The Edge of His Garment

Hearts afire--Steps to rekindle God's love
Posted by Maribeth on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 7:53pm
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 ********************************************************************************************************** Our hearts should be on fire for God every minute of the day-- but are they? Sometimes the flame we use to feel might now just be a smoldering ash. We begin to wonder if anything can be done to rekindle that fire. It makes me think of couples who have been together for a long time and complain that the flame has gone out of their love. They state they still love the other person, but the flame in their heart is just not burning as intensely as it use to blaze. You might feel that way sometimes about your love for God. It just doesn’t feel that intense as it was when you came to know Him. Do you want to make some changes to rekindle the flame? If so, then you must believe it can be done and trust in God to make it happen. You have to want to rekindle the flame and take some steps to get the fire burning again. Listed are some things which helped me and may help you. 1. Read the Word of God. Even if it is just reading a scripture a day, read it and begin to understand the love God still has for you. If you can, choose scriptures which describe God’s love for you. 2. Study God’s Word. Attend a bible study, in person or online. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of God’s love for you. Find a study partner or group. It is a joyous experience to talk with others about God and His love. 3. Have a date night/day with God. Schedule a date with God at least once or more a month. Set some time aside (more than five minutes) just for you and God. Then commit to that time. That means no interruptions. That time is for you to talk, pray and be yourself Don’t let the flame in your heart linger to a slow burn. Make some changes to stoke the embers of your heart. 4. Subscribe to Twitter/Facebook/Linkedin, etc.. Yes, you heard me correctly. Follow several God loving people on these accounts. You will be surprised how many people, on these accounts, tweet/write scriptures, talk about the goodness of God or just about His love on a daily basis. It keeps you inspired and focused on God. 5. Show your love to others. Help someone with a kind act or word without expecting anything in return. God’s love will fill your heart as you help His people. His love will ooze out of your heart to others like a flame burning candle dripping wax. God wants to give you more of His love; so much love that a single heart won’t be able to contain it. So find a way to share it with others. 6. Ask the Holy Spirit to help rekindle the fire. Pray for Him to come into your heart and stoke any embers to restart the dying flame. Ask and it shall be given to you. 7. Keep your thoughts on God. When you love someone you think about them all the time. Let your thoughts linger not on things of the world, but on God. Tell Him daily that you love Him. God wants you. He’s not going to give up on you. He is pursuing you like a long time lover. He wants your heart to burn with desire for Him. God’s love is a burning passion. However, you must have the desire to rekindle the flame and keep it burning with love. The work is on you. Try some or all of the things on the list to stoke the fire. You will find those embers igniting to a red glowing flame of passion-- like a heart afire with God’s love. Do you have other ways, not listed, to rekindle the fire? If so please share them with your comments. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:17 Time with God**
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Looking for a few Good Samaritans
Posted by Maribeth on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 4:54pm
Cactus Garden at Huntington Park Cactus plants come in different shapes, sizes and forms. Some have protruding spines that can be quite prickly and sticky. Many people do not even want to come near a cactus plant, let alone walk through a garden full of them. However, Cacti are beautiful to look at, but be cautious while touching them, especially the prickly ones or you might come back with a bleeding finger. Cactus plants are known to hold moisture and over time some of their bodies become thick and harden.They are one of a few species that have adapted well to particularly hostile environments. How many times have you come across someone who reminded you of a cactus plant? Someone who portrays a hard callus exterior and ensures their prickly spines are showing to keep you and others away? Many times this works to their advantage shielding themselves from others, but what are they really trying to protect? What are they trying to hide? Their body language can send out signals saying, “Leave me alone. Don’t bother me. You don’t know what I am going through. I don’t feel like being nice to you today.” I know I have come across a few of these people in my lifetime and at times I have been one of them. In the picture above you will notice some beautiful red flowers located right behind the cactus plants. You can’t get to the beautiful flowers inside this section of the garden without going through the cacti. The cactus plants act almost like a circular barrier protecting the beautiful flowers and preventing anyone from any kind of contact with them. The cactus garden reminded me of the story of the Good Samaritan in the bible. The parable tells how a traveler was robbed and beaten and left for dead. A priest and then a Levite came by and noticed the beaten man, but both avoided him. Then a Samaritan came by and noticed the beaten traveler. It was stated that during those times the Jews and Samaritans despised each other. The Samaritan was aware of the dangers of helping the beaten traveler, but this did not matter to him. He just wanted to help the stranger. He bandaged his wounds, poured oil on them, gave him wine, and then took the stranger to an inn for care. Are you willing to be a Good Samaritan and go beyond the barriers to help a stranger? Are you willing to take a step forward even if it means you may be stuck by the prickly spines and experience some pain while doing so to help a neighbor? It is easy to walk by and ignore your neighbor like the priest and Levite did in the parable, but God is calling you to do the opposite. Love your neighbor and become a Good Samaritan. The next time someone is portraying a prickly barrier, look for the inner beauty of their heart. Do not let their callus exterior prevent you from helping them. There is beauty beyond that thick harden skin; help that beauty shine through like the flowers in the cactus garden. God is looking for a few good Samaritans. Are you one of them? “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37 Equipment for the Journey
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I'm Not Moses.
Posted by Maribeth on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 3:42pm
Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. Exodus 24:18 Recently, when visiting my son in California, I told him that I wanted to walk outdoors every day in the beautiful warm sunny weather. He told me he had just the path in mind, so we headed out one beautiful morning for a walk. I was looking forward to the walk, since I was visiting from the cold snowy Midwest. I became a little concerned though when he started driving up a mountain road. “You know I don’t like heights too well,” I said. “Oh, mom you’ll be fine, there are many people who walk this path and it is safe.” I heard my son saying these words while I looked at the drop off on the side of the mountain as we continued to ascend. When we reached the top of the mountain, he parked the car in a designated area and said, “This is it.” What I saw was a walking path that winded for miles down the side of a high mountain. I was shocked and scared. You see, fear and height are two words that I always use in the same sentence. I don’t even like driving in the mountains, let alone walking on top of one. I am one of those individuals who will usually plan driving routes to avoid mountains if at all possible, because that is how terrified I am of them. I looked with apprehension at the path and as far as I could see it appeared to descend right off the mountain. I looked at my son with anger, but then told myself I could do it. I walked slowly towards the path and saw a large yellow sign that read, “Caution Rattle Snakes.” I wanted to turn and run away, but I walked forward with my son. Needless to say, that morning walk was one of the scariest moments in my life. The path had steep inclines and declines along with the mountain attitude which contributed to my constant panting for air. As I was inching my way along the path, I started to think of Moses. How could Moses stay up on a mountain for 40 days? How could he even walk up a mountain with no path? I was praying like Moses, but praying for God to get me off that mountain. Fear had gripped me. I continuously prayed for God to help me walk each step along the path. Yes, that mountain walk taught me a lesson; I was no Moses. What divine faith and commitment Moses had to God. Moses was a living example of true faith in action. Moses really didn’t know the way or God’s plan, but he always followed the commands of God. Moses had great strength against fear. He knew God was bigger than any mountain or any of his fears. Moses had divine strength in faith and great love for God to overcome any fear. Moses, a man who stepped out in faith, walked up an uncharted path on a mountain regardless of the perils and listened to God for directions. I use to think I was pretty deep in my faith, you know, being an author and writing a book on prayers and meditations, but that mountain made me feel so small. I have a long way to travel. Even though I knew God was with me on the mountain, I had a hard time getting past my fear. I had not put my full trust in God. If I had, the height and fear would have had no effect on me. In the days and months ahead, I have committed to spending more time with God and His Word. I will be praying for God to increase my faith and trust. Just to let you know, I completed the mountain walk that day with my son. Did I regret it? No, it was a lesson for me in humility, trust and faith. Can you think of any time when you realized you were not a “Moses” if so please share. Equipment for the Journey
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Immeasurable Love
Posted by Maribeth on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 8:11am

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen Ephesians 3:20-21 Why would God give us more than we could ask or imagine? Is it because He wants us to do something for Him? Does He want something in return? No, that is not God’s way. He gives and does things for us just because He loves us. When we least expect it, God shows up with His immeasurable love just to remind us of His love. I call those moments, “love notes” from God. Immeasurable, a word meaning: incapable of being measured; massive, indefinitely extensive, endless, great. That description best describes God’s love for us. It is endless and we don’t have to do anything to receive it. God is love and He wants to give us that love. My love note came a week ago when I walked into a bookstore and saw my book, The Edge of His Garment, on a premium shelf. It was placed alongside those of some great ministers/pastors of God: Joyce Myers, Joel Osteen, Myles Munroe, Serita Jakes, Dr. Tony Evans, Dr. David Jeremiah and Jentezen Franklin. It was certainly more than I could have imagined. Instantly I felt the power of God’s love. For a moment, I thought of reasons why I didn’t deserve God’s love, but then a scripture came to me, … I love those who love me... Proverbs 8:17 God was reminding me that He loved me with His immeasurable love and I didn’t have to do anything in return except love Him. I think the lyrics of Irving Berlin’s song, “How deep is the Ocean?” say it best: How much do I love you? I'll tell you no lie How deep is the ocean? How high is the sky? ...That is how God’s love is for us…immeasurable. Do you think God has immeasurable love for you? Share some of your ‘love notes’ from Him with your comments. Love Notes from God
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Miracle on 34th Street ... no, it was Broad Street
Posted by Maribeth on Sunday, December 25, 2011 at 3:40pm
“I do believe. I do believe. I believe there is a God and I don’t care what anyone says.” As I heard these words from my young niece, Jen, I recalled the movie, ‘Miracle on 34th street.” I can remember the little girl named Susan saying, “I do believe in Santa Clause.” That convincing tone and pitch in the little girl’s voice, was the same sound my niece was making with her own conviction about God. I asked Jen, “What made you all of a sudden have such confidence in God?” “Well, I had just gotten off work, picked up my 4 year old son and was headed home," she replied. "The traffic was heavy with the normal congestion during late rush hour. I got off the freeway and turned onto Broad Street driving my normal route home.” Now Broad Street is a four to five lane heavily traveled road and just about every day there is some type of accident on that street. Jen continued saying, “Usually I'm driving and turning around talking to my son in the back seat, because he hasn’t seen me all day, but that day was different. All of a sudden I felt a strong presence in the car and understanding was given for me to pray. I can’t explain it, but I knew I was to pray. This happened right as I got onto Broad Street. So, I began to pray. I asked God to protect us until we got home and protect others. I stayed focused on the road, instead of my usual head turns to my son and continued driving in the outmost right hand lane. Then in an instant my worst nightmare came true. A car was coming down the street the wrong way with no lights on and it was headed towards me in my lane. All I had was a few seconds to react. I swerved immediately into a vacant field. We could have been killed. OMG! There have been times in my life where I doubted God…but I know He is real. I do believe and I don’t care what anyone says.” There were no injuries to my niece or damage to her car. The driver in the car going the wrong way was under the influence and able to stop without injury to self or others. God had placed my niece in front of a vacant field to swerve into without her hitting anyone or anything. So I now understood the surprise and amazement in her voice. In the movie, Miracle on 34th Street, the little girl’s mother kept insisting Santa was not for real and did not want her daughter Susan to be disillusioned. However, eventually she began to notice there was something special about this Santa and his determination about the true spirit of Christmas. She began to believe in miracles. Sometimes, we get so caught up in our own situations or issues that we begin to question or doubt God's existence. We wonder if He is really there or even with us. That is of course, until He shows up to us in some type of miracle and we begin to realize again, God is real. Miracles are those unexplainable acts which we can’t understand, but one just needs to believe. Yes, we all just need to believe. We also notice there is just something special about this God and His determination to make us His, it is undeniable. As we go about this holiday season or in our day to day lives, let us remember to believe in God’s miracles. So, I looked at my niece and used the phrase from the movie, but added some additional wording, saying “Yes Jen, there is a Santa Clause and His name is God. He gave us the best gift of all; baby Jesus, a small miracle who was with you on Broad Street. Jesus is our miracle every day.” Believe! Merry Blessed Christmas to all. ...Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrew 13:5 Time with God
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