Memorial Box Monday

I have been going to Linny's blog, A Place Called Simplicity, for quite sometime now and I always enjoy reading the stories connected to her Monday postings. She keeps a Memorial Box filled with reminders of how God has been faithful to her and her family. Each object has a story that goes with it. One example is a toy shark that reminds her of the time she was bitten by a shark in the ocean, but survived to tell about it. Sometimes it is difficult to see beyond our current circumstances, but by having a Memorial Box filled with memories and reminders of God's faithfulness, we have a visible reminder that we can trust God will work all things out for the best.

I have decided to start my own Memorial Day Monday posts, following along with Linny and many of her fellow bloggers. Today what comes to mind is a situation that occurred while we were living in The Philippines. I will use a Matchbox car to remind me of this event. We were getting ready to go back home to the US after Joel served for two years at Clark Air Force Base, and we were trying to sell our 1969 Nova. Cars were scarce in The Philippines, so we were hoping to find a good buyer quickly. Two men read Joel's ad about the car and wanted to test drive it. He met them in the Barrio nearby and told them they could not drive it, but he would drive them around in the car so they could see what kind of shape it was in. One hopped in the front seat, and another in the back and off they went, with one man giving Joel directions to turn left, turn right, drive here, etc. At one street when they told him to turn, a voice strongly spoke in his head, saying "DO NOT TURN". Joel hesitated and the voice said again, "Do NOT turn". Joel went straight and immediately stopped in a well populated area getting out of the car. The men were visibly upset, but got out and left trying to steal Joel's calculator in the process. Joel then got back in the car and drove home. Joel heard the next day that another serviceman had been stabbed and badly injured by two men who had wanted to test his car and had him drive to a secluded place where they stole the car and left him badly injured. We knew without doubt that God had protected Joel from harm. So today I am putting a matchbox car in my Memorial Box as a reminder of God's protection...even when we don't know we need it!

Fear Not

I live with chronic illnesses and lately I have been spending a lot of time bonding with my sofa. Being in a bad relapse can bring fear to the forefront of my days. Max Lucado's book, Fearless, has much to say on the subject of fear. In one passage he says:

"Fear may fill our world, but it doesn't have to fill our hearts. It will always knock on the door. Just don't invite it for dinner, and for heaven's sake don't offer it a bed for the night!"

The Bible has a great number of "fear not" imperatives where Christ tells us to "not be afraid" or to "not fear", to "have courage", and "take heart". Lucado says Jesus wages war against fear because He knows the power it can have over us. He provides us with the strength we need and gives us what we need to combat fear.

I Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love, and self-control."

Remember, when fear knocks on your door, send Jesus to answer it!

Please visit Spiritual Sundays at www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com for inspirational posts to read.

Thankful Thursday Thoughts

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5,6

This past week has been a tough one for me. I have been dealing with a secondary health issue for several months and it has now set me back into a relapse with my Lyme and CFS/ME. To add to the mix my back has gone out and I was exposed to mold which I have a severe allergy to. I am spending most of the time laying quietly, unable to be on my feet much at all. I am weak, having extreme exhaustion, and an increase of pain. I have not felt this bad in over two years. My hubby is fixing my meals, and caring for me which is difficult with his health issues and attempt to work part time.

Our circumstances have given rise to resignation and depression in me and everything looks very grey. At times I confess it would be easier to just give up hope. On days like this I am tempted to wonder what God is thinking! Is this really how he wants us to live? Is there any hope for better days ahead?

Joyce Meyer mentioned this morning that "We may not know what God is doing, but GOD knows what He is doing. Our focus needs to be on TRUSTING God and His plan for our lives."

Proverbs 3 came to my mind along with Jeremiah 29:11...The Message says:

"I know what I am doing. I have it all planned out ~ plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you pray to me I will listen. When you come looking for me you will find me."

Today I am thankful that I can trust God with all my heart. That He KNOWS what He is doing even when I cannot see the light. I am thankful that He will not abandon us to our illnesses, but has plans to care for us and give us a future. In this world and the next.

Today I am clinging to these verses, and as I spend the days putting my energy into breathing, resting, and healing, I give thanks for the hope I have in Christ Jesus.

Thankful Thursday Thinking

The earthquake in Haiti and continual strong aftershocks have devastated this small country. As usual, the children seem to suffer the most. Over the years many countries have worked hard to help the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Corrupt governments, hurricanes, and the like have continued to fight against improvements for the resilient Haitians. And now this. The people need safe shelter, water and food, and immediate medical care. It is confusing as to why it is taking so long for this to happen. Our prayers are needed.

Today I am giving thanks for our God being a God that moves mountains and make miracles happen. I am giving thanks for God loving us and hearing the cries of the suffering. I am giving thanks for all those who are reaching out to help the people of Haiti in so many different ways. And as I look around at the abundance of conveniences that make my life so easy, I am giving thanks for a safe home, more than enough food and water, and opportunities others in our world do not have. I am humbled. I am blessed.

Wednesday Wonders of Nature

Several days of dense fog gave our neighborhood a beautiful coat of white. Joel took these photos so we could share God's blessings of nature with others. Today we are expecting up to 1/2 inch of ice on everything. What a strange winter it has been!

Thankful Thursday Thinking

Today my thankfulness runs along the line of being able to curl up on the sofa or in bed with my wool comforter (affectionately named Woolie). I am having a few challenging days and to have the privilege to just retreat and take care of myself is a real gift when my body needs complete rest. God is with me, my hubby is close by, and my Woolie is soothing to my cold and weary body. I am blessed!