Crisis Mode

Everywhere you turn lately people are talking about the crisis in our country. Every news station has experts, politicians and the like weighing in on who is to blame for the country's economic crisis. We have an oil crisis, a mortgage crisis, an employment crisis, a financial crisis, an energy crisis and by the looks of food prices a food crisis as well. All of the finger pointing and blame games do nothing to identify the source or the solution for all these problems. Our leaders can spend all the money on earth to boost the economy and bail out institutions but unless we call it what it is, their solution may only amount to a band aid on a broken leg.

In May of this year, I was sitting out on the deck of my sister-n-laws house during a girls weekend getaway. It was a beautiful crisp morning, with the sun shining through the many tree tops in her backyard. As I looked out in wonder at God's creation and beauty the Lord led me to read Psalm 105. I wrote; Remember God's mighty works, all he has done for his people-the nation of Israel. We recount step by step as God protected them, provided for them, led them, blessed them, sheltered them, fed them and even disciplined them. Our Father in heaven has done the same for our Nation, the United States.

Many are unaware that in 1863, our president, Abraham Lincoln made April 30th a National Day of Prayer and Humiliation. He decreed that we, as a nation were to come back to God and humble ourselves, repenting of our sins and asking for God's forgiveness.

So my prayer this Thanksgiving is to thank God for blessing our Nation for so long, providing for our needs, feeding us, and yes even disciplining us. Do not let us forget all that You have done O' Lord to provide and protect your children. Thank you Lord for allowing me to live in a prosperous, abundant and peaceful land. Let our country and our people recognize you Lord are the provider, sustainer and giver of all life. Be still people and know God!

President Lincoln wrote, "It is the duty of our Nation as well as men to depend on God, confess their sins and transgressions, humble yourselves in sorrow because with assurance and hope of our genuine repentance will lead to mercy and forgiveness and recognize the truth in Scripture proven by all history that the Nations only are blessed who's God is the Lord."

So rather than worry and be anxious about the state of our economy, rather than point fingers and blame each other for the problems of our nation, let us follow the direction and duty of a man who once guided our country through one of the most devastating experiences in it's history.

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2Chron. 7:14

Reflections From The Heart

The picture you see is our view from the balcony of our little one bedroom cabin at the Double Eagle Resort in June Lake. The boys rose up early this morning to take a boat out onto the lake for some fishing. I decided to drink in the beauty of my surroundings and journal my time with the Lord. As I was looking out at the little fly fishing pond below, the reflection of the trees surrounding the banks was mirrored perfectly in the water. The scene was a picture of God's glory. But, I noticed as the water rippled from any movement the image was blurred until the water became still again.

I reflected on 2Corinthians 3:18, "But we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as the Spirit of the Lord."

It is true, the moment you put your faith in Christ a veil is removed, the light is turned on and the truth of Jesus Christ is revealed to you in a personal way. 2Corinthians 4:6 says that "God commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

As we really begin to walk in obedience and seek to know God more by applying His truths to our daily lives, the Spirit of God does something miraculous. 2Corinthians 13:5, "As we examine ourselves to see if we are truly being obedient, yielding to God we will be transformed into his likeness." It is God's Spirit that does the transforming and it's a lifelong process.

Sure the ripples will come, especially in our attitudes and actions, the image of his likeness becomes blurred. The way in which the reflection becomes clear again is when the water becomes still. "So our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He has mercy on us." Psalm 123:2b

For now I look at my own relfection in a mirror and see only dimly the image of his likeness for the perfection of His glory in our lives is still being transformed. But one day I'll see face to face.

Reconciliation

The month of June has been a time of reconciliation. I'm seeing God restore broken relationships between families and rekindle friendships that have been long neglected. As I sat in awe of God's power to bring about such restoration and healing, I rejoice over his love and affection for his children. Two hours had past and it was close to midnight when I looked at all the Lord had shown me about reconcilation. I decided to start blogging these times where the Lord has poured out his truth into my heart and I hope that you'll be encouraged and choose to encourage others by sharing your stories of God's reconcilation in your life.

Reconciliation-in the context of relationships with other people it means a change in attitude on the part of both individuals. In context to God and man it means to change from emnity to friendship. The change that is man's part is obvious- our need to change from our sinful ways. But what about God's part? Does God ever change? Isn't he the same yesterday, today and always? Rooted in the doctrine of justification we see the change of attitude God has towards a sinner as God delcares a person who was formerly his enemy to being righteous before him.

In Romans 5:8-10 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

Just like with God, I've found as relationships are reconciled our state of alienation has been changed, we are no longer at emnity but at peace. What great blessings come with this kind of reconcilation? In Psalm 21 the Lord showed me these great blessings that come when you have reconciliation.

Joy- the kind of joy that is everlasting. Isaiah 51:11
Rejoicing- like when Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:7
God gives you your heart's desire- a desire to reconcile. Psalm 37:4
Goodness- we see God's goodness before our eyes. Ex 33:19
Newness of life- he really makes all things new. Romans 6:4
Length of days- we get time back. Prov 3:16
God is glorified- Matt 15:31
God's mercy is seen, honor is restored, we have right standing again. Reconciliation is God's gift as it brings life to the lost soul which the greatest gift from God. We experience satisfying relief and peace. As the Proverbs say humilty comes before honor. We must start by acknowlegding our need for reconciliation by confessing all known sin and to trust God for cleansing. 1John 1:9

God bless!