Evil Inclinations

So God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them." ~Moses

I've been thinking about what would grieve the Lord and fill him with so much pain that he would want to set the earth on fire and watch it burn. The only example of this dirtball of a planet being cleansed is given in Genesis. He soaked it for a year and half like I would a grimy frying pan. When I read the account of the flood in chapter six, I'm told that God's pain began with the way that men were treating women. The Holy Spirit would not contend with it.

Man immediately took a nosedive into evil. Every inclination of the thoughts of their heart was only evil all the time. The world was full of violence and all the people were corrupt. God was sorry he made us humans. Love was filled with pain and opened the floodgates of heaven. Only eight people survived to tell the story to their children. Sin survived with them.

I understand God's grief when I read the newspaper or watch a violent movie. People can be corrupt, arrogant and shockingly violent. The way they treat each other is appalling and labelling it "love" is a slap to the One who IS love. "I would kill for you" is a love song when "I would die for you" is silenced.

I asked the Lord to show me if the inclination of my thoughts are evil. He revealed that they were but not in the way that I had always thought was true evil. I had told myself that if I was thinking of doing evil or having wicked thoughts that those were the inclinations of my heart. I was semi-appalled but not real surprised to find that my thoughts had become entrenched with evil being done to me and the evil thoughts of others. I had stopped looking at the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy things in others and was dwelling on the evil permeating the world and the violence. I had forgotten that I am not of this world! 

"That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." ~Peter 

Overlooking Offenses

"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." ~Solomon

Wisdom gives me patience. When I find myself getting irrationally irritated, I remind myself of this verse in Proverbs. There have been times when I've been behind someone at the supermarket checkout line and had to remind myself that it is to my glory to overlook the fact that they have more than fifteen items. Wisdom tells me that it won't take all that long and what I'm really losing is patience. I've had to recall this verse when the person behind me is clinging to my elbow too. I have to resist the urge to stomp on their toes or growl a nasty, "BACK OFF".  These are such minor offenses but I find that they give me practice at how to deal with the bigger ones in life that come along.

There are those that strive to offend others. I find that most the time, I have no idea when I've offended another. When someone gives me grace and overlooks an offense, I'm so blessed by their patience. I see the truth of this verse from the opposite angle. I'm given an example of what true glory is. It's not all pomp and circumstance, lights and powerful displays of might. It's a quiet patience that  forgives and loves without bounds regardless of the worthiness of the recipient. It's the self-control of wisdom.

"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions." ~Solomon

Joyful Thanks

"From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." ~John

I'm so grateful for God's grace. Because of it, I won't get what I deserve. I've receive one blessing after another. I'm so blessed that sometimes I'm almost embarrassed. Almost. When I begin to thank my creator for all the blessings he's showered me with, I can't help but want to bless him in return. I have a deep need to share the love poured into me. My desire for more of God's Spirit becomes a thirst. My soul longs for the living God and not for the things of this world. My peace comes from snuggling into the fullness of his grace. Joy comes from the hope that springs from faith. My spirit sings out, "Keep blessing me, Lord! Don't ever stop!"

While getting to know Jesus, God revealed how I can bless him. I bless him by loving others. When I'm patient and kind to people and give them grace, my God is honored. He knows when I'm exercising self-control. The Holy Spirit can flow in and through me when I choose what is pleasing to God.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  ~Paul

Selfish Love Song

"My lover spoke and said to me, 'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me.'" ~Solomon

I always get swept off my feet when I read the Song of Songs. It's such a romantic and provocative poem. The story is rich with pleasure for all the senses. It's a frolic with a lover and a yearning of a beloved for thier lover. I find myself immersed in the sheer playfulness of this couple. They are captivated by love. All they talk about with thier friends has to do with thier love. They sneak off to the vineyard to be together and gush over how handsome and beautiful they are. The typical love song!

There's so much talk about the end of the world. Fear of everything ending at once has replaced the fear of individual death. I was pondering this and thinking about the teaching of a "rapture". When I realized that I wanted Jesus to come just for me. I mean, if I'm to go with everyone else, I won't complain but I'd rather he come just for me and sing something romantic like, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me." Then, I felt guilty and wondered if that was a selfish prayer.

It wasn't long before I was given the oppurtunity to ask a seasoned saint about whether or not my prayer was selfish. As is my custom, I laid out my desire in dramatic fashion to this dear woman in the waiting room of the doctor's office. Complete with a recital of verses from the Song of Songs and quotes from Jesus, I gushed on with the enthusiasm of a shakepearean actress. June sat with a smile on her face and nodded her head until I was done. Then she began to laugh and said, "I don't know if it's selfish or not but if I were you, I'd drive reeeeal safe on the way home or you just may get your wish!"

"You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice!" ~Solomon

Sunlit Mist

"What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." ~James

I'm taken by the imagery in this verse. When I meditate on my life being a mist I'm intrigued by the implications and astounded by the simplistic truth of it. I'm one small vapor in a vast and colorful universe. A little puff of air and water drifting through this reality, slowly dissipating in whirling motion. Life is so fragile and fleeting. It can't be grasped, it will vanish like a mist into eternity.

I've noticed that mist sparkles brilliant colors and tosses tiny rainbows when the sun is shining through it. The drops of water soften harsh lines and create mystery. Yes, my life is a mist that will vanish but while I have it, I want God's love to shine through it. I want my life to sparkle with the vibrant colors of light. I want it to toss those tiny bows of promise into this darkening world!

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" ~John

Comforting Grief

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." ~David

When someone I know and love passes through the thin veil of this reality and into the eternal, it always weighs heavily on me. My mourning often consists of chastising myself with "I should have done this, said that, shown more." Before I know it, I'm swirling around in the muddy puddle of self-recrimination. It's always depressing to dwell on ones' own shortcomings. It's also selfish and unproductive. Family members, friends and people in general are not comforted by what I should have done. They are not even comforted by what I did do. In fact, when people are mourning, they don't want to hear about me at all! Sheesh!

The Lord is used to my self-inflicted pity parties. He quietly and sternly guides my spirit back to the comfort that Jesus provides in the Bible. He doesn't berate me but reminds me that the good works I do have been prepared for me to do since before the earth was formed. None of them will be left undone. They're laid out before God already and no amount of wishful thinking is going to alter eternity one iota. He wipes my tears with the reminder that the death of one of his children is precious in His sight. He gets to show them His glory. What a day of rejoicing for them! My joy is restored by thoughts of  them walking on the streets of gold beside the crystal sea with love himself.

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." ~David 

Choice of Chores

"Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house." ~Solomon

Everything about growing vegetables and having a garden is a joy to me. The smell of the soil and the sight of a seed has the magic to carry my thoughts all the way back to the garden of Eden. Once I plant that first seed or pull that first weed, time ceases to exist for me. Hours feel like minutes as I enter into the process that generations of humans have performed for food. It's an eternal and peaceful place.

Since gardening is such a joy for me, for the longest time I would use it as a reward for getting my less joyful work done. I would tell myself that only after the bathroom was clean should I go out and work on the veggies. The house came first. Dishes, vaccuuming, housework, laundry and the countless other household chores could not be left undone. It didn't take long for the immediate chores to poison my time in that peaceful place. It became hard to shrug the guilt of a dirty floor and enter the peace of repetitive tending. Soon I found myself longing for the garden when I was scrubbing and wishing I had finished one more chore in the house while I was gardening. I no longer had joy in either place.

It was into this time in my life that the Holy Spirit smacked me with this verse. I felt like I had been given permission by God himself to do the thing I loved the most first. Do your outside work and THEN your housework. I had gotten those things backward. Both were jobs that needed to be done so switching the order shouldn't have made a difference, but it did. When I work in the garden and enter that timeless place with the eternal God, the housework somehow takes less time. It all gets done with joy instead of a sense of bondage and I went from singing the blues to singing praises!

"But what was sown on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it." ~Jesus

Watching Clouds

"He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants." ~David

Yesterday I sat in the hot tub and watched the wisps of clouds lazily feather across the blue sky. Slowly, they took different shapes. Sometimes mimicking the treeline and appearing as white flames above the bowed tips of the hemlocks. Other times swirled around an unseen current to leave a heart of sky blue before slowly continuing on their path to the mountains. Giant angel wings flying to the peaks of the Cascades. Cotton balls skiting past higher up with the sun dancing off them with brilliant colors and softening effect. David's Psalm came to mind.

David spent a lot of time watching the sky. I imagine him as a boy laying in the grass while shepherding his father's sheep. Staring up at the clouds he made out chariots and horses. His imagination allowed him to envision God riding on the wings of the wind.  I'm certain his heart burst with songs of praise for the creator. The Psalms pulsate with the rhythms of nature. I wonder how often he returned to those times of peaceful contemplation during the turbulent times of his reign.

"Praise the Lord, O my soul." ~ David

The Noble Character

"Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gates." ~King Lemuel

Many women have been discouraged instead of encouraged by the description of the wife of noble character in Proverbs 31. They march down the to-do list with a skeptical eye on their own shortcomings and come away with the feeling they will never measure up. Sure, they get up early and feed the kids but their children have never once called them blessed! They make sure everyone's warm and keep everyone dressed but, you know, they have snacked on the bread of idleness. Yeah, they hug the poor and give to the needy but they don't wear purple linen. Sheesh! It's enough to make a woman throw her strong arms in the air and go plant a vineyard!

I read these verses at a devotion I did at a bridal shower yesterday. The bride is one of the most beautiful women I know, inside and out. I have prayed for her through many extremely difficult times in her life and have watched her handle trying situations with utmost grace. I know that she will be a wife of noble of character. She is worth far more than rubies to her groom and judging by the way he looks at her; he knows it. He knows he will lack nothing of value and that she will bring him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

I read Proverbs 31:10-31 as the only way I could really express how valuable this woman is in a way that his Mother would understand. I'd witnessed her hard work and her quiet strength. She's always carried herself with dignity. There were times I was amazed at her self control. I pray that one day her husband will praise her for her gentle spirit and her children will rise up and tell her how beautiful she is! I pray that she will have open ears to hear those praises and blessings and that her heart will overflow with joy.

Ladies, instead of reading those verses focused on what you DON'T do, focus on what you DO!

"He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord." ~Solomon

Perfect Love

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." ~Jesus

Every day I get closer to the kingdom of heaven. My life is speeding by at an unstoppable rate. Sometimes, I feel almost paralyzed by the fear of dying. It's not so much the death part but the pain of the process that scares me. It's at those times of fear that the Lord will come along beside me to reassure me of his eternal love. It's then that the shepherd of my soul steps in to drive off the wolves that my mind has set loose in my spirit.

In times of fear, my imagination turns dark. It's not long before I'm focused completely on myself and give no thought to the things of God. My conversation is no longer sprinkled with salt or a messenger of joy to the people around me. I'm so grateful for all the times that Jesus said, "Don't be afraid!" But try as I might, I couldn't change my emotions. It was then that the Lord gave me these verses in 1John.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The man who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us."

♪Yes, Jesus loves me!

Listen Up

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ~Jesus

Normally, I wouldn't post someone elses writing but I have a poem that I copied down on the inside cover of my Bible that I wanted to share. It's been my prayer over the years.

Lord,
Open my ears!
So much of what I read in your word speaks
Of the importance of hearing.
Wisdom demands it;
Righteousness requires it;
Understanding necessitates it.

I see so much of selective hearing.
Am I a selective listener?
Do I only hear what I want to?

Oh Father!
You know how I long to be
Wise,
Understanding,
Discerning.

Teach me to hear from people,
Experiences,
Expressions,
Tones from life...
With an openness of mind,
A totality of heart,
And an abandonment of my own preconceived
Ideas.

Help me to learn.
Teach me to open my ears and really hear.

~Carole Mayhall

I'm always reminded that God gave me 2 ears and only 1 mouth. Therefore, I should listen twice as much as I talk!

"Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." ~Solomon

Lasting Supper

Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God." ~John

Every time I attend a wedding or go to a reception I think about this verse. I've accepted an invitation to attend this wedding supper of the lamb. I've been meditating on what form the blessings might come in. My first thoughts are selfish of course. New clothes, shoes, and jewels. The Spirit points to the flowers and their splendid fashion. I will be radiant in simplicity just like one of them. Besides, it's all provided and who needs shoes?

Anticipation swells when I think about the people I will be seeing and the families I'll be meeting. My mind wanders to the music and lands on my friend Marge. I replay hymns in my memory and again watch her gnarled hands pound out her favorites. I will sing with her again at the wedding supper. She would always make me sing her favorite, "Make Me a Blessing". And he did. I'm certain there's going to be a lot of music at this wedding supper. I'm going to ask the groom to sing one for us too. I would really like to hear him and the disciples sing the hymn they sung on their way to the Mount of Olives after his last supper. I hope he takes requests!

There will be dancing too. I want to dance with Jesus and my husband.  I'd like to see the dance King David did before the ark of the covenant as it was carried into Jerusalem. I hope to pick up a tambourine and sing and dance with Miriam and the woman like they did after walking through the red sea. The more I think about this wedding supper, the more I'm thankful that eternity never ends!

Just think of the wine and food too. *Happy Sigh*... Yes, truly I have been blessed by the invitation to the wedding supper of the lamb. I've given my RSVP and when the time comes, I'll be there. Radiant in simplicity and in awe of his glory!

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thank to him and praise his name." ~Psalms

Giving Glory

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast." ~Paul

I can't imagine standing before the judgement seat of God and boasting about what great things I've done for him. Sadly, there will be many people that do just that. Some even plan it. They seem to believe that when they die they will stand trial. They don't understand the trial's over, it's a judgement before a holy King. Jesus talks about the religious person's form of this self deception. He gives an example of what he'll hear from them. "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Those are some pretty hefty credentials if you ask me! The King will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers!"

I was puzzled by this passage in Matthew chapter 7 for quite some time. These people seemed to be doing God's work in his name and they called him Lord. It brought a chill to think about them spending their lives prophesying, driving out demons and doing miracles using the name of someone they didn't even know. They were false teachers and prophets. I was drawn to this passage again and again because I was blinded by their credentials until it occurred to me that they were giving absolutely no glory to Jesus. Yes, they called him "Lord" and they did some fine things in his name but when I read the verse again, they stood before him and took credit for those fine things! "Did WE not..." There was no humility as they proclaimed themselves worthy of salvation by their works. I look at what they did compared to my meager service in the Lord's name and it makes me so grateful I was given faith so that through it, I received grace. The good works he's prepared for me to do are just icing on the cake!

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." ~Paul

Planting Thoughts

"The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." ~Paul

It's all in my head. The battle is for the mind. What is meditated on is translates into actions which in turn become habit after 21 days. When there is no joy, hope, or peace in my life it doesn't surprise me to find that I've allowed my thoughts to meander back to the cares of this world. Out of habit, I begin to dwell on the negative and the seeds of sin sprout roots of discontent. It grows into discouragement and blossoms into depression. Depression sprinkles it's negative little seeds on the soil of my mind and the fears are multiplied like dandelions. It was a struggle for me to change my thought process. It doesn't come naturally to me to be controlled by the Spirit so I petitioned the Spirit to remind me when I'm getting out of control!

When I am smacked over the head with a scripture, it's usually because I've let my thought process wallow in the mud again. I've let the weeds get out of hand and the garden of my mind needs tending. It's then that I go to Jesus in prayer and ask Him to wash my feet and pull out the weeds. I pray that He will plant His word and cause it to grow by His Spirit to produce life and peace. I want to please God and if I allow myself to be controlled by my sinful nature, I'm warned that I can't. Besides, it's really no fun to be depressed. It's so much better to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness. goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Especially,  knowing that the seeds of life and peace are in the fruit!

"Do not be deceived: A man reaps what he sows." ~Paul  

Understanding Good Things

"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." ~Paul

Nestled between the letters to Titus and Hebrews is a jewel of a letter to a man named Philemon. It's twenty five verses are packed with drama. It's an appeal of an old man in prison to the master of a runaway slave. A slave he considered his very heart. The slave had escaped and was going to head back to his master Philemon voluntarily. I can imagine the tumultuous thoughts of Onesimus as he made the decision to return to an unknown reception. It must have given him great comfort to have this little letter to give to his master.

The letter was addressed not only to Philemon but to Apphia, Archippus and the church that met in their home. This family loved the saints and they had been a great joy and encouragement to Paul and so had Onesimus. Paul appeals to that love. One of the good things we have in Christ is our brothers and sisters and the slave had become part of the family. I can imagine how surprised this small house church must have been when Onesimus showed up! 

"For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free- and were all given the one Spirit to drink." ~Paul

Believe and Love

"And this is his command; to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. and this is how we know that  he lives in us; We know it by the Spirit he gave us." ~John

When I decided to identify myself with Jesus something amazing happened. The world took on different shades. Colors seemed more intense and the words "born again" were the only words that came close to describing the incredible change. My heart rejoiced with a love that was far beyond my ability to conjure up and others who had this incredible gift became instant family. History became my classroom and ancient prophets and kings satisfied my thirst for wisdom. The Holy Spirit became not only my teacher but my heart mate. Time was laid bare and flowed through my life as my soul was joined to the believers throughout the centuries. My struggles to be a good person were converted to a desire to tell others about the forgiveness and love that were only a heart whisper away. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God but I've found that there is no other place I want to be.

"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." ~Jesus

Serving Wine

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." ~John

This story in John is one of my favorites. Not just because wine was involved but because it took place at a wedding. When I go to weddings it always brings to mind this story. The guests were all having a wonderful time and the servants were sweating it. They'd run out of wine. Back then, they just couldn't send someone out on a wine run to get more.

The process of making wine was tedious, time consuming and unpredictable. It takes an amazing amount of fruit picked at the right time. The fruit must contain certain chemicals and natural sugars to ferment and there's the possibility that the water will taint the taste. Months are needed to ferment and so many things can go wrong. One of which is that the wine could turn to vinegar. A community or family during those times would've really had to do some major planning to throw a wedding and to run out of wine would've been not only embarrassing but humiliating for the host. I'm certain it would not have been fun for the servants either. Mary knew that.

When I read this story, I'm always taken by the faith of the servants. I can just imagine what was going through their heads. I wonder what they talked about when they were filling the wash pots full of water. I wonder how they decided which of them would take the cup to the master of the banquet. It fills me with joy to think that when Jesus revealed his glory by performing this miracle it was to servants and his disciples. I wonder how many of the servants admitted to any of the guests that they were served wine out of a wash pot! I'll bet they had a few good laughs over the years about that 120 gallons. I wonder if they pondered how Jesus could've manipulated time, chemicals, water and fruit if he wasn't the son of God. The disciples put their faith in him after this miracle and I'll bet more than one servant did too.

"...Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant..." ~Jesus 

Middleman Mistake

But the man of God answered the king, 'Even if you were to give me half your possessions, I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here. For I was commanded by the word of the Lord: 'You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.'" ~1Kings13

This story is a huge warning to me. This man of God was told to go to the king who was worshiping at the altar of an idol and prophecy it's demise. The altar is split in two, the king gets his shriveled hand restored and the man of God refuses his offer of food, water and a gift. He recognizes the temptation and stands firm in his conviction. The warning comes from what happens to him when he is tempted the second time by an old prophet that saddles up his donkey and chases after him.

The man of God again quotes the words of the Lord to refuse the offer by the prophet to go back and eat and drink with him. It's then that this old guy lies to him and tells him that he too is a prophet, just like him, and an angel told him to chase him down and bring him back for dinner. The man of God believes him and goes back with him and defies the simple commands. It's the old prophet that is told to prophecy concerning his judgement. He had defied the words of the Lord and would die.

The man of God was killed by a lion and his body left on the side of the road shortly after leaving the company of the prophet. The lion didn't eat it or maul the donkey but just stood there until the old prophet got there and retrieved them.  He was buried in Bethel as a witness to the people worshipping at the idol's altar. His tomb became a reminder of the truth behind the words he had spoken. I can't imagine the guilt that old fellow had to live with but it's the man of God's choice to listen to him that sticks out as the glaring warning.

God never goes back on His word. When someone has a word from the Lord that is intended for another, I'm immediately suspicious if there is no scripture references. I question thier motives. Especially, if it's in direct conflict with what I've been told by the Lord or read in the bible. If angels are talking to them, everything they say becomes suspect! God speaks directly through His word and by His Spirit. The only middleman anyone needs is Jesus and the invitation to meet Him is offered to everyone. 

"It is written; 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" ~Jesus  

Minor Irritations

"Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us." ~Isaiah

I'm finding it hard to concentrate on anything other than not feeling well. So many people deal daily with pain and illness that are much more debilitating than anything I've ever gone through. I know people that have quiet and gentle spirits during some of the most horrendous physical trials and here I sit, whining and complaining. Not quiet or gentle at all, just cranky!

The mood was darkened still further by the fact that all my summer clothes shrunk over the winter. I have a closet full of sun dresses that no longer fit. Everything is wearing out and once again, I'm jealous of the Israelites in the desert. Their shoes and clothes didn't wear out for 40 years! That would be heaven. They didn't have to worry about their weight or meal planning. They hung out under a cloud all day and sang by a pillar of fire at night. But, like me, they didn't realize how good they had it and they whined and complained too.

So it was in the storm of this irrational irritation that I went to the Lord. The Spirit nudged me into the word and filled me with conviction. My bratty ways and attitude were taking my thoughts down a desolate path. The thundercloud surrounding me slowly began to brighten. My mind's eye shifted off myself and my physical condition as well as my wardrobe malfunction and back onto the blessings that God has so abundantly showered me with. Today, I'm counting my blessings and naming them one by one.

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" ~Isaiah

Gaining Respect

"A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth." ~Solomon

This Proverb brings to mind all the wonderful, kindhearted women in my life. Each one unique in thier talents and willing to extend themselves to others. I respect them for thier faithfulness, love and fellowship. They are creative in service and shine with the joy of the Spirit. They have all had thier own struggles and have willing shared the comfort and lessons the Lord has taught them. These wonderful women have been girls, wives, mothers, grandmothers and widows. A kindhearted woman doesn't need to demand respect, it's gained. They certainly have gained mine.

Every one of them is wrapped in my prayers today.... Be looking for the blessings, Ladies!

"Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." ~King Lemuel

Choosing Ways

"Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence." ~Solomon

Violence and perversity. How prevalent they are in society today. When I turn my eyes to the world and meditate on the rotting decay of society, my hope dims. The violent are envied for their deadly moves and intimidating demeanor. The perverse are rewarded with laughter, attention and in some cases even money. Sometimes it just doesn't seem fair.

It was at such a time that this verse came as a real comfort. It's comforting for me to know that the Lord detests perverse and violent people but it was the end of the verse that caught my spirit. My creator has taken me into his confidence and has shown me that violence and perversity are traps. They lead to troubles and unnecessary trials. I know that the wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.

"The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous." ~Solomon

Stormy Wonders

"Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders." ~Elihu

Here's this poor man who had lost ten children, all his possessions, his health and the respect of his wife and he's told to stop and consider God's wonders. His turbulent thoughts were quieted by God speaking out of the storm. God speaks to the suffering in thier affliction and Job is reminded of that. Then the Lord begins to question him about every day wonders. His first question struck me as being harsh. "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?" God proceeds to show the man just how little he was. "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?" He draws Job's focus off of his afflictions and friends and dashes cold water on the fire of his indignation.

I've often meditated on the questions that God asked Job. The simple questions become profound. I've used them to talk to children for years. I especially like to see thier reaction and little minds tick when I ask them if they know the way to where light lives or where darkness resides. Does the rain have a father? Who fathers the drops of dew? Light, dark, water in every form, stars, clouds, and wild animals are all mentioned in these potent little droplets of glory. Job had no answers and I stand in awe!

"You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." ~Job