Summertime Growth

Walking in the Arboretum this morning, I noticed the new growth of budding flowers, expanding shrubs, and towering trees. Fruit, now ripe, was ready to pick and newborn, Peacock chicks, skipped beside their mothers through the sprawling grass. As I passed by a pond, I looked at the algae that brimmed along the banks, as flies buzzed around the fermenting moss.

On this mid-summer day I realized how much growth there is when the temperature rises. When the autumn and winter solstice turns the leaves brown, the air cool, and the streams slow to a frozen trickle, the earth becomes dormant and little change occurs. But, in the warmth of the summer, there is much growth.

I notice myself, my shadow, and my outline as I come around a bend on the path and recognize I too have grown. In the days where I contended in the most heated battles, the fight for faith and struggles for endurance, in retrospect, these have been the seasons of the most growth and the greatest yield of fruit. 

So be it. These are the hot days of summer, the season of summertime growth.

(James 1:12)

Love always...

I know the world whispers in your ear that what you possess defines who you are, and that your appearance determines your worth. This is a lie, My love. Every shade, shape, and color reflects My glory. 

Know that the generations to come will not remember you for the efforts you placed on your outward appearance or for the things you accumulated but for what you gave and for Who you reflected inwardly. In fact, the harder you strive to perfect your image and to have more things, the more fearful and insecure you will be about who you really are and why you are ultimately here. 

I am in you and you are in Me. I will give you all that you need. Now go and walk through this life in complete confidence that I have uniquely equipped you with all you will ever need to impact the world and the lives of those around you.

Love always,

Your King and your Confidence

Violent Force or Passive Aggression?

I saw a sermon last night by a Pastor’s son who has been in leadership for many years in Los Angeles. His message was a call to a passive response regarding the recent events of police brutality upon Black people. He ascribed to the methods of nonviolent protest saying instead we should pray.

Apostle Stephen Gardener said “The seat of the Intercessor is one of authority and power.
We also know the Word says “Men ought always to pray” (Luke 18:1). I believe that prayer changes things and scripture also says that “So, too, faith without works is dead” (James 2:17).

However, those of us not called to the front lines on the streets still have a part to play and an effort to contribute and it is on the front lines of the Heavenlies. The recent developments in the Black Lives Matter movement show us that protest brings a climate for change. I strongly feel therefore, I must have action with my passion. So let’s march and let us also pray, for it is written, “The kingdom of God suffers violence (force) and the violent (forceful, unrelenting, committed, and passionate) take it by force (Matthew 11:12).

Finding Confidence in the Lord

Since the news of the corona virus has called for county-wide shutdowns and for everyone to stay indoors, I have begun to feel the effects of 'cabin-fever'. So, I have hiked 10 miles, baked a dozen chocolate-chip cookies, cooked one pot of homemade chili, and began to study the conversion of the metric system. Yes, the need to stay active both physically and mentally during these weeks of self-quarantine has called for creativity and intentionality. Still, keeping busy to stave off boredom and to just "stay out of the refrigerator", as I combat feelings of anxiety while experiencing empty store shelves, and hearing of fake vaccines, has truly become wearisome.

How does this speak to shame and rejection? I take heart in His promise to neither leave me nor forsake me. (Heb. 13:5)

The Word says to, "Be strong and of good courage" (Josh. 1:18). So today, I take comfort in the Lord;
and although I do not know when I will return to work and the end of this pandemic is no where in sight, my peace and confidence is in Him.

May you too find rest and a space of grace today and in the days and weeks to come.

My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
(Ps. 73:26)

Fear versus Faith

The threat of coronavirus, shortages of supplies in the marketplace, lacking healthcare,  unemployment, our US presidential candidates battling it out, and road rage, There’s a lot in our news headlines that let us know- on a 24 hour basis - there’s much at stake.

However, panics and pandemics are not new to mankind. Jesus even spoke about trouble to come when He was here on earth. In Mark 13:7, Jesus said to his disciples,“But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.”  He went on to say, “Countries will fight each other; kingdoms will attack one another. There will be earthquakes everywhere, and there will be famines. These things are like the first pains of childbirth” (Mark‬ ‭13:8‬).

Therefore, we have a choice; with so much to be concerned about, we may choose to be in fear or walk in faith. The Lord said through the prophet Isaiah, ”Fear not for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Isa. 54:10).

So, with this great promise and assurance, how can we fret, hoard supplies and speak of impending doom?  In these last days we need to come together as Brethren and not fear one another lest we “ catch something” or “lose something”. If God is for us then who or what can be against us?

For it is written, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Father, thank You that there is no fear in You, but peace and provision. You are Jehovah Jireh, our provider. In Jesus name, amen.

2020: The Year of Clear Vision, A Year of Hope

As the new year rolls out and we settle into our resolutions or resolve not to have resolutions, I am finding the word 'hope' just about everywhere. First, the theme of the Rose Parade was hope and the meditations on just about every prayer app are focusing on hope. Hope is that thing that gets you up in the morning. Keeps you on the job, in the relationship and committed to the goal. 

Therefore, I propose that what we all need most in the new year is hope. We require optimism and faith in order to move forward in our lives. However, being optimistic may be easier said than done. For example, the writer of Proverbs wrote, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life", (Proverbs 13:12). Therefore, having an anchor of expectation is integral to obtain forward movement, progress, and to thrive.

Sometimes we just need to talk ourselves into hope. I have found that there is no better way to do that than by reading the Word of God. Meditate on these verses of hope. 
Psalm 33:22, Psalm 39:7, Lamentations 3:24, Psalm 130:5 (Courtesy JM Ministries)

H Have
O Optimistic
P Perspectives in
E Everything 

Happy New Year!