Some of my friends or family are either sick, recovering or struggling right now. Please join me in prayer for the following:
Joel
Debbie
Kaitlyn
Paul
Debbie H.
Jayne
Ruth
Suzanne
Jennie
Sue
Any and all of the commenters on Tam’s blog yesterday who are dealing with broken relationships
God knows what each of them needs. Thanks for praying with me
This morning, my oldest dog, Patriot, did something he has not done in a long time. After going out and being fed, he, along with the other two, were herded back upstairs to our bedroom to go back to bed. The other two quickly curled up on their beds on the floor while Patriot came over to my side of the bed and hopped up with his two front paws near my ankles. I wanted to give him the attention he was asking for so I said “Come’ere Patriot.” He promptly jumped up on the bed.
Now, this is not permitted in my house. I won’t have any of the dogs on my furniture or on my bed. As a matter of fact, starting when Patriot was a puppy, we made it a rule that if you’re going to hold the puppy you’re going to sit on the floor to do it. So Patriot has always been my ‘needy boy’. When he was very tiny I used to have to sit on the floor at the door of his crate and let him fall asleep in my lap. Then, ever so gently, I would lift him into his crate and put him on his bed. He would crawl back out onto my lap and we repeated this until he finally settled in. ( Now I don’t need any tips from trainers, I am one. He is quiet self assured, and loves his crate.)
After ordering Patriot off the bed this morning, I offered him affection from where he was. It wasn’t enough. He walked around to the other side where the other two dogs were, sat and began to moan a guttural moan that sounded like he was trying to talk. I knew what he wanted. He wanted me to sit on the floor so he could curl up in my lap. He wouldn’t give up either. We told him to go lay down on his bed. My husband tried, I tried. Nope. The moaning continued. Finally, my heart knowing what he needed, I got up and indulged him. I sat on the floor, he quickly came over and curled right up and moaned a pleasant moan…over and over and over. He quietly moan/whined as I petted from his head to his tail in a circle. The he tucked his nose into the crook of my elbow and moaned again; the moan that lets you know he is content.
Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
Isaiah 58:2
For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.
Isaiah 65:1
“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’
Isaiah 65:10
Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Hosea 5:15
Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. And they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me.”
Amos 5:4
This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: “Seek me and live;
Romans 10:20
And Isaiah boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me ; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”
Our God wants us to actively seek Him. Over and over he says it. He wants us to be looking for Him in everything, at all times, everywhere we go, and in whomever we meet. He wants us to find Him because He will be the comfort, the soft place to land, the lap of the master who loves.
Are you actively seeking Him? Commit today to look for Him, in all places, at all times, in everything and every one. You WILL find Him. He wants you to find Him and when you look He will reveal Himself.
Seek and you will find. Believe so that you may understand.
We are here in Florida, just outside Tampa. It’s hot. Not just a little hot, it’s way HOT. The humidity is the killer here. It’s so hot, the outdoor pool feels like bath water. I didn’t try frying an egg, but i’m sure you could.
We will be here, at Nana’s house, until Tuesday and then drive up to Orlando for a few days of Disney and a few nights of CEC Convocation. I’m so looking forward to all of it. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the global side of our church! It was hard today to go to church and not be able to participate in the one thing that Christ wanted all of us to share: His meal, communion. We went to a Roman Catholic church. Their ‘rules’ say we can’t participate. Hard as I try, I just don’t understand it. It was difficult to explain to Mary that because this wasn’t our church, that we couldn’t do what they did. She didn’t understand. She didn’t question me on it, but she clearly didn’t understand. Quite frankly I don’t know what I would have told her if she did quizz me.
Any suggestions? How do you explain the ‘rules’ of church?
Where ever I go
Far away and anywhere
Time after time you always shine
through dark of night calling after me
And where ever I climb
Far away and anywhere
You raise me high beyond the sky
through stormy night lifting me above
Venite Spiritu et emitte caelitus
Venite Spiritu et emitte caelitus
Venite Spiritu Venite Spiri tus
Whenever I cry
Far away and anywhere
You hear me call when shadows fall
your light of hope showing me the way
Libera, Michael Horncastle solo
New leather bound bible, bible cover,
tabs, bookmark and highlighter:$50
Worship CD: $13
Inspirational wallet insert: $1
For everything else: Forgiveness…………………………Priceless.
Mary: “Mommy, can I play outside? And find bugs?”
Mommy: “Uh..sure.”
Mary: “Mommy, can I have a container to put the bugs in?”
Mommy: “Uh..sure, but–please don’t bring the bugs in the house, ok?”
Mary: “Ok.”
She goes out, I go upstairs for a min. Then, frantically,
Mary: “MOMMY!!!”
Mommy: “What?”
Mary: “I found a bumble bee! It’s following me!!”
Mommy: “Well, just leave it alone, and it won’t bother you.”
Mary: “Ok.” door closes
Mary: “MOMMY!! It’s still following me!!”
Mommy: “Well, just go out the other door. Don’t worry, it’s not going to bother you.”
This all got me thinking about how many times I have come in frantic because something “out there” is bothering me. Friends would say things like “you’re going to be fine.” or “come on, you can do this. Don’t worry, you’re not alone.”
How many times am I going to keep running back inside just because I am a little uncomfortable out there? My friends keep telling me that if I would just hang in there long enough, I might see that the bumble bee, who looks so intimidating, really is no threat at all and actually has a purpose in this life.
(Note to readers: This post was inspired by my friend, Janna, who wrote a letter to God today on her blog. If you are reading this, and you have a blog, take a moment and write a letter to God also. Then stop by Janna’s blog and let her know she inspired you too!)
Dear God,
What an amazing journey I have had the last couple of years. Thank you for choosing me as one of yours.
You have blessed me in so many ways, more ways than I can recall. You have given me hope, peace, comfort in times of need. You have led me to friends, some farther away than others, that have inspired me, guided me, picked me up when I’ve fallen flat on my face, and made me laugh. In them I learn your love, your compassion. In their eyes I see your love and I am overwhelmed every time that happens.
You know, before I came to know you, I thought that you were just a one dimensional being, that you were historic. But you are neither of those things. You are multi-dimensional and you are now. Your spirit moves in me and awakens feelings and emotions that I thought were long ago dead, or non existant. Your music fills my ears, and you make me overflow with words that often make no sense to anyone but you. I am proud to be a Christian, a Christ follower, one who strives to be Christ-like. Help me to remember that each day.
I am healing from old wounds. I am shedding old skin. You are there with me every step of the way and that, THAT, is what amazes me the most about you. That you can be so close, and so intimate with all of your children! How huge you are!
My hope is in you. My future is in you. My heritage is you. My legacy is you. I want to live out your will. I trust in you. I trust you.
Like so many others, I don’t know how or why you do the things that you do. But I know your promises because they are written in Your word. I know that one day, I too will stand before you. I will stand tall, proud and confident because You are with me now, and if You are with me, who can I fear?
Love,
Lori
I said to God,
“I would love to marry a prince.”
God said,
“I will send a husband who will love you.”
I said to God,
“I would love to live in a palace.”
God said,
“I will provide for you a home.”
I said to God,
“I would love to have a garden.”
God said,
“I will give you a flower.”
I said to God,
“Why do you not give me what I ask for?”
God said,
“I have. You are my child. You are a princess. You will live in my palace in heaven. ”
I said to God,
“But a garden, Lord, where I can worship you? Why only a flower?”
God said,
“My child, the flower I have given you is the most beautiful flower I ever created. Care for that flower, love that flower and it will become the garden.”
I said to God,
“What did I ever do to deserve the most beautiful flower you ever created?”
God said,
“You did nothing. I gave it to you because I love you.”
I said to God,
“Why do you love me so much?”
God said,
“I created you, and when I gave you to your mother, I told her you were the most beautiful flower I ever created.”
JustLori 
