God is always there

"I will never leave you or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5b)

There are times in our faith walk that we may feel alone and lonely...we may feel that those we trusted in have let us down...deserted us. Take heart beloved child of God, our God has promised to never leave or forsake us. He is the one thing that never changes no matter what the situation may be. God is the one thing that humanity can always count on. Even if the situation seems hopeless and there seems to be no help in sight, trust in God who loves our very soul. So even if humanity has left you feeling let down and defeated take heart because our God never goes bake on His promises. And that you can "take to the bank"...

The Right Choice...

 Posted: 29 Jul 2013 11:30 PM PDT

WISDOM

Choosing the right tools makes our labors more rewarding.

Photo by Beverly J. Shamana

Sight Psalms is a ministry of the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church.

Life is full of difficult decision. We really do need to think about how we will handle what life hands us. Are we giving people the benefit of the doubt until we know the facts or are we just going with what we "think" we know?

When Jesus walked the earth, He showed humanity how they should interact with each other. Jesus never let how things appeared sway how He encountered people...how He dealt with people and situations. 

We need to rethink how we act or react to people and situations. There may be some underlying thing that we may not know and make our decisions on what we see. Things in life are not as simple as "black and white", life is made of a vibrant display of different hues and color. Think of all the heartache we could avoid if we really believed that people are "innocent until proven guilty."...

We, as humanity, need to be sure we are using the "right tool"...the right attitude...the right insight...as we interact with those who walk this journey along side of us...

Not Always A Straight Path...

Posted: 23 Jul 2013 11:30 PM PDT

JOURNEY

The journey of a stream is seldom a straight line, likewise our journey of faith.

Photo by Rodney Steele

Sight Psalms is a ministry of the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church.

Our journey of life and faith have many twist and turns in it. How awesome it is to know that we have a God and Savior that travel that path with us!

Shine!

Philippians 2:14-15

The Message (MSG)

Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns.

When we become Christ followers, His light begins to shine in us. Our journey of faith can make us shine even brighter as we become more like Christ in our actions and thoughts. It is that light that attracts people...that makes them want to have that some light in their lives. By sharing our light of Christ...we can affect a change in the lives of the people around us as well as the world in which we live. It is by this same light that our own paths are lit so that we may know the way to go. It is the Spirit within us that keeps the fire glowing.

Let me give an analogy of what happens when you open your life to the Spirit's flame...

"We begin with that closed door. It’s locked and bolted. Our life is dark. The shades are dawn to keep the light out. Then there is a knock on the door. But there is something familiar about that knock. We have heard it before.

So we decide to open the door just a little and in comes a breeze of the Holy Spirit. The fire place that has been cold and dark in the corner begins to glow a little. There is a little bit of light in the corner because of it. The light is warm and inviting so we open the door even more.

As we open the door the embers in the fire place of our heart becomes a blaze in the wind of the Spirit. Next thing you know you begin to open the blinds and are able to see outside. The next thing that happens is that you open the windows to let the breeze from outside come in filling your heart with the smell of Spring…the smell of love…the smell of grace. At this point there is no turning back. You love the feel of your “newly aired out home” and begin to warm yourself by the fire. That fire begins to change your heart and you yourself begin to glow with the love of God. You are on fire for God with an unquenchable flame. You become and open conduit… a means of expression…a channel…an instrument of the Holy Spirit touching the world around you."

How AWESOME IS THAT!!

SHINE ON!!!!!!

Today...

Matthew 6:34

The Message (MSG)

34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

If we...as humanity...spend all our time thinking about tomorrow, we will miss the blessings of today? If we...as Christians...spend all our time thinking about tomorrow, how can we be the hands and feet of Christ today? If we...as individuals...spend all our time thinking about tomorrow, we will Christ in our midst each new day.

Yesterday may be full of regrets. Tomorrow will always be there...with it's own troubles it may bring. Today is the moment in which we are in and we can never get it back. 

Live life to the fullest as our Creator intended us to live. Live a life full of love...full of compassion...and full of peace...a grate "full", peace "full", a worship "full", thank"full", joy "full" life... in the present.

We Are Precious Pearls...

Matthew 13:45-46

The Message (MSG)

45-46 “Or, God’s kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.

I have been known to call the "older generation" my "Pearls of Wisdom". They have so many story's and so much to offer the world. To bad the society in which we live, at times, sees them as "Old" and in the way. Society would rather have them "locked up for safe keeping." 

I love how many of the Third World Countries see the "senior Generation." They are seen as important and vital to the community. Many seniors live with their children and are taken care of in their home instead of a "retirement" home...I think most of these Pearls are far away from retiring...

How joy-filled I am to know that God does not see his "pearls" as something to be locked away but he cherishes them. You see...we, humanity, are those pearls that God is looking for. God found His pearls...you and me...went home, and bought those pearls at a great price...God's only Son, Jesus Christ. Humanity may be flawed but we are precious in God's sight. WE are made into that flawless pearl through the blood of our Risen Lord, God's Son, Jesus Christ. 

God is the jewel merchant that is looking for that excellent pearl. 

Are you willing to be found?

God...Through Jesus...Paid A High Price

Matthew 13:44

The Message (MSG)

44 “God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic—what a find!—and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field.

Have you ever found something that you thought was worth any price that you had to pay. It may be a car or a house or even clothing. You just had to have it and it didn't matter how much debt you were in after your purchase?

This reminds me of exactly what God did through Christ Jesus for you and for me. God felt that humanity was so worth the price of His Son that He sent Jesus to die in our stead. God wanted humanity to be renewed and redeemed. God wanted that "Garden Relationship" again with humanity. 

God did not count the cost for our salvation...how can we count the cost to us by accepting the free gift?

Who/what is more worthy of our praise?

Psalm 19:7-10

The Message (MSG)

The revelation of God is whole

    and pulls our lives together.

The signposts of God are clear

    and point out the right road.

The life-maps of God are right,

    showing the way to joy.

The directions of God are plain

    and easy on the eyes.

God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold,

    with a lifetime guarantee.

The decisions of God are accurate

    down to the nth degree.

God’s Word is better than a diamond,

    better than a diamond set between emeralds.

You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring,

    better than red, ripe strawberries.

Since my family and I moved to Maine, we have been able to enjoy the taste of strawberry's right off the vine. They are absolutely AWESOME when they have been warmed by the sun. I don't think I have ever tasted anything quiet like them!

That is anything other than God's love for me. I am at awe of how our God takes care of His creation. It is a blessing to know that there is someone who is ALWAYS there for me....that there is someone out there who accepts me for who I am, with all my faults...that there is a place where I can go and be rejuvenated. 

As we trust our God more and more...from glory to glory...we come to realize that there is none better. We come to realize that we can have a deep relationship with the Creator of the world in which we live. We are set free from the worries of the world because there is someone who wants to change our worries into dancing and joy. 

We have a mighty God who has a plan for everything His has created...EVERYTHING...that includes you and me. Why try to traverse the chaotic waters and seas of the world when we can have the calm, peaceful waters of our God and King? God knows the way...He created time and space...why not throw our anchors out into the deep waters of faith trusting in the Rock on which we stand? Let your anchor hold strong in the One who loves you so much that you are worth even the death of His own Son so that we may be saved...

Now that's something to sing praises about!

Our Own Way...

Ephesians 2:7-10

The Message (MSG)

7-10 Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

We...as humanity...at times seem to think that if we want anything done, we have to do it ourselves. We think that it is by our own power and might that things are accomplished. But...in this one area...we have no power what so ever. It is all God's doing. There is nothing we can do to make it happen. It just is. God loved us first and it is through this love that we are saved by Grace. Even if we don't realize the power or feel we deserve it, our God still pours out His love and grace upon us. It is unmerited...undeserved...it is a gift that only God can give us. How AWESOME is that??!!

But then again...it does cost something. It costs us giving up our worldly life and putting on the eternal life that is given through our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ... Is it worth the price Son. Are you willing to open the gift of grace or leave it in the store because of the cost...?

God's Blessing...

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

The Message (MSG)

11-13 "May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers."

What a blessing that Paul said over the Thessalonians... To have God just pour out waves of blessings in the life of a believer is almost incomprehensible. To have these blessing not only fill up the believer but it over pours onto the world around a believer. How AWESOME is that!

But we, as Christian's have exactly that. God wants to bless us beyond measure... We are filled each day to the brim with God's blessings and it can't help but pour over onto the world around us but we have to be willing vessels of these abundant blessings. 

Are you willing to be filled to overflowing for God?

Our lives make a difference!

Our thoughts and actions we have in our lives really do make a difference. We may not see it right off or we may never see it but what we do make a difference, good...bad..or indifferent. It is sort of like that ripple affect....we begin the motion and it goes on from there. 

I liked this video...hope you do too...

http://www.lifesecretsonline.com/blog/2012/11/07/butterflyeffect-2/#.UcXo_hLwxBw.facebook

Just a whisper away...

We all have had those feelings of being lost and alone. There are times when we feel as if there is no one who cares. We go about life as if we didn't matter ans there is no one who listen to our story.

Beloved child of God...There is One who is always there waiting to hear our story. There is One who delights in our relationship with them. There is One who will pick us up, dust us off and set us on the right road (If we but let them).  

Our God and King is always there...reaching out His loving hand...waiting for humanity to risk reaching up and taking His hand. He is just a whisper away. Whisper His name and you will never be the same again...

Go ahead...I dare you...

Each Morning I pray...

Psalm 31:5

Common English Bible (CEB) 

I entrust my spirit into your hands;

    you, Lord, God of faithfulness—

    you have saved me.

Each morning I pray this before I begin my day. It gives me hope for the day. I know that as I give myself over to God and His purpose in my life,I will have a happy and joy-filled life. Trust God today...the One who has planned your whole life for you and knows all your days...

A Hiding Place Within the Storm

Psalm 46:1 Common English Bible (CEB)

God is our refuge and strength,

    a help always near in times of great trouble.

Psalm 32:7 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

You are my hiding place.

    You protect me from trouble.

    You surround me with joyous songs of salvation. Selah

It is tough when life seems like one battle after the next. There may seem to be no end to the suffering you may feel...no end to the pain that you are going through...no "calm" within the sea of life for you.

Beloved child of God...there is a place where you can find peace within the storms of life. The place is in the ever present...ever lasting...ever open arms of our God and King. It is there where we can rest "in the eye of the storm" and be rejuvenated to face what we need to face in life...to get the strength we need to "fight our demons"...

Are you in need of resting place within life's storms? Run to the arms of the Creator of all that we survey. They are there, ready, willing and able to shelter you from the storm and give you the strength and power you need to go on...

Waves of Grace.

John 1:16 Common English Bible (CEB)

"From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace;"

Each and every moment of every day, we receive "waves of grace" from our God through our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Have you ever been to the sea shore and watch the waves coming in and out? It is a never ending occurrence. It is beautiful to watch. It is as if the sand on the shore is washed clean with each wave that comes in.

It is like that with our faith walk. God showers us with waves of grace that cleanses us each and every moment. As we are rooted and ground in the soil...the good soil...of our God and King, we can bask in the motion of waves the of grace poured down from Heaven. 

Can you feel it...that wonderful wave of grace washing over you each and every moment? How AWESOME is our God who washes us white as snow in the light of His mercy and grace? Be still and feel the tide of grace washing over you today...

And They All Come Tumbling Down

Romans 5:3-5 Common English Bible (CEB)

3 But not only that! We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, 4 endurance produces character, and character produces hope. 5 This hope doesn’t put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

We may be going through a "Chapter" in our lives when things seem to have that "Domino Effect." You know the one when one thing happens after another. we can be left behind confused and disheartened... 

But...but...what we are going through may and can help us to grow. If we let ourselves, there are lessons to be learned in ALL situations...even when there seems not to be one...we learn through our experiences in life...the good and the bad. Our God can use them...after all, God is Creator of all things.

We need to "push through", with and by the Grace of God, to the other side. Hind sight is the best sight after all. We will see the lesson learned and how God walked with us every step of the way. 

Hang on...Help is already there...help in he form of our Creator and Sustainer, who created us and recreates us each and every day. How loving and Awesome is Our God and King?!

I Am A Friend of God!

You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father. (John 15:13-15 MSG)

How AWESOME is the fact that Jesus actually calls us "FRIENDS"? How could we not want to honor one of our friends. But...Jesus is s different type of friend. 

1. Jesus is always there...day or night (not like our earthly friends who put limits on their "availability" to us)
2. Jesus will never leave you or forsake you (not like our earthly friends who "when the going gets tough, the tough get going...in the other direction)
3. Jesus offer living waters and the bread of life (OK...we might have some friends that can REALLY cook but how can anything compare to what Jesus offers...besides we usually have to invite our earthly friend to our house for a meal as payment to them for their hospitality...Jesus just says "come")
4. Jesus laid down His life (OK...how many of our earthly friends would do that? Our parents probably would but what friend would?)

Enough said...!

Called, Chosen, and Faithful

"They will go to war against the Lamb but the Lamb will defeat them, proof that he is Lord over all lords, King over all kings, and those with him will be the called, chosen, and faithful.”   (Revelation 17:14 MSG)

Through Christ, we are called, chosen and faithful. When we give our lives to Christ, we are counted among those who are with Him. God has a purpose, through Christ Jesus, for our lives. We are one of the many chosen ones and are adopted by and through the blood that flows from Calvary's Cross. 

God knew that the world needed a Savior, One who could redeem humanity and bring back that relationship lost in Eden. So God sent His Son, Jesus Christ. That was the beginning of the adoption process. Jesus life and teachings was the written words found within the "adoption papers". As Jesus walked that road to Golgotha's Hill, He took away the "fine print" that is found in many of humanity's papers. This was going to be an adoption that was easy to read with no hidden agenda. As Jesus was nailed to the cross, the papers were all set only needing a signature. When Jesus gave His last breath...the papers were signed.

That's how much we are loved...that is why we are counted among the chosen... What a cost that was paid for our redemption. But there is one tiny catch...we need to accept this free gift of adoption. Just think...all we need to do is accept the gift but...when we accept it we need to open the box and not just leave it on a shelf. it is a gift that keeps on giving as long as we open it as share the glorious gift inside.

Price for Redemption:  One Life (our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ)
Price for the joyful life: Open the gift and share it with others
Results: A life that is full of love for others, a life that honors our God and King and peace!

What more could we ask for...it really is that simple...

Be Careful of What You Say...

Proverbs 9:7-10 The Message (MSG)

   7-10If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you’ll get slapped in the face;    confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins.So don’t waste your time on a scoffer;    all you’ll get for your pains is abuse.But if you correct those who care about life,    that’s different—they’ll love you for it!Save your breath for the wise—they’ll be wiser for it;    tell good people what you know—they’ll profit from it.Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God,    insight into life from knowing a Holy God.

We all need to be careful of what we say to one another. Once words are out, they can never be taken back. We, as humanity, need to be soft with our words to one another, more loving and kind. Once our words hurt another it may to be too late to fix what we have done. 

Sometimes it is better to say nothing than to say a hurtful word. There are even times when our nice words are perceived as wrong. There are many who carry along with them years of hurt and pain so no matter what you say you can be wrong. But...we must take that chance and trust that no matter what, as long as it is up to you, you have tried to live peaceably in the kingdom and for the kingdom of God.

It's All In the Way You Look At It...

Sight Psalms

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Posted: 08 Jul 2013 11:30 PM PDT PERSPECTIVE What will you focus on today? An approaching darkness or God’s steady light? Photo by William C. Coffman Sight Psalms is a ministry of the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church I like the saying, "Is your glass half full or half empty". It is all about perspective. The same holds true as we grow in our faith. Are we thankful for the gifts and graces we are given or are we "coveting" our neighbors blessings from God? Do we expect more than what we are given or do we live content in what we have?  I have made a choice to be ever so thankful for everything that I am given trusting that God will provide all that is needed for who and what I am called to be. I have found it freeing and less stressful. Don't get me wrong...I still fall into old ways sometimes but when I do...I am able to see it, ask for  forgiveness and praise God for who God is. Which is more important...a relationship which is rooted and grounded in Christ or all the treasure the world has to offer? A relationship of gratitude with and for our God or a relationship of wanting more with the world around us? You decide...

Seek My Face...

As we put God above  all things and seek His face, we begin to live our lives more abundantly. God is waiting there to bless us if we but quiet ourselves before Him. As we spend more time with out "First Love" we begin to know Him better and our joy will just run over as the understanding of how much we are loved and adored becomes apparent. Our God is unlimited in His abundance and wants to lavish it upon His children. We need to open our hearts and minds to take in more and ,more of our God and as we do that our faith and love grows stronger. When our divine Spirit within us connects with the Divine...there is so much joy that pours down from heaven that it is un-containable!
How Awesome is that! 

Let us get back in love with our First Love and spend time with the One who is Ageless our God and our King. Just do it for the shear joy of it...you won't be disappointed and come away renewed and revived...

My Help

may29

HOPE

“I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1 (NRSV)

Photo by Alexandra Holland

There are times in our lives when we need help. We just can't go another step. There is a feeling of no hope for tomorrow. When we have hit "rock bottom"...it is there, from that posture, we look up. As we look up we are greeted by the loving eyes of Christ and with His hand stretched out, He helps us get back up again. 

Three Simple Rules of Life...

Sight Psalms

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Posted: 11 Jun 2013 11:30 PM PDT TETHERED The regular practice of three simple rules — doing no harm, doing good, and staying in love with God — moors us in the midst of both calm and troubled waters. Photo by Sharon Brown Christopher When we are rooted and ground in the soil of our faith we can weather the storms of life. As we learn more about our God and how faithful God is, we learn to lean on God during those times when the "going gets rough". As we learn about our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ we come to understand the love of God shown to humanity through God's only Son. And as we learn to hear the voice of the Spirit we understand the "three simple rules."  Three simple rules...how easy is that?

New Day Dawning...

Sight Psalms

Experiencing God Through Images

may28

View high resolution

DAWN

Each new day brings us new ways to serve God.

Photo by Joline Frazier

I like to think of each new day as a "do over" from God. Each new day brings with it a fresh, clean, newness if we but chose to look at our world in such a way. Each day is a new day of hope, of love, of joy and peace if we will but reach out and grasp the hand of God who will lead us...comfort us...forgive us...redeem us...and show us a more excellent way. 

Can you see it on the horizon? That light that begins to dispel the dark of the night. A new day is dawning. How will you greet it?

We are one in the Lord...

Posted: 25 May 2013 11:30 PM PDT

CONNECTEDNESS

Listen. The Spirit speaks in many ways.

Photo by Beth A. Richardson

Sight Psalms is a ministry of the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church.

There are times when I have a hard time understanding humanity. There is so much division  because of differences between us. Why does it matter that we are different? Is there some secret that I am not being told? For some reason when people don't think and act like "we" do they are ostracized and left out. God speaks and creates in such a diverse way. 

God is a God of diversity. Look at creation and see my point. There is no two things that are the same, right down to snow flakes. Look at the splendor of a field...there is not just one kind of flower but may kinds that create a thing of "breath taking beauty". 

Why wouldn't God speak through the Spirit in many different ways? We all are different and learn in various ways. Why wouldn't God use different ways to speak to humanity so that people understand the best way that they can?

What we need to do, as humanity, is to understand and accept that God speaks in many ways so that His words would be understood. How is the Spirit speaking to you today? Is it through the music you hear...the words of a beloved friend...through meditations that you read...? The list goes on. The most important thing is not how but that God does speak in an array of ways like the colors of a rainbow. Find God's rainbow for you today...