Filled to the Measure with the Fullness of Christ!

Today I was reminded of one of my favorite Beth Moore stories.  The first time I heard it I remember my heart racing as I put myself into her shoes.  Could I follow through with what the Lord was asking of her?   Yet when she yielded HE TOOK OVER!  Listen and pray


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtk5WgzZcYA




Lord, we give You permission to propel us to do Your will, to be Your hands and feet.  We know that this is a BIG TASK Lord for we speak easy but move very hesitantly.  Help us Lord, Grace us Father.  Move in us and through us that the world may know......That You are God !


Blessings

A Thump in the Night

The other night I had guests at the Balm.  I went to put wood in the stove in the early hours before dawn.  As I silently went my way I lost my footing and fell down the staircase!  Ouch!   I QUICKLY inspected my bruises, realized nothing was broken, filled the stove, took Aleve and water and went back to bed.  In the morning I asked the ladies how they had slept and they responded "great, except did you hear that LOUD BANG in the middle of the night?"  
Boy did I!!!


The Scripture says that the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night, (1 Thess 5:2) when we least expect Him.  Will you be ready?  Are you watching like a "Watchman looks for the dawn" (Ps 130:6) Do you know the "signs of the times"?


Friend,  He's coming soon.  The signs are all around us.  We must not "play church" any longer, the world is in desperate need of a Savior!  Open your mouth and call out...."I've found Him!!  THE ONE WHO OFFERS  HOPE, Peace and Forgiveness!   
HE heals, provides and  is EVERYTHING I need!   Shout it from the rooftops and the marketplace.   He is the Cure to all that ails.  It is not a time for the mundane and methodical.  It is a time for harvest.  
"Bring them in from the fields of sin, bring the wandering ones to Jesus!"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKhrtuviWBY


Blessings!

He Hears You

Yesterday while shopping with my daughter, she was trying on clothes and I was in another part of the store.  I heard a very quiet "mum" come to my ear and my very first thought was " Funny how a mom knows the sound of her child ...it will make her stop and take notice.  I think I'll write a blog on that."   As I turned the corner there was my daughter, standing with a friend, waiting for me to come....she had called my name.


Our ability to hear may be limited.  We may not be able to be reached.  Our hands might be tied in a situation. 


NOT SO WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER!


He hears us when we cry.  He stands up and comes down. Psalm 18  He is ever attentive and never takes His eyes off of us!
Be assured friend that He knows RIGHT where you are and knows your need before you do.  
He hears you when you call and you are not alone!


Blessings!

You ARE Over It!

Years ago I  listened to a woman tell me her story and thru out the time she said  over and over " I will never get over it"   Well you know what?   If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior you ARE  over it!  You are seated with Him above the principalities and powers.  Ephesians 2:6


It is your choice.  
Choose.  
Get over or stay under.  
The enemy has many people trapped "under" certain circumstances that they have believed a lie about.   Study the Scripture and find out for yourself.  It is a finished work.  There is nothing that we can add to it.  It is done once and for all.


So friend, examine your "seating"   Where are  you?  Today believe what the Scriptures say and "Get over it"!


Blessings!

A Different Story

While sitting with a dear friend at the Bagel Shoppe today, she recited a cute poem:

To live above with those we love

Oh that will be glory.

To live below with those we know

Now that's a different story!

Are there truer words?  I don't think so!

Why is it that we have such a hard time getting along?

.......Probably pride.....

"Every problem in the world today is a problem of relationship ~  Someone thinking that they are or know better than the other."**

I dare you to look at the relationships that surround your life.  Really look at them....the ones that pose a problem will stand out boldly.

Take them to the Lord in prayer and see what He says and what He might have you do.

Remember the song;

"They will know that we are Christians by our love"

**Simply put by Dean Sherman in his "Relationship Series"

We Fall Down and Get Up

The difference between us and them?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saYYm1CkX3M

Dear friend,


How often do we look at someone and think for  a moment that their life is so much easier, better, richer and more exciting than ours.   
Please realize that there is a trap set in this  thought pattern.  
You do not need to live many years or talk to too many people before you realize that we are all the same ~ WE NEED A SAVIOR


There is only one person on this planet that you can have any authority over or bring any change to....
and this is YOU!

Father , today I come alone ...realizing it's between You and me.  Help me, please, to become who You have for me to be.  

Give me Strength Lord, Grace, Peace and Compassion 

for my fellow man.  

Make me worthy to carry Your name on my heart 

and 

Your Spirit within.   

Open my eyes that I might see all that You have for me 

within and without.

I'm Yours

Blessings!

"Pitiful vs. Powerful"

A quote I heard today from Joyce Meyers. 

 "You cannot be pitiful and powerful at the same time"   

This is a true statement. 
  
Because I have experienced it and because I now see that self pity can create a chasm in a life where days, reputation, children, work, friends  etc can be lost,  I have become very aware of the symptoms.   What can start as just a "vacation of the flesh" can soon become a hole in a life that allows the enemy access to "kill, steal and destroy".


Again  You cannot be pitiful and powerful at the same time.

So dear friend, I beg you, if this is a place that you visit often, come before the Father, ask for His forgiveness, and dedicate yourself in the purposes of God, determining to expose the enemy and his tactics.   Pray that the Power of the Holy Spirit will fill your life and that you will be back focused on the ONE who can turn your circumstances around, giving you a hope and a future.

He loves you so!

Blessings 

Where is God?

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29:13


Have you ever sought Him with all of your heart?  I wonder if our express lane society has discouraged us from "seeking".   So often  we are reminded of our need for God only to be caught up with the "next thing".  We look for something/one that we can see, hear, touch.  We want immediate satisfaction.


The God of the Universe chose not to make us puppets.  He waits on us to seek Him ~ really seek Him.  When we do He PROMISES that we WILL find Him!   Remember in Proverbs 2:4-6 : 


⁴ if you seek it like silver 
   and search for it as for hidden treasures, 
⁵ then you will understand the fear of the LORD 
   and find the knowledge of God. 
⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom; 
   from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Along with Him comes His wisdom, knowledge and understanding as we tap into the Mind of Christ.  

I encourage you today to seek out the Lord.  Spend some time in His presence.  Listen, read the Word and set your mind and heart before Him.  

I promise ~   You WILL find Him and all that HE has to offer!

Blessings!

He Leadeth Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAcgX3Aqo9g

My daughter was sharing with me today some her thoughts about moving to Brazil.  She told of a picture she had in her mind of standing on the edge of a cliff and the Lord pushing her off.  It made her uneasy yet it seemed to be the thought stuck in her head.


The Lord, in His goodness and mercy, replaced that picture in prayer.  She again was standing on the edge of the cliff, looking over, when Jesus rushed up beside her, grabbed her hand and jumped WITH HER!


Ah what a different emotion that picture evokes!
He is WITH ME!
By HIS OWN HAND He leads me!

He leadeth me: O blessed thought! 
O words with heavenly comfort fraught! 
Whate'er I do, where'er I be, 
still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me. 

Refrain
He leadeth me, he leadeth me, 
by his own hand he leadeth me; 
his faithful follower I would be, 
for by his hand he leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom, 
sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom, 
by waters still, o'er troubled sea, 
still 'tis his hand that leadeth me. 

Lord, I would clasp thy hand in thine, 
nor ever murmur nor repine; 
content, whatever lot I see, 
since 'tis my God that leadeth me.

And when my task on earth is done, 
when by thy grace the victory's won, 
e'en death's cold wave I will not flee, 
since God through Jordan leadeth me.

Women on a Journey

Many of you may have seen my post or received an email from me concerning this event.


It has been on my heart for a few months and I finally just bit the bullet and made a date.

‎"Women on a Journey" 

Does that describe you? 

Some of us know that we are on a pilgrimage and we want to travel light and well. 

If you need 

encouragement, prayer, fellowship and a good Word 

come ~ 

meet at Gilead's Balm on Thursday evening the 19th of January from 7-9pm.

Tea will be hot and it will be cozy.* 

Just come~ the door will be open.

Feel free to invite any other journey(ers) as well 

Blessings!

*a donation basket will be available on the table

So what do I envision this evening to look like?

Women from different towns and churches coming, meeting new friends, praying

 and receiving prayer.

The world is a hard place to live these days.  The darkness just keeps pressing

 in.  I have asked a few women (young and old) to speak for 5 minutes as to what the

 Lord is putting on their heart concerning women.    These "words" will be

 interspersed  thruout the night.

We will be praying over one another, listening to the Spirit and will be open to Words of 

Knowledge, Scripture and Exhortation.

Come prayed up and ready to receive.   

I think it is going to be wonderful!

I don't know how many will come as I did not ask for a RSVP ~ Park on the street or in the

 field next door and invite a friend if you wish.

I look forward to seeing you here    Thursday!

Superstitious Christianity

Just what do I mean by that?


Tell the truth ~  


When something significant goes wrong in your life ~  do you catch yourself thinking perhaps that you have not been praying enough, reading your Bible regularly, attending church and/or  being kind to your fellow man?


When something goes right ~  do you feel like you are being rewarded for a behavior or for just being good?


This is akin to superstition.  


Nothing, and I will repeat NOTHING that we do, say or think affects the Father's feelings about us.  We know that He chastens those that HE loves.  He has a plan and purpose for us but it is not based on what we do or don't do.   He loves us!   He did ALL  the work!  There is nothing that we can do to earn or subtract  from our standing with Him. Nothing we do will force God's hand or reduce Him to a good luck charm.


Sooooo  the next time you have those "little foxes" running around in your head ~ put them in their place by remembering  and praising the Lord, the One who never changes and is always constant.  He holds the whole world in His hand and what we do or don't do will not alter His plan*


HE LOVES YOU AND ME!


Blessings~
* This is not a statement that is a loop hole for sin.  He watches us with a watchful eye and will allow and disallow certain situations in our lives to forever call us closer to Himself.

Verbal Gifts

I went to a Christian Women's Club this last week and the speaker spoke of giving "Verbal Gifts"  
I like that!


What does it cost?  Sincerity? Being intentional?  Praying and thinking out the Who, What, Where and When?


Let's try it for a week.  Try to give one gift to each person that you have a "real" conversation with.   It will not hurt and may not only make someone's day but will very likely spur them on to wanting to be and do better.


So let's tame that tongue to be used in the way that the Lord intended.

Proverbs 25:11   A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 


Blessings!

It Only Takes a Spark

I am reminded of a news story a few years back.  Thousands of acres of forest burned down because of a tossed cigarette from a car window.  The driver drove on without a moments hesitation yet leaving total mayhem and destruction in his wake.


Have you ever done that?  No I am not talking about tossing a cigarette butt, I am referring to what can happen when we hastily speak an angry or hateful word before we shut the door and leave.  We have all spoken too quickly before and I'm sure we have all heard the illustration about how trying to undo hasty words is like shaking a feather pillow and then trying to gather the contents and put it back in the case.  It is impossible.


Do you speak too quickly?  Do you have "loose lips"?   The Scripture says the tongue is the smallest yet hardest part of the body to rule over.


James is a great book to read to test your "hold" on your tongue.  
Here is a great page that will outline the scriptures in the Bible that speak of the tongue.
http://www.openbible.info/topics/taming_your_tongue


The world will be a quieter place for sure if the Church gets serious and walks out God's Instructions.


Blessings!

A Vibrant Branch

In the quiet this morning as I watched the sun come up into the sky, I chatted with the Lord about "things".  I heard myself say to Him that I wanted Him to pour more of His Word into me that I would be "supple".
I had not heard that word in a long time, and pondered on its meaning.


Definitions :

Bending and moving easily and gracefully; flexible. Yielding or changing readily; compliant or adaptableCapable of being bent or folded without creases, cracks, or breaks   I like these definitions but I was picturing more specifically that "full of life" look ~  moisture filled Jesus says  in John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 

Friend  REMAIN in the Lord.  It will go well with you.  You WILL bear much fruit ~ it is a promise.

Blessings!

A Struggle of Faith

This is not a bad thing.   


A friend said this to me this morning as she grappled with some life issues going on in her family.  
A struggle will build your muscles.  It means you have not laid it down and walked a way.  You are musing, meditating, thinking, pondering, praying as to what God is about in all of this. 


Some of our situations are VERY DIFFICULT.  
But I would remind you ~Nothing is too difficult for God.  
HE will give you the grace needed to walk thru whatever HE has allowed in your life. 
 Do not make hasty decisions. Do you turn the other way.  Do not back down. 


HE will answer.  He is up to something.


Trust child trust!


Blessings!

Glib or Confidence?

I was speaking to a friend the  other day about faith in God etc. and it came to my mind that I perhaps sounded "glib"

1. Performed with a natural, offhand ease: was fascinated by his unfailingly glib conversation.

2. Characterized by fluency of speech or writing that often suggests insincerity, superficiality, or a lack of concern.

As I was thinking it through, I thought of how a child might speak about HIS dad.   "Oh my Dad can do that...."

"My Dad can do anything"

"My Dad will take care of that" 

"My Dad always....." etc etc

Do you hear what I'm saying?  

I feel SO CONFIDENT in my Lord and Savior that when I'm listening to someone fret or worry I just want to say  "Oh you don't have to worry about that My DAD will take care of everything.!"

He has proven Himself over and over to me during the past 50 years and what you are hearing or reading is not glib  it is CONFIDENCE

Confidence in the One Whom I know holds me

takes care of me

provides for me

numbers my days

never lets me go

speaks to me and directs my path

I could go on and on and on.

OH HOW HE LOVES US!

Blessings!

Our True Identity

Ephesians 1:3-8

When I hear a believer announce, “I’m just a sinner,” I feel like saying, “That’s what you used to be.” A lot of folks cling to a view of themselves as a patched-up, slightly-better-than-before version of their old self. The Bible contradicts that opinion: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away, behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). In fact, according to Scripture, we’re dramatically different once we are complete in Christ.

The question is whether people will trust in what they feel or believe what God says about them. His Word calls us saints (Rom. 1:7), disciples (Matt. 28:19), and fellow heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17). If your opinion is that you are “just a sinner,” then you cannot fully experience and enjoy your identity in Christ.

Believing what God says about our new self is a choice. Satan certainly conspires to convince believers that God’s Word doesn’t apply to them. He knows that people held captive by spiritual poverty back away from opportunities to share the gospel and serve the Lord’s kingdom. It’s much easier to spiritually bankrupt someone who already thinks of him- or herself as “just a sinner” than it is to conquer a disciple who knows God is his loving Father.

Our true identity is defined not by our past actions but by the Savior’s. Jesus purchased our lives with His blood and brought us into relationship with God the Father, who adopted us as beloved children. We have every reason to hold our heads high, stand firm, and courageously proclaim the gospel.
Charles Stanley

IMPORTANT

I am writing the same blog for both my Parenting/Family Blog as well as my musing.


We must not sit idly by.  We must pray about this horrific practice that is rampant in our world today.
Please join me.

Sexual Exploitation of Children

Please view this short video and take a moment for contemplation.  Again I echo yesterdays blog.  
We cannot be too aware.  
Know what your children are watching, listening to, where they are going, who they are hanging out with and what they are doing.  


Talk to them.....no I did not say yell, accuse, ignore,  I said talk.  Work on your relationship.  


Again if these words are foreign to you, please seek help from someone you can trust.


The only wrong thing is to stay ignorant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOF28tCodcY


Blessings!

It's a Slow Fade

  
A husband does not go astray in a day.
A wife does not become an alcoholic overnight.
A child does not commit suicide for no reason.


It's a slow fade.  Black and white turns to gray.


Pay attention.   People never crumble in a day.
Ask the Lord to scan your heart and show you anything that needs attention.
Want to get right.  He is waiting for you with open arms   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaKDT_Cifec&feature=related

He Parted the Sea

He parted the sea   Exodus 14
HE  made time standstill   Joshua 10
HE healed  Mark 1
HE raised people from the dead  John 11
HE created the universe and everything in it  Genesis 1
He rose from the dead  John 20


The Scripture also says He knows you intimately  Psalm 139


What are you worrying about?
Why are you concerned?


Jesus is more than willing and able.  Trust HIM today.  Leave your cares with HIM and be still and watch and listen.


Friend He carries it all
Blessings



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vxnApK4O48

A Good Name

What do people think when they hear your name?


The Scripture says that a good name is better than silver or gold.


Proverbs 22:1

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.


Many have taken their name down along with their reputation. 


 How about A New Year ~ A New Name!


If you are feeling tarnished when you read this go to the side of your bed and take it up with the Lord.  
He is the one who can cleanse you and set your feet on a firm setting.


Begin today, in this New Year of 2012, to walk in a way that will bring Glory to His Name and your name will eventually take on a new meaning.


It's true.


I'm thankful that the Bible says that there's a new name written down in glory....and IT'S MINE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWKbD1wvQio&feature=related