Proverbs

I’m Getting Old…Awesome!

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

I’m not one

to speak much

about getting old

 

to recite the aches

and pains,

tiredness and slowing

 

And I guess I got that

from my parents

who still act youthful

 

never really talking about getting old

and how things don’t work

like they used to

 

It’s refreshing

and it’s good to be around

elders like that

 

For getting older

may be tough physically

but what beauty awaits the young!

 

God tells us

that the longer we walk with Him,

the more rooted we become

 

The more we take in Him

and His Words,

the more we flourish and grow

 

What a profound truth!

 

As we get weaker,

as we bow lower,

we can be stronger

 

than ever before

 

Strengthened inwardly

standing taller

grounding deeper

 

in Truth

 

Bearing more

and more

and more

fruit

 

the longer we live

 

And not focusing

on what is feeble

but on what is strong

 

and that is

our character

our hope

our perseverance

 

our relationship with Jesus

who walks with us

 

And the older we get

the wiser we get

and the closer we get

to eternity’s home

 

Our graduation

to bliss

and God-awareness

and pure light

 

Forever

 

So the temporary aches

and temporary slowing

is just that

 

temporary

 

But what is growing

and flourishing

inside

 

is Forever

 

Don’t listen to the world

about aging,

Listen to God

 

– Susie Stewart

 

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But the godly will flourish like palm trees
    and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.
    They flourish in the courts of our God.
Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
    they will remain vital and green.
They will declare, “The Lord is just!
    He is my rock!
    There is no evil in Him!”

Psalm 92:12-15 (NLT)

 

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

– 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT)

 

The glory of young men is their [physical] strength, And the honor of aged men is their gray head [representing wisdom and experience].

– Proverbs 20:29 (AMP)

 

The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.

–  Proverbs 16:31 (AMP)

 

Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.

– Job 12:12 (NLT)

 

Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. Our times are in His hand who saith, ‘A whole I planned, youth shows but half; Trust God: See all, nor be afraid!

– Robert Browning

 

 

Photos by Susie & Arik Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trial Perspective

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

You are right in the middle of it,

and it is painful

 

It hurts

and it pulls downward

 

Your trial threatens

your heart

your mind

your faith

 

But friend

look UP

 

Recognize what is happening

 

This time

this moment

this circumstance

 

God wants to use it!

 

Please don’t miss that

 

Your growth

your strengthening

your unexplainable peace

 

is yours for the taking

 

Don’t turn your back

on the One who blessed you

with easier times

 

He is close

 

And His Spirit-help is there

for those who turn their eyes to Him

 

HE

is your strength

is your peace

is your joy

 

IS the One who feels the deepest

about your situation

 

He is kind, you see

 

Walk with HIM

when you need Him most

 

and KNOW

God-strength

in the middle of it all

 

– Susie Stewart

 

In his kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.

– 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT)

 

If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!

– Proverbs 24:10 (NIV)

 

Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing.  If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking.

– James 1:2-5 (VOICE)

 

We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.

– Romans 8:28 (VOICE)

 

You will keep the peace, a perfect peace, for all who trust in You,
        for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You.
     So trust in the Eternal One forever,
        for He is like a great Rock—strong, stable, trustworthy, and lasting.

– Isaiah 26:3,4 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

For Them

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

They cannot speak for themselves,

and so you speak

 

They cannot do for themselves,

and so you do for them

 

They cannot pay,

you give

 

They cannot fight,

you march

 

They are destitute

victims

marginalized

poor

young

mute

alone

 

and passed by

 

But you

with your indwelling Hope

 

YOU are the hands

and the feet

and the voice

and the justice

 

for each one

 

knowing that YOU

were the one in need

 

when your Savior

left heaven to save you

 

He spoke for you

He fought for you

He did what you could not do

when he died to save you

 

And He paid

when you could not pay….

 

His heart for those in desperate need

replaced your heart of stone

 

and so you march

and you speak

and you pay

and you do

 

for the least

and the mute crying

 

– Susie Stewart

 

**Inspired by my daughter’s prayer march against human trafficking today.  We each need to take a look at ourselves and ask what we are doing for someone who cannot do or speak for themselves.  

 

 

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

– Proverbs 31:8 (NLT)

 

Learn to do good;  commit yourselves to seeking justice.  Make right for the world’s most vulnerable – the oppressed, the orphaned, the widow.  

– Isaiah 1:17 (VOICE)

 

Stand up of the poor and the orphan;  advocate for the rights of the afflicted and those in need.

– Psalm 82:3 (VOICE)

 

Real, true religion from God the Father’s perspective is about caring for the orphans and widows who suffer needlessly and resisting the evil influence of the world.

– James1:27 (VOICE)

 

Jesus said – The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor.  He has sent Me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.

– Luke 4:18, 19 (NLT)

 

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

– Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)

 

Then these righteous ones will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see You hungry and feed You?  Or thirsty and give You something to drink?  Or a stranger and who You hospitality?  Or naked and give You clothing?  When did we ever see You sick or in prison and visit You?”

And the King will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sister, you were doing it to Me!”  

– Matthew 25:37-40 (NLT)

Photo by John Butler

Tough & Tender

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

The heart

 

is a curious

and beautiful

and complex

thing

 

With our hearts we feel the depths

and the heights

 

and all that is between

 

It is the core,

and it is to be guarded

 

But how do we guard it

without becoming calloused?

 

And how do we sense

without becoming overly-sensitive?

 

How is it that we can be strong of heart,

and at the same time

tender-hearted?

 

All in christ

always

 

All in Christ

 

 

And it all begins

 

with a heart

surrendered

to Jesus

 

Only He can bring strength

and tenderness

to co-exist within us

 

Allowing His Words to penetrate

any hardness of heart

 

we let Him soften

the callouses

 

As we become tender to His Spirit

 

our softness and sensitivity toward people

will grow deep

and beautiful

and sincere

 

Forgiveness and grace

will flow

and heal

and bless

 

Then there is His strength

welling up

 

We allow His Words

and His presence

to strengthen

our weakness

 

We believe HIM

and take our thoughts captive to His Spirit

 

We are strong in Him!

We KNOW that He is God!

 

Strength of heart develops

when our focus is on HIS strength

in us

 

not our own

 

And we let His peace

RULE in our hearts

 

Let it rule

 

Which means surrender to His will

and trusting Him

with everything

 

Strength

and tenderness

can live in the same heart

 

through Christ,

the strongest

and most tender

 

Loving with quiet goodness,

fighting for us

with all passion

and strength

 

 

~ Susie Stewart

 

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

– Colossians 3:15 (NLT)

 

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

– Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)

 

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

– Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

 

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

– Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

 

So let God work His will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and He’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.

– James 4:7-9 (MSG)

 

They won’t be afraid of bad news; their hearts are steady because they trust the Lord.

– Psalm 112:7 (NCV)

 

I have pursued You with my whole heart; do not let me stray from Your commands.

– Psalm 119:10 (VOICE)

 

Don’t put on a show just because they are looking (as if you were a people pleaser); but as a slave of the Anointed, do the will of God from your heart.

– Ephesians 6:6 (VOICE)

 

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

– Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

 

Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

– Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

 

I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

– Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

 

A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.

– Proverbs 14:30 (AMPC)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

Solid

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Keep your focus

on the target that doesn’t move

 

All distracting targets move about

and are unpredictable

 

Fix your gaze on the Lord

 

And don’t look for fulfillment

in what is seen

 

for what is unseen

makes all of that pale and meaningless

 

Fix your gaze on the Lord

 

And don’t spend all your time thinking about

this temporary world

 

for it is not meant to last

and all will be stripped away

 

Fix your gaze on the Lord

 

Don’t trust in that which is fallible

and worldly

 

Fix your gaze on the Lord

 

Unmovable

Immutable

Undefeated

 

Our Rock

 
Solid and trustworthy

is our Lord

 

– Susie Stewart

 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

– 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

 

Now stay focused on Jesus, who designed and perfected our faith. He endured the cross and ignored the shame of that death because He focused on the joy that was set before Him; and now He is seated beside God on the throne, a place of honor.

– Hebrews 12:2 (VOICE)

 

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our Apostle and High Priest.

– Hebrews 3:1 (NIV)

 

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility He plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

– Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)

 

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!

– Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

 

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.

– Proverbs 4:23-27 (MSG)

 

Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

– Matthew 5:19-23 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

 

 

CircumSTANCE

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

What is your stance

on your circumstance?

 

Do you only feel God is good

when life is trouble-free?

 

Do you only draw near to Him

when you think He is making things easier?

 

Or do you cling to

His faithfulness

His constant love

His unchanging nature

 

His holiness

 

in this imperfect life?

 

You see, He has warned all of us

that life here will not be easy

 

and that trials will pile up

upon trials

 

He

warned

us

 

And then

He made a promise

 

“I will never leave you.”

 

And He doesn’t

 

So when you are tempted to take the

“I’m mad at God” stance

in your circumstance

 

Remember

 

that He is the One you need most

at

all

times

 

especially in those trials

 

and that His love

does not shoot arrows

to make your life miserable

 

He is the One

who holds your tears

and provides

just when you need it

 

Your stance

in your circumstance

should be

 

I am confident in His perfection and goodness and love

in the brokenness of earthly life

 

– Susie Stewart

 

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

– John 16:33 (AMP)

 

…God has said, “I will never abandon you or leave you.”

– Hebrews 13:5 (GW)

 

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    He’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
    give Him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
    your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
    don’t sulk under His loving correction.
It’s the child He loves that God corrects;
    a father’s delight is behind all this.

– Proverbs 3:5-12 (MSG)

 

My help and glory are in God
    —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—
So trust Him absolutely, people;
    lay your lives on the line for Him.
    God is a safe place to be.

– Psalm 62:7-8 (MSG)

 

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in people.

– Psalm 118:8 (NLT)

 

For the Eternal will be a shelter for those who know misery, a refuge during troubling times.

– Psalm 9:9 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart taken in the deserts of Israel

 

 

 

 

 

Creation Speaks

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

The morning sings joy

and mercy

 

Do you hear it?

 

The noonday sun radiates righteousness

and truth

 

Do you see it?

 

The moon and stars whisper peace

and wisdom

 

Do you perceive it?

 

The whole earth

and all of creation

speak of Divinity

 

Listen well

and walk

in the morning joy,

the noonday truth,

and the nighttime peace

 

with your Creator

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

The whole earth is filled with awe at Your wonders;
    where morning dawns, where evening fades,
    You call forth songs of joy.

– Psalm 65:8 (NIV)

 

He will spread out righteousness for you as a sunrise spreads radiance over the land; He will deliver justice for you into the light of the high sun.

– Psalm 37:6 (VOICE)

 

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
    which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

– Proverbs 4:18 (NLT)

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles.

His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to Him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to Him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.

the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.

and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever.

– Psalm 136:1-9 (NLT)

 

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
    His mercies never cease.
Great is His faithfulness;
    His mercies begin afresh each morning.

– Lamentations 3:22, 23 (NIV)

 

At every time and in every place— from the moment the sun rises to the moment the sun sets— may the name of the Eternal be high in the hearts of His people.

– Psalm 113:3 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

The Day That Was Not To Be

/ Susie Stewart / 8 Comments

Every day

the imperfections of life

show up

 

and those things,

those disappointments,

that hard stuff

threatens to hold us …

 

My husband and I, we have been anticipating the trip of a lifetime for many months.  A touring trip to the Holy Land, to Israel.  And this wasn’t supposed to be just any vacation, but a chance to walk where Jesus walked.   To be at the heart of His heart.  And to do this with 43 other people from our church.  We gave up our yearly trip to Uganda to go on this trip.

We counted down the days until our departure.

And the day finally arrived on Tuesday of this week.  Our group all smiles, met at the airport, luggage in tow.  We arrived extra early since our group was so big.  Everyone got there on time, and we talked and got to know one another at the gate.

Excitement was in the air.

 

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People started to stand in boarding lines, while we stayed seated, preferring to sit in the terminal than in the still plane.  As we talked with our friends, we kept glancing up at the lines.  Why weren’t they moving?

“There has been a slight delay in boarding.  We appreciate your patience.”

Didn’t give it another thought.  Then the same announcement came again.

Then this.

“A ladder has hit the side of the plane and they are assessing the damage.”

Ok.  How much damage can a ladder do to the side of an airplane?

“I’m sorry to tell you, but a ladder has hit the engine, doing damage to it, and the pilot has made the decision to cancel this flight.  You can re-book a flight by going back to the ticketing counter.”

Wait a minute.  What?!

A LADDER canceled our flight???

Hmmmmm…

This was inconvenient.  But we’ll be on another flight in no time.

 

in

no

time

 

But in the imperfect

we look to The Perfect

 

We handle our circumstances with a loose grip

and we hold tight to God

 

We know not the complexity

of Sovereignty over Billions

 

in the imperfect

 

And remind ourselves

it’s not all about me

 

Our Missions Pastor, our fearless leader, handled all with wisdom and grace, and we all prayed.  Back at our homes we waited for word.

Each hour and each day that passed by, I felt the loss of time in the place I dreamed to go.  Each site, recorded in the Bible, I wouldn’t see.

We were scheduled to leave on Tuesday, and with such a large group, we now are scheduled to leave on Friday.

Days lost…

And I felt peaceful and I felt ok with it all.  Until last night.  All I felt was sad and disappointed.

 

All our preparations

all our planning 

 

are really subject to the brokenness

of this world

 

and the guiding hand

of Almighty God

 

Those plans sit in our heads

and sometimes

 

that’s where they stay,

never to come to fruition

 

And we learn to say

“It is well with my soul.”

 

When I woke up this morning, sharing my heart with the One who knows me best, He reminded me about something I said to my husband at the airport on Tuesday.

“When you are in love, you are content to be anywhere as long as you can be with that person.”

I want to be in Israel today, but I’m at home.  The sadness is real and the disappointment is real.  But I know I don’t have to sit in that place.

God gives perspective.

 

My Love dwelled in the Holy Land

walking among us

 

And now He dwells here with me

in my heart

 

and I am blessed

 

He is teaching me

contentment

in Him

 

Lord-willing, I look forward to sharing with you about our experiences in Israel.  I bow my plans to my Sovereign’s nod.

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

 

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.

– John 1:14 (NIV)

 

A person may plan his own journey, but the Lord directs his steps.

– Proverbs 16:9 (GW)

 

For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.

– Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)

 

Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come.  And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One.

– Philippians 4:6,7 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who’s In Charge Here?

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Lord, You’ve been convicting me

and I’ve only had one ear open

 

But You’ve got my attention

this morning

 

What You require is hard

for me

 

In this relationship You and I have

I seem to knowingly

and unknowingly

try to take the lead

 

It can be so subtle

or it can be blatant

 

I say that I’m following YOU

and yet I seem to find myself

making the rules

 

You taking the lead

means bowing my will

my time

my desires

my selfishness

 

It means that I actually seek You first,

not my own lists

 

Oh, the never ending to-do lists…

 

It means pursuing my God,

my Love,

with determination

 

to see what You are saying

where You are leading

 

When to be silent

when to speak

 

When to act

when to stay still

 

Bowing my will

 

YOU are my perfect leader

in this relationship we have

 

A lot of the time I know when I’m following

and when I’m trying to lead

 

My control of Almighty God is a facade

 

Forgive me, God

 

Lead on

 

– Susie Stewart

 

We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.

– Proverbs 19:21 (MSG)

 

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope—never forget that.

– Jeremiah 29:11 (VOICE)

 

I know, God, that mere mortals
    can’t run their own lives,
That men and women
    don’t have what it takes to take charge of life.
So correct us, God, as You see best.

– Jeremiah 10:23,24 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Heart <3

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

Into your heart

you accepted your God

 

and with your heart

you hear His voice

 

His words are digested

with your heart

 

and He asks that you love Him

with all of your heart

 

You love people as He does

with your heart

 

and you walk in step with Him

with your heart

 

Religosity walks only

by intellect

 

But God calls us close

 

He searches intently

to see if your heart

 

is lit up

with Him

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

– Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
and He will make your paths straight.

– Proverbs 3:5,6 (NIV)

 

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 (NLT)

 

 

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

– Philippians 4:7 (NLT)

 

I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart, I’m writing the book on your wonders. I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I’m singing Your song, High God.

– Psalm 9:1,2 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart