Here is a great post from Michael Hyatt’s blog (CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers) that is worth reading and chewing on …
(Click on image to read article…)
The quote at the end is encouraging:
“It all works out in the end. If it hasn’t worked out yet, then it’s not the end.”
– Max Lucado
Resting on these today..
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
Psalm 34:18-19 (NLT)
Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.
Psalm 55:22 (NLT)
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (NLT)
Re-post of a previous entry, as I recently pruned the yard.
This is always a good reminder…
Last Saturday, I completed the annual “pruning of the roses” task at home – not as dangerous as the “running of the bulls”, but I did have some good pokes from the thorns!
Some of the rose bushes and trees we have are pretty old (according to my neighbor, some were even transplanted years ago from his house). Some of them are younger, having been planted by us. In order to keep them healthy and flowering each year, they must be pruned – even if they look like they don’t need it…even if they have blooms right now.
Old or new, well-established or just-planted – each gets the same treatment.
I believe that God always answers prayer – and typically in one of three ways: Yes, No, or Wait.
I think in general, our desire when we pray is that God will answer as we ask, hope, and dream – which usually involves a YES answer. If we ask for “A”, our hope and expectation is that God will answer “A”, and not “B” or “C.” It’s what we expect from others when we ask them to do something – why should our prayers to God be any different.
The truth is, God knows what is best – we think we know, but we really only see our lives with a limited view. God is God and knows all; in fact, the Bible teaches that He has “known” for eternity. There is surety and comfort in that – even though a NO answer is hard, disappointing, and, in our human mind, the “wrong” answer. I guess NO is sometimes the best and most appropriate answer – believing and resting in that is called faith and trust.
For about four years, we have prayed that Continue Reading…
Awesome and powerful Creator:
Are we forgotten? Ignored?
Though our heart and man would tell us otherwise: NO!
You hem those who love You in behind and before – perfectly and completely.
Your strong hand of protection is ever on us and guides us true.
Your right hand holds strong when all else crumbles and fails.
You, and you alone, are stronger than all we face.
Search us, know us, test us, lead us, and comfort us…
…for Your glory.
amen
– based on Psalm 139
I hadn’t listened to this song in a bit. It especially hit me today…
I really like John Mark McMillan‘s music. His newest release, The Medicine, is played on my iPhone at least three times a week. That said, one of his songs contains some of my least favorite lyrics right now (OK, for the past few months):
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about, the way He loves us
You see, I’m holding on to some regrets. Continue Reading…
Music is a big part of who I am. The two songs below are resonating in me right now as my dad and step-mom died in a car accident over the weekend.
We are still grappling with it all, but the certainty is:
Soli Deo Gloria!
Blessed Be Your name [song story]:
Every blessing You pour out I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away, You give and take away
My heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your glorious name
In our Sunday School class this past Sunday, we spent time in the book of Habakkuk. One of the conversations that took place was on the aspect of being “joyful” in the midst of trials…mainly flowing from Habakkuk’s faith-filled prayer at the end of the short, three-chapter book.
Habakkuk prayed (3:17-18),
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
It was a good conversation – one in which I’m sure many identified…I know I did.
…or rather, “He is in control.”
My wife and I have been on a journey to adopt children for a while and are trusting that God will lead us to the exact ones He has providentially prepared for us (and us for them!). I’ll admit, the waiting, praying, hopeful phone calls and meetings, dashed hopes, etc. is tough. We both have grown personally and as a couple during this process – and for that we’re grateful…but that doesn’t make the journey any easier. We trust in God’s plan and look with expectation to what He has prepared.
At times, it’s hard to remember, as we search, inquire, pray, trust…, that He is actually in control.
…that He has always been in control.
One of my favorite passages that clearly demonstrates this is in John 19. Jesus has been arrested and, in the eyes of His accusers, close to defeat. As he stands before Pilate we read:
Continue Reading…
From a Lenten devotional I recently subscribed to:
“The life God longs to give me in his presence is free of my dependencies.”
[…save Him]
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