Tag Archives: a step onward and upward

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We can pray as they soar

I was making a video of a nasty storm when I spotted these 2 birds of prey.  You know, birds like hawks and eagles, etc.  Within minutes, the bottom would be falling out from this storm.  But there they were, soaring through and above the storm.

Iwe pray while they soar

Soaring is when you use the wings God gave you to glide along your journey.  These birds didn’t flap their wings a single time as I watched them.  Instead of using their own power by flapping their wings, they just soared.  God’s power from winds and thermal drafts allow these beautiful creatures to soar.

Seeing these birds reminded me of my dear friend (and her family) who are all having to face a nasty storm in life.  This family has been lifted up in prayer.  God is definitely lifting them higher spiritually.  Higher, so that they will be using the wings of Eagles to navigate through and over this storm.

I wish I had answers to life’s questions.  God, why is this happening?  Why them?  What will happen next?  On and on.  It’s  my weak human nature showing through that makes me crave these answers.  I want to do all the flapping myself.  I can fly under my own power.  I’ve got my own “wings”.

But, somewhere in the journey we begin to trust in God’s power.  We “spread our wings”, not to flap in busyness. But, our wings are now spread so that we can use God’s power and His Glory to “lift” us up and along on our journey.  It’s no more the tireless flapping (which looks busy), but now it’s the reaching out for God and His power (sorta looks like we’re not doing anything).  But a valuable move has been made.  The faith and trust required to depend solely on God can only come from……. well, God himself.

My dear friend and family,  I hurt for you.  We love you so much.  You are being such an inspiration, spiritually, to all of us who are walking around looking skyward.

There you are soaring high up in the sky.  Soaring with the help from an Almighty God.  I’m sure the view is different from on Eagle’s wings you are now soaring with.  All we see from this view below is a nasty storm.  You are living life from day to day, “one day at a time” as you say.  The faith and trust to travel hour by hour, day by day, depending on God alone is nothing short of living the miracle.  What miracle?  Having a living relationship with a living God.  He is there “lifting you up on Eagles wings”.  We lift you up in prayer.  God is lifting you even further, closer to Him.  Soar my friend!  We hurt and fret for you from below.  God is lovingly and powerfully guiding you closer to Him from above. Soar, fly higher my friend.

eaglesoar

But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles…….  Isaiah 40:31
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Why do we flinch?

Why do we flinch?  Whether from the gun or from God, we flinch because of fear.  We have power from the gun, but we flinch because of this power.  We have this awesome God, yet we “flinch” when around His power. Watch this 10 second video. (Then, come back to read my excuse.)  I am an experienced black powder hunter. But watch as I flinch.  I know not to do it.  It causes me to miss.

My excuse?…… The cap explodes right in my face a split second before the gun bellows out a bullet headed for the target.  That’s the fun of a muzzleloader!!  The fear of the gun’s recoil/the kick, the loud noise, even the fear of me missing, causes me to flinch.  The fear of missing the shot, actually makes me miss!

Psalms 125:1 NIV Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

How do you “flinch” in your Christian walk.  Let me share a few examples.    Why pray, it won’t do any good.(flinch)  I’m seeking God’s will for my life, but……(flinch)  I’m as much afraid(flinch) of God answering my prayer, as I am that He won’t hear my prayer(flinch).  See? If you and I can be totally honest, we have way too much fear/doubt/unbelief(flinching) in our relationship with Christ.  Our fear/doubt/unbelief(flinching), actually causes us to miss out on God’s promises!

If I trust in the gun, I don’t allow my fears to cause me to flinch. I don’t shake or twitch. I am solid.

If I trust in the Lord, with His Help, I don’t allow my fears to cause me to flinch. I am solid.

Our heavenly Father has His Power and His Love that He promises to give us.  We  flinch at every encounter we have with Him.  What is so amazing about this awesome God with His power, is that He freely gives to each of us.  He will even help with your flinching.  Just ask Him!

Lord, help me to use this power for Your Glory. And Lord, help me with my fears, doubts, unbeliefs (flinching).  I want to be solid.  Bullseye!

muzzloadershot

What makes you flinch?  Share with me and others.  Leave a comment below.

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On your mark….. Get set….. I’m stuck

At first I thought he was waving at me..  All 4 legs,(and his tail), were waving. The other 5 turtles slid quickly into the water.  This turtle is stuck. I’m betting that he pushed himself up on the log, and with one last heave/ho, he managed to get in this predicament.  The log is just the right diameter that his feet can’t reach it anymore.  Stupid turtle.

On your mark...get set....

On your mark…get set….

Can’t blame anyone but himself.  You know all the other turtles just watch. (you’d think they would give him a nudge anyways).  How long has he been there?  Long time based on how the mud was dried on his shell, and his skin looked dried out like a piece of overcooked bacon. I paddled the boat over.  As I approached, this turtle waved, then stopped as if he had given up.  I tapped on the log with my oar, the turtle slid down about 2 inches.  He just sat there.  Stupid turtle.  Then he must have gotten his second wind, or turtle determination, cause he slid into the water and swam off (barely).  Stupid turtle.

Well, I guess I must admit that I have been a “stupid turtle” myself at times.  We all have.  We call ourselves being slow and careful, yet in spite of this, we end up getting stuck.  Whether in a spiritual situation, a relationship with someone, or in an everyday occurrence, we make one last heave/ho and it brings us to a screeching halt.  Trying to do it all on our own, I guess.  It’s like being up a creek without a paddle, only worse.   It’s like being up a log without a foothold.  Stupid me (and you).

Lord, help us as we travel on each of our journeys.  And protect us from our own “stupid” self.

See Ya!  Dan Ainsworth