Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Our Way Home, Back to The Father

I suspect that most of us reading this blog could tell a story about being lost. I’m not talking spiritually right now, I’m talking in the physical. It’s funny about being lost. You never realize it until you have that moment of “epiphany.” (Usually defined as a sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something.) There are, of course, lots of thoughts that accompany that “epiphany.” Such as: “What was I thinking?” “I told you not to turn this direction!” “If you had listened to me instead of that GPS we wouldn’t be sitting here right now!” “How hard would it have been for you (me) to ask directions?” “If you had been paying attention instead of talking on your cell phone!" Etc., etc. ... Emotions tend to rise up as soon as we experience that “epiphany”. Emotions such as: frustration, anxiety, blame, anger, confusion , fear,  and helplessness to name a few. After all those things we settle down to rethink our decisions that got us lost and begin the process of getting back on track. Sometimes we can figure it out on our own and other times we have to call someone for help.
    
Easter Sunday morning as I was journaling during my quiet time, the following dawned on me about Easter. I had been journaling word statements about what it meant to me that He Is Risen! They were going something like this: Our Hope, Our Sovereignty, Our Strength, Our Provider, Our Rock, Our Redeemer. But then these two word statements rose up out of me, “Our way home,” “Our way back to the Father.” Before I had even lifted the pen from the pages I was moved by those last two statements. Had I ever really thought of The Resurrection in that way? I had thought of it from the standpoint of His return to the Father. I had thought of it from the standpoint of our salvation. I had thought about it in as many ways as we do think about it. But, I had never thought about it in those simple, tender words of truth, “our way home” and “our way back to the Father.” Our way home because it is the “only” way home for a lost person, and back to the Father because Adam and Eve had cost us our relationship with our Father in the garden. But the resurrection gave us the choice to have it back. When we are lost in the physical and/or in the spiritual, there is nothing like “finding the way home.”

Next week I will be sharing with you about our next conference which will take place this fall. So, be praying as I prepare the details to share with you. This is somewhat of a unique opportunity and I want to be clear in my communications about it.
  
Have a blessed week and remember... If you know someone that experienced the power of the resurrected Savior through the Easter Holiday, please make sure to welcome them home!

Love you all,

His,
Vickie

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Voices...

This past weekend my great nephew had his first t-ball game. If you are a parent you either remember those days, are in those days, or are looking forward to them (if your child will be playing ball someday).

Our team went to bat first. The young man hit the ball off that tee with gusto as it rolled heartily past the pitcher and over second base. Immediately, the voices rang out, “Run!”  Which he did... towards the same direction the ball went. (Ha,ha,ha,ha) Which made the voices ring louder, “Run to first, Run to first, Over here, Over here!” You could see the little guy experiencing sensory over load from all the voices which became nothing more than noise to him. Then finally, he saw the coach and heard his voice above all the noise and made it to first! Priceless!
 
My other favorite moment came when another one of our players hit the ball and all the voices started their chant of, “Run, Run to first” as the little guy just stood there in a daze looking at everyone. I could imagine it was like in the movies when you see the people’s mouths moving and their hands waving at a ballgame but the sound has been muted. Almost as quickly as all this was taking place, one of the batting coaches scooped him up underneath his (our little batter) arms and carried him to first base. Again, priceless.

I suspect we experience the sensory overload of voices some days in our life. Whether it is coming from our own self-talk, others (spouse, kids, family, peers, the world) and/or the enemy and his lies. I believe those voices can also leave us dazed and overwhelmed. When that happens, seek Him, listen for His voice and trust/know that He has you. Even if He has to pick you up and carry you to first.

Psalm 105:4 (ESV)
Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!


Psalm 34:4 (ESV)
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.


Psalm 9:10 (ESV)
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.


Psalm 34:10 (ESV)
The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.


Psalm 34:19 (ESV)
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.


Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
....fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.


Psalm 3:3 (ESV)
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.


May your week be blessed.

His,
Vickie