Tysthatbind

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us  our  sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Forgiveness.  I daily marvel at the great love that God gave in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ.  For a long time I struggled to believe that God forgave me.  “I am not worthy. I keep messing up. I don’t feel like a Christian. Lord help me.” God heard my prayer.  Through the mercies of God I learned what grace is.  For it is by grace through faith that I am forgiven.  Grace.  Amazing.  Unworthy in and of myself.  Saved and forgiven by Worthy God.    Forgiveness.  Freely given.  Freely received.  This lesson enabled me to become a forgiving person. The more I understood the magnitude, the magnificence, of God’s  forgiveness, the more I wanted to live a life marked by such a characteristic.  The lack of forgiveness towards others is one of those heavy weights th...

  1 Kings 19:11-12 11   And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD;  but  the LORD  was  not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake;  but  the LORD  was  not in the earthquake: 12   And after the earthquake a fire;  but  the LORD  was  not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. Weather reports forecast severe weather and associated conditions throughout the world.  Torrential rain, raging fires, earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes.  Lord what is happening and why?  Scientists have spoken about it. The Bible addresses it.  In the midst of all, we yearn to know how we should proceed.   How can we offer help to those who have lost their homes?  What comfort is available to those who have lost loved ones or who ar...

  Luke 16:10 “ He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. ”  It’s another beautiful day in the neighborhood.  Sitting on the porch picking peas.  Breeze blowing.  Birds chirping  Squirrels scurrying.  Reminiscing about time’s past.  I find solace in the little things.  Reading a book. Writing a poem.  Listening to a favorite song multiple times.  I find joy in observing the daily miracles. Children playing. Unexpected smiles from a stranger.  The smell of good food being prepared.  A nice cold drink on a hot day.  I find comfort in encouragement.  A text from a friend. Sending daily scriptures in the morning.  FaceTime with my grandchildren.  Conversations with my family.  I find hope in the promises of God.  His mercy endures forever.  His Word is swift and powerful.  He is my Shepherd.  The Lo...

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Design. Creation. Masterpiece. Handiwork.  Each of us fashioned by God. We are his workmanship. Every bone in our body, each and every hair on our head is accounted for. Our heartbeat, our blood flow, our intricate brain, crafted by God. The children sing:  “Head  shoulders knees and toes. Knees and toes. Eyes and ears and mouth and nose. Head, shoulders, knees and toes. Knees and toes.”  All parts of the body planned and purposed.  Our lives matter. Our presence is noteworthy. No one is above another.  All of us, God’s workmanship.  Therefore let us learn to number our days. Apply our hearts to wisdom. Understand and be mindful  always that it is the Lord who made us and not we ourselves.  We belong to God. The Almighty  created, designed, and fashioned us. Workmanship. Handiwork. Masterpiece....

  Psalms 61:2 “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock  that  is higher than I.”  “I am pressing on, the upward way. New heights I’m gaining everyday.  Still praying as, I’m onward bound.  Lord plant my feet on higher ground.”   - John Oatman Jr. The encouragement I felt yesterday in the presence of God is indescribable.  I attended worship service at my friend’s church. The theme of the morning was Isaiah 6:8.  The praise team, the musicians and participants  beautifully shared their gifts.  My friend, the writer - directed and facilitated.  It was a Spirit filled morning.  Peaceful. Joyful.   I left the sanctuary better than when I entered. Higher Ground.  The drive home was pleasant. The sun was shining. I turned on my street and drove a little ways. All of a sudden a Border Collie ran into the middle of the road. The dog sat there and stared....

  Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”  It started this morning with the scrambled eggs. Two whole medium sized eggs. Cracked open and in the skillet.   Sprinkled with a little cheese and pepper.   Scrambled eggs look very different from  whole eggs. Scrambled.  Scrambling.   Moving here and there. Trying to get things done.  To and fro. Rising and falling. Backward and forward. Tiring at times. This is especially true when trying  to “fix” things,  while trying to figure stuff out. God doesn’t want me scrambled and scrambling. It is His will that I am whole. When I take the time to really consider all of the rushing around, I think: “this is not necessary.” God is in control.’ Controlled.  Life is controlled by God.  I do not have to scramble.  I don’t have to fix things and straighten things out.  All I need to do is yield to the Holy Spirit. Scramb...