Do you ever look back at your life and marvel at how God led you to where you are? I do. Why? Because it will always amaze me that He cares about each one of us so much! Also, it amazes me to think I try to self-guide and self-plan my life. As far as my writing journey, it was not really my choice to take a writing journey.

I just wanted to get closer to Jesus. I didn’t just wake up one day and say, “I think I will create a blog.” I would never say that, as un-tech as I am! And I never called it a journey until now, when I look back and see what God did with me. The “journey” started in 2018, when I was desperate to be consistent in my Bible-reading. I decided to make a time for Jesus every morning and I began writing down anything I learned from those special devotional times.

As day after day I kept my appointments with Jesus, a pattern began to emerge in my notes. It seemed I was organizing my thoughts in the form of an outline. All the pages begin to look alike! They had a main “wow” thought that God showed me, along with supporting points from His Word. Honestly, I was having so much fun, I didn’t realize what was happening, that I was writing devotions, but God knew. He knew I loved to write, even though I had forgotten that. He guided me to develop a passion for writing about Him! It is still SO MUCH FUN:)

With His call on my heart to write about Him, I still wasn’t quite sure how to proceed. Know what I felt Jesus say to me in my confusion? “Just keep writing.” So I did. I made a Facebook group, then a Facebook page, then another Facebook page and then, in 2020, I felt the Lord asking for even more, so I considered a blog. I had no clue where all this was leading and, honestly, I still do not. There is no shame in saying, “I am not positive what God’s exact will is.” It is enough to desire it and take each step as He guides. I think the Lord knows each one of us so well that He guides us in different ways, depending on our unique personalities. It is both scary and exciting that we do not have it all figured out, because we know HE does! Say, “He is God” out loud now, several times if you dare, and marvel that you know Him and He knows you better than you know yourself. Wow, God knows me!

The very day I felt the Lord leading me to start a blog, I looked up Bible verses to see what it took to do God’s will, what kind of commitment and purpose. Here is my actual notebook. I hope the verses will encourage you in your seeking the Lord and His job for you:)

Just remember, God will always be with you and guide you, but He may not tell you the destination, but just the next step. Even so, there is joy in following Jesus! I pray you keep or find anew that joy that comes from following Him.

With much love and prayers,

Christina

For my birthday, one of my daughters bought me a beautiful planner. I love it because it asks me lots of questions, so I can nail down my goals for each week; it even asks me why I chose those goals. Then, later in the week, it asks me if I met those goals. I love thinking about the future but sometimes I do not know exactly where to start, so this planner makes it simple. And I like simple! And I like getting things done!

My writing friend from church is a good planner. We got together to talk about our writing and I realized how much my lack of a clear goal defined how little I get done. My friend knows exactly what she wants to write and is working on a sequel to a book she hasn’t even published yet. I admire her because she has a plan and is sticking to it:)

That begs the question, do we accomplish things for the Lord? If not, is it because we are not sure what we want to do? What if we had a planner that was just for our spiritual goals? What would those goals look like? Paul suggests this to Timothy…

Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2: 3-4 NIV

Don’t you love how Paul says things plainly, so we are clear? Suffering as a soldier of the Lord is a worthy goal. Paul would know! Any goals that really matter are ones that involve doing the will of our Father. Knowing this now, my “spiritual planner” might have questions like this? What does HE want me to do? How can I serve Him with my writing?

What about you? How can YOU serve Him with your talents that I could never begin to do? DO you sing? Draw? Build? Teach? In addition to the verse above, this verse may help us do whatever we do, with the goal of honoring the Lord.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

So, today’s devotion is just a reminder of sorts. God has a special purpose for us that is not about us. It is above us, more important than us and helps others to know the love of God. We can plan all we want but it is God’s plan that matters most!

With lots of love and prayer,

Christina

*This is a test run to see if my blog posts indeed will go straight to my facebook page, Glory in the Morning.

*I am getting ready to update the look of my blog for a new Spring look, so stay tuned!

*I found gas today!

Christina

Lately, I am disturbed by my own use of social media. There are such great parts to it; don’t get me wrong! Social media is wonderful for businesses and churches and families, artists and authors in many ways. But it is the time I personally spend on Facebook that can be a hindrance of sorts to me. It is like I have a confused heart that needs to get my priorities straight. The Lord has been trying to tell me something. In reading John this morning, I came across these precious and helpful words of Jesus:

—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:17 NIV

  Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. John 14:20

What a miracle that is, that we have the TRUTH, GOD in us! Maybe when I am too invested in Facebook, I cannot hear clearly what the Lord is saying to me. Maybe it is something else for you. The important thing is that we talk to Him about it. We definitely do not want to miss what He wants to say to us. Maybe you have felt the Lord talking to you lately, too?

He talks to us, but do we hear Him clearly? If we feel Him whispering to us, we really need to stand still for a bit and listen. This “standing still” may look different for you than it does for me, but the important thing is that we do stop some of our activity and focus on and listen to God with no distractions. Facing Him, listening and seeking and loving Him is the most valuable time we will ever spend anywhere! Giving Him the time and focus He deserves, His whispers will come through loud and clear.

With love to all, may you have a great day!

Christina

My daughter would probably move to Florida at the drop of a hat. She has always loved the sun and looks for any opportunity to lay there and soak up warmth (after applying much sunscreen.) It relaxes her and makes her happy. My other daughter? She loves the sun, too, but is not content to sit or lay still; she would rather play volleyball or cornhole. Because we have had sunny weather lately, I have been thinking about how almost everyone loves the sun. People get out of the house, travel, work in the yard and moods improve. It is like the sun transforms an ordinary day to a celebration somehow!

In the same way, the light of Jesus transforms us! In His light, everything is better. We can relax in it, feel His warmth and caring and love. His light makes us happy. It improves our mood and attitude, if we let it. His light can transform an ordinary heart to a heart that is joyful. Every day is a celebration of the SON.

Questions for reflection…

Do you choose to be in the Son’s light? Do you feel a celebration coming on when you feel His love and light on you? In what ways has Jesus transformed your life from dark to light, from ordinary to a celebration? How has Jesus also transformed the amount of light in your heart?

I do not usually quote The Message version, but this is helpful today. It is about conforming or being transformed. Do I sometimes conform to the world’s negative view and darkness, rather than choosing the light of Jesus? ( I admit I do!)

Romans 12:2…”So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

Maybe things of the world are too influential and we naturally resort to a negative view. It is worth our time and effort to follow this guidance from The Message “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.”

Light cannot help but be bright. I am so glad we have an everlasting and transforming source of light, aren’t you?

With love from our Father to you, keep shining in His love,

Christina

Not everyone gives grace, as I found that out the other day at Walmart. Someone, not in or near a crosswalk, got mad because I did not stop the car to let them cross the road, so they gave me “the finger.” As I passed her, I saw her finger in my rear view mirror. How dare she!! I honked my horn vigorously, but all that did was to scare the people in the crosswalk ahead of me. They started scurrying like little ants, thinking a crazy woman was coming! I told my husband…I wish they made a car horn for the rear of the car so that lady would know how mad I am! After much deliberating for two days on how awful the lady was to treat me like that, I came to a jerky stop. I realized…

It is not about me. It is not about me. It is not about me. It is not about me. IT IS NOT ABOUT ME.

SO the lady got mad. So she had to wait two extra seconds to cross the road. So she felt like expressing her anger to a stranger, with her finger. Know what? I could put my finger up too, but I don’t do that. What I should be doing is pointing my index finger to Jesus. So should we all, with our actions. One of our jobs on earth is to give grace to others, to point them to Jesus. And you cannot really do that without grace. Why? Because we are all imperfect. Especially me!

What if I replay that situation at Wal-mart and make a grace-filled reaction to her anger? What would that look like? I suppose I would consider what her day or week had been like? Maybe she was not looking forward to Mother’s Day, like many others. Maybe she lost a child. Maybe she had a fight with her boyfriend or husband. Maybe she had someone sick in the family and was stressed. Whatever the case, and I will never know, I know this. People who hurt others are frustrated or hurt themselves. I should have held my hand outside the window and motioned that I was sorry. I really could have let her cross in front of me.

We have been given grace by God over and over. So how do we pass it on? How, in everyday life do we show grace? So many times it is in our reactions, responses and reaching out. When someone hurts us, we have to realize it is not about us necessarily. It could be about them and their unhappiness. Why not react with grace and in effect say, “I do not expect you to be perfect because I am not. I will pray for you and love and accept you with the grace of God. He loves you, so I do too.” It is all about considering and forgiving each other, as our verse today says.

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:13 ESV

Easier said than done sometimes, huh?

Lord, help us to remember we are only saved sinners. Help us to see the good in people and also their need for grace. You are a great example of love and grace to us. You perfectly love our imperfect selves. Thank You for Your grace that lights our way to loving others. Amen

With love from the Father, I hope you have a great Monday!

Christina

A Song of Ascents. Of David... I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Psalm 122:1 ESV

The other day I told someone on facebook, “See You Sunday!” It was a short response but a loving one, as I was excited to see this person at church in a few days. Some people are just so precious, you miss them until you see them again at church, right? The Lord is so good to bless us with the friendships of His other children. For what other reasons do we look forward to Sunday?

We get to SEE many things! We see families coming together to praise Jesus. We see a spirit-filled praise band sharing their passion with us. We get to see people come forward to pray for help from the Lord. We see little ones bouncing around the sanctuary, excited to see their friends. The list goes on and on. I see these things as gifts straight from the Lord. He binds us in His family with lots of family love and shows us, everywhere we look around the church, how blessed we are!

Who do we mainly want to see? We want to see the Lord of course! We can say, “See You Sunday,” to Him and be excited it means we look forward to experiencing Him in His house. Do we ever say that to Him? Maybe not, because we pray and worship at home too. But I am thinking, maybe we should say that to Him!

And so a poem begins…

Dear Father,

I love You here. I love You there.

Lord, I love You everywhere!

The most special place I see

is anywhere You are with me.

Your house is such a special place

Where I can come to seek Your face.

In Your house or mine at home,

My greatest joy comes from Your throne.

See You Sunday, Lord, I vow

to seek You then and seek You now.

©Copyright 2021 Christina Crute

When we say, “See You Sunday” to friends, it is something to look forward to, for sure. However, we can see and experience Jesus in our hearts every day! His throne is anywhere we let Him rule. I am trying to imagine what the Lord sees when He looks down from heaven, but also looks out from our hearts. It must make Him happy that we love each other and love Him and look forward to being together. See You Sunday!

With love from our awesome Father to you,

Christina

“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 NIV

Peace is not an easy-to-achieve blessing. We have to ask God, serve others, compromise, change and work together on a common goal, in order to make it happen. It takes all of us. It is my prayer that we do put down swords and lift up our hands and hearts in prayer.

Choosing Peace

Guide our leaders, Lord we pray.
Help them as they start each day.

Send them wisdom from above.
Let them know that they are loved.

When it comes to policy,
let them not so hostile be.

When they start to fuss and fight,
send them peace to make things right.

Show them how to work things out,
so peace will reign as love wins out.

May we play a part as well,
encourage peace among ourselves.

Knowing right and doing wrong,
we all have bickered far too long.

We, a nation must unite,
drop our swords and do things right.

Teach us Lord Thy will to see
and give us grace abundantly.

A hurting nation at unrest
needs all of you to do their best.

Give us eyes that we may see
the path that leads to unity.
Amen

©Copyright 2021 Christina Crute

With love from our awesome Father to you,

Christina

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 ESV

This is my second story from a hospital visit. If you didn’t catch my first story from our visit to the hospital, check out the devotion from two days ago, Love’s Story, Tuesday,May 3. Suffice it to say, I was really impressed by the healthcare workers in Carillion’s Cardiac Wing.Here is a true story, the exact words from my notebook on that day.

Love is Alert

Oh, wow. In the bay next to ours, a man’s alert bell is going off. I hear him calling the nurses with the remote and also with his scared voice. I hope he is okay! With the curtain to our room closed so John can rest, I hear the stranger’s frantic cry for help. I now hear several nurses’ feet shuffling quickly to him. He seems confused and anxious as he moans to them, “I’m having a problem.” Poor man!

I could tell the nurses were compassionate because they seemed to put their love into overdrive to rescue this man from his distress. I heard and admired their care-filled words.

“Aw, honey, you know you’re just loving those bells.” And from another nurse, ” No worries. We got you. You’re in good hands now.” and from another, after they apparently got him situated, “You’re all set now. What else can we do for you?” And, “We are real close so just call us if you need anything else.”

That’s the story of love that touched my heart. I probably need to send that wing this devotion so the unknown nurses know what seeds of love they accidentally scattered to me. Just to hear their hearts without knowing them at all is a precious gift. If I ever do write a book about love’s story… I am praying about it…this will go in it. Why? Those nurses taught me something, three wonderful things actually:

1. Love means relieving someone else’s stress. They ran to him at the first sign of trouble and cared for him. They were eager to do so. Love is automatic and compassionate like that. Love is on alert.
2. Love means verbally committing to someone. They told him they had him, that he was in good hands. They took responsibility for him. Love commits like that.
3. Love means doing more than you are asked. Love cannot help but do that. It spills out abundantly. After they met the patient’s need, they didn’t say “so long,” they asked him what other things they could do for him. Love says, “How can I care for you even more?”

Questions for you and I to think on…Who is it that we need to commit to care for? How can we relieve the stress of one of our neighbors? Have we verbally committed to anyone outside of our family? Who does that…Offers more than someone needs? (Our Lord does!) Has someone besides the Lord, ever seen us loving abundantly and committing and being generous with our heart? How cool that we can be witnesses of God’s love!

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

I never expected to learn so much about love that day, but God’s plans are always amazing like that! Thank you, Lord for allowing me to be a bystander to seeing love in action and showing me what active love looks like. I will try to look more through eyes of love like You do.

With much love from the Father to you,

Christina

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:12-13 NIV

Here is a song I wrote, that I hope encourages you. We are in a battle which is already won by our own personal friend and Savior! He won it for us! The enemy in the world tempts, taunts and terrorizes us, trying to take back the victory. Just say, “Not today, World!”

This battle on the ground is
not my final one.
Any troubles here
last just awhile.
The world can try, but
never get my soul’s embrace.
My Jesus lives inside.

So when I get discouraged
on the battlefield,
Weary of the fight,
I lift my eyes.
I see your face,
and all the worries, Lord,
you take them from my mind,
You are my saving grace!

Not today, world.
I’m not yours to have.
Not today,
for I am His alone.
Any victory,
you may have over me,
will not destroy.
I still have joy!
My Father’s on the throne!

When trials come and chase me
on the battlefield,
I’m tempted to give in
and blame you, Lord.
I ask you why.
You dry my eyes
and all the burdens, Lord
you help me carry them,
and point me to the skies!

He won the battle on the cross.
Paid the price to set me free!
The world no longer gets to
have a hold on me.
The battle’s done.
I see the Son!
He won the victory!

Sooo…not Today, World…

© Copyright 2021 Christina Crute

With love from the Father to you,

Christina