Dawn and Dusk Call

 

Dawn and Dusk Call 

Camping among the foothills of Mount Rainer I rise early carrying my steaming cup of coffee on a walk down to the rushing glacier filled river. There my eyes look up to the eastern sky. I wait in joyful eagerness to watch as God creates a new day.

Then at dusk I’ll turn to look to the west and gaze as clouds fly by on a crimson painted sky. In the stillness I hear in my heart, “Come and worship Me with awe and wonder.”

“Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders.

From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.” Psalm 65:8 NLT

 The clear pure light of the morning makes one yearn for God’s Word and the life giving truth it speaks that will pulse new life into to our heart and soul.  Everywhere are reminders of our Creator God.

 Our hope is in God alone, who every day in many ways will reminds us, He is always and forever with us.

 What would this poor human do without God’s prompting? How would one carry on in life if not for His daily encouragement to stay and trust in His Word? From where comes the strength and a heart filled with hope if not for the Holy Spirit opening our eyes to see the beauty and mystery of God’s creation? All creation sings of God’s unfailing love.

 

Dawn and dusk calls to me

“Seek Me, be free, and be strong.”

 

In the holy hush of the early dawn

I hear His voice, “I am with you all day long.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

 

“Dawn and Dusk” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© May 28, 2014

 

The Old Gray Fence

 

 

This Old Gray Fence

Its twenty years old now, weathered and storm washed to a patina of soft gray. It’s our six foot cedar fence that surrounds our yard out here on this country road. We didn’t put the fence up for privacy. We have plenty of that with neighbors too far away to see directly. This old gray fence protects our fragile garden and holds back the abundance of Northwest foliage. Without it ― well there would be no flowers or fruit.

“Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people now and forevermore.” Psalm 125:1-2 NIV

What a contrast it is! One side of the fence is overflowing with blackberry bushes stealthily sending their vines to creep over the top of the fence to our garden. The powerful thick vines are determined to snake their way among the branches of the fruit trees and to slitter along the ground to the vegetables and flowers. The native stinging needles here are bent on sticking themselves through every knothole and into every crack in this old gray fence.

God surrounds us like a mountain, protects us from the enemy like a strong and stable fence. His Word warns us against the weeds of the enemy that will try and invade our peace of mind. Satan’s weeds are like stinging needles and sticky blackberry vines, weeds of discouragement, fear, unbelief and despair.

In God’s hand book for the garden of the heart, the Bible, we can trace and find many valuable lessons on how He is the fence that guards our heart. Satan’s weeds are defenseless against the power of God’s love.

The more we read and speak His Word the more beautiful our heart grows, where good fruit thrives and a flower called hope survives.

“This Old Gray Fence” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© May 20, 2014

Wonder the Wonder Dog

Wonder in the stream by Dee Kamp

 

Wonder the Wonder Dog

We walked across the large green field to greet our old friends on their large horse ranch in Oregon. We were surrounded by slap happy dogs jumping and all barking for attention. Five dogs in all, but one particular dog caught my eye as he came wandering to us in a more cautious way. He paused without the usual jumping up doggy greeting, oddly moving forward and softly bumping into me.

 “That’s Wonder Dog,” explained our friends.

 “Wonder Dog?” I asked.

 “Yes, he has quite a story, and because of it, it made us wonder how he ever survived.  Wonder came wandering over to our ranch as a very young pup, barely weaned. He just showed up one day and joined the other dogs like he belonged here. We finally figured out this pup had dangerously crossed the highway from a neighboring farm. We picked him up more than once and hauled him back to their place. But Wonder would return time and again. How he didn’t get hit on the road we have no idea. But that wasn’t’ to be the last of our wondering about this dog. One time I decided I had to talk to this neighbor regarding this puppy and about its wellbeing,” my friend explained. “So I carried the pup back, knocked on the door determined to say if you don’t want this dog, we’ll take it for you. I was amazed at what the woman said next.”

  “You can keep him. We don’t know what to do with this dog anyway— he’s blind you know.”

 “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Matthew 10:29-31 NIV)

 Because God places such a high value on each one of us, we need never fear how to get through every life and the circumstances we are born with and into. Though we can’t see the way up and over the mountain, a way across a busy life, God can.

 Wonder easily made his way among the pack of hapless healthy dogs on the ranch as if he were not blind at all. And Wonder did not choose the quiet pond to take a cooling dip in on those hot Oregon summer days. No, Wonder plunged right into the rushing stream for his daily swim. He knew who was watching over him.

 Wonder was an inspiration to all who met him and today I learned Wonder passed away after living to a very old age for any dog. Love brought Wonder across the road, and love lead him to more love and care.

 Jesus shared how God is aware of every hair on our head, of everything that happens to us, to the little sparrows, and it seems evident ― He even watched over one blind puppy. For to God, we are His Wonder, His wonderful chosen ones.

 

“If God sees the sparrow’s fall,

Paint the lilies short and tall,

Gives the skies their azure hue,

Will He not then care for you?”—Anon

 

“Wonder the Wonder Dog” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© May 15, 2014- Dedicated to Annalee who was chosen as guarding angel to Wonder Dog.

Clothed in Love and Kindess

Best Friends by Dee Kamp

 

Clothed in Love and Kindness

 At the last minute, on the night before Easter, my unchurched family finally gave me permission to go with my friend’s family to church the next morning. But I was reminded with shame, I had nothing suitable to wear, was I sure I wanted to go?

 “Perhaps you shouldn’t go this time,” it was suggested. This weighed heavy on my twelve-year old heart. For reasons I couldn’t explain to them, I loved going to church and hearing about Jesus.

 “I delight greatly in the LORD’ my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10 NIV

I was about to pick up the phone to call my friend and tell her due to the plans of our family I wasn’t able to go to church with them. Before I lifted the handle of the phone it started to ring, startling me so I nearly dropped it.

I heard my best friend saying with great joy, “Dee, if you haven’t picked out what you want to wear today I have a surprise for you. Mom made me two dresses for Easter so I could choose which one I loved the most and I want you to have the other dress so we can both have dresses alike.  Can I give it to you to wear today?”

They came to my house early and my best friend Carol dashed through the door with a pretty spring dress in her arms like hers but in a different color.  Together we ran to my bedroom with giggles of delight. There, though my friend was unaware, she clothed me in love and kindness displaying the love of Jesus in a way I would always cherish and remember all the days of my life.

“I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us-yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.” Isaiah 63:7 NIV

“Clothed in Love and Kindness” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© May 13, 2014

Every Good and Perfect Gift

Golden Sunset by Dee Kamp

 

Every Good and Perfect Gift

There was a great lesson for us all in her last days on earth when my mother was totally dependent on an oxygen tank to live and breathe. It was then she seemed more serene and peaceful than we ever knew her to be. It was then she gave her life to Jesus and knew He would provide for her and take her home to heaven.

Until we are totally dependent on something other than ourselves we truly won’t grasp or understand how much we need God, of how precious and perfect are His gifts.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father” James 1:17 NIV

God is goodness and virtue. His beautiful and pure nature is inseparable from Him. Everything that can be regarded as goodness and virtue in man is nothing but the goodness of God manifested through Him. A personal relationship between God and self and total dependence on God alone is the good that comes from the Father alone.

Our hope, our strength, and all the love we need to survive in this world until we are home with Him, depends on God living and abiding within us. To this we give all adoration and love to God alone. His Spirit and Truth never ceases for those who trust and believe in Him. Every good and perfect gift comes to us from the Father.

 Prayer for today:

“Father, I thank You for the privilege of having a close relationship with you. I am totally dependent on You and I realize that all that I am and all that I have has come from you alone. Give me the strength through Your Holy Spirit to serve you faithfully this day. Let Your glory shine through me that others may see and know of Your great love and power. Bless me to share all the great and many wonderful things you have done in my life through the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord to be called a child of God, a partaker of your divine nature.

“Every Good and Perfect Gift” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© May 12, 2014

I Don't Have To-I Get To

Hot Air Balloon by Dee Kamp

 

I Don’t Have To―I Get To

“I see you had to get up early this morning,” I overheard one customer in our little country store say to their neighbor.

I smiled, for I knew what was coming next from Fred. He didn’t disappoint me one bit when I heard him say, “I don’t have to― I get to.”

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father…comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

God has given us all the great power to choose.  It is His greatest desire for us to choose the light and not the darkness, the positive truth and not the negative lies of Satan.

“A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.” Proverb 17:22 The Message, Eugene Peterson

Every single day we get to make a choice to be negative or positive.  Negative is ungratefulness, self-centeredness and unbelief in God.

Hope in God is never settling for the crumbs of life but the whole bread of life promised by Him for us in His Son, Jesus. We can be positive knowing our God can take a negative situation and turn it for good.

It was many years ago I overheard this conversation, one I believe God wanted me to remember all the days of my life. I learned it’s good for us to choose God’s way of living in great positive faith, and it’s wise to choose to be around people who say, “I don’t have― I get to.”

“What is past is past…and now you know the fourth and great law of happiness and success…Use wisely your power of choice. Choose to love…rather than hate. Choose to laugh…rather than cry. Choose to create…rather than destroy. Choose to persevere…rather than quit. Choose to praise…rather than gossip. Choose to give…rather than steal. Choose to act…rather than procrastinate. Choose to grow…rather than not. Choose to pray…rather than curse. Choose to live…rather than die.”―Og Mandino , The Greatest Miracle in the World”

“I Don’t Have to-I Get To” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© May 9, 2014

Still I Would Plant My Garden

 

 

 

Still I Would Plant My Garden

 

I spent the mid-week day at the big city zoo. What caught my eye most often? Strollers of children, toddlers racing about in glee and discovery. Mother's laughing, sharing and teaching their children. Life is good, love is evident, the Lord God reigns over all!

 

The news can be grim and full of warnings about our tomorrows. But for those who trust in God and believe in Jesus Christ, there will still be new gardens planted, new hope hopping about in little children and years and years ahead in His unfailing love. For our eyes on the Lord in whom we trust. 

 

"But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love." Psalm 33:18 NIV

"Even if I  knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."-Martin Luther

Heavely Treasure Hunt

​

 

 

Good day everyone. I am adding at the bottom of today's message what I call "God's One Liners". Inspired by Him to share with you what He puts on my heart in time alone with Him. I'm sure many of you have experienced these too!  Blessings, Dee

Heavenly Treasure Hunt

The Lord keeps giving me single words to meditate on lately. And currently it is the word knowing. God has sent me on a heavenly treasure hunt!

My treasure hunt in God’s Word led me to the Hebrew word- yada. You may have guessed already, it means -knowing!

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3 NLT

The Hebrew word yada has many uses and meanings of the word know and knowing, which leads to- acknowledge, recognizing, and perceiving who God is.

When you experience that deep, deep knowing of God that surpasses everything else― that is faith at work by the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The ultimate knowing of God, of who He is, of His power and Majesty gives us strength (see Daniel 11:32). Strength to stand up and say to a doubting confused world, “I know that know, my God lives!”

God may be heavenly sending a word to your heart that will lead you to His Word and thus, the treasure of wisdom and understanding. The gold in the treasure is the refining of our hearts, a deeper faith and a closer, dearer relationship with God. Get ready, listen and begin the exciting adventure of a heavenly treasure hunt!

“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” Oswald Chamber

God’s One Liner for today: “The knowing is belief. Seek Me more, there is more to gain, there is more to the knowing.”

 

“Heavenly Treasure Hunt” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© May 5, 2014

Come Away With Me My Beloved



Mt Rainier National Park by Dee Kamp

 



Come Away With Me My Beloved

We have this assurance that God will work out all things for good. We have His assurance when we trust in Him we will be loved, led and listened to changing us every day from glory to glory, from strength to strength.

 “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidences is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 NLT

Prayer and intimacy with the Lord is reconciling our heart to His in an intimate and precious way. As He wraps His loving arms around us we experience His peace and mercies flowing.

“Come away with Me, my beloved,” Jesus whispers in our heart. “In my unfailing love, I wait for you. I am your Rock, your hiding place, find your rest and strength in Me.”

This is what coming to God in faith and quietness brings. The key to this treasure is to believe and trust in Him. Let us wait on Him in the cleft of the secret place from where all our strength comes from. Where He sings His songs over us, where we are filled with explicable hope, joy and love.

 “Come Away With Me My Beloved” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© May 2, 2014

Welcome!

Welcome Door by Dee Kamp

 

 

Welcome!

I perceived immediately that the good nature and welcoming spirit of those who were waiting on me at the car garage, at the shopping mall and at the dentist office was genuine. Welcome is surely one of the most Chirstlike actions we can do for one another.

“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me,

and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” Matthew 10:40 NIV

 

Who smiles to themselves in the dentist chair? I did! For I learned the woman working diligently cleaning my teeth was humming one of my favorite hymns as she worked away! I discovered that every one of the people who welcomed me so warmly were all Christ followers!

 One heartfelt welcome, can ease the tired and troubled heart. No matter how overwhelmed one may feel, just one welcoming moment from a stranger or friend will whisk all the dark clouds away.

 

If we believe Jesus is always with us, if we look for the Him everywhere we go, we’ll discover His love light shining through the welcoming kindnesses of others.

 

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” Mother Teresa

“Welcome!” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© May 1, 2014