Forty Years - I'd Do It Again!

 

Bud and I celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary this past December 24th, which is also his 64th Birthday.  I love this man with all my heart!  We've had a good life together.  Oh sure, we've been through hard times, good times, in-between times, and probably will again.  We know that God put us together without a doubt! 

We met in California in 1967.  He had come to visit his grandfather and find out just what "sin" was? Now, my future husband didn't have any religious background at all.  He'd only been to Sunday School a few times when he was very young.  His Daddy had told him Papa would know all about that stuff.   His Papa went to the church my Dad was pastoring at that time.  So he packed a backpack and headed for Perris, California where his Papa lived, hitching hiking all the way.  However he ended up wandering through Haight Ashbury for a short time and had a brief encounter with Charlie Manson.  But he had a hunger deep inside for "TRUTH" and he found it in a little church in San Jacinto, Ca.  He repented in a children's revival at an altar filled with children. He received the Holy Ghost in the "upper room" at a Balboa Park convention while Brother Tenney was preaching and he's never turned back! 

We may not always have had the BEST of material possessions, but our needs have always been provided and the LOVE of GOD and for the TRUTH of the WORD have always been the most prominent concern in our lives.

God has been good to us.  We have three grown sons, and they've given us five grandchildren and one great granddaughter!

Our vows to each other are just as intentional today as they were 40-years ago.  Did I say I love this man?  Oh, I DO, I DO, I DO...

 Yes, Bud dear, I love YOU!!!!

WHY GOD?

Why?

Are there days when you’ve ask yourself WHY? or ask God WHY? or even just wonder WHY things happen or people say the things they do?

Why do the ones you thought you could trust, say things indirectly, but intentionally within your range of hearing, to hurt you? And then watch for your reaction? Why? It’s especially disappointing when fellow believers do this to each other.

Is this what putting one’s trust totally in God means? We learn quickly that we can’t depend on man (mankind). The human carnal nature just seems to take control at times and then we can be the brunt of it. Most of us have the built in nature to TRUST first. That makes us vulnerable to those who desire to inflict pain, physical or emotional. So, those of us who prefer to trust first get hurt and then after several hurtful experiences, we eventually give up and no longer trust that particular person. It’s really shameful to have to deal with this type of attitude in the everyday world we live in let alone within the church. God wants so much for us to be willing and ready for him to use us, but we can be so shallow-minded that we don't get beyond the first lesson!

It’s in times like these, that we are so glad that we know Jesus and he’s our friend. In times like these, that’s when He’s a friend like no other. We can always depend on Him to carry us through.

I personally, am so thankful for his love and everlasting mercy. I never want to forget just how much he loves you and me.

There’s enough negativity in this world...let’s not bring it into our churches. Our church family is supposed to be a place of trust, peace, love, and encouragement. It’s not just a social club... we can join anything just to be with a group of people. Our fellowship is much more than that! We gather to worship the one true and living God... the God of our salvation. The God who trusted us with His Spirit... dwelling inside us. That’s a huge responsibility... Please don’t take it lightly! I certainly don't!

God is a loving God and for that I am ever thankful!
Without Him...there isn’t a LIFE!

Sacrifice of Praise

One night (in the early morning hours) a couple weeks or so ago, I woke up with the chorus going through my mind...

We bring a sacrifice of praise into the House of the LORD, we bring a sacrifice of praise into the House of the LORD. And we offer up to you, the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and we offer up to you the sacrifice of praise.

I immediately began to sing it in the first person. " I " bring a sacrifice of praise into the House of the LORD.. We sing that chorus, but are we really thinking about what we are singing. Oh yes, I know, there are many times we have entered the doors of the sanctuary and our attitude is just not in a "praise" mode. We are still reeling from our CARNAL day and don't have the inclination to give God any of our praise, after all... what do we have to Praise HIM for today? Oh my! Oh me!

Definition of Sacrifice:
1. An act of offering to deity something precious.
2. something offered in sacrifice
3. destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else; to give up..

NO MATTER what our attitude is or has been during the day...
NO MATTER what trouble and trials we've had...
NO MATTER what words have been harshly spoken to us...
NO MATTER how someone has treated us...

NO MATTER ...

We MUST make the effort to bring a sacrifice of PRAISE unto our GOD!!! It's up to us as individuals... Yes, we are a body... but we can't wait for someone else to start praising... purpose in your heart that YOU will bring a sacrifice of praise... You may ask... what do I have to sacrifice? NO MATTER... that's the sacrifice... we sacrifice our flesh upon the alter and God anoints our Spirit. Our FLESH is our sacrifice... It may be easier for some of us to actually sacrifice a real LAMB... than to give of ourselves.

To me that is an example of "detachment"... if you sacrifice something that isn't a part of yourself... that's much easier isn't it? Sacrificing our flesh is hard work and takes much effort. I challenge you... lift up those hands... and give yourself to the one who sacrificed himself for you.

A quote:

None can sing a new song who has not the new life. But many who have the new life seem to have lost the song. The first thing that goes when we begin to backslide is the joy of the Lord.
-- Evan H. Hopkins

NO MATTER... I'm going to... Praise the LORD, O my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 146:1-2

The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. Jer 33:11

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Heb 13:15

I purposed in my heart a long time ago... that NO MATTER... I AM going to praise my God. I AM going to offer my sacrifice of praise NO MATTER what I'm going through ... "... a living sacrifice..."

My prayer: O God of my salvation... of whom shall I fear... YOU are the CREATOR of my soul. I desire to continually offer to you the praises of my heart. Help me to keep this carnal man under control and to offer it sacrifically to YOU.

Originally written for Heart2Heart Women's Ministries (Heart for Truth Ministries) April 2007

Grafted-A Wild Olive Branch

I was reading the book of Romans last week. God is so amazing! He takes something "old" and makes it "new" as if to refresh our minds of His wondrous mercy!

Reading in Chapter 11 regarding the message being brought to the Gentiles... and it seemed as if my heart and mind "burst" with the thankfulness of what had occurred. If you let yourself really think about it, it's overwhelming the mercy He has bestowed upon us, the Gentiles.

I've heard this preached and taught all my life...I know the "principle" of the teaching... but somehow, after all these years it hit me "full force" exactly what God did for us, the Gentiles. Yes, "I've Got it, I've Got it, there's something about the Power of the Holy Ghost and I've Got it...".

Paul tells it like it is... and I'll paraphrase it... "... don't get haughty, arrogant, conceited or prideful about being grafted in...after all, you are grafted in as a result of the hardened hearts that were cut off because of their hard hearts... and the same can happen to you! You, a wild olive branch, were grafted in, in their place, but it is easier for the orchard tree to be re-grafted, so be careful... " Now, those are my words... read it for yourself and read from several different translations. The Message gives a powerful rendering of Romans 11.

Oh my, what a blessed people we are... only by the MERCY of God are we filled with His Spirit. We should be so thankful and cherish what we've been given.

On to 1 & 2 Corinthians... I'm anticipating what God will reveal or remind me of....

Do you ask God to show YOU something when you read His Word? He will if you ask him too! His WORD is new each day!

Have a blessed day with Jesus.

Count it all JOY...

“Deeper, Deeper every day in Jesus, Till all conflict past, Finds me conqu’ror and in His own image perfected at last.” Deeper, Deeper by C.P. Jones

In mulling over the testimonies last night and the message... I agree, I don’t want to ever NOT feel God’s conviction on my life. I want to know if I’m pleasing or displeasing Him. I want to be chastised if I’m wrong. That is the way to perfection. My imperfections are under the blood and I desire to keep them there. I’m not perfect, but striving to be perfect in His image. Christ-like living is not based on good intentions, but in consistent daily walking with the one who loves us with an immeasurable love. Yes, just like the old hymn above, I want to go deeper and deeper everyday with Jesus... until the end of time. Do I know what I’m asking for? Oh yes... (THE CUP) In my Bible reading this verse stood out to me:

Jesus said in John 15:18-19 (NIV)

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

So, what is the other verse... “Count it all joy...” Believe me, I’m not searching for persecution and conflict... but I know that the world that I live in hates the TRUTH of His WORD and because of this, if I stand for what I believe, I’m not going to win the “most likeable” person award! But we have a higher calling than rewards and awards on this earth. I’m striving daily to do, say, and walk in the “right” way. I live on a “daily basis” with the future in mind! What a HOPE we have in Jesus!

Blessings...have a GREAT day with JESUS!

Saturday Evening Muse

Originally written April 2006 for Heart2Heart Women's Ministries.

Fear Not and Hold Your Peace

“... Fear not, stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will work for you today...The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.” Exodus 14:13-14 (Amplified)

How many times have you been in a circumstance and the above scripture would have been an excellent reminder to “...hold your peace”...? I know, I can think of a few times in my life L when I really needed that reminder.

It’s so easy for us to take “the matter” into our own hands and not let God do it His Way! We are such impatient creatures and we think nothing is happening or nothing is being done about a certain situation... but we just aren’t in a place to view the whole picture, are we?

Yet, there are times when we do take a stand and attack the enemy head on and resist his efforts!

“So be subject to God.—Stand firm against the devil; resist him and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (Amplified)

We are not to fear, but to STAND STILL and see what God can and will do! He is working for our good, not our destruction! He will fight our battles... but we have to allow Him to do so! We can’t wait until the last minute, and we do, then say ok God... clean up this mess I’ve made! Surprisingly, there are many times that He does just that for us! Isn’t God full of Mercy and longsuffering towards us?

My Prayer: O God, be my guide today! Lead me in the direction that You chose for me. Help me not to stray from the path that You have set before me. Keep me close to Your side and let me hear Your voice. In Jesus’ name.

Heart2Heart Women’s Ministries © 2004 – 2006 Pamla K Childers (Heart for Truth Ministries) All rights reserved

Our Loss, but Heavens Gain

Sis Jean Urshan went home yesterday around 1:45pm. I'm sure those gates opened wide to welcome her in. We have lost a faithful woman of God who lived her life for God. I remember Bro. and Sis. Urshan singing at the District conferences in California when I was just a young girl of 10 or so. Her rendition of HARVEST TIME always reminded me of why I was on this earth. Bro. Urshan's father, Andrew Urshan spent time in our home and I was always fascinated by his stories of provision and protection that was God given. I never left the room when he was there. Those trials and tribulations he went through has stuck with me all these years.

This earth has lost a Woman of God... Our loss is heavens gain.

Prayers for Virginia Tech

This is a sorrowful day for many (all of us). They have lost their most precious possession, their children. I simply cannot fathom the grief of a parent losing a child.

Yes, I know, it is a daily occurrence that I have not had to face. Children are dying every day from war, starvation, abusive caregivers, diseases, accidents and many other unthinkable acts. Many countries face the horror of losing their youth... but when it strikes home... our eyes are WIDE open.

We ponder... how could this happen to us? Oh, we must turn our faces back to God. Do I think this was a punishment from God? NO, NO!!!! Tragedies happen, it’s part of living in this unpredictable world.

I do think we are becoming too self-absorbed and forgetting our creator and his purpose for us. We need to return to “One Nation Under God”... “In God We Trust”.

Tuesday's Musing

Good TUESDAY evening,


It was beautiful today...still cooler than normal...but a wonderful day. We were exceptionally busy at the office today and I'm not sure why. Maybe people were just getting all their ducks in a row before they filed their TAXES. Bud and I filed ours tonight. Whew...glad that's over with. We did owe a little...but not enough to complain about.


I have an hour for lunch and if I've not any pressing errands to run I usually eat my lunch in the shade somewhere and read or write. Sometimes I listen to music and just relax. If I'm reading or studying an hour passes too quickly. It's my quiet time... no interruptions (unless hubby calls me on my cell phone) and I can read and meditate in solitude. I truly enjoy that time. I actually crave it when I've had to run errands and can't get that "alone time". Just me in my car with my thoughts and listening for His voice through His Word. I've had many prayers answered praying in my car all alone. God is so kind to show us what we need and to give it to us at just the right time. What's that chorus... "He's an on time God". That He is!! I always go back to the office refreshed.


After almost 20-years, God is answering my prayers for my children and grandchildren. I heard about a preacher that ends each service telling the members of his church, "NEVER GIVE UP" (Winston Churchill was right).


Mother's NEVER GIVE UP. God knows when they are ready to listen... Keep praying, the answer is on the way.


Have a blessed week with Jesus.



My devotional website: http://heart2heartministries.injesus.com/

Musing...

Good Saturday afternoon,

It's cold again. After the 80 degree weather we had for awhile it feels extra chilly. Hubby built a fire in the wood stove last night and has one going again this afternoon. A wood fire is so warm and cozy.

The cold weather shriveled some of the grapevine leaves :( they were so pretty and green. I think the itty bitty grape clusters are ruined too. We had covered the other plants up with leaves and they're fine. Hubby forgot to put the sheet over the grapevine out front. The one in the back is OK. The hydrangea bush looks sad. I know it will come back, but the first green growth looks pathetic.

I'm trying to do some much needed de-cluttering... we have just accumulated too much stuff. I don't think we've disposed of much in our 39-years together. We are both into books and those will stay (we will sort through some of them). But the other "stuff" we plan to have a yard sale or give to the YOUTH group for their Sheaves for Christ yard sale this year. I just need "energy" and determination to get this done.

Well, enough of that... looking forward to church services tomorrow. Just knowing that He is resurrected and in my heart is worth it all.

Have a blessed weekend ~