What mountain would you like to cast into the sea?
It’s a beautiful day and I’m driving into Austin to have lunch with a friend as I listen to a really great song by Lindell Cooley declaring, “I need you more, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa3-XePwrAc. Check out the video. The best part about this video is that it says…I’ll never leave your side because I never want to go back to my old life and I’ll never be alone….” I began to reflect on that truth realizing that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same God that indwells me, literally, and I WILL NEVER BE ALONE! I just sat in the car as I was driving and I reflected on that. I let it sink deep into my soul and imagined the person of the Holy Spirit taking up residence in my spirit… it was a moment of glorious praise and worship as I embraced that idea in a much deeper way and just sat and worshiped God in a very deep encounter for the next few minutes….in my car. Worship….
I then arrive at the restaurant. I don’t see my friend so I wait. I’m sitting at a table close to the door and looking at a menu when I see an elderly woman walking up to the front door using a white cane. I considered going to the door to help her, but then I notice that my friend is there. She opens the door for her and then helps her through the second door. As she walks toward the counter, I hear the lady say that she isn’t sure she knows what to order, and my friend tells her you are close to the register and after she helps her returns to me as I sit in a pool of tears acknowledging the goodness of God to help this lady get where she needs to go. How brave! I don’t know how this lady got here…did she take a bus, does she live close…etc? But I was overwhelmed by how brave this lady is. I was then taken back to 1950s….
It’s a beautiful day and I’m driving into Austin to have lunch with a friend as I listen to a really great song by Lindell Cooley declaring, “I need you more, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa3-XePwrAc. Check out the video. The best part about this video is that it says…I’ll never leave your side because I never want to go back to my old life and I’ll never be alone….” I began to reflect on that truth realizing that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same God that indwells me, literally, and I WILL NEVER BE ALONE! I just sat in the car as I was driving and I reflected on that. I let it sink deep into my soul and imagined the person of the Holy Spirit taking up residence in my spirit… it was a moment of glorious praise and worship as I embraced that idea in a much deeper way and just sat and worshiped God in a very deep encounter for the next few minutes….in my car. Worship….
I then arrive at the restaurant. I don’t see my friend so I wait. I’m sitting at a table close to the door and looking at a menu when I see an elderly woman walking up to the front door using a white cane. I considered going to the door to help her, but then I notice that my friend is there. She opens the door for her and then helps her through the second door. As she walks toward the counter, I hear the lady say that she isn’t sure she knows what to order, and my friend tells her you are close to the register and after she helps her returns to me as I sit in a pool of tears acknowledging the goodness of God to help this lady get where she needs to go. How brave! I don’t know how this lady got here…did she take a bus, does she live close…etc? But I was overwhelmed by how brave this lady is. I was then taken back to 1950s….
when the schools were desegregated and there was a video of a very brave young 12 year old student walking to school in Selma, Alabama where police had to escort her to school to ensure she arrive safely. Again….HOW BRAVE! I then reflect back to the time I was on the UT campus for registration years ago. I was returning to my car where it was parked at the LBJ Library, many blocks from where I was. I stopped on the sidewalk to look at a map of the campus. I was standing there noticing the “you are here” dot on the map when someone literally bumped into me. I gathered my wits about me and we both apologized and then this person went on their way. As I watched, I realized this person was using a white cane and walked about 5 feet away from me and was “feeling” the curb in front of her. Tested it and then stepped down and walked on across the street. I was overwhelmed with her ability to manage herself, seemingly knowing where she was going, and here I was standing on the sidewalk trying to find myself on a map that says “you are here.” I began to feel so overwhelmed with the goodness of God and how he gives these people the where-with-all to be able to step out and do those brave things. Bless them Lord! The worship continued.
Then I received a text from a client thanking me for the book I gave them and how it had impacted their life and God allowed me to be a part of that for sure…thank you again, Lord. The worship continued.
I return home and I’m once again listening to this song of how much I NEED Jesus…more than anything…and I take it inside to continue listening to it. I then put in another CD that I used to listen to when life was a big struggle. Just in case you want to listen… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_ACmsrtQZ0
Just In Time
Author: Dottie Rambo
I was going down for the last time, no one heard my cry.
My voice was swiftly fading, drifting with the tide.
When a Hand from out of nowhere gently slipped in mine.
And I thank God He found me - just in time!
Chorus:
Just before the waves of slumber had rocked my soul to sleep.
Just before the angry billows had pulled me out too deep.
God knows how long I drifted when I saw that old Life Line.
And I thank God He found me - just in time!
I don't remember drifting, 'cause pleasure rode with me.
When careless winds start blowing, you drift so easily.
And storms made no exception and, friend, I sure had mine.
But I thank God He found me - just in time!
Chorus:
Just before the waves of slumber had rocked my soul to sleep.
Just before the angry billows had pulled me out too deep.
God knows how long I drifted before I saw that old Life Line.
But, I thank God He found me - just in time!
Yes, I thank God He found me - just in time!
So I once again remembered the struggles I was going through at the time I sang that song and remembered how God reached down and snatched me/us out of the pit and rescued us “Just In Time. “ Worship continued.
Later that afternoon I then went to my son’s house for dinner. I took the girls a sonic gift card. They liked that. Then we went outside and they rode their scooter while I walked along with them and played with them. My son came out and we hung out together before the girls had to go take baths. I got to read with both of them for their homework, then left. I actually missed church to spend time with them. Worship continued.
Later that night I watched Irreplaceable. It is a movie published by Focus on the Family about the family. They sent a man on a journey to research from different places…what is family. He was moved deeply by his journey and it was very well done. I hope God uses it to make us all aware that family really is irreplaceable. Worship continued.
The day was a wonderful day. I need to think more about all the blessings and the ways God continues to bless me. I certainly need to do that. But I can also get so shortsighted about my own life and what is wrong with it rather than what is right with it and what God may be doing in the midst of the difficulties. GOD is with me! God IS with me. GOD IS WITH ME… God is with ME! REALLY? God really is with me! That in and of itself it worth meditating on until it fully seats in our heart, until it permeates every fiber of our being. Until you can relax and realize fully and completely…GOD IS WITH ME! He will never leave me or forsake me. I will NEVER be alone. NEVER! Nor will you. Embrace that thought…Never alone…
So, what difficult trial are you in the midst of right now; one that is breaking your heart? A struggle that you never, ever thought you would find yourself in. A struggle you’ve prayed over many times in past years, and now, here you sit with an unanswered prayer, and a shattered dream. You are not sure how to manage this. It is definitely bigger than you are for sure. The mountain needs to move. After all, doesn’t God tell us to, Say to this mountain, “Move?” In addition, the mountain will be thrown into the sea…Right? Right! Perhaps there is a different meaning to that. Maybe the mountain is of a different nature. James tells us:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” James 1:2-8
Okay, then so this “mountain” is supposed to test my faith and develop perseverance so I can be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Hmmm….So then I’m supposed to ask for wisdom, wisdom to know how to respond in this difficult place…not react…not point my finger, not blame…but choose my actions. Someone told me I should consider this person a “worthy adversary,” since it will do just what James is talking about. Therefore, as it is now, I find that I am learning to be content in this situation. I would have never thought that was possible, but it actually is becoming a reality. My mountain has not moved, my situation has not changed, and yet I know that God knows my circumstances and because I have entrusted myself to Him, He has seen fit to calm my heart, give me peace, and allow me to be content even in the midst of a broken dream. I bring an old song to my memory. It is an older song by Russ Taft with Bill Gaither. ”The chains that seem to bind you, serve only to remind you, that they drop powerless behind you, when you praise the Lord.” Check it out here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iYC55-469U
So, I’m learning to look up, keep my eyes on the author and finisher of my faith and as the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of His Glory and Grace…another song, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” I’m learning to be content…Somehow….as only God knows…He is who he says he is and he falls on me to meet me where I am. Just maybe I was trying to move the wrong mountain. If you think the problem is "out there," that's the problem. Maybe the mountain is beginning to slide into the sea, one peace at a time.
Thank you, Jesus.
Then I received a text from a client thanking me for the book I gave them and how it had impacted their life and God allowed me to be a part of that for sure…thank you again, Lord. The worship continued.
I return home and I’m once again listening to this song of how much I NEED Jesus…more than anything…and I take it inside to continue listening to it. I then put in another CD that I used to listen to when life was a big struggle. Just in case you want to listen… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_ACmsrtQZ0
Just In Time
Author: Dottie Rambo
I was going down for the last time, no one heard my cry.
My voice was swiftly fading, drifting with the tide.
When a Hand from out of nowhere gently slipped in mine.
And I thank God He found me - just in time!
Chorus:
Just before the waves of slumber had rocked my soul to sleep.
Just before the angry billows had pulled me out too deep.
God knows how long I drifted when I saw that old Life Line.
And I thank God He found me - just in time!
I don't remember drifting, 'cause pleasure rode with me.
When careless winds start blowing, you drift so easily.
And storms made no exception and, friend, I sure had mine.
But I thank God He found me - just in time!
Chorus:
Just before the waves of slumber had rocked my soul to sleep.
Just before the angry billows had pulled me out too deep.
God knows how long I drifted before I saw that old Life Line.
But, I thank God He found me - just in time!
Yes, I thank God He found me - just in time!
So I once again remembered the struggles I was going through at the time I sang that song and remembered how God reached down and snatched me/us out of the pit and rescued us “Just In Time. “ Worship continued.
Later that afternoon I then went to my son’s house for dinner. I took the girls a sonic gift card. They liked that. Then we went outside and they rode their scooter while I walked along with them and played with them. My son came out and we hung out together before the girls had to go take baths. I got to read with both of them for their homework, then left. I actually missed church to spend time with them. Worship continued.
Later that night I watched Irreplaceable. It is a movie published by Focus on the Family about the family. They sent a man on a journey to research from different places…what is family. He was moved deeply by his journey and it was very well done. I hope God uses it to make us all aware that family really is irreplaceable. Worship continued.
The day was a wonderful day. I need to think more about all the blessings and the ways God continues to bless me. I certainly need to do that. But I can also get so shortsighted about my own life and what is wrong with it rather than what is right with it and what God may be doing in the midst of the difficulties. GOD is with me! God IS with me. GOD IS WITH ME… God is with ME! REALLY? God really is with me! That in and of itself it worth meditating on until it fully seats in our heart, until it permeates every fiber of our being. Until you can relax and realize fully and completely…GOD IS WITH ME! He will never leave me or forsake me. I will NEVER be alone. NEVER! Nor will you. Embrace that thought…Never alone…
So, what difficult trial are you in the midst of right now; one that is breaking your heart? A struggle that you never, ever thought you would find yourself in. A struggle you’ve prayed over many times in past years, and now, here you sit with an unanswered prayer, and a shattered dream. You are not sure how to manage this. It is definitely bigger than you are for sure. The mountain needs to move. After all, doesn’t God tell us to, Say to this mountain, “Move?” In addition, the mountain will be thrown into the sea…Right? Right! Perhaps there is a different meaning to that. Maybe the mountain is of a different nature. James tells us:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” James 1:2-8
Okay, then so this “mountain” is supposed to test my faith and develop perseverance so I can be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Hmmm….So then I’m supposed to ask for wisdom, wisdom to know how to respond in this difficult place…not react…not point my finger, not blame…but choose my actions. Someone told me I should consider this person a “worthy adversary,” since it will do just what James is talking about. Therefore, as it is now, I find that I am learning to be content in this situation. I would have never thought that was possible, but it actually is becoming a reality. My mountain has not moved, my situation has not changed, and yet I know that God knows my circumstances and because I have entrusted myself to Him, He has seen fit to calm my heart, give me peace, and allow me to be content even in the midst of a broken dream. I bring an old song to my memory. It is an older song by Russ Taft with Bill Gaither. ”The chains that seem to bind you, serve only to remind you, that they drop powerless behind you, when you praise the Lord.” Check it out here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iYC55-469U
So, I’m learning to look up, keep my eyes on the author and finisher of my faith and as the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of His Glory and Grace…another song, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” I’m learning to be content…Somehow….as only God knows…He is who he says he is and he falls on me to meet me where I am. Just maybe I was trying to move the wrong mountain. If you think the problem is "out there," that's the problem. Maybe the mountain is beginning to slide into the sea, one peace at a time.
Thank you, Jesus.
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