The Beauty of Broken Things

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. (Luke 4:18)

Forgiveness Is For Giving

A million things could be said about forgiveness. So often I think about this, wondering why it is so difficult for some people to do and how some can go through life with the misery of unforgiveness toward others. Amazingly, we want to receive from others the very thing we aren't willing to give! We need to consider more the strong and startling truth of this verse, words from the Lord Jesus Christ:

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15 NIV)

This Is My Father's World

Today (2nd Sunday in August) is Father's Day here in Brazil. I often forget the American date of the 3rd Sunday in June so I always get a second chance. Of course, my husband likes that, he uses it to say that it should be celebrated two times. Ah yes, it really should!

Fathers are important. That's quite the understatement, is it not? I think of my wonderful Dad so often.

VERY often. I think it's a common thing to happen that people only begin to realize how much they love someone AFTER they've gone. How often I have desired to have him here to ask for advice or get his opinion. Oh, what a gentle and wise man he was. And strong. Strong in every sense of the word. Because of his strength my world was safe and secure. I never doubted that he could care for and love me as a father should. Oh, that I could have conveyed to him how much I admired and valued him!

(The first picture I ever took of my Dad which was
 also the first one I took with my very first camera,
a Kodak Instamatic.)

My concept of my heavenly Father is enhanced because of my earthly one. I realize that many people don't have that privilege and blessing and, therefore, have difficulties in that area. It is my desire and prayer that you just take His Word for what it says and believe it. He loves you, He cares for you, He desires a relationship with you that is unlike, yes far above, any earthly relationship could possibly be.  Fall into His loving arms, hear the beat of His loving heart and listen to His loving words that are meant just for you.

My world is planned, controlled, cared for and blessed by my heavenly Father. He reminds me of that every day, many times a day. The new day, the rising sun, the birds, the flowers...every detail of His creation is meant to charm us, to woo us, to draw us to Himself.

        As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in My love.  (John 15:9)

We Need You, Lord

In our world full of wickedness and war where God's enemies seem to be having their heyday, we need the promises and comforts of His Word to us. We must remember that He knows all that is happening and that nothing is beyond His control. Now is the time to peacefully lean on His loving heart. He is the One whose eyes and ears are ever pointed in the direction of His children. He is the One with whom we are safe...no matter what the enemy may do.

As you look at the moon tonight, or even if you don't, remember some of the many promises from His Word. Here is a small portion of Scripture for your meditation, I pray that it is as much of a blessing to you as it was to me.

His Mercies

Every morning that I sit here in my corner by the window, I am reminded of the Lord's mercies to me. They are new every morning as the prophet Jeremiah said (Lamentations 3:23). Isn't that just the truth? We have a new day with new opportunities for the many facets of life, we're still breathing and moving around (a little slower sometimes but, yes, I can still put one foot in front of the other. That's good, I say.), the sun's shining, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming...

Some days have more of these things than other days, of course. But they are outstanding reminders of His love, mercy and grace to us. Reminders of His gifts! So many of them! Stop and list them, you'll be amazed and grateful, you'll be blessed.