Missing Nothing – Kristen Whiteley

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 ESV 

It’s not often that I read the Bible in French, but one morning that’s exactly what I did. I began with the oft-read and beautifully familiar Psalm 23: “L’Eternel est mon berger, je ne manquerai de rien.” Literally, “the Eternal One is my Shepherd, I will miss nothing.” 

I will miss nothing? The six verses of this psalm have slipped through my lips innumerable times since I was probably twelve, sealed on my heart, and yet the nuance of this translation shifted my whole perspective of the opening lines. “I shall not want” has a very different flavor from “I will miss nothing.” 

Allowing God to guide my steps, to care for me tenderly and work for my good, warrants the blessing of fullness. To walk in step with the Shepherd is to experience life in such a way that I don’t miss anything. 

I followed this train of thought as it chugged away in my mind, and considered the pragmatic application of this truth. What about the prompting of the Holy Spirit to spend money in a certain way? To reach out and apologize to someone, though it could feel embarrassing? Instead of viewing these things as restrictive, we can see the full and better life on the other side of the Lord’s correcting or leading. Restoring fellowship leads to peace and a free heart. Giving money, time, or talent invites God to give back in tangible, unprecedented ways. 

I ponder the practices of a good friend and mentor who keeps sheep. She has an upper and a lower pasture, and she leads the sheep back and forth to keep the forage fresh as the grass cycles through grazing and regrowth. Animals that are left to graze freely in large areas tend to deplete the land over time. Through rotational grazing, the earth has time to recover, and the ruminants enjoy a fuller diet. The animals thrive as their livestock owner leads them within certain boundaries.

Lean into the Lord’s tender guidance; He will not disappoint. The Lord is my Shepherd. Truly, I will miss nothing.

Kristen Whiteley agrees with her father that poetry is a way of seeing the world. In between discipling three young children and home-keeping, she leads worship and writes as a way to process her ponderings. Kristen is passionate about creation, the cross, community, classic literature, and homesteading.

Looking for Evidence - Martin Wiles

I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side. John 20:25 NLT

We were looking for evidence, and it was overwhelming. Yet, we followed something we feared.

Panthertown Valley is just outside Cashiers, North Carolina. But if someone is looking for a directional sign, they’ll be disappointed. But my brother and I had directions. Numerous trails run through more than 10,000 acres of protected land, and we planned to hike one of them.

As we made our way along the trail, we noticed scat. Since it was filled with berries, we knew which animal left it. Although we enjoyed the scenery, our eyes roamed our surroundings. Every noise made our hearts race and our eyes dance. When we reached the end of the trail, a tree with claw marks greeted us. A bear scratching post. We never saw Smokey, but the evidence convinced us he was near.

The evidence convinced us, but not Thomas. Jesus had been resurrected from the grave. Women saw him, as did some of the other disciples, but eyewitness reports weren’t enough for Thomas. He wanted to see the marks. So Jesus showed him. Then Thomas felt ashamed that he’d asked.

The evidence for God’s existence seems overwhelming to me—but not all agree. When I look at nature and how natural laws operate according to an unseen plan, I wonder how anyone could doubt, or even deny, the existence of a Higher Being. Theologians disagree over the methods God used to create. Did he initiate a Big Bang or perhaps use evolution as his process? Or was everything a fiat act of creation out of nothing?

Jesus showed Thomas the evidence he asked for and listened as Thomas shamefully confessed him as Lord and Savior. He should have believed without the evidence. God won’t appear to us and say, “Yes, I exist and created,” but he has given enough evidence to know he does and did.

The evidence at Panthertown Valley convinced my brother and me that a bear was in the area, whether or not we physically saw him with our eyes. The universe, along with a still small voice that speaks to my spirit, convinces me God exists, loves me, and wants to be included in my life. What I do with the evidence is up to me.

Evidence for God’s existence is overwhelming. Believe he exists and invite him into your life.

Father, I acknowledge you as the Creator and Governor of the universe and my life. 

If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Apple Nut Cake

Ingredients

3 CUPS DICED APPLES

1 CUP CHOPPED PECANS

2 CUPS SUGAR

3 CUPS SELF-RISING FLOUR

1 CUP CRISCO OIL

3 EGGS

1 TEASPOON VANILLA

Directions

HAND MIX ALL INGREDIENTS.

POUR INTO A GREASED TUBE PAN.

BAKE ON 350 DEGREES FOR 1 HOUR OR UNTIL DONE.

GLAZE

Ingredients

½ CUP BUTTER

1 CUP BROWN SUGAR

¼ CUP EVAPORATED MILK

1 TEASPOON VANILLA

Directions

HEAT MARGARINE AND BROWN SUGAR OVER LOW HEAT UNTIL MELTED.

ADD MILK AND LET COME TO A FULL BOIL.

REMOVE FROM HEAT AND COOL.

ADD VANILLA AND POUR OVER CAKE.

If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

How to Conquer Stress - Martin Wiles

In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure. Isaiah 33:6 NLT

Living a stress-free life is impossible. Therefore, how to conquer stress is the challenge. 

Women report they experience stress for the following reasons: contradictory feelings, changing expectations, new freedoms but fewer options, guilt over working outside the home, too much to do with too little time, fatigue, boredom, unrealistic expectations, role conflicts, and pressures from the workplace. The top five stressors reported by women were the death of a spouse, divorce, marriage, the death of a family member, and being fired.

For men, the four major stressors concern their bodies, careers, families, and personal issues. Although men and women face similar stressors, men seem to handle them in an unhealthier manner. Symptoms that appear as men age include high blood pressure, body aches, ulcers, heartburn, and headaches. Statistically, they also die earlier than women (Wright, H Norman. Winning over Your Emotions).

The nation of Israel faced its own set of stressors—many brought on by its repeated disobedience to God. God often used pagan nations to correct their wayward behavior, but he also assured Israel of his love and protection when they obeyed.

Although we cannot eliminate stress, we can conquer it, but how?

Welcome small doses of stress

These get our adrenaline flowing and propel us into actions that can benefit us, our churches, our communities, and even the world. A life completely free of stressors would be boring and uneventful. Too many stressors—or the wrong type--can inflict emotional, physical, and spiritual pain—leading to our detriment.

Have a correct view of God

God is not a distant deity who has no concerns for the events in our lives. He walks beside us, lives within us by his Spirit, and wants to direct our paths to an abundant life. But we must give him control and believe he is in control.

Build time to relax

Opportunities to serve God and others abound, but we can’t take advantage of them all. Asking God which ones he wants us to snatch is important. As Jesus took time to relax, we must also make time for our families and ourselves.

Re-evaluating your view of self

The why of what we're doing that’s leading to stress is more important than what we're doing. If ulterior motives are involved, stress is sure to accumulate.

Don’t let stress conquer you; let God help you conquer it.

Father, give us life guidance so our bodies will not be conquered by the ill effects of stress. 

If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

The Hidden - Lynne Phipps

Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV

As spring approached and the days warmed, the deep snow in the dog’s yard disappeared flake by flake.  With its demise, the hidden became more apparent.  

Bright colors shone through, and shapes materialized. Dog toys galore, buried beneath the mantle of white, emerged one by one. The dogs were thrilled to find this treasure trove of delights. The toys, of course, had been there all along; they just couldn’t see them.

Likewise, many things about God remain hidden even to the most dedicated of Christians. Even Moses, who at God’s command led the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt, could only view the glory of God from behind as God passed by. After all, no one could see God’s face and live. 

The apostle John was granted many visions and revelations concerning the things yet to come, the Kingdom, and the enemies of God. He sought to describe these visions as he penned the book of Revelation, a book which scholars still study and seek to understand.

Mary learned that she would bear the Son of God, yet it was an angel who made the announcement. She heard from God, but could only see Him in His fulfilled promise.

Each of these great heroes of faith knew God in part, but not in whole. They too had to continue to walk by faith, day by day, trusting that what they did know about the Almighty would not fail them, that His promises were true and faithful in every way, just as He is.

Therefore, amidst our own questions, concerns, and from time to time, our doubts, we too must walk by faith. We must trust in our hearts that, though much remains hidden concerning God and His Kingdom, one day God will make all things clear. God will lift the veil from our eyes, just as the snow melts away, revealing what lies beneath. When that day arrives, all our questions will be answered, and our doubts and concerns will vanish. We will fully see the glory of God, just as He fully knows us, even now.

What joy shall fill our souls as the hidden bursts forth upon our sight. God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, shall be our portion in all His splendor and glory forever and ever. 

Father God, thank You that one day, Your glory, which has always been but in its fullness has been hidden from our mortal sight, shall one day become clear and known to us for eternity. In Christ’s name, amen.

Lynne Phipps and her family live on a small hobby farm in the heart of Alberta, Canada’s farming country. She has been writing devotions for forty years and never tires of the spiritual correlation the Holy Spirit blesses her with. He uses normal everyday events and the behaviors of the multitude of glorious creatures He has brought across her path to point her to the truths of God. Lynne is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More, Christian Devotions, and Love Lines from God. 

If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

 

Peeled Like a Potato - Martin Wiles

When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. Hosea 1:2 NLT

I stood with a bag of potatoes beside me, a knife in my hand, and what appeared like eternity in front of me.

Corporal tunnel surgery had not slowed my wife down much—and I was glad since, at the time, she was our cook at church for Wednesday night meals. Although I was prepared to fix the meal under her supervision, I got off with a lighter duty.

“How good are you at peeling potatoes?” she asked.

“Okay, I suppose,” I answered and took the knife she handed me.

“Peel half of this bag.”

When I finished peeling, she said, “Now slice them and then dice them into small pieces so they’ll cook quickly.”

The dish was simple. She was merely browning the potatoes and adding a little butter and other seasoning. Yet almost an hour was spent getting ready to make the dish. Peeling and preparing a potato can be a lengthy process.

Hosea was peeled like a potato. God’s call to him involved marrying a prostitute—or a woman with promiscuous leanings--and having her bear him children through adulterous relationships. Seems like a strange plan, but his life episode would illustrate Israel’s unfaithfulness to God.

God’s plan often comes in layers like a sliced potato. He doesn’t show us the entire schema, just bits and pieces. Hosea’s wife didn’t stop with one promiscuous affair but continued until Hosea finally brought her home and confined her. My obedience to each stage of God’s unfolding plan demonstrates my determination to do what He wants me to do—even if I can’t see the end.

God’s plan can be painful, as it was for Hosea and for my back while I stood for an hour peeling. No spouse enjoys being the recipient of unfaithfulness. God often allowed his prophets to demonstrate their messages in graphic ways, and Hosea’s did, too. Hosea hurt. Through pain, we grow spiritually and are drawn closer to our Creator.  

And God’s plan will always entail change. Never can we stay where we are and go with God. The potato won’t become a hash brown casserole, French fries, or browned potatoes if it stays in its original state.

Regardless of the pain or the change required, determine to follow God’s plan for your life.

Father, give me the courage and faith I need to say “Yes” to your plan. 

If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Pasta Salad

 

Ingredients

1 16 OZ. BOX COLORED PASTA

1 CUP SUGAR

3 MEDIUM CARROTS CHOPPED FINE 

         
1 CUP WHITE VINEGAR

1 BELL PEPPER CHOPPED FINE

         
1 CUP MAYONNAISE

1 MEDIUM RED ONION CHOPPED FINE

1 TEASPOON SALT

3 CELERY RIBS CHOPPED FINE

1 TEASPOON PEPPER

1 CAN EAGLE BRAND MILK

Directions

COOK PASTA BY DIRECTIONS ON THE BOX.

DRAIN AND DRY ON DISH TOWEL.

MIX CARROTS, BELL PEPPER, ONION, CELERY, MILK, SUGAR, VINEGAR, MAYONNAISE, SALT AND PEPPER.
ADD PASTA.

MIX TOGETHER AND REFRIGERATE.

BETTER MADE A DAY BEFORE SERVING.