Even if some cover their ears | We say goodbye to 2011

Family & Friends,

We have come to the end of another year. Today is the last "Be Inspired" for 2011. I have chosen to share Acts 7. It the entire chapter, take a few moments to read.

I pray for this New Year that is upon us that the Lord would give us plenty of opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ; that we would not shrink back for time is short. People slip away every day, including our family members and friends.  Even if the crowd closes their ears and refuse to listen to the truth, their might always be one that God will use, one that will respond, be transformed and sent out; Saul was changed to the Apostle Paul. The Lord has a way of reaching men and knocking them of their "high horse" and getting their attention. He did it to me and saved my soul.

Let's share the greatest news ever! There is still time to invite someone to church and begin the New Year in the courts of the Lord.

In all the pain and joy of 2011 the Lord continues to mold me and even you.  Nothing escapes him, he sees it all. Let's hold on, for life goes by quickly; we want to be found standing/bowing in the presence of God, having our ears hear, well done good and faithful servant.

Interesting that the crowd covered their ears after Stephen had shared his testimony and told them the truth that had led them to that point. They heard it but did not receive it.  They chose death over life.

Click & Read Acts 7

In Memory My Niece Jasmine | The Seed

The Gift of Hope

Hope—A place, perhaps a state of being that lives in the future?:

One of the definitions I found reads…To look forward to with confidence or expectation.
Look down at your hands…..
If they are clenched….Unclench them…..
Slowly Stretch them out before you…..
We will climb, slow as it may be and grab a hold of Hope.
Hope is something we look to; it seems it lives in the future.  We are not quite there but are striving to arrive.  Hope is like a dream that is in the distance; seems attainable but I haven’t reached my destination.
The Hope I share with you today is found in the Lord.
But God desires abundant life for us.
John 10:10
It’s a future that includes memories of the past
with a tangible grasp of the future.
What is does indicate is we have chosen, not to be a prisoner of the horrific tragedy that has affected us and forever linked us together.  It signifies that the anguish, the real pain we feel will not keep our joy suppressed; a victim curled up in a corner of despair and unfruitfulness.
Co-worker, and beloved daughter, it encourages us to proactively remember Jasmine Rodriguez and continue to make her life count!
Through their hurt and brokenness they allow a breath of hope to lift them beyond the throbbing pain and live again.
You see, Hope is not just an action or a feeling, though in saying so we are correct. 
But for me Hope is the person of Jesus Christ that has given me life; life abundantly and the confidence to share it with you today.
It once thrived and the beautiful smelling aroma of life was noticeable from afar. 
This seed brought joy to others.

How incredible that in God’s design the seed though it seems dead still has the ability to produce life.

Jasmine, a beautiful flower, once a life full of dreams and desires;
a life that affected us all and left an imprint in our hearts forever; this life that was snatched from us can become a seed for us to plant, a seed of hope for us to water and wait to see its fruit.
We plant a seed.

  It’s a seed of hope for the future,
it’s a seed for the sake of the prisoner who has yet to escape. 
It’s a seed of Hope for us who live. 
A seed that together will bridge the beautiful life of
Jasmine Rodriguez to those that have yet to be free.

We chose to be free, no longer a prisoner ourselves of hopelessness. Though sorrow has been a companion, we now swap partners like in a beautiful dance and choose Hope to guide our future days to come.

"And that my soul knows very well
You lift me up, I'm cleansed and free
And that my soul knows very well
When mountains fall, I'll stand
By the power of Your hand
And in Your heart of heart I'll dwell
And that my soul knows very well
Joy and strength each day I find
And that my soul knows very well
Forgiveness, hope, I know is mine
And that my soul knows very well"
(Song lyrics by Darlene Zschech)

Today I want to begin with a small exercise….

Now open your hands….

Through pain and grief, sorrow and hurt…. we announce today that we will indeed reach out to live again…

Hope promises a better tomorrow.

My name is Elizabeth Rodrigues and I am Jasmine’s Aunt.

I have found that Hope has never disappointed me. 

For some Hope can be a feeling, and in saying that we are correct.

My hope is in Jesus Christ who has saved my soul, given me purpose and joy in this life.

Today I want you to understand that I don’t come with a quick fix for the pain we share.  
I’ve come to impart a glimmer of hope to get us to tomorrow.

The Word of God says, "Sorrow may last for the night but joy comes in the morning." (Ps. 30:5b)

We have had a lot of mornings since that horrific day that changed our lives; the day that brought pain and a stinging ache to our hearts.

We are tender beings. 
We have emotions that can cause us to laugh and emotions that can feel the tragic pain of loss.

I remind myself...

It’s ok to live…..Liz it’s ok to live and laugh again.

The enemy of our soul desires that we would stay confused, unfocused, troubled, and perhaps to have remnants of guilt consume us.  What could we have done differently, did we miss a warning. Could we have avoided this?

We can stay in this ring for a while, fighting imaginations and thoughts that at times that are deceptive. 

Death is a real separation that can leave us empty for a time.

You see, the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; But God says, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The Lord wants his people free.  Isaiah 61:11

We can’t have sorrow and despair walk with us as if they are our companions through this life. 

Grieving and mourning they serve their purpose; it’s how we are designed.  I know this full well as I have not only lost my niece, but only 4 months before, my mom too was gone in a blink of an eye, therefore now I too must embrace tomorrow with Hope.

We hope because there is a future.  

Today’s ceremony is an indication of us moving forward.

Moving forward does not mean we have forgotten. 

Living life now requires a new weapon, a fortified agent to carry us through our tomorrows. 
That, weapon, that negotiator is Hope.

Hope will not disappoint us.

Hope is the key that opens the prison door so that we are no longer the prisoner.

Hope can and will prod us to resist the shadow of depression and hopelessness. 
Do it for yourself, for the sake of my niece, cousin, co-worker and friend.

We often hear of those that have experienced tragedy; how they somehow get the courage to overcome; how somehow they can push past all the pain and impulse to do nothing;

Friends and family, today that is us.

The Bible is the resource that has pointed me to the Hope I speak of today. 

We are going to take hold of our sadness and brokenness and for the sake of Jasmine, for the sake of others who are still in need of help, we are going to plant a seed of hope today.

A seed is the part of the vegetation by definition that has died. 

We did not choose the death that occurred. 

For the one who has yet to escape the nightmare that they live in; 

For the one whose dream might be crushed;

For the one who lives in a world of fear and darkness; 

For the one who’s life might be in danger; 

For our own healing process, we will choose HOPE.

There is Hope for us and hope for the future.

Stretch out your hands……

We have the ability, but most importantly we must choose to let go of the pain that wants to create scars that will immobilize us.

We live because we must, lest we too perish in the land of hopelessness.

Father in heaven, Lord Jesus; help us release the pain.

A seed, though it seems dead; once planted, watered and nurtured can bring new life.

Take these seeds as a gesture and reminder to keep our hearts fruitful and make
Jasmine’s life memorable…making it count!

If you have ever purchased a seed packet, you know that at times we end up getting a few
“wild flower” that we did not necessary come with the original purchase, but when they bloom, somehow they add to the beauty and array of the landscape.

Along with hope today, I pray that in your heart joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and of course the greatest of all Love would sprout forth.

We need a breath of fresh air, friends

A sweet aroma to fill our hearts again…..

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

A Possible Answer

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5

A possible answer.... 

Lord, I look at the speck in my brother's eye because its easier for me to point to someone else's fault than to see mine; and yet you have come not to condemn me, though I'm guilty, but have come to pay the penalty of my sin....oh Lord I'm sorry. I don't think to much about the plank in my eye because then I would not be the good person everyone thinks I am; and yet your Word says that there is no one good except God alone (Luke 18:19)

Honestly, often I am blinded with pride and I can't even see my own flaws. Oh Lord I don't want to be a hypocrite. Lord I know I can't pretend to you. Your Word reflects who we really are. We come to you who is able to wash us clean, refresh and renew us. Your Word says that you oppose the proud but give grace to the humble (James 4:6) Help us oh Lord to recognize when we sin so that we may come to you quickly! Lord, we know if we confess our sins, we know that you are faithful and just to purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). It's a new day! Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). Lord we will examine my own hearts.

God bless you!Liz
www.lizrod.com

Meals & Vitamins

Matthew 26:20-30

Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.  As they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.”  Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?”  And He answered, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus *said to him, “You have said it yourself.”  While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you;  for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many

for forgiveness of sins.  But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

In this fast pace world people are used to everything quick. A short message of encouragement is good, its like a vitamin; it brings nourishment where we lack.  But, rest assure we must sit down and eat; eat a good meal ( a long message; profound; causing us to think deep on the Word of God); a meal where you must get your hands dirty to get to the inside of that chicken piece even as you savor every bit (lol).  Meals are meant for us to sit down with the Master, our Lord, and stay there a while.

Imagine if the disciples decided that sitting with Jesus at the last supper was way to much. "Come on Jesus can you just wrap this up quickly",  imagine that.  "Jesus all this stuff about body and blood, what are you saying, can we just stick to the Law, just refresh it for us" (you know a quick vitamin). Never!  That would be ridiculous, besides it was the Passover, that which was required by the Law. How incredible that God himself sits with those that are hungry, those that want to hear from him.  Here at the table where this feast is being enjoyed, they learn that betrayal was lurking even at the table, the Lord showed us how to give thanks and still today we remember his command, "do this in memory of me".  At the table during this elaborate meal we see glimpses yet again that He, Jesus our Lord, would be betrayed (it had been said so many times, so many different ways, through the Prophets, via Christ words) and so he says it again. Sometimes we just don't get it.  Sitting for a while at the table is a place of rest! Hallelujah! Though he knew he was about to die, he did not rush off the table; he sat; the Bible says he reclined (now that's not someone who is in a rush). Hmmm, even

after all that, they sang a hymn and then went out.  Glory to God for the "meals" and  the

"vitamin". I'll take them both!

God bless you!~Liz

www.lizrod.com

Access to the King

Esther 5:1-2

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.  When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 

There is a garment of Righteousness that we wear, those who have bowed the knee and in repentance have called on the One who alone can save us from our sins.  

It's not a garment that we have made, our hands cannot produce this covering. We can't buy it or manufacture it ourselves. It is a garment of great cost and value. Angels strengthen him, Jesus Christ, even as sweat, like drops of blood are falling to the ground. (Luke 22:43-45) 
We don't have enough money to buy, not enough good works or efforts to attain it. In the beginning of time we see the Father bringing out a covering for Adam & Eve. The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.  (Genesis 3:21)

Fear had come into their hearts.   We find them hiding behind a bush; “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” Genesis 3:10   Blood was shed.

Jesus has paid a price with his very own blood and has obtain eternal redemption for us (Hebrews 9:12).   

Jesus has made a way for us to commune with the Father again.  The results of the cross, the way made for us, the sacrifice of the Son who obeyed even unto death (Philippians 2:8 ).

He has given us access and paid the price required; For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 

Now we can enter; Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

He is the One on the white horse who's name is Faithful & True  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. (Rev. 19:11 & 13)

A covering, a robe of Righteousness given to use and designed and paid for by Jesus!  From the beginning of time God has been clothing us if you will.  So go ahead, dressed in the garment he gave you, enter his courts, and find mercy & grace. It's because of the Son that we can enter.  Fall on you knees in reverence, fall on your knees and worship Him.  Make your request known to him who sits on the Throne.  Pour out your heart to him.  He is not taken by surprise.   Esther 5, says that the king was sitting in his royal throne facing the entrance and there his eye catches a glimpse of Esther.   I can imagine Jesus sitting on His Throne waiting to see who will enter his courts.  He's paved the way and paid for the access he had given us.  It's by his blood.  So go ahead and enter into the Palace of the King! Like Esther, approach and touch the scepter extended to you. You have captured not only his eye but his heart!

God Bless you!~Liz

Flowers Speak

Ephesians 5:22-23 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

A couple of nights ago my husband and I had a little disagreement (ok...a little "spat"). Truly it was a silly thing that if not quickly harnessed would grow into something bigger and we would find ourselves in sin. So, as the Word says in Ephesians 4:26-27 “In your anger do not sin."  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Ok..so an apology is spoken and we go to sleep and a new day is now on the horizon.

My husband usually gets home before me. So when I arrived at home (as he is diligently working outside in the yard trying to bring every leaf known to man under control), we greet each other with a kiss, and I proceed to go inside the kitchen.

As I walk in, on the kitchen counter is a bouquet of red roses; not just laying on the counter wrapped in paper, but cut & trimmed, placed in a vase, watered and waiting for me to see the care, the love and actions he took to assure me that I am loved by him. Well he did not have to get flowers, we had settled the "issue" the night before. But, he chose to show his love with an action.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18. We are taught how to love because of God. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

I'm reminded, brought back to the cross. The Father who has lavished us with love, took action, took steps to ensure that his creation could come back to him; to be reestablished into fellowship with the Father. The fallen man, the disobedient man, the one that rebelled again the Holy One; God took action. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16

So I become transparent to you today (I'm not perfect) just to make a point. Love is an action. It demonstrates what's in the heart. The words would have been enough, but the flowers revealed the heart of my husband in a deeper way.

By the way, the flowers on the kitchen counter, that's not the end. As I walked into my bedroom, lo and behold another vase, clear,sparkling with fresh water holding yet even more beautiful roses.

Yes, it definitely brought a smile to my face.

 So later on I asked my husband, "why have flowers in two different locations"? His replied to me, "So no matter what room you entered, you could think of me and know that I love you". Awe...... I love that man!

Look around, no matter where you walk, what road you may be on, if you look carefully, you will see glimpses; actions that the Lord has taken to tell YOU that He loves YOU!

Go out, go out of your way and let someone know that you care for them. Speak words of encouragement. Do something unexpected. I know there will be a lot of smiles and many hearts lifted!

By the way, November 27th is our 29 year Anniversary! God is Good!


God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

Let the River Flow

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

John 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

If you are walking down the street and at a glance you happen to see a dollar bill on the floor, do you stop and pick it up?  Yes.  You may not know if it's a one dollar bill; you don't know if it will turn up to be a fifty dollar bill.  But what you do know is that you recognized it; you are sure it has worth; and depending where the bill is, you will bend, stoop, stretch; you will pull it out of water, pick it up from the mud, dig into a garbage bin if that bill has caught your eyes attention; you will do just about anything to reach for that symbol that has value.

I was asking the Lord to show me something this morning.  This is what he gently said.  People will go through all kinds of motion to get there hands on what is temporary; those things that bring earthly satisfaction; that which will fade away.  Money is just one example. We chase after positions; that status that has to be recognized by others, we want to make a name for ourselves, all these things point to "me"....that which satisfies me!

How far will we go to set time apart to be with the One who loves us?  You know, read the Word, stay in prayer for more than five minutes, go to church and not just on Sundays.  I know the Lord is always trying to get my attention; he is always making opportunity for me to learn and glean, to slowly see his hand in everything in my life.  He desires to instruct me, but I am at times not so pliable. I'm  not willing to bend, stoop, stretch; to reach out and grab what he has for me.  I dip my feet quickly in the water but won't jump in; if I would just stay there a few more moments I would see that the river is flowing; flowing with life and it's at my reach.  I won't dig too much for fear I'll get dirty or is it I that will be found in filth and the muck of life? Allow the Word of God to search my heart; allow it to see that I have garbage neatly piled up, disguised so that no one recognizes it?  But the stench tells on me.

How long has it been since the River flowed through our very being?  I believe that at times those that have trusted in the Lord, who call Him their Savior, have become so "familiar" with the Lord that we forgotten a deeper value, a stronger richness that still awaits for us.  The Lord is not like us....but he invites us to be like Him.  The River is there, in us; but sometimes it's just frozen; it has come to a standstill. Life has caused it to solidify.  We need to rediscover, to

allow the River to flow and not be content with a frozen body of water; thaw it out!  Sitting by his feet, hearing from the Father, allowing the FIRE to be reignited, will allow that river to begin to flow again. Have you ever looked at a river at the beginning of Spring; when the snow and ice are melting away and the river begins to sparkle as the sun's rays are reflecting off the water caps; the river begins to flow and it carries life.  Wow, I get it, but now I have to get in! That which is temporal does not satisfy, only that which is eternal. Let the River flow!

God bless you!!Liz

www.lizrod.com

How Would You Respond | Believe in the Impossible

READ Luke 1 

I have read this passage twice this week. Thus sending two "Be Inspired" messages today. Two visits from Gabriel, two responses, two songs of praise at different times.

Zechariah's visit. The background here is that Zechariah had been praying to the Lord. His wife Elizabeth was barren. Gabriel makes his presence known to Zachariah as he is serving in the temple and replies, do not be afraid.

Here comes the answer to Zechariah's prayer, to his plea; God has heard him. The answer delivered in an unexpected way.

In addition, Gabriel begins to describe the answer to his prayer; a child, a boy; careful to name him John. He will be great in the sight of the Lord, filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. He will bring back many to the Lord their God, turning the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-to make ready a people for the Lord.

BUT Zechariah responds, wait a minute, just a second, say that again... How can I be sure of this? Excuses rolled too quickly; he's probably thinking and eventually blurts it out, I’m too old. He thinking, my wife is too old (I’m sure Elizabeth would not even appreciate that comment)

Gabriel who stands in the presence of God said …”I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news”. Zechariah had prayed; he & his wife had sought the Lord; they wanted a child. The Lord heard them, responded not with just any child but with the forerunner to Christ; the Savior of the world and Zechariah responds, How can I be sure? That's when the conversation and even further details ended.

How can you be sure, he asks? Zachariah...did you not just ask the Lord of Creation to help you, and for how long were you pleading? Did you not ask and even believed that God would answer your prayer? Perhaps it was not how you expected the answer to arrive. As I read this, I see this as the issue that caused Zechariah to leave the temple mute as opposed to praising the Lord with his own tongue. He lost the opportunity to glorify God and was silenced.

Mary's visit. A humble servant of the Lord. She too is afraid as Gabriel appears. Again, Gabriel reassures her, don’t be afraid.

This visit would unfold the miracle foretold, a virgin will be with child (Isaiah 7:14). A message sent to a young girl; a message that changed the world forever.

The angel describes the child. His name will be Jesus. He will be great and called the son of the Most High. He will have the throne of David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever and his kingdom will never end.

Mary's responds: How will this be?

Mary’s question to Gabriel was not how can, but how will.

As I read this passage of Scripture I saw two different responses; one had doubt; maybe he gave it too much thought. The other response was quickly blanketed in faith; she believed and had confidence in God’s messenger; that the promise would come to pass. Then Gabriel unfolds the “how will”. The conversation continues and the full message unfolds.

Just me thinking...maybe there was more to Zechariah's message, but his answer caused Gabriel to bring the message to a halt... the message stopped.

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. The holy one to be born will be called the Son of God! Mary responds, I am your servant, May it be to me as you have said. Quick belief in her heart caused praise to roll off her tongue. She was praising God before the birth of the child. When she saw Elizabeth the Word says she began to sing…My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God me Savior. Praise was not hindered! God was believed and he received the praise due His Name!

I want to learn from Zechariah and Mary. I want to know how to respond when God comes with an answer to my cry.

How great is God’s mercy, later we read, after the birth of John, that Zachariah's mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed and he began to Praise God!! The song flowed right from his heart and through his lips; Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel because he has come and had redeemed his people.

I have read this twice this week. How often do we cry out to the Lord; Lord help me, help my child, I need a job, my health is failing, my family is falling apart, I wrestle with fear, I can’t pay the bills, help me Lord! The Word of God says, the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous (Psalm 34:15)

The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them (Psalm 34:17). I have compared these two responses because when God answers the cry of my heart, when he comes to rescue me from dire situations, when he comes with the healing balm or the solution to that which troubles my heart and keeps me awake at night....I want to respond correctly.

I want my heart to be ready so that when I see God move on my behalf I don't begin to say, but How can I be sure? Lord did you get this right? Father but is this possible? I want to respond and believe.

Doubt caused Zechariah to leave in silence. I wonder what was going on in Zechariah’s heart
as he waited in silence. The Word does not say, but I know I would have been kicking myself…

Liz you missed Him, you doubted, why not believe?

I’m not trying to point a finger toward Zechariah as if he is unique; yes he was a priest, the Word says he was upright in the sight of God, observed all the commandments blamelessly; he worshiped the Lord and had cried out to the One that could help him. So how did he miss God?

If I'm not careful; if I try to rationalize the answers that God sends to my heart's cry, I too could miss him. Spirit of God don't let me be blind or deaf to the answers you send me lest I might be made mute and rob you of the praise due your Name.

Prepare my heart & let faith arise!

I wonder if at times my heart has responded more like Zechariah than like Mary.

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

#lizrod

It's like a Bubbling Brook

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The Peace of God that transcends…..

I have often felt and have been enveloped by the Peace of God.  Usually I have quickly recognized it, but this time….with the passing of my mom…it has been a little different. 

I have found myself asking why I am not hurting more…why the grieving somehow seems less so quickly…its only been a week.

I find myself almost feeling guilty that my heart is not more painful….  My sister and I have both discussed this…both of us feeling the same. 

The Peace of God the Bible says transcends….it goes beyond…beyond, past all that the human person feels, thinks and allows pain to do to us.  It's not that the pain has been overlooked or passed by, but somehow has been strongly overshadowed and has left a peaceful environment and the pain I expected has decreased, somehow lessened.  It's as if the Spirit of God has breathe life into those areas that somehow would want to shrivel and die…..He has not allowed my very being to fall beyond His grasp….He has gently carried me…..gently reminding me not only of the most beautiful memories of my mom…but assured me that she is with Him.  It’s a gift…it’s a gift from my Father in Heaven.  A gift that he doesn’t have to give me, just like when he allowed my very ears to hear my mom’s confession of her faith & hope in her Maker, her Father, her Savior.  It’s a gift.   It's a bucket of kindness, a fountain of precious rain falling on my heart to bring life....it's a sound of a bubbling brook that I hear...can you hear it.....it brings clean, gentle, refreshing water...water that carries life.  Every morning He sends a mist, a blanket of dew to refresh me again...oh continue to flood my soul Lord....

He is my Peace & the Giver of Life.....Eternal Life!

God bless you!~Liz

www.lizrod.com

I have lost my dearest MOM

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into
life. John 5:24 (NKJV)

6:34 AM. I begin to write this morning with loss unimaginable. My dearest mom has slipped away. A pain that echos through my mind and body causing me to grieve like never before. I turn to my pen...(email) to begin to write a small drop of the ache inside of me. My Hope and all that gives me strength is in Christ.

I sit here this morning and even last night wondering if there was something more I could have
done for my mom. My mom raised her family to be close and always to care and look out for one another; that's how it was, that's how is was yesterday as we waited 8 hours for her to come out of heart surgery. She never came back to us; God chose to call her from the operating table into his presence. Tuesday night as I spoke to my mom, we spoke about the Lord. She explained to me that the Lord was her Father and her Savior; we will meet again!

Yesterday before she went into the operating room I told her I loved her; I told her to keep
calling on the Lord; today she does not have to call very far...she is with Him.

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com

Hep Us and Find Us Faithful

Psalm 121 (KJV)

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

I was singing this Psalm this morning in the car on the way to work.

As I was reading this Psalm, I was lead to read about David building an alter shortly after the Lord sent a plague on Israel and 70,000 men fell dead.  As the angel was carrying out the instructions of the Lord, the Bible says the Lord saw it and relented; the mercy of God.

David had trusted in his fighting men; that was his sin. (1 Chronicles 21:1-8)

It's incredible to compare the different responses of the "men of old" and thus try and learn from them.

Moses though he tired as Joshua fought the Amalekites found that the Lord sent him Aaron & Hur to hold up his hands and so he continue to cry out to the Lord.  The Lord gave them victory. Moses built and alter and called it The Lord is my Banner. (Exodus 17:8-16)

Moses didn't enter the Promise Land; the Lord said, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them" He struck the rock, when the Lord specifically said speak to the rock. (Numbers 20:12)

It is Abraham we find now in Mount Moriah binding his son in obedience to the Lord. Abraham obeyed though he did not fully understand and he witnessed the provision of God.

Peter whom the Lord used mightily denied the Lord 3 times, though he swore he never

would. Hallelujah, that Peter's heart was remorseful as he wept; the Lord used Peter to spread the Message of the Kingdom of God.

These examples in the Word of God are but a few; they show us how quickly one can become vulnerable to sin or disobey God if we are not careful, maybe just deny him in front of the pressures of this world like Peter.  We must be on our guard.

It is in the Lord of Heaven & Earth that we must place our trust in.  We do not trust in chariots

or horses (Psalm 20) or our jobs, our strength, our health, our wealth or anything else, or least we shouldn't.

Help us Lord and find us faithful to trust in you the Giver of Life.

God bless you!~Liz

www.lizrod.com