Holy Days

Well after an emergency appendectomy (I think all appendectomies are emergencies), a week in the hospital (4 days makes a week), and recovering right up to Christmas day, I have decided that these are holy days. I was able to see the Lord use me in the lives of people around me at the hospital, and I was blessed by so many while I was there. (although Mary had to tell me to stop talking about things – something about pain killers and my inability to discern between inappropriate, private, and funny) So then, I get home and see, once again, the faithfulness of God in other people using their gifts (20+ little angels singing in a Christmas musical that Sunday, complete with costumes and scenery) Our guest worship leaders, Terry and Kim Szalai (again the faithfulness of God), were a great blessing with Terry sharing a devotional on the peace of God – awesome – and their daughter Selah finding her way into the heavenly scene of angels, costume and all. God is good. Holy days.

I guess I’m still amazed that God uses me for His purposes. My time in the Word of God has been sweet. I love hearing from Him and being able to share that with others, and He’s used me to do that as I shuffled along to recovery. So then, caroling, great family time, wonderful handpicked and handmade gifts, lots of calorie laden chocolate with 24-karat gold sprinkles (?), Darrell and the group down in Mexico, looking forward to Roby Duke on New Year’s Eve in Napa, the San Francisco outreach… Holy days.

My Salvation....

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”

Ezekiel 36:26, 27

Our Lord thought of everything when He offered us salvation. He knew that each of us would not only need to know the way of righteousness, but that we would need Him to change us, to renew us. Our need is that He would be our salvation – our strength, our life. I guess what I need today is to remember that He saved me - saved me from a life independent from Him.

"Lord, thank you that You know me, and that You chose to put Your Spirit within me. I love You."

One Another....

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Colossians 3:16, 17

In these simple yet vast concepts, one phrase jumps out at me – “one another”. We are encouraged to teach and admonish each other. We can even use psalms, hymns, and songs to do it; even as we sing to the Lord! We, being different members, are one body. You and I need each other, because our Heavenly Father has designed us to be parts of the same body. And so, I thank the Lord for fellowship - in Him.

My question is this, are you considering His presence in all your relationships, today?

What a help for me in relating to others. His word, His wisdom, His grace, His praise, His name. All to His glory. And all of this is to be between you and me!

Love Connection....

When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

John 21:15

Are you looking for a way to express your love for the Lord? As Peter confesses his love for Jesus, Jesus gives him something to do – “Feed My lambs.” Who is it in your life that God would have you serve? As you consider your calling to love others and serve those God has placed in your care, remember this – It’s a wonderful way to show Jesus how much you love Him. Don’t settle for less.