Children caring for children
Abba... Heavenly Father to the fatherless
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Day 115: Light in Hopelessness
Psalm 18:23 You make my lamp bright. The Lord my God lights my darkness.
Last night at ladies Huddle we seemed to land quite a bit on hurt and pain in this life, and how we make peace in our own lives with the fact that bad things and pain come to good people. One member said, "If God did this on purpose to our child then he is a cruel God." But, we all agreed he isn't a cruel God, he can take our anger when we are mad and hurt at what this cruel, yes cruel, world brings to us.
This morning Psalm 18:23 brought last nights conversation back to me. The Lord does desire to bring light into my dark world. He can make my lamp, my spirit inside as I see it, still be bright. If I allow this light of God's presence to be extinguished by the pain and cruelty of this world, I will be hopeless. I don't want that. I can't let that happen.
Father, Psalm 103...and forget not Your benefits. Help me Father to remember your benefits in my life so that when the dark times are creeping in around me, I will still have your light, even a small ray, to point me in your direction and to fill my life with your hope. Amen
Last night at ladies Huddle we seemed to land quite a bit on hurt and pain in this life, and how we make peace in our own lives with the fact that bad things and pain come to good people. One member said, "If God did this on purpose to our child then he is a cruel God." But, we all agreed he isn't a cruel God, he can take our anger when we are mad and hurt at what this cruel, yes cruel, world brings to us.
This morning Psalm 18:23 brought last nights conversation back to me. The Lord does desire to bring light into my dark world. He can make my lamp, my spirit inside as I see it, still be bright. If I allow this light of God's presence to be extinguished by the pain and cruelty of this world, I will be hopeless. I don't want that. I can't let that happen.
Father, Psalm 103...and forget not Your benefits. Help me Father to remember your benefits in my life so that when the dark times are creeping in around me, I will still have your light, even a small ray, to point me in your direction and to fill my life with your hope. Amen
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Day 114: Perfect Timing
191
Genesis 39:23 "The Lord made all go well with whatever Joseph did." Normally that wouldn't stand out to me if I were reading it by itself. I know God had his hand on Joseph's life. But it is written after Joseph has been sold, accused, in prison...all unjustly...circumstances...choices of others.
So what stands out to me? Even though life was throwing Joseph a curve ball...major...The Lord made all go well with whatever Joseph did...where ever he was God made the best of the situation for Joseph.
Yesterday's devotion was "I am...but you are"... I needed that last night. Once again the reality of finances being what takes me to my knees before the Father. We have our needs met and then something just springs up out of our control and we are socked yet again. All night I'm recalling...I am confused but you are all knowing....I am afraid but you are the provider...and my conversations with the Lord continued as I drifted in and out of sleep. Then this morning the Psalm of the day Psalm 17:1-15 was refreshing to know my God hears me and will protect. Psalm 103...and forget not his benefits!
The point...God's word is so timely and never by chance. When I take the time to seek him I will find him.
Father, thank you for being alive and oh so real through your word. For whispering into my mind during the night. For helping me to just trust you and know you are there and to recall your benefits to me personally and to my family. The news of my cousins son being killed in a car accident this weekend brings sorrow to my heart...knowing Daniel was a Christ follower brings joy...the work on the cross of your son. Praise you. Be with the family as they grieve what seems unbearable to me. You are there. Amen
Genesis 39:23 "The Lord made all go well with whatever Joseph did." Normally that wouldn't stand out to me if I were reading it by itself. I know God had his hand on Joseph's life. But it is written after Joseph has been sold, accused, in prison...all unjustly...circumstances...choices of others.
So what stands out to me? Even though life was throwing Joseph a curve ball...major...The Lord made all go well with whatever Joseph did...where ever he was God made the best of the situation for Joseph.
Yesterday's devotion was "I am...but you are"... I needed that last night. Once again the reality of finances being what takes me to my knees before the Father. We have our needs met and then something just springs up out of our control and we are socked yet again. All night I'm recalling...I am confused but you are all knowing....I am afraid but you are the provider...and my conversations with the Lord continued as I drifted in and out of sleep. Then this morning the Psalm of the day Psalm 17:1-15 was refreshing to know my God hears me and will protect. Psalm 103...and forget not his benefits!
The point...God's word is so timely and never by chance. When I take the time to seek him I will find him.
Father, thank you for being alive and oh so real through your word. For whispering into my mind during the night. For helping me to just trust you and know you are there and to recall your benefits to me personally and to my family. The news of my cousins son being killed in a car accident this weekend brings sorrow to my heart...knowing Daniel was a Christ follower brings joy...the work on the cross of your son. Praise you. Be with the family as they grieve what seems unbearable to me. You are there. Amen
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Day 113: I am...but you said...
192
I am tired but you said you would give me strength.
I am lacking in knowledge on what to do... but you said you would give wisdom
I am afraid ... but you said you would give me peace.
I am poor ...but you said you would provide.
I am weak in the face of adversity and confusion... but you said you are strong and willing to take our burden.
Reading through Genesis 32 this morning Jacob is about to face his brother Esau and is afraid...but he recalls the promises of God to him...he repeats these promises to the Father.
I am afraid of our future ...but you said you would protect our family.
I can not understand the pain of leaving our family ... but you said you would go with us...before us.
I am concerned financially...but you said you are the great provider.
Father, bring your promises to my mind. Help me Holy Spirit to discern the promises of my Father as I read His words. I am thankful that you heard the prayers of this mother. Once I released my heart to you by acknowledging that I needed to go regardless of my circumstances...I submitted totally...you Father have seemed to slow the pace so that we can stay until Becca graduates. Thank you for hearing the pleas of a mother's heart. Amen
I am tired but you said you would give me strength.
I am lacking in knowledge on what to do... but you said you would give wisdom
I am afraid ... but you said you would give me peace.
I am poor ...but you said you would provide.
I am weak in the face of adversity and confusion... but you said you are strong and willing to take our burden.
Reading through Genesis 32 this morning Jacob is about to face his brother Esau and is afraid...but he recalls the promises of God to him...he repeats these promises to the Father.
I am afraid of our future ...but you said you would protect our family.
I can not understand the pain of leaving our family ... but you said you would go with us...before us.
I am concerned financially...but you said you are the great provider.
Father, bring your promises to my mind. Help me Holy Spirit to discern the promises of my Father as I read His words. I am thankful that you heard the prayers of this mother. Once I released my heart to you by acknowledging that I needed to go regardless of my circumstances...I submitted totally...you Father have seemed to slow the pace so that we can stay until Becca graduates. Thank you for hearing the pleas of a mother's heart. Amen
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Day 112: Follow the Leader
192
This year I am committed to reading through the Bible. I've started in the past and stopped to do this study or that...but this year I am going to stick to it...even when I pick up another study I will not stop this part of my spiritual journey. So with Bible in one hand and pencil in another...the journey moves forward.
When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham...and he cut off their piece of skin that very day, as God had told him to do. Genesis 18:22, 23
Recently I was reading about God's command to Abram to circumcised the men. I thought to my self, "Lord, that is the craziest thing...what would be my reaction if Hank asked something so crazy of our congregation...or if you asked me to require something so seemingly crazy of those that I lead. Why did Abram know it was you? Why did those that follow him know he hadn't just gone off his rocker?
I believe Abram's relationship with God was above reproach. He had conversations with the Lord. There was a history of God speaking and Abram obeying. Abram trusted God and knew his voice intimately. He knew God.
Over the course of my life I have heard God's voice and have trusted his promises. I have followed and I have stood still at his command. I pray that those I lead will have confidence in my ability to know my Father's voice. I have confidence that Hank leads from God's voice. I am not a blind follower...I would pray and seek God...but I trust Hank as our spiritual leader. I know that my Pastor spends quality time with the Lord and that is what gives me confidence in following my leader.
Lord, help me to be the type of leader that people will follow. As your servant if you give direction I pray I will have shared my walk with those you ask me to lead so that they will see you in my life and not see me. Help me to remember that it is my history with you that I rely on when the ask is big. I want to recall each time you have walked with me through the difficulty, the seemingly impossible. My walk with you is a faith journey; I ask that I can share that journey with those around me. May I know you so well that I can be immediately obedient...even when it seems crazy...but know you will make is plausible. Be with me each time I open your love letter to me...that I may hear your voice..know your heart...and respond as you would have me. You are my leader...I pray I will be able to lead to honor you. Amen.
This year I am committed to reading through the Bible. I've started in the past and stopped to do this study or that...but this year I am going to stick to it...even when I pick up another study I will not stop this part of my spiritual journey. So with Bible in one hand and pencil in another...the journey moves forward.
When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham...and he cut off their piece of skin that very day, as God had told him to do. Genesis 18:22, 23
Recently I was reading about God's command to Abram to circumcised the men. I thought to my self, "Lord, that is the craziest thing...what would be my reaction if Hank asked something so crazy of our congregation...or if you asked me to require something so seemingly crazy of those that I lead. Why did Abram know it was you? Why did those that follow him know he hadn't just gone off his rocker?
I believe Abram's relationship with God was above reproach. He had conversations with the Lord. There was a history of God speaking and Abram obeying. Abram trusted God and knew his voice intimately. He knew God.
Over the course of my life I have heard God's voice and have trusted his promises. I have followed and I have stood still at his command. I pray that those I lead will have confidence in my ability to know my Father's voice. I have confidence that Hank leads from God's voice. I am not a blind follower...I would pray and seek God...but I trust Hank as our spiritual leader. I know that my Pastor spends quality time with the Lord and that is what gives me confidence in following my leader.
Lord, help me to be the type of leader that people will follow. As your servant if you give direction I pray I will have shared my walk with those you ask me to lead so that they will see you in my life and not see me. Help me to remember that it is my history with you that I rely on when the ask is big. I want to recall each time you have walked with me through the difficulty, the seemingly impossible. My walk with you is a faith journey; I ask that I can share that journey with those around me. May I know you so well that I can be immediately obedient...even when it seems crazy...but know you will make is plausible. Be with me each time I open your love letter to me...that I may hear your voice..know your heart...and respond as you would have me. You are my leader...I pray I will be able to lead to honor you. Amen.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
New Year, New Beginnings
The New Year is filled with anticipation. People make resolutions. The other day someone said to me, "2010 is behind us" Yes, it is...but so is yesterday, the minute that just passed. The breath just exhaled. So why are we so excited and why do we wait for the "New Year"?
We set financial goals. We stress about our futures. Devotion this morning had a scripture from Job 1:21
And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” We have nothing when we are born. We accumulate and life can take away. But when the end of our lives come the only thing we will have is our character ... the eternal value of our lives in what we leave behind.
I think there is a longing in our spirits to be better...for me...to be more in line with the Father's desires for our lives, our character. To be in step with his desires for our life.
But, we don't have to wait for the new year to make changes. Each moment is a new beginning ... or holds the potential to be a new beginning in the Lord. When we miss his mark for us we can turn to him in a moment and ask for forgiveness and begin anew.
Lord, help me to begin each day with the anticipation of a new walk with you. To anticipate with joy and excitement the changes and molding I can experience to be more like you. With anticipation I desire to spend daily time with you and hearing your voice. In my prayers to hear your voice. In my time reading your word. In my interactions with those around me. In my life to see your hand. Moment by moment, Lord, help me to understand each one can be a new beginning. Amen
We set financial goals. We stress about our futures. Devotion this morning had a scripture from Job 1:21
And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” We have nothing when we are born. We accumulate and life can take away. But when the end of our lives come the only thing we will have is our character ... the eternal value of our lives in what we leave behind.
I think there is a longing in our spirits to be better...for me...to be more in line with the Father's desires for our lives, our character. To be in step with his desires for our life.
But, we don't have to wait for the new year to make changes. Each moment is a new beginning ... or holds the potential to be a new beginning in the Lord. When we miss his mark for us we can turn to him in a moment and ask for forgiveness and begin anew.
Lord, help me to begin each day with the anticipation of a new walk with you. To anticipate with joy and excitement the changes and molding I can experience to be more like you. With anticipation I desire to spend daily time with you and hearing your voice. In my prayers to hear your voice. In my time reading your word. In my interactions with those around me. In my life to see your hand. Moment by moment, Lord, help me to understand each one can be a new beginning. Amen
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