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