Author: Marie Fitts

Obedience is not
An occasional event
It should be
The driving force in our life

And believer’s too struggle
With this task
Often taking a turn
That’s not… right

Just like Paul…
What I “will to do”
Is NOT the thing
That I do

And more of what
I “will NOT to do”
Is the thing that
I allow to come true

Because the flesh is weak
Our sinful nature yields
To Satan
Letting him take control

Of our character
Our conduct
Our conversations and contemplations
Lord, this is really getting old!

Please bind
The “Accuser of the Brethren”
From my thoughts
Get this (GPS) out of my car

Because he collides with my mind
Especially when I drive
To any distance
Near or far

He’s
A Back Seat Driver
Taunting me
With directions

For the
Next hairpin turn
He thinks
I should take

And I know all too well
If I exit now
It will be yet another
Mistake

Because the roads Satan travels
Are treacherous
He’ll take you on a
Sinful decline

And you won’t have what it takes
When he won’t let you break
To stop his barrage
On your mind

So we must yield the right of way
To The Lord
Let Him ride in the
Passenger Seat

And we’ll be equipped
For every trip with
The Power of the
Holy Spirit’s fleet

Yes only Jesus can unplug
This controlling (GPS)
The “mayhem” that tries to
Steer me off course

So let me hear
The tires squeal
Jesus please
Take the wheel

Hit the breaks!
Recalculate…
Throw this (GPS)
Out of my car!

I believe when our hearts stop beating
Our soul then becomes alive

And the soul will live forever
When we cross over to the other side

I believe too our faith in Jesus
While we are on this earth

Will be the catalyst that bridges the gap for us
Into Heaven…from this earth

I believe our souls will take on new form
A new body in the likeness of His Spirit

Dry bones will rise up from the grave
In the likeness of His appearance

I believe Christ is preparing a place for us
Because He told the apostles “so”

And when our hearts stop beating I trust
This is the place where believers will go

So I look forward to that day when my Jesus returns
And I’ll see him face to face

And I’ll be given a brand new name
And live throughout eternity…at His place

Yes I believe when our hearts stop beating
Our souls then become alive

And my soul will live forever with Jesus
When I cross over to the other side

Today’s post was inspired by one of the devotions in “Jesus Calling” by Sara Young. I call it “Soul Winning”…

Do not resist or run from troubles
Problems are not random mistakes

They are hand tailored blessings
Designed for your benefit

To help you grow in
His Mercy and Grace

Embrace all the circumstances
God allows in your life

Trusting He will bring
The good from it all

View problems as opportunities
To rely more fully on God

Troubles will
Equip you for the call

God says: “When you start to feel stressed
Let those feelings alert you of your need to rely more fully on
Me”. “Your needs become doorways to deeper dependence and increases our intimacy”.

Self-sufficiency is acclaimed in a fallen world
But reliance on God produces abundant living

Thank Him not only for the good in your life
But for every single thing He is giving

For every situation… every single circumstance
Was ordained by God in the beginning

It is all meant for the good of your soul
And to be used in your call of soul winning

So use what you learn from trials and troubles
To help others in the same situation

For we are “the called” according to His plan
Which is to bring EVERYONE into Salvation

Dare to thank God in the darkness
When the clouds above you overcome
Your health, finances and relationships
And to the darkness they all succumb

Because one touch of God’s favor
Can break open the clouds
Unexpected sunshine
Will come raining down

Darkness will dissipate
Situations improve
Abundance and favor
Will cover you

Yes, God controls the clouds
But when it’s your time to shine
He will bring on the sun
In a fraction of time

Because you are
The righteous child of God
Royal blood
Flows through your veins

So, don’t focus on the clouds and stop looking for the rain
But dare to thank God in the darkness
Expect the sunshine
He has already ordained

The inspiration for today’s post came from a longing for some peace and quiet. I desperately needed a respite from the constant barrage of noise pollution! Office phones ringing off the wall and cell phone ringtones that sound like slot machines paying off at Harrah’s Casino, are the everyday backdrop to my day job on the trading floor.

We literally have to yell across the room to get any Trader’s attention to bid/offer and confirm trades. There is a television hanging in every corner of the room, tuned to CNN. We have to stay abreast of the latest news and market conditions around the world, so we get that added “white noise” as background vocals.

On this particular day, I know I had read the same paragraph from a top news story, at least three times and I still couldn’t tell you what I had read! My minds antennae were picking up signals all around me and landed on this conversation:(names have been changed to protect the innocent.)

“Scotty, why do you have to be so snarky?” Morgan retorted, after one of his sarcastic responses to her request for yet another bid.

Scotty pipes up, “Snarky…is that even a word?” “What does it mean anyway?” (This coming from the trader who knows everything about everything…except how to use the proper tense of a verb and the meaning of the word “snarky”!)

Morgan proceeds to stand up and read the definition out loud.

“Snarky:  (Of a person, word or mood, sharply critical, sarcastic, cutting, snide.)”

The entire trading floor erupted in laughter! It was yet another classic moment that would be recalled for years to come! The new word of the day on the trading floor is now…”snarky”!

But honestly, some days you really can’t hear yourself think! The distractions can be extremely annoying and they often leave me anxious for some peace and quiet. Calgon take me away!

My husband, Lee, and I both have stressful jobs and we enjoy our down-time at our Pickwick Lake-house. However, we both decompress much differently! I was looking forward to a weekend of peace and calm and a chance to do some writing. (Being near the water always speaks to my creative spirit!)

However, as soon as we got to the house on Friday night, my darling husband, had another agenda. He turned on the stereo full blast to the local Q102 radio station’s  “Funk-A-Delic Friday”… showcasing Funk Music Artist’s from the 1970’s!

Normally I like it, after all it is the music we grew up on and it was the beginning of the weekend! But on this particular night, I can’t describe how annoying it was for me! My mind and my heart were racing…to the beat of “Super Freak” by Rick James! Instead of dancing and joining the party atmosphere, I desperately wanted to TURN IT OFF! Have I finally turned into a parent?

I longed to enjoy the peace and quiet; especially knowing that Saturday would be filled with more noise pollution, littering the airwaves from power-boat motors and thunderous, stereo systems… not to mention the local band that was scheduled to play later Saturday night at the Bar & Grill near our house!

I took a few deep breaths, sighed, and decided to just grin and bear it! When the day was done and we finally turned out the lights… no sooner than his head hit the pillow, Lee began to SNORE!
“Dear God in Heaven, Please Help Me!” I prayed, as I ran for cover (and a pillow) toward the peace and quiet of the guest bedroom down the hall.

I managed to enjoy the weekend despite my longing for quiet time. Lee and I discussed it later and  decided we needed to give each other a heads-up, as to our weekend expectations and we agreed to work together to make it happen going forward.

Have you ever felt this way? Sometimes you just want the world to stop so you can get off! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.

The poem below was born from all that noise pollution! Even though it was loud… it was inspiring!

I long for silence
To get her turn to speak
For the world to shut up
Mindless chatter to cease

I long to hear
What silence thinks
If we would just be quiet and
Listen

Would her voice
Sound like a trickling brook
Or the soft rustling
Of the leaves in the wind

Would she sign with her hands
Or…break her own silence
So we might recognize her voice
Now and again

If the world
Would just stop
If all noise would cease
We might get to hear the sound of silence…speak

There is a wealth of serenity
In what she can convey
If we listen closely
We might hear her say

“Anxious thoughts will disappear…when you take time to breath”

From frantic
Frenzied lifestyles
She offers you
Reprieve

Sit quietly beside still waters
Let nothing come to mind
Experience the inner calm she brings
Leave this fallen world behind

The sound of silence can be…deafening
And you can bet she will be proving
But you will never, ever hear her
If your lips are always moving

An inner calm from restful sleep
Eyes are closed
As nature speaks

A quieted lake
Wind rustles the leaves
Thoughts are stilled and breath is deep

Sitting quietly in a chair
Overlooking the lake
I am made aware

Of the Peace that God intends for us
If inside our hearts
In Him we trust

We can claim His Peace
No matter the hour
In sickness, even death… He’s given us His Power

To be resurrected from the grave
When we live in Jesus
When we Trust His name

As I sit quietly
On this Easter morn
Contemplating why we were born

I know I am “Full” with His Peace
Because He took my place
At Calvary

Yes, He gave His Life
So I could live mine
Praising His name ALL THE TIME!

I can’t imagine living throughout eternity
Without this Peace
He’s given me

You too can claim it
For your very own
Experience His Peace given from The Throne

Yes, for all God’s people here on earth
That is why
We were given birth

To firmly believe
In the work that was done
By God The Father and The Son

To live for Christ each and every day
And to help lost souls
Find their way

Today’s post was inspired by a recent sermon message by the Pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, Joel Osteen, entitled,
“How Your Words Can Become Your Reality“.

Scripture References:
Ezekiel 17:1-14 (NIV)
James 3:4-6
Psalm 2:7
Proverbs 6:2

Your life will move in the direction of your words
You will eat the seed of your fruit
But if you sow seeds of positivity
You’ll reap a harvest of good to boot

Negative words can keep you from your destiny
And so the tongue set the course of your life
But faith allows God to do the impossible
Speak faith and victory takes flight

Always choose the voice of faith
Never give life to defeat
Ezekiel prophesied against dry bones
And death could no longer sleep

Say “I am strong”, “I am blessed”,
“I am healthy and confident”
Proclaim the Lord’s decrees
And let your faith take dominance

And don’t be ensnared by the words of your mouth
Thoughts die stillborn until you say it
When you speak it out loud…you give it life
Your days to follow will listen…and convey it

So, stop cursing your life and start blessing your life
Don’t speak defeat or your life will obey it
You can bless your life or curse your life
It all depends on how you say it!

Oh, how my past still haunts me
The shameful things I’ve done
Actions and words I’ve spoken
That didn’t bless anyone

Actions that found me guilty
A Scarlet Letter on my chest
The haunting shame inside me
I can’t seem to put to rest

I’ve asked my God forgiveness
His Word tells me it’s so
But Satan taunts my thoughts and mind
Keeping me from fully letting go

And holding on makes me even more guilty
Believing Satan’s lies instead of God’s truth
God sent Jesus to atone for my sin
His death on The Cross is my proof

Please forgive Your Servant, Lord, when I attempt to take back
Sin You’ve already taken from me
Those thoughts and actions, only denounce
The precious blood already shed for me

Let the thoughts in my mind, speak from Mercy You’ve shown
Let Your salvation prove to me
My past died with You, when You saved the world
On that dark day, at Calvary

So, when the evil one taunts my thoughts and my mind
Trying to haunt me with his lies and deceit
Let Only Grace, and Mercy, Your Unfailing Love
Be The Haunting evoked in me

The inspiration for today’s post comes from the reading of God’s Word in Psalm Chapter 50 (NIV)

Prepare the way before us Lord
So that we might see Your salvation
Our offering to You is “Thankfulness”, Lord
In every situation

You could gather together all who’ve worshipped You, Lord
With covenants made by sacrifice
But You no longer have need for bulls and goats
Your son, Jesus, paid the ultimate price

For everything in the forest, every creature of the field
Already belongs to You, Lord
And to fulfill Your vows and to honor You
Only “Thankfulness” You now implore

To sacrifice “Thank Offerings” honors You, Oh God
And prepares the way for us to see
Everything that you would show us, Lord
Even salvation… though still a mystery

We sacrifice “Thank Offerings” to You, Oh GOd
Fulfilling our vows to You, Most High
And we call upon You for deliverance, Lord
When trouble surrounds us…nigh

So, please prepare the way before us, Lord
That we might see Your Salvation
Our offering to You is “Thankfulness”, Lord
In every situation

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You Lord, for restful sleep and the sunrise of a new day. Thank You for another opportunity to do Your Will. I praise You Lord and bless Your Holy name, for all the things You’ve done for me, in me and through me.

I’m especially grateful for things I’ve sometimes taken for granted, like…

* A Loving Family – when many have lost loved ones
* Good Friends – while so many are lonely
* The ability to GIVE generously – while others are impoverished
* Clean water to drink – when so many thirst
* Food in my Mouth – while others go hungry
* Clothes on my Back, Shoes on my Feet, A roof over my Head – when others live in the street
* The ability to walk – arms and legs that move at my command
* The ability to talk – to spread the word of Your love
* The gift of discernment – to make good judgement calls prior to my actions (Help me to use it!)
* The gift of Sight – when many live in darkness
* The gift of Sound – while others cannot hear
* The spiritual gift of creative writing that empowers me to convey Your word “Wrapped In The Rhythm Of Your Love“, and a life time of other things too many to count. So, today

I pray for HEALING where healing is needed
For COURAGE for those who are afraid
I ask for JOY in the midst of sorrow
I pray for the BLESSING of a new day

I pray for GRACE for those who’ve been weakened
Whatever their circumstance
I pray for THOSE WHO DON’T REALLY KNOW YOU
BE GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE

I pray for PEACE to overcome anxiety
I ask PROSPERITY for those who are poor
A kind FRIEND for those who are lonely
FOR YOUR BLESSING ON THEM TO ENDURE

I pray for THOSE WHO’VE LOST A LOVED ONE
Be given CLOSURE and FIND YOUR PEACE
Knowing an ETERNITY AWAITS FOR BELIEVERS
Where their TOGETHERNESS WILL NEVER CEASE

I pray for PATIENCE to wait on YOUR TIMING
For those asking PROOF OF YOUR PROMISE
The ability to BE QUIET AND LISTEN
So they will NOT MISS YOUR RESPONSE

I pray for ALL THOSE WHO’VE BEEN LED TO READ THIS
But NEVER TRUSTED IN YOUR NAME
WILL KNOW YOU CAUSED THEM TO FIND IT
AND KNOW YOU ARE CALLING OUT FOR THEIR SAKE

I ASK YOUR HOLY SPIRIT TO FALL UPON THEM
TO DESCEND ON THEM LIKE A DOVE
KNOWING THEY ARE THE REASON FOR THESE WORDS
WRAPPED IN THE RHYTHM OF YOUR LOVE