Days to come...

My last post was on "Days Gone By..." the history of our lives. 

At some point in our life the realization that our days are numbered and God is the one who knows that number really becomes a loudly proclaimed TRUTH.

I suppose the subject of mortality has been in the back of my mind ever since my "cancer" diagnosis a few years ago.  Once "death" almost smacks you in the face I think one begins to "think" a little differently about "life and living".  You begin to review your "living" of life and what may once have been so important suddenly becomes the "least" important on your list. One's outlook on life drastically changes.  Your WINDOW's view of the WORLD is different today than it was yesterday when you thought your life was in your own hands.  We never "expect" to die. We always think that's for older people and until it hits your own life or family it seems distant.

Yes, I believe God is totally in control of my life.  Yes, I believe in His faithfulness, and love.  No, I'm not doubting His mercy and goodness.  He is GOD and He is GOOD all the time.  Yes, I believe in His WORD.  I love His Word.  I love to feel His presence HUG me and I love to feel His Shekinah Glory sweep over the congregation during a church service.  I love God with ALL my Heart, Mind, and Soul!!

I KNOW He's there through all of life's twists and turns, ups and downs.  Yes, He's there!  Even during a trying day full of trials and hardships... He's there and I know he's there!  Some of my days are not perfect in this imperfect world I live in... but He's there!  I'm not giddy with a school-girl infatuation, I've a deep rooted love and JOY in my Salvation!

When "those days" come... I can begin to "Praise Him" and praise right through the trial.  I've had the Holy Ghost since just after my 8th Birthday... He has never disappointed me.  I'm not one of His perfect children (are there any?)... I have my days when I have to get a grip on my attitude.  I work with the public everyday and I cannot reflect inner feelings to my clients. 

I'm one of those pilgrims who are on a journey through this world and I'm headed for the PROMISE Land.  The path may be rough at times... but there's always the "refreshing time" of His presence when He's walking right beside us, leading and guiding us on that path. 

As a pastor's wife of 40-years, I've seen those newly birthed struggle with the cares and concerns of life and sometimes the baggage of their past life seems to cling tightly.  My concern is that we pray, teach, and be REAL people to these who struggle with trials and tribulations. 

Time marches on... tomorrow will be here in about 4 minutes!  I want to be REAL to those who enter into the realm of my life and through the doors of our church.  I want to encourage them... "you can make it through".  Hold tightly to those out stretched hands. 

Maybe some who are reading this think I'm being "un-joyful", I'm not!  But I've seen the hurting, the helpless, and the hopeless.  Our cities are full of them.  My heart goes out to those who are "forgotten" or "overlooked" and I'm not just talking about the homeless.

And there go I, except by the grace and mercy of God...

I never want to forget that could be me.  Yes, I'm thankful I was raised in a God-fearing Pentecostal-Apostolic home.  Yes, I'm thankful for Sunday School teachers and ministers/pastors who taught the Word.  I'm thankful for the fellowship of my Brothers and Sisters in the LORD.  I'm thankful for a husband/pastor who preaches and teaches God's Word.  I am blessed!

Well Tomorrow has arrived...and it's another Day I choose to purposely live for Jesus. 

Let's be REAL for JESUS... I always think of the "Velveteen Rabbit" story... I want to have bare spots, torn spots, lose an ear or eye, come unstitched with the stuffing hanging out from  being "used" everyday.  I want to be vulnerable, open and willing to be used anyway He wants to use me.    I don't want to be stuck on the shelf and never taken down. 

Let Him choose me, that's my prayer!

 

Technorati Tags: Thoughts,Bible,JOY,God,REALNESS,Vulnerable,thankful,mercy,grace,Praise

Days Gone By...

January 2009 is almost past... wow!  Time is rapidly progressing.  Yesterdays seem to be coming faster and faster and tomorrows arrive too quickly!  We are in the FUTURE before we even realize it.  Our days become HISTORY much to swiftly.

I remember when I was very young and thinking that summer was forever!  The days seemed endless and we played "outside" from early morning until late at night.  Then some where in my span of life... the days started getting shorter and shorter.  It seems I no sooner get to bed than it's time to wake up! 

The phrase "Days Gone By" popped into my head while I was reading my Bible during my morning quiet time.  I'm still pondering all that it implies.

I was reading and thinking, we don't always remember that these are REAL people with REAL problems so similar to us today.  Relationships, financial, clean water and edible food, worship, belief, faith, doubts and on and on...  Yes, REAL people just like we are today.  Same desires emotionally, physically, and spiritually...  Same "intentions" of doing what is RIGHT in God's sight...  And yes, we have the same struggles in keeping those good and desirable intentions. 

Why do we fight so hard and struggle against the powers of this World?  That's the warfare of the OLD carnal fleshly nature and our NEW nature filled with His Spirit!  I've seen New Converts (and some not so new) struggle and wrestle with these two natures and decide they just don't have the energy to "keep on keeping on". 

Why is it so hard?  My thinking is... we just don't totally "give up" and submit to His Spirit and His Will for our lives. 

What's the saying: 

Live HARD for Jesus and it's easy...  Live EASY and it's hard.

I may have messed that quote up some, but you get my point.  Whenever we put our mind to do and live RIGHT that's when the struggle truly begins.  Spiritual Growth occurs during those struggles.  Endurance... Enduring... Patience... Waiting... those are words that many of us just don't like to hear.  We are a NOW generation and I admit, when I've set my mind to do something, I want to do it now!  I want to "git er dun" too!  It's hard for me to realize God may not want "it" done right now!    Sarah (and Abraham) jumped ahead of God's plan... Rebekah took it upon herself to orchestrate God's plan... and on it goes.  Aren't we just as guilty?

I'm not sure we'll totally master this "struggle" until we are "outta here"... but I'm trying and I'll keep on trying!  I've found that in my humanity and struggle to be totally dependent on God and His Will (and not trying to manipulate Him)...  He's so patient, longsuffering, and compassionate, ever loving! 

I can see His tender look and hear His quiet loving voice filled with patience:

Daughter, daughter, you just don't know... wait and see...

True Meaning of Christmas...

 

Technorati Tags: God,Santa,Christmas,Pastor,Church

RAZZLE DAZZLE

Please, before I post my thoughts, I am NOT a Mrs. Scrooge! But CHRISTMAS has gone “overboard”. I think that’s why I enjoy THANKSGIVING more than Christmas.

Now don't misunderstand me... I think the "lighted" homes are beautiful... most of them :D But when I walk into the malls in our area and observe the shoppers... my heart hurts for them. My mall days are over a couple of days before Thanksgiving and I don't go back until after the New Year!

We’ve let the RETAIL WORLD govern our pocketbook, and the atmosphere of our homes. Our children and even we ourselves, think we have to have certain “gifts” or we have not “received”. I sometimes ponder what we are teaching our children, and not just at Christmas time.

I worked retail briefly as manager of a Hallmark Card & Gift store in Columbia, Maryland for 5+ years when we were there starting a Home Missions church. The holidays were sheer torture! There were very few friendly, appreciative shoppers! Most were rude (to us and other shoppers), demanding, and just unkind in general. You could see the stress in their eyes and stance.

Then when I realized how many people go into DEBT over this holiday... well, it just boggles my mind. I don’t think this is pleasing to our Lord and Savior.

What happened to simple family get-togethers? No stress, just good food and lots of talk and fun.

I had a mother stop by our house Sunday afternoon with her 11-year old son asking if he could rake our leaves for Christmas money. My “mothers” heart melted... Yes, I said, if he could come back Monday after school! Later my husband, knowing I’m partial to little boys (having raised three), “Why didn’t you just give him some money?” NO, NO, NO... I appreciated that young boy’s mother very much! She was trying to instill some work ethic in her son, whether it is by necessity or just a learning process. I appreciate what she is doing.

Again, please don’t condemn me for hating the materialistic side of Christmas! I think maybe having the word “cancer” come crashing into my personal life has given me a different perspective on the “important” things in life.

My joy is complete when I’m with family and friends and rejoicing over God’s love and compassion for us, when we are just enjoying each other for who we are, what we hope to become, and our mutual love for one another. That's when my heart is full and overflowing. I wish I could be with my sons, daughters (in law), and our precious grandchildren more. I miss them so much!

Again, I am not a Mrs. Scrooge... and I know we love to give gifts to one another, but God gave us the best gift we could ever receive... let's not forget!

Hopefully, WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM!!!

Technorati Tags: Christmas Season,Jesus,materialism,razzle dazzel,family,friends,GOD,Scrooge

This WORLD is NOT MY HOME...

This World is Not My Home...I'm just a passing through...

Remember that old song? I remember singing that song all through my childhood and young adult life. It’s been awhile since I’ve heard it. It was brought to mind recently.

Let me preface this post by saying, “I am proud to be an American”, and I enjoy living in the United States of America with all the privileges that includes. I was born here, grew up here, and I’m still here! I enjoy living here.

BUT... THIS WORLD (USA included) is NOT MY HOME!

This country was birthed on the HOPE of religious freedom. And while this freedom may have been interpreted beyond our forefathers intent – none the less, it is a freedom many other countries do not allow.

However, I do believe that the “Christians” freedoms will be slowly and subtly removed. While we are required to be tolerant of stated Biblical sins, we are not recipients of that same tolerance by “others”. I believe this is only going to escalate as time marches on.

The recently elected President is by the “people’s choice”. There is a generational change taking place. Our world as we have known it is soon passing. We don’t know what changes await us. I do not FEAR these changes. I personally know the one who is in ultimate control.

My concern is not in whom our country VOTED in as President, but my concern is if WE, the CHURCH, are ready and how WE the CHURCH will handle this change.

I am concerned for our YOUTH—Church and World. We must not let down our standards, give up teaching our doctrine, or compromise our beliefs in any way.

We must not lose our HOPE of a better place, greater than this world that’s being prepared for us (and I’m not talking about a mansion filled with “possessions”).

This change is going to precipitate the “sifting” of the Church like never before. We will be tried, tested, and persecuted. We will learn where our true priority lies. We will learn what is MOST important to us. I pray it’s not our homes, cars, clothes, and all the extra trappings this World throws at us as necessities.

I do believe there is coming soon, a time when we won’t give those “things” a second thought or glance. The TRUE BELIEVER will have risen above the materialist greed this World offers.

We will find that simply gathering together in small or large groups for prayer, praise, and worship of the MOST HIGH will provide our JOY and will be our greatest priority.

Oh yes, I know... We are in this world (but not of it). I have to go to work to pay bills and feed my face and buy gas for my car... but these are only for my earthly, fleshly existence.

As one grows older and sees the changes taking place and reviews the changes that have already taken place in their own life span... then you begin to realize, this is truly HISTORY in the MAKING and you begin to contemplate what the future has in store.

That’s when PRAYER becomes the only solace for the heart. We travail for our children, grandchildren, family, church family, and the lost of this world. Only true intercessory prayer is going to SAVE the LOST of this generation. The “pull” of this world is both subtle and strong at the same time. PRAY for OUR CHILDREN, they are and will face a World we’ve never known.

I leave you with these scriptures:

• 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 & 17-18
• 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
• 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
• John 15:19
  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
• John 17:14
  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
• John 16:33
  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
• 1 John 5:4
  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
• 1 John 2:15
  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
• John 9:5
  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

(This was written in the wee hours of post-election morning. I was unable to post it online before leaving for work.)

Technorati Tags: Bible,Prayer,future,beliefs,God,Church,WORLD

Mother of a Prodigal

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

3 John 1:4

I realize that John is speaking of “spiritual children” in this verse of scripture; however, I have made it personal to me as a mother whose desire is to see her children walk in truth.

I’ve posted this short verse on the closet door in my study/office/computer room. It is prominently displayed and catches my eye the moment I sit down or walk by. It’s a reminder (as if I needed one) to pray for my children, ALL my children (those in our church family, other ministry friends children, but especially for the ones I physically birthed).

How blessed you are if your children are walking in truth. You should THANK God continually!

Satan knows the heartaches he causes parents when he “thinks” he has drawn a pastors or ministers child, or one of our church family’s kids away from the truth. He is attacking our children every day no matter what their age. He goes for the “jugular”... he knows how precious our children are to us. He means to draw blood... He means to hurt, kill, and destroy. But MY FAITH is in God’s WORD!

But I have NEWS for him... and I’m not being “smug” either... because I know that anyone of us can falter at any moment... after all, we are still in this degenerate WORLD and we still wear this fleshly robe. I am CLAIMING my children, my grandchildren, my church children, my friend’s children in the Name of JESUS!

I remember once hearing Sister Nona Freeman speaking at a Ladies Retreat in western Maryland... she was telling us about how she prayed for her lost children... YEARS of prayer... telling us “DON’T STOP, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY”. I have the tape...still. It never leaves my mind. I can hear her words to this day... and that is approximately 18 years ago.

Don’t stop, Mom and Dad, keep praying. There is HOPE in their returning. The Word of God gives us that!

One Mother’s Day Sunday, I spoke on God-appointed Mothers in the Bible and the challenges they faced, including our mother of origin, Eve.

I also read the following:

Mother of a Prodigal

Where is the mother of the prodigal son
On that day so long ago?
What were her thoughts
And what were her fears
As she watched him turn to go?

How many times in the dark of night
Did the tears slide down her face?
Did she get out of bed
And fall on her knees,
Just to pray that her boy was safe?

How were the days when she did not know
Was he alive? Was he warm? Was he well?
Who were his friends?
And where did he sleep?
Was there anyone there she could tell?

But, oh, on that day when she looked down the road
As she had looked since her son went away,
Did love unspeakable flood her soul?
Did she cry?
What did she say?

I think when the father had welcomed their son
And the boy had greeted his brother,
That the servants made a path
For him to enter the door
And the waiting arms of his mother.

I don't know who wrote this, but they surely had a mother’s heart.

I WILL NOT lose the vision of seeing my prodigals coming down the road to home. I still have HOPE and belief that TRUTH will prevail.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray,
and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Ps 55:17

I know that some of my children may read this... please remember I love you very much and pray for you continually!

Technorati Tags: family,prodigal,motherhood,prayer,HOPE,Vision,long road home

A Good Report...

God is good all the time, all the time God is good...

Even as we journey through trials and hard places in life... Yes, God is STILL good! He's still in charge and still is Master of our lives.

This has been a tumultuous week for me. Again, I had to endure the process of "cancer or cancer free".

Thursday I was scheduled for my quarterly Cystoscopy and biopsies. Always, with the negative thought trying to invade my mind, "will they find invasive cancer this time?"

• 5:25 am Up and getting Bud (husband) ready and off to work.
• 6:25 am Good Bye Kiss, Bud tells me, "I love you and you know I've been praying for you and will be thinking about you today." I observe the "worried" look behind his expression. He's going to work this morning and will be back around 11:30 am to take me to the hospital.
• 6:30 am I sit in my recliner reading and trying to calm my mind. Jesus and I have a wonderful conversation. I am assured that all is in HIS HANDS and nothing is going to happen to me that is not His Will. We will go through this together, Hand in Hand!
• 8:00am The craving for my morning coffee (I can do without the FOOD... just give me my coffee!!!) is strong... I have to get up and DO something to avoid the Caffeine URGE!
• 9:00 am The URGE passes...
• 10:45 am Start to get my things ready... pack my little black bag.
• 11:00 am Shower, fix hair... and I'm ready to go when Bud gets here.
• 11:30 am Bud's home and changes clothes, grabs his Bible and a book.
• 12:15 pm Dad, Mom, Bud and I have prayer and we're off for the hospital's Same Day Surgery Department.
• 12:45 pm Nurse calls and says can I come in NOW... he's got an early opening. YES, I want this over with... "I'm in the parking lot now... will be up in 10 minutes."

And thus the day goes on... I was back in the preliminary surgery area and the man next to me was having a complete Cystectomy done and the bed across from me was have a Nephrectomy. I am lying there calmly, basking in the love of Jesus and feeling his peace enfolding me with the comfort I need for this circumstance of life!

I hate to be anesthetized! I don't like NOT being in control of my person! But once the injection... I quickly fall asleep.

• 3:30 pm I peek out from under my heavy eyelids... "Yes!!! ...I'm still among the living."

When I'm finally able to answer questions, the nurse asked... "Do you want something to drink?" "YES...strong black coffee!" And she brings it to me, "Freshly brewed." Ummm, so good! Could this be a sin? :) I sincerely hope not!

Finally, I'm back in the room and they are getting me ready to leave in an hour or so. I'm not nauseated this time... wonderful! I feel pretty good... Actually, I feel wonderful! It's GOOD NEWS... the surgeon did find a small spot... feels he got it all and took the usual biopsies of different areas of the bladder. Told Bud he felt all is well... and nothing to worry about!

• 5:45 pm HOME... home never looked so good to me! Bud fixed a wonderful dinner of yellow squash, corn on the cob, carrots, peppers, cabbage, candied sweet potatoes, and Italian meatballs. It really is a pleasing combination... :D

Yes, God is good all the time. Even had I received a BAD report... God would still have been there... and He still would have been GOOD! He is ever present with us!

PS ~ A bit of humor: While getting ready for surgery... the nurse told me that I would have to take off my hairpiece! :D Bud quickly told her that was NOT a hairpiece. You could see the look of disbelief in her eyes. So, I took out the two clips holding my hair up and down it fell... she said... "Oh my gawd...that really is all yours." :D

Tuesday's Muse...

I Woke up this morning feeling fine... I woke up with heaven on my mind...

This morning was beautiful.  Had I time, I would have sat on the porch for a while savoring the smell and taste of the soothing liquid in my "mug" and enjoyed the morning coolness, listened to the song birds, and resting my eyes upon the myriad of colors of the flowers.  Yes, today was a GOOD DAY to be living for Jesus!

  This is a photo of one of the birds enjoying our offering. Aren't the yellow gladiolas beautiful? 

 

 

The photo is of our Day Lilies.  They are a vibrant burnt orange.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is part of our front porch.  We enjoy our flowers and front porch.  The glider came from hubbies parents and several generations have enjoyed it.  The Triple planter stand came from his parents also.  I'm rather sentimental and these items were always on their front porch.  I wanted it on ours too.  So, we now have them! 

 

 

This is Bud's grapevine and some mums that our youngest son left with us for taking care of their puppy while they vacationed in Florida. 

 

         This is "Teddy".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our tomatoes are coming along nicely and we've already picked a few.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bud enjoying the glider and the fruit of his labor. We love plants and gardening.

 

 

 

 

Our sons and grandsons still enjoy the glider which is probably over 40+ years old.  That's my dad and his dog and Marc our youngest son and his son, our grandson, Micah.  I've more photos of family that I'll post at a later date.

 

Just thought I'd share a bit with you this evening.

We're Back from Pigeon Forge...

This first photo was taken about 30 minutes before service time. We had to get there early to get good seats. We like to sit close to the front. Eight of us and Anna Rose our newest baby went this year. I rented a 15-passenger van... we had plenty of room to spread out and we took the back seat out so we had plenty of room to stack our luggage and snacks for our room. I had made reservations in January and we were able to get adjoining rooms. That was nice because we didn't have to run back and forth in the halls to get to our rooms. We really enjoyed our time together. Of course, we did learn who snores, who grinds their teeth and who takes the longest showers on earth! LOL

Sis Cindy Miller aimed straight for the heart matter of living for God. It was excellent. She's a great teacher and teaches from the Word! I truly enjoyed her. I had read her books but had never heard her speak.

Nap time for Anna Rose and Sis Margaret.

This is what you could call a "hair fixing" production line. I thought it was cute. It was an effort to save time and trying to get everyone ready at the same time. LOL It worked!

Amanda - Results of work.

Ashley, "lookin' good."

As you can see we did have a GREAT time! God was good and even though it started snowing... we stayed for the Saturday morning session and by the time we got on I-40 and I-75 the snow had pretty well let up. We had a safe trip there and home! God is good and we're already looking forward to next year.

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!

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/