April 2021 – Page 3

God Has a Plan

April 6, 2021

May be an image of one or more people, people standing and outdoors

My daughter got married this weekend and there are no words to describe the spiritual nature that pervaded the ceremony. Even before the ceremony, as I prepped and decorated and tried to stay on schedule, one thought stayed with me…God had this planned all along. I might be hectic and anxious that everything gets done on time, but God is always on time. The whole day, God reminded me of His faithfulness and care. Even down to the last detail, He guided my thoughts toward Him.

One moment that stood out the most was when the photographer wanted me to pose while buttoning Jessie’s dress. As I painstakingly buttoned each tiny button, thinking I would never get them all done with my big, clumsy momma hands, I felt a peace about the whole day. As I was getting Jessie ready for Evan, God has, for years been getting me ready for Him. He has fashioned every button of my dress, in that He has sewn my life together as He sees fit. He cares about the details, the little tiny buttons of how our life comes together. As I made my way up the dress, closing the gap of material, I realized how He has filled in my gaps and made me ready for Him.

To me, each button represented a step that Jessie took toward marrying the man of her dreams. They met twelve long years ago, and though she didn’t know it at the time, God knew he would become, not just her best friend, but her husband. I re- learned this weekend that we have limited control over our lives, and that is a good thing. Trusting God to fashion our lives with all the events needed to get us ready for our future , is His privilege to do. He made us, knows us and loves us deeply and He brings to pass what He wills.

My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:15-16 NIV

Dear God,

You are a giver of gifts that are good. We are the joyful receivers of spiritual gifts and blessings. Thank You for Your plans and wisdom that made them. Remind us daily that we are Yours to make ready. We cannot save ourselves or work our way to heaven. You are the fashioner of our lives and You know what’s best. We love You! Amen.

With love from our Father to you all,

Christina

Knowing is Sowing

April 5, 2021

This is a poem/ conversation between Jesus and me. I wrote what I imagined the Lord was saying to me about why I wasn’t growing spiritually. He basically told me I was not watering myself with the Living Water, His Words and God’s Word. Below, my words are lowercase and His words are in capitals.

“I want to be used, but Jesus, how so? Will you make me a planter and teach me to sow? ”

“BUT I GAVE YOU SEEDS AND NOTHING DID YOU SHOW.”

“You already did? But I didn’t know!”

“YOU WERE TOO DRY FOR MY SEEDS TO GROW.”

“What are you saying? I don’t really know.”

“MY LIVING WATER, THROUGH YOU MUST FLOW.”

“Ohh…I need more of you.! Sorry, I’m slow!”

“THAT’S OKAY. I MADE YOU. I KNOW!”

“Haha. I feel “thirsty” so I better go.

“OKAY, TINA, ABOUT MY WORDS?…ONE THING YOU MUST KNOW…”

“Yes, Lord?”

“YOU WILL SOAK UP MORE WATER IF YOU READ REAL SLOW.”

“That makes sense!”

“OH, MY CHILD, I SHOULD HOPE SO!”

Oh yeah! Of course You would know!! I love you so:)

A to Z of Calvary

April 2, 2021

Awaited atonement for all
Began when the broken body of Jesus
Christ was crowned at Calvary then crucified. He
Died, not deserving the desertion by almost
Everyone. He exacted our eternity, by earning,
Forgiving our debt of sin, fulfilling
God’s generous gift of
His son, hung to heal hearts with
Iniquity inside.
Jesus, Jehovah, “The
King of the Jews,” was buried, and
Lay dead in linen three days, then lived! So
Miraculous, this moment of marvelous
News that we needed!
Out of the tomb, the ousted
Prince of Peace arose, when the
Quake qualified Him as the quintessential
Rock, Redeemer and rescuer of our
Sinful souls. The sinless Savior
Traded the tomb, terminating death for
Us, a universal undertaking and unqualified
Valiant effort turned victorious
With a waged war won! His
Xemplary life is an extraordinary example to
You and me. Yahweh is our
Zealous hero!

Happy Good Friday! Jesus is Risen! He did what He said He would do. He is alive!

Love from Our Father to you all,

Christina

Shopping for Joy

April 1, 2021

A new friend and I met for breakfast and discovered we both hate to shop! We joked that we will only do so if we absolutely have to. For example, if we are almost out of hair products we will make the effort to go buy what we need, even if it means paying a high price. Price and effort do not matter when you find something that is exactly what you need.

But what if we need something for our souls ,like strength, peace or happiness? Do we go to a car dealer, a jeweler or a realtor to find something that makes us feel better? Though those things can distract us for awhile, our souls will still be needy. True joy for a hurting soul can only be found from one source, Jesus! I have been guilty of looking elsewhere to find my joy, and then I remember, Jesus has all I need!

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7 NIV

Have a great Thursday! With love from the Father from me to you.

Christina