Tag Archives: direction

Sep22

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on September 22, 2014 by lsgrlr

I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Judges 9. “Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father by killing his seventy brothers. And all the evil of the men of Shechem God returned on their own heads, and on them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal” (Verses 56-57). This was a sad chapter to read. Why. It had 57 verses and it wasn’t until verse 56 that God moved. I am saddened at the fact that in that time period the people’s heart didn’t miss God. Their hearts didn’t miss intimacy with Him, closeness with Him. It is horrible that their hearts had grown so hard, so self centered that nothing else mattered, nothing, but their immediate pleasure. I recently wrote a post about something miraculous that God did for me during my days at bible college. After the post it dawned on me how easy it was for my mind to forget something that amazing and wonderful. How did it happen? My focus was not in the right place. The cares of life, the cares of this world stepped in a drowned out the beauty of what Christ, of what God had done. So today’s devotion is a warning, don’t forget what God has done, not even the smallest thing. Write them down, commit them to your memory banks for they will keep your foot from stumbling, and keep you on the right path.

Jun15

DAY 165 (2014)

Posted on June 15, 2014 by lsgrlr

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My church has a tradition, every Father’s Day we have the same guest speaker, Dr. Bob Barnes. Thus, Father’s Day weekend is one of my favorite times of the year. This year was no exception. Why? Because without fail every time he comes, he brings a message that feels like it was meant just for me. I have posted before that one of my favorite songs is, Oceans, by Hillsong United. The first line to today’s sermon was a Bob’s version to a one of the verses in the song. The actual verse says: “Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander.” Bob’s version “Take me deeper than my FAITH could ever wander.” After he said that my heart asked this question: How deep do you allow your faith to wander? As if the question on my heart wasn’t conviction enough Dr. Barnes followed up his rendition of the lyrics with this statement: “It’s time to do the things we say we believe.” I almost fell out of my chair! Why? A few months ago I wrote those very same words in a post (yeah, I don’t know which one) at the time of my post God was showing me that I was not living out what I believed. Today however, the words did not feel like a conviction as much as a call to arms. A reminder that He has set before me a path and it was time to travel it. Time to do the thing I say I believe. Yesterday I posted a question and it seems today God has answered it. So today I send out the same challenge to all who read this post that Bob sent out to the congregation this morning: DO THE THINGS YOU SAY YOU BELIEVE!

“For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).

So what’s the plan? Deeper wandering faith.

Side Note: Dad’s are the standard. They teach their sons how to be men and their daughters how to be treated by men. So to all the amazing father’s out there. Thank you for setting the STANDARD Happy Father’s Day! -Lisa R. –

Feb6

DAY 37 (2014)

Posted on February 6, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Make your plans, but let God choose the path.

Today my mind is blank. Not that I have nothing to say (that would be almost impossible), but that I can’t seem to figure out how to make it all come together. Ever have one of those days? One where you feel like you have done so much, but accomplished nothing? That has been my day, thus my brain is blank. As I sit down and reflect on the events of my day, I realize the wheel that I had perceived myself spinning on is of my own creation. Why? There was no wheel at all. Today I had a plan, things I wanted to accomplish. But as the day progressed and other responsibilities became more important, I was unable to accomplish my plans. However, that does not mean I didn’t accomplish anything. Hindsight has shown me that I may not of gotten my original plans completed, but the things that were completed, were the things necessary for this day. Many times miss we miss what “IS” needed because we are so focus on what we “THINK” is needed. Today I accomplished not what I planned, but what was required for today. Why did I say my mind is blank? A blank mind means no preconceived beliefs. Today I learned, it is good to have a plan, but be opened for whatever comes.

“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

So what’s my plan of attack? Plan, but be open for what may come.

Jul14

DAY 195

Posted on July 14, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Learn from the one who understands what’s ahead. Like ducklings stay on course, learn the lessons.

So I am still not up to par…still spending my time horizontal, because vertical still produces a pounding, earth shattering headache. I however do feel better today than I did yesterday. The one plus of being not well is that it has been raining here in “sunny” Florida, for the past two days (rainy season is the best time to be sick, best sleep ever). By rain I mean we now have a waterfront view in both our back and front yard (for the backyard this is normal, at the front…not so much). I decided that if I had to stay horizontal I would do so in view of the “real waterfront”. So packed up my pillow and blanket and made my way to the family room, and plopped myself on the comfiest couch ever (secondly only to my friend Cate’s couch…which I am sure she purchased in heaven, feels like sitting on a cloud). As I gazed out the sliding glass door I saw the coolest thing, a mother duck with her ducklings. Ducks are a constant in my neighborhood, I have had many a “slow-down” on my drive to work due to duck crossing (usually I am irritated at this). Today’s duck sighting I found strangely beautiful. The ducklings followed mamma duck with complete trust. There was no lagging behind, no looking around…their eyes and their steps were firmly in line with her’s. This made me think about my relationship with God. Are my eyes and steps completely lined up in Him? Honestly, no. There are some days when I can spend the whole day in His will and I feel His closeness. But more often than not I struggle to stay connected. Unlike the ducklings, I wander, I stray, I get distracted by the world around me. Today six little ducklings taught me a lesson about life…at some point they will all go out on their own, but for now they will keep their eyes and steps in line with their mom, so she can prepare them for what’s to come. If I am to navigate this journey correctly I need to also line up my eyes and life with the one who charts my course.

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – He could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God” (Hebrews 12:2, The Message Bible).

So what am I thankful for today? Six little ducklings and their mother.