Hello ..Well, we have another weekend sneaking up on us! I hope everyone is staying warm, dry and healthy.
This weather is crazy, but this time of year it so often is. I want to wear my new duds I got on clearance, but that means winter weather needs to hang on a little longer and I am not so sure I want that either, although the snow people I made last week was fun!
The one good thing about being vertically challenged is when I am out in the snow playing and I turn my back to a car going down the street, I can be mistaken for a kid all bundled up in my jacket, hat and scarf! They are none the wiser that it is a 48 year old grandmother out there by herself!
I was asked why I didn’t make snow “angels”. My reasoning, because it was too cold to plop myself down in the cold, which is part of it. I admit, there was no intention of getting down there and having and issue getting up again without serious issues.
The pretty projected image I intended, by the time I flipped and flopped my way out of there would have probably looked like a tornado had touched down in that particular spot. The beautiful soft, white powder in my front yard would have been a disgusting glob! Passers-by would have looked at the landscape of the neighborhood, picturesque and peaceful and then wondered what in the world happened when their eyes scanned toward my yard! Yep, some things are better left alone!
DEVOTIONAL
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Regardless if your walk with Christ began as a child, young adult or in later years, you have certainly faced adversity of some sort, possibly even as a result of your belief.
Today, I was looking online at a few items to see if there was anything there on clearance I did not see at the brick and mortar locations The one thing I do not like so much about online shopping is that I am more of a touchy-feely person when it comes to purchases, so I like to pick an item up, examine it, then determine if it is something I really want. Buying online takes the whole concept there and complicates it a bit with sometimes complicated return policies if what I ordered wasn’t quite what I expected;
Yesterday (Oh goodness, she’s put it in reverse, how will we ever get anywhere this way!).. (Seatbelts, please!), my friend took me to get a haircut. One thing about picking out a hairstyle (which I spent an (undisclosed) amount of time searching for Tuesday evening), is that if the model has a different hair color or texture, it is sometimes a challenge to determine how that will translate on me!
I saved the pictures I liked to show the stylist on my phone when I got to the salon. I always want them to be honest and tell me how they think it will look. Picture in hand, the beautician told me would work. Let’s do it.
I did not get her to style it, because for one, my friend was waiting and secondly, trained to know what they are doing, it usually works so much better than I can ever replicate!
I am attempting to develop a “style” oh my. “Shabby Chic” doesn’t cut it in wearable apparently, not even at the gym anymore! As I inch, okay, speed quickly, toward 49, I realize my clothing is going to have to adjust somewhat. I intently study fashion shows on tv and peruse various magazines and websites attempting to discover classical, trendy, hip clothes appropriate for my age. Sadly I discover the things I excavate from my closet from year to year are out of style, what I like and what I want doesn’t look right on my body type or they exceed my budget quite substantially. ((sigh))
Bathing suits… let’s not EVEN GO THERE!
Let’s toss all of this in our tote and throw it in the trunk, we have a distance to travel and the clock is ticking!
As the verse in John tells us, we ARE going to have trials. Jesus NEVER says “IF” we are going to, it is a certainty. Believers are not exempt! He makes it clear that His children are going to endure situations and circumstances that will take us to the edge of our spiritual seats! There may even be particular trials because of our belief.
When we sit in church or are surrounded by our godly friends, it may be a lot like looking at ourselves in the salon or dressing room mirrors, everything may seem fine and we are all pretty and poised, ready to take on the world, then we step out into it!
Without leaning on the power of God, when we are confronted by our free will, our perspective can get skewed and distorted. Something can look beautiful, yet be rotten, it can smell delicious, though hold harmful contaminates, poison masks itself with wonderful tastes, seductive and evil sounds are disguised as sweet and innocent. Something may feel marvelous, but before we’re aware, our wicked heart coaxes us into accepting a lie. Ignorance closes the door on the truth conviction presents and subtly intoxicates and numbs us. Deliberately we are enticed away, as deception attempts to blur our perception of truth. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
What happens between singing that closing song with our brothers and sisters in Christ and the parking lot where the family is bickering over where to eat lunch? How do we come home from Bible study, only to call a friend and swap gossip? Proverbs 6:16-196 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:7 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Keep in mind (Beth), God doesn’t just dislike these things, He HATES them!
Sometimes it seems that there is more safety and security within the walls of the church, in the presence of godly influence, but for a larger majority of us, we cannot LIVE in life’s dressing room where everything seems to fit and come together as it should. Yes, we celebrate our faith with the Body of Christ, we also go out into the world and that is where challenges present themselves. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Sometimes we have days with sunshine, a gorgeous 76 degrees, convertible top down, no traffic and the next thing you know, you’re on the interstate, in the middle of nowhere, blocked in with an 18 wheeler speeding up behind you, as you’re pelted by golf ball-size hail! Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Unexpected situations arise and there you are, you and Jesus! You know what, though, huddled in the fetal position at the foot of the Cross, bowed at the Mercy Seat or jumping up and down singing to Him, wherever you find yourself in His presence, it is just awesome. Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
How magnificent is it to know that wherever you are, whatever you do, and when ever it is, through the blood of the Savior, we have unlimited access to our Father. We face NOTHING alone! Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Thank you for taking this extended journey down Analogy Highway with me. You’ve been such sweet traveling companions as we exited into dressing rooms, hair salons and just about every little topic town along the way!
We started out agreeing that we are never promised easy travels through this life, but we are assured that regardless of situations or circumstance, our Faithful and Loving God is ever present. After a long, curvy ride, let’s park and jump out at the Throne of the Most High!
Prayer
Lord
Father
And King
Your Word is Truth
Never changing
Out in the world, Lord
We can feel vulnerable or exposed
Yet we never are
We are
Equipped
Protected
Provided for
And loved
By You, O God
You do not put Your children in harm’s way
Yes, we do face consequences of our actions
But You are gracious and walk us through even situations we get ourselves into
Through acts of our own will
You take what is meant to harm us
And use it to bring glory toYourself
Father, we bow before You
Humbled by Your power
Please give us a heart of obedience
Bring to our awareness, please
When we speak or act inconsistently
We ask that who we are within the halls of the church
We are bold enough to be as we step out into the world
Your representative
Ambassador
Child
Let us always be aware that we are children of God
And behave accordingly.
The reflection we cast among our sisters and brothers in Christ
Should be the same we portray to the world
May anyone who sees me, recognize the Family resemblance of My Father!
In the Name of Jesus,
Amen
songs
“Blessed Assurance”
“You Are My All In All”
“On My Knees”
credits: GOD THE FATHER, JESUS THE SON, HOLY SPIRIT, SCRIPTURE
verses and life experiences of family, friends and my own
grace and mercy of the Father as He walks me through preparation of daily devotionals TO GOD BE THE GLORY
love and encouragement of family and friends
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