Sensing His Presence...

I have liked this quote for a long time, and I thought it would be nice to make it a rhyme. :)

"Only the sense of God's presence can banish the fear that, for the timid child, would make life a burden...Let him read that wonderful story of Elisha in the mountain city, and, between him and the hosts of armed foemen, a mighty encircling band of heavenly angels. Let him read how to Peter, in prison and condemned to death, God's angel appeared... Let him read of that scene on the sea, when to the tempest-tossed soldiers and seamen, worn with labor and watching and long fasting, Paul the prisoner, on his way to trial and execution, spoke those grand words of courage and hope: “Be of good cheer....

These things were not written merely that we might read and wonder, but that the same faith which wrought in God's servants of old might work in us. In no less marked a manner than He wrought then will He work now wherever there are hearts of faith to be channels of His power." Child Guidance pg. 42-43.

Only the sense of God's comfort and presence
Can banish the fear of the timid and shy,
That knowledge alone to them is a defense,
Removing fear's burden that grows up so high

Let them remember the angel from heaven
Who camps round about all the children of Light,
Let them remember the promise that's given—
He's there to deliver them by day or night

Let them reread of that wilderness prophet
Who was with his servant behind Dothan's gate,
Though horses and forces surrounded them, yet,
God's army was bigger, the Scriptures relate

Let them review how from heaven to Peter,
Though chained, and though guarded, and deep in his cell,
Was sent a strong angel, to safely deliver
The servant of God from that dark citadel

And then there's the scene on the tempest tossed sea,
Of Paul telling sailers to 'Be of good cheer',
Revealing to them and to us heaven's key
For weathering storms and for conquering fear

You see, God had spoken a word unto Paul
That there would not even be one loss of life,
And so when in fear on God's promise we fall,
We'll find safe at last a strong tower in strife

Whenever, wherever we become afraid
We have but to turn to the Tower of Christ,
For faith cast upon Him cannot be betrayed
Nor trust at all placed on His Word sacrificed!

God's Detours

When traveling the paths of earth,

The road may often turn

But it’s God’s timing we unearth,

If we His ways will learn

Often looking as we do,

His trail seems drab and plain,

When where we’d planned to travel through

Seems better ground to gain

We see the beauty that we think

Will make our route so bright,

And fail to note the rose or pink

That blooms the more at night

We think it not the quickest way

To get right to our goal,

But God’s detours will repay

A wealth into the soul

At first the scen’ry may not charm

His way appear quite bleak,

But Heaven knoweth every harm

From which to guard the meek

And when we turn into His will

And give up on our own,

More than our dreams He’ll fulfill

For in us His are sown

One day our eyes will see above

And understand His ways,

And for the detours of love

We’ll lift our hearts in praise

So now my friends, when corners come

Do not give place to gloom,

For it is in God’s detours

That His promises will bloom.

Butterflies and Psalm 46:10

      03:17. It’s dark out, I muse as I cocoon myself in the covers. Wait! I’m awake! ...thank You Father. You are so faithful. My only alarm clock since the nursing retreat has been a still, small voice calling me to commune with Him, but this black morning was no time to be late. My doubts of the previous evening take on their proper appearance. With 163 minutes till our first clinical, the first lesson is hitting home. God is faithful. There are no qualifiers, no footnotes, and no fine print in the matter. Even “if we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13.
      Scissors, keys, stethoscope, name tag... Butterflies. Oh the minutia of which to be mindful! How will I remember it all? Again, the calming balm of Gilead settles upon the restless waters of my heart. Trust Me. If I care enough to wake you up for extra time with Me on this particular morning, do you think I will care enough to see you through this particular day?
      He cares enough- enough for the sapling of faith in this heart to sink down her roots. He cares enough to tenderly stretch me far enough, but not to breaking. Surprisingly the butterflies seemed to get lost between Weimar and Westview. Perhaps it was too early for them, but I knew that I knew that our God would see me through.
      ...and He did too. 

•  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  

My mind saunters back through the scenes of the past year. A year ago, this was a thought- an impression. One to which I was not altogether open. Yet, the thought would not go away. At every roadblock the signpost read go forward. The more impossible things got, the stronger came the call. What started out looking like a "light thing" quickly changed shape into one of the loftiest, most challenging summits I have yet to meet. It became quite clear that if God wanted me in the program this fall, He would have to do something extraordinary. Or rather, some things extraordinary. 
      ...and He did too.

•  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  

      So I wonder if someone might be facing such a paradoxical situation. Maybe everything is piling up on the "no" column, except for that essential vote. Impossible situations are precious opportunities for God to make perfectly clear what is His will in the matter. That is what we want, is it not? To know that God is in this thing?
      Difficulties always come, but when you know that your power did not get you to those challenges, you can also rest that His power will get you through those challenges. It is then that we can be still and know.

Sonshine & Shadow

Let praise and thanksgiving

Resound to the One

Who knows no misgiving

Through shadow or sun

He giveth and taketh,

But blessed is He

Who never forsaketh,

Though dark the day be

His ear is not deafened,

His hand is not tied,

His grace will extend

To the soul that is tried

At dusk don't forget this-

God's honor and name

Are staked on the promise

That He is the Same

He's proven His faithfulness

In days of old,

So let us have thankfulness

For what He'll unfold

Then lift up your head

To the clouds in the sky,

For our Father has said

All our needs, He'll supply

And though troubles gather

Like vultures of prey,

Remember our Brother

Has passed by this way

He knows what we'll take

To become purest gold,

And our hearts He will make

To His character mould

Then rest in the promise

Of Him who is true,

For He is still working 

In me and in you

And when on the shore

Of eternity's page,

We'll see all before

In the light of the age

And cast crown and praise

At the foot of His throne,

For through those dark days

He has made us His own.

RD//On the Road//Picture Post//Day 3

Often our Heavenly Father places something in our path. A smile, a need, a friend, a verse, a call, a flower. Today, all of the above, but foremost a verse.

05:38 a.m. 

_Daniel 9:22 ...I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. 

No perplexity burdens Him

No trouble worries Him

No question stumps Him

No problem stymies Him

No delay keeps Him behind

And no work surpasses His ability. 

He has skill and is understanding. Though we have neither, as long as we have Him, what will we lack?

           My view from registration

                 Fresh start

   New home- cooking school prep

           Salad bar at lunch

               Diabetic ed

  Animated cooking school co-presenter

We have seen the Lord's blessing this day, but covet still your prayers. Two more days of program to go. 

Philippians: 120 Hope

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” Philippians 1:20

With faith in what God’s doing,

And peace with what He’s done,

We can have this expectation-

That He’ll finish what’s begun.

Surrender is essential

For Christ to work His will,

But in yielding all to heaven,

Heaven can our hope fulfill.

What greater aspiration

Than this can there be found?

That Christ in me be magnified

And praise to God resound.

If this remains our longing,

Our aim, and confidence,

Then Christ and God that cannot lie,

Our hope will recompense.

So you see, the Savior’s working

Is both to will and do.

And when our hope is set on Him

It surely will come true. 

Philippians: 118 Rejoice

“What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:18

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice—

With heart and soul and voice!

For God will triumph in the end,

Therein should we rejoice.

Rejoice when times are tough.

For Jesus is enough,

To ease the sting of scorn and slight,

And soften each rebuff.

Rejoice when what we see,

So dark appears to be,

For God can work it out for good,

And that’s a guarantee!

Simple Song - Unfathomable God// Part llll 7 Minute Layover

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty,

There’s nothing my God cannot do.

It could end there, but it doesn’t. 

The mountains are His,

The valleys are His,

The skies are His handiwork too.

Ding! 

“Ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated with your seat belts securely fastened. We are still in active transit to our gate. Thank you.”

My flying companions ruefully settled back into their seats for the few remaining moments of our “active transit.” We were all in the same boat, or rather, we were all on the same plane. Wintertime travel + plane de-icing = —time. It is impossible to roll toward takeoff exactly an hour after schedule, and not make for subsequently tight connections. 

We jerk to a stop. I had been tracking our tardiness beside the schedule. By that word, our arrival would be 5 minutes after the door of probation would shut. I look at my phone: 12:48. This left room to hope. 7 minutes of it.That’s 7 minutes for our door to open, everyone in front of me to wrestle their bags out of the overhead bins, and me to get to the other end of the opposite terminal. This is impossible. …But… 

The mountains belong to God. Those things that tower over us in massive defiance, threatening to topple upon us any moment. Those things that we cannot conquer, though we try. Those things, belong to God. In the face of sure defeat, we are to put our trust in Him who owns the mountains. 

Though He is well able to, God does not give us eagle’s wings to soar away from our difficulties in blissful flight. What He gives us is strength as our days. Strength to climb the mountains. Every ounce of our will power may be taxed, but the strength of God is as sure as the mountain. So we must run. 

And run I did. The whole way. My best efforts alone could not guarantee that flight, but neglecting the little humanity could do would guarantee failure. I have half a mind to leave the story there. The rest doesn’t matter. God has a plan for your life, and for mine. If He sees best that we miss a flight, that our plans get messed up, or that our hopes must find their rest deeper in Him, what difference is it? God’s plan is better. 

But I won't do that. :) Catching my breath in seat 31F, 7 minutes later, I marveled at the greatness of my God. 

The mountains.really.are.His.

Every Word...

Do you have a burden you can't carry?
Do you have a sorrow you can't bare?
Look to Jesus, not your adversary,
Even sparrows do not lack His care

Do your problems rise up like the mountains?
Do your questions seem to never cease?
Rest you case beneath the living fountains,
For they overflow with heaven's peace

When your daytime seems as black as midnight,
When you cannot see a way to go,
Turn to Him who's brighter than the sunlight,
In His time your pathway He will show

• • • • • • • • • 
Trust in Him, whose goodness changes never,
Take His word in calmness or in storm
Every promise given, stands forever,
Every word He's able to perform!

                      Every word... ;)

...Nothing to Fear... pt.4

      Weimar? California no less? Beyond that, me? Why me? My thoughts swirled and whirled back and forth. The more I thought and prayed, the more sense it made. Still, to my limited mind, this was wacky.

      If the Creator of the universe asked us to do only that which we understood, how would faith grow? Noah was asked to build an ark when rain had never fallen. Abraham was asked to move without the knowledge of where he was going. Then he was asked to sacrifice the most treasured of blessings heaven had bestowed. In eternity we can ask them if they understood. But I don’t think we have to. Humanity simply does not comprehend Infinity. 

      My devotions were taking turns that constantly pointed me toward Weimar. I was not attempting to turn the course of my study, it “just happened.” My parents, and those few who I told about the opening, were decidedly favorable. I didn’t expect that. 

      The way I looked at it, God had given confirmation through His word, through providential leadings, through counselors, through His still small voice… Comfort zone or no, I knew I had to go.

      The thought of traveling took on a different dimension when I considered that it would be alone. Comfort zone? Not here. This was new territory. Real new.

      It was not without butterflies that I stepped out of our truck, alone. It seemed incomprehensible that I had set about to do what I aimed to do. Alone to go where I had never been, to meet people I had never met, to do oodles of things I had never done in my life. But my merciful Savior had placed a particular promise in my path. “When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straightened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.” Proverbs 4:12. That verse was like a word straight to my soul. When I go, not if- I’m going, when I go, my steps shall not be hindered. My steps shall not be straightened, my steps shall not be straightened… the words came to me over and over again when timidity and my natural personality threatened to plunge me under waves of fear. When thou goest, thy steps shall. not. be. straightened.

...Nothing to Fear... pt.2

      Even though I thoroughly enjoyed school, ah… the anticipation of “the end.” The end of school and all it entailed, equaled, in my mind, the beginning of work. But God is merciful. My textbooks had required several more months to complete than I had hoped for. Then there was the externship and testing and paperwork (which someone suggested was moving as fast as “molasses in the wintertime”)… and finally the end for which I had been waiting was upon me.

      But God is merciful. In His infinite wisdom, God ordained more delay. There is a difference between impatience at delay and submission to delay. God wants us to learn to Wait. On. Him. A puppy may be restrained by it’s master’s hands, but unwilling to wait for a command from his lips. It's great to see a dog wait. How much better a person?

      One by one, the opportunities and options on my list withered. My small, but very faithful clientele evaporated as soon as I started to charge for my work. Chair massage in a local business produced virtually nothing. The list of what didn’t come to fruition could continue, but the point is simply that I was not seeing God direct me to what I honestly believed I was supposed to do.

      January, February, March, April… There was one door left to my finite way of thinking. One for which I had higher hopes, and even expectation than any other. My externship had been in a local nursing home, and both the employees and I hoped that I could continue working there. I had been waiting for a response with the requirements of their mother institution for working in that facility, and then… finally...

      “Hope deferred (or delayed) makes the heart sick...” so says the wise man. Then why is waiting such a positive thing? Good question, but keep reading. “…when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” Solomon also wrote, “The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life…” Proverbs 13:12, 11:30. Delay may be unnatural to us. It may even feel wrong. It may be a chastening experience, but it is “for our profit.” For the joyous purpose that “we might be partakers of His holiness.” “Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.” Hebrews 12:10,11. Perhaps that is why waiting is not a one time experience for the christian. A tree takes years to grow and develop. Hmmm… not a moment, or a day… but a lifetime.

...Nothing to Fear... pt. 1

      Waiting. It’s part of life. A seed planted in the morning will not bear fruit in time for dinner. Yeast does not instantly turn a bowl of dough into puffy-topped loaves. Nor does the oven immediately brown the hopeful products placed inside. We have to wait. 

      Abraham had to wait. Sarah had to wait. Noah, David, and the disciples had to wait. Have we any less need of that experience than they? Do we think somehow that the ideal world would be devoid of need for patience? 

      Lamentations 3:25 says, “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” It is good… What does that mean? Waiting is a good thing? “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14. The fulfillment of the promise is conditional upon waiting. Would the Lord make a beautiful promise dependent upon something that was bad for us to have to do? 

      In merciful love our Heavenly Father leads us down a path that includes waiting. Not merely that we can learn the benefits of patience in earthly life, but that we will learn to wait on Him. 

      So it was a year ago.

Blessed are they...

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness...

For all whose hearts are yearning food,
A table has been set
It's bounties fill the multitude,
With surplus yet unmet
But to receive of Heaven's fare,
A hungered you must be
Desiring in the meal to share,
Is for fulfillment key

For some it's thirst that overwhelms,
-That's never satisfied 
But there is water from the realms,
Of One who will provide 
This living, flowing stream of streams,
Holds more than worlds could need
But though it bountifully teems,
Thirst must compel indeed

A heart will not desire sup,
That knows no need of food
Nor will it seek a laden cup,
If thirst it's never viewed
Then give me hunger, grant me thirst,
That Lord, for You I'll crave
Oh may my soul's desire burst,
With longings that You gave!

...for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

When Guided by a Skillful Hand...

      In my journeys of life recently, I have been impressed with the skillful care of our Heavenly Father. Over and over again, He has lead my feet in plain paths, provided a way of escape, given help in time of need, and challenged me to greater trust and dependence upon Him. It has become clearer to me that I am totally helpless without my Savior’s skillful hand. The simplest things, that could cause us worry or anxious thought, do not pass unnoticed by the watchful eye of heaven. The Savior’s inquiry echoes down the annals of time, “Why are you troubled?” 

      “Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children.” – {Pr 285.4}. Praise God! We can enter into the experience of Israel, and say, “God fed me according to the integrity of His heart; and guided me by the skillfulness of His hands.” Psalm 78:27.

When guided by a skillful hand,
No place need we to fear
Though heading to an unknown land,
God's presence still is near

When guided by a skillful hand,
Yes, problems may arise
We may not see and understand,
But God's the One who's wise

When guided by a skillful hand,
Another takes watch-care
Another will take full command,
To guard our very hair

When guided by a skillful hand,
We dare not trust our own
On Heaven's promise we can stand,
When trusting it alone. 

Speak Lord

Oh may I hear the whisper,
Each faintest, softest call
And quickly send an answer,
To heaven's waiting hall
Speak Lord, for Your servant hears,
Enlighten now my mind
Open now my deafened ears,
That You my soul may find

The Spirit speaks with power,
Convicting me of sin
Unpleasant though the hour,
Again I say within
Speak Lord for Your servant hears,
Please quiet not Your voice
Though it's message comes in tears,
Conviction is my choice

The voice of God brings healing,
To those who are in need
He knows with what we're dealing,
His word restores indeed
Speak Lord for your servants hear,
What are our woes to You?
You beckon to "Be of good cheer",
For You will see us through

A Contrast of Shadows

      Shadow A: What could be as welcome on a blazing summer day than a cool spot of shade? Work is more pleasant when the heat is moderated by a shadow. As Job says, “A servant earnestly desireth the shadow.” Job 2:7 The sunlit colors of summer seem brighter when contrasted with the outline of a cloud. Under a large deciduous shade tree, the air feels more invigorating and refreshing. Shadows from its’ leaves make the sunlight dance across the lawn. Even a dog will find itself a shady cove from which to watch the world.

      Shadow B: Dreary, long, shadows make their way closer to the already shaded forrest. The world has the appearance of gray, lacking in...sunbeams. It is bereft of the definition that the bright sunlight makes with, yes, the shadows. As evening draws nearer, there isn’t even a reflection from the sun. For the moon and starry host are hidden above a clouded sky. The earth really lacks definition now. These shadows stand in stark contrast to the shadows on a summer day. Even “...the light is darkness.” Job 10:22

      With God, who is “our light and salvation,” shadows have a very different effect than when we dwell in darkness. Shadows in the sunlight create definition that is beautiful to behold. Shadows in the darkness? Is it any wonder that the Psalmist says, “..the valley of the shadow of death”? But with God, life is different. “If I say, Surely the darkness” of some deep trial “shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me” for God is with me. “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” – Ps 139:11-12

      God’s promise is, “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” – Isaiah 42:16. He will make darkness light. Even the night is something bright because of Christ’s presence. The shadow of God is a place of comfort to His children, a place of safety. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” – Psalm 91:1 God’s shadows are bright, brighter than the brightest light without the sun.

      Shadows will surely come. They are a part of life on this earth. In the natural world, the contrast that shadows give often can create something beautiful that would not be if it weren’t for the shadows. In the spiritual world, shadows can have a beautifying effect on our characters. Shadows aren’t always beautiful however, even on a sunny, summer day. They have no doubt ruined many a photographers’ efforts. How do we respond to the shadows in our lives? Do they beautify us because we are in the presence of Jesus? Or do they embitter us, ruining the portrait of Christ’s character? Do we share the sunbeams of the Savior’s presence with those with whom we associate? Or do we cast shadows on the pathway of others? Let us be sunbeams in the shadows, for the contrast is beautiful. 

Gather the Roses

      The promises of God: what a precious blessing they are! They encourage, strengthen, uplift, ennoble. God has given them already, it is up to us what we will do with them. Will we cherish them? Will we search for them? Will we share them with those in need? Will we value them? The promise of God are like flowers: Very beautiful when you stop to look at them, but they will not stop the busy passer-by. We must take time to pick the roses. The Heavenly Gardener has many flowers suited to each need. He knows exactly which flower to give, which promise to put before our eyes at the time of greatest need. Here are a few of God's flowers. 

      "Your life is precious in the sight of God. He has a work for you to do. It is not unfolded to you now, but just walk on trustingly without a single word, because this would grieve the dear Jesus and show that you were afraid to trust Him. Lay your hand in His; He is reaching over the battlements of heaven [for it] to be laid confidingly in His. Oh, what love, what tender love has Jesus manifested in our behalf. The Bible promises are the pinks and the roses and the lilies in the garden of the Lord... Do not listen to Satan’s lies, but recount God’s promises. Gather the roses and the lilies and the pinks. Talk of the promises of God. Talk faith. Trust in God, for He is your only hope. He is my only hope." – {DG 146}

Gather the roses, the lilies, and pinks,
Destiny rests upon that which one thinks
Promises brighten the heart and the mind,
But contemplate doubts and thorns you will find

There may be briers that poke and that prick,
But cherish the blooms that near them are thick
Dwell upon trials and thorns multiply,
Though promises blossom in heaven's supply

When thistles increase, and hardships abound,
Look for the blossoms that there will be found
Flowers like promises sent from above,
Bloom bright in trials of patience and love

Contemplate blessings, and more will be seen,
Splashing their colors across fields of green
Dwell in the pastures where God's word is found,
Eating each morning from heavenly ground

Gather the roses, the lilies, each one,
Pick them ahead of the fast rising sun
Think and consider upon heaven's word,
Faith will then strengthen and hope be assured