Reflections In The Water...The Finale...

Just when you thought the hounds of hell have officially been unleashed and your only means of escape lies at the bottom of the sea, God reminds us what He’s really all about.

In the midst of mass chaos, an eerie silence sweeps over the people as the words of Moses echo throughout the camp.

“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. Which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14 - emphasis mine)

Stand still. Calm down. Hush! Trust Me. How easy we forget that the God of creation is also the God of deliverance. And if we trusted Him enough to follow Him and His chosen man called Moses out of the bonds of slavery, even though we stand at the shores of the Red Sea, the God who got us out will also get us through. He WILL NOT take us down a path that leads to destruction. We might choose a side road…a short-cut, but His way is everlasting. The God who led us out, has the answers. The God who led us out, has a plan. The God who led us out, WILL take care of us, IF we will get out His way and let Him do it. Let Him, do it. Not us. Not me. Him.

Let Him do it.

Stand still…

“Father, it’s so hard to simply stand still. I, want to take of things. I, want to do it. And to be honest Lord, I’m tired of trying…please help. I can’t wait to see you at work. Father I’m asking for nothing less than the hand of God at work in my life. Clear the way…part the sea. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

The wind has picked up…the waves are rising…yes, He IS right here with me…and yes, the bottom of the ocean floor is dry…

Reflections In The Water...Part #2...

The group was three million strong. With them, they brought every piece of their belongings, as little and as ragged as it may be. For generations, all they knew and understood was slavery. Their living conditions were nothing more than cardboard cells. For most, the mere concept of freedom existed only in someone else’s world…another place, another time. Torture and death were the norm. Peace had vanished. That place called the Promise Land seemed fictional. It was the best of times…it was the worst of times. And now, things just got even worse…

This man called Moses had led the children of Israel out of slavery and into a world that was unusual by any stretch of the imagination. Not having to submit to the impetuous conditions provided by the Egyptian army was a lifestyle the latter generations had never known. Freedom…really?

There they stood, staring into the waters of the Red Sea. And staring back at them were desperate faces seeking deliverance. The path to perpetual freedom had led them to what appeared to be, a watery grave. With grumblings spreading throughout the camp, an about-face seemed evident. Maybe the life of slavery wasn’t so bad after all. Crying out for answers, the ground beneath them began to tremble. What they thought was an answered prayer was actually their worst nightmare coming true. For in the distance, the cause of the rumblings began to appear. It wasn’t a redeemer, it was reality. The Egyptian army had sent it’s best warriors to amass the Israelites and return them back into slavery. Death was before them, riding in chariots.

Have you ever been, literally, between the devil and the Red Sea? You know, the proverbial ‘rock and a hard place’? Yes you have. And some of you may be there now. Desperate for answers…not knowing which way to turn, what to do, you cry out for help only to have your pleas slowly sink beneath the sea. There is rarely a more lonely feeling…forgotten…hopeless.

I understand. Knowing that the God who led you out of one place only to ‘seemingly’ abandon you at the corner of death and desperation, is now silent. The waters of the Red Sea splash on the shores and on your feet, only to remind you that time is drawing near. And if there has ever been a time in your life to depend on the Living God, it’s now. Yet, the heavens remain silent.

Shhhhhhh…the winds of hope are beginning to blow…


…to be continued.

Reflections In The Water...

There is rarely anything more soothing than the rippling sounds of water. Many of us can drift back in time when we've had an opportunity to walk on the shores of the sea. Those of us in the South are drawn to the beauty of The Gulf, while those on our two outer coastlines have miles and miles of beach that contain the splendor of the oceans. The waves crash...the breeze is in my face...the seagulls dart to and fro overhead...the sand is between my toes... There 's just something about the ambiance of the beach...

I've stood on the edge of both coasts. The temperature was always toasty on the East Coast and chilly on the West. I've watched the sun rise above the Atlantic and I've seen the sun set beyond the Pacific. In the distance, majestic ships sometimes appear motionless as they ever so slowly make their way to exotic places unknown. The earth shakes as the waves pound the shores, rearranging nature's landscape. And each time as my eyes seek to find the outer edge of the waters, fear overtakes me as a battle rages within.

For as much as I love the seas...the oceans, I fear them even more. A childhood incident provided the foundations of a fear that I suffer with to this day. Way beyond a phobia, my fear of water is unimaginable. Just the thought of being near a body of water...even a normal swimming pool...sends chills up my spine...my blood pressure skyrockets...my heart races...my skin crawls... Many have offered help...but the fear continues to say 'no'.

While many of you long to have ocean-front property, I simply can't imagine living by the water. For you, it would be pleasure...for me, it would be pain.

Imagine being in this condition, and being forced into living on the shores of the sea. Imagine that your life...your world has been turned upside down and the future lies in the reflections on the water. Imagine what once was called normal...routine, has now vanished. Imagine what you once called home, no longer existed...yet you long to return. You relive the hardships and sufferings of the recent past and the memories of your nightmares are more inviting than what your future now holds...it seems....

...to be continued.

The Final Wrap-Up...

There is not a day that goes by that I don't wish for more hours in the day. 24 is somehow, not enough. I have taken, and taught, many time-management classes/seminars, and yet I still can't find enough time to do some of the things that I enjoy. Reading, is one of them, blogs, in particular. And with blogging becoming so popular, there are so many new blogs arriving each day, I'm running into that 'needing more hours in the day' thing, just to attempt to keep up. And I've come to realize, it's just not happening!

With that said, this will be my last 'Weekly Wrap-Up'. I will continue to post on my personal blog, but the wrap-ups have to come to a close. It's been a blast to give you my take on the local blog world. There is so much to learn about others through their blogs, and I strongly encourage you to continue reading in the local blog-world. And you have my personal invitation to continue to drop by here, for personal encouragement...stories...and just plain good coffee for the soul.

So here it is, the final wrap-up on the week that was, in no particular order...


Dean's post on a very tough topic, a third-party marriage, is a great read...Good job Dean, way to take a stand.

An absolute must read is over at K.T.'s. A silent world exists with few knowing the realities...a great personal expository on Down's Syndrome.

One of my favorite authors is Leonard Sweet, and Jeff gives us a very good review on Sweet's latest book.

Have an incredible week, and drop by often because the coffee is always fresh, and so is the conversation!

More Life...

It's time to stop trying to put more years in our lives,

and start putting more life in our years.

"I am come so that they may have life, and have it more abundantly."

~ Jesus

The Friday Wrap-Up...

Things have been kinda quiet this past week...the end of the school year, finals and graduation stuff is a time vacuum. Instead of listing any specific blogs for the week, I'd like to encourage you to read your favorites this weekend...and take time for yourself to post something new. If there is a blog out there that you would like for me to read and possibly make it on the Friday Wrap-Up, leave it in the comments...I'd love to read it. In the meantime, keep reading and writing, and have a great week.