Rod & Rose

Sorrow swept over me as I rode along the Rio Grande Bosque trail…overwhelming sorrow. As I pedaled along, with tears streaming down my face, gripping the handlebars, I was thankful I had sunglasses on as I rode past oncoming cyclists. I was pouring out my heart to God…not audibly, but from the inside out…heart to heart. He heard my cry, and He accompanied me over the next sixteen miles.

I glanced occasionally to the heavens, and saw cranes and geese fly overhead. Along the river bank rabbits and lizards scurried among the brush. The wind whispered through the cottonwood trees, rustling the leaves as they glistened in the sun’s rays. The wonders of His creation caused my heart to melt into His. I stopped from time to time to wipe my tears and blow my nose, and I was still…pausing to see if He would speak to me. But there was silence. Not a single word….only His presence.

My husband was with me on the bike ride, but kept a respectful distance up ahead, knowing that at that moment I needed time alone with my First Love, my Papa God. Rod is amazing to me in that way. He knows that when my heart is heavy and aches in a way that he cannot soothe, my First Love must come to my rescue. He allows me the necessary time to be with my heavenly Daddy.

By now you may be wondering…why such a heavy heart? What was it that caused such sorrow?  I woke up that morning reflecting on the lives of some of my loved ones…those that are hurting, confused, conflicted…some who may be doubting God’s love for them, bound by regrets and perhaps even shame that keeps them from turning back to the only One who can restore them and make things right again. I thought of the miracle of life. I marveled at how Papa God had gifted a dear friend’s son with a second chance in the midst of an accident that seemed too horrific for anyone to survive. He was given another opportunity to turn back to Jesus.

Earlier that morning I had taken my requests to the cross and laid them down, knowing my Savior would attend to each one.  I searched Scripture, and waited…wondering if the heaviness in my heart would lift as it typically does after I spend time with Him.  But this time it didn’t. The sorrow in my heart remained.

As soon as I started pedaling along on my bike ride, my thoughts led me back…back to my conversation with Papa, and I picked up where we had left off. Once again, I shared with Him the desires of my heart…the requests for His healing power, for His strength, His courage, and His wisdom in all the circumstances I was pleading for. And once again, I sensed His presence.

It was in that moment that the memories of my own life journey began to resurface. As I pedaled along the trail…each memory replayed in my mind. Papa God is so smart! He knew this particular morning that it would be necessary for me to remember my own past. I recalled the choices of my youth and the ways that I too had strayed. I recalled the painful consequences of bad choices and the ripple effect my sin had on my loved ones. My scars surfaced one by one…all for a purpose…a cleansing purpose. A redemptive purpose.

Moments like these are some of the most precious to me.  I embraced the imagery in my mind as I pedaled along the Bosque trail. I imagined the tears of sorrow my Papa God sheds for me when I stumble and fall…and when I dismiss His voice when He says, “Choose my way, stay focused, for I know the plans I have for you and they are good!”  I imagined how much His heart must hurt each time I disappoint Him…when I choose my own selfish desires over His leading. And I remembered His outstretched arms each time I’ve turned back, and how He has embraced my ‘coming home’…back in stride in my walk with Him.

Like a floodgate opening, my tears began to flow. I thanked Him for my beautiful scars…for the memories of the past that helped lead me back to a heart of compassion…His compassion. He reminded me once again that each person He has placed in my life is a precious daughter or son to Him. He loves them more than I ever could! I must never stand in judgment, and I must never stop praying!  My assignment each day is to stand in the gap for each daughter, each son, each grandchild, each friend…just as my Savior does for me!

Perhaps it’s time to recognize that what we value most is what we need to entrust to Papa God even more. Be encouraged…trust Him today with all your cares and allow His peace to guard your heart! For me, it’s a time of sweet surrender…a time of sweet release!  ~ IN HIS STRONG LOVE – rose

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:6-7

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with the endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” ~Hebrew 2:1-2

A sweet young sister in Christ who is going through a season of healing in her life asked me recently what my “year of restoration” looked like. She had heard me give my testimony at a women’s conference some time ago, and is now working through her own personal pain. She was curious to know what the process was like for me, and how long it took for me to be “ok.”

I told her about my “Aha!” moment…the pivotal point in my life that knocked me to my knees…literally! At that moment, I shed what seemed to be an ocean of tears. And not just then, but for many months to come, the tears flowed. My awareness of God’s holiness, and His unconditional love, along with an infusion of grace, hope, joy and peace, overwhelmed and humbled me to my core. In that instant, the walls of sin, guilt and shame began to crumble. It was the beginning of an amazing life-changing journey with my Savior Jesus Christ. It was a second chance—a brand new start—and a profound change in my life’s trajectory.

I knew that in order for me to experience deep healing and true transformation, I had to respond to God’s voice. I immersed myself in His Word. I attended church every chance I got…every time the doors were open. I sat close to the front, ears open and my heart ready. The messages I heard through an amazing pastor were, no doubt, Holy Spirit inspired. Each message seemed as if it was custom tailored just for me!

I remember walking briskly to my car after each service, trying desperately to hold back the tears. The Spirit’s conviction was so powerful! As I drove home – alone in my car – I gripped the steering wheel…and let the tears flow. I cried out to God… asking for His forgiveness…praising Him for the pain…and thanking Him for His gift of grace. When I got home, driving through the tears, I faithfully journaled what God had spoken to my soul. I wrote until it seemed my fingers would blister!

The Holy Spirit began the process of stripping away all the junk—all the foul, stinking junk that I had carried for so long: the hurt, the anger, the pride, the shame, the selfishness, the arrogance…and on and on and on. I poured my heart out to God daily….almost continually. More often than not, I cried myself to sleep. I allowed myself to feel the pain. I mourned the loss of innocence. And I cried out to Papa God for comfort. The emotions were so intense! I felt the pain of regret and sorrow – and I felt the joy – all at the same time. It was such an amazing, almost indescribable experience.

It was months before my wounds began to be transformed into beautiful scars… scars to be remembered and treasured. Pearls to be used for His glory. And the beauty of it all is that He isn’t finished with me yet. I am a work in progress. We all are. And we will be until He comes to take us – His bride – home to be with Him forever.

During my “Aha!” moment, and for several months following, I fell in love with my first true Love…my one true Husband…my precious Savior Jesus Christ. And so my devotion and loyalty belongs to Him…my Creator, the Holy One that died for me. I will keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. And when I stumble and step out of sync, I will seek refuge in His Word. I know that He’s “got it,” and He’s got me! And now whenever the storms begin, I willingly take a knee, bowing before Him, knowing that He is ready to go to battle on my behalf!

It is through my valleys that He continues to develop my character – and my trust in Him. It is in the valleys I find sweet solace. It is there….on bended knees…that I surrender whatever “IT” is that has caused me to doubt…to fear…to stumble.

My precious Lord… He paid the ultimate price on the cross so that I can spend eternity with Him! I continue to run the race no matter how hard it gets at times. Imperfect as I am, my heart’s desire is to serve Him well. At the end of my life, when He and I are face to face, I long to hear Him say, “Well done good and faithful servant!”

Today, if you are in the midst of a circumstance that seems overwhelming, allow His Spirit to take you to your knees! Surrender whatever is holding you back! Step aside and trust that the One who created you…and died for you…knows best! The Master Potter will mend your broken pieces, and through your story, His glory will be reflected!

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.” ~James 1:2-4

~ IN HIS STRONG LOVE – rose

I have a choice to make today. I can see the sorrow and the heartache of circumstances and allow them to control me, or I can allow the chaos…the madness of circumstances to teach me a lesson in humility and grace and draw me nearer to the cross!

Think about it….Christ was mocked, spit upon, scourged with a multi-thonged whip with bits of bone and metal until his body was horribly disfigured. All the while He selflessly bore the world’s sins – our sins and heartaches on Himself. He allowed his accusers to hang Him on a cross and drive 9” nails into his body. Our innocent God in the flesh – He shed his precious blood for our salvation. What we deserved, He has endured! He knew what it was going to take to redeem us. He paid the price no matter the cost! Remember the words He prayed to His Father in the garden of Gethsemane before he was led to his death? “Not my will Father, but Your Will be done”.

Think about it…it was through DEATH that He conquered DEATH itself!

Look around. Truly…how horrible is your circumstance? Please understand I am not trying to diminish your pain. I am sure it is real and it may run deep. But for a moment won’t you try to take your eyes off your own circumstances and look at the sufferings of those less fortunate? Perhaps you have a friend who has lost a loved one and their heart is breaking, or you know someone who just got diagnosed with a cancerous tumor (for the 3rd time), or someone who just died because of foolish choices. We don’t like to think about those things do we…at least not for very long. And you know why? We are by nature, SELFISH human beings. We focus on US rather than on others. So polar opposite of Christ’s vision and mission here on earth.

Our Saviors entire life, His entire purpose on this planet was to demonstrate an UNSELFISH self. He set the example of humility when He washed his disciples feet; even those of Judas who He knew was about to betray Him, and Peter who would soon deny him three times! He fed the hungry, He healed the sick. He brought people out of death and cared for the brokenhearted. He restored the prostitute and gave her hope and purpose. With humility and grace He did all of these things to be the prime example that we are to emulate! We have no excuses…HE walked the talk! By HIS precious blood of love we are healed…we are His redeemed!

And when He left this planet, HE gave us HIS most precious gift…a part of HIMSELF…His Holy Spirit. His amazing power resides within those that have received Him. And all that he asks is this, “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love” John 15:11-12 and in Matthew 7:12 – “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”

So as you start today…and the ‘madness’ begins….stop and consider these things: Allow the pain and the heartache to draw you closer to the cross! Allow Papa God to work through whatever circumstance you are facing. Call upon His GIFT – ask Him to quicken HIS Holy Spirit within you! Open up His WORD and bathe yourself with HIS sweet promises. BELIEVE that “…in ALL things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)  Get up…get going! Be Christ with skin on! Let others see HIM being lived out in you! Demonstrate by your actions what you say you believe! Let Him know…that you now understand that HE didn’t die in vain!

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians 4:2
“Papa God, we pray that today you will instill a burning DESIRE in our lives. A desire so strong that it will break the gates of hell! Place in our hearts your purpose! Quicken your Holy Spirit in us and tear lose anything that is hindering our walk with you! Allow us to see that our pain will be used for Your glory. Give us courage, strength and boldness to live out a life that honors you! Walk with us and let your voice resound in our hearts and in our minds! Don’t relent Father…continue working through our chaos…for we know, that at the end of every storm, there is a silver lining! In Jesus name we pray – Amen!” 

Be blessed today! IN HIS STRONG LOVE ~ rose

When life throws me a curve ball, it often stops me dead in my tracks! The shock of bad news, or the exposure of something I thought was simple and genuinely “real”, but in an instant was revealed to be complicated and disruptive, can be disconcerting at best. It is at these crossroads…these moments in time…that I stand still. My initial tendency is to try to “fix” the problem, to find solutions that make logical sense in my limited understanding. It’s my first reaction…my human nature. It’s the way I’m built. But I soon realize I must seek strength from the Source that has the power to do what I cannot do on my own. When I’m in the middle of a spiritual battle of unprecedented proportions…in my own strength, I am as good as a dead man walking. I’m reminded I do not have the ability to “fix” anything! My heart feels the heaviness of the spiritual warfare.

As the day breaks and the sun rises, I welcome the warmth of the sun’s rays on my face. As I step out of my home and begin my morning walk, I can feel my heart beating faster and faster as I pick up my pace. The cool morning breeze seems to bring a calm that allows my spirit to breathe. I find myself sweetly broken and humbled as I continue to walk and pray. Soon, hope rises like a wellspring from within. It takes over where doubt and fear had invaded my heart. My mind catches up to what the Spirit is trying to reveal. It is then that faith takes over, and the revelation of what God is going to do in the midst of this battle begins to take shape.

It is from the center of my heart that I cry out. It’s in my brokenness that I truly let go! My longing to hear His voice always takes me back to His Word. It is there that God declares His truth, His plan and His purpose. Papa God hears my cry for wisdom and discernment…He knows my desire to take the next step in the footprint of my Lord and Savior. With every fiber of my being, I long to sense calm in the midst of this storm. And so I cling to the Vine…knowing that at anytime, all hell may break lose. Or possibly it already has. My prayers must remain fervent…my supplication to my Mighty Warrior God must be constant. The battlefield is drenched with the blood of those wounded by the blows of the enemy. He is present…prowling around like a hungry roaring lion, seeking to devour…to steal, kill and destroy.

Over and over again my heart cries out to my Heavenly Father, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Let the cleansing begin with me…let your Holy Spirit be quickened in me so that not only I, but those that are afflicted, may be able to withstand the gales of the storm. Let your power be seen! Let us find comfort in knowing that the Enemy will taste your vengeance. Allow Your Spirit to speak boldly through my reaction to the circumstance. Your word is clear–You are the One who will take revenge; You are the One who will pay them back. In Your Word, You tell me, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” (Romans 12:19-20)

You, my God, want me…you want us…to extend grace! You tell us to love the unlovely…to watch as You stretch out your hand to the ones that are suffering in bondage. You want to use us to accomplish your purpose. And so I cry out to You Lord, “We cannot do this in our own strength. We need You Lord! Go before us and strike down the enemy’s walls! Tear down the strongholds that bind, and release your children from the enemy’s grip.”

And so we come before you today, calling out to You heavenly Father. Hear the resolve of our heart: “We will put on all of God’s armor so that we will be able to stand firm against all of the strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, we put on every piece of God’s armor so we will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle, we will still be standing firm. We willstand our ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, we will put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that we will be fully prepared. In addition, we will hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. We will put on salvation as our helmet, and take hold of the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We will pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. We will stay alert and be persistent in our prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

If you are facing a battle today…invite your heavenly Father to replace your fear with faith! Know that He is our mighty warrior! He has already won the battle! Surrender your cares at the feet of the cross! This is my prayer for each of us who find ourselves in the midst of the battlefield! – IN HIS STRONG LOVE – rose

Sorrow swept over me as I rode along the Rio Grande Bosque trail…overwhelming sorrow. As I pedaled along, with tears streaming down my face, gripping the handlebars, I was thankful I had sunglasses on as I rode past oncoming cyclists. I was pouring out my heart to God…not audibly, but from the inside out…heart to heart. He heard my cry, and He accompanied me over the next sixteen miles.

I glanced occasionally to the heavens, and saw cranes and geese fly overhead. Along the river bank rabbits and lizards scurried among the brush. The wind whispered through the cottonwood trees, rustling the leaves as they glistened in the sun’s rays. The wonders of His creation caused my heart to melt into His. I stopped from time to time to wipe my tears and blow my nose, and I was still…pausing to see if He would speak to me. But there was silence. Not a single word….only His presence.

My husband was with me on the bike ride, but kept a respectful distance up ahead, knowing that at that moment I needed time alone with my First Love, my Papa God. Rod is amazing to me in that way. He knows that when my heart is heavy and aches in a way that he cannot soothe, my First Love must come to my rescue. He allows me the necessary time to be with my heavenly Daddy.

By now you may be wondering…why such a heavy heart? What was it that caused such sorrow?  I woke up that morning reflecting on the lives of some of my loved ones…those that are hurting, confused, conflicted…some who may be doubting God’s love for them, bound by regrets and perhaps even shame that keeps them from turning back to the only One who can restore them and make things right again. I thought of the miracle of life. I marveled at how Papa God had gifted a dear friend’s son with a second chance in the midst of an accident that seemed too horrific for anyone to survive. He was given another opportunity to turn back to Jesus.

Earlier that morning I had taken my requests to the cross and laid them down, knowing my Savior would attend to each one.  I searched Scripture, and waited…wondering if the heaviness in my heart would lift as it typically does after I spend time with Him.  But this time it didn’t. The sorrow in my heart remained.

As soon as I started pedaling along on my bike ride, my thoughts led me back…back to my conversation with Papa, and I picked up where we had left off. Once again, I shared with Him the desires of my heart…the requests for His healing power, for His strength, His courage, and His wisdom in all the circumstances I was pleading for. And once again, I sensed His presence.

It was in that moment that the memories of my own life journey began to resurface. As I pedaled along the trail…each memory replayed in my mind. Papa God is so smart! He knew this particular morning that it would be necessary for me to remember my own past. I recalled the choices of my youth and the ways that I too had strayed. I recalled the painful consequences of bad choices and the ripple effect my sin had on my loved ones. My scars surfaced one by one…all for a purpose…a cleansing purpose. A redemptive purpose.

Moments like these are some of the most precious to me.  I embraced the imagery in my mind as I pedaled along the Bosque trail. I imagined the tears of sorrow my Papa God sheds for me when I stumble and fall…and when I dismiss His voice when He says, “Choose my way, stay focused, for I know the plans I have for you and they are good!”  I imagined how much His heart must hurt each time I disappoint Him…when I choose my own selfish desires over His leading. And I remembered His outstretched arms each time I’ve turned back, and how He has embraced my ‘coming home’…back in stride in my walk with Him.

Like a floodgate opening, my tears began to flow. I thanked Him for my beautiful scars…for the memories of the past that helped lead me back to a heart of compassion…His compassion. He reminded me once again that each person He has placed in my life is a precious daughter or son to Him. He loves them more than I ever could! I must never stand in judgment, and I must never stop praying!  My assignment each day is to stand in the gap for each daughter, each son, each grandchild, each friend…just as my Savior does for me!

Perhaps it’s time to recognize that what we value most is what we need to entrust to Papa God even more. Be encouraged…trust Him today with all your cares and allow His peace to guard your heart! For me, it’s a time of sweet surrender…a time of sweet release!  ~ IN HIS STRONG LOVE – rose

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:6-7

The storm rages, the winds blow, a blanket of darkness seems to envelope us. We enter into the valley and find ourselves desperate and alone. We thirst and hunger…our tanks are empty. Our anxious thoughts unnerve us. We make an attempt to run…to hide. We seek shelter from the storm, but to no avail. Our efforts eventually prove to be futile. The rain continues to pound…and we become weary.

We carry our  baggage around with us while we waste time seeking answers from man, rather than from our Creator. We’re burdened by our “what ifs” and “what could have beens.” We wallow in our own self-pity, wasting even more time.

But then…something miraculous happens. Something breaks through the clouds. Are those prayers we hear? Is someone interceding on our behalf? Could it be?  The Light breaks through…the SON illuminates the sky and the rain clouds part!  We fall on our knees….humbled…broken. Finally…a moment of sweet surrender! We take our burdens to the cross and fall into the arms of the One who came to rescue us! We lift our eyes heavenward and cry out…”Search me O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 139:23-24.

And he gently and tenderly reminds us, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing”  Zephaniah 3:17.  He takes us by the hand…dusts us off as we rise from the ashes–and illuminates our path once again. The sweet break through! We praise God for answered prayers! Hallelujah indeed! ~ IN HIS STRONG LOVE ~ rose

“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14).

I woke up with some heaviness in my heart…too many thoughts…anxious thoughts….the little frets that overcome me when I don’t see quick results to my prayers. It was pre-dawn…the usual time I begin my day with Papa God. I took my usual place on my window seat, the Word at my side, coffee cup in hand, iPad and laptop poised…not knowing if I would have anything to journal this morning.  Starring out the window, looking eastward in anticipation of the sunrise, I petitioned my Father….opening my heart to Him. Then I sat back and allowed His Spirit to awaken in me, listening intently to what He had to say. I began to read His Word.  The clarity of His voice in the passages He gave me resounded one distinct theme, “Patience…wait on the Lord’s timing”.

He took me to Acts, chapter 27. There I read the story of Paul’s warning to the officer in charge of the ship that was headed to Rome. “Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on – shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.” But the officer did not listen. As the story unfolds–as you may have guessed–Paul’s intuition is proven to be right. The storm raged to typhoon strength and the ship was blown out to sea. The Word continues…“The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone. No one had eaten for a long time.” Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place. We could have avoided all this trouble and trial. But there’s no need to dwell on that now. From now on, things are looking up! I can assure you there’ll not be a single drowning among us, although I can’t say as much for the ship – the ship itself is doomed…but don’t give up!”

Wow! Not only did Papa God say “wait patiently” in His Psalm, but also in the Book of Acts, He painted a clear picture of what to expect if I don’t wait patiently. Trouble ahead….a shipwreck of unparalleled proportion! Hope would be blotted out because of disobedience. And I would suffer from a lack of strength to resist the enemy if I didnt’ eat.

My Spirit smiled wide…the anxiety lifted and joy took its rightful place in my heart! The necessity of spending time in His Word…the need to daily “eat” the divine portion of His truth that will lift my doubt and carry me through any storm, penetrated my soul! And the blessings that He will pour out if I simply OBEY…and wait patiently!

Oh how I love you Papa! I love spending time with You…listening to Your voice!

As the sun rose and its rays warmed my skin, I began to praise Him, thanking Him for His everlasting presence in my life! O how HE loves me….how He loves me so!  Be blessed today…allow HIS SON to warm your heart….eat…be still and hear His voice! ~ IN HIS STRONG LOVE ~ rose