I've Moved!

The Scenic Route has moved. You can now find me at www.eileenknowles.com. I am still unpacking and rearranging all the furniture over on the new site but I would love for you to stop by.

And, if you want to continue receiving updates on the most recent blog updates, please don't forget to subscribe.

See you there!

Focus on This

It's Friday and time for another link up with The Gypsy Mama! Five Minute Friday is "a time when we just write for 5 minutes on a specific topic not worrying whether everything is just right." If you would like to join in CLICK HERE.

Topic: Relevant




For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love. Galatians 5:6 Message (emphasis mine)

The most relevant aspect, the most crucial part of our Christian walk, Paul tells us, can be summed up in one word: LOVE

Why then do we attempt to turn it into something else? Why then do we sometimes make it more confusing than it needs to be?

Faith expressed in love.

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22: 37-39 NLT

We love God by trusting him, serving him, obeying him and following him.

We love people by serving them, feeding them, doing life with them, forgiving them.

Love God. Love People.

This is relevant. Focus on this.

My Messy Desk

I was preparing for my ladies bible study this morning and reread these words from Margaret Feinberg while sitting at my desk. "God is in the details, calling out if only I will wait, watch, and listen."

I looked down at my desk and thought...

Even in this God?!
↓

Does your desk ever look like this?

This morning I needed the reminder that God can even be found in the clutter on my desk. My job is to...

wait for Him
watch for Him
listen for Him

Put God in charge of your work,
then what you've planned will take place. (Proverbs 16:3 Message)

The Naked Bandwagon

Sometimes, I have weird dreams. My dreams will often have a Matrix or Alice in Wonderland feel to them. Last night I experienced one of these dreams. I can only remember bits and pieces of it.

The overriding theme of last night's dream was...brace yourselves...walking around naked. I was going through my day with a bunch of other naked people. Let me assure you, I did not take any happy pills before going to bed last night...not even Benadryl.

If you know me personally (in real life), you would know I would not be the first one to jump on the naked bandwagon. If I was bored on a summer afternoon, I wouldn't be the first one to suggest to my group of friends that we go find a nude beach to hang out at for the day. Nope...not me.

But, in my dream, I was completely content being naked. I was encouraging others to be content with their nakedness.

See, I told you it was a weird dream.

But, the more I think about this dream, the more I realize the theme makes perfect sense. Because the one thing I am passionate about, is building a community around being open and vulnerable. Despite all our blemishes and imperfections, there is beauty found in living life naked and completely exposed. There is freedom in this way of life. So, in a sense, I would be the first to jump on the naked bandwagon.

I don't mind sharing my struggles if it will encourage someone else. In fact, I love sharing with others where I used to be and where I am now. I love sharing the journey of how God took one broken life and put it back together. And, it all starts and ends with being naked before an all-knowing God.

So, is there any flaw in your life that you are covering up and pretending doesn't exist?

What are you running or hiding from?

Let me encourage you to bring whatever you might be struggling with out into the light. There's incredible healing found when we become willing to strip off our masks of perfection and share our weaknesses with others!

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. (Ephesians 5:13)

A Continuous Gaze

"Faith is not a once-done act, but a continuous gaze of the heart at the Triune God. Believing, then, is directing the hearts' attention to Jesus. It is lifting the mind to "behold the Lamb of God," and never ceasing that beholding for the rest of our lives." ~AW Tozer

Share A Song Monday

It's Monday. Time for another edition of Share A Song Monday! The tune I'm choosing this week was inspired by things I saw and heard over the weekend.

On Saturday, I encountered a lost sheep. If you missed it, you can read about it here.

On Sunday, I heard a message at church. Here are some things the pastor shared with us as we studied the first chapter in the Book of Ruth.

"When we wander away the right move is to return."

"If God's been heavy handed...don't reject him...rely on Him."

"If necessary, God will empty us in order to see us return to Him."

One of the verses, we read was Psalm 37:3 "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture."

I've chosen to share Tricia Brock's song "You Are My Shepherd."




Now it's your turn! What song are humming today? What song is filling your heart? I would love to hear it. Please share a link in the comments section.

The Lost Sheep

An odd thing happened on the way home from the grocery store this morning. I encountered a lost sheep. I haven't been able to get the image out of my head all day.

As I turned off one rural road and onto another, I almost missed him standing there on the opposite side of the road near the woods. He stood motionless. I stopped my car in the middle of the road and watched him. Was it a statue? After a few seconds his head moved and he looked around briefly.

What was a sheep doing here?

I wasn't quite sure how to handle the situation. I contemplated pulling off the road and going to the sheep, but what would I do once I got to him? How would he respond if I even attempted to approach him?

This was my first lost sheep experience and I was clueless as to what to do. A lost dog is totally different. A lost dog could possibly be coaxed into the backseat of my Toyota Corolla, but how could I possibly coax a large woolly sheep into the back of my car? And, what would my husband think if I arrived home from the grocery store with a sheep in the backseat of my car?

I was still thinking about this encounter as I went for my run later this afternoon. I ran along that same stretch of highway where, a few hours earlier, a lost sheep was standing alone on the side of the road. Part of me was hoping I would come across the sheep again. I wanted a do-over.

Three words came to mind as I ran along.

Feed my sheep.

My encounter today convicted me about all the times the Lord has placed lost sheep on my path and I have thought, how could I possibly help? How could I make a difference?

How many times have I convinced myself that there was nothing I could do?

How many times have I worried about how the other person might react?

How many times have I made up excuses or worried about what other people would think if I did help?

How many times have I just driven home and not tried to help the lost sheep?

I then thought about John 21 where Jesus asks Peter three times if he loved him. It was after Peter (afraid for his own life) denied he even knew his Savior.

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep."

Eileen, do you love me?

Yes, Lord.

Then feed my sheep.

The Sea of Trust

It's Friday and time for another link up with The Gypsy Mama! Five Minute Friday is "a time when we just write for 5 minutes on a specific topic not worrying whether everything is just right." If you would like to join in CLICK HERE.

Topic: Beyond

God takes us places we never thought were possible.
He takes us places far beyond our dreams.

As I think about this journey
tears fill my eyes and my lip quivers.

I can remember a time in my life when I sat shivering in my boat
My boat, rocking back and forth upon the waves of bad decisions.

Was this all I could hope for? Was this how life was going to be for me? Stuck at sea. Not really living, but simply holding on.

I don't want this, Lord. I want more. I want You.

I took a chance. I stepped out of my boat of fear and stepped into the sea of trust. I let go.

God takes us places we never thought were possible.
He takes us places far beyond our dreams.

God
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom
and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
~Romans 11:33

And, of course, lyrics from a song came to mind! "I'm Letting Go" by Francesca Battistelli. Click Here to Listen

This is a giant leap of faith
Trusting and trying to embrace
The fear of the unknown
Beyond my comfort zone

Son though he was...

"Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered." Hebrews 5:8

This verse stood out to me when I read it today. I know it to be true.

It was true in the case of God's son, Jesus. And it's true for each of us today.

After reading it, I thought of something I've heard Pastor Rick Warren say in one of his books, "God never wastes a hurt."

Our trials and our suffering either help to keep us securely connected to the Father or they are used to bring us closer to the Father if we've wandered far from home.

Our trials and our suffering keep us on our knees. They keep us listening for His voice. They keep us dependent on the only One who can rescue us in the first place.

As much as I hate suffering, I love what God is capable of doing with an obedient heart.

One obedient heart can change everything!

Today, I want to choose to seek hard after Him. Regardless of my circumstances, I choose to follow Him. I choose to obey.

Cleaning and Renewing

I am excited to have my blogging friend, Caroline, joining us on The Scenic Route today. I encourage you to check out her blog Under God's Mighty Hand after reading her encouraging words today!



I wish I could get “life” right and keep it right. Do you?

This faith calls us to active renewal.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” -Romans 12: 1-2 (emphasis mine)

But sometimes I just want to renew my heart and mind once and for all! To keep God’s love, His truths, His compassion in my active thoughts – never allowing those elements to escape with my frustrated sighs.

The state of this age never allows such perfection.

The natural state of this world is chaos. We need constant renewal – every day, every minute – for our actions to follow His footsteps. Renewal takes captive our thoughts to make them obedient to His purposes.

I liken this constant need of renewal to cleaning my family’s very-much-lived-in house. I swoon over and even ache for clean surfaces, minimal clutter, and organized spaces. And I can usually establish decent systems for various areas of our house. But it’s keeping those areas clean that’s the tough job.

I clean. I organize. I de-clutter.

A few weeks or days (or hours, if we’re talking about the dishes) later, piles appear, dust settles, and dishes multiply. I glance around and wonder to where my clean, clear spaces disappeared.

My heart and my mind unfortunately revert to a similar chaotic, messy state. I read, I pray, I revel in His Word. Then, I turn to the next day, the next hour and forget some essential truth. My attitude sours to someone I disagree with, I lose energy to serve, or I attempt a to-do list without praying throughout.

But our loving, grace-giving God offers many more “second chances” than I deserve. He allows reoccurring opportunities to renew our everything to Him. To run to Him, cling to Him, and follow His guidance.

C.S. Lewis said: "Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done."

So while I long deep within my heart for the day when this renewed state will become a constant state, I readily accept the grace God so lovingly gives me each day.

I pray for His perfect, pleasing will to act through me, not my own.

Caroline is a wife, mother of a beautiful and charming toddler son, avid reader, and writer. You can find Caroline at her personal blog (Under God’s Mighty Hand) and on Twitter.

Risk the Belly Flop

In the ladies bible study I lead at church, we have been reading the book Hungry for God, by Margaret Feinberg.

This week, the chapter is all about becoming intentional about readying our heart to hear from God. "Recognizing God's voice means cultivating a seeking heart, a biblical heart, an inquiring heart, a listening heart and a patient heart."

I loved reading the author's take on the times we listen to God, step out in the direction we think God has called us to go, but it turns out to be a mistake.

"God knows how to handle my biggest mistakes. When I jump into the deep end of the pool and land with a stinging, awkward flop, God still uses the splash for his glory."

Our mistakes and failures never hinder God from being God!

Linking up with Jen today over at Finding Heaven. Come join in!

Share A Song Monday

Happy Monday! It's time to share some tunes again.

As some of you know, I'm usually deep in thought when I'm running. It's me, my music and God. It was no different this past Saturday afternoon as I journeyed down the road.

"Empty Me" by Jeremy Camp began to play on my iPod and I didn't even notice the five deer grazing in the grass just a few feet from where I was running. As I looked up, their presence and their close proximity surprised me. My presence seemed to surprise them as well. The six of us jumped in unison!

I stopped running for a moment and we stared at one another. Finally, one by one, they disappeared into the woods.

Deer-sightings always make my runs that much more enjoyable.

So, in honor of the One who enables us to stand on the heights, I thought I would share the song that was filling my ears when I encountered these beautiful creatures.

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. (Psalm 18:33)

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. (Psalm 42:1 NLT)



Now, it's your turn! What song has been on your lips and in your heart lately? I would love for you to leave a link to the song in the comments section below. Who knows, it just might make another heart dance today!

The DOG...

is my co-pilot.

The dog loves to pick up the boy from school.

Actually, the dog loves the car ride and I love the company.

I never accuse her of being a backseat driver.

But, sometimes, I accuse her of smelling like a dog.

I'll occasionally remind her that she's the best dog in the world...except when she gets into the kitchen trash.

When I say the word "trash" her ears go back and her eyes seem to say,"let's not ruin a loving moment here by mentioning my one tiny flaw!"

I pat her on the head, give her ears a scratch, and silently agree.

Catch Me, Lord!

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Before diving into this week's Five Minute Friday, I wanted to let you know that one of my devotionals is running over at Encouragement Cafe. I would love for you to hop over there and check it out CLICK HERE.

Now, for Five Minute Friday! Five Minute Friday is "a time when we just write for 5 minutes on a specific topic not worrying whether everything is just right." If you would like to join in CLICK HERE.

TOPIC: Catch



The first thing that came to mind when I saw the topic this week was the song "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns.

"Still you hear me when I'm calling.
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling.
And, you told me who I am.
I am Yours."

I don't know where you are today.
I don't know whether your feet are slipping or if they're firmly planted.

I don't know where you are today.
I don't know whether your hand is holding tightly to His or if you've loosened your grip.

I don't know where you are today.
I don't know whether you are running away from Him or if you are running with Him.

But I do know this.
You belong to Him.

Whether you know it or not.
Whether you accept it or not.

He created you and You are His.
He will fight for you.
He'll catch you...
if you'll let Him.

What's Your Favorite Movie Line?

While out for a bike ride with my husband and my son the other day the topic of movies came up.

My husband mentioned to our son that his favorite movie line of all time could be found in the movie, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. It's when Frodo tells his best friend Sam...

"I'm glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things."

So, I'm curious. What is your favorite movie quote? I would love to know.

I will start. Many of you know that my favorite movie is The Shawshank Redemption. My favorite line of all time is when Andy Dufresne says this to his friend Red...




So what's yours? Leave a comment below.