And you turn yourself around; that’s what it’s all about!

I’ve traveled a lot of unfamiliar roads since our recent move to South Carolina. I’ve relied heavily on my phone and GPS. Keeping it close so I can see and hear the directions needed.

But I had to take my husband to the airport the other morning. Early morning. It was still dark on my way back home. I was on roads I’d never been on before. But when the GPS said, “Turn”, I couldn’t see the corner. It wasn’t well lit. So I mistakenly went past it. And had to get turned around.

I’m embarrassed to admit it happened three times. Either no streetlight or the street sign was different than the GPS. Three times I had to get turned around. I had to take a right. And another right. And another right. But I had no choice. I needed to get back on the right road in order to get home.

Perhaps the same applies to walking our Christian walk. We need to keep our “phone” (Bible) close where we can see it and hear it. We need to recognize when we’re trying to navigate life in the dark. We may need to turn and turn and turn again to get back on the right track. 

The closer I got to home, the more light filled the sky. More light made me feel more comfortable. I was able to relax and actually enjoy the journey.

If it feels like you are traveling in the dark, let me remind you - you have a “GPS” system in God and in His Word. Trust Him to get you on the right track - towards the light - towards home.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. - Isaiah 42:16

That’s what it’s all about. 

Note cards are available again. Tap the link below. Now that I’m getting settled in the new house, new card designs will be coming soon!

https://intermissionsforhope.blogspot.com/p/card-shop-2023.html?fbclid=IwAR0PfUfptIdi_z94Sw9OwWi1MAy21muq2inyerUUjXMt4-Cyhhf6lQUE1fc

I'm still mad

I know, the bible says not to let the sun go down while you are still angry (Ephesians 4:26), but there are times when frustration and upsetness just seem to take over. On top of that, I kinda relish the feeling. Dog gone it, I am mad! I feel justified in being angry. And whatever it is, whether major or minor, I don't want it to happen anymore. I know you have felt this way too. I want to be mad and pout until everyone knows how I feel about the situation.

So I go to bed mad. Upset. Frustrated. Angry.

And in the morning, when I gather my bible and journal for morning quiet time with God... there it is. All those stirred-up feelings still nagging me. I try to push them aside. I try to praise God. I try to pray for others. But it's just like I learned at a retreat I attended last week. It's hard to figure out dinner when there's a bear chasing you. 

It's true. When there's a problem nagging, it is hard to focus on anything else. And near impossible to focus with the right heart. You have to make peace with what is bothering you. It needs resolution before you can be fully present for anything else.

 So I pour out my heart to God. The God Who understands. The God Who wants me to come to Him with every kind of concern. Even anger and frustrations. God is not upset or disappointed in me. Remember: we know that in all things God works for the good... (Romans 8:28) God can use this. Remember: nothing can separate us from the love of God, nothing in all creation (Romans 8:39). 

Know that God loves and accepts you in your frazzled state.

Know that God will heal and restore.

Know that God will bless you again.

God loves you. His love never wavers.

God will shine a light in the darkness for you.

God forgives.

God knows how to move you forward.

Just do the next right thing and before you know it, you will be able to look back and say, "I know that was You, God!"

Entertaining

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved

 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts...", declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

This bible verse can bring some comfort when a trusting believer lacks understanding of what's going on in their life. God is huge and does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). So, yes, His thoughts and ways are far greater. And we know God to be all-wise, all-knowing, and all-powerful too. God is certainly perfect in thought, word, and deed.

Yet, even though I've committed my life to Christ, some of my thoughts are not so Christlike. Some pretty ugly, mean thoughts seem to suddenly appear inside my head. Could it be - those kinds of thoughts are from the father of all lies, deceptions, and distraction? 

These mean, ugly thoughts are NOT mine. I agree with God in saying:

THIS DOES NOT FIT WITH WHO I AM.

Do not invite these kinds of thoughts to dinner. Do not let them spend the night. 

The temptation he is offering in our thoughts is not a sin. Choosing to act upon them is. I can choose not to yield. I can call out to Jesus and He has promised to supply proper words and actions. These are "Get behind me, Satan!" moments. I will say it again and again:

THIS DOES NOT FIT WITH WHO I AM.

So, what kind of thoughts are you entertaining? Spending time with? Know that Jesus will supply whatever you need.

All the other things

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. (Jeremiah 31:13)

I see it all around. People feel limited because of some thing they can no longer have. For many it is sugar because of diabetes. For some it is dairy products. Gluten. Or the challenges of sticking to a diet and exercise routine. Or fighting off boredom, even depression.

You can make yourself miserable focusing on what you cannot enjoy (“have”). It will surely grow and multiply until you fold under the pressure and weight of it all. Or you can choose, yes, choose, what else is available to focus on. There are 101 other truly wonderful things to eat and taste and enjoy. If you can’t run – walk. Restless? Struggling to stick to a plan? In all these things, you can create a list of options to refer to. There are 101 other things. You are not trapped. Cornered. Stuck as much as you think you are.

Search the web. 101 recipes for diabetics. Those lactose intolerant. Those needing gluten free. Preview menus before visiting a restaurant. Bring options that work for you to a potluck. And 101 things to do when you are restless, depressed, feel like eating due to emotional upheaval. 101 inspirational sayings and scripture verses to keep your spirits up.

Create your list of options. Keep it handy. Check, circle, highlight what works for you.

Choose. Choose this day … to trust in the promise of the Lord: I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. (Jeremiah 31:13)

Enjoy the other things!

When I've fallen

 

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:1-3)

 I remember one summer weekend when we went camping. My son was very young at the time. The first thing he did was get on his bike and ride around and around on the path. Faster and faster, as you know, boys go. I’ll bet he was thinking, “Life is good!”. We were all thinking that. Until he hit that dip in the road. And went skidding on both knees across the asphalt. Yes, as a parent, I had told him several times to slow down; that there was a safer way. But sometimes, no matter what you do, life happens. So I scoop him up, dry his tears, bandage the knees, give a kiss and a popsicle - and life continues.

 Was the pain completely avoided? Not this time. Was there comfort and love and steps taken to promote healing? Yes.

 Many of us don’t understand why God allows bad things to happen. I often have to remind myself that He has purpose in every thing, every event. Hard to understand. Hard, too, to remember that some things are not allowed in your life. Some things He does block, prohibit from happening. Action on His part … that we have no knowledge of; do not see.

 We all experience times when things go south. Sickness. Disease. Finances, Relationships. Go horribly wrong. And there is pain and frustration and anger. And why, God, why?!! Just as we don’t understand what He is preventing from happening, so we don’t understand what He has allowed. Yet we must cling to and constantly remember, God is all-wise and all-powerful. His love is forever and everlasting. And He wants it all displayed. He wants us all to see just how powerful He can be. Even in extreme situations, He is there to scoop you up, dry your tears, bandage, kiss, comfort. He wants you to see His loving response. He wants others to see His loving, compassionate, nurturing, parenting response. And be in awe at how amazing He really is.

 If you’ve fallen, if you’re feeling crushed – God has a plan being fulfilled through you. To bring glory to His character, His holy name. You and your clinging to Him are a part of that plan. A living testimony if you will. Someone is going to witness God in action through your trial. So, not in your own strength or endurance but the God light in you …

 Let God shine…

I'm up ... again

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

I was so excited when I adopted my five-year-old son. I had waited and planned and planned some more. I was ready to be a mom! Or so I thought. But, as life teaches us, not everything goes as planned. Parenting can be tough. There were certainly days when being overstressed or overworked or overtired took its toll on my parenting skills. Then I was not the best mother. But I could not quit. I had to shake it off and just get back to being a good mom again. Get back on the horse, so to speak.

A similar thing happens to me when I diet and exercise. I can’t tell you how many diets I have tried and failed. You’d think after all these years, I would give up. But no. Every few months the urge to try yet again becomes strong. The need to fit in my clothes and be healthy just won’t let me quit.

The same goes for Christian living. Regular bible study, regular prayer time, even random acts of kindness … some days I can do it, other days it is such a struggle. Like parenting, it’s not the ideal I desire some days. Like dieting, I continually have the urge to try again.

So I will not quit. I will not become weary in doing what's good.

It’s a brand new day and -

I’m up … again.