Overflowing

This week, the Houston area and several other parts of Texas and Oklahoma have had a record amount of rainfall, flooding, with overflowing water of roads, swimming pools, creeks, rivers, lakes, and retention ponds.  Usually a hurricane or tropical storm brings about this vast amount of water over several days, but this time the floods were caused by an abundance of rain falling in a short amount of time.  Because the areas were full and the ground was saturated, the water had no option but to overflow onto nearby areas.

In Noah’s day, God displayed His power by sending rain to flood the earth.  All lost their lives except Noah and his family.  Jesus came to give all who accept Him as Lord and Savior “Living Water” flowing from within.  Because of God’s love for us, Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins, and His Spirit dwelling in us, our praise and thanksgiving should continually flow. 

Jesus modeled and taught the importance of serving and investing in the lives of others.  As humans, we overflow with the attributes in which we choose to fill our lives.

We need to be so full of God’s… 

          Joy

              Peace

                 Patience

                    Goodness

                       Compassion

                          Forgiveness

                          Faithfulness

                       Self-control

                    Gentleness

                 Kindness

              Grace

           Love

…that we overflow with those gifts to those around us.  And that kind of flooding will always be a welcomed blessing.

(Jesus said) “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

John 7:38

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalm 23:5

May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119:171

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

Romans 5:15

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 4:15

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

2 Corinthians 9:12

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

I Thessalonians 3:12

One Step at a Time

Medical Update:  We know that it will take up to six months for the stem cells to perform their healing work, but I am already noticing a few changes.  I now have feeling in my left foot and can even wiggle my toes on that foot for the first time in years and my back seems to be stronger.  On Tuesday, with two funerals at church and a visit to a dear friend in the hospital that evening, I walked more and longer distances at a time than I have in quite a while.  Along with diet and exercise, I am very optimistic about the benefits of these latest treatments.

When we were in Cancun, Larry wore his “Faith Path” t-shirt one day.  As I was walking behind him, the message on the back of the shirt was a great reminder of what it is going to take on my pilgrimage to be healthier. 

Sometimes the hardest part of starting something new or continuing what has begun is to take that first step each day.  I must be willing to do my part to help ensure the best results.

I also want to be intentional about taking that first step on my faith path each day.  That journey will make a difference both now and for eternity.  May I purposely choose to walk humbly, obediently, in reverence, in service, and in accordance with God’s laws for His name, glory, and renown.   

Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.

Deuteronomy 8:6

But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Joshua 22:5

Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.

Isaiah 26:8

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.

Psalm 128:1

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

Proverbs 4:14

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Waiting, Going, and Giving Thanks

We’re home after receiving the stem cell treatments in Cancun, Mexico.  And now we wait for the stem cells to begin their work.  Some changes will come in the next few weeks while others could take up to six months.  Along with the waiting comes the gift of hope.

While we wait, I keep going.  It will be important to continue exercising, walking longer distances at a time, fine tuning my diet, and living life to the fullest. 

All the while, I want to have a heart that gives and expresses gratitude.  God is good all the time and His presence and blessings have been evident during these days.  I’m grateful for the prayers and encouragement of family and friends.  Whether it was a big, small, or a somewhat insignificant request, you were willing to pray on my behalf.  What a gift that was to Larry and me.  By the way, I think I was the calmest I have ever been while flying, even with a slight bit of turbulence.  Our prayers were answered!  I’m also thankful for the doctors, nurses, and medical team at Galenia Hospital who are willing to continue the stem cell treatment at this time.  I could not have asked for better care or treatment.  And I am so grateful for Larry.  He takes to heart Jesus’ command for a man to love his wife like Jesus loves the church.  His kind servant spirit makes even the difficult times hopeful and bearable.  It has been a sweet time and gift to have these 10 days together.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

I Chronicles 16:34

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

Psalm 107:21

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 118:1

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 15:57

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:3-6