On what have you rooted your faith?  Is it the sifting sand which changes with every new fad? Or is it rooted and grounded in a faith built upon Jesus Christ, the rock and foundation?

There are many voices that attempt to persuade you that you are wrong to proclaim Christ as your only means of salvation; after all, that is politically incorrect and you mustn’t offend anyone.  Some of those voices come from within our churches.  There are others who proclaim to be Christians; yet, their lives are full of murmuring and complaining with no resemblance of faith or trust in God.  Others make a mockery of grace by living out lives filled with lust, lies and bitterness; proclaiming that grace has covered it all, so what.  We must always remember that as great as is God’s Mercy; also, is His Wrath against unrighteousness and He comes to execute judgment upon all.  Ah, yes; dear tender saint, the thought of His Wrath and anger against our sin and murmuring would cause you and I to tremble.  We who are sensitive to our own ineptness and failures would feel the weight of guilt upon us were it not for the mercy and grace which holds us firm and blameless.  So what is the key to our being rooted securely by faith in salvation?

Continue reading Faith Rooted in Shifting Sand or Embedded in the Rock of Salvation →

I TURNED AND SAW THE FACE OF GOD

I turned and saw the Face of God

His Glory did surround me

He smiled and gave a wink, a nod

No chaos could confound me

His Grace and Mercy were now mine

His Joy was Mine Abounding

That I might then His Glory shine

To shout His praise resounding

Turmoil, strife, stress, criticism, hopelessness, and poverty encircle our lives every day.  You only have to turn on the TV and watch the news for a little while.  Look through the houses on the market and see how many foreclosures there are with a bleeding heart for this had not been the owners desire.   Unemployment numbers remain high and yet those numbers don’t even include all the people who have fallen off the grid for lack of work for so long that no longer can they be counted.  Employers demand more and pay less while the costs of living continue to rise.  Fear could become a way of life for many.  It would appear to all that uncertainty is the only certainty of life. Yet,

Continue reading Exchanging Turmoil for Joy →

 “This morning as I am sitting at a red light I took a second to admire the beautiful sunrise and what song was on the radio? "Light Up the Sky" by the Afters… The lyrics say "You light up the sky to show me that you are with me"…. God is good… Happy Monday everyone!!” Lindsey Barba

Jesus had just gotten the word that Lazarus was ill and was about to return to Judea.  He had waited two days the Bible says because He loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  He was about to take them the greatest gift of all.  He knew that He was about to show them a glimpse of His Glory and in that their understanding, their faith, their hope and thus their joy would abound.   He waited

Continue reading Light and Joy revealed in the Midst Of Darkness and Tragedy →

So, today I am off to Missouri to attend my 40th class reunion, visit my son, and turn in the final documentation for my new job in Missouri.  Yes, at age 58 I am changing careers where I will move from being a cardiology nurse practitioner to being a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner specializing in Electrophysiology (guess I always like a challenge)  As I look back over my life, I have seen the wondrous hand of God directing and guiding my life.  There may have been a lot of trials.  Also, there may have been so many times I have failed God; yet, He has taken all the threads and woven a portrait of faith.  There are so many mountains looming before me; yet, I know who goes before me and I know that when God commands me to go–He will smooth the path ahead.  On September 10 when God said today you are to give your 90 day notice; I did just that.  The thing that I have learned from all these years I have walked with God and the journey through all the trials is that I can trust Him even if I do not have any clue as to the plan.  No matter the obstacles or boulders that would appear to block the path, I march forward with the knowledge that God will either clear the path or allow me the strength to leap over each one miraculously.   So let my life reflect the fact that He is all I need, He is my every song of joy, He is my greatest treasure, and I love my Heavenly Father with all my heart, spirit and soul. 

Psalm 62: "Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved."

I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do;  I awoke this morning with this song playing in my head. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-Cgs41gawE

Some believe that we were created to bring Glory to God; yet, when I look deep within this human heart and back over all the failures of my life–I wonder how can that be?  The more I know of Him the more I recognize that His Glory, His Magnificence, His Character and Beauty is greater than anything imaginable and I have none to add.  So the best that I can hope to do is to empty myself of who I am, so that like a mirror reflects light; I might reflect His own Glory back to Him.  A mirror’s ability to reflect and magnify the perfect spectrum of light is dependent upon the smudges and defects being removed.  That sanctifying and purifying work occurs as we spend time in study of His word, worship, prayer and just setting aside time to sit in His presence every day.

1 Chronicles 16:27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

28 Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.

So how do we display His Glory back to HIM?

1. By trusting God’s heart and plan, no matter what we are facing. Much like Habakkuk, we know our victory is certain because of who He is.  Habakkuk 3: 17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

2. By being committed to living out the righteousness which is imparted to us by Christ’s Redeeming work, knowing that the power is of God and not our own.  Romans 8: "10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

3. By Demonstrating His Love, Grace and Forgiveness even to those who have wronged and harmed you.  Philippians 1: "9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."  Always remember Christ’s words as recorded in Luke 23: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

4.  By seeking Him as your greatest treasure above all other desires.  Psalm 63: "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."

5.  By Praising Him Psalm 9: "I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High."

So, we glorify our Heavenly Father as we live out this life we have in Christ.  Oh, that we would become a beaming reflection of His Glory that His Light might shine forth as a beacon to a world so filled with darkness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfXQ5Mfqvbg (Preview)