marco island 2013 vacation (various pics)

shut up!

O.K. So, I have something to tell you and you may not like it at first... but stay with me because it is important. Are you ready? Alright, here it goes....

SHUT UP!

No really, SHUT UP!!!

That is the message the Lord has been teaching me when I start to think about Him, approach Him, speak about Him, pray before Him.... HIM!!! The Almighty God! The King of Kings! The One overseeing all the events of this entire Universe! The Creator of Heaven and Earth who has stationed all-seeing angels around His throne proclaiming His glory at every moment... day and night, "Holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (How many times have they said it since you began reading this blog? How many times have they said it since you got up this morning? How many times have they said it since the day you were conceived?)

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (Revelation 4:8)

He is GOD in Heaven... and here am I on earth. Me. I'm nothing in comparison to Him. I'm a speck... one soul in the history of mankind. Yet, He loves me... individually. But who am I compared to His excellence? Read Psalm 8 with me:

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

If I was flying over the earth in an airplane and looking down, my vantage point would not allow me to see the millions of people going about their day. People would appear as small as microbes and I'm sure my human eyes could not even distinguish them from the landscape visible through the clouds. Now think about God. His throne is in Heaven. Yet, He sees and knows the happenings of each and every person. He knows the direction that every drop of blood flows in our veins. He knows the thoughts and desires we each wish for. He is present in all our lives and is actively with us each moment of every day. We cannot come close to seeing and comprehending all that God is and the goodness and holiness He majestically exudes as He oversees the atmosphere of every planet, the birth of every species, the position of every grain of sand carpeting the ocean floor.

Think about it... If you were face-to-face with Almighty JEHOVAH and could physically see Him today for all He is, wouldn't you be speechless? Wouldn't awe just take over? Wouldn't your mouth drop to the floor and wouldn't you suddenly be without words? In fact, wouldn't YOU just drop to the floor face down in reverence before the One who breathed life into your nostrils and formed you in your mothers womb? He is the One who spoke everything into existence! I encourage you to really think about this. Then, think about how you have been addressing Him... how you approach Him... how frequently you seek Him... what you say to Him... what you say about Him... how you represent Him. Are you giving Him the reverence He deserves? If not, why not?

Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." (Revelation 15:4)

For me, to consider GOD as He is, is sooooo humbling. Yet, in my day-to-day selfishness, I still forget to consider Him with reverence. I become distracted and ruled by my own desires. I become spiritually short-sighted and usually find myself rattling off all sorts of nonsense and greediness when I approach Him, rather than SHUTTING UP! It is an ongoing prayer for me to live deliberately, obediently, respectfully, diligently while keeping my mind centered around HIS GLORY. How foolish I am... for what on earth could possibly be more important in my life than concentrating on God? Tell me, really? What could I possibly need or desire over Him? And what could I loosely say to Him that He doesn't already know or isn't already in control of? He made everything! He knows everything! He rules everything!

The truly amazing part is this... He still wants me to come to Him! He wants me to love Him. He wants me to live my life with Him and relate to Him. I am so dear to God that He gives me the choice to follow Him... or not. How awesome and gracious is my Master? How tremendous and unending is the love of my Father? So why not let my Redeemer manage my voice. Let my Savior rule my tongue. Let my King be pleased with my speech.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (1 John 2:1)

I don't know about you, but I am determined to remain mindful in Him to keep myself from falling into the trap of viewing God as some imaginary, unseen wish-granter. Not because He doesn't want me to have everything... No, I am just aware that I frequently approach His throne more like a spoiled, selfish child rather than a focus, faithful woman who has shown up to meditate on WHO HE IS rather than what I want. I must daily listen to His call and learn His word rather than push my way before Him to speak. Listening and absorbing God's word is more important than any sentence I could utter. So, I'm prayerful to focus on the reverence I give to the ONE who has blessed me with another hour of life this very day! When I am deliberate to remain in His presence, I am then able to speak wisely while looking through His eternal eyes.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)

Ladies, I challenge each DW (myself included) to make a point to stop and worship Him first before opening our chatty mouths. Let's remember to show thanks to HE WHO IS WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE before blurting out routine, self-centered prayers such as, "Dear Lord, please do this or that for me. Please give me all the things I think I should have, in the time I think I should have them, in the ways I want them. Please get me out of this jam or that problem and center this whole universe around me me me me me me me me me me me me me!" Ugh. Ladies, let's just SHUT UP!

Stand in awe. Take in WHO He is. Consider His glory. Then speak with the wisdom He has given through the power of His Holy Spirit.

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1:20)

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:2)

My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. (Psalm 49:3)

My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. (Psalm 145:21)

Blessings!

~Victoria 

devoted (a poem by Victoria)

Lonely, lacking, lost in life;
Selfish, saddened, shattered, strife...

Calvary's cross! Creator-Christ, I cry!
Hallowed, heavenly, Hero on high;

Renew, replenish, redeem, restore;
Forgive me free! Favor forevermore!

Merciful and mighty, my Messiah molds me and moves;
Purchased, protected... the Prince of Peace powerfully proves!

With wonder, with worship, I walk well in His Way;
Abiding and amazed at Almighty's accomplished array!

Now near and nourished, nothing else need be noted.
Delighted, determined....  Dear Divine, I'm devoted!

Be Blessed!

~Victoria

support: a firm foundation

As I have grown older, I've noticed that "the girls" (my breasts) have needed a little more attention and support than before.

MY HUSBAND: "WHOA!.... Move over!  Excuse me... I'm coming, Baby!!!...."  (Chuck climbs over a few stalking readers with his arms extended... promptly wrestling to be as close to me as possible and ready to accommodate my every need.)

LOL.  Honey, I'm fine.  I'm referring to the new bras and panties I've been shopping for.

MY HUSBAND: "Oh... OK.  Well, I'm right here if you need me!  Really, no trouble at all!"

Thank you, Dear.  Just give me a few more minutes with my readers and then I'm all yours!...

Anyway, as I've gotten older the strangest thing has been happening... "the girls" have... shall we say, enlarged - even though I have been shrinking in size and losing weight.  (I know - weird.)  As such, these days I have been on the hunt for the perfect, most comfortable, well-fitting bra and panties.

Now, I don't know why I don't already know this, but shopping for new undergarments is no small task for us gals.  I have learned that when the specialty lingerie boutique measures my size and proclaims in all certainty that I am a 40DD, it does not insure that every bra out there will fit me correctly.  No, it's more work than that.  In fact, sizing has only given me a baseline to work from.  For no two bras seem to fit the same.  Some, I do better in a 40D, and some a 38DD.  In the end, what is most important is how something fits me, not what their label says.

So, on the search I've been.  I've tried on extremely well-made, and highly priced "investment" bras and panties from Paris and London, and I've sampled the more local microfiber t-shirt wonder-secrets in all styles and colors imaginable. And now that I am closing in on purchasing all the winning combinations of form, fashion, and function to serve my wardrobe, I am amazed to learn that I have been walking around for decades uncomfortable in my undergarments... and it was unnecessary!  No more jabbing in the back.  No more readjusting straps.  No more itchy, unsupportive cups.  No more!  Now, I am comfortable.... and supported correctly.  I have the right foundation to build my outfits and image upon. Furthermore, I feel special and pretty because these new, improved undergarments are also gorgeously constructed with the very best fabrics and laces available.

All this got me thinking today about my beautiful Jesus.  (Yes, my bra and pantie shopping has made me stop and think about the King of kings!)  For He is the best foundation of all.  He is my ultimate support, and with Him, I have true peace and comfort.  Just like a good bra that conforms perfectly to my frame, God wants me to conform myself to His gorgeous image so that I might live structured in His Way.  In turn, He will supply all the support and security I need to then dress myself in His very best... His holiness!

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. (Isaiah 33:6)

No more days allowing Satan access to the ground floor so that he may continue to jab my vulnerable back.  No more years of readjusting my posture to the whims of my own unstable and unsupportive ways.  No more!  I have learned to first dress myself in Jesus!  For in Christ, I am always covered correctly.  He is better.  He fits.  He matches every need with His perfect, incomprehensible love.  A love not to be limited by human measurement, but rather to be put on and worn comfortably, confidently... so that I too, may display His unending grace.  A grace that is much greater than all my sins.  Yes, He is my reinforcement... my only support and deliverer.  Those wanna-be foundations filled with their holes and cracks can't compare to God's gorgeously constructed plans for all eternity.  Hallelujah!  He is a Wonder!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment - to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.  In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession - to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:3-14)

Ladies, we have been invited by the King to put on His robe of inheritance... to wear His garment of grace!  We have be offered the surest, richest, and most lavish foundation in Jesus because He alone can stabilize us and unify our whole life through His purpose.  His salvation is our undergarment and assurance.  His love is our dressing.  His Word is our strength and armor.  So seek Him first, for He is the only One who will fit all your needs properly.  Put Him on and build your image upon His glory. Feel special because you are new and improved under His gorgeously constructed love.

Today, conform your image to the Savior's Way and believe that He has full and lavish plans for your future!  For Jesus is your Heavenly Husband!  As such, wear His Name confidently!  He has gone to great lengths to be with you... to be the One closest to your heart.  And He is ready, soooo ready, to accommodate and supply and support you.  Why?  Because He always considers you beautiful and worthy...  He loves you more than His own life!  Yes, He is right here, right now... because He knows you need Him most to LIVE.  So, need Him, Believer!  Love Him in return with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength!  God’s solid foundation stands firm.  His Way is better forever.  Amen!

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  (Matthew 24:35)

Blessings!

Victoria

a study in Philippians 4: practice makes perfect (part 11)

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. (Philippians 4:9)

And the God of peace will be with you. For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11b-13)

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

We've reached the end of our study in Philippians 4. Paul has charged every Christian to rejoice in the Lord always, allowing His love and gentleness to be evidently seen through us. He has called us to relax in the Savior... to not be anxious or worry about our future, but rather spend our days focusing on the unique and kingdom-building blessings of our eternal hope in the Lord. He shows us why we must always glorify God's presence and acknowledge His truth, nobility, righteousness, purity, loveliness, admiralty, excellence, and praiseworthiness.

But now, the most important lesson of all is about to be laid out. Here, the apostle will teach us that the consideration of these evidences, and the worship of our Savior, will indeed guarantee us peace... will certainly give us strength... and will definitively meet all our needs. But here's the thing... we must put our faith into practice. We must not only think about such things, but we must live them. We must believe that this is our new Way of life -- the new path that Jesus has given us to follow. There is no more room for excusing sin. There is not a place where grumbling is acceptable. No, we are to always... ALWAYS... rejoice!!!! We are to always be gentle as we showcase God's holy house within us and be pleased to meditate on and share His majesty with anyone we meet. We are to live as ambassadors, representing His throne... representing a new economy... a new people.

Even when faced with every brokenness produced from the sin of this corrupt world, we must still choose to stand firm in Christ. Yes, we are to cling to the security of our Redeemer and know that we can surely rejoice in His newness, no matter what happens in our day-to-day. Why? Because Jesus abides closely in us. He has given us what we need when we live in practice of seeking Him. He strengthens us as we remain strong in His characteristics. And He graciously provides moment-by-moment glimpses of His perfect glory that yes... one day we will fully see and know completely in His presence! Read Paul's words from earlier chapters and consider his only focus...

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. (Philippians 3:7-9)

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:13b-21)

Ladies, we are to "take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5) We are to always rejoice in the Lord and love love love love LOVE because His Way guarantees us a full and peaceful LIFE! Let us take to heart Paul's instruction and put into practice a life that honors Jesus' Name. After all, practice makes perfect, right?

So, forget the old way... put it behind you. Let's press on toward the goal and win that prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. For as Peter so eloquently agreed later in scripture, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:3-8)

Yes, today is the day to be an active participant in God's divine nature! Jesus is our beloved, and we are His! So, let's allow the Master to build our faith strong as we obediently and deliberately put into practice His goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, affection, and love. Let us rejoice and think about ALL HE IS while allowing His gentle, transforming grace to change all we once were! For, ladies... to live is Christ! There can be nothing else. There can be no one else.

Come... let us unite and fully know His complete and satisfying perfection, shall we? Come... let us put into practice our adoration and complete devotion only to Jesus, the King of kings!!!!

Blessings!

~Victoria