Thursday, March 30, 2017

Water, Fire and a Whale


They say if you ever get caught in a riptide don't swim against the rip. 
I think that's a good analogy for how to battle the storms in our life. If we struggle against them we can become weary, even to the point of drowning.   But if we rest in God and allow him to take us into deeper places we will survive. 
This Scriptures is another way to look at it. 
Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.  Isaiah 50:11
What it's saying is when we are in a dark place we are tempted to try to find our own way out by lighting our own torch instead of waiting for God's light to shine on the situation to show us the true way out.  And the harsh reality of the last sentence is when we try to do it our way, not Gods, we will lie down in torment.  I think the story of Jonah is a good example.  I believe lying in the belly of a whale could be a bit tormenting. So I pray strength for anyone in a storm today. Yield to the wonderful work that God is trying to accomplish in you through this storm. Go deep and draw closer to Him. Let his purifying fire burn off everything that shouldn't be in your life. And remember the best is yet to come! 


For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

The Repo Man


He redeems my soul....

Recently I was doing a study on the word redeem. And I found one of the definitions is repossess. I like to look up different words in a scripture because it can give you a deeper personal meaning. 
And for me that word repossess did just that. 
When I was in my wild girl days, before Jesus that is.
I had a first date with a guy who was a detective. Which happened to be I rode along with him down to Jersey shore to repossess a car. 
(I know like every girls dream date. lol)
God used that silly memory to speak this to my heart about the word repossess. 
He said, "Why does a person get a car repossessed"?  My answer was, "because they didn't pay for it". He said "exactly!". That's why I have the right to go to repossess your soul...(your mind,will & emotions) when the enemy tries to keep possession of them, because he didn't pay the debt I did!  Jesus wowed me with that one and I can't tell you how many times a day I cry out "God repossess my soul!" 
And he always does. In the natural I saw how hard that detective worked to get possession back of that car. Which now gives me a clearer picture of how relentless God is to repossess our soul.  
Because He's the best repo man out there!

He has redeemed my soul in peace 
from the battle that was against me...Psalm 55:18

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Keep your composure



Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place.  Proverbs 27:8


I love the story in the Bible about the prodigal son. Maybe because in many ways I can relate to both the main characters, the father and the son. I have been prodigal and I've also been that parent waiting for a prodigal.  To sit in a place of rest when someone you love is not just walking, but running away from God can be anguishing.  Because if you're chasing God it will feel like they're running away from you.  But it's not so, it's the God in you that they can't be around.  And actually the Bible says we're to rejoice if we are persecution for His sake. I know, wow easier said than done! Prodigals can be hard on you when they are in their pigpen.  I know because like I said, I was prodigal at a time in my life, and I know I broke hearts. 
(Thank you Jesus you have mended them.) 
But you know what I love most about the prodigal story is the father's stance.  He never got into the pigpen with his son but he watched and he waited with great expectation that his son would return. And we know that by this verse .... "and when he was still a great way off his Father saw him and had compassion. and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him." Now if that isn't a picture of redemptive love I don't know what is!  Don't give up on your prodigal, be it a child, a spouse, a friend. Pray, keep your composure, know God is working behind the scenes. 
I'm living proof! 


#aprodigalnomore

Monday, March 27, 2017

Birds of a feather flock together


Did you ever hear that expression? I had it go through my head yesterday.  It means people who are like minded, same morals, same likes, similar interest, similar character. But it got me thinking... what does my flock look like?  I think a person's flock says a lot about them. I think it's a good way to take a self-assessment to look at the peeps in your life. I'm not saying in a judgmental way. I'm saying what are their qualities....what do they have that you want to be flock together with? To often we can dwell on that one person in our life that don't have the qualities that make life enriching because of their own hangups, hurts or bondage. So I did this little mental assessment, even the bible says "be sure to know the condition of your flocks"...ok so it's talking about cows there. But it made me start to realize I have amazing people in my life! Generous, kind, loving, self sacrificing, lovers of God more than themselves. I started to well up with such hope as I dwelled on the amazing qualities of the people in my life. So if you don't have these kind of peeps in your flock it's time to pluck some feathers... Most importantly is Jesus a part of your flock?  Actually is He's in the center of it?  
If so you'll find yourself in some pretty awesome company. 


All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.  Act 4:32

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 
1 Corinthians 15:33 


Little note: I was given that statue a few years ago. But just realized it has bluebirds on it. And of course it's named happiness!

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Sing the louder still


He placed me in a little cage,
Away from gardens fair;
But I must sing the sweetest songs
Because He placed me there. 
Not beat my wings against the cage
If it's my Maker's will,
But raise my voice to heaven's gate
And sing the louder still!

This was part of my devotional last week and it just keeps resonating in my heart. Sometimes in our struggles we can start to believe they are because of someone else's actions, or a circumstance that's happening to us out of our control. We can be like the words of this poem, "beating our wings against the cage". Because the thought of a loving God putting us here just seems cruel. But in all reality it is a loving God who will hedged us in so He can teach us to sing a louder, sweeter song, that is by His design to set the real prisoners free.

Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn't believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose.
(Acts 16:25-26)


Saturday, March 25, 2017

Happiness always comes back around

So let me tell you the bluebird story.  
In a very difficult time in my life God started saying the word "happiness" to me. Which was the complete opposite of my situation.  Also simultaneously he started inundating me with bluebirds, to the point I had to pay attention.  I was seeing them on everything from cups to cards to signs, they were even given to me as gifts when no one knew this beautiful intimate wooing God was doing to my soul.  One day it just drove me to go research what a bluebird symbolized . And to my sheer delight I discovered it was happiness!  Again at a time in my life when that would have been the last word to describe my circumstance, it was a breath of fresh air. A promise I clung onto till happiness came back around, because it always does. 
In fact one of my favorite bluebird experiences I want to share with you today is this. It happened one night after tossing and turning unable to sleep I finally deciding to just get up and go pray.  I have this designated place that I like to sit and talk to Jesus at. I guess you could call it my prayer closet, although it's not a closet. But I just feel like when I go there He's already sitting waiting for me. It was a bit chilly so I wrap myself in the cozy blanket that was laying beside me and cried my heart out.  You know that kind of messy cry you only do alone before the Lord. This was around the time He first started speaking to me about bluebirds and His plan for me was happiness. He was encouraging my heart to trust Him with all that was so heavy on it. I basked in His comfort for quite awhile and when I was finished I stood up, dropped the blanket behind me were I was sitting, and as I turned to switch the light off I realized it was covered in bluebirds. I literally felt like God said "Anna I have wrapped you in happiness don't fret about these things any longer". 
I want back to my bed and slept that sweet sleep that only comes from knowing Jesus. 

Jesus is such an intimate God and so personal.  He loves to delight and woo us. Especially when life breaks us. That's when He is lovingly gathering all the pieces.... not one will be missed.  and He's about to make a masterpiece out of them. So don't quit! Happiness always comes back around. 


At that time I will bring you in; yes, at that time I will gather you, for I will make you a name and a praise among all the nations of the earth when I reverse your captivity before your eyes, says the Lord. Zephaniah 3:20


Friday, March 24, 2017

Welcome Feathered Friends


So why Bluebird House? Well I'm glad you asked. 

The bluebird is symbolic of happiness. 
I hope any time you spend visiting my blog that's just what you experience,  true happiness. :D 

I believe God has hardwired us to pursue happiness. Unfortunately what many people consider to be happiness is fleeting.  True happiness only comes when we live our life for the one who created happiness. 
So in a world filled with so much unhappiness, I wanted to create a place where you could sit down with a hot cup of whatever floats your boat (mine would be tea).   And get to know along with me the one who really brings true happiness, Jesus.  
  
So welcome to the happiness house.  



Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous - with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble,who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!  Matthew 5:3