A Personal Note: Holiday Posts

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. ~Proverbs 16:3

These are the words the Lord whispered to me during my personal devotion time today. I love the way it reads in  the Amplified version:

Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and thrust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, ans] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

One of the "works" I've been praying about is the time commitment for the blog.  I love writing, sharing the heart of God and my journey. I spend time praying about each post and especially for each one of you. My prayer is that you will be drawn closer to the Father and seek Him in a deeper way. He is indescribably rich: full of love, mercy, compassion, wisdom, and strength. Oh! I could go on and on...

As I discover more and more about Him, I've come to understand why it will take eternity for us to get to know Him. He is so worthy of all the glory, honor and praise! One stanza in Amazing Grace bears my thoughts:

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun!

As I prayed the Lord impressed upon my mind to write two to three times per week during the holiday season. If you have signed up to be a follower or on the email list, the posts should come directly to your email. If you haven't signed up, perhaps now is the time to consider that option.  If you have been encouraged and ministered to, please share the blog with your friends.

May our prayers, worship and adoration to Him continue to be a sweet smelling sacrifice.

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. ~Isaiah 55:6

The Aroma of Worship

On my way to a meeting yesterday, I noticed an object lying in the middle of the road. As I sped down the recently paved highway,  my eyes discerned its distinctive markings and my nose quickly recognized the putrid odor. The black and white road kill was, of course, a skunk. I maneuvered the car as far away from the creature as possible without veering off the road to escape the disgusting aroma that now filled my nostrils. After traveling several yards past the road kill, the scent that had been released from its crushed body still invaded my car.

Traveling south toward my destination, I couldn't help but think about my worship. Was the fragrance of my life sweet smelling to God? Or when I'm crushed (like the skunk) with the adversities of life, is the fragrance I emit sweet or foul?

I smiled and thought how God would use such a disgusting animal as a skunk to challenge me spiritually. Everyday, I have the opportunity to allow the worship that flows from my heart permeate the heavens with the sweetness of the love I have for Him. Because He demonstrated His great love to me, I am the recipient of His love gift.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ~Romans 5:8

With this amazing spiritual truth, I sing and release worship...

Take My Life and Let It Be

Verse 1:
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.


Verse 2:
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Swift and beautiful for Thee.


Verse 3:
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Filled with messages from Thee.


Verse 4:
Take my silver and my gold:
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose.
Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose.


Verse 5:
Take my will, and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
It shall be Thy royal throne.


Verse 6:
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Words: Frances R. Havergal 1874.

Life as Ministry

Have you every felt guilty for not doing enough "ministry" or being "spiritual"? It's funny how we tend to segregate our lives into little neat compartments. When we read our Bibles, spend time having devotions, pray or go to church, those actions are neatly filed under the areas of "ministry and/or spiritual life".

A friend of mine, Dr. Dee, made this simple but yet profound statement, "Every aspect of life is ministry."

Not once did Jesus ever separate any aspect of his life into that which was spiritual versus non-spiritual. Walking along the road to Emmaus...that was ministry. Breaking bread with the disciples...that was ministry. Stopping to hear the cry of someone distressed or sick...that was ministry. He loved and cared for the people around Him, changing their lives by His touch and life giving words.  His entire life was poured out as a drink offering before The Father.

 It's important for us as the people of God to understand that every part of our lives is spiritual. The Apostle Paul literally begged us to get this understanding:

 I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.    

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
~Romans 12:1-2 Amp.


And Colossians 3:17 instructs us ...And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 

This amazing truth stopped by subtle fragmented thinking. No matter what I may do: caring for my children, loving and being attentive to my husband, washing clothes, praying or standing before a group teaching God's Word; it's all my spiritual act of worship and dedication to our beloved, Jesus Christ.

Profound...but true! All my life for Him!

My RSVP to God

I love being invited to special events: weddings, luncheons, afternoon teas. Each one has its own unique emphasis, ambiance, decor, food and fellowship.  My calendar, which often is full, is checked immediately to reserve the date and time to share in the celebration.

While reading James chapter 4, I took note of this verse. In the midst of the instruction, correction and spiritual turmoil, the Lord gently sends an invitation.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded. ~James 4:8

"Come close to Me.", He calls in the midst of all the struggles and adversity of life. Instead of running and hiding from Him as Adam did in the garden, we need to stop and run to Him. He knows our frailties and weakness', yet He is desirous of our company. The song Draw me Close to You is the cry of my heart, my personal RSVP to the greatest invitation I've ever received. Please take a few minutes and allow your heart to respond to this very personal invitation from God to you. Before you play the video, turn off the music on the side bar.

Draw me close to You
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear You say that I'm Your friend

You are my desire
No one else will do
'Cause nothing else could take Your place
To feel the warmth of Your embrace
Help me find the way
Bring me back to You

You're all I want
You're all I've ever needed
You're all I want
Help me know You are near