Praising God In the Storm

     For He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike].  (Matthew 5:45 Amplified version)  A rain on the lake behind our house brought this verse to mind. The rain was falling in a very peculiar pattern. On the left of the lake was evidence of the raindrops striking the surface of the water.  On the right side of the lake the surface was smooth and undisturbed.  To be quite honest, there have been times in my like when it felt as though I lived my life on the left side of the lake, in the rain, sometimes a full out storm. Not a fun place to be. For many years Satan deceived me into thinking that surely the problems that had come my way were deserved, some kind of punishment. Why would a God of love allow so much rain if this were not true?
     My security with my Heavenly Father was not based on His unfailing love of which I felt unworthy but instead on how I might earn this love. Unconditional love was a concept I had not grasped or been exposed to in depth in my formative years. Satan's stronghold in my mind dealing with this matter did not let verses like the one above or this verse from John 16:33 to bring the victory in my life. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Through a multitude of situations in my life, any search for peace in my own power has fallen desperately short. The above verse holds the key when it states "so that in me you may have peace." That peace is present despite storms if we are willing to tap into it and not allow our focus to be on the situations, on our discomfort or pain but instead on God and His love for us.
     God has a plan, and often those plans include difficult times and circumstances that ultimately draw us into a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father if we allow them to, if we can avoid the pity party, the self deprecation, the selfish focus which makes life be more about "ME" than the advancement of God's kingdom. So bring on the rain! Draw me closer to you, Lord, in the downpour. Open my heart and mind to the work you are accomplishing in my life through the storm. "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. and let perseverance be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1: 2-4)  To God Be the Glory!


This song speaks so beautifully to this subject! Please click on the link below.

                I Will Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns
   
   
     

Insights from God In a Field of Sunflowers (Part 6)

     At long last we have arrived at the final post from the sunflower field, and it is, as most, derived from a picture that appears repetitively in my collection of photographs. For the production of the fruit, that being the sunflower seeds, pollination must occur in sunflowers. As in many other instances in nature, the pollination of these plants is carried out by bees which can always be found busy at work each year that I visit. They are an integral part of the process. Without their help there would be no seeds formed, no supply of food for hungry birds, for people to enjoy, for industry to use. These flowers would have no purpose beyond existing and making the world a prettier place for a short time.  God had a bigger objective in mind for sunflowers, and he provided bees for its fulfillment.
     Now follow me. Though we do not fly and buzz about as bees do, we share in a similar pursuit of "pollinating" this world on behalf of Jesus.  For the time we are here, we have a duty and opportunity to spread the love and word of God to those standing in the field around us as well as those in fields far away. As bees spread the pollen so that sunflowers can complete their job of making seeds, our sharing God's word brings people to fruitfulness and joy in the Lord. The cool part about this is that both bees and flower benefit from cross pollination. The pollen gathered by the bees is also used to benefit the feeding and building of their colonies as well as the production of honey with honey bees. I believe that in doing God's work we also benefit as we grow stronger in His love and our faith. That spills over into our families, our lives as we allow Him to use us.  

     Do not become discouraged in your attempts to "pollinate" God's fields with the message of His love. You will encounter those who are fully open and ready to receive the words you bring.  God has prepared their hearts and "and the fields are ripe already unto harvest."  (John 4:35) Just as surely, you will come in contact with those whose hearts are closed, hardened from hurt, not ready to listen, or unable to hear (Matthew 13:3-23).  For those you leave the field prayerfully, trusting God to do His work in their lives.  You have done as He has asked. You have been the hands and feet of Jesus as you passed through the field. God bless you!
     I have shared with you previously that each year my goal is to take the perfect sunflower picture. I have yet to adequately capture their perfect, God-made countenance. Each picture seems to somehow fall short. Thank you for patiently following me through this series.  Each part was written as God provided. As these flowers in one stage follow the sun, I pray your life's journey leads you to follow God's SON. To God Be the Glory!

 

Childlike Delight in God's Presence

     The Setting:  Me, sitting on the back patio after a day with both my children which I knew from the get go would possibly involve much emotion as I had scheduled a day visit with Ben which usually ends with me driving away filled with Mama guilt and grief due to the fallout of autism.  Miriam, also with us, would be departing at the end of collective time together to start her senior year in college...always a teary summer's end. (Depending solely on God's grace for post graduation when she drives off into the sunset for her new job who knows how far away!)


The Reading Material: This passage from Sarah Young's book Jesus Calling: Seeking Peace in God's Presence. "When you walk through a day with childlike delight, savoring every blessing, you proclaim your trust in Me, your ever-present Shepard.  The more you focus on my presence with you, the more fully you can enjoy life.  Glorify Me through your pleasure in Me."

The Scenery:  As I read these words, the air began to burst forth with a choir of bird chatter and singing.  As I cast my glance toward the source, a tall oak tree which sits close to the water's edge of our lake, bluebirds had begun to fill the limbs. I watched in utter amazement as the tree took on the appearance of a Christmas tree adorned with said birds, which are my favorite! Of course, I ran for my camera, but after a few pictures it was turned off.  God had sent this for my delight in Him and pictures could not capture this moment in time. God invited me to glory in His creation.  One of the Bible names for Jesus is Immanuel which means "God with us." How close He was to me in that moment. I thanked Him for His grace and blessings on the day with the children.

The Summary:  These words began spilling out of my head which compelled me to share this with all of you.  God is so good!  Ben and I parted with a hug, a kiss, and a smile.  His birthday is next week, and he is anticipating an extended visit at home.  My parting words for Miriam were short and sweet, which defrayed a long tearful good-bye, at least on my part!  I simply said to her, "Go and have a great year. This is a part of God preparing you for the purpose He has for your life." Holding onto her would be out of step for both of us because we each have our purpose to live out for the Lord. Today I was given an Ephesians 3:20 day, "God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!"  Today "with childlike delight" I savor my blessings, trust in my God and feel, His hand on my life.  Today the "much emotion" I had scripted for the day was joy.  To God Be the Glory!!!

Giving Thanks In ALL Things

     The most awesome occurrence happened just outside my home yesterday afternoon.  It was, as a matter of fact, an answer to a small, inconsequential prayer I have prayed over the course of the summer. And I was ecstatic!  I happened to step outside of my house at the perfect time to see the rainbow for which I have been asking.  The funny thing was that I already had my camera in hand en route to shoot some pictures. The lens cover was quickly removed and the rainbow photo session began.  Past attempts have taught me that rainbows have a knack for disappearing as quickly as they appear. I frantically snapped pictures for a few minutes and then slowed down realizing that it was not vanishing but growing ultimately into a double rainbow. Smiling, I praised God for answers to little prayers, feeling as though this rainbow had been crafted and placed in the sky solely for me as it rested over our house. Don't forget to ask God for the little things and be sure to praise Him!
     Exactly one week ago my praises involved a polar opposite situation of a serious note.  My son Ben had one of his frequent grand mal seizures and badly injured his face and forehead in the fall. As we wiped away the blood and placed ice on the extreme swelling, I gave
thanks. This ability has been a very long time in the making.  It has come after hundreds of "Why, God?" moments when prayers prayed far and wide for my son have brought no end to these gut wrenching seizures. That day I said thank you because this injury would not have us rushing to an emergency room as others had.  We could handle it at home. Thank you, Lord.  I happened to be standing five feet away from him so immediate attention saved further injury. Thank you, Lord. My husband was at home and by my side. Thank you, Lord.
     "In everything give thanks: for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Understanding and living out this verse has taken me on a long journey ending at the doorstep of God's all sufficient grace. Praise is possible in the best and worst of times, but a choice must be made. Abiding in Jesus, knowing of His great love for you, and standing on the promises you learn through the study of God's word will help you make the right choice. Through this your faith will become exponentially stronger. It is then you will be more prepared to move your focus from the situation which attempts to overtake you to a focus on His presence in the situation. That alone is cause for praise. For that I was most thankful during and after Ben's seizure.
     In closing, allow me to share this quote from Charles Spurgeon.  "No one ever worshiped God with His whole heart unless he worshiped him with a broken heart: and there never was a heart that was truly broken that did not thereby become a whole heart." Read that again and really think about it.  Today I thank God for the broken heart that has been instrumental in the shaping of my whole heart.  Today I thank God for rainbows, double rainbows, and for His sustaining presence and grace through the worst of seizures. Interesting how rainbows so often follow storms! To God Be the Glory!
        
 

Insights from God in a Field of Sunflowers (Part 5)

 

    The more I learn about sunflowers, the more I become aware that God is so apparent in the details. The traditional image we have of the sunflower--a large single flower crowning a tall stem--is not 100 percent accurate. What we consider to be the yellow petals of the flower are actually leaves which serve the purpose of protection for the brown center of the plant where the true flowers are located--an aggregation of up to 1,000 flowers referred to as florets which are arranged in a spiral pattern. The picture to your left gives you a close up view.

     Further proof that we have a God of infinite detail lies in the fact that the florets in the center of the flower grow in a concentric spiral pattern at an angle of 137.5 degrees which produces the most efficient packing of seeds within the flower head. Scientific equations have been even formulated based on this fact! Wow! 

     Surely most sunflowers that are painted, chosen for arrangements, and photographed display the most flawless, bright yellow leaves with little attention to the brown center the of the plant. It fascinates me that what we perceive to be the most beautiful part of the sunflower is not where the fruit is actually produced. And from this observation comes my God given inspiration with a question for us all. Do we, myself included, spend too much time preening our bright yellow leaves in order to be more eye catching, more popular, held in higher esteem due to our beauty? Are we forgetting that there is work to be done in God's kingdom and just as certainly as he has placed each floret in the head of the flower in a specific angle with a job to do, he has divinely placed you on this earth with a purpose in mind? Often times this purpose takes you away from the beautiful people, from focusing on our own beauty, from being the prettiest flower in the field.
     Can we be at peace living for God, doing His will while being a part of the brown center which is usually not the focus of the plant but where its purpose is lived out, that of producing fruit? If God's purpose for you is a quiet, behind the scenes pursuit of reaching others, could you be content with that, living and working for an audience of one, the One, without the accolades and recognition that the "bright yellow" leaves acquire. Let me assure you that little is much if God is in it and your reward is not found here on earth but in heaven when He says to you, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." (Matthew 24:21) Never hesitate to be used by God in the most obscure of opportunities. So what if you do not gain the world's recognition. You have most certainly gained heaven's applause. What else really matters! Mother Teresa said this, "Don't look for big things. Just do small things with great love." There is most definitely a lesson about pride to be learned in all of this. Remember, how beautiful and precious you are in His sight. To God Be the Glory!
           

 *Pictured in the field of sunflowers are my all grown up children!

   

Outside My Own Little World

     I could not resist zooming in on this stick protruding from the small lake behind our house to photograph this turtle.  Both of my children were home over the weekend which means there is more cooking and washing of clothes to be done. The work week had been particularly hectic.  I was a bit envious of that turtle having a quiet moment all to himself. My mind is forever in gear, always has been.
     This turtle brought to mind a song that I will share with you in the link below. It is entitled "In My Own Little World."  The words remind me that God's purpose for me in this life extends far beyond my needs for quiet and self indulgence being met.  Granted we are called to spend quiet moments alone with our Lord as we praise Him, grow in our relationship, and listen for direction through His still small voice. Those moments are gloriously blessed with peace, but we can't camp out there forever. We must move from there to fulfilling our God given purpose in life which usually has nothing to to with me and everything to do with ministering to others.We have become such a selfish, self-focused society, absorbed only in our own well being. Please listen to the words of this song and see if the population in your world can grow far beyond "population me."   See the bigger picture! To God Be the Glory!


                                  (This is worth enduring the short commercial)
                                     * Matthew West  My Own Little World *   

Insights From God in a Field of Sunflowers (Part Four)

         I have entitled this picture "The Defiant Sunflower."  Notice this one flower in the field not facing east as the others are. Research has enlightened me on the scientific explanation for this. Stay with me for a moment. Immature sunflowers in the bud stage exhibit heliotropism which means the flowers track the sun from east to west. Upon creating sunflowers, God placed motor cells in the flexible part of the stem just below the bud to orchestrate this daily movement. How cool! (How can anyone doubt the existence of God?) However, this phenomenon ceases to take place when the blooming stage is reached. The stem becomes a stalk and stiffens at the end of the bud stage, and the flowering plants are frozen facing an eastward direction. They are no longer heliotropic. Lesson ended!
     For a moment, let's interject upon this particular flower some varying scenarios, two which readily come to mind.  First, the negative supposition which would lead me to conjecture that this flower's stem had somehow become hardened earlier than the rest, leaving it to no longer live the productive part of its existence facing the sun.  If this were a field of people and this flower a person, perhaps life has been a lonely struggle without love, without the Lord, and a defiant hardening or feeling of hopelessness has occurred in his or her heart which left them facing away from the SON, God's son. What warmth, what love, what joy this soul will miss not looking into the face of Jesus. What struggle and loneliness will prevail.  

     Now, from a positive standpoint, let's consider this. I love this idea! We will need to remove all scientific notion from this illustration. I choose to label this sunflower as the defiant one in a positive sense, refusing to follow the crowd, willing to stand for Christ in a world which has little time for worship of Him and commitment to Him. As the others turn toward today's immoral lifestyles, focused on self, too busy to seek God or hear His voice, this one, this person chooses wisely. He or she marches to the drum of God's word and seeks to live out His purpose in their life no matter what the cost, which often also includes loneliness. However,this person is never alone because of God's unfailing presence. "And low I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

 In that he finds peace. She walks with her head held as high as this sunflower, bringing God's joy and light to those in her path. Because he is different he makes a difference in God's kingdom and his life is blessed.
     Do you see yourself in this part of the field?  Is your defiance bringing positive outcomes or negative ones?  Is your heart defiantly hard or defiantly determined to make a difference in this world for Jesus?  Think about it, make the necessary adjustments, and go with God.  To God Be the Glory!  

Are You Ready for Eternity?

     Living in a small town where traffic is usually not an issue, I was surprised to be caught in a traffic jam on my ten minute drive to work yesterday. With the presence of two ambulances, a fire truck and most of the police cars in our town, there was no doubt that the accident I had come upon was serious. After sitting motionless for a bit, the police were finally able to route us around the scene. As I took the detour, I silently whispered a prayer for those involved and scurried on to work, hoping that injuries were not serious.
     It would be much later in the day when I would learn that a precious life had been lost in the accident of that morning. My heart was deeply saddened for the family to whom this was obviously a terrible shock. No doubt the driver had begun his day as always, stepped into his vehicle, and set off for work to execute the plans he had made for the day. In an absolutely unexpected, inconceivable moment his life was over and this person was face to face with God.
     Each member of my family passes through this same intersection on the way to work every day. I was only a few minutes behind the unfolding of events. This could have been any of us. What a reminder that we are never promised tomorrow. God holds our lives in His hands. In Matthew 24:36 as Jesus talks of His second coming he says this, "So also you must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." As this driver could never have seen this imminent accident, so we will not know the hour or time of the return of
Jesus. Neither do we know the number of our days here on earth.
     If you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please delay no more in seeking His love and forgiveness.  If you know and have been putting this decision off until you are ready, my friend, please, wait no more. Whether Jesus returns to take all of us home or calls only you and your life on earth is over, are you ready to stand before him? Romans 14:10-12 says,"For we will all stand before God's judgement seat. It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.' So then each of us will give an account of ourselves to God."  Every knee, every tongue...but for many this action, this proclamation will come too late.
     Eternity in Heaven will be the promise fulfilled only for those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus. Eternity does not mean Heaven for all.  Eternity can also be spent in Hell, and eternity is, well, eternity. Where will you spend yours, and what if it were to start today or tomorrow?  Are you ready for what eternity holds?  To God Be the Glory!