Sensing His Presence

As I read Patience Allison Hartbauer’s poem entitled Footprints, which I recently found in a pocket-sized booklet I’d had for years, I recalled many experiences similar to the one she describes.

I, too, have walked along the beach and marveled at all the things God has created. I, too, have felt a renewed sense of peace and hope. I, too, have worshipped God as I walked on sandy shores. I, too, have concluded that, although I did not see His footprints in the sand, I knew He was walking with me. 

(c)2017, Sanibel Island, Florida

I pray you have had a similar experience. You may have sensed God with you at places other than the beach. The place we experience Him could be anywhere. According to the Bible, Paul and Silas felt His presence while in a prison cell. David knew God was with him even while David was hiding out in a cave. Moses experienced God out in the desert. I’ve felt His presence in a hospital room. On a mountaintop. In the grocery store... 

He is everywhere! How extra blessed we are when we sense Him--wherever we are. 

Five Minute Friday: Disagree

 I wrote this post (in approximately five minutes) in response to a one-word prompt (disagree) from Kate Motaung. For more information and to read other posts, visit www.fiveminutefriday.com

Disagreements are unavoidable, aren’t they? When they arise, I remind myself of these four bits of wise counsel:

(1) “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity [love]” (circa 1627).

(2) “Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don’t be mean when you say it.” (I don’t know the source, but a fellow member of the Toastmasters club I attend shares that advice when it’s time to evaluate speeches made during the meeting.)

(3) “A soft answer turns away wrath, / But a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1, NKJV).

(4) "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people” (Romans 12:18, CSB).

Hope

 I love benedictions and blessings, especially those in the Bible, don’t you? Recently, I read the one Paul penned to the Christians living in Rome centuries ago and realized it’s one we need. Many people lack hope these days. Some feel so hopeless that they take their own lives, or at least wish they could die and be done with all the struggles and sufferings. Others are not that depressed, yet still long for brighter days.

I’m asking God to confer upon you that blessing of hope, with its accompanying joy and peace. Whether you like the words recorded in older translations of the Bible or those in newer versions, may you allow the ancient yet relevant words to remind you that trusting in God will give you hope in the midst of the darkest of days.

Storms

Christ does not always immediately 

calm the storms, but He is always willing to calm His child on the basis of His presence. We'll probably never learn to enjoy our storms, but we can learn to enjoy God's presence in the storm!

~Beth Moore

See also Luke 8:22-25.

God's Beautiful World

He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time. 

Ecclesiastes 3:11, NKJV

Especially in springtime, I readily acknowledge the truth of those words that are in the Bible. 

As I look around at the beautiful world God created, I also think about how He continues to keep everything running on schedule—the seasons, the tides, the sun, the moon….

I conclude that God likes orderliness and harmony—not only in the natural world He created but in every situation.  

Therefore, I say to Him, “O Father, help me to love beauty and orderliness and harmony—like You do. Help me to do all I can to create them wherever I am."

Lord, Keep Us Easie!

The children of a woman who had been treated cruelly and unjustly said their mother endured such treatment with amazing courage--never flinching, never murmuring. How was she able to do that? According to the children, "The Lord kept her easie."

Wow! What a testimony! That makes me ashamed to mention my struggles, which often seem so challenging, but, by comparison, are actually small. However, as Amy Carmichael points out on p. 189 in her wonderful book, Thou Givest...They Gather, our Lord "knows that we need His grace for them, little though they be; and He can do for us what He did for [her.] He can 'keep us easie.'"

The apostle Paul knew that to be true. Thus, he made this request, as can we: 

His Gift of Peace

Where's the New?

A devotional in the January-February 2019 issue of The Upper Room begins with a delightful story (page 8) about a little boy who expressed great excitement about the coming of a New Year. But when the New Year arrived, he ran around looking everywhere for the New Year--or at least something new. But, of course, he found everything the same as before. "Where's the new?" he demanded.

The writer of that story (Sriparna Mahanty from Odisha, India) goes on to say that she often wonders whether or not there's anything new in her life now that's she's a Christian. You and I wonder the same thing, don't we? After all, as she points out, the Bible does say, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NASB).

Although we may look pretty much the same, there will be more love that shows on our face and in our voice and in our

actions. We will be more forgiving and more patient with others. There are other pieces of evidence, such as those listed in Galatians 5:22-23, that prove we are changing from the inside out. We'll give up many of our old habits and develop new (better) ones. We'll see changes in our attitude-- sometimes subtle ones, sometimes major ones. 

The "new" is there and will become increasingly evident the more we talk with God, the more we read and study His Word, and the more we do what it says. 

Just as a seed that's planted grows imperceptively over time as it comes to full fruition, so also newness of spiritual life is a process that begins the moment we receive Christ. We are growing. We are becoming all that Christ will enable us to be. In the meantime, let's not be disappointed if we don't see major newness all at once. Rather, let's look for all the little signs of new growth we see in ourselves and desire more.

Look up!

As I woke up one morning, I heard a beautiful song via the BBN Radio app on my cell phone. I loved the message it contained, so I got right out of bed and began to search the Internet for the lyrics (see below). 

John Bieri may have written them in the 1930s and 40s. Perhaps after reading what God said to Noah in Genesis 6:16 (“Make a roof for it and finish the ark to within 18 inches of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks."), Bieri then included in his song other words God might have spoken to Noah.

I want to share the lyrics with you because I believe they will encourage you, too. Although the wording varies slightly from source to source and from vocalist to vocalist, the meaning remains the same: When in difficult circumstances, look up and see God standing by—watching over you, ready to help you.

THE UPPER WINDOW

When God spoke unto Noah, and told him to build the ark,
The Lord knew well the vessel would be cheerless and dark,
So God said build a window with outlook toward the sky,
That's when it's dark and lonesome, you'll see Me standing by.

Refrain:
The storms will come, but fear not; oh, children, I am nigh,
And through the upper window, you'll see Me standing by.

It may be that affliction will rack and rend your frame
Until your mortal body is seared with fevered flame.
But do not be discouraged; just lift your tear-dimmed eye,
And through the upper window, you'll see Me standing by.

Perhaps you'll suffer losses, like houses, lands, and gold,
And you will feel you're homeless, and penniless, and old;
But sweetest peace and comfort will life your painful sigh,
When through the upper window, you'll see Me standing by.

It may be that bereavement will take a loved one dear,
A soul that brought you gladness, real happiness and cheer;
But it will cheer your sad heart, when loved ones from you fly,
When through the upper window, you'll see Me standing by.

If you'd like to listen to the song, please click here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6wMhoUd0Vxscyberhymnal.org

(Note: This is not the same rendition I heard over BBN Radio.)

Changes

Year after year, one season ends; another one begins. In books (and in life), one chapter closes; another one begins. People come into our lives; people leave. The tides flow in and out. Flowers bloom; flowers fade. 

Since changes surround us, you’d think we’d learn to accept them more easily, wouldn’t you? But we resist them; sometimes we run from them! However, we'll experience more peace and happiness if only we'll take the advice Jim Milligan (President/CEO of BlueLetter Bible.org) gave in that organization's Summer 2018 newsletter: 

“I pray that as the summer season winds to a close, you will continue to see Christ and what He has done for you. It may look different from what you had planned, but rest in the assurance it will ultimately be for His glory, and your good.”

He's right! And so is Amy Carmichael who said, "In acceptance lieth peace." 

Therefore, it's crucial that you and I not only ACCEPT changes—even those we had not planned, even those we never wanted, even those that terrify us—but that we also REST in the assurance that even those changes will result in God’s glory and our good. Even if we can’t see how that will ever happen, God can see, and He can—and will—make ALL the changes result in glory for Him and good for us.

Where Do I Get Them?

As I became sleepily aware of a new day dawning, I activated the BBN Radio app on my cell phone. I smiled as I listened to an upbeat, happy, easy-to-remember song my children and I sang many years ago. It’s been given various titles such as I’ve Got Love Like a River In My Soul and I’ve Got Peace Like a River. Later that day, I listened to several renditions of it on YouTube. Here’s the link to my favorite: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1NlZO57W0eE

The song mentions having peace like a river, love like an ocean, and joy like a fountain in our souls. I love the imagery, don’t you? And who doesn’t want to have abundant peace, love, and joy within? 

The writer of the song (John O. Schroeder) doesn’t tell us where to get them. But the Bible does. For example:

• In John 14:27 (KJV), Jesus says to His troubled disciples, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
• Jesus also said to them (and to you and me!), "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love"(John 15:9, KJV). The apostle Paul says (in Romans 8) that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from God's love.
• In John 15:11 (KJV), Jesus also said to His followers, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." 

Now we know where we get peace, love, and joy like a river in our souls! From Jesus! And He never fails to keep us well supplied. 

Aren't we glad our supply depends on Him rather than people or circumstances?

Lord, I Am Willing

Lord, I am willing

To receive what You give;

To lack what You withhold;

To relinquish what You take;

To suffer what You inflict;

To be what You require.

~unknown

I found that powerful prayer (poem) in a book a friend gave me for my birthday. Its words remind me of this insightful statement (attributed to Amy Carmichael) that Elisabeth Elliot often shared on her Gateway to Joy radio program: In acceptance lieth peace.

. 

Blessings

I enjoy reading Irish blessings and proverbs, don't you? Below are two I read recently.

May the strength of God pilot us,
May the wisdom of God instruct us,
May the hand of God protect us,
May the word of God direct us.

⤓

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks.

May your heart be as light as a song.

May each day bring you bright happy hours,

That stay with you all year long.

However, my favorite blessings are those found in the Bible, as this one is:

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee,

and be gracious to thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee,

and give thee peace.

Numbers 6:23-26, KJV

Living Scattered?

The confession David Hazard makes in one of his prayers is one I need to make:

My Father, something inward tells me I have been living scattered. Sometimes anxious. Restless. Distracted. Wandering inside.
(David's prayer is found on page 14 in a book he compiled. The book is entitled I Come Quietly to Meet You and contains 40 devotionals that were written by Amy Carmichael.)

I, too, am often guilty of living scattered. Sadly, I'm sometimes scarcely aware of the many distractions that shift my focus from God to all the stuff that’s going on around me. For example, my attention is so easily diverted from Him to the news on the TV, to the ringing of the phone, to the ringtone signaling the arrival of a text message, to an unfinished task, to thoughts of what to cook for supper, etc. My mind gets so absorbed with such distractions, coming one after another, that I can go for hours without a single thought about God.

As the distractions increase, my thoughts of God tend to decrease. Then, like David Hazard, I begin to feel anxious. Stress builds. Frustrations increase. Overwhelm sets in.

That changes when I do what David Hazard suggests in another part of his prayer: intentionally and consciously refocus my thoughts on Jesus and what He has done--and is doing--for me (and for others, too).

Thankfully, I'm discovering many ways to do that:

• Sing or hum a beloved song, like Jesus Loves Me or All the Way My Savior Leads Me (text is below).
• Sit down to read from the Bible. That helps me refocus, as does taking time to type a prayer to Him. (Typing, as opposed to speaking aloud or just thinking, helps me to stay focused.)
• Listen to Christian music or sermons while I'm doing household tasks.
• Talk with God as I fold clothes or cook dinner.
• Look around, like a young child sometimes does when saying nighttime prayers or blessings at the table, and begin thanking God for the many blessings that surround me.

Ever so slowly, I'm learning that staying focused on Him throughout the day provides far more peace and contentment than living scattered.

You keep him in perfect peace 

whose mind is stayed on you, 

because he trusts in you.

~Isaiah 26:3, ESV

All the Way My Savior Leads Me

~Fanny J. Crosby, 1875 

(Even if you know the tune to this hymn well enough to sing it, 

please try reading the words slowly and thoughtfully, 

taking time to reflect on each phrase.) 

1. All the way my Savior leads me; 

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt his tender mercy,

Who thro' life has been my guide?

Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in him to dwell!

For I know what-e're befall me, 

Jesus doeth all things well;

For I know what-ere befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.

2. All the way my Savior leads me;

Cheers each winding path I tread,

Gives me grace for ev'ry trial,

Feeds me with the living bread:

Tho my weary steps may falter,

and my soul athirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me, 

Lo! a spring of joy I see;

Gushing from the Rock before me, 

Lo! a spring of joy I see.

3. All the way my Savior leads me;

Oh, the full-ness of his love!

Perfect rest to me is promis'd

In my Father's house above:

When my spirit, cloth'd immortal,

Wings its flight to realms of day,

This my song thro' endless ages:

Jesus led me all the way;

This my song thro' endless ages:

Jesus led me all the way.

JOY

After reading the text of the online obituary for a 66-year-old woman I'd never met, I watched the video tribute created from photos provided by her family. I noticed how her face radiated joy in each of the photos, even in those I assumed were taken during her two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Whether at the beach or other vacation spot or at home or attending the birth of a grandchild or interacting with her six grandchildren…, she seemed to radiate joy and love for others and for life itself. That made me wish I had had the pleasure of knowing her.

Along about the time I read her obituary, my daily Bible readings brought me to several passages about joy. For example, Galatians 5:22 says that joy is produced by the Holy Spirit within those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Joy, along with eight other “fruit” (love, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, fidelity (faithfulness), tolerance, and self-control), will be as evident in the life of a believer as apples on a tree.

Reflecting on that prompted me to ask myself these questions, which you, Dear Reader, may want to ask yourself:

• As others look at my life, what “fruit” (evidence, proof) is there that the Holy Spirit of Christ lives within me?
• Is His “fruit” so evident that even those who don’t know me personally can see it and sense His presence?
• Can they/Do they see there is a distinct (and desirable!) difference in my life than in unbelievers whose lives are controlled by their “lower nature,” which leads them to “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (Galatians 5: 20-21)?

I had fun coloring this card a friend gave me.

Wonderful Peace

Several days ago, I suddenly recalled these familiar words and began to sing them while alone in my home:

Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above;

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray

In fathomless billows of love.

I sang or hummed them over and over as I went about my daily tasks, although I had no idea why they had come to mind. I tried my hardest to recall others words in that old hymn, but couldn’t. But for days thereafter, the words I did know continued to minister to me.

One evening, I did a Google search and found the rest of the words, as well as several sites on YouTube that contained videos of various folks singing that song.  As they sang, I felt an even greater peace sweep over me! Thus, Dear Reader, I want to share these words with you, which I can legally do since the words are in public domain—and can be freely used.

I pray these words, written by Warren D. Cornell (1858-1930’s) will minister to you, too. More importantly, I pray that you will experience the peace that God can and will give—in every circumstance—if we are willing to receive it.

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight

Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;

In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls

O’er my soul like an infinite calm.

Refrain:

Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above;

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray

In fathomless billows of love.

What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,

Buried deep in the heart of my soul;

So secure that no power can mine it away,

While the years of eternity roll. [Refrain]

I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,

Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control:

For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,

And His glory is flooding my soul. [Refrain]

And I know when I rise to that city of peace,

Where the Author of peace I shall see,

That one strain of the anthem the ransomed will sing,

In that heavenly kingdom shall be: [Refrain]

O soul, are you here without comfort or rest,

Walking down the rough pathway of time?

Make Jesus your friend ere the shadows grow dark;

O accept this sweet peace so sublime. [Refrain]

When Flesh and Heart Shall Fail

Today, Sunday, March 6, 2016, is the 34^th anniversary of my Daddy’s death. I've thought often about him today and even more so when our congregation sang Amazing Grace. The fifth verse gave me special comfort because I knew Daddy had believed the truth it contains and that he is now experiencing the reality of the words written by John Newton in 1779:

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease

I shall possess within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

The Bible verifies the truth of those words. For example, Revelation 21:4, New Living Translation, says:

[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.

Even though I’ll always miss Daddy and feel sad that he has passed from this life, I rejoice in knowing that, by God’s grace, Daddy no longer feels any sadness or suffering—only joy and peace! And I also rejoice in knowing that same grace will bring those blessings to me when my flesh and heart shall fail.

A Place of Peace

The morning after I'd gone to a local theater to see The War Room (an inspiring movie about the dramatic difference prayer makes in the person who prays, as well as in the lives of those he or she prays for), my daily Bible reading brought me to Psalm 142, written by David centuries ago. As I read verses 1 and 2, I realized that David was doing exactly what was encouraged in the movie. 

With my voice I cry out 
to the LORD; 

with my voice I plead for mercy 
to the LORD.

I pour out my complaint 
before Him;

I tell my trouble 
before Him.

All throughout the day, I prayed for various people and situations. The following day, I received news that a friend was having serious problems following surgery. I could not go to be with her, but I did pray for her earnestly and repeatedly. Following David's example, I cried out to the Lord on her behalf. I pled with Him for mercy for her. 

Then I decided to sing (inside my house, of course) as I walked from room to room while working toward my daily goal of 10,000 steps. One of the songs I sang was
Near to the Heart of God.* As I walked and sang and prayed and reflected on the teachings I'd received from the movie, from Psalm 142, and from the song, I thanked God for the people He was using to teach me to turn to Him and tell my troubles to Him. As I became increasingly aware of the nearness of God, I found a "place of quiet rest, a place of comfort sweet, a place where all is joy and peace." 

Awesome! Truly awesome! A place far more uplifting than any of the beautiful landscapes I've had the pleasure of visiting and photographing. 

Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

*The words in the song were written by Cleland B. McAfee in 1903. To read all of them and see photos taken by others, click here.

Not My Will But Yours

And Jesus withdrew from His disciples about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup of suffering from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done."

~Jesus, Luke 22:41-42

Peaceful Sleep!