With all that’s going on in our country and world and the depressing news media, I pray and keep receiving the same story imprinted on my heart about Jesus taking a nap in the storm.
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I don’t know about you, but there are nights where I haven’t been able to sleep due to worrying about the panic that is happening in seemingly high places. 😂💃 #IllCatchUpOnMySleepInHeaven
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But let’s imagine how the disciples feared for their lives about the storm and undulating lake. I bet some of them even heard stories of being sunk by such storms and I bet their “news media” of the day (aka gossip and word of mouth) told them all the possibilities of drowning and/or dying. Heck, they probably even had the story of Jonah being swallowed by a whale–in the back their minds (there probably weren’t whales in the lake–but fear does funny things to our imagination). 😅 I’m not going to lie–I would’ve been a basket case. I may have even tried shaking Jesus awake. #SonofGodWakeUp #DoYouSeeThis #TheresAStormBro #BeamUsUpToHeaven
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And yet….Jesus slept through it. Man, I wouldn’t even doubt if he snored.
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Was Jesus trusting on his own knowledge of boats and sea? Was he listening to the people’s past stories that invoked fear?
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No, He knew the power of God. He knew God would make a way for Him. He just needed to take a stand and rebuke the wind and waves.
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“23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:23-27
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So, the beauty of this story is that storms will come…but God has a way for us. He has already given us the power through faith and through His Son’s holy name.
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God’s been telling me to work on my faith muscle instead of my worry one (which can probably bench press 500 lbs of news media). 😅🤣💪
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How do we build-up our faith?
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17
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Starting the day in the Word, listening to podcasts about the Word and ending the day with the Word.
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When that storm comes knocking, may we be filled so much with faith–that fear has no entry. 🧡💪💃 May we have the courage to rebuke the storm and have that smooth sailing of peace and calm.
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P.S. I like definitions so, I’m going to put this one here.
Rebuke: to reprimand : to reprove sharply or censure formally usually from a position of authority
Tag: random writings
Valley👉Hill👉Mountain
In Valleys, In Hills, In Glorious Mountains
By: Nicole K.
The battles you are fighting are never small
For you must practice climbing hills before mountains so tall
From far away the high cliffs look scary and steep
But as you take the first step, you realize you are no longer weak
Now, it seems more possible to accomplish what you once desired
Facing your fear; walking away from the eternal fire
Strengthen your legs as you follow Him
By starting in the valley and hills that lead to the mountain
Do not feel the failure when you trip and fall
For the One who is with you can and will heal all
The high cliffs are just the beginning of earth’s end
There is yet a greater journey just around the bend
Where sorrow and tears will flow no more
As we stand in front of heaven’s open doors
So, let us start this adventure that is ahead
And follow the One who died for us and freely bled
Green Memories
As I walked around the yard, I looked around and saw many “green memories.” Plants and trees that have been with my family through the years…trees that were planted as small saplings and grew into beautiful giants that towered over us, danced in the wind, and warned us of the changing seasons…and oh the flowers! The little buds that smell the sweetest in their first blooms…even the bees dance with glee of the fruitful pollen that awaited them.
In the winter, when everything dies back and turns into a desolate sort of beauty…I begin to wonder at the intricacy of the bare branches…and ponder why some branches are destined to break, while others stay firmly attached to the thick trunk. I asked God, “Why, do You spend time planning out every detail of each leaf and flower even though You know it will die and fall off in the end?”
God answered, “Because I enjoy its beauty while it is yet still living…no matter how short every leaf, branch, and flower’s time on earth is.”
Here are several “green memories” that I would like to share with you…
Oh, the good old silver maple. 🙂 I remember this tree being outside as long as my child memory can extend… Every spring I would sit near its trunk and watch the lady bugs come and lay their tiny yellow eggs all over it…they even squeezed out their eggs on my tire swing that was once upon one of the maple’s branches (I didn’t use my tire swing until the lady bugs hatched).
The trumpet flower, and oh boy, does it live up to its name! This flower can make a loud trumpet-like sound when you pinch its base together between your lips and blow (be careful to check for bees before sticking in your mouth!). 😉 This noisy orange bloom was once climbing on our gazebo, but now is hidden on our side yard, peeking out at us when we walk further outback. These flowers make me think of my dad and how he taught my sis and I how to annoy our neighbors with its sound.
This purple beauty is newer to our yard and grows like a weed! Its flowers do not last long but don’t worry, just as soon as the old ones drop off, there are new splashes of purple to take its place. I think of my grandma ‘Nita, since she gave us these plants (she has the greenest thumb I ever knew of).
The orange tree leaf. 🙂 These ancient trees surprisingly have given us some oranges every year. I think of my sis and how we would put the orange peel between our teeth and lips to make it look like we had orange teeth. 😉 I think every kid did this when they were young…hehe (I still do it).
The ivy…this green memory makes me think of our pug mix and how she would run through it when she was a puppy…Tula (yes, my sis named her pug after Tula from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”), after going through the ivy like the chubby torpedo she is, would charge at my sis and I while we were sun bathing. Haha Good memories.
Mint…I will always think of my mother when I catch a whiff of this herb. 🙂 She loves mint anything…and there has always been mint right by our old silver maple.
This plant is special because it is called “Dusty Miller.” When my mom and I saw the name of this plant, we knew we had to get it. My brother’s name is Dusty; we bought this plant in memory of him.
And lastly…one of our Chinese pistachios that is already turning color! These trees that encase our pool, are always the first to tell us that there is hope for cooler weather, warm fall colors, and hot tea…
Hmmmm…I hope you enjoyed sharing your time with my green memories. 🙂 What plant/tree/shrub memories of your own are you thinking of now?
onthecliffoflife.com 