The Perfect Storm

We all need an encouraging word as storms come our way.  Let's get this out of the way first, it does no good to point fingers at who's fault life's storms are. It's just a fact of life that our days are full of "stormy days".  And pointing the finger of blame doesn't really help us at all, it just shames us into not talking about them.

We just need a big 'ole heap of courage and bravery every day because it seems the Christian life is full of storms of all kinds.  These days of faith are full of them, all sizes, shapes, colors, at any time and with much intensity.

I haven't always said this about those stormy days but God has personally taught me His faithfulness in many family storms.  And it's on the other side of those past life storms, I am comforted for the next one around the bend.  I am thankful God has such a personal way that He draws us unto Himself through the lessons of perseverance that He teaches in each squall.  If it weren't for them, I believe I wouldn't know God like I do today. 

Each passing storm gives me an opportunity to trust God in new and deeper ways.  

About 17 years ago, cancer was a daily part of our lives.  Those days were some of worst days of our lives.  But there was a purpose in the cancer, surgery, financial crisis, and the now pain filled days.  Our family has seen many dark and dim-lit days in the physical realm. 

When my husband was facing cancer, God comforted us with Proverbs 3:5-6 when it felt like we were on a bobsled to the unknown.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."  I used to question God in the whys of reality until the one day He spoke directly to me saying..."Yours is not to question but to know that I will get you through this, you are not alone."

I go back to that comfort verse many days.  It reassures me that God knows what He is doing and is always trustworthy.  These life verses are my anchor in any stormy day.  As God teaches us in our storms, His Presence is known and His purpose is revealed. 

I don't know what kind of storm you are weathering right now, but know that God's truth remains something to cling to in both our calm and chaotic days.  God doesn't leave us in the middle of this life alone.  The storms we face are another opportunity to experience God's Presence in our daily lives.  A promotion of faith that we wouldn't be able to experience had it not been for those storms.

It's always amazing to me that God doesn't fail in sending or revealing His anchors of hope to get us through.  He is always ready to help in our rescue even when we want to give up ourselves.  He is always ready....to help us to mature us and promote us in our deeper faith journey.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 

James 1:2-4

He freely sends hope as our lifeline in the midst of our stormy life to rescue us and draw us near to teach us about His character.  I am grateful for His hope that continues to be my anchor, because it is the only thing I can cling to in these days of faith.

Stormy or not.  Through the good days and not so good days, God is faithful and is my hope.  

No matter what storm you are going through, God is with you. He IS our Emmanuel.
No matter what you lack, God knows your needs. He IS our Shepherd.
No matter what you feel in your faith, you have not been forgotten about, overlooked, or put to the side. God is the great I AM.

No matter what storm comes knocking on your life's door, remember God is with us always and we are never alone. His will for our lives is for His kingdom to prevail. He goes before us and never leaves us, we can rest in the peace knowing that no matter what life brews as the current or next storm, that nothing can separate us from His mighty and endless Love.

If you’re in the midst of a trial, be encouraged, sweet friend.  God promises to mature and complete you through it. He also promises that you will be more than a conqueror through Christ who loves you. Pay attention to those words. Not a mere conqueror…but more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).

I'm letting God’s promises seep deep into my heart. Our trials have a purpose. It forces dependence on God. It tests us. It molds us, eventually creating us into overcomers, and God is working our trial or storm for good, for His purpose and for our perfection of faith.

I call that a Perfect storm.   

Share about a storm you've endured. How did you see Jesus’ presence and purpose in midst of this storm?

What steps do you need to take to fully anchor your soul in the Lord and not in fear?

The Day I Found God At the Beach

La Playa!

While in Honduras, I got some rest.  It's unusual..I know...the normal schedule of a mission trip is go...go...go! As it should be, because the team wants to make as much impact in one place as time allows.  I am still grateful for that half day at the beach.

We arrived and immediately I felt at peace.  There were no worries...even though the bathroom stalls didn't have doors or that two little local girls were trying out their entrepreneurship skills at the bathroom door as they charged for toilet paper.  
That didn't matter. 

 I couldn't wait to get my feet wet.  I couldn't wait to rest.

At this beach, I found it.  I met God there.  This rest wasn't defined as a pause in the schedule of a intense work-filled week.  Not just a blip in my international travel radar.  
Not just for a moment, or a half day.  
I found what God's rest looks like in my life.  

I found and experienced His quiet Presence.

As I silently walked the long stretch of hot sandy beach, I experienced God alone.  His presence permeated my soul and I drank it in.  The time was peaceful and lovely.  
It's difficult to describe but they were holy moments.    

I was able to rest in His sufficiency as the next four days were loaded full of challenges.  I'll have to admit that coming to this point, on this beach on that day, I was lacking.  I was a little worn out mentally. Coming to this point was exactly where God wanted me to be so that He could show me His sufficiency and His idea of rest
rest that can only be found in Him.  

I was engulfed in true rest in His Presence.

I walked and talked by myself drinking in every sandy pebble, every shell, every dead fish, every Kodak moment.  In fact, I took the most pictures of the week on this sandy shore.  
I want to go back to that spot often, 
I want to remember how God felt, what I experienced. 
I want to relive those moments of awe and wonder.

I need to go back there every day.  I need to feel God's presence daily.

God and I had some conversations in that restful place.  He still calls me there.  
He reminded me that He has plenty of those holy moments waiting for me when I seek Him.  That I don't have to strive to get there, 
He is not going to run out of holiness when I take my time to seek it.  
There was no need to hurry, there will be plenty for me.  

When I rush and hurry, scurry and strive, I forget that I am His.  I forget my place in His kingdom as His kingdom builder, I forget Who He Is.  
I forget.  
I forgot ....I am royalty.  
I had forgotten.  
But God reminded me that day. 
And...
Since then...God has reminded me that I am His.  And it's okay for me to say this.
This is me being open with you. 
This is my humble confession that I had been trying too hard to be God's.  
All I needed to do and still need ...
is to say ...
that this is not earned, this isn't worked, this is.

My being God's child and my place in His Kingdom is not about me writing the best blog, 
or writing some devotional thoughts connected with scripture that would touch you deeply, or being the best radio DJ that you hear on your radio.  
My being His doesn't depend on anything that I might do or say. 
It's this....being one of His many children depends on Who He Is.  

So stop striving...stop forgetting that God is the "I AM".  
Stop and pause and take a look around.
Look at His beauty.
Look at what God has done in your life, 
look at what He has given you, 
look at Jesus on the cross.

Look at Jesus, take time to worship Jesus.

This life I lead, this life I write is not about me.  It's about Jesus and lifting His name high. 
It's about making His name known.  
I saw rest on that day on the beach.  I saw God in each captured moment.  
Awe...wonder...worship.

My heart is full as I worship and remember who God is. 
That's rest...that's God's Presence.

Ps. 37:7 "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."

Yes, Lord, I will be still.

Music Monday [Forever Reign]

With this worship song, I land at the heart of Jesus every time.

You are good, You are good

And there's nothing good in me

You are love, You are love

On display for all to see

You are light, You are light

When the darkness closes in

You are hope, You are hope

You've covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace

When my fear is crippling

You are truth, You are truth

Even in my wandering

You are joy, You are joy

You're the reason that I sing

You are life, You are life

In You death has lost it's sting

(Chorus)

I'm running to Your arms

I'm running to Your arms

The riches of Your love

Will always be enough

And nothing compares

To Your embrace

Light of the world

Forever reign

You are more, You are more

Than my words will ever say

You are Lord, You are Lord

All creation will proclaim

You are here, You are here

In Your presence I'm made whole

You are God, You are God

Of all else I'm letting go

 It speaks my heart's cry.
Yes, God you are more than
my words ....will ever say....speechless.
Wow...