The Rock

Today I am leaning on THE ROCK and rejoicing with people who bring others to Him. I heard a pastor say once that The Rock is softest place to fall. I know and have felt the devestation of loss and the fear of losing it all but one has remained constant and unwavering in my life and that is Christ, The Rock!

I love that old hymn - southern gospel song I Go to the Rock. (the lyrics will be posted below)

It reminds me that HE will always listen.
It reminds me that HE alone is my foundation.
It reminds me that HE will never leave me!
It reminds me that HE is a refuge, a shelter, & a friend!
It reminds me that when I stand on HIM I will not sink.
I will always have a place to go....
                           AND
It reminds me when I feel rejected SO WAS HE. He was the Stone the Builders rejected!

I Go To The Rock by Aaron Jeoffrey 
I go to the Rock, I go to the Rock

I go to the Rock, I go to the Rock

I know, I know He's able



Where do I go

When there's no body else to turn to

Who do I talk to

When no one wants to listen

Who do I lean on

When there's no foundation stable

I go to the Rock I know He's able

I go to the Rock



CHORUS

I go to the Rock of my Salvation

I go to the Stone that the builders rejected

I run to the mountain and the mountain stands by me

When the earth all around me is sinking sand

On Christ, the solid rock I stand

When I need a shelter, When I need a friend,

I go to the Rock



Where do I hide

When the storms of life are threatening

Where do I run to

When the winds of sorrow blow

Is there a refuge (a refuge) in the time of tribulation

Cause I go to the Rock

I know (I know) He's able.



CHORUS



When the earth all around is a-sinking sand

On Christ, the solid rock I stand

When I need a shelter, When I need a friend,

When the earth all around is sinking sand

On Christ the solid rock I stand

When I need a shelter, When I need a friend

I go to the Rock



I go to the.. I go to the Rock

I go to the Rock. I go to the Rock

I go to the Rock


Where are you running today? Where have you decided to fall? Are you sinking? Are the winds blowing you right off your feet? GO TO THE ROCK!

Abiding Still,
Chel

Our LORD, The Sovereign God

In my head I am hearing Carmen sing: Lord of All! He is a powerful and dynamic singer but he and none will ever hold a candle to our Lord, the Sovereign God.




Our Lord is completel in control even when we try to take the wheel. I have had some major ups and downs over the last two years and felt like my feet was on shifting sand most of the time. (This is how emotions, valid or not, can make you feel.)

If you have been rejected: He is still Sovereign!

If you have been abandoned: He is still Sovereign!

If you have been deeply wounded: He is still Sovereign!

If you have felt like a ship without a sail: He is still Sovereign!

         btw, if you set out to sea with "emotion" as your sail....there's holes in it. I'm just sayin'.....

If you have lost friends: He is still Sovereign!

If you have lost your way: He is still Sovereign!

If you have walked away: He is still Sovereign!

If you have done anything that you believe could never be forgiven: He is still Sovereign! Yes HE IS!

See the LORD, Our LORD, the Sovereign God reigns, daily. If we think for one instant He is not there we are wrong, our believing it doesn't make it real. He is still there even in this economy, He is still there when the package for which you have waited so long hasn't arrived.

What are you waiting on today? I love the ASL sign for waiting with hands and arms stable while the fingers are moving!
This is a great picture with two perspectives:

Anticipation of excitement OR Anxiousness in fear of what is to come. http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-signs/w/wait.htm

Which way are you waiting on your answered prayer today?
Determine your stance while remembering: He is still Sovereign!


Abiding Still,
Chel

Sweetest Name of All: 5 Names a Week

Welcome!!! This blog is titled Abiding In His Name because that is the best and safest place to be in any day & age. God is our Father, King, Lord, and so much more. He meets us just where we are and His names are the Sweetest of All! I want to hear what He means to you and what name you have called Him. Biblical or not to share His character with me and others, after all His word is His character sketch and great sketches are meant to be shared.

I realize that some of you will have a hard time relating to God as your Father for obvious reasons. While others have a hard time with other His names of His due to hurt in our lives. Then there are times when we think He was absent from us when we did call out His name. I promise you, no God promises you that He will never leave you or forsake you. This is your opportunity to profess His name and appoint to Him the praises due to His name.

Recently I have had a hard time with my past and have come to know the God of Yesterday a little deeper. He has assured me that as far as the east is from the west He no longer remembers my sins. I can walk in freedom because God has chosen to see me through Jesus Christ.

1. Does something in your past render you to struggle?  How has the God of Yesterday assured you He was in control?

My stewardship has been called into account lately and I have come to meet with God the Provider, Jehovah Jireh. Was I fearing that He would not provide? Has not proven faithful? Of course I was acting in fear and of course He has remained faithful to me. I must thank Him daily for His provision in my life from husband and children to the joy I feel as I type this post. It all comes from Him, my Jehovah Jireh.

2. How has God provided for you lately? Have you recognized Jehovah Jireh in your life?

The Light of the World has recently asked of me why I would spend any time in darkness with my thoughts. He wanted to know why I would stay in a box instead of lighting up the world since THE LIGHT was in me. Recently in Sunday school while reading our Max Lucado study on the Book of Romans we heard a great story about being a light.

A farmer had lost his power so he took out his box of candles, (they were talking candles by the way). As he took out the first candle it said to him, “I am not ready to be lit. I have much more research to do before I fully understand what it means to be lit. Please put me back in the box.” When he pulled out the second candle it sadly proclaimed, “I have not prayed enough about being lit. Please put me back in the box and I will let you know when I am ready.” The next candle as you can imagine had something to say as well, it said, “I just can’t be lit, no one would listen to me and I just don’t have it all together yet and my light would not be good.” The fourth candle told the farmer, “I do not want to be lit alone, please put me back in the box. I will not be lit all by myself.” The final candle said, “I can’t be lit because it may change me. I like the way I look right now and I am not ready to be changed.”

3. The Light of the World has called you out of darkness and into His light to share Him with others. If the Light of the World were to pull you out of your “box” what kind of conversation would you two have?

I had a wonderful thing revealed to me during one my recent quiet times. I have often prayed that God would help to continually keep me on His path for my life and not allow me to veer to the right or the left. Then he showed me how it was much like bowling with a toddler or small child. I know what you are thinking, “what does this have to do with a shepherd?” When you take a toddler bowling you can ask for the gutter guards to be up so the ball will reach the mark. This gave me such a visual image of how the Good Shepherd keeps me on the narrow way. Since I have asked for guidance and protection when I wander He pops up the guards for me. Yes I get a few bumps and bruises along the way, but I am placed back on the path and sent on my way. He does answer our prayers and will help us stay in His will if we ask. (Plus, in keeping with the Shepherd analogy, I do not want Him to have to break my leg in order to trust His care for me.

4. The Good Shepherd goes after His sheep even if for only one when it is lost from the fold. How has the Good Shepherd guided you back in your life?

The Prince of Peace reminds me that I am to be a peace maker. A long time ago I was taught the difference between a peace keeper and a peace maker. A peace keeper could very well be simply sweeping things under the proverbial rug in order to avoid confrontation. Quite conversely though is the peace maker. They have the sovereign and understanding Spirit in the forefront of their minds and hearts. They long for restoration and authentic relationships. There have been some things I have had to lay at the foot of the cross and allow Him to deal with it His way because I know that His way will lead to true Peace.

5. How has the Prince of Peace ministered to you lately?



I can't wait to hear you share!!
In HIS Name, Chel

The Holy One

Today as I sat doing my quiet time, (thank you Lord for meeting me with me!!) I perused through 1 Samuel 21-22. I learned some great things about King David and while he fled from Saul who was seeking to kill him.


David knew to practice holiness each time he set out on a mission. I would believe that he knew it carried a daily significance. By this time Jonathan and David had spoken over whether Saul was really out to kill David or not. David set out and went to the priest for prayer and guidance. While visiting the priests, David asked for food. The priest had only consecrated bread to offer and they were welcome to it if they had kept themselves pure and clean. David assured the priest that the men's "things" were holy, as is what he required every time he set out on a mission. He also explained that even if the mission were not holy, he would be.

David's heart in this manner, although he lied to save his life which later led to the death of over 80 priests, reveals to us the manner in which we should face each day: Consecrated. Not only must we daily consecrate ourselves unto Him but we should also realize we have THE CONSECRATED BREAD within us as believers and should not walk around as if we were defiled.

We serve a Holy God and things that are unholy cannot abide in His presence. No matter my duties or job requirements for the day, I must make sure I am sanctified by the Lord. The things of this world easily defile us and make us unworthy of taking of the bread just as it would have been for the men with David, if they had been with women. We turn away from ourselves and the things of this world in order to be made into the image of Christ and be transformed by HIM so why do we insist on taking the Holy One to unholy places? Wherever we go, He goes. Whatever we drink or eat, He drinks or eats. Whatever we think we pour out on our Jesus. His light shines brightly and we know the secret things in our lives He is trying to flush out, yet we still insist to have it our own way. We act much more like Saul (the king trying to kill David) than we do David or even Jesus. I want to be called a woman after God's own heart and I don't think I can do that unless I am daily consecrated no matter my journey.

I must make sure that my "things" are holy and my life is honoring to the Lord. Each time my feet hit the floor all that is within must praise His holy name! My thoughts, my actions, my heart must be made holy by my Holy One. My life should reflect my beliefs, my actions should mirror His, and my goal must be to honor and please the Lord. (Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven!)

There is enough of this big old world to go around, but God who is even larger is what we need the most and see the least. We are called to holiness and called to a Holy One!


Thank you Lord Jesus that you have shone us the way and made known to us through your Word what you desire in our lives. I pray that you help me to live in a way that is pleasing to you every day no matter where you send me.

Chel

The Resurrection: The Life, The Truth, The Way!

My day began quite tumultuous to say the least. The storms that blasted into our area last night decided to have a family and take up residence. Their mighty winds, fierce lightening, window shuttering thunder, and pelting of hail left their mark on towns in North Texas. As I drove east early this morning we were frightened and leary of the roads ahead. We knew the golf tournament would be cancelled but took to the drive anyway. Our event was cancelled as more storm cells developed right over where we were. We were finally released and hit the road home! - -- - And it was not even 8:30 am yet!!!


Later in the day after playing Wii golf with husband and son I opened my electronic Bible today for the daily read I found 1 Peter 1. There is hope in these passages and security in knowing He is our Resurrection and Life! In these verses we see that Hope, Life, Ressurection, Holiness, and Truth! Verse three pours forth blessings unto the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ for His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Our inhertance in Him, which is incorruptible and undefiled is reserved in Heaven for us! All of this will fade away and the things of this earth are incorruptible but all things in Christ are eternal and free from the defilement of unholy things. He is guarding His treasure which is reserved for us as well.

Although we will have trials (v. 6) the genuineness of our faith will be proved and found to praise, honor, and glorify Jesus! (v. 7). Through this we see that in all of our life we are presented with opportunities to reveal our proven faith.

In verse 12 we find that even the angels desire to look into what is revealed to us in the hearing of the Gospel! Not by our own ways but by living under HIS influence and not the influence of this world....live sober (v. 13).We find a way to ward off the ways of this world by resting our Hope in Him (v.13 and 14).

In verse 15 we see the command to live holy lives in our conduct and our ways. Of all people - knee jerk reactor Peter himself would know this lesson well. And if/when we call upon the Father we will find Him impartial to those of us who have been redeemed! When we live for His inheritance and not that of our eartly fathers we reveal that we were redeemed by the incorruptible! Jesus had the glory from the Father so that we could place our faith and hope in the Lord.

I found that in our obedience we and love for one another we are purified and through His word, which abides forever others and God see that we are not of the corruptible seed!!!

The Word of the Lord endures forever!!! (v. 25)

I was so deeply moved by these words and the thinking of how Peter may have learned some of his lessons that my soul had to pour out just a bit more. Below is a little poem inspired by the Lord and the words in 1 Peter.

Abiding in His Eternal Word!

Peter has such a profound way of putting us in our place, which is looking directly into our Savior's face!


He points us to Jesus for resurrection and life. Commands us to love and live without strife.


He sees in our weakness our flesh is so strong, but gives us HIS words to prod us along.


Peter lived with reactions much like most of us; perhaps in his darkest moments we would have heard him cuss.


But he turned to the Lord and sought sanctification in HIS word.


He tells us this world will fade away and to live holy lives for Christ lived that way.


Calling us to live only for the things above, to relish in His incorruptible unchanging love.


We are commanded to obey and purify souls leaving no defiled parts, to love one another with ferverent hearts!


When we cling to the things of the Kingdom to come and not this earth which will be undone, we find that peace and solice reside in the will of our Lord Most High.


Reaching out to Him during times of plenty and times of not we will live out our faith we proclaim we have got.


Through Him we have eternal life to share in the Promise of the Resurrection and the Light!


Though the storm has arrived and our fears are revealed, we will look to the one who from death was healed.


Clinging to the will of the Father above will cause me to live in the light of His love.


Each time we call upon Him no matter what we fear, He will draw us in close and keep us near.


We will suffer and see trials of all kinds but thinking Truth will keep us loving with our minds.


Our thoughts will hold us captive if we give into their jeers and at the end of the day we will be in a heap of tears.


We most hold fast to the revelation that is in Jesus our Lord we will guard our hearts, protect our minds, and live out His word.


Holiness is not a gift granted in the absence of strife, holiness is revealed in how we live our life.


We will fade away just as the flowers of the field and to us the end of this earth will not yield.


There is only one who will cause us to live once more and upon His return to heaven we will soar.


If you only believe you will have life eternal and free, receive the Lord Jesus the very one who rescued me!


I know that I will live again! I know it will be all because of Him. There is nothing on this earth which will earn my way but I will bank all I have on the Life, the Truth, The Way!


His name is the Resurrection, The Life, The Truth, The Way....do you know Him today?
Chel

Lover of My Soul

Jesus is the Lover of my Soul!

Psalm 94:19When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

HE has calmed me when the storm was raging about me!!!

Psalm 19:7The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Isn't it just like our God to allow us simple people to know of His wondrous ways and impress His law upon our hearts?

Psalm 23:3he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

For His name alone is worthy of all honor and praise!

Psalm 31:7I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.

He peers deep within me only to reveal that which is most vulnerable and give strength and healing with love alone!

Psalm 63:5My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

A hungry soul is a sad and lonely one. I am grateful for His provisions physical and spiritual!

Psalm 116:8For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,

Praise you Father for loving me! Praise you Jesus for rescuing me from myself! Praise you Holy Spirit for your daily guidance!

The Softest Rock Around

I heard an interesting quote on the radio the other day....Who'da thunk a ROCK would be the softest place to land when you fall?


Just ponder that with me for a moment...


Being on the Rock can help elevate you to see things from new heights.


Being on the Rock will give you a new perspective.


Being on the Rock will always give me a sense of security.


Being on the Rock means that my ground is a firm foundation.


Being on the Rock reveals that I need more than my own two feet to stand.


The Lord realizes that there are times when are not able to stand or times when we have trusted in sand. He then created the sofest place of all, the Rock, fall upon that if ever you should fall.


It does not matter how you have ended up where you are now. Trust in the Lord when you headed to the ground and realize that He is the Softest Rock Around.