"Purr-fect Therapy"

Anyone who lives with cats totally understands this picture which says it all...cats rule, and we'll readily give up our comfort for the sake of our feline children.

There's nothing like the peaceful feeling they bring as they curl up with us, motors running, completely content as we snuggle together.

There have been times when I've tossed and turned, unable to sleep until one of my kitties comes to visit me late in the night, lulling me to sleep with their sweet singing purrs and the feel of their soft fur.

Yes, I am a cat lover to the extreme and make no apologies for it.  They are sweet and delightful gifts from God who have often spoken to my troubled soul, soothing, comforting and helping, I believe, by God's hands to help slow down my racing thoughts as the Lord ushers in His peace.

Thank You, Lord, for all of Your awesome and most precious creatures!  Nothing is wasted with You.

(A page from my inspirational scrapbook)

"As a Child"

The Lord has appeared of old to me, 

saying: “Yes, I have loved you with
an everlasting love; therefore with
lovingkindness I have drawn you. 

Jeremiah 31:3 

When I saw this picture I just knew there was something the Lord wanted to speak through it.  Though the Lord was speaking some personal things to me, ultimately it was His perfect love I knew He wanted to express through the message of the gift of Salvation through His Son Jesus Christ that He offers to all.

As we are entering the Christmas season I am ever mindful of the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate.  There is nothing and will never be anything greater than the gift of God's love and His redeeming power through Christ.

There is no gift, no amount of money or anything that this life may have to offer that could equal His immeasurable love to save our dying souls as God the Father offered up His Son to pay the price for all sin.

My heart and my life belong to Him and I am forever grateful that He looked upon me and offered me redemption and a life set free in Him and that the same is offered to every man, woman and child.

My prayer is that all around the world we would hear and respond to the voice of His Holy Spirit who draws us by God's everlasting love to become the new creation in Christ Jesus He longs for us to be and that we would live our lives fresh and anew for Him.

Thank You, Heavenly Father!  May Christ truly be the center of it all, not just at Christmastime but every day of our life.

Come unto God the Father

In purity and without guile

Receive the Kingdom of Heaven

Innocent as a child.

Know the love of Jesus

Feel His warm embrace

Live a life of freedom

Victory by His grace.

Each day approach in newness

In Jesus Christ, rejoice

Garments of praise to cover

Raise holy hands and voice.

Feast on the word He's given

Let a heart be formed

That God Himself is shaping

In all that are reborn.

Trusting Him more fully

With every passing day

Grown up, His disciple

All sin washed away.

By blood that is all-sufficient

Shed by One Who paid the price

The sinless, spotless, Lamb of God

Clothed in brilliant light.

Throughout your days He'll hold you

Never to let go

For He is true and faithful

And longs for you to know

The mysteries of Heaven

The promises that await

The perfect plan He has for those

Who take His hand by faith.

Let the joy of His salvation

Permeate your life

Filling every corner

Immersed in Jesus Christ.

Scripture Meditation:
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:3 - Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. 

Matthew 18:2-3 - Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,  and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

(A page from my inspirational scrapbook)

"In Everything Give Thanks"

As we're winding down the month of November and the year I'm reflecting on all the many things for which I am grateful to God.  And though we have just ended the holiday of Thanksgiving, my prayer is that the Lord would open our eyes, that not only for a day or a month out of the year would we be thankful, but every day to purpose in our hearts to seek out, find and acknowledge the multitude of blessings that the Lord so graciously provides.

The Lord's mercies are new every morning and His compassions they fail not.  Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me, and reason enough to sing Your praises every day!

Link to the hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI_3KqWQ6OA

(A page from my  inspirational scrapbook)

"No Worries"

This is a page from my inspirational scrapbook that I continue to work on.  After I create enough pages I'll have them bound into a book.  What a fun and great way to meditate on the precious promises of God and other encouraging thoughts.  

(Click on the picture for a full-sized view)

"Sleeping on the Stairs"

Here's my silly little Lucy Lu who decided to sleep on the stairs since that's where the sun was shining in.  I took this picture as I was preparing to leave for work one morning and felt so bad that I had to close the door and take away her prime sleeping spot.

"Partakers of Holiness"

Life is quite often a challenge.  Much of the time we don’t know what may be around the bend.  The things that have taken place over the past several months, along with just all of the every day daily stuff, at times have seemed nothing short of overwhelming.  My patience some days has been stretched beyond measure and my faith has been tried once again during difficult times in a battle that has seemed unending and where everything seems to be going wrong.

It’s in times like these that I find myself wanting to withdrawal.  But what I’m really sensing is God’s call to come aside to be alone with Him, to be transformed more into His image; to understand His perfect will and to be more fully equipped for the destiny that He has planned and that He is unfolding in and through my life.

He reminds me I’m not alone but that the same sufferings are experienced by others.  It may be a little different with each one of us, but don’t we all go through our own “stuff”?  

In the book of Hebrews, 12:1-13 it talks about the chastening of the Lord…OUCH!  It doesn’t feel good as we’re going through and honestly sometimes we feel confused, discouraged, depressed, maybe angry or lost and wonder where God has gone; it just doesn’t seem to make sense.  But He’s bringing us into the place of holiness as He strengthens our faith and teaches us to let go of the things that bog us down and to turn from the sin and compromise that traps us and causes us to take our eyes off of Him.   The Lord is teaching us to endure and move forward in Christ, no matter what.  

Though the poem is one I wrote several weeks ago it wasn't until recently as I continued to reflect on some additional Scripture, that the Lord helped me to hear and understand more clearly.  And so, I ask Him to forgive me in every place I have sinned against Him and have compromised, and to set my feet on solid ground.  I thank Him for His release to me in some areas and His continued work in each one of us to perfect and mature.  I'm grateful for the healing that He brings into our lives as we wait on Him, enabling us to walk the straight path He has placed before us and into the higher call of God in Christ Jesus.

  I have learned I’m not immune

From challenges I must face

That cause me to look upward

To gaze upon a face

That loves me beyond measure

That will not let me go

Who speaks to me so sweetly

All of me He knows.

Tenderly God holds me

I will not fall apart

For the Living Word, it echoes

Deep within my heart

A reassuring sound

Reminding me I’m safe

In the arms of Christ, my Savior

No one from me can take.

The promises He’s made me

I trust that they are sure

For His word will stand forever

I’ve walked through the Door.

He steadies me when all seems shaken

So I will not be moved

The temporal is as nothing

But the eternal God has proved

That even in desert places

He is my steady stream
Watering a soul that’s thirsty

In one He’s called redeemed.

His blood is all-sufficient

Coursing through my veins

My confidence is in Christ alone

Who gave me life and saved.

One day I will see Him

But until then I will serve

Willingly, my Master

And pray the lessons learned

Will glorify Christ Jesus

Lifting up the Name

That is above all others

And ushers in His change.

He takes a heart, imperfect

And makes holiness arise

Asking, Father, teach me,

To follow where You guide.

Help me to maintain my focus

Fill my mouth to sing Your praise

Give me grace and Your momentum

This life to You to raise.

Every day, surrendered

Father, fully Yours

To only make Your choices

Where weak, made strong, transformed.

Abiding in Your presence

Set this heart ablaze

Shed light where I've been darkened

Give faith where I’m afraid.

And I lift up my brothers and sisters

Who have troubles of their own

Draw each nearer to Your heart

Make Your presence known.

I remember those around me

Going through difficult times

Hold each one together

Help them, Your heart to find.

Give to each one clarity

Fill them with Your hope

The kind that is enduring

To do more than just to cope. 

But an overcoming spirit

Within them to arise

For the Living Word has spoken

Bringing new life to revive.

Come and touch the lame, Lord

One word from God to heal

All that has been stolen

I pray, restore and reveal

The will of God, most perfect

Stable upon Your path

In the destiny You've chosen

Your hand to firmly grasp.

Held by a grace You have given

The despondent, I ask fill with Your joy

Yielded, bowed before You

Spoiled, every enemy ploy.

I declare Your victory

To those in such great need

The truth of God perfecting

That establishes, strengthens and frees.

Here we are, alive but a sacrifice

Those whom You have proved

I pray You find acceptable

This worship You are due.

We cannot do it alone, Lord

We don't have what it takes

But truth to us You've spoken

And so I know a way You'll make.

 

Scripture Meditation:

1 Peter 5:8-11 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.   Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.  Amen.
Hebrews 12:1-13 - Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.  You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.   And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:  “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”   If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.  Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect.  Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?  For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.   Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.   And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

"Do it Yourself"

Now, I know you all thought I was a natural red-head (ha, ha!), but I've been going to the hairdressers just about every four weeks for more than thirty years for a haircut and to cover up my beautiful, born with, blond hair, turned mousey light brown. 

But, for the first time in my life, this month I colored my hair and saved $40.00 by doing it myself...YIPPEE! 

Another bonus, later in the month I'm getting a FREE hair cut!  J.C. Penney is offering free haircuts through October to breast cancer survivors; another $40.00 saved.  Lets hope they do a good job.  

So, what do you think about that?!

"Simplify"

...aspire to lead a quiet life,

and work with your own hands...

1 Thessalonians 4:11

Here's a scrapbook page I just finished entitled, "Simplify".  This is something I'm still learning with the Lord's help.  And thanks, my brother, Steve, for reminding me of that little word that I know the Lord has been speaking to me for at least 10 years or so.

"Inspiration"

God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do. 

Ephesians 2:10

I'll not compare myself with others

But let my life give God my praise

To each one, His gifts He's given

So back to Him I'll raise

All to me He's given

Asking Him to touch

What He has placed within my hands

And turn it into much.

Take your creativity

And see what God can do

The dreams He's stored inside your heart

He gave them to pursue.

So others then may see them

But so too, the hand of Christ

That mightily works in you

Let your love bring light.

Cause a heart to wonder

To ponder far and wide

Let the colors of a Savior

Stroke and perhaps revive.

Taking inspiration
Allowing it to form
Into a message from the One
That molds what He has born.

(Artwork by, Karla Dornacher, http://www.karladornacher.com/ 

Scrapbook design by, Terry)

"What Do You See?

Even to your old age, I am He, 

and even to gray hairs I will carry you!   

I have made, and I will bear; even  

I will carry, and will deliver you. 

Isaiah 46:4

To all the old ones who touch my
life so deeply - I see the beautiful you.

What do you see

Is it just the outside

The wrinkles and wheelchair

My feeble body and mind?

But I am formed in God’s image

He knows every hair

He’s numbered each strand

And He calls me fair.

I had hopes, I had dreams

I worked hard with my hands

I loved and raised children

I danced to the band

To the rhythms of life

Some melodies were sweet

While others were sharp

But I trusted the beat.

For I knew God was playing

His instrument well

Guiding every movement

A life lived to tell

Of a Father who has been faithful

And will be until the end

So I’ll continue to dance

Though it may seem like pretend.

But the Lord has my heart

And helps me to see

Even as He sees

A beautiful me.

I may appear as a shadow

But it’s the one that God's cast

As His face has shown upon me

From the first till the last.

One day I’ll rise up

No longer frail

And move to the music

My Jesus to hail.

He’ll welcome me home

Where He’s dried all my tears

My joy made complete

As a choir I hear.

To know at last I’m in His presence

Singing songs of His praise

Where I will dwell with Him forever

For endless of days.

So, hear beyond the babble

To hear a heart full of life

That lives on into eternity

In one who trusts Christ.

"Do Not Withhold Good"

A good man is concerned 

for the welfare of his animals... 

Proverbs 12:10 (TLB)

I saw them, as it were

On the side of the road

Abandoned, lost and lonely

Hungry, scared, without a home.

Many said, 'It's just an animal'

Ignored, they passed them by

Paws shivered in the darkness

God's creatures soon would die.

But there came a Good Samaritan

Who wrapped him in his coat

Warming him in loving arms

He slept and then awoke.

He met the eyes of his master

The one who took him in

A friend who saw his value

Who would care for him and always defend.

They formed a bond that could not be broken

The master learned so much

From the little one with the cold, wet nose

Both changed the day they touched.

They call it second chances

I call it hearts revived

When freely love is given

And pals walk side by side.

They call it chance encounters

It's not that at all

I believe in divine appointments

To help a friend who calls.

The thing that seems so ordinary

This is what is real

Reaching out to the lowly

To lend the hand that heals.

I pray that we would see them

Realizing their great worth

These treasures sent from Heaven

Every evil intent reversed.

That they may live their lives well cared for

Never again to fear

For a good man concerned for the welfare

Of an animal, that day came near.

As I was inspired to write this poem, it was the story of the Good Samaritan from the book of Luke in the New Testament that first came to mind. The Lord was impressing upon me how much He wants us to be filled with His kindness, mercy and compassion, reaching out wherever there is a need and where it is in our power to do good for He created and cares for all. Though this poem was written about animals I certainly couldn't help but think of the daily opportunities given to us to make a positive difference in the lives of those all around us. I pray that we would allow the gentle, caring hand of God to work through us each day to help alleviate suffering and encourage a heart as we share the love of Christ everywhere we go.

Scripture Meditation:

Proverbs 3:27-28 - Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.  Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,”  when you have it with you.

Luke 10:25-37 - And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”  So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Please consider opening up your heart and home to the precious homeless furry, feathered and scaly friends so much in need and/or giving however you are able.  Visit your local shelter or take in that stray to see how you can make a life changing difference.

"Run Away, Run Away!"

Some days I just want to run away.  Probably more days than I'd care to admit.  I  sort of feel a bit like Jonah I suppose.  God gives me something to do and I feel like I can't measure up to the task for so many reasons.  I want to board a ship and sail away to some far off land where nobody can find me.  Or, perhaps at times I feel a little like Moses when the Lord told him to go to Pharaoh and speak.  Like Moses, I say, "Who me, Lord, I can't speak.  Can't you send somebody else?"  I think of Jeremiah who was afraid of what others might think and who felt so inexperienced and unqualified for the work the Lord had called him to. 

Even the great apostle, Paul, knew weakness in his flesh and said, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."  
(1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

Words from Scripture echo in my mind, that God uses the weak and the foolish to confound the wise, and, He will give me what I need in the hour I need to speak and that if I open my mouth He will fill it.

I still battle with fear at times and struggle with my many inadequacies.  But I continue to press into the Lord who causes me to overcome that I may accomplish His purposes as I rely on His grace and faithfulness to give me whatever I need to do His will.

Timothy struggled with fear, timidity and feelings of inadequacy as well.  But God did not give him, or you, or me a spirit of fear but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.  I pray that we would continually stir up the giftings the Lord has placed within us and step out in faith, even when we're afraid, to do the "greater" works that He has promised.  For now is the time!

Scripture Meditation:
Jonah 1:1-3 - Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,  “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.”  But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
Jonah 3:1-3 -  Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying,  “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.”  So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.
Exodus 4:10-13 - Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”  So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?  Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”  But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”
Jeremiah 1:4-10 - Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”   Then said I: “Ah, Lord God!  Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”  But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.  Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.  Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.  See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.”
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.  But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.  But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
Matthew 10:19-20 - ...For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Psalm 81:10 - ... open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 -  Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
John 14:12 -  “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to 
My Father. "