God's Roadmap

Now may the Lord Jesus Christ and our Father God, who loved us and in his wonderful grace gave us eternal comfort and a beautiful hope that cannot fail, encourage your hearts and inspire you with strength to always do and speak what is good and beautiful in his eyes (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 TPT).


Sunday, August 31, 2014

Be Still and Know That He Is God

by Barbara Latta

It’s early morning and even though the afternoon heat has been stifling and unbearable the last few weeks, the mornings are cool. It’s the perfect time to sit in my favorite reading place-the hammock on my back porch.

As I sip my coffee I listen as birds grace the air with their songs. Two mockingbirds are squawking at each other as they swoop up and down in flight. The fussing interrupts the coo of the doves and a squirrel scurries down a tree to investigate something on the ground. A small green lizard perches on the stair railing, its throat pulsating with orange. It stared at me for a few moments before scampering away in search of an insect meal. God’s creation is in symphony and it is rest for my soul.

In the quietness the Spirit speaks. No technology assists me. Just the tissue thin pages of my leather bound Bible as I thumb through the chapters in search of my chosen passage. I love that rustling sound.

In this moment of quietness I can see and hear His presence all around. We need some time away from our devices each day, not only for the physical benefits of resting eyes, fingers, and wrists; but to give our minds rest.

Be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). You’ll be amazed at what you hear.

What do you do for quietness? 

Sunday, August 24, 2014

God's Promises

by Barbara Latta

When the flood ended, God put His rainbow in the sky and told Noah it was a sign of His promise to never destroy the earth again with a flood. A rainbow is just another facet of God’s creative ingenuity, something with every color in the palette. I love the way He shows off!

Every time we see a rainbow we can remember not just that promise, but all the promises He has blessed us with. This one appeared after a rainstorm and was a double rainbow which I haven’t seen too often. Part of the second one is visible in the photo.

Here are some of His eternal provisions:

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you: I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12.)

“He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).

“He said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

These are just a few of the many thousands of promises in the Bible.  Which ones are your favorites?



Saturday, August 16, 2014

Interstate Parking Lot

by Barbara Latta

This week I traveled to visit relatives and inevitably I ran into road construction. I don’t think there is a road in the country that is not being repaired or replaced because I find them everywhere I go. 

A little delay is always expected and can be put up with for a time. It’s when it really cuts into our schedule that our patience is tested. I ran into a total resurfacing of a major interstate which caused all traffic to be funneled into one lane. It is August. It was hot. I had a dog in the car with me. Need I say more?

I didn’t know how to take an alternative route so I was stuck. All traffic completely stopped for over an hour. There was nothing to do but put the car in park and wait.

There is a positive. I HAD stopped a few miles back for a restroom break. Thankfully.

It is so easy to become frustrated, irritated, angry and impatient when faced with these situations. I’ll admit I did my share of grumbling. But obviously that didn’t change the circumstances.

So what to do to try to make the best of it?

1.     We can count the dead bugs on the windshield.
2.    Memorize the license plates on the cars in front of us.
3.    Watch cloud formations and decide what they look like.
4.    Read the vehicle owner’s manual.
5.    Find out what’s been stuffed in the car’s console.

The best way to use this wonderful time the Highway Department has given us is to use it to chat with our Heavenly Father and thank Him that we are safe, we are not in an accident, and that the road IS being worked on and will soon be a smooth, hole-free surface to glide on at 70 mph.

While sitting still, that sounds like light speed.

It’s not easy to wait on anything, but if we remember the future benefits, it makes it more bearable.


What have you had to wait on recently and how did you handle it? Share your thoughts.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

Unless you have had your head in the sand for the past few weeks, you know what is going on in the Middle East. Hamas continues its venomous tirades against Israel accusing this peaceful country of intimidation and terror.

It staggers the imagination how anyone with any sense cannot see that a terrorist organization who constantly barrages another country with missiles can be defended by other governments of the world. And more sadly to me, that the United States of America is not supporting Israel.

 It is astounding that some in our government stand with a group whose only purpose in existing is to murder, terrorize, and try to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. The speeches given by officials may contain a few phrases reflecting Israel’s right to defend itself, but they are over ridden by the sympathetic tones toward Hamas. Even former high ranking government officials are promoting recognizing Hamas as a legitimate government organization.

The Bible tells us these things will happen in the last days, but that doesn't mean we have to stand by and do nothing. It is up to us to take a stand for what is right and defend the nation God used to bring the Savior of the world to us. That is the crux of the matter. Satan hates Israel because God created it and because that nation brought us Jesus. He whispers his lies into the minds of uninformed people and twists the truth to try to bring about Israel’s demise.

We can stand with Israel by staying in contact with our elected officials and letting them know we are dissatisfied with the way our government’s attitude about this crisis is being handled.
You can also help Israel through organizations like www.wallbuilders.com, or www.cufi.org.


What about you? Will you take a stand and help?
Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Grab A Sandwich

by Barbara Latta

August is National Sandwich Month so grab some bread, fixin’s, chips and pickles and enjoy.

While you are munching on your delectable goody, ponder the thing that holds all that grub together. Two pieces of bread.

Jesus told His disciples that He was the Bread of life (John 6:35). He was trying to get them to understand that feeding on Him would sustain them more than physical food. When we eat, we eventually get hungry again. But feeding on Jesus satisfies in a way that makes you full, yet you want more. Not because you are hungry again, but because it is so good.

Jesus is the Bread that holds us together. When life seems to be falling apart, we can put ourselves inside the Bread of life for a spiritual sandwich. He is on all sides of us keeping all the pieces in perfect order.

So,what’s your favorite sandwich? Mine is a bacon, lettuce, and tomato with crispy bacon, romaine lettuce, and the reddest, ripest tomato I can find. Sometimes a side of avocado goes along too.


Join in and share your favorites.