Carmen Horne

New Lens, New Life

You Can’t Plan Life

by 4 Comments

Picture illustrating someone writing in a planner to plan life

The devo below from “Jesus Calling” reminds me of advice my mom gave me so many times. “Carmen, you can’t plan life. No matter how hard you try.” Y’all, I try hard. Way too hard. Mom and I had different personalities. She was not a planner, and it served her well…most of the time. 

I am learning to trust more. I want to stop the craziness of strategizing (and visualizing) every negative impact to mitigate it. I. Me. What in the whirl? Fear. Pride. Arrogance. Distrust. I’m still working with the Holy Spirit to sort it out. I am so thankful that in Jesus, there is no condemnation. He loves, corrects, forgives, empowers, leads, and loves some more. He knows our hearts. It’s all about our heart.

So, if you are like me and keep struggling with some hard stuff, remember that Jesus sets us free to stay free. He has committed Himself to help us. We do not carry this burden alone.

“I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you [will continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of his return]. Philippians 1:6, AMP

“God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him.” Philippians 2:13, CEV

Friend, that’s shouting grounds, right there! God is working in us to grow us, and He ain’t givin’ up. 

Through it all, through it all
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus
I’ve learned to trust in God
Through it all, through it all
I’ve learned to depend upon his word. ~ Ray Boltz “Through it All”

P.S. I have discovered this about all my mitigation measures. When faced with the situation, I usually do something completely different than the plan. Mom was right. We can’t plan life.

****************
September 17
JESUS CALLING


YOU WILL NOT FIND MY PEACE by engaging in excessive planning, attempting to control what will happen to you in the future. That is a commonly practiced form of unbelief. When your mind spins with multiple plans, Peace may sometimes seem to be within your grasp; yet it always eludes you. Just when you think you have prepared for all possibilities, something unexpected pops up and throws things into confusion.

I did not design the human mind to figure out the future. That is beyond your capability. I crafted your mind for continual communication with Me. Bring Me all your needs, your hopes, and fears. Commit everything into My care. Turn from the path of planning to the path of Peace.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

—1 Peter 5:6–7
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. 
—Proverbs 16:9
Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. 
—Psalm 37:5 nkjv




A Prayer of Comfort For Anxious Times

by 2 Comments

As I type this, we are in our first full day of a national emergency. Who would have thought that the nation would be struggling to maintain toilet paper inventories? 

We are also in a crisis of emotion. Anxiety and fear wait on our porches, and most of us have opened the door wide for them to enter. I resisted the compulsion to turn on our TV this morning. I saw a meme this week that said, “Wash your hands and turn off your tv!”

As I ponder, I wonder how this crisis might be for our good as a people and nation? I am not God (as much as I try to help Him and play jr god), but may I share my thoughts?

A few things I feel confident in declaring

Our nation and our families are facing the challenge of learning essential steps in emergency preparedness, and our hearts are more in tune with the knowledge that we are not in control. Both of these will help in the next challenges we face. And, there will be future challenges.  

It also seems that in times of crisis, we seek conversation with the One we know has sovereign control. This drawing to God is always a good and welcoming experience. We need our Abba Father more than ever, right?

With the Holy Spirit leading, I want to offer you a prayer to build our faith as we take steps to build our supplies and knowledge. 

Heavenly Father,

I look to those in places of power and ask myself — does my help come from them? Lord, my help comes from You. You are the Creator of heaven and earth.  As I turn to You, Lord, the One who never sleeps, I am assured that although I am shaken, I am not overwhelmed. The health and economic challenges I face will not cause me or my family to slip into fear and anxiety. You, Lord, Yourself, watch over us! We gather under Your protective shade. The heat of trials nor the darkness of despair will destroy us. You, Lord, keep us from all harm and protect our life. Based on Your Word, I believe and declare that You, our Sovereign God, will protect us, both now and forever! Amen!

{Based on Psalm 121}

Take a deep breath. We are okay. We will weather this storm under our Father’s umbrella and be wiser and more compassionate. As we love our neighbors, we experience love as God intends. 

Blessings, my friend,