Listen carefully, my dear child, to everything I teach you.
And pay attention to everything I have to say.
Fill your thoughts with my words until they penetrate deep into your spirit.
Then, as you unwrap my words until they penetrate deep into your spirit, they will impart true life and radiant health into the very core of your being.
So, above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are.
Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being. For from there flows the wellspring of life.
Photo Credit:Pixabay
DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn. She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”
Pay close attention, my child, to your father’s wise words, and never forget your mother’s instructions. Their insight will bring you success, adorning you with grace-filled thoughts and giving you reins to guide your decisions.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn. She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”
I recently started reading through the book of Joshua again. The words of Rahab struck me. “‘I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is in heaven above and on the earth below.’” (Joshua 2:9-11)
Rahab spoke these words to the spies Joshua sent into Jericho before the Israelites besieged the city. The people of Jericho had not seen the Israelite army, but they had heard of the way God had provided them with victory in miraculous ways. The knowledge of the power of the God of the Israelites made the people of Jericho fearful. Here in America, we don’t hear of people being fearful of God’s power, yet if we look closely, I believe we can still see it in their actions.
Those who don’t follow Christ are the people most ardently pushing anti-Christ behaviors. They are the ones trumpeting rights to abortion, rights for same-sex marriage, rights to euthanasia, and the legalization of drugs. All these go against God’s plan for humanity. Pushing for these things, and criticizing followers of Christ for not getting onboard, is one way to diminish the power of the body of Christ, to silence us into submission.
People intimidate believers not to speak out by labeling them as intolerant and judgmental. The truth is, we love the people God created enough to speak out, to shine a light into the darkness, and declare the truth of God’s word. A holy fear of God and the ultimate judgment day that awaits each one of us should empower God’s people. The insults hurled at us and any consequence forced upon us by those who don’t believe are temporary trials we endure, fleeting in the grand scheme of eternity.
Rahab didn’t know the history of the Israelites. She didn’t know the law that Moses brought down to the people from Mount Sinai. Merely the rumors of God’s acts made her heart tremble with fear, making her willing to risk her life to assist the Israelite spies. In assisting them, she saved her life and the lives of her family on the day the Israelites attacked the city. She also found herself worthy of finding a place in the genealogy of Jesus.
When we live in a holy fear of God and the power He holds, we can find hope in knowing He wants the very best for His children. Charles Spurgeon commented on the trap of “carnal security” believers can fall into. After coming to faith, one may live free of doubts, fears, or challenges for many years and feel they have overcome sin in their lives. In this state of security, one may stop pursuing the knowledge of God. Spurgeon exhorts us to “never get beyond spiritual conflicts, beyond striving against our corruption, beyond hating the garment spotted by the flesh. May we never get beyond a holy filial (dutiful) fear and a grave anxiety, so that in all we do we may be pleasing and acceptable in the sight of God.”
Do you need some encouragement to face a trial or learn how to pray? Visit my resources page for some of the music and books I’ve found encouraging.
Wisdom is a gift from a generous God; every word he speaks is full of revelation and becomes a fountain of understanding within you.
The Lord has a hidden storehouse of wisdom accessible to his godly lovers. He becomes your bodyguard as you follow his ways, protecting and guarding you as you choose what is right.
Then, you will do everything properly and fairly and be empowered to make the right decisions as you walk into your destiny.
Photo credit: Pixabay
DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn. She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”
Summer is road trip season. My family had the blessing of taking incredible road trips, reaching as far north as Newfoundland, Canada, and as far west as the eastern edge of British Columbia. Mom diligently studied maps and AAA TripTiks to plan the best routes, and we were lucky to seldom come across detours.
If only our lives were so blessed. Detours happen when we least expect them and when they are most inconvenient. Rarely are they enjoyable so it’s easy to pout that we aren’t getting our way when we have to bend to the will of others – be that road crews or disrupted plans.
As Jesus’ days on Earth grew shorter, He spoke to His disciples about the way ahead of them. In John 14, Jesus tells them that He is going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house and that they know the way to the place where He is going. Thomas is brave enough to question this, as they don’t yet understand where Jesus is going.
Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5) This is something we all grapple with at some point. Where is God leading in this situation? How can I follow when I can’t see the path? My GPS doesn’t have a destination, so how can it route me?
Jesus’ answer was simple. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.” (John 14:6-7) We get to know Jesus by spending time with Him, praying, studying His word, serving others, and listening for His voice.
When our life takes an unexpected detour and there are no signs showing us the way, we can place our reliance on God to direct our steps, but only if we attune ourselves to Him. He is our hope in the darkness, our signpost on the unfamiliar road. We have to accept that there are reasons for the changes in our plans that we may never understand. Our ways are not always God’s ways and we have to trust that His ways are better for us.
The only way that truly matters is His Way, the way of life, truth, and eternal relationship with the Father. Walking in that way doesn’t guarantee a smooth trip, but it does guarantee a place for us in the eternal kingdom. That is a much better destination than any we can imagine here on Earth.
We enjoyed a beautiful spring here in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The weather was a perfect mix of coolish evenings with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s. On my husbands good days we lazed on our porch, drinking coffee, watching the birds at the feeders and talking about nothing.
Our daughter who lives in Florida drove up last Wednesday to spend a week with us. She brought our grand dog Ollie with her.
The days flew by and before we knew it Monday was here, she planned to leave on Tuesday and we hadn’t gone on a single nature drive or had a picnic. That simply would not do.
In May we purchased a Georgia State Park pass so that we could explore closer to home than the GSMP. We decided on an impromptu drive to the Tallulah Gorge State Park complete with a picnic.
I have a very nice picnic cloth but is is rather large and bulky. I wanted quick and compact. I keep several Dollar store plastic table clothes in my picnic supply bag. I snagged one.
Instead of packing a large picnic bag, I chose the small, plastic bag I use to carry snacks and tucked the cloth into it.
Lastly, I put together individual plastic containers filled with meats and cheese and put them into a small cooler. We always have our water bottles with us. And we were out the door!!
At the park, we were surprised how many people were at the visitor center. The cool spring weather had deserted us and the day was a warm 82 degrees. This park has multiple waterfalls that can be reached by a 2 mile loop hike. Sounds easy, right? Except those two miles include around 2,000 stairs.
My husband and I ventured to the first waterfall before the stairs began. At the stairs, signs were posted warning that people who are not in good physical condition should not proceed. We didn’t go any further but our daughter did.
After our picnic we decided to drive further south to revisit Toccoa Falls, located on the campus of Toccoa Falls College. I think the last time we were there was in the 1980s. It was a very short walk from the Welcome center.
There is something about spending time in nature, that seems to reset one’s soul. Maybe it has to do with how immense nature and mountains are or the mark of our Father God imprinted on it.
Our daughter decided to stay an extra day. It was a girl’s day, we watched Hallmark movies, ate ice cream and I am not sure if we had supper.
After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience. Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites, Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix
In addition to blogging, I’m a general “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books
My 2023 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.
But the one who always listens to me will live undisturbed in a heavenly peace,
Free from fear, confident, and courageous, you will rest unafraid and sheltered during the storms of life.
DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn. She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”
His godly lovers triumph in the glory of God, and their joyful praises will rise even while others sleep. God’s high and holy praises fill their mouths, for their shouted praises are their weapons of war!
DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn. She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”
How do you connect with people? If you are in a business, you probably have some sort of “plan” to connect with people who could be your customers. We see ads in the newspaper and on the TV all the time for businesses selling their particular product. We see ads looking for people to work with a specific company, or in a specific position.
I’ve heard of people who attend benefits or parties or some such event just so they can “network” the system, and benefit themselves or their company.
But what is your connection to the one and only true living God? Is it an Easter and Christmas connection? Is it a once-a-month connection? Or is it a genuine, life-sustaining, personal relationship with God?
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My brother Bill wrote about this recently. Here are his thoughts:
Our connection to God is, quite simply, the only way we can live this life with any purpose or satisfaction. It allows us to walk upright without staggering or tripping or falling down. There may be bumps in the road, but if we keep our eyes on that connection to God, He will keep us from falling flat on our faces. He will help us see the direction we need to take – to be His children.
We are blest, indeed.
~~~~~~~~~~This Concludes Bill’s thoughts through his Minute Meditations~~~~~~~~~~
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
For they strengthen you inside and out and inspire you to do what’s right,
You will be energized and refreshed by the healing they bring.
They give you living hope to guide you,
And not one of life’s tests will cause you to stumble.
You will sleep like a baby, safe and sound.
Your rest will be sweet and secure.
You will not be subject to terror, for it will not terrify you.
Nor will the disrespectful be able to push you aside,
Because God is your confidence in times of crisis, keeping your heart at rest in every situation.
DiVoran has been writing for most of her life. Her first attempt at a story was when she was seven years old and her mother got a new typewriter. DiVoran got to use it and when her dad saw her writing he asked what she was writing about. DiVoran answered that she was writing the story of her life. Her dad’s only comment was, “Well, it’s going to be a very short story.” After most of a lifetime of writing and helping other writers, DiVoran finally launched her own dream which was to write a novel of her own. She now has her Florida Springs trilogy and her novel, a Christian Western Romance, Go West available on Amazon. When speaking about her road to publication, she gives thanks to the Lord for all the people who helped her grow and learn. She says, “I could never have done it by myself, but when I got going everything fell beautifully into place, and I was glad I had started on my dream.”
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Old Things R New 