WAIT!

There seems to be a recurring theme I have been hearing, and I'm certain it is the Lord trying to get my attention!

Recently I watched (numerous times in the last three weeks) the movie, "The Lake House". It's about two people separated by time who are required to WAIT to avoid tragedy and to ultimately be together. I watched, feeling their frustration as they tried desperately to be a part of each other's life, living in the same place but separated by 2 years in time. They were able to communicate and build a friendship through letters. They were so close, yet so impossibly far apart. In the end, because they WAITED...

Two of my favorite gals have shared that the Lord has clearly told them to WAIT in their circumstances. They don't understand it, nevertheless it is very clear. Delayed gratification isn't popular in our culture and I ache with them and for them to realize the desires of their hearts in God's time.

During my study in the Psalms last week, the application I chose for my life was to WAIT on the Lord demonstrating my TRUST in Him, His sovereignty, and His faithfulness. As we looked ahead to next week's study in Psalm 40, I had to laugh as I glanced at the 1st verse:

"I waited patiently for the Lord"

Isn't God AWESOME?! The Creator of the universe loves me and cares enough for me to speak to me personally! 
.....
As I filled my bird feeders tonight, I saw tender purple petals peeking through the icy ground. "WAIT!" I cried.

Waiting on you, Lord...patiently! :)

Sleeplessness, Scriptures and My Savior

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4, 6


I spent another sleepless night, last night. Instead of trying to force sleep, I slipped out of my bed, grabbed my Bible and journal and started sharing with Jesus all the thoughts racing through my mind. Scriptures that I had hidden deep in my heart flooded my mind and brought me comfort as I scrawled all that He was saying to me through His Word. I read, wrote, and prayed until I couldn't keep my eyes open and was finally able to slip back into bed for a few hours of sleep.
 
This morning, I picked up my current read - "The Christian Atheist" by Craig Groeschel and continued where I left off - Chapter 8 "When You Believe in God but Still Worry". OUCH! Nothing like having everything God spoke to me in the middle of the night confirmed  by the light of day! He even used ALL of the same scriptures I had read through!
 

 
Lord,
Help me to let go of  the need to control so much in my life. I ask for the peace that passes all understanding to guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.  I'm all yours, Cheryl

What Faith Can Do

If you know me at all, you know that music ministers to my soul. Lately, life has been really hard for me, my family, and my friends. Strained marriages, insecurities in parenting the very young and the young adults in our lives, financial struggles, health issues, job stress - whether it's a current job or looking for one; there's tragedies happening all around us - some hitting very close to our hearts and homes, and everywhere I look, I see feelings of failure, discouragement, despair and hopelessness.

In our sufferings, in our failures, in our discouragement there is hope - hope that is sure.

Thank you, Jesus for being the hope that does not disappoint. Give me the faith that moves mountains, hope that never ends.

What Faith Can Do Lyrics at elw