When the Thunder Speaks

Growing up I spent a ton of time at my nanny's house, especially during the summer. Her front porch is where we made memories. I can remember going outside before a storm and listening to the thunder and watching the lightening in the distance. She would always say "when it thunders that means God is talking." Well it wasn't until today while I was listening to the thunder with my baby boy that I realized when God speaks it is like thunder.

Bravo, God, bravo!

Gods and all angels shout, "Encore!" 

In awe before the glory,

in awe before God's visible power. 

Stand at attention! 

Dress your best to honor him!

God thunders across the waters, 

Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness-

God, across the flood waters.

God's thunder smashes cedars, God topples the northern cedars. 

The mountain ranges skip like spring colts, 

The high ridges jump like wild kid goats.

God's thunder spits fire. 

God thunders, the wilderness quakes; 

He makes the desert of Kadesh shake. 

God's thunder sets the oak trees dancing 

A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches. 

We fall to our knees- we call out, "Glory!" 

Above all the flood waters is God's throne

from which his power flows,

from which he rules the world. 

God makes his people strong. 

God gives his people peace.

Psalm 29 MSG 

This amazing scripture describes how powerful God's voice is. When he speaks you can't help but listen and you won't forget it. You may ask how do you know when God is speaking to you? God speaks to you when you call out to him, when you pray to him, and seek his face. He comes to you when you want him. He is always there. We should expect God to speak to us. He always has something to say about the situation you are going through. It can be real easy for Gods voice to be drowned out by worldly things such as the TV, cellphone, or even people. When we are expecting God to speak to us we will always be listening and waiting for Him to. The more that we spend time reading Gods word and getting to know Him on a personal level the more that you and God will talk. When God becomes your best friend you talk like best friends, its the most incredible feeling in the world! 

David was in awe of God's power just like we should be. This scripture proves how powerful God is and how when He speaks trees crumble and mountains move. God can be a mighty God with a strong voice but God can also speak in a still voice, a whisper.

Then He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord's presence."

At that moment, the Lord passed by, 

A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains 

and was shattering cliffs before the Lord,

but the Lord was not in the wind.

After the wind there was another earthquake, 

but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 

After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. 

And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. 

When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle 

and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

1 Kings 19:11-13

In this scripture God comes to Elijah strong showing His power but speaks to Elijah in a calm voice, showing Him that He is calm God who can speak in whispers. When you hear God whisper to you don't second guess it, listen to it and take action. Like a father God speaks strongly when He needs to and whispers when the time is right. 

Don't ignore God's voice. Call out to Him, and he WILL answer. Your father loves you and longs to talk to you! 

His Daughter, 

       Starla Conroy 

Photo: Trace Vining 

 

Choose Joy!

Joy! What is joy? Joy is something that is deep within and stays. As a Christian joy is a good feeling. It is something that will reflect when others see you, a contagious type of emotion. Its something that is hard to disappear. I love seeing the joy my child has when his daddy and I play and laugh with him, his personalitly is so contagious!

As a Christian joy is a fruit that God says we should produce in our daily life.

Galatians 5:22- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

So where can you find this joy? Joy is found in spending time in Gods presence. To have joy we must have God. I love what the book Radical Growth says: "Researchers found that the most joyful Christians have four specific characteristics: 1. A feeling of being forgiven, 2. Forgiving others, 3. A feeling of life purpose, 4. A strong sense of gratitude." She goes on to say that "joy is directly linked to accomplishment. When we accomplish what we set out to do, we experience deep satisfaction. When we live the life we were created to live, we will experience joy! If you lack joy, you usually lack purpose. But purpose looks different in the Kingdom of Heaven. It's not what we have, who we know, or who knows us, but rather it is an ability to see our life from heavens perspective and agree with that perspective." As a Christian we should be able to find joy in all situations because we should look at the situation from Gods perspective. Ask yourself; "How would God react?" or "What would Jesus do?" I always end up changing my thinking when I ask myself these questions. The great thing about being able to find joy in all situations is that the joy will shine and be contagious to others! When we aren't joyful we end up bringing others down and get called a "joy sucker."
When we see life through Gods perspective it is impossible not to have joy because joy is found in God!

I receive so much joy when I worship our amazing God. The lyrics that He gives artist to write speak to my heart and I can't help but to praise Him and rejoice (joy) for all that He has done in my life. I feel so loved when I cry out to Him. When we worship Him He comes down and wraps us tightly, its honestly the best feeling in the world! It is unexplainable. It gives me joy!

God gives us blessings everyday but sometimes the devil will work hard to hide them and try to steal your joy but don't let him!
John 15:16 MSG says "You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you." 
Ask God to show you the blessing that he gives you! Ask God to give you joy! He keeps his word; search and you will find!

So I challenge you to choose joy! Choose God!

Joy comes when we seek God.

If you find yourself lacking joy, spend time with God, invite the Holy Spirit to come and He will give you that joy you lack. Ask Him to show you what your purpose is. Change your perspective and see things through Gods eyes.

Seeking joy is a choice, I pray that is what you choose.

I love each of you and I can't wait to see that joy shining bright!

Starla Conroy

LOVE this joyful child!