And the rain came down...

 

I don't need an achy joint to tell me it's about to rain. My cat, Max, lifts his head and listens - then goes under the rocking chair. It's one of those glider ones with the skirt around the bottom. A minute later, and you can hear the rain hitting the window. He finds safety and security there. He does this every time it rains, whether a gentle rain or a full-blown storm. Oh, that we would do likewise into the Lord's protective arms! Shouldn't the storms of life have us going to God?

Not even calm, soothing words from me change Max's mind. He KNOWS where his true comfort and safekeeping are found. So that's where he goes. And that's where he stays until the upsetting circumstance passes. And it does pass.

Thank You, Lord, for being the goodness we can go to for comfort and safekeeping.

Thank You, Lord, for being the goodness while it is storming.

Thank You, Lord, for the goodness of knowing You will be there for the next storm.

When the rain is coming and Max can sense it, he doesn't stand there frozen in fear and anxiety. There is no wailing, whining or crying out. He doesn't run here and there frantically seeking someplace that brings a sense of safekeeping. Every time, every time it rains, a little or a lot, he just lifts the rocker skirt with his nose and enters in. Enters into a place of peace and rest. It's just another storm in life approaching, so he goes where he knows he will be protected and find comfort. Until it passes.

I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm. (Psalm 55:8)

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. (Psalm 27:5) The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. (Matthew 7:25)

Any size storm. Where do you go?

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. (Psalm 57:1)

Any size storm. Where do you stay?

Who's got the peace?

© 2021 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Needing something else or needing something more?  Keep your mind stayed on God. He alone has the peace in the midst of not enough. You chased after all the "right" this and thats - and just made yourself crazy in all the grasping and still felt insufficient. God wants to give you rest and peace. Now. Without everything being worked out perfectly first. Don't wait for some perfection before you go to God. Receive peace and rest in Him and stay there no matter what the world or your mind/self-talk says. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always (Psalm 105:4). There is peace, rest, acceptance and enough - right there. And you can get there.

Believe that God is handling your circumstances.

Believe that God is taking care of your woes. 

Distrust in God equals anxiety.

Disbelief that He really cares or that He will really act on your behalf equals fear and hopelessness.

God DOES desire to help you. God DOES have the wisdom and ability to help you. With your mind stayed on God, with determination to believe and to trust, you can have peace in the waiting and confidence in the stepping out as He leads you by the hand. Coming or going, God is with you and assurance of His power and love over you will get you through anything with a peace that passes understanding.

Believe God is handling your circumstances.

Rest in Him as He peels back the layers of the worries on your mind. Your breath becoming steady and more relaxed as you realize His work unfolding before your very eyes.

Watch. Look. Listen.

You must convince yourselves of these truths:

(Philippians 4:5-7) The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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

(Proverbs 3:5-6) Trust in the Lord... He will make your paths straight.

(Isaiah 26:3) You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.

You will never have peace if you're waiting for earthly things to become perfect. The world is in constant change... changing it's mind on what good enough is. God is stable, steadfast, and unchanging. Those promises of 2,000 years ago are true and absolute for your present circumstance and all your tomorrows.

No matter what. Turn and return to the arms of Jesus. He alone has the peace you are seeking. 

 

Were You There?

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Now before you get that pre-Easter song stuck in your head, I want you to know I've taken a different direction.

Have you ever wondered if God is going to show up? Help you? Be there for you?

Take a look at these examples and then consider some of your own:

Were You there:

• as the car ran a red light right in front of me?

    "I was there."

• as they prepped me for my first chemo treatment?

    "I was there."

• as they terminated my position at work?

    "I was there."

• as I put mom in a nursing home?

    "I was there."

• as I signed the divorce papers?

    "I was there."

    Are You here:

• as I juggle mom and work and the kids?

    "I am here."

• as I plan, shop, prepare and set out dinner for my family yet again?

    "I am here."

• as I stretch out beneath clean sheets after a long day?

    "I am here."

• as a rock a cranky grandbaby?

    "I am here."

Does this cause you to tremble... tremble... tremble?

Are you still worried about the future? Are you still wondering how you will get through today? What does the Bible say?

I am with you always (remaining with you perpetually - regardless of circumstances, and on every occasion), even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20 AMP)

You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time. (ERV)

I will be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age. (MSG)

His faithfulness endures forever.

His love endures forever.

His strength endures forever.

He presence endures forever.

In Revelation 4:8 we read: Day and night they never stop saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty; Who was, and is, and is to come." 

Take an intermission... and put your hope in the One Who was, is and is to come. For me. For you. Always. 

Amen.

The Power of Ten

Too many of us have gotten good at beating ourselves up because we aren't walking the perfect Christian walk. We all too often focus on where we have fallen short or missed an opportunity - disappointed in ourselves - for not mastering the Christian lifestyle after so... many... years.

How do we ever move pass this need to get it ALL right ALL the time? 

I invite you to the Power of Ten. When you struggle with remembering how God's grace covers it all, maybe it's time to embrace the good you often overlook. Ten things. And anything more would be called outstanding.

1. Ate a healthy breakfast
2. Brushed all the loose hair off of the cats
3. Took a few moments for thoughts and prayers
4. Mailed a get well card
5. Took a short walk just to breathe and enjoy the spring weather
6. Knitted on a baby blanket that will be donated to a pregnancy center
7. Bought an extra box of cereal for the food pantry
8. Belly laughed over a funny movie with a friend
9. Prayed as I heard an ambulance go by
10. Treated someone to an ice cream cone

There's 10. And I can already feel the peace of Christ settling over me. I can picture His smiling face. I didn't need an all-perfect day to feel this. I just needed to acknowledge His loving, giving nature and presence.

Each and every day is a mixture of highs and lows. It's time to believe in Christ living in and through you. 

• Got laundry started.
• Prepped meat and vegetables for the crockpot.
• Gassed up your spouse's car.
• Brought daffodils in from the garden.
• Hid a "love you" note for someone to find.

Look. Name them. Take notice, even if no one else does. I am reminded in Matthew 6 which says - when you give to the needy, when you pray, whatever you do - the Lord sees what is done in secret. The Lord will reward you. Doing the mundane is still good works. Little things can be big blessings. Why? Because Christ lives. His power and love is alive! Open your eyes. Stop and consider - is that from Jesus? 

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

See Jesus our Lord at work in your life today! Receive the peace and endearing smile of Christ.

The God of un-troubling

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved

We have all turned to the verse: "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33) Whenever we have to remind ourselves that this is not heaven but an imperfect, sinning place. Or when we seek consolation because things are going so, so awry. When we are struggling through...troubles. Yes, troubles come. Troubles also go.

On March 2, 2016, I had surgery to remove cancer from my breast. I definitely felt "in trouble" then. It was certainly hard to think of anything else. But I have been cancer-free for five years now. Cancer doesn't bother me, doesn't consume me, like it did back then.

Whenever you cry out to me, I'll answer. I'll be with you in troubling times. (Psalm 91:15)

In fact, there have been numerous times when I badly needed... NEEDED:

a job, a new place to live, "right now" car repair, a new furnace, coast-to-coast traveling mercies, healings of various sizes, and so on. Desperate times. My mind consumed with what to do, how to pay for, how am I ever going to get passed this? But those desperate, intense troubles - are long past. Even forgotten. And I know of others:

• a long awaited pregnancy - now expecting
• college fees - covered
• insurance claims - kicked in
• a pet that wandered off - found
• a strained relationship - revived
• a loved one away so long - home safe and sound
• a new medicine - brings relief

Resolved. Un-troubled. Thanks be to God!

I invite you to - not count your blessings - but to look back at your past troubles. What was on your hand-wringing, worry plate two years ago? Five years ago? That are now un-troubling. Possibly even forgotten. Until now.

Sometimes it feels like troubles are piling up daily. Yet how many do you really remember? Truly - many are done and over with. You can't possibly recall every resolution (un-troubling) the Lord has delivered into your life! But He has. You know He has.

There's more to that verse than just the reminder that there will be troubles.

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Another translation:

"I have told you these things so that you will be whole and at peace. In this world, you will be plagued with times of trouble, but you need not fear; I have triumphed over this corrupt world order." (VOICE)

God has helped before. God will help again. Even though you have times of trouble, do not fear, the Lord has the final say. He offers peace to those to hold on to these, His, words.

I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will find and feel My presence even in your time of pressure and trouble. (Psalm 91:15 TPT) 

It's Greek to me... at first

 

Seems like I'm using so many knitting references lately. But we're in a pandemic, so I'm home knitting a lot. And as the old song says, " He speaks to me everywhere."

A first look at the pattern/chart shown here and you can agree how daunting it all looks. It's only in reading and re-reading, breaking it down, paying close attention, studying and attempting - that it becomes understandable. Doable.

Reading something once doesn't always impart full and complete knowledge or understanding. Some patterns are easier than others. Some patterns can be tricky but with some repetition, can be memorized. Some are even more complex and turning again and again to the printed instruction becomes a necessity (I thought I remembered... but I didn't!) . It also doesn't hurt to throw out a plea: "Please, don't make me rip this section out yet again and start over!"

There are often times when I don't understand a bible passage either. Not the first time around. It helps to break it down. It helps to read different translations*. It helps to look into study guides and commentaries*. And to talk to others you know who also read and are trying to glean something from the bible. And to pray for enlightenment!

But sticking with it promises amazing results:

Great satisfaction. Rewarding. Something that will last and certainly keep you comforted and warm when you feel cold.

Do you sometimes struggle with understanding the bible too? Don't give up. Taking the steps I mentioned made me a better knitter. A more adventurous knitter; excited to see what more I can learn, know and apply to future endeavors.

Are you ready for your next "a-ha", lightbulb moment? Become a "knitter" and start putting the time, parts, and pieces of a bible study together. 

I'm praying God will reveal more of Himself to you as you seek to know Him more. And expect some amazing results!

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better return than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. (Proverbs 3:13-18) 

And we know that the Son of God has made our understanding come alive so that we can know by experience the One Who is true. And we are in Him Who is true, God's Son, Jesus Christ - the true God and eternal life! (1 John 5:20)

*

biblegateway for other translations

biblegateway for the Matthew Henry commentary 

youtube - look up the bible project for great explanations 

Litter box prayers

© 2021 Julie Crane All rights reserved

 Now hang with me.

I promise there is a message of hope by the end of this post.

I'm in my morning chair with my morning coffee and my morning devotional. As I get ready to start prayer journaling, I see my cat heading over to the litter box. Not big news - unless she decided three weeks ago to not use the litter box but to poop near it instead. (*) So the first prayer in my journal was: "Lord, make her poop in the box." Then I went on to other prayer-like thoughts, which somehow evolved into baring my soul about some deep emotional issue I've been trying to ignore. I poured my heart out to God (Psalm 6:28) wondering if there would ever be a real resolution to what I perceived as a longstanding, unanswered prayer problem. As words like faith, hope, trust and believe rose up in my mind, so did the scratch, scratch sound of litter being pawed to cover its intended purpose.

And immediately this passage came to mind:

Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say "Get up, take up your mat and walk'? (Mark 2:9)

Which is easier - Jesus asks - in red ink.

Forgive you your sins?

Make a paralyzed man walk?

Return a cat to the litter box?

Heal your impossible need?

As He says which is easier, isn't He also saying, "Is one of these harder, more difficult, even impossible for Me?" You know the answer. You've quoted it to others many a time: Matthew 19:26... with God all things are possible. 

Are you thinking you have something so minor that God won't want to be bothered? You are wrong.

Do you think God handles other peoples "more important" problems but doesn't have the time or energy to spend on the unending prayer request you've been struggling with? Of course not. Or do you have something too stinking ugly - even for God? Something you just want to bury? Wrong and wrong again.

When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen (Isaiah 60:22). And while you're wondering about His "when", you need to look for His "why".

Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say "Get up, take up your mat and walk'? (Mark 2:9)

"But I want you to know...

... that the Son of Man has authority... (Mark 2:10)

The God of all wisdom and strength, the God of all love and concern, THAT God - is your God. He wants you to wait, to watch, and to know.

I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him" (Lamentations 3:24) Portion means enough. The Lord is enough, sufficient, and all I need. Even in the waiting.

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. (John 2:11)

When He heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." (John 11:4)

Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)

Whatever it is - pray about it. And may you also see the glory of God, as you put your hope in Him.

(*) Yes, she was taken to the vet and checked out just fine. Appears she was constipated and related the discomfort of that to the litter box. She is fine now.

NEW CARD DESIGNS FOR SPRING!

  Anytime is a good time to send some love. There's dogs, and cats and gnomes - oh my! Please consider these fun, happy, pretty notecards to keep on hand. Ordering instructions can be found off to the right of this post under NOTECARDS. Thank you!

Pass the relish, please

Gulping hot coffee.

Inhaling a couple bites of toast.

A quick, one-page read of a devotional while brushing your teeth.

Grabbing an armload and running to the car.

Merging and weaving in and out of traffic while the latest news yammers in the background during your phone call.

Arriving, hurrying, multitasking, departing as fast as you can.

Throwing dinner together.

Prepping as much as possible for the next day.

Collapsing into bed.

A whiff of fresh brewed coffee.

The cup warming your hands.

Noticing the reflection of light on its surface.

And... that... first... sip.

Toast  with grandma's jam, sunny yellow eggs and a sweet orange cut-up and all on a pretty plate.

A bite. And a chew. And a look out the kitchen window.

Tasting. Seeing.

Opening your bible. Reading a section. Twice. Jotting down a note or two. Sitting. Thinking. Praying. Wondering... what of this does God want me to take into this day?

Gathering up what is needed. Opening the door. Breathing in the fresh air. Admiring the blue sky and the tree limbs reaching up.

Enjoying the view out the car window. Waving to a friend walking the dog. 

Going with the flow. Uplifting music making you dance in your head. Fingers tapping the steering wheel.

Arriving safe and sound. Greeting others with a nod and a smile. Knowing there is time and ability to complete the task before you. The uplifting music from the car radio still humming through your mind.

A sip of wine as meat browns in the pan. The crisp sound of vegetables being chopped up. Rice steaming to perfection. Sitting down. Saying grace. Holding hands. Light conversation. Lingering over dessert.

Counting the blessings of the day. Stretching out beneath cool sheets. Happy in God's provision. Resting in His promised presence and protection through the night.

Everybody loves different things on their hot dog. Some mustard. Some catsup. Onions. Even chili and cheese. And yes, hot dog relish. You get to choose. Choose how you will enjoy, make the most, of your hot dog.

And you.

How will you choose to relish this day?

 

My casting net is full of holes

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

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

Cast, I looked up, means to throw or fling, one definition said forcefully. As in, take ALL my anxieties and throw them with great aim and determination away from me and into the capable arms of Jesus. Oh, doesn't that sound wonderful?

But there must be something wrong with my net. I toss it out, full of worries and concerns - but some of them come back to me when I pull the net back in.

Maybe that's why we find our fishermen mending their nets in Mark 1:19. Maybe my net needs some tending to as well.

I have some holes in my net of faith and believing. Some doubts. Some impatience. I've certainly practiced throwing my net of concerns up to God. But then I pull them back and worry some more. How tiring; weary I am of them. Doing this same thing day after day. I need to remember that alone I can do nothing (John 15:5)

But in Luke 5, we see Jesus, present and involved and caring - telling them to let their nets down yet again (With Jesus. Right there. With them. With a net made of rope and holes.) And we see Simon say how we might respond as well: "Master, we have worked all night long..." How often have I endlessly tried to surrender my worries! 

"Yet if You say so, I will let down the nets." (v.5) Then Jesus' miracle.

Even with a hole-ier than hole-y net,  with Jesus, all things are possible. Worries and concerns can be cast off, despite doubts and fears and unknowns. Even in my imperfections of faith, with Jesus on the scene, nets can be flung and Jesus can make the big catch.

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

Another version says, Pour out all your worries and stress upon Him and leave them there, for He always tenderly cares for you.

I don't know the condition of your net. Or how well (or poorly) you are able to cast your burdens and cares unto the Lord. But know this: when you call on Jesus, all things are possible. Whatever is beyond your ability, He is able. Don't depend solely on yourself. You have a Helper and Friend Who can bring all things to completion.

Cast that hole-y net. Do it again. This time with Jesus. Simon and his fellow fishermen received a boatload of goodness from trusting Jesus. You can too.

I'm still gonna...

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Take that first sip of coffee in the morning in my fluffy robe and slippers

Pet the cat until he purrs - loudly

Step out the door and breath in some fresh air

Enjoy some uplifting music

Wear a favorite sweatshirt

Talk on the phone with a loved one

Stand over the stove slowly stirring a pot of savory stew

I'm still gonna love sunshine as well as big snowflakes

Stand in awe at the lakeshore

Laugh as often as possible

Take time to really rest

Sit quietly in candlelight

Allow myself time to read a real page turner of a book

Eat chocolate with my eyes closed

And still find comfort in familiar bible passages

Hum a praise song or two

Eat bread and drink wine

I will remember again and again: nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39), the care of God, the very presence of... God.

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion (meaning enough); therefore I will wait for Him. (Lamentations 3:21-24)

You will have a joy that no one can take away. (John 16:22)

Strength for today

 

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Lord, I surrender to You all people. Everyone is full of anxiety and concerns. I lift up every fear to You, Most High God, Almighty God, all powerful One, all loving and wise One - may our faith and trust be in You. Thank You for carrying us through every kind of ugly. You are where our peace and rest and security lie.. from Your names, Your Name above all names. Thank You for loving us, caring for us, guiding us, and calling, calling, calling out to us. Thank You for every provision. Thank You for seeing us through every yesterday.

Thank You for every morning I have ended up here in prayer - with every kind of prayer. You have a time and a way for all things, for the great as well as the seemingly insignificant. Thank You I am here in this prayer. Thank You for being here in this prayer too. Thank You I am called a beloved child of the Almighty. Thank You for loving so overwhelmingly and so completely. Thank You for having plans and purpose for me. Open my eyes to this day. Empower me heart, soul, mind and strength to carry out what You see as a good, "glad-to-have you on board" day.

My peace, rest and assurance for this day come in knowing Who You are. All that You are.

I will remember You.

I will.

Lord, I have chosen You alone as my inheritance. You are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion. I leave my destiny and its timing in Your hands. Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places. I'm overwhelmed by the privileges that come with following You, for You have given me the best! The way You counsel and correct me makes me praise You more, for Your whispers in the night give me wisdom, showing me what to do next. (Psalm 16:5-7 TPT)

Step by step - to beautiful

 

I received a gift card to my favorite yarn shop. Soon I'll be going shopping with a girlfriend. I'll be able to pick out some really beautiful, good quality yarn. I decided to make a cardigan sweater for myself. I spent days searching site after site, looking for just the right pattern. Read every detail. Considered this one, then back to that one. Re-reading and picturing the steps in my mind. Then I grabbed some yarn I already had. And started practicing the pattern. You see, some of it was a well known and familiar stitch. But I was going to go beyond the known and familiar - to trying the cable stitch. I read and re-read. Then pictured it in my mind. Then taking one step at a time, followed the directions, phrase by phrase. I practiced it. I tried again and again. I had to keep referring back to the original pattern a few times. But eventually I caught the rhythm of it. Eventually it became familiar and my knitting went along more smoothly.

Perhaps this lesson can be applied to reading the bible. First off, it is a gift. Then you get to decide. Then it's time to pursue with the same passion as looking for the perfect pattern. It's reading and re-reading and picturing things in your mind. It's the comfort found in familiar passages and then going beyond for something more. (Do you know that at one time I only knitted mittens, because I was afraid of patterns asking for more thought and concentration?) Breaking the unknown into manageable bites - referring back to the original words time and time again until this new enlightenment finds its rhythm in your soul. And now you have something greater and more beautiful than you had just staying at the level where you were most comfortable.

Will life go more smoothly with a greater knowledge / sense of God?

Will the unknown continue to hold you back, or will you dare to pursue God and practice pursuing God more - until eventually God becomes more familiar, more beautiful, more amazing ...

more.

Come to Me... (Matthew 11:28)

Return to Me... (isaiah 44:22)

Abide with Me... (John 15:4)

Gaze upon the beauty of the Lord (Psalm 27:4)

Who's on first?

 

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I had some good intentions. I really meant to write a blog post at least once a week. Why? Because my heart screams for people to trust in God. To be reminded to believe in how big, and powerful, and loving He truly is. HOPE in Him. How His presence carries us through every kind of thing. But I didn't make that goal. Fell short. The excuse I used was that I didn't feel the Spirit move me to write about any particular thing. So I told myself the time wasn't right and that when the time was right, the words would come upon me as they have so many times before.

In truth, I haven't been reading my bible as diligently as I should. I haven't spent any consistent, habitual time learning and relearning about God and His character. Oh, I do my morning devotional reading and it is based on a scripture passage or two. And indeed, others words have been helpful in keeping me centered. But my own direct reading of His Word, my own time mulling over phrases... wondering about entire accounts of people in biblical times - focusing, looking for God's hand in every one...

I shouldn't be sitting back and waiting for the Spirit to move me into action. I should be seeking and finding with some real intention and effort. Seek first, right? And all things will be added. (Matthew 6:33) I need to get my nose in the truth. His very Word. The one real, true source of connecting with God. And as I fill myself with more of Him, as found in His Word, then I will have some foundation for sharing with others. As I deepen my relationship, my understanding of God, then I believe I will know what to do. What to write. How to love. How to live. Yes, seeking Him must come first. From that one true Source. 

Pray with me. For me and yourselves as well. That we seek first, trusting that all else will be added.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Jesus answered, "It is written' Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4)

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 68:15)