The Resting Place

God’s Timetable

During our walk of faith, no doubt we have all questioned God’s timing in certain situations. Of course, we would prefer that He answer our prayers instantly. God, however, has His own timetable. His timetable is spiritual and consistent with what is best for us. Because He knows what we need and when we need it, who better to determine how and when to act on our behalf than our Heavenly Father?

Scripture provides comfort for those times when we feel that God has forgotten us. Isaiah 49:16 states, “See I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Just as He tells the children of Israel that He has not forgotten them, how comforting to know that He remembers us and hears us when we pray. He constantly acts on our behalf even when there are no outward signs of an answered prayer.

In times of uncertainty, may we always be assured that God has heard our prayers. He is the perfect Father and He will always take care of His children. Our prayers will never go unheard.

Heavenly Sunshine

After dropping Sophie at school this morning, I stopped at one of the little lakes in our neighborhood to take some pictures. I’ve been noticing that on these cool, clear mornings, there appears a thin covering of fog over the water—and a beautiful sunrise.

By the time I arrived at this location, there remained only a faint layer of fog on one end of the little lake. But, oh what a glorious early morning sunrise I saw!

As I stood in this beautiful spot, the song below came to mind. Honestly, I had not thought of it in at least 60 years! “Over the mountains, through the deep vale……Jesus has said I’ll never forsake thee, promise divine that never can fail……”. Now, that will preach!

I’m so thankful for yet another beautiful day and the ability to experience the heavenly sunshine that comes by way of the Cross!

Have a great day, everyone!

Heavenly Sunlight

Walking in sunlight all of my journey
Over the mountains, through the deep vale
Jesus has said, I’ll never forsake thee
Promise divine that never can fail

Heavenly sunlight, Heavenly sunlight
Flooding my soul with glory divine
Hallelujah, I am rejoicing
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine

Shadows around me, shadows above me
Never conceal my Savior and Guide
He is the light, in Him is no darkness
Ever I’m walking close to His side

Heavenly sunlight, Heavenly sunlight!
Flooding my soul with glory divine
Hallelujah, I am rejoicing
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine

In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing
Pressing my way to mansions above
Singing His praises, gladly I’m walking
Walking in sunlight, sunlight of love

Heavenly sunlight, Heavenly sunlight
Flooding my soul with glory divine
Hallelujah, I am rejoicing
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine

Reverend Henry Zelley, 1859-1920

Words to Live By

This is a rhetorical question, but one I asked myself today—which one of these are you struggling with, or have you struggled with in the past? One in particular stands out for me. I seek the Lord’s help more times than I can count. He is faithful and is still working everything out for my good and His glory. He will do the same for you!

You see, friends, it doesn’t matter what our struggles are. There is a solution. It’s found in the One who is always there to help us overcome our challenges. He never stops and never gives up on us when we seek His help. His name is Jesus and He specializes in mending our hearts. We sure can be thankful for that today.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

Twists and Turns

Life has many twists and turns

Important lessons we must learn.

Some are good, some are bad

Some are happy, some are sad

Some we welcome, some we don’t

Some we definitely did not want

But through it all we find out way

We find the strength to watch and pray

To thank our Lord for another day

As we ask Him to guide us on our way

To help us live for Him alone

Our hearts to share as we travel home

One thing we always come to learn

Is through the trials our hearts will yearn

For more of Him and less of us

It’s Him alone that we must trust.

So when you think what life has dealt

Remember this, your pain He’s felt

He’s been there with you all along

To comfort, carry, and keep you strong

He longs to write a beautiful story

Of hard times conquered, all for His glory

It’s up to us to let Him lead

For through great love, He did bleed

He gave His life so we could show

A dying world which way to go

Don’t give up, don’t stop now

For soon before Him all will bow.

Carolyn Canizales, February, 2021

Disturb Us Lord

The following prayer entitled “Disturb Us Lord “ was written by Sir Francis Drake, an adventurer, as he departed to the west coast of South America.

“Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wilder seas
Where storms will show Your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.

We ask you to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push back the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

This we ask in the name of our Captain,
Who is Jesus Christ.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus Christ, who is our Savior and Lord. Help us to always depend on Him to be the Captain of our lives. As Christians, may we not lose our thirst for the water of life that Jesus so freely gives. Keep our hearts focused on Him and not the distraction of those worldly things which will not last. Give us a greater desire to serve You with purpose and passion. May the things of this world grow dimmer around us as we make way for the amazing light of our Lord Jesus Christ. This I pray in His name, the name above all names. Amen.

Our Anchor in the Storms of Life

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

God longs for us to have an abundance of joy and peace in our hearts, even in times of disappointment, pain, or great sadness.  

When we operate in our own strength, we will grow weary as things come against us suddenly and unexpectedly. Using our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the catalyst, we must be open and willing to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through our circumstances.

As we begin to rely on God’s strength and the promises which are found throughout the Bible, we will be able to go through our circumstances with the trust and assurance that God is in control. When the storms subside, the sails may be battered and torn, but we will not sink because Jesus will always be our anchor in the storms of life.

The Table

The house is so quiet, the table is clear

Totally opposite from this time last year

No children, no laughing, no one will be here

Nor customs of past that we’ve always held dear

But one thing remains when plans go astray

There’s something so lasting, I’ve just got to say

The things that will last remain in our hearts

And important they are, for they never shall part

A Savior was born on that Bethlehem night

To show us the way, to give us His light

He came down to earth for you and for me

To offer new life abundant and free

The world forever, this baby did change

He gave us His love that forever remains

His life for mine, I can’t comprehend

But His light to my heart He freely did send

So today if you’re feeling somewhat alone

Be encouraged, my friend, God gave us His song

For Jesus is with you from cradle to grave,

He came down to earth, God’s children to save

Without Him, I ask you, what would we see?

No hope, no joy, no peace there to be

And we’d miss why He came, how sad that would be

To stumble in darkness, no light there to see

What’s really important to you and to me?

I hope that it’s Jesus whose heart you will see

Though your table be empty, His blessings you’ll see

When you’re quiet and still, His love flows so free.

Though your table be empty this moment in time

Don’t worry, my friend, for Jesus doth shine

He shines on those places your heart longs to fill

He’ll give you these moments to sit silently still

Then thank Him sincerely for blessings untold

His love knows no end, and it never grows old.

*I wrote this poem in late 2020 during the Pandemic when we were not able to gather with family and friends for our annual Christmas Eve celebration. Thankfully, this year will be different! Carolyn

A New Beginning

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 ESV

Some years ago, Ray and I attended a Christmas Pageant at a large church in the Houston, TX area. A modern-day version of the Prodigal Son, this drama production was a powerful story of faith in God, unconditional love, and unrestricted forgiveness.

In spite of their busyness during the Christmas season, and even though they were surrounded by others, the husband and wife in the play were missing one family member. Having chosen a life of sin and rebellion, their oldest son, Michael had left home five years earlier. Living inside a homeless shelter, and with no hope of being reunited with his family again, Michael felt extremely lost and alone.

Of course, back home there was a different outlook on the situation.  Michael’s Christian parents and other family members longed for him to come home.  The entire family had prayed for his return, and their only desire was to welcome Michael home and make up for the time that had been lost by his absence.

I think I could safely say that all of us have needed new beginnings in our lives at one time or another.  We have all needed unconditional love and forgiveness from others; and we have also needed to extend that same love and forgiveness to someone else.  

As the story ended, Michael did come home to his family. With God at the center of their lives, Michael’s family gave him the unconditional love and forgiveness that he needed. This act of mercy from his family enabled Michael to have the new beginning that he so desperately wanted.

Today, I pray that each of us will seek whatever new beginning we might need in our own life. Without reservation, may we also be willing to show others the same love and forgiveness that Jesus has shown to each of us. No doubt, we all know someone who needs a new beginning. With God’s help and guidance, let’s do our part to help make it happen for them.

Preparing Our Hearts

“Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.” Isaiah 11:1

This morning, Sophie and I were excited to begin preparing our hearts for Jesus’ coming into the world. Over the next 25 days, we will read the corresponding Scripture and message, then hang that days ornament. On Christmas Day, the Jesse Tree—Jesus’ family tree, will be fully decorated. Today, Sophie read the corresponding message, Scripture, and hung the first ornament—Day 1-the picture of a stump.

In the introduction to The Wonder of the Greatest Gift, An Interactive Family Celebration Of Advent, Ann Voskamp writes:

“The story of Christmas doesn’t begin on December 25, and it doesn’t begin when the decorations go up in stores. It doesn’t begin with the Baby in the manger. No, the story of Christmas begins at the very beginning.

All around you right now you see people putting up Christmas trees. But in God’s love letter to us, you’ll find another kind of tree—the family tree of Jesus. The Bible is filled with stories that trace the branches of Jesus’ family, with limbs that go back to His great-great grandfathers and great-great grandmothers. One of these many-many-great-great-grandfathers of Jesus was Jesse.”

Today, REST in the knowledge that Jesus came to earth for you and me—to give us life abundantly and eternally. He is the HOPE of the world!!

We Have This Moment

“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24.

“We have no other time in which to live. The past is gone; the future has not arrived; we will never have any time but now. So do not wait until your experience has ripened into maturity before you attempt to serve God.” From Truth For Life Devotional by Alistair Begg

Today may seem like an ordinary day. The rush of Thanksgiving is over! We’ve all indulged more than we should have and our memories may consist of the delicious homemade pecan pie we were able to enjoy. And other things!

Thanksgiving memories aside, this morning, hubby and I decided we’d eat breakfast out. It’s his favorite meal of the day and my least. But.. I know it makes him happy, so we go. For the record, I do manage to eat! 😃

We drove to Georgetown to our favorite restaurant, only to be told that the wait was very long due to a shortage of workers. Tried going to a second restaurant to no avail. By this time we were at Plan C, so we drove back to Round Rock. On the third try, we settled for waiting—same scenario—short staffed! It’s just the craziest thing!! Worth the wait. Breakfast was good.

Maybe your day didn’t begin like ours and you’re one of those Black Friday shoppers looking for great deals on consumer goods. I tried that ONCE! Right now, I don’t think there’s anything worth the effort of fighting the crowds in that type of chaotic atmosphere. Besides, it’s cold outside!! You know for us Texans—when the temperature is below 50 degrees, we go running for our heavy coats!! 😉😃 These days, I’m opting for online shopping mostly. It’s so easy to click “PLACE ORDER.” Real easy!!

So aside from Black Friday, which I guess you’ve figured out that I dislike very much, God sees this day as one that we have each been given to make a difference in the lives of others. We do not know what tomorrow will bring. We have this moment in time and God will use us in some way if we let Him. Be on the lookout for your opportunity to serve God and others. Then, carry it through with all your might. Have a great day, everyone.

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