“Distinguish between the fact of God’s presence, and the emotion of the fact…The religious life is not a brooding over emotions, grazing the keel of faith in the shallows, of dragging the anchor of hope through the oozy tide mud as if afraid of encountering the healthy breeze…If we remain groveling on the low ground of feeling and emotion, we shall find ourselves entangled in a thousand meshes of doubt and despondency, temptation and unbelief. Hope thou in God!” ~Streams in the Desert
Oh, amen to this! I’ve seen the most amazing thing play out in our church over the last year. As some of us were moved to other churches, or sidelined by illness, or afraid to attend because of Covid, God has moved so many “unknowns” into those vacated positions. They have stepped up & filled those positions! They have the talent, skill & courage to get the work done!
Sometimes we get so used to seeing the same people fill the same positions that we forget God has others who can do the work just as well. And sadly, some of US think that we are indispensable, & we have an inner celebrity attitude that God must despise.
It’s good to remember that we are replaceable. God’s will moves forward always…with or without us. It’s our job to stay available, humble & teachable if we want to remain in our role doing God’s work. When we are no longer usable, God will use someone else.
No celebrities in church. Only servants. ❤
In Him,
Alesha Kay
We planted onions today: a yellow onion & a bunching onion.
We also planted melons. They’re called Top Mark Melons. They’re an oval cantaloupe. I can’t wait to see how they do!
Aaaaaaaand our seedlings are sprouting! All the tomatoes are up!
So exciting to see God’s laws in action.
What are you sprouting in your garden?
In Him,
Alesha Kay
Luke 11:[33] No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
[34] The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
[35] Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
[36] If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
These are dark days. We are all feeling the downward pull of persistently-negative news and ramped-up stories of disease and death.
Even our humor has turned quite dark.
And you can’t escape it…it is everywhere.
So, with that it mind, we must be reminded that we are the LIGHT of this world (Matthew 5:14)
If we aren’t sharing that light, we are guilty of hiding it. And the above verses tell us that nobody does that. It doesn’t make any sense!
Are you allowing this dark world to overcome and diminish your light? Are you allowing the stories and news and posts to throw a blanket over your Light? Are your own thoughts increasingly more negative and fearful?
This isn’t right! We must guard again it!
Where do we get our light?
II Corinthians 2:[6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
We have LIGHT because God has given us the knowledge of it. It is the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ!
Do you know Jesus Christ? Then your whole being should be FULL of the light of that knowledge. And you should be allowing that light to SHINE out to all those around you.
How do you do that?
Love on people. Call them up and check on them. Text to see how they’re doing. Ask if they need anything when you are doing a shopping trip or if they need medication refills dropped off or picked up. Offer to drop by and visit on their front porch, through the screen or glass door, if necessary.
Communicate with people. Send them a funny meme or joke that reminds you of them. Ask if they have any prayer requests you can pray about. Just let them know you appreciate them and the job they do in your community (especially those who are doing the “essential” jobs right now.)
Give people the truth. Share Scripture on social media. Share your church’s video feed. Remind people of things to be thankful for. Keep a positive attitude and don’t spiral into online theological discussions that only cause irritation and hard feelings to develop. If you need to “teach” a truth, do it Biblically:
IITimothy 2:[23]”But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
[24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
[25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves…
Don’t let the world’s darkness overtake you. Don’t let your light grow dim. Be in the Word daily to kindle your own flickering fire, then offer that Light back to the world.
Let your (not so little) Light shine for Him!
In Him,
Alesha Kay
I thought you might enjoy a new wallpaper for the present season of counting our blessings.
Enjoy!
Alesha Kay
Instead of worrying yourself about separation from the world, why not just concentrate on separating yourself to God?
The more we know of Him the more we recognize His still, small Voice when He speaks. If we begin to take part in something that doesn’t please Him, He will let us know.
Focus on identifying His Voice.
Learn the cadence of His admonitions.
Memorize His words.
Spend time with His people
As you move closer to Him, the things of the world fade in the distance behind you.
You may be surprised to notice the people of the world separating themselves from you.
Make it your goal to keep moving closer to the Lord.
Act like Him, speak His words, think the way He thinks.
You’ll find you don’t have much trouble with being separated from the world when you are communicating with your Creator Redeemer God Almighty.
And suddenly, your choices are super clear. You won’t be waffling between what is right and what is wrong. You’ll know how to dress, how to talk, where to go, who to befriend.
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. ~Proverbs 8:17
Separate yourself unto God. You’ll find Him to be a worthwhile Companion.
In Him,
Alesha
“At times during the grief process, survivors will be stricken with sudden waves of physical pain, often in the gut or chest, so powerful as to cause them to nearly double over. These will occur without warning and are supremely different from the pain of physical illnesses. These are a reaction to feeling overwhelmed by grief. With time and the proper support, these waves will occur less frequently, be less intense, and last for shorter periods of time.” ~excerpt from Dying to Be Free
When we experience loss, our body, mind and spirit are affected. Sometimes, those effects catch us off-guard.
It helps me to read about the experiences of others. And, I thought, you might need the information too.
If you are walking through grief, educate yourself. Then arm yourself with the Word of God. The book of Psalms is an excellent source of comfort and strength when we are hurting.
Don’t neglect to care for your heart, mind and soul during difficult days. There is help available.
In Him,
Alesha
Obtaining Mercy 