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This incredible book takes you on the journey of the kidnapping and imprisonment of 8 brave Western aid Christians who were working and pouring their hearts and lives out to the people in Afghanistan through Shelter Now International. Each time I picked up this book, I sat mesmerized as I read about this group of people who were so dedicated and faithful for "the sake of the call." Through horrendous conditions, deprivation of all sorts, lonliness and separation, these 8 endured as soldiers of Christ. There were also 16 Afghan workers who were also treated horribly along with the 8. Their story of the daily battle of holding on to their faith was awe inspiring. These men and women were moved from one site to another during three long months in 2001. Their daily battles must have been nearly impossible to hurdle, but they did it through their deep faith in God, daily prayer and bible study and their unbelieveable love for these people.
I was entralled and encouraged by this wonderful book. It brought me hope and opened up such a bigger picture of this world and the millions who strive to bless and serve others as well as share the Gospel. I reccomend this book to everyone. You will never forget their story.
For the past serveral Sundays in my 7th-8th grade SS class, we have been discussing servanthood. Two weeks ago we dsicussed how serving must be a priority in our lives if we are Christians. For the born again Believer, service should be a natural by-product of our salvation. Sunday morning, we discussed how our very own attitude WILL and DOES affect whether or not we choose to serve. When our attitude is bad, prideful, selfish or negative period, it WILL keep us from serving. We get in that mood that says, "Why in the world would I want to do anything for anyone when I'm so mad at everyone?" So we learned that our attitudes play a big part of whether or not we choose to serve. So, this past Sunday morning as I prayed for my girls class before I left for church, the Lord whispered to my heart... "Teach them by "doing", not just talking about it." OK, Lord, OK. And so in our class that morning, I told the girls that any of them that could/would to meet me at 4:00 today to "serve."
How blessed I was to see 5 WILLING SERVANTS come today. My heart was full. These precious young ladies cleaned windows, blinds, windowsills, painted, cleaned out the fridge, did baseboards and hauled trash. They blessed my heart tremendously. As we finished up this afternoon, I sat with them for a few minutes as I "drove" home the spiritual meaning of what they had just accomplished. What a joy they are. It is a privilige to teach them every Sunday. As we piled up on the couch before we left, giggling and praising God, all I could do was thank God for these precious WILLING SERVANTS!
When I was just a young girl, maybe 9 or 10, I remember coming upon a CROSSROAD in my life. Now, there had been many many CROSSROADS before this particular one, but this one has always stuck in my memory. I've never forgotten, not all these years later, have I forgotten.
This undoubtably won't sound like a big deal, but it was to me then and it still is even today. I had ridden my bicycle to a nearby grocery store. I do not remember why or if I was alone or with someone else.
One of my very favorite things to eat is Bing Cherries. I absolutely LOVE them! I remember way back then, going into that grocery store and crusing the aisles until I came upon the fruit aisle. There they were.....the Bing Cherries!! I remember standing and staring at them and wanting those cherries more than I had wanted anything else in a long time..........
There I was.....at a CROSSROADS!
I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I "wanted" those cherries. I also knew without a shadow of a doubt, right from wrong. BUT....I "wanted" them. There I was, at that CROSSROADS. Should I just take them? I'd only take a few, not many, just a few. What would it matter? Who could it hurt? Who would care?
It didn't take me too long to make my decision as I met the CROSSROAD square in the face. I reached up as quick as I could, grabbed a handful of cherries, shoved them in my pocket and ran for the front door. I couldn't wait to get out the door and eat the cherished fruit. I was already anticipating their sweetness and they weren't even in my mouth yet!
I had come to the CROSSROAD and made my decision.....I was young, but I had sinned and I KNEW it. I had done wrong and the guilt inexplicably overcame me. I had stood outside the door of this store, eaten my cherries and literally spit the pits right at their front door and immediately felt ashamed and overcome with guilt. I remember getting on my bike, riding all the way back home, grabbing a nickel and riding back to the store. I had no idea how much those cherries cost but I figured a nickel should cover it. I went in, ran to a cashier, and shoved my nickel at her mumbling something about paying back for the cherries I'd stolen. I ran crying out of the store I was so ashamed.
Every single day, we approach CROSSROADS in our lives. We will either choose right or we'll choose wrong. It is always our choice to do what's right or not. No one made me steal those cherries. I made that choice, just as I have made every other right and wrong choice in my life.
CROSSROADS....the next one you come to, what choice will you make? There are always consequences for our choices at the CROSSROADS.
How many times in your young years did you hear your mother, father or teacher say, "If you'd only of FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS, you wouldn't have gotten into trouble, or you wouldn't have failed the test, or you wouldn't have had to learn that lesson the hard way."
I can tell you....I heard this said at least a million times! Following directions is much harder for some of us than others but is undoubtably hard for ALL of us. Why is that do you think???? I'm gonna guess that our own ridiculous selfishness almost always keeps us from following directions. We almost always want to do what WE WANT TO DO....regardless of the directions that we "should be" following.
Or, do you remember ever being given something to fill out but instead of reading the directions on "how" to fill it out....we just proceeded to do it the way we "thought" it should be done OR how we "wanted" for it to be done only to find out after we are halfway through that we had been doing it wrong????? Hmmmmmmmmm.....
Why is it we continually choose to not FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS that God has given us in the 10 Commandments for a starter??? When will we learn? I have to wonder how much we will loose in our lifetimes because we chose to do things our own way instead of following the directions God has layed before us.
Maybe we all need to re-read the 10 Commandments right now and refresh our memories. WE have been told to FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS that God gave us. Today is a good day to start, tomorrow could be too late.
"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4:14
I often think about this verse that reminds us that life is LIKE A VAPOR and quickly will be gone from us. We are only here a very short time when we think about our lives in the grand scheme of things. So the question is, what are we going to do with these lives that God has graciously given us? If God chooses to grant us a long life, what will be said of us when we are gone? We tend to think that we have all the time in the world to live for Christ, get things right in our lives, be the best mom in the world, make lots of money, buy a home, or whatever are goals are in this life. But the Word tells us that our lives are like a vapor, appearing for only a little while and then vanishing away. NOW is the time to make our lives count for more than our own selfishness.
This verse also tells us that we do not know what our lives will be like tomorrow. I have known many many people over the years whose lives were turned upside down in a matter of minutes, changed forever. When this happens, we often see that regret follows. Regret for things that were left undone, things that were left unsaid and problems that were never resolved and now, will never be.
LIKE A VAPOR our lives are here and gone. Oh God, help us remember that our lives are really very very short. Help us make them matter for the Kingdom.
"I sure do love you," I said. "I love you more," she said. "I've missed you SO much," I said. "But I've missed YOU way more," she said.
Those words may not sound like a whole lot to you, but to us grandparents, they mean everything! When a child speaks, they usually mean what they say and when they tell you they love you, they mean it. We don't get to see Natalie as often as we'd like so when we do, it's a treat not only to see her but hear her say those words above.
Darrel and I are fortunate to have a wonderful bunch of grandkids and Nat is one of them. I remember the day she was born and the joy she brought to us. Her daddy didn't think he'd ever have a little girl so her birth was even extra sweet because of that.
Tonight, we're THANKFUL FOR NATALIE and so glad the Lord God gave her to us. Her little freckled face and sweet grin would make the saddest day joyous. What a blessing! Thanks God:)
As I type this, my heart just aches for this little 7 year old girl who didn't make it home yesterday. She could be my grandchild or your child. Wouldn't you want to know others everywhere were praying? I know I sure would. I cannot get her off my mind or heart and have lifted her constantly in prayer today and since this began yesterday.
Tonight, all I know is WE MUST PRAY for little Somer. She needs us to pray for her, her family and her captor, IF that is what has happened. Please, her family would ask us to pray and as Christians, that IS our responsibility. Let us join together in prayer for her. If she was yours, isn't that what you would ask the public? Little Somer is counting on us to pray, let's do it.
Some days, IF I allow myself, I can become so very discouraged with the world and its' people. I must be very very careful because I can sometimes find myself becoming very cynical. Trust me when I say, I do not want to admit this, but I must, as it is truth. I look around and see so much that breaks my heart, makes me angry and makes me feel great sympathy. I struggle and groan within myself as the thoughts and the sights of the world often drain me and make me want to run. All I can think is "why don't they just WALK WITH GOD?"
As a Christian, I often wonder why people don't "get it". I have to be cautious because if I'm not, I'll find myself becoming judgemental towards others and I know THIS is NOT the answer.....the answer is simply to pray for those who do not know Him and live such hopeless lives. I am being honest here to say that sometimes though, I get that horrible feeling inside that I don't even want to pray for some people because in "my opinion," they are just "too lost" and won't ever change.
But my spirit cries out to my flesh....WALK WITH GOD.....WALK WITH GOD........WALK WITH GOD!!! IF I choose to abide by the Spirit, then to WALK WITH GOD means that I must put the fleshy feelings aside, live like HE did to the best of my ability, serve like HE did and love like HE did. It's hard Lord and my flesh screams loudly that it doesn't want to but in the depths of my heart Lord, you know I do want to walk with You.
Help me Lord....help me.....
WALK WITH GOD.
There is no doubt, WE ARE BLESSED at RRC! These are just some of the amazing youth and young adults who bless my heart whenever I am in their presence. Saturday at our annual Fall Festival, these Dear Ones in Christ were hard at work serving our community. Everywhere I looked, service was in action and I was so very proud of them and all the others of whose pictures I didn't get.
Truly, WE ARE BLESSED to have so many youth and young adults who are dedicated and committed to serving the Lord, in any capactiy. I do not edify them, I edify the ONE who deserves all the credit. It is the the LORD I see in them. I watch them stretch themselves to do more, to be more and to give more of themselves and my heart soars.
It is more than an honor to know and love them, it is a privilege. WE ARE BLESSED at RRC and my cup runs over:)
IF you awaken early and sit out on my back patio, you're likely to witness the wonders of early morning. Of course, you must be a nature freak, as I, to fully appreciate it all as much as I do. For me, it is magic to sit out there as the sun rises, listen to the sounds of the morning come alive and watch as the creatures of God wake to the morn.
Each morning as I awaken, it's an opportunity for a new start, a fresh beginning and another day to do what we were created to do....WORSHIP OUR SAVIOR!
Squirrels are smart enough to do what they were created to do....each morning, they forage and spend their mornings gathering whatever they can find to eat.
WE were created to WORSHIP! Every morning we awaken is a new opportunity to do that which we were made to do. The squirrels know what to do, surely, shouldn't we?
One of the TREASURES OF DAWN is the knowledge that it's another new day to set our hearts and minds on things above and spend it worshiping the risen Lord! He is worthy and I am undeserving of another new day and yet, He freely gives it to me.
Father, You created me for worship....help me live my life out loud to You so that I may do what You created me to do. If the squirrels know what to do, then why shouldn't I?
I don't know much about horse racing, but I do know one thing....they all wear blinders. I vaguely remember many years ago when I was told the purpose of these blinders. Obviously, they are to restrict the peripheral vision of the horse so as he is running his race, he cannot see what is going on to his left or right. Purposely, the owner wants his eyes to stay on the race ahead of him. I remember that this thought struck me in a spiritual way and I've never forgotten it.
I have been known MANY times through the years of teaching Sunday school classes to say to our youth...."Put your SPIRITUAL BLINDERS on, keep your eyes on the Cross ahead of you and don't pay attention to what's going on around you, just keep your eyes on the Cross ahead.
It is so easy to get caught up in day to day pain, trauma, regret, loss, heartache, unforgiveness, sorrow, indecision and trials, that we so often take our eyes off the the race ahead and we get caught up in the commotion in our peripheral vision!
It is when we take our eyes off the Cross of Christ that we get tripped up in the craziness of the world and forget who holds our future and our hope! We MUST keep our SPIRITUAL BLINDERS on and stay centered on what is AHEAD of us, not to the side, not behind, but AHEAD of us. What is ahead of us?????? THE CROSS! What have we to fear, to dread, to worry us when our eyes are solely on the Cross?
God, help me keep my SPIRITUAL BLINDERS on and be oblivious to the problems this world throws at us. YOU are my hope, my love, my life and my eyes are on the journey AHEAD........the journey to the Cross.
I'm finding sleeping through the night difficult this past week. I keep waiting to hear Mary call out for me. Every little sound wakes me as I had gotten used to being on constant alert with every little noise she made.
But not sleeping well does have its' benefits too. Each time I wake up, it gives me an opportunity to pray for someone and there are always LOTS of people that need prayer. It seems here lately that there is just so much pain, suffering and heartache everywhere.
I think that we need to re-think the dire importance of prayer. We NEED to pray for one another every time we think of it. Sure you can drop to your knees and spend hours in prayer or DURING THE NIGHT you can lift those names to the throne as God puts them on your heart or just pray as you go throughout your day. Prayer can happen anywhere, anytime and in any position. God just wants to hear your voice.
DURING THE NIGHT, when sleep seems to be the last thing you can find, remember to simply pray for those who stand in need, and there are many. If you don't know who to pray for then pick up a prayer sheet from Wednesday nights or one from Monday night prayer. There are many people and circumstances that are waiting for us to pray for them.
Let us take prayer seriously whether it's DURING THE NIGHT or during the day.....JUST PRAY!
Where did you leave yours today???
Was it in the spoken word.....a kind gesture....a smile (take a look at Mandy R if you want to ALWAYS see one!).....a phone call....a prayer???
Every day, we leave our FOOTPRINTS on this earth as we walk out our daily lives. I pray today that I left FOOTPRINTS of Jesus somewhere.
Those of you who know and love me well, know this has been a tough week for me. It seems all I've been able to do is wander around here trying to figure out what it is that I'm supposed to be doing now that Mary is gone. It may sound silly, but it's true and since I'm well known for being a Truth-talker, no need of calling it what it isn't.
It's hard CONTINUING THE JOURNEY of beginning my life again as it was before Mary, one year ago. I miss her desperately. Oh yes, I KNOW that she's in a better place and were it not for the fact that I had the privilege of leading her to Christ in July and KNOWING that she's in heaven today, I would not be able to handle this, I don't think.
That brings me back to this fact again....
CONTINUING THE JOURNEY in life would be impossible for me without Jesus. HE alone is my hope, my sustainer, my joy, my peace....He's my everything. I just don't understand how the millions across this globe can live a life and not have a personal relationship with our Creator. Oh yeah, it's undoubtably done by many every single day, but what a sad hopeless life it is. Without the knowlege that I will see Mary again in heaven one day, I don't think I could bear the loss. There's a smile on my face, but my heart is aching for her. But it isn't just her physical presence that I miss but my heart aches for the following...
You see, Mary lived a pretty sad life. It was basically full of pain, heartache and suffering, much because of the wrong choices she made in her life, but much at the hands of others. She only lived for Jesus a mere 3 months before her passing. I wish she could have lived a healthy life for Christ and really understood the mercy and faithfulness of a loving God who wanted nothing more than to heal all her hurts and bring her joy unspeakable. Not just the joy that comes from getting something new or laughing at a joke or watching your child take his first steps. NO.....I'm talking about the unspeakable, undescribable JOY that comes from personally knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Having that knowledge that you can handle anything that comes your way because you know and trust that Romans 8:28 is true and therefore, your mindset is such that your HOPE comes from Him, the Sustainer of all and you can have PEACE REGARDLESS of the storm. Now that is something that money can't buy and NOTHING can take the place of:)
I miss Mary, there is no doubt, but the journey continues. Today, I will put one foot in front of the other and trust my Savior who died on that cross on Calvary for me. I will remember all God gave me when He entrusted her into me and Darrel's care. I will remember all that He has taught us through this past year and through caring for her. HE has taught us much......patience, self-less love and the importance of giving of oneself for the benefit of someone else.
To God be ALL the glory.
This morning as I gently stroked her forehead, I told Mary I loved her for the last time, before she left this earth to go be with Jesus. As I read the 23rd Psalm to her, she breathed her last breaths and climbed into the arms of her newly found Savior and was finally at peace.
"Chickadee" was the nickname I gave her months ago and one I fondly used daily in place of her name. She LOVED it! Like a little bird, she flew into our lives, made her nest in our hearts and found a place to be loved right here in our home. She changed our lives, taught us more than she'll ever know and she will be missed more than I can say in this blog. It's truly amazing how God can give you such a love for someone you've only known 1 year. I will always marvel at a God who can give someone such a deep love for a person known for such a short time. God knew I needed her in my life and I in hers and He quickly knit our hearts together.
I miss her presence already and she's only been gone 12 hours. It's quiet and I feel rather lost and not quite sure what I'm supposed to be doing. Oh, how I shall miss her. What a privilege to love her, care for her, lead her to Christ and hold her as she stepped from this place into her home on high.
I loved you so much Chickadee, but one day, we will meet again. Thank you for all you meant to me and Teddy Bear. The Lord used you to do incredible things in us that only in the years to come, will the fruit be fully known. You were family to us and we all will miss you sorely.
REMEMBERING CHICKADEE will be easy.........................how could I ever forget???
This very candid book, which consists mostly of Mr. Buckingham trying to convince working women everywhere that they can “have it all” and live their strongest life ever, does not convince me of this fact one bit.
The author claims that most women, do indeed, choose to work outside the home and claims that you'd have to go back to 1974 to find a percentage of women larger who want to stay home than in this day and time. He claims that this choice is based on women wanting to express themselves and make productive contributions in their life. He further claims that sustaining a feeling of being successful is difficult for a woman if she quits the world of work to become a full-time mom.
I must say that I did not enjoy this book at all. Being a Christian woman, I totally disagree with nearly everything the author writes. This book is based solely from a worldly principle, not a godly principle, which is why it is difficult for me to agree with him. His beliefs, in my opinion, are based on the principle that "me" comes first, before everything else, which is totally contrary to my belief. There is no greater fulfillment or joy than in raising godly, well-balanced children. There is no paycheck or status that means as much and I know many women who agree with that.
As a Christian, I would not recommend this book to any woman. I gleaned no useful or helpful information from this authors idea on how a woman can live her strongest life ever.
I suppose the title of this blog is no different than how most other people feel....I don't know of anyone who likes goodbyes. Saying goodbye to someone means they are leaving your presence, not to be seen for a while, a long time or possibly never again.
Like the 1 or 2 of you who read my silliness on here, I have had to say goodbye to a lot of people in my life. As I type, my mind fills with some of the many faces I've had to say goodbye to. I hated each and every goodbye and cried buckets of tears with each parting. I just don't do goodbye's very well. I'd rather crawl in a hole somewhere:(
As Romeo said to Juliet..."Parting is such sweet sorrow."
"Sweet" in that I have known you and had the pleasure and privilege of being with you....
"Sorrow" in that the leaving you is nearly more than I can bear.
And so it is that Hospice told me yesterday that it is time to say our goodbyes to my dear friend Mary. I was told we needed to tell those who love her to go ahead, say their goodbyes to her and let her know how much they love her as her days before her passing now are few.
Yep......you're right......you know what I'm going to say here.....I HATE GOODBYES. As soon as the words were out of our nurses' mouth, tears fell down my cheeks. I don't want to say goodbye to Mary....I want to laugh again with her, I want to cook her bacon, eggs, and pancakes with her favorite syrup again, I want to watch the birds and squirrels in my backyard with her again and marvel at the beauty of it all, I want to discuss the things of God with her again and watch her face smile as she learns the things of God, I want to take her to lunch again and listen as she orders nearly everything on the menu cause she never got to do that before, I want to hear her call Darrel "Teddy Bear" again......but, we are told, those days are now a memory for us and it is time now to begin to adjust with letting her go into the hands of God. I've done my best to care for her this past year, soon my Lord and Savior will take over 24/7 and He'll do a MUCH better job than I ever did.
My comfort and joy is this.....although I HATE GOODBYES....I will not really have to say goodbye to Mary because she met Jesus on July 17 of this year, (HALLELUJAH TO THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS) and I have the reassurance that I WILL see her again one day on the other side of Gloryland!!!! There will be no more pain there and her body will be whole again, her mind will be sharp and she'll sing and dance with the angels and I'll be right there with her.
I HATE GOODBYES but when your friend or family member knows Jesus Christ....THIS parting is not forever....it is only for a season and I shall see her again.
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
Philippians 4:8
Today, more than once, I encountered those who didn't seem to have a clue about this verse in the bible.
Why does it appear to be so difficult for so many, to heed this warning? Why do we struggle so immensely to keep our conversation centered on the things of God and those things which fit into these categories? I'm frustrated tonight and sometimes find it very disheartening to see so much blatant opposal of God's ways. It makes me sad, sick and sorry.
I say this not to judge nor condemn, but simply am sharing the honesty of my heart. When our speech does not glorify God, we speak in the flesh and man, THAT can definitely get us into trouble.
More and more, I seem to be aware of the importance of this verse and maybe it's because I need to work on this more than anyone else.
"God, help me, help us all, to be careful to watch what we say and how much truth there is in it. We want to glorify you God, not ourselves."
