WHO'S YO DADDY?

"The Lord, your God, has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession."  (Duet. 7:6)

Do you know God as a Nurturing Parent, as El Shaddai, the Father of Sufficiency.

"I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love." (Hosea 11:4)

In the 17th chapter of John, verse 24, Jesus calls out to the Father, Abba Father. Abba is an Aramaic word which corresponds to our 'Daddy' or 'Papa'.  Paul tells us in Romans Chapter 8, verse 15, "Because you are sons, God sent forth The Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out Abba, Father."

If you are in Christ Jesus, God is your Abba Father. The Lord God, maker of Heaven and Earth is your Daddy!! He says to us in Isaiah 49:15-16, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore?  But even if a mother forgets, I will never forget you-- Never.  Look, I have written your name on the palms of My hands."  Our names are not just written on His palms, but engraved!

In her Bible Study Living Beyond Yourself, Beth Moore reveals some things about the little boy that she and Keith adopted.  He had just turned four, and she says that almost immediately she noticed that his body was not in proportion. His head, hands and feet were too big for the rest of his body.  They scheduled him for an appointment with their doctor, upon examination, the doctor concurred with Beth. The doctor told Beth and Keith that the child had at least been emotionally neglected, if not abused.  The shape of his body testified that adequate affection had been withheld from him.  She said she had also observed that he never cried. Even when he was hurt from a fall, he would stand stiff as a board, and clinch his fist.  Because his former guardians believed that holding him would spoil him; therefore Michael had learned to totally isolate himself when in pain.

Some people see weakness in tears, others believe tears are a waste.  'Don't cry over spilt milk.'  'Big Boys don't cry.' 

 But there is a danger in dry eyes.  Tearlessness in infants gives rise to bacteria and viruses.  Even in adults, pent-up emotions can lead to heart attacks, high blood pressure, ulcers, migraines,depression and a myriad of other disorders.

The danger is spiritual as well as physical.  When we refuse to allow ourselves to cry or display distress, we run the risk of spiritual hardening. When we hold ourselves back from displaying emotions, we may also hold ourselves back from the healing God would grant through the expression of our sorrows.

In Zephaniah 3:17 the Bible tells us, "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." 

The beauty of this verse is that it illustrates that blessed moment in which God's throne becomes a rocking chair.  He pulls His fretting,fearful child into His arms and says, "It's okay, I've got you, I'm right here."

If you are a mother you know what it is to quiet a child with your love, rocking back and forth, all the while whispering,"Shhhh, Mommy's here, Mommy loves you."  God rejoicing over His children with singing is a precious picture of a parent Savoring the moment His child's body finally rests in His arms to the tender melody of a lullaby. (Beth Moore, Living Beyond Yourself)

 Yes, that's just what it's like when we allow God to parent us. Allow Him to nurture us.

Take your tears to Him, take your fretting to Him. Allow Him to hold you in His arms.......Cover you with His Love.  Climb onto His lap, rest in His unconditional Love.  Let Him soothe your hurts and your fears.  You will never grow in Christ and wholeness until you do.

Let God Parent you, He is after all YOUR DADDY!!!

Unveiling Beauty

Today I wish to tell you of Three Beauties. To be sure they are very different, but all beautiful just the same!!

There is a Strength in you, I see it. (William Wallace to the princess in Braveheart)

Beauty overwhelms us,enchants us, fascinates us, calls us. (Fr. Andrew Greeley)

The oldest one is a dark haired, and dark eyed beauty. She captivates you with her porcelain skin, and graceful ways. She is oh so tenderhearted, so much so that her emotions are right there, just ready to be tested. Her gentle eyes tear up instantly when something or someone upsets, or distresses her. But there is much strength in her. Her strength is deep within her, but always present in the most trying of circumstances. She is drawn to those who need her quiet strength, and in her empathy with them, she calms their fears. For she knows Her Lord. She is His, and He is hers. She indeed is captivating.

The next beauty is oh so fair. Blued eyed and blonde of hair. She is also small of statue, but do not be fooled by her size, she can be one to be reckoned with, she will hold her ground and hold her own when need be. This beauty has a hearty heart of gold. She is a lover of little children, and a precious teacher of the same. She too has a strength renowned, but this strength is readily seen, and never misunderstood. Her disarming ways and gentle smile, make for a beauty rare. This beauty too knows the One who loves her so well. The Lord who made heaven and earth.

The youngest beauty is even more rare. She is the essence of beauty, in statue, and in grace. This beauty holds tightly to her strength, it is ever a part of who she is. NO ONE doubts that this beauty has what it takes, except the beauty herself. Looking at this beauty you would never know a secret that she tries desperately to hide. Truth be told this beauty has a very very tender heart. When she lets you see the real Beauty you understand why she has been called Care Bear, or Tender Heart Bear. In this Beauty there lives a precious girl, she doesn't know yet that her beauty is such that could tame the world. She trembles, and waits to hear her Father tell her of His perfect plan. Yes, she too has given Him her heart, and yearns to be used.

Yes, Princesses, everyone..... Offering Beauty, Offering their hearts, Offering their Presences.

Women are not meant to be helpless creatures. God has given us a fierceness that is holy and is to be used on behalf of others. (John&Staci Eldredge, Captivating)

"Your Beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit."(1 Peter 3:3-4)

How You Ask, do I know them so well..... A mother's heart knows her children and what lies within!!

"Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain on it." (Proverbs 22:6 NLT)

Life Comes at You Fast

There is a commercial on T.V. that states, "Life comes at you fast".  The inference is that you can trust a certain insurance company to be there when you need help putting the pieces back together. But can they help you find peace in the hard things of life?

When your life is suddenly turned upside down.  You lose your home, or your business, or because of a disagreement a friendship ends. When someone you cared about turns out not to be what you thought they were. An illness takes residence in a family member, or friend.  When someone you loved dearly, dies suddenly.   When you know things will never be the same again, where do you find peace?  The will to live-- to continue-- Where do you find purpose?

IN CHRIST ALONE IS OUR PEACE, OUR STRENGTH, OUR PURPOSE.

"Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give you, not as the world. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  (John 14:27)

"I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me." (Philippines 4:13)

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye." (Psalm 32:8)

"For the Lord has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Step in Sweet Jesus, Heal Us, Comfort Us, Use Us, Give us your hope, your strength, your Peace!!

It is in those most difficult of times that we must seek God, seek answers from Him Alone!!  Yes, it is hard, but we must go on....... Someone else will need our strength, our love, our experience, our counsel in THE HARD THINGS OF LIFE.