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Posted on February 17, 2021 by beverlyeash

36Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. 37But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. 38The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.

Exodus 40:36-38

When the children of Israel left Egypt, a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night guided them. The pillar revealed God’s presence to the people; it was visible day and night. After Moses finished constructing the Tabernacle, the pillar rested on top of it indicating that God’s presence dwelt among them within the Tabernacle.

As I listened to the final chapters of Exodus in the Bible in a Year, the pillar captured my attention. I wondered if I am as good following the Holy Spirit as the Israelites were following the cloud. Read the final verses of Exodus one more time.

When the cloud moved, the people moved. If the cloud stayed, the people stayed. Simple! And yet so difficult. What if I am tired of the place I am in and want to move on? How long will the cloud stay in this place? Sure, the cloud and fire were visible and the Holy Spirit is not, but am I listening?

I recall a time I was really itching to change a life situation. Dave and I would talk about it; I would pray about it but I sensed God standing with his hand extended like a crossing guard at the school crossing. “Stop! I want you there a bit longer.” I listened but it didn’t keep me from regularly returning to the query.

I am inspired by the practice of the Israelites to trust the cloud to guide them on the journey through the wilderness. Some day I want it to be said of me, “she listened to the Holy Spirit. When he said move, she moved. When he said stay, she stayed! This continued through all her journeys!”

How about you? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you or do you chart your own course? Is it working for you?

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Posted on February 16, 2021 by beverlyeash

Tribes, crew, my people — whatever you call them, it’s the people in your life that are the beating heart of your world. You might see them every day, every week or once a month. But they are there for you!

At the center of my heart is my family. This includes my children, their spouses and the grandchildren. Of course my family of origin is in there adding depth, color and texture. Then there are those we joined with along the way — relationships that sustain and nurture us while parenting, adulting, grandparenting, and all the things in-between.

Today one of the 10,000 things I bless the Lord for is my tribe. Today I needed someone to do a little shopping for me. I could have used a Shipt shopper or Instacart or one of the many resources available these days. But I texted one from my tribe. It was a simple task and, if I am completely honest, did not have to be done. But she willingly provided the service.

I happened to be sitting near the window when she dropped my items off. I don’t cry easily, but I cried with joy and the awareness that I was cared for by my people. My heart was bursting with JOY! (Her middle name is Joy! How fitting!)

I didn’t feel quite as alone anymore. I felt seen and loved. Next time it will be my turn to run the errand!

Who can you love today through a simple act of kindness? Do you know who your tribe is? Your people? The ones you just can’t live without?

9So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Galatians 6:9-10

Tribes are powerful! Find and cultivate yours today!

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Posted on February 15, 2021 by beverlyeash

Saturday, in a much needed conversation with a dear friend, I exclaimed to her, “I am not a good person!” She burst into laughter and agreed that she isn’t a good person either. I felt so human at that moment — in the best way possible.

As with all great interactions, I ruminated on our conversation. As I replayed it, I heard myself say again, “I am not a good person,” and the Spirit brought a scripture to mind.

6When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Romans 5:6-11

I smiled as I took the full weight of this verse into my spirit. God didn’t wait for me to be good enough to send Jesus to die for my sins. While I was still completely human, and not good enough, God showed his great love for me by sending Jesus to restore my friendship with himself.

Today, my heart rejoices in my wonderful relationship with God. He didn’t wait for me to be good and he isn’t expecting me to be now. He loves me exactly the way I am on this very day! And I am so glad about that!

How about you? Are you feeling your humanness in an especially poignant way? Is it getting the best of you? Don’t despair! God’s love for you is in no way lessened nor is he surprised at your humanity. He really digs it, actually.

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Posted on February 12, 2021 by beverlyeash

Friends who help along the way with words that encourage or gently guide me are my inspiration for today. They are one of my 10,000 reasons to bless the Lord. Yesterday, I received this wise, gentle reminder from a friend —

Worrying about what other people think is the quickest way to forget what God thinks!

It seemed to me this is what scripture says too and look what I found . . .

25Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.

Proverbs 29:25

15My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.

Psalm 25:15

For a short few hours, I got sidetracked worrying about what others thought. I needed the reminder that my trust is in the Lord, not in what others think, say or do.

Perhaps you needed this reminder today as well!

Have a happy weekend!

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Posted on February 11, 2021 by beverlyeash

Today I find COURAGE to be the beat of my heart. Not my courage, but the courage of others. The courage it takes to do the hard thing whether it be a social conversation, a moral decision, a physical act, an emotional journey of healing, an intellectual pursuit or a spiritual conquest. I am blessed by those with courage.

My mom is a courageous person. I hope to live my life as courageously as she does. She is visiting me in Florida from Montana. She is eighty-eight — that’s 88! — and she flew alone across the country.

This morning we went to the beach early and hunted for treasure, specifically sand dollars. I know — it’s not everyone’s thing. But we love it. We spent an hour on the beach and she was a champion, walking and looking and finding joy.

This afternoon she went to the pool with me to cool off after a particularly warm day. I know — it’s not that warm everywhere, but it was here. She’s not a swimmer, but she acquiesced and went with me anyway.

Every day she faces her fears and lives with intention. It’s not easy and she has difficult days. But she’s always been an amazing example to me. I believe this scripture might just be what guides her every day. She is faithful to read and meditate on God’s word, she prays for us and she lives with courage.

6“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:6-9

Oh, and courage isn’t doing something without fear. It is doing what needs to be done in spite of any fear might be there.

Who is the most courageous person you know? How have you been courageous today?

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Posted on February 10, 2021 by beverlyeash

Monday was my birthday. It started well. I read the most amazing challenge to hear the inner name God gave me when my body was forming in my mother’s womb. I sat with my mother and drank coffee and talked about the day I was born. It was a great morning.

Monday was also disappointing. Completely unrelated to my birthday.

Monday involved the domino effect — one bit of news cascading into another into another . . . the ripple effect of disappointment.

At the end of the day, I didn’t feel like I thought I should feel. I awoke Tuesday morning with the same thought — I think I should feel something akin to sadness and heart ache. Now, for sure, I was disappointed that plans had to change. But I didn’t feel crippling sadness.

As I walked the beach today, listening to the waves and watching the water cascade in and out, I felt joy. Along with the joy was unexplainable peace that all is well, all is well and all will be well. I was reminded of Paul’s words to the church in Philippi. . .

4Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  7Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

I end the day knowing joy is one of the 10,000 reasons to bless the Lord. There is absolutely nothing I could do on my own to conjure up the peace and joy I experienced today. I give credit to the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life. I listened as he cautioned me to be in the present moment; I acknowledged that God sees this all; I relinquished control. And the peace of God which is beyond anything I can understand is guarding my heart!

How about you? Are you trying to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders? Does letting go feel like giving up? What would have to happen for you to move from your present mind set to one of rejoicing? Let’s make lemonade out of lemons!

Happy Hump Day!!!

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Posted on February 9, 2021 by beverlyeash

10“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

Luke 16:10-12

I tend to notice big things. Of course, they are the loudest and most noticeable. Fascination abounds with colossal — whether it be food, accomplishments, buildings, people. BIG grabs my attention.

The last few weeks I have made a concerted effort to notice the small things. For instance, shells (or sand dollars) on the beach. If I adjust my eye and look for the smallest shells, I am amazed by what I find. Every large shell has an equally impressive smaller version if you look carefully.

How about shrimp? Colossal shrimp make an impressive statement on a plate but the smaller striped shrimp I receive from Alaska pack a powerful punch and their tender sweetness cannot be rivaled by their colossal counterparts.

It is so easy to hurry past the small things in a race to big things that the magic of little is lost. Jesus said if I am faithful with small things, I can be trusted with big things. I think he meant things like responsibilities, finances, spiritual gifts, ministries. When I show myself faithful with beginning steps, he is faithful to open doors to more. But the converse is true as well. If I am not faithful when given little things, I will not be trusted with more.

Today I am grateful for the small things. Things like shells, shrimp and sand dollars. It’s been good for me to refocus and look for the small things. Sometimes those turn out to be the big things after all!

It occurs to me there is another place in scripture where Paul reorients our thinking. He says it like this:

25This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 26Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.  27Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.  28God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

1 Corinthians 1:25-29

Hmmm….that leaves me something to think about! Little and foolish might just be where it’s at!

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Posted on February 8, 2021 by beverlyeash

24This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Not only is this day the one the Lord has made, but this moment is the one he planned. Many times I find myself not in the moment. Either I am looking ahead with curiosity and worry or trailing behind with shame and regret. It keeps me from enjoying this moment.

I find myself thinking about the next thing. Not in a necessary way, but in a distracted, discontent way. I don’t enjoy this moment because I think about what I could be doing or should be doing or will be doing . . . and I miss the magic of this moment. I miss being fully present right now.

This present moment, right now. Whatever is happening, wherever I am, whoever I am with.

That is what I am grateful for today — the present moment. Keeping my mind in this moment, not allowing it to wander to tomorrow or live in yesterday.

What keeps you distracted? Is it the desire for a more exciting tomorrow or the regret of a disappointing yesterday? Or perhaps it is the exact oppposite! Yesterday held so much success and tomorrow looks dull in comparison. This present moment deserves your attention for it is the one the Lord has made! Be glad and rejoice in it!

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Posted on February 5, 2021 by beverlyeash

8While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 9Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” 10So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 11As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.

Exodus 17:8-13

Today I raise my voice in battle for others. Recently, I was considering some situations where the odds seemed overwhelmingly stacked against those involved. Cancer, turmoil, pandemic, chaos and abuse swirled about these individuals. I found myself wondering how they kept going — how do they have the energy to pray?

Immediately I knew. They didn’t. The invitation was there to hold up my hands in prayer so they could fight the battle. When my arms get tired, others hold up my arms or I hold up someone’s arms. But it is together we fight the battle.

Currently, I have two individuals with cancer, several pastors who are battle weary and a friend who’s marriage is falling apart that I fight for in prayer. We weren’t meant to fight the battles alone. We need each other.

And that’s what I am grateful for today. Grateful for the opportunity to fight in prayer for those who are in the thick of it and to know that when I am in the thick of it, others will fight in prayer for me.

Who needs you right now? Someone is battling alone and the enemy seems to be winning, but you can step in by praying or by holding the arms of those who are praying. You are needed right now to stand in the gap!

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Posted on February 4, 2021 by beverlyeash

Today I rejoice in the sun. It shines from the sky, warming the earth, lighting the day.

14Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. 15Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened. 16God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17God set these lights in the sky to light the earth, 18to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:14-18

The sun reminds me that there will come a day when these great lights will not be necessary. For the Lamb, Jesus, will provide all the light we need. I rejoice and look forward to that day.

23And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 

Revelation 21:23-24

Truly God is good and all he has made is good. What are you rejoicing in today? How are you blessing the Lord?

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