HIS

There is a story that comes out of the Bedouin culture. "Bedouin" is the Aramaic name for "desert dwellers." These people live much as the characters of the Old Testament did. During a heated argument, according to this story, a young Bedouin struck and killed a friend of his. Knowing the ancient, inflexible customs of his people, the young man fled, running across the desert under the cover of darkness, seeking safety.
     He went to the black tent of the tribal chief in order to seek his protection. The old chief took the young Arab in. The chief assured him that he would be safe until the matter could be settled legally.
     The next day, the young man's pursuers arrived, demanding the murderer be turned over to them. They would see that justice would prevail in their own way. "But I have given my word," protested the chief.  "But you don't know whom he killed!" they countered.  "I have given my word," the chief repeated.
     "He killed your son!" one of them blurted out. The chief was deeply and visibly shaken with his news. He stood speechless with his head bowed for a long time. The accused and the accusers as well as curious onlookers waited breathlessly. What would happen to the young man? Finally the old man raised his head. "Then he shall become my son," he informed them, "and everything I have will one day be his."

A pearl to string:  What if you were the one that killed that day?  There are many words that can take the place of the word kill: my bad, faux pas, rash behavior, messed up, made a regrettable mistake, sinned, all meaning the same thing that you fell short of the glory of God. None of us is perfect but do we deserve that kind of forgiveness that we should be made sons/daughters of the King?  Whew, it's a good thing I'm not running the world. My answer would be no. I am blessed with compassion but honestly...... you mess with my babies and your tail feathers are in deep doo-doo. The young man certainly didn't deserve such generosity. And that, of course, is the point. Love in its purest form is beyond comprehension. No one can merit it. It is freely given. It is agape, the love of God. Look to the cross. At the cross we encounter love in its purest form.  Thank you Lord, you don't leave it up to me.... you died for my sins and those who sin against me.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)

 

In His arms we too can forgive,

We are so loved,
                     Lyndi

Six Eggs

I am told that this is a story which is perfectly logical to all males: 

A wife asks her husband, "Could you please go shopping for me and buy one carton of milk, and if they have eggs, get 6."  A short time later the husband comes back with 6 cartons of milk.
The wife asks him, "Why on earth did you buy 6 cartons of milk?"  He replied, "They had eggs."

I've lived this only to discover that presumption of understanding is based on our own reasoning.  Too often, I think, I do the same thing with the Lord.  I believe  that  I understand what I am reading in His Word only to discover at a later time that my presumption of understanding  was based on my own reasoning.  In God's Word Jesus taught us to pray by example (Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4).  In the 10^th verse of Matthew 6 we find the words: 'thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven'.  Wow, right at the beginning of the prayer trouble erupts.  I am not seeing a lot of God's will being done on earth.... some maybe but not a lot.  Of course before I look around to others I must look at myself.... God's will being done?....some maybe but not a lot.

A pearl to string: What I see is a whole lot of need for understanding, need for acceptance, need for validation, need for encouragement. We need to be heard and we need to feel our value and live our dreams. But it all seems so centered on self.   Something seems to be askew.  In his book "The Purpose Driven Life", Rick Warren said;  "The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, peace of mind, or even your happiness. It's far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born BY his purpose and FOR his purpose".  

The only way I can understand how God's Word directs me personally is by fully depending upon the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that his words were not "wise and persuasive" but rather a "demonstration of the Spirit's power" in order that their faith "might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" ( 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NIV)             

I don't want to go home with 6 cartons of milk....

I want to go home with 6 eggs
Walk with Him for it is there you are truly loved,
                                                                       Lyndi

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.  (1 Peter 4:12 NASB)

Mountain tops are for views & inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.

Speed Trees

A state trooper pulled over a woman on a lonely back road and said, "Ma'am, is there a reason why you're weaving all over the road?"

The woman replied, "Oh officer, thank goodness you're here! I almost had an accident! I looked up and there was a tree right in front of me. So, I swerved to the left and there was another tree in front of me. Then, I swerved to the right and there was another tree in front of me!"

The officer reached through the side window to the rear view mirror, and explained, "Ma'am... that's your air freshener."

Like that woman, we spend much of our lives "dodging the trees" that are not really there. We worry (and lose sleep) over things which never materialize. We hesitate to take action because we are fearful of what "might" happen. Our imagined fears keep us from driving down the straight and narrow ("What will they say? What will they do?") Remember only negatives are developed in a darkroom!

"The lazy man says, 'There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!' "
                                                                                                            Proverbs 22:13
Was there really a lion in the streets? No, but any excuse will work when you don't want to do something, even dodging imaginary obstacles. Henry Ford had a handle on this when he said, "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."  Remember whose kid you are.  You’ve got genetically disposed gifts in your gene pool.

String a pearl: If you want your dreams to come true, don't oversleep.

With a Mother’s solution there are three ways to get something done:
    1. Do it yourself.
    2. Hire someone to do it for you.
    3. Forbid your kids to do it.
We know in God’s Word that Jesus himself, tells us “Everything is possible for him who

believes.”  Jesus is telling us He has the sufficiency of power, if we can just bring the mustard seed of faith to receive it. As our son Mike always says, “Christians don't fight for victory, we fight from victory”.

Is there anything you've hesitated doing lately because of tree type obstacle in your way? Be certain the obstacle is real. It might just be your air freshener! That really stinks!

Depending on Jesus to freshen my air,

                                                         Lyndi

The Girls

Come to our door and you'll be greeted by jumping bundles of joy. "Wow you came to see us and play with us.... yeah".  Actually you would probably hear barking but really, our two little dogs are excited to see you and believe you came to see them. We hang together all day and night and I tell them things about life.  They are such good listners. They act like they understand every word my husband or I say. Of course they don't have a clue. The girls know we love them.  They feel safe, get fed, go crazy over treats. They want to be where ever I am and if I leave they wait for me in the front window. Neighbors walk by and wave to them..... they are so cute. Tyler, the neighbor's cat, walks real close to the front window and gives 'em a cat scan and enjoys watching them freak out. And when my car comes back up the street? Jumping bundles of joy!

Our little dogs do not understand when my husband or I discipline them that it is for their own good. Nor do they comprehend how dangerous it is outside of their home. They hate their leash and want to run free not walk! When it comes time for their bath they hide, shake and generally act like I am about to kill them.  They are not crazy about the cleaning process but love the end result and walk with a little spring of pride in their step. Really they act like we are here solely to make their life function exactly the way they want. No problems! You can actually witness each of them using 'dogchology' on us to get what they want. They think they have got us figured out. LOL They do not. They cannot reason on our level. They cannot think the way we do. They do not comprehend future.  They live for now.... this moment..... this need..... this want. We have a relationship, but we are not equals. We love each other, but my husband and I are their master.

A pearl to string: Am I talking about dogs here???? or is this how it is with God and me?  We are not equal. We operate on completely different levels of thought. I cannot think like God. I cannot understand God. I tend to go closer to self focus when I'm suffering.  I may get glimpses of His character. I may see the fruits of His action. I can even communicate with Him. But for me to assume I understand God is a serious mistake. I might end up thinking God is the way I want Him to be, or imagine He should be. God created me. Not the other way around. So I read His Word and depend on the Holy Spirit to help me live it.

 

"But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to Moses’ laws. Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity, idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions, envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and things like that. I’ve told you in the past and I’m telling you again that people who do things like that will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that" (Galatians 5:18-23^GW)

Leaning NOT on my own understanding,
Know you are loved
                           Lyndi