Month: April 2016

Comfort Food {4.22.16}

On By Leslie AnnIn Christian, God1 Comment

When you hear the words “comfort food”, what comes to mind? We all have specific foods or types of foods that seem to bring comfort. Last week a dear friend brought us a meal. When I saw what she brought, it was certainly some of my “comfort food”! Wonderful memories of my two grandmothers came flooding back as I saw and then tasted her delicious food. She brought chicken and noodles, green beans and pie crust cinnamon rolls. The green beans brought memories of my grandmother who we used to visit every year when school let out. They lived in Florida and she always got up early and started cooking for the day. I say early but to us, it seemed like the middle of the night because it was dark outside. However, we woke to the smell of green beans cooking and that was comforting (and later delicious).  My other grandmother lived closer to us and we visited almost every week. One of her meals I absolutely loved was when she made noodles. It was hard to resist going back for seconds (and I’m not sure I did). Another thing she always did (and the rest of us have latched onto) is to make cinnamon rolls frocomfort foodm the leftover pie crust. We all liked them so much that she started making extra pie crust just for the rolls. So, as I said, when I saw this meal, it was so special. Now I have one more memory to add to this “comfort food” – that of my dear friend and her sweet act of love to us. Thanks again Judy! You brought more comfort than you knew.

God has given us even better “comfort food” than any of these I have listed or those you are thinking of right now. He has given us His Word.

Deuteronomy 8:3: “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known from the mouth of the Lord.”

Matthew 4:4: “Jesus answered, ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

John 17:3: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

Revelation 21:2-4, 7: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”, “He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

These verses are so comforting to all those who follow Christ. Sometimes, however, God speaks to us individually and personally as we read His Word. We can’t explain it because it’s often taken out of context but that does not make it any less real. Here are a couple of scriptures in which God gave me a “message” that He had taken care of my prayer request. I just had to trust Him and wait to see the answer.

Proverbs 3:5-6: ”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.”

Acts 3:16: “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” [This story I will have to post sometime as it is a true healing miracle.]

So…what is some of God’s Comfort Food that you enjoy? Please share your personal “comfort food” from God with us. You can simply ‘comment’ on this post.

Remember…the next time we want to reach for ice cream, chips… or noodles, there is something even better waiting for us in God’s Word. EAT WELL and ENJOY!

Disrupted – Dependent – Devoted {4.14.16}

On By Leslie AnnIn Christian, God

DISRUPTED – Life is full of disruptions, isn’t it? This past Monday I had surgery as a result of a disruption I had not planned for in my life. We don’t plan for them because we don’t see them coming. While I believe not all of our disruptions are caused by God, many of them are. I have been thinking of the many people we read about in the Bible whose lives were disrupted by God for His purpose. Here are just a few that came to my mind.

David: He was minding the sheep (minding his own business) out in the middle of nowhere. Just one example of the fact that God watches over us even when it seems like we are alone. I’m sure he never in a million years would have dreamed what God had in store for him. However, because of his faith in God, he was bold and obedient to go where God called him. He trusted God and once again, God proved Himself trustworthy.

Joseph: Do you think he recognized the hatred and jealousy of his brothers? I’m sure the thought that they would try to kill him never entered his mind. What a journey he had as a result of a disruption! When we read the story it sounds terrible until we start to see the unfolding of God’s plan in the process. God’s plans always have eternal benefit. Like David, Joseph trusted in God and proved faithful. God had everything under control.

Disciples: They were at work (fishing, collecting taxes) when Jesus disrupted their lives. Has that ever happened to you? God doesn’t just speak to us when we are sitting in pews at church, does He? He calls us when we are in the world. That way our “light” can shine. I always wonder what it was about Jesus that caused them all to drop everything and follow Him. They didn’t ask him the typical “20 questions”, they simply followed Him. Their lives were disrupted in a big way, for God’s glory and God’s purpose.

DEPENDENT – We like to think of ourselves as independent people and to some degree we are but when our lives are disrupted, we come face to face with our dependence upon others. This week I depended upon the surgeon and medical staff to use their skill and knowledge for a successful surgery. I was dependent upon my husband for transportation to and from the hospital, help navigating the stairs when I got home, lifting and carrying things, etc. All of us are dependent upon God. We depend on Him for the air we breathe and everything else that keeps us here on this earth. We can do nothing without God but, All Things Are Possible With God!

David: David was dependent upon God to defeat Goliath, which God did through David. He was dependent upon God to give him strength and power. God delivered in a mighty way and His plan and purpose for David was fulfilled. David was human and made mistakes but he had a heart for God.

Joseph: Joseph depended upon God to hold true to the dreams He had given him, even though from the earthly perspective it seemed impossible. He was dependent upon God to defend him and the truth, even though he suffered consequences of the lies of another. God blessed Joseph and took care of him and his family.

Disciples: They left their homes and livelihoods to follow Christ. They certainly walked out into the unknown. They fully trusted and depended upon Christ. He took care of their spiritual and physical needs, often in miraculous ways. They were dependent upon Him for everything.

DEVOTED – Webster’s 1828 dictionary describes it this way: The state of being dedicated, consecrated, or solemnly set apart for a particular purpose. A solemn attention to the Supreme Being in worship; a yielding of the heart and affections to God, with reverence, faith and piety, in religious duties, particularly in prayer and meditation; devoutness. devoted

When we have had our lives disrupted and been dependent upon others, we tend to be devoted to them. Of course I am devoted to my husband. I love him and he has proven himself to me over and over again. However, both of us are dependent upon God. Devotion to God takes on an entirely new level/dimension. We have known His faithfulness through the generations. Our lives are in His hands. He loved us so much He sent His Son to die for our sins so we could live with Him in a righteous relationship both here and in Heaven. David, Joseph and the Disciples were devoted to God. The next time we are faced with a disruption in our lives, I pray we will take a closer look to see if perhaps it is God disrupting us for His Purposes and His Plan. What He wants from us is our availability, obedience and devotion. Will we give it to Him? He Alone Is Worthy of our full devotion!

Home Improvements {4.3.16}

On By Leslie AnnIn Christian

We have done a few home improvements over the last few years and this weekend we did another. We installed a tile backsplash in our kitchen. I say “we” but actually the only part I had in the “we” was choosing the tile and then letting my husband do the work. As he was getting ready to start on the project, I told him that I had a plan (at which he rolled his eyes – I have lots of plans and they usually include him). I said, “I will just stay out of your way and if you need my help, let me know.” I could tell that my plan surprised him but he actually thought it was a good plan! I did a pretty good job of sticking to that plan but I did sneak a few peeks when he was outside at the saw. Teamwork at its best (ha ha). tile backsplash The walls are kind of a yellow maize color. We covered the walls between the counter and cabinets with white subway tile. It looks so clean, fresh and bright.

God started speaking to me through this process about the need we all have for some personal home improvements. He can simply speak to us in and through anything. Thankfully, this time I was listening.

As believers in Christ, our bodies are “home” to the Holy Spirit. He works in and with us (teamwork) to make “home improvements”. We must cooperate by surrendering our heart, mind, body and soul to God. Only then will the light of Christ be able to shine in and through us. However, just as I did with our backsplash project, we have to just get our “self” out of the way and let Him do the work.

It’s a choice. Just like I chose the tile and my husband did the work. When we choose God, He does the work. As believers, we are called to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-26 says, ”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

As we allow the Holy Spirit to produce good fruit in us, it will be evident. Just like our white backsplash looks clean, fresh and bright, if we are God’s children we are made white – clean, fresh and with a light that shines bright. Praise God! When Jesus returns for us, He will see a home improved from the sinful state in which it began. We will be white and spotless, waiting for our King to gather us to Him.

It’s time for all of us to stay out of the way and let God do the work in and through us for HIS glory, in HIS way, and HIS time – to accomplish HIS WILL.

Have a wonderful week!