Texas Strong

 

Picture by Caprice Miller

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

Along with the stars and stripes of the great American flag, the Texas flag has to be one of the most recognizable flags of our nation and, I would dare say, the world.  The familiar red, white and blue of our countries colors, but the one LONE STAR that makes it stand apart from the rest.  There is a lot of symbolism that is represented by the flag of the “Lone Star State”.  Many don’t understand, but that’s all right.  If they give a Texan a moment we’ll explain a bit about the Texas Pride that seems to puzzle so many that “Ain’t from around here”.   Sure Texas is big and we have just about every natural terrain there is. (We’ll leave the frozen tundra to Alaska though.)  But there is something even more special that is not as easily seen or explained.  It’s strength and courage that comes from being a part of something bigger than yourself.  Texas has a history of fighting for what is right and what belongs to us.  You could say Texas pride is all about Faith, Family and Freedom.  Texans are a gentle bunch, but if you want to challenge those things….well….let’s just say you better not “Mess With Texas”.  We will stand STRONG and COURAGEOUS!  Admit it, you might tempted right now to throw your fist in the air and give a big “YEAH!” even if you “ain’t from around here” – it’s contagious.   

In the verse above, Joshua, in essence, was preparing to fight for his Faith, Family and Freedom.  It was a big task Joshua was given to lead the Israelites, his family, across the river into the Promised Land.  And now God himself is telling Joshua  “…Be strong and courageous.  ….for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Can you imagine the courage that would swell inside you to receive a message from God like that?  With that kind of power with me I’m not afraid of anything!  There is a sense of pride – righteous pride – that comes with knowing that God is with you.   As Christians, we can hold our head high knowing that God is always with us.  We can stand strong and courageous in His name and defeat anything the enemy might throw at us to threaten our freedom in Christ.  We can build strong families as we instill this same strength and courage within them.  And we can stand tall in the face of fear and discouragement as our faith is proven time after time.  Imagine what would happen if we decided to walk in strength and courage every day knowing God is with us.  It could cause a ripple effect that would strengthen our families, communities, state, and country.  I don't know about you but that makes me want to raise my hand and shout "YEAH!!!" 

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

Fruit Basket Life

Picture by Caprice Miller

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!  Galatians 5:22-23

It’s really great to be the recipient of a gift.  Especially one you can share.  Those gift baskets full of food products you get at Christmas are a great example of a “gift to share”.  But sometimes those can be a little “dicey”.  The contents of the multiple little packages in the basket are…well….lacking.  It’s not always fresh, most are those “special occasion foods” that aren’t always the healthiest for us, and then some are just not tasty.  And then you find out that the rest of the basket is just full of paper and foam peanuts.  But then there’s the fruit basket – it’s all there in front of you.  No extra packages containing something artificial or just not enough of.  No questions of if you will like everything in it or not.  You know the fruit, you love the fruit and it is ready to consume and….BONUS….it’s all really good for you!  It’s a no guilt, no disappointment gift that you want to share with everyone.

In a sense, we can look at these baskets as a representation of our lives.   We can choose to have a life full of artificial experiences or we can choose a life full of abundance - a fruit basket life.  I don’t want it to be full of artificial experiences that leave me lacking joy and fulfillment.  I don’t want to look below the surface of my life and find just a bunch of paper and foam peanuts.  When someone looks under the surface of my life, I want them to see what holds it together – Jesus Christ.  When we make the choice to step into a relationship with Christ, we can’t help but experience a difference in our lives.   I don’t want my life to be just on the surface any longer.  I want my relationship with Christ to be evident to the world around me because I want to share what I have received.  I do this by sharing the “fruit of the Spirit” – that desire to show to others “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…”. 

I have to face reality though.  I mess up sometimes and do the opposite of what I want to do.  Chances are you do too.  But don’t get frustrated.  It’s important to realize that being able to display and share these fruits in our lives is a process.  These fruits grow as our relationship with Christ grows.  So if we are really serious about allowing this fruit to grow in our lives so we can share it, we have to be intentional about knowing where it comes from.  How?  Read His Word – The Bible.  Pray.  Talk to others who can help you.  Before long, you too could have an abundant fruit basket life to share. 

Fish gotta swim - We gotta Pray

Picture by Caprice Miller

“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish.” – Jonah 2:1

I wonder what was going through Jonah’s mind while he was stuck inside the fish that swallowed him.  I also wonder at what point he decided it would be a good time to pray about the situation he found himself in.  I would like to say that I am so “spiritually mature” that prayer would have been my immediate response.  But then I get realistic and have to admit that prayer would not be my first response.  My immediate circumstance and surroundings would probably cause an all-out fear response.  Think about it – I’ve just been SWALLOWED by a gigantic FISH.  The laws of nature say this situation is supposed to be reversed.  I’m not meant to be the meal – the fish is!   In that moment I would do everything in my own power to get myself out of the slimy, smelly, dark space before I’m digested.  And therein lies the problem, it seems…. “my own power”. 

We have all been in those situations when we may feel like we are stuck in the belly of a fish.  Desperation sets in and we do everything in our own power to get ourselves out of the situation.  But the more we struggle, the worse it gets.  It’s only when we can’t fight any longer that we do what we should have in the beginning and cry out to God.  We finally get to the point of desperation we feel is the “last resort” instead of our first response and we ask God to use His power.  What would happen if we decided to pray first?   What if we stopped to ask if there is something He wants to teach us in the midst of this?

In Jonah’s case we’re told what happened after Jonah learned some things God wanted to teach him and he finishes his prayer.  In the very next verse it says - “Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.” – Jonah 2:10.  Jonah found rest on a beach!  For some of us, that is the perfect scenario – just spit me out on a beach and get me out of this, please. When we actually become still enough to pray in the midst of the circumstance, we find His peace.  We may have been so fearful and stressed out that we could not see the way out He wanted to give us at the time.  But when we let Him step in and take over He gives us a way out.  Remember, when we are at our most desperate His glory can shine the brightest in our lives.   You may be stuck in the belly of a fish right now.  Stop struggling and truly cry out to God believing He already has a way out for you.  He’s got a beach – a resting place - just for you.

Beautiful Feet

Picture by Caprice Miller

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!  Isaiah 52:7 (NLV)

The contrast of feet in the verse above and how most people view feet is interesting.  The common view of feet is that they are dirty, smelly, utilized to carry us from point A to point B and are meant to stay on the floor.  But this verse tells us about how beautiful feet are – and not because of a really good pedicure.  These aren’t just any feet either – these feet are transporting the most important message in the world.  The Good News  -  JESUS!  The promise of salvation and forgiveness.  The reminder that our God REIGNS!  This is a picture of someone climbing a mountain to bring this news to those who haven’t heard it -  those remote areas of the world that haven’t heard the good news.  There are beautiful feet that need to go to these places and we applaud their tenacity, courage and heart as they go.  But what about going next door or to that desk across the office?  It’s easy to think of those far off places with no technology who haven’t heard about Jesus.  But the reality is we encounter people in our everyday lives who may have heard the word Jesus, but not necessarily in the context that would portray Him as a person who loves them.  We forget that our feet should be those beautiful feet bringing good news too.  It is not about the distance the feet take us, but the message that is delivered.   

We never know who God may be placing in our lives so we can share His love with them.  Are your feet walking in a manner that shows others there is something special about you – something that they want in their lives too?   We have a choice about the steps our feet take – they are our feet after all.  We can choose to walk past those people God puts in our lives who need His good news.  Or we can choose to have beautiful feet that walk into the lives of the people around us and show them that He loves them.  Where will your feet take you today?  Ask God to help you be intentional about your steps and open your eyes and heart to those around you who need to know the good news. 

Holy Toledo - Look At That Cow!

Picture by Caprice Miller

“God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”  – Genesis 1:25

The next time you are out and about, take a moment to look around and notice how many amazing examples of creativity there are from THE Creator.  Think about it.  The birds – how do they stay in the sky?   What purpose was the ant made for?  How and why do the creatures have the shape and color that they do? The list of creativity and details could go on and on.  I can’t think of these things too long at a time though because my brain becomes overwhelmed with it all.  I look at one thing and that leads to another thought and then another and then I just have to stop.  Not because of frustration that I don’t have the answers of how or why, but because I’m overwhelmed with AWE.  How amazing is it that we can have a relationship with a God who created these things that we take for granted every day! 

As the part of His creation made in His image, we all have a creative ability – just in varied aspects. It could be with technical knowledge, organization or maybe one of the “traditional creatives” such as art, music or writing. Too many times, however, instead of appreciating our own creative ability, we focus on someone else’s and how we can get theirs.  It’s important to remember any creative ability is a gift from God.  I can’t waist time wondering why I don’t have someone else’s ability when I can be using my own….the one I may be taking for granted right now.   Whatever creative ability it is, it has been given as a gift.  Let’s focus on using our gifts wisely by showing our appreciation to God and to His glory and encourage others along the way.  Then we can be in awe of Him in a new way….what He can do through us if we let Him.   

Goats?

 

Picture by Caprice Miller

(Pigmy goats: Melanie, Sarah and Purdy)

 

“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?” Job 39:1

Pets can really bring a lot of joy to life.   If you spend enough time with them you discover they have unique personalities and they learn their master’s way of doing things too – good and bad.  And because they have a way of grabbing our hearts, we pamper them and play with them and many times, treat them like part of the family.  For those who have pets you may find yourself wondering about what happens to those animals who aren’t fortunate enough to have a master to care for them.  Someone who provides a warm place to sleep on cold nights and food and water they don’t have to search for.  What about them? 

 In the book of Job God gives us a little reminder of how He is control of the details.  As Job ponders his own circumstances, which are…challenging at the moment to say the least, God begins getting his attention at the beginning of chapters 38 and 40 by speaking from a storm and saying to Job “Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.”  - Job 38:3  (and 40:7) (If I heard those words from God, I’m pretty sure He’s got my full attention!)  God goes on to ask a series of questions that reminds us of the details that we don’t even think of going on in the very world around us.  Reading this makes me realize how much I am not in control of and how much I don’t even know about.  (Go ahead, read it for yourself and see.)  If He cares about and is paying such close attention to those little details that we give no thought to, we can be assured that whatever issue or storm we are going through – great or small – He is aware of.  Not only is He aware of it, but He has a plan for us to get us through whatever it is and probably learn from it also.   In other words, He is speaking from the storm to you letting you know He’s got this!

Get Power Washed!

Picture by Caprice Miller

“But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.   He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.” – Titus 3:4-6

Have you ever had those times when you feel like your entire body is just filthy?  You may have been working in the yard all day or you may have just finished a strenuous workout.  Whatever the case, you can’t wait to just jump in the shower and get clean again.  There may have even been times as a kid....or as an adult…that you were so dirty you had to have the “Power Wash” outside so that you could come inside to take a shower.  Now that’s some dirt!   But when you finally get to that shower and you are able to wash away all the dirt and grime, you feel SO great!  There is something about being clean that makes you feel like you can relax and enjoy life again.  Like you are ready again for anything that comes your way. 

In a sense, that’s what happens when we make the decision to step into a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Because of His sacrifice, our sins are washed away.   We’re reminded in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”   You see, every one of us who comes to Jesus is already really dirty when we get there.  It doesn’t matter to what degree we have sinned (fallen short), we’re dirty!  But, too many times we think we need to have the “Power Wash” outside before we can come to Him.  This unfortunate thought process keeps so many from a life that can be cleansed from those sins.  We think we need to have that “power wash” outside to clean ourselves up a little so it will be easier for Him to do the rest.  The reality is, He doesn’t need our help; we need His.  He just wants to meet you right where you are so He can do the REAL “Power Wash” - The everlasting “Power Wash” that cleanses us of our sin and makes us brand new.  With His cleansing “Power Wash” we can enjoy life and take on anything that comes your way – clean and renewed – because He’ll be with us…always.  

If you haven’t made the choice to let Jesus “Power Wash” your life, you can do it right now.  Just pray this simple prayer and make it your own:  “Dear God, I admit that I am a sinner and that I have messed up from time to time. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and that God raised Him from the dead. I choose to follow You, Jesus, and I confess that You are my savior. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me. I love You. Amen.”  Now, tell somebody so they can celebrate with you!

What do you notice?

Picture by Caprice Miller

 

“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. ²⁸ And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.  Why do you have so little faith?”  Luke 12:27-28

This picture reminds me of a recent road trip my husband and I took.  Most of the time, we were more concerned about getting to our destination on time than the “less than awe inspiring view” on the roadside.   But as we drove we came up on this one amazing stretch of land that was filled with all sorts of wild flowers.  The colors made for such a beautiful view – yellow, orange, purple...  I had forgotten the affect that God’s nature can have.  It made me think of God’s creativity and how I wanted to share that scene with others.  But a picture really could not do the colors justice.  So that picture will have to remain in my mind.  It is one of those “happy places” I can go to now when life gets a little stressful.   (Perhaps you can use the picture above as your own “happy place”). 

It’s important to have those “happy places”.  There seems to be a natural tendency to allow ourselves to spin out of control with worry and stress at times.  Many times it is about things we really have no control over.  It’s important to remember that God is doing so much that we won’t ever be aware of pertaining to the situation at hand.  When we do take the time to focus on His creation…the beauty He has provided around us, we should let it remind us of something.  He tells us to “Look at the lilies…”. (Go ahead, look at the flowers.)  He loves and cares so much for each every one of us.  More than the flowers we may be taking the time to gaze at in the moment.  Be thankful, in that moment, that He gave you the flowers or the sunset or whatever your “happy place” may be to focus on to remind you that He’s got this….have faith and rest in Him. 

What is this "Images And Expressions" you speak of?

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.  You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.”   James 1: 22-24

You have heard it - “A picture says a thousand words”.   That is a true statement – if we allow ourselves to actually look at the picture.  We live our lives at such a fast paced, technology driven, instant gratification way that we seem to rarely take time to examine the interesting things right in front of us.  I’ve noticed that I can skim through pictures so quickly and then I never really see what I was really looking at.  If I go back and look at the same pictures in a more thoughtful and intentional manner, I bet the image would look completely different to me and mean so much more. 

It reminds me of the verse in James about looking in the mirror and then forgetting what you look like.  I’ll be the first to admit guilt in this area.  How about you?  There have been many times when I am frustrated with myself for not slowing down enough to think about what is going on around me -to really be in the moment of this time in my life.  How many of us turn around and realize that our children have suddenly grown up and in our mind they are still 6? I don’t want to miss what God has in store for me at this moment in life.  It occurs to me that when I am actually doing what He tells me to in His Word and really taking that in, my life slows down a bit.  I remember that things aren’t always about my timing, but His timing.  It helps me to focus and gain perspective – His perspective.

So when my friend, Caprice, told me she was going to start sending me pictures she had taken as a project for herself, I had an idea.  What if (a 2 word phrase that tends to lead in creativity) I take a moment to actually “look” at those pictures as she sends them and see what they might bring up in my mind?  Perhaps God will put something interesting (and He is always interesting) on my heart to write that pertains to these pictures.  I hope the words and pictures speak to your heart too.