God's Creative Lessons

My dog, Henry, is special. He's intelligent, full of fun, and courageous.  However, Henry is also full of mischief and although he's been easy to train he is not always well behaved and it has been a daily challenge to teach him good manners. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that he is a seven-month-old Labrador Retriever with all the energy, strength and mischief that is common to the breed at this young age. Some days I wonder if it was unwise to have chosen to adopt a lab puppy, especially at my age.

One recent morning, he was up to his usual mischief. He'd stolen my television remote and thought it was great fun to destroy it. And even more fun to keep it away from me. He wasn't about to give up his prize. After much effort on my part to rescue the remote, I was near tears and pleading with Henry to take pity on me. I tried to reason with him and told him, "Henry, I love you. Why are you doing this? I picked you from a whole litter of pups, knowing you were the one for me. I've loved you. I've taken good care of you and made sure you are well loved and well fed. I've spent countless hours training you, and I've been patient with you (most of the time). I know you are special and I have great hopes for you." 

And then ...

I heard the voice of my Heavenly Father. He said, "Bonnie, I created you and I chose you. I have loved you, watched over you. I have given you everything you need for health and life. I have great hopes for you. And yet, sometimes, just like Henry, you go your own way. You refuse to listen to me."

I stopped trying to convince Henry to cooperate. My frustration melted away. As my countenance softened, so did Henry's, and he gave me the remote.

How often I'm like Henry. And as he trusts me, I also can trust The Father. If only I will listen to Him. He loves me and always wants what's best for me. And even when I'm being stubborn and willful He doesn't give up on me. He always forgives me. 

How wonderful is my God. 

If I am willing to listen, He teaches me, sometimes in creative ways, even using my mischievous puppy, Henry, to help me see what is real in life and to help me better understand how deeply I am loved.

Is He speaking to you in a creative way? Be listening. 

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Is God Really Good All The Time?

Before I share what's on my heart today, I'd like to announce the winner of my Alaskan Skies series. Congratulations to Jennifer Sauer! I will be contacting you.

"If God cares so wonderfully for the wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?"

Often when I hear people praise God for something he's done in their lives or for their loved ones and they include, "God is good", I wonder ... how would they feel if their prayers had not been answered the way they had hoped. Would God still be good? 

My family and I have been through many agonizing days these last months. And I have asked, "Is God good all the time?"

Heartache has a way of driving us to God's Word. Here are a few scriptures that soothed my heart today.

Psalm 100:5 - "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever, his faithfulness endures through all generations."

Isaiah 51:6 - "My salvation will last forever."

2 Thessalonians 3:3 "The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." 

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble."

Job 2:10 "Should we accept good from God and not trouble?"

Isaiah 42:16 "I will turn the darkness into light."

The Lord loves deeply, beyond our ability to fully understand. He even provided a way for each of us to spend eternity with Him. He gave his son - what more could he give?

The apostle Paul proclaimed God to be good even when he had been beaten and imprisoned for his faith. He did not waver. 

God's goodness and love is infused in every book of the Bible. If I believe that His Word is true, then I must believe He is good all of the time. 

And I agree with Psalm 27: 13 - 14
  "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."


Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God - Do you need a bit and bridle?

I think mules are so cute. But I'd rather not be compared to one.

This morning when I sat down and read my morning devotional, Jesus Calling, the words on the page nudged me. I went to the suggested scripture reading and that's when I found out more about mules.

Psalm 32:8-11 says this, "The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control. Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!"

Do any of you feel like a mule that needs a bit and bridle? I hate to admit it, but I do . . . too often. Did you notice the part that says mules are senseless? Sigh. I know when I read that, that God is referring to people like me who get stubborn and want their own way. 

There was a time when self discipline (God's discipline) was one of my strengths. Now, most days, I struggle to do what I know is best for me. I am truly grateful for God's mercy, but I understand that being merciful doesn't always release me from the consequences of my sin. God wants better for me - if only I would obey. His Word says He will advise me and watch over me, and that He doesn't want me to be like a senseless horse or mule. 

It goes on to say that disobedience brings sorrow. But adds that those who obey will be surrounded with His unfailing love. What a beautiful promise. I'm so thankful for His love.

My life is good, but it could be better, richer, sweeter. He offers each of us SO much . . . if only we will listen. 

God has a BEST for me. He has a BEST for you.

This morning, I pray for ears that will hear and a heart that submits to His tender guidance. And I pray that my brothers and sisters in Christ will not have to be bridled, but will find freedom and joy in obedience, knowing that Jesus is Lord of all.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie   

Quiet Moments With God -- Roots of Love

This morning, feeling heavy-hearted, I picked up my devotional and my Bible. I prayed the Lord would meet with me. And of course there he was, waiting. He knows my thoughts before I speak a word of them. He knows every sorrow, every worry and all my joys. He's amazing Father God whose love never fails.

I read and prayed and then rested in His gentle, capable hands. And then I went to a section of scripture that has comforted me many times--Ephesians 3:16 - 19. "I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is his love."

Years ago, while my children napped I sat on my back porch and read these same words. I remember stopping to ask God to help me understand more completely. I set my Bible in my lap and looked out at a valley below my home. It was broad and deep and long and I knew that God's love would fill it and more. He gave me a glimpse of how great His love is. It is beyond human comprehension but it is real and will never fail us. It is His love that gives us strength and empowers us to stand against the storms of life, to trust and to forgive and to love. But first we must plant roots in God's love. Only then will we have the ability to rely on Him and to know the reality of a greater love than our own.

Trust in His love, not man's wobbling version of it, for God's love will never fail us.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

QUIET MOMENTS WITH GOD: WHY?

Last week I wrote about following God and then yesterday at church our pastor touched on the reason why we follow. I've been thinking on it. "Why do I follow the Lord?"

Take a moment to pray and then ask yourself, "Why?" Contemplate and wait for the answer.

In the book of Mark Jesus made an interesting statement to evil spirits that fell down before him. He gave them strict orders not to tell anyone who he was. Why would he say that? Didn't he want people to know who he was?

Of course He did. But who does the telling matters. The enemy can't be trusted. The demons only wanted to infiltrate and offer alternatives to what Christ was teaching.

The people God wants to speak up about His Son and to spread the truth are
believers--Christ followers. And so we return to the question, "Why do we follow?"

With fear and trembling I walked down the path of self examination. Was it possible that I followed out of a sense of duty? Could it be nothing more than a habit? What about personal gain? Or do I follow because that's what people expect? I wouldn't want to disappoint anyone. I cringe at the truth that my motives are not always pure. The world tugs at me.

While I pondered the question of why my mind carried me back to a day when I first met the Lord. The day I knew and understood, for the first time, that He loves me. I was so overwhelmed by this powerful love that I cried and cried as His Spirit was poured upon me. I wanted to tell the world about the God who loves us just as we are. The God who allowed His son to die for us so we would have a place in heaven. I still want to tell others. I love Him because He first loved me.

I searched my heart and found the truth--I follow because I love Him. I love Him!

Why do you follow?

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Hidden in the Crevice of a Rock

Recently during a Bible study Exodus 33:19-23 came up for discussion. Most likely we've all heard or read about this encounter Moses had with God. This time, while reading through the verses, God revealed something new to me, something He knew I needed to see. When I contemplate what happened between these two I'm so deeply touched that tears of thankfulness and love overtake me.

When Moses met with God he asked to see his glory. God's response reveals the Lord's tenderness and offers a picture of our God we rarely see. Scripture says, "The Lord replied, 'I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.' The Lord continued, 'Look, stand near me on this rock. As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will removed my hand and let you see me from behind. But my face will not be seen.'"

As I contemplate God's tenderness toward Moses I am bathed in the warmth of true love. I can envision God gently setting Moses in the crevice of a rock and then with a father's compassion He covers Moses with his hand, making certain he is safe. Moses sees God only from behind as He passes by, and yet he is transformed.

This encounter gives us a glimpse of what is to come. Our Heavenly Father cares for us with a love we cannot comprehend. One day we will see Him face to face and we will fully experience His radiance. He loves us with the same intensity that He felt for Moses. He is with us every moment, placing his hand of protection upon us. His love will never diminish.

We're always and forever His.


Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Tips For Triumphant Living -- Star Gaze

A few nights ago a spectacular meteor shower was forecast. My daughters and I decided we’d stay up late to watch and include the children. As the day went on, my grandchildren’s anticipation grew. In their minds I think they envisioned a fireworks display.

As darkness fell over our country home, we double checked the best time and location for viewing and set out our chairs on the patio. Wrapped in blankets we settled down to watch the show.

It was a very dark night with brilliant stars and an occasional flash from a meteor. A light appeared just below the tree line on the ridge above us. A brilliant half moon climbed into the sky. Its light brightened the heavens and dimmed the meteor show that was just beginning. Still, we saw flares of light in the night sky. One brilliant meteor burned brightly as it shot in an arc across the heavens. After that the display was more hushed, less spectacular. There was a sense of disappointment. We’d expected more.

Sometimes life is like that—our expectations are greater than the reality. Does that mean we have cause for disappointment? Maybe. But more likely we simply need to change our mindset.

The meteor display wasn’t what we’d expected, and yet we’d been given a spectacular view of God’s handiwork. And while we sat together gazing up at the cosmos wonder and gratitude filled us. My grandchildren were full of questions about the universe and God. They talked about their adventures and their fears. We made wishes and shared hopes and dreams. We hugged, laughed, and told stories, and we felt like part of God’s creation.

It was a simple evening spent on a patio gazing at a night sky, and yet it was so much more—it was a night filled with love. God surprises us. He is love and sometimes that love spills over into our lives when we least expect it.

His gift of that precious night will go into my book of memories. And the amazing thing is I can go there and open that book whenever I wish and relive the wonder. Memory making is important--they will be there when we need them most.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie