"This what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy  One of Israel, says: "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved.  In quietness and confidence is your strength.  But you would have none of it."  (Isaiah 30:15 NLT)

Strength..... Getting stronger..... FEELING stronger......  How are you doing with that?  Are you doing anything to get stronger?  Getting stronger physically AND Spiritually?  When do you?  Are you working with anyone to get help with either physical or Spiritual?  It is something interesting to be thinking about.  I am working with a personal trainer for the physical and it is happening s-l-o-w-l-y which is why I keep reminding myself (and others) the turtle won the raise.  Spiritually I tend to go back to my friend Isaiah... and making sure to have my God time.

I have added something to my God time - morning and evening.  It is really helping me to feel God's presence more.  I now have a book of Celtic devotions on my kindle as well as "Jesus Calling."  I use both, with my praise music, morning and evening.  I am also beginning to study Celtic Spirituality - which is very interesting.  This Scripture, in Isaiah, and Celtic Spirituality remind us of God's presence with us - especially in the QUIET.  We can KNOW God IS with us!

​Definitely something to think about..........

"You are their glorious strength.  It pleases you to make us strong."  (Psalm 89:17 NLT)

What are you doing to "stay strong"?  Do you go to the gym?  Do you walk most days if not every day? A little of both?  Strong - what do  I mean "strong"?  Ya'll know I've been working on getting strength back after surgery.  Six weeks of sitting in my chair, recovering from the surgery, took away quite a bit of what little strength I did have.  I now go to the gym at least twice a week, mainly three times a week and sometimes four times a week. I am SLOWLY getting my strength back - to the point that even I can see/feel it. 

This week I was blessed to have Psalm 89 verses 15 through 18 as my God time.  Verses 15 and 16 one morning and verses 17 and 18 that night.  It reminds me of the song from quite a few years ago "One Day at a Time."  Praising God for God's presence, and strength, reminds us of God's presence with us.  God's presence with us reminds us God's strength is also with us.  "One day at a time" reminds us to be with God daily.

So......  One step at a time helps us get stronger.  Sometimes one day at a time is too big a "chunk" so we need to just go "one step" at a time.  We need to remember God IS with us giving us strength and guidance.  Something to think about.......

"Here is another story Jesus told: "The kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field."" (Matthew 13:24 NLT)

How are you at growing tings?  Do you have a garden?  I have had a garden - until I discovered the Farmers' Market.  I have had so many African Violets a friend gave me a cactus candle she would NOT have to water while I was gone.  Both of these things were quite a few years ago.  Apparently in one of my moves I not only left any growing ability I acquired being able to kill any and all house plants.  So...... when I'm talking about seeds and growing things I'm referring to ideas not "real" plants or fields.

In some ways Jesus is talking about both....  The field a farmer plants (v.13), the weeds (v. 25), the workers concern (v. 28), and the harvest (v. 30).  Jesus even explains the parable verses 37 to 39.  Jesus is sowing the good seed - planting the ideas and calling to each of us to keep growing.  Yes, there will be difficulties (weeds) but Jesus will win. (v. 43)

So..... what seed has Jesus planted for you?  What idea are you working with?  How are you dealing with the "weeds"?  Something to think about...........

"You satisfy me more than the richest feast.  I will praise you wit songs of joy.  I lie awake thinking of you.  meditating on you through the night."  (Psalm 63:5-6 NLT)

How are you at feeling God's presence?  Have you noticed the times God is with you?  Have you been able to share those times with others?  For instance I've talked about falling, in the middle of the street, on my trip to Scotland.  I remember thinking "how am I going to get up" because there is nothing to hold onto in the middle of the street.  I have no idea where the young man came from but there was a young man who literally picked me up, made sure I was solid on my feet, handed me my hat and disappeared.  I never even got to thank him.  Do I think it was a "God thing"? YES, I do.

Then...... in the quiet of God time......  Have you felt God's presence?  Just this week, during my evening God time (just before I turn out the light) while listening to my praise music God was there still.  The music was Leanna Crawford "Still Waters" with the start of the song "write Scripture on you heart for when you need it."  I was thinking about this verse, and how we know God IS with us, and the verses we "go to" when needed.  Like my friend Isaiah - we are in God's hand and God has us by the hand - 41: 10 and 13.  When God gave me another verse.  Yes, in Isaiah.  Chapter 43 verse 1 starts with a reminder of who "created" and ends with "Fear not, for I have redeemed you.  I have called you by name, you are mine."  (NLT)

So..... what do you think of when asked if you have felt God's presences and guidance?  Have you shared it with anyone?  Can you share it?  Something to think about.........

""Do not come any closer," the Lord warned.  "Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground." (Exodus 3:5 NLT)

Quiet......  "Extra" God time.....  Actually listening for what God is saying instead of rushing to be doing all of the various things that should (maybe) get done.  When are we doing this?  How are we doing this?  I've been waking up early, for me at least (I am retired now!), and getting some extra God time on most mornings.  But I have also been getting busier which has been somewhat of a surprise.  (Silly me.... I thought when I retired things would slow down!!)

Moses is working.  He is taking care of the sheep, taking them to the "west side" (v. 1) when he sees the "fire from the middle of the bush." (v. 2)  Moses takes time to go check this out.  God tells Moses he (Moses) is standing on "holy ground."  Moses is WITH God.  God IS WITH us.  

The question is....... do we recognize God is with us?  Do we take the TIME to s-t-o-p, go and see (listen) for what God is saying to each of us? Even if it means waking up "early"? Definitely something to think about.....

"For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?  I will make a pathway through the wilderness.  I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."  (Isaiah 43:19 NLT)

How are you at doing, or even trying, something "new"?  I have recently come to realize we are all frequently presented with "new" things - especially with all the technology!  There are, however, also a lot of new things mixed in with the "old" things.  For instance I try, when traveling, to have at least one "new" (at least to me) food.  It could be something 'common' to where I am but "new" to me OR it could be totally "new."  I admit this is so family leaves me with my "regular" food (cheeseburger and fries) when we are out at home.

Or.....maybe it is learning something new with your favorite pastime.  A "new" genre to read - exploring space (science fiction) or even learning more about the United States (history).  I've recently learned some new knitting - Mobius (scarfs and hats) and socks - both of which are keeping me quite busy.  

So..... something "new" might not have to be scary!  Of course God can also be calling us to "go for it" like sharing where God is leading.  Or, in my case, writing more - especially with this outreach.  What is God asking you to do?  Do you see it?

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."  (Psalm 37:3--4)

Sometimes God time gives special gifts.  God time this morning, praise music playing while I read "Jesus Calling" for today, gave the verse Psalm 37:4.  I like to read the verses around "the" verse given.  And this morning God really blessed.  Trusting God.  Feeling God's presence as we start into the day.

Fridays are usually "quiet" days because it has always been my "day off."  Even now, in retirement, I try to keep Fridays quiet because things seem to have gotten busier.  A QUIET day really helps!  God giving "extra" verses reminding to trust does give the "desire of your heart" because it brings us closer to God, through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Definitely something to think about.

"They were completely amazed.  "How can this be?" they exclaimed.  "These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!"" (Acts 2:7-8 NLT)

Pentecost - 50 days from Jesus rising from the dead, the empty tomb, the sure knowledge that God keeps God's promises.  A time of celebration in Jerusalem with people from all over.  Then the promised Holy Spirit arrives to be with the Disciples AND with each (and all) of us.  The Disciples are able to speak in the languages needed for the people to understand about God's love.

What about us?  Are we able to talk to people about the ways we see God's loving presence and guidance?  Do they understand us?  I firmly believe that God, through the Holy Spirit, also gives us the way we can speak to others about God's love.  God will guide the person to us, and us to them, AND give us the words to say for comfort and guidance.  We can share where, and how, we have felt God's strength, guidance and peace.  Definitely something to think about......

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.  And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere -  in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth. (9) After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him."  (Acts 1:8--9 NLT)

Some of us follow the Liturgical calendar which tells me Ascension was last week (10 days ago tomorrow) and was celebrated last Sunday.  Pentecost will be celebrated this Sunday (remember to wear red!).  There are two interesting things I want you to think about.  The first is God keeps God's promises.  We know this because we are celebrating this 2,000 years after Jesus was speaking to the Disciples.  We also know the Holy Spirit DID come and IS here with us so we CAN celebrate Ascension.

The second thing to think about is how are we following Jesus's directions -- "telling people everywhere"?  Jesus speaks to the Disciples about Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the "ends of the earth." (v. 8)  So...... if he were speaking to us now where are we?  We are in our homes, our work places, the communities we live in but are we sharing about God's loving presence with us?  Maybe even "just" by being kind (polite) and smiling?  Something to think about..........

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.  those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing."  (John 15:5  NLT)  

Staying connected, especially with God, is how we can have the strength to continue to do all the things we need to do.  Staying connected means, also, sharing with each other when, and where, we are able to connect with God.  Hectic schedules make it more difficult to have the time to stay connected - which is where have time set aside "just" for God is what works. 

I, personally, have a morning God time and another God time just before I turn out the light at night.  Right NOW I'm using Jesus Calling (which I have suggested).  I also have my praise music playing so I can have the music AND God's Word.  A great way to start, and end, the day.

How are you "remaining" in God?  Something to think about..........