My Place of Grace

All across America flags are flying, speckling and dotting front door posts of houses, town squares and government buildings. July the 4th, Independence day, a day of celebration and commemoration of the birth of our country's religious freedom. We love to celebrate. We love our freedom. But do we remember how it came about? How we achieved it? The sacrifice our first settlers made and why? God...The desire to worship and serve God Almighty was the driving force behind the Declaration of Independence. I often think of the saying that freedom isn't free...and that's the truth. Our country started with nothing but a faith in God, they didn't know where they were going, when they'd get there, or even if they'd get there. But in faith they went. Jesus Christ, too paid a dear price for our freedom. For us to take that for granted with Jesus, with our forefathers, our service men...etc...is in itself a tragedy. Let's take this day to remember all that it cost for...

This is Jackie(or swedish, as my oldest son calls her)...She's been part of our family for 12 years now and has remained a steady source of joy and comfort for all of us. Every morning without fail I wake up and as I approach this trusting creature, wether I acknowlege her or not, her tail shows her appreciation for me. She is always there and always predictable. Isn't that one of the characteristics of God too? Always there, always predictable, steady, you can count on Him everyday, and when we come to Him he leaps for joy. I thank God for sharing glimpses of himself to me through His creation...When we attune ourselves to the things of God even our dogs can show representation of Gods nature. Thanking God for loving me and my faithful pup today.

As this bird surveys it's surroundings from atop the roof on which it's perched; we too must sometimes step back and look at our situation from a distance. It's then we are able to see the grander picture of what is going on. Taking the time to do this reminds us that God has a plan for our lives and our present circumstances are often times a tool used to achieve the means to the end. Take notice the cloud to the right in this picture...it's almost as if God Himself is giving the thumbs up. Looking through the lens of a camera can capture more than the eye can see at first glance, in the same way looking at our circumstances through the lens of God's plan can reveal the deeper meanings and help us through those seemingly impossible situations...All things are possible with God. It's for us to trust and believe.

Where does my confidence come from? A question I've been confronted with time and time again. Life situations keep pointing me to it. I am a Christian and I know that my strength, who I am, is supposed to be rooted in Christ. But is it really? If I am honest with myself, the answer is...I want it to be, I want to believe beyond any shadow of a doubt, that I am strong and secure in Him, a jewel in His crown, the apple of His eye. But in my humanness, there is always that seed of doubt, that gnawing feeling that I don't measure up, I'm a miserable failure over my life.... and actually without Jesus that is true. I am a terrible captain over my own ship. This is something I constantly struggle with. How do I let go of my expectations? How do I rest totally in the arms of the One who created me? The One who is in control? How do I reach that level of trust and contentment? I am on a mission, seeking after God's peace. This is what I want. I want to live out of this picture...

In quietness and rest, you hear my still small voice. I speak in gentle whispers Attentiveness is your choice. Attune your focus on Me in the chaos of the day. Come to me with your burdens, I'll chase your stress away. My yoke fits you perfectly, making your work light. Learn the way I do things, As you labor by My side. It is in trusting Me, that your path will remain straight. Obey my word as you walk the road On your way to heavens gate. I go before you and behind you, I am on either side; I make the darkness shine as day, When in Me you abide. I hold all things together with My strong and mighty hands. Shielding you from danger. Helping you to stand. Amidst the raging storms of life, I am the gentle breeze, That blows across the choppy waves, And calms the threatening seas. Peace is what I offer, when you choose to live for Me. Contentment in the craziness Of life's complexities. So sit with me and listen as I whisper to your heart Healing words of restoration That I am eag...

Ever feel like your always struggling to stay atop the mountain high? Or treading water in a stormy sea that threatens to drown the harder you try? Do you fight to keep your chin up, as worries fill your head? Relying on your own strength to chase away the dread? Is your energy depleted from your crazy hectic pace? Has your constant busyness drained the smile from your face? Does it seem that all the world has taken aim on you? And every way you turn there is a wall you crash into? "Well, I have a little secret. You're right where you ought to be. I, your God, knows what's best for you, and that's learning to rely on Me. So when you find that life is weighing heavy on your mind. I want you to switch channels, I will help you to unwind. Sit in My holy recliner, lean back on Me and relax. Trust Me to be in control, and I'll pick up the slack. You no longer have to struggle, I will bring you rest As you follow in My footsteps, knowing I, your God, knows best."

This morning as I prayed, God revealed this little snail on the ground at mt feet. I picked it up. it was securely encased in it's shell at the time and I placed it in the palm of my hand. For a long time it stayed safely hidden in its shell, but after a while of being very still, it started to venture out. I thought a moment about this, and a picture formed in my mind. We are very much like this little snail. We all tend to hide ourselves away when the world around us becomes too scary, big, and ominous. It is only when we feel safe and secure that we can begin to advance. The only place we can truly feel this kind of security in when we are resting in Gods hands. There we are safe, there we are protected, and there we can explore the world around us without apprehension. As with the snail, things will come along and scare us back into our shell, but when we stay in the protective shelter of God hands we don't feel the need to stay inside our shell for long. The other interest...

The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."...Exodus 33:14 Lord, our lives get so busy, We lose sight of what is true. Productivity become our idol Always seeking more to do. It's a trap we all fall into, Thinking more is always best. Relaxing seems a waste of time And it's laziness to rest. The world keeps moving faster. We try hard to keep the pace. Feeling worthless when we're tired; And need a break from life's cruel race. Lord, You never called it lazy Taking time to spend with You. It's in those quiet moments That Your presence can shine through. Let us just remember As we go about our days In His presence rest is given When we follow in His ways. M.D.

"This is what the LORD says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun , whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams." - Isaiah 44:2-4( NIV ) Have you ever gone through a dry season in your life or in your ministry? Listen to Gods words through the prophet Isaiah... "Do not be afraid"...could it be in those dry times in our lives that it is fear that is our drying agent, leaving us cracked and thirsting for that life giving water? Fear can cause all progress to stop. It paralyzes, limits growth, creates doubt, holds us back, and sucks us dry from the joy and prosperity that God has planned for us. The antidote for fear is faith. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is being sure of what we ...

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7 Waiting on the Lord Pondering His word Delighting in His way Praying through the day Humbled by what He has to say. Resting in His hands He eases life's demands Comforting my pain Peace and joy exclaimed Shining sunbeams through the rain. Showered by His grace Puts a smile on my face Praise to Him I sing My heart to Him I bring Giving to Him thanks in everything. I have a tendency to lose perspective of what is important in my life, getting caught up in doing things, an endless string of activity fills my days. All the "things I do" seem important, worthwhile and more often than not, provide a need for someone. My goal is to serve God, this is why I live. But some times in the serving, I get carried away. I find myself stressed out, my eyes lose focus on why I'm doing what I'm doing, and I...

Psalm 139 is of my very favorite Chapters in God's Word. This Psalm tells us some very important things about God's character and how He feels about each one of His children. In verses 1-4 tells us God knows us, intimately everything from the inside out. Verses 5-12 tells of Gods protection over us, He hems us in, goes behind and before us, He is with us always, shining His light, guiding our way. Verses 13-18 shows that God made us and values us, we are His creation made in His image formed by His hand and He not only made us, He planned out our whole lives for us before we were even born. We know He values us because His thoughts of us outnumber the grains of sand on every beach everywhere on this earth...imagine how many thoughts that is. Consider that...Valuable things are always given great thought and consideration. Verses 19-22 tell us that God who loves us so much deserves recognition and first place in our lives. He is our all in All and we shall stand up for Him at a...

See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. -Isaiah 48:10 We go through refining seasons in our lives. Times when God really puts us through the fire to rid us of impurities that take away from our being the person that He has purposed us to be. We need to go through these times as painful as they may be, because it's in these times when we are tested and proved. I write this because I am currently being put through the fire, looking at my situation in this way brings me hope and assurance that God has something important for me to learn through it. He is also using my testing as a means to witness to others as a source of encouragement and proof of His great power and grace when we choose to stand in our faith in Him. Don't get me wrong, though God gives me His grace to get through this time of fire and testing it HURTS! There is pain involved in this process, but as I continue to look to God, He is faithfully revealing His p...

I've been working on a publishing a book of poetry for the past several months. I am feeling this stirring of excitement as it nears it's completion. To be able to hold the compilation of my thoughts all together in my hands is to me, like scoring the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl or the game winning home run in the World Series. I started writing this collection of poetry a few years ago, during a difficult time in my life. In many ways it is my journey with God through that time. Thus I entitled it "Hand in Hand with God" He has been my "coach" so to speak, in this experience, and I give Him all the credit for training me to score! I wanted to share a little bit about this journey in my life, because I think so many times God uses difficult circumstances to reveal the direction and purpose He has for our lives. He reveals diamonds in the hard, dirty walls of our caves, and shines light and perspective in dark places of our lives. God brings beauty fr...

Well known author, speaker, and counselor, Leslie Vernick, will be presenting a free 2-session seminar for men and women on Friday evening, March 19th at 7pm at Faith Church in Allentown. She will be speaking from two of her books, Lord, I Just Want to Be Happy and How to Live Right When Your Life Goes Wrong featuring The TRUTH Principle. The Truth Principle Do you struggle to live out God's truth from your heart? Many Christians know more truth than they actually apply. Leslie offers a unique 5-step process called The TRUTH Principle that will help you: · Respond to difficult situations without losing your temper or your faith. · Break free from internal lies in order to fully embrace Gods' truth. · Develop the discipline to take your desires from dreams to reality. Lord, I Just Want to Be Happy It's not the new circumstances we often pray for that move us toward lasting happiness, but rather something entirely different. Drawing on her own struggles and those of people s...

A Prayer Of Thanks With a thankful heart I lift this prayer, To my God, my All, For His loving care. For providing everything I need, And guiding that I may succeed. For sustaining me though numerous storms, And showing Himself in many forms. For placing my feet on the path He has set And shining His light, lest I never forget. For calling me out of darkness and sin, And His still small voice set deep within. For His sacrifice that saved my soul, And restoring my life, making me whole. I will sing Your praises Lord, everyday! Exalting Your name as I go on my way. For You are Lord over heaven and earth! And I am ever so grateful for my second birth! May I make You famous in all I do! Bringing honor, enjoyment, and glory to You! Amen.

This poem was sent to me by a dear friend, and I felt the need to pass it on. * Life can easily feel like it's piling up on us, but God's word tells us not to fear. Psalm 27:1 says... The Lord is my light and my salvation -whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid. * We sometimes feel frustrated,anxious,and worried over things we need to face or are going through; but God's word says in Philippians 4:6,7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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. * There are days we feel our burdens laying heavily on our shoulders. The weight of them slowly crushing us into the ground. But guess what? Gods word has something to say about this too! in Matthew 11:28-30 , Jesus says: "Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ...

Today is Good Friday, the day we reflect on the trial and crucifixtion of Jesus. He was as a sheep led to slaughter, He became the sacrificial Lamb in our place. Jesus endured the most horrific slander and abuse and never said a word against His abusers. He did this in full obedience and trust of His Father. I often wonder how he managed to survive. As I thought about this I realized, that though for all intents and purposes it looked as if God had left Jesus at this time, God had in fact not. His Father made the way for Jesus to be able to endure. He was right there with Jesus through it all. Maybe He protected Jesus' mind by filling His thoughts with the things to come. We'll never know for sure just how, but I believe He did. I believe this because Gods word says I will never leave you or forsake you. That's just one of many promises...but that's a big one! When we go through trials and suffering How do we make it through? When we put our trust in God, looking back, ...