Thank You!

Thank you for the rain - it nourishes the ground and calms my spirit.
Thank you for my memories, they keep me grounded and thankful.
Thank you for my church - they are stuck with me forever ;-)
Thank you for the honesty and encouragement of friends - iron sharpens iron
Thank you for surprise packages in the mail - they make my heart smile!
Thank you for tears - they wash out the soul's sadness.
Thank you for the detour of heartbreak - it leads you to the place you are supposed to be.
Thank you for knowing me and planning me a great future - I'm looking forward to it!
Thank you for dying for me -  with each stripe, each wound, you conquered death and hell for me.

Thank you for old restored barns - they remind me you make old things new !

 Thank you for your Relentless Grace - I am a debtor set free.

It's Only Cold for a Second

And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord , the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap.” And as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the  edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan. (Joshua 3:5, 13-13, 15, 17)


I stood at the edge of the water today, and I couldn't help but think of Joshua and the children of Israel, standing on the banks of the Jordan River - facing one more obstacle, and expecting a miracle. God was standing ready to redirect the waters of Jordan, to stop the currents and allow His children to walk through. I believe what moved me the most today was that because of Joshua's faithfulness to listen to God and the priests' willingness to act in faith the miracle was enacted. As I moved my feet closer to the edge of the water,  I thought about how little God asks of me; and yet, I still struggle to walk out in faith sometimes. He nugdes me to take such tiny steps, so why do I find myself doubting and hesitating? Our obedient faith, like the priests', has the potential to touch lives, encourage them, and engage the throne room of Heaven. This should be all we need to motivate us - this realization that He uses us to help others reach their destination - remembering, He's waiting, ready to perform miracles, we only need to dip our toes in the edge of the water. It's only cold for a second.