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
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The Chase
But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go’ wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more. (Ruth 1:16-18 NLT)
Ruth was a Moabitess. She was not of Naomi’s people. She didn’t know where she was going, didn’t even know if they would accept her. She didn’t know if she was going to famine or fortune, danger or safety, she had no idea. But she knew and trusted Naomi, she loved her dearly.
This caused me pause. Ruth loved Naomi almost desperately. Do I love the Lord like this? Do I feel in my heart (whether I say it or not), “Lord, where you go, I will follow”? Do I feel like, “Lord, Your people will be my people”? No matter what they say to me or about me, no matter how they behave towards me…do I say, “God they are Your people, so they are mine”? I want to be this determined to chase the Lord. I want to follow Him as desperately. Naomi was a fault-filled human, my Lord is without blemish or flaw, mistake or fault and He has chosen to love me passionately. How can I not chase Him with everything in me?
I am aware that the Lord chose to go to the cross for me. He chose to take on the punishment that was meant for me. He chose me. How can I not chase after Him…
Ruth was a Moabitess. She was not of Naomi’s people. She didn’t know where she was going, didn’t even know if they would accept her. She didn’t know if she was going to famine or fortune, danger or safety, she had no idea. But she knew and trusted Naomi, she loved her dearly.
This caused me pause. Ruth loved Naomi almost desperately. Do I love the Lord like this? Do I feel in my heart (whether I say it or not), “Lord, where you go, I will follow”? Do I feel like, “Lord, Your people will be my people”? No matter what they say to me or about me, no matter how they behave towards me…do I say, “God they are Your people, so they are mine”? I want to be this determined to chase the Lord. I want to follow Him as desperately. Naomi was a fault-filled human, my Lord is without blemish or flaw, mistake or fault and He has chosen to love me passionately. How can I not chase Him with everything in me?
I am aware that the Lord chose to go to the cross for me. He chose to take on the punishment that was meant for me. He chose me. How can I not chase after Him…
What of me?
Hey family,
I am in the midst of studying the book of Esther right now and I am filled with a renewed sense of frustration with sin and the world that I wanted to share. This is the one book in the bible where God is not directly mentioned but whose presence is weaved throughout. This young woman, an orphaned Jewess was made a queen. Her people were due to be destroyed by a man who was at the time the Kings right hand man. Encouraging her to encourage the king to save her people, her cousin and caregiver tells her that she was put in her position for "such a time as this". I look at the purposed life of this young girl and I think, "Lord...what of me?" What of this live you chose to save? What...of...me?
I am sick of wasting time with sin. I am tired of being caught up in the world, what it represents and the fact that it takes me away from what my God wants of me. Have I too been saved/ selected/appointed to save a people? Have you? There was a selection made at some point and God chose me. He spent time creating me, writing my name in the book, purposing my steps, laying out this life before me...and I know it just wasn't simply for me to "be". I realize that you can be a dedicated, devout "person of God" and completely miss the mark. You can serve in ministry and love people and miss the call on your life simply b/c you do not know what God has purposed for this life of yours. Can't I with the promises of God, with the knowledge that he loved me enough to send His Son to the cross-a knowledge Esther did not have-can't I too be called to something scary, something dangerous, something world-changing? Can't you? Sure. I pray that God makes these things and more real to all of us.
We serve an amazingly huge God. Why do we think He doesn't always want more of us? This is simply not it. Lord, have your way, appoint me as You Will. I pray for this burden of "needing more" be laid upon all who read this. I pray that the God of the universe, make real to us all His plans for us-or simply that He has plans for us that are bigger and greater and more than we can imagine. I pray that whatever holds us back-sin, laziness, fear, complacency, "wisdom", life...whatever it is be done away with. I pray that God's Will be done in each life He saved.
Amen.
I am in the midst of studying the book of Esther right now and I am filled with a renewed sense of frustration with sin and the world that I wanted to share. This is the one book in the bible where God is not directly mentioned but whose presence is weaved throughout. This young woman, an orphaned Jewess was made a queen. Her people were due to be destroyed by a man who was at the time the Kings right hand man. Encouraging her to encourage the king to save her people, her cousin and caregiver tells her that she was put in her position for "such a time as this". I look at the purposed life of this young girl and I think, "Lord...what of me?" What of this live you chose to save? What...of...me?
I am sick of wasting time with sin. I am tired of being caught up in the world, what it represents and the fact that it takes me away from what my God wants of me. Have I too been saved/ selected/appointed to save a people? Have you? There was a selection made at some point and God chose me. He spent time creating me, writing my name in the book, purposing my steps, laying out this life before me...and I know it just wasn't simply for me to "be". I realize that you can be a dedicated, devout "person of God" and completely miss the mark. You can serve in ministry and love people and miss the call on your life simply b/c you do not know what God has purposed for this life of yours. Can't I with the promises of God, with the knowledge that he loved me enough to send His Son to the cross-a knowledge Esther did not have-can't I too be called to something scary, something dangerous, something world-changing? Can't you? Sure. I pray that God makes these things and more real to all of us.
We serve an amazingly huge God. Why do we think He doesn't always want more of us? This is simply not it. Lord, have your way, appoint me as You Will. I pray for this burden of "needing more" be laid upon all who read this. I pray that the God of the universe, make real to us all His plans for us-or simply that He has plans for us that are bigger and greater and more than we can imagine. I pray that whatever holds us back-sin, laziness, fear, complacency, "wisdom", life...whatever it is be done away with. I pray that God's Will be done in each life He saved.
Amen.
Wait...Hear...Know...Go
Exodus 13:21
The Lord went BEFORE them …
The Lord works most in me through relationships . Work, marriage, friends, family. God has worked something in me through all of them but especially work. When things get hot or difficult…I am paying attention to the Lord b/c I know He is about to do something with me. He is always before me then, I am looking for Him, seeking his face for what’s next, how should I be handling this, what should I be doing…in other parts of my life...not so much
Both scriptures had me thinking about waiting on the Lord’s direction. I could see us all in that desert. One of us over here talking about, “ well, He has been going in this general direction for the last few days so He probably is going to take us that way tomorrow” and “He generally has been waiting a day or so to move so we can probably expect not to move for at least a day”. We would be trying to figure it out. Like in some many parts of our lives…”we got it”
They had just finished building the Tabernacle. How much work went into that. Each time the cloud moved, they had to move with it. They didn’t know how long they were going to be at any given location, they knew only, where the cloud went, they went, WHEN the cloud went they went. They waited until they knew/saw the cloud moving before they went. Sometimes it was a few days, sometimes overnight-they didn’t know beforehand what it was going to be…they were ALWAYS in WAITING. ALWAYS anticipating a move of God. When they got it, they responded. They waited in expectation. (When we pray, are we looking for God to move? Are we expecting God to respond? Are we only looking for our own predetermined answer to prayer? Is God taking too long so you just move on your own?)
For me, this was about waiting on the Lord. So many mistakes are made in life b/c we are just not patient/expectant enough to wait on the Lord. Lord let my spirit be still enough to hear you when you are directing me, help us to be clear enough to hear you and to KNOW when you are speaking to us. Help us to be in constant contact with you and not just when we feel like we need direction. Help us to understand that your Grace truly follows us all of our days b/c you save us from so much that we have not even asked to be saved from. But it’s not just about waiting and hearing, but it’s about KNOWING you have heard from the Lord and it’s not just a fleeting feeling or impatience and then acting on that which the Lord has expressed to you.
The Lord went BEFORE them …
The Lord works most in me through relationships . Work, marriage, friends, family. God has worked something in me through all of them but especially work. When things get hot or difficult…I am paying attention to the Lord b/c I know He is about to do something with me. He is always before me then, I am looking for Him, seeking his face for what’s next, how should I be handling this, what should I be doing…in other parts of my life...not so much
Both scriptures had me thinking about waiting on the Lord’s direction. I could see us all in that desert. One of us over here talking about, “ well, He has been going in this general direction for the last few days so He probably is going to take us that way tomorrow” and “He generally has been waiting a day or so to move so we can probably expect not to move for at least a day”. We would be trying to figure it out. Like in some many parts of our lives…”we got it”
They had just finished building the Tabernacle. How much work went into that. Each time the cloud moved, they had to move with it. They didn’t know how long they were going to be at any given location, they knew only, where the cloud went, they went, WHEN the cloud went they went. They waited until they knew/saw the cloud moving before they went. Sometimes it was a few days, sometimes overnight-they didn’t know beforehand what it was going to be…they were ALWAYS in WAITING. ALWAYS anticipating a move of God. When they got it, they responded. They waited in expectation. (When we pray, are we looking for God to move? Are we expecting God to respond? Are we only looking for our own predetermined answer to prayer? Is God taking too long so you just move on your own?)
For me, this was about waiting on the Lord. So many mistakes are made in life b/c we are just not patient/expectant enough to wait on the Lord. Lord let my spirit be still enough to hear you when you are directing me, help us to be clear enough to hear you and to KNOW when you are speaking to us. Help us to be in constant contact with you and not just when we feel like we need direction. Help us to understand that your Grace truly follows us all of our days b/c you save us from so much that we have not even asked to be saved from. But it’s not just about waiting and hearing, but it’s about KNOWING you have heard from the Lord and it’s not just a fleeting feeling or impatience and then acting on that which the Lord has expressed to you.
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