Feeling a little dry? Need hope?

Ezekiel 37

Well, I know The Spirit is speaking to me about where I've been putting my focus!

Yesterday, at Simple Church I heard a message on perspective about changing it from the things of this world to hope, to Jesus, to thanks and today it's about God breathing into bones and bringing them back to life!

We (I) need to put our eyes on Jesus!  Don't focus on the stuff that is happening in this world.  Place your eyes on Jesus and give thanks for our many blessings!  Focus on the little things or the big things that we are capable of helping out with such as lending a helping hand to those in need.  It might be a hand to help an elderly person down the curb, it might be a few dollars for a meal, it might be a smile to someone that needs to know that someone sees them!  Once we get our eyes on things such as this the world becomes easier to handle, because we know God's got this!!!!

We come back to life, when we focus on Jesus!  We have hope and we begin to dance again!

Today, tomorrow, and everyday let's keep those eyes on the LORD!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

I will find my sheep

Ezekiel 34: 11-24

I was reminded in the reading today how God looks for us!  He doesn't leave us in our mess, He searches, He rescues us from wherever we are...where are you today?  Are you in a situation that you just don't think you are going to get out of?  Well, look up and take His Hand by responding ~  Yes, Lord I need you!

The verses about sheep and shepherds really starting jumping off the page at me after traveling the back roads in western Colorado on a 4-wheeler topping a mountain and discovering sheep everywhere.  I am a visual person and when these thousands of sheep dotted the mountainside ~ I understood!  I understood what Jesus means when He tells us He is the Good Shepherd!  It is amazing to see the sheep dot the mountainside and you travel along and suddenly one will be away from the herd and before long the mountain dog or shepherd will search for the lost one.  It was beautiful because it brought God's Word to life for me!  It showed me the true meaning of these verses and exactly what God does for each of us...

Read these words from Ezekiel 34:

"For this is what the Sovereign Lords says, I myself will search and find my sheep.  I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock.  I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.  I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations.  I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live.  Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel.  There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord.  

Do you see?  God will search.  He will rescue.  He will look.  He will find.  He will bring us home.  He will feed us.  He will give.  He will tend and give us peace!  

Thank you Lord for all You Are!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Pick Me! Pick Me!

Do you remember the days when the teams were being picked in gym class?  The days when you knew in your heart that well you would either be picked next to last or last?  Or perhaps you were the one picked first...I was the last one!  I hated it!  I didn't like it that  even though I loved sports...I wasn't very good at them.  I just was not athletic!  I wasn't very coordinated and I'm not talking about my clothes!

Even as a little girl I loved to watch the sports with my daddy.  I would sit next to him on the couch or climb in his lap and we would pull for our team and I loved it.  I knew more about sports than a lot of guys.  Yes, I knew the details, but not how to play.  I wanted so badly to be a player.

The experience of not being wanted gave me a few self esteem issues.  Rather than realize that I just was not gifted and that it had nothing to do with me as a person; it went into deeper issues of things like I just don't measure up. I struggled do any of you ever have these problems?

I got to thinking that perhaps there are a lot more like me out there than not and I wanted to share something that perhaps you need to hear today!  God picked you long before you picked Him!  Did you get that?  Are you one of those people that's thinking that you said Yes, so God had to take you?  Well, wrong!  He picked you a long time ago...long before you even gave Him a thought!  Long before whatever it might be that causes you to think you are unworthy He picked you!  

Imagine, the scene where Jesus picks the disciples.  He walks by they are fishing and He shouts "Come follow me."  Peter and Andrew left immediately to follow, but not all of us do.  Yet, He picks us first!  We are each chosen by Him long before we decide, if we want to be a part of His team or not.  He allows us to choose Him even though He called our name a long time ago on the cross! 

You are already a member of God's family!  You are already a member of His team!  He loves you dearly, so whatever issues that you deem unworthy of Him...He knows them and He picked you anyway!  So, get over yourself and join the team!  Raise your hand high and shout Me, Me!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Ordinary into Extraordinary...does that sound good?

I've been on Emily's pre-launch team now for a couple of months and it's been a joy!  A group responded to her request about reading her book, then we would be gifted with it and then we give our honest, heart-felt reviews ~ good or bad!  Well, mine is neither...it is a awesome review because this an awesome- touching book!

In today's world, we need a book that reminds us to treasure the "small" moments.  To enjoy living right now in everyday, ordinary now.  Our society is caught up with telling everybody I am so busy...well maybe not everyone, but think about how many people tell you everyday their to do list.  The list are real for each person, but we wear it like a badge of honor and get caught up with the busy-ness that we forget to live in the moment.  We forget to look for Our Savior in the small moments as well as the big moments!

Emily shares beautifully about treasuring the little moments on the bench.  It's not a hard read...it's simple just like the title, but yet it speaks to a recovering busy woman's soul!  I know because it spoke to my soul!

I've underlined little treasures throughout the whole book!  A few that I will share are:  one about "the temptation to always look ahead idealizing the other-ness of what is not rather than embracing the essence of what is"...let that soak in a moment!  It's good!

Another is people need "our with-ness!  They don't need for us to impress them with how spiritual we are.  They need to know that aren't alone.  People need us to embrace a relational smallness, accepting we are not a star, the counselor, the convincer, or the fixer.  Instead, we are a companion, willing to keep company with the soul of another!"  Girls we are always trying to fix things...we can't always fix, but we can just be with them!  Oh, this is a great reminder of what matters!

Are you struggling?  Well, in the chapter about honesty and maturity Emily writes these beautiful words ~
she is talking about a fake fine when someone ask how you are doing.  "But over the years I have continued to struggle through this balance(for lack of a better word) of not hiding behind fake fines while also embracing my security in Christ, realizing sometimes it's okay to struggle and not share it because maybe I'm traveling a personal journey and don't always need to tell everyone about it.  And that doesn't mean I'm being fake, it just means I'm honoring my own design, personality, and process."

Emily is writing from her own journey and sharing beautiful truth!  It spoke to my soul and I believe it will speak to all the "busy" women about the little, small, beautiful moments we might be missing in the busy!  Listen to a few of the chapter titles and see if some of them don't make you a little curious:
Moments & Times, Gates & Cul-de-Sacs, Stairwells & Stages, Honesty & Maturity, Desire& Disappointment, Vision & Contentment...the list contains just a few to wet your appetite for more!

A quote that touched me from this beautiful journey is found at the beginning of "Honesty & Maturity" chapter by Dr. Larry Crabb and it so speaks to this book..."God meets us where we are, not where we pretend to be."  Meet God in this beautiful book by Emily Freeman, God shows up and I encourage you to show up too!  It's an awesome experience on the bench!

5 stars!

Sweet blessings,
Debbie Covington

A Watchman

The job of watchman would be a lonely, difficult job!

Ezekiel is the only prophet called "watchman" and he had a very difficult task.  God gave him very specific instructions about warning people and to do it immediately. If he didn't follow specific instructions Ezekiel would be responsible for their deaths perhaps!  If Ezekiel did his part and they didn't follow the instructions it was on the people not Ezekiel.  Ezekiel was to watch out for the people's safety.

If you don't think Ezekiel had tough instructions read very carefully Ezekiel 4, for 390 days Ezekiel had to bear the sins of Israel.  Ezekiel was obedient.

Indeed, the job of watchman was a difficult job.  

Give thanks for the "watchmen" in your own journey!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

The LORD made...

What is it that you face today?  Is it a difficult decision?  Is it a tough conversation?  Is it a doctor visit that well you just don't want to make?  I hope these words provide some comfort being reminded that we serve a Mighty Powerful Lord who knows all the details and all the plans even when we don't understand HE DOES!

The Lord made the earth by his power,

and he preserves it with his wisdom.

With his own understanding

he stretched out the heavens.

When he speaks in the thunder,

the heavens are filled with water.

He causes the clouds to rise over the earth.

He sends the lightning with the rain

and releases the wind from his storehouses.

The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge!

The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make,

for their carefully shaped works are a fraud.

These idols have no breath or power.

Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies!

On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed.

but the God of Israel is no idol!

He is the Creator of everything that exists,

including his people, his own special possession.

The Lord of Heaven's Armies is his name!

Jeremiah 51: 15-19 brings great comfort to be reminded of who God truly is!  He is like no other and He is Our Savior.  

When I truly look at creation and take it in...I am reminded of just how powerful and mighty God is...I call Colorado my sanctuary because I am totally surrounded by God's Mighty Power and Amazing Beauty!  Thank you Lord for the gift of the moments You provide each of us daily with You!  The moments we are reminded of who you truly are ~ Our Savior, Our Lord, Our Father, Our Creator, Ours....we love you Lord!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Jesus truly sees us...

Today, I feel very much that I am suppose to share from my heart about understanding and love.  I am sharing straight from my heart and it is my prayer that the Lord will speak through these words for a deeper understanding of each other and lots of compassion.

I've prayed about the scripture passage that I should use with this and felt lead to the story of the woman at the well.  The woman that all of us think we know, but do we really?  The woman that suffered alone at noon at the hottest time of day to fetch her water because of other women that whispered, other women that shunned, other women that thought they knew her story.  The woman who went with her mess to the well and left with her message about the amazing love of Jesus.  

Do we really know the story of the woman at the well?  The woman that we are told in John 4 had 5 husbands and she wasn't currently living with a man that wasn't her husband.  Jesus knew her and He knew her story and He knew He had an appointment with her at the well.  He knew that she mattered and He had to share His amazing love with her.

Do you know how the woman had 5 husbands?  Do we know anything other than just the fact she had 5?  No, we don't know her story, but Jesus did!  

I also go to the well with my story and my sins.  At times I go at noon just like this woman, because truthfully I just can't deal with other's thoughts or words.  We think we know their story, but do we really?  We only know what people allow us to know and this is never the whole story.

I want to share with you that on social issues I am a very conservative person.  Being a conservative person doesn't mean that I don't have compassion and love for others and often times I feel very judged because of my stance on issues.  I love the people not the sin.  Whether it is my sin or someone else's sin it's the pain that the sin brings to all of our life I hate!  A sin that makes each of us walk to the well alone rather than enduring the pain of hearing the snickers or to see the fingers pointing.

  I have come to this stance after serving with women and young girls that are totally broken from making the decision to have an abortion.  I have witnessed the tears of a woman that suffered still after 30 years because of this choice.  It's not that I don't love this person, I hate the pain she is suffering still of a choice made long ago.  The pain that keeps her from being able to sit in a church because of the judgment she feels directed at her and the terrible loneliness that only Jesus is able to heal.

I hate the pain of a young lonely girl that wants to feel loved by someone, so she turns to anyone for just a touch.  A touch that brings more pain and still the big hole is in her heart and the hole only grows bigger because this touch only brought more pain.

I hate the pain of the young expectant girl that must give up her baby to provide a better life that the baby deserves.  The hole that is made by others thinking they know the whole story and yet they have no clue.

I hate the pain of the young girl that so desperately wants anyone to see her that she will say or do anything to make sure that she is seen.  The shock at the things that  she says in Bible study to make sure that we all know her pain.  The prayer that we will be able to provide just a glimmer of light so that she will seek Jesus.  

Yes, I've held these young woman and older women in my prayers and in my arms.  Hoping beyond hope that Jesus will use me in some way to help them and at the same time to heal my own hurts.  God's ways are definitely not our way.

When I knew God was calling me to help other women, I never dreamed He would take me right into the arms of young women that had something I so desperately had desired in my own life ~ a baby.  He did and wow did He teach me in the process that I had a lot to learn.  I had a lot of judgment to get rid of on my walk to the well!  I did not know the whole story and neither do you...only Jesus truly sees us!

I am sharing all of this with you today, because sometimes we think we know a lot and we don't know anything at all!  Recently, I had someone make a judgment on me due to my conservative stance on the issues of the world.  Yes, I stand with God's Word, but that doesn't mean that I don't cry real tears for people that are hurting and that I don't throw myself right into situations and try to help.  I was presented with a question that had absolutely nothing to do with the discussion we were having...a question that truthfully meant a judgment on this person's thoughts about me.  I did not respond and I left hurt and broken.  

I am just as guilty as the person that ask the question and hurt me.  I've hurt others with my own judgments, but God healed me.  He took me to places that I didn't really want to go, but in order for me to be healed I had to go.  It is my prayer that just like the woman at the well and myself that you to will leave your water jug at the well and you will run right into the middle of town sharing the healing that only Jesus is able to provide.  It is my prayer that each of us will understand that we may not love the sin, but we still love the person!  

I am able to be this honest with you because I know I am a sinner and only because of Jesus am I healed!  I am not so bold that I don't realize my sin is just as big as the next person's  - it is because of this that I know Jesus loves all of us, but He does not love the sin!  I hate the pain of sin and the heart break and brokenness that sin brings.  Jesus brings the love in the heat of the moment to the well for all of us!  Jesus sees us and He loves us!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Some good...some very bad

Jeremiah 23:33 - 24, 29, 30, 31:1- 14

Wow, Jeremiah had a rough time!  Lots and lots of bad things happening around him and continually he was giving the LORD'S messages to the people.  

In Jeremiah 24, the vision that the Lord gave Jeremiah of the good figs and the rotten figs was filled with hope for the people that were sent to exile.  The Lord was going to take care of them.  He was going to provide for them and they would return wholeheartedly to the LORD.  Imagine, the hope Jeremiah found in these words and then the Lord went on to the bad figs.  Too rotten to eat figs they were so bad that well lots of bad stuff was coming.  Jeremiah was blessed with the good and the bad.  He was able to deliver good and bad news.  

Bad news is never easy to deliver.  I always think of doctors and how they find the strength to walk into a room and deliver bad news, yet if the news is good it's a joy.  A fine line between good and bad.  

Indeed, a fine line.  Jesus tells us the gate is narrow.  I think of that often especially when I hear leaders tell us there are more ways to heaven.  I shutter when Jesus tells us the way is narrow and yet others tell us different. Jesus doesn't tell us that it's easy. He doesn't tell us that all of us make it.  No, He tells us these words in Matthew 7 ~ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  I read these words and the thoughts cross my mind how does Jesus define few?  How narrow is it?  It's okay to talk to God and listen for answers.  We might get them and silence might be the answer for now.   

Hope is found in truth!  Good fruit is found in truth.

The world is suffering.  Terrible, terrible things are happening everywhere.  It doesn't seem that anyone is exempt.  Yet, when I open God's Word I find hope.  Hope because of God's love and only because of God.  God indeed loves us so very dearly that He provided the way ~ the way is Jesus!  

In Jeremiah 29 the words that most every believer knows give great comfort...

For I know the plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  I will be found by you, says the LORD.  I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes.  

Trust and believe in God's Words!  

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Discovery

Jeremiah 12, 13, 14, 15

Today the story of the linen cloth touched my heart.  The reminder that indeed we are like the loin cloth rotting away stubbornly following our own desires - good for nothing.  Yet, God loves us! He doesn't give up on us.

Reading Jeremiah sounds almost like everything happening around us right now.  It's so sad, but yet among all of this awful stuff these beautiful words are found in 15:19, 21

"If you return to me, I will restore you

so you can continue to serve me....

Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men.

I will rescue you from their cruel hands."

Truly, God gives us hope!  Hope found right in the ugly...

I found hope when I truly discovered God's Words.  Words that provide love, hope, encouragement, along with discipline at the times I need those as well...These beautiful words also speak to the truth of what God's Words are able to provide that absolutely nothing else is able to do...

Jeremiah 15:16

When I discovered your words, I devoured them.

They are my joy and my heart's delight,

for I bear your name,

O Lord God of Heaven's Armies.

It's true indeed you discover God when you are in His Words!  He shows up!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Be original

Daniel 2 - 3, Jeremiah 7

Reading yesterday and today, the point kept coming to me that Daniel had to be different, Daniel had to be original, Daniel could not even try to blend in to follow God's instructions.  Daniel was a man from another land and to follow God he had to stick out like a sore thumb.  He could not allow himself to eat the food, God gave him a gift to interpret dreams, God gave them a gift of wisdom and he would never blend in...

We are not made to blend in or fade into the woodwork.  God gifts each of us and He expects each of us to use the gift to shine.  The shining comes from Him not from us!  He shines through all of our broken pieces allowing us to appear whole!

I am always touched with the story of these 3 men in the fiery furnace.  They tied these 3 young men up and throw them into a fiery furnace.  They were fully clothed and the men that threw them in were killed because it was so hot, but not these 3 special men.  God was with them in the furnace!  He protected them.  When the men came out of the fire these words were said "They didn't even smell of smoke!"  

Is the same true of us?  When we are thrown into a difficult situation do we smell of smoke when we get through or do we not show any signs of it?  These men were so special,  so original that they stood out different.  They knew whose they were and they were proud of it!  They knew they belonged to God and didn't mind anybody else knowing even if it meant their own death...Even looking death in the eye they knew they were God's and He loved and protected them!

Today, be original!  Be different, don't look like your surroundings!  Dare to be like Daniel and Be original!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Every word

2 Chronicles 36: 1-4, 2 Kings 23:36 - 37, Jeremiah 22, 26, 25: 1-14, 2 Kings 24:1 - 4

Reading this morning, I was reminded of times that I felt the LORD leading me to speak on something and well it was a tough thing to say or do.  In fact, I kept thinking is there a way that I might make this easier by not using this word or that word and well it ended up being a different word entirely.  All of which was not my choice to make!  I messed up!

Isn't it true a lot today?  We don't want to hurt anybody's feelings, we don't want to step on anybody's toes, and finally we think well it's not hurting me, so why should I step in and say anything....right?  Well, don't you know Jeremiah wanted to do that to in Jeremiah 26 today?  God was telling him to go stand in the middle of the Temple of the LORD and I want you to give them this entire message; include every word!  It wasn't going to be words they wanted to hear and Jeremiah was told specifically do not leave one word out!  Jeremiah knew what was coming, but he had to be obedient.

It seems that often times, we are not obedient like Jeremiah.  Instead of fearing letting God down, we worry more about hurting somebody's feelings.  Yet, aren't we hurting them more in the long run ,if we don't follow God's instructions?  When we are disobedient we are hurting ourselves along with others at the same time.  

Hitting delete on any of God's instructions is a bad thing.  God knows His plans we don't...When we leave out one word we could be making a very bad mistake.  It is the same when we share God's Word.  We can't pick and choose the parts we like and the parts we don't like or to put it another way we can't pick the parts that don't step on our toes and leave the ones we feel like we are okay on.  No it is all God's Word and we need to allow the Holy Spirit to work.

Listen to what happened to Jeremiah after he followed God's instructions.

The priests, the prophets, and all the people listened to Jeremiah as he spoke in front of the Lord's Temple.  But when Jeremiah had finished his message, saying everything the LORD had told him to say, the priests, and prophets, and all the people at the Temple mobbed him.  "Kill him, they shouted. What right do you have to prophesy in the LORD'S name that this Temple will be destroyed like Shiloh?  What do you mean, saying that Jerusalem will be destroyed and left with no inhabitants?" And all the people threatened him as he stood in front of the Temple.

It's not always easy to deliver a tough message, but Jeremiah was obedient.  Are we?  Obedience is tough in good situations, but definitely tough when we don't want to be obedient!  Oh, to be more like Jeremiah.  Jeremiah was strong, Jeremiah was brave, and definitely Jeremiah was obedient to the LORD.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

No ordinary joy

Zephaniah 2:8 -3, 2 Chronicles 35:20-27, 2 Kings 23:29-30, Jeremiah 47 - 48

I love this picture of this little girl in all out joy!  What brings you to this point in your own life?  When do you throw your head back, let your hair go, and swing your arms and dance with abandon?   Well???

Zephaniah 3:17 speaks to this joy for me ~

For the LORD your God is living among you.

He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With his love, he will calm your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

Wow, take that in for a moment!

Zephaniah is telling us that if ~ do you see the word "if"?  If we allow God to be with us gladness is the result!  We will experience joy because we are in relationship with God!  We will be calmed by Our Savior, We will be sung over by Our Savior, He will delight over us!

All I can say is WOW!  God truly loves each of us and it is our choice how much joy we experience with Him!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Surefooted?

Habakkuk 1- 3, Zephaniah 1 - 2:7

Sometimes, walking through everyday stuff I feel like I need to wear the helmet and pads for protection.  Do you?

Well, we have that protection in the LORD, if we recognize Him, ask Him, and allow Him to protect us.  If any of you are like me, perhaps we think bigger issues are on His agenda.  My little situations don't merit the attention of Our Savior, but He wants to be involved in every detail - big or little!

I treasure Habakkuk 3:19 ~

The Sovereign LORD is my strength!

He makes me as surefooted as a deer;

able to tread upon the heights.

A wonderful reminder that because of the LORD we are not as likely to stumble because He is powerful like an army!  I think the whether we are surefooted is again our choice...do we allow Him to take us to these heights.  

Studying this morning, I was reminded of John 4 and the woman at the well.  The choice was hers as to whether she believed and trusted this man at the well.  She had never been sure of anything walking to that well, but she was very sure when she ran from the well!  She ran right into town proclaiming who Jesus was...her stumbles were no longer the focus!  Her story of healing because of this Messiah at the well was now the focus.  She allowed herself to become surefooted because she believed His words of living water!

Today, believe God's words!  Claim them and share them with others!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

He pledged...

2 Kings 23, 2 Chronicles 34: 29-33 & 35, Nahum 1 - 3

I was touched visualizing the beautiful words found in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles this morning about King Josiah summoning all the people to the temple - it says least to the greatest!  All people and what did he do?  He read the entire Book of the Covenant that had been found in the LORD'S temple.  He read God's Word to all the people.  He renewed the covenant with the LORD.  He pledged to obey the LORD and keep all his commands with all his heart and soul!

Imagine our leaders being this bold!  The people had been a long way from following God's commands at the time this took place, yet this king took the bold move to renew and proclaim God's Words.  Isn't it beautiful?  

Wow, to have a leader that didn't care if it was politically correct....Didn't care if it stepped on anybody's toes....the leader just did what was right with God now that is a leader!  A leader must be bold and strong and know with all his heart and soul who God truly is...it's not about the leader it's all about God!  

I pray that we (USA) will gain such a leader in the next election.  A person that is willing to lead knowing that God is truly the leader and that this person will follow God's laws and God's commands.  I pray that this person will be strong and courageous just like the words found in Joshua 1:9 knowing that God will go before them.  Lord, please bring us this leader.  Please show us the person that needs to bring us closer to you and your desires for the USA.  Let us remember the words from Nahum 1:7 that indeed LORD you are good, that you are a strong refuge when trouble comes and that you are indeed close to those of us that trust in you.  Amen

Remember, to begin to pray about the leader that God desires the USA to have and that we need.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie