My Divine Notes

1 Samuel 30:6b But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God . We never know who our real friends are until there’s a Ziklag episode in our life. David lost his family and his possessions – and the respect of his community. No matter how tight we are with God (and David was a man after God's own heart), life will happen – and it will take our breath away. People will disappoint. Life will disappoint. Disappointments are disappointing. When we find ourselves at the end of our rope, it is possible to see the light and --  we can hang on if we encourage ourselves in God – if we decide that our strength comes from God. Only God .

1   Samuel 30:4   And when they saw this,  they cried out  and wept aloud  until  they could weep no more.   Those who are called by God are not exempt from the most terrible things in life. Weep.   And remember that your Savior wept.

Exodus 3:3-6 (The Voice) Moses   (to himself) :   3  Why is this bush not burning up? I need to move a little closer to   get a better look at this amazing sight. 4  When the Eternal One saw Moses approach   the burning bush   to observe it   more closely,   He called out to him from within the bush. Eternal One:   Moses! Moses! Moses:   I’m right here. Eternal One:   5  Don’t come any closer. Take off your sandals   and stand barefoot on the ground in My presence,   for this ground is holy ground. [ a ]   6  I am the True God,   the God   of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. [ b ] A feeling of dread and awe rushed over Moses;   he hid his face because he was afraid he might catch a glimpse of the True God. Note: Don’t be too busy doing “ministry” or the things you think you should do -- and miss the call of God.

The moment when your heart grieves for all who #suffer...when the Lord shows you that  #CompassionMatters.  @BlancaV 1 John 3:11 The Voice (VOICE) 11  The central truth—the one you have heard since the beginning   of your faith —is that we must love one another. Today I cried tears of compassion for everyone who is suffering. The Lord showed me what real compassion looks like:   It has no face. I cried for everyone who has no home, no homeland, no hope, no God. I cried for everyone who can’t figure out why they do what they do. I cried for those who have everything yet who are silently desperate. I cried for those who have suffered the unfathomable loss of a loved one, of health and of hope. Compassion Matters to God. You Matter to God.

July 9, 2013 The best thing about being 77 is being 78.  Those were Mother’s slurred words the year she turned 77 in 2011. We celebrated her birthday at the nursing home. She passed away in late 2012. I kept a small journal and I blogged about our journey together. As I look back, I can thank God for giving me the honor of taking the journey alongside Mother. I found strength I  didn't  know I had to spend long hours in emergency rooms, ICUs, hospital and nursing home rooms.  I become an adept itinerant sojourner as I accompanied Mom in our quest to make her comfortable. She never lost her ability to understand and listen to me, but it was difficult to understand her words. My older brother directed the medical maze and details, and it was up to me to make sure the spiritual symphony played the most comfortable melodies. Over several years, everything was discussed, all was forgiven, and nothing was left under the table. We prayed. I b...

July 7, 2013 Remember the story of the woman who poured oil over the feet of Jesus, wept and kissed him? Luke 7:36-40 The Voice Luke 7:36-40 The Voice translation  Once a Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to be a guest for a meal. Picture this: Just as Jesus enters the man’s home and takes His place at the table, a woman from the city—notorious as a woman of ill repute—follows Him in. She has heard that Jesus will be at the Pharisee’s home, so she comes in and approaches Him, carrying an alabaster flask of perfumed oil. Then she begins to cry, she kneels down so her tears fall on Jesus’ feet, and she starts wiping His feet with her own hair. Then she actually kisses His feet, and she pours the perfumed oil on them. That's how I felt.  Yesterday I had a memorable “point in time.”  My ear tuned to a melody:  “ The King of Heaven’s Armies is right here by my side . “   Tears trickled down my cheeks unexpectedly. The Lord knows my real...

1 Kings 17:7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the   Lord   came to him: 9 Go at once… There will be times when the drought simply settles into life. It makes itself at home. The hollowness of nothingness – it’s a difficult season. Things dry up. Time stands still. Stillness turns the clock. Time continues. No. God will not forget you. Wait. But listen.