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Sitting and listening for a voice.

3/30/2014

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Joy In the Morning

         
          Be still and know that I am God.                                               Psalm 46:10 


                                                                                               Hello Friend,          



           How did you wake this morning?  Anxious or afraid?  Confused?   I had a phone call this week from a friend who is all of the above.  She is seeking to understand God’s will for her life.  So she is sitting and waiting.  Literally.  Sitting!  Listening for a voice!   I didn’t want to disillusion her or challenge her faith, but sometimes, you just need to walk in faith knowing that God will lead. If you make a wrong step, you learn from your mistakes. This morning’s scripture says, “Be still and know.”  Sometimes, we know what we are supposed to be doing, but think to ourselves, wouldn’t it be great if God intervened and whispered something grand?  Something that would be more appealing.  More noteworthy.  Found this saying on the internet a while ago and kept it for just such a moment. 



One night, I had a wondrous dream; one set of footprints there was seen.



The footprints of my precious Lord, but mine were not along the shore.



But then some stranger prints appeared,                                                                                             And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"



"Those prints are large and round and neat, but, Lord, they are too big for feet."



"My child," He said in somber tones. "For miles I carried you alone.



I challenged you to walk in faith, but you refused and made me wait.



You disobeyed, you would not grow, the walk-of-faith you would not know.



So I got tired and fed up, and there I dropped you on your butt,



Because in life, there comes a time, when one must fight, and one must climb,



When one must rise and take a stand, or leave their butt prints in the sand."



            My friend, if you are not sure what the Lord wants you to do, begin by loving your neighbor, feed the poor, or take a widow out to lunch.  The Lord just might whisper in your ear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  If you don’t hear His voice, hear mine:  “Yea disciple, I’m proud of you.”  Your friend, Linda









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Are you daring greatly?

3/16/2014

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 Joy In the Morning

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Hello Hello friend,

          I hope that you woke this wonderful morning feeling powerful and love-filled.  Are you ready for the arena of life—ready to dare greatly?

        Some days I am, but other times I lack self-discipline and when the alarm goes off, I want to snuggle down with my comforter and drift back to sleep. Sometimes the dawn presents me with a raging sea of emotions—fear crawls down deep into my mind and anxiety pulses through my veins like poisonous venom.  It is on those mornings—the lethargic or apprehensive ones—that I need a plan in place to reclaim the dawning glory of a new day.   Our attitude is always a choice.  While it may be true that you are feeling drowsy from a restless sleep; do you truly want to miss the miracle of a sunrise, the aroma of coffee, the delight of crispy bacon and golden eggs?  Disregard your thoughts urging you to return to slumber.  They are just that:  thoughts.  And you can control them! On mornings like this, daring greatly is hearing those thoughts and choosing to greet the day with enthusiasm.             

        Awaking with a torrent of terrifying emotions about situations which you will have to confront during your day is never pleasant.  While much harder to do than overcoming the impulse to sleep a little longer, once again you must identify the raging fear-filled torrent of emotions as just thoughts.  And you can change or ignore that stream of frightening sensations by claiming the promises of God.  Whatever enemy looms large in your arena today; you are stronger, braver, and a victor.  The presence of God will be with you.  Dare to face your day with confidence.  Dare to believe that you have the strength, the power, and the will to triumph. Every day presents opportunities and challenges. Determine to make this day a good one.  Dare Greatly!  Live joyfully!                                                                                                                                                             Linda

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My Heavenly Goal!

3/2/2014

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 Joy In the Morning

        I press on toward the goal to win the supreme and heavenly prize.        Philippians 3:14 (Message)

 Hello Friend, 

          I watched the conclusion of the winter Olympics last night.  What an amazing celebration—all those smiling athletes sporting their medals.  And they deserve to be proud after all those years of diligent practice dedicated to their sport-of-choice.  What a crowning achievement. I greatly admire their tenacity and dogged determination—their grit and bravery.   Certainly I am not an Olympian, but I have a goal.  I want, deep in my heart, to experience more moments of sacred splendor.  No, I won’t win a medal for my effort, but I long for those fleeting glimpses of God’s presence which affords me moments of peace and serenity.

          I have not always been a serene Christian.  Many might call me worried, frenzied, fearful, and a perfectionist.  Not the most stellar qualities I wish to embody. Over the years I have achieved a certain quality of serenity.  But I wish to be more than calm and peaceful; I want the experience of sacred splendor.  More moments when I am sure, beyond doubt, that I am at-one with God. Moments when I can feel His breath on my cheek.  Moments when the sensation of His presence is not wished-for, but felt within my realm of the senses.  I long to know Him, touch Him, hear His voice, and see with the eyes of faith, His face. And I am willing to pursue that goal with all the resolve of an Olympic athlete.  Yes, I will require training.  Yes, I must practice. Yes, I will experience failure at times.  But oh, the thrill of Victory!  I know that I will have victory in Jesus, my Savior forever.  What is the goal you are pursuing?  And does it have heavenly benefits?  If not, I encourage you to come into God’s training arena—the church.  I don’t promise a gold medal, but God promises you will receive jewels in your crown.  Linda

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