Moving Mom

A couple of weekends ago Mom and I visited her farm in Maine for the first time since December.  We went  to visit church, see a few friends and  dine with my brother and his friend as they vacationed in Camden.   


As we settled in for the night, mom,  sitting on the edge of her bed, looked around wearily.   Her room  now was sparsely furnished as most of her belongings are here.  Things were not "normal"


I went over and put my arms around her and asked, "mom, is this hard for you?"


She replied that it was surreal and that after 70 years of living in the same place, it did not seem possible that it was time to enter into this last phase of her life.  

She prayed openly for quite a while, always thanking the Lord for His Goodness and Grace, for her good, long and healthy life and for her long years of living on the farm. 

As I listened I stared at the wall where her bureau used to be.  Everything had been cleared from it except a small plastic canvas cross on which someone had stitched with yarn "  I LOVE JESUS"  (I'm sure that this was a vacation Bible school gift from a hundred years ago)


I said "Mom, look at the wall.  See what you are leaving behind?"   A proclamation, a declaration, a statement of the most important part of her life was there, perhaps unseen for decades but now boldly speaking ~

when all else fades ~ 

Jesus remains.

Friends  What will you leave behind?  When all the "stuff" has been sifted through what will last.?
It's not too late!  Start today to finish well.  


Blessings~!

Paralysis

Have you ever felt paralyzed?

Immovable?  

Weighed down? 

Forgotten and alone?

...Like you don't even have the strength to "put your dukes up"

...Like the beggar at the Gate Beautiful, I sit.   

I have no strength to "operate" 

I must depend on HIS mercy and Grace. 

my own voice bothers me  

My future is a dim flicker and I cannot see a light.

Yet I KNOW that He is there.

actually  

HERE

It does not depend on me.   

When my words are gone and I dare not open my mouth again...

He hears my cry

http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/the-taubl-family/album/headin-for-home/track/still-small-voice

It's Me

I watched my mom during women's Bible Study today.  
So often it is difficult for her to hear and she either doses or zones out. 
Today I knew that she could hear.  
I was sitting where I could watch her face and watched her pray and nod and watch.  
She was involved.  
At the end I asked our leader to ask Mom to end us in prayer.  
She said "I tend to be backwards about being forward" :) and then went on to say she was remembering an old song during the morning that her dad used to sing.  An old negro spiritual. 
"It's me It's me It's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2RFRKkjMig&feature=related


Don't depend on any one else's prayers.  
He wants to hear from YOU!!


Blessings!

TIRED

It's a fact that you cannot trust your thinking when you are tired..
Everything is colored.  
Words sound louder, stress is higher, doubts are bigger, holes are deeper and problems can seem insurmountable.  


We lose perspective.
His Promises are dim and seem to be windswept.
We are too tired to pray.


(and he lurks...... ready for an opening).


Kneel down my friend, right now, along side of me.  Lets lay it all down at His feet and let Him straighten it out.
He cares
He is able
He has a plan and His grace is sufficient in our weakness,


Tomorrow is a new day
Blessings

Ephesians 4:29

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

but only what is helpful for building others up according to 


their needs, that it may benefit those who listen"

A Rock in a Weary Land

MUSING   

IF we are literally children of God,  

Saved by His Grace, 

Filled with His Spirit

Equipped with His strength  

and

Sent out to represent Him ~ His ambassadors,

 how can we be satisfied  with the mundanity of life.  

How can we continue to do the "same old thing" which is so often spurred on by 

our own understanding 

and 

ritual,

I WANT MORE OF JESUS~!

~Oh yes I know~

Scripture reading and study

prayer and fasting

Walking what we talk

It's all important 

and there is great satisfaction in personal day to day life

But in the "church"  

the gathering together

Where is the Power?

Where is the Presence?

Where is the Prayer?

Where are the Deliverances?

Why do I sense we are in the ICU and the body is comatose

instead of in the Rehabilitation Center

where we get stronger and stronger?

  

We need to be revived/restored 

Please join me as we say

WE WELCOME YOU HOLY SPIRIT!

We need You to come and revive us again

We are the believers before Pentecost

powerless, comfortless with no direction

WE NEED YOUR POWER!

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

I'm Not Good Enough

Listen to this session at the Kansas city prayer room "International  House of Prayer"  
Concentrate on the words and let it sink in deep ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePdZCyhvzcg&feature=BFa&list=FLMQ-XmVq7jMndy8hsobRWIg

This was posted on facebook ~  thought it was good enough to pass on

Throw Out the Lifeline

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0GdS-SfGwQ&feature=fvwrel


This weekend I chatted with a friend.  I had not seen her for a long while.  She was harried, but there are many days that that happens with life as it is.  but this day I got a distinct impression that she was like a taut rubber band and on the edge of breaking.    She spoke of her job, kids, aging parents  etc etc.  Everything was overwhelming.

My friend does not have a personal relationship with Jesus, you see.  I was not able to remind her that we have a Friend that will stick closer than a brother.  He has the answer, grace and strength for every need.  He takes our burdens and gives us rest.

I had the answer but she did not have ears to hear

As I drove away this old song began to hum in my heart.   "Throw out the Lifeline".  Well, Lord willing, I will drop a note to this dear woman and remind her that Jesus is the answer and that He is just waiting for an invitation to come in!

Watch, listen, pray.  Ask for eyes to see and ears that will hear what is REALLY being said.
People are waiting for the Word of Truth to be spoken to them

Blessings

Take His Peace

I had a long talk today about the Lord's peace.  Tonite I was reminded of this old song spoken to music by Gloria Gaither.  I would play this song over and over until His peace had washed me once again.


Friend  Take His Peace ~  




When the whirlwinds of doubt churn their way into your soul, 
                                  Take His peace.
When your world's reduced to ashes, leaving nothing firm and whole,
                                  Take His peace.

There amidst the broken wreckage in the midnight of your day
In the apex of the stormcloud, He's the quiet place to stay.
                   Take His peace. Take His peace.

When your mind gropes for answers to the questions that you face,
                                  Take His peace.
When your past comes back to haunt you and you need amazing grace,
                                  Take His peace.

There's an answer beyond question, it's the truth for which you yearn;
There's forgiveness without merit, there's a love you needn't earn,
                      Take His peace. Take His peace.

When you're weary of the struggle and you need a place to rest,
                                  Take His peace.
When you lose more than you're winning and you're failing every test
                                  Take His peace.

There's no need to win a battle that's been fought and won before;
You can lay back in His Victory, freely share His boundless store
                    Take His peace. Take His peace.

The Sweet Holy Spirit

Growing up in a Baptist Church in Maine I never heard the mention of the Holy Spirit.  Now whether my ears were just not attuned or that He was not mentioned...I'm not sure, but I lean toward the second suggestion.


Years later after I got married I began to attend a church that "welcomed" the Holy Spirit.  That's just how I want to say it.  They realized He was sent by Jesus to "make things happen" in and out of our lives.   He comforts, counsels and convicts.  He is active and longing to work in and thru us. Mark 16:17-18


I know that I have been to places that He was not mentioned...overlooked or disregarded.  HE knows that much better than I but I have to say His Presence or lack there of was very noticeable.  


 The Scriptures say that "signs and wonders" will follow those who believe.  
Are "things" happening?  
Are the lost coming to your church and are people getting saved? 
Are people being anointed with oil, prayed for and healed?  


We have what the world needs.   He is the answer 


Let's make our life and  church a place that welcomes Him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuPpEQyiCx4&feature=related

Blessings!

BIBLE

Basic
Instructions
Before
Leaving 
Earth


Don't ignore the Good Book


It has all that you will ever need to know!
It is God's Word to His people
It is without fault
It should be what we base life on


Spend some time today in the Word
I like to read through  the Psalms and Proverbs each month


For example:
Today is the 16th   I read Psalm 16 (add 30) 
                                         Psalm 46 (add 30)
                                         Psalm 76 (add 30)
                                         Psalm 106 (add 30)
                                         Psalm 136
                                         Proverbs 16

Yes!  

That's the Book for me, 

I stand alone on the Word of God

the 

B I B L E!!

BlackOut

Sometimes the lights go out.  
The electricity gets disconnected and wrecks havoc. 
Normal everyday life turns into anything but.  
It's scary, its inconvenient, its frustrating;no water, heat, etc etc.  


What would you do if it was the whole town, city or state?  What if it lasted for more than a couple of hours but went into days and weeks? 


What would your reaction be to this situation? 


Seriously now, how prepared are you?  


Some of you right now are thankful and confident because you have a generator in the corner of the garage that can be pulled out at a moments notice.  You have taken precaution and are prepared.


Well, I too have a  generator "hard-wired" into my "life".
   
HIS name is JESUS.  


When life is out of my control and I am cowering with fear HE kicks in!   His promises never run out and HIS grace and strength are always available and sufficient.  


But friend, remember even a generator will not run unless it has fuel.  The virgins with their oil lamps recognized this too late and while they ran to get ready the Bridegroom came and they missed it.
Be fueled up and ready to go and you will be ready for what ever the future might hold.


He holds you....remember?!
Proverbs 31:26 .....and she laughs at the future

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6tFzOYFZ30&feature=related

Loose Lips Sink Ships

Beneath this stone, 

a lump of clay, 

lies Arabella Young,  

Who on the twenty fourth of May, 

began to hold her tongue.

*epitaph found on a grave marker in an old English cemetery

I saw a great sign this week.  

Unspoken words never need mending

Also:  

Be careful with your words

Once they are said 

they can only be forgiven 

not forgotten

Like feathers shook out of a pillow you can never gather all your words back....They float, they drift and they land

It is better to live without any lips than wish you had not "said it out loud"

We have all experienced it to some extent or other.  

I want to say that it is not too late to change.  

You are never too old.  

By the strength of the Lord you can gain control over your tongue.  You can shut up.  

You can keep your opinion to yourself!

Let's make the world a quieter place!  

Let's think before we speak.  

Lets pray before we join in.   

Lets determine to take control of that small part of our body...the one that can wreck havoc in just moments.

Speak as those who will be judged.

You will be glad that you did.  People will think more highly of you and you will be more like Jesus.

Blessings!

Take a few minutes and read James 2 and 3 and meditate on what the Scripture says

DUCT TAPE ANYONE?

Wandering

Have you ever had to watch someone wander?
They have gotten off the path and are walking aimlessly deeper and deeper, farther and farther away from the Lord.


It is such a SAD thing.


It hurts those watching and waiting and it pains the Lord.


Lord, we join our prayers together for our "wanderers"  
You know each and everyone of them by name and You know exactly where they are and what is going on in their hearts at this moment.   
We release them to You Lord.  
Your Word says that there is NO PLACE that they can go that Your love cannot find them.  
Father we ask You to go there.  
We ask You to rescue, arrest, stop these that You love.  
Soften their hearts to be able to hear and receive Your love.  We dedicate them afresh to Your service.  Show us our part, how to pray, what ~ if anything to do.   
We cast them on You Father for we know that You care and it is Your hearts desire that they return or find You for the first time.


Blessed be Your Name Lord
We put our Trust in You!


Blessings

Gentle Me Lord

I have heard it said that "meekness is strength under control".


Today I felt like I was straining at the "bit".


Jesus wants to take the "wildness" out of us.  He wants us predictable.  He longs for obedient sons and daughters.  Just as we appreciate our children being quick to obey ~ so does our Heavenly Father.

Father Gentle Me

Lord I come with a heartfelt prayer.

asking You to change me.

I strain and stress at the path that You take

Only to cause one more mistake.

Gentle me Lord

Do as You please 

to make me into one

who will walk with You in ease..

I need Your patience, Your strength and Your Will

As all I have to offer is negative and nil

I long for transformation, to be changed inside and out

Please dear Jesus You know what I'm about

Help me to sit quietly 

as You do Your work within

That I might display the Presence 

Of the Holy Spirit within

Father Gentle Me

Blessings!

Invisible Me

Does anyone see me?


A couple of years ago my "high level marketing" cousin and I were enjoying a summer afternoon in Maine.
In the midst of the conversation he said "Marnie, you re invisible!"   "For you to meet anyone they would have to grocery shop on Tuesday, walk down your street or go to your church!"   No one sees you!"


I certainly understood what he was saying and could even agree with the obvious. I pondered about this before the Lord.  "Lord do You want me to do something?"
 When I finally returned home to NH I had two messages; one an email and the other on the phone.  


One woman was from SC  She had heard of GB from a friend a couple of years prior and when she woke that morning she knew she needed to come.  She had to find her friend, find the address, make a call and book a flight~ which she did all that day!


The other woman was from the North shore.  She had received my card years earlier and had placed it in her bedside table.  She explained later that "it" had made its way to her desk and that over the previous couple of weeks it was "hi-lighted" every time she sat down"  She knew that she needed to come.  We had never met and she had not gotten a reference from anyone.


It is a God thing.


Sweet heart ~  You are NOT invisible!   
The Lord God, Creator of the Universe and everything that is in it ~  knows RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE!.   How awesome is that!  He knows your mind, heart, past, present  and future!   He has YOU in mind.   You know that He has a plan for you.   


Relax and listen.  Let Him teach you His ways and His will.  You will never be abandoned for He goes with you wherever you go!


It's SUCH GOOD NEWS!
Blessings!

  PS    Tucked mom in bed and as I went out her door I took her laundry.  
Mom with a smile :"Marnie, you don't need to do that tonite"    
Me :"Oh thanks mom .... thank you for permission to wait!"    
Mom..." but you could sweep the stairs on your way down"

Up Against a Wall

I needed this song's reminder.


I have had a week-end of extended family strife.  I am sad to say I spent some time "reacting" at  first.  I felt hurt to the quick.  Sharp stinging words spurred on by 2nd and 3rd person hear-say found their target and wounded me.  
I taste this sort of thing rarely  ~ yet my Savior lived this out daily in his adult life.   He did not react.  In fact on the cross He said "Father forgive them for they don't know what they are doing"


I pray that the Lord does this lasting work in me.  I do not wish to be a reactor but a responder.  I do not want to be a person who is shook by words.  I have searched my heart and have found nothing but have simply been the "catcher"    


I lay down my mitt.  I will "catch" no more.  I will let the Lord fight this battle for I know it is not really with flesh and blood.   


I WILL PRAISE HIS NAME!


In His Sufficient Grace




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYGF7iaM9p8

Where In The Book??

Mom and I sat down to watch a famous TV preacher tonite.  It was the first time I had actually heard him preach.    He spoke on getting to the "Yes'" in your life.   Now there was nothing outstanding really about the message except one thing that really glared at me.   The Bible was never read, no scripture references, nothing on the screen for everyone to read.  He did say " His promises are yes and amen" and he did tell part of the story of Elijah and the rain cloud (with no reference)


Do you believe that the Word of God is active and living (Heb. 4:12)  Do you believe that it holds the power to convict men of sin?  Do you believe that it is the road map, that the Lord wrote to us, for life? (Ps. 119:105)  The Bible is God's letter to us.  It will live for eternity. ( Matt.24:35)

I pray that you read the Word of God.  

I pray that you hear the Word preached.   

I pray that you memorize and walk It out.   

Your spiritual life will be stagnant if you don't.   

If you don't know what's in It you won't know what to believe!

Think about it

Blessings

Anna ~ Waited

Lord, teach me to be satisfied to Wait

Mold me to be a woman who does not strain at the "bit" of the Holy Spirit in my life.

Teach me that Your ways are the MOST IMPORTANT ways.

Cause me to wait on You until the fullness of time.

Make me like Anna,  a humble woman who was mentioned because she waited on  You.

Her life was dedicated to Your service.

She fully realized that she was not her own.

Because she spent time in prayer and fasting she was ready, spiritually, to do the work that God had given her when the time arrived.

"It is easy for us to develop that "retirement" philosophy in our spiritual life and our work for Christ when we reach the age of retirement from our normal daily work. Retirement is a wonderful thing, but when it comes to our Christian walk and worship of the Lord, there is no retirement. It is true that as our abilities change, the duties we are called upon to do for the Lord often change as well. In reality we are never too old, never too disabled, never too poor or too lowly to work for the Lord.

Most of us are not called to a prominent position in the work of the Lord, but all of us are equipped by God to serve Him in whatever capacity we are able. We worship God in everything we do in our daily lives: doing a good job at work, keeping our house clean, taking meals to the needy, helping young mothers with child care, mowing the lawn or shoveling the snow for our neighbors, praying for others, visiting the sick, sending cards or letters to the sick or grieving, visiting nursing home residents, etc. etc. etc.

When I think of Anna in the Bible, I realize that all of the excuses I tend to use for not being more involved in the work of the Lord are really not true. Quite simply, serving the Lord is just living each day as a Christian and taking the opportunities that come our way for service to others and for proclaiming Christ to those around us.

May God find you living faithfully today like Anna the Prophetess."**

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-38, King James Version

** http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6266147629171754047#editor/target=post;postID=9162584929222324213 

Musings

Tonite I muse about "musings".  I have been writing these short devotionals for almost a year now and have thoroughly enjoyed myself.  


But tonite I am reminded that musing is not enough.  
As the saying goes "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" 


Any how you catch my drift ~  
The question is what are we DOING?  
Its funny isn't it that on one hand we talk about the fact that we are human BEings not human DOings.


I believe that wholeheartedly.


Yet there is a place and time for being AND doing.

The key is finding out YOUR place in the scheme of the Lord's plan.  We can get so complacent in our daily routine that we do not even question that anything should be added or subtracted.
Have you talked to HIM about it lately?
Are you open for change?
Are you willing to be used or even to be set aside for a time?


Friend it is all individual.  God has a plan for each and every one of His children and it is Perfect!
Lets make sure we don't miss even one thing!


Father
"Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me I pray
Cast me not a way from Your Presence Oh Lord
and take not Your Holy Spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of my salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit"
Psalm 51


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYZibL9w2U8