Midweek Morsel: Our All Powerful and Loving Provider

January 9, 2014 by 2 Comments

3818268359_b0ed2f8632_z

“‘I am the LORD your God . . . Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.’” Psalm 81:10

In the early weeks of a new year, many of us take a look at the months to come and try to picture what lies in store. Some of us jot plans on a calendar, and others take it a step further and list detailed goals for the new year. Still others, whether overwhelmed or just lacking in planning skills or motivation, prefer to take life one day at a time.

Whatever approach we take, is our vision of what God wants to do and can do in our lives big enough? Do we believe he is all powerful and that all things are possible with him? Do we know how much he longs to bless us, his dearly loved children?

In the Psalm above, God doesn’t say, “Expect a few blessings from me.” He says, “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” He wants to bless us. Are we waiting in expectation? Are we trusting him to be our loving Provider? Have we opened wide our mouths?

“How great is your goodness which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of all men on those who take refuge in you.” Psalm 31:19

*In what areas do you need to trust in God’s provision?

*Flickr photo by Janet Hudson

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, blessing, giving, provision, vision

Preparing to Decorate: Reception Venue Visit

January 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Winter 2010 016

Mother of the Bride, one vital step in your wedding decorations preparation is to visit the reception venue site. You probably visited it early-on with your daughter as you decided which venue to select, but now you need to go back and carefully survey everything with an eye for decorating.

Here are some things to take with you when you visit:

*The bride – this is her party, and you definitely need her input. Your job is to help bring her vision of the event to fruition. As you visit the site together, you’ll both have ideas, and you’ll be able to decide together which ideas to implement. Also, two sets of eyes are always better than one in spotting potential problem areas and making sure those are addressed before you arrive to decorate.

*Questions for the venue’s event coordinator – when you make your appointment to visit, make sure the event coordinator will be on hand so you can ask questions and also gain his or her insight and advice what they’ve seen work well there before. Take time to compile a list of questions before you go so you’re not trying to think off the top of your head. If you see any problems or things you’d like fixed or done differently than their norm, speak up and ask. They will generally try to be accommodating if at all possible.

*Your MOB folder or notebook/journal – as you make your way through wedding planning, you’ll keep a folder and/or notebook of all the info and plans you’re accumulating. You may need some of that info as you talk with the venue’s event coordinator or as you brainstorm decorating ideas with your daughter. Be sure to take this all-important MOB folder/notebook with you. It will also give you a place to make notes during your appointment.

*Camera – pictures of the site will be invaluable after the appointment since more ideas will come to you and your daughter later on. Pictures of the site will help you decide how to best carry them out. Also be sure to capture a shot of the two of you during this stop on your wedding-planning journey. You’ll be so glad you documented this once-in-a-lifetime journey together.

*Tape measure – this is the time to record vital statistics like how long banisters or mantles are or how many feet of lights you’ll need. Measure everywhere, even if you’re not sure you’ll decorate a certain area. For example, if you ultimately decide to string lights around the windows, you’ll have the measurements you need.

So MOB, head out for your venue appointment armed with these items, and you’ll not only have a successful planning day, you’ll have fun with your daughter as well. Another win-win on the wedding front, right?

*Can you think of other items that would be helpful?

*Our photo, taken not at Kelli’s reception venue, but on one of our planning days nonetheless :)

Filed Under: bride, decorate, Mother of the Bride, preparation, team, vision

Adjusting Our Vision: Battling Dissatisfaction

May 20, 2012 by 11 Comments

It happens almost every time. Returning home after a few days away stirs up mixed emotions in me. Like most folks, I’m happy to get back to my own comfort zone, but I also struggle with some unwanted feelings. Feelings of dissatisfaction.

Here’s the problem (and I’m probably not the only one who experiences it): Many times when I go out of town, I get to enjoy nature’s beauty in more spectacular ways. Of course, this occurs during vacations, but I also sometimes experience it while visiting family for a few days.

Not long ago I spent some time in Arkansas with my oldest daughter Kristin while her husband was away on business. Their backyard is landscaped with flowers and several beautiful bushes and trees and is surrounded by a privacy fence. It feels like a garden oasis. Add the music and the beauty of the birds, and my heart sings as well. I experience the same soul satisfaction while soaking up the woodland beauty found at my parents’ home in Missouri.

When I return to my own home, it’s easy for me to focus on the things I don’t have. I don’t have a garden oasis or the beauty of the woodlands right outside my back door—and I miss them during those first few days back home. I long to experience that kind of beauty each day right here in my own surroundings.

The first morning back after my trip to Kristin’s, that old familiar ache surfaced again as I spent a few minutes outside. Within seconds, something else surfaced as well.

Dissatisfaction. Thoughts like why can’t we live somewhere beautiful, too . . .

The Lord immediately pricked my heart with a reminder that dissatisfaction is dangerous business. At his prompting, I adjusted my vision and rejoiced in the beauty I do have.

And what do I have? I have the sky. I may not have a private oasis or the magic of the woodlands outside my door, but since we have no trees in our front yard, I have the sky’s expanse to rejoice in each morning. Without trees to obstruct the view, it’s so easy to look up and imagine heaven and talk with the Lord, the Creator of all beauty. After all, he is where my real satisfaction lies.

Of course, I noticed the birds, the colors of spring, and other things, too, after my vision adjustment. I realize it’s only natural to relish the beauty of other places, but I need to remember to focus on the beauty right before me. As I do that, dissatisfaction has a harder time getting a foothold.

I wonder if any of us are struggling with dissatisfaction in other areas of our lives. Could focusing on and rejoicing in the beauty and blessings we do have make a difference in those areas as well? I think so. Let’s guard against the dangerous business of dissatisfaction. Let’s adjust our vision before it has a chance to do its damage.

“. . . be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5b

*How do you guard against dissatisfaction in your life?

*Flickr photo by seyed mostafa zamani

Filed Under: beauty, blessing, challenge, dissatisfaction, home, nature, travel, vision

The Blessing Is on the Way

January 4, 2012 by 13 Comments

As we begin this new year, are any of you still waiting for a blessing you hoped would come in 2011—or even earlier? Are you waiting for an answer to prayer you felt certain would have unfolded by now? If so, don’t feel alone. I’m waiting, too.

It’s hard when God’s answers to our desires and dreams are “no” or “wait”. As we wait for the blessing to come, questions can niggle at our minds. Does God hear my prayers? Why doesn’t He answer? Doesn’t He even care about me? Is He punishing me for something? We may even feel like He’s forgotten us.

I won’t presume to explain why God’s answers are what they are in your life or mine, but we’re all acquainted with the growth that can take place in our characters as we learn to wait on Him and trust Him in every circumstance.

However, knowing growth will come doesn’t necessarily make the wait any easier, does it? Maybe an example from scripture about a delayed answer could provide some encouragement or fresh insight as to why we may have to wait at times.

In the tenth chapter of Daniel, we read that God had given Daniel a revelation, but Daniel didn’t understand it. He prayed and mourned for three weeks, asking God to give him understanding of the vision. At the end of the three weeks, Daniel had another vision of a man, a messenger from God (an angel or possibly even Jesus), who came to give him God’s answer.

The man told Daniel, “Since the first day . . . your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” (10:12) He went on to tell him that a demon had resisted him for twenty-one days. One of the chief angels came to help him, though, and the man was now there to give Daniel the understanding he sought from God.

From this passage we see that sometimes delays to our prayers happen because of struggles and battles going on in the spiritual realm. This may not be the reason for your current season of waiting on God, but it could be a possibility.

Whatever the reason you find yourself in God’s waiting room, take heart. He hasn’t forgotten you. He hears you. And the answer—the blessing—is on the way.

“‘As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given . . .’” Daniel 9:23a

*Flickr photo by the hills are alive, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: blessing, hope, perseverance, prayer, trust, vision Tagged With: , , ,

The Divine Lookout

September 28, 2011 by 6 Comments

Are you on the lookout for a certain item at all times? Some of us are always quick to notice a good recipe while others gravitate toward a great coupon, a super bargain, or maybe a giveaway or an e-book temporarily offered for free.

Some of us also stay alert for less tangible things like a recommendation for an amazing book or tips on a particular area of interest. Since I’ve started blogging, I’m always on the lookout for new material for blog posts. In fact, my family and friends now live with the reality that some of their interactions with me might just make their way to the blog :)

But we’re not the only ones on the lookout. God is on the lookout, too. He’s on the lookout for people. He is our Divine Lookout.

Consider these scriptures to see who He searches for:

“‘. . . who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?’ declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 30:21b

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’” Isaiah 6:8a

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a

And we must not forget the parables in Luke 15 about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son—all of which illustrate God’s continual efforts to go after and save the lost or to scan the horizon, waiting with open arms to welcome a returning child.

Where do each of us fall in the sights of the Divine Lookout? Are we among those who are lost, who have never given our hearts to Him in faith, or is He watching for us because we have strayed away? Maybe He’s seen that we are fully committed to Him, and He stands ready to imbue us with His strength. Or possibly we’re the ones who will answer His call for devotion or go in His name to the place where He sends us.

Let’s never hide from the Divine Lookout. Let’s always be ready to be found or answer His call. There’s no better place to be than with Him.

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11

*Flickr photo by Dave Morrow’s Custom Creations, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: fellowship, search, vision, Word of God Tagged With: ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »