Strengthen Your Hands

"The Piano Playa" by Jorgen Schyberg is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Let your hands be strong

 so that you can do my work.

Zechariah 8:13 NIRV

I've been practicing for 60 years.  It doesn't get easier to discipline myself to do so.  As I age I've found that I don't retain as much mental and motor skills as before and it's even more important than ever to maintain a practice schedule.  The Lord has allowed me to serve Him in His work...a calling I received at age 15 and one I take seriously.  As long as I have any memory, I will serve the Lord with music.  I will strengthen my hands to do His work.

You Are Precious

"Iceland" by Moyen Brenn is licensed under CC BY 2.0

 He said, “for you are very precious to God.

 Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” 

As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger

 and said to him, 

“Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”

Daniel 10:19 NLT

His peace is our strength

 and that strength helps us do God's will 

on a daily basis.

Just Remember

"Forest" by Moyan Brenn is licensed under CC BY 2.0

As for the promise which I made you

 when you came out of Egypt,

 My Spirit is abiding in your midst.

Haggai 2:5  NASB


The stories of old are still at work today.  Some say the Bible is an antiquated book with nothing relevant for today's society.  I tend to differ.  I always get strength and comfort from its
 "God Truths."

Highest Place

"Grand Canyon" by Moyan Brenn is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Then God gave Christ the highest place and honored his name above all others. So at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree,

 “Jesus Christ is Lord!”

Philippians 2:9-11 CEV

The highest places of which we know here on earth are not too high for God.  He can hold them in his hand for He made them.

The scripture above says "everyone will bow" and 'openly agree,"Jesus Christ is Lord!"'...

not must agree, be forced to agree, agree or be tortured or even agree when the time suits you but WILL agree.

There will be no doubt who is Lord.

A Restful Saturday

"Funny Cat" by Moyan Brenn is licensed under CC BY 2.0

You know when I am resting or when I am working,

 and from heaven you discover my thoughts.

Psalm 139:2 CEV

It was a long week but a good week at Children's Music Camp.  Today I'm resting and working on a custom jewelry project...like play, really.  It felt good to not have to get up at 6:00 even though that's when I awakened.

Rest is good for the soul.

Let Us Rejoice!

"Children of the Light" by Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon under Creative Commons License.

The Lord blesses each nation that worships only him.

 He blesses his chosen ones.

Psalm 33:12 CEV

...and that's cause for rejoicing!

Hope your Fourth was happy.

Appreciation

Photo by Sally L. Smith

They will live around my holy mountain, and I will bless them by sending more than enough rain to make their trees produce fruit and their crops to grow. I will set them free from slavery and let them live safely in their own land. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

Ezekiel 34:26-27

I'm a complainer.  I wish I were not but I am.  When it rains, it's too much.  When the sun shines, it's too hot.  When the cold winds blow, I get tired of wearing my coat and wish for summer.  I have so much and wish for something else.

At the core of my soul, though, there is peace.  I do believe that God controls everything and in those quiet moments with Him, I am awed at the gifts He has given me...one who doesn't deserve even a glance from Him.

Excuse me.  

I'm going to watch the sunrise.

Photo from personal files.

Why Do We Try?

"Fayette Historic State Park" by Rachel Kramer is licensed under CC BY 2.0

...in heaven and on earth.

 There are no secret places where you can hide from me.

Jeremiah 23:24 CEV

The ones who know the Lord know that there is no place to hide from God and yet we still try.  Our lives are filled with places to go and people to see. Our jobs are overwhelming.  Our family responsibilities are endless and then

we still need to clean the house.

We put things before God and believe that He will understand.

We are hiding from Him behind all the stuff.

Yet...

in the game of hide and seek

he continues to call to us.

"Ready or not, here I come.

Ha, I found you!

Now, let's play Follow The Leader.

I'll be the Leader.

Do what I do."

How Fragile

"Greater Lansing Orchid Society" by Christine Cimala is licensed under CC BY 2.0

...roots that reach

  down to the water,

 and with leaves

  that are always green.

They bear fruit every year

and are never worried

 by a lack of rain.

Our lives are like the orchid...a hot house plant that needs specific care with just the right light, feed and water.  It takes a master horticulturist to raise this beauty because it is so fragile.

Our lives are like the orchid...tender, needy and reaching for the Light...dissatisfied with our earthly existence and longing to be fed with more than we get from our life here in this world.  We need strength, nurturing and love and are always seeking.  

The world will fail us.  We will continue to search but will not find it here unless...

we look to what God left for us when He took His Son to be with Him...

His Word.

Oh, what comfort for my fragile soul.

Set Boundaries

"Beside Still Waters" by Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon under Creative Commons License.

I placed the sand for the boundary of the sea, a perpetual barrier beyond which it cannot pass and by an everlasting ordinance beyond which it cannot go? And though the waves of the sea toss and shake themselves, yet they cannot prevail [against the feeble grains of sand which God has ordained by nature to be sufficient for His purpose]; though [the billows] roar, yet they cannot pass over that [barrier]. 

Jeremiah 5:22 (AMP)

We have barriers in life, too.  Yet, how many times have I chosen to try to cross the barriers only to find myself floundering and sinking in the ocean of life.  God gives us His boundaries in His Word and we must respect them and live by them if we don't want the waves of life to bury us.  It would do us all well to live within the boundaries.

The Art of Being Still

Photo by Sally L. Smith

Be still, and know that I am God: 

I will be exalted among the heathen, 

I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 46:10 KJV

Shhhhhh.

He Knows My Name

But now, this is what the LORD says—

he who created you, O Jacob, 

he who formed you, O Israel:

 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

 I have summoned you by name; 

you are mine.”

Isaiah 43:1

When I'm feeling forgotten, I can always remember that God calls me by name.  It gives me a sense of belonging and love.

Photo from personal files

Instant in Prayer

"sunrays" by Zest-pk is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Rejoicing in hope;

 patient in tribulation;

 continuing instant in prayer;...
Romans 12:12 KJV

I've been reading the King James Version lately and basking in the beauty of the wording.  Though it is sometimes difficult to understand the Old English, it is, indeed, beautiful.

My thoughts go to "No prayer in the schools or businesses."

One can pray anywhere and anytime and eyes can remain open."Continuing instant in prayer" implies praying all the time and at a moment's notice.  One can instantly turn to the Lord in prayer in any situation.  Nothing can stop him except Death itself.  We have this gift given to us and yet...how many take advantage of it?

Gifts From Above

"The Gift by the Maker," by Sally L. Smith 

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (ESV)

But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice. (CEV)

James 3:17-18

In whatever version you choose, it stills make sense.

  If only I displayed more of this wisdom.  

My heart says "yes" but my stubborn will says "no." 

 Come on Heart!!!  Do your work.

Evening Shadows

"The fear of God is the antidote" by Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon under Creative Commons License.

The wicked will not prosper, 
for they do not fear God.
 Their days will never grow long
 like the evening shadows.

 Ecclesiastes 8:12-13

I must continue to remember this 
but 
sometimes it is difficult.