Be of Good Courage

Devotion 2 of 3. For part one, Wait on the Lord, click here.

Wait on the LORD;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalm 27:14

It’s easy to be courageous when you know that you are in a position of strength.

When I was 11, a man approached me with the intent of doing violent harm. I reacted by yelling at him and running away, which involved pushing right past him. I remember the interviewer telling me how brave I had been. I didn’t feel brave. The offender thought he had me at a disadvantage…but I knew something that he didn’t…I was less than a block from my house, and both my mom and my 6-foot-4-police-chief dad were at home. My security was nearby. All I needed to do was get to them. They were the source of whatever courage I had in that situation.

The Lord tells us clearly to be courageous and brave. In Joshua 1:9, He says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage! Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

We should remember this. In any situation, the Lord is with you! We have an advantage over our enemy. He may be unseen, He may be quietly waiting, but He is there. Even closer than my mom and dad were…He is there for you!
So be of good courage, because your security lies in His presence.

Mike...Wanna Come Over for Dinner?

People with a sense of humor are my favorite. And I always judge a candidate at least partly on whether or not I can imagine sharing a meal with them (without wanting to shove their face in the food.)

Here's Mike Huckabee on Saturday Night Live last weekend.

A Clip Worth Watching

Here is a clip from a recent episode of ER. How sad that this liberal chaplain had no answer for this man. Many of today's chaplains in the hospitals and military of today have this same psychological babble that has attempted to replace the Word of the Lord. It's 2.5 minutes and worth the time to watch.

What would your response be to this man?

I'm Back...Almost

I've been sick in bed since last Wednesday afternoon. I'm almost back up and running...half day at work today. I have no voice. Very pleasant for everyone else in the office I think! Not that I would have the energy to boss them around anyway...

One would think that I have spent the last week confined to my sickbed thinking deep thoughts about my existance and using the time to read the Bible and commune with the Lord.

Sorry to disappoint. I didn't have that many working brain cells.

I did however, watch the entire first season of ER on DVD from the library. I couldn't read anything, as all books are too heavy. Yes, really. Holding them up would have been too much. The remote is much lighter.

Lincoln's Birthday

We are indeed going through a trial--a fiery trial. In the very responsible position in which I happen to be placed, being a humble instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father, as I am, and as we all are, to work out His great purposes, I have desired that all my works and acts may be according to His will, and that it might be so, I have sought His aid--but if after endeavoring to do my best in the light which He affords me, I find my efforts fail, I must believe that for some purpose unknown to me, He wills it otherwise.
~Abraham Lincoln, October 26, 1862


If you intend to go to work, there is no better place than right where you are.
~Abraham Lincoln, November 4, 1851

Lincoln

Like a gaunt, scraggly pine

Which lifts its head above the mournful sandhills;

And patiently, through dull years of bitter silence,

Untended and uncared for, starts to grown.

Ungainly, laboring, huge,

The wind of the north has twisted and gnarled its branches;

Yet in the heat of mid-summer days, when thunder clouds ring the horizon,

A nation of men shall rest beneath its shade.

And it shall protect them all,

Hold everyone safe there, watching aloof in silence

Until at last, one mad stray bolt of the zenith

Shall strike it in an instant down to earth.

~John Gould Fletcher

from Silver Pennies 1926

They're Back!

The Food Fairies have been on haitus for a while. I have missed them. But I do understand, as we have three single, male Air Force officers that live in our building, and they probably need the fairies more than I do.

But, twice in the last month, they have left treats! Last night, it was salmon patties, which I am going to have for lunch tomorrow.

What a blessing!

Mediocre Tuesday is Over

I say that rather tongue-in-cheek. Is it just me, or is this the Longest-Campaign-Ever?

I did go to caucus last night. Here in Minot, they were expecting between 200-300 voters at the Republican caucus, and were surprised with a final total of 877. They ran out of ballots midway and had to run and print more. Which made me roll my eyes, but feel pleased with the large turnout.

Democracy in action is a good thing. I have very strong political views, but ultimately, because all, yes, all, of my political beliefs are formed and influenced by my faith, I choose a candidate who best matches those beliefs. This, for me, is voting my conscience. I realize, though, that in the general election I may not have the same liberty, but I am praying that the candidate who realizes the party's nomination is one that I can support.

There is one that I will not....but that's a whole other post!

Wait on the Lord...

We have a women's retreat coming up early next month. The following is from a series of 3 devotions that I was asked to write.

Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Psalm 27:14

Our society hates waiting. We are convinced, both by our flesh and the media, that instant gratification is a good thing, and that if we are forced to endure any delay, it will drive us crazy.

I recently ordered an item online--delivery was estimated at 21 days, well in advance of when I needed it. But immediately, my first thought was, "Why should I have to wait?"

Likewise, we often looked at the promises of God in the same way. We want them fully now. And we want them our way. What we fail to see is that God has His own timing, and His own will. He's not our personal genie-in-the-bottle.

Waiting on the Lord comes down to one simple question that we must each ask of our hearts: "Do I really believe that my Lord and my Savior wants my best?" Of course, we believe that in our hearts, but often our heads and our thoughts get in the way.

So wait on the Lord, and wait for His best:

when the waves crash and the winds blow

when all you want is some peace

when you can't see a way to safety

Because:

even the winds and the waves obey Him

He has said He will give you rest

He is your shield and deliverer

Wait on the Lord, and be of good courage...

Deep Thoughts

Not really.

This has been a rough couple of weeks here. We've had a lot of upheaval and uncertainty. I think that (although I really, really dislike the feeling that I have no control over things) this is where God wants me to be, looking for the daily manna, both physical and spiritual, from Him. And in my heart I know this, but my head gets in the way. I analyze way too much.

This morning I just wanted to stay snuggled into the flannel sheets, which were a great price, but in hindsight I think they are just a little too comfy in the mornings. So I dragged myself to the shower and got to work...

...but I put on my little bit of attitude today, just to keep my spirits up! So now I am feeling feisty and ready to go.

Just Enough

Here are some things I know:

• God is faithful
• God is merciful
• He is forgiving
• He loves me

That's enough for me today. I will most likely need another reminder tomorrow...but today is good.