What a captivating fragrance!

The fragrance caught my attention before I looked up.

Just walking through my new neighborhood. Enjoying the beauty of the sunny day and the woods all around. The blue skies. The fresh air on my face. The crunch of gravel under my feet. A most pleasant passage of time. Then this most amazing, appealing fragrance! - caused me to look up. These gorgeous hanging clumps of purple petals, dancing in the gentle breeze. Their scent drew me in to their even greater beauty. All my senses engaged. I was transported to a most lovely place. In that moment all that existed - me and the pretty world surrounding me. Filling me. Certainly affecting the way I am experiencing life; how I’m seeing my life. Confirming to me that God is so good!

God calls us to be like a flower. Well, He calls it salt and light (Matthew 5:13-14). But it’s all the same. Being salt and light (or a flower) is a representation of the God we know and love. And is a fragrance of Him to all those we encounter. That’s why it is so important to be this, do this. Yes, it may uplift another by being good, kind, generous, patient - nice. But more importantly, it is a display of God’s nature, His character. It is your “fragrance” that may cause someone to “look up”. To see God in a new way, or re-experience Him afresh, or even experience Him for the first time.

I won’t be able to pass another fragrant flower without thinking about this. As spring approaches and flowers start blooming where you live, I hope you think about this too.

Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread everywhere. - Song of Songs 4:16

May the Holy Spirit breathe new energy into you, that your walk in this world be as appealing and as captivating as these flowers were to me.

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. - John 12:3

Be that flower. Be that fragrance.

God will surely empower you… for it is His heart’s desire that all may know Him.

Back to Life

Some Old Testament readings are, well, hard to read. Yet today I persevered and a light dawned on one particular verse.

In Numbers 17, the Lord orders Moses to collect a staff from each tribe and place them in the tabernacle in front of the ark of the covenant.

Then verse 8:

The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff - had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.

The next day! From a severed stick! When placed at the feet of God; close to God. An undeniable sign of God’s power for them. Here we see God at work, the very next day, within hours! - a branch separated from the life-giving trunk of a tree, by God, has produced and behaving as though life is within it once again. We see something that was once away from God’s presence, brought into His presence - and given restored value by being returned to God. Could the same happen for us?

I don’t know how long those sticks pictured above were laying in the woods. Separated. Dead. Useless. But one day when my husband and I were walking, we sure needed something for support. Some help up a steep hill. And there they were. Useful once again.

Let me assure you, if you’re in a season of feeling lifeless or without a sense of usefulness, you haven’t strayed so far that God can’t reach you; it hasn’t been too long since you’ve been close to the Lord that He won’t welcome you right back in.

God is near. And He is smiling. And He is excited about you turning towards Him once again.

Just return to Me.

Joel 2:13 Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…

Draw near to Me again

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings…

Zephaniah 3: 17 He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

All you really need to know is that He is able…

He has experience in this life after death thing…

A Call to Joy

 It's another hot day and I'm trying to design Christmas cards! 

Art can be hard to do if you let it. One of the first mistakes is to try to do like everybody else. Another is to try to force yourself to do something (like draw a dog) when your heart just isn't in it right now. It seems good and right (to balance out all the cat designs!). But the harder I try, the more I struggle and the more dissatisfied I become with my artwork. I come to the conclusion that I'm not an artist at all. And that's simply not true. What I let happen was allowing predetermined demands and expectations to suck all the joy out of it.

A third is reading, studying, watching, and following all others - compiling all kinds of rules on how to do art.

Art flows from the heart. Art oozes. Art starts with a playful spirit. It splashes. Then layers. Then adds some more. It smiles. It is a joy. Forget what others are doing. Forget what you think you should be doing just because it would be good and right. And forget all those rules, rules, rules. Follow your heart.

The same could be said of our Christian walk. Yes, there are others doing really wonderful, good and right, things. But if it's not a joy for you... realize you just have a different joy-calling. Don't see their calling as better. You have a calling in your heart from God. One that is a joy to do. There are all kinds of callings. Something for everyone. You don't have to labor away, struggling and grudgingly, just because you see it as good and right. As with the artist, you might just start thinking you're not a very good Christian after all. And that's simply not true! Don't let demands and expectations suck all the joy out of your walk with the Lord.

But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? (1 Corinthians 12: 18-19)

What do you love to do?

What if money were no object?

What would you do even if you didn't get paid?

What do you do that you get lost in; lose track of time doing?

What causes you to smile to yourself?

There's the hint to your joy-calling.

Serve the Lord with gladness! Get rid of all those rules and preconceived notions. Just sit for a minute. Close your eyes and lay your palms up and open. Ask God for your joy-calling. What's the first thing that pops into your mind? Don't be too quick to dismiss it. Ponder. Seek. Ask. Let it flow. Ooze. Splash. Smile.

Living out your God-given joy-calling IS the good and right thing to do!

... so that they may have the full measure of My joy within them. (John 17:13)

Don't forget to check out the offerings in my CARD SHOP! The link is below: (and then the download button)

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

May the Lord infuse you with strength

 

On my cancer journey, infusion meant sitting there with an IV in my arm. Hoping and praying the drug flowing in will have the desired outcome.

One dictionary defines infusion as this: the act of adding one thing to another to make it stronger or better; or an inward flow that helps to fill something. That certainly sounds like what we were looking for in the chemo treatments. Stronger. Better. 

I came across the "infusion" term when studying Ephesians 6:10. You might already be familiar with:

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. (NIV)

But let's look at other translations.

(AMP) be strong in the Lord (draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him) and in the power of His (boundless) might.

(GW) receive your power from the Lord and from His mighty strength.

(TPT) stand victorious with the force of His explosive power flowing in and through you.

All these verses call you to draw from, receive, indeed - infuse yourselves with the strength and power that the Lord is extending to you. Let God add to you so you are stronger and better. Let that inward flow fill you. It's a gift of God.

Is there someone you know who could use a word or two to strengthen them? A reminder that God is on their side - ready to infuse, strengthen... make better? 

How's your gardening skills?

 

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Why do seeds come with so many in the packet? I don't want or need dozens of the same plant. But planting is not a one-and-done kind of deal. You can't just bury one seed. You plant one, and another, and even more - hoping that SOME will sprout into the goodness and beauty you seek. But if nothing comes up, do you throw your hands in the air and say, "Oh well, I tried." No. You automatically know it's going to need sunlight and water. Probably some kind of fertilizer too. You need to return again and again to...  caring. You might invest some time in reading up on it to know the best tips on how to nurture and grow this kind of plant. You learn that some types of plants need to be held up with a string to guide the way. Some need an even stronger framework to help carry the load. And don't forget to pray over them!

If you're not familiar with the Parable of the Sower in the bible, you can read it below at the end of the post. It teaches us much about seeds and soils, planting, and caring.

The same principles apply to living in a Christlike way. Are you nice to someone once? Do you help someone once? And if you see no immediate fruit from your effort, do you throw up your hands and say, "Oh well, I tried."?

The "goodness" you plant in someone's life needs love and attention too, just like those seeds. You may need to be a little more invested, and need to return again and again to extend this "goodness" - if you want it to prosper into something beautiful and good. You might want to read up on it to find the best tips for helping in a situation. Find out what kind of support they need. And don't forget to pray over them!

So, how are your gardening skills?

Matthew 13:1-8

New International Version

The Parable of the Sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

I'm working on it

 

Many enjoy a good mystery/crime drama in book form or on the TV. They like trying to puzzle out the "whodunit" before the end. They become so engrossed in the details. What's happening now and how it relates to what has already happened. Involved. What fun sharing your guesses. Pooling your ideas together. Much like working on a jigsaw puzzle, who doesn't squeal with delight when fitting a piece in its exact spot? Making that connection.

God calls us on to walk together, and work together - without knowing the end result right away. God reveals clues  - step by step clues. God wants us engrossed and involved in His work in and around us. Watching. Trying. Sharing. Working on it all, piece by piece. 

Now if everything came together in one fell swoop, there would be only one blessing to celebrate in the end. But by doing it in bits and pieces, and enjoying each and every little victory (squeal with delight), we gain blessing upon blessing... we get to enjoy God's goodness over and over again!

Are you in a rush to accomplish something, or finish something? Ready to arrive at the final product? So you can taste that final victory? Think again. Don't miss the blessings all along the way. Relish. Relish it all!

Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor... (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

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. 

 

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 

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)

Come and get it!

© 2018 Julie Crane All rights reserved

The birds are feasting, again and again, at the bird feeder. The squirrels are constantly in the yard digging up and chewing up nuts. My cats will certainly howl if the food dish even appears to be empty! Even sunflowers keep turning their heads toward the sun throughout the day to soak up its offered nourishment.

Me too. I sure like my three meals a day (plus snacks!)

All creatures look to You to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things. (Psalm 104:27-28)

They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (Matthew 14:20)

What a awesome God we all have! Taking care of our needs at the proper time. Plus leftovers! As if to say, "There's more than enough. Come back again real soon!"

Yet do we feed on the Bread of Life, God's very Word, as often? Now, before you start beating yourself up, consider this. Do you sometimes:

• read a devotional or a randomly selected bible passage
• sing or hum a hymn or praise song
• read inspirational memes on social media and say "Amen"
• share scripture verses with others through text or snail mail
• read books or articles on faith and trusting God
• listen to faith based radio, audiobooks, podcasts
• enjoy nature in all its splendor

Just as we feed our bodies with real food, so we feed our souls with real spiritual food. We do! It's just when you first think of being spiritually fed, you may think of lengthy bible readings and intense meditation time.

Ask God to make you more aware of all the times you really are feeding your heart and soul with the good things God brings. Believe you are tasting and seeing the goodness of God.

God is surely all around and in every time and place. His hand is held out and open to you. 

Take. Eat.

And come back again real soon!

A new creation

I grew up in a small town. Stuck close to home. Didn't travel much at all - certainly not out of state. So it was quite a leap for me when I joined the Navy. Not only being far from home, leaving everything that was safe, secure and familiar, but being on my own.

I soon realized that all these new people around me didn't know me; my background, my experiences - who I was. The friends I grew up with always knew me as "too tall", kinda clumsy, awkward and shy. I basically had a clean slate with these new people. I could be anything and that's what they would know me as.

I soon met a girl also from Michigan. Oh boy! Someone from "home"! She came from an even smaller town. And she was spreading her wings. Heavy makeup, tight pants, dancing and clinging to very kind of sailor. Her "new creation" was becoming quite scandalous.

Joining the Navy, a new beginning had indeed begun. The challenges of boot camp clearly defined my old life as gone. A new way of life had begun. What I now knew changed me - there was no going back to small town Julie. I couldn't un-know the things I learned. I became stronger, more confident, and more self-controlled. The old Julie was gone, and the new Julie is here!

Can the same be said of our Christian walk? Of our joining with Jesus?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Though we may struggle from time to time, our hearts are now set on following Jesus and God's ways.

Yes. If anyone is in Christ.

From that day forward.

Your old way of thinking and doing and living is no longer as comfortable.

The new is here, now and forever. The Holy Spirit has entered in, constantly leading and guiding how we should think and do and live.

Insert your name into the verse below like I did and feel empowered:

Therefore, if _____________ is in Christ, __________ is a new creation. The old __________ is gone, and the new ___________ is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The following line is:

All this is from God. (verse 18)

Learning to do old things in a new way while I was in the Navy, and doing them afraid at first because it was so unfamiliar, made me a stronger person. Establishing new thought patterns made me a better person. Absolutely the same can be said for following Christ.

And it's all from God.

I will rise up

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Are there days when you feel like you just can't get it right? Whether it's dieting or parenting or just trying to be a good person... my heart starts off in the right place but I can't always seem to get it to play out in my actions on a regular basis. Sometimes it feels like real work. And sometimes, I feel like just quitting. Giving up. Saying, "This is who I am." Flawed. And failing every day at something I think is important.

But I rise up.

Every morning. I confess to God that I have not loved with my whole heart. That, in fact, I have not surrendered my whole self. For an example,  I have struggled with the battle of eating for comfort or boredom. I win some days and lose others. But it's a daily battle. Surrendering to God to be "Lord of all" feels near impossible. It, too, is a daily battle. I'm afraid of my weaknesses. I forget about His power and strength offered and available to me. I'm afraid of trying to surrender and failing yet again. But something in my heart and head says, "Just keep trying." A hundred attempts says more about me and my belief in God than giving up ever would. I really need to put more focus on the God-presence in everything instead of the "me" in everything. Watch, wait, be aware of the living God all around; calling us every time to a deeper, richer understanding of His character. What He has purposed no one can stop or hinder (Isaiah 46:9-11) And what He has purposed is great - beyond our understanding.

Start believing God can do things. Amazing things. Impossible things. Ask for impossible God-sized things, knowing surely the Lord will do it if it means advancement of His kingdom. (Having people know Him and love Him - isn't that what He wants?)

I will rise up.
Because it's important. Because my heart won't let it go. I can't shake it. Despite my shortcomings of moodiness, sharp-tongue, and laziness, I still want to try to be more like Jesus. I still want to stick my neck out there and try to experience Him, try to proclaim Him, and have others sense Him. 

So even though I fall short, I will rise up. Again.
To be that ambassador for Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
To live a testimony of His love, forgiveness and grace.
Yes. I will rise up. Yet again.

For best results

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Whether it's baking or dry skin, we all know things turn out best if we read the directions, and follow them step by step.

It's winter and my skin is so dry! My usual routine of lotion is just not working. I need to do something more. So I chose a different lotion. And the directions read: apply twice daily to clean skin. See improvement in three days. Awesome! I'm in!

After my morning shower, I rubbed the lotion in (in to my clean skin, as directed). But by the time evening comes, I am tired. And apparently too tired, to wash and dry and smooth on lotion again. So guess what? I haven't experienced the promised improvement in three days like it said.

Is your spiritual self feeling dry?
Are you stuck in your usual routine?
Do you need to try something different?
Do you need to read and follow the directions?
Do you really desire improvement?

There are many ways to improve your spiritual health:
try a new daily devotional
join a bible study group
share a cup of coffee and a chat with a Christian friend
follow a read-the-bible-in-a-year guide (yes. It's okay to start on February 9, 2020 and read until  February 2021)
weekly church services
Christian radio stations

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates... (Deuteronomy 11:18-20)

Are you looking for ways for things to be better? God has spelled it out for us. God has provided many opportunities for us. It's as true now as it was 2,000 years. 

For best results, read and follow the directions.

How thirsty are you?

I've been watching these plants. Hard to believe that just 10 days ago it was just a pot of black dirt. Look at 'em now!

You can't see from this angle of the picture, but there are roots reaching, stretching towards the water. Fascinating. They had to plow through inches of dirt to get to the water. They must have been so thirsty!

I don't know how one plant got so much taller and greener and stronger than the others. Maybe he was just so much more thirsty. Maybe the others had to navigate past stones. Or the sun was stronger at the back of the pot. But they all decided they were indeed thirsty. Thirsty enough to stretch, reach out, take this free gift.

Are you thirsty? For Jesus? How thirsty? Enough to reach out for it? Enough to believe He is there? Just as the water is in the bowl beneath the pot, surely our Lord is present and able to meet your need.

Luke 5:4,6: "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

The Lord is able to meet your need - abundantly. Receive!

John 5:7-9: "Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me." Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

The Lord is able to meet your need - believe. Receive!

1 Corinthians 3:7: So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, Who makes things grow.

The Lord is able to meet your need - stay aware of His power. Receive!

Revelation 22:17: Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

The Lord is able to meet your need - freely! To any one who wishes to take the free gift - of the water of life. Receive!

Are you ready to stretch your hand out to Jesus? Do you have a need that thirsts? Are you having to dig your way through blackness? Are you having to work your way around stones? Peter whined a little - after all, they'd already been fishing all night and caught nothing. And the invalid had his excuses too. Still, the remarkable happened.

Read these scripture verses again. And there are many more accounts in the bible of the provision of water by the hand of God.The Lord was able then. The Lord is able now. 

Selfie 2020

It's funny what catches your eye and makes you think thoughts.

This is me. Part snow white. Part dried brown. Once lovely to look at when younger, now there's beauty in a different way.

The white snow reminds me of the Spirit working steadily to make me look more like Jesus.

You see some snow (Jesus) in me. And you see some dried flower (the carnal me) there as well.

As with this nature scene, it doesn't happen all at once. But make no mistake, it is surely happening - to you and to me.

We are changing.

And as long as we stay exposed to the Source, the Power...

we will be changing.

But bring that dried brown flower inside (draw yourself in - in to yourself) and the progress will diminish, even fade. Not opening your heart and mind to the Spirit's movement limits all the Spirit can do for you.

Now you can see from the picture that not every flower is covered the same. Some have very little snow. Some are almost totally covered and bending down to the ground. Another reminder that we receive the Spirit's gift at a different pace, depending on our willingness to receive.

Think about the parable of the four soils (Matthew 13:1-6).
Hard ground, rocky ground and good soil. Do you have your head up like these dried, brown flowers? Still seeking, still wanting to receive? Still wanting to be... Be more like Jesus?

So let the snow fall on you.
Appreciate the slow and steady progress; the undeterred faithfulness the Lord has for you.

Receive Him.
Let Him cover you.
Enfold you.

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.

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.

All of me

© 2018 Julie Crane All rights reserved

If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? (1 Corinthians 12:17)

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30)


That pretty much covers it, doesn't it? Every aspect of your body... your life,. It's all connected. All meant to stay together. Work in harmony. Continually. God bundled them all up together with His "and ... and ... and ..." Not one without the other.

Your heart's passion does not stand alone. What you spend the most time on affects what you love and do for love.

Your soul's spirit does not stand alone. What you hold reverent and dear affects what you decide is important and how you think and do in love.

Your mind does not stand alone. What you think affects what you love and how you live in love.

And your strength. Your energy. Your power. What you choose to expend it on affects your spirit beyond your loving acts and how you think about loving.

Feed your heart with Godly passions and desires.
Feed your mind with Godly truths.
Feed your soul with Godly mindfulness.
Feed your strength with choices that nourish.

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:16)

As time goes by

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

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)
My husband and I recently celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. It's interesting to look back ... 

We've grown in love and trust. In the beginning, we made a choice to pursue this relationship. We spent time together. Got to know about each other. Sometimes he did things for me. Sometimes I did things for him. And at some point, decided that this is a person I want in my life every day. Through every up and down of life. Yes, there are days when I am mad at him. We don't always see eye to eye. And there are also days when I can't stand how happy I am to have him in my life.

My relationship with the Lord began much the same way. One day I made a choice to pursue this relationship. I spent time in prayer and in the Word. Got to know about Him. Sometimes He did things for me. Sometimes I did things for Him. And at some point, I decided that this is a Person I want in my life every day. Through every up and down of life. Yes, there are days when I am mad at Him. We don't always see eye to eye. And there are also days when I can't stand how happy I am to have Him in my life.

Spending time together, nurturing the relationship on a consistent basis ... growing deeper in love and trust. That is my wish for you and the Lord in 2018.

God bless!