Return to Me

Have you ever awakened in the morning with a dark cloud of depression around you?  It makes you feel hopeless and unable to get out of bed.  Depression is one of the tools the enemy has used against me in my life.  I remind myself, when "it" comes at me, that I am on a journey and that I have the victory over all the power of the enemy.  Sometimes, I have to slug through some sludge, to get to the Light.

This morning was such a time. Lying in bed, unable to move, imprisoned by emotions of grief and intense "aloneness,"  I cried out to the Lord, " I just need to hear Your voice."  As I lay there, worrying about all these issues running through my mind, I heard Him speak:

"Anna Marie, Anna Marie, you are worried about many things, but 

only one thing is needed, come and sit with me and learn from me."  (Luke 10:41)

Tears began to flow as I felt His Holy Presence.  The depression evaporated, and I felt so loved and surrounded by Love.  I realized that I had been caught up in worry and busyness. I had not taken the time to sit with my Heavenly Father, and be filled up with His love.  As I opened my Bible, and began to read, fresh understanding was there for me. I am renewed. 

And, as it almost always happens, everyone I prayed with today, or ministered to, was suffering from depression or anxiety.  It is beneficial to have training in the trenches of life.  If we let Him, God turns our pain and sorrows into glory for others on the Way.  

Blessings, dear ones.  May you be lifted up and filled with Joy this day! 

The Road Less Traveled

About a week ago, I decided to walk like my grand-dog, walking in crazy circles through underbrush and trails barely seen, as part of my exercise routine.  It has made me feel like a kid again!

As she and I were out on our daily walk,  I saw her at this cross road... if you look closely there is a set of tire tracks diverging to the left.  Up from the recesses of my memory came the poem of Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken,  and his words:

 " I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."

This poem had a significant impact on me when I was in grade school.  I don't remember how old I was, but I remember reading this poem and deciding to always take the less traveled road.  

As I reflected, walking with Cocoa,  I realized that the times I had followed the profound verse of Mr. Frost, my life had been the most fulfilling. They were never easy, but always good.  The times I had followed the easy path,  I would find myself in a rut. 

I never thought that walking like a dog would bring me back to myself.  But it has, "and that has made all the difference!" 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Flowers!

Went on a search for flowers today.  What a snipe hunt! There was not a flower to be seen...it is so hot and dry!  So I thought, hey! cemeteries usually have flowers...off I went in hope.  I decided to try to find the grave of Ima Hogg, a Texas philanthropist, who was laid to rest in Austin, TX  at the historic Oakwood Cemetery.  Sadly, the place is rundown and there were no markers to point the way.  I am going to try again when it is cooler!

I met a very elderly gentleman who was watering a plant and the grass around his mother's grave.  She had been gone over 30 years, and he was the last living relative.  I was so touched by the obvious care!

These flowers looked very lovely!  Silk! It's not my best photo, I forgot to bring my camera!! Took this with my phone. I am telling you, the heat is frying my brain!!

I think a flower photo challenge would be better in the Spring for us Texans!  Just sayin'....
Blessings!

Jesus has always caused trouble!

Matthew 2:1-3
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Emphasis mine)

Jesus has always caused trouble!  Even when He was born, in a time with no TV, internet, or cell phone communication, the news of His manifesting spread across the known world!  God has His ways of getting the Word out!  And the enemy wants to stop it! You can almost gauge how true a visitation of the Lord is by the opposition that is stirred against it.

I had never noticed the second part of verse three before: "and all Jerusalem with him."  According to historians, Jerusalem at the time of Christ's birth had a population between 30,000- 50,000, not counting the pilgrims who would come to worship.  Even if this passage is only referring to the leaders of the city that is still a significant number. Imagine, everyone stirred up and troubled by what should have brought the greatest of rejoicing to the Jews: their Messiah had come!

Recently, our Governor of Texas, called for a solemn assembly, a day of prayer and fasting, at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX.  I thought that the stadium would be filled to overflowing, just from the Christians who live in the city of Houston.  Instead, there was an outcry against the event, not just from non-Christians, which was to be expected, but from Christians whom I have had considerable respect for.  The judgement and presupposition of what it was all about was astounding!  Instead of rejoicing,  coming to see, and to let their voices and prayers be heard, they condemned. They were "troubled."  I have been particularly sad about the voices of condemnation.  But this passage helps me to realize that some things will never change until Jesus returns, and His Kingdom is once and for all established.

The videos can be seen at http://theresponseusa.com/  through the end of August.  I hope that if you read this blog, you will check it out for yourself.  Just imagine, if the news spread through the city of Jerusalem without video archives, how many in the country and around the world could be affected in our time!

Blessings and Peace, Anna Marie