Call me crazy! However, the more I walk this planet, the more I see some pretty unbelievable circumstances. How about you? Do you feel a little crazy?
The foundation of truth found on the Rock of Ages, the Father, theCreator of heaven and earth is unshakeable. God never changes! His Word is alive and cuts through the bone and marrow. ( Hebrews 4:12)
Hebrews 4:12-13 MSG God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it-no matter what.
Hebrews 4:12 NLT For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Find out for yourself what truth is as you personally dig deep into the Bible. Then you will understand the crazy people! I am one of them and glad to be in amazing company.
Crazy People, a song by Casting Crowns, is so well written. It is fun loving and yet serious about who some of us crazy people follow. Enjoy this song! And join the circus led by the Amazing RingMaster, Jesus, who loves you!
Tim Tebow at a conference shared a story of a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer that took a photo of a young African girl who was sick and unable to move. she seemed alone on the dry, desert ground. A vulture was near awaiting her death. The photographer did not touch her or save the girl as he was told she had a contagious disease, instead he shooed the vulture away and took a photo. Even though this photographer won this prestigious award, his life was lacking, and sadly the photographer committed suicide a few months later.
Success is sharing the good news, the gift of Jesus, and life eternal with Him, loving and serving God’s people, this is a success for the present and future with eternity.
It doesn’t match the world’s view of success, status and wealth are fleeting. Material things can break or whither away, as dust on the wind. The status of audiences on social media; or enough likes will not fill the empty space of insecurity. But only connection with the Father who created us will complete us.
By what audience, do you measure success: the world opinion or the Lord? What brings you significance? Is it eternal or temporary? As parents, we are called to teach the truth in God, and we want to leave this legacy of faith in Jesus alone! It will remain after we die physically. we want to give our children gifts for good not evil, hope over despair, joy over anger /fear, and a future with Jesus!
Significance in what…. Having success is not outward appearance it’s serving Jesus, bowing before Him every morning asking Him where or who you can tell about His message of hope, to love like Jesus without stopping! That is a success by the Lord’s standard, sharing the gift of Christ to guys and girls even if you are afraid to be mocked. (Psalm 23) Fear no one but God. This is a success!!💜
Confess your sins to Jesus, Repent and turn away from them, believe He is your Savior, seek Jesus to full measure, get yourself in the Bible, and ask Him to show you the way to success. Listen for His still voice.
God is the carpenter of your life, He has the measure for success, He is the answer!
We are like this fragile teacup, broken and yet with value. Our life is a story of broken pieces and healing opportunities. I went to a Christian adoption group meeting a few years ago, and one of the leaders spoke about an ancient Japanese art called Kintsugi. Those who attended the gathering were able to take a mug or ceramic teacup and reflect on their lives regarding places of brokenness and the need to turn our lives over to God for restoration and healing hope.
Kintsugi, a Japanese art mends broken pottery with gold lacquer making the repaired piece more beautiful for having been broken. The message of using our broken stories, mistakes, trials, and pains, for good, resonated with me.
Why do I see broken experiences as loss? Why do I see mistakes as failures? Why do I see trials as punishment? Do these broken stories mean I am forever broken? Who gave me this pessimistic thought? Should I stay in the negative or choose instead to see the other side? That is the choice I must make no matter which road I choose to journey.
As I purposely broke the creme-colored teacup, I pondered the long list of my challenges with myself and others. I pondered the mindset of the negative and the need to trust God with unbelief. I reflect on how in my infertility I found God. I reflected on the stress and fears of adoption, awaiting God’s blessing, and I felt His presence again. I thought, about how each one of my children came to my husband and me at just the right time, God’s time, His Presence, and His blessings to me. Why is that surprising and yet inspiring? The trials brought me to a closer relationship with Jesus. I had to trust Him with the unknown.
As I have watched each stage in my children’s lives, I am reminded yet again,God is refining me as the epoxy and gold flakes reconnected the broken pieces of my teacup. The bond of strength in this cup is stronger, and the gold shimmering edges of the cracked pieces are more luminous. The beautyof the teacup is changed and more meaningful to me now than if the teacup hadn’t been broken.
When I was breaking the teacup, I thought in the back of my mind how amazing it would be if there was a small irreparable opening. I reflected if that opening appeared it would be a reminder of how the Lord God Himself has shown Himself through the cracks of my life. It would remind me I am not meant to go through repair without His Light.
Interestingly enough, the small opening in my creme-colored teacup did appear, I carefully dabbed on gold-dusted epoxy in the opening. Surely, I will remember He is steadfast in all trials, joys, and steps of life. May I be the example to those who watch the step-by-step journey of His Light shining through the cracks. Refined, remade, richer, and Luminous!!!
Kintsugifeels so relevant for current times. May it encourage and remind you we all have broken parts. The world seems to be fracturing between nations. We all need peace and unity with our Creator. Our cracks can be healed and patched up by time meditating on His Word and letting Him be the Light that fills the dark places of our past. Let Jesus provide the glue and wisdom and let His Light shine through the cracks.
Can you imagine what it will be like when every tribe, tongue, and nation will bend its knee? Every Soul connected to the Holy Spirit seems a mystery and not possible. I love the letters of Paul and Timothy who wrote to the church at Philippi, great words of wisdom for an attitude like Jesus.
Philippians 2: 1- 11 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort
from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?
2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another,
and working together with one mind and purpose.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than
yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
God loves His children! He loves all of His Children. He extends His hand, and He seeks the child ( sheep) who hides past mistakes or is lost too. We are the sheep of His pasture ( Psalm 100:3).
Psalm 100:3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
He really calls His sheep to abundant life with Him. He died the sinner’s death on the cross for our sins. What love He has for us!!
Declare: I am a child of God, I may never feel worthy of Jesus’ love yet You extend it anyway. Help me Jesus to open my heart, mind, and soul to Your amazing Love. I want to experience all of You. Amen.
This song by Lindy Conant is so precious, I feel the amazing grace and mercy of God. He calls His children, including all of us, as His adopted Children into His family! We are His!!
Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
We must Love God with all our Heart, Soul, and Strength. We must share God’s wisdom with our children. It can break generational curses and bring generational life-changing futures.
Reach for the Son — Photo by Andre Furtado (Pexel.com)
Guys and gals, some days you can feel invisible, stepped on, and lonely, I studied specific scriptures that expressed being Known by our Father. I want to encourage you as you put one foot in front of the other. You are known by God and He wants you to know Him more!
God knows you, He created you! Psalm 139 is filled with His thoughts on you before you were born and as you walk this earth.
Psalm 139:1-6 AMP O LORD, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me. [2] You know when I sit down and when I rise up [my entire life, everything I do]; You understand my thought from afar. [3] You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And You are intimately acquainted with all my ways. [4] Even before there is a word on my tongue [still unspoken], Behold, O LORD, You know it all. [5] You have enclosed me behind and before, And [You have] placed Your hand upon me. [6] Such [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high [above me], I cannot reach it.
Declare this, O Lord, You know it all, Your hand is upon me! Help me in my unbelief, when I feel alone, remind me, You are with me! Help me to find security in you alone!
Psalm 16:5-10 NIV LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. [6] The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. [7] I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. [8] I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. [9] Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, [10] because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
Declare, At night when I sleep, fill my heart with your instruction. I want to rest in You! I want to learn to praise you more and fret less.
Psalm 16:11 NIV You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Lord, guide me to the path of life! Fill me with joy over fear, I want to have Your Presence above all things. Materials, money, and the enticements of the world can’t hold a candle to you. They leave me empty, I want my life to be filled with being known by You.
Psalm 86:1-7 MSG Bend an ear, GOD; answer me. I’m one miserable wretch! Keep me safe-haven’t I lived a good life? Help your servant-I’m depending on you! You’re my God; have mercy on me. I count on you from morning to night. Give your servant a happy life; I put myself in your hands! You’re well-known as good and forgiving, bighearted to all who ask for help. Pay attention, GOD, to my prayer; bend down and listen to my cry for help. Every time I’m in trouble I call on you, confident that you’ll answer.
Psalm 86 is even more personal, a one on one conversation with our Father, Savior Jesus and the Holy Spirit! He bends to hear our prayers. We may not believe we are worthy of His attention. Reach out to Him again and again, repent for sins that may be an obstacle in hearing His voice.
Psalm 91:14 ASV Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
His love is upon His children! He wants the best life for you. It begins with believing Jesus is your Savior, saying aloud, I want you Jesus to guide my life, forgive me of my sins, I repent turn away from the things I have done against you, I want you to rule my life, You are my God and guide me to a more abundant life. amen!
The Byrds are remembered for a song, “Turn, turn, turn” that includes a message from words found in Ecclesiastes 3 regarding time. Time can not stand still, there is love and hate, war and peace, and a time for forgiveness and grace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,11,14-15 NLT
[1] For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. [2] A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. [3] A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. [4] A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. [5] A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. [6] A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. [7] A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. [8] A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. [11] Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. [14] And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God's purpose is that people should fear him. [15] What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.
Every day can be a time to do our own personal reset in our lives, words, and actions. People in positions of power across the world seem to forget the principle of taking time to move for humanity. Before it is too late.
However, I think these moments in history both in the world and within our own communities can give us time to ponder our own reactions. I am learning that I must not hold onto anything that is not in my control to change. I am learning that Jesus can have it all. But I must say the words out loud ” Jesus Have it all!” and then I must leave my concerns in His hands.
This is not an easy task. In fact, I can find myself turning my gaze behind me reconsidering, and picking up the situation. But when I get in the way of the Lord’s plan, I mess up the future and my faith in the unseen future is wrecked again. Can you relate?
Proverbs 16: 1 - 3
1 We can make our own plans,
but the Lord gives the right answer.
2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.
3 Commit your actions to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed.
Jeremy Riddle, a Christian musician, and his amazing band recently released an album. It is so filled with the feeling of the Presence of God. This song is amazing, “Jesus Have It All” is my absolute favorite reminder of giving all my worries, fears, and concerns to the One who has better plans. Thank you to the person who put this song into a lyric video less than 24 hours ago. God bless you.
Time is in the Lord’s Hands! He knows the end to the beginning. He is the Alpha and Omega! Rest in His arms. Listen to the Peace that comes when you hand Him your life, all of it!!!
Beauty for ashes post forest fire by Mary Mesikapp
Pain can be overwhelming, and emotions can heighten our belief that we can’t conquer the beast. No matter what life brings we have to turn our eyes to Jesus. Fix our minds on what Jesus says about us.
I just want to let you know there’s only love at the cross of Christ! So no matter what you’re going through Jesus waits to love you.
Shame is the devil’s tool to keep you from God‘s purpose in your life. It is a huge wall that the enemy tries to put between you and your Savior Jesus!
Isaiah 61:1-3 NLT The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. [2] He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. [3] To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.
There’s only love in the heart of Jesus! Sometimes circumstances beyond our control, our own personal choices, can lead to experiences that try to destroy us. But God wants to break through all of that. And He wants you to come to the Father!
A friend shared this song by Zach Williams, the “Heart of God”. Someone I love is struggling right now, however, the message of God‘s promises in the song is true. So go to the arms of God!
Isaiah 61:8-9 NLT “For I, the LORD, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. [9] Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the LORD has blessed.”
Fishermen have a difficult job, they are at the mercy of nature, chaotic weather patterns, and abundant supply of fish. Fishermen have to trust the wisdom of generations of fishermen and luck. However, when the nets remain empty, they are sunk.
As it is in life, there are times when we don’t know where to plant our steps or drop our nets. We may feel the world is chaos, but the Lord is drawing His people to seek Him. Jesus calls us to listen to His wisdom.
At times, He may instruct us to step back from groups of friends, maybe even family, that are not aligned with His ways. Maybe we need to shake the dust off some of the choices of our past.Or He may encourage our boldness to share our life stories of joy, hardship, and His deliverance.
It is hard for me to live in conflict with anyone. But just as the fisherman, Simon Peter, and Andrew were called by Jesus as the first disciples to drop their nets and become fishers of men, we are also called to do the same, to seek Jesus and follow Him.
Matthew 4:18-22 AMP 18 As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He noticed two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He said to them, “[b]Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example]. 21 And going on [further] from there He noticed two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father [c]Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them [to follow Him as His disciples]. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].
It may cause distress, and emotional upheaval but I am learning to follow Jesus instead of other things. You may get crazy looks, or have people say, ” No thanks, I don’t want to hear your thoughts.” Jesus still wants us to make fishers of men, to make disciples in the nations, across the street, or even the world. He will use your life story.
The statement “shake the dust off our feet” means being okay with walking away from people who may not be open to the Word of God, Jesus. We must stand firm in Jesus Christ alone, not be afraid to claim His truth ( He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ), and share with others our personal testimony of His work in our lives.
We are not superior to any human, we must seek the Lord for His words to others before a word leaves our lips. We must forgive others who are not ready to hear the gospel but pray for them. We must seek Jesus forgiveness for our past poor choicesand start over with an evolving testimony to share.
Some people may think we are religious nuts or will not listen to our call by the Holy Spirit to share what we have learned from our walk with Jesus. It can hurt our hearts and make us second guess the call Jesus has on our lives.
But stand firm, there are certain people you are called to intersect and share your story. I have been fearful at times to step out in boldness, however, I am amazed when I have spoken as He prompts, I am humbled and in awe of how Jesus fills my words with His truth.
We are not all-knowing, we are not the Savior, Jesus is. Just as He prepared the first disciples, He will prepare us. We must give people space after we share His transforming work in our life. Sometimes we must give grace, tighten our sandles and walk on.
We must Let go and Let God be the source for their transformation. You may be just a seed sower and they will need more time. Emotionally letting go of family or friends who don’t know Jesus or who have stepped away from His umbrella of protection feels sad and without hope.
However, Jesus can work with your loved ones when you step out of the way. Shaking the dust off your feet can bring more clarity as Jesus speaks through the next person He has directed across their path. Shaking the dust off the poor choices of the past can also bring new life in a new relationship with Jesus.
Sean Curran has a meaningful message of patience in his song, ” Shake the Dust off.” His lyrics remind us to ” Shake off the dust and let fear fall.. let praise arise” and ” Arise, O generation, revivals’ on the run”.
We can trust our God, He will not be silenced, His truth never changes, and soon the whole world will know, there is no King but Jesus.
Be a fisher of men for Jesus! Consider throwing out the net if you know Jesus as Savior, or seek to be caught by Jesus, grab the net if you want to know Him.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances. The Lord be with you all.
Reach out for Him Photo by Wesley Souza (Pexels.com)
I’m not sure if you’ve noticed it lately but my blog post has a similar theme. I want you to understand how much Jesus loves you! I have a passion deep in my heart to let you know how much Jesus loves you!
He gives us free will to reach out to him, so call out to him today, say Jesus I’m a sinner I want a relationship with you. Jesus, please forgive me for the choices in my past. Jesus, I want you in my life.
He will not force Himself on you. He wants you to choose. He knew you from the moment of your conception. He created you in His Image. He wants a relationship with you!! Yes, You!!!
But we must choose that relationship.! Choose that relationship today before time goes by before the day ends! Because you can’t get away from His unconditional love. Accept His Love today!
The song. “I Can’t get away”, by Melissa Helser, feat. Naomi Raine is just so cool, so deep, so amazing, it just feels like it reaches down into my soul. I hope it affects you in the same way.
I can’t get away!!!
Matthew 7:7-8 NLT [7] “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Jesus wants to be your protective shade. Let Him. The time is now!!
Psalm 121:5 NLT [5] The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.
We are in a battle, every day, we are in the fight for our lives. Do we listen and march to public opinion or discern with the Lord’s help from which voice to listen?
We are given our brains for a reason. We have our ability to hear with two ears, see with two eyes, and think with an open mind. The enemy knows we want to have a life of peace and as a result , we may choose to let others guide our truths. This mindset may just destroy our free will, our sense of peace and our own voice.
We may feel fear or anxiety, it’s a normal human emotion especially at these times. But we don’t have to stay in fear or anxiety. Joshua 1:9 is one of my favorite scriptures. “Be strong and courageous, do not fear, for the Lord your God is with you”. There is an alternative emotion, hope in the trial and endurance on the journey. Which emotion will you choose?
The Bible is full of reminders to fix our eyes on Jesus, to be transformed by the renewing of our mind that is connected to our Creator God.
Scripture meditations: Matthew 10:26-33,40-42 MSG [26-27] “Don’t be intimidated. Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are. So don’t hesitate to go public now. [28] “Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life-body and soul-in his hands. [29-31] “What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail-even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries. [32-33] “Stand up for me against world opinion and I’ll stand up for you before my Father in heaven. If you turn tail and run, do you think I’ll cover for you? [40-42] “We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.”
We don’t walk this world alone unless we choose to ignore the spiritual stirrings of our soul which started at our conception. I believe that scientist have observed a spark of light as the sperm and egg meet in conception. This must be our Father God and Creator, bringing His light to our beginnings.
Psalm 139:13-16 MSG [13-16] Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God-you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration-what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.
There is a still voice that brings us wisdom, hope, and instruction, are we allowing our minds to pause and hear our God? Or is the loud opinions of the world, in media, news, music and social media crowing out His voice?
I used to be uncomfortable with silence, quiet times seemed to bring anxiety and unrest. However, the more I make time to listen for my Fathers voice, in the Bible, in solid Godly examples of friends willin to share their brokenness and turning to God. I am in awe, Jesus ( our Father God, the Holy Spirit) speaks.
Stand firm at this current time, be strong in Him, seek His Words in scripture, and be blown away at how it can transform your life.
Inspiring Light Through the Cracks 