Graduation Day

Jesus...through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:2-6, 21 BOOKS)

I bought this ornament in Disney on December 10th, two weeks before my dad passed away. I always buy an ornament or magnet to represent a vacation. This was to celebrate my daughter's senior year and soon to come graduation. But as I look at it, I know that Just like so many things this year, God was giving me more than I knew. December 26th was dad's Graduation Day!

For me and all of us who believe in Jesus who still remain ...

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 BOOKS)

One day soon all pain and suffering, all surprise devastations and sigh filled moments will be replaced by Him completely, for now we take moment by moment and invite His Presence and His Kingdom to overwhelm us.

James 3:18,

Camelot

Mist

You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears. Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and carry out our plans.” (James 4:14, 15 GW)

For many years my daddy saw this angle of his boat. Many years he took great joy carting around the family while they sang hymns on the lake at sunset. Many years pulling boogie boards and skis. Many years of trolling for fish sometimes or just dragging family very slowly in floats behind the boat. Seems like yesterday, but also seems so far away. I do not understand, but I trust. 

I have been signing my blog with James 4:14 since I began. It seems fitting to change today since the verse is seared in my heart with pain, but mostly with hope.

My dad lived his time carrying out the Lord's plan in his life, ministering to others and praying. I am the first hand recipient of The Lord working on my daddy's behalf. This mist I have left I want to be sowing peace and reconciliation. First, pleading with all who will listen, just like my daddy... Be reconciled to God and second, as evidenced by those my daddy touched be reconciled to each other. This was the cry of my daddy's heart, but more importantly this cry began in the heart of my Heavenly Father. 

Lord, may I help you bring in the harvest and reconcile the family.

James 3:18,

Camelot

Great Hope for Great Day

I went to my daddy's house. He spent 14 years building his home ar the lake.This home is where he hung his hats, all of them. Above is the hat stand where some of them were hung. I think back to all of the hats he wore depending on where he was going and what he was doing. Each hat had a purpose and he certainly had his favorites. 

As I looked back in my mind, I drifted to the pain in my heart as I missed him with many sighs, but my mind keeps drifting to the hats or rather crowns he has now. The Word of God names 5 different kinds of crowns for God's faithful children.

1. Incorruptible Crown (1 Corinthians 9:25) 

2. Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

3. Crown of Life (Revelation 2:10)

4. Crown of Joy (Philippians 4:1)

5. Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4)

If you knew my dad, you would know that his crown stand in heaven is just as full. Eventually he will cast those crowns down at the feet of Jesus. Until that day, O Lord, may I live my life in a manner worthy of Your Name, Jesus, and my daddy's legacy.

Understanding my sign off in a deeper way tonight...James 4:14,

Camelot

The Greatest Gift

In Colossians 2:3, Paul tells us, "God has hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ."

When I read that verse, I have this searching and researching urge and want come up in me at first, but in light of the life of Christ...the relationship that Jesus coming in human flesh makes possible, I remember that wisdom and knowledge and anything else needed for life and godliness is found is resting in this loving relationship that He offers to me. The greatest gift ever given and regiven and regifted and regifted. The gift that is regifted to every open heart that will allow Him room. And the gift never decreases with multiplication, instead the Kingdom of God increases exponentially with each heart filled. This is the economy of heaven...love and light. May I open my heart wide.

James 4:14,
Camelot

A Great Man

"As far as the Lord is concerned, he [John] will be a great man." Luke 1:15

The angel Gabriel described John in Luke 1:17. "He will go ahead of the Lord with the spirit and power that Elijah had. He will change parents' attitudes toward their children. He will change disobedient people so that they will accept the wisdom of those who have God's approval. In this way he will prepare the people for their Lord."

I understand the concept of preparing people for their Lord. People have to understand themselves as sinners before they see the need for a Savior. But the question I have been contemplating is how will he change parents' attitudes toward their children?

Later on in Luke 1 when John is born, verse 66 reads, "Everyone who heard about it seriously thought it over and asked, 'What does the future hold for this child?'

As I was mulling this over in my mind I realized that the Jewish people took being God's people for granted. With their sense of ownership there is also a lack of hope because of the loss of need.

But now that John arrives on the scene preaching repentance, the sinking realization of sin in our lives and in the lives of our children sets us up for the Light of the World, the Hope of Salvation, the Prince of Peace.

Lord, may my realization of my great need increase all the more so that I can live my life repeating John 3:30, "You must increase and I must decrease." Fill my need and the need of my family today, O Great Savior of the World. Amen.

James 4:14,
Camelot

Coming Back for the Holidays

I just got back from vacation. A wonderful and awe-filled trip to Walt Disney World. This included much needed time with family, a trip to all parks, a parade or two in passing, the reading of the Christmas story by the Allstate guy (President Palmer from 24) a 150 member choir singing Christmas carols that helped tell the story, and behind the scenes tour, some amazing rides, more amazing sights and most amazing firework displays.
Now I am back to celebrate Christmas, a holiday that has wonderful memories and some not so wonderful memories. My only child is a senior in high school so we have wonderful memories in the past, but there is part of me that looks at this time much like this vacation, great memories, but they are over. All of the wonder gone. Just memories of times gone by. Times of laughter and promise cut short by NOW circumstances and seasons.
This morning I got in the car with my husband to head to church and I made sure their was my favorite Christmas songs playing. My heart plummeted with despair of loss...then this song came into my heart... In remembering how wonderful "the greatest place on earth" Walt Disney World was and how I was not there, I forgot where I was...

You usually hear this in a slower version, but I like the spunk in this one.

So leaving for church this morning, there was a sunrise eventually seen by all the world today that far exceeded the wonder of a few firecrackers in Orlando. There was a V shaped geese family flying over head that were more amazing than the animations used on the Jungle Cruise. So from Walt Disney World to My Father's World, Christ was and is glorified. He Reigns... just read what Colossians 1:15-23 says about Jesus...go ahead, read it out loud...

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God,
    the firstborn of all creation.
¹⁶ He created all things in heaven and on earth,
    visible and invisible.
        Whether they are kings or lords,
            rulers or powers—
                everything has been created through him and for him.
¹⁷ He existed before everything
    and holds everything together.
¹⁸ He is also the head of the church, which is his body.
    He is the beginning,
    the first to come back to life
        so that he would have first place in everything.

¹⁹ God was pleased to have all of himself live in Christ. ²⁰ God was also pleased to bring everything on earth and in heaven back to himself through Christ. He did this by making peace through Christ’s blood sacrificed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were separated from God. The evil things you did showed your hostile attitude. ²² But now Christ has brought you back to God by dying in his physical body. He did this so that you could come into God’s presence without sin, fault, or blame. ²³ This is on the condition that you continue in faith without being moved from the solid foundation of the hope that the Good News contains. You’ve heard this Good News of which I, Paul, became a servant. It has been spread throughout all creation under heaven.

James 4:14,
Camelot

Christmas, Vacations, Birthdays, and Reality

For me other than the actual age I am approaching, this week has been full of anticipations. Last night I drove home knowing that we are in the darkest time of the year and I was so encouraged by the Christmas lights. I do not think they have inspired me to tears like that since I was a child. With Christmas approaching, my family is going on a much needed vacation to one of my favorite vacation spots and it is my birthday. I have so many "things" to be thankful for. On top of this I found out my mom was going to be able to come for Christmas this year. So as you can imagine my heart is swelling and I am giddy about the next few weeks. Then...

I meet with a lady who is in her darkest moments of life. Her reality is very different on this day, this month, this year even. Her relationships are failing because well people are people. Miscommunication is almost insurmountable and she is not even good at that when it is good. She says she is done trying. The only thing that she wants is for people to leave her alone to her own remedy. But she knows Him. She knows Jesus. She may have lost sight of His truth amidst a sea of confusion, but she loves Him.

It got me thinking about how we say "Happy" Thanksgiving, but we say "Merry" Christmas. Happy is for me always denotes circumstances. We can come up with all things if we search for them to be thankful for, but Christmas is different...it is not about our circumstances even a little bit. While Thanksgiving is about who we are grateful to and for and for what, Christmas is about Joy. Merry Christmas is not something you look for in outward circumstances, but rather in the midst of the circumstances, He is the light that shines.

So even though according to my friends I have rehashed all that I am excited about somewhat sarcastically and playfully this week. These circumstances are not Christmas. And even though my sister in Christ is experiencing more than she thinks she can, the conclusion that emerged in our conversation is the Merry "Joy" of Christmas...

HE CAME...that so that His sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need. John 10:10

 
"Come close to God, and God will come close to you." James 4:8








James 4:14,
Camelot

The Journey Continues...

I love how the Word of God allows us to peak into the lives of those who are His children as God speaks to us along our journey drawing us closer to Himself.
Beginning in Jeremiah 32 Baruch, son of Neriah is mentioned 22 times. God used him to bring the prophecies of Jeremiah to the king and also to write down the words of the prophecies of Jeremiah. Later as Baruch was writing things down, a word came directly to him. The shortest chapter in Jeremiah...

This is the message that the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Baruch, son of Neriah. Baruch wrote these things on a scroll as Jeremiah dictated them during the fourth year that Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, was king of Judah. Jeremiah said, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says to you, Baruch: You said, ‘I’m so miserable! The Lord has added grief to my pain. I’m worn out from groaning. I can’t find any rest.’
“Say this to Baruch, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will tear down what I have built. I will uproot what I have planted throughout the earth. Are you looking for great things for yourself? Don’t look for them, because I’m going to bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord. But wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.’” Jeremiah 45

Baruch was worried because of all that was happening during his day. He was intimately aware of the prophecies. The Lord heard his whining and responded. The plans or great things that Baruch was looking for himself were drowning in this reality of seeming hopelessness. The reminder of life given and preserved by God changed things. We do not know the whole story of Baruch, but after that reminder things got worse, but Baruch now knew...

"Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me will find them." Matthew 25:16

James 4:14,
Camelot

Thanksgiving

Unto the One who is worthy of all praise, let there be blessing and honor and glory and praise forever and ever.

Praise be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It is right to give Him thanks and praise. 

Blessed (happy) are those who live in grateful praise. 

Blessed be His Name.

Happy Thanksgiving!

James 4:14,

Camelot

Mystery of God's Wisdom

We speak about the mystery of God’s wisdom. It is a wisdom that has been hidden, which God had planned for our glory before the world began. But as Scripture says: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” God has revealed those things to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches everything, especially the deep things of God. “Who has known the mind of the Lord so that he can teach him?” However, we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:7, 9, 10, 16 GW)

 We have the Spirit of God living in us. As we walk through this life, we have a choice to either give Him absolute sway and allow Him to have say in our words, our actions, even our reactions or we can choose to listen to our feelings, our past, or others.

God didn’t give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment. 2 Timothy 1:7

This is how we should live Holiness and Hope ...

Present Day Holiness - Our Christian walk is not an endless climbing up a hill of obedience to reach the checkpoints of holiness along the way, but rather a moment by moment yield to Him who is Holy in all that He does. If we are attentive to His Voice, then the Spirit of God(the Mind of Christ) is actively having His Way. 

Future Hope - I heard a message recently about being on The Verge. The preacher was talking about the moments before deliverance or before a miracle. I could not help thinking of riding a wave...when you are on the top of the wave if you close your eyes you do not realize what is about to happen, but the most exciting part of being on the top of the way is the anticipation and hope of the ride once the wave breaks. 


I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

James 4:14,
Camelot

Give me Your Eyes.

I am so grateful to the myriad of testimonies that others can give and I can remember from my own life about how God has changed my perspective so that I can see from a "closer to reality" viewpoint.

Yesterday after church my husband, Sam, and daughter, Emily, were both trying to find me because we wanted to do our Operation Christmas Child box and maybe even a local present for a child here. While they ran out of the local children ornaments, we were excited to go and fill two boxes for OCC. If you have participated before, you know the joy of picking out the items and filling the box.

This year following the mission trip that Emily and Sam went on this summer, things were different. Even though I had did not go with them, it was like as soon as we decided to fill a box for a 5-9 year old boy and one for a 5-9 year old girl, their minds immediately went into gear. They were transported back to their trip. At one point  I was holding up an small pet toy for the girl and Sam immediately grabbed the princess nail polish and said it would be better. I was floored, but then I remembered how they all sat with the orphans last summer and the girls spent hours painting each others nails and showing them off.

Amazing what a one week trip will do, and I am sure that I have not seen the half of it, yet.

 ^"I thank my God for all the memories I have of you. Every time I pray for all of you, I do it with joy. I can do this because of the partnership we’ve had with you in the Good News from the first day you believed until now. I’m convinced that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3-6

Mother Teresa said, "The reason we have no peace is we have forgotten we belong to each other."
We truly do need each other.

Lord, Increase our Peace, Increase our Vision, Increase our Intimacy with You. Amen.

James 4:14,
Camelot

Hunger Games

Last night my daughter and I went to see the second edition of Hunger Games on the big screen. While the ending was a cliffhanger as you would expect from any second movie in a trilogy, the conversation on the way home gave me more anticipation than the waiting for the third movie to debut.

We were talking about why the girl who was in the games made the decisions that she made. The fact that throughout the "game" she was being watched, just like in the first movie. There was a scene where she was hiding on a tree limb and realized that the sound she heard as the zooming in and out of a camera lens in a knot on the tree. With this realization there were key decisions that she made in order to make it through the game alive.

If we know that someone is watching us, we may choose to do things differently. Not necessarily wrong or right, but just differently. When my husband who is quick to through things away is watching, I may choose to throw a wrapper away before I sit down to eat rather than throw it away when I get to cleaning up the dishes. So when I think about living my life before an audience of One, it is not judgement that I think about because I know that the Holy Spirit will let me know if there is anything between us, but more along the lines of respect and love. There are things that I think of doing just because I have His perspective in mind as I walk through my day.

Lord, may the "movie of my life" be acceptable and bring You Glory! Psalm 19:14 And as soon as I pray and write this, He brings to my heart the reality that we are in the "movie" together and it is the truest of Love Stories.

James 4:14,
Camelot

Come Close...

The first part of James 4:8 says "Come close to God, and he will come close to you."

Certainly God uses many things to increase our faith: 

Trials: "My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won’t need anything." James 1:2-4

Prayer: "May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give our brothers and sisters peace and love along with faith." Ephesians 6:23

Miracles: "But these miracles have been written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and so that you will have life by believing in him." John 20:31

  

I have found that when my faith increases so does my vision of who His is. So whether it is a miracle or an answer to prayer or even a trial, my response, eventually is praise. As the song says, "To see You high and lifted up, shining in the light of Your Glory, Pour our Your power and love as we sing Holy, Holy, Holy."

After the prayer that Paul prays for the believers in Ephesis, that God would give them peace, love and faith. He says in verse 24, " His favor is with everyone who has an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ."

Whatever causes us to come a  little closer is a miracle in and of itself because of the blessed truth that if we will come close to Him, then He will come close to us. I know He lives in me, how much closer can you get...but don't you love the inside hugs that increased intimacy brings. 

James 4:14,

Camelot 

Actively Resist

Suppose a person carries meat set aside for a holy purpose and he folds it up in his clothes. If his clothes touch bread, boiled food, wine, oil, or any kind of food, does that make the food holy?” The priests answered, “No.” Haggai asked, “Suppose a person becomes unclean by touching a corpse. If he touches any of these things, does that make them unclean?” The priests answered, “That makes them unclean.” (Haggai 2:12, 13 GW)

We as the Church of the Living God have been given authority by Jesus Himself. It is our responsibility to be active in prayer and thought not only resisting the enemy of our souls, but invading the darkness with our words and prayers. We speak life. If we are passive in our relationship with Christ, it is a reality that our lives will be tainted by the world. Evil is contagious like mold in a dark, moist place. 

BUT

When Light shines in the darkness, the darkness not just flees, but deceases...darkness is the absence  of light.

“You are light for the world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house. (Matthew 5:14, 15 GW)

Be Light. Go Shine! is written on the wall as you walk outside of my church. While "be" is a passive verb, this is a very active command. 

Lord, awaken me and rise up within me that I would not drift passively in Your Name, but that I would believe aggressively and stand tenaciously on Your Word. Not only have absolute sway in my life, but make my life kindling for Your Light to shine brighter. In Jesus name.

James 4:14,

Camelot

You have Promised.

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:26-30)

 Father, Thank you for your strong arm that has worked salvation for us. I am humbled by what You have done for and through the scrappy lump of clay I handed to You on the day we met. Miraculous, indeed! You are Faithful, You are True... and You have promised that in the midst of chaos and distraction that those whose minds are stayed on You, those that love You will know that Your eye is on the sparrow and not only do You see me, but Your Hand works all things for the good of those who love You. You have promised and it will be done. In the Name of the One called Faithful and True, Amen.

James 4:14,
Camelot

Project Galilee

This Thursday, I am participating in Project Galilee, a time of rest and revelation with other pastors and leaders, a time to make extra room for the Presence of Jesus in our lives.

We are gathering off the coast of North Carolina, not the Sea of Galilee, but the call is the same as the angel's message in Mark 16:7

"But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’"

Pastor Kerry Willis is leading this conversation as we all seek to intentionally look on the horizon of our lives and increase our peace, joy, hope and grace by gazing into His face together.

Here was the view from my window the last time I woke up at the Sea of Galilee a few years back.

Spiritually speaking, I am looking forward to the Light on the Horizon of this week as we entire a time of intentional Holy Spiritual Community. Anyone interested in spending a few sunrises and sunsets with us receive the invitation...

ProjectGalilee.com

James 4:14,
Camelot

Asleep in the Light

Jesus said that, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few."
 He then instructs those serving alongside Him to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers.

With the week of My Hope with Billy Graham and the sermon yesterday at Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene, As Christians, living in the light of this perspective, we are either working alongside Him and praying for the harvest, we are asleep in the Light.

Another highlight from the heart of one harvester, Keith Green.

 

Here it is on Youtube... Asleep in the Light

The last line says, "Don't turn away and pretend the job's done."

Lord,

Wake us up.

James 4:14,

Camelot

The Sheep and The Goats

This morning my pastor in a passionate, compassionate message on hell, unveiled the most ignored aspect of the true perspective on eternity. We will all stand before the judgement seat of Christ. Without the His forgiveness, we are condemned, but with it we are found, accepted, adopted, forgiven, made new, restored, and heaven bound.

Keith Green, who passed away in an airplane accident along with 2 of his 4 sons in the 1970's sings the parable Jesus told in Matthew 25.

James 4:14,
Camelot

Rest

"God’s promise that we may enter his place of rest still stands. We are afraid that some of you think you won’t enter his place of rest." Hebrews 4:1

 I was having a conversation with a family member about the things of God. At the conclusion of our talk, we were talking about an ongoing, alive relationship with God. It became very simple. Any relationship that you have includes conversation, getting to know each other, thinking about each other, and giving to each other in some capacity.

It dawned on me that some people may go for days or weeks or more without thinking about God, reading His word, praying or giving anything of themselves to Him.  When asked who they put their faith in, I wonder who they mean when they say, "God."

There are also people who pray, read, and think about God, but they are so down on themselves that they are paralyzed to give of themselves because their past or circumstances or others tell them of a God that is not real...

God is good, He gives good to His children, if you will put your trust in Him, then you are His child.

The place of rest that exists is inside the life of faith in the Son of God, who came to save the world from sin.

What love the Father has lavished on us, that we, those who walk by faith, should be called the children of God, at rest in His presence. Live there cause that is what we are! (1 John, 2 Corinthians and Hebrews mixed)

James 4:14,
Camelot

Used to

One of the most devastating things to me in the Old and New Testaments are the stories of people who were followers of God, who served Him with all that they have and then for whatever the reason it became something they used to do. God is a very present God, who is jealous of His position and relationship in our lives. As dearly loved children, it is right to give God all thanks and all praise, to submit our lives to Him and offer ourselves for His service.

"I will remove those who have turned away from following the Lord
    and those who no longer seek the Lord or ask him for help.” Zephaniah 1:6 (GW)

"And I will destroy those who used to worship me
    but now no longer do.
They no longer ask for the Lord’s guidance
    or seek my blessings.” Zephaniah 1:6 (NLT)

One of many things that distinguishes relationship from religion is the "right now" aspect of it. Religion is a one time decision or ancestral heritage thing that can be forgotten about after you label yourself. Relationship is real time. Relationship is dynamic and alive. Relationship either exists or it does not. It is either waxing or waning, growing closer or growing apart.

He is still pursuing us by His mercy and grace. He is still welcoming us into a relationship through the blood of Jesus. For now, but a day will come when either our love and obedience or our rebellion and complacency will be our final decision.

"For God says,

'At just the right time, I heard you.
    On the day of salvation, I helped you.^'

Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)

 "This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies." Zechariah 1:3 (NLT)

James 4:14,
Camelot

Have a Great Day!

Last week I received this card in the mail...

The verse on it is Philippians 4:6

"Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks."

The results of obedience to this command follows in the next verse...

"Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus." (v. 7)

Now the abundance that follows...Freedom from the bondage of negativity and doubt. We are free to fill our minds with the "good stuff" 

"Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable." (Philippians 4:8 GW)

Thanks Paul the Apostle and Pastor Paul at Living Well Church of the Nazarene for the reminder today.

Truly a great day!

James 4:14,

Camelot

Go and Rest(Serve)

T.W. Manson was a Professor Biblical Criticism and Exegesis in the mid 1900s. He is quoted about serving.

"In the Kingdom of God, service is not a stepping tone to nobility. It is nobility."

Two of Jesus' disciples asked Him if they could sit on either side of Him when He comes into His Kingdom. In response in Matthew 20:26, Jesus told His disciples  "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant" 

The balance of work and rest is I believe found in service.
Hebrews 4:9-11 talks about the Sabbath rest of God...

⁹ There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; ¹⁰ for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. ¹¹ Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

The rest of God is through surrender not the absence of work.

May my life be an offering unto to You, O God! Use me as You will.

James 4:14,
Camelot

What a Day!

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see.
To look upon His face
The One who saved me by His grace
When He takes me by the hand
And leads me to the Promised Land
What a day! Glorious Day that will be!

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

James 4:14,
Camelot

It's All About Perspective

Yesterday I went into the local Christian bookstore to pick up a book. As I browsed a little I found this small advent candle holder.

I have been looking for one like this on sale for a few years now, a family style size set. 

Notice the broken candle. (Hence the Half price) Sometimes,for some reason, I go into the Thanksgiving and Chrstmas season leaning out, a little off. This year is definitely different. I am leaning in. 

I have so much to be thankful for. My daughter, of whom I am so proud of, is celebrating Christmas with us as a full time resident for the last time (probably). There are many other things to be thankful for. At different times throughout the season, we will spend time with all of the grandparents. We will have a chance to travel with this candle set to celebrate in Lynchburg, Florida and then home for the holidays. 

First, My daughter will light a purple candle, then my 4 year old nephew, the the pink one will be lit by Sam's mom, and finally the last purple one by my mom, lighting the candle for the last time at our house with my husband, my daughter and my mom. 

Truly my heart is swelling withe the verse inscribed on the little pewter holder... Prepare ye the way of The Lord. Mark 1:3

I know I know 55 days left til Christmas, 

Some say this is too soon, there are 55 days to go

Some say there are only 55 days left.

I guess it's all about perspective ... And Jesus of course!

James 4:14,

Camelot

Thank You, Lord!

This morning while I was praying I got to a place in our conversation where I was pouring over all of the things that I was presenting as requests to God. After praying for a few people, I paused, because I felt like the Lord said to pray this way, "Lord, thank you for healing so and so, thank you for providing for so and so, thank you for restoring so and so." None of these miracles have happened yet, but when I was done thanking God for all that He is going to do, I was encouraged and strengthened by all that the Lord and I had been imagining together.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

I usually attend the evening Ladies' Prayer at our church, but I heard that in this morning's meeting that is exactly how they were led to pray as well. I love how God affirms and weaves His tapestry together.

James 4:14,
Camelot

Our Faith Depends On It

Oswald Chambers in his devotional My Utmost for His Highest today says, "God brings us into particular circumstances to educate our faith, because the nature of faith is to make the object of our faith very real to us."

We all take action based how we see the world, what we believe about people, and especially how we see and what we believe about God. 

The circumstances that we find ourselves in are to sharpen us, spur us on, and draw us closer to God, I believe can either be found in obedience, "just as Jesus came to serve"(Mt 20:28), may I serve intentionally; Jesus showed compassion, may I show compassion; Jesus depended on God the Father, may we realize our dependence. Or we can wait til God orchestrates things for us to be at the end of our rope. "All is for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose."(Romans 8:28)

So we can fix our eyes (Hebrews 12:2) in obedience with no rope of our own or in His grace we will find ourselves facedown at the end of our rope crying out to Him. 

How long is your rope?

James 4:14, 

Camelot

New Mercy

the Lord ’s mercy. We were not completely wiped out. His compassion is never limited. It is new every morning. His faithfulness is great. My soul can say, ‘The Lord is my lot ⌊in life⌋. That is why I find hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to anyone who seeks help from him. (Lamentations 3:22-25 GW)

Sunrise from my home. It's cloudy, but so is my vision sometimes. 

James 4:14,

Camelot

Live by Faith

In Luke 1, Mary the mother of Jesus visits Elizabeth her cousin. Elizabeth's first words to Mary concluded with, "You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said." Elizabeth already knew about Mary's situation. Her assessment was that the "because" of the blessing was not the situation. No, Elizabeth rightly claimed the blessings was in response to Mary's faith. "You are blessed BECAUSE..."

For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

We know these things are true by believing, not by seeing. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (TLB)

We live our lives by actions that are based on what we believe and how we see things. A new song I heard on KLOVE gives some insight on how to be proactive in how we see things.

Choose and speak LIFE!

James 4:14,
Camelot

True Fellowship

Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have a life filled with light and will never live in the dark.” (John 8:12 GWT)

These words are written right after the incident with the woman caught in adultery. The audience is spelled out in the passage, the Pharisees. These people wanted to bring the woman's sin out in the open without thought of selk examination or reflection. 

Lord may I ...

Live in the light as He is in the light, then we can have TRUE fellowship one with another. 1 John (my paraphrase)

James 4:14,

Camelot

Awkward and Awesome

Today I am participating in a marraige ceremony that will blend two families together. Part of the vows that the children will respond to say that this blending will be both awkward and awesome.

Yesterday I was contemplating those words while driving Port Republic Road. It was Friday at 5:30 pm. Right in the middle of rush hour traffic a lone squirrel crossed the four lane busy road unscathed. The only words I had were awesome and awkward, in that order. 

Life, especially the connection of lives, grow together in times that we either have a knee jerk response of, "That was awesome!" Or "That was awkward." But in looking back most of those times are BOTH, considering the love and life that grows between us. 

Jesus said that He came so we will have life and so we will have everything we need, or abundant life I some versions. ( John 10:10)

These random thoughts mentioned string together in my mind today. Thank you Jesus for all of the moments that add up to my life so far. No matter my response at the time, I am in awe and grateful.

James 4:14,

Camelot

Water of Life

Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4, "those who drink the water that I will give them will never become thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give them will become in them a spring that gushes up to eternal life.” His Spirit that lives in us as believers is the water that makes this a reality. 

Sometimes I find as Christians we live more in the pond or lake mentality rather than the river mentality. 

The river mentality is described well in Keith Green song Scripture Medley.

 The pond mentality is more like saying I will go to the well and stock up on Jesus, His life, His strength and then I will take that into the world. 

We forget for a time that He said He would never leave us or forsake us. He said that He would be in us. There is no need to have a thought of being at the bottom of the bucket, needing to fill up again, not really. He loves when we get to the end of our rope, it is only then that we can live the way He intended, "by faith"

Water is so stale when it sits, God in You is meant to be lavishly spread everywhere you go. Go and do likewise.

James 4:14,
Camelot

Jesus, There is No One like Him!

Oh the Cross of Christ…It is good thing to go over on a regular basis the sacrifice that was made to us. To remember the depth of Love that was poured out for us. Not out of ritual, obligation or duty, but out of our faith, gratefulness, and love. A few ways to remember is to meditate on songs that recount His journey, or read and read and read through the scriptures that tell of His sacrifice. His Life given for you and then to you. Nothing withheld. There is no one like our God.

“He came from heaven to earth, to show the way. From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay. From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord we lift Your Name on high.”

Isaiah 53:3-5

He was despised and rejected by people.
    He was a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering.
    He was despised like one from whom people turn their faces,
        and we didn’t consider him to be worth anything.
⁴ He certainly has taken upon himself our suffering
    and carried our sorrows,
        but we thought that God had wounded him,
            beat him, and punished him.
⁵ He was wounded for our rebellious acts.
    He was crushed for our sins.
        He was punished so that we could have peace,
            and we received healing from his wounds.

1 Corinthians 5:21

 ²¹ God had Christ, who was sinless, take our sin so that we might receive God’s approval through him.

John 19:16-18

¹⁶ Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified.So the soldiers took Jesus. ¹⁷ He carried his own cross and went out of the city to a location called The Skull. (In Hebrew this place is called Golgotha.) ¹⁸ The soldiers crucified Jesus and two other men there. Jesus was in the middle

1 Peter 3:18

¹⁸ This is true because Christ suffered for our sins once. He was an innocent person, but he suffered for guilty people so that he could bring you to God. His body was put to death, but he was brought to life through his spirit.

Colossians 1:20

²⁰ God was also pleased to bring everything on earth and in heaven back to himself through Christ. He did this by making peace through Christ’s blood sacrificed on the cross.

Click here for a list of 200 Bible verses to rediscover the depth of His Love for You.

James 4:14,
Camelot

What a Friend!

Proverbs 18:24 in the New King James Version reads, "A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." In other versions of this passage the translation like the God's Word Translation it reads, "Friends can destroy one another..." We always sing about "What a Friend we have in Jesus. This morning I had this question on my heart, "What kind of a friend to Jesus am I?"

Friend can describe all different kinds of relationships, but Jesus describes His hope for us is that we would be He would be IN us and we would be IN Him. As a friend that sticks closer than a brother, He cares. He surrounds us with His Presence. He hears us when we cry. He longs for intimacy with us. He councils. He leads. He receives our countless cares that we give to Him. He is all that we need. 

As a friend of God, do I talk with Him more often than not, do I follow or even consider His desire, do I love what He loves and hate what He hates, is my mind stayed on Him?

Would He call me friend? 

Lord, I present myself to you. Give me the mind of Christ, lead me in Your ways. May I live my life and move and have my being in You. Thank you for being my friend. Amen.

James 4:14,
Camelot

MY ID

 

 Psalm 139:13-15

¹³ You alone created my inner being.
    You knitted me together inside my mother.
¹⁴ I will give thanks to you
    because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made.
        Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this. GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

One of my favorite songs by the late Rich Mullins is "Creed". It is the Apostle's Creed put to music. I am always reminded of the chorus when I read the words from Psalm 39 above.

I believe what I believe,
It makes me who I am
I did not make it,
No, it is making me,
It is the very truth of God,
Not the invention of any man.

I am made in the image of God. My family is made in the image of God. It is not my responsibility to make me, my husband or my daughter, but as we submit to Our Creator, He makes all things beautiful. In His Time.
 Enjoy,

James 4:14,
Camelot

Make Me Ready to Serve

 
John 17:17-19 translated in New King James, God's Word Translation and New Century Version

¹⁷ Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. ¹⁸ As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. NKJ

¹⁷ “Use the truth to make them holy. Your words are truth. ¹⁸ I have sent them into the world the same way you sent me into the world. ¹⁹ I’m dedicating myself to this holy work I’m doing for them so that they, too, will use the truth to be holy. GWT

¹⁷ Make them ready for your service through your truth; your teaching is truth. ¹⁸ I have sent them into the world, just as you sent me into the world. ¹⁹ For their sake, I am making myself ready to serve so that they can be ready for their service of the truth. NCV

I know the words "sanctify" and "holy" means to be set apart for a specific purpose, but sometime when I read the definition in place of the word, It helps my brain compute. Jesus prays, "Make them ready for your service" or "Sanctify them"

We always want to Know His truth, but he does not pray that, Jesus asks that His truth make us ready for service. He must really desire this to have prayed it as His last prayer to the Father while on earth. He sandwiched it between "keep them safe from the evil one" and "praying for the lost". Our giving of ourselves(surrendering) is the way that He breaks the hold that the enemy has on us AND it is the way that the next generation will see our love in action and believe. 

Sometimes I live by faith because I know need God. Sometimes I live by faith because I am grateful. Sometimes I live by faith because the faith of others depends on the faith I live. 

James 4:14,
Camelot