A Leaf - A Cross - A Sign

Last week, Steve and I were given the opportunity to stay in a remote cabin. This cabin seemed to be held in the midst of a stand of trees. It had been a very hectic week and we both were worn passed exhaustion.

Many times God shows me His presence through the lens of my camera. This afternoon, I really needed to see God. I really needed to feel His presence. So I grabbed my camera and struck out on the path. It was as though I was standing in a waterfall of leaves. Every where I turned, the trees were surrender their leaves. The
leaves, in turn, cascaded down ever so lightly as the wind moved them on their way.

I remember thinking how much I really needed to feel God's presence. My head was
turned down and I was near tears. My heart had been broken and the pain that
filled my heart was the pain that I knew only God could heal. Just as I lifted my foot
to take another step, there in front of me was a leaf in the shape of a cross. I stopped in mid-step and just stood looking at the ground beneath me. I lifted my camera and took this picture.

Isn't God amazing? The scripture that even the rocks will cry out to praise God immediately came to mind. Seeing this cross brought me to my knees. God was present. There in midst of falling leaves, I found God waiting for me. His imprint so clear that I couldn't miss it.

When you feel discouraged, or your heart is heavy with pain, look down, look around from side to side, and look up. God is there...all around you! The God who watches over you and me never sleeps nor does He slumber.

A-C-T-S Prayer

This morning was a special walk. Thanks to a dear and precious friend, I was reminded of a form of prayer that I used a long time ago. My friend is also a prayer walker and uses this same form of prayer. My heart was thrilled at the thought of renewing this style of prayer. While this form of prayer is directive in nature and keeps the prayer focused, it also invites an opportunity to “freeform” words from your heart. So, as my feet hit the pavement, I began..

A (Adoration)

The “A” prayers are comprised of praise and worship. “I love you, Lord!” “You are a mighty God!” “There is no one like you, Lord!” “You alone, I worship, God!” This time is focused totally on worship and praise of our God. If you have having difficulty getting started with praise and worship, you can play praise music and allow the music to lead you into worship and praise.

C (Confession)

The Bible tells us that God will forgive our sins, and will remember them no more. This is a time to ask God to forgive you. You must tell God the specific things that you have done wrong and you feel sorry about. Once you confess, your sins will be forgiven, and you can be assured that God has forgiven and forgotten. You can know without a doubt that your sins are erased and never to be remembered again. “Lord, I confess that I have been fearful and not trusting you in this situation.” “Lord, I confess I am angry and hurt about this…” “Lord, I confess that I allowed hurt to keep me from moving toward your perfect will for my life.” This time if focused on being transparent and truly bare before the Lord. He knows already what is there and His desire is that we recognize the darkness and stumbling blocks and bring it to His light for healing and restoration.

T (Thanksgiving)

The “T” prayers are comprised of thanksgiving. Those probably come the easiest as they spring forth without being beckoned. “Lord, thank you for my husband who is such a godly man.” “Thank you, Lord, for my family who is a family of faith.” “Thank you, Lord, that our grandchildren know You personally and believe in Your salvation.” “Thank you for the wind at my back that is gently nudging me forward to Your perfect will.”

S (Supplication)

The “S” prayers are those comprised of asking God for what is in your heart. “Lord, please bring me to Your perfect will.” “Lord, now that I am walking into this mighty wind, please use Your Spirit to blow away anything in me that is not of You.” “Lord, please heal our church and our members. There are some who are very sick.” “Lord, help my husband and I to be like trees planted by the water. That we will grow stronger in You. Please use Your Spirit to give us nutriments so that we will bend and not break.”

Today the wind was blowing so strong that when I faced it head-on, it literally blew my earbuds of my Ipod out of my ears. It had been a holy walk. I was sad when I made the last corner and walked up the driveway to stretch from walking. Once the stretching was done, Maggie (our little schnauzer) and I sat on the front porch and listened to praise music and just praised and worship.

My cell phone ran bringing me back into the day of activities ahead. Until tomorrow…Lord, my soul pants for you like a deer pants for the water. Please give me hind feet for high places.

Prayer Walking

Years ago (probably close to 6 or so) I was reading a Christian fiction by Ted Dekker. I believe the name of the book is called, “Heaven’s Wager.” Won’t spoil the plot, but the book validated something that the Lord had been pressing upon my heart for some time. And, as only God can do, He confirmed His leading through Joyce Meyers! I mean really, okay, got the point already.

That is where the prayer walking began. Each morning I would pull on my tennis shoes and head out the door to pray and walk our neighborhood. It did not take long for the people living in the houses on my prayer walk began to take on special prayer requests.

A back injury interrupted the prayer walking followed by a move to a different neighborhood. Back surgery followed the move and then knee-replacement. At the end of last year, I left my employment to pursue a new future…one that only God knew.

For the past couple of weeks, the call to prayer walk began anew. It was time. So, this morning as I walked in the early morning, it was glorious. Although the sun stayed behind the clouds, it didn’t matter. The clouds were showing off with a huge display of colors. The sun added to the panorama and I felt God was very near.

House after house I passed and God pressed for me to pray…yes, please give peace to this neighbor. She just lost her husband last month. Oh, and yes, please be with us young mother who has miscarried and wants desperately to have another baby. And…the list went on.

Prayer walking is holy. It is a time that a prayer warrior can storm the Heavens with his/her prayers.

On my last loop it began to sprinkle light drops of rain. Couldn’t help but smile as we need rain and spiritually our hearts are dry. So, as I watched the raindrops hit the pavement in front of me, I prayed, “Lord, reign in me.”

I will be ready to meet God on the street and share the morning with Him. Prayer walking is good! Can’t wait until tomorrow!

Fishing Buddies Reunited

This photograph includes: Back row: Aunt Faye (Pappa's youngest sister); me; Uncle Garland (Aunt Dene's husband); Aunt Dene (Papa's sister -Front Row: Carol (my sister); Papa, Mama Terri and Peppy

What a great day that was! Carol was visiting from Kansas, I had come in from Texas. Papa was more than thrilled to have both his girls there at one time.

Papa and Uncle Garland were the best fishing buddies ever!!! Papa and Mama Terri had a camp directly across the street from Aunt Dene and Uncle Garland. There is no telling how many fishing trips these two men made before Papa died. Papa died on Uncle Garland's birthday.

Uncle Garland has long suffered from Parkinson's disease and this year passed away from lung cancer. Uncle Garland died the night before Papa's birthday.

What gave me more comfort than I can explain is that these fishing buddies were reunited. During my prayer time, I saw my Papa welcoming Uncle Garland and Papa had his arm around Uncle Garland and they were laughing about some fishing experience they had once had together. Then I saw Jesus walk up behind them and stepped in with his arms on their shoulders and said, "If you think that was a great fish story, wait until you hear this one!" They all laughed and walked away together - arm and arm.

As children of the Most High God, we can trust that those of our family and friends who have gone on ahead of us are waiting for us to join them. They are no long in pain, no more suffering. Cancer, leukemia, Parkinson's disease have lost their hold on them!!! They are whole and perfect and most of all, happier than we could believe possible.

For those of us who are on this side of Heaven, take heart! God is with us! His love and comfort give us strength as we go through the motions of this life until one day, He calls us by Name - for we are His and takes us to Heaven. What a day that will be!

It seems the older I get, the better Heaven looks. Not to say that my life is not filled with joys and happiness - because it is that and more! What I am saying is that my spirit longs for its eternal home and maybe, just today as I looked at that picture, I found myself homesick and missing friends and family who are no longer on this side of Heaven.

Seeing God - Two Old Friends United

Although there are many things that draw my heart, spirit and eyes to God, two of my favorites and old friends are my prayer candle and my digital camera.

Since my retirement, I’ve returned to an old habit and an old friend. That habit is burning a prayer candle each day. As in the past, my faithful prayer candle is placed in a prominent place and draws my attention each time I enter the room. It’s location (in our new house) in on the mantle in the den. Each time I enter the room, my eyes are drawn to the flickering flame and to God. It is such a holy connection because just as my eyes see the flame, so sees my heart and an open door to prayer happens. Sometimes I pause in mid-step to pray and then other times I continue walking praying as I step away from the prayer candle and its call to prayer. It has been one of my most treasured calls to prayers each day. There is no way to tell on this side of Heaven the number of petitions, prayers of thanksgiving and pleas for others’ needs have been spoken sharing my prayer time with this prayer candle…a faithful friend indeed.

Another thing to draw me to God is my digital camera. That might sound strange, but as I look into the lens of the camera and see a sunset, a flower, a grandchild smiling, my heart is drawn to God and to His creation. It captures the essence of the moment and reveals things that my human eye missed. It might have captured a butterfly in flight as I was taking a picture of a flower in bloom. One of my favorite times with this old friend was right after we moved to the country. Our subdivision was new and we were one of the few houses on this side of the lake. It was early in the morning and I grabbed my camera and keys (yes, still in my nightgown, robe and slippers) and ran to my car. I raced (literally) to the back of the subdivision to beat the rising sun. The plan was to capture the sunrise on my camera. It was one of the most dramatic times with God. At one point I had to put my camera down and just marvel at the magnitude of God! This faithful friend has captures many such times as: sunsets across the water in Florida, grandchildren’s birthdays and visits here with us, special events with family and friends, family gatherings, flowers, water birds, events at church, and pictures of people who are now Heavenside. It has been a good and faithful friend. Then, while in Galveston last year, the camera began to malfunction. I tried everything to restore it, but sadly it was wearing out and finally my digital camera died.

As I save for a new digital camera, plans are to use my still camera instead. Last night as I pulled it from it’s case and attempted to turn it on, the battery was gone. Luckily there was a package of new batteries and I loaded the film (you remember film??). As I pulled the camera up to take a picture, my heart soared! An old friend indeed had returned and it felt so good to hold it in my hands and see God’s creation through the lens! I snapped a picture of my cherisher and it made me smile.

This weekend my cherisher and I will be at Laity Lodge in the Hill Country. My heart is literally racing at the thought of the pictures that will not be missed. My old friend will be with me capturing the sights of God’s creations. And long after this weekend with God has passed, there will be memories in print to remind us how faithful God is to our every need. Oh, how we needed this time away. Oh, how we needed to sit and be restored, replenished and renewed.

Oh that we would see God in the ordinary…you know, the day-to-day things God shows us that we miss because we are just too busy to stop and celebrate His glory. Oh, how He wants us to pause and notice!

Can you do that today? Can you think of something – anything– that you can do to pause from your labors of the day and spend with God? Can you just stop to see His Glory? Can you not stop and see His presence? God dances all around each and every one of us! Most times we are simply too busy to notice.

My friend, can you not stop today – even if it is only for a moment – look around you and see God? Utter those words God longs to hear, “Thank you! I love you!” God is presence! He is amazing! Today why not allow God to take your breath away and draw you to His heart! Can you hear Him singing? God does sing over you, you know!!! Bask in His love and His presence with you today!

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love;he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)

Inside Out

It seems that ever so often God allows a situation in your life that turns you inside out. You never see it coming so you are not really prepared when it happens. The shock of the whole thing just truly sets your heart racing and you wonder, "Why did I not see this before?" Or..."When did will I learn?"

All good questions about a broken trust, a person that you thought was honorable turned out not so honorable. What to do with dilemma? Where do you go? What can be said? Is this a relationship that is something to fight for? Again, good questions...

First thing that happens for me is that I go inside to that secret place where Jesus resides. I bring the broken pieces of the relationship to Him. There we examine each piece and see where truth is...because with Jesus, there is always truth.

Second thing is you listen to Jesus. This is hard because right now, all you are looking to find is a tender and healing heart to hold you...pieces and all. But Jesus wants so much more...He wants us whole.

Third you obey Jesus. This is probably the hardest one to do...because it requires action. Action from me and I might not be at a place I want to move from his feet. Yet, the time comes when He gently lifts me to my feet and sends me out to do...whatever it is that Jesus feels is right. Because with Jesus, it is always truth!

So, here I stand at the doorway of my heart ready to step outside and do what Jesus has asked me to do. Yes, the trust has been broken. Yes, Jesus will give me the strength to love that person. Yes, trust will need to be rebuilt...that is if that person is interested at all. In this case, I don't believe the person is...so what do you do with that? You love anyway. And, you pray for that person that she/her will be guided to Jesus and His truth.

After all, each of us have our own version of truth but Jesus' truth is always right, always healing and always loving.

I am sad that for now, this relationship which I hoped would be salvageable, for the moment is not. So I will wait on Jesus, listen to His promptings and love. It is my only option.

So, when you are feeling turned inside out by a violation of trust from someone you thought was a friend...someone you cared deeply for...go to Jesus...not only to feel His healing love but to learn how to love!

"For God so loved this world that He gave His One and Only Son

so that those that believe in His will not perish but will live forever with Him." John 3:16

Faith Is Like A Canoe

Have been going through a time of concern…not calling it depression...just traveling through some troubled waters. Have gone before my Heavenly Father, seeking the answers to questions in His Word and through my prayers. I know I don’t have the answers but I also know God does! It seemed like the longest time before an answer came back…stranglely it came in the form of a memory.

Was on Facebook this afternoon and looking at some pictures of some old friends we left behind in Louisiana. Their grown daughter was visiting with her parents and her grown brother and his family. The pictures were taken somewhere in Tennessee and were far beyond any postcard photographs I’ve seen.

As I scrolled through the photos enjoying the sights and seeing their family enjoy the outdoors, one shot in particular caught my eye. It was a photograph of the grandfather (our friend) at the back of the canoe holding a paddle and his grandson sitting proudly in the front of the canoe. The grandson was enjoying the canoe trip immensely.

This particular picture sparked a memory of a trip our Sunday School Class took to Buffalo River in Arkansas. It was a large group that included many children and a lot of canoes. On one particular outing, I was placed in a canoe with one of our Sunday School members. He, being an experienced outdoorsman and also a seasoned canoeist, I found myself lulled into the deepest sense of calm. The water was like glass. Just days before the very same river (due to heavy rains) had been deemed a Class 4 River…meaning only experienced canoeists were allowed on the river. But today the river moved us along and I watched with the utmost care every sight I could take into my mind. It was more than beautiful…it was holy! After a while I lay back in the canoe, so I could listen to the canoe move through the water and see the eagles soar over the sides of the canyons. Never was I afraid…never was I concerned about where we were going because I knew, John, our guide, had our canoe and our group well in hand. Just thinking about that trip floods my mind with snapshots of memories of that time on the river and riding unafraid in the canoe. And, when our canoe approached an eddy or some white water, John remained calm and navigated us through the troubled water. Never did he panic nor did he lose his grip on the paddle…sometime during the journey, John was so captivated with the sites, he lay the paddle across his knees as he allowed the current of the river to move us along.

Faith is like riding in a canoe. You need to have an experienced person, like John, to help navigate you through the troubled water and eddies. And, when you are about to miss a scene of a lifetime, your navigator points it out to you. “You won’t want to miss this one,” he would say. How effortless it seems for him to keep the canoe moving through the waters.

Jesus is our experienced navigator. When we "faith" a circumstance, we make the choice to climb into the canoe and sit down…allowing Jesus to steer with His paddle…trusting Him to guide you through the troubled waters…listening to His voice and seeing things He doesn’t want you to miss. And sometimes, you can even see Him when the waters are calm around us, sit with the paddle across His knees. Those are the moments He basks in creation and He sings! (Zephaniah 3:17)

Are you finding yourself still on the shoreline and not sure about getting in the boat? Climb aboard and sit down! Trust Jesus! It is a ride that takes a lifetime! And, oh, what a ride indeed it is...and then one day, when the river brings us back ashore, we gently step out of the boat and into Heaven. Amazing!!!!!

“If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.”