Jesus is born! Now what?

Now we pack everything back up, and trash the rest. Every card, wreath, ornament, CD, towels, dishes and the nativity.

The greatest news in all of life! And yet after just a few short weeks, every remnant of remembrance and celebration is swept away - stored in some unseen attic for another 11 months.

Jesus is born. Our Savior is born! Here He finally is! And something in my heart is telling me to... remember.

Jesus is born! Hallelujah!
Jesus is born! Joy to the world!
Let every heart prepare Him room.
But not the attic...

My Father's house has many rooms; if that we not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:2-3)

In a few short days, we'll be un-decorating and decluttering our spaces from all the holiday sparkle, color and shine. But I want a remnant of this most joyous occasion to remain. That You also, Lord, may be where I am. So if you visit my house in the year ahead, you may just find a small nativity tucked on a shelf. Keeping all this Christmas joy in view.

A Savior is born! He is born indeed!

But Mary kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart. She thought about them over and over. (Luke 2:19 NIRV)

Christmas eve pause

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I was recently asked about my favorite holiday. It has to be Christmas eve. Yes. Christmas eve. The time for planning, preparing, shopping, going and doing... is done. There's just that pause. It may be a peaceful sitting by Christmas tree light. All is calm. All is bright. And time stands still. Tomorrow is coming with all its happiness - but for now - there's only these moments of sighing and breathing. Rest. And perhaps a first real chance to feel the impact of the Savior's birth. The long time promise from an unseen God - now seen in tangible form! Joy to the world! The long-expected Jesus!

On Christmas eve the baking smells still linger in the house. The lights on the tree still sparkle. Silent Night from the church service still humming through my mind. A cup of hot cocoa as I curl up on the couch with grandma's quilt (and a cat or two). Appreciating the beauty of this Christmas eve. It is here and it is now.

I've spent a good portion of my life in the getting, going, planning, prepping phase. But as I sit here in this Christmas eve pause, I would like to embrace it much more often. I'd like to end each day with a sigh, a breath and to remember, to feel, the impact of the Savior born for me.

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn, O weary one.
What a thrill of hope!

But Mary kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart. She thought about them over and over. (Luke 2:19 NIRV)

Lights! Camera! Action!

LIGHTS!  I recently participated in a research study at M.S.U. to see if light therapy will help alleviate fatigue and changes in mood for breast cancer survivors. I don't really understand the science behind all of it. I just know that after a few days - I felt more like doing things. Like the blind man who confessed, "Someone named Jesus made some mud and smeared it on my eyes. He told me to go and wash it off in the Siloam Pool. When I did, I could see." (Luke 9:11) More light in my life has helped me. 

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

CAMERA! We all love to take pictures. Why? Because they help us remember good times. Precious moments. They uplift and inspire us. Photos to look at again and again. To remember. To re-enjoy. Spending time in the light every day, regularly and consistently, has helped me immensely, in seeing not only a brighter future, but a "can-do" now. 

Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. (John 15:4)

ACTION! What happened when I remained in the light - day after day? I became energized. The days became full of possibilities. I raked leaves for the first time in years. I've been trying different things. My whole spirit is more light-hearted. Why?

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. (John 15:4)

The light therapy simply drove home the all-important basis of hope and of living. Jesus is the Light. Jesus is the One we need to soak up, exposure ourselves to every day. Remembering Him every day. He is our energy and strength when we stick with Him.

Just as I remained in the study and received positive results, how much more must we remain in Him to receive all that we need?

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

What I learned about God from home improvement shows

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

The opening scene is always about a house that just doesn't work anymore. Some areas need a little paint. Some areas are a gut job. They all agree there are some good and bad points about this house. But something needs to change. (Kinda sounds like me. How I used to live didn't work anymore. I needed a Change.)

They start looking around and see no house is perfect. Every house has something they like and don't really like. Are they able to accept / compromise their ideal or keep looking, demanding it? (... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... Romans 3:23)

Whether they stay where they are or move, they commit to the one who can help and renovations are soon underway. A tweak here, a demolish there. Weeks pass. There are ups and downs all along the way. Major setbacks. Sometimes more than one. Will they ever make it to completion? (Sounds like my life after accepting Christ, my Helper. With all life's ups and downs and mistakes made, will I ever make it?)

As they near the end of the reno project, the home owners are kept from seeing the final stages until it is completed. The excitement (or anxiety) must be at an all-time high. In the final minutes of the show, the front door is swung open and behold! They don't even recognize the place! It is so amazingly, magazine cover beautiful! What a wonderful place! And it's ours! All ours! (Do you see where I'm going with this?)

I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to  be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18)

God bless you in all your ups and downs along the way to His perfect gift of eternal life with Him in heaven. Until then, trust your Helper!

Who's doing the doing?

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Jesus sends out the seventy-two. (Luke 10:1-9)
Don't pack. Don't greet. (v.4) Don't do your own thing. Don't do it your way. The great I AM is about to be doing some doing.

Stay. Eat. Drink. (v. 7) Stay there. Don't use your own judgement on whether your time is being productive / successful in your own eyes. Don't decide what is good enough, right, acceptable in your own eyes.

The kingdom of God has come near... (v.9) The kingdom. Not you. Not your doing. But as a vessel, carrying the living God to the streets, to the people that you meet, greet, eat with...

There are plenty of times when I don't understand how God does the things that He does... things that somehow align and fall into place at just the right time. Without my  conscious knowledge, decision, or pre-determined choice in the matter. Sometimes miracles at the extreme end of the spectrum. Sometimes simple delights that just make a moment smooth and easy. Miracles that are drop to my knees praiseworthy. And yet some of His other acts of love go virtually unnoticed. "Ordinary" goodnesses.

Could it also be that many of our acts of service - could be happening - unnoticed by our own selves? But the Lord flowed through us just the same? Without our conscious effort? (pause) Do our acts of service come in both conscious and unconscious obedience? (pause)

Thanks be to God!

Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come and spread Your love to everyone I meet.
He sent out 70. But all were filled by the one active, working Spirit.
God, be about Your business of doing the doing. Today.
Let Your kingdom come near...

Luke 10:4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals
Luke 10:7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you
Luke 10:9 The kingdom of God has come near to you

Heaven on earth

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

We all have imaginings of what heaven will possibly be like. We know there are promises of no more tears, crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). We can all imagine such great beauty and joy and LOVE and acceptance and ...!

Heaven will be a wonderful place!

But I could sure use some of that "heaven stuff" here and now. You too?

I think about the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:10). It says: Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Another translation puts it like this: Manifest Your kingdom realm, and cause Your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is fulfilled in heaven (TPT)

Isn't that what we seek? The beauty of heaven to be tasted here?

Which brings me to the scripture I read this morning which set this all in motion.
Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven. (Matthew 18:18 AMPC)

Many other translations of this verse aren't as clear as this one is for me. They use words like "loosed" and "bound". But I think what they're all saying is bring heaven down here. Bring the beauty and the love we will see in heaven into the present. Where you are. Don't wait until you're gone from this earth to love everybody and everything that is heavenly. 

Cherish now.
Relish now.
Love as we will in heaven.

Let there be peace on earth...
Let there be love and hugs and all that stuff... on earth
And let it begin with me.

Where's the fire?

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

This morning as I was getting ready for my day, I realized I was literally "scrubbing" my face cream into my skin, in vicious circles - as I was thinking about my to-do list. I caught myself. And thought, "Would one minute of gentle massage of my favorite scented cream really throw off my whole day?" So I slowed down. Smoothing my orange vanilla goat milk cream across my forehead, my temples, under my eyes, my cheeks. And gently down my throat. Oh, what a moment of complete serenity. Instead of heart-racing, rattling thoughts about what needs to get done, I enjoyed a moment of soulfully preparing for the day. Calm. Cool. Collected. Where's the fire, indeed!

Perhaps we can all learn from this. A reminder that a moment of prayer can do the same thing. Let His words, like oil, run down your face (and into your beard! - as it did for Aaron in Psalm 133:2). Will a moment or two of prayer really throw your whole day's schedule off? Or will it gather you up in a hug of calm, cool and collectedness? Where's the fire?

The fire should be in our approach to our days. The fire should be in our health, mentally and spiritually - our very heart. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).

Like the to-do list, sometimes our thinking about prayer seems to include everything all at once. I don't have time to thank God for everything, and prayer for everyone I know in need. And my own set of worries on top of all that.

But for a moment, thank God for a few things.
In a different moment, prayer over someone who comes to mind.
Later, let God know your personal concerns.

Pray at all times, and in all circumstances... Make your life a prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Talk to God in moments.
Take a moment... and see how refreshed you will be.

Where's your fire?

Let the sun shine in

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Started off today with some anxious thoughts. How easily they can come sometimes, right? But I stick with my usual routine and walk up to the post office at 10:00. It seemed a little gray outside but I grabbed my sunglasses anyway - in case it decides to show its face while I'm out.

Walking along, still anxious thoughts bombarding me. I recently started following some yoga on YouTube. So I told myself to just concentrate on my breathing. Then I told myself over and over, "I'm fine. Everything right now is fine. Right now, all I need to be concerned about is that I'm walking. And breathing."

And I noticed through the big window at the restaurant people eating and having coffee and chatting away. The gentleman next door was watering the flower box in front of the barber shop. Someone else walking their dog. And yes, the sun came out. Peaceful. Just simply - peaceful.

It is well... with my soul... the sweet refrain washes over me again and again. Where did that come from?

It's very easy, too easy, to stay and feed those more unsettling thoughts. I've done it too many times. But today, today I sought out something else. Something more. And it came. It came.

The sun. The Son.

Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. (Jeremiah 29:12-14)

If we desire, seek, expect the Son, will He come? Give it a try.

Like little children

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I'm reading a murder mystery novel. A mother wakes up screaming from a bad nightmare and scares her two-year-old daughter half to death. And there just seems to be no way of calming the child. She is in "head down, snuggled into your neck and thumb sucking" mode. Not even the distraction of a favorite breakfast brings her around. But then the mom promises a visit to the carnival that's in town. And the child's face lights up! All the trauma of the night forgotten. Leaning into the day now. The promise of joy has been released into her life. And she grabs onto it.

Oh, that I could so quickly let loose of the traumas that come my way. Troubles. Challenges. Deep concerns over others. If only there was Someone Who could bring joy into my day... despite the circumstances.  Hmmm... If only Someone would tell me some good news, good words, good promises. If only I would listen and believe (grab onto it) ...

But Jesus said, "Let the children come to Me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children." (Matthew 9:14 NLT)

"Learn this well: Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable, and learn about heaven's kingdom realm with the wide-eyed wonder of a child, you will never be able to enter in. (Matthew 18:3 TPT)

Jesus said over and over again - the kingdom is near. Jesus Himeself. Near. As near as your next breath. As near as you want it to be. The joy of Jesus. Enter into it. His love. His hope. His security. His promises. All - near. Think about THESE things. Receive with wide-eyed wonder and belief. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Receive the joy of Jesus today. Do not dwell in the darkness. Dear child...

Dressed for work

My mom ironed every week. I can still clearly picture her behind the ironing board, wearing her ever-present apron, gliding the iron back and forth - back and forth - as she hummed and waltzed to Ray Price on the record player. Occasionally sprinkling with water from a modified Coke bottle.

I didn't appreciate the chores she so diligently performed at the time. But she often comes to mind when I throw on a less than perfect shirt and shorts. How much different it must have looked and felt to wear things smooth and pressed. Obviously fresh and clean. Stains gone. Wrinkles vanish. Looking brand new. Same ol' clothes, but somehow - wonderfully, good as new.

Most of us don't iron.

But I think God does. I can see God busy on a regular basis smoothing out wrinkles - at our jobs, in relationships, in our hearts. And I have to wonder if He hums and waltzes too. Taking pleasure in every little improvement He makes. Working steadily. Enjoying the process. Knowing the outcome. Sprinkling. Smoothing. Even pressing. For the desired outcome. Passing over a section more than once where needed.

Trust God in the process.
Trust He isn't angry at your "wrinkles".
Trust He is passionate about the work before Him (you).
Trust that He smiles as He sees wrinkles in your life smooth away.

And you become...
Fresh and clean.
Stains gone.
Wrinkles vanished.
Looking brand new.
Same ol' "you" but somehow - wonderfully, made brand new. In Christ.

Sprinkle me with the cleansing blood, and I shall be clean again. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7 TLB)

And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. (Galatians 3:27 NLT)

Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new creation. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 TPT)

It is God Himself Who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others. (Ephesians 2:10 TLB)

You have been clothed in Christ.
And dressed for work.

Who do you say that I am?

© 2018 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Now many of you are familiar with the passage where Jesus asks His disciples:

"Who do the crowds say that I am?" So they answered and said, "John the Baptist, but some say Elijah, and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God." - Luke 9:18-20

And it got me to wondering, "Who do people say that I am?" How do people describe me?

© 2018 Julie Crane All rights reserved

They may say, "She's love her VW Bug!"
And, "She loves her cats!" and "Walking in the woods!"
True. True. True. Every one.

But am I living a richer, deeper, more meaningful, impactful - witness?
What kind of testimony, or taste in someone's mouth, am I leaving when they spend time with me? And is it a same, consistent testimony based on my heart of Spirit-filled faith or a heart of human emotional reaction...

What about me - on a daily basis?
What about you?

A woman of God? A man after God's own heart?
Warm. Helpful. Giving.

Or are the first thoughts from people describe me as -
Busy. Critical. In pursuit of accolades. Or lazy. Or...

If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God's words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. - 1 Peter 4:11

Who do people say that I am?
And how about you?
Live out today, every word, every deed - with the glory of God in mind.
And impact your world in the Spirit.

I am free!

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Sounds great, doesn't it? Free! Until you have to: "Gluten-free" and "Dairy-free". And then be on the road for two weeks. Then, free for me, became such an annoying obstacle. Gone are the days of simply running in and grabbing a burger and fries somewhere. Every restaurant in the area had to have its menu googled so I can figure out in advance what's available that I can get. More often than not, breakfast was a fruit cup, lunch was a salad - hold the cheese and croutons and creamy dressings. Dinner was anything I could get plain and unseasoned. These are the things I HAVE TO DO in order to avoid feeling physically, painfully miserable for 3-4 days.

I'll bet you were thinking I was going to write about stress-free or anxiety-free. Well, I am.

Overthinking. Obsessing. Negative imaginings - all make you sick as well. Physically. Emotionally, Mentally. Draining. 

I wish there was some Way, some One...

I am choosing not to make myself sick by eating ice cream -  over the temporary comfort of having a bowl. Can we apply that to our emotional, mental health as well? Can we actually fight the urge to worry and be anxious? And choose that which is better for us.

It has taken some determined intent and practice. I am getting better and better at choosing what my body can handle when it comes to eating. Being painfully sick for days will do that. I just have to keep reminding myself that what I think I want - will make me miserable.

But I don't have to stay sad about what I'm "missing". While it's more noticeable when on the road, most days I am very capable of finding something to eat. And I am thankful. How often do we look at what seems to be missing from our lives and forget all the wonderfulness still around?

It makes me wonder. Can thoughts about the peace of Christ and all His amazing attributes be better for my body than the slice of worry and a bowl of anxiety?

Let the peace of Christ (the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him) be the controlling factor in your hearts (deciding and settling questions that arise). To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body (of believers). And be thankful (to God always). - Colossians 3:15 AMP

Who's ready to practice? Who's ready to be free?

J.A.W.S. living? or P.R.A.Y. living

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Yes! It's shark week!

Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks for this is God's perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)

Lots of acronyms for praying. I would have to say my life is a continual cycle of them. Some Praising, Repenting, Asking and Yielding. (P.R.A.Y.)

I am in and out of those all day long. Sounded like a tall order at first. I picture "official" prayer as head bowed, hands folded, "prayer closet"... but we all know prayer comes in many forms and its really just turning our thoughts to God at any given moment.

A life of prayer? Or a life of...
J. A.W.S.
Judging others. Being critical.
Acting in arrogance. Thinking I know better, thinking I could do it better.
Whining. Complaining. Never satisfied. Always wanting something else.
Stepping in to fix things. A compilation of the first three put into action. Taking over. Taking control. Leaving no room for God and His Spirit to act.

I am humbled by these thoughts. And with greater awareness, certainly desire and choose that which is better and most pleasing to my God. May I continually fight for a P.R.A.Y.ing life and continually repent from slipping into a J.A.W.S. life.

Thank You, Jesus.

What are you never-ceasing about?

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I got a song stuck in my head this morning. The line before the chorus says that my whole being never ceases to worship the Lord.  Hmmm...

I'm afraid I think about God in the morning and then get on with my day.

What I AM good at never ceasing about is - worrying. I can think of something to be anxious about any time of day. But do I - can I - think of God throughout the day? Can I worship and praise Him - morning, noon and night?

I started thinking about a tree. Can you imagine a tree complaining:
"I'm stuck here. Same ol' same ol' every day. Literally, rooted / fixed to this spot. What if the river rises? What if there's a drought and the roots can't reach any refreshment? What if there's a fire? I can't move! Can go anywhere. Can't do anything. Just stand here."

Nope. The tree has its arms extending to the sky all the time. Probably praising God for providing water and other nutrients as needed. Probably praising God for the ability to make maple syrup at the proper time. Or fruit in the proper season. Probably praising God for the gift of leaves that dance in the breezes. Simply being. Simply satisfied with being blessed with whatever the Lord sends. Ceaseless praising tree.

You know what? My faith, my trust in God is unceasing. Unwavering. I will always have hope! My seeking of God will not be stopped. My confidence in Him will not be shaken! Ask me anytime, anywhere - I love the Lord for all He's done for me. Now that's ceaseless worship and praise!

Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all His benefits -
Who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
Who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:1-5)

One great devotional!

Due to renewed interest, I am having a reprint of the devotional I wrote. Order your copy now! I'll be placing the order in the next 24 hours or so. If you happen to live in the Holland, Grand Rapids, or Lansing areas, I will be making deliveries once the books arrive. I can also mail copies. If you have an Amazon account, it may be less expensive for you, especially if you can get free shipping.
Just send me an email: auntie.ju@hotmail.com
Thank you!

What people are saying:
 Each and every page is full of inspiration and motivation. Well worth the small investment!
The devotions are always inspiring and easy to relate to daily life.
 It was an awesome work. I'd recommend to anyone. Julie has a real gift.
This book is a plan talk book, and is very up lifting. I have bought 3 or 4 and given them to people who are important to me. 
 Julie's book is a great encourage to anyone who wants to grow in their faith by drawing closer to God.

My non-productive prayer

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I'm armed and dangerous. I've got my prayer list, my bible, my journal, my coffee, and my devotional. Fully prepared for some real quiet time with the Lord before jumping into my to-do list of the day.

I'm reading. I'm writing. I'm powering through my prayer list. But I don't know... something's not right. Today's scripture just isn't "clicking" with me. Today's prayers for others feel lackluster or rote. There's no real drama going on in my personal life ; no high anxieties for the day that require intense pleading. I'm kinda just sitting here - anxiously rambling helter-skelter, seeking that divine connection - through my attempt at productive prayer.

And suddenly... suddenly... I am stopped.
"Put everything down. Everything. Just sit. Close your eyes. Breathe in and out. That's all."

But what about...

"Breathe in and out. That's all. Just sit to embrace My divine presence. Savor this thing you call quiet time - by being quiet."

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet water,
He refreshes my soul. (Psalm 23:2 NIV)

He offers a resting place for me in His luxurious love.
His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.
That's where He restores and revives my life. (TPT)

He provides me rest in rich, green fields
beside streams of refreshing water.
He soothes my fears;
He makes me whole again. (VOICE)

Precious in His sight

My husband and I visited a bird sanctuary recently. There were birds from every part of the world. Big, beautiful, colorful birds! And I thought to myself, "Thank goodness I don't have to rely on rolls of film anymore, limiting the number of photos I can take!" There were enclosures from every continent, showing off the best of the best. And there was also a space sectioned off labeled "endangered species". A lot of beautiful birds there too. But as I was leaving, for some reason, I looked down to see the little brown birds there as well. Endangered too. But hardly noticed.

And I can't help but think - am I, or you - feeling like a little brown bird? When so many others around us are striving, driven, reaching for the stars and successfully nabbing them, I am sometimes limited by physical or emotional weaknesses. Some days there is no energy or drive.

Often times I am just up and I'm going through daily, well-established patterns. Much of which are not really noteworthy. Pretty mundane in fact. You too? Going to your job. Cooking dinner. Laundry. Reading or watching TV. Perhaps babysitting. Or on the phone. Sometimes getting up is the achievement of the day. Sometimes a load of laundry is an accomplishment. 

But I'm still here by God's will and purpose. God sees me and knows me and is not disappointed in me.

Like the little brown birds - the regular, run-of-the-mill brown birds - you are cherished by God. More so than you can even imagine.

We may not get noticed by others because of some stunning, beautiful "feather in our cap" achievement. But God sees every little thing.

Look at the birds in the sky. They do not store food for winter. They don't plant gardens. They do not sow or reap - and yet, they are always fed because your heavenly Father feeds them.

His eye is on the sparrow...

And you are even more precious to Him than a beautiful bird. If He looks after them, of course He will look after you. (Matthew 6:26 VOICE)

I know He watches over me...

Living in a construction zone

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

It is summertime! Time when many people head out on a road trip or two. But it's also road construction time. Some roads offer detours. Some, like on a highway, do not. You can complain while you are sitting there inching along or make the best of it as best you can. But once you're in the midst of it, one thing is for certain. You will have to go through. My GPS has assured me "I'm still on the fastest route."

How much like life that is! In this world we will have troubles (John 16:33 ).

I'm sure through the making of certain choices, we are able to avoid some of them altogether. While other circumstances offer some sort of detour, redirection, second chance - that may feel longer, take more time and more out of the way. Different. Unfamiliar. Yet it still feels like we're moving and in control. But we all have faced the challenge of having to go through a difficult situation. Perhaps you're in one now. A lot of stop and go. A lot of things on every side trying to merge into a tight space. Time is passing and there are better things to do besides just sitting. Trapped. Are you feeling it?

And like being caught in the construction zone on the highway, you can be upset about it... or make the best of the situation you find yourself in. But with Jesus as your "GPS", you can be assured "this is the way through". The Lord will see you through anything. Listen to Him.

Where you go, I will go and where you stay, I will stay. (from Ruth 1:16)

Don't let Satan pffft it out

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

My prayer list to God continues to grow. Some people have been on there a long time. And the concerns most recently have been dire straits ones. So many that I've sometimes bundled my prayers into sections: Lord, these are all the friends I have battling cancer... Lord, these are all the friends I have needing jobs... Lord, these are all the people I know in strained relationships...

Not to mention anything and everything that's on the evening news...

But with every prayer, whether in general or detailed and specific - I want you to see my shaky little index finger rise up and point to the sky.

Light is our hope.
Light in the darkness.
Light in the fear. The tiredness. The don't-know-what-to-do.
Light in the believer's heart who can't quite believe the impossible is possible.

Don't let Satan pffft it out.

The little child in and out of the hospital suffering intense cancer treatment pain.
Don't let Satan pffft the light of hope out.
Don't let Satan dissuade us from the hope God gives and extends in and through us.

See my shaky index finger pointing to the sky.

For everyone still needing good, steady employment.
For everyone battling an addiction.
For every young couple longing to create a family but can't.
And every strained relationship.

I'm still gonna let it shine.
I will not let the light of Christ be dimmed.
Despite all of this.
I won't let Satan pffft it out.

No.

God: Here and Now and Then

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Lord, this life here can sure be hard sometimes. So un-understandably hard and hard to accept. Yet moving on, having to move on in a totally unexpected, and, at this point, undesirable way. So many fearful illnesses, tragic losses and anxiety riddled relationships. I must remember this is THIS life and not the life You had planned at all. But with certain hope, I know You still have that glorious place, that perfectly marvelous life in store for all who believe. Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!

But for now, I must still practice the appreciating a fragrant rose while being pricked by its thorn. Days can be full of goods and bads, sads and glads. Like a splattering on a canvas. But in the next life, oh, the next life! Love alone will abound!

But I need Thee, Lord... now. I need that peace and assurance in a quality and quantity only You can provide. I need You for my next breath, my next thought, my next step. Because even though I believe in eternal heavenly life with You, I must also believe this temporal, worldly life also has You.

Open my eyes and ears, heart and mind - to Your presence in the here and now. Let Your love and comfort seep into my very soul. Refresh me enough to step out into this day...

He said to me:"It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. (Revelation 21:6)

Losing control

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

I tend to overthink.
I tend to over analyze.
Which can quick turn into worry.
And I get that "losing control" feeling.

But we just celebrated a risen Lord. An alive Lord.
A Lord full of promise and power - and peace for the taking.

If we but trust Him...
to be risen.
To be alive.
To be Lord - of all. Of anything and everything.

I haven't lost control.
I've surrendered control.
I cast all my burdens onto the One Who can catch, carry and take control of every single one.

My Prince of Peace.
My Jesus.
My risen Lord - of all.

Nor anything else

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

I accepted Christ as a high schooler.  I went to some Campus Life meeting downtown. Anyway, I remember sitting in my bedroom afterwards, looking out the window and thinking/praying, (Lord, I want Your love.) Since then, I have traveled many a road. Some pretty horrible back roads too. I've walked away from Him and returned more times than I can count. Think Prodigal son - times five. Or six.

Worldly distractions.
Peer pressures.
Fears over acceptance.
Temptations.
Rebellions.
Arrogance.
Sickness.
Anger at God too.
Seasons of disbelief.

Can I please add these to the list?
Can these be included in the "nor anything else"?
I love You, Lord. But I've had seasons. I've had chapters - where it might have not been so apparent.

Thank You, Jesus for being better at this than I am. For loving us so completely that nothing can separate us. Nothing.

I know this. Death, life, angels, rulers, things happening now, things that will happen, high things, low things; nothing else in all the world can come between us and God's love in Christ Jesus our Lord. (WE translation)

I'm absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. (MSG translation)

I am... forever... Yours.

God and cancer

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I have added yet another loved one to my prayer list under "cancer". I have lost count on how many people I have prayed over in regards to cancer. Some journeys short. Some journeys longer. Either way, I have to believe God's hand is on each one - or I'll go crazy.

Can God get exhausted by all my pleas? Will God ever run out of resources?

I have prayed daily. Over test results. Over white blood cell counts. For strength and courage. Seriously, I can go on and on about the pain and struggle of it all in prayer until I am having heart palpitations. Pleading with God to act.

But that kind of prayer is focused more on a problem that I can't see a quick solution to. That kind of prayer is focused on my limited vision, my limited abilities.

Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine... (Ephesians 3:20)

God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

God can.

Because either God is greater - or the need is greater.

Lord, I believe in You.
Lord, I already know all kinds of situations You have resolved. Too numerous to count. In my prayers for others, I will remember Your goodness of the past. How many survivors of cancer I know. And how many more are out there. I will stand firm in my faith. The power of Your love overshadows any earthly concern I might have. Great are You, Lord! And greatly to be praised. That is what I am going to focus on. You have helped before. You will help again. Anything I see as a "delay" will not send me into a tailspin. You are Almighty God! All-wise. All-powerful. I will remember Your many works. In my life. In the lives of others. In the lives of the many bible characters of faith (Hebrews 11). Every blessing I can think of. I will stand in trust and faith in You. I will. 

Because I'm counting on you...

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I have prayed ...
I have tried to pray...
I've prayed in every which way I can and I've prayed through tears...

I've bowed my head when no words would come.

And that's why I'm counting on you. Sometimes my emotions are so close to the situation, I can't settle down. Can't form words.

(Perhaps this sounds like you at one time or another.)

And yet I know the answer is found in prayer.

So you are important.
It's your little prayer added to my fumbling one and our prayers encapsulated by Jesus' completing one - that's where it all becomes powerful and effective.

I'm counting on you. To somehow pray where my prayer ends. Or your prayer weaving in with mine to make it stronger.

Yes, powerful. Yes, effective.

Someone is counting on you. 

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16 NIV)

...for tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer! (TPT)

... pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. (MSG)