Back from Vacation

I've been on a three-week vacation and have wonderful memories to share.  Since it's the second Monday of the month, I'm posting on Jennifer Hallmark's blog Small Acts of Kindness today.  You can read the post here.

Fathers' Day is coming up

Today's the second Monday of the month so I'm posting on Jennifer Hallmark's blog, Small Acts of Kindness.  Hop on over there to see my thoughts on Fathers' Day. https://jenniferhallmark.com/2016/06/13/fathers-day/

Nature comes indoors

It happened again, only this time it was a Carolina Wren.  I'd bent over to stretch and as I looked behind me I saw a bird flapping its wings like crazy.  "What's with that bird?" I asked aloud.  I stood up and turned around and just shook my head.  "Again? Seriously?" The bird wasn't outside the window, he'd flown in the house through the bird feeder and was trying to get back out. 

Just like I wrote in a post nearly two years ago, I'd opened the window to let in some fresh air that morning. I remembered the incident with the finch but didn't think it would happen again.

The poor guy didn't know how to get out by himself, so I raised the window and the screen with my left hand and lifted my right index finger to just below the bird. He flew up into the curtain. "I'm not gonna hurt you." I said.  "I want to help you but you have to trust me. Relax. Sit on my finger."  He did! As I moved my hand down, he panicked and flew up into the curtain.  I put my finger up again and he sat on it.  I moved a little slower this time, got my hand under the window and set him free.

I smiled and thought of how I'm like that little bird.  It's not natural for him to sit on someone's finger. It's scary and he didn't know what would happen.  Likewise, I like to know what I'm getting into before I do it. I feel insecure when I don't know what I might encounter venturing into the unknown.  But God knows what lies ahead and He wants me to trust him. I can only get where I'm going if I trust him, rest in His presence, and let him show me where to go. 

How have you been challenged to do something outside your comfort zone?  How did you handle it and what came about?  Share your story here.

A Mom's Love

Yesterday was Mothers’ Day, which I always enjoy.  Every year it gives me a special reason to let my mom know how much she means to me.

 

We’ve always been close and even to this day I consider her to be one of my most trustworthy friends.  I can share anything with her, knowing she truly cares and will listen and encourage me when I need it most. So today, Mom, I thank you publicly for your love and continuous support in everything. 

 

I think most of us have someone (whether it’s our mom or someone else) we appreciate who’s been there for us in good and bad times.  How do you show them how much they mean to you?  I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s keep the conversation going.

 

 

 

 

 

It's the second Monday of the month again so I'm posting on the Small Acts of Kindness blog today.  https://jenniferhallmark.com/2016/04/11/breakfast-in-bed/

Yahweh Elohim: The Only True God

Yahweh Elohim Israel—The Lord God of Israel. The only true God

In today’s society, at least in the United States, there is a plethora of gods people worship. Most do not worship physical idols, but in terms of what we value most, what we see as important and spend most of our time on, many things qualify.

We often joke about “Keeping up with the Joneses” and living like “the one who dies with the most toys wins.” Yet, even though we act like it’s a joke, our lives often bear it out. One of God’s names is Elohim. It means He is the God of Israel, as opposed to other false gods.

The truth is that God has no rivals. Anything else is a false God. He is the only one we are to live for. (Ex. 20:3, Deut. 5:7) Not power, not wealth or social status.

Personally, I have to fight against thinking about others’ opinions of me and how I measure up. How about you? What do you find competes with God in your life? Let’s talk about it.

Jehovah-Rohi The Lord Is Our Shepherd

In last week’s post we looked at the name Jehovah Jireh, which means The Lord Provides.  Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord is Our Shepherd is similar, but, in my opinion, encompasses even more.  A shepherd provides for his sheep but he also leads them and protects them.

 

He does it because they can’t lead themselves without getting into trouble. Phillip Keller, in his book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, tells us that sheep need attention and meticulous care. They have a mob mentality and move about in herds. They can only see what’s right in front of them—more sheep!  

 

 

 

They can’t see their surroundings. Only the shepherd can. There may be predators, or natural hazards, like a cliff for example, that the sheep must stay away from in order to avoid injury or even death. Only the shepherd can see the bigger picture and guide them safely where they need to go.

A good shepherd guides, leads, and protects his flock but he also gives them everything they need.  Each day he leads them to clean water and pastures to satisfy their thirst and need for food. Only the shepherd knows where this is.  Because he leads, protects, and takes care of their needs, he sheep trust him.  They even recognize his voice and will not follow another shepherd they don’t know.

We are the same with God, Jehovah-Rohi.  God sees the big picture in our lives. He leads us, protects us if we head his direction, and takes care of our needs. Just as the sheep trust their shepherd, we can trust the Good Shepherd. There are obstacles and hazards we have to negotiate in our lives, but we don’t have to do it alone. God has promised to walk with us every step of our journey in life if we’ll follow him.   

How have you seen God lead you,either recently  or in the past?  What difference has it made?  Share it here so we can encourage each other.

 

 

 

 

 

Jehovah Jireh--The God Who Provides

Today I feel compelled to share a name of God that I’ve experienced in the last week.  Jehovah Jireh. It means The God Who Provides.

Several of my neighbors and I had planned to go out for lunch one day but I needed to take my dog out first. I saw my neighbor, Mary Carol,

The Lord is There

One of the God’s names is Yahweh Shammah—The

Lord is There. He is there, always and everywhere at once. 

How can God be here and there?

Names of God

Beginning today, we’ll have a series on the names of God—what they mean, what they tell us about who God is, and how we can relate to Him. Perhaps we’ll be surprised