Stop Spouting

Sometimes our journey leads us right into the path of spouting – not pouting (well maybe that too) but rather spouting – spouting off that is. Don’t worry – we are not alone. We come upon it time and again throughout the Bible.


John told Jesus, “Teacher, we saw a man using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn’t one of our group.” "Don’t stop him!" Jesus said. "No-one who performs miracles in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us."  (Mark 9:38 NLT)

Along with the disciples spouting their opinions kings and prophets did as well.

“So Obadiah went to tell Ahab that Elijah had come, and Ahab went out to meet Elijah. When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?”

“I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the LORD and have worshiped the images of Baal instead. Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.” (1 Kings 18: 16-19 NLT)

What do we do when we find ourselves standing on the road of our journey spouting words, accusations, or silly things that in the end do not matter? In that moment we often have nowhere to go, we don’t know what to do, or how to continue on with our journey. Elijah knew what to do. He would let the Lord battle this argument between him and Ahab. It would become the battle of the Gods.

It is quite the story and you must continue reading about it in Kings. In the end the Lord received the victory and the glory. Where does that leave us? “I want God to fight my battles!” we often shout. The problem is – (and boy do I struggle with this one myself) we don’t know how to turn off the faucet. You see Elijah could have stayed a while bantering and bickering back and forth with Ahab but he didn’t. He immediately stopped the bantering and got right to the point – God being in the center of it.

I came across an interesting Proverb from my Bible reading today:

“Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” (Proverbs 10:19

So my goal for the journey ahead is to know when to turn off the flow and hand my spouting over to God.

The Heart of the Journey

On this day, this hour, this moment there are many people who are journeying with a crushed spirit and a crushed heart. While others are racing to the store to buy delicious chocolates, roses, and goodies for their sweethearts others are in great despair.

Perhaps it is despair from the loss of a loved one, despair from the break up of a relationship, or despair of feeling lonely and empty inside. Though this bright beautiful day is meant to be celebrated between new found love, new friendships, and new journeys, (and it should)  it is also a dark day for many others.

Over the weekend my heart ached as I observed friends experience a love unreturned, an act meant for love but filled with self, and spirits completely crushed. Today I was reminded that many others may be experiencing that as well.

In my quiet time this morning I found that:

Psalm 34: 18

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;

he rescues those who are crushed in spirit."   

If this is a day where you find your heart - not completely all together - then may you be reminded of a love that will not falter, will never be shaken, nor torn from you. It is and will always be a love that will never wonder far away. May your spirit be refreshed this day knowing and understanding that the one close by has the power to mend your broken heart and restore your crushed spirit. God is the heart of our journey.

May Your Journey Be Filled With FREEDOM!

Keep on Moving

“To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time,

 but we must keep on stepping”

Old Chinese Proverb



One of my favorite passages in the Bible is in Exodus chapter 15. I am not sure why it struck me with such humor but it did. We know the story - as the Israelites were trying to escape Egypt they came upon the red sea. Suddenly the Israelites looked up to find Pharaoh and all of his men coming toward them. Hysteria set in and they cried out to Moses. Of course they felt this was the end of their freedom. Trapped by Pharaoh's army on one side and the red sea on the other they panicked.

"Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

I imagine everyone ran around trying to find some kind of shelter or a way out. Moses tried to shout above them, get their attention, and calm their fears. The fear was too great and as the crowd scrambled Moses turned to God.

"Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on."

I love that! God didn't have time for the hysteria, the panic, or the complete and utter chaos! NO! He asked, "Why are you crying out to me!" Keep going! Keep going, keep moving, keep stepping, keep your eyes upon the journey. Move forward.

Though the Israelites couldn't see it, God had a plan to deliver them that day - all they had to do was to keep moving forward. Like the Chinese proverb says - “To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.”  

May your journey be filled with many steps!