many miracles amid the not so mundane came together; they came together as we watched, wishing to witness a miracle — we waited, we held our breath (while they swam underwater through dark, tight channels) we prayed for a miracle times thirteen and the miracle came to pass with the rescue of the twelve soccer players and their coach. Against all odds, against all current circumstances to the contrary, the thirteen were brought out of the cave alive.  I was captivated along with the rest of the world, as we watched and waited for each new development to unfold.  These boys; our sons, our brothers, our nephews, our neighbors; we all held them in our hearts as we watched their story play out before us.

and the story is not over by any means, the boys are in a hospital recovering from their time in the darkness of the cave, while the world exhales in relief and celebrates the many miracles that had to happen in order to make this rescue mission a success.  The news used the phrase “from mission impossible to mission accomplished.”  Will we ever know all the untold stories that went on behind the scenes while we watched from the outside looking in?

Members of the rescue team were asked, “science or a miracle?”  But the two are not mutually exclusive.  Science over the centuries has always shown us the many miracles inherent in creation, just waiting for us to discover them so that we might learn what they reveal about our Creator.  The story of this miraculous rescue is made up of many miracles, each contributing to the final outcome of a successful rescue from the cave.

The first of many miracles occurred when British divers found the thirteen alive in the flooded cave nine days after they had gone missing.  Their search had come to a happy end in finding the soccer players and their coach alive after nine days, but the end of the search was the beginning of the rescue mission which followed. One miracle was not enough, many more would be needed in the days to come.

So the world continued to wait and to watch; and while the world was watching, engineers, divers, doctors, and many other rescue workers from multiple countries, worked round the clock and against the clock, as oxygen in the cave ran low and the monsoon rains approached.  It was a miracle the boys were found, it was a miracle they were all still alive, it would take a miracle to get them all out in time.  The clock was ticking, the rains were coming.

People from many countries came together, worked together, to accomplish the tasks that needed to happen in order to get everyone out of that cave successfully. Each person brought a different skill set to the table, each one needed in order for the rescue mission to have a good outcome.  We were witnessing God’s mercy and love in action even if we did not recognize it at the time or call it what it was.

Because a miracle by any other name is still a miracle.  Calling it coincidence does not explain away what is inexplicable through human effort and circumstances alone.  “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ ”  (Matthew 19:26)

The conditions in the cave presented the divers and other rescue personnel working in the cave to reroute the water and widen the escape route, with impossible obstacles;  “but with God . . . ”    and so we held our breath, prayed, watched and waited . . .   until the miracle was complete

and if we still weren’t convinced of the miracle we had just witnessed, what happened next should leave no doubt.  Within an hour of the last four boys and their coach being evacuated from the cave, the main water pump, which had been pumping millions of gallons of water for days in order to decrease the water levels in the cave, FAILED and the cave began flooding immediately.  Some Thai navy members and support teams, who were still in there, clearing out the cave, barely made it out in time, leaving behind some three-hundred oxygen tanks.

I’m certain in that moment when the pump stopped working, those involved in the rescue realized all too clearly what the outcome would have been if they hadn’t been able to evacuate everyone when they did.  Yet another evidence of God’s miraculous, undeserved mercy toward us all.

There is a book in the Bible, Esther, that tells a story but never mentions God by name at all.  Yet God is the main character of that story.  God is behind the scenes in Esther’s story, orchestrating all the events that take place, for the protection and the good of His people.  God is not absent, nor is He silent.

God is also the main character of our current cave rescue story, even though He is never mentioned by name.  While we were watching the story of the soccer players in the flooded cave unfold, we were watching simultaneously our Heavenly Father at work in every detail of the rescue operation.  He was present in the thousands of details that had to come together at the right time in the right way for the rescue effort to be successful. Truly, we were witness to a miracle story; a story comprised of miracle after miracle (not coincidence after coincidence) from beginning to end.

“Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Where can I flee from Your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, You are there;  if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.  If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You.”   (Psalm 139:7-12)

“Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.”  (Micah 7:8b)

yes, even in the darkness of a flooded cave . . .  God is there

sincerely,       Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know gravity is important and all but I’ve been thinking that at this stage of my life I could do with a little less gravity.  I could do with more of a “lift” than of a pulling down or of a holding in place.  (actually holding in place would be just fine, it’s the pulling parts down that becomes a problem)  And gravity doesn’t discriminate at all!  Gravity pulls everything down in equal measure.  I wouldn’t mind one bit if gravity discriminated against me, just a little, passing me by, ignoring me, giving me the cold shoulder.

But gravity is no respecter of persons and she even goes out of her way to work in opposition to any fitness training I might attempt, cancelling out any result I might hope to achieve.  So is it gravity holding me together?  If so, she is falling down on the job, so to speak  (pun intended)

But Acts 17:28 tells me, “For in Him we live and move and have our being.”  And Colossians 1:17 lets me know, “He (Christ) is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

My Heavenly Father is holding me, holding me together, holding everything and everyone around me together.  Gravity may be keeping my feet on the ground (guess I should be grateful even though in order to accomplish that she’s pulling other parts of me down as well) but gravity doesn’t keep my spirit from soaring free, free of her pull, free of the weight of the world.

“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.”  (Isaiah 40:31)

sincerely,     Grace Day

 

 

the quest continues . . .   so treasure isn’t found at my garage sale — but where? where do we look?  where will we find it?  well, that’s the thing, we search in all kinds of places and in all kinds of ways.  But until we know what treasure truly is, how will we recognize it when we finally encounter it?  thing is, we attempt to define treasure for ourselves, using maybe one of three standards: what is of value to us or what is of value to others or what the current market tell us is of value.

But maybe the measure of a treasure is found in what we are willing to sacrifice for it?   consider —

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field where a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”  (Matthew 13:44-46)

So treasure, when we find it, is worth giving up all we possess, if that’s what it takes, in order to lay hold of the treasure.  Paul says in Philippians 3:7-9, “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, . . . ”

There is a story told, however, in three of the gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke, of a rich young ruler who did not share Paul’s perspective on the value of the treasure of knowing and belonging to Jesus Christ.  We read about him in Mark 10:17-22;  “As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’  . . . Jesus looked at him and loved him.  ‘One thing you lack,’ He said.  ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.’  At this the man’s face fell.  He went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

He wasn’t willing to pay the price to purchase the treasure.  We are all on a treasure hunt, whether we admit to it or not.  We are all in search of something, eternal life, like the rich young ruler, or if not, maybe just meaning and purpose in this life now.  Either way, when we find the treasure, (assuming we recognize it when we encounter it) like the man in the field or the merchant looking for pearls, a decision must be made, an action must be taken.  Both of these men acted swiftly and decisively when they encountered their treasures.

Are we willing to do the same?  What is worth the sacrifice?  What is “the pearl of great price” to you, dear reader?  “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  (John 15:13)  The world just witnessed this selfless act as a rescue diver gave his life attempting to save the lives of the thirteen trapped in the Thailand cave.  Jesus said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:35)

The ultimate sacrifice, Jesus on the cross for me and for you, for each and everyone.  Jesus paid our price so that we could receive the treasure for free.  “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.”  (Romans 8:11)  that’s the treasure in jars of clay (us), remember?  Paul considered everything else rubbish, compared to the treasure of knowing Jesus.

Jesus did not ask of the rich young ruler anything that our Heavenly Father has not already done for us.  consider this, ” . . . If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all — how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”  (Romans 8:31-32)

My treasure hunt has long since ended, the treasure that I sought, that I longed for,  I now carry within me.  “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body , I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  (Galatians 2:20)

sincerely,     Grace Day

 

arises out of yesterday’s post, “an observation”, which begs the question; have I been treasuring my trash?  have I been treating my junk as if it were treasure? and worse yet, have I treated my true treasures as if they were trash?  have I taken care of my possessions and not cared for my people, the people in my life? (okay, so this is more than one query but inquiring minds need to actually inquire from time to time, and the time has come)

so it has come to this, has it?  I treasure my trash and trash my treasure?  no wonder I was asking myself this very question only a few days ago as I put my “items” out for the neighborhood yard sale, “treasure or trash?”  Do I even know the difference?  Maybe I should learn to tell the difference, establish some criteria.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  (2 Corinthians 4:18)

okay, that’s pretty clear, eternal trumps temporal every time.  what else?  “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  (Colossians 2:2-3)

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”  (2 Corinthians 4:7)    I am/we are the jars of clay in this scenario with the treasure being Christ Himself in the Holy Spirit,  “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  (Colossians 1:27)

so,  the treasures are in Christ and Christ is in me, (and you)  I am already rich beyond measure!  (and so are you, dear readers)  thank you Heavenly Father,

sincerely,     Grace Day

I stand corrected;  apparently one woman’s junk is sometimes just that:  one woman’s junk and not anyone else’s treasure.  this reality was revealed to me as a result of yesterday’s garage sale; where based on sales, or more accurately the lack of sales, I was forced to conclude that my junk is actually, really, truly just that — junk.  I’ve been fooling myself, but no one else was fooled.  or maybe shoppers are searching for a different kind of treasure nowadays?  treasure that doesn’t require them to build bigger barns or to acquire more storage units. maybe shoppers are starting to store their treasures in heaven (see previous post for full disclosure) so they have no need of my “stuff”.

“Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.  She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare  with her.”  (Isaiah 3:13-15)

sincerely,         Grace Day

 

this is the question I asked myself this morning as I put various items out in my driveway along with my neighbors.  Yes, this is the question and we are all searching for the answer as we deal daily with our overabundance, which we fondly call our clutter.  We get quite creative in dealing with our treasure/trash problem, we build bigger barns, so to speak.  Only we don’t call them barns, we call them storage units and we pay money monthly for them.  Or we call them sheds and put them in our backyards.  (I guess shed sounds so much smaller than barn, so we don’t have to admit the extent of our clutter.  I hear there is even a “she shed” now.  I didn’t know clutter had a gender?)  We buy closet organizers and we hire professional closet organizer people, who make their living organizing our stuff for us.

The age old saying “one man’s (woman’s) junk is another man’s (woman’s) treasure must be true because it has spawned and it sustains an entire pastime/ industry known as the garage sale or yard sale.  There are those who have such sales and there are those of us who spend our leisure time searching for and going to such sales in our never ending quest for that undiscovered treasure which awaits us or for that bargain of a lifetime to be had by simply using our superior bartering skills.

Treasure hunters and bargain seekers alike share the challenge of the quest as they go from garage sale to garage sale.  There seems to be a never ending supply of “clutter” in our lives, so the garage sale industry continues to thrive.  One person’s cast off is another person’s coveted keepsake and so the cycle continues. In other countries bartering is a part of the shopping experience. Here garage sales provide us with the opportunity to barter, something denied us by our own American retail system.

We even classify our clutter, maybe in an effort to bring order into the chaos?  We often call our clutter “collectibles”, thereby assigning value to our things and providing a rationale for our intentionality in continuing to collect various things. These “collectibles” can be anything we decide is worth collecting; coins, stamps, figurines, books, beanie babies, Barbies, model cars, real cars —  if it exists, we can collect it.  Caring for our collectibles can keep us busy; as our collectibles began their job of “collecting” dust, we began our job of keeping them clean.

So trash or treasure?  how do I decide?  something that has great value to me might be worthless in another’s estimation.  Some items are attached to a favorite memory I have.  Some things are my connection to a person who is no longer with me.  These things are what I have left of them, making me unwilling to part with anything that connects me to my past.  As my past increases, so does my clutter.  I accumulate things along the way.  This rolling stone does gather moss (or in this case stuff, whether trash or treasure, as yet to be determined)  So what is my response? Do I build a bigger barn?

That is exactly what a certain rich man in one of Jesus’ parables did.  “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do.  I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.’  And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years.  Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ ”   (Luke 12:18-19)  But according to the parable, that very night the man’s life was taken from him.  Which begs the question posed in Mark 8:36, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

So maybe bigger barns (or storage units) aren’t the answer after all?  But what is? I found some good advice in Matthew 6:25, 32-34.  “Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? . . .  and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

The ultimate solution to my accumulated treasure/trash problem I find in Matthew 6:19, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I don’t know about you, dear readers, but I sure hate to think of my heart abiding in a storage unit, a backyard shed, a basement, an attic, a closet, a bank vault, a stock portfolio or a shopping mall; held captive by my own greed or my own fear of being without.  I want my heart to be soaring free, held securely in my Heavenly Father’s hands.  (yes, both those things can occur simultaneously, they are not mutually exclusive as a literal interpretation of the words would suggest)

Belongings can become a burden, but clearing the clutter from my house and from my heart sets me free to live and to serve, unencumbered by those things that would weigh me down and hold me back.  With my trash gone and my treasure moved to heaven, I am free to run life’s race.

” . . .  let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith . . . ”

sincerely,      Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

today I was the answer; as opposed to the problem, the plea or the question, which is more often the case; but not today.  Today was trash day and it was early; these are the facts of the matter.  I had played my usual game of “beat the trash truck” and won, (my trash was out and the truck was no where in sight) I set out on my morning walk through the neighborhood.  I like walking at this time when the sun is not fully up and the people are not fully out.  It is quiet.  I get lost in my own thoughts.

Which is why I probably didn’t hear her calling my name at first.  She was across the street and almost hidden behind the large blue trash bin on wheels, no wonder I hadn’t noticed her, the trash bin is taller than she is.  She asked me to help her lift a large grey trash bin full to the top of yard and tree trimmings into the waiting blue trash bin on wheels. (and I thought I was up early, she had been working in her yard all this time, I mean how long must it take to fill one of these things up?)

Now this was no easy task considering her size and mine; kind of like the blind leading the blind.  I am small, not someone you would call in when you needed “muscle”  (but remember there was no one else around at this time) and I tower over this neighbor in need.  Surprisingly, we succeeded at our task in only a short time (she too, was playing the weekly game of “beat the trash truck”) and I was ready to continue my walk.

It was then she said these words to me, “You were an answer to my prayer, I was telling God I can’t do this, I need someone to help me.”  I can’t really describe the quiet joy that filled my heart at that moment.  I understood completely what she meant, because so often various, kind people (known and unknown) are the answers to my prayers. God always sends them at just the right time.  But at this moment I was allowed the sacred privilege of being the answer to her prayer.

I really love being “the answer” for someone else, for anyone else.  I can’t think of anything more affirming than being used by my Heavenly Father.  This was seemingly such a small service that I rendered her but her words showed that she saw God’s hand in it.  I am always looking to see God at work in the really big things of my life and of the lives of those I love.  But experiencing God in the details of my daily life is so profoundly and simultaneously comforting and thrilling that it takes me by surprise every time, filling me with awe and gratitude to God all over again.

Who am I that God would use me?  and yet He does!  I guess my prayer is that I would more often be the answer to someone’s prayer than I would ever be the cause of their need for prayer.  May I never be too busy or too blind to see God in the mundane moments of my life, this life He’s graciously given me.  What if I had foolishly thought myself too busy to cross the street and help my neighbor this morning?  I would have missed not only the opportunity to do good to someone who needed my help, I would have missed God’s revelation of Himself to me in that ordinary moment of being His hands and His feet to someone He loves.

For it is in those unexpected moments of suspending my own agenda to meet another’s need that I experience God’s presence in such a personal and powerful way, that the moment lingers, leaving me longing for more clear glimpses of my God at work behind the scenes.  Nevertheless, I continued my walk (by faith) this morning, feet on the ground, heart soaring, praising God and thanking Him that for that briefest of moments I could be His answer to someone else’s prayer.  I can’t imagine any higher calling or joy in life than this.

“From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land , a man to fulfill My purpose.  What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.”  (Isaiah 46:11)

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ ”  (Matthew 25:40)

sincerely,           Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

a fully dressed swim instructor (or one wearing water wings)

your fitness trainer smoking a cigarette during your workout session

your nutritionist offers you a doughnut, cotton candy or a soda

you catch your financial planner counting on his/her fingers

the person who comes to organize your closets drops her rather large purse, spilling contents from several decades and genres everywhere or

said organizer can’t find her phone in her aforementioned large purse

your tour guide arrives late, (map in hand) because he/she could not find the predetermined meeting spot where the tour is to start

thunder while you are setting up for an outdoor event

a long line at the store with a chatty cashier

any sentence that begins with, “mom/dad, I didn’t mean to and it wasn’t my fault”

or “my teacher wants to meet with you” or  “guess what I signed you up for” or

the words, “some assembly required” or “due to unforeseen circumstances” or

“may be hazardous to your health” or “this is only temporary, but . . . ” or

the words, “lane closures, expect delays up ahead” or the words

“consult your physician before beginning this or any exercise program” or

“results may vary” or “we need to talk” or “beware of dog” or the words

“no lifeguard on duty, swim at your own risk” or (my favorite)

“falling rock zone, proceed with caution”  ( just how cautious do you need to be when falling rocks, ie. boulders are involved?)  or

“freeway ends”  (bail out now)

all these should be clues if you will, a heads up, a red flag, a warning that all may not go as planned or expected.  But do we heed them?  Do we even read the fine print on most things? (I know I don’t or I’d never get anything else done) because pretty much everything comes with a warning now; even clothes, “wash before wearing, colors may bleed, shrinkage may occur” (none of that bodes well; when will the colors cease to bleed? should I buy a size too big to allow for the predicted, possible shrinkage? and I already have to wash my dirty clothes, now I have to wash my brand new, never been worn clothes as well?)  As if shopping weren’t difficult enough already.

so I am constantly confronted by things that don’t exactly bode well, words and warnings surround me at every turn. But which ones do I really need to heed. The Bible has some practical advice about signs and warnings.  “He (Jesus) told them this parable; ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees.  When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.  Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near’.”  (Luke 21:29-31)

Jesus also said in Matthew 7:16-20, “By their fruit you will recognize them.  Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  . . . Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

I have learned which road signs don’t bode well for me (road closed, detour ahead) when I am driving and I can learn to recognize God’s signs as well.  He is usually pretty clear.  For example, in 1 John 4:20-21 I read, “If anyone says, ‘I love God’, yet hates his brother, he is a liar.  For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  And He has given us this command:  Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

So there are things I can know by observing the signs, whether they bode for good or for the not so good.  Either way, I can proceed with confidence because my God knows the end from the beginning and He goes before me and with me; even through the falling rock zone that I sometimes must travel.  When things don’t bode well, I can still walk forward in faith, unafraid, because all God’s promises bode well for me.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”  (Psalm 23:4)

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; . . . when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; . . . Do not be afraid, for I am with you;” (Isaiah 43:2,5)

“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.”  (Isaiah 46:10)

” ‘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.’ ”  (Jeremiah 29:11)

sincerely,         Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ten little girls, I know each one by name;  ten little girls and my life is not the same-

ten little girls, I know each voice and smile; with ten little girls, I spent a precious while.

I hugged each head, I held each hand; prayed with each one God’s perfect plan.

We slid on a slide, we sang songs of praise; we heard Bible stories and learned God’s ways–

we broke bread together and shared our broken stories, I went with you to where you live and watched you tell God’s glories–

to others hungry to know God’s care, it was a joy to watch you share.

ten little girls, I hear your laughter clearly, and feel your hugs and find your tears upon my heart so dearly–

ten little girls, I know you each by name; and because I do, my life is not the same–

ten little girls, with spaces in my heart; I carry you around, no matter we’re apart-

because I know your name, you are with me every day; because I know your name it is for you I pray–

because I know your name, my life is not my own; because I know your name when I’m with you I am home.

because I know your name, I will always see your face;  because God knows your name, He gives to you His grace.

because I know your name, you’re forever a part of me; because God knows your name, He calls you family–

because God knows your name, He sent Jesus to pay your price; because God knows your name, you will be with Him in paradise.

because I know your name, I will always hold you dearly;  because God knows your name He will always see you clearly.

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.”  (Isaiah 49:16)

“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” (Psalm 147:4)

“But now, this is what the Lord says–He who created you,  . . .  Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.”  (Isaiah 43:1)

“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”  (Job 23:10)

yes, my ten little girls; the God who calls every star by name knows your name too. and you can be sure that because He knows your name, He also sees you and because He sees you, He watches over your coming and your going.  Your Heavenly Father sees you, hears you and loves you.  The Bible says so!

sincerely,    Grace Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

” . . . I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple.”  (Isaiah 6:)

” It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.  Even angels long to look into these things.”  (1 Peter 1:12)

God’s throne room may start in heaven but I feel like its’ outskirts are here on earth in the many places where people gather to worship Him and praise His name, because the train of His robe extends to earth and fills His temples, anyplace where His name is being lifted up; lifting Him up in song is part of heaven here on earth.  We enter into His throne room and into His courts with praise.

I went to the throne room today, how I wished that I might stay;  it was the music drew me there, songs of God’s praise filled the air.

but the voices were not of angels’ ringing, these were earthly voices singing; their words my tongue had never known, still I knew that I was home;

my heart knew every note and song, as I joined in with this earthly throng,  their perfect harmonies rose in praise,  offered up to the Ancient of Days.

of such things the angels cannot sing, this chorus belongs to the Lamb’s redeemed-

ours are the souls once lost, now found; ours are the bodies still earthly bound.

ours, the blind eyes now with sight, brought from darkness into light.

we, the purchased with Jesus blood;  we, the delivered from Noah’s flood.

we, with broken hearts now healed, sing our praise, our spirits yield,

yes, I went to God’s throne room today, was their singing showed me the way; I joined the earthly voices worshiping with heavenly sound, surrounded by such harmonies as no where else are found.  Zambian drum beats filled the air, their chorus swelled beyond compare, carrying me to His very throne, heaven on earth the music makes known.

“Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”   (Exodus 40:34)

” . . . for the glory of the Lord filled His temple.”  (1 Kings 8:11)

sincerely,          Grace Day