Fall-ing

Are you Fall-ing this year?

Fall is the season when the trees let go of their green as it retreats to the dark, damp recesses of the earth. With this process comes the other colors usually hidden in the tree. Reds, golds and orange ignite the landscape with flames of brilliance. It is a joy to behold.

We all, like the trees of the forest, experience Fall from time to time. Circumstances and difficulties cause us to retreat inward. We seek shelter, the cool familiarity of home. But what we do as we retreat is essential to our growth in godliness!

It can be tempting to remember what the trees looked like in the spring, longing and wishing it could be the same. But it never will be. God, in His plan ordained the seasons. It is up to us to listen and learn through the changes. We must let go of things He's showing us, and trust God that there is beauty in what we haven't seen or experienced. He is the great God. He is the One who brings the seasons to pass. He is the One calling us to Fall into His arms and be comforted by His Words.

The forest provides a stillness as we walk and reflect. God's Word provides a stillness in our soul where we can hear the reflections of our Savior. He is intimately acquainted with all our ways. As we walk and talk with Him; He will be faithful to bring us through every season we face.

This is what causes my heart to love my Savior more. I am Fall-ing! I am Fall-ing more in love with Him as He helps me let go of those things which are temporary and cling to only that which is eternal.

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."
- Isaiah 40:8

How is God speaking to you this Fall?
Are you Fall-ing?

Do You Believe What You Read?

The Girl Talk Blog recently added this testimony worth reading! Please take time - it will inspire you!

Focus Forward

When we are faced with challenging circumstances, even hardships, it is difficult to know which direction we should go. Confusion sets in and we're paralyzed. In these moments it's tempting to look back and wish things were as "they used to be".

We recently heard a pastor say, "You can't drive forward looking only in the rearview mirror!"

How true!

And how often we do this and wonder why we're not going anywhere.

Times spent in God's Word can have the same tendency. We can remember a time when God seemed to be sitting right next to us as we read and prayed. Now, why is it I don't feel a thing? What's the point in making all this effort, if I don't get anything out of it. There must be something wrong with me...

And so the downward spiral begins - or driving backwards in our car. All eyes are on me, me, me.

How do we stop? By literally stopping this kind of thinking.

The Bible says to take EVERY thought captive to the obedience of Christ - this includes the guilt and condemnation we feel when we're not performing the way we think we should. We can think slow progress through His Word is no progress at all! And this, my friend, is not true. We have eternity to know our God, we have time. But we must make the time to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us daily.

As we move slowly we never know when a fresh revelation will be right around the corner. We don't want to be distracted looking in the rearview mirror and miss it, do we? Focus forward and enjoy the pace God has set for you this day.

A Deep Knowledge of God's Character

Vicki Taulbee passed this excellent excerpt on to me, and I had to share it with you. We're halfway through the year. No matter how slow it's going, remember you are slowly getting to know the God of the Bible better, just by reading and observing His ways.

Enjoy...

A deep knowledge of God’s character

“We rise from the Bible — I think we can say it without irreverence — with a knowledge of the character of God. There is a real analogy here to our relation with an earthly friend. How do we come to know one another? Not all at once, but by years of observation of one another’s actions. We have seen a friend in time of danger, and he has been brave; we have gone to him in perplexity, and he has been wise; we have had recourse to him in time of trouble, and he has given us his sympathy. So gradually, with the years, on the basis of many, many such experiences, we have come to love him and revere him.

So it is, somewhat, with the knowledge of God that we obtain from the Bible. In the Bible we see God in action; we see Him in fiery indignation wiping out the foulness of Sodom; we see Him leading Israel like a flock; we see Him giving His only begotten Son for the sins of the world. And by what we see we learn to know Him. In all His varied dealings with His people He has never failed; so now we know Him and adore Him.”

—J. Gresham Machen, What Is Faith? (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991), 77-78

Heard A Good Story Lately?

Upon occasion when Tom and I travel we have listened to an audio book to help pass the time. It is a great way to enjoy a story as it is often read aloud by the author himself. Hearing the story read from the one who wrote the book gives the words greater meaning and passion.

As we travel Route 66 we are reading God's story for ourselves, but have you considered the story He is writing each day in your own life? He not only reads His Word to us, but He is writing the pages of our testimony through the struggles and victories we face along the way. It is as if God gives us His book and then reads it aloud to us each morning when our feet touch the floor of a new day.


He is our ever present help connecting our story to His grand story found in His Word. This brings context to the written Word when The Word who became flesh and dwelt among us brings the Truth to bear in how we interpret our story.

Every good story has tension, trouble and heartache. This is what gives the story interest. If we quit reading the book when it got to this part, we would be left with despair. This is why we must keep reading to find out the end of the story. What was the purpose of the trouble? Certainly the author will bring an answer - eventually. Or maybe the author chooses to leave some things unanswered. If he does, at the very least the story will conclude in a satisfying way.

It helps to remember that God is writing our story - His story - in our lives. Everything we face, the trouble and the difficulty, has a purpose. We must embrace faith in the Author of our faith, because His Word declares He is not only the Author, but the Finisher of our faith as well! What good news!

"He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ!"

Now that's a story I can sink my teeth into!

Time for a Movie?

Families who traveled Route 66 would often pass Drive In Movie Theaters. It was a chance to take a break and enjoy time together as a family under the stars.

Today, I offer you the opportunity to pull off the road and watch this amazing "movie" on the wonderful subject of God's Sovereignty. You'll meet John Farese - who has lived with a severe disability, yet finds great joy and comfort from the Bible. I was amazed at how he shares example after example from God's Word to tell his story!

You may not feel you have time to watch - may I encourage you not to be like the Father who wants to keep on traveling without stopping for a break? We all need a moment to be inspired on the side of the road; I believe this 7 minute movie will do more than inspire you, it will add fuel to your tank allowing you to go farther on this road than you expected!

So, find a parking spot, clip the speaker to your window, turn up the volume and be freshly amazed at God's Sovereignty in all things!

Caution - Fog Ahead!

I recently traveled to Tennessee where the weather made driving quite challenging. I had to grip the wheel with all my strength and concentrate on the road ahead. Had I not been traveling with others, I probably would have preferred to stop the trip until the weather improved. But this wasn't an option...we had to continue on the road no matter the weather.

How like our lives this metaphor is! We can find ourselves in difficult circumstances, and the first thing we neglect is God's Word. We make up all kinds of excuses...I'm too tired, my schedule is too full...etc. But we must realize Route 66 doesn't come with exit ramps. God desires us to stay the course, continue pursuing Him no matter if we're facing, rain, sleet, fog or snow. He is the maker of the weather as well as our circumstances. He knows what we need, when we need it.

So, if you are facing trouble - don't stop! Grip the wheel, hang on and you may be surprised where you find yourself when the fog lifts!

On The Road Again...

...and this time feels so different. Maybe it's because I am sensing all the more my deep need to hear God speak to me from His Word. He is faithful, and amazingly speaks in a way that we can hear Him. What a God we serve - who not only makes a way for us, but then walks beside us making sure we are not alone. I heard this song today and was so encouraged by it, I had to pass it along to you.

Won't you join me by taking a moment to be with Him, and make this song your prayer for 2010?

Blowing In The Wind

It is January 3rd and I haven't heard from most of you what your plans are for the New Year. Please let me know if you would like to be included in Route 66 - 2010. Reading God's Word can seem like a difficult task when viewed over the whole year, and I will admit it is hard, but so worthwhile!

The Lord gave me a picture in my devotions on New Year's Eve that I would like to share with you. From my journal:

My time with you each morning is precious. You are the lifeline to all that really matters. Gently You tug and pull allowing me to come to You. And You never let go! Eternity will reveal how tightly You've held me, even when I didn't realize it. Thank You!

So, as I look to a new year and plan what my devotions will look like, I know I will finish reading the Old Testament, and I want to read the New Testament this year as well. But Father, I must ask You, "What would you have me do?" I know You are able and willing to interrupt my reading plans; You did that this year! I want to know You more in 2010. I want to have the truths of Your Word take deeper root into my conscience, changing how I think and live.

I want to lead the Route 66 Club into this same fertile ground. Your Word is a book of seeds; Each time it is opened there is a scattering of seeds blown across my heart. Route 66 on my first trip through the Bible was a dry and barren road. Now there are flowers and trees that are familiar mile markers to me. I remember different verses and how they've impacted me. It is a pleasant journey that I love sharing with others. But each one's road looks different. Help those who are part of Route 66 to enjoy this year's seed scattering allowing them to reap the beauty in the years to come.

In Your Name I pray,
Amen