"The Secret"

This is a little poem that I have heard many old-time Christians quote.  It is a great poem and it's always been a blessing.

“The Secret”

I met God in the morning

            When the day was at its best,

And His presence came like sunrise,

            Like a glory in by breast.

All day long the presence lingered,

            All day long He stayed with me,

And we sailed in perfect calmness

            O’er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,

            Other ships were sore distressed,

But the winds that seemed to drive them

            Brought to us a peace and rest!

Then I thought of other mornings,

            With a keen remorse of mind,

When I too had loosed the moorings

            With the Presence left behind.

So I think I know the secret,

            Learned from many a troubled way;

You must seek Him in the morning

            If you want Him through the day.

                                                                        Ralph S. Cushman

"Delight"

Psalm 40:8 - I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Psalm 1:2 -  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalm 119:16 - I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Romans 7:22 - For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 
Psalm 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Definition
"Delight"

n. 1. Great pleasure; joy. 2. Something that gives great pleasure or enjoyment. v. de·light·ed, de·light·ing, de·lights v.intr. 1. To take great pleasure or joy: delights in taking long walks. 2. To give great pleasure or joy: an old movie that still delights. What delights you? 1. flower deliveries? 2. pedicures and manicures? 3. favorite chocolates? 4. an afternoon of shopping followed by dinner out and more shopping? 5. a Christmas light display? 6. going to the symphony? 7. finding that the house has been cleaned and dinner cooked when you arrive home from work? These are some things that might "tickle" you and make your adrenaline rush in "joy and great pleasure".  I wonder if we get the same rush or enthusiastic excitement from knowing God and His word.  Sometimes we read the Bible, go to church, but we don't delight.  We don't get tickled and enjoy our time with the Lord.  Devotion time does not have to be all "fire, guilt, punishment, and brimstone".  Spending time with God, to me, seems to help put my world into perspective and I leave His presence like a child who knows her Father has everything under control.   Delighting in the Lord comes with time.  Just like delighting in your bath time comes with maturity, or delighting in finishing a book comes with learning.  It's no longer, "Mom, I did that yesterday, do I have to do it again today?"  We learn what's good for us, what makes us happy, and we learn the whats, whys, whens, and hows, by following the Lord.  Delight in following and learning instead of running ahead unawares and suffering the consequences! Have you ever received a desire of your heart?  Something you never believed you would receive?  Something you never spoke to a soul about?  Only God knew the desire and only He could fulfill the desire?  I'm old enough now that I can look back and see how God gave me desires because I delighted in Him and His word. He saw the little yearning or wish in my heart that became a desire, and He gave them to me. I remember going out to lunch with my daughters on a weekday afternoon several years ago.  There were many young mothers with their babies out to lunch that day, too.  Right after we ordered our lunch I noticed a beautiful baby girl.  She was old enough to sit up in a high chair.  She had a head full of golden hair and bright blue eyes.  Her mother had dressed her all in yellow with a huge yellow bow on her head.  She took my breath away.  I know I have beautiful daughters, but no blondes.  The oldest, Jessica, has dark hair and dark eyes.  The middle, Victoria, has golden brown hair and brown eyes.  The youngest, Alyssa, has dark hair and hazel green eyes.  I have dark hair and eyes.  My daughters husbands have dark hair and eyes.   After I looked at that baby girl, I remember thinking, "Lord, that sure is a beautiful baby.  I would love to have a baby like that in the family, but I know it can never happen!"  I sort of laughed to myself.  I believe I pointed the baby out to my girls and they agreed that she was beautiful.   Can I show you how the Lord gave me a desire of my heart?  He didn't have to give me this desire, but He did, because He can do this!  This is my first granddaughter, Kate.  She is a beautiful blonde hair, bright blue-eyed little girl.  (and she's wearing yellow)

"A Daily Vacation for the Soul"

Psalm 37

¹      Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

²      For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

³      Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

⁴      Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

⁵      Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

⁶      And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

⁷      Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

⁸      Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in anywise to do evil.

Do you ever feel like getting in the car and just driving until you can drive no more?  Dream of vacation on a secluded beach or an Alaskan cruise?  I believe we've all thought of some type of get-away.  Some people I know just count down their days to their next vacation.  What about the other fifty weeks?

In reality, we cannot live just to get away.  "Life is just so daily", as I've seen on a cartoon.  On days where your calendar is packed with appointments, meetings, and errands, you feel like you really need a vacation.  I felt that way the other morning (should I get out of bed or not?)  and then I read this particular passage.  It was just as if my counselor, Jesus, was giving me some personal instructions for my day. 

1. Fret not - "Don't worry!" this can cause wrinkles!

2. Envy not - "She got...I didn't..." - this can be a root of hatred, bitterness, etc. (Also can cause wrinkles!)

3. Trust and do good - this is a faith exercise and physical application of right - "do good" and you'll feel better about your day

4. Delight in the Lord - doing this will cause a smile and pleasant countenance, good for the spirit and also an anti-depressant

5. Commit thy way - This results in single-mindedness and  steadfastness in the faith

6. Rest and wait - If your soul and mind are at rest you can endure.  Your body needs appropriate rest, too.  Waiting might be the hardest thing to do, but find a productive activity to do while you wait for an answer from the Lord.  Never roll over and "play dead".

7. Cease from anger and forsake wrath - Ok, no more road rage!  I'm talking about myself.  There are no benefits from yelling, screaming, anger, sharp words, etc. Maybe you feel "better" afterwards but that is only because of the adrenaline rush.  I'm speaking from experience.  I can be so nice to strangers and lose my temper so quickly with my loved ones.  Hopefully, they'll say that I have improved over the years.  I hope so.  Sometimes our low tolerance for others can be a physical problem, we may need some vitamins, minerals, or just some quiet time alone with the Lord.  Check out all possibilities.  It's not worth losing your testimony for the Lord because of a short fuse.  I don't believe Jesus was a door slammer.

Try having a "daily vacation" for your soul.  Pour a cup of coffee, shut the door, snuggle in your favorite chair, and talk to the Lord.

"Hones-tea"

1 Timothy 2

¹I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; ²For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. ³For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; ⁴Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

Today's Tea-votion word is "hones-tea."  Honesty can be painful.  Honestly can make us look at the "cracks" in our lives and try to ignore them.  We can try to avoid the truth, like stepping on the scales after the holidays, but if we want improvement in our world we have to eventually face the facts and be honest about what needs work and attention.
My sister and I like to talk about what the Lord has done in our lives, whenever we get a chance to talk.  After Christmas last year she recommended a powerful little book to me and I promised to read it.  I went directly to Amazon.com and ordered a used copy for a dollar.  It is worth a million in the Christian life.  The book is called The Hour That Changes the World, by Dick Eastman, 1978, Baker Books.  The scripture is from the King James Version of the Bible and the book is based on scriptural principles.  The author gives personal illustrations and very practical helps for Christians.  

After reading the book I had to honestly evaluate my prayer life.  Did I want to pray? Yes!  Did I try to pray every day? Yes!  Did I have a powerful and effective prayer life? uh...I don't know, well, I did have some answers to prayer, but not on a regular basis. Did I focus on specific areas of prayer, or just confession and petition? What?  I definitely needed each page of that book. So I dissected it, outlined it, made a journal of the entries, and started applying one step at a time.  "Amazing" is all I can say.

Being honest with myself about my sickly prayer life was the first step in spiritual growth in that area.  This is true in every spiritual and earthly arena.  You cannot be saved unless you are honest about your need for a Saviour.  When entering into God's presence in prayer you must be honest about your faults, confessing sin to God, so that the barriers are removed and prayers can be answered.

For many years I applied honesty to my words alone.  If someone asked if they looked good in a certain outfit, I tried not to lie, even if the outfit wasn't the best on them.  I gained a reputation for being honest when asked a question.  That is elementary.  It takes a lot more maturity and growth to be honest with ourselves on every level.  You can say a lot of true statements, that does not make you a good Christian, a kind person, or a thoughtful friend.  Honesty is the best policy, but it must be wrapped in kindness and love.

Honesty in our testimony in this world is also need.  We can pray all we want to for the evangelization of the world, but until our actions match who we are in the inside, we are not being honest, and we will not be effective witnesses for Christ.  

Shakespeare wrote, "To thine own self be true".  If you are a Christian, with the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, be true to yourself in word, deed, and life goals and values - that we "may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty."  

A Spiritual Thermometer

If there were a real "spiritual" thermometer that would show how much we love the Lord would you use it to find out your temperature?  As a mother, college instructor, music teacher, and Sunday school teacher I sometimes wish I could make a dependable test to see how those I am teaching are doing - way down deep in their souls.
Jesus said in John 15, "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. ¹⁰If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. ¹¹These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. ¹²This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ¹³Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. ¹⁵Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. ¹⁶Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit,and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. ¹⁷These things I command you, that ye love one another."
One way to take your spiritual temperature is to check out your obedience to the Lord's commands.  Just plain old obedience.  Another check point is how you genuinely love and care for others.  Fruitful soul winning and answered prayers are more vital signs of our love for God.
If someone needs a thermometer to find out their love for God, is probably cold or lukewarm!  I don't want my husband, children, or spiritual leaders to ever wonder about my spiritual temperature.  On March 15, 1978, I made a decision to give every part of myself to God, not because of a threat of a sermon or school rule, but because I just loved God so much!  I get excited remembering that day.  It was one of the most boring Bible studies I have ever heard, I can't even remember it, but God did a work on my heart - so much that He helped me overcome my fears of meeting people, talking,  making eye contact, and even answering a door or phone.  Because of the "burning" in my bones I started teaching in jr. church, soul winning on the bus route, and was willing to play the piano more often in church, even though the fear made me physically ill every time.  I can't tell you what a miracle it is every time I speak to a group of ladies, meet a stranger, witness, or shake a stranger's hand.  The love I had for the Lord helped me overcome the fear.
What is it that you have to overcome?  Whatever it may be, let the spiritual high temperature of your love for God drive it away.  Be motivated by God's love, it never runs out and it quickly warms a cold heart!

"What's New?"

Want to be "be-dazzled", "flabbergasted", "bowled-over", and "blown away" every time you read a new book, magazine article, blog, or devotional?  Then you're a lot like me.  I love to go to bookstores and look at the titles.  I love magazines, Christian publications, old, new, it doesn't matter.
Sometimes we can fall into a trap of information "overload".  We become addicted to "new" information and ideas.  We fall into a trance of admiring anyone or any religion who says something that causes us to gasp.  I put parentheses around the "new"because there is really nothing new under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:⁹The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. ¹⁰Is there any thing whereof it may be said,See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. 
I have had to re-train my brain to look at the truth taught, the scriptures, and then separate that into something I can personally use into my life, without "morphing" into the person's picture on the back flap! ha!
God can use articles, books, and magazines to help us to grow.  The greatest teacher we have is the Holy Spirit of God and our holy Bible.  This is where the other great teachers and preachers come up with their truths to pass along to us, why don't we just go to the source?
I've given myself a challenge.  Instead of buying every book off of the shelves or Amazon.com, look at the titles, the intro. pages, the chapter titles, get an idea of what you'd like to learn about, and then get your own answers!  Yes!  Save your money, send it to the missionaries, put it in the bank, and then ask God for wisdom and answers.
Here's a prime example, you might see me on the next episode of "Hoarders: Buried Alive".
I love cookbooks, recipes, and decorating magazines and picture books.  I have THOUSANDS of recipes I have never cooked, but when the publishers send me a FREE offer for a new cookbook I can't wait to send a reply and order!  Sound familiar?  Well, last year I made a decision, no more cookbooks for me until I cook at least ONE recipe from each of the cookbooks I have on my shelf!  That will be...NEVER! so sad, no more hoarding....
Why don't we do the same thing with our Christian books.  Let's pass some along, quit buying - until we apply at least one truth to our lives from each book, or each chapter.  I've learned that if I will apply one truth from each sermon I hear my plate is VERY full.  I have become a little wary of reading new books unless I have a willing heart and mind to know what material I need and what material will go into the "information overload" file.
Let's stop asking, "What's new?", and start asking, "What old thing are you DOING?"
That's just something that's been on my heart.

"You Crack Me Up!"

Ecclesiastes 3:¹To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; ³A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; ⁴A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ⁵A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ⁶A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; ⁷A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; ⁸A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. ⁹What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? ¹⁰I have seen the travail,which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

¹¹He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 

Take time to laugh!  
My daughter, Alyssa and I, were driving home from school one day and I started joking around with her, she replied with a "You crack me up, Mommy!"  I just loved that.  It seems like when the kids get older they start finding fault with adult humor.  Alyssa and I have a great time having fun, talking about imaginary situations, and making fun of billboards or anything in our path.  

The laughing times are the times in the photographs - the fun, food, fellowship, but you don't have to have a party to have some laughing times.  I find myself laughing even when I'm alone.  Don't take me wrong, I'm not a laughing "fool", there are other emotions.  To "every thing" there is a time, so along with the laughter comes weeping.  We have all had our share of weeping.  I used to be a "hard case" as far as tears were concerned.  I could listen to the saddest stories, watch a sad TV program, etc... and just think through it, say "Too bad", and then go about my business.  Really, I had to work up tears at the altar during revival just so the altar workers wouldn't ask me if I were saved or not.  You might understand what I'm talking about.  As time has gone by, with deaths of loved ones and close friends, sicknesses, and life-changing circumstances, I find myself tearing up if I think the story will have a sad ending!  I'll cry when things are sad, funny, boring, etc... I've just become one of those bawlers.  

What has come along with the "weepies" is my outlandish laughing.  In the past I used to give a little "ha-ha", a "tee-hee" with jokes, or a slight "nod" of acknowledgement during a "funny" illustration.  Now my mouth opens almost bigger than my jaw can manage, my head goes back, and I slap my knees - it's horribly embarrassing, but I just cannot help myself...
My dad had a very "dry " sense of humor.  He loved to tell corny jokes and use puns.  He would get this look on his face and start talking really slow whenever he had something funny to say.  This would sometimes be annoying whenever company would come over, but since the jokes were "new" to them, they would laugh.  I find myself acting like my Dad sometimes, especially with my younger daughter, who never knew him.  I like to try out some of his corny jokes and puns and see her reactions.  She always laughs, she is either very kind or very corny.
Whenever your eyes and heart are full of tears and pain, look for something or someone to give you a "laughing break".  Try to see what God sends your way, because He will do something to comfort you.  Mrs. Marlene Evans had her "red birds, rubies, and rainbows."  Other ladies have "signs" of love from God, think about what makes you smile and ask God to send something your way.  On our way to be with Jessica while she was in ICU in Muskogee, I was more than nervous.  As the sun set on the Indian Nation Highway, Scott made a comment about the volume of bugs on the windshield and in Oklahoma in general.  We got a laugh about that until I noticed what kind of insects our windshield was being pelted with - fireflies!  These are my favorite insects in the world, if you can have a favorite.  I joy in the sight of a single firefly in my yard, this highway was banked with thousands, maybe millions of fireflies for miles and miles.  All the way to the hospital we were guided and lighted by these beautiful, glowing creatures.  I oohed and awed all the way as they slowly grew brighter then dimmer, not concentrating on my worry, but on what God could do to cheer me!
On the way home from bringing our daughter, Jessica, home from ICU, we made some phone calls to both grandmas and to those who had called to check during her three-day stay.  I dialed the phone, Jessica spoke and let them know that she was on her way home and doing better.  After a few calls I could tell that she was getting tired, I asked her to make one more call to Mrs. Marilyn Sexton who had called the hospital more than once to check on her.  I heard the following while Jessica left a message on her voice mail. "Hello Mrs. Sexton, this is Jessica.  I wanted to call and let you know that I am on my way home.  I'm feeling better.  Thanks for calling and checking on  me.  Thanks for caring.  I'll talk to you later. In Jesus' name. Amen!"
She ended the call and handed me the phone.  We all cracked up laughing! She said, "What are you laughing at?"  We told her, but she didn't believe us.  She went right to sleep after that.  That incident gave us many smiles and laughs all the way home.  We ended several conversations with, "in Jesus' name. Amen!"
Take time to laugh. Get cracked up! Have a belly-laugh, slap your thighs, rear back, and snort!  Did I say that?