TOTT Today: God gives us strength to pull ourselves out of the...

TOTT Today: God gives us strength to pull ourselves out of the...:                                                                                                                 The Pluff Mud      ...

God gives us strength to pull ourselves out of the “pluff mud" in life. Dedicated to my sister and family as they pull themselves out of the devastation of their house fire.

                                          

                                                                    The Pluff Mud

                                   

                                                                         

        Psalm 40:1-2

RSV

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit. Out of the miry bog and set my feet upon a rock, making my step secure.

Yep, there she went walking lickety-split right through the pluff mud. She had been warned by the locals not to do it, BUT oh no, she didn’t heed the warning.  At first she was only ankle deep in the silky muck but as she wiggled and tried to release her feet she just sank deeper to her knees. She cried out  “Please someone help me! I am sinking into the earth.”  Some suggested to leave her to teach her a lesson; others knew that the high tide was coming in and that offered new problems only leaving her to sink, sink sink…

Our Lord is there at all times to help us when we get stuck in so called in the “pluff mud of life.” He hears our cries in the middle of the night when no one else is there.  He understands our prayers when crisis abounds, He gives us strength to pull ourselves out of the “miry bog of life.” Our weakness is God’s Opportunity to demonstrate to us His Strength, Power and Redemption. He is our rock where we can firmly place our lives on solid ground. The Creator does not promise to always prevent crisis but the promise is He will always be there for guidance through our vulnerability and exposed wounds.

The muck releases her from its grip. Slowly she gathers her strength and leaves the oozy sediment just in the nick of time before the high tide roars in. Her boots---Well, the pluff mud will forever own

them.

Dear Lord,

Please be patient with me as I get stuck in the crises of life. I ask you to guide me and protect me from my vulnerability and expose wounds. Bless me on this day.

Amen

* Pluff mud is gooey mud found in marshy areas of the Lowcountry. It contains lots of organic matter and produces its own distinctive aroma. If you step in it up to your knees and pull out your foot, chances are the resulting sound will be similar to “pluff.”

Commitment for Today: Please pray for my sister and family as they try to rebuild their lives after the devastation of losing their home to a fire. Pray for someone who seems to be stuck in the “pluff mud of life" including yourself.          

The scriptures explain that no man (or woman) knows when the day of our death will happen.

The Man and the Ocean

No man has power to retain the spirit, or authority over the day of death…

Ecclesiastes 8:7

RSV

This is the reason we don’t give up.

Our human body is wearing out. But our spirits are getting stronger every day.

2 Corinthians 4:16

NLV

The ocean winds called to him every summer. So he packed his beautiful wife and his precious little girls into the ol’ Chevy and off they went to the beach. Oh, but it wasn’t just a vacation it was an adventure filled with historical site visits, practical jokes, games, sand castles, laughter and of course ice cream cones.  Life lessons were learned in the most inconspicuous ways.  The highlights of each day was the early morning beach walks to say “Hello” to the sun and ending the day with a trek to the top of Jockey Ridge Sand Dunes to bid the world a “Goodnight.” It was a serendipitous time filled with wonder and happiness for all.  Grievously the laughter fell silent; the practical jokes subsided; and the vacations ended as the man fell into terminal sleep at very early age. But the yearning for the ocean was deeply imbedded in the heart and soul of the living.

Ecclesiastes and 2 Corinthians speak to the power of death. The scriptures explain that no man (or woman) knows when the day of our death will happen.  Our human power cannot and will not reign over The Almighty’s Power. Even when a person is too young for death, the power of illness and sickness may weaken the worn out body but in Christ we are promise an everlasting life.  Within us, the Spirit will provide solace and understanding as we mourn.  The living will embrace the lessons taught and the love given--- those beliefs will live on.

And so it is with my father who passed away forty-five years ago on this date. The legend of this hard workingman lives on in his town, county, but most importantly among his family. A man whose God-given talents were embodied in his character and was an unpretentious leader practicing much wisdom, integrity and Faith in his everyday living. And oh my, how he loved the ocean and it saddens me that he will never know that I returned to the ocean to live my finals days. Then again, when I look up at the stars and one seems to blink, it just might be he sees my life at the beach and that is just fine with him. TOTT

 Dear Heavenly Father,

On this day I want to thank and  praise You for my father. Even though he was with me such a short time in my life, he taught great life lessons that have inspired me to follow You. Bless my family as we remember a wonderful father, husband and friend.

Commitment for Today: Remember to tell your father that you love him.

He is “King Of the Wind."--the Gray Stallion.

The Gray Stallion

Jeremiah 10:12-13 (NIV)

But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. 
He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

His nostrils flares, he snorts through his muzzle and powerfully scrapes the dirt. He neighs and whinnies restlessly. He lowers his head and kicks up the dust as he makes a thrashing movement with his hind legs into the air. There is not an ounce of weakness in his body and he almost appears rogue like as he trots around the paddock. It seems as if nothing will spook his confidence. Unexpectedly like a bolt of lightning he begins to gallop the length of the corral not just once but several times. The head of this beautiful beast is held high with his nose pointed to the heavens. His powerful presence is obvious to the other horses in the pasture. Nothing will deter his fortitude. He is “King Of the Wind.”

   The powerful stallion is a visible reminder of God’s supremacy. There is not an ounce of weakness in God. He has the divine power to restore our very being when we are weak.  God offers “His Hand” to rebuild lives and give you strength when your life feels broken. He has the ability to blow the dust out of your life when life seems to be in shambles--- but only if you seek Him.  God can offer a protective shield for you and “bomb proof” your life so you don’t become spooked by what life may bring to your paddock.  It may seem like the wind isn’t at your back, but God has your back. Like the stallion, God may whinny or even snort at you to get your attention. This is your reminder that His might and power surrounds you but only if you allow Him into your pasture of life.

   After several minutes of displaying his power and endurance in his territory of life, the Gray Stallion settles his gait into a deliberate walk. He nickers unassumingly and calmly turns his head and faces the wind. TOTT

Dear God Almighty, 

Please empower me to utilize my ability to rebuild my life where necessary; the strength to blow the dust out of my life that is weighing me down; and empower my spirit to face the wind when it is not at my back.  Throughout this Lenten season I want to let you in my pasture of life. 

Amen

Inspired while watching the horses at the Seabrook Island Equestrian Center

Commitment for Today: Use God’s power to rebuild and restore places in your life.

25 M.P.H.---sometimes we just need to slow down.

25 M.P.H.

Passionate Worship

Psalm 47:7

God is the King over all the earth. Praise Him with a Psalm!

RSV

On Seabrook Island the speed limit is 25 M.P.H., and everyone knows that the Island police will ticket at 26 mph. So many people go less than 25 mph, don’t know why but they must do it to make up for the times that they may go over 25 mph.  Being a past Chicago driver, this is a challenge for me to make this adjustment, particularly since I must drive about 2 miles from the entrance of the Island to my place on the Island--- it seems as if it takes FOREVER!  But I have learned to relax and enjoy the scenic drive noticing new things along the way.

   I believe this is what God demands of us--- Slow down --- He wants us to have time to worship Him passionately. The presence of God in our lives gives us refuge and strength when we are experiencing calamity in life.  Through prayer and supplication we are to praise God and place him in the center of our lives.   So ask your self, "Are you ready to slow down?"Or even a better question “Do you have God in the center of your life?”  There are many ways to put God back into the center of your life--- attending church, Bible Studies, daily prayer time, volunteering at local mission out reach and the list goes on. Call your local churches and I am sure they will be happy to assist you in your search.

   During this Lenten season dedicate yourself to slow down to 25 M.P.H. and discover how you can put God in the center of your life once again, maybe even literally slow down your own traveling speed --- both may just save your life. TOTT

Prayer

I am in such a rush, please help me to slow down and reduce my speed so I can honor and praise your name.  I admit I want to slow down and help me discover new ways to praise you by placing you once again in the center of my life. Amen.

Commitment for today: How are you going to place God in the center of your life. Pray on it today.

A Happy St Patrick's Day

             

                     A Happy St. Patrick’s Day     

       

                         

May you always have

A sunbeam to warm you

Good luck to charm you

An a sheltering angel, so

Nothing can harm you

Faithful friends near you

And whenever you pray,

Heaven to hear you.

Old Irish blessing

Commitment for Today: If you are Irish, remember the endurance and hardships your ancestors faced as they came to America. Offer a prayer of thanksgiving.

Spring is a time of renewal. Flowers blossoming and butterflies are gentle reminds of 

God's Promise to us.

Hymn of Promise

In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple, in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,

Unrevealed until its season something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery

~Hymn of Promise

UMH p.707

I love nature and being outdoors! Many people are surprise to discover that I spent the first thirteen years of my life growing up on a farm in Indiana. I showed sheep and horses in 4-H. I loved dressing up my rabbits in dolls clothes and spent so many hot afternoons in the haymow reading my Nancy Drew books. My favorite time though was walking the riverbank of the Little Flat Rock River with my two Collies, Sandy and Lassie. It was there I discovered the hidden promises of God in His beautiful outdoor sanctuary. The spring of my seventh grade year my father died unexpectedly ~ my world changed dramatically not only because of the death of my father but we sold the farm and moved to a subdivision.  No longer did I have my outdoor haven to remind me of God’s love and grace.

I quickly learned that even though my private world along the Little Flat Rock River was taken away, the love and grace of God was not.  I realized at a very young and formative age that I must receive God into my heart, accept Jesus as my Savior, and recognize that I was born of the Spirit.

I offer the Hymn of Promise as a reminder to us that God’s unending grace and love is ours to keep. Yes life is a mystery, but the world holds a hidden promise that only God can bring hope to you and me.  The Grace of God is the promise that we are a forgiven people purified and saved.  Grace is God’s love for the undeserving. God alone can see what our wants and needs are, and it is up to us to accept the powerful melody of what only God can promise.  As the spring unfolds into a new season of rebirth and we approach Easter, may the subtle hints of nature remind you that God’s grace is most powerful and your faith is the work of God’s grace in you. TOTT

May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord makes his face shine upon you and give you grace.  The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Amen

Commitment for today:

Today take a walk in nature looking up and discover a new world offered to you by God

As I enter the forty days of the Lenten Season, I will walk in the wilderness of life wrestling with my transgressions and facing the challenge of evolving into a more loving Christian.

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The Serpent

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights he was hungry…Jesus said to him, “Away from me Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.                                             

                                                               Matthew 4:1-11

        NIV Bible

Hanging way up in the old Water Oak Tree is a weird looking branch that sways much differently than the rest. Upon further examination, I realize it isn’t a branch at all; it is a snake---swaying side to side, rolling up and down, and looking very creepy.  His serpent-like motions were mesmerizing but at the same time they sent fear through my body that he just might drop on top of me. Just thinking about the possibility gives me the heebie-jeebies.  Oh how I hate snakes!  Not only because of their creepy-crawly nature but this devilish-looking creature is a symbolic personification of evil.

In Matthew 4: 1-11, the scripture speaks of Jesus spending forty days and forty nights in the wilderness. He prays and fasts causing him to become weak and famished. The Devil is aware of Jesus becoming feeble and begins to tempt him. The devil confronts Jesus demanding His proof of being the “Son of God.” The Devil did not doubt the divinity of Jesus but is tempting him to use his supernatural powers as the Savior of the World for his own good. Not once, but three times Satan demands the proof that Jesus was the Son Of Man. Jesus prevails over the Devil and the Evil One vanishes.  This scripture gives us insight to the realization of how as human beings we are in constant battle between good and evil in the world. The antithesis between the battle of righteousness and evil is an enormous challenge in our faith. The Devil may tempt us in our everyday life coercing us to follow a pathway of destruction and away from God. On the other side, God tests His followers to practice our faith and rejoice in the promise of ever-lasting life through Jesus Christ.

As I enter the forty days of the Lenten Season, I will walk in the desert of life wrestling with my transgressions and facing the challenge of evolving into a more loving Christian. It is my hope on the other side of 40 days and nights; I too, will be stronger and gain fortitude against evil by leaning on the teaching of Jesus. And just maybe, I will learn to value the hanging serpent in my tree. TOTT

Dear God of All,

I am lost; I am wandering hopelessly in the wilderness of life. Renew me and cleanse me during these forty days of Lent. Breathe new life in the Holy Spirit within me. I want to serve only YOU!

Amen.

Commitment for Today: What will you wrestle within your soul during the 40 days of Lent: Your Faith, your frailties, your weaknesses, or the battle between good and evil. The choice is your own.

The Night Opera is a most unusual performance of nature in harmony and the presence of God's one voice.

 
           

                                                     

                                                                    The Night Opera

2 Chronicles 5: 13-14

The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied By trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices and Praised the LORD with these words:  “HE IS SO GOOD!  HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!”…

The light dims; the musicians take their places in the outdoor arena; and the Maestro lifts his wand. The Horned Owl hoots announcing the beginning of the Night Opera. The performers ease into the harmonic progression as the tree frogs and night birds chirp the aria with the crickets giving off low indistinct noise to the cadenza of the music.  The main characters appear---the does gracefully leap on the stage accompanied by their fawns close behind. The first act ends with a superb performance. Suddenly out of nowhere surprised guests performers appear. Two grey foxes encircle the main ensemble leaping and running circles around the troupe while keeping rhythm to the night sounds.  The crescendo of the music signals the final act of the night.

We so often forget to praise God. We make demands of Him to help us, protect us, comfort us, and guide us. He unconditionally complies and is there for us. But we should not forget to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Just like the performance that I witnessed in by back yard, when God is in our midst the most unusual can happen. On this night a most remarkable dance between two archenemies occurred, God’s glorious presence filled the night air. As I stood there watching nature in harmony, I nodded my head in amazement knowing that God is so good and the music of the night is the powerful presence of God in one voice.

The final act is delivered as dusk falls over the stage. The voices of the singers become silent fading into the evening air. The crowd shouts ”Bravo.”  The actors silently and subtly disappear into the darkness. TOTT

Our Heavenly Father,

So often we are taken by surprised of the wonders of Your Universe. I praise and give thanks for giving us wonders to renew and rebuild our faith. I ask you to bless me as I continue to dance to the music of Your Love.

Candyce Krumwiede

Commitment for today: Be surprised by the wonders of nature and seek harmony in your life.