The Funeral

Today I attended a funeral .  It  was a celebration of the "home going" of a 97 year old saint.  
People shared stories, there was a wonderful slide show and a simple yet profound invitation to know Christ was given to the congregation .   

Years ago I watched a movie of  the life of Howard Hughes.  A brilliant, talented man, he lived a life that would have been but a dream for most people.  Yet I remember as the years went on he became mentally challenged and died a recluse hidden from the public eye and afraid of germs among other things. SO Sad.
The final scene depicted a huge casino filled with people stopping for a moment of silence as prompted by the  the loud speaker announcing  Mr. Hughes death.  

So in comparison;   This elderly woman of 97 years who lived many serving the Lord in a small town  and  this popular celebrity, known my millions, who seemingly had no relationship with the Lord at all and died alone. Pitiful

How about you?  Have you ever thought about your funeral?   People die at all ages you know.  Please don't think this morbid but take a minute and make a plan.   Have your will drawn up.  Think about how you should live NOW so that you will be remembered later with more than a moment of silence.
Our lives count for something. 

May all  who come behind us find us faithful

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

Blessings!

Thinking "Good"

I've been thinking...

How often do I think "good" about someone?  Is it my initial tendency?
When a name or ministry or "whatever" is said to me where do I "go"?

My son and I were chatting about 1 Cor. 13 tonite.    Especially 4-7

" Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the Truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes, always perseveres."

I need to do better at this....I think that it is a training.  Maybe the elastic on the wrist will help.   ummmmm

I KNOW

Father in the Name of Jesus, 
I come to You for a renewed mind.  I know I am a culmination of my years and experiences.  I ask that You will do the work to right my thinking.  I do not want Your job!  I do not want to be the Holy Spirit!   I want to think positive about people.( even the You-know-who's)
Train me Lord!!!  
I don't want to stand in front of You with NOTHING...for Your Word says with out love it is all void.  
Oh Lord so much work to do....I do not want to be the cause of You tarrying!   
Surgery Lord...Do it!   
and maybe that band aid across my mouth will be a good beginning!

You delight me Father and I am not afraid~


I wonder how it looks...what it sounds like.  I can honestly say that in 60 years only 4 people come to mind that seemed to have this Mark on their lives....they DID NOT speak negative about ANYONE!!  

sounds like a New Years Resolution to me!

Blessings

Disappointment

We have all experienced disappointment before ~ 
and will agree that there are different levels of this emotion
I would like to share some raw emotions that can be brought about by disappointment

"I'm feeling so brokenhearted
 I am so angry
 I fervently prayed
 I'm thinking terrible things...
I know that I shouldn't have "MY OPINION" about this but everything in this broken stinky world seems to feel so oppressive to me that I want to SCREAM !!!
Please pray for me to get right in my thoughts and prayers and be light and salt instead of grit and vinegar."

These words are brought about by disappointment.   We say them, we understand them, we feel them, we eat, sleep and walk them....

BUT  my friend ~  

disappointment can and will, 

if allowed, 

EAT YOU UP!

How do I know????   

I've experienced it first hand!

We must still ourselves and believe that the Lord has heard our prayers.  It is hard to watch the very people that we have prayed for reject God's perfect love and care. But it happens again and again.
Satan wanted more and he was disappointed..That disappointment led to pride and the sin that followed. 

Fall on your knees 
God's word will not disappoint.  He has seen and heard and knows all about your situation.  Confess your anger and feelings to Him for He cares for you.

Disappointment will only "clog" you up.  

Nothing good can come from it.

Let it go~

 Prov 3:5-12  The Message

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all
Run to God!  Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health
your bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give Him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under His loving correction
It's the child He loves that God corrects;
a Father's delight is behind all this.


Blessings

When It All Comes Together

Today I decorated.  

I spent about 12 hours and 

am still not totally finished.  

You see I have a disease 

(but that is for a different muse)

As I hauled out all the boxes and tubs from the attic I sifted thru and pulled out this and that to begin my process.  I do not like to replicate a year so each season poses a whole new challenge as I put and take..looking for "homes" for the decor that I have. 
  
Hours went by and it would seem to most (and even to myself) that I was making more of a mess than not.  Many rooms were in disarray, boxes were everywhere, glitter and needles etc littered all the floors and I was having a hard time getting excited with the process.   I was thinking about calling it a day when I decided that I just needed to do the dining room table. I replaced the fall cloth with red and a lovely centerpiece and all of a sudden I began to see it ~ it was coming  together!!  I worked a little bit longer and then vacuumed and voila it was all loveliness!

I bet that is what it looks like to God as He diligently works on us.  Many times it seems we are going backwards instead of making progress. Things can get pretty messy in the process of growing.  But we know that He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it ~  He will not stop, give up, give in or call it a day.

The God of the Universe has you and His plan is in process.  

I only urge you to work with Him ~  

spend time in prayer and the Word.  

Weed out the things that the Holy Spirit brings to mind.  

Become good at obeying.  

Learn from the Israelites and take the short route rather than the 40 year tour.

He Loves You you know and has committed His whole life to pull you to Him

Blessings!

Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary

The Altar

I long to see the "altar" used more.

Years ago I attended a church whose altar was filled at the end of each service.  God was actively doing a work and people flooded to the front of the church after each service.

One memory of a friend comes to mind.  

Week after week she would go to the altar.  More often than not she was not prayed over.  I remember her testifying about the healing and growth that took place in her life.  She simply would go forward and cry out to her Father, laying all her cares, worries and praises down at the altar, just to receive His mercy and grace fresh again in her life.  
She told me once that she figured that the congregation probably thought that she was a basket case as she was up there so often...but she did not care!  She communed with the Lord and left it all with Him.

How about you..  

Have you ever "run to the altar"?  

Have you knelt to pray up front?   

There is healing at the foot of the cross 

and 

"burdens are lifted at Calvary"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIo5cpHicvE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgkZznGP3dY&feature=related


Blessings!

Thanksgiving...

Dear Readers

I pray that your Thanksgiving Day was filled with just that...

GIVING THANKS

On face book many are posting a thanksgiving every day for the month...

Wouldn't it be a good practice to just keep it going?

Do you think it or say it?   

Practice .. 

It will get easier and will make you more pleasant to be around.

Thankfulness never grows old!

Blessings!

Thanksgiving Medley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3dXCL34aEA&feature=related

Come Ye Thankful People Come
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_2drfgebNo&feature=related

Does Jesus Care?

Sing along with this link....

1. Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
   Too deeply for mirth or song,
   As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
   And the way grows weary and long?
   • Refrain:
     Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
     His heart is touched with my grief;
     When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
     I know my Savior cares.
2. Does Jesus care when my way is dark
   With a nameless dread and fear?
   As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
   Does He care enough to be near?
3. Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
   To resist some temptation strong;
   When for my deep grief there is no relief,
   Though my tears flow all the night long?
4. Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
   To the dearest on earth to me,
   And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
   Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncpuyN01U48&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRT49AwHmfs

Almighty

In the twinkling of an eye...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eYZGsa_CAw


thanks Sharon..
Blessings!

Play It By Ear

While responding to a friend's email I wrote let's just 

"play it by ear"

Initially, this referred to the playing of music without reference to printed notation.  More recently it is also used figuratively to mean 'handle a situation in an impromptu manner' as without reference to  pre-determined rules or guidelines

I think that Christ-followers should make it a habit to "play it by ear"  We should be listening.  The Scripture tells us not to rely on our own understanding but to acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will direct us Prov. 3:5-6

I am a firm believer that the Lord speaks to His followers today just as He did centuries ago.  "Be still and KNOW that I am God"
Psalm 46:10

The kings and prophets all succeeded when they listened and inquired of the Lord concerning their next moves.  It remains the same today.

I'm afraid that we have too many answers at our disposal.  Google has replaced God and at a click of a mouse we can get all the info we need.  The Great I Am has been put on the shelf in many peoples lives.

Jeremiah 33:3    Call to Me and I will answer .....

Psalm 91:15  When they call on Me I will answer....

Beloved take the time with me to

  ask Him to guide our way 

and wait for the answer  

TO LISTEN  

To Obey what we hear

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vcSKxJJd2A&feature=related

Blessings!

Glazed Trap

My son in law just installed a new toilet for me....I will wait till the applause dies down...

When I talked to him about what to replace the old one with, he simply said, "Just be sure that it has a "glazed trap". oooook     

I found out that a glazed trap is the part of the toilet that you cannot see (the back part of the drain hole) and if it is not glazed paper etc can get caught up on the rough surface and it will not flush correctly.   

After a little musing I realized that that is just what the Lord wants from His children.   He wants us to be clean vessels for His Spirit to pour through.  If He chooses to speak thru us He wants His Word to come from our mouth pure without being tainted with the sin that may be stuck in us.

It is amazing to begin with that He would ever trust us with anything.... Over the centuries we have really not proven to be all that dedicated to Him.  This is not His fault.  He has provided everything for us to live sinless if we will just choose His Ways and His Promises.

Friend ~  I pray that you have a glazed trap and that you are "free flowing" for the Holy Spirit's use.

If not ~ take care of it today

Blessings!

The Wrestling Match

So many days are like that....

Is that your experience as well??

Ding!  

Left punch to the jaw

LOOKS LIKE HE'S DOWN FOR THE COUNT

NO NO He's getting back up

In your corners...

Back and forth we go.  

Today as I raked my yard I wrestled.   
"Lord, how come I have to do this by myself?"
"Lord, this is too hard and too big for me."

"Father forgive me for complaining."
"Lord please grace me with a heart of gratitude"

"Is this my responsibility Lord or Yours.?"
.

on and on it went....Not only was my body sore by the end but my mind was tired.

I long for a "renewed mind"  

I want the Mind of Christ in me  Phil 2:5

Lord, as I wrestle,may You always win.

Please grace me to get up again and again.

May my spiritual muscles grow

to the place where I am not a "match"

I trust You in these things Lord

amen 

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

Change Me

I often pray that the Lord will change me.  

I want to be more like Him.  

I want to think like Him and act like Him.  

I want to be moved by what moves Him.

Yet too often

I kick against the very things 

that the Lord intends to use 

to bring me to that place.  

Lord,  

Create in me a clean heart 

 renew  a right spirit within me.

Father,

 I ask Your forgiveness when I do not react and or respond correctly to the many different things that You allow in my life.  

I'm sorry that I am so short sighted.  

Forgive me Lord for being so mindful of myself 

and blind to the needs of others.  

Forgive me for pride and self centeredness. 

Spur me on Lord 

that I will do Your Will  

without question.

Let us be a Bride 

without a spot or wrinkle 

and let it begin with me!

Blessings! 

Speak UP

Christians need to SPEAK UP!   

then we can speak out....

It is a time to be on our knees.  

That is where the battle will be won.   

We must learn to SPEAK UP 

(pray) 

before we speak out.

Too often we lean to our own understanding 

and we just let our mouths run.  

Our words and thoughts come from our own 

experiences, intellect and understanding.  

That is NOT good enough!

We must rely on God's strategies.  

From what I have read, 

our Creator God does not do the same thing twice.  

He knows the end from the beginning and all the intricate details .  

Church                 

SPEAK UP   

take your prayers and requests and praises to HIM

Listen and wait 

and then

SPEAK OUT AS HE DIRECTS YOU

Seek out prayer groups, time alone before God, 

attend midweek prayer services

I will admit to you ~ I would love to attend the studies being offered, go to classes and the other "offerings"

but I know in my heart that it's 

TIME TO PRAY

not think about praying, 

not have a committee on prayer, 

not put it on the calendar

its time to pray NOW!

Won't you join me?

Blessings!

If My people, who are called by My Name

 will humble themselves

and pray

and turn from their wicked ways
I will hear them

and heal their land

2 Chronicles 7:14

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPY-CrPtdKw&feature=related

A Sobering Thought

Tonite I was part of a Bible Study tackling the dilemma of  PRIDE

I was STRUCK with  a Scripture..

Daniel 5:20-21
(talking about Nebuchadnezzar)
"But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.  He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, 
UNTIL HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE MOST HIGH GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL THE KINGDOMS ON EARTH AND SETS OVER THEM ANYONE HE WISHES."


Do you see what I see?  Do you hear what I hear?

As Christians who do we think we are with all of our opinions, our understanding and our ability to know what's best for everyone? 

We would all agree that over the past many months we have been inundated not only with our own thoughts and research on a Presidential candidate but everyone elses as well!  
Now I don't think that it is wrong to do research, have discussions etc etc. BUT
tonite I saw how easily we set ourselves up in Pride as we either respond or react as to won the race.
King Neb thought he was "all that and more"  and God decided to show him a thing or two.  Thankfully he did come to his senses, (merciful God), and realized that God is SOVEREIGN!

I believe that many of us also need to "come to our senses"  We need to believe that God has heard and answered prayer, that He sets our authorities over us and that He is in TOTAL control.  

After this, I for one, will have no opinion on this matter.  I gave it to God and HE acted and I will humbly believe and trust that MY KING will direct and keep me in the days ahead.

Bought and paid for

Torn In Two

At the time of Jesus' death the  60 foot tall curtain, that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Tabernacle, was torn in two from top to bottom.  Matt. 27:51

This was an act that no man could accomplish as it was a very thick (4 inches) tapestry and it was said that horses tied to each side would not have been able to tear it apart. 
At the point of Jesus death the  torn curtain symbolized that once and for all a sufficient atonement for sins had been made.  It was finished. The way into the Holy of Holies was open for all people, both Jew and Gentile.

In my minds eye I see another picture.  I now see a "welcome" mat down in front of God.  It is Jesus.  He took the penalty and by "laying down" has welcomed us to come and join with our Maker!..What a wonderful thought!

All it takes is our coming to grips with sin...our own personal sin.  It is so much easier for me to see and judge your sin ...but mine?  

Friend it's really not that hard....The benefits are eternal and God is just and gentle.  He loves ALL His Son.s friends!  Just go and "come"... He's waiting for you!

Blessings



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

The WORD

This day after the elections was gray, heavy and foreboding. I struggled all day to keep the weather outside of my soul.  I turned my concerns and fears over and over again to the Lord, casting all my cares upon Him.   
As I joined others at church for mid week dinner and fellowship, I felt tired and drained.  I saw it mirrored on many faces.

Joining others for prayer I opened the Scriptures and there it was....

THE WORD.  

You know ... when it just jumps right out at you and you know that the Lord has spoken!

(please allow me to just jot the verses that jumped out.  I encourage you to read the whole thing~perhaps print it out and hang it around your house.)


Psalm 37
Highlights mine

1.Fret Not because of evil doers;  don't be envious of         wrongdoers...
3 Trust in the Lord and do good...dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness
4 Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
5  Commit your way to the Lord; trust Him and He will act
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him, fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
8 Refrain from anger and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.....those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land
10  in just a  little while the wicked will be no more; though your look carefully at his place he will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace
13 The Lord laughs at the wicked and He sees that his day is coming
16 Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked
17 for the arms of the wicked shall be broken , but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless and their heritage will remain forever, they are not put to shame during evil times, in the days of famine they have abundance,
21b-22  The righteous is generous and gives for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land ...
23  The steps of a man are established by the Lord when he delights in His way, 
24 though he fall he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread, 
26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.
27 Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.
28 For the Lord loves justice; He will not forsake his saints, they are preserved forever... 
30 the mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks justice
31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip
34  Wait for the Lord and keep His way and He will exalt you to inherit the land
37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright for there is a future for the man of peace
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in Him

On that note ~  Sleep in peace beloved.....remember He's laughing~

Blessings!

Presents in the Presence

Did you read that yesterday....?

He sets a table for us   

IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR ENEMY!

I was going to title this Presence in the Presence.....but decided Presents was better

His Presence is a Present right?  

When would we need these presents (His Presence and Promises) most but when we are in the presence of our enemy.....which is just about all the time, agree?

Whether it be people, satan or our flesh we struggle with an enemy of one sort or the other most of the time I think.

SO  back to the table and all that is on it... 

We have all that we need.  

We have been armed and armored.   

We have His Word as a Sword and 

we have His Many Promises 

that are always available 

and supernatural in their working.

Friend today would you sit for a minute and list the Promises

that come to mind?  After that consider truthfully whether you use them all?  Do a little study and find more, 

the Bible is FULL! 

Share with one another all the truths that you find...There is much POWER hidden inside That Book!

Blessings

The Table

Chatting with my daughter today I got a picture of The Table that the Lord sets for us.  If you recall the Scripture says in the "presence of our enemies"  Psalm 23  

Often wayward living takes us away from The Table and we no longer experience the Joy and Strength that the Lord bought for us.  We struggle with living.  

We are uneasy and without peace.  

We live in fear and worry.  

Stress becomes a by-word in a world gone crazy.

If this is your experience today you have obviously left the Table.

It is often a 'slow fade" that draws us away and we may not even realize how far we have drifted.  Sometimes it is a jump off a cliff that we did not expect or see coming.   What ever has taken you away from His Presence I want to assure you that your spot is reserved. 

NO ONE can take your place.  

The Lord simply waits for you to come back to "eat and drink" of His Goodness.  

That Goodness includes all the Promises, 

the Strength that comes from relying on Him 

and the Presence of His Grace 

plus the Holy Spirit and all He has to offer, 

(help, counsel, wisdom)

Come back to the table beloved

the Master looks for you 

and we miss having the family all together!

Blessings!

Where Are You Going?

While taking a drive the other day, Mom said to Hudson, "Hudson, do you  'spose that all these people know where they are going?"
Now I know that she said this in jest but it got me musing.

I fear that most of them probably don't.  Perhaps they have had a passing thought or maybe they are just ignoring it all together.

How about you?  Do you believe that there is a life after your time here on earth?  Or do you think that you will decay into dust, float in the universe or perhaps even come back in another form?

The Scripture says that there is an ETERNAL life, that everyone will experience it.  It will either be with God or not.  There is no purgatory, hades, or holding place.  

More important than any other decision, this question should be asked and thought through.  

Where an I going to go when I die?

"It is appointed to man once to die and after that the judgement"  Hebrew 9:27,28

John 3:16
Luke 23:43
John 14:2
2 Cor 5:1-8

I pray you know where you are headed.  That your affairs are in order and that you, now living for the Lord, will one day meet Him face to face to live forevermore.

Blessings!

Walking the Tight Rope

While talking to a young woman today about "responsibility", God gave me the illustration of a Tight Rope Walker at the circus. 

It reminded me of our walk with the Lord.

It is such a fine line....

such a balancing act...

to live here on earth as Kingdom people.  

We are a Nation within a Nation.  

We are under the rules of this government but more importantly we answer to a Higher Calling and Standard.   

I see him.  

He walks high above the ground.   

He steps very carefully and consciously  as he walks from one point to the other. 

  

But notice

He keeps his eyes straight ahead.  

He stares at the Goal, the End.  

He knows where he is going and how he must get there.  

He realizes one wrong move and he may fall.  

Hebrews 12:2  

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith

Friend, You have everything you need to walk the walk.  It's all wrapped up in your Salvation.  He has DONE IT ALL.

He has made a way for you to succeed in the walk.

Just keep your eyes on Him and don't look down!

Believe what HE says.

Blessings!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWxb6VvPrkE&feature=related