Just Clay

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;

establish the work of our hands for us ~ yes, establish 

the  work of our hands."   Psalm 90:17 (NIV) 

Recently, my youngest daughter was given an opportunity to "throw a pot" at a nearby potter's house.  Before beginning, the instructing potter said, "Do not be afraid to mess up.  It's just clay!"

So often we fail to begin, because we believe in the end we will fail.  We should remember the words of the potter....for perhaps the Master Potter too is saying, "Do not be afraid to mess up.  You are just clay!"

The One who formed us understands.  He will take our unskilled hands in His and with the skill of the Master potter, help us to begin again.

I so love fresh starts!

VIP Seating

What a thrill to be "front and center" as the Master Artist wields his brush and ushers in yet another breathless masterpiece!

"He sends his command to the earth; His Words runs swiftly.

He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes."

Psalm 147:15-16  (NIV)

Shining Knight

Some days a girl just needs a knight in shining armor. . . . I'm just sayin'. . . .

"I love you God ~ you make me strong.  God is bedrock under my feet,the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight!"

Psalm 18:1 (The Message)

Remembering . . . .

"Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past."  

Deuteronomy 32:7 (NIV)

The ability to remember; to bring to my mind something or someone that I have seen, known or experienced in the past is a blessing I so often take for granted. Remembering brings enjoyment, sadness and sometimes a bittersweet combination.  

Today, I am reminded through the pages of God's Word, to remember the One who remembers me.  Remembering God's unfailing love and faithfulness in the past, instills in me the hope of a future worth remembering.

"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you;  I will sustain you and I will rescue you."  Isaiah 46:4  (NIV)

What is wrong with this picture?

"God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him....God rewrote the text of my life 

when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."

Psalms 18:20,24  (The Message)

I said, "All the pieces?"

He said, "ALL" the pieces!

In Step

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."  
Galatians 5:25  (NIV)

Keeping in step with the Spirit ~ yielding to His leading ~ is much like following the lead of a dance partner. Between dance partners, there is only one designated to lead.  If two are trying to lead the dance becomes clumsy and awkward, and a lot of toes get stepped on.

The same is not only true for my physical life, but for my spiritual life as well.  If I do not learn to flow with my partner, a lot of toes will be stepped on and I can assure you . . . . they will be mine!

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."  

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

More Simply Said Than Done!

The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."  Jesus replied, "You may go.  Your son will live."  The man took Jesus at his word and departed.  While he was on his way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living."  
John 4: 49-51  (NIV)

 The man....cried out.  Jesus....answered.  The man....departed.  The boy....lived!

Oh, for the faith to simply take Jesus at His word and be on my way.  It is in the going....the living begins!  It is there....He meets us!

My Place

"....and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey....sat down by the well....when a Samaritan woman came to draw water...."  
John 4:6-7  (NIV)

Even Jesus took time to rest.  It was there in His place of rest, ministry came to Him.  

Why do I so often feel I have to "find" my place of ministry?  

Instead, I should just "find my place"; find my place before Him; find my place of rest. Perhaps, when I am at my place, ministry will present itself!