Monday, February 22, 2010

Thanks Dad

I was listening to a radio show the other day and the preacher was talking about parenting today. He said that many parents think the number one foundation for parenting young children is love. He then stated that he thought biblically this was wrong that the foundation should be fear, healthy fear.

Proverbs 9:10 (KJV) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.’ I know many people have said we are to fear God? Yes! I know a lot of people say will this only means that we are to respect God not have a healthy fear of Him. I have researched the original meaning and they all seem to suggest fear and not respect.

From my own personal experience I was deeply afraid of my parents mainly my Daddy. I truly believe because I had a healthy fear of him and knew there would be severe consequences for my disobedience, I was saved from much heartache and potential evil. I was never abused nor fearful of such harm. What I did know was that certain behaviors were acceptable and other behaviors were not. I also knew when he spoke concerning something he meant it. I know that my Daddy was not perfect nor would my Daddy say he was perfect then or now, yet I know that my Daddy was perfectly chosen by God for me and I thank God for him.

I no longer have to have a healthy fear of my Daddy. I am a grown adult now and have been for some time. He taught we well. I have him to thank for being able to look back and seeing how close to pitfalls I came and escaped because I had a healthy fear of my Daddy. Now instead of fear I now respect him greatly.

Thanks Billy Fugitt for being a great dad to me. I owe you thanks for helping me take the path I took. A path full of joy and not shame, and a path full of peace and not pain. I could go on and on. Thanks

Thursday, February 04, 2010

My Jesus, what a thrill You are to me

Last night we had a great Bible Study, It started with the question who is Jesus. How can we fully define who eternal and infinite Jesus is? I don’t think we can but I do think it does us good and brings Him glory to at least begin.

Who is Jesus and who is Jesus to me are two totally different questions. I want to focus my thoughts today on, who Jesus is to me. He is my Father, my Healer, my Strength, Joy, and Peace. Often He has been my Corrector and Disciplinarian. He is my Teacher, Revealer, and Comforter. I really could go on and on but I won’t because I am Hoping you will take the time to recall all He is to your personally.

What I really wanted to share is that for the last 4 days He has been my Personal Trainer. Yes, this is a first for me. Let me start at the beginning, I have known for a few months, hmm, ok maybe a few years that God has been telling me that I need to change my lifestyle. I needed to take better care of His temple. This has been hard for me, I love food and I hate exercising.
A few weeks, hmm ok a few months ago I had a revelation. I can’t remember who God used I just know that the revelation came by the Holy Spirit. They were talking about our bodies being the living temple of God and that it was our reasonable service to sacrifice it to God as our act of worship. That was it! It was my Aha moment. Exercise could be my time of worship? I could exercise and offer it up to the Lord as my sacrifice of praise?

For the last four days I have been doing just that on our treadmill. First, I had to get the clothes off and dust it. Then I plugged in my Nano (a gift from Chad and Amanda, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you). The I started her up and off I went into the Holy of Holies on my treadmill! At the end of my walking I looked to the heavens and shouted, We did it!” In my weakness He is my Strength and Endurance.

This morning I woke up with a terrible pain all down the right side of my neck and arm. I couldn’t figure out why it was hurting; until I was on my treadmill and noticed in the midst of worship up went that right arm in praise to the LORD.

So if you hear that I have been hospitalized due to a treadmill injury, just praise Him ‘cuz you’ll know It happened while I was worshiping my blessed Savior. What a thrill you are Jesus!

Monday, February 01, 2010

Remembering When

I was just setting here taking a break from my Monday’s housecleaning chores playing a card game while I listen to K-Love. They were playing one of my current favorites; Born Again by Third Day. I was taken back to the day I had a life changing experience with the Lover of My Soul, Jesus.
I hadn’t grown up in church but the LORD had purposefully moved me along the path to find a church and a youth group where I could be involved. I don’t know if anybody had been praying for me; if they had been they never said. As far as I can remember no one ever shared the gospel with me directly. I heard it, I am sure from the pulpit in services and I am assuming I heard it during the Youth Camp services at Horn Creek, CO. I don’t remember definitely.
What I do remember is sitting all alone on the bus (‘Ole Blue Goose) returning home from Youth Camp at Horn Creek. I was alone on purpose; God’s purposed. I knew I was a mess and that if something didn’t change I would be an even bigger mess. I knew that Jesus was a possible answer to my mess. I can’t tell you how I knew that, I just did.
I also knew that I had heard through the messages at camp, Jesus loved me as I was and wanted me. Me? Why and how? I knew from what I had learned about Jesus that I was captivated by Him. I wanted Him if He really did want me. If it was true He loved me and wanted me then I wanted Him back.
So in 1975 on a August [Friday or Saturday] night I prayed, actually my prayer became a song to Him telling Him if He would have me I wanted Him, no I think I need You Jesus. HE CAME!
I have never been the same since. Where I once was hopeless I was now filled with hope in my Jesus. Where I was full of fear I was now full of courage. Where I was filled with insecurity in this world I was now filled with security because of His love and acceptance.
So much more; so much more to share of the difference He has made in me and in my life. So much more He has for me; although I am 35 years in Christ I know it is still only the beginning.
A portion of the lyrics from Third Day’s Born Again
I was lost when You found me here
And I was broken beyond repair
Then You came along and You sang Your song over me

It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
For the very first time
In my life
I've a feeling in my soul
And I pray that I'm not wrong
That the life I have now, it is only the beginning

It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
For the very first time
It feels like I'm breathing
It feels like I'm moving
For the very first time
For the very first time

I wasn't looking for something that was more
Than what I had yesterday
Then you came to me and you gave to me
Life and a love that I've never known
That I've nver felt before