Shutting out the voices

I awoke this morning to the sound of my neighbor calling her dog. Lex has a tendency to go her own way and get in trouble for it. Obviously she was not obedient today for as I was sipping my second cup of coffee and watching Beth Moore on Life Today... there was Lex on my deck... in the cold... and in the rain. Poor, wet, cold, disobedient pup.

That's the way I've been feeling lately. (If you remember my pity party not too long ago.) I've gotten over that but there are times the enemy of our souls whispers in my ear "what did you do to deserve this?". God has to be mad at you or you wouldn't be suffering so from the pain of illness and the frustrations of "being in need".

If we're not careful, we talk ourselves into not praying for God's redemption from the pit because of this lie told to us from "that voice". From what I've been told, the illness from which I suffer was most likely caused by a perfect storm of a virus or infection coming at a time of extreme stress. Yes, there was such a time. There were many instances, actually.

Could I have avoided it by having more faith? Perhaps I became ill because I was drinking too much Pepsi and overloaded my pancreas? I know, I got sick because I was so angry with my husband that I spent too long in unforgiveness. That has to be it, right?

As I thought of Lex this morning, the warm and loving Voice overwhelmed that which I need to shut out. It doesn't matter. Nothing I did or did not do may have brought on the suffering at this time in my life. It truly doesn't matter.

His mercies are new every morning. He holds us in the palm of His hand. He says if we come before Him asking for forgiveness, our sins are as far as the East is from the West. He doesn't remember them so if there is a voice whispering in our ear about our past failures... that voice does not belong to the only One whose opinion counts. He does not bring up the past and He tells us not to fear the future.

He walks with us in the here and now... we can go boldly before the throne of Grace being washed white as snow and pure before Him.

We can ask for Provision even if a voice is whispering our problems are our own fault (whether they are or not).

We can ask for Healing even if our own disobedience has brought about illness or because we live in a fallen world.

We can intercede for a loved one to come to the Creator of the Universe no matter what the past has shown or has been done.

As I was watching Lex through the windows of the french door, that is what the true Voice whispered to me. For unlike that poor pup, we have a Lord who is waiting to dry us off, set us by a warm fire, read to us Words of faith and encouragement, and present us to the Father... for that which Jesus begins He will also finish.

As long as we have faith in the correct Voice and trust and believe.

Picture: Nostalgia mini; allposters.com

Job in the early morning

Congratulations again to Heather and a thank you to all that left a comment. I already have a couple other books put back for a late Winter give away.

It is so good to be home this afternoon after attending a cookie exchange at the bookstore. I have time to ponder, ummm... in between laundry and dishes, vacuuming and trying to get a coffee stain out of the carpet, providing fresh water and food for Sasha and putting dinner in the oven. Hmmm... perhaps a week at the bookstore wasn't all that bad? :)

One day last week, Christopher had to drop me off at the coffee shop very early on his way to class. I had brought my Bible with me to spend some much needed quiet time before a very busy work day. After purchasing a muffin and coffee, I came back to my table to find the Bible opened at Job 38 & 39... one of my favorite places in all the Word. I'm not sure why it had opened to these two chapters as I've been reading through Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians for awhile (rereading until their messages sink in). Perhaps this is where I was suppose to be that day...


"WHERE WERE YOU?????", God is asking Job in these many verses. If you are so smart, then where were you when I created the world, set the waters in place, made the universe, etc. If I see God as an actor in a Shakespearean play, I can see the Almighty in great robes (looking a lot like Charlton Heston dressed as Moses)... one arm raised to the Heavens... the other pointing at Job... "WHERE WERE YOU???"... One could see Him as a parent who must give a stern talk to a toddler while at the same time, hiding a smile as one knows the little tyke has no answer.

The poetry that is the book of Job always brings wonder to me, the descriptions of things past and objects present... not to mention that which is to come in a far away place... what delight when one thinks of morning stars and scary Leviathan. God not only puts Job in his place but gives glimpses of the unknown Universe if one believes such things (and I do).

My husband once spent months (perhaps a year?) reading Job over and over for the book's message to those who suffer, those whose lives are filled with affliction and pain. I marveled at the message of forgiveness, for it is not until Job prays for his friends that we have a happy ending. However, it is in the very words of the Creator that we are filled with a peek into the oceans and the stars... and into the heart of man.

To think that those around me that morning were content with reading the morning paper or memorizing facts for an afternoon exam. I was on an adventure much more exciting than Narnia or Middle Earth... for the places mentioned in this Book are real... if we believe.