Pamela's Ponderings

His Righteousness or Ours?

2011-02-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

Romans 10:3 (NKJV)
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

Let's break the passage down. The first word I want to know more about is the word ignorant it is the Greek word agnoeo ag-no-eh'-o from 1 (as a negative particle) and 3539; not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination)

So they are ignoring God's righteousness through disinclination. What is a good working definition for disinclination? Webster's New World College Dictionary states it is a dislike or lack of desire; aversion; reluctance. WordNet states it this way, disinclination - a certain degree of unwillingness; "a reluctance to commit himself"; "his hesitancy revealed his basic indisposition"; hesitancy, hesitation, indisposition, reluctance
sloth, slothfulness - a disinclination to work or exert yourself
involuntariness, unwillingness - the trait of being unwilling;

Let's restate it now using our better understanding, For they are ignoring God's Word because they have a lack of desire and are unwilling to put forth any effort to know God's righteousness....

OK, what is righteousness? dikaiosune dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:--righteousness. We could say right law, system or standard of behavior.

Now let's put it all together; For they are ignoring God's Word because they have a lack of desire and are unwilling to put forth any effort to know God's right standard of behavior and seeking to establish their own standard of right behavior, have not submitted to the standard of right behavior of God.

Contextually Paul was dealing with the Jews who were trying to establish their own standards above the standards of God and therefore missed the Messiah and eternal life. I believe we can learn from this verse how we as God's people have the same tendency the Jews did in sacrificing God's standard of righteousness for our own all the time thinking we are good and OK.

Ponder how this fits with what I shared yesterday...treating the sacred (holy) as common?

Treating The Sacred As Common

2011-02-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

I was awakened early one day last week with a question that I know was from God. I have been struggling not with the answer but with the truth. Is Satan attempting to turn the sacred into nothing more than common? I knew the answer was, yes with no hesitation and no doubts. But why was God asking? I know this was God because I awoke very alert, I confess that is not normal for me. Also I don't usually awake with this kind of question in my mind. So again I ask, Why are you asking? As Jesus did so often in the Gospels He answered with a question, What is he making common and how is he doing it? That took some thought. What is he making common?

His name
His word (Holy Bible)
Our bodies
Marriage
Family (roles)
Sex
Work
Church (place, time of worship, body of Christ)
Worship (Rote ritual to entertainment)
The Cross
Country (America. one nation under God)
Us???????
Ministries
Pastors
Spirit of God

The list above is not exhaustive. We could probably have some good discussions on the many ways Satan is making them common and would love to hear your thoughts. The knowledge of the fact that it is God's own people who are allowing the sacred turn into that which is common is what troubled me. With each of the above listed I was called by God to ask myself, Am I treating ________ as sacred or common? And, is the Church treating ___________as sacred or common?

Let me finish with a verse that God pointed out to me in my QT the day of this experience with God.

Romans 10:3 (NKJV)
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

I will discuss the significance of this verse tomorrow. Till then praying that I treat Him and His interests with the respect they deserve and not carelessly.

Mom and Dad's 5oth

2011-02-02T11:14:00.001-08:00

Jon and I recently traveled to Dallas for my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. My sisters and I were able to give them a really fun shin-dig. It was not a surprise because my Dad doesn't do well with surprises in fact we were all afraid we would receive a whuppin' from our Dad for giving the party. Seriously we were afraid how he would handle the whole thing. My Dad isn't exactly Mr. Social. I'll share later how he handled it.

My sisters, Wendy and Marsha and our Mom, we couldn't keep my mother out of the church kitchen, made all kinds of beautiful trays of sandwiches, vegetables and fruit. The food table was set beautifully. God blessed us through Marsha having so many clear serving trays and pedestals we could use from her work (DELVE Dallas) We had a wedding cake and punch and of course being in Texas you always have to have some Ice Tea, Sweet Tea to be exact. Reminds me of the time I caught my mom putting it (Sweet Tea) in Chad's bottle. Back to the affair. We had fresh flower arrangements on all the tables, very simply done but effective. God blessed us with Wendy being at the right place at the right time. The store was getting ready to cut the flower prices by 75% so they could have room for the new truck load coming in that day. We had burned a CD of my Mom and Dad's favorite music from when they were dating. We had: "You Are My Special Angel," "Have I Told You How Much I Love You," "Earth Angel," "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," and many more. Some great dancing songs but since we were having it in the basement of the church we could not dance. I was blessed by just taking all the change we had around the house and having just enough to download all their favorites and a few more for a total of 24. It excited us for Mom to be so excited about the CD that she made sure she was the one that got to keep it and put it in Dad's truck for them to listen to it together. Jack (Wendy's husband) was blessed by putting all our pictures together for a slide show. It was so much fun for everyone to enjoy all the pictures of my parents from babies to young marrieds on the slide show that ran continuously. We (Wendy, Jack, Lil' Jack, Billy, Jon and myself) all shared about what my parents had meant to each of us. Grant and Anneen were able to send a video clip of congratulations as well as Clay, Ava, and Sarah sang "We Wish You a Happy Anniversary."

So how did my parents like it? Mom loved it she had a ball. My Dad? Harder to tell with him. Like I said were were afraid of getting a whuppin when we got home. But while Wendy and I were giving our speeches he had his head down, he couldn't look up. But when the program was over and everyone was just socializing I saw him smiling many times. When all the Church people had left he danced with my Mom. I think that was my favorite part of the whole afternoon.

Miracles do happen. My parents are overcommers! They stand as a great example to me to remember my vows and keep them no matter what and that should be celebrated. Celebrate we did

Belmont Living & Bees

2011-01-17T17:34:00.000-08:00

My mom and dad lived only a short time with my father's parents. They were able to rent a home in the Lakewood area of Dallas on Belmont. This was a cute home with a front porch. I don't have a lot of memories here because I was still young.

At this time in my young life my mom worked the late shift at TI (Texas Instruments.) I can remember one night my dad clearing all the furniture out of the living and dining room so that he could steam clean the carpets. I'm not sure why I remember this but it is very clear. I have a feeling that my working with my dad made it special to me. I'll have to ask him if he has any memory of this memory.

I also remember playing on the front porch and my mom telling me to not bother the wasp nest and I would be fine. Evidently my curiosity started young because before too long I had been stung. It was the first of many.

Bees, yes I have several memories of their stinging influence on our family. I can recall one afternoon Grant passing a ball with his Uncle Jack in the backyard at my mom and dad’s. My mom and I were watching on and off from the kitchen window. All of a sudden we see Grant swatting at the air. They both ran in the house. Grant wasn't stung but they were swarming all around him and not Jack. I think it was the next day that Grant again was playing in the backyard and all of a sudden those bees were all over him. He couldn't see to get to the house they were all over him and he began to scream as he was trying desperately to get away from them. My dad beat me to him and grabbed him and got him into the house. Those bees were all in his clothes so we started tearing his clothes off of him and stepping on or hitting all the bees we could. They really wanted Grant. It was scary at the time but now we all laugh when we talk about it. It actually was a bit strange.

I recall often seeing my dad come in the back door of our home with bee sting wounds all over his face and hands. Climbing in trees has many dangers beyond just falling.

Snow & Ice

2011-01-14T08:46:00.001-08:00

We in North Carolina have had a light dusting of snow but on top of that we have had layers of ice. With our temperatures not rising we have had no melting. Our school kids have been out of school the whole week. I can't imagine what the parents are going through right about now. All this bring back my own memories of snow and ice.

I was born with snow in my longings. Dallas rarely gets snow but she does get ice. I have many memories of ice storms in Dallas. When I was young and a ice storm hit I remember my Dad getting all excited. He would get his chains on and then load up his truck with all sorts of chains and tools. He would then sit out to go help people in trouble. Many times I would have the thrill of going with him. I saw my Dad as the local hero pulling cars out of ditches, front yards and other unwanted situations. I can recall many people wanting to give my Dad something for his services but I never saw him take it. He was all about the adventure. I love the adventures we had together as well. Adventures can bring us closer together.

Just to show you how much my Dad loved adventure if the storm wouldn't come to him he would bring it to himself. I remember Dad all excited about something one night but I had no clue what he was up to until the next morning. I awoke to a frozen wonderland in our backyard. He had decided to let the sprinkler run all night with temperatures at freezing. It was an Icecicle palace. My very own personal winter wonderland. I couldn't take my eyes off of the beauty. Some adventures are gifts from others that fill us with awe.

The biggest ice storm I can remember was the storm that ended 1978 and begun 1979. This was a big one, in more ways than one. First of all it made the whole city beautiful and thrilling. Along with the beauty came thick ice on power lines which meant that many parts of the city were without power. We we were without power for a whole week. Thankfully we had a real fireplace we could keep burning. I don't remember getting cold as a nuisance that was an adventure to me. It was not being able to use my curling iron nor electric roller that was a pain. I had to go to church and I have to have big hair. I went anyway. I am so glad I did. You see it was this Sunday I met my future husband. I was sitting in church and noticed visitors. I heard the voice of my Youth Director in my head about being friendly and welcoming to visitors that came. I was the first one of the youth to introduce myself to him. This was important because I was in a group that had many beautiful girls in it. Anyway the rest is history, and to think He fell in love with me with out my big hair! Some adventures bring great rewards.

I know he would also want everyone to know that when he met me I was a blond...really blond. I wanted to use this new product out called "Sun-In." You were just suppose to spray it on and while you were in the sun it would naturally highlight your hair. I asked my Mother for permission. I can still see the sparkle in her eyes when she said, "Oh, I have something even better than that." Will she dyed my brunette hair blond. I was shocked when I looked in the mirror to see my beautiful brunette hair with natural looking highlights, blond. My mother! Time would fail me to tell you all my mother stories. So, Jon fell in love with a blond who didn't want to be a blond. Some adventures are costly.

Back to the snow and ice. Every summer my family minus my Dad would travel to West Virginia to visit with family. They would always talk about their snow. I was thrilled when I was told we were going to go to WV for Christmas. Finally a real White Christmas. No, didn't happen. It was the first Christmas since they could remember that they didn't have snowed. It came the week after we left. Might as well tell you now. To make this Christmas even worse it was when I found out there was no SC. I can still feel the pain. I think I was around 7,8 or 9. I can remember that the adults were in the bedroom off the living room wrapping gifts and then ever once in awhile someone would come out with one that said, "To so and so, From: SC." I knew he wasn't in the room. Crushed. The next year my Dad tried to prove to me that he was real by placing newspaper down in front of our wood burning fireplace. He then put ashes on top of the newspaper. He said that SC would have to leave his boot prints if he was real. Surprise, surprise the next morning there were his bootprints. I think I played along because as much as I was crushed the year before my Dad seemed even more crushed. Sometimes our best laid out plans for adventure don't turn out the way we had hoped.

Again, back to snow and ice. I can remember a really big snow in Greensboro. It had actually caught the city by surprise. We expected some snow but not this much. It came on a Sunday and Jon had left on the church answering machine that Church was basically canceled but if there were any brave souls that needed the fellowship to come with a croc-pot and we would be there to greet them. Surprisingly a few families showed up. We worshiped, ate and then headed out together to sled. IT was such a great day in the Lord. The boys loved it as well. I can remember one time when we were also in Greensboro that the electricity had gone out in a winter storm. We got our candles going and the boys had their flashlights close by their sides. We sat in a circle around the gas logs and talked and laughed. It was for only about 15 minutes and the lights came on. I could see the sadness on the boys faces so I said quick everyone go cut out all the lights and lower the heat and let's just keep going as we were. We did and had a great family time together in the dark. Doesn't really take much for an adventure.

When we moved to the mountains of Johnstown, PA no was more excited about the possibilities of big snows than me. We had wonderful snows. I can recall many occasions of sitting in the Sanctuary and all of a sudden these huge flakes would start falling down. It was a beautiful place to worship our Lord. Living in Johnstown boys were able to learn to ice skate (Grant was especially good and went on to play hockey) go skiing but they really liked snowboarding and of course tubing. They of course were naturals at it. Me? I can remember my first experience attempting to ski. We all took a little class before going up to the bunny slope. I came down and fell. Over and over again I would fall. I finally was getting the hang of it and doing well, I might add, when up and behind me I heard someone yell, "Way to go Pam!" Dummy me thought I should acknowledge them and then wound up like a pile of spaghetti. Do you know how hard it is to maneuver those long skis? It took me what seemed like forever to unravel myself to stand up. No not for me, I will stick to tubing or even better sitting at my window with my hot chocolate and a book. Some adventures are better left to the experienced and yes less klutzy.

Snow and ice, I do love them. I think what I really love more is adventure, especially the kind of adventures that make memories with those we love. I want my life filled with adventure. Everyone of the adventures I shared above there is One who is not mentioned but oh so present, my Christ. He is the giver of snow, ice, and adventure. He has shown me much grace and favor and to Him I will be ever so grateful.

My Genesis

2011-01-04T14:32:00.000-08:00

I was born on April 2, 1962 at Baylor hospital in Dallas, Texas to Billy Marshall and Donna Leigh Jerger Fugitt. Both my parents were 20 years old at the time of my birth, young. Both had entered their marriage with baggage. I will save this for another day because I am really finding it difficult to share.

I know not from my memory but from being told that my parents started their life out living in the projects of Dallas. This was a place my mom was very much familiar with as it was where she had lived with seven of her siblings and her mother, Anna Mae. I love that name but to me she was my Memaw. I too would become familiar with the projects of Dallas but that is later down the road.

After living in the projects for only a year my parents lived a short time with my Dad's mom and dad. They were George William and Pauline Fugitt, To me they were my Gran-Gran and my Papaw. They lived in a huge house 6048 Bryan Parkway. Why do I remember that when I can't even remember my own cell phone number? This house is one block off of the famous Swiss Avenue of Dallas. We are talking big and beautiful homes. These homes have often been used by Hollywood for movies. W.A. Criswell owned one of these homes. I remember my Dad telling me that working for W.A. was great, he was kind and generous; his wife on the other hand was quite the opposite. Anyway my grandparents house was thrilling to me. It had a big front porch, wonderful architectural details and wide steps. I dreamed of living in a home just like it.

I think I will stop here and talk about my grand parents and then end until tomorrow. I adored my grandfather. He was kind and affectionate with me. He had a small office in the back of the house. This office was where I entered the house when I came over. He seemed to always be sitting in his chair with a cigar. His wonderful fancy cowboy hat was sitting on it's hat stand. His hat-stand was a big 'ole round bellied Buddha. I always thought that was funny that he used it as a hat stand. I found out just recently that my Dad and two of his brothers had given it to him as a gift. I guess it was meant as a joke but it makes me grin thinking of the way he used it. Every time my PaPaw would see me he would ask me if I had a Yankie dime for him. Now how many of you know what a Yankie dime is? It is a kiss. When I gave him his Yankie dime I would be rewarded with a buffalo nickle. The interesting thing about this is that he was Indian, American Indian. When I saw him I always visualized him with one of those big chief feather headdress. My grandfather did not make it to my wedding he was in the hospital and would die from bone cancer three months later. My Dad would be at the hospital more than once a day throughout his hospital stay. My grandfather was in so much pain that he would beg my Dad to end his life for him. I can't even imagine what each one went through mentally and emotionally. thought he was the wonderful and kind one.

My grandmother always seemed very formal to me not very affectionate. I don't ever remember her hugging me or telling me she loved me. I was always somewhat afraid of her. She never gave me reason. I can remember when my grandfather was very sick her talking about him to my parents when he was right there in the room with them. She would always talk about all that was negative going on with him and his illness. This happened in my later teen years. It made me so angry that he was treating him the way she did. Today, with some experience and wisdom she had to talk. His slow death right in front of her, the man she had shared her life with and raised 10 children with was leaving her. She desperately needed to talk. My anger was misplaced. Not only was I wrong about this I was wrong about her. A few years after the death of my grandfather my Dad arranged to buy a house (my grandmothers money) that was right across the street from my mom and dad's house. He would be there every morning fixing her breakfast and talking to her. He would see her sometime in the day and my mom would fix her a plat of dinner each night. My Dad was a good son and my Mom was a good daughter-in-law.

I was given my grandmothers Bible a few years back and when I opened the pages and saw all the clippings that were stuck here and there I was astounded by what I learned. After talking to my Mom and Dad recently I had an even bigger picture of who my grandparents were. My grandmother had listed seven of her children and the dates of their baptisms. My Dad was one of the ones not listed. My Mom shared with me that my grandmother went to church and she took all the kids to church with her. I found that my great-great grandparents were names Sarah and Issac. I asked my Dad, cautiously about his going to church. He told me that his mom took him and but when she went into her class he and two of his brothers would sneak back out and go and get into trouble. I believe there was a bit of sadness with my Dad as he shared. My mother then shared that my grandfather was known to be a drinker and a bit of a harsh man and father. I didn't know; my perceptions were the exact opposite. By the time I came of age they were older and their health had began it's downward slide.

What did I learn? In my youth I lacked the wisdom, experience and understanding to rightly divide truth from error. Our perceptions of people and circumstances are not always accurate. God was right when He said to honor the aged...no matter what (mine.) It takes knowing someones whole story before we can really appreciate them. Grace, mercy and forgiveness come so much easier when we take the time to know others stories. We all have stories.

My Story

2011-01-03T14:11:00.000-08:00

My mom and dad came to visit Jon and I for Thanksgiving. While they were with me I decided it would be a perfect time to ask about their childhood and ask questions I had often wondered about but always forgot to ask. I learned so much and my learning explained many things about my own life. Gleanings that could make a difference in my future and my children's future.

Something was said by my oldest son while we were spending Christmas with them that got my wheels spinning. How much do they really know about me? I have always thought I was one to be an open book to my children but just maybe there are things they are unaware of. If that is so then I want them to know all there is. I want them to know not only for the sake of memories but for learning more about themselves and possibly making the necessary changes to change what then can of the chains I have passed along.

The past year and half God has had me teaching my SS class through Genesis. How amazing to read our spiritual beginnings. We studied all of it, the good the bad and the ugly. Through it all we saw God's scarlet thread of redemption. Together we learned that God is always more than willing to forgive, show mercy and to give a new beginning for those who would turn to Him. We noted the hand of God move through each of the lives of the patriarchs. He was and is sovereign orchestrating events to bring all to the life changing knowledge that He is Lord.

I believe with no doubting that God's mighty hand has been in my life. He has orchestrated events that drew me to Him and to a greater knowledge of Him. I believe my story is worth telling for my children and my children's children. To be honest I am really scared to do it....is God the One behind this?

I was awakened last night around 1:30am and the story began to unfold and I couldn't get it out of my head. I couldn't get back to sleep till around 5:00am. If I could only type it the way it was unfolding. I know it will take months if not the whole year. Maybe that commitment scares me even more. Most who read this know how I dislike blogging. I don't know where this is going to take me. I do know that it is not something I will be posting anywhere but here nor am I compelled to tell anyone to be sure and check out my blog. Maybe God will supernaturally hide it because it is really only for my own benefit and my children. I don't know. What I do know is that it won't let go of me. I have learned that if it is from God it won't let go of me until I obey.

Starting tomorrow my life story will unfold.....

Genesis 34: Dinah, a Victim

2010-08-31T11:19:00.000-07:00

As I ponder Dinah’s story my heart is broken. How many young women and girls do we have in our life? What do they need to hear from us? Do they know they are loved? That they are valuable and precious? Have they learned that there are some environments that are not safe? Will we commit ourselves to making sure we do all we can to make sure they know our love and protection as well as their worth and value as God’s special creation?

I wonder how many girls or young women God may bring across our path that are victims or victims waiting to happen? Could we possibly be used by God to mend their broken hearts or prevent them from making grave mistakes? How far can a smile or a few choice words go? For me they were enough to completely change the direction I was going. The words’ “You are so special to God and He wants to do something special in your life” were enough to get me to seeking out this God. Once I was found by God my heart began the journey of healing.

How many women and young girls are swallowing lies from Satan? So many want to judge the way some dress, where they go or how they seductively live. What we need to understand is that many of these have swallowed the lies. They believe that they aren’t precious or valuable, that this is as good as it gets and they have no hope because this was the life they were given. They don’t know what real love is because they have never experienced it. Most have been neglected and or used all their lives.

How would Jesus respond to these? I think He would be moved to compassion and want to touch their lives and give them the hope they are so desperately crying out for. Could you possibly be His instrument of hope and healing? Let’s keep our eyes and ears open to those God places in our lives (even strangers) so that He can move us to compassion.

Stopping short of our Promised Land

2010-08-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

In chapter 33 of Genesis we see another spiritual high of Jacob’s; His fear has come to naught because Esau embraces him. The relationship is restored. Where does Jacob go from here? Better yet, where should Jacob head next? It is true that for most of us, our greatest temptations come after our grandest spiritual moments. This is true for Jacob as well. Where should Jacob have journeyed and not stopped till he arrived?
Genesis 31:3 (NKJV) "Then the Lord said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you."
Genesis 31:11-13 (NKJV) “Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, 'Jacob.' And I said, 'Here I am.'…… I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.' "
What vow? Genesis 28:20-21 (NKJV) “Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, [21] so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God.
Genesis 31:18 (NKJV) “And he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.”
Jacob had direct orders from God…get to your promised land. He had made a vow to get back to his promised land. He began the journey back to his promised land. It seems that he had every intention to getting to his promised land. But he stopped short. He stopped this side of the river.
Why the delay going to his promised land? Why do we stop short of our own personal promised lands? What excuses can you hear Jacob (or his wives) giving? It’s too inconvenient today. I’ll do it tomorrow. We all know that tomorrow never comes. The kids are tired. Do we blame our lack of drive on our children, or our hectic schedules? We say that we will start when everything is in order. Everything will never be in order. If we are not intentional about our journey to arrive at our promised lands we won’t get there.
Delayed obedience is disobedience. What obedience are you delaying? What do you know you SHOULD do – and you’ve put it off… and put it off… and put it off? There is no better time than now to pack up and start crossing the river to get to the other side where you were meant to live, where your promises await you.

The Room by Joshua Harris

2010-08-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

I was asked recently to read this story. I am always cautious when reading things over the email because I know that so often they carry errors. This story was supposedly written by a young 17 year old days before his death. I read this thought provoking story and was humbled by what my own file room would look like. I don't even want to go their; yet we all need to make ourselves take that look so that we can begin to tremble now in His holy presence. The story is rewritten below so you will have the opportunity to do your own double take of your life. I did however do the research on this story to find that although the 17 year old did turn this in a few days before his death it was not original. He had procrastinated in turning in the assignment so I guess he got desperate to turn in anything even if it wasn't his. The true author is one my heroes Joshua Harris. Regardless of who wrote the story it one that causes us to stop and ponder our words, deeds and thoughts.

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed."

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

By Joshua Harris. Orginally published in New Attitude Magazine. Copyright New Attitude, 1995. You have permission to reprint this in any form. We only ask that you include the appropriate copyright byline and do not alter the content.

What Kind of Fighter Are You?

2010-08-24T08:10:00.001-07:00

The other day as I was talking to God, He gave me a visual. There was a boxing ring and from the ceiling hung one of those old fashioned microphones and God was the announcer. He called out, "In this corner is the World, Satan and the flesh." Everyone in the stands, including me was booing loudly. Then God continued, "In this corner is…." There was complete silence. Then the focus zoomed right on me into the midst of the crowds yelling, "You can win. Victory is yours for the taking. Fight the good fight." Then all of a sudden I noticed that I was the only one cheering. Except for my voice it was completely silent and all eyes were on me. I looked around completely confused. I looked to God to see that He too was looking straight at me. He then said, "I'm waiting. We are all waiting. You can't have victory unless you enter the ring to fight. Just shouting the cheers, showing you acknowledge the fight isn't enough. You must get into the ring. You can't be a spectator shouting out the truth of the fight. You must get into the ring." Now what do I… you… do with it?

I know that I need… no must get into the ring and fight. That started me thinking about our different responses to fighting. What kind of fighter are we? I came up with just a few; in no way is it exhaustive but enough I think to get us to ponder.

As you ponder these types consider them in context of fighting the good fight of faith. We must fight against Satan his lies, deceptions and schemes. We must fight against the world its influences, ungodly world-views and its temptations. Also we must fight against our own flesh, its willful and selfish agendas, ungodly wants and desires, future fears and past wrongs that steal our focus and energy.

1. The Dodgers. They don't get anything resolved. Their attitude toward fighting is not getting involved by avoiding it. They don't develop a strong faith nor experience peace or God's power in their lives. There is no victory, no overcoming, no abundant living, and no liberty. Most of all they don't get to experience intimacy with a personal God.
2. The Deceptive . Their attitude is, it's my way, because I want my way. They tend to pretend they are really fighting but in reality they are justifying their actions and therefore the fight is null and void. They do what is right in their own eyes and still expect God's blessing. Their thinking is that since they show up in the ring they are fighting. But once in the ring all they are all show and trash talk no real action. Again they ever experience true victory or intimacy with God
3. The Deserter. They may enter the ring for a moment but as soon as it gets a bit rough they high tail it out. They never see victory because they don't stay in long enough to see it. They often are wondering why others seem to be experiencing more of God and His blessings than they are.
4. The Dealmaker. This is the one who is always trying to bargain with God. I will do it if... I will do it when… Because God does not make bargains they never get in the ring and therefore never really see the enemy because they are so focused on themselves. Therefore they never overcome themselves; their own worst enemy. Victory and intimacy are never theirs.
5. Determined . This fighter is committed to finishing the fight no matter what. He knows that finishing is victory. He knows cuts and bruises are a part of fighting. Going the distance will prove to be filled with personal rewards not to mention intimacy with God throughout the fight. True freedom and abundant living is found in the daily consistent fighting the good fight.

I want to be determined to fight everyday that I may live in victory and to know what it is to be an overcomer.

My Experiences Wrestling with God

2010-08-18T11:03:00.001-07:00

I have had many calls on wrestling with God so I wanted to share a bit more about it. Wrestling with God isn’t an everyday event. We are invited by God to wrestle through an issue usually dealing with something or someone we are fearful of facing up to. The basic questions asked during the wrestling match are, can you be honest about who you are? Remember God asked Jacob, “What is your name?” Last time Jacob was asked who he was he told his father he was Esau. This time Jacob honestly answers God with I am Jacob (liar, deceiver.) Jacob was being honest about who he was and I believe he was also acknowledging his need for help. The other question is, are you going to trust Me that I know best and that I will see you all the way through to the good?
From my own experiences of wrestling with God two are coming to mind. The first was when I was faced with the fear of losing the man I loved. I remember being asked by a friend of mine, “Do you really trust God knows best?” That was a questions I had to ask myself. Down on my knees I went or in this case, to the mat I went. I poured out my fears to God. I kept praying through the question did I trust God? I finally got to the point where I surrendered my will to His perfect will no matter what they may be. I gave Him complete rule of who I dated, when I dated, and how I would date and especially who would be my husband. It wasn’t just words, I meant it. That is when the peace that passes all understanding literally flooded every part of me. I got up from the mat a changed woman. I walked differently after that. I never again questioned His will or distrusted Him concerning my future with dating and marriage. The greatest reward is that God blessed me with the most wonderful husband. I never dreamed I could have the marriage and love that I have.
The other experience coming to mind happened at High View, Jon’s first pastorate. It was during VBS. The other ladies were not doing as I wanted them to do concerning VBS. I had a fit and verbally was down -right mean. I left their presence but the Holy Spirit was gnawing on me like a beaver diligently dropping trees to build a dam. The Holy Spirit was determined to do His job. I knew God was telling me I had handled it wrong and I was to go confess and ask for forgiveness. It was the last thing I wanted to do. I didn’t want to face them; after all I was the pastor’s wife! As soon as VBS was over I ran to the attic of the church and sat there…He found me. I cried and screamed, “I will not do it.” Again, as clear as a voice on a radio He asked, “Don’t you trust Me?” Here we go again. Yes Lord, I do trust You. I went below and confessed my sin and asked for their forgiveness. Some did, some did not. Regardless of their response I again had a peace that was filled me with a power and a confidence. I walked away from that experience a transformed woman. I survived confessing my sins and asking for forgiveness and it felt great. I never again feared facing up to my own sins again. I know His way is the best way.
I hope this helps with your wrestling’s past and future.

Wrestling with God

2010-08-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

I recently had the privilege of getting together with some old friends from El Paso. One of the blessings of being in ministry is developing deep spiritual friendships. One of the non-blessings is having to say good-bye. Anyway in the midst of conversation I was challenged to keep blogging and to blog about the lessons from my Sunday School class that God has challenged me to write. I will try again to blog.
Wrestling. Boys love to wrestle. I know this through personal experience. There were many occasions in our home of Jon wrestling with our two boys. They wrestled up into their teen years, hence the broken sofa. Our oldest, Chad, now has a son of his own, Clay. I have watched the two of them wrestle as well. Chad is tall and has broad shoulders; he has grown into a big man. Clay on the other hand is a small 40lb, 3 foot tall tyke. He is still growing into his huge smile. Yet they wrestle. Looking on we would all say, that isn’t a fair fight. Chad could easily crush Clay at any time he wanted. I could imagine if Chad laid his head on Clay’s stomach and fell asleep, Clay probably couldn’t get up. Yet they wrestle. Sometimes it is Chad, the father that urges the wrestling match on, other times it is Clay the son that does the inviting. Why? Intimacy. The wrestling match is a time of bonding and a way of intimacy. The son never feels fearful that the dad is going to let harm come to his own son. Trust is a huge part of a little boy wrestling with his big daddy.

This last week we were in Genesis 32; the life-changing wrestling match between Jacob, the son and God, his Father. I can’t help but wonder how it got started. Stop and imagine the different scenarios that could have taken place. Back to point. We need to take time to wrestle with our Father. It builds trust in us and is a time of deep intimacy.

Jacob’s wrestling with God was filled with purpose. God had called him to face his past sins by facing his brother. He had to do this before he could get to his promise land. He was scared and didn’t want to face his brother. Jacob, all alone was invited by God to wrestle through his fears with Him. Jacob enters in and comes out of the encounter a changed man. His walk will forever be changed. He now is able to courageously walk before his family to meet Esau with his 400 men. He also is able to come to Esau with great humility.

My challenge for you today is to go ahead wrestle out those things you are afraid to face up to with God. The results will be a transformed walk and intimacy with God

Humbling Ourselves Part II

2010-05-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry it took me so long to post again on this subject. Since Jon’s seizure last week we have been taking things much slower. Sometimes God will intervene and make us rest, amen?!

Anyway back to the subject of humbling ourselves. Am I sinning in the area of faithfulness in serving God?

Ephes. 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Do we fail to attempt things for God because we feel or think that we are not talented enough? Do we feel inferior? When we do accomplish something do we fail to give Him all the glory? Are we using what God has given us? Are we abusing, ignoring what God has given us? Are we developing what God has given us? Are we being responsible or irresponsible with all the blessings God has given us? Could fear of the unknown or getting out of our comfort zone what keeps us back from serving?

Put Off / Put On

Unbelief (Heb. 3:12) / Faith (Heb. 11:1,6)

Burying talents (Luke 12:48) / Developing abilities (1 Cor. 4:2)

Irresponsibility (Luke 16:12) / Responsibility (Luke 16:10)

Complacency (Rev. 3:15) / Zeal (Rev. 3:19)

Laziness (Prov. 20:4) / Diligence (Prov. 6:6-11)

Slothfulness (Prov. 18:9) / Wholeheartedness (Col. 3:23)

Procrastination (Prov. 10:5) / Diligence (Prov. 27:1)

Could the fact we are not serving Him faithfully be because we don't believe what God has said about us and what He says about Himself toward us? Are we limiting God due to our unbelief? Is it possible that we are not serving because we don't know where to serve because we aren't hearing God speak? Are we asking?

"...will HUMBLE themselves..."

2010-04-26T14:14:00.001-07:00

Am I sinning against God in the area of my thankfulness towards Him? Meditate on the verses then answer the questions below. Any affirmative answer is sin and should be confessed. Confession alone will not put us in the position we need to be for revival to come. We must ask God to change our heart and then we must also cooperate with God by changing the way we think then our behavior will follow. This take time and determination on our part…I believe this process is part of what is an “effective, fervent prayer.’
Job 1:21
And he said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord."
Psalm 34:1
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Ephes. 5:20
giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
I Thessalonians 5:18
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Philip. 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Col. 3:17
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Hebrews 13:15
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Are you worrying about anything? Do you pray about everything?
Have you failed to thank God for all things? Do you thank Him for the seemingly bad as well as the good? Is there a trust problem that causes you to forget He is always good and always does good?
Do you neglect to give thanks at mealtime? Do you truly focus on what you are praying or do you just quickly go through the motions?
Are you praising God enough? What are the majority of your words related to?
Is your thanklessness a result of your thinking you deserve more or better? This can lead to jealousy, covetousness and discontent. Do you feel cheated or that life isn’t fair? Do you feel sad when you look at others and what they have?
Put Off Put On
Ungratefulness (Rom.1:21) Gratefulness (Eph. 5:25)
Covetousness (Luke 12:15) Contentment (Heb. 13:5)
Discontent (Heb. 13:5) Contentment (1 Tim 6:8)
Murmuring/Complaining (Phil. 2:14) Praise (Heb. 13:5)
Jealousy (Gal. 5:26) Trust (1 Cor. 13:4)

If you like me are seeking revival then we must start asking ourselves the hard questions. I am going to prayerfully go through each of these verses and questions seeking God to show me the truth. I don’t want to deceive myself one iota. I don’t want to miss revival because I just didn’t want to take the time to examine myself before Him. I don’t want to be the cause of my church experiencing all God wants. This won’t be easy…it takes time and wrestling.

If anybody out there is joining me let me know so we can hold each other accountable and pray for one another.

Humble Yourself

2010-04-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning my pastor gave us challenge to desire revival personally and corporately. He gave us a vision and challenge from 2 Chronicles 7:14. I want to take that challenge seriously. The first thing His child is to do is to humble himself. I have been around the block enough to know that I would much rather humble myself than have God have to humble me; been there a few times and don't want to repeat the experience again. I will humble myself.

Ok, so what does it mean to humble yourself? How do you do it? Where do we begin?
Humbling ourselves we know will require work on our end.

I found some quotes that I found interesting:

"Humility is nothing but truth, while pride is nothing buy lying."
Vincent De Paul

"Humility is strong - not bold; quiet - not speechless; sure - not arrogant." Estelle Smith

"Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil's reach as humility"
Jonathan Edwards

"The boughs that bear most hang the lowest."

"Humility is to make a right estimate of one's self.' Charles Haddon Spurgeon

To be humble means:

*having the proper attitude toward God and the things of God
*having proper dependence on God
*having proper perspective of ourselves (not self-abasement nor self-deprecation)
*having a strong awareness of our unworthiness not our worthlessness
*without pride (pride being the direct opposite of humility)
*not self-centered but God centered

"Humility is to make a right estimate of one's self." This is what I want to do the next few weeks. I have an idea that may help me to do a proper estimation of my self and you too if you would like to join me on the journey. I want to go through a check list if you will to discover any hidden sin, habitual sin and certainly any self-centered or prideful attitudes. I want to humble myself before my God because I trust Him when He say it is the way to His healing.

Check in tomorrow for the beginning of our self-evaluations. It wont be easy but it will be worth it. Soli Deo Gloria.

Thanks Dad

2010-02-22T13:00:00.001-08:00

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

My Jesus, what a thrill You are to me

2010-02-04T13:11:00.001-08:00

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!

Remembering When

2010-02-01T12:11:00.000-08:00

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

Ready Yourselves

2009-09-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

I know that without any doubt, hesitation or reservation that the end is drawing ever closer. I have within me a deep urgency to truly be the church and not just do church. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. Can anyone out their relate? It is a matter of life and death, eternal life and death and I do not want blood on my hands. Instead I want to be a partaker of the blessings in being God's messenger of hope. I have been personally called to take the key of Christ and unlock prison doors so that captives may know true freedom. Called to take the salve of Christ and place it on the scars of the wounded. Called to bring the Joy of the Lord to those in mourning and deep sorrow. Called to stitch up the broken hearts. May the Spirit of the Lord be upon us all to go out.

I truly believe even more than ever that God is up to something huge at my church, Jackson Park Baptist. Over and over again He has confirmed to me personally in our times together that the old things are gone behold a new thing is about to spring forth. I am so ready. He has also told me that I must be ready for the new thing. I am to ready myself for what He is bringing. Henry Blackaby says in Experiencing God, "I cannot stay where I am and go with God." I want to go with God. How about you?

A song that has reverberated with my soul in recent days is the new one by Casting Crowns. I love the words and they express so much better the battle cry I am sounding to my fellow servants of the Lord.

Lord I want to feel your heart
and see the world through your eyes
I want to be your hands and feet
I want to live a life that leads

chorus
ready yourselves
ready yourselves
Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night
ready yourselves
ready yourselves
May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise
Until the whole world hears Lord we are calling out
Lifting up Your name for all to hear the sound
Like voices in the wilderness we're crying out
as the day draws near
we'll sing until the whole world hears

Lord let your sleeping giant arise
Catch the demons by surprise
Holy nation sanctified
Let this be our battle cry

chorus

we'll sing until the whole world hears
we'll sing until the whole world hears

Want to be your hands and feet
Want to be a life that leads
To see you set the captive free
Until the whole world hears
and I pray that they will see more of you and less of me
Lord I want my life to be the song You sing
Until the whole world hears Lord we are calling out
Lifting your name up for all to hear the sound
Like voices in the wilderness we're crying out
as the day draws near
we'll sing until the whole world hears
we'll sing until the whole world hears
we'll sing until the whole world hears
we'll sing until the whole world hears
we'll sing until the whole world hears
we'll sing until the whole world hears

SS After thoughts

2009-09-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

Interesting that we just finished on faithfulness being a fruit of the Spirit. In my Quiet time a couple of verses stood out in relation to the lesson we had this past Sunday. Since they can also pertain to the previous blog I wanted to share them here as well as with my class (the most wonderful class ever)!

Isaiah 36:5 (NKJV)
I say you speak of having plans and power for war; but they are mere words. Now in whom do you trust, that you rebel against me?

We that have been give the truth are now accountable to and responsible for the truth given. We cannot just let these truths of God shared become just mere words because God clearly says that would be a personal rebellion against Him. I don't want to go there do you? We must BELIEVE GOD. It is not enough to recognize we are in a battle and to agree that it isn't easy nor just plan on ignoring it. We must enter into the battle with our shield of faith, BELIEVING GOD for the victory and the conquering of the kingdom that stands against God.

Ephes. 1:19 (NKJV)
and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

We are not in this battle alone. Do you see the promise here for those of who are willing to take God at His word and believe it so that it changes the way we behave and think? Exceeding great power toward us. I could use more of His power in my life and circumstances what about you? Let's BELIEVE GOD.

Remember that we have to go "through" and not around. We don't want to take the long way around nor do we want to give up because there is so much at stake. Look at this verse and see what is at the other end of the battle:

Psalm 66:12 (NKJV)
You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.

Rich fulfillment...it has the meaning of satisfaction and running over

What shall be our battle cry? God be glorified, Jesus exalted and the Spirit manifested! Who is ready to fight?

Shield of Faith

2009-09-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

The first piece of armor that our young people are to put on is their 'shield of faith". Note that I said their "shield of faith." Our young people cannot ride the faith of their parents. Even in battles where the shield was used it was made to cover one person and each person going to battle had to pick up their own personal shield to be covered. You didn't go into battle without one hoping if the arrows came your way you could jump behind someone's shield and find safety; there would not be room for two because it is a personal shield. Just as each person must individually take responsibility for their own sins and seek personal forgiveness so each person must have their own personal faith.

More about faith in a minute. The shield that was used most in biblical times was a large shield around 4ft tall and 2ft wide. Some were even curved to give the most coverage of protection. Scripture tells us that God is our shield! He is our coverage of protection but we must seek His refuge when the enemy comes at us. The shield was often covered with linen and leather which had been saturated so that when the flaming arrows were hurled they would be quickly extinguished.

Let me give an analogy; God Himself is our shield, the saturated linen and leather is the truth of God. Having them in our arsenal is great but unless we know how to use them we are in trouble. A Scripture God showed me in preparation for my SS lesson shows this:

"When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt. So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle."

They were armed for battle...just as we have been fully given every piece of armor we need for battle. But having armor doesn't mean we are fit for battle nor that we know how to skillfully use the armor. We need (parents, grandparents...) to know how to use the armor and then train our young people likewise.

So back to the analogy, If God is our shield and the leather and linen God's truth how do we effectively use it? We must hide behind it. We must stand behind it. Now in day to day living how is that accomplished? That is why it is called the "shield of faith." We must have faith.

Faith is pistis and it means "firm persuasi1on, conviction, belief in the truth, veracity, reality or faithfulness."1 It means simply to believe God. Our shield will protect us and put out the enemies lies when we believe God's truth! When we believe God. When we take God at His word. When we take God's word over every other word that sets itself up against God's word.

We must believe God and train our children in the reality and sureness of God's word. It is the word that is the lamp to our feet and light to our path. It is the only way to overcoming the darkness of this world. Give your young people more and more light! Be and example before them by standing behind your own personal shield of faith. Be a light give the light. Believe God!

See You At The Pole

2009-09-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

Today is a very important day for students across the United States. Many sold out Christian young people gathered early this morning at their school flag poles to pray.

1 Tim. 4:12 (NKJV)
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Father God, I humbly pray for this young generation that they will believe you exist and that You are a rewarder of those who earnestly seek You. God I pray that they will seek to flee temptation and not even put them selves in places of possible temptations. When they find them selves in situations that could be harmful I pray Lord that you would reveal to them clearly the escape route you have placed there for them out of Your great mercy and love. I ask that you will give them a heart to delight in You, a mind that hungers for the truth and a soul that thirsts for Your presence. O Lord that You would give them pure hearts and clean hands. I also ask that they would hear Your Spirit within them and they would respond with, "Yes Lord." Help them to be leaders with courage and not followers. Lord give them discernment to recognize lies being taught, shared as truth and sold as good and right when they are wrong and bad. Help them not to fall into the pit of political correctness over Your holiness. God fill everyone of their deepest needs, wounds and longings with Your unfailing love that they not seek to fill their emptiness with anything but You. God give them supernatural power to be more than conquerors that they will be the generation to turn this world upside down. God without You this generation is dangerous. Please Lord hear our prayers today that all may see and know that You alone are Lord God. Jesus rules and by His blood and life we pray. Amen

Still Burdened for our Youth

2009-08-18T14:01:00.000-07:00

While at Youth Camp I became overwhelmingly burdened for our children and young people. I heard and saw things that although didn’t surprise me still shocked me. Let me remind you where I was, at a Christian Youth Camp. A few days later God drew my attention to a passage that dealt with warfare and how important it was to have those going to fight to be prepared for battle, able and skillful. At that time God spoke through the Spirit that our young people and children are in the battle of their lives, literally and they are losing because they are not prepared. I don’t even know if they realize they are in a battle, if this is true then they are loosing solely because they are not fighting.

This has constantly been bearing on my soul and I know there are others out there too because you have responded to me either by commenting on the blog or personally. Since the initial burden God has called me to talk to our young girls at church during one of their Wed. evening meetings. I’m not quite sure they get it. I have also been honored, in recent weeks, by God to lead 6 young ladies to Christ. I want each of them to live the victorious and abundant life. What do we do?

What God is showing me:

It begins in the home. Parents if you are a Christian you have been given biblical mandate to train your children in the ways of God. You will stand accountable before God on what you do and don’t teach your children. Are you teaching and training them for the battle they are in or are you hoping that either they will just get it on their own or the church will do it for you? I want sure fire guarantees when it comes to my children and not a wishful, not sure attitude towards their lives. They will not get it on their own. There is also no guarantee they will get it from the church. I have talked to many adults who have grown up in the church and were leaders who clearly don’t get it, probably because they were never taught. We cannot teach others what we don’t know. Parents do you know how to fight in the battle? Teaching warfare is better taught with hands on experience led by those who have been there already. Teach with passion the dangers of losing the battle and the rewards of winning! Parents start fighting yourselves.
Before entering for battle the people of God would always go before God in prayer, worship and sacrifice. You can’t win victories with burdens and weights draped all over you. Through prayer we must continuously seek to be free of sin, scars and fears. Through worship we continuously acknowledge that He is Lord and His ways are worthy of our fighting for. Through sacrifice we give up our lives to be lived according to our wants and whims over to His greater causes. We follow Him into battle and He will fight for us.
Are you doing this (praying, worshiping and sacrificing) on a consistent basis? Are you doing it out of ritual and religion or out of a loving and trusting relationship, if you aren’t start. If you don’t know how, I really do want to show you so that you can truly experience His personal love and attention. There isn’t anything or one that satisfies the deepest needs of the soul like our God. If you are doing this parent or grandparent are you then showing your children? Are you teaching them how God speaks through His Word? Are you allowing them to hear of your personal testimonies of how God is working in your own life? Are you growing in your love for the Word of God and letting them see it? Yes many will catch it but let’s not lose the reward of teaching them.
I have more to share but for now let’s examine our lives, our parenting and our homes. What are you teaching your children directly or indirectly? Are you aware of what they are watching, reading, texting, facebooking, speaking, doing outside your home? Are you aware of the “stuff” out there that is dominating your child’s attention? Do you know the agendas that are directed at your children in the schools and media? Have you heard the recent polls taken of our Christian youth and how they don’t even believe there is a devil, nor in absolute truths and that Jesus is only one of many ways? These are Christian youth that attend church regularly. Could that mind-set be one of ours?
Ok one more thought to go with the above questions. One of the enemy’s strategies would be to surround their target, or prey with the plan of cutting off food and water supply and therefore they would just surrender. Our enemies (we have three, the Devil, the World and our own Flesh) still seek to do the same thing. They want to cut us off from our food and water supply so we just surrender. We can surrender into the enemy’s hands without even realizing it. What is our food and water supply? The Word is our bread from heaven that we must gather daily for true nourishment. Our water is the Living Water of the Holy Spirit that warns and reminds us there is a battle that can and must be won. Do our children know the power they have available or are they surrendering into the hands of the enemies without a clue. Do they know what they are giving up? Have we told them and shown them? The wise kings would stockpile food and water in order to be prepared when an enemy attacked. We must be prepared and lead the way so our children are prepared for battle.

What will be our war cry?

It's Over or is it?

2009-07-24T07:42:00.001-07:00

VBS 2009 has come and gone. It is all over. We have reason to celebrate. I know of four children who accepted the Lord as their Savior. What a blessing to witness God's love and power.

Teachers stayed late to get things back in order for Sunday. Everyone is looking forward to this Sunday's worship service. I know I have great anticipation for what will happen in the worship service. I know of one young lady who has committed to be a part of our family and will be joining. I know of two more young ladies that recently asked Jesus to be their Savior and will be walking forward to share their news with the church family. I have to admit that I owe great gratitude to Brian Chambers for doing Children's church for me so that I could stay in the service. It didn't take much arm twisting since the message is going to be to women.

Although VBS has come and gone we still have much work to do. We need to follow up on those visitors and salvations through VBS. Those that were saved that are connected with out church we need to disciple. Older women need to teach these younger ladies about walking with Jesus in this new life He has given them. Older men need to teach these young men how to walk as godly men. I know that God has also brought into our midst those who don't know Jesus personally yet and we need to continue to shine light into their darkness.

We still have much work to do. Although we may grow weary in our work we must seek to never grow weary of the work. That is why the family of God is so vital to our good health; we need the encouragemnet, the cheering, the stirring of others.

I want to thank all those who helped make this years VBS great. I know the cost you paid. May GOd richly bless you and may you hear His sweet voice say to you, "Well done thy good and faithful servant."

VBS News

2009-07-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

Last night was a wonderful night. I am so thankful for those who volunteered and have for months been sacrificing time, energy and resources to invest in children. I am thankful for those (Pastor Jon, Allen and Kim) who came and prayed in the Prayer Room. I know we owe God's favor on us last night because you sacrificially gave up convenience and bent the ear of our Lord. I am thankful to workers who have sacrificed their own resources to decorate rooms, buy rewards to give for memory verses, food, etc....

Sacrifice seems to be a recurring theme in the thanks given above. Can we really expect to do the Lords work without it costing us something? Does the Lord want it to cost us something? It's easy to give out of our excess, or serve where it is comfortable and convenient. What does God say?

1 Chron. 21:24
And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

What cost are you willing to pay? What cost is God asking you to pay? What cost will you pay this week for the lost world that Jesus loves and paid the ultimate price for? He paid the price for you are you willing to pay a price for Him?

Before Him in love

Last Bit of Camp News

2009-07-11T13:11:00.000-07:00

We are finally home after a day of what seemed like all waiting. After getting up early yet again, Hannah, Steph and I took our luggage down to be put into the trailer. when we arrived Devon was walking away from the trailer rather slowly. I opened up the trailer door to a loud scream and boo. Hmmmm, guys I don't scare easily in the morning. They were so disappointed that we didn't even budge. I just said, "Guys help the girls get their stuff in." I did hear that our guys did get one boy really good but only after he had tried to get them first. Want the story ask Dalton.

From Jon's blog you already know the story on the van so I won't bore you with that. I did want to report that the goal for Ridgecrest FUGE was $100,000.00 to send for missions to help the Roma people and the Canadians. By the week we arrived that had received almost $75,000. our week took up around $20,000. Wow! I am so proud of our own youth for their giving. We raised $108.00! Our first offering we took up I gathered $87.00. The next night I announced what we had. They started yelling we need to give more, here is another dollar, two, three....till we arrived at the wonderful number of $108.00. I was really proud of those who truly wanted to give and gave cheerfully.

Now that I am home there is so much work that needs to be done for VBS and then helping Jon get things together and nailed down for the Mission Trip. I do want to finish the topic I started about the battle and how we can teach our children warfare. I am hoping that the silence is because you are all praying and pondering the answers.

Now it is time to prepare my heart and mind for the Lord's Day. Have a great one.

Just A Bit More Camp News

2009-07-09T20:26:00.000-07:00

Mega Relay went well....that was a lot of kids doing messy and crazy relays at one time! Out kids did really well. Matthew's face was completely covered with yellow war paint. Wesley had I think red and I think that was a pink tie around Sonny. All of them had some sort of color on them. It was fun to watch and I will just keep Jodi's little secret.

The last night of worship was good, The Holy Spirit was even greater! One of our own prayed to receive Christ! How awesome and amazing is His love and grace toward us. We had a good time during our church group devotions. The youth told their funny stories of the day. I learned that Sonny was using the ironing board to go down the steps? Quinten was taped to the chair and Madison and Jodi were too tired to climb down the hill so they decided to just roll. I am sure there is so much more we all just don't want to know. Laughing with the kids brings joy.

I wanted to talk more about the earlier post but just too plain tired for that now. I am and for home...then it's all on for VBS.

More Camp News

2009-07-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

The last full day of FUGE! The kids are all doing their track A while Jon and I are lounging in a lounge. We are going to go and watch Devon play some basketball in a bit.

I have received a few responses about what do we do concerning our young people. How can we make sure they are ready to fight the good fight in the battle that is raging all around them. I have really been pondering this one and asking God for answers. He did answer me yesterday in my QT. Stop. I never grow tired or dull to the fact that I can ask the Almighty God of all and He answers personally and specifically. Wow! Anyway back to the answer He gave me. He said that they need to be able to do four things:

1. Able to bear the shield and the sword
2. To shoot with the bow
3. Be skillful in war
4. Cry out to God in the battle
5. Trust God for the victories

God wants me to ponder what this looks like in day to day living. What does He mean by bearing the shield and the sword....? Help me out here I would love for you to prayerfully ask God what He is saying about these. I will type more later tonight about what God is sharing with me but I really want to hear from you.

Camp News

2009-07-08T19:03:00.000-07:00

Another day at the beautiful Ridgecrest. I praise the Lord today for the rain and the soft breezes that came upon us today. It was actually a visual picture of what Pastor Mike had talked about the night before. Unexpected things come that God isn't only fully aware of but in control of and sending our way to test us. Sometimes we get so caught up in everything going our way, the fun way or the easy and wanted way that we don't grow. Change brings growth if we cooperate with God. Hopefully the extra time in Bible study and Quiet Time for our students did just that.

Our youth are not disappointing me, well most aren't. Hannah hurt her knee and Dillan and Wesley trekked all the way from their room to ours to give her one of Kristopher's camouflaged band aids and Quinten's Advil. Dalton and Wesley were very kind in showing all the "newbies" where everything was. The older ones are being kind to the older ones. Stephanie and Mary have been good and helpful friends to Hannah.

Quinten has had a marriage proposal that he quickly turned down. He has enjoyed his Independence. Hannah is healing nicely from her swing injury. Devon is smiling a lot and Jon and I watched him play hard and well at Battle Ball with his team mate Dalton. Dalton is well let's just say girls flock to him like bears to honey. But I am proud to say that he is making guy friends as well. We watched Stephanie play Volley ball against Heather today. Heather as always is making lots of friends. Stephanie has made friends as well and one stalker (don't take too seriously.) Madison and Jodi are stuck to each other's hips! They both are in choir and sang with the choir this morning at the morning show. They will do so again tomorrow and Friday. Mary is doing well and being an encourager to all. Dillan has been a real friend to all with his normal good attitude. He surprised me the first day and ate all the food that was served. Then today he started with the cereal again. Wesley has made friends as well and has been their for the younger ones when they needed him, today he took Matthew under his wing. Matthew seems to be having a good time and thanking God for providing miraculous car rides up the mountain. I heard he was talking to a girl out by the swings last night...just hearsay though. Kristopher...what can I say that he hasn't already said five times. seriously he is doing fine although he was disappointed that he didn't get to go on his overnight backpacking trip. Yes I said overnight. He is hoping that they will get to go tomorrow. Sonny is making lots of friends it is a new one every time I see him.

Tonight Nightlife is the 70's. Jon and I did the real thing so we are skipping out. Actually I am skipping out with Steph and Hannah now. One more full day left. Tomorrow is the big Mega Relay...this is really fun and messy!

Survival is more than something for camp...

2009-07-07T12:40:00.000-07:00

I am surviving youth camp yet again. Our youth seem to be having a great time. Today is the first full scheduled day. They have already danced through the AM show, lived through recreation time, learned during Bible Study and Quiet Time and are not living through their individual trek times. Tonight will be the first in-depth worship time and I am really looking forward to it. I am hoping that the light goes on in their souls.

Being surrounded by 1700 kids this week has reaffirmed a lot of what I have feared. The vast majority of this generation of church going youth and their youth counselors are all about the fluff. Before I say more let me affirm that the staff of Fuge (directed by David Neece) is not about the fluff but they can only carry it so far until it lands at the feet of the day in and day out Youth leaders. You can hear it in there fervent pleas to be holy leaders and examples of truth and that in every recreation game there is purpose…to reinforce the truth. I just don’t think it is sticking. I am a people watcher and with so many of my favorite spots taken this week with so many kids I have had to sit in the open to ponder and as I have sat they (the youth) walk by and I listen and watch and see so much I would rather not. Holiness and truth are the last things I have been seeing. I am sure that within the 1700 there are those who really did come this week to grow in faith, knowledge and intimacy with their Lord, but they seem to be few.

It begs the question what are we doing wrong? What is the church doing about discipling our young people, the futures leaders? Does the buck stop with the church or with the home? What are Christian parents doing to disciple their children in the ways of the Lord? I think way too often that the parents are hoping that the church is doing it and that what they get from the church will be enough. IT IS NOT!

I don’t know what the answer is but we need to find it and find it fast. The world they are living in is anti-Christ, anti-home, anti-family, anti-morals, anti-character, anti-responsibility, anti-work, anti-absolute truth, anti-faith, anti-purity, anti-marriage, anti-holiness, anti-authority, anti-anyone but yourself, anti-self-restraint, anti-self control, anti…. They are continuously being indoctrinated by the world they live in and they will become all the things I listed above unless they intentionally choose not to. How can we get them to see and know Truth (Jesus) that they will be Daniels in their Babylon?

Rambling

2009-06-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of thoughts pondering in my head and want to throw them all out knowing they won't be cohesive. Sometimes just talking things out brings clarity.

This years convention has left me wanting. Wanting for what? I usually return crom the Pastor's Conference revived and energized for ministry. That is not the case this year and come to think of it, it wasn't the case last year either. The speakers were good and challenging. God spoke to me although it was not a resounding aha moment. Is familiarity bringing a yawn or is there more to it than that?

I believe with all my heart that God is wanting to do something really big in my life, the life of our church and the life of The Church. I know that prayer will be the cost for me. I mean the Daniel kind of prayer....fasting, on my face before the throne kind of praying. Not just a one time but a long time...days, weeks, months maybe years. I don't know but I think that is a cost, a heavy cost I will have to pay in order to experience and perceive God's greater and perfect will.

Back to the convention...I really enjoy the business part of the meetings. I know this might surprise a lot of you that know I hate attending church business meetings. Church meetings seem to often to get personal, angry and out of the influence of the Holy Spirit. The convention rarely is that. We worship and exhalt the name of Jesus before, during and after. The single purpose and mind is Jesus; knowing Him and making Him known. That is fun business. Respect for leaaders is always the tone.

I think that all that are Southern Baptist would seek to attend at least one national convention. I don't think you can understand what it means to carry the title without attending ans seeing the big picture. Although in recent months I have been frustrated and disturbed by some leaders in the convention and the direction the convention has gone on some issues I have hope. I also still believe that we have the greatest potention for "turning the world upside down." That is what I want to be a part of. That is what I am wanting.....longing for.

Oh Jesus, my Savior and Lord. You turned my world upside down and inside out and I am blessed and rich because of You. I want to be used by You to "turn the world upside down." It is what I desire.

Convention News

2009-06-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

I know, I know it has been forever since I have blogged. Life in ministry is a wild hair blowing ride. I will share more about that another time but today I want to concentrate on what is going on right now....the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention and Pastor's Conference.

Let's start with the surroundings. Louisville, KY; ok but nothing really draws me here. I like old but this city seems more tired than just old. On the other hand our hotel (The Gault) is fantastic. The room is superb and we have a wonderful and large bay window that looks out onto the Ohio River. It is great to watch the sun go down over the river. Being up on the 23 floor makes the views that much more grand. Thank you Lord.

The ride to and fro the Expo is in a nice air conditioned bus; much better than the hot trolley's of New Orleans!

During the Morning session of the Pastor's Conference they have included recently a Pastor's Wives session. I really wanted to attend this year since the key note speaker is a at-a-distance mentor of mine, Mary Kassian. The theme this year was: Women of Truth. The posters included the line: We are: called, blessed, privileged But sometimes: tired, stressed, judged and our sheep can bite! I have the scars to prove it.

Mary Kassian gave us 10 Life Commitments to being Women of Truth gleaned from Titus 2:1-5.
#1. Radical Devotion: Life is all about Jesus and we are head over heels in love
#2. Sound Doctrine: Study, have convictions, stand strong and not easily swayed
#3. Family Plan: Husband and Children lover; lover of God's Family Plan
#4. Intentional Living: Self-controled; disciplined life
#5. Godly Character: Pure and holy
#6. Womanly Priorities" Busy at home, home creator
#7. Womanly Purpose: Kind, helper
#8. Womanly Disposition: Gentle, Quiet & Submissive
#9. Spiritual Mothering: Train others
#10. Display the Beauty of the Gospel: That the Word of God not be blasphememd

So how committed are you? Finding yourself weak in some ares. I wish we could just sit with a tall glass of sweet tea and discuss these.

Have to go catch the shuttle for this afternoons session...Fred Luter Jr. and Mike Huckabee...

Christ in us

2009-04-28T07:40:00.000-07:00

My ladies (Sunday School class)and I have begun a new journey together with Christ. We can't go anywhere without Him for He is, "Christ in us, the hope of glory." The word glory can be a very hard word to translate into our English language with the same depth of meaning. It does have the idea of "weight" or "substance." I learned, from where I cannot remember, to replace the word glory with the word presence. Thinking about the weight and substance of all God is, is His glory it is His presence. Let's try it. "Christ in us, the hope of presence." His presence revealed in us.

That is our goal as we travel together through the book of Galatians with most of our attention on the fruit of the Spirit. I want to be different than the natural woman that I am. Instead of living and reacting to life with my natural tendencies I want to live with supernatural power. Although the Disciples walked physically with Christ they didn't know the power of supernatural living until the Holy Spirit came upon them as promised by the Father. That same power was given to each of us at the moment of our salvation. I have the same power but am I living with the same unleashing and bold power?

Think about it, do you naturally express love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? I am not asking if you at times exercise these characteristics. I am asking when your ordinarily natural response to something would be_____________ and through the power of Christ in you, you _____________ instead. Fill in the latter blank with any of the above fruit of the Spirit and it's opposite in the first blank.

Can't be done? Oh, yes I cry out to you with ears to hear, "It can because I am living proof." I have grown up! I live in victory over my natural self. Not that I have arrived completely, oh no that would certainly be fodder for the enemy. Yet I have experienced victory in certain areas that were pitfalls for me every time they arose. Now my goal is to yield every time my natural tendency is to do the opposite. Now that is great power coming through.

Join us as we seek "Christ in us the hope of presence."

Lessons from Gardening

2009-04-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

What I know about gardening I have taught myself mainly through trial and error or my friend Google. I do enjoy getting outside and getting my hands dirty.
Yesterday I was out dividing some monkey grass to line the front beds. I wanted to be sure and get monkey grass that would not be missed. As I was walking around I noticed some that was on the edge of the grass. I know that God was the one pointing it out to me because it was so mixed in with the grass that it was hard to differentiate from the grass. I guess it never had a chance to develop and become what it was created to be because it kept being mowed over; cut down. The grass had been planted so close to the edge of the grass without any barrier it had become assimilated with the grass and no one could tell the difference. They were small but I dug them up and replanted them along our front sidewalk where next year they will be visibly different from the grass and outline our front beds. They will thrive and grow tall; planted in the right place.
I have been a Christian now for over 30 years and have noticed differences within the church. Those that “plant” themselves too close to the world do not thrive nor do they become what they were created to be. They look, talk and act just like the world. Because they were never meant to live like the world they are continuously being cut down and not able to grow. Those that plant themselves apart from the influences of the world will stand out; they will clearly be seen as different from the standard grass. They will add to the world at large the beauty it desires and needs. They will define the borders by pursuing righteousness and holiness and not self-pleasure or personal rights. Where are you planting yourself? Are you satisfied with your Christian life? Do you stand out or are you assimilated into your surroundings?
I recently was challenged by this thought: How does one become spiritually relevant without becoming culturally irrelevant in the society we live in today? The Word and prayer have made the biggest differences in my life. The Word plants my thoughts, words and actions in Him and not in the world around me. Prayer keeps me growing or should I say going? What about you? Our Creator has given us all we need to live the vibrant and abundant life for Him but it cannot be done without Him. Just like my physical garden does not just happen without pain, planning and planting neither does the Christian life.

Happy Birthday Chad!

2009-04-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

While I was gone to Dallas, without internet, my oldest had his birthday on the 11th of April. I wanted to wish him a belated blog birthday.

Chad is unique in so many ways. He serves our homeland security by working in the Coast Guard. He has decided to make a career of it. I am so very proud of him in so many different ways and making a career of the Coast Guard is only one. Chad is an
"I.T." guy. He and his wonderful family have been transferred to Cheboygen, MI. My heart aches because he will be even further away from us. Please pray for them as they relocate that they will be able to find Christian friends and a good church to attend.

Chad is somewhat quiet. He is content being alone as long as he has a book. He is always in the midst of reading something...he especially loves fantasy. He was loving J.R. Tolkien before his recent popularity with the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
He is a wonderful husband who truly serves Amanda with a sacrificial love. He always puts her interest and good ahead of his own. He learned well from his own dad. He is a faithful husband who takes it seriously to flee temptations and pursue purity in his marriage.

He is a great dad who loves his children (Clay and Ava) with patience and attention. In a world where so many dad's seek to please themselves and to seek out as much "me" time; he stands out as a dad who seeks out "we" time with his children. He also has taken his role as teacher in their lives as a priority. That is why you can see Clay and Ava's intelligence soar above the average. He reads to them and so patiently explains everything to them as the questions arise and believe me Clay has many questions.

Amanda is a young lady who also seeks to put her children first. She is beautiful inside and out and devoted to her family. It is hard being married to someone in the military. She has to move often having to set down new roots and routes. She has done so with a great attitude...she is devoted to her marriage and her man, my son, and I lover her so deeply for that.

Chad I am so very proud of you in so many different areas of your life as a man. Know that I love you deeply, you are my first born. I sang over you many times but those special days just after your arrival I prayed and sang into the long night over you. You were literally an answer to the prayers of your dad and I. You brought hope and life to our marriage.

It has been so hard to let you and Grant go. God did not bless me with a daughter who would stay close to her mom but I wouldn't trade you and Grant for a million daughters. My heart does ache in my loneliness; so much time was spent with you. How does one stop being a mommy? A teacher? You were my life; my daily life. I have been so richly blessed for our time together and for watching you grow as a man. You have pursued righteousness now continue your journey and pursue the "abundant life."

Glad to be Home!

2009-04-20T07:35:00.000-07:00

Wow; how long has it been? I was given a special birthday gift from my two sons, a trip "home" to Dallas to be with my mom as she recovered from major surgery. I really appreciate the thoughtfulness of my boys....men now.

My mom is doing really great. She has one of those new scooters to put her knee on and scoot around the house. She is just as fast on that as she is behind the wheel of her car. I love my mom she is truly a treasure to me. She is a true servant giving continuously to her church. She prepares meals once a month on Wednesday's for the congregation. She picks up several of the elderly ladies and takes them to church on Sunday's and Wednesday's. She will often take them out to lunch on Sunday afternoons. There was a younger woman who came to Dallas and God brought her to my mom's church. She struggled to find a job. The church hired her as custodian and Mom quickly went to work in providing furnishings for her apartment and making curtains. I love my mom's heart to serve and do good....especially to the ones others would tend to see as a burden. My mom also has a wonderful sense of humor with a saying for everything. I enjoyed being with her but glad to be home.

While at my mom and dad's I had no internet....hard to live life without it once you have lived with it for so long. I have had so many thoughts pondered that I have a lot to make up for. Stay tuned, I'm home!

Book Review

2009-03-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

I know I am really behind on blogging. It seems I have this love/hate relationship with blogging. It is really a matter of obedience and I confess I have been rebellious but I will save that for another time and another day.

"Vintage Jesus: Timeless Answers to Timely Questions" by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears

I truly enjoyed every minute! They write so that a common layperson can really sink their teeth into the theology and doctrine of Jesus. Not everyone will enjoy the reading. The authors not only take us on a journey through the Scriptures but also through pop culture. What I appreciated the most was at the end of each chapter that had answers to the most frequently asked questions on the particular subject. I wanted you to see exactly what is covered in this reading so listed below are the chapters:

• Chapter 1 Is Jesus the Only God?
• Chapter 2 How Human Was Jesus?
• Chapter 3 How Did People Know Jesus Was Coming?
• Chapter 4 Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?
• Chapter 5 Why Did Jesus' Mom Need to Be a Virgin?
• Chapter 6 What Did Jesus Accomplish on the Cross?
• Chapter 7 Did Jesus Rise from Death?
• Chapter 8 Where Is Jesus Today?
• Chapter 9 Why Should We Worship Jesus?
• Chapter 10 What Makes Jesus Superior to Other Saviors?
• Chapter 11 What Difference Has Jesus Made in History?
• Chapter 12 What Will Jesus Do upon His Return?

Jon and I recently took a trip to Southeastern and while in Chapel we had the privilege of hearing Mark Driscoll. He is a gifted Pastor that God is using to reach the culture by being relevant without being spiritually irrelevant.

Personal Consecration

2009-02-17T13:34:00.000-08:00

Often God will blend what I am learning in Bible study, sermons, and Sunday school lessons with what He is saying to me in my QT. God wants to get His point across and He wants us to hear it and assimilate it into our lives; so He repeats it over and over again. During my recent “retreat” God showed me the two areas in my life that I have lost control in; or rather where I have been drowning in self-defeat. I knew since the beginning of the year that there was something hindering me from climbing higher but could not put my finger on it. I continued to seek and finally I have seen the light.

1 Cor. 6:12 ‘All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. “

I like the way another translation puts it, “…All things are permissible for me, but all things are not beneficial...” The one word for “brought under the power’ is exousiazo and it means “to be ruled by or be under the power of, to be in bondage to.” I have allowed myself to be ruled by these two areas I mentioned above. They control me instead of me being in control through the power and authority of the Holy Spirit. I have surrendered power to the enemy. The enemy can be my flesh, our world or Satan. Whichever the enemy is, they can only rule in a Believers life where we have invited them in. For me it is all about making the right choices; ruling over my responses, emotions, time, what is best instead of what I want….

Proverbs 25:28 “ Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.”

The word for wall is chowmah and it means “a wall of protection.”

Walls were for protection from the enemy. Walls are for my protection. Self-control is my wall of protection. Self-control is the ability to make choices, the right choices at the right time. As I make the right choices I then invite the Holy Spirit to rule and have authority over me. I am surrendering to my power to Him. Any area in my life where I am consistently out-of-control is an open invitation for the enemy to rob me, defeat me and break me down. No more! I want to live in victory.

Today is day one of 40. I have committed to consecrate myself for this period of time wholly to the Lord that I might learn self-control specifically in these two areas. Wow, now I have gone and done it. I know I need accountability. I know that I must seek Him first and daily receive His grace that is sufficient for each day. One day at a time I will find victory.

2009-02-04T10:50:00.001-08:00

2009-02-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

Treasuring His Word

2009-02-04T08:09:00.000-08:00

Staying accountable....

I have memorized Isaiah 33:6 and Proverbs 2:1-5 and will continue to weekly review theses as well as keep them in my prayers.

For the first part of February God has brought me back to a passage He gave me during the time of our church-wide call to fasting and prayer:
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV)
"Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert."

This is not only the direction God has given for the church but for me personally. Anybody else out there hiding His Word in your heart so that you won't sin against Him? Feel free to share.

I have learned that memorizing His Word is most fruitful and effective when the passage is in areas of need in our personal lives. I am excited that He has something new for me and I want my hands free so that I can grab hold of it when it comes to me. If I am holding on to something from the past they won't be free for the new thing.

Before I go for the day I wanted to publicly brag on my Jesus. He is truly the gift that gives and keeps on giving. This morning I awakened to snow. Yet again He has shown me great favor. Can anyone do what He can do? Can earthly artists create the beauty He displays? He creates beauty out of nothing. They still need to use His colors, His tools, and what do they paint? His world. Can anyone have thought up the creation He has bestowed upon us? Camels? Zebras? Katydid's? Blueridge and Smokey Mountains? Niagra Falls? Daisy's? Venus Fly Trap? That is only a smidgen of the visual beauty He has granted; what about the smells? Roses, Bread cooking, and skunks very own special aroma. I didn't say all smells are pleasant but to that Skunk it is his protection and God did it on purpose. His purpose is brilliant and pure creative genius. Praise Him, He thinks of everything! And what about sounds? Thunder, infant cries, our own voices, winds rustling through the trees, rain falling, the laughter of children who really get the giggles! Amazing. And then let's not leave out touch. The soft fur of animals...one day I would love to hug a lion but I am willing to wait until He says it is safe. The roughness of bark on trees, the squeezing of fat baby cheeks (both kinds!) The warmth soft fleece and itchy wool brings. He did it all! His imagination is wild; and I am wild about Him.

Staying Accountable

2009-02-03T06:36:00.000-08:00

Just finished my second book for January...ok I an a few days into February but I was also reading another book at the same time that I should be able to finish this week as well.

Satisfy My Thirst Soul by Linda Dillow

Linda Dillow has been a favorite author of mine for years. In fact her Creative Counterpart has been the book I have encouraged new brides to read for years. My copy is falling apart on my book shelf.

I recommend reading Satisfy My Thirsty Soul to all those who are looking for practical ways to deepen your worship in your daily lives. Dillow first shares about worship in general and how she was awakened to more intimate and fulfilling worship. She then shares about how to worship in our life, words, work, attitude, waiting, pain and our wills. She gives very practical ways to enjoy His presence.

Spiritual Retreat

2009-02-03T04:41:00.000-08:00

I awoke this morning around 6:30; it was cold and the bed was warm. As I always do, I quickly ran to the window to see if there was any snow. No snow but the wind was hurling. I jumped back in bed to hear God asking me what I was doing. Huh? "I have something for you to see" was what He said to me. Now? It isn't even light out. That was His point. Then I heard Him whisper, "You don't want to miss this." He knows exactly how to get to me, I never want to miss anything. I jumped up got the water getting hot for hot chocolate. dressed twice...needed two layers on. I left the room knowing exactly where He wanted me to head...our Mt. top. I left the hot chocolate in the room and proof (camera) that I really did get up this early.

When I arrived there was a scene of beauty. Colors streamed across the tops of the peaks of the mountains and them a thin thread of clouds above that. It was gorgeous but I new the climax hadn't even happened yet. I had to get back in the car to warm up a few times. One time as I was worshiping Him in the car It was like He said, "Let me show you something else while you get warm." The trees all around me started swaying, bowing low almost to the ground. It was so graceful and very appropriate for them to bow before their Creator. Back out to see the sunrise. There she was, the sun slowly inching her way above the mountain tops. All the colors now concentrated in her. Everything is shadowed now by her presence. She has arrived and the whole world is in awe. I stood in awe.

I thought about the Son. How he "set" in the dark grave but then He "arose." Everyday is a reminder to us all that the Son arose. He arose to sit in His proper place; above all. I wondered about His return and what it would look like. I praised Him for being the Light of the World and the Light in my world. I thanked Him for bringing to me personally sunshine. I thanked Him for not letting me miss His personal display of beauty just for me. I let Him know I loved the workmanship and the Designer. For the rest of the day I will be setting with the Son.

Spiritual Retreat

2009-02-02T12:05:00.001-08:00

Though the day is just half over my cup rennet over. God first showed me a favor by having Texas BBQ for lunch, in North Carolina. Again I gleam at His personal touch in my life. I don't want to take anything for granted. Thank-You Jesus for a great lunch.

I have been to the top of the mountain. Literally I've been to the top of the mountain. I thanked God all day and night for "our place" by the stream yesterday. This morning on the way to breakfast I sensed He had another place in mind for today's visit. I had thought He would take me to the fire-pit but when I got there He clearly said it was not the place He had chosen. He said,"Go up." I drove up and up; pass the gym, pass the ball field, pass the putt-putt and then up and around and up and around and up and up some more. Then there it was....the most beautiful view of mountain peeks spread out before me. The clouds looked like He had ran His fingers through them and then shook them to let drops falls all on top of the peeks. It was as if He was saying to me, "What do you think about this?" And yes, ladies I did find myself applauding His beauty, and creative genius. I bowed on my knees right there and prayed with eyes wide open to His glory before me. I prayed, confessed, cried and praised Him and then I started all over again.

Then it was time to listen to Him. Again His Word jumped off the page and into my heart. Today He is to me Jehovah Rapha, The LORD who heals. I know that my healing will come only through His Word. It is a scaple (two-edged sword) in the hands of a careful and caring Great Physician. It will cut but it will also cleanse and renew. Healing will not only bring good health but also victory and freedom.

Therefore, I come to You Jehovah Rapha willing to lay myself before Your skillful hands. Remove all "filthiness and overflowing of wickedness" and then "implant Your Word." I will also continue to take my medicine, Your Word mixed with faith so that the healing will continue to be effective in my daily living. Daily I will come to You for proper treatment and continual cleansing that I may remain free and victorious over the sin that can so easily beset me. I will trust You.

Spiritual Retreat

2009-02-01T16:43:00.000-08:00

I am at Ridgecrest. I got here around 3:45 today and will remain here until around 2:30 Tuesday afternoon. For those of you who have had the great privilege of a trip to Ridgecrest you know how blessed I am. Then add to that I am one of only 14 people here. My husband gave me these few days away with his blessing. He could tell I was needing some time alone with Jesus, the Lover of my soul. He is truly wonderful to me. Thank you, honey.

After I arrived and nested in my room I changed out of my church clothes and into my hiking garb, cap and all. I found a wonderful secluded place in the prayer garden by a gentle stream. God is so very good and personal to me. He knows how much I like streams and rivers and so He provided a special place for the two of us. In complete privacy I knelt before my Lord in total humility; He is holy and I am not. I talked to Him out loud from the depths of my soul and He bent low to hear so low I could almost touch Him. In fact at one point in our conversation I sensed He was sitting on a rock about 5 feet away from me. I asked if that was Him and if it was to please come much closer and hold my hand. I know He did. Maybe I am crazy but He is more real to me than what I can see with my physical eyes. I talked on and on and then peace fell like a gentle breaze across my soul. Then it was His turn to talk and He did. His Word is alive and active because it is the present words of my very real Jesus. He spoke directly to all I had shared and my questions were answered. What can I say, "He loves me."

I am completely captivated by His love for me. It is my hearts desire to return His extravagant and lavish love. Oh to be able to take His face into my hands and bring my mouth to his ear and whisper, "I love You back." I know that would put a beautiful smile on His glorious face.

Tomorrow morning will come early for me I will go to sleep tonight meditating on His sweet words to me. Awaken me Lord with ears to listen as one being taught. Be forever on my mind.

Till tomorrow.

God is Good

2009-01-22T08:48:00.000-08:00

God IS good all the time.

God is GOOD all the time.

God is good ALL the time.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.

I can't finds the words to express my gratefulness for His tender care towards me.

He loves in the midst of my neediness
He is my joy in the midst of sorrow
He is my peace in the midst of my storms
He is patient in the midst of my striving
He is kind in the midst of my growing pains
He is good in the midst of everyday life
He is faithful in the midst of my faithlessness
He is gentle in the midst of my learning
He is in control in the midst of my chaos

He is God and I belong to Him and He is mine. Hallelujah!

Happy Birthday Jon

2009-01-17T05:45:00.000-08:00

Jon, you are the most wonderful husband and I love you very much. I hope that this year will be a year full of great surprises, joy and adventure.

Treasuring His Word

2009-01-14T07:09:00.000-08:00

In one of my earlier blogs I mentioned the areas that I sensed God was leading me to make some changes in this new year of 2009. One of those areas was hiding more of His Word in my heart. Nothing is more profitable for us than treasuring His Word within us. My husband's blog challenged us today to memorize Scripture. Check out Java with Jon.

I was talking to Jon last night about blogging and why we do it and what benefits it has for each of us. I think the Lord is using it in my life for accountability; even if that accountability is with myself.

My desire was to memorize 2 verse(s) a month. I have memorized:
Proverbs 2:1-5 (NKJV)
My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
[2] So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
[3] Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
[4] If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
[5] Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.

I not only have memorized this passage I have used it in my prayers. Below is the next verse I want to memorize and make apart of my prayers. I was perusing some my web sights and saw that one of my teachers was challenging her students to memorize Scripture and this was the verse she had chosen and the translation. This verse speaks to where I am at need and so I am adopting it as my next verse to hide in my heart.

Isaiah 33:6 (NET)
"He is your constant source of stability; He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him."

What about you? Don't forget to check out: http://jacksonparkbaptist.blogspot.com.

Cleaning Out the "Stuff"

2009-01-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

There is something rewarding and refreshing about cleaning. I'm talking about cleaning out the over stuffed and crowded drawers, closets and storage areas in our homes and offices.

This Christmas we had a family who God brought into our lives with needs. One of those needs was furniture. Jon being the generous man he is quickly thought of a desk and shelf we had that was in his inner office. He immediately threw the things off the shelves and out of the desk to deliver hope to this family. He then settled back into his life with the mess still all around him. Yesterday I sought to meet one of his needs by going and cleaning up the mess and organizing his stuff. He even let me organize some of his desk drawers. He was thankful for the gift and for the feeling of being relieved it was in order finally. I was also thrilled and felt tremendously rewarded even though it was work. At first you look at the mess and feel overwhelmed and don't know where to begin or if you dare to begin. After the first step there came an inner strength to continue till the job was done.

Our spiritual lives can be like this as well. We have so much "stuff" where it does not belong that it crowds out our effectiveness and usefulness. Mess can be distracting and overwhelming. What needs to be cleaned out, given up or put in it's proper place? We must fight the moods to put if off another day and dig in with the knowledge that we will be rewarded and refreshed. If we work to clear our lives of all the unnecessary we will be able to live the abundant life more effectively. Prepare your lives for the Lord.

"The Shack"

2009-01-09T10:02:00.000-08:00

I finished reading "The Shack" last night.

It is a work of fiction that I somewhat enjoyed reading. It was an easy read. It was a challenging read.

That being said, I recommend reading only with great caution. Although it is a book of fiction the author delves into matters of theology. As followers of Christ we must always gracefully check to see if stated theology matches to God's theology found in "sola scriptura." Young's theology doesn't always ring true with Scripture.

If you are a follower of Christ who is a student of the Word and likes to be challenged within the realms of fluff (fiction) then by all means go for it. If on the other hand you are a new Christian or a Christian that isn't familiar with what you believe and why you believe it then I say, stay clear and read "The Holy Bible."

If you want more info I would be glad to write more but don't want to give away any of the story line to those wanting the challenge.

What Am I Seeing?

2009-01-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

What am I seeing and does it make a difference?

Where are my eyes focused literally during my day?

Matthew 6:20-24 (NKJV)
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
[22] "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. [23] But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
[24] "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Are my eyes seeing more things of God (Light) or are they seeing more the things of the world (darkness)? God is asking me to take a truthful inventory of what I am setting before my eyes. He is telling me in this passage that what I see will make a difference in my life. He is also stating that if I am indwelt with Christ the Light of the world and still choose the world over Him how great the darkness will be in my life. I have the power to overcome temptation, selfishness, laziness.... Will my life be full of light (God) or full of darkness (the world.) What I set before me is that which I serve, that which I treasure. What do I truly treasure? Lip service does not count.

What do I want to treasure and who do I want to serve? I truly want to serve my God in love, faith, trust and full immediate obedience. I want to treasure Him, His presence and His Word.

God also took me to the Abrahamic Covenant today where the sign for the covenant was circumcision. Abraham had to do this before Sarai would bear a child. Sometimes before we can bear much fruit we have to cut some things out. He needs the room and our attention to work.

What needs to go and what is He wanting to set before my eyes?

I know He wants the Word before my eyes and I also know He has challenged me to read more this year. I want to read books that are written by men and women who set God before themselves and therefore bore much fruit. I want to bear much fruit to His glory.

My first passage to memorize for the year:

Proverbs 2:1-5 (NKJV)
My son, [ Pam ] if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
[2] So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
[3] Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
[4] If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
[5] Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.

Epiphany

2009-01-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

One of the things I have tried to communicate to myself and the ladies in my SS class is that we must not try to over complicate our faith life. It is not about knowing and doing all the "do's" and all the "don't's.' This leads to frustration and legalism. This kind of Christianity becomes just another religion and ritual not relationship. Our faith is based on a real, living personal and intimate relationship with the real and very personal Jesus, the Son of God. He hears us and sees us and invites and even pursues relationship with us. When we get up each day and focus on I have to do this and that so I will be a good Christian or so that God will love me more we are focused on the wrong thing. Focus on Him. Get up and talk to Him. Talk to Him about everything and listen to Him; that is relationship. He will lead you along your journey and the "do's" and "don't's" will be fulfilled.

Our journey is seeking Him, seeking to be in His presence and not letting anything stop you until you see Him face to face.

So what is Epiphany? That is what many call today; the 12th day of Christmas. Nov. 30 to Dec. 24th is the Advent; the season of excitedly anticipating the birth of our Savior. The 25th of Dec. is the Birth of our Lord and Savior. Those 12 days following are the 12 days of Christmas leading to the day we celebrate the coming of the Wise men.

We know that the Wise men did not arrive in Bethlehem on the day of His birth but it was much later. We know this biblically: 1.The wise men arrived at a house. The census would have taken a long time without the modern conveniences we have today. Also, there was not a reason for Joseph and Mary to return home knowing the reputation they had and Joseph needed to provide for his family. [Matthew 2:11] 2. The word change in describing Jesus, he was at birth a "babe" brephos which means infant; and now He is a "Child" paidion, little child. [Matthew 2:8,9,11,13,14] and 3. When the wise men went to Jerusalem to ask about where the newborn King was Herod pretended interest and "determined from them what time the star appeared." He then gave orders for all the 2 year old's and under in Bethlehem and surrounding areas "according to the time which he had determined from the wise men" to be put to death. He probably gave himself some wiggle room just to be safe. So Jesus at this time was probably 12 to 18 months old. [Matthew 2:1-17]

The wise men (don't really know how many) from the East saw the star near the time of His birth. They packed up and started on their journey in seeking this King in order to worship Him.
As they journeyed God led them along the way, even their encounter with Herod was God's will in order to fulfill prophecy. As God led them they followed. They didn't let anything keep them from worshiping this King. They sought Jesus. Their whole journey was focused on Jesus and not all the peripheral issues.

As I stated in the beginning our journey needs to be simplified to seeking Jesus and his presence and then walk with Him (not asking Him to be with us) through each day. Trusting Him to lead us with every detail.

Seeking Him Today

Happy Birthday Grant

2009-01-04T06:12:00.000-08:00

Today is my baby's birthday. Grant is turning 24. It does not even register.

Grant has grown into quite a gentleman. Do I sound surprised? I'm not really because I kept believing God for Grant. We have had our moments Grant and I. I have had my disappointments and yes many sleepless nights over him.

Today, Grant is always calling to check up on us and never hangs up without telling me he loves me. When Jon had his seizure on the road, Grant was who I called first and before I could blink he was on the road to come to us. He is a neat freak now; this completely blows my mind. He has become financial independent and making very wise decisions.

He is engaged to Anneen and the proposal was done with thought and romance. He took her to her favorite place (her church) as the sun was going down. She says that it was raining all the way until they got there and then it stopped. The ways she tells it, it was a miracle just for them. She is a sweetie. He then got down on one knee and proposed. I know those of you who know rough and tough Grant are shaking your heads in doubt. Grant was the one who took his Blazer to the desert to hot rod and then got stuck, the one who built a fire in the fire pit that was as big as the house, the one who skateboarded off the roof and the one that said he wasn't getting married until he ran with the bulls. I do believe that he said he was going to find a woman who could do it all and wait on him hand and foot. You should just see this guy around Anneen. He melts like butter in her hands.

Grant is active in his church. He has helped fix the building up as they moved to a new location. He and Anneen lead a Weekly Bible Study in her family's home. When Grant was in New York and Michigan they would pick books and read them and then talk about them over the phone. They keep each other accountable.

I am a proud mom of a 24 year old son. I am a proud mom of a young man seeking after God. He's not perfect but neither is his mom.

I love you son!

A New Year?

2009-01-03T10:59:00.000-08:00

I have never really gotten the holiday of New Years. I am not a party girl, don't drink and although I stay up late most nights I just don't get it. Am I the only one? We really don't have any family traditions for New Years Eve or New Years Day. Growing up we were suppose to have Black-eyed Peas on New Years Day for luck. I didn't and still don't like them so that tradition died with my parents. I also remember us all staying up and watching Dick Clark rock in the New Year (boring) and then we would count down as the ball dropped or went up; I can't remember. Then we would go outside yelling and screaming, and honking the horns and sometimes....Dad would shoot off his shotgun. Of course he stopped that when it became illegal. Then we all went in and went to bed. I am still not getting into it. Oh, yes I do recall that we (Jon, the boys and I) do have one tradition for New Years Eve. We always buy a couple of those Sparking Grape Juices and get out our fancy glasses and drink that. The boys always thought that was kinda neat. Jon and I did that again this year. Unlike the peas I really like this juice.

Reflect. What I do at this time of year that is meaningful to me and probably to many others is reflect. I look back at the last year and examine my life. I really want to know and establish that I have grown in someway. This year I did the same. I am very pleased to announce that I have grown in many areas. I was deeply encouraged by that.
Remember. Not only do I reflect over the past growth but I also remember. I remember all God's blessings. Recounting all God has done in my life and my family's causes me great joy of which I return to God in praise and thanksgiving. It also reminds me that my God is with me always and He remains faithful.
Resolution. Then of course I am drawn to my desire to make changes where changes are needed. Although I have grown this year I want to continue to grow. There is much need to grow more. I don't know who said it first but I fully agree with the statement: "If you do the same thing the same way you will get the same results." I know God wants me to continue to climb up that mountain that stands before me.

That is where I have been the last few days; what changes do I make? What goals are of God? Will accountability help? Some things on the top of my head...Still praying through

1. Read a book a month (especially the classics..EM Bounds, Foster, Spurgeon) Of course that is after I read the Shack so I can get it back to Betty Green
2. Memorize 2 verses a month
3. Less TV (give me more time to read)
4. Exercise
5. Write the Children's Devotional
6. Blog (UGH! I don't get why God and Jon keep after me to do this, Another thing I don't get)
7. Grandchildren (do something creative to be in their lives...it's so hard living apart from them).
8. Nails (yes, I would really like fake nails but can't afford them so I want to really work at making them look the best I can.) Is this silly?

Maybe, this is way too much. Maybe I am missing something. Maybe I am right where God wants me. I am praying and asking. I know this; I can't stay where I am and go with God. I want to experience all God has for me and not be slow about it.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T14:26:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Merry CHRISTmas to all

Countdown to Christmas: Day Twenty Four

2008-12-24T08:01:00.000-08:00

Family traditions are fun and necessary. Each family has them. They are the cement that keeps the family bonded. We have ours.

Christmas Eve we always have Mexican food, tamales if we can get them. Jon and I will be having Fajitas tonight. We always watch some Christmas movie on Christmas Eve as well. It was usually done after the boys opened their one gift that I got to choose. It was either the movie we would watch that night or PJ's. We go to see Christmas lights. We give to Lottie Moon. We give to others in need. When the boys were younger I made a small stocking for each of the 25 days till Christmas. Jon and I would have fun trying to find little trinkets to put in each stocking for the boys. My Mom started a tradition with the boys when they were born, she gives them the Chocolate Countdown to Christmas. You have seen them, where you open a little door each day and their is a piece of chocolate behind it. The grand babies are now doing the same each year. We make cookies while listening and dancing to Christmas music. I read at sometime during the days before, "The Tale of the Trees." I had the privilege this last Sunday night to share this tradition with the children at church. We drink my semi-homemade Apple Cider. We make Fudge, White Candy and Hard Cinnamon Candy. Christmas morning we always have my semi-homemade Cinnamon Rolls. And always before we open the gifts we read from Luke 2 the Christmas story and then pray a prayer of gratitude for the greatest gift of all, Jesus.

There are more that we do. It is great to see your grown children call from wherever they may be and ask for a recipe or share how they are keeping the traditions going. Ponder the traditions that you have with your family. I hope that of all the traditions I have shared you will add one to your own family. If you don't already read the Christmas story on Christmas Day and have a family prayer, I hope that this year you will.

Make sure that Christ is the Bonding Spirit in all you do at Christmas time and throughout the year.

Merry Christmas

Luke 2:1-20
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. [3] So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. [4] Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. [6] So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
[8] Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. [10] Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. [11] For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

[14] "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

[15] So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." [16] And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. [17] Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. [18] And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. [19] But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. [20] Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Countdown to Christmas: Day Twenty Three

2008-12-23T06:49:00.000-08:00

Ponder with me the Shepherds story.

Why do they have such a central part of the Christmas story? How many times do you recall the metaphor of God being like a shepherd? Lots, here are only three of many.
Ezekiel 34:12 "As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day."
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. "
Matthew 2:6 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.' "

Shepherds were not considered to be among the spiritual leaders of the day in fact they were considered by the spiritual leaders of the day to be no good. How ironic that their patriarchal leaders were called by God while they were shepherds...Moses and David. How quickly we can forget from where we come.

Don't believe the lies. These shepherds were watching over their flocks which means they were awake and alert and not sleeping or dozing. Out of the blue an Angel of the Lord appears and they are greatly afraid. This is the usual response to a heavenly visitor. I wonder if they thought they were in great trouble and that judgment was coming to them. After all that is what the spiritual leaders thought of them. Did they begin to believe what others thought and said of them? We too can fall into this trap set up by the schemes of the enemy. We can start believing that we are what others say we are. We believe that this is as good as it will get and this is just the life I was born to live...hopeless and barren. God, the Father came to dispel this horrible and wicked lie. He comes to all peoples to bring them "good tidings of great joy" You might be interested to know
that the Greek meaning word for "good tidings" is "to evangelize." He comes to evangelize all peoples that through an encounter with the Lord's Christ they may have great joy.

Come to Jesus. The Shepherds were invited to come to Christ and this is exactly what they did. They said to one another maybe on top of each others words, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing which the Lord has made know to us." With haste they went to search out the Christ for themselves. We must search out Christ for ourselves. No one can come to Christ for us we must go to Him on our own. The invitation is for "all peoples".

Go and Tell. The Shepherds could not contain themselves they were compelled to tell Mary and Joseph and then anyone who would give them an ear.

Praise God. Their life would never be the same again. Their tasks would take on a new outlook from here on out. They would relive this event over and over again in their own heads and to all that would cross their path. They could not stop praising God. I can imagine the songs of praise they lifted on the hillsides as they overlooked the town of Bethlehem under the stars.

Don't believe the lies this Christmas whatever they may be. Believe God loves you; He demonstrated His love by putting on flesh and coming as a baby. Go and tell others of all that He has done and shone you. Praise God. Sing to Him of your love and gratefulness, make up your own song and give it as a gift to the Birthday Child.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Countdown to Christmas: Day Twenty Two

2008-12-22T06:45:00.000-08:00

Ponder with me the man Joseph.
What is his story?

Matthew 1:16-25
Luke 2:3-7
Matthew 2:13-23

Joseph was a compassionate man. He was a just (righteous, holy) man. He cared for Mary and did not want her to be humiliated. Hmmmm. Do you think Joseph was already humiliated, broken and hurt by the news? Yet in his own humiliation he did not want to seek revenge and humiliate his own 'humiliater'. A man full of compassion. My own Savior was one who showed great compassion even to those who sought to publicly humiliate Him. On the cross He cried out, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." How did it happen that Jospeh the adopted father had the character of his adopted Son? Jospeh, God was with him too.

Joseph was a wise man. To the just man came God's word through an angel. Note what he was doing when the word came to him..."But while he thought about these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream..." He was pondering and probably praying about his circumstances since God Himself describes Joseph as a just man. The point here is that Joseph wasn't controlled by his emotions. He did not make a hasty decision. He wanted to do what was right even if it was not the easiest for himself. Let's all strive to do the same...more Word controlled and less emotionally charged. We have no idea what is at stake and what blessing we may forfeit if we make hasty decisions without regard to God's will.

Joseph was a obedient man. Once Joseph had God's word and will that is when he made haste to be obedient. He took Mary his wife. The Word also tells us that, "...and he did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son." Somehow Joseph knew that the consummation of their marriage would have to wait until the virgin birth of the Son, who he will name Jesus. The prophecies prophesied that the Savior would be born of a virgin. For their to have been intimacy between the two before the birth would have caused all sorts of questions about the miraculous birth of the Son of God. God made sure there would be no doubt in our minds that Jesus was truly born of a virgin. He used a just, wise and obedient man in the center of His plans.

Joseph was a loving father. Adoption is hard. Adopting the child that is half your mates and half someone other that yourself is harder. I'm talking about truly taking that child as your own and loving with the same lavish and unconditional love you would have if that child were your own. That was the kind of father Joseph was. Read the events in Matthew 2:13-15;19-23; Luke 2:41-48. Jospeh was always protecting Jesus. He was always concerned about the life of Jesus. He was a good daddy. We too have been adopted. Our adopted Father does not treat us like step children. His love for us is lavish and unconditional. He always seeks our protection. He is concerned about our life. Our Father in heaven is the best Daddy ever!

This CHRISTmas seek to be compassionate, wise, obedient and a loving parent. In Christ we can make a difference.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Countdown to Christmas: Day Twenty-One

2008-12-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

I'm still pondering Mary.

Gabriel tells Mary at the end of his foretelling about the birth of Jesus, Oh by the way you might be interested in knowing that, "Elizabeth your relative (aunt) has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren."

Why? Why does God give Mary this information? What does Mary do with this information? Verse 29 says Mary arose in haste to go into the hill country to see Elizabeth. Why? I so much want to run on and on with my own imagination and share why I think this detail is shared and why Mary was so eager to find her, but I will restrain myself for your own benefit. Take time to place yourself in Mary's sandals and feel what she may be feeling, think what she may be thinking and fear what she may have feared. How would this information be helpful to you? What would you do?

Ponder God's heart towards Mary and Elizabeth.

My goal for doing these blogs has been to aid myself and possibly someone else to keep Christ in the center of their thoughts and deeds this Christmas. I don't so much want to give you thoughts but to lead your thoughts towards Him. With the little I have said this afternoon, ponder for yourself.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Countdown to Christmas: Day Twenty

2008-12-20T11:19:00.000-08:00

I Ponder Mary.

I wonder if Mary daydreamed. I daydreamed about my future with my soon to be husband. Did she dream about her and Joseph's life together. Did she make plans? Did she dream about the day she would announce to him the good news of their first born? Did she see herself settling down in a house next to her husbands family and yet still close to her own family? Did she long to be held in His arms? Was she daydreaming as she was going through her normal routine of daily tasks?

Mary stands out among all women for she was chosen to birth and mother the Son of God, the LORD's Christ, the Messiah. I do not belittle her position in our rich spiritual history. She was truly blessed among all women. But I would like for you to take another look, see with fresh eyes at Mary's account and see if God isn't trying to preach the gospel even through Mary and the physical birth of Christ. Read again Luke 1:26-38.

I am not an angel but I am a servant of the Most High God and I would like to greet each one of you with the same very true greeting; 'Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" Mary thought the greeting was strange. She probably did exactly what you would have done; "Must be talking to someone else, for I am not blessed among women...why so and so is much smarter, and so and so is much prettier and so and so is...Nor am I favored by God for so is so is favored but not me. If you know Jesus Christ then receive the greeting from God as your personal greeting. Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women or men!

How can this be? That is exactly what Mary asked. She was still thinking in the earthly and the physical as we so often do. But God operates in the spiritual and eternal. Look again at these words, "...The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.' Don't you see that is exactly what happens to each of us when we by faith believe Jesus came for us an we accept His free gift of grace. He wants to be born in each of us. The Holy Spirit wants to overshadow each of us that it is no longer us that is seen and heard but Jesus, the Son of God.

Oh, it seems impossible that I could bear the character of Christ instead of the natural me. Yet again we are reminded that "For with God nothing will be impossible."

I want to respond to God's love and favor the same way Mary did..."Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word."

Countdown to Christmas: Day Nineteen

2008-12-19T10:17:00.000-08:00

I know that I missed several days due to not having internet connection at our hotel in Vermont. You should have seen the room we had. Wallpaper in a bold pattern on all the walls, floor to ceiling. A totally different color and pattern for t he curtains and then other colors and pattern for the bedding. Wild. Let me just say that absolutely nothing on this trip went as expected. Nothing happened as I had planned it in my head. The unexpected in the midst of expecting certain things can cause you to go into a tail spin. I'm a planner. I come by it honestly, my mother is a planner. The hotel wasn't what we expected, the owners were not what we expected, Boston was nothing like I had imagined it. The trip to Boston didn't go as planned. The meeting with Tina didn't go as I feared. The "party" didn't happen as I had dreamed. Yet, I can say without any doubt or regret, "God was in control of every minute." In the unexpected I experienced what I hadn't dreamed of, what I could not have imagined. My greatest joys came from directions I did not even know existed.

The first Christmas brought the unexpected to all those who had great expectations with clear ideas of how it would all happen. The Messiah came in such a strange way, completely foreign to all their plans. Yet, He came. He came as a baby. Think about it the King of all kings, The Lord of all, The Creator of the universe, Almighty God came as a baby. And not a baby born to the wealthy and noble, but the poor and lowly. He did not arrive with a silver spoon in His mouth but laying on straw in a feeding trough in a cold dark cave. His announcement did not come to the rich and famous but to the shepherds who were looked down upon. He came in ways very unexpected. Yet, He came.

This Christmas remember that Christ comes even today into your life in very unexpected ways. In areas you may not even give a second glance...look again and see if you don't see Him. Christ is in our CHRISTmas just in a different way than we may have imagined.

Countdown to Christmas: Day Fourteen

2008-12-14T18:35:00.001-08:00

'Twas The Night Jesus Came

'Twas the night Jesus came and all through the house
Not a person was praying, not one in the house.
The Bibles were left on the shelf without care,
For no one thought that Jesus would come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And mom in her rocker with baby in her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the east there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and lifted the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here!
The light of His face made me cover my head--
It was Jesus returning, just as He said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said, "It's not here" my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I'd known that this was the night.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is now drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all.

--AUDRY PATRICIA WOOLVERTON

Countdown to Christmas: Day Thirteen

2008-12-13T16:04:00.000-08:00

Another song to ponder:

O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

True God of true God, Light
from Light Eternal,
Lo, he shuns not the Virgin's womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Child, for us sinners poor and
in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with
love and awe;
Who would not love Thee,
loving us so dearly?

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

I hope you are spending the time to daily come to Him and adore Him!

Countdown to Christmas: Day Twelve

2008-12-13T15:50:00.001-08:00

You know how we sometimes just do things without thinking? I know that you have been in your car driving and pull into your own driveway or another destination and then had the thought, "How did I get here?" We go on auto pilot. We can be guilty of singing songs without a second thought to the meaning behind the words. I want to type out the words of my favorite Christmas song for you to read and ponder the deep truths, theological truths behind the melody.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild--
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph in the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord:
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh, the God-head see,
Hail th'incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Come, Desire of nations, come!
Fix in us Thy humble home:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Peace on earth , and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."

Countdown to Christmas: Day Eleven

2008-12-12T05:43:00.000-08:00

A Christmas Prayer
by Robert Louis Stevenson

Loving Father, help us to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.

Delivers us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen!

Countdown to Christmas: Day Ten

2008-12-10T09:52:00.000-08:00

I'm still sick....I am hardly ever sick and when I am I can't stand it. I have way too many things to do especially to get ready for this Thursday. I was thinking, as I was sneezing and wiping my nose, that I needed to be ready. God interrupted my thoughts and said, "That is exactly why you are sick. I don't want you to be ready but completely dependent on Me." If I get through tomorrow at all it will be because my God is big and He wants all the attention. I know God has led me to forget what I wanted to work on to share and go with my story. God wants whoever shows up to know He sees them, He hears them and He cares about them. Please pray with me that this is what they hear and feel tomorrow.

Since I am sick and finding it hard to write I wanted to share something fun with you. It is an Christmas I.Q. Test. See how well you do.

1. As long as Christmas has been celebrated, it has been on December 25th. (True or False)

2. Joseph was from

3. How did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem?

4. Mary and Joseph were married when Mary became pregnant? (True or False)

5. Mary and Joseph were married when Jesus was born. (True or False)

6. Mary was a virgin when she delivered Jesus (True or False)

7. What did the Innkeeper tell Mary and Joseph?

8. Jesus was delivered in a

9. A "Manger" is a

10. Which animals does the bible say were present at Jesus' birth?

11. Who saw the star in the east?

12. How many angels spoke to the shepherds?

13. What "sign" did the angels tell the shepherds to look for?

14. What did the angels sing?

15. What is a "Heavenly Host'?

16. What is frankincense?

17. What is Myrrh?

18. How many wise men came to see Jesus?

19. What does wise men refer to?

20. The wise men found Jesus where?

21. Why did the wise men stop in Jerusalem?

22. Where in the Bible do we find the Christmas story?

23. Who told Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem?

24. Why did Joseph take his family to Egypt?

Countdown to Christmas: Day Nine

2008-12-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

Today is not a good day, in respect to how Pam feels. She is sick. She is miserable. Not only is the bug she caught driving its way through her system but her desire to be involved in the Lord's work, where the Lord is at work and being bed ridden is causing her feelings to be greatly heightened.

Well, I am blogging for Pam today and wish to simply say that no matter what you face this Christmas... be it:

Sickness
Financial struggles
Loneliness
Relational disappointments
you fill in the blank ______________________________

...Christmas is the time we can all be glad Christ came to give us joy and victory (among many other things). He came to invite us into a relationship with Him that should lead us to celebrate everyday with Jesus is better than the day before.

Let me simply ask you to take a moment today and find something or someone to give thanks to or for and do it. Then go to God in prayer and thank Him for the opportunity to be thankful.

Merry Christmas --- Jon (Pam's other half)

Countdown to Christmas: Day Eight

2008-12-08T08:48:00.000-08:00

THE CHRISTMAS GUEST
by Edwin Marham

It happened one day near December's end,
Two neighbors called on an old-time friend,
And they found his shop so meager and poor,
Made bright with boughs from ceiling to floor,
And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine-
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine
And said, "Old Friends, at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away-
The Lord appeared in a dream to me-
And said, " I am coming your guest to be!"
So I've been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir.
The table is spread and the kettle is shinned,
And over the rafters the holly is twined-
And now I will wait for my Lord to appear
And listen closely so I will hear
His steps as he nears my humble place-
Then I'll open the door and look on his face."

So his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For this was the happiest day he had known.
For long since his family had passed away,
And Conrad had spent may a sad Christmas Day.
But he knew with the Lord as his great guest,
This Christmas would be the dearest and best.
So he listened with only joy in his heart,
And with every sound he would rise with a start
And look for the Lord to be at the door
Like the dream he had a few hours before.

So he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all he could see on the snow-covered ground
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn-
And all of his clothes were ragged and worn;
But Conrad was touched and went to the door,
And he said, "Your feet must be frozen and sore-
I have some shoes in my shop for you,
And a coat that will keep you warmer, too."

So with grateful heart the man went away-
But Conrad noticed the time of day;
He wondered what made the dear Lord so late
And how much longer he'd have to wait-
Then he heard a knock and ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more,
A bent old lady with a shawl of black,
And a bundle of kindling piled on her back.
She asked for only a place to rest-
Bu that was reserved for Conrad's great guest,
Yet her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away,
Let me rest for a while on this Christmas Day."
So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup
And told her to sit at the table and sup.

But after she left, he was filled with dismay,
For he saw that the hours were slipping away,
And the Lord had not come as he said he would
And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.
When out of the stillness he heard a cry,
"Please help me and tell me where am I ."
so again he opened his friendly door.
And stood disappointed as twice before.
It was only a child who had wandered away
And was Conrad's heart was heavy and sad
But he knew he could make this little girl glad.
So he called her in and wiped her tears
And quieted all her childish fears,
Then he led her back to her home once more,
But as he entered his own darkened door,
He knew that the Lord was not coming today
For the hours of Christmas had passed away.

So he went to his room and knelt down to pray,
And Conrad asked, "Lord, why did you delay"
What kept you from coming to call on me,
For I wanted so much your face to see."
Then soft in the silence, a voice he heard,
"Lift up your head for I kept my word.
Three times my shadow crossed your floor,
Three times I came to your lowly door;
For I was the beggar with bruised cold feet;
I was the woman you gave something to eat;
And I was the child on the homeless street.
Three times I knocked, three times I came in,
And each time I found the warmth of a friend.
Of all the gifts, love is the best;
I was honored to be your Christmas Guest."

Merry CHRISTmas

Countdown to Christmas: Day Seven

2008-12-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

Christmas is about gifts....

This Christmas I have already received a wonderful gift. My Sunday School class has given me the gift of joy and pure delight. They are a class that longs to love others with the love of Jesus Christ. They continue to give their time, energies and resources to do just that. This past summer several of our class members went on the mission trip to Vermont. God allowed us to minister to children; poor, dirty and neglected children. When we arrived home God tugged at our hearts and we knew we had to respond. Jon and I will be leaving the 14th to take to Vermont all kinds of presents for the families in the small trailer park. I am so very proud of my ladies! Not only that; God used the Vermont trip to speak personally to me. In a Quiet Time about a month ago, God said that Vermont was only a way to open our hearts to the hurting in our own community. I challenged the class and shared exactly (from Scripture) what God had said to me. My class said, "Count us in!" I am so proud of them. We mailed out 269 personal invitations to, "To the Lady of the House" in our community. This Thursday we will showing the ladies that accept the invitation (from God) how to put a little spark into their Christmas. We will provide a meal, tips on looking better, meal time sparkle, family fun, home decorations and gift giving. Our most important goal is to minister the Holy Spirit to whosoever shows up. We will share the good news of Jesus Christ. Not all of our ladies are able to physically be there since it is in the afternoon, but they have the most important role of all; prayer. I challenged them to pray in the shower, pray when there head hits the pillow, when the go through a drive through, when they are at a stop light and every time God brings it to their mind. I would like to ask you to pray with us.

My class has given me a most wonderful gift....themselves! I love my ladies because they want to give the most important gift to others. Jesus Christ is the most important gift to give. I started out our lesson today with these Questions: Who do you give Christmas gifts to? How do you choose Christmas gifts for people you love? What is Christmas? What gift will you give Jesus? Isaiah 66:19-20 "...And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the Lord out of all nations,..." I love my ladies because they desire to give God exactly what He longs for this Christmas...more children.

Merry Christmas!

Countdown to Christmas: Day Six

2008-12-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

I know it is late again. We have just arrived home and have been gone since 7:30 this morning.

Tonight the deacons and their wives plus Jon and I held a special dinner in honor of our widows. It was a lovely evening filled with delicious food and wonderful singing from the Jackson Park Quartet and the Reeds. We also sang CHRISTmas songs all together. There were lights everywhere. No I am not talking about CHRISTtmas lights nor candle lights but smiles. Widows smiling. They were shining.

God loves and cares for the widows and the orphans. He has not abandoned them nor has He forgotten them. At CHRISTtmas time there are those around us who are lonely, sad or depressed. We can easily get so caught up in ourselves that we forget about those around us that need our attention. God wants us to love them. He wants us to reach out to them and let them know He hasn't left them.

Who has God purposely placed in your path that He wants you to demonstrate His love to? That widow neighbor or church member? That little boy or girl that grandparents are raising and he feels like he doesn't fit in anywhere? The single mom who can't seem to get it all done? The woman whose husband has left her for someone else? Ask God to show you who He wants you to reach out to with an act of kindness then look for the answer and obey.

I know a Man who left His home and took on flesh that I might know His love.

Merry CHRISTmas

Countdown to Christmas: Day Five

2008-12-05T14:18:00.000-08:00

Another very busy day, yet very rewarding serving my Lord.

Today I want to take a turn from the serious for a moment of joy. The kind of joy that makes you laugh.

Remember our friend Zacharias? We left him in the presence of the angel of the Lord receiving great news for the nation and himself. Zacharias had difficulty believing so Gabriel shut his mouth until the words were fulfilled. Ironic isn't it that God had not spoken to His people for over 400 years and when He does speak the one spoken to cannot speak about it. All he could do was to make signs and gestures. He entered the Holy of Holies speaking and came out not speaking. It was mysterious to all those looking on. Don't you know they watched him and Elizabeth very carefully. Then Elizabeth is pregnant. Can you imagine where there thoughts turned and how even closer they watched. Something is happening around here and it is exciting.

This is how I wish we all could be everyday of our lives...living excitedely. I would that we all would be watching carefully for the signs of God's presence and working in an all around us. I also like a good mystery. If I had been around during this experience I would have been probing Zacharias to draw me pictures of what happened in there. I treat God's word the same way. Probing with questions and digging deep to get to the bottom of the truth. And because I am dense God leans down and draws me pictures. He is so patient with me yet I believe that He loves my hunger for more of Him.

Will I said we would laugh today. That is where we go next in the story. Read Luke 2:57-66.
Did you see how goofy Zacharias' family were. You have seen people who start speaking louder to the blind man. Well that is exactly what is happening here; look again and see if you don't see it. What did Gabriel do to Zacharias? Shut his mouth so he could not speak. His hearing? It is just fine; yet how does his family try and comunicate with him? Yes, making signs and gestures. Goofy people. Had my family been there observing we would have all laughed out loud! I'm so glad God gave us this little detail. I think it was another way of saying, "Rejoice! Good things are on their way."

Family is just fun. Last Christmas God favored me with giving me a dream come true with having my whole family minus our patriarch at our home. We had a blast! This year we (Jon, Chad, Amanda, Clay, Ava, Grant and Anneen) went to Dallas for Thanksgiving. All of us stayed with my sister Wendy and her family. Again, we had a blast. We played games into the night, shopped and ate. What we did more than anything was laugh. We haughed with each other and at each other. Sometimes we are just goofy. What Jon and I do more and more is laugh. Milk may do the body good, but laughter does the soul good.

So my challenge to you today is laugh! Have fun with your family. Get excited about God's work in your midst. Finally, Rejoice! God things are on their way (no I didn't misspell good.)

Merry Christmas

Countdown to Christmas: Day Four

2008-12-04T13:49:00.000-08:00

Busy, Busy, Busy. Anybody working with me? I have wanted to write all day; knew exactly what I wanted to share. BUT...I haven't been at home today. Stop...gotta go get ready. I'm back and have 15 minutes before we need to walk out the door to get to church for our Choirs presentation of "Experiencing God, the Musical." I can't wait!

Luke 1:14-25

God has broken His silence. He has began to reveal His plan for salvation. Salvation not from an earthly emperor but from an eternal foe and a debt we cannot pay. His plan is most unusual; but then again He is God.

His plan begins with an older couple who are to birth a son to be the forerunner of Christ. (5 Min.!) He is to "...ready a people prepared for the Lord." Ok this is where we stop today and ask ourselves some penetrating questions. Are we a people (corporately church) prepared for the Lord? Are you personally prepared for the Lord's return? For His presence? Are you serving God by readying others to be prepared for the Lord? We have each been called to go and tell and make disciples of all peoples. We each are called to be a forerunner of Christ. He is coming again. Even so Lord Jesus come now!

Countdown to Christmas: Day Three

2008-12-03T07:01:00.000-08:00

Silence. 400 years of complete silence.

Then in the fullness of time God breaks His silence!

Luke 1:5-13

He speaks to "a certain priest." Each of the 24 divisions of priests served in the temple for one week twice a year and at important festivals. Each priest could offer incense at the daily sacrifice only once in his lifetime. Remember your gospels and how the religious leaders of the day were anything but "righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." God purposely chose Zacharias. Could it be because Zacharias was willing to listen and hungering for God to speak? Could it be that even today that is to whom God will speak most, the one who is listening and longing to hear from Him?

"But they had no child...and they were both well advanced in years." There is no accident that this detail is mentioned. Remember the God of the OT loved working just this way. (Abraham and Sara and Hannah.) He was about to remind His people that He had not abandoned them, He was still very much alive and well and in control. He will also show that compassion for His people is still very tender and that He longs to act on His compassion.

The main duty of the priest was to pray for the nation. As the people gathered outside the priest would be inside praying on their behalf. He would be praying for His nation Israel. I believe that Zacharias was praying for with great fervency for the coming of the Messiah. I also cannot imagine him leaving this most holy place without praying earnestly for a son of his own.

So often when times are tough. When we have prayed and prayed and seemingly get no answer. We quit. We throw in the towel and just take a seat on the sidelines. That is not the picture we get from this couple. They are still serving God faithfully. Still hoping and longing for God. Don't stop praying. Keep hoping and don't grow weary in serving the Lord. His compassion is always towards your best interest. He does hear and He does see you personally. If you are in a season of silence know that it is temporary and only because he wants the next words He speaks to you to be received with great joy and belief.

There is Zacharias in the temple serving and praying when out of the smoke appears the angel of the Lord, Gabriel. What does God say to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John." Your prayer for the Messiah to come is a YES, the time is right! Then God says yes to that prayer that maybe they had given up on.

This Christmas don't give up on your prayers! Lean in to Him and hear His sweet voice speak personally to you His great and tender love. When He speaks believe Him! Serve Him faithfully trusting in His love in spite of the hardships you may be facing.

Merry CHRISTmas

Countdown to Christmas: Day Two

2008-12-02T05:41:00.000-08:00

Prepare to receive anew the whole of CHRISTmas.
Imagine with me.

Dead silence for 400 years! What makes us (CHRISTians) different than all other peoples is that our God (the One and Only) seeks a love relationship with us and isn't a distant, ever changing being who promises nothing of himself. God's people had a relationship with their God. He spoke to them and they heard Him. It is what set them apart. They heard God. Then....there was dead silence...for 400 years!

God was giving His people the silent treatment. Why not everything else hadn't got their attention. In fact Amos 2:11-12 says, "I raised up some of your sons as prophets, And some of your young men as Nazirites. Is it not so, O you children of Israel?" Says the Lord. "But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, And commanded the prophets saying, 'Do not prophesy!' They told God they wanted Him to stop talking. And then there is this in Zech. 7:11-12 "But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. [12] Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts." When God spoke they would not listen. Silence from God. Silence from the One who delivered you from bondage, defeated your enemies, blessed you with cities, lands, etc. and gave you His words. Silence. Complete and total silence.

What was God's intention in His silence? The famine of hearing Word was to create a hunger again for the Word. As long as His people were full of themselves they would never crave Him. He had to create that emptiness so they would seek to be filled again. I heard it put another way, "He used the withholding of His words to prepare for the revealing of THE WORD! Galatians 4:4 "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son..."

I leave with some personal questions to ask yourself. Are you telling God you want Him to stop talking because you don't like what He says? Oh, I know you would never say the words but are you making the time daily to stop and listen to what He says? Have you pushed His Word aside? When you do hear His Word do you do it? Are you listening to what He is saying? Are you stopping long enough to give Him your full and undivided attention? Or are you letting His Words go in one ear and out the other? Maybe, you haven't heard God speak in a long time and find yourself in a time of famine. Is it creating a hunger? Then feast again on His abundance. He has promised that if we seek Him, He will be found. We don't have to live a life of famine and silence of our God.

As I leave today ponder the years and years of silence of their God. Try to imagine the way they felt and what they considered as the days marched on and on without a prophet, without a sign or word. How would you be feeling? What would you be thinking?

Countdown to Christmas: Day One

2008-12-01T11:41:00.001-08:00

I am challenging myself to blog for the next 25 days. I know, I know exactly what you are thinking because I am thinking it to. She won't do it. Christmas is a time for miracles. Don't laugh but pray and keep me accountable.

Why is this so important to me? Because. Wow, I am tearing up as I try to express my feelings; not quiet sure I can. I am very passionate about CHRISTmas. I think I will just start with my pondering in the car on the way home from Dallas. I was remembering the quote, "Jesus is the reason for the season." I am in compete agreement with this; Christmas is about Jesus. I began to ask myself some questions. Does Jesus share His glory? Is He preeminent? is the Holyday kept holy? Where do I spend all my time, energy and thoughts through this season? I was taught early on that this is a good test to see what/who I really worship. Do I worship a man made image or the true Son of God? Still pondering the answers. The last thought that came from the Spirit was to remember not only His birth but why He came.

Jon and I will be alone this Christmas...the family was all toghether for Thanksgiving. I had thought that this would be a miserable Christmas for me but have come to learn that God has something wonderful in store for me. I don't know what it is but I am leaning in to hear, putting on my glasses to see and reaching up to grab hold of all He has to show me about CHRISTmas; His CHRISTmas, The LORD'S Christ. Join me on the journey!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Gettting It!

2008-12-01T11:17:00.000-08:00

For the last fifteen and some-odd years I have been pondering the same questions; why do some "get it" and others don't? And what causes one to "get it"? It has been my lives' passion and calling to teach and proclaim Jesus' Words that women in particular will "get it" or better said, "get Him." Last night in our Discipleship class I heard the words I most want to hear, "I get it!" I have seen the changes in this particular ladies countenance and heart over the past few months. It took all I had to stay in my seat. I wanted to jump for joy and do a dance on the table.

So there it was someone else had gotten it. You know I had to ask how and what were the circumstances around your getting it, please tell me everything. I have asked these probing questions for years and have found one common denominator in all that have said with big smiles, "I get it!" They each in there on way wanted more and began to seek for more...more of Him. God has promised that when we seek Him we will find Him. The more we seek the more we find.

I am fortunate and blessed in some strange way for not growing up in a Christian home. You see Christianity and Church didn't have the opportunity of breeding familiarity and therefore becoming common and routine to me. The very day of my salvation began an intimate love relationship with my Beloved that has only grown in its intimacy. I can say that there were two major "dates" with my Beloved that spurred our love even deeper. The first was a Sunday School teacher named Leland Evans who showed me the Word of God was alive and filled with personal treasures for me to unearth if I was willing to dig. I now have a love for God's holy, powerful and life-changing Word. His Word satisfies me like nothing else. The second was Experiencing God. I have done this study around 10 times and each and every time I have experienced God in a new and refreshing way. You see I "got Him" and continue to seek to "get Him" more and more.

Do you "get it"?
If you do, share with me if my common denominator fits into your own testimony.

Praise God He got me before I ever got Him!

Five Ways We Can Loose Our Joy

2008-10-14T05:53:00.000-07:00

Continued

5. We can loose our joy when we feel all alone.

Ponder:
a. Do you have the feelings that no one gets it like you do?
b. Do you think, "I'm the only one that is right"?
c. Do you isolate yourself from other believers?
e. Do you have an 'iron" in your life; "iron sharpens iron."

To conclude: "If you've lost your joy, it's right where you left it-in His presence."

Five Ways We Can Loose Our Joy

2008-10-13T07:22:00.000-07:00

Continue

4. We can loose our joy when we are exhausted

Ponder:
a. Are you running from God or to Him?
b. Are you tired of the work or in the work?
c. Are you neglecting to rest

Yesterday in our Sunday School lesson we talked about how we need to demonstrate our love to Jesus and to do so as a child would; free, simple and without any thought to others. Last night in our small group this came up again; discussed how Jesus wants us to come to Him as a child. This is God speaking His heart...you don't have to doubt it when he confirms it from the Word. One of the passages we looked at is written below for you to ponder.
Luke 18:15-17 (NKJV)
Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. [16] But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. [17] Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."
OK, what does this have with loosing our joy? I would like to challenge you to rest in Him by celebrating Him as a child. Take a break and just dance before your Daddy with singing and laughter. Close the blinds if you have to but crank up the music and sing and dance to Him and just see if your joy doesn't return.

Five Ways We Can Loose Our Joy

2008-10-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

Continued.

3. We can loose our joy when we become "wonder junkies"

Ponder:
a. We are at risk most just after we have experienced a spiritual "high"
ie Elijah after Mount Carmel; Jesus after His baptism
b. Are you enjoying Him in the midst of the mundane, normal daily routine or are you longing for another mountain top experience?
c. We can't move forward when we are looking back

Five Ways We Can Loose Our Joy

2008-10-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

Continued

2. When our talk exceeds our walk.

Ponder:
a. Are we saying all the right things but not doing all the right things?
b. Are we practicing what we are preaching?
c. Are there sins in our lives that we are justifying, excusing or ignoring?

May the Joy of the Lord be on you!

5 Ways We Can Loose Our Joy

2008-10-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

I am in a study about the fruit of the Spirit and found the following information very relevant to the Christian journey. The writer of the study shared that there were five ways we can loose our joy. I will list one a day and then expound on it. Hopefully it will be a way back to the joy of salvation for someone.

5 Ways we can loose our joy

1. When our outpour exceeds our intake

We can become so busy doing and serving that we are not being refueled. In order for a car to continue to be effective it must stop long enough to receive that which it needs to keep moving forward.

Ponder: a. Are you serving more than you are seeking?
b. If you are serving more than you are seeking then are you serving without Him?
c. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears
much fruitl for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5
d. What is God calling you to do and what are you calling yourself to?
e. Are there things God wants you to let go of?
f. Are you making God a consistent priority..."Seeking Him First", or giving God
the leftovers.
In order for us to continue to have JOY, we must seek our JOY and our JOY is JESUS! The more we are with Him (in the Word, under the Word and living the Word) the more we will experience complete and full JOY. Also, when we are abiding with Him we will be much more effective (bear much fruit) in our service.

Gotta go....I going to go and seek my JOY!

God Speaks!

2008-10-07T10:06:00.001-07:00

Are you like me and amazed that the Almighty God, Creator of all things seen and unseen desires to talk to us? He wants to sit with us and fellowship, true heart to heart fellowship. Imagine the permission from the One and Only, All-powerful and All-knowing God to pour out our hearts to Him. Meditate on the thought that He wants to reveal Himself (His heart) to us. He wants to speak to us and He want us to hear Him.

Yes, God speaks to me. Yes, I hear His voice, no it is not an audible voice but might as well be. Communication is so key to any relationship and even more important to our relationship with our God. If I am not talking to Him...what good is that? If I do all the talking...what good is that? Remember He gave us two ears and only one mouth for a reason; what He has to say is twice as important to what we have to say. If i don't stop long enough to listen...what good is that? He is longing for us to talk to Him about everything. He longs even more for us to be still and listen to Him with undivided attention. Let me say that one more time, He longs for us to be still and listen to Him with undivided attention.

How does God speak to me? Will, exactly the way Henry Blackaby stated it in Experiencing God; "God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Word, Prayer, the Church and circumstances to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways."

Just today in my QT I was praying and then journaled my thoughts from my prayer time. I actually wrote what I thought God had revealed to me and my purpose and then asked, "God am I off on this or on target?" Then I went to the Word (systematic reading plan...so it is completely out of my hands). God confirmed so very clearly that I was on target. He spelled it out so clearly to me, actually He repeated it back to me. That's God speaking. God speaks to me face to face. Yes, with great confidence and tear-filled eyes I can proclaim to the world, "God speaks to me."

Jon gave me a wonderful gift a few years ago. The gift is a picture I saw and exclaimed to him when I saw it, "That is what I imagine my QT with God looks like." A few months later on my birthday it showed up as his gift to me. Jon is so very thoughtful and wonderful to me. The picture is a lovely outside scene with wisteria climbing on the rails of an old porch. In the midst of the vines is an old table with a chair pulled out. The verse reads, "Come away to a Secret Place and rest for a while." Mark 6:31 I have a secret place to where I go and sit with my God. We share with one another and we get up from that place hand in hand and hearts beating as one. My Beloved is mine and I am His. Glory!

'....so great a salvation"

2008-10-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

God has a tendency to repeat that which He wants us to ponder...so ponder I must.
Hebrews 2:3 "...if we neglect so great a salvation..."

I wonder how quick we have forgotten the great gift of salvation and therefore find ourselves neglecting it. Three clear indications of neglecting our salvation is a loss of joy in our names being written in the Book of Life (forgetting from where we have come from and to where we are going), no joy in His Word nor joy in His presence.

I am reminded yet again just how lost I was without Him. I was hopeless and purposeless. I was not alive but a dead man walking; just going through the motions and barely surviving. I had no reason to live therefore I was slowly dieing and hoping death would come quickly. BUT GOD! My two favorite words in all the Bible; BUT GOD. That is exactly what happened to me...God. He bent down very low and took hold of me. He captivated me with His love. I now belong to Him and He is mine forever more. He has lifted me out of the pit and set my feet upon a rock. I now have been filled with purpose and hope. I am alive in Him! One day soon I will see Him face to face.

How could I neglect so great a salvation? How could I not rejoice in His salvation? How could I say to my Savior, "Thanks for saving me, I'll check You out when I get to heaven. Until then just be there for me whenever I want You to do something else for me?" I can not. I will not. I will cherish and rejoice in His great salvation.

Prayer and Fasting

2008-09-25T05:21:00.001-07:00

I have spent the last three days fasting and praying. The Lord led both Jon and I to do a complete fast of all foods and also led me to fast from all TV. Yet today I am so full and satisfied. He is enough! I opened wide my mouth and He filled it. You see I have tried to fast before but for different reasons one of which was to loose weight. When this was my purpose I could't get food off my mind and didn't find success. This time I was first led by my Pastor (spiritual authority) and then the Holy Spirit. I obeyed and found success because my heart was on Him and not the fast itself. It isn't in the giving up of food or other distractions it is in the purposefully and intentionally putting our whole attention with great intensity, fervency and urgency on the Lord's will. These last three days have been so very full....of Him.
The prayer gathering of the saints was refreshing and just plain powerful. The Lord promised his presence and ear when we gather together in His name. We invited Him to come and stand in our midst and He did. Glory! I think about all He sacrificed for me and how often I am unwilling to sacrifice for Him. This week I sacrificed food, TV, time, planned events, meal time, house chores (ok maybe not a real sacrifice). As I layed each on the altar I left empty handed but my spirit was richly blessed and completely satisfied.

Why are we so afraid to sacrifice on the altar? Why are we too busy with our own life and so often unwilling to forgo our life for seeking Him?

"But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33

My prayer is that we will remain mindful of the things of God and not the things of man.

Deacon's Wives

2008-09-17T12:33:00.002-07:00

Jon and I will soon be inviting the Deacon's and their wives over to jump start the new year. After we eat and fellowship we are going to divide up and talk to them about what the God has to say in their responsibilities as deacons and wives of deacons. If you have any pointers or helps to share with them let me know.

Grandchildren

2008-09-17T12:33:00.001-07:00

What a wonderful time I had with my two grandbabies. Clay talks a mile a minute and so very smart for his age. He can count and knows all his numbers. He also knows all his letters and is learning to write them now..he can write his name and his sisters name. Ava, is just a joy! She has the most beautiful smile and she smiles often. Jon and I slept with our grandchildren all week...to give mom and dad a break. I had so much fun taking care of them. I long to be more involved in their lives and to do all the fun things I would like to do with them. I long, I pray and I ask.

Grandchildren

2008-09-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

Clay and Ava will be arriving here late tonight. I can't wait!

Journey with the Father

2008-09-03T08:28:00.000-07:00

I'm on a journey; the Lord decides when I move forward or wait. I must play close attention to Him so that I can move when He does. In the midst of this journey I will face times of decisions and daily tasks. I will also face battles that need to be fought but I will also have times of celebration and worship. The journey I am on is all planned out by God my Father. He has promised good things and that He would guide me every step of the way.

As a child my experiences of the outside world were limited by own inabilities to drive and lack of knowledge of what was out their to see and do. Yet I did experience a lot because I had a father who would invite me often to go with him. I can't count the many times I witnessed my strong and smart Daddy rescuing others from slippery pits with his own chains in the ice storms of Dallas. He has taken me to the top of Pike Peak that awakened my desire for mountain tops. We fed wild deer together. I remember fondly all the camping trips he took me on. He taught me to swim, make fires and how to make the best smores. He also taught me not to be afraid to get out of my comfort zone. we were out on our boat and all the adults were trying their hand at skiing. It looked really fun to me so I told my dad that I wanted to do that some day. I was about 7 at the time. He responded with sure you can do that and right then and there he picked me up and threw me in the water with the skis quickly following. With my dad's coaching I was up on my very first try.

Yes, with out my Daddy I would have missed the great journey of my life. I could have said, no, I'll just stay right here, you go ahead with out me. I'm reminded of Henry Blackaby's line in Experiencing God, "You can't stay where you are and go with God.' I want to journey with God my Father. I don't want to miss anything. As He stoops down to invite me to come and go with Him, I will reach up and take hold for the ride of my life.

2008-09-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

I’m in a battle. One I haven’t quite identified, yet in a battle none-the-less.

Things to remember when in battle:

Often times instead of fighting the enemy we have a tendency to flee. When we flee, we have already been defeated. We can’t win the battles by running from them.
We are usually our own worst enemy and can defeat ourselves without help from a known adversary. Our choices can lead to our own defeat.

Choice #1:Unfaithfulness (isolates us from the Victory Giver and His plan of attack…we must stay close to the Lord of the Hosts to know the battle plans and to be equipped for battle)
Choice #2: We don’t believe (we must believe God; every time we choose to doubt we are on shaky ground and the enemy smells it and comes in to defeat. God is batting a 1,000 believe Him)
Choice #3: Don’t keep His Word (Just do it! Trust Him that He does know what is best and does what is best for us always.)
Choice #4: We loose hope (even when we don’t feel it or can’t see it; KNOW He is for us. He wants us to live in victory!)

*(not an exhaustive list)

When God tells us the land is ours to possess…It is ours! When God speaks to us a directive it is ours to take hold of. It belongs to us because God Himself has given it to us. We are to take hold of it with complete faith in God.

The enemy will tell you otherwise. He will say, God, didn’t really mean that. He must not know your limits.
We will have to fight to have what God has given. This bears repeating we will have to FIGHT to have what God has given us. The enemy is on our land but it belongs to us!

In the battle we must do what is necessary to protect the externals, and heal the internals. In fact I believe this is the battle. We must be able to use the shield of faith in one hand and the sword of the Spirit in the other. Our two greatest weapons in warfare

In the OT times they would build walls around the city for protection from the enemy

i. We must not go beyond the boundaries God has set up for us in fear of being caught off guard and unprepared by the enemy

ii. Shield of faith….is our wall of protection. Believe God and you are guaranteed a victory; no matter what you hear or see, BELIEVE GOD.

In the OT times the inner city often times found itself to be in ruins and in need of repairs.

i. We must take every effort for our soul, heart and mind to be continuously before the Master Repairer. He alone can keep us in a condition of spiritual wellness. In contrast to being broken, useless and in disrepair.

ii. The Sword of the Spirit; (Word of God) brings healing and builds us up to be whole, effective and established.

iii. The Sword of the Spirit is also our only offensive weapon against the enemy. We must defeat the enemy at his own game by stationing ourselves on God’s Word of promise. We defeat his lies with God’s truth (out loud because he isn’t God and can’t hear our thoughts!) He has forgotten he has no power over us because he has already been defeated by our Jesus. Kill the enemy thoroughly; he is truly dead to you when you don’t let him have any power over you and your life. Victory!

Be prepared to fight at anytime and in anyplace. We never know where we will have to fight; sometimes it will be in the valleys and other times in floods.

Valleys are our lowest points of despair and when we feel we don’t have the strength to get up and out. He is the Lifter of our Heads and the One who places our feet on a rock. Every strike you take with your Sword you are gaining ground; look up and see your victory.
Floods are when we cry out, ‘I can’t take another bad thing, I am overwhelmed.’ I heard Beth Moore say that’s when God just wants to get it all over with at once. In Him we can not nor will not drown! In Him we will do more than tread water we will walk on it. FIGHT.

*Make sure you are fighting the right battle and the right enemy!

**Thoughts God showed me from QT (1 Chro. 10-14)

For Erin, Brandy, Allen and Jeff and my everloving husband Jon

2008-08-28T11:34:00.000-07:00

Why don't we just obey the minute God tells us to do something? Why do we put it off like we really didn't hear what He said? Anybody know what I am talking about? And then our so very faithful and patient God reminds us so gently what we are suppose to be doing.....in my case through other people and His Word.

You see I know what I am suppose to be doing...reading, writing, studying, exhorting and teaching and yet I haven't been doing it. Yes, I admit it I have been rebellious and disobedient. I have been called by God to "give myself entirely to them..." and been half-heartedly doing so.

In the area of blogging; I just don't get why. I really don't feel like I have much to say and certainly nothing worth anyone else reading. So I have been waiting for my Father to tell me the purpose and why? I wonder how many of you know how He responded to my whys? You guessed it, "Because I said so." Sometimes we don't know why and will never know why yet trust and obey we must.

So here I am again...to blog...about what though? I don't know. I am trusting that He will equip me to do that which He has called me to.

I will close with words from "Burn for You" that describe how I am feeling today:
So won't You move me like You used to. I want the world to know that I burn for You. I feel revived again, I am alive again!

Pondering Romans 6

2008-01-23T06:59:00.000-08:00

I Reckon…..

We who have accepted the free gift of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ have “been set free from sin.” Why then do we still live as though we are powerless over sin? Sin no longer has the right to rule or have power over us. We are not alone in this battle over sin; we have the resurrection power of Jesus Christ our Lord and the Holy Spirit indwelling us! How can we loose?

We loose the battle for many reasons two are coming to my mind as I type although there are more. First, we loose because we don’t recognize we are in a battle. The enemy sneaks in and plunders us while we are sleeping and we don’t even know we have been robbed of victories that were ours to have. Second, we don’t know how to do battle and use the wrong weapons for the wrong fight.

How do we do battle according to Romans 6? First, we reckon (has to be Southern Greek)! “…reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but [reckon] alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (v.11) Reckon is an accounting term that means “to take into account,” “calculate,” or “decide.” We must believe and know that because of our relationship with Jesus Christ sin no longer has a right to have power over us. We do not have to choose to sin. We must believe that we have the power (Holy Spirit) to not sin. Second, we present our members to the proper owner for the proper use. “…do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin.” ( V.13) When you see the word members think about those parts of us which we can sin with, our hearts (feelings, words…), hands (deeds, actions…), minds (thoughts, attitudes). “…but present yourselves to God…your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” (v.14) We should daily present our hearts, minds, and hands to God. The Biblical principle of reaping what you sow is present here. Note verses 16 “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether to sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?” 19 “you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present you members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.”

And verse 21-22; “What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of these things is death. But now having been set free from sin,…you have your fruit to holiness,…everlasting life.”

I want to ponder a moment longer on this second battle strategy. One of the hardest victories to win is the one over our mind. It is Satan’s playground! It is our battleground! If we present (permit) our minds to think on the false, bad, in-just, impure, ugly, critical, secondary, and negative, what fruit will we bear? We will bear more of the same. If we voice it out loud we are inviting others to join our party and everyone likes a party. If we permit our minds to dwell in an attitude of hopelessness, faithlessness and despair what kind of fruit will we produce? We will bear oppression, depression and a paralyzed life. You will be a dead man walking…barely. On the other hand if we, no matter how we may feel or how circumstances may seem, set our minds to dwell on the true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good, primary and positive we will bear the fruit of holiness. We will be living the abundant life Jesus died for us to live. That’s the party I want to invite others to come to. Join me in celebrating life over death, power over powerlessness, victory over defeat and reaping fruit of holiness over the fruit of nothingness.

Oh Father, You alone are God, the Most High One. I present all my heart, my hands and my mind to You. Fill me so completely with Your power and presence that my heart beats in rhythm with Yours. Guard every part of me especially my mind that I may dwell on what is good and righteous. Keep all critical, negative, hopeless and faithless thoughts from me for I want to be as You are, holy.

An Invitation

2007-08-23T17:55:00.002-07:00

Ladies of JPBC I want to encourage you to attend with me the Women of Faith Conference. It will be an investment of time and monies that will pay back in inspiration, laughter and pure divine delight not to mention the fellowship between those ladies willing to go on the adventure. I have had the privledge to attend several of these conferences and am always glad I did. The stories I could tell! Let’s just say one said adventure involves tattoos, running out of gas, a found license plate and a “sign.” I know those fellow sojourners out there are having a time remembering our adventure with our Lord. This particular journey was a life changing event for my very good friend Erin. Maybe she will share on the comment page how God can use such an event to get our attention and our hearts by captivating us with His love. I will need to know very soon if you will be attending so please consider taking a ride with me and our Lord.

PS Erin, Jeanette, Donna if you want to attend with us you are more than welcome….

Just thinking....

2007-08-23T17:55:00.001-07:00

Whew, what a busy summer. Today there are so many different and varied thoughts going on in this small brain of mine. First, today we took the kids to Discovery Place and was reminded again what an awesome genius our Creator God is! We saw the complexity of how our own human bodies work to the outlandish and colorful creatures of the deep and learned about the laws of nature that God put into place. I stand amazed at His power but also His creativity and yes some creatures cause me to wonder about His sense of humor and adventure. You, O El Elohim are the One and Only Creator God of all things seen and unseen! I give you glory.

Secondly, As I listened to the narrator of the IMAX show describe how the baby in the womb has hands that begin as webs then are “sculpted” into hands with fingers, I was struck with the choice of word he used, “sculpted.” Our Lord did just that, He personally put clay into His big and glorious yet tender and caring hands and sculpted each of us personally into His workmanship. We are His personal work of art. I am and you are a masterpiece! For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephes. 2:10

Thirdly, I have been thinking about 7 people lately especially two. On our Mission Trip to Altoona, PA we labored physically during the day in a major heat wave and then we did VBS during the evening hours. I have to confess after looking at the facts: 1) they had never done VBS before 2) their active membership was maybe 10 3) 3 other churches in the community were doing VBS the same week and 4) we were out of the Bible belt, I had doubts about the turnout. I prayed for God to send us kids. He did! The first night we only had one little girl, the second night we had 7! The next night we had 18! God is very good. We had 6 pray to receive Christ and I saw the Light come upon them. One young boy who had prayed to receive Christ brought his twin sister back the next night and said to me, “Will you tell that story about Jesus again because my sister doesn’t know that Jesus died for her sins?” Wow! A young girl named Chloe, who prayed to receive Christ, was so excited about her decision and I can only describe her as a sponge. She went home to tell her parents about her decision only to be told by them she wasn’t allowed to return. Woe! She has been on my mind. In fact I can’t control the tears flowing even now. I know this, I will see her again; but between now and then I pray for Chloe. Will you join me in praying for Chloe? The other person lying heavy on my heart is Doe. She was a member of the church and truly used by God as the instrument to bring children to the VBS. She hung around each night and just watched, listened and engaged us in conversation. She is a lovely young lady who found Christ later in life and is by all accounts sold out to Him. She told me that it was such a refreshment and encouragement just to be with all of us from JPBC. You see being a member of such a small church she doesn’t really have fellowship. She craves Christian friendships and Christian conversations. I can’t imagine her yearning and longing. I have been praying for Doe, will you join me in praying as well?

How great is our God!

2007-06-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

That all may see how great is our God!

Two young men changed forever because they heard the voice of God and responded with obedience and devotion.

All see how great is our God!

One young lady wanted so bad to hear the voice of God and she did. He opened her eyes to the way she had treated others and how it displeased Him and wanted more for her. She responded with I hear and will obey!

All see how great is our God!

Another young lady heard God say that the life of selflessness is for her and not the way of selfishness. She heard and she too responded with obedience.

All see how great is our God!

Yet another young lady went to her knees weeping no matter she was surrounded by 700 peers! She wanted to know for sure she was His. She wanted to walk with Him as her Lord. She arose in rededicated devotion and commitment to the Lover of her soul!

All see how great is our God!

Yet another young lady stood weeping in the midst of her peers wanting more of Him and less of her. She rededicated herself to Him. She arose with great joy that truly made her shine…she hasn’t stopped shining yet!

All see how great is our God!

Another young man confessed that He had been lax in his relationship with His God. He admitted that He hadn’t been reading His Word as he had wanted to. He recommitted to read with renewed passion!

All see how great is our God!

Yet another young man admitted He hadn’t followed the Lord in the ways He should. He recommitted to following Him closer than He had in the past.

All see how great is our God!

Another young man’s eyes were opened to how others were looking up to him and how he wanted to be a good example. He is also prayerfully considering God’s call. I’m praying for you!

All see how great is our God!

Two other young men had the time of their life. Their eyes were opened to God in ways they had never experienced before. I always saw smiles on their faces as they met each new and strange adventure!

All see how great is our God!

God orchestrated events that led me to Sherry S. who after talking to her was led to compel Allen and Dena to take her for their “Track B”. God showed up (even when Allen slept through the alarm) and gave them affirmation and much wisdom to digest!

All see how great is our God!

God orchestrated over a year ago that we would have Rhett as our Bible study host. He also gave him the Scripture two weeks before (to memorize) that he would need to share with our group when I asked him to do so without any time to prepare….God had already prepared him! God used Him to let our girls know they were beautiful and “modest is hottest!”

All see how great is our God!

The New Sanctuary committee had a goal of $50,000 in pledges and change given. They received more than that.

All see how great is our God!

This morning I was sitting under my broom tree and God spoke in His still small voice….”I’m not done with you yet, not get up and eat for the journey before you is great. He provided the manna and I am full! Overflowing!

All see how great is our God!

Over and over in the OT God said I am doing this or that so that “you shall know that I am the LORD .” That is my prayer through the journey God has for JPBC. We may know He is LORD. That all we talk to may know He is LORD. That the world looking on may know that He is LORD. This is the reason this song rang true to my heart He wants all to see how great He is. Let us not be lax in our telling and sharing how great is our God as we take this journey to our “promised land.”

Monday, June 11, 2007

2007-06-12T04:52:00.000-07:00

You know how pastors always get on their sheep when they fight change? I had my own challenge today with change. This was the second year that the pastors conference had a special session for the wives. I love hearing my heroes preach, I have enjoyed sitting with my husband for a change so I had the spirit of resistance to attending the wives session. I am so glad I fought the mood!

I was blessed and challenged. The theme was Strength for the journey.

The afternoon session, we were all back together again. I was blessed to meet up with our good friends the Ryder's. The speakers, Dr. Michael Catt & Dr. James MacDonald were used by God to speak to my hungry heart.

The evening session was even better and my faith was challenged through God's messages by Dr. J. D. Grear, Dr. James Merritt & Dr. Johnny Hunt. All of this and the great music as well!!

I have been blessed and have so much to ponder, pray and confess.

SBC Pastor's Conference: Sunday, June 7, 2007

2007-06-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

I love the Pastor's conference! It has always been a highlight of my year. A time to be challenged and renewed in my calling. I am hoping that this year will be no different. Tonight was good. I was actually moved by the message in a particular song than any of the messages. The song was, "How Great is Our God." There is a line in the song that says, "That all may see our God is great." This is my prayer for Jackson Park Baptist Church that we as His people would see and know His greatness to the extent of abundant and lavish praise of Him that others would see and know our God is great.

This reminded me of our 2nd Ladies Night Out. The heart talk was taken from the prayer of Jesus for each of us. (John 17:20-26) That night I made a commitment that I would begin to pray in agreement with Jesus' own desires for us. I hope that you too will commit with me to pray for Jackson Park (or your church) in line with Jesus' own prayer. Below I have paraphrased what Jesus desired of us and the results He desires.

1. Make us one with each others
2. Make us one with Him
3. Make us perfect (complete)
4. This side of heaven we be where Jesus
5. Let us see Jesus' glory
5. Divine love be in us
6. Christ be in us

Results
1. That the world will know He is God
2. That the world will know He loves them

The results of Jesus' prayer being answered in our lives as a corporate body is that the world will see and know our God is great! God is so good to remind us of our commitments. Before going to bed tonight I will pray and maybe someone out there will be praying with me and Jesus.

Saturday, June 9 ,2007

2007-06-10T20:47:00.000-07:00

Before our journey to the 2007 Southern Baptist Pastor's Conference and Convention Jon and I were blessed with a visit from Chad, Amanda and Clay. What a joy and delight for Jon and I to watch our own son as a father. He is a wonderful dad! This week has been full of memories each of us having our own favorite. Jon's is probably playing kick-ball with Clay or watching him play in the sprinkler. Chad and Amanda's is most likely will be the time alone they had with each other. Mine is definitely the night I taught Clay to see lightning bug and catch them. We ended the evening swinging together on my front porch swing. We talked till it got really dark; that's how Clay described it. Memories are worth making and remembering.

Wrong Perceptions

2007-03-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

How many times have we had the wrong perception of the circumstances surrounding us? How often do we swallow the lie that it’s all about us? In the midst of loss, pain and tribulation, what do we believe about God? Do you believe that there is no hope and God must be against you? Do we forget all the blessings that are and have been poured out all around us? Do we forget who He is? Do we forget who He is to us?

Yes loss and tribulations are hard; it hurts when we have losses. Grieving is good and it must be done, but we shouldn’t become dead in the land of the living. We can’t grow bitter and angry. We must not sulk and have pity parties. Why the LORD gives and takes away is beyond what my mind can wrap around. This I do know God NEVER takes away for our harm or defeat. There is more to this season of pain, loss or tribulation than we may know even if we can’t see it. If the enemy can keep us in the pit of despair we’ll never experience the good God wants to bring out of our losses; He does want to bring good out of our losses. He does and He will if we cooperate. We must get our eyes off of ourselves.

Looking at two Biblical figures will show how wrong our perspectives can be. Job and Naomi both thought that God was against them. Yet in Naomi’s life God is up to something huge! He’s up to opening the way for the Gentiles to know His salvation. He’s up to providing the way for man to be reconciled to Almighty God. This is world changing and life transforming stuff. It’s all about the LORD”S Christ. She thought that God was against her when in fact He was very much for her and had a great future and hope not only for her but for all of us.

Then there was Job. He too began to believe that life as he had known it was all but over. He thought that God was against him as well when in fact God was using him as an example for faith God Himself had chosen Job to show Satan that our faith can be steadfast in the midst of tribulations. Job’s faith in His Redeemer that he knew he would see face to face is a beacon of strength for us. Job showed us that we are to love our God not because of what He gives or can give but because He is God.

What are your circumstances at this very moment? Are you feeling like God is against you? Are you feeling hopeless and without a future? I have encouragement for you today. Those feelings are all based on a lie! Don’t allow the enemy to lead you to defeat and steal your joy. The Lord is never against His children. He always works towards our best interest. He is our Father; therefore He never operates apart from His Fatherly love for us. Remember you are apart of something that is bigger than yourself. Cooperate with the flow of His hand and witness amazing things unfold.

Home Sick

2007-03-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been there? Away from your home, enjoying the time you are away, yet an inner yearning to be home. Here I am in this very strange place. I was not made for this place. It is a place that beckons me to be one with it. This place constantly reminds me of who I was and seduces me to believe I am home when I am not. No matter how many say, "You have a home here," my heart cries out, "It can't be so!"

Have you ever been in a crowed place and found yourself lonely? Have you ever had that strange feeling that something wasn't right but for the life of you couldn't figure out what it was? What about a time when everything was absolutely all in its place and good only to find your heart aching and you don't know why? My answer to all the above is a loud, "Yes!"

Since I met God and Jon I have lived in several different cities other than my hometown of Dallas, TX. Some were: Virginia Beach, VA; Wilmington, DE; Wake Forest, Roxboro & Greensboro, NC; Nigeria, Africa; Johnstown, PA; El Paso, TX and now in Kannapolis, NC. Places that I loved. Each place had its own unique qualities that captivated me over and over again. I thank God for each of these special places. El Paso had the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. I was told that the sunrises were just as pretty; I told them that I would take their word for it. Nigeria had the most awesome display of lightning. Johnstown had glorious snow and the mountains would blaze with the brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. Wilmington had rolling hills and great museums. North Carolina has back roads & miles of trees. Now in Kannapolis God has blessed me (for now) a great table at a wonderful window that has a birdfeeder and tree right outside the window. I have seen Blue Jays, Blue Birds, Cardinals, Woodpeckers, Pigeons, Owl, Hawks, Wrens and others. Again, each of these places has great beauty and blessings not to mention the memories made at each place. Each has brought beautiful friendships. Yet, I never felt like I was home. You may be thinking that I never felt at home because my home is Dallas and that is where all your family is. I do get homesick for my family but never for Dallas. After being away for so long it feels less and less like it once did, home.

So what does my heart ache for and why? I was not created for this place. As the Psalmist cried out in Psalm 84:2 (NKJV) My soul longs, yes, even faints, For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. I long for the day when I will see Him face to face. I dream of the wedding feast when I will be standing by His side as His glorious Bride. I know that when I'm feeling out of place that it's because He is reminding me I was made for Him and another place. I believe that those strange feelings are His whisper that He longs for me to be with Him as well. You see God is the one that placed that longing in me to begin with. Look at Eccles. 3:11b (NKJV) He has put eternity in their hearts. Does God long for us? John 14:2-3 (NKJV) In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

I mentioned earlier that I do get homesick for my family. I truly love my Mom, Dad, Sisters, Brother-in-love and nephews. I do have the privilege of calling and even emailing them from time to time. Yet we all know it isn't quite the same thrill as seeing them face to face and embracing them. This is true for us here this side of heaven as well. We have the great privilege of talking to Him and reading His love letter and responding with our own devotion. Still I can only imagine as good as my time with Him is this side of glory what it will be like to wrap my arms around His big beautiful neck and kiss His glorious hands and feet. I can't imagine the thrill it will be to take His big hand into mine and we take our first of many walks trough the field of daisies. I yearn to get out my lengthy list of questions as "God and woman at table set down." Even so Lord Jesus come now; I am all Yours!