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.

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!

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.

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?

A time to plant

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Who am I, and who is Apollos, that we should be the cause of a quarrel? Why, we’re just God’s servants, each of us with certain special abilities, and with our help you believed.  My work was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos’ work was to water it, but it was God, not we, who made the garden grow in your hearts.  The person who does the planting or watering isn’t very important, but God is important because he is the one who makes things grow. (1 Corinthians 3:5-7 TLB)


With all that's going on in the news lately, I am finding it hard to settle into some "God time". I've been waiting for some amazing message of inspiration and encouragement to write about in the midst of these hard times. I'm joining everyone in prayer for God to step in and do something. Why isn't He doing something? It's gonna take a miracle ...

Asking God for a miracle sometimes makes me think I see Him as a candy machine. Gimme what I want. Or like going to that fast food place where I can get it "my way". A miracle is when I don't have to do anything, right? Just do it, God!

But I think the real miracle is when God takes whatever little bit we offer - and brings about an amazing result.

Somebody donates water.
Somebody donates blood.
Somebody goes to hug and listen.
And real lives of real people receive real help in their time of dire need.

Everywhere you look, along with the bad news, is good news of people pitching in. People helping. Every little thing is turning into a miracle. A God miracle. Got your own set of troubles? Worried over loved ones?  Finances. Relationships. Health concerns. Feeling like God isn't making a miracle happen? Make an effort. Take a step forward in the right direction. Do your homework. Make the best choices you can. Do what you can. Above all, keep the faith. And watch for the miraculous hand of God. Because He is the One Who makes things grow.

Joy! What a treat!

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Taste and see that the Lord is good … (Psalm 34:8)

I’m trying out a new knitting pattern. Parts of it are quite challenging at first glance and I have my doubts whether I can even do it. Uncharted territory. Sometimes I’d rather stick with what I know. When I first started knitting, all I made was mittens. Safe. Comfortable. Familiar. Confident. Then the “dare” to branch out. To know more than I know. And then to experience the greater joy in that “more”.

 So, I read through a section of the pattern. And read it through a second time. Then read just the first phrase. Dissected it. Visualized it. And slowly comprehended it. Before I knew it, I’m knitting it! Each step started making sense. Each additional step added more joy and confidence in what I now knew.

The same technique can be applied to bible reading. Yes, it’s comfortable to read the same favorite, familiar passages over and over. But what joys are we missing? It can look challenging at first glance. You may even doubt you can do it. But are you ready, wanting, willing to know more than you know about God and His love?

Read through a section.

Read through it a couple times.

Read the opening phrase.

Dissect it.

Visualize it.

Taste and see …

Then continue on with the next phrase.

 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (John 15:11)

Courage is ...

© 2008 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

… your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. (2 Samuel 7:27)

John Wayne said courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. And I guess in some instances that could be correct. You can be afraid and yet still have the willingness to move forward with it. Like public speaking for the first time.

 The Bible has numerous places where it talks about being strong and courageous (Joshua 1:6 for example). And that may help when you’re stepping up to the mic.

 But there’s another scenario. The one where you don’t want to move forward. You don’t want to be courageous. Don’t want to go “there”. Don’t want to be told to be strong and courageous. You don’t care if God is with you. You don’t see “footprints in the sand” - you see being forced, dragged, kicking and screaming into an experience you don’t want to go!

 And yet … there is no way around it. There is no other way. And so, alas, what are we to do?

 “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (John 6:68)

 Yes, the Lord is with us in every kind of dire situation. But doesn’t He seem so far away sometimes? How can He really understand the fear you are facing today, right now?

 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:42-44)

Know this right now. Jesus understands to a depth no one else can. He will be your strength when it seems it has all been drained out of you. It is here and now when spending time with the Lord is most valuable; holding the most promise for strength, peace … and courage.  It is time to be with Jesus. A time to pray.

 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

 Yes. Even ordinary folks like Peter and John. Like you and I. Granted courage. Through Jesus.

Let us pray …

Pep Talk: Breaking Bad Habits

 

© 2014 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

Look to Him and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. (Psalm 34:5)

Stop it. Be finished with it. Set your priorities firmly before you.

Confess as many times as necessary.

Forgive yourself.

Keep repenting until it sticks.

 God knows your secret sin but does not judge. He desires to help you; desires to see you victorious.

 You need to pre-plan and pre-plan well. Learn from your mistakes without beating yourself up. Mistakes aren’t backslides but a renewed awareness of what will launch you toward your next victorious step forward.

 Surge ahead. Keep practicing what works. Make changes to what doesn’t. Pre-plan new and improved choices. Keep trying. Think: “Next time I’m going to do this instead.”

 Breathe.

Stay hopeful.

Picture yourself doing it; living it.

And calmly pray.

Calmly believe that God is truly good and that God truly loves you and wants the best for you.

Call waiting

© 2014 Julie Crane All rights reserved.

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:7-9)

O Lord, sometimes Your Word reminds me of my shortcomings. Maybe I need to be brought down a peg or two, stop striving for some excellence, some approval. Maybe just relax and release this drive to be driven to perform and have a bunch of activity. Is my restlessness from You, God? Is there some God-given pressing purpose that I am ignoring or is this still about impressing people and seeking their acceptance and approval? When I’m restless and bored, do I randomly fill in the time or do I take the time to seek Your direction? Or do I think once in the morning is plenty for the day? Do I need more drama in my life in order to sit with You, Lord? Can I be conscious of You in a restful state? Seek. Ask. Knock. I know You hear. Do I hear You throughout the day? Do I slow down and be still long enough to see if You have further input for me since early morning?

Breathe. I am still growing and learning and that’s a good thing. It’s good to have things to do and whatever you do should be done for the glory of God. It is always good to praise Him. But maybe it’s okay when things slow down and allow them to slow down, and to just pause and breathe and not be so quick to fill that time in with … anything. Is the Lord Himself slowing me down for a reason? Does He have something further to say to me? Am I even considering that?

Do I hear You calling? Am I listening for Your voice? Day and night? My Help before I even think of needing it. My Guide. My Hope. Remember Me … I remember you.

What's waiting in your queue?

 

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Don’t you hate it when you hit the print button and nothing comes out? Then you have to backtrack to the printer information screen and see two or three other documents waiting in the queue.

On hold.

Stalling progress.

Keeping something else from happening, from being released.

What to do? What to do?

You immediately start deleting.

Get rid of.

Remove each one in the way of what you want.

What’s left? What you wanted in the first place. What you wanted has now been freed and in your hand.

Are you wanting the peace of Christ?

Is what the world offers keeping you from the real peace found in Christ?

Rid your mind of all that is standing in your way of having what you want in your hands (and your heart).

Immediately start deleting.

Get rid of.

Remove what’s in the way …

What are you waiting for?

May the peace of Christ be with you …