HEAL ME by Dallas Holms

I knew life had its valleys

Never thought that it would not be so,

But even if they'd told me

I never would've thought they'd be this low.

I've stood upon the mountain

Looked across to higher peaks and more,

But the only way to reach them

Is to journey through the lowly valley floor.



How long have I been travelin'

Days or year, sometimes I just don't know.

How deep is this valley,

And how many more miles must I go?

My body's growing weary

Seems my strength has all but slipped away.

Oh, God, You've got to help me;

Place Your healing hand on me today.



Heal me, touch me with your love

Heal me, send Your Spirit from above

(And) Hear me, help me Lord I pray,

Jesus come and make me whole today.



Oh, God, I know You're faithful,

Leading me each step every day,

But sometimes in the valley

I just forget You've often passed this way.

The path is steep and narrow;

Seems this upward climb will never stop,

So, God, I hold to you,

And in strength I know I'll make the top.

Old Wounds

I almost went to bed upset, disappointed, hurt... but I decided to open up the Word instead. I opened up to this thought based on the scriptures found in Matthew 18:23-35. And I quote:

Do you have a hole in your heart?

Perhaps the wound is old...and you're angry.

Or perhaps the wound is fresh...and you're hurt.

Part of you is broken, and the other part is bitter. Part of you wants to cry, and part of you wants to fight. The tears you cry are hot because they come from your heart, and there is a fire burning in your heart. It's the fire of anger. It's blazing. It's consuming. Its flames leap up under a steaming pot of revenge.

And you are left with a decision: "Do I put the fire out or heat it up? Do I get over it or get even? Do I release it or resent it? Do I let my hurts heal, or do I let hurt turn into hate?"

Are you allowing your hurts turn into hates? If so, ask yourself: Is is working? Has your hatred done you any good? Has your resentment brought you any relief, any peace? Has it granted you any joy?

Allow the hole in your heart to heal.

"Be still..."

Have you been to an Endontis lately for a root canal? How about to an Opthamologist for surgery of the eye? If you have been through a medical procedure that required your stillness, you can than relate to the stillness referred to in verse 10 of Psalm 46 when God says "Be still, and know that I am God." Only that at this time, the stillness required is the stillness of your spirit. Though the circumstances or trails may seem uncomfortable and at times painful, he is performing something miraculous WITHIN you. Stop squirming!

I admit, no one cares to subject themselves to any type of medical procedure, especially when pain is involved. But nevertheless, we can all agree that if done well, we are much happier for it. Same goes with your inner being, your core, your heart; where you shelter and hide eveything that makes who you are. The good, the bad, the right the wrong. It is there where God needs to perform his "operation." Do not postpone this much needed divine procedure. Do not try to avoid the inevitable. For you will only delay the process of healing and transformation that will bring you closer to your purpose. Instead, why don't you embrace them as an opportunity for God to show up!

"...You are Mine!"

Why is it so hard for us to accept God's love? Why is it so hard for us to trust Him? My guess is, that it is hard for us to accept the things that we don't understand. This finite mind of our's cannot comprehend the magnitude of God's love. Therefore, finding it so hard to trust Him completely and to accept His unconditional love and forgiveness.

Yet look what God says to us in Isaiah 43:1-4:

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You are mine!

When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.

When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God,

The Holy of Israel, your Savior.

I paid a huge price for you... That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you!

I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you."

Let's unravel these verses:

1. He's redeemed us (he's paid a huge price for us)

2. He's called us (he's chosen us)

3. He claims us (we are not orphans)

4. He is with us always (he will never leave us)

5. He is our personal God (supplying our personal needs)

6. He loves us (there's nothing he wouldn't do for us)

7. He will not give up on us (even if we do)

Do I need to say more! I am reminded in the book of Hosea how his (prostitute) wife kept leaving him. Maybe she couldn't believe it either...that a godly man would actually choose her, want her, purchase her, claim her as his, be with her, love her, forgive her, care for her, and not give up on her. Sounds familiar?

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation..."

There is always someone reminding me of what I lack. Has it happened to you? Do you know what I mean? Someone is bothered or threatened with something you say or do, and they feel the need to defend themselves by attacking your character. It's a low blow!

Well, after so many years of silence, here's my rebuttal: This thing called life, is a journey. A journey to process and fulfill God's purpose for my life. A journey that will end when I reach my destination: Eternity. That being said, I am thrilled to say that I am NOT who I was yesterday, and I am YET to become who I will be tomorrow. I CANNOT change my past, but I am learning from every step I take. I am BEING TRANSFORMED day by day to the person God intended me to be. I DO NOT need your approval, but I do welcome your company and would love your friendship.

As I study God's Word I am encouraged! Chapter 8 of the book of Romans is my personal favorite. It begins with the statement: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." Wow, this is a relief! You hear negative things long enough, that you, not only begin to believe them, but also to focus on them. Verse 31 says "If God is for us, who can be against us?" I'm focusing on the words GOD IS FOR US: God is on my side, He is for me, not against me! He is my emancipator, NOT my oppressor. He's cheering me on! He is for us! He is for me! He is for you!

It is the enemy's desire to use our weaknesses and faults, to put guilt in our heart and mind, so we may doubt the power of God's Love. God's Word tells me that NOTHING can separate me from His Love. God's Word reminds me of what I HAVE, NOT what I lack! These are the words I need to read, I need to hear, and I need to be focusing on. Isn't THAT wonderful!

My song choice of the day is Champions In The End by the Latinos. It's an oldie, but goodie; 1981 baby! I picked it, becasuse it quotes the last part of Chapter 8 of the book of Romans. Enjoy!

"My thoughts are not like your thoughts..."

What better way to start this blogging experince by quoting a passage found in Isaiah 55:8:

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine."

I chose the New Living Translation of the Bible for the phrases "nothing like" and "far beyond." It brings it "home" for me. These phrases are much more descriptives. It breaks it down, it gets down to the nitty gritty, it plainly "unravels" it. The Lord's thoughts are "nothing like" mine. And His ways are "far beyond" anything I can imagine. Is that why I find myself missing the mark? Have mercy!

Let me share pieces of something I read this morning. The author (Max Lucado) makes a comparison of our thoughts with God's thoughts so we can get a better picture of the difference:

"God's thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are they even like ours. We aren't even in the same neighborhood. We're thinking, Preserve the body; He's thinking, Save the soul... We avoid pain and seek peace. God uses pain to bring peace. "I'm going to live before I die," we resolve. "Die so you can live," he instructs. We show our children the Nike star... and say, "Be like Mike." God points to the crucified carpenter with bloody lips and a torn side and says, "Be like Christ.""

Are you starting to get a better picture of how "far beyond our imagination" our thoughts and ways are. In most cases, we are complete opposite. So where do I go from here? What hope do I have to be like Christ?

The answer is in the following verses. Verse 9 says that he dwells in a higher place then us; in other words he's in another dimension with a totally different agenda. Verse 10 goes on to describe the function of rain; everything it does before it comes back to the clouds. Rain serves a purpose; it waters the land that produces plants, that produces the bread, that feeds us all. Rain gets the job done! "So shall my word" says the Lord in verse 11. His word will go out and "accomplish that which he pleases" and "prosper the things whereto it was sent"

I am encouraged to read that He is above me, greater than me. He's got me! And that His Word will do in me what needs to done. His Word will tell me about His Thoughts, and about His Ways for my life. All I have to do is know it, break it down, get down to the nitty gritty, unravel it....

Here's my song for the day.

All I Ever Have To Be

by Amy Grant

When the weight of all my dreams
Is resting heavy on my head,
And the thoughtful words of health and hope
Have all been nicely said.

But I'm still hurting,
Wondering if I'll ever be
The one I think I am.
I think I am.

Then you gently re-remind me
That you've made me from the first,
And the more I try to be the best
The more I get the worst.

And I realize the good in me,
Is only there because of who you are.
Who you are...

And all I ever have to be
Is what you've made me.
Any more or less would be a step
Out of your plan.

As you daily recreate me,
Help me always keep in mind
That I only have to do
What I can find.

And all I ever have to be
All I have to be
All I ever have to be
Is what you've made me.