I Just Want to say “Thank You”!

Over half-way… (Photo credit: Brett Jordan)

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ if my people, who are called by my name,  will humble  themselves and pray and seek my face  and turn  from their wicked ways, then I will hear  from heaven, and I will forgive  their sin and will heal  their land.

There has been so much going on in my life in the last couple weeks!  All I have been able to muster the energy to do is repeatedly and constantly call on the Lord.  As this day got underway today this song, that I have loved for a long time touched and moved me in ways it hadn’t before.

http://youtu.be/rq-5UjgtiYA – (Fred Hammond) Thank You Lord for being There for Me.

When I couldn’t find a voice to ask for help, He heard.

When my eyes shined with unshed tears, He heard.

When it seemed that hope was fading, He shored me up and renewed that hope.

When it seemed that one door had slammed shut, another opened.

It is so easy to wallow in what is not right, but the reality is that there are so many other little blessings along the way that deserve my abundant thanks and gratitude.

Thank you Lord, for always being there, for hearing and answering my unspoken prayers and for sending angels to minister to me, when I need it most.

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood…”

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Temple – Under Construction

Temple de Liber Pater, Sàbrata (Photo credit: Sebastià Giralt)

¹⁹ Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you? Don’t you know that you have the Holy Spirit from God, and you don’t belong to yourselves? 1 Corinthians 6:19 (CEB)

How is it possible that a temple constantly under construction has fallen into disrepair?  I mean really, after 50 years, it is still not finished and now the foundation has apparent cracks, walls previously solid have crumbled and been removed, brick by brick.  This temple is a mess, yet God keeps working to ensure that His temple is habitable.   The word on the street may be that it should have been condemned, torn down to make way for something new and solid, but God!  Windows still have not been installed, however, there again God shines through and illuminates that wreck of a temple.   Granted, it may be surrounded by tall gleaming, pristine temples, with members streaming to and through its doors.  What an incredible God, to send the Holy Spirit to live within this and all other less than pristine temples in a world with so many updated, state-of-the-art models.   For it is those seemingly broken down, ramshackle temples that have a wealth of stories to share.  I pray this construction is never complete, that the walls be built and rebuilt as often as long as it permits me to be continually in service to the God who loved me when I could not love myself.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Bringing out the Best

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¹⁸ Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 (NIV)

There are people weaving in and out of our lives daily who bring out the best or worst in us.  You have met or been around them,  without a dust mite of doubt I know have. That person whose very presence brightens the entire room just because they walked in or the one who always seems to have a crowd of dissimilar folks around them. To the casual eye they may not stand out but to those in the know, they have it! Jesus had it! The Son of God, who chose to be made flesh had the quiet charisma that drew crowds to him, just to be close to him, to dine with him or merely touch the hem of his garment. Being in His presence changed lives, careers and destinies. In many ways I want to be like Jesus, especially in that peaceful, loving way speaking comfort, confirmation and compassion, that gently and solidly leads others to the Father.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Roaring Whispers

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Matthew 10:27 (NIV)

There have been no words from my Dad during the last four weeks as he lay in ICU fighting for his life. The only sounds heard were the beeps, chirps and occasional alarms of the machines connected to and sustaining him. While I was at the hospital, I held, kissed and rubbed his hands.  In the wee, still and dark hours of the morning I babbled on about how much I love him, reading devotionals and the Bible to him. In that cold hospital room I sang, prayed and worshipped God with my Daddy. I chuckle now as I recall reading to him  using voices much like he had done when reading “Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories” to us when we were little.

Believing and claiming again the promises of God read during my life, the news of Dad being more alert and trying to talk did not come as a surprise, a miracle, yes but not a surprise. I delighted in the relaying of his whispered responses to questions. The Holy Spirit does not scream at us. It is that still small voice that confirms, comforts and guides us, so to me whispers are wonderful. Today I am quietly rejoicing for the whispered words of a man who I know is fighting to get better so that he can once again give the glory of his healing to God!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Safety with the Shepherd

 ⁴ Even when the way goes through  Death Valley,   I’m not afraid
      when You walk at my side.   Your trusty shepherd’s crook   makes me feel secure. Psalm 23:4 (MSG)

The 23rd Psalm has been oft-repeated by me in the last four weeks.  Each time I said a prayer or put Dad in God’s hands rather than worry, it would pop to the forefront of my mind.  I woke up today praying and planning to write an incredible blog, but no words came.    Riding in to work I was literally searching the sky for a word, any word.   

Yet, when I received word that the surgery scheduled for today was beginning several hours early, my first knee-jerk, daughter impulse was to panic.  “What, huh, wait it’s early, why??”  these and other valid questions assailed my thoughts as I kept tryng to call my sister.  Finger hovering over the buttons, the Holy Spirit spoke and I was commanded to calm down and pray.   As I closed my eyes and offered up a prayer,  a blanket of c

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omfort and calm washed over me.   “Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (NLV)   God is in control and for that reason alone, I am at peace.  His comforting hands are over every situation and that alone allows my spirit to soar in praise.  Dad is truly in the best possible hands and I also praise God for the skill and talent of his doctors as exhibited over these weeks.  To God be the glory!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Come by Here, Dear Lord

My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness. Isaiah 26:9

The a song  “Already Here” by Brian Courtney Wilson was quietly playing in my office the other day and once again I was moved to acknowledge the presence of God. Right there in that windowless, space I felt the warm, comforting  embrace of the Holy Spirit and a flood of peace enveloped me. In the time it took for that song to play I had an on purpose worship session that colored the rest of my day. As I begin this day, recalling that precious interlude with God, my prayer is that more of those moments infuse my days.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

Posted from WordPress for Windows Phone

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