“I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains, and I believe I’ll see you do it again. You made a way where there was no way, and I believe I’ll see you do it again.” from the song Do It Again by Elevation Worship“I’m expected to report to my new position on Tuesday,” I said. “Why Tuesday?” my friend asked. “The job requisition won't be signed until Monday. But now I don’t have a peace about this new job. What can I do?” “What do I do?” I asked my friend. She offered prayer and comfort but no answers. But Monday morning a company-wide announcement changed everything. There was a freeze on hiring, no requisitions would be signed, and no one was allowed to transfer. At that moment I was overjoyed to see God's hand at work. But the next day I was in tears fearing for my job when a division executive approached me and said they would create a position for me.
Later I declared with some surprise, God is bigger than a worldwide company’s CEO. But I had to laugh at the simplicity of my own words. Of course He can! He can move mountains if it's His will. Do you have trouble trusting that God can do the miraculous? Are you anxious that His will for you will not match the image you have of your future? What step will you take today to place your faith and trust in God’s wisdom and power? Lord, in hindsight it’s easier to see Your wisdom and recognize Your miracles; help me put my trust in Your wisdom and power when I can’t see the future. Amen “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 What are your thoughts? Libby
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“Que sera' sera', whatever will be will be, the future’s not ours to see, que sera' sera'.” Ray Evans, songwriter for the music composed by his partner Jay LivingstonI think my husband is tired of hearing me talk about our future trip to Europe; a week-long river cruise followed by another week in Europe and a week in the British Isles. He’s talked about going, and I don’t want to be too old to walk the miles needed to see all the places we want to visit. Is it wrong to plan a trip? So many people say, you have to set a date and plan to go or it will just be a dream and you’ll never actually go. I’d like to think my planning is really about being prepared, knowing all the things we want to do and see. On my last trip to Europe I remember the planning was half the fun. Another thing I remember from that trip was, we grew tired of spending just one or two days in each location, packing and moving to a new Bed & Breakfast every other night felt like we were spending more time traveling than sightseeing. So we made a decision at one point to skip Bath and spend an extra two days in Stratford Upon Avon.
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself.” Matthew 6:34a What are your thoughts? Libby
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Arthur Ashe
The next time it came on the radio the DJs praised the song, so I reluctantly listened to the words to see what it was they liked about it. When I listened I learned the point of 'Small,' it was not that we shouldn't aspire to do big things or have stretch goals, but also to do the little things. "It's visiting the widow down the street Or dancing on a Friday with your friend with special needs These simple moments change the world Of course there's nothing wrong with bigger dreams Just don't miss the minutes on your way to bigger things" by Josh Wilson The song impressed on me the importance of the small things I might have missed.
Note: Arthur Ashe (1943-1993), an American professional tennis player who won three Grand Slam titles, winning the singles title at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. He was only the second athlete of color to win the Grand Slam, following Althea Gibson in 1956. Sadly Ashe contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion during surgery, yet before his death he founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS and the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health.
“10 ways to love: listen, speak, give, pray, answer, share, enjoy, trust, forgive, promise.” Will SmithStudents from a local high school joined me at the Assisted Living facility the Sunday after their Valentine’s Day dance – while the young men still had their tuxedos. They were excited to be part of a fashion show for the seniors...another opportunity to wear their formal clothes (and get community service hours doing something fun). The girls brought multiple dresses and the young men took turns escorting them down the ramp to the ‘ohs’ and ‘ahs’ of the seniors.
Do you have seniors in your life?...grandparents?...parents?...friends? Do you take the time to listen as a way of showing your love? How will you prioritize your activities the next time you’re with them? Lord, help me prioritize my busy to-do list at family events so I allow time to sit and talk with my aging relatives...but more than talk, help me love them with my listening. Amen “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” I Corinthians 13:4-8
“No one who values originality will ever be original. But try to tell the truth as you see it…and what men call originality will come unsought.” C.S. LewisSince I’m an individual, a unique personality with an original perspective, my writing should then also be uniquely my own. Right? It seems right, but my experience proves differently.
But in writing I’m challenged to be original, to be set apart from all other thought. Plagiarism is devalued, except for short quotes giving full credit to the initial author.
And so it is with writing. I began by mimicking my favorite authors and those I read most often. It took a while for my style to begin to emerge, and it's still forming years later. I still endeavor to focus on my truth, to better tell my story, to better use my voice. Does it feel like your efforts are still similar to the works of others? Are you trying hard to be original? What shift can you make today to practice telling your truth? Lord, thank you that I am unique from finger prints to perspective; help me to tell my truth in my craft. Amen “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 What are your thoughts? Libby
“Grief drives [people] into habits of serious reflection, sharpens the understanding and softens the heart.” John Adams
C.S. Lewis, a writer and Cambridge professor, journaled his reflections that "sharpened his understanding and softened his heart" as he wrote, “For a good wife contains so many persons in herself…my pupil and my teacher, my subject and my sovereign…my trusted comrade, friend, shipmate, fellow-soldier…my mistress; but at the same time all that any man friend has ever been to me. Perhaps more.”
I don’t know who said, “If I allow [grief] to pass through my life without trying to change it or escape from it, grief will leave me a more finished person.” This has certainly been true of my experience. I feel I will be better able to walk the path of grief and pain again when the time comes because I know there is a rainbow at the end of the storm. Are you remembering a loss that still stings the open wound in your heart? Have you allowed yourself to fully walk through the grief yet? If not, what can you do today to allow grief to walk you through to recovery as ”a more finished person”? Lord, thank You for allowing me to yell at You in anger yet still You stayed by my side and accompanied me through the grief journey. Amen “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound the saved a wretch like me! |
Finally, when the pain of being controlled by food hurt more than dealing with the problems, I got on my knees and surrendered to God in prayer. God is helping me to give up my drug of choice and eat sanely as we together deal with one painful memory at a time. John Newton wrote the song Amazing Grace. He had captained a ship taking Africans to market where they would be sold as slaves. The conditions on board were unspeakable and many Africans died or jumped overboard before reaching their destination. |
In my case, I can’t go cold-turkey from food. But, I can stop eating in response to feelings that make me uncomfortable. I can give up using food as my drug of choice, and ask for God’s amazing grace to deal with my problems.
Is there something you’re using as your drug of choice to deaden the pain you don’t want to feel? Has that ‘something’ turned the tables and become a controlling factor, adding to your list of problems? How will you engage God’s amazing grace today? (*) Lord, thank You for Your grace that is freely given to all who ask. May I learn to ask daily for food grace, and trust that my spirit will be fed and healed by Your love. Amen “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 What are your thoughts? Libby |
(*) You can easily turn over the addiction to your drug of choice by praying these words with all sincerity:
Lord, I admit I’ve messed up; I’ve become a slave to _____, my drug of choice. But now I desire to be free. Please come into my life and give me the daily grace to overcome my addiction. And, God, please walk with me through my problems one at a time. Lord, I choose You. Amen
If you just prayed this prayer, please contact me so I can pray with you. You can reach me at [email protected]. God bless you, Libby
“Every fear has no place; at the sound of Your great name.
The enemy has to leave; at the sound of Your great name.”
from Your Great Name, songwriters Krissy Nordhoff and Michael Neele
But it wasn’t until a guest speaker (another missionary) at our church talked about spiritual warfare that my perceptions of spiritual warfare changed. I remember being so uncomfortable when I heard the topic, it felt like I was waiting in the wings to walk on stage and sing a solo, or something equally ridiculous. Squirming in my seat, I looked for a reason to excuse myself and leave church early. But I stayed, and reluctantly I listened.
When he said, “And for beginners, or those who think they can’t do spiritual warfare, here's a method even a child can do,” he got my attention. He shared that the Bible teaches that evil cannot be in the presence of God, "He inhabits our praise." So, when we call on God, or praise His name, we call into our midst the very God of the universe, which then forces the enemy to flee. |
So when Natalie Grant recorded Krissy Nordhoff's song, Your Great Name, with the line: "The enemy has to leave, at the sound of Your great Name" this has become my go-to song when I feel a need for spiritual warfare.
Are you questioning if spiritual warfare is for you? Do you have pre-conceived ideas about what spiritual warfare is all about? What can you do today to practice calling on God to engage His presence?
Lord, thank You for teaching, and showing, me how many narrow-minded pre-conceived ideas I have…and for helping me overcome them. Amen “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” James 4:7-8a What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Krissy Nordhoff (1974- ), singer/songwriter of contemporary Christian music who was awarded Worship Song of the Year at the 43rd GMA Dove Awards for “Your Great Name”, performed by Natalie Grant on her 2010 album, Love Revolution. Note: Natalie Grant (1971- ), an American singer, songwriter of contemporary Christian music who has received the Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year five times since 2006. |
“A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” Ruth Bell Graham
My husband, a Vietnam veteran, is still recovering from PTSD and at times he has uncontrollable bouts of anger. I explained to my friend that we both have ‘baggage’ from our past that we’re working on—we recognize it, talk about it, and very carefully point out each other’s blind spots. But the most important thing – we even put it into our wedding vows – is, we vow to never go to bed angry. We always address a problem before the day is over. One of my favorite songs is Broken Together, by Casting Crowns (written by John Mark Hall and Bernie Herms). The chorus is: |
Only God can change our minds
Maybe you and I were never meant to be complete
Could we just be broken together
If you can bring your shattered dreams and I’ll bring mine
Could healing still be spoken and save us
The only way we’ll last forever is broken together
For me, I’ve learned that loving is a risk. I had to first become vulnerable and love unconditionally before I could be open enough to receive love in return. My experience has taught me to first love and be lovable, then if the love is returned, it will be the most rewarding love…peace, joy, contentment.
Have you been scarred emotionally from past hurts? Do you believe you could still love again? How will you approach any relationship (friend, parent, child, intimate partner) to overcome mutual brokenness? Lord, thank You for teaching me how to love the way You love me. Amen “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 What are your thoughts? Libby |
"They just fall from my lips a hundred times a day,
Invade my thoughts thousands of times a day...
They might be rough, they might be smooth,
But David killed a giant with a smooth stone.”
Cynthia Hall
The pastor asked what abrupt change we experienced when we first met Jesus. I quietly called out, “I quit swearing.” He didn’t hear, so he stepped off the podium and approached me in the second row. OMG! So much for being an anonymous voice in the crowd; now everyone knows I used to swear a lot. In my case, I didn't even realize I had quit swearing until others mentioned it to me. One thing I did notice, however, every time people around me spoke Jesus' name (or His title--Christ) in vain it hurt a little. |
Rather than confront the person speaking--since it was often a conversation just within my hearing, people at another table or just over the partition or standing behind me in line--I just took
the opportunity to pray. “Lord, forgive them, they don’t know what they’re saying. But, now that we have your attention, I just want to thank you for always being available and giving Your full attention when I call Your name.” All the time I was swearing I had no idea I was offending others. This old song reminds me just how precious the name of Jesus is to many people. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, There’s just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus, Like the fragrance after the rain… There’s Just Something About That Name Bill & Gloria Gaither |
Note: Bill & Gloria Gaither (1936- ; 1942- ), American singers, songwriters, authors and speakers who have written and performed numerous gospel and contemporary Christian worship songs.
Welcome
I love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby
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