What a Holy, Awe-inspiring Name He Has!

This morning is a must share as my heart was elevated in praise!
I began my day by rejoicing in my LORD through quiet time with Him. 
As the sun creeped upward in the east, I began reading Psalm 111. 
I can also use it as prime example of spending time with Scriptures and colored pencils. Except for vs 1 & 10, this entire entry is highlighted in yellow - declaring the attributes of God's glory & majesty.
What an awesome journal entry on the Goodness of our God!
I noticed how the verses describe the LORD & all His wonderous deeds to His people. 

Psalm 111... verse 2 tells us that those who delight in Him will ponder, so I'll pause with ____________________________  
Starting in verse 3, let's read it aloud together:

I  

Everything He does reveals his glory & majesty. 
Look around & journal: what do you see declaring His glory & majesty? ________________
Several hours later, I see a beautiful blue sky with puffy white clouds floating above!
His righteousness never fails.
Write down a time when you recall His righteousness coming to your aid. ____________________________
He causes us to remember His wonderful works. 
Name something: ______________________________
How gracious & merciful is our LORD. 
Testify: ____________________________________
He gives food to those who fear Him
Oh! I forgot breakfast! __________________________
He always remembers His covenant. 
When did you receive His covenant (Jesus) for you & how will knowing He remembers transform your day? ______________________________________________________________________________________________
He has shown His great power to His people by giving them the lands of other nations. 
Pray for current foreign affairs right now. ___________________________________________________________
All He does is just & good, and all His commandments are trustworthy... 
Name one & describe its justice & goodness: __________________________________________________________
He has paid full ransom for His people. 2 Corinthians 5:21 comes to my mind immediately. ____________________
He has guaranteed His covenant with them forever. "I will never leave you, nor forsake you!" __________________
He sent Jesus who "paid my ransom with His own blood" & sealing me by His Holy Spirit living within! _____________________________________
                                         What a holy, awe-inspiring Name He has! 
...
The believer's conclusive action & application: (verses: 1 & 10) 
(1) Praise the LORD! 
I will thank the LORD with all my heart as I meet with His godly people. 
Preparation to meet with God's people: ____________________________________________________________
(10) Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey His commandments will grow in wisdom. 
Your growth today: ________________________________________________________________
Praise Him forever! 
 

Color My World

You don't have to be with me very long before you realize I color my world.

I live by color. I think in color. I teach in color. I study in color. It's been that way for most of my adult life. It's my way to remember what I learned as I studied & listened. It shows me how to decipher what I need to understand and reminds me of the importance to grasp the Way the Lord prepared for me to walk. 

I have 3 priorities. Each priority is represented by a color that helps me remember God's declaration of an absolute truth about Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord.
I found that truth in Romans 11:36. 
            "For from HIM and through HIM and to HIM are all things. 
                                    To HIM be glory forever. Amen."
Proving I believe God's purpose in Christ, I want to live that truth in all I do. This helps me daily know & evaluate my heart is not deceived by shallow living. My mentor taught me that sincerely living truthfully would be able to be seen fitting together through my choices. Living by colored priorities shows me the proof of intentional living truth. 

Spain Interview (click on this to hear an interview: Journal in Color)
While visiting Spain this past fall, I was asked to be interviewed because a friend remembered how I shared my priorities in color. There was no preparation. 
Suddenly, there were bright lights and cameras with one instruction: "Share."
I told of my love for Jesus and his Word. I shared how much I wanted others to know His love for them. Because I needed to learn to "Speak Jesus" to others, I created a colorful method to remember and learn.
In this interview, I simply talked as I flipped through examples on journal pages I held in my hand. These examples are divided by color, representing my relationships. I carry this journal easily wherever I go so I can quickly give visuals of my priorities. Most of the pages show simple charts of how I think in life, study, learn & remember passages in Scriptures. It also gives visuals for sharing Jesus both to believers for growth and unbelievers for more understanding. It opens understanding of how a believer can prove obedience to God's Word in every area of life. At a glance, the colors broadcast a priority backed by Scriptures pointing to Jesus. As I record, I hope to prove that my daily choices remain balanced even in the little things.
My journal is full of color because I organize my life by color. To know the meaning of colors, you must understand my relational priorities and understand the reasons I chose the particular color for that priority. 
 
My relationships are all about HIM.  

1. My relationship IN Christ is to bring HIM glory. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 says, 
"For God, who said, "Let Light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. I have this wonderful treasure in me, although, I am only a fragile human. I have been given the glory of God (Jn 17:3) I want to carry it well and let it be seen in me! Yellow is bright, shiny and reminds me of glory. I highlight in yellow everything I learn about God - His character & attributes, His love, His thoughts for me, and His will for me and this world.

2. My relationship in the Body of Christ is my second priority because when this relationship is strong, I have a good spiritual support group for encouragement and a safe place to grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. This body has many members who have been given spiritual life through the blood of Jesus Christ's offering of His own life. His sacrifice of blood made it possible for Him to bring me to God. This Body is royal. (2 Peter 2:9) so I use BLUE to remind me of my membership in his Body. To encourage growth, this safe place has instructions on how to treat "each other."


3. My relationship in the Work of Christ wraps up everything else that hasn't fit into the other two priorities.    

God was in Jesus reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them. Jesus gave His life on the cross, willingly shedding His blood in sacrifice, to bring us to God. All mankind was going the wrong way - their own way (Isa 53:6). He pointed to God and said "Follow Me." Those who receive Him become His followers. Because Jesus wanted to stop everyone from the wrong way, I use RED to remember to help others Stop, turn around and look at Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth & the Life. (John 14:6)  

As the years have passed, the colorful practice grew quite by accident to portray a complete rainbow of colors. I found the reality of keeping my 3 relational priorities needed further explanations because things are not always as they should be. As in art projects, I realized simply combining the primary colors (Yellow, Blue & Red) with each other creates secondary colors (Green, Purple & Orange). These combinations helped explain to me what I was actually dealing with when confronted by mixed behaviors within relationships. 

Secondary colors can be for another post. 
But for now, taking the time focused on Christ's Glory (yellow), Christ's Body (blue) & Christ's Work (red)is a simple step in deciphering the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for me.  Here's how I start:
YELLOW - no matter what I hear or read, I ask, "What is this teaching me about God & His Son, Jesus Christ?" John 17:3 says eternal life is Knowing. I highlight or write on yellow the response I've learned. 
Example: I read: "The Lord is my shepherd."  Highlight: shepherd. Response: It is the Lord who shepherds me. 
BLUE - I ask, "What does this teach me about the Body of Christ, or the assembled believers?" 
RED - I ask, "What characterizes those Christ seeks to save? These may be precious opportunities where we can share God's message of reconciliation. (2 Co5:20-21)   

The colors are found in so many fun office supplies & stickers! It's easy to carry 3 colored pencils to use as object lesson items as well as coloring. There are post-notes, labels, stickers, papers, as well as pens & markers. Any simple composition notebook or journal can be used to record what you learn along your path but make sure the weight of the paper is thick enough to hold ink or glue! Make it fun & simple.
I hope you grab yours and begin the adventure of visual colors brilliantly lighting up your ministry as an ambassador! 2 Co 5:20 
I hope these colorful explanations encourage another to consider a more intentional way to move from abstract concepts to more visual proof (2 Co 6:6) of truly living a balanced life that pleases the Lord.  

Struggling to Follow the Guiding Soft Whisper

With the pool closed for a month of coughs & a chill in the air, I've spent several quiet leisurely afternoons refreshing my memory with some personal biblical character studies. To make reviews memorable, I began to write somewhat speculative essays. Of course, these are fictional as I often read between the lines to imagine what it must have been like when their Creator entered their daily lives and culture.
I tried to envision their emotions struggling often in conflict with desired godly obedience. My thoughts penned formulated imaginary conversations between their own heart and mind as I asked the question: "What would it have been like to have your day invaded by an Invisible Voice of the known Creator commanding an action contrary to your daily activities? I wondered what it must have been like for them to walk by faith and please God long before God's beautiful message of reconciliation had been accomplished through His Son.

We don't often stop and consider that OT characters walked daily 'by faith without all the benefits we've been given through Jesus Christ. What a task they had to look forward toward the Promise! How different from mine was their relationship with the Creator! (Col 3:10Nlt)
I believe there is such hidden treasure in the richness of their faith. When simple English translations say with very few words the immense encounters these heroes experienced with the Almighty, it's hard to grasp the overwhelming struggle they may have undergone! As we read "He obeyed immediately." or "so he went"... I'm not sure we stop to think of all the common issues, thoughts, arguments, challenges, possibilities with emotions that fleeted through the mind at such commands.

Imagine what it would be like even today to hear a Voice command "Go!" and then, try to explain our actions to others! It would be hard to put into words why one was obeying a heard invisible voice. To speculate any hesitancy, doubt, fear or even the amounts of arguments one had within or with family members makes me realize how deeply their faith in the Invisible God really had developed.     

Today, many testify the difficult emotional depths of struggle conflicting with their desire to know God's will. Simple commands given God's children arouse arguments between reason & obedience. Confronted with written commands, different opinions question the reality of the command in light of culture and comfort. Contemplating this struggle today makes the ancients' walk by faith even more astounding, I can't help but wonder how hard it must have been to strive to do what is right by pleasing God without the spiritual strength I'm offered today in Christ.

In the following essay, I've considered the inner questions and longings I might have whispered in prayer, especially questioning if I had really heard and grasped God's command correctly.
If I had heard God like elderly Aaron, I think it would have been difficult to tell others I needed to leave home to wander in the wilderness looking for my lost brother of 40 years. I'm sure apprehension and fear would have choked my thoughts as I left civilization to go into unknown territory. Explaining to leaders and slave taskmasters a need for a leave of absence to follow an invisible Voice would probably have been denied and mocked. My choice may have made it more difficult for others who didn't believe or understand how one can hear audible commands from the Creator. I would have struggled to help others understand the need to take a journey into the unknown. Through the writing of this essay, I've been quite surprised at how many parallels there are today for us as we choose to be God's obedient servants and follow His voice into our wilderness.
And just we must do, these characters stepped out in faith, expecting the Creator to show them the way, often one step at a time. They struggled to obey and had to make life decisions based on faith, just as I must do today. 

A Walk with Aaron. 

His brother had been gone for 40 years; maybe he was even dead, yet the soft whisper on the wind told him to leave Egypt and journey into the wilderness to meet his brother at the Mountain of God. Given no map, he simply knew he needed to go into the wilderness to meet his younger brother. He did not dare refuse. Leaving the quarries was one difficulty he faced but getting past his family's arguments challenged his determined spirit almost to breaking. He just had to go. They finally relented as if he was just an old man who had lost his mind and was leaving the village to face death alone.

As he left civilization to wander the desolate plain, he longed to hear that Voice calling to him again. He wished for verbal directions, something tangible, something specific. He knew he was being led. He could sense it and as he trudged the rough terrain, he had an undeniable peace of heart. He trudged on.
At long last, hope was fulfilled. Far off in the distance, he saw his brother coming toward him.
Their reunion was sweeter than he could have imagined. The lost years had not destroyed their relationship and easily lapsing into conversation restored their love as they walked together again. Retelling stories of their different childhoods and the filling in missing pieces of the past forty years were shared as they returned to Egypt.
So engrossed in conversation, their steps slowed as they neared their destiny. His younger brother told him about the burning bush where the Almighty Creator had spoken on holy ground. Hearing again the lost name of their Creator, YHWH, felt sweet on his whispered breath. He was flabbergasted when told that he was to become God's spokesman, assisting his brother in leading the people of God out of Egypt and slavery. Uncertainty pushed his fears to the surface. The task seemed impossible.
He mustered new courage to speak God's instructions as his brother relayed them to him and he was overwhelmed to witness the powerful fulfillment each time he spoke. He was learning in fresh experiences that YHWH's great power came in simple gestures of obedience.
He spoke. Moses acted. Each time, God's instructions flowed through the two men in word and deed. Each command was followed by Pharaoh mocking the Almighty's power, intensifying the miracles and the attacks on Egyptian worship of false gods.
At last, the night of darkness shook and destroyed Egypt's dreams.
Every first born was dead.
Dressed and ready to flee as instructed, he thought the people of God could not be ushered out of the country any faster. 
They were free.

But this old man of past slavery would learn that newfound freedom took on a variety of challenges with required responsibilities and severe consequences. 

Marking Another Year of Faithfulness

I think it is only fair to pause as one marks another year of activities fading into vague memories as quickly as a vapor.

In this leisure moment, I'm pausing to mark, journal & thank the Lord for another year that has passed. It has been an awesome year of Florida sunshine, poolside BBQ & picnics with laughter & great conversations, new friends & visitors, travel, grandchildren's school performances & successes to cheer, and moments of teaching God's ladies while serving the Lord alongside a faith community. This pause is filled with praise to my precious LORD Jesus for the all the good He has showered on my days. 

My personal trek with the living God began over 60 years ago with the words "for you" spoken by Jesus when explaining His choice to die in my place. I received Him as my Savior and He gave me the right to be called by His Name. I love what I recently found of just what God did for me in Romans 1:5-7.
Throughout my adult life I've become more and more aware of the depths those precious "for you" words actually mean to me. To know that my Creator wants "good" for me has given me more courage than I've even imagined. My life has been so full of adventures and the solid promises of good have been the anchor of security through both storms & peace. 

I'm constantly amazed how our faithful God declares Himself present in our lives. Just recently, Don & I traveled again to Wales to visit our younger daughter's family. It's been said often by those from the UK, so I'll just agree with them.
 "Wow! It's so beautiful!"
Our Creator God did really good with the formation of those beautiful rolling hills & flowery meadows, making a perfect dwelling place for some of his lowly wooly creatures. Yes... there are sheep everywhere!!
Psalm 23 came to my mind as I watched a shepherd climb the slope to his flock. 

Each time we visit, we have wonderful times exploring the surrounding Brecon Mountains and the valley communities. On one hike, we stood on a Brecon Summit, to gaze far off into the distance. The shadows of billowy clouds darkened further hills in an array of green tones. We enjoyed our restful Teatime in the Roundabout and wandered the pastureland, marveling at God's creation covering the immense landscape & amazing cloud formations outlining the sky. 
                                                                            

One Sunday afternoon on this recent holiday trip, we drove to a very high peak. The road was narrow, muddy and curving sharply. It was very challenging whenever we met an oncoming vehicle. Each driver inched slowly as close to the hedge as possible to barely squeak past each other. There were also some tense moments when our wheels spun icy patches, struggling to grasp gravel to slow us down.   
Because the wind was sharp, cold and intense, we spent the winter afternoon exploring mostly from the car. The girls climbed out once to run & play on the lush green bluff but quickly raced back to the car, weary of fighting the gusts challenging their strength. Even dressed in several layers, I huddled in the car, trying to keep warm.
The beauty spread below the bluff was breathtaking. It was most beautiful when the sun shone on the houses clustered in the valley. The countryside was dotted with hedges, marking off roads and farms. In the distance, we could see the ancient stone castle, a fortress during many historical enemy raids.  

During those moments in creation, I found it hard to describe my inner feelings. I've almost accepted the possibility that there may be no words for such poignant feelings. A whispered hint might be that I felt like my soul encountered the closeness of my inner Anchor's Presence. Within me, I've held tightly to Him, believing securely His declarations of love explained in Scriptures. I'm persuaded my Redeemer lives. I know I live in His Presence wherever I roam, but there on the mountain top, my physical world was enveloped by His Majesty. The moments were poignant, vivid, flamboyant, yet breathtakingly peaceful.

I am so blessed. As I contemplate other days of this passing year, I realize I've encountered His Presence in so many different places. He surrounds me with good. The squeezes of little arms embracing my weariness, the smiles in friendships, a well-written text greeting, and the camaraderie found while serving our community have been just a few of the moments. 

Returning to our Florida home, our heated pool wards off the winter blues while offering leisure afternoons to float in the sun, relaxed by listening to the broadcasting songs, hymns & spiritual songs. These have been times of inner refreshing as well as more quiet hours to read & study Scriptures while basking in the sunshine!
I also find great enjoyment comparing my treasure hunts with what others have excavated in their studies! How blessed we are to have the technology to hear several weekly sermons, take classes online, hear pods, or read other posts sharing individual studies! All of these have brought such joy and remind us daily that we live in His Presence. 
So, life continues to move on with so much promise of adventures in the Presence of our Living God. 

I pray for my family and friends to be very aware of where the Living God is making His appeal through his representatives and the marvelous gift of God's kindness. (2 Corinthians 5:17- 6:1). 
May each of us gratefully join Him in the message of reconciliation as we practice His Presence daily through 2026. 

Peace in Flight

 

As I settled in my seat for the transatlantic journey, I mumbled how long the flight might seem if the three-year-old girl's uncontrolled screaming continued. Whatever the little one wanted was being denied as both parents and grandmother tried to restrain her flailing limbs with a seatbelt. Failure to ignore the situation was obvious as each passenger squirmed uncomfortably in their tightened seatbelts. Some gently offered assistance and others held bribes of treats, but as the official announcement ordered the "prepare for take-off", all shrugged off to their assigned areas, leaving the parents to wrestle the uncontrolled and very loud protests. 

My inner frustration turned toward heaven as I prayed for peace. I prayed for the noise to stop. I grumbled my own prayer-filled words, selfishly begging for peace and comfort. My praying was no different than the little child's tantrum. Directed at heaven, my secret whispering actually spoke loudly in protest for what I wanted & thought I needed. I was whining for my own soothing and comfort!
An author, AW TOZER, wrote: "Don't allow yourself to become satisfied with shallow, self-centered praying. STAY with God in prayer until He leads you to pray at the level He wants." 
My practice of prayer needed a change! I asked the Lord to change my heart to stay with Him, learn His ways, be more like Him and want His desires. 

Earlier in the month, a friend had asked, "What makes a person holy?" Most believers know that God has told us to "be holy as He is holy"; but we don't often ask how one keeps being holy. I took this question frequently into my studies, desiring God's definition to keep His children holy so they could serve Him, the Living God.

Scriptures declare believers are God's holy people, His saints, His treasured children.

  The Holy Spirit "set apart" those God had called; (1 Peter 1:1).
    In 2 Co 1:12, there's the possibility to live in God-given holiness with a clear conscience.
    In Ephesians 1:4, God chose for us to be holy & without fault IN Christ.
    Colossians 1:2 defines God's holy people as "those who are faithful brothers & sisters in Christ." and in 1:13 says, "HE has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins." One of my favorite verses explains the results of reconciliation. Col 1:22 says, "HE has reconciled you to Himself... and brought you INTO HIS OWN PRESENCE and you are holy and blameless AS you stand before Him without a single fault."  
    The author of Hebrews explains that holiness is found only in Christ's sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin.
Almost every NT book declares God's holy people, but for many, the "how" question lingers.
Is there something one does to stay holy in spite of daily activities?
How does holiness react to the interruption and discomfort of a noisy flight?
I know who I am in Christ, but in that flight, it was practicing a recent memory verse that taught me that holiness is marked by God's Presence. His Presence sets me apart.  
 

Moses was in dialog with God immediately following dealing with angry Israelites. He begged the Lord to continue to look favorably on them. He prayed, "Let me know your ways so that I may understand you more fully." His constant longing was to enjoy God's favor.
In Exodus 33:16, Moses voiced his new understanding: "For YOUR PRESENCE sets me & your people apart from all other people on the earth." (NLT)

As I know my God's ways, His promises become more defined and confident in my daily practices. He promised never to leave me nor forsake me. Knowing I am in His Presence, I practice living the reality of being set apart from all other people on the earth. My attitude and solutions to difficult moments become different. This is the difference we need to know.
His Presence makes me different.
As I grasp this truth, I imitate Him and want His desires to be my desires.

The noisy flight continued, but my prayers changed. I thanked God for His Presence & asked for His desires to become mine. I envisioned my Lord with me and began to ask His Presence to gently place His hand on the little one. I knew His Presence could soothe her. His touch could give her peace. I prayed His Peace for her parents and grandmother.

Then, my prayers enlarged. I asked His precious Presence, who offered His own life in sacrifice, to give them eternal life.
He could give them eternal peace. I began to pray for a family to have opportunities to hear the Gospel, to receive His mercy, and know His grace.
I prayed for each one to become children of righteousness who lived in His Presence. 

I stayed with God. The joy of praying for others on God's level filled my mind.
I lost track of time as I envisioned their salvation. I thanked the Lord for the privilege to pray God's will for them. As these thoughts thrilled my heart, I became aware that the plane had become peacefully quiet. 

I smiled. I believed the temporary peace was an answer for His future grace in this precious family. I understood His Presence set me and His people apart from all people on the earth SO THAT we could partner with His Son (1 CO 1:9) in the message of reconciliation.
Our message begins in prayer, asking His Presence to call out from us His Son's plea. His appeal to "Come back to God!" begins with our prayer for hearts to be opened. 

1 Corinthians 1:9 "God will do this, for He is faithful to do what he says, and He has invited you into partnership with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." NLT