Resolutions VS. Obedience...

"Now I declare new things;

Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.

Sing to the Lord a new song,

Sing His praise from the end of the earth."

Isaiah 42: 9-10

Is there something God wants you to do? Is there a new challenge or task that He is asking of you in this new year ahead? Is there something stirring in your heart that only God could have placed within you to do? It doesn't have to be a BIG thing..maybe just be more organized, or prepare healthier meals...things that have to do with our everyday life.

Maybe He has placed a BIG thing before you to do. I do know that be it big or everyday things..God will equip you to do it. When we are obedient, He will take us one step at a time to fulfill what He asks of us to do.

I am so thankful for God's grace and His mercy. They both are never ending and new everyday. What an awesome God we serve. We don't ever have to wait for a certain day to begin anew. Each breath that we take is a new breath, given only to us by our Heavenly Father. The thought overwhelms me.

I have turned my thoughts from New Year's resolutions to thoughts of obedience. There is such joy in obedience and not the dread and drudgery of fulfilling resolutions. Not only is there joy, but there is freedom. Freedom that only Christ can give. He bought and paid for it...it's ours, we need only walk in it.

Don't get me wrong, I have some goals written down. But I truly believe they are Holy Spirit inspired, so if I work on those things that He has shown me, I will be obedient. Because of the baby steps I have taken, I already feel joy and freedom! Hallelujah!

Let's each one of us look expectantly to what God has for us in the New Year. May God bless and keep you..

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Simplicity...

“This week, aim for simplicity. The last few weeks may have been filled with baking, shopping, concerts, gift wrapping, and dinner parties, but today, celebrate simplicity as you fix your eyes on Jesus.”

~ Joni Eareckson Tada~

Random Thoughts...

We had a great Christmas! It was cold and rainy and there was a fire in the fireplace....not the usual Southern California Christmas! Yesterday it was 82 and it felt good too. I haven't taken down all my Christmas decorations, just a few little things here and there. We have friends coming over New Years' Eve so I am leaving the big things up until New Year's Day.

God was so faithful to me during this busy season of festivities. I felt good all month and was able to do so many things that I have wanted to do for years for the holidays. Thank you, Lord! As soon as the Christmas decorations are all packed away it will be back to figuring out what a normal routine is again. It seems like thoughts of Christmas keeps my mind so busy for months. This is when I want to go through my entire house and just start purging all the excess that we have. I think I may just do that.....again.

I wanted to say hi....and post a few random thoughts. Have a blessed day!

Merry Christmas...

I am going to take the remainder of this week off from blogging. I had some things I wanted to write about..but for now they will have to wait. This has been one of the busiest Christmas seasons that we have had in years. I guess that tells me that I have felt better this year. Praise the Lord! As all of us probably do, I have some last minute baking and things to finish up before Thursday and a trip to San Diego in the midst of those days.

Merry Christmas to all of you who visit me here at Beside Still Waters. Thank you for your encouragement to me.

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we must remember that He was born for one reason... and that was to die. He died so we may live, forgiven and free from our sins. If you find yourself reading this blog today and you don't know how you came to be here...maybe it was so that I could tell you that the Babe born in a manger was born just for you. His love is the greatest love you will ever know. Embracing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, asking Him into your heart, is the greatest gift there is. He died to give you the gift of eternal life. It's a gift you need only reach out and accept. I am praying if you have never done this before that you will today.

Merry Christmas,

Patty

More Winter...

Stater Bros. truck on it's way to the mountians...

Winter Has Arrived!

~San Bernardino Mountians~

In Southern California we don't have weather...it's usually hot, or not. After months of dry weather and really not any measurable rain, to have rain and snow this week has been wonderful. To have a view like this from my house, is a sight to see. It's been raining for days and it's COLD. I have lived in California for a long time and cold weather and Christmas usually doesn't happen. I am originally from Michigan and we would have a White Christmas quite often. I still associate cold with Christmas, even to this day. I think a lot of people do. I thought I would share a little piece of my world today. I will enjoy this because it could be 85 next week...hope not.

Is My Heart In Stable Condition?

The stable. I always thought it seemed like such an unsuitable place for the birth of the King of Kings.

The stable did not offer the same comforts as the inn, but it had one thing the inn lacked. Room. There was room in the stable where the Son of God could be born.

At times I wonder, " Is my heart like that inn...so crowded that I miss the presence of the Son of God? Am I so filled with the cares of life, stress, busyness and selfish desires that no room is left in my heart for Jesus?"

As I have watched theChristmas story reenacted through the years, I have often thought of the innkeeper. Why didn't he make room for the expectant mother, then allow others a place? I realize the innkeeper did his best to accommodate Mary and Joseph.

Each day I am faced with opportunities to allow God's blessing and power to fill my heart. When I have meditated on His Word and communicated with Him in prayer, then as the events of the day unfold I am able to handle each situation in the wisdom and strength that He provides. If I fail to read His Word and pray, then my life becomes packed with overwhelming circumstances and Jesus is crowded out.

My busyness and cares can be put in their proper place as I pray, "Lord, keep my heart in stable condition so that I have room for Jesus."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have used this devotional by Judy Seabaugh for many many years and each time reading it, I am shown I have let too many things creep into my heart during the Christmas season. Not so much physical busyness, but the busyness of my heart and mind. My mind goes a million miles an hour this time of year. You too? There can't be any room for Jesus when we are too busy to open the door to let HIm minister to us in only the ways He can. If you feel your stable doors have been closed, open them up and let the Son come in!

God of All Comfort...

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

There are so many people this time of year walking around with discouraged and hurting hearts. One may even be you. I think sometimes, we feel the need to hide how much our hearts are wounded and hurting. When we do that, we only allow that heartache to hurt all the more. There are other people that have gone through similar circumstances and trials and God wants to use them to minister to you.

Last Tuesday night I was able to share the same comfort God had given me, to a sweet sister in Christ, who just found out her son and his wife were having a baby with a cleft lip and palate. Our little granddaughter Rachel was born 4 years ago with this and I was able to encourage and tell her it would be a journey....a journey of God's faithfulness. The other thing I was able to tell her was, that I never would have dreamed all that God would do for Rachel. I never ever thought the Doctors would be able to do so much to repair her little face. God is so faithful in the journey, any journey we might find ourselves on right now. He does exceedingly abundantly more than we ask!

God comforts us in times of discouragement, heartache and grief....in all things, if we let Him and look for Him in the midst of the circumstances. Many times He will use someone that crosses our path to comfort with the same comfort they received in their time of need. If we don't want to be comforted and want to stay in that place of despair.. then we will. But when we look to God, and we earnestly seek Him, we will find Him.

What we go through in life will never be wasted... unless we choose to squander it in self pity. God will bring opportunity after opportunity to us, to use us in the lives of others, who now walk down familiar paths that we have walked down. We can share the love and faithfulness of God, to those who need just a glimmer of hope, to endure what is set before them. If our hearts are open, God will bring those in need to us to share the same comfort that we received from Him. To God be the glory!

"Bear one another's burdens..."

Galatians 6:2

The Night That Changed Everything...

People Pleasers...

"When we are set free from the bondage of pleasing others,
when we are free from currying others' favor and others' approval....then no one will be able to make us miserable or dissatisfied. And then, if we know we have pleased God, contentment will be our consolation."
~Kay Arthur~

I'd like to comment more on the quote I posted yesterday. I believe once we have been in bondage to always having to please others, it is so easy to slip back into that mental stronghold. We struggle with saying no when it isn't always God's best for us.We think we always have to say yes to everything because were Christians. It's not so. . If we want to please man, we run the risk of being disobedient if it isn't what God has asked of us. It's a daily walk in the Spirit to know the difference.

I still struggle with being in bondage of wanting to please everyone. I must say to the detriment of my own health through the years. I want everyone to like me and if they don't I beat myself up wondering what I did wrong. Maybe I didn't do anything wrong, we just have different personalities. It may not be me at all. I must admit...I am so much better than I ever was in the past..so I see growth in my life. Obsessing about pleasing other people steals any contentment in our life. Like Kay Arthur said in this above quote, when we seek to please God contentment is our consolation. So, instead of striving to please everybody, be all they want you to be, always saying and doing the things we think we should say to please someone...if we look to be pleasing to God and what He wants us to do ...we will not be miserable and dissatisfied. Sounds like the pressure would be off to be perfect or people pleasers.
Hmmmmm...something to think about!

The holidays are upon us. I encourage you to seek God and what His best is for you...make it your gift to Jesus this Christmas to live to please Him with obedient lives, rather than be in bondage of pleasing others. There is freedom and joy in pleasing others when it's what God is leading you to do. Putting on the mind of Christ and pulling down those strongholds of being a people pleaser...brings VICTORY, OBEDIENCE and CONTENTMENT!

Quote For The day...

"When we are set free from the bondage of pleasing others,

when we are free from currying others' favor and others' approval....then no one will be able to make us miserable or dissatisfied. And then, if we know we have pleased God, contentment will be our consolation."

~Kay Arthur~

Broken Pieces...

"He heals the brokenhearted and heals up their wounds."

Psalm 147:3

The box dropped...I heard the clinking of broken pieces. I knew what was in that box...of all boxes, it just couldn't be that box. I opened it carefully hoping it was minor..maybe something that wasn't my favorite. Sigh, it was my collection of Christmas tea cups. I have had them for years, given to me from special friends and some I bought myself.

A few days passed and I was putting out two adorable houses that friends had given me for my birthday one year. My fingers just gave out, and it was only the size of a shoe box. Oh my gosh! The damage was minor this time, only a chimney broke off. But still. I was disappointed about all the things that had broken this season and we are barely into it.

I was reminded it's just stuff. Indeed, it is just stuff. This made me think upon the broken people who live in that broken state every day of their life. What about the people who have broken hearts this time of year as they remember the losses in their lives as a result of losing someone, or even the people here in California who lost everything recently to the California fires, and the terrorist attacks... there is heartache all around us. Broken people, broken pieces...brokenness that only the Savior can put back together.

This second day of December...can you think of anyone that needs a touch of the Savior because they are broken. They aren't just stuff to be tossed away. The Lord will show us those people who need that touch that only He can give. Let's all be on the lookout with our Holy Spirit eyes, looking for opportunities to be part of the solution of helping mend broken lives. People don't always look broken on the outside. it's not always obvious to others when one is broken. Some people may just need a smile to get them through the day or a kind word to ease their pain just a little. Each thing we do can possibly be the building blocks leading that person to finding wholeness in Jesus Christ.

~People are not just stuff.~

Pearls Of Wisdom...

This is another change to my blog list. I created this blog, Pearls Of Wisdom to post all my favorite quotes on. Anyone that reads my blogs knows that I love to use quotes. I think we can learn so much from what others say. So, come over for a visit once and awhile and see if a quote will minister to you...or even make you laugh!

Changes...

There a two new things at Beside Still Waters that I wanted to tell you about this morning. You can now email me or you can make a comment on a post. Some people who are not bloggers have said they want to comment but they just can't figure out how to do it. If you want to comment on a post and you don't have a blog..post under anonymous and sign your name at the end of your post. Or email me, you see my link in my side bar. Patty at besidestillwaters dot org. I didn't want a lot of spam so I wrote it like this...

You can still find me through the blogspot address but you can also find me by using this new address. Besidestillwaters.org. Both addresses route you to here. This new address is much simpler to remember and pass on to others. I am excited about this, as I have at times couldn't remember the changes I had to make when my blog disappeared. My son set this up for me this week. My daughter helps me figure out blogger things when I get in a jam. Oh, how I wish I knew how to do all this myself.... but so thankful I have them to help me. But wait...if it weren't for them talking me into half this stuff, like blogs and Facebook...I wouldn't need to know,would I? (:

The Hard Thing...

"Unparalleled joy and victory come from allowing Christ to do the "hard thing" with us."
~ Beth Moore~

I had to stop and be still before the Lord when I read this quote ...was there a "hard thing" in my life that I was to learn from right now? Oh yes, I really didn't even have to get all that still to know. It came right down to OBEDIENCE. Such a word. DISOBEDIENCE..ouch, another word. Sometimes we find ourselves in those hard places because God has asked something of us and we fail to obey. We can obey for awhile and then find ourselves slipping right back to where we were before. Forgetting all the while that it was God who spoke these things to our heart in the first place.

Through the years in my walk with the Lord I have found that nothing can bring more joy than being obedient to the things that God has asked of me. Walking in the things I know to be true, obeying when I hear the whispers from Him in my heart, surrendering those things He asks of me...sometimes walking in those things means they become the "hard things". It all comes down to allowing Him to have His way with us, all for His glory.

Victory is mine in Christ, bought and paid for by His blood. At times, I don't always feel it or walk in it. When I have been obedient, I feel victorious. Oh what a feeling! There is unparalleled joy and victory in the hard things when we allow Christ to have His way with us.

Are you experiencing a "hard thing" right now? Is there anything God is asking of you while you are in this hard place? It can be ever so small and doesn't have to be a big thing. I think of when my kids were young and I would tell them to do something and there would be that, "Why." Because I said so, I might reply. Even in the small things God has a reason for asking us to do or not to do something. Why? Because He says so. We don't have to always understand, we just need to obey, and then....joy will follow!

"For it is God who is at work in you,
both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

Philippians 2:13

Patty's Pantry...

I have started posting my holiday recipes on Patty's Pantry. I have been slow getting all my recipes back on my blog since I deleted it...but I am slowly getting there. I hope you'll pop over and see if there is something that sounds good to you and your family. Enjoy!

Quitter Or Obedient?

" The enemy tries everyday to get us to quit...then he calls us a quitter."

I was going through my night stand next to our bed and I found this slip of paper that I wrote the above quote. I don't remember writing it. I had to be watching a DVD of Beth Moore's or listening to the radio and jotted it down.. I really needed that encouragement the day I found it. God knows when we need those special touches.

It's so true..he, Satan does everything he can do to have us quit the things that we do in obedience to God. He puts every obstacle in our way that he knows will discourage us. Sometimes those things come right after another like waves, knocking us down so we can hardly catch our breath. We have probably given in and quit before so he knows what tactics will work in our defeat. He whispers, You can't do this." "You have never succeeded before, why try again." "Your life is too busy to do this." "Everyone is smarter than you." Oh my gosh, the whispers that he plants in our minds continues, sometimes until he wears us down and we quit. Then...he calls us a quitter. How fair is that? Remember, the enemy doesn't play fair. He comes to rob and destroy us. He is such a deceiver.

Is there something in your life that you want to quit? Are you hearing whispers from the Lord or the enemy? If it is the Lord telling you to quit, He will call it obedience. If it's the enemy...he will call you a quitter. Then he lays on the guilt. See what a vicious circle it is?

We have to walk in the Spirit everyday to recognize the tactics that are individually designed just for us. When we do, we won't walk in the flesh and be tricked by the enemy. This quote stirred up my righteous anger...to think he would chip away at me day and night and when I had been pecked enough, to then think he would call me a quitter! Grrrrr.

Be wise and be aware of whose whispers you are listening to.

Veterans Day...

~Thank You ~

Beside Still Waters...

"He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters."

Psalm 23:2

I have been pondering for days what I wanted to write after the election results on Tuesday. I believe in God's sovereignty in allowing Barack Obama as our next president. But my heart is saddened and heavy. I will out of obedience pray for this man, that God would touch his heart, that he would be transformed, that he would have godly wisdom, that he would lead our country back to the ways of God. It's a big request, but I will pray those things because it is right to do so.

I really believe that God has allowed this to happen for several reasons.One...this is what the people wanted. Like in the days of Saul, the people wanted a king and God gave them Saul. The people of the United States wanted Barack Obama and God allowed them to have their way. Two...these are the final days before the Lord raptures His church and this plays into those end time events. There will be a great falling away in those days. Just look at the Emerging Church and the power sweep it has on so many, including mature Christians. Even the elect shall be deceived, the bible says.

This has happened, what do we do now? We can't change anything, this is just the way it is. Things could get really rough for our country. I don't think the word "could" is accurate...I believe they will. It's already happening, we need only look around. For the election we prayed and we voted. Now, we must pray and walk the walk that God has put before us as believers in Jesus Christ. People are losing their jobs, homes and their life savings. All the things that made them feel secure. Here is the opportunity for all of us to be encourager's to those who will be caught up in the chaos of change. We have to witness like we never have before to anyone that will listen. Millions of people have put their hope in Barack Obama...we need to share with them that their only hope can be..in the Lord Jesus Christ.

If I let myself think of all the chaos and uncertainty that lies before us, I can get fearful. But if I am fearful, what good will I be to others who need to be encouraged? The rain falls on the good and the bad. We have to put the umbrella of God's Word over us and remember that He is faithful. God has always delivered His people from His wrath and He will do the same for us.

These are exciting times in which we live. We have the opportunity to watch God's plan unfold. Each one of us have been placed at this time, this generation, for such a time as this. He thinks we can handle the adversity before us, including the changing of a country that once was based on God and His truths. Yes, these are uncertain times, but think of those whose hope lies only in a man who makes promises that tickle their ears.

So, here we are, for such a time as this, to pick ourselves up, to do the work we have before us to do, to reach out and to pray for those who are lost. God will use each and every opportunity that comes before us to reach out to a hurting person caught up in the winds of change. We can't walk around with a down cast spirit, all doom and gloom....we must be the light that people see. We have to be their example like never before. We can do it!

My prayer is that God will lead us beside the still waters and we will find comfort for our souls and be refreshed..because we have work to do!

Halloween...

It's Halloween today. I have never liked Halloween, even though my birthday was yesterday and growing up it was always celebrated with a Halloween theme. Churches have alternative things for the kids to do...Trunk or treat from their cars, Hallelujah Night, what ever it may be called. I just don't think we need alternative things for our children to do. It's an evil night, the history behind it is evil..so why would we have alternative things for our kids to do? We give our children the sense that they are missing out on something when we have alternatives to something the world offers that is so evil and full of the occult... It was hard as a parent to know what to do and what to let my children do, as far as the day was concerned.

I went to Disneyland the day before my birthday to celebrate my daughter's birthday with my brother and youngest granddaughter. It was decorated beautiful for fall..as well as the ghosts and goblins. I don't know if I have ever seen Disneyland decorated this much for Halloween before. It's become this huge holiday...I don't get it.

My four grand girlies dress up..One is a Jedi Knight, Hannah Montana, Princess Belle and Tinkerbell. They look adorable and they have no idea what sort of things go on in the occult world around them this day and night.
All the while the enemy delighting in what Christians are doing today as an alternative. It's still his day...

So, for now I will pray that all will be well around all the "little one's" out there tonight. This is just my two cents worth..and thought I would share it today.

Roots That Go Deep...and Flourish

"But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank,with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8

This verse really spoke to me last week when I was preparing a devotional that I had to give. We live in perilous and uncertain times. We don't know how this next Presidential election will affect us, the economy is going down, jobs are lost everyday with almost sure promises of more people losing their jobs. Foreclosures on homes are taking place in every neighborhood. Yes, these are uncertain times.

This verse in Jeremiah says that if we put our hope and confidence in the Lord, we will be like a tree planted a long a riverbank. Trees by a riverbank have roots that go deep in the waters edge.. They are strong because of the foundation that they have holding them up. They are constantly nourished from the river's water.

These same trees will not be bothered by heat or long periods of drought. They are connected to the living source of water. They will stay green and never stop producing fruit. Some fruit trees just never seem to flourish and produce delicious fruit. But once they get the proper nourishment they produce quality fruit.

What's this mean for us in these perilous times of uncertainly? It means that we must put our trust in God, take the time to drink in the Living Water of His Word. And like those trees planted by the river bank, our roots will go deep.When our roots go that deep we can't be shaken or stumbled by the chaos of uncertainty. We can flourish amidst that uncertainty. This verse says when we put our trust in God, we will bear delicious fruit. Isn't it a wonder thought that during times of hardship we can still bear fruit? Delicious fruit! This is because of the nourishment we take in from the water of His Word.

It's a choice for all of us to make that decision for or roots to go deep. Having that deep rooted foundation in Jesus Christ is what will get us through any rough roads ahead. To get that deep foundation we must drink in His Word letting it fill us up and give us all we have need of.

This is fruit that we can multiply it forward into the lives of those around us...friends family and those who are struggling in an uncertain world.

We don't know what is ahead of us in our chaotic world of change. But we do know when our hope and confidence is in God, the winds of change will not blow us over or cause us to wither. Drink in...and flourish it's a choice we all have to make.


Heavenly Father, in these uncertain times draw us to yourself, cause us to drink from your Word that we might be a source of encouragement and hope to those who live with uncertainty in their lives. We want to flourish in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. To God be the GLORY!

Three Reasons...

Time really does fly, doesn't it? It was summer when I last posted and now it's Autumn. So many things have happened in our world since my last post. I mentioned in my previous post that I had a tile man here . He was tiling my master bathroom shower. It looks beautiful, but it took three weeks and he brought his wife with him everyday. Now, don't get me wrong, I am grateful...but there wasn't anywhere I could go in my own home. That's reason number one that I haven't posted. My back was out for a few weeks..that's reason number two! And I kind of lost my zeal after I deleted my blog. Very few of my readers can find me and some still have my old address on their side bars. It's like losing old friends. That's reason number three. (:
But I have my home back in order and feel enthusiastic about blogging again.

The winds are blowing so hard today. In the night things kept hitting the windows. It is our first Santa Ana winds of the season and we have fires already. And it's COLD. I never thought I would feel cold again after the heat we have had. But the week isn't over either..Santa Ana winds are usually hot dry winds.

I have some Monday chores to do and a devotional to write for our first night of Bible study tomorrow night. So I'll close for now and be back tomorrow!

I'm here...

I know it's been almost two weeks since I posted. I must have slept wrong and with fibromyalgia, that's all it takes sometimes to be out of commission for days and days. I have a tile man working here in the house and that is difficult when all I want to do is lie down on my bed and he's working in the master bath. It will be over soon, but when you don't feel good, you want your house and space to yourself!

I'll be back in a few days when I can sit at the computer longer...

Blessings,

Patty

Bring The Rain...

This song serves as a reminder that no matter what the circumstances of our lives are..God is worthy of all our praise. Be encouraged and comforted as you listen today...

Grace Multiplied...

Pictures from Pismo Beach, Central Coast California

This is our favorite vacation place. One spring we had to cancel our trip because I wasn't up to the trip.We had cancelled vacations many times, but this particular time I learned a special lesson.

It had been a long winter of not feeling well. I have mentioned before, that I have chronic illnesses that deplete me of a good majority of my energy. That's fine, I am very accepting of that. But there are times, I feel bad for my husband, that he has to relinquish things as well. But he always takes it in stride and never shows his disappointment. He knows most things are penciled in. At one time, it really bothered me that he was on this roller coaster ride with me. Why did he have to suffer just because I did? He never complained and was and still is, very understanding. But I felt bad for him.

One day years back, I must have been grumbling to the Lord, letting the enemy have his way with self pity. Feeling like I was a burden..yep, I was really into the thick of this self pity stuff! It was then I heard that still, small voice say, "Grace." I thought, "Grace, what's that have to do with it? We just canceled our vacation plans again because of me."

What I came to realize was God choose my husband for me, gave him an extra measure of grace to be understanding, caring and loving towards me. He knew when He chose my husband for me, that I would need a man with patience and compassion and with a personality that doesn't complain about much.

Not only is God's grace sufficient for me...but it is for my husband. Only, I think he was given multiplied grace to be my husband.

So,that week we didn't go to Pismo Beach, the drive was too far. But we did do some day trips, one was to a Southern California beach. Just spending time together would be enough.

Grace, how would we survive without it?

"My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is perfected in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:9

He Sees Us As Finished...

I wrote this devotional eight years ago for Rest Ministries. It was published in a book of devotionals for the chronically ill, Mosaic Moments by Lisa Copen and Friends. Since this devotional was written I have since been blessed with three more little granddaughters, McKenzie, Haylee and Rachel. Each one has their own special quilt fashioned with love and quilted with much prayer for each one of them.

~~~~~

“ Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you

will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:6

I recently made a quilt for my five month old granddaughter, Hannah. As I began to plan the pattern and color scheme, I knew I wanted this quilt to be perfect for her. I drew out my design on paper, making sure of every dimension.

From there I went shopping for my fabrics. I very carefully selected each color and design for each piece of the quilt. In every step of my planning, I saw this quilt finished. I was the only one who had a vision of what this finished project would look like. To others it may have looked like a pile of different fabrics and a piece of paper with lines on it. But I saw it, pieced together, quilted and finished with Hannah all snuggled up under it.

As I cut and pieced the fabrics together I saw a thing of beauty begin to take place before my eyes. Not that it was the most beautiful quilt I have ever seen, but being the designer of the quilt, I saw the beauty and the love in the quilt, that no one else could see. God in the same way sees us as finished. He sees that finished work in each of us and sees how every circumstance of our life forms us into the person He has designed us to be. For some, living with chronic illness and pain is a part of the finishing process that God allows to take place.

Everything we experience with chronic illness can make our character more refined and the beauty of the LORD more defined in us. Each one of those things, like every piece of Hannah’s quilt, is pieced together in the fabric of our lives, to make something beautiful. We are God’s workmanship and He had a plan in creating us and He sees us as finished!

Thank you LORD, that you don’t give up on us and that you will see us through to a completion that glorifies you. Each day may the beauty of You be more defined in us.

The Lord Our Encourager...

"But David found strength in the Lord his God."

1 Samuel 30:6 NIV

It can be a lonely experience living with a chronic illness and pain every day. We relinquish many things and relationships. And at times we are misunderstood for the decisions and the actions that we take because of the way our life styles have had to be changed. We long for someone to understand and encourage us. And at times, the Lord provides someone to walk a long side of us allowing us a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, and a word of encouragement in those days when we think we cannot go on.

But there are also times of solitude when there isn't anyone to listen to us or to encourage us. We long for an understanding ear not wanting to burden our families and those close to us. This is when we must encourage ourselves. We can give ourselves a pep talk and this might help to some degree. But only the Lord and His Word can give us the deep individual encouragement that we need at those times.

Psalm 61: 1-3

Hear my cry. O God; Listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
A strong tower against the foe.

God's unsurpassing strength is always with us and He desires to encourage us. It is His Word that will give us the deep heart penetrating encouragement that we need. He knows every tear that we shed and He alone knows what will encourage and lift us up out of a place of despair.

Psalm 94: 19

"When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul."

It is the Lord and His comfort that quiets and brings delight to our souls. Maybe it is a touch from a friend or loved one, maybe it is the sound of the ocean's roar, or a song of praise that touches our heart strings. God sends those things to us as well. He knows our every need before we even ask. But when He desires to be our source of encouragement, nothing else will do. He alone satisfies the longings that need to met.

Yes, there are times that we must encourage ourselves. It is in those times that we take our Bibles and go to a quiet place and allow Him to refresh and refill us. To lift us up and encourage us to go on. It is in the Lord's strength that we will be encouraged.

I Corinthians 1: 3-5

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

God wants to comfort us. Being comforted can mean being encouraged and strengthened with hope, in dealing with our afflictions. The more we suffer the more comfort He gives. Our God is a giving God who desires to meet our need of being encouraged.

If you are in need of encouragement today, the Lord desires to meet that need. Won't you let Him touch you today and meet that need.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Reach down and touch by the power of your Holy Spirit those places in my heart that only You can touch. Encourage me and strengthen me in hope this day. That I in turn would have the blessing of comforting someone else in need.

Awareness Week...

Have you heard about National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week? September 8-14, 2008 will feature 20 seminars via Blog Talk Radio, (4 per day, M-F) plus tons of people are helping spread the word by blogging about invisible illness issues. Do you get tired of hearing, “But you look so good?” or weary of the stares when you park in a handicapped spot? This is our chance to educate the public as well as remember we are not alone.

Nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA live with an illness and 96% of it is invisible.So join the cause today! They have daily guest bloggers at http://www.invisibleillnessblog.com/, lots or prizes, articles, and it’s a great way to make some new friends and attend a conference without ever leaving your home. The main web site is: http://www.invisibleillness.com/

This week I will be posting a series of devotionals with chronic illness themes. Maybe you live with an invisible chronic illness or someone you know does. We can learn from each other how to encourage those who chronically suffer and those who love them. We can encourage and be encouraged the more we know about the needs of chronic illness sufferers.

What Does God See?

What Does God See?

What does God see when He looks at me?
Does He see a heart that wants to be His...
or a heart that is guarded from past wounds and hurts,
hindered to feel the great wonder of His love?

What does God see when He looks at me?
Does He see a heart that is willing to obey...whatever the sacrifice?
A life of obedience even if it's uncomfortable

What does God see when He looks at me?
Does He see a heart that forgives, like He forgives me?
Am I willing to forget, just like He does too?

What does God see when He looks at me?
Does He see "acceptance with joy" in my heart?
He sees the sufferings and pain.
Does He see surrender? Do I lay it at it his feet?

What does God see when He looks at me?
He sees my heart and how troubled it can be.
He knows that hard things will only cause me to grow.
He allows them in my life....He loves me that much

.He sees me as His daughter and His eyes shine with love.

What do I see, when I see God looking at me?
A Father's love.
What do you see, when you see God looking at you?
The same love, He loves you too..

~~~

Because of Jesus,

Patty

Faith...

"Grace calls you to get up, throw off your blanket of helplessness and to move on through life in faith."
~Kay Arthur~

I have found encouragement in this quote by Kay Arthur and and for the most part, live by what it says. Living with chronic illnesses, there are times that I want to keep that blanket of helplessness over me. I could best describe it by saying, "I get weary in the battle."

If we stay under that blanket of helplessness it becomes a cloak of self pity and discouragement. It can be such an easy thing to do and we have probably all have done it at one time or another. Everyday we must make the choice to move on in our lives by faith.

There are so many things in life to make us crawl under that blanket of helplessness. Health issues, family issues, marriage relationships....anything that troubles us and takes us to the point of feeling helpless. So...get up, throw off that blanket of helplessness, make a choice not to be defeated and move on through life in faith!

* Faith knows how to wait on the Lord. Isaiah 40:31

* Faith defines reason; it moves mountains. Matthew 17:14-21

* Faith does not always face facts; it never gives up. Heb.11:32-39

* Faith says, "God is working out His perfect will in my life, and I can wait, endure, and suffer."

* Faith doesn't make anything easy but it does make all things possible.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1

Do You Have A Vision?

"Then the LORD answered me and said, "Record the vision, and inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time.

It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail
Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay."
Habakkuk 2:2-3

Has the Lord given you a vision for your life? We can set goals for ourselves and think they are visions from the Lord. But God's visions have to do with His people and His glory. I believe there is a vision for each one of us as Christians.

I had a vision once that I thought was from the Lord. But it was my vision based on circumstances. My last child had gone out on his own. The nest was pretty empty. I thought God was going to open up more teaching commitments and maybe retreats. I certainly had the time then. But because of an illness that progressed that year, the door to that vision seemed closed. Maybe it was an ambition rather than an actual vision. I can't say that for sure...but I truly believe in God's Sovereignty in the situation. Maybe it had to happen to be able to see what God's true vision would be for me.

The Lord gave me a new goal one day. I didn't recognize it as a vision until recently. Although I don't see how God is going to use this in the lives of others or bring glory to Him. I'll wait and keep working on what He has given me to do. He knows, I trust that.

We don't have to be any certain way to have a vision from God. We don't need to be educated, bible scholars, teachers, leadership positions....or whatever you might be thinking could be a hindrance to a vision. We just need to see God with our hearts and ask Him what is the vision He sees for our lives. It will in some way have to do with people and His glory. ASK HIM.

"Though the vision tarries, wait for it, for it will certainly come, it will not delay." Record the vison as God shows it to you. Journalize it. Pray about it. Search the Word for it. Don't be fearful of asking...the vision could be just for your home and family...not a mission trip to another place in the world.

ASK HIM

Crooked Paths...

" The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out." Proverbs 10:9

When I read this verse this morning, I saw the similarities in a story I read by Amy Carmichael. In her book, God's Missionary, she writes of an Indian woman who was disgruntled and bitter towards the missionaries because she thought that they said one thing and did another. She wanted to know, "who can say you missionaries live specially holy lives? We Indians observe. We observe you not only when you are at work, but when you are off work too. Is there anything remarkable about you? Are you burning- hot people? We look to you to show us patterns, and you are showing us crooked patterns."

To say the least this was not wholly true. But it is a question we can ask ourselves as Christians...are we showing crooked patterns to those who observe us? Is there anything, even if it seems small, that might stumble someone who is watching? We aren't perfect people, but we are here to live holy lives. Lives that bring glory to God in every aspect of our lives.

We can't walk down crooked paths or show crooked patterns, someone might be following and watching. We never know when we walk down a path, if it will be the path that leads someone to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, Help us to look at our lives and see if we are showing crooked patterns to anyone who watches us. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear..anything that we might do to stumble those around us. In Jesus' name, Amen

Why I Keep A Journal...

I have been keeping a journal since 1981. As a child I never kept a diary, so as an adult it was a new thing for me. I don't write in it every day, but most days I do. I write mostly things that the Lord shows me through my Bible readings and Bible study. I write about my family, my joys, sorrows, defeats, victories and sin. I sometimes write lengthy prayers to God, pouring my heart out to Him in writing. I've written personal promises from God for my family and myself. Some I am still waiting on and others have been fulfilled. There have been times when things happen in my life that I have to write about it immediately. Other times, especially very difficult things, weren't written about until weeks later. Those times, the pain was usually too great to put into words right away. When I was able to write, it was so I would have record of the facts and the feelings.

My first journals were spiral bound notebooks. I have several that are the hard bound pretty ones, but I still have several going that are spiral notebooks.For me, it seemed I couldn't remember all the things that God would show me. Keeping a journal was a reminder to me. God wants to show us things about ourselves and things about Him. When I read back through my journals, which I do from time to time, I see things in my life that I still struggle with. Seeing this just makes me want to try even harder for victory over those things.I have never written anything in my journals that would hurt anyone, if they read them after I am gone. Maybe some of my heartaches would be surprising, but not hurtful.

I presently have six journals that I write in. I'll share what they are and why. I don't write in each of these everyday!

* My daily journal... I write what's going on in my life and the things God wants to show me.* My prayer journal.... I use this daily.
* A journal entitled...Possessing The Land. This journal records the progress in three areas of my life that the Lord has shown me to work on to fulfill a vision He has given me.
* My quote journal... I write any quote that I come across that ministers to me or I find encouraging in some area of my life.
* My scrapbook journal.... This is a spiral bound sketch book. I find pictures in magazines, cut them out and write around the pictures. These pictures are things that make me feel good. Each page is full of my favorite things. This let's my creative side have a part in journaling. I really enjoy this journal...it's a feel good book.
* My medical journal.... I started keeping this journal last summer when I hurt my back. Living with chronic illnesses you soon forget when you had the last test, or last ear infection, or when you last went to the doctor. It has been an eye opener for me.

I think keeping a journal can be such a blessing in our lives. It shows us where we have been and a direction of where we may be going. It's a reminder of what God says to us and a record of our obedience and disobedience. There isn't a right or a wrong way to journal, it is totally personal in what you want it to be for you.I hope that by reading this, if you have never kept a journal, that you will pick up pen and paper and write what's on your heart. Give it a try!

Happy Birthday, Rachel...

Our youngest granddaughter, Rachel is 4 today. It's hard to believe 4 years have gone by. What a blessing she is to us. She is so excited to have a birthday party this afternoon with a water theme. It's going to be a hot day so the kids will love it. You can read all about Rachel on her blog, Rachel's Journey on my side bar.

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

What Kind of Fruit Are You?...

"So then, you will know them by their fruits. "
Matthew 7:20

When my husband and I bought our home 38 years ago, we were surrounded by orange groves. Although we don't have an orange tree in our yard, we know many neighbors and friends that do. So we have been blessed with many bags of oranges and even lemons through the years. It's always surprising how oranges can differ from tree to tree, even from the same tree. Most oranges look good on the outside, but many times, it's after that first bite, that you call tell if it's sour, or even if it's dried up on the inside.

So it is with us. Sometimes, it takes getting to know someone before you realize what kind of fruit they produce. Other people, it is evident from the first moment you meet them. It doesn't take long to evaluate what kind of fruit they produce in their lives.

If we know people by their fruit, in a way we are fruit inspectors. Not judges, but fruit inspectors. That also means that my fruit can be inspected as well. I will be known for the fruit that is seen in my life. I don't want my fruit to rot on the branches because I let things spoil me. Things like unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, jealousy...those kinds of things that rot from the inside out. It would be a sad for any woman to be beautiful on the outside and rotten on the inside.

So I have to ask myself, "Do I produce the fruits of, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? "

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;

against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22-23

What kind of fruit are you?

Carrying Stones...

A story is told of Jesus and His disciples walking one day along a stony road. Jesus asked each of them to choose a stone to carry for Him. John, it is said, chose a large one while Peter chose the smallest. Jesus led them then to the top of a mountain and commanded that the stones be made bread. Each disciple, by this time tired and hungry, was allowed to eat the bread he held in his hand, but of course Peter's was not sufficient to satisfy his hunger. John gave him some of his.Some time later Jesus again asked the disciples to pick up a stone to carry. This time Peter chose the largest of all. Taking them to a river, Jesus told them to cast the stones into the water. They did so, but looked at one another in bewilderment. "For whom," asked Jesus, "did you carry the stone."

I read this story in Elisabeth Elliot's book, These Strange Ashes. I had to ask myself after reading this story..For whom do I carry the stone entrusted to me? We don't always choose the stone that we carry, but we CAN choose the attitude that we carry it with. A stone, especially a large stone, can get pretty heavy as we walk the journey God puts before us. It can make a big difference if we walk with the right attitude.

Another way to look at this story is...when we pick up a stone to carry, are we carrying it for ourselves or are we carrying it for Jesus? I've been looking back over my life and asking myself, did God ask me to carry that? Or did I pick it up on my own? Was I self-seeking or surrendered?

I only want to carry a stone that Jesus has asked me to carry. If He has asked me to carry it, He will equip me for the journey with grace and strength. If I pick it up on my own to carry, it won't be too long before that the burden is too heavy to bear.Are you carrying stones? For whom do you carry them?

The Greater Good...

"Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering.

The love of God did not protect His own Son. He will not necessarily protect us--not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process."
~Elisabeth Elliot~

God only allows those trials and sufferings that will work for the greater good in our lives. The greater good would be to make us more like Jesus and bring glory to Him. If we want the greater good in our lives, then the heart attitude must be, not my will, but Thine. As soon as the heart has that attitude of surrender, the work has begun.

"It was good for me that I was afflicted,
that I may learn thy statutes."
Psalm 119:71

Encourage and be Encouraged...

"For I long to visit you so I can share a spiritual blessing with you that will help you grow strong in the Lord. I am eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other." Romans 1:11-12 NLT

In this verse Paul speaks of wanting to go to Rome to visit. He had wanted to go for a long time, but he kept being prevented from going. So much of Paul's life is an example to us how to live godly Christian lives. And here we find another example for us to follow.

So many times we look for opportunities to be that encourager to someone. But in these verses Paul not only wanted to encourage the people of Rome and impart a spiritual blessing with them...he wanted to go so he could be encouraged by them as well! Paul admitted, I want to encourage you, but I also want to be encouraged by you.

"As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend."

Proverbs 27:17

Encouraging someone, be it in small things or big things, hard times or good times, is what a good encourager does. Paul looked expectantly to go to Rome to be encouraged. Encourage and look to be encouraged, should be something we should desire. When we encourage someone, we sharpen them. When we are encouraged, we are sharpened. We spur each other on in our Christian walk when we encourage. Paul wanted to be sharpened in his faith and theirs, when he went to Rome to visit the believers there. Our prayer should be, "Father, use me to be an encourager today, and Lord, I'd be blessed if I could be encouraged today too."

"...those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed."Proverbs 11:25

Reflections...

"As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man.

"Proverbs 27:10

What do we see when we look in the mirror? If it's a magnifier mirror we can see all kinds of imperfections. I have a mirror that magnifies 8X's bigger. It's scary! It's easy to see the imperfections on our outside body. With a little make up, comb and hair spray we can make ourselves look rather presentable.But what about our inner man? We fool ourselves if we think what's on the inside doesn't show to others on the outside. It's revealed in the way we speak, act and even our body language.

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."Proverbs 23:7

David asked in Psalm 139 for God to search him, and and see if there be any wicked way in him. It's important everyday that we ask God to search us and reveal to us anything that is displeasing and sinful to Him. But also, we must be willing to have a teachable and contrite heart to listen and to change. It can be painful to have God reveal the ugliness of our heart. Too many times we live in denial of that ugliness. But God sees it and so do others

Let's ask God to reveal to us today, "What does the reflection of my heart reveal about me?" And when He answers, let's be teachable and change!