Warm Weather & Elections

I'm sitting at my kitchen table in a short-sleeved shirt watching ladybugs inside (where did they come from?) crawl along the window that wasps are trying to penetrate from the outside. Giant flies are buzzing and bonking along the walls looking for an escape route into the sun that floods the room. Poor creatures are entirely deceived about the season. It's in the upper 60's only 48 hours after I sat on the front porch steps watching snowflakes melt on multi-colored leaves. In just a brief moment the weather did a full illusive tilt on its axis. This kind of thing is what the Lord doesn't want us to be taken aback by. He wants us to know the times and seasons we are living in so that a temporary gust of comfortable air, cozy temperatures, and pleasant surroundings do not provide the backbone of our stability, contentment and joy in life.

Dan 2:20 "Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever...He changes the times and the seasons: He removes kings, and sets up kings..."

This is one of MANY scriptures I need to remember concerning this upcoming election. The church dropped into prayer and fasting four years ago when the consequences of a democratic nominee seemed dire. Afterwards, maybe we felt as though the sun came out and we'd be okay for the next four years while our nation was following a king we felt we could trust. But this year? Oh my...I can barely conceive of what may happen to our country under a President that can approve the killing of a little baby who has survived an abortion. His foundations of belief, principles and perspective of God's Word horrify me.

YET, after we have done the most we can personally, to stand for righteousness in a Christ-like manner, the Lord has instructed us to get our eyes off of leaders, governments, nations and fix them upon Himself because our times are the last days...and our help was, is, and forever will be, in God alone.

2Tim.3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Now I see no regard as to WHO is ruling at the time...it is a condition of WHEN...and that being "the last days". Today it may be warm and the air filled with aroma's of baking pies, sounds of children laughing, and the sun warming our shoulders. But don't be deceived and don't be shaken when the brisk air suddenly blows and a cloud covers the sky. Your God is still God. He is ruler of all. He is equally your loving Father whose eyes never blink. His care is sure, His promises steadfast, His provision continual and His sufficiency for EVERY situation available.

1Th 5:1,6,8 "But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober...let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation."

Jer 17:7,8 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit."

Praise the Lord...no matter what happens...because Jesus is closer today to calling us home than He ever has been.

Invitation to "Twig and Feather" Forum

Within the last few months, I have gotten to know a wonderful woman named Shannon Woodward. She's a pastor's wife, writer, speaker, and overall joyous woman to be around. You'd love her. She and some friends of hers have started a website forum called "Twig and Feather". It's so much what I had hoped our "Keeper's at Home" ministry could offer on a website. I'll let her own words describe what this site is all about, ok? God bless you all.

Hello ladies,
Some time ago, I got an idea for a .com which would not only encourage women toward creating a warm home environment, but also help them to organize their lives. Playing around with names and thoughts, I came up with "Twig and Feather," which lent itself nicely to the concept that as homemakers, we each are responsible for taking care of our particular "nest." Some of the functions of that nest are sturdy and foundational (twigs), like budgeting, storage, menu planning, etc. Some are soft and comfortable (feathers), like making a cozy haven for your family and adding touches that are beautiful and warm.

I know we're all inundated with social networking groups, and this may sound like just another ... but we hope to make this a site that will both enrich and simplify your life.

If you would like, you can click on the "FAQ" across the top of the site and learn all about operating in a forum and such. It may not be for everyone, but I am certain that it will be a blessing to so many of you. Especially as the winter is approaching and many of us are about to spend more time in our "nests."

Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Treasure where?

I love my Bible. Maybe yours is like mine: pages full of highlights, scriptures underlined, notes penciled in along the sides, and cross-references squished between verses. It also has become my journal...there are dates next to promises, prayer requests and praise reports. In the front and back are sections with plain white pages...at least they used to be...filled with things like poetry, hymns, special quotes and devotional clips. Small treasures picked up while walking along the path of life with Jesus.

I have to admit, there are a few things I've written that have tiny ringlets where tears dropped on the page. Those special things that the Lord speaks of in Isaiah 45:3 "And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel." Notice the two blessings God speaks of: treasures and hidden riches or something buried of great value. But how do we obtain these from the Lord?

They are given to those who are living in or walking through "darkness" and to those who are in secret places. Darkness literally means "death, sorrow, misery, or wickedness." The secret place is a place of concealment from others-hidden. In both of those descriptions, I can think of countless friends and family who are going through their own darkness with grief over the loss of a loved one, a time of personal illness or chronic pain, or those who work in wicked and harsh environments daily. I can also think of a dear feeble woman who loves the Lord, but she is limited in her ability to get around. "Housebound" is how and where her days are spent. Concealed from her family who does not visit and limited in friendships and visitors.

There are many applications...maybe you see yourself or someone else in them? Don't worry-I won't drop into a long Bible study, but I did want to show you one particular gold nugget I found by digging a little deeper during my own "night time" experience. There is one scripture that uses this exact term "darkness" in Exodus 14:20, but it is unique to all the rest. The cloud of God's Presence that led His people by day, became at one point "darkness" between them and their enemy for protection. Wherever God's Presence is, that's where I want to be...and sometimes, that means my days are going to be shrouded in a canopy of black. I'm thankful that He showed me it's a place of protection when I am following Him. In HIM...there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) yet He may dwell in thick darkness (Ex.20:21) and Ps 18:11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

In that place where fears may surface, God's face seems hidden, tears drench my pillow, I can't see the way where I'm to walk...I have put this treasure in the pocket closest to my heart...

Isa 50:10 Who is among you that feareth the LORD,

that obeyeth the voice of his servant,

that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?

let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

Deliverance in Trouble

Morning Friends. Due to illness, I'm laying low today, but after reading this morning's devotional, I had to share with you. It's so rich...I just had to "spread the wealth around." Better than germs...

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou will glorify me”—Psalm 50:15.

How varied are our days of trouble! Sickness, with its hours of restlessness and languor. Bereavement, with its rifled treasures and aching hearts. Loss of substance; the curtailment or forfeiture of worldly possessions; riches taking to themselves wings and fleeing away; or, severer than all, the wounds from friends; abused confidence; withered affections; hopes scattered like the leaves of autumn!

But “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Tried one! He leaves not your defenseless head unsheltered in the storm. “Call upon Me!” He invites you into the pavilion of His presence! Better the bitter Marah waters with His healing, than the purest fountain of the world and no God! Better the hottest furnace flames with one there “like the Son of God,” than that the dross should be suffered to accumulate, and the soul left to cleave to the dust! He, “the purifier of silver,” is seated by these flames tempering their fury: Yes, He gives the special promise, “I will deliver you.” It may not be the deliverance we expect; the deliverance we have prayed for, the deliverance we could have wished. But shall not the most severe trial be well worth enduring, if this be the result of His chastening love; “You will glorify Me.” “Glorify Him.” How? By a simple unreasoning faith; by meek, lowly, unmurmuring acquiescence in His dealing; these dealings endearing the Savior and His grace more than ever to our hearts.

The Day of trouble led His saints in all ages to glorify Him. David never could have written his touching Psalms, nor Paul his precious epistles, had not God cast them both into the crucible. To be teachers of the Church of the future, they had to graduate in the school of affliction. If He is appointing similar circumstance, let it be our endeavor to glorify Him by active obedience, as well as passive resignation; not abandoning ourselves to selfish, moody, sentimental grief; but rather going forth on our great mission; our work and warfare; with a vaster estimate of the value of time, and the grandeur of existence.

A Gracious Condition

I received a few heart-breaking phone calls this week. Both brothers and sisters in the Lord that are going through very, very difficult trials. Not one of them has faith that is wavering nor love that is waning. They have no doubts about God's goodness or faithfulness. They are just hurting and growing weary in their circumstances.

I have a wonderful devotional that I was given by my father-in-law called "The Bow in the Cloud" or "Words of Comfort for Hours of Sorrow" reprinted from 1880. It is one of the most incredible devotionals I have read in a very long time for this season of loss in my own life. I'd like to share an entry with you and provide a link at the end, if you'd like to read more. I found a transcribed copy of the book online for free and it may bless some of you.

Day 7
A Gracious Condition
“If need be”—1 Peter l:6

What a blessed motto and superscription over the dark lintels of sorrow! “If need be!” Every arrow from the quiver of God is feathered with it! Write it, child of affliction, over every trial your God sees meet to send! If He calls you down from the sunny mountain-heights to the dark glades, hear Him saying, “There is a need be.” If He has dashed the cup of prosperity from your lips, curtailed your creature comforts, diminished your “basket and your store,” hear Him saying, “There is a need be.” If He has ploughed and furrowed your soul with severe bereavement; extinguished light after light in your dwelling; hear Him therefore stilling the tumult of your grief—“There is a need be.”

“Yes! believe it, there is some profound reason for your trial, which at present may be indiscernible. No furnace will be hotter than He sees to be needed. Sometimes indeed, His teachings are mysterious. We can with difficulty spell out the letters, God is love!—we can see no “bright light;” no luminous Bow in “our cloud.” It is all mystery; not one break is there in the sky! No! “Hear what God the Lord speaks.” “If need be.”

Be still, and know that He is God! That “need be,” remember, is in the hands of Infinite Love, Infinite Wisdom, Infinite Power. Trust Him in little things as well as great things, in trifles as well as emergencies. Seek to have unquestioning faith. Though other paths, doubtless, would have been selected by you had the choice been in your hands, be it yours to listen to His voice at every turn in the road, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”

If, even now, afflicted one, these clouds are gathering, and the tempest sighing, lift up your eye to the divine scroll gleaming in the darkened heavens, and remember that He who has put the Bow of promise there, saw also a “need be” for the cloud on which it rests!

“And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be in the cloud.”

If you'd like to read the 31 day devotional or see the entire entry from today,click here. May God bless you and encourage you...

1Peter 1:6-9 "...though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."