Reservation Guaranteed

Prepping for Christmas this year meant calling the Honey Baked Ham store and reserving our succulent selection for Christmas dinner. The woman on the phone gave us our reservation number and eagerly informed us that our meal would be ready on the day requested. All of my family loves the flavorful ham that they produce.

This morning we headed out to pick up our reserved items from the local Honey Baked Ham store. Upon entering the parking lot we were shocked at the number of people that were lined up around the store. "Is this for people who have just showed up or do they all have reservations?"

Grudgingly, I got out of the car, bundled up for it was only 27 degrees out and stood in line. Did I mention that it was really cold? An hour later I was inside the store preparing to meet with the girl behind the counter. " I have a reservation for the combo pack", I proudly shared with her. It seemed odd to me that she didn't ask me for the reservation number, but I was just glad to be out of the cold and close to the check out.

A man that was in line behind me started to request his order that had been reserved, when he was told that although he had reserved it, the order had not come in and so they were not able to guarantee his reservation. "We have a similar product that we could offer you", the counter person suggested to him.

Several thoughts began to run through my mind.

When we reserve something, doesn't it mean to set something aside?

• A table that is reserved is for a specific time.
• A hotel room is reserved with the number of beds, preferences and dates.
• Liquid is reserved in a recipe to be used later.
• A reservation is a guarantee.

Of course this reminded me that we have been given a guaranteed reservation

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

Reservations are kept here

Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:27

Have you made your reservation?

Monarch Butterflies

I just watched the most amazing video about the Monarch Butterfly.

 You can watch the video here.

Watching the video, the thing that struck me was that these butterflies migrated like homing pigeons. In a beautiful, mass migration, millions of them return to California and Mexico every winter. 


Monarchs's from North America are the only butterflies that make a 3000 mile journey. These butterflies begin their long travel early each fall to make the trek before the weather turns colder which would kill them if they take too long. When temperatures fall below 55°F it makes it impossible for them to fly. If the temperature drops below 40°F they will be paralyzed.   

I have some questions that I would like to ask these butterflies. 

• Why make the long journey?
• What is so special about returning to California and Mexico?
• What happens if you decide to stay home?
• You only get one round trip what makes this so special?

Butterflies aren't the only creatures to make a long migration trip. 

• The gray whale, migrates about 12,500 miles.
• The desert locust, which travels about 2,800 miles.
• The caribou, which travels about 700 miles.

We too are on a long journey but, Life has a way of taking us off course.

Sometimes it is a gradual slipping from the direction that we were heading, other times it is a sudden change or unexpected jolt that pushes us way off the course that we have pledged to stay on. At times it almost too much to take in. 

Sometimes we forget that we are on a one way trek home to Heaven. 

Remember that you have a home in Heaven.

In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 

Remember that you are a citizen of Heaven

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:20

Remember that there is an inheritance waiting for you.

and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,

 I Peter 1:4

Remember that the journey may require you stay the course.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Live in this today!

 .

Inexpressible Joy!

But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children. Matthew 19:14 NLT


Joy has been said to be different then happiness. Not something that is caused by ones circumstances, but from a deep contentment.  I believe this only comes from knowing the creator. ELOHIM. 


Ann Spangler writes in her book, Praying the Names of God   "we should praise God for His unchanging nature- no matter what happens to us or to the world around us, God remains the same."


Watching the children in Guatemala was like looking into the face of Jesus. Loving brown eyes, soft tender smiles and outstretched arms. They had joy despite their lack of resources and circumstances. 


I believe that when we know the One who created us we can be filled with overflowing with joy. 

He is our joy when;

our bank account is overdrawn

we are filled with grief and sorrow

friends have let us down

a marriage has crumbled

a job has been taken away

nothing else makes sense.

Putting your trust in the one that created you and understands your hurts and disappointments is worth the risk. 

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, I Peter 1:8

Father, I am putting my trust in you.  Elohim, the maker of heaven and earth, the creator of all things.  I crave your joy in the midst of times that are not always easy. Remind me that your joy is constant, never changing always enough,  Jann