Tag: Deuteronomy

  • Don’t Give Up

    Needing some me-time, I traveled to my sanctuary place near the water and pen these words:

    I go to my Sanctuary
    Quiet reigns
    Except for quacking geese
    Nearby culinary smells of
    Freshly baked bread
    American flag flutters over the boat stern
    A solitary sailboat with jib hoisted
    Moves slowly across the lake
    Peace prevails without
    From within, my spirit begins to calm

    There are no guarantees for a happy or healthy life. Even or especially in the middle of this all-encompassing COVID-19 pandemic. There’s a verse that’s meaningful to me. I hope it is for you too.

    The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged – Deuteronomy 31:8.

    He tells us not to be afraid or discouraged. I have to admit that I’ve been both throughout most of this past year. Even today I wrestle with fear, anxiety, and doubt. I feel jittery, tense, wanting to be someplace else. If I can keep the above words in the forefront of my mind, they’ll give me calm assurance. Confidence. Trust in the One who’s got this whole mess under control. He knows the beginning from the end.

    He will not abandon me or you in the middle of a crisis or afterwards. Just knowing He is there beside me each step of the way causes my mind and heart to feel at peace.

    When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn,” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

    *When’s the last time you felt unable to focus because of anxiety and worry? What’s it like for you?

    *What are you fearful or discouraged about right now? How can you get past those negative thoughts?

    *****

  • Thinking about my Good Shepherd part 2

    Hi folks!

    Looking into the Resume of a Sheep taken from Psalm 23.The first attribute of a sheep we covered last time: Sheep are Vulnerable. I’m back again for round #2.     

    • Sheep go Astray. How often have I gone astray? Too many times to count. How about you? I can honestly say that my Shepherd’s always steered me back on course again. Sad to admit this, but sometimes I took the long way around to come back into the shepherd fold.

    Read Deuteronomy 30:3-10. The verse speaks of restoration and our Shepherd having compassion on me/you. His desire is to gather you up and bring you home. His arms are open wide. Will you go to Him?

     

    *****

  • My marching orders

    “Love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life …” (Deuteronomy 30:20).

    I’ve had a busy, busy week entertaining family and long distance friends. A good week in most respects, but exhausting. Stress is stress. There’s good stress and bad stress. Either brings with it a need for renewal of body and mind. What to do first in order to recover? Where do I begin? So much to do — so little energy and motivation.

    As I pull apart the verses above and search for answers, I see a few secrets for life renewal:

    1. Choose to love the Lord your God
    2. Listen to his voice
    3. Obey his commandments
    4. Commit self firmly and hold fast to God

    Live life exuberantly. The Lord your God is your life (Deuteronomy 30:20).

    Dear God, help me quiet the racing of my mind and heart. I need to filter out all else so I can listen to your voice alone.