The N Word

June 24, 2015

Scenario 1:  Woman sees Facebook posting that is offensive and inflammatory.  Prudently, she addresses the note and unintentionally starts a firestorm for the one she was trying to avenge.  On the one hand, she was successful in her support but on the other, she was detrimental because adverse effects resulted.

Scenario 2:  Inadvertently, man sees old email that dealt with an issue of wife's old high school flame.  Immediate response was anger and hurt and a few other emotions, causing mistrust to rear its ugly head.  They talk about it and deal with it but the damage has been done; the seeds have sprouted and new ones have been planted.

Scenario 3:  Eight-month-old baby begins discovering his independence and starts reaching for everything in sight.  Child is told "no" and just doesn't quite understand this foreign language when previously he was offered many delights.  Child continues straining for objects and is reprimanded, often with a gentle tap on the hand to bring the point home.

Hmn.  Interesting yet unrelated themes, right?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  

Ephesians 4:25-32 has quite the wealth of wisdom in it.  Let's read it together:

Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Whew!  I've read it through three times now and am still gleaning from it!  So, now I want you to consider the definition for the word "no" as we continue on this train ride of thoughts.  Per Dictionary.com, the word "no" means not in any degree or manner; not at all.  

None.  Nada.  Zilch.

The key verse for me is 27: neither give place to the devil.  Friends, if we don't let him in, if we don't listen to his lies, if we don't in any way, form, or shape give him a foothold then he cannot proceed in our lives!  Yeah, I know (shakes head woefully) that this is easier said than done.  But let's see what happens in the above stories when we do this.

Scenario 1: Woman could just let Facebook alone and deal with issues privately.  That way, dirty laundry isn't aired nor are others put into uncomfortable situations.  Result:  the devil doesn't get the victory in tearing apart friendships.  Verse 29 prevails!

Scenario 2:  Man takes a moment to see this trick of Satan to get him to doubting and fearing and instead chooses to remember that this issue has been settled and his marriage is better for it.  Result:  Anger may still happen but sin does not as Satan is defeated in trying to tear down what God has brought together.  Verse 26 allows the sun to come up in the morning because it did not set on wrath the previous night!  

Scenario 3: People give this child whatever he wants and let him find out for himself what's good and what isn't.  Kidding!!!  Result of telling child "no" is that he learns that the flesh does not do so well when it gets everything it desires.  Verse 28 allows the hands to do good rather than get smacked for messing in what doesn't need messed in.

Self-control is the key, friends.  Which lock do you need to fit it in today?  Let's pray!

Dear Lord,

I am a jumbled up mess again this morning.  So many thoughts and so little brain to handle them all.  Lord, quiet me. Still me.  Allow me to take Your yoke and be blessed.  

I'm tired.  Weary in spirit at all of the fluff I see going on around me.  Broken homes.  Broken hearts.  Broken lives.  Sad eyes.  Sad smiles.  Sad souls.

Lord, You came so that our joy may be full.  Fill me today, I pray.  I'm running low and need a free refill of Your glory.  I crave that abundant life You have provided.  Allow me to feast at Your table this morning as I ponder the above verses and take them to heart.

Finally, Lord, thank You.  My eyes are opened and they are fixed on You.  My ears aren't listening to ol' slew foot.  He's not going to trip me up when You are by my side.  Stay close today, Father, is my prayer, asked in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Livin' on a Prayer

June 23, 2015

The other day, I had the privilege of speaking with an older saint. It was our first real conversation and, as I most always do, I focused the conversation on her so that I could get to know her better.

We started with the generalities (where do you live, married, kids, grandkids, etc) then moved into the how-long-have-you- been- attending-church-here, and then lastly, we began talking about health issues and such. As she told me how she had lost her husband and two of her grown children to cancer--along with her own heart being in poor shape physically due to having had three heart attacks--I questioned her "Kind of makes you wonder why God is keeping you here, huh?" I mean, seriously, how much can one woman take?

Now, some people would be offended at a remark like that and I guess--depending on how it was presented--it could be quite the affront. However, this woman eagerly leaned in to the table and exclaimed "Yes! I wonder that all the time!"

We went on to discuss this and what we came up with was that she is a good pray-er. She feels like she is still here so that she can pray for others. Nice, huh? Now hold on: I'm not going to send you her information so you can bombard her with prayer requests. Some things can be shared with others but oftentimes, the prayers we need to be praying are best done by us individually since we know the genuine need and just how earnest we are about bending God's ears to our cries and petitions.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 asks us "what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD'S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?"

It's pretty simple folks, when all is said and done. We have all been created for a purpose and that purpose is to walk in God's ways and to love Him. How long we have to do this is anyone's guess but, like this sweet lady I chatted with on Saturday? As long as she's here, that's what she's gonna do. Sounds like a plan to me!

Let's pray!

Dear Lord, thank You for old saints. They have so much to teach us, so much wisdom, and their hearts seem to be closer to Yours. I pray that You continue to use this woman to pray on the behalves of others and that, Lord, You too use me to walk in Your ways and to love. May it be so is my humble prayer, asked in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Livin' On A Prayer

June 23, 2015

The other day, I had the privilege of speaking with an older saint. It was our first real conversation and, as I most always do, I focused the conversation on her so that I could get to know her better.

We started with the generalities (where do you live, married, kids, grandkids, etc) then moved into the how-long-have-you- been- attending-church-here, and then lastly, we began talking about health issues and such. As she told me how she had lost her husband and two of her grown children to cancer--along with her own heart being in poor shape physically due to having had three heart attacks--I questioned her "Kind of makes you wonder why God is keeping you here, huh?" I mean, seriously, how much can one woman take?

Now, some people would be offended at a remark like that and I guess--depending on how it was presented--it could be quite the affront. However, this woman eagerly leaned in to the table and exclaimed "Yes! I wonder that all the time!"

We went on to discuss this and what we came up with was that she is a good pray-er. She feels like she is still here so that she can pray for others. Nice, huh? Now hold on: I'm not going to send you her information so you can bombard her with prayer requests. Some things can be shared with others but oftentimes, the prayers we need to be praying are best done by us individually since we know the genuine need and just how earnest we are about bending God's ears to our cries and petitions.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 asks us "what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD'S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?"

It's pretty simple folks, when all is said and done. We have all been created for a purpose and that purpose is to walk in God's ways and to love Him. How long we have to do this is anyone's guess but, like this sweet lady I chatted with on Saturday? As long as she's here, that's what she's gonna do. Sounds like a plan to me!

Let's pray!

Dear Lord, thank You for old saints. They have so much to teach us, so much wisdom, and their hearts seem to be closer to Yours. I pray that You continue to use this woman to pray on the behalves of others and that, Lord, You too use me to walk in Your ways and to love. May it be so is my humble prayer, asked in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Happy Father's Day!

June 22, 2015

Good morning! Something so wonderful, so marvelous, so very special happened at church yesterday that I just must share it with you.

I think I saw Jesus. Seriously: I believe with all of my heart that I saw one of the sweetest representations of Christ--maybe the sweetest ever!--as I witnessed a scene that played out in front of me. It happened like this.

A few pews ahead of me, there sat a family that included a mother, father, and son. The son was full of love; I mean, this kid could not keep from hugging, smooching, and resting on his father. He'd lean over and hug him--and not just a quick touching of each other. No, this kid embraced his daddy, smiled up at him as he felt the hug so lovingly returned, and then he just couldn't help it: he had to have more. He reached up and gave his dad a kiss. They beamed at each other and just reveled in the nearness of being together. Then the boy would rest his head on dad's shoulder for a moment and then, sure enough, he had to have more. The process would start all over and the joy of being together was bringing tears to my eyes.

I sat there and thought to myself, "This is how it's going to be when I see Jesus. I am going to be so tickled to finally be with the One Who did it all for me. I'm going to be in His presence, in His arms, and like this sweet child, I am going to be so overcome with love that I won't be able to stop lavishing my own hugs and kisses on Jesus."

I John 3:1 tells us "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" Lavished! Isn't that a great verb? The definition for it is to bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities upon; to expend or give in great amounts or without limit. It's from late Middle English and then from Old French lavasse ‘deluge of rain,’ from laver ‘to wash,’ from Latin lavare. Pardon the old English teacher in me but I just found this word so fascinating as I pondered this verse with this real-life definition played out for me yesterday.

Some stories I heard yesterday made my heart weep as several told sad stories of their own lacks of relationships with their earthly fathers and/or fathers of their children. How I wish they could have seen like I was able to this perspective of what it's going to be like one day for many of us who don't/didn't have this experience on earth. Oh my heart!

It's going to be worth it, friends. Hang on, hang in. There is coming a day when that love we've yearned for will be fulfilled. That illustration I saw yesterday will be a reality for the rest of us, one sweet day. Our kisses will be lavished upon Jesus' face and--here's the best part--they will be returned, generously returned. They will be poured out upon us and wash all over us. For you see, it wasn't just a one-sided affection I witnessed. Oh no. Dad returned nearly every hug, nearly every kiss, and the tenderness in his eyes as he regarded his child makes me tear up even now. Jesus, bring the rain!

Let's pray!

Oh dear Lord God, thank You for this reminder yesterday that Your love for Your children is so great, so ready, and so near. I can almost feel it, can almost feel You, Lord, as I bask in Your presence and revel in the nearness of You. Hurry, Lord, and come and get us all. This is the way it should be, the way You planned it all along. Take away our shame and sin and bring us home to You soon is my plea. In the name of Jesus I pray it. Amen.

What a Day That Will Be!

June 22, 2015

Good morning!  Something so wonderful, so marvelous, so very special happened at church yesterday that I just must share it with you.

I think I saw Jesus.  Seriously:  I believe with all of my heart that I saw one of the sweetest representations of Christ--maybe the sweetest ever!--as I witnessed a scene that played out in front of me.  It happened like this.

A few pews ahead of me, there sat a family that included a mother, father, and son.  The son was full of love; I mean, this kid could not keep from hugging, smooching, and resting on his father.  He'd lean over and hug him--and not just a quick touching of each other.  No this kid embraced his daddy, smiled up at him as he felt the hug so lovingly returned, and then he just couldn't help it:  he had to have more.  He reached up and gave his dad a kiss.  They beamed at each other and just reveled in the nearness of being together.  Then the boy would rest his head on dad's shoulder for a moment and then, sure enough, he had to have more.  The process would start all over and the joy of being together was bringing tears to my eyes.

I sat there and thought to myself, "This is how it's going to be when I see Jesus.  I am going to be so tickled to finally be with the One Who did it all for me.  I'm going to be in His presence, in His arms, and like this sweet child, I am going to be so overcome with love that I won't be able to stop lavishing my own hugs and kisses on Jesus."

I John 3:1 tells us "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"  Lavished!  Isn't that a great verb?  The definition for it is bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities upon.  It's from late Middle English and then from Old French lavasse ‘deluge of rain,’ from laver ‘to wash,’ from Latin lavare.  Pardon the old English teacher in me but I just found this word so fascinating as I pondered this verse with this real-life definition played out for me yesterday.  

Some stories I heard yesterday made my heart weep as several told sad stories of their own lacks of relationships with their earthly fathers and/or fathers of their children.  How I wish they could have seen like I was able to this perspective of what it's going to be like one day for many of us who don't/didn't have this experience on earth.  Oh my heart!  

It's going to be worth it, friends.  Hang on, hang in.  There is coming a day when that love we've yearned for will be fulfilled.  That illustration I saw yesterday will be a reality for the rest of us, one sweet day.  Our kisses will be lavished upon Jesus' face and--here's the best part--they will be returned, generously returned.  They will be poured out upon us and wash all over us.  For you see, it wasn't just a one-sided affection I witnessed.  Oh no.  Dad returned nearly every hug, nearly every kiss, and the tenderness in his eyes as he regarded his child makes me tear up even now.  Jesus, bring the rain!

Let's pray!

Oh dear Lord God, thank You for this reminder yesterday that Your love for Your children is so great, so ready, and so near.  I can almost feel it, can almost feel You, Lord, as I bask in Your presence and revel in the nearness of You.  Hurry, Lord, and come and get us all.  This is the way it should be, the way You planned it all along.  Take away our shame and sin and bring us home to You soon is my plea.  In the name of Jesus I pray it.  Amen.

It Takes A Village

June 21, 2015

Today is my and Steve's first father's day as orphans. Losing our last parent in February sealed the deal in us having no parental guidance as we make our ways in this world that is so in need of leadership.

Thankfully, though--as I noted on another's Facebook page earlier this morning--it takes a village to raise children and we have been very blessed to have uncles and aunts to offer assistance on the way. So, as many celebrate Father's Day today, remember that you too are affecting your village. You are molding and shaping and defining lives today. Be Jesus to folks today that may be bereft as they too mourn losses that are so deep. Comfort where you can. Love always.

Let's pray!

Dear Father, thank You for Your promise to not leave us alone. We ache for the tenderness of a father's touch, the gentleness of his tone. One day, Lord God, one day this will be true again for us. Even so, come Lord Jesus. We need You.

Amen.

Happy Father's Day!

                         

June 21, 2015  

Today is my and Steve's first father's day as orphans. Losing our last parent in February sealed the deal in us having no parental guidance as we make our ways in this world that is so in need of leadership. Thankfully, though--as I noted on another's Facebook page earlier this morning--it takes a village to raise children and we have been very blessed to have uncles and aunts to offer assistance on the way.

So, as many celebrate Father's Day today, remember that you too are affecting your village. You are molding and shaping and defining lives today. Be Jesus to folks today that may be bereft as they too mourn losses that are so deep. Comfort where you can. Love always.

Let's pray!

Dear Father, thank You for Your promise to not leave us alone. We ache for the tenderness of a father's touch, the gentleness of his tone. One day, Lord God, one day this will be true again for us. Even so, come Lord Jesus. We need You.

Happy birthday to me!

June 18, 2015

Tomorrow is Wandering Through The Bible's second birthday.  Can you believe it?  For two whole years I have been sharing and baring my heart and soul with you as I have sought to have a closer relationship with my Father God and my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  

Oh the words I have written--and deleted--as my thoughts have wandered to and fro!  Topics have included things such as mothers, daughters, husbands, friends, fellowship, failures, guarding the tongue and captivating the thoughts.  Inspiration has come from my hubby, my grandsons, Walmart, dogs, nature, the internet, and messages heard on the radio, in chat rooms, and in church. 

It's been quite a journey.  What started out as a way for a friend and I to continue our morning Bible Study evolved into lessons on how to study the Bible, how to learn that no matter how rotten one thinks she is, there is still One Who redeems and restores.  Sadly, there were times when I'd use this blog as a platform for whatever social incident offended me at the time but even in those incidences, God showed me His grace.  The blog has also been a great way to meet new people.  Prayers have been shared as mutual angst was empathized over.  Encouragement has been sent to those who just need a little pick-me-up.  Posts were frequently shared as a topic hit home to hurting hearts.

All in all, it's been quite the journey.  I am thankful for the opportunity to reach those via Facebook that I may never see this side of heaven.  I am grateful for the support of many of you who comment on my page and/or send me notes to encourage.  Mostly though, I am afraid.  I am afraid that this huge responsibility will be overshadowed by my opinions and thoughts rather than being led by those of our Lord.  Yes, some would argue, it's "my blog" and I should be able to write whatever I please.  But this is not so, friends.  

The power to use my talent of expressing what others are also thinking into sentences and paragraphs is one that I do not take lightly.  I used to but I have come quite a ways since June 19, 2013.  Losing my mother and the after-effects of the greatest betrayal I'd ever faced was...it was wrenching.  There was much anger, hurt, and so many mixed emotions going on, not to mention all of the lies and whispers of the devil.  For a while there, I was quite a mess but through this blog and the wondrous grace of God, I was able to work through my grief and loss and see the bigger picture.  God's good that way, isn't He? He allows His children time to mourn and to heal and then, finally, to grow.  To go on.  To see that what happens down here is temporary--even though at times it feels like the pain will never stop.

Writing has been therapeutic for me and I thank God that He has allowed me to share my hurts and achievements with you, dear readers.  As the next year of blogging begins tomorrow, my hope is that I will continue to inspire, motivate, and encourage you all through my struggles and lessons learned so that you too can heal.  You too can let it go (whatever your "it" may be).  My prayer is that you hold on tighter to Jesus than ever before and that you know--you know--He's got you and He's not letting go.  Let's pray together now, shall we?

Oh dear Father, what a joy it has been to write my heart for all the world to see.  Scary, yes.  The risk of ridicule, the fear of no one caring, the taunts of Satan that I was just making a fool out of myself?  All of those emotions ran the gamut of my thoughts, Lord, as I endeavoured to share my soul in hopes of helping someone else through her darknesses.

Lord, as the next year begins, my prayer is that others too will find release and relief in words.  Not just mine (although I hope my readers will multiply and my territory expand).  No, Lord, my real hope is that through Your Word, through Your teachers, through Your singers, and through Your people that more eyes turn to Christ than ever before.  How we need Him, Father!  This world is so crushing at times that it's all some of us can do to take the next breath, to put that one foot in front of the other and keep walking.  And for some, Lord, it's harder still to just stand up and...stand.

Help us, I pray, Lord God, to seek You first in our days.  Remind us with Your songs and with the quotes we see plastered all over Facebook that no matter how rocky the road, You are walking right there beside of us, already knowing what lies ahead.

Finally, Lord, thank You.  You have been so longsuffering with me as I have tried to make sense out of things that just didn't always add up.  You have been gentle with me when I have been petulant.   You have tenderly held me when it seemed no one else cared.  You have been, You are still, so good to me.  Thank You for loving me when others didn't.  Thank You for loving me in spite of myself.  Thank You for being You.  I love You, Lord.  In the name of Jesus I conclude.  Amen.

Free refills!

June 17, 2015

Good morning!  Are you ready for another inspirational message this morning--with the inspiration coming from my beloved husband?  Great!  Let’s get started.

See the picture of the cup holder?  The other day I noticed it was getting low so I went and got some cups to fill it up.  Steve happened to be in the bathroom at the same time and watched with amazement as I took the lid of the container off and placed the cups inside.

“Wow!  I didn’t know you could do that”  he exclaimed.

“What:  take the top off” I asked?  He nodded.  “Well, honey, how do you put the cups in then” I responded.

“I usually just shove them up from the bottom.  Hmn.  Guess your way is easier.”

Oh my cow.  

We both laughed and I tucked away this nugget until now, thinking about how many times I have done silly stuff when there is a much easier way.  A better way.  The right way.  A way that doesn’t involve me forcing something into an arena when there is a kinder, gentler avenue that makes things fit.  Scratch that.  It doesn’t make things fit:  rather, they fit because they were made to work in a certain order.

Following directions isn’t something many of us like to do.  Reading instructions?  Ha!  That’s for those who aren’t as gifted and intelligent as those of us who just automatically understand key concepts and ideas.  Yeah, you see where this is going, don’t you?  We try things our way, just knowing that we can do the job more efficiently, take less time in the process, and then...well, we wind up hunting down those printed words that show us--often with a picture illustration--just how easy the steps are to getting the task accomplished.

“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth…”  Can’t you just feel the frustration of Paul in Galatians 3 or better still, the angst of Christ in Matthew 17 when He said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?”  Yeah, the cup illustration is a laughable one but I wonder just how many times each of us makes decisions (okay, poor choices) that make our Lord’s eyes roll and test His patience?  His way is the one to choose and if we would just do so, our lives would be so much easier.  Don’t you agree?  Instead of us trying to force something into a place where, sure, it would fit what if we took a minute to read the directions and not “kick against the pricks” (Acts 26:14)?  What if we considered the information set before us and read the guidelines?  Couldn’t we be more effective and less aggravated by just keeping it simple?  

I hope this has made some sense.  Too many times I have tried to enforce my beliefs, my way or the highway, and/or my stubbornness has not allowed a project to be completed in a timely manner because I am just so wise and know it all and if you don’t go along with me then it just won’t be as good.  Ha.  As if.  

I think it’s time to pray now.  Join me?

Dear Lord, as I conclude this note I wonder if my meaning is clear?  I wonder if those who are reading this will see that we don’t have to force our beliefs, our ways, our lifestyles on anyone but that instead, when we follow Your Word, Your directions, Your plan that we can all get along and live peacefully with one another?  I wonder if we all took a few moments each day to consider the precepts You have laid out for us, if we set our minds to honor You, and if we purposed in our hearts to love just how much easier our lives would be?

Oh the times I have tried to make someone see things my way and gotten angry and upset when they didn’t.  Lord, I hang my head in shame over my pride.  It has run rampant and turned people away from You rather than drawing them near because my disposition was not one of love but of domination.  I am so sorry, Father, for being so pig-headed.  

As I go about my day, will You remind me to think before speaking, to consider before acting, and to seek Your will instead of seeking my own personal gain?  Thank You, Lord.  How You put up with me is confounding but I thank You for doing so.  In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.

Let's get fruity!

June 15, 2015

Don't you just love a good story?  You know, the kind that has mystery, intrigue, and--of course--a protagonist that saves the day!

Jesus loved stories too.  Here's one He shared in Matthew 13 that I'd like to modernize if you'll allow me to.  Jesus' version goes like this:  

1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Now, for those of you who know anything about me, you know that there is no green on my thumbs.  As shown in the picture, these little plants represent my nursery skills--or lack of.  I have the one on the left that was overzealous, bloomed first, and quickly became staid.  I have the middle one that sprouted more slowly and it too has become unadventurous.  Lastly, I have the soil on the right that...well, a picture is worth a thousand words, right?  

I've been pondering these plants for a while as I hoped they'd blossom and bring forth fruit--or at least the promised basil that the instructions said the seed would produce.  Naturally, I began in my writer's mind to compare these would-be plants to us would-be Christians and here are the varieties of followers I came up with:

1.  We have our peepers, those who pop into church every once in a while to see what's going on.

2.  We have our creepers, those who are in church 'most every service, keeping a close eye on everything and everybody.

3.  We have our heapers, those who are there to share their sorrows, troubles, and needs.

4.  We have our reapers, those who are there to harvest the seeds that have been planted and go out into the community to share the love of Jesus.

5.  We have our weepers, those who mourn over the sins and sicknesses and sadnesses in our congregation.

6.  We have our sleepers, those who come for a quick nap and try to subliminally absorb the Word of God.

7  Lastly, we have our keepers, those who bring forth that good fruit and grow churches--not just physically but also personally.

As a long-time believer in and follower of Jesus, I have seen--and truthfully, been--all of these types of "eapers/eepers" through my years as a child of God.  I've slept my way through a few services.  I've listened to the Word being taught, thought it a marvelous idea, purposed to do better, and then before I even got home or back to school or to work forgotten most of the lessons I learned.  I've been on fire for God and tried to set the world aflame with my vast knowledge of Him.  I've been the condemning one, wondering why those around me weren't improving in their walks until I realized they were thinking the same about me.  I've beebopped in and out of several churches, looking for the right fit.  I've wholeheartedly taught Sunday School, Bible Studies, Ladies Studies, directed Bible School and Christmas Programs, worked in the Sound Booth, helped drive a van to pick up kids, and so on.  Oh yes, I've been "Miss Super Christian" for many years in my journey and yet...

Where is my fruit to show for it?  How many lives have been bettered due to my presence in them?  How much Jesus has been seen through my actions and my life?  The ones I impacted:  does their testimony stand strong today or have they fallen along the wayside?  The dvds prepared as I videoed services for shut-ins:  did this bring them some joy, some hope, some affirmation that Jesus is still working even though they can't get outside to see it?  Those kids I taught and/or brought to church:  what became of them?  Those women I shared and bared my soul with:  were their hearts changed and their burdens lifted as we learned more about Christ together?  These blogs I write:  do they convince or condemn?

Friends, I am still growing, still reaping, still peeping, still weeping in my way as I go from day to day.  But this one thing I know for sure:  I am a keeper.  I have been kept by Jesus and held in His hand.  He's preparing a place for me and though my fruit may not fill the store shelves, it's there.  Some seasons there is more of it than others.  My prayer is that my harvest will be plenty when it's all said and done and that the souls I have earnestly sought to encourage will be behind me, collecting those delicacies, and sharing them with others so that the love of God is truly spread all over this land.

Let's pray!

Dear Lord, thank You for the opportunity to serve You.  As Pastor Payne preached yesterday, we don't work to be saved, we work because we are saved.  And speaking of my preacher, Lord, will You bless him extra good today?  Oh the sleepers, creepers, peepers, heapers, weepers, and such he faces each time he is behind that pulpit!  May his sermons fall on solid ground and may the words You send for him to give to us be well-received?  

Father, we all have a duty as Your children.  Don't let our hearts be so hardened that we cannot continue to grow.  Don't let us start off strong and fizzle out.  Help us, temper us, I ask, so that we stay consistent, we stay fresh, and we provoke others to acts of righteousness in Your name as we seek to be the fruitiest kids You've got!  

We love You, Lord.  Thank You for loving us first.  In Christ's name I pray.  Amen.

Knowing Me

June 12, 2015

Ever have one of those moments?  You know, the ones where that little voice on one shoulder is telling you what you should do while that other little critter on the opposite shoulder is telling you something completely different?  Kind of reminds me of Adam, Eve, and the serpent.

Now, let’s just go ahead and settle this once and for all:  if Adam had taken control of the situation, things would not have gotten so bad for the rest of mankind.  He had a choice and he made the wrong one.  Eve?  She messed up--no doubt about that.  But Adam still had hope but...he was tempted and in his weakness, he fell.

You and I are daily faced with choices that will either increase our knowledge or make us to be fools because we choose to let our hearts dictate what our minds know should be done.  Whether that deals with finances, food, or fellowship with folks we really shouldn’t be fellowing with, the choice is ours.  God gave us free will.  While we often think we know what is best for us, more times than not I daresay if we’d stop, be still for a moment or two, and pray about it before just jumping in that our selections would be quite different.

I was brought up in a home that was dominated by a man whose mantra could have been “Do as I say and not as I do.”  As a result, when finally on my own, I made many decisions based on my feelings because years of repression had taught me that “knowing” something was to be done in a certain way didn’t necessarily imply that that was the best way it could be done or if it needed to be done at all.  When decisions needed to be decided, I was finally able to have things my way.  And, you guessed it, my way wasn’t always right.  Oh the foolish things I did, knowing better but carelessly making hasty decisions that often cost me.  The pride of doing it my way lasted about six seconds while the repercussions of my actions lasted infinitely longer.

As I conclude this blog today, I strongly urge you, friends, to think before you act.  Take just a couple of seconds and pause.  Breathe.  Try to look at what you are doing from a higher realm and think:  what effects will this choice have in an hour, in a day, in a month?  Will the guilt be worth the momentary glory?

Let’s pray!

Dear Lord, as I come to You this day, my heart has some decisions that want to be made quickly and--if I am honest--in ways that will gratify my flesh.  I can tell myself that it’s my time, that these things only regard me, and that it’s no one’s business what I do with my life.  But Lord, You and I both know that that is not true.  My life--in spite of what I think, in spite of those two voices on either shoulder--does matter to many and the choices I make are not just about me.

So, help me, Father?  Help me to pause, pray, and predict the outcome of the options presented before me.  May I please You, honor You, and honor myself and the ones who are affected by this in the name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.