How do you remember important information? Do you add it in your notes on your phone, or hang a sticky note? Have you scribbled something on your hand; so, it would be a close, constant reminder? God has done something similar for us! In Isaiah 49, God encourages His people who have been through a tough time that He has promised to remember them! He has inscribed them on His hands! His children are important to Him. God is forever faithful! In His faithful, perfect nature, He is incapable of forgetting His children, and our needs. If you’re going through a situation where you’re starting to wonder if maybe God could have forgotten you, or your need, rest in the truth that He remembers you, and your need, and loves you very much! Perhaps, we should write THAT on OUR hands!

My favorite hand cream is the Shea Butter Hand Cream from Arbonne! If you want to check it out, here’s the link to my website: http://RocsannCarlisle.arbonne.com

Psalm 61:4 says, “Let me dwell in Your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!”

“Home” is an ongoing theme in our lives. Over the past year, our parsonage has been in some phase of repairing and remodeling that all began with a leak last Spring. Our church has graciously taken care of our house in a beautiful way! Our family has decluttered, organized, decorated, dreamed, designed, made decisions…all while I’ve fiercely tried to nest a place for us to land, rest, be refreshed, grow, fellowship, have fun, celebrate, comfort, and enjoy one another! This process has simply led us longing for home!

In a Google search for the definition of home, I found the following: “the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.” What’s funny is that we all want an earthly home, but none of these earthly buildings we toil over will be long-lasting. God has allowed us to long for home, because He wants us to long for Him!

In Psalm 84 the writer was longing for the presence of the LORD! Psalm 84:3 says, “Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.” Like the birds in the Psalm, we find our protection and provision in God with us. Holy Spirit dwells in us when we’ve trusted Jesus as our Savior and LORD! Our houses are tents! Our bodies are tents! Our home is in Jesus, and, one day, in Heaven where we’ll “live permanently, especially as a member of a family!” I just love that!!

You might want to read all of Psalm 84, II Peter 1:12-15, and II Corinthians 3:17-5:10!

While we’re on Earth, let’s dwell in Him and He in us; set our hearts on pilgrimage toward Home (Psalm 84:5;) find our protection, provision, and rest in Him; and tell everyone around us about Home (Jesus!) Hopefully, they’ll come to Home with us! Let’s use our earthly tents to glorify God, and help others long for Home!

If you’re longing for Jesus, and want help trusting Him as your LORD and Savior, I’m glad to message with you!

Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Light is warm, and beautiful! As a pastor’s wife, I’ve lived in six houses in sixteen years. While nesting each house to create a home, I’ve displayed a teapot-shaped lamp. It was gifted to me many Christmases ago by one of my loving aunts. It’s familiar, cozy, and fancy, but blemished. The spout has been broken and glued many times, but it still shines brilliantly!

Similarly, though not perfect, I’m going to let my Light shine! Matthew 5:13-16 reminds me that I don’t have to be perfect to shine!

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton