Last night while completing my reading assignment, I came upon the story of Jesus calling Peter a “rock”. The textbook’s author, Dr. Wilmington, notes how Jesus called Peter a “rock” at a time when Peter was anything but stable. We’re talking about a man who had a temper, was a liar and DENIED knowing Christ three times. Yet, Jesus still called him a “rock”.

I could just imagine the pain and shame she felt as the lawmen rallied to have her stoned. “What will become of me? I don’t want to die this way.” She must have thought. “He said he loved me, why is he now chanting with them.” She cried. Then the crowd grew silent.

Every time I look out my window, if I’m paying attention, I’m reminded of the Psalm 111:2, 3...

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” –Isaiah 46:9 One of my fondest New Year’s memories comes from way back (well, maybe not so way back) in my early teen years. I was too young for the all night youth group events, yet old enough to babysit for married couples who wanted to go to late night New Year’s Eve parties without their kids. The kids’ bedtimes were always long before midnight, so I’d quietly watch TV or read until just before midnight. Then the house would be completely quiet—it was just me and God.

Throughout the Bible, God speaks of Himself as the Shepherd and His people as sheep. It's a beautiful analogy. Among other truths, it shows that God is watching over us all the time, that each of us is as significant to Him as every other, that we can trust God's judgment as He moves us from one pasture to another, and that He will do whatever it takes to lead us safely home--even if we've strayed from the flock under His care.

This is a message I wrote and shared in my church recently, at the request of my Pastor and Worship team. I trust it encourages and inspires people to meditate on WHO Jesus is and to know Him more.

I’ve heard so many different versions of the story of Henny-Penny that I’m not sure if she ever made it to see the king or not. I just know that in her distress that the sky was falling, going to see the king was the first solution that came to her little chicken mind--and that her unfortunate friends supported her every step of the way, possibly right into the fox’s den.

A long, long time ago--well, maybe not so very long ago--I did something that I quickly wished I hadn't. Well, maybe not so very quickly. The shock of my situation had to wear off before the regret could kick in. Once that happened, though, I knew I’d made a tragic mistake. Let me take you back in time . . .

DON'T WANT TO SIT ON THE BACK STAGE CHAIR/ DON'T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT OTHERS HEAR/ TODAY FOR ME, IT IS PENTECOST/ DRAWN BACK TO THE WELL/ I WAS A LAMB ONCE LOST/ EVERYDAY THE PRINCE SENDS HIS WORD/ HIS INEXPLICABLE MESSAGES DROVE INTO MY HEART LIKE A SWORD/ DON'T WANT TO BE ANOTHER PHARASEE/ SO I PRAYED THAT MY EYES WILL SEE WHAT HIS EYES SEES/ THE HOLY SPIRIT'S FIRE SENDS ELECTRICAL SHOCKS/ AND I AM AWAKEN BY THE VOICE OF THE LIVING ROCK/ TODAY FOR ME, IT IS PENTECOST/ THE PRINCE POURED IN ME THE LANGUAGE HE SPOKE ON THE CROSS THE HOLY SPIRIT INSIDE ME REJOICE/ TO BE ABLE TO LISTEN ONCE AGAIN TO GOD'S VOICE

As I lay in bed the night before I left for college, I prayed, “Lord, after tomorrow, my life will never be the same.”

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” James 1:14 I am a shepherd, a blessing that God has given me that is beyond a simple explanation, because this job allows personal insight into my own humanity and sin. I guess you could say it is a way of learning by example. It may even be a little more foretelling because my flock is goats, not sheep, which means they often do not listen so very well.

Knocking heads doesn’t prove any thing; it just leaves you with a headache. It does demonstrate that goats and people can both be bullheaded and stubborn. But, I do not believe that is how God intended us to be. “And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.” Psalm 78:8

I saw this passage differently today. I love the way that works! God speaks fresh truths through age old words as we’re ready to hear them and learn. Today I learned three new things. (This isn’t a sermon. I’m not a preacher. I just happened to learn three new things.)

The great hall was full of people each with an air of anticipation. The music was playing and the table prepared for the feast. We took our places at the banqueting table with the King at the head. It was marvelous. The beauty. The splendor. The sounds. The scents. Each of the five senses was heightened in the magnificence of it all. Then it happened.

Cast you cares unto the Lord. Overcome your fears. Not lose hope. Trust in the Lord. Encourage others. Nothing is impossible. Triumph over obstacles. Mending your heart. Everyday counts. Never look back. Throw away the past.

I spend a lot of time in reflection. As an introvert, I thrive on quiet time--reading, writing, praying, thinking, and learning all I can. As a perfectionist, I’m always striving to be the person God meant me to be, to have the right attitude, to say the right thing, to use my resources in the most wise and efficient manner possible. Until God takes me to Heaven, I’ll be a work in progress. I’ll never run out of mistakes to analyze, lessons to learn, or flaws to overcome.

There is a bud on the bush today. It is the first one. I wonder how long she will take to bloom? I'll water the plant. Mixed with the tender warmth of the sun I'm hoping to help speed up the process. My heart longs to see the beauty of the flower in her fullness. But then again, is not the process in itself a thing of beauty. I'm priviledged to be a spectator.

In these days of economic stress in our lives, we need to reflect on God's word not mans. Man can talk a good talk, but cannot produce everlasting results as the Word of God as shown us.

“’I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” –Matthew 17:20 “’Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!’ ‘Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered. ‘I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea’, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.’” Mark 11:21-23 I think we’ve all thought at one point or another “well surely I have faith as big as a little seed, for heaven’s sake. Thanks goodness for that rather low standard on Jesus’ part!” Unfortunately, as I have grown in experience, I have had to come to the conclusion that that seed might as well be the size of the Milky Way for all the true faith I can muster up most of the time.

God deserves our recognition and praise. This is one attempt of many to love and praise Him.