Look What's Coming Soon!

In a Pickle!

That's where I find myself today...in a pickle. You know those times when it's difficult to know what to do. Do I move ahead? Do I go back? Do I stand still?

In softball, base runners can get caught in a pickle too. It's when the runner is stuck between two bases and the defense is running them down, trying to tag them out. It's interesting to watch different players in this situation and how they handle it. Some will plow ahead regardless of how close the tag may be, driven to get to the next base. Others may freeze and be overwhelmed by the defensive players coming at them. The smart players listen to their coach. These are the ones who can block out the crowd noise and focus on the voice that has the big picture. The runner can't necessarily see where the ball is at all times, but the coach can. Listening to the coaches direction will most likely get the player safely on base.

Today this is how God reminded me not to fret over my "pickle". He's asking me not to say, "to heck with it" and plow on, but to listen to His voice. He's asking me to weed out all the noise around me (the opinion of others) and listen to Him. Have you been in a pickle lately? How did you discern what God wanted you to do?

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21 NIV

Fear of the Lord

I have some very real fears-drowning, small enclosed spaces, snakes, or anything really that creeps and crawls-just to name a few! These fears can leave me paralyzed or at a minimum cause me to act irrationally. Lately, though I've been thinking about what it means to "fear the Lord". Somehow I don't think my personal reactions are what it means to have a fear of the Lord. This whole thought process began when I read part of Psalm 128.

"How joyful are those who fear the Lord-all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be! Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. That is the Lord's blessing for those who fear him." NLT

These verses talk about having a joyful life, fruitful labor, prosperity, a flourishing wife and children around your table. The Lord blesses those who fear Him. Who doesn't want that in their life? I know I want that in our home. It still begs the question though, what does it mean to fear the Lord? I think the answer can be found in the last part of the first sentence-"all who follow his ways!"

We fear God when we obey His commands, when we follow His word and direction. We intentionally choose to live our life according to God's plan and not our own. We will see and experience the blessings God desires for us when we fear Him.