now or later

I believe the above picture is an accurate depiction of our timing and God’s timing. As each day passes I realize more and more that we cannot coerce God to manifest His will in our lives. Nor can I make His timing fit mine. Yes, I want to know it all right now. But, I’m reminded that though we may have plans in our hearts as people, it is the Lord that determines each step.

Every day is one step closer for everyone. I can’t control the layout, but I can make a choice to walk in His peace that has been relinquished according to John 14:27. As such, the blue print holder is above. We are the red circle. The bull’s eye. He has his eye on us and YOU!

 

the volume in His whisper

 

The “noise” from my boys is intense.  If they’re not bouncing off the walls with swords and soccer balls, then they’re playing saxophones and harmonicas, whistling through long empty paper towel rolls, or playing, just being “boys” at their maximum volume potential.  Whatever it is they’re doing, it is LOUD.

My mind occasionally needs a retreat of silence.  Sometimes to relieve a headache, other times to just regroup and most importantly to hear from God.  I remember learning a while back, that it is just as important to just sit and listen to God as it is to talk and pray to Him.

Last night, as I sat down to tackle a giant mound of laundry, I just heard, “Leave it and listen to me.”  I surely wasn’t going to argue with ignoring the laundry momentarily, so there I sat.  Put my legs up onto the couch, sat, and followed the small voice of God.  Just today, we received yet another wonderful, and divinely given answer to prayer.  I surely would have missed the opportunity to this blessing had I not turned my own “volume control” button for God’s voice up.

When we hear God’s voice it may not come in the form of an expected, booming, strong tone.  It may simply come in the form of a sweet and silent whisper.  Noise or no noise, the volume in a whisper is immeasurable if it is from God and it is heard with clarity.

We are cruising along with packing, getting rid of unnecessary items, and overall, just making final arrangements.  I’m realizing more each day, that even though the days are beyond busy and packed with deadlines, etc. the value in just stopping what I’m doing if God’s voice interrupts me, is of utmost importance.  To say it simply, there’s volume in His whisper.

 

 

 

 

 

finding comfort in chaos

A “to do” list a mile long.  Rooms now void of personal pictures.  Our boys trophies and game balls, packed.  The individual wooden letters that spell each of their names in their rooms, next in line to come down.  Sentimental baby items that I no longer need, but can’t bring myself to get rid of, re-packed yet again, to be loaded onto another truck.  Old cards, letters and photos of Robert and I that bring smiles and a flood of memories.  These are just a few of the “things” on the surface level.  Amidst the spinning tornado of “stuff,” we still have three VERY lively boys who currently consider this house their safe haven to be themselves.  They still make a hurricane of messes!  Within four feet of the front door, baseball bags, the sand that has fallen out of their shoes as they made their way off, socks, jackets and backpacks are freely unloaded.  And somehow, in the midst of messes, I continue the attempt of keeping a neat and tidy home for the showings we get in 30 minutes notice.

Life goes on in its usual way.  But, something is vastly different.  Sweet blessings are around every corner.  The wonderful school our boys will attend next year is determined.  We officially have an address and will be moving into the four new walls we’ll call “home” on July 1st.  The trucking company who will move all of our belongings half way across the country is booked.  All of these things having the potential to be taken for granted, yet we remain in awe at the precision of how God has harmoniously lined them up.

And yet somehow, in this time of great transition, in what from the outside might be regarded as total chaos, in the hustle and bustle of quickly shoving items into closets and packing up three kids and dog into the car during showings, in the fluster of still finalizing portions of the unknown and yet gently preparing our children for a life changing move, I continue to find comfort in the chaos.  Knowing that God has already gone before us, and paved our path, I am meeting each morning with an unexplainable blanket of peace, comfort and excitement in all that is yet to come.  So although I often feel like we must look like a “circus on wheels,” we are under the orchestrated direction of the greatest ringmaster ever – GOD.

can we help?

 

 

How do we handle random encounters with people? SO random, it just sticks out like a sore thumb.

I preached a sermon a few years back about this very topic. The week following the sermon I had many congregants having some very random people encounters. People from their past years ago or folks that came across their path with a subtle message of help. God ordained? I reckon so.

Today, I had two encounters. God laid it on my heart to pray for these two individuals. We all want to be used in some capacity. Hopefully, not to bring recognition to ourselves but that of Jesus. When we ask to be used does it have to be in the limelight? If so, then our motives need a check. When these random encounters happen, perhaps God is giving us an opportunity to be used. Maybe we shouldn’t just brush the meeting off so quickly but allow God to stretch us a tad. Maybe we are being called to stand in the gap for them and pray. The best method for leading is learning how to follow first.

 

filling boxes

 

The time has come. We have begun to pack and discard items in our home to lighten the load. The move to Austin is very near. Boxes that we have yet to open since our move back from Georgia have been opened. We have found pictures, books, clothing articles, etc that have impressed our hearts once again.  A good reminder that life was meant to be enjoyed and have it to the fullest. As we know, our life is but a vapor, here for a little while then off to our eternal destination.

As we wrap up our kids baseball season and finish the school year out, we remain utterly amazed at what God is doing. With boxes everywhere and trying to keep the house in decent shape for showings, yikes. Lol. The really cool thing is that yet it can become consuming, we take this stride with a controlled peace that supersedes all circumstances.

Boxes and a clean heart. What boxes in our past have we shut closed, sealed up and stored away only to know they represent bitterness, anger, offensiveness or rejection? How does our heart contain such contents? I recently blogged about spiritual breakthrough. Open our heart nice and wide for God to search. Lay it before Him. Ask Him to show you what to purge and to give you a clean heart. Sit there and listen what comes your way. I believe God is or has been asking this of some. Watch what he starts to do!

god is moving

 

What are we chasing in life? Does it lack eternal significance? Perhaps we chase the wind. Would God condone our pursuits? Or does it take away from Him? The thought-life, our desires, ideas-will it bring Him glory or put us on a pedestal?

I truly believe wholeheartedly that God is speaking to many that read this blog. I expect Him to speak. A little mental reset and more focus on Him. Think about Him more, talk to Him more. We are told He is our friend, wonderful counselor, prince of peace. Maybe our lack of talking to Him may explain why we don’t have complete peace. He is the prince of it. Seek Him first, and you will have a mighty spiritual breakthrough.

Father, I pray that every man, woman and child that may read this will sense your presence. I pray that you bless them with a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Your spirit of sonship. As they shift both eyes to you and give you full attention, that you reveal with clarity your plan. May their prayers be answered as they seek you with a child like faith. And, may we always be reminded that love is not only an emotion but an act of the will too. Be glorified!

comfort inn or the ritz

 

I was on a prayer walk recently talking to God about stability. This is what I heard. Stability is your ability to remain in your comfort zone without any real tangible proof of security.

It made perfect sense! I called Kerry immediately and shared what I just heard. She tells me she had just prayed about this days before and that she received her answer through what I heard on my prayer walk. Unbelievable. As we continue on our path of faith, the comfort lies in our Lord as we hand our future over to Him. In doing so, we are rest assured that He will guide us not into harm, but good. He knows best and we trust that 100%.

Last year while in Austin, I was having a talk with God. He impressed on my heart Numbers 33 (Stages in Israel’s Journey). I was amazed how powerful this impression was. It lined up directly with my conversation with God. He answered a prayer of mine.

On our pilgrimage as Christians, I have realized stages in my life. An onward growth, a pressing forward, a maturation process. God doesn’t pick on you and force you into it. No, it’s a gentle love reminder that He is real and very accessible. So real, that the closer we get, the more comfort we have despite the changes or shifts in life. Oh, what a beautiful Savior we have in Jesus.

I pray for each of you that come across this entry. May you realize the depth of your love for your family, friends and life. Please multiply that by 1000. This represents the passion of Christ for you to know him even deeper. Take a step closer to Him now by a commitment in your heart and witness those outstretched arms clutch you with real tangible security.