I am sure this has never happened to you, but this morning, in spite of my best efforts, I was running late. I was trying to hurry myself along but to no avail.
I got my truck pointed down the road and found an opportunity to make up for lost time. Again, I am sure this has never happened to you. However, I am only human.
So after coaxing my Toyota up to "on or about the posted speed" I noticed the roadway surface was glazed over with a nice sheen of ice.
Which interestingly enough was almost exactly the same moment I noticed Bambi and her posse of ruffian deer ambling across the highway.
Two things happened simultaneously, (a) my goatee turned a lighter shade of gray and (b) I lost 10 days off the end of my life. And the good Lord gave me a "verbal warning" to slow down and drive at an appropriate speed for winter conditions. I'm no dummy. He only has to tell me once (a morning).
My spiritual observation for tonight is, when you are vulnerable, whether by your own design or otherwise, life will complicate things with a well placed speed bump.
"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble" Psalm 46:1
NOTICE the descriptive words used in Psalm 46:1....
"God" (Elohim) is our refuge" - Elohim is the word for the Triune (3 in 1) God. So our Enemy will have to go thru all Three (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to get us.
"Refuge" – Is a safe shelter or hiding place from danger or storms.
"Strength" -- Is our security, boldness, or power.
"always ready" -- means God is always with us.
"help" -- means to come to our assistance.
He doesn’t leave us to our own struggles alone.
"in times of" -- means that God will not be late -- but will be with us during our distress, in the midst of our suffering.
"Trouble" -- means "in a tight place, in misery, in distress, in agony, in suffering"
Such as a tight place when you are between a rock and a hard spot.
"I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night
-- but even in darkness I cannot hide from you."
Psalm 139:7-12
THOUGHT:
"In times of peace - fortify.
in times of battle - rest."
Showing posts with label trouble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trouble. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Sheer Pin
I think winter gave us another "head fake" last night.
You know, when someone moves their head one direction in an effort to lure you that direction, only to have them spin around and run the other way.
Well, that is exactly what I think winter is doing. You spent all morning shoveling and plowing. Only to find that by late afternoon, it was warming up and the snow was melting. The exciting thing about living here is, there is no telling what the weather will do next. Watching the weather forecast holds a great deal potential for a good laugh. The best they can do is hang their heads out the window and tell you what they see. And no two winters are alike so, hang on and enjoy the ride. Variety is the spice of life.
A few years ago, we experienced a very impressive winter. The snow piled high and there wasn't a snowblower to be purchased anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. So, the next year, my wife and I purchased a snowblower. My first snowblower. To say I know very little about snowblowers, would be gracious.
Of course, we haven't had enough snow since then to justify our purchase. However, this morning, we fired up the beast and my wifey took it for a test lap around the driveway. I noticed that very little snow was blowing out the chute. So I got around in front of it and sure enough, only half the auger was turning.
I did a quick diagnostic and found a large rock jammed in the chute. This caused the sheer pin to do its job and my beastie snowblower was out of commission until I get into town and purchase a replacement pin.
What, pray tell, can a simple sheer pin have to do with God's Word or your life?
Lets begin this with a thought to ponder: "God built each of us with a sheer pin. A device that is designed to stop us when we have over extended ourself. When we have reached beyond what is healthy and reasonable, our system breaks down and we are forced to step back and assess our situation."
Three years ago, I managed to push myself to the point of my health failing. I refused to take a day off and continued to pack my schedule from early morning to late at night. For my own good, God allowed me to become sick. I had to take a Sunday off and stay in bed. For the better part of a week I slept. When I got to feeling better, God opened the door for my wife and I to have a long talk about my health, my schedule, and our relationship. Some very positive things came out of that "long talk".
I worked in the Stevens County Jail for about 15 years. I liked the job security. I liked the Sheriff. I liked the benefits. I received a promotion, that I liked. And I really liked the money. God had other plans for me and allowed my sheer pin to do its job. I was on the receiving end of an inmate attack and sustained a serious injury. My injury required spinal fusion surgery. I tried to go back to working in the jail but God had an opinion.
My neurosurgeon explained to me in no uncertain terms that if I went back into the jail and was hurt again, the results would be crippling and terribly painful. I believed him. So, rather than trust God to take control, I transferred to 911. I honestly loved working in the 911 Comm Center. I liked my coworkers and the work was never dull. However, once again, God was trying to get my attention. This time the sheer pin was more personal. God removed my joy. True Joy is a God given, supernatural gift that supersedes circumstances. It didn't matter that I was married to the most amazing woman or that I really enjoyed my job. My life held no joy. This was the sheer pin God used to get my attention.
So, I shared my "sheer pin" stories with you. When you look at your life, what did God do to shut you down and get your attention? Maybe that sheer pin event in your life is still going on. Is God trying to get your attention?
Today, I had a decision to make. I could have rebelled, bowed my neck and refused to accept the sheer pin setback. I could have continued to drive around the driveway with the motor running, the wheels turning but no snow being moved.
Is it possible that God is to the point in your life that He feels the only way to get your attention is to break your sheer pin?
"When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy."
Psalm 94:18-19
You know, when someone moves their head one direction in an effort to lure you that direction, only to have them spin around and run the other way.
Well, that is exactly what I think winter is doing. You spent all morning shoveling and plowing. Only to find that by late afternoon, it was warming up and the snow was melting. The exciting thing about living here is, there is no telling what the weather will do next. Watching the weather forecast holds a great deal potential for a good laugh. The best they can do is hang their heads out the window and tell you what they see. And no two winters are alike so, hang on and enjoy the ride. Variety is the spice of life.
A few years ago, we experienced a very impressive winter. The snow piled high and there wasn't a snowblower to be purchased anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. So, the next year, my wife and I purchased a snowblower. My first snowblower. To say I know very little about snowblowers, would be gracious.
Of course, we haven't had enough snow since then to justify our purchase. However, this morning, we fired up the beast and my wifey took it for a test lap around the driveway. I noticed that very little snow was blowing out the chute. So I got around in front of it and sure enough, only half the auger was turning.
I did a quick diagnostic and found a large rock jammed in the chute. This caused the sheer pin to do its job and my beastie snowblower was out of commission until I get into town and purchase a replacement pin.
What, pray tell, can a simple sheer pin have to do with God's Word or your life?
Lets begin this with a thought to ponder: "God built each of us with a sheer pin. A device that is designed to stop us when we have over extended ourself. When we have reached beyond what is healthy and reasonable, our system breaks down and we are forced to step back and assess our situation."
Three years ago, I managed to push myself to the point of my health failing. I refused to take a day off and continued to pack my schedule from early morning to late at night. For my own good, God allowed me to become sick. I had to take a Sunday off and stay in bed. For the better part of a week I slept. When I got to feeling better, God opened the door for my wife and I to have a long talk about my health, my schedule, and our relationship. Some very positive things came out of that "long talk".
I worked in the Stevens County Jail for about 15 years. I liked the job security. I liked the Sheriff. I liked the benefits. I received a promotion, that I liked. And I really liked the money. God had other plans for me and allowed my sheer pin to do its job. I was on the receiving end of an inmate attack and sustained a serious injury. My injury required spinal fusion surgery. I tried to go back to working in the jail but God had an opinion.
My neurosurgeon explained to me in no uncertain terms that if I went back into the jail and was hurt again, the results would be crippling and terribly painful. I believed him. So, rather than trust God to take control, I transferred to 911. I honestly loved working in the 911 Comm Center. I liked my coworkers and the work was never dull. However, once again, God was trying to get my attention. This time the sheer pin was more personal. God removed my joy. True Joy is a God given, supernatural gift that supersedes circumstances. It didn't matter that I was married to the most amazing woman or that I really enjoyed my job. My life held no joy. This was the sheer pin God used to get my attention.
So, I shared my "sheer pin" stories with you. When you look at your life, what did God do to shut you down and get your attention? Maybe that sheer pin event in your life is still going on. Is God trying to get your attention?
Today, I had a decision to make. I could have rebelled, bowed my neck and refused to accept the sheer pin setback. I could have continued to drive around the driveway with the motor running, the wheels turning but no snow being moved.
Is it possible that God is to the point in your life that He feels the only way to get your attention is to break your sheer pin?
"When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy."
Psalm 94:18-19
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