Thursday, January 28, 2010

He's just a phone call away....

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and show you many things...

This scripture keeps coming up in various places. So, I then say, ok, Lord what are You trying to say to me.

Call Me

Call you, Lord?

Yes, Me - I want you to call to Me.

And then...

I will answer you and I will show you many things...

I almost believe He is daring me. If not daring, then wooing me by His Spirit only because I so often forget to call Him, talk to Him - first. I usually call a good friend who knows God's word or who is a strong prayer warrior or who can bring comfort.

Why not call Him?

He longs for that simple call so He can listen, comfort, show me what He has to say, and cover me with His words of prayer. He is my Daddy - the one who has put His signature on my heart - my life. He looks with affection upon His daughter and He is jealous for my attention - my call.

He promises to pick up the phone and answer my call. He wants to talk my ear off - to tell me all sorts of stuff. Many things - many treasures. For me. Yes, me His daughter whom He loves.

Words from a song, "You just call out my name and you know wherever I am I'll coming running to see you again...".

If you haven't called Him in a while - call Him now. Just pick up the phone - He'll answer. He delights in hearing your voice.

Sweet conversations....Jodie

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Part 2

Back to our activity filled days... the 31st ended with a movie and cheer to the new year. The next day we discovered our basement laundry area filled with backed up sewer water due to a huge clog caused by tree roots - surprise! We basically had a small pond in part of the basement. I didn't know whether to grab a paddle or run away. My next thought was, "oh Larry (cat) you probably need your cat box to go potty". So, I "swam" and saved the cat box and our weekend was literally "filled" to the brim with hours of cleanup, etc.

In looking back at our New Year's surprise, I'm thinking, "ok, what can I learn from this?". I believe the Lord is saying we need to take care of the "roots". Whatever has taken root in your life, heart that could cause you to "run a muck", has to be cleaned out. We use drain cleaners to clean the small clogs, but, they can become huge clogs if we continue to put junk down the drain that shouldn't go down -- just like our hearts, our lives. If we continue to put the bad stuff - the sin stuff - in without washing it down and cleansing it out with the Word of God and his forgiveness, our hearts clog up, and, before you know it we've "run a muck" and our lives are a mess.

Our basement is clean - washed with bleach. If you are finding yourself "clogged up" and "in a mess" spiritually, emotionally, or with just life - turn to Jesus. He is waiting to wash you with His blood, forgive you, love you and make you whole. He loves you so.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Unclogged and free ~ Jodie

Moving Forward...One Step at a Time

Welcome 2010 and Happy New Years Everyone!

Last year is history. Ahead of us is a new year...365 days of fun-filled, action-packed, why-is-this-happening, glory-filled, orchestrated-by-God kind of days!

We are already 5 days into the new year and, so far, it's been action-packed in my world. I'll get back to the action-packed activities tomorrow in part 2 of this post.

Isaiah 43:18 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

This is one of my favorite verses - the Lord keeps bringing it back to me to dwell on. The Lord is asking me to forget the former things - the good and the bad. He is asking me to not dwell on the heartaches and the "whys". He is asking me to not dwell on "how good" I thought our life was when we had two full incomes. Because, He, my God - my Daddy - the Lover of my soul, is doing a new thing.

Yes, He is. It is His Word. It is His Promise.

If I am consumed in the past how am I ever going to perceive the "new thing" that He is doing?

When I read, "do you not perceive it" I picture the side of a person's face turned, with their hand cocking their ear, listening for His voice. Then I picture scanning the horizon, looking for - expecting - the "new thing" God is bringing.

What is this "new thing"?

He is making "a way" in the desert and streams in the wasteland - my desert, my wasteland. Where I didn't think there was a way, or a road, my God is making one. Not only is it one road and one tiny stream, but it will be a river. Where I thought I was in this desert & wasteland with no way out and all by myself, He is making a way and bringing others to come along side me.

All things are possible in Christ.

I don't know what it all looks like today, but I do know His ways are higher than my ways.

I have faith. I have hope. I have Christ, my rock and foundation.

As long as my eyes & ears are expecting the "new things" I will move forward...one stream, one road, and one step at a time.