Outside the box

Most of you that know me, know that I usually know how I feel on any given topic.  I'm not wishy washy.  I'm not usually down the middle...I have an opinion, but...I don't think that means my opinion is right.

Let me explain...

I believe that I am to live life a certain way, but that my way is not necessarily your way...I believe that God calls each of us to a certain plan for our journey and that it lines up with His Words, but I also know that I am a sinner and that I mess up...so all of this to say my thought for today is

Don't try to put God in a box...big or small, tall or short, you get the picture don't try to box God in...God is way bigger than any box.  Thank Goodness!

We try to understand situations.  We try to understand the whys of life.  We try, but we don't have to...we need to let God do His thing in all situations!

I don't know, if it gives us comfort to try to put God in a box and say well this and this and so that means this...but truthfully its a lot more comforting to me to think that He is bigger than the mountains and especially a box!

One of my favorite scriptures is found in Isaiah 55:8-9

My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  

It comforts me that God is so much more of everything than my little pea brain could possibly imagine!  So next time you hear the words "Think outside the box"...DO and believe all the words you like to share to encourage others!  Believe that truly God is in charge and He knows the plan, so trust Him today!

No more boxes, 

Debbie

Who do you trust?

During difficult situations who do you trust?

Do you trust the warning signs?  Or ignore them?

Lately, the movie "Noah" has been in the news a lot.  Some pro, some con and honestly I haven't even been to it.  I planned to, but haven't made it yet.  I am bringing it up because of the story of Noah.  The story found in the Bible Noah...

Imagine the turmoil that surrounded Noah and the building of the ark.  All the neighbors, all the people shouting look at crazy Noah and yet he continued to build the ark.  He built, because he trusted God not the people that were surrounding him shouting and doing evil all around him.

Who are we trusting?

Evil surrounds us.   We know who we need to trust...but do we?

I woke up this morning thinking about when we know something is about to happen that is bad we prepare, right?  Well, God was warning all the people surrounding Noah, but they weren't listening or trusting his words. 

Noah's unnamed wife.  Trusted her husband and got on the ark.  What is it today that perhaps God might be leading your husband to do that perhaps you think he is crazy?  Well, perhaps this is your Ms. Noah moment that you need to trust your husband and respond with YES.  

Noah's wife is a woman we know very little about other than she supported her husband.  Now honestly, wouldn't that have been hard to do?  It is sunshine as far as you can see and your husband is in the yard building a boat the size of a football field?  Yet, she boarded the boat and believed!

Sometimes, we are called to trust!  Trust and look to God!

Psalm 9:10

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Trusting in the LORD,

Debbie

What are you aiming for?

I am in the process of writing a new study and with it learning all kinds of new information that hopefully will make me a better person!  First and foremost, I know that when God takes me on a journey He is working on me and then I am to share things I learn hopefully to help someone else.

Do you know that the "Torah" means "to take aim"?  The Torah being the first 5 books of the bible.  I realized while studying this week that God is taking aim at a some of the holes in me that need improving...God always shows me, if I'm willing to look and listen things that definitely need changing or improving.  It truly is a matter of whether I listen or not...

I loved learning that the word "Torah" means taking aim.  God is taking aim at me and at you to grow us, but will we let Him?

I will never look at a bow and arrow again without remembering that God takes aim at me with His Word to improve me...to grow me...to show His Amazing love by NOT leaving me where I am...

Sweet blessings,

Debbie 

More abundantly...

My week here in Colorado has been so full of beautiful reminders of God's amazing love.  It is beyond words to say that the meaning of Easter is even more profound surrounded by the mountains coming to life again literally.  

Daily I drive the same road looking for animals and new waterfalls and I am amazed with God's artistry that is new daily.  Daily unfolding a new beginning. 

The darkness of winter leaving and the new blooms coming to live, so much of God's handiwork reminding me of His amazing love.  The only words that truly describes my feeling is I feel His Amazing love surrounding me and taking me in…

Father, I thank you for your amazing love and grace.  

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Always awed...

I find such peace here among the mountains.  I am constantly reminded of God's Mighty Power and that indeed He is with us always.

I ride around in a jeep looking with praise music blaring out the open windows and Sadie, (border collie) hanging out the passenger window being reminded of God's love.  I pray, I praise, and I am renewed and refreshed to face the world all because I remember the words found in Psalm 90 that remind me of just how big God truly is and how because of Him I can do anything...He gives me the strength, the love, and the guidance to just do it...whatever it is He calls me to I know I can because of who He truly is not who I am...I am nothing without Him.

Psalm 90: 2

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

I find such peace knowing that God truly is the great I Am and always has been, always will be...

He is more than my little brain could ever imagine and that gives me great comfort!  The realization of just how Mighty God is gives me amazing peace and I feel His amazing love.

Today, be reminded of God's Amazing love and be awed by the Great I Am.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

They are back!

My birds are back!  Yes, they were not too happy with me either...Get away with that camera.

I was so happy to find the birds back and well spring is sprung...or at least I hope so!

I love and give thanks for all the flowers blooming, the birds soaring, the butterflies flying, and well not so much the pollen, but the rest yes I give thanks!

I am so excited for the warmth in the air and the sun shining!

I am doing the happy dance over here.

It reminds me of Psalm 104

Praise the Lord, my soul.

LORD my God you are great;

you are clothed with splendor and majesty....

v. 10  He makes springs pour water into ravines; it flows between the mountains.  

They give water to all the beasts of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst.

The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.

Yes, thank you LORD for Your Mighty Works!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Sing a new song...

The dogwoods that God designed are blooming so beautifully!  It brought to my mind Psalm 98...

...Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into a jubilant song with music;

make music to the LORD with a harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,

with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn-shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.  Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth...

Indeed, sing your praises today!  Be reminded when you look at the dogwoods of God is the Creator, be reminded of HIS Power, His Love, and His Grace...

Thank you LORD!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

"Uncovered" written by Rod Tucker book review

A book about truth!

Truth in the church and community.

Being real!

Does it sound good?  Do you think you are a part of such a community?  Well...this is a very honest book about this topic.  I found it heartbreaking, but very real. After all, we all want to believe that every one is real at church, right?  Well, aren't they? Not really...we know it should be real, but instead a lot of us pretend we have got this thing called life all figured out...Instead of growing in honesty the church doesn't grow because of all the pretending going on!  Not always and not everybody, but a large majority of masks are being worn.

 At times, I was uncomfortable because honesty at times is uncomfortable.  Sometimes truth hurts. It also brings down walls that need to come down, so it is a great book to read that will perhaps take off the scales that might be on your own eyes.

I loved the chapter where Rod wrote a letter from Paul to the church of North America.  Talk about getting you to honestly look at where we are as a community of believers ~ it does.  Right off the bat calling us "self-centered Americans gets your attention or at least it did mine.  The letter mentions that the size of the church isn't what matters it's the gospel!  The letter ask big questions for all of us to ponder...such as "Why must we always be the best?  Why does it need to be the biggest and most elaborate?  

I don't remember exactly where in the book, but Rod makes the point of life isn't easy, but we don't want to tell others the truth about this...it made me think about how at times it seems everyone wants to pretend that life is wonderful!  No problems and well we all know this is so fake...If we can't be honest in our church community and share real truths then how will the church survive?

Biblical truths are shared throughout the book with grace, grace, grace happening always!  I loved the book which is a very easy read.  It's not too long, it's not too short.  It gets right to the point shedding all the masks we might wear daily to share real truth.  Real hard truth that allows real change to happen because of the honesty and God's grace.

Rod shares right in the beginning some of his own truths.  He brought down any pretense sharing his own truths, which I think touched my heart to realize how big this topic truly is...A welcome approach that a pastor is willing to share his own truths to help change the world in our church community.  The way to begin is by each of us sharing our truths to help each other.  

Order the book from Amazon.com today.  Again, the book is "Uncovered" written by Rod Tucker and I was given this book to read and share about on this blog.  

Blessings,

Debbie