Hope Harbor

 “Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing?” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.2.1.NASB1995 Psalm 2 seems to me to pose the question for why our country and even the world is in such chaos. It also seems to propose some answers or reasons for the cause of turmoil. In addition, in this psalm we see there are strategies for calming the chaos.  Why are the nations in an uproar and why do the people imagine vain things. This causes me to think that if we’re not based in truth and we’re just letting ourselves live according to our own vain imaginations our reasoning it can cause turbulence and confusion.  Why would people do this? How can that happen? The psalmist goes on to tell us that they have taken counsel against the Lord. It occurs to me that I need to pray for our leadership that they would have the humility and integrity to not violate  God’s principles. We are told ask of the Lord and He will give the nations. Lord God I ask

“Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:49-50‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.119.49-50.NASB1995  The word of God can bring hope and comfort especially during difficult times. Five years ago I endured a life-threatening illness with a long hospitalization including many days in the intensive care unit. At one point while in the ICU I wondered if my time here on earth was coming to an end   I woke up one afternoon with a Bible verse clearly in my mind. “ My heart and my flesh will fail, butGod is the strength of my heart…” I asked God if I could please not be “done “because I felt as though there is still more for me to do. And here I am today still grateful for God’s steadfast promises that do indeed bring hope and comfort. “My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:26‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ https://bible.com

 “May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your word; So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:41-42‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.119.41-42.NASB1995 These verses prompt me to think that the more secure we are in the reality that God loves us and is very kind and grants to us life forever and, the more we can be stable and unaffected by negative opinions of others.  In our society today there are many ideologies and practices that are directly contrary to God‘s word. We can be steadfast in the truth as we continue to immerse ourselves in scripture and steadfastly stand for it God‘s principles and trust in His grace   https://youtu.be/56e3XFRtmY8

 “Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:38‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.119.38.NASB1995 According to this verse, we are told that it is God‘s word that brings us to deep respect value and awe-filled wonder for God.   It is meaningful to me that the word established is used in this context. To establish some thing means to make it firm and settled as true. God‘s word provides a firm foundation for our faith and worship. Therefore, it must be vital that we value God‘s word in order to enter into a deep reverential relationship with God of the universe. Because the solace makes this request it comforts me to know that this does not come about by our effort but we can humbly ask God to help us value the Scriptures and draw closer to him .  I have a very very dear friend who when you ask her how you can pray for her she responds that I would love Jesus more. This is such a noble requests that God will certainly honor.

 Do you ever feel like your spiritual stamina is less than it should be higher rate of growth is sadly slow? I do. Perhaps that’s one reason why this verse  is meaningful to me.  “I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:32‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ If our capacity to worship and to reverence God‘s word is too small, we need a bigger heart. And in this verse, God promises to give us one. We don’t have to just limp along in our spiritual walk. When God doesn’t work in our heart we can run with purpose willingness and vitality.  It’s so good to know the maker of my heart. https://youtu.be/Xkieshy3zBQ https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.119.32.NASB1995

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.5.22-23.NIV This morning I started thinking about the fruit of the spirit being evident in our lives it occurred to me that there are some analogies between natural fruit and spiritual fruit. If there’s an arrangement of an assortment of fruit in a bowl it is beautiful and appealing. When fruit is enjoyed it offers nourishment and refreshment.  However, unlike natural fruit, the fruit that God gives doesn’t perish or decay but continues to grow as it is rooted in the giver of life.

  How Do You Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus? I’ve had this song on my heart “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. “  The chorus continues… “look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.” I find myself wondering today what does that really mean? How do you in a practical way turn your eyes upon Jesus? And when you look fully into His wonderful face, what do you see? I had a few thoughts… First, to turn your eyes upon some thing it requires focus. It means looking away from other things to intently gaze on the object of your attention.  Currently I am painfully aware that I need to turn my attention away from myself. When I focus on all my faults and deficiencies it only brings gloom and discouragement. Instead, I need to look at my Savior. Focusing on Jesus can bring health hope and endurance. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily

  22 Ways to Celebrate “Twosday” 2/22/22 Read 22 Bible verses https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/bible-study/encouraging-bible-verses/encouraging-bible-verses-about-gods-protection/ Tell someone you love 22 things you appreciate about them If you are an employer give your staff an extra 22 minute break.  If you’re a business owner give your customers 22% off.  Spend an extra 22 minutes with your kids Give $2.22 to your kids  Donate $22 or $222 to an individual or organization in need Learn about “Two-nesia” (Tunisia  ) https://www.hrw.org/middle-east/n-africa/tunisia Pray for “Two-pelo” (Tupelo Mississippi) Buy tulip seeds Eat tuna https://www.bumblebee.com/recipes/?gclid=CjwKCAiAsNKQBhAPEiwAB-I5zbYfOlhCaFV44LJXiDEq9WPFbMxwapyNt0zuYKCqja0r87ElnHoVTxoCRLwQAvD_BwE Color a picture of a toucan http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/birds/toucan Watch a 2 hour movie Add turmeric to a recipe Drive a 2 Lane Highway Exercise for 22 minutes Pamper yourself for 22 minutes Give a 22 minute m

 In my previous post I shared how my heart has been stirred with an urgency two care about the practical and spiritual needs of individuals with disabilities. As a follow-up, I thought it might be useful to offer some practical suggestions and insights in what these needs might be. The primary focus would be how to be welcoming in a faith community and encourage those affected by disabilities in their journey of faith. Several years ago I enrolled in the course entitled beyond suffering offered through Joni and friends. This was an in-depth study of how to prepare for and engage in ministry to and with those with disabilities  as part of my coursework I under took a project two interview individuals in order to identify needs and help churches to be more welcoming and inclusive   What follows is the report which I submitted. Beyond Suffering Course Ministry Project Report   My ministry project was to conduct one on one interviews with people with disabilities. Motivation  (Why I undert

  Urgent need to Win people with disabilities to Jesus I saw the trailer to a movie entitled Forgive Us Our Trespasses. It depicts the moving story of a boy with limb differences who was running for his life because the Nazis were hunting down and killing people with disabilities.  https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81320168?s=i&trkid=13747225&vlang=en&clip=81573782 I was reminded of the horrible reality that throughout history people with disabilities have been devalued and mistreated.  Since I have had the privilege of living in the United States of America  🇺🇸  i have enjoyed freedom and rights that promote inclusion in community and education and employment. This must not be taken for granted. We may think that atrocities such as the slaughter of multitudes of innocent people merely because they are different or limited could never happen here in the land of the free and the home of the brave.     We need to be alert and shaken from a sense of complacency. Now in our na