“Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”
Psalm 77:20
—-
Take my hand, Lord,
and guide me through this weary time.
—-
Gently lift and gently lead,
my eyes are tired,
the path is dim.
—-
Take my hand, Lord,
a grasp of friendship,
a grasp of love,
—-
Father to child,
child to father,
trusting,
secure,
warm.
—-
Take my hand, Lord,
that I might be healed,
and capable soon,
to reach my hand,
back to another.
—-
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Mark 13:32 (KJV)
——-
I drive between the small town I live in and Phoenix, AZ every week. Although the trips can make me very weary, usually it is quite uneventful and often gives me time of insight and inspiration.
5 o’clock came, end of day, and I started packing my car, ready to head back up the mountain toward home. I was about to place a box of files in the back seat of my car, but for a flash of a second I saw them flying around in the sky. I’ve learned to trust these flashes and with a smile I said, “Okay Lord” and put them securely in the trunk, wedged tight.
Traffic through the city was lighter than usual, for that I was grateful. I had my glass of Iced Tea (to keep me awake) and my Christian Music (to keep me singing and bouncing), I was on a mission to get back to the family.
The main highway has been under construction for years and always poses a challenge for impatient drivers. I set my speed with my cruise control and tried not to let anything distract me. About an hour and a half into my trip I was in the heavy climbing area, where the road winds back and forth. Trucks are to follow the signs that are posted in that area and remain in the right lane only; at least that’s what I thought.
The road curved to the left ahead of me and as I cleared the curve there was a semi-truck over half way into the left lane, directly in front of me, it was attempting to pass a slower truck in the right lane. I hit my brakes and held the steering wheel as firmly as I could. The brakes hopped, skipped and sang. I went from 70 mph to 33 mph in . . . well . . . I was a little too preoccupied to notice, but I can tell you it was very few seconds. It was the closest I have come to hitting anything; inches. I don’t think the semi-truck ever saw me.
As soon as I was safely back in the lane of travel I heard the words, “No one knows the day or the hour.” It quickened my spirit and pulled at my heart. Only the hand of God kept me from hitting that truck – it wasn’t my day, it wasn’t my hour.
“Yes, Lord.” Was I ready? The faces of my family ran through my mind – I had almost left them behind that day. What would have happened to them? Had I finished the call that God had place before me? WAS I READY??
God, nudge me. Never let me tarry on items you’ve called me to complete. Give me the strength and Wisdom to complete every task – leave nothing unfinished. Teach me what is most important in Your eyes, that all will be complete.
Are you ready?
By Linda J. Humes
Written 5-31-2009
“For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight.” Psalm 49:3 (NLT)
The Garden of Eden holds a critical lesson about the frailty of man. How easily we can be fooled by clever words that play on our earthly desires. We can be so caught up in receiving those “special wants” that we don’t ask about the lingering after effects.
Extremely gifted people are placed in marketing departments for every major company. If they can get people to touch their product, whatever it may be, and convince them that their product will dramatically change lives, then they’ve done their job and a product is sold.
How many cars have been purchased for the “sex appeal” marketing and later repossessed because of high car payments, high insurance costs and expensive repairs? How many expensive jewelry purchases have put difficult financial burdens on young families because marketing says that a diamond ring or necklace is the only way to prove your love to your spouse? How many young lives have fallen ruin because of movies and commercials showing that “Cool” people drink, smoke, party and are sexually active?
Satan tempted a “perfect” life in a “perfect” world and turned the entire future of man upside down. Adam and Eve did not understand temptation; they did not understand evil; they did not understand that life could be anything different than it was. They did understand that there was a rule and it was a very explicit and critical rule: They were not to eat from the tree.
In Adam’s and Eve’s minds the gain must have appeared to far out-number the potential loss; how bad could the consequence possibly be in a “perfect” world? We all know that the consequence was the exposure of imperfection, pain, fear, loss of relationship and death. I wonder whether they would have been as willing to disobey if they truly had understood the consequence.
Many times I have wished that I could have kept my children completely protected from the evils of this world. I raised them in a Christian school for many years, until it closed. The harsh reality of life struck each of them in a different way when they started secular schooling and met their first bully. They were shocked by the negative interactions of student to student and teacher to student. Had I set them at a disadvantage by protecting their environment? Would they have had better “worldly” coping skills if they had been exposed to non-Christian behavior in their formative years? I can only guess and wonder and pray wisdom over my now grown children; each one walking a difficult journey in their lives right now.
Resisting those temptations, bullies and everyday challenges takes wisdom. Wisdom sets us in right-standing with the Word of God and gives us the direction and skills to fight. How do we receive wisdom, where does it lie? It is in Jesus Himself (1 Corinthians 1:30); it is from God, given as a gift (Exodus 31:3); it is shouted in the streets and the public squares by those who have walked the journeys and chosen to encourage and warn others (Proverbs 1:20). Wisdom is within each of us, if we ask for it; if we will humble ourselves and recognize our frailties; if we will desire not to fall into temptation (James 1:5).
God, please give me the wisdom to teach and guide Your children back to You. Help me to help them to understand that temptation comes at the hands of skilled marketers, including Satan himself. Help me to teach them to call out to You for wisdom – for the small things and for the mountains that stand in their path. Please Lord, help me to remain humble as I ask again for the wisdom I need to continue this journey.
By Linda J. Humes
Written 8-29-2011
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11
—–
Into every person’s hand,
God brings life.
—–
Sometimes they are the children, of our passion;
Sometimes the children, of our compassion;
Sometimes the hopes and dreams, of our soul.
—–
And with the honor, comes obligation;
to breathe truth, to breathe love,
to breathe hope, to breathe light,
into that life.
—–
With the guard of ministering angels, life can grow.
But tempted by the guard of the fallen,
they find anger, they find strife,
they embrace perversion.
—–
We choose their angels, in their toddler years;
They choose their angels, in their teens;
All choose again, in the maturing of life.
—–
Where have we sent them, these precious lives?
What have we shown them?
What example have we set?
—–
Do the angels of our light,
war with the angels, of their darkness;
Or do the angels of our darkness,
strive to drive away the angels, of their light?
—–
Into every hand, God places the gift of life.
Some are the children, of our passion;
Some are the children, of our compassion;
Some are the hopes and dreams,
of our soul.
—–
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV
—-
I’m strong – I have power,
You’re weak – you’re nothing.
I could hit you – I could stab you,
You’re weak – you’re nothing.
—-
These streets are mine – I need nothing,
I don’t need food – I don’t need a room.
I can do anything – I can do everything,
You’re weak – you’re nothing.
—-
I could kill you – I could take your money,
I could destroy everything you have.
I am strong – nothing can touch me,
You’re weak – you’re nothing.
—-
What’s wrong with you, man?
Don’t you see me, don’t you hear me?
You are at my mercy –
You are a bug in the palm of my hand,
You’re weak – you’re nothing.
—-
Don’t you hear me – can’t you see what I am.
I am strong – I am tough – nothing can hurt me.
I need nothing – I need no one –
The streets are mine,
You’re weak – you’re nothing.
—-
You’re different, man – you’re different.
You don’t fear me – but you’re not tough.
You sort of glow, man – are you high,
What are you on, man?
—-
You’re different, man – you’re different.
I’m tough – I’m mean – but – you’re different.
What’s in you, man – I don’t get it.
I’m mean – but you’re looking at me like –
Like – we’re old friends, or something.
But – I don’t have friends –
There are no friends on the street,
NO – you’re weak – you’re nothing.
—-
I don’t need you – I don’t need nobody,
The streets are mine – I live through fear,
No one messes with me.
But, you’re different, man – Who are you?
—-
Don’t touch me, man,
No one touches me – Nothing touches me.
I’m mean – the streets are mine,
I’m – – strong – – I’m – –
Who are you?
What are you?
—-
Sit down, man – over here,
Where no one can see.
Tell me again why you aren’t afraid.
—-
There’s no way You could have been like Me,
No way, man – You’re weak – you’re – – different – – you’re – –
—-
I don’t want to change,
I don’t need food – I don’t need nobody,
People are bad news, man –
People are no good,
Out here I’m king, man,
These are my streets – I’m mean . . .
—-
Don’t hold me, man -don’t touch me – don’t . . . .
Why did you do that –
Why do you care about me.
There’s nothing in your world for me,
There’s no hope – I’m not like you –
You’re not like me,
I can’t be like you.
—-
Who are you, man – look at me cry,
I don’t cry – I’m mean – I’m tough – I’m . . .
Who are you?
—-
Ok, man – Ok.
Tell me again,
Tell me again about this Jesus guy.
—-
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. Luke 15:31-32 KJV
—-
Where is my heart, Lord,
The heart You can see.
Has it wandered much too far,
From where it ought to be?
—-
I rest in Your presence
And wonder where I am.
Have I gone too far?
Have I given up too soon?
You have set a path for me,
Charted by Grace,
Out of bondage,
Through the Wilderness,
Into the Promised Land.
—-
How often do I cast a glance
At the familiar security of bondage?
My memories, sweetened with time,
Draw me back across the Wilderness
That I have already overcome.
My promise of tomorrow,
Looses distance,
By my own temptations.
—-
Yet, at the end of my daily journey,
As I cry out,
You rest with me.
Words of encouragement urge me forward,
The reality of temptation, once again,
Becomes clear.
—-
There is no anger in your voice,
There is no disappointment,
Only tears of joy,
Fatherly pride,
As I step, once again,
Toward the promise.
—-
Callous my heart, Lord,
To sweetened memories,
To familiarity.
—-
Tender my hear, Lord, toward You.
Let me see Your path with certainty.
Harness my mind and confusion.
Touch the greatest depths of my soul,
That when we meet again,
In the cool of the day,
That I might hear You,
With a perfect heart.
—-
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Mark 15:34 (NIV)
Easter has always been a hard day for me. I love the music. I love the spring clothing. I love the new growth and flowers in bloom. I love the promise of God that comes with the resurrection. But, I can’t even think on the crucifixion and what it meant.
When I think about Jesus, and all He did during the 3 years of recorded ministry, hanging on a cross, ripped, bleeding, nailed; I cry. When I recognize that the torture they put Him through was a sacrifice for my sins and a door to my eternal life; I cry. How could this perfect man be so destroyed by a sin-filled people, didn’t they understand who He was? He performed miracles before them and taught them the message of love and forgiveness. How could they not know?
I wonder what God was feeling at the moment the soldiers stood the cross in place, the tortured body of His Son nailed to the front. He had a plan, and His Son was the critical element of that plan, but He was also a father.
One of my children made a very poor decision and was picked up by the police department. He was in the back of the squad car calling “Mom, Mom, Mom . . . !” I wasn’t allowed to go near the car or speak to him. Those words still echo in my head and mind and I get overwhelmed with emotion, knowing that my child needed me and the comfort of my words, but that there was nothing I could do. Is that how God felt when Jesus cried out “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” In the late hours of a dark night do they continue to haunt Him like my child’s words continue to haunt me? Or was the outcome so powerfully wonderful that the echoes are diminished with love?
God, please forgive me for my portion of the plan that Your Son endured for me. Hold me ever accountable to the call You placed on my life before the world was formed, and later when you formed me in my mother’s womb. Let me always be diligent in praising You and sharing who You are to a world filled with darkness.
“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” 1 John 2:27
Have you ever walked into a church and felt the anointing? Have you listened to a song and felt the presence of God flowing over you? Has someone laid hands on your shoulder as you were deep in prayer and felt the power of God shoot straight through you like a charge of electricity? Have you reached out to caress an old worn Bible and felt a tenderness in your hand? Have you ever placed a prayer cloth over your head or around your shoulder and felt a calm pass through you? We all have “God Moments” when there is no doubt about His presence. But, have you ever felt the anointing in the little things?
I’ve been told that people can tell when others are praying for them, it’s the anointing crossing the distances we cannot. The anointing can go into the battlefield with a soldier, into a prison cell, into a hospital room or into a classroom with the person in prayer sits in an office or bedroom miles or countries away.
Recently someone gave me a small knitted blanket with a bag of donations, one I suspect was knitted for a baby boy (it’s blue!). When I touched it I could feel the anointing of loving prayer, likely spoken as each row was knitted. I keep it in my travel bag, what comfort and peace it brings, no matter where I am.
I wonder if we leave that same anointed feeling as we walk through our daily lives. Does the accident victim feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit as we whisper a prayer in passing? Does the stranded motorist feel the angels of protection, placed in prayer, as help is summoned. Does a hurting person feel the hug of God as we fold them in our arms and pray? Does the inmate feel “something” as they open the letters of encouragement mailed off with a seal of prayer? How much do our prayers make a difference?
I can only give as much anointed prayer as I have worked to receive through personal time with God. I can only share the anointing I have been filled with through hours of prayer. How much do I want to give? How much do I want to make a difference? Lord, use ALL of me.
Lord, God, let me never forget that the comfort I can share may be the only moment of peace in a person’s week, month or year. Let me be like that small blue blanket, stitched with love, that still feels like and smells like the anointing of God. Draw me continually into prayer. Amen.
By Linda J. Humes
Written 6-2-2010
“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?“ Proverbs 20:9
—–
There’s a pebble in my shoe,
One of those small odd shaped ones,
That often fall securely to the side,
Only rubbing a little.
—–
Not a big pebble,
Yet not too small.
—–
I know it’s there,
I know it doesn’t belong,
But it isn’t so large that I need to stop,
To empty it out.
In fact, if I toss my foot just so,
I hardly know it’s there.
—–
Once in a while,
It jumps right out of it’s crease,
And settles beneath my heel,
Zapping me back to the realization,
That it really doesn’t belong.
—–
Then I shake my foot again,
And send it off,
To hide in a crease.
—–
I could shake it out,
But I’ve grown accustomed to its presence,
It’s sort of a game,
How far can I walk without getting zapped.
And it’s like having a deep secret,
That no one else knows.
—–
Sometimes I talk to it,
It’s like an old friend,
Then it bruises a toe,
And becomes an agitation.
—–
Soon I’ll toss it out,
I can do it any time I want.
I think.
—–
It won’t matter if I toss it out,
Or if it stays,
It doesn’t affect me that much,
At least not than anyone else would notice.
Well, except for those who see me limp,
Or occasionally jump.
But otherwise, no one can tell.
—–
I have a pebble in my shoe,
I call it sin.
—–
Linda J. Humes 