Good Mooring

No not a typo.....
Well it started out that way...saying good morning to a dear Aunt of mine I mistyped and ....there goes my brain again.

Can we say Good Mooring today?
according to Wikipedia
"A mooring refers to any permanent structure to which a vessel may be secured. Examples include quays, wharfs, jetties, piers, anchor buoys, and mooring buoys. A ship is secured to a mooring to forestall free movement of the ship on the water. An anchor mooring fixes a vessel's position relative to a point on the bottom of a waterway without connecting the vessel to shore. As a verb, mooring refers to the act of attaching a vessel to a mooring."

 “He reached down from on high and took hold of me;    he drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
    from my foes, who were too strong for me.
 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
    but the Lord was my support.
He brought me out into a spacious place;
    he rescued me because he delighted in me." 2 Samuel 22:17-20

SO....do you have a good mooring today?  are you secured to THE permanent structure?

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. Psalm 37:9

Is your position fixed?
So that when the waves and storms of life come....and they will, if they haven't already, are you secure?....you may get tossed about.....but you are not going to be sunk! 

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;    my hope comes from him.
 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62:5-7


 You are moored to Christ! 
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20

He is our Hope....He has come to be our life saver/savior!  Our souls are firm and secure in our faith in Jesus Christ!

I pray you have good mooring today! Everyday!

Freedom Isn't Free

The independence we celebrate today we all hear, see and know comes at a cost.  Those who have and do serve in our nation's military sacrifice  much, so that what we know as America and her freedoms are protected. They sacrifice comforts, family, security, safety, health, and sometimes their lives....much more than some of us will ever know.
and for that I am grateful!

There is another freedom, greater than the freedoms we have in this country...a freedom that is yours no matter what country you live in or what circumstance you find yourself in.
And that is the freedom we have in Jesus Christ.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

That came at a cost too.... an only Son was given  to do battle for us, fighting the biggest enemy this world has known. 
 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

He was wounded, tortured, beaten and  even gave His life, BUT HE WON THE BATTLE and He won our freedom!
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:6-11
He did not stay dead!  He rose again....that is how HE won and why we can have victory too!
...just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

With that victory comes the freedom from the penalty that comes with sin.  The ultimate penalty for our sin is eternal death, separation from our God.
For the wages of sin is death,
BUT because Jesus, our Warrior, took that penalty for us, we can claim freedom!
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
IF we claim Him as our Lord and Savior!!
because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Romans 6:7-11
Freedom in Christ gives us:
the ability to approach God with confidence
 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.  In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:10-12
Freedom to read and understand God's word....and the freedom to put God's word into action

 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

Freedom to show mercy, God's mercy

 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:12-13

Freedom to serve God and to respect and love those God puts in our the path of our lives

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:16-17

Freedom to love, worship and walk with the Lord God

 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,    your salvation, according to your promise;
then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
    for I have put my hope in your laws.

 I will always obey your law,
    for ever and ever.
I will walk about in freedom,
    for I have sought out your precepts.
 I will speak of your statutes before kings
    and will not be put to shame,
for I delight in your commands
    because I love them.
 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
    that I may meditate on your decrees. Psalm 119:41-48

Freedom from a sinful life.  Freedom to live a holy life...

 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.  What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! ...

...a life that will lead to eternity

...But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.   Romans 6:19-22

I pray for you find freedom in Christ today!
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free... Galatians 5:1

It is Not About You!

Today ( a day behind) is going to be to the point and fairly brief ...for me.
It is going to be like my "knee time" on Sunday morning.  God was to the point and brief! (one of those 2x4 moments)

I pray daily for many things and many people....fervently asking God to heal, resolve, work mightily, guide, direct for those around me....but when I hit my knees ....all I could "hear" is

"IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU!!!"

"It is about ME!"

"it is not about whether they are healed.  Or they find resolution, or they have wisdom, or you have direction or even if you serve Me today.

it is about ME......JUST ME.....heart consumed with ME.  eyes turned toward ME.  Soul flooded with ME.  AND I will take care of the rest!"


Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
  In the light of His glory and grace
Lyrics:

Helen Howarth Lemmel (1863-1961)

Music:

Helen Howarth Lemmel (1863-1961)

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Matthew 16:25

We must give up ourselves in order to find LIFE! 

It is not about you or me.....it is about HIM and only HIM!

Good Good Father

I am stealing the title to a song...

You're a good good father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am…

Songwriters: Anthony Brown / Joseph Patrick Martin Barrett

Good Good Father lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group

 It has been performed by Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, and others I am sure.

We all have a father; whether he is just is a biological DNA donor, or an active part of our lives.  Whether he was our knight, our prince, or the source of our nightmares.

Whether we have known him well, he has passed on, or we are searching for him still

At some point in our lives there is or was a father.

And there is nothing we can do to change who that person is, if we wanted to.

BUT regardless of the circumstances with your father, (and I PRAY that they are good)

you have a heavenly Father

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.   Psalm 68:5

who loves YOU above all else. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  1 Peter 1:3

He is but a breath away....if you haven't already called out to Him....

He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.’  Psalm 89:26

the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. John 16:27

In your darkest moment or your greatest, giving your life over will give you peace and grace

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 1:7

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

Let God, through His Son Jesus Christ, lavish His love on you today!

He is THE Good Good Father, be loved by Him!

Good Good Father; Mercy Me

A New Frame

Today is probably going to seem rather whimsical.....or silly....how ever you may look at it, my hope and prayer is that it is at least somewhat inspirational!

We went bowling last night...10 AWANA kids and 6 of their teachers!  Lots of fun....My score was consistent ...54 both games!  I am not a bowler!  BUT I like to have a good time and it was a fun way to celebrate the end of the year with our some of our AWANA kids!

As I was throwing gutter balls, I made the statement....."next frame I can start fresh!"  and there goes my brain!
Isn't that like each new day?  I may not hit the mark today, I may stumble and grumble and show a lack of faith, I may even throw it all right into the "gutter", I may lack direction and focus. BUT tomorrow is a new day!  We can start fresh!  We ask God to forgive our weakness, our lack of faith, our poor judgement....He forgives us and we start fresh!

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28

Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, Mark 3:28

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”  Matthew 9:2b

We can ask God to direct us so that we are going straight and true.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

We have to focus...If our eyes aren't front and center, then our aim is going to be off; like mine, right into the gutter!

......And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1b-3

I love the last verse, 3....Jesus endured all He did so that we do not have to grow weary and lose heart! 

Today is another frame!!  I pray you throw a strike!

Forever Flame

Just this week, while doing a devotional reading I have (The Secret Place [Judson Press]) one of the days was about a perpetual flame.  The author talked about a fire in an England hearth that was kept stoked for 200 years. The gist, of course, was about the fire of the Holy Spirit that burns in each of us.
AND there goes my brain again!!
One of the first things that came to mind was the Olympic flame that is lit to start the games and has traveled across many miles and many countries ...and remains lit until the close of the games.
I also thought about our wood fire. We burn wood as our source of heat in the winter....and you do NOT want the fire going out....especially in the 25 below zero days.....if the fire goes out for any length of time it takes quite a long time to get the house warmed back up to a comfortable, livable temperature.
I am sure most of you can figure out where I might go with this....and actually I feel there is lots of spiritual application to both scenarios. 
What is the condition of your "hearth"?  When we accept Christ as our Savior He gives us the Holy Spirit to "dwell within us"
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? 1 Corinthians 16:19

 “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:25-27

In Acts 2, the disciples and other followers of Christ were gathered shortly after Jesus ascension into heaven.   They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit....Acts 2:3

So the Holy Spirit can be likened to a fire with in us!

How is your fire doing!?  Are we constantly feeding our fire, so that it remains strong, giving warmth and light to all those around.
or do we forget to tend our fire, and it grows dim, just embers that are very hard for others to feel the light and warmth?  Do we need to stir those embers back to a flame and begin "feeding" it again?
or have we let the fire go out all together?  have we left it untended for so long that we almost have to start the process again?
One wonderful thing about the Holy Spirit  and our relationship with Christ is once you have accepted Christ as your Savior and the Spirit lives in you....It isn't going any where....but we can neglect it to the point that it is unrecognizable in us.  If we are sincere in our acceptance of who Christ is, we are His for eternity.....but we MUST tend that relationship, that "flame", in order to live a life worthy of Him.

As we run this race called life....
We MUST tend our "flame" so that we can carry it where ever we go and allow it to spread Christ's love and light every where we are!
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2
Have you feed your fire today!?

Lord Bless

As I have said I won't do previous poems too often but today being Memorial Day I thought it seemed fitting.

                                                     Lord Bless

Lord Bless the memories

of those who have given their lives in service to our country

Lord Bless the soldier

at their post, where ever that may be

Lord Bless the families

who are left behind to continue on with their  lives

Lord bless the ones

who carry the scars as a reminder of their sacrifice

Lord Bless those

who have been and are prisoners to an enemy

Lord Bless the children

who hold a picture of the man they call their Daddy

Lord bless the wives

who sleep alone,

Lord Bless the parents

who wait at home

Lord Bless them,

the men and women

who have dedicated their lives

to protecting what we know as our country,

our freedom, our home;

the United States of America

Tracey J. Thompson

©5/27/06

"Lord Bless those who have given their lives"......I wanted something a bit more concrete to pray for...so I looked up some statistics starting with the Civil War... (Decoration Day was instituted in 1868 by the Grand Army of the Republic to decorate the graves of Union soldiers who lost their lives in the Civil War. Eventually the two competing decoration holidays, Union and Confederate, merged into one and included the honoring of all Americans who had died while in military service.  The term Memorial Day was first used in 1882, but was not declared the official name until 1967. At this point Memorial Day was May 30th...until the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968 was passed and Memorial Day was moved to the last Monday of May, which took effect at the federal level in 1971)

NOW that the history lesson is over!  On with my thoughts

American military lives lost;

Civil War: 750,000

World War I: 116,516

World War II: 405,399

Korean War: 54,246

Vietnam: 58,204

Afghanistan War: 2,356

Iraq War: 4,497

The list of conflicts and wars is much larger, but I looked at the ones we are most familiar with.

That is a HUGE amount of casualties....add in the families and people that are also affected by this...not to mention those wounded.

LORD BLESS.....

We, as those who live in the country that these people fought for and defended, must remember in prayer all those affected, and for those who continue to serve knowing what the out come could be.

Whether we agree with any of these wars and conflicts....we can still commit to pray.

In Sunday school yesterday our lesson was on Peace.  Praying for Peace.  I thought how fitting for Memorial Day weekend...we pray for peace....because with peace  comes the end of conflict and with that the end of war.  We pray for the peace that Christ brings.  I also pray for peace for those amid the conflict, that Christ can give them inner peace as they live and battle in not so peaceful nations.

On Memorial Day we remember. There are pictures posted on social media of men and women in uniform who have served our country, cemeteries are decorated with wreaths and flowers and flags, parades with those in service now, and those who have been, wind the streets of many towns across the country.  Remembering names and stories and even statistics is our way of preserving the past, of making sure generations do not forget the sacrifice and loss that was done, in essence for them, and for those generations to come.

There are many instances in the bible  (more than 300 times in the Old Testament) where God commanded a memorial be built so they would not forget what He had done for them. Or people built and altar to honor and memorialize what God had done.   Noah built an altar in gratitude and honor that God saved him and his family and the animals from destruction. 
Abraham
The Lord appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him. Genesis 12:7
Isaac
Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well.  Genesis 26:25
Jacob 
Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau. Genesis 35:1
Moses
Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.   Exodus 17:15
...and this list goes on.

Every day, as a Christian, should be a memorial day, should it not? We come before the Lord humbly, on our knees, grateful for what He has done for us...the sacrifice and the loss suffered for us.  Our lives should be that memorial....how we live and the choices we make should honor the One who allows us to live with His presence here and the assurance of eternity when we leave this earth. 

LORD BLESS......

I am ending today's with a short video that my daughter Marah put together last year for the National Day of prayer, but I believe it is fitting for today as well.

 Pray for Peace