Wednesday, July 22, 2009

With Your very own Hands You formed me; now breathe Your wisdom over me so I can understand You. When they see me waiting, expecting Your Word, those who fear You will take heart and be glad. I can see now, God, that Your decisions are right; Your testing has taught me what’s true and right. Oh, love me—and right now!—hold me tight! just the way You promised. Now comfort me so I can live, really live; Your revelation is the tune I dance to. Let the fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds; they tried to sell me a bill of goods, but I kept my mind fixed on Your counsel. Let those who fear You turn to me for evidence of Your wise guidance. And let me live whole and holy, soul and body, so I can always walk with my head held high.

[Psalm 119:73]

Copyright 2009 Michael D. Waters

Walk In The Light -1 John 1:7 50 of 130   The world around us is dark & scary & full of sin. But if we stay close to Jesus, we will be safe in His light. October 14, 2007

 

Copyright 2009 Michael D. Waters

Construction Site -1 Peter 2:5 55 of 130   If we offer ourselves in service to the Lord, He already knows just the right place we are best suited for. November 18, 2007

 

King James Version view cartoons in Biblical order Copyright 2009 Michael D. Waters

Friday, May 29, 2009

 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
      I will advise you and watch over you.

Psalm 32:8-10

Good Morning Beloved,

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

For some, that statement may strike fear, anger or sadness.  There are some things we will never understand this side of heaven.  The good news is on the other side, it won’t matter.  Everyone has traveled a different ‘path’ to get where they are.  Much along the way, we would have liked to change, or skip altogether.  Our life can be like a cake.  Who eats raw flour, baking soda, eggs, oil (or butter),  sugar?  Put those ingredients together (depending on who’s cooking), and you have something delicious.  Everything in our past has contributed to the person that we are right now. (side note:  everything we’re doing right now, will contribute to who we will become in the future.)  I received a message from a former classmate this week.  She opened a flood of memories.  I knew her from elementary through high school.  She lived up the road and she is a ‘little person’.  I mention that because no matter how much kids would snicker, tease, and stare at her, it seemed to roll off her.  She taught me to do the same when I was harassed.  She was feisty and confident even as a child.  Our friendship shaped my perception of people and broadened my perspective of life in general.  There were people who did not like me, but asked me why I was hanging with her.  Someone actually told me that she wasn’t my ‘kind’ because she is Caucasian.  I found their comment to be amusingly stupid.  They would not even talk to me around certain people, but she never had a problem telling anyone that I was her friend.  I appreciate the path God chose for me.  He has uncovered for me the beauty and worth of His most prized possession… humanity.  No two ever the same, all made in His image and after His likeness … and He sees every one of them…

… that Beloved is Good News!

U Blessed

Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful Weekend

Regina

“God Is Standing By”, Hawkins Family

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsyNYTw6Vt8

“Is My Living In Vain”, The Clark Sisters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdbnfu_GRvc

“Still Have Joy”, Tye Tribbett & GA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfJ2LZQbvs4

“Never Would Have Made It”, Marvin Sapp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CklAwchIJ1A

Remember the saying ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder”?…. What one person views as beautiful, may not be to someone else.  I had a mole on my nose that people told me was ‘cute’… I saw nothing cute about it and had it removed.  They said that I had gotten rid of my ‘beauty mark’.  What is beautiful to you? Generally speaking, what we find beautiful in others, can be a ruler by  which we measure ourselves.  Our hair, our size, our complexion.. what is the ’standard’ that we gage ourselves by?  Who set it?  What about our finances, living conditions, transportation?  These can also be viewed as  ‘beautiful’ or ‘ugly’ situations.  What makes us beautiful?  I went through a lot of changes when I was younger.  My hair has been “fried, dyed and laid to the side”.  I have worn braids, wigs, weaves, scarves… you name it…. I’ve done it.  All for the illusive notion of the “perfect” look.  One day I decided to ‘loc’ my hair, and for me it was the perfect solution.  I LOVE IT!  What is beauty?  I found a beautiful wedding song, Psalm 45:11 “The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord”. Though the writer was speaking of an earthly king and his bride, I saw another point of view.  It reminds me of another intimate verse in Zephaniah 3:17:  The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His Love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”  A totally different perspective from the impersonal God we may have been told about.  Someone who created you just to have something to yell at.  We need to see ourselves through God’s eyes.  He loves us, because we are His.  We are ‘BEAUTIFUL’, because His Spirit dwells in us.  He has clothed us with a robe of righteousness and saturated us in the sweet perfume of the oil of His anointing.  We are exquisite.. one of a kind, designer originals.  Even if you had a twin, there is, nor will there ever be another you… and that makes you priceless.  That’s awesome isn’t it?  We may need to work on matching  our outside appearance, with all of this inner Glory.  We can slide from one end of the spectrum to the other.  Either we work on the inside and the outside is ‘tore up from the floor up’ or spend an inordinate amount of time and money on the outside, neglecting the inside of the temple.  Just look around at nature and see the beauty God has made.  God is beauty personified.  Everything needs to be in balance.  On the inside, what am I doing to ‘beautify’ my spirit?  Spending time in His Presence, reading His Word, praying, fasting, listening to music that strenthens my soul, helping somebody.  On the outside…do a double check before leaving the house in the morning.  Is something wrinkled?  Is it torn?  Out of season?  Need to just be thown away?  Does it have spots that are not a part of the pattern?  Am I wearing ‘white socks’?  Yeah, Regina but I don’t care about all of that.  Well you should.  Others do.  If you are self-employed in a career where you have little or no contact with people… that argument may fly…. but especially if you are in corporate America you may need to ’step it up’.  Realize that you are beautiful, and then find your outer beauty.  Just because I weigh more now than I did 20 years ago, does not give me license to just let myself fall totally apart. I’m losing weight, because I want be healthy.  I want to see my grandchildren, and the children of all of the precious kids that are around me some day, and have the energy to enjoy them.  What is beauty???  Hear me…….You are…