Category: Sister Judy (Page 185 of 277)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Our grandkids are coming tomorrow and I am making preparations for them. The toy bins from the storage are now out, little chairs on the deck washed, daily prizes wrapped, food prepared etc. As I do these things there is anticipation for the fun we will have together when they come. Making the preparations also lets them know we love them and are eager for their coming. That is so minor compared to the preparations that the Lord is making for us in glory. Can you even imagine what that day will look like?  In John 14:1 He says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms…I go to prepare a place for you.” He is getting things ready for us right now. I think it is pleasing to Him that we make Him our highest priority and to draw closer and closer to Him in trust and love. One day the reunion will be beyond words for we have been enjoying His presence all along and are now “Home”!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Lately we have had some rich times around the table. It is a place where belonging happens!  As Henri Nouwen says, “The table is a place we invite our friends to be part of our lives. We want them to be nurtured by this same food and drink that nurtures us.”  It is a place where we are joined in heart and soul and each of us has a place.  Steve Smith relates how Jesus used the table as a pulpit or meeting place of the heart too. He engaged those around Him at meal time and the talk was nourishing as much as the food.  It is too bad in our day that so many of our meals may be fast food and we rush on with the rest of our busy lives. Lately I have sat with friends several times around the table as we celebrated my birthday…. Even though the food was good, it was the nourishing of my heart that filled me up. May we use mealtimes as a gathering time to unite us with others and share His love.

  Devotions from Judy’s heart

God is so generous with us and always giving and giving.  As our spiritual eyes are open more and more, we will see that He is pouring out numerous blessings throughout our day.
As you know I have been celebrating my Big birthday in many special ways these past days. Our house is adorned with flowers, there are gifts piled on the hearth, I have been taken out for lunch, supper etc etc.

Now these expressions are lovely for my birthday but what if I thought I deserve this special treatment every day. Hummm!  What if I demanded it? Not good!  But isn’t that what we often do with the Lord?  He is sooo good to us in ways we see and also so many ways that we don’t recognize. And yet when a spiritual gift comes wrapped in something we don’t really like… a trial, a loss, a sickness…we rebel. God where are you and why is this happening? But often we grow the most through these gifts that test our faith. He knows just what we need to draw us closer to Him.  May we receive His gifts with hearts of gratitude and faith, as we trust Him who loves us most of all!

Devotions from Judy’s  heart

Steve Smith says in his book, Jesus Life: “To discover our true identity as the beloved of God is one of the most fundamental rocks we can build our lives on.” Everyone has a need to love and be loved, to care and be cared for, to know and be known, to celebrate and be celebrated. Last night Al and I went to see a movie about sex trafficking at a church in Remer, and it was so sad to see the millions of girls who do not know they are the beloved of God. Most all were abused in their early years and then loathed their lives as prostitutes later. But inside they felt they had no worth until they came to know Jesus and could receive healing and forgiveness.  The difference it made could be seen in their very countenance and miraculous changes in their lives. In Him we find a Mother, Father, sister and brother. We aren’t orphans but belong to a Father who absolutely delights in us. So many need to hear this message.  Prisoners of Hope, out of IHOP, is helping so many come to healing and wholeness.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I was touched by a video I saw on www.FFHM.org, (Foundation For His Ministry), which is a mission for orphans and the poorest of the poor in Mexico. I remember meeting the woman who started this mission when Al was in Seminary in California, and she is now 80 years old. On her web site is the story of a young girl named Isabelle was diagnosed  in 2010 with NLP Hodgkins Lymphoma, a rare form of cancer. Her parents had a hard time to give her up into the Lord’s hands to do what He wanted for Isabelle.  She was offered a wish by Make-A–Wish foundation and her wish was to volunteer at an orphanage and hold babies. For a young girl that is quite unusual in the first place as most may want a trip to Disney World or something else. Her wish caught national attention and people gave money so she could take with several large hockey bags full of clothes to the poor. When she got there ( Aug 8,2012)  it must have been a culture shock for her but she played with the kids, fed them peanut butter and milk, visited a migrant camp, and spent time holding lots of orphans. One that especially touched her heart was the littlest orphan that came with no name, and she called him “Little Man”.  She played with and showed love to the children, and her family was even granted permission to take some to the ocean. I don’t suppose she or her family will ever be the same after this experience and they already want to go back. Sometimes surgery cures this type of cancer and so far after Isabelle’s surgery she is CA free.   But no matter what happens she didn’t let this difficult time go wasted. God has a purpose for everything.  “You can’t choose the life you were given but you can choose what to do with it.”  If you want to watch the video go to FFHM Praise Reports & Prayer Requests 8/24/12 and click “Watch” on Isabelle. I know you will be blessed

 Devotions from Judy’s heart

Next weekend lots of family will be here at the lake for Labor Day weekend and then there will be a long pause before they are all up again. That means more of a time of quiet for Al and me (although we have retreatants coming too). I thought of Steve Smith’s words about embracing the hidden seasons of our lives and remember Jesus had a hidden life for 30 years.  He quotes Trobisch in saying that real  love is not gained through performance or accomplishment but by “Living with anonymity instead of fame, of living in obscurity rather than trying to be in the limelight all the time.”  The hidden times in our lives can be sacred spaces when we can come to know God better and our true selves. God can use theses times to shape and mold us and help us see things in new ways. Even though we may not all get away to a quiet place like Canaan we can all find a quiet secluded place where we are not tempted to role play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as we can and let the focus shift from us to God and we will begin to sense His grace in new ways.
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Devotions from Judy’s heart

Have you ever had a dream where you were floating through the air or on water, completely relaxed and free?  Today I went to the Point and the day was so beautiful.   I floated on an air mattress and noticed the blue sky overhead, felt a refreshing breeze, and soaked up the sunrays. It was in a little bit of heaven!  When we allow the Spirit to have complete control of our lives, it seems just like floating, for our cares are given over to Him who is able to handle all of them. It may be surprising where He leads us, just as I floated near the lily pads, on the other side of the dock and into deep water etc.

And when I just relaxed and shut my eyes, I really didn’t care where I went. Sometimes when I opened my eyes, there was an eagle over head, or a kayak near by. I wanted to enjoy the moment and just savor it all. When the Lord has freedom to direct our lives, it is like He leads us to the place where we know we belong…we feel one with Him and we are truly “home”.  Let us give up directing our own lives and float in freedom!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Change comes to all of us and one phone call can change everything!  It may be a simple change of plans to something serious of a loved one who has died.  Last night I got a call that the guests that were coming for a dinner party tonight had to postpone because of sickness. So even though the house is clean, the dessert is ready, plans for this day are changed and we needed to flex. That is a small change but sometimes change involves our attitudes, priorities and our very way of life. As I read this morning from Paul Keller that “change is all part of the eternal process because everything without exception, is constantly in a state of change. However, the promise of God is that this does not mean the end for us, rather it is always a new beginning because, ‘new things I now declare ( to you)’” says the Lord. Let us not cling to what cannot be recovered as it only wastes our time and energy. But may we trust that God will lead us, and let us be ready for the new things that will be coming our way!

 Devotions from Judy’s heart

Today I read from “Jesus Calling” that He knows our worst but sees our best. I am so grateful that although He sees us as we are, yet He sees what we can become. The world measures, competes and compares but He accepts us right where we are now and doesn’t wait for us to change or become great. It says in Eph 1:4 that He chose us before the foundation of the world. We are cherished and chosen!  Others will fail us but He never will and is always for us.  Jesus knew what it was like to have every one of his friends forsake Him.  We also will be disappointed by our friends, as well as, bring disappointment to them. As Steve Smith says in His book, “Jesus Life”, our friendships must be built on our mutual need for Jesus, not our own goodness.  Each of us will fail us as well as bring delight. Let us wrap ourselves in His perfect love and remember to forgive others and ourselves when we fail to show His love.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I was struck by the selflessness of a 22 year old, Katie Davis, who gave up her privileged lifestyle to go to Uganda. She is in various stages of adopting 13 little girls, started a child sponsorship program, began a feeding program where over 1200 children are fed daily, initiated a vocational program for the women etc. I haven’t read her book but it is called, “Kisses from Katie” by Katie Davis with Beth Clark. She was class resident, homecoming queen, top of her class etc and God changed her dreams of college, marriage, family career into His dreams for her life. Her life is not easy but her joy is so full as she has given up her own desires to serve the poor in Uganda. We all have choices and we can stay safe in our comfortable places or we can take a risk. How we serve God doesn’t look the same, for some serve in a foreign land and others in our own neighborhood. But we can do something to help others and to change the world for them. We can love one person at a time with His love. As it says in John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.”  Aren’t you glad He can use ordinary people to be fruitful and do extraordinary things?