IT Book Page #1

Drought Survival

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water whose leaf does not wither." Psalm 1:3

In our back yard, there is a spot where red and pink Pentas are planted. These flowers are hardy, and do well in our tropical heat. They are colorful, and are butterfly attractors as well.

Flash floods occasionally soak the Pentas. These plants are resilient, however, and after the soggy, drippy leaves dry out, the flowers bloom brilliantly.

More of a problem than too much water, is too little water. We might go for days, or weeks with no rain; sometimes with scorching sun beating down. They can look kind of pitiful, definitely dried up, with the flowers faded or gone entirely. Yet these plants always bounce back. A bit of rain, a little shade, and they are good-to-go again.

Some plants are created to withstand drought. Are we? In the first book of Psalms, in the Bible, this very thing is addressed. The amplilfied version says it this way:

"Blessed, happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly, following their advice, their plans and purposes, ... but his delight and desire are in the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God; he habitually meditates, ponders and studies by day and by night. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted and tended by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper and come to maturity."

We may not be as naturally sturdy as Pentas. Yet if we stay near the River of God, and are continually soaked and watered in His Word, we will not only be able to just make it through droughts, we will flourish in spite of them.

That's good news.

Perspective

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

Sorting through fifty years of stuff was an incredible journey back in time through our parents'
My sister and I were sitting on the living room sofa,
which still had the arm covers on it. Boxes of photos
and letters and saved treasures were mounded
up around us.

We always joked about there being a lot to go through after Dad died, especially that attic!

We talked and cried, and it was evident how my sister sees and remembers things about our Dad one way, while I remember another. We were kids who grew up in the same family, yet viewed and related to our mom and dad in different ways.

Our dad was the same person always. Whether with my sister or with me, he was still "Daddy". Our different views of him did not change who he was at all. It was just our perspective.

That may be how God's klds, brothers and sisters in the church, view and relate to God. Individually. Perhaps the views and relationships to God are from very different perspectives.

Yet God is ALWAYS the same, unswerving and unchanging. Faithful. El Shaddai. El Elyon Adonai. The much loved hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, says there is no shadow of turning with Him. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Isn't it SO wonderful that in our lives, where everything is constantly changing, there is something/Someone who is not? It is a great comfort to me; a foundation on which to safely build and live.

Yes, that is good news.

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Sally I. Kennedy
Irish Thursdays More Little Parables from Ireland 120 inspirational Messages by Sally Ireland Kennedy
Sally has a unique way of observing spiritual truth in the ordinary things of life. Her gleanings are such a blessing to me. So often, her devotionals not only speak to my heart but meet my need at just the right time. Gigi Graham, author,speaker, Currents of the Heart, Passing It On Sally’s meditations are islands in the middle of our seas of everyday. Refreshing! Real! My little boat turns in to the quiet cove of “Irish Thursdays”, to rest a moment from the oars, and take on fresh supplies for the rest of the journey. Bonnie Chavda writer, pastor All Nations Church, Dean of Zion College This book is filled with funny, insightful and practical Bible verses that will give you keys to turning the negative into the positive. Based on lessons learned and good time experiences from the heart of a Mother, Grandmother and woman with a heart after God. Mary Jo Clouse, Author/Speaker, Getting Free Sally Kennedy's “Irish Thursdays” is not only strongly inspirational, but also beautifully written. Her descriptions give the reader a strong sense of place, almost as if we were there with her. closer to his God. Robin G. Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor, Inc. Sally Kennedy’s newest creative effort, "Irish Thursdays", is charming and perceptive. Sally’s devotionals are now sent via internet to thousands of persons in over 25 countries. This weekly ministry has changed lives. I believe it will change yours as you meditate on these pages. *Sandra LeSourd, author, The Compulsive Woman*
Sample Devotionals from the Book

Carving Your Initials "The Lord... heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:2-3 Peggy and Bill invested their lives in others. They worked tirelessly defending children in the court system who had no one else to help them. One clear, sunny day around noon, their small plane took off from the local airport. Within five minutes, as they were still flying low, the plane took a dive and crashed right onto a major downtown city street. It was a miracle that the plane didn't land on any cars. Yet it was so very sad that this wonderful couple's lives were so suddenly and prematurely snuffed out. Many years ago, at a renewal retreat weekend, Peggy had left a gift on my pillow. It was a small unfinished wooden heart, like you'd find in craft stores. Printed in a black marker was "SK + JC". Sally Kennedy plus Jesus Christ. Our initials in a heart, signifying that we love each other. That miniature wooden heart is still on a shelf in my room. I look at if often, and think of the love Peggy had for Jesus, and for others. I think of how my initials and Jesus' are carved in eternity. Carving initials in a tree scars the outer bark, but the tree survives and the initials are there for the life of the tree. Likewise, when we have cuts, our skin heals. Our bodies are made by God in such a way that they heal when wounded. Wounds of the heart are more difficult, though. When our memories are scarred, only Jesus can heal them. We may keep growing, yet the scar remains until the Lord heals us. The good news is that not only is Jesus able to heal, He is more than willing. Praise God for His goodness! He is the one to remember, when it comes to initials being carved on our hearts.