THIRSTY FOR GOD'S WATERBROOKS

Good mornimg blogger friends! I am sitting in my bed with laptop, casting my eyes on the waterfall surrounded by the new greening trees. I have just read Psalms 42, one of my favorites to help launch a conversation with the Lord.

"Just as the deer longs for running streams God, I long for You.
I am thirsty for the living God.
When can I come and appear before You, my Lord?
You are sustaining life for me.
My soul is nourished in Your presence."


Friends, This isn't about retirement, yet retirement has brought many changes, most of which are very pleasant. Tal and I are both processing our individual "stuff" according to our personal style. You laugh? No? You think we ought to have all the quirks of living together worked out after almost 50 years of marraige?

I have more time to be exposed to the political reteric on TV that brings my sensitive soul into conflict. I have more time to dwell on personal negative traits I have not yet conquered. Then there are personality traits of my dear husband that are now flushing up negative responses to unresolved issues. Everyone has unresolved issues, many you are unaware of. Some are serious and some just irritations, but I persist in expecting them all to just disappear.

The persistent answer from the Lord is, "Thirst deeply for My waterbrooks. Drink deeply of Me."


Learning to live in the conscious awareness of life-giving Presence is my pre-occupation these days. Our physical planet is a swirl in fear, and stress threatenes to take us out, (fear of cancer, or fear of terrorism, fear of rejection and loneliness) It seems to me that the devil's strategy is simple: keep humans fear based and negative in their thinking, rob them of peace and tranquility of soul and dis-connected them from the Happy God who declares, "I AM Love and I AM your covenant partner."

I was greatly disturbed yesterday to hear on the news that a large number of government leaders have been and are now endulging their sensess with pornography. What an acknowledgment of emptiness and lack of fulfillment! I am not advocating the sticking of ones head in the "sand", but our whole society is obsessing on information that creates fear anger and dispair. At least half of all forwarded emails to me pertain to negative political information. I can not feed my mind on it and stay productive. Others are called to be in the middle and contend for righteousness in the political arena, but my soul longs for the quiet places where I can celebrate the beauty and goodness of God.

Naturally we come to the Lord with all our complaints, our miserable situations, our physical and emotional hurts and we really expect Him to change our negative circumstances. When He doesn't, we become more narcisistic and manipulative and begin the spiral downward into depression, etc. As a parent I cried to the Lord in desperation, "If you would just change my son, I would not have this depression. I can't help this anxiety. You know what is going on." And He would say back, "Do not fret and be anxious. I am here and I can handle things. Do you really believe Me?"

Those were 8 long years my Heavenly Father kept me in intensive training in the ways of the Kingdom. It is not easy bringing ones emotions and thoughts in agreement with Father. I want to do some soul chatting for the next few days. My primary goal is to encourage us followers of Christ Jesus to request a major shift in our thinking and responding to life's tribulations and personal challenges.

Seasoned Burger Salad

Tonight I prepared a meat salad which serves as a meal. It is quick and healthy and good. This hearty salad eliminates the bread and reduces the amount of corn chips you eat, if you put them up and not have them on the table within reach. You can make other combinations of vegetables, but this one was especially good. That is why I decided to share it with my blog buddies.

I defrosted 2 seasoned Beef Patties, fried them in Olive Oil and made two salads.

I chopped Romaine Lettuce and covered the bottom of a wide brimmed salad bowl. You could use a dinner plate.

I thinly slivered Cabbage with a knife and arranged it in a pile on the edge.

1/2 of an Avocado sliced or coarse chopped went in another pile on the edge.

1/2 of a Roma Tomato sliced and fanned out in another spot.

Frito Corn chips in another spot.

Sliced Sweet Onion over the top.

I had one more spot for the hot seasoned burger pattie. Turkey or Beef can be used.

I poured Homemade Ranch Dressing over the top. Blue cheese crumbled would be good.
If you don't like Mayo dressings, I am sure something else would work. Your choice.

Dressing: Using equal amounts of mayo and Sour Cream, mix together with Garlic Salt, Coarse Black Pepper, and other seasonings (Italian herbs, Dill and lemon juice or Apple Cider Vinegar). IF it is too thick add a bit of water.

DO NOT FRET, COMPLAIN, CRITICIZE

I can not explain why some of us feel so compelled to criticize and complain, feed our minds on fear producing things, worry and fret over things that may never happen, etc. It seems logical to me that feeding on fear produces a negative mind and fear begins to limit me in every aspect of life. Fear backs me into a corner and shuts me down physically and spiritually . I do not enjoy the fruits of fear. Fear brings torment and strife, and I am beginning to see that resentment, low burning anger, frustration and all other negative emotions fill my body with poison and create an atmosphere that effect others negatively.

The Lord rebukes fear and resentment in His followers. He forbids it to take root in my life. This meditation is centered around Psalms 37. Read it for yourself. I will share here some of what I wrote in my journal.

Three times David tells me, "Do not fret." What am I fretting over right now?
"Do not complain, criticize, condemn." Jesus did not model these activities.
"Do not try to change or manipulate others." How often do I stoop to the Devil's ways of control. The world is filled with fear today, every where we go and much of what we listen to by radio and television creates fear. Much of our parenting is fear based.

1."Trust in the Lord and do good." Do whatever He says in each situation that creates negative emotions for you. REST in Father's arms. He is sovereign over all that touches your life. RESIST the voice in you that insists you are obligated to fret. WORSHIP by turning your attention to the One who is love, peace and light. His love casts out fear.

2."Delight in the Lord" by turning your attention to the One who is pure love and get your love-bucket refilled. He will give you the desires of your heart, which is to feel His love flowing through you, His joy and pleasure beamed toward you, His goals and plans perfected in you. This moves you away from fear in all it's many forms. Now I can feel secure, no fear, stress is relieved, provision is provided.

3."Commit your way to the Lord." I surrender all my personal ambition, plans, independent will and ways. When I fell in love with Jesus, all I wanted to do was be with Him, but living in this world creates a conflict between His kingdom and this system of living. Over and over, I must choose whose kingdom will manifest in this present situation.

4."Be still before the Lord." Remember that He is God and He is good. I must hear Him respond to this issue before me. On my own strength, I can not stop the fear, I can not stop the hurt. The negative thoughts intensify negative emotions, driving my focus inward and I get stuck there. Mentally sit before the Lord in deep meditation and let Him renew your mind, re-tune you heart strings, and refresh your body.

5."Wait patiently for Him". Oh, Father, You are so faithful to show up in my emergencies. You are always with me, but I need to connect with You and draw Your mind and Your emotions into myself. My heart is quietly resting in Your presence. When I am conscious of Your being with me, even in me, my whole being comes under Your control.

6."Refrain from anger" is just another way for David to say that we are forbidden to fret. I have added it as another command because You have reminded me, "do not take up an offence for someone else or carry their anger, because you will forfeit the anointing to love and bring healing to others. WOW what a thought!

DO NOT FRET. BE CONTENT. LET GOD'S JOY, PEACEFULNESS AND LOVING PRESENCE FLOW.

BECAUSE CHRIST PRAYS FOR ME. . . .

Here is a faith builder that helps me when life turns sour or when I just wake up in one of those downers I didn't see coming. Try meditating on Christ the intercessor who said this life will produce trials and tribulations, but "be or good courage, because I have overcome for you."

How differently would I face the day if I am fully aware of Christ praying for me, interceeding on my behalf before the throne of Grace? Would my attitude change? Would I feel less alone in facing the many irritation, frustrations and curve balls others present to me? Would I feel less hopeless in the struggle against my undisciplined appetites, my unresolved issues and unhealed hurts? God knows my weaknesses, my selfish bent, all the things I don't like about myself, and He has committed Himself to partner with me to the end. No condemnation, ever! (Rom. 8:1)

The Spirit himself intercedes for me with groans that words cannot express. The Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (Romans 8:26-27)

He is able to save completely anyone who comes to God through Christ. Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant than the Old Covenant saints lived under. Because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save me completely and forever. He always lives to intercede for me. (Heb.7:22-25)

I encourage you to read carefully John 17. Jesus pours out His heart for his followers just before He goes to the cross. "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message,. . ." Jesus is talking about me! Is there any doubt that the Father would fail to hear and answer the heart cry of Jesus who was facing a crucifixion for you?

BECAUSE CHRIST INTERCEDES FOR ME, I can say with confidence:
I will be saved completely.
I am receiving now His Kingdom that can not be shaken. (Hebrews 12:28)
I will not lose my faith nor deny the Lord.
His presence will never abandon me. (Hebrews 13)
I will be transformed into His likeness, because what You start, You finish. (Phil.1:6)
I will hear the voice of my Shepherd. (John 10:3-4)
I will walk in the steps You order. You have yoked me, bound me to Yourself.
I will reign in life now by Christ Jesus, who lives in me.
I will experience the Lord's strength in my weakness.
I will be given resurrection power to overcome all You have overcome for me.

These are but a few of the results I can believe for, because Christ prayes for me. Make your own list somewhere you can read for a reminder. The mind is the battlefield of the soul. Scripture gives you the weapons to resist the negative thoughts that shake the gound underneath your feet. When your perception of things appears bigger than you feel, get a fresh look at the resurrection power of Christ. If you become more impressed by the power of the enemy than the power of God, refocus. Christ ever lives to make intercession for you and He intercedes according to the will of God who always works for our highest good and His glory.

LOOK! BEHOLD THE LAMB/LION! WORTHY!

Jesus, the Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He has proven worthy of the highest praise. He has won the right to reign over all He created. Let all the earth give Him honor. At the cost of His life He has ransomed for Himself every tribe, language group, and every nation.

Think about it. God has the authority to reign because He is the creator, and he could have wiped us out and started over when He saw the mess we made. He chose to enter our mess, provide a solution to our mess, and invite us to join Him to reverse our mess. He invites us into an intimate love relationship, the kind He planned from the beginning. Jesus modeled that relationship for us, that total surrender and partnership with the Father. Then the big surprise: resurrection LIFE and power came to live within every one who ownes Him as LOrd.

You are worthy.
You deserve the honor my heart feels.
You deserve the surrender of all I am and have.
You made Your redeemed people into a kingdom of lovers and priests unto You.


Think on being loved.
I am loved and valued by God. He proved it.
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed. (I John 3:1)
The love of God has been poured out in my heart by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5)
I am anointed to love God. This means I can feel God's love and I can love Him in return.
I am anointed to love others with the same love He displays toward me.

Lord, You are more precious than silver,
more costly than gold,
more beautiful than diamonds,
And nothing I desire compares with You.


Father, You are most hallowed in my heart. I am surrendered to Your Kingdom reign in me, around me.
Let fear and awe of You buffer me from the demands and manipulation of self-centered motives.
Let Your radical love for me form what I value and give myself to in this life.
Let all limiting fear and self-protective resistence go. Then I won't resist Jesus.
Let me understand with greater clarity that Immanuel is my constant reality.

Immanu El - God is with us.

SPINACH ORANGE SMOOTHIE

Green Smoothies are so nourishing to your body and refreshing. You can make them a meal or just a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up. I will give you two here.

SPINACH ORANGE SMOOTHIE

In a wide based blender, place the following ingredients:
Spinach, handfull of fresh
English Cucumber, 1/3 chunk, washed and keep the peel on.
1/2 cup Orange Juice, best if you can use fresh squeezed.
1/2 Avocado
1 thick slice fresh Pineapple



Spinach Apple Smoothie

Hangfull of Spinach
1 Apple
1 slice fresh Pinepple
1/3 Cucumber
1/2 Avocado

Half of a frozen Banana can be added to almost any smoothie. It makes a smooth consistency and makes it like frozen custard.


FRUITE ICE CREAM

If you want a great fruit dessert, blend Strawberries, Pineapple, and a frozen Banana with just enough cold juice to blend. Make your own combinations, like Pineapple and Blueberries with a Banana.

Pour this fruit custard or the two smoothies above into pop cycle forms and freeze them for a quick treat. Yummm!