The Great Awesomeness of God

Imagine walking down a trail in a national park, enjoying the scenery, listening to the birds and other sounds of the wild when all of a sudden a loud roar seemingly right in your face brings you to a dead stop. Heart failure seems to set in. There in your path is a large black bear, standing on raised hind legs roaring in his hunger. As he lumbers toward you and you feel a scream in your throat, you wonder what you will be like after he is gone. Is your attitude going to be different after the encounter than it was before? If help comes, you will definitely have a new appreciation for survival.

The Bible talks about the devil being like a roaring lion walking about seeking whom he may devour. He is your adversary, your enemy. This is found in I Peter 5:8. If you know he is out there, do you go into the places where you know you will find him? If you hear his roaring, do you run from him or do you think it’s not you that he will be causing harm to? If you suddenly find him in your path do you think he is as real as that bear might be if you stumbled upon him? Before you know what harm he can do, will you believe that you will be the same after an encounter?

Satan is like a serpent, very subtle and very silent sometimes. Few serpents will warn you before you are bitten. Some will, giving you a moment or two to react and decide what to try to do. Most are camouflaged, hidden in their surroundings and just waiting for the perfect timing to strike. Satan will get you where you are most vulnerable. You will never be the same after as you are before. If you learn from the experience you will be better but you will not be the same.

Evil is as real as is God’s goodness. He can attack you in places that you would never believe. In your thoughts, feelings and emotions he can stir up so many ungodly feelings that your only hope of survival is to be aware of God and His love and mercy. He has more to give to you than ev... [Read More]

I have enough serious stuff to deal with without letting Satan sneak in with a bunch of petty things that can blow out of proportion so quickly.  We have to choose what we will focus on if we want to have any peace at all. 

Have you ever started to have a quiet time with Father, God and the devil begins to put thoughts in your head.  You know its him because he reminds you of your faults, your failures, every mistake he can find and how useless you are and you will never be any good and more and more petty stuff. God doesn't give us that kind of worry so we know it has to be evil and distracting.

I have learned to smile at some of the stuff he tells me.  It makes me feel more successful to know that he is using such pitiful stuff to try to shut me down and shut me up.  God has done so much in my life that I love to share it.  That has become the most important thing in my life.  If I take time to dwell on the thoughts evil comes up with I get so far out in left field that it takes me way to long to get back to where I was.   Talking to God.

I am so glad that He warns me when those thoughts come.  Sometimes He has to catch me and slow me down cause I took off running with some silly idea. You know, come to think of it, I should be in really good physical shape for running after such stuff.  But, the problem is when I catch it I realize I really dont want it.

I have a daughter that I know loves me but at the same time resents me greatly.  She will come close enough to touch but keeps her distance if you make that last move to touch her. We had an encounter today that ripped me greatly.   I have seen her come from a  terrible ungodly relationship to find herself and acknowledge that God is leading her and actually giving Him the credit for the change in her life.   I acknowledge that change and have done all I felt I could to encourage her and keep her going in the right direction. 

Tonight it was her time to come to me and give of herself back to help me through a hard time and she refused.  I asked for a hug in return for forgiving a 450 dollar debt she owed me.   It has been hard for us but God has kept us going but I felt like she needed to make acknowledgment to me and let me know she cared.  She refused.  I couldn't believe that she wouldn't swap a hug for relief of this debt.  She screamed at me and vented as to how I was making her feel.

It was most unbearable.  But, God came and was faithful in calming my spirit.  I know that she is trying and I guess I was aggrevated that she seemed to be gaining at my expense.  Considering the price Jesus paid for me,   It is redeemable.  So be it.  The debt is forgiven.

Is it true for everybody that really wants to serve God that when they get committed that everything that could happen starts coming like a flood. 

I have noticed that just because we are committed to serving God that things do not get easier as my mind thought.  I have also found that in the midst of troubles, God always sends a bright spot to let you know that He is still there.   He never takes His eyes off us.  He said we would be partakers of His suffering when we accept Him.

I have also found that if the troubles dont come, then we need to check our dedication.  Some people tend to run from God when things get rough because of thinking like me.  Ok, God here I am and I know things will be easier. Things didnt get easier for our Savior until He died on that cross.  He went there for us and our life has to be readily given to Him for His glory.

When we go through bad times, we have a greater witness to people.  It is easier to talk to someone over your own experience rather than trying to find a way to console them over something you don't have a clue about.  So, we need to know that GOd is faithful to us and never leaves us but, we have to have some experiences to share.  How many we get must depend on how much we want to share Him.  Do you think?

Easter is one of my favorite times of the year.  Spring is coming and everything is new and wonderful. I know its a bit early yet but I wanted to share some poems about Easter that I love.  Jesus Won.

How awesome is that?   Can you imagine standing in the garden and hearing his words, "It is ME"  I hope you share the poems and realize that our hope is not dead.  He is not buried.  He is alive forevermore.

Please make sure the world knows the bunny is not what Easter is for.  Jesus is what it is all about.  Resurrection, Renewal and Redemption.   I am glad the tomb was empty.  How about you?

Would Wood be Real

I inspected a tree
It was definitely wood.
I was given a challenge
To see if I could
Make something of the wood
That would not be real
But the wood is really wood
I can tell by the feel
So I cut down the tree
Yes it was really wood
I was determined
That I really could
Make something not real
Out of that real tree.
What it would be
Would be up to me.
I carved me a little piece
Of the tree with a blade
The real feel of the wood
Just never would fade.
But I wound up with a decoy
It was real wood without a crack
But the wood duck was not real
I could not make it quack.

Saturday, August 11, 2001
Ruby Harris
©2001

Hey, We had snow in Birmingham today.  Actually Leeds, where I live got a good covering.  We got to watch it fall and it was so pretty.

It usually snows in the night and we don't get to see it.  God does such handiwork with the snow.   It was so brilliantly displayed in the trees and along the roads. We had a lot on top of the house and it took it a while to melt away. 

It was too cold on this body to get out in it too much but we did have to go get dog food.   All the birds seems confused with the white stuff and we had to fill their feeders.  They flocked to it in no time at all.

I love to see the snow but I am always glad when it is gone.  I am glad gives us times to enjoy His surprises.  But, He knows when to let it disappear for sure.  I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow.  Just wanted to share Birmingham snow with you today.

I really hate those day that are so rushed that you are already set in motion before you realize time with Jesus should come first. Then you try to compensate and pray on the way to work at the same time watching traffic, animals, and yourself changing lanes trying to reach your goal.  God must really be impressed with my multi tasking.

It does seem that I would manage my time better.  Try to do some things to help slow me down in the morning.  I can be right on time until I realize I haven't checked my sugar or taken medication or the dogs and fish are not wanting to diet today. Trying to do in five minutes what it will take fifteen is not my strong point.  I am too old to hurry like that.

At least I do realize my need for God and sharing with Him first thing in the morning.  It now may be late morning or early evening.  Something is always jumping in my face when I try to share with him. I have a deep need to get back to that early morning time.  It is better to share with Him first thing than to try to do it after you have rushed yourself tired. 

Lord, help me to realize that You are the most important thing in my life.  I have to make time for early communion with you.  Just one scripture that speaks to my day is far more valuable than my schedule.