Do Not Be Afraid

Seven times today I have read or heard the words do not be afraid in some form. Early this morning when I logged into Facebook I saw it 3 different times in under a minute. I thought maybe God was telling me not to be fearful. A few minutes later on the radio I heard the DJ say don't be afraid. So I was reading posts and the news and I figured it was most prevalent on everyone's mind about the recent happenings in our nation. While I can't remember where else I read or heard it, I have kept track of how many times I have heard or read  these words today. So far it has been a total of seven times.

It is a mystery why God has told me this seven times today, but never the less I am glad he has spoken to me.I tried to convince myself that this was a coincidence,but there is no way that can be true. As I write this, I went to another window to find out why it said important in the tab. (I forgot I had it open). I ended up going to this scripture in yet another window.

Isaiah 30:20,21

20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

I will not be afraid. 

Broken Chains

My hands and feet were shackled in heavy chains ,

 my mind held captive like a horses reins.

My heart was heavy a solid brick,

my stomach in knots, so very sick.

My body was bruised, 

it did no good to scream and kick.

I was bound in chains,invisible ones.

No one but God could get them undone.

He spoke to me in a gentle tone.

He even called me one of His own.

For so long I lived a prisoner,

held captive like a slave in the beings of my inner.

He came and opened the door 

run he said, you're bound no more.

What God Doesn't Do

I'm feeling a bit sick today,and needing some comfort. I'm hoping these words will bring comfort to others as well. These are some things God doesn't do. Don't let the title fool you, It's all good.

God doesn't sleep Psalm 121:4. Which means I never have to worry about waking him.

God doesn't lie. Numbers 23:19 No broken promises

God does not think evil of his children Jeremiah 29 :11 Peace

God doesn't ignore us Psalm 34:17 He Hears our Cry

God will never leave us or forsake us Hebrews 13:5 He is here

God doesn't think we are invaluable Matthew 10:31 We are valuable

God will not let us starve. Psalm 147:9 He feeds us

God does not lack understanding Psalm 147:5 What a great friend

 

Bare Bones

Today was hot and dry with just a few puffy white clouds scattered here and there across a blue sky. I took a walk in a small area of the desert. This part of the desert is visited often and is less than a block from modern homes. But there it stood in its natural beauty unchanged by human hands. It was so quiet all I could hear was the call of something wild and a little more than a breeze of the wind. I thought about how it may have been many years ago when men and women traveled these roads for many reasons. There were no stores to buy a bottle of water, few if any homes with indoor plumbing and on a hot and dry day,the dust may have been overwhelming . How many out there may may have become bare bones lying in wait for some creature`s meal.

I met up with a friend today who said she didn't want a Facebook because her life was personal and not public for judgement. So it got me to thinking about bare bones. When I put on my favorite jeans and colorful shirt I'm covered,I feel safe.I don't think about whats inside of me, I feel hidden. Sometimes though I have to open my soul and let somebody in even if it doesn't feel safe at the moment. At that instant I become bare bones either for another creature to prey on or become a close friend. I have to choose if I will go on in search of the water to quench my thirsty soul or if I will continue across the hot desert sand as the men and women of old and become bare bones.

Changing Tides

Have you ever sat and watched the tides of the ocean? They are so peaceful and rhythmic just like a finely tuned instrument. Many enjoy their beauty and satisfaction as a quench for a thirsty vessel. Sometimes the tide seems to swallow up and spit out again, sometimes it seems to hide things completely.My life seems to be changing in so many directions lately, one minute I am a child and the next I am a wife and mother, laden with responsibility. Some days I see myself as an old woman wandering aimlessly in this giant bubble we call the universe.

I see a road before me , but it seems so far away and then I look back and see the roads behind me and the road before is not so far away after all. Just like the tides I arise and fill my rhythmic day, then I quiet down at night for what  I hope to be a restful sleep. Somewhere in the midst of all this I will meet a thirsty soul and hope to offer a drink of refreshing water. The tides of change are ever so prevalent lately. As I journey along the sites are ever changing as is something within my soul. I am as  a masterpiece of a fine painting which is a work in progress.  The tide is the paint and the earth is the canvas. The master holds the brush and somewhere in between, there am I waiting for that perfect place in all of this.

A Phone call from God

I ran to the phone today hoping for a call from somebody that wanted to chat. I was in the middle of changing clothes and I didn't have my glasses on to see the caller I.D. As I picked up the phone I heard a computerized voice on the other end. How disappointed I was.  As I finished getting ready for the day my thoughts took a more positive turn and I began to think  on what it would be like to get a phone call from God.

Would He tell me He was pleased with me ? Would I get directions  on what my daily activities should include?  Would He tell me who/what to pray for? The questions just kept going on what He would say. Somewhere in my soul I felt the need to just be quiet for a minute and just listen. That's when I began to ponder what it would it be like to hear Gods voice audibly. I wondered again what it would be like to get a phone call from God. 

While I haven't gotten a phone call from Him yet, I know He has spoken to me in many other ways. Then again,,, maybe I have gotten a phone call and He has spoke to me through others. Just to think getting a phone call from God... What an awesome thought.

A small thing

The doorbell rang so I looked to see who it might be. It was the neighbor children so I opened the door expecting to hear them ask for the return of their ball that had come over the fence. Instead they asked for my son who was not available at the time. They told me they really needed his boy scout skills to help save a baby bird that was stuck in their cactus.I went to help as I watched this tiny creature barely breathing stuck in the relentless spikes of the poky plant. With sticks and gloves and finally a screwdriver we were able to wedge it loose from the griping spikes that held it in place.I was told by the older boy that the mother had thrown it out of the nest . "nature is cruel he said" Is it really that nature is cruel or just that it seems cruel when we have a good heart? I am not one for the sight of blood or dead naked baby birds. I am very squeamish. I was pleasantly surprised at my confidence and strength in the midst of freeing this tiny creature and possibly letting it die a less painful death.That is until no one was watching and the tears began to flood my eyes. These two little boys are usually full of mischief and I thought they took no pleasure in anything good. God never ceases to amaze me even in the sadness of losing this tiny little wingless sparrow. I found hope, and courage and strength, I did not even know I had. I found love in what I thought was some of the coldest of hearts. Sweet dreams little sparrow.