I Believe Him; I Trust Him

I just read this song on another blog... had yet to hear it. Really powerful!

Let me just say this.... I believe Him now. There is no evidence to prove one way or another, yet I believe Him. And I trust Him too. His words are true, and all His promises are sure.

Believe Me Now
by Steven Curtis Chapman

I watch you looking out across the raging water
So sure your only hope lies on the other side
You hear the enemy that's closing in around you
And I know that you don't have the strength to fight
But do you have the faith to stand and...

Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you and I am for you
So believe Me now
Believe Me now

I am the One who waved my hand and split the ocean
I am the One who spoke the words and raised the dead
And I've loved you long before I set the world in motion
I know all the fears you're feeling now
But do you remember who I am?
Do you..

Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you
And I am for you
So believe Me now
Believe it's true
I never have, I never will abandon you
And the God that I have always been
I will forever be
So believe Me now

I am the God who never wastes a single hurt that you endure
My words are true, and all My promises are sure
So believe Me now
Oh, believe Me now

All for now,
Lisa

Thoughts from 10 Dirty Fingernails

Though my backyard is relatively small, the greenery can get out of hand very easily, especially if you're not looking! :-)

This past weekend I decided to forage my way into the very back of the yard to trim up some vines and branches that had gotten WAY overgrown. This was an attempt to make a pathway to a neighbor's tree that has grown branches into my backyard - and even encroaching on the 85 year old crepe myrtles. I eventually need to tackle those encroaching branches, but first things first!

Saturday was a hot and humid morning, but I was enjoying getting my fingers dirty. There’s nothing like spending a little time digging into God’s green earth that puts everything into just the right perspective. I thought about turning on some tunes, but the silence, broken only by a bird singing, was nice.

At first, I didn’t think the vines were that overgrown. Although it had been at least two years since I last trimmed them. Well, as I started tackling the vines, I realized they had grown over the fence and down the fence line! Wow – and the vines were as thick as a rope!
It’s those kinds of moments that give me such a unique spiritual perspective. I thought about how Jesus says...

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:5-8

...because earlier last week I had started removing some vines. And just a few days later, the vines and branches where I chopped a path were already brown and withered. It really brought home the point that branches that are thrown away wither and are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. They don’t last.

Then I started thinking about vines that just grow, without direction. They may grow, but they won’t bear fruit. It made me mindful of the verses earlier in the chapter:

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
John 15:1-4

Lord, thank you for being the gardener. And for pruning me so I may bear Your fruit. Fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

And thank you, Lord, for even using a hot humid day in my backyard to teach me something about You.

I love you Lord.

All for now,
Lisa

Ever Have a Song Roll Around in Your Head For Days?

I Will Rise
by Chris Tomlin

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise I will rise
And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
[x2]

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

All for now,
Lisa

Thoughts from a Recent Camping Trip

One of my favorite things to do is to go camping, paired with doing some sort of adventure (hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, rapelling)! I love the outdoors, the fun, the activity, and the fellowship. I guess you can call me a people person because I would have never thought of going camping alone until recently.

On my last camping outing I did just that. I ventured alone to our camping site early and stayed two days and a night alone - before the rest of the crew arrived. It was an odd site to be at a campsite alone (I think the ranger checked on me more than usual, which I thought was very sweet).

But I wasn't alone.

Yes, there were tons of animals around, which I was more accutely aware of due to it being quieter than usual around the campsite. I just know a deer visited me during the night. But I had one of the most awesome, yet unexpected, times alone with our Lord.

I wasn't nearly alone.

It was early morning of my second day. It had gotten colder during the night before and was actually really chilly in the early morning hours. I didn't have much wood to start a fire and the wood that I had didn't burn very well. But I was cold. So, I got the fire going, but had to tend to it pretty regularly or it would go out. I was trying to get the campsite up so I was doing a few things around the camp and then would go back to the fire to stoke it (and warm up). I finally sat down in a chair and took a little break to enjoy the fire.

It was then as I just stared into the beautiful flame that I had an "aha" moment. Isn't tending the fire much like my relationship with God? If I "walk away" for too long the relationship will suffer. And if I walk away I'll miss the "benefits" - the warmth, the glow, the energy. I was beginning to understand.

And there was more.

As I put a big log onto the fire, the flame almost went out. I hurried around to get some kindling wood to supplement the big log. I thought about the analogy to prayer. Big long prayers are good; short quick prayer are good - and both are needed.

Thank you. Lord, for even using a campfire to teach me something about You.

I love you Lord.

All for now,
Lisa