HO HO HO

Dear Friend:

How are you doing? Have things settled down? Have you finished your "to do list?"

Does it really all matter? I mean, what you have left to do, does it really matter?

As I sit here writing to you there is my "list" fighting me to get up and "hurry up." Of course, it all seems urgent.

Here is the truth. Whenever I sit down and listen to my praise music, read scripture and write in my journal, miraculously I find out I have enough time to get everything done. Guess what? I get it done with a "HO HO HO." To me that means with the right Spirit. The Spirit of the one we are celebrating. I even stopped to take communion. Call me crazy! But I reflected on what Jesus did. He gave his body and blood for me. Communion is sacred!

"It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp" (Psalm 92:1-3 NIV).

My phone just buzzed twice. I have to look! It is hard to stop! Stop and pray and listen! People need prayer! I need prayer! I need God's glory to rest with me. It makes a difference. I always am asking "How can I make a difference." Answer: Spend time with God! That will give me the right frame of mind.

Music is helping me. I sang with my son and daughter the other day. Hilarious! There is this song I sang in when they were little. It popped into my head and we each needed a laugh and I sang "I love you in the morning,  in the afternoon, in the evening, all day." Guess what they chimed in with me! THAT'S THE HO! HO! HO! OF CHRISTMAS. I will be more spontaneous. Enjoy them! I will love those God tells me to love each day. I won't make it my mission. I want God to help me make it His mission. I mean sometimes I can go looking for a mission that God didn't even call me to.

PRAY WITH ME:  Holy! Holy! Holy! Are you Lord! Heaven and Earth are your creation. I reflect on your glory! Lord give me a HO! Ho! Ho!. That means love and song for this season. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

I Thank God For You

Dear Friend:

I thank God for you. I greet you in the Lord Jesus Christ. Tomorrow will be Thanksgiving. Let’s reflect on what Jesus did  with His disciples at the last supper.

“The Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them…” (Luke 22:19).

In Ann Voscamp’s book “A Dare To LIVE FULLY Right Where You Are. One Thousand Gifts” she states (page 32) “he gave thanks” reads “eucharisteo.”

“The root word of eucharisteo is charis, meaning “grace.” Jesus took the bread and saw it as grace and gave thanks. He took the bread and knew it to be gift and gave thanks. The greek word chara means “joy.” Deep chara joy is found only at the table of the euCHARisteo-the table of thanksgiving.

Charis- Grace.

Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving.

Chara. Joy.

A threefold cord that might hold a life? Offer a way up into the fullest life?  Grace, thanksgiving, joy. Eucharisteo. A Greek word…that might make meaning of everything?”

Jesus was telling us that remembering to give thanks and break bread in His memory is life giving. Recently I have been meditating on last chapters in the book of John. This spoke to me. Whenever I am down, I can read this passage and I am once again filled with hope. It helps me to shift my eyes off of me and back on the miraculous plan Jesus gave me upon His death and resurrection.  

Let us break bread with gratitude in memory of Christ with our families and or friends tomorrow. Furthermore, daily as Christ gives us our bread may we find the tri-fold message of grace, thanksgiving, joy and live fully.

Prayer:  Most Holy Father bring us deeper into the reality of this truth. In Your precious name.

Happy Thanksgiving!

MY PRAYER

Dear Friend:

This is my honest thoughts for today and it became a prayer to God.

 “Lord in the midst of not knowing what is going to come next. What will next week be like? What will next year look like? What will I be doing after Christmas? Struggling I want to see what it will look like, so I can just live it out. I guess that sounds controlling, doesn’t it Father? I want to show You what it will should be like. Instead of waiting on You to show me. I want the answers now. I think if I have the answer then there won’t be any hurt, pain or surprises involved. I don’t like when others say ‘Things are going to change boy are you not going to be able to handle it.’ When my mom died it was a complete surprise. I got up that day getting ready for Christian Summer camp. I was praying for the students and the camp. I was full of energy and excitement. I also knew things with my mother’s health was not perfect. That day I prayed for her and my sister who was taking care of her. I prayed that my sister would be strong and patient with her. I even wrote a note to my mom saying ‘I’ll spend time with you when I get back, I love you and will pray for you.’ I felt so confident in the decision to go to camp. Driving along about five hours away the call came. I looked at my phone and I knew my sister would not call me. I knew what she was going to say. I pulled over on the side of the road. In my gut I knew I would hear the words ‘mom is gone.’ Here is the truth about that situation. Lord you help me drive twenty more minutes to camp and a beautiful lady named Ruth took my in her arms. She loved me. Fed me. Stayed with me. Let me talk about my mom for hours. She guided me to decide what to do next. She was the hands, feet and voice for you God. She was ready and willing to be your servant that day. I acknowledge your provision that day. Your plan was perfect. I could not receive phone calls that would disturb my peace. The faithful people of God were ready to fill me up and send me back home to put my mom to rest. Next you did something even more profound. You had my friends meet me half way home to drive me the rest of the way. You did this God. You made things easier so I can deal with the situation. When I got home I wept in my office uncontrollably. I was saying ‘I can’t do this Lord. I can’t go see my mom with no life in her. I just can’t get it together.’ I looked at my bible Lord. I said ‘You say this book when read gives life and peace.’ Help me Lord! Help me to understand how this works. I read the word ‘Blessed are those who are mourn for they will be comforted.’ God, I see those words but how will I be comforted? How Lord? ‘I can do all things through You who strengthens me!’ The truth Lord came to me. I can’t! But you can! You have been helping me! Lord this truth strengthens me to complete the next week. Each moment I wanted to say ‘I can’t.’ The words became a  barricade around my mind.  ‘I can with You.’ God, here is the truth, I don’t like this situation today. But I love You. It comes down to this. You are God alone. You are all knowing. You work all things together for me because You love me.  You will continue to help me! Lord, today I plead with You to barricade my mind with this truth. Whatever comes my way I will be able to do all things with You. Lord, I want to be Your hands, feet and voice like Ruth was that day. My flesh wants to feel fulfilled. You gave me feelings. Lord, can You grant me that peace? Help me to stop doubting and have faith and trust You. Lord, I  acknowledge Your sovereignty. Thank You for all that You have done and will do to help me. In Your mighty name. Amen."

Friend, what do you want to say to God today?

Blessings,

Elaine

Brain Freeze 3-Defrosted

Dear Friend:
I am continuing to tell about my Brain Freeze. I realize this week when I took a frozen turkey and put it in the refrigerator to defrost how that is similar of what happened to my brain. It took 3 days to defrost, the turkey and my brain.

So there I was with a frozen brain as you can read on my blog from this past week. I could only get out the words to God "Help me." Those words were enough for God to start the process to help me. He has trained me in the past to have an awareness. To be ready for answers to that heart cry. Relief came slowly, like the defrost of the turkey, as I took a bike ride. I was convicted that my devotions daily were not enough for what I needed now.  I talk to God all day every day. I put my worship music up loud for praise and thanksgiving. All have helped. I did things that stopped the process. Like rationalizing and reasoning myself out of reading longer passages of the bible. I can quote new testament stories in my head. My brain freeze says "I know that story and I don't need to read it." "Warning, Danger!" That rationalizing worked for a while. My brain freeze said "Once you start reading you won't have enough time for the rest of your schedule." "Red flag alert!" My hurry up and do something response is winning over spending time reading the word. When I dismissed all of the arguments and began to read John 15-17 my heart became "defrosted." People I can't explain the phenomenon of God's word. Simply put by God "Don't question it, it defrosts." It gave me renewed hunger for the word. The patience to wait for answer to prayers. I FELT LOVED BY GOD! The passion story and last words of Christ all gave me strength. John 17 grips me and causes me to pay attention. I don't understand why the memory of His word is not enough. It's reading His word that generates calmness and love.

I want you to experience and get this kind of joy I feel with God. I don't find problems easier or disappearing. I find a super natural energy to deal with things. It also created some fun ideas like calling friends and  having them over for dinner. That idea helped me defrost. I am delighting in this discovery and could not wait to share with you.

I can't make you read the word. I can only pray that the Spirit of God prompt you to do that. Does this peak your curiosity to want to experience more of God? Where do you begin? Start by reading the chapter of the verse from a devotions you are doing. Pray before you read. Wait till something resonates with you.

Funny! I am hearing in my head the song Hokey Pokey. You put your whole head in, you put your whole head out and you shake it all about you do the Hokey Pokey and turn yourself about. That's what it's all about!

"For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me" (John 17:8).


Reading the bible doing the Hokey Pokey. That's what it's all about!

LOVE FROM ABOVE

Dear Friend:

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life... nor height nor depth... shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

 

Kay Arthur says that when the devil tries to make us doubt God's love, we have some good answers for him: "Tell Satan that God loves you when you are nothing, accepts you just the way you are, and loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love that is in the process of transforming you into His image. Tell the devil that you are secure in God's love "because the love of God has been poured out within your heart through the Holy Spirit who was given to us," and "nothing can separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

It is Monday. I am choosing to start my week with this verse and I am putting my name in it and reciting it out loud. I am alone in my house of course. Hmmm! Hope the bad guy is disturbed because of this prayer. 

God filled me with joy and delight as I closed my eyes and read it like this "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life...nor height nor depth... shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Amen! Tears rolled down my cheeks as I drank this truth in.

Such knowledge is to wonderful for me, to lofty for me to attain. I am receiving it with His help. I pray you do too!

Go in Peace to love and serve the Lord. 

BRAIN FREEZE 2

Dear Friend:

It is now Thursday and I wrote Brain Freeze on Monday. Some people asked me if I found my glove on my bike ride. Yes, indeed I did.

Most importantly, I found myself and got centered. To be centered is a modern day term and for me it means to be back in touch with God's perspective. Guys and gals, it is a simple cry with the word "Help." God will be there. I don't know how long it will take Him to show you what is going on, but I can assure you He will. He showed me that I had a list but it was stuck in my Brain and frozen. Making a list of what needed to be done worked. It gave me goals and allowed me to focus.It also confirmed that what I have been doing is His work and I am to continue. I stopped thinking things like "You are off track, you are never going to do anything, you might as well give up." Yuck! Major stinkin thinkin. I am defrosted!

Remember recently I told the story of Jesus walking up to the boat and the winds are strong. Peter cries "Help." Then Peter says "Jesus if you want me to come to you tell me." Jesus replies "Come."
I find sometimes we are running around without talking to God about our time management. Peter did not go until he had the go ahead from God.

A speaker once spoke on having true happiness. One of the many suggestions was to make goals for yourself. I think the best day is Sunday evening. Force yourself to make a list on paper or in your head of the things you can accomplish for the week. It helps your mind adjust from the casual/busy weekend to go back to the grind of daily living. For some that means going back to work or school. A place you may or may not like.

Pause! You can be anywhere. You don't have to go into a private room and get quiet, that could be very nice, but sometimes not realistic to what is going on in your day.
Help! In Jesus name. Amen. You can then go back to what you were doing. I guarantee God will begin to open up a new dimension and you will experience some perspective. Along with perspective comes PEACE.

BRAIN FREEZE

Dear Friend:

Just getting out of my neighborhood to the bike trail was a nightmare. I had to get over the railroad tracks to the path. Two freight trains stopped dead caused me to detour to the underpass. The sidewalk had wooden horses on it for repairs. There are so many obstacles I almost turned around to give up. 

I awoke this day with so much doubt about my days ahead. I just covered my head and did not even want to pray. I wanted to give up. Have I reached the end? Have I done all I can? Some days I lose my place and ask “Is God even with me?” I feel all alone. I looked up and mustered a small prayer “Help me.” That prayer turned to praying for my day and others. I think I have just enough energy for a bike ride. Knowing how important exercise is for the mind, I dressed and left.

On the reverse of my 8 mile trek I was getting warm so I shoved my gloves in my pocket. I had been listening to a sermon on “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18).

Through the years I have deeply sought the Lord for his vision for my life. I wanted clarity from Him. I was beginning to believe that the revelation I received in the past was gone. The sermon was energizing me. I don’t have to receive this brain freeze saying I’m washed up! With that in mind my speed increased. I grabbed for my gloves and discovered one to be gone. I stopped and knew that I had to turn back. It was a couple of miles since I shoved them in my pocket. Oh know I have to go back? I just went through the trail that I  hate and struggle with.

With determination I went back seeking that quality glove with all my might. In my head I heard God spoke “You’re going back for the glove, go back over my revelation I have given you, with the same determination. You don’t want to lose the glove. You should not lose me either. Sometimes you have to go back over the hard part of your life. Things are not always easy. You have to work for them. But on my path I bring you joy, strength in the midst. If you follow another plan you lose your joy and you feel as if you’re perishing. I found the glove and continued back over the rough patches.

Funny someone older than me kept passing me. I am not going to let them beat me. God commented on that. “You need not compare yourself with others. Some may look like they are doing better than you. That is not the point. I will give you the time, energy and sometimes you will be ahead. But let me be in control of that.” I laughed harder because a burst of more energy came over me and I actually was flying by that person and continued to be ahead for a while

.

Do you seek God deeply enough that you get some revelation for your life? Glad I didn’t let the obstacles stop me from this ride. God is ready to meet you just about anywhere.

PRAYER:  Father in heaven I feel lack of passion and vision in my life. Help! I need to hear from You.

HAIR PROBLEMS

"Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" implored Paul. (Philippians 4:6 NIV)

People, when do you know it is time for a haircut? 

Believe it or not (don't make fun of me) I prayed "God I would really like to know from someone I respect if the way I am styling my hair lately is okay. Especially if I should do bangs or no bangs."

A week later in a coffee shop I meet my friend, who I haven't seen in a year. She walks in with glee in her voice declares "Elaine, I really like your hair and the way you have grown out your bangs. You look so much younger." My heart was tickled pink with this quick answer to prayer! She even said I look like a movie star, I won't tell you who.

The next day I told someone this story and their reaction was like "Oh come, on with all the starving people and problems in the world, you think God answered that prayer?"

"As a matter of fact I do", I retorted. I know the attributes of God. Having a personal relationship with Jesus is intimate and as He wants to delight in me I have seen Him do it in small ways and big. I have seen God answer a friends prayer who was craving apple pie. That day someone dropped off an apple pie!  God is everywhere and He can take care of all at the same time. That is the mystery and sovereignty of God.

A way of alleviating stress/anxiety is memorize Psalm 139. Years ago I did just that. I had this person read part of it out loud "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You, Lord, know it completely" (Psalm 139:1-4 NIV).

I told this person that God, from the first page of the bible till the end, has shown Himself to many in unique ways.  Gideon is a great example. He prayed asking God to allow a test; he took wool fleece, if there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You will save Israel.  That is exactly what  happened. But Gideon doubted and asked again; this time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew. God did it. God saved Israel.

Do you pray to God about everything? Maybe you have something you need to pray about now. Google "Do I need a haircut or not?" You will find a whole gamut of answers for everything. Wow! Praying made it a whole lot easier than googling and wondering.

Father in heaven I want to have a deeper relationship with you. I pray _________. Thank You for being there for me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.