Rindy's Devotional Tidbits
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The Spiritual Cafe is pleased to share her daily facebook thoughts. It is our hope that her reflections will be a service to you on your spiritual growth journey.
Week 36 Archives
Year 5; Day 247 The Source of Joy, Part. 2
It is amazing how you can read and repeat (and sing ) a verse for half a century (or more) and not really get it. And then you have this light-bulb moment and you wonder how you could have missed something so seemingly simple and obvious. "...for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) How did it not register that the Lord is the source of my joy? It is not something I have to constantly "feel" based on me and my situation. I can be sad, I can grieve, I can be frustrated...and then I can ask for something that is outside myself...that doesn't come from me. "You have filled my heart with greater joy..." (Psalm 4:7) "You turned my wailing into dancing...and clothed me with joy." (Psalm 30:11) "...your God has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." (Psalm 45:7) Each time the joy comes from the Lord and is not a reaction to circumstances. In all the years I have known the phrase "the joy of the Lord", I have never even thought to pray for it, ask for it, request it, or seek it. I have prayed for God's love, His wisdom, His patience. I have prayed for His will, His forgiveness, His discernment. I have prayed for His strength, His faithfulness, His purpose. But I don't remember ever praying for His joy. It doesn't say His joy will make me happy (although it might). His joy will give me "strength"...make me strong...give me an anchor in the storm. I am grateful for the instruction of the Holy Spirit. Today is Monday. How many other verses have I rhymed off without really "knowing"??
It is amazing how you can read and repeat (and sing ) a verse for half a century (or more) and not really get it. And then you have this light-bulb moment and you wonder how you could have missed something so seemingly simple and obvious. "...for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) How did it not register that the Lord is the source of my joy? It is not something I have to constantly "feel" based on me and my situation. I can be sad, I can grieve, I can be frustrated...and then I can ask for something that is outside myself...that doesn't come from me. "You have filled my heart with greater joy..." (Psalm 4:7) "You turned my wailing into dancing...and clothed me with joy." (Psalm 30:11) "...your God has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." (Psalm 45:7) Each time the joy comes from the Lord and is not a reaction to circumstances. In all the years I have known the phrase "the joy of the Lord", I have never even thought to pray for it, ask for it, request it, or seek it. I have prayed for God's love, His wisdom, His patience. I have prayed for His will, His forgiveness, His discernment. I have prayed for His strength, His faithfulness, His purpose. But I don't remember ever praying for His joy. It doesn't say His joy will make me happy (although it might). His joy will give me "strength"...make me strong...give me an anchor in the storm. I am grateful for the instruction of the Holy Spirit. Today is Monday. How many other verses have I rhymed off without really "knowing"??
Year 5; Day 248 Christ in Me
I am amazed that with all the talk about privacy, there is so little of it. Facebook greets me daily by name as if we are personal friends. It tells me what the weather will be like and to stay warm, cool, or dry. Every time one of my Facebook "friends" becomes a friend with someone new, I get an announcement telling me about it. Pinterest is now matching me up with people who pin the same things that I do. Several times a week I get notification that so-and-so and I are a match. Several times a day I get a list of new pins that they think I might like based on whatever I have viewed. Last night my flyer miles company sent me an email and asked me to take an online survey. They had "noticed" that I had made a phone call (probably because it lasted over 30 minutes and got nowhere) and wanted to know how it went. As I answered the questions, they immediately responded as if they were actually reading my answers as I wrote them. All these "people" call me by name. They act as if they "know" me...my likes, dislikes, and what I have been doing (at least online and on the phone). But if I walked into any of their headquarters and said, "Hi," not one of them would be able to greet me by name...online, yes... face-to-face, no. But when I asked Christ into my heart and life, He didn't just check my name off. I wasn't put on a list or given an identification number. "To them God has chosen to make known...this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27) He came to dwell in me. He knows my heart. My thoughts. My desires. And He loves me...totally. You can't get any more personal then that! Today is Tuesday. I have no doubt that when I enter heaven, I will be greeted by name.
I am amazed that with all the talk about privacy, there is so little of it. Facebook greets me daily by name as if we are personal friends. It tells me what the weather will be like and to stay warm, cool, or dry. Every time one of my Facebook "friends" becomes a friend with someone new, I get an announcement telling me about it. Pinterest is now matching me up with people who pin the same things that I do. Several times a week I get notification that so-and-so and I are a match. Several times a day I get a list of new pins that they think I might like based on whatever I have viewed. Last night my flyer miles company sent me an email and asked me to take an online survey. They had "noticed" that I had made a phone call (probably because it lasted over 30 minutes and got nowhere) and wanted to know how it went. As I answered the questions, they immediately responded as if they were actually reading my answers as I wrote them. All these "people" call me by name. They act as if they "know" me...my likes, dislikes, and what I have been doing (at least online and on the phone). But if I walked into any of their headquarters and said, "Hi," not one of them would be able to greet me by name...online, yes... face-to-face, no. But when I asked Christ into my heart and life, He didn't just check my name off. I wasn't put on a list or given an identification number. "To them God has chosen to make known...this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27) He came to dwell in me. He knows my heart. My thoughts. My desires. And He loves me...totally. You can't get any more personal then that! Today is Tuesday. I have no doubt that when I enter heaven, I will be greeted by name.
Year 5; Day 249 Be Strong and Take Heart
I think, if I wanted to (which I don't), I could imagine getting mad at God, disobeying Him, wanting my own way, whatever...but I could not deny His existence. The continued accumulation of personal experience simply would not allow it. Sometimes what I write in these posts is more like the tip of the iceberg than the full story. Such is the case with "waiting". I keep coming back to God on some issues with a "when". Sometimes "waiting" can be very discouraging. But I know the Lord is teaching me and I am learning to trust His timing. Every Monday I get an automatic email from Charisma magazine called "Power Up!" This week's was called "Are You Running Ahead of God?" by R.T. Kendell. His topic? Waiting on God's timing. His answer to the question, "How long must one wait?" was: "...as long as it takes to see why God said for us to wait. His command is for our good. He would not ask us to wait if what He had in mind were not worth waiting for." God sees beyond the smile on our face to what might be a struggle in the heart. After I read the article, I felt as if God were putting His arm around me and reminding me (again!) that there is a plan and a purpose. I am not being ignored or forgotten. God does that for me periodically...comes along side and gives me that personal reminder, that personal encouragement, that He is still there, still working, still carrying out His plan and purpose. I was strengthened...and thankful. Today is Wednesday. " Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:14)
I think, if I wanted to (which I don't), I could imagine getting mad at God, disobeying Him, wanting my own way, whatever...but I could not deny His existence. The continued accumulation of personal experience simply would not allow it. Sometimes what I write in these posts is more like the tip of the iceberg than the full story. Such is the case with "waiting". I keep coming back to God on some issues with a "when". Sometimes "waiting" can be very discouraging. But I know the Lord is teaching me and I am learning to trust His timing. Every Monday I get an automatic email from Charisma magazine called "Power Up!" This week's was called "Are You Running Ahead of God?" by R.T. Kendell. His topic? Waiting on God's timing. His answer to the question, "How long must one wait?" was: "...as long as it takes to see why God said for us to wait. His command is for our good. He would not ask us to wait if what He had in mind were not worth waiting for." God sees beyond the smile on our face to what might be a struggle in the heart. After I read the article, I felt as if God were putting His arm around me and reminding me (again!) that there is a plan and a purpose. I am not being ignored or forgotten. God does that for me periodically...comes along side and gives me that personal reminder, that personal encouragement, that He is still there, still working, still carrying out His plan and purpose. I was strengthened...and thankful. Today is Wednesday. " Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:14)
Year 5; Day 250 Beyond Imagination
I was working on a sewing project and had a documentary from Netflix on called "The Eccentrics". Each segment highlighted two people who lived an "eccentric" life...often living out their fantasies. What most of us might only imagine or dream about, they actually do or live. Like the man who lives several days a week as Tarzan...complete with loincloth. He hunts, fishes, swims, and climbs trees just like in the Tarzan movies. I don't remember seeing a Jane. Another fellow lives a huge chunk of his life in the water as a...merman. He has numerous tails and loves swimming in them while underwater. Another man has not eaten store-bought meat in over 30 years. He scours the roads for roadkill...squirrels, rabbits, birds, etc. There was a man who so identified with the Mohawk Indians that he lives as one (in France) complete with dress, lifestyle, and a teepee. So does his wife. The show highlighted people who lived lives most of us might imagine but not do...living out the Victorian era, living as a trapper, being a strong woman, living in a world of recycled junk, guardian of the gnomes. Heaven is something we can only try and imagine. And besides seeing Jesus, many of us might imagine something that we only fantasize about here on earth...having a perfect sewing room with limitless fabric, horseback riding for hours, singing a solo that would stop the angels...being skinny. But Scripture says, "No eye has ever seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." (I Corinthians 2:9) Whether here on earth or in heaven, God has something for us that is beyond our abilities to even think up or imagine. The Creator of creativity is always working with me (and you) in mind. Today is Thursday. Imagine, whatever we can think up does not even come close to what God has in store for us!
I was working on a sewing project and had a documentary from Netflix on called "The Eccentrics". Each segment highlighted two people who lived an "eccentric" life...often living out their fantasies. What most of us might only imagine or dream about, they actually do or live. Like the man who lives several days a week as Tarzan...complete with loincloth. He hunts, fishes, swims, and climbs trees just like in the Tarzan movies. I don't remember seeing a Jane. Another fellow lives a huge chunk of his life in the water as a...merman. He has numerous tails and loves swimming in them while underwater. Another man has not eaten store-bought meat in over 30 years. He scours the roads for roadkill...squirrels, rabbits, birds, etc. There was a man who so identified with the Mohawk Indians that he lives as one (in France) complete with dress, lifestyle, and a teepee. So does his wife. The show highlighted people who lived lives most of us might imagine but not do...living out the Victorian era, living as a trapper, being a strong woman, living in a world of recycled junk, guardian of the gnomes. Heaven is something we can only try and imagine. And besides seeing Jesus, many of us might imagine something that we only fantasize about here on earth...having a perfect sewing room with limitless fabric, horseback riding for hours, singing a solo that would stop the angels...being skinny. But Scripture says, "No eye has ever seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." (I Corinthians 2:9) Whether here on earth or in heaven, God has something for us that is beyond our abilities to even think up or imagine. The Creator of creativity is always working with me (and you) in mind. Today is Thursday. Imagine, whatever we can think up does not even come close to what God has in store for us!
Year 5; Day 251 Surviving the Storm
I watched some clips on Facebook of Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean. One showed a view of some palm trees. Because they were so tall, I thought they would crack off. The palm branches were blowing straight out to the right. They looked like a tuft of long, ragged hair stuck to one side of the tree top. The wind was fierce and the trees took a beating...but they didn't break. I googled palm trees and learned something interesting. Their trunks are very flexible. They bend in the wind. The fronds of the palm branches allow the wind to blow through. And the flexible trunk allows the roots to stay firmly planted. The roots go out in all directions and act as anchors for the tall trees and heavy branches. There is a spiritual lesson for us as taught by the palms. Instead of fighting against the storms of life, perhaps we need to be a little more flexible...allow God to bend us in a new direction. Move along with the storm, learning how to survive, develop resiliency, bend without breaking, increase our faith and trust while remaining rooted and anchored by the Word of God. We might be battered, tested, tried but we hold...hold to God's promises, hold to His Word, hold to our faith...even when it seems parts of us are being shredded in the wind like the branches...stretched straight out. And when the storm is over, we are still standing. "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,...they will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green..." (Psalm 92:12,14) Today is Friday. Flexible above. Anchored below. Still standing when the storm is over.
I watched some clips on Facebook of Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean. One showed a view of some palm trees. Because they were so tall, I thought they would crack off. The palm branches were blowing straight out to the right. They looked like a tuft of long, ragged hair stuck to one side of the tree top. The wind was fierce and the trees took a beating...but they didn't break. I googled palm trees and learned something interesting. Their trunks are very flexible. They bend in the wind. The fronds of the palm branches allow the wind to blow through. And the flexible trunk allows the roots to stay firmly planted. The roots go out in all directions and act as anchors for the tall trees and heavy branches. There is a spiritual lesson for us as taught by the palms. Instead of fighting against the storms of life, perhaps we need to be a little more flexible...allow God to bend us in a new direction. Move along with the storm, learning how to survive, develop resiliency, bend without breaking, increase our faith and trust while remaining rooted and anchored by the Word of God. We might be battered, tested, tried but we hold...hold to God's promises, hold to His Word, hold to our faith...even when it seems parts of us are being shredded in the wind like the branches...stretched straight out. And when the storm is over, we are still standing. "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,...they will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green..." (Psalm 92:12,14) Today is Friday. Flexible above. Anchored below. Still standing when the storm is over.
Year 5; Day 252 Praise on My Mind
"Hey there, what's on your mind?" That's how Facebook greeted me this morning. What's on my mind is everything and nothing. Everything like: the hurricanes, my children, faith, weight, money, the economy, my hip, the house, church, family, blueberries, cleaning the bathroom, prayer requests, waiting, parents, a trip, arthritis, weight, money...the usual. What isn't on my mind is a neon flashing thought for this morning's post. What did sneak across my mind, very quietly, when I woke up in the middle of the night was, "Maybe you should just praise Him." That's it? No nugget of wisdom? No special insight? No lightbulb moment? Praise Him for a wonderful phone call with daughter that left me smiling for hours. Praise Him for an unexpected picture of Dad on Facebook. Praise Him for parents that still pour into my life. Praise Him for the colours of twilight, the full moon the other night, the call of the loon, and the hint of fall in some of the leaves. Praise Him for a back that has held up despite hours of sewing, for medications that help, and for a clinic right in our community. Praise Him for a group of church sisters who are a part of a prayer site where requests are remembered and prayed for. Praise Him for coming along side the other day, for choruses imprinted on my mind, and for His Word that never, ever gets old, runs dry, or has nothing to say. Praise Him for friends and family who call, email, and make me a better person. Praise Him for husband, children, and grands. Praise Him for living by the water, living in a democracy, and living with a sense of safety. Praise Him for an eternal Saviour, an anchor in the storms of life, and a relationship with my heavenly Father. Today is Saturday. "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." (Psalm 71:14)
"Hey there, what's on your mind?" That's how Facebook greeted me this morning. What's on my mind is everything and nothing. Everything like: the hurricanes, my children, faith, weight, money, the economy, my hip, the house, church, family, blueberries, cleaning the bathroom, prayer requests, waiting, parents, a trip, arthritis, weight, money...the usual. What isn't on my mind is a neon flashing thought for this morning's post. What did sneak across my mind, very quietly, when I woke up in the middle of the night was, "Maybe you should just praise Him." That's it? No nugget of wisdom? No special insight? No lightbulb moment? Praise Him for a wonderful phone call with daughter that left me smiling for hours. Praise Him for an unexpected picture of Dad on Facebook. Praise Him for parents that still pour into my life. Praise Him for the colours of twilight, the full moon the other night, the call of the loon, and the hint of fall in some of the leaves. Praise Him for a back that has held up despite hours of sewing, for medications that help, and for a clinic right in our community. Praise Him for a group of church sisters who are a part of a prayer site where requests are remembered and prayed for. Praise Him for coming along side the other day, for choruses imprinted on my mind, and for His Word that never, ever gets old, runs dry, or has nothing to say. Praise Him for friends and family who call, email, and make me a better person. Praise Him for husband, children, and grands. Praise Him for living by the water, living in a democracy, and living with a sense of safety. Praise Him for an eternal Saviour, an anchor in the storms of life, and a relationship with my heavenly Father. Today is Saturday. "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." (Psalm 71:14)
Year 5; Day 253 A Priceless Gift
Husband picked some blueberries so I made muffins yesterday. I decided to use the paper cups to line the muffin pan. I must not have done that very often because I noticed the price on the little box was 37¢. 37¢! And that was for 100 liners. I guess I haven't baked that many muffins over the years...or cupcakes...at least not in that size. I just bought new ones and they were $2.99 for 50. The price of nearly everything seems to keep going up...even muffin cup liners! Immediately I thought about Christ and the price of salvation. That is one thing of incredible value that has not changed. The cost to Christ was His life. How can you go any higher? "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God..." (1 Peter 3:18) Once for all. The cost for our redemption never fluxuates. It remains the same throughout the generations. Christ was enough then and He is enough now. And the cost to us? What have the years done to the price we pay? "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God..." (Ephesians 2:8) A gift from God then and a gift from God now. Today is Sunday. A gift for which to be eternally thankful.
Husband picked some blueberries so I made muffins yesterday. I decided to use the paper cups to line the muffin pan. I must not have done that very often because I noticed the price on the little box was 37¢. 37¢! And that was for 100 liners. I guess I haven't baked that many muffins over the years...or cupcakes...at least not in that size. I just bought new ones and they were $2.99 for 50. The price of nearly everything seems to keep going up...even muffin cup liners! Immediately I thought about Christ and the price of salvation. That is one thing of incredible value that has not changed. The cost to Christ was His life. How can you go any higher? "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God..." (1 Peter 3:18) Once for all. The cost for our redemption never fluxuates. It remains the same throughout the generations. Christ was enough then and He is enough now. And the cost to us? What have the years done to the price we pay? "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God..." (Ephesians 2:8) A gift from God then and a gift from God now. Today is Sunday. A gift for which to be eternally thankful.