Rescue Me

Being a true romantic through and through, my favourite stories have always been those where a damsel is in distress, and the handsome prince comes riding in on his trusty steed to save the day. Sleeping Beauty was rescued with a kiss. Rapunzel was freed from her tower. Cinderella was delivered from her suffering by Prince Charming. Ahh... I love the pursuit and the passion. A love so great nothing can stop the rescuer from his mission.

Today I was captured by the thought of the Lord as our Rescuer. In comparison, Houdini's escapes seem trivial, as He can rescue me from any situation and remove all the chains that bind my heart and soul.

Most often I need rescuing from my own choices and disobedience...yet, I suppose there are times when the Lord allows me to be in trouble so that He can show Himself to me as Rescuer. Joshua 2:15 says, "the LORD fought against them, causing them to be defeated...". He caused them to be defeated to show Himself to be their Rescuer. The Lord Himself is the root of the rescue. He is both cause and effect. I get to meet Him in a new way and see another aspect of His divine character when He brings a need into existence.

God is not a one-time Rescuer. Judges 3:9 says, "the LORD raised up a rescuer to save them." Then, Judges 3:15 repeats, "the LORD again raised up a rescuer to save them."

I'm so thankful for the continued rescue He offers. Regardless of how I get into my state of requiring His rescue, whether ordained by God or a result of my choosing, He still rescues me. It speaks of His great love for us. 2 Peter 3:9 says that God doesn't want anyone to perish. His desire is for all to be rescued.

The greatest rescue He made is my journey from deserving hell, but receiving heaven through the death of His Son. A damsel in distress, He rescued me. Oh, how I love my Rescuer.

I'm in a place of looking for His rescue again today. I know my Rescuer will come.

Consider the Source

My family enjoys watching "Little House on the Prairie". In the episode we watched this evening, Laura and Almonzo had a major misunderstanding. Judgements were made on perceptions that weren't true. Words were taken out of context. Arguments escalated. Relationships were severed.

It reminded me of my reading this morning. "The rest of Israel heard that the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had built an altar...so the whole community of Israel gathered at Shiloh and prepared to go to war against them."

They "heard". How often do we react based on things heard? We catch part of a conversation, or misinterpret things said and the next thing we know our blood is boiling.

We need to learn from how the Israelites respond. Joshua 22:13 says, "First, however, they sent a delegation led by Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to talk with the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh."

Although what the rest of Israel 'heard' disturbed and angered them, they didn't just presume or jump to irrational conclusions, they did the right thing. They sent a representative to the people of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh for an explaination.

Wondering how often I base my decisions on what I 'see' or 'hear' instead of what I truly 'know'. May it be a lesson to me to examine all the truth, and not make a judgement in haste.

Rest on Every Side

"And the Lord gave them rest on every side..." Joshua 21:44

Rest. A breathing break. Time to relax. Freedom from anxiety, worry and fear. Respite. Pause.

The Lord granted our family that "rest on every side" yesterday. We shared a special day with Dad. He was in good spirits. We sang old hymns around his bedside. The first song Dad started, and even harmonized with was, "It is no secret what God can do".

The passage in Joshua continues. "...the LORD helped them conquer...Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true."

Oh, wouldn't it be just like God, now that the diagnosis by all the medical staff, specialists and professionals have been pronounced, their conclusions reached, that He touch and heal my Dad so that it IS no secret what God can do...and has done. Praying we'll continue to see God's Hand moving in, on and through Dad's life, and all our lives, as we give testimony and praise to the One who has given us rest on every side.

Joys are flowing like a river,
Since the Comforter has come;
He abides with us forever,
Makes the trusting heart His home.

Blessed quietness, holy quietness,
What assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea, He speaks peace to me,
How the billows cease to roll!

Bringing life and health and gladness,
All around this heavenly Guest,
Banished unbelief and sadness,
Changed our weariness to rest.

Like the rain that falls from heaven,
Like the sunlight from the sky,
So the Holy Ghost is given,
Coming on us from on high.

See, a fruitful field is growing,
Blessed fruit of righteousness;
And the streams of life are flowing
In the lonely wilderness.

What a wonderful salvation,
Where we always see His face!
What perfect habitation,
What a quiet resting place!

Blessed quietness, holy quietness,
What assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea, He speaks peace to me,
How the billows cease to roll!

New Land

"But the tribe of Dan had trouble taking possession of their land." Joshua 19:47

This verse has a powerful, double significance for me today.

There is some new 'land' that I'm having trouble 'possessing' today. I don't want to 'possess' it. I'd rather walk away and ignore I've even seen it or know it exists, but it won't change what lies before me.

Many of you may already know the outcome of my Dad's health situation. Yesterday we received news that my Dad has dementia. I don't like this 'land'. I don't want to live there. I'd like to put it up for 'Sale' and move elsewhere. Yet, this is the land the Lord has called our family to possess.

"The tribe of Dan" also has great meaning. You see, my Dad's first name is Denzil, but for the 50 years he worked for Duplate, Canada, which was later bought out by PPG, my Dad was known there as "Dan".

The tribe of Dan is having trouble. His wife and daughters and extended family are all struggling with the unplowed ground we see before us. It is foreign territory and we don't understand the dialect.

However, the Lord goes before us. He knows the way. He will provide the strength to settle and do our best to tend to this land so that it can be as lush and beautiful as possible. We will find our homes here and cherish the life and the gift given.

"...he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live." Acts 17:26

Praying the Lord will enable me to find Joy in this new land.

Dry

Well, for the first time this year, I have read His Word and come away dry.

Longing, desperately to hear His voice. Looking at every Word. Re-reading sentences. Empty.

Lord, I need to see The Word today. I need to experience You in a fresh way. I need to embrace You, know Your presence and feel Your touch.

Restless and sleepless, words repeated in my head at 3am this morning.

"My Daddy had to go away,
But he'll be back most any day
At any moment I might see
My Daddy coming back to me."

I see Shirley Temple's little, tear-stained, cherub face in "The Little Princess", as she recited that rhyme, longing for her Daddy's return.

My heart is so there. After a painful visit at the hospital last night, I want to pound my fists against my Daddy's chest. I want to grab his face in my hands and scream at him to remember me. If my sobbing and desiring were only enough.

Last night throughout my entire visit, my Daddy thought he was on a ship, sinking out a sea. He felt he had no connection with the mainland and that foes were surrounding him. At one point he was certain he heard an airplane overhead and he quickly called for help to flag it down. Maybe it would bring rescue. He encouraged SOS messages to be sent over the radio. Help is needed.

Friends, help IS needed. SOS messages are storming heaven 24/7. We are waiting for that rescue. Daddy was in unbelievable torment last night. Rubbing his head. Afraid. Too afraid to close his eyes and rest as he was certain he would drown in enemy waters surrounding him.

My night has been filled with silent cries. Tears have washed my pillow.

"What do we do when we want to give in because it seems too hard?" I run again into my Heavenly Father's arms. I cry on His shoulder. You Lord, are my refuge and my portion in the land of the living (Psalm 142:5). Chart my Daddy's ship back to the mainland. Be His Life-Preserver.

Lyrics to old hymns flood my mind. "Bridge over troubled waters". "It is well with my soul". "Ship Ahoy". But, it's a childhood chorus, words slightly altered, that is the cry of my heart this morning.

Bring back,
Bring back,
Bring back my Daddy to me, to me
Bring back,
Bring back,
Bring back my Daddy to me.

Praying for renewed hope and courage - especially this afternoon at 2pm. A meeting, not of our doing, has been called. My mom, my sister and I will meet with two Dr's, the Director of Surgical Care, another hospital Director and a Social Worker to discuss the condition and future of my Dad. Needing divine wisdom and guidance.

Thanks for listening. Sorry for not having more of a word of encouragement today. Praying the Lord will rain down on this weary, dry land. Still in need of that Downpour.

Love y'all

My Portion

"...he himself would be their allotment" Joshua 13:33

As I read that this morning, I immediately wrote in the margin of my Bible, "my portion".

Portion. An allocation or allotment set aside for a specific purpose.

The lyrics to a chorus keep singing in my head:

"I will bless the Lord forever,
And I will trust Him at all times.
He has delivered me from all things,
And He has set my feet upon the Rock.

I will not be moved, and I'll say of the Lord:
You are my Shield, my Strength, my Portion, Deliverer,
My Shelter, Strong Tower, my very present help in time of need.

Whom have I in Heaven but You.
There's no one I desire beside You.

You have made me glad, and I'll say of the Lord:
You are my Shield, my Strength, my Portion, Deliverer,
My Shelter, Strong Tower, my very present help in time of need.

My very present help in time of need."

I give testimony to the Lord being my Portion, especially as I journey into the 4th week of being at my Dad's bedside. Speaking of which...we had encouraging news last night which I wrote about on my other blog. A Dr. is FINALLY stepping in and wanting to get to the bottom of my Dad's concerns. May the Lord give him wisdom. Praising the Lord this morning.

Two other verses in my reading also held my attention: Joshua 15:19, Acsah asked of Caleb, "Give me another gift. You have already given me...now please give me..." Pondering how often I've been dissatisfied with the gifts the Lord has given me and asked for more.

Also, Joshua 13:1, the Lord said to Joshua, "You are growing old, and much land remains to be conquered." I too am "growing old(er)" and "much land" still "remains to be conquered", eg. mountains of fear, valley's of doubt, wastelands of insecurity etc... A Beth Moore quote comes to mind: "Satan is standing on your God-given ground, daring you to take possession of it".

Let's move forward today ladies, with our Portion, having been set aside for a specific purpose, taking possession of all that is already ours in Christ.

Love & prayers for you all.

Power in His Name

"...rest from war..." Joshua 11:23

A war is raging and my Daddy's mind is the battlefield. Confusion. Delirium. Hallucinations. His speech is irrelevant and incoherent. He is disoriented in time and place as his memory fights with unseen warriors.

Last night the nurses had to wheel his bed out to their station as he would not settle and could not sleep. The evil one is fighting for control, of not just one mind, but five, as my entire family take up shields of faith and strap on helmets of salvation.

God has promised that victory will ultimately be His, but until that time the fighting is fierce. Satan has already advanced far enough. No more ground. We are armed with the Sword of the Spirit. Unseen beings are engaged in active duty. Purposeful, violent conflict intended to capture my Daddy will one day cease. Lord, I pray today You will give him rest from war. May He know Your peace that passes understanding.

"Jesus Your Name is power
Jesus Your Name is might
Jesus Your Name will break every stronghold
Jesus Your Name is life.

Jesus Your Name is healing
Jesus Your Name gives sight
Jesus Your Name will free every captive
Jesus Your Name is life.

Jesus Your Name is holy
Jesus Your Name brings light
Jesus Your Name above every other
Jesus Your Name is life.

Jesus. Something happens, supernatural, when we mention His Name.

Maybe you're like me. Maybe you don't always take the time to listen to songs posted on a blog. I stopped the other day while visiting someone in blog land and this song is continuing to minister to my heart. Say His Name. Something does happen.