It's Christmas! WOW! And in the blink of an eye, it will be gone. Christmas is a time to celebrate, to share, and to reflect.
I celebrate love from a holy Creator to an undeserving mankind.
I celebrate family and time set aside to be with them.
I share my worship from my heart for the One Who came down and took a robe of flesh so that I may have life abundantly.
I share my time, my blessings, my food, and my talents with those close to me.
My family has always played a game called "Christmas Eve Gift." It is a race to see who can say it first. The goal is to say it first to as many people as you can. Every other person willing to play it with you is your opponent. My mother's best friend and her daughter once came to our house at midnight, so they could "get" Mother at the first possible, and unexpected, moment.
That daughter now lives out of the country and has been known to call at midnight just to say "Christmas Eve Gift!"
I must admit I got a little bored with the game in my teen years, and let it slide. Now that I have kids, it is back, and with a vengeance. My eldest is competitive and loves the game. The fun is back. Somewhere along the way, I carried it over to Christmas Day. Christmas Eve has passed. All that is left now to say is
CHRISTMAS GIFT! Have a Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Bits and Pieces
That is what I feel like these days: bits and pieces. My church family lost a precious member to cancer a week ago. She was a mother, sister, daughter, friend, minister of music, Sunday School teacher, Wednesday night teacher. She was the kind of teacher who was always prepared. She was the kind of friend who showed up to help you whether you had windows to clean, hair to perm, or a disaster to fix. If you were moving, she came and cleaned behind the furniture that had not been moved in five years. When you tried to shoo her away from your dirt, she shooed back and said, "Nah, I got it." She was my sister's best friend, and we are sooooo gonna miss her.
She, however, has choirs of angels all around and light straight from the Son. Streets of the purest gold are under her feet. The day of her funeral, at the graveside, there was a magnificent wisp of clouds that waved up like they were painted with giant fingers into angel's wings. Just after the dove release ceremony, we looked straight overhead, and one of those wisps was rainbow colored. I have never seen anything like it.
I have 3 projects going at the same time as I try to finish up my master's degree. Overwhelmed does not touch it. I am also an optimist and know that I will get through it. I can do ALL things through Him Who gives me strength!!!
All for now. Blessings!
She, however, has choirs of angels all around and light straight from the Son. Streets of the purest gold are under her feet. The day of her funeral, at the graveside, there was a magnificent wisp of clouds that waved up like they were painted with giant fingers into angel's wings. Just after the dove release ceremony, we looked straight overhead, and one of those wisps was rainbow colored. I have never seen anything like it.
I have 3 projects going at the same time as I try to finish up my master's degree. Overwhelmed does not touch it. I am also an optimist and know that I will get through it. I can do ALL things through Him Who gives me strength!!!
All for now. Blessings!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Pray 7x7, inspired by Angie Smith
I copied this button from Angie Smith's blog. It has a link attached regarding praying for our children. I just think it is precious. How much more meaningful can a life be than if it is covered in prayer?
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Unwanted
I happened on a website today that showed pictures of actual aborted fetuses. I did not know that was what was behind the link I lifted. I think it said, "Results of Abortion" and I thought it was a video of someone who had lived through a failed attempt at an abortion. What I actually saw was grotesque photos of pieces of babies. I do not understand how anyone can call them "tissue." They have arms, legs, ribs. I do not know how many pictures are available to view. I saw a few and began to weep.
Society deems abortion a choice. Some people say it is a woman's choice to abort an unwanted baby. It is justified because the child is unwanted. I have no biological children, so no unborn baby is unwanted in my eyes. I could never have adopted forty million. I know that, but that does not mean they were unwanted.
The only choice women should have is whether or not to become pregnant. I won't even touch the rape topic, because I do not believe that is why people abort. If a person makes a choice that could possibly result in a baby, then that baby deserves the same right to live that its mother has.
I am grieved. Images are etched in my memory that I cannot erase. God have mercy on us. Forgive our sins, and heal our land. Give peace to those who have aborted and repented, and help them to let go of the guilt of the past. What is done is done, but help us find a way to stop more atrocities. In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Society deems abortion a choice. Some people say it is a woman's choice to abort an unwanted baby. It is justified because the child is unwanted. I have no biological children, so no unborn baby is unwanted in my eyes. I could never have adopted forty million. I know that, but that does not mean they were unwanted.
The only choice women should have is whether or not to become pregnant. I won't even touch the rape topic, because I do not believe that is why people abort. If a person makes a choice that could possibly result in a baby, then that baby deserves the same right to live that its mother has.
I am grieved. Images are etched in my memory that I cannot erase. God have mercy on us. Forgive our sins, and heal our land. Give peace to those who have aborted and repented, and help them to let go of the guilt of the past. What is done is done, but help us find a way to stop more atrocities. In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
A Thin Line
I have been feeling a little differently about death lately. I have always felt as if the substance between me and death was thick like a thick, cushiony, padded room (and neatly bottoned like an old couch. It's quirky, I know). Lately I have been feeling like the substance is thin like a placenta.
I heard someone else talk about the following last weekend, and it made me want to look it up for myself. According to Philippians 1:21, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." What is gain? According to http://www.yourdictionary.com/gain, gain means "increase in wealth; earnings; profit." That sounds like one supreme payday!
Gotta stop for now. More later.
I heard someone else talk about the following last weekend, and it made me want to look it up for myself. According to Philippians 1:21, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." What is gain? According to http://www.yourdictionary.com/gain, gain means "increase in wealth; earnings; profit." That sounds like one supreme payday!
Gotta stop for now. More later.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Chosen
I was thinking in the last couple of weeks about "a peculiar people." We have our own modern images associated with the word peculiar. It is a word in modern vernacular that is close to weird. I do not believe God calls us to be weird, but He does want to be different.
Anyway, I looked up the scripture I Peter 2:9, which led me to Exodus 19:5, where these phrases appeared first. They were to Israel. "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation."
In my Bible, Dake's notes on the side make reference to the Greek word peripoiesis for "a peculiar people" and mentions something purchased. Peripoiesis means "a possession, a preservation, and obtaining." I got this information from here: http://www.searchgodsword.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=4047
Since I am adopted into God's family, I feel that these words apply to me. I have been purchased. I have been chosen. I am preserved. I am a possession. I am an obtaining. My favorite: I am peculiar treasure! WOW! I cannot fathom why He loves me so, but I am thankful that He does.
Anyway, I looked up the scripture I Peter 2:9, which led me to Exodus 19:5, where these phrases appeared first. They were to Israel. "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation."
In my Bible, Dake's notes on the side make reference to the Greek word peripoiesis for "a peculiar people" and mentions something purchased. Peripoiesis means "a possession, a preservation, and obtaining." I got this information from here: http://www.searchgodsword.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=4047
Since I am adopted into God's family, I feel that these words apply to me. I have been purchased. I have been chosen. I am preserved. I am a possession. I am an obtaining. My favorite: I am peculiar treasure! WOW! I cannot fathom why He loves me so, but I am thankful that He does.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Put Out Doubt
Recently, I was reading about Jesus teaching and healing when I noticed something new -- for me anyway. I noticed two things, the first of which I am embarrassed to tell. I did not remember that the story of the woman with the issue of blood is in the middle of a whole different story! That other story is the one about Jairus' daughter. The second thing I noticed was Jesus' intolerance of doubt.
First, Jairus comes to Jesus because his daughter is dying. Then the woman with the issue of blood comes in on the scene. This itself is a magnificently beautiful story of desire, perseverance, and results. Then a servant comes to tell Jairus not to bother the Master, because the maid has died. They think it is too late. Jesus does not think it is too late, for He travels with Jairus to his home. When they get there, Jairus, his wife, Jesus, and some other people (a couple of disciples, I think) go in to where the girl lay. They wail and weep and say she is dead. Jesus says, "She is not dead. She is sleeping." Then somehow they go from mourning to laughing "Him to scorn." Then Jesus "put them out." He put all doubters out of the room. I love that!
My husband's grandmother used to tell of her sister being healed as a child. Someone notified the pastor and the church on a Sunday morning that without a miracle, this child could die. Her condition was grave. Well, I think we would have prayed right then. They did not. The pastor spoke to the congregation and told them to go home and make sure things were right between them and God, to make sure they could pray without hindrance or doubt. He told them if they were not sure they could get a prayer through, for them not to come back that night. They had to have a miracle and they had to remove doubt! They gathered, believed, and she was healed.
When Jesus removed doubt from the room where Jairus' daughter lay, He took her hand and told her to rise. The Healer spoke, and it was done, just like He said.
Wherever you are, whatever your need, whatever your storm, God is bigger. Put out doubt! If you do not feel you can, ask Him to help you. It is okay to say, "Lord I believe, help Thou mine unbelief." When you need an answer, or a divine intervention, you cannot afford doubt. Put it out. Let Him speak.
I once heard a woman (whose last name was Tennyson) share a personal story that included the following statement: Doubt your doubts; and believe your beliefs. But never believe your doubts or doubt your beliefs.
Amen!
First, Jairus comes to Jesus because his daughter is dying. Then the woman with the issue of blood comes in on the scene. This itself is a magnificently beautiful story of desire, perseverance, and results. Then a servant comes to tell Jairus not to bother the Master, because the maid has died. They think it is too late. Jesus does not think it is too late, for He travels with Jairus to his home. When they get there, Jairus, his wife, Jesus, and some other people (a couple of disciples, I think) go in to where the girl lay. They wail and weep and say she is dead. Jesus says, "She is not dead. She is sleeping." Then somehow they go from mourning to laughing "Him to scorn." Then Jesus "put them out." He put all doubters out of the room. I love that!
My husband's grandmother used to tell of her sister being healed as a child. Someone notified the pastor and the church on a Sunday morning that without a miracle, this child could die. Her condition was grave. Well, I think we would have prayed right then. They did not. The pastor spoke to the congregation and told them to go home and make sure things were right between them and God, to make sure they could pray without hindrance or doubt. He told them if they were not sure they could get a prayer through, for them not to come back that night. They had to have a miracle and they had to remove doubt! They gathered, believed, and she was healed.
When Jesus removed doubt from the room where Jairus' daughter lay, He took her hand and told her to rise. The Healer spoke, and it was done, just like He said.
Wherever you are, whatever your need, whatever your storm, God is bigger. Put out doubt! If you do not feel you can, ask Him to help you. It is okay to say, "Lord I believe, help Thou mine unbelief." When you need an answer, or a divine intervention, you cannot afford doubt. Put it out. Let Him speak.
I once heard a woman (whose last name was Tennyson) share a personal story that included the following statement: Doubt your doubts; and believe your beliefs. But never believe your doubts or doubt your beliefs.
Amen!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Eheyeh: I Am
WOW! I am overwhelmed with His words so clearly spoken to me lately. I have a precious friend fighting cancer. The phrase God has given her for this time is "'I Am' is my healer!" I was praying for her this weekend and looked up "by His stripes we are healed." It is found in Isaiah 53. I was struck with the words "we are healed." You see, this was a prophecy. Jesus had not been physically born into this world yet. However, He is I Am. The original word for this is Eheyeh. The people who lived in Bible days recognized this word as a name for God which meant He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the One who always has been and always will be. Then when Jesus came and was criticized and questioned. He stated, "Before Abraham was, I Am." I imagine those around Him were shushed. They recognized his words to say He identified Himself as Deity.
He is I Am. He dwells in us. Therefore, we are. We are whatever He says we are. He says "we are healed." If He said it, then it is; because He is I Am.
Blessings
He is I Am. He dwells in us. Therefore, we are. We are whatever He says we are. He says "we are healed." If He said it, then it is; because He is I Am.
Blessings
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Transparent
I am usually transparent. I am not fond of this trait but feel unable to change it. What you see is what you get. I try to smile "Good Mornings" to those I meet. Sometimes it is returned; sometimes it is ignored. Recently I have found myself in pain from my neck to my shoulder, not all at once. It comes and goes and moves around -- even down my arm or in my hand. One morning, a co-worker informed me I was not myself. I do not seem to be able to hide what I feel.
Though I have pain, I don't worry about it much, because I know my Creator. He made me, this world, and everything in it. If He can breathe air into a pile of dirt and make it come to life in the form of a man, and if He can take care of feeding all the sparrows, then He can certainly take care of me. And He will! It is a bit disgruntling that I have shoulder pain when I lie down, no matter how I turn. I cannot sleep in the bed until this thing goes away! I have rebuked it in Jesus' name. I know that God is in the healing business, but I also know He is not a lucky charm or a genie in a bottle that we can use by saying some magic words. He is God and He is sovereign. Sometimes things happen as a result of other things in life. Just because God does not jump to heal me when I claim it, does not mean He has quit listening. He is my All in All whether I walk in pain or without it.
If you think of it, thank the Lord for my healing. He did purchase it with some brutal stripes on His body. I know He has made provision for all of us, but I do not want to use Him for my benefit. I want Him to use me for His glory -- come what may.
Blessings to you and yours!
Though I have pain, I don't worry about it much, because I know my Creator. He made me, this world, and everything in it. If He can breathe air into a pile of dirt and make it come to life in the form of a man, and if He can take care of feeding all the sparrows, then He can certainly take care of me. And He will! It is a bit disgruntling that I have shoulder pain when I lie down, no matter how I turn. I cannot sleep in the bed until this thing goes away! I have rebuked it in Jesus' name. I know that God is in the healing business, but I also know He is not a lucky charm or a genie in a bottle that we can use by saying some magic words. He is God and He is sovereign. Sometimes things happen as a result of other things in life. Just because God does not jump to heal me when I claim it, does not mean He has quit listening. He is my All in All whether I walk in pain or without it.
If you think of it, thank the Lord for my healing. He did purchase it with some brutal stripes on His body. I know He has made provision for all of us, but I do not want to use Him for my benefit. I want Him to use me for His glory -- come what may.
Blessings to you and yours!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Random Thankful Thoughts
I am thankful for my parents, older and wiser than I.
I am thankful for my children, long awaited.
I am thankful for memories of all of the women I have heard praying in my lifetime.
I am thankful for a job in which I can impart knowledge, unconditional love, and respect into the lives of some brilliant preteens.
I am thankful for a husband who loves God, loves his parents, his sister, our children, our church, and, of course, me.
I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who planned my life with purpose.
I am thankful for a Savior who paid the price so that I could talk to my Father firsthand.
I am thankful for special friends whom God has seasoned my life with, and who grow like flowers in my garden of friendship.
I am thankful for peace that passes all understanding.
I am thankful for the ability to lay my head on my pillow and "cast all my cares on Him" because of His love for me.
I am thankful for answered prayers.
I am thankful one more soul will make it to Heaven because Somebody paid, and somebody prayed.
Lord, You are holy.
Lord, You are mighty to save.
Lord, You are worthy of praise.
Lord, You are mine, and I adore You.
I am thankful for my children, long awaited.
I am thankful for memories of all of the women I have heard praying in my lifetime.
I am thankful for a job in which I can impart knowledge, unconditional love, and respect into the lives of some brilliant preteens.
I am thankful for a husband who loves God, loves his parents, his sister, our children, our church, and, of course, me.
I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who planned my life with purpose.
I am thankful for a Savior who paid the price so that I could talk to my Father firsthand.
I am thankful for special friends whom God has seasoned my life with, and who grow like flowers in my garden of friendship.
I am thankful for peace that passes all understanding.
I am thankful for the ability to lay my head on my pillow and "cast all my cares on Him" because of His love for me.
I am thankful for answered prayers.
I am thankful one more soul will make it to Heaven because Somebody paid, and somebody prayed.
Lord, You are holy.
Lord, You are mighty to save.
Lord, You are worthy of praise.
Lord, You are mine, and I adore You.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thoughts
I attended a funeral today. It was bittersweet. It is always sad to our flesh when we lose a loved one, but it is always a joy to know that one who has lived faithfully for the Lord has gone Home to be with Him. A flood of memories washed through my mind today as I sat and listened to the man's children tell of the funny things he always said to them (like "What is the square root of pi? Pi is not square. Everybody knows pies are round. Cornbread is square."). I knew this man in my childhood and through a few of my adult years. I laughed and cried as I thought of the years and the distance. Amazingly enough, despite years and differences, our families have a connecting thread, a bond that cannot be severed.
I had a neat memory. Once my parents were out of town (and my sister was away at school), and I stayed with this family. They had kids younger than I and one older. I always had fun with their kids. In the night I was awake and wished I were home. I was not afraid - but not at home. I got up and walked down the hall. There was a dim light in the living room, and I wanted to go in there. I don't know why. When I got to the doorway, I saw the lady of the house on her knees and heard her praying. Yes, she was a prayer warrior. I did not want to disturb her, but I wanted very much to go in there and just sit -- bask in the Lord's presence. I felt at home there. My mother prayed; my daddy prayed; my grandmother prayed; that eased my homesickness. I was afraid I would disturb her, so I walked back to bed and went to sleep. I thank God everytime I remember her praying.
I wrote a little song quite a few years ago that says,
There is no place like the presence of the Lord.
There is no place like the presence of the Lord.
Such blessings He affords
When we meet in one accord.
There is no place like the presence of the Lord.
It is only fitting that I feel at home in the presence of the Lord. I have a godly mother who was living so close to the Lord when she was pregnant with me, that I believe I was born in the presence of the Lord. And I am convinced I will die in the presence of the Lord. When I am absent from my body and present with Him, I will evermore be at Home in His presence.
I thank God for this heritage.
"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." 2 Cor. 4:7
I had a neat memory. Once my parents were out of town (and my sister was away at school), and I stayed with this family. They had kids younger than I and one older. I always had fun with their kids. In the night I was awake and wished I were home. I was not afraid - but not at home. I got up and walked down the hall. There was a dim light in the living room, and I wanted to go in there. I don't know why. When I got to the doorway, I saw the lady of the house on her knees and heard her praying. Yes, she was a prayer warrior. I did not want to disturb her, but I wanted very much to go in there and just sit -- bask in the Lord's presence. I felt at home there. My mother prayed; my daddy prayed; my grandmother prayed; that eased my homesickness. I was afraid I would disturb her, so I walked back to bed and went to sleep. I thank God everytime I remember her praying.
I wrote a little song quite a few years ago that says,
There is no place like the presence of the Lord.
There is no place like the presence of the Lord.
Such blessings He affords
When we meet in one accord.
There is no place like the presence of the Lord.
It is only fitting that I feel at home in the presence of the Lord. I have a godly mother who was living so close to the Lord when she was pregnant with me, that I believe I was born in the presence of the Lord. And I am convinced I will die in the presence of the Lord. When I am absent from my body and present with Him, I will evermore be at Home in His presence.
I thank God for this heritage.
"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." 2 Cor. 4:7
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Praise
Our Sunday School teacher said something Sunday morning about praise in Bible days. It was not so much a choice as a command. That struck a chord with me and I thought about the many psalms that begin with "O give thanks" and "I will praise Thee." I have scanned through and made a list of the first phrases of chapters in Psalms that begin with praise. Remember Psalm 22:3 says "the Lord inhabits the praise of Israel" (many of us include ourselves by adoption:o)).
Ch. 9, I will praise Thee...
Ch. 30 I will extol Thee...
Ch. 33 Rejoice...
Ch. 34 I will bless the Lord...
Ch. 46 God is our refuge...
Ch. 47 O clap you rhands...
Ch. 48 Great is the Lord...
Ch. 66 Make a joyful noise untol the Lord...
Ch. 68 Let God arise...
Ch. 81 Sing aloud unto God...
Ch. 89 I will sing of the mercies
Ch. 92 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...
Ch. 93 The Lord reigneth...
Ch. 95 O come let us sing unto the Lord...
Ch. 96 O sing unto the Lord...
Ch. 97 The Lord reigneth...
Ch. 98 O sing unto the Lord...
Ch. 99 The Lord reigneth...
Ch. 100 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord...
Ch. 101 I will sing of mercy...
Ch. 103 Bless the Lord O my soul...
Ch. 104 Bless the Lord O my soul...
Ch. 105 O give thanks...
Ch. 106 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 107 O give thanks...
Ch. 108 O God my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise...
Ch. 111 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 112 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 113 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 116 I love the Lord...
Ch. 117 O praise the Lord...
Ch. 118 O give thanks...
Ch. 134 Behold bless ye the Lord...
Ch. 135 Praise ye the Lord
Ch. 136 O give thanks...
Ch. 138 I will praise Thee...
Ch. 144 Blessed be the Lord my strength...
Ch. 145 I extil Thee...
Ch. 146 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 147 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 148 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 149 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 150 Praise ye the Lord...
enough said.
Ch. 9, I will praise Thee...
Ch. 30 I will extol Thee...
Ch. 33 Rejoice...
Ch. 34 I will bless the Lord...
Ch. 46 God is our refuge...
Ch. 47 O clap you rhands...
Ch. 48 Great is the Lord...
Ch. 66 Make a joyful noise untol the Lord...
Ch. 68 Let God arise...
Ch. 81 Sing aloud unto God...
Ch. 89 I will sing of the mercies
Ch. 92 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...
Ch. 93 The Lord reigneth...
Ch. 95 O come let us sing unto the Lord...
Ch. 96 O sing unto the Lord...
Ch. 97 The Lord reigneth...
Ch. 98 O sing unto the Lord...
Ch. 99 The Lord reigneth...
Ch. 100 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord...
Ch. 101 I will sing of mercy...
Ch. 103 Bless the Lord O my soul...
Ch. 104 Bless the Lord O my soul...
Ch. 105 O give thanks...
Ch. 106 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 107 O give thanks...
Ch. 108 O God my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise...
Ch. 111 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 112 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 113 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 116 I love the Lord...
Ch. 117 O praise the Lord...
Ch. 118 O give thanks...
Ch. 134 Behold bless ye the Lord...
Ch. 135 Praise ye the Lord
Ch. 136 O give thanks...
Ch. 138 I will praise Thee...
Ch. 144 Blessed be the Lord my strength...
Ch. 145 I extil Thee...
Ch. 146 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 147 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 148 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 149 Praise ye the Lord...
Ch. 150 Praise ye the Lord...
enough said.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Woman Came From Where?
Since it is summer, and I am at home with my kids, I took the opportunity to do the Days of Creation with my children. They made cute books and drew a picture for each day. I had my oldest child read the Bible for Days 4-7 and be the teacher. Studies show that when you teach something, you retain ninety percent. So CoCo (a nickname she chose) taught days 4-7 and did a great job (tho' she left out woman). After we reviewed, she asked, "When did God create woman? Didn't he take her from a kidney stone?" I have laughed ever since. For all you men out there, I know we women can be a pain at times, but I surely hope we are never as painful as a kidney stone! lol
Have a blessed day!
Have a blessed day!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Storm the Gates
Does anyone know where the phrase "storm the gates of hell" comes from? I do not have time to locate my Strong's Concordance. I am in the midst of an action research plan for my master's degree program (BrainSMART). It has to be submitted today, so I cannot quit.
BUT we had an awesome service at church today, and a precious prayer warrior stood up and said she had made up her mind that she was going to give the devil so much trouble he was going to start saying, "uh-oh, she's awake!" I love that! I know I heard a minister a few years ago say that the Bible says to "storm the gates of hell." I have done a quick search online, even in Strong's online concordance. I have not been able to easily find a scripture that says that. Apparently, there is a book with that for a title. That is all my searches came up with.
When I have time, I can look for it myself. I just thought someone might know off the top of their head where it is. If so, leave a comment. Thanks!
I hope your day is a blessed one! Mine sure is.
BUT we had an awesome service at church today, and a precious prayer warrior stood up and said she had made up her mind that she was going to give the devil so much trouble he was going to start saying, "uh-oh, she's awake!" I love that! I know I heard a minister a few years ago say that the Bible says to "storm the gates of hell." I have done a quick search online, even in Strong's online concordance. I have not been able to easily find a scripture that says that. Apparently, there is a book with that for a title. That is all my searches came up with.
When I have time, I can look for it myself. I just thought someone might know off the top of their head where it is. If so, leave a comment. Thanks!
I hope your day is a blessed one! Mine sure is.
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Last Word
IN Luke 24:10 & 11, when "Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women that were with them" returned from the empty tomb, they told the apostles all about what they had seen: the angel (and what he said) and the empty tomb. Don't you know they probably ran the whole way and were all out of breath when they delivered the first resurrection message! You know how it is when you are really excited about something that you just have to tell? And you know how it is when you have run so hard you can't talk? That is the way I imagine it.
"And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not" (vs 11). WOW! Talk about bursting a balloon! The Greek word for these "idle tales" is leros, which means silly nonsense. I use a Dake Bible, and Dake says that this word leros is only used here and "is a medical term for delirium."
This reminds me a little of Sarah's laughter when she heard the Lord say that she would have a child (Gen. 18). The Lord asked Abraham why Sarah laughed. He said to Abraham, "Is anything too hard for the Lord" (vs. 14)?
I must declare to all who hear me (or read me): Nothing is too hard for my God. He holds time in His hands. He created the air I breathe, the sun, the Earth, and everything on it. If He promised you something, He will deliver.
Financial difficulty does not have the last word.
Divorce does not have the last word.
Infertility does not have the last word.
Sorrow does not have the last word.
Depression does not have the last word.
Pain does not have the last word.
Cancer does not have the last word.
Death does not have the last word.
Only God will have the last word. So look your problem in the face and tell it so. Somebody in your hearing might think you are delirious. It won't be the first time. But did the apostles' doubts hold Jesus in the tomb? NO! Why? Because God has the last word. When God says it is, then it is. No doubt about it.
God said Sarah would have a child, and she did.
God said Jesus would be resurrected, and He was.
God said He would send me children, and He did!
I could go on, but there is no need. The rest is up to you. I don't know what God has said to you. I only know that whatever it is, He will bring it to pass! Because He, and only He, has the last word.
"And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not" (vs 11). WOW! Talk about bursting a balloon! The Greek word for these "idle tales" is leros, which means silly nonsense. I use a Dake Bible, and Dake says that this word leros is only used here and "is a medical term for delirium."
This reminds me a little of Sarah's laughter when she heard the Lord say that she would have a child (Gen. 18). The Lord asked Abraham why Sarah laughed. He said to Abraham, "Is anything too hard for the Lord" (vs. 14)?
I must declare to all who hear me (or read me): Nothing is too hard for my God. He holds time in His hands. He created the air I breathe, the sun, the Earth, and everything on it. If He promised you something, He will deliver.
Financial difficulty does not have the last word.
Divorce does not have the last word.
Infertility does not have the last word.
Sorrow does not have the last word.
Depression does not have the last word.
Pain does not have the last word.
Cancer does not have the last word.
Death does not have the last word.
Only God will have the last word. So look your problem in the face and tell it so. Somebody in your hearing might think you are delirious. It won't be the first time. But did the apostles' doubts hold Jesus in the tomb? NO! Why? Because God has the last word. When God says it is, then it is. No doubt about it.
God said Sarah would have a child, and she did.
God said Jesus would be resurrected, and He was.
God said He would send me children, and He did!
I could go on, but there is no need. The rest is up to you. I don't know what God has said to you. I only know that whatever it is, He will bring it to pass! Because He, and only He, has the last word.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Do You Remember?
I was reading Luke 24 to get to the story about what happened on the road to Emmaus when I became fixated on one concept. Sometimes we allow reality to rob us of God's promises. In the beginning of Luke 24, we see the women going to the tomb with the spices for burial. They find an angel who asks "Why seek ye the living among the dead" (vs. 5)? Then the angel said, "remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee." It is interesting to me that this is not a question but a statement. If we look back at Luke 9, we can see what He said when He was in Galilee.
In Luke 9:22, Jesus said, "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day."
Hmmm. So why did the women come to the tomb with spices after three days? Why did they intend to prepare His body for permanence when He said He would only be there temporarily? Maybe it was because His death was so brutal, and they were there to see Him die. Sometimes our reality is so big that we feel consumed by it. Sometimes we even forget what He has promised.
I pursued adoption for many years and gave up on it before it happened. Knowing God had promised us children, I actually told my husband that I quit pursuing adoption. If God wanted us to have kids, He could "drop them in our laps." I was through. Four days later, we received a call about an adoption plan that would pan out. WOW! Even when we forget what God promised, He still comes through.
What has God promised you? Whatever it is, don't give up. It is still gonna happen. He ALWAYS keeps His promises.
In Luke 9:22, Jesus said, "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day."
Hmmm. So why did the women come to the tomb with spices after three days? Why did they intend to prepare His body for permanence when He said He would only be there temporarily? Maybe it was because His death was so brutal, and they were there to see Him die. Sometimes our reality is so big that we feel consumed by it. Sometimes we even forget what He has promised.
I pursued adoption for many years and gave up on it before it happened. Knowing God had promised us children, I actually told my husband that I quit pursuing adoption. If God wanted us to have kids, He could "drop them in our laps." I was through. Four days later, we received a call about an adoption plan that would pan out. WOW! Even when we forget what God promised, He still comes through.
What has God promised you? Whatever it is, don't give up. It is still gonna happen. He ALWAYS keeps His promises.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Intermotabuconscielism
Intermotabuconscielism
Inter: as in interstate or highway or road
Mot: as in motor vehicle or car
Tab: as in tabulate or calculate or judge
U as in YOU
Conscie: as in conscientious
Lism: as in belief system or makes it sound like a real word
Intermotabuconscielism
Go ahead, look it up. I am pretty sure you won’t find it in any dictionary. My daddy made it up in 1987. What does it mean? I’m glad you asked. You would think after twenty-one years, I (or we, meaning Daddy, Mother, Sister & I) would have come up with an official definition. I do not think we got past the break down of the word. I think we were laughing too hard to go any further. It really was not funny, but sometimes you just have to laugh.
This incredible, new word emerged as a result of daddy’s meditating on my mishap. I was in my first year of college. I had taken a really funny picture of my roommate in a bathroom stall. She was fully clothed and leaving, and I was standing on the toilet in the next stall. Something about the angle from which it was taken combined with the surprised look on her face magnified her nose a little in the picture. Of course, this was way before the days of digital cameras in my world. I could not wait to get my pictures developed. My roomie had helped me type a research paper, and I owed her dinner. I actually owed her more, but she was very happy with being taken out to dinner.
We picked up the pictures on our way to dinner. We were in rush hour traffic when everyone was getting off from work. I pulled into a busy, four lane thoroughfare. She opened the pack of pictures, and I looked as she flipped through them. Keep in mind, I was supposed to be driving. She found the picture, and we both exploded into laughter. Our moment was short lived, for I soon rear ended a car that had actually stopped for a red light. Oh yeah, I was driving. My hood was arched like a lovely mountain peak. I instantly teared up and said, “I want my Daddy!”
My daddy is a truck driver and had my mother with him on this trip, and they just happened to be a couple of hours away. But that was way before I had a cell phone in my world too! I did the adult thing and got out and asked if everyone was ok. These people whose car I hit nodded very slowly. They looked like hippies from the sixties. We could not find a scratch on their car. I asked if they wanted us to call the police. They shook their heads slowly. I was a tad relieved, but not much. You know, they never uttered a word. They just got in their car and pulled off.
Dinner was a bit tainted. I should have put it off, but I felt indebted to my precious roommate, and we were both hungry. I do not remember if we actually were able to eat. Later I called home and talked to my sister. She tried to comfort me by telling me I had driven two years accident free, unlike her three in the first year she drove. It did not help. Daddy is a kind soul. He did not scold. He could tell I had learned a lesson. I was very upset that I had messed up the car that my parents so freely gave to me.
Anyway, a few weeks later, after my truck-driver daddy had time to ponder. He told me he had come up with a word I needed to learn. You guessed it: Intermotabuconscielism. He sounded out each syllable and explained its importance. My whole family laughed all the way through it. It may sound quirky, but it is mine. It was created just for me. In some weird way, it makes me feel special. And of course, it always makes me laugh.
Inter: as in interstate or highway or road
Mot: as in motor vehicle or car
Tab: as in tabulate or calculate or judge
U as in YOU
Conscie: as in conscientious
Lism: as in belief system or makes it sound like a real word
Intermotabuconscielism
Go ahead, look it up. I am pretty sure you won’t find it in any dictionary. My daddy made it up in 1987. What does it mean? I’m glad you asked. You would think after twenty-one years, I (or we, meaning Daddy, Mother, Sister & I) would have come up with an official definition. I do not think we got past the break down of the word. I think we were laughing too hard to go any further. It really was not funny, but sometimes you just have to laugh.
This incredible, new word emerged as a result of daddy’s meditating on my mishap. I was in my first year of college. I had taken a really funny picture of my roommate in a bathroom stall. She was fully clothed and leaving, and I was standing on the toilet in the next stall. Something about the angle from which it was taken combined with the surprised look on her face magnified her nose a little in the picture. Of course, this was way before the days of digital cameras in my world. I could not wait to get my pictures developed. My roomie had helped me type a research paper, and I owed her dinner. I actually owed her more, but she was very happy with being taken out to dinner.
We picked up the pictures on our way to dinner. We were in rush hour traffic when everyone was getting off from work. I pulled into a busy, four lane thoroughfare. She opened the pack of pictures, and I looked as she flipped through them. Keep in mind, I was supposed to be driving. She found the picture, and we both exploded into laughter. Our moment was short lived, for I soon rear ended a car that had actually stopped for a red light. Oh yeah, I was driving. My hood was arched like a lovely mountain peak. I instantly teared up and said, “I want my Daddy!”
My daddy is a truck driver and had my mother with him on this trip, and they just happened to be a couple of hours away. But that was way before I had a cell phone in my world too! I did the adult thing and got out and asked if everyone was ok. These people whose car I hit nodded very slowly. They looked like hippies from the sixties. We could not find a scratch on their car. I asked if they wanted us to call the police. They shook their heads slowly. I was a tad relieved, but not much. You know, they never uttered a word. They just got in their car and pulled off.
Dinner was a bit tainted. I should have put it off, but I felt indebted to my precious roommate, and we were both hungry. I do not remember if we actually were able to eat. Later I called home and talked to my sister. She tried to comfort me by telling me I had driven two years accident free, unlike her three in the first year she drove. It did not help. Daddy is a kind soul. He did not scold. He could tell I had learned a lesson. I was very upset that I had messed up the car that my parents so freely gave to me.
Anyway, a few weeks later, after my truck-driver daddy had time to ponder. He told me he had come up with a word I needed to learn. You guessed it: Intermotabuconscielism. He sounded out each syllable and explained its importance. My whole family laughed all the way through it. It may sound quirky, but it is mine. It was created just for me. In some weird way, it makes me feel special. And of course, it always makes me laugh.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Triumph in Tribulation
I have never been a blog reader before, but I have been captivated by the legacy of Audrey Caroline Smith and nudged by the Spirit as Angie Smith glorifies God through her difficult and trying times in the loss of a child (I have even been inspired to start my own blog. WOW!). In her blog "Bring the Rain," anointed words flow. Some make me laugh, and some make me cry. The main thread running all the way through every entry is that God loves us, and when we are living close to Him, others can see Him in us. I have attached Angie's blog in my favorites.
Another place I have seen His light shining lately is in the words of Becky Brumbalow. Roger (and Becky) Brumbalow is (are) the Assemblies of God Superintendent (and his wife) for the state of Georgia. Roger recently had brain surgery, chemo, radiation and physical therapy, among other things. Becky is also going through chemo again, having gone through this several times in the past. Every post in their online journal is positive and upbeat despite the difficulties they have experienced. I see His light shining all the way. And I love the way they end every post: "It is a great day for a miracle." You can see this at http://www.gadistag.org/
We will not give up! It really is a great day for a miracle. I see them every day in my children. I see them in Roger and Becky Brumbalow and in Todd and Angie Smith. God is good. He is faithful to walk before us and after us, no matter what it is we face. Praise, honor and glory are HIS!
Another place I have seen His light shining lately is in the words of Becky Brumbalow. Roger (and Becky) Brumbalow is (are) the Assemblies of God Superintendent (and his wife) for the state of Georgia. Roger recently had brain surgery, chemo, radiation and physical therapy, among other things. Becky is also going through chemo again, having gone through this several times in the past. Every post in their online journal is positive and upbeat despite the difficulties they have experienced. I see His light shining all the way. And I love the way they end every post: "It is a great day for a miracle." You can see this at http://www.gadistag.org/
We will not give up! It really is a great day for a miracle. I see them every day in my children. I see them in Roger and Becky Brumbalow and in Todd and Angie Smith. God is good. He is faithful to walk before us and after us, no matter what it is we face. Praise, honor and glory are HIS!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Blessed
Blessed
What does it mean to you? Like the word love, the word blessed is often misused and overused. How many times have we heard about persecution and martyrs and said, “We sure are blessed”? I must admit that I am guilty. How many times have we heard of someone who is struggling financially and looked at our own comfort and said, “Boy, the Lord has really blessed us!”? How many times have we seen a person with a missing limb or heard of a person dying in an accident and said, “Wow, how blessed I am.”
A year ago, a precious and beautiful childhood friend of mine was in the fight of her life. She had been diagnosed with cancer and was hospitalized with complications before they could even get treatments going. She remained hospitalized most of the days she had left on this earth. One day as I was thinking of her, I thought about how “blessed” I was to never have had to go through that. How blessed I was to never have been through that with anyone in my immediate family (though I did go through it with my Grandmother). I felt a check in my spirit. Did I consider myself more blessed than SueAnn because she was dealing with cancer, and I was not? NO! Do I consider myself more blessed because she is now with Jesus and I am here? My resounding answer is NO!!!
So, what is “blessed” anyway? Several online dictionaries say “highly favored.” What makes me highly favored? Only that my Father loved me so much that He gave His only Son to die in my place. Only that Jesus loved me so much He was willing to take my place in death. Dear God, please help me to remember what it means to be blessed. Help me not to misuse a word that only means You love me an awful lot!
What does it mean to you? Like the word love, the word blessed is often misused and overused. How many times have we heard about persecution and martyrs and said, “We sure are blessed”? I must admit that I am guilty. How many times have we heard of someone who is struggling financially and looked at our own comfort and said, “Boy, the Lord has really blessed us!”? How many times have we seen a person with a missing limb or heard of a person dying in an accident and said, “Wow, how blessed I am.”
A year ago, a precious and beautiful childhood friend of mine was in the fight of her life. She had been diagnosed with cancer and was hospitalized with complications before they could even get treatments going. She remained hospitalized most of the days she had left on this earth. One day as I was thinking of her, I thought about how “blessed” I was to never have had to go through that. How blessed I was to never have been through that with anyone in my immediate family (though I did go through it with my Grandmother). I felt a check in my spirit. Did I consider myself more blessed than SueAnn because she was dealing with cancer, and I was not? NO! Do I consider myself more blessed because she is now with Jesus and I am here? My resounding answer is NO!!!
So, what is “blessed” anyway? Several online dictionaries say “highly favored.” What makes me highly favored? Only that my Father loved me so much that He gave His only Son to die in my place. Only that Jesus loved me so much He was willing to take my place in death. Dear God, please help me to remember what it means to be blessed. Help me not to misuse a word that only means You love me an awful lot!
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