I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

I enjoy "Share a Song Monday" on Eileen's blog.  So I decided to do my own share-a-song.  I really don't spend a lot of time on youtube.  I can eat up my download limit pretty quick.

I'm sharing this song because it has been a special reminder to me during a long drawn out process that I'll talk more about later.  My goal is not the rapture, or even heaven.  My goal is to submit to Christ my Lord daily.  When I do that, I don't have to worry about tomorrow (as the song says).  I know the One who knows and holds.

"I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"  
Written by Ira Stanphill.  Performed by Signature Sound Quartet.


(Father God, thank you for holding this child's hand through every tomorrow that you have planned for her.  Thank you for knowing those plans and prospering those plans according to your great mercy and grace.  I praise you in the name of Jesus, Amen.)

Going Back

I've been going back over my study notes from the past year and I have discovered something.  I haven't spent enough time in personal study.  I have pages and pages of sermon notes, Sunday School notes, and special event notes.  I have several pages of reading notations.  But, I lack pages of personal, in-depth discoveries.

I found one undated page with the following information.

How'd you do on your daily reading?  Did you remember to keep your appointment with God?  If so, congratulations!  You are on your way to developing a great habit and a greater relationship with God.  (Psalm 37:23)

If not, what are you going to do now?  Try again!  (Psalm 37:24)

Ask for forgiveness!  (1 John 1:9)

Trust God to guide me.  (James 1:5, Micah 7:7)

I know I cannot go back and change the past.  I can only go on from here.  So, here I go!!

(Father God, thank you for the blessing that you are.  Thank you for being.  Thank you for loving me in spite of my foolishness.  I ask that you guide me to a greater knowledge of you.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Genealogy

I've been tramping through piles of left behind papers.  I can't find all the information that I want to find.  Ugh, it's so frustrating.

There are some wonderful nuggets of information in these papers like great-grandma's marriage certificate.  Yet, there is nothing about Jephtha's personality.  How do I write about a young man that lived only 25 years?  How can I describe to you a young man that died when my mother was only a year old?  My grandmother, Jephtha's sister, has been gone for more than four years now.  Why didn't I pay more attention when she talked about her brother?  Why didn't I ask for more information while she was still here to provide it?

So, what should I do?  Should I continue this search on Jephtha's history or should I spend my time talking with the living to get their memories?  There is so much that I've lost because I was too busy with myself.  So what if the stories I hear are not specifically about Jephtha?  If I spend a few days with a World War II veteran, the stories would still be appropriate, right?

(Father God, direct me.  Place on my heart the direction that you would have for me.  Light my passion for what you have created me.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Longing

It started as a bump and commotion from the dining room window.  Our cat had tried to go through the window after something.  I got up to check on her and she was intently watching the small wood pile on the patio.  She was transfixed.  "Uh-oh," I thought.

So, my son and I let her out the back door and over to the pile she scampers.  She sniffs delicately around and around.  She knows something is in there.  My mind was racing.  "I hope it's not a snake.  I don't think I'd like that much," ran swiftly across my brain.  Then, I saw it - a little bitty mouse.  Relief flooded my muscles.

We moved the wood back and forth until she saw and pounced.  Our fat, nine-year old cat caught that mouse.  And, dropped it.  It took off!  (DUH!)  We rousted it out from under the wheel barrow and she was on top of it again.  She caught it, threw it, and caught it again.  Our cat was having a moment.  Finally, the poor mouse was dead and she finished her tiny meal.

Today, I find myself longing for the day when the cat and mouse will have a salad together.  I grieve over the effects that our sin has on this natural world.  My cat wasn't created to eat mice.  She was created for the honor and glory of the Creator.  How do I know this?  "...All things were created by Him and for Him."  (Col. 1:16)  Does the Bible tell me that the cat and mouse will have a salad together?  Not in those words.  Isaiah prophesied of the time when the leopard will sleep with the baby goat and lions will eat hay.  (11:6, 65:25) This coming time of peace has no hurt or destruction.  YEA!  Oh, that's what I'm longing for!!!

(Father God, how marvelous are your works!  How awesome are your ways!  How high are your thoughts!  I praise you!  I praise your name.  Thank you for the promise of coming peace.  Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!  This I pray in your holy name, Amen.)

Slack and Stopping Slack

Okay, okay. I've been slack in posting lately. I've been re-thinking what this blog is about and how I want to use it. I am very protective of my privacy but I don't want anyone thinking I'm a fake either. And, I want someone other than myself to read it.

So, I'm searching for that middle ground where I can protect what needs to be protected and share enough to be interesting.

I'm going to concentrate on some devotional type postings for awhile. Tidbits of information, insight, and things that God has pointed out through reading or everyday life. We will see how that goes. Sprinkled in every once in awhile will be some personal news. This is a doable thing.

Now, it's off to regular posting...

(Father God, thank you for our electronic age. I am so amazed by what you have allowed us to learn and the knowledge that you've sent before us on which we build. Technology is a wonderful tool for sharing about you. Please encourage me as I endeavor to use this blog for your glory. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Tired and wondering...

I haven't posted in a few days because I've been so busy at work that my mind is exhausted by the time I get home each evening. This evening, we went and had a great meal so I've got a bit of my mind back.

Please pray for Ashley tonight. She is in significant need of the Lord's intervention for her health.

I'm wondering if those of us calling ourselves Christian know what we are doing in this election cycle. Are we educating ourselves to the true nature of the candidates? Are we scrutinizing the candidates for honesty and consistency? Do we believe that we will never be persecuted for our faith? Are we asking God to raise up a righteous man to lead our nation? Are we asking God to forgive our national sins?

I'm wondering what our lives will be like in one year? Will the LORD have raptured out His bride? Will we be hiding our Bibles to keep them from being confiscated and burned? Will we be holding church in basements to keep our faith from being discovered? Will our fellow church members be killed or imprisoned because they believe in Jesus Christ? Will the tares among the wheat be turning us in? Will we be that close to the tribulation time? Are we that close now?

(Lord God, please forgive me for not memorizing Your Holy Word more fervently. I pray for focus to do that now. Please forgive our sin as a nation. Forgive us for putting other idols on Your throne. Thank you for the salvation that you so freely gave to me. Raise up a righteous and God-fearing man to lead our country. For when a righteous man leads, we will rejoice. I praise Your Name. I pray in Jesus name alone. )

Breath and Challenge

Well, it's almost time to get back into regular work activities. I'm thankful for the job that I have even though I don't always treat it honorably. There are times when I just get tired of getting up and going to the stress each day. This week I'm looking forward to addressing a couple of items that have been hanging on for quite some time. I'm sure there will be other things that interfere with the primary plans but I'll be seeking a singular focus from God in order to do the job He gave me for His glory.

Today's God Moment happened as I began praying for this week's work activities. God reminded me that He has the power over it all. And when I dwell on that thought, I recall that He has the power over my next hearbeat. He and He alone has given me breath. Just as He give power to the stars to light the night sky. How awesome.

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10)

Our pastor challenged us today to live our life pure as if we know that Jesus is returning for His church at a set time some few hours in the future. God is good and will help when His children ask. There are times when I'm comfortable and don't consider how soon the return might be. Yet, I long for Christ to come. He has promised that we won't have the same struggles in heaven as we have on this earth. I desire that struggle free time. I desire the time when I can praise and honor with abandon knowing that the world and this flesh no longer have influence on me.

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. (Revelation 19:9)

Thanks for listening.