A Picture of Trust

I was out for a Sunday drive recently with my cousin and her daughters, one of whom happen to be my very cute goddaughter.

While my cousin and I were chatting in the front I happened to glance in the back and saw the sweetest sight... my goddaughter looking like a little angel, still in her church outfit had fallen fast asleep. As luck would have it, I had my camera with me because I couldn't resist taking a photo of such a perfect picture of innocence and complete trust.

Later as I looked at the photo I thought that it told a story without saying a word. My gooddaughter fell asleep knowing that she was safe and surrounded by people who loved her. Oh what trust. Her photo reminded me that God's word tells us that "unless we become as a little child we cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven." He expects us to have the same childlike faith in him that children have in their parents. In fact he reminds us to "cast all our cares upon him because he cares about us."

So, I encourage you to put all the things that concern you in God's hands. Put a picture in your mind this week of the little children you may see and the trust they display. Remember that God wants us to display that same trust in him.

Lessons from the Road

Bump, bump, bump, jerk, screech.... Today as I took my weekly sixty plus miles ride to church I tried to take a little nap. However I was unable to because the road is under construction. The road is being worked on in sections hence there some parts that are smooth and some parts are riddled with pot holes. So unfortunately for me, every time I made myself as comfortable as I could on a crowded church bus I'd feel a bump and jerk forward in my seat. This was my cue that the next few minutes was going to be a bumpy ride.

I could have gotten grumpy because I couldn't enjoy my nap but I didn't. I endured the rough parts because I knew that in a few minutes I'd be enjoying a smooth ride and ultimately it would all be smooth sailing.

As I was on a particularly rough patch, (since I couldn't sleep) I thought about life. Just like the road I was traveling on life has parts that are smooth and parts that are rough. Unfortunately, sometimes I get so caught up in grouching and complaining over the bad times that I forget to enjoy and thank God for the good time. In fact sometimes I'm tempted to spend most of the good times anticipating the bad times. However, today my journey to church really taught me a lesson about life.

So during the course of this week I encourage you to think about the goodness of God and all he's done for you and thank him for it. Also, if you're going through a rough time, remember the words of Yolanda Adams, this too shall pass.

Yolanda Adams -

In the middle of the turbulence surrounding you
These trying times that are so hard to endure
In the middle of what seems to beyour darkest hour
Hold fast your heart and be assured

THIS TOO SHALL PASS
Like every night that's come before it
He'll never give you more than you can bear
This too shall pass So in this thought be comforted
It's in His Hands

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (New International Version)

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Welcome to Girl Talk's Weekly Devotional. Thanks for your interest in seeing that the updates started regularly again. This journal will be updated every Saturday or Sunday night starting March 5, 2006.

I've also added all the old devotionals so be sure to check them out.

A Heart Like Yours

A Heart Like Yours
A heart like yours is my desire
A heart like yours is what I’m searching for
Full of compassion nothing wrong within
Please hear me Lord give me a heart like yours
Cece Winans
CD Throne Room

I think the lyrics to Cece Winan's express exactly what I'm feeling. I can't state it any clearer than those words. They express my every desire right now, to have a heart that is more like that of my heavenly father. This week I will pursue my desire to have a heart that is more like His by making the choices that will please him even if they aren't the easy ones to make.

March 30, 2004

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

Bible Passage: Psalm 28 7-8 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. 8 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.


I’ve felt such a sense of spiritual joy lately. I haven’t felt this way in a long time. I know that God is doing something in my life and I just want to thank him. Today, I feel like David must have felt when he wrote that Psalms. God has heard my cry for mercy, he has delivered me from my feelings of depression and self doubt. Today, it simply isn't enough to just say it but I want to express it in a poem to Him, Jehovah, My Song.

Jehovah My Song

Jehovah you are my song
You’re the reason I belong
You’re the reason why my life
Is no longer filled with anger and strife

Jehovah, you are my song
You’re the reason I go on
Life had ceased to have meaning to me
When you stepped in and made me complete

Jehovah you are my song
You’re the reason I belong
Your arms have become a refuge for me
A place of safety, joy and peace

My Lord Jehovah, you are my song
You’re the reason I am strong
When I think of your goodness and grace
I just want to stand up and say…

Oh Jehovah you are my song
You’re the reason I belong
The reason I go on
You’re the reason I am strong

You’ve brought meaning to my life
You’ve become my one great choice
One I’ll cherish all my life
Oh Jehovah you are my song!

November 12, 2002

I love the Lord, he heard my cry...

Univited Guest

Bible passage: Luke 7:37-39

When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner.".....

My Thoughts

How hard is it to go to a party when you weren’t invited and you know you were not wanted? If you happen to be bold enough to go to the party are you bold enough to walk up and monopolize the attention of the guest of honor? Well when we want something badly enough we have to be willing to do the unexpected.

The woman with the alabaster box wanted something from Jesus. She knew that something was missing in her life and she knew Jesus was the only one who could fill it. So she ignored the jeers and sneers of the crowd and went straight to Jesus.

This woman is someone I want to emulate. I want to be so focused on Jesus until I don’t even notice when others have a negative attitude towards me. I want to be so focused on him that my every thought is to please him in everything I do. I want his presence to fill me overshadow me, empower and mold me into his image. I want to be more like him everyday. I want when others look at me they see Christ in me.

2002

Happiness is a Choice

Bible verse: Why art thou cast down oh my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psalms 42:5

We have a choice in everything we do. As complex as our emotions may seem sometimes, we have a choice in them also. We have a choice in whether to be happy or sad, downcast or uplifted. David himself felt depressed and downcast however, he spoke to himself. He encouraged himself. He told his soul to hope in God. David chose to be happy. Although everything may not go the way I want it to go today I have a choice in how I feel about it. Today, no matter what comes my way, I choose to be happy.

February 24, 2002