He moved the waters, that thing that looked so impossible to get through for them, He will do it for me. I am grateful that He parts waters.
Not only did He move a huge body of water, but they walked across on dry land. Not only did they walk across on dry land but the riverbed was rocky. I know this b/c while they are crossing, Joshua stops to build a memorial in the middle of the Jordan and 12 of the men (1 from each tribe) are instructed to select rocks to build another memorial where they camped for the night (Joshua 4:1-9). Wet rocks are very slippery and dangerous. It occurs to me that not only does the Lord part the waters to take you through, but He even takes care to navigate you through the possible dangers on your way. I know I don’t always do this well. When I am experiencing the difficulties of my life, it is so easy to take what seems like the easy way out. It is easy to say or do things that can prove detrimental later and make my journey all the more difficult…I am glad to know that if I just keep my eyes on the Lord and my hand in his, He will protect me from the dangers along the way.
Amen.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Haikus from Heaven
When life really hurts
know that God sees each tear shed
And has worked it out
Never leaving me
At all times He is with me
How great is our God
Never limited
By time, nor space, nor knowledge
Unlike anyone
His love amazes
I can never predict it
Surprise me again
You are all I need
Nothing more and nothing less
There is no One else
My heart adores You
Sweet Lord Who touches my soul
My day and night love
No one can know how
sweet and merciful You are
Until there’s nothing
I yearn for Your face
Can’t wait to hold you, My Lord
I watch for the clouds
Hugs and kisses to
the Lord of my salvation
My very best friend
Just the beginning
Waiting for the page to turn
He has much in store
know that God sees each tear shed
And has worked it out
Never leaving me
At all times He is with me
How great is our God
Never limited
By time, nor space, nor knowledge
Unlike anyone
His love amazes
I can never predict it
Surprise me again
You are all I need
Nothing more and nothing less
There is no One else
My heart adores You
Sweet Lord Who touches my soul
My day and night love
No one can know how
sweet and merciful You are
Until there’s nothing
I yearn for Your face
Can’t wait to hold you, My Lord
I watch for the clouds
Hugs and kisses to
the Lord of my salvation
My very best friend
Just the beginning
Waiting for the page to turn
He has much in store
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