From Panic to Praise

C. S. Lewis once said, "I'm a panic-y person about money myself (which is a most shameful confession and a thing dead against Our Lord's words) and poverty frightens me more than anything else except large spiders and the tops of cliffs..." It seems a bit odd that we are so prone to discuss many personal problems such as illness, relationships, etc. but seldom, if ever, bring up the subject of finances but I must admit I have been extremely "panic-y" lately and especially TODAY.

This morning I knew we did not have enough money to pay the bills that needed sent out. I was sitting at the computer pondering the situation when I noticed the room getting brighter and brighter. The sun was coming out from behind a cloud. It seemed God spoke to me in my spirit and said loudly, "I'M HERE". I knew He wanted me to TRUST Him and NOT worry.

Mark and I had our devotional time together asking God to supply our needs. We were about $180.00 short. Around 4 p.m. the mail lady came AND YES there was a check in the mail which was about twice the amount we needed!!!!

I was reminded of the disciples when they were in the storm......afraid even though Jesus was WITH THEM. I had been afraid even though I knew God was with me.

This poem came to mind that sums up my point: DON'T PANIC.....GOD IS IN THE BOAT.

The Age-Long Minute
Thou art the Lord who slept upon the pillow,
Thou art the Lord who soothed the furious sea,
What matter beating wind and tossing billow
If only we are in the boat with Thee?

Hold us in quiet through the age-long minute
While Thou art silent, and the wind is shrill:
Can the boat sink while Thou, dear Lord, art in it?
Can the heart faint that waiteth on Thy will?
-Amy Carmichael

Our Devotions on Election Day

If we can manage it, Mark and I enjoy having devotions together in the morning. Our favorite Daily Bible Reading Plan is one we have used for several years now put together by Robert Murray McCheyne. (You can download it here - http://www.pesdirect.com/calendar.pdf ) Each day there are four portions of scripture listed. Two are entitled "family" and two are entitled "secret". (Lately we have been reading all four aloud.) It is wonderful to see how the passages fit together.

These are the scriptures given for Nov. 4 and we read them early that day. II Kings 17, Titus 3, Hosea 10, and Psalms 129, 130, 131. When I began reading II Kings 17 I felt that the words were amazingly relevant to what was weighing on our minds and hearts. OUR NATION.

Take the time to read these scriptures and tell me what you think.

The Greatest Mystery

This past Saturday around noon, Mark and I make a spur-of-the moment decision to drive up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We thought we'd stop at some roadside farmer's markets and maybe drive up Pilot Mountain. There were still some beautiful leaves and the day was perfectly lovely.

This is a view of Pilot Mountain from the Parkway.

We had driven the parkway, had a bite to eat in Mt. Airy, and were heading back home about 6 p.m. when we decided to drive to the top of Pilot Mountain. The park closed at 6 but we asked a park ranger if we had time to go to the top and he said, "Sure, go ahead." This is a view from the top.

The sun was setting and the scene was one of breathtaking beauty. To our surprise we were not alone on top of the mountain. There were probably thirty people, kids, and dogs in tow. We noticed one whole section of the parking lot was blocked off and people were setting up huge telescopes. To our amazement, the Forsyth County Astronomy Club was having a gathering!!!!


I wish I could express the beauty of the sky as day faded into dusk and dusk faded into darkness. The moon, Jupiter, and Venus were shining brightly and one star after another began popping out until the sky was full. This picture doesn't get it but gives you a faint idea of how magical it seemed. People walked from telescope to telescope looking at various planets and stars. When I looked through the telescope at the moon it looked like a huge dinner plate. I could see the lighted part, the craters, and even the shadow the sun made on the craters. I could see the four moons of Jupiter. It was awesome!!!!!!

Above us the milky way spilled out and there seemed to be an endless sky far from the city lights. The scripture came to my mind, "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?"

We know the answer, it's just mind boggling to really believe it. How and why would He care for me so intimately? He MADE all this with a spoken word and He LOVES ME?? Wow!!! What an unforgettable experience.

God, help me never to doubt Your amazing power to take care of me in my little world.