Fire of Heaven

"At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne." ~ Revelation 4:2-3

Have you ever seen a jasper or carnelian stone? I did not know or remember what those stones looked like, so I decided to Google images of "jasper the rock" and "carnelian the rock." What I saw connected dots previously isolated.

Jasper is a red stone, and Carnelian is a combination of reds, oranges and yellows--the colors of fire.

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" ~ Hebrews 12:29


Dig Deeper: Read Exodus 24:17; Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3; Psalm 97:3; Isaiah 33:14 and 2 Thessalonians 1:7 in their contexts.

Simple Delights: Father scares away hiccups

After I left the house and started down a side road, I realized I had the hiccups, and I wished I’d gotten a drink before heading out to pay rent. Continuing on, I tried to get rid of the hiccups by swallowing and breathing deeply, but most of the time, the only way I get rid of hiccups is by getting a drink.

As I turned a corner, three dogs dashed up behind me—growling and barking, and I jumped, not knowing what they might do. Afterwards, when I calmed down, I thought about my hiccups, waited and realized they were gone. Realizing how the dogs scaring me had chased away the hiccups, I remembered my Dad.

As a child, whenever any of us four children had the hiccups and he happened to be around, he would generally suggest scaring them away and sometimes he would try. :) Thinking of my Dad scaring away hiccups brought to mind how my heavenly Father is always watching, and I smiled, then laughed, as I pictured my heavenly Father sending those dogs to scare away my hiccups! :)

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” ~ Matthew 10:29-31

A Concert of Praise

Lights dimmed in the sanctuary.

A guitar player strummed a tune
As a drummer beat a rhythm.

Singers lined the front of the stage.

A melody began the evening
As a harmony blended together.

Words filled the background screen.

A quietness infiltrated the audience
As a soundness penetrated the room.

Truths soaked hearts and minds.

A shadow invited restfulness
As a vision set forth hope.

A Tender Heart

"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." ~ Hebrews 3:12-13

Whatever you have experienced or are feeling today, remember: He is with you. Whether you created your present situation or someone else did, He is in control, and He cares. Suffering, pain and hurt are real. The sting does not leave quickly or easily. Yet, when given to the Healer, the suffering, pain and hurt are able to be transformed into beauty beyond description because of the nature of the Creator. Turn to Him. He is waiting for you. He is calling to you. He has engraved your name on the palm of His hand. He will never leave you nor forsake you, dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

A Look of Gratitude

A lady on the side of the road,
We pass by in an auto.

Stopping for an intersection,
I pull a coin out of my pocket.

As she comes to the side,
I place the coin in her hand.

Such a look of gratitude
I cannot explain.

A Song in the Night

Written by Kaelyn Pfenning

When darkness comes
And evil threatens,

He is the song in the night.

When demons come knocking
And the mind starts screaming,

He is the song in the night.

Your Spirit floods my thoughts;
Your truth is held aloft;

You are my song in the night.

You carry me through evil;
You trample on the devil;

You are my song in the night.

"I said, 'Let me remember my song in the night;
    let me meditate in my heart.'
    Then my spirit made a diligent search:"

~ Psalm 77:6

Pitcher Prayer

May I be a pitcher,

Which the Lord fills up

To overflow to the world

His love, joy, peace,

Patience, kindness,

Goodness, faithfulness,

Gentleness and self-control.

Amen.

“May the Lord make your love increase

And overflow for each other

And for everyone else,

Just as ours does for you.

May he strengthen your hearts

So that you will be blameless and holy

In the presence of our God and Father

When our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”

~ 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 ~

Of the Great King and His servants

A war has been waged
Since the beginning of time,
And the Great King,
Who is seated on high,
Has sent His servants
To help rescue those
Held captive by the enemy,
Who seeks to usurp the
Great King's throne.

A battle has been launched
In the course of history,
And the Great King,
Who reigns from above,
Has opened doors
Long shut by the arm
Of the attacker,
Who hates to see the
Victories of the Great King.

A soldier has been wounded
During the heat of the battle,
And the Great King,
Who is the great Healer,
Has reached down
To lift up the injured
From the pit,
Where the serpent
Cowers from the Great King.

A call has been sounded
From the front lines,
And the Great King,
Who sees all things,
Has heard the cry
Of His faithful servants
In the midst of the battle
With the accuser,
Who must answer to the
Great King.