The Porch

 As Summer winds down I dread the evening of early darkness.  Although I do enjoy every other aspect of Fall.  I love the fact that I can grab a sweater and wrap up and feel warm against the cool chilly evenings.  I love the color of the leaves as they begin to change.  The occasional smell of wood burning stoves in the early morning reminds me of home when I was a child and my Mom would fix a fire first thing to take the chill off.  One of the pleasures I enjoyed most this Summer was sitting on my friends porch.  I have enjoyed walking and talking with God.  I resolved many things while in prayer this Summer.  With my walking shoes on, my head phones in, I would set out on the pavement- destination unknown.  God usually had my walks planned out.  Sometimes I would only see dogs, birds and cows.  Other times I visited with kids, passersby, neighbors that would beep the horn, strangers working on a fence and many times I would end up at a neighbors house.  We sat on the porch and shared a bottle of water or a cup of coffee and our problems.  We shared secrets, hopes, dreams, our hearts burdens and blessings!  God- always at the center of our talks- felt like he was right there on that porch with us.  When life gets busy and we have to balance our work life, home life, and our spiritual life, we have to make sure we get it all!  We can't be unbalanced!  So with "busy"ness in our lives make sure you have some "porch" time.  Even if the only ones on the porch are you and God.  When the darkness begins to fade into light and we know Spring is around the corner then we can renew our porchtime with neighbors and friends.  In the meantime, I look forward to some quality "porch" time with just me and my Heavenly Father!  I hope you will too :)

Forgiveness

When do you know you need forgiveness? I know we sin everyday, every minute, every second! We could constantly be asking Gods forgiveness in our lives. We unknowingly and knowingly sin against God, we automatically ask for forgiveness. Those two things just go hand in hand. How many times do we sin against our fellow man? knowingly? Unknowingly? Do we ask for forgiveness? Yes, No, Maybe, sometimes?

Colossians 3:13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV)
Needing forgiveness is a terrible feeling but giving forgiveness is amazing! No matter what I do I know I have a heavenly father who understands me and my many faults. It doesn't matter to him. He forgives me! He doesn't hold a grudge, he doesn't throw it up in my face!
Romans 3:23
(NIV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
I do not knowingly hurt others but I am sure I have stepped on toes, Lord knows I do have a big mouth. All I know is I try to live the life God wants me too. I ask him to fill my heart with love so that I can show it to others. So I ask your forgiveness if I have wronged you! Jesus has already paid the price and forgiven me! Praise God for that! Danny was often my conscience and would tell me when I stepped out of line. He is still telling me these things, its just now he is a quiet spirit instead of a loud smack on the back of the head! Sometimes I need smacked on the back of the head! God is Good and Forgiveness is great! As I type this note, I keep doing a typo of "forgivemess" ! How true that is! Forgiveness IS forgivemess!

2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land

Hiding Place

As the tears run down my face I am just sad. I think about so many friends who are facing hard life decisions and illnesses. Sometimes I just don't have the words to help or even encourage because I know the road they are traveling. And sometimes words just don't seem sufficient. Sometimes you need those tears. They are good for the heart and good for the soul. When I walk, I talk to God and I listen to music. One of my favorite songs is "Hiding Place" by Steven Curtis Chapman. In the last 2 years I have wanted to run away and hide! I did find a hiding place! Psalms 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
When I was scared, and those days were many, I hid. When I was sad, I hid. Even when I was mad, yes, I would find my hiding place. I know what God says! So when I can't find comfort in anything else I turn to those words. His promises!
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope

Today I was looking for a hiding place. I found it in the middle of the woods looking out over a cliff. There was nothing but rocks and trees, moss and mushrooms but I could feel Jesus wrap me in his arms there and it felt so good. My prayer for you, my friends, is that you find your hiding place in Jesus! Let him wrap you in his arms and comfort you. Lift up your head, help is on the way. It wont pass you by, you just gotta reach out your hand!
When the storms rage, seek your refuge in that embrace of Jesus Christ, your hiding place!