Author: Christine

I have never met a perfect human being. We all have faults, shortcomings, areas of our lives that the outside world does not always see. We have been given an opportunity to be introspective these last few months. To take stock of our lives, our habits, our character. What has God revealed to you in your life that needs to be worked on? I am working on patience, thankfulness, quieting my tongue, listening more, less binge watching and binge eating, more reading, deeper study of God’s word.

We are all in the midst… in the midst of a pandemic… in the midst of an emotional crisis… in the midst of a physical struggle… in the midst of a spiritual battle. Overcoming the sin in our own lives, the bad habits, the wrong thinking, takes work. Takes effort. In prayer, I confess my sins and under the power of the Holy Spirit, I take heed of that still small voice, directing my thoughts, my words, my feet.

Jesus had trouble, difficulties when He walked this earth. He knows and understands exactly what you are going through. Turn it all over to Him. Submit your life, your all to Jesus, walking with a new focus, a new heart, a new attitude. You can be an overcomer!

John 16:33 “Jesus saying, ‘I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.'”

I enjoy the early morning quiet. Before the noise of the day begins. The gentle song of the bird, the crowing of the rooster. Taking in the quiet, looking out at God’s creation. Today, we are forced to take in the quiet as we stay home. But what a blessing that has become. We are embracing these quiet sounds of the morning, the glorious sunrises to start the day. As we slow down and take notice, we are finding God in these quiet moments, praising Him for who He is, thanking Him for the birds, the sunrise, His creation.

Worshipping God every day, not just once a week or when our busy calendar frees us. Let us continue to see God working in our lives, to recognize Him in His creation, to draw near to Him with praise and thanksgiving, as our lives slowly return to normal. Let the new normal bring a return to our faith, to the God we knew and loved as a child. Let us proclaim His love for us as He keeps us and gives us strength with each new day.

Days are long. Nights seem longer. What are you thinking on? Where does your mind wander? Isolation brings us in touch with our inner self. Sometimes, my mind thinks on things and I’m like, “What? No, get out of my head.” I immediately seek God in prayer, asking for forgiveness. Then I repeat some scriptures I have memorized or parts of a favorite song. I want to re-focus my thoughts on God. I also love reading Psalms and the songs there. As I read Psalm 42 this morning, I am reminded of a song from the CD “Glory Revealed.” “Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my Lord.” Ps 42:11

What song has God put in your heart today?

Big Sunday dinners. Leftover Monday. Ground up ham sandwiches and ketchup Tuesday. My mom in the kitchen with the leftover ham and her meat grinder. She loved ham salad sandwiches but she always kept some plain ham for her picky daughters. Mix the plain ham with ketchup, put it on bread and voila… you have a childhood delicacy. Sitting down to lunch today, making use of the Easter ham and enjoying this same sandwich today.

Thinking of how God nourishes us with His precious words. Feeding us truths daily, sometimes in small portions, bite size chunks, and other times dining in His presence taking in all we can at once.

Enjoy the meals and memories you are making with your family, inviting God to come and dine at your table, desiring His nourishment, as well.

We have a new Saturday morning routine. My husband cooks bacon outside and I fix the eggs inside We then meet on the porch for a nice, quiet, easy start to our day.

This morning, as I finished breakfast, as I sipped my morning tea, I reflected on these times. Routines broken. New ones established. Jobs lost. New opportunities arise. Staying at home. More time enjoyed with family. Many people are taking this same time to make their own personal reflections.

As we look forward to tomorrow, Easter Sunday, let us reflect on the magnitude of that time, of that event. Jesus crying out in the Garden. “Your will be done, Father.” (Matthew 26:39) Jesus, dying on the cross, taking upon Himself the wrath of God on our behalf. Jesus declaring, ” It is finished!” (John 19:30) as He breathed His last. Our acceptance of His precious blood shed at the cross, we breathe new life because of His sacrifice. The resurrection, overcoming the grave, victory over death, as He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God.

Our hope, as we reflect today, is that Jesus died and rose victorious, that we might live… today, tomorrow and for all eternity, praising Him as we proclaim, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9)

The week before Easter. A time of preparation. In Matthew 21:1-11, we have the Triumphal Entry, prophesied in Zechariah 9:9. The crowds that day spread their cloaks on the ground, some cut branches and laid them down. All were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest.” (Matthew 21:9). They were acknowledging Jesus as the One to grant them salvation. Sadly, just days later, these same worshippers, who had been looking to Jesus to save them from Roman occupation and economic relief, enthusiastically supported His arrest and crucifixion.

Jesus, the Messiah, who came to save us from our sins and separation from God, the sacrificial Lamb who came to die for all mankind, who wants all men to come to Him in repentance and faith. This same Jesus did not fit their narrative. Save us now. Relieve us from our current afflictions. Meet our fleshly needs.

Today, as we prepare this week for the triumphal Resurrection that is Easter Sunday, I pray you prepare your hearts. If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, do it today. If you are a Christian who has wandered away, the time is now at hand to come back to the Lord in repentance and faith and set your heart back on the Lord. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Let us renew our walk with Christ, looking to Him for everything. We come to Him empty and broken and He fills us with His love and a desire to know him more, to follow Him, to learn from Him. Let this week be a time to get your heart right with God. Sing praise to God for sending us His Son that we may have eternal fellowship with Him.

Last night, no not really. I did not make it that long. Early evening, 6:30pm. I am weary. Tired. Bleary-eyed. I look at my husband and say, “Can you do cereal for dinner?” Thankfully, he said yes. I looked for something easy for me and normally it is peanut butter, but yesterday I grabbed a brownie and a roll of Ritz crackers. Yes, that was my dinner. I may have even drooled a little because keeping saliva in your mouth takes effort.

When I was done, and my husband looked at me with a one-eyed, hairy eyeball look, I got up and said goodnight. I slept all night and woke up this morning with a thankful heart. Thankful my husband ate cereal for dinner. Thankful for a good night’s sleep. Thankful for a new day with less business, more porching and time spent with my husband and dogs.

I pray you take your weary, working from home, homeschool teacher, cooker, cleaner, organizer- self- and sit down and enjoy today.

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,  they will walk and not be faint.”

The burdens of the day are real. Staying in and around your home as much as possible. Venturing out only for necessities. Cleaning, wiping, sanitizing. Taking care of elderly parents. Home schooling small children. Working from home. Staying connected but keeping our distance. Zoom. FaceTime. Social Media. Keeping us connected with friends and loved ones. Let us uplift one another. Reaching out. Offering help. An encouraging word. Praying for one another. God hears our prayers. Wants us to lay our burdens, worries, concerns at His feet. As we unpack our load, handing it over to God, we feel the weight lifted, the peace being restored. God is with us every step of the way. He promises in His Word, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5b) Rest in God’s promises. Let us seek His word in these times and in the future. Let us hear these assurances of God and believe Him.

The gift of finding an item you never paid that much attention to until the last couple of weeks. Hand Sanitizer. I found a bottle in the side pocket of the passenger door in my husband’s truck. I started lathering it on as I had just been up at the church doing some menial tasks.

Now is the time for thankfulness. Time slows. Memories being made. Spring break trips to ski turn into staycations. Time off from work allows for early spring cleaning to be done. Thankful for the warmer weather to walk around the yard, the block. Spring rains are here. The earth is poised to bloom, ready to display her beautiful colors. Thankful for time to spend with family- riding bikes, playing games, watching movies together. Thankful for renewed strength from slower days.

Time spent reading the Bible or a daily devotion. Renewing my strength spiritually as I keep my focus on God. I had plans this week but I defer to His better plan for me today. I obediently yield to His guidance and rule in my life and in this world. Thankful I can come to Him daily in prayer, to thank Him, to praise Him, to communicate with Him, to worship Him.

“We are never cut off from the mighty power and sustaining peace of God.” David McCasland

As Floridians, we are experienced storm preparers. We watch the weather, learn the path of the impending storm and make the necessary preparations.

Right now, the news is telling us there is a storm brewing. It is approaching. Take appropriate measures. We see the numbers. We see the maps of the infected areas, but nothing more concrete. We are mindful, though, of this approaching storm and make wise choices. That is the calm voice of reason talking. You know there are people panicking, running to the store, buying everything they think they might need if self-quarantine is necessary.

This is today’s storm. Are we as concerned about our spiritual health as we are with our physical health? Have we come to a place where our sinful nature and desires are exposed and cried out to Jesus, the One who can take away our sin? Jesus, whose sacrifice at the cross and victory over death, is the One we put our faith and trust in. God sent His Son to carry out His redemptive plan for mankind.

I pray you take stock of your spiritual well being and settle your eternal destination with God. He will calm your fears. He will give you a peace that does surpass all understanding, even as the swirling winds of today’s storm blow.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”