My Portion, My Lot

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.  

- Psalm 16:5

I have been trying to study 1&2 Timothy as a progression from Ephesians (Timothy written to Timothy who is in Ephesus)  But God keeps drawing me through a deeper than surface study of Psalms. 

I have been reading one Psalm a day and truly pondering the words... and the "whys" there. 

And at the same time, I am walking through my own trials where I am.  Called to minister in a place where religion takes precedence over our a relationship with Christ.  My heart aches daily over the lost who think they are found... lost because they don't truly turn to their Savior but instead turn to the world.  And in this turning, our family comes under attack.

We are called crazy for  believing God did give us a broken RV... seeing His hand to get it fixed. 

We are called outrageous for encouraging a study of the Truth Project or any other group activity that might reveal more of God and less of religious blindness.

We are criticized for trusting God to provide and not taking control for ourselves (Our ways always fail but God's way has never failed us!)

It is an upside down world and in the midst, David's trials speak to me.  His faith amidst outrageous accusations and pursuits breathes life into my heart. 

I read 16:5... all of 16 is beautiful... but verse 5 reminded me that I choose Jesus.  I can be strong in the face of troubles because he fills my cup and holds all that I am, all that I will ever be.  In His hands I have hope and peace.

I pray  you know His hope and peace, no matter your "lot" right now.

Blessings,

Linking up today with:

Intentional Me, Women Living Well, Internet Cafe,

 

 

 

 

Refuge in the Fortress

Prairie Fires devastate Nebraska

We live in a country devastated.  And I don't just mean from Sandy.  Sandy's devastation is but a symbol of spiritual power-outages and eternal loss.  Yet even in these earthly moments of despair, God is not far.

Our God in man form weeps deep heart tears over the same passions and hurts we feel.

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.

- John 11:33

Our God in heavenly form calls us to Him... and we ought to seek him.

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Psalm 16:1

The life of a missionary wife/mom is much like this.  As a matter of fact, I would wager that the life of most devout Christians can be much like this.  We are the reporters called to see the devastation.  We are the relief workers seeking to help repair and rebuild.  

Many times the response is welcoming and reviving.  But then, at times, the darkness overtakes and the wailing won't stop to listen to reason.

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.  
 
Our very presence is despised, our help is rejected, but God says stay - speak- live.

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.  

And in obedience God never fails.  Sometimes we have to look closely to see His face in the little things; a word of encouragement in the midst of nay-sayers, a help up in the midst of being pushed down, a reply when everyone else is shutting us out.

He is there.

He does not leave us... or forsake us.  When we live a life as good and faithful servants.  

You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,  will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." 

Psalm 91:1-

The fortress of God gives me safe cover each day we complete our tasks set before us instead of letting the world overtake us.  

The fortress of God holds back the fire each day as we live out our faith before unbelievers or religious blindness.

The fortress of God reminds me each day that, outside His walls, I would not survive... none of us would.

I don't know why these are the only words God has given me today... but perhaps God knows someone out there who needs to know HE is their refuge... no matter where they are or what they are doing.  God's fortress is our protection.  Let us draw into Its cover in all we do, big and small.  Let us not allow devastation to hit where it matters most... we are only passing through this place.

May God bless the path you walk... and may that path lie within His Fortress walls.

Blessings,

Linking up today with:

Intentional Me, Women Living Well, Internet Cafe, iHomeschoolNetwork, and Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Just a Season

Nothing is as expected these days.  Who knew when we hit the road almost 8 weeks ago now that, in our very own country, Internet access and regular blogging would be so difficult.  Most days I have done alright without this connection... but some days I just miss tapping into the virtual world, saying "HI" and seeing what everyone else is doing. 

Some of the unexpected things that have kept me from net or writing:

• Back and forth and back and forth to Alabama more than a few times in one month.  I thought we would plant our feet for a time in Birmingham.  Instead we spent a great deal of time either traveling or in limbo.

 

• Living at a no-Internet access campground for a week.

 

• Living out of our car for a week.

 

• Staying at a house made of brick with no Wi-Fi and the only connection a slim sliver through the living room window... which I seldom access because the weeks of travel and strange living conditions have postponed more school work than I care to admit - so we have played a lot of catch-up lately!

 

• And as if catching up on behind school work wasn't enough to keep me spinning, the latest challenge has been the RV God led us to... and the broken down state it has become.  Repairs and planning, cleaning and praying.  The work feels endless but I am trusting the purpose.

Why is it such a big deal?  Because I love to write.  To pour out the messages God gives me... to share the trials and tribulations of this one small life in this one Big world.  The hope that whatever I might endure at any given time might inspire others at any given time... not to give up, keep drawing closer to Jesus, clearer to live in all of life's demands.

But scripture is true...

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

- Ecclesiastes 3:1

These times are but a blink, a moment, a passing season.  My hope is in the Lord and my faith is renewed daily when the trials and challenges and changing expectations are met with rays of light that bring hope of a Greater Plan at work.

My other favorite saying lately:

"I may not know what tomorrow holds,

But I know Who holds tomorrow!"

- Amen!!

May the season you travel through just now be blessed in all the little corners from beginning to end... before we know it, a new season will dawn.

Blessings,