Tag: light

  • Publishing and Waiting …

    Even though circumstances do not seem to be going right, fair—always remember God still steers the boat. Relationships fail, money’s tight, child spills his milk, toilet overflows, ideal college seems elusive, death separates, divorce/abuse divides—though your dream lingers, “wait for it, it will certainly come and will not delay.”

    Spring is springing-daffodils pop thru green grass

    Why does publishing a book take so long, be painful, cost more in time and money than planned? This is not entirely the path I’d envisioned. There is a reason for all of this. You knew from Day #1. Maybe someday I will discover and be enlightened, but for now my duty is to abide. I see a smidgeon of light. Just like the snow’s melted around my daffodils. Brain tumor surgery allowed, growth, personal closeness gained. Book to be born! “Wait for it, though it tarries, wait for it.” (Habakkuk 2:3)

    I hear Your message! Continue to do the work of proofing, editing, and all those required details. Whatever you may be waiting or longing for, know the end result will be worth it all. Trust and obey for there is no other way. Wait and do the appointed work … in His abiding, limitless strength.

    *****

  • Mind Renewal

    “A renewed mind is Presence-focused. Train your mind to seek Me in every moment, every situation!” (Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young)

    From the moment I open my eyes this morning; You granted me another day on earth. I hear the furnace pop on and my room becomes toasty warm. You are present.

    I see Your written words when I turn on a switch. Light illumines the page. Words of comfort and affirmation waken my soul. I don’t see You, but my being knows You are orchestrating my day.

    “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always,”—Psalm 105:4.

    It’s not always easy to seek God’s face. It’s not necessarily a natural response, but a learned one. Every time I seek after God and His wisdom and ways, I am rewarded. Blessings come. Some I recognize; others I breeze past.

    How about you … how do you seek God’s face?

     ***** 

  • Do you consider yourself an Encourager?

    “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today”—Hebrews 3:13.

    We must not give up! Some days and hours are just tougher than others. We all have days when we feel good about ourselves, our family, and the world in general. But there are also those times when we feel the entire world is against us.   purple-white crinkle flower (Copy)

    I get that. I’m with you and have the same types of ups and downs. My ups and downs may not be the same as yours, but nevertheless can be defeating. The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us to encourage each other. Daily. That’s a whole lot of encouraging. He knew that as humans we are likely to forget yesterday’s triumphs. For me, a good feeling is easily replaced by a not-so-good feeling. If one person make a comment about my work that I consider negative, my mind lingers on that thought a lot longer than a praise note.

    That’s why we need a lot of cheerleaders in our life to counteract the naysayers…those who think before they speak. I understand the need for people to critique. I’ve been amazed at the great counsel that comes from writer’s groups and friends who work with the English language on a daily basis. Great value comes from another set of eyes to look through my work.

    The problem comes from when one or two negative comments cause me to quit writing or creating all together. Through the years I’ve learned there is something to be learned from every commentary I receive. Asking God what portion of this information I need to take to heart and what part do I need to discard and forget. God is my ultimate source of critique. His wisdom trumps all others.

    Prayer of encouragement: Dear God, may I be the one to communicate hope and light to someone in need. I know that when I share with others the blessings go both ways. Amen.

    How about you? Do you have a resource to filter your writing or creativity mode through? Maybe it’s a writer’s group or group of friends whom you trust their intuition. If not, why not make that a priority this week to find at least one other unbiased person to share your talents?

  • Nothing is impossible with God

    “With Him, nothing is impossible” — (Luke 1:37).

    I’m considering the words to the famous song written by Chris Tomlin, “How Great is Our God.” Only five one-syllable words, but packed with power and meaning. Let’s look at a few attributes of this great and awesome God:

    Sunset over Lakeshore Yacht Harbor - Muskegon Lake
    Sunset over Lakeshore Yacht Harbor – Muskegon Lake

    *  Clothed in majesty (compared to my filthy rags)
    *  He is Light (I sometimes hide in darkness, how about you?
    *  King of all Kings (I am nothing without Him)

    Yet when I humble myself and call on his matchless name, I am called a daughter of the King. God desires my fellowship and bids me to walk in the light as he is in the light. He truly is a great God — worthy of all my praise.

    *  Have you thought about the hugeness of God, creator of the universe
    *  Have you told him your worries (none of which are too big or too small for him to handle)?

     

  • Light shines brightest in darkness

    “In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it” — John 1:4–5/Amp.

    Do you realize that you speak words of Light and Life to many in darkness? As men and women of God, each of us holds within us a special, unique tale to tell. Consider: If I don’t speak, then who will?    

    Light shines on pinecones (photo by Steve Lasher)
    Light shines on pinecones (photo by Steve Lasher)

    You may feel like no one is reading, listening, or appreciating the message you share. But many are reading your words, given by God, to touch and encourage hurting hearts. Truth spoken in love may bolster someone who feels worthless. Your words can give a teenager reason to feel beautiful or give a prisoner hope.

    Just yesterday two people commented on how much they appreciated my Facebook posts and my blog. Those affirming words will help sustain me into another week of sometimes thankless wordsmithing. You and I may never know every person who reads our content. But God promises that his word will not return void — meaning those words possess the power to transform lives.

    You are making a difference in this oftentimes cold and cruel world. Your light shines brightest in the darkness. So don’t give up.

    ***

  • Walk in the Light

    “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7

  • The Lord is my Light

    “Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light” – Micah 7:8b.

    Life everywhere is full of distractions that block out God. He is still there–always the same, unchanging, steadfast. Lord…Keep lighting our days with your truth. – Cynthia Culp Allen

    *** 

  • How great is our God!

    Have you thought about the words, “How great is our God?” Only five one- syllable words, but packed with much heavy power and meaning. Let’s look at a few attributes of this great and awesome God:

    • Clothed in majesty (compared to my filthy rags)
    • He is Light (I sometimes hide in darkness, how about you?)
    • King of all Kings (I am nothing without him)

    Yet when I humble myself and call on his matchless name, I am called a daughter of the King. God desires my fellowship and bids me to walk in the light as he is in the light. He truly is a great God — worthy of all my praise.

    Thank you, God, for allowing me to participate in your plan and be a part of your holy family.

    Have you thought about the hugeness of God, creator of the universe? Have you told him your worries — none of which are too big or too small for him to handle.

    ***

  • Fears

    “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

    Fear…small word, yet so powerful. Just what am I afraid of today? Is it that I won’t please someone, look good enough, finish (or begin) a project? Too many fears immobilize and cause me to accomplish very little results. I’m been there and today is that day.

    I started out the day with high hopes and expectations rising early only to spiral down to a huge headache and precious little to note as finished. Now I look at the day as wasted. There must be some redeeming factor in this day.

    “Seek his face! Your face, Lord, I will seek” (Psalm 27:8). Now I see the redeeming factor for the day. Because of my frustration of feeling like a failure and that I’d accomplished nothing; I turn to God’s word. In times like these, I turn to the Lord, the strength of my life. I can go on, in the absence of fear, knowing that God is on my side.

    Prayer: Thank you, God, for being here when I need you the most. You’ve told me I have nothing to fear when I place my trust in you. When I feel like a failure, you still love me with an unconditional love like no other. I chose not to worry about today knowing tomorrow brings light and life and the hope of a brand-new day.

    ***

  • let your light shine!

    candle

    “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and praise your God in Heaven.”  (Matthew 5:14-16)

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