Growing closer to Him

Can there be such a thing? To vacation in the presence of God? Vacation in the Noah Webster 1828 dictionary says: "6. Leisure; freedom from trouble or perplexity." It's the 6th and last definition. This is what we think about when we are growing weary of the hum-drums of life in our work place or at home. We long for the "tropical island mahn!" To be able to put our feet up and read that book or to just enjoy our children, hoping all the while that when we return back to our lives that we'll have been refreshed anew, ready to tackle anything. Yet after a few days or weeks we're longing to be back at that favorite place of relaxation. God wants us to do just that. Except where He wants us to rest and relax and feel rejuvenated is right in His presence. At his feet...He wants us to turn to Him for rest. He wants to rejuvenate and refresh us to handle whats coming next. He doesn't want us to be upset with ourselves when we're exhausted and we just

For a few days now, I’ve been mulling over everything I’ve been reading.   The 27 th was about TRUST. Taking the high road and trusting God. When we don’t it’s like staying on the circuitous low path of despair. Well that’s what I’m calling it. John 14:1-2 and Prov 3:5-6 are both trusting in God and not letting our hearts be trouble or leaning on our own understanding. The 28 th was about not ignoring the truth that Jesus is with us always. He knows everything that we do and think. I think most of the time when we sin, we’re making a choice to ignore the fact that we’re not hiding anything from Him. How do we get to the point of “total focus” on Him? By concentrating on Him? By barely acknowledging Him? By ignoring His commands and His Word?  It’s by understanding that everything we do is to be done for Him. That everything we face, good, bad, or indifferent needs to be placed before Him. How that’s easier said than done. Because this week I’ve been coming to terms with my g

It’s been a few days since I've written anything; however I was searching my heart for how I felt about a particular matter which happened in my family. I was still seeking the Lord, and what He revealed was that "I was to forgive and not to worry about the outcome of these two relatives. Yes, what they did was wrong, but you (me) are to honor your father and in retrospect also his mother, because she is still a mother to you even though she is a generation removed." Right about now, I’m sort of feeling like I should be in a padded room, so when He thumps me, I can at least bounce off something soft…Ha-ha, all kiddingness aside, it’s not that bad. God is forever gentle with me, even when He’s pulling the light cord for me. At other times, he’s just changing the light bulb. So for today’s reading: Deut 31:6, 1 Pet 3:4, 2 Cor 4:6-7 and 2 Cor 12:19 In Jesus Calling today, I’ve been reading basically about lightening up on myself. How many times have I been re

Jan 16     In today’s little reading, God says to come to Him and rest in His loving presence; to stop trying to think through our difficulties and to remember that He is with us. When I first read through this, I thought “hmm, I don’t have anything bothering me today, this should be an easy one.” Like getting “t-boned” by a Mack truck, whamo! There it came. Right out of left field, a picture that triggered a memory about major self-doubt, fear of losing that which God has already given me, & insecurity. In a nut shell, when I finally got a grip, I realized I still have a couple of people I need to forgive for some past very painful hurts. I don’t want to “rehearse my troubles again.” I’ve lived through them once and some of them were bad enough. I don’t need to keep going down the same dead end path. Jesus is with me and NO ONE is going to take Him and the peace He gave me away. I’m choosing this day, whom I will serve and I choose Jesus! I choose to relax in His peace a

Jan 15 Yes!! That’s what I’m talking about! Keep shining your “Peace that transcends all understanding” down on me. I’m just so thankful right now for being His child.  It feels so good to not just know the principal of casting your cares on Him and focusing on Him, but to actually implement and put into place this very principal as well and to start receiving the fruit. Right now, I’m just overwhelmed with peace. Can you ever have to much? I don’t think so! I want to continue to bask in these rays of peace. Right now at this moment, I can tell you that my problems haven’t disappeared, they’re still right here looking at me; I’m just choosing to look upward and trust in God. He is the solution to all of them, including the financial ones. He always comes through if we allow Him the time and room to move in our lives in His own way. My way is disgusting and riddled with pot holes and at some times a sink hole appears trying to swallow me up. Not today! Not right now! Phi

Jan 14  This is that amazing concept that I feel I’ve mastered until I read through it once more and the “thump of God” is right there, once again. I allow some people to think I’ve got it all put in order, when I know I’m just as messed up in some areas as others. I’m reminded of a movie that was semi-cool. I was more enthralled with the house and how it was built than I was with the gore associated with it; but when I think translucency, I think of this house. (ever see 13 Ghosts) This house was designed with glass walls, and gears that moved the walls and floors etc. It was designed to “hold” the horrors of these 13 ghosts. But it’s the intricacy of how this house works, not the horrors I think of  whenever someone uses this word in a sermon that reminds me; “that no matter how many walls, doors, traps, or other protective devices I try and throw up to protect me from the enemy or those around me, God still sees through it all. God still penetrates it all. On the flip si