"Who is This?"

I have a blog that I have been working on each week, believing Monday is the day!  and yet again, I have a different one for today!  God does a lot with me on Sundays!
It was a simple statement, made several times and misunderstood, each time, by me!

I gather the bulletin information, assemble it all together and print it each Sunday.  I get the information for music from the praise team leaders, I get the offering total from the treasurer, and I get the message info from the person who is speaking.  Since our pastor has gone, we have several men that have stepped up and do a great job!  Every so many weeks our praise team does the service with music and scripture and sharing etc. which was the previous week.  So come Saturday night I realized I did not know who was speaking!  When I found out which gentleman was speaking, a foggy memory came to mind ..."OH YES,...he gave me his sermon title a few weeks ago!!  Uh OH!" I searched and couldn't find a note I had hoped I wrote to myself!  No luck.
SO, since he has NO social media or technology, I messaged his wife Sunday morning with the question..."is there a sermon title?"   the response..."Who is this?"
I thought..."well, that is odd, she should know who this is?"   SO I waited for her to get back to me...after telling her it was "Tracey".
Time ticks by...I NEEDED to print....and hadn't heard back....so I called and got him on the phone...."Hello, Good morning,  this is Tracey, do we have a sermon title? "  "Hello, who is this?"  I began to respond with an unbelieving...."Tracey!" when JUST as the words came out of my mouth, I got it!  My memory came back to me!  "WHO IS THIS?" WAS the sermon title!
 (pausing for laughter)😄
BUT boy did that get me thinking, as well as make me feel foolish!
How often do we pray and seek answers, but when we get them, we don't get it...."Who is this?"
We "bang the receiver" as if the connection is unclear.
We don't actually "listen and hear" God's answer,
Jesus said several times, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” when He was teaching:
About Himself and John the Baptist;

Matthew 11:1-15

The Parable of the Sower;
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear."   Matthew 13:1-9

When He spoke of the cost of being a disciple
Luke 14:25-35

I believe that when Jesus used this phrase, He was speaking to all, we ALL have ears, to ALL who were within the range of His voice, and for those of us who believe today....we ARE in the range of His voice!  I believe He meant more than "hear the noise, the sound my voice makes"  I believe He meant "hear with our heart, our soul", to "hear" the meaning of His teaching. 

 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

We would be wise to not just listen, but to "hear" His words! If we desire that we should be spending time in His word every day!  That is where we are going to hear Him best!  So that we don't have to say "who is this?", we don't have to question whether or not we are "hearing" His answers.  IF it doesn't line up with scripture then it isn't Him!

 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.  For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.  And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. John 5:24-27
If we listen, His Word gives us LIFE! Eternal life!


so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire

    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:11

AMEN!  God's Word will accomplish exactly what He intends!  

No Place Like Your Father's House

My whole blog just fell into place at church this past Sunday starting with:
 a very sweet young lady and dear friend  sharing how thankful she was for her dad and she said how there is "no place like your father's house", even after you have grown!  And whirrr goes my brain!

For many of us we do have wonderful memories of our childhood and the home in which we grew up.  Going back there stirs nostalgia, warmth, fond memories, love.
As I stood in "my Father's house" singing praises, hearing those around me talk about memories, and thanking God for blessings and providing for them....I LOVE being in my Father's house!
It really isn't the building but the people that gather there, and the reason that we gather. I lived in many different homes through out my life, but my father's house was always home....because of who was there, not the address on the mailbox.

This is important, OUR Father's house isn't the building, but who is inside....

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,  so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:1-4

...and WHO shows up!

"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20

Jesus knew where He needed to be even when He was just a child! He had disappeared, His parents couldn't find Him, and when they did, His response.....
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:48

There is NO place like my Father's House!

Another friend mentioned remembering their father's smell, and it was a sweet memory.  Some of us can recall;  Their  father's soap or aftershave (my dad had a bushy beard...so no aftershave!)  some smell of their work.....my dad was a farmer, and yes sometimes farm smells are unpleasant, but the smell in my memory is a mix of; hard work, mowed hay, outdoors, sunshine, life!

For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:15
Just like we breathe in a scent that evokes a memory, and it brings us joy and a smile to our lips, so we should breathe in fully God's love, grace and mercy.

Then, a tender hearted friend shared about those who haven't a father, or a father who doesn't love or care for them as God intended.  She went on to say how it broke her heart..but at the same time trying to convey that there are people placed in their lives that do give them love.

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11

There may be those fathers do not give good things, or even do harm, but this reminds us that even when fathers who DO give everything good to their children, God can out give any of them!
We have a heavenly Father just waiting to lavish us with love ....if we believe in Him and in that love...believe in His son Jesus Christ.....

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  
Now there is love lavished on each of us!

We closed Sunday with "When We All Get To Heaven"!

 For those of us who believe,  that is where we will be some day...with our heavenly Father! And ALL the others who believed as well!
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus
Sing his mercy and his grace
In the mansions bright and blessed
He'll prepare for us a place

When we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus
We'll sing and shout the victory  (E.E. Hewitt 1898)

What a DAY OF REJOICING  that will be  when we gather IN OUR FATHER'S HOUSE!!
There is NO PLACE like our Father's House!!

I pray that if you mourned more than celebrated this fathers day, that you allow God and His love to take away some of the sting.
Think about those He has given you in your life...
to love you...and to receive your love!
Thank your Heavenly Father!!  I do! for my dad and all the others who have given love in my life.
AND thank you to MY Dad, for ALWAYS providing a home for us to go to!

A Walk Through My Morning

So before I even started to blog(which was supposed to be on a different topic)....God was in, around and through my morning....as He always is of course!!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

I woke and the first thing I usually read is an email from a friend, who emails each morning...then my Girl Friend in God devotion and today was no different...Let it Go! Girlfriends in God
which was inspiring enough to share with a small group study I am a part of via text.
It is about RESTING in Him, seeking His perfect plan for our lives... she used Psalm 23.

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it. Luke 11:28


I then did my 2 miles on the treadmill!
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

When finished, I read a devotional that my Mom keeps our whole family current with....The Secret Place (Judson Press)  and THAT convicted...
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12
and I messaged each family member who receives that little devotion book, to see if they had read todays! and that I was praying for them!
The gist of the message; "when you feel out numbered spiritually it is the time to give God 100% of our faith!   Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. Psalm 54:4"

Then a message came through with my small group study....one in the group shared a song that came to her as she read the Girl Friends in God devotion I had shared.

Just Breathe by Johnny Diaz

So I clicked to hear the song while I  jumped in the shower.  That song was perfect!...and then the next song that began to play before I was done....

The Same Power by Jeremy Camp

God is AMAZING!  At least in how I interpret Him speaking to me....it may be different for each of you....but I just can see His hand throughout each thing this morning and each thing was linked or built on the other!
*He needs to be my focus....no matter if or especially when,  I am physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausted.
*I need to give all of it to Him, remove anything that detracts or distracts.
*To allow Him in ALL the spaces of my life!
*Have the FAITH He can and WILL do all He promises!
*Through Him living in me I have the Power to overcome, to have victory!

He brought to mind people I needed to encourage, and I stopped and immediately took the time to do so.  Thanking some people for allowing God use them, to inspire me!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 
1 Thessalonians 5:11

For those who read last week's blog...I ended with the song Cast Thy Burden...well the song had been going through my head all week.  When I got our praise song list for church this week (I put the power points together)  the FIRST song on the list.....Cast Thy Burden!!  And our praise team does such an amazing job with that number, it is truly a blessing!

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4


Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:16-18

I don't know if this blessed you today, or encouraged, BUT I KNOW God will if you give yourself and your day to HIM!

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 timothy 2:14

God's Monday!!

My greeting to some lady friends this morning was supposed to start …"Good Monday!"  But instead my fumbly fingers typed out "Gods Monday!"
I liked that much better....God's Monday!!!
What an appropriate greeting!
For it to be a Good Monday it first needs to be God's!  We must give Him the time and worship and honor due Him.  Drink Him in before we even begin our day...our week!!

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.

So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory              Psalm 63:1-2

I know you all have your week scheduled out....appointments, jobs, tasks, fun events....is He there??? On your schedule? IN your schedule??!!
Do you have time set aside just for Him?

The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him; 
²⁴ though he may stumble, he will not fall, 
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.     Psalm 37:23-24

And in that time give that schedule to Him, ask for wisdom, guidance, direction, that each task be pleasing and honoring to Him or removed if not.....ask blessing on every task and those involved.  My schedule NEEDS to be His for it to be accomplished.

In their hearts humans plan their course,    but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

And I have to be okay with the fact that His "accomplished" and mine may look different.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

God's Monday to you this morning...as you start your day...your week! May it be all His and full to over flowing with His love, grace and mercy!


 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.
 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:17+22 KJV


Cast Thy Burden - Don Moen