Hum of the Ocean



Hum of the Ocean

One time while we were at the ocean in our motor home I was thrilled every day to be able to see the waves and surf rolling to shore from my window. In this recreation park we were staying there were also some retired folks who lived here most of the year full time.

 I came to enjoy the company of one couple who were well into their eighties, and chatted with them often. But I felt sorry because the place they now lived was out of  sight of the ocean they so dearly loved.

 One day when we were visiting I was to be very surprised by this dear woman’s response when I had said to her, “I’m so sorry you can’t see the ocean from where you are living now. It’s a shame too that you aren’t able to walk the path to see the dunes and the surf since your illness.”

“The ocean is but a far off hum just to remind those of us out of sight of it―it is still nearby, and this comforts me,” she said with a bright smile.  

 “The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.” Psalm 145:17-19 NLT

At times we may think God is so far off and we are not able to have an up close and personal relationship with Him. One may think we are too inexperienced, uneducated in His Word, or our faith is too small. This is not true at all.  In fact, it is God who has calling us!

The Lord is reassuring us, He is not far off, but as close as our whispered prayer. Once we have learned the delight of being in His presence and how to lay hold of Him, we will find the way so easy we will no longer even want to neglect such an opportunity ever again.

Dear beloved, child of God, though we cannot see Him, He is near. The song of His love for us resonates in our heart like the steady hum of the ocean.

“Let me ask you, then, do you desire to know the Lord in a deep way? God has made such an experience, such a walk, possible for you. He has made it possible through the grace He has given to all His redeemed children. He has done it my means of His Holy Spirit…Prayer is the key.”― quoted from: Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ by Jeanne Guymon

“Hum of the Ocean” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© December 29, 2014

 

Shout to the Mountain

Mount Rainier by Dee Kamp

Shout to the Mountain

I listened with interest to the wise words of man of faith in a Christmas movie the other night. He stated what should be obvious to us when we pray to God― it’s not necessary to point out the negatives, or tell Him how big the mountain is we face in our life.

“Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,

 your justice like the ocean depths.

You care for people and animals alike, O LORD.

 How precious is your unfailing love, O God!” Psalm 3:67 NLT

 

Counting our blessings instead of focusing on our problems can shift a mountain of worry to a mere pile of rubble. After all, what seems like a massive mountain to us is a mere speck of dirt to God. There is nothing greater before us than the mighty hand of God who holds us.

We can trust God’s Word and be encouraged by recalling all the times in our past God has either moved that mountain or given us strength to climb it with His hand in ours every step of the way.

We can depend on God to bring us through any adversity, and help others along the way too. For as the saying goes we just need to shout to the mountain how big, how great our God is!

“God is too good to be unkind, and he is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace his hand, we must trust his heart.”-Charles Haddon Spurgeon

 

“Shout to the Mountain” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© December 20, 2014

 

A Light in the Window

A Light in the Window

 

No matter what else is on my to-do list for Christmas, one of my greatest joys is seeking out a children’s book or two to bring and read to the grand kids and great grandkids. Always, of course, is the Story of Christmas, but I like to find one more story―something new to them.  As I shuffled through my beloved collection of children’s books, I spot one little book that has slipped way to the back of the bookcase. Curious I reach for it and when I read the title, I smile knowing, this is the perfect one I’ll share this year.  

It’s not a new well-illustrated picture book one can buy nowadays, or even a story written in this century.  It’s a book by Louisa M Alcott in 1871, published in 1902. The book is titled Aunt Jo’s Scrap-Bag.  I found it years ago in a second hand store. And the well-worn pages seem to fall open naturally to the perfect Christmas story for this year’s reading, titled “Tilly’s Christmas”.

One little girl in the story lives in a big beautiful home and is very rich. She is fussing about what to buy for all those on her Christmas list. But she finds herself pondering about her friend Tillie, who is so very poor and surely is not able to buy any gifts at all.

Tillie sitting by the window at home, sadly ponders this dilemma too. But her mother shares with her how they are able to give a gift to all their neighbors’ ―the gift of light by the candle in the window.

“I like to have our light sine out in the evening, for the road is dark and lonely just here, and the twinkle of our lamp is pleasant to people’s eyes as they go by. We can do so little for our neighbors, I am glad to cheer the way for them.”

“The Word gave life to everything that was created,

and his life bought light to everyone.

The light shines in the darkness

 and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

John 1:4-5 NLT

 

Let us all be aware of that small whisper in our heart from God that reminds us Who is the Light to the world. It is then God will give a tug on the heart and say: “Let My Light shine through the window of your heart to others.

For its still true today as it was many years ago that  every act of kindness, every smile to a stranger, every hug to encourage, and every opportunity to share the gift of God, Jesus Christ,  is a light in the window to those who need Him most in this dark and distracted world.

 

“A Light in the Window” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© December 16, 2014

Seeking to be Refreshed and Recharged



Photo by Dee Kamp

Seeking to be Refreshed and Recharged

The busier we get the more we feel the need for a recharge, a refreshing time. Our desire to find time alone for ourselves and time alone with God may seem impossible. Where can we go and how do find this rest in God?

”Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered he rocks before the LORD, but he LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but he LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” 1 Kings 19:11-13 NIV

Elijah knew the sound of the gentle whisper was God’s voice. He also realized God doesn’t reveal himself only in powerful, miraculous ways.

 To look for God only in something big like rallies, churches, conferences and highly visible leaders may be to miss him rather than find Him.

In the presence of the Lord there is always peace. What joy it is to discover, the secret place, the hiding place is found in our Rock―Jesus. He is the cleft in which we are hidden away and there we discover all the refreshing and recharging we need to carry on in our busy lives.

 “Lord, when my soul is weary

And my heart is tired and sore,

And I have that failing feeling

That I can’t take it anymore;

Then let me know the freshening

Found in simple, childlike prayer,

When the kneeling soul knows surely

That a listening Lord is there.”

-Ruth Bell Graham

 

“Seeking to be Refreshed and Recharged” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© December 10, 2014

Who Do You Say I Am?

Light through the Gate by Dee Kamp

Who Do You Say I Am

Several years ago now, I was a guest at a book store to “meet the author” hour. A young man and his wife began to share their story of a year long journey to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and from this they wrote a book. I listened with great interest as their vividly shared with great eloquence their travels in Israel.

But soon I found myself becoming quite restless in my seat. What was going on? Something didn’t fit with their message, something was out of place but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

When it came to a time for the audience to ask questions several eager people raised up their hands. I had nothing in mind to ask, but all of sudden―up popped my hand!  

When the author turned my way and said, “And what is your question?” I asked him without hesitation, goodness, the words seemed to fly out of my mouth, “Who do you say Jesus is?”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15 NIV

In Matthew 16:15 Peter was faced with the same question from Jesus. In Matthew 16:16 Peter answered without hesitation, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

When my question was presented to the author he stood very still not saying anything for a long time as if puzzled.

I realized then, this is what was missing in all those accounts of his trip following in the footsteps of Jesus. The true identity of who Jesus was. This well-educated man called Jesus a teacher, a scholar, a good man, but never did he say, He was Christ, the Son of the Living God! I was stunned the author could not say who Jesus really was.

There is an identity crisis in our country today. Not of people, but of who Jesus truly is. The question today of Jesus’ identity rises above all the rest and is of great significance. Many books are written, but only the Bible tells us the truth in which we all can depend on who Jesus truly is.

I learned a huge lesson that night.  Discernment and wisdom come from the Lord when we keep our eyes and hearts wide open to Him.  And it’s eternally important we make no mistake in understanding who Jesus really is and to be able to say so with joyful, truthful conviction.  

“Who Do You Say I am?” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© December 9, 2014

Highly Treasured

Photo Boy Making Sandcastle by Dee Kamp

 

Highly Treasured

I enjoy the Antique Road Show. I often wonder if there might be something stashed away in my grandmother’s old trunk that could possibly be a treasure, even a priceless treasure! The value of material things old and rare may increase or decrease in value at the whim of what the market demands. Who can foretell what will be considered junk or a treasure one day to the next?

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should,  how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 4: 18-19 NLT

It is wonderful to know we are of great worth, highly valued and loved, nothing in the eyes of God can diminish how priceless is our life to Him. God’s adoring love never depends on appearance, wealth, works, accomplishments, or thank goodness-current market values!   

We are not under pressure from the spotlight of man’s evaluation but always and forever held as His priceless creation. His love for us goes way beyond our imagination, beyond our understanding, but immediate and available to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  All explanation of the world’s idea of love pales in comparison to God’s love for us.

There are tough times in life when by the world’s standards we don’t feel like a treasure of great value. But the Good News is-we are! When we are facing the challenges and the testing life tosses at us we can be assured by God’s faithful promise, we are His beloved― highly treasured one.

 In this quote God is speaking of how we are the greatest miracle in the world…..”Be proud. You are not the momentary whim of a careless creator experimenting in the laboratory of life. You are not a slave of forces that you cannot comprehend. You are a manifestation of no forces but Mine, of no love but Mine… My pride in you knew no bounds. You were my ultimate creation, my greatest miracle. A compete living being.”-Og Mandino― The Greatest Miracle In The World

 

“Highly Treasured” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries—December 5, 2014

Angel in the Christmas Globe by Dee Kamp

 

The Delightful and Surprising Receiver

A few Christmas’ ago we watched with others as a three year old, knee deep in torn and ripped up Christmas paper, squealed and jumped for joy with every gift she received. But after opening a gift, this darling child did something unusual and unexpected catching us all by surprise.

 “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT

One by one the child picked up her gifts and ran to give them away to those sitting around room. She then stepped back clapped her hands, jumping up and down calling out, “Presents, presents for you!”

We all tried to hand back her presents back, but she would say “No! No!” She even began to cry when we insisted!

 “She’s all mixed up,” her big brother grumbled.

Then we finally understood what she was doing― it was the joy on our faces at receiving the gift she sought! When we each thanked her profusely, and gave her a hug we were rewarded with her infectious laugh making us all delightful receivers too!

Even at such a very young age, this little child understood the joy of giving was doubled when being able to witness the delight of the one receiving it.

God’s amazing gift of love is the perfect gift for everyone. Oh, if we could hear heaven sing with echoes of joy flowing down when someone chooses to be the delightful receiver of God’s most precious gift of all- His Son, Jesus Christ.

"God, the Eternal God, is Love. Covet therefore that everlasting gift, that one thing which it is certain is going to stand, that one coinage which will be current in the universe when all other coinages of all the nations of the world shall be useless and unhonored."― Henry Drummond

 

“The Delightful Receiver” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© December 2, 2014