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...

Bless the LORD, O my soul...

 

I woke this morning with a heavy heart and "my spirit" was downhearted.  Not totally aware of the reason for my downheartedness, I worked through the morning, being careful NOT to let my spirit reflect outwardly.  

At 1:30pm I jumped into my car for my hour lunch break thinking I was going to run some errands like I usually do.  I soon found myself  parked in a parking lot just down the street from where I work, asking myself "what am I doing here?"  I soon discovered the reason I had parked.

Grabbing my Bible out of my satchel, I opened immediately to Psalm 103... these words jumped out at me: (the underlining is my emphasis)

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.

I then read on:

Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases.

Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,

Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

Read all the verses... but then again beginning with vs.17:

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children.

To such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.

The LORD has established His throne in heaven and His kingdom rules over all.   (Read on...)

The last verse of Psalm 103:

Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion.  Bless the LORD, O my soul.

Well, needless to say, after reading this chapter... my heart was once again refreshed and full of God's love and mercy and my faith and trust in His will was strengthened!  How could I ever have doubts about His will?  After all these years.... you'd think I'd have learned to trust Him in ALL things, right?  Be honest though... you have your moments or days too.  But WE Don't STAY there!  We press on toward the prize...

I still am not totally sure what the heavy heart was all about... but I know that when He is ready to show me, He will !!  One can always find just what is needed and required for the soul through prayer and His precious WORD! 

I have never been disappointed in God's response to my prayers! 

My afternoon was much better than my morning!  I was re-assured of His love and mercy and so thankful for His longsuffering!  God is Good ALL the time!

I'm thankful I have that hour during the middle of the day to "touch base" with Him when the morning quiet time just wasn't long enough!  He is so gracious to "reach out" and meet me there!

 

Technorati Tags: Prayer,Soul,Musing,thoughts,Mercy,THE WORD,Bible,Psalm 103

Ready, Willing, Waiting...

Judges 4:15-22 (English Standard Version)

15 And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword. And Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot. 16And Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth-hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.

17But Sisera fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 18And Jael came out to meet Sisera and said to him, "Turn aside, my lord; turn aside to me; do not be afraid." So he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug. 19And he said to her, "Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty." So she opened a skin of milk and gave him a drink and covered him. 20And he said to her, "Stand at the opening of the tent, and if any man comes and asks you, 'Is anyone here?' say, 'No.'" 21But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. Then she went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple until it went down into the ground while he was lying fast asleep from weariness. So he died. 22And behold, as Barak was pursuing Sisera, Jael went out to meet him and said to him, "Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking." So he went in to her tent, and there lay Sisera dead, with the tent peg in his temple.

Jael had become tired and disgusted with the injustice in the land. She was not easily intimidated or fearful. She was not a "me" person. Her interest went beyond herself and she observed what was going on around her. She was concerned for "all" involved and how what was happening effected all around her. She was not a "for the moment" person. Jael realized there was more than just her needs and desires. Her interest and concern went beyond her own peace and security! She knew there was MORE! When her time came... she didn't hesitate to drive that peg through his head. She killed the enemy. She took advantage of the opportunity that came her way and accomplished her purpose for that day! How many times have we let the opportunity to "kill" the enemy slip by us?

How often do we wake up feeling... "LORD, what does today hold?" "What is my purpose for today?"

I recently heard... "heavy clouds today, but no rain..." Do you often feel the heaviness of heart (a burden) but don't see any rain? We look up and see the rain clouds, but never feel the rain fall on our cheeks! Could the rain we need to feel on our cheeks be the tears of repentance, submission, and commitment? We must be in a place to receive the rain from above.

Jael was willing to risk her own life so that others could find peace, security, and prosperity. Are we willing to sacrifice so that others can find this truth?

I've been doing a lot of thinking :) lately... and one of my thoughts has been on the question of, "What are the IDOLS in my life?" "What keeps me from praying, reading THE WORD, studying THE WORD, and my total commitment to soul winning?"

Think about what IDOLS you have in your life. Is it something that takes up your time? Is it something that puts you in financial bondage? Is it something that consumes your thoughts? Is it something unbiblical?

Please, don't misunderstand me... We are here in this world and we live "LIFE". I'm not talking about never having any enjoyment in life or even having things we enjoy. But when they consume us and deprive us of an "intimate" relationship with Jesus our Savior... something's not right. Sure, there might be times when we must miss church for work... but not consistently! If we choose (and I know these are hard times financially) to miss church consistently, eventually it will show outwardly because inwardly we are starving and malnourished. We must HEAR the WORD preached and taught.

God's choice to use Jael was because she was willing, obedient (the opposite of obedient is rebellious), and had a yielded heart. She was READY to be used. She was WAITING to be used. She ANTICPATED being used, and GOD used her.

Are we WILLING, READY, OBEDIENT and WAITING in ANTICIPATION for God to use us?

Just a few thoughts on my heart... God's blessings on all.

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.

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.