Mountaintop Anticipation

If you have 23 odds and ends on a table, and 22 of them fall off, what do you have left: An odd or an end? Does this question have an answer?

Life is filled with daily routines and perplexing questions. If you are feeling the weight of the day-in and day-out grind you may be in God’s process of learning the lessons of small things. Pray that you will be faithful. "Who despises the day of small things?" (Zechariah 4:10)

You may be struggling through great troubles and trials at this moment in time. C.H. Spurgeon wrote: a gem is not polished without rubbing, nor are godly men and women made without trials. Think about it. Haven’t the greatest strides in your spiritual journey always come during times of significant difficulty and hardship? “Many men and women owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties.”

A pearl to string: Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfection! God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but HE did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears & light for the way.

“On the day I called you answered me; you increased the strength of my soul”. (Psalm 138:3)

Every now and then, God takes us to the mountaintop to experience His presence in a dramatic way. Such a time is near. I wait in Holy anticipation.

May His blessing befall upon you and
May the strength of your soul be increased
In His Sonshine.
You are loved,
Lyndi

Expecting the Unexpected

With Promise Keepers: A Time to Honor just around the corner I am filled with excitement and anticipation. I’m expecting God to snatch some people right out of evil’s grip. I’m expecting the blessing on women to heal broken and weary hearts and refresh souls to soar with God’s eagles. I’m expecting a transformation of the busy to reach out and bend down to lift our brothers and sisters who struggle with having so little to become a real community who share with each other. I’m expecting Jew & gentile to experience the mending of the divide in the most glorious of ways and I cannot fathom what that looks like. I am expecting God’s healing hand to be over all who attend, who watch, who hear, who pray…. I’m expecting the unexpected…… I’m expecting the Kavod.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 1:6).

A pearl to string: A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.

One night, the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but since the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light for practice. The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board, arms extended outward. It was then that he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body was in the shape of a cross. The man felt as if someone was speaking to him. The words of his Christian friend filled his mind. In his heart, he suddenly realized the truth. Instead of diving, he knelt down and finally asked God to come into his life. As the young transformed diver stood to his feet, a maintenance man walked in and turned on the lights. The pool had been drained for repairs.

God is going to catch our breath just like that,
You are loved,
Lyndi

Sandpaper People

People refuse 2 b default by ahmedgalal

I first heard the terminology ‘sandpaper people’ reading Girlfriends in God devotionals. The girlfriends are simply 3 extraordinary women who share the love of God daily. I read their devotionals every day and I share with you their interpretation of ‘sandpaper people’ mixed with mine.

I have more than a few friends going through their days trying to deal with ‘sandpaper people’. People, often times Christian people, who are unruly, meaning that they are frequently careless, out of line or over the top in their behavior. The word, "unruly" applies to soldiers who refuse to follow orders, insisting on doing things their own way. Sound familiar? It is the motto of every respectable sandpaper person. These people frequently are placed in positions of responsibility and have no idea of how to treat others with respect and love while administering their duties. If sandpaper people continue to offensively power trip their way through your day take heart. God has a plan.

A pearl to string: Looks like The Law of Power* goes into effect here: “You only have the power to change yourself. You can’t change another person. You must see yourself as the problem, not the other person. To see another person as the problem to be fixed is to give that person power over you and your well-being. Because you cannot change another person, You are out of control. The “REAL problem lies in how you are relating to the problem person. You are the one in pain, and only you have the power to fix it”. Study that statement it will eventually bless you.

Sandpaper people can definitely get on our last nerve, which is why God's plan for dealing with these difficult people includes setting aside part of our emotional energy to cover their faults and allow for their weaknesses. In other words, we must learn and choose to be patient. By the grace of the Holy Spirit you can take the grit out of sandpaper people.

"Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone". 1 Thessalonians 5:13-14

May God bless you with wisdom for patience is wisdom’s gift.
Joy in Sonshine,
Lyndi

*from Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

A Simple Bible

Author Unknown


"I'm not supposed to give these away," the young man said, handing me a display Bible, "but I sense you should have this." I shrugged and absently tucked it away. We had a Bible at home. I'd only stopped by the Gideon's table because nothing else at the Iowa State Fair was set up.

A few days later I was walking to town when a car pulled up beside me. "Get in," the driver snarled, pointing a gun at me. I did as he said. Soon he pulled over, grabbed me and tried to force me down on the seat. I struggled with all my strength. Finally he ordered me out of the car.

Before both my feet were on the ground, I heard a shot and felt a sharp pain in my side. I collapsed, and the man came around the car. He picked up my purse, took out my wallet then threw the purse on my head and shot it. I felt a dreadful impact. Still conscious, I lay silent, hoping he would think I was dead. I heard the car drive away, and I stumbled to a nearby farmhouse. A woman called for help, and the police were closing in on the drug-crazed driver based on the description I'd given them.

At the hospital, just before I went into surgery to remove the bullet in my side, my sister came to see me. "Do you know what saved your life, Mavis?" she asked. She handed me the Bible that had been in my purse. A bullet was lodged inside, its tip stopping exactly at Psalm 37:14-15: "The wicked draw the sword, and bend the bow...to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken."

This is what it means to know the voice of God. The young man wasn't supposed to give away the Bibles, but he "sensed" that God wanted him to give the Bible away to this lady. He probably thought that she would open the Bible and read something that would turn her life around, or bring her closer to the reality of God. But the sword came first, and then certainly a peace that only comes from God; the reality of His protection made manifest by those who "sense" His will.

Blessed Beyond Measure

A family gathering can be a good thing especially if the members like each other. OK, I admit, that is an excellent starter ingredient. Add love, respect, admiration, kindness and consideration for others and you might have a reunion that blesses each person beyond measure. The Mac family just had their 15th annual 4th of July gathering and we all feel like this was the best one ever. It’s not fancy -- just cooking, eating & playing together for 8 days. Wow, we each have a bouquet of precious memories to cherish. The 10 grandkids plus two 2nd cousins made a movie produced & directed by Uncle Marc which was recorded and became one of those tangible memories added to the yearly family & group photos. The movie: High School Musical 4 ‘four years later’ was pure fun. Take notice Hollywood some new stars headed your way. We got Mac-talent!

You might be reading this thinking awe that’s sweet – our family should do that or maybe your family does gather and it’s a great time or maybe not so much – perhaps a little or a lot of in family fighting going on? Some of you might be thinking – it’ll never happen not with my family.

May I share with you this family is made up of ordinary people. We each have our own ‘me-me’ issues with sensitivities & expectations that we individually have to overcome. Each one has had to work through hurt feelings and forgiveness but the longer we try to gut it out on our own power the less successful it becomes. We need each other’s prayers and ask for them and we need the Holy Spirit so the power of the Lord is released inside our hearts. This isn’t a onetime deal – let us pray and it’s done. This is an ongoing daily process. We do watch out after each other and we do pray for the ones we see struggling from time to time and we rejoice in the joy we see in each other too. Personally I find great comfort in that – my family doesn’t expect me to be perfect, they’ve got my back on my bad days as well as my good days. We’ve all learned to give each other wiggle room and space for odd & strange behavior which grants each of us blessings beyond measure.

A pearl to string: The first step in receiving rich blessings is to ask the Lord to help you forgive those who have wronged you. Then ask someone who loves the Lord to pray with you and for you. Remember as you read this: Jesus died for my sins and He died for those who have sinned against me. That was revelation for me years ago and it released me from my prison of pain.

The longer you walk with the Lord the sweeter He grows
And the sweeter you grow,
Blessed beyond measure,
Lyndi

Mark 11:24-25 (New International Version)
24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Kavod - The Tangible Presence of God

The Greatest Event In 2000 Years Is Coming to Boulder On July 31!

Watch this video and see how Jesus' prayer in John 17 is about to be fulfilled for the first time ever!

video 3:55