Just a thought by coppi

Just a thought by coppi – written in 2015

A light house does not blow fog horns but it only shines.  

When I read the above I thought of our walk as Christians.  Does our life reflect the light  of Jesus.  St Mark 4:21: and he said unto them, is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick?  A candle beams its flickering light so we may find our way in the dark as does the Lighthouse.  As Christians we should let our light shine & walk in the light of Christ.  We need not blow fog horns but just shine & let the Holy Spirit beam through us.  Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord……i grew up in a very legalistic religion & if we did have a little light, it was totally blown out with dos & don’ts & lots of fear. 1 John 4:7: Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God….10: herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us & sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4 is filled with scriptures of love.  The pendulum swings both ways but should be in balance.  I guess my desire is not to be a fog horn but a flickering light for our Lord.

“True rest is not getting away from life’s demands but allowing God to carry you through them.”

—Richard Foster

Lord, I lay my burdens at Your feet and ask for the renewal only You can provide. Fill me with peace and revitalize my spirit.  

Lord, help me to trust You with all that is ahead. Strengthen my faith and remind me that Your plans are good and full of hope.

All you have is today. Centering your life around meeting with God is all about the choices you make today. The way you choose to live right now will impact your days to come. Don’t worry about your track record. Don’t concern yourself with the idea of meeting with Jesus every day for the rest of your life. Simply choose to enjoy him today. “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). (Craig Denison)

Sometimes I feel like I am far away from the God that I love and serve.  My own demands in my mind/psychic pull me away from Him.  Enjoy the moment I am in sweeps into the future with fears of death, and life.  I know that all I have is the moment I am in and yet I still allow myself to move forward with life, and that is what I do not want to do. Choices- right choices are imperative in life.  God grant me theserenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.  Help me know the way you want me to change my thoughts if they don’t align with yours.  Even though I feel like I am away from you, I know my feelings are not validated by your words in scripture, you never change – I am the one that vacillated from your promises.  Jesus is faithful to His Word.  I can draw a straight line from Genesis to Revelation, and I will find God does not change anything that is written in it   

Years ago while living in Dallas, Tx, I used to volunteer to work at the VA hospital as an undercover person with the Chaplain there.  My job was to hand out Bibles to veterans and to encourage them by sharing the love of Jesus. I learned so much from them.  When one is looking death in the face, and life here on earth probably is over, it’s amazing how our desires change.  I walked by a room where a young man was on a Stryker circle bed.  His face was pointed to the floor.  In order to talk to him I had to practically sit on the floor. His story was interesting. He was from Arkansas.  He had a very beautiful sister who wanted to leave farm life and move to the bright lights of the city, Dallas.  There she got mixed up with the Mofia and her life was cut short by them.  Word got back to him which caused anger to flow from his very being.  He decided he would go to Dallas and kill the people who killed his sister. He found out where they were staying, and made his plan to go there.  When he reached the door to where they lived, his anger and blood pressure reached a level of danger and he had a stroke, and next thing he knew he was in the VA Hospital.  I would visit him each time I was volunteering at the hospital.  Finally, he said to me “if this Jesus, who is love will heal me”, I will follow him.”  I didn’t see him for awhile and wondered what happened to him.  I was out there, the VA hospital, and saw him leaving.  He was walking using a cane. He waved at me.  His smile told me all was well with him.  I wondered what happened to him.  He was a very handsome and young man,  and had a long life ahead of him.  I saw many ones at the VA hospital and when I volunteered for this job I prayed to Jesus “I will go and carry your love and hope to one’s that needed it, but when I left the hospital, I want to be able to leave all the sorrow I witnessed there and not carry it with me”.   

Life is tough, and the burdens it hands you can be so hard to bear. But you don’t need to carry them alone. Read the promises of God …

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22). God is glad to carry your burdens and give you the daily strength you need.”

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6). It’s not God’s will that you should be crushed down with excessive burdens; let Him free you today.”

And, this is what I did – I prayed for them – and then I left them in the hands of Jesus.  I still do this today when I am asked to pray for people.  I do pray, but I am not the healer – only the prayer warrior casting the request into the Mighty One who has promised He would carry them. 

Just a thought by coppi

“O Lord, I know now that it is in silence, in a quiet moment, in a forgotten corner that you will meet me, call me by name and speak to me a word of peace. It is in my stillest hour that you become the risen Lord to me.”  (Henri Nouwen)

I love this, because sitting still is not easy for me. I am blessed when I do.

Just a thought by coppi

There’s a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror. Your future matters more than your past

The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:13-14 TLB:  “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us”.

Isaiah 43:18 -19 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!….”

God says, “For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.” This is where God changes the past of all who commit their lives to Him. He forgives our sins and forgets them!

Have you ever regretted something in your past?  Gee, I have.  My past regrets weighed me down when I dwelled on them.  I finally had to seek the Lord and I truthfully said to him “ there are so many things I regret in my past, I am so sorry for them and wish I could go back and have a “redo” of my actions”.  I would have hugged more, loved more, have more understanding, laughed more, and the list goes on and on.  But I can’t.  But as Warren W. Wiersbe says “Most Christians are being crucified on a cross between two thieves: Yesterday’s regret and tomorrow’s worries.”  I do not want to crucify myself with regrets – I want to make amends when I can and when I cannot, I will commit the “undo” to God with a contrite and thankful heart to Him for healing. Reading Scripture with the Holy Spirit brings God’s word to life. The Bible isn’t just a book of rules. It’s not just a list of do’s and don’ts. It’s meant to be read with the understanding that its words were inspired by the One who dwells within you. “May your heart be stirred to meditate on God’s word that it might produce peace and joy in your life today.” Greg Denison

I want to look through the windshield and not the rear view mirror.  That’s my desire.  My regrets are in God’s hand and so is my future.

I’m no eagle, Lord, just a sparrow, who is thankful for Your help in finding the right doors of service.  Daniel ShanIn  

“In the Bible, sparrows are used to illustrate God’s care for even the smallest creatures, emphasizing that even seemingly insignificant things are known and loved by God.”

Jesus, I commit my life to you.  Guide me through the deep water-current that washes over me.  Make my crooked path straight, and help me to walk through the right doors of service.  I feel like I have a second chance on life.  It’s strange to me to be in the same life style I had before.  The only difference is I am not the same.  In my other life, it was hard for me to say “no” to people, which resulted in a lot of stress, and getting caught into spider webs.  One morning as I was having breakfast on the patio,  I watched a spider diligently working her web.  I thought I remembered I tore it down yesterday, and here she is at it again.  I felt the same way.  Doing and not being webbing-doing over and over again.

Jesus loves me unconditionally – that is something I had to learn.  I thought I had to earn love from people as well as Jesus.  I am thankful now to give Jesus the reins in my life, and let him be the eagle and me be the sparrow.  All I need to do is build my life/nest around the truth of the Word of Jesus and find my home around the altar of His word. 

That is not complicated- it’s resting and listening to the sound of sparrows peacefully in their nests. 

I’m no eagle, Lord, just a sparrow, who is thankful for Your help in finding the right doors of service.  Daniel ShanIn  

“In the Bible, sparrows are used to illustrate God’s care for even the smallest creatures, emphasizing that even seemingly insignificant things are known and loved by God.”

Jesus, I commit my life to you.  Guide me through the deep water-current that washes over me.  Make my crooked path straight, and help me to walk through the right doors of service.  I feel like I have a second chance on life.  It’s strange to me to be in the same life style I had before.  The only difference is I am not the same.  In my other life, it was hard for me to say “no” to people, which resulted in a lot of stress, and getting caught into spider webs.  One morning as I was having breakfast on the patio,  I watched a spider diligently working her web.  I thought I remembered I tore it down yesterday, and here she is at it again.  I felt the same way.  Doing and not being webbing-doing over and over again.

Jesus loves me unconditionally – that is something I had to learn.  I thought I had to earn love from people as well as Jesus.  I am thankful now to give Jesus the reins in my life, and let him be the eagle and me be the sparrow.  All I need to do is build my life/nest around the truth of the Word of Jesus and find my home around the altar of His word. 

That is not complicated- it’s resting and listening to the sound of sparrows peacefully in their nests. 

Ps147:3 plainly says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” God longs to meet you at the place of your wounds and provide healing .

Wounds come in all shapes and forms – health, death of loved ones, old hurts from long ago. loss of assets, divorce, abuse, and whatever is hidden deep within you.  The slightest of a thought can bring it forth or it can happen consciously before your eyes with little warning; wounds that change your life.  BUT Jesus! Scripture says “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds”.  I know because I have been there many times in my life and I wondered why my wounds still encapsulate me.  I just know in Ephesians 6:10-18 it says, “… Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”  We live in a fallen world. Ugly happens.  Do I have the answer – nope I do not.  I only look up to Jesus and say “help me”.   He does. 

”Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

A favorite Psalm of mine.  I always want to be grateful and full of gratitude for all the Lord has done for me.  

Written years ago, but still a memory tucked in my heart.   Coppi

“We are not meant to be seen as God’s perfect, bright-shining examples, but to be seen as the everyday essence of ordinary life exhibiting the miracle of His grace.” — Oswald Chambers

There are times in my life that I like to return to – remember and write about. This is one of those times:  I was born in San Antonio, Tx, but grew up in Fredericksburg, Tx.  I spent most of my life after graduation in Dallas, Tx.  I have mentioned before in my thoughts that I volunteered at the V.A. Hospital as an undercover person working for the chaplain, The lady that worked in our locker room at the Club I belonged to knew I was a volunteer at the V.A.  One day when I was there to play golf and was putting on my golf shoes, she came to me and told me one of our member’s husband was in the V. A. Hospital and would I pay him a visit when I was there.  I said sure I would.  The next time I was there, I looked up where his room was and went to see him.  His son was standing by his bedside.  I went to Al’s bedside and started a conversation with him. (I had played golf with Al and his wife at the Country Club).  Our conversation eventually turned to Jesus and His grace, love, and salvation plan.  I prayed with him and bid he and his son goodbye.  Years later, I was having a problem with my toe and went to a podiatrist not knowing it was Al’s son, to have him check it.  When I enter his office, his first words were “Coppi I want to thank you for talking to my father at the V.A.  I was the son in the room when you were there.  “I wanted to have this conversation with my father, but did not know how to begin.”  My father died not too long after your visit”.  You know, life is a journey and if we are connected to our Shepherd, Jesus, He will lead us to a pasture that one of his sheep is needing His love, grace, and help.  In Luke 15:1-7  – “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent”.

We serve a Shepherd, Jesus, who has great love for his sheep, us, – He will carry us through the tsunami’s of our life; we will know we are being carried by “The Foot Prints in the Sand”……there will be only one foot print in the sand, because we will be carried on His shoulder’s.  I speak from my own life – I know I was being carried; His love ad  grace carried me. 

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

“Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.”

—Rabindranath Tagore 

My life is a wonder of “I don’t understand miracles”; I truly want to sit and cry because I do not know how to feel about them.  The valleys were enormous, but the mountain tops leveled the enormity endured by them.

I got up this morning feeling tired from dealing with dreams of my past life. I have given my life to be a follower of Jesus; I have confessed every thing I know of my past that I think was displeasing to Him , and I know from reading the Bible if we confesses our sins to Him, we are forgiven.  Yet the tormentor,“satan”, enjoys putting doubts in your mind.  Ephesian’s 6:10 gives instructions on putting on the armor of  God to withstand satan’s arrows of attack.  In God’s word we can always find solutions to fight anything Satan throws at us.  ““In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Satan’s darkness cannot and will not overtake Jesus’ lightness – that’s a promise of our Lord.  We can stand on it, and for me, “that settles it”.