A Web walk each day with Peggie through a home called Peggie’s Place! . . . .
Caving…an activity for the well-bodied, in-shape person…NOT a writer-mom, completely OUT of shape, and at the time, celebrating a fifty-something birthday!! But you guessed it–that’s what this crazy woman did that year to celebrate…she went “caving!” Well, I was entertaining a California guest, and where do you take these sun-tanned, beach surfin’ and smogged-out friends, but to the lovely Ozarks hills–in, around, up, down, and UNDER them!! And that’s exactly what we did.
Part of the delightful Ozark scenic attractions in Branson, Missouri, is Silver Dollar City. And part of that great park is Marvel Cave–an exploring experience better “felt than telt”–except for days following, when every muscle in your legs pulls and hurts, and you wonder why in the world you ever took your Ozarkian hospitality to such a LOW level indeed–like 20 stories below the earth’s surface!!
There’s another kind of caving not for the light-hearted; it’s not in the tour book, and you won’t find it on the descriptive map either! It’s hidden deep within the recesses of the heart–NO one else may even know it’s there, but the Lord of ALL caves knows exactly where it is–and best of all, He knows what to do about it. So let’s meet Him at the cave and find out!
C aveless?
No! We’re all either IN a cave right now, about to enter one, about to leave one, or sitting here writing about one! Caves are a part of the human experience. It’s been the delight of adventurers to discover wonderful caves hidden under the earth’s surface. It is NOT our delight to discover them in our personal lives–but they do exist. Life is not always a sunny, bright adventure, even for the Christian. There are dark times and dark places, deep holes we find ourselves in–emotionally, spiritually, physically, mentally. And ironically, that’s where we get to know the Lord–not in the sunlight, but in the dark–the cave places of our lives–for He IS there, waiting to teach us lessons we would never learn in the light!
A geless?
No! Marvel Cave is very old, and historians cannot pinpoint its exact age, but like other natural wonders, it is an aging part of our earth. Aging is not my favorite topic, especially on a fifty-something birthday…grin…but I am learning that God is there at EVERY season of my life! He’s led me through dark places at EVERY age level–for HE is ageless–He’s been there from before my beginning breath…and will continue to guide me through the nooks and crannies of ALL of life…some spots are slippery and treacherous; some low-hanging rocks could HURT, but He is there, through it all, to lead me by the right path. I must believe it! He’s Lord of the caves. He knows the way through every cave of my life, at every stage of my life–and yours too!
eV erlasting?
No! Marvel Cave had an ending, after a LONG hour of torturous climbing down, around, in, out, and up–we finally, with some end-of-the-line help from a tram, reached ground level once again! Whew! Were we glad the tour ended at last! Life is like that–for just as the natural cave tour ended, there IS an end to the pain–it’s not forever. Our Guide watches–and no step will be too steep, too slippery, or too painful that we cannot make it! It may seem an eternity of caving to you–but it’s all in His plan, and when the time is right, there WILL be an end. There WILL be an exit into the sunlight once again! Believe it–don’t cave in! For He’s Lord of the seemingly endless caves! He KNOWS–you can trust Him!
I lluminated?
No! Marvel Cave was dark–were it not for electrical wiring which made lighting possible. The original explorers used candles or lanterns to pierce the darkness so they could carefully make their way through the cave. Darkness–total darkness–is not fun. They turned off the lights so we could “see” how dark it was–it was DARK, trust me! And that’s how it is many times in our spiritual caving experiences. Pitch black! But–look carefully around, for in the darkness, you will see the LIGHT of the world walking with you–you will know you are not in that dark place ALONE; He is with you, and it is going to be all right! Believe it–don’t cave in! For He’s Lord of the darkest caves and He will light the way–you can trust Him!
N oiseless?
No! At various points, you could listen closely and hear water trickling; at various times of the year, you might even hear the flapping wings of bats–(wonderful, if you like bats!), AND, if you would speak, you’d hear an echo. Have you ever heard one–spiritually? Do echoing words of hurt and pain jab at the silence of your heart, echoing back and forth until you are ready to explode? DON’T–for if you listen closely, within the stillness of your heart, you will hear His gentle voice whispering peace to your soul. His whisper is powerful enough to drown out the loudest voice of your accuser or your unkindest enemy! Believe it–don’t cave in! He’s Lord of the noisy caves, and you can trust Him!
G o on–WITH GOD!
Deep within the cave, as we hit bottom, and moved slightly beyond, was a lovely ceramic manger scene, lowered into the cave, with great difficulty, for the coming Christmas season. We were told that Joseph, weighing 300 pounds, would probably be left there forever! Funny thought–but I know Someone else who will be there–in YOUR cave–and never leave nor forsake you. He goes WITH you on the journey, through the journey until its end. And as Corrie ten Boom once said, “There is no pit so deep that God is not there.”
So what to do? DON’T cave in–Go ON, for HE, the Lord of the Caves, is there, caving right along with you–surrounding you, above you, beneath you, beside you. You are never alone–He walks the darkest, deepest cave with you. Why? Because He is God Immanuel–God with us–and THAT includes the caves of our lives! He knows the way out of the cave you are in today–so please–DON’T cave in–CLIMB OUT–with HIM–He IS the way, and you can trust Him!
Scripture: Read Psalm 139:1-24 .
Prayer: “Lord, on the days when I am ready to cave in, be my Guide! Help me through the dark places of my life to know Your presence, to feel Your love. Give me strength to endure, and even a “joy for the journey” as I walk with You. I know You are teaching me lessons in the dark I would never learn in the light. Help me to trust You when I cannot see; to know You are with me always–even unto the end of the world, but especially THIS week! In Jesus Name, Amen.”
Featured YouTube link: “Through It All” – Bill Gaither and Homecoming Friends
–Copyright 2012 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, MO 65803. All rights reserved.
–Find more devotionals by Peggie at The Devotional Buffet.
–Peggie’s HOME page . . . . Fun ‘n Faith blog archives.
NOTE: Please feel free to forward this devotional to friends, family and foes! All are welcome!
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Now featuring at Peggie’s Place!
Coming soon: PapaQuest: Looking for the Perfect Dad – Father’s Day at Peggie’s Place!
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Daily humor and inspiration
Visit the “Tickles ‘n Truth” archives!
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MEN AND WOMEN
(We still love you, guys, but THIS is funny!)
WOMEN
Women are honest, loyal, and forgiving. They are smart, knowing that
knowledge is power. But they still know how to use their softer side to make a point. Women want to be the best for their family, their friends, and themselves. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They have sorrow at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. A woman can make a romantic evening unforgettable.
Women come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes. They live in homes,
apartments and cabins. They drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how
much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world spin!
Women do more than just give birth. They bring joy and hope. They give
compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends. And all they want back
is a hug, a smile and for you to do the same to people you come in contact with.
MEN
Men are good at lifting heavy stuff and killing spiders.
–Thanks to Good, Clean Fun.
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Today’s Scripture readings:
One Year Bible Blog
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–Please feel free to forward “Fun ‘n Faith” to friends and family.
–Have a great day serving the Lord!
–Archived sources used throughout this blog: Tickles ‘n Truth archives . . . The Virtual Chocolate Shop
5*-places to visit at Peggie’s Place: Tickles ‘n Truth HOME . . . The Devotional Buffet
All the rooms at Peggie’s Place!
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–Fun ‘n Faith for the Soul blog (formerly Fun ‘n Faith Friday/Fun ‘n Faith newsletter) is a weekday feature and an extension of the ministry of Peggie’s Place, a non-commercial website. Subscribe with NewsReader or by email. You may also follow this blog through Networkedblogs.com.
–All Scriptures on this blog are from the King James Version of The Holy Bible unless otherwise designated. Please excuse any and all inadvertent omissions.
–Quote credits: Mikey’s Funnies and/or Walking with Jesus Ministries unless otherwise sourced or not given. Should you have original (or other) source information for these or any other quote, photo, graphic or article copyrighted and/or not properly credited or from which I should obtain permission, please notify me so I may receive permission/give proper credit to the original source. Alternately, I will be glad to remove it upon request.
–Please note that this updated footer info also applies to previous posts of this Fun ‘n Faith for the Soul blog, including Fun ‘n Faith Friday, and/or its original Fun ‘n Faith newsletter. Please refer to Peggie’s Place footer for any additional statements and information.
–Copyright 2012 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, MO. All rights reserved.
