Its funny, no matter how long you have been a Christian, Christ Follower, you still find where there is so much more than you can ever obtain. This morning Artie preached a really good message about Spiritual Warfare. I think sometimes I get so caught up in "working for Him" that I forget to seek Him. There is a spiritual depth that I hunger for so much. I told a friend that it is like going into the ocean. When you dive in and look around under the water its beautiful but the deeper you go,,,, the more you see such beauty,,,,beauty you have never imagined. That is what I want to go so deep that I see spiritual beauty that I have never imagined. I can imagine Him using me in different ways but there is so much more. More than my mind can hold. But it is something that I have to go after. Its like sitting at a table where there is more food than you can dream. You are so hungry but until you reach out, pick up what is before you and put it to your mouth it will never satisfy that hunger. It takes effort on my part. I have to be willing to take the time to reach for and seek it.
Oh God, please here my cry. I want so much more than what I now have, more than I see,,,,,I want more of you and your fullness. A fullness that never satisfies but keeps me coming back for more. Guide me in my dive to go deeper in you.
In the name of Your Son,
Amen
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Friends
You know I never really realized how many time Friend or Friends are talked about in the Bible.
I guess the most famous one was David and Johnathan but there are so many more. Some were good friends some were not so good. I am so blessed t0 have three close friends like Job did but thank God they are not the same kind of friends that Job had. I know mine would never say I deserved what I got. They love me enough that they will tell me if they see me going in the wrong direction but will do it with love. Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times". That is when things are good and when they are not so good. When I am happy or when I cry. They would even sit and cry with me if needed. They are such a blessing. I think the best friends happen kinda by accident. I didn't set out to become "best friends" with these 3 but as I found
I could trust them it just happened. Now I have lots of "just friends" but my special 3 are in a whole category of itself. One is a married lady who has become my sister. She is a only child and I have never been close to my only sister so we fill that void in each others life. One is a married man. I love him and his wife with all my heart. He and I have become close, in part I feel, because of not only a love of music but because we have a spiritual drawing that lets us lean on each other spiritually. Every one need a countability partner and we have that kind of relationship. I call him my brother because even though he is my spiritual brother it goes beyond that. ( He is prob. the only one of the 3 who will read this. Just know I love you Bro.)
The third is a man who is unmarried. We can talk to each other about almost anything. He is someone I just enjoy talking to and being with. And he has taught me so much about myself and he has no idea about it. I know God put us together as friends so we can also lean on each other.
We so often think about God sending the Mr. Right husband or Ms. Right wife into our lives but He wants to guide all our relationships. Even the ones we may not see until we are in them. I thank Him for what he has given me in my friends. I only hope I can be as good a friend to them as they have been to me. God Bless You Guys!!!
I guess the most famous one was David and Johnathan but there are so many more. Some were good friends some were not so good. I am so blessed t0 have three close friends like Job did but thank God they are not the same kind of friends that Job had. I know mine would never say I deserved what I got. They love me enough that they will tell me if they see me going in the wrong direction but will do it with love. Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times". That is when things are good and when they are not so good. When I am happy or when I cry. They would even sit and cry with me if needed. They are such a blessing. I think the best friends happen kinda by accident. I didn't set out to become "best friends" with these 3 but as I found
I could trust them it just happened. Now I have lots of "just friends" but my special 3 are in a whole category of itself. One is a married lady who has become my sister. She is a only child and I have never been close to my only sister so we fill that void in each others life. One is a married man. I love him and his wife with all my heart. He and I have become close, in part I feel, because of not only a love of music but because we have a spiritual drawing that lets us lean on each other spiritually. Every one need a countability partner and we have that kind of relationship. I call him my brother because even though he is my spiritual brother it goes beyond that. ( He is prob. the only one of the 3 who will read this. Just know I love you Bro.)
The third is a man who is unmarried. We can talk to each other about almost anything. He is someone I just enjoy talking to and being with. And he has taught me so much about myself and he has no idea about it. I know God put us together as friends so we can also lean on each other.
We so often think about God sending the Mr. Right husband or Ms. Right wife into our lives but He wants to guide all our relationships. Even the ones we may not see until we are in them. I thank Him for what he has given me in my friends. I only hope I can be as good a friend to them as they have been to me. God Bless You Guys!!!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Unexpected Peace
How can you explain Gods peace. It seems like a simple question but there is so much to it.
I am going though something now that no one knows about but God. Sometimes that is the way it is. No one else knows, and no one else needs to know. There is something I have been praying about for over a year. Every time I ask God about it its almost like He "beats around the bush". Never directly answering my question but just giving me enough to keep me waiting and hoping. And now, well, I am still no closer to the answer. And what I thought was the answer may soon disappear from the picture altogether . But because I TRULY do want HIS will I have found my self satisfied in His answers even though they don't seem to be enough when I ask. Still I have a peace that I cant explain. I really thought that at this point I would be a sobbing mess. But I don't feel that way. I have come to the conclusion that if what I THOUGHT was His will is not then He has so much more for me. Its kinda like asking for a bowl of cereal but you only get one or two pieces at a time. It still satisfies your desire but you still think you want it all now even though you may not be able to balance the bowl now. But each time He gives you a little taste of what you desire it satisfies and gives peace that you almost cant figure where it came from. I guess that is "Peace that pass' all understanding". I sure don't understand it. There was a time when I didn't want to feel that peace because I wanted what I wanted at any cost. Thank God He knows all things, sees a lot further down the road and doesn't always give us what we want. Will I ever get what I ask for? I know I will. He promised it. But it may not be the way I think it will come. Which is even better. I love surprises.
I am going though something now that no one knows about but God. Sometimes that is the way it is. No one else knows, and no one else needs to know. There is something I have been praying about for over a year. Every time I ask God about it its almost like He "beats around the bush". Never directly answering my question but just giving me enough to keep me waiting and hoping. And now, well, I am still no closer to the answer. And what I thought was the answer may soon disappear from the picture altogether . But because I TRULY do want HIS will I have found my self satisfied in His answers even though they don't seem to be enough when I ask. Still I have a peace that I cant explain. I really thought that at this point I would be a sobbing mess. But I don't feel that way. I have come to the conclusion that if what I THOUGHT was His will is not then He has so much more for me. Its kinda like asking for a bowl of cereal but you only get one or two pieces at a time. It still satisfies your desire but you still think you want it all now even though you may not be able to balance the bowl now. But each time He gives you a little taste of what you desire it satisfies and gives peace that you almost cant figure where it came from. I guess that is "Peace that pass' all understanding". I sure don't understand it. There was a time when I didn't want to feel that peace because I wanted what I wanted at any cost. Thank God He knows all things, sees a lot further down the road and doesn't always give us what we want. Will I ever get what I ask for? I know I will. He promised it. But it may not be the way I think it will come. Which is even better. I love surprises.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
To wait or not to wait?
To wait or not to wait?
If you read my blog on "Looking for Mr. Right" then you know that I, like some of you, want a romantic relationship with someone. And this is kinda what this is about.
God sometimes speaks to me in dreams and He recently answered a question I had ask in that way. I ask "If you told me what to expect from the "right man" why do I not know who he is and why is he not here?" ( I kinda sound like a child, 'why, why, why' dont I)
I want go into all the detalis but in the dream it was a man, whom I didn't reconize who, but was apparently friends with. ( Extra thought: If you cant be friends first are you sure its someone you want to be with long term?) We were enjoying each others company playing and laughing but when we seemed to be going toward being more than friends he left. Because of a past relationship that he was still hurting over, God told me "he is not ready" Now I dont know if he had recently ended a relationship, was married and widowed or divorced or just still was carring a torch for someone. But the question is do I sit and wait or try to do it myself?
OK lets weight the options. I know what God has promised me. I do not doubt it at all. And if I wait I may still be by myself for a while but when God does allow us to be together it will be all He promised me and more. Orrrrrr.....do I try on my own to make something happen and pray that it is "Gods Will"? I guess you know the answer. What is the old saying.....Only fools rush in?????
So I decide to wait and plan my life until then. I think of where I want to be 5 years from now. What do I see myself doing, where will I be living and who are my friends going to be? OK I think I have it settled in my head then guess what Jay preaches about Sunday....Having a plan for your life. (A good friend who I had shared this with was looking around trying to make eye contact because she reallized the connection at the same time I did .) We all need goals but goals that include God. So many times we dont think about including Him in not only our spiritual walk but in our finances, relationships and possessions. We seem to only include him in our "needs" but not our "wants" I dont know about you but my God wants every part of my life. Yep, He wants it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly!
So I guess I will, once again, just wait and work toward some goals in the rest of my life knowing the best is yet to come if God is sending it!!
Mama V
If you read my blog on "Looking for Mr. Right" then you know that I, like some of you, want a romantic relationship with someone. And this is kinda what this is about.
God sometimes speaks to me in dreams and He recently answered a question I had ask in that way. I ask "If you told me what to expect from the "right man" why do I not know who he is and why is he not here?" ( I kinda sound like a child, 'why, why, why' dont I)
I want go into all the detalis but in the dream it was a man, whom I didn't reconize who, but was apparently friends with. ( Extra thought: If you cant be friends first are you sure its someone you want to be with long term?) We were enjoying each others company playing and laughing but when we seemed to be going toward being more than friends he left. Because of a past relationship that he was still hurting over, God told me "he is not ready" Now I dont know if he had recently ended a relationship, was married and widowed or divorced or just still was carring a torch for someone. But the question is do I sit and wait or try to do it myself?
OK lets weight the options. I know what God has promised me. I do not doubt it at all. And if I wait I may still be by myself for a while but when God does allow us to be together it will be all He promised me and more. Orrrrrr.....do I try on my own to make something happen and pray that it is "Gods Will"? I guess you know the answer. What is the old saying.....Only fools rush in?????
So I decide to wait and plan my life until then. I think of where I want to be 5 years from now. What do I see myself doing, where will I be living and who are my friends going to be? OK I think I have it settled in my head then guess what Jay preaches about Sunday....Having a plan for your life. (A good friend who I had shared this with was looking around trying to make eye contact because she reallized the connection at the same time I did .) We all need goals but goals that include God. So many times we dont think about including Him in not only our spiritual walk but in our finances, relationships and possessions. We seem to only include him in our "needs" but not our "wants" I dont know about you but my God wants every part of my life. Yep, He wants it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly!
So I guess I will, once again, just wait and work toward some goals in the rest of my life knowing the best is yet to come if God is sending it!!
Mama V
Trust
Trust
I am not one of those people who are constantly writing blogs,,,,,,,,,,,, just because. It is usually something I have experenced or God has layed it on my heart to say something. I guess this is a little of both. Most of you who will read this know me well and know my past. Even though we can not use our past as an excuse, there are somethings that still have an effect on us because we let it. We either dont see it, dont know what to do about it or just dont care because we use it as a crutch.
And I guess I fall into the catagory of "not seeing it" this time. God and I have what some may see as a strange conversation arrangement. I dont "say my prayers" in the morning or evening. I talk to God in the morning as if He were sitting beside me. I dont start off with "My wonderful Heavenly Father, We Come To You This Morning,,," I just start talking. And at night I dont say Good Night because He never sleeps but is always there watching over me. Now I know to some that sounds to forward and un-"religous" But its God and my conversation so He is the only one who counts.
Anyway, recently while I was driving home one morning from work, I was talking with Him about where I am in my life. I had not realized it but over the past 8 years of my life I had come to a place where I didn't think I would ever be able to trust again. Esepecially trust a man, because I had not only been betrayed by ladies who I thought were close friends but also by the one who I trusted more than anyone else in the world. Those things sometimes eat at you even if you dont see it. I have always been a trusting soul, maybe even to much, but I found myself more cautious when it comes to trusting others. There are times God puts people in your life for your betterment even though you may not see it. And this is what He did for me. As I was driving I realized that there is someone, a man, that I had come to trust with just about anything I want to say or share and I dont worry about hearing it some where else.
When I realized this God spoke to me and told me " I allowed you to find trust again through" this person. But it has come over time. We have been friends for a while but its just recently that this became clear to me. (For those of you who are curious, this man and I are just really good friends, but he is someone I can count on even just to listen when I feel like whining. (And if he reads this, Thank you for that)
Someone ask me once "If you are wanting a relationship with someone are you not suppose to trust them" Well that depends on what you think trust is. There is a blind trust that is totally gulible and is just riding on a wing and a prayer. But real trust is earned. If you say trust me then I will,,,,,,,until something doesn't feel,look or smell right. Then you must prove it to me by your actions. Over time. I have found my friends who were always telling me to turst them or "Its just between you and me" Are usuall the ones who you CAN'T trust. A flip side of that is if someone is always saying "Please dont tell anyone this" then that person is probaly not someone you should tell your heart secrets to.
We should be willing to trust but not always trust. God doesn't expect us to always put our hearts on a tight rope and watch it bob back and forth or fall. He expects us to use wisdom .
On the other hand, if someone has proven to you time and time again, had been there when you were not the nicest person in the world but still comes back and knows the "real you" but loves you inspite of it all.......hold on to them because they are not so easy to find. Dont let your own insecurities of fears distroy something that may be God sent. Just keep praying about it. If God sends that person in your life you will find you can TRUST them because you turst God.
As my peeps call me,
Mama V
I am not one of those people who are constantly writing blogs,,,,,,,,,,,, just because. It is usually something I have experenced or God has layed it on my heart to say something. I guess this is a little of both. Most of you who will read this know me well and know my past. Even though we can not use our past as an excuse, there are somethings that still have an effect on us because we let it. We either dont see it, dont know what to do about it or just dont care because we use it as a crutch.
And I guess I fall into the catagory of "not seeing it" this time. God and I have what some may see as a strange conversation arrangement. I dont "say my prayers" in the morning or evening. I talk to God in the morning as if He were sitting beside me. I dont start off with "My wonderful Heavenly Father, We Come To You This Morning,,," I just start talking. And at night I dont say Good Night because He never sleeps but is always there watching over me. Now I know to some that sounds to forward and un-"religous" But its God and my conversation so He is the only one who counts.
Anyway, recently while I was driving home one morning from work, I was talking with Him about where I am in my life. I had not realized it but over the past 8 years of my life I had come to a place where I didn't think I would ever be able to trust again. Esepecially trust a man, because I had not only been betrayed by ladies who I thought were close friends but also by the one who I trusted more than anyone else in the world. Those things sometimes eat at you even if you dont see it. I have always been a trusting soul, maybe even to much, but I found myself more cautious when it comes to trusting others. There are times God puts people in your life for your betterment even though you may not see it. And this is what He did for me. As I was driving I realized that there is someone, a man, that I had come to trust with just about anything I want to say or share and I dont worry about hearing it some where else.
When I realized this God spoke to me and told me " I allowed you to find trust again through" this person. But it has come over time. We have been friends for a while but its just recently that this became clear to me. (For those of you who are curious, this man and I are just really good friends, but he is someone I can count on even just to listen when I feel like whining. (And if he reads this, Thank you for that)
Someone ask me once "If you are wanting a relationship with someone are you not suppose to trust them" Well that depends on what you think trust is. There is a blind trust that is totally gulible and is just riding on a wing and a prayer. But real trust is earned. If you say trust me then I will,,,,,,,until something doesn't feel,look or smell right. Then you must prove it to me by your actions. Over time. I have found my friends who were always telling me to turst them or "Its just between you and me" Are usuall the ones who you CAN'T trust. A flip side of that is if someone is always saying "Please dont tell anyone this" then that person is probaly not someone you should tell your heart secrets to.
We should be willing to trust but not always trust. God doesn't expect us to always put our hearts on a tight rope and watch it bob back and forth or fall. He expects us to use wisdom .
On the other hand, if someone has proven to you time and time again, had been there when you were not the nicest person in the world but still comes back and knows the "real you" but loves you inspite of it all.......hold on to them because they are not so easy to find. Dont let your own insecurities of fears distroy something that may be God sent. Just keep praying about it. If God sends that person in your life you will find you can TRUST them because you turst God.
As my peeps call me,
Mama V
"I am a Christian"
"I am a Christian"
by Maya Angelou
This is Beautiful, enjoy.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'"
I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!
"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."
by Maya Angelou
This is Beautiful, enjoy.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'"
I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!
"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."
Helpful Holy Spirit
This was written by a very dear friend who has only been a christian for a couple of years but has learned so much over that period, and is still learning. Some times the things that seem so simple and "well known" to us are so strange to others. Read and see what I mean.
Helpful Holy Spirit
This was written by a friend and I thought it was well worth posting. So many times we forget that we often see the light when we are on our knees. Enjoy!
Just wanted to tell something that happened a few days ago. I was working at my bench, setting a diamond in a ring. The mounting was old and I was having some difficulty getting the diamond straight and level, one side kept wanting to pop back up so I pushed down on that side with my tweezers and the diamond popped out of the setting, hit me in the chest then bounced off my thigh before disappearing. It was a small diamond and I knew it would be difficult to find so I slowly got out of my chair and carefully moved it out of the way then began my search. I stood still just looking to see if the light would reflect off of it revealing it’s hiding place, but saw nothing sparkling. I thought to myself "I bet the Holy Spirit would show me where it is, if I’d ask, but I don’t feel right asking Him something so trivial" then the tweezers I still had in my hand slipped and fell, bounced off of my leg and landed between my bench and a propane tank. It’s a tight little space, maybe a gap of two or three inches between them. I thought "wouldn’t it be cool if that’s where the diamond is and it was the Holy Spirit’s way of showing me?" so I bent down and picked up the tweezers and looked around for the diamond but did not see it. By the way, this was on the left side of my bench and when the diamond fell it hit my right thigh so I was pretty sure it would be on the floor somewhere to the right, so that is where I was concentrating my efforts. I was down on my hands and knees by this time and from that angle I saw something sparkle out of the corner of my eye .... it was the diamond! Need I tell you where? Yep, beside the propane tank right where my tweezers had landed! When I was looking straight down the light was not reflecting the way I could see it, I had to be down on my hands and knees.I think this just shows that not only is no problem too large for Him to handle, but also nothing is too small or trivial to ask of Him nor does it hurt getting on your knees once in a while!
Helpful Holy Spirit
This was written by a friend and I thought it was well worth posting. So many times we forget that we often see the light when we are on our knees. Enjoy!
Just wanted to tell something that happened a few days ago. I was working at my bench, setting a diamond in a ring. The mounting was old and I was having some difficulty getting the diamond straight and level, one side kept wanting to pop back up so I pushed down on that side with my tweezers and the diamond popped out of the setting, hit me in the chest then bounced off my thigh before disappearing. It was a small diamond and I knew it would be difficult to find so I slowly got out of my chair and carefully moved it out of the way then began my search. I stood still just looking to see if the light would reflect off of it revealing it’s hiding place, but saw nothing sparkling. I thought to myself "I bet the Holy Spirit would show me where it is, if I’d ask, but I don’t feel right asking Him something so trivial" then the tweezers I still had in my hand slipped and fell, bounced off of my leg and landed between my bench and a propane tank. It’s a tight little space, maybe a gap of two or three inches between them. I thought "wouldn’t it be cool if that’s where the diamond is and it was the Holy Spirit’s way of showing me?" so I bent down and picked up the tweezers and looked around for the diamond but did not see it. By the way, this was on the left side of my bench and when the diamond fell it hit my right thigh so I was pretty sure it would be on the floor somewhere to the right, so that is where I was concentrating my efforts. I was down on my hands and knees by this time and from that angle I saw something sparkle out of the corner of my eye .... it was the diamond! Need I tell you where? Yep, beside the propane tank right where my tweezers had landed! When I was looking straight down the light was not reflecting the way I could see it, I had to be down on my hands and knees.I think this just shows that not only is no problem too large for Him to handle, but also nothing is too small or trivial to ask of Him nor does it hurt getting on your knees once in a while!
Waiting on God
Waiting on God
Strength ArisesVeronica Jones-BrownPeople are fascinated with progress. We like to "make time." We inventways to "beat the clock." From the electric washing machine, tohand-held PDA's, something about advancement grips us. Email arrivesin mere seconds; laptop computers allow us to work betweendestinations; microwave meals, delivery services, and drive-thruwindows provide almost instant gratification. We like to keep moving.That's what grips us -- the desire to move, to progress. We may seemerit in stopping to smell the roses, but we don't like to lingerlong. But then, life takes us through seasons of pain, doubt,questioning, and suffering, forcing us to wait for resolution.At times, waiting is difficult. A man trying to support a family offive on a disability check, substantially smaller than he isaccustomed to, angrily questions, "Where is God? What has He done forme lately?" His posture -- chin set hard, eyes averted, back straight,arms crossed tightly across his chest -- communicates he's in no moodfor trite answers. Abruptly he stops talking and drifts insidehimself. Softly, eyes averted, he says, "If it were not for my littlegirl, by now I would have put a gun to my head." He uncrosses his armsand drops his head. "I'm tired of waiting on God."Emotional and Spiritual ExhaustionMost of us can identify with his exhaustion at one time or another.Bills mount, children rebel, friends betray, emotions rage, and heartsache. Life's relentlessly cold winds appear only to blow on the groundbetween our two feet. Crises, challenges, and day-to-day demandsnibble away our confidence and peace, leaving us spiritually andemotionally drained.WaitingA popular verse that most of us have memorized tells us that greatbenefits come with waiting on God.But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shallmount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, theyshall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31, NIV).The Hebrew word for "wait" here means to twist and bind, like a rope.It describes the strength and vigor gained from binding or fromstretching. We gain vitality when we twist and bind our lives to theLord. My friend, Samantha Landy, says, "Strength arises when we wrapour web-like strength around the steel strength of Jesus."Those who wait, exchange their own weakness for His strength. God isour strong deliverer. He is the everlasting God. He never sleeps. Hedoesn't grow weary. From Him, strength arises. Exhausted by fatigue wefind our hope in God. His providence, promises, and peace shout to usthrough the mounting "white noise" of our circumstances, reviving ourdepleted souls. When we lack both stamina and strength, God liberallygrants all we need for steady progress and spiritual triumph.Waiting from the Lord means holding on when you feel you can't holdon. It means plugging the holes in your faith as time passes. It meanstrusting when everything says it's doomed. My son Aaron isdevelopmentally delayed, which means his body has not matured likeother children his age. Like most six-year-olds, he possesses a strongindependent attitude; he's funny, unique, and greets each new day withinnocent expectation. Unlike other six-year-olds, Aaron hasn't learnedto walk. He still crawls. And his speech in not clear.Through personal experience, I've found that waiting on the Lordrequires courage, patience, and diligence.CourageBurdened with real needs requiring real solutions, how can we adhereto the psalmist's exhortation? : "Wait on the Lord; be of goodcourage, And He shall strengthen your heart [your inner being]; Wait,I say, on the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14; NKJV)A person waiting on the Lord needs courage. Once, I read a story of agrandmother who killed a lion with a butcher knife. The lion hadwandered out of the hills and attacked her eighteen-month oldgrandson. With a prayer and total disregard for her own safety, shefelled the powerful enemy with one jab and a twist of her wrist.That's courage.Courage is the mental or moral strength to confront, persevere, andwithstand danger, fear, pain, and adversity. Trying circumstances makeour inner constitution feel like shifting sands. Physical, moral, andemotional courage come from within. Emerson observed every endeavorrequires bravery:"Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell youthat you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that temptyou to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of actionand follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that asoldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men andwomen to win them."Fortitude enables us to maintain the course.PatienceThe concept of waiting seems almost alien to most of us in thisfast-paced, drive-through, thirty minutes or it's free society. Mostof us lack the sustaining faith required to wait on the Lord. Thedemand for instant gratification proves detrimental in four ways:First, most impatient people are easily angered (Proverbs 14:29).Second, they are usually ill tempered (Proverbs 15:18).Third, the loss of temper signifies inner weakness.Finally, lack of restraint accompanies impatience (Proverbs 16:32).Discontentment often arises out of impatience (Ecclesiastes 7:8-9).The lofty goals we set for our lives don't materialize as quickly aswe anticipated, and seem like they never will. We want to give up.Holding on requires endurance.DiligenceWaiting on the Lord is an active process. Waiting requires action. Wemust continue our tasks. Customarily, people are inclined to escapethe daily pressures of life, but we should fight against succumbing tothat proclivity with everything in us. Day-by-day, we must continueon. We must revive, nurture, and cultivate our will.William Carey, the father of modern missions, known for his diligenceonce stated, "I can plod, that is my only genius. I can persevere inany definite pursuit. To this I owe everything."Imagine what would happen in our lives if we gird our natural humanfrailty with God's unlimited supernatural might. Visualize the powerof a church filled with people who posses elevated perspective.Picture what would happen to a country inhabited by people withenduring resilience.Life-events may slow us down. Our physical and emotional strength maydiminish, but our spiritual strength should be on the rise. Whendifficult circumstances seem to halt our progress, we can "wrap ourweb-like strength around the steel strength of Jesus" and wait forstrength to arise.
Strength ArisesVeronica Jones-BrownPeople are fascinated with progress. We like to "make time." We inventways to "beat the clock." From the electric washing machine, tohand-held PDA's, something about advancement grips us. Email arrivesin mere seconds; laptop computers allow us to work betweendestinations; microwave meals, delivery services, and drive-thruwindows provide almost instant gratification. We like to keep moving.That's what grips us -- the desire to move, to progress. We may seemerit in stopping to smell the roses, but we don't like to lingerlong. But then, life takes us through seasons of pain, doubt,questioning, and suffering, forcing us to wait for resolution.At times, waiting is difficult. A man trying to support a family offive on a disability check, substantially smaller than he isaccustomed to, angrily questions, "Where is God? What has He done forme lately?" His posture -- chin set hard, eyes averted, back straight,arms crossed tightly across his chest -- communicates he's in no moodfor trite answers. Abruptly he stops talking and drifts insidehimself. Softly, eyes averted, he says, "If it were not for my littlegirl, by now I would have put a gun to my head." He uncrosses his armsand drops his head. "I'm tired of waiting on God."Emotional and Spiritual ExhaustionMost of us can identify with his exhaustion at one time or another.Bills mount, children rebel, friends betray, emotions rage, and heartsache. Life's relentlessly cold winds appear only to blow on the groundbetween our two feet. Crises, challenges, and day-to-day demandsnibble away our confidence and peace, leaving us spiritually andemotionally drained.WaitingA popular verse that most of us have memorized tells us that greatbenefits come with waiting on God.But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shallmount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, theyshall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31, NIV).The Hebrew word for "wait" here means to twist and bind, like a rope.It describes the strength and vigor gained from binding or fromstretching. We gain vitality when we twist and bind our lives to theLord. My friend, Samantha Landy, says, "Strength arises when we wrapour web-like strength around the steel strength of Jesus."Those who wait, exchange their own weakness for His strength. God isour strong deliverer. He is the everlasting God. He never sleeps. Hedoesn't grow weary. From Him, strength arises. Exhausted by fatigue wefind our hope in God. His providence, promises, and peace shout to usthrough the mounting "white noise" of our circumstances, reviving ourdepleted souls. When we lack both stamina and strength, God liberallygrants all we need for steady progress and spiritual triumph.Waiting from the Lord means holding on when you feel you can't holdon. It means plugging the holes in your faith as time passes. It meanstrusting when everything says it's doomed. My son Aaron isdevelopmentally delayed, which means his body has not matured likeother children his age. Like most six-year-olds, he possesses a strongindependent attitude; he's funny, unique, and greets each new day withinnocent expectation. Unlike other six-year-olds, Aaron hasn't learnedto walk. He still crawls. And his speech in not clear.Through personal experience, I've found that waiting on the Lordrequires courage, patience, and diligence.CourageBurdened with real needs requiring real solutions, how can we adhereto the psalmist's exhortation? : "Wait on the Lord; be of goodcourage, And He shall strengthen your heart [your inner being]; Wait,I say, on the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14; NKJV)A person waiting on the Lord needs courage. Once, I read a story of agrandmother who killed a lion with a butcher knife. The lion hadwandered out of the hills and attacked her eighteen-month oldgrandson. With a prayer and total disregard for her own safety, shefelled the powerful enemy with one jab and a twist of her wrist.That's courage.Courage is the mental or moral strength to confront, persevere, andwithstand danger, fear, pain, and adversity. Trying circumstances makeour inner constitution feel like shifting sands. Physical, moral, andemotional courage come from within. Emerson observed every endeavorrequires bravery:"Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell youthat you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that temptyou to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of actionand follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that asoldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men andwomen to win them."Fortitude enables us to maintain the course.PatienceThe concept of waiting seems almost alien to most of us in thisfast-paced, drive-through, thirty minutes or it's free society. Mostof us lack the sustaining faith required to wait on the Lord. Thedemand for instant gratification proves detrimental in four ways:First, most impatient people are easily angered (Proverbs 14:29).Second, they are usually ill tempered (Proverbs 15:18).Third, the loss of temper signifies inner weakness.Finally, lack of restraint accompanies impatience (Proverbs 16:32).Discontentment often arises out of impatience (Ecclesiastes 7:8-9).The lofty goals we set for our lives don't materialize as quickly aswe anticipated, and seem like they never will. We want to give up.Holding on requires endurance.DiligenceWaiting on the Lord is an active process. Waiting requires action. Wemust continue our tasks. Customarily, people are inclined to escapethe daily pressures of life, but we should fight against succumbing tothat proclivity with everything in us. Day-by-day, we must continueon. We must revive, nurture, and cultivate our will.William Carey, the father of modern missions, known for his diligenceonce stated, "I can plod, that is my only genius. I can persevere inany definite pursuit. To this I owe everything."Imagine what would happen in our lives if we gird our natural humanfrailty with God's unlimited supernatural might. Visualize the powerof a church filled with people who posses elevated perspective.Picture what would happen to a country inhabited by people withenduring resilience.Life-events may slow us down. Our physical and emotional strength maydiminish, but our spiritual strength should be on the rise. Whendifficult circumstances seem to halt our progress, we can "wrap ourweb-like strength around the steel strength of Jesus" and wait forstrength to arise.
The Folded Napkin
The Folded Napkin
Why did Jesus fold the Napkin?This is one I can honestly say I have never seen circulating in the emails so; I'll start it, if it touches you and you want to forward it.Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this....The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.Is that important? Absolutely!Is it really significant? Yes!In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understanda little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'He is Coming Back!
Why did Jesus fold the Napkin?This is one I can honestly say I have never seen circulating in the emails so; I'll start it, if it touches you and you want to forward it.Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this....The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.Is that important? Absolutely!Is it really significant? Yes!In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understanda little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'He is Coming Back!
Im not sick, just broken
I'm not sick, just broken
I have been reading a very good book and one of the situations in the book was a man who had had an encounter with God like never before. He tells of a friend who was a strong Christian always trying to work for God but never really taking time to see what God wanted him to do. He was in a accident and the driver was only slightly hurt but he had quit a few brakes and a few other injuries. The Dr. come to see him one day while doing his rounds and was shocked to see that this man had no fevor. He was not sick in anyway other than the brakes. The Dr. said "You are looking really good for a sick man.". The man replied "I'm not sick, just broken."I thought about this quite a lot and even though I am sure the Dr. didn't really understand what he was saying, that statement is full of a lot of spiritual value.Sick-ill: unwell, having disease, harmful, unkind.As Christians our soul is the most important part of our being. What difference is there in a sick soul and a broken soul? A broken soul can mend when it is guided in the right way. When there is a break it is because of an accident or an effort to make what is wrong, right. Sometimes we have to keep reminding ourselves, after we see a problem in our live, that all is in Gods hands and we can correct the problem by submitting to HIS WILL. It takes action on our part to take care of the problem/break. Not that God doesn't have part in correcting our breaks, it is He who points out what our problems are. But up to us to make sure tha problem is taken care of.A sick soul can do major damage, can cause spiritual death and can only be healed by the Great Physician. When we are sick it is our life itself that can be at risk. Either because some organ is not working properly or because our body has been invaded by something from out side, (bacteria, germs, ex.). Our souls are sick when sin has invaded our soul. Sometimes we may not even be aware of what is happening until we have become severly ill of soul. Cancer is often not detected until it has caused un-repairable damage. And that is something we can not take care of ourselves.To keep from getting sick we must get regular checkups. Be aware of our habits or anything that may be putting us in harms way. For a Christian sin doesn't become a deathly illness over night. It takes time of neglecting your soul and the food which sustains us and makes us strong. One song writer desccribes it as a slow fade. We are all susceptible to being sick or broken. We must be responsible for our own souls, not the preacher or teacher or our praying parents. US. We must do all we can to keep sin out of our lives and by doing so avoid being 'soul sick'.
I have been reading a very good book and one of the situations in the book was a man who had had an encounter with God like never before. He tells of a friend who was a strong Christian always trying to work for God but never really taking time to see what God wanted him to do. He was in a accident and the driver was only slightly hurt but he had quit a few brakes and a few other injuries. The Dr. come to see him one day while doing his rounds and was shocked to see that this man had no fevor. He was not sick in anyway other than the brakes. The Dr. said "You are looking really good for a sick man.". The man replied "I'm not sick, just broken."I thought about this quite a lot and even though I am sure the Dr. didn't really understand what he was saying, that statement is full of a lot of spiritual value.Sick-ill: unwell, having disease, harmful, unkind.As Christians our soul is the most important part of our being. What difference is there in a sick soul and a broken soul? A broken soul can mend when it is guided in the right way. When there is a break it is because of an accident or an effort to make what is wrong, right. Sometimes we have to keep reminding ourselves, after we see a problem in our live, that all is in Gods hands and we can correct the problem by submitting to HIS WILL. It takes action on our part to take care of the problem/break. Not that God doesn't have part in correcting our breaks, it is He who points out what our problems are. But up to us to make sure tha problem is taken care of.A sick soul can do major damage, can cause spiritual death and can only be healed by the Great Physician. When we are sick it is our life itself that can be at risk. Either because some organ is not working properly or because our body has been invaded by something from out side, (bacteria, germs, ex.). Our souls are sick when sin has invaded our soul. Sometimes we may not even be aware of what is happening until we have become severly ill of soul. Cancer is often not detected until it has caused un-repairable damage. And that is something we can not take care of ourselves.To keep from getting sick we must get regular checkups. Be aware of our habits or anything that may be putting us in harms way. For a Christian sin doesn't become a deathly illness over night. It takes time of neglecting your soul and the food which sustains us and makes us strong. One song writer desccribes it as a slow fade. We are all susceptible to being sick or broken. We must be responsible for our own souls, not the preacher or teacher or our praying parents. US. We must do all we can to keep sin out of our lives and by doing so avoid being 'soul sick'.
A Closer look at Ps. 23:4
A Closer Look At Ps. 23:4 Category: Religion and Philosophy
Most of us know the 23 Psalm by heart but have you ever really examined the words, really examined it? Vs. 4 say's 'Yea, thought I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.' So lets examine it. 'Yea, though I walk through the valley'. We all go through a valley now and then. (If you have not gone through one in a while you might need check yourself to see if you are still reaching to grow in God.) So the valley will be there and we will have to go through it, but carefully read the next part. 'Valley of the of death'. Shadows are Satans way of distracting us. A shadow is not the real thing but a darkness seen as a result of the light. It in its self is harmless. However, just as a child does in the night, we are often afraid of what we see. But when you show the child that they only see this darkness because of the light and what made the shadow is usually of not threat, they then feel secure. Our valleys only seem scary to us because we have seen the light but we must stay focased on the light and not the shadow. The shadow can not reach out and touch you. Now, the 'SHADOW of death'. For us to experence spiritual death would be for us to be seperated from God. That is one reason the shadows are scarey, they make us think that death is near us. But the psalmist said ' Though I walk'. We are not to stop but to continue to travel on. The only way to get through a valley is to walk through. If we climb out of the valley early, we do not learn what it is that God has for us to learn. 'For YOU are with me'. HE never leaves us, we are the ones who walk away. When a shepherd is moving his sheep he dosn't always walk in front for them to follow but sometimes he walks close behind. With his 'rod and staff' he directs them when they begin to stray. Our Father said He is the Great Shepherd! When we are in the valley it is so easy to be distracted and stray. The deffination of a staff is 'a large heavy stick: a stick, rod, or pole, such as a stick used as a support while walking, or a rod used as a symbol of authority' (Encarta ® World English Dictionary) Even though the shepherd has authority over the sheep, when they stray he takes his staff and gently tries to nudge the sheep back into the right direction. Just as our Great Shepherd does with us. There are times that there may be a sheep that is very determined and wants to constantly stray. In that case the shepherd often will break the leg of the sheep so he can not run. During that time he has only the shepherd to rely on for his full care. When the leg has healed the sheep will not be prone to roam in the wrong direction. Oh, how many times has God had to 'break our leg' to teach us to fully rely on Him. But during that time He takes care of our needs and 'nurses' us back to good health (spiritually) We have to remember that no matter what shadows we see, no matter how much we may want to stray because of what we do or do not see, HE will never leave or forsake us. Praise God!! Father, Take our lives and keep us close to you. Help us not to dwell on the shadows or the valley itself but that we would keep our eyes on you. YOU are the GREAT SHEPHERD. Help us to allow you to direct our paths. In Jesus Name Amen
Most of us know the 23 Psalm by heart but have you ever really examined the words, really examined it? Vs. 4 say's 'Yea, thought I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.' So lets examine it. 'Yea, though I walk through the valley'. We all go through a valley now and then. (If you have not gone through one in a while you might need check yourself to see if you are still reaching to grow in God.) So the valley will be there and we will have to go through it, but carefully read the next part. 'Valley of the of death'. Shadows are Satans way of distracting us. A shadow is not the real thing but a darkness seen as a result of the light. It in its self is harmless. However, just as a child does in the night, we are often afraid of what we see. But when you show the child that they only see this darkness because of the light and what made the shadow is usually of not threat, they then feel secure. Our valleys only seem scary to us because we have seen the light but we must stay focased on the light and not the shadow. The shadow can not reach out and touch you. Now, the 'SHADOW of death'. For us to experence spiritual death would be for us to be seperated from God. That is one reason the shadows are scarey, they make us think that death is near us. But the psalmist said ' Though I walk'. We are not to stop but to continue to travel on. The only way to get through a valley is to walk through. If we climb out of the valley early, we do not learn what it is that God has for us to learn. 'For YOU are with me'. HE never leaves us, we are the ones who walk away. When a shepherd is moving his sheep he dosn't always walk in front for them to follow but sometimes he walks close behind. With his 'rod and staff' he directs them when they begin to stray. Our Father said He is the Great Shepherd! When we are in the valley it is so easy to be distracted and stray. The deffination of a staff is 'a large heavy stick: a stick, rod, or pole, such as a stick used as a support while walking, or a rod used as a symbol of authority' (Encarta ® World English Dictionary) Even though the shepherd has authority over the sheep, when they stray he takes his staff and gently tries to nudge the sheep back into the right direction. Just as our Great Shepherd does with us. There are times that there may be a sheep that is very determined and wants to constantly stray. In that case the shepherd often will break the leg of the sheep so he can not run. During that time he has only the shepherd to rely on for his full care. When the leg has healed the sheep will not be prone to roam in the wrong direction. Oh, how many times has God had to 'break our leg' to teach us to fully rely on Him. But during that time He takes care of our needs and 'nurses' us back to good health (spiritually) We have to remember that no matter what shadows we see, no matter how much we may want to stray because of what we do or do not see, HE will never leave or forsake us. Praise God!! Father, Take our lives and keep us close to you. Help us not to dwell on the shadows or the valley itself but that we would keep our eyes on you. YOU are the GREAT SHEPHERD. Help us to allow you to direct our paths. In Jesus Name Amen
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