Chaos or construction???

I used to be a camp nurse. On Sunday afternoons a couple of hundred kids would show up. Some were nervous, some were just plain scared, others wouldn't let you know what they were feeling. Happily, most of them were excited to be there. The energy level at a camp full of kids is off the charts. I was reading through Nehemiah 3 this morning and a picture of camp came to mind. We had the place, the dining hall, the chapel, the bunk rooms and the beach. We had counselors, a program director, registration staff, cooks, maintenance guys, a nurse and lots of campers. However, left alone that energy level, even with all the right "pieces" would just be chaos. Chances of someone getting hurt, lost, or sick would be high, higher than the energy level I would venture to guess. But from the moment of arrival on camp grounds we had a plan. We registered each camper and sent them to their assigned cabin. The dinner bell rang and everyone went to dinner where they received their first set of instructions on the next phase of their week at camp. At the end of the week lives had been changed, new friends made, lessons learned both physical and spiritual. Alot of this happened in my opinion because of two things.
1. The staff had been called by God and looked for God for the plan of what to do.
2 The campers were focused on being campers.

At the end of chapter two of Nehemiah he had finished his private evaluation of the situation. He personally looked over the entire wall. He knew what needed to be done. Now remember he started this whole project with 4 months of prayer and waiting on God to give him the way in. But with that phase behind him he gathered the "Jews, priests, nobles, officials and any others who would be doing the work." (Neh. 2:16-17) Then he started with what we like to call talking about the "elephant in the room." Verse 17 says, "You see the trouble we are in;" - Dah, they are living in an unprotected city because the walls and gates are literally all broken down. Then he calls them to action. "Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem." Now to my simple mind this also seems like a "dah". They were living there completely infiltrated with foreigners and foreign culture. Why did they not fix the wall a long time ago. I'm thinking it was just like camp would be if the kids were dropped off and just left to wander around, find their own place to stay and do their own thing. They (campers) knew they were left there for a purpose but till someone draws them together and tells them the plan they don't know how to carry it out, or they are too scared to try it on their own. It looks to overwhelming. (ie. Nobody else is rebuilding the wall. How/why can I?) Then Nehemiah puts the stamp of approval on the plan. He tells them of the "gracious hand of his God upon him and what the king had said to him." (Vs. 18) The gracious hand of his (my) God - a personal testimony of the God he knows well and how his God put this plan together, opening the way for Nehemiah to come and to bring supplies. Hearing teaching from God's word from leaders is one thing. Hearing how it has played out in their lives is another thing. Just a side note, I think that is one of the reasons Weekend on the Farm is so powerful. The direct teaching of God's word is interlaced with personal testimonies of His working in real peoples lives.
So what was the response? They said let's start rebuilding and they began this "good work."
Then begins a long list of people who began to work and where they worked. This is important. Check it out. Did you notice the list of people Nehemiah spoke to? The only requirement was that you were a Jew. All walks of life were there, with all kinds of talents and occupations and social status. There were priests, goldsmiths, perfumemakers, rulers,commoners and even women noted working. It also notes that some of the nobles didn't work. No matter those that would work, worked. It says more than once that they worked opposite their house and next to the next group. It makes sense. They worked on the wall near their home. The area they would most like to defend and they worked right up to the next group. Suddenly the overwhelmingly huge job of repairing the wall around the city was a whole lot simpler. Repair the wall outside your home right up to where your neighbor is working on it. They had a vested personal interest even beyond the over all protection of their city, their own home and family. What a great plan!

Do you see the application to our life? Our world has been infiltrated with lies and deception. Our testimony collectively as Christians is often not good. To try to "fix" the whole world is a daunting, overwhelming task to say the least. But, if we start with ourselves and rebuild our walls of protection. We will then be able to live God's way individually which will enable us to strengthen our family. As we do we'll run into our neighbor and then look out! Pretty soon our town, state, country will be surrounded by God's wall of protection. But it starts at home in my heart. Will I be a leader to get the ball rolling?

Pray, Plan and Time

So I'm continuing to soak in the lessons presented under a tent in the front yard of a farm in Iowa from the book of Nehemiah. Sometimes it's really good to do something different than what you are used to when studying God's word. It just gives you a fresh perspective. You might not have been with us on the farm, but you can go outside and read your Bible. Sitting quietly in God's creation for even a few minutes can really clear out the cobwebs, opening you up to hear from God. But of course that takes a little time....
The next phase of leadership noted in Nehemiah chapters 1 and 2 is a phase of prayer and planning. UGH. Most of us would tell you that makes perfect sense. How or why would a Christian start a project, run a business or raise a child any other way? But in reality these are the things, especially the prayer part that are first to go or at the very least are short-changed. Why? Simple, we say we don't have enough time! Think about it. How many times in the last week have you told someone you just didn't have time to ...? (you fill in the blank) Our quiet times with God often get cut short by sleeping just a few more minutes or the long list of "to dos" in our mind. Sadly this is so common that we slip into believing that is just the way life is in this world. While it's true we live in this world and it is broken and busy. We (Christians) are not supposed to be "of" this world, which means we can live differently.
Let's start with prayer, since that is where we should start. When Nehemiah got the news that his people were in trouble, living in unprotected territory the first thing he did was fall to his knees and pray. He knew that the Lord was his source of wisdom and strength. He starts with acknowledging that God is God. The one and only God, who keeps His word. Then he confesses the sins of his people and himself. As I sit here this morning it strikes me that if I would start each day, each project/assignment acknowledging that God is God and I'm a sinner I would be in the right frame of mind. A setting of truth would be the stage from which I'd be making all of my decisions. That alone would help me make good decisions. Following that acknowledgement Nehemiah goes on to recall God's promises to His people. The point was made this weekend that was possible because Nehemiah knew the Word of God. He was familiar with the promises available to him. Point well taken. We need to know what our resources are. He finishes the prayer asking for God's favor as he speaks with the King. What he is asking for is God's will to be done in this human situation. The first time someone told me I could pray for God's favor in a situation I wasn't sure about that thought. It seemed kind of selfish or like something a spoiled kid might do. But as I learned that God has a plan for me, but this sinful, broken world and man's sinful ways sometimes cause difficulties for us praying for God's will/favor in my individual circumstance made perfect sense! Try it! Watch for God to open doors, change attitudes or help someone listen or notice you when you didn't think it was possible.
Then with God's favor on your side and your mind thinking truth, make a plan. Again, that is probably going to take some of your time when you'd really rather be out there, "doing something" but it's worth it. Nehemiah made a plan. How do we know that? When the time was right and the King asked, he was ready with an answer. The men who studied this portion of scripture for our time on the farm tell me that there were 4 months between the start of this story and the time the King and Nehemiah talked. That's a long time! I don't know about you but when I think the Lord has shown me something needs to be done I tend to want to get at it. After all why would the Lord let me know about it now if it didn't need to be done now? (I'm smiling) Could it be so that we have time to pray, prepare our hearts and to plan? If we truly believe God is God and His promises are true, then we can believe he will show us favor when the time is right. Nehemiah's requests were ALL granted by the King. Now he was ready to move ahead with protection and supplies. How much time could we save if when we actually started our day or our project we were actually prepared to do it?
Wow, who would have thought studying one Old Testament book for a few hours over the weekend, on a farm in Iowa would give us so much to think about for our everyday life?

Lessons from Nehemiah On the Farm!

My husband and I had the opportunity to join a group of people for a weekend on a farm in Iowa. Now to some of you that may not sound too exciting but this was a genuinely fun weekend of meeting people, enjoying God's creation, studying Nehemiah and just being away from our "normal" day to day activities.
This was a unique gathering of people. The host shares life through a daily e-mail with what is now literally hundreds of people. Three years ago he hosted the first "Weekend On the Farm" inviting everyone on the "morning list." The tradition was started. This year there were people there from Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Washington, Southern California, Texas, Hawaii and of course, Iowa. I used the word unique for this group but that's not entirely true. All through scriptures people gathered together to hear the reading of the word in the Old Testament, see Jesus in the New Testament, or as in Acts to figure out what to do next. That Acts group was a lot like us this weekend.
In Acts 1 the apostles had been told that they would receive power and to wait for God for further instruction because they were to be God's witnesses to the people. That is true of us as believers today. Weekend On the Farm was like the gathering of the apostles. We were there because we all sensed that God had something to teach us. Like them, we prayed, we talked, and we looked into God's word. While it's true a couple of Pastors were in amongst our group, the teaching was done by a different person every session. Most of these people were "lay people", not highly educated Bible scholars. Interspersed throughout the weekend a variety of people told their "story" of life. It's my opinion we learned just as much from hearing each others "stories" and talking one on one as we did from the corporate times of actual Bible teaching. Which to me means it was the right mix. We were focused on the Word, away from our every day distractions, open to all God had for us in each moment.
We studied leadership from the book of Nehemiah, great life lessons for all of us. I intend to take the next several days to review, reflect and let soak in the lessons God has for me. Starting right off today with Nehemiah 1 which finds us in the summer palace of King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah was cup bearer to the King. He lived in the palace but when his brother and some other men came he asked about his people,the surviving Jewish remnant and Jerusalem. He cared about them even though his life was separated from them at that time. When he heard they were in trouble it says he sat down and wept, then fasted and prayed. Obviously he wasn't "politely" interested in them - just asking because it's the right thing to do. He cared. He cared enough to allow himself to feel grief and to take time to fast and pray. When he prayed he talked to God about what he knew. He knew they had sinned - "acted very wickedly toward you". But then he recalled God's words to Moses, "...I (God) will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name." Nehemiah 1:9 (NIV)
Today as I reviewed all of this it strikes me that we can know, truly know, the God of the universe. Why would we not take the time to get to know Him? What could possibly be more important? If we know Him, then, when we are presented with the days concerns we know that we can go to Him. Be truthful with Him in our failures and our celebrations, then call on Him to fulfill His promises in our lives. When I read Nehemiah 1:9 today it jumped out at me that it says God has chosen a dwelling place for HIS name. God has a plan. We are a part of His plan. As people told their stories over the weekend a theme emerged. We were telling "our stories" which are really just a chapter in God's story. But sometimes we think "our story" is the whole thing. Life is a lot more fulfilling, with a whole lot less anxiety when we realize that we are a "part" of God's story. He is gathering us to the place He has chosen for us as a dwelling of His name. It's amazing how that takes the pressure off of me today and yet makes me want to "do life better." Hmmm, much to ponder from lessons learned during a Weekend On the Farm.

Do you get it?

With Father's Day just over with I was reminded again how many people do not have a great example of a Father in their life. Maybe your father is dead, or just absent or maybe he is around but is not supportive or even abusive. That's a tremendous loss. I've observed the effects in some of my closest friends and even my own family. See my biological father left my mother when she was pregnant with me. While that qualifies me for the "absent father" role, it didn't work out that way. A man came into my mother's life when I was very young. Now think back, nearly 50 years. Being a divorced woman with children (I have an older brother) was not nearly as accepted as it is now. There was a general attitude of failure and disgrace. My mom has told me with quiet shame that she was the first in her family to get a divorce. But this man came into her life and quietly took us all under his wing. He became our protector and provider. He married my Mom when I was about 2 years old. He choose to not only love my Mom, but my brother and I as well. Approximately 4 years later he made it legal. He adopted both of us and we have his name. He is my father. He choose me.

That story can be repeated for ALL of us. Isaiah 43 1-4 tells us that God created us. Then He tells us not to be afraid, He has "called us by name". He promises to be with us. And today this part just jumped out at me, "YOU ARE PRECIOUS AND HONORED IN MY SIGHT BECAUSE I LOVE YOU." (says the Lord) Do you get it? No matter what your earthly father is like, mine is great, but yours may not be, YOU are PRECIOUS, HONORED and LOVED by the God of the Universe. Do you get that?

Chosen

Over the past few years in my role as a nurse I've had the honor of helping some adoptive families with the adoption process and actually welcoming their child into their family. It is so much fun to see their faces and hear their stories. As is true when you have your own biological child - you aren't in control of everything but the important part is the child coming into your life. Ephesians 1:4-5 tells us God CHOSE us. Isn't that an amazing thought? "For He chose us in him before the creation of the world...to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will". He chose us before he even created the world he had us in mind. He thought about us. What we would look like, who we would know, where we would live, what colors we would like and how strong we would be. I'm sure he smiled just thinking about us, just like we do when we think about those we love in our life.
God wants us to celebrate life, to sing and to dance in His presence. Psalm 5:11 says, "Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you." Let's celebrate being chosen today. Instead of fussing over every little thing and trying to "control" everything. Enjoy the day! YOU ARE CHOSEN - WANTED - LOVED!

You make ALL THINGS NEW

I really don't even know where to start. Today,I am overwhelmed with the goodness of God. This morning I got to do one of my favorite things. I had quiet time on the upper deck, outside in the quiet presence of God. After a short time of just enjoying the moment I opened my little devotional book. I love using something to "get my thoughts going." Currently my book is set up on a calendar basis, meaning each page has the date at the top. June 15 (no year so it can be re-used). June 15th, I was suddenly reminded of another June 15th. A day that weather-wise started much like this one, a little grey but no matter, it was the day that mattered at that moment. It was our daughter's wedding day. Even through some last minute, major changes had to happen, our amazing friends helped us make it a wonderful day full of love and memories. Today, 8 years later, while it is important in our lives, that day is done. Our lives are different - totally different and we are better for it, all of it.

I can't quit smiling this morning. I am attempting to get into good physical shape. I love to walk but I need to do more than that so as I attempted to walk/run this morning I took music with me. "All things possible" came on. I nearly laughed out loud even as I struggled to run..."all things are popsicle..." our dear friends grand-daughter used to sing. That little darling will soon be a teen-ager and has moved twice since then.

The next song was "All Things New" by SC Chapman. See the words below. They couldn't be more true.

You make all things new
You make all things new

Then the world was broken, fallen and battered and scarred
You took the hopeless, the life, wasted, ruined and marred
And made it new

You make all things new
You make all things new
You redeem and You transform
You renew and You restore
You make all things new
You make all things new
And forever we will watch and worship You

You turn winter into spring
You take every living thing
And You breathe Your breath of life into it over and over again

You made the sunrise, day after day after day
But there's a morning coming, when old things will all pass away
And everyone will see

You make all things new
You make all things new
Come redeem and come transform
Come renew and come restore
You make all things new
You make all things new
And forever we will watch and worship You

Now and forever You are making all things new
You're making all things new

Hallelujah... Hallelujah...Hallelujah...Jesus loves me this I know (the next song that played. Go Fish version)
Yep, that beautiful wedding is over. Life lessons of love, life, time and priorities are invaluable. People in our lives are valued more. At least 3 more grandkids for our friends, 5 more weddings, 2 moves for us, new jobs, new church,new...you fill in the blank. These are just a smattering of the redeemed, transformed parts of our lives and the lives of the people God has placed in our life. We are REDEEMED, TRANSFORMED, RENEWED AND RESTORED.

I'm here to share with you that no matter what your day looks like today. EVERY day is a new day. Our life scripture has become the 4th chapter of 2 Corinthians. Check it out for yourself but today think on this, "Therefore, we do not lose heart. though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." vs. 16-18

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE AND FOREVER WE WILL WATCH AND WORSHIP YOU! HALLELUJAH, JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW

You know some of my fondest memories of life learning were at a time in my life when the pastor of the church we were going to encouraged the whole church to read through the Bible in a year. Each month at the start of the month they would hand out bookmarks with the suggested reading schedule for the month. Then on Wednesday nights someone would teach from whatever the scripture was for that day. Meanwhile if you were reading and something really struck you, there was a really good chance someone you knew had just read the same scripture. It was amazing how God wove our lives together by the simple act of reading.

Now as I've started blogging, making some of my thoughts, questions, life lessons public it's amazing to me to realize all the people who are walking through life with very similar thoughts. It's very affirming to hear and see others with the same thoughts, questions and desire to live God honoring lives. To me that just exemplifies the Body of Christ in a quiet, day to day life sort of way. There truly is "nothing new under the sun."

So let's watch for God together today. Where do you see/hear Him? "Show me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me for you are my God and Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5 NIV

God in a Box?

"Self limiting" why would we want to limit ourselves? Maybe we need to protect ourselves. Boundaries are a very necessary thing in this life. I've lived with very few boundaries, it's dangerous. Life is better with boundaries, humanly speaking. However there is one area of life that I believe we should not have boundaries - that is our belief in God. God and God alone has no boundaries. It's a part of my life mission to learn this lesson and to help others learn it too. My friend Arlin Sorenson addresses this issue below in his June 5th e-mail. What do you think? Do you put God in a box?

John 5 talks a bit about Jesus ministry of healing and then a lot about the truth of salvation. Jesus is in the city by the pool where the invalids spent their day and comes upon a man who has been an invalid for 38 years. That is a long time to be unable to walk. Jesus comes to him and asks “do you want to be healed”? Seems like a rather obvious question – but Jesus asks. Interestingly, the man responds with a self limiting answer – sort of the yes I would love to be healed but I don’t see how that can happen – put God in the box that he knew. Jesus is not contained by our box. Jesus is not limited by what we think or believe. Jesus tells the paralytic to get up and walk. And he did. This happens on the Sabbath and when this healed guy shows up the religious leaders get all bent out of shape. You can’t get up on the Sabbath. Why is it that we try and prevent people from experiencing the power of Jesus in their lives? We are guilty of it today – for different reasons – but we want to control and be able to explain what happens and keep things inside the box. Don’t we? It gets uncomfortable when we lose the ability to explain what is happening. The religious leaders were in that box squarely and they wanted to keep everyone there with them.

Three times in this chapter Jesus begins His words with “truly, truly”. I have learned that when we see these – it is time to sit up and pay attention. Let’s look at what He says. Truly, truly I say to you….

- “the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing

- whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life

- an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live”

Jesus lets the religious leaders have a full dose of truth. Jesus only can do what the Father is doing. Salvation comes from Jesus alone. Those who hear the truth will live. Three rather simple truths but all of them outside the religious leaders box – way outside the box. So they begin their plan to get rid of this perceived problem rather than even consider the reality that Jesus just might be the long awaited fulfillment to their prophecy. They were unwilling to even consider it – Jesus shared the truth and the circumstances bore witness to Him – “yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life”. So many still struggle with that same response today. Jesus has come and prepared the way for eternal life. There are a few things we need to do – repent and receive His gift of grace – and yet so many will not take those simple steps to be granted the greatest gift of all time. Don’t make that mistake. Seek the truth, receive the gift, accept God’s eternal offer of life! (emphasis mine)

If you'd like to connect with Arlin you can reach him at asorensen@heartlandtechnologies.com He writes an e-mail 6 days a week called "Thoughts From the Farm". As you can see it's just good "real life" stuff.

I find it so interesting that when I'm aware God is teaching me something He keeps showing me in different ways. The same topic just keeps coming up. Recently I've been learning about being flexible and watching for God. Sometimes that involves doing something and sometimes it means being quiet,just trusting and watching for God in my life. Yesterday the following was in the women's ministry newsletter from my church, written by my senior pastor, Quentin Stieff. How could he know what I'm learning about?

We could all tell stories about how God opened and closed doors in our lives. Because God is always at work, we need to look to him with expectancy and great flexibility. Rather than being disappointed, we are filled with anticipation over his next move!

An episode in the book of Acts illustrates this principle:

Acts 18:1-11
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."
Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
9One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER ONE OPENS
The Lord is 100% committed to getting out the message of his love in Jesus Christ. Sometimes, when his followers share this message of love and hope, not all of the listeners want to hear it. Eventually, Paul got chased out of the synagogue. But guess what? After that door closed, God opened up another door... right next door!

When Paul was forced to leave the synagogue, some of the Christians may have become discouraged, thinking, "Well there goes any chance of sharing the gospel. That door is closed."

But God is not limited at all in the ways he can bring people to faith. So, God worked in an unexpected way. If Paul couldn't go to the synagogue, God would bring the synagogue to Paul! He did this by providing a house for his preaching right next door. And then, he drew the synagogue ruler to faith in Christ.

For the advancement of the kingdom, what is more important? To have the synagogue for a teaching location? Or to have the synagogue ruler become a Christian? That's a no-brainer, for sure.

So, never despair. When one door closes, God opens another one. Perhaps right next door.

Time to Be Still

As Jesus walks along the Sea of Galilee he comes upon some fisherman – simple people. No fancy education or occupation. He tells these two brothers “follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. Sort of a strange request to make of a couple guys He had never spoken with before – at least as far as we know. He just tells them to come follow Me. That is what God wants from you and me too. He just wants us to simply follow Jesus. It doesn’t need to be some big production, some massive program, some overwhelming set of steps. We just need to follow the Master. That means we learn and study and do what He did. That is what discipleship is all about. Being a disciple means to be a student – a learner – and we need to study and learn all we can about Jesus and live like that. So what does Peter and Andrew do? What is their response? It is important to note it: “And immediately they left their nets and followed Him”. Did you catch that? Immediately – not in a few minutes – not when they got things cleaned up and in order – not when it was convenient – immediately. That means right now – whatever the time or place – no matter what is going on at the time – just pick up and follow Him. That is the kind of obedience that God desires from us as Christ Followers. Too often we get around to the obedience thing – if we do at all – when it fits our agenda or schedule. We manage to do what God wants when it is convenient. Obedience, and certainly discipleship, is not about it being convenient or easy or on our time line. It is when God calls – we answer. When Jesus speaks to us – we take action. In case we think that Peter and Andrew was a fluke – Jesus does it again – this time He sees John and his brother James working with their dad Zebedee mending the fishing nets. Jesus calls them to come and follow. John and James leave poor Zebedee in the boat with the hired help – there was no planning here – Jesus called – they immediately take off to follow. I imagine that Zebedee had a different plan – but for John and James their response was immediate and decisive. They were going to be Christ Followers and do what it took which meant leaving behind whatever was going on at the time to spend time with Jesus. (Taken from Mark 1:1-20)
Jesus wants to have a relationship with us. Relationships take time. Time to talk. Time to listen. Time to watch and learn. So if God tells me to "Be still and know that He is God", maybe it's time I take the time to "be still."

Believing God is God

So I watched...and guess what? God was there! He really is Immanuel! Okay, so that's not really a surprise but that's how it felt. We had an abbreviated anniversary weekend outing and it was really a nice time. Yep, adjusted plans can work when God is in them. Do I understand why I spent more time than usual planning (and getting excited) not to have the plans work out my way? No, but at this point it doesn't really seem to matter that I understand that. What I am aware of is how many times I say I "believe" or that I trust God, but still want things my way or in my time. Why is that? Well I think it's because I think I know what needs to happen, or how, or when. So If I think, that I know what is best. If I'm upset that it's not working out my way is that really believing that God is God and He knows best?

Psalm 46:10a says "Be still and know that I am God...." Okay let's break that down. "Be still" - wait, be quiet,quit fussing. "and know" - believe, trust, intimately know and trust deep down inside you where it is unshakable. Know what? Know that God is God. I Am, Immanuel, Jehovah, Lord, Adonai...the list can go on and on. But do I get quiet? Do I stop my mind from thinking of all the what if's over and over? Do I KNOW that God is God? As I am watching for God in my days one of the first things I'm noticing is that I keep inserting myself where God belongs. Hmmm, I think I'll work on being "still" today and letting God be God in my life. I'm sure it will be like this weekend, different than what I had planned, but good for me. But better than that not only good for me but good for others. How about you? What does being still and knowing that God is God look like in your life?