Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Approval

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place.  Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

 “After His baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on Him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with Him.’” 

Matthew 3:16-17 NLT

At the baptism of Jesus, Scripture tells us that God is well pleased with His Son, the Spirit rests on Him. The Trinity stands together before us in these ancient words, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of His earthly ministry. With miracles of healing and teaching with authority, Jesus brings a new perspective to sin and forgiveness. Jesus comes to offer Grace. God approves! 

The Trinity, God in three persons, defies our finite intellect, but seeking approval is something most all desire. Too often we seek applause from the world instead of Jesus. Forgiveness Undeserved rescues us; Compassion Unmatched heals us. With unfailing Love, this mighty God calls us to be His children. Lord, my hunger for approval from the world magnifies my human weakness. Still, Grace stands before me willing and waiting, eager and endless, mending and mercy-full. There is holiness in Your presence. Count me alive in Christ. God approves! - dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

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“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Surrender

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place.  Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:28-35

Visitation by God’s angel, Jesus coming to dwell among humanity, and conception by the supernatural power of God exceeds common experiences. According to prophecy, the anticipated Messiah enters the world from David’s descendants. Jesus enters without royal fanfare. The mystery of the virgin birth cannot be explained scientifically; rather, by faith we can embrace this spiritually. Although Mary does not fully understand, she surrenders to God’s plan, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever He wants.”

Enduring unexpected circumstances, trusting in God’s promises and the presence of the Holy Spirit giving life to wordless prayers can become our common experiences. Jesus comes to us. He reaches through difficulty and rises above uncertainty. The Holy One does not choose a royal crown; rather, He wears a crown of thorns. Son of God, Your kingdom will never end. You are majesty and mystery, glory and grace, worthy and willing, King of all kings. Count me alive in Christ. I surrender, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever You desire.” -dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Place in History

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place.  Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

“This is the record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of King David and Abraham:” Matthew 1:1 NLT

For centuries, prophets deliver the Lord’s decrees to prepare, instruct, discipline, and encourage the people of Israel. In times of disobedience, crisis, war, famine, captivity, and in times of celebration, peace and abundance, God’s presence dwells with to those who seek Him. Then, a period of 400 years of silence passes as the people continue to wait for the coming of the promised Messiah. In the decades leading up to the Messiah's birth, Rome controls Jerusalem, and its own Herod the Great rules Judah, while Cleopatra rules Egypt. Matthew’s record of the ancestors from Abraham to the Messiah reveals God’s Promise arrives through a diversity of peoples, generation by generation.

Some of the ancestors are heroes of faith while others are outcasts; some are simply ordinary people, and others leave a trail of sinfulness. God is not limited by time or place, race or gender, nor is His work limited by human frailty. He is a God of forgiveness and new beginnings. God calls each of us to be a part of His Master Plan. God, sometimes I must wait through the seemingly endless silence. When I want to rush ahead, give me patience to endure, faith to trust, and wisdom to listen. Count me alive in Christ. Give this ordinary person extraordinary possibilities. -dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Places of Blessings

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place.  Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

“And how blessed all those in whom You live, whose lives become roads You travel; They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! Psalm 84:5-6 MSG

This Psalm begins, “How lovely are Your dwelling places, O LORD!” Immediately we sense beauty and peace in the presence of God. In reading Psalm 84, the calm without chaos reveals the world’s busyness; the joy inside the praises draws us into His presence. Our spirits find blessing after blessing as we linger, as we pray, as we worship the Living God.

Our journey with Jesus is a pilgrimage that takes us to mountain tops of joy, through valleys of sorrow, around and through unmapped territory that challenges our faith. Experiences chase us through lush forests into barren deserts where joy meets sorrow, laughter greets tears, and celebrations complete difficulties. Along all these paths, we always discover places of blessing when God abides with us. Lord, Your Glory lights my path. Whether I feel as if I am drowning or dodging, dancing or drifting, how lovely are Your dwelling places! Count me alive in Christ. Traveling with You, I go from strength to strength. - dho

Preparing for Easter ~ 3rd Sunday in Lent ~ God's Abiding Presence, Shekinah Glory

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place.  Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

The deepest longing of the human heart and the deepest

meaning of heaven and earth are summed up in this; the glory of God.

John Piper

[LORD says] “Take courage … and work, for I am with you. As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, ‘My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!’ … in a little while I am going to shake the heavens and the earth… The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former, and in this place I will give peace.” Haggai 2:4-9 NASB

Shekinah, a Hebrew word meaning dwelling, describes God’s visible presence in the world. Reference to God’s Glory, or His dwelling place, merge with such physical manifestations as a burning bush, a pillar of cloud, a pillar of fire, the Ark of the Covenant, the Tent of Meeting, the Tabernacle, the Mercy Seat, the Most Holy Place. To fulfill His plan to dwell with the people becomes the primary purpose of the Temple in the Old Testament. Despite God’s protection and blessings for Israel, their repeated disobedience creates destruction, and only emptiness remains when the glory of God departs the Temple. Shekinah Glory emphasizes God’s plan to dwell among His people and defines the intimate relationship God desires with us.

After King Solomon dies in 931 BC, the United Kingdom of Israel is divided into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). Prophets warn of destruction without obedience to the one true God. The Assyrians conquer Israel, and Babylon will take the people of Judah into captivity, destroying Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. After 70 years, the Jews begin their return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the Temple and the city of Jerusalem.  Prophets encourage the people to focus on God. Working through His people, God says, “Take courage … and work, for I am with you,” but this time He offers a future glory that will be greater. The Messiah will become Shekinah glory, God’s visible presence in the world. God of Glory, find me wordless of such unimagined generosity and undeserved grace.  Count me alive in Christ. Let Your presence dwell within me. - dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Abundance

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

"The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what He tells you. And that's it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it's good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 MSG

Because God answers Solomon's prayer for wisdom, people far and wide seek his wisdom, each bringing gifts of gold, silver, jewels, spices, chariots, horses, and more, year after year. This is an era of extraordinary abundance. King Solomon surpasses all the kings of the earth in wisdom and wealth. His vast inventory is full of gifts from merchants and explorers, kings and queens and governors of surrounding countries. Despite God's enormous blessings, in later life Solomon, in disobedience, also loves many foreign women, builds altars for their idols, and offers sacrifices to the false gods.

Most Bible scholars credit Solomon with writing Ecclesiastes, a book that examines the meaning of life. Likely a series of reflections toward the end of his life, Solomon shares his understanding of life based on his myriad of experiences; he creates a roadmap for others searching for meaning in the world. His final conclusion is simple: Honor God and obey Him. Creator of all, I search the alleys and highways, the valleys and mountain tops for MORE! In times of boredom and celebration, emptiness and abundance, I constantly seek to satisfy the deepest place within my soul. Count me alive in Christ. Jesus is True Abundance. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Prayer

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place.

Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

"Now the LORD has fulfilled His promise that He made. For I have risen in the place of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and I have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 1 Kings 8:20 ESV

In Solomon's Prayer to dedicate the Temple, he proclaims that there is no other God, reminding Israel to walk in obedience with the one true God. Solomon exalts God's faithfulness, acknowledging He is without limits, both near and far, present and infinite. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You; how much less this house that I have built! Solomon's words demonstrate his understanding that God's presence is not just in the Temple; God chooses to dwell among His people.

Giving a variety of concerns the people can bring to God, Solomon dedicates the Temple to be a place of prayer, a place that God's invisible presence dwells as He listens to the prayers of His people, a place where God's name is to be honored. God relentlessly loves His people. Infinite God, my prayers rise like incense. You hear them wherever I am when I shout in frustration, tremble in fear, groan in desperation, whisper in doubt, argue in rebellion, weep in regret. Count me alive in Christ. Hear the prayers of all who call on the name of the true God. ~ dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Glory

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

"[the LORD said] 'I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel'... [Solomon] was seven years in building [the Temple].'

1 Kings 6:13,38b ESV

Beginning in Solomon's fourth year as king, God tasks Solomon with building the Temple. The Temple takes seven years to complete. With no expenses spared, the Temple rests on Mt. Moriah in Jerusalem, a city that becomes the center of religious and civil decisions. Consisting of an outer court, the holy place and the Most Holy Place, the Temple holds the silver, gold and vessels dedicated by David. A vast storehouse for the treasuries, The Temple is built to the Glory of God.

Lastly, the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD is put in place in the Most Holy Place. When the priests come out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD... for the glory of the LORD filled this place. The cloud represents God's presence with His people. After the resurrection of Christ, the Holy Spirit becomes His presence within each believer. God, generation after generation, You dwell among Your children. You are the Keeper of Promises. Let my efforts nourish the hungry, empower the helpless, encourage the broken, and listen to the whispers of those society ignores. Count me alive in Christ. May the Glory always be Yours! ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”