Who or What?

Big difference.

When someone blows up at me, is my first reaction to defend myself or am I willing to step back and evaluate WHAT is right? How did I come across to that person (even if I didn't mean it)? If there is a possibility I left an impression other than what pleases God, will I take the high road and make an apology? If I wait for others to apologize to me, simply because I know I'm right, my relationships will suffer. Pride hurts relationships; humility builds them.

Do I console myself that I was "more right" than the other person? How does that communicate my care for them? Is that how Jesus would respond?

"When he was reviled, he reviled not again. When he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." I Peter 2:23

There is only one RIGHTEOUS JUDGE: God. I can't judge a situation perfectly and neither can the other person. If I commit myself to HIS safekeeping, I will let Him be the judge of my situation. When I know the Righteous Judge is on my case, I don't need to defend myself. I can trust in any situation, He will set it all straight.

"He shall bring forth thy righteousness as a light and thy judgement as the noonday." Psalm 37:6

Because of this, I can "rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him" and "fret not {myself} in any wise to do evil." Psalm 37:7

I can "cease from anger and forsake wrath." Psalm 37:8

Family life and church life will be much less complicated if I will simply let God be the Judge.

Jesus, My Champion!

Lord Jesus, thank You for always championing my cause! I can trust that You will always bring forth my righteousness as the light (Ps. 37:1-11) when I am right and correct my wrongs, as I yield to Your Spirit in my life. I do not have to fear those who are mad at me because You are keeping the records. I do not have to be defensive. When I trust that You are my Champion and Defender, the irritation or anger or sadness caused by others becomes as nothing (Isa. 41:10-14). The things of this world grow strangely dim when I turn my eyes to You, Jesus! Cause me (motivate me) to hear (listen to) Your lovingkindness in the morning (early in a situation), because I'm choosing to trust in You, and to know the way I should BE/live today, because I'm lifting up my soul (mind, will, and emotions) in cupped hands to You for Your control (Ps. 143:8).

Psalm 37: 

1Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

3Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

10For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Isaiah 41:

10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

11Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

12Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

13For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

14Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 143:8Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Thoughts All a Dither

Ever realized that you're a mess? Thoughts all a dither*?


*Dither (Mirriam-Webster):  a highly nervous, excited, or agitated state 

Image: Christine Martell, VisualsSpeak

I have come to this realization quite often. My emotions are a mess! (It might have something to do with the fact that I'm a woman!) 


Too many times I allow my emotions to direct my thought patterns, instead of disciplining my thought life to line up with the Truth (God's Word). I begin to tell myself stories that are completely fictional, with no foundation or backing. I tell myself stories that say people are mad at me, stories that say I am a failure, stories that say I am better than the next person, stories that say I will never learn, stories that say I am trapped, stories that say I can't help but be like I am... stories, stories, stories... all lies of the enemy of my soul.

For the enemy hath persecuted my soul**; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. (Psalm 143:3)

**"Soul" in this case (Strong's Concordance): seat of emotions and passions


Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."


Whenever I find my thoughts all a dither, the chances are high that I need to make a choice. I need to "commit" (or recommit) my "works"--whatever job or project that has my attention, as well as its outcome, to the Lord. Whatever has me worried or upset probably has to do with my taking control of the thing. Wanting to control its progress or its outcome. Wanting to manipulate someone else's behaviour to suit my needs. 


From a fleshly point of view, the solution is not easy, and yet it is simple. Once, through the power of the Spirit, I make the decision, choosing to rely on Jesus and trust that He is in control, no matter what it looks like, I come to peace, and my thoughts are established, settled. I can breathe. I can even sing. I'm no longer in turmoil. I have "laboured to enter into rest" (Hebrews 4:11). I have returned to a state of rest in my soul (Psalm 116:7). And I suddenly realize the Lord truly has "dealt bountifully with me"!

Richly to Enjoy

The aroma of Starbucks coffee: Mmmm... There is no better way to start your day! Anytime I brew a pot of Starbucks—preferably Cafe Verona blend—I’m transported into a Starbucks cafe and to its accompanying ambience. I hear the slow, relaxing music and the whir of the espresso machines frothing the milk for cappuccino, and with my journal in hand I know my mind can rest here. It’s a place where I can be alone and still enjoy the feeling of people around me. When I go to Starbucks in the comfort of my home I am also teleported to the patio cafes of Europe, where I sat in awe of the beauty around me. The history of the buildings—if walls could talk! The myriad languages surrounding me... the glorious accent with which the server addresses me in English! The crunch and clank of feet on the cobblestones... the clatter of dishes inside the establishment...

I sat outside such a patio cafe in Amsterdam, savouring a Dutch cappuccino with one of my girlfriends, who loves the experience as much as I. We talked about how blessed we are. God truly has given us all things richly to enjoy! The Scripture is one we hear often. Don’t forget the beginning of that same verse: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” (I Timothy 6:17). The riches or enjoyable things in life are not sin. The wrong is in ones focus: trusting in riches, or making “things” everything in our lives. When our focus is on the gifts more than the Giver, we miss out on the real joy He intends. HE is the real source of all that is good in our lives.

So sit back, enjoy your Starbucks experience, and thank the One Who makes it all possible in your life.

Be Still

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11)

After you read your Scripture for the day, take some time to sit quietly and just listen for God's voice... not an audible one... He speaks in your heart.

Psalm 46:10 tells us to "Be still and know that I am God."

Have you spent time being still lately? Take some time to bask in His presence... there is pure joy and such pleasure! Such that you can find nowhere else! Not even your husband can bring you such joy and pleasure as your Lord can! This is not to put down your man; it is to encourage him! He does not have to hold you up emotionally; it's not his job.

If you just spend time sitting in God's presence, the benefit will be yours--and the experiences are out of this world!

A Good Thought on Prayer

“The hunger of the Father’s heart is satisfied when He finds His offspring turning to Him and placing simple confidence in His unfailing promises… God’s great heart of love delights in giving… by this very giving He seeks to bring out the latent qualities of our hearts… Prayer… is no mere asking… granting, and receiving… It is love giving itself out… and receiving… worship and surrender. So love is at the root of prayer, and love gets its way. Not only does love wish to grant the gifts, but love wishes to hear the… loved one expressing the need.” –G. Granger Fleming

Jesus, You’re My Spring of Water

Jesus, You’re my spring of water,
You’re that cool place of retreat;
I come to you all cracked and dry,
And You restore me from the heat.

I’m thirsty in my spirit, Jesus,
You’re the only Source I know;
By myself I’m a dull dry desert,
My arid soul starts to show.

So every day I come to the spring,
To our secret meeting place;
It’s so quiet, cool and calm right here,
I wish that I could stay.

But I must go back out to the world,
In the rugged place I live;
To share my knowledge of the spring,
To others Your life I give.

Jesus, You’re my spring of water,
You’re that cool place of retreat;
I come to You all cracked and dry,
And You restore me from the heat.

Dayna Spear, October 30, 2004