“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11-12

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When I was a child, we went to a remote beach destination for several years in a row. It was a place with long, wide beaches, Gulf Stream waters, and a haven for collecting shells of all kinds. A treasured find was commonly called angel wings. The goal was always to find a pair that had not been separated and had not been damaged by the tumbling surf. That was nearly impossible to do, but we still collected them in all sizes.

I was reminded of these shells and of Psalm 91:11-12 this week when I was involved in an accident that I not only walked away from, so did everyone involved. Yes, sore and aching later and yes, with damages to our vehicles but we walked away. It was a quirky incident that involved a dog, a stopped car that pulled off from the accident, the ability to not hit the truck in front of me but being rear-ended and rocking between the two pick-up trucks. Afterwards, once the dust settled, I began to be so thankful. It could have been a bigger truck, I could have been trapped, I could have been a lot of things but now just a few short days later and I am a-okay.

The entirety of Psalm 91 is a litany of the promises that await those who love and trust the Lord. It is a comfort Psalm for many, but verses 11 and 12 are a promise that God has angels, messengers of God, whose duty it is to watch over the lives of His children. I am not talking television angels, or Christmas lawn decoration angels or even pretty angels that we see in religious paintings and sculptures. The Bible is clear that angels are so utterly amazing and awesome that if one sees an angel, the first inclination is to either faint or fall down on your knees. Yet, most of the time we may not even recognize angels (Heb. 13:2), but this verse says they are working to keep us and lift us in the time of need. The Psalm never promises that sickness, trouble, danger or hard times won’t come around; it simply promises our protection in these moments.

This accident was not the first time I recognized angels watching over me. I have acknowledged their work at other times when I was in potential danger, when I was coming out of anesthesia, and once when I woke up one morning. It is not that I have seen them, but I understood that they were present and their presence always brings calm in the middle of what I am going through which I believe is the message they are sent to deliver. So in my little mind, I can imagine that one may have been holding me short of hitting the driver in front of me, while another one was holding my body intact while it was being jostled around in my seat. And perhaps there was one behind me, making sure the impact was not as hard as it could have been. And therein lies a comforting thought…it was not time to go home to the Lord, and the Lord made sure that I was preserved to tell this story to you. You may consider me crazy, I don’t mind. What I do know is that the promise of Psalm 91:11-12 is true and I am so thankful for the work of angels and for the God above who dispatched His angels just in the time of my need.

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And the dove came to him in the evening; and lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off so Noah knew that the waters were abated from the earth.” Gen. 8:11

It has been a full four months of life in a pandemic where life is anything but normal. Even as attempts are made to return to a work schedule or other activities, it still feels very temporary since clearly the virus has not run its course yet. Sheltering in has its benefits and its challenges and as the summer rolls on, the desire to do simple things like going to the beach or having a cookout in a park are do-able but not necessarily wise and so there is a bit of restlessness that I am experiencing while I wait patiently for this season to end. Thankfully, I can go for my morning walks and I came upon a weed growing singularly through the asphalt. At first, I started to walk right by it, but it drew me back to look at it more carefully. In it, I saw a sign of hope, a sign of survival in a place that it should not even be growing and I was encouraged to know that I too, will survive and even thrive in a season that feels as dry and hopeless as asphalt on a hot summer day.

Honestly, I have been pondering this for more than a week, trying to understand the message of this sign and late last night, early this morning I began to remember the story of Noah and the ark and more specifically the accounting of the dove returning with the olive leaf in its clutches. Most of the time, when we recall this story, we focus on the forty days and nights of rain, the flood and the promise of the rainbow at the end of the story. But there is an important part of this story that we don’t need to overlook and that is the amount of time it took between Noah’s entry into the ark and his exit onto dry ground. In doing the math of the entire story, I realize that the time in the ark was roughly 264 days. The Bible is clear in this as it gives the year, month and day of Noah when he entered, how many days it rained, how long it took for the water to dry up enough to see mountain tops, then there is the whole experiment with the dove. Even after the dove was released a third time and did not return, Noah still did not exit the ark right away. He waited on God to give him the go ahead. So what is four months of staying in the comfort of my home in relation to spending almost a full year pent up with animals and family in a large and probably a pretty smelly boat? While I am tempted to venture out, I am not hearing the voice of God tell me that this is over yet.

So how does a weed in the asphalt compare to an olive leaf after a flood? This year has been a flood of crazy situations that continue to deluge the land. It isn’t simply that we are in a pandemic, but there has been outright murder posted on social media, there have been protests and riots. The year began with the conclusion of an impeachment trial. There have been rumors of war, natural disasters, an invasion of insects and the list just seems to go on and on and this is only July. It may not be a water flood, but life has been an inundating flood that we have been watching while sheltering in, feeling perhaps helpless, confused and overwhelmed. When will it end? I don’t have the answer for that, but I have a weed growing through asphalt that reminds me that God has a way of preserving life in the most dire of circumstances and causing things to rebound and grow out of places that look like the absolute last place they should grow. The olive leaf indicated to Noah that God’s flood had subsided enough to let the trees begin to grow again. And still he waited for the go ahead from God.

Be encouraged today, that what God has done in the past, He can do again. But also be reminded that what God required in the past, He still requires today; that is to wait on Him even if it looks like the time is right. It’s not right until He says it is right. Circumstances require me to go out in a dangerous pandemic, but I use common sense, follow the rules and the rest of the time, I am waiting patiently on God to give me the go ahead to really venture out on a new dry ground that He has prepared for me. A place that will allow me to not just survive, but thrive. And that is what a weed in the asphalt means to me.

“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it give seed to the sower, bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Is. 55:10-11

Pandemic, social unrest, financial instability, political divisiveness, the uncertainty of our times, the loss of normality, work stress and tension all lend to a feeling of being in a very dry and thirsty place right now. I found myself this past week, feeling the strains of it all and my spirit and soul longed for refreshment and watering. I could literally picture my soul looking like dry, parched and cracked ground. I felt utterly depleted in the moment. So I turned to the place I know where I can find water for my thirsty soul, the Bible.

I was reminded in my reading that God refreshed Himself after six days of labor and created Sabbath (Ex. 31:17), that Elihu who held his peace in listening to Job’s friends, finally opened his mouth and he said it would refresh (relieve) him to let go of his thoughts (Job 32:20) and that friendship and fellowship brings refreshing to one’s spirit (1 Cor. 16:18). I am also reminded that Jesus told the woman at the well that the living water He offers will cause one to never thirst (John 4:13-14) and that He offers to all who thirst to drink and believe in Him, rivers of living water shall flow from their belly (John 7:37-38). These texts help me in my moment of thirst and dryness then I remembered the picture I took a few months ago…

On the particular morning I captured the image above, I was contemplating the times we have found ourselves in and the freshness, the greenery of the scene caught my attention to remind me that God is continually renewing, refreshing His creation. Nothing happens that God is not already aware of and the promise of Is. 55:10-11 is that His word, His intention, His will is never done wantonly but with a specific purpose and outcome in mind. Sometimes I wonder if we aren’t missing His word, not just the preached word or the text of the Bible, but the various ways in which God speaks…in rainbows and miracles but also storms and earthquakes, in the whirling of wind and the peace of a still summer’s eve, in the cries of a newborn baby and in the last sighs of death or even in pandemic and unrest. He spoke creation into being and it was. He is speaking even now and I am unsure of what He is creating or re-creating, but I will rest in the knowledge that His word is refreshment for my soul and water for my thirsty spirit and that whatever He is doing in this season it is on purpose with an intent to prosper. This is the true rain that refreshes.

Half the year is gone. I can hardly believe it. Just six months ago, I ventured out in a vision of how my life would shape up. It was the beginning of a new year and a new decade. Then on an early morning walk on April 5, I came across the scene of beautiful azalea bushes in full bloom with a street sign poking out between them. The road sign was an indication that the road was about to make a sharp turn to the left and that speed reduction was required. Even though a pandemic was brewing far away, it did not occur to me that life was about to take a severe turn that would require a reduction in the speed of life. Even so, the parody of this street sign surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation struck my interest and I took the picture. Little did I know that the very next day a shelter in place order would be issued by the governor and life as I knew it was about to drastically change. All that hope and luster of the New Year’s vision would be required to slow down and take a deep turn to the left.

Now here we are three months and counting and I find myself trying to figure out what’s around the bend. Slowing down has forced me to consider my path carefully, examine areas of my life that need work and most importantly to align my vision with God’s plan. it feels like an uncomfortable disruption to my life, but I’ve learned that when God puts us into a deep curve, it’s because he is forming us for His purpose.

This is similar to what God did with Paul in Acts 16:1-10. He was retracing his steps on his second missionary trip but God wouldn’t let him continue in the path he wanted to take until Paul went in the direction God had in store for him. Paul was trying to go right into Bithynia but the Spirit wouldn’t allow it. When Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia begging Paul to come help in that region, he recognized that God was calling him to a broader ministry area and in obedience, Paul ventured into Macedonia, what we know of as Greece today. Had he not recognized God’s hand in the vision, Paul would have missed the greater part of his ministry that would extend the Gospel into points west and into parts of Europe.

I believe that God has us in a deep turn right now. It’s time to let God speak, direct our paths and be ready for what lies around the bend. As hard as it is to be still, it is necessary to slow down so we don’t run off the path God is laying before us. Everyone is trying so hard to get back to “normal” but what if God is trying to create a new normal for us? What if the point is that God wants us to take a new direction? Can we be flexible enough and obedient to the Spirit of God to go where He leads us and do what He wants us to do? It is my hope and prayer, that I don’t run off the path, that I would be obedient and patient while waiting for this pandemic to pass so that I can be ready for what lies around the bend in this road called life.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” Prov. 29:18a

Without my glasses I am so low vision that I cannot read the big ‘E’ on an eye chart.  With my glasses I can have 20/20 vision.  Even though physically I can see, sometimes I lose sight of the general vision for my life, that God has a plan for me.  While I strive to stay connected to that plan, distractions, disappointments, life in general can cause me to lose focus.

I started this blog, because I believe, that God gave me this concept and that it is part of the bigger picture for my life and giftedness.  I had great intentions but perhaps the title of the blog let me think I could randomly post as ideas popped into my head.  Over time, I began to post less and less until almost not at all.  Leading into this new year and new decade, I have been earnestly seeking the vision for 2020 and points beyond.

The text above, really means that when we don’t have divine or prophetic revelation, we cast off restraint.  As I have been meditating upon the direction of my life and the direction God wants to take this particular gift into the future, I’ve come to realize that without seeking His face and understanding, I am prone to wandering off in all kinds of directions.  The fact of the matter is that writing, even about random thoughts and ideas, requires restraint, focus, intentionality and discipline.  God has given me a fresh understanding of why this process is important for my growth and to provide ideas to anyone who will read it.  He has effectively put my eyes back into focus to take up the process all over again.  Pray for me that I remain on the pathway, keep my 2020″vision” so that I can continue to do His will and fulfill the calling He places on my life.

In the still of a summer afternoon,                                          

            Hummingbirds are hovering,

            Dragonflies are cruising,

            Butterflies are fluttering and

            Bees are buzzing.

            I am blessed.

In the still of a summer afternoon,

            Temperature is rising

            Breeze is barely blowing

            The windchime barely tinkling.

            I am blessed.

In the still of a summer afternoon,

            The world is raging,

            Hate is rumbling,

            Death is creeping

            Violence is ravaging.

            I am blessed.

In the still of a summer afternoon,

            What is, has been and will still be

            Time is not still

            Hummingbirds hover, dragonflies cruise,

            Butterflies flutter, bees buzz.

            And I am still blessed.

(I ran across this in my archives and wanted to share because my mind has been on the details in the small stuff)

One day as I washed dishes, I watched a tiny ant crawling across my window sill.  it caught my eye because it was carrying the wing of another insect at least ten times bigger than itself.  It held this wing out ahead and was trying to find its way back to the nest.  It inevitably bumped into objects along the way, yet it never once stopped looking for its exit until finally it came to a crack in the window pane.  I thought, “no way!”  Then, that little ant began turning that wing and pushing it and in a quick moment it passed through.  I had no doubt that that ant didn’t make it back to the nest.

What immediately came to my mind was Phil. 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Studies show that ants have an internal tracking system to their nest and their queen.  They lay down scent trails as well and we are all familiar with their work ethic.  People also have an internal tracking system, the Holy Spirit, and God’s word as our scent trail which leads us back to Him.  He gives us tasks to do, ministries to accomplish and this is where we all too often differ from our ant counterparts.  We bump into obstacles and we don’t seek a way around it, crying and complaining about the size of our load.  We hit oppositions along the way and we lay that task or ministry or calling down, whining that it’s too hard.  And when we are put to the test, instead of patiently waiting and seeking the exact way to get through, we run away.

What must we do is dig down into the Word.  We have to read it daily so as to let it become a source of strength to us in difficult times and circumstances (Ps. 119:105-112).  We must focus on God who is calling us home to Him (2 Cor. 5:20-21), who knows us and our purposes from before our birth (Ps. 139:13-18) and we must run the course of our higher calling (Phil. 3:12-14).  Yes we can do it, yes, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

All these years later since I first wrote this down, I realize that God has tasked me with many things, but he has purposed me for every one of them.  I have days and weeks like the past few where I wonder how I will make it through, how can I accomplish them all and I was reminded that I have to be like the ant, patient, persistent, and focused on my scent trail.  I have to keep pressing my way like a little ant with a big wing and a seemingly impossible  path to follow, but I Can Do It.

“For in Him we live and move and exist…”  Acts 17:28a (NASB)

Yes, it is a national holiday complete with parades, fireworks, cookouts and flying our flag.  Everywhere in America you will find red, white and blue.  We value our freedoms in this country.  This day is to celebrate the break from England and the establishment of a new nation, independent of English authority and rule.  Independence is the concept of being able to stand apart from and to be free from the support of others, whether it is people or governments or any form of authority.  Even children wrestle with parents as they try to exercise their independence .- from the terrible two’s to teenage angst and beyond.  Humanity highly exalts the ability and need to be independent and free.

Counter to this concept is the other side of humanity that craves community and the need to be a part of a greater body of people, whether it is family, friends or organizations.  We long to fit in and belong to one another.  It is an odd paradox we live in, one side of us craving to be free and the other side longing to belong.  We don’t want to be oppressed but we don’t want to be lonely either.  I think it is really a reflection of how we live in the nature of sin but are created in the image of God.  Where is the balance and how do we reconcile this paradox?

It comes first from realizing that as God’s creation, what Paul says is true; we exist and move and have all our being because of our Creator.  We were never meant to be totally independent of Him. The other part of this truth lies in understanding that until we break free from our sinful nature through Christ we will continually seek to be “free” and independent, but once we accept Christ as our Redeemer we find that we are free from sin and thus free indeed (John 8:36) .

The question for this Independence Day is have you experienced your own ‘independence day’?

“also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in his toil — this is God’s gift to man.” Ecc. 3:13

Today, I took an extended lunch to not only get a haircut but get a pedicure done.  I can remember a time when I would never dream of doing such an activity during the work week and certainly not during a lunch break.  But a few things have changed my perspective.

A few weeks ago I went on a retreat that was built around ministers and their spouses in which we explored not only the roles we all are involved in but the sometimes devastating and harmful impact it has on us – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  It was a very impactful retreat that brought into focus some things that I knew in my head but did not necessarily carry out in my life and in my heart.  I came away from that retreat with a renewed commitment to not only self-care but to be more self-aware of when enough is enough and tend to matters of heart and family.

Another thing that has changed my perspective is observing colleagues and acquaintances suffering from physical illnesses, weariness, mental fatigue and in some cases just plain old “going off the rails” in their behavior or actions.  As servants to God’s people we are always on call, always involved in someone else’s life and their problems and that does not include the day-to-day activities of keeping a church or ministry afloat.  A year ago, when I became quite ill with acute bronchitis, my doctor put me out of work, out of the church and told me to rest.  I started to object when he said something that really stuck, “that’s the problem I have with you preachers, you don’t get enough rest”.  I didn’t object to his demands but instead humbly took my excuse to my job and to my Elder and sat out for almost a week while I took meds and recuperated.  Those words have been resonating in my mind ever since.

So today, while thinking about someone I am deeply concerned about, in what from the outside looking in, may be a mental or spiritual break or just going off the rails, while dealing with my own brand of crazy on my job, while realizing that ministry is not for the faint of heart, I recognized a moment when I needed to step off the life wheel for a moment, sit in a vibrating chair and let someone else give me a pedicure and take a moment to enjoy the rewards of hard work.

What I once would have considered to be a silly and extravagant expense, I now view as a necessary cure for maintaining my mental, emotional and spiritual health.  Today it is a pedicure and a few moments on a sanctuary called my back porch to enjoy the evening breeze, the next time it might be a trip through the art supply store or swinging on a hammock or any other activity that I once viewed as frivolous and extravagant.  The bottom line is we all need to take a few moments more frequently than we probably take, to step away from the pressures of life, ministry, calling etc. and drink in the good things God allows us to experience.  It is His gift to us and the last time I checked, not accepting a gift is just downright rude.

I am convinced now more than ever, that God has given us a cure for stress, fatigue, burnout, illness and going off the rails.  It is the simple remedy of enjoying our lives, the simple pleasures and maybe even a pedicure at lunch time – not when we’ve reached our ropes end, but on a regular basis, a little bit at a time.  A few small doses along and along will be far more effective than waiting until we are beyond repair.  What is your cure?

In our area at this time of year, hydrangea bushes are starting to come into full bloom.  These popular bushes come in a variety of colors from a pale yellowish white to a deep purple, with shades of green, lavender, pale blue and pink in between.  We actually have two growing our yard, one a luscious light blue and the other a fledgling of a bush with pale greenish blue blooms.  My next door neighbor has some growing near the property lin that are a rich deep purple.  They grow well in our area because the uphold under heat and can thrive in the shade.  One thing we understand is that depending on the type of soil they are planted in, they may or not maintain the color that we originally planted.  It seems that based on the types and quantities of minerals and acidity in the soil, hydrangeas will change their color.  It’s all in the soil.

This reminds me of a parable Jesus tells and explains in Matthew 13 in which he describes how a sower drops seeds into the ground and based on the type of soil the seeds land in, they either grow to an extent then die or finally planted in good soil they thrive and produce an increase.  The seed represents the Word of God and the soil represents our hearts/our willingness to receive the Word of God.  Sometimes the Word will land on rocky soil and can’t take root.  Other times it may land in thorny or weedy soil in which case the seed grows but eventually gets choked off by the thorns and weeds.  But the seed that lands in rich and fertile soil, will grow and thrive to the point of being able to bear more seed/harvest.  It’s all in the soil.

So if you are growing hydrangeas and you want the blooms to be a certain color, you must be sure that you provide it with the appropriate minerals and fertilizer to make it happen.  if you want to grow in Spirit you must be sure that you provide a heart that is receptive, eager and open to listen to what the Word has to say and then respond appropriately.  It’s all in the soil.