Inhaling His Whispers of Rich Grace

  "But now take courage, Zerubbabel," declares the Lord, "take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage," declares the Lord, "and work; for I am with you," says the Lord of hosts.  "As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!"  Haggai 2:4-5 Fear.  Fear is something I dare say we all deal with.  Fear of rejection.  Fear of words that people are saying or may not say.  Fear is the enemy's greatest weapon to keep us stuck and paralyzed to move or live alive.  I identify with fear, especially when it comes relationships and the daily living with the very people that matter to God.  The people of Israel also felt it.   You see, years ago they started to rebuild the temple as a result of the vision of several men.  They worked and the opposition began until finally they were decreed to stop and they did....

 Tea with Jesus - conversation throughout the day Lord, I come - to steady my heart with Your words of Truth, choosing them when I'm struggling with the angst of my soul.  Do I have any place in this world with my story?  In a moment of feeling too much, I choose to believe Your love for me is still very near and I anchor my mind in You, looking, anticipating to see Your goodness today. Love, Judith

 Tea with Jesus - conversations in the midst of the day along with specific moments - Lord - As my stomach growls this morning and hunger knocks; I pause and am reminded that You truly satisfy in the deepest places.  As I am hungry, I pause to be reminded to hunger for You and to remember You and to know more of  You.  As food fills my physical being, fill me with Your words and truth and wisdom. Thank You, Judith

 Tea With Jesus -  Yes, I have specific times I sit and read the words of God and have a conversation with Him on what is going on in my heart.  I ask Him for clarity when I don't have the words to know what is going on.  I write to process the happenings of the day and the reactions that sometimes burst forth from somewhere hidden or a place I once knew.  Conversations with Jesus are my lifeline.  But they don't stop at the specific times, it's a part of my rhythm as I go about the day.  Sometimes the tasks I do, bring a prayer, then I may liken it to something personal or a picture of who God is and offer a prayer for myself, my family, friends, or whoever the Lord brings to my mind.  Or as I wrestle with the hard, the pain; I have conversation with Jesus about it for He is ever present and a place of refuge. Tea with Jesus conversations that I write will be a glimpse of some of these bits of my day.  So take from them what inspires you and...

  But the word of our God stands forever.  Isaiah 40:8 But the word of the Lord abides forever.  I Peter 1:25 Sunset.  The day ends with vibrant colour. No matter how hard a day is, the day ends.  Sunrise.  And a new day begins.  A new day with the soft hues of colour begin the day and with it the promise of God that His mercies are new, every morning.  The trees are starting the subtle shift towards fall. They're losing their green lustre. The one thing that remains is the word of God.  Seasons come and go, changing the world around us as we see it; planting, blooming, letting go and rest.  But God promises that the one thing that remains through it all is His Word.  His promises, His truths remain; steadfast through every season.  In the summertime of blooming and growth, His word remains and is true. In the letting go of what keeps us from Him in all the ways, His word remains and is true. When the harsh winds of winter blow...