Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Abundance

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

"The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what He tells you. And that's it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it's good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 MSG

Because God answers Solomon's prayer for wisdom, people far and wide seek his wisdom, each bringing gifts of gold, silver, jewels, spices, chariots, horses, and more, year after year. This is an era of extraordinary abundance. King Solomon surpasses all the kings of the earth in wisdom and wealth. His vast inventory is full of gifts from merchants and explorers, kings and queens and governors of surrounding countries. Despite God's enormous blessings, in later life Solomon, in disobedience, also loves many foreign women, builds altars for their idols, and offers sacrifices to the false gods.

Most Bible scholars credit Solomon with writing Ecclesiastes, a book that examines the meaning of life. Likely a series of reflections toward the end of his life, Solomon shares his understanding of life based on his myriad of experiences; he creates a roadmap for others searching for meaning in the world. His final conclusion is simple: Honor God and obey Him. Creator of all, I search the alleys and highways, the valleys and mountain tops for MORE! In times of boredom and celebration, emptiness and abundance, I constantly seek to satisfy the deepest place within my soul. Count me alive in Christ. Jesus is True Abundance. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Prayer

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place.

Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

"Now the LORD has fulfilled His promise that He made. For I have risen in the place of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and I have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 1 Kings 8:20 ESV

In Solomon's Prayer to dedicate the Temple, he proclaims that there is no other God, reminding Israel to walk in obedience with the one true God. Solomon exalts God's faithfulness, acknowledging He is without limits, both near and far, present and infinite. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You; how much less this house that I have built! Solomon's words demonstrate his understanding that God's presence is not just in the Temple; God chooses to dwell among His people.

Giving a variety of concerns the people can bring to God, Solomon dedicates the Temple to be a place of prayer, a place that God's invisible presence dwells as He listens to the prayers of His people, a place where God's name is to be honored. God relentlessly loves His people. Infinite God, my prayers rise like incense. You hear them wherever I am when I shout in frustration, tremble in fear, groan in desperation, whisper in doubt, argue in rebellion, weep in regret. Count me alive in Christ. Hear the prayers of all who call on the name of the true God. ~ dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

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“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Glory

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

"[the LORD said] 'I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel'... [Solomon] was seven years in building [the Temple].'

1 Kings 6:13,38b ESV

Beginning in Solomon's fourth year as king, God tasks Solomon with building the Temple. The Temple takes seven years to complete. With no expenses spared, the Temple rests on Mt. Moriah in Jerusalem, a city that becomes the center of religious and civil decisions. Consisting of an outer court, the holy place and the Most Holy Place, the Temple holds the silver, gold and vessels dedicated by David. A vast storehouse for the treasuries, The Temple is built to the Glory of God.

Lastly, the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD is put in place in the Most Holy Place. When the priests come out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD... for the glory of the LORD filled this place. The cloud represents God's presence with His people. After the resurrection of Christ, the Holy Spirit becomes His presence within each believer. God, generation after generation, You dwell among Your children. You are the Keeper of Promises. Let my efforts nourish the hungry, empower the helpless, encourage the broken, and listen to the whispers of those society ignores. Count me alive in Christ. May the Glory always be Yours! ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Repentance

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

"My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God; You will not reject a humble and repentant heart.” Psalm 51:17 GNT

David, a poet, musician, shepherd, soldier and king, is brave, humble, obedient, and faithful to God. Scripture gives examples where David tells lies, commits adultery, and sanctions murder. Above all, David is chosen and beloved by God. Sin always creates a chasm between man and God. For David this is also true; however, there is no sin that exceeds God’s forgiveness.

David’s repentant heart cries out to God, “For I recognize my shameful deeds – they haunt me day and night.” Sin not only creates irreversible consequences but interrupts our intimate relationship with God. Repentance recognizes the sin and gives voice to the heart’s desire to change. God hears the repentant heart! Holy God, I wait among my brokenness, my disillusionment, my recklessness, my impulsiveness, my rebellion. In my confession, I recognize I fractured our relationship. Forgive me! Let me try again. Count me alive in Christ. Renew my joy in Your Presence. ~dho 

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

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“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Confession

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2       

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

“So the LORD sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: 2 Samuel 12:1-14 NLT

Nathan, the prophet for King David, tells him a story. Assuming it true, David becomes outraged at the betrayer in this story, says the man deserves to die! Nathan’s replies, “You are that man!” He speaks God’s message of anointing and protecting and empowering David, and reveals the consequences of David’s destructive choices. David then confesses, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

God forgives David of his sins of adultery and murder, his arrogance and insensitivity, but God also allows the irreversible consequences of David’s behavior. Still, God has more for David to accomplish. With David’s confession and repentance comes God’s forgiveness. Often the hardest sin to recognize is our own. How good that God gives us faithful friends to help us recognize the truth about our choices! How generous is God’s forgiveness! Faithful Father, I must disappoint You with my casual indifference, my cruel remarks, my carnal interests, my caustic judgments. In these moments I ignore, betray, and destroy relationships with others and with You. I create irreversible consequences. Count me alive in Christ. I confess my sins, and You offer me forgiveness. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”

Preparing for Easter ~ Place of Perspective

[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from everlasting to everlasting  Psalm 90:1-2  

During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]

“Then David went into the Tabernacle and sat before the Lord and prayed. ‘O Lord God, why have you showered Your blessings on such an insignificant person as I am? And now, in addition to everything else, You speak of giving me an eternal dynasty! Such generosity is far beyond any human standard!’” 2 Samuel 7:18-29 TLB

After David hears God’s kingdom plans, he goes into the Tabernacle to offer prayer and praises. Spending time with God, David opens his heart praising God’s greatness, goodness, and generosity, thanking God for his extraordinary power, purpose and promise. In this prayer, David declares God’s blessings from choosing the people of Israel as His own to God’s promise of a forever kingdom. David does not completely understand how God’s promise will unfold, but he trusts that the blessings and promises of God have a greater purpose that will endure.

In God’s presence, David pours out his heart with gratitude and humility. He speaks with reverence about the Sovereignty and faithfulness of God. David accepts God’s purpose despite God saying no to his own desire to build a Temple. When we go into the presence of God, let us pray with trusting hearts. Sovereign Lord, there is a sweetness in Your presence. How good it is to rest with Your promises. Hallelujahs for Grace overflow my soul! When I long for better, You continue to offer me best! Count me alive in Christ. May Your desires be mine. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2014 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author

Breathing Room For My Soul (blog) Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

“May you be blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”