June 30, 2016

Colossiana 2: 8  "See to it that no one takes  you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spriits of the world, and not according to Christ."  Paul wrote this letter to the church at Colossae to encourage them to not be lead away by the very real threat of all the false teachers in the community.   Paul claims that the philosopical teachings of the time are outside of God and brought only by human tradition.    He warns that the church body should not be tricked into believing any religion outside of the teaching of Jesus Christ.   Friends, I believe that this is a message that is very true to us today as well.    We are faced with much human tradition and teaching that is outside of the will of God every day.   We must not fall prey to that, just as the church that Peter is writing to must not.    How do we know what to avoid?   How do we know what is true?    We must be familiar with the Word of God.    We must know scripture... or at least know where to find the right scripture.   Take this summer to get back into the Word on a regular basis.   You will be glad you did!  

June 29, 2016

I am still struggling with how God wants me to be a godly woman. I know that God has made me to be a "doer".  I am the one at the committee meetings who always feels frustrated because things are not moving fast enough.   I am the one who always wants to quit planning and discussing and just get started!   Can anyone give me an amen?   Well friends, that is not always a good thing.     We need to be doers, yes!   But we need to make sure we are doing the doing that God intends and doing so in a godly way.  James 1:23-25 tells us "for if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man (woman) observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.   But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be bleseed in what he does."   Please God, tell me clearly what you wish for me to do and keep me focused on that today and tomorrow.      

June 28, 2016

Jeremiah 29:11-13  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.""  This scripture has been on my mind for several days now.   I have been wrestling with God a bit recently asking Him to show me what his plans are for me.   I have been asking Him to make sure that I clearly hear his answers to my questions.    I have been dillegently requesting God to make my direction abundantly clear.  Do you see all the verbs in the last few sentences?   I have been, I have been, I have been.    No where is there a sentences that says - I sat quietly and listened to what the Lord has planned for me.   Hm.....maybe that is why I have not heard his directions.      

June 27, 2016

Back home again in Indiana!  We had a wonderful visit in the mountains, but it is always so good to come home again.   The two little gals that house sit for us left everything in great shape:  horses were happy, flowers were beautiful, house was in order.   It was fabulous to be home!  I feel like I am back where I belong.   This is the same feeling I have when I have stepped away from time spent in building my realtionship with God.   You know the way that life sneaks in and robs you from your time in the word.   Or you find yourself on that busy tread mill of life and can't squeeze in intentional prayer time with the Lord.  Suddenly you are too busy to volunteer at church events or take your ill nieghbor a dinner.   But then, something changes, usually God gets a hold of you, and then you "come home".  You remember that happy feeling that you always get when you are right where you belong and doing right what you should be doing.       Whenever we are working at improving our relationship with God, we are where we should be and all will seem right with the world.   God created us to have relatiosnhip with Him.    That should be our single most significant job and when we are doing it well, we bask in the comfort of "being home".  I John 3:1  reads "how great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!"   Thnank you, Father, for bringing me home!        

June 26, 2016

Psalm 37:5-6  "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of  your cause like the noonday sun."  Wow, this scripture is a difficult one.   Commit your way to the Lord means we give Him everything, everyday.   It means we entrust everything to our God:  jobs, family, health, possessions.    But look at the benefit.   When we commit all to Him, He will let others see us as His beloved.    He will allow us to shine brightly for Him.   I want that friends.   I want people to see a godly woman when they look at me.   How about you?

June 25, 2016

Back on the road, heading back to Indiana.    What a wonderful trip we have had, and how nice it will be to return home.   I am never ready to leave when we have been trail riding, but I do so miss family and grandkids back in Indiana.  I look forward to getting back into routine.   I have missed my church friends and Vacation Bible School will be starting up next week.  I can't wait to squeeze on grandkids and wave at the neighbor as I get back into my walking routine.  Although I have kept up with Bible study on the road, I am excited to discuss it with my dear friend over lunch when we return.   God has blessed me with a wonderful life and that makes me desire to bless others.   As we stop for fuel and sandwiches I try hard to give those I pass a smile and a kind word.   I will never see them again but maybe at that moment they need a touch of Jesus.    When we encounter an accident or a person stopped onthe road, I send up a prayer that all will be well.  Again I will never know the outcome of that prayer but I know that God is in control and He willanswer prayer so I can rest in that assurance.  Share a blessing with someone today.   You don't have to know their name to bless them.   Try it.  Better yet, make it a habit!  2 Thessalonians 1:11.  "With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling."

June 24, 2016

My husband and I are still in Colorado but we are winding down our stay.   Yesterday we rode our horses in the Rocky Mountains for seven hours and felt so close to God and his creations.    We saw so many amazing, beautiful things.   God has blessed us with so much beauty on this earth.   But in the midst of the beauty I realize that these mountains can be very dangerous as well.   We have been very careful to carry water when we venture out and always have a map of the trails with us. Last evening a big - mountain size - thunder storm rolled through.   We were back at camp and safe, but those storm s can pop up so easily, with little warning sometimes.   This experience has made me think about life in general.  God has given us so many wonderful things, but if we do not use them in the right way, and pay attention to the dangers, we can lose our way all too quickly.   Peter tells us in Acts 3:19 to "repent then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."  This repentence brings refreshment for our soul as well as the refreshment my husband and I have found in the mountains.    Thanks for that reminder, Peter!    

June 23, 2016

As I was doing Bible study this morning, I was once again drawn to the wisdom of John in John 8:31-32.  It reads, "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."   I am reminded that Jesus is the Truth.    He will always give me the right direction, the right words and actions.   Jesus is the perfect standard that we should all be trying to emulate.  I know that I will never be what Jesus is, but by His grace, I can move in that directrion.  Jesus keep reminding me to seek Your truth and allow it to mold me into the person You wish for me to be.   Thank you, Jesus.

June 22, 2016

As we are traveling this summer I have thought a lot about people taking vacations and leaving God at home.   We have done that before.   We have spent much time packing and planning but leave our Bibles on the table in the living room and sail out on our adventure without giving God a thought.   Fortunately we have grown up in our faith and our Christian walk and we have learned to take God along when we leave home.   God so wants to bless us but He wants to have relationship with us to so I beleive He wants to enjoy us as we enjoy the blessings He shares with us.  I thank God for my time with my husband in the mountains and as we travel over the highways.   I enjoy the times we spend listening to Christian CDs and video Bible studies.   I enjoy the people we met and the sights we see and I thank God for creating so much beauty and goodness in our world.   The Psalms are are full of wisdom that directs us to priase our Father in heaven and one of my favorites is Psalm 100:1-2.  "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Friends, when you slip away this summer for a long vacation or a weekend getaway, take God along too.   Use some of that time ti shout out to the Lord that He is good!  

June 21, 2016

My husband and I are in Colorado right now riding horses and camping in the Rocky Mountains.   I love the mountians.   I love the clean, crisp mornings, and I love the warm sunny afternoons.    I love the evenings when the sun sets light up the sky and highlights the majesty of the mountians.   I love the wildlife and the scent of the pines.     God was doing some of  His best work when he created the mountains!   Sitting quietly at our campsight made me think about the mountains that are written about in scripture.  Micah 4:2 reads, "Many nations will come and say, "come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.  He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in his paths."  The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."  Early in this chapter we read that this is referring to the "last days" and then goes on to describe the perfect kingdom we will one day share with God.   These mountains refer to Mount Zion when we will find peace and God's love all the time.   As wonderful as these Rocky's are to me I can only imagine how awesome the mountain spoken of in Micah will be!   I can't wait to share that campsight with our Father!

June 20, 2016

Psalm 146:1-2  "Praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord o my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life.  I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."  

Yes, today I am praising God!   God is so good!   I am so very blessed!   I am married to a wonderful man who is a terrific daddy to my sweet daughters and a fabulous pop pop to out grandbabies.    I have an awesome Father in heaven who loves me unconditionally.   Wow!   I will praise God again and again!  

June 19, 2016

2 Timothy 1:7  "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline."  I am in the middle of a season of doubt regarding what God is leading me to do with my ministry.  I am not sure what role He wants me to play in my church and I am not sure how, or if, He is leading me to write and publish more books.  I have been wrestling with myself and God for several days trying to figure out how to proceed.   I know one of my weaknesses is that I am not bold in publically declaring my love for God.  I also know that I am not always as self assured as I should be in my abilities.  Can anyone resonate with me on this?    God, as He always does, provided me with this scripture from Timothy today.   You see Timothy was struggling with many of the issues I have just described and Jesus reminded him that God wants us to be bold in our faith and proclaimation of  Him and who He is.  I am still not certain what my next step will be in my ministry but I do know that I will begin right now to move with God in a more powerful and bold way.   Thank you God!      

June 18, 210

Dear Father,

I am trying to hear your voice.   I am trying to really listen to what you are saying to me.   Please give me the discernment to know you.   Please slow me down so that I can rest in your word.    Thank you Father.   Amen

June 17, 2016

This morning I began my daily power walk but almost talked myself out of it.   It was very hot and humid and I don't like to sweat!  But as I got to the end of the driveway and headed east a nice breeze picked up behind me and kind of pushed me along my route.  In spite of the heat it was an easy walk and I was even a bit ahead of my normal time and pace.   Smugly, I smiled thinking that I must really be getting fit.   Well, you know how God has a way of smacking you when you get a bit full of yourself?   Yep, He got a laugh out of me because when I got to the end of the road I always turn around and retrace my steps back to my home.   Well, this morning that breeze that pushed me all the way to the corner was still blowing when I headed back.   This time it was full in my face and made walking much more difficult with the added resistance.  Boy did I sweat!   In the midst of wipping sweat I came to the realization that my life is sometimes just like my walk today.    God so often gently pushes my ahead.   He gives me all the power and skills tht I need to move forward in His time and His way.    Sometimes, however, I push against God.   I resist His hand and try to move past Him and do things my way.    I make things so difficult for myself during those seasons.    Psalm 18:30 reminds us that "This God - His way is perfect, the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for those who take refuge in Him."  Friend let's stop resisting!      

June 16, 2016

Have you ever felt totally overwhelmed by life?   Have you ever been so nervous and upset by your circumstances that you think things will never again be calm?   I know that feeling.   I was in a season where there seemed to be turmoil at every turn.    It seemed that every aspect of my life; work, family, church, social, was one big drama.   Friend, I came to realize that I could do nothing about my malady by myself.    When I tried to take control and remedy my situation, things just got worse.   I Peter 5:7 reads, "casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."  Jesus is the only solution.   Jesus loves us so much that He wants to take the drama out of our lives so that we might be calm and peaceful.    And yes, Jesus can do that!   If we will only let Him!  Try it.  Take aa deep breath and give it to Jesus.    Don't you feel better already?   Thank you Jesus!    

June 15, 2016

"God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."  Romans 8:28  In what ways is God calling you to rely on Him?   In what areas of your life are you struggling against God and His promise to work things out with you?   I find myself at odds with God sometimes but realize from this scripture that it is because I am not working with Him, but rather working on my own agenda.  God has a plan for us and He wants to make it good for us.   If only we would partner with Him instead of resisting Him.  Please Sweet Jesus show me the way!    

June 14, 2016

2 Corinthians 5:17  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  I recently have come across this scripture in my study and it has been one that has stuck with me for several days as I ponder the truth in this Word of God.  I believe that we all can be that "new creation".   We only have to ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior and let him into our hearts.  Our old secular ways will diminish and we will become closer to what God intended each of us to be.    I think this scripture also points to the time when Jesus will return again and all of us will be walking with Him on the new earth.   Oh what a wonderful time to look forward to!    Oh how I desire to be made new in Jesus!   Thank you Jesus!  

June 13, 2016

Just got back from a prayer walk that our church sponsored in our little town and it was wonderful. There were specific stations along the trail where we were encouraged to stop and pray about specific things.   I went around 6 so the evening air was beginning to cool the day and all was quiet on the trail.   It was a perfect scenario to find quiet time with my Lord.  No one was close behind me so I did not feel  pressure to hurry along and I really gave my heart to Jesus during the walk.    On the way home I was pondering the experience and realized that I very seldom have given God the time and complete attention that I shared with him this evening on that trail.   It made me realize that I have probably missed many conversations with my Father because I do not make time to be in relationship with Him.  How about you?    When was the last time you gave God 45 minutes of your attention?  What was the result when you did?   My heart was at peace when I drove home from this experience because for this one evening I was totally in line with God.  Colossians 4:1 reminds us to "continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."    My challenge for you and for me is to give God steadfast attention through prayer all summer and see what changes occur in my world.   Thank you, God!  

June 12, 2016

The last several weeks have been very busy for my family.   We have had high school graduations, many birthdays, and today a wedding.   We have kids getting everything in order to go off to college and newlyweds starting a new life together.   Not to mention parents who are facing family dynamic changes as nests begin to empty.   Wow!   Change is sometimes difficult for me; especially when I have little control over that change.    I like to know how things are going to work out and be able to plan the steps and journey that the change will precipitate.    Ok.   I like to be in control. However, I have learned - and still am learning - that I am not really in control of anything.   I have reliquished that to our Father God.    Thank you God.    He is in charge totally and has my best interest at heart.    He knows what I need and how to get me where I need to be but I have to trust Him at every turn.    I have to believe that my God "has my back" and then let him have that control over my life.    That is the difficutl part!    My head knows that I just need to trust God but sometimes my heart says hmmmm....yea, but.....Hebrew 2:13  says "and again, I will put my trust in Him."   Father please give me the courage to do just that!

June 11, 2016

We just spent a wonderful evening with family at my grandson's Little League game.   It was the final tournament game and our team was vying for the championship title.   The boys played hard but the other team played just a bit harder and we ended up second when the evening was over.    The boys had a great season but it was a difficult loss as the official making the calls this evening was not always non partial.  This grammy believed that he made two or three calls that were just not correct.    Probably his bad calls did not totally determine the game but I can't help but think that bad calls create defeated feelings with the boys on the field.  And I know for certain that spectators are influenced in negative ways by questionable calls from the officials.   On the way home I was thinking about the umpire and why he made so many errors and I thought about our great God and how his judgement is always just and right.   We worship a God who never makes bad calls but always holds us to a high and mighty standard.   We must answer to him and be accountable for ourselves and our choices and actions and He will make the right call always to name our penalty and rewards.   Revelation 16:7  reads "And I heard the altar saying "Yes. Lord God the Almighty, true and jsut are your judgements."  And 1 Chronicles 16:14 tells us that He is the Lord our God; his judgements are in all the earth."   I need to heed this and make certain that my actions and words and thoughts are pleasing to the Lord!  What about you?  

June 10, 2016

Summer might be a good time to pick up a charitable volunteer job in your community or church.   Summer brings  a change of pace for many of us.   Children are home from school.   Parents work longer hours so that they might have an extra day off each week,   Children can sleep in a bit and have more idle time than they ever have during school.   But what do we do with all this free time?   I recommend finding a place and time to do something for somebody else.    Many times when we do for another, we are the ones that reap the benefit.   Have you ever completed a task for someone else and felt so fabulous after the fact?  God's desire is for us to take care of His people and we do so every time we help out another with no expectation of any recipication.   God just loves it when we do that!   2 Thessalonians 3:13 tells us to "not grow weary of doing good".   Maybe we should challenge ourselves to do something good for somebody else every week this summer.   I'll bet God would bless our socks off if we did!  

June 9, 2016

This evening my husband and I and three of our grandbabies sat out in the corner of the woods and had a fire in the fire ring and cooked hot dogs and smores and had a wonderful evening.  We so enjoyed the kids but all of us appreciated the nature aroudn us as well.  The frogs were singing and the cattle were playing in the lot.   All seemed serene and right in our world.   Then as dusk approached God grazced us with a beautiful sun set and we knew that all was indeed right in our world.   Thank you God!   Psalm 148: 7-10 (ESV)  "Praise the Lord from the earth you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire znd hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling His word!  Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and cedars!  Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds."      

June 8, 2016

What did you fill your mind up with yesterday?   What will you fill it up with today?   Sometimes I spend my "ponder time" in a worthy way.    Those days I am reading and thinking about scripture or reading something that broadens my mind.  Some days I fill my mind with pointless, silly stuff that just takes up my time.   It may not even be anything that is distasteful; but nonetheless it is a waste of time and brain power.   Phillipians 4:8 reads, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,  whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellance, if there is  anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  Hmm.    What will you think about today?

June 7, 2016

Psalm 111:  1-2 (ESV)  Praise the Lord!  I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.  Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.

This little piece of scripture is packed with learning moments for all  of us.    First, it commands us to praise the Lord.   We should sing of the great works of our Lord every moment of every day.   I too often forget to do that!   In my busy, hectic pace, I do not stop to experience the joy and beauty in my world, and thank God for it.  Lesson number one:   Praise God!   Second, it tells us to prasie God as a congregation.    Friends, God does not take the summer off (thank goodness!) -  and   neither should we.   We need to be with other believers to recharge and regroup.   Lesson number two:  keep doing church and small group.   Lastly, the Psalm directs us to study God's Word.   The scripture is one way that God can communicate with  us.   It is full of His wisdom and His desire for our lives.   We should be Bible readers on a regular basis so we can know God's Word and build realtionship with Him.   Lesson number three:  read the Bible.   Hmm.   Pretty simple and straightforward.  We better get busy!  

June 6, 2016

Prayer is a wonderful thing.  Prayer is the tool that God has given us so that we might have relationship wih Him through conversation.   I beleive that we should have continued prayer with God and that when we pray to Him we should do so boldly; expecting Him to respond.  God does respond.   Sometimes in ways that we do not understand or that are not what we expected.  Sometimes long after we have uttered the first cry.  But, God will always respond.   Last week our 30 plus year old pony died that all the grandkids have learned to ride on.   Currently the yougest, three year old, grandbaby had been riding our dear Victor.   He was so very old and simply developed congestive heart failure and we lost him.   Well let me tell you that finding a replacement pony that is trustworthy to put a three year  old on in one very tall order. We had friends from all over the state helping us on this hunt but had not found the right pony, Eailer this week I decided to talk to God about our predicament.   My prayer went somethign like, " God I know you are really busy dealing with really big issues but right now I am trying to find a really broke, really quiet pony for our sweet Zoey.  God I  know that this is not life or dealth, but it is important to our family and especailly to Zoey, so if you have a minute and could help me find the right one, I woud sure appreciat eyour help."   I smile now because I prayed that same prayer many times the last few days, and I might have even mentioned to God that Zoey was really torn up about losing the other pony and that it would really make her happy if we could just find a new pony.   I prayed that prayer to God believing that He heard my cry and that He cared and guess what today we found an almost perfect pony.  Friends, God even cares about little tiny girls and their little tiny ponies!   I won't take time now to give you all the sordid details, but suffice it to say that God's hand was all over this day and this new pony and I am beside myself with thansgiving to our God, who even has time for three year olds and ponies.   Thank you God!    Psalm 138:1-3 ESV reads like this.  :  I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise'; I bow down toward your holy temple abd give thanks to your name   for  your steadfst love andyour faithfulness.  for you have exalted above all things your name and your word."

June 5, 2016

Anticipation.    Have you ever been waiting for something that you think will never happen?   Have you anxiously watched the clock or marked the days off the calendar as that big event approached?  We sometimes do that as life changing moments are coming up.    Graduations, weddings, new births.  We count minutes and prepare furiously as we wait for the time to pass so we can get on with the big event.   How much more exctied should we be about the coming of our Messiah?   Scripture tells us that no one knows the time of Christ's return but in Revelation Jesus says "I am coming soon.  Hold fast what you have so that no one may seize your crown."  (Rev 3:11 ESV).  He is talking to the church at Philadelphia and is pleased with the the way they have done His will and waited patiently for His return.   I want to be counted with that church.   What about you?    

June 4, 2016

I have so many reasons in my life to praise our Heavenly Father.   I am blessed beyond measure.    I look about me and see the hand of our Lord in so many aspects of my world and I say Thank you Jesus!  The Psalmist put it this way:  " Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's".  (Psalm 103:2-5)  ESV.  Wow.   This scripture is so very personal.  Do you feel the power of God is your life?   Beloved, I hope so because it is very real and very personal.    Claim these promises for your own and then sit back and just see what God will do in your life.  Hang on!  You will be in for a blessed ride!    

June 3, 2016

We are doing a summer Bible study about faith.   I have just completed week one and my whole mind set has shifted.   When I began the study I thought that faith was simple and you either had it or you did not.   Already I have realized that faith is a very complicated matter.   Sometimes I have great faith and sometimes I have very little.   I am not sure why I believe that God can handle some areas of my life totally while other things I feel that I must take care of for Him.   The other revelation I had this week is that I put my faith in many things besides my Lord.    Hmmm.    That was a bit painful to discover.    How about you?   Do you have faith in your vehichle?   Do you just assume that it will start and get you from place to place?    How about electricity?   God asks us to put all our faith on Him and Him alone.    I am learning to do that and have devoted the summer to growing up my faith.   Want to ride along?   How big is your faith today?   Or how small?    God will take our tiny little faith and use it in big ways....if we will let Him!   Matthew 17: 20 reads "He said to them, "Because of your little faith.  For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this moutain, move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."  (ESV)

June 2, 2016

I just got home from a late night summer Little League game.  The boys took the field at 7:45pm as the evning air began to cool.  Fans cheered as the bat made contact with the ball.  Younger siblings playd on the playground as adults encouraged their favorite team.   What a great evening!  I had to smile and thank God for our community and our grandkids.   God is so good to me to put me in this place at this time.   Then, as we were leaving for our short drive home, God blessed me again.  He filled the western sky with the most beautiful shades of pink, purple, and orange.   It was as if God was saying to me, "You thought the ball game was good!"  How could I not praise our Lord!   Nehemiah 9:6 reads "You are the Lord, you alone.  You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you."  (ESV)  ans so do I!!   Thank you God!

June 1, 2016

Finally, summer has arrived!  Summer is a time when many of us change the pace of our lives just a bit.   We spend more time outside.   We travel with family and friends to vacation destinations.   Our kiddos don't have the busy school schedule and can maybe sleep in a bit.   The park pools get crowded and the ice cream shops get busy.   Oh, thank you, Lord, for summer!   You probably have some special plans for this summer.    Maybe you are going to paint that porch furniture or clean out the flower beds.   Maybe summer finds you with some cherished free time on your hands.    I would like to challenge all of us to take this summer and fill it up with the voice of God.   When was the last time you heard His voice?   Do you listen for it?   Would you recognize it?  Hmmm.   Tough questions that I am not sure I really want to answer for myself.  

John 10:27-28 reads, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;  neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."  What a wonderful thing that we can know the voice of the Lord!   Friends, let's find time this summer to stop and listen to what God has to say.   It might just be our best summer yet!