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God always, always, always hears our prayers....I think, most especially, the pure prayers of a childs' heart.
Yesterday, one little 6 year old boy had his prayer answered.....our little Easton. Ever since he knew his Momma was going to have another baby, he has said over and over again...."I hope it's a girl....I really want a sister." Even I explained to him yesterday as they stayed with me while Dale and Summer went for the sonogram, that God, and God alone, knows what the Johnson family needed and that God knows they just might need another little boy. Easton's reply was this......."OH NO Yaya, we don't "need" another boy, we need a girl and I just want a sister."
Such precious words from THE HEART OF A LITTLE BOY!! His hearts desire was a sister and how wonderful of God to have allowed it! We are ALL rejoicing in this miracle of life that is forming and are PRAISING the GOD who is creating "her" right now. We yearn for the day next March when her darling little face we'll see!!
When Dale and Summer came in, they had a bag with them with something in it. They told the boys that inside the bag there would either be a pair of Crocs for a little boy or a little girl and that's how they'd know which it was. So thankful my camera was close and I was able to capture the moment on Easton's face. PRICELESS:)) Then, the boys ran to grab the little girl outfit they picked out earlier to present to their Momma. We had bought one boy and one girl outfit to be prepared either way when the announcement came. Sweet times, sweet times:)
PRAISE YOU GOD for YOU have done GREAT things and we thank You for Your hand and Your answer to THE HEART OF A LITTLE BOY.
YOU ARE A GOOD GOD!!
HAPPINESS.......
What does that word mean to you? How do we attain this thing called HAPPINESS?? Is it something that only comes and goes? Can it become a way in which we live our lives every single day?
Well, I propose that THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS "can" be something we achieve and maintain the rest of our days on this planet.
How????
Well, a great way to begin is to consider daily doing something like what our young ladies from our youth group did tonight.....
Reaching out and spending time with others, focusing on someone else, OTHER than ourselves and being a blessing to those around us. THAT is how we begin to find HAPPINESS. We don't have to be in PURSUIT of it all our lives....HAPPINESS can easily be found through the giving of oneself for the benefit of someone else.
Tonight, 12 of our young ladies, met with some of the widows of RRC. They wanted to get to know us better and had an ice cream social for us, as well as a devotion by Debbie G. After this, they let us help with the blankets they had made for the Mercy House. You might not believe it, but if you'd of been there, you'd of seen it for yourself. These young ladies adore spending time with our older ladies, learning from them, listening to them and just being in their presence. In this day and age, you would think they wouldn't make or take the time, but they do and they end up being the ones who come away blessed for having been there.
Tonight, as I was driving some of the girls home, we got into the van and Amber said, "You know, it makes me feel so good to do what we just did." That statement pretty much sums up how I know they all feel. Their hearts were full and so was mine. It was in the precious moments taking time to reach out to our widows, that the girls found HAPPINESS.
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS?????? You don't have to pursue it any longer. You'll find it when you give of yourself. It's just that plain and simple. Forget yourself, take the time and reach out to someone else. There is a myriad of ministries at our church you can be involved in and they all need YOU. Why not pray and seek the Lord about where you can give of yourself?? Someone needs what you have to give.
HAPPINESS is waiting for you......why not reach out to someone tomorrow? They'll be so glad you did and you......well.....YOU will find HAPPINESS:)
Writing has been hard for me since the death of my sister. I cannot seem to find the words....the ache is deep and lingering and the tears continue. I've struggled to be able to express how I feel, except for the tears. There are few who truly know my heart.
But, 2 Sundays ago, it was Emily R., who helped to lift me up out of the pit. It was to be her last Sunday in my class as she was to move up the following Sunday. She and I both were struggling. It is always hard for me to say goodbye to my girls when they "move up." I get attached, very attached to them after spending 3 years watching them grow and mature in the Lord. Emily stayed after class and she and I both cried. As we held each other, she leaned onto my shoulder and said, "I don't want to put my foot over the threshhold of the door cause I know this is the last time. I don't want to go."
Immediately, the Lord whispered this in my ear......
"There is a season, an appointed time for everything, under heaven....."
And so, that is exactly what I whispered into Emily's ear. As I was trying to encourage her and help her understand that truly, there IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING...the Lord God Himself, encouraged me also. It was time for her to go...."There is a time for every event under heaven...."
and just 2 weeks ago, it had been time for my sister to go...."A time to give birth and a time to die..."
I cried because I was loosing Emily and I had shed buckets of tears over the loss of my sister....but, I too, realized this...
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--
A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiates 3:1-8
For everything in this life.....there is a time and a season for a beginning and for an ending. Emily had helped me to remember this, even in my own sorrow. I cannot say that the tears have stopped, but I have clung to these verses, simply remembering that life is full of seasons. Some are difficult, some pleasant, but they are ALL a part of life and living. We MUST step over the threshhold, for life demands it. We cannot stay where we are, in the same classroom forever....never growing and maturing....we MUST take that step and move forward into the rest of the life that God has for us.
Thank you Emily, for helping me, even when you didn't know it and thank You Father God, for getting me through this most sorrowful time of my entire life. Once again, You have blessed.
After a 10 month long battle with glioblastoma, brain cancer, my sister lost the fight this morning.
How do I face the rest of this week and the process of the funeral? In the flesh, I have absolutely no idea. I only know this....HE is my Rock, the One I must lean and depend on, more than ever before. He will walk through this with me, just as He has every other difficult time in my life.
There is much I could write about my big sister. I will forever remember the laughter, the jokes, the sister trips we took together, our joy with each grandchild we rejoiced in, the silliness that we all so wonderfully enjoyed and how we could bring the house down, no matter where we were, with our loud laughter!
In this first picture, Lou, Pat & I, posing in front of the B/B we stayed in while in Amish Country a year ago. The second pic is Pat, Me & Lou at Falling Water, in PA. The next pic is Pat, Lou & I at the restaurant at the ski resort where they have a condo. The last two photos were taken the last time we were together. As she waved goodbye, this was the final time I saw her standing up.
All these years, we 3 have been sisters and friends. My heart grieves in the knowlege that she is gone but through the tears, God whispers gently in my ear that He hears my heart and Psalms 56:8 reminds me of this...
"You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?"
HE has caught my tears....he knows the brokenness of my heart.....he knows the depth of my anguish and He cares enough to catch my tears in His bottle.
How can I thank my God enough for this?? Is it possible?? Even now as I write, I feel Him holding my heart in the palm of His hand. It's although He is reaching in to comfort me. Thank You Father, thank You....You know my heart and You hear me.
GOODBYE, MY DEAR SISTER.....tonight I thank God for the 62 years He allowed all of us to know and love you. Your little sister loved you more than you knew and I shall miss you the rest of my days.
Thank you God, for my big sister.....Mary Lou.....
This afternoon, nine of our middle school girls had the incredible opportunity to "sit at the feet" of Mrs. Jackie F. and be taught how to arrange flowers! As we sat and listened and watched her, she beautifully made 10 arrangements....one for each of us to bring home. Each was totally different than the one before, each in a different container and every one of them absolutely lovely. The girls got to choose the one they wanted and I'm tickled to be able to say there was no arguing out of these young ladies, each was just tickled to have one of Mrs. Jackie's masterpiece's.
WE HAVE MUCH TO LEARN from our seniors, much. But are we willing to stop and listen long enough to hear what they have to say???
Proverbs 20:29 says, "The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old."
Why not take the time to listen to someone who's a generation or two older than you? They have experience that you do not. They know more than you simply because they've lived longer than you. You could learn much, if you'll give them the time of day. I challenge you to make plans this week to spend some time with one of our "seasoned" adults. You'll be so glad you did.
Tonight, I am so thankful for our widows who are so generously opening their homes, sharing their talents and blessing our young women's lives by sowing into them.
Somewhere around 12-14 years ago, Darrel and I were invited to go out onto the ocean on a friends 21 foot dive boat. I was invited along, more for the ride than anything, as everyone else was scuba diving. I am scuba certified but have never, nor will I ever, ocean dive. I admit, I'm just too skittish of all the "stuff" that's in there. Sooooo, on this particular day, I was just going to stay up top while all the guys went down diving.
Now, I was absolutely fine as we traveled about 20 miles out into the ocean. I was enjoying the ocean, the dolphins beside the boat, the wind in my hair and just the wonderful feeling I had while skimming the top of the water.
And then........the boat came to a stop.
The anchor was lowered and the r o c k i n g began.
UGHHHHHH.....As each diver suited up and went down, I got sicker and sicker and sicker. Needless to say, I christened the bow, the stern, portside and the starboard side! It was horrible and I mean HORRIBLE. I thought the guys would never come up from diving and I was sure I was going to loose everything that was within me and wither away to nothing before someone saved me from my obvious fate....death by vomitting!!!!!!!!!!! The anchor was holding steady but I was about to pass out! UGH AGAIN!
Have you ever experienced a time where turmoil abounded and you felt you could not go on? Maybe you were physically sick, like I was that time. Maybe you're spiritually sick or maybe you're even simply sin sick. Whatever, it doesn't seem to matter because we serve a God whose ANCHOR HOLDS through whatever type of storm you shall ever pass through.
When our faith abounds in Him...when we are anchored deep into the arms of Christ....when we have made the conscious choice that we are rooted and grounded firmly in Christ, we can rest assured that THE ANCHOR HOLDS! We shall not be washed ashore, washed aground, torn apart, drown or lost at sea!!!
THE ANCHOR HOLDS!!! We are safe....we've already been rescued!!! HALLELUJAH KING JESUS!!!
Some of the sweetest memories I have in my life, are the ones that were quiet moments spent with family and friends. Moments when hearts collided, smiles were shared and a oneness was felt amongst us. You know what I mean, I know you do! Some of my sweetest memories of my sisters are the ones where we were gathered together, walking, talking and sharing our hearts together. I remember years ago when Nancy J. and I used to walk together every morning. Those were precious times indeed. I miss them as they haven't happened in a long time and as for my 2 sisters and I, there will never be another time I will walk with both of them at my side. Those days are now behind with my sisters illness.
There is a comfort when you walk among family and friends. You feel loved and safe, at peace and a part of a bigger picture.
BUT...When I get hold of this verse......
"I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people." Leviticus 26:12
Oh man.....OH MAN.....OOOOOOOHHHHHH MAN!!!!
You mean HE, God the Almighty, the Creator, the Sustainer of all things....you mean HE walks with me??? I wish you could see my face right now but most especially, I wish you could see my heart. If you could, you'd see it's smiling right now.
At this season in my life, I find greater comfort than ever before in remembering HE walks with me. How incredible to know that Jesus is not a distant God ruling from His throne.
NOT AT ALL! He is here for us....DAILY....HOURLY....BY THE SECOND!!!
Tonight, I am so thankful that my God....MY GOD.....HE WALKS AMONG US!!! I'm never ever alone. That feels so good inside of me to know.
When you're lonely, afraid, sad, happy or whatever state you're in....HE'S right by your side. Why not go for a walk with HIM right now???
For the most part, no matter what we do, we leave behind the EVIDENCE of our actions. If we walk on the beach or new carpet, we leave behind our footprints. We can simply move through any place and leave a hair fallen from our head and our DNA is left behind. If we touch a door knob, our fingerprints are there and can easily be found. If we cook in the kitchen, not only is there a mess there to be cleaned up but even the smell permeating your home is EVIDENCE that you have cooked something.
Now, if we had NOT walked across that sand or carpet, left a fallen hair, touched a door knob or cooked a meal, rightly so, there would be no EVIDENCE of it. We must "do" something for there to be EVIDENCE that we have done it!!!
And so it is with our faith. Anyone can say, "I believe in God." It is extremely easy to speak these words but IF we say we believe in God, then where is the EVIDENCE of it??? Where is the proof that we have left behind from an action that has been accomplished??? What do we do on a daily basis to show the EVIDENCE of our great love for Christ and what He has done for all of us?
Good works are the EVIDENCE of genuine faith, the EVIDENCE left behind wherever faith has gone. In other words, right actions are the fingerprint of your faith. THE EVIDENCE!!!
Where faith exists, the EVIDENCE marks it as genuine.
"Father God, as I walk through this life I've been given, help me to live in such a way that I leave a trail of EVIDENCE of my faith in You. Let that EVIDENCE be sufficient so that someone might follow the trail to You. Thank You God, thank You."
Most of the time when I think about the words FINAL DESTINATION, they conjur up a plane ride to somewhere and the last leg of my journey. Most often, those plane rides take me to either one of my sisters homes either in Pennsylvania or California. I love traveling and being headed for just about anyywhere, always have.
But 31 years ago, I made the decision about where MY FINAL DESTINATION would be. I'm heaven bound when I leave this earth and I often long for the day.
Today during our youth nursing home visitation time, two ladies especially blessed our hearts. Their joy and peace in Christ dripped off of them and literally spilled out onto all of us who were there. When we walked up to 91 year old Mrs. Henry, her smile lit us all up! Although she recently suffered a broken hip, you would never ever know. Mrs. Henry never complains about anything. She praised her Lord and Savior for caring for her, helping her sleep so well and feeling better than she felt she even deserved. Her joy was obvious to each of our youth and spoke volumes to them. Then there was a new friend to us, 99 year old Mrs. Juanita. Her words of wisdom touched the girls and nearly made them cry. Her love for Jesus was open, forthright and so precious. She encouraged our youth to live for Him and daily prepare their lives for the day they too, would meet Him face to face. She and Mrs. Henry both were so appreciative of our visit but they blessed us more than they know.
After our visit today and our sweet conversations with these ladies and others also, it fills my heart with joy to know that MY FINAL DESTINATION won't be by plane.
MY FINAL DESTINATION????? I'm heavenbound....HALLELUJAH!!
Ever gone shopping looking for "just" the right outfit maybe for a particular occasion? Maybe it was a wedding, get-together, backyard bar-b-que or a special date. Of course, you've just got to have the shoes AND the jewelry to match the outfit also. When it's all finally purchased and put on, you feel like a million bucks and can't wait to go out in it.
As nice as clothing ourselves in just the right outfit is, God says the following...
"As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12
Hmmmmmmmmm.....sounds to me as though clothing ourselves FIRST in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, are MUCH more important than what we're clothing ourselves with on the outside. "Clothing" ourselves is a choice. When we go shopping looking for that perfect outfit, we don't just stand in front of the racks and know the outfit is gonna work. We "choose" to try it on, it doesn't just jump off the rack onto our body. We have to choose what to wear and take the time to clothe ourselves in it.
The same is applicable here. It is a daily choice to clothe ourselves in those things which God knows are more important.
So....WHAT ARE YOU WEARING tonight??? What will you wear tomorrow???
It's your choice.
Salt....most everyone loves it! It seasons just about everything well and seems to inhance the flavor of so many foods. It can be used for more than just seasoning food. Here are some of its' many uses...
Salt can clean a stained a coffee pot
Salt can kill weeds
Salt can soothe a bee sting
Salt can put out a grease fire
Salt can help keep your windows frost free in winter
Salt can keep your wicker furniture from yellowing
Salt can remove water stains from your wood furniture
Salt can clean your fishtank
There are dozens and dozens of interesting uses for salt that I just learned myself.
BUT....THE most useful and interesting use for salt is not found in our homes but found in the Word of God....
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with SALT, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6
When we think of SALT, we don't think of seasoning our conversation with it, but the Word tells us the importance of paying close attention to our speech.
"Lord, help us remember every time we open our mouth, to let our conversation be full of grace and seasoned with salt. There are many who hear us every day Lord. Let our words reflect the love we have for You so that the Gospel might be spread."
Hey....PASS THE SALT PLEASE!!!
Did you know that YOUR SMILE can make my day?
Did you know that YOUR SMILE can wash away my tears?
Did you know that YOUR SMILE can make me forget my problems?
Did you know that YOUR SMILE makes feel good all over?
Did you know that YOUR SMILE helps me to remember all that I am thankful for?
Did you know that YOUR SMILE warms my heart?
Did you know that YOUR SMILE lights up YOUR face as well as mine?
YOUR SMILE "CAN" make a difference in "MY" life AND the lives of others.
Will you share it with someone now?? How about tomorrow??? How about the next day??? Don't forget how important YOUR SMILE is!!! Someone's gonna need it soon and it might be me!!
Now get out there and SMILE!!!!! AND SMILE BIG!
"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones."
Proverbs 17:22
For months now, I have searched my ancestry and found some very interesting things. But, THE most important thing that I want to know, I can find little about. It's so cool to know that some of my family served in our military, held positions of honor, owned land and businesses and came from Ireland, England and beyond. They had children and grandchildren like me, husbands and families.
BUT....what I want to know is this.....Did they know Christ? Were they passionate about their relationship with Him? Did they spread His Gospel and serve in their local bodies of Christ? How I wish I knew and how I wish I could talk to them. So much I'd like to know but more than anything, I want to know if we shared our FAITH and if I am a product of them because of the faith they had. Did they pray for me? Did they ask God generations ago that I would know Christ as my Lord?
I'll never know them but this I do know. THE best way to thank them is to do the same for the generations to come of my family that I will never know.........PRAY for them. Tonight, I am reminded that just as sure as I sit here and think of them, they must have thought of me.....me and my family and so many more. So tonight, I pray for those whom I might never know and I remember this from Psalms...
"The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation." Psalms 33:11
WHO ARE THEY???? I shall never really know but how incredible to know that God knew them.
"The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5:14
Be honest to yourself right this second.......
Isn't this THE BEST RECIPE in life that you could ever try??? What a novel idea, huh?? Loving our neighbors as our own selves??? You've got to be kidding, right? You mean I should love others, including my nasty complaining neighbors, just like I love my own wonderful self???
Uhhh, duhhhh.....YES!!
This is a command that is very often, probably daily often, difficult for those of us who have human flesh (THAT"S ALL OF US!!!) We are prideful selfish people naturally. We want what "we" want and it is easy, extremely easy for us to get caught up in ourselves, our own families and our own lives and forget that we are also commanded to love "others" beyond our own families, just as we love ourselves.
God commands us to love our neighbor as much as we love our own bodies and lives and that's a LOT, a REAL lot!
THE BEST RECIPE????? It doesn't start in finding the right ingredients in our pantries and then whippping up something spectacular to lay before our families on the dinner table.
THE BEST RECIPE begins and ends with the Word of God.....not the word of what man thinks is best but what the Word of God says and HE says loving our neighbors as ourselves is what is what we must do.
So what are you waiting for??? Get out there and love the unlovable, forgive the unforgiveable, and love BIG those who you don't feel drawn to love. We are commanded to do this......so get out there and start loving BIG!
It's THE BEST RECIPE!!!
We, at RRC, are so blessed to have many who are COMMITTED.
Commitment seems to be difficult for many, but for those who are solid as a rock in the commitmentedness (is that a word???)....I want to thank you!
This week, we saw Bobby and Donna head up an incredible VBS program that was off the charts great! I do not mean to not mention ALL of the others who were COMMITTED every night to being there, but I do want to specifically thank these two for their dedication and love for our children.
On the last night, since our girls won the Pennies for Missions drive, Donna got to throw a pie in Bobby's face!!! BUT.....Bobby ended up getting Donna too! It was great!
Also on the last night, the children were told to GO FISH! Fishing as in sharing the Gospel with others and spreading the Good News! The snack that night was a pretzel rod, a red licorice twist, a spoonful of white icing and some cracker Goldfish. They were asked to tie the licorice onto their pretzel rod, stick some icing on the end of their "line" and GO FISH! I loved ending the week with this concept being taught to my grandchildren. Karli, Easton and Titus attended and it tickled my heart to know the powerful lessons they were being taught, as well as all the other children.
THANKS RRC....to all you who were COMMITTED this week and accomplished the task of teaching our children well. Only in years to come will the fruits of your labor be known.
And for the rest of us.....the question must be asked....what is holding you back from making a commitment to our church and its' ministries??? Maybe this is the week to ask God for direction in where He'd like you to COMMIT.
Thanks God for those who are COMMITTED!!
I look at them as they are sleeping and warm fuzzy love fills my heart. I SEE THE FUTURE in them and hope looms in front of me. They shall never know how much their Yaya and Poppa love them. They shall never know the joy they bring to our hearts. Only until they have their own grandchildren, will they be able to understand this great love.
I SEE THE FUTURE in them and I rejoice. Sweet little faces, 16 total, who we are so thankful for.
We pray for them....for them all and we daily thank God for their lives.
Frustration often plagues me. I'm admitting it, so there it is.
I sometimes get so frustrated with the COMPLACENCY I see all around me. There are many signs and spottings of this and they all bother me, to a greater or lesser extent. Daily, people turn their backs on others when there is an opportunity that could have been taken to help them. Daily, it makes me ache inside.
This life we have been given, was given to us to give glory to God, plain and simple.
How I wish that all would come to know Him. How I wish that all understood the concept of giving unselfishly to those who stand in need. It may only be a word of encouragement, a prayer or a word of kindness. Then again, it may cost you something. It may take your time or you may have to dig into your wallet. BUT...giving and loving others honors God. It brings Him glory when we do it for HIS glory.
Father....help me not be COMPLACENT nor judge those who display COMPLACENCY. Help me to simply be who You created me to be......a glory to Your name.
Ok.....it's been a long long time since I've blogged. My mind has deliberately not wanted to write again and I'll explain why, not that anyone particularly cares, but here it is anyway.....
If you notice, the 2nd to the last blog of mine has a picture of my precious sister Lou, standing in her doorway, waving goodbye to us as we left the last time we saw her. Not long after that, she was not able to walk anymore, so this is my last picture of her standing up. I'm being brutally honest here, brutally. Somewhere in my pea sized brain, it's been hard to post anything more cause I know that picture of her will drop further and further down the page till it cannot be seen any longer and I just haven't wanted that to happen. I know that's probably ridicously stupid, but it's true.
So there it is, the truth. I have missed blogging, the simple act of writing down what I'm feeling or thinking, not that it's important or that anyone really cares but somehow, it's important to me and I know it's important to my Jesus.
The gentle flow of the waters in a river cannot help but bring peace and calm to a persons life. How many times do we want to retreat to a peaceful place, such as a river, to try to find simple peace?
I discovered this, once again, that PEACE LIKE A RIVER can even be found in the most disheartening, difficult, desertlike places you shall ever walk. HIS peace walks amongst us, calms us and quiets us. There is not need to find a river to walk by to be calmed by the gentle rushing of the waters' flow....because....
This same peace can be found in our Savior, when and IF we will seek it. I have sought it these past few days more than I probably have in a while and I have found it. There is a quiet calm that has washed over me like a flood. The fear, anxiety, pain, hurt and confusion is gone. I can rest, I can walk, I can leave this place in peace, God's peace. When I walk in His peace, I walk with joy and without regrets.
PEACE LIKE A RIVER is found only in the glory of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Oh how I thank You God for this peace that has washed over my being.
I have no words...no words tonight that are adequate....
ONLY JESUS....ONLY JESUS.....
THIS is all I know.
As I watched her wave goodbye, my heart felt as though it sank below my knee caps. These are difficult days for her and for all of us who love her. Pat and I got into the car and waved goodbye one more time and already, I missed her.
I hurt inside and I'm not the one who has cancer. It aches Lord and I cry out to You for help, for comfort and for peace.
The love of laughter is something we all share, as well as shopping, eating chocolate, traveling and love of our children and grandchildren.
But although we are SISTERS, WE THREE, we are very different.
It is our differences that define who we are and are similarities that bind us ever closer.
After all, we are sisters. We are blood. We are united through the bond of sisterhood and no matter the circumstance, the day, the situation, it always feels good to have them near me. We share stories no one else knows, giggle about inside jokes, pinch each other when no one is looking and very likely will laugh at each other when no one else does.
We are SISTERS, WE THREE, and I am abundantly grateful that God has given me Pat and Lou to love, to pray for, to share with and enjoy. Please God, do for them what I cannot. There are needs Lord, many needs and You know what they are.
As I stood outside yesterday, gazing at the incredible beauty of this lone Japanese Flowering Tree, I was awestruck. The delicate beauty of each tiny soft pink petal left me speechless. The tree was inspiring, and its' lone beauty stood tall and almost called out to me amoung all the other lovely trees and plants in my sisters backyard. As I snapped these pictures and stood gazing at this tree and how it drew me in, I felt a "oneness" with it, if you will.
It stood tall and allowed its' beauty to be seen, quietly, gently and firmly.
I pray I am like this tree.....that the beauty of an Almighty and Perfect God draws people in as they see me. I pray that HIS beauty shines through me and invites people to "come and see" just like this wonderful tree, in its' silence, did for me.
There is much to be learned from nature. It all screams of its' Makers name.
Let my life Lord, scream of Your name and may You be glorified in it.
How can He love me?
How can He put up with my failures and faults?
How does He not get fed up with mediocrity?
What does He see in me that I cannot see?
It's UNEXPLAINABLE but....
It's undeniably true...
There is a Savior who loves me despite myself.
There is a Savior who looks over my failures and faults and sees me blameless.
There is a Savior who never gives up on my shortcomings and mediocrity.
There is a Savior who sees me as washed white, clean, forgiven, with gifts and
Talents that He entrusted just to me to use for His glory.
It's UNEXPLAINABLE...
And I am so thankful my heart runs over with a flood of tears.
I am very aware, more aware than ever, that I am a mere 3 years and 1 month away from being 60. It almost frightens me to see it in type. In my head, it cannot be possible that I could be nearing 60. But my body tells me it is true, as does my birth certificate, and so I know it's truth.
But through my church, I have had the priviledge for 16-17 years now, to work with and serve alongside our youth. THEY COMPEL ME FORWARD and give me the gusto to move forward and keep pushing, even when I don't feel like it. Seeing them in action, teaching them, watching them mature and watching them serve, gives me great purpose and joy.
Today, 7 of our precious young ladies, descended upon the home of one of our widows to serve her in whatever capacity we could to be a help. She asked us to do her windows and screens and then fed us a wonderful meal afterwards. I watched these precious young women of God jump right in and complete the task with joy. They help me remember the importance of pushing myself to spend time and effort with them. THEY are worth any effort I am able to put forward.
With humility and thankfulness, I praise our Kinsman Redeemer for allowing me the privilege of knowing and loving these girls. THEY COMPEL ME FORWARD and remind me of my responsibillity to those younger than I.
It is often difficult to think about the human heart without seeing it as the media portrays it. We view the heart as this lovely bright red painted picture, often seen with cupid arrows running through it. We tend to think of the heart with love, affection, longing and endearment. It's a symbol known across the globe as LOVE.
But, the human heart is truly not such a picture of lovliness.
Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?"
Hmmmmmmmm.....makes us stop and think about our hearts, doesn't it? Deceitful and wicked above ALL things is how it is described in the Word.
Our hearts desire deceitfulness and it is a struggle within the flesh to keep the evil of our hearts at bay. Each day, one way or another, situations arise when our hearts are tested and the evil rises to the surface and rears its' ugly head. We must fight to keep our thoughts pure, our mouths quiet and our hands calm.
THE EVIL WITHIN US lies right in our own hearts. Dear God, help me to "guard my heart, above all else" as Proverbs 4:23 says for it is "the wellspring of life." EVERYTHING about me, springs forth from my heart.
"Create in me a pure heart, oh God!" Psalm 51:10
Laid out before these boys, Titus and Will, THE WORLD AWAITS THEM, these precious little ones. Where will God take them? Will they follow, will they obey the leading of our God and Savior? Will they taste and see the goodness and mercy of the One who came to save us from our sins?
God has entrusted these children with gifts of His choosing. I pray they will use them for His glory and they will allow the layers of their flesh to be peeled away as they grow, by a God who desires to use them for His glory.
THE WORLD AWAITS THEM and while it does, I pray for them and for all of my children and grandchildren. What will they all grow to be? While I wait to see, I will pray.
It's been too long since I've posted. I'm sure no one has really missed hearing my thoughts, but I've missed putting them down.
The past days have been delirously busy and incredibly fun as I've been helping Butch at the shop. The days have flown by and God has been so sweet. He has given me a little mission field there at the shop and it's an incredible blessing!
I am reminded daily of the many who still need Jesus, the many who are in strained relationships and the many who are simply deceived and just don't have a clue about my wonderful Savior. He loves them all and it is my responsibility to be Christ to them. What a joy!
I would like to take a second to thank everyone for praying for DJ. He is doing well after the 2nd heart attack and we would ask that you continue to pray for him though.
Thank you also for praying for my sister who has glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. She did not qualify for an experimental treatment, so that is now out. She is maxed out on the radiation treatments so she can have no more of them. She is back on daily chemo and they will do another scan in a month or so to see what the latest developments are. Thank you for continuing to pray for her. My sister in California and I will be visiting her again soon and we look forward to the time with her.
LIFE IS GOOD, despite the craziness, struggles and strains. God reminds me daily how good life can be when we'll allow Him to be in charge. He's a good God, all the time and for His provision, I thank Him.
People are funny, aren't they? Hasn't everyone asked that question from time to time? Some people are quirky, comical, quiet, submissive, talkative, uppity, humble, proud etc. etc. etc.
Each time we leave our homes, we come in contact with people of all kinds. Each time we do, we have an opportunity to be salt and light to every one of those people. Our 'bag of God seed' should be slung over our shoulder and carried with us everywhere we go, ready to be scattered at His will at the drop of a hat.
I love people, after all, HE CREATED THEM ALL. At first glance, we can often quickly made a judgement about one of God's people. But regardless of what we see/hear on the outside, underneath, we are each in need of the very same thing.....a Savior. As we are summing people up with our visual abilities, God sees the needs of the heart. He asks us to grab deep into that bag of seed and sow it every time we have the opportunity.
HE CREATED THEM ALL.....let us take the chances given to us each day to scatter God seed. He's counting on us to touch the lives of all people of all kinds, shapes, nationalities, colors, personalities and financial abilities.
I don't think I could count the number of times I have heard our senior pastor make this statement...
"BLESSINGS ALWAYS FOLLOW OBEDIENCE"
I have seen evidence of this statement over and over and over again. Not only in my life but in the lives of my family and friends. As Novella said this past weekend, "It seems like such a simple concept." (Those may not have been her exact words but it was the gist of her statement)
It IS such a simple concept, but one that seems so difficult for all of us to grab hold of. If we want to be blessed, then simply be obedient! Could it be that easy??
I believe it can.
But NOT in the flesh. The flesh cries out for obedience to itself. The flesh is selfish and prideful and only wants to please its' longing. We can be slaves to our flesh all our lives, doing whatever it hungers for.
But in the LORD, obedience can flow like the tide in the ocean. Its' coming in and going out appears natural, normal and rhythmic. It happens because its' supposed to, plain and simple. Obedience CAN be this way for us but only when we walk with the Lord Himself.
On our own, we will stumble and fall constantly and obedience to God will be impossible. Through the Holy Spirit though, it can flow like the tide...natural and normal.
BLESSINGS ALWAYS FOLLOW OBEDIENCE.........I have to wonder how many hundreds upon hundreds of blessings I have missed because of my disobedience.
If I am going to be a slave to anything.....Lord, let me be a slave for You and help me be obedient in all things.
GOD TOLD JONAH TO OBEY
But instead he ran away
Caught a ship and off he went
Very soon a storm was sent
All the sailors were afraid
Jonah said, I disobeyed.
A simple childrens song (sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) with a very profound meaning.
This was only the first verse to a song that we sang last Sunday at church to our children. Words so simple that a child can understand them but with a meaning so deep and true that we adults should shudder as we sing them.
We laugh as sing that GOD TOLD JONAH TO OBEY but instead he ran away! But isn't that a picture of us also? God tells us one thing, tells us to obey Him and follow what He tells us, but instead, we run in the opposite direction and do our own thing!
Jonah went so far as to "catch a ship" to get far away from the direction God told him to go, but then, what happened to prideful Jonah???? A storm was sent, that's what! A storm above all storms that not only affected Jonah but all the innocent people on the ship with him suffered because of his disobedience. YIKES! Many sufferered the storm right alongside of Jonah because of HIS choice to disobey God! How often in our own lives have we made others suffer because of our own selfish actions? This is a powerful question and can be life-changing if we'd allow it.
BUT....for many of us, we won't allow it. To allow this simple little song to take root in our hearts, takes a concerted conscious effort to decide to think differently and then make a change, based on what we know needs to be changed in our lives.
Isn't it time for a change? Isn't it time for us to "want" to live differently and stop the disobedience in our lives that has gone on far too long? If we, as Christians, are not willing to listen to the voice of God Himself, follow it and stop this ridiculous life of disobedience, I shudder to think the punishment that God will inflict upon us.
Jonah learned the hard way by spending 3 days and nights in the belly of a big fish! I wonder what it will take for each one of us and how much longer it will take for us to seek the Savior instead of ourselves.
There is power in the "spoken" word.
Deep inside of us lies much we would rather no one else know. Deep inside, we hide things about ourselves and our family members that we are too afraid to say out loud. Too afraid that if others know, they will look down upon us, that we will be embarrased and feel ashamed in front of them. In our pathetic minds, somehow we think IF we don't actually say the words out loud, then it really isn't true and we won't have to face the ugliness of it if we don't speak it aloud.
But, there is great power in the spoken word. Admitting the sins we struggle with, asking for specific prayer regarding specific issues in our lives, THIS is the beginning of wisdom and truth.
None of us stand alone, we are all sinners. We need to pray for each others needs and the only way we can pray specifically for each others needs, is to know them. We must put our fears of rejection and shame aside and share what lies hidden inside of us and beg peoples prayers.
AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE......Truth.....admitting it and asking for prayer will make you free.
Well of course it's A CAVE IN MY LIVING ROOM!!!! If you're a bear, or a tiger or a cheetah, you've GOT to have a cave, no matter where you are!
And so it is with grandsons, who love to pretend we're wild animals hiding from the BIGGEST bear....POPPA!!!! When a wild animal needs a cave to run (or crawl to if you're Will!!!), then Yaya has to pull some chairs together, grab a sheet and make a cave!
No deep feelings to share tonight, only a thankful heart for giving me precious little ones to have fun with, pretend with, giggle with and cherish where I'm at in my life with.
Thanks Lord, You've been good to this "cheetah!"
This morning, as our son Butch worshiped the Lord as he sang, "I'LL PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM" it was difficult for my mind to stay focused on the moment. My mind carried me back to years ago when his life was different. I relived certain moments, moments of despair as well as moments of clarity in his life. Moments when I would have never believed he could have pulled himself from the wreckage of the mess he'd made then and moments since, when me and his dad have been so proud of him that we could burst. Proud, because he now lives his life NOT for himself, but for the God who made him. The God who has brought him through the storms of his life!
Butch and ALL of us, have been through our share of STORMS in our lives. But the key is learning to PRAISE HIM IN THE STORM! We owe Him all the glory!
"I'LL PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm"
We must understand, we simply must, that GOD is with us through the storms of life. We may choose to reach out and grab His hand or we may choose to go it alone and rely on our own strength. To choose the first option, is to choose life. To choose the second, is to choose death.
Father, how grateful I am that You are the God of our good days and our bad days. You are God alone and I'LL PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM!!
OK.....I do understand, I really do but I am FRUSTRATED.
"You're so loud"......
"You nag too much"........
"You don't handle money well".........
"Maybe you need to seek God about that and not ask me"..........
"Are you praying about that?"..............
"You need to learn to be organized"...............
"You waste time"........
"You talk too much"........
These are only a few of the MANY words of wisdom I've had to listen said to me over the years. Some were said to me at a time in my life when I didn't any more want to hear truth than I wanted to be eaten alive by giant snakes! Some of these statements have been said more recently to me.
Usually, the condition of our heart speaks for us, whether we wish it had of or not. Listen to what Luke 6:45 says...
"The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."
When our heart is not right with God, it is difficult for our mouth to speak right. We don't like correction, we don't like admonition and we take every statement made to us that is meant to help us, as words spoken from the enemy itself. Our hearts are selfish and we want ONLY want WE want. We tend to think so highly of ourselves that the world has to elevate itself to reach our standards, when in essence, it is we who need to be brought down a notch and realize who we really are. If you don't like instruction, then listen to what the Bible has to say about it.
Proverbs 1:7 says this...
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction."
I didn't say that....the Lord God Himself did! Don't be mad at me if it touches an angry place within your heart. Believe me when I say, I myself have had things said to me that "could" have made me angry and a few of them probably did before I knew Christ. In the depths of our own hearts, we must look at ourselves in the mirror and examine IF what has been said to us about us, is true. Some people don't even seem to see the error of their ways but if you're not sure that what someone has said about you that seemed so terrible is true, try asking a friend or family member if what was said about you is something they've seen in you. Better yet, why not humble yourself and ask God Himself??
Listening to wisdom can be difficult if the words spoken are true. For myself, I have found that every time wisdom has been spoken to me that made me angry, it WAS something that I needed to work on. It's time for us to grow up and search our own hearts.
Watching the Winter Olympics has mesmerized me this year. I absolutely love winter sports. I suppose it's in my blood, having grown up in Chicago and some of my best memories having to do with snow and ice.
Watching these athletes holds me captive as I think about the hours of practice, hard work, dedication and love they display for their sport. They have given much of their lives to become the best at what they do to advance their sport. Much of their personal lives are put on hold while they spend countless hours practicing.
You know, the truth is, our actions play out what is important to us. Truly, we do not have to say much for others to know who we are and what we are "really" about. As others watch us, and they DO watch us, what do our lives prove out is important to us? Just as these athletes prove to us what motivates them, how about us as Christians???
I wonder, would any of us win A GOLD MEDAL as slaves and servants of the Lord God? Would we even be called up to be on the podium to win a medal at all for our faith and trust in the King of the Universe? What are our priorities? What do our actions show to the world?
A GOLD MEDAL???? The old addage "actions speak louder than words" holds true in our Christian walk as well as in every other area of our lives.
Life is hard. Some days we wake up and all seems well and good. The sunshine is streaming in through our window and life is fine and dandy.
But then, there are those days that we wake up and wonder how we will deal with what we know we have to deal with that day.
I have come back to Esther 4:14 over and over again this past week. I can almost hear Mordecai saying to her...."For who knows whether or not you have attained royalty FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS."
Those six words have echoed in my ears for days now.
Oh Lord...........FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS I shall walk through whatever You have for me. I shall not be afraid. I shall not doubt Your perfect timing nor shall I question what You are doing. I shall not loose heart nor loose faith. I shall not look with physical eyes as they cannot see the things that are really important.
BUT...what I SHALL do is this....
I shall trust my Redeemer, just as Esther did. I shall be bold and I shall do whatever He calls me to do as I walk each day.
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.......I shall work till Jesus comes, no matter the cost.
The driveway almost seems to smile as we pull up tonight.
HOME.....it's the place we live, lay our heads at night and enjoy our family.
Tonight as I come through the door I am acutely aware that I left part of my heart and mind in another place. I am aware that my body has arrived HOME but my heart remains elsewhere.
It was hard to leave him.....he's grown....he doesn't really appear to need me....but my heart needs him. "Goodbye" was hard.
But once again, I leave him in the hands of the Lord. It's where I willingly placed him many years ago. I cannot really do much for him other than love him and pray for him. He's grown and so I come back home.
He's in Your hands Lord Jesus.....You can do more for him than I ever could. Heal his body and his mind. As much as I love him, You love him more. I'm counting on You Lord.....I'm counting on You.
"Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things." ECCLESIASTES 11:5
He IS at work. I do not "just" think it.....I KNOW it! He moves and breathes in the spiritual world, one we cannot see nor can we fathom what goes on there. BUT....He IS at work. His "activity" is endless, never tiring, never ceasing. As the sun rises and sets, so does His "activity" continue. Just because we cannot see it visually with our physical eyes, we would be absolutely foolish to believe it does not go on.
He labors night and day on behalf of His children. "For the Son of man has come to seek and save that which was lost." Luke 19:10 He does not lay down and give up on those who need Him. He does not throw in the towel and walk away. He came to "SEEK AND SAVE!!" If you are "seeking" something, you are "actively" looking for it and you do not tire until you find it.
We, as human beings, may not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb.......BUT, we would be pathetically ignorant to believe that GOD ALMIGHTY does not!
Tonight, I thank you God that our son has made great progress. Thank you for your "activity" in all of our lives. There is no where to turn to but You God.
Oh Lord my God....when I in awesome wonder....consider all, the worlds Thy hands have made....
I see the stars....I hear the rolling thunder...Thy power throughout....the universe displayed...
Then sings my soul....my Savior God to Thee....How great Thou art...How great Thou art....Then sings my soul....My Savior God to Thee...How great Thou art...
How GREAT Thou art!
You never picture it. It's just not programmed into momma's heads to ever think about the picture I saw today.
He lay there in ICU, more tubes coming in and going out of him than I've ever seen. My son.....my son.......that's my son my heart spoke to my brain but my brain nearly refused to believe the sight before me. He's only 37 Lord. Tears welled up in my eyes as I took it all in. He's on a ventilator, until he adjusts and his oxygen levels are what they should be. The nurse says the first 24 hours are crucial to see how he's going to do....we'll know more tomorrow, she says.
But my heart is screaming inside myself......
"That's my son.....do you know that? Do you care? Will you care for him and watch over him as I did when he was a little boy? If I leave this room, will you wipe his brow? Will you comfort him? Will you calm his fears....he's full of them....they don't know that, but I do. I'm his mom, I know. You can't love him like I do.....you can't know him as I do."
Tears well up in my eyes and after only a few minutes, we're told we must leave. It's so hard to walk down that hallway. He doesn't even know I'm there....he won't remember any of this.....the hallway looms before me and at the end is a doorway that I cannot walk back through until tomorrow. WITHOUT YOU Lord, I could not make a step. I'd have no hope, no peace within in. WITHOUT YOU Lord, my feet would have planted themselves at his side and I wouldn't have moved.
BUT.......because I am NOT WITHOUT YOU.....I can leave him in the physical hands of the doctors and nurses and the spiritual hands of my God and Savior. You do ALL things well Lord. Your plan is so much better than any I could ever have for him. I trust You Lord. As little 6 year old Easton prayed....."God, talk to him while he's sleeping...."
Yes Lord.......talk to him even now, while he is sleeping. Talk to him now. He's my son Lord, my firstborn. Talk to him.
His name is DJ.....he's my son......my firstborn.
Today, I have been ON MY KNEES for him. He is hanging in the balance and he needs your prayers. Would you join with me as we pray for our son?
I trust You Lord. My desperate heart has hungered to see evidence in my child that You are there. Evidence Lord, evidence. Is there hunger there Lord, is he hungry? We have prayed so long and waited.
"Whatever it takes Lord, whatever it takes"....THIS is what I prayed early this morning. You have not left Your throne, oh God....You know him, You know his heart. Move Lord Jesus, move. Now, more than ever, he needs You and we need You. Go with us God as we go to him....lead us, direct us....Holy Spirit speak through us. This ever wordy woman has not the words to speak without You Father. I yearn for my son. Move, Lord, move.
For what I do not know, I praise You. For everything, I praise You. I love you Jesus...I need You....He needs You. Go with us.
THey came in the door kicking off their shoes and immediately, the conversation was in full gear here on Tuesday night. As each one of them came in, I silently thanked God. 16 GIRLS walked through my door, each one grinning, some bearing goodies or soft drinks, but almost all of them carrying their "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" books that we are going through together for the next 8 or so weeks.
16 GIRLS graced my humble home this week and their voices still echo within these walls. They are so full of life, joy in the moment, questions, giggles, laughter and many whispered prayer requests in the ear of this older woman who feels so honored to have them in her life. They bring great joy to me and they teach me more than they shall ever know.
As I look around the circle of beautiful faces, I wonder where God will take them, how HE will use them and how they will serve Him one day. I wonder how many will follow His call on their lives and how many will choose to direct their own path. I wonder who will choose to do whatever they want to do and possibly turn away from God. As much as I would pray that won't happen, I know that more than likely it will. After working with youth some 16 or so years now, I've seen more run from God than I like to think about. I know that not all will choose to follow Him and deep in my heart, I already ache for them. I study their faces and silently pray for a hunger for Jesus to begin to flourish deep within their hearts.
I pray they won't make the same mistakes I have made. I pray they won't have to learn the hard way how faithful our God is. They are young, they have so much to give and so much to learn.
16 GIRLS God......You know their names, You know their hearts, the hard parts and the soft parts. Move in their lives Lord, move.
I rise to the sound of twittering birds outside my window and I give Him quick thanks.
Cottage cheese eaten on the run for breakfast and I give Him thanks.
Reaching for cleaning supplies as I hurry through cleaning the house and I give Him thanks for the means to buy the products I am using.
Over a delicious chicken sandwich and chips, I give Him thanks for His provision. I am acutely aware that there are millions who are hungry, as I enjoy the feeling of fullness.
As I flip the switch to begin the process of washing clothes, I give Him thanks that we are able to pay our electric bill and all the luxuries electricity affords us.
The sound of childrens' voices pierces the lingering quiet and I am immediately reminded of the blessings my children have given me.......GRANDCHILDREN. In the door they come after school, telling stories, and hungry, as always. I give Him thanks that they are such a huge part of my life.
As I answer the ringing phone, on the other end, is the sound of Darrel's voice. He's away for a few days and he calls to remind me he loves and misses me already. I give Him thanks for putting him in my path some 40 years ago and bringing us so far over the years.
As the evening begins winding down and I sit here alone, my thoughts run back over the many things in life that I have to be thankful for and I have merely scratched the surface. The kind favor of a King who came for me.....who lavishes so much more on me that I could ever be deserving of....the love that He rains down on me.
Today, I have raised HUMBLE OFFERINGS OF THANKS as I have moved through my day. He is worthy of so much more and yet, He receives my verbal thanks as sweet sound to His ear.......offerings of praise.
I love you Lord.....thank You for all You have provided. I am aware of Your gifts and I am not worthy.
I was only 18 when Darrel and I married. He was 17. Gosh, can that be true? Could we really have gotten married THAT young? Yep....we sure did.
Foolish????? I'd have to say yes. ALL the odds were against us and I do mean ALL. But somehow, we've made it 38 YEARS now....39 on June 29. Through much struggle AND growth, we've lived and loved 38 YEARS as one.
When I look back over the past 38 YEARS, I honestly have to wonder how we made it those first 8 years before we knew Christ. Now THAT, is a miracle for sure.
Don't really know why I'm writing this post, just been thinking a lot lately about all the years we've spent together, where we came from and what we've come through. Heartaches and disappointments have been many but so have joys and happiness. We've worked through our differences, talked through our finances, discussed our opinions and found common ground through it all through Christ. We've been tremendously blessed with 3 children and 16 grandchildren. We've owned 2 homes. We've learned more about each other AFTER giving our lives to Christ than we ever knew, or cared to know about each other, before Christ.
We have been blessed by God and I am so thankful. 38 YEARS have come and gone and I thank God for everything He has given us, for the wisdom He has imparted because we asked for it and the love He has lavished on us all these years. He has knit us together and I am so grateful.
One of the things I have always abhorred, is PEER PRESSURE. I suppose there are times that it can be a good thing, but for the most part, PEER PRESSURE will change who you are IF you fall into it and not usually for the good.
Just moments ago, my 9 year old granddaughter was commenting on FB that she was going to dress up for Book Character day tomorrow at school. She was pretty quickly told by her little friends that "they weren't that type of person" and they weren't gonna do it. They thought it wasn't cool and they were too old for it!
I'm telling you, I about came through the screen of my laptop! How sad it is that 9 year old little girls are already learning that to "be cool" they cannot do things like dress up as a book character at school! It really bothers me that the pressure to conform to others standards is already being forced down her throat at such a young age. Moments after Yaya got her two cents in and told my granddaughter NOT to listen to those friends and that they were just "little girls" NOT grown women, one of the "little girls" deleted her post! My granddaughter said she guessed she was embarrased by what she said.
PEER PRESSURE is stealing away our children and grandchildren and IF we choose NOT to encourage them in their God given gifts, encourage them in the Word, encourage them to be who GOD has made them to be and encourage them NOT to fall into negative PEER PRESSURE, we will loose them to the world.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2
Lately, I've been doing a lot of THINKING. I suppose I'm always doing a lot of THINKING, but the THINKING I've been doing lately has been on the more serious note.
Praying for others is not new to me. I count it an honor and great privilege to pray for others. But the other day while in prayer, I felt more of an overwhelming sense of heaviness than ever before. Not just for those I was praying for, but for God Himself.
I began thinking about the times that my own children have broken my heart, disappointed me, hurt me by their actions or decisions and all of a sudden, my own selfish thoughts turned to how God's heart must feel when His "billions" of children daily hurt Him. I began crying out and felt tremendous empathy, sadness and heaviness at how God the Father must grieve constantly over our actions and decisions. He has poured His love into us and yet so many deny Him, disappoint Him and live just as WE please instead of what would please Him.
THINKING about the billions who have grieved His heart has broken mine.
Maybe God is doing a new work in me.......I'm still THINKING about it all.
Many thanks to those of you who are praying for my sister Lou. Words cannot express my gratefulness.
Thought I would update the latest on her cancer, treatments and health.
She began experiencing some pretty severe headaches from the radiation to her head. She was started on a medication for the headaches to help relieve the pain and another to help reduce the swelling. Both have helped. She is experiencing fatigue and weakness as well as some hair loss on the left side of her head. The daily treatments will continue until February 17th, at which time she will have a 3 week break. During that time, I am planning on going up for another visit with her. At the end of the 3 weeks, she will go through MRI's and CT's to determine the effects of the treatments. After determining that, a new plan of attack on the cancer will be decided upon by the doctors.
Thank you all for lifting her to the throne. I continue to give Him glory for all that He is doing and is going to do. To HIM be all glory, honor and praise.
There's a stirring deep within me.....
A rumbling....a groaning, if you will.
It's as though the party is about to start...
The guests are being invited and the excitement...
Is building.
The invitations are going out....
The table is being set....
The preparations have been long in coming...
Will you come and enjoy His presence?
HE'S ON THE MOVE...
We must prepare our homes, our lives...
Our hearts.
Will you come and partake??
He will meet us there.....He will be waiting....
HE'S ON THE MOVE....
It's time for us to respond.
If you travel into the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho, you might find Dr. P, an IMB missionary, working in clinics in the mountains of South Africa, sharing not only his knowledge of health care but of the Gospel.
All over the world, this scenario repeats itself as servants of God are called into missionary work and give all to share the love of Jesus with the thousands of unreached people groups across this globe.
FOR YOU and FOR YOU and FOR YOU.....Jesus Christ paid the ultimate cost with His life. Today has been one of those days that I have been overwhelmed considering the price that our missionaries make and the price that HAD to be paid by Him, not only for me, but for those that He loves in the Maluti Mountains too. The spreading of the Gospel MUST be carried by us. It is our duty and "should be" our joy.
Let us remember to pray for our missionaries across our world, who for the sake of the call, have given all to share Jesus.
Let us remember Dr. P. and the thousands others just like him, George & Kara, Chris & Katie, Jason & Gracie, April F., Shane S. leaving soon, and all the other missionaries who have forsaken self. Their number 1 goal in life is no longer what new car to buy, what color to paint their house or where to go out for dinner. Their number 1 priority is Jesus.
Father, protect our missionaries who simply seek to shine forth Your light. Provide their needs, protect them, comfort them, give them courage in the darkest of nights. May Your name be praised to the heavens and the glory be given all to You.
Lately, this picture explains perfectly how I've been feeling. It seems like there is an insurmountable list of problems, almost like a BALL AND CHAIN of health issues, relationship stuff, LOST people, disappointment in myself, sadness etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. everywhere I look.......and I am simply overwhelmed. Maybe cause it's just that I'm finally pressing in praying more for others than ever before and I'm more aware of it all. I don't know. Maybe it's just cause I'm so selfish. I just don't know.
My flesh screams out that I want to run from it all, I'm so weary of all the battles. But I know that I cannot. To give in and give up is the evil ones' desire for my life and I will not allow the battle to be won by him. But I admit, this weight of burden is so heavy and so difficult to carry.
Once again this morning, I take it to Him, the Giver of all good things, the Healer of my mind and body, the Peacemaker, the One who calms all storms and I long to hear Him gently whisper in my ear.....
"And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still And the wind ceased and there was a great calm."
Mark 4:39
The mere sound of HIS voice, calmed the angry waves. The toiling stopped, the spray was no longer on their faces and the wind ceased its' howling........ALL at the sound of His voice.
Father, I need to hear the sound of Your voice this morning....I need there to be peace. The weight is so heavy for me to bear.
It may sound strange, but especially in winter time, I miss my GRANDMA'S HANDS.
You see, in the winter season, GRANDMA'S HANDS were constantly helping me bundle up, one layer after another, to go out into the snow. Gently and lovingly, Grandma would make sure that each layer of warmth was "just enough" and that I would be warm once outside.
Grandma would make me stand on a clear hallway plastic liner that was just inside the door when the process would begin. First came the undershirt, then the long sleeved shirt of her choosing, then a sweater, then the first layer of socks followed by the wool socks. Then, on came some sort of long underwear type of thing, then your pants, then your leggings. Next layer was the face mask, then your winter coat, hood and all. Once the coat was on, she'd pull your hood up. THEN, she'd reach up into the sleeves of your coat and pull out the little elastic piece that had a clip on the end that was attached to your mittens! (This way, your mittens were always attached and you didn't loose them PLUS they'd stay tucked into your sleeves!) Next, she sweetly wrapped my scarf around the outside of my hood and neck so that my head could barely move! If you've ever seen the movie, "Christmas Story" then you know what I looded like! I could barely move by this point but who cared, snowballs fights, ice skating, sledding, riding the coaster and making snow angels was just outside the door, waiting for me. Then finally, she'd kiss me on the forehead, tell me to be careful and to come back when I was wet!!!
Yep, once you'd stayed out long enough and got packed down with snow, you'd have to come inside, stand on the plastic liner, be stripped down by GRANDMA'S HANDS and start the process all over again with another whole set of dry clothes from the bottom up!!!
The winter time makes me miss my precious grandmother's hands. She was a huge part of my life, as she lived with us all my growing up years until I was 13. SHE comforted me, watched over me, cooked for me and guided me when my mom was working during the day. I shall never forget her and I'm sure that I have modeled my own grandmothering skills after her. She was a constant in my life, always there, always teaching me and loving me in her quiet way. This picture of her was taken some 59 or so years ago, before I was born and is of her my sister Pat.
It's cold outside and I miss GRANDMA'S HANDS tonight.
