A Place with God

Psalms 68:6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Last week I found some turnips for sale at the store.  I was very happy with my find and bought two packages of them to take home and cook.  The next morning as I began preparing lunch I pulled out my turnips, cleaned them and put them on the stove to cook with a potato and some greens.  Soon my kitchen was smelling like my grandma’s house did when I was a kid.  I also put an eggplant casserole on to bake which is another recipe I learned at the knees of my Grandma Miller.  All morning long I had the sense of good memories and happy times.  I thought on how often I would cross the cow pasture to Grandma’s and sit in her kitchen talking while she played solitaire or quilted.  Sometimes we would go pick blackberries and make dumplings together and she would tell me about her childhood and the depression days.  As I smelled those turnips and eggplants cooking, I almost felt like I was standing in her kitchen and chatting with her, although she has been with Jesus now for years.  When I think of “home” I think of Grandma Miller’s kitchen.

When I read verse 6 in Psalms 68, I wondered what it meant for God to set solitary in families, so I studied it and found it means that God makes people at home.  The writer is reminding us that just like with Israel, coming out of Egypt, found a “place” with God, you and I can too.  Even if we are actually “homeless” we are at home with God.  Peace and contentment can ALWAYS be found with God if we seek after Him and not our own ways.

As a missionary I often feel like the odd man out.  Whether I am in the US or here in Brazil.  I don’t fit in anywhere.  My children have expressed similar feelings.  It is just part of the life we lead and I don’t feel sorry for myself, I am just trying to illustrate something in real life terms.  And the fact is, even though I don’t feel “at home” anywhere, I do feel at home in God.  No matter what our circumstances may be, we have a place with God.

Did you read what I just wrote?  YOU, my friend, if you are saved and on your way to Heaven, have a PLACE with God Almighty.  You are His “dear one”, His “darling” and He wants you to feel safe and secure IN HIM.  He draws a comparison to what those who don’t obey Him feel….He says they will dwell in a dry land.  Have you ever been in rebellion against God?  I have.  It is a dry, lonely, and destitute place isn’t it?  Ugh!  Why would we seek after that? 

I encourage you to think on where you are dwelling this week.  Remember how mom wrote about God being our dwelling place?  Are you still dwelling in Him?  If you are in a dry spot, He says He will bring you out of that place where you are being held prisoner by the chains of your sin.  He is patting the seat beside Him telling you to come on back to your “place”. 

Seek God and do His will and I promise you, you will fit right in!

Until next time, Lord willing,

Sheri

Too Big for Your Britches!

Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Ro 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

While studying this morning, I couldn’t get away from the phrase, “spirit of your mind” and kept going back to it. I stopped, looked out my open window and just listened to the sounds of the Lord’s creation and prayed for the ones who would read this post. As I prayed out loud, the birds began to sing louder it seemed and more of them gathered.  And then, it stopped….all the sounds of the singing birds with the exception of those from afar off. It was then I decided to pray differently, thanking my God for His sounds and His beauty. God gives to us exactly what we need and when we need it. If only we would remember that while we walk in His steps today. The mind…….is wonderful when it is renewed.  How in the world can our minds be renewed? I’m glad you asked. 

My Dad had some pretty awesome idioms he used with all of us children. One of his favorites was “Youngin’, you are too big for your britches!” Another one was “Drop your drawers ‘cause I’m going to beat your butt!”  I’ve repeated some in my life time while others cannot be repeated unless I didn’t care to keep my job as a Principal. I probably would be arrested! I’m sure Dad learned these from his dad and the many relatives of the Baxley clan.  With large families such as ours, one can be pushed aside while others seem to get all the attention. The younger ones usually found something else to do while the others sat around with large white coffee cups sipping hot coffee, smoking cigarettes (sorry, just being honest) or pulling out the guitar to strum along with a story. I was somewhere in the middle…..listening and taking in as much as I could, mesmerized by Slim Whitman who would oft times join our family on the front porch honoring us with his presence. It was at these times I picked up the family secrets, funny idioms and quietly folded them to another time and place. In my mind, my ideas and desires were not important to anyone older than me, but God knew me and I knew Him. We were one in the Spirit. He offered to me a firm foundation for life and thought enough about me, to place me in His work for which I do not deserve.  In short, I am important to God and SO ARE YOU even when others around you seemed to be MORE important. 

When we begin to think we are more important than others we get “too big for our britches!” Davy Crockett, “king of the wild frontier” is given credit for this phrase as he described Andrew Jackson.  I like Davy Crockett and use his saying with the little ones in our school and with the older teens.  May I slip in the fact that America has become “too big for her britches” as well! We are in trouble, people, as a nation. God has a way to knock us flat when we think we have arrived! Our minds are topsy turvy, inside out, upside down, and screw ball wrong!!! It’s time for a renewing of the spirit of our minds and it must begin in me, you, and the others sitting around drinking coffee.

The mind is a precious tool for God to develop for His work. Without the brain we cannot control the other organs of our body. The Bible records in Ephesians 4:23, And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Satan always attacks the mind and the sooner we understand that, the sooner we are on our way to thinking more like God would have us to think. You and I cannot, CANNOT, give him room to deceive us any longer. It is time to get up and make a difference for those with whom we have an influence. You and I who are born again, have the power and He, who is the Holy Spirit, comes with His illumination to give us eyes that see differently and ears that hear differently than our natural eyes and ears which are always bent toward evil thoughts.

Put away the world’s books, the world’s viewing of television, the world’s viewing of music and give yourself an opportunity for God to “renew the spirit of your mind.” It CAN happen unless we are “too big for our britches” and refuse God’s way.

Sheri has opened a door to you "Let's Talk to Him" in joining with others to pray for those who are in need. Now, folks, this takes a spirit who is willing to quit thinking about self, and zero in on another’s need. If we will STOP talking about all the woes of our own, and START praying for others, we will become renewed in the spirit of our minds…..minds like Christ! It WILL take work. Sooner than you think, you will become quiet, listening to others while joining your hand to God’s hand, smiling up at Him one in the Spirit!

As Daddy would say, “All you need is one eye and half sense to figure this out!” OR….. “I can spit tobacco farther than your brain works!” Oh me……I’m in trouble! Let's get our brains to working by the power of the One created it for HIS purpose, not ours!

Until next time, Lord willing…

Sharon

Life's Rearview Mirror

Psalms 66:19-20 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

Last night I was messaging with a friend and asked her to pray for me.  She responded that God would take care of everything....as He always has in the past.  At first, I thought, "Well, that is a flippant answer!"  But this morning as I was reading I came across Psalms 66 where the Psalmist says, "God HATH heard me" and I began recounting all the times He has heard and answered me in the past.  It wasn't long before I felt more and more confident that God is going to provide and help me in my current situation.  I just had to look in my life's rearview mirror and I could see all He has done.

On our journey to know God better, we could just think on what we ALREADY know about Him.  And one of those traits is that He is a prayer answering God.  He is able and ready to hear everything we lay before Him at any time of the day or night.  He knows what tomorrow holds and how to answer today's prayers in order to give us strength for what lies ahead. 

When I was in 2nd grade He sent a group of Child Evangelists by my church that sparked my interest in missions.  Why?  Because God was already in 1997 when He would ask Mark and me to surrender to be missionaries to Brazil.  He placed me with a boss that taught me organization skills in packing.  Why? Because He was in my future and saw I had four children on deputation.  He was even a few years ahead of that and knew I would move my belongings on a boat into the jungle.  He had my dad teach me to fish and be used to the water on a boat.  Why?  Because I would spend 7 years on the rivers in a boat.  He allowed me to eat something that would cause me to become gravely ill and almost die.  Why?  Because He was in my future and saw the elderly lady in the hospital that wanted to know Him and He needed my mom and me to be there to witness to her.  On and on and on I could go and so could you.  We can all think of how God's hand has orchestrated our lives for His glory.

What is the deepest, most painful thing you hold in your heart?  Did God hear you about that time in your life?  I can answer about my own pain and say emphatically YES! He sure did!  Then why don't we trust Him with our day to day?  Why do we want to keep hanging on to the reins and guiding Him?  He needs to be the One leading!  He knows where the potholes in the road are!  He knows if we need a flat tire or not.  He knows whether we need to detour or not.  Let's just trust Him.

This week I am traveling with my son and preparing to leave him in the states for college.  My life is full of change, yet again.  I would be so foolish to try and handle it on my own and relying on self help books more than prayer.  My God can and will take care of my children whether they are down the hall from me or thousands of miles away from me.  I have to choose to trust. 

My friend who reminded me that God will take care of everything was right.  He will.  I just have to look back at all the times He has in the past and I know for a fact I can trust Him with my future.  Take a look in your life's rearview mirror.  Don't you see where God took care of it all?  Then trust him with your problems today.  Live in confidence!  He won't fail you!

Until next time, Lord willing!
Sheri

Information connects with Information

Lu 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

Mt 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

As you read through the Bible this year do you sometimes have difficulty connecting the information to something you already know? Welcome, so do I at times.  I have a difficult time pronouncing the names of people especially those found in the Old Testament. Do you? If I don’t make small cards or say them each day, I lose the sound of the unfamiliar name. Familiar names, to me, are Tom, Jerry, Susie and Jane. You get the picture! It’s good for us to struggle as we read because we can be reminded just how difficult it is for others, especially children and adults with learning disabilities.

Do you remember when you first learned to read? If you do, you are doing better than I am.  Children who learn to read early have the opportunity to gain information which could connect to more information which keeps connecting throughout life. Parents who teach their children to read the Bible early will benefit the most as they grow older simply because the Words of God are entering the brain, if you please, and forming a foundation for all truth. Don’t hesitate to give this Word of God to children and don’t be fooled by thinking they cannot understand. Children understand more than we give them credit for……take a look at their electronic games, their computers, their phones!  They hold complicated little instruments that drive us older people looney! Who is teaching who?   

May I ask you, “Why would a parent not give this Word of God to their children?” Did you know one of the best and most productive ways of teaching a child to read is by using the perfect Word of God?

Joh 1:1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

A child learns that Jesus is the Word and has always been the beginning of everything. Children love to know where and how something came about. It is security to them. They can grab it and take it with them. Just this week a mother posted that her autistic child quoted scripture while waiting for his orthodontist appointment. He was to have surgery and this Word of God was his comfort. Mom and Dad had given him God’s Word, and it became life, comfort and peace as his mind thought on the events to follow. He kept saying the verses out loud. How many times have you done the same thing when faced fear head on?

Ge 1:1 ¶ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Again, a child loves knowing that everything has a beginning and that he was part of God’s creation. I love hearing our 3 and 4 year olds sound out this Word of God and then at the end of the day, I get to hear them quote scripture as they leave their classroom for dismissal.  Some teachers have their children stand, quote their verses right before asking God to bless the food at lunch.

Children will not forget this Word of God and as more is taught them and intertwined into their daily routine of life, information begins to build and connect with more information concerning them and connecting them to God. To withhold this Word of God from our children is sin. Starting early before they are born is best. Reading to them while they rest in the womb reaps great benefits later while they are growing into mature Christians.

Just because a child scores high on his verbal and math skills on the SAT doesn’t make them smart in life skills. Teach them both and as they learn that information, God can take it to connect to more information thus preparing that child for ministry.

Jesus knew us before we were born. He has tried over and over to get this Word of God to us not only to learn more about Him, but for Him to be a great comfort to us! We question God, just like our children question us. His answers to us are pure and perfect. As we listen to Him, information builds and the more we use that information to honor and glorify Him, the more information we gain. We never arrive, folks, because there is so much to learn about God.

Information connects to information!

Have you noticed that you don’t have to teach a child to lie, steal or disobey authority? But you do have to teach them why it is wrong to lie, steal and disobey authority. “Just because I said so” should be enough sometimes as children learn to obey, but adding this Word of God gives it credence.  

Now, back up and become the child. Do you at times have trouble with being honest? Maybe you’ve gotten into a bad habit of stretching the truth? Do you have trouble getting along with certain people? Are you lazy and do you procrastinate? Do you have trouble getting up on time each day, opening your Bible and saying “Hello” to your Creator and Lover of your soul? No one had to teach you, did they? But God through His Word can enter your mind and information of Him connects with more information of Him and the process of change begins…….. to be more like Him!

Don’t leave your children and grandchildren behind as you journey with us in getting to know God better.  They must be taught, and so do we. We are ever learning creatures and this mind God gave us could be snatched away at any moment!

Until next time, Lord willing...

Sharon

Weekend Getaway # 16

Greater than all

John 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

This journey has been a good one so far, wouldn't you agree?  I have enjoyed trying to get to know more about God and laying out my life so He can correct what needs correcting and instruct me in the way I need to go.  But one of the best things in studying about God is seeing just how BIG He really is!

Jesus is the One doing the talking in John 10:28-29, and He states that His Father is greater than all.  That just excites me as a Christian. Everything about my salvation being eternal is stated in the fact that nothing is more powerful than God and God is the one protecting my soul! I may lose rights as an American one day if this country gets any more wicked and we don't vote in and pray for good leaders, but I will never lose my rights as a child of God.  Nothing and nobody (sorry for the terrible grammar) can pluck me out of God's hand.  I am saved and on my way to Heaven. 

I may have messed up in my life at different times and fallen flat down on my face, but it doesn't take my name out of the Book of Life.  I may have lacked faith and doubted when I should have stood and not feared, but it doesn't change the fact that God is MY GOD.  These thoughts alone made me stop and praise Him for Who He is. 

I don't know where you are in your life, what terrible thing is facing you right now or how low you may be as you read this, but you have a God in Heaven that is listening to your tears drop down and splat on the table and He is big enough to take care of it all. 

God is greater than all enemies you may have, all problems you face, all lies being said about you, and the crowd turning their backs on you.  God is greater than all.  He can save your children, lift your hurting heart, repair your marriage and give you sufficient grace to walk through your day with all its aches and pains.  God is greater than all.

Let's quit acting like our God is some weak-kneed, shaking in the corner, sissy that can't change our world!  He is greater than all and that is the way we should fear Him, praise Him and call on Him to answer our prayers!

Until next time, Lord willing,
Sheri

A Perfect Heart

2Ch 25:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.

Studying King Amaziah in II Chronicles 25 got me to thinking about what it takes to first of all have a perfect heart and then to keep a perfect heart.  In God’s eyes, what is this perfect heart? I see imperfection every day beginning with me. We all want to excel wouldn’t you agree? Why don’t we?

I’ve had some of the best teachers work for me but the ones with a perfect heart make the most difference especially in the lives of their students.  The love for children is evident in their manner of teaching, in their walk, in their countenance, in their responses to parents and again I say, in their manner of teaching.  They have a passion for teaching and it is exhibited in a multitude of ways. It’s like a supernatural flowing of power through their veins. God will give whatever that teacher needs to get the material across to the students if a teacher has His passion.

My husband and I recently attended a Chamber of Commerce breakfast with one gentleman speaking in support of the Step-Up for Students Scholarship Program.  After the gentleman spoke my husband said, “He has such passion for what he believes. I may not agree with everything he said, but I get it why he is sold out to it.”

Amaziah lacked passion for God. He was sold out to his own desires. He walked like he believed in God. He held to the Laws of God and even followed the law as it was written but his heart was not “full of God” but full of “self.” His ideas were the only way. He didn’t step into the supernatural realm of a supernatural God. It was too safe right in his own world, therefore, Amaziah missed it! He had it all, and yet he had nothing. The end result of nothing is nothing!

I don’t want to die having nothing to leave behind to those who know me. Do you? Why would we want anything less than God? He is everything and He is perfect. Therefore, without Him, we cannot have a perfect heart. I don’t want to do a number on these two words and for sure do not want to mislead anyone into thinking wrongly on what it means to have a “perfect heart” when we are an imperfect people, but there are a few scriptures (our measuring stick) to read and study about the perfect heart.

If you are in ministry then you are judged, daily sometimes. If you have been in ministry for many years, you can become tired, weary, worn out from doing all that is “required” of you. The rules can become laborious and you may find yourself even wanting to move to another ministry or change churches, or just not show up for your responsible area. I see it constantly when people lose heart. Maybe, it is time to do a check-up and get back in the saddle!

*Check your heart. Is there an irritation that has not been dealt with or one that is not going away, therefore, your heart needs to make an adjustment? Where have you put your faith? Do you love what you do? If not, why? Spend time with yourself alone with God and get it settled. Don’t be stubborn and lose years of blessings.  Amaziah lost out and all the while, he looked good in the eyes of many people. And so did Asa because their faith was misplaced. You may want to study Asa in 2 Chronicles.

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.   Don’t be guilty of causing war. People die in wars!

*Check your motivation. Why do you do what you do? Are you able to see God working through you? Can you see people affected in a good way for Christ? Are you able to give the gospel freely and are you seeing them receive it as from God? Ask yourself, “Am I doing this because of recognition from people or am I doing this for Christ, alone?”

1 Chronicles 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

*Check the Scriptures. Go back to your calling, or did you just decide it looked good to do what you do? Oh me….haven’t we all done certain ministries because of this very reason. I’m sure God gets his mileage from us, but when the heart is not right we spin our wheels and travel nowhere!

2 Kings 20:3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

*Check the enemy.  Is he around? Did you let him in through the back door and no one saw? Your house is not clean anymore, but it looks spotless to the world and maybe looks spotless to your church…….. but the maids came and did it for you.  Get the broom and start beating the devil out of your house…..do your job!

1 Kings 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

“Lord, I want to know YOU. Search my heart and help me to have a perfect heart in thine eyes.”

Until next time, Lord willing!

Sharon

Just Pray

Psalms 64:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

I know David was concerned at this point with a personal enemy of his own, but I read where this psalm was meant to be used for worship.  So we can call out like David did, to the very same God and ask Him to preserve our lives from the fear of the enemy. 

As a nation we face a great enemy tearing down our forefather’s original intent upon which our country was based.  As a people we face enemies from around the world that seek to kill us because of our freedoms.  As Christians we face enemies of the Gospel that would gladly throw the lot of us in jail rather than dispute our freedom of religion and speech.  All of these are real enemies.  All of these require prayer in order to after having done all we can, to stand for the Lord.  But the father and origin of all the above mentioned enemies is the same mastermind that took a tumble from Glory when he sought to be better than God. 

Today I lift my voice and beg God to hear it.  I ask Him to preserve my life from the fear of this enemy.  The enemy will in no doubt come lurking around my home today.  He may try and seek out one of my children and tempt them with some evil that could destroy their lives, so I need to ask God to preserve them.  But if I just sit around and do nothing, I will not be utilizing one of the most powerful tools I have as a Christian: Prayer.   

Last week I began a group on Facebook called, “Let’s talk to Him”.  It is about prayer.  Praying and sharing so that we don’t forget to come together as Christians and ask God to hear our voice.  Seems like everyone and their brother has a cause in this day and age.  People are standing for or against something everywhere.  Why don’t we stand together in prayer?  Seriously.  Not just talking about it or saying, “oh, that would be nice” but really and truly praying together and asking God to preserve our lives, the lives of our families and churches and pastors from the enemy?   

David thought it was important and then went on to proclaim in faith that God would shoot down his enemy.  You and I know that God will one day show His victory and no one will be able to question it, so shouldn’t that bolster our faith to pray that God would save a marriage or two?  Shouldn’t we pray with power believing that God would heal some of our friends suffering with cancer?  I know I am praying about our house situation right now.  My husband has to build it by himself before September.  Every last thing in the world keeps cropping up and keeping us from getting started.  We have to do little by little because of money, but even when we have money to pay for something, the workers don’t show, or the tractor can’t come and so on and so forth.  It is enough to make me feel anxious about what does God expect, but today I cry upward and ask God to hear my voice once again and preserve my life and work in it.  I know He hears me and I believe by faith He will answer.  The way will be made plain, the house WILL get built and God reigns regardless of how exasperated I get. 

My post today is simple.  Just pray.  Don’t over think it.  Don’t worry over it.  Just pray.  Talk to God.

- "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: "

- "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

- "  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, "

Until next time, Lord willing,

Sheri

Psalm 119 Part II

Ps 119:4-8 ¶ Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. ¶ I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

Today’s thoughts are a continuance of last week’s beginning of walking through Psalm 119 verse by verse. I'm not going to teach it verse by verse but I want to encourage you to try reading it as if God is speaking to you, and to you alone. Cry out to Him in the simplicity of it all. He wants to hear from you. Be honest in your approach to Him as crazy as you may feel and as weird as it might sound. Just Do IT! 

Has anyone told you lately that they love you? Eph 2:4 ¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Read this over and over and over. You will need to tell yourself that someone loves you during the darkest hours while going through the change of life because you may feel not loved, therefore, you may treat others unlovely at times. BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO....Don't get stuck there! I want to help you save your life if you will allow me to share this beautiful Psalm, a Psalm of love and praise unto our creator. You will benefit in more ways than you can imagine!

As you take each stanza and break it down to feed your inner self, you will begin to turn yourself inside out, upside down, and of some use to the Lord before your day moves into another and another and another. All the uglies that you feel will take over and dominate your thought life, kill your joy and make you good for nothing. You have a choice set before you:  YOU or the WORD!  Choose the Word. Now let’s get started……

God:    Ps 119:4 ¶ Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

You:   Lord I am in control. No, Lord, I’m not in control because I don’t know what to do right now. Does anyone care that I am out of control? My mind is spinning into one hundred thoughts. Help me to concentrate on your Word. I want to keep your precepts, your law. No, I don't Lord. I don't want to do anything right! I say I do, but I don't.  I fight it Lord, and I don’t know why. Help me, God to know YOU. I WILL do what I don't want to do. I submit to you, right now.

God:   Ps 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

You:   I want my ways to be your ways. I want to walk in your ways, but I can’t focus at times. Why? Lord help me to focus and I know I will because I’m calling on you, right now, to keep me as the apple of your eye. No one wants to be around me. I don’t even want to be around me, but I know you need me to walk in your ways so that my way is directed by you. Here, take my hand Lord. I’m stepping out by faith. See, my ways CAN please you, Lord. I can do this!

(Dear Lady, when you literally get up whether in mind or body, and put your hand out to God, He will reach out to you. Know right now that He understands what we go through and will meet you there as you reach out to Him. Some women breeze right through menopause while others have jillions of issues. We are all different. If it isn't menopause, it could be a wayward child, a wayward husband.....oh me....or a financial night mare! Doesn't matter, does it? Our minds will play tricks on us when our abode is messed with.....trust me and trust all the other white heads out there who have gone through major trials in life. Learn from the elderly women, dear woman, but know that God's Word is the key to victory.)

God:   Ps 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

You:   Lord, I’m ashamed of myself! I’ve messed up again. Right now, I’m turning around. I will be a witness for you today. Your commandments are perfect! I love them, but at times, I can’t do it. I admit it to you, Lord. Give me strength to reach out to people who feel worse than I do.I will shut my mouth about myself. I will not talk about it or fret about it.....only with You, God, I will fret. You understand my fretting. Just hear me, Lord, while I try to hear You. I'm going to sing, Lord, before I scream. I don't want to be ashamed today and have to apologize AGAIN AND AGAIN. I can do this! I have respect unto ALL your commandments, Lord.

God:   Ps 119:7 ¶ I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

You:   I'm going to memorize this verse, too, Lord. I will sing louder today and more today, even if I have to make up my own words. May the words from my mouth be praise unto You, Lord. I am learning thy righteous judgments. I may be learning them the hard way, but I am learning!

(You will need recorded scripture and recorded music for those days when you CANNOT do it. Punch the button, keep moving, and listen to His Word and to His music. Songs of scripture are perfect. Instrumentals are wonderful. Remember Saul? Remember David's music? It will soothe your troubled, mixed up mind! Trust me.)

God:   Ps 119:8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

You:   I did it Lord. I did it! I made it through half this day and I will make it through the other half. No one needs to know my crazy self. I am smiling, Lord because you have put a smile on my face. I feel you breathe on my face. I see you in the dark sky above. I feel you as the rushing wind touches my skin and as your warmth embraces my sorry self!  You are not forsaking me as I have forsaken You and my family at times. Thank you God for my family especially my husband. He is my perfect fit and you knew that even before I was born.

Dear Lady: 

Don't judge those who struggle. Pray for them IF you know about it. Hopefully, we walk so closely to God that others may not be affected by our CRAZY SORRY SELVES!  :)

Tomorrow, begin again and know that there is an end ..... somewhere, somehow, but WITH Someone who loves your CRAZY SORRY SELF even more than you love yourself!
 
What I have given you is an example of "how" to get through a day of hopelessness. The power is in God's Word as we put it to action in us. Remember, break it down into 22 days, memorize a scripture a day and read it out loud. Sing to the top of your lungs! You can do this because God in you wants all the glory. So, what are you waiting for........He stands ready to lead you. 

Until next time, Lord willing

Sharon