Okay, God, now what?

We have a weekly chalkboard calendar hanging on the wall. It gets updated every Sunday evening. Our week in review. But things get added during the week. And things get erased or moved - juggling other things to a different spot. But it is a good resource for my husband and I. This piece of organizing our life has a calming effect as we prepare for the week.

God views your life in a similar way. But it goes way beyond just one week. Your entire life is layed out before Him. He is not anxious. He is calm. He is prepared for all that is in view.

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace— 1 Corinthians 14:33

I often feel rushed to get things done, or through things, so I am ready and available for any unplanned surprises. But we have a God Who is ever present. And our first response should be:

“Okay, God, how are we going to do this? How are we going to handle this… respond to this unexpected event? Lord, talk me through it.”

Our good and loving and capable God holds all future moments already in His hands. He is never surprised or caught off guard. He sees how the future plays out - this day, this week and beyond.

So we can live reassured because God is living reassured - in all He sees and does and has planned. He, too, has it all written down. Because of this, we can have peace.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. - Psalm 139:16

Your days are written out. He sees your whole life. He is ever present and involved in good, loving, and caring ways. And always in wisdom, power, and grace.

So rest in the knowledge of His wisdom, power, love, care and grace today, this week, and forevermore.

God’s got you…

Princess Mandy

This is Mandy. I named her Mandy. She named herself Princess. As many cat owners know, they like to be treated well. Very well. In fact, they expect nothing less. She wants to be petted on her terms. And not necessarily when you want to or feel like it. Fed when she wants it. Fresh water often. Even to be followed to her food dish and water dish and patted on the back while she nourishes her body - and I guess her soul. Comfort on every level. She wants out onto the screened in porch when she wants out. And back in when she wants in. Yes, she practically demands things as she wants them. And we abide her wishes as often as possible - because we love her and want her to have a blessed life. A pleasing life. To know she is loved and cared about.

And I have to wonder if I am that receptive to the commands of God on my heart. Am I as willing to please and bless when He calls? Do I love Him like that? What does the Lord expect of me? Am I willing to meet Him, follow Him wherever He goes and to do what He is “crying” out for me to do? Or wait until I feel like it… Will I abide by His wishes? Because I love Him and want Him to be blessed by an obedient servant heart? Will I live to please the Lord? Are His calls interruptions to my life or opportunities to express love to Him?

 My Christian friends, God has been very kind to us. Because of that, I really want you to serve God with your whole life. Offer your bodies to him like a sacrifice that continues to live. Serve him with everything that you have and that will please him. That is the true way to worship God.  Do not become like the people who belong to this world. But let God completely change the way that you think, so that you live differently. Then you will understand what God wants you to do. You will know what is good. You will know what pleases God. You will know what is completely right. - Romans 12:2 EASY

Not as hard as I thought

 I had an idea for a blog post the other day. It came to mind as I was praying for people and using only their first name. We often do that. I’ve seen it in some churches as well. We just say the name and maybe a pause before moving on to the next name. And I wondered if that had the same power and effectiveness as a more lengthy and informative prayer. You know the ones - agonizing, heartbreaking pleas for God to act. Is a mere mention of their name - enough? Can my one word whispered into the ear of God move mountains too?

And then something happened that made me question it even more. While at the gym, an ambulance pulled up. Now I was praying and I didn’t even have a name! All I could think of was: Jesus!

Believe me: I am in My Father and My Father is in Me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see - these works. The person who trusts Me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on My way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of Who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for Who He is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do. (John 14:11-13 MSG)

Whatever you request. I’ll do it. I’ll do it. Looking at this passage, the real power, the real certain hope - is in God the Hearer and Responder. And not the number of words. Or their eloquence.

He Who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

When you pray, don’t talk on and on as people do who don’t know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. (Matthew 6:7 CEV)

So, even one word from you or me in prayer, makes anything possible because Christ and His power lives in and through us. 

So let us pray in the name, that one word name, above all names -

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Freedom to Worship

 Whether in a Pentecostal spirit or an introverted spirit; hands clasped before you or held up high in the air; rocking back and forth in time to the music or full out liturgical dance…

As an introvert, when I saw people raise their hands during praise songs, I always felt like I wasn’t honoring God good enough. Then I started jokingly saying I keep my hands down so other introverts can be comfortable.

Jesus says “Come.” All are welcome into His arms. Both the expressive and the meek. Both are bursting with joy in different ways - but make no mistake - fully praising just the same. 

The chef and the baker both provide wonderful foods to eat.

The knitter and the quilter both provide comfort and warmth.

The public speaker and the prayer closet warrior both provide hope, support, and encouragement.

Music and paintings both touch and move hearts.

Praise comes in so many forms as well. God created us all differently. So there are also different ways to praise. Do not compare. Be true to yourself and how God wired you personally to be the praise person He desires of you. How you do it doesn’t matter near as much as just keep doing it.

So let us praise the Lord! In every kind of way. Come and worship. Come and praise! Just as you are. And all glory, honor, focus and adoration to God!

“Come, follow Me…” Matthew 4:19

“Let the little children come to Me…” Matthew 19:14

“Zacchaeus, come down immediately…” Luke 19:5

“ I AM the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to Me…” John 6:35

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17

Christmas blessings

 November is just a few short days away. It’s time to place your Christmas card orders! This is a small sampling of the variety of designs offered… come and take a look!

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/christmas-card-shop.html

Looking for the perfect gift for the notecard writer on your list? Don’t miss these creative, heartwarming, “something different than the box-store variety” cards that are always available. Every order comes with a list of suggested messages to write inside.

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/new-card-catalog-1123.html

And in case you missed it, a delightful devotional book with God-inspired messages of His love and care, complimented by my own illustrations - happiness on every page! Order an autographed copy through my email (juliecrane.57@att,net) or find it on Amazon.

https://a.co/d/eIw52zA

MY BOOKS HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED!

 

BOOKS HAVE ARRIVED! Here’s how you get your autographed copy:

 MCCORMICK AREA -

 “open house”  Sunday, October 5

between 12:30 and 2:00

and then again at 5:00 and 7:00.

$20.00 Cash, credit card or check.

121 Popular Circle. 

(I will schedule another date in the next week or so)

DIMONDALE -

PLEASE COMMENT BELOW (before Tuesday, October 7) TO RESERVE A COPY.

I won’t be able to leave extras. 

Delivering to Beth E. 

Meet her after the church service Sunday, October 12 

or at the knitting group Monday, October 13 from 3:00 - 4:30. 

Please make plans to pick up your book during one of these two times. 

Please mail all payments to me. $20.00

PILGRIMAGE -

I will bring a supply with me to MP#75. IF YOU AREN’T ON TEAM BUT know someone on team and want to make arrangements with them, please comment below to reserve a copy, payment method ($20.00), and who is collecting a book for you. 

If none of these options work for you, you can order through Amazon. https://a.co/d/eIw52zA

If you want me to send you an autographed copy, it will cost an additional $5.00 to cover shipping. 

Thank you and I look forward to nurturing your souls through this - my first real published book!

CHRISTMAS CARD SHOP IS NOW OPEN!

JUST CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW - IT WILL TAKE YOU STRAIGHT TO THE CHRISTMAS CARD SHOP. 

 https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/christmas-card-shop.html