Spiritual Ticks

I was recently doing some reading on Lyme's Disease. I read that some people with Lyme's have been misdiagnosed as having PD. I don't know whether that's true or not, but it got me thinking of spiritual parallels. Just like the danger of getting a tick bourne disease from a walk through the yard, we must be aware that there is much in the world that is evil. Unsuspecting the risk, we go through our day without a thought for the scheming the enemy (Satan) has done and the pits he has dug to try and trap us. He wants to shut us down – put us out of commission. He lurks in unsuspected places.



But thinking we are safe - and that there is no risk – and that we have matters under control – we are unaware of the danger. Evil does exist and it is sometimes unseen, or invisible to us just as a tick bourne illness that resides in the infected tick is not seen. Though small and undetected, it is not to be underestimated.



I'm not trying to scare you, and I'm not suggesting that behind every encounter or opportunity lies something evil. I'm merely suggesting that we are more dependent on God to keep us safe than we know.



Evil predators searching out a victim rove back and forth across all of creation – quick to detect our movement or catch our scent. Feeling the warmth of our breath these parasites stealthily follow our trail.



Just don't forget Who has you in the palm of His hand. Don't forget Who gives you armor for protection. Don't forget Who gives you warnings in His Word and tells you how to live and avoid calamity. He is at work protecting us even when we don't know it. Where our bodies are weak, He is strong. Let that encourage you today. He will never leave you, or forsake you!



Be as wise as serpents, but as innocent as doves.

Talk

How are you with talking to people about your disability?  Maybe you're embarrassed, or fearful to talk about it.  Maybe you feel like if you can ignore it or talk around it then somehow it's not as bad, or not there at all.  Maybe it's somehow not real if you ignore it.

WRONG!

When we tell others our stories or share some of our problems with friends, it somehow lightens our burden.  Others are blessed when we share a little bit about OUR burdens.  Some are inspired by our courage and strength, and some are an encouragement to US.  Don't waste all that you have learned by not telling.  Let others in on the lessons that you have had to pay dearly to learn.  Lighten your burden by sharing and bless someone by acknowleging your struggles. I believe that's part of our purpose here on this earth.... taking what we have and giving it to someone who needs it.

I have realized anew that life is not all about me.  I am a vibrant and necessary part in this world, at this time, and so are you, but there is so much more.  It's actually a relief to realize that and forget my inhibitions or discomfort for a while and speak freely.

So, now having said that, I'll touch on opportunities to share.  I find that God almost always brings someone to me, and they will usually lead the conversation quite naturally in the direction of an openning for me to share.  Pray for opportunites like that.  He is just LOOKING for someone to share our life in Him with someone who needs to hear it.  Ask Him for a chance to do this.  If we are willing and make ourselves available, He will honor that request.

No matter if you are sick or what your burden may be, you have something to share and somebody has a need to hear it.

Put Gas in My Tank

The day has ended - it's done, and I must say my head is spinning.  The daylight hours were filled with prayer, Bible study, friends, family, chores,  and more.  The "more" part was quite a lot.  If I didn't love those people in my life that are in the "more" category so much it would have been an easier day - certainly a happier day. 

Today, I scaled some mountains, went through the fire and let my heart break for some of my loved ones.  Somehow I remained steady.  How?  Well I kept refueling with every prayer, with every grateful thought, with every kindness; and I knew where to go with the parts that were bigger than me.  Even so, my head is still spinning.  If you are so inclined, I sure could use a little prayer....  Or maybe a big prayer.  Either one is welcomed.  But when you pray for me, keep in mind that He can do ANYTHING for ANYBODY no matter what place we or our loved ones are in, and no matter how they got there.  God can untangle ANY mess.  If this weren't true, there would be no hope for my crazy problems.

The Truth About Growing

Are you ever disappointed in yourself?  Do you wonder if you will ever get it all right?  Can you think of the last time you did?  Do you ever feel stuck and disadvantaged because of your disease (or whatever your challenge is)?

The truth is without our challenges (otherwise known as heartaches, shattered dreams, or as Paul called it - a thorn in the flesh) we would get nowhere.  We would never get past stage one in our growth process.  We would remain immature and undeveloped.  We won't change unless we are pushed out of the familiar place where we are comfortable.  We won't develope a taste for truth until we have been burned by untruth.  We won't get creative and figure out new ways to get through a day until we can no longer do it the old way.  Growth can be a painful process.  But the key word here is "process".  It doesn't happen all at once just because you know the Truth.  True change happens when as you learn the truth, you choose to incorporate it into your heart, soul and spirit - when it becomes who you are.

My disability has fueled my growth.  It's true that it is a disagreeable teacher, but one from whom my growth has sprung!  Thank you, Lord, for not leaving me unchanged and undeveloped!

Wounded Warrier

This morning I am feeling burdened for those of you who are battle weary and wounded.  I FEEL your pain.  I am moved to pray for you.  If you are reading this - know that these words are for YOU.  Here is my prayer for you:


Lord, bring this sister's (or brother's) pain to a close.  Let hope become evident where there is no hope.  Make the pain of the past give way to joy.  Make sense of this apparent triumph of evil, sickness and death.


Where is Your victory?  Where is justice?  Where are you in all of this?  We wait on You to make sense of all this, and we wait on You to guide us through this deep, thick darkness.  Come to the rescue, Lord....  We are nothing on our own.


Give back what the locusts have devoured.  The enemy is merciless in his attack.  Help us - help Your servant and friend....  In the midst of attack lift up her (his) head, establish her (his) faith, and fill her (him) with hope.  Our lives hinge on your strong arm.  Though it feels like you may come near to slaying us - let our love for You abound.

Death to the Seed!

Have you ever planted a seed? Have you ever really looked at this tiny little thing? If you put it in some soil, it will sprout and 2 tiny little "leaves" grow atop the longer stem. The seed also sends down a root. There are scientific names for all of this but I have forgotten what they are. If all goes well, the sprout in time becomes a full grown plant, which will flower. It yields a crop of hopefully many fruits. I have to say, that from the seed's point of view, this isn't great. It must lay down it's life to exist in darkness (soil) and just wait for something to happen. It must have enough food (hope) stored inside the seed to sustain the beginning of the little life that has begun to grow. As it grows it reaches for the sun and as it absorbs the sunlight, a chemical process called photosynthesis starts. Without this there can be no growth or development. Have you ever thought of your life as a seed? You who have PD (or any other giant of a problem) may be feeling the darkness of your condition. You have felt a death to your pre-pd life. You may just be existing on the last flickers of hope for better days. But don't despair! Reach for the sun (Son), knowing that He can transform the old "you" into someone new. Without the breaking of the seed (breaking of the old you), there will be no going forth from death to birth (this means death of the old you). Without the darkness and waiting there will be no development - no transformation. And without the light that is God, there can be no bearing fruit. It's not always easy, is it? But take comfort in this: Life is not a series of random events. There is a Gardner. He has plans for the garden. And He tends each plant. His plan for you is LIFE! John 12:25 CJB: "He who loves his life loses it, but he who hates his life in this world will keep it safe right on into eternal life!"

Cold Air and Storms

It's very dark this morning. The thunder is rolling and the rain is coming down. What has things stirred up is the arrival of warm weather. It's pushing the cold weather out of the way. They just can't exist together in the same place without turmoil and tempest. I've often noticed that it's the same with my life. When life's challenges have got me in a state of pain or confusion (cold) and things start getting worse, I know the times of smooth sailing are very near, because the storms signal their approach. Are you in the middle of a storm? Is the wind gusting, the rain falling, and the hail pelting the ground? Are there tornado warnings and is the sky dark and seething? Don't fear, Believer. God "will redeem your soul in peace from the battle which is against" you (Psalm 55:18). Hasten to your "place of refuge from the stormy wind and tempest." (Psalm 55:8). Rest in the knowledge and hope that "no weapon formed against you will prevail." - even though for a short time it may seem to. (Isaiah 54:17). Know that the Lord says, "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you." (Jer. 29:11). Believe with the psalmist, "surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:6)