Thought and Things

God bless you ~ enjoy the musings and send me your thoughts and comments ~ Sally

Email comments to: sallysscene@yahoo.com  

But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a spirit"; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, "Be of good cheer. It is I; be not afraid."And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water."And He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, "Lord, save me!"And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him and said unto him, "O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?"And when they had come into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "In truth Thou art the Son of God."   (Matthew 14:24-31 KJ21)

Monday November 22, 2010

I've been thinking a lot about getting out of the boat since our pastor has given several very good sermons based on doing just that. My church home is about to "come down out of the boat," to step out of our safe places and into some new places where our faith will be stretched and tested.

It's not my favorite thing to be on the ocean in a boat, but it is my husband's favorite place to be. So once in a while I've braved-up and gone with him. Yes, it is beautiful and fun lay out on the bow to watch dolphin swim beside the boat. But it's just that it's so huge out there. Puts me in awe of Peter, in the midst of a "sea tossed by the waves" and a wind that was contrary. But Peter? He says, if it's really you, then ask me to come to you on the water, Lord. And Jesus said a single word to him. "Come."

Would I have enough faith to get out of that boat and belief enough to walk on water, even for a moment? Would you?

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Held

Rolls in the great unending tide

moon-tugged

Rolls on the rain-bruised cloud

wind-tossed

Rolls over the desert tumbleweed

gravity-gripped

And what O Lord of man

Tugged tossed yet gripped in

Love revealed

Held in Power unconcealed

O Lord, my God

You are

I AM

Sally Chambers

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Saturday June 19, 2010

The Captured Heart

Flitting about as an enamoured butterfly--my errant thoughts skip. Lord please help me to rein in my mind--to stay with You in meditation. Capture my willful heart and bring it to your own in sweet admonition. Childlike it is distracted by the loveliness of Your creation--curious and awestruck by Your handiwork. My heart’s hand is held up to You in humility and the knowing that You never, ever, fail to smile and pull me dearly back in to our communion.

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Wednesday -- January 27, 2010

Anoointed Transformed Redeemed A Study of David What a fantastic title for the Bible study I'm in the midst of attending!

Today in our small group, the old book called The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, was mentioned. Priscilla Shirer, the instructor for the section we're in now, wrote in the workbook that someone had suggested she read it. "I devoured it," she said.

Several of us in the group had read it and it was a wonderful reminder to me of just how much "Lord of all the pots and pans..." meant to me when I was young and had a young, growing family.  Sharing with the group how I'd be down on my hands and knees cleaning up yet another spill and because of that reminder, could say, "And while I am down here, Lord, thank you for being down here with me..." It means just as much to me today, to help in practicing prayer and remembering the fact that God is always present.

Brother Lawrence's words, from God's heart to his, are priceless.

Thursday -- July 9, 2009

The Sweetening Tree

A little meditating today, with thoughts involving sweetening and trees. In Exodus 15, Moses led the Israelites from the Red Sea into the Desert of Shur. For three days they didn't find water, and when they did, it was not drinkable, but bitter, and the people were not happy with Moses. The Bible says they grumbled.

Moses cried out to the LORD for help. He paid attention and trusted when the LORD showed him a piece of wood--he threw it into the water. The LORD made the water sweet with the presence of the wood--the wood of a tree that held sweetness. Sweet, drinkable, life-giving water waited for those the Lord chose, loved, and cared for.

Then the LORD gave the people a decree and a law and he tested them, saying to them, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."

The people apparently listened and obeyed, for when they moved on as the Lord led them, they came to a place called Elim. In Elim there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees and the Israelites camped near the springs. What a refreshment of blessing for them and what wondrous promises God gives.

Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." Revel in the sweetness of his love for you, take hope in the fact that he sweetens our sometimes bitter pools with His joy and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Psalmist says, "The LORD is a shelter right by your side."

Listen, obey, believe, and be blessed.

Monday -- February 16, 2009

And twelve days after the last entry, on December 11th, my brother-in-law was found at home, but no longer sick and suffering and miserable and depressed as he had been. Safe in the Lord's arms, he has the joy he was recently and desperately longing for.

It hasn't been easy for any of us who loved him. It won't be for a long time. So these few words are in memory of Rock.

Just four years older than my husband and me, I'd known him since our teen years. I can describe his life as intense and tumultuous. He was a brilliant man, who made and lost fortunes. He loved the sea and all that is in it, living near it as much as he could. In the last several years, he did his best to mend fences with family and gave his life to the Lord, and I am, and his extended family are thankful...for Rock and for his life.

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Sunday -- November 30, 2008

Today is the first Advent Sunday, marking the days before our Savior's birthday. Tomorrow brings the first day of December. The 21st is the first day of winter. A sense of excitement seems to permeate the atmosphere around this month. Lots of "firsts."

Last Thursday was Thanksgiving Day, a day filled with family and friends, food, conversation, and love.

Ten of us shared dinner together, and with wonderful ethnic diversity at our table, I offered up a prayer of thanksgiving. Yes, we were all part of God's great family, but I didn't know about their faith. Even at this moment, I don't know if I offended any who were present. But what I do know is that I was profoundly thankful to be able to share my faith.

Wednesday -- November 19, 2008

Tomorrow Thanksgiving will be only a week away. I look forward to spending that day of being thankful for our many blessings, at my daughter and son-in-law's home. There will be a houseful of family and friends and a dinner fit for a king! I'll go through my usual gravy-making excercise--my contribution to dinner that lately is filled with lumps, and prayers that they will vanish before I finish all that stirring! Somehow they do and it's good, and I'm inwardly breathing a sigh of relief and praising the Lord for the tiny favor of disappearing lumps.

Do you too, believe that God is in the minutest details of our lives?

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV).

Sunday -- Initial Entry 11-16-2008

Musing today--the last day of teaching my 3rd Grade Sunday school class. Feeling sort of wistful as well as looking toward the future. I will miss my little huggers and will probably not be able to resist popping in to visit them once in a while. But I sense the Lord leading me to go back to a Sunday school of my peers, to soak in learning and rest for a while.

Do you feel a little wistful as you leave people and things you love behind too?