Morning Coffee - "The future looks brighter...."

On January 1 of 2011, I wrote in my diary: “The future looks brighter than any day past.”

This was the last line of a poem written by Karin Ristau and posted on her blog, Yesterday, Today, Forever.

Serve God with your whole heart, in joy and contentment.
Be strong and courageous. Be not afraid.
You’re never alone in your journey of life.
God will not fail you! Be not dismayed.
Do not look back! Keep your eye on the goal!
Only what’s done for Christ will last!
Don’t rest on your laurels or deny your mistakes!
The future looks brighter than any day past.
Karin Ristau

Who could have possibly known what the year ahead would have in store for Jim and I yet I could not have begun the year with a better perspective given what transpired for us.  In fact when I look back at my journal entries for the months before his illness it is amazing to me what verses and phrases I chose for meditation and emphasis.  God was definitely preparing me for what was to come.

January 4^th:  “You never learn faith in comfortable surroundings.” 

January 16^th:  “O God!  Take me, break me, make me.” 

January 31^st :  “The thing I send is best for Thee.” 

May 23^rd:  “He worketh …even now.”

June 1^st:  “I entreat you, give no place to despondency.  This is a dangerous temptation – a refined, not a gross temptation of the adversary.  Melancholy contracts and withers the heart, and renders it unfit to receive the impressions of grace.  It magnifies and gives a false coloring and thus renders your burdens too heavy to bear.  God’s designs regarding you, and His methods of bringing about these designs, are infinitely wise.”  Madame Guyon

June 12^th:  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 

June 17^th:  “You will hear a voice say, ‘This is the way; turn around and walk here.’  Trust Him.”

June 20^th:  Be still and listen.  Thy Father knowest best.  Praise Him for all he has planned.  Do not seek to get out of God’s will.  There is a purpose for being where you are.”

It was on June 20^th, our 41^st wedding anniversary, over breakfast at McDonald’s, that Jim confided to me that he had not been feeling well.  We immediately scheduled a Doctor’s appointment and thus began our final journey together.  And I believe we traveled it well together having been so decidedly prepared. 

Today begins another year.  And again, no one can possible know what lies ahead. But I do know that if I stay close to God He will prepare me for whatever plans He has.  He has promised that.  And He does keep His promises.

My entry for today, my first of 2012, begins, “Momento Vivere”  Remember to live!

Happy New Year!

Sandy

(Note - Being journal entries I don't always reference my quotes - but most are probably from Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Chas Cowman - a favorite devotional of mine.)

Morning Coffee - My Wind Break

“The chiefest values in life and character are not blown across our way by vagrant winds.”

Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman

In reading my Streams in the Desert devotion this morning, this one sentence really grabbed my attention.  How often I find myself going through my day on auto-pilot, - giving little attention to my actions and reactions - just letting the “vagrant winds” of the day blow me around. 

This is not how I will learn to grow. Not at all!  Living intentionally is the only way to build up my Christ centered values and character.  And to do this, I need to make it a point to stay in the presence of God every minute of every day.  I need to let Him become my break against all vagrant winds.

I believe I will pour another cup of coffee and then make sure God is my buffer for the day ahead.  

~~~

Morning Coffee - With Christ

There he proved them.   Exod. 15:25

It is very easy for us to speak and theorize about faith, but God often casts us into crucibles to try our gold, and to separate it from the dross and alloy.  Oh, happy are we if the hurricanes that ripple life's unquiet sea have the effect of making Jesus more precious.

Better the storm with Christ than smooth waters without Him.

--Macduff

Streams in the Desert

Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman

Amen!!

Time to refill my cup - with Christ - for the day ahead!

~~~

Morning Coffee - Where You Lead, Lord

.

"In waiting, I waited, for the Lord"  Psalm 40:1

"When we learn to wait for our Lord's lead in everything, we shall know the strength that finds its climax in an even, steady walk. Many of us are lacking in the strength we so covet. But God gives full power for every task He appoints. Waiting, holding oneself true to His lead--this is the secret of strength. And anything that falls out of the line of obedience is a waste of time and strength. Watch for His leading."     S. D. Gordon 

Streams in the Desert

Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman

I believe I'll pour another cup of coffee and then see where today leads me.

~~~

Morning Coffee - He has Promised!

"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises." 2 Pet. 1:4

When a shipwright builds a vessel, does he build it to keep it upon the stocks? Nay, he builds it for the sea and the storm. When he was making it, he thought of tempests and hurricanes; if he did not, he was a poor shipbuilder.

When God made thee a believer, He meant to try thee; and when He gave thee promises, and bade thee trust them, He gave such promises as are suitable for times of tempest and tossing.

O man, I beseech you do not treat God's promises as if they were curiosities for a museum; but use them as every day sources of comfort. Trust the Lord whenever your time of need comes on.--C. H. Spurgeon

Can God say no to something He has promised?

Streams in the Desert

Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman

Time to refill my cup and claim those precious promises for today!

~~~

Morning Coffee - A New Project

"Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee. . .who passing through the valley of weeping, make it a well" Psalm 84:5, 6

When night--needful night--gathers over the garden of our souls, when the leaves close up, and the flowers no longer hold any sunlight within their folded petals, there shall never be wanting, even in the thickest darkness, drops of heavenly dew--dew which falls only when the sun has gone.

"As we travel thro' life's shadow'd valley,

Fresh springs of His love ever rise;

And we learn that our sorrows and losses,

Are blessings just sent in disguise.

"So we'll follow wherever He leadeth,

Let the path be dreary or bright;

For we've proved that our God can give comfort;

Our God can give songs in the night."

Streams in the Desert

Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman

This morning, as I read today’s encouraging devotion, I had a thought.  While it is well and good that I am finding strength and comfort in my Streams in the Desert devotional, it would be even better if Jim could as well. Now I could just hand him my book and suggest that he make the readings part of his day.  But I really want to do something more personal. 

So here is my idea.  I will go back through my blog and pull out my favorite gleanings from Mrs. Cowman and put together a small personal devotional - making two copies, one for me and one for Jim.  I’ll add blank pages for personal notes and reflections. And maybe little pockets for small treasures and photos.  Personal Devotional Journals for us for the journey ahead.

Time to pour another cup and get this day started!  I have a project to begin.  And I love a good project!!

~~~  

Morning Coffee - Finally a Diagnosis

This week we learned the final diagnosis of what has been sapping Jim’s energy.  It isn’t what we wanted to hear but then these types of diagnosis usually aren’t. 

Pleural Mesothelioma is the official term. 

Asbestos causes Pleural Mesothelioma.  And while Jim doesn’t remember ever having been exposed to asbestos, the reality is that prior to 1970, asbestos was everywhere – in Army barracks, in our school buildings and especially everywhere industrial.  And while Jim attended school in old public buildings and served in the Army - in Viet Nam, it was probably his years in manufacturing that might have been the most damaging.  Even when his job provided a safe office, Jim was more likely found on the production floor rather than behind his desk. He was a hands-on guy in his career - and is still now in his retirement years.

Our next step is to meet our Oncologist and learn what treatment options are available.  Mesothelioma has never been an easy cancer to treat but there appear to be newer options and better plans these days.  We will learn all about these next Wednesday when we meet, as a family, with Dr. Puneet Cheema. 

Then the family discussions will begin as we decide what direction we will follow.  It will be an important week.  Any and all prayers will be very much appreciated.  They have helped us tremendously up to this point and I know they will continue to do so as we put our trust in God and his plan for us.

It has been almost a year since I found my copy of Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman.  I believe that through her daily devotions, Mrs. Cowman has prepared me for this time and place.  My original post,  last October 15^th is here.

Time to spend a moment with Mrs. Cowman and refill my cup!

~~~

Morning Coffee - Be Strong!

Quit you like men, be strong. 1 Cor. 16:13

Do not pray for easy lives! Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle. --Phillips Brooks.

We must remember that it is not in any easy or self-indulgent life that Christ will lead us to greatness. The easy life leads not upward…

Be strong!
We are not here to play, to dream, to drift;
We have hard work to do, and loads to lift.
Shun not the struggle; face it. 'Tis God's gift.

Streams in the Desert

Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman

“Be strong!”  My friend Joni ends many of her emails to me with those words.  Being strong has never been an attribute of mine (not even close).  So maybe all the better that I am now getting a good chance to work that muscle.  Time for a second cup of coffee (and some carbs) as I prepare to accept God's gift for today.

~~~ 

Morning Coffee - Praising Him!

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God"   Eph. 5:20

We once saw a man draw some black dots. We looked and could make nothing of them but an irregular assemblage of black dots. Then he drew a few lines, put in a few rests, then a clef at the beginning, and we saw these black dots were musical notes. On sounding them we were singing,

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below."

There are many black dots and black spots in our lives, and we cannot understand why they are there or why God permitted them to come. But if we let God come into our lives, and adjust the dots in the proper way, and draw the lines He wants, and separate this from that, and put in the rests at the proper places; out of the black dots and spots in our lives He will make a glorious harmony. Let us not hinder Him in this glorious work! --C. H. P.

Streams in the Desert
Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman

I think I'll sing some praises while enjoying my morning cup!  Feel free to join in!

Morning Coffee - Waiting

"And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you...blessed are all they that wait for him" (Isa. 30:18).

And you ask, "How is it, if He waits to be gracious, that even after I come and wait upon Him, He does not give the help I seek, but waits on longer and longer?"

Be assured that if God waits longer than you could wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious. God waited four thousand years, till the fullness of time, ere He sent His Son. Our times are in His hands; He will avenge His elect speedily; He will make haste for our help, and not delay one hour too long. --Andrew Murray

Streams in the Desert

Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman

We’ve been waiting – for months, it seems – for one thing or another.  And still we wait.  Waiting is wearing thin for me today.  So God in His infinite wisdom gave me this devotion for July 22^nd.    

I need to pour another cup of coffee and consider further this more than needed message for today.  And continue to wait for that “doubly precious” blessing.

~~~

Morning Coffee - Weights or Wings

They shall mount up with wings as eagles.  Isa.40:31

We look at our burdens and heavy loads, and shrink from them; but as we lift them and bind them about our hearts, they become wings, and on them we rise and soar toward God.

There is no burden which, if we lift it cheerfully and bear it with love in our hearts, will not become a blessing to us. God means our tasks to be our helpers; to refuse to bend our shoulders to receive a load, is to decline a new opportunity for growth. --J. R. Miller

Blessed is any weight, however overwhelming, which God has been so good as to fasten with His own hand upon our shoulders. F. W. Faber


Streams in the Desert
Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman

I've always loved this verse in Isaiah, but I have to admit I've never thought that the wings that carry me soaring towards God began as weights - weights that God has been so good to fasten upon my shoulders. Time to refill my cup and pray that I never refuse what God has chosen for me to carry.

²⁸ Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint. 

~~~

Morning Coffee - Taking on the Giants!

There we saw the giants   Num. 13:33

Giants stand for great difficulties; and giants are stalking everywhere. They are in our families, in our churches, in our social life, in our own hearts; and we must overcome them or they will eat us up, as men of old said of the giants of Canaan.

There is a prevalent idea that the power of God in a human life should lift us above all trials and conflicts. The fact is, the power of God always brings a conflict and a struggle. One would have thought that on his great missionary journey to Rome, Paul would have been carried by some mighty providence above the power of storms and tempests and enemies. But, on the contrary, it was one long, hard fight with persecuting Jews, with wild tempests, with venomous vipers and all the powers of earth and hell, and at last he was saved, as it seemed, by the narrowest margin, and had to swim ashore at Malta on a piece of wreckage and barely escape a watery grave.

Was that like a God of infinite power? Yes, just like Him.

The men of faith said, "They are bread for us; we will eat them up." In other words, "We will be stronger by overcoming them than if there had been no giants to overcome."

Streams in the Desert

Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman

Time to refill my cup and boldly face the giants of today.

~~~

Morning Coffee - Command the Lord!

"Concerning the work of my hands command ye me" Isa. 45:11

Our Lord spoke in this tone when He said, "Father, I will." Joshua used it when, in the supreme moment of triumph, he lifted up his spear toward the setting sun, and cried, "Sun, stand thou still!"

Elijah used it when he shut the heavens for three years and six months, and again opened them.

Luther used it when, kneeling by the dying Melanchthon, he forbade death to take his prey.

It is a marvelous relationship into which God bids us enter. We are familiar with words like those which follow in this paragraph: "I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded."  But that God should invite us to command Him, this is a change in relationship which is altogether startling!

What a difference there is between this attitude and the hesitating, halting, unbelieving prayers to which we are accustomed, and which by their perpetual repetition lose edge and point!”

Streams in the Desert

Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman

Boy does this hit home with me!  I offer up the wimpiest prayers imaginable. Over and over I whine to God in a voice I am certain he is tired of listening to!  Today, fortified with devotions and a cup of coffee, I will command the Lord -  as He has commanded me!

~~~