Begin & End With Forgiveness

“Then Peter came and said to Him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, Have patience with me and I will repay you. But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?'’ And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.’” Matthew 18:21-35

We can end the year and begin the year with forgiveness. May your New Year find you making more time for God’s Word.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Hope For Tomorrow

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (full, complete and perfect payment) for our sins.” I John 4:10

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in His with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

Because He lives you can face tomorrow!

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Pray for God’s will for the New Year!

Still No Room

“And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6-7

Every Christmas when I was a child we would be treated to a Walt Disney creation of Alice in Wonderland. One of my favourite scenes was the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, with the big table and all the mis-matched chairs. Watching the characters rush from chair to char to the chorus of “No room! No room! Move down. Move down.” Sort of the way people still react to Jesus in a world so rushed and frenetic and hopeless.

“’Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

To Do What?

“’Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant – as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets of old – salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; to show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to Abraham our father to grant us that we, being delivered Might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.’” Luke 1:68-75

Consider your past before Christ; then remember the day you understood His free gift of forgiveness and grace to save you. Remember? He didn’t just save you – He saved you for a purpose – to help Him complete His plan on earth – His present to all who would receive that gift.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray earnestly for all who may be facing Christmas alone or without significant loved ones this year.

Just Good Friends

“And Mary said: ‘My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble. He has filled the hungry with good things; and set away the rich empty-handed. He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring for ever.’” Luke 1:46-55

Mary might have been 13-16 years old, just able to conceive; surprised by her body as it developed without the added wonder of being with child and knowing she had never been alone with her intended. She visits her relative Elizabeth, not to confirm the angel’s message to her, but to help Elizabeth also come to terms with a conception at the opposite scale - a woman who had for many years tried to conceive with her husband. Mary and Elizabeth must have had some amazing conversations. Isn’t it a miracle how God provides special friends for us throughout our journey; and how, even though we don’t deserve it, they just love us through our own challenges? Thank a friend today for their faithfulness – it is a gift of great love.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray earnestly for all who may be facing Christmas alone or without significant loved ones this year.

Dr. Luke

“And Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is not in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.’” Luke 1:34-38a

Jesus’ conception and birth were unique and there are three reasons we can believe in this miracle. 1.) Luke was a medical doctor and knew more about the workings of the human body than the other three writers of the Gospels; 2.) He was the most careful researcher of facts and would have personally interviewed Mary and report her (not his) story in her words as a good journalist would; 3.) Christians and Jews who believed in and worship the creator of the universe know of His miraculous powers. He had no difficulty creating Adam and Eve out of dust. For the Holy Spirit to conceive a child in Mary was a miracle but not difficult for the Lord of all.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray earnestly for all who may be facing Christmas alone or without significant loved ones this year.

Seeing Rather Than Hearing

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, ‘Hail, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was greatly troubled at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favour with God. And behold you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High’ and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end.’” Luke 1:26-33

Mary would have been young, but she would have known who God the Father was. Her training would have come through her mother and the other women in her family, because women were not taught the same way young boys were. I imagine women looked (and still look) at God’s workings in a different way from just learning it through Scriptures. Perhaps they watch and listen in a unique (God-given) way to what is happening around them. In the time of Mary though, because women were so protected they might have had more opportunity to learn lessons about trust we likely don’t appreciate today.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray earnestly for all who may be facing Christmas alone or without significant loved ones this year.

Father's Hearts

“And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. And Zarcharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear gripped him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zarcharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine or liquor; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, while yet in his mother’s womb. And he will turn back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’” Luke 1:11-17

Yesterday I had a long conversation with my brother and his wife about the deterioration of values in the secular and Christian world, but especially in America. The quote from Luke was just next in the Christmas offering), but it contains the only answer – “to turn the hearts of the father’s back to the children”!

Businesses can’t fix it; the government can’t be responsible; no kindergarten, school or university can; no political party seems to care about more than winning; no adult training program can rectify the damage; no mother has the energy --only the father’s heart. Once a father’s heart is turned back to the children, they’ll consider their relationship with the Lord and purify it again. They’ll look to their headship responsibility (for the Lord doesn’t accept excuses for poor leadership in the home). Husbands will support their wives and use some of their precious energy to consider what must now be done for the children. That’s God’s plan. And that, and only that, will fix America’s lost values and broken heart.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray earnestly for all who may be facing Christmas alone or without significant loved ones this year.

Christmas - First Angel

“And the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you more than all cattle, and more than every besast of the field; on your belly shall you go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life; and I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise Him on the heel.’” Genesis 3:14-15

It is easy to forget that Satan did not begin his existence as evil, but choose to put his thoughts above God’s. From the first sin (to not trust God’s Word and to believe you know better than He does about something), God began to unfold His plan to rescue and save humanity. Here is the first prophecy about Jesus, spoken to one of God’s angels.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Storms

“For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, and were at their wits end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet; so He guided them to their desired haven.” Psalm 107:25-30

“And behold, there arose a great storm in the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves; but He Himself was asleep. And they came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing!’ And He said to them, ‘Why are you timid, you men of little faith?’ Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. And the men marveled, saying, ‘What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?’” Mathew 8:24-2

During my first sailing excursion around the Caribbean, we were confronted by a sudden hurricane. It was then I learned how heavy the keel of a sail boat had to be; and how powerful a storm can be, with waves washing over the deck of a schooner built to carry about 150 people. Awesome is not enough of a word to describe the experience and to know there was nothing but God’s grace powerful enough to save you through it all.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Starting this Friday, I will interrupt this series through Psalms to devote the rest of the year to the Christmas story.

Our Teacher

“Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord, or can show forth all His praise? How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times! Remember me, O Lord, in Thy favour toward Thy people; visit me with Thy salvation, that I may see the prosperity of Thy chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of Thy nation, that I may glory with Thine inheritance.” Psalm 106:1-5

It’s not about being rich – our relationship with the Lord – or having an easy life with no troubles. It is having someone completely faithful and true we can rely on WHILE we travel through challenging times of personal education. What we learn is up to us. Our Teacher never stops teaching us what He knows we need to know to serve His plan on this earth.

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Starting this Friday, I will interrupt this series through Psalms to devote the rest of the year to the Christmas story.

Today's Present

“Saying, ‘To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.’ When they were only a few men in number, very few, and strangers in it. And they wandered about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people. And He reproved kings for their sakes: ‘Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.’” Psalm 105:11-15

“The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.’” Jeremiah 31:3

Of course it is easy to forget that the almighty, all-powerful, all seeing, wise God is also particularly caring of His individual children, because we are precious in His eyes. What a present for today!

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

All For You

“He makes the winds His messengers, flaming fire His ministers; He established the earth upon its foundations, so that it will not totter forever and ever.—The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works. He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the labour of man, so that he may bring forth food from the earth, and wine which makes man’s heart glad, so that he may make his face glisten with oil and food which sustains man’s heart. – O Lord, how many are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast make them all; the earth is full of Thy possessions.” Psalm 104:4-5, 13b-15, 24

God didn’t just throw together a few blobs of mud and hope we would be content here because we didn’t know better; like the Father He is, He looked to extravagant details we would never know about that He knew would bring us joy even before they would bring us to our knees at His throne.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Rather Die...

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit; who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle. – For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame, He is mindful that we are but dust.” Psalm 103:1-5, 11-14

You are but dust, but His dust and He loves you. What is more He loved you enough to allow His Son to pay the only acceptable price for the sins you cannot resist practicing – You see, He would rather die, than live without you; knowing He would rise again to reach your heart and save you!

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for the men you know this week who live in a world where sometimes they are not sure where they fit anymore.

Not for you

“Hear my prayer, O Lord! And let my cry for help come to Thee. Do not hide Thy face from me in the day of my distress; incline Thine ear to me; in the day when I call answer me quickly. – This will be written for the generation to come; that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.” Psalm 102:1-2, 18

“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you ALL the families of the earth shall be blessed.’” Genesis 12:1-3

“Life is difficult.” I’m not sure whether to reference that quote or not now because it seems pretty obvious this statement, used by Scott Peck to open his book the “Road Less Travelled” begins. But our difficulties, our victories, our achievement, our sacrifices are not as important than what God is working out in us to help save those around us. Now that IS neat.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for the men you know this week who live in a world where sometimes they are not sure where they fit anymore.

Choices

“A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; no one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure. My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in a blameless way is the one who will minister to me. He who practices shall not dwell within my house; he who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before me.” Psalm 101:4-7

Everyday we have choices to walk this way or that; to read this or that; to say this or that; to help or not; to read God’s Word or not. It is up to you really to choose what you know is right. God does not want automatons, He wants people who love him just a little bit as much as He loves them.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for the men you know this week who live in a world where sometimes they are not sure where they fit anymore.

He Knows

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with Gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is God; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100

It is easy to see all that is wrong in our world. Take a moment right now to just look up to the Lord. He knows.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for the men you know this week who live in a world where sometimes they are not sure where they fit anymore.

Knowing

“Let them Praise Thy great and awesome name; Holy is He. And the strength of the King loves justice; Thou hast established equity. Thou hast executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool; Holy is He.” Psalm 99:3-5

God’s holiness is chillingly frightening for those who do not know the Lord or they choose to pretend holiness doesn’t exist. For His children, it comforts our hearts because our Father is morally perfect and He is set apart from people and sin. He has no weaknesses or shortcomings. Those who do not know His Truth are exposed by the Truth, light and purity of His holiness. God cannot tolerate, ignore or excuse sin.

“Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through he Law comes the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:19-20

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for the men you know this week who live in a world where sometimes they are not sure where they fit anymore.

No Excuses

“The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” Psalm 98:2-3

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honour Him as God,” Romans 1:18-21a

He will return and some will want to argue they never heard, but He shouts through is creation and most of all He whispers through His children. Enjoy your weekend.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for the women you know this week who do so much and sometimes stand alone.

Long List

“Hate evil, you who love the Lord, who preserves the soul of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is sown like seed for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones; and give thanks to His holy name.” Psalm 97:10-12

“For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power, and avoid such men as these.” II Timothy 3:2-5

When we think of “being good,” we think we are good if we don’t murder or steal; but there are many lists in Scripture meant to show us that avoiding some sins is not enough, because we still do others – and just one unconfessed sin in our life is enough to break our clear communication with the Father. Just consider this list in II Timothy. It helps us remember our need of the Savior every moment of every day.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for the women you know this week who do so much and sometimes stand alone.

GREAT !

“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;” Psalm 96:1-4a

“For the Lord is great beyond description, and greatly to be praised.” New Living Translation

“For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be reverently feared and worshiped above all [so-called] gods." Amplified Bible

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.” New International Version

Over and over, with our daily lives, those around us, all that surrounds us whether real or perceived; we can trust in one thing and that is the almighty and everlasting, loving and omniscient greatness of our God, who acts for His purposes in our world and in our lives for the best.

“’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’” Jeremiah 29:11-

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for the women you know this week who do so much and sometimes stand alone.

Grumbling Start

“Come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah.” Psalm 95:6-8a

“Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water that we may drink.’ And Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’—And he named the place, ‘Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the Lord saying, ‘Is the Lord among us, or not?’” Exodus 17:2 & 7

We all are weak enough to want things our way; to trust our own judgment. We also fall to the temptation to “know” what God wants for us. God’s plan is perfect and even when EVERYTHING seems wrong, He has not looked away for a moment and forgotten what is going on. He is watching to see the attitude of our hearts regarding Him.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for the women you know this week who do so much and sometimes stand alone.

Stand behind Me

“Who will stand up for against evildoers? Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness? If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. If I should say, ‘My foot has slipped,’ Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations delight my soul. Can a throne of destruction be allied with Thee, one which devises mischief by decree? They band themselves together against the life of the righteous, and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord has been my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge, and He has brought back their wickedness upon them, and will destroy them in their evil; the Lord our God will destroy them.” Psalm 94:16-23

When my Dad was working, one of his golden rules was to always stand behind him when he was busy. This way, I would be out of the way of hammers or saws or other tools he might be using and he would always know where I was. In the same way, the Lord wants us to be out of His way as He deals with those who do evil. Think about it.

“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for the women you know this week who do so much and sometimes stand alone.

Awe Thanks!

“The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord has clothed and girded himself with strength; indeed the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. Thy throne is established from of old; Thou art from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their pounding waves. More than the sounds of many waters, than the mighty breakers of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty. Thy testimonies are fully confirmed; holiness benefits Thy house, O Lord, forevermore.” Psalm 93

I didn’t see the ocean till I was about 30. After a ten hour drive we reached a place near Miami and parked on a long pier. My friends went for directions to our destination. I walked around stretching from the long drive. Then I heard it. The pounding waves. I walked to the platform edge and peered into the dusk to watch the waves roll into the sand. The greatness and extensiveness of that power made me unconsciously step back and I began to pray in Thanksgiving for the wonder of His majesty. Enjoy your holiday and think of the ocean today.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for my sweetest friend, Doris as she makes more new adjustments to being without her life companion, Owen.

Not Over Yet!

“The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon, planted in the house of the Lord. They will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sat and very green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no uprightness in Him.” Psalm 92:12-15

As we see years passing over us there are many surprises we face, including how things change with friends, parents, others we care about, places we love, the world in general. Perhaps we even feel we don’t have as much a ministry as we used to have. Yet, God preserves His children in their ministry with a mysterious vigor for the work of His plan.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for my sweetest friend, Doris as she makes more new adjustments to being without her life companion, Owen.

Your Foot Too!

“He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; -- a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not approach you. – For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:4-5, 7, 11-12

When we think of this passage, we think of this promise only to Jesus and hear it in the temptation verses (in Matthew 4), but note this was a promise for you too. Today as things crowd you remember He promised to be with you and sends His angels to camp about you.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for my sweetest friend, Doris as she makes more new adjustments to being without her life companion, Owen.

Seventy or eighty, then...

“As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years, yet their pride is but labour and sorrow; for soon it is gone and we fly away.” Psalm 90:10

“Vanity of vanities.’ says the Preacher, ‘Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.’ What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun? – There is no remembrance of earlier things; and also of the later things which will occur, there will be for them no remembrance among those who will come later still.” Ecclesiastes 1:2-3, 11

Sometimes in our daily lives we can forget that our time is short and none of us knows whether we will reach the 70 or 80 years the Lord spoke about in the Psalms. But we do know He has work for us to do here and there will be judgment of how we have used our time.

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” Romans 9:27

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Light please...

“The heavens are Thine, the earth also is Thine; the world and all it contains, Thou hast founded them. The north and the south, Thou has created them; Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at Thy name. Thou hast a strong arm; Thy hand is mighty, Thy right hand is exalted. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne; lovingkindness and truth go before Thee. How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O Lord they walk in the light of Thy countenance.” Psalm 89:11-15

Some friends and I were talking about light and dark. Dark is the absence of light. It only takes one tiny spark of light to dispel the darkness, yet a tiny spark of darkness only looks dark by contrast to the light. We need more light!

“Again therefore Jesus spoke with them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.’” John 8:12

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Spiritual Breathing

“Will Thy wonders be made known in the darkness? And Thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? But I, O Lord, have cried out to Thee for help, and in the morning my prayer comes before Thee.” Psalm 88:12-13

"And after He had sent the multitudes away, He went up to the mountains by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone." Matthew 14:23

It’s very quiet in the morning when I have quiet time with my Father. Early in my Christian life someone shared how important it was to start each day by spiritual breathing ("inhaling" God's Word and "exhaling" your heart in prayer). What you can find is how wise and loving your Father is. His Word teaches you every time you open it. Enjoy your weekend my friends.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Ticking

“The Lord shall count when He registers the peoples, ‘this one was born there.’ Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes shall say, ‘All my springs of joy are in you.’” Psalm 87:6-7

“’But when the Son on Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another; as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’’” Matthew 25:31-34

God has a plan and it is to reach the lost because one day there will be no more reaching out. He will appear and those on His left…will have no future. Can you sense His clock ticking down….?

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for David and Adrian and their health problems.

For John B

“Incline Thine ear, O Lord, and answer me; for I am afflicted and needy. Do preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O Thou my God, save Thy servant who trusts in Thee. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to Thee I cry all day long. Make glad the soul of Thy servant, for to Thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon Thee. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and give heed to the voice of my supplications!” Psalm 86:1-6

I was newly arrived in Australia and had made a fast and enduring friend with a gentleman named, John B. He introduced me to lorikeets in huge flocks, sharing a taxi with a stranger, Telecom, lamingtons, Operation World and pumpkin soup. He was a lay preacher who loved the Lord. One evening he took me to his church to hear him preach on Romans 8:29-30 (but not about predestination, he explained). This passage in Psalms was what the Lord put on my heart as he spoke. John is still a friend. Isn’t God wonderful!

“A friend loves at all times,” Proverbs 17:17

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for David and Adrian and their health problems.

What is good...

“Wilt Thou not Thyself revive us again, that Thy people may rejoice in Thee? And grant us Thy salvation. I will hear what God the Lord will say; for He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. Lovingkindness and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth spring from the earth; and righteousness looks down from heaven. Indeed the Lord will give us what is good;” Psalm 85:6-12a

Do you ever get tired, really tired, bone tired? God gives us signals to help us slow down so we can listen more closely to Him. Can all the rushing and doing more than ever before actually crowd Him out? When it does just remember there is a great prayer for that:

“Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit,” Psalm 51:12

He longs for you to take time to remember the day of your salvation frequently because He knows when you do, you hear Him more carefully. His lovingkindness lasts forever! Amen

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for David and Adrian and their health problems.

Can We?

“For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness, for the Lord God is a sun and Shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does Hi withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in Thee!” Psalm 84:9-12

Trust is a big concept for most of us. The word means to have a belief, confidence, reliance on the truth, goodness, character, power, ability, etc., of someone or something. One of my best lifetime friends, Adrian Stokes has a favourite verse in Scripture about this. It is:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Yet this verse goes on because like every promise there is a condition:

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil, it will be healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:7=8

Can we trust Him?

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Silent Fighting

“O God, do not remain quiet; do not be silent and, O God, do not be still. For, behold, Thine enemies make an uproar; and those who hate Thee have exalted themselves. They make shrewd plans against Thy people, and conspire together against Thy treasured ones.” Psalm 83:1-2

“The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” Exodus 14:14

John Milton, a 17th century, English poet wrote: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” And that is a very powerful statement. Think about it. So many times we want to DO something – ANYTHING! To fix it, to make it all better, to hurry up the results, to “prevent a disaster”. As if the Lord doesn’t have a clue what’s happening in His world. Sometimes -- in fact, more times than not, it is better to wait on Him.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might, He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:28-31

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Assignment: Pick one couple you have been praying for this week and call them or send them a hand written card encouraging their love of the Lord and each other.

Just Measure

“God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers. How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Vindicate the weak and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. They do not know nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.” Psalm 82:1-7

“’You shall have a full and just weight; you shall have a full and just measure, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” Deuteronomy 25:15

Prejudice, discrimination, favoritism -- all create defeat in the world and in our Body of believers’ gatherings.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Pray for Tim and Barb, Carla and Paul and all the couples you know this week, that the Lord will build the love in their families and that they will be blessed and strengthened for all their patience and hope and love – especially for those who seem to give little in return.

Watching A Child

“’But My people did not listen to My voice; and Israel did not obey Me. So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, to walk in their own devices. Oh that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! I would quickly subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries. Those who hate the Lord would pretend obedience to Him; and their time of punishment would be forever. But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat; and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.’” Psalm 81:11-16

Ever watch a child trying to do something in their determined, sometimes stubborn way that you know they can’t do and you know you can for them? You wait. You watch. Then you offer to help. Most times you get one of two responses (depending on how long or seemingly successful they have been with their struggle to that point): “I can do it myself!’ or “Here do it! I can’t!” Now think about God watching you.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Pray for Tim and Barb, Carla and Paul and all the couples you know this week, that the Lord will build the love in their families and that they will be blessed and strengthened for all their patience and hope and love – especially for those who seem to give little in return.

Is He trustworthy?

“O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt Thou be angry with the prayer of Thy people? Thou hast fed them with the bread of tears, and Thou hast made them to drink tears in large measure. Thou dost make us an object of contention to our neighbors; and our enemies laugh among themselves. O God of hosts, restore us, and cause Thy face to shine upon us and we will be saved.” Psalm 80:4-7

“’If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blasting fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’” Daniel 3:17-18

The hardest thing we do in our lives is to trust God when are sure we know what is right or when we want a specific solution or conclusion to something happening around us or in our own lives. That is when we get to exercise trust.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Pray for Tim and Barb, Carla and Paul and all the couples you know this week, that the Lord will build the love in their families and that they will be blessed and strengthened for all their patience and hope and love – especially with those who seem to give little in return.

How to argue with God

"Do not remember the iniquities of our forefathers against us; let Thy compassion come quickly to meet us; for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Thy name; and deliver us, and forgive our sins for Thy name’s sake. Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’” Psalm 79:8-9

“Then Moses entreated the Lord his God, and said, ‘O Lord, why doth Thine anger burn against Thy people whom Thou hast brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, ‘With evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Thy burning anger and change Thy mind about doing harm to Thy people.” Exodus 32:11-12

In Job there is that classic start of Chapter 38: “Who are you to answer back to God…” You see, you can argue with God all you want. You can rant and rave against His hand in your life, you can mope and be sad or depressed. You can even pretend to praise Him when you are grumpy inside (the fake it till you make it approach).

But Scripture shows us how to argue with God: just remind Him of the above two passages and ask for His will in the situation, always keeping in mind that whether He moves to act in the way you think best or not, He will move to do the best for His purposes and because of His amazing, omniscient love of you.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Sleeping Giant

“Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, like a warrior overcome by wine. And He drove His adversaries backward; He put on them an everlasting reproach. He also rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but choose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved. And He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He has founded forever. He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands.” Psalm 78:65-72

What a picture the world has of our Lord – as if He is asleep from too much wine. But God does not sleep; He watches (and I’m sure He weeps for what He knows must happen before the end He is orchestrating) and hopes in you and me to keep reminding others in whatever way He has shown us to share that there is hope and love; that there will be a last day and judgment. This is our responsibility you know. What a privilege to be His! Enjoy your weekend.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Perspective

“I will remember my song in the night; I will meditate with my heart; and my spirit ponders. Will the Lord reject forever: And will He never be favourable again? Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has His promise come to an end forever? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion?

Then I said, ‘It is my grief, that the right hand of the Most High has changed.’

“I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. I will meditate on all Thy work, and muse on Thy deeds. Thy way, O God, is holy; what god is great like our God? Thou art the God who workest wonders; Thou hast made known Thy strength among the people. Thou hast by Thy power redeemed Thy people,” Psalm 77:7-15a

Sometimes we are looking the wrong way and need to change our perspective to remember how truly far we have come since we first put our hand into His hand. We could all do things differently and better and faster; but the Lord would have us trust Him that His timing is working out in our lives despite how we may try to get in His way. Isn’t that amazing?

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Fear & God

“Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still, when God arose to judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. For the wrath of man shall praise Thee; with a remnant of wrath Thou shalt gird Thyself. Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all who are around Him bring gifts to Him who is to be feared.” Psalm 76:8-11

Have you ever heard someone say they don’t want to believe in a god they have to fear? I have and when you think about it, why would you believe in a god you didn’t fear anyway? If he is mighty enough to create the universe and our world and keep it running and take care of the smallest details of how many hairs we have on our heads and when just one sparrow falls to the ground and when we are happy or filled with sorrow or pain – He is a the only God to believe in. And if He can do all these things, He is one to be feared and reverences as well as loved. --

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (complete and full payment) for our sins.” I John 4:10

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Answer Back

“We give thanks to Thee, O God, we give thanks, for Thy name is near; men declare Thy wondrous works. ‘When I select an appointed time, it is I who judge with equity. The earth and all who dwell in it melt; it is I who have firmly set its pillars.’” Psalm 75:1-3

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me! Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding. Who set its measurements, since you know? Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sand together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:1-7

God has a purpose for what He has made and what continues to happen to it even this second. His plan, so intricate as to escape our understanding, is to find a way to appeal to those who have not yet looked up and seen His free gift of salvation. We can help point the way, once we see the Truth, but not before.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Science Doesn't Know

“Yet God is my king from of old, who works deeds of deliverance in the midst of the earth. Thou didst divide the sea by Thy strength; Thou didst break the heads of the sea monsters in the waters. Thou didst crush the heads of Leviathan; Thou didst give him as food for the creatures of the wilderness. Thou didst break open springs and torrents; Thou didst dry up ever-flowing streams. Thine is the day, Thine also is the night; Thou hast prepared the light and the sun. Thou hast established all the boundaries of the earth; Thou hast made summer and winter.” Psalm 74:12-17

As scientists continue to intrusively try to unravel every little thing into simple component parts and explain the “what” -- they cannot yet, nor ever will – explain the “why” -- the motive behind the workings. God’s plan is perfect. We can trust that.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for David, Adrian and Chester in their continued physical battles on this earth.

Who Has You?

“For I was envious of the arrogant, as I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pains in their death; and their body is fat. They are not in trouble as other men; nor are they plagued like mankind. – Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence; for I have been stricken all day long, and chastened every morning. –Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast taken hold of my right hand. With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, and after receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? – But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works.” Psalm 73:3-4, 13-14, 23-25, 28

Sometimes it seems we are losing and we are losing every thing and everyone we care about or hope to keep in our lives – family, friends, pets -- things we cherish and hold dear; places, memories -- even memories! In the end we have the love of our heavenly Father -- and He has us right where He wants us forever.

“’My Father, who has given them [God’s children who have made the choice to trust in the free and perfect gift of Christ’s sacrifice for salvation] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one’” John 10:29-30

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for David, Adrian and Chester in their continued physical battles on this earth.

EVERY

“May His name endure forever; may His name increase as long as the sun shines; and let men bless themselves by Him; let all nations call Him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders, and blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen.” Psalm 72:17-19

“Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus EVERY knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

Every knee, not just the knees of His children, but those who have kept their foot on the necks of His children; those who have ignored the hope that is in His children; those who have ignored His children – because it is through His children that His message comes, garbled though it may be, tainted and perverted though it seems at times. Because one day He will return and that will be Judgment Day.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for David, Adrian and Chester in their continued physical battles on this earth.

In Awe of Him

“For Thou are my hope; O Lord God, Thou art my confidence from my youth. By Thee I have been sustained from my birth; Thou art He who took me from my mother’s womb’ my praise is continually of Thee. – My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to Thee; and my soul, which Thou hast redeemed. My tongue also will utter Thy righteousness all day long; for they are ashamed, for they are humiliated who seek my hurt.” Psalm 71:5-6, 22-24

“My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depts. Of the earth.” Psalm 139:15

Our bodies are so remarkable. Stop right after you finish reading this just long enough to look at one of your hands. Move each finger, watch it. Make a fist. Watch what happens to the muscles and the fibers and the bones. Open your hand. Look at the back and the way the veins are arranged. Turn your hand over. Look at the way your hands are lined. No other hand in the world is like yours. Just that detail alone should stop us in awe of His majesty.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Delay ? !!

“Let all who seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; and let those who love Thy salvation say continually, ‘Let God be magnified.’ But I am afflicted and needy; hasten to me, O God! Thou art my help and my deliverer, O Lord, do not delay.” Psalm 70:4-5

“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” II Peter 3:8

Thomas Merton said: “To surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is to succumb to violence. Frenzy destroys our inner capacity for peace.” The Lord is on HIS time schedule – not OURS. Difficult to grasp sometimes and He wants to be on the top of our list – all our lists, in fact.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Your Witness

“O God, it is Thou who dost know my folly, and my wrongs are not hidden from Thee. May those who wait for Thee not be ashamed through me, O Lord God of hosts; May those who seek Thee not be dishonoured through me, O God of Israel,” Psalm 69:5-7a

Others watch us to see if our faith really does work. Even the angels watch us. You see Jesus Christ left us here to share His Word and how it has changed our lives with others, knowing that in this way others can make the choice to follow Him or not. Do others think He makes a difference in your life?

[Jesus speaking] “’—and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.’” Acts 1:8

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

He Acts For Us

“Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts, whose name is the Lord and exult before Him. A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, is God in His holy habitation. God makes a home for the lonely;--Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. God is to us a God of deliverances; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death. –Your God has commended your strength; show Thyself strong, O God, who hast acted on our behalf.” Psalm 68:4-6a, 19-20, 28

What an encouraging Psalm for us. We can sing because God is our Father and he loves us so much He never leaves us lonely, He bears our burdens, if we will only give them to Him and he commands our strength!

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Trust Not Blame

“God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Thy way may be known on the earth, Thy salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise Thee, O God; Let all the peoples praise Thee.” Psalm 67:1-3

“The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee. Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4

Sometimes things go wrong; something everything seems to go wrong and all at the same time. You could blame circumstances, or others, or the weather or technology or whatever. But God is not away during this time; He is there holding you and guarding your heart and soul and mind and body. He knows how you feel. He will not let you go through a second of time without Him. Just turn to Him and lean into Him.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please pray for Adrian, Chester and David who continue to battle with health issues.

Out of Context

“Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear; but certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. Blessed by God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor His lovingkindness from me.” Psalm 66:16-20

This passage of Scripture is often used to say God will not listen to your prayers when you have unconfessed sin in your heart. Someone will quote out of context: “If I regard wickedness in my heart the Lord will not hear.” Yet this is NOT what the passage says. God loves you and wants to hear what is on your heart, even if you are in the midst of your own or others wickedness. And when you are able, you can restore that closeness again with confession. For you see God is always holding us. When we feel His distance it is important to ask who moved away. Certainly the Father NEVER moves away from His children.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please feel free to recommend the new blog site to others.

His Idea

“By awesome deeds Thou dost answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, Thou who art the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea; who dost establish the mountains by His strength, being girded with might; who dost still the roaring of the seas, the roaring of the waves, and the tumult of the peoples. And they who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Thy signs; Thou dost make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. Thou dost visit the earth, and cause it to overflow; Thou dost greatly enrich it;” Psalm 65:5-9a

Mountains, the sea, waves, the sunset and the dawn -- all in His careful control and in His perfect plan for His people and those who do not yet know who He is to them. What a joy it is to be cared for by Him!

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:19-20

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please feel free to recommend the new blog site to others.

Omniscience

“Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, from the tumult of those who do iniquity, who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their arrow, to shoot from concealment at the blameless; suddenly they shoot at him, and do not fear. They hold fast to themselves an evil purpose; -- But God will shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they will be wounded. So they will make him stumble; their own tongue is against them; all who see them will shake the head. Then all men will fear, and will declare the work of God.” Psalm 64:1-5a, 7-9

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

God knows everything that has ever happened to you, everything that is presently happening to you right this very moment; and what’s more, He knows everything that is going to happen to you in every moment into the future. So do not despair because He loves you more than you can ever imagine!

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please feel free to recommend the new blog site to others.

Wings & Hands

“When I remember Thee on my bed, I meditate on Thee in the night watches, for Thou hast been my help. In the shadow of Thy wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to Thee; Thy right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:6-8

“’If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.’” John 15:7-11

The joy of writing a series is to realize over and over again just how amazingly powerful God’s perfect Word is for our lives. Here in just two of the Psalm verses we see a reference to nestling under His loving and protecting arms/wings and that we are upheld for His work by His mighty and most powerful hand. Now that’s exciting!

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please feel free to recommend the new blog site to others.

Strong Rock

“My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:5-8

To say a “strong rock” is actually redundant…for rocks are strong by nature, so when we are feeling weak, we can know our strength, when it comes from the Lord, is stronger than any rock that He has made. So we can rest and not be shaken.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

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Wings

“For Thou hast been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Thy tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Thy wings. For Thou hast heard my vows, O God; Thou hast given me the inheritance of those who fear Thy name.” Psalm 61:3-5

“Wondrously show Thy lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge in Thy right hand from those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me in the shadow of Thy wings.” Psalm 17:7-8

If you look back over this series on Psalms you will find something I found this morning as I prepared this – the many times God compares His love to us as “wings” of shelter. Also check out Psalm 36:7 and 57:1 (we will see this theme again in other Psalms later in the book.)

Ever watch baby birds in a nest? They are ALWAYS trying to crawl out from under their mommy’s wings – unless there is trouble. Then they scurry to be under them and in her embrace. Hummm, perhaps a lesson for us?

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

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Fighting Battles to Win

“O Give us help against the adversary, for deliverance by man is in vain. Through God we shall do valiantly, and it is He who will tread down our adversaries.” Psalm 60:11-12

“and he said, -- ‘thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but Gods.’” II Chronicles 20 15b

“’Not by might nor power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6b

How foolish to rely on our own cleverness and wisdom and efforts, when, if we will only stand and wait for His wisdom we will know the best direction and the best action (or no action) that will serve His purposes, as well as ours. For:

“In this is love, not that we love God, but that He loved us and sent His only begotten Son to be the propitiation (full and complete, perfect payment for the debt owed for our willful sinfulness) for our sins.” I John 4:10

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please feel free to recommend the new blog site to others.

Lovingkindness - What a Word!

"But as for me, I shall sing of Thy strength; yes, I shall joyfully sing of Thy lovingkindness in the morning, for Thou hast been my stronghold, and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my strength, I will sing praises to Thee; for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness.” Psalm 59:16-17

“Wondrously show Thy lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Thy right hand from those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of Thy wings,” Psalm 17:7-8

The word “lovingkindness” is used 240 times and only occurs in Psalms, Jeremiah and Hosea. It implies: steadfast love, grace, mercy, faithfulness, goodness, and devotion. It is one of the most important words in the vocabulary of OT theology and ethics. It tightly intertwines strength, steadfastness and love. Lovingkindness usually refers to mutual and reciprocal rights and obligations, especially between the Lord and His children. But it doesn’t just describe obligation, it also describes personal generosity, loyalty and mercy from the One who is able to protect.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please feel free to recommend the new blog site to others.

Heart Trouble

“Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men? No, in your heart your work unrighteousness; on earth you weigh out the violence of your hands.” Psalm 59:1-2

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:25-28

God is not deceived by our carefully-woven political intrigues. We may fool others, but the Lord always looks at our heart. And all of us are dying of heart trouble. Isn't it a blessing that we know the Great Physician and can rest in His care!

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Master Plan

“Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men? No, in your heart, you work unrighteousness; on earth you weigh out the violence of your hands. The wicked are estranged from the womb; these who speak lies go astray from birth.” Psalm 58:1-3

“And the Lord said to her [Rebekah], ‘And two nations are in your womb; and two peoples shall be separated from your body; and one people shall be stronger than the other; and the older shall serve the younger. When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. And afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob;” Genesis 25:23-26a

Now some would argue God was and is unfair. Consider then, for instance Romans 9:6-29) and ask, “who are you, O man, who answers back to God?” We must be ever mindful that God has a master plan – He is the ultimate planner – and He knows yesterday, today and tomorrow for each one of us – and God does NOT make mistakes.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please feel free to recommend the new blog site to others.

Insignificant?

“For my soul takes refuge in Thee; and in the shadow of Thy wings I will take refuge, until destruction passes by. I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me. -- I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord among the peoples; I will sing praises to Thee among the nations. For Thy loving kindness is great to the heavens, and Thy truth to the clouds. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Thy glory be above all the earth.” Psalm 57:1-2, 9-11

Sometimes, in this busy world we live in, we may think we are insignificant in the scheme of God’s plan and activities, but remember: He cares for the nations and for each individual and not in a superficial way but as a Father who loves His children and His creation.

And sometimes I am sure He weeps and sometimes I am sure he rejoices.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please feel free to recommend the new blog site to others.

Fear & Tears

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee. In God, whose Word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? – Thou has taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Thy bottle; are they not in Thy book?” Psalm 56:3-4, 8

Our lives are exciting and filled with joy and tragedy. We are surrounded by the rush and bustle of throngs of people who are also bustling and rushing. It is easy to feel insignificant and to most people we are insignificant. However, God loves and sustains us through every day. And when there are tears, He carefully holds you and gathers your tears and saves every one.

“’Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet, not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.’” Matthew 10:29-31

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please feel free to recommend the new blog site to others.

Enemy Beside You?

“For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, then I could bear it; nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend. We who had sweet fellowship together, walked in the house of God in the throng.” Psalm 55:12-14

Sometimes we are tested by the most unexpected people; and many from WITHIN the Church (Body of believers) -- who remind us of our own humanity and selfishness.

“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are Christ Jesus.” Romans 7:25-8:1

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please feel free to recommend the new blog site to others.

Leaning on Him

“Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. – Willingly I will sacrifice to Thee; I will give thanks to Thy name, O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me from all trouble;” Psalm 54:4, 6-7a

“’All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son, except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.’” Matthew 11:27-30

There is no weight so great He cannot lift it, no burden too heavy. He is the sustainer of us all and His children are tenderly cared for.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

Testament Picking

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; there is no one who does good. God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there is anyone who understands, who seeks after God. Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” Psalm 53:1-3

“—for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 8:23

Someone noticed this new series is based in the Psalms. Sometimes we may think the Old Testament is not pertinent to us today. So, when we wander through it holds new meaning. But to those who study it regularly, you know the New Testament and Old Testament are both very important to study because God’s Word is a whole. We can’t just pick and choose the parts we like and throw away the rest because it seems too hard.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Thank you for praying for Owen and the family.

Please feel free to recomment this new blog site to others.

Olive Trees

“The lovingkindness of God endures all day long. – Behold the man who will not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and was strong in evil desire. But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. I will give Thee thanks forever, because Thou hast done it. And I will wait on Thy name, for it is good, in the presence of Thy godly ones.” Psalm 52:1b, 7-9

An olive tree is one of the longest living trees. Here king David compares himself to a “sheltered olive tree”. When sheltered, an olive tree would live longer, produce more abundant, whole, higher quality and more satisfying fruit (for the tree itself and for those who tended the tree and ate from it). A tree has to wait on others to shelter it, but we have a choice of standing in His sheltering arms or not.

Run to God's Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: Please feel free to recommend the site to others.

An Ordinary Knight Has Passed

Boromir was a brave and faithful man who tirelessly and valiantly defended those weaker than himself at any cost, including giving his life for others. (He was not perfect and he struggled with his own weakness and hopes.) It is the way he lived and it is the way he died, or that is what we know of this mythical man from Tolkien’s wonderful stories.

I’ve chosen this video to mark the passing of my second Dad, Owen Smith, who never held a sword but cut a million heads of hair with his trusty scissors while his golden smile and sweet wit held peoples attention. He was an ordinary man filled with extraordinary courage and hope -- and most of all love. He fell in love with a woman he spent over 62 years with -- his beloved Doris.

To me I can’t think of one of them without the other, it as if that Biblical concept of becoming one flesh was manifest in their every reflection, word, action, deed, song.Yet he was the quiet one to me, the one always ready with a smile that could melt an iceberg. So sincere whether he was mucking out the stables or milking Goaty-Goat in the back yard or making Doris her hot cup of tea served in bed every possible morning of their wonderful relationship.

One year, he dug a pond on their land and laboured more hours than I could imagine, making it just perfect for his sweet Doris, the family, friends and strangers. And it was a constant labour for him from the day it was just a dream - but he fished there and we ice skated and went swimming there. It was wonderful!

A Gentle Knight

He taught me gently about his love of the Lord and the simple act of praying “just regular and from your heart”. In fact I never heard a high-flung word from his lips. He was living lessons to me, never preaching, never even correcting – unless I was about to jump out of the hayloft and break a bone.

I would have loved to be there with the rest of the family during this time but I know he knew just how very much I loved him.I wanted to say something profound about him – words are all I know – but I have no more profound words to say than this Scripture passage to mark his going home to be with his Lord and Saviour than these unlikely ones:Jesus taught:

“’You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy’; but I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

"'For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax gatherers do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.’” Matthew 5:42-6:1

He was just an ordinary knight, who never had armour or a sword; and his horse was little and slow and not even white. But he is the only knight I have ever known who knew what it was to stand for something so gently and so faithfully without attention or praise, never wavering his entire life – faithful to a concept so few can conceive of. He stood for the Lord and for his beloved Doris with GRACE.

My life has been so enriched by him -- he was after all my second Dad -- and I will miss him, but will never forget his lessons. And there will be no greater reward than his at his homecoming.