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Restore, Refresh, Renew

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, Dreams, Encouragement, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Power, God's Presence, God's Strength, Godly Character, Intimacy with God, Meditation, Prayer, Renewing the Mind, Seeking God, Uncategorized, tagged 2 Corinthians 3:18, Hosea 6:3, Isaiah 40:29, Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 51:10b, Romans 12:1-2, Spiritual Renewal, when life loses its luster on September 11, 2025| 30 Comments »

One fall years ago, we visited friends in North Carolina during peak leaf season. At the time, Steve and I lived in Florida. It had been years since we’d enjoyed autumn leaves.

The day after our arrival, plans included a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway to take in all the festive foliage of: birch (yellow), dogwood (deep red), oak (russet to maroon), red maple (from yellow to maroon), sassafras (orange), and more.

But our much-anticipated excursion had to be postponed due to fog and rain.

On Day Three we finally ventured forth, and surveyed mountains transformed. Dust had been washed away, sunlight reflected from gleaming leaves, and the vibrant colors took our breath away.

Sometimes the dust of concern, discontentment, frustration and more can accumulate in my spirit, clouding the colors of joy and awareness of God’s presence. Life loses its luster.

My eyes miss his blessings, my ears miss his words, my heart misses moments of intimacy with him.

What then? Is there refreshing rain for the soul? Oh yes!

God himself renews. All we have to do is ask [1], perhaps with such a prayer as this:

Restore my EYES, Father. May the tears of repentance clear my vision to see more clearly the beauty of your perfections.

And with an enhanced view of you, I’ll be able to view all other things more clearly [2]–like what you want to show me instead of what I want to see.

Refresh my MOUTH, O God. May I be quick to share gracious words with others as well as appreciation and songs of praise to you for your marvelous deeds.

King Solomon wrote, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Keep me mindful of this power, to use my words as refreshing balm for others, for my own spirit, and to celebrate you also [3].

Renew my EARS, O Lord—to be attentive to your gentle whisper within. May I heed your instruction as you train me in the delight of right-doing, and lead me ever deeper into the abundant life you provide.

Tune my ears to hear your words of inspiration, cheering me on [4].

Restore my MIND, Father—my understanding, thoughts, and intentions. The things I think are the things that impact my soul.

May I meditate on all the wonders of your attributes and think Christ-honoring thoughts, becoming more Christ-like as a result [5].

Refresh my HEART, O Lord—my motivations, dreams, and desires. I want my heart to align with yours because I know that’s the first step toward fulfilling purpose and satisfaction in life.

Turn my heart, I pray, from what I’d like to have happen, to who you’d have me become—a reflection of your image. That’s where contentment lies [6].

Renew my SPIRIT, O God—my faith, passions, and confidence. May I navigate the challenges of this day with your strength pulsing through my spirit.

Remind me: when negativity or frustration begin to rise, you are my God of help to quell such emotions.

When setbacks occur, you are my God of guidance to show me the way forward, and when disappointments come, you are my God of hope who brings good out of every situation [7].

I praise you, Father, that I can rely upon you to wash away the grime of discouragement, listlessness, and aggravation.

Because of your compassionate love and with your omnipotent power you will restore, refresh, and renew my inner self—just as you have promised.

Begin this moment, I pray.

Restore my eyes, to see more clearly.

Refresh my mouth, to speak gratitude, grace, and praise.

Renew my ears to listen well (and then obey).

Restore my mind to think Christ-honoring thoughts.

Refresh my heart to align my desires with yours.

Renew my spirit to navigate this day with your strength.

P.S. Try renewing your spirit with “Thirty Days of Praise,” offered below (as part of the newsletter).

[1] Psalm 51:10b

[2] Psalm 119:15; 50:2. Last statement based on Selwyn Hughes, Every Day Light, Day 1.

[3] Psalm 98:1; Proverbs 16:24

[4] Proverbs 2:1-5; 1 Kings 19:11-13; John 10:10

[5] Hannah Whitall Smith, quoted in Values for Life, 256; Psalm 143:5; Romans 12:1-2

[6] 2 Corinthians 3:18

[7] Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 32:8; Romans 15:13

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Our God of Abundant Supply

Posted in Courage, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Power, God's Provision, Heroes of the Faith, Perseverance, Seeking God, Service, Success, Uncategorized, tagged Ephesians 3:20, Global Recordings Network, Heroine of the Christian Faith, Joy Ridderhof, missionary work, Psalm 84:11, Story of God's Faithfulness, Story of God's Provision on August 28, 2025| 42 Comments »

Joy Ridderhof pulled the blankets around her head to warm her shivering body, knowing she’d soon be throwing them off as sweat soaked her nightgown.

Joy had succumbed to malaria before, but this episode wouldn’t subside. As a result, she’d had to leave the people she’d grown to love in Honduras and return home to Los Angeles. The year: 1937.

Her doctors weren’t sure why she didn’t improve. Added to her discomfort was their discouragement: “You mustn’t go back to Honduras, Joy.”

A mountain village of Honduras , 2008

The thirty-four-year-old had served as a missionary in a remote, mountain village for five years. In spite of hardship, illness, and even threats on her life, she’d loved her time there, and many Hondurans had come to know Christ.

Now it appeared that challenging yet satisfying life-chapter was over. Joy faced the possibility of being an invalid the rest of her life—or at least a semi-invalid.

One day as Joy lay in bed, a wonderful idea occurred to her. The gramophones many villages owned could be put to good use if she made records of stories and songs about Jesus. As far as she knew, no such records existed in Spanish.

But how could she implement such a plan? Joy began to pray and asked others to join her.

Slowly, her health improved. And then, she happened to be introduced to a missionary returned from Central America who’d built a recording studio in his home. She shared her idea, and he became enthused about such a project.

Joy wrote the scripts and arranged for singers and their accompaniment. She herself read the stories.

The first record was produced on December 31, 1938. Joy sent them to various locations in Central America. Now people who couldn’t read would hear about Christ in their own language.

But each record cost fifty cents to produce and Joy had no income. The Great Depression meant resources were tight everywhere. Joy prayed for God’s provision. She believed what the great missionary Hudson Taylor had said [1]:

And supply God did.

In May 1939, Joy established Spanish Gospel Recordings.

Missionaries in Mexico heard about Joy’s work and asked for records in another language. Of course, finding native speakers in L. A. for an indigenous Mexican-Indian language would be nearly impossible.

So Joy and her college friend Ann Sherwood left for Mexico and Central America in 1944, a trip made possible by a doctor who loaned them a car and provided gas ration coupons.

Once they arrived in Mexico, a man invited them to use his new recording studio. The women spent ten months producing records in thirty-five languages, then returned to the States, satisfied their task was complete.

But God had more in store.

Missionaries to the Navajo Indians in Arizona asked for recordings; Joy found native speakers to translate and record scripts for them [2].

Next came a call from Alaska. The two women drove from L.A. to Alaska, equipped with one of the first tape recorders produced in America. While there, someone mentioned that such records would be helpful in the Philippines.

“Oh no!” Joy laughed. “Now we’ve got to go to there!”

Joy and Ann spent one year in the Philippine Islands, producing records in ninety-two languages [3].

By 1955, the two women and others had travelled around the world. Records were being sent to more than one hundred countries [4], prepared on top-of-the-line recorders that God supplied.

He also provided workers who lived in various countries. By 1980 about 3,500 languages had been recorded [5]. Millions of records had been produced.

Of course, not all remote villages owned a record player. So Joy’s organization developed and supplied a number of different players over the decades.

The simplest was a cardboard sleeve that also housed the record for shipping. When opened up, a needle fastened to one edge played the record when placed on the stubby spindle attached to one side. The record could be turned by a pencil or stick stuck into a hole on the edge of the label.

Hand-wound box-players were later issued, then cassette players, followed by hand-wound mp3 players. Today, the internet and apps allow people all over the world to hear about Jesus and his gift of salvation.

In an interview recorded in 1974 [6], Joy Ridderhof (1903-1984) passionately affirmed:

“We have a God that’s alive, who answers prayer, takes care of us, gives us joy in the work, and provides great results from our work.

“Many thousands have heard about Jesus; little churches have sprung up in different places. He has met our needs and proven himself faithful [7]!”

Today, the Global Recordings Network includes forty offices worldwide, and has produced recordings in more than 6,500 languages [8].

Joy Ridderhof

[1] https://www.globalrecordingsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Magazine-viewing-version-1.pdf

[2] https://fromthevault.wheaton.edu/2024/03/04/too-impractical-to-be-a-missionary-remembering-missions-pioneer-joy-ridderhof/

[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsLfY9bOkxo

[4] https://fromthevault.wheaton.edu.

[5] www.globalrecordings.org

[6] (and [7]) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsLfY9bOkxo

[8] https://www.globalrecordingsusa.org/about/overview/

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AVAILABLE THIS MONTH: “Thirty Days of Praise”–scriptures and question-prompts to draw our hearts and minds toward celebrating God, with a few moments of reflection and worship.

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In the Stillness

Posted in God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Power, Intimacy with God, Meditation, Seeking God, Uncategorized, tagged God's attributes revealed in nature, God's work within us, Philippians 1:6, Psalm 46:10, Romans 1:20, Seeing God in nature, Seeking God on August 13, 2025| 35 Comments »

Wingstem waltzes at woodland edge,

Gilt buckeye leaves tumble and twirl.

Creation sighs a cool breeze of relief

As summer wanes and fall approaches.

Squirrels scamper over tree-branch highways,

A hummingbird breakfasts on day lilies,

Mums turn round faces to bask in the sun–

A bustle of activity, but not a sound.

Much is accomplished in the stillness.

Trees stretch skyward, adding rings of growth,

Dew crystals bring moisture to petal and leaf,

Butterflies pollinate flower after flower.

God orchestrates harmony, even in stillness,

But not for self-flattering fanfare.

His efforts provide undeniable evidence

Of who he is—proof of his glory.

Note his artistry on sunset dahlias,

His genius in the strength of spider silk,

His wisdom in the female finch’s cloak,

His faithfulness in the circle of seasons.

God also desires to work within us,

Applying his artistry, genius, and wisdom—

Fostering change, fulfilling purpose—

Quietly, faithfully, day by day.

In the stillness of God’s holy presence,

We find strength and serenity of soul.

All we need do is accept his welcome

Into the quiet discovery of HIM.

(Romans 1:20; Psalm 104:24; Job 12:7-10; Philippians 1:6; Psalm 28:7, 29: 11, & 46:10.)

P.S. Ways to involve ourselves in the quiet discovery of God include Bible study, reflection, and praise. Currently my newsletter includes a resource for just such purpose. You can sign up below!

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(Reblogged from 9-27-18 while we enjoy house guests.)

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AVAILABLE THIS MONTH: “Thirty Days of Praise”–scriptures and question-prompts I’ve gathered, to turn our hearts and minds toward celebrating God. As we draw near to him with a few moments of reflection and worship, we can KNOW: he will draw near to us (James 4:8). (Contemplate for a moment what a monumental privilege that is!)

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Making the Most of Our Minutes

Posted in Blessings, Decision-Making, Encouragement, Excellence, Faith, God's Presence, Heroes of the Faith, Holiness, Intimacy with God, Jesus, Meditation, Prayer, Renewing the Mind, Seeking God, Uncategorized, tagged Fellowship with God, Frank Laubach, Letters of a Modern Mystic by Frank Laubach, Listening to God, Practicing God's Presence, Prayer: The Mightiest Force in All the World by Frank Laubach, Psalm 25:4-5, Psalm 63:1, The Game with Minutes by Frank Laubach on July 10, 2025| 12 Comments »

Frank Laubach (1884-1970): missionary to the Philippines, college dean, author, and developer of a highly-successful literacy program.

These are a few of the accomplishments of the devout Christian hero we met in last week’s post, “Toward Undiscovered Continents.”

His fifty-six books included those about the Philippines and teaching literacy, but also about growing into an intimate relationship with God, something he’d greatly desired, like King David centuries before:

In a letter dated March 23, 1930, Frank wrote, “Can I bring God back in my mind-flow every few seconds so that God shall always be in my mind [1]?”

He decided to make the rest of his life an experiment, and for the next forty years Frank disciplined himself to become more aware and more submissive to his heavenly Father—moment by moment.

As the habit grew, Frank wrote it was “the most amazing thing I ever ran across.” In another letter he tried to describe the sheer joy he experienced one afternoon:

“God was so close and so amazingly lovely that I felt like melting all over with a strange and blissful contentment [2].”

Surely all of us desire such loveliness and contentment in God’s presence.

But how did Frank manage to accomplish such a goal? And how might we hope to achieve that kind of intimacy with God?

First, we have to be patient with ourselves. Seeking to experience God throughout the day takes time and practice. About seven weeks into his experiment, Frank admitted:

“When for a half hour or so He slips out of mind—as He does many times a day, I feel as though I had deserted Him, as though I had lost something very precious in my life [3].”

So how did Frank become more consistent in his focus?

Here are a few of his practical suggestions (The comments in brackets are my own):

In the chinks of time between things, pray: “Lord, think your thoughts in my mind. What is on Your mind for me to do now?”

Instead of talking to your “inner self,” talk to Jesus. Imagine Him with you.

Pursue a two-way conversation in prayer. Ask, “God, what are You saying to me?” Let your imagination consider what you suppose He might answer. [It’s worthwhile to record these responses in a journal. Do keep in mind, God will never contradict what he’s already said in scripture.]

Can you imagine him saying, “I have been waiting for this moment all your life, waiting until you opened the channel so that I could speak. I have wonderful plans for you which cannot be realized until you listen as you are listening now [4].”

Make a daily habit to prayerfully read about the life of Jesus, from the Bible-books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Try different translations to keep the experience fresh.

[Or, listen to scripture being read to you. Here’s an APP to try: https://www.bible.com/audio-bible/111/MAT.1.NIV .]

Frank urges, “Walk with Jesus through Galilee by walking with Him through the pages of His earthly history [5].”

Hum a favorite prayer-hymn or chorus to yourself. [One possibility: “Take My Life and Let It Be,” with its upbeat tune.]

We invite Christ to share—all day long–in everything we do, say, or think. We don’t need to stop our work, but “we try to call Him to mind at least one second of each minute [6].” [How’s that for a lofty but highly worthy goal?]

The websites listed below offer more of Frank’s suggestions.

With him we can attest: “Now that I have discovered Him I find that it is a continuous discovery. Every day is rich with new aspects of Him and His working [7].”

Doesn’t that sound delightful? Let’s make the most of our minutes, availing ourselves of that “melt-all-over, blissful contentment” in the presence of God that Frank Laubach wrote about.

https://www.azquotes.com/quote/803882

[1] https://renovare.org/articles/living-each-moment-with-a-sense-of-gods-presence-frank-laubach.

[2] Quoted by Nayswami Nakin at https://www.ananda.org/blog/laubach-christian-literacy-god/ .

[3] Letters of a Modern Mystic, quoted by Richard J. Foster and James Bryan Smith, www.renovare.org.

[4] These first three suggestions come from Laubach’s book, Prayer: The Mightiest Force in All the World, highlighted by Bill Gaultiere, at https://www.soulshepherding.org/christ-answer-inspiration-frank-laubach/.

[5] From The Game with Minutes, by Frank Laubach, quoted by Dr. Tom Sweeney at https://the-magpie.org/2017/02/28/laubach-on-experiencing-god-every-minute/.

[6] Dr. Tom Sweeney, https://sobrief.com/books/letters-by-a-modern-mystic.

[7] Dr. Tom Sweeney.

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Toward Undiscovered Continents

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, God's Presence, Heroes of the Faith, Intimacy with God, Prayer, Renewing the Mind, Seeking God, Uncategorized, tagged Brother Lawrence, Christianity, Each One Teach One, Faith, Frank Laubach's adult literacy program, God, Jesus, Mindanao Phillipines, Missionary Frank Laubach, Moros people on July 3, 2025| 39 Comments »

A view from Signal Hill

Frank Laubach trudged up Signal Hill again, despair shrouding his heart. After patient waiting and great effort he’d reached an impasse, with no path forward toward success.

Frank had spent seven years earning college and seminary degrees, married Effa Seely in 1912, and together they’d sought to follow God’s plan and become missionaries.

In 1915 the couple traveled to the Philippines, eager to work with the Muslim Moro people on Mindanao.

Mindanao is the large island to the south among the Philippines.

But just a few weeks after their arrival, the U.S. Army post commander stationed there required them to leave, insisting the area was too dangerous for Christians.

First they moved to north Mindanao, and ministered among the people there. In 1922, Frank and Effa moved their growing family to Manila where Frank became dean of Union College and established churches.

Surely he could take satisfaction in these accomplishments. But his heart’s desire was still set on working among the Moros.

Nearly eight years later, the trouble in southern Mindanao finally subsided. Frank left his family in Manila and returned, only to be rejected wherever he went. No one would listen to Frank, and after a month he had to admit defeat.

Moro people of Mindanao

One evening atop Signal Hill, Frank poured out his heart to God again and asked, “Why have my efforts failed?”

And this time God answered, identifying the problem. Frank saw the Moro people only as potential converts to Christianity, not as people to love.

“You feel superior to them because you are white,” God said. “If you can forget you are an American and think only how I love them, they will respond.”

The truth compelled Frank to pray, “Drive me out of myself, Lord. Come and take possession of me and think your thoughts in my mind.”

God then revealed his course of action for Frank. “If you want the Moros to be fair to your faith, be fair to theirs. Study the Koran with them.”*

The next day Frank told the Moro priests he wanted to study the Koran. Eagerly they talked with him, and Frank began to build relationships with these men, sharing the good news about the great prophet they already knew: Jesus.

Most of the Moro people couldn’t read. Frank knew that literacy would be important for teaching about Christ, so he worked to provide a dictionary of their language, Maranaw, and established a school. The Moros expressed enthusiastic gratitude.

Frank procured a printing press and devised an adult literacy program that proved highly successful. But as the Great Depression reached the Philippines, the program seemed destined to collapse. How would they pay for materials?

Frank’s solution: “Each One Teach One.” Everyone who learned to read was urged to teach someone else, using the materials they had. And as Frank taught, he shared about Christ.

Over the ensuing years, Frank wrote books about his teaching methods which were adopted around the world. An estimated sixty million people have learned to read, thanks to Frank’s techniques.

But more important are the thousands of people he brought into a rich experience with God——through his other writings.

For Frank, that night on Signal Hill was the beginning of growing intimacy with God, revealed in his subsequent journal entries, articles, and books.

One habit in particular transformed his life. Like Brother Lawrence three centuries before, Frank sought to live moment by moment in relationship with God.

Frank’s Letters by a Modern Mystic trace the beginning of this journey toward intimacy.

“I resolved that I would succeed better this year with my experiment of filling every minute full of the thought of God than I succeeded last year” (1-3-1930).

“This year I have started out trying to live all my waking moments in conscious listening to the inner voice, asking without ceasing, ’What, Father, do you desire said? What, Father, do you desire done this minute’” (1-20-1930)?

“It is exactly that ‘moment by moment,’ every waking moment, surrender, responsiveness, obedience, sensitiveness, pliability, ’lost in His love,’ that I now have the mind-bent to explore with all my might” (1-26-1930).

So began his life-long practice of constant, blessed connection with his heavenly Father, which he eagerly desired for others.

https://www.azquotes.com/quote/803882

“Why do I harp on this inner experience? Because I feel convinced that for me and for you who read there lie ahead undiscovered continents of spiritual living compared with which we are infants in arms” (Frank Laubach, 1884-1970).

And what will result from such a pursuit? No doubt we’ll experience a level of shalom in the presence of God that for now we can only imagine.

Let’s explore! Next week we’ll consider Frank’s suggestions that will take us to those “continents of spiritual living!”

*https://www.ananda.org/blog/laubach-christian-literacy-god/

Additional Sources:

Frank Laubach – A Look Beneath The Surface

https://www.jcsvillage.org/blog/2017/3/23/frank-laubachs-great-experiment

https://renovare.org/articles/living-each-moment-with-a-sense-of-gods-presence-frank-laubach

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With or Without?

Posted in Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Presence, God's Promises, Intimacy with God, Seeking God, Uncategorized, Waiting on God, Wisdom, tagged Developing Our Faith, Facets of Faith, Faith, God, God's guidance, Growing in Faith, How Faith Works, Life with God, Waiting on God, What Faith in God Includes on April 24, 2025| 23 Comments »

Life is about choices, and there are just two ways to make them. We can trust our own wits, or we can put our faith in guidance from outside ourselves.

Guidance from outside might come from trusted family and friends, counselors, self-help books, and God. But only one source offers infallible wisdom every time: God.

The question becomes, will we live a life of faith with God [1], or will we choose to live without?

As a child I chose the former and never regretted it. Many of you have walked a similar path.

Sometimes, though, we get weary. Doubts creep in. Problems crop up like weeds and answers to life’s dilemmas don’t come as quickly as we’d like.

What then?

There are a number of faith-building actions you’re probably familiar with, including: praise and gratitude to God, scripture study, prayer, as well as spending time with mature and wise Christians.

You know what else is helpful? Studying the facets of faith. As we deepen our understanding of how faith works, we enhance our connection with God, increase our usefulness, and experience more contentment in life.

No doubt there are quite a few facets to our faith, but today we’ll briefly look at just eight.

FAITH IS:

Affirmation of What We Know

God would have us understand he is righteous, good, faithful, and compassionate [2].

He never forsakes those who seek him. He arms us with strength and keeps our way secure. God guides us along the right path, and surrounds us with his unfailing love [3].

In the book of Psalms alone you’ll find hundreds of such encouraging affirmations as these, highlighting who God is and the glorious things he does. It’s a delight-of-discovery to seek them out [4].

Faith grows depending on what it is fed.

–Unknown

And affirmation of God’s character is a beneficial first course.

Attentiveness

Faith is seeing light with your heart

when all your eyes see is darkness.

–Barbara Johnson

And where might we find that light? In the presence of God and in the encouragement and promises of scripture that fill our hearts with the light of hope [5].

Confidence

As we practice affirmation and attentiveness, we build confidence in the truth that God will do what is right when the time is right, though for now we may see no sign of it.

Courage

Confidence in God fuels our courage to trust without proof, to thank God in advance (even before there’s evidence of anything happening), and to step into the unknown.

Faith is taking the first step even when

you don’t see the whole staircase.

–Martin Luther King, Jr.

Empowerment

Be inspired by what Charles Spurgeon wrote decades ago:

Faith links me with divinity.

Faith clothes me with the power of God.

Faith engages on my side

the omnipotence of Jehovah.

Faith insures every attribute of God in my defense.

–Charles Spurgeon

With almighty God on our side, what have we to fear [6]?

Expectancy

And surely, such an attitude will contribute joyful up-timism [7] in our spirits.

Rest

Faith invades the muddle; it does not eliminate it.

Peace develops in the midst of chaos.

Harmony is achieved slowly, quietly, unobtrusively. . .

Such clarities result from courageous commitment to God.

–Eugene Peterson, Run with the Horses, 194-195

When we trust without reservation we find peace and rest.

Waiting

Without the discipline of wait-time, our faith would remain underdeveloped. This facet provides opportunity for strength of spirit to grow [8]. And we can take comfort from the knowledge that:

While we are waiting on God,

we are waiting with God.

–Lou Giglio

As we live life with him we’ll find:

Affirmation, attentiveness, and waiting will grow our faith.

Confidence, courage, and empowerment will result from our faith.

Expectancy and rest will flow from our faith.

I can’t imagine making any other choice than living life with God.

How about you?

[1] Life with God is precipitated by accepting Jesus’ glorious invitation into God’s family (John 1:12).

[2] Psalm 7:17; 13:6; 31:5; 51:1

[3] Psalm 9:10; 18:32; 23:3; 32:10

[4] See the post, https://nancyaruegg.com/2025/01/16/celebrating-god-through-the-psalms/

[5] Psalm 146:5

[6] Psalm 27:1

[7] See the post, https://nancyaruegg.com/2022/10/06/better-than-optimism/

[8] Isaiah 40:31

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Three Ways to Enjoy God

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God's Delight, God's Goodness, God's Presence, God's Promises, Intimacy with God, Meditation, Praise, Prayer, Renewing the Mind, Seeking God, Uncategorized, Worship, tagged Communion with God, Experiencing God, God's Presence, Intimacy with God on September 19, 2024| 41 Comments »

(An imaginary conversation between God and me, but I invite you to put your name in the blanks):

ME: You’ve heard me say, Lord, “I can’t imagine life without You,” because You’ve been an invaluable, all-wise influence through the years.

You’ve provided protection, guidance, care, and more. Just knowing You are with me gives me comfort, strength, and peace.

GOD: Ministering to you in these ways has been My delight, __________. I do love to see you practicing My presence—asking for My help and connecting with Me through praise and prayer.

As you draw near to Me, you experience wonder, quiet, calm, and warmth.

ME: Thank you Father for these blessings! But I’m still on the learning curve of sustained awareness. Distractions frequently interfere. It seems I’ll never attain moment-by-moment communion with You.

GOD: I understand, __________. Remember, I’m the One who made you and am well aware you cannot achieve perfection [1].

What I value is progress, and rest assured, that is occurring.

Think back to the days when you experienced great difficulty practicing My presence. Your thoughts rarely turned toward Me once your morning quiet time was over—unless you ran into trouble.

Now you come to Me much more frequently, giving Me the opportunity to strengthen and encourage you. Keep coming back to Me, __________.

The day will come when we enjoy almost-unbroken communion and it will be all the sweeter for the wait. Meanwhile, there are habits-of-thought to embrace that will advance your progress toward that day:

BE ATTENTIVE TO MY ATTRIBUTES

Stay alert to discover reminders of Me everywhere. And let each discovery bring to mind one or more of My attributes.

As attentiveness leads to praise and praise to joy, you’ll find yourself nestled more closely to My side. That’s where I long for you to be!

BE GRATEFUL FOR MY BLESSINGS

Ask yourself throughout the day, “What can I thank God for right now?”

For example, your answer in this moment might include the colorful fall flowers in the deck planter—a delight for your eyes—enjoyed in the surroundings of My living room [2].

And as we enjoy such blessings together, you’ll find your heart drawing close to Me.

AFFIRM MY PROMISES

Come worship at My footstool, __________ (Psalm 132:7).

Look up into My face and see in My eyes the love I have for you. See in My smile the delight you bring Me. Imagine My hand upon your back and feel My compassion.

Now, breathe out your cares and breathe in the truth of My promises. Listen closely as I affirm:

I love you __________ with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).

I will always help you (Isaiah 41:13).

My lovingkindness prevails over you (Psalm 117:2 AMP).

I am in control of all things (Ephesians 4:6).

I will work all things together for the good of those who love Me, who seek to live out My purpose for them (Romans 8:28).

It delights Me that you want to be more aware of My presence. Know that I take deep pleasure in every occasion you turn your attention toward Me.

Know too that beautiful transformation is taking place within you each time you do, because you can’t spend time in My presence and not grow more into My likeness [3].

* * * * * * * * * *

ME: Thank You, Father, for encouraging me toward greater intimacy with You, to enjoy You more fervently. Help me pause and sense Your presence, even in the ordinary moments of life.

May I create space for You through attentiveness to Your attributes on display, gratitude for Your countless blessings, and review of Your uplifting promises.

May I remember:

I don’t want to miss that pleasure, even for a moment.

[1] Psalm 103:13-14

[2] Those of you who visit here often will probably remember that Michael Hyatt, former CEO of Thomas Publishing, is the one who calls the outdoors God’s living room. I love that imagery!

[3] 2 Corinthians 3:18

Photo credits: http://www.canva.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.freerangestock.com; http://www.canva.com.

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The Purest Patriotism

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, God, Godly Character, Holiness, Independence Day, Obedience, Seeking God, Uncategorized, Wisdom, tagged Abraham Lincoln, American Patriots, Benjamin Rush, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Daniel Webster, Grover Cleveland, Isaiah 57:15, John Adams, Morality, Noah Webster, Patriotism, Propsperity in America, Ronald Reagan, Theodore Roosevelt on July 4, 2024| 29 Comments »

https://www.azquotes.com/author/28916-Charles_Carroll_of_Carrollton

Except for the formal language, the above quote sounds like something preached from an American pulpit last Sunday. But as you can guess from his portrait, Charles Carroll lived long ago; he was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

He’s certainly not been alone in warning of trouble, should our citizens ignore God and his wise instruction for conduct. Throughout the decades since the founding of America, there have been patriots proclaiming a similar message.

For example:

John Adams

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other” [1].

—John Adams, second U.S. president

“All the . . . evils from which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery, and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible [2].”

—Noah Webster, author of Webster’s Dictionary and numerous textbooks.

Noah Webster

“If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land – anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness, will reign without mitigation or end [3].”

—Daniel Webster, Secretary of State under Harrison, Tyler, and Fillmore.

“Without God there is no virtue because there is no prompting of the conscience . . . without God there is a coarsening of the society; without God democracy will not and cannot long endure. . . . If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under [4].”

— Ronald Reagan, fortieth president of the United States.

Ronald Reagan

And here we are in 2024, witnessing the results when such warnings against misrule, corruption, and vice are ignored.

“The rise in violent crime has become a national trend in the past few years as cities reach homicide rates not seen in decades [5].”

“The United States has done little to improve its battle against public-sector corruption in recent years, according to Transparency International, which measures experts’ perception of corruption around the world. In 2023, for the second year in a row, the U.S. ranks 24th out of 180 countries and territories” (tying with Barbados, and just ahead of Bhutan) [6].

Over 1 in 6 Americans, adults and teens alike, suffered a substance use disorder in 2022. . . . About 30 million had an alcohol use disorder, while 27 million had a drug use disorder — including about 6 million with an opioid use disorder [7].”

Spice addicts passed out on the pavement

And how is America to rectify such circumstances? Our sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln shared wisdom still relevant for today:

“Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him, who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust in the best way, all our present difficulty [8].”

–Abraham Lincoln

Imagine if:

The intelligence of best-practices was implemented against crime, drugs, homelessness and more—on a grand scale

Patriotic (instead of self-serving) leaders enacted the best policies to benefit the most people

Christian principles, proven to achieve the most profitable results (Psalm 18:30), were embraced and followed by a large majority

Our nation relied firmly upon God for guidance

Such outcomes are within our grasp if we take to heart the advice of these discerning leaders:

“It is necessary for the welfare of the nation that men’s lives be based on the principles of the Bible. No man, educated or uneducated, can afford to be ignorant of the Bible [9].”

—Theodore Roosevelt, twenty-sixth U.S. president

“All must admit that the reception of the teachings of Christ results in the purest patriotism, in the most scrupulous fidelity to public trust, and in the best type of citizenship [10].”

—Grover Cleveland, twenty-second and twenty-fourth U.S. president

“The only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican form of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible [11].”

— Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence

* * * * * * * * * *

I pray, Heavenly Father, we might experience a fifth Great Awakening in America! Pour out your refreshing, purifying Spirit, bringing the hope of Jesus to the millions who don’t know you and are living unaware of your loving care, peace, joy, help, and more.

For those of us who do know you, I pray we may become the purest patriots of YOUR kingdom, eager to serve you in a hurting world.

[1] https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1936?ref=christian-patriotic

[2] https://christianheritagefellowship.com/christian-quotes-from-the-founding-fathers-2/

[3] https://gracequotes.org/author-quote/daniel-webster/

[4] https://lajuett.com/patriotic-religious-quotes.html#:~:text=%22I%20tremble%20for%20my%20country,His%20justice%20cannot%20sleep%20forever.%22&text=%22I%20have%20sworn%20upon%20the,over%20the%20mind%20of%20man.%22

[5] https://www.heritage.org/crime-and-justice/commentary/8-cities-help-explain-national-crime-wave

[6] https://thefulcrum.us/corruption/corruption-perception-index-2023-2667125422

[7] https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-11-14/more-than-1-in-6-u-s-adults-teens-have-substance-use-disorder

[8] https://lajuett.com/patriotic-religious-quotes.html#:~:text=%22I%20tremble%20for%20my%20country,His%20justice%20cannot%20sleep%20forever.%22&text=%22I%20have%20sworn%20upon%20the,over%20the%20mind%20of%20man.%22

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

Art & photo credits: http://www.azquotes.com; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.flickr.com (2), photo of drug addicts by Tim Dennell; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.rawpixel.com.

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Murmurs in the Silence

Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Love, Intimacy with God, Prayer, Renewing the Mind, Seeking God, Uncategorized, Waiting on God, tagged God Speaks, God's Voice, How to Hear God's Voice, Jeremiah 33:3, John 8:47, Listening to God, Psalm 145:18, Revelation 3:20 on June 27, 2024| 36 Comments »

Imagine an impression, conviction, direction or affirmation imprinted so strongly upon your spirit that you knew for certain it came from God. It’s an appealing idea, but we may wonder:

How can we know when a thought is divinely bestowed?

The above promise from Jeremiah 33:3 indicates we can distinguish God’s voice. (Further evidence includes Isaiah 30:21, John 8:47, Revelation 3:20, and more.)

In addition, many respected Jesus-followers offer affirmation, based on their own experience.

Below you’ll find excerpts from some of these teachers, preachers, and authors, to answer our questions about hearing God speak within our hearts—questions like:

TO WHOM DOES GOD SPEAK?

To those who belong to God.

To those who make time for stillness.

God [is] waiting in the depths of my being to speak to me

if I would only be still enough to hear His voice.

–A. B. Simpson, quoted in Streams in the Desert, 255

To those willing to sit in silence.

Silence is the room we create for the searching of God,

where we hear his voice and follow.

–Mark Buchanan, http://christian.net/resources/bible-verses-about-hearing-god/

To those who prepare themselves to hear.

God will speak to the hearts of those who prepare themselves to hear.

–A. W. Tozer, God Still Speaks; Are We Listening?

WHY DOES GOD SPEAK INTO THE HEARTS OF HIS CHILDREN?

When God speaks, His chief aim is to reveal Himself.

He desires to make Himself known and lead

you into a more intimate relationship with Him.

–Priscilla Shirer, Discerning God’s Voice, 105

HOW CAN WE KNOW THAT GOD IS ACTUALLY SPEAKING TO US?

He speaks in love (Jeremiah 31:3), not condemnation (Romans 8:1).

One of the distinguishing characteristics

which will identify His voice is that it will

highlight His great, never-ending love for us . . .

Even when He is disciplining and correcting you

He is still operating from

His foundational character of love.

Love is how He is.

–Priscilla Shirer Discerning God’s Voice, 112

Whatever God says will concur with his Word.

When God speaks, it always lines up with the Bible—

His character and His actions.

He is kind, loving, inspirational, wise, healing,

and convicting without being condemning.

–Alice Clarke, https://www.catchthefire.com/blog/prophecy-prophetic-c45wm

Confirmation from elsewhere may also present itself.

When [God] speaks to you internally,

and then causes other events to confirm what he’s saying,

it’s not coincidence, luck, or chance.

It is likely his sovereign hand orchestrating circumstances

to help lead you to his will.

When God speaks, he does so persistently.

–Priscilla Shirer, Discerning God’s Voice, 76

WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE OUR LISTENING ABILITY?

Spend time in God’s Word.

The more time we spend in the Bible,

the more familiar we become with his voice,

making it easier to recognize it when he speaks.

–Denise J. Hughes, Deeper Waters, 50

Pray.

Prayer can lead regularly to personal encounter with God,

which can be indeed a wondrous, mysterious, awe-filled experience.

–Friedrich Heiler, Prayer: A Study, 129. Referenced by Timothy Keller in

Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, 43.

Be still.

How rare it is to find a soul quiet enough to hear God speak.

–Francois Fenelon

Take time to wait.

I listen for His voice. I wait. I take the time.

And He has never failed to meet me

at the place of listening.

–Joni Eareckson Tada, 31 Days Toward Intimacy, 82

Stay alert.

God murmurs in the silence of unexpected places.

–l. l. barkat, God in the Yard, 87.

Even at the kitchen sink.

“Just as this beautiful cluster of grapes once grew on a vine,

you are growing beautiful fruit as you abide in Me”–JESUS (John 15:5).

If we ask God to reveal himself, he’ll do it—as he chooses—through little whispers, confirmations, divine delays and heavenly echoes that corroborate with what he’s already saying through His Word and Spirit (Priscilla Shirer, Discerning God’s Voice, 193).

Let’s ask him now.

* * * * * * * * * *

Jesus, please quiet all the loud voices that flood my heart and mind. Give me ears to hear the gentle sound of your voice. Speak Lord, your servant is listening. Amen (Chrystal Evans Hurst, Kingdom Woman Devotional, 41).

Psalm 37:7; 1 Samuel 3:9

Photo credits: http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.pexels.com (2); http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.pexels.com.

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Five for Five

Posted in Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, Excellence, Faith, God, God's Goodness, God's Presence, God's Salvation, Intimacy with God, Jesus, Prayer, Seeking God, Uncategorized, Worship, tagged Christianity, Corporate Worship, Creation, God, God's Glory, Jesus, Live out our faith, quiet time, serving others, spring, the five senses on April 18, 2024| 36 Comments »

After the cold starkness of winter, spring gleefully reawakens our senses with her:

Effusion of colorful flowers
Scents of hyacinth, lilacs, and freshly-mowed grass
Symphony of bird song
Flavors of tender asparagus, luscious strawberries, and tart rhubarb
Textures of furry pussy willows, fuzzy moss, and silken magnolia petals

Praise God for our abilities to see, smell, hear, taste, and touch, allowing us to enjoy Spring in so many ways!

Even better, those abilities allow us to meet God in at least five ways.

Our five senses help us understand God more clearly.

Consider how the far-flung stars and planets speak of his power; the clever camouflage of lizard, fawn, and frog display his wisdom; the endless variety of colors, shapes, and textures prove his creativity; the instinctive parenting skills of adult animals demonstrate his goodness.

The wonder of creation is

every encounter illuminates

something about God.

–Margaret Feinberg, Wonderstruck, 55

Our five senses help us experience God’s glory more profoundly.

We can see his power at work in the transformation of lives [1].
We can hear his wisdom in godly men and women, such as Thomas á Kempis or Corrie ten Boom (just two among millions!):

We can feel God’s loving touch through a hug that conveys compassion, a worship song that quickens the heart, or a landscape vista that gives us glory-goosebumps.

We can taste his goodness in all the variety of blessings we enjoy (Psalm 34:8).

We can smell the fragrance of his sweet presence (Psalm 45:6-8)—if we pay attention.

Our five senses help us connect with God more intimately in solitude.

Many people call it Quiet Time—moments they spend with God in scripture reading/study, prayer, perhaps journaling, and/or listening to peaceful worship music.

It’s in the quiet we begin to see important realities of the spiritual realm, hear God’s voice within our spirits providing wisdom and encouragement, feel his presence more palpably as we touch our knees to the floor in prayer, and again, smell the fragrance of his sweet presence as he meets us in our place of solitude.

Our five senses help us worship God more intently in community.

The whole person, with all his senses,

with both mind and body,

needs to be involved in genuine worship.

Jerry Kerns [2]

Kerns would have us fully engaged–first to bless God’s heart and then to elevate the experience for us also.

How?

See the majesty and splendor of God on his throne–in your imagination. This is who you are worshiping [3]!

Hear the music and join in with grateful, enthusiastic praise [4].

Feel the presence of God as you pray. Try placing your hands on your lap, palms up—open and empty, symbolic of humility and receptivity [5].

Taste the bread and wine/juice with prayerful gratitude. Jesus is our Bread of Life who satisfies our spiritual hunger, who shed his blood for us so we might one day enjoy heaven with him. May we never become desensitized to the magnitude of his sacrifice.