OneLight

Scriptural Reference: 1 Peter 5:8 'Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.' I had an object lesson recently. I lived through a hard lesson to learn about trust, gullibility, openness, and true respect. It cost me a lot to be ignorant. It cost me a lot to be easily trusting. I learned that a recommendation is not license to blindly believe anyone on the strength of the integrity of the person making the recommendation. You've been there, too! Someone who loves barbecue will adamantly guarantee that the barbecue from "ABC" spot is worth the drive and the cost. You order your meal and expect to be amazed. However, on the day that you arrive for a meal the regular chef is not available. The recipe has changed and so has ownership of the business operation. This is an over-simplified scenario to say, one single hard earned truth. Vet every person. The lesson about the lion who comes to devour ...

Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 17 th Chapter My mind can picture the scene between one young man and one giant. These two stand in a valley between their armies, in cultural, physical, and theological opposition. The young man, David, servant of King Saul, is a minstrel, and sheep herder. The champion from the warring people, Goliath, nine feet tall with a bad disposition, foul mouthed, foul breathed, with an arrogant strut. The armies of Israel are cowering in their boots trembling at the sound of the giants’ threats. Centuries before the imagined character ‘Jack’ met the also imagined ‘fe fi fo fum…’ singing villain at sky high tree tops, young David of Bethlehem Judah heard the outlandish insults of Goliath of Gath. David is the least regarded son in his father’s eyes, by his own admission, and his father’s blatant favoritism (as seen in 1 Samuel 16 th chapter). David’s days are spent on the hillside with his sheep. David is content to sing a melody of praise to GOD as he wat...

Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 14:6-23 1 Samuel 14:6-15 we read that Jonathan, King Saul's son, decided to attack a garrison. A garrison is a place where troops gather to protect a portion of land. Jonathan and his armor bearer climb up to the garrison. As they draw near Jonathan says, 'When the Philistines see us if they say, 'We are coming out to you.' then we will hide ourselves and not go up. However, if they say, 'Come up here and we will show you something.' then we will know that GOD has given us the victory over the Philistines. GOD can deliver with few or many.' The armor bearer says, 'I'm with you whatever you do.'  These two brave men demonstrate some essentials that we need to win the battles today. They submitted the following to GOD: * Thoughts: During the time of war, since King Saul needed to conquer territory, Jonathan, and his armor bearer 'pick a fight' with Israel's enemy the Philistines. * Words: 'If ...

Scriptural Reference: Numbers 11:6 '... we have nothing but this manna.'   Nothing is defined as 'not having anything; no single thing.'   Manna is defined as 'the misunderstood or undefined' provision of GOD to the children of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness on their way to the land of promise.   I think if Israel had been grateful for the unknown blessing (manna) they may not have been killed as they greedily began to eat the quail when GOD provided it. Of course, I have their example to smugly refer to lo these many years later but have I learned from Israel’s lesson?   Am I looking at GOD’s provision and pouting? My life is not a fast food ‘order what you like’ for a modest fee.   Is my nose turned up because I have ‘had my fill’ of this daily portion?   Am I dissatisfied with GOD’s leadership, provision, and protection?   The new year has arrived and each day I live in this new year the LORD will guide m...

Scriptural Reference:  Philippians 4:19, ‘But my GOD shall supply all your need according to HIS riches in glory by CHRIST JESUS.’ As I woke this Christmas, blinking hopefully into the new day, I groped for gifts, and sighed. I looked for smiling eyes and began to cry. My mind thought of those whose cheerful presence would not be nigh.  As my heart began to faint, I heard JESUS say, ‘Am I not enough?’ I bowed my heart repenting. I lifted my eyes in grateful thanks. I whispered earnestly, ‘JESUS, You are all the world to me. You are all of life to me. JESUS, You are more than enough.’ Let us live in the fullness of HIS love and HIS perfecting peace this CHRIST-mas, in the New Year, and Always. Feel free to shine,   OneLight © M Del Publishing 2022. All rights reserved.

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 7:1-2 ‘… in the days of Ahaz, king of Judah, Rezin, the king of Syria, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail.’ Isaiah 7:3-9, ‘Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, ‘Go meet Ahaz…’ ‘… and say, ‘Take heed, and be quiet, fear not, neither be fainthearted…’ ‘…thus said the LORD GOD, it shall not stand, nether shall it come to pass. For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five (65) years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.’ ‘… and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.’ Isaiah 7:10-14, ‘Moreover the LORD spake again to Ahaz, saying, ‘Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy GOD; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. And he (Isaiah) said, ‘Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my GOD also?’ ...

***Disclaimer: This entry contains sensitive information about mental illness and the struggle to overcome it. Please reach out to Betterhelp.com, your local hospital, or clergy if you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental illness.*** Fingerpainting: A story of Olivia. Her journey During, After, Since… During: It felt so easy. Just slip into it like warm water. Inviting like open arms. Sleek like heated oil to barely damp skin. Her brain drunk it in. The seducing sadness crept around her mind. Its fog reaching in to darken every place warm light had never been until there was nothing but darkness. She watched it play around her feet. Coiling her thoughts within its squirming mass. Each day began with a sigh. The alarm rang. The first thoughts of everyday were critical. She steadied herself against the hate she felt for the days new sun. Its faithful rising always taunted her. It never wavered and brought its yellow sun and blue skies. She wondered, ‘Why can’t I wake up ...

Scriptural Reference: Hebrews 13:8 'JESUS CHRIST the same yesterday, and today, and forever.'   JESUS, you are faithful to yourself. I benefit from your consistency. JESUS, I won't insult your integrity by entertaining doubt. JESUS, in all ways you are always faithful and true.   I cannot wait for my circumstance to look like the object of my faith and hope before I trust HIM and rejoice. I cannot wait for my finite mind to understand the work HE does in secret before I thank HIM for HIS perfect knowledge and completed plans for my life. I cannot listen to the ever-changing climate of the day and expect to maintain peace, hope, and joy.   I rest in HIS love. I hope in HIS WORD. I believe HIS heart towards me is always good.   Feel free to shine,   OneLight     © M Del Publishing 2022. All rights reserved.

Luke 2:51 '... mother treasured up all these things in her heart.'   My beloved son and my beloved daughter... Thank you for making my life full, beautiful, exciting, and the amazing adventure it is. You are who the sperm became. You fought to conquer the egg that was ready to become my destiny. Congratulations to us!!! I'm so grateful you are exactly yourselves. You are my life's gifts and sweet treasure. I'm always proud to call you my own. Yesterday, today, and always I am grateful to be your mother.  Kisses!!     Feel free to shine,     One Light   © M Del Publishing 2022. All rights reserved.

Scripture Reference: Genesis, Chapter 37 As we read our text, we see plainly that Joseph is Jacob’s favorite son. This is not Joseph’s fault. However, this favored place will influence the events that follow. Joseph’s dreams, fancy attire, and all those implied ‘ornaments’ of specialness prove to be more than his eleven brothers can stomach. Genesis 37:11 states that Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him. If the elder brothers’ feelings were merely pangs of unmet desire, comparisons, and the gnawing ‘sub-par’ and shadowing doubts they still needed therapy and healing in their self-value. Amidst this brewing resentment, suddenly, one day, Jacob sends Joseph to find his brothers who are tending their father’s sheep. Jacob believed his sons were in Shechem. Joseph is wandering in some nameless fields and a passerby he asks tells him that his brothers are in Dothan. As Joseph approaches his brothers, in those final moments before he joins them, his brothers plot how to kill Joseph. Jos...

Scriptural Reference: Habakkuk 3:16-19   “When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the GOD of my salvation. ‘The LORD GOD is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me walk upon my high places. (To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.)”   Take a moment with me and read these scriptures. Before you grab your survival kit and tilt into full panic mode see this context. These scriptures clearly depict a time of national sorrow, famine, peril, and uncertainty...