Red Bird Thoughts

The first thing I learned in Sunday school was to let “this little light of mine shine”. But somehow I thought the light was me on a good day.

I thought it really only shone when I sang that song. Back home, that little light just sort of fizzled out, because I just wasn’t good all the time. It was just too much trouble to keep that light shining.

It was a relief to find out that it came from Jesus in me. But just knowing that didn’t always bring forth the light. It only happened when I kept my eyes on the warmth and brightness of His light upon me.

He is that “burning bush” that will send flames into a heart.

So this “little” light of mine can become a full blown fire- not easily put out.

It is difficult to recognize signs from God if you are not looking for them. If you are, you will see God sending you little tokens of his presence and even guidance when needed.

The timing is always perfect, and something in your spirit will just know. Trust that feeling.

He knows each of us personally, and knows just the perfect sign to send. It can be shapes in rocks and clouds. It can be in a shadow – or even in a certain glow. It can come from what someone says to you – or it can just be in watching an insect. It can be a bird in the window – or even a sound you hear.

He is a God of signs and wonders
But do we look for them?

God gives songs in the night – Job 35:10

One way to look at this is that everything is quieter, and we just might hear… if we listen. Does it come through a dream, or might we hear angels?

Or when we are going through the “dark nights” of our soul, maybe his song would resonate deep in our spirit. Giving us a song to comfort our pain. If we listen.

There is a lot of singing going on up in heaven we are told. Let’s begin to practice now. Sing your song of faith –sing your joy - sing the Psalms – sing your prayers and sing your praises.

[FONT=&quot]It’s good to fall asleep reading these things to think about before sleeping:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Sleep in heavenly peace.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]He gives to His beloved sleep.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Your sleep will be sweet.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Angels watch over me all through the night.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Soft the drowsy hours are creeping.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Shhh – all is quiet, all is calm.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]In the midst of the storm, Jesus slept.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Still awake? Put a few drops of lavender on your pillow. ZZZ[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

To soak something is more than a five minute dip. It is allowing it to become saturated and full of what it is soaking in. So when you let yourself linger with God’s word, you take on His flavor or nature.

Being “multi-taskers”, we sometimes find it difficult to really soak. We sort of dip in and out of the scriptures. And try to read the bible in 365 days from cover to cover. We might take in a lot of information, but continue to stay dry.

When you come across a scripture that seems to be highlighted just for you, take the time to write it slowly in a journal. Then read it aloud a few times, letting it soak into your mind, heart and soul. It is also becoming a part of your vocabulary now.
Then wait upon the Lord for thoughts He might give you to personalize the scripture. The Holy Spirit is with you to bring you a deeper revelation of the word. Write them down. They will always be there for you to reread when needed.

You can always recognize soakers. They are the ones who often seek out time for being alone. Who remain calm in the midst of trouble. Who seem to “glow”.

Today is a good time to soak.

Spiritual stretching is mostly something that takes us by surprise. It is that trial, that loss, or that discomfort. It seems that we always come out of it feeling a little dis-jointed. We have just been stretched.

Being stretched means that we can more easily fit into bigger things or we can reach further.

We just don’t stay the same. We are either being stretched or we are shrinking. Which is it?

Joi, you have to compile these into a book and publish it. There is so much wisdom, knowledge, and encouragement in them that it'd be a shame not to share it with the world!

Ricky, I have compiled these into little books for my friends. They even have cd's of all of these devotionals. I have had experience with publishing. You need to do it yourself unless you get an agent who believes in this book. Then you have to promise that you will bring more books within a period of time. Not only very costly, but not the way I work.

I already have a book on Amazon.com. and another book that is on lulu.com. For me to even get a copy of that book on lulu.com, I have to pay $25.00 a book. It is all in color with beautiful pictures. The one on Amazon is more of a devotional that costs me $5.00 a copy and it is way down the line for people to see when they open that site.

Each one I had to self-publish, and only when speaking at retreats are they sold, or I give them to friends. Many people buy them from me just to give to others. I'm happy enough sharing red bird here for now.

I will soon be done, and before I go through major surgery on my mouth and nose where cancer is growing. The cancer has taken over the whole left top of my mouth, and has broken a bone in my nose. I will have extensive radiation and chemo, and want to be through with this before all the "stuff" begins. It will be very soon, probably in a week or so.

You might not hear from me for awhile. And your prayers will mean so much to me. But I will try to finish them up.

Joi

I can't believe how long I've been on here without ever looking into the Red Bird pages These are so lovely and insightful, Joi!

Joi,

just rest in Him precious One, for He will 'take and give' all that we all will ever need,
who truly Love Him...

don't forget what we said in the 'health forum', about Jethro Kloss - and also my witness about
Pure TeaTree Oil, how it destroyed an flesh-eating bacteria,+ so much more, and very importantly,
as you have mentioned, the amazing and Benefits of 'ESSENTIAL OILS'...

hubby has been researching and has found-out that Frankincense Oil is considered the KING -
of the Essential Oils for HEALING, there are different species for different ailments...
THIS is what the 'WISE-MEN' brought as a 'precious gift', to HONOR our KING... -

also, hubby has found out that OREGANO OIL is the #ONE-GOD-GIVEN-NATURAL-ANTI-BIOTIC,
made exclusively for US by JESUS CHRIST...

Think of the only noise in the Garden of Eden – wind, rustle of leaves, sound of rain and water, birds, animals – that Adam experienced.
Nature, even with its sounds, brings its own stillness - a stillness that refreshes.

“He leads me beside the still waters.” Do we have moments of dropping our busyness and letting ourselves experience this? Or do we keep the sounds going on around us?

Does something you look at bring a stillness to your spirit? Is it watching the leaves of a tree gently move in the wind? Is it a picture? Can you imagine stillness? What does it look like? What would you put in your picture? What colors? Any sounds of nature?

Try communicating with others non-verbally for a change. Through expression, eyes, touch, and even gestures. Sometimes we speak way too much.

Somewhere stillness waits for you.
“Be still and know me.”

If I may...



Sometimes God heals our bodies, that we may have peace.

Sometimes God uses our afflictions to heal our souls.

But in all cases, the day will come when we have healing in both body and soul.

Come Lord Jesus, that we may be whole in You!

What is happening already is the way God is using this through a FB site that was set up for me. There are probably 100 people praying for me at 5:30 every night. I sit still and receive the Lord's ministry to me in response to their prayers. I'm also sharing the grace that He has given me of actual peace, and receive many words of encouragement. Even though the surgery and treatment is "harsh and cruel" in the voice of the doctor, I am still at peace because I know my Lord who is walking through this with me and taking the brunt.

I feel like I'm on a slow moving boat that I can't get out of, but it is moving along quiet waters and I sense the Lord with the oars steering right on course for the purposes He has for using this.

Yes, there is no one that believes in healing than I do and have been used many times in prayers for ministering healing to others, but I also know that we forget that God uses everything to show forth His glory and in the deepest valleys are the times when He is most glorified.

I also see that my friends are praying with passion and love, and I am touched. God hears the prayers of love and compassion.

I await His hand to show forth. I'm only a vessel. We are told to "count it all joy when facing trials", but to do this, we must look to the restoration or compensation to come. That was a strong word for me as I prayed....that I would receive compensation. That is exciting! There is so much more to come.

I will have not only a removal of my upper left mouth, but a very possible removal of a lymph node that has been possibly invaded by cancer by the PET scans. And much chemo and radiation which is not the most fun thing to experience. Especially on your face. Oils were mentioned as healing agents, but this has gone far beyond the scope of oils. Doctor's are also the hand of God in healing.

But, I do agree that frankincense oil is the most calming fragrant for me right now to have around me. In fact, my body seems to crave it.

My soul is already completely healed, and I do have perfect peace. Now I just pray that His hand will be seen and He will be glorified in what He does. Not about me anymore.

This is for you, Joi. I found it after I was diagnosed with cancer..

It is amazing how much the power of our thinking has:

I have thought myself into and out of depression.
I have thought myself into amazing, creative ideas. And some not so amazing.
I have thought myself into both fearful imaginings and pastoral scenes of peace.
I have thought myself as being alone, or as being surrounded by angels.
I have thought myself into interactions with God, and learned that he thinks about me.

What is even more amazing is that we can choose our thoughts.

well said Joi,

the tragedy comes when we choose to NOT-THINK/ACT for ourselves with the Spiritual knowledge
that Christ has bestowed upon us, but allow others to make their own decisions for us, based
upon God only knows what...for me, this was a HUGE turning point in letting-go of earthly fears
and putting ALL of my TRUST in my Saviour...

We all have to tolerate something or someone most of the time.

Tolerance builds patience and gives new perspectives to the one who accepts the inward struggle.
It opens the heart to let go of having to control.

When asked to patiently be tolerant, take it as the God’s plan for your life.
Believe there is a reason that will someday reveal itself.

Go beyond tolerance, and give grace instead. For grace is always sufficient.

Just can’t touch my toes anymore.
I first reach up to the sky and stretch my back out and then swoop down and bounce a little – toes stay a little out of reach. But I discovered it felt good trying.

Just can’t touch the depths of God.
I first open the scriptures and stretch my mind and then swoop down to delve into a verse – but the depths of God remain just a little out of reach. But I also discovered how good it feels to keep trying.

Lesson: The goal is not what matters. It is the workout that has all the benefits.
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The end of this thread. It will go the way of all the other threads - forgotten and unseen. Thank you to the few who have encouraged this and given me feedback. I hope you have been blessed.

Please keep me in your prayers as I go through a difficult surgery, etc.

There is NO WAY that you, Red Bird, or this thread will EVER be forgotten!

God bless you, may He guide the doctors hands and bring healing to you soon!

Love you Joi!

I have Red Bird pictures. I'll keep it going for you, Joi.

I dunno the verse but "let not thy heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid."