The Same only BETTER.

Looking for protection from the trials of life?

Some say the armor of Ephesians 6 is sufficient.

I say there's a new and improved version to consider.

Read all about it ...

Scrapped to Stellar?

It was a grueling experience.

At times I didn't think I'd make it.

Have you ever been there?

At the start I felt the same mix of exhilaration and apprehension as when I faced expert level ski trails called Black Diamonds.

1) I can handle this adventure.  2) I hope I make it to the bottom in one piece. . . . 

Read more at SandraAllenLovelace.

God's Promises in Real Life

Maybe you’re like me … or Asaph, the psalmist.

Sometimes we’re in distress. We seek the Lord, even at night, and our souls refuse to be comforted. We remember God and we groan. We muse and our spirits grow faint. 

We are too troubled to speak and we wonder if the LORD will ever show His favor to us again. Has He forgotten to be merciful? Is His anger withholding His compassion?*

The recent words of a pastor caused me to challenge my dead end thoughts. He said, “God’s promises float history.”

My mind began to race as my regular readers will understand.     He’s right.

God’s promises do float history. History unfolds according to God’s promises. From the instant He proclaimed the promise of a Redeemer in Genesis 3:15 all of history was orchestrated to bring about Messiah’s arrival and finished work at Calvary. Hallelujah

And every moment of history since the resurrection and ascension of Jesus the Christ is being coordinated toward His Second Coming and the establishment of the new heavens and the new earth. Those whom the Father gave to the Son will join Him and peace shall reign forever.

And so I rejoin Asaph.

“Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal:

the years of the right hand of the Most High.’
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.

“Your ways, O God, are holy.

What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.   Selah   …

“Your path led through the sea, 

your way through the mighty waters, 
though your footprints were not seen.

“You led your people like a flock 
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”  Psalm 77:10-15, 19-20

As surely as God led His people across the Red Sea into the land of milk and honey …

As surely as God led Naomi out of the trials of Moab to put Obed into her lap …

As surely as God led Esther down the hallway to the throne room to rescue her people …

He is leading and rescuing me and all those who “confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead.” Romans 10:9

We may not see His hand or hear His voice.

We may have questions or concerns because of the circumstances surrounding us. None of that matters.

None of it affects God or His commitment. He continues to keep His promises for my good and His glory.   AMEN

Listen to how Laura Story understands God’s promises in the midst of real life.

*echoes of Psalm 77

Naomi & Me Heading Out

I’m taking Naomi with me to the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference.

She and I leave on Saturday for this premier gathering.

I’ll have the Prequel as well as the Synopsis with me.

One copy of Naomi’s full story will be available for review.

My pitch is ready so I can represent her well in meetings and conversations.

I even have copies of the original article that started the whole project.

For that matter, I plan to share the piece titled “Doe the Nexte Thynge.”

Thank you for the encouragement you’ve been sending my way in this process.

Please ask the Lord to go before me, to direct my time and equip me to introduce Naomi well. This first offering in my Every Woman Trilogy holds a sensitive place in my heart and life.  Thank you, Dear Ones.

Did You Notice?

Last week was a wash when it came to this post. I was in the throes of completing chapter 9 and attacking chapter 10 of the Naomi manuscript. Thank you for your prayers for me.

1. More importantly, the time I was able to rip myself away from my laptop was spent enjoying the company of my grandchildren. The delight of being with my three favorite young people always lightens my spirit.

I'll have to ask Miss Mae how many times we sang this song in the time we spent together. A few, I would say.

The final verse of His Eye is On The Sparrow may carry the most powerful lyrics. See if you agree with me.

1. Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
   When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
   I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
        Whether from the outside or inwardly, darkness seems to attack.
        Events or thoughts somehow steal my joy, and my dreams fade.
        But EVERY TIME I turn to God, His presence relieves my anxiety.
2. "This is what the LORD says: 'Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.'" Jeremiah 9:23-24

1. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
   His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
2. The Father keeps close watch over each bird and, since His Word tells me He keeps count of the hairs on my head, I know I am more valuable than the sparrows. Matthew 10:31
   
   I don't think I can even imagine how closely He monitors and tends my well-being.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

"I [Jesus] am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10 KJV

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

May these truths fill you with confidence in the Father's love for you. Amen

If you just joined this review of the hymn written by Civilla Martin for which Charles Gabriel wrote the music, you'll want to go back and read about Killer Sparrows and the Sparrow Quest. 

Or you can simply start learning to sing it along with Miss Mae and me.

Let me encourage you to share this post with those who enjoy a song with God-honoring lyrics.