There’s a holy rhythm that Heaven beats within the hearts of those who belong to Jesus—a rhythm of joyful redemption. Proverbs 20 reminds us that “the Lord is the only One qualified to judge hearts, for He sees beyond appearances.” (TPT). What a freeing truth! We no longer have to strive to prove our worth, because Christ has already redeemed us with His love.
In Galatians 4, Paul reveals the astonishing transformation: we were once slaves to fear and the law, but now we are sons and daughters of God. The Spirit within us cries, “Abba, Father!”—a declaration of intimacy and freedom. This is the heartbeat of Heaven—believers living fully in their new identity in Christ, free and joyful, radiant with His peace.
As we learn from Matthew 13, Jesus spoke of a farmer sowing good seed—seed that takes root in good soil and produces a harvest far beyond its beginnings. Every heart that receives His Word becomes a field of grace where Heaven’s Kingdom multiplies. But good soil is soft soil—tilled by humility, watered by repentance, and warmed by His presence.
Psalm 80 gives voice to the cry of nations: “Revive us again, O God! Make Your face shine upon us and we will be saved.” (TPT). This is the prayer not only for Russia and areas currently under their control, but for every nation—including our own beloved United States. May His shining face awaken hearts long asleep in spiritual winter. May He raise up bold leaders who walk as living altars of love—burning with truth, compassion, and courage.
And in Isaiah 42, we behold the Servant of the Lord—Jesus—Who brings forth justice with gentleness. He doesn’t crush the bruised reed nor snuff out the smoldering wick. He comes tenderly into the hidden corners of broken nations and wounded hearts. The CJB declares that He will “open blind eyes, free prisoners from confinement, and release those who sit in darkness.” What a Savior!
Even now, His Spirit moves unseen across the earth—awakening dreams, stirring visions, and releasing angelic visitations in places where no gospel has yet been preached. The light of His love pierces through walls of fear and oppression, drawing hearts to the One Who conquered death with a smile of joy.
Beloved, this is our call—to live as co-heirs with Christ, co-laborers in love, and co-carriers of His joy. We don’t merely work for God; we walk with Him—abiding in His presence, releasing Heaven’s atmosphere everywhere our feet tread.
And if you have not yet met this Jesus—if you’ve felt distant, burdened, or unsure—He invites you now: Open your heart and whisper, “Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died for me and rose again. I ask You to forgive my sin and fill me with Your Spirit. I give You my life—teach me to walk with You in joy, love, and peace.”
When you say that prayer, Heaven rejoices—because another heart has become good soil for His Kingdom seed.
So today, let’s walk in His joyful redemption—carrying light into dark places, peace into chaos, and love into every conversation. For the Lord our God still delights in His people, and His joy will strengthen us as we carry His presence to the nations.
✨ “The Lord will restore us, and His smile will make us strong again.” (Psalm 80:19 TPT)
Scripture Reflection: “A word wisely spoken is like a golden apple, a treasure of life to those who hear it.” — Proverbs 18 TPT “We will not hide from the next generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, His mighty power, and the wonders He has performed.” — Psalm 78 TPT “But God in His grace accepted me and gave me the right hand of fellowship to work together for the Gospel.” — Galatians 2 TLB “I saw heaven opened, and behold, the Lord God Almighty reigning in glory, bringing His people to eternal victory.” — Revelation 19–21 TLB “For I am confident that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion.” — Philemon CJB
A Joy That Triumphs
God invites us to walk in His joyful triumph. He calls us to live fully embraced in Christ—free, forgiven, and victorious. The wisdom of Proverbs reminds us that every word of encouragement, every act of love, and every step of faith becomes a treasure of life—not just for us, but for everyone we touch.
Psalm 78 urges us to remember and share the marvelous deeds of the Lord. His power and mercy are alive in our stories, in our communities, and in every corner of the earth—including places where the gospel has yet to be preached, like Western Sahara. As we lift up these nations in prayer, we ask God to stir hearts with dreams, visions, and angelic visitations, opening pathways for His Word to reach those who have not yet heard.
Walking in this calling, we pray that every believer will live fully in their new identity in Christ—free, joyful, and fearless. We ask God to raise bold leaders whose lives are living altars of love, reflecting His light to all who see them. In these prayers, we remember that joy, peace, and love are the hallmarks of the life God desires for each of us.
The Gospel Invitation
If you have not yet met Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, here is the heart of the Good News:
God loves you and created you for a life of joy and purpose. Though all have fallen short, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for your sins. Jesus took the punishment you deserved, rose victorious over death, and offers you forgiveness and eternal life.
All God asks is for your heart to respond: admit that you need Jesus, believe that He died and rose again for you, and commit to follow Him as Lord of your life. When you do, you are welcomed into God’s family, filled with His Spirit, and granted a new identity—free, loved, and alive with joy that cannot be taken away.
The Joyful Mission
Revelation 19–21 reminds us that God’s ultimate victory is assured. Heaven is real, and His promises are certain. As we walk in His joy, let us also remember to pray for our nation, the United States, that we may reflect His glory and live as a light to others. Each day, let our lives shine with His triumph: through wise words, acts of love, and a spirit overflowing with joy and peace. Every step we take becomes part of a larger story—a story that will echo into eternity.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your joy that cannot be taken. Help us to live in the fullness of our identity in Christ. Raise up bold leaders, stir dreams and visions in hearts yet untouched by Your Word, and guide us as Your instruments of peace and love. May our lives shine as walking testimonies of Your goodness and triumph. We lift up Western Sahara and all places where Your gospel has not yet been heard, asking You to make Your presence known in miraculous ways. Amen.
There’s a joyful steadiness that fills the heart when we walk in the righteousness, peace, and joy of the Holy Spirit.
“Every wise woman encourages and builds up her family, but a foolish woman over time will tear it down by her own actions.” — Proverbs 14:1 TPT
Every choice we make can either build or break—but when our hearts are anchored in Him, wisdom becomes a song, not a struggle. The joy of the Lord strengthens every wall we build in faith.
Psalm 74 shows us that even in seasons of sorrow or confusion, God’s people remembered His faithfulness:
“You, O God, are my King from ancient times, bringing deliverance throughout the earth.” — Psalm 74:12 TPT
What a reason to rejoice! Our God never forgets His covenant. Even when we don’t see the full picture, Heaven is still moving. His love is not silent—it sings over us with endless mercy.
The Joy of His Kingdom
Romans 14 brings a Kingdom truth that never fades:
“The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 14:17 TLB
The Kingdom is not heavy—it’s happy! It’s not about doing more—it’s about being one with Him. We are co-crucified, co-raised, and co-seated with Christ. His life flows through us like a river of delight. When we live from our true identity—loved, accepted, redeemed—the joy of Heaven becomes the rhythm of our days.
Miracles of Overflow
In Mark 6, Jesus takes five loaves and two fish—so small in human hands—and turns them into a banquet for thousands. Why? Because He looked to Heaven with gratitude. Joy always multiplies what’s surrendered to Him.
And when the storm later raged, He walked right on the waves that terrified His disciples, saying,
“Take courage! It is I—don’t be afraid.” — Mark 6:50 TLB
That’s the heartbeat of our Savior! He turns fear into courage, and lack into laughter. Every storm becomes a pathway of His presence. His joy steadies us in the middle of the waves.
Grace That Makes Hearts Sing
Titus 3 reminds us that joy flows from grace:
“He saved us—not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” — Titus 3:5–6 CJB
We are not just forgiven—we’re reborn into joy! His Spirit fills us with lightness where heaviness once lived. We are free—free to love, free to laugh, free to live fully alive in Him.
A Call to Joyful Prayer
Today we lift our hearts for the United Arab Emirates, a nation where God’s love is quietly blossoming in hidden places. The same joy that fills our hearts is beginning to sparkle there, too.
🙏 Pray that believers will live fully in their new identity in Christ—free and joyful, shining with His presence. 🔥 Ask God to raise bold leaders whose lives become walking altars of love. 🌟 Pray for dreams, visions, and angelic visitations to touch hearts where the name of Jesus has not yet been heard.
And as we pray for the UAE, we also lift the United States of America, that hearts across our land would awaken to His kindness, His joy, and His nearness.
A Joyful Invitation
If you’ve never known this Jesus personally—the One who overflows with joy and brings peace that never fades—He’s calling you right now. He’s not far away. He’s smiling over you.
He came for you—died for you, rose again for you—so that His joy could live in you forever.
You can pray:
“Lord Jesus, I believe You died and rose again for me. I open my heart to You. Wash me clean, fill me with Your Spirit, and teach me to walk in Your joy every day. I give You my life and receive Yours.”
Heaven is rejoicing—literally dancing—over you right now! Welcome home to His joy-filled Kingdom.
Reflection: Let your steps today dance to the rhythm of His peace. Let laughter be your worship and gratitude your strength. The same Jesus who multiplied loaves will multiply joy in your heart until it overflows to everyone you meet.
“The Kingdom of God is… goodness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 14:17
Heaven’s invitation resounds: come back to the joy and simplicity of walking with God, not striving for Him. It’s the difference between striving and resting, between self-effort and divine partnership.
The Discipline of Hope — Proverbs 13
Proverbs 13 reminds us that “hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true at last, there is life and joy.” Many in Uganda—and in our own land, America—long for justice, peace, and renewal. Yet often, it seems delayed. But hope in the Lord is never wasted. HIS timing is perfect.
The Father is inviting His people to live fully in their new identity in Christ—free, joyful, and radiant with hope. When we see through Heaven’s eyes, disappointment becomes divine delay, and every waiting season becomes sacred training for glory.
The Crossroad of Envy — Psalm 73
As Asaph wrote, “I was so foolish and ignorant—until I entered the sanctuary of God.” It’s easy to look around and feel disheartened by injustice or the seeming success of the wicked. But worship shifts everything. In His sanctuary, envy melts, and revelation rises: “Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand.”
In that place of Presence, joy is reborn. It’s not based on what we have, but on Who holds us. Believers in Uganda understand this—worshiping with pure joy despite hardship. Their praise becomes a prophetic sign, reminding us that the nearness of God is our true inheritance.
Co-laboring in Love — Romans 13
Romans 13 calls us to awaken to love: “If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God’s law.” This is what it means to co-labor with Christ—our lives becoming walking altars of love, burning brightly with His compassion.
God is raising bold leaders—fathers and mothers in the Spirit—whose hearts are pure flames. They carry Heaven’s love into villages, cities, and digital spaces, transforming culture with kindness. Their authority comes not from position, but from surrender.
Let’s pray that such leaders rise both in Uganda and the United States—men and women whose lives preach louder than their words, whose humility and boldness reflect the very nature of Jesus.
The Invitation to Rest — Matthew 11–12
“Come unto Me, all you who are weary and burdened,” Jesus says, “and I will give you rest.” This invitation isn’t to a pause—it’s to a Person. To yoke with Jesus is to discover divine rhythm, not religious routine.
When Jesus healed on the Sabbath, He revealed that true rest flows from intimacy, not inactivity. In Him, we find partnership, peace, and power. This is where Heaven’s creativity begins to bloom—where visions are birthed, dreams unfold, and angelic help strengthens weary hearts.
Let’s believe for a fresh outpouring of dreams, visions, and even angelic visitations across Uganda, America, and every place where the gospel has yet to be heard. May Heaven break through with living encounters that reveal Jesus to hearts longing for truth.
The Renewal of Strength — Isaiah 40
Isaiah reminds us: “Those who hope in Adonai will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles.” This isn’t mere endurance—it’s divine exchange. As we wait upon Him, our weakness is woven into His power.
The word wait in Hebrew carries the sense of “binding together”—like threads entwined into one cord. That’s what it means to co-yoke with Christ. We are not standing apart from Him; we are woven into His victory.
Across Uganda, believers rise from the ashes of hardship with eagle-like resilience. In America, God is calling His Bride to do the same—to trade weariness for worship, fear for faith, and complaint for praise.
When we hope in Him, we don’t just survive—we soar.
The Gospel Invitation — HIS Joyful Rescue
If you are reading this and don’t yet know Jesus Christ personally, this is your moment. You are seen. You are loved. And Heaven has been waiting for you.
Jesus is not a distant figure—He is the living Son of God who came to bring you home. He bore your sin, shame, and pain on the cross and rose again so that you could live free and whole.
You can begin right now by saying from your heart:
“Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. Thank You for dying for me and rising again. I surrender my life to You. Fill me with Your Spirit, and teach me to walk with You every day. I receive Your love, forgiveness, and eternal life. Amen.”
If you prayed that, Heaven rejoices! You are now a beloved child of God—free, forgiven, and filled with His joy. Walk HIS trail daily and discover the beauty of life with Him.
Closing Prayer
Father, renew our strength and awaken our joy. Let believers in Uganda and America live fully in their new identity—free, fearless, and radiant with love. Raise up bold leaders who are walking altars of Your presence. Pour out dreams, visions, and angelic visitations across every land where Your name is yet unknown.
Teach us to co-labor with You in love, resting in Your grace and rejoicing in Your joy. May Your Kingdom come, and Your glory be revealed on earth as it is in Heaven.
In this world God whispers, “Come into My rest.” Today’s devotional, “Walking in HIS Redeeming Rest,” invites us to rediscover the rhythm of Jubilee — the joy of being co-crucified, co-raised, and co-resting with Christ. As we pray for Turkmenistan and our own nation, the United States, may His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy rise within us.
In Leviticus 25, the Lord commands a Sabbath for the land — a year of Jubilee when debts are forgiven, slaves are freed, and what was lost is restored. This wasn’t only about agriculture or economics; it was a divine heartbeat of redemption. The Jubilee pointed to Jesus Himself — our ultimate Redeemer — Who came to set captives free and announce “the acceptable year of the Lord.”
When we embrace the truth that we were co-crucified with Christ, co-buried in His death, and co-raised in His resurrection, we step into the true Jubilee of the soul. We stop striving to be holy and start living from His holiness. We stop trying to earn peace and start resting in His peace. This is the redeeming rest that transforms striving into rejoicing.
Proverbs 12 reminds us that “the lovers of God are filled with good things.” His wisdom fills our hearts with words that give life. Ecclesiastes 7 teaches that wisdom is better than wealth, for wisdom reveals Heaven’s perspective on what truly matters. Psalm 72 paints the vision of King Jesus — ruling in justice, defending the poor, and making righteousness flourish like springtime in every generation.
Romans 12 then invites us to respond: “Give your bodies to God, a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him.” This surrender isn’t loss — it’s joy. It’s the freedom of living co-united with the One Who gave Himself for us. The more we yield, the more HIS life overflows through ours.
Prayer Focus: Turkmenistan & the United States
🌍 Turkmenistan: In this nation where believers often worship in secret, pray that the Joy of the Lord would fill underground gatherings and home fellowships. May courage rise among new believers who face persecution or rejection. Pray that the Spirit of Jubilee — freedom, rest, and restoration — would sweep through hearts in hidden places, releasing songs of praise where silence once ruled.
United States of America: As we intercede for Turkmenistan, we also lift up our own land. May America awaken to her need for repentance and revival — not a revival of performance, but of Presence. May the Church rediscover the rest of the Redeemed, the peace that comes from knowing who we are in Christ. Lord, heal our divisions and awaken our hearts to walk in Your righteousness once again.
Living the CO-Life: From Striving to Overflow
Romans 12 reminds us that transformation begins by renewing our minds. When we embrace the co-life — being co-crucified, co-buried, co-raised, co-seated, and co-glorified — we begin to live not for God but from Him. The “CO” message reminds us that HIS story is now our story. HIS victory is our victory. HIS rest is our rhythm.
The Joy of the Lord is no longer a fleeting feeling but the steady current beneath every season. We discover that grace is not just pardon; it’s partnership — Christ living in us, and us living through Him.
A Word for Those Who Don’t Yet Know Jesus
Dear friend, if your heart is weary from striving, searching, or simply trying to make life work — hear this: Jesus loves you deeply. He came not to give you religion, but relationship. He carried your sin, shame, and pain to the Cross so you could live forgiven and free.
If you’re ready to step into His redeeming rest, you can pray this simple prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. You died for my sins and rose again so I could have new life. I surrender my heart to You. Wash me clean, fill me with Your Spirit, and teach me to walk in Your joy and peace. From this day on, I belong to You. Amen.”
If you prayed that from your heart, you’ve entered into the greatest Jubilee of all — eternal freedom in Jesus Christ.
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the beauty of Your redemption and the rest of Your Jubilee. Teach us to live co-crucified and co-raised — free from striving, full of joy. We lift up Turkmenistan and the United States — may both nations be filled with the knowledge of Your glory as the waters cover the sea. Let every believer carry Your radiant joy and contagious peace into their world today. In Jesus’ mighty Name, Amen.
Reflect & Respond
🕊️ What areas of your life is God inviting you to release into HIS rest? 🌿 Where can you extend His Jubilee — forgiveness, restoration, or joy — to someone this week? 🔥 Take a few quiet moments and thank the Lord for the CO-life He shares with you — His very presence within your every breath.
📖 Proverbs 15 (TPT) – A call to wise, joy-filled speech and living.
📖 Mark 13 (TPT) – Jesus’ prophetic words about end times and staying alert.
📖 Psalm 125 (MSG) – “Mountains encircle Jerusalem, and God encircles His people.”
📖 Ephesians 1–2 (CJSB) – Our identity in Messiah: chosen, sealed, raised up, and seated with Him.
🌍 VOM Prayer Focus: Maldives 2025 – Praying for boldness and joy for believers under secrecy and surveillance.
✨ Devotional: “Joy That Cannot Be Shaken”
We are a people surrounded.
Not by fear. Not by chaos. But by God Himself.
Psalm 125 reminds us: “God encircles His people—always has and always will.” Even when the nations rage and rulers plot in vain, our feet are planted like Mount Zion: immovable, enduring, joyful.
In Mark 13, Jesus prepares His followers for days of shaking—not with fear, but with confidence, clarity, and purpose. The more the world quakes, the more His people are called to radiate peace and power. We were made for such a time as this—to burn with joy, not be dimmed by darkness.
Proverbs 15 is a treasure chest of wisdom. We’re reminded that a cheerful heart brings a smile, a kind word brings healing, and those who listen to life-giving correction will live in the company of the wise. This is the life of one who knows where their strength comes from. Joy is not a mood; it’s evidence of being rooted in truth.
And Ephesians 1–2? That’s our anchor.
You are chosen.
You are sealed by the Spirit of promise.
You are raised up and seated in heavenly places with Messiah.
You are His masterpiece, created to display His glory.
You don’t have to strive to reach Heaven. Heaven has already seated you in authority. From that place, joy overflows—not as a reaction, but as a Kingdom reality.
🙏 Prayer Focus: Maldives
In the Maldives, to follow Jesus often means to follow Him in secret.
And yet—even there—joy thrives. The 2025 VOM guide calls us to stand with these hidden heroes, praying:
For courage in isolation.
For supernatural encounters with Jesus.
For the JOY of the Lord to sustain and empower them.
We declare over them: “God encircles His people—always has and always will.” May they know His nearness and laugh in the presence of their Shepherd.
💡 Takeaway Thought
You are unshakable when you live from your place in Christ, not your place in the world. Let His joy lift your eyes. Let His Word be the lamp to your feet. Speak life. Stay awake. And shine bright—especially when the world trembles.
🕊️ Prayer
Father, thank You for placing us in Your presence—seated with You, filled with Your Spirit, and empowered by Your joy. We bless our brothers and sisters in the Maldives. Let Your comfort, boldness, and delight surround them like the mountains around Jerusalem. Help us all to live wisely, speak gently, and overflow with joy that makes the darkness flee.
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” — Psalm 34:19 (ESV)
Some devotionals begin with soft reflection. This one begins with trembling prayer, urgent fear—and ends in joyful, undeniable praise.
🕊️ A Scare with Lily
On Saturday, July 26, my dog Lily ate part of a corn cob—something that can be deadly for dogs. Corn cobs often cause intestinal blockages. Many dogs need surgery. Some don’t survive.
Shadow, our other dog, might have eaten some too. I cried out to Jesus as we rushed them to the emergency vet in Watsontown.
⚠️ The X-Ray That Didn’t Happen
Once we arrived, Lily’s x-ray was taken—but the machine broke before it could be reviewed. The images were lost. Staff tried everything to restore it. I felt strongly this was an attack of the enemy—designed to delay, confuse, and stir fear.
The vet examined both dogs and felt no blockages. She relayed that we could wait until Sunday morning to get images at another clinic. We were there from 6 PM to 10:30 PM, but she kindly charged us for only one exam. That, too, was mercy.
I prayed the whole way home. Jesus was our only hope.
🙌 God’s Divine Guidance
I contacted a trusted trainer who pointed me to Metzger Animal Hospital in State College—one of the clinics already on our emergency list. That felt like confirmation from the Lord. I prayed. And I waited. Lily and Shadow showed no symptoms overnight. We drove to Metzger Animal Hospital on Sunday morning, July 27. Shadow’s x-rays looked perfect. Lily’s showed that the corn cob might have passed into the large intestine. A radiologist was called in for further evaluation.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7
🐾 Memories That Still Hurt
Just a little over a year ago, I wrote about the heartbreaking loss of my beloved dog, Dan. That season left a deep wound in my heart—and so, when Lily swallowed that piece of corn cob, the fear was real. I knew the risks. I knew what surgery could mean for an older dog. My memories of losing Dan came rushing back.
The radiologist confirmed: There were no signs of blockage.
No surgery needed. No complications. We were cleared to go home.
My heart overflowed. What could have been trauma turned into praise.
✨ The Miracle
Only about 1 in 3 dogs who eat corn cob avoid surgery. The odds were against us. But Jesus is greater than odds. I believe with all my heart that He healed Lily. It was a miracle.
If Lily had needed surgery, we wouldn’t be able to attend Mahaffey Camp Meeting (August 1–10)—an event I believe will be spiritually significant for me. Because of His mercy, Lily, Shadow, and I will go.
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14
🎵 A Drive of Thankful Praise
On the drive home from State College, I didn’t cry—I sang. With joy. With thankfulness. With power. These two songs filled the car:
“So when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees, with my hands lifted high…” — Battle Belongs
“I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the One who gave it all…” — The Stand
I sang them as declarations of the Lord’s power and love. Truly, the battle does belong to the Lord—and we will stand with arms high and hearts abandoned.
🤍 A Moment at the Clinic
While waiting in the emergency vet’s lobby on Saturday, I saw a mother and son return hours after their earlier visit. I knew something was wrong. When I asked, she told me their pet had been put down. I asked if I could hug her—and with her permission, I did. Then I prayed a blessing over her. May our Lord Jesus bring her and her family peace in their grief.
Even in my fear, God allowed me to be a vessel of His peace.
🏕️ A Door That Stayed Open
I have felt for some time that this camp meeting will be important for me. I believe the Lord will reveal the next step as I continue walking His trail at the camp meeting. If Lily had needed surgery, we wouldn’t have been able to go. But now, with her healing, we are free to attend together—me, Lily, and Shadow.
⚠️ A Very Real Threat
Veterinarians regularly warn that corn cobs are one of the most dangerous foods a dog can eat. Their fibrous structure doesn’t break down in the stomach and can easily cause an intestinal blockage—sometimes deadly. Many dogs who swallow a piece need emergency surgery, and tragically, some don’t survive the ordeal. So for Lily—an older dog—to pass the cob naturally without any obstruction, and with full confirmation from a radiologist, was nothing short of a miraculous healing from Jesus.
🙏 Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the Healer, the Protector, and the Prince of Peace. Thank You for watching over Lily and Shadow. Thank You for fighting for us when we felt helpless. Use this testimony to glorify Your name. Let others trust You in the waiting, and find peace in Your presence. Let every breath in our lives—and even in our pets—be praise to You. Amen.
🌿 Final Reflection
As I try to step out for the Lord, I’ve noticed more attacks from the enemy. I believe this corn cob incident was one of them—but Jesus pulled us through. I know this wasn’t persecution like others suffer in the persecuted Church, but in my life, it was a very real battle.
And my Lord—He showed Himself strong, again..
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” —Psalm 34:17 (NIV)
All glory and praise to Jesus Christ, my Healer, my Rescuer, and my Peace.
Yeah! I do feel like a nobody. For various reasons, this feeling like a nobody has plagued me for what seems like my entire life. However, I think that as an older adult, the feelings of a nobody is very real and painful to my heart. I shall continue to ask our Lord to help me thru these feelings. He has been and always will be Faithful. May His Peace calm my storm.
Through out my many years of living, I have felt like a nobody. A person that isn’t really necessary in people’s lives. I feel like someone that can be overlooked. I feel like a person that just doesn’t fit in to the general ebb and flow of life.
Does my family not understand that by over looking me, my heart is in pain? Do they even care to know? I wonder what makes me so terrible that I can just be overlooked. I wonder what makes me a nobody. Why am I not needed in my family’s lives? I guess I have nothing of importance to offer even though I am a Mom. I loved being a Mom but now, I am just left to be alone.
Wow! This pain is so very real to me. Our Lord Jesus has been Faithful to me to carry me thru these times of pain. I enjoy worshipping Him and giving Him the glory due only to Him. He has and is Faithful to see me thru tough times. He is always by my side.
Do you feel like a nobody? Do you hope to be more than a nobody? Come and let us join together. Come and let us join together to worship the One who will also be Faithful to you. Come and let us worship Him together. Come and let Him bring healing into your life. Come together with me and let Him bring Peace in the storm.
This past week was so unexpected and yet it wasn’t unexpected. Holy Spirit had began to reveal the loss that was to come. I resisted that revelation with a ‘No’, feeling that what was to transpire was unbearable. I cried out ‘NO’! this can not be and yet it was to be. Our journey is in the hands of our Lord Jesus. He was preparing me for the soon to come heart break. He is faithful to His children. And He was preparing me to open my heart to new joy.
In February of 2023, in GCSSM class, my prophetic words for one of my Joy Group friends was specifically received from our Lord with my Golden Doodles in mind. This is a good representation of my golden doodle dog companions and friends. Here was the word for my friend – based over the characteristics of my pet – I have two golden doodles. They are smart and always eager to learn and very friendly. I see these same characteristics in you. They are different however, Ms. Lily is always bubbling over and so very energetic. And I feel that you have that same kind of energy and bubbling overness in your prophetic dance and other ministries. And I also see in you the calmness and steadfastness that my other golden doodle, Mr Dan has. I feel that you have a calmness and steadfastness to our Lord in the directions and desires that He has placed in your heart.
The word that I had given about my Golden Doodles was just so true for how my dog companions are to me. Ms. Lily, the energizer bunny, ready to run and play. Dan, my calm strength. They were always with me and coming with me where ever I journeyed. They especially loved to hike together in the mountains. There, when I hooked them together as a team, Dan was the lead dog, the guide, the strength to keep us moving forward on the path. I could count on him to be there for us.
I had been feeling inside of myself for several months to increase the size of our Golden Doodle family but with hesitation to increasing our doodle family to three. I believe that Holy Spirit was encouraging me to look at the Goldendoodle pups. I did look at the kennel where I had gotten my previous doodles to see what pups might be available. There had been two specific pups that I was watching and talking with our Lord about. I had kept saying that if they were left after I returned home in October that I would then reach out. But, then I thought, no, I will wait until after Christmas because that is when people tend to bring pups into their family, thus leaving the pups to find their forever family.
Finally, on January 17th of this year, I did reach out to Marie from Berlin Puppy’s to find out about four of her pups for sale. I sent her an email which was, for me, a passive way of doing what our Lord had asked of me, but yet being obedient to what I was hearing from Him. After quite some time, I did not hear back from Marie.
I remember hopping into my jeep after I wrote to Marie and thinking that the reason that our Lord had put getting another puppy on my mind was because something seriously wrong was going to happen to either Dan or Lily. And I just said ‘No’. I am not going to get another puppy because I don’t want to lose either of my doodle family. They are my companions and friends.
Last weekend, I went on a hike, with Mr. Dan and Ms. Lily, specifically to spend time worshipping our Lord. Also, I wanted to work on using my GoPro to record our journey and my worship time with our Lord. We enjoyed our hike and we had a wonderful time in the mountains with our Lord. Please take the time to watch this video.
How can I write the next portion? Thru much difficulty and sadness I shall write. I woke up on the following Monday morning after our hike to get ready for my day. I began my day with reading God’s Word and talking with Him. During my devotion time, the child gate which leans against the bedroom door was knocked over and how that happened, I hadn’t a clue. Upon completion of my devotion, I picked up the child gate and called the pups to the bathroom which is the next step in getting ready for our day. Ms. Lily came immeditately and Mr. Dan did not which was unusual. I had to call him again. He did come over and did lay down onto the bathroom floor. This is not unusal and so I continued to get ready for my day. Once ready, I opened the bathroom door and Lily got up but Dan stayed lying on the floor. All of what is happening is now beginning to take root in my mind. The child’s gate fell over and it must have been Mr. Dan who somehow knocked it over. I was on the ground and calling Dan to me. He got up but his back legs gave out and he just laid down. I called to Scott that Dan wasn’t able to get up and that there was something wrong with our Dan.
We carried our Dan downstairs on a blanket and out to Scott’s truck. My vet’s office was closed and so we drove to the emergency clinic. Unfotunately, that clinic was closed until 7 PM. We started to drive back towards another emergency clinic which would have been close to two hours away. Instead, we called my veterinary’s office in another local town. They were able to take us. When we arrived, we took Dan in on a rolling stretcher. The doctor looked at him and the team also took blood samples. The doctor checked his hind legs for movement or feeling of pain. Dan was not reponding at all in his hind legs. She and the technicians took Dan to give him fluids and pain meds. The bloodwork showed anaplasma but it could be dormant. She also thought that a disc in his lower back may have had an issue.She said that we needed to leave Dan with them and then they would watch for improvement. Things were looking not so good. I was feeling very down but still hopeful that our Lord would pull him thru this trauma. I continued to pray without ceasing to our Lord for Dan’s recovery.
Scott and I did go home. Two hours later, we received a call from the veterinarian’s clinic. Dan was getting worse and we would need to take him to the emergency clinic because they could not do anything further for him. When we arrived at the clinic, the doctor sat us down to say that even if Dan would make it thru a surgery, that he more than likely would not gain function of his back legs. Our son, Zachariah, asked if an x-ray had been done. We then had an xray done. The xray showed a large mass and that made things even worse. I chose to put our precious Dan down. That was a most terrible and excruciating decision. Scott and I stayed with Dan for quite some time. I kept saying no, no, no, no, no, no. no, no, no, no, no. Dan was my strong companion and I knew that I would miss him greatly. I told Dan what a very good boy he had always been. I told Dan what a great dog companion he was to me. We had to say our good-byes. It was gut wrenching and heart wrenching. Our precious Dan was now completely gone. My heart was so heavy and our Lord placed His arms around me and held me tightly.
It was so very sad and so very difficult to leave our loving and precious Dan at the clinic. I was in such pain to have left him there. We asked for him to be cremated. And when we got home, I did my best to let Ms. Lily know that our Dan was gone. I put out the blanket that Dan had been laying on and I also put out Dan’s collar on the blanket hoping that these things would help her to grieve his loss.
I talked with our Lord about the loss of Dan. And our Lord reminded me of the email that I had sent to the Berlin View Puppy Kennel owner, Marie. Since I hadn’t heard from Marie with the email that I had sent to her on January 17th, I felt that our Lord wanted me to give her a call. I called her and found out that she had been away on a mission’s trip and that is why she probably had missed my earlier email. I told her about Dan and I also asked her about the pups she had and their cost. We eventually made an appointment to meet on Monday, February 5th for later in the evening with Marie’s father.
Scott and I traveled to Pastor John’s (Marie’s father) home to see the Mini Doodles and the Standard Doodles. I had asked to only see the males and so that is who was there to meet us. Scott immediately went to visit the Standard Doodles. I had heard from our Lord that Jingle Bell (name on the website) was the pup for us. I knew Jingle Bell right away because out of the three golden doodles, he had the most curl in his hair. There was one pup that just kept outshining the others and being so, so cute. Jingle Bell and the other pup were just laying on the dog bed, while being stepped on by the outgoing pup.
While Scott was visiting with the Standard Doodles, I stepped into the Mini Doodle’s pen. There were three and they were just so shy and so very tiny. They would be much easier to care for as far as carrying, bathing, and grooming. However, Scott wasn’t very excited about them and really they were just so shy that I didn’t really feel any connection with any of those three little ones.
So, I ventured back to the Standard Doodles to see how everything was going there. To my surprise, Scott was wanting to get Jingle Bell. Well, I couldn’t argue with that choice because that is the pup that I journalled about getting. I purchased Jingle Bell and we brought him home. Of course, we wouldn’t keep the website name of Jingle Bell; however, honestly, I couldn’t think of any name for him.
Finding our new pup friend’s name seemed to be quite a challenge. I just kept calling him puppy and buddy. Scott mentioned DJ. Can you guess what DJ stands for? DJ stands for Dan Jr. I felt comfortable calling him Dan for Dan Jr. rather than DJ. Our eldest son had his thoughts. His main choice was KP. What is up with initials? I didn’t like the initial names. Then Scott said the name of Shadow. Well, that name seemed to be a name that I could live with. I thought, why was Shadow a good name? I had heard that name before and I then remembered that Shadow was in the Disney movie, “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey”. Shadow was the Golden Retriever that led all of the animals home. Well, that was a good story and Shadow would be a good name for our new pup friend.
The journey thru this past few or so weeks has been eased by my precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He has been with me from the very beginning when He gave to me the thought of a new puppy for our family. He made sure that I would record my last hike with my precious Mr. Dan and Ms. Lily. Our Lord is ever Faithful and ever Loving to me and to each of us. Good bye my precious Dan. You will be forever loved.
As I was resurrecting my FaceBook pages, I found this video from October 2018. I just love the passion of our Lord shining thru my words and expressions – all for our Lord’s glory! So with that said, enjoy the passion for our Lord and may you also be released into His Joy and Freedom! God is always so Good and worthy of ALL praise, glory, and honor! Praises to His mighty name!
