Do I Radiate

Moses asked the Lord, Exodus 33:16 "How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" I have been thinking about this for a couple of days. What distinguishes me from anyone else on the earth. How do people know that I am a follower of Christ. Does my face radiate everyday from hearing the Word? Moses after coming from meeting with God on the mountain, his face radiated so much that his brother and the Israelites were frightened. I have come to realize that I need to be checking myself on a regular basis on whether I am the face of God to people. Do I radiate love and compassion. Do I stand out in a group of people as someone who loves God with all her heart. Do I complain like everyone else when things are going great. Exodus 33:17,18 "And the Lord said to Moses, I will do everything you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name. Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory". Is God pleased with me, Do I spend enough time with him to know me by name. Can I ask of him to show me his glory. Even when I don't feel it, think it or believe it. The Bible says God loves me, and enjoys my company, He inhabits (lives in,is found in) the praises of his people.
So yes he will show me his glory if I ask......

IKEA

Monday, I took off from work, my dear husband stayed at the office for me (hated it) and I went with 4 wonderful women to the IKEA store in Charlotte. These are the same friends I had over for Superbowl Sunday, except for Rhonda, who was laying in the sun on a Cruise ship somewhere in Hawaii, (Don't you feel sorry for her). We had a great time, just looking, Diane went there for some specific things, but the rest of us just went to get away from it all. We stayed from 10:00-2:00 then went and had a great lunch at Olive Garden and finally made it back home at 4:00.
We all needed a day of fun, you see Katie broke her wrist a few weeks ago on the ice, Diane has been sick on and off for the last 2 years, and last week was a doozy, I'm just ready for spring and sunshine, and Rhonda well she decided to become semi-retired and spend some time with her friends, (her mother passed away 1 year ago tomorrow), we all were in need for some fun. The Lord blessed and it was just great.

Steady & Sure

What a beautiful day its going to be the sun is out in full, the temps are going above 45. Once again as I am reading be small groups book, I am reminded of how thankful I should be to know that I am a child of the King, The King who today still sits on the throne. Who today knows all, sees all, is in charge of all, and loves all. When I am lost in my own life, and I feel tired he is still in power. He is never tired, he doesn't sway to the left or right, he is stable and sturdy. Do I always feel stable, no, sturdy, no do I sometimes sway, yes. But I have a King who loves me when I am confused, tired, sad, happy, on top of things, behind in things, lost, found, lonely, and completely surround with love. Isn't great to know that no matter where you are in life there is someone who is always there steady and sure. If you get a chance go on u-tube today and listen to Thank You by the Katina's. Our mime team is going to perform this on Easter Sunday. It is just a fresh reminder of all we have to be thankful for.....

Rushing river power

In our ladies small group we are reading I Saw the Lord by Anne Grahan Lotz. Today, I realized the Lord above had this book picked out for me especially. Today I read, "But in those moments of despair, remember that God has allowed this crisis, and you and I need to be watchful for his message within the life storm." I am watching for his message....A few pages later she wrote" God may be preparing your heart for a life-changing glimpse of his glory,but before that can happen your burden may get heavier and your pressure greater as you struggle on through this life-shaking event." I pray that I pay attention to what is happening, that I see the message he has for me so that I can see his power and glory before me. In Ezekiel 1 he is describing the fire, the power, the sound and also how he fell on his face before this power, before the throne where seated on it the great power, like a rushing river sat. God told him to listen to him.. So in this time of great trial, I am watching and listening for this power....

Gathering

As the animals gather their food so should we gather........ I read a verse from the Bible this weekend in a novel I was reading. The verse is Exodus 16:4 "I will rain down manna from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.In this way, I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions".
God provided daily for the Israelites, all they had to do is go out and collect his provisions for that day. After the last few weeks I realized that I was expecting provisions for awhile, not for just that day. I realized that through all the trials and turmoil, each day he provide me with something new. At the end of the day, I slept pretty peacefully. I did have to gather unto myself his manna for that day. He feed me with positive feed back from many different friends, he protected me when I fell, (and I don't fall gracefully)and he showed me there are many people worse off than me. So today gather your provision for this day, not tomorrow, or next week or next year, just today and be blessed....