Tag Archives: Wenatchee River

All Creation Jumps for Joy

Posted on by
2
SH_140921-2065-gigapixel-scale-2_00x-Edit

Jumping Salmon

Have you ever felt little desire to pray and ask God for help. It happens to me when I am being tempted. I know if I pray then God will expect me to fight the good fight, even though I know I’ll eventually succumb. I think of it as “no desire to desire God.” At these times I occupy my mind with useless thoughts trying to cause a diversion (TV, a video game). Instead of this helping, I am left defenseless against temptation. Addictions are like this—the desire is for the habit and there is no desire for much else. At that moment, the thought of praying seems to tighten the screws of shame.

I know part of prayer is to get rid our desires for the things of this world and be wholly devoted to to Jesus. Easy to say, but frankly beyond my reach.

Jesus ran into a man with this problem:

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Mark 10:21-22 NLT

Whoa, could I do what Jesus asked that man to do? Being honest, I must admit I cannot…I need help. More than just a little lift, I need a complete transformation. “Yeah, right. How is that going to happen?” I say this as I begin to turn away. Stop! The story isn’t finished, for the Lord knows my weakness and mercifully follows this man’s story with these words.

Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?”
He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” Mark 10:26-27 NLT

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 NLT

God wants to bring forth in us an overwhelming all encompassing desire for Him, and He offers the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish this. All we can do is ask for the desire to desire Him above all.

So rejoice along with the psalmist:

Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever. Psalm 73:25-26

When You Need a Friend

Posted on by
3
SH_140320-9218-Edit

Flying home with friends

As I face this day, I am thankful that I do not face it alone.

“The Lord is with me; he is my helper.”  Psalm 118:7

I can let the anxiety of life go, knowing God will be with me. Oh, how good it is to know the name Jesus (God saves) and Immanuel (God is with us). I can truly rejoice in Him, for He has saved me and goes with me forever.

“This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Along the Road Home

Posted on by
2
SH_171020-0743

In case you drove by and did not stop to admire.

What a wonderful Thanksgiving prayer:

The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need.
He lets me lie down in fields of green grass.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the right paths
for the honor of his name.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid.
You are with me.
Your shepherd’s rod and staff
comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
right in front of my enemies.
You pour oil on my head.
My cup runs over.
I am sure that your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life.
And I will live in the house of the Lord
forever. Psalm 23 NIRV

God has given us this prayer because He wants us to pray it, so He can fulfill it in our lives. Lord I fall at Your feet in thanksgiving.

The Greatest Gift

Posted on by
Reply
Blackbird Island

Psalm 36:5

Show the wonder of Your great love,
You who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in You from their foes.
Keep me as the apple of Your eye.  Psalm 17:7-8

Even in the cold, God’s love makes us warm.
In rocky places, love gives us a soft place to lie.
His love gives us courage and protects us in truth.
When we do wrong love forgives and leads us to forgive each other.
When there is no time left, there is time enough for love.
Love brings hope even when we are hopeless.
When our lives fill with painful noise, love overcomes with a song.
When we trip and fall, love covers the hurt.
A mountain of anger will yield to love.
When life is empty love will fill the void.
There is no dark place that love cannot reach.
When life appears worthless, love makes it worthwhile.
Fear must leave when love comes in.
Love makes death a brief cry.
Love produces endless joy in the lover and the loved.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Merry Christmas

Flying Through the Morning Mist

Posted on by
1
Morning Mist Along the Wenatchee River

Flying through the fog of fear

Life is like this scene along the Wenatchee River—shrouded in fog. I am often unable to see clearly to know what lies ahead. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Christians at Philippi, encourages us to to move forward not letting our past sins and fears bind us and prevent our advance.

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,…” Phil. 3:13

So I made my own list of the things I need to forget:

Past sins and failures that have been forgiven.
Past ugliness and pain.
Fear that I don’t have what it takes to keep going.

Trouble is to forget I need to replace my fears with something that encourages, and clears the fog of uncertainty as I move forward. This is why I also need to remember:

Jesus Christ died for my sins, and now I am new in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Jesus loves me and is my faithful shepherd. (John 10:11)
God is building me up in Jesus to do good things. (Ephesians 2:10)
Nothing can separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:39)

When you can’t see ahead moving forward depends on what you let your mind dwell upon. (Phil. 4:8)

Link

Autumn Along the Wenatchee

Autumn along the Wenatchee River

This scene was beautiful but short-lived, the next year a second fire burned through this area. Life is like this landscape: beautiful for a time, but things happen. That is why I love John 14:6

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – Jesus

His compassion is new every morning.
He forgives me and helps me forgive.
He gives me a new heart.
He opens my eyes to see, and my ears to hear.
He is my strength and my self control.
He is the good shepherd watching over me and my family.
He is my shield.
He is my hope that conquers fear.
He is my peace and security––my Rock.
He loves me with an enduring love.
He promised to come back and take me home with Him.
No matter what happens He will never leave me nor forsake me.
He is just what I need for life.

Life is not life without Jesus.