Wednesday's Whisper

2 Corinthians 5:7

 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Good evening, family and friends....

It's been a few days since I brought some tonic to you, but here I am again. I have a photo to share with you; one I took this afternoon:

This photo speaks volumes to me. I purchased the little shoe at Hobby Lobby this past week and, in case you can't read it, the words "Walk by Faith" are painted on the inside of the shoe. When I looked at this photo, and thought of the verse above, I was overcome with how all the items told a simple story.

The pictures on the right are of my parents when they were younger; and the picture on the left was taken shortly before my husband and I celebrated our 40th anniversary. 

My parents taught me to walk by faith according to the scriptures but, they not only taught it to our family, they lived it in front of us. I started my own walk of faith on May 1, 1965, and ever since then, I've endeavored to follow my Lord. 

My husband and I have walked by faith together for a long time, and we did our best to instill this principle in our children. We have many stories throughout our marriage of walking by faith, and how God brought us through each situation.

My walk with faith continues on even today and, even though I cannot trace God's hand right now as relates to a certain situation in our lives, I am doing my best to trust God's heart.

Wherever you are right now, trust God and walk by faith!

Hopefully, I'll be back tomorrow!

Thursday's Thought and Friday's Footnote

Psalm 40:5

Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Good morning, family & friends... It's Friday!!

I love this verse from Psalm 40, for it is so comforting to know that the Lord our God has performed many wonderful works, but His thoughts of us are many as well. The very idea that the Lord God Almighty thinks of me is greatly comforting yet overwhelming in its sweetness. God thinks about ME!! Now that is enough to start any Friday off as fabulous, indeed!

All day long, wherever I go and whatever I'm doing, God is thinking about me. I love this fact. It warms my heart in a way like nothing else can. I am not just a figment of someone's imagination; I am important to God. 

Another favorite verse of many is:

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Not only is God thinking about us right now, but He has plans for us. He cares about our future; and He is planning it for us, if we will only trust Him.

May your Friday be fabulous with our Faithful Father/Friend......

As a footnote:

If you are praying about it, God is working on it. Trust God's timing!

Wednesday's Whisper

John 14:27

 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Wonderful Wednesday morning to you all!

God has blessed us to see another day; may we acknowledge that it is truly HIS day and rejoice in it!!

The world is full of turmoil, and I would venture to say that there is a great shortage of peace among people today. However, the shortage is not among God's people, but among those who do not truly know the Prince of Peace.

Don't you just love gifts? I do. The verse above tells us that Jesus gave us something. He spoke the verse first to His disciples before His crucifixion (and resurrection), but His word did not stop with them. The peace Jesus told them He was giving to them, is still a gift that keeps giving today.

Peace. Peace. What a gift!!! In the middle of the world's troubles, and personal issues, etc., etc., we have a gift to hold within us every day. While others may be reeling and rocking under the effects of sin, we can be calm - all because of the gift of peace that Jesus gives.

This sweet chorus seems to be fitting as I bring today's spoonful to a close:

Peace, Peace, Wonderful Peace

by Warren D. Cornell

and W. George Cooper

Peace, peace

Wonderful peace

Coming down from the Father above

Sweep over my spirit forever I pray

In fathomless billows of love

Problems, questions, worries, and troubles are all around us but Jesus offers us peace... Wonderful Peace.... that's His whisper to us on this Wednesday!

God bless you... hope to see you tomorrow....

Tuesday's Tidbit

Psalm 71:22

 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

Good morning... Terrific Tuesday morning to you all!

The Lord is good; a very present help; a constant companion. While we can go to many people and explain whatever situation we want with them, there is One and only One who can really show us the way.

He is the One who has the answers.

He is the One who can lead the way.

He is the One who knows what is best for us.

He is the One who is available to talk with 24 hours a day.

Which leads me to this short but sweet and true chorus:

No One can touch you like Jesus can

No One can give you peace you cannot understand

No One can bind your wounds with nail-scarred hands

No One can touch you like Jesus can

I am more than grateful for this wonderful Friend, Counselor, Provider, Leader, Prince of Peace....

I am grateful for Jesus today!!

Hope to be back again tomorrow.........

Sunday's Specialty & Monday's Moment

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Good morning, family & friends!

Yesterday was a very special day for me, as it marked the 51st year since I became a born again Christian. On that day, May 1, 1965, I was filled with the Holy Ghost, and I spoke with tongues as they did on the Day of Pentecost so long ago. I found out God's Spirit is really real, and it remains real after all these years. I am overwhelmed both at the sweetness and power of the Holy Ghost that resides within me. How very blessed I am!!

Today, I remember back to this date in 1983, when our youngest son, Benjamin, was born. Another blessing in May; and once again, I am grateful to be born again and a mother. Two sweet blessings. God has been so good to me.

When I think of the big city of Chicago where I grew up, and that God saved my family out of so many there.... I am in awe of His grace and mercy. 

This song came to my mind, and it speaks what my heart feels:

He Saw What I Could Be

by Dan Dean

Verse One

A loser without direction

I drifted aimlessly

On the back side of a placed called "Nowhere"

Forgotten by humanity

When they talked about potential

They did not refer to me

'Cause everyone could clearly see

What I am, I'd always be

Chorus

But He saw not what I was

He saw what I could be

When He reached His hand to where I was

He made a change in me

For all He had to hope for

Was just a possibility

Still He saw not what I was

He saw what I could be

Verse Two

So now you know the reason

I lift my hands so willingly

If He hadn't found me when He did

I'd be lost as lost could be

And although I'm far from perfect

I'm even farther still you see

From the life I lived just yesterday

Before the Lord found me

May God bless you all on this Marvelous Monday. Rejoice in Him. Be glad in Him. 

Until tomorrow.......

Thursday's Thought.....

John 6:9

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

Good morning, one and all!

Somehow I have missed a few days of serving tonic. Life has been busy, and it seems we've been on the road a lot these past few days.

I have always been intrigued by the story in John 6 when Jesus fed the multitude. A small lad, possibly bearing a sack containing his little bit of lunch, seems to be the only one who thought to bring something to eat that day. But, he did bring something that day; something that he was asked to give up.

That day, the lad had a choice, and I wonder if questions ran through his head?

Why my lunch?

Can't Jesus use someone else's lunch?

But my mom packed this just for me!

It holds my favorite foods!

What is Jesus planning to do with my little bit of lunch?

These questions remind me a lot of life, especially when it seems that Jesus is asking something of ME. He has given me my very own special lunch, but I have often found myself in a situation where He is asking for me to relinquish it into His hands. I, too, have choices at times like these. 

Do I readily and willingly place my life (my lunch) in His capable hands?

What could He possibly do with my little bit?

My best choice is to take what He has given me, open my hand with willingness and love, and give it back to Him. 

Could it be that what I see as my little bit could feed a multitude? Only Jesus knows!

Let us pray one for another that we will be used for the work of the Lord! 

Monday's Moment and more

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Good morning!!

Monday's Moment has passed, along with Tuesday's Tidbit, and here we are, patiently awaiting Wednesday's Whisper. So happy you have joined me for three spoons full of tonic.... we should be better after that much tonic!

I knelt to pray yesterday morning, feeling the weight of some burdens on my heart, as well as desiring God's direction in a very special matter in our lives. Feelings of anxiety were trying to well up in my soul. Then, the whisper came.... Jesus reminded me of His Word.... Philippians 4:6 came to my mind. One translation says, "Don't be anxious...." 

What does anxiety mean? One definition is - a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease.

What does trust mean? I like this definition - reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence

Worry accomplishes nothing while trust in Jesus means we confide in Him, and rely on HIS strength and not ours. 

According to the verses above, if we will not be anxious about anything but pray to Jesus about it (with thanksgiving), then (and only then) will His peace keep our hearts and minds. Anxiety will always rear its ugly head until we pray about everything, with confidence and thanksgiving. The Bible is true... when we've done our part to pray, then the peace that passes understanding will KEEP us!!

I found this little poem or saying in a book yesterday, and I want to include it in today's blog post:

When we see the lilies

Spinning in distress,

Taking thought to manufacture

Their own loveliness,

When we see the birds

All building barns for store,

'Twill then be time to worry --

Not before!! *

I'll end with a few more verses:

Luke 12:24-28

24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

* Taken from The Speaker's Quotebook by Benjamin R. De Jong

I hope today's post has helped you. May we all pray today in earnest with thanksgiving.... then the Whisper of the Wonderful will come...... bringing peace!

God bless you... until we "meet" again!

Saturday's Snippet & Sunday's Specialty

Isaiah 6:1-4

1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

Good morning, one and all!

Today appears to be another sunny Sunday here in Tennessee. Looking ahead, tomorrow is the funeral of my Dad's sister, my Aunt Louise; then Wednesday marks the final service here at the First Pentecostal Church. Lord willing, on Thursday we move toward home, then on to another scheduled meeting for May 1st. God is good and faithful. On the good days and on the bad days, He remains constant and true; always the same.

During pre-church prayer, this particular church plays songs and one of them touches me every time I hear it. It's a song obviously based upon the above verses from Isaiah 6. I often think of Isaiah and what he must have felt when he penned those words so long ago. Yet today, centuries later, we can "see" God like Isaiah saw Him - high and lifted up, with a train that fills the temple! The feeling that swells up inside me is awe... and I want to weep before a God who is holy, holy, holy!!!

You Are Holy

as sung by the Pentecostals of Alexandria, LA

I saw the Lord, seated on the throne

And He's clothed in glory, and exalted high

And the train of His robe

Filled the temple

And the angels gathered round Him

and cried...

You are holy, oh, so holy

You are holy, Lord of all

You are holy, oh, so holy

You are holy, Lord of all

Woe is me, for I'm unclean

But my eyes have seen the Holy King

And He cleansed my lips

Right before my eyes

And the pillars shook

As the angels cried....

You are holy, oh, so holy

You are holy, Lord of all

You are holy, oh, so holy

You are holy, Lord of all

My heart's desire for today and for the rest of my life is that when I enter into the sanctuary for church, that I sense the power and holiness of God in a great way. I never want to take church lightly but especially not the presence of the Almighty God!

Enjoy your Sunday in God, and I hope to be back again tomorrow with another spoonful.. 

Thursday's Thought and Friday's Footnote

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Good morning, one and all!

It's a blessing to me to write this blog and share it with whoever chooses to read it. I am once again bringing you two servings of tonic in one, all because my schedule seems so sporadic these past few days. 

I found this short poem in a book yesterday (The Speaker's Quotebook by Benjamin R. DeJong), and I thought I'd share it with you:

When You Read the Bible Through

I supposed I knew my Bible,

Reading piecemeal, hit or miss,

Now a bit of John or Matthew,

Now a snatch of Genesis,

Certain chapter of Isaiah,

Certain Psalms (the twenty-third),

Twelfth of Romans, First of Proverbs --

Yes, I thought I knew the Word!

But I found that thorough reading

Was a different thing to do,

And the way was unfamiliar

When I read the Bible through.

You who like to play at Bible,

Dip and dabble, here and there,

Just before you kneel, aweary,

And yawn through a hurried prayer;

You who treat the Crown of Writings

As  you treat no other book --

Just a paragraph disjointed,

Just a crude impatient look --

Try a worthier procedure,

Try a broad and steady view;

You will kneel in very rapture

When you read the Bible through.

--Amos R. Wells

For several years, I read my Bible from Genesis through Revelation; then I skipped a few years, but I'm back again this year. This poem is so true - one can find so much more in the Bible - when we read it through!!

God bless your Friday and, if He's willing, I'll be back with more tonic soon!