Hope Street

I must admit that this past week I've watched The Oscars, The Bachelor ~ Women tell All and The President and the Governor all on television. Hard reality set in on my brain! None of these television shows offered any hope...none..

Last Sunday night, the big moment was when the camera panned from Jennifer Anniston to Bradgelina or however they say the two names together...to see how they were reacting...then the next moment was when Sean Penn jumped to the stage and went into his words about homophobics and son of a guns...with such enthusiasm you would have thought he was joyful...Yes, I guess this makes good tv.., but for me it put a burden on my heart. I began to ponder why don't we jump to the stage when we have the opportunity and shout with joy in the same manner that Sean Penn does for his causes for ours? Our Savior? We don't have to offend anymore than he does about his causes...

What is the difference? Do we worry too much about what others think? We don't want to offend anybody about our religion, but they don't care if they offend us about calling us names, do we? I realize that Sean Penn and everybody else does have a right to his or her opinion and I am thankful for that right here in America, but I also realize that we have the same right and we aren't using it..

The next night I came in after a game night with the ladies at church and turned on the tv, while the ladies talked about the bachelor. The cat fight that was going on was amazing. The ladies fight was still on and sad part is how can one find true love on a television show with cameras rolling, helicopters picking you up for dates and theaters rented out with stars singing to the two of you? What happens when you go back to the real world of everyday living the cameras aren't rolling and yes he drives a car to pick you up ~ not a helicopter or a limo? How can they even call this a reality show? Real I don't think so...

And then on the third evening was the Presidental speech and the follow up by the Governor of Louisiana...Well, I want both of these men to succeed, but the bitterness and the cut throat activity that you see and you hear is awful!!! Nobody willing to shake hands and try to work together, no it's all about me and what I think...Times are hard and why do we continue to blame the other side, when in reality both sides got us here...Yes, both sides...

I live on Hope Street in my head though, and you know I get that from a bigger source than here on earth...My faith gives me the hope that I need to know that I will be okay ~ one way or the other. God is with me every step I take and I do have joy and hope because of Him. I believe the world we live in keeps us busy trying to impress others with things, yes things we do, things we own, things we want to have...but you know what will really impress others? In Deuteronomy it tells us to learn the commandments to keep them in our hearts. Impress them on our children..talk about them, live them in other words. Other people see this and they do want the joy they see in us ~ they want the peace ~ they want the faith that we will be okay. People are tired of the gloom and doom, so let's share our joy!!!

Hope is alive and well and we must look to the source of Hope! Jesus is alive and well and that is the only way we will have hope in these hard and difficult days. Yes, we will have hope and joy by looking to Jesus not the folks around us on tv or in our daily walk that try to impress us with one thing or another...after all the only impression we need to make is that people see Jesus in us as we walk by or live our life! Yes, they will ask what does she have that I don't? I do want that and you will joyfully answer her questions about Jesus! Share the joy and the hope of living on Hope Street!

Joyfully,
Debbie

Rebirth!

Well, so far the morning is calm! Truly I feel new birth, new times, and such a blessing! Oh, what a difference a year makes!

Yes, one year ago today ~ FIRE! It seems like yesterday and again it seems like forever ago...All I can tell you is that the fire blessed me! Why? Most important is the journey I had with God and the awareness of His holding my hand everyday during this time of my life. Also, I am so much more aware of Him all the time because of this experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything...

God continues to remind me of the His being right here with me. Last night in Bible study He used the same scripture from Psalm 3:3 ~ But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head ~...I got this scripture the day of the fire in a fire tinged, dirty letter that blew out of the house in the fire...Is that not the coolest reminder? Yes, Angela Thomas had that scripture in that book last night for God to give to me. Don't forget God might be using you for somebody else..Follow those nudges and let God bless somebody today!!!!

I am blessed and reborn just like the tree in the picture! Blooming again at home...

Blooming,
Deb

Thirsty???

Don't you love the picture today? I love the imagery of the light in the background with the half full glass of water. It fit my time in the Word this morning to a tee..

In John 7 with the scripture about, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink and on down in John 8 I am the light of the world, Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.. I so needed these scriptures today and the cool part is that I know the spirit lead me to them. You know that I am reading the Chronological Bible this year and the readings yesterday were about all the festivals and how we should be in the sanctuary together. I know this is so important, but don't we judge others on this topic? How somebody worships, where they worship, why do they worship like this, why aren't they in the church building...so many w's that we think we know the answers for everybody.

My spirit was so restless in my reading of all of the laws and the Spirit truly lead me to John to read about the fulfillment of that Jesus is the answer to ALL the laws. The above scriptures were spoken by Jesus during the Feast of Tabernacles that is discussed in Leviticus 23:33-44...So in the middle of this feast Jesus went to the feast and spoke these words above...He is the fulfillment. We no longer meet God at the tabernacle or temple. We meet him in Jesus. Coming to Jesus is truly an act of our hearts. My friend, Frankie, and I were discussing this and the words "true worship" are the words Frankie used to describe what she felt this was saying.

What is true worship to you? Is it the building? How would you define true worship?
Do you even know if someone is truly worshipping? Do you get into judging when you try to define this for somebody else? We aren't allowed to see somebody else's heart ~ or we? So, if we define this for somebody else where does this put us?

I was reading a quote of John Piper's that spoke to my heart and I want to share it with my friends...~ "My prayer for all is that God the Spirit might make us thirsty for Jesus Christ, that he might remove the callouses from the taste buds of our heart and cause us to drink deep and savor the magnificence of Jesus, who fulfills all of history past and embodies all the glorious hopes of the future." WOW! Don't you love that remove those hard words, ugly thoughts, callouses that we let flow from our tongues and let sweet, juicy taste fill our hearts and long for more, more, and even more of Our Sweet Jesus!!!

Longing in the Light,
Debbie

Real or Fake?

I was working on a devotion this morning and God really spoke to me about sharing details about being real. I wasn't sure that was the mood I was in this morning ~ after all sometimes I like to appear like I have it all together or that I am in total control. What a joke right? God reminded me that He is in control and that the only way I have it all together is through His help.

Do you ever like to try and take credit for God's work? I'm talking about with your own self. Like the times that you think you are handling something and the whole time God is taking care of it or the times that you think hey I'm doing pretty good I've got this event all planned out and things are happening! God gently reminded me that it is about HIM and that He is in charge and that I am His tool!

God reminded me to share this today and remind myself that it is about being real. It is about sharing our flaws and allowing others to grow from our flaws or mistakes.
Ugly at times, but helpful most of the time. I'm not talking about wearing your flaws like a badge of honor. I'm talking about allowing God to show how He cleaned us up and repaired our flaws.

I know that sometimes I like to pretend that I've got it together and I forget that the only way I have it together is through God's grace! Praise the Lord God forgives and redeems!

Share the real you and allow God to use you flaws and all for His work today! I was reminded in Deuteronomy that God wants us to love him with all our hearts and that we are to remember the commandments with our whole hearts, Get them inside of you, talk about them in the morning, on the street, all the time. Be real and open up about the Grace God gives to each of us.

The picture above did you know that it was a toy car by the picture? Well, God did and God knows whether we are real or fake ~ be authentic for God! Let him use your flaws and the healing for others!!

Flawed,
Debbie

Day of Rest

The last time that you were with girlfriends and you were sharing ~ Did the topic of being busy come up in conversation? Did you talk about how you were never able to get everything done and that you are always running to get things done? Did you talk about how tired and worn out you are?

Well, in my reading this morning God answered that problem very distinctly ~ In Exodus 34 God plainly tells us that we have six days each week to work in an ordinary week and that one day is for complete rest (yes complete rest) a holy day for Our Lord that is His Day...It doesn't tell us that it must be Sunday. He just tells us that one day is totally His and it is for total rest! Well, do you practice this? do I? No, probably not or at least I know that I don't and I must admit it...I rest part of the day, but not a whole day...Ladies, God gave us the plan and reason we are tired, worn out, grumpy is our fault...He gives us the day and actually commands that we give Him His day totally dedicating it to Him...

Beginning to rest,
Debbie

Which path?

Have you ever wondered why did I go around about to get where you are in life? Why didn't I take the more direct route? Well, maybe God wanted you to go around about!

Today, I was reading in Exodus and how God lead the people out of Egypt. God did not lead them along the main roads. Reason, if it was too easy they might change their minds. How often would we do that?

Think about it...The people that were in slavery in Egypt from hundreds of years would rather go back than face a battle. What about you? Would you take the easier route and miss out on what God might be doing or have planned for you?

If you continue to read the story the coolest part is that it tells us plainly that we are not to be afriad that the Lord himself will fight for you. To just stay calm. Now if you are like me that stay calm part is hard, but wow the Lord will fight for us! Now who would you like to fight for you? I know who I want on my side fighting the big fight.

The word is soooooo cool....Stay the course and let THE LORD fight for you!!!

Fighting with the Lord,
Debbie

The baggage of life!

We all have baggage that we carry daily ~ even when we aren't on a trip! I was reading about Moses this morning and how he said Lord, I'm not good with my words, I never have been. Continuing on he says Lord, I get tongue tied and excuse after excuse with my words get tangled up! The Lord tells Moses who makes a persons mouth perfect? Now go! I will be with you!

Folks, Go and spread the word tongue tied and all...That is what the Lord wants is imperfect people like you and me spreading the word of Our Savior and How He goes with us daily baggage and all! Share your story and let the Lord perfect your tongue!

Speaking and all,
Debbie

Encourage each other

Our words should build each other and not tear us down. I read a recent description that our words could be like a surgeon at work. The tongue like a knife has a sharp edge and it can either be used to heal or destroy. The tongue is difficult to manage.

Women sometimes forget that words get back to others. We didn't mean quite like it made it around the circle and got back to you. Have you ever had that experience?

Encouragement is to give confidence or to raise hopes. Don't we all want to do this?
I know that when I began working in women's ministry we made the scripture in Colossians ~ Encourage and knit together in love. Seems simple enough doesn't it?

Our words will remain on this earth long after we are gone. Good or bad, the words remain with those that we say them to in conversation. In Matthew it tells us that heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not. Oops! Oops!

Parents, I also read that the average home makes ten negative comments for every one positive! Also, it takes 4 positives to make up for that negative comment. It is a vicious cycle that we are messing with people for the rest of their life all with our words.

Next time ~ Pause ~ Say something positive rather than negative..Build up ~ don't tear down! It is not that hard...

Trying,
Debbie

Fellowship with Believers

I read a story that I had to share with you! I read a story about a young man that joined a church and had not been in the church long. One day in Bible study he commented you know what I miss the most? I miss the bars. I miss talking with other men. The story went on to tell about the neighborhood bars being possibly the best counterfeit to fellowship in the church. It's an imitation, dispensing liquor instead of grace, escape rather than reality, but it's permissive, accepting, and inclusive fellowship. It is unshockable. It is democratic. You can tell people secrets and they usually don't tell others or even want to. The bar flourishes not because God has put into the human heart the desire to know and be known, to love and be loved, and so many seek a counterfiet at the price of a few beers. Charles Swindoll quoted this in Encourage me.

Is this not the saddest story? We aren't holding up our end of the community that God wants us to have with each other. The young man could find what he needed in the bar, but not in church? What does this say about our churches?

I want to be a friend and welcome people into church. Sometimes, we are caught up in visiting with our friends and be don't take the time to welcome and make new friends. I know that I fall into this trap..This story caught my attention and I want this to change!

Changing,
Debbie