A Word in the Night

Near the beginning of my trial, which started last June 22, 2007, I was given a word from a dear friend. She gave me this verse in hopes of helping me to understand things I do not know and also what God would do. I have since written it on my heart. She gave it to me in ESV. Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3

(Hydrangea from my yard.)

I have since heard it said many times that Jeremiah 33:3 is God's telephone number. I have called to Him and He has shown me some wonderful things in the midst of this horrific trial. I don't believe He's revealed to me all the great and hidden things but I know as time goes, He will show me more and more.

So, why is this all worthy of penning? Many friends have told me that God has revealed or confirmed promises, directions, answers to them through their dreams. I know that I dream but I have a very hard time recalling most dreams. I can have a vague idea the morning to follow but my dreams have always been so fuzzy... in a strange house that is suppose to be mine, with family members who don't look like themselves. Very weird.

The morning of this past Wednesday, July 23rd, I tossed as I normally do. (Does anyone sleep a solid 6-8 hours without turning? I've never experienced that.) I must've turned to my right side for the 105th time and I saw a flash of my clock. It said 3:33. Now, normally, I would think quickly in my head "oh I have x hrs and x minutes left to sleep.) However, this time I recall I instantly thought of Jeremiah 33:3. It was the most weird and surreal feeling. Just as soon as I saw the 3:33 a.m., I saw Jeremiah 33:3 in my mind. I felt instantly it was a "message" from God yet, I didn't know what it meant. Is He asking me to call to Him? Is He comforting me that He will soon show me more great and hidden things? Will He be revealing to me some of the greatest mysteries of my aching heart for which I long?

I've yet to understand the fullness of His message but I do believe He said this to me for a reason. Is it to ponder on the great influence and affect this dear friend had on me during the early days of my trial? Is it to bring me peace that He is going to settle some of the uneasiness in my heart? Is He asking me to call Him more often? Is He asking me to call upon Him for those things which I feel are a burden to Him?

I do know this...this is one of the most amazing gifts. I had not been reading nor reflecting on Jeremiah 33:3 recently but rather it was far from my mind. I did rest my head upon my pillow that night with uneasiness and worry about an event occurring at work but was not necessarily seeking an answer.

I feel there is no real profound encouragement, revelation, application, or challenge that I can present to my wonderful readers regarding this. Rather, I want to shout praise to the Lord for this mysterious word. I would gladly accept any word from the Lord even if it is yet to be understood by this feeble servant of His.

I can only hope that someone would gleam a word from the Father through this message. I can only hope this verse is the exact scripture needed by one soul reading this. I can hope that a reader would be challenged or encouraged in a way only God would know.

I can encourage you to call the Father. Call Him. Text Him. Email Him. He wants to hear from you regarding all the issues on your heart. He is never too busy for us. Imagine, He is just sitting there, waiting on His glorious throne, wanting to so desperately hear from YOU...yes YOU. Imagine, the Father desires to tell YOU great and hidden things. He wants to tell YOU His secrets. Remember as a little girl hiding in the closet whispering secrets to our friends, either real or imaginary? That is what He is saying to you...come into My closet, come into My presence, come into My House and let Me tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know. Oh to be graced with the Father's secrets.

Seek Him with all your heart. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 So many times Jeremiah 29:11 is quoted but what a beautiful and powerful verse that follows it.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:17 The truth is, He loves all of us, even those who do not love Him. But I believe He does love us who loves Him with a "special" kind of love. Most definitely anyone who seeks the Father will find Him. How glorious!

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

Calling Him,

Master's Touch, Our Faith

We know that God is sovereign. We know that He is in control. We know that He rules on His own. But do we know how much our faith plays into our lives? Does God sit on His throne making decisions regardless of our faith? Does He take into account our faith, our works, our deeds? Does He judge based on our faith? Does He act upon our faith? But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. Hebrews 10:38

God does rule with His sovereignty over all this earth. However, He is moved by our faith. Our faith does influence our God. He shows us over and over what our faith does. Through our faith we are healed. Through our faith we are well. Through our faith we are saved. Through our faith we are granted our requests. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

The two blind men who pleaded for mercy. "Do you believe that I am able to do this? Yes, Lord," they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you." Matthew 9:28-29

The woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years touched the edge of Jesus' garment. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." Matthew 9:21-22

A Canaanite woman whose daughter suffered terribly from demon possession cried out to the Lord. Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:28

Ten men who had leprosy cried out to Jesus asking for pity. One Samaritan man returned to Jesus praised Him. Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." Luke 17:19

The sinful woman who wept at Jesus feet, wiped them with her hair and poured perfume on them. Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Luke 7:50

The blind beggar, Bartimaeus, cried out to the Lord repeatedly against the crowd's hush. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Mark 10:51-52

The paralytic who was lowered from the roof and carried to Jesus by four men. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:5

The lunatic son who is very ill and often falls into the fire and into the water. His father took him to the disciples but they could not cure him. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:19-21
Even the disciples were told that because of their little faith they could not heal this child.

We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Because my life has personally been faced with what the world sees as impossible, I have written onto my heart the promise of our Lord. Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:21-22

Now, that pierces my heart. I know what the world tells me and it is: to go on, move on, get over it. Why? Because in man's eyes my situation appears very impossible. It is impossible IN MAN'S EYES. But then, man is not who rules my world. I believe because Jesus tells me to. I believe because my heart wants to. I believe because doubt fills my heart with guilt. Who am I to doubt Him? Who am I to say He won't move this very huge, very impossible mountain? He tells me that I can throw this mountain into the sea...if only I have faith and do not doubt.

These verses clearly show us that we DO have an active part in what does or doesn't happen. Our faith releases God's power to perform these magnificent miracles. Let me not confuse this with the question of why our faith doesn't always result in the movement of those mountains into the sea. Why does our faith not always lead to those miracles? That is a question I can't answer nor understand. I believed, what I thought to be, with all of my heart for a loved one to be saved from cancer. I did. I believed Jesus was going to heal her. It didn't happen and I may never know why. However, do I want to take the chance of not believing in my God to provide my miracle now just to hear Him say it didn't happen "because you have so little faith"? No. Absolutely not. I do not want my lack of faith or my little faith to be the reason that God doesn't throw this mountain into the sea and provide the miracle I so desire. (Or any future ones.)

It's not about believing in the miracle. It's not about believing in the chance or probability. It's not about believing I have to receive my miracle. At times, it's not even about the miracle and wanting it. It's about believing in MY God to do this. It's about believing in God's power to change these circumstances. It's about believing God wants to do this for me and others involved. It's about believing in the awesome glory that will shine for His kingdom and reveal His majesty through this. It's about believing God wants me to believe and not doubt. He tells us not to doubt so I ask "who am I to doubt" even this thing that looks so very bleak? I have no right to doubt my God.

Are you doubting? Are you believing with your WHOLE heart? Do you have the faith that can wither the fig tree? Do you have the faith that can throw the mountain into the sea?

Do you believe your faith has a place in the Master's Touch? Do you believe your faith has power with the Master's Touch?

May I challenge you to not put God into a box? Is that not what we do when we doubt? You see, we doubt the Master because we doubt the physical possibility of a person or circumstance changing. It's okay to doubt the likelihood of change in the physical realm without God. Our faith is not in the person or circumstance but rather in the Almighty who can overcome ANYTHING!!! We must now doubt God and His power to change the impossible. Nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37. As I've said previously, impossible odds lead to amazing miracles. Part of that equation is our faith in our Master to change those impossible odds and grace us with those miracles.

Believing and Not Doubting,

What's in a Name?

Do you wonder about names of people you encounter? Do you notice how a name grows on a person? What about nicknames? Why do we choose to nick name someone who has a longer name? Do people take offense to nicknames? Does your name having meaning in its origin? Was there significance in your parents giving you the name?

There's so much in a name. Our parents may have combined two names from our lineage to get ours. We may have been named after a relative or a special person. There is always a reason behind the name given to us. Then, sometimes life takes a turn and through either our parents or ourselves or friends, our name changes and we get a nick name. There are some parents who name their child with the intention of using a nick name or the middle name.

The last couple of years, I have earnestly tried to use a person's name more often in conversation or even in a simple "hi" as we pass. I noticed a certain co-worker, whom I didn't really know well, would always address me by my name in conversation even if a simple "Hi, Paula." It really caught my attention of how that made me feel even by a not-so-acquainted co-worker. There is just something about a person using our names. Since that time, I've tried to make an effort to include the use of names in conversations when addressing others.

I have even noticed my five-year-old niece does this quite often. Whenever she specifically addresses me, she always uses my name at the beginning or end of her statement. Of course it is adorable in her little voice to hear "thank you, Paula" when I hand her something for which she has asked. Or if she says "Paula, watch me jump rope fast." I love to also hear her call my mom "grandma" and my dad "grandpa". Nothing's sweeter from a wee little one. When my two nieces were even younger they would call me "Aunt Paulie". Now that was precious. Though my mom and brother still reference me as such the girls are so grown up (at 5 and 7) they now call me "Paula" but it is still precious hearing them say my name.

I love the name of Jesus. There's power in His Name. Power to cast out demons. So much power that satan cannot stand to hear it. So much power that we pray "In Jesus Name, Amen". Many times I prefer to reference Jesus rather than God. In our world there are many "gods" that people call upon and I never want to confuse my God with those others may have. So, to be more specific I like to reference Jesus, Lord, or Father. That's just a personal preference so that it is clear to others with whom I'm speaking that it is the God Almighty, the God of the Universe of which I'm referencing. I also prefer those names because they provide me a sense of closeness with my Lord. To say Jesus or Father or Lord is to say someone's first name instead of Mrs. Smith.

Let's take a look at SOME of the names of our Master.

God. Father. Abba. Son. Almighty. Immanuel. Christ. Messiah. Lord of Lords. Master. Jesus. King of Kings. I Am. Alpha and Omega. Lamb of God. Judge. Shepherd. Jehovah.

Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord will Provide)
Jehovah-Rophe (The Lord who Heals)
Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord of Peace)
El Shaddai (God Almighty)

Adonai (Master)

God put special importance and emphasis on names. He even changed some names: Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel.

As we studied Potiphar's wife in Sunday School, we also discussed the many other women in the Bible with no names. My favorite of course being the bleeding women. There is also the widow with two coins (rather mites, which is of least value), the sinful woman, the Samaritan woman at the well, the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her perfume. Why in these cases were their names not given? We know they have names. Was it more important in these cases to emphasize their stories and testimonies? Was their testimony to be more of an impact on us than their names? We were asked to introduce ourselves to another in class by a description without using our name. I am not a mother to anyone; I am not a wife to anyone. So, those were not automatic identifications on my mind. I thought "I am the daughter of a King." Wow. I have never thought about that in those terms. To think of a king in this world and royalty such as Queen Elizabeth or Prince Charles is to think on such power, privilege, and prestige. But I am not just the daughter of "a" king but rather THE King. The King of Kings. That struck a chord so deep because I've never felt the privilege of power or position. Yet, I have the greatest position of all...the daughter of the King. I do not hold this precious position alone though. I humbly share it with many women who've called upon the name of Jesus. The Name of Jesus. Wow...so much power.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Romans 1:5-6

What's your favorite name of our King?

In His Name,

20/20 Vision

Don't we all desire 20/20 vision? Fortunately, if we don't have it naturally we can get it with visual aids. We can correct our poor vision with glasses, contacts, or surgery. Even those with more profound visual impairments or even blindness can aid their sight with canes, sight-seeing dogs, and the acceleration of other senses. What about our spiritual vision? How can we perfect that? Or can we? We can enhance what we see and how we see it (perspective) with reading of God's Word, prayer, fellowship and accountability with other Christians. Unlike the near perfect physical vision we can regain with the aid of other devices, we can never gain near perfect spiritual vision and perspective. Our perspective and vision is so much less than that of God. Though we can strive to increase and perfect our spiritual vision, it will never be 20/20, which is only held by our Lord.

The only way for us to obtain 20/20 vision or perspective is through hindsight. We've got to go through it and then turn, look back and have that ah-ha moment. Our vision and our perspective are what can cause us so much grief. In the midst of trials, circumstances, and suffering, we question why. We try to figure it out. We try to guess the reasoning. All to no avail.

My words are feeble so let me share something that so simply yet so profoundly happened to me. Yes, it involves that dog gone little tech-y box...the ol' laptop computer.

Last Thursday, I admit I was a little excited to post on Friday about Dependence Day. I, as normal, like to be different. I call it unique. I wanted to play on the word dependence versus our national holiday of independence. I was almost to the very end of composing it when my computer beeped at me. How dare it. It froze. It crashed. It was never revived by this inexperienced techy. How poignant that I had just typed about being dependent on God. Just knowing that God was going to fix my computer, I didn't make plans on Friday or Saturday to take it to the doctor (Best Buy Store). "No, I'm going to wait it out" I thought to myself. "Why else would God allow me not to post my Dependence Day piece on Independence Day. It's not going to mean as much to post it after the 4th." Yes, these were my crazy thoughts. "This is a test." I thought as I continued to try to rational the reason. It was only at that time that I realized I needed to also include prayer for computers along with keys, etc. Then, I thought maybe God wants me to spend a couple days with Him and no computer.

Okay, after almost 48 hours, I realized that God was not going to come down and magically poof my computer to life. Oh, the dread. A trip 60 minutes south the the 'puter doctor. I called and explained the systems of the poor thing. We figured it was either the operating system or the hard drive. Oh, ugg. Here we go...on a long trip and then trying to find something to do for five hours for them to fix it. Oh, what would I ever do. Shop? I had just been shopping for those "much needed" items of which not a one fit, you know, shorts, capris, etc. I was content on making the trip and was going to treat myself to the salad and breadsticks and Olive Garden while I pondered on God's Word.

I dropped off the computer and decided to just return home because it was very unlikely they'd finish my computer by closing time (five hours). Upon leaving my lap box there, I was informed it would cost $99 to first save all my data which is merely pictures and some documents but my 30+ page devotional manuscript was one of the items. That would take hours to recreate. Dumb me. If only I had thought to save everything onto a CD or better yet flash drive. Okay. So we know I'm going to pay $99 for my data. Then, he says, if it's the hard drive it is still under the one-year warranty and it will be free. If it's the operating system, it will cost $199. Okay. Well, we can pray for the hard drive to be bad. Also, if they replace the hard drive the new one will be faster and larger than the manufacturer's one. Oh yes, now we are really praying for a bad hard drive. (haha)

I earnestly prayed for the cheap route which coincidentally would be the most beneficial. I was not worried but had somewhat of a sense of confidence looking back onto it. As I spoke with one of the geeks (yes, the men who fix your computers at Best Buy are called The Geek Squad and they even have vehicles with the logo on it)...so, as I spoke with the geek on the phone Monday morning I asked if it was the hard drive or operating system and he so beautifully said, "I believe it is your hard drive because I see your computer right here with the hard drive removed and a new one beside." Oh beautiful geek, you blessed my heart.

Yay! So of course I sang praises upon praises to my Lord. Knowing that $199 could so much be better used anywhere but on a computer. My heart sung, not because I was getting a FREE and better hard drive with no cost to me, but because I know it was my Lord who performed that mighty work. I know He did it for me. I just know it. It wasn't that He wanted to save me 199 bucks but that He wanted to bless me with the reassurance of what I had just written. Just to "see" Him work in my life, no matter the size of the issue, was a blessing. It was just such a blessing. I cannot stop smiling from thinking about how much He loves me to do the little things for me.

Fast forward, yes I made another long trip down south 60 miles to pick up the lap box. I arrived there and said "I'm here to pick up my baby." No joke. A little humor. It did seem odd not having instant access to the web, email, etc. for those five days. A geek (remember he is what he is) did the paper work, handed me the lap box and said there you go. I said, "oh what about my data disc?" He said it was in the folder. I asked "Well, is there a cost for that?" He said, "no, that's just what we do."

I was floored. Floored, I tell ya. I had to pick up some other things one of which is a flash drive to save, save, save everything. I tell ya, Best Buy has geeks every where. They just let them roam around the store. Which is very nice because they are always asking if they can assist us wondering customers. (Unlike some stores...not mentioning any names.)

So, needless to say it almost took the full 60-minute drive home to get my chin off the floor board. I'm still shocked. Here I went into this thinking okay max $300+ and minimum $100. But God says no, $0. Yes, it did cost me a half of tank of gas which is about $25. That's cheap for a new hard drive though.

Back to the point of all this gibberish...I remember last Friday when I was a little uneasy wondering why oh why did my new computer crash. I pondered on the trip down there, the potential cost, how long I'd be without the computer, finding the time to make these trips. I really tried to reflect on what the Lord could be saying and doing by allowing this crash of my computer. I really wanted to see Him in this situation and what, if anything, He wanted me to do or how He wanted me to reflect on this. I couldn't see the point of this simple thing causing such an imposition not to mention my disappointment in not getting to post on the 4th.

I see now that posting on the 4th wasn't all that necessary. The meaning of my Dependence Day post still resonated into the hearts of the readers. It still made the point regardless of the actual day of posting.

I see now that the trips were long but also productive as I also added other needed tasks to the trip so they weren't solely for the computer. It was also nice to just be on the road with the Lord in prayer and music.

I see now that the Lord delights in providing for me, even in the most unnecessary things. If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm. Psalm 37:23

I see now that the Lord wanted to reaffirm in my heart that He does care about ever detail of my life. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Psalm 55:22

I see now that He did do this mighty work for me. O Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? Deuteronomy 3:24

I see now that any work of the Lord's is a miracle. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. Job 9:10

I see now that the Lord used a computer to open my eyes to see Him working in my life. You saw with your own eyes what the LORD did (at Baal Peor). Deuteronomy 4:3

I see now that the vision of the Lord working in my life is greater than any monetary savings I could receive.

I see now that no matter how hard we try, we will never have 20/20 spiritual vision nor will we ever have 20/20 perspective. Our perspective will always be a human perspective and it can never be a God perspective. We can never see the perspective from His viewpoint, which expands all of time.

Is there something in your life that you just don't understand? Is a situation going terribly wrong? Can you not figure out the point of an issue? Are you trying and seem to get no where? Try to step back and see that God has the full perspective and only He knows the usefulness of what seems so useless.

Kelley at Aroma of Joy shared about her inability to lose weight after her seventh child and how God has used that and her love for running. It really touched my heart to see God using "menial" things to change, touch, perfect, mold us. It's not about the end result. It's not about the goal. It's not about the final destination. It's about the journey and the process along the way.

Expand your perspective. Realize it will never be what God's is. Strive for better spiritual vision. Look for Him and His ways. You will find Him. But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29

"And Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40

Expanding My Perspective,

Happy Dependence Day

Yes, you got that right. There's no typo. Your eyes are not deceiving you. Today (okay yesterday but will explain) the country celebrates its independence from Great Britain. There will be lots of barbeques, fireworks, parties, and festivities. Along with a country lavished with freedoms, we are also a country that likes to celebrate any and all occasions (even "holidays" created by Hallmark). We indeed are extremely blessed to live in the land of the free. It is important to remember those who've given their lives for our freedom and continue to fight for our freedom. However, there is one freedom for which we never have to fight but merely ask and it will freely be given to us. We have an eternal freedom offered only in Christ.

In addition to remembering those who are fighting for our freedom, we must remember the One who gave His life for us to truly be free...free from eternal hell, free from condemnation, free from the captivity of our sins, free from death, free from our enemies. When we carry Christ in our heart, we carry freedom with us regardless of where we live, travel, or the situation we find ourselves. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. Romans 6:22

To live free means to live dependent on God. The more completely we depend on God (D.O.G.), the more free we live. Did you hear that? For once, this dependence is positive; whereas, dependence on things or people can be deadly, dangerous, and destructive.

It can be obvious on what we do depend on God.

Job. Transportation. Housing. Health. Safety.

Do we depend on Him to find our lost keys? Do we depend on Him for our malfunctioning electronical gagdets? Do we seek Him on how to react to every person or situation? Do we seek Him in the little issues and depend on Him to provide the answer and the means? Do we ask and depend on him to find the time to exercise, to be in His Word daily, to pray more, to serve where He calls?

But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors. Hosea 10:13

May I propose that we take a deeper step into dependence with God? May we depend on God for all our needs and answers. Many people have expressed that it is hard to approach the Throne for those seemingly ridiculous and small concerns. However, God says to come to Him with everything in prayer. Do not be anxious about anything, but IN EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 We as humans view it as a "bother" to God. I mean, there are people dying of disease, living with no food, water, and shelter. Yet, we are supposed to ask God to find our keys so we can get to our interview on time in hopes of getting a job that will help us pay our bills and keep our house. Or are we supposed to really bother God in helping us be patient with our kids, to be courteous to our rude customers, have energy to clean our house, etc. For real? Yes, for real! For you see, not asking God shows we can do it all by ourselves. It says we can be loving to our children when they are screaming, the oven timer is dinging, the dryer is buzzing, and we're about to lose it. No, we can do it. No need to bother the Almighty who is healing the sick, feeding the poor, raising the dead.

No, there is no crisis too small for our God. The only thing too small is that BOX in which we place God. The Creator. The Almighty. The Majestic.

Going to God with everything, even those itsy bitsy issues demonstrates our TOTAL dependence on God. It demonstrates to our Father that we cannot do it all but rather we know HE can. Yes, He can find your keys. Yes, He can give you the right response on a chaotic day. Yes, He can get you there on time and accident free. Yes, He can do it all, big and small!

Consider this. If God was not concerned with the details, how come He put so much detail into all of His creation? Let us examine the vast variety of flowers and the intricate details. Let us watch the various beauty in the animals of the land and sea. Let us ponder on the very complexity of the human body. There's so much variation in our physical appearance but what about the human mind? Oh how complex it is. God is the Creator of details. God is all about the details. He is known for perfect timing. Yet, that too calls for details. Trust that God IS concerned with the details of your life.

Warm His heart. Bring Him glory. Fulfill His desires.
Depend on Him fully and all those will come to pass.

The Father is honored when we go to Him with total dependence. For parents, doesn't it bring you so much pleasure and honor when your children seek you to guide, to listen, to answer, to assist? (Okay maybe not if it's finding their underwear.) Imagine how it makes God Almighty feel when His children seek Him and rely on Him fully. God wants us to truly F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely On God).

So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. "If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemiesand turn my hand against their foes!" Psalm 81:12-14

Matthew Henry beautifully said "We can depend on God to fulfill His promise, even when all the roads leading to it are closed." (Streams in the Desert, July 1).

Note: The reason this post is late is because my (seven month old) computer decided to crash and burn on me. It wants a little attention so I am taking it to the Best Buy doctors (A.K.A. The Geek Squad) tomorrow. I tell ya, these things just barely beep, flash, and crash and they want a little TLC and probably want money spend on it. So, I will be praying and depending on God in hopes it is a hardware issue (under warranty) and not a software issue that will cost $60-200.

FROGin and DOGin,