Seasons

I realize that in this blog there are quite a few days 

where I have said nothing at all. I had a mental breakdown.

Do you know how hard it is to say that? It is an admission 

of helplessness. Doctors couldn't diagnose me correctly.

Doctor after doctor referred me to psychiatrists 

because they thought I was crazy or depressed.

Though depression attacks me now and then,

I do not live in a state of depression.

A mental breakdown used to be called a nervous breakdown.

Either is appropriate.

I was also told to do my own research.

The internet is the 'information highway'. 

It is also the 'misinformation highway'.

In order to find the right pages, 

you need the right doctor.

So I called on Dr. Jesus,

and He sent His Holy Spirit

to guide me in all my ways.

I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.

I have been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis.

So, I am learning to live with pain.

I adapt.

Doctors do not want to hear that.

I don't want to say it.

But it's true.

Why hide behind a mask of "everything's fine",

when it really isn't?

Here I sit, at my little desk,

in my comfy chair and foot rest,

sharing my life and my heart with

whoever chooses to listen.

Some days there will be many posts.

And some days there might be nothing at all.

Seasons of life. Seasons of hope.

Seasons of pain. Seasons of joy.

This is my season of sharing.

May you be blessed.

Horn of Salvation

(this teeshirt is available for purchase at Vineyard Athens.

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in Whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:2

(this devotion is part of the JESUS IS series)

According to Strong's, the horn described here is long and straight, about 18"; bright and clear sounding; pure white; a corner of the altar; ray of light.

When we cling or grab hold to Jesus, we are holding on to His mercy, His deliverance, His strength. We claim that whatever trial/situation/circumstance we are currently in is for His glory, that God would be revealed in the endurance and outcome of hardships and storms.

David wrote this Psalm after God had delivered him from the hand of his enemies, from the hand of Saul, who sought David's life and wanted to end it. There are moments in our lives that seem to go on forever. These moments may only last minutes. But many times our circumstances/trials/situations last longer.

Tragedy and loss in life has a traumatic impact on the human body. The mind has suffered a grievous shock and shuts down to recuperate. The heart breaks and shatters beyond human repair. The spirit shakes and retreats to a place of safety and shelter. But the soul is secure in it's knowledge that Jesus is near. He's just a whisper away. My Comforter is here and my Deliverer is near.

Friends. Lovers. Divorce. Death. Loss. Tragedy. Grief. Sorrow. Pain. Growth. Life. Love. Hope.

As a wise man once said, "We are not starting over, we are turning pages to the next chapter."

Hiding Place

Psalms 91

I live in the secret place of the Most High where I abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I say of my Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress: my God; in Him I trust. He delivers me from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He covers me with His feathers, and under His wings I trust: His Truth is my Shield and my Buckler.

I shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies (in my direction) by day; I shall not be afraid of the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor am I afraid of the destruction that wastes at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; but it shall not come near me. (All around me is death and destruction. The tongue kills quicker than the sword.) Only with my eyes shall I look and see the reward of the wicked. Because I have made the Lord, which is my Refuge, even the Most High, my habitation. My home, my dwelling place; therein shall no evil befall me, neither shall any plague come near my dwelling.

For He gives His angels charge over me, to keep me in all His ways. His angels bear, lift, me up in their hands, preventing my destruction against the stones. I tread, heavily walk upon, the lion and the adder: the young lion and the dragon I trample under my feet. (Another section of the Bible says, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel." After walking on snakes and lions, I still have pretty feet.)

Because I have set my love upon Him, my Lord, He will deliver me: He will set me on high, because I have known His Name. I will call on Him, and He will answer me: He will be with me in troubled times; He will deliver me, and honor me. With long life will He satisfy me, and show me His salvation.