Sun-Shiny Day

Yesterday was a “stormy” day for me.  It was like the challenges I am facing were so huge and I couldn’t see over or past them – they were just overtaking me through the storm.  Although nothing has changed today in relation to what the problems are, today it’s like the storm has passed (amazing what fighting and keeping your eye on the Lord and in His Word can accomplish in our hearts by His grace and mercy!).  I was reminded of the 1st verse of the song: I Can See Clearly Now -- because it’s like I can see now the issues in perspective and they have become smaller (or I have become "bigger" in Christ making them look smaller) – now seeing “all obstacles in my way” and the “dark clouds that had me blind” are removed – and the bright Sun-Shiny Day is here. 

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

I really desire to “get” to the second verse and bridge, tho... 

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin’ for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

Look all around, there’s nothin’ but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin’ but blue skies

Because although I see things in perspective, the pain and bad feelings are not gone. Looking all around I don’t see “nothin’ but blue skies” – But I know that the Lord is faithful in all that is going on and definitely when my vision is focused forward to Him and trusting Him and clinging to Him that when I “Look straight ahead [toward the hope of heaven there’s], nothin’ but blue skies” in that direction and that gives me hope!!  Romans 5:3-5  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

Yay!

I love this picture. It reminds me of what Joy is.  It's like the rain can still be here, but it also can be a bright Sun-Shiny Day and the rain no longer seems overwhelming but a faithful reminder that God is at work...

Fall on Jesus

---

As you know I have 4 daughters ages 11-17. Hormones rage here. Today, not unlike every other day, is a day of breaking up arguments and petty disputes. It gets all too wearisome.

I'm tempted to yell. I'm tempted to cry. I'm tempted to lock myself in my room. I'm tempted to give in to my weariness of it all. "Not another day of this, Lord; I just can't take it!"

Last night a song popped into my head. Come to Jesus by Chris Rice.
Weak and wounded sinner,
Lost and left to die,
O, raise your head for Love is passing by,

Come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus and live,

Now your burden's lifted,
And carried far away,
And precious blood has washed away the stain... so

Sing to Jesus ,
Sing to Jesus ,
Sing to Jesus and live,

And like a newborn baby,
Don't be afraid to crawl,
And remember when you walk sometimes we fall... so

Fall on Jesus,
Fall on Jesus,
Fall on Jesus and live,

Sometimes the way is lonely,
And steep and filled with pain,
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain... then

Cry to Jesus,
Cry to Jesus,
Cry to Jesus and live,

O, and when the love splills over,
And music fills the night,
And when you can't contain you joy inside... then

Dance for Jesus,
Dance for Jesus,
Dance for Jesus and live,

And with your final heartbeat,
Kiss the world goodbye,
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side... and

Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus and live,

Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus and live

Although this song seems to be reaching out to the unbeliever or the progression of a new believer, I tell you, it ministers to me so -- just a reminder that where I need to run first is to the cross of Christ -- or "fall on Jesus" as the song urges us.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Run for repentance; run for forgiveness; run for refreshing in a weary moment.

As my pastor says, "If we think wrong we cannot live right." Our battles are much more than outward mothering struggles, they are an inward war in our minds. We need to lay aside the "deeds of darkness" (Rom 13:10-14) and put on the "Light". The key to this putting off and putting on is the renewing of our minds (Eph 4:17-24) through prayer and the meditation and memorization of God's word.

Galatians 6:9 reminds us:And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Now that's a promise!!

Are you falling on Jesus?