Forecast: Warming Trend

Job 37:9-10 "Out of the south comes the storm, and out of the north, the cold. From the breath of God ice is made, and the expanse of the waters is frozen."

Do you have a friend who always sets you straight? Your go-to person, someone who seeks the Lord first in their life-decision making? Job did. I hope he appreciated this friend, for he gave him a lot of support in a desolate season in his life. Elihu, though young, reminded him of God's sovereignty, righteousness and God's Majesty. Some of Job's close circle of buddies bailed on him and left him with discouraging words, sinking under the ice of despair. But not Elihu. He ministered to Job and counseled him, leaving us with the same reminders in the book of Job of God's magnificence and control of all creation.

Job, I am sure must have been "frozen" in grief over his losses. Yet God knew what He was capable of and saw the beauty beyond the storm. The intricate details of Job's heart and soul, revealing the Glory and majesty of the Lord, eventually shined again on Job's recognizable face. Like a snowflake, Job, a unique and specially designed servant of the Lord, did not understand all that happened  to him. 

Soon, after wrapping himself in the warmth of trust and obedience, God restored everything to His servant Job and he was able to see 4 generations. 

We look to see, that though all seems cold, impassable and unbearable, in God's timing the forecast is always one of hope and restoration. That's so cool!  

Continuing in Job, verses 11-14 remind of of God's sovereignty: "Also with moisture, He loads the thick cloud; He disperses the cloud of His lightning. And it changes direction, turning around by His guidance, that it may do whatever He commands it on the face of the inhabited earth. Whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen." 

Read it again..."Whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen." 

 God has a reason for the black ice in our life. Don't allow the devil to make you slip, fall and bruise up bitterness.  Have on your proper armor, your praying knee pads and your "ice skating partners." Together you can take the steps in a cleared path,  trusting that your Spring awaits you. 

Lord, you've given us in your Word an example of a man who loved you beyond his circumstances. In his humaness, Job's belief and healthy "fear" of the Lord, restored his life even though he suffered a "titanic" loss. He listened to wise counsel, seeking Your wisdom. Sometimes, we may only see what is on the surface, but you Lord are bigger than our storms and wider than our misery. You can melt a heart frozen in grief and despair with your warming promise of Spring redemption. Thank you Lord for giving us wise counselor-friends who wrap us in the warmth of love, easing our chills. In turn, may our warming spirits rekindle Your hope in a world frost-bitten by the enemy. Amen. 

Verse 14: "Listen to this, O Job, Stand and consider the wonders of God."

*(Thanks to Google for the images)*

Resolved to Pursue

Romans 14:19 "So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." 


How many of you already are contemplating your "New Year's Resolutions?" Are they the same ones as last year? 

HA!  I say that because one of mine is!  Guilty. 

When I think back on 2013, a crazy, violent, polarizing--sad year for our country, our world,  I believe, one has to reflect on the personal. We've all been faced with taking a stand, judging others and a continued debate on many moral and ethical issues. If you're active at all in social media and I assume you are if you're reading this, you know what I mean. 

As the yearend approaches, these questions arise as I ponder the next year. 

What has changed for me, what am I doing better, what do I need to pursue more of? What changes need to be made? Where do I place my passion? Am I actively preparing, equipping myself for the battle that continues to ramp up? 

It's simple really. Pursue MORE of GOD. Let Him continue to change me. 

How can I know Him more intimately? Serve Him, be more Christ-like?

 ...Reflect Him in this darkened world. 

Like a car that needs a tune-up and oil change, rotation of the tires and an alignment, it sure isn't going to happen if it stays parked in the driveway. 

To pursue requires an action, movement towards something, towards the Source of our very existance; molded and fitted into His Will.  

Debating, complaining, wordy explanations, attempts at convincing, justifying and co-dependancy; all our positive Facebook posts and good intentions will not spark change unless I am pursuing the Holy Spirit first. Change in myself and others will not happen through any of the above, but through the super-natural. Prayer wafts up to stir the Super Natural Will of God. In my giving up of my will, I receive His. To pursue is to sacrifice. 

And God gets the Glory for He is seen as the Divine Transformer, the One to be pursued. 

Do you know someone who could use a little "building up?"  

Is peace of mind possible in a world gone stark-raving mad?

Pursue Holiness and allow Him to lovingly pursue you. Watch, wait and be willing... change begins to happen and you become one little domino standing ready to tap the next.  

Thank you followers for a great year of Footnotes.  I am blessed.  

I wish you Joy in the New Year.
Deep, peaceful, mindful of God's-in-Control-Joy! 

Father God, I pray for this New Year. For the pursuit and the pursuer of Holiness. May this resolute journey take us to places where the unexplained are revealed, where weariness is restored. Let us look to a horizon shining with promise. Let our meandering walk become a run towards You.  I pray for fellowship and friendship to encourage that pursuit. Light us up Lord, with shining Words coming forth from the Holy Scriptures, words that melt and cling like warm wax dripping from desire of more of You in the Holy Spirit. Indwell us with Your power, Your Love. May our pursuit light the way for others to know You and make Your Son known, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the One who is to come. Amen. 

Letter Perfect

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NASB)

You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men;  being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Right after Thanksgiving,  I received something very unusual in my mailbox. Not my inbox...my mailbox. Stuck amongst the circulars, the Christmas adds and general junk mail,  a remnant of days past appeared. The feel of it in my hands made me anxious to view its contents. 

Colorful, happy with its sun sticker, the envelope's instructions included the To: and a From: 

I opened the side and carefully pulled out the stationary viewing the beautiful script of a handwritten letter.  

From my friend Soo, I've only known her these last two years.  She is a young mother, home schooler, crafter, gardener and fellow Pinterest enthusiast. She attended my church. Thankfully, because of ministry that brings different woman in all different stages of life together, we connected. Sometimes, woman  remain in their own swirling hoola-hoop of clicks, and nobody can see a way in. God's circle of fellowship never closes off, but expands, pulls us in, empowers us to move out. I am blessed Soo tossed a hoop my way.  She is a joy to know, beautiful and spunky. 

The Apostle Paul compared the Church in Corinth like an open letter, (in another translation), reflecting transformed and transparent lives. The movement of the Holy Spirit in the Church was evident!   In Soo's letter, she wrote of her new family adventure, moving to the Oregon back country, living in a small trailer with her family. They wait and plan for their new house to be built and more importantly, their patient wait on the Lord for a new and exciting purpose. In a down-sized lifestyle, this new forest of opportunity awaits them.  Her letter encouraged me to trust in God's plan and continue to venture out! 

Have you written a "letter" lately to someone? Maybe you still send out Christmas cards. If you do, I encourage you to write a little hand-written personal note. Yes, it takes time. Yes, stamps cost more money these days. Soon obsolete, antiquated, the gift of cursive writing in a sealed envelope is fleeting. Write one to your kids, your grandkids and mail it. What a treasure!  

Lord, You communicated to us in so many beautiful ways. The Ten Commandments were written on slabs of stone with Your finger and presented to Israel by Moses. David composed Psalms and prayers to speak to You and praise You. Solomon spoke his wisdom through the Ecclesiastes, I imagine his thoughts in a journal.  The Apostle Paul wrote to the churches to exhort and encourage.  Though we are thankful for our keyboards, the excitement of a personal letter is a blessing. Thank you Lord for this blessing, this friend. Encourage us to take the time to bless others with the written word...the hand written word.  Thank you for writing Your love on our hearts. Amen.  

I Am...Thankful

Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Some of us took on an assignment on our Facebook Status updates: 30 Days of Gratitude.  Postings require a certain shout-out to those “things” we probably thank God for every day, (well, we should anyways) like our family, our provision, forgiveness-- to the not so recognized, like a washed car, the Star Spangled Banner, angels.  I’ve enjoyed reading others’ posts while listing mine. 

In this season of thankfulness, I received a reminder. Let’s be thankful not just for our stuff, not for what we do, what others do, but just for the shear knowledge and humble thought of who God is.  For doesn’t all of that stuff, the doing, the receiving come from Him? 

Subtract, cross out, delete all the stuff, all the blessings, the job, even the people…your health, even your family…

Can Thanksgiving still dwell in your heart?

Let’s look to God and God alone in all His Glory; all His sovereignty and say Thank You!

because (and He doesn't need a because) 

…I AM.   

And If God received a “number?”

Three things you may not know about Me…

#1) I thought about you and loved you when I was making the Earth.

#2) I thought about you and loved you when My Father sent Me. I knew your name when as a babe, Mary beheld My Glory.

#3). I thought about you and loved you when I bled and died on the cross and because of those thoughts, that love, I conquered death…for you.

Thank you Lord, for you are All-Powerful, Beautiful, Caring and Compassionate, Divine, Enormous and Eternal, Faithful and Forgiving, Great, Holy, Hopeful and Healing, Indescribable, Just, King, Love, Magnificent and Mindful of us, Nurturing, Omnificent and Omnipresent, Powerful and Personal, Qualified, Renewing and Righteous, Saving and Strong, Trustworthy and True, Unveiling and Unwavering, Victorious, Wonderful, eXcellent, Yielding for us, Zealous to Redeem. You are my God, My Savior, my Portion, and my Deliverer. May I rest only in this knowledge and may it bring an eternal peace to my soul, whatever my status. Amen.  

 Psalm 95:2-3 "Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God."  

The Wonder of it All!

Psalm 9:1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Thy wonders.

The seasons take their sweet time coming upon us here in the Southland. Fall seems to be officially here when the Halloween candy disappears and the pyramid display of Mrs. Cubbison's stuffing is teetering at the entrance of every favorite grocery store.  

Just once I'd like to...nah...

This week the sun shined bright and a few records were set in the high 80's and even the 90's. Finally, Friday felt like fall.  I missed snapping a picture, but the leaves piled everywhere on campus; thick and rustling underfoot. I thought of my good friend and co-worker traveling back to Indianapolis this week, supporting her daughter and our high school band and color guard at the National's, the major high school band competition. Christina and her husband took some time to see "fall" in the midwest (or is that back east?) and she sent me this picture. 

My niece who attends ASU in Tempe, sent me this desert perspective of the Arizona sky. 

  

Capturing the full moon last night, a glowing ring around it and a smattering of clouds starting to form, a promise of sprinkles made me hope for more. My skin begs for it.   

Today, while leaving campus, the trees clapping and shedding, blackbirds swooping in, unafraid of teenagers, I looked to the Heavens and captured this moment. 

A lesson in a short, beautifully depicted video shared this week in one class, benign of any deep spiritual stand (for that could not happen), encouraged one to look at all that surrounds and take in the WONDER, the specialness. Let's be intentional in recognizing that every day, every moment for some...for all of us, lies a gift. God in His Word said it very clear, "Be still, and known that I am God." 

I agree. While some seemed amazed by this "revelation," this inspirational wisdom, it only confirmed to me what I already know and soak in everyday through God's Word.  No cinemotographer scripted this.  God's Word says it loud and clear. 

Gratefulness births peace. 

Thanksgiving heals. 

Everyday miracles around us, humbles.

The Heavens declare His Glory

And in His Wonders, I bring Worship.  

Thank you Lord, that peace, healing, humbleness, and true worship comes in fluttering fall leaves and the chipper of a blackbird, in the swirling orange sherbert and angel contrails of a desert sky, in the moonbeam reflection of a nightime canvas painted by Your hands, and in the promise of a soaking of Your love, billowed up in graceful clouds framing Your Light, the Light in which I count my blessings and tell of Your Wonders.  Amen. 

King-Size Goodness

Psalm 119: 103 "How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

Yesterday, Halloween crept onto the calendar page; October 31st lit up our pumpkin's carved up smiles and filled up bags with sugary delight and the utterance of...

Sweets or Threats!  

Yep, we teach our little ones to say it...TRICK or TREAT?  

So whatcha got?  My bag is open, I'm expecting something and it better be good and it better be what I like and big and...

How many spotted the BIG KIDS at your door, more than the adorable cutie pies? 

It's not hard. They may cover their face with a mask but we know because they are tall, self assured with their thrusting-open bag,  and quick-to-make-an-exit to the next house.  

Today, in a class survey, the question of last nights escapades came up. "

"Did you go out and where did you go?"

Yes, the high schoolers I work with went out. They go to a specific gated community that is known for giving out FULL-SIZE candy bars and FULL SIZE fun.  

The thing is, some were complaining that this particular gated community, known for its mansions and high-end lifestyles, "closed shop" at 8:00p.m!    

We're done, Good night! See you in another year. Close the gate. Turn out the lights! 

When we come to the Lord's door, we come humbled.  He lit the way with His sovereign grace and we followed the path. Some of us come with parents, some with friends, some brave it alone. 

With a gentle knock, He is waiting and ready to give us the desires of our heart and of course, the Big Size of Blessings, no doubt. 

What does your treat bag look like?

Do you stand shyly with a small paper bag or do you have the KING-sized pillow case anxious for all He wants to give you?  

God knows the face behind the mask. He knows what's been stuffed into a costume, what props we use to pretend we have authority, control in our life.  He knows our hidden monsters, our demons and what gives us bad dreams and anxiety. His blood  washes our fears away for He conquered death. Stop living as a zombie. Enter His gates which never close, never lock up or lock out. 

He's waiting for you to ring the bell of forgiveness, and He's already picked out what he wants to put into your treat bag, the Fruits of the Spirit!  

 Mr. GoodBar- GOD, He melts hearts, and then uses our hands for His purpose.  Come,  taste the rainbow of His promises. He is the Creator of the Milky Way and the Starbursts.  His grace gives us a break from our sin even when we feel like a nut and even when we don't. The Holy Spirit refreshes us with the sensation of His Love. We are the apple of His eye and His Words are sweeter than the 'Bit O  Honey to our mouth. Come to God on any day of the week, and that day becomes our Pay Day.  We can be assured that mounds of  treats await us. God does not snicker at us but delights in us. We cannot trick God. Whether big or small, creepy or cute, funny or freaky, the Lord wants us all to knock and enter His Gates for an eternal Harvest Celebration. 

Thank you Father God for waiting by the door and filling my heart with your goodness when I took the step of faith and knocked.  Your sweet salvation assures my soul and satisfies what I crave. May I dump the bag of Your goodness at the feet of others and always have the desire to share.  Thank you for angel butterflies (my friends) who give candy kisses in my life. Your "candy bowl" is endless and I will never get a cavity!  Amen.