Joining the FMF group for a great word: protect.
Protect. The word inspires so much in me. Today especially as I reflect on my Grandmother's short life of 86 years. She went to be with her (and my) Savior, Jesus Christ two years ago today.
The Grandmother was a great example of protector. At 80, she faced bringing her husband, my grandfather, home from the hospital after he experienced a debilitating stroke. Hospital personnel said that she should put him in a veteran's home 60 miles away, but she was loyal to him and to the promise she had made to him 62 years earlier "til death do us part". It was certainly no easy task as she had the carpet changed out for a shorter shag (easier for pushing a wheelchair on), and rearranged the furniture in almost every room of the house in order to make it easier for caring for him and to fit in the new hospital bed and lift chair.
The Grandmother also was big about protecting family relationships. Even when things became strained between one member or another, the Grandmother believed in reconciliation, grace, and unconditional love.
The Grandmother is an inspiration to me as I look forward to participating at a Joni and Friends Family Retreat this coming week in AL. There I hope I can pass on the legacy of protecting as I will have the privilege to get to meet and interact with people with abilities different from my own, people who have been shunned, bullied, or misunderstood.
{Side note: Another person who fits into the "protection advocate" category is Joel Anderson, artist and animator. I was encouraged by Mr. Anderson yesterday as I watched a video that shares his passion for standing up for and protecting those who are bullied, who have special needs or abilities, and who need a friend.}
Showing posts with label Five-minute Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Five-minute Friday. Show all posts
Friday, July 1, 2016
Friday, June 24, 2016
Five Minute Friday: Rest
After many weeks of inactivity, I rejoin my FMF fellow-writers for some words on Rest....
Start:
My body is weary, my eyes are heavy. I've gotten in bed too late two nights in a row and it's my own fault.
But I was just having too much fun with my dear friends and cousins during our back-to-back sleepover parties as we try to get in as much visiting as possible before they have to return to their home.
Yes, my physical self is weary and it makes my heart problems worse, too.
No, I don't have a medical condition you should be concerned about. I just have some of the woes and problems brought on from living in a sin-tainted world.
I'm weary with a nine-month long inner struggle over a particular matter, an emotional roller coaster that has had me laughing and crying repeatedly. I've been pained over it and blessed by it and have no idea what my part is to do with it now!
I keep turning to friends or family members talking about it, foolishly hoping that, by voicing my thoughts and frustrations, something will budge, click, pop into place! etc.
Ridiculousness!
All this time, maybe all my Heavenly Father has been trying to teach me is to rest in Him and wait patiently for Him to work something more amazing than I can imagine!
You see, I was reading in Isaiah the other day and it didn't dawn on me until today how that I have been exactly like the people who were given the message, but not listening to the words. It struck me: Have I been biting the hand that has been feeding me? or have I, as I ought, been kissing the hand that is beating me?
Friends, the Lord corrects and instructs in the best and most loving way.
It is not always fun. Sometimes it's painful; but, when He "spanks" His children, it is so we will turn to Him and love and trust Him more.
LORD, help me to learn more fully to rest in Thee about the matters my heart struggles over tonight.
End.
"For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts" (Isaiah 9.13).
Start:
My body is weary, my eyes are heavy. I've gotten in bed too late two nights in a row and it's my own fault.
But I was just having too much fun with my dear friends and cousins during our back-to-back sleepover parties as we try to get in as much visiting as possible before they have to return to their home.
Yes, my physical self is weary and it makes my heart problems worse, too.
No, I don't have a medical condition you should be concerned about. I just have some of the woes and problems brought on from living in a sin-tainted world.
I'm weary with a nine-month long inner struggle over a particular matter, an emotional roller coaster that has had me laughing and crying repeatedly. I've been pained over it and blessed by it and have no idea what my part is to do with it now!
I keep turning to friends or family members talking about it, foolishly hoping that, by voicing my thoughts and frustrations, something will budge, click, pop into place! etc.
Ridiculousness!
All this time, maybe all my Heavenly Father has been trying to teach me is to rest in Him and wait patiently for Him to work something more amazing than I can imagine!
You see, I was reading in Isaiah the other day and it didn't dawn on me until today how that I have been exactly like the people who were given the message, but not listening to the words. It struck me: Have I been biting the hand that has been feeding me? or have I, as I ought, been kissing the hand that is beating me?
Friends, the Lord corrects and instructs in the best and most loving way.
It is not always fun. Sometimes it's painful; but, when He "spanks" His children, it is so we will turn to Him and love and trust Him more.
LORD, help me to learn more fully to rest in Thee about the matters my heart struggles over tonight.
End.
"For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts" (Isaiah 9.13).
Friday, April 29, 2016
Five Minute Friday: Pass
Teaming up with Kate Motaung and the bunch at http://katemotaung.com/2016/04/28/five-minute-friday-pass/. It's been far too long and I just couldn't pass up today's word: Pass.
Go:
Recently my family has encountered many different media with emphasis on witnessing, Scripture memory, and the persecuted church. As a result, I've had many thoughts and prayers swirling inside my heart.
One of the biggest players in the emphasis on the persecuted church has been a set of DVDs my Mother purchased for our family to watch together called Dispatches from the Front by Dr. Tim Keesee.
Dr. Keesee is a Christian journalist who travels to the world's difficult places meeting with missionaries in those areas and getting to see what the Lord is doing in those nations. It has been truly encouraging to see just a small part of what the Lord has been doing behind the scenes. (I say behind the scenes, because most of these people are ones I have never heard about and it is absolutely exciting to see the way the Lord's Kingdom is quietly, steadily being built!)
It has sparked so much emotion and longing in me and I find myself praying often during a viewing: "LORD, use me. Send me. Don't pass me by."
The words to that dear old hymn have come to mind frequently as a result: "Pass me not, O Gentle Savior, hear my humble cry. While on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by!"
One of the dearest stories in the Bible to me is that of Samuel being taught as just a child to respond to the Lord's calling with, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth" and similarly Isaiah's response to the glory and plea of God, "Here am I, send me."
So with these ancient saints and these modern-day ones, I plead, "Lord, pass me not. Use me, too, to further Thy Kingdom."
Go:
Recently my family has encountered many different media with emphasis on witnessing, Scripture memory, and the persecuted church. As a result, I've had many thoughts and prayers swirling inside my heart.
One of the biggest players in the emphasis on the persecuted church has been a set of DVDs my Mother purchased for our family to watch together called Dispatches from the Front by Dr. Tim Keesee.
Dr. Keesee is a Christian journalist who travels to the world's difficult places meeting with missionaries in those areas and getting to see what the Lord is doing in those nations. It has been truly encouraging to see just a small part of what the Lord has been doing behind the scenes. (I say behind the scenes, because most of these people are ones I have never heard about and it is absolutely exciting to see the way the Lord's Kingdom is quietly, steadily being built!)
It has sparked so much emotion and longing in me and I find myself praying often during a viewing: "LORD, use me. Send me. Don't pass me by."
The words to that dear old hymn have come to mind frequently as a result: "Pass me not, O Gentle Savior, hear my humble cry. While on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by!"
One of the dearest stories in the Bible to me is that of Samuel being taught as just a child to respond to the Lord's calling with, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth" and similarly Isaiah's response to the glory and plea of God, "Here am I, send me."
So with these ancient saints and these modern-day ones, I plead, "Lord, pass me not. Use me, too, to further Thy Kingdom."
Friday, February 19, 2016
Five Minute Friday: Forget
Finally rejoining my fellow-writers at Kate Motaung's mighty-Friday link-up! Today's word, forget, is just right for sharing some great thoughts I caught at Desiring God today!
So, without further ado, here we go!
Why is it so easy to forget something that is so vital to life? In his article, "Rest in the Prince of Peace," Jon Bloom talks about the power and blessing of prayer when we come to the Lord with all that is on our mind and let Him take the weight for us.
Bloom indicates that prayer is like a natural exhalation for the faith-filled believer and further says that "prayer is the native language of faith" a quote which I fell in love with. Maybe the reason I relate to it so much is due to the topics that are on my mind of late.
Namely: missionaries who are ministering to tribes in their own "heart language", the issue of worry that at least three of my friends have noticed in me (a fault that sneakily has flown under my radar for far too long!), and various needs and decisions that have seemed to swamp me in my mental "quiet place".
Yet if, as Bloom encourages, taking "every thing to God in prayer" is the way to the blessed and peaceful life, I want to do it!
I want to be that follower of Christ who "breathes out prayer" like the continual intake and export of air.
I want Jesus Christ and the pure,good, best!, solutions of my Father to be my first thought.
I want the advice and wisdom I can find in the true Word of God to be the things I live by. I don't want to forget.
As people ask me to pray for their needs, as decisions crop up in my life which need "urgent attention", may I forget my own "plan of attack",
or ideas,
or solutions,
and remember to take each need humbly to my Loving Heavenly Father Who cares and can help.
So, without further ado, here we go!
Why is it so easy to forget something that is so vital to life? In his article, "Rest in the Prince of Peace," Jon Bloom talks about the power and blessing of prayer when we come to the Lord with all that is on our mind and let Him take the weight for us.
Bloom indicates that prayer is like a natural exhalation for the faith-filled believer and further says that "prayer is the native language of faith" a quote which I fell in love with. Maybe the reason I relate to it so much is due to the topics that are on my mind of late.
Namely: missionaries who are ministering to tribes in their own "heart language", the issue of worry that at least three of my friends have noticed in me (a fault that sneakily has flown under my radar for far too long!), and various needs and decisions that have seemed to swamp me in my mental "quiet place".
Yet if, as Bloom encourages, taking "every thing to God in prayer" is the way to the blessed and peaceful life, I want to do it!
I want to be that follower of Christ who "breathes out prayer" like the continual intake and export of air.
I want Jesus Christ and the pure,
I want the advice and wisdom I can find in the true Word of God to be the things I live by. I don't want to forget.
As people ask me to pray for their needs, as decisions crop up in my life which need "urgent attention", may I forget my own "plan of attack",
or ideas,
or solutions,
and remember to take each need humbly to my Loving Heavenly Father Who cares and can help.
Friday, February 5, 2016
Five Minute Friday: Focus
Today joining Five Minute Friday after long last! The word is Focus. (Why don't you come along with me and see what my fellow FMF writers have to say about focusing?)
Start.
"I have trouble focusing sometimes," he said. I smiled; I had noticed. But then, I had trouble with getting distracted easily myself, so who was I to judge? Still though, inside I thought, "Just focus."
In life, besides getting distracted with irrelevant movement and noise, we're bombarded with irrelevant information, even faulty news that can have a damaging affect on our lives if we're not careful.
Recently I got a jolt to realize that, spiritually, I was looking pretty bankrupt. I began to take in large chunks of Scripture, trying to focus again on Christ, trying to get back into alignment with my Lord.
Mercifully, it is working. The Lord has worked (and is working) to "regain my full face" that was pulled away and not focusing on His wonderful face.
He's also teaching more about trusting Him.
For years I have know that He is trustworthy, but there was always that nagging thought in the back of my mind, "But can /I/ trust Him?" Not that He is worthy of being doubted, but am I able to trust? to put my full weight against Him and know that He will hold me up? Do I have that ability or am I hopeless?
Yes, I am hopeless. Without Christ, I am hopeless. But through Christ, I am the victor as He patiently teaches me to focus on Him and put my full weight and all my trust in Him.
Tonight I am stretching out my hand, reaching toward focusing on the gloriousness of my Savior. Will you join me?
End.
Start.
"I have trouble focusing sometimes," he said. I smiled; I had noticed. But then, I had trouble with getting distracted easily myself, so who was I to judge? Still though, inside I thought, "Just focus."
In life, besides getting distracted with irrelevant movement and noise, we're bombarded with irrelevant information, even faulty news that can have a damaging affect on our lives if we're not careful.
Recently I got a jolt to realize that, spiritually, I was looking pretty bankrupt. I began to take in large chunks of Scripture, trying to focus again on Christ, trying to get back into alignment with my Lord.
Mercifully, it is working. The Lord has worked (and is working) to "regain my full face" that was pulled away and not focusing on His wonderful face.
He's also teaching more about trusting Him.
For years I have know that He is trustworthy, but there was always that nagging thought in the back of my mind, "But can /I/ trust Him?" Not that He is worthy of being doubted, but am I able to trust? to put my full weight against Him and know that He will hold me up? Do I have that ability or am I hopeless?
Yes, I am hopeless. Without Christ, I am hopeless. But through Christ, I am the victor as He patiently teaches me to focus on Him and put my full weight and all my trust in Him.
Tonight I am stretching out my hand, reaching toward focusing on the gloriousness of my Savior. Will you join me?
End.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Write 31: Bacon
{Start.}
When I was a child, oatmeal was "weekday breakfast fare" and on Saturdays, Mother fixed a "special breakfast." One of the "special foods" was bacon which, somewhere along the line, creative Kyrie or myself decided we would pretend was scorpion. Was this because of the imaginative play that my Mother inspired through the crafts and play things she would provide? Or was it because novel ideas, far away places, and exotic foods were part of our growing up and our heritage?
My grandparents were missionaries in three South American countries for about 34 years all told. Missionary blood is in my veins, and bacon, with it's well-done curling "endpoints" looked a whole lot like the tails of the scorpions on the traveling shows we would watch on Sunday evenings after church with my Dad. My mother grew up on the mission field, she would read missionary stories to Ky and myself as we were growing up, "the world" was at our fingertips, and "foreign lands" were more familiar to me than an icee from the gas station. (Yes, I still remember wondering what that thing was my friend was slurping away on. No, I was not a deprived child.)
So, what will the Lord do with me? Where will He have taken me when the story of my life is all told? I can only imagine. And wish and pray and prepare as best I can so that wherever, whenever, however, I can eagerly say, "Lord, here I am. Whether You call me to a place that eats bacon or fried scorpion, I'm ready--with Your help! Here am I, send me!"
{Stop.}
Five Minute Friday is a blog get-together hosted by Kate Motaung. You can link up with us over at her spot in the bloggosphere where you can read her post about bacon, as well as meet up with some other fantastic writers! And if you're wondering what Write 31 is, I'll let you discover what this brilliant is idea for yourself! :)
When I was a child, oatmeal was "weekday breakfast fare" and on Saturdays, Mother fixed a "special breakfast." One of the "special foods" was bacon which, somewhere along the line, creative Kyrie or myself decided we would pretend was scorpion. Was this because of the imaginative play that my Mother inspired through the crafts and play things she would provide? Or was it because novel ideas, far away places, and exotic foods were part of our growing up and our heritage?
My grandparents were missionaries in three South American countries for about 34 years all told. Missionary blood is in my veins, and bacon, with it's well-done curling "endpoints" looked a whole lot like the tails of the scorpions on the traveling shows we would watch on Sunday evenings after church with my Dad. My mother grew up on the mission field, she would read missionary stories to Ky and myself as we were growing up, "the world" was at our fingertips, and "foreign lands" were more familiar to me than an icee from the gas station. (Yes, I still remember wondering what that thing was my friend was slurping away on. No, I was not a deprived child.)
So, what will the Lord do with me? Where will He have taken me when the story of my life is all told? I can only imagine. And wish and pray and prepare as best I can so that wherever, whenever, however, I can eagerly say, "Lord, here I am. Whether You call me to a place that eats bacon or fried scorpion, I'm ready--with Your help! Here am I, send me!"
{Stop.}
Five Minute Friday is a blog get-together hosted by Kate Motaung. You can link up with us over at her spot in the bloggosphere where you can read her post about bacon, as well as meet up with some other fantastic writers! And if you're wondering what Write 31 is, I'll let you discover what this brilliant is idea for yourself! :)
Friday, October 23, 2015
Write 31: Joy
{Start.}
Every time I go in the campus library, I inevitably see or encounter one of the happiest people I ever remember meeting. I call her "Miss Iris". She's perky, sweet, and is either smiling, laughing, or about to. She works at her job efficiently and is constantly inquiring about her coworkers or other students on campus. I absolutely love her, with her encouraging and contagious bubbly laugh and smiling face.
Isn't joy an absolutely wonderful thing? It's probably one of the only things {that we might rightly} envy. When another person has joy, it makes it "want-able".
True joy comes from knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Things may provide happiness for a short time, but eventually their pleasure fades. Knowing Jesus produces a joy that surpasses circumstances and situations. We read this in Paul's letter to the church at Philippi in {his book called} Philippians. Time after time, Paul exhibits a joyful spirit, despite being confined in one of the worst prisons that correctional systems have known. "Rejoice!" Paul writes. {Phil. 4:4.} "Be joyful in Christ for me, for, even though I'm bound, God's Word is not!" {Phil. 1:12-18.} What an attitude! One that I would like to have more of! So many times, I get caught up in situations, that I fail to focus on what really matters. {Stop.} Knowing Christ, though, puts things in proper perspective and provides me with a joy that can't be manufactured or gotten from any source other than Him! His glory and His kingdom are the most important things, why do I so easily focus on things that don't really matter? He is inspiring joy in me, and with His help, I will serve Him and focus on His eternal kingdom--with joy!
Every time I go in the campus library, I inevitably see or encounter one of the happiest people I ever remember meeting. I call her "Miss Iris". She's perky, sweet, and is either smiling, laughing, or about to. She works at her job efficiently and is constantly inquiring about her coworkers or other students on campus. I absolutely love her, with her encouraging and contagious bubbly laugh and smiling face.
Isn't joy an absolutely wonderful thing? It's probably one of the only things {that we might rightly} envy. When another person has joy, it makes it "want-able".
True joy comes from knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Things may provide happiness for a short time, but eventually their pleasure fades. Knowing Jesus produces a joy that surpasses circumstances and situations. We read this in Paul's letter to the church at Philippi in {his book called} Philippians. Time after time, Paul exhibits a joyful spirit, despite being confined in one of the worst prisons that correctional systems have known. "Rejoice!" Paul writes. {Phil. 4:4.} "Be joyful in Christ for me, for, even though I'm bound, God's Word is not!" {Phil. 1:12-18.} What an attitude! One that I would like to have more of! So many times, I get caught up in situations, that I fail to focus on what really matters. {Stop.} Knowing Christ, though, puts things in proper perspective and provides me with a joy that can't be manufactured or gotten from any source other than Him! His glory and His kingdom are the most important things, why do I so easily focus on things that don't really matter? He is inspiring joy in me, and with His help, I will serve Him and focus on His eternal kingdom--with joy!
Friday, October 16, 2015
Write 31: Green
Yay! It's Friday and I'm joining up with the fun "gaggle" of writers at Kate Motaung's place! Check out that corner of the blogosphere for some wonderful posts on Green! We're also continuing with Day 16 of October's Write 31!
{Start.}
Green reminds me of yesterday when I went for a "jaunt" with my dear Mother over the pastures that suround our house. Her cousin is a cattleman and the fields he owns often call to me to run over them with full-out abandon, only thing is, I rarely do for the lack of decorum it would show. (ha!) But yesterday, we decided to go for a trek across the green. It was a beautiful afternoon and we had a wonderful time walking together, not necessarily talking, just being in companionship, sometimes commenting about how things have grown up or changed.
It's all my great-grandfather's land, so beautiful, so rolling, so peaceful. I love this land, this full-of-green-ness. My cousin has taken such good care of it and has put it to such good use as he raises his herds.
At one point, Mother and I came to a beautiful meadow hidden away behind the woods. "Time me, please, and when I get to that patch of light on the farther side, I'll yell 'yoo!' and you can stop the timer!" Mother good-naturedly agreed and I took off. What a feeling of elation as I took my pell-mell course against the land that was once my grandfather's Papa's. What a joy and delight to enjoy the green with my dear Mother!
{Stop.}
What about you? What places delight you?
{Start.}
Green reminds me of yesterday when I went for a "jaunt" with my dear Mother over the pastures that suround our house. Her cousin is a cattleman and the fields he owns often call to me to run over them with full-out abandon, only thing is, I rarely do for the lack of decorum it would show. (ha!) But yesterday, we decided to go for a trek across the green. It was a beautiful afternoon and we had a wonderful time walking together, not necessarily talking, just being in companionship, sometimes commenting about how things have grown up or changed.
It's all my great-grandfather's land, so beautiful, so rolling, so peaceful. I love this land, this full-of-green-ness. My cousin has taken such good care of it and has put it to such good use as he raises his herds.
At one point, Mother and I came to a beautiful meadow hidden away behind the woods. "Time me, please, and when I get to that patch of light on the farther side, I'll yell 'yoo!' and you can stop the timer!" Mother good-naturedly agreed and I took off. What a feeling of elation as I took my pell-mell course against the land that was once my grandfather's Papa's. What a joy and delight to enjoy the green with my dear Mother!
{Stop.}
What about you? What places delight you?
Friday, October 9, 2015
Write 31: Trust
{Start}
There is never a time not to trust in the Lord.
This reality is being hammered home to me recently and I am bettered because of it.
As I look across the spectrum of "life" from childhood, to young adulthood, to old age, there are so many factors and causes of stress that it could be so easy to worry oneself to death and be stressed constantly! These facts don't help me out; instead, they raise my blood pressure and cause a whole host of other physical maladies.
I see something totally different from the Bible, however. When I look there, I realize that my Heavenly Father loves me, knows about my needs and the transitory nature of this world, knows that stress and difficult situations abound, and tells me to "trust" in Him.
Why? It's so much easier to worry and stress out! But He tells me this for my good.
He loves me. He wants me to be at peace even in the midst of tricky and harrowing circumstances, even when my future is "up in the air" and the days and weeks and years to come is uncertain.
When I trust in Him and ask for His peace to fill me and meet my needs, how much more rest I get! How much calmer I am! How much more do I enjoy life!
Yes, there are many things going on for me right now, and I am sure there are in your life as well! I would like to encourage you, however, to put your trust and set your hope in the Almighty God Who knows all things, (past, present, and future!), and is working all things out for the good of those who love Him! Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.
{Stop.}
Join the party at Kate Motaung's Five Minute Friday blogging get-together!
There is never a time not to trust in the Lord.
This reality is being hammered home to me recently and I am bettered because of it.
As I look across the spectrum of "life" from childhood, to young adulthood, to old age, there are so many factors and causes of stress that it could be so easy to worry oneself to death and be stressed constantly! These facts don't help me out; instead, they raise my blood pressure and cause a whole host of other physical maladies.
I see something totally different from the Bible, however. When I look there, I realize that my Heavenly Father loves me, knows about my needs and the transitory nature of this world, knows that stress and difficult situations abound, and tells me to "trust" in Him.
Why? It's so much easier to worry and stress out! But He tells me this for my good.
He loves me. He wants me to be at peace even in the midst of tricky and harrowing circumstances, even when my future is "up in the air" and the days and weeks and years to come is uncertain.
When I trust in Him and ask for His peace to fill me and meet my needs, how much more rest I get! How much calmer I am! How much more do I enjoy life!
Yes, there are many things going on for me right now, and I am sure there are in your life as well! I would like to encourage you, however, to put your trust and set your hope in the Almighty God Who knows all things, (past, present, and future!), and is working all things out for the good of those who love Him! Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.
{Stop.}
Join the party at Kate Motaung's Five Minute Friday blogging get-together!
Friday, September 25, 2015
Five Minute Friday: Doubt
The day is Friday.
The word is Doubt.
The time is starting...
Right Now!
What alot I could say about the savage Doubt!
It's like a slave-driver, relentless, pursuing, evil.
What a horrid bondage the Lord has realeased me from!
I once was held captive by this foe! For years I struggled with wondering the most important question of a soul's existence: Am I right before the eyes of my Creator?
I had had "an experience" when I was a child, but at the age of twelve I began to wonder what had happened in those childhood moments. I was without rest: I did not know whether I had truly repented of my sins before Jesus Christ, whether I had believed as I should have. The Bible says that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord in repentance for their sins and in faith in Jesus Christ's death on the cross and resurrection, can be saved. For some reason though, I grappled with question after question. I worried, I dreaded church-related activities. I could get so sick emotionally, but one day,
the Lord showed me that "the hour I first believed" He had saved me.
You see, it wasn't up to me whether I was strong enough in faith to believe, or whether I had said the right words in a prayer to Him.
It was all His doing.
He had reached down and saved me and there was no need for me to struggle against that monster Doubt any longer!
Christ freed me from his grip and what a relief I felt!
Yes, there are days that I have still wondered, still struggled, but what a victory Christ won for me once and for all on the cross and then in my new life against Doubt!
Stop.
I have to say, one of the reasons that I did struggle with doubt was because of my being so young when I had "that experience". During my time of questioning and unrest, I would pray over and over, "Lord, please save me! Forgive me for my sins!" I believed in Him, but I had so many questions. The journey was not an easy one; at times I would wonder when (or if) I would ever be free, whether I would ever know that my eternal destiny was secure and safe, whether I could move forward with life, calm in the fact that I had been forgiven of my sins against the Righteous Holy God and that I was His.
If you are struggling, I would like to encourage you, as I was encouraged all those years ago, to read the book of 1 John in the Bible. It has such great comfort for the wonderer and gives peace and direction whether you struggle with doubt or not. The Bible says that faith to believe in Jesus Christ is something that the Lord gives. Ask Him for it; He wants you more than you could ever want Him. Run to Him! He is gracious and ready for you right now!
The word is Doubt.
The time is starting...
Right Now!
What alot I could say about the savage Doubt!
It's like a slave-driver, relentless, pursuing, evil.
What a horrid bondage the Lord has realeased me from!
I once was held captive by this foe! For years I struggled with wondering the most important question of a soul's existence: Am I right before the eyes of my Creator?
I had had "an experience" when I was a child, but at the age of twelve I began to wonder what had happened in those childhood moments. I was without rest: I did not know whether I had truly repented of my sins before Jesus Christ, whether I had believed as I should have. The Bible says that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord in repentance for their sins and in faith in Jesus Christ's death on the cross and resurrection, can be saved. For some reason though, I grappled with question after question. I worried, I dreaded church-related activities. I could get so sick emotionally, but one day,
the Lord showed me that "the hour I first believed" He had saved me.
You see, it wasn't up to me whether I was strong enough in faith to believe, or whether I had said the right words in a prayer to Him.
It was all His doing.
He had reached down and saved me and there was no need for me to struggle against that monster Doubt any longer!
Christ freed me from his grip and what a relief I felt!
Yes, there are days that I have still wondered, still struggled, but what a victory Christ won for me once and for all on the cross and then in my new life against Doubt!
Stop.
I have to say, one of the reasons that I did struggle with doubt was because of my being so young when I had "that experience". During my time of questioning and unrest, I would pray over and over, "Lord, please save me! Forgive me for my sins!" I believed in Him, but I had so many questions. The journey was not an easy one; at times I would wonder when (or if) I would ever be free, whether I would ever know that my eternal destiny was secure and safe, whether I could move forward with life, calm in the fact that I had been forgiven of my sins against the Righteous Holy God and that I was His.
If you are struggling, I would like to encourage you, as I was encouraged all those years ago, to read the book of 1 John in the Bible. It has such great comfort for the wonderer and gives peace and direction whether you struggle with doubt or not. The Bible says that faith to believe in Jesus Christ is something that the Lord gives. Ask Him for it; He wants you more than you could ever want Him. Run to Him! He is gracious and ready for you right now!
Friday, September 18, 2015
Five Minute Friday: Celebrate
The word is celebrate, and 'though there are SO MANY things I could write about celebrations and celebrating, I decided on the idea that first came to mind...
Go:
My mother's cousin passed away. It was unexpected. A shock. The details were disturbing and made me think about a dear friend of mine, the mother of some acquaintances, who died through mysterious events a few years ago around this time of year.
I think about her every year as fall comes on and miss her.
But then, {as I pondered it today} I thought, what a grand celebration for both my cousin and friend! Wow! My cousin has been suffering in a fragile body for so many years. My imagination can't even do Heaven justice as I think about the grandeur that he must be experiencing now reunited with his parents, grandparents, my grandmother, and Most Important of All, his Savior Jesus!
I think too about Mrs. C., a pastor's wife, vibrant, a godly mother... She's still rejoicing in Heaven! After all these years, 'though the details {of her passing} are still no more easy to think on, she is pain-free, continuing to drink in joy after joy and experience upon wonderful experience of being blissfully with her Lord, without sin, without regret. Now that's a celebration!
I can hardly wait sometimes as I think about it!
So, while we mourn the passing and absence of dear ones, we celebrate those of them that were redeemed through the Precious Blood of Christ and are forever celebrating with Him in His glorious Home!
Stop.
{Yes, I did editing, as you might have guessed from the decorative parentheticals above. There was also some inexcusable misspelling and much needed punctuation that I simply could not let lie!}
For other wonderful thoughts about the word celebrate, visit my friends over at the Five Minute Friday blog party!
Go:
My mother's cousin passed away. It was unexpected. A shock. The details were disturbing and made me think about a dear friend of mine, the mother of some acquaintances, who died through mysterious events a few years ago around this time of year.
I think about her every year as fall comes on and miss her.
But then, {as I pondered it today} I thought, what a grand celebration for both my cousin and friend! Wow! My cousin has been suffering in a fragile body for so many years. My imagination can't even do Heaven justice as I think about the grandeur that he must be experiencing now reunited with his parents, grandparents, my grandmother, and Most Important of All, his Savior Jesus!
I think too about Mrs. C., a pastor's wife, vibrant, a godly mother... She's still rejoicing in Heaven! After all these years, 'though the details {of her passing} are still no more easy to think on, she is pain-free, continuing to drink in joy after joy and experience upon wonderful experience of being blissfully with her Lord, without sin, without regret. Now that's a celebration!
I can hardly wait sometimes as I think about it!
So, while we mourn the passing and absence of dear ones, we celebrate those of them that were redeemed through the Precious Blood of Christ and are forever celebrating with Him in His glorious Home!
Stop.
{Yes, I did editing, as you might have guessed from the decorative parentheticals above. There was also some inexcusable misspelling and much needed punctuation that I simply could not let lie!}
For other wonderful thoughts about the word celebrate, visit my friends over at the Five Minute Friday blog party!
Friday, August 21, 2015
Five Minute Friday: Find
It's Friday and the word of the day is Find!
(Hop over to Kate Motaung's blog to see what trails my fellow-writers followed with this word!)
Years ago, when I was a little girl, the choir at the church we were part of sang a beautiful song called "Find Us Faithful." It stuck in my head and I would sing it and loved it. For years I have thought of this song and sang it off and on, but recently, the thought of faithfulness and the Lord's returning to find us, in whatever condition we're in, has been on my mind. I've been saddened and discouraged by some things at my church. It seems that I'm finding lack of interest in the things of the Lord, lack of willingness and eagerness to serve and put the time into Bible study so that we can be an effective, God-centered people. What happens when there are no workers to be found? what happens if no good, faithful workers stay to carry on the work of the Lord and to advance His Kingdom? Well, I know that in the days of Elijah, he thought he was the last one, yet there were many, many others who had stayed faithful to the Lord, Elijah just didn't know it. If the Lord returned today, though, how would He find me? I've been so concerned and saddened about the spiritual state of my brothers and sisters in Christ, but will the Lord find me faithful? So, today, I am praying for revival not only for my church but in my own life. I'm praying that the sin in me would be overcome by the mighty power of my precious Lord. I desire that the Lord would return and that He would find faith on His earth. Our work is not done, I must be found faithful.
(Hop over to Kate Motaung's blog to see what trails my fellow-writers followed with this word!)
Years ago, when I was a little girl, the choir at the church we were part of sang a beautiful song called "Find Us Faithful." It stuck in my head and I would sing it and loved it. For years I have thought of this song and sang it off and on, but recently, the thought of faithfulness and the Lord's returning to find us, in whatever condition we're in, has been on my mind. I've been saddened and discouraged by some things at my church. It seems that I'm finding lack of interest in the things of the Lord, lack of willingness and eagerness to serve and put the time into Bible study so that we can be an effective, God-centered people. What happens when there are no workers to be found? what happens if no good, faithful workers stay to carry on the work of the Lord and to advance His Kingdom? Well, I know that in the days of Elijah, he thought he was the last one, yet there were many, many others who had stayed faithful to the Lord, Elijah just didn't know it. If the Lord returned today, though, how would He find me? I've been so concerned and saddened about the spiritual state of my brothers and sisters in Christ, but will the Lord find me faithful? So, today, I am praying for revival not only for my church but in my own life. I'm praying that the sin in me would be overcome by the mighty power of my precious Lord. I desire that the Lord would return and that He would find faith on His earth. Our work is not done, I must be found faithful.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Five Minute Friday: Learn
It's Friday again & I am excited about the word for this week's Five Minute Friday! (Visit my other blogging companions at http://katemotaung.com/2015/08/13/five-minute-friday-learn-a-post-retreat-post/ !) The word is Learn, so here I go!
There's a wonderfully, exciting time that sometimes arrives in my heart since I've become an adult. It's the new-wonderful feeling that comes, when it comes, at the start of a new school year. There's something about learning that just sends such an excitment into my heart!
Kyrie is the secretary at the Christian school in town. I visited her there recently and thrilled at the boxes of school boxes packaged up and ready to be cracked open by eager little minds, bright, energetic blank slates ready to be written on. I remember those special open house parties my mother would throw for us when we were starting a new homeschool year. She would lay out all our new textbooks, arranging them enticingly on a table and invite The Grandparents over for a snack/supper. It was so fun to look at those blank pages and think of filling them with my neatest, nicest handwriting! Of course, the fun wore off in a day or so, but still, that little-girl feeling comes over me and I'm excited for students, (and myself, a student who will soon be started a new college year).
You know, in God's Word, the Bible, He tells us of the importance of us being ready learners, eager listeners for His words, ready to take in and do what He tells us. When we refuse to listen to Him, we put ourselves in grave danger. It is always good for us to have open hearts to take in what He would have us know and put into practice.
Today, what is the LORD saying to me? What do I need to learn of Him? (Time's up.) He says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
(I did just a bit of editing.... Hope that's okay, y'all...)
There's a wonderfully, exciting time that sometimes arrives in my heart since I've become an adult. It's the new-wonderful feeling that comes, when it comes, at the start of a new school year. There's something about learning that just sends such an excitment into my heart!
Kyrie is the secretary at the Christian school in town. I visited her there recently and thrilled at the boxes of school boxes packaged up and ready to be cracked open by eager little minds, bright, energetic blank slates ready to be written on. I remember those special open house parties my mother would throw for us when we were starting a new homeschool year. She would lay out all our new textbooks, arranging them enticingly on a table and invite The Grandparents over for a snack/supper. It was so fun to look at those blank pages and think of filling them with my neatest, nicest handwriting! Of course, the fun wore off in a day or so, but still, that little-girl feeling comes over me and I'm excited for students, (and myself, a student who will soon be started a new college year).
You know, in God's Word, the Bible, He tells us of the importance of us being ready learners, eager listeners for His words, ready to take in and do what He tells us. When we refuse to listen to Him, we put ourselves in grave danger. It is always good for us to have open hearts to take in what He would have us know and put into practice.
Today, what is the LORD saying to me? What do I need to learn of Him? (Time's up.) He says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
(I did just a bit of editing.... Hope that's okay, y'all...)
Friday, August 7, 2015
Five Minute Friday: Here
It's Friday again and time to team up with Kate Motaung and the gang at FMF blogger party!
The word for this week is: Here
Go!
The summer course is over, I've turned in my last test. The LORD helped me all the way and I'm so thankful and excited to be done. Now for a week or two free before the fall schedule starts. But what then? And what before then? And what after then? I find myself again to be in need of coming before my gracious Master and saying, "LORD, I am here. Whatever You want to do with me now and in the future, take me and use me. I'm not sure what Your will is for me, what Your intentions are, but I know that they are for my good, because You are good. You do all things for my good, and most importantly for Your Glorious Name to be exalted. So, LORD, use me, do whatever You want to do. I offer my life, I am here for You, dear Potter. Who else is here with me on the altar? May I be used by You to be an encouragement to them as they continually surrender their lives to Your purposes. What else is at stake, what else is here being offered? My strength, my talents, my lack of sleep, my cluelessness, my brains, my can't-compute-don't-comprehend-ness, my family, my friends. All these dear gifts belong to You. You loaned them to me and with Your help I surrender them back to You. I lay them down here at Your feet for You to take and turn them into something that will exalt You and Your Precious Son, Jesus Christ. You also are here, LORD. And that is the most important fact. The fact that I don't mindlessly offer myself and all I love to something or someone who doesn't care. You are here and You tenderly and sweetly take my little gifts and hold them for me."
Stop.
So what about you, dear reader? What does "here" mean to you? And, more importantly, are you at the place in your life where you have surrendered to Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life? Have you realized your sinfulness and His righteousness? Do you know how much He loves you, that He came to this earth, lived a sinless life, and died taking the punishment which we all deserve? Do you know that He rose again three days after He died, showing Himself to be totally different than any other god or leader? Do you know that anyone who calls out to Him for forgiveness of sins, anyone who surrenders to His being their Master and Lord, will be heard by Him, will be forgiven and blessed with His kind Lordship? I would like to challenge you to think about this. Ask God to show you whether my words are right or not; let Him be your God and the Ruler of Your life!
Friday, July 31, 2015
Five Minute Friday: Try
It's Friday again and I'm linking up with the great writers at Kate Motaung's Five Minute Friday weekly writing party! http://katemotaung.com/2015/07/30/five-minute-friday-try-plus-a-giveaway/ The word for today is Try. Whew!
Go.
One of my childhood memories that even now carries over into adulthood is my Mother's encouragement at mealtimes to get her children to "Try just a little bit of everything served." Even if we didn't think we would like it, or even if we knew we didn't like it, we were told to get a bite-sized portion. To this day, I love almost every food, probably as a direct result of her training.
I remember coming in contact with a wonderful older man when I was in my teens. He was a top maker who sold his toys at a family-friendly museum-like center. There he taught people young and old how to throw his tops just right and make them spin. My family stayed on and on until we finally had it mastered. I was sobered when he pointed out, "So many young people I try to teach quit so easily." His words stuck with me and encourage me even now not to quit too soon. As a college student, I have at times experienced feelings of being overwhelmed at what is required of me, but I know, if I keep on going, keep trying, I can succeed.
I've run out of time, but I have to add something a dear Sunday school teacher told his class once. "It's only the quitters who are failures. Those who make mistakes but get up and try again are the ones who succeed." Those who belong to Christ have His Holy Spirit and the promise of His great strength for those things they attempt to do for His Name's Sake. Whatever the LORD leads His people to do, He will help them to accomplish. It's our job to trust Him and to try!
Go.
One of my childhood memories that even now carries over into adulthood is my Mother's encouragement at mealtimes to get her children to "Try just a little bit of everything served." Even if we didn't think we would like it, or even if we knew we didn't like it, we were told to get a bite-sized portion. To this day, I love almost every food, probably as a direct result of her training.
I remember coming in contact with a wonderful older man when I was in my teens. He was a top maker who sold his toys at a family-friendly museum-like center. There he taught people young and old how to throw his tops just right and make them spin. My family stayed on and on until we finally had it mastered. I was sobered when he pointed out, "So many young people I try to teach quit so easily." His words stuck with me and encourage me even now not to quit too soon. As a college student, I have at times experienced feelings of being overwhelmed at what is required of me, but I know, if I keep on going, keep trying, I can succeed.
I've run out of time, but I have to add something a dear Sunday school teacher told his class once. "It's only the quitters who are failures. Those who make mistakes but get up and try again are the ones who succeed." Those who belong to Christ have His Holy Spirit and the promise of His great strength for those things they attempt to do for His Name's Sake. Whatever the LORD leads His people to do, He will help them to accomplish. It's our job to trust Him and to try!
Friday, July 3, 2015
Five-minute Friday: Favorite
I have, at times, participated in Five minute Friday writing challenge hosted by Kate Motaung at http://katemotaung.com/. It's a great exercise for me as a would-be writer to engage in, using my current skills and hopefully fine-tuning them--in an unedited, fast-paced writing spurt of five minutes. Now that I have a blog, it is much easier than it used to be when I would put my "spurt" in the comment box. :) The word for this week is Favorite. So, without further ado, here I go:
I don't have a favorite sports team. I don't have a favorite ice cream flavor (there are just way too many good ones!). I don't have a favorite color (I love so many!). But I do have one favorite above all. I have a Favorite with Whom I love to spend time. He is my Lord Jesus Christ. I get up in the morning and I want to go meet Him. I find Him in a cozy corner of my house and there I read the loving words He has written to me in His Word, the Bible. There I get to talk to Him as long as I want without long-distance phone fees. There I get to hear from my One True Love Who has my best interests in mind, and in Whose Presence I am the safest and securest than any other. He's my Favorite and He treats me like I'm His favorite. He doesn't have favorites, but when He tells me "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord" I know He means me. When He says "I am with you always" I can take it as Him talking directly to me. There is no one I feel more comfortable with. He knows all my secrets, my dark and dim, and my highest delights. He knows what I wish for and what I want to be and He has great plans for making me something far better than I could ever imagine being. He is the Top of my List. He is so wonderful!
I don't have a favorite sports team. I don't have a favorite ice cream flavor (there are just way too many good ones!). I don't have a favorite color (I love so many!). But I do have one favorite above all. I have a Favorite with Whom I love to spend time. He is my Lord Jesus Christ. I get up in the morning and I want to go meet Him. I find Him in a cozy corner of my house and there I read the loving words He has written to me in His Word, the Bible. There I get to talk to Him as long as I want without long-distance phone fees. There I get to hear from my One True Love Who has my best interests in mind, and in Whose Presence I am the safest and securest than any other. He's my Favorite and He treats me like I'm His favorite. He doesn't have favorites, but when He tells me "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord" I know He means me. When He says "I am with you always" I can take it as Him talking directly to me. There is no one I feel more comfortable with. He knows all my secrets, my dark and dim, and my highest delights. He knows what I wish for and what I want to be and He has great plans for making me something far better than I could ever imagine being. He is the Top of my List. He is so wonderful!
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