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.

Please don't feed the...

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I just got back from my six-month checkup with the oncologist. It seems like such a long time ago that I had cancer (four years). I had the surgery, the chemo, and the radiation. And for me - that was the end of it. I was done with having cancer. But still, I had to start taking this pill every day for five years. And meet with an oncologist every six months - for five years. Seriously. I'm done with cancer. I'm feeling just fine. I've moved on.

So I had a talk with her today. Because I've forgotten the WHY. Why all this extended treatment - when I'm fine. I had to be reminded that research studies show that cancer returns, quite often, within those first five years. I needed to be reminded that the cancer feeds on estrogen, and that the pill I have to take does not supply estrogen to any cancer that may be lingering or develop. Don't stick around here, cancer cells. Nothing to feed on here! Five years. Research studies show.

It made me wonder - what else am I feeding that I shouldn't be? 

Could it be negative thoughts about myself? Beating myself up when I am truly a beloved child of the living God. And I am doing some good in the world around me. I am.

Am I feeding worries and frets? Do I set out a whole plate full of "what-ifs" for my worries to feast upon? When the good Lord constantly has His eye and His hand on me...

What books am I feeding my brain, my spirit? What kind of music? TV programs. People. 

Who am I living for?
What am I feeding?

"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? (Matthew 25:37)

I don't want the risk of cancer. So I'm taking the pill. Restaurant closed, cancer!
And I don't want the risk of living without the blessings of Jesus.

Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me. (John 6:57)

I want to be more mindful of what I am building up. And what needs to starve to death - for my spiritual well-being.

Food for thought!

And put a BOW on it!

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

The greatest lover of your soul is God. We know that, right? And because He first loved us (1 John 4:19), we have a clue as to how to love.

So when I read the verse from 1 Peter 5:7:
Cast all your cares (worries, anxieties, burdens) on Him, because He cares for you. -

well, that just doesn't sound like a very loving thing to do. Don't we think love should be pretty and comfortable and make the other happy? Isn't love supposed to look like - a gift? Dumping all my problems onto someone's listening ear can be a relief... but is it love? Shouldn't my prayers be filled with thanks and praise?

What I've come to discover is that when we cast our burdens upon the Lord, we are giving Him the biggest gift of all. 

I TRUST YOU LORD.
The gift of Trust.

Don't give any weight to your worries. Don't listen to their lies. Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, "Don't be afraid; just believe." (Mark 5:36)

I BELIEVE YOU CARE ABOUT ME LORD.

Remind yourself over and over that nothing is impossible for God (Matthew 19:26). Remember the cares, worries, burdens, anxieties He has helped you through before.

Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would. (Matthew 8:13)

I BELIEVE YOU ARE ALL THAT YOU SAY YOU ARE LORD.

Remember the rescues Jesus has done for you personally. 

They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." (John 4:42)

GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS, LORD UNTO ME.

Got burdens? Troubles? Worries? Do you know what it means to God to have you run to Him? To trust Him?

... the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. (Psalm 147:11)

So please do not fear oppressing the Lord with all your burdens and concerns. Casting them onto His shoulders is exactly what He desires of us. God's not counting up your doubts and failings. Love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5). But He is counting on you to turn to Him, trust Him, and count on Him. You may feel like you're not getting many other things right in life, but this, THIS... trusting in Jesus - brings great glory and honor to His name. 

Zephaniah 3:17:

The Lord your God is in your midst - a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing. (CEB)

The Lord your God is with you. The mighty One will save you. The Lord will be happy with you. You will rest in His love. He will sing and be joyful about you. (ICB)

And why?
Because... you... trusted... Him.

Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:8)

See there? Permission granted. Talk to the Lord. Your trust is a sign of love to Him.

Loved

Decades old. And it shows. I don't remember what it looked like new. Probably soft, cuddly and clean. It's been carried. And fought over. Tucked into bed. Looks chewed on even. Sewn up a time or two. Probably washed and washed.

And now look at it. Hair missing. Wrinkles showing. Gray that won't go away. Still in need of some patching up. Eyes not as clear and as sharp. Been through thick and thin it seems. But loved. Loved to death. That much is apparent. One precious companion for sure. Carried everywhere. Every place. Rescued from dangers. Lost - and found numerous times. Someone went to great lengths to keep it. And not tossed away for something newer. There was something about journeying together for so long. Love runs deep.

Are you feeling decades old? Do you feel like you've been through the wringer? Outside not as smooth? Scars from a few sewings? Gray that won't go away? A little stiff? 

Know this, my friends:

"I have always loved you," says the Lord. (Malachi 1:2)

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love..." (Jeremiah 3:3)

Since you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you... (Isaiah 43:4)

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He Who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah 46:4)

... as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:5)

I know God is holding you
in the palm of His hand,
and no matter how old you are today,
He'll always know you as His child. (author unknown)

You belong forever to God.
Wrapped in His forever love.
Forever carried. 
Forever washed. 
Forever found. 
Forever. 

I struggle with this verse

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I hate to admit it. But this verse comes and visits me more often than I can sometimes stand. One of those in-your-face verses. Makes you think as well as be challenged to examine your motives, attitude, and heart. I also hate to admit that I often quote this verse when someone is telling me their ministry isn't growing, or they would rather be in a different ministry. A bigger one. A more visible results one. Or "I'm doing the same things as her and I'm not getting blessed like her."

But here's the truth. From Jesus.

When Peter saw Him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." (John 21:21-22)

What's it to ya?
You must follow Me.

And not compare what you've been called to do, or where you've been called to minister. You've been called to do My bidding. 

I admit I've fallen victim to some of these lies. The comparison lie. The "why aren't You blessing me equally?" lie. And Jesus is having none of it. You obey Me. You follow Me. Never mind what everybody else is doing. What everybody else is getting. Ouch.

Jesus has a calling and a purpose designed exclusively for you - and one for me. You can't do someone else's. And no one can do yours. We gotta all work together - each doing their part.  There is no "ME" in Jesus - only an "US". And in whatever way He calls us, we are to reflect this Jesus to the world. Whether your calling is big or small, God has a purpose for having you, yes, you - there. This time. This place. And He promises to equip everybody.

You've heard it said: If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, start watering your own.

In other words, there is plenty on your own plate as you listen to and obey God daily. Keep your mind and energies steadfast on that.

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

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. 

Wha'cha been up to lately?

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

My first response is usually "nothing much". And what I probably mean is nothing profoundly exciting or interesting. Just regular day-after-day stuff that tend to fill my time. Cooking, cleaning, etc. Although when I feel the need to impress, to look like I've got some purpose and value in taking up space here on earth, I will lead with, "I'm still working on illustrating a children's book that I wrote". And that gets the desired, pleasing response.

I have to say I struggle with this concept of having to look, to be, interesting.

 I knit during the day. While I knit, people come to mind. Some I know have definite prayer concerns. Some I'm not sure why they came to mind, or what they need. But it is definitely a purposeful time laid on me by the One Who knows.

I read during the day. Yes, sometimes it is the Bible. And I do try to connect with God over some verse or phrase. Other times I am reading for enjoyment. And it helps me connect with who I am, what I like, what makes me laugh or cry. Fictional books also cause me to think of others. And reminds me of good times past.

I walk around during the day. Sometimes with music playing. Lifts my spirit. Makes me sing and dance. Sometimes I just walk in silence. And the most profound thoughts come to me in that silence. In the stillness, God-thoughts come. Thoughts about growing in faith. Thoughts about helping others. Or just how much He loves me. The Lord definitely feels present and connecting with me when all external distractions are eliminated.

Wha'cha been up to lately?
I knit. I read. I walk.

What have I been doing lately?
I pray. I connect with God. I gain insight into how to help others.

Appearances can be deceiving. While it may sound like a mundane, lazy life - in truth I have made myself available and open to the whisper of a Holy God. Kudos to all of you out there doing the Lord's work with your hands and feet. But know that I've got your back. In these silent, behind the scenes behaviors of mine, I lend support and encouragement to those who actively work tirelessly in their calling. 


Ever feel that way? Like you're not doing enough for God? Maybe you're just unaware of all that's going on inside you. Like me. God doesn't waste anything, or any of our time spent here on earth. All our up time and down time - being used by God. Listen to Him and not the voice in your own head.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

Here am I, Lord.