How Does God Speak to Us? Max Lucado

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Happy Monday!

 So often, Max Lucado says the things that I am feeling.  And he says it so well.  He speaks rom the heart and I feel what he is saying.  I don’t believe that’s coincidental.  I believe he hears when God speaks.

I have so many questions and I know God has the answers.  I tell myself that it isn’t important that I know, as long as He knows.  I truly believe that but there are so many things I just don’t understand.

I pray that our ears and our hearts remain open to hear what God communicates to us.  No matter what language he communicates in.  When He wants us to know something, we will understand,

How is God speaking to you?  Do you hear and understand what He is saying?

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

  

How Does God Speak to Us?

Max Lucado

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.   Psalm 32:8

There is no language he will not speak. Which leads us to a delightful question. What language is he speaking to you? I’m not referring to an idiom or dialect but to the day-to-day drama of your life. God does speak, you know. He speaks to us in whatever language we will understand.

There are times he speaks the “language of abundance.” Is your tummy full? Are your bills paid? Got a little jingle in your pocket? Don’t be so proud of what you have that you miss what you need to hear. Could it be you have much so you can give much? “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” 2 Corinthians 9:8.

Is God talking in the “language of abundance”? Or are you hearing the “vernacular of want”? We’d rather he spoke the language of abundance, but he doesn’t always.

Are you hearing the “language of need”? Or how about the “language of affliction”? Talk about an idiom we avoid. But you and I both know how clearly God speaks in hospital hallways and sickbeds. We know what David meant with the words, “He makes me lie down” (Psalm 23:2, emphasis added). Nothing seems to turn our ears toward heaven like a frail body.

God speaks all languages—including yours. Has he not said, “I will instruct you . . . in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8)? Are we not urged to “accept instruction from his mouth” (Job 22:22)? What language is God speaking to you?

And aren’t you glad he is speaking? Aren’t you grateful that he cares enough to talk? Isn’t it good to know that “the Lord confides in those who fear him” (Psalm 25:14)?

Question: What language is God using to speak to you? What specific steps can you take in response?

Never Alone – CS Lewis

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Happy Monday!

Have you ever felt like you were totally alone?  Felt like maybe God had deserted you?

There have been days that I have sat and just said “Where are you, God?”  I can’t see or hear Him so He must be awfully busy elsewhere!

The truth is though, God is always with us.  He is there through all the good, the bad and the ugly.  If anyone was missing, it was me.  Maybe you don’t even realize it, I don’t.  You get so focused on your situation that you forget the One who sees.  He sees all and He wants you to turn to Him!  You are never alone!

There is a song from many years ago that, even though I don’t know the inspiration of the writer’s lyrics, I do know it works well for me. Jesus has walked with me so often.  I wouldn’t still be here if He hadn’t.

 

“You’ll Never Walk Alone”

Gerry and the Pacemakers

When you walk through a storm

Hold your head up high

And don’t be afraid of the dark

 

At the end of a storm

There’s a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of a lark

 

Walk on through the wind

Walk on through the rain

Or your dreams be tossed and blown

 

Walk on, walk on

With hope in your heart

And you’ll never walk alone

Hope this brought a smile to your face just for old time’s sake!

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

 

Never Alone

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 139:9-10

Though the laws of physics are much more complicated, for practical purposes we can say that two physical objects cannot occupy the same physical space at the same time. Conversely, a single physical object cannot occupy two different physical spaces at the same time. But the Bible has a different take on these general laws.

Recommended Reading:

Psalm 139: 7 – 12

Theologians say God is omnipresent—He is everywhere at the same time. So He can be “here” and “there.” That means we are never separated from the presence of God. Wherever we are, God is also there. The psalmist David wrote extensively about God’s omnipresence in Psalm 139:1-18. He concluded by asking God to search and know his “anxious thoughts” (verse 23, NASB). God could know David’s anxieties because He was always with David. And He is also with you—so He knows your “anxious thoughts” as well.

God is love, so you are never separated from God’s love, regardless of where you are or how you feel.

Though our feelings come and go, [God’s] love for us does not.

CS. Lewis (David Jeremiah – Turning Point)

Bring In The Good

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Happy Monday!

Continuing our “step back in time” from last week, we are still reviewing some basic good stuff.

Some things are so simple, but we make it so hard.  I am quite good at this.  My goal is to get back to the good stuff again!

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

 

(April 14, 2014)

There is so much truth in this article!  With every part of our lives, if we bring in the good, we crowd out the bad.  Focus on all the good and don’t allow yourselves to give the bad any place of importance.

Ironically, this season is a mixture of the good and bad and we DO need to remember both.  Our Lord was tortured and suffered a horrible death.  By doing so, He gave the world an opportunity for eternal life, paid in full.  What a price He paid… for us.  So many will let this opportunity pass.  Do we do all we can to share with those that need to hear?  I know I don’t.

Lois

Daniel Plan – Bring in the Good

By: April O’Neil

Often when we want to change something with our health, we get lured into thinking it will require signing a contract of deprivation.  We’re not thrilled about the idea of giving up things we enjoy.  We let our emotions grip the steering wheel and drive us to the closest excuse.  This kind of all or nothing thinking derails us before we even get started.
The truth is change happens when we bring in the good.  Instead of focusing on what we can’t have, we embrace the abundance of things we can.  This intentional decision sets the stage for success.   As we bring in the good, there is less room for the “bad”.  The great news is this principle not only works with your food choices, but every other area of life as well.
Here’s how it works.  Make one “good” healthy choice.  Keep it simple.  Perhaps you decide to take a portion of your lunch hour and walk 20-30 minutes. Write it in your journal and commit to it.  Tell a friend about your commitment.  Better yet, invite a friend to join you!  As you integrate new movement into your routine, your body will respond and you’ll be motivated to continue.  You start feeling better, without a hint of deprivation!  Voila!  Walking on your lunch hour becomes something you “want to do,” versus something you “have to do”. Before you know it, each good choice you make builds upon the other and you are making significant and sustainable progress.  Here’s the key – behavior that gets rewarded gets repeated!
Similarly, when it comes to what we put in our mouth and we focus only on what we can’t eat; our thoughts quickly slide into deprivation mode.  All we can think about is that thing we can’t have.  By reframing our perspective and focusing on the abundance of healthy choices before us, we proactively make a choice that not only honors our body, but satisfies our soul.  We do this in concert with God, relying on his power, and trusting as he leads the way. This is The Daniel Plan lifestyle… a step-by-step process of discovery, a momentum building way of life that keeps us moving forward in the right direction.

Nutrition is Just One Part of Your Best Health – Mark Hyman MD

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Happy Monday!

We are going forward into the new year by stepping back into time!  Sometimes, if we are going to move forward, we need a reset.  A reset of mind, body, and spirit.

This group began as a Daniel Plan group.  Our focus was on healthier living and a plan to help us get there.  That plan is still alive, even when we focus on emotional and spiritual well-being.  Dr. Hyman was a big contributor and partner, along with Rick Warren and Dr. Daniel Amen on the Daniel Plan.

Moving forward, we will try to re-center ourselves for this new year.  Hopefully, we can all balance our lives with good nutrition, a community support system, strong emotional health, a positive mindset, a life of meaning and purpose, and finally, body and movement, which also affects all the others!

ink about what you might like to grow stronger in this year.  For me, my spiritual health is a priority but every single one of these affect how I feel, how I act and any impact I may have on others.  I pray I will always be an encourager and not a discourager.  That is my wish for us all.

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

Nutrition is Just One Part of Your Best Health

Mark Hyman, MD

What you eat literally controls almost every function of your body and mind. Food connects us to one another and to our bodies.

Food can reinvigorate our health, bring families together, restore vibrant communities, improve the economy and the environment, reduce pollution, and help our kids get better grades and avoid eating disorders, obesity, and drug abuse. Food can even reduce poverty, violence, homicide, and suicide.

In other words, food is powerful medicine. It is information. What we eat can have a profound effect on our lives.

At the same time, what we eat is only one “ingredient” needed to make a healthy human.

You see, we need real, whole, fresh food, but we also need things like movement, connection, meaning, and purpose.

When you take out the bad stuff and put in the good stuff, you create balance. Your body knows how to create health from those ingredients.

The Feel-Good Wheel

My team and I created the Feel-Good Wheel to showcase the 8 aspects to explore when seeking a balanced, fulfilled, and feel-good life. In this post, I want to talk a little more about some of these and why they are just as important as diet and nutrition.

Community. When my patients have a support system, they are far more likely to sustain weight loss and feeling better. Having a community to support your health journey is very powerful in the short term for change. Yet the right community can also help you sustain those lifestyle and behavior changes that are so important to long-term success, health, and happiness. Being connected to others is a necessary ingredient for health, just like food, water, air, sleep, or movement.

Emotional health. What thoughts and beliefs are keeping you stuck? Stepping into your feelings with vulnerability, love, and kindness so that we can turn our emotional compass into an ally instead of a foe, makes getting healthy a heck of a lot easier. When I focused on my emotional health, my relationship with myself, my family, and my friends improved significantly.

Mindset and practice. Even with all the knowledge and tools to become healthier, happier individuals, it is often our mindset and daily practices that will be the strongest guiding force to carry us through our health journey. For me, working with someone to create a morning routine which involves meditation, journaling, and movement was a pivotal part of making the most of my days.

Purpose. A life of meaning and purpose, a life in balance with connection, community, love, support, and a sense of empowerment, are essential for health. Today’s overwhelming stresses—including social isolation, overwork, political tension, and disempowerment—create enormous strain on our nervous system, leading to burnout and breakdown. Why are you here? What is your calling? Understanding our purpose and sharing our unique gifts allows us to unleash our creative energy, embrace our quirks, and tap into joyful living.

Body and movement. Exercise is probably the most powerful medicine and a one-stop-shopping miracle potion. Scientists refer to exercise as a “polypill” because it treats everything. Your body is a complex, beautifully designed system that can become your greatest tool. Finding a way to move and exercise that you enjoy and that energizes you is an important part of your best health.

The path towards feeling good means gaining a deeper understanding of what is truly important to you, then taking tiny steps towards holding your needs in balance.

Happy New Year – 2023

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Happy New Year to you all!

As we begin yet another year, I find myself contemplating, not only the coming year but also the one gone by.  The last couple of years have been full of ups and downs.  There have been failures and there have been accomplishments.  What I have learned in my lifetime though is that they are all learning experiences so there can be no failures, just accomplishments.  It is from what you have learned that you grow and move forward.  If you did something that didn’t work, do it differently until it does work. Listen to experience.

We have just come through Advent, a season of expectancy.  We are waiting for our Savior.  He came once and He WILL come again!  Rejoice and be ready!

Every single day we have survived and every single day that’s coming, there should be gratitude.   I can never express fully how grateful I am.  God is so good!  And if my day doesn’t go quite as planned, then I pray I am still grateful and count it as a learning experience!  If I don’t feel great, there are so many who wish they could feel as well as I do.  That turns it into a humbling experience.  Be grateful!

No matter what… trust Jesus!!  He knows what’s been and He knows what’s coming.  Trust Him and give Him the glory!

I pray 2023 will be safe, healthy and a never-ending journey of love and learning!

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

When Glory was Birthed in a Barn by Anne – Dayspring

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Happy Monday!

Praying you all had a wonderful day celebrating the very special birthday of Jesus!  While we all know that His birthday probably didn’t really fall on December 25th, but this is the day we celebrate Him.

Sometimes, my mind ventures into strange places. Into the “I wonder” world.

The Word tells us that, by the age of 12, Jesus was well aware of the fact that God had sent him to earth and He had a total understanding of all the scrolls in the temple.  He even wondered why his earthly parents were upset when he was left behind and they eventually found him in the temple. After all, didn’t they know he would be in his Father’s house?

I wonder, as a newborn baby, was he different?  Was the spirit evident in him, even then?  Was he a cranky baby or a quiet, peaceful one?  Did he get colic?

I wonder, as a toddler, did he too go through the terrible two’s?  Did Jesus ever throw a tantrum?

In my heart, I don’t believe so.  Even as a baby, I believe he was still Jesus in heart and spirit.  He was building up to his purpose on earth.  We all know that story. He grew up as a carpenter’s son but he grew up to be the Savior of the world.  Jesus came to earth to live and then die to save a lowly sinner such as I.  Even in his last moments, his thoughts were for the very ones who were putting him to death.

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.  Luke 23:34

Father, forgive me…

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

When Glory was Birthed in a Barn

Anne – Dayspring

“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6-7 ESV

There, Salvation was nestled among animal food. And, we wonder over God, this God who stepped off His throne and into human skin, laying Himself into a manger—a mere animal trough—on the first Christmas. Glory Himself was birthed into baby cheeks and tiny hands by a young, scandal-surrounded girl.

How is it that we find the King of all in such a place? How is it that the Almighty God, the great I Am, bends Himself into a world of labor pains and dirty animals?

And, it’s at times like this that I find myself both awestruck and inexpressibly moved by the story of Jesus’ birth. Of course, it’s a familiar one, and most of us can see the story line from miles away.

But what consistently moves my heart? It’s the common. Each year, I find myself analyzing the details of the miraculous story of the first Christmas, trying to imagine what it must have felt like to witness the great and awesome God stepping into the everydays of some simple folks.

Because, it’s natural for us to attach the concepts of splendor and power and mind-blowing radiance to our God. We exalt Him. We praise Him for the attributes we can hardly understand—His sovereign ways, His unsearchable wisdom, His unfailing love. He stands far above us, and we marvel, speechless at His majesty.

Therefore, it is not without near bewilderment that we hold the magnificence of the King of kings in one hand, and the everyday, common details of the true story of Christmas in the other. And then, we bring the two concepts together, to mix in perfect, mind-blowing union.

Suddenly, we see the Nativity, the birth of Jesus Christ, with fresh eyes—a young girl, average in every way, from Nazareth; an unsuspecting young man about to be married. A dusty manger. A group of shepherds caring for their herd, as they have every other long night.

How could they have known? And, friends, how could we know? How could we know at what point that routine aspect of our lives is actually showing up on God’s holy radar, just about at the point of a great intersection of mundane and miraculous?

Clearly, He is a God who magnifies the mundane in order to accomplish His miracles. This is the God we exalt. This is the barn-born baby known as Jesus, who embraced humble obedience in the common life in order to accomplish extraordinary glory, eternally.

Maybe that can be true of me. Maybe that can be true of you.

This Christmas, may we peer more intently into that average world tucked into the familiar story of Jesus’ birth. Maybe we’ll even see a reflection of our own average world, but with new expectancy and hope.

Let’s anticipate the coming birth of our glorious Savior. And, let’s remember, though He be far above us, the miracle of Christmas is that He has come near to us, into our world, into our routine life.

He is both Majesty and a God who presses into our days, our everydays. And, He whispers Life into those dusty, disgraced, and dull places—and we are never, ever the same.

Love

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Happy Monday!

As Advent draws to a close, let’s contemplate on all four weeks: Hope, Peace, Joy and finally, the candle of Love!  This article explains it far better than I ever could so close your eyes and think about all that each represents.

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

What Is the Candle of Love and the Christ Candle for Advent? Week 4

Four candles decorate the outer edges of the Advent wreath, and one white candle sits in the middle, the Christ candle. In the final week of Advent, churches will light two candles, the candle of love and the Christ candle.

Hope Bolinger – Author

As a reminder for our candles of advent series, we’ve covered the different candles the church lights weekly, starting with the first week in December, and leading up to the week of Christmas.

Churches will typically adorn an Advent wreath during December. Four candles decorate the outer edges of the wreath, and one white candle sits in the middle. The church will light one of the candles each week, and on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, will light the candles in the center.

These candles remind us of the attributes of God we use during our anticipation of Christ’s coming: his first coming for Christmas and his long-awaited second coming.

As a summary, these were the past few candles of Advent:

The Candle of Hope – Week 1 

The Candle of Peace – Week 2

The Candle of Joy – Week 3 

In the final week of Advent, churches will light two candles. We’ll discuss the fourth and fifth Advent candles in this article: the candle of love and the Christ candle.

What Is the Candle of Love?

Before we dive into this, we should keep in mind, some church traditions vary on which candle goes on which Sunday. Some may light the “love candle” on the second Sunday of Advent instead of the fourth. Others have lit the candle of Peace on the fourth week of Advent instead of the candle of love.

Or, as stated in this article, some churches will light a candle of faith on the second Sunday instead of a candle of peace.

No matter what the church tradition, we can assuredly know that virtues such as love, hope, peace, joy, and faith are important in the Christmas story as well as in our daily walk with Christ. Whichever we celebrate on whatever Sunday of Advent, we know all of them are important hallmarks of the Christian faith and journey.

With that being said, let’s dive into the symbolism of the love candle. Otherwise known as the Angel candle, this candle can represent purity.

We see the other candles representing a part of the Christmas story in addition to virtues.

Week One – The prophecies about the coming Messiah

Week Two – Bethlehem, Jesus’ birthplace

Week Three – The shepherds who came to see Jesus

Week Four – The angels who proclaimed the good news of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds

Love, as stated in this article, plays a vital role in the Christmas story. Because of Joseph’s love for Mary, he didn’t stone her when he found out she was pregnant with what he thought was a child out of wedlock with another man (Matthew 1:18-19). Mary has a natural motherly love for Jesus, and ultimately, we see God’s love for everyone by sending his son for us (John 3:16).

Jesus focused on preaching love throughout his ministry. Two of his greatest commands involve love: Love God, love your neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40).

Love is the greatest of all the virtues on the Advent wreath and encompasses Jesus’ entire purpose for being on earth (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Joy

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Happy Monday!

It is the third week of Advent.  The week representing joy!

Also known as the “Shepard’s Candle,” it is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy. Gaudete Sunday is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent.

In most advent wreaths, the first, second, and fourth candles are purple, but the third candle is pink or rose. Various writers have given different explanations for why the third candle is pink. Generally, there is a consensus that the colors connect to the different candles’ themes. Purple or violet is associated with contemplation and fasting.  Thus, candles 1, 2, and 4 are purple and occasions to contemplate hope, peace, and love.

The “Shepherd’s Candle,” and the shepherds’ section of the Christmas story is very much about joy. The shepherds are mentioned in Luke 2:8-20. In this scripture passage, they were watching sheep in their pastures when angels appeared to them.  Imagine how they reacted!

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.  Luke 2:8-20  NIV

 As we go through this week, contemplate on joy and all the emotions that the birth of Jesus brought about.  At long last, the Savior has arrived!  Not as a triumphant warrior but as a tiny baby.  A birth that is still celebrated more than two thousand years later.

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

Peace

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Happy Monday!

It’s Week 2 of Advent, the candle of peace.

In a world of turmoil, is peace really possible?  There are wars, rumors of war, discontentment, racism and people who are just hateful all around!  So how do we find this peace we hear about?

The angels proclaimed “Peace on Earth” when the Baby Jesus was born. There are two kinds of peace in our lives. There is inner peace, but we also need peace with others. God provides the answers to getting both. He tells us what to do to find that peace.

Relationship with God is the key to the inner peace that we literally crave in our lives.  As we focus on Him and His strength and power and then trust him to fill us with the Holy Spirit, we can trade our weakness for his strength in all aspects of life.  God’s Word says, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is focused on you because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

Personalize that verse with your own name in it: “God will keep me in perfect peace as my mind focuses on him and trusts him.” Inner peace hinges on your trust in God.

If anxiety is controlling your life and peace is nowhere to be found, make the decision to place your trust in God.  He will lead you and guide you each step of the way.  He is patiently waiting, you just need to ask.

The decision to trust God with all the twists and turns of your daily life will lead you to that peace.  The decision not to trust him will leave you stressed and tired.  What will you choose?

Matthew 5:9 says “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God”

God has called us to be peacemakers and that’s where peace with others begins.   Is there an area in your own life that you can make a difference by helping to bring peace to someone’s life?   Is there an opportunity to smooth over a troubled family relationship? Has pride stood in the way of a relationship being healed?  Sometimes, an “I’m sorry” or just a kind word can break through the barrier that has caused turmoil for too long.  God wants you to be a peacemaker and promises blessings to those who further His plan. Maybe we can’t change the world but we can change one heart at a time.

One of the hallmarks of the Christmas story is when the angels appear to the shepherds and proclaim, “Peace on earth,” in Luke 2:14.

Not only do we have the peace that comes from our assurance of salvation, but we also have the peace of mind knowing God will heal this broken world and will come again.

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

Hope

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Happy Monday!

Within just a week, we have jumped from a time of gratitude (which I hope continues every single week of the year!) to a season of expectation and preparation, the season of Advent.

Until just a few years ago, I was totally unfamiliar with Advent.  In those years, I have grown to embrace it though.  Not just as some religious tradition, but as a time to prepare for the coming of Christ.  A season of reflection on the expectation of His return!  I still don’t understand all of the tradition but Oh, how I long for His return!  I know that day is getting closer so I want to be ready.  Ready to meet my Savior face to face!  It is a season of hope!  Advent means arrival.  I am preparing for the day that we commemorate His first arrival on Christmas and looking forward to His second return to gather up the believers.

So, Week 1, the week of HOPE.

Pray Unceasingly!!

Lois

The Christ Candle (Hope)

This central candle, also known as the Christ candle, represents Jesus who we as Christians believe to be the Savior of the world; the pure light that once and for all eliminates all darkness. He makes right all that is wrong with the world.

The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah.  It also assures us we can have hope that God will fulfill the prophecies declared in the Old Testament about Jesus. Hope doesn’t disappoint us (Romans 5:5).