IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT


The days that are filled with compulsive rushing

Hurrying from destination to destination

A endless stream of faces and voices

In the midst of frantic activity in the busyness of life

I am left with no respite of the quiet

No meeting with His voice

The day flies by and then the night

Another round of meet and greet

In the midst of the need to connect

I look to man to satisfy the bottomless well

The vacuum that never fills

As I search for the water in the desert sand.

Sleep finally takes me at the end of the long day

Exhausted and weary from the constant quest

Falling into the abysses of the still of my rest.

In the deep dark quiet of the middle of the night

I awake to find His very presence surrounding 

His very being permeating all of my room.

In the deep silence, I am still and soak in His essence 

His very holy presence has appeared without fail

At the time of my stopping my search for the answers

He brings me joy, peace, and love when I finally give up.

He has all been there all along

I just could not see Him while running in circles.

With my eyes frozen forward as I ran

Relying upon me--and not turning to look

At the source of it all-right next to me.

In the middle of the night, in the beauty of His presence

I stop and give thanks while remembering His gifts

I bathe in His grace and cling to His love

And wonder if tomorrow, when I begin anew

Will I remember to turn and look by my side

And cling to His presence in the heat of the day.

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress.
  I will never be shaken."
Psalm 62:1-2

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WHO IS HOLY?

To listen to this song---go to the bottom of the page first and disable the blog music--by clicking on the parallel bars in the blue bar on the left side of the page.  If you are like me, tears may come when you think of How great He is and yet He loves us so.  

At the women's Bible study I am attending this fall, we began our time together this week with worship.  The worship leader talked of studying the attributes of God for two weeks---honing in on His Holiness.  We then sang "Holy Holy Holy" in the beautiful chapel with the only adornment the stone cross at the front.  The hush that fell over the room as the sweet harmony of 100+ women's voices joined in sweet worship was breath-taking. My eyes filled with tears as I lavished in the sweet spirit of His presence.  
  Only He is Holy!




"There is none holy like the Lord; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God."
I Samuel 2:2

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BACK TO THE BASICS

I have spent the past few days enjoying the company of sweet friends.  One of the four that visited had never been here before.  She made me realize in many ways I have gone back to the basics in my current apartment.  I confess that I did think of this often in the early days after my move, but I do not even give it a thought anymore.  When she asked where my ice maker was, I laughed and showed her the ice trays and ice bucket.  There are many of the luxuries that we take for granted that I do not have---I have reverted back to my early days of housekeeping.  It is really not that big of a deal and in some ways--life is much simpler without all the extra "things".


We can all become so consumed with "The Stuff"---obtaining it, maintaining it and acquiring more of it--that we lose sight of the "simple things" in life.  The desire and need for more and more stuff can become all consuming-even a driving desire in our lives.  The truth is--there is always something else out there that is newer, better, more improved than "our stuff".  I do not have  room for all that stuff--so I am keeping it simple--back to the basics--and I have found it has profoundly simplified my life.

It has caused me to think about my relationship with my Father.  Am I complicating it unnecessarily--when I need to go back to the basics?  I believe I should keep it simple- The basics of mercy, grace, love, eternal, --those simple descriptions of an all powerful God---No need for big words and lofty descriptions of whom He is---HE IS THE GREAT I AM---plain and simple.


"God said to Moses, 'I am who I am. 
This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.' "
Exodus 3:13


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WHERE ARE THE COWBOYS?

I have been here in Fort Worth, Texas for over 4 months---I was beginning to wonder if there were no more cowboys.  Living here in the Big City--there is little or no evidence of the wild west, horses, cows, and especially cowboys and cowgirls except for the occasional nod to a pair of cowboy boots.  

THEN we went to the Mustang Million Competition at the Will Rogers Coliseum not 2 miles from my house.
The coliseum is located on over 100 acres of prime middle of the city property and contains multiple buildings, barns, and facilities.  Quite impressive.

While attending the competition--I FOUND THE COWBOYS & COWGIRLS-- in that very building.  I saw boots, hats, belts and jeans of every size and description.  Here I was thinking the cowboy had wandered off into the sunset---and 6000 of them showed up --complete with all the trappings!
  















Photos by Glenda











We City Dwellers were the ones that stuck out in this crowd--no boots, no hat, no big silver belt buckle-no western shirts---not even a nod at western jeans.  We dared to enter "Their Territory" and still be true to whom we were.

This led me to thinking about being a Believer in the midst of "The World".  Am I true to whom I am---do I wear the armor of God for all to see?  Do I dare to be different and speak the truth of whom I am and Who God is in my life?  Do I dare to stick out and be different?


"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
II Timothy 2:15

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WILD HORSES

This past weekend I attended the Mustang Million competition here in Fort Worth at the Will Rogers Coliseum with friends from Ruston.  What-I am certain you are asking-is the Mustang Million?  It is a competition among cowboys/girls from all over the country with a total prize purse of one million dollars.  These horse people adopt wild mustangs from the Department of Interiors and take no more than 120 days to train them for the competition.  It was amazing to see what these wild horses could do after such a brief period of training.

Remember this--they are WILD--unbroken--feral animals--that have lived off the land and with no contact with humans until their new master adopts them into his herd.  Here are a few of the feats that we witnessed:
All pictures were made by my good friend Glenda--such a talented photographer!

As I sat there and watched these impressive displays of horsemanship--I thought about how the horses began to trust their masters as they were cared for and loved.  They learned they could completely trust this cowboy/girl and with time performed amazing things based upon their total trust.  The Indian in the picture had his horse not only on the ground-but with his four hooves in the air--just like a dog!  The best thing that ever happened to these wild mustangs was to be picked for adoption by this new master.  They now know their needs will be supplied and they will be loved well.

We are all broken--it comes from living in the feral world. We talked this week at Bible Study about our hesitancy to trust Him with it all.  Why would we not trust Him?   He is our Master and Provider and He loves us not only well--but beyond our wildest imagination.  Accept His love--learn from His wisdom--and trust Him completely--and He will take your brokenness---and make you complete in Him.  What amazing things every one of us can do for His glory--when we learn to completely and totally trust Him.  


"The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit;
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart."
Psalm 51:17

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IT IS ALL GREEK!

It makes me tingle all the way to my toes--to see how God is teaching me.  The intricacies of His plans-and the seemingly simpleness of it all playing out makes my head spin.  He is a MIGHTY GOD---and I am awe-struck as His plans for me are revealed.  

Do you remember my encouragement to read this book?  I started this book weeks ago-





It is beautifully written--with words wrapped in prose like circles all reminding us to give Thanks----Eucharisteo---the Greek word for thanks.  The book is a  challenge to write down all those gifts in our lives and worlds for which we are thankful.  A book that I have slowly read and chewed upon as I have delighted in the description of Thanksgiving for even the mundane.  A long and slow digestion of the beauty and joy in our lives.

I am attending a women's Bible study here in Fort Worth.  This study is based upon the concept of BSF---an in depth probing and dissection of The Word--an exploration of the rich - deep texture of God's very being as revealed to us in 
His divine revelation to His beloved.

Today's word included the lesson of the Greek meaning of two basic words which we cling to in the revealed word of God:


Grace - Charis
Joy - Chara

Look back at the Greek word for Thanks--and notice the root of the word--Charis or Chara-------Grace and Joy are embedded in the midst of Thanksgiving.

My quest at this time in my life is for joy---the joy which is found when experiencing the grace that has been lavished upon me. In the midst of all this reminder of the Grace and Joy in my life--I give Thanks---Eucharisteo.



"Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Psalm 106:1

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GOD CALLING!

Do you remember the 60/60 challenge?  It's HERE if not.  I am now over two weeks into the challenge.  My cell phone gives a Heavenly chime EVERY hour on the hour from 7 AM to 10 PM EVERY day.  When others look at me when the chime is ringing, I just say--
"It's God Calling!"

It has been VERY eye-opening to what I spend my day doing and thinking about--especially.  Turns out--I am NOT always God minded!  It chimes---I sigh--I reflect and I try to do better!  There are hours that I am victorious in my quest to be in continual communication--permanently linked with Him.  Those hours are less stress filled--more joyful--and I am better content with where I am.  You would think I would learn.

The hours I spend writing these blogs--are filled with communication between us---He is pouring in and I am pouring out.  The truth is that I have to get out there and live life in the world though to have inspiration to write.  There is not much to tell staring at these walls --and it becomes very narcissistic if I am not careful.

SO I have learned---the challenge is not to be in communication while here writing--the challenge is when I am out in the world.  While I am walking, talking, grocery shopping, baby-sitting, going to meetings--how do I keep Him at the center of my thoughts?  When I am driving in the city traffic, and some are not very good drivers in my path, how do I keep Him in the center of my thoughts?  When I am walking through beautiful neighborhoods of lovely homes, how do I keep Him in the center?  When I see others out with friends or spouses and I am alone, how do I keep Him in the center of my thoughts?

Perhaps I have ADHD or some other alphabet soup--for I am struggling with keeping my mind where it should be 24/7.  I suppose it is like running--you just keep running--knowing there are going to be days that it is a struggle---you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and in forward motion.  As for now--every 60 minutes---He calls me back into His presence---and I keep trying!  Where is your mind all day-everyday?


"I love those who love me, and those that seek me diligently will find me."
Proverbs 8:17

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LIFE IS MESSY!

I have freely confessed to being slightly OCD--OK--more than slightly---I like--NO LOVE--order in my life.  Things have a place and all things need to be in their place.  That is why God gave me grandchildren---to help de-sensitize my need for order.  When the sweet grands come for a visit--well things end up in a mess-
Sort of like the mess this picture is because I canNOT figure out why it will not stay rotated.

We line things up--have it all planned out--and BAM--Life throws us a curve and we are in a mess---Life is MESSY!  If you want order---get another life--it does not work here!

I would have NEVER dreamed I would be in Fort Worth TX--about to turn 65--alone--do not know anyone--living in an old house---by the university where they party hardy--life is just a HUGE MESS compared to what I thought it would be.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT---I need to get over it--and deal with the mess in front of me and just keep moving forward---what choice do I have--for that matter what choice do any of us have when life turns messy?  Do your best to clean up the mess---Look to the only one who is NOT messy--and move forward.

Our lives are messy--we serve a God who is in the business of cleaning up our messes---we all need a good cleansing!


"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrightenousness."
I John 1:9

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GIVING

Before watching this inspiring video--go to the bottom of the page and click the double bars on the left side to disable the music.

"A Thousand Things"
You NEVER know---



7" But just as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-see that you also excel in this grace of giving."
II Corinthians's 8:7
Paperback Version of Book is Here:



SIGNS

I recently read a blog posted on Facebook by a friend--here-is the link.  It started the wheels turning--


WHAT DOES YOUR SIGN SAY?

Are you brave enough to wear your sign and more importantly are you brave enough to declare the truth on your sign?

I have a good friend who often questions how much I reveal about myself as I write this blog---and especially if you read the book.  The friend tells me they are very private and do not understand my willingness to be so transparent.  As I read the blog above and after just finishing a book The Sin Eater, by Francine Rivers, I think I am beginning to understand why I am so open.

God knows it all---so why not reveal it to Him?  The questioning friend tells me that God does know it all, and that is enough--no one else is needed in the equation.  Perhaps they are right.  In the blog above and the book I read, the open quietness of their truth leads to mis-understanding and isolation in the midst of community.  

I feel led to share--led to reveal the not so pretty's, the ugly's--the truth of what the real story is---always with the thought--there is someone else out there that needs to know they are not alone in their pain-despair-guilt.  God's redemption of it all--is my story--His faithful presence and protection--is my reminder--and His enduring love and mercy through grace-my revelation.


So I have my sign on---do you?  I am living the truth for all to see--braving the rejection-bearing my soul-earnestly seeking Him above all!

"Therefore, having put away falsehood,
 let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor,
 for we are members one of another."
Ephesians 4:25

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Paperback Version of Book is here
https://www.createspace.com/4433441
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FOLLOW THE LEADER

God is providing a little respite for me in my loneliness.  Friend Mona, came for a brief and fun visit.  It is exciting exploring the city with friends--all new adventures for both of us.  We went to the famous Fort Worth Stockyards--including a walk through Billy Bob's at 3:00 in the afternoon (not much happening at that time of the day) and the opportunity to see the longhorn steer cattle drive --complete with REAL cowboys/girl.  As they walked the animals with horns that could skewer a couple of us easily past the crowded sidewalks-, I was amazed.  Their eyes were on the drover at the front of the parade and they seemed to ignore anything to their sides--they were following the leader---with no never mind to anything else.  

This brought to mind the sheep that we raised during my youth.  There was always a leader in the herd of sheep.  Sheep are not very smart animals and without defense-totally dependent and trusting.  When we took them to different pasture, you could walk in front and they would follow-  with their eyes on you--never faltering or distracted-they followed where you led.  The sheep following the shepherd. 

The word picture of the shepherd and the sheep is God's use of a beautiful analogy in the scripture.  He is totally trustworthy--we can have faith in Him--HE IS OUR RIGHTEOUS DEFENDER AND PROVIDER and we are totally dependent upon Him.  The secret to following our Shepherd---just like the sheep and the steers--keeping your eyes upon our Leader and not being distracted by the world around ---walking in complete faith and with the hope and assurance of greener pastures--somewhere down the path --Where He leads-I will follow.


"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me."
John 10:14

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Thank You for the positive feedback and encouragement after the publication of the book. My greatest and deepest satisfaction is the statement that God will use this to help others walk the grief path.  That is the primary purpose of the book--praying God uses it for His Glory.

PAPERBACK BOOK IS HERE:
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MAKING CHOICES

I am going to give you a bit of Lora's wisdom today---wisdom gained from all these years of living--

LOVE IS A CHOICE THAT YOU MAKE EVERYDAY


The love I speak of is not the infatuation of the first bloom of love-when all you can think of is the other person---and your desire for them clouds every sane thought.  No the love I speak of is what you must learn when you finally notice-

They are not quite as cute early in the morning
They smell bad at times
They leave their sweaty clothes in a wet heap for you to pick up
They smack when they eat
They snore like a freight train
They yell at the television
Their rituals are all consuming
They are never ready on time

Fill in the blanks with whatever annoys you to the point of screaming. Perhaps I might even have a select few annoying habits!   Let's face it--we all can annoy the stew out of each other.  If you do not realize that in the early days of a relationship--hang on--you will be driven to the edge of reason--it is just a matter of time.

THAT is when you begin to learn what love really is--love is an active choice we make EVERYDAY--to cherish the good and ignore the trying---to remember the special times and put the bad behind---to look for the positive and ignore the negative.  It is a choice we make each and every day and it is WORK!  To have a good relationship--you must work at it--you must leave your own selfish desires behind and think of the other first.  You have to remember what drew you to begin with and look past what repels you now.

You HAVE to work on it--both of you---or it is just not going to work---MAKE THE CHOICE everyday when you begin to awaken to the new day--the choice of love.

"And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity."
Colossians 3:14

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ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT?

God is busy placing people in my path--to cause me to pause and think.  I am always amazed at the twist or turn a conversation can take that leads to words that I need to ponder.

Recently I was in a conversation with two other women---

one young--30's--single-never married--on a career path--

one late--70's--widowed--for more than 20 years --a mother and wife and now grandmother as her chosen path

and me---mid 60's--divorced---retired from my career-would like to be a writer when I grow up-once a wife--and still a mother and grandmother--a seeker of truth as my path

Three women---three stages of life--all single---very different stories.

We spent about an hour talking and finally I asked both of them the same question-


"Are you lonely?"

I was not surprised by my older friends' reply---"Yes" after all these years--she is still lonely.

The young friend---quietly told us that her mother had asked her the same thing and she was surprised by the question--but then began to think it over and how she fills her days---non-stop activity from early until late--when she falls in the bed exhausted from the day's activities.  She said when she started thinking this over, she realized that the times she comes home and sits in front of the television --she is lonely and perhaps this was the reason her days were so filled with activity.  She was lonely.

Three women--three different life stories--three different life stages--but we all expressed the same thing---there are times we are lonely.

I am lonely, but I am beginning to once again fill my days with activities and service and grands--but when I come home to an empty apartment--I am lonely.  The weekends can seem to be an eternity.  I remember the time that weekends flew by--there was never enough hours in them--I was not alone then--

There have been times in my life--even when in a relationship--that I was profoundly lonely.  So what will drive this lonely feeling away--what will fill that void?   God has been pointing out the answer to me recently.  He created us to be in community-but the most important relationship in our community is that with Him.   I strongly believe the answer is a stream of conscious communication with Him---but I have not achieved that level of intimacy---So for now--I am still lonely at times--but I am still seeking the answer--

"Turn to me, and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted."
Psalm 25:16

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After writing the above, I saw this devotional by Charles Spurgeon--perhaps this is the answer:

"God is jealous." 
Nahum 1:2
Your Lord is very jealous of your love, O believer. Did he choose you? He cannot bear that you should choose another. Did he buy you with his own blood? He cannot endure that you should think that you are your own, or that you belong to this world. He loved you with such a love that he would not stop in heaven without you; he would sooner die than you should perish, and he cannot endure that anything should stand between your heart's love and himself. He is very jealous of your trust. He will not permit you to trust in an arm of flesh. He cannot bear that you should hew out broken cisterns, when the overflowing fountain is always free to you. When we lean upon him, he is glad, but when we transfer our dependence to another, when we rely upon our own wisdom, or the wisdom of a friend-worst of all, when we trust in any works of our own, he is displeased, and will chasten us that he may bring us to himself. He is also very jealous of our company. There should be no one with whom we converse so much as with Jesus. To abide in him only, this is true love; but to commune with the world, to find sufficient solace in our carnal comforts, to prefer even the society of our fellow Christians to secret intercourse with him, this is grievous to our jealous Lord. He would fain have us abide in him, and enjoy constant fellowship with himself; and many of the trials which he sends us are for the purpose of weaning our hearts from the creature, and fixing them more closely upon himself. Let this jealousy which would keep us near to Christ be also a comfort to us, for if he loves us so much as to care thus about our love we may be sure that he will suffer nothing to harm us, and will protect us from all our enemies. Oh that we may have grace this day to keep our hearts in sacred chastity for our Beloved alone, with sacred jealousy shutting our eyes to all the fascinations of the world!



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POSTURING

Webster's Dictionary
posture--posturing-transitive verb
:  to cause to assume a given posture :  pose
intransitive verb
1
:  to assume a posture; especially :  to strike a pose for effect
2
:  to assume an artificial or pretended attitude
Let me begin by explaining transitive and intransitive--in case you are not a dummy like me and know this already--just skip this paragraph.  Transitive verbs have a direct object.
My photographer will pose the model.
The baby drank the bottle.
The president is pushing the idea.
model,bottle, idea are all objects and the sentence needs them to be complete sentence.

Intransitive verbs cannot take a direct object.
The model posed quickly.
The bow bowed low.
Politicians are posturing continuously.
quickly, low, continuiously are adverbs that describe the action verb and not objects--thus intransitive.
FASCINATING BLOG SO FAR?  I have to get you all set up for the point!
My initial response to the word posturing---is a political ploy to give others the impression that you are on the same page that they are politically.  There is a LOT of that posturing happening---even now as I write.  Perhaps that fits the definition number 2.
My grands do a LOT of posturing to get their way and be the center of attention.  Anything from calling my name, to serious negotiations--they are putting themselves in a posture (position) to get the full attention of the adults in the room or to get what ever thing their little hearts currently desire.  
Some might even construe posturing as manipulation!  With the grands--there is NOT ONE THING subtle about their posturing---and it comes across as just what it is--manipulation to get what they want.  Perhaps with a politician--it could be a little more subtle.  Tickling our ears--to get our votes or our support in the current polls-with no intention of fulfilling the promise.

Why I even been known to do a little posturing---"Oh I couldn't possibly take your last piece of chocolate pie. I have not had a good piece of chocolate pie in years--since my grandmother died--but I wouldn't want to take your last piece."
My good friend wrote a post recently stating that her knees would be aching if she had been in the posture recommended with all the praying she has been doing--for our military, our country, our leaders, the list goes on and on.  This same friend needs a hip replacement and has a heart condition.  I felt led to tell her what I consider truth--
When we are told to fall on our knees or prostrate on the floor--it is NOT so much about the position of your body----What God is interested in is the position of your heart. I searched the scriptures and found prayers from MANY positions.   I have been on my knees--plenty--but I will tell you that God also responds when I am upright and staring at heaven--with a broken heart---asking Him "Why?".  He just desires for you to communicate with Him.  Standing, sitting, bowing, kneeling, face down on the floor--just talk to Him---with your heart in the right place and the desire to hear Him--just talk to Him and He will hear you.

"As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord."
"I Samuel 1:26
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In case you missed the announcement--the book is published.  Paperback coming soon!  Here is the link-
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THE NEXT RIGHT THING-A PATH FROM GRIEF TO HOPE

It is done---the book that I have talked about so much---it is finished and published--

The link on the top right side of this page-will take you to Amazon where it is listed.  The paperback will be out VERY SOON--1 last kink to work out. For those who are on Smart Phones
:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+Next+Right+Thing-Loralu+James 

Written at God's prompting, the words gushed out of me-but not without tears and sorrow remembered.  I am praying someone will read and know with His faithful love and presence, you can survive--He will not forsake you or leave you and He will walk the path with you.  And somewhere along the way, you will remember the joy-and begin to look for tomorrow and the blessings it will bring.  Through it all, I stand in testimony - He is truly all I need!  

I leave you with an excerpt--the first paragraph:


The day was like so many others---following my usual routine of an early morning run, a hot shower, and a quick breakfast.  Lord, how could I know that in the blink of an eye my entire world would begin its slow free-fall into my pit of despair?   Actually more than one blink, I am so stunned, paralyzed with unbelief, and frozen with the nightmare beyond my wildest imagination; the unthinkable; the beginning of the death of my marriage.  The tears that begin that day and still sometimes appear are gut wrenching. The shaking that begins with those tears thankfully slowly calms with time and eventually leaves me.  These physical repercussions of emotional devastation are my body’s reaction to the extreme shock of what I have actually declared would never happen.  I still cry, but it is not the same weeping that started at my deepest core.  My tears spill out until I become dry and then I cry dry tears of sorrow.  Deep heaving sobs that attempt to empty the bottomless well of pain filled by the deep spring of sorrow. 

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
Psalm 147:3
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IN THE MIDST OF THE MOST EXQUISITE PAIN -YOU ARE DRAWN INTO A PEACE

To listen to this song---go to the bottom of the page first and disable the blog music--by clicking on the parallel bars in the blue bar on the left side of the page.

There are those times in life--when a song says it all---

My constant prayer--that He is using me---even when I do not see it-
He is redeeming it all--
A Thousand things are happening-




"This is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,
in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."
II Corinthians 12:10

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FUMBLING AROUND

#1 Grand made the BRASH statement while I was with him recently, that he could text on his I phone while the phone was in his pocket.  This brag came while discussing what electronics were allowed in school and how it was all handled.  Slight side note here--their class agenda is sent via TWITTER---that is an ENTIRE other blog!  I just could not let that pass--flat screen--with flat keypad--in your pocket---SO- I said just text Hello.  I believe it looked like this:


   

I have to give him credit he did get it sent--WHATEVER it says!






While in Austin, with a house full of people and not as many bathrooms as people, I put my makeup on in the bedroom I was given WITHOUT a mirror.  This finished product was charming!

Rarely do I wake up in the middle of the night, but when I do I never turn on the lights.  I have been in my apartment for a short time--this can lead to stumbling around in the dark--and sometimes a disastrous outcome.


All this to say---stumbling around in the dark or fumbling without seeing or working without a guide can beget bad results.  The same can happen if we are stumbling around in life- in the dark and without reading the instructions.  When we have The Light to point the way and the instruction manual right before us, why would we leave anything to chance?  Turn on The Light and follow His direction---it is all there spelled out in His Word for our good.


"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light onto my path."
Psalm 119:105
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ROAD BLOCK!!!

One of the things I LOVE about Texas is the 75 MPH speed limit on the interstates--YEAH FOR SPEED---I usually do not push my- give me an extra 5- rule with that speed limit since I drive such a small car.  LABOR DAY WEEKEND FRIDAY---I am driving to Austin on what has to be the WORST interstate I have EVER driven on---with bumper to bumper--side to side traffic in three lanes of traffic---all flying in the same direction.  I always try to keep a little distance between me and the car in front of me--THANKFULLY!---as I top a hill-- right in front of me--the line of traffic is almost at a dead stand still---ROAD BLOCK--and I am on cruise at 75 MPH.  When I literally stand up on the brake pedal---I suppose I think my weight will help slow this hurling missile- all I can think is I AM GOING TO HIT THAT CAR!  The bumper of the SUV in front of me is like a strong magnet and I am the opposite pole with no course but to be joined.  THANKFULLY--I skidded and squealed and stopped---heart pounding--shaking--praying---I stopped!  
If you come to a sign that says detour--do you think what could be the harm in keeping the course?  If the sign says bridge out- do you think it is probably not really out?  If the sign says--danger rising water--do you think it can not be that deep?  There are signs placed along the road to warn us of the danger ahead, but the choice of heeding the warning is ours.  Do you tend to place yourself in the path of danger or are you heedful of the warning and make the detour?   Is your patience thin and are you willing to risk the danger in your path when you do not obey the signs?



Life is like that---we have roadblocks and signs thrown in the path we are rushing down by our Father--you have two choices---You can listen to the warning that you are being given and take another route--or you can slam into the road block and bear the pain that results.  There is a reason that God throws roadblocks and posts warning signs in front of us.  Perhaps we are headed for something dangerous--or out of His will.  Perhaps He is teaching us obedience.  Perhaps there is a better way--a better path that He has planned.  We are not given those answers-but we are given the free will to turn or run headlong into the block or danger.  Either direction you chose, He will still love you and be by your side as you travel the path--He is trying to point you in the right direction though.  Stop-Listen and Obey!

"The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord shows him what to do."
Proverbs 16:9
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