Lamps and Lamplighter

I am sitting in the middle of Lake Michigan (not exactly the middle) on Mackinac Island at the Grand Hotel. I am speaking for the Winsome Women conferences and having a wonderful time. The hotel serves up delicious meals – and desserts. They serve a pecan covered vanilla ice cream ball with fudge…to die for. I have resisted temptation and will order mine on the last evening – otherwise they’ll need a forklift to get me on the ferry. (You can only get here by ferry or tiny airplane.)

The theme this year has been, Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  I’m sharing the ministry with Thelma Wells, Laura Story and Frank Runyeon.

This morning I was up early and thinking over that verse. I turned to Psalm 18 since it is the 18th of May (!) which is one of my favorites – if you read it you must picture it in your imagination. Unbelievable what God does in answer to our cries, whimpers even our sighs. Read it! But tucked with all the dramatic scenery is verse 28, “You (God) light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.”

So many ways we can go with that. This great, awesome God stoops to light my lamp. He takes care of the details for me. When I am hurting so badly and cannot even turn on the light, He’s got it covered.

God is the light. He gives of himself to us when we cry for help. He doesn’t send a substitute. Read again how He gathers Himself up to answer our cries. He lets nothing stand in His way. He is there for us.

He lights up the darkness. How? With Himself. He’s all we need. His grace is sufficient. For everything.

Thank you for praying for my father. He is very weak and the doctor has said that only the 5 children can visit him for the next two weeks.  get home and get Greg squared away with his doctor appointments, I’ll go to see him. Keep praying.

6 replies
  1. Nicole Hilliard
    Nicole Hilliard says:

    Father,

    I ask that You would speak to Dr. Graham and send Your healing presence to comfort and heal him. I pray that Dr. Graham would be permitted to give his final sermon. Renew his strength and let Your voice be heard through him, as a light that shines brightly in the darkness. Thank you for his life and the gift that he is. Thank you for the legacy this family has left on this world, in Your name. Bless, comfort and protect each of them. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen

    Reply
  2. Marlene Palser
    Marlene Palser says:

    Oh, you seem so close to Eau Claire… wish I could buzz up to Mackinac Island and hear you speak! Thank you for the encouraging words from Psalm 18. I checked it out in The Message: verses 28-29 “Suddenly, God, you floodlight my life;
    I’m blazing with glory, God’s glory!
    I smash the bands of marauders,
    I vault the highest fences.”
    Now I am picturing you vaulting high fences… all those fences that try to keep us locked in a tiny area, missing the joy, love, strength, guidance, glory and freedom found only in God! So over the fences you go, Ruth, vaulting into God’s floodlight!
    We continue to pray for your husband, your father, and your entire family.
    Enjoy the vault,
    Marlene

    Reply
  3. Natalie hesselink
    Natalie hesselink says:

    Thank u so much for being here. I came in a group of 17, and God spoke to so many of us thru you. You have been a blessing. Thank you. ( and so glad u r enjoying our little island- I live just 15 minutes from here- I love this place.)

    Reply
  4. Kathryn Duke
    Kathryn Duke says:

    thanks so much for your blog….your life has been an encouragement to me…thanks for sharing the ROUGH times…still enjoying re-reading Devotional “Fear Not”…

    Blessings,
    Kathy

    Reply
  5. Kathi
    Kathi says:

    Yes all is well…still on a wonderful healing journey myself with our most faithful ABBA (father). I have been to Mackinac Island when I was in Wisconsin as an exchange student. Such a beautiful quaint place. I even have some photos of myself outside the Grand Hotel. I hope the conference went well. In fact the Lifekeys conference is happening this weekend here in Australia – fond memories with you here that year. I will continue to pray for you and your family.
    Take care.
    Much love, Kathi x

    Reply

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