God Confidence

"Lacking time, energy, money - consider yourself blessed. Your very lack is an opportunity to latch onto Me in unashamed dependence... Awareness of your inadequacy is a rich blessing, training you to rely wholeheartedly on Me" (125)
Lack sets us up for a far different perspective on life. Like a pair of glasses that magnifies the challenge and shrinks our ability to make a worthy contribution, we feel extremely inadequate. This is when I recognize I must exercise "God Confidence!"
"Being confident of this, that HE who began a good work in (me) WILL carry it on to completion, until the day He comes for me." (Phil. 1:6)
God Confidence challenges my lack of confidence ...dmc

Gift Wrapped Days

"Each new day is a gift..."(124) However, some days do not SEEM like a gift! They are wrapped in heaviness and maybe even profound sadness. It reminds me of the White Elephant Christmas gift exchange we do each year. We've discovered that the best gifts can often be found wrapped in the more unappealing paper.
Unwrapping My Day, Looking for God's Gift...dmc

Lamenting Choices

"Choice-points along the way...each is contingent upon the decision that precedes it." (123)
I spend lots of time with others who are lamenting over choices made, long ago, that have altered their options for today. What a redeeming promise to know that "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him; to the person who seeks Him." Lam.3:25.
Seeking Him Today...dmc

On Jesus' Prayer List

One verse from our scripture reading for today powerfully spoke to me! Jesus is not only praying for us "but also for those who believe in (Him) through (our) message." (John 17:20)
What an amazing thought...to know that Jesus is praying for each of us AND for those who we have witnessed to, shared our faith with or have spiritually mentored.
Sometimes the burden of someone's spiritual growth can be quite overwhelming and I can feel quite drained "of strength" to monitor their continued spiritual growth.(122) Jesus steps in to protect me and His gospel message with His own intercessory prayer!
I pray, "Lord, help me to just remain faithful. And any life I touch will be impacted, not just with MY testimony, but with YOUR discerning prayer for THEM."
Covered in Jesus' Prayers...dmc

God's Gyroscope

At certain times, over the years, I have suffered from motion sickness... as a child on a fast spinning not-so-merry-go-round! (Nausea can quickly condition one to avoid certain things!) Then, as an adult, on a cruise ship navigating 9-12 foot seas! Just to walk we were hanging on to walls and rails...quite a memory! Even worse...on an airplane in the middle of a thunderstorm! Or even in the middle of an IMAX theater!
Our sense of balance, developing even before we are born, incorporates at least 3 of our other senses and keeps us functional from morning till night, from the cradle to the grave. A well developed sense of balance, like an internal gyroscope, is crucial to our overall coordination and continued well-being.
Life has a way of throwing us off balance... distracting us, distressing us and disorientating us... hence we need a strong, never-changing focal point... Jesus!
Today's devo, coming from Hebrews 12:2 tells us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the One who never changes." (120) Why is that so important? That is our only way to maintain a sense of balance and a sense of direction!
Checking my spiritual gyroscope...dmc

Still Stitching

"Rest in the stillness of My Presence while I prepare you for this day." (119)
"Be still and know that I am God." Ps 46:10
The word for "still" in Hebrew is "raphah" and the word for "healing" is "rapha." The two are directly related. To be "still" in the Hebrew language literally indicates "to let go, relax" combined with "to mend by stitching" like a physician would repair to promote healing. Being "still" in His Presence is a healing, mending place, as we let go and relax, allowing Him to stitch and mend.
What a wonderful way to start the day! Letting God stitch and mend me so I am healed and ready to take on my day. What a wonderful way to end the day, to let go and relax! A Stitch in Time Heals Lives!
Getting Stitched...dmc

Onerous No More

Here's a word I do not use often, "onerous," yet I have experienced it many times. It means burdensome, oppressive, wearisome, heavy or weighty. I have certainly felt weighty with tasks in ministry, parenting, counseling even in the more ordinary things of life, like spring cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, entertaining and other things like that.
"There are many burned-out Christians who think more is always better, who deem it unspiritual to say no." (118) Learning to say a healthy "no" has not been easy for me. There are many valid concerns and worthy activities that need to be accomplished that God has not assigned to me. Knowing God will "never lead (me) to do something without equipping (me) for the task" is a comfort and a caution.
Comfort - He will equip me to do the task He's assigned to me.
Caution - What I'm equipped for is limited to tasks He's assigned.
Being equip for one task does not necessarily equip me for EVERY task! Even fairly simple things can be very "onerous" when God's Power is not in it...or in me to do it!
Longing to be Onerous free...dmc

Doin' It WITH Him

"Listen to Me continually. I have much to communicate to you, so many people and situations in need of prayer. I am training you to set your mind on Me more and more..." (117)
I've come to believe that prayer is truly a running conversation with God. I wake up checking in with Him. Go through my day with Him. And fall asleep pondering with Him. It's a back and forth flow of thoughts, prayers, praise and lots of people! "So many people and situations need prayer" and when I pass those concerns on to Him, I can sense peace and protection in the midst of the daily stir!
It makes me think of 1 Thes.5:17-18. "Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
God's will is only a prayer and praise away! In this not-so-great world, it's such a great way to live!
With Him...dmc

The Brain Police

"The mind is the most restless, unruly part of mankind... Open yourself to My radiant Presence, letting My Light permeate your thinking. When My Spirit is controlling your mind, you are filled with Life and Peace." (116)
This is a great way to determine if our thoughts are of God...are they filled with Life and Peace? I often check my thoughts against the Fruit of the Spirit.(Gal. 5:22-23)
Policing our thought life requires a determined discipline. "Taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Cor.10:5)
I do best when I communicate often with God about my thoughts. This means, I confess and repent often, too. The slightest indication of a dark or disturbing, fearful thought is snagged and brought before Him as soon as I am aware. I try to not let my thoughts ruin the landscape of my mind. Making them "obedient to Christ" is something like corralling unruly children and insisting they must obey! Naughty kids cannot run our lives, neither can naughty thoughts bully us around and ruin our day!
Keeping a close eye on what wanders through my brain...dmc

Fear's Distorted Perspective

"Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, you need not fear!" Psalm 46:2
Having my heart and mind SO disciplined that earth-shaking events do not cause fear would be so far from my own natural response!!
Several years ago we had one of our little grandsons in the car with us. He was about 2 years old and we were singing all kinds of songs, but making up some very silly ones, that he especially liked. We drove up into a car wash, singing and having a great time. However, just as soon as the first blast of water sprayed the car, he was instantly frightened! He saw water and soap coming from all directions...even the moon roof window over us was under a soap attack! I quickly got out of my seat belt and crawled into the backseat with him as we moved through the terrifying car wash. My heart nearly broke for him. From his perspective we were NOT OK!
From my perspective, sometimes, I feel like we are NOT OK! Fear can radically distort my perspective. When I sense the enemy's attack on every side, it's comforting to know that God does not judge or condemn...He just comes along side and holds my right hand (Ps. 73:23-24) saying, "Do not fear, I will help you." Is. 41:13. When He takes my right hand it means He has positioned Himself next to me and is protecting me from an attack! (See the blog for April 17.) When it seems like I'm under attack I want to position myself "under the shadow of the Almighty... my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." (Ps. 91)
Under the Almighty getting Over the Attack...dmc

Regardless Love

"I love you regardless of how well you are performing...I love you with an everlasting love... your accomplishment as a Christian has no bearing on My Love for you. Even your ability to assess how well you are doing on a given day is flawed... Bring your performance anxiety to Me." (114)
Anxiety...about being upfront...speaking or playing music, can especially cause me to be uneasy. I find it ironic that God has me doing both these things fairly often. Sometimes my heart will beat so hard that I can hardly catch my breath. So, when people say they are blessed by what was said or played, it totally amazes me!
My ability to asses how well I'm doing can be so flawed. Thank God for the encouragement He's placed around us. I thank God for those who speak "regardless love" into my heart!
Flawed yet Hanging on to His Unfailing Love...dmc

Manna in the Morning Works

"Just as the Israelites could not store up manna for the future but had to gather it daily, so it is with My Peace. The day-by-day collecting of manna kept My people aware of their dependence on Me. Similarly, I give you sufficient Peace for the present..." (113)
The phenomena of daily manna and the phenomena of daily peace are both expressions of God's supernatural provision for our current needs. Just like the Israelites needed nourishment, we need the benefits of peace to spiritually nourish and sustain us. The daily-ness of our needs and the daily-ness of His 'peace-producing' Presence couple together beautifully.
When I am filled with His Presence, I have Peace! So, when I'm need-full I can feed on the manna of His Presence and become peace-full! What a truth!
It's a supernatural thing...I can't explain it... but it works and I am...
Overwhelmingly Grate-full...dmc :)

God's Right & Left Hand Ways

I was captured by today's scripture reading in Isaiah 41:10-13. In verse 10, God is holding on to us with HIS "righteous right hand," strengthening, helping and sustaining us. Then, in verse 13, God is holding OUR right hand as He is stepping in to "help" and to deal with those who "contend" with us and "war against" us, as referenced in verses 11 & 12.
This reminds me of how a loving, protective father would offer his right hand of support to his child. However, when that child is under some threat or attack, and the father needs to step in next to his child, the father's right hand is now coming against the attacker or threatening situation to protect his child. Most likely standing side-by-side holding that child's right hand with his left hand.
I love God's right hand, however, when He has moved to MY right side and my right hand is holding His left hand, it's because His right hand is actively waging war against those "unexpected events" that try to "throw (me) off course." (112)
Staying Side by Side with the Father...dmc

Praising When Puzzled

"I am calling you to a life of thankfulness. I want all your moments to be punctuated with thanksgiving. The basis for your gratitude is My sovereignty...When you criticize or complain, you are acting as if you think you could run the world better than I do." (111)
I must continually stretch my mind to fully appreciate what God's sovereignty means for my own life. To live a life of thanksgiving, I must appreciate Him, even when I do not understand His ways. If my worship is based upon my ability to comprehend what God is doing, then I will limit my abundant life options... because my ability to understand God's ways falls far short of the grander realities that exist beyond my own sense of reality.
I think of God's Sovereignty as the picture on the outside of a puzzle box. However, all I can see are the scattered puzzle pieces before me. God sees the big picture. I see the scattered pieces of my life and will only be able to link a limited number of them together. He sees it all and the picture is profoundly clear to Him. As I trust His sovereign Hand in my life, more and more pieces will come together.
At times I would like to force a puzzle piece into a certain place because that makes perfect sense to me. Trusting Him means I allow Him to replace and reposition the pieces to match the bigger picture He sees.
I can choose to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thes.5:18) because I am confident He can see beyond what I can see. Furthermore, if I could see with His eyes I would make the same choice, because God is beyond good... He is absolutely AWESOME! So either God is Sovereign in my life or He's not...it's up to me!
Though puzzled, since praising...dmc

Premium Perspective

"Out of control...not running smoothly...shaken...loss of comfort." (110) This sounds so typical of the circumstances and lives around us...even my own life many times! The comfort zone is long gone!
True security comes only in Him. But to look at these times as "growth opportunities" rather than "bemoaning the loss of (our) comfort" or even the loss of a hopeful expectation can stretch us further than we've gone before!
Accepting "the challenge of something new" when that "something new" is NOT what we would have planned is the premium perspective that has the potential of leading us "on from glory to glory" and preparing us for eternity!

Lord, help me to take on Your Premium Perspective! For I know that my thoughts are not Your thoughts, and my ways are not Your ways...just like heaven is higher than the earth, so Your ways are much higher than my ways, and Your thoughts are far beyond my thoughts. Amen! (Is. 55:8-9)

Stretching into the Uncomfortable ...dmc

Anchored in Heaven

"As you walk along your life-path holding My hand you will...find many hints of heaven along your pathway...Keep your eyes and ears fully open as you journey with Me." (109) "We have this hope, like a sure and firm anchor of the soul." (Hebrews 6:19)
In the midst of this world's stormy winds and waves, I can be securely anchored to Christ. My relationship with Him allows "hints of heaven" to touch my life. I will sometimes reach out, as if to take His hand, holding tight to my invisible Anchor! It reminds me of His Presence and it helps me to keep my focus on the Hope of heaven.
I am anchored to Jesus. Jesus is anchored to Heaven. Therein lies my Hope!
Holding Tight, Headed in the Heavenly Direction...dmc

Stilled not Stalled

"When I give you no special guidance, stay where you are. Concentrate on doing your everyday tasks in awareness of My Presence with you." (108)

To "stay where (I am)" and wait for God to activate the next step and to "depend on (Him) moment by moment" can be such a HUGE stall. Like I'm loosing time, missing opportunities, idling or standing still!

However, stillness can offer me the opportunity to gain a broader perspective of "collaborating with (Him)," allowing His Life to merge deeper into mine. It's my choice...and I know I need more "stillness" to keep me from becoming spiritually stalled!

Yielded & Still...dmc

Voice Your Choice

"Trusting Me is a moment-by-moment choice....Choose to trust Me in all circumstances." (107)
I find it good to be well aware of the issues that cause my trust to weaken. Certain things can fall out of alignment and I can sense a 'trust test' is underway. That can include a certain physical/emotional/spiritual/relational/financial or otherwise circumstantial mix that challenges my trust.
There are also certain things that can help to strengthen my trust in the throes of a 'trust test.' However, one way I can overcome my doubts is to voice my choice to believe that God is faithful and can be fully trusted. There's just something about hearing myself speak faith over my fear and to acknowledge I believe more in a loving Heavenly Father than in some lousy earthy fear!
I will say it aloud, "I trust in You, Lord; I say, "You are my God." (Ps.31:14)
Choosing Trust, Voicing Trust...dmc

In & Out of the Box

Some people are outside-the-box thinkers, others are more inclined to be in-the-box people. Today's devo encourages us to "begin the day with open hands of faith...this act of faith frees (God) to work (His) ways into" our lives. (106) That requires a more outside-the-box perspective, living with a strong faith perspective which is the "reality of what is hoped for, the conviction of what is NOT seen!" (Heb.11:1)
At the very same time we are to 'live within the boundaries...of only one day at a time. Not worrying about tomorrow or getting stuck in the past.' So, we need to "bear the weight of only one day at a time." This requires constructing the mental boundaries that come with in-the-box thinking.
Finding the healthy balance between these two perspectives can be a challenge for me. I have discovered that as I recognize, "this is the day the Lord has made" and I choose to "rejoice and be glad in it," helps to establish a more balanced perspective. (Ps.118:24)
I think it gives me roots of trust that anchor me in-the-box and wings of faith that free me outside-the-box. So, I will choose a "rejoice and BE glad" perspective.
In His Presence...dmc

Recycled & Transformed

"Nothing is wasted when you walk close to Me. Even your mistakes and sins can be recycled into something good, through My transforming grace." (105)
I suppose this has got to be one of the MOST amazing realities of my relationship with Jesus! No matter how flawed my efforts, how broken my heart or how disappointing life may seem... God has a way of creatively crafting, recycling and transforming "everything that happens...into a pattern for good." (Rom.8:28)
How I picture this, comes from the Jeremiah 18 passage, where "the clay became flawed in the potter's hand, so he made it into another jar, as it seemed right for him to do... Just like clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand..." (Jer. 18:4&6)
What an amazing privilege... to place our flawed efforts, broken hearts, disappointing lives in The Potter's hands and allow Him to recycle and transform us into "clay jars" filled with"Treasure!" (2 Cor. 4:7)
On the Potter's Wheel...dmc

Practicing His Restful Presence

Practicing His presence is a state of spiritual awareness I want to "practice" a whole lot more! Much like developing a skill, I want to develop the discipline of an embracing focus on Him and on the truths of scripture, more than embracing the realities of this deeply flawed and spiritually fallen world. My heart resonates with Moses' request... When Moses asked God to teach him His ways and for His favor, God responds, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Ex. 33:1 God could have given him many other things... but instead He promised REST!
There is a kind of restlessness that comes when a relationship is in question... when the love has been compromised or contaminated. However, God's presence is all about a most pure and perfect love that allows the heart to be at ease, the mind to be at peace and the soul to be at rest.
It's Practice Time...time to practice resting in His loving Presence...dmc

Power & Presence

"When you feel far from me, whisper My Name...in childlike faith...prepare to receive My Love." (103) In Genesis 28:16 Jacob says, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it."
There are times in my life when I feel so vulnerable and alone. Prayerfully whispering His Name, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus..." really helps me to reestablish that vital connection. There is such power and presence in His Name!
I have learned that just because I cannot "sense" Him does not mean He is not here. If I'm aware of any sin issue in my life, I quickly repent, reestablishing our relationship. If I'm sensing the presence of sin near me, that's creating a spiritually dark, heavy atmosphere around me, I quickly acknowledge that and whisper His Name. It's a phenomenal privilege to have access to such power and presence through His Name!
Like Jacob, I can be so distracted by my own internal drama or the drama around me that I overlook Him. For "surely He IS in this place, and I just did not know it" until I refocused and rediscovered Him!
Sensing His Presence...dmc

Pliability's Ability

Today's devo speaks of the potter and the clay. (Isaiah 64:8) To remind myself of the role I am to play, I need to get out some Play Dough and take a lesson from its pliability or transformation abilities. However, for transformation to happen, I must submit myself to the process of change. Change can be quite challenging...or change can be quite refreshing! It all depends upon my ability to be pliable. Pliability gives me the ability to be transformed into His image at any time for any purpose with anyone anywhere. All much easier said than done!!
Saying "yes" to the potter...dmc

The "ANTeater" Fix

"When you focus on what you don't have or on situations that displease you, your mind also becomes darkened...You look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until that is "fixed." (101)
Recent research highlights how thoughts impact, not only our brains, but every dimension of our lives. Happy, hopeful thoughts tend to calm the brain. Negative, anxious thoughts can inflame certain areas of the brain that trigger depression. Our thought life really matters.
Dr. David Amen identifies ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts) that can ruin our lives, distorting information coming in. ANTs make us feel bad, react poorly to others and cause us to believe in mistaken assumptions. He encourages people to not believe every thought that enters our minds, but to evaluate thoughts to see if they're helpful or hurtful.
If we don't "take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5) we will be tempted to focus on the negatives rather than the many reasons to be thankful and to generously love and care for others.
Dr. Amen encourages people to activate an "internal ANTeater to hunt down and devour the negative thoughts" that ruin life and spoil relationships. When we catch a negative thought, we can "talk to it" and replace it with constructive thoughts that build and enhance life.
"Practicing the discipline of thanksgiving"...dmc

Our E.V. Issues

From today's devo..."Though you are an earthen vessel, I designed you to be filled with heavenly contents. Your weakness is not a deterrent to being filled with My Spirit; on the contrary, it provides an opportunity for My Power to shine forth more brightly." (100)
So, what are your "Earthen Vessel" issues? One of mine? I just got the results of recent digital images of my spine. They kindly gave me digital copies I can pass along to other professionals to review, assess and offer their opinions. So, when we got home, we opened the file on our computer, looking over the various x-rays, comparing recent images with images from 8 years ago. The pictures explain the annoying pain I wrestle with most days. It's a good-news-bad-news kind of thing. Good news...the progression of deterioration is still within the range of error (compared to previous images.) Bad news...it's not ever going to "get better" or "go away!" I must be committed to the long haul...accepting the weaknesses of my "earthen vessel," at least until a miracle overtakes my flawed, fragile spine.
However, the Best Good News... I can also be committed to letting His Power shine forth, no matter what kind of flaws challenge this "earthen vessel." I have far more to be grateful for and I decided long ago to not be defined by my pain, but by my many blessings. I've learned how that's done from my precious daddy, who has wrestled with pain all his life, resulting from a birth injury, yet has found so many reasons to be grateful and so many opportunities to enjoy life.
Most people will have some kind of "Earthen Vessel" issues. When we focus on Jesus, our EV issues provide "opportunities for (His) Power to shine forth..."
Thank You, Daddy...I love how Jesus shines forth in you! You inspire me!
Quite Flawed but Abundantly Blessed...dmc

Prayers Under the Stairs

Easter Blessings to You!
Today's scripture says, "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His." 2 Chron.16:9 Quoting our devo for today..."I am pleased with your desire to create a quiet space where you and I can meet. Don't be discouraged by the difficulty of achieving this goal. I monitor all your efforts and am blessed by each of your attempts to seek My Face." (99)
Years ago, when we were first in ministry, I wanted to "created a quiet space" to get alone with God. There were limited options, so I cleaned out a storage place under a staircase. It was in a cold basement so I had to use a small space heater to keep warm. I added a little bookcase, folding chair, lamp, a map of the world on the wall (to pray for countries and missionaries), notebook, journal, prayer file with 3x5 cards, my "God Box," tissue box and a Boom Box to play praise music. Then, I would daily sneak under the stairs. I was seriously seeking Him...and after several months...it seemed like He "found me" and began meeting with me! My relationship with God, my love for His Word, my perspectives and assumptions were radically impacted. As children, pets, daily responsibilities and other demands filled my time, I found it more difficult, yet more critical, to get into my little prayer closet while kids napped or early in the mornings. Over the years my prayer closet has had to morph into a prayer desk, a prayer corner, a prayer basket, and now a prayer chair...depending on where we're living. It is SO worth all the effort.
I understand that Charles & John Wesley's mother, Susanna, would throw her apron over her head to create a place to seek God in the midst of her many children and very limited space. She had 19 children. Although 9 died as infants, the remaining 10 kept her more than busy! God certainly blessed her prayers under her apron! Although I hardly ever wear my apron and I no longer have a staircase, I'm still...
Prayerfully Seeking His Face...dmc

De-Cluttered

"Removing debris and clutter from your heart." (98) This thought inspires all kinds of insights from my study over the past few years in neuro-science and brain imaging research. The more distracted we become with toxic, negative thoughts, the more likely we are to stress and be distressed. The more I learn, the more prompted I am, to ask God to "de-stress" my mind or "de-toxify" my thought life so I am better able to focus on Him and His directives for my every day life! "For we are the sanctuary of the living God." II Cor. 6:16
Spring cleaning my thought life...dmc

Weed-Free

"Your deepest, most constant need is for MY peace." (97)
Over the years I have been awed at how some individuals, going through the most heart-wrenching experiences, could also have such an overwhelming sense of God's peace and presence! In my own life, I have made it a practice to monitor my level of peace at any given moment. If I sense a disruption in my peace, I try to discern where it is coming from, then quickly confess. Today's devo speaks of weeds growing in "the garden of (our) hearts." For example, weeds of "pride, worry, selfishness, unbelief." However, God's "heavenly light" will make the "weeds shrivel up" while His "peace flourishes."
Wanting to have a weed-free day...dmc

Stretching Time, Shrinking Tasks

"A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even if many things remain undone at the end of the day. Do not let your to-do list (written or mental) become an idol directing your life." (96)
I'm a firm believer in "to-do lists." Time is so precious and being responsible with my time is a priority. Tasks can become quite important, too. In fact, if I get a task accomplished that was NOT on the list, I may write it down and cross it off, just because it feels SO good to be productive! However...
I've had many days where my plan was totally circumvented and God's plan totally overruled! When that happens I am awed at how God can stretch time and shrink tasks proving that when we allow Him to take 'first place' He makes everything else fall into place. It's my desire to stay so "in touch," "with Him that when He overrules it's a welcomed interruption!
Reconnecting & Rescheduling...dmc
PS -55 years ago, today, God blessed me abundantly by bringing my life mate into this world. Happy Birthday, Joe...you bring so many expressions of God's love into this world!