Greetings from Florida! Sounds nice - doesn't it…yes, it is. I'll take this weather over the Midwest weather any January day - ha!
We've been here in Florida for nearly three weeks. We've nestled in to making booking calls, catching up on mail, preparing messages, and making phone calls to many of our ministry partners who are facing life and death situations, illnesses, broken hearts and relationships. It's been a blessed time of being able to minister into their lives.
2014 was a great and full year and for the first time in 49 years, we came off our tour in November exhilarated and thrilled, but exhausted! With that in mind, and our age, we listened to that inner voice urging us to designate this time to "be still and know that He is God". The New American Standard bible says, "To relax, and let go, or to cease striving." This is both my and your invitation to lay down our cares and seek Him and bask in His presence. Larry and I needed this quiet time to "recharge" our spiritual and physical batteries. We have more or less hid away to spend time in prayer and reading and sermon preparation. We have been blessed to be able to attend some incredible churches with powerful messages from some of God's great messengers. We have been able to use this time to gain clarity and focus for this year and see how God opened up doors with connections and ministry opportunities for the rest of this year. We are being refreshed and filled so we will be ready to hit the road up and running again for the rest of 2015 - Praise the Lord for His divine timing and guidance!
As you know by the news, this life is not going to be easier or better, but isn't it encouraging knowing that God is faithful and greater than any of our problems? All He asks of us is to tuck up close to Him, let His arms wrap around us as they shield and protect us from the storms of this world. If we do that, not only will be make it through, but we will walk this life in victory and with a peace that passes all understanding.
Maybe you're reading this today and have been fighting the storms of life - maybe you too need to "Be still and know" that He is God (Psalm 46:10). I just read this poem entitled "True Rest". Let me share it with you. Maybe you too need to decide to pull away from the demands of life, snuggle up into God's word, be still and hear His voice speak to your heart, and then you will experience true rest.
True Rest
My dear child, I know you're weary
With nothing left to give.
You've worked long and hard
Now you feel frayed and worn.
Come with Me to a quiet place
Away from all the noise and busyness.
Let Me wrap My arms around you,
Enfold you in My love.
Let Me whisper peace to your heart's storm,
Soothe your troubled brow.
Listen to the love song
I composed just for you.
In Me is true contentment.
In Me you will find what you long for.
Come with Me to a quiet place
And receive rest, strength, and peace.
May you feel God's peace upon you this day. May it give you joy and laughter and good health!
Gloria
{Quote}
"Take rest; a field that has rested give a bountiful crop." - Ovid
{Chuckle/Reflection}
These chuckles never get old...speaking of "old":
- A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: "We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony…We picked wild raspberries in the woods." The little girl was wide-eyed, taking all this in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!"
- My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandpa, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo and I said, "No, how are we alike?" "You're both old," he replied.
{Pic of the Week}
Larry is thrilled to be enjoying the fresh oranges (and strawberries) that are here in Florida!
2 avocados
3-4 tsp. salsa
½ tsp. salt, pepper, garlic
Juice from 1 lemon or lime
Mash all ingredients together. Enjoy!
To revive a vase of wilted flowers, add a teaspoon of mild detergent.